bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular dynamics simulation of effect of crosslinking on thermal conductivity of silicone rubber
Authors: Xu Wen-Xue , Liang Xin-Gang , Xu Xiang-Hua , Zhu Yuan ,   School of Aerospace Engineering, Key Laboratory for Thermal Science and Power Engineering, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China,   School of Microelectronics, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Published: November 2020

Silicone rubber has an important application as a thermal interface material for its advantages in insulation, heat resistance, etc. The thermal conductivities at different crosslinking densities are calculated by non-equilibrium molecular dynamics. The results show that the thermal conductivity increases with crosslinking density increasing. The thermal conductivity can increase by 40% when the crosslinking density is 80%, which is because the spatial network structure formed by crosslinking shortens the length of heat transfer along the atomic chain, which makes the thermal conductivity increase greatly. The position of crosslinking bond has little effect on the thermal conductivity under the same crosslinking density, i.e. there is no significant difference in the thermal conductivity of the cross-linked structure between the end-cross-linking position and the middle-cross-linking position. However, the increase of the interval between the crosslinking points is beneficial to the increase of the thermal conductivity. The phonon densities of state under different crosslinking densities are calculated, and the heat conduction mechanism of crosslinking structure is analyzed.
Methods of calibrating kinetic energy release in dissociation process of molecular dications
Authors: Zhang Min , Yan Shun-Cheng , Gao Yong , Zhang Shao-Feng , Ma Xin-Wen ,   Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China,   University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Published: November 2020

In the studies of fragmentation processes of molecules induced by extreme ultraviolet photons, intense laser fields, or charged particles, kinetic energy release (KER) is a key physical parameter. It can reveal the electronic states of the parent molecular ion, and provide an insight into the molecular structures and the dissociation dynamics. Therefore, it is essential to obtain the accurate KER spectrum for studying the fragmentation process of molecules. However, in the experiments using reaction microscope, experimental parameters such as the time-of-flight (TOF), the voltage of the TOF spectrometer and the detector image of the fragments have significant influence on the accuracy of KER determination. In this work, by taking the two-body fragmentation process of CO2+ → C+ + O+ induced by 108 keV/u Ne8+ impact on CO molecules as a prototype, we introduce two methods to accurately calibrate the reconstructed KER spectrum. The first method is to employ two-dimensional momentum spectra of C+ ions obtained by slicing the momentum sphere. The parameters are correctly calibrated when the circular distribution of the two-dimensional ion momentum image is restored. The second method is to use the correlation spectra of the KER as a function of the emission angle of the C+ ions to calibrate the experimental parameters, the calibration meets the required level only when the linear dependence of the emission angle on the KER is fulfilled. Then, calibrated KER spectrum is obtained for the dissociation process. By fitting the peak dissociated from the \begin{document}$^{3}\Sigma^{+}$\end{document} state of CO2+ in the KER spectrum, the energy resolution is estimated at 0.24 eV under these experimental conditions. Although these two methods can be used to accurately calibrate the reconstructed KER spectrum, the second calibration method does not require particularly high data statistics, and is suitable for analyzing the processes with lower reaction cross section. Furthermore, this method is convenient for debugging the parameters. Both methods are reliable for parameter calibration and guarantee high accuracy KER for molecular fragmentation experiments in future.
Structural evolution and matter transportation of the interface in all-solid-state battery
Authors: Gong Yue , Gu Lin ,   Laboratory of Advanced Materials & Electron Microscopy, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China,   School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China,   Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan 523808, China
Published: November 2020

The essence of the scientific problem in all solid-state batteries lies in the properties of the introduced solid electrolyte and the existence of a new solid-solid interface. Starting from the structure-property relationship, the structural evolution of the solid-solid interface and the electrolyte itself, and the matter transport process determine the performance of the all-solid-state battery. With the continuous enrichment of solid electrolyte materials, the current problems in all solid-state batteries are mainly concentrated on the solid-solid interface. The composition and structure at the interface limit the performance of all solid-state batteries. According to the different situations of solid-solid interface contact, this article summarizes and discusses the structure and matter transport at the solid-solid interface in all solid-state batteries according to the three levels of solid-solid interface physical contact, chemical contact and surface modification. Finally, the relationship between local symmetry and material properties under the macroscopic complex system is discussed from the perspective of the functional origin of functional materials.
NOTES ON THE PLATE EFFICIENCY OF POWER OSCILLATORS
Authors: PING-CHUAN FENG  ,   Department of Physics,Linguan University,Canton
Published: November 2020

This paper presents several considerations which are usually overlooked by designers of power oscillators. Effects of the shape of the path of operation upon the plate efficiency of the oscillators are discussed and methods of improving the plate efficiency are mentioned.
GENERAL THEORY OF THE QUASI-GHEMICAL METHOD IN THE STATISTICAL THEORY OF SUPERLATTIGES
Authors: C. N. Yang  , Y. Y. Li  ,   清华大学物理系
Published: November 2020

