bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First detection of Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Ixodes ricinus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from multiple locations in Hungary
Authors: Tóth Adrienn Gréta , Farkas Róbert , Gyurkovszky Mónika , Krikó Eszter , Solymosi Norbert
Published: January 2023

The parasitoid wasp,Ixodiphagus hookeri(Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), is the natural enemy of a wide range of hard and soft tick species. While these encyrtid wasps are supposed to be distributed worldwide, only a few studies report on their actual distribution around the globe. Within a shotgun sequencing-based metagenome analysis, the occurrence ofI. hookeriwas screened at multipleIxodes ricinus(Acari: Ixodidae) tick sampling points in Hungary to contribute to the assessment of the distribution patterns of the parasitoid wasps in Central Europe. To our knowledge, the first report of the species in Hungary and the description of the southernmostI. hookeriassociated geoposition in Central Europe took place within our study.I. hookeriinfestedI. ricinusnymphs were detected at five sampling points in Hungary. The results show that the exact distribution range ofI. hookeriis still barely studied. At the same time, unprecedented public health issues being brought about by climate change might require steps toward the exploitation of the tick biocontrol potential and as an ecological bioindicator role of the parasitoid wasp in the future.
Three-component selective synthesis of phenothiazines and bis-phenothiazines under metal-free conditions
Authors: Chen Shanping , Li Zhuoqin , Hu Kai , Feng Wei , Mao Guojiang , Xiao Fuhong , Deng Guo-Jun
Published: February 2023

An iodine-containing reagent promoted three-component method for the selective synthesis of phenothiazines and bis-phenothiazines from simple and cheap cyclohexanones, elemental sulfur, and inorganic ammonium salts has been developed.
Access to thiazoline and spiro[indoline-3,3′-thiophene] scaffolds via a formal [3 + 2] annulation reaction of crotonate-derived sulfur ylides and β-ketothioamides
Authors: Zheng Jing , Gu Hong , Chen Qinfang , Yang Weiran
Published: February 2023

A formal [3 + 2] annulation reaction of crotonate-derived sulfur ylides and β-ketothioamides (KTAs) was successfully developed to produce good-to-excellent yields of thiazoline and spiro[indoline-3,3′-thiophene] scaffolds.
Correction: Experimental evaluation of indium(i) iodide as a lead-free perovskite-inspired material for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Ustinova Marina I. , Babenko Sergey D. , Luchkin Sergey Yu. , Talalaev Filipp S. , Anokhin Denis V. , Olthof Selina , Troshin Pavel A.
Published: February 2023

Correction for ‘Experimental evaluation of indium(i) iodide as a lead-free perovskite-inspired material for photovoltaic applications’ by Marina I. Ustinova et al., J. Mater. Chem. C, 2022, 10, 3435–3439, https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC05583F.
On the performance of multiple association with mobility support in 5G ultra‐dense networks: Realistic network simulation
Authors: Bulti Dinkisa A. , Wondie Yihenew
Published: January 2023

A user equipment (UE) in ultra‐dense networks (UDN) has a high chance of being in close proximity to many cells. multiple association (MA) can be used to serve users with high data rate demands in such a deployment scenario. However, because of the small footprint of the low power node (LPN), mobile users may experience highly frequent cell re‐association issues. This paper focuses on solutions for UEs with high data rate demands as well as mobility management. User‐centric clustering, control, and user‐plane split usages are designed and investigated in coordination with the MA scheme. The clustering involves two stages: a master clustering and user‐centric clustering. This approach goes with mobility management in long term evolution advanced (LTE‐A)/fifth generation (5G) and can easily be integrated with the existing system. By setting some predefined threshold, the scheme attempts to treat UEs separately, based on their speed. In addition, a clustering approach was developed that generates virtual cells with which UEs are associated. The combination of MA with clustering and mobility support improves cooperation between the most appropriate cells to serve a specific UE. To validate the performance gains, synthetic system level and realistic network deployment simulations were used. The results show that the proposed scheme solves the frequent re‐association issues and improves the user throughput performance. In the realistic network evaluation, up to 65.7% decrease in re‐association frequency was obtained for the UEs average speed of 90 Km/h with cluster size . In addition, the percentile UE throughput when showed about 5.5% increase compared with the case when for pedestrian and low speed users.
Joint random mapping and artificial noise insertion for securing GPSM access in correlated eavesdropper channels
Authors: Aladi Ahmed , Alsusa Emad
Published: January 2023

This paper proposes combined precoding and artificial noise‐insertion scheme to enhance the secrecy of generalized precoded spatial modulation when the wiretap channel is partially correlated with the legitimate channel. It is shown that randomizing the modulated and spatial symbols prior to artificial noise insertion can significantly enhance secrecy even with a highly correlated eavesdropper channel. The proposed scheme exploits the channel state information (CSI) of the legitimate channel without requiring knowledge of the eavesdropper channel. The security of the proposed system depends on the amount of power allocation and the number of active receive antennas. Simulation results validate the proposed security scheme and show that the hybrid approach proposed outperforms the one that relies on artificial noise transmission.
Fused pyramid attention network for single image super‐resolution
Authors: Chen Shi , Bi Xiuping , Zhang Lefei
Published: January 2023

