bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Total Synthesis of Surinamensinols A and B
Authors: Al-Harrasi Ahmed , Avula Satya Kumar , Das Biswanath , Csuk Rene , Al-Rawahi Ahmed
Published: October 2020

An efficient total synthesis of the naturally occurring anti-inflammatory and antitumour 8-O-4′-neolignans, surinamensinols A and B, has been accomplished from commercially available allyl alcohol and (S)-ethyl lactate. The synthetic sequence involves a palladium-catalysed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction followed by a chiral Mitsunobu­ reaction as the key steps. This is the first report of the simultaneous stereoselective total synthesis of surinamensinols A and B through a single approach involving only six steps.
Clinical Profile of Episodic Wheezing and Multiple Trigger Wheezing in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Tualzik Lalsiama , Chandrasekaran Venkatesh
Published: October 2020

The objectives of our study were to identify the relative frequency of episodic viral wheeze (EVW) and multiple trigger wheeze (MTW) in preschool children of 1 to 5 years of age with recurrent wheezing and to compare the relevant clinical and sociodemographic parameters in the above phenotypes. This cross-sectional study included 165 children aged 1 to 5 years with recurrent wheeze. Participants were categorized into EVW and MTW based on history according to European Respiratory Society Task Force recommendations 2008. Symptom control was assessed by Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines 2015. Of the total participants, EVW was seen in 55% and MTW in 45%. Children with MTW were significantly older than those with EVW, more atopic, and had higher eosinophil counts. The dominant phenotype seen in our study was EVW. The absence of ocular/nasal allergy and exclusive breastfeeding predicted well-controlled symptoms in EVW and in all preschool wheezers, respectively.
Effect of the Extent of Resection on Survival Outcome in Glioblastoma: Propensity Score Approach
Authors: Tunthanathip Thara , Madteng Suphavadee
Published: October 2020

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the extent of resection (EOR) on survival outcome using propensity score-based approaches.

Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Propensity score matching (PSM) and propensity score regression adjustment were used in the matched and unmatched dataset, respectively. Therefore, the Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox's regression analyses were performed to determine the effect of the EOR on survival outcomes.

Results One hundred and sixty-eight patients were included for analyzes. The total tumor resection in the unmatched dataset was 22.6% of all cases. Using PSM, incomplete tumor resection had an unfavorable survival outcome when compared with total tumor resection (hazard ratio (HR) 2.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.72–4.94). Additionally, biopsy and partial tumor resection were significantly associated with poor prognosis when compared with total tumor resection using propensity score regression adjustment (HR of biopsy 1.89, 95%CI 1.13–3.16 and HR of partial resection 1.89, 95%CI 1.28–2.80).

Conclusions Patients with total tumor resection tend to have a more favorable prognosis than patients with partial tumor resection. The propensity score-based analysis is an alternative approach to evaluate the effect of an intervention that has limitations to perform a randomized controlled trial.
Remarkable Clinical Improvement Following Microsurgical Resection of Left Lingual Gyrus Cerebral Cavernous Malformation: A Case Report
Authors: Hoz Samer S. , Al-Sharshahi Zahraa F. , Altaweel Mustafa M. , Albanaa Saja A.
Published: October 2020

Introduction Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are collections of dilated and irregular capillaries in the brain. Cerebral cavernous malformations are predominantly supratentorial; occipital CCMs are rare. Surgical removal is indicated for CCMs with recurrent hemorrhage, refractory seizures, and expanding lesions.

Case Description We describe a case of a 15-year-old male who presented with repeated tonic-clonic seizures and right homonymous hemianopia of 3-week duration. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a mass located on the left medial occipital lobe, specifically in the left lingual gyrus. The T2-weighted and T2-gradient echo images confirmed the diagnosis of a CCM. Total microscopic resection was achieved. There were no surgical complications. The visual deficit improved, and the patient was seizure-free on subsequent follow-up visits.

Conclusion Surgical resection of an occipital CCM resulted in a remarkable improvement in terms of seizures and visual field deficits.
Nonketotic Hyperglycemic Chorea in a 10-Year-Old Asian Boy with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Marian Julia , Rizvi Firdous , Lew Lily Q.
Published: October 2020

Nonketotic hyperglycemic chorea-ballism (NKHCB), also known as diabetic striato-pathy (DS) by some, is a rare complication of diabetes mellitus and uncommon in children. We reported a case of a 10 11/12-year-old male child of Asian descent with uncontrolled type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and multiple food allergies presenting with bilateral chorea-ballism. His brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed developmental venous anomaly in right parietal lobe and right cerebellum, no focal lesions or abnormal enhancements. Choreiform movements resolved with correction of hyperglycemia. Children and adolescents with a movement disorder should be evaluated for diabetes mellitus, especially with increasing prevalence and insidious nature of T2DM associated with obesity.
Association between Childhood Allergic Diseases and Headache
Authors: Charoensanti Sudarat , Uthaisangsook Suwannee , Padsee Nadda , Srisingh Klaita
Published: October 2020

