bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emulating tightly bound electrons in crystalline solids using mechanical waves
Authors: Ramírez-Ramírez F. , Flores-Olmedo E. , Báez G. , Sadurní E. , Méndez-Sánchez R. A.
Published: June 2020

Solid state physics deals with systems composed of atoms with strongly bound electrons. The tunneling probability of each electron is determined by interactions that typically extend to neighboring sites, as their corresponding wave amplitudes decay rapidly away from an isolated atomic core. This kind of description is essential in condensed-matter physics, and it rules the electronic transport properties of metals, insulators and many other solid-state systems. The corresponding phenomenology is well captured by tight-binding models, where the electronic band structure emerges from atomic orbitals of isolated atoms plus their coupling to neighboring sites in a crystal. In this work, a mechanical system that emulates dynamically a quantum tightly bound electron is built. This is done by connecting mechanical resonators via locally periodic aluminum bars acting as couplers. When the frequency of a particular resonator lies within the frequency gap of a coupler, the vibrational wave amplitude imitates a bound electron orbital. The localization of the wave at the resonator site and its exponential decay along the coupler are experimentally verified. The quantum dynamical tight-binding model and frequency measurements in mechanical structures show an excellent agreement. Some applications in atomic and condensed matter physics are suggested.
Investigation of hindered phenol antioxidant effects on the aging performance of cross-linked LDPE in the presence of copper
Authors: Li Jianxi , Zhou Cheng , Xu Siyi , Shen Liguo
Published: June 2020

In this study, LDPE materials with different kinds of antioxidants were prepared by melt-blending method. To reveal the aging mechanism and the anti-oxidation efficiency of LDPE in the presence of copper, series of characterizations including tensile testing, Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and computation simulation were performed. The experimental results indicated that the aging process significantly decreased the tensile strength and elongation of those aged samples except 1024, which retarded the aging degradation of LDPE at the same condition. These results were further confirmed by the FTIR analysis with the carbonyl index values. Additionally, the melting peaks of DSC plots became broader and shifted to the lower temperatures during the aging process for S-0, S-3114 and S-1010, whereas no obvious changes were observed for S-1024. Importantly, according to the results obtained from computation simulation, a strong metal-ligand interaction between hydrazide group and copper ions was formed to prevent the further oxidation, which accounted for the excellent anti-oxidation behavior of 1024 for LDPE in the presence of copper.
Relationship between presarcopenia and event occurrence in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Takada Hitomi , Amemiya Fumitake , Yasumura Tomoki , Yoda Hiroki , Okuwaki Tetsuya , Imagawa Naoto , Shimamura Naruki , Tanaka Keisuke , Kadokura Makoto , Maekawa Shinya , Enomoto Nobuyuki
Published: June 2020

Presarcopenia is a prognostic factor in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The Japan integrated staging (JIS) score is a prognostic method that combines the Child–Turcotte–Pugh classification and the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging for HCC. We investigated the relationship between presarcopenia, the JIS score, and prognosis in patients with primary HCC. This retrospective study included 153 patients with primary HCC who were hospitalized from October 2011 to March 2018 at Municipal Hospital of Kofu. The skeletal muscle mass was measured using simplified psoas muscle mass index (PMI) based on CT imaging, and PMI using the volume analyzer SYNAPSE VINCENT ver3.0. We diagnosed presarcopenia based on the cut off value according to the assessment criteria for sarcopenia in liver disease defined by the Japan Society of Hepatology. Forty-three patients (28%) were diagnosed with presarcopenia. The median event-free survival was significantly worse in patients with presarcopenia than those without presarcopenia (P = 0.016). In multivariate analysis, presence of presarcopenia, JIS score ≥3, alpha-fetoprotein ≥200 ng/ml, and prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence-II ≥ 200 mAU/ml were significant prognostic factors. Among the patients with JIS scores ≥3, there was no difference in the event occurrence rate with presence of presarcopenia (P = 0.96). Among the patients with JIS scores ≤2, the median event-free-survival was significantly shorter in those with presarcopenia than those without presarcopenia (P = 0.045). Presarcopenia was an independent prognostic factor in patients with primary HCC. In patients with JIS scores ≤2, the median event-free survival was significantly shorter in those with presarcopenia compared to those without presarcopenia. In the patients with JIS scores ≥3, there was no difference in the event occurrence rates in those with and without presarcopenia.
Multi-domain structures in spheroidal Co nanoparticles
Authors: Usov N. A. , Nesmeyanov M. S.
Published: June 2020

The structure of multi-domain micromagnetic states in hcp cobalt nanoparticles of spheroidal shape has been studied using numerical simulation in the range of diameters 20–200 nm. The single-domain diameters of the particles are determined depending on their aspect ratio. The complicated vortex structure of domain walls for two- and three-domain micromagnetic configurations is investigated. It has been shown that three domain states are actually strongly deformed two vortex states. In hcp cobalt particles of sufficiently large sizes two types of three-domain micromagnetic states with close total energies have been obtained. They differ in different magnetization directions of the exchange cores of the vortex domain walls. The remanent magnetization of particles has been calculated for two- and three-domain micromagnetic states. The single-domain diameters of fcc cobalt nanoparticles with cubic type of magnetic anisotropy were also calculated.
Exploring the genetic determinants underlying the differential production of an inducible chromosomal cephalosporinase - BlaB in Yersinia enterocolitica biotypes 1A, 1B, 2 and 4
Authors: Singhal Neelja , Pandey Deeksha , Singh Nambram Somendro , Kumar Manish , Virdi Jugsharan Singh
Published: June 2020

