bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative multiparametric MRI as a non-invasive stratification tool in children and adolescents with autoimmune liver disease
Authors: Janowski Kamil , Shumbayawonda Elizabeth , Cheng Lin , Langford Caitlin , Dennis Andrea , Kelly Matt , Pronicki Maciej , Grajkowska Wieslawa , Wozniak Malgorzata , Pawliszak Piotr , Chełstowska Sylwia , Jurkiewicz Elzbieta , Banerjee Rajarshi , Socha Piotr
Published: July 2021

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC) are two very closely related autoimmune liver diseases with overlapping clinical features and similar management strategies. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of quantitative imaging markers to distinguish ASC from AIH in paediatrics. 66 participants (N = 52 AIH, N = 14 ASC) aged 14.4 ± 3.3 years scheduled to undergo routine biopsy and baseline serum liver biochemistry testing were invited to undergo MRI (non-contrast abdominal MRI and 3D fast spin-echo MRCP). Multiparametric MRI was used to measure fibro-inflammation with corrected T1 (cT1), while the biliary tree was modelled   using quantitative MRCP (MRCP +). Mann–Whitney U tests were performed to compare liver function tests with imaging markers between patient groups (ASC vs AIH). Receiver operating characteristic curves and stepwise logistic regressions were used to identify the best combination of markers to discriminate between ASC and AIH. Correlations between liver function tests and imaging markers were performed using Spearman’s rank correlation. cT1 was significantly correlated with liver function tests (range 0.33 ≤ R ≤ 56, p < 0.05), as well as with fibrosis, lobular and portal inflammation (range 0.31 ≤ R ≤ 42, p < 0.05). 19 MRCP + metrics correlated significantly with liver function tests (range 0.29 ≤ R ≤ 0.43, p < 0.05). GGT and MRCP + metrics were significantly higher in ASC compared to those with AIH. The best multivariable model for distinguishing ASC from AIH included total number of ducts and the sum of relative severity of both strictures and dilatations AUC: 0.91 (95% CI 0.78–1). Quantitative MRCP metrics are a good discriminator of ASC from AIH.
Diverse effects of pan-ROCK and ROCK2 inhibitors on 2 D and 3D cultured human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells treated with TGFβ2
Authors: Watanabe Megumi , Ida Yosuke , Ohguro Hiroshi , Ota Chiaki , Hikage Fumihito
Published: July 2021

A pan-ROCK-inhibitor, ripasudil (Rip), and a ROCK2 inhibitor, KD025, were used To study the effects of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK)1 and 2 on two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures of a TGFβ2-treated human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells. In the presence of 5 ng/mL TGFβ2, the effects of these inhibitors were characterized by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER), FITC-dextran permeability, and the size and stiffness of 3D sphenoids, the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) including collagen1, 4 and 6, and fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin, a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)1–4, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2, 9 and 14. TGFβ2 caused a significant increase in the TEER values, and decrease in FITC-dextran permeability, as well as a decrease in the sizes and stiffness of the 3D sphenoids. In the presence of ROCK inhibitors, the TGFβ2-induced effects of the TEER and FITC-dextran permeability were inhibited, especially by KD025. Rip induced a significant increase in sizes and a decrease in the stiffness of the TGFβ2-treated 3D sphenoids, although the effects of KD025 were weaker. Gene expressions of most of the ECMs, TIMP2 and MMP9 of 2D and 3D HTM cells were significantly up-regulated by TGFβ2. Those were significantly and differently modulated by Rip or KD025.
Negative potential energy content analysis in cracked rotors whirl response
Authors: AL-Shudeifat Mohammad A. , Alhammadi Fatima K.
Published: July 2021

Appearance of transverse cracks in rotor systems mainly affects their stiffness content. The stability of such systems at steady-state running is usually analyzed by using the Floquet’s theory. Accordingly, the instability zones of rotational speeds are dominated by negative stiffness content in the whirl response in the vicinity of critical rotational speeds. Consequently, an effective stiffness measure is introduced here to analyze the effect of the crack and the unbalance force vector orientation on the intensity of negative potential and stiffness content in the whirl response. The effective stiffness expression is obtained from the direct integration of the equations of motion of the considered cracked rotor system. The proposed effective stiffness measure is applied for steady-state and transient operations using the Jeffcott rotor model with open and breathing crack models. The intensity of negative potential and stiffness content in the numerical and experimental whirl responses is found to be critically depending on the propagation level of the crack and the unbalance force vector orientation. Therefore, this can be proposed as a crack detection tool in cracked rotor systems that either exhibit recurrent passage through the critical rotational speeds or steady-state running.
Extent of impact of deep-sea nodule mining midwater plumes is influenced by sediment loading, turbulence and thresholds
Authors: Muñoz-Royo Carlos , Peacock Thomas , Alford Matthew H. , Smith Jerome A. , Le Boyer Arnaud , Kulkarni Chinmay S. , Lermusiaux Pierre F. J. , Haley Patrick J. , Mirabito Chris , Wang Dayang , Adams E. Eric , Ouillon Raphael , Breugem Alexander , Decrop Boudewijn , Lanckriet Thijs , Supekar Rohit B. , Rzeznik Andrew J. , Gartman Amy , Ju Se-Jong
Published: July 2021

Deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining research activity has substantially increased in recent years, but the expected level of environmental impact is still being established. One environmental concern is the discharge of a sediment plume into the midwater column. We performed a dedicated field study using sediment from the Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone. The plume was monitored and tracked using both established and novel instrumentation, including acoustic and turbulence measurements. Our field studies reveal that modeling can reliably predict the properties of a midwater plume in the vicinity of the discharge and that sediment aggregation effects are not significant. The plume model is used to drive a numerical simulation of a commercial-scale operation in the Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone. Key takeaways are that the scale of impact of the plume is notably influenced by the values of environmentally acceptable threshold levels, the quantity of discharged sediment, and the turbulent diffusivity in the Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone.
Analytical Applications of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-decorated Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Lamaoui Abderrahman , Cubillana-Aguilera Laura , Gil María Luisa Almoraima , Amine Aziz , Palacios-Santander José María
Published: July 2021

Nowadays, nanotechnology is increasingly proving to be a powerful tool for analytical applications achieving their goals and simplifying analytical processes. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been used in a wide range of fields because of their outstanding advantages including large surface area and simple separation using magnetic fields. Before using these MNPs, they require functionalization depending on the application. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic materials that mimic the biological, natural antibody–antigen affinity. Due to their characteristics such as easiness of preparation, good stability compared to natural antibodies and high selectivity, MIPs are widely used in many analytical fields. Therefore, the combination of MNPs and MIPs has opened new opportunities for separation, sensing, and quantitative analysis. In fact, this will be the focus of this chapter – the analytical applications of MIP-decorated MNPs. Indeed, we will describe, firstly, the preparation and functionalization of the MNPs with MIPs as well as their characterization. Moreover, the applications of these materials for solid-phase extraction will be presented. Furthermore, we will discuss the integration of MIP-decorated MNPs in sensing including electrochemical and optical sensors.
A DNAzyme-driven random biped DNA walking nanomachine for sensitive detection of uracil-DNA glycosylase activity
Authors: Tan Li , Lu Jiangnan , Wang Xin , Liu Guang , Mu Xiaomei , Hu Kun , Zhao Shulin , Tian Jianniao
Published: July 2021

A random DNA walking nanomachine based on a DNAzyme for UDG activity detection on the AuNP (Au nanoparticle) surface was constrcuted for highly specific and ultrasensitive detection of uracil-DNA glycosylase(UDG).
Biomineralized zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 nanoparticles enable polymerase/endonuclease synergetic amplification reaction in living cells for sensitive microRNA imaging
Authors: Zhang Ke , Le Xiayun , Yu Qiaoqin , Zhang Juan , Wang Dandan , Chen Tingting , Chu Xia
Published: July 2021

In this work, we have implemented a polymerase and endonuclease synergetic amplification reaction in living cells for intracellular miRNA imaging by using biomineralized ZIF-8 NPs.
Constructing multicomponent cooperative functional systems using metal complexes of short flexible peptides
Authors: Miyake Ryosuke
Published: July 2021

Constructing basic motifs for multicomponent cooperative functional systems using metal complexes of short flexible peptides
A theoretical insight into the curing mechanism of phthalonitrile resins promoted by aromatic amines
Authors: Chen Zuowei , Wang Liquan , Lin Jiaping , Du Lei
Published: July 2021

We proposed a curing mechanism that improves the reported ones and can satisfactorily account for the formation of triazine, polyisoindoline, and phthalocyanine.
Polymer network formation mechanism of multifunctional poly(ethylene glycol)s in ionic liquid electrolyte with a lithium salt
Authors: Ishikawa Asumi , Ikeda Namie , Maeda Shuichi , Fujii Kenta
Published: July 2021

Network formation mechanism of tetrafunctional and bisfunctional poly(ethylene glycol)s in ionic liquid-based electrolytes.
Cu oxide deposited on shape-controlled ceria nanocrystals for CO oxidation: influence of interface-driven oxidation states on catalytic activity
Authors: Prabhakar Reddy Kasala , Choi Hanseul , Kim Daeho , Ryoo Ryong , Park Jeong Young
Published: July 2021

The polar CeO2(100) surface facets contribute considerably to the formation of surface hydroxyl groups, which are necessary for selective, stable Cu1+state loading and enhancement of CO oxidation activity.
Highly uniform Ni(HCO3)2 spheres: the morphology evolution and electrochemical performance
Authors: Cheng Cuixia , Chen Fang , Yi Huiyang , Cheng Yinfang , Lai Guosong
Published: July 2021

The electrochemical performance of Nickel bicarbonate as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors could be further enhanced through rationally tuning the morphology.
Iridium(i) complexes bearing hemilabile coumarin-functionalised N-heterocyclic carbene ligands with application as alkyne hydrosilylation catalysts
Authors: Karataş Mert Olgun , Alıcı Bülent , Passarelli Vincenzo , Özdemir Ismail , Pérez-Torrente Jesús J. , Castarlenas Ricardo
Published: July 2021

