Reconstructing 42 Years (1979–2020) of Great Lakes Surface Temperature through a Deep Learning Approach

Accurate estimates for the lake surface temperature (LST) of the Great Lakes are critical to understanding the regional climate. Dedicated lake models of various complexity have been used to simulate LST but they suffer from noticeable biases and can be computationally expensive. Additionally, the available historical LST datasets are limited by either short temporal coverage (\u3c30 \u3eyears) or lower spatial resolution (0.25° × 0.25°). Therefore, in this study, we employed a deep learning model based on Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks to produce a daily LST dataset for the Great Lakes that spans an unparalleled 42 years (1979–2020) at a spatial resolution of ~1 km. In our dataset, the Great Lakes are represented by ~33,000 unstructured grid points and the LSTM training incorporated the information from each grid point. The LSTM was trained with seven meteorological variables from reanalysis data as feature variables and the LST from a historical satellite-derived dataset as the target variable. The LSTM was able to capture the spatial heterogeneity of LST in the Great Lakes well and exhibited high correlation (≥0.92) and low bias (limited to ±1.5 °C) for the temporal evolution of LST during the training (1995–2020) and testing (1979–1994) periods

Laser-induced real-space topology control of spin wave resonances

Femtosecond laser excitation of materials that exhibit magnetic spin textures promises advanced magnetic control via the generation of ultrafast and non-equilibrium spin dynamics. We explore such possibilities in ferrimagnetic [Fe(0.35 nm)/Gd(0.40 nm)]$_{160}$ multilayers, which host a rich diversity of magnetic textures from stripe domains at low magnetic fields, a dense bubble/skyrmion lattice at intermediate fields, and a single domain state for high magnetic fields. Using femtosecond magneto-optics, we observe distinct coherent spin wave dynamics in response to a weak laser excitation allowing us to unambiguously identify the different magnetic spin textures. Moreover, employing strong laser excitation we show that we achieve versatile control of the coherent spin dynamics via non-equilibrium and ultrafast transformation of magnetic spin textures by both creating and annihilating bubbles/skyrmions. We corroborate our findings by micromagnetic simulations and by Lorentz transmission electron microscopy before and after laser exposure.Comment: 19 article pages, 12 supplementar

Sequential and Direct Two-Photon Double Ionization of D₂ at Flash

Sequential and direct two-photon double ionization (DI) of D2 molecule is studied experimentally and theoretically at a photon energy of 38.8 eV. Experimental and theoretical kinetic energy releases of D++D+fragments, consisting of the contributions of sequential DI via the D2+(1sσg) state and direct DI via a virtual state, agree well with each other

A Canonical Biomechanical Vocal Fold Model

The present article aimed at constructing a canonical geometry of the human vocal fold (VF) from subject-specific image slice data. A computer-aided design approach automated the model construction. A subject-specific geometry available in literature, three abstractions (which successively diminished in geometric detail) derived from it, and a widely used quasi two-dimensional VF model geometry were used to create computational models. The first three natural frequencies of the models were used to characterize their mechanical response. These frequencies were determined for a representative range of tissue biomechanical properties, accounting for underlying VF histology. Compared with the subject-specific geometry model (baseline), a higher degree of abstraction was found to always correspond to a larger deviation in model frequency (up to 50% in the relevant range of tissue biomechanical properties). The model we deemed canonical was optimally abstracted, in that it significantly simplified the VF geometry compared with the baseline geometry but can be recalibrated in a consistent manner to match the baseline response. Models providing only a marginally higher degree of abstraction were found to have significant deviation in predicted frequency response. The quasi two-dimensional model presented an extreme situation: it could not be recalibrated for its frequency response to match the subject-specific model. This deficiency was attributed to complex support conditions at anterior-posterior extremities of the VFs, accentuated by further issues introduced through the tissue biomechanical properties. In creating canonical models by leveraging advances in clinical imaging techniques, the automated design procedure makes VF modeling based on subject-specific geometry more realizable

“If it becomes the way I believe society will be more equal between women and men in a few years.” : A qualitative study about Swedish students’ perception of gender equality in history, the present and the future

Gender equality has long been a part of the curriculum for the Swedish school system. The subject is meant to permeate all aspects of school operation and teachers' education in the classroom. History as a subject is no exception. Although it is part of the school curriculum and practice, there is a lack of studies concerning the topic. Moreover, there is a lack of studies concerning how students perceive and think about these practices and subjects.  This study examines how Swedish students experience and express thoughts about gender equality in an historical, contemporary and future perspective. The method in hand has been a content analysis, used on 110 student-answers from the Swedish National test within the history-subject of 2015. Within this method, narrative theories constructed by Jörn Rüsen have been used to study and categorize students' historical consciousness in the form of their temporal orientation. In order to examine how students perceive gender equality, we have primarily made use of the political definition provided by the Swedish government and the separation between quantitative and qualitative gender equality described by Victoria Wahlgren.   Results of this study shows that students' attitudes regarding gender equality today are often linked to their identification within the subject of history. The same is also true for their thoughts about the future. Differences between boys and girls are identified, with girls being more nuanced about modern gender equality. This difference underlines the connection and importance of knowledge about the past in order to understand questions at hand. Differences regarding gender can be seen in how students define gender equality. In general, all students seem more focused on quantitative gender equality questions. Nevertheless, girls tend to discuss the subject in a more qualitative way.  Finally, there is a discussion of how these results influence history teachers' practices. Aspects such as the consequences these practices may have on students of different genders is also discussed. Furthermore, we want to highlight the need for additional research about gender equality in school operation and historical education