Yersinia enterocoliticais an enteric bacterium which can cause severe gastroenteritis. Beta-lactams are the most widely used antibiotics againstY. enterocolitica.Y. enterocoliticaproduces two chromosomal β-lactamases, BlaA and BlaB. BlaB is an Ambler Class C inducible broad spectrum cephlaosporinase which showed differential enzyme activity in different biotypes ofY. enterocolitica. The expression ofblaBis mainly regulated byampR- the transcriptional regulator and,ampD- which helps in peptidoglycan recycling. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize genetic determinants underlying differential enzyme activity of BlaB inY. enterocoliticabiotypes 1 A, IB, 2 and 4. Thus,ampR,blaBandampDwere PCR-amplified and modeledin silico. The intercistronic region containing promoters ofampRandblaBwas also investigated. Our results indicated thatblaBwas more inducible in biotypes 2 and 4, than in biotypes 1 A and 1B. Superimposition ofin silicomodeled proteins suggested that variations in amino acid sequences of AmpR, BlaB and AmpD were not responsible for hyper-production of BlaB in biotypes 2 and 4. Analysis of promoter regions ofampRandblaBrevealed variations at −30, −37 and −58 positions fromblaBtranscription start site. Studies on relative expression levels ofblaBin different biotypes by qRT-PCR indicated that nucleotide variations at these positions might contribute to a higher enzyme activity of BlaB in biotypes 2 and 4. However, this is a preliminary study and further studies including more strains of each biotype are required to strengthen our findings. Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which has investigated the genetic determinants underlying differential inducible production of BlaB in different biotypes ofY. enterocolitica.
Responses of AG1 and AG2 QTL introgression lines and seed pre-treatment on growth and physiological processes during anaerobic germination of rice under flooding
Authors: Mondal Satyen , Khan M. Iqbal R. , Entila Frederickson , Dixit Shalabh , Sta. Cruz Pompe C. , Panna Ali M. , Pittendrigh Barry , Septiningsih Endang M. , Ismail Abdelbagi M.
Published: June 2020

Rice seeds germinating in flooded soils encounter hypoxia or even anoxia leading to poor seed germination and crop establishment. Introgression of AG1 and AG2 QTLs associated with tolerance of flooding during germination, together with seed pre-treatment via hydro-priming or presoaking can enhance germination and seedling growth in anaerobic soils. This study assessed the performance of elite lines incorporating AG1, AG2 and their combination when directly seeded in flooded soils using dry seeds. The QTLs were in the background of two popular varieties PSB Rc82 and Ciherang-Sub1, evaluated along with the donors Kho Hlan On (AG1) and Ma-Zhan Red (AG2) and recipient parents PSB Rc82 and Ciherang-Sub1. In one set of experiments conducted in the greenhouse, seedling emergence, growth, and carbohydrate mobilization from seeds were assessed. Metabolites associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging including malondialdehyde (MDA) as a measure of lipid peroxidation, ascorbate, total phenolic concentration (TPC), and activities of ROS scavenging enzymes were quantified in seeds germinating under control (saturated) and flooded (10 cm) soils. In another set of experiments conducted in a natural field with 3–5 cm flooding depths, control and pretreated seeds of Ciherang-Sub1 introgression lines and checks were used. Flooding reduced seedling emergence of all genotypes, though emergence of AG1 + AG2 introgression lines was greater than the other AG lines. Soluble sugars increased, while starch concentration decreased gradually under flooding especially in the tolerant checks and in AG1 + AG2 introgression lines. Less lipid peroxidation and higher α-amylase activity, higher ascorbate (RAsA) and TPC were observed in the tolerant checks and in the AG1 + AG2 introgression lines. Lipid peroxidation correlated negatively with ascorbate, TPC, and with ROS scavengers. Seed hydro-priming or pre-soaking increased emergence by 7–10% over that of dry seeds. Introgression of AG2 and AG1 + AG2 QTLs with seed pretreatment showed 101–153% higher emergence over dry seeds of intolerant genotypes in the field. Lines carrying AG1 + AG2 QTLs showed higher α-amylase activity, leading to rapid starch degradation and increase in soluble sugars, ascorbate, and TPC, together leading to higher germination and seedling growth in flooded soils. Seed hydro-priming or pre-soaking for 24 h also improved traits associated with flooding tolerance. Combining tolerance with seed management could therefore, improve crop establishment in flooded soils and encourage large-scale adoption of direct seeded rice system.
Effects of supplemental nitrogen application on physiological characteristics, dry matter and nitrogen accumulation of winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) under waterlogging stress
Authors: Men Shengnan , Chen Honglin , Chen Shanghong , Zheng Shenghua , Shen Xueshan , Wang Changtao , Yang Zepeng , Liu Dinghui
Published: June 2020

Waterlogging stress is a common limiting factor for winter rapeseed, which greatly affects the growth and potential production. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of waterlogging with different durations (0day (D0), 6days (D6) and 9days (D9)) and supplemental nitrogen fertilization (N1, 0 kg ha−1; N2, 30 kg ha−1; N3, 60 kg ha−1 and N4, 90 kg ha−1) on the physiological characteristics, dry matter and nitrogen accumulation in winter rapeseed (Chuanyou36). The results showed that the supplementary application of nitrogen fertilizer could effectively improve the physiological indexes of winter rapeseed in both pot and field experiments. The supplemental nitrogen increased the chlorophyll content in leaves, enhanced the activities of SOD, CAT, and POD, and decreased the MDA content in leaves and roots of rapeseed. The chlorophyll contents, the antioxidant enzyme activity of leaves and roots significantly increased under D6N3 and D9N4 conditions in both (pot and field) experiments. However, MDA contents significantly decreased compared with waterlogging without nitrogen application. Moreover, the application of nitrogen fertilizer after waterlogging increased the accumulation of dry matter and nitrogen in rapeseed at different growth stages. Therefore, waterlogging stress significantly inhibited the growth and development of rapeseed, but the application of nitrogen fertilizer could effectively reduce the damage of waterlogging. The N-induced increase in waterlogging tolerance of rapeseed might be attributed to the strong antioxidant defense system, maintenance of photosynthetic pigments and the nutrient balance.
Comparative and Phylogenetic Analyses of the Complete Chloroplast Genomes of Six Almond Species (Prunus spp. L.)
Authors: Wang Wei , Yang Tao , Wang Hui-Ling , Li Zhen-Jian , Ni Jian-Wei , Su Shang , Xu Xin-Qiao
Published: June 2020