Pentacoordinated iridium(i)-cyclooctadiene complexes featuring a coumarin-functionalised imidazoline– or benzimidazoline–NHC ligand exhibit fluxional behavior as a consequence of the hemilability of the pyrone ring in the coumarin wingtip.
Design of highly efficient deep-red emission in the Mn4+ doped new-type structure CaMgAl10O17 for plant growth LED light
Authors: Zhou Yunpeng , Seto Takatoshi , Kang Ziyong , Wang Yuhua
Published: July 2021

A high-efficiency narrow-band deep-red emitting Mn4+ activated phosphor has been implemented in the new-type structure CaMgAl10O17.
Gut microbiota-dependent catabolites of tryptophan play a predominant role in the protective effects of turmeric polysaccharides against DSS-induced ulcerative colitis
Authors: Yang Chengcheng , Du Yao , Ren Daoyuan , Yang Xingbin , Zhao Yan
Published: July 2021

Turmeric polysaccharide supplementation effectively ameliorated DSS-induced ulcerative colitis by modulating the gut microbiota and improving microbial metabolites and gut barrier function.
Valorisation of urban waste to access low-cost heterogeneous palladium catalysts for cross-coupling reactions in biomass-derived γ-valerolactone
Authors: Valentini Federica , Ferlin Francesco , Lilli Simone , Marrocchi Assunta , Ping Liu , Gu Yanlong , Vaccaro Luigi
Published: July 2021

Herein we report a simple protocol for the valorisation of a common urban biowaste.
High-capacity and superior behavior of the Ni–Cu co-doped spinel LiMn2O4 cathodes rapidly prepared via microwave-induced solution flameless combustion
Authors: Su Changwei , Chen Ruifang , Sa Zhaoyao , Li Hong , Xiang Mingwu , Guo Junming , Bai Wei , Liu Xiaofang
Published: July 2021

High-capacity and high-rate properties of the Ni–Cu co-doped spinel LiMn2O4 cathodes for Li-ion batteries.
Boron and beyond: celebrating Todd B. Marder's contributions to chemistry
Authors: Zargarian Davit , Westcott Stephen A. , Kakkar Ashok
Published: July 2021

Highlighting the remarkable impact that Prof. Marder's research has made in science.
Rapid monitoring of graphene exfoliation using NMR proton relaxation
Authors: Marchesini Sofia , Turner Piers , Paton Keith R. , Reed Benjamen P. , Pollard Andrew J.
Published: July 2021

NMR proton relaxation can be used to monitor the few-layer graphene yield of liquid phase exfoliation processes, thus showing promise as a rapid quality control tool for industry.
Diastereoselective desymmetrization reactions of prochiral para-quinamines with cyclopropenes generated in situ: access to fused hydroindol-5-one scaffolds
Authors: Lodhi Rajni , Prakash Meher , Samanta Sampak
Published: July 2021

A base-promoted diastereoselective desymmetric [3 + 2] annulation reaction of prochiral para-quinamines with 2-aroyl-1-chlorocyclopropanecarboxylates to provide a series of fused-hydroindol-5-ones bearing four stereogenic centres is reported.
Investigating the effect of a simplified perfume accord and dilution on the formation of mixed-surfactant microemulsions
Authors: Mirzamani Marzieh , Dawn Arnab , Aswal Vinod K. , Jones Ronald L. , Smith Ed D. , Kumari Harshita
Published: July 2021

Structural changes and phase analyses of a three-PRM accord in sodiumtrideceth-2 sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine, citric acid and diproplylene glycol surfactant system as a function of dilution.
Correction: Natural bamboo leaves as dielectric layers for flexible capacitive pressure sensors with adjustable sensitivity and a broad detection range
Authors: Liu Zhihao , Liang Tianlong , Xin Yue , Huang Jinhao , Liang Jionghong , He Xiang , Zhang Chi , Yang Weijia , He Xin
Published: July 2021

Correction for ‘Natural bamboo leaves as dielectric layers for flexible capacitive pressure sensors with adjustable sensitivity and a broad detection range’ by Zhihao Liu et al., RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 17291–17300. DOI: 10.1039/D1RA03207K.
Structure and dynamics of small polyimide oligomers with silicon as a function of aging
Authors: Burdette-Trofimov Mary K. , Armstrong Beth L. , Heroux Luke , Doucet Mathieu , Sacci Robert L. , Veith Gabriel M.
Published: July 2021

Aging of precursor-based polyimide binders is mimicked using UV curing. The age of the binder directly affects polyimide functionality, adsorption behavior, and slurry structure.
Effect of cholesterol on the membrane partitioning dynamics of hepatitis A virus-2B peptide
Authors: Sikdar Samapan , Banerjee Manidipa , Vemparala Satyavani
Published: July 2021

HAV-2B peptide is capable of sensing lipid packing defects, which facilitates its partitioning through hydrophobic residue insertions into membranes. The presence of cholesterol significantly reduces lipid packing defects to mitigate peptide partitioning.
Speech Understanding in Modulated Noise and Speech Maskers as a Function of Cognitive Status in Older Adults
Authors: Mamo Sara K. , Helfer Karen S.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of different types of maskers on speech understanding as a function of cognitive status in older adults. The hypothesis tested was that individuals with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia would perform like their age- and hearing status–matched control counterparts in modulated noise but would perform more poorly in the presence of competing speech.