In image super‐resolution, deep neural networks with various attention mechanisms have achieved noticeable performance in recent years, for example, channel attention and layer attention. Although many researchers have achieved good super‐resolution results with only a certain style of attention, the divergence and the complementarity focused by multiple attention mechanisms are ignored. In addition, most of these methods fail to utilize the diverse information from multi‐scale features. To efficiently manipulate the above rich information, this paper strives to combine multi‐scale structure and multi‐attention schemes in architecture and module levels for super‐resolution. Especially, in the architecture level, a fused pyramid attention network is developed to extract deep features with the multi‐scale context information from multiple different sizes of receptive field recurrently with skip connections. For the module level, a fused pyramid attention module is designed to fuse the two attention mechanisms to further refine the deep features with fine‐grained information. Compared with the common fusion strategy, the adopted feature fusion structure can maintain better structural information while establishing long‐range dependency. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed network achieves favorable performance quantitatively and visually.
Threshold behavior of an age-structured tumor immune model
Authors: Luo Zhonghu , Liu Zijian , Tan Yuanshun , Yang Jin , Qiu Huanhuan
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we present and analyze an age-structured tumor immune model. Based on the fact that tumor cells of different ages tend to exhibit different physiological behaviors, we consider the age structure of tumor cells, age-based proliferation function and age-dependent death function in the model. The threshold R0 for the existence of tumor-free steady state is derived. It is found that if R0 > 1, the tumor-free steady state is not only locally stable but also globally stable. Moreover, numerical simulation shows that the threshold R0 may be regarded as an index to reflect the ability of “tumor immune surveillance”, that is, the smaller the R0, the better the ability of tumor immune surveillance. If R0 > 1, it is proved that the tumor steady state is existent and uniformly persistent. The local stability of the tumor steady state is investigated under some further conditions besides R0 > 1. In the end, we estimate the system parameters, verify the theoretical results and analyze some system parameters’ sensitivities.
A robust-stochastic data envelopment analysis model for supplier performance evaluation of the telecommunication industry under uncertainty
Authors: Dehghani Sadrabadi Mohammad Hossein , Sabouhi Fatemeh , Bozorgi-Amiri Ali , Sheikhalishahi Mohammad
Published: January 2023

The primary activities of any organization rely on the procurement of the required goods and services at the shortest time and highest quality possible. On this basis, the problem of supplier evaluation, ranking, and selection is considered critically important. Data envelopment analysis is a well-known and successful approach in this field. In this study, we propose a robust-stochastic data envelopment analysis model to measure the efficiency of decision-making units under uncertainty. We measure efficiency through a standard and an inverted model in terms of resilience and agility. In order to demonstrate the practical potential of the proposed model, we apply the model to a case study of the Iranian telecom industry with 90 decision-making units. Numerical results reveal that human resources and cash assets are the most important input criteria. Also, the output indicators, including adaptability, reliability, visibility, and coordination, have high importance in measuring the efficiency of decision-making units. It should be noted that employing the robust-stochastic optimization approach leads to controlling the fluctuations of uncertain parameters and maintaining a desirable optimal level of efficiency for decision-making units under different scenarios. The results suggest that the model is sufficiently valid and reliable for evaluating the performance of suppliers in the telecom industry, may be employed under uncertain conditions, and can incorporate decision-makers’ varying preferences. The managerial insights derived from this research indicate that, in the short term, uncertainty throughout the evaluation process of suppliers often leads to reduced efficiency among the decision-making units. However, operating under uncertainty is associated with several advantages in the long term, such as increased decision-making consistency and improved vital ability to cope with uncertainty.
Reported Hearing Outcome Measures Following Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Vestibular Schwannoma: A Scoping Review
Authors: Almufarrij Ibrahim , Hannan Cathal John , King Andrew Thomas , Vail Andy , Heal Calvin , Whitfield Gillian , Pathmanaban Omar Nathan , Lloyd Simon K. , Munro Kevin J.
Published: January 2023

Background Evidence on hearing outcome measures when assessing hearing preservation following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for adults with vestibular schwannoma (VS) has not previously been collated in a structured review.

Objective The objective of the present study was to perform a scoping review of the evidence regarding the choice of hearing outcomes and other methodological characteristics following SRS for adults with VS.

Methods The protocol was registered in the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (INPLASY) and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses extension guidelines for scoping reviews. A systematic search of five online databases revealed 1,591 studies, 247 of which met the inclusion criteria.

Results The majority of studies (n = 213, 86%) were retrospective cohort or case series with the remainder (n = 34, 14%) prospective cohort. Pure-tone audiometry and speech intelligibility were included in 222 (90%) and 158 (64%) studies, respectively, often summarized within a classification scheme and lacking procedural details. Fifty-nine (24%) studies included self-report measures. The median duration of follow-up, when reported, was 43 months (interquartile range: 29, 4–150).

