bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical tyre/road noise modelling based on continuous 3D texture data
Authors: Wehr Reinhard , Fuchs Andreas , Breuss Simon
Published: December 2021

In this article, statistical modelling approaches for tyre/road noise levels (according to the CPX method) based on continuous 3D texture measurements are presented. The main focus is to estimate if viable correlations of interpretable 3D texture parameters with frequency-dependent CPX levels can be found. Therefore, a set of descriptive 3D texture parameters is introduced. Two different modelling approaches, focussing on linearity in order to gain interpretability, are shown. First, a linear model is calculated based on the first principal components of the texture parameters, and second, a random forest regression approach is performed on the direct texture parameters. As a principal component analysis of the CPX measurement data reveals three highly correlated frequency ranges, both approaches are calculated independently for low, mid and high frequency bands. Both models show good performance in the low and mid frequency range, whereas the accuracy in the high frequency range declines. Due to the focus on linearity, both approaches result in comparable statistical benchmark parameters.
Peak-picking identification technique for modal expansion of input impedance of brass instruments
Authors: Ablitzer Frédéric
Published: December 2021

The paper presents a method to obtain the modal expansion of the measured input impedance of a brass instrument. The method operates as a peak-picking procedure, which makes it particularly intuitive for users who are not experts in modal analysis. To bypass the limitation of usual peak-picking approaches, which are valid only for well separated resonances, the present method is based on a semi-local optimization problem. It consists in adjusting the frequency and damping of one mode at a time while taking into account the presence of all other modes in the basis. The practical application of the method involves four elementary actions, which can be chained in different ways to progressively approximate a measured input impedance. This procedure is illustrated through the approximation of the input impedance of a bass trombone. The supervised nature of the method allows the user to favour modes that have a physical meaning, i.e. that can be associated with a resonance peak. A single spurious mode can however be deliberately introduced to approximate the input impedance curve beyond the last visible peak. The method applies directly to the frequency-domain data provided by an impedance sensor and does not require any preprocessing. Nevertheless, it is fairly robust to noisy data. Since the method allows a reconstruction of the input impedance using either complex modes or real modes, results obtained with each approximation are critically compared.
Lp-asymptotic stability of 1D damped wave equations with localized and linear damping
Authors: Kafnemer Meryem , Mebkhout Benmiloud , Jean Frédéric , Chitour Yacine
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we study the Lp-asymptotic stability of the one dimensional linear damped wave equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions in [0, 1], with p ∈ (1, ∞). The damping term is assumed to be linear and localized to an arbitrary open sub-interval of [0, 1]. We prove that the semi-group (Sp(t))t≥0 associated with the previous equation is well-posed and exponentially stable. The proof relies on the multiplier method and depends on whether p ≥ 2 or 1 < p < 2.
Paracetamol misusing to dental pain: a case-report and recommandations for treatment
Authors: Debortoli Cyril , Lan Romain , Lafont Jacinthe , Campana Fabrice , Catherine Jean-Hugues
Published: December 2021

Introduction: The paracetamol is the most widely used painkiller to dental pain. Patients self-medicating with paracetamol for dental pain had 12.8 more times lead to overdose than patients with other pains. The aim of this work was to propose a standardized management in case of paracetamol overdose from a clinical case report. Observation: A 56-year-old man was referred to the General Emergency Department because he had ingested 32 grams of paracetamol in less than 24 hours due to a dental pain. He was in a state of haemodynamic and hypothermic shock. He was placed on the liver transplant list due to fulminant hepatitis. The dental check-up found juxta-pulpal carious lesions on the four wisdom teeth which were removed before the transplantation. Conclusion: Paracetamol overdose is one of the leading causes of liver failure. The estimated toxic dose was 150 mg/kg/day or about 10 g/day. N-acetylcysteine treatment should be leaded early, between 8 and 10 hours after ingestion. The paracetamol-aminotransferase, as a risk prediction tool, reproductibles methods and biomarkers can identify overdoses and lead to a faster medical care. Information campaigns and warning articles on overdosing risk must be continued to strengthen the prevention message for the population.
Kardiale Beteiligungen bei rheumatologischen Erkrankungen –
eine Übersicht
Authors: Casteleyn Vincent , Barzen Gina , Knebel Fabian , Schneider Udo
Published: December 2021

Rheumatische Erkrankungen gehen mit einem erhöhten
kardiovaskulären Risiko einher, können darüber hinaus
jedoch im Bereich aller kardialen Strukturen zu spezifischen
entzündlichen Veränderungen führen. Symptome wie
Dyspnoe, Tachykardie und Leistungsminderung stehen patientenseitig im
Vordergrund, wenngleich kardiale Beteiligungen nicht selten asymptomatisch
verlaufen. Diagnostisch werden neben der klinischen Untersuchung und
laborchemischen Verfahren apparative Diagnostiken wie Echokardiografie und
Kardio-MRT aber auch invasive Verfahren wie die Herzkatheteruntersuchung und
Myokardbiopsie angewendet. Die Therapie richtet sich nach der Grunderkrankung,
den betroffenen kardialen Strukturen und reicht von einer medikamentösen
Therapie bis zu interventionell-operativem Vorgehen.
Pathomorphologie und Mikrobiologie des Urogenitaltrakts fruchtbarkeitsgestörter Sauen mit positivem Deoxynivalenol-Befund
Authors: Baumann Christian , Schikore Nina , Sigmarsson Haukur L. , Sperling Daniel , Kauffold Johannes
Published: December 2021

Gegenstand und Ziel Deoxynivalenol (DON) ist ein Mykotoxin, das von Pilzen der Fusarium spp. gebildet wird. Es verursacht Erbrechen, hat aber auch immunsuppressive Effekte, die sich auch lokal z. B. im Urogenitaltrakt auswirken können und damit fruchtbarkeitsrelevant sind. In diesem Beitrag wird über ein DON-assoziiertes pathomorphologisches Bild des Urogenitaltrakts zusammen mit einer etwaigen mikrobiellen Besiedelung berichtet.

