bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decentralised inverter control for improved reactive power sharing and voltage profile in a microgrid
Authors: Dheer Dharmendra Kumar , Gupta Yusuf , Doolla Suryanarayana
Published: December 2020

This paper enhances a self‐adjusting droop control strategy further to achieve an improved voltage profile in a microgrid along with proportional reactive power sharing amongst its sources. The proposed enhancement consists of an additional term in the “self‐adjusting” nominal voltage. The proposed strategy is entirely decentralised and does not require information about the feeder impedance or the network topology. The proposed technique is robust and found to improve the voltage profile and the reactive power sharing for radial, meshed as well as reconfigured microgrid networks. Simulation studies have been performed on two test microgrids to assess and compare the performance of the proposed strategy. Experimental validation to confirm further the viability of the proposed strategy for several topological structures of the microgrid is done on a laboratory‐scale microgrid.
Epipolar geometric association distance: A new cost function for passive sensor data association
Authors: Ma Feng , Lu Huanzhang , Zhang Luping , Shen Xinglin
Published: December 2020

The traditional way of passive sensor data association relies on the estimation of candidate target position, and hence suffers from severe performance degradation due to the estimation error and the so‐called ghosts. The proposed new cost function is based on epipolar geometry theory that uses fundamental matrix to measure the correlation between sensor measurements directly without estimation of candidate target position. This approach has two superiorities: (1) it declines the accuracy loss caused by a large number of trigonometric operations, and (2) it greatly immunes to the impact of ghosts. A comparison with three traditional cost functions via numerical experiments demonstrates that the proposed cost function significantly improves the accuracy of data association, especially when the number of targets is more and the sensor distribution is closer.
Multi‐sensor particle filtering with multi‐step randomly delayed measurements
Authors: Chen Yunqi , Yan Zhibin
Published: December 2020

This paper develops particle filtering for multi‐sensor systems with randomly delayed measurements, where the general case that random delay can be multi‐step rather than one‐step or two‐step is considered. Moreover, different sensors can have different delay steps and delay probabilities. Random delays are assumed to be mutually independent for different sensors and modelled by a separate sequence of random variables obeying discrete distributions. Since random delay leads to the actual measurements being dependent rather than independent given states, and this dependence becomes more complicated with the increase of random delay step, a new formula of the local likelihood density is proposed and then a new weighting scheme is adopted in particle filtering to deal with these difficulties. The proposed method is applied to two examples to testify its effectiveness and superiority.
Conceptualization of time in internet-texts of different emotional tonality
Authors: Kolmogorova Anastasia , Kalinin Alexander
Published: December 2020

The research is made in the frame of methodology of emotional text analysis – the computer technology allowing to classify texts according to the criterion of the emotion expressed in them. The paper focuses on specificity of verbal means used in texts of eight emotional classes to deal with the category of time. The data we used consist in 3900 Internet-texts from social network VKontakte assessed by 2000 informants on a crowdsource platform. We processed the raw data using the elements of mathematical modelling, and, a set of tools offered by Sketch Engine corpus manager platform. The hypothesis is that while experiencing an emotion, an individual feels the time differently and, consequently, speaks about it not in the same way. We paid a particular attention to the weight of the lexemes those semantics is connected with the idea of time in different emotional text classes.
Author’s prospect and plot perspective in the closed-in construction of an oratorical speech
Authors: Ulanova Kapitolina , Valeeva Nailya
Published: December 2020

The article deals with the problem of creating a public oratorical speech. This research is based on an extensive literary analysis of such scientists in the field of text as I.G. Koshevaya (Koshevaya, 2012), L L. Nelyubin (Nelyubin, 2011), L.K. Sviridova (Sviridova, 2004), G.T. Khukhuni (Khukhuni, 2011). The purpose of the research is to analyze the relationship between the author’s prospect and the plot perspective of the oratorical text. During the research, we used the following methods: the method of contextual analysis, the method of dictionary definitions, the descriptive method, and the method of continuous sampling when selecting material for research. We have selected, counted, and systematized speeches from more than 1000 pages of texts of public speeches. The results of the research can be used in writing academic and political oratorical texts, as well as in courses of rhetoric for University students.
Technology-assisted foreign language learning (TALL) in the digital age
Authors: Melkonyan Anna , Matevosyan Armine
Published: December 2020

The article goes along the lines of language learning in the digital age. Technology and the advancement of digital media not only have the potential to change the way we learn languages, but also the way foreign language teachers learn to teach. Managing learning platforms, using learning software and educational apps effectively, designing complex web–based tasks are just a few examples of digital media use in the foreign language instruction of today’s schools. The article aims at showing of what types of skills and knowledge language teachers need to become digitally literate. Also we will focus on some challenges that an educator faces while teaching foreign language in the digital age.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Interventional Radiology Practice—A Multicenter Observational Study
Authors: Cherian Mathew , Mehta Pankaj , Barath Sitaram , Yadav Manish , Pandi Muthurajan , Joshi Saurabh , Kareparambil Ranasingh Rahul , Monga Akhil , Muthugounder Athiyappan Karthikeyan , Handihal Reddy Nikhil
Published: December 2020

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to health care services including interventional radiology (IR). Treating COVID-19 infected patients became a priority; furthermore, government policies of differing elective procedures and the public’s fear of contacting COVID-19 have impacted IR workload worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the workflow in six vascular IR centers located across India.

