bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the interfacial carrier dynamic in perovskite solar cells with an ultra-thin single-crystalline nanograss-like TiO2 electron transport layer
Authors: Umar Akrajas Ali , Zhang Xin , Md Saad Siti Khatijah , Abd Malek Nurul Ain , Liu Kai , Alias Nabilah , Abdullah Nur Adliha , Li Xiaoguo , Liu Fengcai , Shi Zejiao , Zhang Haijuan , Li Chongyuan , Weng Zhenhua , Liu Yiting , Zhang Yuyi , Zhang Xiaolei , Wang Jiao , Zhan Yiqiang
Published: June 2020

Single crystalline, ultrathin TiO2 nanograss grown directly on ITO provides a highly efficient interfacial charge transfer in perovskite solar cells.
Emerging organic potassium-ion batteries: electrodes and electrolytes
Authors: Xu Shuaifei , Chen Yuan , Wang Chengliang
Published: June 2020

The progress and challenges of the electrodes and electrolytes in organic potassium-ion batteries are summarized.
Bimetallic Ni–Pt nanoparticles immobilized on mesoporous N-doped carbon as a highly efficient catalyst for complete hydrogen evolution from hydrazine borane
Authors: Wang Wei , Hong Xiaoling , Yao Qilu , Lu Zhang-Hui
Published: June 2020

NiPt NPs immobilized on mesoporous N-doped carbon have been facilely synthesized for efficient and complete hydrogen generation from N2H4BH3 solution at room temperature.
Thermoelectric polymer films with a significantly high Seebeck coefficient and thermoelectric power factor obtained through surface energy filtering
Authors: Guan Xin , Yildirim Erol , Fan Zeng , Lu Wanheng , Li Bichen , Zeng Kaiyang , Yang Shuo-Wang , Ouyang Jianyong
Published: June 2020

Coating with Rhodamine 101 can significantly enhance the Seebeck coefficient of PEDOT:PSS, and surface energy filtering is proposed to be the reason for this effect.
Ultra-thin, transparent, porous substrates as 3D culture scaffolds for engineering ASC spheroids for high-magnification imaging
Authors: Suematsu Yoshitaka , Tsai Ya An , Takeoka Shinji , Franz Clemens M. , Arai Satoshi , Fujie Toshinori
Published: June 2020

We investigated a porous nanosheet to induce the formation of spheroids consisting of adipose-tissue derived stem cells, which is useful not only for engineering 3D cellular organization, but also for imaging the detailed structure of the spheroid.
Fabrication of PCL/keratin composite scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering with catalytic generation of nitric oxide potential
Authors: Li Pengfei , Wang Yanfang , Jin Xingxing , Dou Jie , Han Xiao , Wan Xiuzhen , Yuan Jiang , Shen Jian
Published: June 2020

Tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) have been proposed as a promising solution to fulfill the need for small-diameter blood vessel substitutes.
Thermoelectric properties of monolayer GeAsSe and SnSbTe
Authors: Huang H. H. , Fan Xiaofeng , Singh David J. , Zheng W. T.
Published: June 2020

With high power factors, monolayer GeAsSe and SnSbTe with p-type doping have large ZT values at room temperature.
Electrochemical synthesis of 2D antimony, bismuth and their compounds
Authors: Li Le , Zhang Dan , Cao Minghui , Deng Jianping , Ji Xiaohui , Wang Qin
Published: June 2020

We reviewed DC voltage, square-wave voltage, and other exfoliation methods for the synthesis of 2D antimony, bismuth and their compounds, and summarized their applications.
Single-layer copper particles integrated with a carbon nanotube film for flexible electromagnetic interference shielding
Authors: Ma Yuan , Lv Chao , Tong Zeng , Zhao Chao Feng , Li Ye Sheng , Hu Ying Yan , Yin Yan Hong , Liu Xian Bin , Wu Zi Ping
Published: June 2020

Single-layer copper particles integrated with a CNT film for flexible electromagnetic interference shielding with a perfectly specific SE has been demonstrated.
Understanding the effect of light and temperature on the optical properties and stability of mixed-ion halide perovskites
Authors: Wieghold Sarah , Bieber Alexander S. , Mardani Masoud , Siegrist Theo , Nienhaus Lea
Published: June 2020

The stability of organic–inorganic halide perovskite films plays an important role for their successful incorporation as absorber materials in solar cells under realistic operation conditions.
Photoluminescence enhancement and high accuracy patterning of lead halide perovskite single crystals by MeV ion beam irradiation
Authors: Palei Milan , Motapothula M. , Ray Aniruddha , Abdelhady Ahmed L. , Lanzano Luca , Prato Mirko , Panda Jaya K. , Scarpellini Alice , Pellegrini Vittorio , Primetzhofer Daniel , Petralanda Urko , Manna Liberato , Dang Zhiya
Published: June 2020