Design

Participants (
n
= 39; age range: 55–77 years old) performed a speech-in-noise task and completed two cognitive screening tests and a measure of working memory. Sentences were presented in the presence of two types of maskers (i.e., speech envelope–modulated noise and two-talker, same-sex competing speech). Two analyses were undertaken: (a) a between-groups comparison of individuals diagnosed with MCI/dementia, individuals who failed both cognitive screeners (possible MCI), and age- and hearing status–matched neurologically healthy control individuals and (b) a mixed-model analysis of variance of speech perception performance as a function of working memory capacity.

Results

The between-groups comparison yielded significant group differences for speech understanding in both masking conditions, with the MCI/dementia group performing more poorly than the neurologically healthy controls and possible MCI groups. A single measure of working memory (Size Comparison Span [SICSPAN]) was correlated with performance on the speech perception task in the competing speech conditions.

Conclusions

Adults with a diagnosis of MCI or mild dementia performed more poorly on a speech perception task than their age- and hearing status–matched control counterparts in the presence of both maskers, with larger group mean differences when the target speech was presented in a two-talker masker. This suggests increased difficulty understanding speech in the presence of distracting backgrounds for people with MCI/dementia. Future studies should consider how to target this potentially vulnerable population as they may be experiencing increased difficulty communicating in challenging environments.
Embedding Aphasia-Modified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Script Training for Primary Progressive Aphasia: A Single-Case Pilot Study
Authors: Schaffer Kristin M. , Evans William S. , Dutcher Christina D. , Philburn Christina , Henry Maya L.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study sought to determine the initial feasibility and benefit of a novel intervention that combines speech-language treatment with counseling treatment for an individual with the nonfluent/agrammatic variant of primary progressive aphasia (PPA).

Method

Using a single-case experimental design, we evaluated the utility of modified script training paired with aphasia-modified cognitive behavioral therapy. The study employed a multiple baseline design across scripts for the primary linguistic outcome measure and a mixed methods approach for analyzing counseling outcomes. Psychosocial and communicative functioning scales were administered in conjunction with a phenomenological analysis of semi-structured interviews.

Results

The participant completed all study phases and participated in all treatment components. She met the criterion of 90% correct, intelligible scripted words on all trained scripts through 12 months post-treatment. Treatment outcomes were comparable to a comparison cohort that received script training without counseling (
Henry et al., 2018
). At post-treatment, the participant demonstrated stability or improvement on all measures of psychosocial and communicative functioning, with stability documented on seven out of 11 scales at follow-ups through 12 months post-treatment. A phenomenological analysis revealed pervasive themes of
loss
and
resilience
at both time points, and emerging themes of
positive self-perception, sense of agency,
and
emotional attunement
following treatment.

Conclusions

Results indicate that script training with aphasia-modified cognitive behavioral therapy is a feasible treatment for an individual with the nonfluent/agrammatic variant of PPA, with immediate and lasting benefits to speech-language production and psychosocial functioning. These findings are the first to support the integration of personal adjustment counseling techniques within a speech-language treatment paradigm for PPA.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14925330
Language and Executive Function in Preschoolers With Developmental Language Disorder: The Role of Self-Directed Speech
Authors: Kapa Leah L. , Mettler Heidi M.
Published: July 2021

Purpose:

Our goal was to examine the relationship between language and executive function in children with specific language impairment (SLI) and/or developmental language disorder (DLD) with a specific focus on how language in the form of self-directed speech (SDS) affects executive functioning in this population.

Method:

Participants included thirty-one 4- and 5-year-old children with DLD. Children completed a visual, computer-based continuous performance task (CPT) that tapped their sustained selective attention. SDS children produced during this task was coded off-line for intelligibility, task relevancy, and whether it was regulatory. Regression analyses were used to characterize the relationship between children's performance on the CPT and their SDS.

Results:

The majority of SDS that children produced during the CPT was task relevant and regulatory, but there was individual variability in the total amount of SDS produced. Children's percentage of regulatory SDS was a significant predictor of their CPT performance.

Conclusions:

Because SDS is positively associated with executive function performance but has delayed development among children with SLI and/or DLD, clinicians have an opportunity to support SDS development in children. We discuss specific approaches and clinical activities for supporting SDS development in early childhood.
The GAPS Programme at TNG
Authors: Borsa F. , Lanza A. F. , Raspantini I. , Rainer M. , Fossati L. , Brogi M. , Di Mauro M. P. , Gratton R. , Pino L. , Benatti S. , Bignamini A. , Bonomo A. S. , Claudi R. , Esposito M. , Frustagli G. , Maggio A. , Maldonado J. , Mancini L. , Micela G. , Nascimbeni V. , Poretti E. , Scandariato G. , Sicilia D. , Sozzetti A. , Boschin W. , Cosentino R. , Covino E. , Desidera S. , Di Fabrizio L. , Fiorenzano A. F. M. , Harutyunyan A. , Knapic C. , Molinari E. , Pagano I. , Pedani M. , Piotto G.
Published: July 2021

Context. Giant planets in short-period orbits around bright stars represent optimal candidates for atmospheric and dynamical studies of exoplanetary systems.

