bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relative overhydration is independently associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in dialysis naïve patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease
Authors: Han Byoung-Geun , Lee Jun Young , Choi Seung Ok , Yang Jae-Won , Kim Jae-Seok
Published: October 2020

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a high prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which increases as kidney function decreases. LVH pathophysiology is complex, making it difficult to generalise its evolution in CKD. Therefore, early detection and prevention of risk factors are critical. Assessment and management of volume status can minimise cardiovascular complications including LVH. We retrospectively investigated the associations between fluid overload and LVH in patients with stage 5 CKD not undergoing dialysis in prospective cohort of 205 patients (age: 59.34 ± 13.51 years; women: 43.4%). All patients, free of intrinsic heart disease, were assessed for relative overhydration/extracellular water (OH/ECW) by bioimpedance spectroscopy. Our results show that markers reflecting fluid balance were significantly higher in the LVH group and as OH/ECW increased, the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) trended higher. Furthermore, our results show that systolic blood pressure, serum phosphorus levels, and OH/ECW were independently associated with LVMI and that OH/ECW was independently associated with LVH. Structural and functional evaluation of the heart using echocardiography and volume status assessment using bioimpedance should be performed simultaneously in patients with early-stage CKD, even in those without evident cardiovascular disease.
Characterization of five novel vasopressin V2 receptor mutants causing nephrogenic diabetes insipidus reveals a role of tolvaptan for M272R-V2R mutation
Authors: Prosperi Federica , Suzumoto Yoko , Marzuillo Pierluigi , Costanzo Vincenzo , Jelen Sabina , Iervolino Anna , Guarino Stefano , La Manna Angela , Miraglia Del Giudice Emanuele , Perna Alessandra F. , Zacchia Miriam , Cordat Emmanuelle , Capasso Giovambattista , Trepiccione Francesco
Published: October 2020

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is a rare tubulopathy characterized by urinary concentration defect due to renal resistance to vasopressin. Loss-of-function mutations of vasopressin V2 receptor (V2R) gene (AVPR2) is the most common cause of the disease. We have identified five novel mutations L86P, R113Q, C192S, M272R, and W323_I324insR from NDI-affected patients. Functional characterization of these mutants revealed that R113Q and C192S were normally localized at the basolateral membrane of polarized Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells and presented proper glycosylation maturation. On the other side, L86P, M272R, and W323_I324insR mutants were retained in endoplasmic reticulum and exhibited immature glycosylation and considerably reduced stability. All five mutants were resistant to administration of vasopressin analogues as evaluated by defective response in cAMP release. In order to rescue the function of the mutated V2R, we tested VX-809, sildenafil citrate, ibuprofen and tolvaptan in MDCK cells. Among these, tolvaptan was effective in rescuing the function of M272R mutation, by both allowing proper glycosylation maturation, membrane sorting and response to dDAVP. These results show an important proof of concept for the use of tolvaptan in patients affected by M272R mutation of V2R causing NDI.
Serial changes in the aqueous IL-10 level after intravitreal methotrexate injection as an indicator of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma recurrence
Authors: Park Young Gun , Park Woo-Kyung , Kim Rae-Young , Kim Mirinae , Park Young-Hoon
Published: October 2020

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) often masquerades as other uveitic diseases. We investigated the aqueous cytokine level changes and the effects of intraocular methotrexate (MTX) in patients with PVRL. In this retrospective consecutive case-series study, we reviewed the records of 14 consecutive patients with PVRL treated between 2018 and 2020. The concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were determined at baseline and several time points after intravitreal MTX injections during follow-up. Markedly elevated IL-10 levels and a higher IL-10/IL-6 ratio were found in patients with PVRL. The aqueous levels of IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-α, and the IL-10/IL-6 ratio significantly decreased at 1 month after intravitreal MTX therapy onset compared with the baseline values (P = 0.001, 0.002, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). The mean duration to normalized IL-10 levels was 1.17 ± 0.4 months. Where serially recorded IL-10 levels were available, regular intravitreal MTX treatment was associated with rapid reduction in IL-10 levels, while elevated IL-10 level was associated with disease recurrence. Elevated IL-10 levels and high IL-10/IL-6 ratio may aid in the diagnosis of PVRL. Aqueous IL-10 level monitoring can help assess the therapeutic response and indicate disease recurrence.
DDxNet: a deep learning model for automatic interpretation of electronic health records, electrocardiograms and electroencephalograms
Authors: Thiagarajan Jayaraman J. , Rajan Deepta , Katoch Sameeksha , Spanias Andreas
Published: October 2020

Effective patient care mandates rapid, yet accurate, diagnosis. With the abundance of non-invasive diagnostic measurements and electronic health records (EHR), manual interpretation for differential diagnosis has become time-consuming and challenging. This has led to wide-spread adoption of AI-powered tools, in pursuit of improving accuracy and efficiency of this process. While the unique challenges presented by each modality and clinical task demand customized tools, the cumbersome process of making problem-specific choices has triggered the critical need for a generic solution to enable rapid development of models in practice. In this spirit, we develop DDxNet, a deep architecture for time-varying clinical data, which we demonstrate to be well-suited for diagnostic tasks involving different modalities (ECG/EEG/EHR), required level of characterization (abnormality detection/phenotyping) and data fidelity (single-lead ECG/22-channel EEG). Using multiple benchmark problems, we show that DDxNet produces high-fidelity predictive models, and sometimes even provides significant performance gains over problem-specific solutions.
Seasonal dynamics of lotic bacterial communities assessed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon deep sequencing
Authors: Paruch Lisa , Paruch Adam M. , Eiken Hans Geir , Skogen Monica , Sørheim Roald
Published: October 2020

