bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Let-7a mimic transfection reduces chemotherapy-induced damage in a mouse ovarian transplantation model
Authors: Alexandri Chrysanthi , Van Den Steen Geraldine , Demeestere Isabelle
Published: June 2022

Pharmacological approaches offer a non-invasive and promising option for fertility preservation in young female cancer patients undergoing gonadotoxic therapy. The GnRH-agonists are the only clinically available drugs in this indication, but their use and mechanisms of protection are still controversial. Recently, we have investigated new targeted drugs based on microRNA (miRNA) replacement therapy, and have identified the let-7a miRNA as candidate for fertility preservation strategies. Here, the effect of let-7a replacement during chemotherapy exposure on follicular growth and oocyte maturation capacity was investigated using a mouse ovarian-kidney transplantation model. Newborn mouse ovaries were cultured under different conditions; control, chemotherapy exposure (4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, 4-HC), and co-treatment with 4-HC and let-7a mimic transfection (4-HC + let-7a). The ovaries were then transplanted under the kidney capsule of recipient mice and follicular growth, survival, and oocyte in vitro maturation were assessed after 3 weeks. The results showed that the follicular pool was highest in the control group but higher in the 4-HC + let-7a group than the 4-HC group. DNA-damage/apoptosis ratios were higher in all 4-HC-exposed groups compared to control but were reduced in the 4-HC + let-7a group. In addition, the post-transplantation oocyte in vitro maturation rate was higher in the 4-HC + let-7a group compared to the 4-HC group, suggesting better oocyte quality. These results provide new information regarding the beneficial effects of let-7a replacement against chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage and open new perspectives for future in vivo applications.
Sub-Gbps key rate four-state continuous-variable quantum key distribution within metropolitan area
Authors: Wang Heng , Li Yang , Pi Yaodi , Pan Yan , Shao Yun , Ma Li , Zhang Yichen , Yang Jie , Zhang Tao , Huang Wei , Xu Bingjie
Published: June 2022

Continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) has potential advantages of high secret key rate, which is very suitable for high-speed metropolitan network application. However, the secret key rates of the reported CVQKD systems are only a few Mbps over typical transmission distance so far. Here, we address the fundamental experimental problems and demonstrate a single-carrier four-state CVQKD with sub-Gbps key rate within metropolitan area. In the demonstrated four-state CVQKD using local local oscillator, an ultra-low level of excess noise is obtained and a high efficient post-processing setup is designed for practically extracting the final secure keys. Thus, the achieved secret key rates are 190.54 Mbps, 137.76 Mbps and 52.48 Mbps using linear channel assuming security analysis method and 233.87 Mbps, 133.6 Mbps and 21.53 Mbps using semidefinite programming security analysis method over transmission distances of 5 km, 10 km and 25 km, respectively. This result increases the asymptotic secret key rate to sub-Gbps level, which is sufficient to achieve the one-time pad cryptographic task. Moreover, our work shows the road for future high-rate and large-scale CVQKD deployment in secure broadband metropolitan and access networks.
Minimal gene set discovery in single-cell mRNA-seq datasets with ActiveSVM
Authors: Chen Xiaoqiao , Chen Sisi , Thomson Matt
Published: June 2022

Sequencing costs currently prohibit the application of single-cell mRNA-seq to many biological and clinical analyses. Targeted single-cell mRNA-sequencing reduces sequencing costs by profiling reduced gene sets that capture biological information with a minimal number of genes. Here we introduce an active learning method that identifies minimal but highly informative gene sets that enable the identification of cell types, physiological states and genetic perturbations in single-cell data using a small number of genes. Our active feature selection procedure generates minimal gene sets from single-cell data by employing an active support vector machine (ActiveSVM) classifier. We demonstrate that ActiveSVM feature selection identifies gene sets that enable ~90% cell-type classification accuracy across, for example, cell atlas and disease-characterization datasets. The discovery of small but highly informative gene sets should enable reductions in the number of measurements necessary for application of single-cell mRNA-seq to clinical tests, therapeutic discovery and genetic screens.
The effect of notification window length on the epidemiological impact of COVID-19 contact tracing mobile applications
Authors: Leng Trystan , Hill Edward M. , Keeling Matt J. , Tildesley Michael J. , Thompson Robin N.
Published: June 2022

Background

The reduction in SARS-CoV-2 transmission facilitated by mobile contact tracing applications (apps) depends both on the proportion of relevant contacts notified and on the probability that those contacts quarantine after notification. The proportion of relevant contacts notified depends upon the number of days preceding an infector’s positive test that their contacts are notified, which we refer to as an app’snotification window.

Methods

We use an epidemiological model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission that captures the profile of infection to consider the trade-off between notification window length and active app use. We focus on 5-day and 2-day windows, the notification windows of the NHS COVID-19 app in England and Wales before and after 2nd August 2021, respectively.

