bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-performance fractional anisotropic diffusion filter for portable applications
Authors: AbdAlRahman Alaa , Al-Atabany Walid I. , Soltan Ahmed , Radwan Ahmed G.
Published: August 2023

Anisotropic diffusion is one of the most effective methods used in image processing. It can be used to eliminate the small textures of an image while preserving its significant edges. In this paper, a new anisotropic diffusion filter is proposed based on a fractional calculus kernel rather than integer kernel to improve the overall performance of the filter. Integer and fractional anisotropic filters are implemented using the Genesys-2 FPGA kit to utilize the efficiency of parallelism in FPGAs. Integer and fractional anisotropic filters are tested against the achievable PSNR value vs the number of iterations. The proposed fractional anisotropic filter has a better PSNR value using a smaller number of iterations, reducing the power and area compared to integer anisotropic filter. The proposed filter can be used in image smoothing, edge detection, image segmentation, image denoising, and cartooning. In addition, the proposed filter reduces the power consumption by 58.2% compared to integer-order filters, which makes the proposed filter suitable for battery-based applications.
Continuous Dependence of Szegő Kernel on a Weight of Integration
Authors: Żynda Tomasz Łukasz , Pasternak-Winiarski Zbigniew , Sadowski Jacek Józef , Krantz Steven George
Published: August 2023

The weighted Szegő kernel was investigated in a few papers (see Nehari in J d’Analyse Mathématique 2:126–149, 1952; Alenitsin in Zapiski Nauchnykh Seminarov LOMI 24:16–28, 1972; Uehara and Saitoh in Mathematica Japonica 29:887–891, 1984; Uehara in Mathematica Japonica 42:459–469, 1995). In all of these, however, only continuous weights were considered. The aim of this paper is to show that the Szegő kernel depends in a continuous way on a weight of integration in the case when the weights are not necessarily continuous. A topology on the set of admissible weights will be constructed and Pasternak’s theorem (see Pasternak-Winiarski in Studia Mathematica 128:1, 1998) on the dependence of the orthogonal projector on a deformation of an inner product will be used in the proof of the main theorem.
Comparison of virus aerosol concentrations across a face shield worn on a healthcare personnel during a simulated patient cough
Authors: Pratt Alessandra A. , Brown Grant D. , Perencevich Eli N. , Diekema Daniel J. , Nonnenmann Matthew W.
Published: August 2023

Background:

Patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) aerosolize severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) via respiratory efforts, expose, and possibly infect healthcare personnel (HCP). To prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 HCP have been required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during patient care. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, face shields were used as an approach to control HCP exposure to SARS-CoV-2, including eye protection.

Methods:

An MS2 bacteriophage was used as a surrogate for SARS-CoV-2 and was aerosolized using a coughing machine. A simulated HCP wearing a disposable plastic face shield was placed 0.41 m (16 inches) away from the coughing machine. The aerosolized virus was sampled using SKC biosamplers on the inside (near the mouth of the simulated HCP) and the outside of the face shield. The aerosolized virus collected by the SKC Biosampler was analyzed using a viability assay. Optical particle counters (OPCs) were placed next to the biosamplers to measure the particle concentration.

Results:

There was a statistically significant reduction (P< .0006) in viable virus concentration on the inside of the face shield compared to the outside of the face shield. The particle concentration was significantly lower on the inside of the face shield compared to the outside of the face shield for 12 of the 16 particle sizes measured (P< .05).

Conclusions:

Reductions in virus and particle concentrations were observed on the inside of the face shield; however, viable virus was measured on the inside of the face shield, in the breathing zone of the HCP. Therefore, other exposure control methods need to be used to prevent transmission from virus aerosol.
Les (in)égalités de représentation en politique québécoise
Authors: Ferland Benjamin , Desrochers Éric
Published: August 2023

L'article évalue l’état de la représentation substantive des femmes, des individus moins éduqués, moins fortunés, des jeunes ainsi que des allophones en politique provinciale québécoise. La représentation des citoyen(ne)s par les partis politiques est conceptualisée selon trois types de congruence idéologique: 1) le parti étant idéologiquement le plus proche des citoyen(ne)s; 2) le parti pour lequel les citoyen(ne)s ont voté; et 3) le système partisan. Nous évaluons ces formes de représentation face à cinq dimensions structurant la politique québécoise, permettant ainsi une approche multidimensionnelle à la représentation : l'axe souverainiste-fédéraliste, l'axe gauche-droite, les dépenses sociales, les dépenses en environnement, ainsi que l'immigration. Nos résultats présentent un portrait complexe de la représentation. Bien que certains groupes apparaissent moins bien représentés (en particulier, les femmes et les individus moins éduqués) aucun groupe ne l'est de façon systématique, et certains groupes sont parfois même avantagés (en particulier, les jeunes).
Purpose in life and cognitive performance and informant ratings of cognitive decline, affect, and activities
Authors: Sutin Angelina R. , Luchetti Martina , Stephan Yannick , Terracciano Antonio
Published: August 2023

Objective:

To examine (1) the association between purpose in life and multiple domains of cognitive function and informant-rated cognitive decline, affect, and activities; (2) whether these associations are moderated by sociodemographic factors, cognitive impairment, or depression; (3) whether the associations are independent of other aspects of well-being and depressive symptoms.

