bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ratgeber Phobische Störungen
Authors: Wannemüller André , Margraf Jürgen
Published: May 2022

Der Ratgeber wurde auf Basis des aktuellen Forschungsstands zu phobischen Ängsten und deren Behandlung entwickelt. Er informiert über Kernmerkmale, Entstehungsfaktoren und Behandlungsmöglichkeiten unterschiedlicher phobischer Störungen und bietet zahlreiche Tipps und Anregungen zur Selbsthilfe. Anhand anschaulicher Fallbeispiele wird illustriert, wodurch sich normale von phobischen Furchtreaktionen unterscheiden, wieso der Vermeidung eine wichtige Rolle bei der Aufrechterhaltung phobischer Ängste zukommt, welche furchterzeugenden Annahmen und Erwartungen phobischen Störungen typischerweise zugrunde liegen und warum diese in den allermeisten Fällen unbegründet sind. Leserinnen und Leser erfahren zudem, welchen Einfluss genetische und Persönlichkeitsfaktoren auf die Entwicklung phobischer Störungen nehmen.
Anhand lebensnaher Fallbeschreibungen werden Kernmerkmale, ungünstige Prozesse und Folgeprobleme der Sozialen Angststörung, der Agoraphobie und der Gruppe der Spezifischen Phobien, bei der die Angst vor bestimmten Situationen, Tieren, Umweltgegebenheiten oder Objekten im Vordergrund stehen, erfahrbar gemacht. Der Ratgeber vermittelt einen fundierten Einblick in psychotherapeutische Behandlungsmöglichkeiten dieser phobischen Ängste und informiert über die Wirksamkeit unterschiedlicher psychotherapeutischer und medikamentöser Verfahren. Leserinnen und Lesern, die ihr Angstproblem zunächst in Eigenregie angehen wollen, stellt er konkrete Tipps zur Planung und Durchführung wirksamer Übungen zur Verfügung. Zudem gibt er Angehörigen Anregungen zum Umgang mit ihren phobischen Familienmitgliedern und deren Unterstützung.
Ratgeber Unerfüllter Kinderwunsch
Authors: Alder Judith
Published: May 2022

Ein Kinderwunsch, der nicht wie erhofft spontan und zeitnah in Erfüllung geht, ist für betroffene Paare und oft auch für das nahe Umfeld eine große Herausforderung. Da sind die Angst, auf einen wichtigen Lebenswert verzichten zu müssen, und die Verzweiflung beim Gedanken an ein Leben ohne Kind. Die körperlichen Abklärungen beim Suchen nach möglichen medizinischen Gründen, vielleicht gefolgt vom Wunsch, die Ursachen der Kinderlosigkeit zu verstehen, und die Auseinandersetzung mit den Behandlungsmöglichkeiten bedingen, sich mit einem ganz neuen und auf vielen Ebenen komplexen Thema vertraut zu machen. Verstehen und Wissen erleichtern die Navigation durch die fortpflanzungsmedizinischen Behandlungen und unterstützen bei wegweisenden Entscheidungen. Gleichzeitig fordert die Auseinandersetzung mit der Kinderlosigkeit auf psychischer, partnerschaftlicher und sozialer Ebene heraus. Wie wirkt sich das auf einen Menschen aus, wenn sein Herzenswunsch nicht so einfach in Erfüllung geht? Wie erleben das andere Paare? Und mit welchen Bewältigungsstrategien können psychosoziale Herausforderungen besser bewältigt werden?
Die Zukunft liegt nicht in unseren Händen. Wir können aber auf dem Weg in die Zukunft immer wieder überprüfen, welche Handlungen und Haltungen die Belastungen gerade tragbarer machen können und wie es gelingen kann, dass der unerfüllte Kinderwunsch ein Aspekt des Lebens bleibt, der nicht alle anderen Lebensbereiche überschattet. Dieser Ratgeber unterstützt und begleitet während der Lebensphase, in der sich ein Paar um seinen unerfüllten Kinderwunsch kümmert. Er vermittelt auf verständliche Weise Informationen zum Thema und zeigt über praxisbezogene Vorschläge und Übungen auf, wie auf die Herausforderungen adaptiv reagiert werden kann.
Statistical Associations Between Geomagnetic Activity, Solar Wind, Solar Proton Events, and Winter NAO and AO Indices
Authors: Vencloviene Jone , Kiznys Deivydas , Zaltauskaite Jurate
Published: May 2022

Numerous studies have revealed evidence that winter climate in the Northern Hemisphere is related to the solar cycle and space weather. Most of the studies investigating the impact of space weather on the North Atlantic Oscillation and Artic Oscillation indices (NAOIs and AOIs) analyzed monthly or seasonal data. In this work, we evaluated the responses of winter NAOI/AOI to space weather changes on the day‐to‐day timescale during 1950–2020 by using an autoregressive (AR) model with additional predictors, such as month, linear trend, trends of solar irradiance and Kp indices, the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation (QBO) and El Niño–Southern Oscillation, the presence of sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) and high stratospheric aerosol loading (HSAL), and space weather variables, reflecting the day‐to‐day effect. Winter daily NAOI (AOI) follows the AR model of the 4th (5th) order. We found a positive day‐to‐day effect of Kp, solar wind speed (SWS) > 300 km/s, By ≤ 3.15 nT, and solar wind dynamic pressure (P) with a lag of 2 days on the NAOI and the AOI. For the AOI, additionally, the period of 1 day before–2 days after the solar proton event onset had a negative effect, and the signal of Kp and SWS was observed only for the east QBO phase. For the NAOI, a stronger effect of P was found on the presence of a strongly positive QBO phase. A stronger signal of Kp and SWS was found during HSAL. The signal of SWS > 300 km/s on the NAOI/AOI was different in sign during the periods with and without SSW.
Response of the Jovian Magnetosphere‐Ionosphere System to the Interplanetary Magnetic Field Discontinuity: A Simulation Study
Authors: Wang Yuxian , Guo Xiaocheng , Wang Chi , Blanc Michel
Published: May 2022

