bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reassessing the econometric measurement of inequality and poverty: toward a cost-of-living approach
Authors: Au Anson 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe econometric measurement of inequality and poverty in advanced capitalist economies has been preoccupied with aggregate measures of relative deprivation, namely, the Gini Index and a relative poverty rate, both of which are based on economic distances from the population median. Using the case of Hong Kong, this article demonstrates the limitations of relative measures: the Gini Index masks social mobility and the relative poverty line understates actual poverty. This article argues instead for a cost-of-living approach to measure poverty, where the poverty line is defined as the cost of essential goods and services. A cost-of-living approach produces a poverty line of HK$28,815 and attendant poverty rate of 44.47% in 2020, nearly double the poverty line of HK$13,450 and poverty rate of 23.6% according to the conventional relative measure of the poverty line set to 50% of median household income—capturing a shortfall of 551,400 poor households that have been overlooked by relative measures.
A distinctive architecture design of lateral p–n type GaN ultraviolet photodetectors via a numerical simulation
Authors: Xia Shihong , Li Biaomin , Yang Zhenhai , Guo Wei , Ye Jichun 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The conventionally vertical p–n type gallium nitride (GaN)-based ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors (PDs) suffer from the drawbacks of insufficient light absorption in the depletion region, thus resulting in poor carrier separation efficiency. The architecture of lateral p–n type GaN-based UV PDs has attracted much attention with applications in numerous fields due to their unique photoelectric properties. However, the potential of this type of devices has not yet been fully unlocked because of lacking a complete understanding of the design principles and working mechanisms. Here, a detailed photoelectronic model was developed to address the processes of carrier generation, transport, recombination and extraction to clarify the underlying mechanisms of the lateral p–n type UV PDs. By comparing with the vertical UV PDs, the lateral PDs show similar optical response, but higher photo-to-dark current ratio and responsivity when GaN is heavily doped. Moreover, it is also confirmed that the performance of the lateral p–n devices is almost independent of GaN thickness, providing significant inspiration for the development of ultra-thin UV PDs.
Cervical spine fracture detection in computed tomography using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Golla Alena-Kathrin , Lorenz Cristian , Buerger Christian , Lossau Tanja , Klinder Tobias , Mutze Sven , Arndt Holger , Spohn Frederik , Mittmann Marlene , Goelz Leonie 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Objective. In the context of primary in-hospital trauma management timely reading of computed tomography (CT) images is critical. However, assessment of the spine is time consuming, fractures can be very subtle, and the potential for under-diagnosis or delayed diagnosis is relevant. Artificial intelligence is increasingly employed to assist radiologists with the detection of spinal fractures and prioritization of cases. Currently, algorithms focusing on the cervical spine are commercially available. A common approach is the vertebra-wise classification. Instead of a classification task, we formulate fracture detection as a segmentation task aiming to find and display all individual fracture locations presented in the image. Approach. Based on 195 CT examinations, 454 cervical spine fractures were identified and annotated by radiologists at a tertiary trauma center. We trained for the detection a U-Net via four-fold-cross validation to segment spine fractures and the spine via a multi-task loss. We further compared advantages of two image reformation approaches—straightened curved planar reformatted (CPR) around the spine and spinal canal aligned volumes of interest (VOI)—to achieve a unified vertebral alignment in comparison to processing the Cartesian data directly. Main results. Of the three data versions (Cartesian, reformatted, VOI) the VOI approach showed the best detection rate and a reduced computation time. The proposed algorithm was able to detect 87.2% of cervical spine fractures at an average number of false positives of 3.5 per case. Evaluation of the method on a public spine dataset resulted in 0.9 false positive detections per cervical spine case. Significance. The display of individual fracture locations as provided with high sensitivity by the proposed voxel classification based fracture detection has the potential to support the trauma CT reading workflow by reducing missed findings.