Results

Our analyses show that at the same level of active app use, 5-day windows result in larger reductions in transmission than 2-day windows. However, short notification windows can be more effective at reducing transmission if they are associated with higher levels of active app use and adherence to isolation upon notification.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate the importance of understanding adherence to interventions when setting notification windows for COVID-19 contact tracing apps.
Efficient enantioselective synthesis of trisubstituted γ-lactam via the Michael addition reaction of 2,3-dioxopyrrolidine with indole in aqueous media
Authors: Mansaray John Kamanda , Huang Yekai , Li Kuiliang , Sun Xiang , Zha Zhenggen , Wang Zhiyong
Published: June 2022

An enantioselective Michael addition was developed in aqueous media. Various trisubstituted γ-lactam derivatives can be obtained with high yields and excellent ee values. The proposed mechanism was supported by control experiments, XPS and DFT calculation.
Single-step construction of an acetoxypyrroloindole skeleton via tandem iodocyclization/acetoxylation of indoles
Authors: Kimishima Atsushi , Kato Hiroki , Nakaguro Keijin , Arai Masayoshi
Published: June 2022

A new single-step approach to a C3a acetoxy pyrroloindole from various indoles under hypervalent iodine and ammonium salt-mediated mild reaction conditions was developed. The described method enables the short-step synthesis of (−)-protubonine B.
Water-triggered synergistic fluorescence variation and shape deformation in a Zn-TCPP metal–organic framework-based gel
Authors: Wang Xiangnan , Feng Zeyu , Ye Congyang , Zang Haofeng , Lu Yonghua , Zhang Hongli , Zou Gang
Published: June 2022

A MOF-based gel with simultaneous fluorescence and morphologic changes triggered by water was developed and applied in a visible rewriting pattern and a smart artificial actuator.
Modified polydopamine derivatives as high-performance organic anodes for potassium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Yi , Zhang Chenglin , Fu Qun , Zhao Huaping , Lei Yong
Published: June 2022

The modified polydopamine derivative (MPDA-350) is first synthesized by template-assisted and low-temperature annealing methods, and is utilized as a promising anode for potassium-ion batteries with high electrochemical performance.
Research on optimal scheduling of county main new energy consumption based on internal non-cooperative game under curve transaction
Authors: Lu Yao , Yang Meng , Yin Shuo , Jin Man , Chai Zhe , Guo Xingwu , Chen Xing , Zhang Danni
Published: June 2022

Under the “double carbon” goal and background, new energy power generation will usher in great development. The investment and construction of new energy projects and the scale of grid connected transmission are increasing, which puts forward higher requirements for the investment decision-making management and income of county new energy subjects. Based on the power curve trading and non cooperative game theory and the day ahead real-time two-stage adjustment and correction mechanism of county subjects, this paper briefly analyzes the new energy consumption and income of county subjects based on internal non cooperative game under curve trading.
Research on off-the-grid energy storage system
Authors: Ni Tianlun
Published: June 2022

To enable people in remote areas to meet their energy needs during cloudy days or at night, our team decided to tailor an off-the-grid energy storage system for them. To allow this energy storage system to meet the energy usage of a 1,600-square-foot family, we comprehensively consider the factors about continuous power rating, instantaneous power rating, usable capacity, round-trip efficiency, lifetime of battery, and price of batteries to maximize efficiency and lower costs. In the modeling process, the mathematical method we use is the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Verify whether the matrix passes the consistency test by calculating the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the matrix, and get a score for each battery. Among the five batteries, we found that the battery Deka Solar 8GCC2 6V 198 can best meet our needs. Then, to perfect the model, we added a new consideration, which is personal preference, including all the subjective factors that would affect people’s choice. After incorporating this new consideration into our original model, the rankings of two of the five batteries have changed. However, despite these slight swifts, battery Deka Solar 8GCC2 6V 198 is still our best choice. Nowadays, researchers have discovered some new types of batteries to store energy, such as cement batteries, and this new type of battery has some unique advantages. We compare currently available batteries with the cement batteries, and discover that both batteries have their pros and cons. We believe that with the development of technology, cement batteries will have a very broad prospect and can even surpass currently available batteries.
Research on Global Fairness Coefficient Based on AHM-CRITIC-TOPSIS Algorithm
Authors: Sun Yutong
Published: June 2022

With the signing of treaties for the exploration and utilization of outer space by most countries, mankind has begun to advance the exploitation of asteroid resources. However, due to the large number of countries involved and the limited space and resources of the planets, the issue of fairness in resource exploitation is gradually emerging. Asteroid mining is a typical example. To define global fairness, analyze the national allocation of asteroid mining, with the impact of mining sector changes, and propose mining fairness policies, we construct one model to measure global equity. in order to construct a Global Fairness Coefficient (GFC) and allocate mining resources and space, we collect data of 14 indicators from 5 dimensions of 266 countries, measure the global fairness coefficient of each country based on the AHM-CRITIC-TOPSIS coupled evaluation model, and rank countries by this coefficient. Finally, countries are divided into three categories using hierarchical clustering, and mineral resources are allocated to countries by category. Among them, the United States (0.482), China (0. 452), and Japan (0.414) are the top three countries in the ranking. In conclusion, the global equity coefficient model, linear regression model of planetary mining task allocation, sectoral change impact regression model, and global mining hierarchy analysis model constructed in this paper can provide a better assessment of global equity and provide relevant policy recommendations and decision options.
Trading mechanism for day-ahead power generation rights considering carbon emission rights and allowance benefits
Authors: Wang Lina , Liu Wenxia
Published: June 2022

