bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resonance Quantization in the Absorption Spectra of Concentric Double Gold Nanoshells: A Numerical Study
Authors: Alali Fatema
Published: August 2023

Concentric double metallic shells (CDMSs) are strong candidates for photothermal-based therapy, wherein they utilize their tuned plasmon resonance in the near-infrared region via particle coupling factor fitting. Tuning the resonance of CDMSs to the desired near-infrared region is crucial considering the shift caused by variations in their design parameters. In this study, we investigated the effects of these parameters using full-wave electromagnetic analysis to highlight the dominant factors affecting the resonance shift in the absorption spectra of CDMSs. With systematic variations, our simulation data outlined the direct influence of the outer and inner nanoshells’ (NS2 and NS1) aspect ratios r2 and r1, respectively, on the coupling factor (rT) aptitude for resonance tuning. For example, a CDMS with r2 = r1 = 0.8 shows coupling manifestation between NS2 and NS1 with rT as low as 0.2. However, we need the value of rT to be at least 0.6 for a CDMS with r2 = r1 = 0.4. Moreover, the dominant factors of the localized surface plasmon resonance shifts were determined by examining the mismatched parameter values of the same particle and found them to be related to NS2. We demonstrated how these factors are related to the complexity of localized surface plasmon resonance peak shifting and splitting in the absorption spectra of CDMSs. Our findings are expected to greatly improve the design of nanoparticles to optimize their responses in photothermal-based applications.
Welche Kompetenzen benötigen Mitarbeitende für den Einsatz von Augmented Reality in Logistik und Produktion?
Authors: Schulte Julian , Kato-Beiderwieden Anna-Lena , Maier Günter W.
Published: August 2023

Dieser Praxisbericht der Zeitschrift Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO) stellt dar, wie die Prospektive Kompetenzanalyse in kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen (KMU) eingesetzt wurde, um die Einführung von Augmented Reality Systemen zu begleiten und damit einhergehende Kompetenzveränderungen aufzuzeigen. Der Einsatz neuer Technologien, wie Augmented Reality Systeme, stellt eine tiefgreifende Veränderung für Unternehmen dar, welche nicht nur mit einem intensiven arbeitsbezogenen Lernprozess einhergeht, sondern auch das Kompetenzprofil von Arbeitstätigkeit grundlegend verändern kann. Dies ist insbesondere in KMUs herausfordernd, wo vergleichsweise nur wenig personelle Ressourcen zur Verfügung stehen diese Prozesse zu begleiten. Eine Möglichkeit diese arbeitsbezogene Veränderung erfolgreich zu bewältigen besteht darin wissenschaftlich fundierte Methoden einzusetzen, welche bereits vorab präzise Abschätzungen der sich verändernden Kompetenzen ermöglichen können, sodass der Schulungsbedarf und die Handlungsempfehlungen bereits vor der Technologieeinführung erarbeitet werden können. Eine solche Methode ist die Prospektive Kompetenzanalyse. Im Rahmen dieses Praxisberichts skizzieren wir die Umsetzung der Prospektive Kompetenzanalyse in einem Verbundprojekt, in welchem ein audiovisuelles Assistenzsystem auf Basis eines Augmented Reality Systems für verschiedene Anwendungsszenarien in drei KMUs entwickelt wurde. Zusätzlich beschreiben und reflektieren wir eine methodische Anpassung der Prospektive Kompetenzanalyse, die den Einsatz des quantitativen Verfahrens auch bei KMUs ermöglicht.
The Common Way in Which the Ministry of Health Conveys Information to the Public: A Simulation Among Israeli Parents with Different Attitudes and Behaviors Regarding Vaccination During a Measles Outbreak in Israel
Authors: Hijazi Rana , Gesser-Edelsburg Anat , Mesch Gustavo S.
Published: August 2023

Background:

Despite several empirical studies that have emphasized the problematic and ineffective way in which health organizations ‘correct’ information which does not come from them, they have not yet found ways to properly address vaccine hesitancy.

Objectives:

(1) Examining the responses of groups with different attitudes/ behaviors regarding vaccination; (2) Examining the effect of the common methods of correcting information regarding the response of subgroups, while examining issues of reliability, satisfaction, and information seeking, as well as how health organization tools aid the decision-making process regarding vaccines.

Methods:

A simulation study that included 150 parents of kindergarten children was carried out.

Results:

Significant difference was found among the various groups (with respect to vaccination behavior) regarding the extent of their trust in the Ministry of Health (χ2(3) = 46.33;P< 0.0001), the reliability of the Ministry of Health’s response (χ2(3) = 31.56;P< 0.0001), satisfaction with the Ministry of Health’s response (χ2(3) = 25.25;P< 0.0001), and the level of help they felt the Ministry of Health’s tools provided them regarding vaccine-related decision making (χ2(3) = 27.76;P< 0.0001).