Monte Carlo simulation of micro-x-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) based detection of immunomagnetically labeled tumor cells
Authors: Zambianchi P , Zambianchi J K 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Objective. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) carry crucial information related to the spreading and proliferation of tumors, especially at early stages of the disease. Despite the huge clinical potential held by CTCs in cancer therapy, capture and detection of these cells from the patient's peripheral blood system is rather challenging since CTCs are extremely rare cells. The objective of this paper is, based on Monte Carlo simulations, to propose the detection of immunomagnetically labelled tumor cells by micro-x-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF). Approach. The simulations were carried out with the Monte Carlo N-Particle, version 6.2, (MCNP6.2) code. The model simulates 20 μm cancer cell lines and 10 μm CTCs tagged with Fe3O4@SiO2 spherical nanoparticles of diameters 25 nm, 60 nm and 110 nm. A 17.5 keV monochromatic, micro-focused x-ray beam of diameter 15 μm, impinges on cancer cells immersed in a phosphate-buffered saline solution. The simulations also include a polymeric sample holder and a silicon drift detector with a beryllium window and silver collimator. Main results. The results show the dependence of the signal intensity (Fe Kα line) on cell and nanoparticle sizes. Samples containing two and three CTCs were also simulated in particular geometrical configurations. It is presented how the inter-cell distances and cell positions relative to the incident x-ray beam affect the signal. In addition, within the parameters used in the simulations, μ-XRF method provides a minimum detection limit of 9.4 pg of Fe, which corresponds to detecting a single 10 μm CTC labeled with 110 nm Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles at 6.3% binding. Significance. The μ-XRF based method proposed in this paper for detecting CTCs, combined with immunomagnetic nanoparticles (NPs), has the potential to be innovative in the field of liquid biopsy.
Spontaneous skyrmion conformal lattice and transverse motion during dc and ac compression
Authors: Bellizotti Souza J C , Vizarim N P , Reichhardt C J O , Reichhardt C , Venegas P A 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
We use atomistic-based simulations to investigate the behavior of ferromagnetic skyrmions being continuously compressed against a rigid wall under dc and ac drives. The compressed skyrmions can be annihilated close to the wall and form a conformal crystal with both a size and a density gradient, making it distinct from conformal crystals observed previously for superconducting vortices and colloidal particles. For both dc and ac driving, the skyrmions can move transverse to the compression direction due to a combination of density and size gradients. Forces in the compression direction are converted by the Magnus force into transverse motion. Under ac driving, the amount of skyrmion annihilation is reduced and we find a skyrmion Magnus ratchet pump. We also observe shear banding in which skyrmions near the wall move up to twice as fast as skyrmions further from the wall. When we vary the magnitude of the applied drive, we find a critical current above which the skyrmions are completely annihilated during a time scale that depends on the magnitude of the drive. By varying the magnetic parameters, we find that the transverse motion is strongly dependent on the skyrmion size. Smaller skyrmions are more rigid, which interferes with the size gradient and destroys the transverse motion. We also confirm the role of the size gradient by comparing our atomistic simulations with a particle-based model, where we find that the transverse motion is only transient. Our results are relevant for applications where skyrmions encounter repulsive magnetic walls, domain walls, or interfaces.