Method:

As part of the 2016 Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol from the Health and Retirement Study, participants completed a battery of cognitive tests and nominated a knowledgeable informant to rate their cognitive decline, affect, and activities. Participants with information available on their purpose in life from the 2014/2016 Leave Behind Questionnaire were included in the analytic sample (N = 2,812).

Results:

Purpose in life was associated with better performance in every cognitive domain examined (episodic memory, speed-attention, visuospatial skills, language, numeric reasoning; median β =.10, p <.001; median d =.53). Purpose was likewise associated with informant-rated cognitive decline and informant-rated affective and activity profiles beneficial for cognitive health (median β =.18, p < .001; median d =.55). There was little evidence of moderation by sociodemographic or other factors (e.g., depression). Life satisfaction, optimism, positive affect, and mastery were generally associated with cognition. When tested simultaneously with each other and depressive symptoms, most dimensions were reduced to non-significance; purpose remained a significant predictor.

Conclusions:

Purpose in life is associated with better performance across numerous domains of cognition and with emotional and behavioral patterns beneficial for cognitive health that are observable by knowledgeable others. These associations largely generalize across demographic and clinical groups and are independent of other aspects of well-being.
Five Centuries of Groundwater Elevations Provide Evidence of Shifting Climate Drivers and Human Influences on Water Resources in North Central Florida
Authors: Larson Evan R. , Mirti Tom , Wilding Thomas , Underwood Chris A.
Published: August 2023

Groundwater depletion is a concern around the world with implications for food security, ecological resilience, and human conflict. Long‐term perspectives provided by tree ring‐based reconstructions can improve understanding of factors driving variability in groundwater elevations, but such reconstructions are rare to date. Here, we report a set of new 546‐year tree‐ring chronologies developed from living and remnant longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) trees that, when combined with existing bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) tree‐ring chronologies, create a set of nested reconstructions of mean annual groundwater elevation for North Central Florida that together explain 66% of the variance in instrumental measurements and span 1498–2015. Split calibration confirms the skill of the reconstructions, but coefficient of efficiency metrics and significant autocorrelation in the regression residuals indicate a weakening relationship between tree growth and groundwater elevation over recent decades. Comparison to data from nearby groundwater wells suggests extraction of groundwater is likely contributing to this weakening signal. Periodicity within the reconstruction and comparison with global sea surface temperatures (SST) highlight the role of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in driving groundwater elevations, but the strength of this role varies substantially over time. Atlantic and Pacific SST modulate ENSO influences, and comparisons to multiple proxy‐based reconstructions indicate an inconsistent and weaker influence of ENSO prior to the 1800s. Our results highlight the dynamic influence of ocean‐atmospheric phenomena on groundwater resources in North Central Florida and build on instrumental records to better depict the long‐term range of groundwater elevations.
Propagation in the Drought Cascade: Observational Analysis Over the Continental US
Authors: Entekhabi Dara
Published: August 2023

Persistent deficits in meteorological, hydrological and ecological variables define different types of drought that are often linked together in a cascade. The drought cascade is an emergent phenomenon in the climatic system. A quantitative evaluation of the drought cascade based on observations is both a rigorous test of how different components of numerical Earth System models interact with one‐another and a useful tool for practitioners concerned with drought impacts on water resource and ecosystem services. In this study the drought cascade is characterized over the continental US using remote sensing data and in situ observations. Remote sensing fields of coincident vegetation photosynthesis and above‐ground biomass anomalies are introduced into the cascade to assess the role of the terrestrial biosphere within the cascade. The propagation of the diverse drought types, in terms of amplitude‐dampening and phase‐delays, are quantified. It is shown that woody and herbaceous vegetation have contrasting responses to prolonged soil moisture deficit that is traceable to access and storage of water as well as the dual effects of water‐ and light‐limitation. The observations also show that prolonged precipitation deficit in itself is not adequate to trigger the intense soil moisture and vegetation stress responses and that excessive atmospheric evaporative demand needs to be coincident with the precipitation anomalies.
Seawater–Groundwater Interaction Governs Trace Metal Zonation in a Coastal Sandy Aquifer
Authors: Wang Zhenyan , Wang Qianqian , Guo Yifan , Yu Shengchao , Xiao Kai , Zhang Yan , Li Hailong , Zheng Chunmiao , Geng Xiaolong , Zhang Xiaolang , Li Huijie , Wang Xuejing
Published: August 2023

