bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Well‐Switching to Reduce Arsenic Exposure in Bangladesh: Making the Most of Inaccurate Field Kit Measurements
Authors: Jameel Yusuf , Mozumder M. Rajib Hassan , van Geen Alexander , Harvey Charles F.
Published: October 2021

Well‐switching programs in Bangladesh have successfully lowered arsenic exposure. In these programs, households switch from wells that are labeled “unsafe” to nearby wells labeled “safe,” but these designations are usually based on inherently inaccurate field kit measurements. Here, we (a) compare the efficacy of field‐kit measurements to accurate laboratory measurements for well switching, (b) investigate the potential impact on well switching of the chosen “safe” threshold, and (c) consider the possible benefits of providing more detailed concentration information than just “safe” and “unsafe.” We explore different hypothetical mitigation scenarios by combining two extensive data sets from Araihazar Bangladesh: a blanket survey of 6595 wells over 25 km2 based on laboratory measurements and 943 paired kit and laboratory measurements from the same area. The results indicate that the decline in average arsenic exposure from relying on kit rather than laboratory data is modest in relation to the logistical and financial challenge of delivering exclusively laboratory data. The analysis further indicates that the 50 μg/L threshold used in Bangladesh to distinguish safe and unsafe wells, rather than the WHO guideline of 10 μg/L, is close to optimal in terms of average exposure reduction. We also show that providing kit data at the maximum possible resolution rather than merely classifying wells as unsafe or safe would be even better. These findings are relevant as the government of Bangladesh is about to launch a new blanket testing campaign of millions of wells using field kits.
Valproic acid disables the Nrf2 anti-oxidant response in acute myeloid leukaemia cells enhancing reactive oxygen species-mediated killing
Authors: Jiang Yao , Southam Andrew D. , Trova Sandro , Beke Flavio , Alhazmi Bader , Francis Thomas , Radotra Anshul , di Maio Alessandro , Drayson Mark T. , Bunce Chris M. , Khanim Farhat L.
Published: October 2021

Background

We previously demonstrated the in vitro killing of AML cells by the combination of the lipid-lowering agent bezafibrate (BEZ) and the contraceptive hormone medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). A phase II trial demonstrated in vivo safety and efficacy of BEZ and MPA (BaP) in elderly, relapsed/refractory AML and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients. However, we observed dose-limiting toxicities in a second trial that attempted to improve outcomes via escalation of BaP doses. Thus we sought to identify a third repurposed drug that potentiates activity of low dose BaP (BaP 0.1 mM).

Methods and Results

We demonstrate that addition of a commonly used anti-epileptic, valproic acid (VAL) to low dose BaP (BaP 0.1 mM)(VBaP) enhanced killing of AML cell lines/primary AML cells to levels similar to high dose BaP (BaP 0.5 mM). Similarly, addition of VAL to BaP 0.1 mM enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation and inhibition of de novo fatty acid synthesis. Overexpression of Nrf2 in K562 and KG1a completely inhibited ROS production and rescued cells from VAL/BaP 0.1 mM/VBaP killing.

Conclusions

Given the good safety data of low-dose BaP in elderly/relapsed/refractory AML patients, and that VAL alone is well-tolerated, we propose VBaP as a novel therapeutic combination for AML.
Late Quaternary dynamics of Arctic biota from ancient environmental genomics
Authors: Wang Yucheng , Pedersen Mikkel Winther , Alsos Inger Greve , De Sanctis Bianca , Racimo Fernando , Prohaska Ana , Coissac Eric , Owens Hannah Lois , Merkel Marie Kristine Føreid , Fernandez-Guerra Antonio , Rouillard Alexandra , Lammers Youri , Alberti Adriana , Denoeud France , Money Daniel , Ruter Anthony H. , McColl Hugh , Larsen Nicolaj Krog , Cherezova Anna A. , Edwards Mary E. , Fedorov Grigory B. , Haile James , Orlando Ludovic , Vinner Lasse , Korneliussen Thorfinn Sand , Beilman David W. , Bjørk Anders A. , Cao Jialu , Dockter Christoph , Esdale Julie , Gusarova Galina , Kjeldsen Kristian K. , Mangerud Jan , Rasic Jeffrey T. , Skadhauge Birgitte , Svendsen John Inge , Tikhonov Alexei , Wincker Patrick , Xing Yingchun , Zhang Yubin , Froese Duane G. , Rahbek Carsten , Bravo David Nogues , Holden Philip B. , Edwards Neil R. , Durbin Richard , Meltzer David J. , Kjær Kurt H. , Möller Per , Willerslev Eske
Published: October 2021