Using MeV ion irradiation, a PL enhancement effect of MAPbBr3 single crystals is demonstrated.
Improving physical layer security in Alamouti OFDM systems with subcarrier coordinate interleaving
Authors: Reşat Mustafa Anıl , Karakoç Murat Can , Özyurt Serdar
Published: June 2020

The authors incorporate Alamouti space‐time block coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with signal space diversity (SSD) in order to significantly strengthen the physical layer security of the communication network. The coordinate interleaving step of SSD is performed amongst OFDM subcarriers, according to distinct strategies that make the correlation coefficients between the subcarrier channel gains equal to zero. The proposed system model can improve the security by enabling a legitimate user to have much less error than an eavesdropper, even under the worst‐case scenario where the unauthorised receiver somehow captures the interleaving strategy compromised by the transmitter and legitimate receiver. It is shown that a legitimate user with the introduced scheme can provide up to 14% more performance gain as compared to an unauthorised receiver for a bit error rate (BER) of 10−4 under worst‐case scenarios with different parameters. An exact closed‐form expression of the BER is derived for the legitimate user and shown to match with the simulation results. Finally, it is demonstrated that the system is also capable of enhancing the resistance against channel estimation errors at the receiver. The proposed system does not require high complexity or additional bandwidth or time resources.
The “hidden” companion in LB-1 unveiled by spectral disentangling
Authors: Shenar T. , Bodensteiner J. , Abdul-Masih M. , Fabry M. , Mahy L. , Marchant P. , Banyard G. , Bowman D. M. , Dsilva K. , Hawcroft C. , Reggiani M. , Sana H.
Published: June 2020

Context.The intriguing binaryLS V +22 25(LB-1) has drawn much attention following claims of it being a single-lined spectroscopic binary with a 79-day orbit comprising a B-type star and a ≈70 M⊙black hole – the most massive stellar black hole reported to date. Subsequent studies demonstrated a lack of evidence for a companion of such great mass. Recent analyses have implied that the primary star is a stripped He-rich star with peculiar sub-solar abundances of heavy elements, such as Mg and Fe. However, the nature of the secondary, which was proposed to be a black hole, a neutron star, or a main sequence star, remains unknown.

Aims.Based on 26 newly acquired spectroscopic observations secured with the HERMES and FEROS spectrographs covering the orbit of the system, we perform an orbital analysis and spectral disentangling of LB-1 to elucidate the nature of the system.

Methods.To derive the radial velocity semi-amplitudeK2of the secondary and extract the spectra of the two components, we used two independent disentangling methods: the shift-and-add technique and Fourier disentangling with FDBinary. We used atmosphere models to constrain the surface properties and abundances.

Results.Our disentangling and spectral analysis shows that LB-1 contains two components of comparable brightness in the optical. The narrow-lined primary, which we estimate to contribute ≈55% in the optical, has spectral properties that suggest that it is a stripped star: it has a small spectroscopic mass (≈1 M⊙) for a B-type star and it is He- and N-rich. Unlike previous reports, the abundances of heavy elements are found to be solar. The “hidden” secondary, which contributes about 45% of the optical flux, is a rapidly rotating (vsini ≈ 300 km s−1) B3 V star with a decretion disk – a Be star. As a result of its rapid rotation and dilution, the photospheric absorption lines of the secondary are not readily apparent in the individual observations. We measure a semi-amplitude for this star ofK2 = 11.2 ± 1.0 km s−1and adopting a mass ofM2 = 7 ± 2 M⊙typical for B3 V stars, we derive an orbital mass for the stripped primary ofM1 = 1.5 ± 0.4 M⊙. The orbital inclination of 39 ± 4° implies a near-critical rotation for the Be secondary (veq ≈ 470 km s−1).

Conclusions.LB-1 does not contain a compact object. Instead, it is a rare Be binary system consisting of a stripped star (the former mass donor) and a Be star rotating at near its critical velocity (the former mass accretor). This system is a clear example that binary interactions play a decisive role in the production of rapid stellar rotators and Be stars.
Numerical determination of the cutoff frequency in solar models
Authors: Felipe T. , Sangeetha C. R.
Published: June 2020

Context. In stratified atmospheres, acoustic waves can only propagate if their frequency is higher than the cutoff value. The determination of the cutoff frequency is fundamental for several topics in solar physics, such as evaluating the contribution of the acoustic waves to the chromospheric heating or the application of seismic techniques. However, different theories provide different cutoff values.

