bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing limitation factors and thresholds for macroinvertebrate communities in response to land use gradients
Authors: Ding Sen , Li Feilong , Lin Jianing , Zhang Yuan , Jia Xiaobo
Published: May 2021

Transformations of land use from natural to anthropic type have been recognized as a significant trigger which degenerate the aquatic ecological quality seriously. However, there was still lack of enough evidence which the extent of changes in land use should be set as a biodiversity conservation target to protect aquatic ecosystem. To understand the corresponding variations of aquatic organisms to environmental gradients and set the conservation threshold values for land use, data of physicochemical parameters and macroinvertebrate communities were sampled in the Hun-Tai River Basin during 2009 and 2010. The main objectives of the present study were (i) to explore limiting factors that affect the distribution of macroinvertebrate communities with land use gradients, (ii) to estimate thresholds for the conservation of macroinvertebrate communities derived from generalized additive models (GAMs) and Threshold Indicator Taxa ANalysis (TITAN), respectively. The results indicated that macroinvertebrate communities’ structure and integrity were strongly negative with nutrient, organic contaminants content, %CropArea and %ImperviousArea. Under a precaution perspective and given current levels of land use, this research might provide some useful strategies for appropriate land exploitation management and improving water quality and biodiversity conservation in river ecological restoration.
Analysis of the Socio-environmental Management of Covid 19 in Perú
Authors: Cueto Sandra , Ferrer Jorge , Guevara Alvaro , Segovia Yensy
Published: May 2021

The objective of this article is to analyze the management of Covid-19 from a socio-environmental perspective, with a scientific, holistic and adaptive approach. On March 16 of 2020, the Peruvian government began to implement measures to slow the spread of the virus and allow time to strengthen the public health system and after 9 months the results have placed the country among the first places in the mortality rate world level. The basic lines of action of the Peruvian government have been focused on: reducing crowds, stocking up with hospital supplies and detecting infected. However, we identified that the actions corresponding to such basic lines lacked scientific support, were academically biased and inappropriate to the context. Our analysis has been accompanied by proposals that should have been applied in the initial phase of the proliferation of the virus, each of these proposals are designed based on scientific interdisciplinarity and adapted to the geographical and cultural heterogeneity of Peru. It is concluded that decision making must be in accordance with the different realities of the country and that since it is a diverse country, these decisions must be approached seeking the benefit of the entire population.
Multitasking scheduling problems with a common due-window
Authors: Xu Chen , Xu Yinfeng , Zheng Feifeng , Liu Ming
Published: May 2021

We study multitasking scheduling and due-window assignment problems in a single machine, which can be found in various application domains. In multitasking environment, unfinished job always interrupts in-processing job. In common due window assignment, the aim is to find optimal due window to minimise the value of the earliness and tardiness penalty. In this paper, we study two problems, where the objective of the first problem is minimise the earliness, tardiness, due-window starting time, and due-window size costs, the objective of the second problem is minmax common due-date with completion time penalty, then we obtain some analytical properties and provide polynomial time solutions. Finally, the experimental results show that the proposed methods are effective.
Ludic effects in fiction: A case study of J.M. Coetzee’s Disgrace and its Russian and Ukrainian translations
Authors: Izotova Natalya
Published: May 2021

This article discusses translation strategies involved in reproducing ludic effects in Russian and Ukrainian translations of Coetzee’s novel Disgrace. Ludic effects, embedded in the text, outline the potential result(s) of literary gaming. Created in different games, a number of ludic effects trigger ludic stylistics – a new heuristic area of linguistic “ludology”. The paper defines ludic stylistics as an artistic phenomenon manifested in literary text due to unconventional combinations of various linguistic means. In Coetzee’s Disgrace, ludic stylistics is the result of psychonarrative games aimed to transform plot-driven narratives into experience-centred. Psychonarrative games are governed by two principles – “external via internal” and semantic intrusiveness through semantic, plot-building, and compositional games represented at the macro- and microlevels of literary text. The study focuses on sematic games which enable construing new, emergent textual senses which bring the personage’s / narrator’s unceasing, obsessive experience of traumatic events to the fore. The paper looks at the translation strategies of rendering ludic effects in the translations of Coetzee’s Disgrace from two perspectives – intentional and receptive. The reproduction of such effects in Russian and Ukrainian translations of Disgrace is grounded in lexico-semantic, syntactic, associative-figurative, and functional equivalence, as well as respective loss, and gain.
Language games vs. the game of translation
Authors: Rebrii Oleksandr , Pieshkova Olha
Published: May 2021