During the last glacial–interglacial cycle, Arctic biotas experienced substantial climatic changes, yet the nature, extent and rate of their responses are not fully understood1–8. Here we report a large-scale environmental DNA metagenomic study of ancient plant and mammal communities, analysing 535 permafrost and lake sediment samples from across the Arctic spanning the past 50,000 years. Furthermore, we present 1,541 contemporary plant genome assemblies that were generated as reference sequences. Our study provides several insights into the long-term dynamics of the Arctic biota at the circumpolar and regional scales. Our key findings include: (1) a relatively homogeneous steppe–tundra flora dominated the Arctic during the Last Glacial Maximum, followed by regional divergence of vegetation during the Holocene epoch; (2) certain grazing animals consistently co-occurred in space and time; (3) humans appear to have been a minor factor in driving animal distributions; (4) higher effective precipitation, as well as an increase in the proportion of wetland plants, show negative effects on animal diversity; (5) the persistence of the steppe–tundra vegetation in northern Siberia enabled the late survival of several now-extinct megafauna species, including the woolly mammoth until 3.9 ± 0.2 thousand years ago (ka) and the woolly rhinoceros until 9.8 ± 0.2 ka; and (6) phylogenetic analysis of mammoth environmental DNA reveals a previously unsampled mitochondrial lineage. Our findings highlight the power of ancient environmental metagenomics analyses to advance understanding of population histories and long-term ecological dynamics.
Oceanographic anomalies coinciding with humpback whale super-group occurrences in the Southern Benguela
Authors: Dey Subhra Prakash , Vichi Marcello , Fearon Giles , Seyboth Elisa , Findlay Ken P. , Meynecke Jan-Olaf , de Bie Jasper , Lee Serena Blyth , Samanta Saumik , Barraqueta Jan‐Lukas Menzel , Roychoudhury Alakendra N. , Mackey Brendan
Published: October 2021

Seasonal feeding behaviour of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) has been observed in the coastal waters of the Southern Benguela where the species has been observed forming super-groups during the austral spring in recent years since 2011. Super-groups are unprecedented densely-packed aggregations of between 20 and 200 individuals in low-latitude waters and their occurrences indicate possible changes in feeding behaviour of the species. We accessed published data on super-groups occurrence in the study area in 2011, 2014 and 2015, and investigated oceanographic drivers that support prey availability in this region. We found that enhanced primary production is a necessary but not sufficient condition for super-groups to occur. Positive chlorophyll anomalies occurring one month prior to the super-group occurrences were identified, but only a concurrent significantly reduced water volume export from the region throughout October were conducive to the aggregations in the specific years. Hydrodynamic model results attributed the anomalous decreased volume export to the strength and orientation of the Goodhope Jet and associated eddy activity. The combination of random enhanced primary production typical of the region and emerging anomalous conditions of reduced water export in October since 2011 resulted in favourable food availability leading to the unique humpback whale aggregations. The novelty of this grouping behaviour is indicative of the lack of such oceanographic conditions in the past. Given the recency of the events, it is difficult to attribute this reduction in ocean transport to climatic regime shifts, and the origin should be likely investigated in the distant water mass interaction with the greater Agulhas system rather than in local intensifications of the upwelling conditions. A positive trend in the humpback whale population abundance points to the need to monitor the exposure of the species to the changing climate conditions.
Preclinical safety testing and initial experience of a morcellation bag with four sealable ports
Authors: Anapolski Michael , Schellenberger Anja , Alkatout Ibrahim , Panayotopoulos Dimitrios , Gut Alexander , Soltesz Stefan , Schiermeier Sven , Papathemelis Thomas , Noé Günter K.
Published: October 2021

Electromechanical morcellation—so called power morcellation—is a minimally invasive approach to remove bulky lesions such as uterine fibroids. The spread of benign and malignant tissue due to morcellation is a major concern that might limit the use of laparoscopic interventions. We present an in vitro evaluation of the safety characteristics of a four-port endobag with closable trocar sleeves, and describe physical properties of the bag that may or may not allow passage through the hole. In addition, we report our preliminary experience of this tool when used for laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomies. The behavior of the endobag during the extraction process was analyzed by extracting opened and re-sealed bags filled with 20 ml blue dye solution through a wooden template, with incisions measuring 10 to 24 mm. The endobag was used in 50 subtotal hysterectomies during the morcellation procedure. In the in vitro test, no dye loss was recorded for incisions measuring 11–24 mm. The mean force required to pull the bag through the template was inversely proportional to incision size. No bag rupture occurred during the surgical procedures. The mean time taken to prepare the bag for morcellation was 7.1 min (range, 4–14 min), the mean duration of subtotal hysterectomy was 53.4 min (range, 20–194 min). The mean weight of the removed body of the uterus was 113.8 g (range, 13–896 g), the mean weight of tissue and fluid remaining in the bag after morcellation 7.9 g (range, 0–39 g). In the in vitro setting, the improved endobag signifies greater patient safety during bag extraction, along with less tissue traumatization due to a smaller incision in the abdominal wall. The improved ergonomic features of the bag permit the insertion of three trocars in the lower abdomen and avoid closure of unused access ports. Our preliminary experience has shown that the device can be used under routine conditions. Failure rates will be evaluated in future studies.
Lewis acid activation of Weiss’ reagents ([PhI(Pyr)2]2+) with boranes and isolation of [PhI(4-DMAP)]2+
Authors: Bakro Aseel , Sharp-Bucknall Lachlan , Poynder Tiffany B. , Clegg Jack K. , Wilson David J. D. , Dutton Jason L.
Published: October 2021

I(iii) reagent [PhI(Pyr)2]2+ (Weiss’ reagent) can be activated with borane Lewis acids in which a pyridine ligand is abstracted giving a more reactive derivative of the reagents.
Post-synthetically modified metal–organic frameworks for sensing and capture of water pollutants
Authors: Mukherjee Soumya , Dutta Subhajit , More Yogeshwar D. , Fajal Sahel , Ghosh Sujit K.
Published: October 2021

