bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community participation in the health system: analyzing the implementation of community health committee policies in Kenya
Authors: Karuga Robinson , Dieleman Marjolein , Mbindyo Patrick , Ozano Kim , Wairiuko Judy , Broerse Jacqueline E.W. , Kok Maryse
Published: April 2023

Background:

Community health committees (CHCs) are a mechanism for communities to voluntarily participate in making decisions and providing oversight of the delivery of community health services. For CHCs to succeed, governments need to implement policies that promote community participation. Our research aimed to analyze factors influencing the implementation of CHC-related policies in Kenya.

Methods:

Using a qualitative study design, we extracted data from policy documents and conducted 12 key informant interviews with health workers and health managers in two counties (rural and urban) and the national Ministry of Health. We applied content analysis for both the policy documents and interview transcripts and summarized the factors that influenced the implementation of CHC-related policies.

Findings:

Since the inception of the community health strategy, the roles of CHCs in community participation have been consistently vague. Primary health workers found the policy content related to CHCs challenging to translate into practice. They also had an inadequate understanding of the roles of CHCs, partly because policy content was not adequately disseminated at the primary healthcare level. It emerged that actors involved in organizing and providing community health services did not perceive CHCs as valuable mechanisms for community participation. County governments did not allocate funds to support CHC activities, and policies focused more on incentivizing community health volunteers (CHVs) who, unlike CHCs, provide health services at the household level. CHVs are incorporated in CHCs.

Conclusion:

Kenya’s community health policy inadvertently created role conflict and competition for resources and recognition between community health workers involved in service delivery and those involved in overseeing community health services. Community health policies and related bills need to clearly define the roles of CHCs. County governments can promote the implementation of CHC policies by including CHCs in the agenda during the annual review of performance in the health sector.
A HECKE ACTION ON -MODULES
Authors: Abe Noriyuki
Published: April 2023

We construct an action of the affine Hecke category on the principal block
$\mathrm {Rep}_0(G_1T)$
of
$G_1T$
-modules where G is a connected reductive group over an algebraically closed field of characteristic
$p> 0$
, T a maximal torus of G and
$G_1$
the Frobenius kernel of G. To define it, we define a new category with a Hecke action which is equivalent to the combinatorial category defined by Andersen-Jantzen-Soergel.
Carbon In, Carbon Out: Balancing the Ocean’s Books
Authors: Vandermeulen Ryan
Published: April 2023

Scientists have developed a consensus guide of standard protocols for how best to measure oceanic primary productivity, a key component in Earth’s carbon cycle.
Multispacecraft Observations of the Simultaneous Occurrence of Magnetic Reconnection at High and Low Latitudes During the Passage of a Solar Wind Rotational Discontinuity Embedded in the April 9‐11, 2015 ICME
Authors: Wing Simon , Berchem Jean , Escoubet C. Philippe , Farrugia Charles , Lugaz Noé
Published: April 2023

Numerous questions remain about how solar wind directional discontinuities, for example, rotational discontinuities (RDs), affect energy and transport processes at the magnetopause. The impact on the dayside magnetosphere of a solar wind RD is studied. The study shows that the RD leads to complex structures at the magnetopause, boundary layer, mantle, and cusp even though the geomagnetic activity level remains low. At low altitudes, the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program spacecraft observe a double cusp that is a signature of magnetic reconnection occurring at both high and low latitudes due to the dominant IMF By, while Cluster C2, located at high‐latitude and high‐altitude in the southern hemisphere, observes velocity fluctuations and reversals with peak‐to‐peak amplitudes >800 km s−1 as it crosses the magnetopause. A global MHD simulation of the event shows that the C2 observations are consistent with the spacecraft crossing reconnection outflows while moving from one side of the X‐line to the other.
Large Modeling Uncertainty in Projecting Decadal Surface Ozone Changes Over City Clusters of China
Authors: Weng Xiang , Li Jiawei , Forster Grant L. , Nowack Peer
Published: April 2023

Climate policies will affect future surface ozone pollution in China. Here, we simulate changes in summertime ozone across China by 2030 under four emission scenarios reflecting different levels of climate action. We also contrast results obtained with two different chemical mechanisms employed in the chemical transport model (WRF‐Chem). With emission reductions in ozone precursors introduced by climate policies, both mechanisms show promising ozone mitigation for most parts of China. However, they disagree starkly in China's three main city clusters, where one mechanism projects worsening ozone pollution by 2030 despite the emission reductions. We analyze possible drivers of this important discrepancy, in particular the role of varying ozone chemical regimes affecting its sensitivity to emission changes. We recommend an intercomparison project to examine this critical modeling uncertainty among other models/mechanisms, which would be invaluable for informing local and regional emission control strategies that are based on single‐model results.
Self-management with alcohol over lifespan: psychological mechanisms, neurobiological underpinnings, and risk assessment
Authors: Müller Christian P. , Schumann Gunter , Rehm Jürgen , Kornhuber Johannes , Lenz Bernd
Published: April 2023

