bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early phonetic learning without phonetic categories: Insights from large-scale simulations on realistic input
Authors: Schatz Thomas , Feldman Naomi H. , Goldwater Sharon , Cao Xuan-Nga , Dupoux Emmanuel
Published: January 2021

Significance

Infants become attuned to the sounds of their native language(s) before they even speak. Hypotheses about what is being learned by infants have traditionally driven researchers’ attempts to understand this surprising phenomenon. Here, we propose to start, instead, from hypotheses about how infants might learn. To implement this mechanism-driven approach, we introduce a quantitative modeling framework based on large-scale simulation of the learning process on realistic input. It allows learning mechanisms to be systematically linked to testable predictions regarding infants’ attunement to their native language(s). Through this framework, we obtain evidence for an account of infants’ attunement that challenges established theories about what infants are learning.
Characteristics of numerals and classifiers in Darmdo Minyag
Authors: Drolma Dawa , Daudey Henriëtte
Published: January 2021

Based on first-hand data obtained during fieldwork, our article analyses numerals and frequently employed numeral classifiers of Darmdo Minyag. Numeral classifiers are obligated to follow a numeral when counting. There are three different roots for ‘ten’: /ɦa~ʁo/ used in the numbers 10–19; /ʁuɑ/ used in the numbers 20–49; and /ɡa/ used in the numbers 50–99. The presence of multiple roots for ‘ten’ with an initial glottal, uvular or velar stop or fricative has been attested in many languages of the Qiangic area. Although Tibetan forms may be used for all numerals, native forms up to 99 have been attested in Darmdo Minyag. The influence of Tibetan on cardinal and ordinal numerals, approximate, multiple and fractional numbers is noted as well. Darmdo Minyag has a rich inventory of sortal and mensural classifiers. Shape is the most important feature according to which nouns are categorized. Mensural classifiers may be divided into arrangement classifiers and units of measure. Units of measure are of two types: the first acts as a classifier, the second type is a [noun numeral+classifier] construction. Darmdo Minyag has two types of verbal action classifiers: several verbal action classifiers of unknown origin which modify semantically rich verbs, and numeral-verb combinations which modify a semantically empty verb. The main functions of classifiers are classification and individualization.
Rabi Oscillations and Coherence Dynamics in Terahertz Streaking-Assisted Photoelectron Spectrum
Authors: Wang Shuai , Zhu Zhiyuan , Zhang Yizhu , Yan Tian-Min , Jiang Yuhai
Published: January 2021

We present an approach, a Terahertz streaking-assisted photoelectron spectrum (THz SAPS), to achieve direct observations of ultrafast coherence dynamics with timescales beyond the pulse duration. Using a 24 fs probe pulse, the THz SAPS enables us to well visualize Rabi oscillations of 11.76 fs and quantum beats of 2.62 fs between the 5S
1/2 and 5P
3/2 in rubidium atoms. The numerical results show that the THz SAPS can simultaneously achieve high resolution in both frequency and time domains without the limitation of Heisenberg uncertainty of the probe pulse. The long probe pulse promises sufficiently high frequency resolution in photoelectron spectroscopy allowing to observe Autler–Townes splittings, whereas the streaking THz field enhances temporal resolution for not only Rabi oscillations but also quantum beats between the ground and excited states. The THz SAPS demonstrates a potential applicability for observation and manipulation of ultrafast coherence processes in frequency and time domains.
Nitrogen and Boron Co-Doped Carbon Nanotubes Embedded with Nickel Nanoparticles as Highly Efficient Electromagnetic Wave Absorbing Materials
Authors: Zhu Xin , Yan Feng , Li Chunyan , Qi Lihong , Yuan Haoran , Liu Yanfeng , Zhu Chunling , Chen Yujin
Published: January 2021

Due to the limitations of impedance matching and attenuation matching, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) employed alone have a weak capacity to attenuate electromagnetic wave (EMW) energy. In this work, B and N co-doped CNTs with embedded Ni nanoparticles (Ni@BNCNTs) are fabricated via an in situ doping method. Compared with a sample without B doping, Ni@BNCNTs demonstrate a superior EMW absorption performance, with all minimum reflection loss values below −20 dB, even at a matching thickness of 1.5 mm. The experimental and theoretical calculation results demonstrate that B doping increases conduction and polarization relaxation losses, as well as the impedance matching characteristic, which is responsible for the enhanced EMW absorption performance of Ni@BNCNTs.
Temperature Dependent In-Plane Anisotropic Magnetoresistance in HfTe5 Thin Layers
Authors: Wang Peng , Hou Tao , Tang Fangdong , Wang Peipei , Han Yulei , Ren Yafei , Zeng Hualing , Zhang Liyuan , Qiao Zhenhua
Published: January 2021

