bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial intelligence for fracture diagnosis in orthopedic X-rays: current developments and future potential
Authors: Sharma Sanskrati
Published: July 2023

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the interpretation of orthopedic X-rays has shown great potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of fracture diagnosis. AI algorithms rely on large datasets of annotated images to learn how to accurately classify and diagnose abnormalities. One way to improve AI interpretation of X-rays is to increase the size and quality of the datasets used for training, and to incorporate more advanced machine learning techniques, such as deep reinforcement learning, into the algorithms. Another approach is to integrate AI algorithms with other imaging modalities, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to provide a more comprehensive and accurate diagnosis. Recent studies have shown that AI algorithms can accurately detect and classify fractures of the wrist and long bones on X-ray images, demonstrating the potential of AI to improve the accuracy and efficiency of fracture diagnosis. These findings suggest that AI has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes in the field of orthopedics.
Health Information Exchange: Understanding the Policy Landscape and Future of Data Interoperability
Authors: Holmgren A Jay , Esdar Moritz , Hüsers Jens , Coutinho-Almeida João
Published: July 2023

Objectives: To review recent literature on health information exchange (HIE), focusing on the policy approach of five case study nations: the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, and Portugal, as well as synthesize lessons learned across countries and provide recommendations for future research.

Methods: A narrative review of each nation’s HIE policy frameworks, current state, and future HIE strategy.

Results: Key themes that emerged include the importance of both central decision-making as well as local innovation, the multiple and complex challenges of broad HIE adoption, and the varying role of HIE across different national health system structures.

Conclusion: HIE is an increasingly important capability and policy priority as electronic health record (EHR) adoption becomes more common and care delivery is increasingly digitized. While all five case study nations have adopted some level of HIE, there are significant differences across their level of data sharing infrastructure and maturity, and each nation took a different policy approach. While identifying generalizable strategies across disparate international systems is challenging, there are several common themes across successful HIE policy frameworks, such as the importance of central government prioritization of data sharing. Finally, we make several recommendations for future research to expand the breadth and depth of the literature on HIE and guide future decision-making by policymakers and practitioners.
Health Equity in Clinical Research Informatics
Authors: Maurud Sigurd , Henni Silje H. , Moen Anne
Published: July 2023

Objectives: Through a scoping review, we examine in this survey what ways health equity has been promoted in clinical research informatics with patient implications and especially published in the year of 2021 (and some in 2022).

Method: A scoping review was conducted guided by using methods described in the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual. The review process consisted of five stages: 1) development of aim and research question, 2) literature search, 3) literature screening and selection, 4) data extraction, and 5) accumulate and report results.

Results: From the 478 identified papers in 2021 on the topic of clinical research informatics with focus on health equity as a patient implication, 8 papers met our inclusion criteria. All included papers focused on artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The papers addressed health equity in clinical research informatics either through the exposure of inequity in AI-based solutions or using AI as a tool for promoting health equity in the delivery of healthcare services. While algorithmic bias poses a risk to health equity within AI-based solutions, AI has also uncovered inequity in traditional treatment and demonstrated effective complements and alternatives that promotes health equity.

Conclusions: Clinical research informatics with implications for patients still face challenges of ethical nature and clinical value. However, used prudently—for the right purpose in the right context—clinical research informatics could bring powerful tools in advancing health equity in patient care.
Ultrafast laser-induced spin–lattice dynamics in the van der Waals antiferromagnet CoPS3
Authors: Khusyainov D. , Gareev T. , Radovskaia V. , Sampathkumar K. , Acharya S. , Šiškins M. , Mañas-Valero S. , Ivanov B. A. , Coronado E. , Rasing Th. , Kimel A. V. , Afanasiev D.
Published: July 2023

CoPS3 stands out in the family of the van der Waals antiferromagnets XPS3 (X = Mn, Ni, Fe, and Co) due to the unquenched orbital momentum of the magnetic Co2+ ions, which is known to facilitate the coupling of spins to both electromagnetic waves and lattice vibrations. Here, using a time-resolved magneto-optical pump–probe technique, we experimentally study the ultrafast laser-induced dynamics of mutually correlated spins and lattice. It is shown that a femtosecond laser pulse acts as an ultrafast heater and, thus, results in the melting of the antiferromagnetic order. At the same time, the resonant pumping of the 4T1g → 4T2g electronic transition in Co2+ ions effectively changes their orbital momentum, giving rise to a mechanical force that moves the ions in the direction parallel to the orientation of their spins, thus generating a coherent Bg phonon mode at the frequency of about 4.7 THz.
Mid-infrared integrated silicon–germanium ring resonator with high Q-factor
Authors: Armand Rémi , Perestjuk Marko , Della Torre Alberto , Sinobad Milan , Mitchell Arnan , Boes Andreas , Hartmann Jean-Michel , Fedeli Jean-Marc , Reboud Vincent , Brianceau Pierre , De Rossi Alfredo , Combrié Sylvain , Monat Christelle , Grillet Christian
Published: July 2023

