bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cervical spine injuries requiring surgery in a Level I trauma centre in a major German city
Authors: Hackenberg Roslind Karolina , Stoll Paul , Welle Kristian , Scorzin Jasmin , Gathen Martin , Rommelspacher Charlotte , Kabir Koroush
Published: October 2021

Background

Cervical spine injuries (CSI) are rare in trauma patients, at about 9.2–16.5/100,000 inhabitants in Scandinavia and Canada, and the annual incidence of CSI surgeries in Norway is around 3.0/100,000 inhabitants. However, despite their rarity, the incidence of CSI has increased, thereby assuming an increasing need for surgery. Outside of Scandinavia, no data about the incidence of CSI and subsequent surgeries exist. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse CSI epidemiology and surgery in a German city with a Level I trauma centre both to understand the injury and improve needs–based planning.

Methods

This retrospective, monocentre study included all patients who presented with CSI from 2012–2017 at a university hospital with a Level I trauma centre in a major German city and had permanent residency within the city. Based on the assumption that the patients represented all CSI injuries in the city, as they were treated at the only available Level I trauma centre, the annual incidence of surgeries and neurologic deficits due to CSI were calculated.

Results

A total of 465 patients with 609 CSI were identified. Of these patients, 61 both received surgery and resided in the city (mean age, 68.1 ± 18.3 years; 26 female, 35 male). The incidence of CSI surgeries was calculated as 3.24/100,000 person years (1.75/100,000 in the upper and 1.54/100,000 in the subaxial cervical spine). Neurologic deficits occurred in 0.64/100,000 person years. The incidence of both surgeries and neurologic deficits showed no significant changes over the 6-year study period.

Conclusions

Compared to Scandinavia, an increasing annual incidence for CSI surgeries and neurologic deficits were found. For long-term demand planning with adaptability to demographic changes, cross-regional studies including long-term follow-up are necessary.
An exploratory analysis of head-tilting in dogs
Authors: Sommese Andrea , Miklósi Ádám , Pogány Ákos , Temesi Andrea , Dror Shany , Fugazza Claudia
Published: October 2021

Little is known about head-tilts in dogs. Based on previous investigations on the head turning and the lateralised brain pattern of human speech processing in dogs, we hypothesised that head-tilts may be related to increased attention and could be explained by lateralised mental functions. We observed 40 dogs during object-label knowledge tests and analysed head-tilts occurring while listening to humans requesting verbally to fetch a familiar toy. Our results indicate that only dogs that had learned the name of the objects tilted their heads frequently. Besides, the side of the tilt was stable across several months and tests. Thus, we suggest a relationship between head-tilting and processing relevant, meaningful stimuli.
A comparison of emulsifiers for the formation of oil-in-water emulsions: stability of the emulsions within 9 h after production and MR signal properties
Authors: Fritz Victor , Martirosian Petros , Machann Jürgen , Daniels Rolf , Schick Fritz
Published: October 2021

Objective

To provide a basis for the selection of suitable emulsifiers in oil-in-water emulsions used as tissue analogs for MRI experiments. Three different emulsifiers were investigated with regard to their ability to stabilize tissue-like oil-in-water emulsions. Furthermore, MR signal properties of the emulsifiers themselves and influences on relaxation times and ADC values of the aqueous phase were investigated.

Materials and methods

Polysorbate 60, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and soy lecithin were used as emulsifiers. MR characteristics of emulsifiers were assessed in aqueous solutions and their function as a stabilizer was examined in oil-in-water emulsions of varying fat content (10, 20, 30, 40, 50%). Stability and homogeneity of the oil-in-water emulsions were evaluated with a delay of 3 h and 9 h after preparation using T1mapping and visual control. Signal properties of the emulsifiers were investigated by1H-MRS in aqueous emulsifier solutions. Relaxometry and diffusion weighted MRI (DWI) were performed to investigate the effect of various emulsifier concentrations on relaxation times (T1and T2) and ADC values of aqueous solutions.

Results

Emulsions stabilized by polysorbate 60 or soy lecithin were stable and homogeneous across all tested fat fractions. In contrast, emulsions with SDS showed a significantly lower stability and homogeneity. Recorded T1maps revealed marked creaming of oil droplets in almost all of the emulsions with SDS. The spectral analysis showed several additional signals for polysorbate and SDS. However, lecithin remained invisible in1H-MRS. Relaxometry and DWI revealed different influences of the emulsifiers on water: Polysorbate and SDS showed only minor effects on relaxation times and ADC values of aqueous solutions, whereas lecithin showed a strong decrease in both relaxation times (r1,lecithin = 0.11 wt.%−1 s−1, r2,lecithin = 0.57 wt.%−1 s−1) and ADC value (Δ(ADC)lecithin =  − 0.18 × 10–3mm2/s⋅wt.%) with increasing concentration.