Conclusion:

It is important for health organizations to gain the public’s trust, especially that of pro-vaccination groups with hesitant attitudes, while addressing the public’s fears and concerns.
Stratified inclined duct: direct numerical simulations
Authors: Zhu Lu , Atoufi Amir , Lefauve Adrien , Taylor John R. , Kerswell Rich R. , Dalziel Stuart B. , Lawrence Gregory A. , Linden P.F.
Published: August 2023

The stratified inclined duct (SID) experiment consists of a zero-net-volume exchange flow in a long tilted rectangular duct, which allows the study of realistic stratified shear flows with sustained internal forcing. We present the first three-dimensional direct numerical simulations (DNS) of SID to explore the transitions between increasingly turbulent flow regimes first described by Meyer & Linden (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 753, 2014, pp. 242–253). We develop a numerical set-up that faithfully reproduces the experiments and sustains the flow for arbitrarily long times at minimal computational cost. We recover the four qualitative flow regimes found experimentally in the same regions of parameter space: laminar flow, waves, intermittent turbulence and fully developed turbulence. We find good qualitative and quantitative agreement between DNS and experiments and highlight the added value of DNS to complement experimental diagnostics and increase our understanding of the transition to turbulence, both temporally (laminar/turbulent cycles) and parametrically (as the tilt angle of the duct and the Reynolds number are increased). These results demonstrate that numerical studies of SID – and deeper integration between simulations and experiments – have the potential to lead to a better understanding of stratified turbulence.
Geneva, We Have a Problem: Internationalisation of Armed Conflicts through Indirect Intervention Remains a Dead Letter
Authors: Hrnjaz Miloš , Radončić Mina
Published: August 2023

The article seeks to raise awareness about the non-application of the norms of international humanitarian law (IHL) of international armed conflicts in situations of so-called internationalised armed conflicts – namely, when a non-state armed group (NSAG) that is engaged in an armed conflict against the territorial state enjoys a degree of support from another state. Debates in academic circles and international case law have focused largely on the appropriate test and threshold for establishing the relationship between the NSAG and the supporting state. Practice, however, shows that regardless of the legal test, the foreign state support to the NSAG in a (or an initially) non-international armed conflict is so politically charged that it leads to a complete non-application of the law of international armed conflict by the relevant actors. The article demonstrates its conceptual findings through four case studies: the armed conflicts in Donbas, Nagorno-Karabakh, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Yemen. Regardless of strong indications of foreign state support to the NSAG in these armed conflicts, no relevant actors applied the IHL norms of international armed conflict. The article provides broader suggestions on the possible avenues for remedying the issue.
Understanding the role of transcription in evidential consistency of police interview records in England and Wales
Authors: Richardson Emma , Hamann Magnus , Tompkinson James , Haworth Kate , Deamer Felicity
Published: August 2023

Evidential records of investigative interviews serve an important institutional purpose within the legal system in England and Wales. Academic scholars have long recognized that little institutional attention is paid to the transformation process that occurs when written records of the spoken are produced, nor to the potential impact this has on later interpretation by users of the records during the investigation of crimes and later in court. We analyse twenty-nine digitally recorded investigative interviews and their corresponding official written ‘Record of Taped/Videoed Interview’ (ROTI/ROVI) transcripts, taking an ethnomethodological, conversation analytic (CA) approach to examine the social actions that are transformed in this activity by comparing the audio record of police interview evidence to the written transcripts. The intended outcome of this work, within the wider project of which this forms a part, is to better understand this process within the legal system, and to incite improvements. (Investigative interview, transcription, entextualisation, conversation analysis)
Acceptability of a Personal Contact Intervention among People Living with Dementia: Might Baseline Contact Matter?
Authors: Thibault Danielle , Whynot Tynisha D. , Swindle Jennifer , Lee Heunjung , O’Rourke Hannah M.
Published: August 2023

Our study aimed to explore how perceived baseline contact may influence acceptability of Connecting Today, a personal contact intervention, among people living with dementia. We aimed to generate hypotheses for testing in future studies. This was a sub-group analysis of pilot study data. Fifteen people living with mild to moderate dementia participated in Connecting Today. We explored how perceptions of intervention acceptability may differ in groups reporting weekly contact (n = 8) compared with groups reporting monthly/unknown (n = 7) contact at baseline. Measures of acceptability included a treatment perceptions and preferences questionnaire, and the number of and reasons for non-consent, missing data, and study withdrawal. We used descriptive statistics and content analysis. In visits one and two, a larger proportion (85.7–100%) of low baseline contact participants reported feeling better, and indicated that the visits helped them and were easy “mostly” or “a lot”, compared with the high baseline contact group (37.5–62.5%). Most missing data (71%) and all study withdrawals occurred in the high baseline contact group. Scheduled in-person visits with family, friends, or a volunteer may appeal to residents in care homes who have few existing opportunities for routine, one-on-one visits with others. Hypotheses generated should be tested in future studies.
Cross-linguistic influence in the simultaneous bilingual child's lexicon: An eye-tracking and primed picture selection study
Authors: Koutamanis Elly , Kootstra Gerrit Jan , Dijkstra Ton , Unsworth Sharon
Published: August 2023