Conclusion Evidence on hearing disability after SRS for VS is based on low-quality studies which are inherently susceptible to bias. This review has highlighted an urgent need for a randomized controlled trial assessing hearing outcomes in patients with VS managed with radiosurgery or radiological observation. Similarly, consensus and coproduction of a core outcome set to determine relevant hearing and communication outcome domains is required. This will ensure that patient priorities, including communication abilities in the presence of background noise and reduced participation restrictions, are addressed.
Simpson's Grading Scale for WHO Grade I Meningioma Resection in the Modern Neurosurgical Era: Are We Really Asking the Right Question?
Authors: Dadario Nicholas B. , Sughrue Michael E.
Published: January 2023

The Simpson grading scale for the classification of the extent of meningioma resection provided a tremendous movement forward in 1957 suggesting increasing the extent of resection improves recurrence rates. However, equal, if not greater, movements forward have been made in the neurosurgical community over the last half a century owing to improvements in neuroimaging capabilities, microsurgical techniques, and radiotherapeutic strategies. Sughrue et al proposed the idea that these advancements have altered what a “recurrence” and “subtotal resection” truly means in modern neurosurgery compared with Simpson's era, and that a mandated use of the Simpson Scale is likely less clinically relevant today. A subsequent period of debate ensued in the literature which sought to re-examine the clinical value of using the Simpson Scale in modern neurosurgery. While a large body of evidence has recently been provided, these data generally continue to support the clinical importance of gross tumor resection as well as the value of adjuvant radiation therapy and the importance of recently updated World Health Organization classifications. However, there remains a negligible interval benefit in performing overly aggressive surgery and heroic maneuvers to remove the last bit of tumor, dura, and/or bone just for the simple act of achieving a lower Simpson score. Ultimately, meningioma surgery may be better contextualized as a continuous set of weighted risk–benefit decisions throughout the entire operation.
Enantioselective Synthesis of Axially Chiral 1-Arylisoquinolines by Iridium(I)-Catalyzed Hydroarylation of Alkynes
Authors: Gu Qing , You Shu-Li , Zhou Qiansujia , Yin Si-Yong , Zheng Dong-Song , Zhang Wen-Wen , Zhang Su-Zhen
Published: January 2023

Ir(I)-catalyzed atroposelective hydroarylation of alkynes with 1-arylisoquinolines through C–H functionalization was realized. In the presence of 5 mol% of [Ir(cod)Cl]2 and 10 mol% of QUINOX-P, a wide range of axially chiral alkenylated biaryls were obtained in up to 98% yield and 97% ee. Notably, only one equivalent of the alkyne was required to guarantee a high efficiency of this C–H functionalization process. This reaction exhibits excellent functional-group tolerance under mild conditions.
Correlation of Renal Tissue Oxygenation to Venous, Arterial, and Capillary Blood Gas Oxygen Saturation in Preterm Neonates
Authors: Harer Matthew W. , Gadek Lauren , Rothwell Amy C. , Richard Luke , Starr Michelle C. , Adegboro Claudette O.
Published: January 2023

Objective The aim of the study is to assess the correlation of renal regional tissue saturation of oxygen (RrSO2) measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in preterm neonates to venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) obtained from umbilical venous catheters (UVCs), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) obtained from umbilical artery catheters (UACs), and capillary oxygen saturation (ScO2) from capillary heel blood draws.

Study Design A secondary analysis of a prospective RrSO2 monitoring study in preterm neonates born <32 weeks gestational age. Neonates with any blood gas obtained during RrSO2 monitoring were included. RrSO2 was compared with simultaneous O2 saturation using non-parametric Mann Whitney U-test and Spearman correlation coefficient.

Results In 35 neonates, 25 UVC, 151 UAC, and 68 heel capillary specimens were obtained. RrSO2 was lower than the median SvO2 (58.8 vs. 78.9, p <0.01), SaO2 (51.0 vs. 93.2, p <0.01), and ScO2 (62.2 vs. 94.25, p <0.01). RrSO2 values correlated to both SaO2 and ScO2 (r = 0.32; p <0.01, r = 0.26; p = 0.03), but not SvO2 (r = 0.07; p = 0.74).

Conclusion In this secondary analysis, RrSO2 was consistently lower than blood gas O2 saturations and correlated with SaO2 and ScO2 but not SvO2. Lack of a correlation to SvO2 could be due to the small UVC sample size limiting statistical power. Future studies should prospectively evaluate if RrSO2 truly primarily reflects venous oxygenation in preterm neonates.

Key Points
Differences When Classifying Small for Gestational Age Preterm Infants According to the Growth Chart Applied
Authors: Estañ-Capell Javier , Alarcón-Torres Beatriz , Miró-Pedro Magdalena , Martínez-Costa Cecilia
Published: January 2023

Objective Consensus around the ideal chart to classify preterm babies is scant. It is particularly relevant in small for gestational age (SGA) infants due to its clinical and therapeutic implications. The aim of the study was to compare Olsen, Intergrowth-21st, and Fenton growth charts, regarding the classification at birth and incidence of SGA preterm infants.