Contextualising the discovery of metal–organic frameworks for selective sensing and capture of water pollutants, advances in their post-synthetic design approaches are reviewed.
Acceptor–donor–acceptor-linked triphenylamine and phenothiazine motifs as cousin molecules: the methyl effect on stimuli-responsiveness, crystallochromism, and dual-state emission
Authors: Bhuin Shouvik , Bhattacharya Suman , Chakravarty Manab
Published: October 2021

Bulky/twisted triphenylamine or phenothiazine linked dicyanoaniline is synthesized to achieve dual-state emitters with crystallochromic and multi-stimuli responsive behaviour. The effect of methyl group on emission is also identified.
Electrochemical detection of carbendazim in strawberry based on a ruthenium–graphene quantum dot hybrid with a three-dimensional network structure and Schottky heterojunction
Authors: Xu Dan , Li Ruiyi , Wang Guangli , Zhu Haiyan , Li Zaijun
Published: October 2021

The hybrid of a metal with graphene can improve electrochemical properties, but present hybrids cannot break through the limitations of their inherent properties because metals and graphene are conductors.
Solar Orbiter’s encounter with the tail of comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS): Magnetic field draping and cometary pick-up ion waves
Authors: Matteini L. , Laker R. , Horbury T. , Woodham L. , Bale S. D. , Stawarz J. E. , Woolley T. , Steinvall K. , Jones G. H. , Grant S. R. , Afghan Q. , Galand M. , O’Brien H. , Evans V. , Angelini V. , Maksimovic M. , Chust T. , Khotyaintsev Y. , Krasnoselskikh V. , Kretzschmar M. , Lorfèvre E. , Plettemeier D. , Souček J. , Steller M. , Štverák Š. , Trávníček P. , Vaivads A. , Vecchio A. , Wimmer-Schweingruber R. F. , Ho G. C. , Gómez-Herrero R. , Rodríguez-Pacheco J. , Louarn P. , Fedorov A. , Owen C. J. , Bruno R. , Livi S. , Zouganelis I. , Müller D.
Published: October 2021

Context.Solar Orbiter is expected to have flown close to the tail of comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) during the spacecraft’s first perihelion in June 2020. Models predict a possible crossing of the comet tails by the spacecraft at a distance from the Sun of approximately 0.5 AU.

Aims.This study is aimed at identifying possible signatures of the interaction of the solar wind plasma with material released by comet ATLAS, including the detection of draped magnetic field as well as the presence of cometary pick-up ions and of ion-scale waves excited by associated instabilities. This encounter provides us with the first opportunity of addressing such dynamics in the inner Heliosphere and improving our understanding of the plasma interaction between comets and the solar wind.

Methods.We analysed data from all in situ instruments on board Solar Orbiter and compared their independent measurements in order to identify and characterize the nature of structures and waves observed in the plasma when the encounter was predicted.

Results.We identified a magnetic field structure observed at the start of 4 June, associated with a full magnetic reversal, a local deceleration of the flow and large plasma density, and enhanced dust and energetic ions events. The cross-comparison of all these observations support a possible cometary origin for this structure and suggests the presence of magnetic field draping around some low-field and high-density object. Inside and around this large scale structure, several ion-scale wave-forms are detected that are consistent with small-scale waves and structures generated by cometary pick-up ion instabilities.

Conclusions.Solar Orbiter measurements are consistent with the crossing through a magnetic and plasma structure of cometary origin embedded in the ambient solar wind. We suggest that this corresponds to the magnetotail of one of the fragments of comet ATLAS or to a portion of the tail that was previously disconnected and advected past the spacecraft by the solar wind.
Detection of OH in the ultra-hot Jupiter WASP-76b
Authors: Landman R. , Sánchez-López A. , Mollière P. , Kesseli A. Y. , Louca A. J. , Snellen I. A. G.
Published: October 2021

Context. Ultra-hot Jupiters have dayside temperatures at which most molecules are expected to thermally dissociate. The dissociation of water vapour results in the production of the hydroxyl radical (OH). While OH absorption is easily observed in near-infrared spectra of M dwarfs, which have similar effective temperatures as ultra-hot Jupiters, it is often not considered when studying the atmospheres of ultra-hot Jupiters. Ground-based high-resolution spectroscopy during the primary transit is a powerful tool for detecting molecular absorption in these planets.

Aims. We aim to assess the presence and detectability of OH in the atmosphere of the ultra-hot Jupiter WASP-76b.

Methods. We use high-resolution spectroscopic observations of a transit of WASP-76b obtained using CARMENES. After validating the OH line list, we generate model transit spectra of WASP-76b with petitRADTRANS. The data are corrected for stellar and telluric contamination and cross-correlated with the model spectra. After combining all cross-correlation functions from the transit, a detection map is constructed. Constraints on the planet properties from the OH absorption are obtained from a Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis.

Results. OH is detected in the atmosphere of WASP-76b with a peak signal-to-noise ratio of 6.1. From the retrieval we obtain Kp = 232 ± 12 km s−1 and a blueshift of − 13.2 ± 1.6 km s−1, which are offset from the expected velocities. Considering the fast spin rotation of the planet, the blueshift is best explained with the signal predominantly originating from the evening terminator and the presence of a strong dayside-to-nightside wind. The increased Kp over its expected value (196.5 km s−1) is, however, a bit puzzling. The signal is found to be broad, with a full width at half maximum of 16.8−4.0+4.6 km s−1. The retrieval results in a weak constraint on the mean temperature of 2700–3700 K at the pressure range of the OH signal.