Aims. We developed an alternative method to derive the cutoff frequency in several standard solar models, including various quiet-Sun and umbral atmospheres. The effects of magnetic field and radiative losses on the cutoff are examined.

Methods. We performed numerical simulations of wave propagation in the solar atmosphere using the code MANCHA. The cutoff frequency is determined from the inspection of phase-difference spectra computed between the velocity signal at two atmospheric heights. The process is performed by choosing pairs of heights across all the layers between the photosphere and the chromosphere to derive the vertical stratification of the cutoff in the solar models.

Result. The cutoff frequency predicted by the theoretical calculations departs significantly from the measurements obtained from the numerical simulations. In quiet-Sun atmospheres, the cutoff shows a strong dependence on the magnetic field for adiabatic wave propagation. When radiative losses are taken into account, the cutoff frequency is greatly reduced and the variation of the cutoff with the strength of the magnetic field is lower. The effect of the radiative losses in the cutoff is necessary to understand recent quiet-Sun and sunspot observations. In the presence of inclined magnetic fields, our numerical calculations confirm that the cutoff frequency is reduced as a result of the reduced gravity experienced by waves that propagate along field lines. An additional reduction is also found in regions with significant changes in the temperature, which is due to the lower temperature gradient along the path of field-guided waves.

Conclusions. Our results show solid evidence that the cutoff frequency in the solar atmosphere is stratified. The cutoff values are not correctly captured by theoretical estimates. In addition, most of the widely used analytical cutoff formulae neglect the effect of magnetic fields and radiative losses, whose role is critical for determining the evanescent or propagating nature of the waves.
COSICAF, a fission chamber simulation tool for academic purposes
Authors: de Izarra Grégoire
Published: June 2020

Nuclear instrumentation is a complex topic since it involves a wide range of physics phenomena like nuclear reactions, heavy ion interactions with matter, electrostatic, charge creation etc. Understanding and modelling fission chambers is a difficult task usually performed with Monte-Carlo and finite element simulations. Since a few years, analytical and simplified Monte Carlo models were introduced at the French Atomic Energy Commission to easily design detectors. It is proposed here to present the derivation of such model, called COSICAF, for academic purposes; this numerical model provided with this article, will help students and researchers to understand and design fission chambers. To demonstrate the interest and the limitation of proposed work in research field, the model is applied to simulate two real miniature fission chamber designs.
Les coronavirus, ennemis incertains
Authors: Juckel Dylan , Dubuisson Jean , Belouzard Sandrine
Published: June 2020

Les coronavirus sont une famille de virus qui infectent un grand nombre de mammifères et d’oiseaux. Cette famille de virus est connue pour sa capacité à franchir les barrières d’espèces et à en infecter de nouvelles. La pandémie actuelle de COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 19) est la conséquence de la troisième émergence de coronavirus, la plus récente, dans la population humaine depuis le début du siècle, celle du SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). Les coronavirus sont des virus enveloppés à ARN simple brin de polarité positive, qui, comme tous les virus, exploitent la machinerie cellulaire pour se multiplier. À ce jour, il n’existe aucun vaccin ni traitement antiviral spécifique pour lutter contre les coronavirus, mais plusieurs pistes thérapeutiques sont explorées pour traiter le COVID-19.
Accounting for symptomatic and asymptomatic in a SEIR-type model of COVID-19
Authors: Arcede Jayrold P. , Caga-anan Randy L. , Mentuda Cheryl Q. , Mammeri Youcef
Published: June 2020

A mathematical model was developed describing the dynamic of the COVID-19 virus over a population considering that the infected can either be symptomatic or not. The model was calibrated using data on the confirmed cases and death from several countries like France, Philippines, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, China, and the USA. First, we derived the basic reproduction number, R0, and estimated the effective reproduction Reff for each country. Second, we were interested in the merits of interventions, either by distancing or by treatment. Results revealed that total and partial containment is effective in reducing the transmission. However, its duration may be long to eradicate the disease (104 days for France). By setting the end of containment as the day when hospital capacity is reached, numerical simulations showed that the duration can be reduced (up to only 39 days for France if the capacity is 1000 patients). Further, results pointed out that the effective reproduction number remains large after containment. Therefore, testing and isolation are necessary to stop the disease.
Diabetes und depressive Störungen
Authors: Kampling Hanna , Kruse Johannes
Published: June 2020

Depressive disorders are highly prevalent in patients with diabetes. While depressive disorders themselves require therapy, they also contribute negatively to diabetes-related medical, social and psychological outcomes, and therefore need to be addressed. Disease burden is very high for both diabetes and depression, even more so in case of comorbidity. Comorbid depressive symptoms in patients with diabetes are associated with a reduced quality of life and adherence to treatment regimes, impaired coping abilities, as well as increased morbidity and mortality rates, diabetes-related distress, and economic burden.

