bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 impact on waste management −business opportunity Emirate of Ajman − UAE
Authors: Alhosani Khaled Mueen , Liravi Pouria
Published: April 2021

The UAE's lifestyle has recently developed with increased population resulted in an increased waste from different resources (hazardous and non-hazardous). This has significantly got accumulated during the pandemic. Crisis management is one of the most important management practices that need careful modelling to include planning, framework practices, training, and reserved resources. Naturally, a complete plan for the expected crisis is ready for implementation when a crisis starts to reduce the crisis impacts. Moreover, those plans are to cover the periods before, during and after that crisis. Waste is a resource for many health, environmental, and social problems when not managed. Therefore, this paper aims to introduce elements needed in that combination of waste and crisis management and exploring the main critical elements that need to be contained and carefully studied to enhance modern waste management. The presumed management model examines the waste management practices prior to, during, and after the crisis. COVID-19 pandemics have severely affected all nations and critically disabled many services that governments are providing. Data collected for similar periods before and after the pandemic of the waste, including the amounts, practices, and associated outcomes. A concluded resultwas used to introduce a new framework model for the required initiatives of waste − crisis management. Results showed the importance of using the Waste − Business correlation for high-quality management. During the COVID-19 crises, a significant challenge is the massive quantity of regular waste that has become hazardous and required special treatment adding more cost and resulting in recyclable material reduction. The article has concluded that change in the dynamics of plastic, food, and biomedical waste generation during the same time has, however, stirred the woes of solid waste management. The non-hazardous waste was considered hazardous in many cases to minimize the chances of contamination. Inevitably, plastic has increased as personal protection and healthcare items increased with the reduced recycling process to avoid its adverse effect. Private businesses need to support Governmental efforts to deal with contingency. Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF) were getting less waste due to worries of contaminations and virus spreading. All these challenges and practices had a considerable effect on the Government waste associated budget.
Wind energy utilisation for water desalination, street and buildings lighting − a case study for The Emirate of Ajman − UAE
Authors: Darwish Abdul Salam K.
Published: April 2021

Electricity demand is increasing worldwide due to the advancements in lifestyle, technology, and increased population. Governments are facing common challenges to generate electricity from low-cost and clean energy resources. Water desalination, air-conditioning, and lighting are the main sectors that consume a significant amount of electricity with great demand in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Many countries' water shortage problem, specifically in the Gulf area, has led to increased challenging electricity demand. Electric power is currently generated from mainly fossil fuel, which has an enormous ongoing impact on environmental pollutions and, thus, climate problems. UAE has recently started to look and was managed to deploy environmental-friendly energy resources, such as renewables for power generation. Attempts were made to utilise solar energy for desalination systems, and none of these attempts was made regarding using wind energy systems. The water need is met by seawater desalination. This purpose's energy consumption is getting high with the increase of demand to separate the salt from seawater. There exists more consumption in building and street lighting. Ajman is the smallest Emirate in the UAE, which imports its power from the neighbouring emirates with a cost to be paid. This research reviews the feasibility of resourcing more than 20% of the electricity demand by wind energy to satisfy power needs towards desalination and lighting for street and official and newly built buildings. Wind energy potential at the Emirate of Ajman has been reviewed and showed a suitable wind energy potential for utilisation to supply more than 20% of the demand of about 350 MW. A wind-powered desalination system can meet the water demand when a properly design system is to be installed.
Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Alkylation of Polyfluoroarenes through C–F Bond Cleavage
Authors: Xiong Tao , Zhang Qian , Zhang Qian
Published: April 2021

The polyfluoroarenes are a subgroup of organofluorines that are widely utilized in both medicinal chemistry and materials science. We briefly summarize recent advances in the synthesis of these important compounds, with particular attention to our recent CuH-catalyzed defluorinative alkylation of polyfluoroarenes with alkenes in a highly site-selective C–F bond-cleavage fashion.

1 Introduction

2 Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Alkylation through Selective C–F Bond Cleavage

3 CuH-Catalyzed Defluorinative Alkylation of Polyfluoroarenes with Alkenes

4 Summary and Outlook
A Concise Synthesis of 24,25-Dihydro-6-epi-Monanchosterol A
Authors: Schmalz Hans-Günther , Taspinar Ömer , Stojadinovic Vladimir Kjartan , Neudörfl Jörg-Martin
Published: April 2021

We report the first synthetic entry to a steroid with an unusual bicyclo[4.3.1]dec-3-en-10-one A/B ring substructure as a close structural analogue of the anti-inflammatory monanchosterols. Under optimized conditions, regioselective cis-dihydroxylation of the Δ5-double bond of 7-dehydrocholesterol and subsequent Criegee oxidation yields the corresponding 5,6-seco-steroid as a pure Z-isomer which upon treatment with K2CO3 in MeOH diastereoselectively affords 24,25-dihydro-6-epi-monanchosterol A through intramolecular aldol addition (cyclization). The developed three-step sequence proceeds in 17% overall yield without the need of any protecting group. The title compound was characterized by X-ray crystallography.
Additions to Racemates: A Strategy for Developing Asymmetric Cross-Coupling Reactions
Authors: Fletcher Stephen P. , Goetzke F. Wieland
Published: April 2021