In a between-language lexical priming study, we examined to what extent the two languages in a simultaneous bilingual child's lexicon interact, while taking individual differences in language exposure into account. Primary-school-aged Dutch–Greek bilinguals performed a primed picture selection task combined with eye-tracking. They matched pictures to auditorily presented Dutch target words preceded by Greek prime words. Their reaction times and eye movements were recorded. We tested for effects of between-language phonological priming, translation priming, and phonological priming through translation. Priming effects emerged in reaction times and eye movements in all three conditions, at different stages of processing, and unaffected by language exposure. These results extend previous findings for bilingual toddlers and bilingual adults. Processing similarities between these populations indicate that, across different stages of development, bilinguals have an integrated lexicon that is accessed in a language-nonselective way and is susceptible to interactions within and between different types of lexical representation.
Fatal Years: Background and Aftermath
Authors: Preston Samuel H. , Haines Michael R.
Published: August 2023

This is a history of the creation of the book Fatal Years: Child Mortality in late-Nineteenth-Century America (1991) by the authors. The data were a sample of households from the 1900 United States Census manuscripts. The primary method used was indirect estimation of child mortality (approximately ages 0–4) using information on the age and marriage duration of women. Among the findings were overall lower overall mortality than in the 1900/1902 Glover life tables for the Death Registration Area, and very large variations in mortality by race and size of place of residence.
Modeling the Evolution of Lunar Regolith: 1. Formation Mechanism Through Individual Simple Impact Craters
Authors: Zhang Mingwei , Fa Wenzhe , Eke Vincent R.
Published: August 2023

The production, distribution, and evolution of lunar regolith are critical in deciphering the lunar bombardment history and comprehending the transport of materials across the lunar surface, which are still not well understood. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation of factors influencing the production and distribution of lunar regolith by individual simple craters. Combining our results for the impact‐generated regolith volume with a lunar production function, we developed an analytical model to describe the regolith growth process. We found that the strength of bedrock significantly affects the crater size and hence the volume of regolith produced especially for subdecameter impactors. The regolith volume produced by an individual impact crater is quantitatively characterized as a function of crater diameter and preimpact regolith thickness. This regolith production is primarily determined by how much bedrock is shattered, followed by the impact‐induced volume change of target material and lastly by the regolith volume created by secondary cratering processes. When a single crater forms, preimpact regolith thickness greatly affects the regolith distribution pattern; a larger fraction of the regolith will be distributed outside the crater rim for a deeper preimpact regolith layer. Our regolith evolution model can serve as a good first‐order estimation of the regolith growth process that provides better constraints on the regolith buffering trend than previous studies. This model also suggests that, when ignoring the contribution from large, distant impacts, the regolith growth process is dominated by impact craters at scales from a meter to a few hectometers.
Toward Improved Regional Hydrological Model Performance Using State‐Of‐The‐Science Data‐Informed Soil Parameters
Authors: Li Chuxuan , Yu Guo , Wang Jiali , Horton Daniel E.
Published: August 2023

Accurate soil moisture and streamflow data are an aspirational need of many hydrologically relevant fields. Model simulated soil moisture and streamflow hold promise but models require validation prior to application. Calibration methods are commonly used to improve model fidelity but misrepresentation of the true dynamics remains a challenge. In this study, we leverage soil parameter estimates from the Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database and the probability mapping of SSURGO (POLARIS) to improve the representation of hydrologic processes in the Weather Research and Forecasting Hydrological modeling system (WRF‐Hydro) over a central California domain. Our results show WRF‐Hydro soil moisture exhibits increased correlation coefficients (r), reduced biases, and increased Kling‐Gupta Efficiencies (KGEs) across seven in situ soil moisture observing stations after updating the model's soil parameters according to POLARIS. Compared to four well‐established soil moisture data sets including Soil Moisture Active Passive data and three Phase 2 North American Land Data Assimilation System land surface models, our POLARIS‐adjusted WRF‐Hydro simulations produce the highest mean KGE (0.69) across the seven stations. More importantly, WRF‐Hydro streamflow fidelity also increases, especially in the case where the model domain is set up with SSURGO‐informed total soil thickness. The magnitude and timing of peak flow events are better captured, r increases across nine United States Geological Survey stream gages, and the mean KGE across seven of the nine gages increases from 0.12 to 0.66. Our pre‐calibration parameter estimate approach, which is transferable to other spatially distributed hydrological models, can substantially improve a model's performance, helping reduce calibration efforts and computational costs.
Universal linear intensity transformations using spatially incoherent diffractive processors
Authors: Rahman Md Sadman Sakib , Yang Xilin , Li Jingxi , Bai Bijie , Ozcan Aydogan
Published: August 2023