Material und Methode Es wurden 19 Genitaltrakte (Vagina, Zervix, Uterus, Eileiter und Ovarien) inklusive Harnblasen (n = 15) fruchtbarkeitsgestörter Jung- und Altsauen unterschiedlicher Wurfnummern, die in den Jahren 2019/20 aus 8 Betrieben eingesandt wurden, pathomorphologisch untersucht. In 11 individuellen Galle- und 2 Poolproben (2 bzw. 4 Tiere) erfolgte die Bestimmung von DON und Zearalenon (ZEA) mittels Hochleistungsflüssigkeitchromatografie. Zudem unterlagen 17 Uteri und 12 Harnblasen einer mikrobiologischen Untersuchung.

Ergebnisse Fast alle Vaginae (n = 16), Cervices (n = 15), Uteri (n = 18) und viele Eileiter (n = 11) sowie Harnblasen (n = 11) waren überwiegend mittel- bis hochgradig chronisch entzündlich verändert. In 17 Fällen betraf die Entzündung ≥ 2 Organe. In der Regel lag eine Mischflora aus verschiedenen gramnegativen und grampositiven Bakterien vor, wobei E. coli, Streptococcus spp., Aeromonas spp. and Enterococcus spp. dominierten. Insgesamt 8 analysierte individuelle Galleproben und beide Poolproben waren DON-positiv (Konzentrationen 75,5 bis > 200,0 µg/l). In einigen der DON-positiven Proben wurde zeitgleich ZEA in geringen Konzentrationen nachgewiesen (6,57–21,20 µg/l).

Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz Es wird postuliert, dass DON Fruchtbarkeitsprobleme verursachen kann. Zur Abklärung empfehlen sich pathomorphologische Untersuchungen der Genitalorgane und Harnblase. Sind ≥ 2 Organe chronisch entzündlich verändert und besteht zudem eine bakterielle Besiedelung des Uterus, ist eine Beteiligung von DON anzunehmen und durch eine Untersuchung im Gallensaft zu bestätigen.
Postmortale klinische Labordiagnostik beim Rind – ein Zusatzinstrument für die Veterinärpathologie
Authors: Wolf Carola , Gerst Kirsten , Gerst Sascha , Priemer Grit
Published: December 2021

Bei der Sektion kann der postmortale (p. m.) Einsatz klinisch-labordiagnostischer Untersuchungen aus Probenmaterial mehr oder weniger geschützter Kompartimente wichtige Zusatzinformationen für die Diagnose und Differenzialdiagnose liefern bzw. eigentlich nur klinisch zu stellende Diagnosen ohne pathomorphologisches Korrelat überhaupt erst ermöglichen. Die Arbeit liefert Anregungen zu diagnostischen Verfahren unter Verwendung von Augenkammerwasser, Harn, Pansensaft und weiteren p. m. erst zeitlich verzögert durch Auto- und Heterolyse beeinträchtigten Proben. Es wird eine Übersicht zu p. m. verwendbaren Probenmaterialien und deren Entnahme speziell beim verendeten Rind, zu klinisch-labordiagnostischen Parametern und Methoden und ihrer Aussagekraft sowie zu präanalytisch relevanten Vorbehalten bei der Befundinterpretation gegeben. Aus der Literatur und aus langjähriger Erfahrung mit p. m. klinischer Labordiagnostik werden praktikable Ansätze für die tägliche Arbeit und für spezielle Fragestellungen abgeleitet. Insbesondere Augenkammerwasser, Pansensaft und ggf. Harn sind leicht zugängliche Matrizes. Auch Liquor cerebrospinalis lässt sich in guter Qualität gewinnen und z. B. auf Elektrolyte und Metaboliten analysieren. Postmortale klinische Labordiagnostik kann in speziellen Fällen, z. B. Festliegen und Verenden infolge von Hypokalzämie oder Hypomagnesämie, Hinweise auf die Todesursache geben, auch wenn aufgrund eines zu raschen Versterbens keine labormedizinischen Untersuchungen zu Lebzeiten durchgeführt werden konnten oder p. m. keine morphologischen Veränderungen feststellbar waren, die das klinische Bild erklären würden. Die p. m. Labordiagnostik ist auch hilfreich, wenn sich am lebenden Tier keine klinischen Befunde erheben ließen. Zwar ergeben sich bei der Sektion auch sensorisch Hinweise auf Urämie und Ketose, doch erlauben klinisch-chemische Untersuchungen eine Verifizierung. Klinisch-labordiagnostische Untersuchungen können die Diagnose erhärten oder die Differenzialdiagnose eingrenzen bzw. sogar erst ermöglichen. Die Zusammenstellung erhebt keinen Anspruch auf Vollständigkeit, kann aber in der Pathologie Tätige zu solchen relativ selten eingesetzten Zusatzuntersuchungen ermutigen und die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Veterinärpathologen und klinischen Labordiagnostikern anregen.
Canine pyoderma: mecA persists autogenous bacterin formulation from meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) and S. aureus (MRSA)
Authors: Loeffler Anette , Scott Claire , Frosini Siân-Marie
Published: December 2021