Trace metals in the groundwater of coastal sandy aquifers significantly influence the coastal ecosystem, yet the spatiotemporal controls of these metals remain unclear. In this paper, we comprehensively revealed the distribution patterns, key controlling factors, potential ecological risks, and fluxes to the ocean of groundwater trace metals (As, Ba, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in a coastal deep sandy aquifer. The results showed a clear zonation of trace metals in the groundwater in relation to the mixing extent between seawater and terrestrial freshwater. The freshwater zone exhibited a relatively low concentration of trace metals, whereas the freshwater‐seawater transition zone showed a substantial quantity of dissolved Fe, Mn, As, and Ba. Seawater‐groundwater interactions significantly affected the Fe, Mn, As, and Ba concentrations through redox potential and pH gradients. The tide‐driven saline water zone was vulnerable to oceanic environments and anthropogenic activities, resulting in the enrichment of trace metals such as Zn and Cd. Driven by recirculated submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), the concentrations of trace metals in the density‐driven saline circulation zone were found to be higher than those in the surrounding areas. The ecological risk index suggested that the freshwater‐seawater transition zone posted the highest ecological risks. Trace metal fluxes (i.e., Fe, Mn, and As) via SGD significantly contributed to the total input into the sea, which may have potential impacts on the coastal environments. Our study highlighted the importance of seawater‐groundwater interactions on trace element cycling in coastal sandy aquifers.
Enabling Climate Change Adaptation in Coastal Systems: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Cabana David , Rölfer Lena , Evadzi Prosper , Celliers Louis
Published: August 2023

Climate change poses increasingly severe risks for coastal ecosystems and coastal communities all around the globe. This condition requires implementing climate adaptation policy and advancing scientific knowledge to adapt to the current and future climate risks. However, implementing climate adaptation policy in coastal areas is still in its infancy. This paper provides insight into 650 peer‐reviewed empirical research studies on coastal climate adaptation from the past two decades, providing global evidence on the status quo and distilling six relevant research gaps: (a) minimal contribution to the implementation phase of the adaptation policy cycle; (b) geographical imbalance toward specific ecoregions and coastal sub‐systems; (c) less attention to regional scale; (d) lack of sectoral integration; (e) poor contextualization within policy and coastal governance instruments and management arrangements; (f) limited economic and financial focus. Therefore, this paper identifies areas where future empirical research can help fill current knowledge gaps and improve coastal communities' ability to adapt to climate change. This increased knowledge will enhance the resilience of coastal social‐ecological systems in the face of environmental challenges.
Aqueous‐Phase Secondary Processes and Meteorological Change Promote the Brown Carbon Formation and Transformation During Haze Events
Authors: Jiang Hongxing , Cai Junjie , Feng Xinxin , Chen Yingjun , Wang Lina , Li Jun , Tang Jiao , Mo Yangzhi , Zhang Xiangyun , Zhang Gan , Mu Yunjing , Chen Jianmin
Published: August 2023

The evolution and the impacts of meteorological conditions on brown carbon (BrC) absorption are not understood, which hinders the assessment of BrC radiative forcing. To address this issue, 1‐hr time‐resolved PM2.5 samples collected during three haze events in the North China Plain prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic were used to measure the optical properties of BrC. By coupling excitation‐emission matrix spectroscopy, chemical tracer analysis with multiple model analysis including positive matrix factorization (PMF) and a deweather‐random forest model, we found that a higher proportion of highly oxidized chromophoric components was present in water‐soluble BrC than in methanol‐soluble BrC, indicating the conversion of low‐oxidized water‐insoluble BrC into highly oxidized water‐soluble BrC during the day. The results of the PMF and the deweather‐random forest model showed that aqueous secondary processes were the major contributor to the BrC absorption (68% ± 38%), and the changes in meteorological conditions such as relative humidity (RH) could significantly lead to the changes in the light‐absorbing capacity of BrC, especially the enhancement for water‐soluble BrC and bleaching for methanol‐soluble BrC during the noon and afternoon. We further found that the BrC absorption capacity increased as RH increases to a maximum of ∼65%, and then decreased when RH >65%, highlighting the important role of RH in the generation of water‐soluble BrC.
Making the Best Use of GRACE, GRACE‐FO and SMAP Data Through a Constrained Bayesian Data‐Model Integration
Authors: Mehrnegar Nooshin , Schumacher Maike , Jagdhuber Thomas , Forootan Ehsan
Published: August 2023

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE, 2003–2017) and its Follow‐On mission GRACE‐FO (2018‐now) provide global estimates of the vertically integrated Terrestrial Water Storage Changes (TWSC). Since 2015, the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) radiometer observes global L‐band brightness temperatures, which are sensitive to near‐surface soil moisture. In this study, we introduce our newly developed Constrained Bayesian (ConBay) optimization approach to merge the TWSC of GRACE/GRACE‐FO along with SMAP soil moisture data into the ∼10 km resolution W3RA water balance model. ConBay is formulated based on two hierarchical multivariate state‐space models to (I) separate land hydrology compartments from GRACE/GRACE‐FO TWSC, and (II) constrain the estimation of surface soil water storage based on the SMAP data. The numerical implementation is demonstrated over the High Plain (HP) aquifer in the United States between 2015 and 2021. The implementation of ConBay is compared with an unconstrained Bayesian formulation, and our validations are performed against in‐situ USGS groundwater level observations and the European Space Agency (ESA)'s Climate Change Initiative (CCI) soil moisture data. Our results indicate that the single GRACE/GRACE‐FO assimilation improves particularly the groundwater compartment. Adding SMAP data to the ConBay approach controls the updates assigned to the surface storage compartments. For example, correlation coefficients between the ESA CCI and the ConBay‐derived surface soil water storage (0.8) that are considerably higher than those derived from the unconstrained experiment (−0.3) in the North HP. The percentage of updates introduced to the W3RA groundwater storage is also decreased from 64% to 57%.
Acute and long-term effects of adolescence stress exposure on rodent adult hippocampal neurogenesis, cognition, and behaviour
Authors: Borsini Alessandra , Giacobbe Juliette , Mandal Gargi , Boldrini Maura
Published: August 2023

