bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conspiracy theories and social movements studies: A research agenda
Authors: Bertuzzi Niccolò
Published: November 2021

It is surprising to note the scarcity of contributions in social movement literature related to so‐called conspiracy theories. A considerable amount of the work on these topics has been produced in political science, history, media studies, social psychology and other disciplines. These accounts have often adopted a stigmatizing approach, looking at conspiracy theories as forms of pathologies (whether psychological, social or political). Moving from such a perspective to a constructivist one, I argue that conspiracy theories should represent an object of interest for social movement scholars: conspiracies supporters go into the streets to highlight their issues, protest against authority, propose alternative lifestyles and often claim to look for a better/different society. Applying the social movements toolkit can allow to better understand this phenomenon and apply critical perspectives in a more effective manner. On the basis of this premise, the first part of this article reviews the existing literature on conspiracy theories, also identifying the main lacunae; the second part outlines some possible research questions and lines of inquiry, moving beyond the classical theories in the field of social movement studies. The paper also introduces a number of new concepts, such as conspiracy mobilizations and conspiracy coalitions.
“It’s My Time to . . . Fight Some of These Battles”: The Life History of an Exemplary African American PETE Faculty Member
Authors: Jowers Richard F. , Curtner-Smith Matthew D.
Published: November 2021

Purpose: To construct the life history of an exemplary veteran African American physical education teacher education faculty member. Method: The participant was Dr. Andrew Lewis, a retired professor from the College of Charleston. Data were collected through formal semistructured interviews, informal interviews, and documents and artifacts. They were analyzed using analytic induction and constant comparison. Findings: Key findings were that Lewis experienced a significant amount of marginalization throughout his life and career. In addition, he was subjected to different forms of microaggression and stereotype threat. Lewis dealt with these forms of racism by emulating several of his teachers and professors, working hard, and performing to a high level. In addition, he altered the pedagogy he employed. Conclusion: Lewis’s counter-story has the potential to influence other African American physical education teacher education faculty members, administrators, and those who perpetuate stereotypes of African Americans or deal in microaggressions.
BNT162b2 vaccination induces durable SARS-CoV-2–specific T cells with a stem cell memory phenotype
Authors: Guerrera Gisella , Picozza Mario , D’Orso Silvia , Placido Roberta , Pirronello Marta , Verdiani Alice , Termine Andrea , Fabrizio Carlo , Giannessi Flavia , Sambucci Manolo , Balice Maria Pia , Caltagirone Carlo , Salvia Antonino , Rossini Angelo , Battistini Luca , Borsellino Giovanna
Published: November 2021

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination induces stem cell memory T cells specific for the virus that persist up to 6 months.
A broadly cross-reactive antibody neutralizes and protects against sarbecovirus challenge in mice
Authors: Martinez David R. , Schäfer Alexandra , Gobeil Sophie , Li Dapeng , De la Cruz Gabriela , Parks Robert , Lu Xiaozhi , Barr Maggie , Stalls Victoria , Janowska Katarzyna , Beaudoin Esther , Manne Kartik , Mansouri Katayoun , Edwards Robert J. , Cronin Kenneth , Yount Boyd , Anasti Kara , Montgomery Stephanie A. , Tang Juanjie , Golding Hana , Shen Shaunna , Zhou Tongqing , Kwong Peter D. , Graham Barney S. , Mascola John R. , Montefiori David C. , Alam S. Munir , Sempowski Gregory D. , Khurana Surender , Wiehe Kevin , Saunders Kevin O. , Acharya Priyamvada , Haynes Barton F. , Baric Ralph S.
Published: November 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses 1 (SARS-CoV) and 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, can cause deadly infections. The mortality associated with sarbecovirus infection underscores the importance of developing broadly effective countermeasures against them, which could be key in the prevention and mitigation of current and future zoonotic events. Here, we demonstrate the neutralization of SARS-CoV; bat coronaviruses WIV-1 and RsSHC014; and SARS-CoV-2 variants D614G, B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, B.1.429, B.1.526, B.1.617.1, and B.1.617.2 by a receptor binding domain (RBD)–specific human antibody, DH1047. Prophylactic and therapeutic treatment with DH1047 was protective against SARS-CoV, WIV-1, RsSHC014, and SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 infection in mice. Binding and structural analysis showed high affinity binding of DH1047 to an epitope that is highly conserved among sarbecoviruses. Thus, DH1047 is a broadly protective antibody that can prevent infection and mitigate outbreaks caused by SARS-related strains and SARS-CoV-2 variants. Our results also suggest that the conserved RBD epitope bound by DH1047 is a rational target for a universal sarbecovirus vaccine.
DNA Viral Diversity, Abundance, and Functional Potential Vary across Grassland Soils with a Range of Historical Moisture Regimes
Authors: Wu Ruonan , Davison Michelle R. , Nelson William C. , Graham Emily B. , Fansler Sarah J. , Farris Yuliya , Bell Sheryl L. , Godinez Iobani , Mcdermott Jason E. , Hofmockel Kirsten S. , Jansson Janet K.
Published: November 2021