Under spatially coherent light, a diffractive optical network composed of structured surfaces can be designed to perform any arbitrary complex-valued linear transformation between its input and output fields-of-view (FOVs) if the total number (N) of optimizable phase-only diffractive features is ≥~2NiNo, where Ni and No refer to the number of useful pixels at the input and the output FOVs, respectively. Here we report the design of a spatially incoherent diffractive optical processor that can approximate any arbitrary linear transformation in time-averaged intensity between its input and output FOVs. Under spatially incoherent monochromatic light, the spatially varying intensity point spread function (H) of a diffractive network, corresponding to a given, arbitrarily-selected linear intensity transformation, can be written as H(m, n; m′, n′) = |h(m, n; m′, n′)|2, where h is the spatially coherent point spread function of the same diffractive network, and (m, n) and (m′, n′) define the coordinates of the output and input FOVs, respectively. Using numerical simulations and deep learning, supervised through examples of input-output profiles, we demonstrate that a spatially incoherent diffractive network can be trained to all-optically perform any arbitrary linear intensity transformation between its input and output if N ≥ ~2NiNo. We also report the design of spatially incoherent diffractive networks for linear processing of intensity information at multiple illumination wavelengths, operating simultaneously. Finally, we numerically demonstrate a diffractive network design that performs all-optical classification of handwritten digits under spatially incoherent illumination, achieving a test accuracy of >95%. Spatially incoherent diffractive networks will be broadly useful for designing all-optical visual processors that can work under natural light.
Digital light processing 3D printing for microfluidic chips with enhanced resolution via dosing- and zoning-controlled vat photopolymerization
Authors: Luo Zhiming , Zhang Haoyue , Chen Runze , Li Hanting , Cheng Fang , Zhang Lijun , Liu Jia , Kong Tiantian , Zhang Yang , Wang Huanan
Published: August 2023

Conventional manufacturing techniques to fabricate microfluidic chips, such as soft lithography and hot embossing process, have limitations that include difficulty in preparing multiple-layered structures, cost- and labor-consuming fabrication process, and low productivity. Digital light processing (DLP) technology has recently emerged as a cost-efficient microfabrication approach for the 3D printing of microfluidic chips; however, the fabrication resolution for microchannels is still limited to sub-100 microns at best. Here, we developed an innovative DLP printing strategy for high resolution and scalable microchannel fabrication by dosing- and zoning-controlled vat photopolymerization (DZC-VPP). Specifically, we proposed a modified mathematical model to precisely predict the accumulated UV irradiance for resin photopolymerization, thereby providing guidance for the fabrication of microchannels with enhanced resolution. By fine-tuning the printing parameters, including optical irradiance, exposure time, projection region, and step distance, we can precisely tailor the penetration irradiance stemming from the photopolymerization of the neighboring resin layers, thereby preventing channel blockage due to UV overexposure or compromised bonding stability owing to insufficient resin curing. Remarkably, this strategy can allow the preparation of microchannels with cross-sectional dimensions of 20 μm × 20 μm using a commercial printer with a pixel size of 10 μm × 10 μm; this is significantly higher resolution than previous reports. In addition, this method can enable the scalable and biocompatible fabrication of microfluidic drop-maker units that can be used for cell encapsulation. In general, the current DZC-VPP method can enable major advances in precise and scalable microchannel fabrication and represents a significant step forward for widespread applications of microfluidics-based techniques in biomedical fields.
Subtle adversarial image manipulations influence both human and machine perception
Authors: Veerabadran Vijay , Goldman Josh , Shankar Shreya , Cheung Brian , Papernot Nicolas , Kurakin Alexey , Goodfellow Ian , Shlens Jonathon , Sohl-Dickstein Jascha , Mozer Michael C. , Elsayed Gamaleldin F.
Published: August 2023

Although artificial neural networks (ANNs) were inspired by the brain, ANNs exhibit a brittleness not generally observed in human perception. One shortcoming of ANNs is their susceptibility to adversarial perturbations—subtle modulations of natural images that result in changes to classification decisions, such as confidently mislabelling an image of an elephant, initially classified correctly, as a clock. In contrast, a human observer might well dismiss the perturbations as an innocuous imaging artifact. This phenomenon may point to a fundamental difference between human and machine perception, but it drives one to ask whether human sensitivity to adversarial perturbations might be revealed with appropriate behavioral measures. Here, we find that adversarial perturbations that fool ANNs similarly bias human choice. We further show that the effect is more likely driven by higher-order statistics of natural images to which both humans and ANNs are sensitive, rather than by the detailed architecture of the ANN.
Learning more from the inter-rater reliability of interstitial fibrosis assessment beyond just a statistic
Authors: Liang Peir-In , Lin Wei-Chou , Wen Mei-Chin , Huang Shun-Chen , Fang Pei-Wei , Chuang Hao-Wen , Lin Yi-Jia , Chien Hui-Ping , Chen Huan-Da , Chen Tai-Di
Published: August 2023

Interstitial fibrosis assessment by renal pathologists lacks good agreement, and we aimed to investigate its hidden properties and infer possible clinical impact. Fifty kidney biopsies were assessed by 9 renal pathologists and evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and kappa statistics. Probabilities of pathologists’ assessments that would deviate far from true values were derived from quadratic regression and multilayer perceptron nonlinear regression. Likely causes of variation in interstitial fibrosis assessment were investigated. Possible misclassification rates were inferred on reported large cohorts. We found inter-rater reliabilities ranged from poor to good (ICCs 0.48 to 0.90), and pathologists’ assessments had the worst agreements when the extent of interstitial fibrosis was moderate. 33.5% of pathologists’ assessments were expected to deviate far from the true values. Variation in interstitial fibrosis assessment was found to be correlated with variation in interstitial inflammation assessment (r2 = 32.1%). Taking IgA nephropathy as an example, the Oxford T scores for interstitial fibrosis were expected to be misclassified in 21.9% of patients. This study demonstrated the complexity of the inter-rater reliability of interstitial fibrosis assessment, and our proposed approaches discovered previously unknown properties in pathologists’ practice and inferred a possible clinical impact on patients.
Study on the spatial decomposition of the infection probability of COVID-19
Authors: Liu Lu
Published: August 2023