We report the observation of in-plane anisotropic magnetoresistance and planar Hall effect in non-magnetic HfTe5 thin layers. The observed anisotropic magnetoresistance as well as its sign is strongly dependent on the critical resistivity anomaly temperature T
p. Below T
p, the anisotropic magnetoresistance is negative with large negative magnetoresistance. When the in-plane magnetic field is perpendicular to the current, the negative longitudinal magnetoresistance reaches its maximum. The negative longitudinal magnetoresistance effect in HfTe5 thin layers is dramatically different from that induced by the chiral anomaly as observed in Weyl and Dirac semimetals. One potential underlying origin may be attributed to the reduced spin scattering, which arises from the in-plane magnetic field driven coupling between the top and bottom surface states. Our findings provide valuable insights for the anisotropic magnetoresistance effect in topological electronic systems and the device potential of HfTe5 in spintronics and quantum sensing.
Superconducting Properties and Absence of Time Reversal Symmetry Breaking in the Noncentrosymmetric Superconducting Compounds Ta
x
Re1 – x
(0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.25)*
Authors: Xu Chun-Qiang , Liu Yi , Zhou Wei , Feng Jia-Jia , Liu Sen-Wei , Zhou Yu-Xing , Wang Hao-Bo , Han Zhi-Da , Qian Bin , Jiang Xue-Fan , Xu Xiao-Feng , Ye Wei , Shi Zhi-Xiang , Ke Xiang-Lin , Biswas Pabitra-Kumar
Published: January 2021

Unconventional superconductivity, in particular, in noncentrosymmetric systems, has been a long-sought topic in condensed matter physics. Recently, Re-based superconductors have attracted great attention owing to the potential time-reversal symmetry breaking in their superconducting states. We report the superconducting properties of noncentrosymmetric compounds Ta
x
Re1 – x
with 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.25, and find that the superconducting transition temperature reaches a maximum of ∼8 K at the optimal level x = 0.15. Nevertheless, muon-spin rotation and relaxation measurements reveal no time-reversal symmetry breaking existing in its superconducting state, which is in sharp contrast to both centrosymmetric Re metal and many other noncentrosymmetric Re-based superconductors.
BaCuS2: A Superconductor with Moderate Electron-Electron Correlation*
Authors: Gu Yuhao , Wu Xianxin , Jiang Kun , Hu Jiangping
Published: January 2021

We show that the layered-structure BaCuS2 is a moderately correlated electron system in which the electronic structure of the CuS layer bears a resemblance to those in both cuprates and iron-based superconductors. Theoretical calculations reveal that the in-plane d–p σ
*-bonding bands are isolated near the Fermi level. As the energy separation between the d and p orbitals are much smaller than those in cuprates and iron-based superconductors, BaCuS2 is expected to be moderately correlated. We suggest that this material is an ideal system to study the competitive/collaborative nature between two distinct superconducting pairing mechanisms, namely the conventional BCS electron-phonon interaction and the electron-electron correlation, which may be helpful to establish the elusive mechanism of unconventional high-temperature superconductivity.
Erasable Ferroelectric Domain Wall Diodes*
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wang Chao , Lian Jian-Wei , Jiang Jun , Jiang An-Quan
Published: January 2021

The unipolar diode-like domain wall currents in LiNbO3 single-crystal nanodevices are not only attractive in terms of their applications in nonvolatile ferroelectric domain wall memory, but also useful in half-wave and full-wave rectifier systems, as well as detector, power protection, and steady voltage circuits. Unlike traditional diodes, where the rectification functionality arises from the contact between n-type and p-type conductors, which are unchanged after off-line production, ferroelectric domain wall diodes can be reversibly created, erased, positioned, and shaped, using electric fields. We demonstrate such functionality using ferroelectric mesa-like cells, formed at the surface of an insulating X-cut LiNbO3 single crystal. Under the application of an in-plane electric field above a coercive field along the polar Z axis, the domain within the cell is reversed to be antiparallel to the unswitched bottom domain via the formation of a conducting domain wall. The wall current was rectified using two interfacial volatile domains in contact with two side Pt electrodes. Unlike the nonvolatile inner domain wall, the interfacial domain walls disappear to turn off the wall current path after the removal of the applied electric field, or under a negative applied voltage, due to the built-in interfacial imprint fields. These novel devices have the potential to facilitate the random definition of diode-like elements in modern large-scale integrated circuits.
Lightlike geodesics and gravitational lensing in the spacetime of an accelerating black hole
Authors: Frost Torben C , Perlick Volker
Published: January 2021

The C-metric is a solution to Einstein’s vacuum field equation that describes an accelerating black hole. In this paper we discuss the propagation of light rays and the resulting lensing features in this metric. We first solve the lightlike geodesic equation using elliptic integrals and Jacobi elliptic functions. Then we fix a static observer in the region of outer communication of the C-metric and introduce an orthonormal tetrad to parameterise the directions of the light rays ending at the position of the observer using latitude-longitude coordinates on the observer’s celestial sphere. In this parameterisation we rederive the angular radius of the shadow, we formulate a lens equation, and we derive the redshift and the travel time of light rays. We discuss the relevance of our theoretical results for detecting accelerating black holes described by the C-metric and for distinguishing them from non-accelerating black holes.
Identification of critical nuclei in the rapid solidification via configuration heredity
Authors: Li Yuan , Peng Ping , Xu Dongsheng , Yang Rui
Published: January 2021