Study Design Retrospective study of 529 preterm infants ≤ 32 weeks of gestational age. Birth weight Z-score was calculated applying the three growth charts and ponderal index (PI) was also estimated. Incidence of SGA (birth weight < 10th percentile) and clinical outcome were compared according to the chart used.

Results Incidence of SGA was significantly higher (p < 0.001) with Olsen (101 cases, 19.1%) compared with Intergrowth-21st (75 cases, 14.2%) and Fenton (53 cases, 10%). Differences were also found with PI of SGA preterm infants, as those infants classified by Olsen were mostly symmetric (PI > 10th percentile), while Fenton and Intergrowth-21st identified less symmetric SGA infants. Kappa concordance between Intergrowth-21st and Fenton was 0.805, Intergrowth-21st versus Olsen 0.824, and Fenton versus Olsen 0.641. No differences were observed on neonatal morbidities or mortality.

Conclusion Significant differences were detected when classifying very preterm infants at birth according to the growth chart, mainly among symmetric SGA. Concordance between Fenton and Olsen was poor, but Intergrowth-21st showed high concordance with Fenton and Olsen. However, further research is needed to select the ideal chart. Variability in the population selected to create the curves and the accuracy dating the pregnancy are factors that may have explained differences.

Key Points
Gastroschisis Outcomes: Presence of Histologic Chorioamnionitis and the Impact on Time to Full Enteral Feeds and Length of Hospital Stay
Authors: Ejiofor Chukwudi O. , Ford Steven , Duncan Jose R. , Rideout Drew , Kumar Ambuj , Donda Keyur , Flores-Torres Jaime
Published: January 2023

Objective Despite improvements in our ability for early diagnosis and providing supportive care for infants with gastroschisis, it continues to be associated with long length of stay and morbidity. Intestinal dysfunction secondary to chronic inflammatory insult to exposed bowel is well known; however, little research has been done on the impact of acute inflammation in the perinatal period on intestinal function. This study's aim was to investigate the impact of acute chorioamnionitis on the time to achieve full enteral feeds and length of hospital stay.

Study Design Retrospective chart review of 60 mothers and their infants born with gastroschisis at a Level IV NICU from November 2011 to June 2020 was performed. Infants were divided into two groups based on the presence of histologic chorioamnionitis, and outcomes were compared. The primary outcome was delayed full enteral feeds (full enteral feeds after 28 days of life). The secondary outcomes were differences in their time to achieve full enteral feeds and time to hospital discharge, and prolonged length of hospital stay (discharge after 30 days of life). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between the dependent and the predictor variables.

Result Of the 60 infants enrolled, 23 (38%) had evidence of histologic chorioamnionitis. The median gestational age was 37 weeks. Fifty-four (90%) infants achieved full enteral feeds, with a median time of 24 days. Median length of hospital stay was 31 days. The presence of histologic chorioamnionitis was not associated with delayed full enteral feeds (odds ratio [OR] = 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.14–4.23; p = 0.80) or prolonged length of hospital stay (OR = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.1–0.23; p = 0.32) in the adjusted analysis.

Conclusion Acute placental inflammation during the perinatal period does not impact the infant's time to achieve full feeds or prolong their hospital stay. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Key Points
Flow control with synthetic jets on two tandem airfoils using machine learning
Authors: Hosseini N. , Tadjfar M. , Abbà A.
Published: January 2023

Active flow control was applied to a tandem configuration of two SD7003 airfoils. The tandem configuration consisted of an upstream airfoil (forefoil) with a pitching motion at a fixed frequency and a downstream airfoil (hindfoil) that was not moving. Synthetic jet actuators (SJAs) were applied on both airfoils to control the flow fields at the low Reynolds number of 30 000. The flow physics inherently involved three different frequencies: frequency of the pitching forefoil and two actuation frequencies of the two of SJAs. In this study, we kept all three frequencies fixed at 5 Hz. However, we allowed for phase differences between them. An optimization study was conducted in order to improve total aerodynamic performance defined as the combined total time-averaged value of lift-to-drag ratio of both airfoils (L/D)tot. Injection angle of the two SJAs, phase differences between each SJA frequency, and frequency of the pitching motion in addition to vertical spacing between the airfoils were considered as design variables of the optimization study. Optimization algorithm was coupled with a machine learning method to reduce computational cost. We found that lift coefficients were enhanced, and drag coefficients were reduced for the optimum controlled case in comparison with the uncontrolled case, which led to an aerodynamic performance improvement of 304%. However, drag force was the dominant parameter in determining final performance value. For all design variables, drag force determined the final optimum values.
Mode interpretation and force prediction surrogate model of flow past twin cylinders via machine learning integrated with high-order dynamic mode decomposition
Authors: Liu Tingting , Zhou Lei , Tang Hui , Zhang Hongfu
Published: January 2023