As a source of genetic variation, almond germplasm resources are of great significance in breeding. To better reveal the mutation characteristics and evolution patterns of the almond chloroplast (cp) genome, the complete cp genomes from six almond species were analyzed. The lengths of the chloroplast genome of the six almond species ranged from 157,783 bp to 158,073 bp. For repeat sequence analysis, 53 pairs of repeats (30 bp or longer) were identified. A total of 117 SSR loci were observed, including 96 polymorphic SSR loci. Nine highly variable regions with a nucleotide variability (Pi) higher than 0.08, including rps16, rps16-psbK, atpF-atpH, rpoB, ycf3-rps4, rps4-ndhJ, accD-psaI and rps7-orf42 (two highly variable regions) were located. Based on the chloroplast genome evolution analysis, three species (P. tenella, P. pedunculata and P. triloba) and wild cherry (P. tomentosa) were grouped into clade I. Clade II consisted of two species (P. mongolica and P. tangutica) and wild peach (P. davidiana). Clade III included the common almond (P. dulcis), cultivated peach (P. persica) and GanSu peach (P. kansuensis). This result expands the researchers’ vision of almond plant diversity and promotes an understanding of the evolutionary relationship among almond species. In brief, this study provides abundant resources for the study of the almond chloroplast genome, and has an important reference value for study of the evolution and species identification of almond.
Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for rapid analysis of organic environmental pollutants by using polydopamine nanospheres as a substrate
Authors: Luo Kailong , Yang Baichuan , Guo Wenjing , Sun Qianqian , Dan Ouyang , Lin Zian , Cai Zongwei
Published: June 2020

Polydopamine nanospheres was designed to serve as a substrate for surface-enhanced desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, which showed superior LDI performance in the analysis of a variety of environmental pollutants.
Infrared analysis of hair dyeing and bleaching history
Authors: Contreras Fernando , Ermolenkov Alexei , Kurouski Dmitry
Published: June 2020

Forensic examination of hair is commonly performed to trace its origin and make a connection between a suspect and a crime scene.
2-Mercaptobenzoxazoles: a class of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors with a novel binding mode to the enzyme active site
Authors: Bozdag Murat , Supuran Claudiu T. , Esposito Davide , Angeli Andrea , Carta Fabrizio , Monti Simona Maria , De Simone Giuseppina , Alterio Vincenzo
Published: June 2020

2-Mercaptobenzoxazole represents an interesting lead compound alternative to the classical sulfonamides for the development of selective carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.
Steering alkyne homocoupling with on-surface synthesized metal–organic complexes
Authors: Mohammed Mohammed S. G. , Colazzo Luciano , Gallardo Aurelio , Pomposo José A. , Jelínek Pavel , de Oteyza Dimas G.
Published: June 2020

Multi-step on-surface synthesis: surface-supported synthesis of metal–organic complexes to control subsequent alkyne homocoupling reactions.
The coarse-grained models of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide) homopolymers and poloxamers in big multipole water (BMW) and MARTINI frameworks
Authors: Ma Su-Min , Zhao Li , Wang Yong-Lei , Zhu You-Liang , Lu Zhong-Yuan
Published: June 2020

Coarse-grained models and effective potentials for polyethylene oxide (PEO) and poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) homopolymers and poloxamers in the BMW–MARTINI framework.
Influence of surface hydrophilicity and hydration on the rotational relaxation of supercooled water on graphene oxide surfaces
Authors: M Rajasekaran , Ayappa K. Ganapathy
Published: June 2020

The presence of a bulk water film influences the dynamical transitions of supercooled water on graphene oxide surfaces.
Defects and polaronic electron transport in Fe2WO6
Authors: Schuler Raphael , Norby Truls , Fjellvåg Helmer
Published: June 2020

We report Fe2WO6 to be an n-type thermoelectric (zT = 0.027 at 900 °C) with a small polaron conduction mechanism. Electrons reside as Fe2+ on the Fe3+ host structure, compensating oxygen vacancies that result from reduction in air above 650 °C.
Weak-field polaron dynamics in organic ferromagnets
Authors: Kan Hongjun , Miao Yuanyuan , Qiu Shuai , Zhang Guangping , Ren Junfeng , Wang Chuankui , Hu Guichao
Published: June 2020

With a nonadiabatic dynamical method the polaron dynamics in organic ferromagnets with spin radicals is investigated under weak electric fields.
Search for stable cocrystals of energetic materials using the evolutionary algorithm USPEX
Authors: Pakhnova Maria , Kruglov Ivan , Yanilkin Alexey , Oganov Artem R.
Published: June 2020

Potential energy surface for an HMX molecular crystal as a function of the relative molecules position in the unit cell.
Copper(ii)l/d-valine-(1,10-phen) complexes target human telomeric G-quadruplex motifs and promote site-specific DNA cleavage and cellular cytotoxicity
Authors: Arjmand Farukh , Sharma Surbhi , Parveen Sabiha , Toupet Loic , Yu Zhen , Cowan J. A.
Published: June 2020