Allergic disorders and headache are both common in pediatric populations. Chronic allergic disorders may affect sleep leading to chronic daily headaches. Poor controlled allergies may cause neurogenic inflammation that may be a predisposing factor to migraine headaches. We hypothesized that a higher prevalence of headaches may be found in children with allergy compared with those without allergy. Patients with either multiple allergic disorders or with poorly controlled allergic symptoms may be associated with headaches, especially migraine headaches. This study aimed to examine (1) the prevalence of headache in allergic children and (2) the association between allergic diseases and headache. Patients with allergic diseases and nonallergic children as control were recruited in the pediatric outpatient clinic of Naresuan University Hospital between January 2017 and January 2018. A neurological examination was performed by a pediatric neurologist. The questionnaire consisted of the pediatric headache symptom checklist and the items for evaluation of allergy control status. The diagnosis and classification of headache were based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 criteria. The results were analyzed using the Student's t-test, chi-squared tests, odds ratios, and 95% confidence interval. One hundred fifty-five subjects were enrolled in our study, of which 85 subjects (54.8%) were diagnosed with allergic diseases. The allergic group had a significantly higher prevalence of headache than the control group (37 [43.5%] vs. 19 [27.1%], p = 0.035). The allergic group also had a significantly higher prevalence of migraine and probable migraine headache than the control group (23 [27.06%] vs. 7 [10%], p = 0.007). The prevalence of headache did not increase in subjects who had more than one allergic disease. There was no association between the control of allergy and headache. The present study showed that allergic diseases were associated with increased prevalence of headache and migraine in children. However, the control of allergic symptoms and the number of allergic diseases were not associated with headache. The physicians should be aware of headache in allergic patients and give appropriate treatment. Further study would be to identify specific biomarkers for the development of better treatment in these comorbid diseases.
Comorbidities in Patients with COVID-19 and Their Impact on the Severity of the Disease
Authors: Bashir Shahid , Moneeba Sadaf , Alghamdi Alaa , Alghamdi Fouad , Niaz Asim , Anan Hadeel , Kaleem Imdad
Published: October 2020

Infection with COVID-19 is associated with significant morbidity, especially in patients with chronic medical conditions. At least one-fifth of cases require supportive care in intensive care units, which have limited availability in most developing countries. A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar to find articles published by May 7, 2020 on the role of comorbidities in patients with COVID-19 and the impact of comorbidities on the disease. This review highlighted that patients with comorbidities are more likely to experience severe disease than those with no other conditions; that is, comorbidities correlated with greater disease severity in patients with COVID-19. Proper screening of COVID-19 patients should include careful inquiries into their medical history; this will help healthcare providers identify patients who are more likely to develop serious disease or experience adverse outcomes. Better protection should also be given to patients with COVID-19 and comorbidities upon confirmation of the diagnosis. This literature review showed that the comorbidities most often associated with more severe cases of COVID-19 are hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Individuals with these comorbidities should adopt restrictive measures to prevent exposure to COVID-19, given their higher risk of severe disease.
Needs and Satisfiers: A Tool for Dealing with Perspectivity in Policy Analysis
Authors: Mahlert Bettina
Published: October 2020

The concept of basic human needs can be employed for avoiding a danger that arises from the perspectivity of development knowledge, namely, the use of overly narrowing cognitive and evaluative frameworks that obscure relevant contextual realities. Drawing on existing literatures, the paper proposes to use three features of needs satisfiers as a tool for discovering such narrowing effects: (a) satisfiers for the same needs vary across groups and over time; (b) a candidate satisfier can enable or hamper the fulfillment of a need, depending on which other potential satisfiers it connects with; (c) a satisfier can simultaneously fulfill some needs and fail to fulfill other needs, and this holds both for the needs of one person and of different groups. In order to illustrate, the paper analyses three development reports, addressing needs for food and physical security as well as identity and recognition, and taking African land-tenure regimes as empirical example.
Vortex-induced swing (VIS) motion for energy harvesters and flowmeters
Authors: Gong Ying , Shan Xiaobiao , Hu Hong , Xie Tao , Yang Zhengbao
Published: October 2020

Vortex-induced vibration (VIV) has been widely studied in the fields of vibration control, building construction, and underwater vehicles. Recently, researchers began utilizing the VIV phenomenon for flow energy harvesting. Here, we describe that vortex shedding causes periodic rotational motions and explore these vortex-induced swing (VIS) motions for harvesting flow energy and measuring flow speed. An arc-bluff structure was constructed to enlarge the VIS motions, and a phenomenological model was developed using the Van der Pol equation. Swing characteristics when flow velocities were in the range of (0.15, 0.45) m/s were assessed. Experiments showed that the maximum swing amplitude of the device is 120°, and it converges to 80° as the water velocity increases. The frequency, amplitude, and initial angle curve of the VIS device can be used to represent the water speed vector. The proposed flowmeter showed a flow rate sensitivity of 7∼10 Hz/(m·s−1) in the experimental range. Energy harvester prototypes demonstrated a peak-peak output of 3.28 V in water with a velocity of 0.45 m/s. The present work provides an approach for the flow measurement and energy harvesting under low-speed and low-frequency conditions.
Linear and nonlinear chiroptical response from individual 3D printed plasmonic and dielectric micro-helices
Authors: Famularo Nicole R. , Kang Lei , Li Zehua , Zhao Tian , Knappenberger Kenneth L. , Keating Christine D. , Werner Douglas H.
Published: October 2020