The article focuses on experimental researching the strategies, methods and means of reproducing nominative language game in popular scientific discourse. We proceed from the understanding of language games by Ludwig Wittgenstein and Johan Huizinga according to which its varieties include both acts of nomination and translation. The research is based on the neological quasi-terms whose main function is not to give names to objects but to induce expressive coloring (terminological connotation) in the context. With the help of algorithmic modeling, we formulated potential strategies for ascribing meanings to English quasi-terms and reproducing them in Ukrainian, and afterwards we designed and conducted the retrospective experiment aimed at verifying the above strategies. The experiment involved 34 semi-professional subjects who translated text fragments and submitted their reports concerning the reproduction of the control units (quasi-terms). The analysis of the experiment not only confirmed the validity of the modeled strategies but also allowed to describe the translators’ decisions in terms of the game theory. In particular, by attempting to coin the equivalent for a non-equivalent quasi-term following the source model and word-formation elements, the translator accepts the author’s rules; while by employing his/her own model and/or word-formation elements the translator offers his/her own set of rules. In either case, the reproduction of a quasi-term in its lexicalized form can be seen as the translator’s victory, while omitting it in the target text is a clear sign of defeat. Descriptive translation takes a somewhat intermediate position: on the one hand, it allows to convey the meaning of the source unit, but on the other hand, it leads to the loss of the source unit’s lexicalized form and concomitant terminological connotation.
Translating English slang into Ukrainian: A study of Pulp Fiction and Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood
Authors: Bondarenko Kateryna , Bondarenko Oleksandr
Published: May 2021

This research focuses on translation strategies and techniques for rendering slang in Quentin Tarantino’s films “Pulp Fiction” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”. The material of the research was the original scripts for the films and their translations into Ukrainian. Defining translation strategies when transferring English slang into Ukrainian involved: frequency analysis of the slang words; semantic decomposition of the slang words to establish their meanings; and comparison of the words to reveal consistent patterns of translating English slang into Ukrainian. Slang wordsfucking, fuck, shit, goddamn, motherfuckermake up 3.6% of the total wordcount in “Pulp Fiction” and 1.33% in “Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood”. They mainly function as exclamations, nominations for something inferior, as euphony, or to denote a despicable adversary. Literal translation has been registered in 31.73% in “Pulp Fiction” and 30.98% in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”, explicitation (6.07% and 26.03%,) substitution (39.75% and 48.8%). Slang words were neutralised in 15.45% and 16.8%, omitted in 21.34% and 21.72%. The study hypothesises that the techniques involved show a correlation between the semantic transparency of the slang word and the strategy chosen.
Freelancing, translating, observing: Association4U case study
Authors: Paliichuk Elina
Published: May 2021

The paper presents an overview of the freelance practice in the Ukrainian translation industry through the lens of the role of Associate Translation Fellow at “Association4U” EU-funded technical aid project (Phase I) aimed at supporting approximation of Ukrainian laws to EU legislation. To meet the challenges of the ever-changing political world, translators should be able to build specific capacities. Under the microscope of the observations made is the range of competences which a contemporary translator should have to maintain a competitive profile in institutional translation domain. An institutional translator’s portrait has been drawn up based on the A4U case, which became possible due to feedbacks given to junior fellows and stylistic analysis of the translated texts. The studies of acquis communautaire provide insights into the stylistic peculiarities of translation of the EU acts in the context of the Ukrainian language. Key attention is given to cognitive, stylistic, and discursive aspects of translation process. The paper deals with a complex of the general philological background and specific skills of translation experts, which is a pre-requisite of accurate translation in the framework of academic, industrial, and institutional realms.
In vitro evaluation of the anti-pathogenic activity of Okoubaka aubrevillei on the human gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Buchheim-Schmidt Susann , Peters Uwe , Duysburgh Cindy , Van den Abbeele Pieter , Marzorati Massimo , Keller Thomas , Martin David , Klement Petra , Baumgartner Stephan
Published: May 2021

Background Okoubaka aubrevillei is used in traditional West African medicine and in homeopathy for treatment and prevention of several gastrointestinal problems. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of repeated doses of two Okoubaka products (10 % ethanolic tincture, mother tincture (MT); 3rd decimal potency, 3X) on the microbial activity of physiological human colon microbiota using a Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®) and to investigate any preventive effect against infections with diarrhea-causing pathogens.

Methods Upon inoculation with fecal microbiota from a healthy donor, 4 parallel proximal colon compartments of the SHIME were treated either with Okoubaka MT, Okoubaka 3X, ethanol control or blank control for 7 days. Using the Okoubaka-adapted microbial community from SHIME, 48 h challenge tests were performed with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and Salmonella enteritidis in 4 different doses (103–108 colony forming units as typical in vivo infectious doses). Pathogen concentrations, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and branched SCFA production were measured in triplicate at 0, 24 and 48 h.

Results In the challenge tests, both Okoubaka products were able to restrict the colonization of ETEC and Salmonella at 3 of the 4 pathogen doses (except the highest doses), with a stronger anti-pathogenic effect for MT, which included a reduction of 2.0 log-units of ETEC (p < 0.0001) and 1.1 log-units of Salmonella (p < 0.0001). Total SCFA levels remained unaffected, but butyrate increased during the first 24 h (p < 0.0001 for ETEC), accompanied by decreased acetate production.

