bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collecting Digital Evidence from Online Sources: Deficiencies in Current Polish Criminal Law
Authors: Lewulis Piotr
Published: December 2021

The importance of digital evidence, especially online content, is continuously increasing due to the proliferation of digital technologies in socio-economic life. However, the legal means of criminal evidence gathering in Polish legislation remain unchanged and do not take into account some contemporary challenges. In various countries, traditional rules of evidence gathering were created in the context of a physical world. These rules may be insufficient to safeguard the forensic soundness of evidence gathering methods. Inadequacies of current procedures may be especially visible in the context of transborder digital evidence gathering from online open sources. This article describes the practical shortcomings of Polish criminal evidence law in the context of digital evidence with particular attention to online open-source materials. Empirical data indicate that existing legal limitations are bypassed in practice to enable evidence collection. This unfortunately often happens at the expense of the forensic soundness of digital evidence.
Rotation of the Stress Tensor in a Westerly Granite Sample During the Triaxial Compression Test
Authors: Cielesta Szymon , Orlecka-Sikora Beata , Idris Musa Adebayo
Published: December 2021

We simulated the spatiotemporal modelling of 3D stress and strain distributions during the triaxial compression laboratory test on a westerly granite sample using finite-difference numerical modelling implemented with FLAC3D software. The modelling was performed using a ubiquitous joint constitutive law with strain softening. The applied procedure is capable of reproducing the macroscopic stress and strain evolution in the sample during triaxial deformation until a failure process occurs. In addition, we calculated focal mechanisms of acoustic emission (AE) events and resolved local stress field orientations. This detailed stress information was compared with that from numerical modelling. The comparison was made based on the 3D rotation angle between the cardinal axes of the two stress tensors. To infer the differences in rotation, we applied ANOVA. We identified the two time levels as the plastic deformation phase and the after-failure phase. Additionally, we introduced the bin factor, which describes the location of the rotation scores in the rock sample. The p values of the test statistics F for the bin and phase effects are statistically significant. However, the interaction between them is insignificant. We can, therefore, conclude that there was a significant difference in the time between the rotation means in the particular bins, and we ran post hoc tests to obtain more information where the differences between the groups lie. The largest rotation of the stress field provided by the focal mechanisms of AE events from the numerically calculated stress field is observed in the edge bins, which do not frame the damage zone of the sample.
Resilient Social Actors in the Transition from the Late Bronze to the Early Iron Age on Cyprus
Authors: Meyer Nathan , Knapp A. Bernard
Published: December 2021

Our understanding of the earliest Iron Age on Cyprus has long remained somewhat obscure. This is the result of both a relative lack of material evidence and the fact that scholarly attention has focused more on the preceding Late Bronze Age and on the subsequent Cypro-Archaic period. As more, and more varied, data have accumulated, there have been calls for a more theoretically informed approach to considering the social changes involved, and even for prehistorians to extend their work into the Cypriot Iron Age. As a response to this, the present study considers a broad range of material and documentary evidence, attempts to reconstruct the political economy, and offers an interpretative framework based on social understandings of Complex Adaptive Systems theory. Using this approach, the authors conclude that, while the enduring realities of Cyprus—its geography, copper resources and long tradition of agropastoralism—continued to shape Cypriot culture, the Iron Age is not simply a continuation of its Bronze Age sociopolitical forms. We argue instead that the earliest Iron Age involved social actors negotiating new politico-economic agendas in response to changing conditions in the Iron Age eastern Mediterranean.
Ground Validation Experiment and Spectral Detection Capability Evaluation of Mars Mineralogical Spectrometer (MMS) Aboard HX-1 Orbiter
Authors: Liu Bin , Ren Xin , Liu Dawei , Liu Jianjun , Zhang Qing , Huang Hai , Xu Rui , Wang Rong , Liu Chengyu , He Zhiping , Li Chunlai
Published: December 2021

As a hyperspectral imager aboard the orbiter “HX-1” of China’s first Mars mission, the Mars Mineralogical Spectrometer (MMS) is designed with hyperspectral and multispectral operation modes to survey the mineral types and their distribution on the surface of Mars, and to study the overall chemical composition and evolution history of Mars. The multispectral modes of MMS are different from hyperspectral modes on the bands selection, spatial and spectral resolution, Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) etc. So the spectral detection capability of each mode of MMS is also different. The ground validation experiment of MMS is conducted to evaluate the hyperspectral and multispectral data quality and detection capabilities. The main conclusions include: (1) The measured hyperspectra of typical mineral samples obtained by MMS agree well with the data acquired by the Standard Comparison Spectrometers (SCS) under the same measurement conditions, and the spectral uncertainty between MMS and SCS is less than 7% in the key spectral ranges ($0.7\sim2.2~\upmu \text{m}$
0.7
∼
2.2

