bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benchmarking time‐dependent density functional theory predictions of emission spectra and CIE color: A rainbow of error
Authors: Janesko Benjamin G.
Published: June 2022

Quantum chemical simulations are increasingly applied to design fluorescent and electroluminescent molecules. Refining device properties ultimately requires going beyond predicting vertical excitation energies, to predicting full emission spectra and color. This work presents an initial benchmark of time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) approximations, applied to the emission spectrum and International Commission on Illumination (CIE) color of Pigment Red 179. This green fluorescent perylene diimide is representative of organic emitters used in organic light‐emitting diodes. Widely used DFT approximations predict a rainbow of emission colors from red to blue. Correlations between predicted electronic and vibrational level spacings produce zero‐sum errors in predictions of emission peak center versus peak shape. Even with empirical spectral shifts (“calibration”), predicted emission bandwidth and color purity is strongly functional dependent. The results motivate further development of benchmarks for CIE color, and further development of approximations possessing combined accuracy for excitation energies and ground‐ and excited‐state structures and force constants.
Earth observation for ecosystem accounting: spatially explicit national seagrass extent and carbon stock in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar
Authors: Traganos Dimosthenis , Pertiwi Avi Putri , Lee Chengfa Benjamin , Blume Alina , Poursanidis Dimitris , Shapiro Aurelie
Published: June 2022

Seagrass ecosystems are globally significant hot spots of blue carbon storage, coastal biodiversity and coastal protection, rendering them a so‐called natural climate solution. Their potential as a natural climate solution has been largely overlooked in national and international climate strategies and financing. This stems mainly from the lack of standardized, spatially explicit mapping and region‐specific carbon inventories. Here, we introduce a novel seagrass ecosystem accounting framework that harnesses machine learning, big satellite data analytics and open region‐specific reference data within the Google Earth Engine cloud computing platform. Leveraging a biennial percentile composite, assembled from 16 453 Sentinel‐2 surface reflectance image tiles at 10‐m spatial resolution, and 20 820 reference data points, we applied the cloud‐native framework to produce the first national inventories of seagrass extent and total seagrass carbon stocks in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar. We estimated 4316 km2 of regional seagrass extent (mean F1‐score of 59.3% and overall accuracy of 84.3%) up to 23 m of depth. Pairing country‐specific in situ carbon data and our spatially explicit seagrass extents, we calculated total regional seagrass blue carbon stocks between 11.2–40.2 million MgC, with the largest national carbon pool in Kenya (8–29.2 million MgC). We envisage that improvements in the remote sensing components of the framework guided by a necessary influx of region‐specific data on seagrass stocks and fluxes could reduce uncertainties in our current spatially explicit ecosystem extent and carbon accounts, enhancing the incorporation of seagrasses into Multilateral Environmental Agreements for future resilient ecosystems, societies and economies.
Tuning the Electronic Properties of Mesocrystals
Authors: Jenewein Christian , Schupp Stefan M. , Ni Bing , Schmidt-Mende Lukas , Cölfen Helmut
Published: June 2022

Colloidal crystals are arguably one of the most promising candidates when it comes to the fabrication of nanostructured metamaterials. Especially mesocrystals show exciting new properties that emerge from their inherent directional oriented assembly. With this work, the electrical conductivity of well‐defined micrometer‐sized platinum nanocube‐based mesocrystals is demonstrated and tuned through the variation of different capping agents. Herein, a method is presented to reproducibly quantify the intrinsic resistance of individual mesocrystals through electrical nanoprobing and focused ion beam deposition contacting. A thermally activated tunneling mechanism is identified as the main effect for electron propagation. In addition, the mesocrystals are altered through organically linking and mineral bridging the individual nanoparticles. This results in an increase in mesocrystal rigidity and, more importantly, conductivity by seven orders of magnitude while retaining shape, structure, and composition. In addition, these observations are transferred onto multicomponent superstructures in the form of binary mesocrystals. There, it is demonstrated that the electrical properties could be tuned through the ratio of nanoparticles incorporated into a mesocrystalline host system while simultaneously maintaining potential catalytic or superparamagnetic features of the guest particles.
Micromolding of Thermoplastic Polymers for Direct Fabrication of Discrete, Multilayered Microparticles
Authors: Sadeghi Ilin , Lu Xueguang , Sarmadi Morteza , Langer Robert , Jaklenec Ana
Published: June 2022

