bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of economic policies on North Macedonia’s food system
Authors: Jankulovski Nikolche , Bojkovska Katerina , Mihajlovski Goran , Angeloska Dichovska Monika
Published: February 2022

The agriculture system is a significant contributor to North Macedonia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but with substantial influence by economic policies. In 2020, the sector contributed 9.09% against 7.87% in 2017 and the years before, contributing to past political insecurities. Agriculture performance needs to be reinforced with suitable economic policies, which would solve the prevailing complications in food systems. The temperate of North Macedonia is not favourable for food production, and irrigation is an effective means of providing water. The total arable land in North Macedonia is about 665,000 hectares, which is 50% of the total available land. Only about 163,700 hectares are provided with water through several government irrigation schemes. Aside from the country being water deficient, the mean temperature of the region is also high and is continually on the increase. It is estimated that in 2050, the mean annual temperature would have increased 1.90°C and a decline of 5% in precipitation. North Macedonia can achieve more by having an increased growing season and changing cropping patterns to adapt to climate changes. Since the agricultural sector is less profitable, the government needs to enact more policies to improve the food system performance to experience positive returns.
Retraction Note: Highly Stable Mn4+-Activated Red-Emitting Fluoride Phosphors and Enhanced moisture stability for White LEDs
Authors: Wenting Cai
Published: February 2022

The Guest Editor(s) and the author have retracted this article. Actually, due to an error in analysis, the above-mentioned article has been improperly published in Web of Conferences. The Publisher approved to the retraction.
Continuous Lambertian shape from shading: A primal-dual algorithm
Authors: Ennaji Hamza , Igbida Noureddine , Nguyen Van Thanh
Published: February 2022

The continuous Lambertian shape from shading is studied using a PDE approach in terms of Hamilton–Jacobi equations. The latter will then be characterized by a maximization problem. In this paper we show the convergence of discretization and propose to use the well-known Chambolle–Pock primal-dual algorithm to solve numerically the shape from shading problem. The saddle-point structure of the problem makes the Chambolle–Pock algorithm suitable to approximate solutions of the discretized problems.
Uncertainty quantification for industrial numerical simulation using dictionaries of reduced order models
Authors: Daniel Thomas , Casenave Fabien , Akkari Nissrine , Ryckelynck David , Rey Christian
Published: February 2022

We consider the dictionary-based ROM-net (Reduced Order Model) framework [Daniel et al., Adv. Model. Simul. Eng. Sci.7(2020)https://doi.org/10.1186/s40323-020-00153-6] and summarize the underlying methodologies and their recent improvements. The object of interest is a real-life industrial model of an elastoviscoplastic high-pressure turbine blade subjected to thermal, centrifugal and pressure loadings. The main contribution of this work is the application of the complete ROM-net workflow to the quantification of the uncertainty of dual quantities on this blade (such as the accumulated plastic strain and the stress tensor), generated by the uncertainty of the temperature loading field. The dictionary-based ROM-net computes predictions of dual quantities of interest for 1008 Monte Carlo draws of the temperature loading field in 2 h and 48 min, which corresponds to a speedup greater than 600 with respect to a reference parallel solver using domain decomposition, with a relative error in the order of 2%. Another contribution of this work consists in the derivation of a meta-model to reconstruct the dual quantities of interest over the complete mesh from their values on the reduced integration points.
Silencing LncRNA PVT1 Reverses High Glucose-Induced Regulation of the
High Expression of PVT1 in HRMECs by Targeting miR-128-3p
Authors: Wang Xuyang , Chen Wangling , Lao Wei , Chen Yunxin
Published: February 2022

This paper aims to discuss the possibility of lncRNA PVT1 as a diagnostic
biomarker for diabetic retinopathy (DR) and explore the underlying mechanism.
Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was selected to
determine the expression level of lncRNA PVT1 in the serum of all subjects. The
receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve reflected the diagnostic
significance of PVT1 for DR patients. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and
Transwell assays were used to evaluate the effect of PVT1 expression on the
proliferation and migration of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells
(HRMECs). The luciferase reporter gene was selected to verify the interaction
between PVT1 and miR-128-3p. The relative expression level of PVT1 in serum was
higher in both the DB and DR group than in the healthy controls group (HC), and
it was highest in the DR group. ROC curve indicated that serum PVT1 could
distinguish between HC and DB patients, DB patients and DR patients,
respectively. In vitro, high glucose induction significantly increased the
proliferation and migration capabilities of HRMECs, but silencing PVT1 (si-PVT1)
downregulated the proliferation and migration capabilities of HRMECs. The
detection of luciferase reporter gene showed that lncRNA PVT1 targeted
miR-128-3p, and there was a negative correlation in the serum of DR patients. In
conclusion, this study confirmed that lncRNA PVT1 might regulate the process of
DR by targeting miR-128-3p, and has the potential as a biomarker for the
diagnosis of DR.
Surgical Technique and Considerations about Transanal Transection and Single-Stapled (TTSS) Anastomosis: The Search for a Perfect Anastomosis
Authors: Campos Fábio Guilherme , Pandini Rafael Vaz , Bustamante-Lopez Leonardo Alfonso , Nahas Sérgio Carlos
Published: February 2022