The interactions between diabetes and depression are bidirectional. Both diseases appear to have a variety of shared bio-psychosocial, as well as biological risk factors. Recent research implies that the interaction between diabetes and depression cannot be understood as a simple cause-effect relationship but might rather be explained by being part of a disturbed homeostasis of biological and psychological circuits.

Regular depression screenings should be applied to identify depressive symptoms in patients with diabetes. To verify positive screening results, treating physicians have a key role in targeting depression by actively asking patients for depressive symptoms within the last 14 days. If symptoms are present, further diagnostics, and the exploration of psychosocial problems are necessary. In case of a depressive disorder, varieties of effective antidepressant treatments (psychotherapy, psychopharmacological medications) are available. Physical activation and diabetes education programs can be offered additionally. The current paper offers insights on epidemiology, symptoms, interactions, diagnostics, treatments as well as the relationship between physician and patient.
Design and Synthesis of Novel
1-substituted-3-(3-(3-nitrophenyl)-4-oxo-3,4-dihydrobenzopyrimidin-2-yl amino)
Isothioureas for their Anti-HIV, Antibacterial Activities, Graph Theoretical
Analysis, Insilico Modeling, Prediction of Toxicity and Metabolic
Studies
Authors: Narendhar Bandi , Alagarsamy Veerachamy , Krishnan Chitra
Published: June 2020

In the present study, we have placed the substituted thiosemicarbazide moiety at
the C-2 position and 3-nitrophenyl group at N-3 position of benzopyrimidines and
studied their antitubercular, anti-HIV and antibacterial activities against
selected gram positive and negative bacteria. The target compounds
1-substituted-3-(3-(3-nitrophenyl)-4-oxo-3,4-dihydrobenzopyrimidin-2-ylamino)
isothioureas (PTS1 – PTS15 ) were obtained by the reaction of
2-hydrazino-3-(3-nitrophenyl) benzopyrimidin-4(3 H)-one
(5) with different alkyl/aryl isothiocyanates followed by
methylation with dimethyl sulphate. All synthesized compounds were screened for
their antitubercular, anti-HIV and antibacterial activity against selective gram
positive and gram negative bacteria by agar dilution method. Among the series,
compound
2-methyl-3-(3-(3-nitrophenyl)-4-oxo-3,4-dihydrobenzopyrimidin-2-ylamino)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)isothiourea
(PTS14) shown most potent activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae,
Proteus vulgaris and Staphylococcus aureus;
PTS14 exhibited the antitubercular activity at the minimum microgram of
1.56 µg/mL and anti-HIV activity at
0.96 µg/mL against HIV1 and HIV2 and offers potential
for further optimization and development to new antitubercular and anti-HIV
agents. The results obtained from this study confirm that the synthesized and
biologically evaluated benzopyrimidines showed promising antimicrobial,
antitubercular and anti-HIV activities and are new scaffolds for antimicrobial
activity.
Der Auftragsverarbeitungsvertrag (AV-Vertrag): Relevanz und praktische Bedeutung für die Diabetologie
Authors: Frielitz Fabian Simon , Schlüter Sandra , Heinemann Lutz , Freckmann Guido , von Sengbusch Simone
Published: June 2020

Hintergrund Seit dem Inkrafttreten der Datenschutz-Grundverordnung (DSGVO) ist bei der praktischen Nutzung von Diabetessoftware im ambulanten und stationären Bereich die Frage nach einem Abschluss eines „Auftragsverarbeitungsvertrags“ (AV-Vertrag) maßgeblich geworden.

Material Viele der aktuellen Diabetestechnologien (insbesondere CGM-Systeme, Insulinpumpen, Blutzuckermesssysteme) erlauben die Speicherung (lokal oder cloudbasiert) der generierten Daten in der jeweiligen herstellereigenen Softwarelösung. Aus einem datenschutzrechtlichen, aber auch aus einem versorgungsrelevanten Blickwinkel ergibt sich eine Reihe von Fragen und Aspekten, die es zu klären gilt.

