bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of LiNi and VNi acceptor levels in doped nickel oxide
Authors: Karsthof Robert , von Wenckstern Holger , Olsen Vegard Skiftestad , Grundmann Marius
Published: December 2020

Nickel oxide, in particular in its doped, semiconducting form, is an important component of several optoelectronic devices. Doped NiO is commonly achieved either by incorporation of lithium, which readily occupies Ni sites substitutionally, producing the LiNi acceptor, or by supplying reactive oxygen species during NiO film deposition, which leads to the formation of Ni vacancies (VNi). However, the energetic position of these acceptors in the NiO bandgap has not been experimentally determined until today. In this work, we close this knowledge gap by studying rectifying n++p heterojunctions consisting of NiO thin films grown on top of fluorine-doped tin oxide. These structures show sufficient rectification to perform electric characterization by defect spectroscopic techniques, specifically capacitance–voltage and thermal admittance spectroscopy. Using these methods, the (0/−) charge transition levels are determined to be 190 meV and 409 meV above the valence band edge for the LiNi and the VNi acceptor, respectively.
Folded metaporous material for sub-wavelength and broadband perfect sound absorption
Authors: Boulvert Jean , Costa-Baptista Josué , Cavalieri Théo , Romero-García Vicente , Gabard Gwénaël , Fotsing Edith Roland , Ross Annie , Perna Maxime , Mardjono Jacky , Groby Jean-Philippe
Published: December 2020

This Letter reports a folded metaporous surface optimized to achieve sub-wavelength and broadband perfect absorption. Its unit cell is composed of four different helicoidal cavities filled by porous media, which are structured and quasi-isotropic micro-lattices with a variable lattice constant. The effective thickness and intrinsic losses of each helicoidal cavity can be adjusted independently by varying their macro- and micro-structures, namely, the number of revolution of the folded structure and the lattice constant of the micro-lattice. An analytical model predicting the physical properties of this metaporous surface is developed. The macro- and micro-structures are then jointly optimized for sub-wavelength broadband perfect absorption. Finally, the system is 3D printed and experimentally tested. The experimental results are found to be in good agreement with the theory and show an almost perfect absorption over a frequency range out of reach for the homogeneous constitutive porous medium and the only helicoidal cavities.
Persistent phosphors for the future: Fit for the right application
Authors: Poelman Dirk , Van der Heggen David , Du Jiaren , Cosaert Ewoud , Smet Philippe F.
Published: December 2020

When the bright green-emitting SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy persistent phosphor was described in the literature in 1996, this presented a real breakthrough in performance, both in terms of initial brightness and afterglow duration. Since then, many new persistent phosphors, with emission spanning from the ultraviolet to the near infrared, have been developed. Very few materials, however, reach a similar afterglow time and intensity as SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy, which is still considered the benchmark phosphor. The present paper discusses the reasons for this—seemingly—fundamental limitation and gives directions for further improvements. An overview is given of the preparation methods of persistent phosphors and their properties. Much attention is paid to the correct evaluation of a persistent phosphor in absolute units rather than vague terms or definitions. State of the art persistent phosphors are currently used extensively in emergency signage, indicators, and toys. Many more applications could be possible by tuning the range of trap depths used for energy storage. Very shallow traps could be used for temperature monitoring in, for example, cryopreservation. Deeper traps are useful for x-ray imaging and dosimetry. Next to these applications, a critical evaluation is made of the possibilities of persistent phosphors for applications such as solar energy storage and photocatalysis.
Moving into the next ten years
Authors: Leap William L.
Published: December 2020

This paper begins by introducing the Special Issue of theJournal of Language and Sexuality. Then the paper shifts focus, to consider concerns that have shaped studies of language and sexuality over the past ten years and are shaping these studies’ immediate and emerging interests. The paper also considers how theJournalcould support these interests in language and sexuality oriented in terms of a “mesh of possibilities …” (Sedgwick 1993: 8) rather than psychosocial processes, masculine/feminine binaries, or hetero/homosexual hierarchies.
An open letter to the editors of the Journal of Language and Sexuality
Authors: Lane Nikki
Published: December 2020

In this open letter, I ask the editors of the Journal and its readers, to reflect on the Journal’s relationship to
studies of language and Black sexuality, and consider new ways to reach scholars of Black life, culture, and language. Studies of
Black language practices rarely deal with the ways that Black language practices are often complicated by gender/sexuality. And
yet, there are scholars doing this work, but like Queer Linguistics, it often doesn’t “look” that way that
typical studies of language are supposed to look. This is because linguistics and linguistic anthropology as
disciplines have often failed to capture the imagination and attention of these scholars; it is not because studies of Black
sexuality and language do not exist. I encourage the Journal then to seek out these studies and to do so with a sense of
urgency.
“Ties that bind”
Authors: Webster Lexi
Published: December 2020