The generalization of the quasi-chemical method of Fowler and Guggenheim in the statistical theory of superlattices made by one of the authors is extended to a binary alloy of any composition. The formulae are very similar to those for the composition 1:1. The alloy AuCu3 is treated in more detail.
ON THE BINDING ENERGIES OF THE NUCLEI 6Li AND 7Li——PART II NUMERICAL CALCULATION FOR 6Li (Contributions from Institute of Modern Physics, Academia Sinica, No. 4)
Authors: YEH LUNG-FEY  ,   中国科学院近代物理研究所
Published: November 2020

By using the formulae obtained in Part I for the calculation of the binding energy of 6Li, a numerical estimate is made here-the variational function being chosen rather roughly. The results are in favour of the two-range nuclear potential considered previously, and indeed indicate a larger ratio of the two ranges, the ratio being not smaller than three.
A KINETIC THEORY OF TURBULENCE
Authors: GWOH-FAN DJANG  ,   National Pei-Yang University,Tientsin.
Published: November 2020

This paper deals with a method of treating problems of Turbulence from a kinetic point of view. Turbulence "temperature", "pressure", and "entropy" are first defined as state functions, and then the pressure and temperature are incorporated into the equations of motion. Turbulent flows through a circular pipe and between parallel planes are considered in some detail, while the problems of turbulence decay, turbulence structure, and correlation characteristics are briefly discussed. Practically in all cases, the constancy of the turbulence temperature is found to play an important role.
A GAS DISCHARGE SWITCH:——I.FOR CONTROLLING LOW LEVEL 3 CM-BAND MICROWAVE SIGNALS
Authors: T. S. KE  ,   清华大学物理系,中国科学院应用物理研究所
Published: November 2020

A gas discharge switch for controlling low level 3 cm-band signals was developed by modifying a iB24 TR tube. The keep-alive electrode in the tube was placed nearer to the r-f gap, and the aperture of the lower cone was made larger than that in the standard tube. It was observed that a keep-alive depth (distance from r-f gap) of 0.4 mm gave the highest attenuation. Among the various gas fillings tried, nitrogen was found to be most suitable. It gave a high attenuation and a reasonably long tube life. About 44 db attenuation was obtained at a keep-alive current of 0.4 ma with a gas rilling of 12 mm Hg of nitrogen. No detectable r-f noisc was introduced by the keep-alive discharge. A qualitative discussion is presented to account for the attenuation in terms of the motion of the electron furnished by the keep-alive discharge under an r-f field.
A QUANTUM MECHANICAL CALCULATION FOR THE MOLECULE HF
Authors: HUANG TZU-CHIA  ,   清华大学物理系,北京中国科学院近代物理研究所
Published: November 2020

A quantum-mechanical vanational calculation is made for the molecule HF, based on the ionic model, the fluorine negative ion being polarized on the whole by the proton. Brown's numerical results for the Hartrce-Fock functions of the fluorine ion are used. The calculated results do not agree well with the experimental results, which indicates that, even for this most polar molecule, the above model serves only for a very poor representation of the motion of the electrons in the molecule.
GRAPHICAL PRE-DETERMINATION OF THE PERFORMANCE OF POWER OSCILLATORS
Authors: FING-CHUAN FENG  , PING-CHENG HSU  ,   岭南大学物理系
Published: November 2020

This paper presents a graphical method of pre-determining the perlormance characteristics of a power oscillator. Calculated results are compared with experimental data and the agreement was found to be better than other methods known at present.
THEORY OF ROLLING
Authors: CHIEN WEI-ZANG  , CHEN CHIH-TA  ,   清华大学
Published: November 2020

The theory of rolling given in the present paper is based upon the following assumptions:(1) There is no lateral spreading.(2) The material used is imconpressible,. isotropic, and viscous. It also obeys von Mises-Hencky's condition of yielding.(3) The elastic deformation of rolls is neglected.(4) The contact region between the material and rolls is divided into three parts: namely the forward slipping region, sticking region, and backward slipping region. The conditions of continuity of velocity and pressure are used.The results obtained from this theory agree very well with the experimental results given by Siebel and Lueg in 1933.
Torus-Like Balloons
Authors:   Marin Drinov  Academic Publishing House, Mladenov Ivïalo M.
Published: November 2020

The concepts for inflatable deployable structures have been under development and evaluation for many years. Strangely enough only the Mylar balloon up to now has been described adequately. Here we provide the mathematical model and its analytical solution for the torus-like balloons. Their characteristics and shapes are described explicitly in terms of elliptic integrals. The obtained results are commented shortly and the possible directions for the related studies in the future are outlined.
Las razones de Andrés Bello para derogar de la legislación chilena la institución de la Restitutio in Integrum proveniente del derecho indiano
Authors: Reyes Gajardo Ignacio
Published: November 2020

El presente artículo pretende dilucidar las razones fundamentales sobre las que Andrés Bello baso su decisión de no incluir y derogar la institución de la restitutio in integrum proveniente del Derecho Indiano al redactar el Código Civil. Se analizará además el significado y las implicaciones de la “Ley sobre el efecto retroactivo” promulgada en 1861- es decir, tan solo cuatro años después de que el código haya entrado en vigencia- la cual hace referencia explícita a esta institución en su Artículo 11, en lo que parece una contradicción al prohibir su ejercicio, una vez que ya había sido derogada por el Código Civil.
Quadro teórico das presidências interrompidas - Uma revisão da literatura de remoção de presidentes
Authors: Martins Pessoa Bruno
Published: November 2020