The evaluation of preventive measures and risk factors for anastomotic leakage has been a constant concern among colorectal surgeons. In this context, the description of a new way to perform a colorectal, coloanal or ileoanal anastomosis, known as transanal transection and single-stapled (TTSS) anastomosis, deserves an appreciation of its qualities, and a discussion about its properties and technical details. In the present paper, the authors review the most recent efforts aiming to reduce anastomotic dehiscence, and describe the TTSS technique in a patient submitted to laparoscopic total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for familial adenomatous polyposis. Surgical perception raises important advantages such as distal rectal transection under visualization, elimination of double-stapling lines (with cost-effectiveness and potential protection against suture dehiscence), elimination of dog ears, and the opportunity to be accomplished via a transanal approach after open, laparoscopic, or robotic colorectal resections. Future studies to confirm these supposed advantages are needed.
Is Fistulotomy with Marsipulization more Effective than Fistulectomy alone for Low Fistula in Ano?
Authors: Aslam Danish , Zaheer Farhan , Siddiqui Sarush Ahmed , Moosa Foad Ali , Naseer Shafaq , Arsalan Rabia , Osama Muhammed
Published: February 2022

Background Fistula in ano is a very common perianal condition seen in outpatient departments. Fistulotomy and fistulectomy are two conventional options of surgery. The present study is designed to observe wound healing time and mean postoperative pain score in the comparison of outcome of the fistulectomy to fistulotomy with marsupialization.

Methods This prospective randomized trial was conducted in the surgical department of the Civil Hospital Karachi for a period of 12 months, in which 60 patients with low anal fistula were divided into 2 groups. Thirty patients in group A were treated with fistulectomy, and 30 in group B were treated with fistulotomy with marsupialization. The postoperative pain severity was assessed after 24 hrs through a visual analogue scale and on weekly and fortnightly follow-ups for 6 weeks. Wound healing was assessed by clinical examination on weekly and fortnightly follow-ups for 6 weeks to estimate the mean healing time.

Results The mean pain score was significantly lower in group B in comparison to group A (3.6 ± 1.99 versus 2.40 ± 1.52; p = 0.01). The mean wound healing time was shorter in group B in comparison to group A (4.23 ± 0.77 versus 5.80 ± 0.41 weeks; p = 0.0005).

Conclusion Fistulotomy with marsupialization is a simple, easy, and more effective method than fistulectomy for the treatment of simple perianal fistula.
Fecal Calprotectin as a Predictor of COVID-19 Severity
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed Hussien , Ahmed Hebat Allah Abdel Maksoud , Nosair Nahla Abd el-Aziz , Hassan Asmaa Mbarak , Sherief Dalia ElSayed , Mahros Aya Mohammed
Published: February 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is highly transmittable through contact with respiratory droplets. The virus is also shed in fecal matter. Some patients may present with effects in more than one system; however, there are no defined biomarkers that can accurately predict the course or progression of the disease. The present study aimed to estimate the severity of the disease, to correlate the severity of the disease with biochemical predictors, to identify valuable biomarkers indicative of gastrointestinal disease, and to determine the cutoff values. A cross-sectional study was conducted on COVID-19 patients admitted to the Kafrelsheikh University Hospital (isolation unit) between July 10, 2020, and October 30, 2020. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), which was employed for the detection of the viral RNA. We conclude that lymphopenia, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and liver enzymes were among the most important laboratory findings in COVID-19 patients. Statistically significant differences in platelet count, neutrophil count, D-dimer level, and fecal calprotectin levels were observed among patients presenting with chest symptoms only and patients with both chest and gastrointestinal symptoms (p = 0.004; < 0.001; 0.010; 0.003; and < 0.001, respectively). C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and fecal calprotectin levels positively correlated with disease severity. The cutoff value for fecal calprotectin that can predict gastrointestinal involvement in COVID-19 was 165.0, with a sensitivity of 88.1% and a specificity of 76.5%.
A Mobile Application to Guide Healthcare Professionals in the Correct Technique for Personal Protective Equipment Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Salomé Geraldo Magela , Mendonça Adriana Rodrigues dos Anjos , de Almeida Marcus Vinicius Teixeira , Miranda Flávio Dutra
Published: February 2022

Objectives The present study aimed to develop an application to guide healthcare professionals on using personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent and treat skin lesions caused by these devices.

Methods This is a study on technological production. The framework for application development consisted in the following phases: Phase 1–“Design: identification of application development requirements;” Phase 2–“Application prototype development”: including an integrative literature review in major databases; Phase 3–“Application construction”: elaboration of the decision tree, algorithm, database structuring, and software development; Phase 4–“Transition”: application functionality test.