Objective Autogenous Staphylococcus pseudintermedius bacterins can reduce prescribing of antimicrobials in the management of canine recurrent pyoderma. However, increasing prevalence of meticillin-resistant, mecA-positive S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) raises concern over dispersal of mecA through bacterin therapy. We investigated the presence and integrity of mecA in bacterin formulations after manufacturing.

Material and methods Twenty clinical isolates (12 MRSP, 7 MR-S. aureus, 1 meticillin-susceptible SP) were investigated. Pellets from overnight growth were washed 3 times with 0.5 % phenol saline, followed by addition of 0.1 ml 10 % formal-saline to 10 ml phenol-saline. Sterility was confirmed, and DNA extracted using both a standard genomic extraction kit and one recommended for formalin-fixed tissue samples (FFPE). The presence of mecA was determined after PCR and its integrity examined in 5 randomly selected samples after sequencing.

Results In all bacterins from meticillin-resistant isolates, mecA was detected following FFPE extraction; products aligned fully to a reported mecA sequence. After standard DNA extraction, mecA was seen in 16/19 samples.

Conclusion Persistence of mecA in MRSP bacterins suggests that dispersal of this important resistance mediator through therapy may be possible. While the ability of skin bacteria to uptake naked DNA remains unclear, it seems prudent to only formulate autogenous bacterins from mecA-negative S. pseudintermedius to avoid unnecessary spread of mecA.
Lungenfunktionsmessung bei der Katze – eine Übersicht
Authors: Gareis Hannah , Schulz Bianka
Published: December 2021

Dieser Artikel bietet eine Übersicht über verfügbare invasive und nicht invasive Lungenfunktionstests bei Katzen. Die invasiven Techniken umfassen die arterielle Blutgasanalyse sowie die Messung der Lungenmechanik. Zu den nicht invasiven Methoden gehören neben der Pulsoxymetrie und Kapnografie auch bisher nicht in den Praxisalltag integrierte Methoden wie tidale Atemfluss-Volumen-Schleifen, barometrische Ganzkörperple-thysmografie und Thoraxkompression. In diesem Artikel werden Hintergründe, Durchführung, Interpretation und Limitationen der einzelnen Tests diskutiert. Bei korrekter Durchführung und Beurteilung der Befunde ermöglichen Lungenfunktionsmessungen, die Pathophysiologie von Atemwegserkrankungen bei Katzen besser zu verstehen und die vorliegende Erkrankung sowie Wirksamkeit einer Therapie objektiver einzuschätzen.
Quantitative analysis of submucosal excision depth in endoscopic resection for early Barrett’s cancer
Authors: Krause Jenny , Rösch Thomas , Steurer Stefan , Clauditz Till , Sehner Susanne , Schumacher Udo , Neuhaus Horst , Messmann Helmut , Schumacher Brigitte , Probst Andreas , Schachschal Guido , Ehlken Hanno , Vieth Michael , Schmitz Rüdiger
Published: December 2021

Background Following endoscopic resection of early-stage Barrett’s esophageal adenocarcinoma (BEA), further oncologic management then fundamentally relies upon the accurate assessment of histopathologic risk criteria, which requires there to be sufficient amounts of submucosal tissue in the resection specimens.

Methods In 1685 digitized tissue sections from endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) performed for 76 early BEA cases from three experienced centers, the submucosal thickness was determined, using software developed in-house. Neoplastic lesions were manually annotated.

Results No submucosa was seen in about a third of the entire resection area (mean 33.8 % [SD 17.2 %]), as well as underneath cancers (33.3 % [28.3 %]), with similar results for both resection methods and with respect to submucosal thickness. ESD results showed a greater variability between centers than EMR. In T1b cancers, a higher rate of submucosal defects tended to correlate with R1 resections.

Conclusion The absence of submucosa underneath about one third of the tissue of endoscopically resected BEAs should be improved. Results were more center-dependent for ESD than for EMR. Submucosal defects can potentially serve as a parameter for standardized reports.
A testudinid herpesvirus 1 (TeHV1)-associated disease outbreak in a group of Horsfield’s tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii)
Authors: Schüler Lisa , Picquet Pierre , Leineweber Christoph , Dietz Janosch , Müller Elisabeth , Marschang Rachel E.
Published: December 2021

In spring 2020, a severe disease outbreak with high morbidity and mortality was observed in a collection of 15 Horsfield’s tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii). Affected tortoises showed upper respiratory- and gastrointestinal tract signs, including rhinitis and stomatitis. Testudinid herpesvirus 1 (TeHV1) and Mycoplasma spp. were detected by PCR in oral swabs of affected animals. Histological examination of one deceased animal showed intranuclear inclusion bodies typical for herpesvirus infections in liver, spleen and oesophagus. The virus was likely introduced into the collection 2 years earlier by a clinically healthy Horsfield’s tortoise that was tested positive for TeHV1 by PCR.
Bicuspid Aortic Valve: Genetic and Clinical Insights
Authors: Tessler Idit , Albuisson Juliette , Goudot Guillaume , Carmi Shai , Shpitzen Shoshana , Messas Emmanuel , Gilon Dan , Durst Ronen
Published: December 2021