We report the realization of a silicon–germanium on silicon ring resonator with high Q-factor at mid-infrared wavelengths. The fabricated ring exhibits a loaded Q-factor of 236 000 at the operating wavelength of 4.18 µm. Considering the combined waveguide propagation losses and bending losses, which are measured to be below 0.2 dB/cm, even higher Q-factors could be achieved on this platform. Furthermore, our dispersion engineering of the waveguides should make these microrings suitable for nonlinear optical applications. These results pave the way for sensing applications and nonlinear optics in the mid-infrared range.
Photocurrents, inverse Faraday effect, and photospin Hall effect in Mn2Au
Authors: Merte M. , Freimuth F. , Go D. , Adamantopoulos T. , Lux F. R. , Plucinski L. , Gomonay O. , Blügel S. , Mokrousov Y.
Published: July 2023

Among antiferromagnetic materials, Mn2Au is one of the most intensively studied, and it serves as a very popular platform for testing various ideas related to antiferromagnetic magnetotransport and dynamics. Since recently, this material has also attracted considerable interest in the context of optical properties and optically-driven antiferromagnetic switching. In this work, we use first principles methods to explore the physics of charge photocurrents, spin photocurrents, and the inverse Faraday effect in antiferromagnetic Mn2Au. We predict the symmetry and magnitude of these effects and speculate that they can be used for tracking the dynamics of staggered moments during switching. Our calculations reveal the emergence of large photocurrents of spin in collinear Mn2Au, whose properties can be understood as a result of a non-linear optical version of the spin Hall effect, which we refer to as the photospin Hall effect, encoded into the relation between the driving charge and resulting spin photocurrents. Moreover, we suggest that even a very small canting in Mn2Au can give rise to colossal spin photocurrents that are chiral in flavor. We conclude that the combination of staggered magnetization with the structural and electronic properties of this material results in a unique blend of prominent photocurrents, which makes Mn2Au a unique platform for advanced optospintronics applications.
Unlocking a lower shot noise limit in dual-comb interferometry
Authors: Walsh M. , Guay P. , Genest J.
Published: July 2023

Optimizing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is critical to achieve high sensitivities across broad spectral ranges in dual-comb interferometry. Sensitivity can be improved through time-averaging, but only at the cost of reduced temporal resolution. We show that it is instead possible to use high-bandwidth detection combined with frequency-domain averaging of multiple copies of the dual-comb beat note. By controlling the signal and noise stationarity properties, one can even reduce the fundamental shot noise contribution compared to the normal, single copy, dual-comb operation where integration time is matched to, or larger than the repetition period. In principle, the use of Na aliased frequency-domain copies will improve SNR by up to Na, or equivalently, reduce acquisition time by a factor of Na. We demonstrate dual-comb interferometry using Na = 5 aliases, achieving the predicted fivefold reduction in shot noise power density at low frequencies. Over the full spectrum, unaveraged relative intensity noise limits the SNR, but we measure a 1.65× fold improvement in detection of CO2, corresponding to a 2.7× reduction in acquisition time for a given precision.
Controlling mesenchymal stem cell differentiation using vanadium oxide thin film surface wettability
Authors: Khokhlova Mariya , Yadav Abhishek , Hammad M. , Lhuissier Eva , Retoux R. , Goux D. , Fouchet Arnaud , David Adrian , Luders Ulrike , Boumediene Karim , Prellier W.
Published: July 2023

Although vanadium compounds are well recognized for their ability to change from insulator to metal, they may also be used therapeutically to address significant medical issues. In this study, we used vanadium oxide thin films synthesized by the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique to examine human stem cells generated from bone marrow. According to x-ray reflectivity (XRR) measurements, the films’ thickness ranged from 6 to 26 nm. The water contact angle method has been employed to probe the surface energy and wettability of the films, which influence the cell behavior significantly. We also used a variety of techniques, such as differentiation staining, phase contrast microscopy, and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), to examine the growth, adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSCs) on these oxide films over time. Our results indicated that vanadium oxide films alter hBMMSCs adhesion and growth and affect their differentiation. The application of VOx films in biological and medical materials, as well as future research on cells, is all made possible by these findings, which also improve our understanding of the biological actions of vanadium compounds.
Recent progress in the application of rotational diamond anvil cell
Authors: Han Yingxue , Wang Qinglin , Li Shucong , Zou Boyu , Jiang Jialiang , Yuan Jun , Zhang Haiwa , Zhang Guozhao , Liu Cailong , Wang Kai
Published: July 2023

