bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
P‐1.2: Self‐Diver‐ Intelligent‐Pixel Architectures in In‐Ga‐Zn‐O Technology for Special‐Shaped Panel
Authors: Shu Yang , Wang Mingxin , Wang Zhijun , Zhou Liufei , Xu Shangjun , Wang Lizhong , Wang Huaipei , Fei Mi , Bian Cunjian , Yuan Ling
Published: February 2021

With the wide application of liquid crystal display (LCD), people have higher and higher requirements on various screen shapes. Especially in the field of Automotive display. However, the irregular LCD displays on the market still have limitations in shape. Not only is the display often uneven, but the border is also wide because of driver circuitry outside the Active area. Therefore, we proposed a “Self‐Driven Intelligent Pixel (SDIP)” architecture, which can independently complete the scan driver without additional configuration of GOA circuit or gate IC, and it can arbitrarily splice these pixel units to obtain any display area. Based on the SDIP technology, this paper designs a 5.9‐inch circular LCD display with a frame of 4.8mm. It provides a new design direction for arbitrary LCD screen and ultra‐narrow border technology.
P‐1.5: High‐Voltage characteristics of Top‐Gate Amorphous InGaZnO Thin‐Film Transistors
Authors: Xin Yu , Fan Changhui , Zhang Shengdong
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we investigated high‐voltage characteristics of topgate amorphous InGaZnO thin‐film transistors. Results indicate that the saturation current decreases at high drain bias. Moreover, the threshold voltage (Vth) positive shift after device biased at the high drain voltage and the shift magnitude become larger at shorter channel length devices. These observations are attributed to the fact that hot electrons were produced due to the strong drain to source electric field and trapped in the gate insulator. The device performance was recovered after 1000‐s negative gate bias at 60 °C.
P‐1.13: Supercritical Fluid Oxidation Methodology on a‐IZAO Thin‐Film Transistors
Authors: Liu Qi , Li Lei , zhang Jiaona , Zhang Ziwei , Chang Kuanchang
Published: February 2021

A novel oxidation treatment of low‐temperature supercritical fluids is proposed in the research, which is able to improve the comprehensive performance of the a‐IGZO thin‐film transistors (TFTs) under low temperature. After the treatment, the subthreshold swing (SS) of the device is reduced from 0.44 V/dec to 0.24 V/dec. Meanwhile, the mobility and Ion/Ioff current ratio of the device are increased from 4.70 cm2/Vs to 8.53 cm2/Vs and 5.43x106 to 1.23x108, respectively. Through the material analysis including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X‐ray photoelectron shows that the supercritical treatment improves the oxidation level of a‐IGZO layer and dielectric layer, and passivates the defects in the dielectric layer.
P‐4.1: A Hardware Optimized Dehazing Algorithm for Video
Authors: Jiawen Chen , Limin Yan
Published: February 2021

The dehazing technology has made great progress on a single image. But for the problem that the time complexity is high and cannot meet the real‐time requirement of HD video dehazing, a dark channel prior dehazing algorithm based on hardware architecture optimization is proposed in this paper. The hardwareoriented two‐scale joint filtering method is used to simplify the computational complexity of transmittance and atmospheric light values, while using interframe dependence constraints to suppress flicker noise in video dehazing. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is equivalent to the current mainstream dehazing algorithm under software and hardware platforms, even brighter and coordinated in the detail color, and the atmospheric light value of the algorithm is basically stable, indicating the proposed interframe dependency constraints can effectively adjust atmospheric light values.
P‐4.2: A Study on De‐multiplex Technology Based on IGZO Semiconductor for Notebook LCDs
Authors: Yang Wei , Shu Qiang , Wang Huaipei , Li Jie , Wang Zhijun
Published: February 2021

We proposed a DEMUX (De‐multiple) technology based on IGZO BCE‐type TFT structure and produced a 13.3 inches FHD LCD for notebook. The adoption of DEMUX 1:3 circuit on panels combing with TED (Tcon‐Embedded Driver) technology realized a narrow module bezel of less than 15mm for the LCDs. A slight horizontal streaks issue observed on RG/GB/RB mixed color image under middle and low grayscale display is analyzed and discussed. The modeling and simulation results indicate that the issue is related to the drive architecture of Zigzag‐column inversion under charging insufficient of source lines.
P‐4.9: See‐through Multi‐viewing Glass Window Image Display Using Polarized Light Control Technology for Parallax and One‐way Observations
Authors: Sakamoto Kunio , Fukuhara Tamon , Kumon Ryouichi
Published: February 2021

The authors had developed and researched the multi‐viewing display. So we wish to realize multi‐viewing window signage since images of general window decals are static. However conventional display has a defect that its screen is not transparent. This paper shows a see‐through multi‐viewing glass window imaging display. Our new proposal is a polarized light control technology for see‐through and unidirectional observations.
P‐5.5: An Adaptive Video Scaling System Implementation Based on FPGA
Authors: Wang Chengcheng , Cao Yanpeng , Tang Yongming
Published: February 2021