Soil viruses are abundant, but the influence of the environment and climate on soil viruses remains poorly understood. Here, we addressed this gap by comparing the diversity, abundance, lifestyle, and metabolic potential of DNA viruses in three grassland soils with historical differences in average annual precipitation, low in eastern Washington (WA), high in Iowa (IA), and intermediate in Kansas (KS).
Highly Potent Host-Specific Small-Molecule Inhibitor of Paramyxovirus and Pneumovirus Replication with High Resistance Barrier
Authors: Shrestha Neeta , Gall Flavio Max , Mathieu Cyrille , Hierweger Melanie Michaela , Brügger Melanie , Alves Marco P. , Vesin Jonathan , Banfi Damiano , Kalbermatter David , Horvat Branka , Chambon Marc , Turcatti Gerardo , Fotiadis Dimitrios , Riedl Rainer , Plattet Philippe
Published: November 2021

Measles virus, respiratory syncytial virus, canine distemper virus, and Nipah virus are some of the clinically significant RNA viruses that threaten substantial number of lives each year. Limited to no availability of treatment options for these viral infections makes it arduous to handle the outbreaks.
Global Annotation, Expression Analysis, and Stability of Candidate sRNAs in Group B Streptococcus
Authors: Keogh Rebecca A. , Spencer Brady L. , Sorensen Hailee M. , Zapf Rachel L. , Briaud Paul , Bonsall Abigail E. , Doran Kelly S. , Carroll Ronan K.
Published: November 2021

In recent years, sRNAs have emerged as potent regulatory molecules in bacteria, including numerous streptococcal species, and contribute to diverse processes, including stress response, metabolism, housekeeping, and virulence regulation. Improvements in sequencing technologies and
in silico
analyses have facilitated identification of these regulatory molecules as well as improved attempts to determine the location of sRNA genes on the genome.
SepA EnhancesShigellaInvasion of Epithelial Cells by Degrading Alpha-1 Antitrypsin and Producing a Neutrophil Chemoattractant
Authors: Meza-Segura Mario , Birtley James R. , Maldonado-Contreras Ana , Mueller Christian , Simin Karl J. , Stern Lawrence J. , McCormick Beth A.
Published: November 2021

Shigellais the second leading cause of diarrheal death globally. In this study, we identified the host protein targets of SepA,Shigella’s major protein secreted in culture.
Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 RNA Persistence across Indoor Surface Materials Reveals Best Practices for Environmental Monitoring Programs
Authors: Salido Rodolfo A. , Cantú Victor J. , Clark Alex E. , Leibel Sandra L. , Foroughishafiei Anahid , Saha Anushka , Hakim Abbas , Nouri Alhakam , Lastrella Alma L. , Castro-Martínez Anelizze , Plascencia Ashley , Kapadia Bhavika K. , Xia Bing , Ruiz Christopher A. , Marotz Clarisse A. , Maunder Daniel , Lawrence Elijah S. , Smoot Elizabeth W. , Eisner Emily , Crescini Evelyn S. , Kohn Laura , Franco Vargas Lizbeth , Chacón Marisol , Betty Maryann , Machnicki Michal , Wu Min Yi , Baer Nathan A. , Belda-Ferre Pedro , De Hoff Peter , Seaver Phoebe , Ostrander R. Tyler , Tsai Rebecca , Sathe Shashank , Aigner Stefan , Morgan Sydney C. , Ngo Toan T. , Barber Tom , Cheung Willi , Carlin Aaron F. , Yeo Gene W. , Laurent Louise C. , Fielding-Miller Rebecca , Knight Rob
Published: November 2021

Environmental monitoring is an important tool for public health surveillance, particularly in settings with low rates of diagnostic testing. Time between sampling public environments, such as hospitals or schools, and notifying stakeholders of the results should be minimal, allowing decisions to be made toward containing outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Interactive Material: Numerical models of Farallon plate subduction: Creating and removing a flat slab
Authors: Currie Claire A. , Copeland Peter
Published: November 2021

Animations 1, 2, and 3. Animation 1. Evolution of Model 1 showing the full model domain. Animation 2. Evolution of Model 9 showing the full model domain. Animation 3. Evolution of Model 23 showing the full model domain.
Supplemental Material: LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating and geochemical characterization of oil inclusion-bearing calcite cements: Constraints on primary oil migration in lacustrine mudstone source rocks
Authors: Su Ao , al. et
Published: November 2021

Table S1: LA-ICP-MS U-Pb contents (ppm), and 238U/206Pb-207Pb/206Pb ratios of the microcrystalline-granular calcite (MGC) and blocky calcite (BC) in vein samples FSX1-1 and FSX1-2; Table S2: LA-ICP-MS rare earth element (REE) data (ppm) for calcite cements in vein samples FSX1-1 and FSX1-2.
Supplemental Material: Mexico: Basement framework and pre-Cretaceous stratigraphy
Authors: Martens U.C. , Molina Garza Roberto S.
Published: November 2021

A chart summarizing the basement geology and pre-Cretaceous stratigraphy of Mexican geologic provinces, and an Excel file of the U-Pb geochronology of the Esperanza Granite wallrock at the type locality.
On the Mechanism of Methane Conversion in the Nonсatalytic Processes of Its Thermal Pyrolysis and Steam and Carbon Dioxide Reforming
Authors: Busillo E. , Savchenko V. I. , Arutyunov V. S.
Published: November 2021