In this Account, the authors describe their progress in developing catalytic asymmetric C(sp3)–C(sp3) and C(sp3)–C(sp2) cross-coupling reactions. Whereas most catalytic enantioselective transformations rely on prochiral or meso starting materials, strategies that use racemic starting materials are rare. Key features of these reactions are efficient mechanisms for deracemization. Here, the authors present copper-catalyzed alkylation and rhodium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura-type arylation reactions, their underlying mechanisms, and their applications in complex-molecule syntheses.
Alloplastic or Autologous? Bone Chips versus PEEK Cage for Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Authors: Koehler Stefan , Held Christopher , Stetter Christian , Westermaier Thomas
Published: April 2021

Introduction This study was conducted to compare bone-filled intervertebral cages with autologous bone chips for instrumented lumbar interbody fusion in patients with spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Methods Surgery consisted of posterior instrumentation and decompression, diskectomy, and intervertebral fusion using a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage surrounded and filled with spongious bone chips (group 1, n = 57) or spongious bone chips alone (group 2, n = 37). The choice of method was left to the discretion of the surgeon. Postoperative results were prospectively evaluated using a standardized protocol. Radiological assessment included fusion rates and vertebral height, while clinical assessment included the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

Results In group 1, a mean of 1.38 ± 0.64 segments were fused. In group 2, a mean of 1.58 ± 0.65 segments were fused. In both groups, the VAS for back pain and leg pain and the ODI improved without significant differences between the two groups. Osseous fusion was documented by computerized tomography in 73% in group 1 and 89% in group 2 after a mean of 18 months. The loss of height was 2.8 ± 4.0% in group 1 and 2.4 ± 5.2% in group 2.

Conclusion Regardless of whether a PEEK cage filled with spongious bone chips or spongious bone chips alone were used for lumbar interbody fusion, clinical parameters improved significantly after surgery. There were no significant differences in the rate of bony fusion and loss of height between the two groups. The results of this nonrandomized cohort study indicate that the implantation of autologous spongious bone chips harvested during the decompression procedure is a useful and cheap alternative to an intervertebral cage in patients with degenerative pseudospondylolisthesis.
Anatomy and Aging of the Perioral Region
Authors: Morera Serna Eduardo , Serna Benbassat Marta , Terré Falcón Ramón , Murillo Martín Javier
Published: April 2021

Perioral region, although severely impacted by facial aging, is often overlooked in texts on facial rejuvenation. Sun exposure, bone resorption, dynamic contraction of the sphincteric and nonsphincteric oral musculature, gravitational pull, histological changes of the skin, and unhealthy habits all take their toll in this area. Fine wrinkling on the lips, deep nasolabial and mentolabial folds, elongation and flattening of the upper lip, downturned corners of the mouth, marionette lines, diminished vermillion and upper teeth show and chin irregularities are the main signs of this process, raising great concern amongst patients and making the perioral region the most demanded area for facial rejuvenation treatment. A huge armamentarium of surgical and nonsurgical techniques, with or without complex technology, are available to tailor patient's specific needs, from chemodenervation and mild chemical peels to operations designed to restore the size and shape of the lips. In this article we perform a comprehensive review of the contemporary treatment of the aging perioral area, detailing the most common techniques and their nuances.
Tough, ductile boron carbide can help engineer stronger body armor
Authors: Bandari Anashe
Published: April 2021

Among several proposed mitigation approaches, engineering smaller grain boundaries is the most promising for improving boron carbide’s strength while reducing its fracture.
Evaluation of biomechanical properties of jujube branches and analysis of
prediction accuracy based on multi-scale artificially simplified model
Authors: Wang Baoshuai , Zhao Xuyang , Peng Huijie , Meng Hewei , Wang Lihong , Li Chengsong
Published: April 2021

The multi-scale model is key to the evaluation of shear or compression mechanical properties of jujube branches at the microlevel. In this study, multi-scale models of the microstructure of jujube branches, namely, the natural model and the artificially simplified model, were built using computed tomography and Python. The equivalent compression and shear properties of the microstructure were predicted by the finite element method. The prediction results of the artificially simplified model were compared with those of the natural model, and the prediction deviation of the artificially simplified model was analyzed. The results showed that the transverse shear modulus obtained by the artificially simplified model was slightly higher than the predicted value of the natural model, with an average deviation of 1.84%. The transverse shear strain energy obtained by the artificially simplified model was lower than the predicted result of the natural model, with a maximum deviation of 5.59%. The cell distribution direction had an important effect on the accuracy of prediction for the transverse elastic modulus, and the deviation was 16.53%, indicating that the further optimization of the cell distribution direction could enhance the prediction accuracy and the effectiveness of the model. The results can be used to evaluate the unit compression or shear mechanical properties of plant stalks with hierarchical structuring and to analyze the quantitative relationship between the microstructure and equivalent mechanical properties.
An integrated actuating and sensing system for light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) and light-actuated AC electroosmosis (LACE) operation
Authors: Peng Hsin-Yin , Yang Chia-Ming , Chen Yu-Ping , Liu Hui-Ling , Chen Tsung-Cheng , Pijanowska Dorota G. , Chu Po-Yu , Hsieh Chia-Hsun , Wu Min-Hsien
Published: April 2021