Conclusion We observed in vitro a systemic activating effect of Okoubaka on intestinal microbiome resistance, which resulted in an anti-pathogenic effect, especially against ETEC. We hypothesize that the mode of action in vivo is also based on systemic regulative effects.
The Potential Role of Psychedelic Drugs in Mental Health Care of the Future
Authors: Gründer Gerhard , Jungaberle Henrik
Published: May 2021

Serotonergic psychedelics such as psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or dimethyltryptamine (DMT), as well as psychoactive drugs that trigger phenomenologically- related experiences like 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and ketamine, belong to the most promising treatment approaches in contemporary psychiatry. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is not only a new treatment paradigm in psychopharmacology, but it also requires a redefinition of psychotherapeutic processes and the contextualization of psychopharmacological interventions within a new treatment infrastructure. Crucial for future practice and research in the field are (1) informed patient referral and co-treatment practices, (2) screening (e. g., choosing the right patients for these therapies), (3) the dosing preparation sessions, (4) the assisted dosing sessions as well as after-care procedures such as (5) psychological integration and (6) supporting the development of structured patient communities. Definition of future treatment delivery infrastructures and requirements for therapist training are further challenges for research and practice. Finally, the implementation of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in routine mental health care must be embedded into public communication about the potential and risks of these innovative therapeutic approaches. This paper provides a synopsis of challenges for practitioners, researchers, and regulators to be addressed in the approval processes of psychedelics.
Uterine Rescue in High-Risk Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia Treated with EMA-CO by Uterine Arteries Embolization due to Arteriovenous Malformations
Authors: Silva Arlley Cleverson Belo da , Passos Jurandir Piassi , Signorini Filho Roney Cesar , Braga Antonio , Mattar Rosiane , Sun Sue Yazaki
Published: May 2021

Complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) is a rare type of pregnancy, in which 15 to 20% of the cases may develop into gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). The diagnostic of GTN must be done as early as possible through weekly surveillance of serum hCG after uterine evacuation. We report the case of 23-year-old primigravida, with CHM but without surveillance of hCG after uterine evacuation. Two months later, the patient presented to the emergency with vaginal bleeding and was referred to the Centro de Doenças Trofoblásticas do Hospital São Paulo. She was diagnosed with high risk GTN stage/score III:7 as per The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics/World Health Organization (FIGO/WHO). The sonographic examination revealed enlarged uterus with a heterogeneous mass constituted of multiple large vessels invading and causing disarrangement of the myometrium. The patient evolved with progressive worsening of vaginal bleeding after chemotherapy with etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide and vincristine (EMA-CO) regimen. She underwent blood transfusion and embolization of uterine arteries due to severe vaginal hemorrhage episodes, with complete control of bleeding. The hCG reached a negative value after the third cycle, and there was a complete regression of the anomalous vascularization of the uterus as well as full recovery of the uterine anatomy. The treatment in a reference center was essential for the appropriate management, especially regarding the uterine arteries embolization trough percutaneous femoral artery puncture, which was crucial to avoid the hysterectomy and allow GTN cure and maintenance of reproductive life.
The Impact of Routine Transvaginal Ultrasound Measurement of the Cervical Length on the Prediction of Preterm Birth: A Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Hospital
Authors: Almeida Joana Patricia Rodrigues Félix Peixoto de , Bartosch Carla Maria Magno , Macedo Alexandra Matias Pereira Cunha Coelho
Published: May 2021

Preterm birth (PTB) is a major obstetric problem associated with high rates of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of PTB has not changed in the last decade; thus, the establishment of a screening test and effective treatment are warranted. Transvaginal ultrasound measurement of the cervical length (TUCL) has been proposed as an effective method to screen pregnant women at a higher risk of experiencing PTB.

Objective To evaluate the applicability and usefulness of second-trimester TUCL to predict PTB in a cohort of Portuguese pregnant women.

Methods Retrospective cross-sectional cohort study including all singleton pregnant women who performed their second-trimester ultrasound (between weeks 18 and 22 + 6 days) from January 2013 to October 2017 at Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João.

Results Our cohort included 4,481 women. The prevalence of spontaneous PTB was of 4.0%, with 0.7% occurring before the 34th week of gestation. The mean TUCL was of 33.8 mm, and percentiles 3, 5 and 10 corresponded to TUCLs of 25.0 mm, 27.0 mm and 29.0 mm respectively. The multiple logistic regression analysis, including maternal age, previous PTB and cervical surgery showed a significant negative association between TUCL and PTB, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.92 (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 0.90–0.95; p < 0.001). The use of a TUCL of 20 mm is the best cut-off, when compared with the 25-mm cut-off, improving the prediction of risk.

Conclusion The present study showed an inverse association between TUCL and PTB, and that the inclusion of other risk factors like maternal age, previous PTB and cervical surgery can improve the screening algorithm. Furthermore, it emphasizes that the TUCL cut-off that defines short cervix can differ according to the population.
Is there a Role for Antenatal Corticosteroids in Term Infants before Elective Cesarean Section?
Authors: Arruda Augusta , Ormonde Mariana , Stokreef Sarah , Fraga Beatriz , Franco Catarina , Dâmaso Catarina , Lima Ana
Published: May 2021

Objective Cesarean section (CS) delivery, especially without previous labor, is associated with worse neonatal respiratory outcomes. Some studies comparing neonatal outcomes between term infants exposed and not exposed to antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) before elective CS revealed that ACS appears to decrease the risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), transient tachypnea of the neonate (TTN), admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and the length of stay in the NICU.