We propose an adaptive video scaling system based on bilinear interpolation implemented on FPGA. Different from the previous system for converting from a specific input resolution to a specified output resolution, we have realized adaptive output for multiple resolution video stream inputs. At the same time, the system's resource occupancy rate is small, which facilitates integration with other modules. Experimental results show that the system can achieve real—time low‐latency and high‐quality scaling for low‐resolution video streams, and theoretically can support 4K video super‐resolution output.
P‐6.1: A study of the fluidity of polyimide alignment agents printed by inkjet printing technology
Authors: Che Xinyuan , Zhao Yongchao , Song Yanjun , Hsieh Chung-Ching , Zhang Xin
Published: February 2021

The fluidity of polyimide alignment agents has usually been charactrized by their viscosity. Yet, it is not enough for inkjet printing mechines. For samples having the same viscoscity, they may have different molecular weights and molecular weight distributions. And an abnormal molecular weight can induce the blockage of nozzles which will result in suji mura.
P‐6.3: Origami‐inspired Connectable Modular‐pixel Imaging Display Systems Which Enable Colors to Change for Aero Signage with Diagonal Connects
Authors: Sakamoto Kunio , Watanabe Kouhei , Sakamoto Masahiro , Asai Daiki
Published: February 2021

Our research group has been developing an aero signage display. The word ‘aero’ means that its image is floating in the air. The authors have noticed that the important technology in aero signage is ‘transparent.’ Suppose you find out window decals which are put on the glass window of shops. You end up watching the mirrored images if you watch the decals on transparent glass window from inside of the shop. In aero signage, the technique which enables to display unidirectional (or one‐way) observable image(viewing angle control) is very important. Our proposed self‐assembly joint mechanism is one of the essential technology for aero signage which enables to make transparent view from back side.
P‐8.1: Controlling the Photophoretic Trap Location for Volumetric Display along Multiple Axes in a Compact System
Authors: Chae Minseok , Bang Kiseung , Lee Byoungho
Published: February 2021

The photophoretic trap volumetric display (PTVD) renders 3D images in the air by sweeping the airborne particle. In the previous PTVD, the particle moves along the optical axis with a linear stage, making the size of the system bulky. In this paper, we verify the feasibility of using a focus tunable lens for moving the particle along the multiple axes, including the optical axis.
P‐12.3: Investigation of Bowing Effect of 4’’ Epitaxial Wafer and Reliability of GaN‐based Micro‐LED Devices
Authors: Zhang Ke , Liu Yibo , Sun Xiaowei , Liu Zhaojun , Kwok Hoi-Sing
Published: February 2021

GaN‐based Micro‐LEDs have shown great potential in various filed, such as solid‐state lighting, display, sensor, visible light communication and multifunctional devices. The performance of Micro‐LEDs in various operating environment drew enormous attention recently. We investigate the fabrication process of Micro‐LED devices with 4″ epitaxial wafer. The problems occurred during the process, especially bowing effect, were systematically introduced. Several solutions have been proposed and compared. In addition, the characterization and reliability test were measured to show sufficient quality of those devices.
P‐13.10: AMOLED IR‐drop Automatic Compensation Based on Real ELVDD
Authors: Li Tianrui , Wang Guang , Zhou Ruiyuan , Peng DZ , Zhou Jingxiong
Published: February 2021

This paper introduces a scheme to compensate IR drop in real time based on the real ELVDD in display. The real ELVDD of each row of pixels at the time of charge and discharge is obtained by designing detection circuits on both sides of the display, and the pixel voltage Vdata is adjusted by the detection voltage. In this way, the display problem caused by local and global IR drop can be solved in a direct and effective way.
Single‐Atom Catalysts: A Sustainable Pathway for the Advanced Catalytic Applications
Authors: Singh Baljeet , Sharma Vikas , Gaikwad Rahul P. , Fornasiero Paolo , Zbořil Radek , Gawande Manoj B.
Published: February 2021

A heterogeneous catalyst is a backbone of modern sustainable green industries; and understanding the relationship between its structure and properties is the key for its advancement. Recently, many upscaling synthesis strategies for the development of a variety of respectable control atomically precise heterogeneous catalysts are reported and explored for various important applications in catalysis for energy and environmental remediation. Precise atomic‐scale control of catalysts has allowed to significantly increase activity, selectivity, and in some cases stability. This approach has proved to be relevant in various energy and environmental related technologies such as fuel cell, chemical reactors for organic synthesis, and environmental remediation. Therefore, this review aims to critically analyze the recent progress on single‐atom catalysts (SACs) application in oxygen reduction reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, and chemical and/or electrochemical organic transformations. Finally, opportunities that may open up in the future are summarized, along with suggesting new applications for possible exploitation of SACs.
Multigraded Heterojunction Hole Extraction Layer of ZIF‐CoxZn1−x on Co3O4/TiO2 Skeleton for a New Photoanode Architecture in Water Oxidation
Authors: Tang Rui , Wang Lizhuo , Ying Meihui , Yang Wenjie , Kheradmand Amanj , Jiang Yijiao , Li Zhiyun , Cui Yi , Zheng Rongkun , Huang Jun
Published: February 2021