Conclusion

Lecithin is suggested as the preferred emulsifier of oil-in-water emulsions in MRI as it shows a high stabilizing ability and remains invisible in MRI experiments. In addition, lecithin is suitable as an alternative means of adjusting relaxation times and ADC values of water.
Co-designing engaging and accessible data visualisations: a case study of the IPCC reports
Authors: Morelli Angela , Johansen Tom Gabriel , Pidcock Rosalind , Harold Jordan , Pirani Anna , Gomis Melissa , Lorenzoni Irene , Haughey Eamon , Coventry Kenny
Published: October 2021

Creating scientifically rigorous and user-friendly data visualisations can play a critical role in making complex information more accessible to wider audiences and supporting informed decision-making. ‘Co-design’ encapsulates a way of approaching data visualisation that ensures a deep and shared understanding between those creating the visuals (e.g. information designers, content experts, cognitive scientists) and the audience/users. This essay describes co-designing data visualisations with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). A multidisciplinary design team made up of information designers and cognitive and social scientists worked closely with IPCC authors and staff to develop data visualisations for the Summary for Policymakers (SPM) of the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C and the Special Report on Climate Change and Land. In this essay, the authors consider the three crucial elements that underpin a successful co-design process—practical tools and a flexible method; cognitive science and psychology to better understand the needs of users; and the importance of trust and leadership. The authors reflect on the application of the co-design approach in an IPCC context, noting specific challenges and including recommendations for future IPCC reports. The mutual learning experience of the special reports indicates a shift towards a design culture within parts of the IPCC that recognises the value of telling a compelling visual story while retaining scientific integrity—an approach that has been retained for the Working Group I contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report.
What do you mean by learning lab?
Authors: Sanchez Eric , Paukovics Elsa , Cheniti-Belcadhi Lilia , El Khayat Ghada , Said Bilal , Korbaa Ouajdi
Published: October 2021

Digital and innovation competencies are nowadays highly required for students and faculty members in higher education institutions. We therefore need environments that incubate innovative learning scenarios to develop these competencies. We conducted a design-based research with the dual objective to develop learning labs in four universities and to document the design and implementation process and the addressed challenges. In this paper, we describe the concept of learning lab and the process of its setting up based on the experiments and observations conducted in the four learning labs in Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia and Switzerland. A learning lab is defined as a physical, digital and human space for observation, experimentation and evaluation, to rethink and enrich learning and teaching attitudes and practices at the university. A learning lab is an incubator of pedagogical innovation and digital learning structured on three dimensions: spaces, activities and communities. We also identify the main challenges for the design and implementation of a learning lab. These challenges consist of the institutionnalisation of the learning lab and building, growing and nurturing a learning community.
High manganese and nickel concentrations in human hair and well water and low calcium concentration in blood serum in a pristine area with sulphide-rich bedrock
Authors: Kousa Anne , Loukola-Ruskeeniemi Kirsti , Hatakka Tarja , Kantola Marjatta
Published: October 2021

We report the trace element status of residents living in areas with naturally sulphide-rich bedrock and soil in two municipalities in Finland, Sotkamo and Kaavi. Altogether, 225 people from these sparsely populated regions participated voluntarily by providing hair and blood samples. The concentrations of calcium, zinc and copper in serum as well as selenium and cadmium in whole blood did not show correlation with those concentrations in hair samples. Calcium concentration in serum was slightly lower in the sulphide-rich areas (median value 91.4 mg/l, n = 103) than in the areas with adjacent sulphur-poor bedrock (median value 93.6 mg/l, n = 82). The concentrations of Ni and Mn in hair correlated with those in drinking water. The highest Mn and Ni concentrations in the water samples from private wells were 1620 µg/l and 51 µg/l and the highest concentrations in human hair samples 36.44 mg/kg and 12.3 mg/kg, respectively. The challenge with elevated trace element concentrations in some well waters is well documented. In northern countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway and Canada), only 10% of the population depend on private well water, and 90% have access to monitored municipal water supplies. Compared with data available from sulphide mine sites globally, the nickel and manganese concentrations in human hair samples were high in our sulphide-rich study area at Sotkamo representing the trace element status of residents under natural conditions.
Silicon Lens Optimization to Create Diffuse, Uniform Illumination from Incoherent THz Source Arrays
Authors: Zatta Robin , Headland Daniel , Ashna Eamal , Jain Ritesh , Hillger Philipp , Grzyb Janusz , Pfeiffer Ullrich R.
Published: October 2021

Arrays of terahertz (THz) sources provide a pathway to overcoming the radiation power limitations of single sources. Several independent sources of THz radiation may be implemented in a single integrated circuit, thereby realizing a monolithic THz source array of high output power. Integrated THz sources must generally be backside-coupled to extended hemispherical dielectric lenses in order to suppress substrate modes and extract THz power. However, this lens also increases antenna gain and thereby produces several non-overlapping beams. This is because individual source pixels are relatively large. Hence, their spatial separation on-chip translates to angular separation in the far-field. In other words, there are gaps in their field of view into which very little THz power is projected. Therefore, they cannot homogeneously illuminate an imaging target. This article presents a simple, practical, and scalable method to convert arrays of incoherent THz sources into a diffuse, uniform illumination source without the need for reducing pixel size. Briefly, individual beam divergence is optimized by tailoring the dimensions of the extended hemispherical dielectric lens such that the far-field beams of adjacent source pixels overlap and combine to form a uniform far-field beam. We applied this method to an incoherent 8 × 8-pixel THz source array radiating 10.3 dBm at 0.42 THz as a proof of concept and thereby realized a 10.3-dBm 0.42-THz diffuse, uniform illumination source that was then deployed in a demonstration of THz active imaging.
The partly parametric and partly nonparametric additive risk model
Authors: Hjort Nils Lid , Stoltenberg Emil Aas
Published: October 2021