Few in the humanities and social sciences will doubt the long-standing historical conflation of sex, sexuality and
gender both within and without academia. Despite research and socio-political movements aiming for the contrary, it continues even
now. This paper discusses the ongoing conflation between these interrelated but independent social categories in current
linguistic research, including how it can serve to reflect and reinforce socio-political antagonism outside of academia. I propose
two potential directions of travel: (1) welcoming ideological pluralism between scholars on the primacy of either sex, gender or
sexuality; and (2) horizontally disaggregating the three categories. I argue that engaging with both strategies in tandem serves
to benefit researchers, participants and the public. The former encourages trust in academic research during a time wherein that
trust is waning. The latter enables an analytical distinction between sex, gender, and sexuality in linguistic research, whilst
continuing to acknowledge their interrelatedness. Implemented together, they will allow researchers to embed research in the 21st
century, which entails pluralistic and competing socio-political activism between equally deserving groups.
Nuance and normativity in trans linguistic research
Authors: Konnelly Lex
Published: December 2020

Whilenormativityhas been central to queer linguistic research, the emergent field of trans linguistics provides opportunities for greater nuance and elaboration on the concept. Drawing from interviews with non-binary people documenting their narratives of doctor-patient visits, I present a series of recounted interactional moments where what might be considered ‘normative’ is in fact a survival strategy, highlighting how we might view certain invocations of the transnormative (Johnson 2016) in more complicated ways. Notions ofnormativityandauthenticity, which are too often weaponized against trans people as a means to measure their ‘success’ in approximating cisheteronormative ideals, are not easily transported from queer linguistics to trans linguistics. As concepts imbricated with a history of violence for trans people, they must be treated with care and responsibility, as part of an active devotion to dismantling transphobia.
Assay of potassium hydrogen phthalate
Authors: Liandi MA , Bing WU , Ortiz-Aparicio José Luis , Rivera-Sánchez Griselda , Manzano Judith Velina Lara , Waters Jason F , Mariassy Michal
Published: December 2020

Main text

The CCQM-K34.2016.1 was organized as a subsequent key comparison of CCQM-K34.2016 assay of potassium hydrogen phthalate to demonstrate the improved capability of the laboratories which did not perform well in the original CCQM-K34.2016. The key comparisons were organized jointly by the working groups of inorganic analysis and electrochemistry analysis. National Institute of Metrology P. R. China (NIM) acted as the coordinating laboratory, and NIM and SMU (Slovak Institute of Metrology) served as linking laboratories to link to the CCQM-K34.2016 key comparison reference value (KCRV). CENAM, NIST and VNIIFTRI registered in K34.2016.1, however, VNIIFTRI gave up participating in the comparison due to failure to get the samples through the customs clearance in Russia. All participants used constant current coulometry for measurement, and improved capabilities were demonstrated.

The scope is same as in CCQM-K34.2016. The comparison tested the capabilities and methods used for assay of high purity materials. Good result indicates good performance in assaying the purity （amount content）of solid weak acids.

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Carbonaceous-MoS2 nanoflower-based counter electrodes for bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Francis Mathew K , Balaji Bhargav P , Santhosh N , Ahmed Nafis , Balaji C , Govindaraj R
Published: December 2020

MoS2-based transition metal dichalcogenide nanoflowers are synthesized using the hydrothermal method and their potential as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is examined. Structural analysis of synthesized MoS2 is analysed using x-ray diffraction spectra and Raman spectroscopy. The morphology and microstructural properties are investigated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, respectively. DSSCs are fabricated using different counter electrodes (MoS2, MoS2-carbon black and MoS2-high conductive carbon paste (HCP)), which are deposited using a simple spin-coating method and annealed at a temperature of 80 °C. The electrochemical properties of the fabricated counter electrodes are studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Among the different counter electrodes, MoS2–HCP shows better electrochemical performance. The high electrocatalytic and conducting nature of the MoS2–HCP-based counter electrode produces 5% power conversion efficiency, which is comparable to expensive Pt-based counter electrodes (5.4%). To demonstrate the bifacial concept of DSSC, 2.2% power conversion efficiency is attained with rear-side illumination under one sun (100 mW cm−2, AM 1.5 G).
Nonlinear propagation of an intense Laguerre–Gaussian laser pulse in a plasma channel*
Authors: Liu Mingping , Zhang Zhen , Deng Suhui
Published: December 2020

The nonlinear propagation of an intense Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) laser pulse in a parabolic preformed plasma channel is analyzed by means of the variational method. The evolution equation of the spot size is derived including the effects of relativistic self-focusing, preformed channel focusing, and ponderomotive self-channeling. The parametric conditions of the LG laser pulse and plasma channel for propagating with constant spot size, periodically focusing and defocusing oscillation, catastrophic focusing, and solitary waves are obtained. Compared with the laser pulse with fundamental Gaussian (FG) mode, it is found that the effect of vacuum diffraction is reduced by half and the effects of relativistic and wakefield focusing are decreased by a quarter due to the hollow transverse intensity profile of the LG laser pulse, while the effect of channel focusing is the same order of magnitude with that of the FG laser pulse. Thus, the matched condition for the intense LG laser pulse with constant spot size is released obviously, while the parameters of the laser and plasma for the existence of solitary waves nearly coincide with those of the FG laser pulse.
On the occurrence of the worst drought in South Asia in the observed and future climate
Authors: Aadhar Saran , Mishra Vimal
Published: December 2020