O que explica a saída forçada antes do término do mandato de presidentes democraticamente eleitos? O objetivo desse artigo é fazer uma revisão da literatura de remoção de presidentes, e discutir os pontos de convergência e divergência dessa literatura, que surgiu nos últimos 20 anos e vem ganhando cada vez mais importância com o surgimento de novos casos de líderes eleitos que saíram antes do esperado, especialmente na América Latina.
Physico-Bacteriological Parameters of the Pond Water Treated with Powdered Moringa oleifera Almonds Dried at Different Temperatures for the Purpose of Drip Irrigation
Authors: Aboubacar Yerima B. D. , Yadji G. Guero
Published: November 2020

Surface waters are generally turbid because they contain suspended matter, organic matter, chemical and physical or even biological elements that make these waters unfit for drip irrigation. The almond powder of Moringa oleifera that was used in the study was dried in an oven for one month at temperatures of 25, 40 and 50°C and used to treat the water of Kongou Gorou Zarmagandey pond so it is suitable for localized irrigation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physico-bacteriological quality of the waters of this pond. The parameters studied are Escherichia. coli, faecal Streptococci, total germs and sulphito-reducers, organic matter, total residues and the color of treated water. After treatment of water with 100 mg/Lp Moringa oleifera seed powders dried at the respective temperatures of 25, 40 and 50°C, the supernatants were removed and analyzed. The results of this analysis show an increase in organic matter of 52.59, 55.84 and 57.14%; a slight reduction in total residues of 0.7%, 4.3% and 2.5% at the respective temperatures of 50, 40 and 25°C; an abatement of Escherichia. Coli is total (100% for all temperatures). For Streptococci, a reduction of 99.24% was observed for the dose at 25°C and 98.48% for those at 40 and 50°C. For Sulfo-reducing agents, the efficacy of the treatments is therefore total, 100% for doses of 100 mg. 1 to 25 and 40°C and about 99.99% for that at 50°C. Finally, in terms of color, there was a drop of 97.62%; 97.858% and 98.167% at the respective temperatures of 50°C, 25°C and 40°C. The analysis of the water in the study area shows that the latter is in line with the FAO guidelines on the physico-bacteriological aspects of irrigation water in general and that of drip irrigation in particular.
Screening to Identify Postoperative Pain and Cross‐Sectional Associations Between Factors Identified in This Process With Pain and Function, Three Months After Total Knee Replacement
Authors: Wylde Vikki , Sanderson Emily , Peters Tim J. , Bertram Wendy , Howells Nicholas , Bruce Julie , Eccleston Christopher , Gooberman‐Hill Rachael
Published: November 2020

Objective

To describe the screening and recruitment process of a randomized trial and evaluate associations with knee pain and function 3 months after total knee replacement (TKR).

Methods

In order to screen for a multicenter trial, a total of 5,036 patients were sent the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) questionnaire 10 weeks post‐TKR. Patients who reported pain in their replaced knee (score of ≤14 on the OKS pain component) completed a second OKS questionnaire 12 weeks post‐TKR. Those patients who were still experiencing pain 12 weeks post‐TKR completed a detailed questionnaire 13 weeks post‐TKR. These data were used to characterize pain in a cross‐sectional analysis. Multivariable regression was performed in order to identify factors associated with pain and function at 13 weeks post‐TKR.

Results

We received OKS questionnaires from 3,058 of 5,063 TKR patients (60%), and 907 of the 3,058 (30%) reported pain in their replaced knee 10 weeks post‐TKR. By 12 weeks, 179 of 553 patients (32%) reported improved pain (score of >14 on the OKS pain component). At 13 weeks, 192 of 363 patients (53%) who completed a detailed questionnaire reported neuropathic pain, 94 of 362 (26%) reported depression symptoms, and 95 of 363 (26%) anxiety symptoms. More severe pain at 13 weeks postoperatively was associated with poorer general health, poorer physical health, more pain worry, and lower satisfaction with surgery outcome. More severe functional limitation was associated with higher levels of depression, more pain worry, lower satisfaction with surgery outcome, and higher pain acceptance.