Methods The data were collected retrospectively from April 1 to June 30, 2020. All the six centers were staffed by the alumni of a single parent center located in India. Data was also collected from the same time period in 2019 for comparison.

Results A total of 893 patients were treated from April 1 to June 30, 2019, and 419 were treated during the same period in 2020 during the pandemic, a 53% case volume reduction (95% CI:28. 56–129.44; p < 0.001). The month of April had the largest case volume reduction (66%, 95% CI: 13.57–50.43; p < 0.001). Elective procedures showed an 85% reduction (95% CI: 9.62–91.71; p < 0.001). Venous interventions showed the highest reduction of 76% (95% CI: 0.75–67.75; p < 0.001). Neurological emergencies, dialysis-related interventions, and nonvascular procedures did not show a significant change. No patient tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the procedure; however, one patient who was treated emergently was found to be positive later.

Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted IR practice across India. Workload reduction was more profound at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic with a gradual improvement over time.
Nerve Grafting in Head and Neck Reconstruction
Authors: Morgan Scott D. , Zuniga John R.
Published: December 2020

In head and neck reconstructive surgery, especially of the mandible, the long-span processed nerve allograft (PNA) is a technological advancement that provides improved quality of life for patients who require ablative surgery by allowing for functional sensory recovery (FSR) in the majority of patients treated with immediate reconstruction. Recently published clinical prospective and retrospective multisite controlled cohort studies of immediate nerve reconstruction at the time of ablative surgery, including pediatric patient populations, were reviewed for valid and predictable outcomes of FSR following the reconstruction of the inferior alveolar nerve using > 5-cm PNA allografts. Both adult and pediatric patients demonstrate high percentages of FSR within 1 year. Pediatric patients demonstrate robust recovery with 100% reaching FSR within 1 year, whereas 89% of adults achieved FSR during the same time span; the pediatric patient population reached FSR earlier when compared with adults. Control, nonallograft nerve repair patients never achieved FSR, reaching only S2 levels in both adults and pediatric groups. There were no adverse events; in fact, no patients demonstrated the occurrence of neuropathic pain when the nerve repair was performed immediately in contrast to delayed repair states. Long-span (> 5-cm) nerve allografts provide FSR in pediatric patients and the majority of adult patients and should be used in patients who require ablation of the mandible for head and neck reconstruction.
Customized Orbit and Frontal Bone Implants
Authors: Wang Weitao , Namin Arya , Shokri Tom , Ducic Yadranko
Published: December 2020

Orbitocranial reconstruction objectives include creation of a solid barrier between intracranial contents and the environment allowing restoration of physiologic homeostasis and restoration of aesthetic craniofacial contours. Historically, bone grafts have been used for reconstruction but were fraught with unpredictable resorption and imperfect contouring given the complex anatomy of the orbitofrontal bones. With advances in three-dimensional modeling technology, alloplastic custom implants in orbital and frontal bone reconstruction have allowed for rapid fixation reducing surgical times and improved cosmesis.
Back Pain and Its Effects on Early Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Singh Vivek , Zak Stephen , Yeroushalmi David , Schwarzkopf Ran , Davidovitch Roy I.
Published: December 2020

The success of total hip arthroplasty (THA) may be negatively impacted in those with back pain as evidenced by patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores. The goal of this study was to determine whether the hip–spine relationship, as it relates to the presence of preoperative back pain, affected THA outcomes, and PRO scores. We retrospectively reviewed 243 patients who underwent primary THA and completed the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Junior (HOOS Jr.), back pain questionnaire, and the Forgotten Joint Score-12 (FJS-12) preoperatively and at 12-weeks postoperatively. Patients were separated into two cohorts: those with preoperative back pain and those who were back pain free. Analysis was performed using t-test and chi-square to determine differences in demographic data. Regression analysis was utilized to account for differences in demographic data. There were significant demographic differences, which included body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists, smoking status, and length of stay between the two cohorts. Patients with preoperative back pain had lower preoperative HOOS Jr. scores than their counterparts (44.93 vs. 55.2; p = 0.029). Additionally, the preoperative back pain free group reported better FJS-12 and HOOS Jr. scores at 12-weeks postoperatively (FJS-12:62.00 vs. 43.32, p < 0.0001; HOOS Jr.: 81.33 vs. 75.68, p = 0.029). Patients with preoperative back pain had lower preoperative PRO scores and overall experienced less postoperative satisfaction and greater disability than patients who were back pain free. However, these patients' preoperative to postoperative improvement in PRO scores (delta change) was greater than that of the back pain free patients. These results suggest that THA may alter the hip-spine mechanics and potentially provide a reprieve from back pain.
Prevalence of Coagulation Factors Deficiency among Young Adults in Saudi Arabia: A National Survey
Authors: AlSaleh Khalid A. , Al-Numair Nouf , AlSuliman Ayman , Zolaly Mohammed , Albanyan Abdul Majeed , AlOtaishan Nouf , Abudouleh Esra , Bayoumy Nervana , Tarawah Ahmad , AlZahrani Faisal , AlAllaf Faisal , AlMomen Abdul kareem , Sajid Raihan , Owaidah Tarek M.
Published: December 2020

Introduction Inherited bleeding disorders vary in prevalence due to genetic disparity and ethnicity. Little is known about the prevalence of coagulation factor deficiency and bleeding disorders in middle-eastern population.