The combination of high pressure and severe plastic deformation in the process of high-pressure torsion in a rotational diamond anvil cell (RDAC) produces a variety of important mechanical and chemical effects. In this Review, mechanochemical phenomena that appeared with compression and plastic shear of samples in RDAC have been systematized, which are associated with strain-induced structural changes (SCs) under high pressure and shear, containing phase transitions (PTs) and chemical reactions (CRs). This Review aims to summarize the current phenomena based on the results of multiscale atomic and continuum theory and macroscale modeling. By analyzing and using the advanced phase field theory and simulation, the nano-scale mechanism of phase nucleation induced by plastic strain was studied. The results show that the concentration of the stress tensor near the edge dislocation stacking tip may reduce the nucleation pressure by ten times or more. These results promote the development of a microscopic analysis dynamic equation of strain-induced PTs. On the micro-scale, a simple strain control dynamic kinetics of strain-induced SCs is derived by thermodynamics. On the macro-scale, a macro-model of pressure and strain-induced PTs in RDAC is established based on the finite element method, and it could be used to explain various experimental phenomena. The application of RDAC provides important insights for the coupling of PT and material plastic flow, which is of great significance for optimizing the experimental design and extracting PT parameters of materials, as well as optimizing and controlling PT.
Porphyrin-based covalent organic polymer as an effective and stable dispersed nano-quencher for rapid fluorescence sensing of nucleic acid
Authors: Cui Chao , Xu Qi , Zhao Yisheng , Sun Xiaomeng , Sang Yuanhua , Guo Mei , Wang Wei , Wang Quanbo
Published: July 2023

An effective fluorescent quencher with high quenching efficiency and good stability is of great significance for fluorescence sensing of biomolecules, such as nucleic acid. Here, a porphyrin-based covalent organic polymer (PCOP) was fabricated by a coupling reaction between 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4′-bromophenyl) porphyrin. A stable water dispersed PCOP with a porous sphere-like morphology around 50 nm and a zeta potential of −24.6 mV was obtained by using the sonication method. The PCOP showed a superb quenching efficiency and fast quenching dynamics to fluorescent dye due to the high specific surface area of PCOP, which enables the π–π stacking of fluorescent dye to the conjugated porphyrin surface of PCOP, leading to a static quenching effect. The excellent property of PCOP as a fluorescent quencher is comparable with graphene oxide, which is widely utilized in biomolecule detection. Thus, a sensing platform of PCOP for the rapid fluorescence detection of DNA from influenza A virus was constructed with high sensitivity and selectivity. The detection range was found from 1 to 30 nM for the target DNA with a detection limit of 0.38 nM. The effective and stable dispersed nano-quencher reported here highlighted the importance of covalent organic polymers for their sensing application.
The semantic constraint on gapping in Mandarin Chinese
Authors: Ai Ruixi Ressy
Published: July 2023

I argue that gapping in Mandarin Chinese as a deletion operation (cf. Wei
2011; Ai 2014) is administrated by some semantic constraints and the
discourse in which they occur, in line with Kuno (1976); Tsao (1979) and Wei (2011). Specifically, I argue that the
semantic combination of the VP (cf. Paul 1996a, b, 1999) and the object NP (cf. Li
1998) in gapped sentences cannot be [−generic, -definite]. That is, the VP in the gapped clause cannot have a [-generic]
interpretation and simultaneously for the object to have a [−definite] interpretation. If so combined, gapping in Mandarin Chinese
will be blocked.
Comparative study on weld characterisation and corrosion performance of laser-welded NiTinol
Authors: Datta Susmita , Chakraborty Rajib , Raza Mohammad Shahid , Saha Partha , Pratihar Dilip Kumar
Published: July 2023

Laser welding of NiTinol is a promising fabrication method. An understanding of the effects of laser heat input on different surface properties and corrosion resistance behaviour is needed for laser-welded sea water-flooded components of NiTinol. Here the effect of laser heat input on various physical, chemical and mechanical surface properties along with the corrosion resistance behaviour of the laser welded samples was investigated. The corrosion resistance performance of the phase-separated samples was found to be inferior to the other laser-welded samples. The top surface showed a superior corrosion resistance performance because of the recirculation of the melt pool and Ti enrichment on top surface.
Sex differences in fatigability and recovery following a 5 km running time trial in recreationally active adults
Authors: Pons Maria Solleiro , Hunter Sandra K. , Ansdell Paul
Published: July 2023

Females demonstrate greater fatigue resistance compared to males in tasks ranging from single‐limb contractions to whole‐body exercise, including running. Many of the studies investigating sex differences in fatigability following running, however, occur after long duration, low‐intensity tasks and it is unknown whether there is a sex difference in fatigability following high‐intensity running. This study compared fatigability and recovery following a 5 km running time trial in young males and females. Sixteen recreationally active participants (8 males, 8 females, age: 23 ± 4 years) completed a familiarisation and experimental trial. Knee‐extensor maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) were performed before and up to 30 min after a 5 km time trial on a treadmill. Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded after every kilometre during the time trial. Although not significantly different, males completed the 5 km time trial 15% faster than females (p = 0.095). Heart rate (p = 0.843) and RPE (p = 0.784) were similar between the sexes during the trial. Prior to running, males had larger MVCs (p = 0.014). The relative decrease in MVC force was less in females than males immediately post‐exercise (−4.6 ± 2.4% vs. −15.1 ± 3.0%, p < 0.001) and at 10‐minutes post‐exercise (p = 0.018). At 20‐ and 30‐minutes recovery, however, relative MVC force was not different between the sexes (p ≥ 0.129). These data demonstrate that females experienced less fatigability of the knee extensors than males following a high‐intensity 5 km running time trial. The findings highlight the need to understand responses to exercise in both sexes and have implications for recovery from training and exercise prescription.

Highlights

Data regarding sex differences in fatigability following high‐intensity running is relatively sparse.