Aalen’s linear hazard rate regression model is a useful and increasingly popular alternative to Cox’ multiplicative hazard rate model. It postulates that an individual has hazard rate function $$h(s)=z_1\alpha _1(s)+\cdots +z_r\alpha _r(s)$$

h

(
s
)

=

z
1

α
1

(
s
)

+
⋯
+

z
r

α
r

(
s
)

in terms of his covariate values $$z_1,\ldots ,z_r$$

z
1

,
…
,

z
r

. These are typically levels of various hazard factors, and may also be time-dependent. The hazard factor functions $$\alpha _j(s)$$

α
j

(
s
)

are the parameters of the model and are estimated from data. This is traditionally accomplished in a fully nonparametric way. This paper develops methodology for estimating the hazard factor functions when some of them are modelled parametrically while the others are left unspecified. Large-sample results are reached inside this partly parametric, partly nonparametric framework, which also enables us to assess the goodness of fit of the model’s parametric components. In addition, these results are used to pinpoint how much precision is gained, using the parametric-nonparametric model, over the standard nonparametric method. A real-data application is included, along with a brief simulation study.
Quality of life among women with symptomatic, screen-detected, and interval breast cancer, and for women without breast cancer: a retrospective cross-sectional study from Norway
Authors: Moshina Nataliia , Falk Ragnhild S. , Botteri Edoardo , Larsen Marthe , Akslen Lars A. , Cairns John A. , Hofvind Solveig
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Breast cancers detected at screening need less aggressive treatment compared to breast cancers detected due to symptoms. The evidence on the quality of life associated with screen-detected versus symptomatic breast cancer is sparse. This study aimed to compare quality of life among Norwegian women with symptomatic, screen-detected and interval breast cancer, and women without breast cancer and investigate quality adjusted life years (QALYs) for women with breast cancer from the third to 14th year since diagnosis.

Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study was focused on women aged 50 and older. A self-reported questionnaire including EQ-5D-5L was sent to 11,500 women. Multivariable median regression was used to analyze the association between quality of life score (visual analogue scale 0–100) and detection mode. Health utility values representing women’s health status were extracted from EQ-5D-5L. QALYs were estimated by summing up the health utility values for women stratified by detection mode for each year between the third and the 14th year since breast cancer diagnosis, assuming that all women would survive.

Results

Adjusted regression analyses showed that women with screen-detected (n = 1206), interval cancer (n = 1005) and those without breast cancer (n = 1255) reported a higher median quality of life score using women with symptomatic cancer (n = 1021) as reference; 3.7 (95%CI 2.2–5.2), 2.3 (95%CI 0.7–3.8) and 4.8 (95%CI 3.3–6.4), respectively. Women with symptomatic, screen-detected and interval cancer would experience 9.5, 9.6 and 9.5 QALYs, respectively, between the third and the 14th year since diagnosis.

Conclusion

Women with screen-detected or interval breast cancer reported better quality of life compared to women with symptomatic cancer. The findings add benefits of organized mammographic screening.
Pushing Droplet Through a Porous Medium
Authors: Matyka Maciej
Published: October 2021

I use a mechanical model of a soft body to study the dynamics of an individual fluid droplet in a random, non-wettable porous medium. The model of droplet relies on the spring–mass system with pressure. I run hundreds of independent simulations. I average droplets trajectories and calculate the averaged tortuosity of the porous domain. Results show that porous media tortuosity increases with decreasing porosity, similar to single-phase fluid study, but the form of this relationship is different.
Late Glacial and Holocene buried black soils in Emilia (northern Italy): genetic and paleoenvironmental insights
Authors: Bianchini G. , Accorsi C. A. , Cremonini S. , De Feudis M. , Forlani L. , Salani G. M. , Vianello G. , Antisari L. Vittori
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The existence of black horizons (BHs) is often highlighted in European soils, and in the Po River plain of northern Italy. Nevertheless, BH chronological frameworks and genetic models are still debated. The present study investigated the genesis of BHs in the eastern Po Plain where they are buried at various depths.

Materials and methods

Soil sequences were investigated with a multidisciplinary approach integrating geomorphologic, stratigraphic, pedologic, geochemical, isotopic, palynological, and radiometric analyses.

Results and discussion

The formation of the studied BHs was scattered over time from the Last Glacial Maximum to at least the middle Holocene. The new data indicate that BHs developed when the landscape was dominated by coniferous forest during conditions that were totally different from the current pedoclimatic setting. The recurrent presence of black particles indicates that this vegetation cover was systematically affected by fire episodes that induced soil degradation and mineralization processes of the original organic compounds, thus contributing to darkening of the upper soil horizons.

