bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction: Solution-processed organic single-crystalline semiconductors with a fence-like shape via ultrasound concussion
Authors: Zhang Bowen , Wang Qijing , Guo Jianhang , Pei Mengjiao , Wang Hengyuan , Jiang Sai , Shin Eun-Sol , Noh Yong-Young , Tsukagoshi Kazuhito , Shi Yi , Li Yun
Published: May 2020

Correction for ‘Solution-processed organic single-crystalline semiconductors with a fence-like shape via ultrasound concussion’ by Bowen Zhang et al., J. Mater. Chem. C, 2020, 8, 2589–2593, DOI: 10.1039/C9TC06635G.
β-Blocker use is not associated with improved clinical outcomes in women with breast cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Li Chaoran , Li Tian , Tang Runwei , Yuan Shuai , Zhang Weihong
Published: May 2020

Background: Evidence remains inconsistent regarding the potential influence of β-blocker (BB) use on clinical outcomes in women with breast cancer. We aimed to evaluate the association between BB and prognosis of breast cancer in an updated meta-analysis.

Methods: Follow-up studies comparing the clinical outcomes of breast cancer in women with and without use of BB were included by search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane’s Library. A random-effect model was used to pool the results.

Results: Seventeen observational studies were included. Pooled results did not support a significant association between BB use and breast cancer recurrence (risk ratio [RR] = 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68–1.07, P=0.17), breast cancer related deaths (RR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.65–1.06, P=0.14), or all-cause deaths (RR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.91–1.11, P=0.91) in women with breast cancer. Study characteristics such as sample size, definition of BB use, follow-up durations, adjustment of menopausal status, or quality score did not significantly affect the results. Subgroup analyses showed that BB may be associated with a trend of reduced risk of all-cause deaths in women with breast cancer in prospective studies (two datasets, RR = 0.81, P=0.05), but not in retrospective studies (eight datasets, RR = 1.06, P=0.16; P for subgroup analyses = 0.02).

Conclusions: Current evidence from observational studies does not support a significant association between BB use and improved prognosis in women with breast cancer.
Geometry and context guided refinement for stereo matching
Authors: Zhang Hong , Li Haojie , Wang Zhihui , Yue Yuxin , Chen Shenglun
Published: May 2020

The disparity refinement phase of existing end‐to‐end stereo matching networks refines the disparity by learning the mapping from the concatenated coarse disparity and corresponding features to fine disparity. It depends on the scenarios' characteristics, such as the distribution of disparity and semantic categories contained in the domain, which makes the network fail to work on unseen domain. In this paper, we propose a geometry and context guided refinement network (GCGR‐Net) containing a Fine Matching module and an Upsampling module. GCGR‐Net learns to utilize pixels' relationship to get high resolution dense disparity, which is independent of the data's content. The Fine Matching module performs a minimum range search based on the relationship between the possible matching pixel pairs, i.e. the called geometry information, to recover the internal structure of the object. The Upsampling module obtains context information, the relationship between central pixel and the pixels in its neighborhood, to upsample the lower resolution disparity. The final disparity map is obtained step by step through an iterative refinement model. Experiment results show that our method not only has good performance in the training scenarios, but also outperforms previous methods on the unseen domain without fine‐tuning.
The correlation between photometric variability and radial velocity jitter
Authors: Hojjatpanah S. , Oshagh M. , Figueira P. , Santos N. C. , Amazo-Gómez E. M. , Sousa S. G. , Adibekyan V. , Akinsanmi B. , Demangeon O. , Faria J. , Gomes da Silva J. , Meunier N.
Published: May 2020

Context. Characterizing the relation between stellar photometric variability and radial velocity (RV) jitter can help us to better understand the physics behind these phenomena. The current and upcoming high precision photometric surveys such as TESS, CHEOPS, and PLATO will provide the community with thousands of new exoplanet candidates. As a consequence, the presence of such a correlation is crucial in selecting the targets with the lowest RV jitter for efficient RV follow-up of exoplanetary candidates. Studies of this type are also crucial to design optimized observational strategies to mitigate RV jitter when searching for Earth-mass exoplanets.

Aims. Our goal is to assess the correlation between high-precision photometric variability measurements and high-precision RV jitter over different time scales.

Methods. We analyze 171 G, K, and M stars with available TESS high precision photometric time-series and HARPS precise RVs. We derived the stellar parameters for the stars in our sample and measured the RV jitter and photometric variability. We also estimated chromospheric Ca II H & K activity indicator log(RHK′), v sin i, and the stellar rotational period. Finally, we evaluate how different stellar parameters and an RV sampling subset can have an impact on the potential correlations.