Droughts in South Asia pose substantial challenges to water resources, agricultural, and socio-economic growth of more than two billion people. However, the most detrimental soil moisture droughts, their impacts, and occurrence in the observed and projected climate in South Asia remain unidentified. We conducted soil moisture simulations using the variable infiltration capacity model and meteorological forcing based on the four global observational products (Climate Research Unit, WATCH-Forcing-Data-ERA-Interim, University of Delaware, and Princeton) to identify the worst soil moisture drought during 1951–2016. The worst soil moisture drought during the observed record occurred in 2002 and affected more than 65% of South Asia and resulted in a decline in rice yield (∼400 kg ha−1). A large uncertainty based on the four observational products was found in the number of drought spells and their characteristics. We estimated the frequency of droughts that exceeded the overall severity score of the worst drought during 1951–2016 under the future climate using 40 simulations from Community Earth System Model-Large Ensemble. The frequency of the worst droughts is projected to increase by about 1.5 times in the future (2035–2100) in comparison to the historic (1951–2016) climate. The worst droughts in the future are likely to be more intense and widespread in South Asia. A considerable influence of industrial aerosols was found on the occurrence of the worst droughts in South Asia. Our findings have implications for food and water security in one of the most densely populated regions in the world.
Permafrost sensitivity to global warming of 1.5 °C and 2 °C in the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Liu Lei , Zhao Dongsheng , Wei Junqi , Zhuang Qianlai , Gao Xuan , Zhu Yu , Zhang Jiacheng , Guo Caiyun , Zheng Du
Published: December 2020

Permafrost degradation induced by climate warming is widely observed in the Northern Hemisphere. However, changes in permafrost sensitivity to climate warming (PSCW) in the future remains unclear. This study examined the changes in permafrost distribution in the Northern Hemisphere under global warming of 1.5 °C and 2 °C, and then characterized the spatial and temporal characteristics of PSCW. Global warming of 1.5 °C and 2 °C would result in 17.8 ± 5.3% and 28.3 ± 7.2% degradation of permafrost area under the climate scenario of Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5, respectively, and 18.7 ± 4.6% and 28.1 ± 7.2% under the RCP 8.5, respectively. Permafrost tends to be more sensitive to climate change under the RCP 8.5 than RCP 4.5. PSCW shows small temporal variations in the 21st century under both RCPs, indicating a relatively stable sensitivity to warming on a hemisphere scale. However, PSCW varies greatly among regions, with high values at low latitudes and low values towards high latitudes. Air temperature is a major cause for the spatial heterogeneity of PSCW, explaining 66% of its variations. Permafrost under a warmer climate scenario tends to be more sensitive to the warming. Reducing snow depth and rising air temperature collectively enhances the permafrost sensitivity. Increasing in soil water content, by contrast, reduces the effect of warming. Permafrost in the south of the Northern Hemisphere is most vulnerable to climate warming. Our study highlights that permafrost in the region will respond differently under different warming scenarios across space (e.g. north vs south) and time (e.g. summer vs winter) in this century.
An algorithm for simulating Brownian increments on a sphere
Authors: Mijatović Aleksandar , Mramor Veno , Bravo Gerónimo Uribe
Published: December 2020

This paper presents a novel formula for the transition density of the Brownian motion on a sphere of any dimension and discusses an algorithm for the simulation of the increments of the spherical Brownian motion based on this formula. The formula for the density is derived from an observation that a suitably transformed radial process (with respect to the geodesic distance) can be identified as a Wright–Fisher diffusion process. Such processes satisfy a duality (a kind of symmetry) with a certain coalescent processes and this in turn yields a spectral representation of the transition density, which can be used for exact simulation of their increments using the results of Jenkins and Spanò (2017 Ann. Appl. Probab.
27 1478–09). The symmetry then yields the algorithm for the simulation of the increments of the Brownian motion on a sphere. We analyse the algorithm numerically and show that it remains stable when the time-step parameter is not too small.
High-performance large-area WS2-based transistors by a novel tin-oxide assisted liquid-phase exfoliation: doping adjustment by plasma treatment
Authors: Esfandiari Mehrnaz , Kamaei Sadegh , Rajabali Mona , Mohajerzadeh Shamosddin
Published: December 2020