To improve the enthusiasm of captive power plants to participate in power generation rights trading, this paper proposes a method of power generation rights trading for captive power plants and wind power before the day considering carbon emission rights and allowance gains. Firstly, based on the cooperative game, a power generation rights trading model to maximize the net gain of the cooperative alliance is established, followed by determining the gain of each subject through the Shapley value method. Finally, the model is solved by the solver and the arithmetic example verifies the correctness of the model.
Practice and exploration of planned regionalization in territorial spatial planning under the guidance of strategy
Authors: Wang Yaming , Qin Xiaojuan
Published: June 2022

Reasonable planning and zoning plays an important role in effectively implementing the goal of land and space development and transmitting the requirements of land use control. On the basis of relevant research, taking the preparation of land and space planning in Baiyin City, Gansu Province as an example, this paper proposes to construct the planning division of “functional division + specific policy area” under the guidance of the implementation of strategic positioning requirements, and carry out the practical exploration of planning division, in order to provide some reference for the preparation of land and space planning in relevant areas.
Influence of mid-term base level cycle changes on the development characteristics of shallow water delta sand bodies: A case study of the Fuyu oil layer in the Mu 17 block in the southern Songliao Basin
Authors: Tang Zhonghao , Wei Guo , Yan Gao
Published: June 2022

The Fuyu oil layer in the southern Songliao Basin is a shallow-water delta sedimentary system. Frequent changes in the base level lead to obvious differences in the superimposed style, scale and geometry of the sand bodies, which seriously affects the distribution of remaining oil. Taking the Fuyu oil layer in the Mu 17 block in the southern Songliao Basin as an example, using a large number of cores and logging data in the dense well pattern development area, based on the relationship between the accommodated space (A) and the sediment supply (S), it is clear that The Fuyu oil layer develops the superimposed styles of cut-stack, superimposed and isolated sand bodies. In the depositional period of MSC1 and MSC2, the superimposed style of the cut-and-stacked sand body was the main one; in the depositional period of MSC3, the superimposed style of the superimposed sand body was dominant; in the depositional period of MSC4, the sand body was the least developed, and the superimposed style of the isolated sand body was the main one.This study has important guiding significance for clarifying the influence of medium-term base level cycle changes on the superposition law of shallow water delta sand bodies.
Study on the coordinated development path of eco-economy of yangtze river economic belt
Authors: Liu Jinhua
Published: June 2022

It is of great practical significance to explore the green development path of regional economy and environment. In this paper, Yangtze River Economic Belt in China was selected as the research objects, entropy method and coupling coordination degree model were used to calculate and analyse the ecological and economic changes and coordination degree. The results show that the condition of ecology and economy of the Yangtze River Economic Belt are on the rise, and the overall economy is developing rapidly. Although the economy of some regions is on the rise, it is still relatively backward. The ecological situation has been improved, the improvement range is small, and there are regional differences. Overall, the coordination degree of ecological economy has improved, but there are also spatial differences. In order to promote the coordinated development of ecological economy in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, it is suggested to strengthen the treatment of ecological environment pollution, build a modern economic system and promote green development.
Emission characteristics analysis under California low load cycle for a China VI heavy-duty diesel engine
Authors: Wang Xiaowei , Ling Jian , Gao Tao , Gu Xuejing , Li Gang , Zhang Youyuan
Published: June 2022

A 6.2 L diesel engine that meets China VI emission standard was selected to run world harmonized transient cycle (WHTC) and California Low Load Cycle (LLC) to measure the pollutants. The brake specific emission under the two cycles were compared, and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emission were analyzed carefully. The results show that the NOx emission of the LLC of this engine is about 15 times than that of the hot WHTC, and 4.7 times than that of the limitation of current China VI emission standard. The low inlet temperature of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is the predominant reason for the high NOx emission in the LLC. The SCR inlet temperature of lower than 200°C in LLC accounts for 52% of the total time with an average inlet temperature of only 190°C. While the inlet temperature of lower than 200°C of the hot WHTC only accounts for 7% with the average inlet temperature of 275°C. The average SCR catalytic efficiency calculated by NOx sensor amounted on the upstream and downstream of LLC is only 75%, while the efficiency is 98% for hot WHTC. It is necessary to focus on thermal management of the aftertreatment system and the SCR catalytic performance at low temperature.
Klinische Diagnostik beim femoroazetabulären Impingement
Authors: Haupt-Bertschy Bettina , Serena Anna
Published: June 2022