Conclusion

Screening after TKR identified individuals with pain. We identified several potential targets (physical and mental health outcomes, acceptance of pain, and quality of life) for tailored intervention to improve outcomes for patients. Future trials of multidisciplinary interventions warranted.
High‐Definition Single‐Cell Printing: Cell‐by‐Cell Fabrication of Biological Structures
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Abate Adam R.
Published: November 2020

Bioprinting is a powerful technology with the potential to transform medical device manufacturing, organ replacement, and the treatment of diseases and physiologic malformations. However, current bioprinters are unable to reliably print the fundamental unit of all living things, single cells. A high‐definition single‐cell printing, a novel microfluidic technology, is presented here that can accurately print single cells from a mixture of multiple candidates. The bioprinter employs a highly miniaturized microfluidic sorter to deterministically select single cells of interest for printing, achieving an accuracy of ≈10 µm and speed of ≈100 Hz. This approach is demonstrated by fabricating intricate cell patterns with pre‐defined features through selective single‐cell printing. The approach is used to synthesize well‐defined spheroids with controlled composition and morphology. The speed, accuracy, and flexibility of the approach will advance bioprinting to enable new studies in organoid science, tissue engineering, and spatially targeted cell therapies.
Longitudinal trajectory of frailty in blood or marrow transplant survivors: Report from the Blood or Marrow Transplant Survivor Study
Authors: Arora Mukta , Chen Yanjun , Wu Jessica , Hageman Lindsey , Ness Emily , Kung Michelle , Francisco Liton , Bosworth Alysia , Weisdorf Daniel J. , Forman Stephen J. , Landier Wendy , Pamukçuoğlu Merve , Armenian Saro H. , Wong F. Lennie , Bhatia Smita
Published: November 2020

Background

Blood or bone marrow transplantation (BMT) survivors with frailty are at a higher risk of subsequent mortality. Longitudinal trends in the frailty state are not known and could help identify vulnerable subpopulations at risk of subsequent adverse events.

Methods

This study included a cohort of 470 autologous and allogeneic BMT recipients who had survived ≥2 years after BMT and completed a baseline questionnaire (t1) at a median of 7.3 years after BMT and a follow‐up questionnaire (t2) 13.2 years after t1. The main outcome was change in frailty state between t1 and t2. Frailty phenotype was defined as exhibiting ≥3 of the following characteristics: clinically underweight, exhaustion, low energy expenditure, slow walking speed, and muscle weakness. The following categories of change in frailty state were evaluated: worsened, improved, and stable.

Results

Of the 470 participants, 36.4% were aged ≥60 years at t1, and 50.6% were men. The prevalence of frailty increased from 4.8% at t1 to 9.6% at t2. Worsening was observed in 18.8% of patients, and improvement was reported in 9.7%. Pre‐BMT exposure to vincristine (odds ratio [OR], 2.1; 95% CI, 1.3‐3.39) was associated with worsening. Female sex (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.93‐2.4) was associated with a trend toward worsening. Pre‐BMT exposure to vincristine (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.44‐5.43), a history of chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.2‐5.5), and grade 3 and 4 chronic health conditions at t1 (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.08‐4.33) were associated with frailty at t2.

Conclusions

In a cohort of BMT survivors who were followed longitudinally for a median of 20.6 years from BMT, the frailty status worsened for approximately20% over a 13‐year timespan. BMT survivors who are at risk for worsening frailty could benefit from targeted interventions.
Genetic dissection of end‐use quality traits in two widely adapted wheat cultivars ‘TAM 111’ and ‘TAM 112’
Authors: Dhakal Smit , Liu Xiaoxiao , Girard Audrey , Chu Chenggen , Yang Yan , Wang Shichen , Xue Qingwu , Rudd Jackie C. , Ibrahim Amir M. H. , Awika Joseph M. , Johnson Charles D. , Jessup Kirk E. , Baker Jason A. , Garza Lisa , Devkota Ravindra N. , Baker Shannon , Metz Richard P. , Liu Shuyu
Published: November 2020

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis genetically dissects complex traits, discerns their genetic control and genotype‐by‐environment interactions, and ultimately helps marker development for assisted breeding selection. A mapping population of 124 F5:7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross of ‘TAM 112’ × ‘TAM 111’ was grown under seven diverse environments and evaluated for end‐use quality traits including kernel, flour, and dough‐mixing characteristics. The objective of this study was to detect QTL associated with end‐use quality traits in these two cultivars. Through 5,948 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 39 QTL regions were consistently identified in two or more environments or QTL analyses. Thirteen QTL regions associated to two or more traits were also identified. Among them, 11 QTL regions were in common on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 1D, 2D, and 4D associated to kernel hardness (HARD), kernel diameter (DIAM), single kernel weight (SKW), flour yield (FYLD), midline peak time (MLPT) with logarithm of odds (LOD) up to 42.0, and explained up to 49.3% of the phenotypic variation. Notably, Glu‐D1 loci at 414.3 Mb on chromosome 1D strongly influenced dough rheology and explained up to 54.6% of the trait variation for MLPT, with the favorable allele derived from TAM 112. Novel QTL for HARD, FYLD, and ASH were also identified on the chromosome 1A and 2A, 6B, and 7D, respectively. This study confirmed previously identified loci at major genes, some newly identified QTL on chromosomes, and the favorable alleles carried forward for improved end‐use quality.
Caloric restriction upregulates the expression of DNMT3.1, lacking the conserved catalytic domain, in Daphnia magna
Authors: Nguyen Nhan Duc , Matsuura Tomoaki , Kato Yasuhiko , Watanabe Hajime
Published: November 2020