Soft lithography provides a convenient and effective method for the fabrication of microdevices with uniform size and shape. However, formation of an embossed, connective film as opposed to discrete features has been an enduring shortcoming associated with soft lithography. Removing this residual layer requires additional postprocessing steps that are often incompatible with organic materials. This limits adaptation and widespread realization of soft lithography for broader applications particularly in drug discovery and drug delivery fields. A novel and versatile approach is demonstrated that enables fabrication of discrete, multilayered, fillable, and harvestable microparticles directly from any thermoplastic polymer, even at very high molecular weights. The approach, isolated microparticle replication via surface‐segregating polymer blend mold, utilizes a random copolymer additive, designed with a highly fluorinated segment that, when blended with the mold's matrix, spontaneously orients to the surface conferring an extremely low surface energy and nonwetting properties to the template. The extremely nonwetting properties of the mold are further utilized to load soluble biologics directly into the built‐in microwells in a rapid and efficient manner using an innovative screen‐printing approach. It is believed that this approach holds promise for fabrication of large‐array, 3D, complex microstructures, and is a significant step toward clinical translation of microfabrication technologies.
The Role of Mold Electromagnetic Stirring in the Dissipation of Superheat during the Continuous Casting of Billets
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Wu Menghuai , Zhang Haijie , Ludwig Andreas , Kharicha Abdellah
Published: June 2022

A two‐phase solidification model coupling mold electromagnetic stirring (M‐EMS) is used to investigate the initial solidification in the mold region of billet continuous casting. One novelty of this numerical study is to quantify how the M‐EMS induces primary and secondary flows, interacting with the jet flows coming from the submerged entry nozzle, and how those flows further influence the dissipation of superheat and the initial solidification. The role of the M‐EMS in speeding up the superheat dissipation in the mold region, known from previous studies and casting practices, is quantitatively verified. Additionally, some new knowledge regarding the M‐EMS is found. The total heat transfer rate from the strand surface to the water‐cooled copper mold is not affected by the M‐EMS; with the M‐EMS, the superheat effect on the solid growth can only be detected in the out‐of‐the‐mold region, while the shell growth inside the mold region is quite independent of the superheat; a strong M‐EMS tends to accelerate the growth of the solid shell in the mold region, but delays its growth in the secondary cooling zones. The aforementioned new findings may only be valid for the case of the current billet casting, to be confirmed for other casting formats/parameters.
Effect of Rolling on Microstructure Evolution and Plastic Deformation Behavior of A473M Martensitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Wang Fengzhen , Zhang Chunhua , Wang Zheying , Wu Chenliang , Zhang Song , Zhang Dongxue
Published: June 2022

Herein, the surface of A473M martensitic stainless steel is strengthened by rolling processing technology. The microstructure evolution and plastic deformation behavior are characterized by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The experimental results indicate that residual compressive stress will be formed on the surface of A473M steel after rolling, and the maximum value can reach 946 MPa. The surface roughness decreases significantly from 383 to 62.7 nm, which is only 1/5 of the matrix. The microstructure of the rolled samples is obviously refined, and <101>//ND texture is formed. The nanohardness of the hardened layer on the sample surface increases from 2.5 to 4.8 GPa, and the elastic modulus increases from 140 to 217 GPa. Compared with the matrix, the tensile strength and yield strength after rolling are increased by 40% and 22%, respectively. EBSD analysis indicates that the texture of the rolled samples after tensile changed from the <101>//TD direction of the matrix to the <101>//TD and <111>//RD directions.
Freeze‐Thawing Assisted Preparation of Acid‐Hydrolyzed Starch: Microstructure and Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Li Junhui , Deng Yuanhao , Feng Hanyi , Yuan Hao , Fang Yizhou , Yang Yunyun , Hunag Guangrong
Published: June 2022

The modification of starch by a single freeze‐thawing process and acid hydrolysis has been reported, while the combination of freeze‐thawing and acid hydrolysis on the microstructure and physicochemical properties is unknown. The present study investigates the supporting effect of freeze‐thawing pretreatment by comparing single modifications with the corresponding freeze‐thawing assisted acid hydrolyzed starch in terms of granular, physicochemical, and thermal properties. Starch samples treated by combined treatment show the most severe damage on the surface and the oil adsorptive capacity is enhanced from 69.7% to 109.4%. In addition, the solubility of starch granules is notably improved by 35.9% and the swelling power decreases by 39.7% via the combined treatment, respectively. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction indicate that in comparison with native corn starch, the chemical groups of modified starch processed by combined treatment are not altered, while the relative crystallinity significantly increases from 31.4% to 33.9%. Significant changes in the thermal effects are attributed to molecular rearrangements after hydrolysis of amylose in the amorphous regions. Therefore, the combined treatment would be an efficient and useful method to prepare functional starch.
Application of a Human-Centric Approach in Security by Design for IoT Architecture Development
Authors: Vasileva Violeta
Published: June 2022

The aim of this paper is to show the need for a comprehensive approach to studying cybersecurity in order to get a focus on both, technological factors and the human aspect in development a user level of IoT Reference Architecture. The author presents a methodology for researching the capacity of users to manage their digital identity and operate in a safe and secure cyber-physical environment. For this purpose, an approach is proposed, that is based on a defined survey research targeting personnel and individual users operating in cyber-physical environment. Based on the analysed survey results and formed observations, the paper suggests solutions for improving the competences of users in cyberspace and increase their cyber awareness. As a practical implementation of the proposed methodology, the author presents a developed Cyber Awareness platform. Its main purpose is to provide information and resources on cybersecurity and IoT security, and to be the main point of knowledge access. The portal also provides opportunities to test users’ cyber knowledge, participate in public survey related to cyber topics, share and exchange information, opinions and useful practices on cyber incidents and cyber knowledge.
Functional reduction of one-loop Feynman integrals with arbitrary masses
Authors: Tarasov O. V.
Published: June 2022

Abstract

A method of functional reduction for the dimensionally regularized one-loop Feynman integrals with massive propagators is described in detail.