We report a novel strategy to stitch small WS2 flakes to form larger features in liquid-phase exfoliation. Owing to the initial granular size of the bulk WS2, which, is around 2 µm, the use of conventional liquid-based exfoliation techniques leads to small area nanoflakes with sizes around 1 μm. However, by joining smaller flakes through tin-oxide quantum dot (SnO2 QD) decoration during probe sonication, sheets up to 20 μm are achieved. The neighboring flakes could stitch together to form larger features through the Sn–S and Sn–O bonds at their lateral sides of their flakes and to realize mosaic arrangement of arbitrary shaped larger sheets. While the original WS2 flakes show n-type behavior, an interesting conversion into a p-channel behavior is observed upon addition of SnO2 QDs followed by additional SF6 plasma treatment process. Additionally, we have investigated the use of SF6 plasma treatment to enhance the carrier mobility and on-off ratio of the field effect transistors, yielding an effective field-effect-mobility of 80 cm2 V−1 s−1 and relatively high on/off current ratio of 105, indicating its superior electronic properties.
Defect-nucleated phase transition in atomically-thin WS2
Authors: Zhang Zhenhua , Liu Weiwei , Zhang Bin , Sateesh Bandaru , Yuan Lijun , Zhu Dancheng , Guan Pengfei , Pennycook Stephen J , Guo Junjie
Published: December 2020

Precise control of phase transitions in polymorphic 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is expected to play a key role in modern intelligent devices. However, an atomic-scale understanding and thus control of the phase transitions in the atomically-thin TMDs have not been reached, especially in some metastable phases. Here, in metastable monolayer 1T′ WS2, we demonstrate the dynamics of a phase transition nucleated from atomic defects by the means of time-resolved annular dark-field imaging and atomic-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy. It is found that the atomic and electronic structure of the 1T′ phase is inhomogeneous, which is decided by zone-dependent W–S bond strengths due to a Peierls-like structure distortion. Meanwhile, the W–S bonding is flexible to allow large nonequilibrium atom shifts for phase transition. Thus, just a few atomic defects can stabilize the atomic-scale nucleus of the new phase to initialize the phase transition from 1T′ to 1H locally. Our finding reveals the possibility of controlling the phase transitions in 2D materials by defect engineering.
Coal-fly-ash magnetic sphere based magnetic adsorbent for multiple-dye adsorption
Authors: Li Meng , Li Jianjun , Peng Xujie , Hu Tianyu , Zhang Liting , Rong Xin , Xue Changguo , Xu Linfeng
Published: December 2020

Owing to the synergetic characteristics of effective adsorption and magnetic separation, adsorption using magnetic adsorbents was regarded as one of the most promising methods for synthetic dye removal. Herein, a green, cheap, and efficient magnetic adsorbent was synthesized by a simple chemical oxidation in situ polymerization method. Processed coal-fly-ash magnetic spheres (CMS) were employed as the magnetic core material. A polyaniline (PANI) layer was covered on the CMS@SiO2 surface to form a core–shell structural magnetic adsorbent, CMS@SiO2@PANI. Careful investigations showed that the PANI layer was composed of nanorods of dozen nanometers in width and several microns in length, which forms an interconnected network and covers the overall surface of the core. The saturation magnetization of CMS@SiO2@PANI is as high as 30.99 emu·g−1, enabling efficient magnetic separation. It showed high selective adsorption for various synthetic dyes. The highest adsorption capacity for cationic dyes Methyl Orange and Congo Red was tested as 216.72 and 413.49 mg g−1 at pH 3, respectively, while that for anionic dyes Methylene Blue and Rhodamine B were 108.65 and 41.49 mg g−1 at pH 11, respectively. Systematic adsorption studies suggest that the pH value of the water has a significant influence on the surface properties of PANI, as well as the molecular structure and functional groups of the dyes. This could affect the interaction between PANI and dye molecules significantly. Thus, the multiple-dye adsorption performance of CMS@SiO2@PANI could be adjusted by adjusting the pH value. The adsorption kinetics and isothermal simulation results show that the dye adsorption is dominated by the monolayer chemical adsorption, and electrostatic attraction plays a vital role in the adsorption process. The multiple-dye adsorption of CMS@SiO2@PANI could be explained as a two-step process.
Magnetic characteristics of LaMnO3+δ
thin films deposited by RF magnetron sputtering in an O2/Ar mixture gas
Authors: Yufeng Chen , Wang Geming , Zhengfeng Sun , Shenggao Wang , Yangwu Mao , Quanrong Deng , Jingjing Yang
Published: December 2020

In this work, LaMnO3+δ
thin films have been successfully fabricated by RF magnetron sputtering using different O2/Ar flux ratios. The crystal structures, morphologies, stoichiometry, surface chemical states and magnetic properties of films are thoroughly characterized by x-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Raman spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The magnetic characteristics of LaMnO3+δ
films are systematically studied with the transformation from Mn3+ to Mn4+, which is strongly controlled by the deposited O2/Ar flux ratios. We demonstrate that LaMnO3+δ
films undergo an antiferromagnet, the coexistence of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism and a robust ferromagnetism ordering by the variation of Mn3+/Mn4+ ratios. The LMO film deposited in pure argon atmosphere shows negligible FM signal and an inconspicuous TC. With the increase of deposited O2/Ar flux ratios, the Curie temperature of LMO films increases from 100 K to 224 K and then decreases to 140 K and meanwhile the irreversibility temperature fluctuates between 24 K and 100 K. The appearance of cluster glass state and the unexpected exchange bias phenomenon where the film deposited at highest O2/Ar flux ratio has a HEB ∼ 115 Oe is observed. All these evolutions of magnetization characteristics are discussed in terms of the strength of ferromagnetic interactions and the degree of competition between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions in LaMnO3+δ
films. Our work serves as prerequisites for LaMnO3-based magnetic heterostructures grown by RF magnetron sputtering.
Effect of edge turbulent transport on scrape-off layer width on HL-2A tokamak
Authors: WU Ting , XU Min , NIE Lin , YU Yi , XU Jianqiang , LONG Ting , HE Yu , CHENG Jun , YAN Longwen , HUANG Zhihui , KE Rui , SHI Peng , WANG Shuo , LIU Bing
Published: December 2020