In the course of our observations of the transmission of COVID-19 around the world, we perceived substantial concern about imported cases versus cases of local transmission. This study, therefore, tries to isolate cases due to local transmission (also called community spread) from those due to externally introduced COVID-19 infection, which can be key to understanding the spread pattern of the pandemic. In particular, we offer a probabilistic perspective to estimate the scale of the outbreak at the epicenter of the COVID-19 epidemic with an environmental focus. First, this study proposes a novel explanation of the probability of COVID-19 cases in the local population of the target city, in which the chain of probability is based on the assumption of independent distribution. Then it conducts a spatial statistical analysis on the spread of COVID-19, using two model specifications to identify the spatial dependence, more commonly known as the spillover effect. The results are found to have strong spatial dependence. Finally, it confirms the significance of residential waste in the transmission of COVID-19, which indicates that the fight against COVID-19 requires us to pay close attention to environmental factors. The method shown in this study is critical and has high practical value, because it can be easily applied elsewhere and to other future pandemics.
Using principles of motor control to analyze performance of human machine interfaces
Authors: Patwardhan Shriniwas , Gladhill Keri Anne , Joiner Wilsaan M. , Schofield Jonathon S. , Lee Ben Seiyon , Sikdar Siddhartha
Published: August 2023

There have been significant advances in biosignal extraction techniques to drive external biomechatronic devices or to use as inputs to sophisticated human machine interfaces. The control signals are typically derived from biological signals such as myoelectric measurements made either from the surface of the skin or subcutaneously. Other biosignal sensing modalities are emerging. With improvements in sensing modalities and control algorithms, it is becoming possible to robustly control the target position of an end-effector. It remains largely unknown to what extent these improvements can lead to naturalistic human-like movement. In this paper, we sought to answer this question. We utilized a sensing paradigm called sonomyography based on continuous ultrasound imaging of forearm muscles. Unlike myoelectric control strategies which measure electrical activation and use the extracted signals to determine the velocity of an end-effector; sonomyography measures muscle deformation directly with ultrasound and uses the extracted signals to proportionally control the position of an end-effector. Previously, we showed that users were able to accurately and precisely perform a virtual target acquisition task using sonomyography. In this work, we investigate the time course of the control trajectories derived from sonomyography. We show that the time course of the sonomyography-derived trajectories that users take to reach virtual targets reflect the trajectories shown to be typical for kinematic characteristics observed in biological limbs. Specifically, during a target acquisition task, the velocity profiles followed a minimum jerk trajectory shown for point-to-point arm reaching movements, with similar time to target. In addition, the trajectories based on ultrasound imaging result in a systematic delay and scaling of peak movement velocity as the movement distance increased. We believe this is the first evaluation of similarities in control policies in coordinated movements in jointed limbs, and those based on position control signals extracted at the individual muscle level. These results have strong implications for the future development of control paradigms for assistive technologies.
Genomic diversity of Yersinia pestis from Yunnan Province, China, implies a potential common ancestor as the source of two plague epidemics
Authors: Qin Jingliang , Wu Yarong , Shi Liyuan , Zuo Xiujuan , Zhang Xianglilan , Qian Xiuwei , Fan Hang , Guo Yan , Cui Mengnan , Zhang Haipeng , Yang Fengyi , Kong Jinjiao , Song Yajun , Yang Ruifu , Wang Peng , Cui Yujun
Published: August 2023

Plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, is a zoonotic disease that can reemerge and cause outbreaks following decades of latency in natural plague foci. However, the genetic diversity and spread pattern of Y. pestis during these epidemic-silent cycles remain unclear. In this study, we analyze 356 Y. pestis genomes isolated between 1952 and 2016 in the Yunnan Rattus tanezumi plague focus, China, covering two epidemic-silent cycles. Through high-resolution genomic epidemiological analysis, we find that 96% of Y. pestis genomes belong to phylogroup 1.ORI2 and are subdivided into two sister clades (Sublineage1 and Sublineage2) characterized by different temporal-spatial distributions and genetic diversity. Most of the Sublineage1 strains are isolated from the first epidemic-silent cycle, while Sublineage2 strains are predominantly from the second cycle and revealing a west to east spread. The two sister clades evolved in parallel from a common ancestor and independently lead to two separate epidemics, confirming that the pathogen responsible for the second epidemic following the silent interval is not a descendant of the causative strain of the first epidemic. Our results provide a mechanism for defining epidemic-silent cycles in natural plague foci, which is valuable in the prevention and control of future plague outbreaks.
Extracellular Pgk1 interacts neural membrane protein enolase-2 to improve the neurite outgrowth of motor neurons
Authors: Fu Chuan-Yang , Chen Hong-Yu , Lin Cheng-Yung , Chen Shiang-Jiuun , Sheu Jin-Chuan , Tsai Huai-Jen
Published: August 2023