Self-management includes all behavioural measures and cognitive activities aimed at coping with challenges arising throughout the lifespan. While virtually all of these challenges can be met without pharmacological means, alcohol consumption has long been instrumentalized as a supporting tool to help coping with problems arising selectively at adolescence, adulthood, and ageing. Here, we present, to our knowledge, the first systematic review of alcohol instrumentalization throughout lifespan. We searched MEDLINE, Google Scholar, PsycINFO and CINAHL (from Jan, 1990, to Dec, 2022) and analysed consumption patterns, goals and potential neurobiological mechanisms. Evidence shows a regular non-addictive use of alcohol to self-manage developmental issues during adolescence, adulthood, and ageing. Alcohol is selectively used to overcome problems arising from dysfunctional personality traits, which manifest in adolescence. A large range of psychiatric disorders gives rise to alcohol use for the self-management of distinct symptoms starting mainly in adulthood. We identify those neuropharmacological effects of alcohol that selectively serve self-management under specific conditions. Finally, we discuss the adverse effects and associated risks that arise from the use of alcohol for self-management. Even well-controlled alcohol use adversely impacts health. Based on these findings, we suggest the implementation of an entirely new view. Health policy action may actively embrace both sides of the phenomenon through a personalized informed use that allows for harm-controlled self-management with alcohol.
Grid integration feasibility and investment planning of offshore wind power under carbon-neutral transition in China
Authors: Guo Xinyang , Chen Xinyu , Chen Xia , Sherman Peter , Wen Jinyu , McElroy Michael
Published: April 2023

Offshore wind power, with accelerated declining levelized costs, is emerging as a critical building-block to fully decarbonize the world’s largest CO2 emitter, China. However, system integration barriers as well as system balancing costs have not been quantified yet. Here we develop a bottom-up model to test the grid accommodation capabilities and design the optimal investment plans for offshore wind power considering resource distributions, hourly power system simulations, and transmission/storage/hydrogen investments. Results indicate that grid integration barriers exist currently at the provincial level. For 2030, optimized offshore wind investment levels should be doubled compared with current government plans, and provincial allocations should be significantly improved considering both resource quality and grid conditions. For 2050, offshore wind capacity in China could reach as high as 1500 GW, prompting a paradigm shift in national transmission structure, favoring long-term storage in the energy portfolio, enabling green hydrogen production in coastal demand centers, resulting in the world’s largest wind power market.
A precision environmental health approach to prevention of human disease
Authors: Baccarelli Andrea , Dolinoy Dana C. , Walker Cheryl Lyn
Published: April 2023

Human health is determined by the interaction of our environment with the genome, epigenome, and microbiome, which shape the transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic landscape of cells and tissues. Precision environmental health is an emerging field leveraging environmental and system-level (‘omic) data to understand underlying environmental causes of disease, identify biomarkers of exposure and response, and develop new prevention and intervention strategies. In this article we provide real-life illustrations of the utility of precision environmental health approaches, identify current challenges in the field, and outline new opportunities to promote health through a precision environmental health framework.
Interface engineering of charge-transfer excitons in 2D lateral heterostructures
Authors: Rosati Roberto , Paradisanos Ioannis , Huang Libai , Gan Ziyang , George Antony , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Lombez Laurent , Renucci Pierre , Turchanin Andrey , Urbaszek Bernhard , Malic Ermin
Published: April 2023

The existence of bound charge transfer (CT) excitons at the interface of monolayer lateral heterojunctions has been debated in literature, but contrary to the case of interlayer excitons in vertical heterostructure their observation still has to be confirmed. Here, we present a microscopic study investigating signatures of bound CT excitons in photoluminescence spectra at the interface of hBN-encapsulated lateral MoSe2-WSe2 heterostructures. Based on a fully microscopic and material-specific theory, we reveal the many-particle processes behind the formation of CT excitons and how they can be tuned via interface- and dielectric engineering. For junction widths smaller than the Coulomb-induced Bohr radius we predict the appearance of a low-energy CT exciton. The theoretical prediction is compared with experimental low-temperature photoluminescence measurements showing emission in the bound CT excitons energy range. We show that for hBN-encapsulated heterostructures, CT excitons exhibit small binding energies of just a few tens meV and at the same time large dipole moments, making them promising materials for optoelectronic applications (benefiting from an efficient exciton dissociation and fast dipole-driven exciton propagation). Our joint theory-experiment study presents a significant step towards a microscopic understanding of optical properties of technologically promising 2D lateral heterostructures.
Layered BiOI single crystals capable of detecting low dose rates of X-rays
Authors: Jagt Robert A. , Bravić Ivona , Eyre Lissa , Gałkowski Krzysztof , Borowiec Joanna , Dudipala Kavya Reddy , Baranowski Michał , Dyksik Mateusz , van de Goor Tim W. J. , Kreouzis Theo , Xiao Ming , Bevan Adrian , Płochocka Paulina , Stranks Samuel D. , Deschler Felix , Monserrat Bartomeu , MacManus-Driscoll Judith L. , Hoye Robert L. Z.
Published: April 2023