The response of the magnetosphere‐ionosphere (MI) system at Jupiter to the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) tangential discontinuity is studied via global Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulations. Our results show that the IMF discontinuity, which has a transition front perpendicular to the Sun‐Jupiter line, has strong effects on the Jovian MI system depending on local times and radial distances to Jupiter. The magnetospheric significant response to the discontinuity is delayed by ∼2–6 hr after the encounter of the discontinuity front with the bow shock, while the delay time for the ionospheric field‐aligned currents (FACs) is ∼3–8 hr. The outer magnetosphere, particularly at dayside, tends to respond slightly quicker than the inner regions. At the ionosphere, the response of downward FACs is found to occur earlier than that of the upward ones by a time ranging from less than 1 hr to several hours, which is also more prominent at dayside sectors. Using a new MI mapping method with Jupiter's JRM09 magnetic field model, we reproduce for the first time the ionospheric FACs consistent with the morphology of the observed ultraviolet (UV) main auroral emissions. This indicates a potential application of the simulated upward FACs on the morphology of the UV main auroral ovals.
Linking Phytoplankton Variability to Atmospheric Blocking in an Eastern Boundary Upwelling System
Authors: Le Chengfeng , Wu Ming , Sun Hongwei , Long Shang‐min , Beck Marcus W.
Published: May 2022

The oceanic ecosystems in the eastern boundary upwelling systems (EBUS) are expected to be influenced by climate change, but specific mechanisms describing their connections are not well understood. Using a 20‐year time‐series record of satellite and climate data, we identified a strong linkage between phytoplankton variability in a EBUS and a high latitude, large‐scale atmospheric process. The winter–spring phytoplankton variability in the Canary Current Upwelling System was associated to the atmospheric blocking events over Greenland. These Greenland blocking events were primarily caused by the persistence of quasi‐stationary, large‐scale high atmosphere pressure fields. These fields forced the eddy‐driven jet stream to shift south, which caused a weakening of the equatorward alongshore winds over the upwelling system. As a result, the wind‐driven upwelling was suppressed, and phytoplankton growth was inhibited. These results identified a previously unknown source driving interannual phytoplankton variability in the EBUS, underscoring the importance of contributions of atmospheric connections on the coastal upwelling ecosystems.
Relative Permeability Variation Depending on Viscosity Ratio and Capillary Number
Authors: Suwandi Natanael , Jiang Fei , Tsuji Takeshi
Published: May 2022

The relative roles of parameters governing relative permeability, a crucial property for two‐phase fluid flows, are incompletely known. To characterize the influence of viscosity ratio (M) and capillary number (Ca), we calculated relative permeabilities of nonwetting fluids (knw) and wetting fluids (kw) in a 3D model of Berea sandstone under steady state condition using the lattice‐Boltzmann method. We show that knw increases and kw decreases as M increases due to the lubricating effect, locally occurred pore‐filling behavior, and instability at fluid interfaces. We also show that knw decreases markedly at low Ca (log Ca < −1.25), whereas kw undergoes negligible change with changing Ca. An M‐Ca‐knw correlation diagram, displaying the simultaneous effects of M and Ca, shows that they cause knw to vary by an order of magnitude. The color map produced is useful to provide accurate estimates of knw in reservoir‐scale simulations and to help identify the optimum properties of the immiscible fluids to be used in a geologic reservoir.
Multi‐Tracer Groundwater Dating in Southern Oman Using Bayesian Modeling
Authors: Rädle Viola , Kersting Arne , Schmidt Maximilian , Ringena Lisa , Robertz Julian , Aeschbach Werner , Oberthaler Markus , Müller Thomas
Published: May 2022

In the scope of assessing aquifer systems in areas where freshwater is scarce, estimation of transit times is a vital step to quantify the effect of groundwater abstraction. Transit time distributions of different shapes, mean residence times, and contributions are used to represent the hydrogeological conditions in aquifer systems and are typically inferred from measured tracer concentrations by inverse modeling. In this study, a multi‐tracer sampling campaign was conducted in the Salalah Plain in Southern Oman including CFCs, SF6, 39Ar, 14C, and 4He. Based on the data of three tracers, a two‐component Dispersion Model (DMmix) and a nonparametric model with six age bins were assumed and evaluated using Bayesian statistics. In a Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach, the maximum likelihood parameter estimates and their uncertainties were determined. Model performance was assessed using Bayes factor and leave‐one‐out cross‐validation. Both models suggest that the groundwater in the Salalah Plain is composed of a very young component below 30 yr and a very old component beyond 1,000 yr, with the nonparametric model performing slightly better than the DMmix model. All wells except one exhibit reasonable goodness of fit. Our results support the relevance of Bayesian modeling in hydrology and the potential of nonparametric models for an adequate representation of aquifer dynamics.
Element Partitioning and Li‐O Isotope Fractionation Between Silicate Minerals and Crustal‐Derived Carbonatites and Their Implications
Authors: Su Ben‐Xun , Wang Jing , Cui Meng‐Meng , Wu Yong , Pang Kwan‐Nang , Malaviarachchi Sanjeewa P. K. , Dharmapriya P. L.
Published: May 2022