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common valvular congenital heart disease, with a prevalence of 0.5 to 2% in the general population. Patients with BAV are at risk for developing cardiovascular complications, some of which are life-threatening. BAV has a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, ranging from silent malformation to severe and even fatal cardiac events. Despite the significant burden on both the patients and the health systems, data are limited regarding pathophysiology, risk factors, and genetics. Family studies indicate that BAV is highly heritable, with autosomal dominant inheritance, incomplete penetrance, variable expressivity, and male predominance. Owing to its complex genetic model, including high genetic heterogenicity, only a few genes were identified in association with BAV, while the majority of BAV genetics remains obscure. Here, we review the different forms of BAV and the current data regarding its genetics. Given the clear heritably of BAV with the potential high impact on clinical outcome, the clinical value and cost effectiveness of cascade screening are discussed.
Molecular Detection of blaOXA-type Carbapenemase Genes and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns among Clinical Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Kafshnouchi Maghsoud , Safari Marzieh , Khodavirdipour Amir , Bahador Abbas , Hashemi Seyed Hamid , Alikhani Mohammad Sina , Saidijam Massoud , Alikhani Mohammad Yousef
Published: December 2021

Acinetobacter baumannii is a bacterium found in most places, especially in clinics and hospitals, and an important agent of nosocomial infections. The presence of class D enzymes such as OXA-type carbapenemases in A. baumannii is proven to have a key function in resistance to carbapenem. The aim of the current study is to determine the blaOXA-type carbapenemase genes and antimicrobial resistance among clinically isolated samples of A. baumannii. We assessed 100 clinically isolated specimens of A. baumannii from patients in intensive care units of educational hospitals of Hamadan, West of Iran. The A. baumannii isolates' susceptibility to antibiotics was performed employing disk diffusion method. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used to identify the blaOXA-24-like , blaOXA-23-like , blaOXA-58-like , and blaOXA-51-like genes. The blaOXA-23-like , blaOXA-24-like , and blaOXA-58-like genes' prevalence were found to be 84, 58, and 3%, respectively. The highest coexistence of the genes was for blaOXA-51/23 (84%) followed by blaOXA-51/24-like (58%). The blaOXA-51/23- like pattern of genes is a sort of dominant gene in resistance in A. baumannii from Hamadan hospitals. The highest resistance to piperacillin (83%) and ciprofloxacin (81%) has been observed in positive isolates of blaOXA-23-like . The A. baumannii isolates with blaOXA-58-like genes did not show much resistance to antibiotics. Based on the results of the phylogenetic tree analysis, all isolates have shown a high degree of similarity. This study showed the high frequency of OXA-type carbapenemase genes among A. baumannii isolates from Hamadan hospitals, Iran. Thus, applying an appropriate strategy to limit the spreading of these strains and also performing new treatment regimens are necessary.
Using statistical modeling to predict and understand fusion experiments
Authors: Gopalaswamy V. , Betti R. , Knauer J. P. , Lees A. , Patel D. , Christopherson A. R. , Igumenshchev I. V. , Cao D. , Anderson K. S. , Shvydky A. , Edgell D. H. , Mannion O. M. , Thomas C. , Theobald W. , Stoeckl C. , Regan S. P. , Goncharov V. N. , Shah R. , Campbell E. M.
Published: December 2021

Over 300 cryogenic layered direct-drive inertial confinement fusion implosions have been successfully executed on the OMEGA Laser System in the last decade. However, extracting sufficient understanding from these experiments to develop new designs or to identify or mitigate degradation sources remains challenging. Recently, a statistical modeling approach was developed to successfully design and predict improved implosion experiments on OMEGA. Here, we show that one-dimensional simulations can be used to predict the outcomes of systematically perturbed three-dimensional simulations and that this statistical modeling approach can be used to identify or rule out physical mechanisms for some of the degradation sources observed on the OMEGA Laser System for direct-drive cryogenic inertial confinement fusion. In this instance, we investigate the fusion yield dependencies on the ion temperature asymmetries and laser beam size observed in experiments by comparing with trends in three-dimensional synthetic simulation databases. Using the statistical model on these systematically perturbed simulations, we find that the statistically inferred dependency on the measured ion temperature asymmetries is well explained by imposed ℓ=1 modes. However, we find that the dependency on the laser beam size is only dominated by the illumination non-uniformity for some extreme cases.
A tunable Raman system based on ultrafast laser for Raman excitation profile measurement
Authors: Luo Wei-Xia , Liu Xue-Lu , Chen Xue , Wu Heng , Cong Xin , Lin Miao-Ling , Tan Ping-Heng
Published: December 2021

The measurement of the Raman excitation profile (REP) is of great importance to obtain the energies of van Hove singularities and the lifetime of the excited state involved in the Raman process of semiconductors. In this Note, we develop a simple tunable Raman system based on an ultrafast laser and tunable Raman filters for REP measurement. The system is testified by measuring REP of twisted bilayer graphene, and the corresponding energy of van Hove singularity is determined.
Absorbance spectroscopy of light scattering samples placed inside an integrating sphere for wide dynamic range absorbance measurement
Authors: Mori Ayaka , Yamashita Kyohei , Tabata Yunosuke , Seto Keisuke , Tokunaga Eiji
Published: December 2021