Detecting low dose rates of X-rays is critical for making safer radiology instruments, but is limited by the absorber materials available. Here, we develop bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) single crystals into effective X-ray detectors. BiOI features complex lattice dynamics, owing to the ionic character of the lattice and weak van der Waals interactions between layers. Through use of ultrafast spectroscopy, first-principles computations and detailed optical and structural characterisation, we show that photoexcited charge-carriers in BiOI couple to intralayer breathing phonon modes, forming large polarons, thus enabling longer drift lengths for the photoexcited carriers than would be expected if self-trapping occurred. This, combined with the low and stable dark currents and high linear X-ray attenuation coefficients, leads to strong detector performance. High sensitivities reaching 1.1  × 103 μC Gyair−1 cm−2 are achieved, and the lowest dose rate directly measured by the detectors was 22 nGyair s−1. The photophysical principles discussed herein offer new design avenues for novel materials with heavy elements and low-dimensional electronic structures for (opto)electronic applications.
Pancreatic cancer is associated with medication changes prior to clinical diagnosis
Authors: Zhang Yin , Wang Qiao-Li , Yuan Chen , Lee Alice A. , Babic Ana , Ng Kimmie , Perez Kimberly , Nowak Jonathan A. , Lagergren Jesper , Stampfer Meir J. , Giovannucci Edward L. , Sander Chris , Rosenthal Michael H. , Kraft Peter , Wolpin Brian M.
Published: April 2023

Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) commonly develop symptoms and signs in the 1–2 years before diagnosis that can result in changes to medications. We investigate recent medication changes and PDAC diagnosis in Nurses’ Health Study (NHS; females) and Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS; males), including up to 148,973 U.S. participants followed for 2,994,057 person-years and 991 incident PDAC cases. Here we show recent initiation of antidiabetic (NHS) or anticoagulant (NHS, HFS) medications and cessation of antihypertensive medications (NHS, HPFS) are associated with pancreatic cancer diagnosis in the next 2 years. Two-year PDAC risk increases as number of relevant medication changes increases (P-trend <1 × 10−5), with participants who recently start antidiabetic and stop antihypertensive medications having multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio of 4.86 (95%CI, 1.74–13.6). These changes are not associated with diagnosis of other digestive system cancers. Recent medication changes should be considered as candidate features in multi-factor risk models for PDAC, though they are not causally implicated in development of PDAC.
The AAV capsid can influence the epigenetic marking of rAAV delivered episomal genomes in a species dependent manner
Authors: Gonzalez-Sandoval Adriana , Pekrun Katja , Tsuji Shinnosuke , Zhang Feijie , Hung King L. , Chang Howard Y. , Kay Mark A.
Published: April 2023

Recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAVs) are among the most commonly used vehicles for in vivo based gene therapies. However, it is hard to predict which AAV capsid will provide the most robust expression in human subjects due to the observed discordance in vector-mediated transduction between species. In our study, we use a primate specific capsid, AAV-LK03, to demonstrate that the limitation of this capsid towards transduction of mouse cells is unrelated to cell entry and nuclear transport but rather due to depleted histone H3 chemical modifications related to active transcription, namely H3K4me3 and H3K27ac, on the vector DNA itself. A single-amino acid insertion into the AAV-LK03 capsid enables efficient transduction and the accumulation of active-related epigenetic marks on the vector chromatin in mouse without compromising transduction efficiency in human cells. Our study suggests that the capsid protein itself is involved in driving the epigenetic status of the vector genome, most likely during the process of uncoating. Programming viral chromatin states by capsid design may enable facile DNA transduction between vector and host species and ultimately lead to rational selection of AAV capsids for use in humans.
Deconvoluting Cr states in Cr-doped UO2 nuclear fuels via bulk and single crystal spectroscopic studies
Authors: Murphy Gabriel L. , Gericke Robert , Gilson Sara , Bazarkina Elena F. , Rossberg André , Kaden Peter , Thümmler Robert , Klinkenberg Martina , Henkes Maximilian , Kegler Philip , Svitlyk Volodymyr , Marquardt Julien , Lender Theresa , Hennig Christoph , Kvashnina Kristina O. , Huittinen Nina
Published: April 2023

Cr-doped UO2 is a leading accident tolerant nuclear fuel where the complexity of Cr chemical states in the bulk material has prevented acquisition of an unequivocal understanding of the redox chemistry and mechanism for incorporation of Cr in the UO2 matrix. To resolve this, we have used electron paramagnetic resonance, high energy resolution fluorescence detection X-ray absorption near energy structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopic measurements to examine Cr-doped UO2 single crystal grains and bulk material. Ambient condition measurements of the single crystal grains, which have been mechanically extracted from bulk material, indicated Cr is incorporated substitutionally for U+4 in the fluorite lattice as Cr+3 with formation of additional oxygen vacancies. Bulk material measurements reveal the complexity of Cr states, where metallic Cr (Cr0) and oxide related Cr+2 and Cr+32O3 were identified and attributed to grain boundary species and precipitates, with concurrent (Cr+3xU+41-x)O2-0.5x lattice matrix incorporation. The deconvolution of chemical states via crystal vs. powder measurements enables the understanding of discrepancies in literature whilst providing valuable direction for safe continued use of Cr-doped UO2 fuels for nuclear energy generation.
Cross-modal autoencoder framework learns holistic representations of cardiovascular state
Authors: Radhakrishnan Adityanarayanan , Friedman Sam F. , Khurshid Shaan , Ng Kenney , Batra Puneet , Lubitz Steven A. , Philippakis Anthony A. , Uhler Caroline
Published: April 2023