Chirall-/d-valine-(1,10-phen)-Cu(ii) complexes that target G-quadruplex DNA were synthesized and thoroughly characterized. The cytotoxic activity of1aand1bon some of the notably important cancer cell lines was evaluated by MTT assay.
Correction: Nano-graphene oxide-UCNP-Ce6 covalently constructed nanocomposites for NIR-mediated bioimaging and PTT/PDT combinatorial therapy
Authors: Gulzar Arif , Xu Jiating , Yang Dan , Xu Liangge , He Fei , Gai Shili , Yang Piaoping
Published: June 2020

Correction for ‘Nano-graphene oxide-UCNP-Ce6 covalently constructed nanocomposites for NIR-mediated bioimaging and PTT/PDT combinatorial therapy’ by Arif Gulzar et al., Dalton Trans., 2018, 47, 3931–3939.
Phenoxazine as a high-voltage p-type redox center for organic battery cathode materials: small structural reorganization for faster charging and narrow operating voltage
Authors: Lee Kyunam , Serdiuk Illia E. , Kwon Giyun , Min Dong Joo , Kang Kisuk , Park Soo Young , Kwon Ji Eon
Published: June 2020

Negligible structural reorganization of phenoxazine leads to superior rate capability and a narrow voltage plateau of a lithium–organic battery.
Biomimetic polysaccharide-cloaked lipidic nanovesicles/microassemblies for improving the enzymatic activity and prolonging the action time for hyperuricemia treatment
Authors: Yang Lan , Zhang Yonghong , Xie Jiangchuan , Zhong Cailing , He Dan , Wang Tingting , Li Kailing , Li Yao , Shi Da , Abagyan Ruben , Yang Lin , Zhang Jingqing
Published: June 2020

We prepare biomimetic polysaccharide hyaluronan-cloaked lipidic nanovesicles/microassemblies by entrapping uricase in the core of the hollow vesicles or by tethering them to the surfaces and then perform an antihyperuricemia evaluation of them.
Magnesium-based layered double hydroxide nanosheets: a new bone repair material with unprecedented osteogenic differentiation performance
Authors: Wang Yingjie , Mei Xuan , Bian Yanyan , Hu Tingting , Weng Xisheng , Liang Ruizheng , Wei Min
Published: June 2020

Monolayer magnesium-based layered double hydroxide nanosheets loaded with alendronate were fabricated, which showed unprecedented osteogenic differentiation and bone regeneration performance.
Retracted Article: Convenient synthesis of pyrimidine 2′-deoxyribonucleoside monophosphates with important epigenetic marks at the 5-position
Authors: Zheng Song , Tran Ai , Curry Alyson M. , White Dawanna S. , Cen Yana
Published: June 2020

A novel and concise chemo-enzymatic approach has been developed for the synthesis of epigenetically important pyrimidine 2′-deoxyribonucleoside monophosphates.
Aggregation-induced emission from the crowded coronal chains of block copolymer micelles
Authors: Wang Siyu , Jin Bixin , Chen Gangfeng , Luo Yunjun , Li Xiaoyu
Published: June 2020

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) was triggered via the spatial confinement in the coronal chains in block copolymers upon micellization, even with very low content of AIE groups attached, and this could be used to monitor the self-assembly process.
DFT screening of metallic single-replacements for lead-free perovskites with intrinsic photovoltaic functionalities
Authors: Zhang Clark , Luo Xuan
Published: June 2020

DFT calculations revealed MAZnCl3 as a suitable replacement of MAPbI3, and revealed new low band-gap transition metal perovskites
Fluorenone imidazolium salts as novel de Vries materials
Authors: Bader Korinna , Müller Carsten , Molard Yann , Baro Angelika , Ehni Philipp , Knelles Jakob , Laschat Sabine
Published: June 2020

ILCs consisting of cationic head group–spacer–fluorenone central core–side chain show de Vries-like behaviour.
Chiral information harvesting in helical poly(acetylene) derivatives using oligo(p-phenyleneethynylene)s as spacers
Authors: Fernández Zulema , Fernández Berta , Quiñoá Emilio , Riguera Ricardo , Freire Félix
Published: June 2020

A chiral harvesting transmission mechanism is described in poly(acetylene)s bearing oligo(p-phenyleneethynylene)s (OPEs) used as rigid achiral spacers and derivatized with chiral pendant groups.
Site-selective aromatic C–H λ3-iodanation with a cyclic iodine(iii) electrophile in solution and solid phases
Authors: Ding Wei , Wang Chen , Tan Jie Ren , Ho Chang Chin , León Felix , García Felipe , Yoshikai Naohiko
Published: June 2020

A cyclic iodine(iii) electrophile allows catalyst- and additive-free site-selective functionalization of arenes and heteroarenes in solution or mechanochemical settings.
Degeneracy in molecular scale organization of biological membranes
Authors: Iyer Sahithya S. , Srivastava Anand
Published: June 2020

Structural degeneracy in molecular scale organization in membranes with physiological compositions.
Primitive chain network simulations for the interrupted shear response of entangled polymeric liquids
Authors: Masubuchi Yuichi , Doi Yuya , Uneyama Takashi
Published: June 2020

In slip-link simulations, the recovery of viscosity overshoot under interrupted shear flow reflects the relaxation of entanglement density during the interval between initial and resumed flows.
Scaling effect on the detachment of pressure-sensitive adhesives through fibrillation characterized by a probe-tack test
Authors: Takahashi Kosuke , Oda Ryuto , Inaba Kazuaki , Kishimoto Kikuo
Published: June 2020