Aquatic microbial diversity, composition, and dynamics play vital roles in sustaining water ecosystem functionality. Yet, there is still limited knowledge on bacterial seasonal dynamics in lotic environments. This study explores a temporal pattern of bacterial community structures in lotic freshwater over a 2-year period. The aquatic bacterial communities were assessed using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Overall, the communities were dominated by α-, β-, and γ-Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Flavobacteriia, and Sphingobacteriia. The bacterial compositions varied substantially in response to seasonal changes (cold vs. warm), but they were rather stable within the same season. Furthermore, higher diversity was observed in cold seasons compared to warm periods. The combined seasonal-environmental impact of different physico-chemical parameters was assessed statistically, and temperature, suspended solids, and nitrogen were determined to be the primary abiotic factors shaping the temporal bacterial assemblages. This study enriches particular knowledge on the seasonal succession of the lotic freshwater bacteria.
Loss of bacterial diversity in the sinuses is associated with lower smell discrimination scores
Authors: Biswas Kristi , Wagner Mackenzie Brett , Ballauf Charlotte , Draf Julia , Douglas Richard G. , Hummel Thomas
Published: October 2020

Olfactory impairment affects ~ 20% of the population and has been linked to various serious disorders. Microbes in the nasal cavity play a key role in priming the physiology of the olfactory epithelium and maintaining a normal sense of smell by the host. The aim of this study was to explore the link between olfactory dysfunction and nasal bacterial communities. A total of 162 subjects were recruited for this study from a specialized olfactory dysfunction clinic and placed into one of three groups: anosmia, hyposmia or normosmia. Swabs from the nasal middle meatus were collected from each subject then processed for bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. No overall differences in bacterial diversity or composition were observed between the three cohorts in this study. However, the relative abundances of Corynebacterium spp. and Streptococcus spp. were significantly (p < 0.05) different in subjects with olfactory loss. Furthermore, subjects with deficiencies in discriminating between smells (based on discrimination scores) had a lower bacterial diversity (Simpson’s evenness p < 0.05). While these results are preliminary in nature, potential bacterial biomarkers for olfactory loss were identified. These findings need to be further validated and biologically tested in animal models.
Effects of knee flexor submaximal isometric contraction until exhaustion on semitendinosus and biceps femoris long head shear modulus in healthy individuals
Authors: Mendes Bruno , Firmino Telmo , Oliveira Raúl , Neto Tiago , Cruz-Montecinos Carlos , Cerda Mauricio , Correia José P. , Vaz João R. , Freitas Sandro R.
Published: October 2020

This study examined whether a knee flexor isometric contraction at 20% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction until exhaustion would alter the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) and semitendinosus (ST) active stiffness, assessed using ultrasound-based shear wave elastography. Twelve healthy individuals participated in 2 sessions separated by 7 days. Time to exhaustion was similar in both sessions (day 1: 443.8 ± 192.5 s; day 2: 474.6 ± 131.7 s; p = 0.323). At the start of the fatigue task, the ST showed greater active stiffness than the BFlh (p < 0.001), with no differences between days (p = 0.08). The ST active stiffness then decreased from 40% of the task time to exhaustion (− 2.2 to − 13.3%, p = 0.027) until the end of the task (− 16.1 to − 22.9%, p = 0.012), while no significant changes were noted in the BFlh (p = 0.771). Immediately after the fatigue task, a decrease in active stiffness was observed in the ST (− 11.8 to − 17.8%, p < 0.001), but not in the BFlh (p = 0.551). Results were consistent between the 2 testing sessions (p = 0.07–0.959). The present results indicate that fatigue alters the hamstring active stiffness pattern.
Trigonelline recovers memory function in Alzheimer’s disease model mice: evidence of brain penetration and target molecule
Authors: Farid Mai M. , Yang Ximeng , Kuboyama Tomoharu , Tohda Chihiro
Published: October 2020