Aims. We aim to analyse four transits of WASP-33b observed with the optical high-resolution HARPS-N spectrograph to confirm its nodal precession, study its atmosphere, and investigate the presence of star-planet interactions.

Methods. We extracted the mean line profiles of the spectra using the least-squares deconvolution method, and we analysed the Doppler shadow and the radial velocities. We also derived the transmission spectrum of the planet, correcting it for the stellar contamination due to rotation, centre-to-limb variations, and pulsations.

Results. We confirm the previously discovered nodal precession of WASP-33b, almost doubling the time coverage of the inclination and projected spin-orbit angle variation. We find that the projected obliquity reached a minimum in 2011, and we used this constraint to derive the geometry of the system, and in particular its obliquity at that epoch (ϵ = 113.99° ± 0.22°) and the inclination of the stellar spin axis (is = 90.11° ± 0.12°). We also derived the gravitational quadrupole moment of the star J2 = (6.73 ± 0.22) × 10−5, which we find to be in close agreement with the theoretically predicted value. Small systematics errors are computed by shifting the date of the minimum projected obliquity. We present detections of Hα and Hβ absorption in the atmosphere of the planet, with a contrast almost twice as small as that previously detected in the literature. We also find evidence for the presence of a pre-transit signal, which repeats in all four analysed transits and should thus be related to the planet. The most likely explanation lies in a possible excitation of a stellar pulsation mode by the presence of the planetary companion.

Conclusions. A future common analysis of all available datasets in the literature will help shed light on the possibility that the observed Balmer lines’ transit depth variations are related to stellar activity and pulsation, and to set constraints on the planetary temperature–pressure structure and thus on the energetics possibly driving atmospheric escape. A complete orbital phase coverage of WASP-33b with high-resolution spectroscopic (and spectro-polarimetric) observations could help us to understand the nature of the pre-transit signal.
Identification of neutrino bursts associated to supernovae with real-time test statistic (RTS2) method
Authors: Lamoureux Mathieu
Published: July 2021

Aims. This paper proposes a new approach to detecting 𝒪(MeV) neutrino bursts such as those associated with supernovae.

Methods. A novel ‘real-time test statistic’ (RTS) exploits the temporal structure of the expected signal, discriminating against the diffuse background, to allow detection of very weak signals that would elude standard clustering methods.

Results. For a given background rate, the proposed method increases signal efficiency while keeping the same false alarm rate for a Poisson-distributed background. By adding a spatial penalty term to the definition of RTS, it is also possible to reject spatially correlated backgrounds such as those due to spallation events.

Conclusions. The algorithm can be implemented in a real-time monitoring system for detectors of all sizes, allowing prompt alerts to be sent to the wider community, for example through the SNEWS 2.0 network.
The differential energy distribution and the total integrated binding energy of dynamical models
Authors: Baes Maarten , Dejonghe Herwig
Published: July 2021

We revisit the differential energy distribution of steady-state dynamical models. It has been shown that the differential energy distribution of steady-state spherical models does not vary strongly with the anisotropy profile, and that it is hence mainly determined by the density distribution of the model. We explore this similarity in more detail. Through a worked example and a simple proof, we show that the mean binding energy per unit mass ⟨ℰ⟩, or equivalently the total integrated binding energy Btot = M⟨ℰ⟩, is independent of the orbital structure, not only for spherical models but for any steady-state dynamical model. Only the higher-order moments of the differential energy distribution depend on the details of the orbital structure. We show that the standard deviation of the differential energy distribution of spherical dynamical models varies systematically with the anisotropy profile: radially anisotropic models tend to prefer more average binding energies, whereas models with a more tangential orbital distribution slightly favour more extreme binding energies. Finally, we find that the total integrated binding energy supplements the well-known trio consisting of total kinetic energy, total potential energy, and total energy on an equal footing. Knowledge of any one out of these four energies suffices to calculate the other three.
Knowledge on radiation emergency preparedness among nuclear medicine technologists
Authors: Shubayr N.A. , Alashban Y.I.
Published: July 2021

This study aimed to assess the knowledge of nuclear medicine technologists (NMTs) in radiation emergency preparedness and response operations and their willingness to participate in such operations. A survey was developed for this purpose and distributed to NMTs in Saudi Arabia. Sixty participants responded with a response rate of 63.31%. Based on the overall radiation protection knowledge related to emergency response, NMTs can perform radiation detection, population monitoring, patient decontamination, and assist with radiological dose assessments during radiation emergencies. There were no significant differences in the knowledge on the use of scintillation gamma camera (P = 0.314), well counter (P = 0.744), Geiger counter (P = 0.935), thyroid probes (P = 0.980), portable monitor (P = 0.830), or portable multichannel analyzer (P = 0.413) and years of experience. Approximately 44% of the respondents reported receiving emergency preparedness training in the last 5 years. Respondents who reported receiving training were significantly more familiar with the emergency preparedness resources (P = 0.031) and more willing to assist with radiation detection or monitoring in the event of nuclear reactor accident (P = 0.016), nuclear weapon detonation (P = 0.002), and dirty bomb detonation (P = 0.003). These findings indicate the importance of training and continuing education in radiological emergency preparedness and response, which increase the willingness to respond to radiological accidents and fill the gaps in NMTs’ knowledge and familiarity with response resources.
Distributed scheduling of multi-carrier energy systems considering integrated demand response program and load volatility
Authors: Chen Feixiong , Deng Hongjie , Shao Zhenguo
Published: July 2021