A detailed kinetic modeling of the noncatalytic processes of thermal pyrolysis
and steam and carbon dioxide reforming of methane revealed almost completely
identical kinetics of the methane conversion in these processes. This suggests
that, in the temperature range 1400–1800 K, the initial stage of conversion of
methane in all these processes is its thermal pyrolysis. The modeling results
agree well with the experimental data on methane pyrolysis. For the temperature
range examined, the Arrhenius expressions (pre-exponential factors and
activation energy) were obtained in the first-order kinetics approximation for
the rate of methane conversion in the processes studied. The expressions derived
may be useful for making preliminary estimates and carrying out engineering
calculations.
COVID-19 and delivery of difficult asthma services
Authors: Nichols Anna-Louise , Sonnappa-Naik Mayank , Gardner Laura , Richardson Charlotte , Orr Natalie , Jamalzadeh Angela , Moore-Crouch Rachel , Makhecha Sukeshi , Wells Charlotte , Hall Pippa , Bush Andrew , Fleming Louise , Saglani Sejal , Sonnappa Samatha
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an urgent reconfiguration of our difficult asthma (DA) service. We rapidly switched to virtual clinics and rolled out home spirometry based on clinical need. From March to August 2020, 110 patients with DA (68% virtually) were seen in clinic, compared with March–August 2019 when 88 patients were seen face-to-face. There was DA clinic cancellation/non-attendance (16% vs 43%; p<0.0003). In patients with home spirometers, acute hospital admissions (6 vs 26; p<0.01) from March to August 2020 were significantly lower compared with the same period in 2019. There was no difference in the number of courses of oral corticosteroids or antibiotics prescribed (47 vs 53; p=0.81). From April to August 2020, 50 patients with DA performed 253 home spirometry measurements, of which 39 demonstrated >20% decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s, resulting in new action plans in 87% of these episodes. In our DA cohort, we demonstrate better attendance rates at virtual multidisciplinary team consultations and reduced hospital admission rates when augmented with home spirometry monitoring.
Life-threatening immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myocarditis and myasthenia gravis overlap syndrome treated with abatacept: a case report
Authors: Wakefield Chelby , Shultz Carl , Patel Brijesh , Malla Midhun
Published: November 2021

We present here the second documented case of severe immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myocarditis successfully treated with abatacept. The patient was started on pembrolizumab for stage IIIA malignant melanoma, and after the first dose was admitted for worsening shortness of breath and weakness. Her symptoms were refractory to high-dose steroids and she decompensated rapidly necessitating cardiopulmonary resuscitation and subsequent intubation and mechanical ventilation. Intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis did not invoke significant improvement, so abatacept was then initiated. She began to show improvement and was eventually discharged to a skilled nursing facility. This case highlights a severe adverse reaction to an immunomodulator class steadily growing in its application. Providers of all specialties should be aware of the side effects and treatment options. Our case demonstrates that continued investigation into the utilisation of CTLA-4 agonists in the treatment of severe adverse reactions like myocarditis caused by pembrolizumab is required.
Random plasma glucose levels and cause-specific mortality among Chinese adults without known diabetes: an 11-year prospective study of 450,000 people
Authors: Vermunt Jane , Bragg Fiona , Halsey Jim , Yang Ling , Chen Yiping , Guo Yu , Du Huaidong , Meng Fanwen , Pei Pei , Yu Canqing , Lv Jun , Chen Junshi , Li Liming , Lewington Sarah , Chen Zhengming
Published: November 2021

Introduction

We examined the associations between long-term usual random plasma glucose (RPG) levels and cause-specific mortality risks among adults without known diabetes in China.

Research design and methods

The China Kadoorie Biobank recruited 512,891 adults (59% women) aged 30–79 from 10 regions of China during 2004–2008. At baseline survey, and subsequent resurveys of a random subset of survivors, participants were interviewed and measurements collected, including on-site RPG testing. Cause of death was ascertained via linkage to local mortality registries. Cox regression yielded adjusted HR for all-cause and cause-specific mortality associated with usual levels of RPG.

Results

During median 11 years’ follow-up, 37,214 deaths occurred among 452,993 participants without prior diagnosed diabetes or other chronic diseases. There were positive log-linear relationships between RPG and all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD) (n=14,209) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) (n=432) mortality down to usual RPG levels of at least 5.1 mmol/L. At RPG <11.1 mmol/L, each 1.0 mmol/L higher usual RPG was associated with adjusted HRs of 1.14 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.16), 1.16 (1.12 to 1.19) and 1.44 (1.22 to 1.70) for all-cause, CVD and CKD mortality, respectively. Usual RPG was positively associated with chronic liver disease (n=547; 1.45 (1.26 to 1.66)) and cancer (n=12,680; 1.12 (1.09 to 1.16)) mortality, but with comparably lower risks at baseline RPG ≥11.1 mmol/L. These associations persisted after excluding participants who developed diabetes during follow-up.