μm
). For some typical minerals, the absorption band positions deviation between MMS and SCS are within $0.69\sim14.86~\text{nm}$
0.69
∼
14.86

nm
, which are within the spectral resolution limits of MMS. (2) The six sets of band combinations designed for MMS multispectral modes are slightly superior to CRISM’s multispectral mode in terms of spectral resolutions and bands selection, the water-containing minerals will be more accurately distinguished and identified, such as montmorillonite and kaolinite. Besides, the SNR of each multispectral mode is greater than 400 in the 500–2600 nm spectral range, which meets the requirements for the subtle spectral characteristics of water-containing minerals. (3) Benefiting from the MMS ground validation experiment and the experience of the OMEGA and CRISM, it is recommended that MMS first adopt the spatial continuous 52-sample or 104-sample (spatial resolution is about $0.53\sim1.06~\text{km}$
0.53
∼
1.06

km
) multispectral operation mode for typical minerals global mapping and finding target areas of interest. Then the 208-sample multispectral mode (spatial resolution is about $\sim265~\text{m}$
∼
265

m
) or 26-sample hyperspectral mode can be used to survey target areas of interest for the subtle mineral types characteristics and distribution. At last, 26-sample hyperspectral mode could be used to monitor the atmospheric composition of Mars by limb observations.
Advanced virtual prototyping for cyber-physical systems using RISC-V: implementation, verification and challenges
Authors: Herdt Vladimir , Drechsler Rolf
Published: December 2021

Virtual prototypes (VPs) are crucial in today’s design flow. VPs are predominantly created in SystemC transaction-level modeling (TLM) and are leveraged for early software development and other system-level use cases. Recently, virtual prototyping has been introduced for the emerging RISC-V instruction set architecture (ISA) and become an important piece of the growing RISC-V ecosystem. In this paper, we present enhanced virtual prototyping solutions tailored for RISC-V. The foundation is an advanced open source RISC-V VP implemented in SystemC TLM and designed as a configurable and extensible platform. It scales from small bare-metal systems to large multi-core systems that run applications on top of the Linux operating system. Based on the RISC-V VP, this paper also discusses advanced VP-based verification approaches and open challenges. In combination, we provide for the first time an integrated and unified overview and perspective on advanced virtual prototyping for RISC-V.
Five weeks of intermittent transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation shape neural networks: a machine learning approach
Authors: Obst Martina. A. , Al-Zubaidi Arkan , Heldmann Marcus , Nolde Janis Marc , Blümel Nick , Kannenberg Swantje , Münte Thomas F.
Published: December 2021

Invasive and transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation [(t)-VNS] have been used to treat epilepsy, depression and migraine and has also shown effects on metabolism and body weight. To what extent this treatment shapes neural networks and how such network changes might be related to treatment effects is currently unclear. Using a pre-post mixed study design, we applied either a tVNS or sham stimulation (5 h/week) in 34 overweight male participants in the context of a study designed to assess effects of tVNS on body weight and metabolic and cognitive parameters resting state (rs) fMRI was measured about 12 h after the last stimulation period. Support vector machine (SVM) classification was applied to fractional amplitude low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) on established rs-networks. All classification results were controlled for random effects and overfitting. Finally, we calculated multiple regressions between the classification results and reported food craving. We found a classification accuracy (CA) of 79 % in a subset of four brainstem regions suggesting that tVNS leads to lasting changes in brain networks. Five of eight salience network regions yielded 76,5 % CA. Our study shows tVNS’ post-stimulation effects on fALFF in the salience rs-network. More detailed investigations of this effect and their relationship with food intake seem reasonable for future studies.
Trends in Mortality after Intensive Care of Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Finland in 2003–2019: A Finnish Intensive Care Consortium study
Authors: Virta Jyri J. , Skrifvars Markus , Reinikainen Matti , Bendel Stepani , Laitio Ruut , Hoppu Sanna , Ala-Kokko Tero , Siironen Jari , Raj Rahul
Published: December 2021

Background

Previous studies suggest that case mortality of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) has decreased during the last decades, but most studies have been unable to assess case severities among individual patients. We aimed to assess changes in severity-adjusted aSAH mortality in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, register-based study by using the prospectively collected Finnish Intensive Care Consortium database. Four out of five ICUs providing neurosurgical and neurointensive care in Finland participated in the Finnish Intensive Care Consortium. We extracted data on adult patients admitted to Finnish ICUs with aSAH between 2003 and 2019. The primary outcome was 12-month mortality during three periods: 2003–2008, 2009–2014, and 2015–2019. Using a multivariable logistic regression model—with variables including age, sex, World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grade, preadmission dependency, significant comorbidities, and modified Simplified Acute Physiology Score II—we analyzed whether admission period was independently associated with mortality.

Results

A total of 1,847 patients were included in the study. For the periods 2003–2008 and 2015–2019, the mean number of patients with aSAH admitted per year increased from 81 to 123. At the same time, the patients’ median age increased from 55 to 58 years (p = 0.001), and the proportion of patients with World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grades I–III increased from 42 to 58% (p < 0.001). The unadjusted 12-month mortality declined from 30% in 2003–2008 to 23% in 2015–2019 (p = 0.001), but there was no statistically significant change in severity-adjusted mortality.

