bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PFΔScreen — an open-source tool for automated PFAS feature prioritization in non-target HRMS data
Authors: Zweigle Jonathan , Bugsel Boris , Fabregat-Palau Joel , Zwiener Christian
Published: November 2023

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a huge group of anthropogenic chemicals with unique properties that are used in countless products and applications. Due to the high stability of their C-F bonds, PFAS or their transformation products (TPs) are persistent in the environment, leading to ubiquitous detection in various samples worldwide. Since PFAS are industrial chemicals, the availability of authentic PFAS reference standards is limited, making non-target screening (NTS) approaches based on high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) necessary for a more comprehensive characterization. NTS usually is a time-consuming process, since only a small fraction of the detected chemicals can be identified. Therefore, efficient prioritization of relevant HRMS signals is one of the most crucial steps. We developed PFΔScreen, a Python-based open-source tool with a simple graphical user interface (GUI) to perform efficient feature prioritization using several PFAS-specific techniques such as the highly promising MD/C-m/C approach, Kendrick mass defect analysis, diagnostic fragments (MS2), fragment mass differences (MS2), and suspect screening. Feature detection from vendor-independent MS raw data (mzML, data-dependent acquisition) is performed via pyOpenMS (or custom feature lists) with subsequent calculations for prioritization and identification of PFAS in both HPLC- and GC-HRMS data. The PFΔScreen workflow is presented on four PFAS-contaminated agricultural soil samples from south-western Germany. Over 15 classes of PFAS (more than 80 single compounds with several isomers) could be identified, including four novel classes, potentially TPs of the precursors fluorotelomer mercapto alkyl phosphates (FTMAPs). PFΔScreen can be used within the Python environment and is easily automatically installable and executable on Windows. Its source code is freely available on GitHub (https://github.com/JonZwe/PFAScreen).

Graphical abstract
Posterior epistaxis management: review of the literature and proposed guidelines of the hellenic rhinological-facial plastic surgery society
Authors: Koskinas Ioannis , Terzis Timoleon , Georgalas Christos , Chatzikas Georgios , Moireas Georgios , Chrysovergis Aristidis , Triaridis Stefanos , Constantinidis Jannis , Karkos Petros
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Posterior epistaxis is a common emergency in ENT practice varying in severity and treatment. Many management guidelines have been proposed, all of which are a product of retrospective analyses due to the nature of this pathology, as large-scale double-blind studies are impossible—even unethical—to conduct. The purpose of this review is to perform a thorough analysis and comparison of every treatment plan available and establish guidelines for the best possible outcome in accordance to every parameter studied. Given the extensive heterogeneity of information and the multitude of studies on this topic, along with the comparison of various treatment options, we opted for a literature review as our research approach.

Methods

A review of the literature was performed using PubMed Database and search terms included “posterior epistaxis”, “treatment”, “management”, “guidelines”, “algorithm” “nasal packing”, “posterior packing”, “surgery”, “SPA ligation”, “embolization”, “risk factors” or a combination of the above.

Results

Initial patients’ assessment invariably results in most cases in posterior packing. There seems to be a superiority in recent literature of early surgery over nasal packing as a definitive treatment. Embolization is usually used after surgery failure, except for specific occasions.

Conclusion

Despite the vast heterogeneity of information, there seems to be a need for re-evaluation of the well-established treatment plans according to more recent studies.

Graphical abstract
Amelioration of Parkinsonian tremor evoked by DBS: which role play cerebello-(sub)thalamic fiber tracts?
Authors: Deuter Daniel , Mederer Tobias , Kohl Zacharias , Forras Patricia , Rosengarth Katharina , Schlabeck Mona , Röhrl Daniela , Wendl Christina , Fellner Claudia , Schmidt Nils-Ole , Schlaier Jürgen
Published: November 2023

Background

Current pathophysiological models of Parkinson’s disease (PD) assume a malfunctioning network being adjusted by the DBS signal. As various authors showed a main involvement of the cerebellum within this network, cerebello-cerebral fiber tracts are gaining special interest regarding the mediation of DBS effects.

Objectives

The crossing and non-decussating fibers of the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract (c-DRTT/nd-DRTT) and the subthalamo-ponto-cerebellar tract (SPCT) are thought to build up an integrated network enabling a bidimensional communication between the cerebellum and the basal ganglia. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of these tracts on clinical control of Parkinsonian tremor evoked by DBS.

Methods

We analyzed 120 electrode contacts from a cohort of 14 patients with tremor-dominant or equivalence-type PD having received bilateral STN-DBS. Probabilistic tractography was performed to depict the c-DRTT, nd-DRTT, and SPCT. Distance maps were calculated for the tracts and correlated to clinical tremor control for each electrode pole.

Results

A significant difference between “effective” and “less-effective” contacts was only found for the c-DRTT (p = 0.039), but not for the SPCT, nor the nd-DRTT. In logistic and linear regressions, significant results were also found for the c-DRTT only (pmodel logistic = 0.035, ptract logistic = 0,044; plinear = 0.027).