Conclusions

Among Chinese adults without diabetes, higher RPG levels were associated with higher mortality risks from several major diseases, with no evidence of apparent thresholds below the cut-points for diabetes diagnosis.
Shortage of essential antimicrobials: a major challenge to global health security
Authors: Shafiq Nusrat , Pandey Avaneesh Kumar , Malhotra Samir , Holmes Alison , Mendelson Marc , Malpani Rohit , Balasegaram Manica , Charani Esmita
Published: November 2021

The lack of access to safe and effective antimicrobials for human populations is a threat to global health security and a contributor to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The increasingly common shortages of antimicrobials are an additional threat to the emergence of AMR. While the threat of such drug shortages is most acutely experienced in low-income and middle-income settings, their consequences impact the quality and effectiveness of antimicrobials worldwide. Furthermore, there is a need for robustly conducted studies examining the impact of these increasingly prevalent shortages on patient outcomes and on the emergence and spread of AMR. In this review, we have mapped common drivers for antimicrobial shortages and propose strategies for rethinking the regulation, supply and pricing of antimicrobials to secure their sustainable access across diverse healthcare systems and to help minimise the unintended consequences of weak and ineffective supply chains. Greater government involvement in antimicrobial manufacture and supply is essential to ensure no one is left behind. Dedicated demand systems need to be developed for antimicrobials which take into consideration evolving AMR patterns, burden of diseases, pandemic events and supply and demand issues and facilitate implementation of strategies to address them. Interventions, ranging from advocacy and forecasting to public–private collaborations, new economic models and international consortia working across countries and supply chains, will help assure access to safe and effective antimicrobials to all populations around the globe and ensure that shortages no longer contribute to AMR.
Are aerosols generated during lung function testing in patients and healthy volunteers? Results from the AERATOR study
Authors: Sheikh Sadiyah , Hamilton Fergus W , Nava George W , Gregson Florence K A , Arnold David T , Riley Colleen , Brown Jules ,   AERATOR Group, Reid Jonathan P , Bzdek Bryan R , Maskell Nicholas A , Dodd James William
Published: November 2021

Pulmonary function tests are fundamental to the diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory diseases. There is uncertainty around whether potentially infectious aerosols are produced during testing and there are limited data on mitigation strategies to reduce risk to staff. Healthy volunteers and patients with lung disease underwent standardised spirometry, peak flow and FENO assessments. Aerosol number concentration was sampled using an aerodynamic particle sizer and an optical particle sizer. Measured aerosol concentrations were compared with breathing, speaking and voluntary coughing. Mitigation strategies included a standard viral filter and a full-face mask normally used for exercise testing (to mitigate induced coughing). 147 measures were collected from 33 healthy volunteers and 10 patients with lung disease. The aerosol number concentration was highest in coughs (1.45–1.61 particles/cm3), followed by unfiltered peak flow (0.37–0.76 particles/cm3). Addition of a viral filter to peak flow reduced aerosol emission by a factor of 10 without affecting the results. On average, coughs produced 22 times more aerosols than standard spirometry (with filter) in patients and 56 times more aerosols in healthy volunteers. FENO measurement produced negligible aerosols. Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) masks reduced aerosol emission when breathing, speaking and coughing significantly. Lung function testing produces less aerosols than voluntary coughing. CPET masks may be used to reduce aerosol emission from induced coughing. Standard viral filters are sufficiently effective to allow guidelines to remove lung function testing from the list of aerosol-generating procedures.
Smoking-related cancer death among men and women in an ageing society (China 2020–2040): a population-based modelling study
Authors: Li Ning , Wu Peng , Wang Zixing , Shen Yubing , Zhang Luwen , Xue Fang , Han Wei , Chen Yali , Du Jin , Zhao Yujie , Yang Cuihong , Hu Yaoda , Gu Wentao , Chen Wangyue , Guo Xiaobo , Liu Boqi , Jiang Jingmei , Xu Ningzhi
Published: November 2021

Background

China is experiencing a postpeak smoking epidemic with accelerating population ageing. Understanding the impacts of these factors on the future cancer burden has widespread implications.

Methods

We developed predictive models to estimate smoking-related cancer deaths among men and women aged ≥35 years in China during 2020–2040. Data sources for model parameters included the United Nations World Population Prospects, China Death Surveillance Database, national adult tobacco surveys and the largest national survey of smoking and all causes of death to date. The main assumptions included stable sex-specific and age-specific cancer mortality rates and carcinogenic risks of smoking over time.

Results

In a base-case scenario of continuing trends in current smoking prevalence (men: 57.4%–50.5%; women: 2.6%–2.1% during 2002–2018), the smoking-related cancer mortality rate with population ageing during 2020–2040 would rise by 44.0% (from 337.2/100 000 to 485.6/100 000) among men and 52.8% (from 157.3/100 000 to 240.4/100 000) among women; over 20 years, there would be 8.6 million excess deaths (0.5 million more considering former smoking), and a total of 117.3 million smoking-attributable years of life lost (110.3 million (94.0%) in men; 54.1 million (46.1%) in working-age (35–64 years) adults). An inflection point may occur in 2030 if smoking prevalence were reduced to 20% (Healthy China 2030 goal), and 1.4 million deaths would be averted relative to the base-case scenario if the trend were maintained through 2040.