Conclusions

BH formation clearly coincided with cold time lapses. Evidence for repeated fire events (natural or human-induced?) provides insights for the controversial debate on early anthropogenic impacts on the environment.
Urban Spaces, Plants, and People in the Nineteenth-Century Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Molina Diego
Published: October 2021

Urban Spaces, Plants, and People in the Nineteenth-Century Bogotá, Colombia. Despite recent efforts to understand the uses of plants in Latin American cities, we know little about ethnobotanical practices in the pre-industrial nineteenth-century urban environments of this region. In order to address this gap in the existing literature, I examined the uses of ornamental, edible, and medicinal plants alongside “non-timber forest products” (NTFPs) in daily life in Bogotá (Colombia) between 1830 and 1910. Primary and secondary data were collected from textual and iconographic historical sources in libraries, archives, museums, and herbaria in Colombia and the United Kingdom. The results suggest that access to urban spaces such as patios, solares, or adjacent ecosystems broadly defined the ways that people related to and used plants, which in turn illustrates how social hierarchies influenced botanical knowledge. This study represents an initial effort to explore the heretofore neglected history of ways of using plants in Latin American cities in the period immediately prior to their modernization.
Predicting the outcomes of the Korean national accreditation system for higher education institutions: a method using disclosure data for outsiders
Authors: Lee Don Dong-hyun , Cho Soon-jeong
Published: October 2021

For outsiders to higher education institutions (HEIs) in South Korea, predicting the outcomes of the International Education Quality Assurance System (IEQAS)—a Korean institutional accreditation system for HEIs—is challenging. The annual IEQAS accreditation has been conducted behind closed doors; the assessment process is confidential, and there is little access to the data for the public and individuals. However, many stakeholders, such as overseas applicants to Korean HEIs, may want to predict whether particular universities will pass the upcoming IEQAS. Hence, we sought an alternative method for the outsiders to predict a binary result of the IEQAS accreditation by utilizing disclosure data that the Korean government has published. To best predict the outcomes, we mapped out a threefold discrete model combining logistic regression, discriminant analysis, and neural network. We collected the information disclosed by the Ministry of Education in 2019 on 138 Korean private HEIs and then analyzed the secondary public dataset in line with the discrete method that ensures generalizability. Results showed (i) three education investment factors, and one school operations factor appeared as key predictors among the tested indices; (ii) education cost per student within education investment proved to be the most crucial element; and (iii) while leveraging the disclosed data turned out to be reliable, neural network’s predictive accuracy was higher than those reported using logistic regression and discriminant analysis. By processing the publicly available disclosure data, our self-study model may effectively assist in predicting IEQAS outcomes, and it can also be used as a diagnostic, prior to accreditation, by local HEIs in other nations to check their preparedness and likelihood of success within similar contexts.
Aquifer evaluation in parts of north-central Nigeria from geo-electrical derived parameters
Authors: Naiyeju J. O. , Oladunjoye M. A. , Adeniran M. A.
Published: October 2021

In order to reduce the level of risk associated with borehole drilling, it is important to have detailed knowledge about the aquifer distribution. In a view to generating groundwater potential model of Lokoja and its environs, the detailed subsurface characterization was carried out using a GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis approach. One hundred and twenty-four vertical electrical sounding (VES) data points were covered within the study area using the Schlumberger array of electrical resistivity surveys. Hydrogeological investigation of one hundred and twenty-four existing boreholes within the vicinity of the sounded VES points was carried out by measuring in situ parameters of each borehole such as borehole depth, elevation, static water level and borehole yield. A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis-Analytical Hierarchy Process (MCDA)-AHP-based was carried out by estimating the probabilistic ratings for the classes of parameters used for modeling groundwater potential. Four groundwater potential influencing factors, namely coefficient of anisotropy, transverse resistance, aquifer resistivity and aquifer thickness, were classified and rated. The output of the multi-criteria decision analysis was processed in the GIS environment to produce a groundwater potential index map. The obtained model was validated by comparing it with in situ borehole yield data to determine the accuracy of the proposed model. The groundwater potential map generated classified the study area into low, medium and high yield zones. Areas with medium potential zones dominate the largest part of the with 66% area coverage, and the dominance of these zones was visible in the northern and western part of the study area. Areas with high groundwater potential exist toward the southern and eastern sections of the study area. This area was observed to be underlined with sandstone, siltstone and migmatite. The validation exercise carried out on the proposed model reveals a 70% prediction accuracy.
The double-edged sword of AI: Ethical Adversarial Attacks to counter artificial intelligence for crime
Authors: Choraś Michał , Woźniak Michał
Published: October 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) has found a myriad of applications in many domains of technology, and more importantly, in improving people’s lives. Sadly, AI solutions have already been utilized for various violations and theft, even receiving the name AI or Crime (AIC). This poses a challenge: are cybersecurity experts thus justified to attack malicious AI algorithms, methods and systems as well, to stop them? Would that be fair and ethical? Furthermore, AI and machine learning algorithms are prone to be fooled or misled by the so-called adversarial attacks. However, adversarial attacks could be used by cybersecurity experts to stop the criminals using AI, and tamper with their systems. The paper argues that this kind of attacks could be named Ethical Adversarial Attacks (EAA), and if used fairly, within the regulations and legal frameworks, they would prove to be a valuable aid in the fight against cybercrime.
Triangular migration diplomacy: the case of EU–Italian cooperation with Libya
Authors: Ceccorulli Michela
Published: October 2021