The method is based on a repeated application of the functional relations proposed by the author. Explicit formulae are given for reducing one-loop scalar integrals to a simpler ones, the arguments of which are the ratios of polynomials in the masses and kinematic invariants. We show that a general scalar n-point integral, depending on n(n + 1)/2 generic masses and kinematic variables, can be expressed as a linear combination of integrals depending only on n variables. The latter integrals are given explicitly in terms of hypergeometric functions of (n − 1) dimensionless variables. Analytic expressions for the 2-, 3- and 4-point integrals, that depend on the minimal number of variables, were also obtained by solving the dimensional recurrence relations. The resulting expressions for these integrals are given in terms of Gauss’ hypergeometric function 2F1, the Appell function F1 and the hypergeometric Lauricella — Saran function FS. A modification of the functional reduction procedure for some special values of kinematic variables is considered.
Will the last be the first? Ranking German macroeconomic forecasters based on different criteria
Authors: Köhler Tim , Döpke Jörg
Published: June 2022

We rank the quality of German macroeconomic forecasts using various methods for 17 regular annual German economic forecasts from 14 different institutions for the period from 1993 to 2019. Using data for just one year, rankings based on different methods correlate only weakly with each other. Correlations of rankings calculated for two consecutive years and a given method are often relatively low and statistically insignificant. For the total sample, rank correlations between institutions are generally relatively high among different criteria. We report substantial long-run differences in forecasting quality, which are mostly due to distinct average forecast horizons. In the long-run, choosing the criterion to rank the forecasters is of minor importance. Rankings based on recession years and normal periods are similar. The same does hold for rankings based on real-time vs revised data.
Rigidity estimates for isometric and conformal maps from $${\mathbb {S}}^{n-1}$$ to $${\mathbb {R}}^n$$
Authors: Luckhaus Stephan , Zemas Konstantinos
Published: June 2022

We investigate both linear and nonlinear stability aspects of rigid motions (resp. Möbius transformations) of $${\mathbb {S}}^{n-1}$$

S

n
-
1

among Sobolev maps from $${\mathbb {S}}^{n-1}$$

S

n
-
1

into $${\mathbb {R}}^n$$

R

n

. Unlike similar in flavour results for maps defined on domains of $${\mathbb {R}}^n$$

R

n

and mapping into $${\mathbb {R}}^n$$

R

n

, not only an isometric (resp. conformal) deficit is necessary in this more flexible setting, but also a deficit measuring the distortion of $${\mathbb {S}}^{n-1}$$

S

n
-
1

under the maps in consideration. The latter is defined as an associated isoperimetric type of deficit. The focus is mostly on the case $$n=3$$

n
=
3

(where it is explained why the estimates are optimal in their corresponding settings), but we also address the necessary adaptations for the results in higher dimensions. We also obtain linear stability estimates for both cases in all dimensions. These can be regarded as Korn-type inequalities for the combination of the quadratic form associated with the isometric (resp. conformal) deficit on $${\mathbb {S}}^{n-1}$$

S

n
-
1

and the isoperimetric one.
The Duration and Determinants of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Immunoglobulin G in Cancer Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Jiang Yao , Zhao Yingchao , Li Guiling
Published: June 2022

Patients with cancer have an increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and a high case-fatality rate. The duration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in cancer patients following SARS-CoV-2 infection has not been reported previously. We conducted a longitudinal study at a cancer center in Wuhan, China to determine the duration of the humoral immune response following SARS-CoV-2 infection in cancer patients and to determine factors associated with a short duration (< 6 months) of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG). Of 2139 cancer patients screened, 78 with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in this study. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were present for < 6 months in 39.7% of these patients. In addition, patients who received chemotherapy were more likely to have a short duration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG (odds ratio 5.31, 95% confidence interval 1.09–26.02, P < 0.05). Our study suggests that cancer patients, especially those who were receiving chemotherapy, have a shorter anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG duration following infection and therefore, should be prioritized for vaccination.
Questionnaire-based epidemiological survey of primary focal hyperhidrosis and survey on current medical management of primary axillary hyperhidrosis in Japan
Authors: Fujimoto Tomoko , Inose Yuri , Nakamura Hideki , Kikukawa Yoshinobu
Published: June 2022