Wenn es in der Hüfte klemmt, kommen viele Ursachen in Frage. Das femoroazetabuläre Impingement ist eine davon. Für Patienten bricht dann oft eine Welt zusammen, aber den Betroffenen kann geholfen werden – mit einer individuell abgestimmten Therapie. Voraussetzung dafür ist eine gute klinische Diagnostik.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Vancomycin in Jordanian Patients.
Development of Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Model and Validation
of Class II Drugs of Salivary Excretion Classiﬁcation System
(SECS)
Authors: Arabyat Majd , Abdul-Sattar Ahmad , Al-Fararjah Feras , Al-Ghazawi Ahmad , Rabayah Ayman , Al-Hasassnah Rakan , Mohmmad Walid , Al-Adham Ibrahim , Hamadi Salim , Idkaidek Nasir
Published: June 2022

Vancomycin is a commonly used antibiotic for multi-drug resistant gram-positive
infections treatment, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA). Despite that, it has wide individual pharmacokinetic variability and
nephrotoxic effect. Vancomycin trough concentrations for 57 Jordanian patients
were measured in plasma and saliva through immunoassay and liquid
chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), respectively. Plasma levels
were within accepted normal range, with exception of 6 patients who showed
trough levels of more than 20 μg/ml and vancomycin was
discontinued. Bayesian dose-optimizing software was used for patient-specific
pharmacokinetics prediction and AUC/MIC calculation. Physiological-based
pharmacokinetic (PBPK) vancomycin model was built and validated through
GastroPlus™ 9.8 using in-house plasma data. A weak correlation
coefficient of 0.2478 (P=0.1049) was found between plasma and saliva
concentrations. The suggested normal saliva trough range of vancomycin is
0.01906 to 0.028589 (μg/ml). Analysis of variance showed
significant statistical effects of creatinine clearance and albumin
concentration on dose-normalized Cmin plasma and saliva levels respectively,
which is in agreement with PBPKmodeling. It can be concluded that saliva is not
a suitable matrix for TDM of vancomycin. Trough levels in plasma matrix should
always be monitored for the safety of patients.
Bariatric Arterial Embolization: Current Status
Authors: Khalil Adham , Weiss Clifford R. , Gunn Andrew J.
Published: June 2022

Obesity is a well-known major public health concern that causes significant morbidity and mortality with severe effects on the healthcare system and its financial status. Classic treatment options for obesity include lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery. However, there is a treatment gap for patients in whom lifestyle modifications were not sufficient or satisfactory, and yet bariatric surgery is not a suitable option. Bariatric artery embolization (BAE) is a novel, minimally invasive, image-guided endovascular procedure that induces weight loss by reducing the production of appetite-mediating hormones following transarterial embolization of the gastric fundus. Recent evidence has shown that BAE is safe and effective in inducing clinically significant weight. This article will review the existing preclinical and clinical evidence on BAE, and discuss the future directions for this procedure.
Temporal network epistemology: On reaching consensus in a real-world setting
Authors: Michalski Radosław , Serwata Damian , Nurek Mateusz , Szymanski Boleslaw K. , Kazienko Przemysław , Jia Tao
Published: June 2022

This work develops the concept of the temporal network epistemology model enabling the simulation of the learning process in dynamic networks. The results of the research, conducted on the temporal social network generated using the CogSNet model and on the static topologies as a reference, indicate a significant influence of the network temporal dynamics on the outcome and flow of the learning process. It has been shown that not only the dynamics of reaching consensus is different compared to baseline models but also that previously unobserved phenomena appear, such as uninformed agents or different consensus states for disconnected components. It has also been observed that sometimes only the change of the network structure can contribute to reaching consensus. The introduced approach and the experimental results can be used to better understand the way how human communities collectively solve both complex problems at the scientific level and to inquire into the correctness of less complex but common and equally important beliefs’ spreading across entire societies.
Design of a low-noise low-voltage amplifier for improved neural signal recording
Authors: Sharma Kulbhushan , Tripathi Rahul Kumar , Jatana H. S. , Sharma Rajnish
Published: June 2022

Design of amplifier circuits with low-noise operable at low-power to be used, especially for implantable neural interfaces, remains a huge challenge. This research paper presents the design of a low-noise low-voltage neural recording amplifier suitable for amplifying local field potentials and extracellular action potentials so as to meet the end requirement of an implantable neuro-medical system. Critical performance parameters of the smaller circuit blocks of the complete neural amplifier architecture have been found with the help of detailed mathematical analysis and then verified by the simulations conducted using 0.18 µm 4M1P foundry Semi-conductor Laboratory N-well process. The neural amplifier design proposed in this paper passes neural signal of interest with a mid-band gain of 49.9 dB over a bandwidth of 5.3 Hz–8.6 kHz, draws only 11.5 µW of power from ±0.9 V supply voltage, and exhibits an input-referred noise of 2.6 µVrms with a noise efficiency factor of 2.27. The area consumed by the proposed neural amplifier architecture is 0.192 mm2. The complete circuit design carried out in this paper should prove to be useful in equipment for the diagnosis of neurological disorders.
Qualitative analysis of user reviews from Nurx and Planned Parenthood Direct: what user experiences reveal about telecontraception apps
Authors: Nitkowski Jenna
Published: June 2022