Conclusions

Coordinated efforts are urgently needed to curtail a rising tide of cancer deaths in China, with intensified tobacco control being key.
One- and two-dimensional finite element modelling of thaw consolidation
Authors: Dayarathne Rajith , Hawlader Bipul , Phillips Ryan , Robert Dilan
Published: November 2021

Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical finite element (FE) modelling of thaw consolidation is presented. One-dimensional FE analyses are performed for thaw consolidation of a soil column due to self-weight and with a combination of self-weight and surcharge, with the linear and nonlinear void ratio – effective stress – hydraulic conductivity relationships of thawed soil. The nonlinear behaviour of thawed soil is modelled using a modified Drucker–Prager cap model, while the hydraulic conductivity is varied with the void ratio. Finally, two-dimensional FE modelling of thaw consolidation around a warm pipeline buried in permafrost is performed. The rapid reduction of the void ratio with consolidation, especially at the low-stress level, results in a wide variation of hydraulic conductivity within the thawed zone. The significantly large hydraulic conductivity of soil elements along the curved thaw front, as compared to that of thaw consolidated soil, causes the flow of water along the thaw front, instead of a vertical flow, as assumed in previous 1D thaw consolidation modelling of buried pipelines.
Investigation of grouting diffusion in a single rock fracture considering the influences of obstructions
Authors: Ding Wenqi , Zhou Dong , Chen Xiaoqing , Duan Chao , Zhang Qingzhao
Published: November 2021

Grouting reinforcement was used to improve rock strength and avoid seepage in rock engineering. A self-developed visualised test platform was developed and the influences of different fracture openness on grouting diffusion modes were revealed; the Bingham rheological model was imported to simulate the grouting diffusion process in a single plate fracture, the spatiotemporal distribution of the velocity field under different obstructions was determined using the finite element method. The results indicate that (i) the grout diffuses faster with the increase of fracture openness, while a stagnation effect of the grouting diffusion velocity behind the obstruction occurs. (ii) Due to obstructions, the grouting diffusion process can be divided into four stages: circular diffusion, flat diffusion, vortex diffusion, and butterfly diffusion. (iii) The grouting diffusion area is divided into a fully reinforced zone and a semi-reinforced zone, and the area of the latter increases with the fracture openness, while being little affected by the size of any obstruction. (iv) Furthermore, some new grouting diffusion laws were revealed considering the asymmetrical arrangement of obstructions. The results presented in this work will be helpful for describing and predicting the grouting process in fracture networks.
Data reduction for a calorimetrically measured $$^{163}\mathrm {Ho}$$ spectrum of the ECHo-1k experiment
Authors: Hammann Robert , Barth Arnulf , Fleischmann Andreas , Schulz Dennis , Gastaldo Loredana
Published: November 2021

The electron capture in $$^{163}\mathrm {Ho}$$

163

Ho

experiment (ECHo) is designed to directly measure the effective electron neutrino mass by analysing the endpoint region of the $$^{163}\mathrm {Ho}$$

163

Ho

electron capture spectrum. We present a data reduction scheme for the analysis of high statistics data acquired with the first phase of the ECHo experiment, ECHo-1k, to reliably infer the energy of $$^{163}\mathrm {Ho}$$

163

Ho

events and discard triggered noise or pile-up events. On a first level, the raw data is filtered purely based on the trigger time information of the acquired signals. On a second level, the time profile of each triggered event is analysed to identify the signals corresponding to a single energy deposition in the detector. We demonstrate that events not belonging to this category are discarded with an efficiency above 99.8%, with a minimal loss of $$^{163}\mathrm {Ho}$$

163

Ho

events of about 0.7%. While the filter using the trigger time information is completely energy independent, a slight energy dependence of the filter based on the time profile is precisely characterised. This data reduction protocol will be important to minimise systematic errors in the analysis of the $$^{163}\mathrm {Ho}$$

163

Ho

spectrum for the determination of the effective electron neutrino mass.
The challenges of beam polarization and keV-scale centre-of-mass energy calibration at the FCC-ee
Authors: Blondel Alain , Gianfelice Eliana
Published: November 2021

The capability to determine the FCC-ee centre-of-mass energies (ECM) at the ppm level using resonant depolarization of the beams is essential for the Z line shape measurements, the W mass and the possible observation of the Higgs boson s-channel production. A first analysis (Blondel A et al Polarization and centre-of-mass energy calibration at FCC-ee. arXiv:1909.12245) demonstrated the feasibility of this programme, conditional to careful preparation and a number of further developments. The existing simulation codes must be unified; the analysis and design of the instrumentation must be developed; and a detailed planning must be developed for the simultaneous and coordinated operation of the accelerator, of the continuous polarization and depolarization measurements, and of the beam monitoring devices, ensuring a precise extrapolation from beam energies to centre-of-mass energy and energy spread.
Ion–electron energy transfer in kinetic and fluid modelling of the tokamak scrape-off layer
Authors: Power D , Mijin S , Militello F , Kingham R J
Published: November 2021