Understanding and modeling the flow field and force development over time for flow past twin tandem cylinders can promote insight into underlying physical laws and efficient engineering design. In this study, a new surrogate model, based on a convolutional neural network and higher-order dynamic mode decomposition (CNN-HODMD), is proposed to predict the unsteady fluid force time history specifically for twin tandem cylinders. Sampling data are selected from a two-dimensional direct numerical simulation flow solution over twin tandem cylinders at different aspect ratios (AR = 0.3–4), gap spacing (L* = 1–8), and Re = 150. To promote insight into underlying physical mechanisms and better understand the surrogate model, the HODMD analysis is further employed to decompose the flow field at selected typical flow regimes. Results indicate that CNN-HODMD performs well in discovering a suitable low-dimensional linear representation for nonlinear dynamic systems via dimensionality augment and reduction technique. Therefore, the CNN-HODMD surrogate model can efficiently predict the time history of lift force at various AR and L* within 5% error. Moreover, fluid forces, vorticity field, and power spectrum density of twin cylinders are investigated to explore the physical properties. It was found three flow regimes (i.e., overshoot, reattachment, and coshedding) and two wake vortex patterns (i.e., 2S and P). It was found the lift force of the upstream cylinder for AR < 1 is more sensitive to the gap increment, while the result is reversed for the downstream cylinder. It was found that the fluctuating component of the wake of cylinders decreases with increasing AR at L* = 1. Moreover, flow transition was observed at L* = 4.
The effect and mechanism of the flow deflector on ignition performance of the centrally staged combustor
Authors: Ma Jinglong , Hui Xin , Han Xiao , Han Meng , Yang Zhipeng , Tao Wenjie
Published: January 2023

Lean premixed prevaporized combustors with a centrally staged scheme are capable to reduce NOx emissions. Ignition is one of the key performances of the centrally staged combustor. The present study proposes a novel method to improve ignition performance by using a flow deflector. The effects of various flow deflector lengths and pressure drops on ignition performance and flame kernel propagation are investigated in this work. It is found that ignition performance is significantly improved by the flow deflector. The ignition process is obtained using a high-speed camera under different operating conditions. The timescale of the successful ignition process is analyzed using a statistical method, revealing the effects of the flow deflector length and pressure drop on the timescale of each phase of ignition. The flame kernel propagation trajectory is extracted and analyzed by combining the flow and spray fields. The mechanism of the flow deflector is analyzed by numerical simulation. It is found that with the flow deflector, the local fuel/air ratio and droplet diameter are both improved, which benefits ignition performance. This work proves that the flow deflector is a potential method to improve ignition.
Pandemic planning: data, information and evidence
Authors: Lewis-Hughes Peter , Brooks Peter
Published: January 2023

In this article, we examine the role and effectiveness of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA and Europe and consider possible lessons for future pandemic planning in Australia. We also ‘map’ the interjurisdictional communication pathways that have been secured since the election of the new Commonwealth government. We suggest a number of steps that could be taken to upgrade the collection, distribution, accessibility and timelines of key information required to improve pandemic management and national health outcomes. While it may be hard to contemplate a move to a fully integrated National capacity when we are only just emerging from the pandemic, we do have a unique opportunity to at least start the process of review. We should use the lessons we have learned to transform our systems, rather than ‘tinker’ with them and ensure we are better prepared for next time.
Shelter and shade for grazing sheep: implications for animal welfare and production and for landscape health
Authors: Masters David G. , Blache Dominique , Lockwood Amy L. , Maloney Shane K. , Norman Hayley C. , Refshauge Gordon , Hancock Serina N.
Published: January 2023

Shade and shelter may provide protection from cold and heat stress, a source of feed during prolonged or seasonal drought, specific essential nutrients, increased pasture and crop production and improved landscape health. Cold stress contributes to the average of 8% (single) and 24% (twin) of lambs that die within 3 days of birth in Australia and the estimated 0.7% of the Australian flock that die post-shearing during extreme or unseasonal weather. Shelter has resulted in an average reduction in mortality of 17.5% for twin-born lambs and 7% for single-born lambs according to Australian studies and decreases the susceptibility of ewes to metabolic disease and possibly dystocia. Because many of the published studies are from research areas where cold stress is expected, they are not indicative of industry-wide responses, a research priority is to determine the probability of lamb and ewe deaths from cold stress across different sheep production areas. Although shelter may improve lamb survival, ewes do not always choose to lamb in a sheltered location. For this reason, there is a requirement for research into the voluntary use of shelter in commercial-sized paddocks and the role that nutritive value of shelter plays in attracting and holding ewes to shelter, and to their lambs. Heat stress may also result in lamb deaths and influences feed conversion efficiency, appetite, reproduction, wool growth and disease susceptibility. The consequences of heat stress may go unnoticed over a yearly production cycle, although there is some evidence that shade may increase weaning rates and feed intake of grazing sheep. There are ancillary benefits from shade and shelter. Trees may improve crop production through reducing wind damage and evapotranspiration and provide timber. Shrubs provide feed during the summer–autumn feed gap or drought, are useful for the management of land degradation and provide habitat for native fauna. It is clear that shade and shelter in the correct locations provide a range of benefits to livestock and the landscape; nevertheless, adoption appears low. Research that focuses on defining the benefits on a farm or landscape scale is required to support extension programs.
Effects of cyanogenesis on morphology and estimated leaf flavonoid content in 51 white clover accessions
Authors: Gabriel Jennifer , van Dam Nicole M. , Uthe Henriette
Published: January 2023