Conclusions

We found a significant correlation between the distance of the DBS electrode pole to the c-DRTT and the clinical efficacy regarding tremor reduction. The c-DRTT might therefore play a major role in the mechanisms of alleviation of Parkinsonian tremor and could eventually serve as a possible DBS target for tremor-dominant PD in future.
Neural networks as an approximator for a family of optimization algorithm solutions for online applications
Authors: López-Rojas Arturo D. , Cruz-Villar Carlos A.
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we propose a sufficient condition at which a neural network can approximate a set of optimization algorithm solutions; we establish under which conditions a neural network can replace an optimization algorithm to solve a problem with the objective of safely deploying that network in a system where online solutions are necessary to simplify the hardware or allowing the processor to solve the optimization problem on time. To that end, first, we define the family of optimization problems to be addressed; then, we construct a vector with the parameters on which the solution depends, in order to propose a function based on the first-order Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions to find conditions under which the inverse of the proposed function maps the problem minimizer with respect to the constructed vector, we provide the sufficiency proof of, both, existence and feasibility of approximation by a neural network regarding the inverse function. Two case studies are proposed, one numerical case showing how a neural network can solve an optimization problem faster than popular solvers to illustrate how it can be implemented in applications where the computation time is tight, and the other case is a Model Predictive Control implementation with the optimization problem solver replaced by a neural network which allows a hardware downgrade; both cases are presented with time statistics comparisons.
Approaching the isoperimetric problem in $$H_{{\mathbb {C}}}^m$$ via the hyperbolic log-convex density conjecture
Authors: Silini Lauro
Published: November 2023

We prove that geodesic balls centered at some base point are uniquely isoperimetric sets in the real hyperbolic space $$H_{{\mathbb {R}}}^n$$

H

R

n

endowed with a smooth, radial, strictly log-convex density on the volume and perimeter. This is an analogue of the result by G. R. Chambers for log-convex densities on $${\mathbb {R}}^n$$

R

n

. As an application we prove that in any rank one symmetric space of non-compact type, geodesic balls are uniquely isoperimetric in a class of sets enjoying a suitable notion of radial symmetry.
Farmers’ perspectives on water availability in the lower Volta Delta region in Ghana
Authors: Sarku Rebecca
Published: November 2023

Smallholder farmers in the lower Volta Delta of Ghana operate in a risky and uncertain context due to water scarcity. However, the conventional analyses of water availability have mainly focused on drought, rainfall occurrence, and other climatic or weather elements, using secondary biophysical data with relatively little emphasis on farmers’ perceptions and how socioeconomic factors contribute to the vulnerability of farming in the lower Volta Delta. This study examines farmers’ perceptions of vulnerability to water availability to determine how perception is socially constructed and differentiated in various locations. The study was conducted using qualitative research methods in the Ada East, Ada West, South Tongu, and Anloga Districts in the lower Volta Delta of Ghana. Findings reveal that climate is not the only stressor on livelihoods in the area. Farmers perceive their livelihoods as vulnerable to socioeconomic stressors, including limited freshwater and groundwater resources. The perceived severity of water availability conditions determines farmers’ response strategies, such as crop selection, planting dates, irrigation strategies, and other agronomic practices. These findings have important implications for researchers, agricultural extension agents, and policymakers to design appropriate measures and approaches to deal with water scarcity for farming in the region. The study also contributes valuable insights into the loss and damage incurred by farmers due to climate change and variability in the region.
The effects of abaloparatide on hip geometry and biomechanical properties in Japanese osteoporotic patients assessed using DXA-based hip structural analysis: results of the Japanese phase 3 ACTIVE-J trial
Authors: Sone Teruki , Ohnaru Kazuhiro , Sugai Takumi , Yamashita Akiko , Okimoto Nobukazu , Inoue Tetsuo , Matsumoto Toshio
Published: November 2023

Daily subcutaneous injection of 80 μg abaloparatide increased bone mineral density in Japanese patients with osteoporosis at high fracture risk in the ACTIVE-J trial. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry–based hip structural analysis from ACTIVE-J data showed improved hip geometry and biomechanical properties with abaloparatide compared with placebo.

Purpose

Abaloparatide (ABL) increased bone mineral density (BMD) in Japanese patients with osteoporosis at high fracture risk in the ACTIVE-J trial. To evaluate the effect of ABL on hip geometry and biomechanical properties, hip structural analysis (HSA) was performed using ACTIVE-J trial data.

Methods

Hip dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans from postmenopausal women and men (ABL, n = 128; placebo, n = 65) at baseline and up to week 78 were analyzed to extract bone geometric parameters at the narrow neck (NN), intertrochanteric region (IT), and proximal femoral shaft (FS). Computed tomography (CT)-based BMD and HSA indices were compared between baseline and week 78.

Results

ABL treatment showed increased mean percent change from baseline to week 78 in cortical thickness at the NN (5.3%), IT (5.3%), and FS (2.9%); cross-sectional area at the NN (5.0%), IT (5.0%), and FS (2.6%); cross-sectional moment of inertia at the NN (7.6%), IT (5.1%), and FS (2.5%); section modulus at the NN (7.4%), IT (5.4%), and FS (2.4%); and decreased mean percent change in buckling ratio (BR) at the IT (− 5.0%). ABL treatment showed increased mean percent change in total volumetric BMD (vBMD; 2.7%) and trabecular vBMD (3.2%) at the total hip and decreased mean percent change in BR at femoral neck (− 4.1%) at week 78 vs baseline. All the changes noted here were significant vs placebo (P < 0.050 using t-test).