Characterization of HZ0412a, a novel potent humanized anti-IL-6 receptor antibody that blocks IL-6R binding to gp130
Authors: Han Jianzhong , Liu Xiaolei , Xu Yue , Wang Qian , Li Li , Du Kehe , Li Chenchen , Liu Hongjun , Chen Yu , Huang Jian 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Dysregulated elevation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling is implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple pathophysiological states, and the functional neutralization of the IL-6 pathway with monoclonal antibodies has been proven an effective therapeutic method in treating various diseases with abnormally enhanced IL-6 signaling, and its clinical indications are expanding. Here, we report that by using the conventional hybridoma technology and humanization mutation method, we develop a novel humanized anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody—namely, HZ0412a. In our study, we found that HZ0412a exhibits higher binding affinity to soluble recombinant human IL-6R than tocilizumab. Importantly, in contrast to tocilizumab—a humanized anti-IL-6R antibody approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, giant cell arteritis and Castleman’s disease—HZ0412a does not significantly affect the binding of IL-6 to IL-6R. Further analysis revealed that HZ0412a prevents IL-6R from binding to gp130 in vitro, while tocilizumab has a minimal effect under the same condition. Using various cell-based assays, we demonstrate that HZ0412a is noninferior to tocilizumab in inhibiting IL-6 signaling. Finally, we showed that HZ0412a is well tolerated in cynomolgus monkeys after a single subcutaneous injection at a dose of 1 or 5 mg/kg. Taken together, our results indicated that HZ0412a targets an epitope on human IL-6R that is different from that of tocilizumab, and the epitope region is essential for the interaction between IL-6R and gp130. This distinctive mode of action plus its high affinity to IL-6R led to the high potency of HZ0412a in suppressing in vitro IL-6 signaling.
The Anthropocene and the Apocalypse
Authors: Newbury Michael 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
This essay reviews recent scholarly work on EcoHorror and Post-Apocalyptic science fiction. It pays particular attention to the influence of Stacey Alaimo’s call for attention to the ethics of “transcorporeality” when it comes to reading horror, a need to imagine the human and nonhuman not as a binary but as intermeshed and mutually dependent. Hybridity in horror might thus present something not monstrous but politically desirable. Similarly, the essay explores the ways in which scholarship and public intellectuals have tended to see the recent boom in post-apocalyptic writing as either indicating the durability of late capitalism or the moment of its collapse and reshaping into something new.The books under review examine the outpouring of ecological horror and postapocalyptic fiction in the second half of the twentieth century and into the present. Why have such stories come so forcefully into the literary and filmic marketplace over the last 50 years or so?
31 Development and Characterization of a Generation System for Airborne Diisocyanates
Authors: Aubin Simon , Wingert Loïc , Gagné Sébastien , Breau Livain , Lesage Jacques 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Diisocyanates are fast-reacting semi-volatile compounds and one of the main components in the production of polyurethane-based materials. They are known as a predominant causal agent of occupational asthma. Discrepancies within well-documented and validated methods were observed and factual explanations of these discrepancies are not yet available. A more in-depth investigation of isocyanate measurement methods' efficiencies should be undertaken. The objective of this study was to develop a system capable of generating diisocyanate vapor and fine particle atmospheres with control of parameters such as concentration levels and vapor/particle partitioning. Two generation approaches were used: nebulization and heating. A controlled air flow (RH and T°) was combined to the generator's effluent in a mixing chamber and transferred, downstream, to an exposure chamber. A splitter collected eight samples simultaneously. The isocyanate measurement method used a glass fibre filter with 9-methylaminomethyl-anthracene (GF+MAMA). The particles were analyzed using a particle analyzer (Fidas Frog) and the particle size distribution of the isocyanates was obtained using a Marple impactor. Diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate (MDI) was generated with both generation approaches. The system was able to generate stable concentrations over time at different levels (5 to 50 µg/m3). Intratest variability was lower than 10% (RSD). By cross-referencing the data obtained by the particle counter and the Marple impactors, it was possible to document the particle-size distribution and vapor/particle partitioning of the MDI generated within the parameters used. The versatility of this system makes it a highly promising tool for assessing the performance of different diisocyanate measurement methods.