Methods The present retrospective cohort study aimed to compare neonatal outcomes in infants born trough term elective CS exposed and not exposed to ACS. Outcomes included neonatal morbidity at birth, neonatal respiratory morbidity, and general neonatal morbidity. Maternal demographic characteristics and obstetric data were analyzed as possible confounders.

Results A total of 334 newborns met the inclusion criteria. One third of the population study (n = 129; 38.6%) received ACS. The present study found that the likelihood for RDS (odds ratio [OR] = 1.250; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.454–3.442), transient TTN (OR = 1.,623; 95%CI: 0.556–4.739), and NIUC admission (OR = 2.155; 95%CI: 0.474–9.788) was higher in the ACS exposed group, although with no statistical significance. When adjusting for gestational age and arterial hypertension, the likelihood for RDS (OR = 0,732; 95%CI: 0.240–2.232), TTN (OR = 0.959; 95%CI: 0.297–3.091), and NIUC admission (OR = 0,852; 95%CI: 0.161–4.520) become lower in the ACS exposed group.

Conclusion Our findings highlight the known association between CS-related respiratory morbidity and gestational age, supporting recent guidelines that advocate postponing elective CSs until 39 weeks of gestational age.
The Concentration of Metronidazole in the Distal Interphalangeal Joint following Intravenous Regional Limb Perfusion via the Cephalic Vein in Standing Horses
Authors: Gustafsson Kajsa , Tatz Amos J. , Dahan Roee , Britzi Malka , Soback Stefan , Ahmad Wiessam Abu , Prince Hagar , Kelmer Gal
Published: May 2021

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of metronidazole in the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) of the thoracic limb after administering metronidazole to standing horses by intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP).

Methods Eleven healthy horses had a wide rubber tourniquet applied to the proximal aspect of the antebrachium for 0.5 hours and 500 mg of metronidazole diluted in physiologic saline solution to a total volume of 108 mL was administered by cephalic IVRLP. Synovial fluid samples were collected from the DIPJ before perfusion and at 0.25, 0.5, 2, 12 and 24 hours. Blood samples were obtained at the same time points for serum analysis. Concentrations of metronidazole were determined by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

Results Four horses were excluded due to low synovial fluid concentrations and not completing the full tourniquet application time. The C
max in the synovial fluid was 327 ± 208 µg/mL, and the t
max was 26 ± 7 minutes. Only the concentrations of metronidazole at time points 0.25 and 0.5 hours were significantly different (p < 0.001) from synovial concentration before perfusion. The serum C
max was 1.78 ± 0.93 µg/mL, and the t
max was 76 ± 52min.

Conclusion Metronidazole administered by IVRLP reached high concentrations in the synovial fluid at 0.5 hours. However, the concentrations rapidly decreased below the minimum inhibitory concentration of potential target pathogens. Effectiveness of metronidazole administered by IVRLP as a sole therapy against anaerobic infections of synovial structures of the distal limb cannot be determined by a pharmacokinetic study. However, the present study serves as the basis for future carefully planned clinical trials.
Association between Prenatal Care Adequacy Indexes and Low Birth Weight Outcome
Authors: Vale Conceição Christina Rigo , Almeida Nubia Karla de Oliveira , Almeida Renan Moritz Varnier Rodrigues de
Published: May 2021

Objective To investigate the association between prenatal care (PNC) adequacy indexes and the low birth weigth (LBW) outcome.

Methods A total of 368,093 live term singleton births in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) from 2015 to 2016 were investigated using data from the Brazilian Live Birth Information System (Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos, SINASC, in Portuguese). Seven PNC adequacy indexes were evaluated: four developed by Brazilian authors (Ciari Jr. et al., Coutinho et al., Takeda, and an index developed and used by the Brazilian Ministry of Health – MS) and three by authors from other countries (Kessner et al., the Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilization index – APNCU, and the Graduated Prenatal Care Utilization Index – GINDEX). Adjusted odds ratios were estimated for the PNC adequacy indexes by means of multivariate logistic regression models using maternal, gestational and newborn characteristics as covariates.

Results When the PNC is classified as “inadequate”, the adjusted odds ratios to the LBW outcome increase between 42% and 132%, depending on which adequacy index is evaluated. Younger (15 to 17 years old) and older (35 to 45 years old) mothers, those not married, of black or brown ethnicity, with low schooling (who did not finish Elementary School), primiparous, with preterm births, as well as female newborns had increasing odds for LBW. The models presented areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve between 80.4% and 81.0%, and sensitivity and specificity that varied, respectively, between 57.7% and 58.6% and 94.3% and 94.5%.