Result Our application Simplifica EPI is an innovative technology; this software is a tool to assist healthcare professionals in using PPE. In addition, it describes how to prevent and care for skin lesions caused by PPE. Simplifica EPI has 25 screens and 32 images. It will be available on the Google Play Store after its registration with the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property.

Conclusions After an integrative literature review, the application Simplifica EPI was developed as an innovative technology with great potential for use by healthcare professionals.
The Importance of the Therapeutic Care Plan in Colorectal Surgery
Authors: Figueiredo Henrique Carvalho e Silva , Corrêa Neto Isaac José Felippe , Mocerino Jéssica , de Oliveira Mariana Campello , Robles Laercio
Published: February 2022

Introduction A therapeutic plan is elaborated based on the health needs of each user, allowing a multidisciplinary team to assess diagnoses, treatment options, bonds, and optimal hospitalization time.

Objectives To identify risk management tools already used and implemented in a reference teaching hospital in the city of São Paulo and to analyze their application and risk factors in medium and large colorectal surgery.

Method Observational, longitudinal, and prospective study, with 30 patients with colorectal disease hospitalized in the surgical ward of the coloproctology service and in need of surgical treatment. In the first group, the protocol was applied with the knowledge of the researcher only, and, in the second group, with the knowledge of both the researcher and the attending physicians.

Results Sixty percent of the patients were female with a mean age of 60.93 years and body mass index (BMI) of 26.07 Kg/m2.

After surgery, patients in the first group who did not receive venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in the first 24 hours had an increased risk of having the event compared with those who returned to prophylaxis (p < 0.005), thus suggesting this prophylaxis was a protective factor against thromboembolic event (p = 0.006). This group also had a higher risk of hypoglycemia when no strict control was performed (p = 0.041).

Conclusion The compliance to hospital protocols with application monitoring, notedly in teaching places with annual admission of resident physicians, is a fundamental part of the adequate care of the patient combined with the implementation of therapeutic plans.
A Morphometric Analysis of Pathological Alterations in Hemorrhoidal Disease Versus Normal Controls: A Controlled Trial
Authors: Kuiper Sara Z. , Tol Robin R. van , Lataster Arno , Cleutjens Jack P.M. , Melenhorst Jarno , Dijk Paul van , van Kuijk Sander M.J. , Breukink Stéphanie O.
Published: February 2022

Objective Until today, the true pathophysiology of hemorrhoidal disease (HD) has not yet been unraveled. More and more evidence guides us towards the hypothesis that reduced connective tissue stability is associated with a higher incidence of hemorrhoids. The present study aimed to compare the quantity and quality of collagen, and vessel morphometrics, in patients with symptomatic HD compared with normal controls.

Methods Twenty-two samples of grade III and grade IV HD tissue from patients undergoing a hemorrhoidectomy between January 2004 and June 2015 were included in the study group. Samples of 15 individuals without symptomatic HD who donated their body to science and died a natural death served as controls. The quantity and quality of anal collagen, and anal vessel morphometrics were objectified. The quality of collagen was subdivided in young (immature) and old (mature) collagen.

Results Patients with HD had an increased percentage of total anal collagen (62.1 ± 13.8 versus 18.7 ± 14.5%; p = 0.0001), a decreased percentage of young collagen (0.00009 ± 0.00008 versus 0.0008 ± 0.0008%; p = 0.001), and a smaller surface area of the anal vessels (795.1 ± 1215.9 micrometre2 versus 1219.0 ± 1976.1; p = 0.003) compared with controls. The percentage of old collagen did not differ between the control and study groups (0.588 ± 0.286% versus 0.389 ± 0.242%; p = 0.06).

Conclusion The outcomes of the present study suggest that alterations in anal collagen composition may play a role in the formation of hemorrhoids.
Managing customer satisfaction: digital applications for insurance companies
Authors: Eckert Christian , Neunsinger Christof , Osterrieder Katrin
Published: February 2022

Customer satisfaction management is increasing in importance within the insurance industry. In particular, to define a customer-oriented strategy, installing digital applications based on technologies, e.g. including artificial intelligence or cloud computing, ranks among the major strategic challenges. Against this background, the aim of this paper is to take an integrated perspective on managing customer satisfaction and the digital transformation. Towards this end, we identify and assess a set of digital applications, as a result of a comprehensive review of 106 academic papers and publications of the industry and supervisory authorities. We illustrate the opportunities to increase customer satisfaction and emphasise their impact on insurers at four major customer touch points: contract conclusion, contract modifications, the event of damage and further contacts. Our results are strategic measures to strengthen the position for sales and marketing, to simplify standard processes and to increase efficiency and interaction with the customer.
In search of peak human athletic potential: A mathematical investigation
Authors: James Nick , Menzies Max , Bondell Howard
Published: February 2022