The identification and characterization of critical nuclei is a long-standing issue in the rapid solidification of metals and alloys. An ambiguous description for their sizes and shapes used to lead to an overestimation or underestimation of homogeneous nucleation rates

I

T

in the framework of classical nucleation theory (CNT). In this paper, a unique method able to distinguish the critical nucleus from numerous embryos is put forward on the basis of configuration heredities of clusters during rapid solidifications. As this technique is applied to analyze the formation and evolution of various fcc-Al single crystal clusters in a large-scale molecular dynamics simulation system, it is found that the size n
c and geometrical configuration of critical nuclei as well as their liquid–solid interfacial structure can be determined directly. For the present deep super-cooled system with an undercooling of

T

m

=
0.42

T

m

c
a
l

, the average size of critical nuclei is demonstrated to be

n

c

̄

≈
26

, but most of which are non-spherical lamellae. Also, their liquid–solid interfaces are revealed to be not an fcc-liquid duplex-phase interface but an fcc/hcp-liquid multi-phase structure. These findings shed some lights on the CNT, and a good agreement with previous simulations and experiments in

I

T

indicates this technique can be used to explore the early-stage of nucleation from atomistic levels.
Design considerations for graded index fiber tip Fabry–Perot interferometers
Authors: Riesen Nicolas , Phillips Nicholas , Nguyen Linh V , Warren-Smith Stephen C , Priest Craig , Lancaster David G
Published: January 2021

An analysis is provided of fiber-optic Fabry–Perot interferometers designed and fabricated using collimating graded-index fiber (GIF) tips as an alternative to typical highly divergent standard single-mode fibers (SMFs). The collimated beam from the GIF tips allows for significantly longer etalons to be fabricated due to the increased collection efficiency when used either in reflection or transmission mode. We extend previous results, showing that GIF tips using coreless fiber segments can allow for up to four-fold increase in fringe visibility (FV) at 1550 nm compared with standard SMF Fabry–Perot etalons of the same length. The collimating GIF tips help lessen the FV vs cavity length trade-off typically observed in fiber-optic Fabry–Perot systems. We also explore the effects on FV improvement when using capillaries to align the fibres. This paper also provides easily accessible design guidelines and considerations for fabricating GIF based devices at 1550 nm.
Improved subthreshold swing of MoS2 negative-capacitance transistor by fluorine-plasma treatment on ferroelectric Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 gate dielectric
Authors: Tao Xinge , Xu Jingping , Liu Lu , Lai Pui-To
Published: January 2021

In this work, the ferroelectricity of hafnium zirconium oxide (Hf0.5Zr0.5O2, HZO) is enhanced by fluorine (F)-plasma treatment, which is used to fabricate MoS2 negative-capacitance field-effect transistor. Measurements show that the subthreshold swing of the transistor is significantly reduced to 17.8 mV dec−1 over almost four orders of output current, as compared to its counterpart without the F-plasma treatment (37.4 mV dec−1). The involved mechanism is that during the F-plasma treatment, F atoms can be incorporated into the HZO bulk to passive its oxygen vacancies and interface traps, thus forming robust Zr–F and Hf–F bonds. Therefore, the F-plasma-treated HZO film exhibits much less oxygen vacancies than the untreated HZO film, which is beneficial to enhancing the amplification effect on the surface potential of the MoS2 channel during the NC operation.
Interfacial engineering of CeO2 on NiCoP nanoarrays for efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution
Authors: Gao Menghan , Wang Zhihong , Sun Shichao , Jiang Deli , Chen Min
Published: January 2021

Transition metal phosphides (TMP)-based oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts constructed by interface engineering strategy have a broad prospect due to their low cost and good performance. Herein, a novel CeO2/NiCoP nanoarray with intimate phosphide (NiCoP)-oxide (CeO2) interface was developed via in situ generation on nickel foam (NF). This structure is conducive to increasing active sites and accelerating charge transfer, and may be conducive to regulating electronic structure and adsorption energy. As expected, optimal 1.4-CeO2/NiCoP/NF delivers a low overpotential of 249 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a Tafel slope of 77.2 mV dec−1. CeO2/NiCoP/NF boasts one of the best OER catalytic materials among recently reported phosphides (TMP)-based OER catalysts and composite catalysts involving CeO2. This work provides an effective strategy for the construction of hetero-structure with CeO2 with oxygen vacancies to improve the OER performance of phosphides.
Influence of chemical and electronic inhomogeneities of graphene/copper on the growth of oxide thin films: the ZnO/graphene/copper case
Authors: Morales Carlos , Urbanos Fernando J , del Campo Adolfo , Leinen Dietmar , Granados Daniel , Prieto Pilar , Aballe Lucía , Foerster Michael , Soriano Leonardo
Published: January 2021