To develop a lab on a chip (LOC) integrated with both sensor and actuator functions, a novel two-in-one system based on optical-driven manipulation and sensing in a microfluidics setup based on a hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) layer on an indium tin oxide/glass is first realized. A high-intensity discharge xenon lamp functioned as the light source, a chopper functioned as the modulated illumination for a certain frequency, and a self-designed optical path projected on the digital micromirror device controlled by the digital light processing module was established as the illumination input signal with the ability of dynamic movement of projected patterns. For light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) operation, alternating current (AC)-modulated illumination with a frequency of 800 Hz can be generated by the rotation speed of the chopper for photocurrent vs bias voltage characterization. The pH sensitivity, drift coefficient, and hysteresis width of the Si3N4 LAPS are 52.8 mV/pH, −3.2 mV/h, and 10.5 mV, respectively, which are comparable to the results from the conventional setup. With an identical two-in-one system, direct current illumination without chopper rotation and an AC bias voltage can be provided to an a-Si:H chip with a manipulation speed of 20 μm/s for magnetic beads with a diameter of 1 μm. The collection of magnetic beads by this light-actuated AC electroosmosis (LACE) operation at a frequency of 10 kHz can be easily realized. A fully customized design of an illumination path with less decay can be suggested to obtain a high efficiency of manipulation and a high signal-to-noise ratio of sensing. With this proposed setup, a potential LOC system based on LACE and LAPS is verified with the integration of a sensor and an actuator in a microfluidics setup for future point-of-care testing applications.
Mechanism of non-Ohmic conduction in a single Y3Fe5O12 nanofiber
Authors: Du Pengcheng , Zhou Peng , Liu Nannan , Qi Yajun , Zhang Tianjin
Published: April 2021

We present a strong non-Ohmic transport characteristic in an individual Y3Fe5O12 (YIG) nanofiber at low temperature. The structural characterization reveals that the nanofiber consists of a multitude of nanoparticles stacked along the nanofiber axis. The non-Ohmic conductive behavior manifests itself by a strong input current dependence and the nonlinear I–V curves with a critical temperature around 160 K. The current measured at temperatures lower than 160 K follows the Simmons tunneling model, and the tunneling through the grain boundary is proposed to interpret the non-Ohmic feature in an individual YIG nanofiber. However, the observed resistance follows a T−1/4 variation in the high temperature range (> 160 K), suggesting a variable range hopping conduction.
Consideration of signal to noise ratio for an imaging bolometer for ITER
Authors: Peterson Byron J. , Reichle Roger , Pandya Santosh , O’Mullane Martin G. , Mukai Kiyofumi
Published: April 2021

An infrared imaging video bolometer (IRVB) is proposed for ITER having a tangential view of the entire ITER cross section. For the initial estimate of the signal level, a 840 m3 plasma is assumed to uniformly radiate 67.3 MW. A more detailed estimate of the signal strength is provided by synthetic images based on radiation data from SOLPS and SANCO models for the edge and core plasma, respectively. The Pt foil used as the radiation absorber would have the dimensions of 7 × 9 cm2 and a thickness of 16 μm that will stop 95% of the radiated power. Two different InSb based IR cameras having a sensitivity of 15 mK are considered for measuring the temperature rise of the foil due to the radiation. The first has 1280 × 1024 pixel2 and a frame rate of 105 fps. The second has 640 × 512 pixel2 and a frame rate of 1000 fps. The resulting IRVBs have 40 × 30 pixel2, 10 ms time resolution, and a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 17 and 20 × 15 pixel2, 3 ms time resolution, and a SNR of 35, respectively. The synthetic image data give SNRs of 30 and 59, respectively.
Superhard transparent polycrystalline cubic boron nitride
Authors: Zhao Mengxi , Kou Zili , Zhang Youjun , Peng Bo , Wang Yipeng , Wang Zhiwei , Yin Xiaoshuang , Jiang Mingli , Guan Shixue , Zhang Jiawei , He Duanwei
Published: April 2021

Polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PcBN) has been synthesized at 14 GPa and high temperatures of 1300–2000 °C in a two-stage multi-anvil cell. Sintered PcBN synthesized at 1700–1800 °C and 14 GPa with a grain size of ∼200 nm is optically transparent with a transmittance of ∼70% at wavelengths of 400–1500 nm and has the Vickers hardness of ∼63–69 GPa. Analyses with scanning and transmission electron microscopy reveal that PcBN can be strengthened by introducing nanometer-scale grains and microscopic defects at high pressure and temperature. The optical transparency of the bulk PcBN synthesized at high pressure and temperature can be explained by the very thin intergranular films between grains. The present sintered PcBN is the second-hardest transparent material after diamond and can be used for windows in extreme conditions.
Intrinsic-polarization origin of photoconductivity in MAPbI3 thin films
Authors: Saraf Rohit , Saguy Cecile , Maheshwari Vivek , Elangovan Hemaprabha , Ivry Yachin
Published: April 2021