Conclusion

A 78-week treatment with ABL showed improvement in HSA parameters associated with hip geometry and biomechanical properties vs placebo.

Trial registration

JAPIC CTI-173575
Application of electrical resistivity tomography and geotechnical techniques for identification and characterization of collapsible soils in Bafoussam (Western, Cameroon)
Authors: Meyomesse Samuel Erick , Koah Na Lebogo Serge Parfait , Bisso Dieudonné , Zo′o Zame Philemon
Published: November 2023

Road failure catastrophes have increased in frequency in the West Cameroon area. The collapsed soil characteristics that contribute to these phenomena in Bafoussam have been investigated using the geophysical investigation combined with geotechnical tests. The result of electrical resistivity tomography shows water conditions and heterogeneity of road foundation materials: resistivity values higher than 200 Ωm indicate dry materials, values between 30 and 200 Ωm define wet materials, and values lower than 30 Ωm indicate the very wet or water-saturated materials. These water-saturated materials can therefore move, bounded by a sliding surface of high-resistivity materials. Geotechnical properties analysis shows that these materials are clayey-sensitive water (64% clay fraction; A-7-6), very plastic (liquid limit: 46–63% plasticity limit: 29–39%), compressible, with high porosity (e > 0.8), low shear strength, and high friction angle (24–37°). The quality of foundation materials associated with high slopes (> 40°) and heavy rainfall in wet seasons (July–October) means that seepage water is the main factor responsible for the mass movement observed on the road of Western Cameroon. The construction or rehabilitation of these roads should be carried out in compliance with the natural conditions of the project site.

Article highlights

- 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography method is able to determine the nature, subsurface structure and water conditions of road foundation soils.

- Geotechnical test can be used to define the physical and mechanical properties of road foundation soils.

- These two techniques complement each other to understand the mass movement observed on two sections of road failures caused by seepage water.
Resurrection and reconstruction of the Meditationes Vitae Christi in early modern England
Authors: Crofton Melissa
Published: November 2023

This article traces the deployment of the 14th century devotional treatise, The Meditationes Vitae Christi, in late medieval and early modern England. Beginning with a discussion of Nicholas Love’s 1409 translation of the treatise, The Mirror of the Blessed Life of Jesus Christ, the article examines how later editors and redactors reshape the treatise for new audiences. Not only does Love’s treatise have a lively print history after the introduction of the printing press, but the later editions by Caxton, de Worde, and Richard Pynson were faithful reproductions of Love’s translation. By the seventeenth century, however, the treatise underwent some drastic revisions under the hands of Charles Boscard and John Heigham. This article presents some much-needed attention to Heigham’s 1622 re-presentation of the text as The Life of Our Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In reworking this treatise for a much later audience, Heigham deftly combines material from both the Meditationes Vitae Christi and The Mirror of the Blessed Life of Jesus Christ, while also making some interesting additions of his own.
Hybrid impedance and admittance control for optimal robot–environment interaction
Authors: Ye Dexi , Yang Chenguang , Jiang Yiming , Zhang Hui
Published: November 2023

Compliant interaction between robots and the environment is crucial for completing contact-rich tasks. However, obtaining and implementing optimal interaction behavior in complex unknown environments remains a challenge. This article develops a hybrid impedance and admittance control (HIAC) scheme for robots subjected to the second-order unknown environment. To obtain the second-order target impedance model that represents the optimal interaction behavior without the accurate environment dynamics and acceleration feedback, an impedance adaptation method with virtual inertia is proposed. Since impedance control and admittance control have complementary structures and result in unsatisfactory performance in a wide range of environmental stiffness due to their fixed causality, a hybrid system framework suitable for the second-order environment is proposed to generate a series of intermediate controllers which interpolate between the responses of impedance and admittance controls by using a switching controller and adjusting its switching duty cycle. In addition, the optimal intermediate controller is selected using a mapping of the optimal duty cycle to provide the optimal implementation performance for the target impedance model. The proposed HIAC scheme can achieve the desired interaction and impedance implementation performance while ensuring system stability. Simulation and experimental studies are performed to verify the effectiveness of our scheme with a 2-DOF manipulator and a 7-DOF Franka EMIKA panda robot, respectively.
Domestic space as an institutional place for ready-made objects: Le Corbusier’s bidet case
Authors: Nam Sung-Taeg
Published: November 2023

We will equip in the museum a bathroom with its enamelled bath, its porcelain bidet, its wash-basin, and its glittering taps of copper or nickel. […] Clearly, this museum does not yet exist. Such a museum would be truly dependable and honest; its value would lie in the choice that it offered, whether to approve or reject; it would allow one to understand the reasons why things were as they were and would be a stimulant to improve on them.
Statistical Mapping of Magnetic Topology at Venus
Authors: Xu Shaosui , Frahm Rudy A. , Ma Yingjuan , Luhmann Janet G. , Mitchell David L. , Persson Moa
Published: November 2023