Scaling effect of adhesion force at detachment was clarified by a probe-tack test using a glass sphere at mm-scale and an AFM cantilever.
Spatiotemporal control of micromechanics and microstructure in acoustically-responsive scaffolds using acoustic droplet vaporization
Authors: Aliabouzar Mitra , Davidson Christopher D. , Wang William Y. , Kripfgans Oliver D. , Franceschi Renny T. , Putnam Andrew J. , Fowlkes J. Brian , Baker Brendon M. , Fabiilli Mario L.
Published: June 2020

Acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) of phase shift emulsion (green) generates different bubble morphologies, and spatiotemporally tunes the micromechanics of fibrin gels (red).
Photo-induced PM2.5 adsorption in molecular ferroelectric heterostructures
Authors: Gao Kaige , Liu Chunlin , Zhang Binbin
Published: June 2020

Ferroelectrics are polar materials with large spontaneous polarization. Particulate matter, PM2.5, may be polarized and adsorbed by ferroelectrics due to spontaneous polarization.
Contralateral Routing of Signal Systems Can Improve Speech Recognition and Comprehension in Dynamic Classrooms
Authors: Picou Erin M. , Davis Hilary , Lewis Dawna , Tharpe Anne Marie
Published: June 2020

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of hearing aid–based rerouting systems (remote microphone [RM] and contralateral routing of signals [CROS]) on speech recognition and comprehension for children with limited usable hearing unilaterally. A secondary purpose was to evaluate students' perceptions of CROS benefits in classrooms.

Method

Twenty children aged 10–16 years with limited useable hearing in one ear completed tasks of sentence recognition and comprehension in a laboratory. For both tasks, speech was presented from one of four loudspeakers in an interleaved fashion. Speech loudspeakers were either midline, monaural direct, or monaural indirect, and noise loudspeakers surrounded the participant. Throughout testing, the RM was always near the midline loudspeaker. Six established users of CROS systems completed a newly developed questionnaire that queried experiences in diverse listening situations.

Results

There were no effects of RM or CROS use on performance for speech presented from front or monaural direct loudspeakers. However, for monaural indirect loudspeakers, CROS improved sentence recognition and RM impaired recognition. In the comprehension task, CROS improved comprehension by 11 rationalized arcsine units, but RM did not affect comprehension. Questionnaire results demonstrated that students report CROS benefits for talkers in the front and from the side, but not for situations requiring localization.

Conclusions

The results support CROS benefits without CROS disadvantages in a laboratory environment that reflects a dynamic classroom. Thus, CROS systems have the potential to improve hearing in contemporary classrooms for students, especially if there is only a single microphone.
Measuring Speech Production Development in Children With Cerebral Palsy Between 6 and 8 Years of Age: Relationships Among Measures
Authors: Natzke Phoebe , Sakash Ashley , Mahr Tristan , Hustad Katherine C.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Accurate measurement of speech intelligibility is essential for children with speech production deficits, but wide variability exists in the measures and protocols used. The current study sought to examine relationships among measures of speech intelligibility and the capacity of different measures to capture change over time.

Method

Forty-five children with cerebral palsy (CP) with and without speech motor impairment were observed at ages 6, 7, and 8 years. The speech performance of each child was rated using four measures at each time point: standardized articulation test scores, multiword intelligibility scores obtained from naïve listeners, parent ratings of intelligibility, and percent intelligible utterances obtained from language transcripts. We analyzed the correlations of measures within each age and within three different severity groups, and we analyzed how these measures changed year over year in each severity group.

Results

For children with CP who have mild and moderate speech deficits, different measures of speech production were weakly associated, and for children with CP with severe speech impairment, these measures showed stronger associations. The four measures also differed in their ability to capture change over time. Finally, results from standardized assessments of articulation were not found to inform overall speech intelligibility for children with mild and moderate speech deficits.

Conclusions

Results suggest that speech production is not fully described by any single clinical measure. In order to adequately describe functional speaking abilities and to capture change over time, multiple levels of measurement are required.
Frequency‐adaptive complex‐coefficient filter‐based control for grid‐integrated PV system
Authors: Pandey Sunil Kumar , Singh Bhim , Modi Gaurav
Published: June 2020

This work deals with a frequency‐adaptive complex‐coefficient filter‐based control for three‐phase grid supportive double‐stage photovoltaic (PV) system. This control eliminates harmonic components, DC offset at unbalanced loads and robust against phase frequency shift and on utility grid voltage disturbances. It uses harmonic‐free positive sequence current components to generate sinusoidal reference currents without amplitude scaling. Moreover, tuning of parameters is not required due to the absence of gain parameters. This system responds quickly to balance the grid currents under unbalanced load currents, mitigates load current harmonics while feeding active power to the distribution network. The presented topology has enhanced the voltage source converter (VSC) utility, particularly in the absence of PV array generation, thus, VSC payback period is reduced. The PV dynamic term is utilized to enhance VSC input voltage profile, to avoid overshoots and undershoots in grid currents, and to mitigate transients in PV array current under varying irradiance. The behaviors under dynamic state and steady state of the presented system are validated under varying irradiance, load currents unbalance and grid voltage disturbances through simulated and test results. The power quality concerns are addressed, by achieving harmonic contents in grid currents below to 5% in accordance to the IEEE‐519 standard.
Singular value decomposition‐based load indexes for load profiles clustering
Authors: Wang Zichen , Wu Hao , Jiang Zhengbang , Ju Ping , Yang Jian , Zhou Zhengyang , Chen Xinjian
Published: June 2020