In order to investigate element partitioning and Li‐O isotope fractionation between silicate minerals and carbonatite melts at variable levels from mantle to crust, we document elemental and Li‐O isotopic data for major minerals from crust‐derived carbonatites at Eppawala, Sri Lanka. Partition coefficients (D) of elements between olivine or clinopyroxene and carbonatite melts are consequently estimated. The estimated D values indicate that Li, Zn, Co, Cr, Mn, and Ni behave compatibly in olivine, while P and Sc are slightly compatible, and V and Al are mildly incompatible. Partition coefficients of elements between clinopyroxene and carbonatite melts are defined here, including highly compatible Li, Sc, Ti, V, Al, and Na, moderately compatible Zn, Co, Cr, and Ga, and incompatible Mn, Ni, P, and Cu. They are systematically higher than literature values obtained from mantle conditions, but their relative compatibilities at different systems are consistent. This indicates that element partitioning between silicates and carbonatite melts is highly temperature‐ and pressure‐dependent and can be used to evaluate geochemical proxies of carbonatite metasomatism, and evolution and mineralization of carbonatite melts. Profile analyses on olivine grains reveal that Fe‐loving elements in olivine could well preserve features of crystal growth and modal metasomatic interaction, while Li and O isotope fractionations are strongly controlled by element diffusion and Li isotopes are robust indicators of cryptic metasomatic interaction.
Synthetic lethality between TP53 and ENDOD1
Authors: Tang Zizhi , Zeng Ming , Wang Xiaojun , Guo Chang , Yue Peng , Zhang Xiaohu , Lou Huiqiang , Chen Jun , Mu Dezhi , Kong Daochun , Carr Antony M. , Liu Cong
Published: May 2022

The atypical nuclease ENDOD1 functions with cGAS-STING in innate immunity. Here we identify a previously uncharacterized ENDOD1 function in DNA repair. ENDOD1 is enriched in the nucleus following H2O2 treatment and ENDOD1−/− cells show increased PARP chromatin-association. Loss of ENDOD1 function is synthetic lethal with homologous recombination defects, with affected cells accumulating DNA double strand breaks. Remarkably, we also uncover an additional synthetic lethality between ENDOD1 and p53. ENDOD1 depletion in TP53 mutated tumour cells, or p53 depletion in ENDOD1−/− cells, results in rapid single stranded DNA accumulation and cell death. Because TP53 is mutated in ~50% of tumours, ENDOD1 has potential as a wide-spectrum target for synthetic lethal treatments. To support this we demonstrate that systemic knockdown of mouse EndoD1 is well tolerated and whole-animal siRNA against human ENDOD1 restrains TP53 mutated tumour progression in xenograft models. These data identify ENDOD1 as a potential cancer-specific target for SL drug discovery.
Imaging and quantifying non-radiative losses at 23% efficient inverted perovskite solar cells interfaces
Authors: Cacovich Stefania , Vidon Guillaume , Degani Matteo , Legrand Marie , Gouda Laxman , Puel Jean-Baptiste , Vaynzof Yana , Guillemoles Jean-François , Ory Daniel , Grancini Giulia
Published: May 2022

Interface engineering through passivating agents, in the form of organic molecules, is a powerful strategy to enhance the performance of perovskite solar cells. Despite its pivotal function in the development of a rational device optimization, the actual role played by the incorporation of interfacial modifications and the interface physics therein remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate the interface and device physics, quantifying charge recombination and charge losses in state-of-the-art inverted solar cells with power conversion efficiency beyond 23% - among the highest reported so far - by using multidimensional photoluminescence imaging. By doing that we extract physical parameters such as quasi-Fermi level splitting (QFLS) and Urbach energy enabling us to assess that the main passivation mechanism affects the perovskite/PCBM ([6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester) interface rather than surface defects. In this work, by linking optical, electrical measurements and modelling we highlight the benefits of organic passivation, made in this case by phenylethylammonium (PEAI) based cations, in maximising all the photovoltaic figures of merit.
Superconductivity above 200 K discovered in superhydrides of calcium
Authors: Li Zhiwen , He Xin , Zhang Changling , Wang Xiancheng , Zhang Sijia , Jia Yating , Feng Shaomin , Lu Ke , Zhao Jianfa , Zhang Jun , Min Baosen , Long Youwen , Yu Richeng , Wang Luhong , Ye Meiyan , Zhang Zhanshuo , Prakapenka Vitali , Chariton Stella , Ginsberg Paul A. , Bass Jay , Yuan Shuhua , Liu Haozhe , Jin Changqing
Published: May 2022