To obtain current epidemiological information on primary focal hyperhidrosis in Japan, a large epidemiological survey was conducted using a web-based questionnaire. The prevalence of primary focal hyperhidrosis was 10.0% and the site-specific prevalence was highest for primary axillary hyperhidrosis (5.9%). The proportion of respondents with primary focal hyperhidrosis who had consulted a physician was 4.6%, which was similar to the low prevalence reported previously in 2013 in Japan. A questionnaire survey for physicians and individuals with primary axillary hyperhidrosis on the current medical management of primary axillary hyperhidrosis showed that physicians recognized the existence of patients who were very worried about hyperhidrosis, but failed to provide active treatment. Regarding the information provided by patients to physicians at presentation, it was found that patients failed to provide sufficient information to the physicians about their worries in daily life. Among individuals who had sought medical care with primary axillary hyperhidrosis, 62.3% reported that they were not currently receiving treatment, highlighting a challenge to be addressed regarding continued treatment. Frequently chosen options leading to willingness to receive treatment were less expensive treatment and highly effective treatment as well as feeling free to consult a physician, suggesting a desire for an improved medical environment.
Universal newborn hearing screening with automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) in Hungary: 5-year experience in diagnostics and influence on the early intervention
Authors: Gáborján Anita , Katona Gábor , Szabó Miklós , Muzsik Béla , Küstel Marianna , Horváth Mihály , Tamás László
Published: June 2022

Purpose

In 2015 a new regulation and guidelines for the universal newborn hearing screening by AABR measurement have been implemented in Hungary. The aim of our study was to analyse (1) the past 5 years of data from our diagnostic centre about the incidence and types of congenital hearing losses, and (2) the first experiences with the National Newborn Hearing Screening Registry, started in 2019, and (3) the influence of the screening on the pediatric cochlear implant program.

Methods

1269 children referred to our diagnostic centre between 2017 and 2021 were investigated. A third AABR measurement and full audiological evaluation were performed. Furthermore, one-year period data of the screening registry, and the number of implanted children at or under the age of 3 were analysed using the national databases.

Results

Altogether 276 newborns (22% of the referred cases after the two-stage screening) had hearing loss, 134 (49%) out of them was conductive origin, almost twice frequent in male as in female. Permanent sensorineural hearing impairment was found in 142 (51%), 58 (40%) of them had bilateral, severe to profound hearing loss, occurring more frequently in male as in female. The national digital registration of the screening data within 12 months concerned 68%. The number of early cochlear implantation in one year increased from 1 to 23 children in the past 15 years.

Conclusion

A third AABR after the two-stage screening increased the efficiency and filtered the 78% false-positive cases. The audiological diagnostics verified and typed the hearing losses ensuring the early intervention.
Range shifts of overwintering birds depend on habitat type, snow conditions and habitat specialization
Authors: Bosco Laura , Xu Yanjie , Deshpande Purabi , Lehikoinen Aleksi
Published: June 2022

Climatic warming is forcing species to shift their ranges poleward, which has been demonstrated for many taxa globally. Yet, the influence of habitat types on within- and among-species variations of distribution shifts has rarely been studied, especially during the non-breeding season. Here, we investigated habitat-specific shift distances of northern range margins and directions of the distribution center based on long-term data of overwintering birds in Finland. Specifically, we explored influences of habitat type, species’ snow depth tolerance, species’ climatic niche and habitat specialization on range shifts during the past 40 years in 81 bird species. Birds overwintering in arable land shifted more clearly toward north compared to birds of the same species in rural and forest habitats, while the northern range margin shift distances did not significantly differ among the habitat types. Range shifts were more linked with the species’ snow depth tolerance rather than species’ climatic niche. Snow depth tolerance of species was negatively associated with the eastward shift direction across all habitats, while we found habitat-specific patterns with snow depth for northward shift directions and northern margin shift distances. Species with stronger habitat specializations shifted more strongly toward north as compared to generalist species, whereas the climatic niche of bird species only marginally correlated with range shifts, so that cold-dwelling species shifted longer distances and more clearly eastward. Our study reveals habitat-specific patterns linked to snow conditions for overwintering boreal birds and highlights the importance of habitat availability and preference in climate driven range shifts.
The meiotic topoisomerase VI B subunit (MTOPVIB) is essential for meiotic DNA double-strand break formation in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: Steckenborn Stefan , Cuacos Maria , Ayoub Mohammad A. , Feng Chao , Schubert Veit , Hoffie Iris , Hensel Götz , Kumlehn Jochen , Heckmann Stefan
Published: June 2022

Key message

In barley (Hordeum vulgare), MTOPVIB is critical for meiotic DSB and accompanied SC and CO formation while dispensable for meiotic bipolar spindle formation.

Homologous recombination during meiosis assures genetic variation in offspring. Programmed meiotic DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are repaired as crossover (CO) or non-crossover (NCO) during meiotic recombination. The meiotic topoisomerase VI (TopoVI) B subunit (MTOPVIB) plays an essential role in meiotic DSB formation critical for CO-recombination. More recently MTOPVIB has been also shown to play a role in meiotic bipolar spindle formation in rice and maize. Here, we describe a meiotic DSB-defective mutant in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). CRISPR-associated 9 (Cas9) endonuclease-generated mtopVIB plants show complete sterility due to the absence of meiotic DSB, synaptonemal complex (SC), and CO formation leading to the occurrence of univalents and their unbalanced segregation into aneuploid gametes. In HvmtopVIB plants, we also frequently found the bi-orientation of sister kinetochores in univalents during metaphase I and the precocious separation of sister chromatids during anaphase I. Moreover, the near absence of polyads after meiosis II, suggests that despite being critical for meiotic DSB formation in barley, MTOPVIB seems not to be strictly required for meiotic bipolar spindle formation.
Real-time assessment of anteroposterior stability of spinal segments
Authors: Cornaz Frédéric , Haupt Samuel , Farshad Mazda , Widmer Jonas
Published: June 2022