Sub-wavelength chiral resonators formed from artificial structures exhibit exceedingly large chiroptical responses compared to those observed in natural media. Owing to resonant excitation, chiral near fields can be significantly enhanced for these resonators, holding great promise for developing enantioselective photonic components such as biochemical sensors based on circular dichroism (CD) and spin-dependent nonlinear imaging. In the present work, strong linear and nonlinear chiroptical responses (scattering CD > 0.15 and nonlinear differential CDs > 0.4) at visible and near infrared frequencies are reported for the first time for individual micrometer-scale plasmonic and dielectric helical structures. By leveraging dark-field spectroscopy and nonlinear optical microscopy, the circular-polarization-selective scattering behavior and nonlinear optical responses (e.g., second harmonic generation and two-photon photoluminescence) of 3D printed micro-helices with feature sizes comparable to the wavelength (total length is ∼5λ) are demonstrated. These micro-helices provide potential for readily accessible photonic platforms, facilitating an enantiomeric analysis of chiral materials. One such example is the opportunity to explore ultracompact photonic devices based on single, complex meta-atoms enabled by state-of-the-art 3D fabrication techniques.
Crystallization properties of melt-quenched Ge-rich GeSbTe thin films for phase change memory applications
Authors: Privitera S. M. S. , López García I. , Bongiorno C. , Sousa V. , Cyrille M. C. , Navarro G. , Sabbione C. , Carria E. , Rimini E.
Published: October 2020

The crystallization process of melt quenched Ge-rich GeSbTe films, with composition optimized for memory applications, has been studied by optical reflectance measurements. The optical properties have been related to the structure and composition by means of the effective medium approximation. The compositional variations have been investigated by transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Amorphous materials prepared by melt-quenching with different laser energy densities have been studied. For the energy density of 1.5 J cm−2, a uniform amorphous layer, with embedded Ge crystalline grains, is obtained. The film exhibits a crystallization temperature of 275 °C and no relevant phase separation during crystallization. For a lower energy density of 1 J cm−2, only half of the film thickness is quenched to the amorphous phase, with Ge depletion. The crystallization temperature of the Ge depleted film is 245 °C, and a partial phase separation occurs.
Use the force! Reduced variance estimators for densities, radial distribution functions, and local mobilities in molecular simulations
Authors: Rotenberg Benjamin
Published: October 2020

Even though the computation of local properties, such as densities or radial distribution functions, remains one of the most standard goals of molecular simulation, it still largely relies on straightforward histogram-based strategies. Here, we highlight recent developments of alternative approaches leading, from different perspectives, to estimators with a reduced variance compared to conventional binning. They all make use of the force acting on the particles, in addition to their position, and allow us to focus on the non-trivial part of the problem in order to alleviate (or even remove in some cases) the catastrophic behavior of histograms as the bin size decreases. The corresponding computational cost is negligible for molecular dynamics simulations, since the forces are already computed to generate the configurations, and the benefit of reduced-variance estimators is even larger when the cost of generating the latter is high, in particular, with ab initio simulations. The force sampling approach may result in spurious residual non-zero values of the density in regions where no particles are present, but strategies are available to mitigate this artifact. We illustrate this approach on number, charge, and polarization densities, radial distribution functions, and local transport coefficients, discuss the connections between the various perspectives, and suggest future challenges for this promising approach.
CSL, from blood stock to blue chip
Authors: Gust Ian D
Published: October 2020

From its modest beginning in 1916 with a staff of 20, CSL has grown into a major company, which now employs more than 25,000 people, operates in more than 70 countries and has a market capitalization of over A$130 billion.
Study of the effect of super-atom dephasing on Rydberg blockade in thermal vapor
Authors: Kara Dushmanta , Mohapatra Ashok K
Published: October 2020

We present a theoretical model with a large number of interacting atoms that can be used to study the Rydberg blockade in thermal vapor. Exact calculations for two, three and four interacting atoms are extrapolated to formulate the model for N interacting atoms using the method of induction. The effect of the decay mechanisms such as the laser frequency noise and the super-atom dephasing arising due to the relative motion of the atoms on the blockade processes are discussed. We show that with large laser frequency noise the blockade effect vanishes. However, in the presence of large super-atom dephasing, the blockade effect does not vanish completely which suggests that the blockade can be observed in the thermal vapor system.
Non-destructive evaluation of pipes by microwave techniques and artificial neural networks
Authors: Xie Yi , Yang Xiaoqing , Yuan Jianping , Zhu Zhanxia
Published: October 2020