This paper applies existing and new approaches to study trends in the performance of elite athletes over time. We study both track and field scores of men and women athletes on a yearly basis from 2001 to 2019, revealing several trends and findings. First, we perform a detailed regression study to reveal the existence of an “Olympic effect,” where average performance improves during Olympic years. Next, we study the rate of change in athlete performance and fail to reject the notion that athlete scores are leveling off, at least among the top 100 annual scores. Third, we examine the relationship in performance trends among men and women’s categories of the same event, revealing striking similarity, together with some anomalous events. Finally, we analyze the geographic composition of the world’s top athletes, attempting to understand how the diversity by country and continent varies over time across events. We challenge a widely held conception of athletics that certain events are more geographically dominated than others. Our methods and findings could be applied more generally to identify evolutionary dynamics in group performance and highlight spatiotemporal trends in group composition.
Theoretical evaluation of excitation cross section and fluorescence polarization of a solid-density Si plasma
Authors: Chen Zhan-Bin
Published: February 2022

In this article, a fully relativistic approach is proposed to precisely predict the electronic structures, spectral properties, cross sections, and degrees of linear polarization of light emitted after excitation of plasma-embedded ions by electron impact, taking into account the plasma shielding effects on the atomic structures and collision dynamics, in addition to the contributions of Breit interaction and quantum electrodynamics effects. The scheme employs the effective shielding potential deduced from a solution of Poisson equation, based on the self-consistent field ion-sphere simulations to explain the interactions among the charged particles, where the perturbation correlation Dirac–Coulomb Hamiltonian is constructed. The simple and understandable form makes it a good substitute for complex self-consistent field calculation. As an illustrative example, a comparative investigation regarding the influences of different plasma temperature and density parameters on the level energies, transition rates, integrated total/magnetic sublevel cross sections, and linear polarizations of the radiation following electron-impact excitation of Si XIII (a solid-density Si plasma) is carried out. Numerical results show that the plasma density effect can significantly affect the atomic structures and collision cross sections, yet has limited influence on the polarization characteristics. A comparison of our calculations with other results, when available, is made. The advanced approach presented here not only opens a novel window for exploring the atomic dynamics processes in hot and/or dense plasmas, but also provides important information about polarization of the line emission. This study is beneficial for the high energy density physics, laser-produced plasmas, and astrophysical applications.
Periodically driven spheroid in a viscous fluid at low Reynolds numbers
Authors: Singh Jogender , Kumar C. V. Anil
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we study the motion of a spheroid of a moderate aspect ratio in a viscous fluid under the action of an external harmonic force. We first derive the dynamics equation of the particle oscillating along one of its axes and subject to damping, Basset memory, and second history integral forces at small Reynolds numbers, and then, we proceed to obtain an analytical solution of this equation at resonance. With graphical representation, we observe that for a prolate spheroid, the conventional Q-curves show a greater variation with respect to the particle aspect ratio, particle–fluid density ratio, and natural frequency; the variation is significantly larger for the curve corresponding to the second history force. Furthermore, we find that all three forces affect the amplitude of motion: the amplitude increases with the strength of damping as well as the second history integral forces, whereas the presence of Basset memory decreases it. Remarkably, Basset memory causes a phase-shift in the oscillations, while the other two forces have no effect on the phase. Since our solutions are analytical, they may have valuable application in experiments involving more complex systems, in particular, to understand the effect of external force on the transport of micro-particles.
Designing active colloidal folders
Authors: Das S. , Lange M. , Cacciuto A.
Published: February 2022

Can active forces be exploited to drive the consistent collapse of an active polymer into a folded structure? In this paper, we introduce and perform numerical simulations of a simple model of active colloidal folders and show that a judicious inclusion of active forces into a stiff colloidal chain can generate designable and reconfigurable two-dimensional folded structures. The key feature is to organize the forces perpendicular to the chain backbone according to specific patterns (sequences). We characterize the physical properties of this model and perform, using a number of numerical techniques, an in-depth statistical analysis of structure and dynamics of the emerging conformations. We discovered a number of interesting features, including the existence of a direct correspondence between the sequence of the active forces and the structure of folded conformations, and we discover the existence of an ensemble of highly mobile compact structures capable of moving from conformation to conformation. Finally, akin to protein design problems, we discuss a method that is capable of designing specific target folds by sampling over sequences of active forces.
Stretching ReS2 along different crystal directions: Anisotropic tuning of the vibrational and optical responses
Authors: Li Hao , Lin Der-Yuh , Di Renzo Anna , Puebla Sergio , Frisenda Riccardo , Gan Xuetao , Quereda Jorge , Xie Yong , Al-Enizi Abdullah M. , Nafady Ayman , Castellanos-Gomez Andres
Published: February 2022

Rhenium disulfide (ReS2) is a semiconducting two-dimensional material with marked in-plane structural anisotropy. This lattice anisotropy is the stem of many quasi-1D properties observed in this material. In this work, we focus on strain engineering of optical and vibrational properties through mechanical deformations of the lattice. In particular, the exciton energy can be shifted by applying uniaxial strain, and the gauge factor is six times more pronounced when the strain is applied along the b-axis than in perpendicular to the b-axis of the ReS2 lattice. Moreover, we also observed how the two most prominent Raman modes can be shifted by uniaxial strain, and the shift strongly depends on the alignment between the uniaxial strain direction and the a- and b-axes of the ReS2 lattice.
Different topologies of natural vortex dislocations in Mode A wake
Authors: Tian Cai , Shi Zhaoyu , Jiang Fengjian , Andersson Helge I.
Published: February 2022