Therefore, this study quantified the decrease in knee‐extensor maximum voluntary contraction force (MVC) following a 5‐km self‐paced running time trial.

Despite similar heart rates and ratings of perceived exertion, the percentage decrease in MVC was three times greater in males compared to females.

Relative MVCs remained greater in females compared to males until 20 min post‐exercise.
Bilateral comparison of 1 Ω and 10 kΩ standards (ongoing BIPM key comparisons BIPM.EM-K13.a and 13.b) between the CEM (Spain) and the BIPM
Authors: Rolland B , Stock M , Gournay P , Matías L , Hortelano A , Raso F , Díaz de Aguilar J
Published: July 2023

Main text

This report gives the result of a bilateral comparison of resistance between the CEM (Spain) and the BIPM carried out from March 2022 to September 2022. Two 1 Ω and two 10 kΩ travelling standards belonging to the BIPM were used. The comparison was carried out with an 'A-B-A' pattern of measurements; the standards were measured first at the BIPM for a period of about one month, then for a period of about one month at the CEM, and finally again at the BIPM. The measurand was the 4 terminal dc resistance at low power. The BIPM was the pilot laboratory, and the comparison forms part of the ongoing BIPM key comparisons BIPM.EM-K13.a (for 1 Ω) and BIPM.EM-K13b (for 10 kΩ).

The results from the CEM and the BIPM were found to be in good agreement, with a difference D smaller than the relative expanded uncertainty U
c (95% confidence, k = 2) giving D = 0.056 × 10-6, U
c = 0.106 × 10-6 for 1 Ω and D = 0.020 × 10-6, U
c = 0.068 × 10-6 for 10 kΩ.

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCEM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Bilateral comparison of 1 Ω and 10 kΩ standards (ongoing BIPM key comparisons BIPM.EM-K13.a and 13.b) between INRIM (Italy) and the BIPM
Authors: Rolland B , Stock M , Gournay P , Capra P P , Galliana F
Published: July 2023

Main text

This report gives the result of a bilateral comparison of resistance between INRIM (Italy) and the BIPM carried out from October 2022 to February 2023. Two 1 Ω and two 10 kΩ travelling standards belonging to the BIPM were used. The comparison was carried out with an 'A-B-A' pattern of measurements; the standards were measured first at the BIPM for a period of about one month, then for a period of about one month and a half at INRIM, and finally again at the BIPM. The measurand was the 4 terminal dc resistance at low power. The BIPM was the pilot laboratory, and the comparison forms part of the ongoing BIPM key comparisons BIPM.EM-K13.a (for 1 Ω) and BIPM.EM-K13b (for 10 kΩ).

The results from INRIM and the BIPM were found to be in good agreement, with a difference D smaller than the relative expanded uncertainty U
c (95% confidence, k = 2) giving D = -0.074 × 10-6, U
c = 0.134 × 10-6 for 1 Ω and D = -0.045 × 10-6, U
c = 0.174 × 10-6 for 10 kΩ.

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCEM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Theoretical investigation of electronic, mechanical, piezoelectric and thermodynamic properties of half-heusler LiBeAsxSb1-xalloys
Authors: Benyettou S , Saib S , Bouarissa N , Thatribud A
Published: July 2023

This work is an investigation of the band structure and related properties ofα-LiBeAsxSb1-xhalf-Heusler alloys. The computations were performed with the help of density functional theory, using the alchemical mixing approximation that ABINIT code offers. In addition, several thermodynamic quantities were examined and discussed. Our obtained results correspond to previous data. The investigated alloy system was found to be an indirect (Γ→X) semiconductor for all alloy contents x, ranging from zero to one. The current findings show that for an appropriate choice of alloy content and temperature,α-LiBeAsxSb1-xmay provide other opportunities for advancing new physical properties that can be applicable to novel electronic devices.
Thermodynamics and microstructures of Euler–Heisenberg black hole in a cavity
Authors: Yu Qin , Xu Qi , Tao Jun
Published: July 2023

Euler–Heisenberg black holes with quantum electrodynamics (QED) correction are embraced by a cavity in this paper, which serves as a boundary of the black hole spacetime and contributes to the equilibrium of the system. We explore the thermodynamic properties of the black hole, including the phase transitions and phase structures. The small/large black hole phase transition occurs for a negative QED parameter, while the reentrant phase transition can be observed for a small positive QED parameter. Then the thermodynamic geometry is investigated to diagnose microscopic interactions of black hole thermodynamic systems. For the reentrant phase transition, the small black holes are dominated by repulsion for the first-order coexistence curve, while the interaction between the small black hole molecules could be attractive or repulsive for the small/large black hole phase transition.
Optimal zero-crossing group selection method of the absolute gravimeter based on improved auto-regressive moving average model
Authors: Mou 牟 Zonglei 宗磊 , Han 韩 Xiao 笑 , Hu 胡 Ruo 若
Published: July 2023