Context Plant secondary metabolites are of increasing interest for agriculture due to their diverse beneficial ecological functions. The forage crop white clover (Trifolim repens L.) has been intensively studied for its heritable polymorphism in the production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN), a toxic defense phytochemical. In fodder production, white clover accessions are selected for biomass production, whereby HCN production is an unwanted trait. Aim Although white clover is a legume crop species of global importance, little is known about the linkage between cyanogenesis and growth traits, in particular in combination with resistance-related phytochemicals, such as flavonoids. We aimed to identify differences in biomass production, estimated leaf flavonoid content, and trait correlations in cyanogenic (HCN-producing) and acyanogenic (not HCN-producing) individuals and accessions of white clover. Methods We analysed 51 white clover accessions from a German germplasm collection for variability in selected traits: cyanogenesis as equivalent electrode potential, estimated leaf flavonoid content, root and shoot production, leaf area, specific leaf area, and number of leaves produced. Key results Most accessions considered as cyanogenic were heterogeneous for HCN production. Chemical–morphological trait correlations differed between cyanogenic and acyanogenic plants. Acyanogenic individuals and accessions produced more and larger leaves compared to cyanogenic ones. Within cyanogenic accessions, the higher the HCN level of a plant, the fewer but larger leaves were produced. Conclusions Our results highlight the variation in HCN production within the selected accessions, which calls for a consistent approach for cyanogenesis-based categorisation. Implication This study demonstrates the potential of combining phytochemical traits with biomass production in white clover when selecting material in a breeding program.
Sexually transmitted infection testing and prevalence among MSM using event-based dosing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis
Authors: Simmons Kiersten , Fitzpatrick Colin , Richardson Daniel
Published: January 2023

Event-based dosing (EBD) of HIV PrEP is as effective at preventing HIV transmission in MSM as daily dosing. There are limited data on the differences in STI testing frequency between MSM using EBD-PrEP and daily dosing. A total of 20% of 418 PrEP users were using EBD-PrEP and had a lower number of sexual partners (22 (27%) vs 142 (42%), P = 0.008), tested for STIs less frequently (115 (18%) vs 69 (50%), P < 0.001), but were diagnosed with a similar number of STIs ((35% vs 34%, P = 0.54) compared to daily users. More research is needed to understand the optimal frequency for STI testing in MSM using EBD PrEP.
Optical Neural Network Architecture for Deep Learning with Temporal Synthetic Dimension
Authors: Peng Bo , Yan Shuo , Cheng Dali , Yu Danying , Liu Zhanwei , Yakovlev Vladislav V. , Yuan Luqi , Chen Xianfeng
Published: February 2023

The physical concept of synthetic dimensions has recently been introduced into optics. The fundamental physics and applications are not yet fully understood, and this report explores an approach to optical neural networks using synthetic dimension in time domain, by theoretically proposing to utilize a single resonator network, where the arrival times of optical pulses are interconnected to construct a temporal synthetic dimension. The set of pulses in each roundtrip therefore provides the sites in each layer in the optical neural network, and can be linearly transformed with splitters and delay lines, including the phase modulators, when pulses circulate inside the network. Such linear transformation can be arbitrarily controlled by applied modulation phases, which serve as the building block of the neural network together with a nonlinear component for pulses. We validate the functionality of the proposed optical neural network for the deep learning purpose with examples handwritten digit recognition and optical pulse train distribution classification problems. This proof of principle computational work explores the new concept of developing a photonics-based machine learning in a single ring network using synthetic dimensions, which allows flexibility and easiness of reconfiguration with complex functionality in achieving desired optical tasks.
Characterization of higher-order resonant cantilevers for density determination in different flowing liquids
Authors: Huang Linya , Qiao Zhixia , Luo Guoxi , Lu Dejiang , Zhao Libo , Yang Ping , Wang Jiuhong , Jiang Zhuangde
Published: January 2023

This study investigates the sensing characteristics of micromachined electromagnetic cantilevers vibrating at different resonance orders and under static or flowing liquid immersions. The cantilever is designed with a wide-plate structure, which contributes to the modal optimization for basic and higher-order torsions. The fluid-structure interaction is used to analyze the parameterized expressions of the density and its changing sensitivity based on the cantilever’s flexural and torsional vibrations. They have successfully clarified the comprehensive factors that influence the density measurement performance. The study shows that the analytical predictions for the density changing sensitivity agree well with the experimental results. The experiments prove that the cantilever under flowing immersion appears significantly degraded in its density measurement accuracy. Higher mode and shorter length enable the cantilever to respond better density sensing behaviors under flowing immersion. These results here can be further generalized to guide the optimal design of cantilever-based resonators in flowing liquid monitoring.
Industrial photogrammetry for the optical mechanical truss of the China Survey Space Telescope
Authors: Shen Xu , Yue Jianping , Liu Shitao , Wang Xinping , Huang Guiping
Published: January 2023

