bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Silicon Vacancy Color Centers in 6H-SiC Fabricated by Femtosecond Laser Direct Writing
Authors: Zhou Zhanqi , Xu Zongwei , Song Ying , Shi Changkun , Zhang Kun , Dong Bing 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAs a single photon source, silicon vacancy (VSi) centers in wide bandgap semiconductor silicon carbide (SiC) are expected to be used in quantum technology as spin qubits to participate in quantum sensing and quantum computing. Simultaneously, the new direct femtosecond (fs) laser writing technology has been successfully applied to preparing VSis in SiC. In this study, 6H-SiC, which has been less studied, was used as the processed material. VSi center arrays were formed on the 6H-SiC surface using a 1030-nm-wavelength fs pulsed laser. The surface was characterized by white light microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and confocal photoluminescence (PL)/Raman spectrometry. The effect of fs laser energy, vector polarization, pulse number, and repetition rate on 6H-SiC VSi defect preparation was analyzed by measuring the VSi PL signal at 785-nm laser excitation. The results show that fs laser energy and pulse number greatly influence the preparation of the color center, which plays a key role in optimizing the yield of VSis prepared by fs laser nanomachining.
SG-APSIC1088: Two-stage primary total knee arthroplasty for evolutive infected arthritis with coexistent joint destruction
Authors: Choi Wonchul , Han Hyuk-Soo , Kim Tae-Woo , Chang Moon Jong , Kim Joong Il , Ro Du Hyun 
Published: March 2023

Objectives: The treatment of infected knee arthritis in patients with coexisting joint destruction, including superimposed advanced arthritis or chronic osteomyelitis, is challenging. We investigated the outcomes of 2-stage primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for evolutive infected arthritis with coexistent joint destruction. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 50 patients from 5 hospitals who presented with infected arthritis of the knee and were treated with 2-stage TKA: debridement and antibiotic-loaded articulating cement spacer (ALCS) insertion as the first stage and TKA as the second stage. We recorded demographics, laboratory results, and radiographic findings including Kellgren-Lawrence classification (KL) for knee arthritis. Outcomes including infection eradication, knee range of motion (ROM), and patient-reported outcome measures were evaluated. Results: The patient cohort had a mean age of 71.8 years (range, 40–86); they were followed for an average of 4.1 years (range, 2.2–13.3). Also, 40 patients showed KL grade 4, whereas 10 patients showed grade 3. A pathogen was identified in 38 cases (73.1%); methicillin-resistant staphylococci infections (N = 16) and Candida spp infections (N = 7) were the 2 most common types. Constrained prostheses were used in 10 cases (20%). Stem augmentations were used in 15 cases (36.0%) and block augmentations were used in 8 cases (19.0%). One patient had recurrent infection after TKA, so the eradication rate was 98%. After 2-stage TKA, the mean knee ROM was 119.4° (range, 80°–140°) and the mean Knee Society (KS) knee score was 90.4, the average KS function score was 84.7, the average Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score was 87.2, and the average Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score was 16.7. The KS function scores (P = .029) and the WOMAC scores (P = .022) were significantly better in 17 patients who underwent ALCS insertion within 30 days of infection diagnosis compared to the other 33 patients. Conclusions: The 2-stage primary TKA for patients with infected knee arthritis with coexisting joint destruction showed satisfactory outcomes with a low infection recurrence. However, constrained prostheses or augmentation use may be necessary. Notably, some functional scores were better in the group that underwent ALCS insertion relatively early after the infection diagnosis.
SG-APSIC1146: Reducing bacterial contamination in the dental unit waterline (DUWL) in dental clinics
Authors: Lang Lily , Shing Priscilla Chao Jang , Tze Kenneth Low Meng 
Published: March 2023