105 Workplace Air Standardisation Projects Related to Biological Agents at European Level : Recent History and Perspectives
Authors: Duquenne Philippe , Kolk Annette , Pogner Clara , Viegas Carla , Oppliger Anne , Crook Brian , Thom Christian , Barzykowski Elisabeth , Madsen Anne-Mette 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
As a significant portion of our time is spend in work places, the occupational exposure is of particular interest for maintaining human health. Within the Technical Committee CEN/TC 137 “Assessment of workplace exposure” the working group named WG5 “Biological Agents” is engaged in the standardization of strategies to assess workplace exposure to bioaerosols. The group already exists since the early 2000s in the European Committee of Standardization (CEN) and was reactivated in 2017 to continue on work items of prevailing interest. Between 2018 and 2021 three standards have been revised and newly published: EN 13098 (general guidelines for measurements), EN 14031 (measurement of airborne endotoxins) and EN 14583 (performance of sampling devices). As the COVID-19 pandemic confirmed, the work on bioaerosols is still important and many questions remain open. Recently, the work group drafted three new topics on which normative documents should be prepared in the future: “the measurement of airborne viruses”, “the measurement of airborne mycotoxins” and “the use of biomolecular methods for the measurement of airborne microorganisms”. As it is still a pressing topic, the work on the new preliminary work items has started with the preparation of a standard on virus measurement. The CEN/TC 137/WG5 has maintained its dynamic over the years and is also encouraging pre-normative researches and networking. The work of the group contributes to a unified approach at the European level on the issue of biological risks assessment and makes it possible to disseminate a better awareness of biological risks.
125 Quality Assured Uptake Rates for Passive Sampling of Indoor Air VOCs
Authors: Schühle Florian , Richter Matthias 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Passive sampling of VOCs with Tenax® TA and thermal desorption GC-MS analysis is a simple, cost efficient and representative method to determine VOCs concentrations in indoor air. In theory, the uptake into the passive sampler is only dependent on the diffusion coefficient of the analyte in air and the geometry of the sampler (ideal adsorption). For characterization, the uptake rate (UR) is used, defined as the ratio of the uptaken mass and the exposure dose (ED - product of ambient concentration and exposure time). Various reported effective uptake rates (UR,eff) differ considerably from ideal values (UR,id). While existing compilations sort these experimental values essentially by the applicable exposure time, detailed information about the corresponding concentration range and other important influencing factors is often lacking. Moreover, the number of itemized substances is limited. To expand this data, we conducted own laboratory experiments. By quantification of measurement uncertainty and comparison of our own results to several similar laboratory studies, we want to characterize the range of applicability and level of confidence of effective uptake rates for indoor air VOCs.
126 A Laboratory Procedure and a Recording System for the Maintenance of Personal, Hand-Held and Benchtop Time-Resolved Aerosol Instruments
Authors: Hunwin Graeme , Hall Samantha , Saunders John , Bard Delphine 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The HSE Science and Research Centre use time-resolved instruments to collect aerosol data for research and to support the sampling of aerosols in workplace environments. The performance of these instruments (traditional and low cost sensor devices) is dependent on regular maintenance and calibration. However, it can deteriorate within the recommended manufacturer calibration period, particularly if they have been exposed to high concentration of dust, or exposed for extended periods. This poster will describe the practical strategy developed at HSE for the maintenance of time-resolved devices and the lessons learnt. HSE owns a range of hand-held or compact time-resolved instruments, which are optical particle counters (OPCs), condensation particle counters (CPCs), diffusion chargers as well as photometers measuring particle number, surface area and mass concentrations. Some of the instruments are size-resolved devices. Photometers and OPCs were benchmarked using SPHERIGLASS ® A- 5000 in a calm-air chamber for a wide range of concentrations against a dedicated reference photometer or OPC, not necessarily of the same model or size range characteristic. For devices, measuring in the nanometre size range (CPCs and Diffusion Chargers), a salt nanoparticle aerosol was generated using a Collison nebulizer and a CPC used as the reference. Acceptable tolerances from the reference concentration were established for the CPCs and Diffusion Chargers. For each photometer model, an average ratio of the evaluated photometers concentrations by the reference photometers concentrations was calculated and a linearity plot of the photometer concentration versus the reference photometer concentration was established.