Near-field imaging based on an electromagnetic sensor has been widely used for nondestructive detection. An approach to detect the near-surface defects in pipeline coatings and dielectric pipelines is proposed. Based on the characteristics of resonant frequency shifts, a novel method using artificial neural network (ANN) is established to quantitatively evaluate circular-section shape defects in pipes, such as air bubbles in pipeline coating layers or qualitative characterize non-circular section-shape defects. The proposed method has three important modules: a new resonator for data acquisition, a signal-processing algorithm for data preprocessing, and an ANN for quantitative imaging. In the designed sensor, we extend the tip of the sensing ring and introduce an appending in the ring gap for high sensitivity. Simulations show that the sensor can detect a defect with a radius as small as 0.7 mm. The raw resonant frequency shifts obtained by the sensor scanning at an angle interval around the specimen first are preprocessed by curve fitting, sampling, and adaptive data interpolation or truncation. Then, using an ANN, the relationships among resonant frequency shifts, external radius of the specimen, and defect size are modeled for imaging of circular-section shape defects. Preliminary simulations and measurements illustrate the efficacy of the method. Consequently, a contactless, high-resolution, near-field imaging measurement based on sensor scanning for inspecting pipe structures is obtained.
Mott barrier behavior of metal–TlGaSe2 layered semiconductor junction
Authors: Kandemir Buket Bilgen , Gören Serdar , Erdem Mehmet , Cengiz Asuman , Şale Yasin , Fedotov Aleksander K , Mammadov Tofig G , Seyidov MirHasan Yu
Published: October 2020

We report on the characteristics of metal-p-type high resistance TlGaSe2 semiconductor junction barrier fabricated by deposition of indium and gold metals. The electrical properties of /TlGaSe2/ semiconductor contacts were monitored as a function of temperature in the range of ∼80–300 K using current–voltage (

I
−
V

) and capacitance–voltage (

C
−
V

) measurements. Device characteristics of

I
n

/TlGaSe2/

A
u

showed rectification properties. From forward bias

I
−
V

characteristics it was revealed that the increase of current is slower than the predictions by Schottky barrier theory. The rectification properties of

I
n

/TlGaSe2/

A
u

semiconductor device were simulated by the Mott barrier model where the presence of an undoped layer on the semiconductor surface is assumed, and measurements and computational simulation agreed on the validity of this model.

C
−
V

measurements showed that at higher temperatures

I
n

/TlGaSe2/

A
u

barrier showed a capacitance from accumulation toward depletion mode, whereas at low temperatures the barrier capacitance degradation was found. The observed

C
−
V

of

I
n

/TlGaSe2/

A
u

does not significantly change over the entire bias range

±

30 V, confirming that the

I
n

/TlGaSe2/

A
u

is fully depleted, thus the structures are Mott barrier.

First-principles electronic band diagram calculations showed that introduction of

S
e

-atom vacancies in the various sites of TlGaSe2 unit cell greatly affects the electronic band structure of this semiconductor in an increasing manner in band gaps with respect to stoichiometric compound. Consequently, the

S
e

- vacancies localized inside the thin surface layer of TlGaSe2 are responsible for high average surface electrical resistivity of the material and could be proposed as a physical basis for the existence of native insulator layer on TlGaSe2 surface. Thus we propose a model for TlGaSe2 crystal which is comprised from an electrically conducting bulk semiconductor sandwiched between two high resistivity thin surface sheets. We suggest that the selenium vacancy defects on the surface of TlGaSe2 layered semiconductor are also responsible for the memristive behavior of this compound.
Low-temperature processed high-performance visible–transparent Ga2O3 solar blind ultraviolet photodetectors with the indium–tin–oxide electrode
Authors: Li Zhe , Xu Yu , Cheng Yaolin , Zhang Jiaqi , Chen Dazheng , Yao Danyang , Feng Qian , Xu Shengrui , Zhang Jincheng , Zhang Chunfu , Hao Yue
Published: October 2020

High-performance visible–transparent electronics are being used as emerging technologies in next-generation ‘see-through’ devices. In this work, the high-performance fully visible–transparent metal–semiconductor-metal (MSM) interdigitated Ga2O3 solar blind ultraviolet (UV) photodetector (PD) was successfully fabricated by using the ITO electrode. The Ga2O3 film and the ITO electrode were grown on the sapphire substrate by the radio frequency magnetron sputtering method at a low temperature. It is demonstrated that the Ga2O3 film is the single crystal film with the (−201) crystal plane orientation, and its bandgap can be obtained around 4.8 eV. Compared with the control tradsitional opaque PD with the Ti/Au metal electrode, the fully visible–transparent solar blind UV PD with the ITO electrode showed a larger photocurrent of 1.8 µA and responsivity of 181.03 A W−1 at the bias voltage of 20 V. The external quantum efficiency (EQE) even reached 88 198%, and photo-to-dark current ratio achieved 4.8 × 105. Besides, the PD with the ITO electrode also had a shorter response time and good electrical stability after multiple light cycles. The fabricated fully visible–transparent Ga2O3 solar blind UV PD is among the best reported Ga2O3 UV PDs and shows the great potential for the next generation of ‘see-through’ functional devices.
Investigation of heavy-ion strikes on a fin field-effect transistor-based low-noise amplifier
Authors: Rajendiran P , Nagarajan K K , Srinivasan R
Published: October 2020

