bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A negative covariation between toxoplasmosis and CoVID-19 with alternative interpretations
Authors: Jankowiak Łukasz , Rozsa Lajos , Tryjanowski Piotr , Møller Anders Pape
Published: July 2020

Coronaviruses may exert severely negative effects on the mortality and morbidity of birds and mammals including humans and domestic animals. Most recently CoVID-19 has killed about half million people (27th of June, 2020). Susceptibility to this disease appears to differ markedly across different societies but the factors underlying this variability are not known. Given that prevalence of toxoplasmosis in human societies may serve as a proxy for hygiene, and it also exerts both direct and immune-mediated antiviral effects, we hypothesize a negative covariation between toxoplasmosis and measures of the CoVID-19 pandemic across countries. We obtained aged-adjusted toxoplasmosis prevalence of pregnant women from the literature. Since the differences in the CoVID-19 morbidity and mortality may depend on the different timing of the epidemics in each country, we applied the date of first documented CoVID-19 in each country as a proxy of susceptibility, with a statistical control for population size effects. Using these two indices, we show a highly significant negative co-variation between the two pandemics across 86 countries. Then, considering that the wealth of nations often co-varies with the prevalence of diseases, we introduced GDP per capita into our model. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis co-varies negatively, while the date of first CoVID-19 co-varies positively with GDP per capita across countries. Further, to control for the strong spatial autocorrelation among countries, we carried out a Spatial Structure Analyses of the relationships between the date of first CoVID-19, prevalence of toxoplasmosis, and GDP per capita. Results of this analysis did not confirm a direct causal relationship between toxoplasmosis and susceptibility to the CoVID-19 pandemics. As far as an analysis of observational data let us to suggest, it appears that the interaction between CoVID-19 and toxoplasmosis is mediated by GDP per capita and spatial effects. This prompts the question whether the formerly known covariations of CoVID-19 and BCG vaccination or air pollution might have also emerged as spurious indirect effects.
Prospects of GWAS and predictive breeding for European winter wheat’s grain protein content, grain starch content, and grain hardness
Authors: Muqaddasi Quddoos H. , Brassac Jonathan , Ebmeyer Erhard , Kollers Sonja , Korzun Viktor , Argillier Odile , Stiewe Gunther , Plieske Jörg , Ganal Martin W. , Röder Marion S.
Published: July 2020

Grain quality traits determine the classification of registered wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) varieties. Although environmental factors and crop management practices exert a considerable influence on wheat quality traits, a significant proportion of the variance is attributed to the genetic factors. To identify the underlying genetic factors of wheat quality parameters viz., grain protein content (GPC), grain starch content (GSC), and grain hardness (GH), we evaluated 372 diverse European wheat varieties in replicated field trials in up to eight environments. We observed that all of the investigated traits hold a wide and significant genetic variation, and a significant negative correlation exists between GPC and GSCplusgrain yield. Our association analyses based on 26,694 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphic markers revealed a strong quantitative genetic nature of GPC and GSC with associations on groups 2, 3, and 6 chromosomes. The identification of knownPuroindoline-bgene for GH provided a positive analytic proof for our studies. We report that a locusQGpc.ipk-6Acontrols both GPC and GSC with opposite allelic effects. Based on wheat's reference and pan-genome sequences, the physical characterization of two loci viz.,QGpc.ipk-2BandQGpc.ipk-6Afacilitated the identification of the candidate genes for GPC. Furthermore, by exploiting additive and epistatic interactions of loci, we evaluated the prospects of predictive breeding for the investigated traits that suggested its efficient use in the breeding programs.
Biologically important artificial light at night on the seafloor
Authors: Davies Thomas W. , McKee David , Fishwick James , Tidau Svenja , Smyth Tim
Published: July 2020

Accelerating coastal development is increasing the exposure of marine ecosystems to nighttime light pollution, but is anthropogenic light reaching the seafloor in sufficient quantities to have ecological impacts? Using a combination of mapping, and radiative transfer modelling utilising in situ measurements of optical seawater properties, we quantified artificial light exposure at the sea surface, beneath the sea surface, and at the sea floor of an urbanised temperate estuary bordered by an LED lit city. Up to 76% of the three-dimensional seafloor area was exposed to biologically important light pollution. Exposure to green wavelengths was highest, while exposure to red wavelengths was nominal. We conclude that light pollution from coastal cities is likely having deleterious impacts on seafloor ecosystems which provide vital ecosystem services. A comprehensive understanding of these impacts is urgently needed.
Age-dependent regional retinal nerve fibre changes in SIX1/SIX6 polymorphism
Authors: Charng Jason , Simcoe Mark , Sanfilippo Paul G. , Allingham R. Rand , Hewitt Alex W. , Hammond Chris J. , Mackey David A. , Yazar Seyhan
Published: July 2020