Ergebnisse Grundsätzlich sind Patienten frei in der Wahl der Software, um ihre Diabetesdaten auszulesen und ein Daten-PDF zu erzeugen. Für die Ersteinstellung und Langzeitbetreuung benötigen die Ärzte in Kliniken oder Praxen die erhobenen Daten, um die Therapieeinstellung zu kontrollieren. In diesem Zusammenhang werden auch durch die behandelnden Ärzte in Gesundheitseinrichtungen oftmals Diabetesprogramme eingesetzt, die einen Datenzugriff auf die in der Software des Patienten gespeicherten Daten ermöglichen. Mit der Arztsoftware ist es möglich, auf die Patientendaten stetig zuzugreifen. Durch diese Form findet ein Auslesen, Anpassen, Speichern oder Ändern der therapierelevanten Daten statt und begründet eine Datenverarbeitung im Sinne von Art. 4 DSGVO, die den Abschluss eines AV-Vertrags vorsieht.

Schlussfolgerung Fachabteilungen in Kliniken und Praxen sollten sich neben den Diabetessoftwarelösungen auch mit der Thematik von AV-Verträgen auseinandersetzen, um beim Einsatz von Software stets für ihre Patienten Rechtssicherheit gewährleisten zu können. Eine juristische Vorprüfung der komplexen Verträge durch die großen Diabetesfachorganisationen wäre wünschenswert.
Current State of Surgical Lighting
Authors: Curlin Jahnavi , Herman Charles K.
Published: June 2020

Surgical performance in the operating room (OR) is supported by effective illumination, which mitigates the inherent environmental, operational, and visual challenges associated with surgery. Three critical components are essential to optimize operating light as illumination: (1) centering on the surgeon's immediate field, (2) illuminating a wide or narrow field with high-intensity light, and (3) penetrating into a cavity or under a flap. Furthermore, optimal surgical illumination reduces shadow, glare, and artifact in visualization of the surgical site. However, achieving these principles is more complex than at first glance, requiring a detailed examination of the variables that comprise surgical illumination. In brief, efficacious surgical illumination combines sufficient ambient light with the ability to apply focused light at specific operative stages and angles. But, brighter is not always merely better; rather, a nuanced approach, cognizant of the challenges inherent in the OR theater, can provide for a thoughtful exploration of how surgical illumination can be utilized to the best of its ability, ensuring a safe and smooth surgery for all.
Interaction Between NOS3 and HMOX1 on Antihypertensive Drug Responsiveness in Preeclampsia
Authors: Sandrim Valeria Cristina , Luizon Marcelo Rizzatti , Pilan Eliane , Caldeira-Dias Mayara , Coeli-Lacchini Fernanda Borchers , Kors Georgia , Berndt Iuly , Lacchini Riccardo , Cavalli Ricardo Carvalho
Published: June 2020

Objective We examined the interaction of polymorphisms in the genes heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) in patients with preeclampsia (PE) as well as the responsiveness to methyldopa and to total antihypertensive therapy.

Methods The genes HMOX1 (rs2071746, A/T) and NOS3 (rs1799983, G/T) were genotyped using TaqMan allele discrimination assays (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA ), and the levels of enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results We found interactions between genotypes of the HMOX-1 and NOS3 genes and responsiveness to methyldopa and that PE genotyped as AT presents lower levels of protein HO-1 compared with AA.

Conclusion We found interactions between the HMOX-1 and NOS3 genes and responsiveness to methyldopa and that the HMOX1 polymorphism affects the levels of enzyme HO-1 in responsiveness to methyldopa and to total antihypertensive therapy. These data suggest impact of the combination of these two polymorphisms on antihypertensive responsiveness in PE.
Preoperative Fasting Abbreviation and its Effects on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Incidence in Gynecological Surgery Patients
Authors: Marquini Gisele Vissoci , Pinheiro Francisco Edes da Silva , Vieira Alfredo Urbano da Costa , Pinto Rogério Melo da Costa , Uyeda Maria Gabriela Baumgarten Kuster , Girão Manoel João Batista Castello , Sartori Marair Gracio Ferreira
Published: June 2020

Objective To investigate the effects of preoperative fasting abbreviation with a carbohydrate and protein-enriched solution, on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) incidence in gynecological surgery patients, a population naturally at risk for such unpleasant episodes.

Methods The present prospective double-blind randomized study was performed at The Hospital Municipal e Maternidade Dr. Odelmo Leão Carneiro (HMMOLC, in the Portuguese acronym), in Uberlândia, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in partnership with the Gynecology Department of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of UNIFESP and the board of HMMOLC, and included in the Brazil Platform and in the Brazilian Clinical Trial Registry. After signing the consent form, 80 women, who were submitted to gynecological surgery in the period from January to June 2016, were randomized into 2 groups: control group (n = 42) and juice group (n = 38). They received, respectively, 200 mL of inert solution or liquid enriched with carbohydrate and protein 4 hours presurgery. The incidence, frequency and intensity of PONV were studied using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), with statistical analysis performed by the software IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA).