The consequences of heavy-ion strikes on a fin field-effect transistor-based low-noise amplifier (LNA) are analyzed in this paper. A popular LNA topology, cascoded LNA, is selected to study the single-event effect using numerical device simulation. A heavy-ion strike resulting in a current pulse (known as a single-event transient) disturbs the LNA output. These disturbances are analyzed in the time and frequency domains. The collected charge (Q
C) is used as a metric in the time domain, and the spurious frequencies generated are investigated in the frequency domain. This study is performed using four different LNA operating frequencies, 10 GHz, 30 GHz, 60 GHz, and 77 GHz. It is found that for a given dose of radiation, the performance of the LNA operating at the lowest frequency, i.e. 10 GHz, suffers the most from the radiation strike.
Flat limit of the de Sitter QFT in the rest frame vacuum
Authors: Cotăescu Ion I.
Published: October 2020

The problem of the flat limits of the scalar and spinor fields on the de Sitter expanding universe is considered in the traditional adiabatic vacuum and in the new rest frame vacuum we proposed recently, in which the frequencies are separated in the rest frames as in special relativity. It is shown that only in the rest frame vacuum can the Minkowskian flat limit be reached naturally for any momentum, whereas in the adiabatic vacuum, this limit remains undefined in rest frames in which the momentum vanishes. An important role is played by the phases of the fundamental solutions in the rest frame vacuum, which must be regularized to obtain the desired Minkowskian flat limits. This procedure fixes the phases of the scalar mode functions and Dirac spinors, resulting in their definitive expressions derived here. The physical consequence is that, in the rest frame vacuum, the flat limits of the one-particle operators are simply the corresponding operators of special relativity.
First observation of unlocking the locked mode by electrode biasing on J-TEXT tokamak
Authors: Chen Zhipeng , Wang Tong , Yu Qingquan , Hu Qiming , Li Da , Yang Jie , Han Dongliang , Shen Chengshuo , Xia Minghui , Liu Hai , Wang Nengchao , Huang Zhuo , Yang Zhoujun , Cheng Zhifeng , Gao Li , Ding Yonghua , Shi Peng , Chen Zhongyong , Zhuang Ge , Liang Yunfeng , team J-TEXT
Published: October 2020

Major disruptions, often caused by locked m/n = 2/1 modes (m/n is the poloidal/toroidal mode number), are great threat to a tokamak fusion reactor and should be mitigated or avoided. The locked 2/1 modes have been unlocked by electrode biasing (EB) for the first time in J-TEXT tokamak experiments. The application of a sufficiently negative EB voltage in plasma edge region quickly changes the phase and amplitude of the locked 2/1 mode and drives the mode to rotate in about 10–30 ms. For a larger EB current or a smaller locked mode amplitude, the mode is more easily to be unlocked, revealing a new method for mode unlocking and avoiding plasma disruptions.
Comment on ‘Assessing ExxonMobil’s climate change communications (1977–2014)’ Supran and Oreskes (2017 Environ. Res. Lett. 12 084019)
Authors: Swarup V
Published: October 2020

Supran and Oreskes (Environ. Res. Lett. 12 084019) employ a textual content analysis and comparison of 187 climate change communications from ExxonMobil (and its predecessor companies) to determine whether a discrepancy exists between published opinion pieces (‘advertorials’) and internal technical documents. Based on their analysis, the authors conclude that the company (ExxonMobil) misled the public. That conclusion is premised on at least two methodological flaws. First, the authors largely compared data from two different companies who were direct competitors to determine whether there was a discrepancy between them. Ignoring that before 1999 Exxon Corporation and Mobil Oil Corporation were two separate companies, the authors compare the internal documents of one company to the public statements of another in an effort to find discrepancies in the messages conveyed. Second, the publication assessed only a small subset of available advertorials. The authors note that ‘the company [Mobil] took out an advertorial every Thursday between 1972 and 2001’ or approximately 1560 times. Yet they chose to review only the 36 advertorials (or less than 3%) that were selected by another entity, Greenpeace, which has a well-documented history of animosity toward ExxonMobil. The authors’ reliance on limited data sets and their comparison of two unlike data sets call into question the publication’s conclusions.
Reply to Comment on ‘Assessing ExxonMobil’s climate change communications (1977–2014)’ Supran and Oreskes (2017 Environ. Res. Lett. 12 084019)
Authors: Supran Geoffrey , Oreskes Naomi
Published: October 2020

ExxonMobil Corp Vice President Vijay Swarup’s criticisms of our 2017 study (2017 Environ. Res. Lett.
12 084019), which demonstrated that ExxonMobil misled the public about climate change, are misleading and incorrect. Thanks in part to his feedback, we can now conclude with even greater confidence that Exxon, Mobil, and ExxonMobil Corp have all, variously, misled the public. We introduce new evidence that by the early 1980s, more than a decade before Mobil launched a vast advertising campaign to attack climate science and its implications, they were already explicitly aware of the potential for their products to cause dangerous global warming. We also observe that part of the comment is based on material provided by a contributor recruited and paid by ExxonMobil Corp, in our opinion as part of a product defense strategy. The comment does not disclose that. This is a case in point of what we argue is misleading behavior documented in our original study.
Quantum speed limit time, non-Markovianity and quantum phase transition in Ising spins system
Authors: Musadiq Muhammad , Khan Salman
Published: October 2020