The interaction of graphene with metal oxides is essential for understanding and controlling new devices’ fabrication based on these materials. The growth of metal oxides on graphene/substrate systems constitutes a challenging task due to the graphene surface’s hydrophobic nature. In general, different pre-treatments should be performed before deposition to ensure a homogenous growth depending on the deposition technique, the metal oxide, and the surface’s specific nature. Among these factors, the initial state and interaction of graphene with its substrate is the most important. Therefore, it is imperative to study the initial local state of graphene and relate it to the early stages of metal oxides’ growth characteristics. Taking as initial samples graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition on polycrystalline Cu sheets and then exposed to ambient conditions, this article presents a local study of the inhomogeneities of this air-exposed graphene and how they influence on the subsequent ZnO growth. Firstly, by spatially correlating Raman and x-ray photoemission spectroscopies at the micro and nanoscales, it is shown how chemical species present in air intercalate inhomogeneously between Graphene and Cu. The reason for this is precisely the polycrystalline nature of the Cu support. Moreover, these local inhomogeneities also affect the oxidation level of the uppermost layer of Cu and, consequently, the electronic coupling between graphene and the metallic substrate. In second place, through the same characterization techniques, it is shown how the initial state of graphene/Cu sheets influences the local inhomogeneities of the ZnO deposit during the early stages of growth in terms of both, stoichiometry and morphology. Finally, as a proof of concept, it is shown how altering the initial chemical state and interaction of Graphene with Cu can be used to control the properties of the ZnO deposits.
Correlation length ratio as a parameter for determination of fiber-like structures in soft tissues
Authors: Kari M , Feltovich H , Hall T J
Published: January 2021

Quantitative ultrasound methods can provide valuable information about the microstructure of a material or tissue. This works well when the common assumptions of homogeneity, isotropy, and diffuse scattering conditions are valid. In biological tissues, however, these assumptions are often violated because the microstructure of biological tissues is often heterogeneous and anisotropic. The microstructure of biological tissues can change with disease, and therefore accurate identification and description of a tissue’s microstructure can offer important clinical insight. To address the challenge of evaluating the microstructure of biological tissues, here we introduce a novel parameter called the correlation length ratio (CLR), a ratio of lateral to axial correlation lengths for backscattered echo signals. We developed it to determine the presence of fiber-like structures in soft tissues by comparing this value in tissue to a threshold determined from a reference material that is homogeneous, isotropic, and provides diffuse scattering. We tested this novel parameter in phantoms with spherical scattering sources, in an anisotropic phantom (containing elongated fibers), and in human biceps muscle. We found that the CLR accurately detected the presence of elongated structures in both the anisotropic phantom and muscle. These results encourage further exploration of this novel parameter in microstructurally complex tissues.
A vascular subtraction method for improving the variability of evoked tympanic membrane displacement measurements
Authors: Campbell-Bell C M , Sharif S J , Zhang T , Bulters D , Marchbanks R J , Birch A A
Published: January 2021

Objective. Evoked tympanic membrane displacement (TMD) measurements show a correlation with intracranial pressure (ICP). Attempts to use these measurements for non-invasive monitoring of ICP in patients have been limited by high measurement variability. Pulsing of the tympanic membrane at the cardiac frequency has been shown to be a significant source of the variability. In this study we describe a post processing method to remove the cardiac pulse waveform and assess the impact of this on the measurement and its repeatability. Approach. Three-hundred and sixteen healthy volunteers were recruited for evoked TMD measurements. The measurements were quantified by V
m, defined as the mean displacement between the point of maximum inward displacement and the end of the stimulus. A sample of spontaneously pulsing TMDs was measured immediately before the evoked measurements. Simultaneous recording of the ECG allowed a heartbeat template to be extracted from the spontaneous data and subtracted from the evoked data. Intra-subject repeatability of V
m was assessed from 20 repeats of the evoked measurement. Results with and without subtraction of the heartbeat template were compared. The difference was tested for significance using the Wilcoxon sign rank test. Main results. In left and right ears, both sitting and supine, application of the pulse correction significantly reduced the intra-subject variability of V
m (p value range 4.0 × 10−27 to 2.0 × 10−31). The average improvement was from 98 ± 6 nl to 56 ± 4 nl. Significance. The pulse subtraction technique substantially improves the repeatability of evoked TMD measurements. This justifies further investigations to assess the use of TMD measurements in clinical applications where non-invasive tracking of changes in ICP would be useful.
Relativistic-induced opacity of electron–positron plasmas
Authors: Huang Jian , Weng S M , Zhu X L , Li X F , Chen M , Murakami M , Sheng Z M
Published: January 2021

The interaction of intense electromagnetic waves with electron–positron (

e

−

e

+

) plasmas is studied by particle-in-cell simulations and theoretical analysis. It is found that an initial underdense

e

−

e

+

plasma can become opaque under the irradiation of a relativistically intense laser pulse. The strong ponderomotive force of the relativistic laser pulse and the small mass density of the

e

−

e

+

plasma can combine to induce the efficient pile-up of the electrons and positrons at the front of the laser pulse. Therefore, the local plasma density at the laser pulse front increases dramatically and finally the initial underdense

e

−

e

+

plasma becomes opaque. This relativistic-induced opacity effect of

e

−

e

+

plasmas is opposite to the well-known relativistic-induced transparency effect, in which an initial overdense electron-ion plasma can become transparent to a relativistically intense laser pulse. Further, the significant red shift of reflected lights as well as the efficient generation of energetic positrons are investigated in the relativistic-induced opacity of

e

−

e

+

plasmas. This relativistic-induced opacity effect is a peculiar phenomenon in the

e

−

e

+

plasmas, which may be encountered in the high-energy astrophysical phenomena or in the interactions of intense lasers with matters in the laboratories.
Septal destruction enhances chaotic mixing and increases cellular doses of nanoparticles in emphysematous acinus
Authors: Talaat Mohamed , Si Xiuhua April , Kitaoka Hiroko , Xi Jinxiang
Published: January 2021