Choosing suitable load indexes of load profiles is of vital importance for load profiles clustering, which has wide applications in load forecasting, power grid planning and electricity price designing. To obtain a set of load indexes with rigorous mathematical theory and clear physical meaning, this study proposed a singular value decomposition (SVD) based method to extract indexes. First, empirical rank‐l approximation derived from SVD is proposed to extract load indexes. The relationship between singular values and relative approximation error guarantees the indexes retain major characteristics of load profiles, while the invariance of right singular vectors over seasons and sample sizes endows the indexes with good generalisation ability. Then the right singular vectors are discretised to determine definition of indexes and reveal physical meanings of the indexes. Finally, the new set of indexes extracted by the proposed method are applied in indirectly clustering in the case study, which verify the validity of the indexes, the performance of the clustering method and the advantages of the new indexes over the existing load shape indexes.
Performance limits for the amplitude estimation of power system harmonics & interharmonics
Authors: Altintasi Cagri , Orguner Umut , Salor Ozgul
Published: June 2020

In this study, the problem of amplitude estimation of (inter)harmonics is investigated. Specifically performance limits are provided for the accuracy of unbiased amplitude estimation algorithms and for the analysis window size required by an algorithm for achieving and maintaining a desired accuracy. Cramer‐Rao lower bound (CRLB) is used for the bounds on the accuracy. Unlike the existing literature concentrating on the asymptotic behaviour of the bounds, the behaviour of CRLBs for small window sizes and close frequency components is investigated. In particular, the (worst) amplitude CRLBs are shown to be inversely proportional to the squared frequency differences for small analysis window sizes and close frequency components. For the bounds on analysis window size, the concept of convergence‐time is defined and illustrated. The convergence‐times of unbiased amplitude estimation algorithms are then lower bounded by establishing its relationship with CRLBs. The results and ideas are illustrated using both synthetic signals and field data collected from a power grid. Numerical results show that the proposed performance limits are tight and have strong prediction capabilities for amplitude estimation algorithms having prior knowledge about the existing frequencies in the signal.
Characterising foliage influence on LoRaWAN pathloss in a tropical vegetative environment
Authors: Richardson Ansah Margaret , Sowah Robert A , Melià‐Seguí Joan , Katsriku Ferdinand A , Vilajosana Xavier , Owusu Banahene Wiafe
Published: June 2020

Ubiquitous computing for remote monitoring is enabling the Internet of Things applications in diverse areas. The potential impact of wireless sensor networks in remote habitat and agricultural monitoring cannot be overemphasised. LoRa (long range) is particularly well suited to applications requiring low operational costs, long‐range wireless communication technology, low data rates and low power consumption. For industrial and large‐scale deployment of this promising technology, it must be both empirically and theoretically evaluated and proven. For network design purposes and optimised positioning of devices, the authors evaluated long range wireless area network (LoRaWAN) propagation in a tropical vegetative environment. Traditional vegetation propagation models have been compared with the measured data. The free space model best fits their data except for the tree canopy area where the loss was about 56 dB. The result can be used as empirical bases to develop an accurate model and simulation tool for LoRaWAN deployment planning.
Multi‐robot path planning based on a deep reinforcement learning DQN algorithm
Authors: Yang Yang , Juntao Li , Lingling Peng
Published: June 2020

The unmanned warehouse dispatching system of the ‘goods to people’ model uses a structure mainly based on a handling robot, which saves considerable manpower and improves the efficiency of the warehouse picking operation. However, the optimal performance of the scheduling system algorithm has high requirements. This study uses a deep Q‐network (DQN) algorithm in a deep reinforcement learning algorithm, which combines the Q‐learning algorithm, an empirical playback mechanism, and the volume‐based technology of productive neural networks to generate target Q‐values to solve the problem of multi‐robot path planning. The aim of the Q‐learning algorithm in deep reinforcement learning is to address two shortcomings of the robot path‐planning problem: slow convergence and excessive randomness. Preceding the start of the algorithmic process, prior knowledge and prior rules are used to improve the DQN algorithm. Simulation results show that the improved DQN algorithm converges faster than the classic deep reinforcement learning algorithm and can more quickly learn the solutions to path‐planning problems. This improves the efficiency of multi‐robot path planning.
Infrared-detected AGNs in the local Universe
Authors: İkiz T. , Peletier R. F. , Barthel P. D. , Yeşilyaprak C.
Published: June 2020

Context. Spitzer/IRAC color selection is a promising technique to identify hot accreting nuclei, that is, active galactic nuclei (AGN), in galaxies. We demonstrate this using a small sample of SAURON galaxies and then explore this technique further.

Aims. The goal of this study is to find a simple and efficient way to reveal optically obscured nuclear accretion in (nearby) galaxies.

Methods. We applied an infrared selection method to the Spitzer Survey of Stellar Structures in Galaxies (S4G) sample of more than 2500 galaxies, together with its extension sample of more than 400 galaxies. We used the Spitzer colors to find galaxies in the S4G survey containing a hot core, suggesting the presence of a strong AGN, and we studied the detection fraction as a function of morphological type. We tested this infrared color selection method by examining the radio properties of the galaxies via the VLA NVSS and FIRST surveys.