Background Telecontraception is a novel method that aims to address existing barriers associated with obtaining contraception in the United States, yet research examining user experiences with these apps is lacking. Methods Qualitative data analysis was used to conduct a content analysis of user reviews from two major telecontraception platforms, Nurx and Planned Parenthood Direct. Results Access and timeliness, clinician interaction, cost and affordability, support for the idea of telecontraception, and platform experience were the main themes across both platforms. Telecontraception alleviated many barriers related to in-person visits for contraception, such as waiting months for a booked provider appointment or having to take time off from work to visit a healthcare facility. Information and education, birth control options, and largely positive interactions with clinicians indicated that telecontraception has the potential to improve user experiences of contraceptive counselling by facilitating on-demand access to clinicians and contraceptive information. Cost and affordability had mixed reviews, with varying experiences depending on insurance. Conclusions Similar themes across both platforms highlight shared motivations for turning to telecontraception platforms and uncover currently unmet needs in the traditional in-person reproductive healthcare system. Telecontraception platforms eradicate many barriers present in traditional in-person healthcare visits yet are limited by existing institutional frameworks such as insurance. Addressing cost and reach barriers could help ensure all women can utilise telecontraception.
Sensory error drives fine motor adjustment
Authors: Wang Huimin , Zhou Yuxuan , Li Huanhuan , Moss Cynthia F. , Li Xingxing , Luo Jinhong
Published: June 2022

Fine audiovocal control is a hallmark of human speech production and depends on precisely coordinated muscle activity guided by sensory feedback. Little is known about shared audiovocal mechanisms between humans and other mammals. We hypothesized that real-time audiovocal control in bat echolocation uses the same computational principles as human speech. To test the prediction of this hypothesis, we applied state feedback control (SFC) theory to the analysis of call frequency adjustments in the echolocating bat,
Hipposideros armiger
. This model organism exhibits well-developed audiovocal control to sense its surroundings via echolocation. Our experimental paradigm was analogous to one implemented in human subjects. We measured the bats’ vocal responses to spectrally altered echolocation calls. Individual bats exhibited highly distinct patterns of vocal compensation to these altered calls. Our findings mirror typical observations of speech control in humans listening to spectrally altered speech. Using mathematical modeling, we determined that the same computational principles of SFC apply to bat echolocation and human speech, confirming the prediction of our hypothesis.
Critical assessment 42: Acicular ferrite formation and its influence on weld metal and heat-affected zone properties of steels
Authors: Cho Lawrence , Tselikova Anastasiya , Holtgrewe Kelsey , De Moor Emmanuel , Schmidt Rolf , Findley Kip O.
Published: June 2022

Toughness and fatigue resistance of welds and associated heat-affected zones (HAZs) in high-strength steels are important design parameters in structural applications. Acicular ferrite microstructures, which can be achieved through control of weld process and nucleant (inclusions or precipitates) characteristics, are often regarded as key to enhancing weld metal and HAZ properties of welded steels. This paper addresses the transformation characteristics of acicular ferrite related to alloying and weld processing as well as the specific role of acicular ferrite in weld performance, along with future research needs to identify weld processes suitable to specific alloying strategies.
Quantum correlation between a qubit and a relativistic boson in an expanding spacetime
Authors: Wu Shu-Min , Zeng Hao-Sheng , Liu Tonghua
Published: June 2022

We use the quantum correlation of both logarithmic negativity and mutual information between a qubit and a relativistic boson to analyze the dynamics of Universe expansion. These dynamical quantum correlations can encode the information about underlying spacetime structure, which suggests a promising application in observational cosmology. We find that the dynamics of both logarithmic negativity and mutual information between the qubit and the boson are very similar. They decrease monotonically with the growth of the expansion volume and the expansion rate. Smaller momentum and medium-sized mass of boson are more favourable for extracting the information about history of Universe expansion. The quantum correlation between the qubit and the antiboson however has very different behavior: the logarithmic negativity is always zero and the mutual information can be generated through the expansion of Universe. Smaller momentum and medium-sized mass of antiboson are beneficial for the production of mutual information. Finally, the trigger phenomenon and conservation for mutual information are witnessed.
Some integral geometry problems for wave equations
Authors: Wang Yiran
Published: June 2022

We consider the Cauchy problem and the source problem for normally hyperbolic operators on the Minkowski spacetime, and study the determination of solutions from their integrals along light-like geodesics. For the Cauchy problem, we give a new proof of the stable determination result obtained by Vasy and Wang (2021 Commun. Math. Phys.
384 503–32). For the source problem, we obtain stable determination for sources with space-like singularities. Our proof is based on the microlocal analysis of the normal operator of the light ray transform composed with the parametrix for strictly hyperbolic operators.
Self-calibration of micro-components based on manipulator guidance
Authors: Yan Hu , Qin Zhang , Ciwen Ma , Zhiming Ou
Published: June 2022