Despite Venus having insignificant intrinsic magnetic fields, the magnetic connectivity between the solar wind and the Venus ionosphere, or magnetic topology, is not as simple as expected and is also important for characterizing the Venus space environment. This study provides a technique combining superthermal electron energy and pitch angle distributions to infer up to 6 subtypes of magnetic topology at Venus. This enables us to determine magnetic topology with automated procedures using the Venus Express (VEx) observations from May 2006 to November 2014. We find that the draped topology (both ends of a field line not connected to the collisional ionosphere) is the dominant topology in the near‐Venus space environment, >70%, except at low altitudes close to the ionosphere. The open (a field line connected to both the solar wind and the collisional ionosphere) and closed (a field line connected only to the collisional ionosphere) topologies make up 20%–30% on average of the magnetotail and up to 50% at low altitudes. This study provides the first characterization of the statistical distributions of different magnetic topologies at Venus.
An Investigation of Non‐Spherical Smoke Particles Using CATS Lidar
Authors: Midzak N. , Yorks J. E. , Zhang J. , Nowottnick E. P.
Published: November 2023

Smoke particles originating from biomass burning events are typically assumed to be spherical, yet non‐spherical smoke particles are also reported from in situ observations. The spatial and temporal distributions of non‐spherical smoke particles, which could have impacts on passive‐ and active‐based satellite aerosol retrievals, are not yet well understood. In this analysis, using NASA's Cloud Aerosol Transport System (CATS) lidar data during the biomass burning season over Africa and South America from 2015 to 2017, we studied the frequency and distribution of non‐spherical smoke particles. A supplemental smoke aerosol typing algorithm was developed to identify aerosol layers containing non‐spherical smoke particles which could otherwise be misclassified as dust or dust mixture using the CATS standard aerosol typing algorithm. Approximately 30% of smoke layers over Africa and South America are non‐spherical (depolarization ratio >0.1) and align with dry biomes of low soil moisture values. Conversely, spherical smoke layers (depolarization ratio <0.1) are in moist regions. The modified algorithm with improved discrimination of non‐spherical smoke detection using CATS depolarization ratio was further verified with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hybrid Single‐Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model, Aerosol Robotic Network Ångström exponent retrievals, and National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research Reanalysis soil moisture data. This study highlights the limitations of current aerosol typing algorithms and the potential of algorithms employing ancillary data to improve aerosol typing such as multi‐wavelength volume depolarization ratio measurements or synergy with passive sensors to further discriminate between aerosol types from spaceborne elastic backscatter lidar.
Impact of Quaternary Glaciations on Denudation Rates in North Pamir—Tian Shan Inferred From Cosmogenic 10Be and Low‐Temperature Thermochronology
Authors: Kudriavtseva Anna , Codilean Alexandru T. , Sobel Edward R. , Landgraf Angela , Fülöp Réka‐H. , Dzhumabaeva Atyrgul , Abdrakhmatov Kanatbek , Wilcken Klaus M. , Schildgen Taylor , Fink David , Fujioka Toshiyuki , Gong Lingxiao , Rosenwinkel Swenja , Merchel Silke , Rugel Georg
Published: November 2023

We explore the spatial and temporal variations in denudation rates in the northern Pamir—Tian Shan region using 10Be‐derived denudation rates from modern (n = 110) and buried sediment (2.0–2.7 Ma; n = 3), and long‐term exhumation rates from published apatite fission track (AFT; n = 705) and apatite (U‐Th‐Sm)/He (AHe; n = 211) thermochronology. We found moderate correlations between denudation rates and topographic metrics and weak correlations between denudation rates and annual rainfall, highlighting complex linkages among tectonics, climate, and surface processes that vary locally. The 10Be data show a spatial trend of decreasing modern denudation rates from west to east, suggesting that deformation and precipitation control denudation in the northern Pamir and western Tian Shan. Farther east, the denudational response of the landscape to Quaternary glaciations is more pronounced and reflected in our data. Modern 10Be denudation rates are generally higher than the long‐term AFT and AHe exhumation rates across the studied area. In the Kyrgyz Tian Shan, on average, the highest 10Be denudation rates are recorded in the Terskey range, south of Lake Issyk‐Kul. Here, modern denudation rates are higher than 10Be‐derived paleo‐denudation rates, which are comparable in magnitude with the long‐term exhumation rates inferred from AFT and AHe. We propose that denudation in the region, particularly in the Terskey range, remained relatively steady during the Neogene and early Pleistocene. Denudation increased due to glacial‐interglacial cycles in the Quaternary, but this occurred after the onset and intensification of the Northern Hemisphere glaciations at 2.7 Ma.
East Asian-specific and cross-ancestry genome-wide meta-analyses provide mechanistic insights into peptic ulcer disease
Authors: He Yunye , Koido Masaru , Sutoh Yoichi , Shi Mingyang , Otsuka-Yamasaki Yayoi , Munter Hans Markus ,   BioBank Japan, Murakami Yoishinori , Morisaki Takayuki , Nagai Akiko , Murakami Yoshinori , Tanikawa Chizu , Hachiya Tsuyoshi , Matsuda Koichi , Shimizu Atsushi , Kamatani Yoichiro
Published: November 2023