The China Survey Space Telescope is the main observation stage of the Chinese space station, and is the most advanced and expensive observation equipment ever constructed in the Chinese astronomical community. The telescope is composed of multi-stage mirrors, whose relative positions determine the observation accuracy of the telescope, and an optical mechanical truss (OMT) forms the mechanical structure that supports them. This paper presents a deformation measurement scheme for the OMT, and introduces a process of deformation measurement and a data processing method for this OMT using industrial photogrammetry technology. The repeatability and accuracy of the industrial photogrammetry system were tested under ambient conditions, and the length measurement data were compared and verified with interferometry measurements.
Enhanced etching resolution of self-assembled PS-b-PMMA block copolymer films by ionic liquid additives
Authors: Hao Hongbo , Chen Shuangjun , Ren Jiaxing , Chen Xuanxuan , Nealey Paul
Published: January 2023

Polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) is one of the most widely studied block copolymers for direct self-assembly because of its excellent compatibility with traditional processes. However, pattern transfer of PS-b-PMMA block copolymers (BCPs) remains a great challenge for its applications due to the insufficient etching resolution. In this study, the effect of ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (HMHF) additives on the line edge roughness (LER) performances of PS-b-PMMA self-assembled patterns was studied. Trace addition of HMHF kept the photolithography compatibility of PS-b-PMMA block copolymer films, but obviously increased their Flory–Huggins interaction parameter (χ) and enabled phase separation of disordered low molecular weight BCPs. LER value was effectively decreased by blending HMHF directly with PS-b-PMMA or from a supplying top layer of polyvinylpyrrolidone containing HMHF additives. This study shows an excellent strategy to improve the deficiencies of existing block copolymers.
Laboratory evaluation of climbing helmets: assessment of linear acceleration
Authors: Begonia Mark , Rowson Bethany , Scicli Blake , Goff John Eric
Published: January 2023

This study utilized a guided free-fall drop tower and standard test headform to measure the peak linear acceleration (PLA) generated by different climbing helmet models that were impacted at various speeds (2–6 m s−1) and locations (top, front, rear, side). Wide-ranging impact performance was observed for the climbing helmet models selected. Helmets that produced lower PLAs were composed of protective materials, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) or expanded polypropylene, which were integrated throughout multiple helmet regions including the front, rear and side. Climbing helmets that produced the highest PLAs consisted of a chinstrap, a suspension system, an acrylontrile butadiene styrene (ABS) outer shell, and an EPS inner layer, which was applied only to the top location. Variation in impact protection was attributed not only to helmet model but also impact location. Although head acceleration measurements were fairly similar between helmet models at the top location, impacts to the front, rear, and side led to larger changes in PLA. A 300 g cutoff for PLA was chosen due to its use as a pass/fail threshold in other helmet safety standards, and because it represents a high risk of severe head injury. All seven helmet models had the lowest acceleration values at the top location with PLAs below 300 g at speeds as high as 6 m s−1. Impact performance varied more substantially at the front, rear, and side locations, with some models generating PLAs above 300 g at speeds as low as 3 m s−1. These differences in impact performance represent opportunities for improved helmet design to better protect climbers across a broader range of impact scenarios in the event of a fall or other collision. An understanding of how current climbing helmets attenuate head acceleration could allow manufacturers to enhance next-generation models with innovative and more robust safety features including smart materials.
Chiral magnetic skyrmions across length scales
Authors: Komineas Stavros , Melcher Christof , Venakides Stephanos
Published: January 2023

The profile, radius, and energy of chiral skyrmions, found in magnetic materials with the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya (DM) interaction and easy-axis anisotropy perpendicular to the film, have been previously calculated in the asymptotic limits of small and large skyrmion radius, as functions of the model parameter. We extend the asymptotic analysis to the case of an external field or a combination of anisotropy and external field. The formulae for the skyrmion radius and energy are then modified, by the use of fitting techniques, into very good approximations through almost the entire range of skyrmion radii, from zero to infinity. We include a study of the effect of the magnetostatic field on the skyrmion profile in two cases. We compare the profile of magnetic bubbles, stabilized without the chiral DM interaction to that of a chiral skyrmion.
Fourfold magnetic anisotropy induced in CoFeB/IrMn bilayers by interfacial exchange coupling
Authors: Feng Xinwei , Meng Jing , Zhu Xiaoyan , Xue Kelei , Xie Yali , Jiang Dongmei , Xu Yang , Shang Tian , Hu Yong , Zhan Qingfeng
Published: January 2023

Exchange bias (EB) occurring in ferromagnetic (FM)/antiferromagnetic (AFM) bilayers conventionally can lead to a unidirectional magnetic anisotropy (