“If it becomes the way I believe society will be more equal between women and men in a few years.” : A qualitative study about Swedish students’ perception of gender equality in history, the present and the future

Gender equality has long been a part of the curriculum for the Swedish school system. The subject is meant to permeate all aspects of school operation and teachers' education in the classroom. History as a subject is no exception. Although it is part of the school curriculum and practice, there is a lack of studies concerning the topic. Moreover, there is a lack of studies concerning how students perceive and think about these practices and subjects.  This study examines how Swedish students experience and express thoughts about gender equality in an historical, contemporary and future perspective. The method in hand has been a content analysis, used on 110 student-answers from the Swedish National test within the history-subject of 2015. Within this method, narrative theories constructed by Jörn Rüsen have been used to study and categorize students' historical consciousness in the form of their temporal orientation. In order to examine how students perceive gender equality, we have primarily made use of the political definition provided by the Swedish government and the separation between quantitative and qualitative gender equality described by Victoria Wahlgren.   Results of this study shows that students' attitudes regarding gender equality today are often linked to their identification within the subject of history. The same is also true for their thoughts about the future. Differences between boys and girls are identified, with girls being more nuanced about modern gender equality. This difference underlines the connection and importance of knowledge about the past in order to understand questions at hand. Differences regarding gender can be seen in how students define gender equality. In general, all students seem more focused on quantitative gender equality questions. Nevertheless, girls tend to discuss the subject in a more qualitative way.  Finally, there is a discussion of how these results influence history teachers' practices. Aspects such as the consequences these practices may have on students of different genders is also discussed. Furthermore, we want to highlight the need for additional research about gender equality in school operation and historical education

Circulating dendritic cell precursors in chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen-presenting cells in the immune system. They patrol the blood as circulating dendritic cell precursors (DCP). Decreased blood DCP count has been shown to be related to atherosclerotic plaque burden. Since chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with chronic inflammation and increased cardiovascular risk, the aim of our study was to investigate a potential effect of CKD on circulating DCP numbers especially in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: The number of circulating myeloid (mDCP), plasmacytoid (pDCP), and total DCP (tDCP) was analysed by flow cytometry in 245 patients with CKD stage 3 (with and without known cardiovascular events) and 85 coronary healthy controls. In addition, data were compared with a historical group of 130 patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD). RESULTS: Compared to controls, patients with CKD 3 revealed a significant decrease in circulating mDCP (-29%), pDCP (-43%), and tDCP (-38%) (P < 0.001, respectively). Compared with CAD-patients, the decrease in circulating DCP in CKD was comparable or even more pronounced indicating a potential role for DCP in cardiovascular risk potentiation due to CKD. CONCLUSIONS: Based on previous findings in CAD, the marked decrease of DCP in CKD implicates a potential role for DCP as a mediator of cardiovascular disease. Whether DCP in CKD may act as new cardiovascular biomarkers needs to be established in future prospective trials

Cardiovascular and Renal Effects of High Salt Diet in GDNF+/- Mice with Low Nephron Number

Aims: To test the suggested association of low nephron number and later development of renal and cardiovascular disease we investigated the effects of high sodium diet in heterozygous GDNF+/- mice. Methods: Aged wild type and GDNF+/- mice were grouped together according to high sodium (HS, 4%) or low sodium (LS, 0.03%) diet for 4 weeks. The heart, the aorta and the kidneys were processed for morphometric and stereological evaluations and TaqMan PCR. Results: On HS GDNF+/- mice showed significantly higher drinking volume and urine production than wt and mean arterial blood pressure tended to be higher. Heart weight was higher in GDNF+/- than in wt, but the difference was only significant for LS. HS significantly increased cardiac interstitial tissue in GDNF+/-, but not in wt. On LS GDNF+/- mice had significantly larger glomeruli than wt and HS led to an additional two fold increase of glomerular area compared to LS. On electron microscopy glomerular damage after HS was seen in GDNF+/-, but not in wt. Dietary salt intake modulated renal IL-10 gene expression in GDNF+/-. Conclusion: In the setting of 30% lower nephron number HS diet favoured maladaptive changes of the kidney as well as of the cardiovascular system

Hypericin-bearing magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for selective drug delivery in photodynamic therapy

Combining the concept of magnetic drug targeting and photodynamic therapy is a promising approach for the treatment of cancer. A high selectivity as well as significant fewer side effects can be achieved by this method, since the therapeutic treatment only takes place in the area where accumulation of the particles by an external electromagnet and radiation by a laser system overlap. In this article, a novel hypericin-bearing drug delivery system has been developed by synthesis of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with a hypericin-linked functionalized dextran coating. For that, sterically stabilized dextran-coated SPIONs were produced by coprecipitation and crosslinking with epichlorohydrin to enhance stability. Carboxymethylation of the dextran shell provided a functionalized platform for linking hypericin via glutaraldehyde. Particle sizes obtained by dynamic light scattering were in a range of 55–85 nm, whereas investigation of single magnetite or maghemite particle diameter was performed by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction and resulted in approximately 4.5–5.0 nm. Surface chemistry of those particles was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ζ potential measurements, indicating successful functionalization and dispersal stabilization due to a mixture of steric and electrostatic repulsion. Flow cytometry revealed no toxicity of pure nanoparticles as well as hypericin without exposure to light on Jurkat T-cells, whereas the combination of hypericin, alone or loaded on particles, with light-induced cell death in a concentration and exposure time-dependent manner due to the generation of reactive oxygen species. In conclusion, the combination of SPIONs’ targeting abilities with hypericin’s phototoxic properties represents a promising approach for merging magnetic drug targeting with photodynamic therapy for the treatment of cancer