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) refers to acid-induced injury of the digestive tract, occurring mainly in the stomach (gastric ulcer (GU)) or duodenum (duodenal ulcer (DU)). In the present study, we conducted a large-scale, cross-ancestry meta-analysis of PUD combining genome-wide association studies with Japanese and European studies (52,032 cases and 905,344 controls), and discovered 25 new loci highly concordant across ancestries. An examination of GU and DU genetic architecture demonstrated that GUs shared the same risk loci as DUs, although with smaller genetic effect sizes and higher polygenicity than DUs, indicating higher heterogeneity of GUs. Helicobacter pylori (HP)-stratified analysis found an HP-related host genetic locus. Integrative analyses using bulk and single-cell transcriptome profiles highlighted the genetic factors of PUD being enriched in the highly expressed genes in stomach tissues, especially in somatostatin-producing D cells. Our results provide genetic evidence that gastrointestinal cell differentiations and hormone regulations are critical in PUD etiology.
Low-field NMR with multilayer Halbach magnet and NMR selective excitation
Authors: Telfah Ahmad , Bahti Ahmed , Kaufmann Katharina , Ebel Enno , Hergenröder Roland , Suter Dieter
Published: November 2023

This study introduces a low-field NMR spectrometer (LF-NMR) featuring a multilayer Halbach magnet supported by a combined mechanical and electrical shimming system. This setup offers improved field homogeneity and sensitivity compared to spectrometers relying on typical Halbach and dipole magnets. The multilayer Halbach magnet was designed and assembled using three nested cylindrical magnets, with an additional inner Halbach layer that can be rotated for mechanical shimming. The coils and shim-kernel of the electrical shimming system were constructed and coated with layers of zirconia, thermal epoxy, and silver-paste resin to facilitate passive heat dissipation and ensure mechanical and thermal stability. Furthermore, the 7-channel shim coils were divided into two parts connected in parallel, resulting in a reduction of joule heating temperatures from 96.2 to 32.6 °C. Without the shimming system, the Halbach magnet exhibits a field inhomogeneity of approximately 140 ppm over the sample volume. The probehead was designed to incorporate a solenoidal mini coil, integrated into a single planar board. This design choice aimed to enhance sensitivity, minimize $${B}_{1}$$

B
1

inhomogeneity, and reduce impedance discrepancies, transmission loss, and signal reflections. Consequently, the resulting linewidth of water within a 3 mm length and 2.4 mm inner diameter sample volume was 4.5 Hz. To demonstrate the effectiveness of spectral editing in LF-NMR applications at 29.934 MHz, we selectively excited hydroxyl and/or methyl protons in neat acetic acid using optimal control pulses calculated through the Krotov algorithm.
Seropositivity of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. in Germany—an analysis across four German National Cohort (NAKO) study sites
Authors: Hassenstein Max J. , Pischon Tobias , Karch André , Peters Annette , Kerrinnes Tobias , Teismann Henning , Schneider Alexandra , Thierry Sigrid , Moreno Velásquez Ilais , Janke Jürgen , Kemmling Yvonne , Castell Stefanie
Published: November 2023

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is caused by the transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. from ticks to humans. Climate affects tick abundance, and climate change is projected to promote shifts in abundance in Europe, potentially increasing human exposure. We analyzed serum samples collected between the years 2014–2019 from German National Cohort (NAKO) participants at four study sites (Augsburg, Berlin, Hanover, Münster) for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and line blot immunoassay as confirmatory test for positive and equivocal ELISA samples. We reported crude and weighted seropositivity proportions for local estimates. We used mixed model analysis to investigate associated factors, such as age, sex, migration background, or animal contacts. We determined the serostatus of 14,207 participants. The weighted seropositivity proportions were 3.4% (IgG) and 0.4% (IgM) in Augsburg, 4.1% (IgG) and 0.6% (IgM) in northern Berlin, 3.0% (IgG) and 0.9% (IgM) in Hanover, and 2.7% (IgG) and 0.6% (IgM) in Münster. We found higher odds for IgG seropositivity with advancing age (p < 0.001), among males compared to females (p < 0.001) and reduced odds among participants with migration background compared to those without (p = 0.001). We did not find evidence for an association between serostatus and depression, children within the household, or animal contact, respectively. We found low seropositivity proportions and indications of differences across the study locations, although between-group comparisons did not yield significant results. Comparisons to earlier research are subject to important limitations; however, our results indicate no major increases in seropositivity over time. Nevertheless, monitoring of seropositivity remains critical in light of potential climate-related Borrelia exposure.
The impact of healthy pregnancy on features of heart rate variability and pulse wave morphology derived from wrist-worn photoplethysmography
Authors: Bester M. , Almario Escorcia M. J. , Fonseca P. , Mollura M. , van Gilst M. M. , Barbieri R. , Mischi M. , van Laar J. O. E. H. , Vullings R. , Joshi R.
Published: November 2023

Due to the association between dysfunctional maternal autonomic regulation and pregnancy complications, tracking non-invasive features of autonomic regulation derived from wrist-worn photoplethysmography (PPG) measurements may allow for the early detection of deteriorations in maternal health. However, even though a plethora of these features—specifically, features describing heart rate variability (HRV) and the morphology of the PPG waveform (morphological features)—exist in the literature, it is unclear which of these may be valuable for tracking maternal health. As an initial step towards clarity, we compute comprehensive sets of HRV and morphological features from nighttime PPG measurements. From these, using logistic regression and stepwise forward feature elimination, we identify the features that best differentiate healthy pregnant women from non-pregnant women, since these likely capture physiological adaptations necessary for sustaining healthy pregnancy. Overall, morphological features were more valuable for discriminating between pregnant and non-pregnant women than HRV features (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.825 and 0.74, respectively), with the systolic pulse wave deterioration being the most valuable single feature, followed by mean heart rate (HR). Additionally, we stratified the analysis by sleep stages and found that using features calculated only from periods of deep sleep enhanced the differences between the two groups. In conclusion, we postulate that in addition to HRV features, morphological features may also be useful in tracking maternal health and suggest specific features to be included in future research concerning maternal health.
Efficient end-group functionalization and diblock copolymer synthesis via Au(iii) polymer reagents
Authors: Kunkel Grace E. , Treacy Joseph W. , Montgomery Hayden R. , Puente Ellie G. , Doud Evan A. , Spokoyny Alexander M. , Maynard Heather D.
Published: November 2023