Adolescence represents a critical period for brain and behavioural health and characterised by the onset of mood, psychotic and anxiety disorders. In rodents, neurogenesis is very active during adolescence, when is particularly vulnerable to stress. Whether stress-related neurogenesis changes influence adolescence onset of psychiatric symptoms remains largely unknown. A systematic review was conducted on studies investigating changes in hippocampal neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, hippocampal-dependent cognitive functions, and behaviour, occurring after adolescence stress exposure in mice both acutely (at post-natal days 21–65) and in adulthood. A total of 37 studies were identified in the literature. Seven studies showed reduced hippocampal cell proliferation, and out of those two reported increased depressive-like behaviours, in adolescent rodents exposed to stress. Three studies reported a reduction in the number of new-born neurons, which however were not associated with changes in cognition or behaviour. Sixteen studies showed acutely reduced hippocampal neuroplasticity, including pre- and post-synaptic plasticity markers, dendritic spine length and density, and long-term potentiation after stress exposure. Cognitive impairments and depressive-like behaviours were reported by 11 of the 16 studies. Among studies who looked at adolescence stress exposure effects into adulthood, seven showed that the negative effects of stress observed during adolescence on either cell proliferation or hippocampal neuroplasticity, cognitive deficits and depressive-like behaviour, had variable impact in adulthood. Treating adolescent mice with antidepressants, glutamate receptor inhibitors, glucocorticoid antagonists, or healthy diet enriched in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A, prevented or reversed those detrimental changes. Future research should investigate the translational value of these preclinical findings. Developing novel tools for measuring hippocampal neurogenesis in live humans, would allow assessing neurogenic changes following stress exposure, investigating relationships with psychiatric symptom onset, and identifying effects of therapeutic interventions.
Evaluation of psychometric properties of the eating restriction questionnaire and food involvement inventory in Iranian adults
Authors: Saadati Kiyana , Jahangasht Ghoozlu Khadije , Chaboksavar Fakhreddin , Shamsalinia Abbas , Kordbageri Mohammad Reza , Ghadimi Reza , Parvizi Shabnam , Ghaffari Fatemeh
Published: August 2023

The objectives of this study were to translate and validate the Persian version of the food involvement inventory (FII) and eating restriction questionnaire (ERQ) and to determine the measurement invariance based on gender, body mass index (BMI) status, and age. This cross-sectional study included 1100 Iranian adults. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to evaluate the construct validity of FII and ERQ. Convergent and discriminant validity, measurement invariance in gender, BMI and age, reliability including internal consistency, and stability were investigated for FII and ERQ. The results showed that the four-factor construct of the FII and the one-factor construct of the ERQ were 44.27% and 55.12% of the total variance, respectively. The factor loadings of all items were > .3 in both scales and none of the items were deleted. Fitting indices indicated that the four-factor construct of the FII and the one-factor construct of the ERQ had a good and acceptable fit among the Iranian adults. The Persian versions of the FII and ERQ, translated into Persian and localized according to international standards, had high construct, convergent and discriminant validity as well as high reliability.
Risk factors for the development of triple-negative breast cancer versus non-triple-negative breast cancer: a case–control study
Authors: Nag Shona , Dikshit Rajesh , Desai Sangeeta , Mane Anupama , Mhatre Sharayu , Neve Rakesh , Gurav Mamta , Bhosale Neelambari , Perumal Prema , Kembhavi Yogesh , Jethwa Dinesh , Badwe Rajendra , Gupta Sudeep
Published: August 2023

The risk factors for breast cancer have been defined in several studies but there is deficient data for specific subtypes. We report here the pathological characteristics of a breast cancer cohort and risk factors for patients with triple-negative disease. In this case–control study, a prospective breast cancer cohort was evaluated for demographic, reproductive, obesity-related and other risk factors using a validated questionnaire. Tumors were characterized for routine pathological characteristics and immunohistochemical markers of basal-like breast cancer. Patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) constituted cases and those with non-TNBC were controls. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for each risk factor and independent associations were tested in an unconditional logistic regression analysis. Between 2011 and 2014, 1146 patients were recruited, of whom 912 [TNBC 266 (29.1%), non-TNBC 646 (70.9%)] with sufficient pathology material were analysed. Reproductive factors of parity, breastfeeding, age-at-menarche, age at first full-term pregnancy and oral contraceptive use were not significantly associated with TNBC. Higher body mass index (BMI > 24.9 vs ≤ 24.9, OR 0.89, 95%CI 0.63–1.24, p = 0.49) was not significantly associated while lesser waist circumference (> 80 cm vs ≤ 80 cm, OR 0.64, 95%CI 0.45–0.9, p = 0.012) and lower waist-to-hip ratio were significantly associated (> 0.85 vs ≤ 0.85, OR 0.72, 95%CI 0.51–1.0, p = 0.056), with TNBC. History of tobacco use was not significantly associated while lower socio-economic status was borderline associated with TNBC (socio-economic category > 5 versus ≤ 5, OR 0.73, 95%CI 0.50–1.06, p = 0.106). No factor was significant after adjustment for covariates. Central obesity seems to be preferentially associated with non-TNBC, and lower socio-economic status with TNBC in India, while most other conventional risk factors of breast cancer show no significant association with TNBC versus non-TNBC.
Combination of memory type ratio and product estimators under extended EWMA statistic with application to wheat production
Authors: Zahid Rashiqa , Noor-ul-Amin Muhammad , Khan Imad , AlQahtani Salman A. , Pathak Pranav Kumar , Rahimi Javed
Published: August 2023