Trigonelline (TGN; 1-methylpyridin-1-ium-3-carboxylate) is a widely distributed alkaloid derived from plants. Since we previously found a neurite outgrowth effect of TGN, we hypothesised that TGN might help to improve memory deficits. Here, the efficacy of TGN in restoring amyloid β (Aβ)-induced axonal degeneration and in improving memory function was investigated in Alzheimer’s disease 5XFAD model mice that overexpress mutated APP and PS1 genes. Exposure of Aβ25-35 for 3 days induced atrophy of axons and dendrites. Post treatment of TGN recovered the lengths of axons and dendrites. Following oral administration of TGN in mice, TGN itself was detected in the plasma and cerebral cortex. Oral administration of TGN to 5XFAD mice for 14 days showed significant improvement in object recognition memory (P < 0.001) and object location memory (P < 0.01). TGN administration also normalised neurofilament light levels in the cerebral cortex (P < 0.05), which is an axonal damage-associated biomarker. Analysis of target proteins of TGN in neurons by a drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) method identified that creatine kinase B-type (CKB) is a direct binding protein of TGN. Treatment with a CKB inhibitor cancelled the TGN-induced axonal and dendritic growth. In conclusion, we found for the first time that TGN penetrates the brain and may activate CKB, leading to axonal formation. This study shows the potential of TGN as a new drug candidate, and a new target molecule, CKB, in memory recovery signalling.
Deep phylogeny of cancer drivers and compensatory mutations
Authors: Rochman Nash D. , Wolf Yuri I. , Koonin Eugene V.
Published: October 2020

Driver mutations (DM) are the genetic impetus for most cancers. The DM are assumed to be deleterious in species evolution, being eliminated by purifying selection unless compensated by other mutations. We present deep phylogenies for 84 cancer driver genes and investigate the prevalence of 434 DM across gene-species trees. The DM are rare in species evolution, and 181 are completely absent, validating their negative fitness effect. The DM are more common in unicellular than in multicellular eukaryotes, suggesting a link between these mutations and cell proliferation control. 18 DM appear as the ancestral state in one or more major clades, including 3 among mammals. We identify within-gene, compensatory mutations for 98 DM and infer likely interactions between the DM and compensatory sites in protein structures. These findings elucidate the evolutionary status of DM and are expected to advance the understanding of the functions and evolution of oncogenes and tumor suppressors.
Axon hillock currents enable single-neuron-resolved 3D reconstruction using diamond nitrogen-vacancy magnetometry
Authors: Parashar Madhur , Saha Kasturi , Bandyopadhyay Sharba
Published: October 2020

Sensing neuronal action potential associated magnetic fields (APMFs) is an emerging viable alternative of functional brain mapping. Measurement of APMFs of large axons of worms have been possible due to their size. In the mammalian brain, axon sizes, their numbers and routes, restricts using such functional imaging methods. With a segmented model of mammalian pyramidal neurons, we show that the APMF of intra-axonal currents in the axon hillock are two orders of magnitude larger than other neuronal locations. Expected 2D magnetic field maps of naturalistic spiking activity of a volume of neurons via widefield diamond-nitrogen-vacancy-center-magnetometry were simulated. A dictionary-based matching pursuit type algorithm applied to the data using the axon-hillock’s APMF signature allowed spatiotemporal reconstruction of action potentials in the volume of brain tissue at single cell resolution. Enhancement of APMF signals coupled with magnetometry advances thus can potentially replace current functional brain mapping techniques.
“Smart” self-assembled structures: toward intelligent dual responsive drug delivery systems
Authors: Shahriari Mahsa , Torchilin Vladimir P. , Taghdisi Seyed Mohammad , Abnous Khalil , Ramezani Mohammad , Alibolandi Mona
Published: October 2020

In the current review, we summarized the polymer and peptide-based schizophrenic copolymers which could form micellar and vesicular (polymersome) systems providing novel structures with beneficial applications.
Organocatalytic asymmetric tandem α-functionalization/1,3-proton shift reaction of benzylidene succinimides with β-trifluoromethyl enones
Authors: Zhang Xia-Yan , You Yong , Wang Zhen-Hua , Zhao Jian-Qiang , Yuan Wei-Cheng
Published: October 2020

A bifunctional thiourea-catalyzed asymmetric tandem α-functionalization/1,3-proton shift reaction of benzylidene succinimides with β-trifluoromethyl enones has been developed.
PM2.5 pollution in China’s Guanzhong Basin and the USA’s San Joaquin Valley mega-regions
Authors: Watson John G. , Cao Junji , Wang Xiaoliang , Chow Judith C.
Published: October 2020

We update a model of PM2.5 pollution in the San Joaquin Valley in California, USA, and identify parallels to the Guanzhong Basin, China. We suggest future experiments, data analyses, and modeling to better understand the regional situations to develop emission reduction strategies.
Reductive catalytic fractionation of agricultural residue and energy crop lignin and application of lignin oil in antimicrobials
Authors: Ebikade Elvis Osamudiamhen , Samulewicz Nicholas , Xuan Shuangqing , Sheehan James D. , Wu Changqing , Vlachos Dionisios G.
Published: October 2020

Lignin monomers obtained from herbaceous biomass in polar solvent (no catalyst) are driven by ferulates undergoing acid mediated condensation reactions into oligomers; lignin oils possess bacteriostatic properties.
Multi-step processing of single cells using semi-permeable capsules
Authors: Leonaviciene Greta , Leonavicius Karolis , Meskys Rolandas , Mazutis Linas
Published: October 2020

Semi-permeable capsules offers a powerful approach to isolate and process thousands of single bacterial cells simultaneously.
Development and validation of a highly sensitive second derivative synchronous fluorescence spectroscopic method for the simultaneous determination of elbasvir and grazoprevir in pharmaceutical preparation and human plasma
Authors: Attia Khalid A. M. , El-Olemy Ahmed , Ramzy Sherif , Abdelazim Ahmed H. , Hasan Mohamed A. , Mohamed Tahany F. , Nasr Zeinab A. , Mohamed Ghada F. , Shahin Mohamed
Published: October 2020