Objectives: We evaluated the effectiveness of using appropriate chemical(s) to treat the dental unit waterline (DUWL), and we recommended appropriate strategies to manage the DUWL system to maintain bacteria concentration below minimum recommended levels. Methods: Initial water samples were collected aseptically from the handpieces of the DUWL in dental clinics to assess the bacterial load prior to treatment of the dental unit. The dental staff were educated on the management and treatment of the DUWL. Appropriate chemicals were introduced to the DUWL system. Following the treatment, samples of water from the DUWLs were collected to assess the bacterial load. Results: The US CDC recommends a safe level of bacterial load of <500 CFU per mL of heterotrophic bacteria in the standard for drinking water by the US EPA. Initial results for the DUWL water showed unacceptably high levels of bacterial load between 1,930 and 35,000 CFU per mL prior to treatment. Subsequent sampling of DUWL water with treatment of appropriate chemicals showed vast reductions of the bacterial loads in all the dental units, with bacterial counts between <1 and 72 CFU per mL. Conclusions: It is important to ensure ongoing education and regular treatment with appropriate chemical and effective management and monitoring of all DUWLs from dental chairs to ensure that the water produced meets safe drinking standards.
Considering stratospheric aerosol injections beyond an environmental frame: The intelligible ‘emergency’ techno-fix and preemptive security
Authors: Young Danielle N. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractStratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI), is often referred to as a ‘Plan B’ if mitigation strategies to reduce emissions fail and the need to rapidly reduce global temperatures becomes urgent. In theory, SAI would help buy more time to bring carbon and other emissions down while also cooling or keeping the planet below the threshold for dangerous warming, though it is not a solution to the problem of climate change in itself. What little attention it has received in International Relations (IR) is usually focused on the need for governance of the technology and assumes that development and use of the technology will be driven primarily by vulnerability to climate impacts. Through an analysis of common security assumptions and preemptive security framings the article shows that while current assessments of SAI focus on the technology’s environmental impact, broader political and security dynamics, particularly the desire to render climate change more intelligible as a security problem with a solution may have substantial influence on how the technology is used and by whom.
Simone de Beauvoir, Analogy, Intersectionality, and Expanding Philosophy: An Interview with Kathryn Sophia Belle
Authors: O'Byrn Edward 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn this interview with Kathryn Sophia Belle (formerly Kathryn T. Gines), Edward O'Byrn discusses Belle's publications from 2010–2017. His questions focus on Simone de Beauvoir and her use of analogy in The Second Sex, along with broader questions that engage Belle's work on existential philosophy, Beauvoir, Black feminism, and intersectionality.
Effect of microbiology comment nudging on antibiotic use in asymptomatic bacteriuria: A before-and-after quasi-experimental study
Authors: Belk Madeline G. , Hammond Olivia D. , Seales Callie C. , Edwards Jonathan D. , Steuber Taylor D. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractObjective:To describe the effect of a microbiology comment nudge on antibiotic use for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB).Design:Single-center, before-and-after, quasi-experimental study.Setting:Community-based, public, not-for-profit teaching hospital in the southeastern United States.Participants:Adult inpatients with a positive urine culture and the absence of urinary tract infection signs and symptoms.Intervention:Implementation of a microbiology comment nudge on urine cultures.Results:In total, 204 patients were included in the study. Antibiotics were less likely to be continued beyond 72 hours in the postimplementation group: 57 (55%) of 104 versus 38 (38%) of 100 (P = .016). They were less likely to have antibiotics continued beyond 48 hours: 60 (58%) of 104 versus 43 (43%) of 100 (P = .036). They were also less likely to have antibiotics prescribed at discharge 35 (34%) of 104 versus 20 (20%) of 100 (P = .028). In addition, they had fewer total antibiotic days of therapy: 4 (IQR, 1–6) versus 1 (IQR, 0–6) (P = .022).Conclusion:Microbiology comment nudging may contribute to less antibiotic utilization in patients with ASB.
Rage in the Machine: Activation of Racist Content in Social Media
Authors: Vallejo Vera Sebastián 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACTRacism in social media is ubiquitous, persisting online in ways unique to the internet while also reverberating from the world offline. When will racist frames activate in social media networks? This article argues that social media users engage with racist content when they perceive a threat to the in-group status, selecting frames that serve as markers to separate the in-group identity from the out-group identity. Racialized frames serve as these markers, and the perceived threats to the in-group status make racist content cognitively congruent. Evidence of this behavior is provided by examining Twitter activity during the indígena protests in Ecuador in October 2019. A novel, multistep machine-learning process detects racist tweets, and an interrupted time series analysis shows how events that can be perceived as threats to the in-group activate racist content in some social media communities.
Vot’ artic’ est formidab’: une étude multifactorielle de la chute des liquides post-obstruantes finales de mot en français
Authors: Avanzi Mathieu 
Published: March 2023