A fundamental challenge in diagnostics is integrating multiple modalities to develop a joint characterization of physiological state. Using the heart as a model system, we develop a cross-modal autoencoder framework for integrating distinct data modalities and constructing a holistic representation of cardiovascular state. In particular, we use our framework to construct such cross-modal representations from cardiac magnetic resonance images (MRIs), containing structural information, and electrocardiograms (ECGs), containing myoelectric information. We leverage the learned cross-modal representation to (1) improve phenotype prediction from a single, accessible phenotype such as ECGs; (2) enable imputation of hard-to-acquire cardiac MRIs from easy-to-acquire ECGs; and (3) develop a framework for performing genome-wide association studies in an unsupervised manner. Our results systematically integrate distinct diagnostic modalities into a common representation that better characterizes physiologic state.
Dependency of NELF-E-SLUG-KAT2B epigenetic axis in breast cancer carcinogenesis
Authors: Zhang Jieqiong , Hu Zhenhua , Chung Hwa Hwa , Tian Yun , Lau Kah Weng , Ser Zheng , Lim Yan Ting , Sobota Radoslaw M. , Leong Hwei Fen , Chen Benjamin Jieming , Yeo Clarisse Jingyi , Tan Shawn Ying Xuan , Kang Jian , Tan Dennis Eng Kiat , Sou Ieng Fong , McClurg Urszula Lucja , Lakshmanan Manikandan , Vaiyapuri Thamil Selvan , Raju Anandhkumar , Wong Esther Sook Miin , Tergaonkar Vinay , Rajarethinam Ravisankar , Pathak Elina , Tam Wai Leong , Tan Ern Yu , Tee Wee-Wei
Published: April 2023

Cancer cells undergo transcriptional reprogramming to drive tumor progression and metastasis. Using cancer cell lines and patient-derived tumor organoids, we demonstrate that loss of the negative elongation factor (NELF) complex inhibits breast cancer development through downregulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness-associated genes. Quantitative multiplexed Rapid Immunoprecipitation Mass spectrometry of Endogenous proteins (qPLEX-RIME) further reveals a significant rewiring of NELF-E-associated chromatin partners as a function of EMT and a co-option of NELF-E with the key EMT transcription factor SLUG. Accordingly, loss of NELF-E leads to impaired SLUG binding on chromatin. Through integrative transcriptomic and genomic analyses, we identify the histone acetyltransferase, KAT2B, as a key functional target of NELF-E-SLUG. Genetic and pharmacological inactivation of KAT2B ameliorate the expression of EMT markers, phenocopying NELF ablation. Elevated expression of NELF-E and KAT2B is associated with poorer prognosis in breast cancer patients, highlighting the clinical relevance of our findings. Taken together, we uncover a crucial role of the NELF-E-SLUG-KAT2B epigenetic axis in breast cancer carcinogenesis.
RAD-TGTs: high-throughput measurement of cellular mechanotype via rupture and delivery of DNA tension probes
Authors: Pawlak Matthew R. , Smiley Adam T. , Ramirez Maria Paz , Kelly Marcus D. , Shamsan Ghaidan A. , Anderson Sarah M. , Smeester Branden A. , Largaespada David A. , Odde David J. , Gordon Wendy R.
Published: April 2023

Mechanical forces drive critical cellular processes that are reflected in mechanical phenotypes, or mechanotypes, of cells and their microenvironment. We present here “Rupture And Deliver” Tension Gauge Tethers (RAD-TGTs) in which flow cytometry is used to record the mechanical history of thousands of cells exerting forces on their surroundings via their propensity to rupture immobilized DNA duplex tension probes. We demonstrate that RAD-TGTs recapitulate prior DNA tension probe studies while also yielding a gain of fluorescence in the force-generating cell that is detectable by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the rupture propensity is altered following disruption of the cytoskeleton using drugs or CRISPR-knockout of mechanosensing proteins. Importantly, RAD-TGTs can differentiate distinct mechanotypes among mixed populations of cells. We also establish oligo rupture and delivery can be measured via DNA sequencing. RAD-TGTs provide a facile and powerful assay to enable high-throughput mechanotype profiling, which could find various applications, for example, in combination with CRISPR screens and -omics analysis.
Throwing and manipulating and cheating with a DNA nano-dice
Authors: Tang Xiaochen , Chen Tianshu , Li Wenxing , Mao Dongsheng , Liu Chenbin , Wu Qi , Huang Nan , Hu Song , Sun Fenyong , Pan Qiuhui , Zhu Xiaoli
Published: April 2023

Artificial molecular machines have captured the imagination of researchers, given their clear potential to mimic and influence human life. Key to behavior simulation is to reproduce the specific properties of physical or abstract systems. Dice throwing, as a stochastic model, is commonly used for result judgment or plan decision in real life. In this perspective we utilize DNA cube framework for the design of a dice device at the nanoscale to reproduce probabilistic events in different situations: equal probability, high probability, and low probability. We first discuss the randomness of DNA cube, or dice, adsorbing on graphene oxide, or table, and then explore a series of events that change the probability through the way in which the energy released from entropy-driven strand displacement reactions or changes in intermolecular forces. As such, the DNA nano-dice system provides guideline and possibilities for the design, engineering, and quantification of behavioral probability simulation, a currently emerging area of molecular simulation research.
Controllable dimensionality conversion between 1D and 2D CrCl3 magnetic nanostructures
Authors: Lu Shuangzan , Guo Deping , Cheng Zhengbo , Guo Yanping , Wang Cong , Deng Jinghao , Bai Yusong , Tian Cheng , Zhou Linwei , Shi Youguo , He Jun , Ji Wei , Zhang Chendong
Published: April 2023