In the absorbance measurement of a sample that scatters light significantly, it is necessary to consider the effect of the attenuation of incident light due to scattering on the measured absorbance. Since the usual absorbance measurement with an integrating sphere (IS) cannot remove the influence of backscattering, we performed the absorbance measurement considering the light scattered to almost all solid angles by placing the sample inside the IS. Ni(NO3)2 and Co(NO3)2 aqueous solutions were used as non-scattering samples, and Ni(NO3)2 solutions mixed with submicrometer polystyrene spheres as scatterers were used as scattering samples. The sample-concentration dependence of the measured absorbance was investigated for the cell containing the sample placed at the entrance of or inside the IS. It was found that even inside the IS, the measured absorbance does not match the true absorbance because light is partially multiply transmitted through the sample or detected without being transmitted through the sample. Due to the latter reason, the saturated absorbance inside the IS was lower than that at the entrance. We derived the formula with three fitting parameters relating the measured and true absorbance taking these factors into account, which quantitatively reproduced the concentration dependence of the absorbance in the non-scattering sample. When the scattering samples were placed at the entrance and inside of the IS, the measured absorbance increased and decreased, respectively, compared to those without scatterers. This decrease in absorbance for the scattering samples inside the IS was also explained by the proposed formula slightly modified.
Modeling of butterfly-shaped hysteresis in dielectric elastomer actuators
Authors: Xu Hongzhi , Li Zikang , Li Zhi , Zhang Xiuyu
Published: December 2021

Dielectric elastomer actuators exhibit butterfly-shaped hysteresis effects under unbiased periodic input signals. In comparison with single hysteresis effects, butterfly-shaped hysteresis effects are more complicated, which include two single hysteresis loops, and the directions of both loops are different. Hence, it is a great challenge to build a hysteresis model to describe the butterfly-shaped behavior. To this end, a butterfly-shaped relay operator is newly proposed as an elementary operator to construct the butterfly-shaped Preisach model, and the weighting functions/weights of the developed model are positively defined, which facilitates the construction of the unique inverse model and the controller design. To further improve the modeling accuracy, a piecewise-defined butterfly-shaped Preisach model considering the variation of asymmetric nonlinear hysteresis effects with different input amplitudes is proposed. Experiments with the fabricated elastomer actuator-actuated system are conducted to validate the effectiveness of the developed modeling approach.
Advances in measurements and instrumentation leveraging embedded systems
Authors: Carminati M. , Scandurra G.
Published: December 2021

The expression “embedded systems” is used in different contexts and with broad meanings, but in electronics, it refers to systems that contain peripherals and a firmware for local digital data processing, often on a single board. Embedded systems are often associated with the field of computer science, emphasizing the software and programming aspects of systems. However, the progress made on the hardware side cannot be ignored, and without such technological advances, embedded systems would not exist. In fact, the progress in the field of microelectronics drives a constant evolution of variegated digital platforms, which gradually become easier to program and configure, thus reducing the development and prototyping phase and causing a strong impact on different research and application fields.
Concentration of the complexity of spherical pure p-spin models at arbitrary energies
Authors: Subag Eliran , Zeitouni Ofer
Published: December 2021

We consider critical points of the spherical pure p-spin spin glass model with Hamiltonian HNσ=1Np−1/2∑i1,…,ip=1NJi1,…,ipσi1…σip, where σ=σ1,…,σN∈SN−1≔σ∈RN:σ2=N and Ji1,…,ip are i.i.d. standard normal variables. Using a second moment analysis, we prove that for p ≥ 32 and any E > −E⋆, where E⋆ is the (normalized) ground state, the ratio of the number of critical points σ with HN(σ) ≤ NE and its expectation asymptotically concentrate at 1. This extends to arbitrary E, a similar conclusion of Subag [Ann. Probab. 45, 3385–3450 (2017)].
Domain wall pinning through nanoscale interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction
Authors: Kumar Durgesh , Chan JianPeng , Piramanayagam S. N.
Published: December 2021

Neuromorphic computing (NC) has been gaining attention as a potential candidate for artificial intelligence. The building blocks for NC are neurons and synapses. Research studies have indicated that domain wall (DW) devices are one of the most energy-efficient contenders for realizing NC. Moreover, synaptic functions can be achieved by obtaining multi-resistance states in DW devices. However, in DW devices with no artificial pinning, it is difficult to control the DW position, and hence achieving multilevel resistance is difficult. Here, we have proposed the concept of nanoscale interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (iDMI) for controllably stopping the DWs at specific positions, and hence, realizing multi-resistance states. We show that the nanoscale iDMI forms an energy barrier (well), which can controllably pin the DWs at the pinning sites. Moreover, a tunable depinning current density was achieved by changing the width and iDMI constant of the confinement region. We have also studied pinning in a device with five successive pinning sites. This feature is a proof-of-concept for realizing multi-resistance states in the proposed concept. Based on these observations, a magnetic tunnel junction—where the free layer is made up of the proposed concept—can be fabricated to achieve synapses for NC applications.
How to train your solver: A method of manufactured solutions for weakly compressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics
Authors: Negi Pawan , Ramachandran Prabhu
Published: December 2021