RésuméCet article présente une analyse multifactorielle du comportement des consonnes liquides post-obstruantes en position finale de mot en français. Plus précisément, nous nous intéressons au phénomène par lequel un <l> ou <r> final dans la transcription orthographique d’un mot n’est pas prononcé dans la parole continue, p. ex. comme dans les items « découvre » et « terrible », respectivement prononcés [dekuv] et [teʁʁb] au lieu de [dekuvʁʁ] et [teʁʁibl]. Au total, plus de 2500 items comportant un cluster obstruante+liquide en fin de mot ont été extraits d’un corpus de parole d’une durée de 13 heures, qui a été étiqueté à différents niveaux. Ce corpus comprend les productions de 120 locuteurs originaires de 3 pays francophones (Belgique, France et Suisse), enregistrés dans deux tâches différentes (lecture et conversation). Pour déterminer ce qui affecte la (non-)prononciation de <l> ou <r> dans ces contextes, une douzaine de prédicteurs de différentes natures sont testés dans un même modèle statistique. Les caractéristiques phonétiques telles que le lieu et le mode d’articulation, le contexte droit, le statut prosodique et le taux d’articulation; mais aussi les prédicteurs liés aux locuteurs (pays d’origine, sexe, âge, classe sociale) et au style de parole sont pris en compte. Des modèles mixtes linéaires généralisés révèlent que seulement la moitié d’entre eux ressortent comme jouant un rôle significatif sur la variable à l’étude. Les résultats sont discutés à la lumière dʼétudes antérieures portant sur les aspects sociolinguistiques des variantes de prononciation en français.
Making community pharmacies psychologically informed environments (PIE): a feasibility study to improve engagement with people using drug services in Scotland
Authors: Matheson Catriona , Hunter Carole , Schofield Joe , O’Sullivan Kate , Hunter Janie , Munro Alison , Parkes Tessa 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Aim:
This developmental study tested the feasibility of training pharmacy staff on the psychologically informed environments (PIE) approach to improve the delivery of care.

Background:
Community pharmacies provide key services to people who use drugs (PWUD) through needle exchange services, medication-assisted treatment and naloxone distribution. PWUD often have trauma backgrounds, and an approach that has been demonstrated to work well in the homeless sector is PIEs.

Methods:
Bespoke training was provided by clinical psychologists and assessed by questionnaire. Staff interviews explored changes made following PIE training to adapt the delivery of care. Changes in attitude of staff following training were assessed by questionnaire. Peer researchers interviewed patient/client on observed changes and experiences in participating pharmacies. Staff interviews were conducted six months after training to determine what changes, if any, staff had implemented. Normalisation process theory (NPT) provided a framework for assessing change.