Purpose

While anteroposterior instability of spinal segments is regarded as an important biomechanical aspect in the clinical evaluation of lumbar pathologies, the reliability of the available diagnostic tools is limited and an intraoperative method to quantify stability is lacking. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an instrument to measure the anteroposterior stability of a spinal segments in real-time.

Methods

Torsi of five fresh-frozen human cadavers were used for this study. After pedicle screw insertion, a specifically modified reposition tool composed with load and linear sensors was used to measure the segmental anteroposterior motion caused by 100 N anterior and posterior force during 5 loading cycles on either side of the instrumentation by two different operators. The spinal segments were then resected from the torsi and anteroposterior loading with ± 100 N was repeated in an advanced biomechanical spine testing setup as a reference measurement. The Inter-correlation coefficient (ICC) was used for validation of the “intraoperative” device.

Results

Inter-operator repeatability of the measurements showed an ICC of 0.93 (p < 0.0001) and the bilateral (left–right) comparison had an ICC of 0.73 (p < 0.0001). The ICC resulting from the comparison to the reference measurement was 0.82 (p < 0.0001) without offset correction, and 0.9 (p < 0.0001) with offset correction. The ICC converged at this value already after two of the five performed loading cycles.

Conclusion

An accurate and reliable measurement tool is developed and validated for real-time quantification of anteroposterior stability of spinal segments and serves as a basis for future intraoperative use.
AnatomySketch: An Extensible Open-Source Software Platform for Medical Image Analysis Algorithm Development
Authors: Zhuang Mingrui , Chen Zhonghua , Wang Hongkai , Tang Hong , He Jiang , Qin Bobo , Yang Yuxin , Jin Xiaoxian , Yu Mengzhu , Jin Baitao , Li Taijing , Kettunen Lauri
Published: June 2022

The development of medical image analysis algorithm is a complex process including the multiple sub-steps of model training, data visualization, human–computer interaction and graphical user interface (GUI) construction. To accelerate the development process, algorithm developers need a software tool to assist with all the sub-steps so that they can focus on the core function implementation. Especially, for the development of deep learning (DL) algorithms, a software tool supporting training data annotation and GUI construction is highly desired. In this work, we constructed AnatomySketch, an extensible open-source software platform with a friendly GUI and a flexible plugin interface for integrating user-developed algorithm modules. Through the plugin interface, algorithm developers can quickly create a GUI-based software prototype for clinical validation. AnatomySketch supports image annotation using the stylus and multi-touch screen. It also provides efficient tools to facilitate the collaboration between human experts and artificial intelligent (AI) algorithms. We demonstrate four exemplar applications including customized MRI image diagnosis, interactive lung lobe segmentation, human-AI collaborated spine disc segmentation and Annotation-by-iterative-Deep-Learning (AID) for DL model training. Using AnatomySketch, the gap between laboratory prototyping and clinical testing is bridged and the development of MIA algorithms is accelerated. The software is opened athttps://github.com/DlutMedimgGroup/AnatomySketch-Software.
The role of microRNAs in the modulation of cancer-associated fibroblasts activity during pancreatic cancer pathogenesis
Authors: Barrera Lawrence N. , Ridley P. Matthew , Bermejo-Rodriguez Camino , Costello Eithne , Perez-Mancera Pedro A.
Published: June 2022

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the deadliest of the common cancers. A major hallmark of PDAC is an abundant and dense fibrotic stroma, the result of a disproportionate deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the main mediators of PDAC desmoplasia. CAFs represent a heterogenous group of activated fibroblasts with different origins and activation mechanisms. microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs with critical activity during tumour development and resistance to chemotherapy. Increasing evidence has revealed that miRNAs play a relevant role in the differentiation of normal fibroblasts into CAFs in PDAC. In this review, we discuss recent findings on the role of miRNAs in the activation of CAFs during the progression of PDAC and its response to therapy, as well as the potential role that PDAC-derived exosomal miRNAs may play in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and formation of liver metastasis. Since targeting of CAF activation may be a viable strategy for PDAC therapy, and miRNAs have emerged as potential therapeutic targets, understanding the biology underpinning miRNA-mediated tumour cell-CAF interactions is an important component in guiding rational approaches to treating this deadly disease.
The effect of radiofrequency heat treatment on trypsin inhibitor activity and in vitro digestibility of soybean varieties (Glycine max. (L.) Merr.)
Authors: Takács Krisztina , Szabó Erika E. , Nagy András , Cserhalmi Zsuzsanna , Falusi János , Gelencsér Éva
Published: June 2022