Results. We find a varying correlation between the photometric variability and RV jitter as function of time intervals between the TESS photometric observation and HARPS RV. As the time intervals of the observations considered for the analysis increases, the correlation value and significance becomes smaller and weaker, to the point that it becomes negligible. We also find that for stars with a photometric variability above 6.5 ppt the correlation is significantly stronger. We show that such a result can be due to the transition between the spot-dominated and the faculae-dominated regime. We quantified the correlations and updated the relationship between chromospheric Ca II H & K activity indicator log(RHK′) and RV jitter.
High-Frequency and Ultra-High Frequency Ultrasound: Musculoskeletal Imaging up to 70 MHz
Authors: Albano Domenico , Aringhieri Giacomo , Messina Carmelo , De Flaviis Luca , Sconfienza Luca Maria
Published: May 2020

Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound has well-established advantages, able to investigate very small structures with high resolution and a quick and real-time dynamic evaluation with the possibility of contralateral comparison. Thus ultrasound has kept its own almost exclusive fields of application in daily clinical practice, and it is considered the first-level imaging technique to assess tendons, bursae, and capsuloligamentous structures of small peripheral joints as well as peripheral nerves. Up to now, however, clinical MSK ultrasound imaging could not go beyond the first 1 to 2 cm under the skin, using high-frequency probes up to 18 to 20 MHz with spatial resolution just below millimeters. We present the impressive technical advancements leading to image resolution as low as 30 µm using ultra-high frequency ultrasound (UHFUS) probes up to 70 MHz. High-frequency ultrasound and UHFUS, with frequencies ranging from 22 to 70 MHz, are promising tools to evaluate very superficial structures. In the MSK system, only two articles have assessed its value in limited case series. Future developments may be aimed to better assess ultrastructural changes of very superficial peripheral nerves and other thin structures such as pulleys, retinacula, and tendons.
The Central Role of Acute Phase Proteins in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Involvement in Disease Autoimmunity, Inflammatory Responses, and the Heightened Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Bezuidenhout Johannes A. , Pretorius Etheresia
Published: May 2020

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of complex etiopathogenic origin and traditionally characterized by chronic synovitis and articular erosions. Furthermore, there is strong evidence that infectious agents, including those that become dormant within the host, play a major role in much of the etiology of RA and its hallmark of inflammation. A combination of genetic predisposition, environmental exposure, and presence of infectious agents may therefore lead to a loss of immune tolerance to citrullinated proteins, which present as self-antigens to the human immune system. This results in generation of highly RA-specific autoantibodies, known as anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs). Protein citrullination occurs via posttranslational deamination of arginine residues by peptidylarginine deiminase enzymes, which have confirmed sources of both endogenous and infectious origins. A recognized plasma protein target of citrullination and RA autoantibody generation is fibrin and its soluble precursor fibrinogen, both key components of hemostasis and acute phase reaction. Increased titers of ACPAs that accompany rapid progression to clinical RA disease have been shown to drive a variety of proinflammatory processes, and therefore results in aberrant fibrin clot formation and increased cardiovascular risk. However, the full extent to which hemostasis is affected in RA remains controversial, owing to the differential impact that citrullinated fibrin(ogen) and concurrent systemic inflammation may have on resulting hemostatic outcome. This review highlights key events in initiation of autoimmune-driven inflammatory events, including the role of bacterial infectious agents, which subsequently result in clinical RA disease and associated secondary cardiovascular disease risk, with specific focus on plasma proteins that are heavily involved throughout the immunopathological progression process.
Massive Chylous Ascites and Chylothorax Secondary to Chronic Pancreatitis: A Novel Surgical Option
Authors: Lee Grace C. , Cetrulo Curtis L. , Muniappan Ashok , Yamada Kei , Lillemoe Keith D.
Published: May 2020

Background Chylous ascites is a debilitating condition characterized by milky, triglyceride-rich fluid accumulating in the peritoneum due to disruption of the intraabdominal lymphatic system. Medical management includes low-fat diets, somatostatin analogues, and therapeutic paracentesis, but is unsuccessful in one-third of patients.

Methods We present a 59-year-old man with massive chylous ascites and chylothorax secondary to chronic pancreatitis, who failed medical therapies for nearly two years, before being successfully treated with a novel surgical technique. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the electronic medical record at Massachusetts General Hospital from 2015 to 2019. Patient information was kept anonymous and informed consent was obtained for publication of this report.

Results Based on a previously published small case series, we created a vascularized lymphatic cable flap based on the superior epigastric vessels, which we anastomosed to mesenteric vessels, permitting chylous drainage superiorly through the thoracic duct. With two years of follow-up, our patient has no evidence of recurrent ascites or chylothorax, and robust nutritional and functional status.

Conclusion We present this novel surgical technique as a promising intervention for patients with chylous ascites and/or chylothorax who have failed medical management.
A Framework for Coordination between Obstetric and Pediatric Providers in Public Health Emergencies: Lessons Learned from the Zika Outbreak in the United States, 2015 to 2017
Authors: Leeb Rebecca T. , Cree Robyn A. , Aird Laura , DeBiasi Roberta L. , Driggers Rita W. , Garbarczyk Elizabeth , Mofenson Lynne M. , Needle Scott , Rodriguez Jeannie , Curry Christine , García Francisco , Godfred-Cato Shana , Hawks Debra , Rosenblum Elizabeth , Dziuban Eric , Hudak Mark
Published: May 2020

Emergency response to emerging threats with the potential for vertical transmission, such as the 2015 to 2017 response to Zika virus, presents unique clinical challenges that underscore the need for better communication and care coordination between obstetric and pediatric providers to promote optimal health for women and infants. Published guidelines for routine maternal-infant care during the perinatal period, and models for transitions of care in various health care settings are available, but no broad framework has addressed coordinated multidisciplinary care of the maternal-infant dyad during emergency response. We present a novel framework and strategies to improve care coordination and communication during an emergency response. The proposed framework includes (1) identification and collection of critical information to inform care, (2) key health care touchpoints for the maternal-infant dyad, and (3) primary pathways of communication and modes of transfer across touchpoints, as well as practical strategies. This framework and associated strategies can be modified to address the care coordination needs of pregnant women and their infants with possible exposure to other emerging infectious and noninfectious congenital threats that may require long-term, multidisciplinary management.