Multigraded heterojunction (GHJ) attracts increasing attention in solar energy conversion fields due to the controllable carrier transport process. However, it is hard to coordinately manipulate the components and band structure of the photoelectrochemical (PEC) catalyst. Despite the adjustable composition of the metal‐organic framework (MOF), energy band‐engineered MOF materials are rarely used in PEC systems subject to their unclear energy band structure. Herein, a brand new photoanode architecture with MOF‐based multi‐GHJ as the hole extraction channel exhibits outstanding PEC water oxidation performance. ZIF‐CoxZn1−x multi‐GHJs with continuously adjustable energy band structures are obtained by tailoring Co/Zn ratio. ZIF‐CoxZn1−x multi‐GHJ‐modified Co3O4/TiO2 photoanodes (ZIF‐CoxZn1−x/Co3O4/TiO2) exhibit a greatly facilitated carrier separation. ZIF‐Co further causes improved interfacial carrier injection as the water oxidation cocatalyst. By constructing the network‐like Co3O4 skeleton, mass transport and light capture processes are also enhanced. With the synergy of energy band engineering and nanostructure design, the 4‐grade GHJ/Co3O4/TiO2 photoanode shows an excellent photocurrent density (2.91 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode) and carrier migration efficiency (73.3%), which are 312% and 554% higher than intrinsic TiO2, respectively. Herein, new insights into energy band‐engineered MOF materials with excellent carrier separation/extraction, which is promising for PEC and other optoelectronic applications, are provided.
Externality and COVID‐19
Authors: Leeson Peter T. , Rouanet Louis
Published: February 2021

Negative infectious disease externalities are less prevalent in the absence of government intervention and less costly to society than is often supposed. That is so for three reasons. (1) Unlike externality‐creating behaviors in many classical externality contexts, such behaviors are often self‐limiting in the context of infectious disease. (2) In market economies, behaviors that may create infectious disease externalities typically occur at sites that are owned privately and visited voluntarily. Owners have powerful incentives to regulate such behaviors at their sites, and visitors face residual infection risk contractually. (3) The social cost of infectious disease externalities is limited by the cheapest method of avoiding externalized infection risk. That cost is modest compared to the one usually imagined: the value of life (or health) lost to the disease if government does not intervene. We elaborate these arguments in the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Unraveling the Temperature Dependence of Exciton Dissociation and Free Charge Generation in Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Ma Chao , Chan Christopher C. S. , Zou Xinhui , Yu Han , Zhang Jianquan , Yan He , Wong Kam Sing , Chow Philip C. Y.
Published: February 2021

Organic solar cells based on nonfullerene acceptor molecules show high charge generation yields with negligible driving force at the donor–acceptor (D/A) interface to drive exciton dissociation. Understanding the underlying charge generation dynamics in these material systems is crucial for further development of this technology. Herein, the acceptor exciton dissociation dynamics in these materials is studied using transient optical spectroscopy. The results show that exciton dissociation at the D/A interface takes up to ≈100 ps to complete, and this process is not significantly affected by temperature. A similar timescale for charge transfer (CT) state separation into free electrons and holes is observed at room temperature. But in contrast to the weak temperature dependence of exciton dissociation, the free charge generation rate and yield are significantly reduced at low temperature. This suggests that overcoming the Coulomb barrier for charge separation at the D/A interface is the main reason for the endothermic charge separation observed for these material systems, instead of diffusion‐limited exciton dissociation.
Efficient and Stable Mesoscopic Perovskite Solar Cells Using a Dopant‐Free D–A Copolymer Hole‐Transporting Layer
Authors: Tavakoli Mohammad Mahdi , Po Riccardo , Bianchi Gabriele , Carbonera Chiara , Kong Jing
Published: February 2021

Addressing the stability issue in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is a crucial step for commercialization purposes. Finding a novel and stable hole‐transporting layer (HTL) is one of the most effective strategies to solve this problem. Herein, a new polymeric HTL, namely poly{2,7‐[(5,5‐bis(3′,7′‐dimethyloctyl)‐5 H‐1,8‐dithia‐as‐indacenone]‐alt‐5,5‐[5′,6′‐bis(octyloxy)‐4′,7′‐di‐2‐thienyl‐2′,1′,3′‐benzothiadiazole]} (PDTIDTBT) is synthesized, indicating a great hole‐transporting property as compared with the commonly used 2,2′,7,7′‐tetrakis[N,N‐di(4‐methoxyphenyl)amino]‐9,9′‐spirobifluorene (spiro‐OMeTAD) HTL. This polymer shows good mobility with suitable band alignment with respect to the triple A‐cation perovskite film, which is comparable with the state‐of‐art polymeric HTLs. Therefore, mesoscopic PSCs are fabricated by PDTIDTBT HTL and considered interface engineering technique using a thin layer of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at the perovskite/HTL interface. Based on these modifications, a PSC with a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.89% is achieved, higher than the PCE of the spiro‐based PSC (19.28%). In addition, the PDTIDTBT‐based PSCs show excellent operational and ambient stability better than the spiro ones.
Accurate and rapid detection of Fasciola hepatica copro‐DNA in sheep using loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique
Authors: Amiri Siamak , Shemshadi Bahar , Shirali Saloomeh , Kheirandish Farnaz , Fallahi Shirzad
Published: February 2021