Conclusions. We show that OH is readily observable in the transit spectra of ultra-hot Jupiters. Studying this molecule can provide insights into the molecular dissociation processes in the atmospheres of such planets.
Detection of vaneless diffuser rotating stall by means of dynamic pressure sensors and acoustic measurements
Authors: Romani Luca , Bosi Lorenzo , Baroni Alberto , Toni Lorenzo , Biliotti Davide , Ferrara Giovanni , Bianchini Alessandro
Published: October 2021

An accurate estimation of rotating stall is one of the key technologies for high-pressure centrifugal compressors. Several techniques have been proposed to detect the stall onset; inter alia, few dynamic pressure probes have been shown to not only properly detect the phenomenon, but also reconstruct the stall characteristics after an ensemble averaging approach. The massive use of this technique in the field is, however, not a common practice yet. In the present study, the use of dynamic pressure probes has been combined with that of an environmental microphone to evaluate the prospects of this latter for a possible stall onset detection. To this end, experimental tests have been carried out in the experimental test rig of the Department of Industrial Engineering (DIEF) of Università degli Studi di Firenze. Results show that the microphone was able to distinguish the onset of rotating stall accurately and promptly, even though – differently from dynamic pressure sensors - it does not provide sufficient information to determine the characteristics of the stall pattern. On this basis, the use of acoustic measurements could find room for automatic detection of rotating stall onset.
Experimental evaluation of piston motion modification to improve the thermodynamic power output of a low temperature gamma Stirling engine
Authors: Nicol-Seto Michael , Nobes David
Published: October 2021

Stirling engines are a variety of heat engines which are capable of using heat from various sources including low temperature renewables. This work examines performance of a lab scale low temperature gamma type Stirling engine with a drive train modified with oval elliptical gears. The gears were added to dwell the engine piston motion to attempt to improve the thermodynamic performance of the engine by better replicating the ideal Stirling cycle. A variety of dwelling piston configurations were tested on both the displacer and power piston. It was observed that that the piston dwelling had the anticipated effect of changing the engine indicator diagrams to more closely resemble the ideal cycle, however there were no substantial improvements to maximum engine power. It was observed that dwelling the displacer piston caused substantial reductions to engine running speeds and resulted in maximum power being reduced. In the case of power piston dwelling the indicator diagram was enlarged and there were slight increases to maximum power production. Overall the added complexity of dwelled piston motion systems is not likely an advantageous method of increasing the power output of low temperature difference Stirling engines.
A plastic feedthrough suitable for high-voltage DC femtosecond electron diffractometers
Authors: Gicala Patrick , Petruk Ariel A. , Rivas Nicolás , Netzke Sam , Pichugin Kostyantyn , Sciaini Germán
Published: October 2021

Highly energetic ultrashort electron bunches have the potential to reveal the ultrafast structural dynamics in relatively thicker in-liquid samples. However, direct current voltages higher than 100 kV are exponentially difficult to attain as surface and vacuum breakdown become an important problem as the electric field increases. One of the most demanding components in the design of a high-energy electrostatic ultrafast electron source is the high voltage feedthrough (HVFT), which must keep the electron gun from discharging against ground. Electrical discharges can cause irreversible component damage, while voltage instabilities render the instrument inoperative. We report the design, manufacturing, and conditioning process for a new HVFT that utilizes ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene as the insulating material. Our HVFT is highly customizable and inexpensive and has proven to be effective in high voltage applications. After a couple of weeks of gas and voltage conditioning, we achieved a maximum voltage of 180 kV with a progressively improved vacuum level of 1.8 × 10−8 Torr.
Vortex criteria can be objectivized by unsteadiness minimization
Authors: Theisel Holger , Hadwiger Markus , Rautek Peter , Theußl Thomas , Günther Tobias
Published: October 2021

Reference frame optimization is a generic framework to calculate a spatially varying observer field that views an unsteady fluid flow in a reference frame that is as-steady-as-possible. In this paper, we show that the optimized vector field is objective, i.e., it is independent of the initial Euclidean transformation of the observer. To check objectivity, the optimized velocity vectors and the coordinates in which they are defined must both be connected by an Euclidean transformation. In this paper, we show that a recent publication applied this definition incorrectly, falsely concluding that reference frame optimizations are not objective. Furthermore, we prove the objectivity of the variational formulation of the reference frame optimization that was recently proposed and discuss how the variational formulation relates to recent local and global optimization approaches to unsteadiness minimization.
Study of the characteristics of combined insulation in compact pulse transformers
Authors: Xiong Chaowei , Chen Rong , Geng Jiuyuan , Cheng Xinbing , Yang Jianhua , Dai Qiyuan
Published: October 2021