Key Points
Soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy and magnetic circular dichroism as operando probes of complex oxide electrolyte gate transistors
Authors: Yu Biqiong , Yu Guichuan , Walter Jeff , Chaturvedi Vipul , Gotchnik Joseph , Hameed Sajna , Freeland John W. , Leighton Chris , Greven Martin
Published: May 2020

Electrolyte-based transistors utilizing ionic liquids/gels have been highly successful in the study of charge-density-controlled phenomena, particularly in oxides. Experimental probes beyond transport have played a significant role, despite challenges in their application in electric double-layer transistors. Here, we demonstrate the application of synchrotron soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) as operando probes of the charge state and magnetism in ion-gel-gated ferromagnetic perovskite films. Electrochemical response via oxygen vacancies at positive gate bias in LaAlO3(001)/La0.5Sr0.5CoO3−δ is used as a test case. XAS/XMCD measurements of 4–25 unit-cell-thick films first probe the evolution of hole doping (from the O K-edge pre-peak) and ferromagnetism (at the Co L-edges), to establish a baseline. Operando soft XAS/XMCD of electrolyte-gated films is then demonstrated, using optimized spin-coated gels with a thickness of ∼1 μm and a specific composition. The application of gate voltages up to +4 V is shown to dramatically suppress the O K-edge XAS pre-peak intensity and Co L-edge XMCD, thus enabling the Co valence and ferromagnetism to be tracked upon gate-induced reduction. Soft XAS and XMCD, with appropriate electrolyte design, are thus established to be viable for the operando characterization of electrolyte-gated oxides.
Molecular dynamics methods predict transport properties of model lubricants
Authors: Kim Meeri
Published: May 2020

Results provide a better understanding of increasing viscosity of the model lubricants under high pressures when operating in the elastohydrodynamic lubrication regime.
Tutorial guides researchers on how to track nanoparticles in soft matter
Authors: Mandel Savannah
Published: May 2020

A tutorial describes methods for nanoscale particle tracking in soft matter systems and potential applications for investigating biomedical systems at the nanoscale.
Bifurcations of front motion in passive and active Allen–Cahn-type equations
Authors: Stegemerten Fenna , Gurevich Svetlana V. , Thiele Uwe
Published: May 2020

The well-known cubic Allen–Cahn (AC) equation is a simple gradient dynamics (or variational) model for a nonconserved order parameter field. After revising main literature results for the occurrence of different types of moving fronts, we employ path continuation to determine their bifurcation diagram in dependence of the external field strength or chemical potential. We then employ the same methodology to systematically analyze fronts for more involved AC-type models. In particular, we consider a cubic–quintic variational AC model and two different nonvariational generalizations. We determine and compare the bifurcation diagrams of front solutions in the four considered models.
When does Wenzel’s extension of Young’s equation for the contact angle of droplets apply? A density functional study
Authors: Egorov Sergei A. , Binder Kurt
Published: May 2020

The contact angle of a liquid droplet on a surface under partial wetting conditions differs for a nanoscopically rough or periodically corrugated surface from its value for a perfectly flat surface. Wenzel’s relation attributes this difference simply to the geometric magnification of the surface area (by a factor rw), but the validity of this idea is controversial. We elucidate this problem by model calculations for a sinusoidal corrugation of the form zwall(y) = Δ cos(2πy/λ), for a potential of short range σw acting from the wall on the fluid particles. When the vapor phase is an ideal gas, the change in the wall-vapor surface tension can be computed exactly, and corrections to Wenzel’s equation are typically of the order σwΔ/λ2. For fixed rw and fixed σw, the approach to Wenzel’s result with increasing λ may be nonmonotonic and this limit often is only reached for λ/σw > 30. For a non-additive binary mixture, density functional theory is used to work out the density profiles of both coexisting phases for planar and corrugated walls as well as the corresponding surface tensions. Again, deviations from Wenzel’s results of similar magnitude as in the above ideal gas case are predicted. Finally, a crudely simplified description based on the interface Hamiltonian concept is used to interpret the corresponding simulation results along similar lines. Wenzel’s approach is found to generally hold when λ/σw ≫ 1 and Δ/λ < 1 and under conditions avoiding proximity of wetting or filling transitions.
Control of unsteady partial cavitation and cloud cavitation in marine engineering and hydraulic systems
Authors: Kadivar Ebrahim , Timoshevskiy Mikhail V. , Nichik Mikhail Yu. , el Moctar Ould , Schellin Thomas E. , Pervunin Konstantin S.
Published: May 2020