Conclusion Considering all PNC adequacy indexes evaluated, the APNCU had the best discriminatory power and the best ability to predict the LBW outcome.
Excessive Prenatal Supplementation of Iodine and Fetal Goiter: Report of Two Cases Using Three-dimensional Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Castro Pedro , Werner Heron , Marinho Paulo Roberto Silva , Matos Ana Paula , Pires Pedro , Araujo Júnior Edward
Published: May 2021

Fetal thyroid complications in pregnancy are uncommon, and are commonly related to the passage of substances through the placenta. The excessive iodine intake during the pregnancy is a well-known mechanism of fetal thyroid enlargement or goiter, and invasive procedures have been proposed for the treatment of fetal thyroid pathologies. In the present report, we demonstrate two cases from different centers of prenatal diagnosis of fetal thyroid enlargement and/or goiter in three fetuses (one pair of twins, wherein both fetuses were affected, and one singleton pregnancy). The anamnesis revealed the ingestion of iodine by the patients, prescribed from inadequate vitamin supplementation. In both cases, the cessation of iodine supplement intake resulted in a marked reduction of the volume of the fetal thyroid glands, demonstrating that conservative treatment may be an option in those cases. Also, clinicians must be aware that patients may be exposed to harmful dosages or substances during pregnancy.
Immunomodulatory Effects of Vitamin D and Vitamin C to Improve Immunity in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Yaqinuddin Ahmed , Ambia Ayesha Rahman , Alaujan Raghad A.
Published: May 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV2) infection causes life-threatening respiratory illness, which has caused significant mortality and morbidity around the globe. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes mild respiratory illness in most infected individuals; however, in some patients it may progress to sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), cytokine release syndrome (CRS), and multiorgan dysfunction (MODS), which results in intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and increased fatalities. Recent evidence shows that most of these comorbidities associated with COVID-19 infection are associated with dysregulation of the host immune response. Vitamins C and D have been shown to regulate immune response by decreasing the proinflammatory cytokine release from immune cells and inducing proliferation of other immune cells to robustly fight infection. This review critically evaluates the current literature on vitamins C and D in modulating an immune response in different diseases and their potential therapeutic effects in preventing complications in COVID-19 infection.
The Austronesian Game Taxonomy: A cross-cultural dataset of historical games
Authors: Leisterer-Peoples Sarah M. , Hardecker Susanne , Watts Joseph , Greenhill Simon J. , Ross Cody T. , Haun Daniel B. M.
Published: May 2021

Humans in most cultures around the world play rule-based games, yet research on the content and structure of these games is limited. Previous studies investigating rule-based games across cultures have either focused on a small handful of cultures, thus limiting the generalizability of findings, or used cross-cultural databases from which the raw data are not accessible, thus limiting the transparency, applicability, and replicability of research findings. Furthermore, games have long been defined as competitive interactions, thereby blinding researchers to the cross-cultural variation in the cooperativeness of rule-based games. The current dataset provides ethnographic, historic information on games played in cultural groups in the Austronesian language family. These game descriptions (Ngames = 907) are available and codeable for researchers interested in games. We also develop a unique typology of the cooperativeness of the goal structure of games and apply this typology to the dataset. Researchers are encouraged to use this dataset to examine cross-cultural variation in the cooperativeness of games and further our understanding of human cultural behaviour on a larger scale.
Defining the structural transformation in the liquid-liquid transition of water
Authors: Gasparini Allison
Published: May 2021

The presence of a liquid-liquid transition of supercooled water confirmed.
Shedding light on ocean wave-ice sheet interactions with a harbored ship
Authors: Frank Jodi Ackerman
Published: May 2021

Using domain decomposition, thin ice sheets increase ship or harbor wall damage, but thicker sheets prove less destructive.
Double sample holder for efficient high-resolution studies of an insulator and a metal surface
Authors: Heggemann Jonas , Laflör Linda , Rahe Philipp
Published: May 2021

A double sample holder supporting both a metal sample and an insulator crystal for high-resolution scanning probe microscopy experiments is described. The metal sample serves as a substrate for tip preparation and tip functionalization to efficiently and reliably enable high-resolution studies of the adjacent insulator surface. Imaging of Ag(111)/mica, Au(111)/mica, CaF2(111), and calcite(104) surfaces is demonstrated at 5 K, including images on calcite(104) produced with a CO terminated tip, which was prepared on the adjacent metal sample.
Silicon nitride stress liner impacts on MoS2 photodetectors
Authors: Hu Shengqun , Liao Zeliang , He Jinlan , Yu Wenjie , Song Lijun , Wang Qi , Li Xiaohua , Liu Xinke
Published: May 2021