Due to the higher energy efficiency as well as the higher flexibility and reliability of energy supply, multi-carrier energy systems (MCESs) have attracted extensive attention. However, the power imbalance caused by uncertainty, the complicated couplings among multiple carriers, and the communication obstacles among multiple MCESs bring challenges to the synergistic scheduling of multiple MCESs. To this end, this paper studies the synergistic scheduling of multi-MCES coupled with electricity, natural gas, heating, and cooling carriers, considering integrated demand response (IDR) program and load volatility. First, an IDR program with electricity, heating, and cooling loads is proposed, where the consumers can change their energy consumption patterns in response to price signals to reduce operating costs. Second, to smooth the electricity load curve and avoid load fluctuations, load volatility is taken into account when implementing the IDR program. In addition, the non-convex constraints of natural gas network are tackled via second-order cone relaxation, and the scheduling of multi-MCES is reformulated as mixed integer second-order cone programming (MISOCP). Finally, the synergistic scheduling model of multi-MCES considering IDR program and load volatility is solved by consensus-based alternating direction method of multipliers with limited boundary information exchange with neighboring MCESs. Numerical results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed distributed IDR program in a multi-MCES.
High-throughput computational design for 2D van der Waals functional heterostructures: Fragility of Anderson's rule and beyond
Authors: Si Yuan , Wu Hong-Yu , Yang Ke , Lian Ji-Chun , Huang Tao , Huang Wei-Qing , Hu Wang-Yu , Huang Gui-Fang
Published: July 2021

The heart of current high-throughput computational design for two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) functional heterostructures is Anderson's rule (AR). This non-interacting model, however, inevitably introduces error and uncertainty in design results, problems which remain neglected. We report that, even for a non-magnetic system, the current high-throughput design framework commonly omits potential candidates in specific fields, such as heterostructure solar cell research. Therefore, this framework is fragile to extend to all subfields of functional vdW heterostructures. Through the analysis of several factors, such fragility is found to arise mainly from interlayer orbital coupling. This effect is omitted by AR and causes statistical deviation in the prediction of electronic properties. In the absence of a more advanced and universal physical model for describing interlayer orbital coupling, we propose a robust high-throughput design framework to reduce the omission of potential candidates. This work deepens the understanding of high-throughput design for 2D vdW functional heterostructures and provides insight into their development.
GaAs-based microelectromechanical terahertz bolometers fabricated on high-resistivity Si substrates using wafer bonding technique
Authors: Niu Tianye , Morais Natalia , Qiu Boqi , Nagai Naomi , Zhang Ya , Arakawa Yasuhiko , Hirakawa Kazuhiko
Published: July 2021

We have fabricated GaAs-based microelectromechanical systems' (MEMSs) terahertz bolometers on high-resistivity Si substrates by using a wafer-bonding technique. In contrast to polar GaAs, nonpolar Si has very small absorption in the terahertz (THz) frequency range. The wafer-bonded MEMS bolometers show a large responsivity even in the Reststrahlen band of GaAs, where the responsivity vanishes in the conventional MEMS bolometers fabricated on GaAs substrates. Furthermore, we have observed two peaks in the responsivity spectrum near the TO and LO phonon frequencies of GaAs, which originate from an interplay between strong reflection in the Reststrahlen band and strong absorption at the TO phonon frequency in the GaAs MEMS beam. The present result demonstrates that the wafer-bonded MEMS bolometers are a very good candidate for the room-temperature, fast, and sensitive broadband THz detection.
Impingement-assisted self-assembly of ferrofluid droplets under magnetic field
Authors: Wang Zhaoyi , Tao Ran , Wu Jun , Li Bing , Hao Chonglei
Published: July 2021

The unique liquid nature and strong magnetic response ability enable ferrofluid droplets to split and self-assemble into reconfigurable three-dimensional structures. Although the manipulation of a ferrofluid droplet in a static or quasi-static state has been well studied, the splitting and self-assembly of ferrofluids in a dynamic state remain unexplored. Here, we report the impingement-assisted self-assembly of ferrofluids on superhydrophobic surfaces, whereby the required magnetic field is greatly reduced. In particular, the coupling between the magnetic field strength and Weber number endows a precise regulation of the ferrofluid post-impact dynamics, which facilitates the optimization of the self-assembly behavior. Finally, we demonstrate that the impingement-assisted self-assembly of ferrofluids can be generalized on various surfaces with different wettability. The fundamental understanding and the ability to self-assembly during droplet impingement can provide important insight into the dynamics of ferrofluid droplets as well as the applicability in multifunctional analytical and fluidic devices.
A pain in the neck: weak links are not a reliable release mechanism for radio-collars
Authors: Rayner Kelly , Sullivan Miriam , Sims Colleen , Cowen Saul
Published: July 2021