K

eb

) as well as an accompanied uniaxial magnetic anisotropy (

K

u

). We observed an additional fourfold magnetic anisotropy (

K
4

) induced by interfacial exchange coupling in amorphous CoFeB/epitaxial IrMn bilayers with an EB. Because of the combined effect of the three kinds of magnetic anisotropies, one- and two-step magnetic switching processes were observed at different magnetic field orientations, which usually appear in single-crystal FM layer with an intrinsic magnetocrystalline anisotropy but not in amorphous FM layer. The angular dependent magnetic switching fields can be nicely fitted by a phenomenological model based on domain wall nucleation and propagation with the in-plane

K
4

along <100>. The ferromagnetic resonance measurements indicate that the specific strength of

K
4

for EB along [100] is larger than that for EB along [110]. The induced

K
4

can be understood by considering two types of AFM domains caused by both monatomic steps and defects and their induced net uncompensated spins along the in-plane <100> axes. The different dependence of

K
4

on the EB direction are because of the different effects of growth magnetic field on the presence of AFM domains.
Quantum asymptotic phases reveal signatures of quantum synchronization
Authors: Kato Yuzuru , Nakao Hiroya
Published: January 2023

Synchronization of quantum nonlinear oscillators has attracted much attention recently. To characterize the quantum oscillatory dynamics, we recently proposed a fully quantum-mechanical definition of the asymptotic phase, which is a key quantity in the synchronization analysis of classical nonlinear oscillators (Kato and Nakao 2022 Chaos
32 063133). In this work, we further extend this theory and introduce multiple asymptotic phases using the eigenoperators of the adjoint Liouville superoperator of the quantum nonlinear oscillator associated with different fundamental frequencies. We analyze a quantum van der Pol oscillator with Kerr effect in the strong quantum regime and show that the system has several different fundamental frequencies. By introducing order parameters and power spectra in terms of the associated quantum asymptotic phases, we reveal that phase locking of the system with a harmonic drive at several different frequencies, an explicit quantum signature observed only in the strong quantum regime, can be interpreted as synchronization on a torus rather than a simple limit cycle.
No circular birefringence exists in a chiral medium: an analysis of single-mode refraction
Authors: Hu Zhi-Juan , Li Chun-Fang
Published: January 2023

Optical activity is one of the most fundamental phenomena in nature. The existing theoretical description of optical activity is the circular birefringence, proposed in 1825 by Fresnel. It states that the right-handed circularly polarized (RCP) and left-handed circularly polarized (LCP) waves in a chiral medium propagate at different velocities. Here we show that this is not the case. After obtaining the refraction and reflection coefficients of any elliptically polarized wave at the surface of an isotropic chiral medium, we derive the conditions for single-mode refraction. By means of the process of single-mode refraction, we demonstrate that both the refracted RCP and the refracted LCP waves at normal incidence can be expressed as a coherent superposition of a pair of orthogonal linearly polarized waves that are rotated simultaneously. As a result, they must propagate at the same velocity as the linearly polarized waves. A physical interpretation is also given in detail. In particular, we show that the state of polarization of any elliptically polarized wave in a chiral medium is rotated with propagation. Such a rotation amounts to the rotation of polarization bases without involving the change of the Jones vector. The rotation of the RCP and LCP waves, as special cases of elliptically polarized waves, results in two opposite phases as if they propagated at different phase velocities with their polarization states transmitted unchanged. These results demonstrate that the conventional characterization of optical polarization is incomplete. A further investigation into its new features is of great significance.
Towards nonreciprocal pulse dynamics in a time-varying medium
Authors: Biswas Piyali , Ghosh Somnath
Published: February 2023

We demonstrate the nonreciprocal propagation of optical pulses in a linear dispersive medium with a time-varying refractive index. The change of refractive index with time breaks the time-translation symmetry of the spatially homogeneous medium compelling it to be inherently nonreciprocal. A time-reversal asymmetric field ratio of the counter-propagating optical pulses along with a frequency shift leading to spectral nonreciprocity in such dynamic media have been observed. The findings have emerged a new avenue to realize nonreciprocal light flow in dynamically tuned integration-feasible photonic systems.
Gravitational waves from domain walls in Pulsar Timing Array datasets
Authors: Z. Ferreira Ricardo , Notari Alessio , Pujolàs Oriol , Rompineve Fabrizio
Published: February 2023

We present a model-independent search for a gravitational wave background from cosmic
domain walls (DWs) in the NANOGrav 12.5 years dataset and International PTA Data Release 2. DWs
that annihilate at temperatures ∼ 20–50 MeV with tensions ∼ (40–100 TeV)3
provide as good a fit to both datasets as the astrophysical background from supermassive black
hole mergers. DWs may decay into the Standard Model (SM) or a dark sector. In the latter case we
predict an abundance Δ N
eff of dark radiation well within the reach of upcoming
CMB surveys. Complementary signatures at colliders and laboratories can arise if couplings to the
SM are present. As an example, we discuss heavy axion scenarios, where DW annihilation may
interestingly be induced by QCD confinement.