Kunitz (KTI) and Bowman-Birk (BBI) trypsin inhibitors were characterized in soybean seeds. Cultivars having KTI/BBI (Pannónia Kincse, PK) or lacking KTI (Aries; Hilario; Bahia) were assessed with well-characterized soybean varieties having Ti-a or ti types of KTI mobility. The TIA values of Pannónia Kincse (9.8 ± 0.48 mg/g) were not significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) from Ti-a samples (10.07 ± 1.86 mg/g), while of Aires, Bahia, Hilario (6.19 ± 1.89) were identical (p ≤ 0.05) with ti samples (6.63 ± 1.99). Radiofrequency heat treatment (RF) decreased TIA values (p ≤ 0.05) at ≥ 100 °C. However, in the traditional soybean variety, the RF at 110 °C was more effective in eliminating the residual KTI activity. The remaining or the disapperaing bioactive form of trypsin inhibitors were succesfully characterized by the means of a standardized in vitro digestion model. It showed that residual BBI-originated trypsin inhibitor activity was in the stomach even after RF at 110 °C, whereas its chymotrypsin inhibitor activity was not detectable at all. Although PK and KTI null types of soybean seeds still required an energy-saving, gentle heat treatment to inactive the trypsin inhibitors before using them as food or feed, the physicochemical properties and processing quality of soybean products were protected, improved.
Heat-affected zone ferrite content control of a duplex stainless steel grade to enhance weldability
Authors: Higelin Anne , Le Manchet Sandra , Passot Gilles , Cissé Sarata , Grocki John
Published: June 2022

Duplex stainless steels (DSS) have a microstructure consisting of 50% ferrite α and 50% austenite γ. This two-phase microstructure provides the duplex stainless steels with attractive mechanical and corrosion properties. However, the microstructure is very dependent on the heat treatment and chemical composition. During the welding process, the temperature reached in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) retransforms austenite into ferrite. Due to the high cooling rates, only a part of the ferrite is retransformed into austenite. This tends to modify the 50/50 phase equilibrium. The cooling rate is linked not only to heat input but also to the thickness of the welded plates. Most of the standards limit the ferrite content in the range from 30 to 70%. However, the 70% limit for ferrite content in HAZ may be difficult to obtain especially for heavy plate thicknesses. To limit the maximum ferrite content in HAZ, a duplex stainless grade with high nitrogen and nickel within the 2205 composition range, called Arctic 2205, was developed. This paper will provide details on ferrite content measurement by metallographic method and welding results obtained on industrial welds showing very low and stable ferrite content in HAZ. Mechanical properties obtained on these welds at low temperature will also be reported, pushing the limits of use of duplex from − 50 °C (− 58 °F) down to − 100 °C (− 148 °F).
The full employment interest rate implicit in classical economic theory
Authors: Cole Nicolas D.
Published: June 2022

By including the rate of normal profit in a simple model of the macro-economy, the full employment interest rate is deduced to be 4½% at which Labor is not exploited by Capital. Criticisms by Marx and Keynes of the free-market economy were misdirected at Classical theory instead of the manipulation of interest rates by Central Banks to favour Capital over Labor.
Proof of concept study: a novel mobile in-canopy imaging system for detecting symptoms of fungal diseases in cereals
Authors: Dammer Karl-Heinz
Published: June 2022

To recognize species-specific symptoms of plant diseases automatically, a near surface imaging at a sub-millimeter scale is necessary. Current investigations relate to an inspection of the upper visible crop parts using camera imaging from above the canopy. The paper presents primarily results using a sensor system, which is operating inside the canopy to monitor the vertical health status of winter wheat. This in-canopy sensor is also inspecting lower, invisible crop parts. With this technology a spatial and temporal precise crop protection—a future spraying of only the infected field parts would be possible. A commercially available camera with an NIR filter was attached to a vertical rod. To protect the camera while moving through the crop, it was installed inside a tube. This tube guaranteed a constant distance to the crop tissue so that it did not cover the camera lens. The mobile device was flexibly mounted on the back, three-point linkage of a tractor. In this first use example, the sensor was operated inside the crop canopy to inspect the lower leaves and directly at the canopy surface to inspect the upper leaves and the ears. In the images of the leaves inside the canopy, symptoms of tan spot (anamorphDrechslera tritici-repentis(Died.) Shoemaker) were clearly visible at flowering. When the camera was operated at the canopy level, black ears (caused by black point/kernel smudge/black head molds) were visible at milk ripeness.
Transition trajectory generation with time-scaled trigonometric series control parameterization
Authors: Hong Haichao , Piprek Patrick , Hu Shiqiang , Holzapfel Florian
Published: June 2022

This paper is concerned with shaping the time behavior of controls for generating transition trajectories. Parameterizing controls with trigonometric series enables infinite differentiability with respect to time, which is very appealing in real operations. In practice, one may desire the controls to have a specific distribution over time. However, to achieve this usually relies on judicious selection of the cost function. To this end, this paper introduces a time-scaling transformation for the trigonometric series. It yields an intuitive and flexible way to design the controls tailored to the desired shape of a transition maneuver. The process does not rely on additional design effort for the cost function. The proposed method is applied to generating a transition trajectory that converges to the desired condition earlier in comparison to the unscaled formulation. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Decomposition of biomass gasification tar model compounds over waste tire pyrolysis char
Authors: Al-Rahbi Amal S. , Williams Paul T.
Published: June 2022