The fabrication of one-dimensional (1D) magnetic systems on solid surfaces, although of high fundamental interest, has yet to be achieved for a crossover between two-dimensional (2D) magnetic layers and their associated 1D spin chain systems. In this study, we report the fabrication of 1D single-unit-cell-width CrCl3 atomic wires and their stacked few-wire arrays on the surface of a van der Waals (vdW) superconductor NbSe2. Scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and first-principles calculations jointly revealed that the single wire shows an antiferromagnetic large-bandgap semiconducting state in an unexplored structure different from the well-known 2D CrCl3 phase. Competition among the total energies and nanostructure-substrate interfacial interactions of these two phases result in the appearance of the 1D phase. This phase was transformable to the 2D phase either prior to or after the growth for in situ or ex situ manipulations, in which the electronic interactions at the vdW interface play a nontrivial role that could regulate the dimensionality conversion and structural transformation between the 1D-2D CrCl3 phases.
Thalamo-cortical circuits during sensory attenuation in emerging psychosis: a combined magnetoencephalography and dynamic causal modelling study
Authors: Hua Lingling , Adams Rick A. , Grent-‘t-Jong Tineke , Gajwani Ruchika , Gross Joachim , Gumley Andrew I. , Krishnadas Rajeev , Lawrie Stephen M. , Schultze-Lutter Frauke , Schwannauer Matthias , Uhlhaas Peter J.
Published: April 2023

Evidence suggests that schizophrenia (ScZ) involves impairments in sensory attenuation. It is currently unclear, however, whether such deficits are present during early-stage psychosis as well as the underlying network and the potential as a biomarker. To address these questions, Magnetoencephalography (MEG) was used in combination with computational modeling to examine M100 responses that involved a “passive” condition during which tones were binaurally presented, while in an “active” condition participants were asked to generate a tone via a button press. MEG data were obtained from 109 clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR-P) participants, 23 people with a first-episode psychosis (FEP), and 48 healthy controls (HC). M100 responses at sensor and source level in the left and right thalamus (THA), Heschl’s gyrus (HES), superior temporal gyrus (STG) and right inferior parietal cortex (IPL) were examined and dynamic causal modeling (DCM) was performed. Furthermore, the relationship between sensory attenuation and persistence of attenuated psychotic symptoms (APS) and transition to psychosis was investigated in CHR-P participants. Sensory attenuation was impaired in left HES, left STG and left THA in FEP patients, while in the CHR-P group deficits were observed only in right HES. DCM results revealed that CHR-P participants showed reduced top-down modulation from the right IPL to the right HES. Importantly, deficits in sensory attenuation did not predict clinical outcomes in the CHR-P group. Our results show that early-stage psychosis involves impaired sensory attenuation in auditory and thalamic regions but may not predict clinical outcomes in CHR-P participants.
Full-field, conformal epiretinal electrode array using hydrogel and polymer hybrid technology
Authors: Zhou Muru , Young Benjamin K. , Valle Elena della , Koo Beomseo , Kim Jinsang , Weiland James D.
Published: April 2023

Shape-morphable electrode arrays can form 3D surfaces to conform to complex neural anatomy and provide consistent positioning needed for next-generation neural interfaces. Retinal prostheses need a curved interface to match the spherical eye and a coverage of several cm to restore peripheral vision. We fabricated a full-field array that can (1) cover a visual field of 57° based on electrode position and of 113° based on the substrate size; (2) fold to form a compact shape for implantation; (3) self-deploy into a curvature fitting the eye after implantation. The full-field array consists of multiple polymer layers, specifically, a sandwich structure of elastomer/polyimide-based-electrode/elastomer, coated on one side with hydrogel. Electrodeposition of high-surface-area platinum/iridium alloy significantly improved the electrical properties of the electrodes. Hydrogel over-coating reduced electrode performance, but the electrodes retained better properties than those without platinum/iridium. The full-field array was rolled into a compact shape and, once implanted into ex vivo pig eyes, restored to a 3D curved surface. The full-field retinal array provides significant coverage of the retina while allowing surgical implantation through an incision 33% of the final device diameter. The shape-changing material platform can be used with other neural interfaces that require conformability to complex neuroanatomy.
A game theoretic approach to balance privacy risks and familial benefits
Authors: Guo Jia , Clayton Ellen Wright , Kantarcioglu Murat , Vorobeychik Yevgeniy , Wooders Myrna , Wan Zhiyu , Yin Zhijun , Malin Bradley A.
Published: April 2023

As recreational genomics continues to grow in its popularity, many people are afforded the opportunity to share their genomes in exchange for various services, including third-party interpretation (TPI) tools, to understand their predisposition to health problems and, based on genome similarity, to find extended family members. At the same time, these services have increasingly been reused by law enforcement to track down potential criminals through family members who disclose their genomic information. While it has been observed that many potential users shy away from such data sharing when they learn that their privacy cannot be assured, it remains unclear how potential users’ valuations of the service will affect a population’s behavior. In this paper, we present a game theoretic framework to model interdependent privacy challenges in genomic data sharing online. Through simulations, we find that in addition to the boundary cases when (1) no player and (2) every player joins, there exist pure-strategy Nash equilibria when a relatively small portion of players choose to join the genomic database. The result is consistent under different parametric settings. We further examine the stability of Nash equilibria and illustrate that the only equilibrium that is resistant to a random dropping of players is when all players join the genomic database. Finally, we show that when players consider the impact that their data sharing may have on their relatives, the only pure strategy Nash equilibria are when either no player or every player shares their genomic data.
Prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension and associated factors among Royal Thai Army personnel in Thailand from 2017 to 2021
Authors: Sakboonyarat Boonsub , Poovieng Jaturon , Srisawat Phutsapong , Hatthachote Panadda , Mungthin Mathirut , Rangsin Ram , Jongcherdchootrakul Kanlaya
Published: April 2023