Conclusions

Between 2003 and 2019, patients with aSAH admitted to ICUs became older and the proportion of less severe cases increased. Unadjusted mortality decreased but age and case severity adjusted–mortality remained unchanged.
The effect of gravity drainage mechanism on oil recovery by reservoir simulation; a case study in an Iranian highly fractured reservoir
Authors: Zobeidi K. , Mohammad-Shafie M. , Ganjeh-Ghazvini M.
Published: December 2021

A comprehensive reservoir simulation study was performed on an oil field that had a wide fracture network and could be considered a typical example of highly fractured reservoirs in Iran. This field is located in southwest of Iran in Zagros sedimentary basin among several neighborhood fields with relatively considerable fractured networks. In this reservoir, the pressure drops below the saturation pressure and causes the formation of a secondary gas cap. This can help to better assess the gravity drainage phenomenon. We decided to investigate and track the effect of gravity drainage mechanism on the recovery factor of oil production in this field. In this study, after/before the implementation of gas injection scenarios with different discharges, the contribution of gravity drainage mechanism to the recovery factor was found more than 50%. Considering that a relatively large number of studies have been conducted on this field simultaneously with the growth of information from different aspects and this study is the last and most comprehensive study and also the results are extracted from real field data using existing reservoir simulators, it is of special importance and can be used by researchers.
Significance of petroleum seepages in hydrocarbon exploration-case study of Khourian Desert, Central Iran
Authors: Hosseini Azadeh , Saberi Mohammad Hossein , ZareNezhad Bahman
Published: December 2021

Hydrocarbon exploration has long been based on such costly and time-intensive methods as geophysical surveys, geological studies, and drilling. In recent years, however, researchers have started to consider such inexpensive alternatives as surface geochemistry for hydrocarbon exploration. Some 100 years ago, the leakage of hydrocarbons onto the surface in the form of micro- and macro-seepages motivated researchers toward drilling a well in the Khourian Desert in the south of Semnan Province, Iran. Upon drilling the well, researchers found evidences of non-released (free) hydrocarbons. These findings drove further study of the area using surface geochemistry while considering the nearby hydrocarbon accumulation in Qom Formation. Conventional and indirect surface geochemical methods provide an insight into the relationship between surface and subsurface hydrocarbons. In the present work, the results of the Rock–Eval pyrolysis showed total organic carbon (TOC) values in the range of 0.31–4.13 wt.% and S1 peaks between 0.07 and 27.35. Sulfur isotope analysis showed a sulfur isotopic value of −0.4. The study of hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria showed the presence of bacterial colonies in MSM at 1.22 × 106 cfu/g of soil sample. We further investigated surface changes due to the presence of free hydrocarbons and pH variations (4.9–8) resulted from the changes in the concentrations of calcium carbonate and iron. According to the results and given the presence of organic sulfur in the samples, the occurrence of Gach-i-turush and alike phenomena was proposed in this area. The results of geo-microbial prospecting method, surface secondary changes, and sulfur isotope studies were well in agreement with the characteristics of the existing hydrocarbon reserves in this area. Surface geochemical surveys can precede other geochemical and geophysical surveys to identify surface anomalies and hence focus on more probable locales of hydrocarbon accumulation in the Khourian Desert, central Iran.
Simulation-Based and Risk-Informed Assessment of the Effectiveness of Tsunami Evacuation Routes Using Agent-Based Modeling: A Case Study of Seaside, Oregon
Authors: Wang Zhenqiang , Jia Gaofeng
Published: December 2021

Typically, tsunami evacuation routes are marked using signs in the transportation network and the evacuation map is made to educate people on how to follow the evacuation route. However, tsunami evacuation routes are usually identified without the support of evacuation simulation, and the route effectiveness in the reduction of evacuation risk is typically unknown quantitatively. This study proposes a simulation-based and risk-informed framework for quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of evacuation routes in reducing evacuation risk. An agent-based model is used to simulate the tsunami evacuation, which is then used in a simulation-based risk assessment framework to evaluate the evacuation risk. The route effectiveness in reducing the evacuation risk is evaluated by investigating how the evacuation risk varies with the proportion of the evacuees that use the evacuation route. The impacts of critical risk factors such as evacuation mode (for example, on foot or by car) and population size and distribution on the route effectiveness are also investigated. The evacuation risks under different cases are efficiently calculated using the augmented sample-based approach. The proposed approach is applied to the risk-informed evaluation of the route effectiveness for tsunami evacuation in Seaside, Oregon. The evaluation results show that the route usage is overall effective in reducing the evacuation risk in the study area. The results can be used for evacuation preparedness education and hence effective evacuation.
Dynamics and morphology of droplet penetrating a soap film
Authors: Wei Yanju , Mu Zhiqiang , Zhang Yajie , Yang Yajing , Liu Shenghua , Law Chung K. , Saha Abhishek
Published: December 2021

This work reports experimental observation and theoretical explanation of the dynamics and morphology of a droplet passing through a soap film. During the process, the film undergoes four sequential responses: (1) film deformation upon droplet impact; (2) drop–film detachment; (3) coalescence of the film shell with the drop; (4) peel-off of the film shell. Physical models and the corresponding analytical expressions are developed to reveal the underlying physics for the observed four responses. It is identified that the film is an elongated catenoid under continuous stretch by the droplet, and that they separate at the fixed height of 5.8 times of the droplet radius while the detach point is located at the centre of the height. After separation, the droplet is wrapped with a film shell, which is then punctured by the ring tip of the converging surface wave at the impacting Weber number range of [45, 225]. The film shell then coalesces with the droplet, falls off with a fixed velocity and is eventually ejected as a bubble leaving the droplet with a transplanted surface of the soap solution.
Precursors of backflow events and their relationship with the near-wall self-sustaining process
Authors: Guerrero Byron , Lambert Martin F. , Chin Rey C.
Published: December 2021