Gasification of biomass produces a syngas containing trace amounts of viscous hydrocarbon tar, which causes serious problems in downstream pipelines, valves and processing equipment. This study focuses on the use of tire-derived pyrolysis char for tar conversion using biomass tar model compounds representative of tar. The catalytic decomposition of tar model compounds, including methylnaphthalene, furfural, phenol, and toluene, over tire char was investigated using a fixed bed reactor at a bed temperature of 700 °C and 60 min time on stream. The influence of temperature, reaction time, porous texture, and acidity of the tire char was investigated with the use of methylnaphthalene as the tar model compound. Oxygenated tar model compounds were found to have higher conversion than those containing a single or multi-aromatic ring. The reactivity of tar compounds followed the order of furfural > phenol > toluene > methylnaphthalene. The conversion of the model compounds in the presence of the tire char was much higher than tar thermal cracking. Gas production increased dramatically with the introduction of tire char. The H2 potential for the studied tar model compounds was found to be in the range of 40%–50%. The activity of tire char for naphthalene removal was compared with two commercial activated carbons possessing a very well-developed porous texture. The results suggest that the influence of Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of the carbon on tar cracking is negligible compared with the mineral content in the carbon samples.

Graphical abstract
Medical Knowledge Graph to Promote Rational Drug Use: Model Development and Performance Evaluation
Authors: Liao Xiong , Liao Meng , Guo Andi , Luo Xinran , Li Ziwei , Chen Weiyuan , Li Tianrui , Du Shengdong , Jia Zhen
Published: June 2022

Knowledge Graph (KG) has been proven effective in representing and modeling structured information, especially in the medical domain. However, obtaining structured medical information usually depends on the manual processing of medical experts. Meanwhile, the construction of Medical Knowledge Graph (MKG) remains a crucial problem in medical informatization. This work presents a novel method for constructing MKGto drive the application of Rational Drug Use (RDU). We first collect and preprocess the corpora from various types of resources, and then develop a medical ontology via studying the concepts in RDUdomain, authoritative books and drug instructions. Based on the medical ontology, we formulate a scheme to annotate the corpora and construct the dataset for extracting entities and relations. We utilize two mechanisms to extract entities and relations respectively. The former is based on deep learning, while the latter is the rule-based method. In the last stage, we disambiguate and standardize the results of entity relation extraction to construct and enrich the MKG. The experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Assessment of Emergency Department Staff Awareness of Policy and Expert Opinion Protocol Regarding Active Shooter Events
Authors: Wallen Michelle F. , Drone Emily , Lee Jenny , Ganti Latha
Published: June 2022

Objective:

Active shooter incidents (ASI) have continued to increase over the years, with the majority of attacks occurring in the workplace. Workplace violence in the hospital setting is a growing concern in the emergency department (ED). While ASI are inherently unpredictable by nature, it is prudent to be prepared for these scenarios in the hospital to prevent fatalities. The goal of this study is to access the level of familiarity of emergency department staff with ASI hospital policy and response protocol.

Methods:

A survey of ED employees was distributed using the Qualtrics® platform via an electronic link. The study was approved by the University of Central Florida College of Medicine’s IRB.

Results:

Only 10% had participated in an ASI drill in the past year. Personnel who answered “no” to the question, To your knowledge, is there a hospital-based emergency action plan in the event of ASI?, were significantly more likely to feel unprepared for an ASI (P < 0.0001). Those who did not receive training for a hospital-based emergency action plan were similarly less likely to feel prepared (P = 0.0002).

Conclusion:

Most ED providers in the survey reported feeling unprepared to handle an ASI in the emergency department. This study underscores the need to implement regular training on ASIs for ED staff.
Forty-Years of the Modernization of Chinese Socialist Legality: Strategy, Lacuna, and Outlook
Authors: Zhang Xiaodan , Yan Wenjia
Published: June 2022

It has been forty years since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) initiated the modernization project of Post-Mao China. As with other sectors, learning from the West was one of the basic strategies taken by the CCP to achieve the modernization of Chinese socialist legality, even as Chinese law is meant to be grounded in the orthodoxies of Marxism-Leninism. In order to learn from the West, the CCP generally adopted an elastic and dualistic approach to reform that is based on the utilitarian incentives of Deng Xiaoping. In the political sector, for example, the CCP looked back into the past and the CCP’s successful experiences under Marxist-Leninist doctrine. The aim was to immunize politics from the influence of western liberal-democratic ideology. But in the economic area, the CCP moved toward the West by vigorously adopting advanced western rules and institutions for managing the economy. This article examines how this strategy formed the basic contours of Chinese socialist legality in the past forty years. The article identifies the resulting internal lacuna, especially with respect to the realization of the “rule of law.” This article also analyses the possible future of a Chinese-socialist rule of law. That possibility will be affected by changing external circumstances, particularly the deterioration of China-US relations.
Drag model from interface-resolved simulations of particle sedimentation in a periodic domain and vertical turbulent channel flows
Authors: Xia Yan , Yu Zhaosheng , Pan Dingyi , Lin Zhaowu , Guo Yu
Published: June 2022