One of the important research directions in pulse power technology is to increase power density and operational stability of compact high-power pulse transformers. In this paper, the research object is a high-power pulse transformer using combined insulation, and the operating characteristics are obtained using simulation and experiment methods. The experimental results show that the maximum output voltage of the transformer increases by 30% in the combined insulation. At the same time, the combined insulation transformers are safer and have better insulation holding capacity. Moreover, multiple breakdowns have less effect on the subsequent breakdown voltage of the combined insulation transformer. The average subsequent breakdown voltage after 30 breakdowns of combination insulated transformers is still higher than the first breakdown voltage of non-combined insulation transformers. In addition, the energy storage density of combined insulation transformers is ∼40% higher than that of non-combined insulation transformers because of the higher permittivity of Midel 7131 than transformer oil.
Mesh-free peridynamic coupled simulation of impacting collapse of a granular column with various heights
Authors: Xu Tibing , Jin Yee-Chung , Tai Yih-Chin
Published: October 2021

In this study, a coupled model of Peridynamics into the mesh-free method is extended to simulate the impacting collapse of a granular column with various suspended heights. Experiments on the impacting collapse were conducted to validate the numerical model. It is found that the simulated free surface profiles have a good agreement with the experimental measurements. The numerical model is also validated by simulating the granular column collapse. The simulated kinetic energy and potential energy agree well with the discrete element method (DEM) simulation results in the literature. In the validations, different numerical particle distances are implemented to discrete the fluid and a good numerical convergence is achieved for the numerical method. After model validation, the energy variations in the impacting collapse of the granular column with different suspended heights are analyzed, which include evolutions of the potential energy, horizontal kinetic energy, and vertical kinetic energy. In the analysis, the relative total energy dissipation rate for the flow with various suspended heights is calculated. The analysis shows that the suspended height in the impacting collapse of the granular column can affect the energy dissipation significantly.
TLR or NOD receptor signaling skews monocyte fate decision via distinct mechanisms driven by mTOR and miR-155
Authors: Coillard Alice , Guyonnet Léa , De Juan Alba , Cros Adeline , Segura Elodie
Published: October 2021

Significance

Monocytes are key players in immune responses to pathogen entry. They exert a major part of their function through their differentiation into macrophages or dendritic cells, two populations with largely distinct roles in immune responses. Yet, we still have a very limited view of the factors orientating monocyte fate to become macrophages versus dendritic cells, in particular how pathogen recognition modulates this process. Here, we show that pathogen sensing skews monocyte fate decision, that is, the first steps of the differentiation process, with TLR signaling favoring macrophage development while NOD receptor signaling induces dendritic cell differentiation.
A conserved genetic architecture among populations of the maize progenitor, teosinte, was radically altered by domestication
Authors: Chen Qiuyue , Samayoa Luis Fernando , Yang Chin Jian , Olukolu Bode A. , York Alessandra M. , Sanchez-Gonzalez Jose de Jesus , Xue Wei , Glaubitz Jeffrey C. , Bradbury Peter J. , Romay Maria Cinta , Sun Qi , Buckler Edward S. , Holland James B. , Doebley John F.
Published: October 2021

Significance

We investigated the genetic architecture of maize domestication using a quantitative genetics approach. With multiple populations of teosinte and maize, we also compared the genetic architecture among populations within maize and teosinte. We showed that genetic architecture among populations within teosinte or maize is generally conserved, in contrast to the radical differences between teosinte and maize. Our results suggest that while selection drove changes in essentially all traits between teosinte and maize, selection is far less important for explaining domestication trait differences among populations within teosinte or maize.
The troubadour material in Curial e
Güelfa
Authors: Cantalupi Cecilia
Published: October 2021

Through the discussion of the previous
bibliography, this essay will try to determine the knowledge of
troubadours possessed by the author of Curial e
Güelfa and, by distinguishing the sources used case by
case, to reformulate some theories about how the author acquired
them and his access to the original manuscripts.
The Fortune of Curial e Güelfa (from discovery
to edition)
Authors: Roca Rafael
Published: October 2021

The context in which the manuscript of the
medieval novel Curial e Güelfa was discovered in
the second half of the 19th century, together with the fact that
Manuel Milà i Fontanals did not encourage the dissemination of this
finding, created some doubt about the circumstances surrounding the
finding of Curial by the Catalan scholar: which
reactions did the announcement of the news provoke? Why was it not
edited by Milà i Fontanals himself? Which role did intellectuals
such as Antonio Paz y Melia, head of the Manuscript Section of the
Spanish National Library, and Antoni Rubió i Lluch, the first editor
of Curial e Güelfa, play in the dissemination of
this work in the last third of the 19th century?
Història del lèxic i Curial e Güelfa
Authors: Martines Josep
Published: October 2021

Resum

Aquest article estudia l’evolució semàntica de
l’adjectiu palès -esa i del verb
palesar en català a la llum dels corpus
textuals. S’aplica en aquesta anàlisi una metodologia basada en la
semàntica diacrònica d’orientació cognitiva. Aquesta recerca mostra
que l’adjectiu, ja atestat al s. xiii, segueix una evolució
marcada per mecanismes i factors ben coneguts en el canvi semàntic:
la projecció metafòrica i, sobretot, metonímica i la
(inter)subjectivació. Del s. xvi en avant, la freqüència
d’ús de palès -esa decau considerablement i remunta
quan és incorporat al model de referència amb la creació i la
difusió del català estàndard a primeria del s. xx. D’una
altra banda, es demostra que el verb palesar només
consta en català en textos d’influència italiana del s. xv,
com ara el Curial e Güelfa, i hi irromp amb sentits
paral·lels als de l’italià de l’època. No torna a parèixer als corpus
fins que és també incorporat al model estàndard al s. xx.
Aquest article remarca la necessitat d’aprofundir en l’estudi del
lèxic del Curial e Güelfa i, particularment, en la
influència d’altres llengües en aquesta obra.
Bellesa, valor, and
honor
Authors: Scarpati Oriana
Published: October 2021