SIX1/SIX6 polymorphism has been shown to be associated with glaucoma. Studies have also found that, in older adults, retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness is significantly thinned with each copy of the risk allele in SIX1/SIX6. However, it is not known whether these genetic variants exert their effects in younger individuals. Comparing a healthy young adult with an older adult cohort (mean age 20 vs 63 years), both of Northern European descent, we found that there was no significant RNFL thinning in each copy of the risk alleles in SIX1/SIX6 in the eyes of younger individuals. The older cohort showed an unexpectedly thicker RNFL in the nasal sector with each copy of the risk allele for both the SIX1 (rs10483727) and SIX6 (rs33912345) variants. In the temporal sector, thinner RNFL was found with each copy of the risk allele in rs33912345 with a decrease trend observed in rs10483727. Our results suggest that SIX1/SIX6 gene variants exert their influence later in adult life.
Author Correction: Baroreceptor denervation reduces inflammatory status but worsens cardiovascular collapse during systemic inflammation
Authors: Amorim Mateus R. , de Deus Júnia L. , Pereira Camila A. , da Silva Luiz E. V. , Borges Gabriela S. , Ferreira Nathanne S. , Batalhão Marcelo E. , Antunes-Rodrigues José , Carnio Evelin C. , Tostes Rita C. , Branco Luiz G. S.
Published: July 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Highly pathogenic H5N6 avian influenza virus subtype clade 2.3.4.4 indigenous in South Korea
Authors: Shin Juyoun , Kang Shinseok , Byeon Hyeonseop , Cho Sung-Min , Kim Seon-Yeong , Chung Yeun-Jun , Jung Seung-Hyun
Published: July 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: The endocast of the Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) reveals insights into its sensory ecology and the evolution of nocturnality in birds
Authors: Iwaniuk Andrew N. , Keirnan Aubrey R. , Janetzki Heather , Mardon Karine , Murphy Stephen , Leseberg Nicholas P. , Weisbecker Vera
Published: July 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
MYB repressors and MBW activation complex collaborate to fine-tune flower coloration in Freesia hybrida
Authors: Li Yueqing , Shan Xiaotong , Gao Ruifang , Han Taotao , Zhang Jia , Wang Yanan , Kimani Shadrack , Wang Li , Gao Xiang
Published: July 2020

Floral anthocyanin has multiple ecological and economic values, its biosynthesis largely depends on the conserved MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) activation complex and MYB repressors hierarchically with the MBW complex. In contrast to eudicots, the MBW regulatory network model has not been addressed in monocots because of the lack of a suitable system, as grass plants exhibit monotonous floral pigmentation patterns. Presently, the MBW regulatory network was investigated in a non-grass monocot plant, Freesia hybrida. FhMYB27 and FhMYBx with different functional manners were confirmed to be anthocyanin related R2R3 and R3 MYB repressors, respectively. Particularly, FhMYBx could obstruct the formation of positive MBW complex by titrating bHLH proteins, whereas FhMYB27 mainly defected the activator complex into suppressor via its repression domains in C-terminus. Furthermore, the hierarchical and feedback regulatory loop was verified, indicating the synergistic and sophisticated regulatory network underlying Freesia anthocyanin biosynthesis was quite similar to that reported in eudicot plants.
Integrated instrumental analysis teaching platform with smartphone-operated fluorometer
Authors: Ayres Lucas B. , Lopes Fernando S. , Garcia Carlos D. , Gutz Ivano G. R.
Published: July 2020

Schematic representation of the integrated teaching tool and its three fundamental aspects.
Antibacterial properties of glycosylated surfaces: variation of the glucosidal moiety and fatty acid conformation of grafted microbial glycolipids
Authors: Valotteau Claire , Roelants Sophie L. K. V. , Dasaiyan Prabhu , Zibek Susanne , Günther Michael , Soetaert Wim , Everaert Bernd , Pradier Claire-Marie , Babonneau Florence , Baccile Niki , Humblot Vincent
Published: July 2020

Glycosylated surfaces can display antimicrobial properties.
From terpenes to sustainable and functional polymers
Authors: Della Monica Francesco , Kleij Arjan W.
Published: July 2020

The use of renewable terpene-based monomers for the preparation of sustainable functional polymers is highlighted.
Reaction Cascades in Polymer Mechanochemistry
Authors: Hu Huan , Ma Zhiyong , Jia Xinru
Published: July 2020

This review categorizes the reported reaction cascades in polymer mechanochemistry into five parts, including mechanocatalysis, cargo-releasing, self-strengthening, gating, and mechanochromism. Some outlook is also provided.
Efficiency enhancement of ruthenium-based DSSCs employing A–π–D–π–A organic Co-sensitizers
Authors: Abdellah Islam M. , El-Shafei Ahmed
Published: July 2020

The role of metal-free organic sensitizers (IMA1-4) in the improvement of photocurrent efficiency and the overall performance of the DSSCs when used as a co-sensitizer with a Ru(ii) sensitizer (IMA5).
Neural Processes Underlying Nonword Rhyme Differentiate Eventual Stuttering Persistence and Recovery
Authors: Hampton Wray Amanda , Spray Gregory
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Phonological skills have been associated with developmental stuttering. The current study aimed to determine whether the neural processes underlying phonology, specifically for nonword rhyming, differentiated stuttering persistence and recovery.

Method

Twenty-six children who stutter (CWS) and 18 children who do not stutter, aged 5 years, completed an auditory nonword rhyming task. Event-related brain potentials were elicited by prime, rhyming, and nonrhyming targets. CWS were followed longitudinally to determine eventual persistence (n= 14) or recovery (n= 12). This is a retrospective analysis of data acquired when all CWS presented as stuttering.