Results The incidence of nausea and vomiting was lower than in the literature, to this population, with 18.9% (14/74) for the control group and 10.8% (8/74) for the juice group, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the groups.

Conclusion The incidence of nausea and vomiting was lower than in the literature, but it cannot be said that this is due to the abbreviation of fasting. It can provide greater comfort, with the possibility of PONV prevention in patients at risk for these episodes.
Neuroglobin and Prolactin As Potential Biomarkers for Differentiating Epileptic versus Nonepileptic Paroxysmal Disorders in Children
Authors: Mahgoob Mohammed Hashem , Moussa Mahmoud Mohammed
Published: June 2020

At least 20% of patients referred to pediatric epilepsy centers with the suspicion of epileptic seizures actually have other conditions. Neuroglobin is a new globin member which is highly expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. In this article, we aimed to evaluate usefulness of neuroglobin to differentiate between epilepsy and other conditions that mimic epilepsy. Our study was conducted on 90 children divided into three groups: 30 patients with epileptic seizures, 35 children with nonepileptic paroxysmal disorder, and 25 apparently healthy, age and sex-matched children as a normal control. Complete blood count, blood chemistries including random blood glucose, calcium, sodium, in addition to serum prolactin, and neuroglobin were performed for all children. This study showed a significant increase of both serum neuroglobin and prolactin levels in epileptic group compared with nonepileptic paroxysmal disorder and control groups (p < 0.01). Serum neuroglobin showed 95% sensitivity and 95.7% specificity in the diagnosis of generalized seizures. Serum neuroglobin may be a promising novel marker to differentiate epileptic versus nonepileptic disorders in children in the emergency setting, when history and clinical presentation are equivocal.
Practical Recommendations for the Management of Benign Adnexal Masses
Authors: Rocha Rodrigo Manieri , Barcelos Ionara Diniz Evangelista Santos
Published: June 2020

Objective To perform a comprehensive review to provide practical recommendations regarding the diagnosis and treatment of benign adnexal masses, as well as information for appropriate consent, regarding possible loss of the ovarian reserve.

Methods A comprehensive review of the literature was performed to identify the most relevant data about this subject.

Results In total, 48 studies addressed the necessary aspects of the review, and we described their epidemiology, diagnoses, treatment options with detailed techniques, and perspectives regarding future fertility.

Conclusions Adnexal masses are extremely common. The application of diagnosis algorithms is mandatory to exclude malignancy. A great number of cases can be managed with surveillance. Surgery, when necessary, should be performed with adequate techniques. However, even in the hands of experienced surgeons, there is a significant decrease in ovarian reserves, especially in cases of endometriomas. There is an evident necessity of studies that focus on the long-term impact on fertility.
Heat transfer enhancement in laminar flow heat exchangers due to flapping flags
Authors: Rips Aaron , Shoele Kourosh , Mittal Rajat
Published: June 2020

Heat transfer enhancement due to flapping flags in a heated duct flow is studied using three-dimensional (3D) fully coupled fluid–structure–thermal simulations. Following prior work, which was limited to two-dimensional models, we examine the mechanisms and the heat transfer performance for a more realistic, 3D model of a flag in a rectangular duct heat exchanger. We then examine the role of the flag aspect-ratio and spanwise confinement, which are key design parameters for this device. We find that the narrow flags do not exhibit sufficiently energetic flapping to generate any meaningful heat transfer enhancement. We also find that the wide flags significantly increase heat flux and an increase in the width of the flag can further increase the thermal enhancement factor.
Far-field unlabeled super-resolution imaging with superoscillatory illumination
Authors: Rogers Edward T. F. , Quraishe Shmma , Rogers Katrine S. , Newman Tracey A. , Smith Peter J. S. , Zheludev Nikolay I.
Published: June 2020