Results. Using the radio data, we demonstrate that galaxies displaying hot mid-infrared nuclei stand out as (candidate) active galaxies. We reproduce these results when using colors from the lower spatial resolution WISE mission instead of Spitzer. Hence multiband infrared imaging represents a useful tool to uncover optically obscured nuclear activity in galaxies.
Testing a theoretical prediction for bar formation in galaxies with bulges
Authors: Kataria Sandeep Kumar , Das Mousumi , Barway Sudhanshu
Published: June 2020

Earlier studies have shown that massive bulges impede bar formation in disk galaxies. Recent N-body simulations have derived a bar formation criterion that depends on the radial bulge force in a galaxy disk. We use those simulations to show that bars can form only when the force constant FB <  0.13, where FB depends on the ratio of the bulge force to the total force of the galaxy at twice the disk scale length 2Rd. In this article, we test this theoretical prediction using observational data obtained from the literature. Our sample consists of 63 barred galaxies with a wide range of Hubble classes taken from the S4G catalog; for the galaxies that we include, bulge, disk, and bar decomposition has been carried out. We find that 92% of our sample galaxies satisfy the condition FB <  0.13 for bar formation in galaxies and hence agree with the bar formation criterion given by the simulations.
Carbon isotopic fractionation in molecular clouds
Authors: Colzi L. , Sipilä O. , Roueff E. , Caselli P. , Fontani F.
Published: June 2020

Context. Carbon fractionation has been studied from a theoretical point of view with different models of time-dependent chemistry, including both isotope-selective photodissociation and low-temperature isotopic exchange reactions.

Aims. Recent chemical models predict that isotopic exchange reactions may lead to a depletion of 13C in nitrile-bearing species, with 12C/13C ratios two times higher than the elemental abundance ratio of 68 in the local interstellar medium. Since the carbon isotopic ratio is commonly used to evaluate the 14N/15N ratios with the double-isotope method, it is important to study carbon fractionation in detail to avoid incorrect assumptions.

Methods. In this work, we implemented a gas-grain chemical model with new isotopic exchange reactions and investigated their introduction in the context of dense and cold molecular gas. In particular, we investigated the 12C/13C ratios of HNC, HCN, and CN using a grid of models, with temperatures and densities ranging from 10 to 50 K and 2 × 103 to 2 × 107 cm−3, respectively.

Results. We suggest a possible 13C exchange through the 13C + C3 → 12C +13CC2 reaction, which does not result in dilution, but rather in 13C enhancement, for molecules that are formed starting from atomic carbon. This effect is efficient in a range of time between the formation of CO and its freeze-out on grains. Furthermore, the parameter-space exploration shows, on average, that the 12C/13C ratios of nitriles are predicted to be a factor 0.8–1.9 different from the local 12C/13C of 68 for high-mass star-forming regions. This result also affects the 14N/15N ratio: a value of 330 obtained with the double-isotope method is predicted to vary in the range 260–630, up to 1150, depending on the physical conditions. Finally, we studied the 12C/13C ratios of nitriles by varying the cosmic-ray ionisation rate, ζ: the 12C/13C ratios increase with ζ because of secondary photons and cosmic-ray reactions.
Modeling the quiet Sun cell and network emission with ALMA
Authors: Alissandrakis C. E. , Nindos A. , Bastian T. S. , Patsourakos S.
Published: June 2020

Observations of the Sun at millimeter wavelengths with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) offer a unique opportunity to investigate the temperature structure of the solar chromosphere. In this article we expand our previous work on modeling the chromospheric temperature of the quiet Sun, by including measurements of the brightness temperature in the network and cell interiors, from high-resolution ALMA images at 3 mm (Band 3) and 1.26 mm (Band 6). We also examine the absolute calibration of ALMA full-disk images. We suggest that the brightness temperature at the center of the solar disk in Band 6 is ∼440 K above the value recommended by White et al. (2017, Sol. Phys., 292, 88). In addition, we give improved results for the electron temperature variation of the average quiet Sun with optical depth and the derived spectrum at the center of the disk. We found that the electron temperature in the network is considerably lower than predicted by model F of Fontenla et al. (1993, ApJ, 406, 319) and that of the cell interior considerably higher than predicted by model A. Depending on the network/cell segregation scheme, the electron temperature difference between network and cell at τ = 1 (100 GHz) ranges from ∼660 K to ∼1550 K, compared to ∼3280 K predicted by the models; similarly, the electron temperature, Te ratio ranges from ∼1.10 to 1.24, compared to ∼1.55 of the model prediction. We also found that the network/cell Te(τ) curves diverge as τ decreases, indicating an increase of contrast with height and possibly a steeper temperature rise in the network than in the cell interior.
Time-domain boundedness of noise-to-state exponentially stable systems
Authors: Fang Zhou , Gao Chuanhou
Published: June 2020

In this paper we prove the time-domain boundedness for noise-to-state exponentially stable systems, and further make an estimation of its lower bound function, which allows to answer the question that how long the solution of a stochastic noise-to-state exponentially stable system stays in the domain of attraction and what happens with it if it escapes from this region for a while. The results will complement the probability-domain boundedness of noise-to-state exponentially stable systems, and provide a new insight into noise-to-state exponential stability.
Cybersexualité. De la trans@sexualité aux métamorphoses de l’identité de genre sexuel
Authors: Tordo Frédéric
Published: June 2020

La cybersexualité concerne une sexualité qui utilise les outils technologiques. Plusieurs formes peuvent être décrites (cybersexualité proprement dite, cybersexualité passive, cybersexualité interactive, cybersexualité connectée et techno-sexualité). Pourtant, une autre forme cybersexuelle advient, liée aux nouveaux usages de la technologie qui privilégient une traversabilité permanente entre la réalité physique et la réalité numérique. Elle est nommée par l’auteur commeTrans@sexualité, décrite comme une sexualité hybride et transitionnelle, qui fait pont entre cybersexualité (qui se déroule dans le cyber-espace) et sexualité incarnée (qui se déroule dans la réalité tangible). Au travers de cette hybridation, qui se manifeste en tant qu’une « hybridation psychique » – au travers de l’instance du Moi-cyborg (Tordo, 2019) – se déploie alors, suivant l’hypothèse de l’auteur, les transformations et les métamorphoses de l’identité contemporaine, à commencer par l’identité de genre. Plusieurs exemples cliniques sont proposés par l’auteur à l’appui de ces hypothèses.
NOMOPHOBIA
Authors: Godart Elsa
Published: June 2020