Hybrid halide perovskites (HHPs) exhibit exceptional photoelectric properties, facilitating highly efficient modern solar cells and photoconductive technologies. Both ion migration and intrinsic spontaneous polarization have been proposed as the main source of enhanced photoelectric activity, but the exact origin of the advantageous properties has remained elusive. Here, we combined nanoscale and macroscale device characterization studies to demonstrate that intrinsic polarization conductivity governs photoconductivity in HHP films. Conductive atomic force microscopy under variable light and temperature conditions showed that the photocurrent in these materials is directional and flows along the long crystallographic axis, as opposed to other conduction mechanisms that prioritize the shortest path between the electrode and the conductive tip. It was also shown that the photocurrent is suppressed at the tetragonal-to-cubic transformation. The findings were confirmed by macroscale device measurements. Following the nonvolatile memory nature of polarization domains, photoconductive memristive behavior was demonstrated. Understanding the origin of photoelectric activity in HHPs allows designing devices with enhanced functionality.
Low dimensional manifolds in reservoir computers
Authors: Carroll T. L.
Published: April 2021

A reservoir computer is a complex dynamical system, often created by coupling nonlinear nodes in a network. The nodes are all driven by a common driving signal. Reservoir computers can contain hundreds to thousands of nodes, resulting in a high dimensional dynamical system, but the reservoir computer variables evolve on a lower dimensional manifold in this high dimensional space. This paper describes how this manifold dimension depends on the parameters of the reservoir computer, and how the manifold dimension is related to the performance of the reservoir computer at a signal estimation task. It is demonstrated that increasing the coupling between nodes while controlling the largest Lyapunov exponent of the reservoir computer can optimize the reservoir computer performance. It is also noted that the sparsity of the reservoir computer network does not have any influence on performance.
Ultrafast extreme ultraviolet photoemission electron microscope
Authors: Zheng Wei , Jiang Pengzuo , Zhang Linfeng , Wang Yang , Sun Quan , Liu Yunquan , Gong Qihuang , Wu Chengyin
Published: April 2021

Here, we report our newly built table-top ultrafast extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photoemission electron microscope. The coherent ultrafast EUV light is served by a single order harmonic, which is generated by the interaction between the intense 800-nm femtosecond laser and noble gases in the hollow core fiber. The required order of the harmonic is selected out by a single grating in the off-plane mount and focused on the sample in the ultrahigh vacuum chamber of the photoemission electron microscope. Using metal gold and copper samples, the spatial resolution is calibrated to be better than 50 nm and the energy resolution is calibrated to be better than 300 meV. This microscope provides an advanced tool for studying electron dynamics covering the full Brillouin zone of solid materials with ultrahigh time, space, and energy resolution.
Homological percolation transitions in growing simplicial complexes
Authors: Lee Y. , Lee J. , Oh S. M. , Lee D. , Kahng B.
Published: April 2021

Simplicial complex (SC) representation is an elegant mathematical framework for representing the effect of complexes or groups with higher-order interactions in a variety of complex systems ranging from brain networks to social relationships. Here, we explore the homological percolation transitions (HPTs) of growing SCs using empirical datasets and model studies. The HPTs are determined by the first and second Betti numbers, which indicate the appearance of one- and two-dimensional macroscopic-scale homological cycles and cavities, respectively. A minimal SC model with two essential factors, namely, growth and preferential attachment, is proposed to model social coauthorship relationships. This model successfully reproduces the HPTs and determines the transition types as an infinite-order Berezinskii–Kosterlitz–Thouless type but with different critical exponents. In contrast to the Kahle localization observed in static random SCs, the first Betti number continues to increase even after the second Betti number appears. This delocalization is found to stem from the two aforementioned factors and arises when the merging rate of two-dimensional simplexes is less than the birth rate of isolated simplexes. Our results can provide a topological insight into the maturing steps of complex networks such as social and biological networks.
Structural and magnetic properties of NiFe2O4 thin films grown on isostructural lattice-matched substrates
Authors: Regmi Sudhir , Li Zhong , Srivastava Abhishek , Mahat Rabin , KC Shambhu , Rastogi Ankur , Galazka Zbigniew , Datta Ranjan , Mewes Tim , Gupta Arunava
Published: April 2021

Nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) thin films are grown epitaxially on two different isostructural substrates, (100)-oriented MgGa2O4 and ZnGa2O4, using pulsed laser deposition. These spinel substrates have a lattice mismatch of 0.62% and 0.04%, respectively, with NiFe2O4 crystal. While the films grown on MgGa2O4 substrates exhibit significant strain resulting in a tetragonal distortion of the crystal structure, the films on ZnGa2O4 substrate are essentially strain-free and retain their cubic structure because of the near-perfect lattice match. Magnetometry data suggest that film strain is the principal factor determining the anisotropy of these NiFe2O4 films. This is also confirmed by the effective magnetization values obtained from ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements. While there is only a modest decrease in effective Gilbert damping constant with strain reduction, an enhancement in the spin voltage is observed in the spin Seebeck effect (SSE) measurements for NiFe2O4 films grown on ZnGa2O4 substrate with thickness ≤200 nm.
Optimization of selenium in CdZnTeSe quaternary compound for radiation detector applications
Authors: Roy Utpal N. , Camarda Giuseppe S. , Cui Yonggang , James Ralph B.
Published: April 2021