Effect of edge turbulent transport on scrape-off layer (SOL) width has been investigated in Ohmically heated L-mode plasma under limiter configurations on HL-2A tokamak. It has been found that SOL width is doubled when plasma current decreases about 20%. With larger plasma current, E × B shear is stronger and has greater suppression effect on edge turbulent transport. SOL width is larger when power of relative density fluctuation level in the edge region is larger. It is concluded that edge turbulent transport plays a significant role on SOL width. These experimental findings may provide a better understanding and controlling of power exhaust for present and future fusion devices.
A Model of Stock-Market-Based Rulemaking
Authors: Lee Yoon-Ho Alex
Published: December 2020

We consider the extent to which a government regulator can harness information about a proposed rule from observing the stock price movements of the affected firms—information the regulator may in turn use to deliberate whether to adopt the rule. The rule comes with an uninformed ex ante (expected) value, which can be positive or negative. We find that if the rule’s ex ante value is positive and the regulator fully relies on the aggregate market reaction to guide its decision, then with many firms in the market, prices will exhibit maximal informativeness. When the ex ante value is negative, however, the regulator’s reliance on the market will dampen speculators’ incentives to gather information, and prices will become completely uninformative. This latter effect, however, can be mitigated if the regulator’s reliance is only partial. We also consider the presence of stakeholders who may be motivated to manipulate the market to steer the regulator toward privately beneficial outcomes. We find that with many firms in the market, such stakeholders’ incentives to manipulate will dissipate. The theoretical findings of this article suggest the potential benefits of a stock-market-based rulemaking mechanism in the absence of other forms of reliable empirical evidence.
Two maize cultivars of contrasting leaf size show different leaf elongation rates with identical patterns of extension dynamics and coordination
Authors: Vidal Tiphaine , Aissaoui Hafssa , Rehali Sabrina , Andrieu Bruno
Published: December 2020

Simulating leaf development from initiation to maturity opens new possibilities to model plant–environment interactions and the plasticity of plant architecture. This study analyses the dynamics of leaf production and extension along a maize (Zea mays) shoot to assess important modelling choices. Maize plants from two cultivars originating from the same inbred line, yet differing in the length of mature leaves were used in this study. We characterized the dynamics of the blade and sheath lengths of all phytomers by dissecting plants every 2–3 days. We analysed how differences in leaf size were built up and we examined the coordination between the emergence of organs and phases of their extension. Leaf extension rates were higher in the cultivar with longer leaves than in the cultivar with shorter leaves; no differences were found in other aspects. We found that (i) first post-embryonic leaves were initiated at a markedly higher rate than upper leaves; (ii) below ear position, sheaths were initiated at a time intermediate between tip emergence and appearance, while above the ear position, sheaths were initiated at a high rate, such that the time interval between the blade and sheath initiations decreased for these leaves; and (iii) ear position also marked a change in the correlation in size between successive phytomers with little correlation of size between upper and lower leaves. Our results identified leaf extension rate as the reason for the difference in size between the two cultivars. The two cultivars shared the same pattern for the timing of initiation events, which was more complex than previously thought. The differences described here may explain some inaccuracies reported in functional–structural plant models. We speculate that genotypic variation in behaviour for leaf and sheath initiation exists, which has been little documented in former studies.
Incipient hybrid inferiority between recently introduced, diverging dung beetle populations
Authors: Macagno Anna L M , Edgerton Trevor J , Moczek Armin P
Published: December 2020

Understanding why and how certain clades emerge as speciation hotspots is a fundamental objective of evolutionary biology. Here we investigate divergences between exotic Onthophagus taurus, a dung beetle introduced into the USA and Australia in the 1970s, as a potential model for the widespread recent speciation events characterizing the genus Onthophagus. To do so, we hybridized O. taurus derived from Eastern US (EUS) and Western Australian (WA) populations, and assessed fitness-relevant trait expression in first- and second-generation hybrids. We found that dams invest more in offspring provisioning when paired with a sire from the same population, and that WA dams crossed with EUS sires produce smaller and lighter F1 hybrids, with an unexpectedly male-biased sex ratio. Furthermore, fewer F2 hybrids with vertically inherited WA cytoplasm and microbiome emerged compared with WA backcrosses with WA cytoplasm/microbiome, suggesting that combinations of nuclear genome, cytoplasm and/or microbiome may contribute to hybrid viability. Lastly, we document a dominance of WA genotypes over body size at the point of inflection between minor and major male morphs, a trait of significance in mate competition, which has diverged remarkably between these populations. We discuss our results in light of the evolutionary ecology of onthophagine beetles and the role of developmental evolution in clade diversification.
Has the GDPR hype affected users’ reaction to cookie disclaimers?
Authors: Kulyk Oksana , Gerber Nina , Hilt Annika , Volkamer Melanie
Published: December 2020