The mode A wake behind a circular cylinder at Reynolds number 200 was simulated by directly solving the three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations. A more detailed investigation of different topologies of natural vortex dislocations in the mode A wake was systematically described. In addition to the two-side natural vortex dislocation defined by Williamson [J. Fluid Mech. 243, 393–441 (1992)], three new topologies of vortex dislocations were identified. Additionally, the formation process and the mechanism of these newly identified dislocation topologies were addressed. The results in this Letter provide a more thorough understanding of the natural vortex dislocations in the mode A wake.
Optimal control of photodissociation of phenol using genetic algorithm
Authors: Giri Nitai , Mahapatra S.
Published: February 2022

Photodissociation dynamics of the OH bond of phenol is studied with an optimally shaped laser pulse. The theoretical model consists of three electronic states (the ground electronic state, ππ* state, and πσ* state) in two nuclear coordinates (the OH stretching coordinate as a reaction coordinate, r, and the CCOH dihedral angle as a coupling coordinate, θ). The optimal UV laser pulse is designed using the genetic algorithm, which optimizes the total dissociative flux of the wave packet. The latter is calculated in the adiabatic asymptotes of the S0 and S1 electronic states of phenol. The initial state corresponds to the vibrational levels of the electronic ground state and is defined as |nr, nθ⟩, where nr and nθ represent the number of nodes along r and θ, respectively. The optimal UV field excites the system to the optically dark πσ* state predominantly over the optically bright ππ* state with the intensity borrowing effect for the |0, 0⟩ and |0, 1⟩ initial states. For the |0, 0⟩ initial condition, the photodissociation to the S1 asymptotic channel is favored slightly over the S0 asymptotic channel. Addition of one quantum of energy along the coupling coordinate increases the dissociation probability in the S1 channel. This is because the wave packet spreads along the coupling coordinate on the πσ* state and follows the adiabatic path. Hence, the S1 asymptotic channel gets more (∼11%) dissociative flux as compared to the S0 asymptotic channel for the |0, 1⟩ initial condition. The |1, 0⟩ and |1, 1⟩ states are initially excited to both the ππ* and πσ* states in the presence of the optimal UV pulse. For these initial conditions, the S1 channel gets more dissociative flux as compared to the S0 channel. This is because the high energy components of the wave packet readily reach the S1 channel. The central frequency of the optimal UV pulse for the |0, 0⟩ and |0, 1⟩ initial states has a higher value as compared to the |1, 0⟩ and |1, 1⟩ initial states. This is explained with the help of an excitation mechanism of a given initial state in relation to its energy.
A sensing device based on whispering-gallery mode splitting in response to changes in refractive index between coupled microresonators
Authors: Li Hanyang , Zhang Haoran , Liu Shuangqiang
Published: February 2022

Coupled microspherical whispering gallery modes are highly sensitive to environmental and structural changes in the region of contact between two microcavities. Placing a sample between two microspheres changes the refractive index of their contact region, which can be useful for sensing applications. Here, we propose a solid-liquid two-phase resonator structure (“bi-sphere”) based on a pair of coupled microspheres with a water droplet in the gap between them, and investigate its spectral characteristics by monitoring the transmission spectral signal during water evaporation. In addition, the feasibility of the proposed sensor device is demonstrated by a refractive index sensing experiment where the resultant mode splitting is linearly related to the refractive index in the range of 1.400–1.450. The proposed bi-sphere device could have important applications in the detection of substances.
A split-gate AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistor with an auxiliary gate
Authors: Liu Yang , Lv Yuanjie , Zhou Heng , Lin Zhaojun , Yang Yongxiong , Jiang Guangyuan , Zhou Yan , Wang Mingyan
Published: February 2022

In this study, a split-gate AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistor with an auxiliary gate was fabricated. Through experiment and analysis, it was discovered that by applying a constant potential (usually 0 V or negative potential) to the auxiliary gate, a negative bias can be formed between the auxiliary gate and the channel. This consumes the two-dimensional electron gas in the channel, leading to significant improvements in the saturation characteristics of split-gate devices. By applying different potentials to the main gate and the auxiliary gate, a variety of device working modes can be obtained, and the threshold voltage can be altered across a large range. These advantages make split-gate devices with auxiliary gates more suitable for increasingly complex integrated circuit applications.
Intermediate spin pair relaxation through modulation of isotropic hyperfine interaction in frequency-swept spin-dependent recombination in 4H–SiC
Authors: Ashton J. P. , Manning B. R. , Moxim S. J. , Sharov F. V. , Lenahan P. M. , Ryan J. T.
Published: February 2022

Electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) measurements have been extended to sub-mT magnetic fields through utilization of frequency sweeping of the oscillating magnetic field, where conventional electron paramagnetic resonance-based measurements traditionally utilize magnetic field magnitude ramping. In spin-dependent transport measurements in devices, an oftentimes pervasive near-zero field magnetoresistance effect overwhelms the sub-mT regime. This magnetoresistance effect is independent of the RF drive. Thus, by utilizing a constant DC magnetic field and a frequency sweep of the RF magnetic field, the magnetoresistance effect is not detected, leaving only the EDMR response. Interesting EDMR-based phenomena emerge at sub-mT fields when the oscillating field magnitude approaches the static field, such as multiple-photon transitions caused by the emergence of Floquet spin states and Bloch–Siegert shifts. A spectral-narrowing effect also emerges as the static field is reduced. In this work, we show that the narrowing of the frequency-swept EDMR response with static field can be modeled by changes in intermediate spin-pair relaxation through modulation of hyperfine fields caused by stochastic perturbations from the environment. We utilize recently developed theory to model the relaxation of spin pairs and show that stochastic interactions of the electron spin with the environment yield both Floquet spin states and changes in intermediate spin-pair relaxation.
Motivations for Swiss veal farmers to adopt calf health management strategies that enable reduction in antibiotic use
Authors: Rell Julia , Home Robert , Bähler Corinne , Oehen Bernadette , Vaarst Mette , Wunsch Nadine , Kaske Martin , Walkenhorst Michael
Published: February 2022

Context Excess dairy calves in Switzerland are commonly shifted at a young age to specialised fattening farms for veal or beef production and are exposed to pathogens against which they may have insufficient immunity. Excessive administration of antibiotics to these calves contributes to the development of bacterial resistance, which is detrimental for human and animal health. Intervention strategies are needed to motivate farmers to adopt alternative methods for maintaining calf health. Aims This study was aimed at identifying individual and systemic enablers and barriers driving farmer behaviour in terms of calf health management and antibiotic use. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with veal, beef and/or dairy farmers who breed and take care of future fattening calves in the first weeks of life. Data were analysed according to key constructs. Key results Measures to enhance calf health included keeping calves on birth farms until they have developed sufficient active immunity, providing sufficient milk, drenching with colostrum, and hygiene-focused stable management practices. Dairy farmers perceived excess dairy breed calves to be a financial liability, so are reluctant to commit resources to maintaining their health. Systemic barriers to reducing antibiotic use in specialised, large-scale veal-fattening systems, including increased mortality, high costs of veterinary treatment, and low profit margins causing farmers to seek economies of scale, mean that there is little potential for significantly reducing antibiotic use within the existing system. Furthermore, unwillingness to seek herd management advice hinders the application of alternative practices for maintaining calf health with reduced antibiotic use in veal production. Conclusions The main barriers to antibiotic reduction in veal production are systemic; therefore, strategies to reduce antibiotic use should aim for a system that encourages farmers to prioritise calf health, such as implementing political and economic drivers to discourage specialisation and intensification. Such drivers could include measures to reduce the costs of veterinary services or to increase income; for example, subsidies could increase the profit potential of calves and motivate farmers to prioritise calf health. Implications A production system in which calves are managed to maintain their health with minimal antibiotic use would provide societal benefits of slowing the development of antimicrobial resistance while fulfilling farmers’ moral responsibility for the wellbeing of calves as sentient beings.
Ten facts about land systems for sustainability
Authors: Meyfroidt Patrick , de Bremond Ariane , Ryan Casey M. , Archer Emma , Aspinall Richard , Chhabra Abha , Camara Gilberto , Corbera Esteve , DeFries Ruth , Díaz Sandra , Dong Jinwei , Ellis Erle C. , Erb Karl-Heinz , Fisher Janet A. , Garrett Rachael D. , Golubiewski Nancy E. , Grau H. Ricardo , Grove J. Morgan , Haberl Helmut , Heinimann Andreas , Hostert Patrick , Jobbágy Esteban G. , Kerr Suzi , Kuemmerle Tobias , Lambin Eric F. , Lavorel Sandra , Lele Sharachandra , Mertz Ole , Messerli Peter , Metternicht Graciela , Munroe Darla K. , Nagendra Harini , Nielsen Jonas Østergaard , Ojima Dennis S. , Parker Dawn Cassandra , Pascual Unai , Porter John R. , Ramankutty Navin , Reenberg Anette , Roy Chowdhury Rinku , Seto Karen C. , Seufert Verena , Shibata Hideaki , Thomson Allison , Turner Billie L. , Urabe Jotaro , Veldkamp Tom , Verburg Peter H. , Zeleke Gete , zu Ermgassen Erasmus K. H. J.
Published: February 2022