Hypertension (HTN) is a potential risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to determine the prevalence, awareness, and control of HTN among RTA personnel in Thailand. We conducted a series of cross-sectional studies from 2017 to 2021. HTN was defined by systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥ 140 mmHg or a diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg from a physical health examination, a history of HTN diagnosed by medical personnel, or taking antihypertensive medication. A total of 504,484 participants were included in the present study. The overall HTN prevalence was 29.4%. The prevalence of HTN among males was 30.5%, while it was 17.1% among females. Of the RTA personnel with HTN, 35.9% were aware of their condition. The overall control of HTN among RTA personnel with HTN was 15.8% in 2017 and 17.6% in 2021. Behavioral factors associated with HTN were current smoking, alcohol consumption, and sedentary behavior. A higher BMI was associated with higher HTN prevalence and HTN awareness but less likely to have controllable HTN. Male participants, younger individuals, current alcohol use, and sedentary behavior were associated with a lower prevalence of HTN awareness and controlled HTN. Current tobacco use was also associated with a lower prevalence of HTN awareness.
A novel method for Pu-erh tea face traceability identification based on improved MobileNetV3 and triplet loss
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Yang Xinting , Luo Na , Chen Feng , Yu Helong , Sun Chuanheng
Published: April 2023

Ensuring the traceability of Pu-erh tea products is crucial in the production and sale of tea, as it is a key means to ensure their quality and safety. The common approach used in traceability systems is the utilization of bound Quick Response (QR) codes or Near Field Communication (NFC) chips to track every link in the supply chain. However, counterfeiting risks still persist, as QR codes or NFC chips can be copied and inexpensive products can be fitted into the original packaging. To address this issue, this paper proposes a tea face verification model called TeaFaceNet for traceability verification. The aim of this model is to improve the traceability of Pu-erh tea products by quickly identifying counterfeit products and enhancing the credibility of Pu-erh tea. The proposed method utilizes an improved MobileNetV3 combined with Triplet Loss to verify the similarity between two input tea face images with different texture features. The recognition accuracy of the raw tea face dataset, ripe tea face dataset and mixed tea face dataset of the TeaFaceNet network were 97.58%, 98.08% and 98.20%, respectively. Accurate verification of tea face was achieved using the optimal threshold. In conclusion, the proposed TeaFaceNet model presents a promising approach to enhance the traceability of Pu-erh tea products and combat counterfeit products. The robustness and generalization ability of the model, as evidenced by the experimental results, highlight its potential for improving the accuracy of Pu-erh tea face recognition and enhancing the credibility of Pu-erh tea in the market. Further research in this area is warranted to advance the traceability of Pu-erh tea products and ensure their quality and safety.
Sterilization characteristics of narrow tubing by nitrogen oxides generated in atmospheric pressure air plasma
Authors: Muto Reona , Hayashi Nobuya
Published: April 2023

The sterilization characteristics of active species generated by an atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge plasma using air and oxygen at the inner surface of silicone tubing were investigated. A dielectric barrier discharge torch plasma device was installed at one end of the tube and generated long-lived active species that flowed into the tube. A strip-type biological indicator with a 105-cell bacterial spore was placed at the opposite end of the 60 cm tube. Sterilization was completed within 30 min by active particles generated from the air plasma. The main factors contributing to the sterilization by air plasma were HNO3and N2O5. When organic materials (keratin, aspartic acid, and dipicolinic acid) reflecting components of the bacterial spore, were treated by the sterilization procedure there was little effect on dipicolinic acid. Keratin was oxidized by ozone and NOxgenerated from the oxygen and air plasmas, respectively. Aspartic acid underwent little change in composition from ozone generated from the oxygen plasma, whereas nitro (NO2), nitroso (NO), and aldehyde (CHO) groups were formed from ozone and NOxgenerated from the air plasma.
ZIF-8 metal organic framework nanoparticle loaded with tense quaternary state polymerized bovine hemoglobin: potential red blood cell substitute with antioxidant properties
Authors: Gu Xiangming , Allyn Megan , Swindle-Reilly Katelyn , Palmer Andre F.
Published: April 2023

This study demonstrated successful encapsulation of polymerized hemoglobin in the tense quaternary state inside a nanoparticle comprised of zeolite imidazole framework precursors with antioxidant properties.
Iodanes as multi-tools for the total synthesis of complex natural products
Authors: Rocq Camille , Denis Maxime , Canesi Sylvain
Published: April 2023

Hypervalent iodine reagents as efficient tools for the total synthesis of complex natural products.
Single-crystal MAPbI3 microwire arrays by a bilayer flexible interface confinement method for photodetectors
Authors: Chen Yudan , Huang Wenjun , Wei Xiangfeng , Li Panpan , Fatima Zain , Zhou Rulong , Liu Jiehua
Published: April 2023

High-quality MAPbI3 single-crystal microwires were synthesized by a facile bilayer flexible interface confinement method for high-performance photodetectors.
Cytosine monohydrate under mechanical stress
Authors: Fleming Megan E. , Hooks Daniel E. , McBride Michael , Li Nan , Swift Jennifer A.
Published: April 2023