Understanding the molecular interaction between ligand and receptor is important for providing the basis for the development of regenerative drugs. Although it has been reported that extracellular phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (Pgk1) can promote the neurite outgrowth of motoneurons, the Pgk1-interacting neural receptor remains unknown. Here we show that neural membranous Enolase-2 exhibits strong affinity with recombinant Pgk1-Flag, which is also evidently demonstrated by immunoelectron microscopy. The 325th-417th domain of Pgk1 interacts with the 405th-431st domain of Enolase-2, but neither Enolase-1 nor Enolase-3, promoting neurite outgrowth. Combining Pgk1 incubation and Enolase-2 overexpression, we demonstrate a highly significant enhancement of neurite outgrowth of motoneurons through a reduced p-P38-T180/p-Limk1-S323/p-Cofilin signaling. Collectively, extracellular Pgk1 interacts neural membrane receptor Enolase-2 to reduce the P38/Limk1/Cofilin signaling which results in promoting neurite outgrowth. The extracellular Pgk1-specific neural receptor found in this study should provide a material for screening potential small molecule drugs that promote motor nerve regeneration.
Single-cell profiling of Anopheles gambiae spermatogenesis defines the onset of meiotic silencing and premeiotic overexpression of the X chromosome
Authors: Page Nicole , Taxiarchi Chrysanthi , Tonge Daniel , Kuburic Jasmina , Chesters Emily , Kriezis Antonios , Kyrou Kyros , Game Laurence , Nolan Tony , Galizi Roberto
Published: August 2023

Understanding development and genetic regulation in theAnopheles gambiaegermline is essential to engineer effective genetic control strategies targeting this malaria mosquito vector. These include targeting the germline to induce sterility or using regulatory sequences to drive transgene expression for applications such as gene drive. However, only very few germline-specific regulatory elements have been characterised with the majority showing leaky expression. This has been shown to considerably reduce the efficiency of current genetic control strategies, which rely on regulatory elements with more tightly restricted spatial and/or temporal expression. Meiotic silencing of the sex chromosomes limits the flexibility of transgene expression to develop effective sex-linked genetic control strategies. Here, we build on our previous study, dissecting gametogenesis into four distinct cell populations, using single-cell RNA sequencing to define eight distinct cell clusters and associated germline cell–types using available marker genes. We reveal overexpression of X-linked genes in a distinct cluster of pre-meiotic cells and document the onset of meiotic silencing of the X chromosome in a subcluster of cells in the latter stages of spermatogenesis. This study provides a comprehensive dataset, characterising the expression of distinct cell types through spermatogenesis and widening the toolkit for genetic control of malaria mosquitoes.
Imaging Fermi-level hysteresis in nanoscale bubbles of few-layer MoS2
Authors: Jeon Dohyeon , Kim Haesol , Gu Minji , Kim Taekyeong
Published: August 2023

The electrical stability and reliability of two-dimensional (2D) crystal-based devices are mainly determined by charge traps in the device defects. Although nanobubble structures as defect sources in 2D materials strongly affect the device performance, the local charge-trapping behaviors in nanobubbles are poorly understood. Here, we report a Fermi-level hysteresis imaging strategy using Kelvin probe force microscopy to study the origins of charge trapping in nanobubbles of MoS2 on SiO2. We observe that the Fermi-level hysteresis is larger in nanobubbles than in flat regions and increases with the height in a nanobubble, in agreement with our oxide trap band model. We also perform the local transfer curve measurements on the nanobubble structures of MoS2 on SiO2, which exhibit enhanced current-hysteresis windows and reliable programming/erasing operations. Our results provide fundamental knowledge on the local charge-trapping mechanism in nanobubbles, and the capability to directly image hysteresis can be powerful tool for the development of 2D material-based memory devices.
Recycling of brush polymer containing iridium photocatalyst supported on glass balls
Authors: Beillard Audrey , Renault Julien A. L. , Nguyen Duc-Hahn , Lhuillier Warren , Renaud Jean-Luc , Vicente Aurélie , Gaillard Sylvain
Published: August 2023

Supported Ir(iii) photocatalyst covalently linked to glass balls surface by a brush polymer has been synthesized. The new hybrid photocatalyst has been applied in Cross dehydrogenative coupling and recycled 10 time without loss of activity.
Functional hBN decorated Ni(OH)2 nanosheets synthesized for remarkable adsorption performance for the elimination of fluoride ions
Authors: Choudhary Diksha , Singh Ankit , Giri Abhishek , Prasad Harish Chandra , Sharma R. K. , Mishra Alka , Singhai Sandeep , Singh Archana
Published: August 2023

Occurrence of fluoride in groundwater is a serious concern due to its fatal effects.
A supramolecular artificial light-harvesting system based on a luminescent platinum(ii) metallacage
Authors: Wang Ning , Yang Weiao , Feng Lei , Xu Xing-Dong , Feng Shengyu
Published: August 2023

An efficient artificial light-harvesting system was constructed by encapsulating the hydrophobic fluorescent dye Nile Red into trigonal luminescent metallacages to achieve Förster resonance energy transfer.
Two new red-emitting ternary europium(iii) complexes with high photoluminescence quantum yields and exceptional performance in OLED devices
Authors: Ilmi Rashid , Li Xiaofang , Al Rasbi Nawal K. , Zhou Liang , Wong Wai-Yeung , Raithby Paul R. , Khan Muhammad S.
Published: August 2023