Findings:
Three pharmacies (16 staff) participated. Training evaluation was positive; all participants rated training structure and delivery as ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. There was no statistically significant change in attitudes. COVID-19 lockdowns restricted follow-up data collection. Staff interviews revealed training had encouraged staff to reflect on their practice and communication and consider potentially discriminatory practice. PIE informed communication skills were applied to manage COVID-19 changes. Staff across pharmacies noted mental health challenges for patients. Five patients were interviewed but COVID-19 delays in data collection meant changes in delivery of care were difficult to recall. However, they did reflect on interactions with pharmacy staff generally. Across staff and patient interviews, there was possible conflation of practice changes due to COVID-19 and the training. However, the study found that training pharmacy teams in PIE was feasible, well received, and further development is recommended. There was evidence of the four NPT domains to support change (coherence, cognitive participation, collective action and reflexive monitoring).
Does Stereotype Threat Contribute to the Political Knowledge Gender Gap? A Preregistered Replication Study of Ihme and Tausendpfund (2018)
Authors: Azevedo Flavio , Micheli Leticia , Bolesta Deliah Sarah 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe gender gap in political knowledge is a well-established finding in Political Science. One explanation for gender differences in political knowledge is the activation of negative stereotypes about women. As part of the Systematizing Confidence in Open Research and Evidence (SCORE) program, we conducted a two-stage preregistered and high-powered direct replication of Study 2 of Ihme and Tausendpfund (2018). While we successfully replicated the gender gap in political knowledge – such that male participants performed better than female participants – both the first (N = 671) and second stage (N = 831) of the replication of the stereotype activation effect were unsuccessful. Taken together (pooled N = 1,502), results indicate evidence of absence of the effect of stereotype activation on gender differences in political knowledge. We discuss potential explanations for these findings and put forward evidence that the gender gap in political knowledge might be an artifact of how knowledge is measured.
Prediction Interval of Interface Regions: Machine Learning Nowcasting Approach
Authors: Alielden Khaled , Camporeale Enrico , Korsós Marianna B. , Taroyan Youra 
Published: March 2023

AbstractStream interaction region (SIR) is one of the space weather phenomena that accelerates the upstream particles of the interface region in interplanetary space and causes geomagnetic storms. SIRs are large‐scale structures that vary temporally and spatially, both in latitudinal and radial directions. Predicting the arrival times of interface regions (IRs) is crucial to protect our navigation and communication systems. In this work, a 1D ensemble system comprised of a Long‐short‐term memory (LSTM) model and a Convolution Neural Network (CNN) model—LCNN is introduced to classify the observed IR time series and give the prediction interval nowcast of its transit time to the observer. The outcomes of the two models are combined in a way to boost the accuracy of the predictor and prevent error propagation between them. The implemented technique is time series classification on datasets from STEREO A and B spacecrafts. The LCNN prediction system of IRs provides advanced Notice Time (NT) interval between [20, 160] minutes with sensitivity around 93% and geometric mean score gmean of 91.7%, and the skills decrease with increasing the prediction time. The LCNN demonstrates an enhancement in the prediction with respect to using only either the CNN or LSTM models. The predicted probabilities are recalibrated so that the predicted frequency of IRs becomes on average consistent with the observed frequency. Application of the method is useful to provide a classification of IRs by inputting a time series and estimating the likelihood of occurrence of an IR and its arrival time on the observer.
Observation of electron orbital signatures of single atoms within metal-phthalocyanines using atomic force microscopy
Authors: Chen Pengcheng , Fan Dingxin , Selloni Annabella , Carter Emily A. , Arnold Craig B. , Zhang Yunlong , Gross Adam S. , Chelikowsky James R. , Yao Nan 
Published: March 2023

AbstractResolving the electronic structure of a single atom within a molecule is of fundamental importance for understanding and predicting chemical and physical properties of functional molecules such as molecular catalysts. However, the observation of the orbital signature of an individual atom is challenging. We report here the direct identification of two adjacent transition-metal atoms, Fe and Co, within phthalocyanine molecules using high-resolution noncontact atomic force microscopy (HR-AFM). HR-AFM imaging reveals that the Co atom is brighter and presents four distinct lobes on the horizontal plane whereas the Fe atom displays a “square” morphology. Pico-force spectroscopy measurements show a larger repulsion force of about 5 pN on the tip exerted by Co in comparison to Fe. Our combined experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that both the distinguishable features in AFM images and the variation in the measured forces arise from Co’s higher electron orbital occupation above the molecular plane. The ability to directly observe orbital signatures using HR-AFM should provide a promising approach to characterizing the electronic structure of an individual atom in a molecular species and to understand mechanisms of certain chemical reactions.
Transmon qubit readout fidelity at the threshold for quantum error correction without a quantum-limited amplifier
Authors: Chen Liangyu , Li Hang-Xi , Lu Yong , Warren Christopher W. , Križan Christian J. , Kosen Sandoko , Rommel Marcus , Ahmed Shahnawaz , Osman Amr , Biznárová Janka , Fadavi Roudsari Anita , Lienhard Benjamin , Caputo Marco , Grigoras Kestutis , Grönberg Leif , Govenius Joonas , Kockum Anton Frisk , Delsing Per , Bylander Jonas , Tancredi Giovanna 
Published: March 2023