Cavitation is a process of liquid evaporation, bubble or vapor sheet formation, and further collapse of vapor structures, which plays a destructive role in many industrial applications. In marine transport and hydraulic machinery, cavitation usually occurs nearby the surface of a ship propeller and rudder, impeller blades in a pump, and distributor vanes and runner blades in a hydroturbine and causes various undesirable effects such as vibrations of frameworks and/or moving parts, material erosion, and noise enhancement. Based on an extensive literature review, this research is aimed at an experimental investigation of a passive approach to control cavitation on a benchmark hydrofoil using a wedge-type vortex generator in different flow regimes with a high Reynolds number. In this study, we employed a high-speed imaging method to explore the spatial patterns and time evolutions of cavitation structures and utilized a hydroacoustic pressure transducer to record and analyze local pressure pulsations due to the collapse of the cavities in the hydrofoil wake region. The results show that the examined control technique is quite effective and capable of hindering the formation of cloud cavities and reducing the amplitude of pressure pulsations associated with unsteady cavitation dynamics. This study provides important experimental information, which can be useful for improving industrial technologies and for promoting new developments in this particular research field.
Bond dissociation energies of diatomic transition metal sulfides: ScS, YS, TiS, ZrS, HfS, NbS, and TaS
Authors: Sorensen Jason J. , Tieu Erick , Nielson Christopher , Sevy Andrew , Tomchak Kimberly H. , Morse Michael D.
Published: May 2020

The early transition metal diatomic sulfides, MS, M = Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta, have been investigated using resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy in the vicinity of their bond dissociation energies (BDEs). Due to the high density of vibronic states in this energy range, the molecular spectra appear quasicontinuous, and when the excitation energy exceeds the ground separated atom limit, excited state decay by dissociation becomes possible. The dissociation process typically occurs so rapidly that the molecule falls apart before a second photon can be absorbed to ionize the species, leading to a sharp drop in ion signal, which is identified as the 0 K BDE. The observed predissociation thresholds yield BDEs of 4.852(10) eV (ScS), 5.391(3) eV (YS), 4.690(4) eV (TiS), 5.660(4) eV (ZrS), 5.780(20) eV (HfS), 5.572(3) eV (NbS), and 5.542(3) eV (TaS). Utilizing thermochemical cycles, the enthalpies of formation, ΔfH0Ko(g), of 182.7(4.3) kJ mol−1 (ScS), 178.3(4.2) kJ mol−1 (YS), 293.1(16.7) kJ mol−1 (TiS), 337.3(8.4) kJ mol−1 (ZrS), 335.0(6.6) kJ mol−1 (HfS), 467.0(8.0) kJ mol−1 (NbS), and 521.5(2.1) kJ mol−1 (TaS) are obtained. Another thermochemical cycle has been used to combine the previously measured M+-S BDEs with the M-S BDEs and atomic ionization energies to obtain the MS ionization energies of 6.44(5) eV (ScS), 6.12(8) eV (YS), 6.78(7) eV (TiS), 6.60(10) eV (ZrS), and 6.88(9) eV (NbS). Using this same cycle, we obtain D0(Hf+-S) = 4.926(20) eV. The bonding trends of the early transition metal sulfides, along with the corresponding selenides, are discussed.
Random telegraph signals caused by a single dopant in a metal–oxide–semiconductor field effect transistor at low temperature
Authors: Ibukuro Kouta , Hillier Joseph William , Liu Fayong , Husain Muhammad Khaled , Li Zuo , Tomita Isao , Tsuchiya Yoshishige , Rutt Harvey Nicholas , Saito Shinichi
Published: May 2020

While the importance of atomic-scale features in silicon-based device for quantum application has been recognized and even the placement of a single atom is now feasible, the role of a dopant in the substrate has not attracted much attention in the context of quantum technology. In this paper, we report random telegraph signals (RTSs) originated from trapping and detrapping of an electron by a donor in the substrate of a p-type metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect-transistor. RTSs, not seen when the substrate was grounded, were observed when a positive bias was applied to the substrate. The comprehensive study on the signals observed reveals that the nature of the RTSs is discrete threshold voltage variations due to the change in the depletion layer width depending on the charge state of a single dopant, neutral or positively charged.
Genomic analyses suggest strong population connectivity over large spatial scales of the commercially important baitworm, Australonuphis teres (Onuphidae)
Authors: Padovan Amanda , Chick Rowan C. , Cole Victoria J. , Dutoit Ludovic , Hutchings Patricia A. , Jack Cameron , Fraser Ceridwen I.
Published: May 2020

Barriers to dispersal can disrupt gene flow between populations, resulting in genetically distinct populations. Although many marine animals have potential for long-distance dispersal via a planktonic stage, gene flow among populations separated by large geographic distances is not always evident. Polychaetes are ecologically important and have been used as biological surrogates for marine biodiversity. Some polychaete species are used as bait for recreational fisheries, with this demand supporting commercial fisheries for polychaetes to service the retail bait market. However, despite their ecological and economic importance, very little is known about the life history or population dynamics of polychaetes, and few studies have used genetic or genomic approaches to understand polychaete population connectivity. Here, we investigate the population structure of one commonly collected beachworm species used for bait on the eastern coast of Australia, namely, Australonuphis teres, by using genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism data. We sampled A. teres from hierarchical nested spatial scales along 900km of the coast in New South Wales. We identified six genetic groups, but there was no clear geographic pattern of distribution. Our results suggest that there is considerable gene flow among the sampled populations. These high-resolution genomic data support the findings of previous studies, and we infer that oceanographic processes promote genetic exchange among polychaete populations in south-eastern Australia.
Solving the curvature and Hubble parameter inconsistencies through structure formation-induced curvature
Authors: Heinesen Asta , Buchert Thomas
Published: May 2020