© Crown Copyright (2022)
144 Development of a New Hs-Gc-Ms Method for Concurrent Analysis of Acetone, Methylethylketone, Methylisobutylketone and Cyclohexanone in Urine
Authors: Erb Amandine , Ndaw Sophie 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Mixed exposure to chemical products is a topical issue for occupational health. Because very few methods are available for evaluating these mixed exposures, the aim of this work was to develop a simple biomonitoring method for assessing simultaneous occupational exposures to four ketones: acetone, methylethylketone (MEK), methylisobutylketone (MIBK) and cyclohexanone in urine. These ketones were selected for their industrial use and their adverse effects on the workers’ health. Some sectors of activity, like the plastic industry for instance, may even expose workers simultaneously to several of these ketones. Volatile organic compounds were analyzed using static headspace gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (sHS-GC-MS), and the four unmetabolized ketones were measured in the headspace phase, after an in-vial pentafluorobenzylhydroxylamine (PFBHA) derivatization step. The calibration was performed using synthetic urines spiked with known amounts of the four ketones. A satisfactory level of sensitivity, whose limits of quantification (LOQ) were between 5 and 20 µg/L was achieved. Calibration curves were linear in the 5-2000 µg/L range, with R2 correlation coefficients from 0.9967 to 0.9990. At 20 µg/L, within-day precision varied from 1.7 to 5.6 % and between-day precision ranged from 4.5 to 9.5 %. Tests on real urinary samples obtained from unexposed persons showed concentrations coherent with those of the general population for acetone and MEK. In conclusion, a fast, sensitive, specific and easy-to-use method was developed for extracting and quantifying simultaneously four ketones from urinary samples using sHS-GC-MS. This method will be a valuable tool for the monitoring of occupational exposures.
161 Keynote: Characterising Microplastic Exposure and Hazards: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Wright Stephanie 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Plastic is the third most abundant manmade material on the planet. Whilst often considered durable, it sheds micro- and nanoscopic debris (‘microplastic’) to the environment, which contaminates water, dust, and food globally. Recently, microplastic has been reported in atmospheric deposition and airmasses around the globe, suggesting a complex cycle before it reaches its environmental – or biological – fate. Furthermore, the discovery of microplastic in ambient and indoor air has raised concern for public exposure via inhalation and potential impacts on health. In laboratory studies, exposure to high levels of certain types of microplastic can cause adverse effects, primarily oxidative stress, and metabolic disruption. However, there are critical physicochemical factors which govern both the fate and effects of inhaled material in the body and very little is known for microplastic. This talk will give an overview of the progress in plastic aerosol research, from early environmental measurements to analytical and data science advances to hazard characterisation. It will highlight challenges, knowledge gaps, and opportunities for research. As discussions for a proposed UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution develop and the rate of plastic production continues to grow, it is timely to consider microplastic exposure and its potential role in disease pathways.
11 Raman Spectroscopy to Monitor Short-Term and Transient RCS Aerosol Exposure
Authors: Schweinar Kevin , Manole Mihaela , Szakács Zoltán , Altmaier Ralph , O'Shaugnessy Patrick T , Bieri Rudolf 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) at concentrations at or below the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3 are challenging to monitor with the current industry standard methods X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In particular, the assessment of short-term or transient exposure to RCS concentration calls for more sensitive analytical methods that are able to quantify RCS from low dust amounts within the desired uncertainty limits. Here, we present results from a verification study of a Raman spectroscopy-based Identifier system including dedicated respirable air samplers (badges) for the collection of airborne RCS. The air sampling badges concentrate the analyte onto dedicated 1 mm2 collection membranes suitable for direct-on-filter (DOF) Raman analysis. The sampling efficiency of the badges was assessed experimentally and shown to closely adapt the respirable sampling convention according to ISO 7708, with a low sampler bias of &lt; 10%. Using a fully automated Raman-based bench-top reader, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were determined empirically with 0.1 and 0.3 µg, respectively. The limits are approx. an order of magnitude lower than for the current industry standards and enable the relevant monitoring of short-term or transient exposure of workers to RCS, as they typically occur in construction or mining environments. The optimized workflow of the Identifier system makes it an attractive alternative to the industry standards XRD and FTIR, with the opportunity to monitor exposure down to the action level.