One hallmark of emphysema is the breakdown of inter-alveolar septal walls in pulmonary acini. How the acinar dosimetry of environmental aerosols varies at different stages of emphysema remains unclear; this is specifically pertinent to users of tobacco products, which is the leading cause of emphysema. The objective of this study is to systematically assess the impacts of septal destruction on the behavior and fate of nanoparticles (1–800 nm) in a pyramid-shaped sub-acinar model consisting of 496 alveoli. Four diseased geometry variants were created by gradually removing the septal walls from the base model. Particle motions within the acinar region were tracked for particles raging 1–800 nm at four emphysema stages using a well-tested Lagrangian tracking model. Both spatial profile and temporal variation of particle deposition were predicted in healthy and diseased sub-acinar geometries on both a total and regional basis. Results show large differences in airflow and particle dynamics among different emphysema stages. Large differences in particle dynamics are also observed among different particle sizes, with one order of magnitude’s variation in the speeds of particles of 1, 10, and 200 nm. The destruction of septal walls also changed the deposition mechanisms, shifting from connective diffusion to chaotic mixing with emphysema progression. The sub-acinar dosimetry became less sensitive to particle size variation with more septal destructions. The lowest retention rate was found at 200–500 nm in the healthy sub-acinar geometry, but at 800 nm in all emphysematous models considered. The acinus-averaged dose for nanoparticles (1–800 nm) increases with aggravating septal destructions, indicating an even higher risk to the acinus at later emphysema stages.
Ancient Egypt: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Shaw Ian
Published: January 2021

Ancient Egypt: A Very Short Introduction explores the history and culture of pharaonic Egypt, including ideas about Egyptian kingship, religion, ethics, customs, and writing systems. The ancient Egyptians are an enduring source of fascination and mystery; for generations, mummies and pyramids, curses and rituals have captured the imagination. This VSI draws on the latest archaeological discoveries and scholarship on ancient Egypt. It considers issues relating to the history of Egyptology, ethnicity, race, gender, and sexual relations. Moreover, it examines the impact of the Arab Spring on approaches to Egyptian museums and cultural heritage all over the world.
4. Writing
Authors: Shaw Ian
Published: January 2021

‘Writing’ focuses on Egyptian writing. Egyptian hieroglyphs consist of ideograms and phonetic signs representing the sound of all or part of a spoken word. The connections between writing and art were therefore much stronger in pharaonic Egypt than in many other cultures. The Narmer Palette reveals some interesting facts about the origins of Egyptian writing. The general assumption was that the first examples of the Sumerian cuneiform writing system appeared significantly earlier than the Egyptian hieroglyphs. This assumption was somewhat unravelled by archaeological discoveries made at the excavations at tomb U-j during the 1990s. What can the use and abuse of texts in Egyptology tell us?
Neoliberalism challenged
Authors: Steger Manfred B. , Roy Ravi K.
Published: January 2021

This chapter studies the challenges to neoliberalism in the 21st century. The most serious challenge to the dominant neoliberal framework occurred in 2008, when the collapse of the American over-valued real-estate market triggered the global financial crisis. Reacting to rising economic and cultural tensions in a globalizing world, nationalist forces on the political Right were also gathering strength in the 2010s. National populists blamed neoliberal globalization for economic decline and cultural decay. To get a better sense of the nature of national populism's challenge to neoliberalism, the chapter examines the mixed ideological and policy framework of Trumpism. It then assesses the future of neoliberalism.
Ethics: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Blackburn Simon
Published: January 2021

Ethics: A Very Short Introduction highlights the importance of an understanding of approaches to ethics and its foundations. Today, we are confronted with an uncertain world of eroding trust, swirling conspiracy theories, and a dismaying loss of respect in public discourse. Our self-image as moral, well-behaved creatures is dogged by scepticism, relativism, hypocrisy, and nihilism, and by the fear that science has unmasked us as creatures fated by our genes to be selfish, competitive, and aggressive. This VSI tackles the major moral questions surrounding birth, death, happiness, desire, and freedom. It shows us how we should think about the meaning of life.
The American South
Authors: Wilson Charles Reagan
Published: January 2021

The American South: A Very Short Introduction explores the American South, a distinctive place with a dramatic history. It is a cultural crossroads, where Western Europe met West Africa in a colonial slave society. The Civil War and civil rights movement transformed the South and remain a part of a vibrant and contested public memory. Moreover, the South's pronounced traditionalism in customs and values have always contended with the forces of modernization and the continuing challenges of racial tension. This VSI looks at Southerners' diverse creative responses to these experiences, in literature, film, music, and cuisine, which have had worldwide influence.
2. Section to nation
Authors: Wilson Charles Reagan
Published: January 2021