Automatic alignment of micro-component position and posture is an important part of micro-assembly. A self-calibration method of micro-components based on a droplet manipulator is proposed. The shape of the operating surface of the droplet manipulator is changed according to the shape of the micro-component and a droplet of the corresponding shape is formed; the position and posture of the operating surface of the droplet manipulator is used as a guide to drive the rapid alignment through the recovery force of the liquid bridge to achieve self-calibration of the micro-component. The self-calibration principle and process are analyzed using rectangular and triangular micro-components as examples, and the effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated experimentally. The research and experimental results show that the self-calibration can be achieved by changing the shape parameters of the operating surface of manipulator and controlling the corresponding droplet form; the self-calibration of position and posture of micro-components with different shapes and sizes can be achieved by matching the operating surface shape of the droplet manipulator and the micro-components; the automatic calibration success rate is 100% under the condition that the contact surface of the micro-component is completely wetted.
Geometrical aberration measurement by experimental ray-tracing based on fiber point diffraction interferometry
Authors: Chen Weixiong , Chen Lingfeng , Zhang Xusheng , Zhang Qinchao
Published: June 2022

The geometrical aberration of an optical system is usually measured through wavefront aberration. We propose a very direct experimental ray-tracing measurement method in this paper. Two fiber point-light-sources are used to simulate an arbitrary incident ray in space, the diffracting wavefronts of the two fibers pass through the lens under test and interfere on two photographic planes. The outgoing ray intersects the photographic planes at the extrema of their phase maps, thus can be traced by connecting the two intersections. We measure four kinds of geometrical aberrations of the lens and compare them with Zemax simulation results. This method provides a new solution for the geometrical aberration measurement of an optical system.
Electrochemical deposition of n-type semiconducting nickel hydroxide thin films
Authors: Abe Koji , Shimura Masahide
Published: June 2022

Nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2) is a wide bandgap semiconductor with a bandgap energy of 3–3.5 eV, but the use of Ni(OH)2 as a semiconductor is still limited. In this study, Ni(OH)2 thin films were synthesized on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates by electrochemical deposition and subsequent annealing in water vapor at 180 °C. The as-deposited Ni(OH)2 films were amorphous α-Ni(OH)2 intercalated with water and nitrate molecules. Nanocrystallites of β-Ni(OH)2 were formed in the films during annealing in water vapor at 180 °C. The content of β-Ni(OH)2 nanocrystallites increased with increasing annealing time. The as-deposited and annealed Ni(OH)2 films exhibited an n-type photo response in photoelectrochemical measurements. The resistivity of the annealed films was about 1 × 104 Ωcm. This resistivity value was one order of magnitude lower than that of the as-deposited film. The Ni(OH)2/NiO/ITO heterostructure was fabricated by depositing Ni(OH)2 on nickel oxide. The n-Ni(OH)2/p-NiO/ITO heterostructure diode exhibited clear rectification behavior.
A procedural solution for determining the temperature dependence of transport critical current in Nb3Sn superconducting wires using magnetization measurements
Authors: Pong Ian , Ekin Jack , Baumgartner Thomas , Bordini Bernardo , Cheggour Najib
Published: June 2022