Land use is central to addressing sustainability issues, including biodiversity conservation, climate change, food security, poverty alleviation, and sustainable energy. In this paper, we synthesize knowledge accumulated in land system science, the integrated study of terrestrial social-ecological systems, into 10 hard truths that have strong, general, empirical support. These facts help to explain the challenges of achieving sustainability in land use and thus also point toward solutions. The 10 facts are as follows: 1) Meanings and values of land are socially constructed and contested; 2) land systems exhibit complex behaviors with abrupt, hard-to-predict changes; 3) irreversible changes and path dependence are common features of land systems; 4) some land uses have a small footprint but very large impacts; 5) drivers and impacts of land-use change are globally interconnected and spill over to distant locations; 6) humanity lives on a used planet where all land provides benefits to societies; 7) land-use change usually entails trade-offs between different benefits—"win–wins" are thus rare; 8) land tenure and land-use claims are often unclear, overlapping, and contested; 9) the benefits and burdens from land are unequally distributed; and 10) land users have multiple, sometimes conflicting, ideas of what social and environmental justice entails. The facts have implications for governance, but do not provide fixed answers. Instead they constitute a set of core principles which can guide scientists, policy makers, and practitioners toward meeting sustainability challenges in land use.
Fear of predators in free-living wildlife reduces population growth over generations
Authors: Allen Marek C. , Clinchy Michael , Zanette Liana Y.
Published: February 2022

Significance

Accurately evaluating the total impact of predators on prey population growth rates is fundamental to forecasting the consequences of predator conservation and management. That the fear (antipredator responses) predators inspire could contribute to this total impact has only relatively recently been recognized. We experimentally demonstrate that fear itself can impact prey population growth rates in free-living wildlife, extending to transgenerational impacts reducing population growth beyond the parental generation. We report how fear may contribute considerably to the total impact of predators and why this may be the norm in birds and mammals. The critical significance of our work lies in experimentally establishing that inferring the effects of predators using data on direct killing alone risks dramatically underestimating their total impact.
Natural disaster and immunological aging in a nonhuman primate
Authors: Watowich Marina M. , Chiou Kenneth L. , Montague Michael J. ,   Cayo Biobank Research Unit, Simons Noah D. , Horvath Julie E. , Ruiz-Lambides Angelina V. , Martínez Melween I. , Higham James P. , Brent Lauren J. N. , Platt Michael L. , Snyder-Mackler Noah , Brent Lauren J. N. , Higham James P. , Martínez Melween I. , Montague Michael J. , Platt Michael L. , Snyder-Mackler Noah
Published: February 2022

Significance

Survivors of extreme adverse events, including natural disasters, often exhibit chronic inflammation and early onset of age-related diseases. Adversity may therefore accelerate aging via the immune system, which is sensitive to lived experiences. We tested if experiencing a hurricane was associated with immune gene expression in a population of free-ranging macaques. Exposure to Hurricane Maria broadly recapitulated age-associated molecular changes, including disruptions of protein folding genes, greater inflammatory immune cell marker gene expression, and older biological aging by an average of 2 y—approximately 7 to 8 y of the human lifespan. Together, our findings suggest that experiencing an extreme hurricane is associated with alterations in immune cell gene regulation similar to aging, potentially accelerating aspects of the aging process.
Taking the left way out of Europe
Authors: Zappettini Franco
Published: February 2022

This paper investigates how Brexit was de/legitimised by different Labour actors in a corpus of texts published
after the referendum (2016–2020). It thus contributes an intra-party perspective to understanding discursive
dynamics of European (dis)integration by building on the notorious ‘European question’ historically debated inside Labour and on
the polysemy of Brexit constructed by/reflected in such discourses. The analysis, conducted at lexical-semantic and
discursive-pragmatic levels, points to distinct strategic, ideological and ambivalent forms of de/legitimation of Brexit in the
discourses of Labour. While strategic and ambivalent de/legitimation point to the Brexit debate being mainly driven by political
communication logics, ideological de/legitimation highlights a deeper struggle inside Labour over EU-rope, especially in relation
to international vs. national conceptualisations of socialism. While EU-rope was de/legitimised (and Brexit legitimised) by
advocates of ‘socialism in one country’, reverse stances tended to be adopted by supporters of ‘international socialism’.
Impact of the International Collaborative Addiction Medicine Research Fellowship on Physicians’ Future Engagement in Addiction Research
Authors: Klimas Jan , Dong Huiru , Hamilton Michee-Ana , Cullen Walter , Samet Jeffrey H. , Wood Evan , Fairbairn Nadia
Published: February 2022