‘Section to nation’ examines how, by 1830, the American South had long had a predominantly agricultural economy. Its people soon idealized the agrarian republic that had taken shape after the American Revolution as the basis for an emerging sectional identity. Slavery was the basis of a productive economic system, in which the South was enmeshed with northern merchants and traders and the whole financial world of England. The American Civil War undermined southern ideology dramatically through the emancipation of slaves. The Reconstruction era would be nearly equal to the Civil War in forging a self-conscious white southern identity.
A scoping review of education and training resources supporting care home staff in facilitating residents’ sexuality, intimacy and relational needs
Authors: Horne Maria , Youell Jane , Brown Laura J E , Simpson Paul , Dickinson Tommy , Brown-Wilson Christine
Published: January 2021

Background

Having positive intimate, sexual and relational experiences is an important issue for older adults in care settings, yet little is known on the extent to which nursing staff and care workers have received education or training in addressing and meeting these needs among older residents. This scoping review aimed to identify and examine what education and training resources exist to assist nursing staff and care workers to meet their residents’ needs in this area.

Methods and analysis

Using the Arksey and O’Malley framework, we systematically searched papers and grey literature to identify education interventions and resources that aimed to facilitate care home staff to meet their residents’ sexuality, intimacy and relational needs.

Results

Eleven studies (one dissertation) and three education resources met the inclusion criteria; most were conducted in the USA and Australia. Across the studies and resources identified, the education content was mixed and the methodology, presentation, design and duration varied widely. The focus of the education interventions and resources was to increase knowledge and improve and/or change attitudes towards the: (i) sexual expression of older people living in residential aged care, (ii) sexuality and ageing and (iii) expression of sexuality in people with dementia.

Conclusion

Few education interventions and training resources were identified. The findings suggest that education interventions can improve knowledge and/or change care staff attitudes, in the short-term, towards older people’s sexuality, intimacy and relational needs in care home settings, which can lead to facilitating staff to enhance person-centred care in this area of need.
Recent trends of invasive mechanical ventilation in older adults: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Bouza Carmen , Martínez-Alés Gonzalo , López-Cuadrado Teresa
Published: January 2021

Background

Critical care demand for older people is increasing. However, there is scarce population-based information about the use of life-support measures such as invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in this population segment.

Objective

To examine the characteristics and recent trends of IMV for older adults.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study on IMV in adults ≥65 years using the 2004–15 Spanish national hospital discharge database. Primary outcomes were incidence, inhospital mortality and resource utilization. Trends were assessed for average annual percentage change in rates using joinpoint regression models.

Results

233,038 cases were identified representing 1.27% of all-cause hospitalizations and a crude incidence of 248 cases/100,000 older adult population. Mean age was 75 years, 62% were men and 70% had comorbidities. Inhospital mortality was 48%. Across all ages, about 80% of survivors were discharged home. Incidence rates of IMV remained roughly unchanged over time with an average annual change of −0.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): −0.9, 0.6). Inhospital mortality decreased an annual average of −0.7% (95% CI: −0.5, −1.0), a trend detected across age groups and most clinical strata. Further, there was a 3.4% (95% CI: 3.0, 3.8) annual increase in the proportion of adults aged ≥80 years, an age group that showed higher mortality risk, lower frequency of prolonged IMV, shorter hospital stays and lower costs.

Conclusions

Overall rates of IMV remained roughly stable among older adults, while inhospital mortality showed a decreasing trend. There was a notable increase in adults aged ≥80 years, a group with high mortality and lower associated hospital resource use.
Emergency preparation and mitigation for COVID-19 response in an integrated pharmacy practice model
Authors: Moye Robert A , Mason Kim , Flatt Amy , Faircloth Barbara , Livermore Janisha , Brown Brittany , Furr Adam , Starnes Cassey , Yates John R , Hurt Robert
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this descriptive report is to share experiences in crisis response planning and risk mitigation at a university health system department of pharmacy with an integrated clinical practice model in the early months of the coronarvirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The department of pharmacy’s COVID-19 pandemic response included successful planning and implementation of measures to maintain pharmacy operations and minimize COVID-19 exposure of patients and staff. These measures included ensuring adequate personnel staffing using flexible staffing solutions, ongoing assessment of supply chain integrity, and continuation of integrated clinical pharmacy services 24/7 throughout the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Information technology (IT) and educational program modifications are also discussed.

Conclusion

This report describes successful crisis planning and risk mitigation in the setting of COVID-19, which was facilitated by the department of pharmacy’s integrated clinical practice model. This model enabled uninterrupted personnel scheduling, supply chain integrity, continued provision of 24/7 integrated clinical services, adaptive use of IT tools, and continuation of educational programs. The experiences described may be instructive to other pharmacy departments in evaluating their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in planning for similar pandemic or other emergency scenarios.
Foliar nutrient allocation patterns in Banksia attenuata and Banksia sessilis differing in growth rate and adaptation to low-phosphorus habitats
Authors: Han Zhongming , Shi Jianmin , Pang Jiayin , Yan Li , Finnegan Patrick M , Lambers Hans
Published: January 2021

Background and Aims

Phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) are essential nutrients that frequently limit primary productivity in terrestrial ecosystems. Efficient use of these nutrients is important for plants growing in nutrient-poor environments. Plants generally reduce foliar P concentration in response to low soil P availability. We aimed to assess ecophysiological mechanisms and adaptive strategies for efficient use of P in Banksia attenuata (Proteaceae), naturally occurring on deep sand, and B. sessilis, occurring on shallow sand over laterite or limestone, by comparing the allocation of P among foliar P fractions.