An absolute gravimeter is a precision instrument for measuring gravitational acceleration, which plays an important role in earthquake monitoring, crustal deformation, national defense construction, etc. The frequency of laser interference fringes of an absolute gravimeter gradually increases with the fall time. Data are sparse in the early stage and dense in the late stage. The fitting accuracy of gravitational acceleration will be affected by least-squares fitting according to the fixed number of zero-crossing groups. In response to this problem, a method based on Fourier series fitting is proposed in this paper to calculate the zero-crossing point. The whole falling process is divided into five frequency bands using the Hilbert transformation. The multiplicative auto-regressive moving average model is then trained according to the number of optimal zero-crossing groups obtained by the honey badger algorithm. Through this model, the number of optimal zero-crossing groups determined in each segment is predicted by the least-squares fitting. The mean value of gravitational acceleration in each segment is then obtained. The method can improve the accuracy of gravitational measurement by more than 25% compared to the fixed zero-crossing groups method. It provides a new way to improve the measuring accuracy of an absolute gravimeter.
Effects of oxygen/nitrogen co-incorporation on regulation of growth and properties of boron-doped diamond films
Authors: Liu 刘 Dong-Yang 东阳 , Tang 汤 Kun 琨 , Zhu 朱 Shun-Ming 顺明 , Zhang 张 Rong 荣 , Zheng 郑 You-Dou 有炓 , Gu 顾 Shu-Lin 书林
Published: July 2023

Regulation with nitrogen and oxygen co-doping on growth and properties of boron doped diamond films is studied by using laughing gas as dopant. As the concentration of laughing gas (N2O/C) increases from 0 to 10%, the growth rate of diamond film decreases gradually, and the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center luminescence intensity increases first and then weakens. The results show that oxygen in laughing gas has a strong inhibitory effect on formation of NV centers, and the inhibitory effect would be stronger as the concentration of laughing gas increases. As a result, the film growth rate and nitrogen-related compensation donor decrease, beneficial to increase the acceptor concentration (∼3.2 × 1019 cm−3) in the film. Moreover, it is found that the optimal regulation with the quality and electrical properties of boron doped diamond films could be realized by adding appropriate laughing gas, especially the hole mobility (∼700 cm2/V⋅s), which is beneficial to the realization of high-quality boron doped diamond films and high-level optoelectronic device applications in the future.
A Pre-explosion Effervescent Zone for the Circumstellar Material in SN 2023ixf
Authors: Soker Noam
Published: July 2023

I present the effervescent zone model to account for the compact dense circumstellar material (CSM) around the progenitor of the core collapse supernova (CCSN) SN 2023ixf. The effervescent zone is composed of bound dense clumps that are lifted by stellar pulsation and envelope convection to distances of ≈tens × au, and then fall back. The dense clumps provide most of the compact CSM mass and exist alongside the regular (escaping) wind. I crudely estimate that for a compact CSM within R
CSM ≈ 30 au that contains M
CSM ≈ 0.01 M
⊙, the density of each clump is k

b
≳ 3000 times the density of the regular wind at the same radius and that the total volume filling factor of the clumps is several percent. The clumps might cover only a small fraction of the CCSN photosphere in the first days post-explosion, accounting for the lack of strong narrow absorption lines. The long-lived effervescent zone is compatible with no evidence for outbursts in the years prior to the SN 2023ixf explosion and the large-amplitude pulsations of its progenitor, and it is an alternative to the CSM scenario of several-years-long high mass loss rate wind.
Thrust generation and propulsive efficiency in dolphin-like swimming propulsion
Authors: Guo Jiacheng , Zhang Wei , Han Pan , Fish Frank E , Dong Haibo
Published: July 2023

Given growing interest in emulating dolphin morphology and kinematics to design high-performance underwater vehicles, the current research effort is dedicated to studying the hydrodynamics of dolphin-like oscillatory kinematics in forward propulsion. A computational fluid dynamics method is used. A realistic three-dimentional surface model of a dolphin is made with swimming kinematics reconstructed from video recording. The oscillation of the dolphin is found to enhance the attachment of the boundary layer to the posterior body, which then leads to body drag reduction. The flapping motion of the flukes is found to generate high thrust forces in both the downstroke and the upstroke, during which vortex rings are shed to produce strong thrust jets. The downstroke jets are found to be on average stronger than the upstroke jet, which then leads to net positive lift production. The flexion of the peduncle and flukes is found to be a crucial feature of dolphin-like swimming kinematics. Dolphin-inspired swimming kinematics were created by varying the flexion angle of the peduncle and flukes, which then resulted in significant performance variation. The thrust benefits and propulsive efficiency benefits are associated with a slight decrease and slight increase of the flexion of the peduncle and flukes, respectively.
Improved quantification of cover crop biomass and ecosystem services through remote sensing-based model–data fusion
Authors: Ye Lexuan , Guan Kaiyu , Qin Ziqi , Wang Sheng , Zhou Wang , Peng Bin , Grant Robert , Tang Jinyun , Hu Tongxi , Jin Zhenong , Schaefer Dan
Published: July 2023