Results

CWS who eventually recovered and children who do not stutter exhibited the expected rhyme effect, with larger event-related brain potential amplitudes elicited by nonrhyme targets compared to rhyme targets. In contrast, CWS who eventually persisted exhibited a reverse rhyme effect, with larger responses to rhyme than nonrhyme targets.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that CWS who eventually persisted are not receiving the same benefit of phonological priming as CWS who eventually recovered for complex nonword rhyming tasks. These results indicate divergent patterns of phonological processing in young CWS who eventually persisted, especially for difficult tasks with limited semantic context, and suggest that the age of 5 years may be an important developmental period for phonology in CWS.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12682874
Inertagrams for a Variety of Semi-Occluded Vocal Tracts
Authors: Titze Ingo R.
Published: July 2020

Objective

This investigation addressed the desirable source–airway interaction obtained with vocalization through a semi-occlusion at the mouth. The semi-occlusion was a flow-resistant tube of varying length and diameter.

Method

The methodology was strictly computational. Airway shapes resembling those obtained from magnetic resonance or computed tomography imaging were stylized. Supraglottal and subglottal acoustic impedances were calculated, from which inertagrams were plotted over a frequency range of 0–4000 Hz. The inertagrams predict which harmonics are likely to be strengthened.

Results

The combination of epilaryngeal airway narrowing and lengthening, a pharyngeal expansion, and an oral narrowing behind the tube produce the best overall inertagram for pitch glide exercises. This configuration supports harmonics of the source evenly over a range of 300–4000 Hz.

Conclusions

For clinical applications, theory predicts that the length of a tube or straw does not matter if the inner diameter is on the order of 3 mm or less. For wider open-ended tubes, greater length can compensate for the wider diameter for the beneficial inertance effect, but the desired steady pressure in the airways for vocal fold posturing cannot be maintained.
Une chaîne d’approvisionnement nucléaire optimisée pour l’Union européenne
Authors: Strzelecki Witold
Published: July 2020

Le changement climatique est le défi mondial majeur le plus urgent. Afin d’atténuer la tendance actuelle, l’Union européenne (UE) a fixé des objectifs ambitieux qui nécessitent un effort de tous et de tous les secteurs, énergétique en particulier. Une chaîne d’approvisionnement nucléaire solide et diversifiée peut aider l’UE à atteindre ses objectifs climatiques. Harmoniser la chaîne d’approvisionnement nucléaire européenne et assurer aux États membres de l’UE la possibilité d’utiliser des composants modernes de haute qualité fabriqués pour d’autres industries permettra d’amplifier le processus. FORATOM1 a précisément analysé la supply chain nécessaire à cette ambition.
Quel réchauffement climatique ?
Authors: Le Gros Gaïc
Published: July 2020

Chaque demi-degré compte et tous les moyens disponibles pour réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES) doivent être associés afin de limiter le réchauffement climatique. D’autant que ses conséquences, réparties de façon très inégalitaire à la surface du globe, varieront fortement selon que la hausse des températures sera de +1,5 °C ou de +2 °C d’ici à 2100. L’énergie nucléaire a un rôle central à jouer dans un modèle énergétique multiple interconnecté.
Manuelle Mobilisation großflächiger Narben
Authors: Koller Thomas
Published: July 2020

Die Narbenbehandlung ist ein besonderer Schwerpunkt in der Therapie von Verbrennungspatienten. Mobilisationstechniken und Dosierung basieren auf Kenntnissen der Gewebephysiologie, Wundheilungsphasen sowie empirischem klinischem Wissen. Die Frage, welche Dosierung in welcher Wundheilungsphase zu welchem Interventionszeitpunkt angewendet werden soll, ist nicht leicht zu beantworten. Der Artikel gibt mögliche Antworten auf Grundlage klinischer Überlegungen und Erfahrungen und zeigt darauf aufbauend Befund- sowie Behandlungstechniken für Verbrennungsnarben auf.
Lösungsmöglichkeiten nach fehlgeschlagener Osteosynthese nach Tibiakopf- und Patellafraktur
Authors: Gösling Thomas
Published: July 2020

Fehlgeschlagene Osteosynthesen am Tibiakopf und der Patella können für den Patienten erhebliche mittelfristige und langfristige Probleme hervorrufen. Verschiedene Faktoren können für das Versagen einer Osteosynthese verantwortlich sein. Die Einschätzung der Situation, der Verbesserungsmöglichkeit und Umsetzung erfordern sehr viel Erfahrung. Bei erfolgreicher Korrektur können langfristig gute Ergebnisse erzielt werden.
Für Sie gelesen: Aktuelle Studien
Authors: Kußmaul Jörg
Published: July 2020

Barry CT, McDougall KH, Anderson AC et al. „Check Your Selfie before You Wreck Your Selfie“: Personality ratings of Instagram users as a function of self-image posts. Journal of Research in Personality 2019; 82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2019.07.001
Liebevolle Güte Meditation in der psychiatrischen Pflege
Authors: Saenger Ulrich
Published: July 2020

Wer liebevoll mit sich selbst umgeht, kann auch Patienten dabei unterstützen, eigenen Gedanken, Gefühlen und Körperempfindungen freundlich zu begegnen. Erlernen lässt sich dies mit der Liebevollen Güte Meditation. In unserem Interventionskoffer stellen wir Ihnen grundlegende Aspekte dieses Handwerkszeugs vor, mit dem Sie liebevolle Güte für sich selbst und mit Ihren Patienten entwickeln können.
Psychologische Begleitung im Alter
Authors: Gürtler Klaus
Published: July 2020