Methods

We carried out pot experiments with slow-growing B. attenuata, which resprouts after fire, and faster growing opportunistic B. sessilis, which is killed by fire, on substrates with different P availability using a randomized complete block design. We measured leaf P and N concentrations, photosynthesis, leaf mass per area, relative growth rate and P allocated to major biochemical fractions in B. attenuata and B. sessilis.

Key Results

The two species had similarly low foliar total P concentrations, but distinct patterns of P allocation to P-containing fractions. The foliar total N concentration of B. sessilis was greater than that of B. attenuata on all substrates. The foliar total P and N concentrations in both species decreased with decreasing P availability. The relative growth rate of both species was positively correlated with concentrations of both foliar nucleic acid P and total N, but there was no correlation with other P fractions. Faster growing B. sessilis allocated more P to nucleic acids than B. attenuata did, but other fractions were similar.

Conclusions

The nutrient allocation patterns in faster growing opportunistic B. sessilis and slower growing B. attenuata revealed different strategies in response to soil P availability which matched their contrasting growth strategy.
The growth trajectories of L2 self-efficacy and its effects on L2 learning: Using a curve-of-factors model
Authors: Young Kyo O H
Published: January 2021

Numerous empirical studies confirm the role of self-efficacy in the foreign/second language (L2) learning context. Despite this, few studies have explored the construct of L2 English self-efficacy (L2 self-efficacy) from a longitudinal perspective. This study investigates the developmental features of self-efficacy in English L2 learning by focusing on two research questions: first, whether L2 self-efficacy is a changeable construct, and second, whether L2 self-efficacy growth factors affect L2 English learning outcomes over time. A sample was obtained from the Gyeonggi Education Panel Study (N = 4,501; 1,967 female, 2,084 male) from 63 secondary schools in South Korea. The curve-of-factor model approach using Mplus 8.4 revealed that L2 self-efficacy slightly increased over three years. Furthermore, the growth of L2 self-efficacy beliefs was positively associated with L2 learning outcome-related variables including L2 class comprehension, L2 class engagement, and L2 achievement, after controlling for the effect of prior attainment and family socioeconomic factors. The findings are discussed in terms of applied language teaching and learning practices, the pedagogical implications in second language acquisition, and further research.
Presence of an EML4-ALK gene fusion detected by microfluidic chip DNA hybridization
Authors: Boparai Montek , Oberc Christopher , Li Paul C H
Published: January 2021

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for ∼80-85% of all lung cancer cases, and the EML4-ALK fusion oncogene is a well-known contributor to NSCLC cases. Expensive methods such as FISH, IHC, and NGS have been used to detect the EML4-ALK fusion oncogene. Here, a cost-effective and facile method of detecting and differentiating an EML4-ALK fusion oncogene from the wild-type gene has been accomplished by DNA hybridization using the microfluidic biochip. First, oligonucleotide probes were confirmed for successful detection of immobilized sense strands. Second, capture of the sense PCR product strands (fusion and WT) and their subsequent detection and differentiation were accomplished. Our proof-of-concept study shows the ability to detect 1% fusion products, among WT ones.
Development of an itraconazole resistance gene as a dominant selectable marker for transformation in Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus luchuensis
Authors: Tokashiki Jikian , Toyama Hirohide , Mizutani Osamu
Published: January 2021

There are only a few combinations of antifungal drugs with known resistance marker genes in the Aspergillus species; therefore, the transformation of their wild-type strains is limited. In this study, to develop the novel dominant selectable marker for itraconazole, a fungal cell membrane synthesis inhibitor, we focused on Aspergillus luchuensis cyp51A (Alcyp51A), which encodes a 14-α-sterol demethylase related to the steroid synthesis pathway. We found that the G52R mutation in AlCyp51A and the replacement of the native promoter with a high-expression promoter contributed to itraconazole resistance in Aspergillus oryzae, designated as itraconazole resistant gene (itrA). The random integration in the A. luchuensis genome of the itrA marker cassette gene also allowed for transformation using itraconazole. Therefore, we succeed in developing a novel itraconazole resistance marker as a dominant selectable marker for transformation in A. oryzae and A. luchuensis.
Well Plate Maker: a user-friendly randomized block design application to limit batch effects in large-scale biomedical studies
Authors: Borges Hélène , Hesse Anne-Marie , Kraut Alexandra , Couté Yohann , Brun Virginie , Burger Thomas
Published: January 2021

Many factors can influence results in clinical research, in particular bias in the distribution of samples prior to biochemical preparation. Well Plate Maker is a user-friendly application to design single- or multiple-well plate assays. It allows multiple group experiments to be randomized and therefore helps to reduce possible batch effects. Although primarily fathered to optimize the design of clinical sample analysis by high throughput mass spectrometry (e.g. proteomics or metabolomics), it includes multiple options to limit edge-of-plate effects, to incorporate control samples or to limit cross-contamination. It thus fits the constraints of many experimental fields.