Cover crops have long been seen as an effective management practice to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) and reduce nitrogen (N) leaching. However, there are large uncertainties in quantifying these ecosystem services using either observation (e.g. field measurement, remote sensing data) or process-based modeling. In this study, we developed and implemented a model–data fusion (MDF) framework to improve the quantification of cover crop benefits in SOC accrual and N retention in central Illinois by integrating process-based modeling and remotely-sensed observations. Specifically, we first constrained and validated the process-based agroecosystem model, ecosys, using observations of cover crop aboveground biomass derived from satellite-based spectral signals, which is highly consistent with field measurements. Then, we compared the simulated cover crop benefits in SOC accrual and N leaching reduction with and without the constraints of remotely-sensed cover crop aboveground biomass. When benchmarked with remote sensing-based observations, the constrained simulations all show significant improvements in quantifying cover crop aboveground biomass C compared with the unconstrained ones, with R
2 increasing from 0.60 to 0.87, and root mean square error (RMSE) and absolute bias decreasing by 64% and 97%, respectively. On all study sites, the constrained simulations of aboveground biomass C and N at termination are 29% and 35% lower than the unconstrained ones on average. Correspondingly, the averages of simulated SOC accrual and N retention net benefits are 31% and 23% lower than the unconstrained simulations, respectively. Our results show that the MDF framework with remotely-sensed biomass constraints effectively reduced the uncertainties in cover crop biomass simulations, which further constrained the quantification of cover crop-induced ecosystem services in increasing SOC and reducing N leaching.
Study on three-point-bending fatigue properties of Cu45Zr45Ag7Al3 amorphous alloy
Authors: Zhang L K , Chen D , Ye C G , Zhu L C , Zhang Y
Published: July 2023

In this article, Cu45Zr45Ag7Al3 amorphous alloys were prepared by copper mold suction casting method and its three-point-bending fatigue performance were researched. The structural characteristics of the alloy were analyzed using x-ray diffraction (XRD), and the fatigue fracture morphology was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that the surface morphology of the three-point-bending fatigue fracture mainly includes three regions: the fatigue crack initiation region, the steady-state crack propagation region with typical fatigue stripes and the final rapidly fracture region. The fatigue crack source is micropores ranging in size from 30 to 50 μm, where numerous shear bands formed. And the fatigue limit of amorphous alloys is 410MPa, which is higher than the four-point-bending fatigue limit.
Skin lesion image segmentation based on lightweight multi-scale U-shaped network
Authors: Zhou Pengfei , Liu Xuefeng , Xiong Jichuan
Published: July 2023

UNet, and more recently medical image segmentation methods, utilize many parameters and computational quantities to achieve higher performance. However, due to the increasing demand for real-time medical image segmentation tasks, it is important to trade between accuracy rates and computational complexity. To this end, we propose a lightweight multi-scale U-shaped network (LMUNet), a multi-scale inverted residual and an asymmetric atrous spatial pyramid pooling-based network for skin lesion image segmentation. We test LMUNet on multiple medical image segmentation datasets, which show that it reduces the number of parameters by 67X and decreases the computational complexity by 48X while obtaining better performance over the partial lightweight networks.
Extended functionalities of paper-based analytical devices using hydrogels for biomedical applications
Authors: Mahardika Ignasia Handipta , Kin Sarath , Kwon Oh-Sun , Shin Kwanwoo
Published: July 2023

Paper-based analytical devices are a strong candidate for development due to the global need for accurate, easy-to-use, and cost-effective tools. Paper offers potential as a substrate for biomedical diagnostic devices, but on its own it is limited in versatility. By combining paper with hydrogel, researchers are able to improve automation, sensitivity, affordability, flexibility, and speed. Hydrogel, a highly biocompatible material, enhances fluid flow control and the biocompatibility of paper for functional interaction with biomolecules. Hydrogel-coated paper has been utilized for various applications, including separation and detection, microfluidics, and cell culture. Here we summarize the paper-based analytical tools with hydrogel incorporated into the paper substrate for biomedical purposes. The use of hydrogel-coated paper offers new opportunities for advanced analytical tools with improved sensitivity and functionality.
Machine-learning based characteristic estimation method in printed circuit board production lines
Authors: Tsai Mu-Lin , Qiu Rong-Qing , Wu Kuan-Yi , Hsu Tzu-Hsuan , Li Ming-Huang , Lo Cheng-Yao
Published: July 2023

In this study, software and hardware that supported automatic optical inspection (AOI) for printed circuit board production line was proposed and demonstrated. The proposed method showed an effective solution that predicts off-line electromagnetic (EM) characteristic of manufactured components through in-line pattern integrity. A spiral antenna that represented complex patterns was used as the evaluation target with imitated production variations. Numerical evaluation on EM properties, batch fabrication, hardware setup and optimization, algorithm and graphical user interface development, machine learning and artificial intelligence modeling, and data verification and analysis were thoroughly conducted in this study. Results indicated that when the antenna showed pattern distortion, its passive capacitance, active intensity, and active frequency increased, decreased, and decreased, respectively. These results proved that the developed system and method overcame the inability of in-line EM measurement in conventional setup. The results also showed high estimation accuracy that was not yet achieved in the past. Compared to existing or similar AOI ideas, the proposed method supports analyses on complex pattern, provides solutions on target design, and efficient algorithm generation. This work also proved active and passive EM signals with evidences, and exhibited outstanding confidence levels for characteristic estimations. The proposed system and method indicated their potential in smart manufacturing.
Voxelized scomber japonicus phantom and its application for internal dose evaluation by Monte Carlo calculations
Authors: Gong Chunhui , Dao Riao , Guo Chang , Zhang Yaqin , Wang Peng , Cao Pengtao , Li Qiang , Yang Yi
Published: July 2023