Recently it has been noted by Di Valentino, Melchiorri and Silk (2019) that the enhanced lensing signal relative to that expected in the spatially flat ΛCDM model poses a possible crisis for the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) class of models usually used to interpret cosmological data. The ‘crisis’ amounts to inconsistencies between cosmological datasets arising when the FLRW curvature parameter Ω
k0 is determined from the data rather than constrained to be zero a priori. Moreover, the already substantial discrepancy between the Hubble parameter as determined by Planck and local observations increases to the level of 5σ. While such inconsistencies might arise from systematic effects of astrophysical origin affecting the Planck cosmic microwave background (CMB) power spectra at small angular scales, it is an option that the inconsistencies are due to the failure of the FLRW assumption. In this paper we recall how the FLRW curvature ansatz is expected to be violated for generic relativistic spacetimes. We explain how the FLRW conservation equation for volume-averaged spatial curvature is modified through structure formation, and we illustrate in a simple framework how the curvature tension in a FLRW spacetime can be resolved—and is even expected to occur—from the point of view of general relativity. Requiring early-time convergence towards a Friedmannian model with a spatial curvature parameter Ω
k0 equal to that preferred from the Planck power spectra resolves the Hubble tension within our dark energy-free model.
Two-point Stokes vector diagnostic approach for characterization of optically anisotropic biological tissues
Authors: Peyvasteh Motahareh , Dubolazov Alexander , Popov Alexey , Ushenko Alexander , Ushenko Yuriy , Meglinski Igor
Published: May 2020

The purpose of the study is to demonstrate a new method of Stokes-correlometric evaluation of polarization-inhomogeneous images of optically thin (optical thickness smaller than 0.01) histological sections from optically anisotropic biological tissues of different morphological structure. This method is based on a correlation (‘two-point’) generalization of traditional optical methods for analyzing ‘one-point’ distributions of polarization states of microscopic images of biological tissues. Analytical algorithms are obtained for describing the ‘two-point’ complex parameters of the Stokes vector image of a birefringent biological tissue. An experimental technique has been developed for measuring polarization-correlation maps, i.e. the coordinate distributions of the magnitude and phase of the ‘two-point’ Stokes vector parameters. Within the framework of the statistical and correlation analysis of the obtained data, new quantitative criteria for the differentiation of the optical properties of biological tissues of various morphological structures are found. A comparative analysis of the distribution of the ‘single-point’ and ‘two-point’ parameters of the Stokes vector of polarizationally inhomogeneous images was performed. It revealed a higher sensitivity (2–5 times) of the Stokes-correlometry method to variations in orientation-phase structure of biological tissues compared to the single-point approach.
Present and new frontiers in materials research by ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Schnadt Joachim , Knudsen Jan , Johansson Niclas
Published: May 2020

In this topical review we catagorise all ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy publications that have appeared between the 1970s and the end of 2018 according to their scientific field. We find that catalysis, surface science and materials science are predominant, while, for example, electrocatalysis and thin film growth are emerging. All catalysis publications that we could identify are cited, and selected case stories with increasing complexity in terms of surface structure or chemical reaction are discussed. For thin film growth we discuss recent examples from chemical vapour deposition and atomic layer deposition. Finally, we also discuss current frontiers of ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy research, indicating some directions of future development of the field.
Augmenting bending stroke of soft dielectric unimorph actuator using carbon nanotubes
Authors: Baranwal Ankit , Agnihotri Prabhat K
Published: May 2020

Experimental investigations are carried out to quantify the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) addition on the actuation performance of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based soft dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA). The actuation ability of pure PDMS and CNT/PDMS composite samples is compared in unimorph configuration. Comparative analysis of experimental results shows that incorporation of optimum CNT concentration (0.05 wt%) significantly enhances the tip displacement (two times) and efficiency (three times) of pure PDMS based DEA. Increasing the CNT concentration beyond optimum level degrades the tip displacement and efficiency of bend actuator. The experimental results are well supported by the theoretical analysis and finite element simulations. Moreover, experimental and numerical findings are combined to establish microstructure-property relationship of DEA. It is shown that at optimum CNT concentration, the induced Maxwell stress compensates for the increase in stiffness of DEA. However, the enhanced stiffness and agglomeration beyond optimum CNT loading results in lower tip displacement.
R-Q curve based evaluation method for current-limiting performance of DC R-SFCL in high voltage DC system
Authors: Li Bin , Wang Changqi , Ye Shilei , Yang Song , Xin Ying , Wen Weijie , Hong Wei , Sheng Chao , Zhong Lianhong , Duan Xinhui , Xiao Xiaoqing , Li Li
Published: May 2020