Methods Young Saudi adults with at least one positive bleeding symptom reported in semi-structured validated condensed MCMDM-1vWD questionnaire were tested for complete blood count, routine and special coagulation tests, serum ferritin level, and capillary zone electrophoresis. After initial testing, those with prolonged prothrombin time (PT) or activated prothrombin time (APTT) had further testing to evaluate coagulation factors level. Platelet function was tested through platelet function analyzer (PFA)-100, and multiplate aggregometer (MEA) on patients suspected of having platelet disorders.

Results Six-hundred-forty patients (male = 347, 54.2%) were included. A possible platelet function defect was diagnosed in three patients with one matching Glanzmann's thrombasthenia trait pattern, and one that of Bernard-Soulier trait pattern. One patient was diagnosed with von Willebrand disease. Deficiencies in coagulation factor levels were revealed as F-VIII in 14 (7.4%), F-IX in 15 (7.6%), F-II in two (3.3%), F-V in 17 (26.1%), FVII in two (3.1%), and F-X in one (1.8%) of study subjects; low vWF activity (<50%) was found in 14 (8%). Abnormal values were found for various laboratory tests with prolongation of platelet function analyzer-epinephrine (PFA-EPI) in 11%, PFA-ADP or arachidonic acid in 15.2%, PT in 35.9%, and APTT in 63.7%. Five-hundred-seventy-six patients (90%) had normal results in the coagulation factor assays and were categorized as patients with bleeding of unknown cause (BUC). A diagnosis of a bleeding disorder was more frequently made in men than in women (38 vs. 26). Iron deficiency anemia was found in 18 (25%) females positively associated with F-IX deficiency (p-value 0.000). Male gender (73.3%, p = 0.007) was independently associated with the diagnosis of coagulation factor deficiency.

Conclusion The current study reports a higher prevalence of coagulation factors deficiency in Saudi population than reported in the western population.
Biomedical Uses of Sulfobetaine-Based Zwitterionic Materials
Authors: Zaccarian Francesco , Baker Matthew B. , Webber Matthew J.
Published: December 2020

Protein fouling can render a biomedical device dysfunctional, and also serves to nucleate the foreign body reaction to an implanted material. Hydrophilic coatings have emerged as a commonly applied route to combat interface-mediated complications and promote device longevity and limited inflammatory response. While polyethylene glycol has received a majority of the attention in this regard, coatings based on zwitterionic moieties have been more recently explored. Sulfobetaines in particular constitute one such class of zwitterions explored for use in mitigating surface fouling, and have been shown to reduce protein adsorption, limit cellular adhesion, and promote increased functional lifetimes and limited inflammatory responses when applied to implanted materials and devices. Here, we present a focused review of the literature surrounding sulfobetaine, beginning with an understanding of its chemistry and the methods by which it is applied to the surface of a biomedical device in molecular and polymeric forms, and then advancing to the many early demonstrations of function in a variety of biomedical applications. Finally, we provide some insights into the benefits and challenges presented by its use, as well as some outlook on the future prospects for using this material to improve biomedical device practice by addressing interface-mediated complications.
Pyrene-Based Diarynes as Precursors for Twisted Fused Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: A Comparison of Two Routes
Authors: Elbert Sven M. , Baumgärtner Kevin , Esteves Joshua A. , Weber Laura , Rominger Frank , Mastalerz Michael
Published: December 2020

Two bench-stable and readily accessible pyrene-based diaryne precursors based on triflate as well as TMS triflate motifs are introduced and compared in their [4+2]-Diels–Alder reactions with tetracyclone to give an oligophenyl-substituted dibenzo[e,l]pyrene in both cases. By single-crystal X-ray analysis, this twistacene showed helical chirality and an end-to-end contortion of 49.6° due to steric repulsion.
Geodesic equations for particles and light in the black spindle spacetime
Authors: Flathmann Kai , Wassermann Noa
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we derive the geodesic equation for massive particles and light for the black spindle spacetime. The solution for light can be formulated in terms of the Weierstraß ℘-, σ-, and ζ-function, whereas a part of the solutions for massive particles is given in terms of derivatives of the Kleinian σ-function. We analyze the possible orbit types using parametric diagrams and effective potentials. Furthermore, we visualize the orbits in a coordinate system, where the spindle-like topology of the horizon is visible.
An optical beam deflection based system for multi-axis out-of-plane motion measurement at multiple points
Authors: Piyush P. , Jayanth G. R.
Published: December 2020