For many years, cookies have been widely used by websites, storing information about users’ behaviour. While enabling additional functionality and potentially improving user experience, cookies can be a threat to users’ privacy, especially cookies used by third parties for data analysis. Websites providers are legally required to inform users about cookie use by displaying a so-called cookie disclaimer. We conducted a survey study in 2017 to investigate how users perceive this disclaimer and whether it affects their actual behaviour. We found that while most participants had negative feelings towards the disclaimer, the disclaimer text had no significant effect on their decision to leave the website. Since the extensive media coverage of data protection issues that accompanied the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) entry into force in May 2018 may have sensitized users to privacy protection, we conducted a follow-up study in December 2018. Our results suggest that users did not change their attitude towards cookie use in favour of privacy protection, but got even more accustomed to the use of cookies, also by third parties. Moreover, many users seem to have misconceptions regarding cookie use. We discuss the implications of our results for the users’ right to make an informed decision about their privacy.
Left ventricular strain for predicting the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy: two methods for one question
Authors: Hubert Arnaud , Gallard Alban , Rolle Virginie Le , Smiseth Otto A , Leclercq Christophe , Voigt Jean-Uwe , Galli Elena , Galand Vincent , Hernandez Alfredo , Donal Erwan
Published: December 2020

Aims

Myocardial work (manually controlled software) and integral-derived longitudinal strain (automatic quantification of strain curves) are two promising tools to quantify dyssynchrony and potentially select the patients that are most likely to have a reverse remodelling due to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We sought to test and compare the value of these two methods in the prediction of CRT-response.

Materials and results

Two hundred and forty-three patients undergoing CRT-implantation from three European referral centres were considered. The characteristics from the six-segment of the four-chamber view were computed to obtain regional myocardial work and the automatically generated integrals of strain. The characteristics were studied in mono-parametric and multiparametric evaluations to predict CRT-induced 6-month reverse remodelling. For each characteristic, the performance to estimate the CRT response was determined with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the difference between the performances was statistically evaluated. The best area under the curve (AUC) when only one characteristic used was obtained for a myocardial work (AUC = 0.73) and the ROC curve was significantly better than the others. The best AUC for the integrals was 0.63, and the ROC curve was not significantly greater than the others. However, with the best combination of works and integrals, the ROC curves were not significantly different and the AUCs were 0.77 and 0.72.

Conclusion

Myocardial work used in a mono-parametric estimation of the CRT-response has better performance compared to other methods. However, in a multiparametric application such as what could be done in a machine-learning approach, the two methods provide similar results.
Commissural Malalignment as a Predictor of Coronary Artery Abnormalities in Patients with Transposition of Great Arteries
Authors: Al Nasef M , Alghamdi Mohammed H , Bello Valls Maria L , Zahrani Ahmed M , AlAkfash Ali , Ardah Husam I , Diranneya Obayda M , Alhabshan Fahad
Published: December 2020

Background

In patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA), commissural malalignment (CM) between semilunar valves may be associated with abnormal coronary (CA) pattern. We intend to assess the degree of CM with incidence of unusual CA anatomy.

Methods

We proposed a ratio to measure the distance of both ends of the anterior facing sinuses of the pulmonary valve from the facing commissure of the aortic valve. We labeled it as D1 and D2 distance. A ratio (C ratio) of the smaller distance (either D1 or D2 whichever is shorter) over the sum of both D1 and D2 was taken (D1 or D2 whichever is shorter/D1+D2). We related this ratio with the incidence of the unusual CA anatomy in D-TGA patients

Results

We had a total of 158 patients. We defined the point beyond which the C-Ratio becomes significantly associated with abnormal coronary artery pattern, this represents the median effective level (EL50). The EL50 of the C-Ratio was found to be equal to 31% (0.31). The prediction revealed that the CA pattern would most probably be usual when there is a minor commissural malalignment (C-Ratio less than the EL50) and most probably be unusual when there is a major malalignment (C-Ratio is greater than the EL50). The sensitivity was 71% and the specificity 88% (p-value <0.0001).

Conclusions

The C-Ratio helps to categorize the degree of CM as minor (less than 0.31) or major (more than 0.31). A higher C-Ratio predicts a higher incidence of unusual CA pattern
Theoretical adequacy, methodological quality and efficacy of online interventions targeting resilience: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Díaz-García Amanda , Franke Marvin , Herrero Rocio , Ebert David Daniel , Botella Cristina
Published: December 2020

Background

There is a growing interest in the promotion of mental health, and concepts as resilience are re-emerging and taking relevance. In addition, Information and Communication Technologies can provide potential benefits in the field of mental health, and the treatment of mental disorders in particular. This study aims to synthesize the evidence of internet-based resilience interventions, analyzing the theoretical adequacy, methodological quality and efficacy.