Collars are an attachment method commonly used to mount data collection devices on wildlife. Removal of collars at the completion of a data collection period is a high priority for the purpose of animal welfare, but retrieval of collars can often be difficult. Weak links or other drop-off devices are used by researchers with the intention of improving collar retrieval rates, and for mitigation of animal welfare risks associated with collar entanglement. However, the design and effectiveness of such devices is not regularly reported in detail in the literature. We surveyed wildlife researchers to collate and communicate their experiences with weak links, and assess their attitudes towards collaring Australian mammals in the 35–5500 g weight range. Forty-five researchers responded to the survey, of whom 25 had used weak links in at least one study. There was very little consistency between the performances of weak links, with researchers finding them effective in less than half of the scenarios reported upon. Outcomes varied depending on the type of material used for the link, the species being collared, and the environmental conditions under which the collars were being deployed. We recommend (1) researchers test weak links prior to deployment; (2) users to not rely upon weak links as the primary method of collar retrieval; and (3) continued communication of design and outcomes of all radio-collars deployed including those with weak links.
Evidence and theory for lower rates of depression in larger US urban areas
Authors: Stier Andrew J. , Schertz Kathryn E. , Rim Nak Won , Cardenas-Iniguez Carlos , Lahey Benjamin B. , Bettencourt Luís M. A. , Berman Marc G.
Published: July 2021

Significance

Depression is the global leading cause of disability and related economic losses. Cities are associated with increased risk for depression, but how do depression risks change between cities? Here, we develop a mathematical theory for how the built urban environment influences depression risk and predict lower depression rates in larger cities. We demonstrate that this model fits empirical data across four large-scale datasets in US cities. If our model captures some of the underlying causal mechanisms, then these results suggest that depression within cities can be understood, in part, as a collective ecological phenomenon mediated by human social networks and their relationship to the urban built environment.
Language attrition: A matter of brain plasticity?
Authors: Köpke Barbara
Published: July 2021

While it has long been assumed that brain plasticity declines significantly with growing maturity, recent studies
in adult subjects show grey and white matter changes due to language learning that suggest high adaptability of brain structures
even within short time-scales. It is not known yet whether other language development phenomena, such as attrition, may also be
linked to structural changes in the brain. In behavioral and neurocognitive research on language attrition and crosslinguistic
influence, findings suggest high plasticity as language interaction patterns of bilingual speakers change constantly and from
early stages of language acquisition onwards. In this paper we will speculate on possible links between brain plasticity and L1
attrition in adult bilinguals, with particular attention to a number of factors that are put forward in memory frameworks in order
to explain forgetting: time elapsed, frequency of L1 use, and interference from L2. In order to better understand the time-scales
involved in the plastic changes during bilingual development, we then discuss some recent studies of re-exposure to L1 in formerly
attrited immigrants, and their implications with respect to brain plasticity.
Capturing the variation in language experience to understand language processing and learning
Authors: Kroll Judith F. , Takahesu Tabori Andrea , Navarro-Torres Christian
Published: July 2021

A goal of early research on language processing was to characterize what is universal about language. Much of the past research focused on native speakers because the native language has been considered as providing privileged truths about acquisition, comprehension, and production. Populations or circumstances that deviated from these idealized norms were of interest but not regarded as essential to our understanding of language. In the past two decades, there has been a marked change in our understanding of how variation in language experience may inform the central and enduring questions about language. There is now evidence for significant plasticity in language learning beyond early childhood, and variation in language experience has been shown to influence both language learning and processing. In this paper, we feature what we take to be the most exciting recent new discoveries suggesting that variation in language experience provides a lens into the linguistic, cognitive, and neural mechanisms that enable language processing.
Remapping variable subject position in Spanish intransitives
Authors: Pulido Manuel F.
Published: July 2021

In Spanish, a SVO language with variable word order, post-verbal subjects have been proposed to be favored for
particular verb categories. For instance, based on agentivity, unaccusatives are proposed to favor VS as a whole. Motion verbs are
regarded as unaccusatives generally favoring VS order. An alternative analysis is presented here, using data from two
conversational corpora. Motion verbs are recategorized based on their predicted tendency to include adverbials in the sentence and
compared with other unaccusatives. Motion verbs are divided according to their Deictic Function (Talmy 2000) into “come” verbs (i.e., “motion-toward-the-center,” that is, the speaker), and “go” verbs.
“Come” verbs do not often require target specification through an adverbial, whereas “go” verbs do. Adverbials were found to
appear as post-verbal path specification in “go” verbs; due to weight factors, such specifiers favor pre-verbal subjects.
Importantly, even when no modifier is present, trends persist, suggesting entrenchment of usage patterns.
Single-hole pump in germanium
Authors: Rossi Alessandro , Hendrickx Nico W , Sammak Amir , Veldhorst Menno , Scappucci Giordano , Kataoka Masaya
Published: July 2021