Cytosine monohydrate exhibits a highly anisotropic response to nanoindentation over a range of loads. Activation of low rugosity slip planes induces movement of π-stacks which propagate differently on opposite sides of the indent.
Electrocatalytic water oxidation by heteroleptic ruthenium complexes of 2,6-bis(benzimidazolyl)pyridine Scaffold: a mechanistic investigation
Authors: Khan Sahanwaj , Sengupta Swaraj , Khan Md. Adnan , Sk Md. Palashuddin , Naskar Subhendu
Published: April 2023

Electrocatalytic water oxidation by new monomeric ruthenium complexes has been proposed to take place by Water Nucleophilic Attack. A methyl substitution in the ligand backbone increases the efficiency, whereas a fluoro group decreases the rate.
Dimeric and 1D polymeric low-chlorinated C60 fullerenes, (C60Cl5)2 and (C60Cl4)∞
Authors: Brotsman Victor A. , Tamm Nadezhda B. , Ioffe Ilya N. , Eliseev Andrei A. , Goryunkov Alexey A. , Lyssenko Konstantin A. , Troyanov Sergey I.
Published: April 2023

High-temperature chlorination of C60 fullerenes with a SbCl5/SbCl3 mixture resulted in the isolation and structural characterization of the first neutral, one-dimensional (C60Cl4)∞ polymer with single C–C bonded zigzag chains.
Characterisation of gas cell reactions for 70+ elements using N2O for ICP tandem mass spectrometry measurements
Authors: Lancaster Shaun T. , Prohaska Thomas , Irrgeher Johanna
Published: April 2023

Gas cell interactions of 73 elements with nitrous oxide (N2O) have been evaluated using inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS). Recommendations for the reduction of interferences are provided.
Plasma emission intensity expansion of Zr metal and Zr oxide via microwave enhancement laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Ikeda Yuji , Soriano Joey Kim , Wakaida Ikuo
Published: April 2023

This study highlights the impact of microwaves in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, yielding vital implications for plasma analysis and spectroscopy.
Copper-catalyzed synthesis of quinazolines via cascade cyclization/hydrodehalogenation
Authors: Ma Peng , Wang Yuhang , Wang Jianhui , Ma Ning
Published: April 2023

We report a Cu(i)-catalyzed synthesis of quinazolines via cascade cyclization/hydrodehalogenation by using acetamide as a nitrogen source and H2O as a hydrogen source.
Vertically oriented self-assembly of colloidal CdSe/CdZnS quantum wells controlled via hydrophilicity/lipophilicity balance: optical gain of quantum well stacks for amplified spontaneous emission and random lasing
Authors: Dikmen Zeynep , Işık Ahmet Tarık , Bozkaya İklim , Dehghanpour Baruj Hamed , Canımkurbey Betül , Shabani Farzan , Ahmad Muhammad , Demir Hilmi Volkan
Published: April 2023

Novel, vertically oriented self-assembly of core/shell CdSe/CdZnS colloidal quantum wells stacked in film via the control of hydrophilicity/lipophilicity is shown for optical gain media, allowing amplified spontaneous emission and random lasing.
Computational hyperspectral devices based on quasi-random metasurface supercells
Authors: Chen Cong , Li Xiaoyin , Yang Gang , Chen Xiaohu , Liu Shoupeng , Guo Yinghui , Li Hui
Published: April 2023

Computational hyperspectral devices that use artificial filters have shown promise as compact spectral devices.
Surface-charge governed ionic blockade in angstrom-scale latent-track channels
Authors: Xie Yanbo , Shi Deli , Wang Wenhui , Wang Ziheng
Published: April 2023

We found non-linear I–V curves in latent-track membranes that previous theories failed to explain. We suspect the non-conductive state was caused by the blockade of cations bound at the surface in confinement, affected by the pH and concentrations.
CsPbBr3 and Cs4PbBr6 perovskite light-emitting diodes using a thermally evaporated host–dopant system
Authors: Bae Sa-Rang , Seol Myeong Jin , Kim Soo Young
Published: April 2023

Light emitting diodes were fabricated using a single-source and host–dopant system of the perovskite produced in the powder form. Both CsPbBr3 and Cs4PbBr6 used in the host–dopant system were green, and the host was tris(8-quinolinolato) aluminum(iii).
Carbon-based single-atom catalysts: impacts of atomic coordination on the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Kang Zhiwen , Wang Xiaochen , Wang Dan , Bai Bing , Zhao Yafei , Xiang Xu , Zhang Bing , Shang Huishan
Published: April 2023

This review summarizes recent progress in carbon-based single-atom catalysts toward the ORR in the regulation of the central metal atoms, coordination atoms, defects and neighboring metal monomers.
Correction: Formal synthesis of cyclotheonellazole A
Authors: Long Bohua , Pu Liu-Yang , Liu Zhanyan , Zeng Xiaobin , Wu Zhengzhi
Published: April 2023

Correction for ‘Formal synthesis of cyclotheonellazole A’ by Bohua Long et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023, https://doi.org/10.1039/d3ob00038a.
Upcycling of BPA-PC into trimethylene carbonate by solvent assisted organocatalysed depolymerisation
Authors: Olazabal Ion , Luna Emelin , De Meester Steven , Jehanno Coralie , Sardon Haritz
Published: April 2023