Strain engineering has been reported to improve the optical and electrical properties of two-dimensional materials, and the adjustable bandgap of MoS2 has great application value in strain engineering. In this work, to explore the influence of the Si3N4 stress liner on the MoS2 photodetector, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition was used to deposit a 5 nm Si3N4 film on the surface of the device to introduce strain. The simulation results show that there is tensile strain in the MoS2 area under a Si3N4 layer, which can decrease the bandgap and electron effective mass of MoS2. The measurement results of the device show that the Si3N4 stress liner devices exhibit a higher light response than the Al2O3/MoS2/sapphire photodetector (control devices) under 365 and 460 nm laser illuminations. The maximum photocurrent (Iph) and responsivity (R) of the stress liner device under 365 nm illumination are 4.1 mA and 739.9 A/W, respectively, which are more than 30 times the corresponding value of the control device. Also, the maximum specific detectivity (D*) reached 2.5 × 1011 Jones, and the lowest noise equivalent power is 8.7 × 10−16 W/Hz1/2. Our work proved the feasibility of the Si3N4 stress liner to improve the performance of MoS2 photodetectors.
Thomson scattering synthetic diagnostic module for the Cherab framework
Authors: Tomes M. , Carr M. , Meakins A. , Sos M. , Bohm P. , Bilkova P. , Imrisek M. , Jaulmes F. , Borodkina I. , Hecko J. , Hron M. , Panek R.
Published: May 2021

This contribution presents a Thomson scattering module developed for the Raysect and Cherab framework. Detailed models of spectroscopic diagnostic systems can be created in the framework, which deliver synthetic data with high precision due to accurate physical treatment of ray propagation and radiation phenomena. The addition of the presented module will allow us to model Thomson scattering systems that can aid both data validation and design. Two examples of such application are given. The first example shows the application of the module on the COMPASS tokamak edge Thomson scattering diagnostic and experimental data. The second example shows the possibility to use the framework and the Thomson scattering module as a design support tool.
Predicting inorganic dimensionality in templated metal oxides
Authors: Ai Qianxiang , Williams Davion Marquise , Danielson Matthew , Spooner Liam G. , Engler Joshua A. , Ding Zihui , Zeller Matthias , Norquist Alexander J. , Schrier Joshua
Published: May 2021

Amine-templated metal oxides are a class of hybrid organic–inorganic compounds with great structural diversity; by varying the compositions, 0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D inorganic dimensionalities can be achieved. In this work, we created a dataset of 3725 amine-templated metal oxides (including some metalloid oxides), their composition, amine identity, and dimensionality, extracted from the Cambridge Structure Database (CSD), which spans 71 elements, 25 main group building units, and 349 amines. We characterize the diversity of this dataset over reactants and in time. Artificial neural network models trained on this dataset can predict the most and least probable outcome dimensionalities with 71% and 95% accuracies, respectively, using only information about reactant identities, without stoichiometric information. Surprisingly, the amine identity plays only a minor role in most cases, as omitting this information only reduces the accuracy by <2%. The generality of this model is demonstrated on a time held-out test set of 36 amine-templated lanthanide oxalates, vanadium tellurites, vanadium selenites, vanadates, molybdates, and molybdenum sulfates, whose syntheses and structural characterizations are reported here for the first time, and which contain two new element combinations and four amines that are not present in the CSD.
Non-destructive detection of large molecules without mass limitation
Authors: Poindron A. , Pedregosa-Gutierrez J. , Jouvet C. , Knoop M. , Champenois C.
Published: May 2021

The problem for molecular identification knows many solutions, which include mass spectrometers whose mass sensitivity depends on the performance of the detector involved. The purpose of this article is to show by means of molecular dynamics simulations how a laser-cooled ion cloud, confined in a linear radio-frequency trap, can reach the ultimate sensitivity providing the detection of individual charged heavy molecular ions. In our simulations, we model the laser-cooled Ca+ ions as two-level atoms, confined thanks to a set of constant and time oscillating electrical fields. A singly charged molecular ion with a mass of 106 amu is propelled through the ion cloud. The induced change in the fluorescence rate of the latter is used as the detection signal. We show that this signal is due to a significant temperature variation triggered by the Coulomb repulsion and amplified by the radio-frequency heating induced by the trap itself. We identify the optimum initial energy for the molecular ion to be detected, and furthermore, we characterize the performance of the detector for a large range of confinement voltages.
Spin echo from erbium implanted silicon
Authors: Hughes Mark A. , Panjwani Naitik A. , Urdampilleta Matias , Homewood Kevin P. , Murdin Ben , Carey J. David
Published: May 2021

Erbium implanted silicon as a quantum technology platform has both telecommunications and integrated circuit processing compatibility. In Si implanted with Er to a concentration of 3 × 1017 cm−3 and O to a concentration of 1020 cm−3, the electron spin coherence time, T2, and the spin-lattice relaxation time, T1, were measured to be 7.5 μs and ∼1 ms, respectively, at 5 K. The spin echo decay profile displayed strong modulation, which was consistent with the super-hyperfine interaction between Er3+ and a spin bath of 29Si nuclei. The calculated spectral diffusion time was similar to the measured T2, which indicated that T2 was limited by spectral diffusion due to T1-induced flips of neighboring Er3+ spins. The origin of the echo is an Er center surrounded by six O atoms with monoclinic C1h site symmetry.
Numerical and theoretical modeling of droplet impact on spherical surfaces
Authors: Dalgamoni Hussein N. , Yong Xin
Published: May 2021