The current-limiting performance of the dc resistive-type superconducting fault current limiter (dc R-SFCL) is vital to the reliability in the high voltage dc current (HVDC) transmission system. It is expensive and difficult to utilize the discharging process of the precharged dc capacitor to evaluate the current-limiting performance. In this paper, a R-Q curve based evaluation method for current-limiting performance of dc R-SFCLs in dc system is proposed, which replaces the dc impulse experiment with ac impulse experiment. A ± 160kV dc SFCL prototype is designed by Guangdong Power Grid Co., Ltd., and tested to acquire the experimental heat accumulation Q and the experimental R-Q curve. Accordingly, the mathematical model consistent with the prototype is built in PSCAD. Finally, a fault condition is simulated in dc system to verify the feasibility of the R-Q curve based evaluation method. It is shown that the proposed method has superior properties in simplifying the testing platform, reducing the test requirements and costs, and providing reference for precise modeling of SFCLs.
Dispersive detection of atomic ensembles in the presence of strong lensing
Authors: Deb A B , Chung J , Kjærgaard N
Published: May 2020

We experimentally and theoretically investigate in-medium propagation effects of off-resonant light in dense, spatially inhomogeneous ultracold atomic gases. Focussing on frequency modulation spectroscopy as the dispersive detection tool of atoms, we observe that the refractive gradient-index lenses presented by localised atomic ensembles can significantly modify the interpretation of the dispersive signal even for large probe detuning, owing to the collective response of the atoms. We identify criteria for distinguishing between thin and thick atomic lenses, leading to either diffraction-dominated and lensing dominated regimes for the outgoing probe beams. Our findings are consistent with experimental data and solutions of paraxial wave equation for light propagation. Our study provides important practical insights for dispersive, minimally intrusive optical detection and imaging schemes of ultracold atoms and will be valuable for choosing optimal parameter regimes in numerous applications.
Magnetic hyperthermia application of MnFe2O4 nanostructures processed through solvents with the varying boiling point
Authors: Chandunika R K , Vijayaraghavan R , Sahu Niroj Kumar
Published: May 2020

This article reports the synthesis of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) by thermal decomposition method in different solvents such as diphenyl ether, benzyl ether and 1-octadecene with varying boiling point (bp). The physical and chemical properties of all the NPs were systematically studied. The NPs prepared using benzyl ether as solvent formed in cubic shape whereas spherical particles are formed in diphenyl ether and 1-octadecene. The solvent plays a significant role in the reaction and influence the morphology of the NPs. The hydrophobic particles are made hydrophilic by ligand exchange using tetramethyl-ammonium 11-aminoundecanote and the colloidal dispersion of the NPs are used for magnetic induction in varying alternating magnetic field (AMF) of frequency 314 kHz. The specific absorption rates that measure the heat generation in NPs are found to vary with the concentration of the NPs as well as the field strength. The cubic shaped NPs shows comparatively better SAR than the spherical NPs.
Pervaporation dehydration of bio-fuel (n-butanol) by dry thermal treatment membrane
Authors: Manshad Soheila , Isloor Arun M , Mohd Nawawi Mohd Ghazali , Inamuddin  , Khan Imran , Marwani Hadi M
Published: May 2020

In the present investigation, laboratory synthesized graphene oxide (GO) as a nano-filler was used in polyetherimide (PEI) flat-sheet membranes (PM). The PEI flat-sheet membrane was fabricated through a dry-thermal treatment (DTT) method. The effects of fabrication method were investigated on polyetherimide-GO membrane prepared by dry-thermal treatment (PMDTT). The morphological structure was investigated via different characterization; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), contact angle measurement and Raman spectra. The results indicated that, the hybrid PMDTT membrane displayed reasonably better pervaporation separation performance in comparison to neat PMDTT membranes. The concentrations of water at the permeate side of hybrid and neat PMDTT membrane were 99.3 and 90.9 wt.%, respectively. Hybrid membranes showed a 78.3% enhanced permeation rate. Enhancement of pervaporation property of hybrid PMDTT membrane could be ascribed mainly due to the presence of graphene oxide in the dense top layer. Overall, the blending of graphene oxide in hybrid PMDTT membranes could be a promising approach for enhancing the pervaporation properties of the membranes.
Integration of Genomic Medicine in Pathology Resident Training
Authors: Haspel Richard L , Genzen Jonathan R , Wagner Jay , Lockwood Christina M , Fong Karen ,   Training Residents in Genomics (TRIG) Working Group, Adesina Adekunle M , Browning Lisa , Chabot-Richards Devon , Cushman-Vokoun Allison M , D’Angelo Alix R , DeFrances Marie C , Devarakonda Siddhartha , Fernandes Helen , Fernandez Pedro , Gupta Ruta , Hurwitz Michael E , Lindeman Neal I , Nobori Alexander , Nohr Erik , Payton Jaqueline , Saylor Benjamin , Sobel Mark E , Stringer Keith F , Vanderbilt Chad M , Young Martin , Adesina Adekunle M , Browning Lisa , Chabot-Richards Devon , Cushman-Vokoun Allison M , D’Angelo Alix R , DeFrances Marie C , Devarakonda Siddhartha , Fernandes Helen , Fernandez Pedro , Gupta Ruta , Hurwitz Michael E , Lindeman Neal I , Nobori Alexander , Nohr Erik , Payton Jaqueline , Saylor Benjamin , Sobel Mark E , Stringer Keith F , Vanderbilt Chad M , Young Martin
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To assess current pathology resident training in genomic and molecular pathology.