This note presents an optical beam deflection-based measurement system to make multi-axis out-of-plane motion measurement at multiple points on both micro- and macro-scale targets. A novel automated calibration stage has been designed to change the measurement locations on the target and to calibrate the sensitivity matrix of the measurement system at each location. The developed measurement system is validated by measuring the rigid body rotation of a target, after which its utility is demonstrated by performing dynamic characterization of a micro-electro-mechanical system micro-cantilever beam in order to obtain its first two mode shapes.
Effects of time-varying flexibility on the propulsion performance of a flapping foil
Authors: Shi Guangyu , Xiao Qing , Zhu Qiang
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we numerically investigate the effects of time-varying bending stiffness on the propulsion performance of a flapping foil using a fully coupled fluid-structure interaction model. The flow field is simulated using a Navier–Stokes solver while the structural dynamics is resolved by a nonlinear beam model. The force generation, the passive deformation, and the flow field of the flexible foil are significantly affected by the time dependency of flexibility. Here, both the actuation at the leading edge and the stiffness of the foil vary sinusoidally, and the phase ϕ between them plays an important role in determining the performance of the foil. At ϕ = 0°, the maximum time-averaged thrust coefficient can be increased by ∼52% whereas the highest propulsion efficiency remains almost the same as that of the foil with a constant flexibility. This is of significance when the size of the wing is often constrained. In addition, the foil with time-varying stiffness generates considerable lift force, which is attributed to the non-symmetrical deformations and deflected vortex-shedding patterns. Finally, the force generation due to added mass is discussed using a simplified model.
Water diffusion in carbon nanotubes: Interplay between confinement, surface deformation, and temperature
Authors: Mendonça Bruno H. S. , Ternes Patricia , Salcedo Evy , de Oliveira Alan B. , Barbosa Marcia C.
Published: December 2020

In this article, we investigate, through molecular dynamics simulations, the diffusion behavior of the TIP4P/2005 water confined in pristine and deformed carbon nanotubes (armchair and zigzag). To analyze different diffusive mechanisms, the water temperature was varied as 210 ≤ T ≤ 380 K. The results of our simulations reveal that water presents a non-Arrhenius to Arrhenius diffusion crossover. The confinement shifts the diffusion transition to higher temperatures when compared with the bulk system. In addition, for narrower nanotubes, water diffuses in a single line, which leads to its mobility independent of the activation energy.
Turbulent flow and heat flux analysis from validated large eddy simulations of flow past a heated cylinder in the near wake region
Authors: Sircar Arpan , Kimber Mark , Rokkam Srujan , Botha Gerrit
Published: December 2020

We conduct non-isothermal large eddy simulations (LESs) of flow past a heated cylinder (Re = 3900) to investigate flow physics throughout the wake region and develop a foundation upon which future heat flux wall models can be built (both for wall-modeled LES and other lower fidelity models) for mathematical closure of the energy equation. A rigorous validation of the mesh is made under isothermal conditions with results showing a closer match to experimental data than any other LES studies to date. The insights gained into the mesh design and approach are discussed. Simulation of non-isothermal flow is performed on the validated mesh for temperature differences between the cylinder surface and the freestream of 25 K and 300 K. The mesh design and realistic (temperature-dependent) thermodynamic property variations play key roles in predicting delayed separation, larger re-circulation zones, and enhanced turbulence intensity for the higher temperature difference case. The effect of both temperature differences on the flow is analyzed, and a new scaling of the flow domain is proposed to gain further insight into non-isothermal flow physics. Key scaling variables, friction temperature and friction velocity, are able to reduce nearly all of the temperature dependence of first and second order flow statistics, including turbulent heat fluxes. This leads to the finding that the turbulent heat flux in the wake region scales with the wall heat flux irrespective of the temperature difference in the flow.
Language and sexuality studies today
Authors: Motschenbacher Heiko
Published: December 2020

This article presents a short overview of the field of language and sexuality since the mid-1990s and discusses two issues that have repeatedly played a role in my own work in the field during the last decade: the incompatibility of the termhomosexualwith non-heteronormative language use, and the question of what counts as queer linguistic work.
Reflections on theJournal of Language and Sexualityand the view from Japan
Authors: Hiramoto Mie
Published: December 2020

This paper discusses contributions of theJournal of Language and Sexualitymade in the past decade in publication in relation to a development of the field currently recognized as language, gender and sexuality. I detail the development by using studies onjoseigo‘Japanese women’s language’ and discuss how it has impacted the field as a domain of scholarship and practice in the current moment beyond the study of the Japanese language. Lastly, I end the paper by commenting on directions in which language and sexuality studies have not yet examined but ought to address in future inquiry.
Black female scholarship matters
Authors: Makoni Busi
Published: December 2020

In this article, I reflect upon the persistence of racial injustice and sexism in the process of knowledge production. This gendered racial injustice is seen in publication rates, citation rates, and appointments to editorial boards. The underrepresentation of women in general, and black women in particular, discursively constructs scholarly enquiry as normatively white and masculine. The exclusion of nonwhite scholars partially emanates from a reliance on Euro-American theoretical frameworks that are applied, often uncritically, in other contexts as if the Euro-American experience were universal. The result is scholarship that is incongruous with local experiences and practices. As theJournal of Language and Sexualitycelebrates its tenth year of publication, it would benefit from including epistemic perspectives that are pluralistic in ontologies, cosmologies, and insights.
The role of linguistic prosody in the responses to recited poetry
Authors: Postarnak Svetlana , Castro São Luís , Silva Susana
Published: December 2020