The extended exponential weighted moving average (EEWMA) statistic is a memory type statistic that uses past observations along with the current information for the estimation of a population parameter to improve the efficiency of the estimators. This study utilized the EEWMA statistic to estimate the population mean with a suitable auxiliary variable. The ratio and product estimators are proposed for the surveys that are time-based by using current information along with that information. The approximate mean square errors are computed for the proposed memory type estimators and mathematical comparison is discussed to demonstrate the efficiency of the estimator. The simulation study was carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed memory type estimators. It can be seen from the results that the efficiency of the estimator enhances by utilizing the current sample as well as past information. A real-life example is presented to illustrate the usage of proposed estimators.
High power density output and durability of microbial fuel cells enabled by dispersed cobalt nanoparticles on nitrogen-doped carbon as the cathode electrocatalyst
Authors: Yang Yuxian , Lin Jialuo , Li Xin , Chen Zhuoyue , Lin Yingyu , Xu Mengqing , Li Weishan
Published: August 2023

The cathode electrocatalyst Nano-Co@NC is synthesized from ZIF-67, exhibiting a high Co mass loading and enabling MFCs with a comparable initial power density to and better durability than that using Pt/C.
Unravelling the effect of paramagnetic Ni2+on the13C NMR shift tensor for carbonate in Mg2−xNixAl layered double hydroxides by quantum-chemical computations
Authors: Mohan Megha , Andersen Anders B. A. , Mareš Jiří , Jensen Nicholai Daugaard , Nielsen Ulla Gro , Vaara Juha
Published: August 2023

Developed multi-step computational protocol successfully models the13C NMR shielding tensor of carbonate in paramagnetic Mg2−xNixAl-LDH.
Preparation and properties of polypyrrole-modified carbon black supported Pt3Cu alloy catalyst
Authors: Yu Jinghua , Guo Yueling , Dai Yajie , Jin Ziren , Wang Zhiqian , Wang Fanghui , Zhu Hong
Published: August 2023

Polypyrrole modified carbon carrier material was prepared to improve the corrosion of traditional carbon carrier in harsh electrochemical environment.
0D/1D heterostructured Au@Cu2O/CuO/Cu(OH)2 with multivalent Cu(i)/Cu(ii) for efficient and bendable glucose sensing
Authors: Yu Xiaojing , He Jing , Du Shengjun , Xu Zhanzhi , Sun Shaodong , Tang Yufei , Zhao Kang
Published: August 2023

Efficient, bending-stable glucose sensing nanocomposite electrode materials can be prepared by a simple one-pot method.
Study on the suppression effect of variable hydrogen parameters on the temperature rise of the turbo‐generator rotor under deep peak regulation
Authors: Wu Yucai , Guo Yingjie
Published: August 2023

In recent years, the extensive participation of turbine generator in deep peak regulation has caused significant damage to the rotor windings, which is rooted in the frequent and significant changes in the electrical load of the rotor, accompanied by thermal expansion and contraction, causing harm to the rotor insulation and stress fatigue of the metal conductor. Hydrogen, as the cooling medium for the rotor windings of turbine generators, has a direct impact on the windings temperature through its parameters. Starting from suppressing the harm of deep peak regulation on the rotor windings, the inhibitory effect of hydrogen parameter changes on the temperature of the gap‐pickup diagonal‐flow rotor is studied. A calculation model for the rotor temperature field of the turbo‐generator with gap‐pickup diagonal‐flow ventilation is established. The finite volume method is used to iteratively calculate the control equations in the fluid‐thermal‐solid coupling heat transfer problem, and the temperature field distribution of various components of the rotor under different excitation loads is obtained. On this basis, the effects of individual adjustment of hydrogen temperature and pressure, as well as the combined adjustment, on the temperature of the rotor windings are studied. Finally, a variable hydrogen parameter adjustment strategy is proposed for the operation of turbo‐generators under deep peak regulation conditions. To a certain extent, the winding temperature fluctuation can be suppressed, which provides a potential solution for the thermal stable operation of the rotor.
SFTN: Fast object detection for aerial images
Authors: Chen Li , Zhang Fan , Guo Wei , Li Tianyang , Sun Mingqian
Published: August 2023