Searching for superconductivity with Tc near room temperature is of great interest both for fundamental science & many potential applications. Here we report the experimental discovery of superconductivity with maximum critical temperature (Tc) above 210 K in calcium superhydrides, the new alkali earth hydrides experimentally showing superconductivity above 200 K in addition to sulfur hydride & rare-earth hydride system. The materials are synthesized at the synergetic conditions of 160~190 GPa and ~2000 K using diamond anvil cell combined with in-situ laser heating technique. The superconductivity was studied through in-situ high pressure electric conductance measurements in an applied magnetic field for the sample quenched from high temperature while maintained at high pressures. The upper critical field Hc(0) was estimated to be ~268 T while the GL coherent length is ~11 Å. The in-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements suggest that the synthesized calcium hydrides are primarily composed of CaH6 while there may also exist other calcium hydrides with different hydrogen contents.
ADAMTS4-specific MR probe to assess aortic aneurysms in vivo using synthetic peptide libraries
Authors: Kaufmann Jan O. , Brangsch Julia , Kader Avan , Saatz Jessica , Mangarova Dilyana B. , Zacharias Martin , Kempf Wolfgang E. , Schwaar Timm , Ponader Marco , Adams Lisa C. , Möckel Jana , Botnar Rene M. , Taupitz Matthias , Mägdefessel Lars , Traub Heike , Hamm Bernd , Weller Michael G. , Makowski Marcus R.
Published: May 2022

The incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has substantially increased during the last 20 years and their rupture remains the third most common cause of sudden death in the cardiovascular field after myocardial infarction and stroke. The only established clinical parameter to assess AAAs is based on the aneurysm size. Novel biomarkers are needed to improve the assessment of the risk of rupture. ADAMTS4 (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin motifs 4) is a strongly upregulated proteoglycan cleaving enzyme in the unstable course of AAAs. In the screening of a one-bead-one-compound library against ADAMTS4, a low-molecular-weight cyclic peptide is discovered with favorable properties for in vivo molecular magnetic resonance imaging applications. After identification and characterization, it’s potential is evaluated in an AAA mouse model. The ADAMTS4-specific probe enables the in vivo imaging-based prediction of aneurysm expansion and rupture.
Quantum circuit architecture search for variational quantum algorithms
Authors: Du Yuxuan , Huang Tao , You Shan , Hsieh Min-Hsiu , Tao Dacheng
Published: May 2022

Variational quantum algorithms (VQAs) are expected to be a path to quantum advantages on noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices. However, both empirical and theoretical results exhibit that the deployed ansatz heavily affects the performance of VQAs such that an ansatz with a larger number of quantum gates enables a stronger expressivity, while the accumulated noise may render a poor trainability. To maximally improve the robustness and trainability of VQAs, here we devise a resource and runtime efficient scheme termed quantum architecture search (QAS). In particular, given a learning task, QAS automatically seeks a near-optimal ansatz (i.e., circuit architecture) to balance benefits and side-effects brought by adding more noisy quantum gates to achieve a good performance. We implement QAS on both the numerical simulator and real quantum hardware, via the IBM cloud, to accomplish data classification and quantum chemistry tasks. In the problems studied, numerical and experimental results show that QAS cannot only alleviate the influence of quantum noise and barren plateaus but also outperforms VQAs with pre-selected ansatze.
Adjuvanting a subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine with clinically relevant adjuvants induces durable protection in mice
Authors: Grigoryan Lilit , Lee Audrey , Walls Alexandra C. , Lai Lilin , Franco Benjamin , Arunachalam Prabhu S. , Feng Yupeng , Luo Wei , Vanderheiden Abigail , Floyd Katharine , Wrenn Samuel , Pettie Deleah , Miranda Marcos C. , Kepl Elizabeth , Ravichandran Rashmi , Sydeman Claire , Brunette Natalie , Murphy Michael , Fiala Brooke , Carter Lauren , Coffman Robert L. , Novack David , Kleanthous Harry , O’Hagan Derek T. , van der Most Robbert , McLellan Jason S. , Suthar Mehul , Veesler David , King Neil P. , Pulendran Bali
Published: May 2022

Adjuvants enhance the magnitude and the durability of the immune response to vaccines. However, there is a paucity of comparative studies on the nature of the immune responses stimulated by leading adjuvant candidates. In this study, we compared five clinically relevant adjuvants in mice—alum, AS03 (a squalene-based adjuvant supplemented with α-tocopherol), AS37 (a TLR7 ligand emulsified in alum), CpG1018 (a TLR9 ligand emulsified in alum), O/W 1849101 (a squalene-based adjuvant)—for their capacity to stimulate immune responses when combined with a subunit vaccine under clinical development. We found that all four of the adjuvant candidates surpassed alum with respect to their capacity to induce enhanced and durable antigen-specific antibody responses. The TLR-agonist-based adjuvants CpG1018 (TLR9) and AS37 (TLR7) induced Th1-skewed CD4+ T cell responses, while alum, O/W, and AS03 induced a balanced Th1/Th2 response. Consistent with this, adjuvants induced distinct patterns of early innate responses. Finally, vaccines adjuvanted with AS03, AS37, and CpG1018/alum-induced durable neutralizing-antibody responses and significant protection against the B.1.351 variant 7 months following immunization. These results, together with our recent results from an identical study in non-human primates (NHPs), provide a comparative benchmarking of five clinically relevant vaccine adjuvants for their capacity to stimulate immunity to a subunit vaccine, demonstrating the capacity of adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccines to provide durable protection against the B.1.351 variant. Furthermore, these results reveal differences between the widely-used C57BL/6 mouse strain and NHP animal models, highlighting the importance of species selection for future vaccine and adjuvant studies.
Memristor-based PUF for lightweight cryptographic randomness
Authors: Ibrahim Hebatallah M. , Abunahla Heba , Mohammad Baker , AlKhzaimi Hoda
Published: May 2022