Kann psychosoziale Beratung, Coaching oder Psychotherapie im Alter und beim Altern helfen? Das hängt von den Themen ab, mit denen sich Ältere in ihrer letzten Lebensphase beschäftigen, sagt unser Autor. Aber auch die physischen und psychischen Leiden spielen eine Rolle. Fest steht: Das Alter ist eine komplexe bio-psycho-soziale Herausforderung, für die man gut gewappnet sein sollte.
Neugier bringt uns weiter – oder warum wir lernen, immer wieder fragen zu wollen
Authors: Steinert Ulrike , Diekmann Petra , Meyn Christina , Frommhagen Michaela , Aderhold Volkmar , von Peter Sebastian
Published: July 2020

An der Psychiatrischen Klinik in Lüneburg wird seit 2014 vermehrt nach dem Prinzip des Offenen Dialogs gearbeitet. Diese Arbeit erfolgt vor allem im häuslichen Umfeld der Patienten, aber auch stationsintegrierend. Welche Vorteile und Herausforderungen dieses Vorgehen für die Genesungsbegleitung und Pflege mit sich bringt, wird nachfolgend beschrieben.
Ethische Aspekte internet- und mobilgestützter Interventionen
(IMIs) bei Suchtstörungen
Authors: Rubeis Giovanni , Primc Nadia
Published: July 2020

Ziel der Studie Internet- und mobilgestützte Interventionen
(IMIs) werden häufig bei Suchtstörungen eingesetzt. Für
die Wirksamkeit von IMIs liegt eine umfangreiche Evidenz vor. Hinsichtlich der
spezifischen ethischen Aspekte, die sich aus dem Einsatz von IMIs bei
Suchtstörungen ergeben, fehlt es bislang an Forschung. Mit unserem
Beitrag leisten wir die erste eingehende ethische Analyse von IMIs in der
Suchttherapie. Dabei orientieren wir uns an normativen Aspekten, die spezifisch
für die Behandlung von Suchtstörungen sind. Dazu gehören
die besondere Stigmatisierung von Suchtkranken, die Zuschreibung von Schuld und
Eigenverantwortung, die mangelnde Akzeptanz des Krankheitskonzepts Sucht sowie
die daraus resultierende Ablehnung und Abwertung von Betroffenen.

Methode Als methodisches Instrument verwenden wir den 3 ACES-Ansatz von
Thornicroft und Tansella. Dieses Instrument erlaubt eine umfassende ethische
Analyse des Einsatzes von IMIs im konkreten Einzelfall sowie der Implementierung
von IMIs im Versorgungssystem.

Ergebnisse Unsere Analyse zeigt, dass IMIs in der Suchttherapie das
Potential haben, ein Empowerment von PatientInnen zu leisten, die
Stigmatisierung zu umgehen und einen niedrigschwelligen Zugang zu
Versorgungsleistungen zu ermöglichen. Kritisch zu sehen sind Aspekte der
Passung von Anwendungen auf die Bedürfnisse einzelner Patientengruppen
und individueller PatientInnen, der therapeutischen Verantwortung, des
Datenschutzes, der Datensicherheit und Privatheit sowie der Vernetzung
unterschiedlicher Anbieter von Versorgungsleistungen.

Schlussfolgerung Eine weitere Implementierung von IMIs in der
Suchttherapie ist nur dann wünschenswert, wenn verbindliche
Qualitätsstandards geschaffen und die patientenzentrierte Anwendung
unter Berücksichtigung individueller Patientencharakteristika
sichergestellt wird.
Implications of a Genetic Etiology for Renal Transplant: Early-Onset Alport Syndrome with a Novel Mutation
Authors: Singh Ravi Kumar , Arora Veronica , Tiwari Vaibhav , Gupta Deepti , Gupta Anurag , Puri Ratna Dua
Published: July 2020

Alport's syndrome (AS) is a rare disorder characterized by a triad of deafness, progressive renal dysfunction, and ocular abnormalities. We presented a patient of early onset AS with a novel frameshift pathogenic variant in the COL4A5 gene and discuss the utility of genetic testing in the family as well as for the transplant recipient. The patient was a 17-year-old adolescent male with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and hearing loss. In the setting of ESRD, since hearing loss and anterior lenticonus was detected on an ophthalmologic exam, AS was suspected. On genetic testing, a novel hemizygous frameshift variant was identified in the COL4A5 gene (c.1392del (p.Asp464GlufsTer10)), which was also segregated in the family. In this report, we discussed the early severe presentation, typical ocular findings, genotype–phenotype correlation, and implications of genetic testing for renal transplant. We also explored the challenges of genetic testing in developing countries and the potential of pharmacogenomics.
Clinical Profile and Outcome of Indian Children with Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency: A primary CSF Neurotransmitter Disorder Mimicking as Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Gowda Vykuntaraju K. , Vegda Hemadri , Nagarajan Balamurugan B. , Shivappa Sanjay K.
Published: July 2020

Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency is a disorder of neurotransmitter synthesis. It presents with psychomotor delay, dystonia, oculogyric crisis, and autonomic features. There is paucity of literature on this disorder. Hence, we are reporting this series with an objective to study profile and outcome of Indian children with AADC deficiency. In this retrospective review, all case records of genetically confirmed cases of AADC deficiency at the pediatric neurology department in a tertiary care hospital, from March 2014 to March 2020, were analyzed. The data were extracted in a predesigned proforma and analyzed. Out of seven cases, five were males. Median age of onset of symptoms was 4 months but median age of diagnosis was 12 months. All of them had developmental delay, oculogyric crisis, dystonia, increased sweating, intermittent fever, feeding and sleep disturbance, irritability, failure to thrive, axial hypotonia with dyskinetic quadriparesis, and normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain and electroencephalogram (EEG). All of them were treated with pyridoxal 5-phosphate, trihexyphenidyl and pramipexole and six cases, in addition, were given bromocriptine. One case was additionally treated with selegiline. One case showed good improvement, five showed partial improvement, and one case expired. In conclusion, AADC deficiency should be suspected in any child with dyskinetic quadriparesis, oculogyric crisis, autonomic disturbances like increased sweating, intermittent fever, and sleep disturbance with normal neuroimaging.
Profile of Indian Children with Childhood Ataxia and Central Nervous System Hypomyelination/Vanishing White Matter Disease: A Single Center Experience from Southern India
Authors: Gowda Vykuntaraju K. , Srinivasan Varunvenkat M. , Nagarajan Balamurugan , Bhat Maya , Shivappa Sanjay K. , Benakappa Naveen
Published: July 2020

Background Childhood ataxia with central nervous system hypomyelination (CACH) is a recently described childhood inherited white matter disease, caused by mutations in any of the five genes encoding eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF2B).

Methods Retrospective review of the charts of children with CACH was performed from January 2014 to March 2020 at tertiary care center from Southern India. Diagnosis was based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria or genetic testing.

Results Total number of children with CACH enrolled were 18. Male/female ratio was 10:8. Mean age of presentation was 37.11 months (range =  6–144 months). Affected siblings were seen in five (28%) cases. All children had spasticity, ataxia, and diffuse white matter changes with similar signal as cerebrospinal fluid on all pulse sequences on MRI brain. Of the 18 children, only nine are alive. Duration of illness among deceased children was 9.6667 months (range = 2–16 months). Waxing and waning of symptoms were seen in seven cases. Genetic analysis of EIF2B gene was performed in five cases, among which three mutations were novel.

Conclusion A diagnosis of childhood ataxia with central nervous system hypomyelination should be considered in patients presenting with acute onset neuroregression following infection or trauma with associated neuroimaging showing classical white matter findings.
Energy storage properties of epitaxially grown xCaZrO3–(1−x)NaNbO3 thin films prepared with chemical solution deposition method
Authors: Shiraishi T. , Suzuki S. , Kiguchi T. , Konno T. J.
Published: July 2020

xCaZrO3–(1−x)NaNbO3 thin films (x = 0 − 0.04) are epitaxially grown on (001)La:SrTiO3 single crystal substrates via chemical solution deposition, and their energy storage properties are investigated. X-ray diffraction measurements showed that the deposited films are solid solutions with a single perovskite phase. Microstructural analysis performed via electron microscopy reveals that the deposited films exhibit a columnar structure. In addition, selected area electron diffraction patterns show that an antiferroelectric phase formed in CaZrO3-substituted films. Relative dielectric constants, εr, measured at various temperatures indicate a dielectric anomaly caused by structural phase transition. Its onset temperature decreased from 180 to 80 °C with increasing x. To clarify the antiferroelectric behavior, polarization − electric field, P − E, and capacitance − electric field, C − E, hysteresis loops are measured at room temperature, and results show polarization switching behaviors arising from the antiferroelectric phase. The maximum recoverable energy density, 2.3 J/cm3, was observed for x = 0.01, with an energy storage efficiency of 72%. Furthermore, the P − E hysteresis loops measured at various temperatures revealed that CaZrO3 substitution can enhance the efficiency and hence, improve the thermal stability of energy storage properties.
Resistive switching memory effects in p-type hydrogen-treated CuO nanowire
Authors: Huang Chi-Hsin , Tang Yalun , Matsuzaki Kosuke , Nomura Kenji
Published: July 2020

Nanowire (NW)-based resistive switching device offers an ideal platform to develop a nanoscale-memristive device for next-generation memory and computing. The present study developed a p-type hydrogen-treated CuO NW memory device by using hydrogen annealing. The hydrogen-treated CuO NW, which is mainly composed of Cu2O, exhibited a resistive switching non-volatile memory effect and demonstrated low electric-field device operation with ∼3 × 106 V/m and high ON/OFF ratio up to 107. The hole conduction path formation/rapture mechanism based on the redox reaction of CuO was proposed as a resistive switching mechanism.
Variable supercells in layered bismuth manganite controlled by oxygen pressure
Authors: Jin Cai , Wang Linjing , Han Wenqiao , Zi Mengfei , Liu Qi , Hu Songbai , Ye Mao , Wang Gan , Chen Lang
Published: July 2020

Recently, layered materials have been extensively studied and attracted unprecedented attention. Layered oxides with superior properties have potential applications for nanoscale devices. Here, we report variable supercells in layered bismuth manganite controlled by oxygen pressure and reveal the strong piezoelectric responses from the layered supercells with tunable physical properties, including an approximately three-times difference in the magnetization range and 10% difference in the optical transmittance. The tunability of the sublattice from Bi3O3 to Bi2O2 in supercells is realized by a precise oxygen pressure control of 10 mTorr and 100 mTorr, respectively. The results presented here show a tantalizing opportunity to discover emerging multifunctional oxides for future nanoelectronics.
Dynamics and bifurcations in multistable 3-cell neural networks
Authors: Collens J. , Pusuluri K. , Kelley A. , Knapper D. , Xing T. , Basodi S. , Alacam D. , Shilnikov A. L.
Published: July 2020