Using the 1D kinetic electron code SOL-KiT, simulations of the divertor tokamak scrape-off layer were carried out to explore the presence of kinetic effects in energy transfer between the ions and electrons. During steady-state conditions, it was found that the ion–electron energy transfer is well described by a fluid model, with only minimal differences seen when electrons are treated kinetically. During transient regimes (featuring a burst of energy into the scrape-off layer), we see evidence of enhanced energy exchange when calculated kinetically as compared to a fluid model. The kinetic correction represents an additional 8–55% ion–electron energy transfer across the domain, depending on the pre-transient plasma collisionality. Compared to the total energy going into the plasma during the transient, the correction is less than 1%, so its impact on plasma profiles may be small. The effect is seen to increase in strength along the domain, peaking in front of the divertor target. The overall discrepancy (integrated along the domain) increases during the transient energy burst and disappears on a similar timescale. However, at the target the effect peaks later and takes several multiples of the transient duration to relax. This effect may be only partially explained by an additional population of cold electrons arising from neutral ionization.
Relational Dynamics of Leadership: Problems and Prospects
Authors: Scandura Terri A. , Meuser Jeremy D.
Published: November 2021

Relationships are central to understanding what occurs in the workplace. The leader-member exchange (LMX) approach dominates the literature on relational dynamics of leadership. Research supports LMX as a mediator between leadership and outcomes, and this reflects the centrality of relationships at work. However, LMX is not a leadership theory. We critically review the literature on LMX, with discussion of the requirements for “good” theory and how LMX falls short. We acknowledge some attempts through the years to develop theory to guide LMX research. The concept of “exchange” was not original to LMX. Our review of social exchange theory reveals that, contrary to the common approach, LMX is not consonant with exchange theory. Other attempts at theory offer partial explanations that do not capture leader-member relational dynamics. Some promising approaches to studying leader-member relationships have emerged in recent years. We offer suggestions for future theory and research and advocate for a return to role theory and the development of emotional sociocognitive approaches.
High Performance SrFe0.2Co0.4Mo0.4O3−δ
Ceramic Anode Supported Low-Temperature SOFCs
Authors: Pan Ke-Ji , Hussain A. Mohammed , Huang Yi-Lin , Wachsman Eric D.
Published: November 2021

The development of alternative ceramic anodes for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) is essential to overcome the inherent challenges such as redox instability and coking associated with Ni-based cermet anodes. Moreover, due to the large electrolyte ohmic loss at low temperature, it is critical to developing an electrode supported cell that allows electrolyte thickness reduction. Here we successfully demonstrated a high performance SrFe0.2Co0.4Mo0.4O3−δ
(SFCM) ceramic anode supported LT-SOFC with a peak power density of 730 mW cm−2 and 300 mW cm−2 at ambitious low temperatures of 550 °C and 450 °C, respectively, in humidified H2. The new anode material SFCM exhibits exceptional conductivity of over 30 S cm−1 at 450 °C in humidified H2, providing essential current collection capability as an anode backbone appropriate for the infiltration of Ni-gadolinia doped ceria (GDC) electrocatalysts. Compared to conventional Ni-cermet anodes, the nano-sized Ni-GDC particles in our SFCM based electrode significantly improves the cell stability in hydrocarbon gases. We demonstrated a stable long-term operation over a period of 380 h in CH4–containing gas mixtures at 450 °C with a voltage degradation rate of 4% per 1000 h at a constant current of 0.2 A*cm−2. Our results demonstrate a high performance ceramic anode with high stability for low temperature operation.
Enhanced Proton Conductivity of (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane—Grafted Graphene Oxide Membranes for Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Authors: Kabir Chowdury Md Shahjahan , Cho Young Jin , Park Sung Bum , Park Yong-il
Published: November 2021

Graphene oxide membrane (GOM) is an excellent proton conductor under humidified conditions and can be suited to various electrochemical devices, including proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Conventional PEMFCs are based on Nafion®, a commercial perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid (PSA) ionomer that has many disadvantages, such as high cost, strenuous synthesis process, and fuel crossover. To minimize these deficiencies, a low-cost, alternative, environmental friendliness, and highly proton conductive membrane was synthesized. Here, GOM is considered the base electrolyte of PEM. However, the proton conductivity of GOM shows a very large orientation dependence. In particular, due to the two-dimensional structure of graphene oxide, the through-plane direction of GOM is inevitably oriented in c-axis, and its conductivity is significantly lower than that of Nafion®. In this study, (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTS, HS(CH2)3Si(OCH3)3) was reacted with the surface of graphene oxide particles and then oxidizes to provide a fast proton conduction path through the obtained sulfonic acid groups. That is, MPTS binds to the surface of graphene oxide (GO) through hydrolysis (Si–OCH3 to Si–OH) and condensation (Si–OH to Si–O–C), and the thiol group of MPTS is converted to sulfonic acid ligands through oxidation. FTIR and XPS spectra successfully confirmed the MPTS bound on the surface of GOM. The resulting MPTS-modified GOM (M-GOM) shows an enormous increase in proton conductivity (Th-plane) compared to GOM, but not much as high as Nafion®. The ion exchange capacity, proton conductivity, gas leakage, mechanical properties, thermal stability, electrochemical properties, and physico-chemical properties of M-GOM as electrolytes are measured and compared with GOM and Nafion®. Hydrogen fuel cells using M-GOM alone and a double-layered membrane composed of M-GOM and Pd thin films as electrolytes are built and their operating characteristics are reported.
Quantifying Percolated Triple Phase Boundary Density and Its Effects on Anodic Polarization in Ni-Infiltrated Ni/YSZ SOFC Anodes
Authors: Rix Jillian G. , Mo Boshan , Nikiforov Alexey Y. , Pal Uday B. , Gopalan Srikanth , Basu Soumendra N.
Published: November 2021