Methods

The Training Residents in Genomics (TRIG) Working Group has developed survey questions for the pathology Resident In-Service Examination (RISE) since 2012. Responses to these questions, as well as knowledge questions, were analyzed.

Results

A total of 2,529 residents took the 2019 RISE. Since 2013, there has been an increase in postgraduate year 4 (PGY4) respondents indicating training in genomic medicine (58% to approximately 80%) but still less than almost 100% each year for molecular pathology. In 2019, PGY4 residents indicated less perceived knowledge and ability related to both genomic and traditional molecular pathology topics compared with control areas. Knowledge question results supported this subjective self-appraisal.

Conclusions

The RISE is a powerful tool for assessing the current state and also trends related to resident training in genomic pathology. The results show progress but also the need for improvement in not only genomic pathology but traditional molecular pathology training as well.
Large-sample asymptotics of the pseudo-marginal method
Authors: Schmon S M , Deligiannidis G , Doucet A , Pitt M K
Published: May 2020

The pseudo-marginal algorithm is a variant of the Metropolis–Hastings algorithm which samples asymptotically from a probability distribution when it is only possible to estimate unbiasedly an unnormalized version of its density. Practically, one has to trade off the computational resources used to obtain this estimator against the asymptotic variances of the ergodic averages obtained by the pseudo-marginal algorithm. Recent works on optimizing this trade-off rely on some strong assumptions, which can cast doubts over their practical relevance. In particular, they all assume that the distribution of the difference between the log-density, and its estimate is independent of the parameter value at which it is evaluated. Under regularity conditions we show that as the number of data points tends to infinity, a space-rescaled version of the pseudo-marginal chain converges weakly to another pseudo-marginal chain for which this assumption indeed holds. A study of this limiting chain allows us to provide parameter dimension-dependent guidelines on how to optimally scale a normal random walk proposal, and the number of Monte Carlo samples for the pseudo-marginal method in the large-sample regime. These findings complement and validate currently available results.
The Willingness of Social Work Students to Engage in Policy Practice: The Role of Personality Traits and Political Participation Predictors
Authors: Schwartz-Tayri Talia Meital
Published: May 2020

The current study aimed to expand our knowledge regarding social work students’ willingness to engage in policy practice (EPP). A theoretical model integrating the Big Five personality framework with the ‘Civic Voluntarism Model’ (CVM) was examined, using a sample of 160 social work students in Israel. Findings revealed a moderate level of EPP willingness. Among the CVM predictors, political skills, political knowledge and political interest were significantly positively associated with social work students’ EPP willingness. Among the Big Five traits, extroversion, conscientiousness and openness to experience were significantly associated with EPP willingness. Path analysis showed that political skills were the strongest predictor of EPP willingness and that political skills and extroversion had a direct effect on EPP willingness. The significant mediation paths demonstrated the dynamics by which the study predictors interacted in explaining 49 per cent of the variance in EPP willingness. The study concluded that the examination of a model incorporating the Big Five personality traits and modified CVM predictors provided a comprehensive understanding of EPP willingness and, therefore, should be adopted to explain social workers’ actual engagement in policy practice.
Development of Microstructural and Morphological Cortical Profiles in the Neonatal Brain
Authors: Fenchel Daphna , Dimitrova Ralica , Seidlitz Jakob , Robinson Emma C , Batalle Dafnis , Hutter Jana , Christiaens Daan , Pietsch Maximilian , Brandon Jakki , Hughes Emer J , Allsop Joanna , O’Keeffe Camilla , Price Anthony N , Cordero-Grande Lucilio , Schuh Andreas , Makropoulos Antonios , Passerat-Palmbach Jonathan , Bozek Jelena , Rueckert Daniel , Hajnal Joseph V , Raznahan Armin , McAlonan Grainne , Edwards A David , O’Muircheartaigh Jonathan
Published: May 2020

Interruptions to neurodevelopment during the perinatal period may have long-lasting consequences. However, to be able to investigate deviations in the foundation of proper connectivity and functional circuits, we need a measure of how this architecture evolves in the typically developing brain. To this end, in a cohort of 241 term-born infants, we used magnetic resonance imaging to estimate cortical profiles based on morphometry and microstructure over the perinatal period (37–44 weeks postmenstrual age, PMA). Using the covariance of these profiles as a measure of inter-areal network similarity (morphometric similarity networks; MSN), we clustered these networks into distinct modules. The resulting modules were consistent and symmetric, and corresponded to known functional distinctions, including sensory–motor, limbic, and association regions, and were spatially mapped onto known cytoarchitectonic tissue classes. Posterior regions became more morphometrically similar with increasing age, while peri-cingulate and medial temporal regions became more dissimilar. Network strength was associated with age: Within-network similarity increased over age suggesting emerging network distinction. These changes in cortical network architecture over an 8-week period are consistent with, and likely underpin, the highly dynamic processes occurring during this critical period. The resulting cortical profiles might provide normative reference to investigate atypical early brain development.
Voluntary Actions Modulate Perception and Neural Representation of Action-Consequences in a Hand-Dependent Manner
Authors: Buaron Batel , Reznik Daniel , Gilron Ro'ee , Mukamel Roy
Published: May 2020