This study examines the precursors and consequences of rare backflow events at the wall using direct numerical simulation of turbulent pipe flow with a high spatiotemporal resolution. The results obtained from conditionally averaged fields reveal that the precursor of a backflow event is the asymmetric collision between a high- and a low-speed streak (LSS) associated with the sinuous mode of the streaks. As the collision occurs, a lifted shear layer with high local azimuthal enstrophy is formed at the trailing end of the LSS. Subsequently, a spanwise or an oblique vortex spontaneously arises. The dominant nonlinear mechanism by which this vortex is engendered is enstrophy intensification due to direct stretching of the lifted vorticity lines in the azimuthal direction. As time progresses, this vortex tilts and orientates towards the streamwise direction and, as its enstrophy increases, it induces the breakdown of the LSS located below it. Subsequently, this vortical structure advects as a quasi-streamwise vortex, as it tilts and stretches with time. As a result, it is shown that reverse flow events at the wall are the signature of the nonlinear mechanism of the self-sustaining process occurring at the near-wall region. Additionally, each backflow event has been tracked in space and time, showing that approximately 50 % of these events are followed by at least one additional vortex generation that gives rise to new backflow events. It is also found that up to a maximum of seven regenerations occur after a backflow event has appeared for the first time.
Late Triassic dinosaur tracks from Penarth, south Wales
Authors: Falkingham Peter L. , Maidment Susannah C. R. , Lallensack Jens N. , Martin Jeremy E. , Suan Guillaume , Cherns Lesley , Howells Cindy , Barrett Paul M.
Published: December 2021

Evidence of Late Triassic large tetrapods from the UK is rare. Here, we describe a track-bearing surface located on the shoreline near Penarth, south Wales, United Kingdom. The total exposed surface is c. 50 m long and c. 2 m wide, and is split into northern and southern sections by a small fault. We interpret these impressions as tracks, rather than abiogenic sedimentary structures, because of the possession of marked displacement rims and their relationship to each other with regularly spaced impressions forming putative trackways. The impressions are large (up to c. 50 cm in length), but poorly preserved, and retain little information about track-maker anatomy. We discuss alternative, plausible, abiotic mechanisms that might have been responsible for the formation of these features, but reject them in favour of these impressions being tetrapod tracks. We propose that the site is an additional occurrence of the ichnotaxon Eosauropus, representing a sauropodomorph trackmaker, thereby adding a useful new datum to their sparse Late Triassic record in the UK. We also used historical photogrammetry to digitally map the extent of site erosion during 2009–2020. More than 1 m of the surface exposure has been lost over this 11-year period, and the few tracks present in both models show significant smoothing, breakage and loss of detail. These tracks are an important datapoint for Late Triassic palaeontology in the UK, even if they cannot be confidently assigned to a specific trackmaker. The documented loss of the bedding surface highlights the transient and vulnerable nature of our fossil resources, particularly in coastal settings, and the need to gather data as quickly and effectively as possible.
Social Economy and Living Standards: Consumer Cooperatives in Barcelona, 1891–1935
Authors: Medina-Albaladejo Francisco J. , Pujol-Andreu Josep
Published: December 2021

The living standards of the working classes during industrialization continue to be the subject of debate in European historiography. However, other factors closely related to the institutional setting, such as the role played by social economy and the institutions for collective action, are seldom considered. This study focuses on these factors, and attempts to quantify the social impact of consumer cooperatives. We argue that these institutions substantially improved the lot of the working classes from the mid-nineteenth century onwards, helping them to increase their incomes, and access food and services, such as education and social services, which the state did not provide in sufficient measure. To demonstrate this point, we analyse thirty-five consumer cooperatives in Barcelona, an industrial centre in which these organizations were more popular than anywhere else in Spain. Our main conclusion is that consumer cooperatives increased the well-being of their members, helping them to meet their substantial calorific needs, although their diets were unbalanced and low-cost; members improved their income between five and ten per cent, by simply shopping at the institution, and gained access to basic welfare services.
Checklist of nematodes parasitizing fish in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Santos Reis M.H. , Santos C.P. , Nunes J.L.S. , Mugnai R.
Published: December 2021

This study presents a list of parasitic fish nematodes from the Brazilian Amazon based on the previous Brazilian list including scientific assessments carried out between 2010 and 2021. A total of 16 families, 48 species and 28 undetermined species of nematodes associated with fish are included in the checklist, in addition to 93 host species and 15 geographical records.
Subduction of an Oceanic Plateau Across Southcentral Alaska: Scattered‐Wave Imaging
Authors: Mann Michael Everett , Abers Geoffrey A. , Daly Kiara A. , Christensen Douglas H.
Published: December 2021