Elbasvir and grazoprevir combination has been newly approved for the treatment of patients infected with hepatitis C virus.
A MOF derived Co-NC@CNT composite with a 3D interconnected conductive carbon network as a highly efficient cathode catalyst for Li–O2 batteries
Authors: Ren Jiaojiao , Yang Xuanxuan , Yu Jianfei , Wang Xizhang , Lou Yongbing , Chen Jinxi
Published: October 2020

A multi-dimensional structured gaseous cathode: Co-NC@CNTs with interconnected 3D conductive carbon networks for a Li–O2 battery achieve high discharge capacity, rate capability and long cycling life.
Probing intermittency and reversibility in a dense granular suspension under shear using multiply scattered ultrasound
Authors: Léopoldès J. , Jia X.
Published: October 2020

We study the rheology of a dense granular suspension under shear strain with the simultaneous detection of multiply scattered ultrasound through the shear band.
Reversible formation of soft coordination polymers from liquid mixtures of photoreactive organometallic ionic liquid and bridging molecules
Authors: Sumitani Ryo , Mochida Tomoyuki
Published: October 2020

Liquid mixtures of a Ru-containing ionic liquid and bridging ligands were reversibly transformed into a coordination polymer or an oligomer liquid by the application of light and heat, thus enabling reversible control of their ionic conductivity.
Novel multi‐level inverters with flyback high frequency link
Authors: Guan Yue , Li Lei , Zhang Jinchuan
Published: October 2020

A novel topological family of multi‐level inverters with flyback high frequency link is proposed in this study. The inverters can transfer high DC voltage into regulated sinusoidal voltage with low total harmonic distortion (THD). The circuit configuration consists of high DC input voltage, DC‐link capacitors, novel multi‐level conversion unit, high frequency flyback transformer, cyclo‐converter, output filter capacitor and AC load. This topological family includes diode‐clamp type full‐wave mode, hybrid‐clamp half‐bridge mode, multi‐end mode and improved multi‐end mode. To achieve reliable multi‐level inversion and overcome DC‐link capacitor voltages unbalance, multi‐carrier modulation and DC‐link capacitor voltage balancing strategy are presented. In addition, steady principle and AC small‐signal model are analysed. Simulation and experimental results are given to prove that the novel flyback high frequency isolated multi‐level inverters have the following advantages such as the high frequency electrical isolation, the bi‐directional power flow, the two‐stage power conversion (DC‐high frequency AC (HFAC) ‐ low frequency AC (LFAC)), the lower voltage stress of power switches and the low THD of output voltage.
Optimal tuning of the control parameters of an inverter‐based microgrid using the methodology of design of experiments
Authors: Miret Jaume , Balestrassi Pedro Paulo , Camacho Antonio , Guzmán Ramón , Castilla Miguel
Published: October 2020

The design of the control system in an inverter‐based microgrid (μGs) is a challenging problem due to the large number of parameters involved. Different optimisation methods based on obtaining an approximated mathematical model of the μG can be found in the literature. In these approaches, the non‐linearities and uncertainties of the real system are typically not considered, which may result in a non‐optimal tuning of the control parameters. In addition, in most applications, the problem has been simplified, assuming that all controllers have the same value for their control parameters. However, in this case, the behaviour of the system is sub‐optimal since the particularities of each node of the μG are not taken into account. In this study, an experimental approach for tuning the control parameters of an inverter‐based μG is introduced. The approach is based on the methodology of design of experiments and it considers different values for the control parameters of all controllers. In this study, this methodology is applied to the design of a droop‐free control scheme; however, it can be easily extended to other control schemes. The validity of the proposal is verified through selected experimental results.
Eight‐switch CHB‐based three‐level three‐phase shunt active power filter
Authors: Muneer V. , Bhattacharya Avik
Published: October 2020

This study presents a reduced switch three‐phase three‐level H‐Bridge‐based shunt active power filter (SAPF) for the mitigation of current harmonics, the reduction of current unbalance and the injection of reactive power. This recommended SAPF is developed by using two H‐bridge and two DC‐link capacitors. Compared to the conventional three‐level H Bridge‐based SAPF, the eight‐switch cascaded H bridge (ES‐CHB)‐based topology saves four semiconductor switches and one DC‐link capacitor. The ES‐CHB‐based SAPF saves the power electronic components and reduces voltage stress across each switch by introducing a small AC capacitor in series with coupling inductor in each phase. This LC circuit also reduces the harmonic stress of SAPF by tuning at the sixth order of current harmonics. The only drawback of the suggested SAPF is the DC link voltage unbalances. To address this problem, a modified feedback control strategy is proposed in this study. The modified controller regulates the DC link voltage at the desired voltage and mitigates the DC link voltage unbalances, by using reactive power flow control and active power flow control, respectively. The performance of the suggested eight‐switch three‐level CHB‐based SAPF is evaluated through MATLAB simulation and experimentally verified through the hardware implementation.
Nutation of the non-rigid Earth: Effect of the mass redistribution
Authors: Baenas T. , Escapa A. , Ferrándiz J. M.
Published: October 2020