We study the dynamics of quantum speed limit (QSL) time of a central spin, uniformly interacting with the spins of an Ising spin chain placed in a transverse magnetic field, and the non-Markovianity of the spin environment. Both pure and time dependent mixed initial states of the central spin are taken into account. For a pure initial state, both the quantities work as indicators for quantum phase transition (QPT) and can locate the critical point (CP). For a time dependent mixed initial state of the central spin, QSL time also shows anomalous behavior in the vicinity of the CP, a signature of signaling QPT. The numerical simulations show that the spin environment has potential capacity for speeding up quantum evolution, which can be manipulated through the strength of the applied magnetic field.
Propagator for a driven Brownian particle in step potentials
Authors: Uhl Matthias , Weissmann Volker , Seifert Udo
Published: October 2020

Although driven Brownian particles are ubiquitous in stochastic dynamics and often serve as paradigmatic model systems for many aspects of stochastic thermodynamics, fully analytically solvable models are few and far between. In this paper, we introduce an iterative calculation scheme, similar to the method of images in electrostatics, that enables one to obtain the propagator if the potential consists of a finite number of steps. For the special case of a single potential step, this method converges after one iteration, thus providing an expression for the propagator in closed form. In all other cases, the iteration results in an approximation that holds for times smaller than some characteristic timescale that depends on the number of iterations performed. This method can also be applied to a related class of systems like Brownian ratchets, which do not formally contain step potentials in their definition, but impose the same kind of boundary conditions that are caused by potential steps.
Atmospheric effects on satellite-mediated continuous-variable quantum key distribution
Authors: Zuo Zhiyue , Wang Yijun , Huang Duan , Guo Ying
Published: October 2020

Satellite-mediated quantum key distribution (QKD) has received considerable attention due to its potential to reach a global scale. Associated with this application is the atmospheric effects that set a notably restrict to the secret key rate. Here we demonstrate the atmospheric effects on satellite-mediated continuous-variable QKD with respect to the transmittance, fiber coupling, and excess noise. We consider the effects on both downlink and uplink while illustrating the discrepancy between them. Numerical analysis shows that downlink has more reliable transmittance than uplink while enduring a severe fiber coupling issue. It reveals that the discrepancy in transmittance is mainly due to the energy redistribution of the arriving beam. In addition, the time-of-arrival fluctuation notably reduces transmittance when the transmitted pulse half-width is sufficiently narrow (less than 10−13), and it introduces a controllable excess noise if the signal has a strong correlation with the local oscillator.
Optimizing protein, lipid and carbohydrate levels in diets for growth of juvenile hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ x E. lanceolatus ♂)
Authors: Giri N A , Muzaki A , Marzuqi M , Sudewi
Published: October 2020

Hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ χ E. lanceolatus ♂) that is well known as “cantang” has a good prospect for aquaculture due to its high economic value, fast growing and good acceptance to compound feed. However, information on feed specification for this grouper is still limited. Therefore, this research aimed to find out the good proportions of protein, lipid and carbohydrate in feed for hybrid grouper. Six experimental diets were formulated with protein contents of 48, 44 and 40%, which then combined with lipid contents of 9-17% and carbohydrate contents of 15-32%. Juvenile hybrid grouper of 4.8 ± 0.6 g body weight were stocked into 24 fiber tanks, 400 L in volume, with a density of 40 fish/tank. Fish were fed experimental diet twice every day for 56 days. Resuls of the experiment showed specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed 48% protein diet was not significantly different with SGR of fish fed diet containing 44% protein, 14% lipid, 15% carbohydrate and SGR of fish fed diet containing 40% protein, 16% lipid, 15% carbohydrate. The best protein efficiency ratio and protein retention were achieved in fish fed diet containing 44% protein, 14% lipid and 15% carbohydrate as well as in fish fed diet containing 40% protein, 16% lipid and 15% carbohydrate. This result suggested feed containing 44% protein, 14% lipid and 15% carbohydrate or feed containing 40% protein, 16% lipid and 15% carbohydrates was effective in increasing dietary protein efficiency and support good growth for juvenile hybrid grouper cantang.
Damage level and area suitability of mangrove in small island Indonesia
Authors: Abubakar S , Subur R , Malik F R , Akbar N
Published: October 2020