An oceanic plateau, the Yakutat terrane, has entered the subduction system across southcentral Alaska. Its down‐dip fate and relationship to overlying volcanism is still debated. Broadband seismometers from the Wrangell Volcanism and Lithospheric Fate (WVLF) temporary experiment were deployed with <20 km spacing across southcentral Alaska to study this region. An array‐based deconvolution procedure is used to isolate the scattered P and S coda of teleseismic P waves for imaging discontinuity structure. This procedure is applied to WVLF and other dense seismic arrays across southcentral Alaska in a manner that accounts for near‐surface wavespeed variations. Two imaging techniques are employed: two‐dimensional migration and three‐dimensional common‐conversion‐point (CCP) stacking. Migrating the scattered phases along WVLF stations shows the ∼18 ± 4 km thick Yakutat crust subducting beneath the Wrangell Volcanic field to the NNE. It is offset from the Alaska‐Aleutian seismic zone laterally by 250 km to the southeast at 100 km depth, and dips more steeply (45°). At depths <45 km, CCP stacking reveals that the Yakutat crust is continuous for over 450 km along strike. This shallow continuity and deeper offset suggest a tear in the subducting Yakutat slab at depths >45 km, around 146°W. CCP stacking also reveals a continuous thin low‐velocity layer atop the underthrust Yakutat crust for >450 km along strike, at all depths <35 km. The uniform low‐velocity thrust zone indicates consistent properties through multiple rupture‐zone segments, showing that low‐velocity channels generally correspond with subduction megathrusts.
Sensitivity of Ground Magnetometer Array Elements for GIC Applications I: Resolving Spatial Scales With the BEAR and CARISMA Arrays
Authors: Dimitrakoudis Stavros , Milling David K. , Kale Andy , Mann Ian R.
Published: December 2021

Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) can be driven in terrestrial electrical power grids as a result of the induced electric fields arising from geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) resulting from the dynamics of the coupled magnetosphere‐ionosphere‐ground system. However, a key issue is to assess an optimum spacing for the magnetometer stations in order to provide appropriate monitoring of the GIC‐related GMD. Here we assess the vector correlation lengths of GMD and related amplitude occurrence distribution of the variations of horizontal magnetic field dBH/dt. Specifically, we study the GMD response to two storm‐time substorms using data from two magnetometer arrays, the Baltic Electromagnetic Array Research Project in Scandinavia and the Canadian Array for Realtime Investigations of Magnetic Activity array in North America, so as to determine the appropriate magnetometer spacing in latitude and longitude, for monitoring and assessing GIC risk. We find that although magnetic disturbances are well‐correlated up to distances of several hundred kilometers at mid‐latitudes, the vector correlation length rapidly drops off for station separations of less than 100 km within the auroral oval. In general geomagnetic fluctuations are stronger and more localized in the auroral zone. Since the auroral oval is pushed equatorward during intense magnetic storms, we highlight that networks using a station separation of ∼200 km should provide an excellent basis for monitoring both small and large scale geomagnetic disturbances. A monitoring network with this station spacing is recommended as being appropriate for assessing the role of GMD in driving GICs in the electric power grid.
Mapping of novel loci involved in lung and colon tumor susceptibility by the use of genetically selected mouse strains
Authors: Borrego Andrea , Jensen José Ricardo , Cabrera Wafa Hanna Koury , Massa Solange , Ribeiro Orlando Garcia , Starobinas Nancy , De Franco Marcelo , Eto Silas Fernandes , Manenti Giacomo , Dragani Tommaso Antonio , Ibañez Olga Martinez
Published: December 2021

Two non-inbred mouse lines, phenotypically selected for maximal (AIRmin) and minimal (AIRmax) acute inflammatory response, show differential susceptibility/resistance to the development of several chemically-induced tumor types. An intercross pedigree of these mice was generated and treated with the chemical carcinogen dimethylhydrazine, which induces lung and intestinal tumors. Genome wide high-density genotyping with the Restriction Site-Associated DNA genotyping (2B-RAD) technique was used to map genetic loci modulating individual genetic susceptibility to both lung and intestinal cancer. Our results evidence new common quantitative trait loci (QTL) for those phenotypes and provide an improved understanding of the relationship between genomic variation and individual genetic predisposition to tumorigenesis in different organs.
Designing a multi-epitope vaccine to provoke the robust immune response against influenza A H7N9
Authors: Tarrahimofrad Hossein , Rahimnahal Somayyeh , Zamani Javad , Jahangirian Ehsan , Aminzadeh Saeed
Published: December 2021