Fascioliasis is a parasitic infection caused by Fasciola spp. in humans and animals. Despite significant advances in vaccination and new therapeutic agents, little attention has been paid to validate methods for the diagnosis of fascioliasis in animals. This study aimed to compare the loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique with PCR assay for the diagnosis of F. hepatica in sheep. In this cross‐sectional study, 195 stool samples were collected from sheep for 3 months in Lorestan province, West of Iran. Specimens’ parasitological examination was performed by using the direct wet mount and formalin‐ether concentration method. After DNA extraction from the samples, molecular analysis was done using PCR and LAMP techniques based on the Fasciola ribosomal intergenic spacer (IGS) sequence. Of 195 specimens of sheep, 11 specimens were identified as F. hepatica‐positive infection by using microscopic, PCR and LAMP assays. Kappa agreement test results showed that there was a significant agreement between the results of microscopic examination diagnostic tests, PCR and LAMP (Kappa = 0.51–0.72 and p < .001). According to the results of chi‐square comparisons between parasite prevalence applying different techniques and variables of age, sex breed, and type of drinking water, there was no significant relationship (p ≥ .05). However, most of the infected sheep with Fasciola were 3‐ to 4‐year‐old females, of the Lori breed and consumed tap water. In many endemic areas, successful prevention and treatment of fascioliasis in animals depend on rapid and accurate diagnosis. Based on the results of the Kappa agreement, the significant agreement among the results of the microscopic examination, PCR and LAMP indicates the accuracy and reliability of these tests in the diagnosis of F. hepatica in sheep. However, molecular methods, especially the LAMP technique, are suggested because of their higher sensitivity and reliability for the diagnosis of F. hepatica even under field conditions.
Scalar leptoquarks in leptonic processes
Authors: Crivellin Andreas , Greub Christoph , Müller Dario , Saturnino Francesco
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Leptoquarks are hypothetical new particles, which couple quarks directly to leptons. They experienced a renaissance in recent years as they are prime candidates to explain the so-called flavor anomalies, i.e. the deviations between the Standard Model predictions and measurements in b → sℓ+ℓ− and b → cτν processes and in the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon. At the one-loop level these particles unavoidably generate effects in the purely leptonic processes like Z → ℓ+ℓ−, Z →$$ v\overline{v} $$
v

v
¯

, W → ℓν and h → ℓ+ℓ− and can even generate non-zero rates for lepton flavor violating processes such as ℓ → ℓ′γ, Z → ℓ+ℓ′−, h → ℓ+ℓ′− and ℓ → 3ℓ′. In this article we calculate these processes for all five representations of scalar Leptoquarks. We include their most general interaction terms with the Standard Model Higgs boson, which leads to Leptoquark mixing after the former acquires a vacuum expectation value. In our phenomenological analysis we investigate the effects in modified lepton couplings to electroweak gauge bosons, we study the correlations of the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon with h → μ+μ− and Z → μ+μ− as well as the interplay between different lepton flavor violating decays.
De Sitter decay through goldstino evaporation
Authors: Farakos Fotis , Kehagias Alex , Liatsos Nikolaos
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We study supergravity theories with supersymmetry intrinsically non-linearly realized supported only by four-form flux. We demonstrate that supersymmetry can be restored by the evaporation of the goldstino multiplet. Such procedure requires the existence of a super-extremal 2-brane, in accordance with the WGC, and suggests an imminent decay in de Sitter supergravity, leaving the system to relax in supersymmetric AdS after the transition. In particular, the same decay mechanism also implies that the KKLT de Sitter vacua are short-lived. Our findings thus provide an effective realization of KPV-type of decays within 4D supergravity and in this way may reconcile the nilpotent superfield constructions of de Sitter with some aspects of the swampland program.
Free fermions, vertex Hamiltonians, and lower-dimensional AdS/CFT
Authors: de Leeuw Marius , Paletta Chiara , Pribytok Anton , Retore Ana L. , Torrielli Alessandro
Published: February 2021

Abstract

In this paper we first demonstrate explicitly that the new models of integrable nearest-neighbour Hamiltonians recently introduced in PRL 125 (2020) 031604 [36] satisfy the so-called free fermion condition. This both implies that all these models are amenable to reformulations as free fermion theories, and establishes the universality of this condition. We explicitly recast the transfer matrix in free fermion form for arbitrary number of sites in the 6-vertex sector, and on two sites in the 8-vertex sector, using a Bogoliubov transformation. We then put this observation to use in lower-dimensional instances of AdS/CFT integrable R-matrices, specifically pure Ramond-Ramond massless and massive AdS3, mixed-flux relativistic AdS3 and massless AdS2. We also attack the class of models akin to AdS5 with our free fermion machinery. In all cases we use the free fermion realisation to greatly simplify and reinterpret a wealth of known results, and to provide a very suggestive reformulation of the spectral problem in all these situations.
A gauge invariant order parameter for monopole condensation in QCD vacuum
Authors: Di Giacomo Adriano
Published: February 2021

Abstract

In this paper we improve the existing order parameter for monopole condensation in gauge theory vacuum, making it gauge-invariant from scratch and free of the spurious infrared problems which plagued the old one. Computing the new parameter on the lattice will unambiguously detect weather dual superconductivity is the mechanism for color confinement.