The task of remote sensing image object detection in low latency scenes is of great research significance. To address the problem that the current high‐precision object detection algorithm based on a feature pyramid network is slow due to a large number of parameters and complicated computation, a fast remote sensing image object detection method based on a Single‐scale Feature Transformation Network (SFTN) is proposed. Firstly, based on the single‐scale remote sensing image features, the new channel features are quickly generated by a linear transformation of the original features and convolution kernel clustering optimization using cosine similarity; secondly, in order to obtain multi‐scale receptive fields, a parallel residual hole convolution module is designed to cover multi‐category remote sensing object scales on the feature map; finally, angle variables are introduced and optimized using angle similarity to effectively improve the object orientation accuracy. The experimental results on different datasets show that the method in this paper improves the detection speed rapidly while ensuring the accuracy of remote sensing image object detection, which is better than many remote sensing image object detection methods. The results demonstrate the reliability and robustness of the method.
Feature matching of remote‐sensing images based on bilateral local–global structure consistency
Authors: Chen Qing‐Yan , Feng Da‐Zheng
Published: August 2023

The goal of feature matching is to establish accurate correspondences between feature points in different images depicting the same scene. To address the polymorphism of local structures, the authors propose a mismatch removal method using bilateral local–global structural consistency. This method incorporates the problem of mismatch removal into the framework of graph matching, constructs a global affinity matrix using local structural similarity and global affine transformation consistency, and optimizes it using a constrained integer quadratic programming method. To comprehensively describe the local structure, the signature quadratic form distance (SQFD) is used to measure the consistency of the neighbourhood structure. Specifically, the weights of edges are constructed based on the SQFD of the local structure, while the matching correctness of nodes and edges between the two graphs is described using local vector similarity. Furthermore, the consistency of the global affine transformation is evaluated by assessing the consistency of the local neighbourhood affine transformation between different corresponding point pairs. In estimating the local affine transformation, a bilateral correction is performed using a total least‐squares (TLS) algorithm to measure the similarity of nodes between the two different graphs. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms state‐of‐the‐art methods in terms of accuracy and effectiveness.
Construction and simulation analysis of lithium‐ion batteries thermoelectric coupling model based on digital twin
Authors: Liu Lingchong , Dong Shufeng , Nan Bin , Lu Kaicheng
Published: August 2023

With the rapid development of energy storage technology, it is significant to evaluate the operating status of lithium‐ion batteries efficiently and accurately, so as to ensure their safe operation and reduce the probability of accidents. For the problems of long simulation time and low accuracy in existing models, this paper proposes a construction method of lithium‐ion batteries thermoelectric coupling model based on digital twin. First, the digital twin structure system of lithium‐ion batteries is proposed. Second, considering the coupling effects of the thermodynamic model and the equivalent circuit model, the thermoelectric coupling model is constructed based on the digital twin platform ANSYS TwinBuilder. The thermodynamic model is reduced in order and the simulation time is reduced to second level, which improves the simulation efficiency and meets the real time simulation requirements of the digital twin. Furthermore, considering that the operating parameters of lithium‐ion batteries are variable, the parameters of the equivalent circuit model are identified online based on the variable forgetting factor recursive least squares algorithm. It updates parameters of the model and improves the simulation accuracy. Finally, the efficiency and accuracy of the model are verified through simulation analysis.
Nickel-Catalyzed Decarbonylation of α-Oxyacetic Acid Thioesters: Hydroxymethylation of Mercaptans
Authors: Zhu Yong-Ming , Tian Rui , Li Jia-Xin
Published: August 2023

A strategy for the Ni-catalyzed decarbonylation of α-oxyacetic acid thioesters is described, providing a new pathway for the synthesis of monosulfide acetals, and further proving that oxygen atoms can stabilize an α-carbocation and promote a decarbonylation reaction. This method has good functional-group compatibility and can tolerate a wide range of electron-withdrawing, electron-neutral, and electron-donating substituents. In addition, this method complements the conventional cross-coupling reactions.
Laser-Induced Blood Coagulation for Surgical Application: A Scoping Review
Authors: Adly Afnan Sedky , Adly Mahmoud Sedky , Cuisinier Frederic , Egea Jean-Christophe , Panayotov Ivan , Adly Aya Sedky , Malthiery Eve
Published: August 2023

There is a lack of evidence-based reviews on the effects of laser irradiation on blood coagulation in the literature, despite a large number of clinical trials. We therefore evaluated the available evidence on laser irradiation parameters used in coagulation of blood to optimize physical parameters. We performed a literature search for recent scientific studies indexed between 2017 and 2023 using the databases of PubMed and ScienceDirect. Articles were selected based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 78 publications in total were eventually included in this scoping review. The following were found to produce significant benefits in blood coagulation for surgical application: (1) dentistry and oral surgeries: 980 nm, 27 s, 2 W, 1502.7 W/cm2, 26.5 J, 622 J/cm2, 400 μm; (2) urogenital disorders: 532 nm, 4 s, 40 W, 10600 W/cm2, 1.3 J, 424 J/cm2, 600 μm; (3) ophthalmic disorders: 810 nm, 1 s, 1 W, 3540 W/cm2, 0.75 J, 1326 J/cm2, 100 μm; (4) embryological surgeries: 1064 nm, 10 s, 25 W, 35400 W/cm2, 262.5 J, 371000 J/cm2, 332.5 μm; (5) dermatological disorders: 1064 nm, 20 W, 2440 W/cm2, 0.1 J, 24 J/cm2, 670 μm; (6) gastrointestinal disorders: 532 nm, 3 s, 20 W, 1051 W/cm2, 120 J, 26500 J/cm2, 760 μm; (7) neurological surgeries: 2.5 s, 1.5 W, 1035 W/cm2, 2 J, 1584 J/cm2, 385 μm; (8) pulmonary disorders: 1320 nm, 5s, 35 W, 12450 W/cm2, 250 J, 65000 J/cm2, 700 μm (9) cardiovascular disorders: 1064 nm, 16.5 s, 5 W, 1980.5 W/cm2, 900 J, 760 J/cm2, 400 μm. In conclusion, our scoping review identifies that combining data from all clinically heterogeneous studies suggests that laser irradiation reflects an effective method for inducing blood coagulation in several medical fields.
National culture, public health spending and life insurance consumption: an international comparison
Authors: Trinh Cong Tam , Ha Minh-Tri , Ho Nhut Quang , Alang Tho
Published: August 2023