This study developed a voxelized scomber japonicus phantom through CT scanning images for the purpose of radiation protection in the environment, which gives a realistic description of the scomber japonicus’s anatomy. The absorbed fraction (AF) values of the voxelized scomber japonicus phantom were calculated for photons and electrons in the energies of 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 MeV using Monte Carlo toolkit Geant4. Furthermore, the S-factor values for four radionuclides (134Cs, 137Cs, 131I and 90Sr) in the organs/tissues were evaluated using the monoenergetic AF values based on the radioisotope decay data, and compared with that obtained directly through whole emission spectra simulation. The voxelized scomber japonicus phantom would be a good candidate for dosimetry in non-human biota for the environmental dosimetry, and the built database of AF values can be used for dose calculations of any radioactive contaminations.
Design of GaSb-based monolithic passive photonic devices at wavelengths above 2 µm
Authors: Sumon Md Saiful Islam , Sankar Shrivatch , You Weicheng , Faruque Imad I , Dwivedi Sarvagya , Arafin Shamsul
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we report, for the first time, a theoretical study on passive photonic devices including optical power splitters/combiners and grating couplers (GCs) operating at non-telecom wavelengths above 2 µm in a monolithic GaSb platform. Passive components were designed to operate, in particular, at around 2.6 µm for monolithic integration with active photonic devices on the III–V gallium antimonide material platform. The three popular types of splitters/combiners such as directional couplers, multimode interferometer-, and Y-branch-couplers were theoretically investigated. Based on our optimized design and rigorous analysis, fabrication-compatible 1 × 2 optical power splitters with less than 0.12 dB excess losses, large spectral bandwidth, and a 50:50 splitting ratio are achieved. For fiber-to-chip coupling, we also report the design of GCs with an outcoupling efficiency of ∼29% at 2.56 μm and a 3 dB bandwidth of 80 nm. The results represent a significant step towards developing a complete functional photonic integrated circuits at mid-wave infrared wavelengths.
Wearable facial electromyography: in the face of new opportunities
Authors: Levit Bara , Klorfeld-Auslender Shira , Hanein Yael
Published: July 2023

Facial muscles play an important role in a vast range of physiological functions, ranging from mastication to communication. Any disruption in their normal function may lead to serious negative effects on human well-being. A very wide range of medical disorders and conditions in psychology, neurology, psychiatry, and cosmetic surgery are related to facial muscles, and scientific explorations spanning over decades exposed many fascinating phenomena. For example, expansive evidence implicates facial muscle activation with the expression of emotions. Yet, the exact manner by which emotions are expressed is still debated: whether facial expressions are universal, how gender and cultural differences shape facial expressions and if and how facial muscle activation shape the internal emotional state. Surface electromyography (EMG) is one of the best tools for direct investigation of facial muscle activity and can be applied for medical and research purposes. The use of surface EMG has been so far restricted, owing to limited resolution and cumbersome setups. Current technologies are inconvenient, interfere with the subject normal behavior, and require know-how in proper electrode placement. High density electrode arrays based on soft skin technology is a recent development in the realm of surface EMG. It opens the door to perform facial EMG (fEMG) with high signal quality, while maintaining significantly more natural environmental conditions and higher data resolution. Signal analysis of multi-electrode recordings can also reduce crosstalk to achieve single muscle resolution. This perspective paper presents and discusses new opportunities in mapping facial muscle activation, brought about by this technological advancement. The paper briefly reviews some of the main applications of fEMG and presents how these applications can benefit from a more precise and less intrusive technology.
Clinical activities that contributed to the effectiveness of a cardiologist–pharmacist collaborative care model in managing diabetes
Authors: Lum Zheng Kang , Kng Kwee Keng , Goh Cynthia Ee Mei , Sule Ashish Anil , Gallagher Paul John , Lee Joyce Yu-Chia
Published: July 2023

Objectives

The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and its association to clinical activities. The secondary objective was to elucidate moderators of the relationship between pharmacist-involved collaborative care (PCC) and change in HbA1c.

Methods

This study was a retrospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary hospital over 12 months. Individuals with Type 2 diabetes, aged ≥21 years with established cardiovascular diseases were included while individuals with incomplete care documentation or missing data related to cardiovascular diseases were excluded. Individuals under the care of PCC were matched 1:1 based on baseline HbA1c with an eligible person who received care from the cardiologists (CC). Changes in mean HbA1c were analysed using linear mixed model. Linear regression was used to determine clinical activities that associated with improvement in HbA1c. Moderation analyses were conducted using the MacArthur framework.