We disclose the generality of the intrinsic mechanisms underlying multistability in reciprocally inhibitory 3-cell circuits composed of simplified, low-dimensional models of oscillatory neurons, as opposed to those of a detailed Hodgkin–Huxley type [Wojcik et al., PLoS One 9, e92918 (2014)]. The computational reduction to return maps for the phase-lags between neurons reveals a rich multiplicity of rhythmic patterns in such circuits. We perform a detailed bifurcation analysis to show how such rhythms can emerge, disappear, and gain or lose stability, as the parameters of the individual cells and the synapses are varied.
BVD model for QCM loaded by viscoelastic film in gas phase application
Authors: Liao Shuang , Ge Ciyu , Qiu Duyu , Tang Jinfei , Tan Feng , Chen Cheng , Xu Lin
Published: July 2020

As an ultra-sensitivity sensor, a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) could be used to quantitatively characterize the relation between QCM parameters and the characteristics of viscoelastic films. When a QCM coated with a viscoelastic thin film is in the gas phase, based on the constructive equation of the quartz crystal and ignoring the capacitance effect, the equivalent Butterworth–Van Dyke (BVD) model of the QCM and the explicit expression for its frequency shift are derived. The “extra mass effect” deduced by the complex modulus is also obtained. It is found that the tendency of the BVD model in this work agrees well with that of Voinova’s model, although both are derived in different ways. Meanwhile, it can be seen that the two above-mentioned models exhibit different characteristics when compared with Sauerbrey’s model and Arnau’s model. The BVD model will help analyze the properties of viscoelastic films in the gas phase.
Inverse-designed achromatic flat lens enabling imaging across the visible and near-infrared with diameter > 3 mm and NA = 0.3
Authors: Meem Monjurul , Banerji Sourangsu , Majumder Apratim , Pies Christian , Oberbiermann Timo , Sensale-Rodriguez Berardi , Menon Rajesh
Published: July 2020

It is generally thought that correcting chromatic aberrations in imaging requires multiple surfaces. Here, we show that by allowing the phase in the image plane of a flat lens to be a free parameter, it is possible to correct chromatic aberrations over a large continuous bandwidth with a single diffractive surface. In contrast to conventional lens design, we utilize inverse design, where the phase in the focal plane is treated as a free parameter. This approach attains a phase-only (lossless) pupil function, which can be implemented as a multi-level diffractive flat lens that achieves achromatic focusing and imaging. In particular, we experimentally demonstrate imaging using a single flat lens of diameter > 3 mm and focal length = 5 mm (NA = 0.3, f/1.59) that is achromatic from λ = 450 nm (blue) to 1 μm (NIR). This simultaneous achievement of large size, NA, and broad operating bandwidth has not been demonstrated in a flat lens before. We experimentally characterized the point-spread functions, off-axis aberrations, and broadband imaging performance of the lens.
An underground barrier of locally resonant metamaterial to attenuate surface elastic waves in solids
Authors: Xu Feilong , Yang Zhiyu , He Xiaodong , Zhen Liang
Published: July 2020

The low frequency of seismic waves severely limits the regulation of wave propagation in earthquake protection engineering applications. In recent years, locally resonant metamaterials have been introduced for seismic wave attenuation. A barrier based on locally resonant metamaterials consisting of rows of wells is proposed to reduce the transmission of Rayleigh waves during propagation, achieving earthquake protection. First, comparisons are made between the wells of the metamaterial, empty wells, solid steel wells, and a continuous steel wall. It is evident that locally resonant metamaterials exhibit better performance than that of the other materials. Simulations of the relationships between the attenuation of Rayleigh waves and the depth, number of rows, and working frequency of the wells are presented. With a barrier of ten rows of wells, where the diameter of each well is less than one-twentieth of the wavelength of the Rayleigh wave and the depth of the wells is nearly four-fifths of the wavelength, the maximum attenuation reaches up to 16.2 dB when all the wells share the same working frequency, and the bandwidth is broader, but the maximum value is less when the rows have different working frequencies. Depending on the demand for a higher value or a broader bandwidth of the Rayleigh wave attenuation, this barrier promotes flexible and achievable improvements by adding rows or decentralizing the working frequencies of the wells. The vast potential of seismic wave attenuation from locally resonant metamaterials is anticipated in the future.
Record high electron mobility and low sheet resistance on scaled-channel N-polar GaN/AlN heterostructures grown on on-axis N-polar GaN substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Diez Sandra , Mohanty Subhajit , Kurdak Cagliyan , Ahmadi Elaheh
Published: July 2020