Methods

A systematic search was performed. The eligibility criteria stated for this article were: randomized controlled trials targeted at adults or adolescents and including any psychological intervention focussing on resilience in its rationale or design. Studies with direct (e.g. resilience scales) and proximal resilience measures (e.g. scales on well-being) were included. Risk of bias was assessed for each trial using Cochrane’s Collaboration Tool. Two reviewers worked independently in order to identify potential articles. A total of 11 articles were selected. A random-effects pooling model using the Hartung–Knapp–Sidik–Jonkman method based on direct and proximal resilience measures at post-test was used.

Results

The overall effects of online resilience training compared to control groups at post-test were not significant; the effect size concerning the improvement of resilience was g=0.12 (95% CI: −0.14 to 0.38). In addition, a potential association between the type of outcome and the effect size could be revealed.

Conclusions

The results of the present meta-analysis showed that the overall effect of online resilience trainings was not significant. Nonetheless, a tendency for a higher benefit for resilience was found in the studies with a clear assessment theory, indicating some promising effects.

Registration Number

PROSPERO CRD42018083339.
Chromosomal-Level Genome Assembly of Silver Sillago (Sillago sihama)
Authors: Lin Xinghua , Huang Yang , Jiang Dongneng , Chen Huapu , Deng Siping , Zhang Yulei , Du Tao , Zhu Chunhua , Li Guangli , Tian Changxu
Published: December 2020

Silver sillago, Sillago sihama is a member of the family Sillaginidae and found in all Chinese inshore waters. It is an emerging commercial marine aquaculture species in China. In this study, high-quality chromosome-level reference genome of S. sihama was first constructed using PacBio Sequel sequencing and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) technique. A total of 66.16 Gb clean reads were generated by PacBio sequencing platforms. The genome-scale was 521.63 Mb with 556 contigs, and 13.54 Mb of contig N50 length. Additionally, Hi-C scaffolding of the genome resulted in 24 chromosomes containing 96.93% of the total assembled sequences. A total of 23,959 protein-coding genes were predicted in the genome, and 96.51% of the genes were functionally annotated in public databases. A total of 71.86 Mb repetitive elements were detected, accounting for 13.78% of the genome. The phylogenetic relationships of silver sillago with other teleosts showed that silver sillago was separated from the common ancestor of Sillago sinica ∼7.92 Ma. Comparative genomic analysis of silver sillago with other teleosts showed that 45 unique and 100 expansion gene families were identified in silver sillago. In this study, the genomic resources provide valuable reference genomes for functional genomics research of silver sillago.
Age, Multiple Chronic Conditions, and COVID-19: A Literature Review
Authors: Tisminetzky Mayra , Delude Christopher , Hebert Tara , Carr Catherine , Goldberg Robert J , Gurwitz Jerry H
Published: December 2020

Background

Various patient demographic and clinical characteristics have been associated with poor outcomes for individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To describe the importance of age and chronic conditions in predicting COVID-19-related outcomes.

Methods

Search strategies were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE. Daily alerts were created.

Results

A total of 28 studies met our inclusion criteria. Studies varied broadly in sample size (n = 21 to more than 17,000,000). Participants’ mean age ranged from 48 years to 80 years, and the proportion of male participants ranged from 44% to 82%. The most prevalent underlying conditions in patients with COVID-19 were hypertension (range: 15%–69%), diabetes (8%–40%), cardiovascular disease (CVD) (4%–61%), chronic pulmonary disease (1%–33%), and chronic kidney disease (range 1%–48%). These conditions were each associated with an increased in-hospital case fatality rate (CFR) ranging from 1% to 56%. Overall, older adults have a substantially higher case fatality rate (CFR) as compared to younger individuals affected by COVID-19 (42% for those <65 vs 65% > 65 years). Only one study examined the association of chronic conditions and the risk of dying across different age groups; their findings suggested similar trends of increased risk in those < 65 years and those > 65 years as compared to those without these conditions.

Conclusions

There has been a traditional, single-condition approach to consideration of how chronic conditions and advancing age relate to COVID-19 outcomes. A more complete picture of the impact of burden of multimorbidity and advancing patient age is needed.
Applications of Circulating Tumor DNA in a Cohort of Phase I Solid Tumor Patients Treated With Immunotherapy
Authors: Araujo Daniel V , Wang Ao , Torti Dax , Leon Alberto , Marsh Kayla , McCarthy Aoife , Berman Hal , Spreafico Anna , Hansen Aaron R , Razak Albiruni-Abdul , Bedard Philippe L , Wang Lisa , Plackmann Eric , Chow Helen , Bao Hua , Wu Xue , Pugh Trevor J , Siu Lillian L
Published: December 2020

Background

The correlation between blood-based tumor mutation burden (bTMB) and tissue-based tumor mutation burden(tTMB) has not been broadly tested in a multicancer cohort. Here, we assess the correlation between bTMB with tTMB in phase I trial patients treated with immunotherapy. As an exploratory analysis, we evaluated circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) dynamics in responders.