X- and gamma-ray detectors are increasingly becoming an essential tool for science and technology in various fields, including homeland security, nonproliferation, nuclear security, medical imaging, astrophysics, and high energy physics. Cd1−xZnxTe1−ySey (CZTS) is emerging as a next-generation compound semiconductor for such applications. CZTS was found to possess a very low concentration of Te inclusions and free from sub-grain boundary networks. Being a quaternary compound with varying alloy compositions, optimization of the composition was performed to determine the minimum amount of selenium required to produce CZTS with reduced defects. The optimized composition was found to be x = 0.10 and y = 0.02, i.e., Cd0.9Zn0.1Te0.98Se0.02, for excellent material properties as a radiation detector. The resulting material was free from sub-grain boundary networks and with a highly reduced concentration of Te inclusions. The bulk dark resistivity obtained was in the range of 1–3 × 1010 Ω cm with the highest achieved mobility-lifetime product of ∼6.6 × 10−3 cm2/V for the optimized CZTS composition. Impurity analyses were performed by the glow discharge mass spectroscopy technique, and the results showed relatively high impurity concentrations compared to commercial detector-grade CdZnTe. Thus, CZTS has room for further improvement with additional purification of the starting materials.
Implementation of a virtual ward as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Schultz Katherine , Vickery Helen , Campbell Katrina , Wheeldon Mary , Barrett-Beck Leah , Rushbrook Elizabeth
Published: April 2021

Objective The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate the implementation of a virtual ward as a COVID-19 hospital avoidance response strategy and identify opportunities for improvement and future applicability. Methods A mixed-method observational study was conducted of a centralised virtual ward, which operated in a large metropolitan Australian health service from 23 March to 1 June 2020. Results In total, 238 unique patients were admitted to the virtual ward, accounting for 264 individual admission episodes and 2451 virtual bed days. Twenty (7.6%) episodes resulted in transfer to hospital and 136 patients provided responses to feedback surveys and reported their experience as very good (61.7%, n = 87) or good (34.8%, n = 49). Implementation success was high, with the model widely accepted and adopted across the health service. The service delivery model was considered to be low-cost in comparison to inpatient hospital-based care. Conclusions Overall, as a rapidly developed and implemented low-tech model of care, the virtual ward was found to provide an effective, accessible and low-cost solution to managing low-acuity COVID-19-positive patients in the community. This model should be considered in future pandemics as a hospital-avoidance response, with the ability to minimise patient-to-healthcare worker transmission, reduce personal protective equipment use and enhance patient adherence with isolation requirements. Targeted remote telemonitoring should be considered as a future modification to improve patient care. What is known about this topic? Virtual wards aim to reduce hospital demand by providing hospital-level care in community settings such as the patients’ home. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a rapid increase in the utilisation of virtual wards as an acute healthcare response that facilitates contactless care of infectious patients. Despite this rapid adoption, there is limited literature on the effectiveness of virtual ward models of care in a pandemic context. What does this paper add? This study provides a detailed description of the implementation of a virtual ward in a large metropolitan health service. It evaluates the effectiveness of the virtual ward as a COVID-19 response strategy and identifies opportunities for improvement and future applicability. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on the COVID-19 healthcare response and virtual wards. What are the implications for practitioners? This study details the implementation of a virtual ward and highlights potential facilitators and barriers to successful implementation and sustained applicability. Findings provide a comparative benchmark for other health services implementing virtual wards as a pandemic response strategy.
Responding to the pandemic at a national and state public health level
Authors: Bennett Sonya
Published: April 2021

Australia’s planning and preparedness for a health emergency response has served us well in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, rapid and agile decisions were required to manage the public health impact. In the face of uncertainty and the seemingly evolving nature of the virus, we have seen precautionary actions and outcomes beyond that articulated in planning. The timely closure of international borders, requiring 14-day quarantine of returning travellers in designated facilities, is one such outcome; yet potentially the single most effective measure in controlling the pandemic in Australia. Our testing strategy, case and contact management, social restrictions and community measures have successfully suppressed the virus to a level of no domestic community transmission. The framework for this success was the effective utilisation of existing public health committees, whole of government leadership and responsiveness at all levels and community support. With the impending commencement of the COVID-19 vaccine program, this framework continues to support navigating our way out of the pandemic.
Three-micrometer-diameter needle electrode with an amplifier for extracellular in vivo recordings
Authors: Kita Yuto , Tsuruhara Shuhei , Kubo Hiroshi , Yamashita Koji , Seikoba Yu , Idogawa Shinnosuke , Sawahata Hirohito , Yamagiwa Shota , Leong Xian Long Angela , Numano Rika , Koida Kowa , Kawano Takeshi
Published: April 2021