Between 2016 and 2017, inflows along the central Mediterranean peaked, increasing pressures on the southern European border. Coordination with Libya to reduce departures has been possible thanks to the role played by Italy, backed by the Union. The diplomatic effort exhibited mainly through 2017 crafted a framework aimed at simultaneously ensuring Libya's interest in regaining full control of its sovereign prerogatives and addressing the EU's desire to reduce irregular inflows. This new framework is explored in this work through the lens of migration diplomacy with a double aim: to enrich the existing body of research by proposing a triangular analysis of migration diplomacy and to expand the literature on the external dimension of the Union's migration policy, by pointing out the political nature of migration relations and its critical aspects.
Emerging trends: A gentle introduction to fine-tuning
Authors: Church Kenneth Ward , Chen Zeyu , Ma Yanjun
Published: October 2021

The previous Emerging Trends article (Churchet al., 2021.Natural Language Engineering27(5), 631–645.) introduced deep nets to poets. Poets is an imperfect metaphor, intended as a gesture toward inclusion. The future for deep nets will benefit by reaching out to a broad audience of potential users, including people with little or no programming skills, and little interest in training models. That paper focused on inference, the use of pre-trained models, as is, without fine-tuning. The goal of this paper is to make fine-tuning more accessible to a broader audience. Since fine-tuning is more challenging than inference, the examples in this paper will require modest programming skills, as well as access to a GPU. Fine-tuning starts with a general purpose base (foundation) model and uses a small training set of labeled data to produce a model for a specific downstream application. There are many examples of fine-tuning in natural language processing (question answering (SQuAD) and GLUE benchmark), as well as vision and speech.
Hydraulic Modeling of Induced and Propagated Fractures: Analysis of Flow and Pressure Data From Hydromechanical Experiments in the COSC‐1 Deep Borehole in Crystalline Rock Near Åre, Sweden
Authors: Basirat Farzad , Tsang Chin‐Fu , Tatomir Alexandru , Guglielmi Yves , Dobson Patrick , Cook Paul , Dessirier Benoit , Juhlin Christopher , Niemi Auli
Published: October 2021

To characterize the coupled hydromechanical behavior of rock fractures, the step‐rate injection method for fracture in‐situ properties (SIMFIP) was conducted with a specialized downhole probe developed by Guglielmi et al. (2014, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0517-1). In June 2019, a field campaign was carried out near Åre, Sweden, where the SIMFIP probe was applied in the Collisional Orogeny in the Scandinavian Caledonides‐1 scientific borehole to understand the dynamics of injection‐induced fracture initiation, fracture opening, and shearing due to water injection‐withdrawal in a borehole interval isolated by two packers. Three intervals were investigated at ∼500 m depth: (a) an unfractured section (intact rock), (b) a section with non‐conductive fractures, and (c) a section with hydraulically conductive fractures. Pressure, injection flow rate, and borehole wall displacement were simultaneously measured during the tests. In the present study, the geometry of the induced fracture and deformation of existing fractures at different time stages of the tests are determined based on a hydrologic model by using the measured pressure and flow data during each time stage of the experiment. A numerical model for the fluid flow within the fracture and the packed‐off borehole interval is implemented within COMSOL Multiphysics. By matching model simulations with observed data for all three sections, estimates of the induced and propagated fractures' radius and aperture at successive time stages have been obtained in each case. We could also determine the non‐linear relationship between fracture aperture and pressure for values above fracture opening pressures. The model results provide insights for the understanding of pressure‐induced fracture initiation and propagation in crystalline rock.
New Insights Into the Composition and Origins of Ultrafine Aerosol in the Summertime High Arctic
Authors: Lawler M. J. , Saltzman E. S. , Karlsson L. , Zieger P. , Salter M. , Baccarini A. , Schmale J. , Leck C.
Published: October 2021

The summertime high Arctic atmosphere is characterized by extremely low aerosol abundance, such that small natural aerosol inputs have a strong influence on cloud formation and surface temperature. The physical sources and the mechanisms responsible for aerosol formation and development in this climate‐critical and changing region are still uncertain. We report time‐resolved measurements of high Arctic Aitken mode (∼20–60 nm diameter) aerosol composition during August–September 2018. During a significant Aitken mode formation event, the particles were composed of a combination of primary and secondary materials. These results highlight the importance of primary aerosol sources for high Arctic cloud formation, and they imply the action of a poorly understood atmospheric mechanism separating larger particles into multiple sub‐particles.
Superposed Epoch Analyses of Electron‐Driven and Proton‐Driven Magnetic Dips
Authors: Zhu Hui , Chen Lunjin , Artemyev Anton V. , Zhang Xiao‐Jia , Breneman A. W.
Published: October 2021