Psychological studies of poetry have focused on the responses to written text, and little is known on how choices
made by reciters affect listeners’ responses. We hypothesized that syntax-compatible prosodic cues – pauses and pitch breaks –
would increase preference by increasing comprehension. Participants rated different declamations of the same poem for preference
and comprehension. The match between syntactic boundaries and linguistic prosody cues was quantified in each version, and then we
tested how this match predicted listeners’ responses. Unlike our predictions, linguistic prosody had opposite effects on
comprehension vs. preference: Comprehension was enhanced by using both sentence pauses and clause pitch breaks, while avoiding
clause pauses. When controlling for comprehension, preference was enhanced by clause pauses but hampered by clause breaks and
sentence pauses. Results are consistent with the possibility that listeners enjoyed losing track of syntactic boundaries, in line
with the idea that deviation may lead to pleasure.
Atomically thin Schottky junction with a gap-mode plasmon for enhanced photoresponsivity in MoS2-based photodetectors
Authors: Jin Hyeok Jun , Lee Khang June , Park Cheol Min , Shin Gwang Hyuk , Hong Woonggi , Oh Dongsik , Choi Sung-Yool
Published: December 2020

Two-dimensional (2D) materials present various extraordinary properties that are advantageous in optoelectronic devices with atomically thin nature. Despite their excellent light–matter interaction, a low optical absorption that is proportional to thickness is considered to be a major limitation. In this study, a gap-mode plasmon structure is applied to the Schottky junction of Au–MoS2 to compensate for its low absorption. The magnitude of the gap-mode plasmon is generally known to be inversely proportional to the gap distance between two metal nanostructures; hence, an atomically thin 2D material can be considered to be a good candidate for a gap spacer. Owing to the gap-mode plasmon structure, the photoresponsivity of the proposed device is enhanced by approximately 11.6 times from 25 to 290 A W−1 under 1 nW of laser power, without photoresponse time degradation. Two operation modes, named the photovoltaic and the photoconductive mode, are also observed through different response times; these present different carrier transport mechanisms depending on the existence of bias voltage.
High-density Ag nanosheets for selective electrochemical CO2 reduction to CO
Authors: Yan Shenglin , Chen Chengzhen , Zhang Fanghua , Mahyoub Samah A , Cheng Zhenmin
Published: December 2020

To increase the specific surface area, high-density (i.e. number per unit area) Ag nanosheets (ANS) with large electrochemically active surface area and rich edge active sites over Ag plates were synthesized via a facile electrodeposition approach in a double electrode system at a constant current of −1 mA for 1800 s. By adjusting the concentration of H3BO3 (0.5 M, 0.1 M and 0.05 M), which is used to control the growth direction of ANS, ANS-20, -50, -350 were obtained with varying thickness of 20 nm, 50 nm, and 350 nm, respectively. Notably, ANS-20 showed a remarkable current density of −6.48 mA cm−2 at −0.9 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), which is almost 1.6 and 2.4 times as high as those of ANS-50 and -350, respectively. Furthermore, ANS-20 exhibits the best CO selectivity of 91.2% at −0.8 V versus RHE, while the other two give 84.6% and 77.9% at the same potential. The excellent performance of ANS-20 is attributed to its rich edge active sites and large electrochemically active surface area (ECSA).
Superior sponge-like carbon self-doping graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets derived from supramolecular pre-assembly of a melamine–cyanuric acid complex for photocatalytic H2 evolution
Authors: Li Lingfeng , Zhang Juhua , Zhang Quan , Wang Xiaohao , Dai Wei-Lin
Published: December 2020

The photocatalytic evolution of hydrogen (H2) from water splitting is considered a promising route to overcome the energy crisis, and the key lies in the preparation of efficient photocatalysts. Herein, superior ordered sponge-like carbon self-doped graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets (SCCNS) were prepared via a combined strategy of melamine–cyanuric acid complex supramolecular pre-assembly and solvothermal pre-treatment using ethylene glycol (EG) aqueous solutions (EG:water = 50:50 vol.%) as a solvent and carbon doping source. The following pyrolysis converts the naturally arranged melamine–EG–cyanuric acid supramolecular intermediates to highly crystalline SCCNS with large specific surface areas. The optimal SCCNS-180 exhibits superior photocatalytic H2 evolution activities (∼4393 and 11 320 μmol h−1 g−1) when irradiated with visible light and simulated sunlight; these values are up to ∼17- and ∼18-fold higher than that of bulk g-C3N4. The quantum efficiency of SCCNS-180 at λ = 420 nm can reach 6.0%. The excellent photocatalytic performance of SCCNS-180 derives from its distinct ordered sponge-like nanosheet structure with highly crystallinity and the carbon doping, leading to its improved optical absorption, accelerated photoinduced electron–hole pair transfer and separation rate and enlarged specific surface area (134.4 m2 g−1).
Rapid divergence of parasite infectivity and host resistance during a biological invasion
Authors: Mayer Martin , Shine Richard , Brown Gregory P
Published: December 2020