A new strain of Influenza A Virus (IAV), so-called "H7N9 Avian Influenza", is the first strain of this virus in which a human is infected by transmitting the N9 of influenza virus. Although continuous human-to-human transmission has not been reported, the occurrence of various H7N9-associated epidemics and the lack of production of strong antibodies against H7N9 in humans warn of the potential for H7N9 to become a new pandemic. Therefore, the need for effective vaccination against H7N9 as a life-threatening viral pathogen has become a major concern. The current study reports the design of a multi-epitope vaccine against Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA) proteins of H7N9 Influenza A virus by prediction of Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), Helper T lymphocyte (HTL), IFN-γ and B-cell epitopes. Human β-defensin-3 (HβD-3) and pan HLA DR-binding epitope (PADRE) sequence were considered as adjuvant. EAAAK, AAY, GPGPG, HEYGAEALERAG, KK and RVRR linkers were used as a connector for epitopes. The final construct contained 777 amino acids that are expected to be a recombinant protein of about ~ 86.38 kDa with antigenic and non-allergenic properties after expression. Modeled protein analysis based on the tertiary structure validation, docking studies, and molecular dynamics simulations results like Root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), Gyration, Root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF) and Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM/PBSA) showed that this protein has a stable construct and capable of being in interaction with Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), TLR8 and m826 antibody. Analysis of the obtained data the demonstrates that suggested vaccine has the potential to induce the immune response by stimulating T and Bcells, and may be utilizable for prevention purposes against Avian Influenza A (H7N9).
Non-invasive mapping of cortical categorization function by repetitive navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Maurer Stefanie , Butenschoen Vicki Marie , Meyer Bernhard , Krieg Sandro M.
Published: December 2021

Over the past years navigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (nrTMS) had become increasingly important for the preoperative examination and mapping of eloquent brain areas. Among other applications it was demonstrated that the detection of neuropsychological function, such as arithmetic processing or face recognition, is feasible with nrTMS. In order to investigate the mapping of further brain functions, this study aims to investigate the cortical mapping of categorization function via nrTMS. 20 healthy volunteers purely right-handed, with German as mother tongue underwent nrTMS mapping using 5 Hz/10 pulses. 52 cortical spots spread over each hemisphere were stimulated. The task consisted of 80 pictures of living and non-living images, which the volunteers were instructed to categorize while the simulation pulses were applied. The highest error rates for all errors of all subjects were observed in the left hemisphere’s posterior middle frontal gyrus (pMFG) with an error rate of 60%, as well as in the right pMFG and posterior supra marginal gyrus (pSMG) (45%). In total the task processing of non-living objects elicited more errors in total, than the recognition of living objects. nrTMS is able to detect cortical categorization function. Moreover, the observed bihemispheric representation, as well as the higher error incidence for the recognition of non-living objects is well in accordance with current literature. Clinical applicability for preoperative mapping in brain tumor patients but also in general neuroscience has to be evaluated as the next step.
Numerical investigation of ibuprofen removal from pharmaceutical wastewater using adsorption process
Authors: Cao Yan , Nakhjiri Ali Taghvaie , Ghadiri Mahdi
Published: December 2021

In the present study, a mathematical modelling was developed to investigate ibuprofen adsorption from pharmaceutical wastewater into activated carbon and sonicated activated carbon. The developed model was dissolved based on the finite element method. Effect of different operating parameters including particle porosity and diameter as well as ibuprofen diffusion coefficient in solution on the amount of ibuprofen adsorption at different time point and position in the particle were evaluated. It was found good agreement between experimental values and modelling results in terms of ibuprofen adsorption as a function time. The 84.5% and 92.5% of maximum adsorption was achieved for the AC and SAC at the centre of particle after 150 min. Increasing the particle porosity and ibuprofen diffusion coefficient was improved the ibuprofen adsorption into the adsorbent. However, the particle diameter had negative impact on the system performance. There was a decrease in solute adsorption from 84.10 to 7.30 mg/g and from 106 to 15.73 mg/g for the AC and SAC respectively with increasing the particle radius from 173 to 500 µm. Finally, it was concluded that the particle specifications play important role in the adsorption process as it was observed considerable change in the amount of adsorption at different positions in the particle with changing the particle specifications.
The impact of temperature on the transmissibility and virulence of COVID-19 in Tokyo, Japan
Authors: Yamasaki Lisa , Murayama Hiroaki , Hashizume Masahiro
Published: December 2021

Assessing the impact of temperature on COVID-19 epidemiology is critical for implementing non-pharmaceutical interventions. However, few studies have accounted for the nature of contagious diseases, i.e., their dependent happenings. We aimed to quantify the impact of temperature on the transmissibility and virulence of COVID-19 in Tokyo, Japan, employing two epidemiological measurements of transmissibility and severity: the effective reproduction number ($$R_{t}$$

R
t

) and case fatality risk (CFR). We estimated the $$R_{t}$$

R
t

and time-delay adjusted CFR and to subsequently assess the nonlinear and delayed effect of temperature on $$R_{t}$$

R
t

and time-delay adjusted CFR. For $$R_{t}$$

R
t

at low temperatures, the cumulative relative risk (RR) at the first temperature percentile (3.3 °C) was 1.3 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–1.7). As for the virulence to humans, moderate cold temperatures were associated with higher CFR, and CFR also increased as the temperature rose. The cumulative RR at the 10th and 99th percentiles of temperature (5.8 °C and 30.8 °C) for CFR were 3.5 (95% CI: 1.3–10.0) and 6.4 (95% CI: 4.1–10.1). Our results suggest the importance to take precautions to avoid infection in both cold and warm seasons to avoid severe cases of COVID-19. The results and our proposed approach will also help in assessing the possible seasonal course of COVID-19 in the future.
Kidney biopsy-based epidemiologic analysis shows growing biopsy rate among the elderly
Authors: Molnár Adél , Thomas Mbuotidem Jeremiah , Fintha Attila , Kardos Magdolna , Dobi Deján , Tislér András , Ledó Nóra
Published: December 2021