This study describes the solvent-assisted organocatalysed depolymerisation of BPA-PC at low temperature for the selective formation of trimethylene carbonate. The key role of 1-methylimidazole as solvent and imidazole as catalyst is investigated.
Digital farming based on a smart and user‐friendly IoT irrigation system: A conifer nursery case study
Authors: Florea Adrian , Popa Daniel‐Ioan , Morariu Daniel , Maniu Ionela , Berntzen Lasse , Fiore Ugo
Published: April 2023

Although digital technologies on farms bridge the productivity‐sustainability gap, they are not yet widely adopted. Familiarising farmers with digital systems is as important as developing advanced technological platforms: As farmers become accustomed to and feel in control of digital systems, they will find it easier to accept, adapt and keep pace with technological developments. This article describes the design and implementation of a flexible, scalable, easy‐to‐use and extensible IoT embedded system to control sprinkler irrigation in an outdoor Thuja conifer nursery in an automated mode and under varying weather. Irrigation is controlled by Mamdani Fuzzy Inference Logic based on rainfall prediction and real‐time monitoring of the plants. The IoT system provides a control dashboard and offers three operating modes: manual, automated or scheduled (daily, weekly, and monthly). The system is robust in the event of a power outage or loss of connectivity. The code is available on GitHub. Sensors, solenoid valves, Raspberry Pi microcontrollers, fuzzy logic systems, a web interface and a cloud service create a sustainable solution that makes water use more efficient, creates a healthy environment for crops (using just the right amount of water), makes life easier for farmers, and exposes them to the benefits of the IoT.
A novel detection and defense mechanism against false data injection attack in smart grids
Authors: Cui Jinlong , Gao Beibei , Guo Baojun
Published: April 2023

As the next generation of green power system, smart grids have gradually enhanced the operation efficiency of power system. Meanwhile, the application of communication and intelligent technologies make the power grid more vulnerable to the emerging cyber‐physical attacks, such as the false data injection attack (FDIA). Particularly, the deception property of the FDIA on the output measurement estimation can fool the current security mechanism without triggering an alarm. Motivated by this problem, this paper aims at developing a novel detection and recovery mechanism against FDIA in smart grid. Based on the established state space grid model derived from the three‐phase sinusoidal voltage equations, an improved principal component analysis (PCA)‐based detection method is proposed. By introducing the mathematical transformation principle method, the detection performance such as detection rate and false positive rate can be improved. To keep the stable running of power system, a genetic optimization algorithm‐based linear quadratic regulator (LQR) defense method is developed. In addition, to improve the response performance to external attacks, an artificial intelligence method named genetic optimization algorithm is introduced to optimize the robust performance of the proposed defense method. Finally, the simulation results on the IEEE 6‐bus and 118‐bus grid system demonstrate the superiority of the proposed genetic algorithm optimization‐based LQR defense method.
A single layer wideband Vivaldi antenna with a novel feed structure
Authors: Ghaffar Farhan A. , Roy Noben K. , Shamim Atif
Published: April 2023

An increase of 7 GHz in the industrial, scientific and medical ISM band around 60 GHz has opened it up for many modern wireless applications such as 5G. This means that new component designs that can cater for this large bandwidth are the need of the hour. The design of a large bandwidth, completely planar and high gain novel Vivaldi antenna is presented. Being a travelling wave antenna and implemented using single metal layer make it an excellent candidate for not only Printed Circuit Board based applications but also the lossy Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor technology. For the first time, the feed of the antenna is integrated on the same conductor layer as the antenna itself. Using this design technique the problem of thin gap between the metal layers has been mitigated. The final measured results show that the antenna goes above and beyond ISM band with excellent matching performance from 55 to 84 GHz. A high gain of 7 dBi is maintained over a bandwidth of 57–75 GHz with a radiation efficiency of almost 80%. The results show that the design is quite suitable for integration in a millimetre‐wave transceiver system that can support high data rate applications.
Moth‐flame‐optimisation based parameter estimation for model‐predictive‐controlled superconducting magnetic energy storage‐battery hybrid energy storage system
Authors: Liu Lu , Sheng Jie , Liang Hanyu , Yang Jinshan , Ye Haosheng , Jiang Junjie
Published: April 2023

Superconducting magnetic energy storage‐battery hybrid energy storage system (HESS) has a broad application prospect in balancing direct current (DC) power grid voltage due to its fast dynamic response ability under low‐frequency/high‐frequency disturbances. Model‐predictive‐control (MPC) with characteristics such as high sampling rate and wide applicability could be applied to HESS. However, considering that the relevant circuit parameters would change with ambient temperature, interference and ageing, the effect of MPC may deteriorate inevitably. This article proposes an improved MPC strategy for SMES‐Battery HESS, taking moth‐flame‐optimisation (MFO) algorithm to calculate the circuit parameters in real time. The actual parameters are updated by MFO and then sent to model predictive controller to minimise the model mismatches. The advantages of high accuracy and fast convergence speed is verified by comparison with grey wolf optimisation and particle swarm optimisation. The simulation shows that by taking the proposed scheme, DC bus voltage are more stable and the superconducting magnetic energy storage can maintain more than 95% capacity utilisation and avoid over‐discharge even if the model parameters are inconsistent with the actual ones under circumstances of alternating current grid fault and fluctuation of new energy output.