DNA methylation plays an important role in many aspects of biology, including development, disease, and phenotypic plasticity. In the branchiopod crustacean, Daphnia, de novo DNA methylation has been detected in specific environmental contexts. However, fundamental information on de novo DNA methyltransferase DNMT3 orthologs, including domain organization, developmental expression, and response to environmental stimuli, is lacking. In this study, we examined two DNMT3 orthologs in Daphnia magna, DapmaDNMT3.1 and DapmaDNMT3.2. Amino acid sequence alignment revealed that DapmaDNMT3.1 and DapmaDNMT3.2 lack the conserved methyltransferase motifs of the catalytic domain and the PWWP domain, respectively. We profiled the expression of the two orthologs during embryogenesis and under various feeding levels. During embryogenesis, in contrast to the low DapmaDNMT3.1 expression, DapmaDNTM3.2 was highly expressed at specific stages, that is, in the one cell‐stage and at 48 hr post ovulation. In nutrient‐rich condition, both genes were lowly expressed, whereas DapmaDNMT3.1 was upregulated at the lower food levels, suggesting a potential role of DapmaDNMT3.1 in gene regulation in response to caloric restriction. These findings provide a basis for understanding the developmental stage‐ and stress‐dependent function of DNMT3 orthologs in D. magna.
Electrical modeling of carbon nanotube‐based shielded through‐silicon vias for three‐dimensional integrated circuits
Authors: Hu Qing‐Hao , Zhao Wen‐Sheng , Fu Kai , Wang Da‐Wei , Wang Gaofeng
Published: November 2020

In this article, two kinds of shielded carbon nanotube (CNT) through‐silicon vias (TSV) are proposed and investigated for high‐density three‐dimensional integrated circuits (3‐D ICs). First, vertical aligned CNT array is inserted into a single hole, and two isolated metal pads, that is, the central circular and outer annular pads, are deposited onto the surface to make distinct conduction paths. The shielded CNT TSV, which can also be named as coaxial TSV, is formed, with the semiconducting CNTs utilized to suppress lateral conductance. Based on a similar concept, the shielded differential CNT TSV is developed. By virtue of the proposed shielded CNT TSVs, the chip area can be saved significantly. The equivalent circuit models are established for the proposed shielded CNT TSVs. A passive equalizer is designed to improve the signal quality for shielded differential CNT TSV. Finally, the potential applications of the proposed TSVs in 3‐D IC power distribution network design are investigated.
Opening the Soul Window Manually: Limbal Tissue Scaffolds with Electrospun Polycaprolactone/Gelatin Nanocomposites
Authors: Wang Wei , Gao Qingqin , Yu Zhaohan , Wang Yunming , Jiang Menglin , Sun Shuang , Wang Ping , Li Yang , Meir Yaa‐Jyuhn James , Li Guigang , Zhou Huamin
Published: November 2020

Restricted by the difficulty in fabricating scaffolds suitable for cell proliferation, the use of ex vivo expanded limbal stem cell (LSC) for LSC transplantation, an effective treatment method for patients with limb stem cell deficiency (LSCD), is hard to be widely used in clinical practice. To tackle these challenges, a novel electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL)/gelatin nanocomposite is proposed to make 3D scaffolds for limbal niche cells (LNC) proliferation in vitro, which is a milestone in the treatment of diseases such as LSCD. PCL and gelatin in different weight ratios are dissolved in a mixed solvent, and then electrospinning and cross‐linking are performed to prepare a scaffold for cell proliferation. The characterizations of the nanocomposites indicate that the gelatin content has a significant effect on its micro‐morphology, thermal properties, crystallinity, degradation temperature, hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties. P8G2‐C (PCL: gelatin = 80: 20, cross‐linked), with smooth fibers and homogeneous pores, has better hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, and flexibility, so it can support LNC as cell proliferation assays revealed. This detailed investigation presented here demonstrates the feasibility of using PCL/gelatin nanocomposites electrospun fiber membranes as a limbus tissue engineering scaffold, which undoubtedly provide a new perspective for the development of tissue engineering field.
Rapid Hard‐Tissue‐Embedding Method for Embedding Graphene Nanomaterials: A Multilayered Graphene Hydrogel Membrane
Authors: Lyu Chengqi , Li Chunyan , Sun Jiayue , Teng Lin , He Yushi , Zou Derong , Lu Jiayu , Li Dan
Published: November 2020

Graphene has attracted great interest for its uses in tissue regeneration. Multilayered graphene hydrogel (MGH) membranes show great potential as barrier membranes in guided bone regeneration. However, when using the conventional methyl methacrylate‐embedding process, the MGH membrane swells and loses its natural form, which seriously limits the observation of bone regeneration. A rapid embedding method is developed by adding the cross‐linker tetra(ethylene glycol)diacrylate and increasing the polymerization temperature (45 °C) and initiator concentration (64% benzoyl peroxide in penetration liquid). By the rapid embedding method, the shape and properties of the MGH membrane can be well preserved, and the bone tissue can also be well embedded. The resulting blocks have uniform hardness, which makes it possible to obtain thin sections using a cutting and grinding procedure. The rapid embedding method has no significant effect on the conventional methods of bone regeneration detection. The interface between the MGH membrane and new bone tissue can be clearly observed. This new hard‐tissue‐embedding method can lead to better observation of the interaction between bone and graphene, providing an optimized experimental technology for the study of hard tissue regeneration with graphene in the future.
Therapeutic effect of curcumin on oral diseases: A literature review
Authors: Tang Weilong , Du Minquan , Zhang Shuang , Jiang Han
Published: November 2020