Nomophobia est un de ces néologismes contemporains qui tentent de traduire une nouvelle réalité symptomatique : la phobie de perdre son portable. Du mythe du Deucalion à l’avènement du sujet du virutel, il s’agira de réfléchir autour de l’émergence de néo-symptômes et de revisiter plus profondément la question de la limite qui demande à être redéfinie entre le normal et le pathologique à l’aube de la cybermodernité.
Autisme et mondes virtuels. De l’aide des mondes virtuels à la stabilité du soi autistique
Authors: Virole Benoît
Published: June 2020

Le fort intérêt des personnes autistes pour les interfaces numériques s’explique par leurs propriétés adaptées au soi autistique et à l’évitement des perturbations inhérentes à l’interaction avec une personne humaine. Ces interfaces numériques peuvent toutefois être utilement insérées dans des prises en charge psychothérapeutiques.
L’exendosomatisation. De la production des technologies par exosomatisation au métissage homme-machines par endosomatisation
Authors: Tisseron Serge
Published: June 2020

L’externalisation par l’homme de ses fonctions psychiques dans les objets constitue la première étape d’un mouvement qui en implique trois. Nous proposons d’appelerexendosomatisationce processus général. Il concerne tout autant la projection de contenus psychiques chez des semblables – selon le processus de l’identification projective – que la création des objets dont les images font partie. Ces trois étapes sont : l’extériorisation des émotions et des contenus mentaux humains chez d’autres humains, ou dans des objets de l’environnement; la transformation de ces émotions et de ces pensées grâce à l’objectivation que permet leur projection chez des humains, et le lent perfectionnement technologique simulant toujours mieux les capacités humaines lorsqu’il s’agit d’objets; et enfin la réintégration des contenus ainsi transformés, que ce soit dans le psychisme ou dans le corps. C’est pourquoi le métissage homme-machine est inévitable.
Rauchfreies Deutschland 2040: Ein Diskussionsbeitrag
Authors: Hanewinkel Reiner , Morgenstern Matthis , Isensee Barbara , Wiebel Friedrich J.
Published: June 2020

Einleitung Sobald weniger als 5 % einer Population rauchen, spricht man von einer „rauchfreien“ Gesellschaft. Es soll prognostiziert werden, ab welchem Zeitpunkt dieses Ziel in Deutschland erreicht werden könnte. Zur Verringerung des Raucheranteils in der Bevölkerung empfiehlt die Weltgesundheitsorganisation ein Bündel von Maßnahmen (MPOWER), das sowohl das Angebot von als auch die Nachfrage nach Tabak minimieren soll. Der derzeitige Umsetzungsgrad dieser Empfehlungen in Deutschland soll dargestellt werden.

Methoden 21 repräsentative Querschnittserhebungen der Drogenaffinitätsstudie sowie des Epidemiologischen Suchtsurveys ab 2000/2001 für Jugendliche sowie Erwachsene bilden das Rauchverhalten der Bevölkerung bis 2018 ab. Als objektiver Datensatz wurde der Pro-Kopf-Verbrauch von fabrikfertigen und selbsthergestellten Zigaretten im selben Zeitraum genutzt. Mittels Regressionsanalysen wurde modelliert, ab welchem Zeitpunkt weniger als 5 % der Bevölkerung in Deutschland rauchen. Zur Beschreibung der Umsetzung des MPOWER-Programms wird ein selektiver Literaturüberblick vorgenommen.

Ergebnisse In Deutschland gab es vor dem Jahr 2000 keinen Trend zum Nichtrauchen. Nach Umsetzung verschiedener Präventionsmaßnahmen wie Preiserhöhungen von Tabakprodukten und Einführung der Nichtraucherschutzgesetze ist ab dem Jahr 2000 die Verbreitung des Rauchens in der Bevölkerung kontinuierlich zurückgegangen. Bis 2018 wurde das 5 %-Prävalenzziel bei Jugendlichen nahezu erreicht, da der relative Anteil rauchender Jugendlicher um 20,9 Prozentpunkte auf 6,6 % gefallen ist. Der relative Anteil rauchender erwachsener Frauen fiel um 12,1 Prozentpunkte auf 18,5 %, der relative Anteil rauchender Männer um 14,8 Prozentpunkte auf 24,2 %. Unter der Annahme eines linearen Trends kann das Prävalenzziel von weniger als 5 % rauchender Erwachsener etwa 2043 erreicht werden. Von den 6 empfohlenen Maßnahmen des MPOWER-Programms setzt Deutschland derzeit lediglich das Monitoring des Tabakkonsums in der Gesellschaft ohne Abstriche um.

Diskussion Nach Umsetzung verschiedener Tabakpräventionsmaßnahmen setzte in Deutschland ein Trend zum Nichtrauchen ein. Die von der Weltgesundheitsorganisation empfohlene kontinuierliche Preiserhöhung, die weitere Einschränkung der Verfügbarkeit, das Verbot jeglicher Tabakwerbung und -promotion, die Unterstützung des Rauchstopps sowie die Aufklärung der Bevölkerung erscheinen erforderlich, um diesen Trend zu verstärken und das gesundheitspolitische Ziel einer rauchfreien Gesellschaft 2040 zu erreichen.