In this study, we statistically investigate the features of magnetic dips by constructing superposed epoch analysis on Van Allen Probe data. Based on the values of electron and proton plasma betas, we categorize dips into two types: electron‐dominant and proton‐dominant. The global distributions of dips are obtained. Superposed epoch analysis on two types reveals a correlation between the magnetic fluctuations and plasma betas. Moreover, the occurrences of butterfly pitch angle distributions of relativistic electrons driven by the magnetic dips are confirmed on a statistical basis. Our results reveal the statistical characteristics of magnetic dips and establish the relationship among the magnetic fluctuations and background plasma parameters, indicating the potentially important role of magnetic dips in the inner magnetosphere dynamics.
Does Load‐Induced Shallow Subsidence Inhibit Delta Growth?
Authors: Chamberlain E. L. , Shen Z. , Kim W. , McKinley S. , Anderson S. , Törnqvist T. E.
Published: October 2021

The ability of deltas to persist by building new land is critical to maintaining these vital ecologic environments that are often home to major economic and population centers. However, the deposition of land‐building sediment triggers load‐induced shallow subsidence which may undermine the effectiveness of natural and engineered emergent landforms. Here, we present a new method to quantify shallow subsidence in a 6,000–8,000 km2 relict bayhead delta of the Mississippi Delta using the mouth bar to overbank stratigraphic boundary that formed near sea level, temporally constrained by optically stimulated luminescence dating. Vertical displacement rates at this boundary, averaged over 750–1,500 years, are on the order of a few mm/yr. Total subsidence scales to ∼50% of the thickness of overlying deposits, significantly greater than the 28%–35% loss estimated for inland localities underlain by peat, indicating that bay muds in the study area are more compaction‐prone than terrestrial organic‐rich deposits. Modeling shows a modest reduction of ∼13% in deltaic land‐area gain under a realistic compaction scenario for 1,000 years of simulated delta progradation, compared to a no‐compaction scenario. Our findings indicate that load‐driven compaction does not majorly hinder land‐area gain and may in fact promote long‐term growth at engineered sediment diversions through channel maintenance driven by compaction, thereby adding further support to this restoration strategy.
Angular-spectrum-dependent interference
Authors: Yang Chen , Zhou Zhi-Yuan , Li Yan , Liu Shi-Kai , Ge Zheng , Guo Guang-Can , Shi Bao-Sen
Published: October 2021

Optical interference is not only a fundamental phenomenon that has enabled new theories of light to be derived but it has also been used in interferometry for the measurement of small displacements, refractive index changes, and surface irregularities. In a two-beam interferometer, variations in the interference fringes are used as a diagnostic for anything that causes the optical path difference (OPD) to change; therefore, for a specified OPD, greater variation in the fringes indicates better measurement sensitivity. Here, we introduce and experimentally validate an interesting optical interference phenomenon that uses photons with a structured frequency-angular spectrum, which are generated from a spontaneous parametric down-conversion process in a nonlinear crystal. This interference phenomenon is manifested as interference fringes that vary much more rapidly with increasing OPD than the corresponding fringes for equal-inclination interference; the phenomenon is parameterised using an equivalent wavelength, which under our experimental conditions is 29.38 nm or about 1/27 of the real wavelength. This phenomenon not only enriches the knowledge with regard to optical interference but also offers promise for applications in interferometry.
Miniaturization of mechanical actuators in skin-integrated electronics for haptic interfaces
Authors: Li Dengfeng , He Jiahui , Song Zhen , Yao Kuanming , Wu Mengge , Fu Haoran , Liu Yiming , Gao Zhan , Zhou Jingkun , Wei Lei , Zhang Zhengyou , Dai Yuan , Xie Zhaoqian , Yu Xinge
Published: October 2021

Skin-integrated electronics, also known as electronic skin (e-skin), are rapidly developing and are gradually being adopted in biomedical fields as well as in our daily lives. E-skin capable of providing sensitive and high-resolution tactile sensations and haptic feedback to the human body would open a new e-skin paradigm for closed-loop human–machine interfaces. Here, we report a class of materials and mechanical designs for the miniaturization of mechanical actuators and strategies for their integration into thin, soft e-skin for haptic interfaces. The mechanical actuators exhibit small dimensions of 5 mm diameter and 1.45 mm thickness and work in an electromagnetically driven vibrotactile mode with resonance frequency overlapping the most sensitive frequency of human skin. Nine mini actuators can be integrated simultaneously in a small area of 2 cm × 2 cm to form a 3 × 3 haptic feedback array, which is small and compact enough to mount on a thumb tip. Furthermore, the thin, soft haptic interface exhibits good mechanical properties that work properly during stretching, bending, and twisting and therefore can conformally fit onto various parts of the human body to afford programmable tactile enhancement and Braille recognition with an accuracy rate over 85%.
Novel nondelay-based reservoir computing with a single micromechanical nonlinear resonator for high-efficiency information processing
Authors: Sun Jie , Yang Wuhao , Zheng Tianyi , Xiong Xingyin , Liu Yunfei , Wang Zheng , Li Zhitian , Zou Xudong
Published: October 2021