By perturbing co-evolved interactions, biological invasions provide an opportunity to study the evolution of interactions between hosts and their parasites on ecological timescales. We studied the interaction between the cane toad (Rhinella marina) and its direct-lifecycle lungworm (Rhabdias pseudosphaerocephala) that was brought from South America to Australia with the toads in 1935. Compared with infective parasite larvae from long-established (range-core) toad populations, parasite larvae from toads near the invasion front were larger, lived longer and were better able to resist exposure to toxin from the parotoid glands of toads. Experimentally, we infected the common-garden-reared progeny of toads from range-core and invasion-front populations within Australia with lungworms from both populations. Infective larvae from invasion-front (vs. range-core) populations of the parasite were more successful at entering toads (by skin penetration) and establishing infections in the lungs. Toads from invasion-front populations were less prone to infection by either type of larvae. Thus, within 84 years, parasites at an invasion front have increased infectivity, whereas hosts have increased resistance to parasite infection compared with range-core populations. Rapid evolution of traits might affect host–parasite interactions during biological invasions, generating unpredictable effects both on the invaders and on native ecosystems.
Does abiotic noise promote segregation of functional diversity in Neotropical anuran assemblages?
Authors: Jiménez-Vargas Gina Marcela , Atehortua-Vallejo Michelle Andrea , Arcila-Pérez Luisa F , Carvajal-Castro Juan D , Vargas-Salinas Fernando
Published: December 2020

The abiotic noise of streams can mask the acoustic signals of anurans with a large body size calling at low frequencies, but not the signals emitted by anurans with a small body size calling at high frequencies. As a consequence, the body size of species in assemblages alongside streams is, on average, lower and less variable than that of assemblages away from streams. Given that the body size in anurans is frequently related to life-history traits, it is expected that functional diversity (FD) will be lower in anuran assemblages alongside streams than in assemblages away from streams. We calculated and compared FD, based on six functional traits, for anuran species in seven localities in different biogeographical regions in the Neotropics. In five lowland localities, FD was lower in assemblages alongside streams than in assemblages away from streams. However, the reverse trend was found in two Andean localities. Noise from streams, acting as an environmental filter, could promote low FD because taxa whose phenotype differs from an optimal type (high call frequency, small body size and associated traits) are excluded from riparian places. However, such habitat filtering could be stronger and affect more anurans in lowland assemblages than in those at medium elevation.
African immigrant acculturation scales in the USA: A systematic review
Authors: Tonui Betty C , Ravi Kristen E , Xu Ling
Published: December 2020

Acculturation consists of a process of learning and adapting the behaviours and cultural values of another cultural group. However, the conceptualisation and measurement of acculturation is inconsistent across scholars. Therefore, the authors systematically reviewed the acculturation literature to identify and assess the psychometric properties of acculturation measures with African immigrants in the USA. This systematic review was conducted based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Studies were included if they used a quantitative methodology, were published in English and used acculturation measure, and involved immigrants from any African country. The search resulted in 1,882 studies, of which ten studies were included in the review. This review identified that studies utilised nine different acculturation measures originally developed for other ethnic groups. Findings also indicated that some studies reported reliability and validity scores, while others did not report psychometric analysis. Our findings highlight the need to adapt and test reliable and valid acculturation measures. Future studies should consider robust psychometric assessments to ensure the accuracy of the instrument with the target population. Such information is pertinent to social workers in understanding the acculturation experiences of African immigrants and refugees and developing cultural interventions.
Striatal and cerebellar vesicular acetylcholine transporter expression is disrupted in human DYT1 dystonia
Authors: Mazere Joachim , Dilharreguy Bixente , Catheline Gwenaëlle , Vidailhet Marie , Deffains Marc , Vimont Delphine , Ribot Bastien , Barse Elodie , Cif Laura , Mazoyer Bernard , Langbour Nicolas , Pisani Antonio , Allard Michèle , Lamare Frédéric , Guehl Dominique , Fernandez Philippe , Burbaud Pierre
Published: December 2020

Early-onset torsion dystonia (TOR1A/DYT1) is a devastating hereditary motor disorder whose pathophysiology remains unclear. Studies in transgenic mice suggested abnormal cholinergic transmission in the putamen, but this has not yet been demonstrated in humans. The role of the cerebellum in the pathophysiology of the disease has also been highlighted but the involvement of the intrinsic cerebellar cholinergic system is unknown. In this study, cholinergic neurons were imaged using PET with 18F-fluoroethoxybenzovesamicol, a radioligand of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT). Here, we found an age-related decrease in VAChT expression in the posterior putamen and caudate nucleus of DYT1 patients versus matched controls, with low expression in young but not in older patients. In the cerebellar vermis, VAChT expression was also significantly decreased in patients versus controls, but independently of age. Functional connectivity within the motor network studied in MRI and the interregional correlation of VAChT expression studied in PET were also altered in patients. These results show that the cholinergic system is disrupted in the brain of DYT1 patients and is modulated over time through plasticity or compensatory mechanisms.
Go, cancer stem cell, go! CSCs overcome myelin inhibition to move within white matter pathways
Authors: Silver Daniel J , Lathia Justin D
Published: December 2020