Physical unclonable functions (PUF) are cryptographic primitives employed to generate true and intrinsic randomness which is critical for cryptographic and secure applications. Thus, the PUF output (response) has properties that can be utilized in building a true random number generator (TRNG) for security applications. The most popular PUF architectures are transistor-based and they focus on exploiting the uncontrollable process variations in conventional CMOS fabrication technology. Recent development in emerging technology such as memristor-based models provides an opportunity to achieve a robust and lightweight PUF architecture. Memristor-based PUF has proven to be more resilient to attacks such as hardware reverse engineering attacks. In this paper, we design a lightweight and low-cost memristor PUF and verify it against cryptographic randomness tests achieving a unique, reliable, irreversible random sequence output. The current research demonstrates the architecture of a low-cost, high endurance Cu/HfO$$_2/p^{++}$$

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Si memristor-based PUF (MR-PUF) which is compatible with advanced CMOS technologies. This paper explores the 15 NIST cryptographic randomness tests that have been applied to our Cu/HfO$$_2/p^{++}$$

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Si MR-PUF. Moreover, security properties such as uniformity, uniqueness, and repeatability of our MR-PUF have been tested in this paper and validated. Additionally, this paper explores the applicability of our MR-PUF on block ciphers to improve the randomness achieved within the encryption process. Our MR-PUF has been used on block ciphers to construct a TRNG cipher block that successfully passed the NIST tests. Additionally, this paper investigated MR-PUF within a new authenticated key exchange and mutual authentication protocol between the head-end system (HES) and smart meters (SM)s in an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) for smartgrids. The authenticated key exchange protocol utilized within the AMI was verified in this paper to meet the essential security when it comes to randomness by successfully passing the NIST tests without a post-processing algorithm.
Evaluation of different types of face masks to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2: a modeling study
Authors: Gurbaxani Brian M. , Hill Andrew N. , Paul Prabasaj , Prasad Pragati V. , Slayton Rachel B.
Published: May 2022

We expanded a published mathematical model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission with complex, age-structured transmission and with laboratory-derived source and wearer protection efficacy estimates for a variety of face masks to estimate their impact on COVID-19 incidence and related mortality in the United States. The model was also improved to allow realistic age-structured transmission with a pre-specified R0 of transmission, and to include more compartments and parameters, e.g. for groups such as detected and undetected asymptomatic infectious cases who mask up at different rates. When masks are used at typically-observed population rates of 80% for those ≥ 65 years and 60% for those < 65 years, face masks are associated with 69% (cloth) to 78% (medical procedure mask) reductions in cumulative COVID-19 infections and 82% (cloth) to 87% (medical procedure mask) reductions in related deaths over a 6-month timeline in the model, assuming a basic reproductive number of 2.5. If cloth or medical procedure masks’ source control and wearer protection efficacies are boosted about 30% each to 84% and 60% by cloth over medical procedure masking, fitters, or braces, the COVID-19 basic reproductive number of 2.5 could be reduced to an effective reproductive number ≤ 1.0, and from 6.0 to 2.3 for a variant of concern similar to delta (B.1.617.2). For variants of concern similar to omicron (B.1.1.529) or the sub-lineage BA.2, modeled reductions in effective reproduction number due to similar high quality, high prevalence mask wearing is more modest (to 3.9 and 5.0 from an R0 = 10.0 and 13.0, respectively). None-the-less, the ratio of incident risk for masked vs. non-masked populations still shows a benefit of wearing masks even with the higher R0 variants.
Synthesis of nano-optical elements for zero-order diffraction 3D imaging
Authors: Goncharsky Alexander , Goncharsky Anton , Durlevich Svyatoslav , Melnik Dmitry
Published: May 2022

A method is proposed to compute and synthesize a microrelief to produce a new nano-optical element for forming 3D images with full parallax at the zero order of diffraction. The synthesis of nano-optical elements requires the use of multilevel structures. A method is developed for the first time to compute the phase function of such nano-optical elements. Optical security elements that produce the new security feature are synthesized using electron-beam technology. The accuracy of microrelief formation is 10 nm in terms of depth. A sample optical security element is manufactured, which when illuminated by white light, forms a 3D image at the zero order of diffraction. Photos and video of the new 3D visual effect exhibited by real optical elements are presented. The optical elements developed can be replicated using standard equipment employed for manufacturing security holograms. The new optical security feature is easy to control visually, safely protected against counterfeiting, and designed to protect banknotes, documents, ID cards, etc.
Through the cleared aorta: three-dimensional characterization of mechanical behaviors of rat thoracic aorta under intraluminal pressurization using optical clearing method
Authors: Maeda Eijiro , Ando Yoriko , Takeshita Kazuhiro , Matsumoto Takeo
Published: May 2022