This paper focuses on the instances of direct
speech in the anonymous chivalric romance Curial and
Guelfa. More specifically, it analyzes, on the one
hand, the encomia of the young hero Curial pronounced by the
characters in their speeches, and, on the other hand, the formal and
structural characteristics of two types of direct speech: speech
dealing with love themes, and speech addressed by a challenger to
his rival in the context of duels. Furthermore, the study examines
the occurrences of the term honor in direct
speeches as an expression of the author’s concept of chivalry.
El verb metre en el Curial e
Güelfa
Authors: Pons Conca Jaume
Published: October 2021

Resum

El verb metre era molt prolífic
en català antic, i abraçava bona part dels sentits actuals de
posar. El segle XV va suposar un trencament en
relació a la freqüència i als usos d’aquests dos verbs. En el
present estudi analitzem, d’una banda, l’estructura semàntica del
verb metre en el Curial e Güelfa,
i, d’una altra, alguns dels processos de gramaticalització que
aquest verb ha experimentat. La lingüística de corpus (més
concretament, el CIMTAC) ens proveeix els exemples
necessaris per a interpretar-ne els valors i establir-ne
comparacions amb textos coetanis de característiques semblants.
Acquisition of noun and verb derivation in Estonian
Authors: Argus Reili
Published: October 2021

The aim of the study is to describe the acquisition of
derivation in Estonian. The analysis is based on recorded spontaneous speech
of three Estonian children between the ages of 1;3 and 3;1. The role of
productivity, transparency, semantics and frequency of suffixes and
patterns, as well as the learning strategy (from simplex to complex), have
been analysed. The Estonian children started to use the first derivatives at
the same time as the first compounds emerged and noun inflection started to
develop. The number of different suffixes used by the children was quite
large, but not all suffixes were used productively. The role of productivity
and frequency can be observed in the order of the acquisition of the
suffixes.
Feasibility investigation of rail monitoring by wheel-mounted acoustic emission technology using two-dimensional analytical contact acoustic nonlinearity model
Authors: Wang Kangwei , Zhang Xin , Song Shuzhi , Wang Yan , Shen Yi
Published: October 2021

Abstract

In an attempt to analyze the feasibility of a rail monitoring scheme with a wheel-mounted acoustic emission measurement method, a two-dimensional analytical spring model was proposed to interpret the interactions between acoustic waves and stationary wheel–rail contact interfaces. The spring model represents the coupling strength of the interfaces with their stiffness. It accommodates the environmental information of contact stiffness and the acoustic source information, such as the feature frequency and the incident angle in the analysis of interface transmissibility. The fractal dimension of the interface is introduced into the spring model to interpret the effect of the axle load on the interface stiffness and the variation in transmissibility. Discrete Rayleigh integration is further combined to obtain the directivity of the interface and estimate the acoustic field intensity in the entire wheel. A wheel–rail contact rig was designed to simulate the actual contact conditions in a railway. Experimental data acquired from this test rig were utilized to validate the model, with regard to the interfacial stiffness in normal incidence and amplitudes of the transmitted waves in oblique incidence. After verifying the reliability of the model, the acoustic field intensity in the wheel was visualized under the assumed environmental conditions. Finally, a discussion is presented to determine a proper angular separation for the wheel-mounted sensor system, and substantiate the feasibility of the system.
BOX engineering to mitigate negative differential resistance in MFIS negative capacitance FDSOI FET: an analog perspective
Authors: Chauhan Nitanshu , Bagga Navjeet , Banchhor Shashank , Garg Chirag , Sharma Arvind , Datta Arnab , Dasgupta S , Bulusu Anand
Published: October 2021

Till date, the existing understanding of negative differential resistance (NDR) is obtained from metal-ferro–metal–insulator–semiconductor (MFMIS) FET, and it has been utilized for both MFMIS and metal–ferro–insulator–semiconductor (MFIS) based NCFETs. However, in MFIS architecture, the ferroelectric capacitance (C
FE) is not a lumped capacitance. Therefore, for MFIS negative capacitance (NC) devices, the physical explanation which governs the NDR mechanism needs to be addressed. In this work, for the first time, we present the first principle explanation of the NDR effect in MFIS NC FDSOI. We found that the output current variation with the drain to source voltage (V
DS), (i.e. g
ds) primarily depends upon two parameters: (a) V
DS dependent inversion charge gradient (∂n/∂
V
DS); (b) V
DS sensitive electron velocity (∂v/∂
V
DS), and the combined effect of these two dependencies results in NDR. Further, to mitigate the NDR effect, we proposed the BOX engineered NC FDSOI FET, in which the buried oxide (BOX) layer is subdivided into the ferroelectric (FE) layer and the SiO2 layer. In doing so, the inversion charge in the channel is enhanced by the BOX engineered FE layer, which in turn mitigates the NDR and a nearly zero g
ds with a minimal positive slope has been obtained. Through well-calibrated TCAD simulations, by utilizing the obtained positive g
ds, we also designed a V
DS independent constant current mirror which is an essential part of analog circuits. Furthermore, we discussed the impact of the FE parameter (remanent polarization and coercive field) variation on the device performances. We have also compared the acquired results with existing literature on NC-based devices, which justifies that our proposed structure exhibits complete diminution of NDR, thus enabling its use in analog circuit design.
Single sensor measurement of heel-height during the push-off phase of gait
Authors: Bäcklund Tomas , Grip Helena , Öhberg Fredrik , Sundström Nina
Published: October 2021