Reservoir computing is a potential neuromorphic paradigm for promoting future disruptive applications in the era of the Internet of Things, owing to its well-known low training cost and compatibility with hardware. It has been successfully implemented by injecting an input signal into a spatially extended reservoir of nonlinear nodes or a temporally extended reservoir of a delayed feedback system to perform temporal information processing. Here we propose a novel nondelay-based reservoir computer using only a single micromechanical resonator with hybrid nonlinear dynamics that removes the usually required delayed feedback loop. The hybrid nonlinear dynamics of the resonator comprise a transient nonlinear response, and a Duffing nonlinear response is first used for reservoir computing. Due to the richness of this nonlinearity, the usually required delayed feedback loop can be omitted. To further simplify and improve the efficiency of reservoir computing, a self-masking process is utilized in our novel reservoir computer. Specifically, we numerically and experimentally demonstrate its excellent performance, and our system achieves a high recognition accuracy of 93% on a handwritten digit recognition benchmark and a normalized mean square error of 0.051 in a nonlinear autoregressive moving average task, which reveals its memory capacity. Furthermore, it also achieves 97.17 ± 1% accuracy on an actual human motion gesture classification task constructed from a six-axis IMU sensor. These remarkable results verify the feasibility of our system and open up a new pathway for the hardware implementation of reservoir computing.
The overexpression of Tipe2 in CRC cells suppresses survival while endogenous Tipe2 accelerates AOM/DSS induced-tumor initiation
Authors: Li Yan , Zhang Na , Ma Chao , Xu Wenwen , Jin Guiyuan , Zheng Yi , Zhang Lei , Liu Bingyu , Gao Chengjiang , Liu Suxia
Published: October 2021

Aging is a natural and progressive process characterized by an increased frequency of age-related diseases such as cancer. But its mechanism is unclear. TNFAIP8L2 (Tipe2) is an important negative regulator for homeostasis through inhibiting TLR and TCR signaling. Our work reveals that Tipe2 might have dual function by regulating senescence. One side, the overexpression of Tipe2 in CRC cells could induce typical senescent phenotype, especially exposure to oxidative stress. Tipe2 inhibits telomerase activity by regulating c-Myc and c-Est-2 binding to the hTERT promotor. Interestingly, Tipe2 KO mice treated with D-Gal showed a less serious inverse of CD4:CD8 ratio, a lower percentage of Treg compared to WT. Besides, Tipe2 KO mice were more tolerant to the initiation of AOM/DSS-induced CRC, accompanied by a lower level of Treg within IEL. Therefore, specific antibodies against CD25 effectively ameliorate tumorigenesis. These data suggest strongly that the overexpressed Tipe2 suppresses tumor cells proliferation and survival, but endogenous Tipe2 promotes the initiation of tumorigenesis when exposure to dangerous environment such as AOM/DSS-related inflammation.
Novel cytoplasmic lncRNA IKBKBAS promotes lung adenocarcinoma metastasis by upregulating IKKβ and consequential activation of NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Xing Yuanxin , Lin Yani , Zhang Ying , Hu Jing , Liu Junmei , Tian Yuanyuan , Zhao Jian , Chen Weiwen , Han Bo
Published: October 2021

NF-κB signaling pathway is a critical link between inflammation and cancer. Emerging evidence suggested that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were involved in dysregulation of NF-κB. Herein, we reported a novel lncRNA IKBKBAS that activated NF-κB in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) by upregulating IKKβ, a key member of NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby promoting the metastasis of LUAD both in vitro and in vivo. The upregulated IKBKBAS functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) via competing with IKKβ mRNA for binding miR-4741, consequently leading to upregulation and activation of IKKβ, and ultimately activation of NF-κB. The abnormally elevated IKBKBAS in LUAD was mainly resulted from the extremely decrease of miR-512-5p that targeting IKBKBAS. Furthermore, we identified a positive feedback loop between NF-κB and IKBKBAS, in which NF-κB activation induced by overexpression of IKBKBAS could promote the transcription of IKBKBAS by binding the κB sites within IKBKBAS promoter. Our studies revealed that IKBKBAS was involved in the activation of NF-κB signaling by upregulating the expression of IKKβ, which made it serve as a potential novel target for therapies to LUAD.
Band-selective Holstein polaron in Luttinger liquid material A0.3MoO3 (A = K, Rb)
Authors: Kang L. , Du X. , Zhou J. S. , Gu X. , Chen Y. J. , Xu R. Z. , Zhang Q. Q. , Sun S. C. , Yin Z. X. , Li Y. W. , Pei D. , Zhang J. , Gu R. K. , Wang Z. G. , Liu Z. K. , Xiong R. , Shi J. , Zhang Y. , Chen Y. L. , Yang L. X.
Published: October 2021

(Quasi-)one-dimensional systems exhibit various fascinating properties such as Luttinger liquid behavior, Peierls transition, novel topological phases, and the accommodation of unique quasiparticles (e.g., spinon, holon, and soliton, etc.). Here we study molybdenum blue bronze A0.3MoO3 (A = K, Rb), a canonical quasi-one-dimensional charge-density-wave material, using laser-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Our experiment suggests that the normal phase of A0.3MoO3 is a prototypical Luttinger liquid, from which the charge-density-wave emerges with decreasing temperature. Prominently, we observe strong renormalizations of band dispersions, which are recognized as the spectral function of Holstein polaron derived from band-selective electron-phonon coupling in the system. We argue that the strong electron-phonon coupling plays an important role in electronic properties and the charge-density-wave transition in blue bronzes. Our results not only reconcile the long-standing heavy debates on the electronic properties of blue bronzes but also provide a rare platform to study interesting excitations in Luttinger liquid materials.
Observation of metallic electronic structure in a single-atomic-layer oxide
Authors: Sohn Byungmin , Kim Jeong Rae , Kim Choong H. , Lee Sangmin , Hahn Sungsoo , Kim Younsik , Huh Soonsang , Kim Donghan , Kim Youngdo , Kyung Wonshik , Kim Minsoo , Kim Miyoung , Noh Tae Won , Kim Changyoung
Published: October 2021