GaN-based high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) have demonstrated high frequency power amplification with considerably larger output power densities than that available from amplifiers based on other material systems such as GaAs or InP. To further increase the operating frequency while maintaining the high output power in HEMTs, the gate-to-channel distance needs to be reduced significantly. This leads to a reduced two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) density (ns) and mobility (μ) in Ga polar HEMT structures resulting in a larger sheet resistance. This work demonstrates that by proper design of the back-barrier in N-polar GaN-based scaled-channel HEMT structures, a high 2DEG density can be maintained while scaling the channel thickness. Scaled-channel GaN-based HEMT structures with an AlN/GaN (0.5 nm/1.5 nm) digital alloy as the back-barrier were grown on an on-axis N-polar GaN substrate via plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. A record high electron mobility of 2050 cm2/vs was achieved on an N-polar HEMT structure with a 10 nm-thick channel, while maintaining 8 × 1012 cm−2 2DEG density. By modifying the barrier structure, we demonstrated a combination of 2DEG density and a mobility of 1.7 × 1013 cm−2 and 1420 cm2/V s, respectively, leading to a record low sheet resistance of ∼258 Ω/□ on 7 nm-thick channel N-polar HEMT structures.
Structure optimization of the silicon detector: A novel three-dimensional trench detector
Authors: Zhou Tao , Liu Manwen , Lu Shunmao , Li Zheng
Published: July 2020

In this study, a novel three-dimensional trench detector structure was proposed. The detector structure includes trench electrodes and columnar electrodes. The columnar electrodes are distributed in the middle, the middle of the sides, and the four corners of the cross section of the substrate. A cross-shaped electrode is etched from top to bottom, and a polygonal trench electrode is etched from bottom to top; the bottom of the cross-shaped electrode abuts the top of the polygonal electrode. Electrical characteristics of the novel detector are simulated by Technology Computer Aided Design simulation, and we can obtain that this design reduces the area of the bottom low electric field, optimizes the electric field, and reduces the mutual interference between the cells.
The internal dynamic modes of an antiskyrmion in ultrathin ferromagnetic nanodisks
Authors: Liu X. J. , Guo Liqian , Wang Hao , Tang Z. K.
Published: July 2020

We report a numerical study on the internal resonant modes of an antiskyrmion structure in thin-film ferromagnetic nanodisks by using micromagnetic simulations. As the samples are excited by an oscillating magnetic field along different directions, we are able to resolve several sets of resonant eigenmodes: gyrotropic mode and azimuthal and radial spin wave modes. At the in-plane field excitation, the gyrotropic mode at the low frequency behaves consistently with Thiele’s analytic theory, while a pair of twin azimuthal spin wave modes at higher frequencies demonstrate that their splitting is strongly relevant to the coexistent gyrotropic mode. At the out-of-plane field excitation, several breathing-like radial spin wave modes have been found. In addition, we carry out a brief comparison between these modes and their counterpart modes of an isolated skyrmion structure. We also quantitatively investigate the dependence of the eigenfrequencies of these modes on the different parameter sets of the sample size and internal interactions, which exhibit complex relationships between the internal dynamic modes of an antiskrymion and the geometry and material of the sample.
Corrigendum to: Trajectory river modelling – a decision-support tool to help manage multiple risks associated with planning around variable water resources
Authors: Gilfedder Mat , Podger Geoff , Rassam David W. , Pagendam Dan , Robinson Catherine J.
Published: July 2020

The application of river-system models to inform water-resource planning and management is a growing global phenomenon. This requires models to be applied so that they are useful to water decision makers charged with setting targets that provide adequate water flows to sustain landholders and communities. This article examines why and how the innovative application of river-system models can facilitate interactions between water science and water management in Australia's Murray–Darling Basin (the Basin). A trajectory river-modelling method was applied to run multiple short historical climate sequences through a river-system model to provide historical probabilities. These can allow better assessment of the risks and impacts associated with stream flow and water availability. This method allows known historical variability to be presented, and produces relevant results for a 10–15-year water-sharing plan lifetime. The benefits were demonstrated in the Basin's Lachlan Catchment where modelled river-flow results demonstrated the increased variability between shorter 15-year sequences than for a single 114-year run. This approach highlighted the benefits of expressing modelling results as historical probabilities to inform short-term and strategic water-planning efforts.
Evolutionary biogeography of Australian jumping spider genera (Araneae : Salticidae)
Authors: Richardson Barry J.
Published: July 2020

Phylogenetic relationships and estimated dates of origin, plus distributional, ecological and morphological data for salticid genera were used to examine a series of hypotheses related to the evolution of the Australian salticid fauna. Though independent, the time patterns of evolution of genera in Australia and South America were similar, while that for Northern Hemisphere taxa differed. In each case the production of new genera occurred during the warmer parts of the mid Tertiary but not during cooler and drier times. Asian elements entered Australia as early as 31 million years ago, long before the collision of the Australasian and Asian continental plates. Endemic and derivatives of Asian genera were similarly distributed across Australian biomes. However, arriving taxa were more successful when conditions matched their mesic origins (tropical), but less so when different (temperate). While endemic genera often extended their ranges into drier environments by increasing the number of species, recent arrivals did so by extending the range of individual species. Maximum Parsimony analyses of a range of presumed adaptive, morphological and ecological characters showed these did not reflect genus-level processes; however, the analysis did show all endemic genera had mesic origins.
Caused-Motion and Caused-Position
Authors: Joo Ian , Liu Meichun
Published: July 2020