Background: To evaluate how an international one-year intensive research training program for addiction medicine physicians contributed to subsequent research involvement and productivity. Methods: We prospectively compared addiction medicine physician fellows admitted to a one-year training program with non-admitted controls, using baseline questionnaire and peer-reviewed publication data. Participants’ publication activity was assessed from fellowship application date onwards using biomedical databases (e.g., PubMed, Embase). Results: Between July 2014 and June 2020, which is six years of cohorts, 56 (39 women) physicians, both fellows ( n = 25) and non-admitted applicants ( n = 31), were observed and included in the study, contributing 261 person-years of observation. At baseline, in the fellows’ cohort: 76% of participants (19/25) reported past research involvement, 24% (6/25) had one or more advanced graduate degrees (e.g., MPH), and the median number of peer-reviewed, first author publications was one (Interquartile Range [IQR] = 0–2). At baseline, in the controls’ cohort: 84% of participants (26/31) reported past research involvement, 39% (12/31) had one or more advanced graduate degrees, and the median number of peer-reviewed, first author publications was zero. The physicians’ training included internal medicine ( n = 8), family medicine ( n = 33), psychiatry ( n = 5) and others ( n = 4). At follow up, there was a significant difference between fellows ( n = 25) and controls ( n = 31) in total number of publications (Rate Ratio [RR] = 13.09, 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 5.01 − 34.21, p < 0.001), as well as first author publications (RR = 5.59, 95% CI, 2.23 − 14.06, p < 0.001). Conclusion: In the six-year observation period, fellows’ productivity indicates undertaking this fellowship was associated with significant research outputs in comparison to controls, signaling successful training of addiction physicians to help recruit addiction medicine physicians to participate in addiction research.
Wet Mechanical Milling Induced Phase Transition to Cubic Anti-Perovskite Li2OHCl
Authors: Ni Di-Xing , Liu Yao-Dong , Deng Zhi , Chen Dian-Cheng , Zhang Xin-Xin , Wang Tao , Li Shuai , Zhao Yu-Sheng
Published: February 2022

Anti-perovskite solid-state electrolyte Li2OHCl usually exhibits orthorhombic phase and low ionic conductivity at room temperature. However, its ionic conductivity increases greatly when the temperature is up to 40 °C, while it goes through an orthorhombic-to-cubic phase transition. The cubic Li2OHCl with high ionic conductivity is stabilized at room temperature and even lower temperature about 10 °C by a simple synthesis method of wet mechanical milling. The cubic Li2OHCl prepared by this method performs an ionic conductivity of 4.27 × 10−6 S/cm at room temperature, about one order of magnitude higher than that of the orthorhombic Li2OHCl. The phase-transition temperature is decreased to around 10 °C. Moreover, it can still remain cubic phase after heat treatment at 210 °C. This work delivers a huge potential of fabricating high ionic conductivity phase anti-perovskite solid-state electrolyte materials by wet mechanical milling.
Polarization-path-frequency entanglement using interferometry and frequency shifters
Authors: Guha Majumdar Mrittunjoy , Chandrashekar C M
Published: February 2022

Higher dimensional Hilbert space along with ability to control multiple degrees of freedom of photon and entangle them has enabled new quantum protocols for various quantum information processing applications. Here, we propose a scheme to generate and control polarization-path-frequency entanglement using the operative elements required to implement a polarization-controlled quantum walk in the path (position) space and frequency domain. Hyperentangled states manifests in the controlled dynamics using an interferometric setup where half-wave plates, beam-splitters and frequency shifters such as those based on the electro-optic effect are used to manipulate the polarization, path and frequency degrees of freedom respectively. The emphasis is on utilizing the polarization to influence the movement to a specific value in the frequency and position space. Negativity between the subspaces is calculated to demonstrate the controllability of the entanglement between the three degrees of freedom and the effect of noise on the entanglement is modelled using the depolarizing channel. Progress reported with experimental demonstration of realization of quantum walk using quantum states of light makes quantum walks a practical approach to generate hyperentangled states.
Optimization design of GaAs-based betavoltaic batteries with p–n junction and Schottky barrier structures
Authors: Zheng Renzhou , Lu Jingbin , Li Xiaoyi , Wang Yu , Liu Yumin , Xu Xu , Chen Ziyi , Zhang Xue
Published: February 2022

This paper presents the calculation model and the optimization design of the GaAs-based betavoltaic batteries with p–n junction and Schottky barrier structures. First of all, by using the Monte Carlo code, the transport process and energy deposition distribution of the

63

Ni

source beta particles in the GaAs material are simulated. The relationships between the output parameters of batteries and the physical parameters of energy converter such as p–n junction depth, Schottky metal thickness, depletion region width and doping concentrations are discussed through the numerical calculation. For the GaAs p–n junction battery, the maximum output power density of 0.135

μ

W

cm

−
2

can be achieved when the junction depth is x

j
= 0.05

μ

m

, the doping concentrations are

N
a

=

10

18

cm

−
3

and

N
d

=
2
×

10

15

cm

−
3

. Meanwhile, the short-circuit current density, open-circuit voltage, filling factor and energy conversion efficiency are 0.254

μ

A

cm

−
2

, 0.638 V, 83.3% and 2.63%, respectively. Among the selected metals of Au, Pd, Ni and Pt for the GaAs Schottky barrier diodes, the Pt-GaAs battery has the best output performance due to its large work function. The maximum output power density of 0.169

μ

W

cm

−
2

can be achieved when a 20 nm thick Schottky metal Pt is selected and the doping concentration is

N
d

=

10

15

cm

−
3

. The associated output parameters of the battery are 0.234

μ

A

cm

−
2

, 0.835 V, 86.5% and 3.29%, respectively.