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a polyphenol compound extracted from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa. It has the feature of being a yellow or orange pigment with a variety of biological properties, including anti‐inflammation, antioxidation, anti‐tumor, anti‐bacteria, anti‐fungus, and wound healing. Previous studies have reported the role of curcumin in treating different inflammatory diseases and tumors in vitro and in vivo. Recently, it has been demonstrated that curcumin has therapeutic benefits in oral mucosal diseases, periodontal diseases, and mouth neoplasms. In this review, we will focus on the therapeutic effects of curcumin on oral diseases.
Preferential flow at the darcy scale: Parameters from water content time series
Authors: Germann Peter
Published: November 2020

In soils, fast preferential flow is limited to infiltration and to small fractions of pore volumes. The viscous flow approach to preferential flow combines these features. The approach is based on thin films whose two parameters—thickness and specific contact area per unit volume of the permeable medium—are deducible from time series of volumetric water contents. Such a time series is the response of the permeable system to an input pulse of known duration and volume flux density. This chapter summarizes the theory, offers a step‐by‐step protocol for determining the two parameters, and applies the approach to water content time series recorded at five depths in a profile of a Mollic Cambisol.
Quantitative stable isotope probing with H218O to measure taxon‐specific microbial growth
Authors: Purcell Alicia M. , Dijkstra Paul , Finley Brianna , Hayer Michaela , Koch Benjamin J. , Mau Rebecca L. , Morrissey Ember , Papp Katerina , Schwartz Egbert , Stone Bram W. , Hungate Bruce A.
Published: November 2020

Microorganisms in soil assimilate, transform, and mineralize soil C to support growth. There are an estimated 2.6 × 1029 microbial cells containing 26 Pg C in soils worldwide. Consequently, quantifying microbial growth in soil is critical for determining the degree to which microorganisms contribute to the global C cycle. Measuring taxonspecific microbial growth enables understanding of the contribution of microbial taxa to elemental transformations across ecosystems and their susceptibility to environmental perturbations. These measurements in soil have largely been lacking due to inadequate methods. Quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP) with H218O is used to measure taxon‐specific growth of microbial taxa in soil, an improvement compared with traditional stable isotope probing (SIP). In qSIP, DNA extracted from both a labeled (18O‐enriched water) and an unlabeled treatment is separated into numerous density fractions by isopycnic centrifugation, and target genes are quantified and sequenced in each fraction. The taxon‐specific DNA density shift and ultimately the isotopic composition (18O enrichment) is calculated for each taxon. Here we discuss methods and illustrate the procedure for quantifying microbial taxon‐specific growth in soil with qSIP using heavy isotope enriched H218O.
Accurate blank corrections for zero length column experiments
Authors: Verbraeken Maarten , Centineo Alessio , Canobbio Luigi , Brandani Stefano
Published: November 2020

In this study we present a new methodology for correcting experimental Zero Length Column data, to account for contributions to the measured signal arising from extra-column volumes and the detector. The methodology considers the experimental setup as a series of mixing volumes with diffusive pockets whose contributions to the overall measured signal can be accurately described by simple model functions. The composite effect of the individual contributions is subsequently described through the method of convolution. It is shown that the model parameters are closely related to the physical characteristics of the setup components and as such they remain valid over a range of process conditions. The methodology is firstly validated through fitting to experimental experiments without adsorbent present. The inverse procedure of deconvolution can in turn be applied to experimental data with adsorbent, to yield corrected data which can readily be modelled using standard tools for equilibrium and kinetic analysis. A number of case studies is finally presented exemplifying the effect of applying accurate blank corrections, demonstrating also the application to a nonlinear adsorption system.
Bending analysis of magnetoelectroelastic nanoplates resting on Pasternak elastic foundation based on nonlocal theory
Authors: Feng Wenjie , Yan Zhen , Lin Ji , Zhang C. Z.
Published: November 2020

Based on the nonlocal theory and Mindlin plate theory, the governing equations (i.e., a system of partial differential equations (PDEs) for bending problem) of magnetoelectroelastic (MEE) nanoplates resting on the Pasternak elastic foundation are first derived by the variational principle. The polynomial particular solutions corresponding to the established model are then obtained and further employed as basis functions with the method of particular solutions (MPS) to solve the governing equations numerically. It is confirmed that for the present bending model, the new solution strategy possesses more general applicability and superior flexibility in the selection of collocation points. Finally, the effects of different boundary conditions, applied loads, and geometrical shapes on the bending properties of MEE nanoplates are evaluated by using the developed method. Some important conclusions are drawn, which should be helpful for the design and applications of electromagnetic nanoplate structures.
Validating Linear Systems Analysis for Laminar fMRI: Temporal Additivity for Stimulus Duration Manipulations
Authors: van Dijk Jelle A. , Fracasso Alessio , Petridou Natalia , Dumoulin Serge O.
Published: November 2020