The media of aortic wall is characterized by altering layers of elastin and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), along with collagen fibers in both layers, and plays a central role in functional and pathological remodeling such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. Because the arterial function is linked closely to the arterial wall internal structure, it is essential to investigate the alteration of the arterial microstructure during macroscopic deformation to understand cardiovascular pathologies. The present study adopted a tissue clearing method in three-dimensional mechanical characterization of rat thoracic aorta, and successfully observed changes in the structure of each of the three primary components of the aorta under intraluminal pressurization while maintaining tissue mechanical integrity and flexibility. Layers of elastic fibers and SMCs deformed greater on the intimal side than those on the adventitial side. Furthermore, there was a structural agreement in the alignment angle between SMC nuclei and elastic fibers on their intimal side, but not on the adventitial side. This is the first study that changes in the microstructure of three primary components of the aorta were visualized and evaluated through the aorta. The method established here would also be useful to understand tissue mechanics of other load-bearing soft tissues.
A new model based inflammatory index and tumor burden score (TBS) to predict the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver resection
Authors: Wang Jianhua , Chen Zeguo , Wang Liheng , Feng Sijia , Qiu Qixuan , Chen Dongdong , Li Nianfeng , Xiao Yao
Published: May 2022

To establish a model based on inflammation index and tumor burden score (TBS) to predict recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver resection. A retrospective study was performed on 217 patients who diagnosed HCC underwent liver resection at Xiangya Hospital Central South University from June 1, 2017 to June 1, 2019. According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the optimal cut-off value of inflammatory index and the TBS was determined by the Youden index. Prediction performance was compared by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Cox regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for the recurrence of HCC after liver resection. According to the independent risk factors of the patients, a prediction model for HCC was established based on inflammation index and tumor burden score (TBS).The prediction performance of the model was compared with single index (TBS group and NLR group) and traditional HCC stage models (TNM stage and BCLC stage). MLR = 0.39, NLR = 2.63, PLR = 134, SII = 428 and TBS = 8.06 are the optimal cut-off values. AUC of SII, PLR, NLR, MLR and TBS were 0.643, 0.642, 0.642, 0.618 and 0.724respectively. MVI (P = 0.005), satellite nodule (P = 0.017), BCLC B-C stage (P = 0.013), NLR > 2.63 (P = 0.013), TBS > 8.06 (P = 0.017) are independent risk factors for the recurrence of HCC after liver resection. According to this study, the optimal inflammatory index NLR combined with TBS was obtained. The AUC of NLR–TBS model was 0.762, not only better than NLR group (AUC = 0.630) and TBS group (AUC = 0.671), also better than traditional BCLC (AUC = 0.620) and TNM (AUC = 0.587) stage models. Interestingly, we found that NLR and TBS should be good prognostic factor for recurrence of HCC after liver resection. The NLR–TBS model based the best inflammatory index (NLR) and TBS have a better prediction performance and the prediction performance of NLR–TBS model not only better than NLR group and TBS group, but better than BCLC and TNM stage models.
A pixel-level coarse-to-fine image segmentation labelling algorithm
Authors: Lee Jonghyeok , Ilyas Talha , Jin Hyungjun , Lee Jonghoon , Won Okjae , Kim Hyongsuk , Lee Sang Jun
Published: May 2022

Fine segmentation labelling tasks are time consuming and typically require a great deal of manual labor. This paper presents a novel method for efficiently creating pixel-level fine segmentation labelling that significantly reduces the amount of necessary human labor. The proposed method utilizes easily produced multiple and complementary coarse labels to build a complete fine label via supervised learning. The primary label among the coarse labels is the manual label, which is produced with simple contours or bounding boxes that roughly encompass an object. All others coarse labels are complementary and are generated automatically using existing algorithms. Fine labels can be rapidly created during the supervised learning of such coarse labels. In the experimental study, the proposed technique achieved a fine label IOU (intersection of union) of 92% in segmenting our newly constructed bean field dataset. The proposed method also achieved 95% and 92% mean IOU when tested on publicly available agricultural CVPPP and CWFID datasets, respectively. Our proposed method of segmentation also achieved a mean IOU of 81% when it was tested on our newly constructed paprika disease dataset, which includes multiple categories.
Viral strategies for targeting spinal neuronal subtypes in adult wild-type rodents
Authors: Kaur Jaspreet , Berg Rune W.
Published: May 2022

Targeting specific subtypes of interneurons in the spinal cord is primarily restricted to a small group of genetic model animals. Since the development of new transgenic model animals can be expensive and labor intensive, it is often difficult to generalize these findings and verify them in other model organisms, such as the rat, ferret or monkey, that may be more beneficial in certain experimental investigations. Nevertheless, endogenous enhancers and promoters delivered using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) have been successful in providing expression in specific subtypes of neurons in the forebrain of wildtype animals, and therefore may introduce a shortcut. GABAergic interneurons, for instance, have successfully been targeted using the mDlx promoter, which has recently been developed and is now widely used in wild type animals. Here, we test the specificity and efficiency of the mDlx enhancer for robust targeting of inhibitory interneurons in the lumbar spinal cord of wild-type rats using AAV serotype 2 (AAV2). Since this has rarely been done in the spinal cord, we also test the expression and specificity of the CamKIIa and hSynapsin promoters using serotype 9. We found that AAV2-mDlx does in fact target many neurons that contain an enzyme for catalyzing GABA, the GAD-65, with high specificity and a small fraction of neurons containing an isoform, GAD-67. Expression was also seen in some motor neurons although with low correlation. Viral injections using the CamKIIa enhancer via AAV9 infected in some glutamatergic neurons, but also GABAergic neurons, whereas hSynapsin via AAV9 targets almost all the neurons in the lumbar spinal cord.
Ecological and historical factors behind the spatial structure of the historical field patterns in the Czech Republic
Authors: Fanta Václav , Beneš Jaromír , Zouhar Jan , Rakava Volha , Šitnerová Ivana , Janečková Molnárová Kristina , Šmejda Ladislav , Sklenicka Petr
Published: May 2022