According toGoldberg (1995), placement verbs (such asput) are instantiated in the Caused-Motion Construction.Rohde (2001), however, argued that placement verbs in fact occur in a different construction, which she names the Caused-Position Construction, whose semantic value is not ‘cause to move’ but rather ‘cause to be positioned’. The present paper redefines and justifies the postulation of Caused-Position Construction. The Caused-Position Construction is compatible with not only placement verbs but also a variety of other verbs, such as verbs of creation (writeorbuild) or certain stative verbs (wantorneed), many of which also occur in the Locative Inversion construction. Further, a similar distinction between Caused-Motion and Caused-Position can be attested in Mandarin as well, which suggests that the distinction between two patterns of spatial causation may not be idiosyncratically confined to the English language but motivated by the general patterns of human cognition.
‘More than a million’: the politics of accounting for the dead of the Rwandan genocide
Authors: Reydams Luc
Published: July 2020

Accounting for the dead after a humanitarian catastrophe is often fraught with methodological and/or political pitfalls. The genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is a case in point. A UN Commission of Experts estimated that between April and July 1994 at least 500,000 civilians had been murdered. The post-genocide Rwandan government soon made clear that foreign help with demographic and forensic investigations was neither appreciated nor needed, and proceeded with its own counts of genocide victims. The article critically examines these counts; contrasts them with accounting efforts after the Bosnian conflict of the mid 1990s; compares the official Rwandan numbers with scholarly estimates; proposes an alternative method for calculating the death toll; and concludes that the official death toll roughly doubled the number of genocide victims. The article provides insight into how history is written in the new Rwanda.
Finite element simulation for sensitivity measurement of a shear horizontal surface acoustic wave micro pressure sensor with a groove structure
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Yang Jian , Jiang Bei , Cao Le , Shen Xiangyi , Shao Meng
Published: July 2020

Shear horizontal surface acoustic wave (SH-SAW) sensors have great application potential due to their advantages of easy integration, miniaturization and suitability in liquid environments. In this paper, the finite element method is used to analyse a new SH-SAW micro pressure sensor, in which there are many groove structures along the direction of wave propagation on the delay path. We use the transient response simulation method to calculate and analyse the output voltage signal at the output interdigital transducer and surface average stress at the delay path of this new SH-SAW sensor, and its pressure sensitivity is analysed by uniformly applying an appropriate surface pressure on the resonant beam formed after grooving. The simulation results show that the surface average stress can be enhanced in a certain range of groove depth during the vibration of the groove structure. When the groove depth and width are set to 0.7 μm and 0.5 μm, respectively, the sensitivity of the SH-SAW sensor with a groove structure is four times higher than that of the traditional SH-SAW sensor. The increase of pressure sensitivity is the result of the increase of average stress caused by the groove structure. The new groove structure SH-SAW sensor provides a new basis for research on high-sensitivity micro-pressure sensors and lays a foundation for subsequent device design and manufacture.
Influence of ion-induced secondary electron emission parameters in PICMC plasma simulations with experimental validation in DC cylindrical diode and magnetron discharges
Authors: Richard T , Furno I , Sublet A , Taborelli M
Published: July 2020

Niobium thin films are used at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) for coatings of superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) accelerating cavities. Numerical simulations can help to better understand the physical processes involved in such coatings and provide predictions of thin film properties. In this article, particle-in-cell Monte Carlo 3D plasma simulations are validated against experimental data in a coaxial cylindrical system allowing both DC diode and DC magnetron operation. A proper choice of ion induced secondary electron emission parameters enables to match experimental and simulated discharge currents and voltages, with argon as the process gas and niobium as the target element. Langmuir probe measurements are presented to further support simulation results. The choice of argon gas with a niobium target is driven by CERN applications, but the methodology described in this paper is applicable to other discharge gases and target elements.Validation of plasma simulations is the first step towards developing an accurate methodology for predicting thin film coatings characteristics in complex objects such as SRF cavities.
Controlled plasma–droplet interactions: a quantitative study of OH transfer in plasma–liquid interaction
Authors: Oinuma Gaku , Nayak Gaurav , Du Yanjun , Bruggeman Peter J
Published: July 2020

Plasmas in contact with liquids are a rich source of OH radicals and have been extensively studied in the last decade to leverage the ability to generate chemically reactive species in gas phase plasmas to decompose organics. Multiphase transfer of OH radicals is highly transport limited and to overcome transport limits, the plasma activation of aerosols, small liquid droplets, interspersed in the plasma has been proposed. In this work, we report a combined experimental and modeling study of a controlled plasma–droplet interaction experiment using a diffuse RF glow discharge in He + 0.2% H2O with detailed plasma diagnostics, ex situ analysis of the plasma-induced chemistry in the droplet containing formate, droplet trajectory and size measurements. This enables a quantitative study of the reactivity transfer of OH from the gas phase plasma to the liquid phase and how its diffusion limitations impact formate decomposition in the water droplet. For a droplet with a diameter of 36 μm, we observed 50% reduction in formate concentration in the droplets after plasma treatment for droplet residence times in the plasma of ∼10 ms. These short droplet residence times in the plasma allow in some cases for droplet size reductions of ∼5% in spite gas temperatures of 360 K. A one-dimensional reaction–diffusion model was used to calculate the OH transport and formate oxidation inside the droplet and was able to predict the conversion of formate by plasma in a droplet without any fitting parameters. The model further shows that formate conversion is dominated by near-interfacial reactions with OH radicals and is limited by diffusion of formate in the droplet. The results show that a controlled plasma–micro-droplet reactor as reported in this study might be an excellent tool for detailed quantitative plasma–liquid interaction studies.