The mangrove ecosystem has functions that important for econimic and ecology. Increased utilization activities that are damaging accompanied decline mangrove area, it is appropriate rehabilitaion condition and maintenance mangrove ecosystem. Improvement effort rehabilitation mangrove ecosystem. The aim mangrove rehabilitation effort for restore ecosystem. Study aimed to determine the extent of damage level, area suitability biophysical and mangrove specieses planted. The survey method used measurement directly to determine the damage level and area suitability biophysical assesment. The Results showed mangrove ecosystem destruction overall research stations are medium damaged condition. Analysis suitability index (IKW) showed that mangrove ecosystem overall stations were suitable rehabilitation area. The mangrove specieses are Rhizophora sp, Bruguiera sp, Sonneratia sp, Xylocarpus sp, Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea and Heritiera littoralis sustable to planting.
A review on determination of 90Sr from alkaline waters using precipitation of Ca(OH)2 and Ba(Ra)SO4
Authors: Putra D I P , Prihatiningsih W R , Makmur M , Yahya M N , Priasetyono Y , Suseno H
Published: October 2020

Since the Chernobyl accident (1989) and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in 2011, concern about the contamination of 90Sr in the environment has increased considerably. It is important for public safety to monitor 90Sr in aquatic environments due to the radiotoxic of its biochemical similarities with calcium in living organisms. Several techniques for the separation of strontium from matrices have been reported such as solvent extraction, liquid membrane extraction, ion-exchange, and extraction chromatography using Sr-Resin. This review provided a summary on literature works to develop efficiency radiochemical separation for removing 90Sr from waters. Radiometric method normally requires a long time and complete separation of Sr from the matrix and other radionuclides. One of simple method based on Ca(OH)2 precipitation in alkaline solution and purification of Yttrium using Ba(Ra)SO4 precipitate was applied to the separation of Sr from seawater and underground water sample. This review is a mini-report for determination of 90Sr removal from contaminated waters.
The abundance and diversity of plankton on peat swamps area Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) Regency, South Sumatera
Authors: Helmizuryani  , Suwignyo R A , Hanafiahand Z , Faizal M
Published: October 2020

Peat swamp has very high conservation value, one of its plankton, because plankton is one of the determinants of water fertility. This research was conducted in January - April 2020. This study aims to determine the type and abundance of plankton in peat swamps in Ogan Komering Ilir Regency. Location is determinate by purposive sampling method based on environmental characteristics. Plankton sample identification was carried out at the Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture, Muhammadiyah University, Palembang. The results obtained were 86 species of plankton consisting of 4 classes of phytoplankton (Bacillariophyceae, Chloropyceae, Cyanophyceae and Eugleanophyceae and 13 classes of Zooplankton (Dinoflagellata, Rotifera, Mastigophora, Granuloreticulosea, Appendicularia, Branchiopoda, Mysidacea, Tintinnidiidae, Sarcodina, Maxillopoda, Ostracoda and Monogononta). The abundance of OKI peat swamp plankton is classified as low ranging from 32.72 - 170.3 individuals/litter. The diversity index is moderate category, ranging from 1.49 - 2.56. The uniformity index ranges from 0.56 to 0.86. This indicates that between stations have uniformity, and the difference is not so striking. The dominance index ranges from 0.7 to 0.9 indicates that there are plankton species that dominate other types. Overall the types of plankton that dominate peat swamps are from the Bacillariophyceae class.
Investigation of deformation induced precipitation and the related microstructure evolution of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy
Authors: Zuo Jinrong , Hou Longgang , Shu Xuedao , Peng Wenfei , Yin Anmin , Zhang Jishan
Published: October 2020

As heating time, temperature, strain and strain rate are the four most commonly used controllable parameters in thermomechanical treatments of high strength aluminum alloy, which have great influence on microstructures and mechanical properties. 7055 Al alloy was subjected to solution and thermomechanical treatment (4 routes) at different heating time (route 1), temperatures (route 2), strains (route 3) and strain rates (route 4) to investigate their effects on grain structure and precipitation. The results show that MgZn2 particles are almost completely dissolved back into the matrix after solution treatment, but the coarse Al7Cu2Fe and Al2CuMg remain steady. Particles preferentially precipitate at grain boundaries. Precipitates free zones appear after aging at 300 °C for different time in route 1. With the increased over aging time, precipitates grow and the quantity of rod-shaped increases. After hot deformation, grains are elongated and numerous deformation induced precipitates are formed. Grain width increases with the increase of strain temperature/rate in route 2 and route 4. However, with further strain, grain width first decreases and then increases with the minimum value taken at 60% deformation in route 3. Due to the effect of deformation on spheroidization and refinement of precipitates, the size of precipitates decreases with strain and is spheroidized gradually in route 2 compared with route 1. Strain energy plays the dominant role during over aging or at low strain leading the rod liked precipitates, with the increase of strain, interfacial energy plays the decisive role, and precipitates are spherical.
Anatomical diversity and evolution of the anthocarp in Nyctaginaceae
Authors: Sukhorukov Alexander P , Nilova Maya V , Moore Michael J , Bruenn Riva , Last Noah , Rossetto Elson Felipe Sandoli , Douglas Norman A
Published: October 2020