Two europium complexes with high photoluminescence quantum yields have been synthesized and used to fabricate efficient red OLEDs.
Electrochemical synthesis of spirocyclic morpholines and tetrahydrofurans via an oxidative dearomatisation strategy
Authors: Hayrapetyan Davit , Yussupova Lyailya , Kaipov Almaz , Galyamova Aigerim
Published: August 2023

Simple and scalable electrochemical oxidation of the electron-rich benzene ring followed by intramolecular capture of reactive cation-radical intermediates opens access to spirocyclic morpholines and tetrahydrofurans.
A novel cobalt(ii) acetate complex bearing lutidine ligand: a promising electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Tanwar Deepika , Jain Priya , Ahluwalia Deepali , Sudheendranath Athul , Thomas Sajesh P. , Ingole Pravin P. , Kumar Umesh
Published: August 2023

A novel [(3,5-lutidine)2Co(OAc)2(H2O)2] complex (1) shows impressive OER activity, two and half times higher than that of a state-of-the-art IrO2catalyst.
Dermal-fluid-enabled detection platforms for non-invasive ambulatory monitoring
Authors: Veronica Asmita , Li Yanan , Li Yue , Hsing I-Ming , Nyein Hnin Yin Yin
Published: August 2023

This review highlights important biomarkers in blood and dermal fluids, i.e. sweat and interstitial fluid, and envisions non-invasive monitoring of dermal fluids in critical health concerns and drug therapy suitable for remote ambulatory monitoring.
A novel artificial intelligence based wireless local area network channel access control scheme for low latency e‐health applications
Authors: Liu Zixin , Lv Yunxin , Bi Meihua , Zhai Yanrong
Published: August 2023

To effectively support low‐latency e‐health applications, a novel artificial intelligence‐based wireless local area network (WLAN) channel access control scheme named intelligent hybrid channel access (IHCA) is proposed and studied. In the IHCA scheme, each beacon interval comprises multiple cycles, with each cycle containing a contention‐free period (CFP) and a contention period (CP). By adopting an artificial neural network (ANN) and utilizing its calculation outputs to (1) decide whether to poll a hub during the CFP and (2) determine the initial backoff count (IBC) of each hub, polling of empty hubs during CFP can be reduced, and collisions during CP can be relieved. The authors’ simulation results show that the IHCA scheme can effectively reduce latency compared to the Hybrid coordination function Controlled Channel Access (HCCA) and the Request based Polling Access (RPA) reference designs.
A novel blind tamper detection and localization scheme for multiple faces in digital images
Authors: Thabit Rasha
Published: August 2023

Face image manipulation detection (FIMD) is a research area of great interest, widely applicable in fields requiring data security and authentication. Existing FIMD schemes aim to identify manipulations in digital face images, but they possess individual strengths and limitations. Most schemes can only detect specific manipulations under certain conditions, leading to variable success rates across different images. The literature lacks emphasis on detecting manipulations involving multiple faces. This paper introduces a novel blind tamper detection and localization scheme specifically designed for multiple faces in digital images. The proposed multiple faces manipulation detection (MFMD) scheme consists of two stages: face detection and selection, and image watermarking. Through extensive experiments, the MFMD scheme's performance has been evaluated on various multiple‐face images, considering embedding capacity, payload, watermarked image quality, time complexity, and manipulation detection ability. The results demonstrate the MFMD scheme's efficacy in detecting different types of manipulations for multiple faces in images. Furthermore, the watermarked images exhibit high visual quality, even when multiple faces are present. The scheme's efficiency recommends it for practical applications, especially in sharing personal images over unsecured networks. This research advances FIMD techniques by addressing the neglected area of multiple‐face manipulation detection. With improved accuracy, faster processing times, and resilience against various manipulations, the MFMD scheme offers valuable capabilities for enhancing data security and authentication in real‐world scenarios.
Gauging the mass of metals in the gas phase of galaxies from the Local Universe to the Epoch of Reionization
Authors: Heintz K. E. , Shapley A. E. , Sanders R. L. , Killi M. , Watson D. , Magdis G. , Valentino F. , Ginolfi M. , Narayanan D. , Greve T. R. , Fynbo J. P. U. , Vizgan D. , Wilson S. N.
Published: August 2023