Advancements in ultra-high field (7 T and higher) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners have made it possible to investigate both the structure and function of the human brain at a sub-millimeter scale. As neuronal feedforward and feedback information arrives in different layers, sub-millimeter functional MRI has the potential to uncover information processing between cortical micro-circuits across cortical depth, i.e. laminar fMRI. For nearly all conventional fMRI analyses, the main assumption is that the relationship between local neuronal activity and the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal adheres to the principles of linear systems theory. For laminar fMRI, however, directional blood pooling across cortical depth stemming from the anatomy of the cortical vasculature, potentially violates these linear system assumptions, thereby complicating analysis and interpretation. Here we assess whether the temporal additivity requirement of linear systems theory holds for laminar fMRI. We measured responses elicited by viewing stimuli presented for different durations and evaluated how well the responses to shorter durations predicted those elicited by longer durations. We find that BOLD response predictions are consistently good predictors for observed responses, across all cortical depths, and in all measured visual field maps (V1, V2, and V3). Our results suggest that the temporal additivity assumption for linear systems theory holds for laminar fMRI. We thus show that the temporal additivity assumption holds across cortical depth for sub-millimeter gradient-echo BOLD fMRI in early visual cortex.
Vernakalant for Rapid Cardioversion of Recent-Onset Atrial Fibrillation: Results from the SPECTRUM Study
Authors: Lévy Samuel , Hartikainen Juha , Ritz Beate , Juhlin Tord , Carbajosa-Dalmau José , Domanovits Hans
Published: November 2020

Aims

Rapid restoration of sinus rhythm using pharmacological cardioversion is commonly indicated in patients with symptomatic recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). The objectives of this large, international, multicenter observational study were to determine the safety and effectiveness of intravenous (IV) vernakalant for conversion of AF to sinus rhythm in daily practice.

Methods and Results

Consenting patients with symptomatic recent-onset AF (< 7 days) treated with IV vernakalant were enrolled and followed up to 24 h after the last infusion or until discharge, in order to determine the incidence of predefined serious adverse events (SAEs) and other observed SAEs and evaluate the conversion rate within the first 90 min. Overall, 2009 treatment episodes in 1778 patients were analyzed. The age of patients was 62.3 ± 13.0 years (mean ± standard deviation). Median AF duration before treatment was 11.1 h (IQR 5.4–27.0 h). A total of 28 SAEs occurred in 26 patients including 19 predefined SAEs, i.e., sinus arrest (n = 4, 0.2%), significant bradycardia (n = 11, 0.5%), significant hypotension (n = 2, 0.1%), and atrial flutter with 1:1 conduction (n = 2, 0.1%). There were no cases of sustained ventricular arrhythmias or deaths. All patients who experienced SAEs recovered fully (n = 25) or with sequelae (n = 1). Conversion rate to sinus rhythm was 70.2%, within a median of 12 min (IQR 8.0–28.0 min).

Conclusions

This large multicenter, international observational study confirms the good safety profile and the high effectiveness of vernakalant for the rapid cardioversion of recent-onset AF in daily hospital practice.
Giving Feedback on Peers’ Concept Maps in an Inquiry Learning Context: The Effect of Providing Assessment Criteria
Authors: Dmoshinskaia Natasha , Gijlers Hannie , de Jong Ton
Published: November 2020

Giving and receiving peer feedback is seen as an important vehicle for deep learning. Defining assessment criteria is a first step in giving feedback to peers and can play an important role in feedback providers’ learning. However, there is no consensus about whether it is better to ask students to think about assessment criteria themselves or to provide them with ready-made assessment criteria. The current experimental study aims at answering this question in a secondary school STEM educational context, during a physics lesson in an online inquiry learning environment. As a part of their lesson, participants (n = 93) had to give feedback on two concept maps, and were randomly assigned to one of two conditions—being provided or not being provided with assessment criteria. Students’ post-test scores, the quality of feedback given, and the quality of students’ own concept maps were analyzed to determine if there was an effect of condition on feedback providers’ learning. Results did not reveal an advantage of one condition over the other in terms of learning gains. Possible implications for practice and directions for further research are discussed.
Does cultural distance affect online review ratings? Measuring international customers’ satisfaction with services leveraging digital platforms and big data
Authors: Mariani Marcello M. , Matarazzo Michela
Published: November 2020

The advent and development of digital platforms has helped enhance the international visibility of brands, products and services, and has also introduced a proliferation of online reviews. This study develops a big data analysis of customer online reviews of hospitality services to gauge the extent to which the cultural distance among service providers and their customers influences online review ratings. By examining almost 715,000 online reviews written by hotel customers from more than 100 different nationalities, the effect of national cultural differences among service customers and providers (namely cultural distance) on online review ratings is innovatively scrutinized. The paper, by considering reviewers’ behavioral features, demographics, and trip-related factors, reveals that the effect of national cultural distance on online review ratings is negative. Several implications for practitioners are also discussed.
Dynamic response of the spherical pendulum subjected to horizontal Lissajous excitation
Authors: Litak Grzegorz , Margielewicz Jerzy , Gąska Damian , Yurchenko Daniil , Dąbek Krzysztof
Published: November 2020