AbstractHigh-fidelity and rapid readout of a qubit state is key to quantum computing and communication, and it is a prerequisite for quantum error correction. We present a readout scheme for superconducting qubits that combines two microwave techniques: applying a shelving technique to the qubit that reduces the contribution of decay error during readout, and a two-tone excitation of the readout resonator to distinguish among qubit populations in higher energy levels. Using a machine-learning algorithm to post-process the two-tone measurement results further improves the qubit-state assignment fidelity. We perform single-shot frequency-multiplexed qubit readout, with a 140 ns readout time, and demonstrate 99.5% assignment fidelity for two-state readout and 96.9% for three-state readout–without using a quantum-limited amplifier.
Artificial intelligence-based optimization for chitosan nanoparticles biosynthesis, characterization and in‑vitro assessment of its anti-biofilm potentiality
Authors: El-Naggar Noura El-Ahmady , Dalal Shimaa R. , Zweil Amal M. , Eltarahony Marwa 
Published: March 2023

AbstractChitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) are promising biopolymeric nanoparticles with excellent physicochemical, antimicrobial, and biological properties. CNPs have a wide range of applications due to their unique characteristics, including plant growth promotion and protection, drug delivery, antimicrobials, and encapsulation. The current study describes an alternative, biologically-based strategy for CNPs biosynthesis using Oleaeuropaea leaves extract. Face centered central composite design (FCCCD), with 50 experiments was used for optimization of CNPs biosynthesis. The artificial neural network (ANN) was employed for analyzing, validating, and predicting CNPs biosynthesis using Oleaeuropaea leaves extract. Using the desirability function, the optimum conditions for maximum CNPs biosynthesis were determined theoretically and verified experimentally. The highest experimental yield of CNPs (21.15 mg CNPs/mL) was obtained using chitosan solution of 1%, leaves extract solution of 100%, initial pH 4.47, and incubation time of 60 min at 53.83°C. The SEM and TEM images revealed that CNPs had a spherical form and varied in size between 6.91 and 11.14 nm. X-ray diffraction demonstrates the crystalline nature of CNPs. The surface of the CNPs is positively charged, having a Zeta potential of 33.1 mV. FTIR analysis revealed various functional groups including C–H, C–O, CONH2, NH2, C–OH and C–O–C. The thermogravimetric investigation indicated that CNPs are thermally stable. The CNPs were able to suppress biofilm formation by P.aeruginosa,S.aureus and C.albicans at concentrations ranging from 10 to 1500 µg/mL in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of biofilm formation was associated with suppression of metabolic activity, protein/exopolysaccharide moieties, and hydrophobicity of biofilm encased cells (r ˃ 0.9, P = 0.00). Due to their small size, in the range of 6.91 to 11.14 nm, CNPs produced using Oleaeuropaea leaves extract are promising for applications in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, in addition to their potential application in controlling multidrug-resistant microorganisms, especially those associated with post COVID-19 pneumonia in immunosuppressed patients.
The effects of visual working memory load on detection and neural processing of task-unrelated auditory stimuli
Authors: Brockhoff Laura , Vetter Laura , Bruchmann Maximilian , Schindler Sebastian , Moeck Robert , Straube Thomas 
Published: March 2023

AbstractWhile perceptual load has been proposed to reduce the processing of task-unrelated stimuli, theoretical arguments and empirical findings for other forms of task load are inconclusive. Here, we systematically investigated the detection and neural processing of auditory stimuli varying in stimulus intensity during a stimuli-unrelated visual working memory task alternating between low and high load. We found, depending on stimulus strength, decreased stimulus detection and reduced P3, but unaffected N1 amplitudes of the event-related potential to auditory stimuli under high as compared to low load. In contrast, load independent awareness effects were observed during both early (N1) and late (P3) time windows. Findings suggest a late neural effect of visual working memory load on auditory stimuli leading to lower probability of reported awareness of these stimuli.