Unlabeled super-resolution is the next grand challenge in imaging. Stimulated emission depletion and single-molecule microscopies have revolutionized the life sciences but are still limited by the need for reporters (labels) embedded within the sample. While the Veselago–Pendry “super-lens,” using a negative-index metamaterial, is a promising idea for imaging beyond the diffraction limit, there are substantial technological challenges to its realization. Another route to far-field subwavelength focusing is using optical superoscillations: engineered interference of multiple coherent waves creating an, in principle, arbitrarily small hotspot. Here, we demonstrate microscopy with superoscillatory illumination of the object and describe its underlying principles. We show that far-field images taken with superoscillatory illumination are themselves superoscillatory and, hence, can reveal fine structural details of the object that are lost in conventional far-field imaging. We show that the resolution of a superoscillatory microscope is determined by the size of the hotspot, rather than the bandwidth of the optical instrument. We demonstrate high-frame-rate polarization-contrast imaging of unmodified living cells with a resolution significantly exceeding that achievable with conventional instruments. This non-algorithmic, low-phototoxicity imaging technology is a powerful tool both for biological research and for super-resolution imaging of samples that do not allow labeling, such as the interior of silicon chips.
The peculiar size and temperature dependence of water diffusion in carbon nanotubes studied with 2D NMR diffusion–relaxation D –T2eff spectroscopy
Authors: Gkoura L. , Diamantopoulos G. , Fardis M. , Homouz D. , Alhassan S. , Beazi-Katsioti M. , Karagianni M. , Anastasiou A. , Romanos G. , Hassan J. , Papavassiliou G.
Published: June 2020

It is well known that water inside hydrophobic nano-channels diffuses faster than bulk water. Recent theoretical studies have shown that this enhancement depends on the size of the hydrophobic nanochannels. However, experimental evidence of this dependence is lacking. Here, by combining two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance diffusion–relaxation (D–T2eff) spectroscopy in the stray field of a superconducting magnet and molecular dynamics simulations, we analyze the size dependence of water dynamics inside Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) of different diameters (1.1–6.0 nm), in the temperature range of 265–305 K. Depending on the CNT diameter, the nanotube water is shown to resolve in two or more tubular components acquiring different self-diffusion coefficients. Most notably, a favorable CNT diameter range (3.0–4.5 nm) is experimentally verified for the first time, in which water molecule dynamics at the center of the CNTs exhibits distinctly non-Arrhenius behavior, characterized by ultrafast diffusion and extraordinary fragility, a result of significant importance in the efforts to understand water behavior in hydrophobic nanochannels.
A lattice Boltzmann study of rarefied gaseous flow with convective heat transfer in backward facing micro-step
Authors: Ahangar Ehsan Kamali , Fallah-Kharmiani Soroush , Khakhian Shabnam Dolati , Wang Lian-Ping
Published: June 2020

Rarefied pressure-driven gaseous flow with heat transfer in a microchannel with a backward facing micro-step is investigated in this paper using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) in slip and transition flow regimes. In a novel approach, a two-relaxation-time LB equation is used to solve the flow velocity and the single-relaxation-time to handle the heat transfer. The asymmetric relaxation time is determined by equating the analytical second-order slip velocity boundary condition and the slip velocity obtained from applying the implemented bounce back specular boundary condition in the LBM. A second-order implicit temperature jump boundary condition is also implemented to capture the rarefaction effect on the fluid temperature at walls. Velocity slip, temperature jump, centerline temperature, and Nusselt number variations are evaluated for channels with and without the micro-step for a wide range of the Knudsen number. Effects of the micro-step on the rarefied gaseous flow and convective heat transfer are evaluated and discussed. The numerical model is verified by comparing with direct simulation Mont Carlo results.
High-pressure Raman scattering and x-ray diffraction studies of MgTa2O6
Authors: Jia Shufan , Zhou Qiang , Huang Fengxian , Li Fangfei , Hu Yuxin , Huang Litong , Li Liang , Li Yining , Cui Tian
Published: June 2020

High-pressure Raman scattering and angle dispersive synchrotron x-ray diffraction studies have been carried out on magnesium tantalate (MgTa2O6) up to 41 GPa at room temperature. A pressure-induced phase transition at pressures above 10 GPa accompanied by softening of the internal ν11 (Eg) modes has been observed. Another phase transition took place at 20.2 GPa, which indicates that the edge shared TaO6 octahedra are distorted. The equation of state for MgTa2O6 in low pressure phase I was obtained by the second-order Birch–Murnaghan method, yielding a zero-pressure bulk modulus B0 of 205.8 ± 8.4 GPa. The pressure dependencies of the lattice vibration mode were extracted, and it is suggested that the instability of the trirutile structure at high pressure is related to the strong deformation of the TaO6 octahedra. Decompression measurements suggest that the pressure-induced transformation is irreversible.
Prepositions with CP and their implications for extended projections
Authors: Svenonius Peter
Published: June 2020