As a byproduct we relate confinement to the existence of a finite correlation length in the gauge-invariant correlator of chromo-electric field strengths.
Integrality of volumes of representations
Authors: Bucher Michelle , Burger Marc , Iozzi Alessandra
Published: February 2021

LetMbe an oriented complete hyperbolicn-manifold of finite volume. Using the definition of volume of a representation previously given by the authors in [3] we show that the volume of a representation$$\rho :\pi _1(M)\rightarrow \mathrm {Isom}^+({{\mathbb {H}}}^n)$$ρ:π1(M)→Isom+(Hn), properly normalized, takes integer values ifnis even and$$\ge 4$$≥4. IfMis not compact and 3-dimensional, it is known that the volume is not locally constant. In this case we give explicit examples of representations with volume as arbitrary as the volume of hyperbolic manifolds obtained fromMvia Dehn fillings.
Increased Needle Visibility in Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Liver Biopsy by an Echogenic Sheath: A Proof of Concept Study in a Human Cadaver
Authors: Hopstaken Jana S. , de Jong Leon , Fütterer Jurgen J.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

For the safety and success of an ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy, needle visibility and needle tip identification are critical. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the influence of an innovative echogenic sheath placed over a standard biopsy needle on needle visibility in ultrasound imaging.

Materials and methods

Ultrasound videos of three sheaths with different coating characteristics (echogenicity) and one conventional liver biopsy needle were recorded at two angles (30° and 60°) and two depths (5 and 10 cm) in a human cadaver. The videos were blinded for needle type and presented to five independent radiologists who used Likert-scale scoring to rank each video for six characteristics on needle visibility. In addition, a phantom model was used to acquire standardized images for quantitative evaluation of the ultrasound visibility. Comparative statistical analysis consisted of a one-way ANOVA.

Results

The three prototype sheaths were ranked higher than the control needle at 60° with 5 cm depth, with an equal performance for the other conditions. The radiologists expressed more confidence in taking a biopsy with the echogenic sheaths than with the control needle, with 1 Likert score difference at 30°. Contrast analysis in the phantom model showed a statistically significant effect of a sheath (p = 0.004) on echogenic intensity.

Conclusion

This pilot study suggests that the use of an echogenic sheath may increase needle visibility, particularly for trajectories requiring steeper insertion angles. To investigate the superiority of the echogenic sheath over conventional needles, a clinical study is necessary.
XCOVNet: Chest X-ray Image Classification for COVID-19 Early Detection Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Madaan Vishu , Roy Aditya , Gupta Charu , Agrawal Prateek , Sharma Anand , Bologa Cristian , Prodan Radu
Published: February 2021

COVID-19 (also known as SARS-COV-2) pandemic has spread in the entire world. It is a contagious disease that easily spreads from one person in direct contact to another, classified by experts in five categories: asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe, and critical. Already more than 66 million people got infected worldwide with more than 22 million active patients as of 5 December 2020 and the rate is accelerating. More than 1.5 million patients (approximately 2.5% of total reported cases) across the world lost their life. In many places, the COVID-19 detection takes place through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests which may take longer than 48 h. This is one major reason of its severity and rapid spread. We propose in this paper a two-phase X-ray image classification called XCOVNet for early COVID-19 detection using convolutional neural Networks model. XCOVNet detects COVID-19 infections in chest X-ray patient images in two phases. The first phase pre-processes a dataset of 392 chest X-ray images of which half are COVID-19 positive and half are negative. The second phase trains and tunes the neural network model to achieve a 98.44% accuracy in patient classification.
Does remote ischaemic conditioning reduce inflammation? A focus on innate immunity and cytokine response
Authors: Pearce Lucie , Davidson Sean M. , Yellon Derek M.
Published: February 2021

The benefits of remote ischaemic conditioning (RIC) have been difficult to translate to humans, when considering traditional outcome measures, such as mortality and heart failure. This paper reviews the recent literature of the anti-inflammatory effects of RIC, with a particular focus on the innate immune response and cytokine inhibition. Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, the inflammatory hypothesis of cardiac protection is an attractive target on which to re-purpose such novel therapies. A PubMed/MEDLINE™ search was performed on July 13th 2020, for the key terms RIC, cytokines, the innate immune system and inflammation. Data suggest that RIC attenuates inflammation in animals by immune conditioning, cytokine inhibition, cell survival and the release of anti-inflammatory exosomes. It is proposed that RIC inhibits cytokine release via a reduction in nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB)-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome production. In vivo, RIC attenuates pro-inflammatory cytokine release in myocardial/cerebral infarction and LPS models of endotoxaemia. In the latter group, cytokine inhibition is associated with a profound survival benefit. Further clinical trials should establish whether the benefits of RIC in inflammation can be observed in humans. Moreover, we must consider whether uncomplicated MI and elective surgery are the most suitable clinical conditions in which to test this hypothesis.
Detection of hysteroscopic fluid in the pouch of Douglas: a prospective cohort study about the predictability of bilateral tubal occlusion
Authors: Hager Marlene , Ott Johannes , Göbl Christian , Holzer Iris , Seemann Rudolf , Kurz Christine , Parry John Preston
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To determine whether an increase in cul de sac (CDS) fluid after hysteroscopy is predictive of tubal patency.