Au(iii) polymer reagents provide facile access to semi-telechelic and diblock copolymers.
Dopamine oxidation promoted by human telomeric DNA models in the presence of a Cu(ii) terpyridine chelate
Authors: Bao Yu , Zhou Wenqin , Miao Wenhui , Jia Guoqing , Li Can
Published: November 2023

The unwinding of human telomeric DNA from a duplex to cytosine-rich and guanine-rich single strands promotes dopamine depletion in a general order of C-rich > G-rich > duplex.
Chemo- and enantioselective intramolecular silver-catalyzed aziridinations of carbamimidates
Authors: Trinh Tuan Anh , Fu Yue , Hu Derek B. , Zappia Soren A. , Guzei Ilia A. , Liu Peng , Schomaker Jennifer M.
Published: November 2023

Transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric nitrene transfer is a powerful method to generate enantioenriched amines found in natural products and bioactive molecules.
Luminescence performance and energy transfer mechanism investigation of RE3+ (Eu3+/Tb3+/Ce3+)-doped Y2O3 phosphors
Authors: Liu Junliang , Lu Liping , Liu Xiuling , Mi Xiaoyun
Published: November 2023

Tb3+ can serve as a bridge for energy transfer between Ce3+ and Eu3+, overcoming the MMCT quench existing in Eu3+–Ce3+.
Effects of surface chemistry on the mechanochemical decomposition of tricresyl phosphate
Authors: Ogbomo Egheosa , Bhuiyan Fakhrul H. , Latorre Carlos Ayestarán , Martini Ashlie , Ewen James P.
Published: November 2023

Surface chemistry influences the mechanochemical decomposition of antiwear additives.
Luminescence mechanism analysis of a TADF molecule showing peculiar thermal behavior
Authors: Tsuchiya Youichi , Mizukoshi Keito , Saigo Masaki , Ryu Tomohiro , Miyata Kiyoshi , Onda Ken , Adachi Chihaya
Published: November 2023

9-[1,4]Benzoxaborino[2,3,4-kl]phenoxaborine-7-yl-1,3,6,8-tetramethyl-9H-carbazole, a donor–acceptor linked TADF molecule with a very short delay lifetime of 750 ns, exhibits a peculiar thermal behavior similar to that of negative gap materials.
Investigation of catalytic activity of Au/Co3O4(001) and Au/Co3O4(111) in the CO oxidation reaction
Authors: Barkaoui Sami , Li Zhiwen , Cao Changhai , Gu Xinrui , Zeng Qiong , Lumbers Brock , Li Gao
Published: November 2023

In this study, gold nanoparticles of approximately 2 nm were immobilized onto Co3O4 oxides with two morphologies (nanocube and nanoflower) through the simple impregnation of Au:PVA colloids.
Zellfreie Transplantat-DNA zur Diagnose und Monitoring bei
antikörpervermittelter Abstoßung nach
Nierentransplantation
Authors: Osmanodja Bilgin , Akifova Aylin , Budde Klemens , Beck Julia , Bornemann-Kolatzki Kirsten , Schütz Ekkehard , Oellerich Michael
Published: November 2023

Eine antikörpervermittelte Abstoßung (antibody-mediated
rejection, ABMR) ist die häufigste immunologische Ursache für
einen späten Transplantatverlust. Mit der zellfreien Transplantat-DNA
(donor-derived cell-free DNA, dd-cfDNA) steht ein neuer
schädigungsspezifischer Transplantat-Biomarker zur Verfügung,
welcher eine höhere Sensitivität und Spezifität
für die Diagnose einer ABMR aufweist als Routine-Biomarker wie Kreatinin
und Albuminurie.

Wir beschreiben den Fall eines 49-jährigen Patienten nach
Nierentransplantation, bei dem wir mittels dd-cfDNA frühzeitig die
Diagnose einer ABMR gestellt und anschließend das Therapieansprechen
überwacht haben. Der Patient hatte bereits früh nach der
Transplantation ein Kaposi-Sarkom als Komplikation der Immunsuppression
entwickelt, und wurde deshalb nach 5 Monaten von einer Standardimmunsuppression
(Tacrolimus, Mycophenolatmofetil, Methylprednisolon) auf eine duale
Immunsuppression mit Sirolimus und Methylprednisolon umgestellt. Hierunter
entwickelte der Patient ca. 1,5 Jahre nach Transplantation donorspezifische
Antikörper. Zwei Jahre nach Transplantation erfolgte die quantitative
Messung von zellfreier Transplantat-DNA im Plasma. Da die Werte wiederholt
über dem Cutoff von 50 Kopien/mL lagen, erfolgte die
Nierentransplantatbiopsie und sicherte die Diagnose einer aktiven ABMR nach der
Banff-Klassifikation 2019. Nach Ausschluss eines Rezidivs des Kaposi-Sarkoms
erfolgte die Therapieeinleitung mittels Plasmapherese und intravenösen
Immunglobulinen, sowie die Ergänzung der immunsuppressiven Therapie um
Mycophenolatmofetil. Hierunter konnte mittelfristig eine Reduktion der dd-cfDNA
unter den Cutoff, sowie eine Stabilisierung der Nierenfunktionsparameter
(Kreatinin und Albuminurie) erreicht werden.
Atomic and electronic origin of robust off-state insulation properties in Al-rich AlxTey glass for ovonic threshold switching applications
Authors: Li Xiao-Dong , Tian Maoan , Wang Bai-Qian , Chen Nian-Ke , Li Xian-Bin
Published: November 2023