This paper examines the oscillations of a spherical pendulum with horizontal Lissajous excitation. The pendulum has two degrees of freedom: a rotational angle defined in the horizontal plane and an inclination angle defined by the pendulum with respect to the vertical z axis. The results of numerical simulations are illustrated with the mathematical model in the form of multi-colored maps of the largest Lyapunov exponent. The graphical images of geometrical structures of the attractors placed on Poincaré cross sections are shown against the maps of the resolution density of the trajectory points passing through a control plane. Drawn for a steady-state, the graphical images of the trajectory of a tip mass are shown in a three-dimensional space. The obtained trajectories of the moving tip mass are referred to a constructed bifurcation diagram.
Test-driven development with mutation testing – an experimental study
Authors: Roman Adam , Mnich Michal
Published: November 2020

Test-driven development (TDD) is a popular design approach used by the developers with testing being the important software development driving factor. On the other hand, mutation testing is considered one of the most effective testing techniques. However, there is not so much research on combining these two techniques together. In this paper, we propose a novel, hybrid approach called TDD+M which combines test-driven development process together with the mutation approach. The aim was to check whether this modified approach allows the developers to write a better quality code. We verify our approach by conducting a controlled experiment and we show that it achieves better results than the sole TDD technique. The experiment involved 22 computer science students split into eight groups. Four groups (TDD+M) were using our approach, the other four (TDD) – a normal TDD process. We performed a cross-experiment by measuring the code coverage and mutation coverage for each combination (code of group X, tests from group Y). The TDD+M tests achieved better coverage on the code from TDD groups than the TDD tests on their own code (53.3% vs. 33.5% statement coverage and 64.9% vs. 37.5% mutation coverage). The TDD+M tests also found more post-release defects in the TDD code than TDD tests in the TDD+M code. The experiment showed that adding mutation into the TDD process allows the developers to provide better, stronger tests and to write a better quality code.
An assessment of import tariff costs for Italian exporting firms
Authors: Fusacchia Ilaria , Antimiani Alessandro , Salvatici Luca
Published: November 2020

Since production and trade are increasingly organized within global value chains (GVCs), assessing who effectively pays the cost of protection is not straightforward and since productive processes are internationally fragmented, quantifying the effects of trade policy requires an enhanced analytical framework that takes international input–output linkages into account to assess the implications trade costs have on competitiveness at national and sector levels. This paper defines a new synthetic measure of trade protection based on the value added in trade, capturing the effects that the tariff structure has on exporting firms that rely on imported intermediate inputs. The index, defined in a general equilibrium framework, provides a theoretically sound protection measurement in the context of GVCs. We assess trade protection by computing protection indexes at the bilateral level on both gross imports and imports to exports using the Global Trade Analysis Project computable general equilibrium model. These indexes are used to investigate the relationship between the European Union tariffs and integration of the Italian GVCs. In the case of Italy, imports to exports are overall less protected than gross imports with significant differences at the sector level. Despite the low levels of nominal protection, industrial sectors play a central role in explaining our results. EU tariffs mostly affect Italian exporting firms in the case of chemical products, wearing apparel and leather products.
Road Surface Reconstruction by Stereo Vision
Authors: Brunken Hauke , Gühmann Clemens
Published: November 2020

This paper covers the problem of road surface reconstruction by stereo vision with cameras placed behind the windshield of a moving vehicle. An algorithm was developed that employs a plane-sweep approach and uses semi-global matching for optimization. Different similarity measures were evaluated for the task of matching pixels, namely mutual information, background subtraction by bilateral filtering, and Census. The chosen sweeping direction is the plane normal of the mean road surface. Since the cameras’ position in relation to the base plane is continuously changing due to the suspension of the vehicle, the search for the base plane was integrated into the stereo algorithm. Experiments were conducted for different types of pavement and different lighting conditions. Results are presented for the target application of road surface reconstruction, and they show high correspondence to laser scan reference measurements. The method handles motion blur well, and elevation maps are reconstructed on a millimeter-scale, while images are captured at driving speed.
Radicalism in Mass Movements: Asymmetric Information and Endogenous Leadership
Authors: CHEN HENG , SUEN WING
Published: November 2020

Asymmetric information and diverse preferences for reform create an agency problem between opposition leaders and citizens. Dissatisfied citizens are unsure of how bad the current situation is but infer this information from the scale of the leader’s reform proposal. Because radical leaders have an incentive to exaggerate and mislead, to command credibility, they must paradoxically radicalize the proposal further as a way of signaling the necessity of change. Radicalism motivated by signaling is costly, as it reduces a movement’s chances of success. This mechanism also contributes to leadership radicalization when the leaders of movements arise as a compromise among diverse interests.