This study aims to offer insight on the national cultural differences, public health expenditures, and economic freedom that persisted in life insurance expenditure across 28 advanced economies and 21 emerging and developing economies from 2002 to 2017. Our system GMM estimator’s analysis reveals that cultural factors, public health spending, economic freedom, financial development, human development, life expectancy, dependency ratio, and the Muslim religion are the major determinants of life insurance consumption at the aggregate level (i.e., for all sample economies). Between the group of advanced economies and the group of emerging and developing economies, these results, however, differ dramatically. It is noteworthy that cultural factors, such as masculinity and uncertainty avoidance, do not account for life insurance spending in advanced economies but have a statistically significant impact on life insurance consumption in emerging and developing economies. One point of interest is that our findings demonstrate that consumers in advanced nations as well as emerging and developing economies with a higher degree of public health spending and economic freedom tend to spend more on life insurance products. Both international life insurance businesses and governments from all around the world can benefit from the findings.
Warm autoantibodies mimicking alloantibodies: Three cases of autoantibodies with unusual antigenic specificity
Authors: Jacobs Jeremy W , Binns Thomas C , Abels Elizabeth , Silva Campos Juan J , Elkabbani Ragaa , Kress Anna , Sostin Nataliya , Tormey Christopher A
Published: August 2023

Objectives

We describe 3 cases of red blood cell (RBC) autoantibodies with unusual apparent antigenic specificity and discuss the testing methodology and implications of these findings.

Methods

All immunohematologic testing, including ABO and RhD typing, antibody detection and identification, RBC antigen phenotyping and genotyping, direct antiglobulin tests, and elution studies were performed using standardized and validated methods and reagents.

Results

Three patients were found to have autoantibodies, which were originally presumed to be alloantibodies. Case 1 was a 60-year-old man with autoanti-Jka following babesiosis; case 2 was a 79-year-old woman with an autoanti-f; and case 3 was a 28-year-old pregnant woman with an autoanti-S. Cases 1 and 2 required RBC transfusions, which were performed with Jka-negative and f-positive RBC units, respectively. No transfusion reactions were reported, and the hemoglobin responded appropriately in both cases.

Conclusions

These 3 cases complement the minimal literature regarding warm autoantibodies with unusual antigenic specificity and their potential to mediate clinically significant hemolysis. There are only rare reports of warm autoantibodies with specificity for non-Rh antigens, and prior authors have suggested that autoantibodies with mimicking specificity are usually detected only serologically; in contrast, 2 of the 3 patients herein experienced autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
Virtual biopsies: Proof of concept for a novel quantitative approach to liver biopsy adequacy and pathology education
Authors: Sweeney Jacob R , Arenas Daniel J , Fortuna Danielle , Tondon Rashmi , Furth Emma E
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To quantitatively measure liver biopsy adequacy requirements and the effect of a teaching intervention that uses a virtual biopsy platform.

Methods

A library of virtual liver biopsies was created using digital whole-slide, trichrome-stained tissue sections from liver resection material and QuPath image analysis software. Blinded participants staged fibrosis on the virtual biopsies before and after a teaching intervention.

Results

This platform both modeled adequacy requirements for cirrhosis diagnosis on biopsy material and measured the effect of a teaching intervention on participant performance. Using this platform, diagnostic accuracy for cirrhosis could be modeled according to the function y = λ(1 ‒ e‒x/γ). The platform demonstrated that the relationship between biopsy size and diagnostic accuracy was statistically significant and that biopsies smaller than 6 mm long and 0.8 mm wide were insufficient to diagnosis cirrhosis. The platform also measured improvement in fibrosis staging accuracy among participants following a teaching intervention.

Conclusions

These results provide proof of concept for a virtual biopsy method by which outstanding questions in anatomic pathology can be addressed quantitatively using open source software. Future work is needed to validate these findings in clinical practice.
Adaptation to pollination by fungus gnats underlies the evolution of pollination syndrome in the genus Euonymus
Authors: Mochizuki Ko , Okamoto Tomoko , Chen Kai-Hsiu , Wang Chun-Neng , Evans Matthew , Kramer Andrea T , Kawakita Atsushi
Published: August 2023

Background and Aims

Dipteran insects are known pollinators of many angiosperms, but knowledge on how flies affect floral evolution is relatively scarce. Some plants pollinated by fungus gnats share a unique set of floral characters (dark red display, flat shape and short stamens), which differs from any known pollination syndromes. We tested whether this set of floral characters is a pollination syndrome associated with pollination by fungus gnats, using the genus Euonymus as a model.