Significance

Electrophysiology using microelectrodes has been used for understanding brain circuits, thereby making significant contributions to neuroscience. These electrodes should be miniaturized to <10 µm to reduce tissue damage; however, the small geometry of the electrodes causes degradation of the electrical properties. We overcome these limitations by using an assembly technique in which a <3-µm-diameter needle electrode with a length of 400 µm is stacked on an amplifier module. The needle electrode shows high electrical impedance and low signal-to-noise ratio in recordings; however, stacking the amplifier on the electrode improves these properties, as demonstrated by a neuronal recording using mice. Additionally, the device allows wireless recording via a Bluetooth module and implantation for chronic experiments.
Widespread decline in winds delayed autumn foliar senescence over high latitudes
Authors: Wu Chaoyang , Wang Jian , Ciais Philippe , Peñuelas Josep , Zhang Xiaoyang , Sonnentag Oliver , Tian Feng , Wang Xiaoyue , Wang Huanjiong , Liu Ronggao , Fu Yongshuo H. , Ge Quansheng
Published: April 2021

Significance

Decline in winds over past decades were observed over high northern latitudes (>50°), yet its influence on the date of autumn leaf senescence (DFS) remains unknown. Using ground observations, flux measurements, and remote sensing imagery, here we show that decline in winds significantly extended DFS over high latitudes at a magnitude comparable with the temperature and precipitation effects. We found that decline in winds reduces evapotranspiration, causes fewer damaging effects, and also results in decreased cooling effect. Our results therefore are of great significance for carbon cycle modeling because an improved algorithm based on these findings projected overall widespread earlier DFS by the end of this century, contributing potentially to a positive feedback to climate.
Nitrogen deposition accelerates soil carbon sequestration in tropical forests
Authors: Lu Xiankai , Vitousek Peter M. , Mao Qinggong , Gilliam Frank S. , Luo Yiqi , Turner Benjamin L. , Zhou Guoyi , Mo Jiangming
Published: April 2021

Significance

Forest soil carbon (C) storage plays a central role in sequestrating atmospheric CO
2
on timescales from centuries to millennia. However, our current understanding of soil C sequestration in response to N deposition mainly focuses on mid-to-high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, where N supply typically constrains forest growth. We lack data about changes in soil C stocks in tropical forests, where most ecosystems are N-rich or N-saturated. Using more than a decade of continuous N addition experiment and a meta-analysis, we found that excess N deposition can significantly increase soil C in N-rich tropical forests. However, enhanced C sequestration in tropical soils is not a good reason to justify excess N emissions to the atmosphere.
An ABCC-type transporter endowing glyphosate resistance in plants
Authors: Pan Lang , Yu Qin , Wang Junzhi , Han Heping , Mao Lingfeng , Nyporko Alex , Maguza Anna , Fan Longjiang , Bai Lianyang , Powles Stephen
Published: April 2021

Significance

Glyphosate is the world’s dominantly used herbicide to control weedy plant species in a wide range of situations, especially in global field crops of soybean, maize, canola, and cotton with genetically engineered glyphosate resistance. Persistent glyphosate selection has led to worldwide evolution of glyphosate-resistant weeds. Several biochemical and physiological mechanisms have been identified that endow glyphosate resistance. To be toxic to plants, glyphosate must be present in the cytoplasm, and thus mechanisms reducing the cytoplasmic glyphosate to a sublethal level could confer resistance. Here, we provide evidence of a plant ABC transporter (ABCC8) that likely serves as a plasma membrane glyphosate exporter, lowering the cytoplasmic glyphosate level and thereby endowing glyphosate resistance.
Against trivializing language description (and comparison)
Authors: Himmelmann Nikolaus P.
Published: April 2021

This paper argues that recent proposals to sharply distinguish between language description and comparison are
ill-conceived for two reasons. First, comparison is unavoidable and hence an integral part of description. Second, the proposals
for a strict separation are based on an unrealistic and anachronistic conception of descriptive categories, assuming that these
can be defined in purely distributional terms. Here it is shown that description and comparison make use of, and struggle with,
the same kind of empirical evidence; namely, crosslinguistically identifiable properties of grammatical formatives and
constructions. If descriptive categories and crosslinguistic comparative concepts did not share such properties, language
comparison would be devoid of empirical content. Hence claims that they are ontologically different do not stand up to further
scrutiny. In short, said recent proposals portray language description and comparison in too-simplistic terms. They ignore, or at
least downplay, most of the complexities involved in both descriptive and comparative projects, many of which in fact result from
the inseparability of description and comparison.
Clusia rosea.
Authors: Ventosa Eduardo
Published: April 2021

A datasheet on Clusia rosea covering, as an economically important tree, its taxonomy, importance, silviculture, distribution, biology and ecology, uses, products and pests.
Prunus campanulata (Taiwan cherry).
Authors: Cottrell Vicki
Published: April 2021

A datasheet on Prunus campanulata covering, as an economically important tree, its taxonomy, importance, silviculture, distribution, biology and ecology, uses, products and pests.
Tabebuia heterophylla (pink trumpet tree).
Authors: Pasiecznik Nick
Published: April 2021