A drag correlation is established for laminar particle-laden flows, based on data from the interfaced-resolved direct numerical simulations (IR-DNS) of particle sedimentation in a periodic domain at density ratio ranging from 2 to 1000, particle concentration ranging from 0.59 % to 14.16 %, and particle Reynolds number below 132. Our drag decreases slightly with increasing density ratio when the other parameters are fixed. The drag correlation is then corrected to account for the turbulence effect by introducing the relative turbulent kinetic energy, from the IR-DNS data of the upward turbulent channel flows laden with the particles larger than the Kolmogorov length scale at relatively low particle volume fractions. A drift velocity model is developed to obtain the effective slip velocity from the interphase mean velocity difference for the vertical turbulent channel flow by considering the effects of particle inertia, particle concentration distribution and large-scale streamwise vortices.
Food insecurity in Dutch disadvantaged neighbourhoods: a socio-ecological approach
Authors: Janssen Jolien M. M. , van der Velde Laura A. , Kiefte-de Jong Jessica C.
Published: June 2022

Food insecurity is an important public health concern; however, research into this phenomenon within the Netherlands is limited. Food insecurity is not solely related to individual factors, but can also be influenced by various factors in the social and physical environment. Therefore, this study aimed to identify determinants of food insecurity within the personal, social and physical environment, based on the social ecological model (SEM), and to identify their relative importance for experiencing food insecurity. The study population consisted of 307 participants living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods of the Dutch city The Hague, of which approximately one-quarter were food insecure. Participant characteristics showing bivariate associationsP< 0⋅20 were placed in a predetermined level of the SEM, after which a multivariate logistic regression was performed for each level and the Nagelkerke pseudoR2was presented. Determinants of food insecurity were BMI, gross monthly income, highest educational attainment, smoking status, diet quality, employment status, marital status and religion (P< 0⋅05). The results showed that 29⋅7 % of the total variance in food insecurity status was explained by all included determinants together. The personal, social and physical environment explained 20⋅6, 14⋅0 and 2⋅4 % of the total variance, respectively. Our findings suggest that determinants within the personal environment are most important for explaining differences in experienced food insecurity. The present study contributes to furthering the knowledge about the relative importance of the personal, social and physical environment, indicating that determinants within the personal environment may be most promising for developing targeted interventions to reduce food insecurity.
Milton's “Ad Patrem” and the Poetics of Virgilian Sons
Authors: Lerer Seth
Published: June 2022

This article relocates John Milton's Latin poem to his father (“Ad Patrem”) in the contexts of the young Milton's literary self-fashioning and the changing patterns of early modern Virgil reception. Here and in his prose epistles, Milton establishes the persona of a scholarly, questing filial figure, grounded in a reading of book 6 of the “Aeneid” and its drama of fathers and sons. He makes a case for poetry and scholarship as shared practices. This article reflects on a new archival turn in Milton studies and, in turn, how Milton himself invites the reader to become a questing scholar.
Pollination by the hoverflyEristalinus aeneus(Diptera: Syrphidae) in two hybrid seed crops: celery and fennel (Apiaceae)
Authors: Sánchez M. , Belliure B. , Montserrat M. , Gil J. , Velásquez Y.
Published: June 2022

Hybrid seed production often relies on managed pollinators whose use in isolation cages can pose challenges. Here, we evaluated the pollination ability of the novel managed pollinatorEristalinus aeneus(Diptera: Syrphidae) in hybrid celery and fennel seed crops. During trials performed in 2019–2020 in Cordoba, Spain, we compared seed production with hoverflies released at high and low densities (40–20 ind./m2), and without released pollinators. In celery, we included a treatment withLucilia sericata(Diptera: Calliphoridae), a blowfly used for seed production (375 ind./m2). The production of celery seeds whenE. aeneuswere released at high density was significantly higher (+49%) than without released pollinators, for both sterile and fertile plant genotypes; no significant differences were found between the two hoverfly densities and the blowfly treatments. In fennel, seed yield of fertile plants with high density of hoverflies was higher than with low density (+149%), or without released pollinators (+168%); whereas for sterile plants no differences were found between treatments. In both crops and plant genotypes, the highest pollen adhesion to stigmas (number of pollen grains and proportion of flowers with pollen adhered in two stigmas) was obtained with hoverflies at high density. In celery, pollen adhesion was higher with high density of hoverflies than with blowflies for both plant genotypes, despite the considerably lower numbers of released hoverflies. Our results suggest thatE. aeneusis a more efficient pollinator of celery thanL. sericata, and that it has the potential to effectively pollinate other hybrid Apiaceae seed crops like fennel.