Using magnetization techniques to determine the temperature dependence of critical current in Nb3Sn wires is attractive because of the relative ease compared with using variable-temperature transport measurements. However, there is a known mismatch in the temperature scaling characterizations when using magnetization data compared to transport data. From a practical standpoint, it is the transport properties that matter, as performance prediction, margin calculations, and other aspects of magnet designs rely on the knowledge of the amount of transport current the superconductor can carry in a magnetic field. In this paper, we will identify the underlying issues and propose a procedural solution for determining the temperature dependence of transport critical current in Nb3Sn superconducting wires using magnetization measurements. By using one standard transport measurement at 4.2 K as an ‘anchor’, with this procedural solution it becomes possible to combine the simplicity and economy of quick magnetization measurements at different temperatures with the accurate prediction of transport properties in extrapolated temperature ranges. This study is based on experimental data using internal tin-type wire, but we also address the theoretical implications that would be generally applicable to other wire designs. The strength of our analysis is that our work leads to proposed procedures that improve the accuracy of the temperature scaling even if the assumed pinning curve shape does not fit the data as well at some temperatures, whether those temperatures are close to 4.2 K or to T
C.
Search for secluded dark matter towards the Galactic Centre with the ANTARES neutrino telescope
Authors: Albert A. , Alves S. , André M. , Anghinolfi M. , Anton G. , Ardid M. , Ardid S. , Aubert J.-J. , Aublin J. , Baret B. , Basa S. , Belhorma B. , Bendahman M. , Benfenati F. , Bertin V. , Biagi S. , Bissinger M. , Boumaaza J. , Bouta M. , Bouwhuis M.C. , Brânzaş H. , Bruijn R. , Brunner J. , Busto J. , Caiffi B. , Calvo D. , Capone A. , Caramete L. , Carr J. , Carretero V. , Celli S. , Chabab M. , Chau T.N. , Cherkaoui El Moursli R. , Chiarusi T. , Circella M. , Coleiro A. , Coniglione R. , Coyle P. , Creusot A. , Díaz A.F. , de Wasseige G. , Distefano C. , Di Palma I. , Domi A. , Donzaud C. , Dornic D. , Drouhin D. , Eberl T. , van Eeden T. , van Eijk D. , El Khayati N. , Enzenhöfer A. , Fermani P. , Ferrara G. , Filippini F. , Fusco L. , Gatelet Y. , Gay P. , Glotin H. , Gozzini R. , Gracia Ruiz R. , Graf K. , Guidi C. , Hallmann S. , van Haren H. , Heijboer A.J. , Hello Y. , Hernández-Rey J.J. , Hößl J. , Hofestädt J. , Huang F. , Illuminati G. , James C.W. , Jisse-Jung B. , de Jong M. , de Jong P. , Kadler M. , Kalekin O. , Katz U. , Khan-Chowdhury N.R. , Kouchner A. , Kreykenbohm I. , Kulikovskiy V. , Lagunas Gualda C. , Lahmann R. , Le Breton R. , LeStum S. , Lefèvre D. , Leonora E. , Levi G. , Lincetto M. , Lopez-Coto D. , Loucatos S. , Maderer L. , Manczak J. , Marcelin M. , Margiotta A. , Marinelli A. , Martínez-Mora J.A. , Martino B. , Melis K. , Migliozzi P. , Moussa A. , Muller R. , Nauta L. , Navas S. , Nezri E. , Ó Fearraigh B. , Păun A. , Păvălaş G.E. , Pellegrino C. , Perrin-Terrin M. , Pestel V. , Piattelli P. , Pieterse C. , Poirè C. , Popa V. , Pradier T. , Randazzo N. , Real D. , Reck S. , Riccobene G. , Romanov A. , Sala F. , Sánchez-Losa A. , Salesa Greus F. , Samtleben D.F.E. , Sanguineti M. , Sapienza P. , Schnabel J. , Schumann J. , Schüssler F. , Seneca J. , Spurio M. , Stolarczyk Th. , Taiuti M. , Tayalati Y. , Tingay S.J. , Vallage B. , Van Elewyck V. , Versari F. , Viola S. , Vivolo D. , Wilms J. , Zavatarelli S. , Zegarelli A. , Zornoza J.D. , Zúñiga J.
Published: June 2022

Searches for dark matter (DM) have not provided any solid evidence for the existence of weakly interacting massive particles in the GeV-TeV mass range.
Coincidentally, the scale of new physics is being pushed by collider searches well beyond the TeV domain. This situation strongly motivates the exploration of DM masses much larger than a TeV.
Secluded scenarios contain a natural way around the unitarity bound on the DM mass, via the early matter domination induced by the mediator of its interactions with the Standard Model.
High-energy neutrinos constitute one of the very few direct accesses to energy scales above a few TeV.
An indirect search for secluded DM signals has been performed with the ANTARES neutrino telescope using data from 2007 to 2015. Upper limits on the DM annihilation cross section for DM masses up to 6 PeV are presented and discussed.
Positivity bounds from multiple vacua and their cosmological consequences
Authors: Melville Scott , Noller Johannes
Published: June 2022

Positivity bounds — constraints on any low-energy effective field theory imposed by the fundamental axioms of unitarity, causality and locality in the UV — have recently been used to constrain various effective field theories relevant for cosmology.
However, to date most of these bounds have assumed that there is a single Lorentz-invariant vacuum in which all fields have zero expectation value and in many cosmologically relevant models this is not the case.
We explore ways to overcome this limitation by investigating a simple example model, the covariant Galileon, which possesses a one-parameter family of Lorentz-invariant vacua as well as multiple boost-breaking vacua.
Each of these vacua has a corresponding set of positivity bounds, and we show how a particular (beyond-the-forward-limit) bound can be used to map out the parameter space according to which vacua may persist in the UV theory, finding that in general there are regions in which none, one or many of the effective field theory vacua can be consistent with unitarity, causality and locality in the UV.
Finally, we discuss the interplay between this map and cosmological observations.

We find that the observationally favoured region of parameter space is incompatible with a large class of vacua, and conversely that particular boost-breaking vacua would imply positivity bounds that rule out otherwise observationally favoured cosmologies.

We also identify a specific boost-breaking vacuum which is “closest” to the cosmological background, and show that the particular positivity bound we consider reduces the otherwise cosmologically favoured region of Galileon parameter space by up to 70 %, ruling out the vast majority of cosmologies with a positive coefficient for the cubic Galileon in the process.
Isotope effects on turbulence and zonal flows in HL-2A edge plasmas
Authors: He Y. , Cheng J. , Xu Y. , Fang Q. , Xu J.Q. , Wang W.C. , Zou Q. , Yan L.W. , Huang Z.H. , Wu N. , Shi Z.B. , Liu Y. , Zhong W.L. , Xu M.
Published: June 2022