Key findings

A total of 420 participants (PCC:210, CC:210) were analysed. The mean age of the participants was 65.6 ± 11.1 years, with the majority being male and Chinese. The mean HbA1c among participants in the PCC group decreased significantly after 6 months (PCC: −0.4% versus CC: −0.1%, P = 0.016), with maintenance of improvement at 12 months (PCC: −0.4% versus CC: −0.2%, P < 0.001). Frequencies of lifestyle counselling, reinforcement of visits to healthcare providers, health education, resolution of drug-related problems, emphasis on medication adherence, dose adjustments and advice on self-care techniques were significantly higher in the intervention group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Improvements in HbA1c were associated with the provision of health education and medication adjustments.
Calves severely affected by bovine respiratory disease have reduced protection against histone toxicity and exhibit lower complement activity
Authors: Flores Victor V , Hernandez Gifford Jennifer A , Soto-Navarro Sergio A , Matera Julia , Wilson Blake K , Hartson Steven , Byrum Stephanie D , Gifford Craig A
Published: July 2023

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains the greatest challenge facing the beef industry. Calves affected by BRD can manifest illness ranging from subclinical infection to acute death. In pathologies similar to BRD, extracellular histones have been implicated as major contributors to lung tissue damage. Histones are basic proteins responsible for DNA organization in cell nuclei, however when released extracellularly during cell injury or via neutrophil activation they become cytotoxic. Cattle suffering severe cases of BRD demonstrate reduced capacity to protect against the cytotoxic effects of histones, however, the protective mechanism(s) of serum remain(s) unknown. Therefore, the objective was to identify components within serum that contribute to protection against histone toxicity. Serum proteins from animals considered protective (P; N = 4) and nonprotective (NP; N = 4) against the toxic effects of histones were precipitated by the addition and incubation of exogenous histones. Proteins that interact with histones from both groups were isolated by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and identified via label free “shotgun” proteomics. Sixteen candidate proteins increased by ≥2-fold change in P vs. NP animals were identified, with several associated with the complement system. A subsequent study was conducted to evaluate complement system activity and serum protective capacity against exogenous histones in feedlot heifers. Serum samples were collected from 118 heifer calves (BW at arrival = 229 ± 2.4 kg) at feedlot arrival. Animals were retrospectively assigned to groups consisting of: calves not requiring treatment with antibiotics for BRD (CONT; N = 80), calves treated once (1TRT; N = 21), calves treated twice (2TRT; N = 5), calves treated thrice (3TRT; N = 3), or calves that died from BRD within 1 wk of entering the feedlot (DA; N = 9). Serum from DA animals was less protective than CONT (P = 0.0005) animals against histone toxicity. Complement activity of DA animals was reduced compared to CONT (P = 0.0044) animals. Additionally, the use of both assays as a ratio resulted in increased ability to detect DA animals. Results suggest that cattle predisposed to severe cases of respiratory disease may have impaired complement activity presumably contributing to reduced protective capacity against histone toxicity.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the use of mobile travel health apps
Authors: Machoko Munashe M P , Dong Yinan , Grozdani Andonaq , Hong Hung , Oliver Elizabeth , Hyle Emily P , Ryan Edward T , Colubri Andrés , LaRocque Regina C
Published: July 2023

We performed a survey of US international travellers to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding mobile technologies related to health. We found that many international travellers carry smartphones and are interested in receiving health information from a mobile app when they travel abroad.
A Call to Promote Global Surgery and Anesthesia as Essential Curriculum for Uniformed Medical Students
Authors: Kim Sharon , Kim Eungjae , Shields Margaret , Scanlon Michaela , Worlton Tamara J
Published: July 2023

Global surgery and anesthesia is an emerging field in global health and academic medicine. Promoting the education of global surgery and anesthesia among uniformed medical students is imperative and will prepare the next generation of uniformed physicians for global surgical missions through both the DoD and civilian opportunities.
Comparison of Physical Fitness, Self-Assessed Resilience, and Self-Assessed Character Traits between Elite Polish Obstacle Course Racers and Polish Special Operations Force Personnel
Authors: Żuchowski Paweł , Dura Marta , Jeka Daniel , Waszczak-Jeka Marzena
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Some of the obstacle Course Race (OCR) competitions are co-organized by military units that are seeking candidates for service in special operations forces (SOFs). The aim of the study was to compare psycho-physical characteristics between Polish OCR athletes and SOF soldiers, in order to assess the possibility of recruiting future SOF soldiers from the OCR community.

Materials and Methods

The study included 23 OCR competitors, and 17 soldiers from JW Formoza were used as the comparative group. The psychological measure of resilience was assessed using the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale. Participants also completed a survey in which they had to rank character strengths. Physical fitness was assessed on the basis of a 3000-m run and the maximum number of sit-ups and straight pull-ups.

Results

There were significant differences between OCR participants and JW Formoza soldiers: body mass index, 24.1 ± 1.5 vs. 25.9 ± 1.9 (P = .002); 3000-m run, 11:59 ± 0:49 vs. 12:11 ± 0:28 (P = .024); and straight pull-ups, 19 ± 3 vs. 15 ± 3 (P = .001). The most commonly chosen character strengths in both groups were self-control, team worker, and optimism.

Conclusions

OCR competitors show psychophysical characteristics similar to those expected from actual SOF personnel.