Historical field systems are an essential part of the traditional cultural landscape of societies with primarily agricultural subsistence. They embody many functions and values, as they affect the productional, ecological and hydrological functioning of the landscape, its cultural values, the way people perceive the landscape, and their impact on present-day farming. As an aspect of the historical landscape, field systems are a topic investigated in landscape archaeology, environmental studies, historical geography, landscape ecology, and related disciplines. Historical field systems can form many complex spatial structures, shapes and patterns. This paper focuses on identifying environmental and historical/cultural driving forces during the formation and the historical development of various field pattern types. We worked with 523 settlements established in the medieval to the early modern period (approx. 900–1600 AD) in the present-day Czech Republic. We have determined the proportions of different field pattern types in the examined cadastres and have statistically compared them with a variety of environmental and geographical predictors. Our results indicate a strong influence of environmental predictors (terrain undulation, cadastre size), the impact of specific historical events and associated social changes (e.g. land confiscations by the state in the seventeenth century), and a significant relationship between field pattern types and settlement layout types. Furthermore, we have observed the different adaptations of field pattern types to similar environmental conditions, as well as the impact of social and political factors on the processes of landscape formation. Our paper provides the first detailed analysis of the geographical distribution of traditional field systems on the scale of an entire modern state, and emphasizes the importance of transdisciplinary research on cultural landscapes.
Polypyrrole/reduced graphene oxide composites coated zinc anode with dendrite suppression feature for boosting performances of zinc ion battery
Authors: Khamsanga Sonti , Uyama Hiroshi , Nuanwat Weerapong , Pattananuwat Prasit
Published: May 2022

Metallic zinc (Zn) anode has been received a great promise for aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) due to its intrinsic safety, low cost, and high volumetric capacity. However, the dendrite formation regarding the surface corrosion is the critical problems to achieve the high performance and the long lifespans of ZIBs. Here, we purpose the facile cyclic voltammetry deposition of polypyrrole/reduced graphene oxide (PPy/rGO) composites coated onto Zn 3D surface as Zn anode for ZIBs. As results, the deposited PPy/rGO layer demonstrates the homogeneous distribution covering onto Zn surface, effectively suppressing the formation of dendrite. Additionally, a symmetric cell of the PPy/rGO coated Zn remarkably enhances an electrochemical cycling with a low voltage hysteresis for zinc plating/stripping, which is superior to the pristine Zn cell. In addition, the deposited layer of PPy/rGO on Zn effectively improves the reactivity of electrochemically active surface area and the intrinsic electronic configurations, participating in extraction/intercalation of Zn2+ ions and leading to enhance ZIBs performance. The coin cell battery of Zn-PPy/rGO//MnO2 can deliver a high initial discharge capacity of 325 mAh/g at 0.5A/g with a good cycling stability up to 50% capacity retention after 300 cycles. Thus, these achieved results of Zn-PPy/rGO//MnO2 battery with dendrite-free feature effectively enhance the life-performance of ZIBs and open the way of the designed coating composite materials to suppress dendrite issues.
Theoretical analysis of the deformation for steel gas pipes taking into account shear effects under surface explosion loads
Authors: Wu Tingyao , Yu Hongan , Jiang Nan , Zhou Chuanbo , Luo Xuedong
Published: May 2022

Ground blast loads are of great importance to the safe operation of steel and gas pipelines, and the results obtained from traditional theoretical formulas for pipeline safety prediction are in error with the actual measured data. In this paper, full-size field tests and corresponding numerical simulations are carried out using Timoshenko beam theory and explosion stress wave theory, which consider shear effects. At the same time, combined with the theory of foundation stiffness and pipeline stiffness flexibility ratio, a modified theoretical model is obtained in line with the actual conditions of the site, which can accurately calculate the deformation and displacement of pipeline underground explosion load, and greatly reduce the error of theoretical prediction results. The innovation of the research results in this paper is that the theoretical stress in the Timoshenko beam can be replaced by the circumferential strain. On the other hand, the modified theoretical solution can obtain the critical weight of explosives to prevent pipeline damage at different buried depths. It provides a theoretical basis for the protection of pipelines’ underground blast loads and provides research ideas for the safe protection and design of pipelines.
Analysis of oat seed transcriptome with regards to proteins involved in celiac disease
Authors: Leišová-Svobodová Leona , Sovová Tereza , Dvořáček Václav
Published: May 2022