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Modulation of Nogo receptor 1 expression orchestrates myelin-associated infiltration of glioblastoma’, by Hong et al. (doi:10.1093/brain/awaa408).
CD4 Count at Entry into Care and at Antiretroviral Therapy Prescription among Adults with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the United States, 2005-2018
Authors: Lee Jennifer S , Humes Elizabeth A , Hogan Brenna C , Buchacz Kate , Eron Joseph J , Gill M John , Sterling Timothy R , Rebeiro Peter F , Lima Viviane Dias , Mayor Angel , Silverberg Michael J , Horberg Michael A , Moore Richard D , Althoff Keri N ,   North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration on Research and Design, Benson Constance A , Bosch Ronald J , Kirk Emory-Grady Gregory D , Mayer Kenneth H , Grasso Chris , Hogg Robert S , Richard Harrigan P , Montaner Julio S G , Yip Benita , Zhu Julia , Salters Kate , Gabler Karyn , Buchacz Kate , Li Jun , Gebo Kelly A , Moore Johns Richard D , Moore Richard D , Carey John T , Rodriguez Benigno , Horberg Michael A , Silverberg Michael J , Thorne Jennifer E , Brown Todd , Tien Phyllis , D’Souza Gypsyamber , Crouzat Frederic , Loutfy Mona , Smith Graham , Gupta Meenakshi , Klein Marina B , Rabkin Charles , Kroch Abigail , Burchell Ann , Betts Adrian , Lindsay Joanne , Nijhawan Ank , Hunter-Mellado Robert F , Mayor Angel M , John Gill M , Martin Jeffrey N , Li Jun , Brooks John T , Saag Michael S , Mugavero Michael J , Willig James , Bamford Laura , Karris Maile , Eron Joseph J , Napravnik Sonia , Kitahata Mari M , Crane Heidi M , Sterling Timothy R , Haas David , Rebeiro Peter , Turner Megan , Park Lesley , Justice Amy , Moore Richard D , Althoff Keri N , Gange Stephen J , Kitahata Mari M , Lee Jennifer S , Saag Michael S , Horberg Michael A , Klein Marina B , McKaig Rosemary G , Freeman Aimee M , Moore Richard D , Althoff Keri N , Freeman Aimee M , Kitahata Mari M , Van Rompaey Stephen E , Crane Heidi M , Morton Liz , McReynolds Justin , Lober William B , Gange Stephen J , Lee Jennifer S , Hogan Brenna , You Bin , Humes Elizabeth , Gerace Lucas , Stewart Cameron , Coburn Sally
Published: December 2020

From 2005 to 2018, among 32013 adults with human immunodeficiency virus entering care, median time to antiretroviral therapy (ART) prescription declined from 69 to 6 days, CD4 count at entry into care increased from 300 to 362 cells/μL, and CD4 count at ART prescription increased from 160 to 364 cells/μL.
Attenuated heart rate recovery is associated with higher arrhythmia recurrence and mortality following atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors: Donnellan Eoin , Wazni Oussama M , Chung Mina K , Elshazly , Mohamed B. , Chung Roy , Taigen Tyler , Niebauer Mark , Kochar Arshneel , Hussain Muzna , Patel Divyang R. , Il’Giovine , Zachary , Harb Serge , Cantillon Daniel J. , Kanj Mohamed , Saliba Walid , Jaber Wael
Published: December 2020

Aims

Heart rate recovery (HRR), the decrease in heart rate occurring immediately after exercise, is caused by the increase in vagal activity and sympathetic withdrawal occurring after exercise and is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality. The extent to which it impacts outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation has not previously been studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between attenuated HRR and outcomes following AF ablation.

Methods and results

We studied 475 patients who underwent EST within 12 months of AF ablation. Patients were categorized into normal (>12 b.p.m.) and attenuated (≤12 b.p.m.) HRR groups. Our main outcomes of interest included arrhythmia recurrence and all-cause mortality. During a mean follow-up of 33 months, 43% of our study population experienced arrhythmia recurrence, 74% of those with an attenuated HRR, and 30% of those with a normal HRR (P < 0.0001). Death occurred in 9% of patients in the attenuated HRR group compared to 4% in the normal HRR cohort (P = 0.001). On multivariable models adjusting for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), medication use, left atrial size, ejection fraction, and renal function, attenuated HRR was predictive of increased arrhythmia recurrence (hazard ratio 2.54, 95% confidence interval 1.86–3.47, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Heart rate recovery provides additional valuable prognostic information beyond CRF. An impaired HRR is associated with significantly higher rates of arrhythmia recurrence and death following AF ablation.
Digital Upskilling During a Pandemic
Authors: Jagger Paul D
Published: December 2020

Pulling out his map and compass, Paul D Jagger CITP FBCS — IBM Global Business Services — Talent and Transformation — considers how Covid-19 has fundamentally altered how learning and development programmes should be designed and deployed.
Ethics & Lifelong Learning
Authors: Blundell Barry G
Published: December 2020

Dr Barry G Blundell is a Physicist, Engineer and FBCS. He has recently published a 900 page book with Springer, in which he questions our current direction of travel, not only in relation to a range of digital technologies and techniques but also in connection with aspects of the education system.
Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Pancreatic Cancer and Pathogenic ATM Alterations
Authors: Hannan Zain , Yu Shun , Domchek Susan , Mamtani Ronac , Reiss Kim A
Published: December 2020