Nyctaginaceae are one of the most diverse families in core Caryophyllales. The most diagnostic character of the family is a persistent anthocarp derived from a calyx-like perianth. Anthocarp morphology is highly variable across the family, but its evolution is poorly studied. We investigate anthocarp evolution in Nyctaginaceae through extensive anatomical studies (159 species from 28 genera representing six of seven tribes) and phylogenetic character state reconstructions. We found highly diverse anthocarp anatomy across Nyctaginaceae, with most traits analysed evolving multiple times throughout the family. The representatives of three early-diverging clades of Nyctaginaceae (Leucastereae, Boldoeae and Colignonieae) possess a calyx-like anthocarp with simplified anatomy. The so-called ‘glands’ in Nyctagineae and Pisonieae are emergences, whereas wings originate by accrescence of perianth segments, elongation of the ribs and outgrowths (emergences) of anthocarp mesophyll. Anthocarp anatomy can be considered as a generic-level feature in Colignonieae, Pisonieae, Bougainvilleeae and Nyctagineae. The most dramatic transitions from perianth to anthocarp involve the shrivelling and abscission of the upper perianth part and the maintenance of the basal modified perianth portion that originated in the clade comprising Colignonieae and sister clades.
Voriconazole Versus Itraconazole for the Initial and Step-down Treatment of Histoplasmosis: A Retrospective Cohort
Authors: Hendrix Michael Joshua , Larson Lindsey , Rauseo Adriana M , Rutjanawech Sasinuch , Franklin Alexander D , Powderly William G , Spec Andrej
Published: October 2020

Background

Itraconazole is the preferred azole for histoplasmosis in the current Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines. Voriconazole is increasingly used as treatment for histoplasmosis; it has in vitro activity against Histoplasma capsulatum and has shown success in case reports and small case series, but may have a lower barrier to resistance. No comparative studies have been published.

Methods

We constructed a single-center, retrospective cohort of adult patients diagnosed with histoplasmosis from 2002 to 2017. Individual charts were reviewed to gather clinical information, including demographics, clinical features, immune status, treatments, and mortality. Patients were categorized based on the choice of azole and use as an initial treatment or as a step-down therapy from amphotericin B. Initial therapies with other azoles were excluded. Mortality was compared using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards with Heaviside function at 42 days.

Results

We identified 261 cases of histoplasmosis from 2002 to 2017. After excluding patients not treated with itraconazole or voriconazole, 194 patients remained. Of these, 175 (90%) patients received itraconazole and 19 (10%) received voriconazole. There were no significant demographic differences between patient populations receiving either azole as their initial azole treatment. Death at 180 days occurred in 41 patients (23.4%) in the itraconazole group and 6 patients (31.6%) in the voriconazole group. Patients on voriconazole had a statistically significant increase in mortality during the first 42 days after initiation of treatment when compared to patients receiving itraconazole (hazard ratio, 4.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–13.9; P = .015), when controlled for other risk factors.

Conclusions

Voriconazole in histoplasmosis was associated with increased mortality in the first 42 days when compared to itraconazole.
Self-Collected Oral Fluid and Nasal Swabs Demonstrate Comparable Sensitivity to Clinician Collected Nasopharyngeal Swabs for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Detection
Authors: Kojima N , Turner F , Slepnev V , Bacelar A , Deming L , Kodeboyina S , Klausner J D
Published: October 2020

We compared self-collected oral fluid swab specimens with and without clinician supervision, clinician-supervised self-collected anterior nasal swab specimens, and clinician-collected nasopharyngeal swab specimens for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Supervised oral fluid and nasal swab specimens performed similarly to clinician-collected nasopharyngeal swab specimens. No sample type could detect SARS-CoV-2 infections amongst all positive participants.
Modeling Combination Interventions to Prevent Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Adolescent Girls and Young Women in South Africa (HIV Prevention Trials Network 068)
Authors: Stoner Marie C D , Westreich Daniel , Ahern Jennifer , Edwards Jessie , Gómez-Olivé F Xavier , Tollman Stephen M , Lippman Sheri , Kahn Kathleen , Pettifor Audrey
Published: October 2020

Background

Combination interventions may be an effective way to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in adolescent girls and young women. However, current studies are not designed to understand which specific interventions and combinations will be most effective. We estimate the possible impacts of interventions on a combination of factors associated with HIV.

Methods

We used the g-formula to model interventions on combinations of HIV risk factors to identify those that would prevent the most incident HIV infections, including low school attendance, intimate partner violence, depression, transactional sex, and age-disparate partnerships. We used data from the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 068 study in rural South Africa from 2011 to 2017. We estimated HIV incidence under a potential intervention that reduced each risk factor and compared this to HIV incidence under the current distribution of these risk factors.

Results

Although many factors had strong associations with HIV, potential intervention estimates did not always suggest large reductions in HIV incidence because the prevalence of risk factors was low. When modeling combination effects, an intervention to increase schooling, decrease depression, and decease transactional sex showed the largest reduction in incident infection (risk difference, –1.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], –2.7% to –.2%), but an intervention on only transactional sex and depression still reduced HIV incidence by –1.3% (95% CI, –2.6% to –.2%).

Conclusions

To achieve the largest reductions in HIV, both prevalence of the risk factor and strength of association with HIV must be considered. Additionally, intervening on more risk factors may not necessarily result in larger reductions in HIV incidence.