In this research, we computed the nutation of the figure axis for a non-rigid Earth model due to the mass redistribution resulting from the lunisolar attraction on the deformable Earth, thus extending our previous work on the precessional motion. The basic Earth model is a two-layer structure composed of a fluid core and an anelastic mantle. We used the Hamiltonian approach, leading to closed-form analytical formulae that describe the nutations in longitude and obliquity of the figure axis as a sum of Poisson and Oppolzer terms. Those formulae were evaluated assuming different Earth rheologies by means of the Love number formalism. In particular, we first computed the effect using the standard model of the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service Conventions (2010) solid tides, and then the Love numbers computed by Williams and Boggs, accounting for the complete oceanic tide contribution, which should provide more consistent and updated values for the nutations. The main amplitudes correspond to the 18.6 yr nutation component and reach 201 μas and −96 μas in the in-phase components in longitude and obliquity, respectively. The obtained values differ greatly from those considered in the current nutation model, IAU2000, of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) – and later similar studies – which includes this effect under the denomination of non-linear terms and derives its numerical contribution on the basis of the Sasao, Okubo, and Saito framework. The differences are significant and reach more than 30μas for some nutation amplitudes. They can be likely attributed to several factors: an incomplete modelling of the redistribution potential; a different treatment of the permanent tide; and the use of different oceanic tide models.
NuSTAR observation of GRO J1744–28 at low mass accretion rate
Authors: König Ole , Fürst Felix , Kretschmar Peter , Ballhausen Ralf , Sokolova-Lapa Ekaterina , Dauser Thomas , Sánchez-Fernández Celia , Hemphill Paul B. , Wolff Michael T. , Pottschmidt Katja , Wilms Jörn
Published: October 2020

Context. Neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries are important systems for studying the physics of accretion onto compact objects. The system GRO J1744–28 is particularly interesting as it usually shows clear pulsations as well as X-ray bursts. Additionally, there are claims for a magnetic field of 5 × 1011 G through the detection of a cyclotron resonant scattering feature (CRSF).

Aims. We present the spectral analysis of GRO J1744–28 using ∼29 ks of NuSTAR data taken in 2017 February at a low luminosity of 3.2 × 1036 erg s−1 (3−50 keV). Our goal is to study the variability of the source spectrum with pulse phase and to search for the claimed CRSF.

Methods. The continuum spectrum was modeled with an absorbed power law with exponential cutoff, and an additional iron line component. We found no obvious indications for a CRSF, and therefore performed a detailed cyclotron line search using statistical methods. We performed this search on pulse phase-averaged spectra and on phase-resolved spectra.

Results. GRO J1744–28 was observed in a low-luminosity state. The previously detected Type II X-ray bursts are absent. Clear pulsations at a period of 2.141124(9) Hz are detected. The pulse profile shows an indication of a secondary peak that was not seen at higher flux. The upper limit for the strength of a CRSF in the 3−20 keV band is 0.07 keV (90% CL), lower than the strength of the line found at higher luminosity.

Conclusions. The detection of pulsations shows that the source did not enter the “propeller” regime, even though the source flux of 4.15 × 10−10 erg cm−2 s−1 was almost one order of magnitude below the threshold for the propeller regime claimed in previous studies on this source. The transition into the propeller regime in GRO J1744–28 must therefore be below a luminosity of 3.2 × 1036 erg s−1 (3−50 keV), which implies a surface magnetic field ≲2.9 × 1011 G and mass accretion rate ≲1.7 × 1016 g s−1. A change of the CRSF depth as function of luminosity is not unexpected and has been observed in other sources. This result possibly implies a change in emission geometry as function of mass accretion rate to reduce the depth of the line below our detection limit.
A miniaturized acoustic vector sensor with PIN-PMN-PT single crystal cantilever beam accelerometers
Authors: Cho Yohan , Je Yub , Jeong Weui-Bong
Published: October 2020

Directional sound detection using vector sensors rather than large hydrophone arrays is highly advantageous for target detection in SONAR. However, developing highly sensitive and compact vector sensors for use in a system whose size is limited has been a challenging issue. In this paper, we describe a miniaturized acoustic vector sensor with piezoelectric single crystal accelerometers for the application in towed line arrays. A mass-loaded cantilever beam accelerometer with a [011] poled PIN-PMN-PT single crystal shows a better signal-to-noise ratio compared to accelerometers with other piezoelectric materials because of its superior piezoelectric properties in the 32 direction. We suggested a sufficiently compact vector sensor by using a cylindrical hydrophone with 10 mm in diameter as a housing of the single crystal accelerometers. Two single crystal accelerometers were orthogonally mounted inside the cylindrical hydrophone to detect direction of sound in the transverse plane of the line array. The receiving voltage sensitivity of the accelerometers and hydrophone was −199 and −196 dB, respectively, at 3 kHz. The directional cardioid beams generated by summing the omnidirectional beam from the hydrophone and the dipole beam from the accelerometers were validated over the entire operating frequency.
Effet de cycles thermiques sur un massif rocheux : observations et mesures au laboratoire etin situ
Authors: Gasc-Barbier Muriel , Merrien-Soukatchoff Véronique , Villarraga-Diaz Claudia
Published: October 2020