Availability and implementation

Well Plate Maker is implemented in R and available at Bioconductor repository (https://bioconductor.org/packages/wpm) under the open source Artistic 2.0 license. In addition to classical scripting, it can be used through a graphical user interface, developed with Shiny technology.
Continual representation learning for evolving biomedical bipartite networks
Authors: Jha Kishlay , Xun Guangxu , Zhang Aidong
Published: January 2021

Motivation

Many real-world biomedical interactions such as ‘gene-disease’, ‘disease-symptom’ and ‘drug-target’ are modeled as a bipartite network structure. Learning meaningful representations for such networks is a fundamental problem in the research area of Network Representation Learning (NRL). NRL approaches aim to translate the network structure into low-dimensional vector representations that are useful to a variety of biomedical applications. Despite significant advances, the existing approaches still have certain limitations. First, a majority of these approaches do not model the unique topological properties of bipartite networks. Consequently, their straightforward application to the bipartite graphs yields unsatisfactory results. Second, the existing approaches typically learn representations from static networks. This is limiting for the biomedical bipartite networks that evolve at a rapid pace, and thus necessitate the development of approaches that can update the representations in an online fashion.

Results

In this research, we propose a novel representation learning approach that accurately preserves the intricate bipartite structure, and efficiently updates the node representations. Specifically, we design a customized autoencoder that captures the proximity relationship between nodes participating in the bipartite bicliques (2 × 2 sub-graph), while preserving both the global and local structures. Moreover, the proposed structure-preserving technique is carefully interleaved with the central tenets of continual machine learning to design an incremental learning strategy that updates the node representations in an online manner. Taken together, the proposed approach produces meaningful representations with high fidelity and computational efficiency. Extensive experiments conducted on several biomedical bipartite networks validate the effectiveness and rationality of the proposed approach.
Accurate haplotype-resolved assembly reveals the origin of structural variants for human trios
Authors: Xu Mengyang , Guo Lidong , Du Xiao , Li Lei , Peters Brock A , Deng Li , Wang Ou , Chen Fang , Wang Jun , Jiang Zhesheng , Han Jinglin , Ni Ming , Yang Huanming , Xu Xun , Liu Xin , Huang Jie , Fan Guangyi
Published: January 2021

Motivation

Achieving a near complete understanding of how the genome of an individual affects the phenotypes of that individual requires deciphering the order of variations along homologous chromosomes in species with diploid genomes. However, true diploid assembly of long-range haplotypes remains challenging.

Results

To address this, we have developed Haplotype-resolved Assembly for Synthetic long reads using a Trio-binning strategy, or HAST, which uses parental information to classify reads into maternal or paternal. Once sorted, these reads are used to independently de novo assemble the parent-specific haplotypes. We applied HAST to cobarcoded second-generation sequencing data from an Asian individual, resulting in a haplotype assembly covering 94.7% of the reference genome with a scaffold N50 longer than 11 Mb. The high haplotyping precision (∼99.7%) and recall (∼95.9%) represents a substantial improvement over the commonly used tool for assembling cobarcoded reads (Supernova), and is comparable to a trio-binning-based third generation long-read-based assembly method (TrioCanu) but with a significantly higher single-base accuracy [up to 99.99997% (Q65)]. This makes HAST a superior tool for accurate haplotyping and future haplotype-based studies.

Availability and implementation

The code of the analysis is available at https://github.com/BGI-Qingdao/HAST

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Can Genomics Remove Uncertainty from Adoption? Social Workers’ and Medical Advisors’ Accounts of Genetic Testing
Authors: Arribas-Ayllon Michael , Shelton Katherine , Clarke Angus
Published: January 2021

Genetic testing is controversial in adoption with professionals taking different positions on whether children should be protected from genetic information or whether it can be used to assist adoption. In this article, we argue that advances in ‘genome-wide’ testing add further complications to these debates. Although next-generation sequencing (NGS) and microarray-based technologies can offer high-quality molecular diagnoses for a variety of conditions, they also increase the burden of interpretation. For these reasons, adoption professionals will need to understand the relevance and complexity of biomedical information. Our study explores the accounts of social workers’ and medical advisors’ knowledge and reasoning about genetic testing in adoption. Twenty participants, including social workers, managers, medical advisors and paediatricians, were recruited from adoption services in England and Wales. A key finding revealed that medical professionals reported increasing pressure to test children prior to adoption, whilst social workers justified testing on the basis that it reduced uncertainty and therefore assisted adoption. Professionals’ accounts of genetic testing suggest that social workers may not be aware of the potential indeterminacy of microarray and NGS technologies. This has important implications for adoption because increases in genomic uncertainty can stigmatise children and disadvantage their prospects for adoption.