The chemical enrichment of dust and metals are vital processes in constraining the star formation history of the universe. These are important ingredients in the formation and evolution of galaxies overall. Previously, the dust masses of high-redshift star-forming galaxies have been determined through their far-infrared continuum, however, equivalent, and potentially simpler, approaches to determining the metal masses have yet to be explored at z ≳ 2. Here, we present a new method of inferring the metal mass in the interstellar medium (ISM) of galaxies out to z ≈ 8, using the far-infrared [C II]−158 μm emission line as a proxy. We calibrated the [C II]-to-MZ, ISM conversion factor based on a benchmark observational sample at z ≈ 0, in addition to gamma-ray burst sightlines at z > 2 and cosmological hydrodynamical simulations of galaxies at z ≈ 0 and z ≈ 6. We found a universal scaling across redshifts of log(MZ, ISM/M⊙) = log(L[CII]/L⊙)−0.45, with a 0.4 dex scatter, which is constant over more than two orders of magnitude in metallicity. We applied this scaling to recent surveys for [C II] in galaxies at z ≳ 2 and compared their inferred MZ, ISM to their stellar mass (M⋆). In particular, we determined the fraction of metals retained in the gas-phase ISM, MZ, ISM/M⋆, as a function of redshift and we showed that an increasing fraction of metals reside in the ISM of galaxies at higher redshifts. We place further constraints on the cosmic metal mass density in the ISM (ΩZ, ISM) at z ≈ 5 and ≈7 based on recent estimates of the [C II]−158 μm luminosity functions at these epochs, yielding ΩZ,ISM = 6.6−4.3+13 × 10−7 M⊙ Mpc−3 (z ≈ 5) and ΩZ,ISM = 2.0−1.3+3.5 × 10−7 M⊙ Mpc−3 (z ≈ 7), respectively. These results are consistent with the expected metal yields from the integrated star formation history at the respective redshifts. This suggests that the majority of metals produced at z ≳ 5 are confined to the ISM, with strong implications that disfavor efficient outflow processes at these redshifts. Instead, these results suggest that the extended [C II] halos predominantly trace the extended neutral gas reservoirs of high-z galaxies.
Fetal Assessment in Pregnancy (Indication and Methodology for Fetal Monitoring in a Low-risk Population). Guideline of the DGGG, DEGUM, OEGGG and SGGG (S3-Level, AWMF
Registry No. 015/089, February 2023)
Authors: Schiermeier Sven , von Kaisenberg Constantin Sylvius , Kehl Sven , Reister Frank , Mosimann Beatrice , Reif Philipp , Harlfinger Werner , König Klaus , Schwarz Christiane , Matern Elke , Kühnert Maritta , Schmitz Ralf , Hoopmann Markus , Ramsell Andrea , Kalberer Barbara Stocker , Heule Petra Graf , Heinzl Silke , Kayer Beate , Gruber Patricia , Steiner Horst , Schaeffer Leonard
Published: August 2023

Purpose The aim of this guideline was to find evidence on whether carrying out Doppler examinations and CTGs in low-risk cohorts of pregnant women improves outcomes.

Methods First, a systematic search for guidelines was carried out. Identified guidelines were evaluated using the DELPHI instrument of the AWMF. Three guidelines were found to be
suitable to evaluate CTG. Two DEGUM best practice guidelines were judged suitable to describe the methods. All studies on this issue were additionally analyzed using 8 PICO questions. A
structured consensus of the participating professional societies was achieved using a nominal group process and a structured consensus conference moderated by an independent moderator.

Recommendations No antepartum Doppler sonography examinations should be carried out in low-risk cohorts in the context of antenatal care. No antepartum CTG should be carried out in
low-risk cohorts.

Note The guideline will be published simultaneously in the official journals of both professional societies (i.e., Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde for the DGGG and
Ultraschall in der Medizin/European Journal of Ultrasound for the DEGUM).
Genetic Contributions to Biliary Atresia: A Developmental Cholangiopathy
Authors: Hellen Dominick J. , Karpen Saul J.
Published: August 2023

Biliary atresia (BA) is the most prevalent serious liver disease of infancy and childhood, and the principal indication for liver transplantation in pediatrics. BA is best considered as an idiopathic panbiliary cholangiopathy characterized by obstruction of bile flow and consequent cholestasis presenting during fetal and perinatal periods. While several etiologies have been proposed, each has significant drawbacks that have limited understanding of disease progression and the development of effective treatments. Recently, modern genetic analyses have uncovered gene variants contributing to BA, thereby shifting the paradigm for explaining the BA phenotype from an acquired etiology (e.g., virus, toxin) to one that results from genetically altered cholangiocyte development and function. Herein we review recently reported genetic contributions to BA, highlighting the enhanced representation of variants in biological pathways involving ciliary function, cytoskeletal structure, and inflammation. Finally, we blend these findings as a new framework for understanding the resultant BA phenotype as a developmental cholangiopathy.
Exploring motivation via three-stage travel experience: how to capture the hearts of Taiwanese family-oriented cruise tourists
Authors: Chen Wen-Yu , Fang Yu-Hsiang , Chang Ya-Ping , Kuo Cheng-Yi
Published: August 2023

The cruise market has significant potential for family travel as birth rates continue to decline. To explore the reasons behind family cruise travel, passenger needs, and the three stages of cruise travel experience (anticipation, participation, and recall), this study employs qualitative research and in-depth survey methods. The study’s findings indicate that motivations for joining family cruise travel include "new experiences," "desire for cruise travel," "convenience," and "generating social topics/publicity." During the anticipation and recall stages, the most significant factors are the "port of call" and the "destination" of the cruise itinerary. Additionally, other important aspects include the dining options on the cruise. In the participation stage, the study reveals that cabins, entertainment, and special considerations for children hold particular significance. These results can provide valuable guidance in the planning of family cruise travel.