Les instabilités rocheuses peuvent devenir des aléas majeurs. Plus encore que les températures extrêmes qui peuvent être atteintes, les variations cycliques de température augmentent les risques d’instabilité notamment sur les faces rocheuses soumises à des variations quotidiennes importantes d’ensoleillement. Le rôle des alternances gel/dégel a fait l’objet de nombreuses études ; en revanche, les aspects liés à la fatigue thermique et les phénomènes thermomécaniques se produisant au voisinage de la surface d’un massif rocheux (interface air–roche) sous l’effet des variations cycliques de température dues aux conditions climatiques naturelles le sont beaucoup moins. Le travail présenté ici synthétise cinq années de travail sur le sujet, menées en partie dans l’axe aléa du projet C2ROP.
Cross-regional cold chain fresh product logistics network based on GO-FLOW analysis
Authors: Ma Xuan , Gao Huisheng
Published: October 2020

Fresh products have a large loss in the process of cross-regional logistics. In this study, the cross-regional fresh cold chain logistics network was analyzed using GO-FLOW analysis method. First, the basic principle of GO-FLOW analysis method was introduced. Then, taking the cold chain logistics network of mangosteen as an example, the GO-FLOW diagram was established, the signal strength was calculated, and the logistics network was improved according to the analysis results. The results showed that the reliability of the logistics network was 0.842, among which the reliability loss in precooling, long-distance transportation and sales was the largest. After improving the logistics network according to the three links, the reliability of the logistics network rose to 0.958, increased by 5.53%, among which the long-distance transportation link increased by 9.03%. The analysis results verifies the feasibility of GO-FLOW analysis method in logistics network analysis and make some contributions to improve the efficiency of physical network and ensure food safety.
Effect of wheat flour with different quality in the process of making flour products
Authors: Zhang Ang
Published: October 2020

All kinds of flour products which are made of wheat flour have already become the staple food on people's dining table. With the improvement of living standard, the quality requirements for the flour products have gradually improved. In addition to the production technique, the quality of wheat flour as the raw material is also very important for the quality of flour products. This paper briefly introduced wheat flour and two main components that affected its quality: starch and protein. Then, the related quality of starch and protein and the quality of corresponding flour products were tested for five kinds of wheat flour. The experimental results showed that the quality indexes of five kinds of wheat flour were obviously different and representative. The regression analysis on the quality data of wheat flour and flour products showed that the water absorption of flour decreased with the increase of total starch content, dry gluten content and gluten index, the water solubility of flour decreased with the increase of total starch content and gluten index and increased with the increase of ratio of amylose to amylopectin, and the radial expansion rate of the flour products decreased with the increase of wet gluten content. To sum up, the quality of wheat flour will affect the water absorption, water solubility and radial expansion rate of flour products in the production process.
Internal quantum efficiency and time signals from intensity-modulated photocurrent spectra of perovskite solar cells
Authors: Riquelme Antonio , Gálvez Francisco Enrique , Contreras-Bernal Lidia , Míguez Hernán , Anta Juan A.
Published: October 2020

Intensity Modulated Photocurrent Spectroscopy (IMPS) is a small-perturbation optoelectronic technique that measures the quantum efficiency of a photoelectrochemical device as a function of optical excitation frequency. Metal Halide Perovskites (MHPs) are mixed electronic–ionic semiconductors with an extraordinary complex optoelectronic behavior and a record efficiency surpassing 25%. In this paper, we propose a simplified procedure to analyze IMPS data in MHPs based on the analysis of the internal quantum efficiency and the time signals featuring in the frequency spectra. In this procedure, we look at the change of each signal when optical excitation wavelength, photon flux, and temperature are varied for an archetypical methyl ammonium lead iodide solar cell. We use drift-diffusion modeling and comparison with relatively simpler dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) with viscous and non-viscous electrolytes to help us to understand the origin of the three signals appearing in MHP cells and the measurement of the internal quantum efficiency.
Beyond phonon hydrodynamics: Nonlocal phonon heat transport from spatial fractional-order Boltzmann transport equation
Authors: Li Shunan , Cao Bingyang
Published: October 2020

Spatially convoluting formulations have been used to describe nonlocal thermal transport, yet there is no related investigation at the microscopic level such as the Boltzmann transport theory. The spatial fractional-order Boltzmann transport equations (BTEs) are first applied to the description of nonlocal phonon heat transport. Constitutive and continuity equations are derived, and two anomalous behaviors are thereafter observed in one-dimensional steady-state heat conduction: one is the power-law length-dependence of the effective thermal conductivity, κeff∝Lβ with L as the system length, and the other is the nonlinear temperature profile, Tx−Tx=0∼x1+η. A connection between the length-dependence and nonlinearity exponents is established, namely, β=−η. Furthermore, we show that the order of these BTEs should be restricted by the ballistic limit. In minimizing problems, the nonlocal models in this work give rise to different results from the case of Fourier heat conduction, namely that the optimized temperature gradient is not uniform.
An experimental control system for electron spectrometers using Arduino and LabVIEW interfaces
Authors: Patel Manish , Sakaamini Ahmad , Harvey Matthew , Murray Andrew James
Published: October 2020