Oat (Avena sativa L.) is considered to be a healthy food. In contrast to other grain crops, oat is high in protein, lipids, dietary fiber, antioxidants, and uniquely in avenanthramides. The question of whether it can also be consumed by people suffering from celiac disease is still unresolved. The main aim of this study was to extract and sequence genes for potentially harmful avenins, globulins, and α-amylase/trypsin inhibitors in six oat varieties and to establish their variability using PacBio sequencing technology of enriched libraries. The results were compared with sequences of the genes already present in databases. In total, 21 avenin, 75 globulin, and 25 α-amylase/trypsin inhibitor genes were identified and mapped in the hexaploid oat chromosomes. In all of the three gene families, only marginal sequence differences were found between the oat varieties within the individual genes. Avenin epitopes were found in all four types of avenin genes occurring in all oat varieties tested within this study. However, the number of avenin genes was nearly four times lower than of globulin genes and, on the protein level, formed only 10% of storage proteins. Therefore, the question of whether oat is safe to celiac disease people is a question of boundary values.
Effects of acute administration of trimethylamine N-oxide on endothelial function: a translational study
Authors: Jomard Anne , Liberale Luca , Doytcheva Petia , Reiner Martin F. , Müller Daniel , Visentin Michele , Bueter Marco , Lüscher Thomas F. , Vettor Roberto , Lutz Thomas A. , Camici Giovanni G. , Osto Elena
Published: May 2022

Elevated circulating levels of nutrient-derived trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) have been associated with the onset and progression of cardiovascular disease by promoting athero-thrombosis. However, in conditions like bariatric surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, RYGB), stable increases of plasma TMAO are associated with improved endothelial function and reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, thus questioning whether a mechanistic relationship between TMAO and endothelial dysfunction exists. Herein, we translationally assessed the effects of acute TMAO exposure on endothelial dysfunction, thrombosis and stroke. After RYGB, fasting circulating levels of TMAO increased in patients and obese rats, in parallel with an improved gluco-lipid profile and higher circulating bile acids. The latter enhanced FXR-dependent signalling in rat livers, which may lead to higher TMAO synthesis post RYGB. In lean rats, acute TMAO injection (7 mg kg−1) 1.5-h before sacrifice and ex-vivo 30-min incubation of thoracic aortas with 10−6 M TMAO did not impair vasodilation in response to acetylcholine (Ach), glucagon-like peptide 1, or insulin. Similarly, in lean WT mice (n = 5–6), TMAO injection prior to subjecting mice to ischemic stroke or arterial thrombosis did not increase its severity compared to vehicle treated mice. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and intracellular stress-activated pathways remained unaltered in aorta of TMAO-injected rats, as assessed by Western Blot. Pre-incubation of human aortic endothelial cells with TMAO (10−6 M) did not alter NO release in response to Ach. Our results indicate that increased plasmatic TMAO in the near-physiological range seems to be a neutral bystander to vascular function as translationally seen in patients after bariatric surgery or in healthy lean rodent models and in endothelial cells exposed acutely to TMAO.
Impact of the presence of partially erupted third molars on the local radiographic bone condition
Authors: Fernandes Ighor Andrade , Galvão Endi Lanza , Gonçalves Patricia Furtado , Falci Saulo Gabriel Moreira
Published: May 2022

The decision on retaining or prophylactically removing asymptomatic lower third molars is still discussed in the literature. This study aimed to verify the association between asymptomatic lower third molars and local bone conditions through periapical radiographs. Based on sample size calculations, 288 radiographs were required. Dependent variables were alveolar bone crest status and radiolucency between the distal aspect of the third molar crown and the ascending mandibular ramus. Independent variables were sex, age, Pell and Gregory and Winter’s classification, angulation and distance between second and third molars, third molar side. Advanced ages (OR 1.15; CI 1.08–1.24; p < 0.001) and greater third molar angulations (OR 1.03; CI 1.01–1.04; p < 0.001) significantly increased the chance of radiographic alterations in the bone crest between second and third molars. Radiolucency distal to third molars was solely impacted by patient’s age (OR 1.05; CI 1.01–1.11; p = 0.036). Older patients and lower third molars with greater angulations about adjacent second molar should be evaluated for third molar removal because of the increased chance of alveolar bone crest alterations. Older patients should also be monitored for wider radiolucent pericoronal spaces distal to lower third molars and its consequences.
Online recognition and yield estimation of tomato in plant factory based on YOLOv3
Authors: Wang Xinfa , Vladislav Zubko , Viktor Onychko , Wu Zhenwei , Zhao Mingfu
Published: May 2022

In order to realize the intelligent online yield estimation of tomato in the plant factory with artificial lighting (PFAL), a recognition method of tomato red fruit and green fruit based on improved yolov3 deep learning model was proposed to count and estimate tomato fruit yield under natural growth state. According to the planting environment and facility conditions of tomato plants, a computer vision system for fruit counting and yield estimation was designed and the new position loss function was based on the generalized intersection over union (GIoU), which improved the traditional YOLO algorithm loss function. Meanwhile, the scale invariant feature could promote the description precision of the different shapes of fruits. Based on the construction and labeling of the sample image data, the K-means clustering algorithm was used to obtain nine prior boxes of different specifications which were assigned according to the hierarchical level of the feature map. The experimental results of model training and evaluation showed that the mean average precision (mAP) of the improved detection model reached 99.3%, which was 2.7% higher than that of the traditional YOLOv3 model, and the processing time for a single image declined to 15 ms. Moreover, the improved YOLOv3 model had better identification effects for dense and shaded fruits. The research results can provide yield estimation methods and technical support for the research and development of intelligent control system for planting fruits and vegetables in plant factories, greenhouses and fields.