The effect of isotope mass on the interaction between turbulence and geodesic acoustic mode (GAM) zonal flows has been investigated in HL-2A ohmically heated deuterium (D) and hydrogen (H) plasmas using a double-step Langmuir probe array. The experimental results indicate that the level of GAM zonal flows and the turbulence eddy size together with the eddy tilting angle are all increased in the edge region in D plasmas compared to those in H plasmas under similar discharge parameters involving plasma current, magnetic field and line-averaged density. Evidence shows that in D plasmas, the nonlinear energy transfer is the main cause of the stronger excitation of GAM zonal flows, which extract more energy from ambient turbulence and, consequently, lead to lower turbulent transport and better confinement in D plasmas. The experimental findings may contribute to the understanding of the isotopic physics and associated turbulent transport in tokamak plasmas.
Using spectral geometry to predict pressure losses in curved pipes at high Reynolds numbers
Authors: Baron Alexander
Published: June 2022

The object of this paper is to apply spectral geometry methods to predicting pressure losses in mildly curved pipes at high Reynolds numbers. The obtained formula for the pressure losses is theoretically justified and provides good agreement with the experimental results.
Preservation of classes of entire functions defined in terms of growth restrictions along the real axis under perturbations of their zero sets
Authors: Abuzyarova N.
Published: June 2022

Four special subsets of the Schwartz algebra are defined (this algebra consists of all entire functions of exponential type and of polynomial growth on the real axis). Perturbations of the zero sets for functions belonging to each of these subsets are studied. It is shown that the boundedness of the real part of the perturbing sequence is a sufficient and, generally speaking, unimprovable condition for preservation the subset from which the function in question is taken. An application of these results to spectral synthesis problems for differentiation-invariant subspaces of the Schwartz class on an interval of the real line is considered.
Heptagon relation in a direct sum
Authors: Korepanov I. G.
Published: June 2022

An Ansatz is proposed for the heptagon relation, that is, an algebraic imitation of the five-dimensional Pachner move 4–3. The formula in question is realized in terms of matrices acting in a direct sum of one-dimensional linear spaces corresponding to 4-faces.
Virtual issue: elections
Authors: Davis Justine
Published: June 2022

This virtual issue brings together articles posing important questions about the dynamics of elections in Africa to highlight a number of topics, including candidate selection, diaspora voting, democratic backsliding, and election violence.
Recent fall and high imminent risk of fracture in older men and women
Authors: Kim Kyoung Min , Lui Li-Yung , Cummings Steven R
Published: June 2022

Background

despite fall history being a well-known risk factor for falls and fractures, the association between very recent falls and imminent fracture risk is not clearly elucidated.

Objective

to study the very recent (<4 months) fall-related absolute risk of fractures in the following year.

Methods

two large prospective cohort studies of women (Study of Osteoporotic Fractures [SOF]) and men (Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study [MrOS]) aged 65 years or older were included. Data on falls were collected every 4 months, and the primary outcomes were any non-spine and hip fractures in the next 12 months.

Results

a total of 9,704 women contributed 419,149, and 5,994 men contributed 223,885 four-monthly periods of observations during the 14.8-year SOF and 12.6-year MrOS follow-up. Falls within 4 months indicated a high risk of non-spine and hip fractures in the following year for both sexes; in women, a recent fall indicated an 8.1% absolute risk of a non-spine fracture within 1 year, a 2.5-fold higher risk than that in women without falls, a 2.5% absolute risk of hip fracture, and a 3.1-fold increased risk. Falls increased the risk of fractures regardless of whether a fracture occurred or not. Men had similar risk patterns, albeit with a lower absolute risk of fracture.

Conclusions

in older people, a fall within 4 months indicates a high risk of fracture in the next year, regardless of fracture occurrence. A recent fall warrants urgent evaluation and consideration of treatments to reduce the imminent risk of fractures.
Single-cell generalized trend model (scGTM): a flexible and interpretable model of gene expression trend along cell pseudotime
Authors: Cui Elvis Han , Song Dongyuan , Wong Weng Kee , Li Jingyi Jessica
Published: June 2022

Motivation

Modeling single-cell gene expression trends along cell pseudotime is a crucial analysis for exploring biological processes. Most existing methods rely on nonparametric regression models for their flexibility; however, nonparametric models often provide trends too complex to interpret. Other existing methods use interpretable but restrictive models. Since model interpretability and flexibility are both indispensable for understanding biological processes, the single-cell field needs a model that improves the interpretability and largely maintains the flexibility of nonparametric regression models.

Results

Here, we propose the single-cell generalized trend model (scGTM) for capturing a gene’s expression trend, which may be monotone, hill-shaped or valley-shaped, along cell pseudotime. The scGTM has three advantages: (i) it can capture non-monotonic trends that are easy to interpret, (ii) its parameters are biologically interpretable and trend informative, and (iii) it can flexibly accommodate common distributions for modeling gene expression counts. To tackle the complex optimization problems, we use the particle swarm optimization algorithm to find the constrained maximum likelihood estimates for the scGTM parameters. As an application, we analyze several single-cell gene expression datasets using the scGTM and show that scGTM can capture interpretable gene expression trends along cell pseudotime and reveal molecular insights underlying biological processes.

Availability and implementation

The Python package scGTM is open-access and available at https://github.com/ElvisCuiHan/scGTM.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.