A modular, customizable, and low-cost experimental control system for electron spectrometers is described. LabVIEW is used to interface with a suite of Arduino-controlled power supplies, detectors, and stepper motors enabling a variety of different types of measurements to be performed. The structure of the LabVIEW control system and the general design of the Arduino-controlled modules are described. Examples of results from electron scattering and electron impact ionization experiments performed using this control system are presented.
Initiation of RAFT Polymerization: Electrochemically Initiated RAFT Polymerization in Emulsion (Emulsion eRAFT), and Direct PhotoRAFT Polymerization of Liquid Crystalline Monomers
Authors: Bray Caroline , Li Guoxin , Postma Almar , Strover Lisa T. , Wang Jade , Moad Graeme
Published: October 2020

We report on two important advances in radical polymerization with reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT polymerization). (1) Electrochemically initiated emulsion RAFT (eRAFT) polymerization provides rapid polymerization of styrene at ambient temperature. The electrolytes and mediators required for eRAFT are located in the aqueous continuous phase separate from the low-molar-mass-dispersity macroRAFT agent mediator and product in the dispersed phase. Use of a poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide)-block-poly(butyl acrylate) amphiphilic macroRAFT agent composition means that no added surfactant is required for colloidal stability. (2) Direct photoinitiated (visible light) RAFT polymerization provides an effective route to high-purity, low-molar-mass-dispersity, side chain liquid-crystalline polymers (specifically, poly(4-biphenyl acrylate)) at high monomer conversion. Photoinitiation gives a product free from low-molar-mass initiator-derived by-products and with minimal termination. The process is compared with thermal dialkyldiazene initiation in various solvents. Numerical simulation was found to be an important tool in discriminating between the processes and in selecting optimal polymerization conditions.
The role of fibril structure and surface hydrophobicity in secondary nucleation of amyloid fibrils
Authors: Thacker Dev , Sanagavarapu Kalyani , Frohm Birgitta , Meisl Georg , Knowles Tuomas P. J. , Linse Sara
Published: October 2020

Significance

Alzheimer’s disease affects a rapidly growing number of individuals worldwide. Key unresolved questions relate to the onset and propagation of the disease, linked to the self-assembly of amyloid β peptide into fibrillar and smaller aggregates. This study investigates the propagation of aggregates of amyloid β peptide and asks whether hydrophobic molecular features observed on the fibril surface correlate with its ability to catalyze the formation of new aggregates. This question is motivated by the associated formation of intermediate forms that are toxic to neuronal cells. The results imply that surface catalysis is independent of surface details but requires that the monomers that form the new aggregate can adopt the structure of the parent aggregate without steric clashes.
The turning point and end of an expanding epidemic cannot be precisely forecast
Authors: Castro Mario , Ares Saúl , Cuesta José A. , Manrubia Susanna
Published: October 2020

Significance

Susceptible–infected–removed (SIR) models and their extensions are widely used to describe the dynamics of infection spreading. Certain generic features of epidemics are well-illustrated by these models, which can be remarkably good at reproducing empirical data through suitably chosen parameters. However, this does not assure a good job anticipating the forthcoming stages of the process. To illustrate this point, we accurately describe the propagation of COVID-19 in Spain using one such model and show that predictions for its subsequent evolution are disparate, even contradictory. The future of ongoing epidemics is so sensitive to parameter values that predictions are only meaningful within a narrow time window and in probabilistic terms, much as what we are used to in weather forecasts.
Cultural systems.
Authors: Hancock James F.
Published: October 2020

This chapter focuses on the major strawberry cultural systems employed across the world. Different cultural practices such as preplant fumigation, planting dates, plant sources, mulch, bed height and spacing, irrigation, nutrition, weed control, renovation, cover crops, tunnels and forcing systems, harvesting, and methods of propagation are discussed.
Object detection networks and augmented reality for cellular detection in fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Waithe Dominic , Brown Jill M. , Reglinski Katharina , Diez-Sevilla Isabel , Roberts David , Eggeling Christian
Published: October 2020

Object detection networks are high-performance algorithms famously applied to the task of identifying and localizing objects in photography images. We demonstrate their application for the classification and localization of cells in fluorescence microscopy by benchmarking four leading object detection algorithms across multiple challenging 2D microscopy datasets. Furthermore we develop and demonstrate an algorithm that can localize and image cells in 3D, in close to real time, at the microscope using widely available and inexpensive hardware. Furthermore, we exploit the fast processing of these networks and develop a simple and effective augmented reality (AR) system for fluorescence microscopy systems using a display screen and back-projection onto the eyepiece. We show that it is possible to achieve very high classification accuracy using datasets with as few as 26 images present. Using our approach, it is possible for relatively nonskilled users to automate detection of cell classes with a variety of appearances and enable new avenues for automation of fluorescence microscopy acquisition pipelines.
Effective group dispersion of terahertz quantum-cascade lasers
Authors: Röben Benjamin , Lü Xiang , Biermann Klaus , Schrottke Lutz , Grahn Holger T
Published: October 2020