Objective. In healthy gait a forceful push-off is needed to get an efficient leg swing and propulsion, and a high heel lift makes a forceful push-off possible. The power of the push-off is decreased with increased age and in persons with impaired balance and gait. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a wearable equipment (Striton) and algorithms to estimate vertical heel-height during gait from a single optical distance sensor is reliable and feasible for clinical applications. Approach. To assess heel-height with the Striton system an optical distance sensor was used to measure the distance to the floor along the shank. An algorithm was created to transform this measure to a vertical distance. The heel-height was validated in an experimental setup, against a 3D motion capture system (MCS), and test-retest and day-to-day tests were performed on 10 elderly persons. As a reference material 83 elderly persons were included, and heel-height was measured before and after surgery in four patients with the neurological disorder idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). Main results. In the experimental setup the accuracy was high with a maximum error of 2% at all distances, target colours and inclination angles, and the correlation to the MCS was R = 0.94. Test-retest and day-to-day tests were equal within ±1.2 cm. Mean heel-height of the elderly persons was 16.5 ± 0.6 cm and in the patients with iNPH heel-height was increased from 11.2 cm at baseline to 15.3 cm after surgery. Significance. Striton can reliably measure heel-height during gait, with low test-retest and day-to-day variability. The system was easy to attach, and simple to use, which makes it suitable for clinical applications.
Curl-free positive definite form of time-harmonic Maxwell’s equations well-suitable for iterative numerical solving
Authors: Moiseenko V E , Ågren O
Published: October 2021

A new form of time-harmonic Maxwell’s equations is developed on the base of the standard ones and proposed for numerical modeling. It is written for the magnetic field strength H, electric displacement D, vector potential A and the scalar potential Φ. There are several attractive features of this form. The 1st one is that the differential operator acting on these quantities is positive. The 2nd is absence of curl operators among the leading order differential operators. The Laplacian stands for leading order operator in the equations for H, A and Φ, while the gradient of divergence stands for D. The 3rd feature is absence of space varied coefficients in the leading order differential operators that provides diagonal domination of the resulting matrix of the discretized equations. A simple example is given to demonstrate the applicability of this new form of time-harmonic Maxwell’s equations.
Effect of anode area on the sensing mechanism of vertical GaN Schottky barrier diode temperature sensor
Authors: Du Ji-Yao , Li Xiao-Bo , Pu Tao-Fei , Ao Jin-Ping
Published: October 2021

Effect of anode area on temperature sensing ability is investigated for a vertical GaN Schottky-barrier-diode sensor. The current-voltage-temperature characteristics are comparable to each other for Schottky barrier diodes with different anode areas, excepting the series resistance. In the sub-threshold region, the contribution of series resistance on the sensitivity can be ignored due to the relatively small current. The sensitivity is dominated by the current density. A large anode area is helpful for enhancing the sensitivity at the same current level. In the fully turn-on region, the contribution of series resistance dominates the sensitivity. Unfortunately, a large series resistance degrades the temperature error and linearity, implying that a larger anode area will help to decrease the series resistance and to improve the sensing ability.
TiS2-graphene heterostructures enabling polysulfide anchoring and fast electrocatalyst for lithium-sulfur batteries: A first-principles calculation
Authors: Zhao Wenyang , Xu Li-Chun , Guo Yuhong , Yang Zhi , Liu Ruiping , Li Xiuyan
Published: October 2021

Lithium-sulfur batteries have attracted attention because of their high energy density. However, the “shuttle effect” caused by the dissolving of polysulfide in the electrolyte has greatly hindered the widespread commercial use of lithium-sulfur batteries. In this paper, a novel two-dimensional TiS2/graphene heterostructure is theoretically designed as the anchoring material for lithium-sulfur batteries to suppress the shuttle effect. This heterostructure formed by the stacking of graphene and TiS2 monolayer is the van der Waals type, which retains the intrinsic metallic electronic structure of graphene and TiS2 monolayer. Graphene improves the electronic conductivity of the sulfur cathode, and the transferred electrons from graphene enhance the polarity of the TiS2 monolayer. Simulations of the polysulfide adsorption show that the TiS2/graphene heterostructure can maintain good metallic properties and the appropriate adsorption energies of 0.98–3.72 eV, which can effectively anchor polysulfides. Charge transfer analysis suggests that further enhancement of polarity is beneficial to reduce the high proportion of van der Waals (vdW) force in the adsorption energy, thereby further enhancing the anchoring ability. Low Li2S decomposition barrier and Li-ion migration barrier imply that the heterostructure has the ability to catalyze fast electrochemical kinetic processes. Therefore, TiS2/graphene heterostructure could be an important candidate for ideal anchoring materials of lithium-sulfur batteries.
Exact solutions of non-Hermitian chains with asymmetric long-range hopping under specific boundary conditions
Authors: Guo Cui-Xian , Chen Shu
Published: October 2021