Ovonic threshold switching (OTS) selectors play a critical role in suppressing the sneak-path current of three-dimensional crossbar integration circuits. Compared to conventional nonmetal-telluride OTS selectors, selectors based on AlxTey glass are found to have both satisfactory on-state current and selectivity. However, it is unclear why the Al-rich AlxTey glass-based OTS selectors have robust insulation properties for reducing the off-state current. This work reveals the structure–property correlations of amorphous AlxTey at the atomic scale by first-principles calculations. It is found that the stoichiometric Al2Te3 glass tends to have a clean bandgap owing to the covalent and dative bonds formed by non-equivalent sp3-hybridized Al orbitals and the lone-pair electrons of Te. Unexpectedly, for Al-rich AlxTey glass (Al2.21Te2.79), the Al–Al bonds formed by redundant Al-atoms have an integrated crystal orbital bond index (ICOBI) of 0.8–0.9, which is much larger than that of Al–Al bonds in pure metals (0.227), indicating they are covalent. It is the covalent Al–Al bonds that ensure the robust insulation characteristics of Al-rich AlxTey glass, while the Te–Te interaction in the Al-poor AlxTey glass (Al1.79Te3.21) produces midgap states, thereby reducing the insulativity. The presented atomic and electronic pictures here will provide useful theoretical insights for designing OTS selectors with improved performances.
Barrier effect, blocking effect, and interference effect of electrohydrodynamic heat transfer enhancement in rectangular channels
Authors: Wang Yi-Bo , Lan Ning , Liu He-Xiang , Yan Ke-Chuan , Yang Yan-Ru , Lee Duu-Jong , Wang Xiao-Dong
Published: November 2023

This study investigates the heat transfer enhancement by electrohydrodynamic (EHD) in a rectangular channel with various geometric and operational parameters in a wide NEHD range of 0.4–5. Here, NEHD is a dimensionless number, describing the ratio of electrostatic, inertial, and viscous forces. Two working regimes in EHD are identified: inertial and electrostatic regimes. The results show that the barrier effect exists only in the inertial regime; however, the interference effect occurs in the electrostatic regime. The barrier effect relies heavily on NEHD rather than the dimensionless distance between electrodes l* and the dimensionless channel width H* because the thermal boundary layer cannot be disturbed sufficiently by a small electrostatic force; however, the interference effect depends on l* and H* rather than NEHD due to the stagnant area initiated only by a strong interaction between adjacent emitting electrodes. A new effect, the “blocking effect,” is found in the electrostatic regime. The mechanism of the blocking effect is different from that of the barrier and interference effects. The blocking effect is initiated by a giant vortex, which “blocks” the airflow flowing toward the downstream channel. The average Nusselt number of channels can be reduced by at least 8%, 13%, and 5% for the barrier, interference, and blocking effects, respectively. A working spectrum of EHD-induced heat transfer enhancement in a rectangular channel is provided under NEHD and channel area coupling conditions. We believe the spectrum can help in designing EHD-induced heat transfer enhancement because it provides theoretical guidance for avoiding the three effects.
Application of pipeline leakage detection based on distributed optical fiber acoustic sensor system and convolutional neural network
Authors: Duan Yuxing , Liang Lei , Tong Xiaoling , Luo BingShi , Cheng Biqiang
Published: November 2023

Underwater pipelines are exposed to harsh environments, including high salinity, multi-modal vortex corrosion, and severe wave interference. Their safety is essential for the development and transportation of marine energy. Therefore, real-time safety monitoring of long-distance energy pipelines is of great strategic importance for ensuring the safety of life and property and energy security. With the rapid development of energy development, the corrosion and leakage mechanisms of natural gas pipelines, as well as their identification and early warning, have become the focus of attention. Optical fiber sensing technology has been applied to various energy safety monitoring fields. However, the mechanism of sound source fluctuations in pipeline leakage and the mutual coupling mechanism between distributed optical fiber sensing technology and leakage sound waves are not yet clear. This paper establishes a model based on sound wave propagation and leakage noise response, derives a quadratic fitting relationship between pipeline pressure fluctuations and leakage orifices and a relationship between leakage noise source standard deviation and orifices, and proposes a complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN) permutation entropy underwater natural gas pipeline leakage signal recognition method based on distributed optical fiber acoustic sensing technology. The results of theoretical analysis are verified by experiments. It shows that the signal processing method of CEEMDAN permutation entropy is superior to traditional noise reduction methods, which can better preserve the features of the original signal; the radial basis function (RBF) neural network model can accurately identify four different leakage features with an accuracy of 88.15%, and its recognition stability and generalization ability are superior to convolutional neural network, backpropagation, and random forest. Therefore, the research results of this paper provide a new method for safety monitoring in the application of energy pipeline transportation engineering, and expand the potential application scenarios of distributed acoustic sensing sensor systems and RBF neural networks.
Resilience after a nuclear accident: readiness in using mobile phone applications to measure radiation and health indicators in various groups (SHAMISEN SINGS project)
Authors: Liutsko Liudmila , Oughton Deborah , Tomkiv Yevgeniya , Fattibene Paola , Monaca Sara Della , Nuccetelli Cristina , Goto Aya , Ohba Takashi , Lyamzina Yuliya , Tanigawa Koichi , Novikava Natallia , Chumak Vadim , Pirard Philippe , Charron Sylvie , Laurier Dominique , Croüail Pascal , Schneider Thierry , Barquinero Joan Francesc , Sarukhan Adelaida , Cardis Elisabeth
Published: November 2023