The Weakly Compressible Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (WCSPH) method is a Lagrangian method that is typically used for the simulation of incompressible fluids. While developing an SPH-based scheme or solver, researchers often verify their code with exact solutions, solutions from other numerical techniques, or experimental data. This typically requires a significant amount of computational effort and does not test the full capabilities of the solver. Furthermore, often this does not yield insights into the convergence of the solver. In this paper, we introduce the method of manufactured solutions (MMS) to comprehensively test a WCSPH-based solver in a robust and efficient manner. The MMS is well established in the context of mesh-based numerical solvers. We show how the method can be applied in the context of Lagrangian WCSPH solvers to test the convergence and accuracy of the solver in two and three dimensions, systematically identify any problems with the solver, and test the boundary conditions in an efficient way. We demonstrate this for both a traditional WCSPH scheme and some recently proposed second order convergent WCSPH schemes. Our code is open source, and the results of the manuscript are reproducible.
Hydrodynamics of flow over a gradually varied bed roughness
Authors: Dey Subhasish , Rathore Vijit , Penna Nadia , Gaudio Roberto
Published: December 2021

Turbulence characteristics in a fully developed flow over a gradually varied bed roughness are investigated. The results of the Reynolds stress profiles indicate that they increase with an increase in bed roughness height. Their peaks occur within the wall-shear layer close to the bed. Besides, the bed shear stress rises in accordance with the roughness height. The roughness-induced layer grows as the roughness height increases with the streamwise distance. The velocity profiles fitted with the logarithmic law reveal that the zero-velocity level is elevated as the roughness height increases, but the zero-plane displacement is not influenced by the roughness. The turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) flux results indicate that an inrush of faster moving fluid parcels composing the sweep event is the dominant mechanism in the near-bed flow zone. The magnitude of the sweep event escalates, as the roughness height increases. On the other hand, a process of slowly moving fluid parcels forming the ejection event prevails in the outer flow layer. The TKE flux results agree with those obtained from the bursting analysis. Concerning the TKE budget, the peaks of the TKE production, dissipation, and pressure energy diffusion rates being positive appear near the bed and grow as the roughness height increases, whereas the peak of the TKE diffusion rate being negative behaves in the similar way as the other terms of the TKE budget behave.
Magnetic hysteresis of individual Janus particles with hemispherical exchange biased caps
Authors: Philipp S. , Gross B. , Reginka M. , Merkel M. , Claus M. M. , Sulliger M. , Ehresmann A. , Poggio M.
Published: December 2021

We use sensitive dynamic cantilever magnetometry to measure the magnetic hysteresis of individual magnetic Janus particles. These particles consist of hemispherical caps of magnetic material deposited on micrometer-scale silica spheres. The measurements, combined with corresponding micromagnetic simulations, reveal the magnetic configurations present in these individual curved magnets. In remanence, ferromagnetic Janus particles are found to host a global vortex state with vanishing magnetic moment. In contrast, a remanent onion state with significant moment is recovered by imposing an exchange bias to the system via an additional antiferromagnetic layer in the cap. A robust remanent magnetic moment is crucial for most applications of magnetic Janus particles, in which an external magnetic field actuates their motion.
Trends in presentations to a private emergency department during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
Authors: Punchihewa Nisal , Rankin David , Ben-Meir Michael , Brichko Lisa , Turner Ian
Published: December 2021

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic in Australia coincided with an early trend of reduced visits to the emergency department (ED), but to determine which patients presented less requires closer evaluation. Identifying which patient groups are presenting less frequently will provide a better understanding of health care utilisation behaviours during a pandemic and inform healthcare providers of the potential challenges in managing these groups. Methods This single-centre retrospective study examined trends in presentations in 2020 to a private, mixed paediatric and adult ED in an inner city suburb within the state of Victoria that treats both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. The 2019 dataset was used as a reference baseline for comparison. All analyses were performed using baseline characteristics and triage data. Results The total number of visits to the ED dropped from 24 775 in 2019 to 22 754 in 2020, representing an overall reduction of 8%. Significant reductions in daily presentations and admissions from the ED were observed in the months immediately following the peak of the two COVID-19 waves in the state of Victoria. Visits by those in the 0- to 17-year age group, triage categories 4 and 5 and musculoskeletal presentations were also reduced for most of 2020. Gastrointestinal/abdominal and urological/renal presentations were reduced immediately after the first COVID-19 wave, whereas infectious diseases visits were reduced during and after the second COVID-19 wave. Conclusions These findings add to the growing body of evidence regarding emergency care underutilisation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reduced private ED presentations were observed overall and in paediatric patients, lower acuity triage categories, musculoskeletal, abdominal/gastrointestinal and urological/renal presentations during the first wave, whereas infectious disease cases were reduced during the second wave. What is known about the topic? During the first and second waves of COVID-19 in Victoria, ED visits were reduced in the public sector across all diagnostic categories and all triage categories. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on private ED attendance is less well known. What does this paper add? Total visits to the private ED during the first and second waves of COVID-19 were reduced across all major diagnostic categories except cardiac presentations. During this same period, visits for triage categories 4 and 5 were significantly reduced. What are the implications for practitioners? ED underutilisation during the initial two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic is apparent in both the private and public sector. Patients should be encouraged not to delay seeking urgent medical care during the pandemic.
Evaluating scat surveys as a tool for population and community assessments
Authors: Paton Alexandra J. , Buettel Jessie C. , Brook Barry W.
Published: December 2021