Increasing the density of percolated triple phase boundaries (TPBs) by infiltrating nanoscale electrocatalysts can improve the performance of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anodes. However, the complex microstructure of these infiltrated nanocatalysts creates challenges in quantifying their role in anode performance improvements. In this research, scanning electron microscopy of fractured cross-sections of a Ni-nanocatalyst infiltrated anodic symmetric cell along with three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of the same anode have been used to quantify the changes in percolated TPB densities due to infiltration. This change in percolated TPB density has been compared to the improvement in anode activation polarization resistance measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It was found that increased TPB densities only partially accounted for the measured performance improvement. Distribution of relaxation times (DRT) analyses showed that a reduction in the time constants of the catalytic processes in the anode also play a role, suggesting that the added nanoscale percolated TPB boundaries are more electrochemically active as compared to the cermet TPB boundaries.
Lowering the Impedance of Lanthanum Strontium Manganite-Based Electrodes with Lanthanum Oxychloride and Lanthanum Scavenging Chloride Salts
Authors: Taylor Thomas H. , Muhoza Sixbert P. , Gross Michael D.
Published: November 2021

The impact of infiltrating chloride salts on the electrochemical behavior of lanthanum strontium manganite-yttria stabilized zirconia (LSM-YSZ) cathodes was investigated under solid oxide fuel cell operation. Infiltrating a lanthanum chloride solution resulted in the formation of a lanthanum oxychloride (LaOCl) phase. A LaOCl phase also formed by infiltrating an ammonium chloride solution; however, lanthanum was scavenged from the LSM phase to form LaOCl. The third infiltrating solution, a combination of zirconium chloride and yttrium nitrate, formed LaOCl by scavenging lanthanum from LSM and produced YSZ nanoparticles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results suggest that LaOCl improves oxygen adsorption kinetics compared to a baseline LSM-YSZ cathode, reducing the low frequency impedance by 30%. In addition, scavenging lanthanum from LSM improved oxygen ion diffusion polarization as indicated by the observed 40% reduction in high frequency impedance and improved serial ohmic resistance by 19%. Finally, YSZ nanoparticles further reduced the high frequency impedance and ohmic resistance by 45% and 23%, respectively. The findings reveal new strategies for lowering the impedance of LSM-YSZ cathodes.
Heterogeneity of glutamatergic synapses: cellular mechanisms and network consequences
Authors: Wichmann Carolin , Kuner Thomas
Published: November 2021

Chemical synapses are commonly known as a structurally and functionally highly diverse class of cell-cell contacts specialized to mediate communication between neurons. They represent the smallest “computational” unit of the brain and are typically divided into excitatory and inhibitory as well as modulatory categories. These categories are subdivided into diverse types, each representing a different structure-function repertoire that in turn are thought to endow neuronal networks with distinct computational properties. The diversity of structure and function found among a given category of synapses is referred to as heterogeneity. The main building blocks for this heterogeneity are synaptic vesicles, the active zone, the synaptic cleft, the postsynaptic density, and glial processes associated with the synapse. Each of these five structural modules entails a distinct repertoire of functions, and their combination specifies the range of functional heterogeneity at mammalian excitatory synapses, which are the focus of this review. We describe synapse heterogeneity that is manifested on different levels of complexity ranging from the cellular morphology of the pre- and postsynaptic cells toward the expression of different protein isoforms at individual release sites. We attempt to define the range of structural building blocks that are used to vary the basic functional repertoire of excitatory synaptic contacts and discuss sources and general mechanisms of synapse heterogeneity. Finally, we explore the possible impact of synapse heterogeneity on neuronal network function.
A Real-Time Vehicle Counting, Speed Estimation, and Classification System Based on Virtual Detection Zone and YOLO
Authors: Lin Cheng-Jian , Jeng Shiou-Yun , Lioa Hong-Wei
Published: November 2021

In recent years, vehicle detection and classification have become essential tasks of intelligent transportation systems, and real-time, accurate vehicle detection from image and video data for traffic monitoring remains challenging. The most noteworthy challenges are real-time system operation to accurately locate and classify vehicles in traffic flows and working around total occlusions that hinder vehicle tracking. For real-time traffic monitoring, we present a traffic monitoring approach that overcomes the abovementioned challenges by employing convolutional neural networks that utilize You Only Look Once (YOLO). A real-time traffic monitoring system has been developed, and it has attracted significant attention from traffic management departments. Digitally processing and analyzing these videos in real time is crucial for extracting reliable data on traffic flow. Therefore, this study presents a real-time traffic monitoring system based on a virtual detection zone, Gaussian mixture model (GMM), and YOLO to increase the vehicle counting and classification efficiency. GMM and a virtual detection zone are used for vehicle counting, and YOLO is used to classify vehicles. Moreover, the distance and time traveled by a vehicle are used to estimate the speed of the vehicle. In this study, the Montevideo Audio and Video Dataset (MAVD), the GARM Road-Traffic Monitoring data set (GRAM-RTM), and our collection data sets are used to verify the proposed method. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method with YOLOv4 achieved the highest classification accuracy of 98.91% and 99.5% in MAVD and GRAM-RTM data sets, respectively. Moreover, the proposed method with YOLOv4 also achieves the highest classification accuracy of 99.1%, 98.6%, and 98% in daytime, night time, and rainy day, respectively. In addition, the average absolute percentage error of vehicle speed estimation with the proposed method is about 7.6%.
Production Analysis for Fractured Vertical Well in Coal Seam Reservoirs with Stimulated Reservoir Volume
Authors: Li Chen
Published: November 2021