Droplet impact on solid surfaces is a fluid phenomenon widely involved in additive manufacturing, heat management, and coating, in which the ability to exert control over the impact dynamics and duration is critical. While past studies have established a comprehensive understanding of the impact on flat substrates, what we know about the impact dynamics on curved solid surfaces is still limited. This work aims to elucidate the physics of droplet impact on spherical surfaces with different Weber numbers (We), radii (Rs), and surface wettability (θeq) using a combination of axisymmetric lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and theoretical analysis. The model developed in our previous work [H. N. Dalgamoni and X. Yong, Phys. Rev. E 98, 13102 (2018)] was extended and modified for simulating the normal impact of droplet on curved substrates in the low Weber number regime (i.e., We ≤ 15), in which axisymmetric assumption of droplet deformation holds. The LBM simulations show that We, Rs, and θeq significantly affect the spreading and recoiling of droplet during impact. The parametric studies uncover five outcomes of impact, which range from complete deposition to total rebound. A simulation-predicted phase diagram was constructed and correlated with the total time that the droplet was in contact with the solid. In addition, a theoretical model based on energy budget during impact was developed to predict the rebound threshold for impact on spherical targets when varying We, Rs, and θeq independently, which agrees well with simulation observations. These findings provide fundamental insight into surface structure design for controlling droplet hydrodynamics and the contact time during impact.
An approach on stability analysis of cable-driven parallel robots considering cable mass
Authors: Wei Huiling , Qiu Yuanying , Luo Lufeng , Lu Qinghua
Published: May 2021

This paper presents an approach on stability analysis of cable-driven parallel robots (CDPRs) considering cable mass based on cable tensions and stiffness matrix condition numbers. A cable model is introduced considering the effect of cable mass. A stiffness model is established based on the cable model. Then, the stiffness matrix condition numbers are presented. Furthermore, the stability of CDPRs is discussed. Numerical simulations show that the stability is better in the center and at the top of the whole workspace than in other places, which agrees well with theoretical predictions. The mixed evaluation stability indices considering cable mass and neglecting cable mass are, respectively, compared. The results show that cable mass is not negligible when evaluating accurately the stability of a cable-driven parallel robot.
Boosting spintronics with superconductivity
Authors: Yang Guang , Ciccarelli Chiara , Robinson Jason W. A.
Published: May 2021

Spintronics aims to utilize the spin degree of freedom for energy-efficient, non-volatile memory and logic devices. In this research update, we review state-of-the-art developments and new directions in charge- and spin-based memory/logic with a focus on spintronics and the fascinating potential for superconductivity to boost spin transmission via spin-polarized quasiparticles or triplet Cooper pairs.
Kinetics of surface and interface segregation in stressed nano-films on inert substrate
Authors: Lian Songyou , Yan Yi , Terblans Jacobus J. , Swart Hendrik C. , Wang Jiangyong , Xu Congkang
Published: May 2021

A general model is developed for describing the kinetic segregation in stressed ultrathin alloy films deposited on inert substrates. The essential role of the diffusion-induced stress and the intrinsic stress in ultrathin films upon the kinetic surface and interface segregation is addressed. By the developed model, it is demonstrated that the equilibrium segregation is the natural consequence of the kinetic segregation. The influences of temperature, film thickness, and average concentration on the surface and interface segregation are evaluated. As an example, the model is applied to simulate the kinetic surface/interface segregation in ultrathin Ni(111)(Au) alloy films deposited on the sapphire substrate and the simulation results are in agreement with the experimental observations.
Ferroelectrochemistry
Authors: Mu Xin , Zhang Han-Yue , Xu Lei , Xu Yi-Yi , Peng Hang , Tang Yuan-Yuan , Xiong Ren-Gen
Published: May 2021

100 years have passed since the initiate of ferroelectrics, molecular ferroelectrics with homochirality. Although inorganic ceramics have gained widespread utilization, especially in electronic, optical, and energy harvesting devices, the development of a molecular ferroelectric is still in its infancy because of the difficulty in finding a new one, let alone controllably optimizing its performance. It is noteworthy that some recently developed chemical design approaches, including the ideas of quasi-spherical theory, introducing homochirality, and H/F substitution, significantly contribute to the chemical design as well as performance optimization of a wide range of molecular ferroelectrics. This, in fact, changes the way of discovering a new molecular ferroelectric from blind search into targeted design. In this Perspective, we lay out three key strategies for chemical design and performance optimization of molecular ferroelectrics, which are the vital components for ferroelectrochemistry and provide fresh insights into how to design a new molecular ferroelectric relying on the established methodology. This, undoubtedly, opens the floodgate in the development of molecular ferroelectrics, especially for their academic and commercial desire. We wish to briefly exhibit our systematical studies on the targeted design and performance optimization of molecular ferroelectrics and set off the trend of targeted design in the next 100 years for ferroelectrics.
Artificial neural network-based spatial gradient models for large-eddy simulation of turbulence
Authors: Wang Yunpeng , Yuan Zelong , Xie Chenyue , Wang Jianchun
Published: May 2021