Evoked neural activity in sensory regions and perception of sensory stimuli are modulated when the stimuli are the consequence of voluntary movement, as opposed to an external source. It has been suggested that such modulations are due to motor commands that are sent to relevant sensory regions during voluntary movement. However, given the anatomical-functional laterality bias of the motor system, it is plausible that the pattern of such behavioral and neural modulations will also exhibit a similar bias, depending on the effector triggering the stimulus (e.g., right/left hand). Here, we examined this issue in the visual domain using behavioral and neural measures (fMRI). Healthy participants judged the relative brightness of identical visual stimuli that were either self-triggered (using right/left hand button presses), or triggered by the computer. Stimuli were presented either in the right or left visual field. Despite identical physical properties of the visual consequences, we found stronger perceptual modulations when the triggering hand was ipsi- (rather than contra-) lateral to the stimulated visual field. Additionally, fMRI responses in visual cortices differentiated between stimuli triggered by right/left hand. Our findings support a model in which voluntary actions induce sensory modulations that follow the anatomical-functional bias of the motor system.
Relationship Between Odor Intensity Estimates and COVID-19 Prevalence Prediction in a Swedish Population
Authors: Iravani Behzad , Arshamian Artin , Ravia Aharon , Mishor Eva , Snitz Kobi , Shushan Sagit , Roth Yehudah , Perl Ofer , Honigstein Danielle , Weissgross Reut , Karagach Shiri , Ernst Gernot , Okamoto Masako , Mainen Zachary , Monteleone Erminio , Dinnella Caterina , Spinelli Sara , Mariño-Sánchez Franklin , Ferdenzi Camille , Smeets Monique , Touhara Kazushige , Bensafi Moustafa , Hummel Thomas , Sobel Noam , Lundström Johan N
Published: May 2020

In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, countries have implemented various strategies to reduce and slow the spread of the disease in the general population. For countries that have implemented restrictions on its population in a stepwise manner, monitoring of COVID-19 prevalence is of importance to guide the decision on when to impose new, or when to abolish old, restrictions. We are here determining whether measures of odor intensity in a large sample can serve as one such measure. Online measures of how intense common household odors are perceived and symptoms of COVID-19 were collected from 2440 Swedes. Average odor intensity ratings were then compared to predicted COVID-19 population prevalence over time in the Swedish population and were found to closely track each other (r = −0.83). Moreover, we found that there was a large difference in rated intensity between individuals with and without COVID-19 symptoms and the number of symptoms was related to odor intensity ratings. Finally, we found that individuals progressing from reporting no symptoms to subsequently reporting COVID-19 symptoms demonstrated a large drop in olfactory performance. These data suggest that measures of odor intensity, if obtained in a large and representative sample, can be used as an indicator of COVID-19 disease in the general population. Importantly, this simple measure could easily be implemented in countries without widespread access to COVID-19 testing or implemented as a fast early response before widespread testing can be facilitated.
One-Year Quality of Life Post–Pneumonia Diagnosis in Japanese Adults
Authors: Glick Henry A , Miyazaki Taiga , Hirano Katsuji , Gonzalez Elisa , Jodar Luis , Gessner Bradford D , Isturiz Raul E , Arguedas Adriano , Kohno Shigeru , Suaya Jose A
Published: May 2020

Background

Pneumonia is a common, serious illness in the elderly, with a poorly characterized long-term impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The Japanese Goto Epidemiology Study is a prospective, active, population-based surveillance study of adults with X-ray/CT scan–confirmed community-onset pneumonia, assessing the HRQoL outcome quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). We report QALY scores and losses among a subset of participants in this study.

Methods

QALYs were derived from responses to the Japanese version of the EuroQol-5D-5L health-state classification instrument at days 0, 7, 15, 30, 90, 180, and 365 after pneumonia diagnosis from participants enrolled from June 2017 to May 2018. We used patients as their own controls, calculating comparison QALYs by extrapolating EuroQol-5D-5L scores for day −30, accounting for mortality and changes in scores with age.

Results

Of 405 participants, 85% were aged ≥65 years, 58% were male, and 69% were hospitalized for clinically and radiologically confirmed pneumonia. Compliance with interviews by patients or proxies was 100%. Adjusted EuroQol-5D-5L scores were 0.759, 0.561, 0.702, and 0.689 at days −30, 0 (diagnosis), 180, and 365, respectively. Average scores at all time points remained below the average day −30 scores (P ≤ .001). Pneumonia resulted in a 1-year adjusted loss of 0.13 QALYs (~47.5 quality-adjusted days) (P < .001).

Conclusions

Substantial QALY losses were observed among Japanese adults following pneumonia diagnosis, and scores had not returned to prediagnosis levels at 1 year postdiagnosis. QALY scores and cumulative losses were comparable to those in US adults with chronic heart failure, stroke, or renal failure.