The development and utilization of coalbed methane is of great significance to reduce carbon dioxide emission. Through the research, this paper presents a fast analytical solution method for the productivity of coalbed methane reservoir with finite-conductivity fractured well and stimulated reservoir volume region. Based on the dual-porosity flowing mechanism, combined with the Langmuir adsorb equation, Fick diffusion law, and Darcy law, a mathematical model considering diffusion in matrix and transport in natural fracture system is established, using spherical matrix to describe the transient steady-state sorption, and using cubic matrix to describe the pseudosteady-state sorption. Then, combined with the inner system and outer system, the analytical solution was obtained. Furthermore, the accuracy of the solution was validated against a numerical simulation. According to the Duhamel principle, the effect of wellbore storage and skin factor was got. Due to the SRV region, the linear flow and radial flow will appear before the pressure wave reach the outer region. And then, based on the pressure analysis result, we will have made the sensitivity analysis with different influence parameter. The result reveals that storage coefficient and conductivity factor mainly influence the early time; the permeability ratio and dimensionless SRV region radius mainly influence the property of SRV region. Finally, the analytical solution of the new model was applied to field history match. This model takes into account the adsorption and desorption characteristics of coalbed methane, as well as the SRV zones generated during fracturing. The calculation speed of the new model is increased while the calculation accuracy is retained, and the intensity of software application is reached. The model achieves the purpose of rapid evaluation and accurate prediction of gas well productivity and obtains a set of productivity evaluation method suitable for coalbed methane reservoir with fractured vertical well, which provides a basis for the development and productivity evaluation of coalbed methane reservoir in domestic and international cooperation.
Genome Instability-Related miRNAs Predict Survival, Immune Landscape, and Immunotherapy Responses in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Liu Yaqiong , Cheng Lin , Huang Wei , Cheng Xin , Peng Weijun , Shi Dazun
Published: November 2021

Background. Increasing evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in genome instability (GI) and drive the occurrence of tumors. However, the role of GI-related miRNAs in gastric cancer (GC) remains largely unknown. Herein, we developed a novel GI-related miRNA signature (GIMiSig) and further investigated its role in prognosis, the immune landscape, and immunotherapy responses in GC patients. Methods. An analysis of somatic mutation data on 434 gastric cancer cases from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was performed, thereby generating genome stability (GS) and GI groups. By detecting differentially expressed miRNAs between the GS and GI groups that were associated with overall survival, 8 miRNAs were identified and used to construct the GIMiSig. Results. The GIMiSig showed high accuracy in detecting GC patients. Using GIMiSig to stratify the patients into the high- and low-risk subgroups to predict survival outperformed the use of regular clinical features such as age, gender, or disease stage. Patients with low risk had a more favorable survival time than those with high risk. More importantly, the high-risk patients were associated with decreased UBQLN4 expression, higher accumulation of immune cells, lower Titin (TTN) mutation frequency, worse immunotherapy efficacy, and cancer-associated pathways. Conversely, the low-risk patients were characterized by UBQLN4 overexpression, lower fraction of immune cells, higher TTN mutation frequency, better response to immunotherapy, and GI-related pathways. Conclusion. In summary, we constructed a novel GIMiSig that could stratify GC patients into distinct risk groups that have different survival outcomes and immunotherapy efficacy. The results may provide new clues for improving GC outcomes.
Deep Learning‐Based Methods for Sentiment Analysis on Nepali COVID‐19‐Related Tweets
Authors: Sitaula C. , Basnet A. , Mainali A. , Shahi T. B.
Published: November 2021

COVID‐19 has claimed several human lives to this date. People are dying not only because of physical infection of the virus but also because of mental illness, which is linked to people’s sentiments and psychologies. People’s written texts/posts scattered on the web could help understand their psychology and the state they are in during this pandemic. In this paper, we analyze people’s sentiment based on the classification of tweets collected from the social media platform, Twitter, in Nepal. For this, we, first, propose to use three different feature extraction methods—fastText‐based (ft), domain‐specific (ds), and domain‐agnostic (da)—for the representation of tweets. Among these three methods, two methods (“ds” and “da”) are the novel methods used in this study. Second, we propose three different convolution neural networks (CNNs) to implement the proposed features. Last, we ensemble such three CNNs models using ensemble CNN, which works in an end‐to‐end manner, to achieve the end results. For the evaluation of the proposed feature extraction methods and CNN models, we prepare a Nepali Twitter sentiment dataset, called NepCOV19Tweets, with 3 classes (positive, neutral, and negative). The experimental results on such dataset show that our proposed feature extraction methods possess the discriminating characteristics for the sentiment classification. Moreover, the proposed CNN models impart robust and stable performance on the proposed features. Also, our dataset can be used as a benchmark to study the COVID‐19‐related sentiment analysis in the Nepali language.