A datasheet on Tabebuia heterophylla covering, as an economically important tree, its taxonomy, importance, silviculture, distribution, biology and ecology, uses, products and pests.
Pigs and Pork in Denmark: Meaning Change, Ideology, and Traditional Foods
Authors: Karrebæk Martha Sif
Published: April 2021

This article engages with contemporary meaning and meaning changes within the porcine semantic field in Denmark. More specifically, I argue that pork is acquiring the meaning of Danishness. Analytically, I focus on the relation between language usage in different settings and on how situational usage relates to nationwide, mediatized discourses. The porcine field lends itself readily to such analyses, as pork has been the center of much political and politicized attention over the past decade, and much of the discursive engagement with pork implies or expresses an ideological and moral stance. Interactional data come from field studies in a school, a fine-dining restaurant, and a fast-food restaurant. Media data are sampled from three relatively recent debates on Danish values.
A review on geometric formulations for classical field theory: the Bonzom–Livine model for gravity
Authors: Berra-Montiel Jasel , Molgado Alberto , Rodríguez-López Ángel
Published: April 2021

Motivated by the study of physical models associated with general relativity, we review some finite-dimensional, geometric and covariant formulations that allow us to characterize in a simple manner the symmetries for classical field theory by implementing an appropriate fibre-bundle structure, either at the Lagrangian, the Hamiltonian multisymplectic or the polysymplectic levels. In particular, we are able to formulate Noether’s theorems by means of the covariant momentum maps and to systematically introduce a covariant Poisson–Hamiltonian framework. Also, by focusing on the space plus time decomposition for a generic classical field theory and its relation to these geometric formulations, we are able to successfully recover the gauge content and the true local degrees of freedom for the theory. In order to illustrate the relevance of these geometric frameworks, we center our attention to the analysis of a model for three-dimensional theory of general relativity that involves an arbitrary Immirzi-like parameter. At the Lagrangian level, we reproduce the field equations of the system which for this model turn out to be equivalent to the vanishing torsion condition and the Einstein equations. We also concentrate on the analysis of the gauge symmetries of the system in order to obtain the Lagrangian covariant momentum map associated with the theory and, consequently, its corresponding Noether currents. Next, within the Hamiltonian multisymplectic approach, we aim our attention to describing how the gauge symmetries of the model yield covariant canonical transformations on the covariant multimomenta phase-space, thus giving rise to the existence of a covariant momentum map. Besides, we analyze the physical system under consideration within the De Donder–Weyl canonical theory implemented at the polysymplectic level, thus establishing a relation from the covariant momentum map to the conserved currents of the theory within this covariant Hamiltonian approach. Finally, after performing the space plus time decomposition of the space-time manifold, and taking as a starting point the Hamiltonian multisymplectic formulation, we are able to recover both the extended Hamiltonian and the gauge structure content that characterize the gravity model of our interest within the instantaneous Dirac–Hamiltonian formulation.
Photoelectron spectra of shake-up processes from the 2p subshell of sodium atoms in the excited states 2p
63p
Authors: Liu Xiaobin , Shi Yinglong , Li Xiangbin , Lu Feiping , Wang Yuping , Hu Hongwei , Luo Yuee
Published: April 2021

The 2p photoionization of sodium atoms from the initial states 2p
63p
1/2,3/2 have been investigated, with special emphasis placed on the relaxation and correlation effects. To understand the details of the spectra, a series of ab initio calculations based on the multi-configuration Dirac–Fock method have been performed. Theoretical predictions have been compared with the high-resolution spectra measured using a synchrotron radiation source, and suitable agreement between experiment and theory has enabled the identification of fine-structure spectra. The prominent influence of the relaxation and correlation effects on the photoelectron spectra has been analysed according to the detailed calculations.
An ultra-wideband and wide-angle optically transparent flexible microwave metamaterial absorber
Authors: Zhao Yufan , Li Shuying , Jiang Yuying , Gu Changqing , Liu Liangliang , Li Zhuo
Published: April 2021

In this work, we propose an ultra-wideband and wide-angle optically transparent flexible metamaterial absorber (MMA), consisting of a multilayered structure with a transparent polyvinyl chloride layer and a periodic indium-tin-oxide patch array attached to a polyethylene terephthalate film layer. The absorptivity of the proposed MMA reaches above 90% from 5.61 to 29.17 GHz whether it is flat or even bent with 60º thanks to the flexibility of the materials. Excellent agreement between the measured and simulated results verify our design. The proposed MMA holds great promise in applications for flexible devices that require optical transparency, ultra-wideband and wide angle stealth.
Autonomous shock sensing using bi-stable triboelectric generators and MEMS electrostatic levitation actuators
Authors: Mousavi Mohammad , Alzgool Mohammad , Towfighian Shahrzad
Published: April 2021