Methods

The pollinator and floral colour, morphology and scent profile were investigated for ten Euonymus species and Tripterygium regelii as an outgroup. The flower colour was evaluated using bee and fly colour vision models. The evolutionary association between fungus gnat pollination and each plant character was tested using a phylogenetically independent contrast. The ancestral state reconstruction was performed on flower colour, which is associated with fungus gnat pollination, to infer the evolution of pollination in the genus Euonymus.

Key Results

The red-flowered Euonymus species were pollinated predominantly by fungus gnats, whereas the white-flowered species were pollinated by bees, beetles and brachyceran flies. The colour vision analysis suggested that red and white flowers are perceived as different colours by both bees and flies. The floral scents of the fungus gnat-pollinated species were characterized by acetoin, which made up >90 % of the total scent in three species. Phylogenetically independent contrast showed that the evolution of fungus gnat pollination is associated with acquisition of red flowers, short stamens and acetoin emission.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the observed combination of floral characters is a pollination syndrome associated with the parallel evolution of pollination by fungus gnats. Although the role of the red floral display and acetoin in pollinator attraction remains to be elucidated, our finding underscores the importance of fungus gnats as potential contributors to floral diversification.
Sensory Evaluation of the Nipple-Areolar Complex Following Primary Breast Augmentation: A Comparison of Incision Approaches
Authors: Rancati Alberto O , Nahabedian Maurice Y , Angrigiani Claudio , Dip Fernando , Dorr Julio , Rancati Agustin
Published: August 2023

Background

The central inframammary incisional approach for breast augmentation surgery disrupts the fifth anterior intercostal nerve-artery-vein-plexus. The authors hypothesized that preservation of the fifth anterior intercostal neurovascular pedicle might completely preserve nipple-areola complex (NAC) sensitivity after implant breast augmentation.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to analyze if the use of a laterally displaced incision achieves better sensitivity results than the conventional median submammary incision in females who underwent primary breast augmentation surgery.

Methods

A group of 25 female patients (50 breasts) underwent a surgical protocol for primary prepectoral implant breast augmentation with a laterally displaced submammary incision. This group was compared to a similar group of 25 patients (50 breasts) who underwent breast augmentation through a conventional submammary central approach. Sensitivity testing with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments was performed in both groups preoperatively and on postoperative days 2, 14, and 30, and after 6 months.

Results

Both groups were similar in age, BMI, comorbidities, and implant volumes. Preoperatively, all patients reported normal sensory function in both breasts. Postoperatively, in the laterally displaced incision group, sensory function remained normal in NAC areas, whereas in the conventional incision group, all cases presented the same degree of sensitivity diminution at Days 2, 14, and 30 (P = .000). At 6 months, all values were the same as at Day 30.

Conclusions

Preservation of the fifth AIC pedicle resulted in complete preservation of preoperative NAC sensitivity. The laterally placed inframammary incision should be considered for patients undergoing primary prepectoral implant breast augmentation.

Level of Evidence: 4
Epidemiology of Breast Implant–Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma in the United States: A Systematic Review
Authors: Santanelli di Pompeo Fabio , Clemens Mark W , Paolini Guido , Firmani Guido , Panagiotakos Demosthenes , Sorotos Michail
Published: August 2023

Background

Although textured implants represent fewer than 10% of implants used in the United States, the country reports the highest incidence of breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).

Objectives

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic literature review on US-based epidemiology to update knowledge on BIA-ALCL in the United States.

Methods

Publications on US BIA-ALCL epidemiology were searched between September 2022 and March 2023 on MEDLINE (National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD), Embase (Elsevier, Amsterdam, the Netherlands), Web of Science (Clarivate, London, UK), and SCOPUS (Elsevier, Amsterdam, the Netherlands). The US numerator was obtained by averaging the FDA MAUDE database and the PSF PROFILE registry, while the denominator was estimated from chest X-rays, and included female transgender individuals. Prevalence and risk were assessed accordingly, but the incidence rate (IR) could not be updated due to the lack of available follow-up data.

Results

Out of 987 identified manuscripts, 10 were included. The US prevalence of BIA-ALCL in the literature ranged from 1:300 to 1:500,000 and the IR from 4.5 per 10,000 to 31.1 per 100 million persons per year. A mean value of 453.5 BIA-ALCL cases was calculated. From a denominator of 4,264,618 individuals, which includes all breast implant surfaces, we calculated 414,521 individuals with textured implants, indicating a textured prevalence of 109.4 cases per 100,000 individuals and a risk of 1:913.

Conclusions

BIA-ALCL IR, prevalence, and risk has increased when calculated exclusively for patients with textured devices. Although US macrotextured implants were recalled by the FDA, these findings may influence the surveillance of existing patients and the use of macrotextured implants in other parts of the world where they remain widespread.

Level of Evidence: 4