Systematic registration and examination of biopsy-related data in Central and Eastern Europe are scarce, while the health condition of the population is worse compared to other more developed countries. We aim to create a database and analyze the distribution and temporal variation of the renal biopsy diagnoses in Hungary, including the effect of the recent coronavirus pandemic. The diagnoses were standardized according to the recommendation of the European Renal Association. Native biopsy samples processed between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2020, were analyzed. During the 15 years, 2140 native kidney biopsies were performed. The number of samples increased from 24.5 to 57.9 per million person-years and the median age from 37 to 51 years (p < 0.0001). The predominance of glomerular diseases was stable. The most frequent glomerulopathy was IgA nephropathy (21.5%), followed by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (17.7%), and membranous nephropathy (15.7%). Trends showed the rise of ANCA-associated vasculitis. During the coronavirus pandemic, there was a decrease in the number of kidney biopsies and the proportion of membranous nephropathies. The diagnostic trends in our database showed increasing biopsy rates among the elderly and the growing frequencies of age-related diseases, which emphasizes the importance of altering medical focus according to demographic changes in this area.
An active-passive strategy for enhanced synergistic photothermal-ferroptosis therapy in the NIR-I/II biowindows
Authors: Wu Fengxia , Chen Haoran , Liu Ruiqi , Suo Yongkuan , Li Qiqing , Zhang Youlin , Liu Hongguang , Cheng Zhen , Chang Yulei
Published: December 2021

In this work, the Bi2Se3–Fe3O4/Au nanoparticles (BFA NPs) were designed for multi-modal imaging-guided enhanced photothermal-ferroptosis therapy in an active-passive way.
Soybean diacylglycerol regulates lipid metabolism in d-galactose-induced aging rats by altering gut microbiota and gene expression of colonic epithelial cells
Authors: Han Lulu , Sun Rongrong , Wang Yong , Luo Jianming , Peng Xichun
Published: December 2021

Soybean diacylglycerol improves lipid metabolism in aging rats by altering colonic epithelial cells gene expression and intestinal microflora structure.
A wafer-scale two-dimensional platinum monosulfide ultrathin film via metal sulfurization for high performance photoelectronics
Authors: Pang Jinbo , Wang Yanhao , Yang Xiaoxin , Zhang Lei , Li Yufen , Zhang Yu , Yang Jiali , Yang Feng , Wang Xiao , Cuniberti Gianaurelio , Liu Hong , Rümmeli Mark H.
Published: December 2021

A facile metal sulfurization was employed for preparing a 4-inch wafer scale PtS film. The 2D PtS nonlayered material were studied by STEM, SAED, XPS and Raman spectra. The formation of PtS (other than PtS2) was interpreted by the phase diagram.
Enhanced CO2 electrolysis with synergistic doping in perovskite cathode materials
Authors: Xu Yihong , Huang Lingwei , Zhang Youkai , Gan Lizhen
Published: December 2021

The reaction mechanism of SOEC electrolysis of CO2 to CO; in the middle is a dense electrolyte, with porous catalysts distributed on both sides.
Sequential structural degradation of red perovskite quantum dots and its prevention by introducing iodide at a stable gradient concentration into the core–shell red perovskite quantum dots
Authors: Lee Hanleem , Trinh Cuc Kim , So Mo Geun , Lee Chang-Lyoul
Published: December 2021

In this study, we studied the degradation mechanism of red perovskite QDs under electric fields to develop a novel strategy for overcoming the low operational stabilities of PeLEDs.
Chemically triggered soft material macroscopic degradation and fluorescence detection using self-propagating thiol-initiated cascades
Authors: Wu Tianhong , Feng Xing , Sun Xiaolong
Published: December 2021

In this article, we present a new approach for thiol detection through chemically triggered polymeric macroscopic degradation using self-propagating cascades, coupled with photoluminescence.
Polyrhodamine: a redox stable conducting polyelectrolyte
Authors: Wahalathantrige Don Ranganath , Dowell Timothy J. , Simms Briana L. , Watkins Davita L. , Wipf David O. , Scott Colleen N.
Published: December 2021

First example of a redox stable conducting polymer with a rhodamine backbone.
Ultrafast temporal evolution of interatomic Coulombic decay in NeKr dimers
Authors: Trinter F. , Miteva T. , Weller M. , Hartung A. , Richter M. , Williams J. B. , Gatton A. , Gaire B. , Sartor J. , Landers A. L. , Berry B. , Ben-Itzhak I. , Sisourat N. , Stumpf V. , Gokhberg K. , Dörner R. , Jahnke T. , Weber T.
Published: December 2021

We investigate the time-resolved dynamics of interatomic Coulombic decay in NeKr dimers after neon inner-valence photoionization using a synchrotron light source.
Molecular insights into chirality transfer from double axially chiral phosphoric acid in a synergistic enantioselective intramolecular amination
Authors: Tribedi Soumi , Sunoj Raghavan B.
Published: December 2021