Methods

In a prospective clinical cohort study, 115 subfertile women undergoing laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery at the Medical University of Vienna were invited to participate. The primary outcome was determining whether an increase in fluid in the pouch of Douglas was reflective of unilateral or bilateral tubal patency. Vaginal sonography before and after hysteroscopy was performed to detect fluid in the pouch of Douglas, directly followed by laparoscopy with chromopertubation.

Results

Laparoscopic chromopertubation revealed bilateral Fallopian tube occlusion in 28 women (24.3%). Twenty-seven/40 patients (67.5%) with no fluid shift had bilateral occlusion during the consecutive laparoscopy (p < 0.001). One/75 patients (1.3%) showing a fluid shift had bilateral occlusion (sensitivity of a present fluid shift for uni- or bilateral patency 85.1%, 95% CI: 81.7–99.9, specificity: 96.4%, 95% CI: 75.8–91.8). Intracavitary abnormalities (odds ratio, OR, 0.038; p = 0.030) and adhesions covering one or both tubes (OR 0.076; p = 0.041) increased the risk for a false abnormal result, i.e., uni- or bilateral tubal patency despite the lack of a fluid shift.

Conclusion

When CDS fluid does not change after hysteroscopy, this is a sensitive test for tubal occlusion and further testing may be warranted. However, if there is an increase in CDS fluid after hysteroscopy, particularly for a patient without fluid present prior, this is both sensitive and specific for unilateral or bilateral tubal patency.
Spin Dynamics in Quantum Sine-Gordon Spin Chains: High-Field ESR Studies
Authors: Zvyagin Sergei
Published: February 2021

A spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain is one of the most important paradigmatic models in quantum magnetism. Its ground state is a spin singlet, while the excitation spectrum is formed by gapless fractional excitations, spinons. The presence of alternating g-tensors and/or the staggered Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction results in opening the energy gap $$\varDelta \propto H^{2/3}$$

Δ
∝

H

2
/
3

, once the magnetic field H is applied. A fairly good understanding of this phenomenon was achieved in the framework of the sine-Gordon quantum-field theory, taking into account the effective transverse staggered field induced by the applied uniform field. The theory predicts solitons and antisolitons as elementary excitations, as well as their bound states, breathers. Here, I review recent high-field electron spin resonance spectroscopy studies of such systems, focusing on peculiarities of their spin dynamics in the sine-Gordon regime and beyond.
Diffusion-based degeneration of the collagen reinforcement in the pathologic human cornea
Authors: Gizzi Alessio , De Bellis Maria Laura , Vasta Marcello , Pandolfi Anna
Published: February 2021

We describe a multiphysics model of the collagen structure of the cornea undergoing a progressive localized reduction of the stiffness, preluding to the development of ectasia and keratoconus. The architecture of the stromal collagen is assumed to follow the simplified two-family model proposed in Pandolfi et al. (A microstructural model of cross-link interaction between collagen fibrils in the human cornea. Philos Trans R Soc A 377:20180079, 2019), where the mechanical stiffness of the structure is supplied by transversal bonds within the fibrils of the same family (inter-crosslink bonds) and across the fibrils of the two families (intra-crosslink bonds). In Pandolfi et al. (A microstructural model of cross-link interaction between collagen fibrils in the human cornea. Philos Trans R Soc A 377:20180079, 2019), it was shown that the loss of the spherical shape due to the protrusion of a cone can be ascribed to the mechanical weakening of the intra-crosslink bonds in the central region of the collagen structure. In the present study, the reduction of bond stiffness is coupled to an evolutive pathologic phenomenon, modeled as a reaction–diffusion process of a normalized scalar field. We assume that the scalar field is a concentration-like measure of the degeneration of the chemical bonds stabilizing the structural collagen. We follow the evolution of the mechanical response of the system in terms of shape change, according to the propagation of the degeneration field, and identify the critical loss of mechanical stability resulting in the typical bulging of keratoconus corneas.
Long wave generation and coastal amplification due to propagating atmospheric pressure disturbances
Authors: Dogan Gozde Guney , Pelinovsky Efim , Zaytsev Andrey , Metin Ayse Duha , Ozyurt Tarakcioglu Gulizar , Yalciner Ahmet Cevdet , Yalciner Bora , Didenkulova Ira
Published: February 2021