We study the one-dimensional general non-Hermitian models with asymmetric long-range hopping and explore how to analytically solve the systems under some specific boundary conditions. Although the introduction of long-range hopping terms prevents us from finding analytical solutions for arbitrary boundary parameters, we identify the existence of exact solutions when the boundary parameters fulfill some constraint relations, which give the specific boundary conditions. Our analytical results show that the wave functions take simple forms and are independent of hopping range, while the eigenvalue spectra display rich model-dependent structures. Particularly, we find the existence of a special point coined as pseudo-periodic boundary condition, for which the eigenvalues are the same as those of the periodical system when the hopping parameters fulfill certain conditions, whereas the eigenstates display the non-Hermitian skin effect.
Evolution of optical properties and molecular structure of PCBM films under proton irradiation
Authors: Xiong Guo-Dong , Zhu Hui-Ping , Wang Lei , Li Bo , Zhao Fa-Zhan , Han Zheng-Sheng
Published: October 2021

Low-energy proton irradiation effects on the optical properties and the molecular structure of phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) are studied in this work. The PCBM films are irradiated by 100-keV proton beams with fluences of 5 × 1012 p/cm2, 5 × 1013 p/cm2, and 5 × 1014 p/cm2, respectively. The photoluminescence (PL) peaks of the post-irradiated PCBM films show a progressive decrease in the peak intensity as the proton fluences increase, which can be attributed to the deep defect levels induced by proton irradiation. Additionally, a slight blue-shift in the PL spectrum is also observed at a proton fluence of 5 × 1014 p/cm2. The underlying mechanism can be traced back to the lift of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level, which is caused by the attachment of methoxy radicals on ortho position of the phenyl ring in the post-irradiated PCBM structure. This work is of significance in understanding the radiation hardness and the damage mechanism of the PCBM film in radiation environments, which is essential before it is put into practical application in space.
First principles study on geometric and electronic properties of two-dimensional Nb2CT

x
MXenes
Authors: Xu Guoliang , Wang Jing , Zhang Xilin , Yang Zongxian
Published: October 2021

MXenes are a new type of two-dimensional carbides with rich physical and chemical properties. The physics of MXenes, and thus the applications, are dominated by surface functional groups. Herein, the effects of different terminations (O, S, Se, Te) on the geometric and electronic properties of Nb2C MXenes were studied via density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Three adsorption sites were examined to determine the most stable configurations. The results showed that both the types and the positions of surface functional groups influence the geometric stability and physical characters of Nb2C. The S and Se terminations make the Nb2C MXenes to be semiconductor, while Nb2C MXenes with other terminations (O, Te) are conductor. The electron location function, density of states, Bader charge distribution, and the projected crystal orbital Hamilton population were conducted to explain the origin of adsorption stability and electronic nature difference. Our results provide a fundamental understanding about the effects of surface terminations on the intrinsic stability and electronic properties of Nb2C MXenes.
Deuterium retention and removal in liquid lithium determined by in situ NRA in Magnum-PSI
Authors: Ou W. , Arnoldbik W.M. , Li K. , Rindt P. , Morgan T.W.
Published: October 2021

In this work, Li-filled 3D-printed porous tungsten samples were exposed to deuterium (D) plasma in Magnum-PSI with a wide ion flux from 4 × 1022 to 1.5 × 1024 m−2 s−1 and with a corresponding wide temperature range from below Li melting point (180.5 °C) to above Li deuteride (LiD) melting point (∼690 °C). The formation, decomposition and melting of LiD have been directly observed in the experiment via infra-red thermometry and visually post-mortem while still in vacuo, and correlated to the D retained content. The LiD formation was characterized by a solid precipitate layer formed on the surface with high emissivity (0.6–0.9) characterized by a blue or dark blue color after exposure. The melting of Li–LiD layer was found to occur close to the temperature predicted by Li–LiD phase diagram. In situ nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) was applied to perform the measurement of D retained in Li samples immediately after exposure without breaking the vacuum. D depth profiles were determined by NRA, in which the highest D concentration (15–45 at.%) was found in the top several micrometers and decreases with depth to low levels (<5%) within 5–30 μm. No pure LiD layer was found on the sample surfaces, however a D concentration close to 50 at.% was observed on a Li-D co-deposited layer on the clamping ring in some cases. The experiments also indicate that the D retained increases with increasing temperature until ∼500 °C. At temperatures beyond ∼500 °C the dissociation of LiD starts to dominate and the deuterium retention started to decrease. Overall, D retained fraction for all cases was found to be below ∼2%, which is significantly different from literatures where full uptake has been suggested. A 1D reaction–diffusion (RD) model based on D diffusion and chemical reactions with Li has been built. D depth profiles from the RD modelling can roughly match that from NRA measurement and a low D retained fraction below ∼2% was also indicated by the model. The model can also help explain the relationship between D retained and the surface temperature and fluence. After D plasma exposure, either helium or H plasma was utilized to remove the retained D in Li and both were proved to be effective and the removal efficiency can be as high as 96% above 420 °C.