The subgrid-scale stress (SGS) of large-eddy simulation (LES) is modeled by artificial neural network-based spatial gradient models (ANN-SGMs). The velocity gradients at neighboring stencil locations are incorporated to improve the accuracy of the SGS stress. The consideration of the gradient terms in the stencil locations is in a semi-explicit form so that the deployed artificial neural network (ANN) can be considerably simplified. This leads to a much higher LES efficiency compared with previous “black-box” models while still retaining the level of accuracy in the a priori test. The correlation coefficients of the ANN-SGMs can be larger than 0.98 for the filter width in the inertial range. With the current formulation, the significances of the individual modeling terms are transparent, giving clear guidance to the potential condensation of the model, which further improves the LES efficiency. The computational cost of the current ANN-SGM method is found to be two orders lower than previous “black-box” models. In the a posteriori test, the ANN-SGM framework predicts more accurately the flow field compared with the traditional LES models. Both the flow statistics and the instantaneous field are accurately recovered. Finally, we show that the current model can be adapted to different filter widths with sufficient accuracy. These results demonstrate the advantage and great potential of the ANN-SGM framework as an attractive solution to the closure problem in large-eddy simulation of turbulence.
Extent and sufficiency of STD/HIV disease intervention specialists in the United States of America, 2016
Authors: Leichliter Jami S. , Lentine Dan , Weiss Gretchen
Published: May 2021

Disease intervention specialists (DIS) conduct partner notification for STD and HIV to interrupt the transmission of STD/HIV. In 2016, we collected information from health departments in the United States of America to determine the number of DIS and whether this number was sufficient for STD/HIV prevention. We identified 1610 STD/HIV DIS positions in the USA and 379 DIS supervisory positions. Of DIS positions, 85% were filled indicating potential issues with turnover. Using nationally reportable data from 2016, we found that states with more primary and secondary syphilis cases had more DIS. DIS participated in public health emergencies in 57% of states. Most USA states indicated that the DIS workforce was not sufficient for STD/HIV prevention. Knowledge of information about DIS workload (e.g. number of STD/HIV cases assigned per DIS) would be helpful.
Impact of drying–rewetting cycles and organic amendments on phosphorus speciation of paddy soil
Authors: Novair Sepideh Bagheri , Hosseini Hossein Mirseyed , Etesami Hassan , Razavipour Teimour
Published: May 2021

Little is known about the effects of drying–rewetting cycles on phosphorus (P) speciation in paddy soils with organic amendments incorporated. In this study, the responses of microbial biomass P (MBP), alkaline phosphatase activity, inorganic pyrophosphatase activity, soluble P, available P (AP), organic P, total P (TP), organic carbon (C), and C:P ratio to two types of the organic amendment (Azolla compost and rice straw) under drying–rewetting cycles were evaluated in a 60-day incubation experiment. The experimental treatments follow: amendment factor at three levels of (i) unamended control (NT), (ii) soil amended with Azolla compost (AC), and (iii) soil amended with rice straw (RS); and irrigation regimes factor at three levels of (i) constant soil moisture in a waterlogged state, (ii) mild drying–rewetting (MDR) (moisture reduced to 100% water-holding capacity (WHC) at alternate periods), and (iii) severe drying–rewetting (SDR) (moisture reduced to 70% WHC at alternate periods). Soil drying–rewetting increased the contents of AP and soluble P and the activities of alkaline phosphatase and inorganic pyrophosphatase, but decreased contents of organic P and organic C. The contents of AP and TP in organic treated soils were significantly higher than those in non-treated soils (P < 0.01). Application of AC and RS amendments increased organic P content (45% and 46%, respectively) and also further intensified the increase in AP content (63% and 37%, respectively), soluble P content (3.7- and 2.7-fold, respectively), and MBP content (6.0- and 1.6-fold, respectively) compared to control. Rice straw addition combined with MDR also increased the C:P ratio 30 days after incubation. The MBP as a microbial factor had the highest correlation with other measured indices. The MDR along with organic matter (RS and AC) caused a continuous increase in the concentration of P species. In short, the best soil quality in terms of P supply in paddy soils was achieved by regulating soil drying–rewetting cycles along with the use of appropriate timing of organic amendments.
Principles of classification and taxonomy.
Authors: Rees Paul A.
Published: May 2021

This chapter contains questions on the classification and taxonomy of living things and its history along with questions on some important historical figures and their publications. The questions are divided into three levels, i.e. foundation, intermediate, and advanced. Knowledge of basic facts are dealt with at the foundation level while the intermediate level and advanced levels contain questions involving more obscure facts and concepts.
'Lower' plants and pteridophytes.
Authors: Rees Paul A.
Published: May 2021

This chapter contains questions about the classification, anatomy and other characteristics of mosses, liverworts, horsetails, ferns and their relatives. The questions are divided into three levels: foundation, intermediate and advanced.