Meteotsunamis are long waves generated by displacement of a water body due to atmospheric pressure disturbances that have similar spatial and temporal characteristics to landslide tsunamis. NAMI DANCE that solves the nonlinear shallow water equations is a widely used numerical model to simulate tsunami waves generated by seismic origin. Several validation studies showed that it is highly capable of representing the generation, propagation and nearshore amplification processes of tsunami waves, including inundation at complex topography and basin resonance. The new module of NAMI DANCE that uses the atmospheric pressure and wind forcing as the other inputs to simulate meteotsunami events is developed. In this paper, the analytical solution for the generation of ocean waves due to the propagating atmospheric pressure disturbance is obtained. The new version of the code called NAMI DANCE SUITE is validated by comparing its results with those from analytical solutions on the flat bathymetry. It is also shown that the governing equations for long wave generation by atmospheric pressure disturbances in narrow bays and channels can be written similar to the 1D case studied for tsunami generation and how it is integrated into the numerical model. The analytical solution of the linear shallow water model is defined, and results are compared with numerical solutions. A rectangular shaped flat bathymetry is used as the test domain to model the generation and propagation of ocean waves and the development of Proudman resonance due to moving atmospheric pressure disturbances. The simulation results with different ratios of pressure speed to ocean wave speed (Froude numbers) considering sub-critical, critical and super-critical conditions are presented. Fairly well agreements between analytical solutions and numerical solutions are obtained. Additionally, basins with triangular (lateral) and stepwise shelf (longitudinal) cross sections on different slopes are tested. The amplitudes of generated waves at different time steps in each simulation are presented with discussions considering the channel characteristics. These simulations present the capability of NAMI DANCE SUITE to model the effects of bathymetric conditions such as shelf slope and local bathymetry on wave amplification due to moving atmospheric pressure disturbances.
Examining secondary school students’ views of model evaluation through an integrated framework of personal epistemology
Authors: Lee Silvia Wen-Yu , Wu Hsin-Kai , Chang Hsin-Yi
Published: February 2021

The aim of the study was to investigate students’ views of model evaluation through the lens of personal epistemology. We developed an integrated analytical framework by combining a developmental framework, including absolutist, multiplist, and evaluatist, with a multi-dimensional framework, including limits of knowing, certainty of knowing, and criteria of knowing. Furthermore, we examined the potential influence of the question contexts and the students’ grade levels. A total of 188 secondary school students were surveyed. Students answered two sets of model evaluation questions based on two scientific contexts. After reading the information about the two models, the students had to choose from three epistemic assumptions and then provide written justifications explaining their choice of assumptions. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted for the multiple-choice questions and the written responses. In both contexts there were higher percentages of 11th-grade students choosing the evaluatist assumptions than the eighth-grade students. For students choosing multiplist and evaluatist assumptions, the 11th-grade students were more likely than the eighth-grade students to think in terms of pragmatic and evidential criteria as the criteria of knowing. Different contexts of the questions evoked different views of model evaluation particularly regarding the limits of knowing. Four additional categories of epistemic levels also emerged from the data. This study provides a new framework for understanding students’ thinking about model evaluation. Implications and suggestions for future research are provided.
A Committee Evolutionary Neural Network for the Prediction of Combined Sewer Overflows
Authors: Rosin T. R. , Romano M. , Keedwell E. , Kapelan Z.
Published: February 2021

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) are a major source of pollution and urban flooding, spilling untreated wastewater directly into water bodies and the surrounding environment. If overflows can be predicted sufficiently in advance, then techniques are available for mitigation. This paper presents a novel bi-model committee evolutionary artificial neural network (CEANN) designed to forecast water level in a CSO chamber from 15 min to 6 h ahead using inputs of past/current CSO level data, radar rainfall data and forecast forecasted rainfall data. The model is composed of two evolutionary artificial neural network (EANN) models. The two models are trained and optimised for wet and dry weather conditions respectively and their results combined into a single response using a non-linear weighted averaging approach. An evolutionary strategy algorithm is employed to automatically select the optimal artificial neural network (ANN) structure and parameter set, allowing the network to be tailored specifically for different CSO locations and forecast horizons without significant human input. The CEANN model was tested and evaluated on real level data from 4 CSOs located in Northern England and the results compared to three other ANN models. The results demonstrate that the CEANN model is superior in terms of accuracy for almost all forecast horizons considered. It is able to accurately forecast the dry weather and wet weather level, predicting the timing and magnitude of upcoming spill events, thus providing information that is of clear use to a wastewater utility.
Lactobacillus plantarum strain HT-W104-B1: potential bacterium isolated from Malaysian fermented foods for control of the dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum
Authors: Danial Azlina Mohd , Medina Angel , Magan Naresh
Published: February 2021

The objective was to screen and evaluate the anti-fungal activity of lactic acid bacteria (LABs) isolated from Malaysian fermented foods against twoTrichophytonspecies. A total of 66 LAB strains were screened using dual culture assays. This showed that four LAB strains were very effective in inhibiting growth ofT. rubrumbut notT. interdigitale.More detailed studies withLactobacillus plantarumstrain HT-W104-B1 showed that the supernatant was mainly responsible for inhibiting the growth ofT. rubrum. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), inhibitory concentration, the 50% growth inhibition (IC50) and minimum fungicide concentration (MFC) were 20 mg/mL, 14 mg/mL and 30 mg/mL, respectively. A total of six metabolites were found in the supernatant, with the two major metabolites being L-lactic acid (19.1 mg/g cell dry weight (CDW)) and acetic acid (2.2 mg/g CDW). A comparative study on keratin agar media showed that the natural mixture in the supernatants predominantly contained L-lactic and acetic acid, and this significantly controlled the growth ofT. rubrum. The pure two individual compounds were less effective. Potential exists for application of the natural mixture of compounds for the treatment of skin infection byT. rubrum.
An evaluation of the occurrence and trends in 137Cs and 40K radioactivity in King Bolete Boletus edulis mushrooms in Poland during 1995–2019
Authors: Falandysz Jerzy , Zalewska Tamara , Saniewski Michał , Fernandes Alwyn R.
Published: February 2021