The Ataxia-Telangiesctasia, mutated (ATM) gene is involved in a number of DNA damage repair pathways and confers an increased risk for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In this retrospective study, we identified and profiled 22 patients with PDAC and a known somatic or germline pathogenic ATM alteration (case patients). These patients were matched 2:1 by age, stage, and year at diagnosis to patients with PDAC without known ATM alterations. The median overall survival in patients with ATM alterations was 40.2 months compared with 15.5 months in the control population (hazard ratio = 0.14, 95% confidence interval = 0.04 to 0.47, 2-sided P = .001). In multivariable analysis, these findings persisted after adjustment for receipt of platinum therapy and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status. These findings suggest that pathogenic ATM alterations may be prognostic for improved outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer.
Genome-wide identification of cotton GRAM family proteins reveals that GRAM31 regulates fiber length
Authors: Ye Zhengxiu , Qiao Lu , Luo Xiangyin , Chen Xinyuan , Zhang Xianlong , Tu Lili
Published: December 2020

The glucosyltransferases, Rab-like GTPase activators and myotubularins (GRAM) domain is highly conserved in eukaryotic cells and is found in proteins involved in membrane-associated processes. GRAM domain proteins have not yet been functionally characterized in cotton. In this study, we identified 164 genes encoding GRAM domain proteins in four cotton species, comprising two subfamilies. In Gossypium hirsutum, our transcriptome data showed that GhGRAM31 was predominantly expressed during the rapid elongation stage of fiber development and that it might control fiber length. GhGRAM31-RNAi transgenic cotton lines showed inhibition of fiber elongation and produced shorter mature fibers, and this was coupled with expression changes of genes related to fiber development. In addition, lint percentage and seed size were also decreased in the RNAi lines. Further examination revealed that GhGRAM31 directly interacts with two other GRAM-domain proteins, GhGRAM5 and GhGRAM35. GhGRAM5 also interacts with the transcription factor GhTTG1, while GhGRAM35 interacts with the transcription factors GhHOX1 and GhHD1. Co-expression of GhGRAM31 and GhGRAM35 was able to promote GhHD1 transcription activity in cotton protoplasts. Our results provide new insights into the biological function of the GRAM-domain protein family in cotton, and selected genes have the potential to be utilized in future programs for the genetic improvement of fibers.
The surprising accuracy of isothermal Jeans modelling of self-interacting dark matter density profiles
Authors: Robertson Andrew , Massey Richard , Eke Vincent , Schaye Joop , Theuns Tom
Published: December 2020

Recent claims of observational evidence for self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) have relied on a semi-analytic method for predicting the density profiles of galaxies and galaxy clusters containing SIDM. We present a thorough description of this method, known as isothermal Jeans modelling, and then test it with a large ensemble of haloes taken from cosmological simulations. Our simulations were run with cold and collisionless dark matter (CDM) as well as two different SIDM models, all with dark matter only variants as well as versions including baryons and relevant galaxy formation physics. Using a mix of different box sizes and resolutions, we study haloes with masses ranging from 3 × 1010 to $3 \times 10^{15} \mathrm{\, M_\odot }$. Overall, we find that the isothermal Jeans model provides as accurate a description of simulated SIDM density profiles as the Navarro–Frenk–White profile does of CDM haloes. We can use the model predictions, compared with the simulated density profiles, to determine the input DM–DM scattering cross-sections used to run the simulations. This works especially well for large cross-sections, while with CDM our results tend to favour non-zero (albeit fairly small) cross-sections, driven by a bias against small cross-sections inherent to our adopted method of sampling the model parameter space. The model works across the whole halo mass range we study, although including baryons leads to DM profiles of intermediate-mass ($10^{12} - 10^{13} \mathrm{\, M_\odot }$) haloes that do not depend strongly on the SIDM cross-section. The tightest constraints will therefore come from lower and higher mass haloes: dwarf galaxies and galaxy clusters.
Hydrodynamic escape of mineral atmosphere from hot rocky exoplanet. I. Model description
Authors: Ito Yuichi , Ikoma Masahiro
Published: December 2020

Recent exoplanet statistics indicate that photo-evaporation has a great impact on the mass and bulk composition of close-in low-mass planets. While there are many studies addressing photo-evaporation of hydrogen- or water-rich atmospheres, no detailed investigation regarding rocky vapour atmospheres (or mineral atmospheres) has been conducted. Here, we develop a new 1D hydrodynamic model of the ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated mineral atmosphere composed of Na, Mg, O, Si, their ions and electrons, including molecular diffusion, thermal conduction, photo-/thermochemistry, X–ray and UV heating, and radiative line cooling (i.e. the effects of the optical thickness and non-local thermal equilibrium). The focus of this paper is on describing our methodology but presents some new findings. Our hydrodynamic simulations demonstrate that almost all of the incident X-ray and UV energy from the host star is converted into and lost by the radiative emission of the coolant gas species such as Na, Mg, Mg+, Si2+, Na3+, and Si3+. For an Earth-size planet orbiting 0.02 au around a young solar-type star, we find that the X-ray and UV heating efficiency is as small as 1 × 10−3, which corresponds to 0.3 M⊕ Gyr−1 of the mass-loss rate simply integrated over all the directions. Because of such efficient cooling, the photo-evaporation of the mineral atmosphere on hot rocky exoplanets with masses of 1 M⊕ is not massive enough to exert a great influence on the planetary mass and bulk composition. This suggests that close-in high-density exoplanets with sizes larger than the Earth radius survive in the high-UV environments.