Methods

Patients treated with immunotherapy at the Princess Margaret phase I trials unit were enrolled. Pretreatment plasma ctDNA and matched normal blood controls were collected. Available archival tissue formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples were analyzed. A 425-gene panel was used to sequence both ctDNA and FFPE samples. Samples with TMB within the highest tertile were considered as high TMB.

Results

Thirty-eight patients were accrued from 25 different trials, 86.8% of which involved an anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agent. Thirty patients (78.9%) had detectable mutations in ctDNA, of which the median (range) bTMB was 5 (1-53) mutations per megabase (mut/Mb). Of the 22 patients with available FFPE samples, mutations were detected in 21 (95.4%); the median (range) tTMB was 6 (2-124) mut/Mb. Among the 16 patients with detectable mutations in both FFPE and ctDNA, a statistically significant correlation between bTMB and tTMB was observed (ρ = 0.71; P = .002). High TMB was not associated with better survival. All 3 responders had a decrease in the variant allele frequency of mutations detected in ctDNA at a second timepoint relative to baseline, indicating a potential early marker of response.

Conclusions

In this small series, bTMB correlated with tTMB. An on-treatment decrease in VAF of mutations detected in ctDNA at baseline was observed in responders. Larger studies to verify our findings are warranted.
Humanising not transformative? The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and economic inequality in OECD countries 2008-19
Authors: Ragnarsson Kári Hólmar
Published: December 2020

After leaving the issue mostly unaddressed, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has in the last few years increasingly raised concerns about economic inequality, recommending progressive taxation to finance social spending. However, emphasising tax-and-transfer to ensure sufficient provision risks humanising and legitimising neoliberalism, leaving deeper structures untouched.
Vestibular Physical Therapy Evaluation of Individuals Exposed to Directed Energy
Authors: Hoppes Carrie W , Lambert Karen H , Harvard Orlando D , Whitney Susan L
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Directed energy has been described as exposure to a unique sound/pressure phenomenon such as infrasonic or ultrasonic acoustic or electromagnetic energy. Following suspected sonic attacks on U.S. Embassies, a subset of individuals presented with a unique cluster of symptoms believed to have resulted from exposure to directed energy. The Joint Force does not have an established protocol to guide the vestibular physical therapy evaluation of individuals exposed to directed energy. Therefore, we sought to provide evidence-based guidance for conducting a comprehensive vestibular physical therapy evaluation in persons exposed to directed energy.

Materials and Methods

A comprehensive search of relevant databases was performed from 2018 to the present. Four seminal articles were used to inform suggestions for clinical best practice.

Results

The physical therapist should ask open-ended questions to understand what the individual is experiencing and use key questions to focus attention on the mechanism of injury, symptom report, and symptom timeline. The physical therapist should perform an evaluation to determine if the peripheral vestibular apparatus (semicircular canals and otoliths), vestibular nerve, and/or central pathways have been affected by directed energy exposure. Components of the quantitative examination were selected because they provide information on health condition(s), body structure and function impairments, and activity limitations but require little to no specialized equipment.

Conclusions

Evidence-based guidance for conducting a comprehensive vestibular physical therapy evaluation in individuals exposed to directed energy may aid in the identification and diagnosis of unconventional brain injury. This standardized approach can help physical therapists to evaluate complaints that do not match any previously known medical conditions but resemble brain injury or vestibular pathology.
Lyman-α emission from a WISE-selected optically faint powerful radio galaxy M151304.72-252439.7 at z = 3.132
Authors: Shukla Gitika , Srianand Raghunathan , Gupta Neeraj , Petitjean Patrick , Baker Andrew J , Krogager Jens-Kristian , Noterdaeme Pasquier
Published: December 2020

We report the detection of a large (∼90 kpc) and luminous Lyα nebula [LLyα = (6.80 ± 0.08) × 1044$\rm {\, erg\, s^{-1}}$] around an optically faint (r > 23 mag) radio galaxy M1513-2524 at zem = 3.132. The double-lobed radio emission has an extent of 184 kpc, but the radio core, i.e. emission associated with the active galactic nucleus (AGN) itself, is barely detected. This object was found as part of our survey to identify high-z quasars based on Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) colours. The optical spectrum has revealed Lyα, N v, C iv, and He ii emission lines with a very weak continuum. Based on long-slit spectroscopy and narrow band imaging centred on the Lyα emission, we identify two spatial components: a ‘compact component’ with high velocity dispersion (∼1500 km s−1) seen in all three lines, and an ‘extended component’, having low velocity dispersion (i.e. 700–1000 km s−1). The emission line ratios are consistent with the compact component being in photoionization equilibrium with an AGN. We also detect spatially extended associated Lyα absorption, which is blue-shifted within 250–400 km s−1 of the Lyα peak. The probability of Lyα absorption detection in such large radio sources is found to be low (∼10 per cent) in the literature. M1513-2524 belongs to the top few percent of the population in terms of Lyα and radio luminosities. Deep integral field spectroscopy is essential for probing this interesting source and its surroundings in more detail.