Abstract Context Reliable, cost-effective monitoring methods are essential for managing wildlife populations. Scat-and-sign surveys (i.e. monitoring defecation, animal scratching, footprints, food remains) are a rapid, low-cost, non-invasive monitoring approach, but unquantified biases and uncertainties associated with these methods have caused researchers to doubt their reliability. Aims We sought to quantify how richness, occupancy and activity estimates derived from a long-term camera-trap study differed from those of scat surveys in the same locations, to determine scat-survey reliability and model bias corrections. Methods We used transect-based scat surveys at 110 sites in the temperate forests of southern Tasmania (Australia), to estimate occupancy, activity and community richness for common, ground-dwelling vertebrates. These results were compared with estimates derived from a long-term passive camera-trap study at the same sites. In addition, time-lapse imagery taken with the camera traps was used to monitor the persistence of rufous-belled pademelon (Thylogale billardierii) and Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) scats in relation to environmental correlates. Key results Scat persistence differed between these two species. The half-life of S. harrisii scats was 113 days, compared with 63 days for T. billardierii. Generalised linear modelling showed that scat surveys were most efficacious at sites with little disturbance and homogenous substrates. Overall, scat surveys consistently underestimated site occupancy and richness relative to the camera traps (μ = 2.7:1), but this bias was inconsistent, with the ratio exceeding 15 for the arboreal brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Scats were most reliably detected for large, trail-using mammals such as S. harrisii, T. billardierii, and common wombat (Vombatus ursinus). Scat surveys were less useful for the surveillance of low-density and arboreal species. Scats were uncommon for the two bird species examined, but alternative superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) signs were detected reliably. Conclusions Scat surveys reliably detected large, trail-using mammals. However, estimates of activity were poorly correlated between camera traps and scat surveys. Implications When used appropriately, scat surveys can provide an effective and cheap ‘snapshot’ index for wildlife monitoring, especially if the species-specific biases have been calibrated for the vertebrate community and environment under monitoring.
Self-efficacy beliefs among non-specialist teachers in primary English education
Authors: Matsumura Shoichi
Published: December 2021

Although the teaching of English to primary school children has been rapidly growing in many English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) countries around the world, a shortage of specialist teachers remains a persistent challenge. Consequently, non-specialists, such as homeroom teachers initially trained as generalists, are more often required to teach English. The present study, focusing on 304 non-specialist teachers serving in Japan’s public primary schools, was designed to explore their perceived self-efficacy for teaching English, and to examine the impact of teacher characteristics (i.e., their perceived English proficiency, English-teaching experience, and appraisals of collaboration with native English-speaking teachers) on their level of self-efficacy. A multiple regression analysis revealed that the collaboration variable was more influential than the proficiency variable and that there was no significant relationship between teachers’ self-efficacy and teaching experience. Moreover, integration of these results and teachers’ comments in the open-ended question suggested that they functioned most effectively in student engagement by playing roles unique to non-specialist teachers and that they perceived team teaching to be more beneficial in classroom management than solo teaching. Implications for in-service training are discussed to support non-specialist teachers in primary English education.
¿Qué nombran los fitónimos?
Authors: Cáceres-Lorenzo M-Teresa , Salas-Pascual Marcos
Published: December 2021

Esta investigación examina con un enfoque multidisciplinar, el problema de la incorporación en obras
lexicográficas de los nombres comunes de las plantas. El material del que se obtienen los fitónimos, su procedencia etimológica y
la referencia geográfica es el Diccionario de Americanismo (2010), además del
Diccionario de la Lengua Española (2014). Tras una selección de los términos útiles en esta
investigación se realiza un lexicón con 1.261 entradas que registran 667 fitónimos diferentes que nombran 877 taxones. Los
resultados muestran que los nombres populares de las plantas no son una designación unívoca. Esta investigación quiere ser una
contribución desde el léxico dialectal y la nomenclatura popular botánica hacia la solución de esta aparente confrontación entre
las necesidades de legisladores, técnicos, etnógrafos y etnobotánicos. Además, se intenta resolver la dificultad que representa
definir lexicográficamente los nombres de las plantas en las publicaciones académicas.
The ‘hookability’ of multimodal impact captions
Authors: Sasamoto Ryoko , Doherty Stephen , O’Hagan Minako
Published: December 2021

The use of captions has grown in recent years in both traditional and new media, particularly in terms of the
diversity of style, content, and function. Impact captions have emerged as a popular form of captions for hearing viewers and
contain rich multimodal information which is employed to capture viewer attention and enhance engagement, particularly in
situations where there is competition for viewer attention. Drawing upon relevance theory, we argue how impact captions could
effectively attract and hold visual attention owing to their balance between processing effort and contextual effects. This
exploratory study employs a dual-task paradigm and uses authentic materials and viewing situations to further examine the ability
of multimodal impact captions to attract and retain overt visual attention amongst a small sample of TV viewers. Our results
provide novel insight into the apparent highly individualised efficacy of impact captions, where we identify several variables of
interest in participants’ viewing behaviours. We conclude with a discussion of the study’s contributions, limitations, and an
outline for future work.
Effects of subtitle speed on proportional reading time
Authors: Szarkowska Agnieszka , Silva Breno , Orrego-Carmona David
Published: December 2021