Correlated electrons in transition metal oxides exhibit a variety of emergent phases. When transition metal oxides are confined to a single-atomic-layer thickness, experiments so far have shown that they usually lose diverse properties and become insulators. In an attempt to extend the range of electronic phases of the single-atomic-layer oxide, we search for a metallic phase in a monolayer-thick epitaxial SrRuO3 film. Combining atomic-scale epitaxy and angle-resolved photoemission measurements, we show that the monolayer SrRuO3 is a strongly correlated metal. Systematic investigation reveals that the interplay between dimensionality and electronic correlation makes the monolayer SrRuO3 an incoherent metal with orbital-selective correlation. Furthermore, the unique electronic phase of the monolayer SrRuO3 is found to be highly tunable, as charge modulation demonstrates an incoherent-to-coherent crossover of the two-dimensional metal. Our work emphasizes the potentially rich phases of single-atomic-layer oxides and provides a guide to the manipulation of their two-dimensional correlated electron systems.
Quantifying previous SARS-CoV-2 infection through mixture modelling of antibody levels
Authors: Bottomley C. , Otiende M. , Uyoga S. , Gallagher K. , Kagucia E. W. , Etyang A. O. , Mugo D. , Gitonga J. , Karanja H. , Nyagwange J. , Adetifa I. M. O. , Agweyu A. , Nokes D. J. , Warimwe G. M. , Scott J. A. G.
Published: October 2021

As countries decide on vaccination strategies and how to ease movement restrictions, estimating the proportion of the population previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 is important for predicting the future burden of COVID-19. This proportion is usually estimated from serosurvey data in two steps: first the proportion above a threshold antibody level is calculated, then the crude estimate is adjusted using external estimates of sensitivity and specificity. A drawback of this approach is that the PCR-confirmed cases used to estimate the sensitivity of the threshold may not be representative of cases in the wider population—e.g., they may be more recently infected and more severely symptomatic. Mixture modelling offers an alternative approach that does not require external data from PCR-confirmed cases. Here we illustrate the bias in the standard threshold-based approach by comparing both approaches using data from several Kenyan serosurveys. We show that the mixture model analysis produces estimates of previous infection that are often substantially higher than the standard threshold analysis.
Transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses uncovered Lrrc15 as a contributing factor to cartilage damage in osteoarthritis
Authors: Singh Purva , Wang Mengying , Mukherjee Piali , Lessard Samantha G. , Pannellini Tania , Carballo Camila B. , Rodeo Scott A. , Goldring Mary B. , Otero Miguel
Published: October 2021

In osteoarthritis (OA), articular chondrocytes display phenotypic and functional changes associated with epigenomic alterations. These changes contribute to the disease progression, which is characterized by dysregulated reparative processes and abnormal extracellular matrix remodeling leading to cartilage degradation. Recent studies using a murine model of posttraumatic OA highlighted the contribution of changes in DNA hydroxymethylation (5hmC) to OA progression. Here, we integrated transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses in cartilage after induction of OA to show that the structural progression of OA is accompanied by early transcriptomic and pronounced DNA methylation (5mC) changes in chondrocytes. These changes accumulate over time and are associated with recapitulation of developmental processes, including cartilage development, chondrocyte hypertrophy, and ossification. Our integrative analyses also uncovered that Lrrc15 is differentially methylated and expressed in OA cartilage, and that it may contribute to the functional and phenotypic alterations of chondrocytes, likely coordinating stress responses and dysregulated extracellular matrix remodeling.
From cadaveric and animal studies to the clinical reality of robotic mastectomy: a feasibility report of training program
Authors: Lee Jeea , Park Hyung Seok , Lee Dong Won , Song Seung Yong , Yu Jonghan , Ryu Jai Min , Bae Soong June , Lew Dea Hyun , Kim Seung Il , Toesca Antonio
Published: October 2021

Robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy (RNSM) provides better cosmetic outcomes and improves the quality of life of women with breast cancer. However, this has not been widely adapted due to the lack of well-structured training programs. The present study aimed to report the establishment of cadaveric and animal skill laboratory training programs for RNSM and the participants’ perception on the training programs. We performed 24 RNSMs using 11 cadavers and one porcine model. Then, the skill laboratory characteristics were reviewed. Five trainers and 10 trainees participated in the programs. The first four cadaveric RNSMs with latissimus dorsi flaps and implants were performed using the da Vinci Si® system. We performed 14 and six RNSMs using the Xi® and SP® systems, respectively. The scores for questionnaires on the satisfaction with the training consisted of the trainees’ perceived goals in attending the course, teaching/learning environment, and teaching staff performance. The scores were excellent. Cadaveric or porcine RNSM skill laboratory training may be essential programs that can provide safe and efficient training.