Single-charge pumps are the main candidates for quantum-based standards of the unit ampere because they can generate accurate and quantized electric currents. In order to approach the metrological requirements in terms of both accuracy and speed of operation, in the past decade there has been a focus on semiconductor-based devices. The use of a variety of semiconductor materials enables the universality of charge pump devices to be tested, a highly desirable demonstration for metrology, with GaAs and Si pumps at the forefront of these tests. Here, we show that pumping can be achieved in a yet unexplored semiconductor, i.e. germanium. We realise a single-hole pump with a tunable-barrier quantum dot electrostatically defined at a Ge/SiGe heterostructure interface. We observe quantized current plateaux by driving the system with a single sinusoidal drive up to a frequency of 100 MHz. The operation of the prototype was affected by accidental formation of multiple dots, probably due to disorder potential, and random charge fluctuations. We suggest straightforward refinements of the fabrication process to improve pump characteristics in future experiments.
Connected Coulomb columns: analysis and numerics
Authors: Dondl P , Novaga M , Wojtowytsch S , Wolff-Vorbeck S
Published: July 2021

We consider a version of Gamow’s liquid drop model with a short range attractive perimeter-penalizing potential and a long-range Coulomb interaction of a uniformly charged mass in

R

3

. Here we constrain ourselves to minimizing among the class of shapes that are columnar, i.e., constant in one spatial direction. Using the standard perimeter in the energy would lead to non-existence for any prescribed cross-sectional area due to the infinite mass in the constant spatial direction. In order to overcome this issue we use a connected perimeter instead. We prove existence of minimizers for this connected isoperimetric problem with long-range interaction and study the shapes of minimizers in the small and large cross section regimes. For an intermediate regime we use an Ohta–Kawasaki phase field model with connectedness constraint to study the shapes of minimizers numerically.
Macroscopic, layered onion shell like magnetic domain structure generated in YIG films using ultrashort, megagauss magnetic pulses
Authors: Nath Kamalika , Mahato P C , Lad Amit D , Shaikh Moniruzzaman , Jana Kamalesh , Sarkar Deep , Sensarma Rajdeep , Ravindra Kumar G , Banerjee S S
Published: July 2021

Study of the formation and evolution of large scale, ordered structures is an enduring theme in science. Generation, evolution and control of large sized magnetic domains are challenging tasks, given the complex nature of competing interactions in a magnetic system. Here, we demonstrate large scale non-coplanar ordering of spins, driven by picosecond, megagauss magnetic pulses derived from a high intensity, femtosecond laser. Our studies on a specially designed yttrium iron garnet (YIG) dielectric/metal film sandwich target, show the creation of complex, large, concentric, elliptical shaped magnetic domains which resemble the layered shell structure of an onion. The largest shell has a major axis over hundreds of micrometers, in stark contrast to sub micrometer scale polygonal, striped or bubble shaped magnetic domains in magnetic materials, or large dumbbell shaped domains produced in magnetic films irradiated with accelerator based relativistic electron beams. Micromagnetic simulations show that the giant magnetic field pulses create ultrafast terahertz (THz) spin waves and a snapshot of these fast-propagating spin waves is stored as the layered onion shell shaped domains in the YIG film. Typically, information transport via spin waves in magnonic devices occurs in the gigahertz regime, where devices are susceptible to thermal disturbances at room temperature. Our intense laser light pulse—YIG sandwich target combination, paves the way for room temperature table-top THz spin wave devices, operating just above or in the range of the thermal noise floor. This dissipation-less device offers ultrafast control of spin information over distances of few hundreds of microns.
Anonymous and secret communication in quantum networks
Authors: Thalacker Christopher , Hahn Frederik , de Jong Jarn , Pappa Anna , Barz Stefanie
Published: July 2021

Secure communication is one of the key applications of quantum networks. In recent years, following the demands for identity protection in classical communication protocols, the need for anonymity has also emerged for quantum networks. Here, we demonstrate that quantum physics allows parties—besides communicating securely over a network—to also keep their identities secret. We implement such an anonymous quantum conference key agreement by sharing multipartite entangled states in a quantum network. We demonstrate the protocol with four parties and establish keys in subsets of the network—different combinations of two and three parties—whilst keeping the participating parties anonymous. We additionally show that the protocol is verifiable and run multiple key generation and verification routines. Our work thus addresses one of the key challenges of networked communication: keeping the identities of the communicating parties private.
Valley-dependent electronic transport in quantum Hall systems of α-T3 model
Authors: Li Fu , Zhang Qingtian
Published: July 2021

We study the quantum transport in α-T3 model lattice in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field. It is found that valley pseudospin is also a very important degree of freedom for electrons in α-T3 model lattice, which can be modulated by the magnetic field. When a perpendicular magnetic field is applied to α-T3 model lattice, the electrons in the two valleys have different responses to the magnetic field. We found that the continuous subbands of α-T3 model lattice are splitted into discrete Landau levels by the perpendicular magnetic fields, and the Landau levels for the two valleys are different, which leads to high valley polarization. Our results may stimulate further experimental studies of the realization of valleytronic devices.