An anonymous web-based survey was developed to check different aspects (SHAMISEN SINGS project): stakeholder awareness and perceptions of available mobile applications (apps) for measuring ionising radiation doses and health/well-being indicators; whether they would be ready to use them in the post-accidental recovery; and what are their preferred methodologies to acquire information etc. The results show that participation of the citizens would be most beneficial during post-accident recovery, providing individual measurements of external ionizing dose and health/well-being parameters, with possible follow-up. Also, participants indicated different preferences for sources to gain knowledge on ionising radiation and for the functions that an ideal app should have. The level of awareness and readiness to use apps to measure ionising radiation dose depended on two main aspects: individual differences (age & gender) and whether people were from countries affected by the previous major accidents. We concluded that stakeholders could have benefits from the data management plan: (1) it potentiates resilience at individual and community level; (2) citizens’ measurements contribute to environmental monitoring and public health screening; (3) linkages between different types of data (environmental exposure, individual behavioural diaries, and measurements of health indicators) allow to perform more rigorous epidemiological studies.
Robust CNN architecture for classification of reach and grasp actions from neural correlates: an edge device perspective
Authors: Sultan Hajrah , Ijaz Haris , Waris Asim , Mushtaq Shafaq , Mushtaq Khurram , Khan Niaz B , Khan Said Ghani , Tlija Mehdi , Iqbal Jamshed
Published: November 2023

Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) systems traditionally use machine learning (ML) algorithms that require extensive signal processing and feature extraction. Deep learning (DL)-based convolutional neural networks (CNNs) recently achieved state-of-the-art electroencephalogram (EEG) signal classification accuracy. CNN models are complex and computationally intensive, making them difficult to port to edge devices for mobile and efficient BCI systems. For addressing the problem, a lightweight CNN architecture for efficient EEG signal classification is proposed. In the proposed model, a combination of a convolution layer for spatial feature extraction from the signal and a separable convolution layer to extract spatial features from each channel. For evaluation, the performance of the proposed model along with the other three models from the literature referred to as EEGNet, DeepConvNet, and EffNet on two different embedded devices, the Nvidia Jetson Xavier NX and Jetson Nano. The results of the Multivariant 2-way ANOVA (MANOVA) show a significant difference between the accuracies of ML and the proposed model. In a comparison of DL models, the proposed models, EEGNet, DeepConvNet, and EffNet, achieved 92.44 ± 4.30, 90.76 ± 4.06, 92.89 ± 4.23, and 81.69 ± 4.22 average accuracy with standard deviation, respectively. In terms of inference time, the proposed model performs better as compared to other models on both the Nvidia Jetson Xavier NX and Jetson Nano, achieving 1.9 sec and 16.1 sec, respectively. In the case of power consumption, the proposed model shows significant values on MANOVA (p < 0.05) on Jetson Nano and Xavier. Results show that the proposed model provides improved classification results with less power consumption and inference time on embedded platforms.
Beyond ray optics absorption of light in CsPbBr3 perovskite nanowire arrays studied experimentally and with wave optics modelling
Authors: Anttu Nicklas , Zhang Zhaojun , Wallentin Jesper
Published: November 2023

We study experimentally and with wave optics modelling the absorption of light in CsPbBr3 perovskite nanowire arrays fabricated into periodic pores of an anodized aluminum oxide matrix, for nanowire diameters from 30 to 360 nm. First, we find that all the light that couples into the array can be absorbed by the nanowires at sufficient nanowire length. This behavior is in strong contrast to the expectation from a ray-optics description of light where, for normally incident light, only the rays that hit the cross-section of the nanowires can be absorbed. In that case, the absorption in the sample would be limited to the area fill factor of nanowires in the hexagonal array, which ranges from 13% to 58% for the samples that we study. Second, we find that the absorption saturates already at a nanowire length of 1000–2000 nm, making these perovskite nanowires promising for absorption-based applications such as solar cells and photodetectors. The absorption shows a strong diameter dependence, but for all diameters the transmission is less than 24% already at a nanowire length of 500 nm. For some diameters, the absorption exceeds that of a calculated thin film with 100% coverage. Our analysis indicates that the strong absorption in these nanowires originates from light-trapping induced by the out-of-plane disorder due to random axial position of each nanowire within its pore in the matrix.