How much time do viewers spend reading subtitles and does it depend on the subtitle speed? By posing these questions, in this paper we re-analyse previous data to address this issue while promoting two methodological advancements in eye-tracking audiovisual research: (1) the use of proportional reading time (PRT) as a metric of time spent on subtitle reading and (2) the analysis of data via linear mixed models (LMMs). We tested 19 Polish L1 viewers with advanced English proficiency watching two clips with English soundtrack with Polish subtitles. First, we compared PRT at two different subtitle speeds: 12 characters per second (cps) and 20 cps. Then, we used actual subtitle speed rates to better understand the speed-PRT relationship. The results showed a significantly higher PRT for 20 cps compared to 12 cps, with the models predicting a PRT of 45.24% at 20 cps. We have also found strong evidence of the advantage of LMMs over more commonly used statistical techniques.
Muscle coordination during archery shooting: A comparison of archers with different skill levels
Authors: Baifa Zhang , Xinglong Zhou , Dongmei Luo
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to compare the muscle coordination of different skill level archers by using the concept of muscle synergies. A total of 28 archers (8 elite, 12 mid‐level, and 8 novices) were recruited to participate in this study. Electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded using a 13‐channel (Trigno EMG sensor, Delsys Inc., USA) wireless surface EMG system. Fundamental synergies containing time‐dependent activation coefficients (motor primitives) and time‐invariant muscle weightings (motor modules) were extracted using non‐negative matrix factorisation. We observed three fundamental synergies in all groups during archery shooting. The results showed that the centre of activity of the motor primitive of synergy‐3 occurred earlier in novice archers than in elite and mid‐level archers, which was followed by an increase in the averaged frequency of overlaps. The results also showed a slight difference in the relative muscle contribution of the motor module of synergy‐2 and ‐3 within different groups. These findings revealed that the number of muscle synergies did not depend on the proficiency level; however, more expert archers improved timing management better than less experienced ones. Therefore, we suggest that coaches and athletes focus on optimising the temporal coordination of the follow‐through phase.
Development of a compact test board for silicon sensors IV/CV characterization
Authors: Allard Y. , De Lentdecker G. , Hohov D. , Robert F. , Safa A. , Vanlaer P.
Published: December 2021

To build silicon trackers of modern and future high-luminosity collider experiments, thousands of silicon strip modules have to be produced and tested. The modules in new trackers must reliably work usually during 5–10 years or more under harsh irradiation conditions, as it will be impossible to replace a failing module once installed inside the detector. It means that reliable and rigorous testing of strip modules and its components is mandatory. To sustain the production throughput we should be able to test several modules in parallel. For this reason a fast, reliable, scalable and cost effective production QC test bench has to be designed and implemented. For the CV and IV measurements of sensors and modules we are developing a low-cost (less than 500 €) integrated electronic board which will be scaled up to ten channels to measure DUTs in parallel. In the current work the design of the IV/CV board and the calibration procedure to increase the accuracy of the current and capacitance measurements, for which a special calibration dipole board based on tight tolerance capacitors and resistors has been designed, as well as future development plans are described.
Identification of neutron sources and background levels in the polyethylene room of the China Jinping Underground Laboratory
Authors: Zhong W.X. , Fang C.H. , Lin S.T. , Liu S.K. , Yu C.X. , Liang J. , He H.T. , Xing H.Y. , Zhu J.J. , Tang C.J. , Yue Q. , Wong H.T.
Published: December 2021

The neutron backgrounds induced by supplementary
experimental materials can result in contaminations in rare event
search experiments. To address this, we present the neutron
background levels arising from ambient materials in the polyethylene
room of the China Jinping Underground Laboratory; particularly, we
compare simulated spectra with measured neutron spectra unfolded
using a genetic algorithm. The genetic algorithm optimizes the
continuity of the energy spectra and obtains a reasonable spectral
result. A good agreement between the unfolded and simulated spectra
is achieved. Moreover, estimated neutron background levels of
representative ambient materials such as polyethylene, aluminum, and
lead are obtained using an exposure time of 511.27 days via a 28
liter 0.5%-gadolinium-doped liquid scintillator detector. The
identification of rare neutron sources can aid in background
reduction in next-generation large-scale rare event experiments.
Preliminary symptoms assessment of typical faults related to the fans and humidifiers of HVAC systems based on experimental data collected during Italian summer and winter
Authors: Rosato A , Guarino F , Youssef M El , Sibilio S , Maffei L
Published: December 2021

The symptoms associated to the occurrence of typical faults in a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, including a single duct dual fan constant air volume air-handling unit, have been experimentally characterized. The operation of the HVAC unit with 3 artificially forced faults ((1) reduced velocity of the supply air fan, (2) reduced velocity of the return air fan, (3) the valve supplying the humidifier kept always closed) has been analysed and compared with that of healthy operation of the same plant under very similar boundary conditions (outside air temperature and initial indoor air temperature) during Italian summer and winter in order to preliminarily assess (i) the effects on the main operating parameters, and (ii) generate preliminary operation data to assist further research in fault detection and diagnosis of HVAC systems.