Terahertz (THz) quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs) are based on complex semiconductor heterostructures, in which the optical gain is generated by intersubband transitions. Using the spacing of the laser modes in the emission spectra, we have determined the effective group refractive index

n

g
,

e
f
f

for more than one hundred THz QCLs of the hybrid design with Fabry–Pérot resonators based on single-plasmon waveguides. The experimentally obtained values of

n

g
,

e
f
f

for emission frequencies between 2.5 and 5.6 THz generally follow the trend of

n

g
,

e
f
f

derived from electromagnetic simulations. However, for a certain number of QCLs, the experimental values of

n

g
,

e
f
f

exhibit a rather large deviation from the general trend and the simulation results. From a thorough analysis, we conclude that differences in the optical gain/loss spectra are responsible for this deviation, which lead to a modification of the dispersion in the active region and consequently to altered values of

n

g
,

e
f
f

. The analysis also provides evidence that these differences in the gain/loss spectra originate from both, the details of the design and the gain broadening due to interface roughness.
A high operating voltage micro-supercapacitor based on the interlamellar modulation type Ti3C2Tx MXene
Authors: Feng Xin , Ning Jing , Xia Maoyang , Guo Haibin , Zhou Yu , Wang Dong , Zhang Jincheng , Hao Yue
Published: October 2020

The increasing demand for miniaturized, wearable, and flexible electronics has promoted the development of micro power sources such as microsupercapacitors (MSCs). This work reports a high-performance MSC based on Ti3C2Tx-layer/MnO2-nanorod with an ionic liquid gel electrolyte, achieving a high areal capacitance of 24.7 mF cm−2 within a wide voltage window of 2.5 V. The specific layer–rod interlaced structure of Ti3C2Tx/MnO2 is designed to solve the inaccessibility of large-sized ions in ionic liquids into Ti3C2Tx layers. As a result, the structure modification provides an enhanced capacitance because the expanded interspace enables a sufficient number of large-sized ions to intercalate/deintercalate. This work provides insightful guidance for the interlaminar modification of Ti3C2Tx MXene to accommodate high operating voltage electrolyte with large-sized ions to obtain high-performance MSCs.
The effects of nonlinear thermal fluctuation and series junction array on high-T
c superconducting terahertz mixer performance
Authors: Gao Xiang , Du Jia , Zhang Ting , Bu Xiangyuan , An Jianping
Published: October 2020

Sensitive high-T
c superconducting (HTS) heterodyne receivers are envisioned as promising technologies for terahertz (THz) communication and sensing applications due to the lack of power efficient sources in the band. HTS device properties, particularly the noise temperature, are dependent on complicated factors that include multiple noise sources as well as the interaction between Josephson junction and radio-frequency (RF) networks. We report investigations on the device properties of an HTS THz mixer in the presence of nonlinear thermal fluctuation and series junction array. By using the three-port analysis method, it is observed that the Planck and quantum noises representing nonlinear thermal fluctuation plays a significant role in the cases of smaller fluctuation parameters and higher signal frequencies. The influence of series junction array on mixer performance is also studied, which shows that there is an optimum junction number dependent on the normalized RF source impedance. The measured results of a broadband antenna-coupled HTS single-junction mixer agree well with that obtained by numerical simulation. The results predict that noise performance, conversion gain and operating bandwidth would be considerably improved if a series junction array with a suitable junction number is used for heterodyne mixing.
Microwave-assisted synthesized porous clay heterostructure-Zn/Si from montmorillonite for citronellal conversion into isopulegol
Authors: Rubiyanto Dwiarso , Prakoso Nurcahyo Iman , Khoirunnisa  , Citradewi Putwi Widya , Purwiandono Gani , Sagadevan Suresh , Fatimah Is
Published: October 2020

Microwave-assisted synthesis method was applied for producing porous clay heterostructure-Zn/Si heterostructure from Indonesian natural montmorillonite. The porous montmorillonite heterostructure was prepared by previously intercalating cetyl trimethyl ammonium as templating agent and surfactant, and trimethyl ammonium hydroxide as co-surfactant, followed by the introducing Zn–Si precursor solution for the sol-gel reaction of porous formation. The comparison of the use of microwave-assisted synthesis and hydrothermal method for the porous formation was studied. Physicochemical characterization by using XRD, SEM-EDX, TEM, gas sorption analysis, and FTIR method. Effect of the evolution of the surface characters on its catalytic activity in citronellal conversion into isopulegol was studied. The characterization by XRD informed the increasing basal spacing d001 from 1.57 nm into 3.71 nm by the microwave-assisted method, meanwhile the hydrothermal method produced 3.56 nm spacing. The increasing specific surface area from 98.82 m2 g−1 into 752.95 m2 g−1 and 409.95 m2 g−1 for microwave-assisted synthesized and hydrothermal synthesized composites, were obtained. These profiles are attributed to the increasing surface acidity determined by pyridine-adsorption method and n-butylamine titration method, and contributed to the significant increasing catalytic activity. The time-efficient synthesis method obtained by the microwave-assisted method is good alternative for the preparation of highly active montmorillonite heterostructure composite for acid-catalyzed organic reaction.