B. edulis, collected from 33 forested or woodland sites across Poland over 25 years since 1995, were analysed for radiocaesium. The results (137Cs activity range: 25 to 10,000 Bq kg-1 dry weight) provide a good indication of artificial radioactivity in this food material. The relatively higher levels detected in the earlier years, mostly in easterly location, is consistent with depositions from the projected Chernobyl incident (1986) fallout plumes. Nevertheless, the 137Cs concentrations during 1995–2010 were, on average, higher than those reported by other studies for Polish B. edulis over the period 1986–1994. The data concurs with the general hypothesis and observations that deposited 137Cs permeates slowly over time to deeper soil horizons which host the mycelial networks. This delay in availability shows that (apart from hotspots) higher contamination of fruiting bodies occurred around 10 to 20 years after the incident. Local consumers and recreational mushroomers were undoubtedly exposed, although reported 137Cs concentrations suggest that serious breaches of regulated levels were uncommon.
Appropriate use criteria for cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR): SIC—SIRM position paper part 1 (ischemic and congenital heart diseases, cardio-oncology, cardiac masses and heart transplant)
Authors: Pontone Gianluca , Di Cesare Ernesto , Castelletti Silvia , De Cobelli Francesco , De Lazzari Manuel , Esposito Antonio , Focardi Marta , Di Renzi Paolo , Indolfi Ciro , Lanzillo Chiara , Lovato Luigi , Maestrini Viviana , Mercuro Giuseppe , Natale Luigi , Mantini Cesare , Polizzi Aldo , Rabbat Mark , Secchi Francesco , Secinaro Aurelio , Aquaro Giovanni Donato , Barison Andrea , Francone Marco
Published: February 2021

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has emerged as new mainstream technique for the evaluation of patients with cardiac diseases, providing unique information to support clinical decision-making. This document has been developed by a joined group of experts of the Italian Society of Cardiology and Italian society of Radiology and aims to produce an updated consensus statement about the current state of technology and clinical applications of CMR. The writing committee consisted of members and experts of both societies who worked jointly to develop a more integrated approach in the field of cardiac radiology. Part 1 of the document will cover ischemic heart disease, congenital heart disease, cardio-oncology, cardiac masses and heart transplant.
A Preliminary Trial of the Introduction of Computerized Decision Support to Assist Resuscitation of the Severely Injured in a Level 1 Trauma Centre in India
Authors: Fitzgerald Mark C. , Gupta Amit , Bhoi Sanjeev Kumar , Kim Yesul , Sharma Ankita , Jhakal Ashish , Mathew Joseph , Misra Mahesh Chandra
Published: February 2021

Injury from motor vehicle accidents remains a leading cause of death in India with increasing number of fatalities. Timely delivery of lifesaving interventions is critical for survival and in restoring physical functioning. As a part of the Australia India Trauma Systems Collaboration, the Trauma Reception and Resuscitation (TRR©)-computerized decision support system was implemented in a Level 1 Trauma Centre in India in order to determine whether this system would reduce the time in performing lifesaving interventions and improve vital sign data capture and documentation. This prospective cohort study at the Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Center, All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi, recruited a total of 106 participants into two groups: TRR© (76) and controls (30). During the first 30 min of resuscitation, the TRR© group recorded greater sets of vital signs in compared to the controls for medical records. More importantly, the real-time documentation of the vital signs for the TRR© group ensured accuracy for medical records. For lifesaving interventions, oxygen was administered in the TRR© group only if SpO2 < 93%, whereas oxygen was administered as standard of care in the controls. There was no statistical difference in the mean times to endotracheal intubation, intercostal catheter insertion or performance of emergency chest x-ray between the control and TRR© groups. Importantly however, these 3 comparable interventions were performed consistently within a smaller timeframe for patients receiving care with TRR© decision prompts. There was a greater variability in the time taken to perform lifesaving interventions in the control group in comparison to the clinicians assisted with computerized decision prompts. This preliminary study was not powered to measure difference in mortality and patient recruitment was limited to 8 am–5 pm when trained staff could attend to operating the TRR© system.
What You Say or How You Say It? Depression Detection Through Joint Modeling of Linguistic and Acoustic Aspects of Speech
Authors: Aloshban Nujud , Esposito Anna , Vinciarelli Alessandro
Published: February 2021

Depression is one of the most common mental health issues. (It affects more than 4% of the world’s population, according to recent estimates.) This article shows that the joint analysis of linguistic and acoustic aspects of speech allows one to discriminate between depressed and nondepressed speakers with an accuracy above 80%. The approach used in the work is based on networks designed for sequence modeling (bidirectional Long-Short Term Memory networks) and multimodal analysis methodologies (late fusion, joint representation and gated multimodal units). The experiments were performed over a corpus of 59 interviews (roughly 4 hours of material) involving 29 individuals diagnosed with depression and 30 control participants. In addition to an accuracy of 80%, the results show that multimodal approaches perform better than unimodal ones owing to people’s tendency to manifest their condition through one modality only, a source of diversity across unimodal approaches. In addition, the experiments show that it is possible to measure the “confidence” of the approach and automatically identify a subset of the test data in which the performance is above a predefined threshold. It is possible to effectively detect depression by using unobtrusive and inexpensive technologies based on the automatic analysis of speech and language.