This work presents an automatic threshold shock-sensing trigger system that consists of a bi-stable triboelectric transducer and a levitation-based electrostatic mechanism. The bi-stable mechanism is sensitive to mechanical shocks and releases impact energy when the shock is strong enough. A triboelectric generator produces voltage when it receives a mechanical shock. The voltage is proportional to the mechanical shock. When the voltage exceed a certain level, the initially pulled-in microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switch is opened and can disconnect the current in a safety electronic system. The MEMS switch combines two mechanisms of gap-closing (parallel-plate electrodes) with electrostatic levitation (side electrodes) to provide bi-directional motions. The switch is initially closed from a small bias voltage on the gap-closing electrodes. The voltage from the bi-stable generator is connected to the side electrodes. When the shock goes beyond a threshold, the upward force caused by the side electrodes on the switch becomes strong enough to peel off the switch from the closed position. The threshold shock the system can detect is tunable using two control parameters. These two tuning parameters are the axial force on the bi-stable system (clamped-clamped beam) and the bias voltage on the MEMS switch (gap-closing electrodes). The actuation in macro-scale is thus directly connected to a sensor-switch mechanism in micro-scale. This chain makes an autonomous actuation and sensing stand-alone system that has potential application on air bag deployment devices and powerline protection systems. We provide a theoretical frame work of the entire system validated by experimental results.
How Calogero–Moser particles can stick together
Authors: Zabrodin A
Published: April 2021

We show that the configuration in the phase space of the elliptic Calogero–Moser model when particles stick together in pairs is stable under the third Hamiltonian flow of the model. The equations of motion for the pairs coincide with the equations of motion for poles of elliptic solutions to the B-version of the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation.
Study of methionine as green corrosion inhibitor for TWIP steel in neutral chloride solution
Authors: Lai Yuming , Gao Ya , Jin Yin , Wen Lei
Published: April 2021

The influence of Methionine (MTI) on corrosion behavior of Twinning induced plastic (TWIP) steel in 3.5wt.% NaCl solutions was investigated using electrochemical techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), white light interferometer (WLI) analyses and Raman spectra. With increasing inhibitor concentration, the corrosion inhibition rate first increased and then decreased, and the maximum inhibitor efficiency was found to be 30 mg l−1 MTI. MTI was acting as a mixed-type inhibitor. The inhibition effect of MTI could also be evaluated by SEM and WLI results, and the trend was the same as that obtained by electrochemistry. At the same time, Raman spectra results showed that MTI was adsorbed on the surface of the steel.
Comparing half-metallic, MOKE, and thermoelectric behavior of the CrTiZ (Z = As, P) half-Heuslers: a DFT study
Authors: Sadeghi M , Zelati A , Boochani A , Arman A , Mirzaei S
Published: April 2021

Structural, half-metallic, magneto-optic, and thermoelectric properties of CrTiZ (Z = As, P) half-Heusleres compounds are investigated based on density functional theory. These compounds have mechanical stability in the ferromagnetic state with a high bulk modulus. They are often half-metallic with a large and integer magnetic moment and are very attractive in spintronics, magneto-optics applications. The magnetic moments of CrTiAs and CrTiP were 2.9865 μ
B and 3.00 μ
B, respectively, which were attributed to their ferromagnetic phase. Additionally, the positive sign of the phonon branches indicates the dynamic stability of these compounds. Applying both GGA and mBJ approximations, CrTiAs and CrTiP compounds exhibited a half-metallic nature by 100% spin polarization. The Kerr angle obtained from magneto-optic results demonstrated a high-intense peak for these compounds in the visible edge with a negative sign. Eventually, a figure of merit with a value above the room temperature was found for both compounds in which the holes are charge carriers.
Reflecting on Your Reflection: Examining the Effect of a Non-Reversing Mirror on Self-Perception
Authors: Frautschi Russell S , Orfahli Lynn M , Zins James E
Published: April 2021

Background

Photographic images can clash markedly with patients’ self-perception. Individuals are more familiar with their mirror image, where their facial asymmetries are reversed. A non-reversing mirror (NRM) allows patients to see their dynamic non-reversed image and familiarize themselves with how they appear in photographs and to others.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the effect that a NRM has on facial self-perception and investigate whether a NRM changes an individual’s goals when considering cosmetic surgery.

Methods

Individuals (n = 30) filled out portions of the FACE-Q questionnaire after inspecting their reflections in a NRM and in a standard mirror for 30 seconds each. After these two inspections had been completed, investigators asked qualitative questions comparing the 2 mirrors. Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Pearson’s chi-squared test were used to analyze the differences.

Results

Participants scored significantly better on the FACE-Q Age Appraisal and Appearance-Related Psychosocial Distress scales when looking in a standard mirror vs a NRM (P = 0.007 and 0.001, respectively). Qualitatively, most reported that their faces seemed less symmetric and less balanced (73% and 53%, respectively) in the NRM. Overall, 83.3% reported seeing a qualitative difference in their appearance, with 30% endorsing that looking in the NRM had changed their facial aesthetic goals.

Conclusions

A NRM can bridge between the familiarity of the patient’s reversed reflection and their less-familiar, non-reversed true image. It may serve as a useful physician-patient communication tool when discussing goals and expectations for facial aesthetic procedures.