The origin of enantiocontrol in an intramolecular amination involving Pd(PPh3)4and a double axially chiral phosphoric acid (DAPCy) dual catalytic system is traced to a more effective series of noncovalent interactions in the lower energy C–N bond formation transition state.
Regioregularity-control of conjugated polymers: from synthesis and properties, to photovoltaic device applications
Authors: Kim Youngkwon , Park Hyeonjung , Park Jin Su , Lee Jin-Woo , Kim Felix Sunjoo , Kim Hyeong Jun , Kim Bumjoon J.
Published: December 2021

We summarize a variety of examples of regioregularity-controlled conjugated polymers and describe their impacts on the polymer properties and performances in polymer solar cells.
Methyl (–CH3)-terminated ZnO nanowires for selective acetone detection: a novel approach toward sensing performance enhancement via self-assembled monolayer
Authors: Singh Mandeep , Kaur Navpreet , Casotto Andrea , Sangaletti Luigi , Poli Nicola , Comini Elisabetta
Published: December 2021

A novel methyl (–CH3)-terminated ZnO nanowire based selective acetone sensor has been developed. The molecular interactions between the terminal –CH3 group and the carbonyl group of acetone were found to be the main reason behind performance enhancement.
A wide‐frequency‐range, fault‐tolerant, common‐mode‐noise‐suppressed LC‐VCO with reversed varactor technique
Authors: Guo Qiancheng , Guo Yang
Published: December 2021

This letter presents a wide frequency tuning range (FTR), fault‐tolerant, and common‐mode‐noise (CMN)‐suppressed LC‐VCO using the Reversed‐varactor (RV) technique. The RV technique maintains a wide frequency tuning range, ensures that the CMN emitted from the internal devices and external working environment is not multiplied by KVCO2, and improves the fault‐tolerant property of the LC‐VCO. The simulation results show that this technique reduces the phase noise (PN) by 6d Bc/Hz to 6.8 dBc/Hz, while the frequency fluctuation due to the single‐event‐transient (SET) effect decreases by about 90.2%. The proposed LC‐VCO works from 14.6 GHz to 21.3 GHz, has ‐100.3 dBc/Hz@1 MHz at 18.2 GHz working frequency and 5.7 mW power consumption.
Inclusive modelling and parameter estimation of a steam power plant using an LMI‐based unknown input reconstruction algorithm
Authors: Arastou Alireza , Rabieyan Hadi , Karrari Mehdi
Published: December 2021

A comprehensive dynamic model of a steam power plant, including turbine, governor, and boiler models, is proposed in this paper. The whole turbine‐boiler control strategies inter alia turbine following, boiler following, coordinated control, and sliding pressure control modes are also taken into account in the modelling procedure, making the integrated model adaptable for all the steam units. A novel multi‐stage algorithm is asserted in the other part of the paper to estimate the obtained model parameters using input‐output data from operational tests. Regarding the fact that the mechanical power as the turbine output and one of the synchronous generator (SG) inputs cannot be measured directly, an efficacious unknown input reconstruction (UIR) method is employed in this paper to determine the mechanical power from SG measured signals. The UIR observer in this method is obtained by solving a linear matrix inequality (LMI). Other parameters are identified by applying a Genetic Algorithm (GA) to the measurement data. Finally, the acquired model and parameters are validated by employing the recorded data from several tests, and the results are discussed.
Investigation of the diffusion and permeation of several media molecules in nano‐sealing composites using molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Li Kun , Sha Haojie , Gu Boqin
Published: December 2021

To investigate the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the sealing performance for nitrile rubber (NBR), a permeability and diffusion model was established that more accurately represented actual sealing. Applying molecular dynamics simulations were conducted, COMPASS force fields were used to calculate the diffusion coefficients, and the mean square displacement values of several molecules in the NBR and its nanocomposites (NBR/CNTs) were calculated. The results showed that the addition of CNTs reduced the diffusion coefficients for small molecules in the NBR materials and improved the sealing performance.
Asymmetrical eleven‐level inverter topology with reduced power semiconductor switches, total standing voltage and cost factor
Authors: Mustafa Uvais , Arif M Saad Bin , Kennel Ralph , Abdelrahem Mohamed
Published: December 2021

Voltage source multilevel inverters (MLI) is widely utilized in medium and high‐power applications due to their advantages. Here, an 11‐level, asymmetrical multilevel inverter topology is proposed. The topology utilizes four unidirectional switches, three bidirectional switches along with two dc sources. The proposed configuration of switches and the concept of the dc‐link capacitor is utilized to generate eleven level output voltage. The reduced number of components such as power switches and DC sources, lower control complexity due to capacitors' self‐balancing nature, and low total standing voltage (TSV) are the critical features of the proposed topology. Moreover, a reliability assessment of the topology shows that the topology has a high mean time to fault (MTTF), which makes it robust and reliable. Matlab/Simulink environment is used to develop a simulation model of the proposed topology, while PLECS is used for the thermal modelling and analysis of the converter. A prototype is developed and tested in the laboratory to validate the performance for different loading conditions. The proposed topology can be cascaded to produce the ‘n’ number of levels. The critical comparison of the proposed topology shows that the proposed circuit has advantages over other compared topologies.