In some limited cases, English allows a particular preposition to combine with a certain kind of subordinate clause, as exemplified byin thatin “I take the proposal seriously, in that I loathe it”. In contrast, Norwegian systematically allows prepositions to combine with subordinate clauses (as inDet resulterte i at vi vant, literally “It resulted in that we won”). I argue that the English case should be handled as the subcategorization for a certain complement class by a particular lexical entry, while the Norwegian case indicates that the extended projection of clauses can continue up to the preposition. This highlights an important difference between lexical selection and extended projection, revealing a hitherto underappreciated source of parametric variation, and sheds light on several properties of extended projections as well as of prepositions. Specifically, the extended projections of N and V may “converge” at P, challenging the notion of extended projection as being confined to a single lexical category.
Locative Ps as general relators
Authors: Franco Ludovico , Manzini M. Rita , Savoia Leonardo M.
Published: June 2020

Based mostly on the Romance languages, we provide evidence for the conclusion that oblique adpositions involved in the encoding of location and direction do not contribute a specific, fixed spatial meaning. On the contrary, they are general relators, relating a complement to an event by establishing an inclusion relation between them. Locatives are specializations of the basic relational inclusion content. State-in, motion-to and motion-from interpretations depend on the interaction of these simple relators with the structure of the event. Specifically, the relator may attach at the level of the Result phrase (goal, motion-to) or at the level of the Cause layer (source, motion-from). Furthermore, the Romance languages provide evidence for differential encoding of non-animatevs. animate location, which we refer to as locative DOM, presenting and discussing various instances of it.
Zn2+-induced changes in Cav2.3 channel function: An electrophysiological and modeling study
Authors: Neumaier Felix , Alpdogan Serdar , Hescheler Jürgen , Schneider Toni
Published: June 2020

Loosely bound Zn2+ ions are increasingly recognized as potential modulators of synaptic plasticity and neuronal excitability under normal and pathophysiological conditions. Cav2.3 voltage-gated Ca2+ channels are among the most sensitive targets of Zn2+ and are therefore likely to be involved in the neuromodulatory actions of endogenous Zn2+. Although histidine residues on the external side of domain I have been implicated in the effects on Cav2.3 channel gating, the exact mechanisms involved in channel modulation remain incompletely understood. Here, we use a combination of electrophysiological recordings, modification of histidine residues, and computational modeling to analyze Zn2+-induced changes in Cav2.3 channel function. Our most important findings are that multiple high- and low-affinity mechanisms contribute to the net Zn2+ action, that Zn2+ can either inhibit or stimulate Ca2+ influx through Cav2.3 channels depending on resting membrane potential, and that Zn2+ effects may persist for some time even after cessation of the Zn2+ signal. Computer simulations show that (1) most salient features of Cav2.3 channel gating in the absence of trace metals can be reproduced by an obligatory model in which activation of two voltage sensors is necessary to open the pore; and (2) most, but not all, of the effects of Zn2+ can be accounted for by assuming that Zn2+ binding to a first site is associated with an electrostatic modification and mechanical slowing of one of the voltage sensors, whereas Zn2+ binding to a second, lower-affinity site blocks the channel and modifies the opening and closing transitions. While still far from complete, our model provides a first quantitative framework for understanding Zn2+ effects on Cav2.3 channel function and a step toward the application of computational approaches for predicting the complex actions of Zn2+ on neuronal excitability.
Partially disordered nano-porous metallic oxide engineering: surface morphology controllability and multiple scattering properties
Authors: Yang Zhuo , Li Wenshuang , Kuang Dengfeng
Published: June 2020

Random multiple light scattering in disordered photonics leads to interesting and unexpected physical phenomena. Here, we demonstrate two types of partially disordered nano-porous metallic oxide materials: disordered grating nano-pores and two-dimensional disordered nano-tubes, which are produced just with one-step anodic oxidation. The relations among the processing parameters, morphology properties and multiple scattering characteristics are investigated. The surface morphology controllability can be achieved by simply changing the processing direct voltages, leading to different scattering properties. The probabilistic model of partially disordered nano-porous metallic oxide is constructed according to the nano-structure characteristics of oxide, and the rigorous coupled wave analysis is utilized for optical field simulation to exhibit the theoretical multiple scattering properties. Futhermore, the experimental scattering fields are measured and are analysed by statistical method. The research focuses on the disorder caused by one-step oxidation, which is distinct from previous studies that introducing disorder into periodic materials, and would open up new prospects for sensing, bionics and structural color.
South African science students’ perceptions of physics as a fundamental discipline
Authors: Ramaila S. , Reddy L.
Published: June 2020

Meaningful development of scientific literacy is underpinned by coherent acquisition of scientific skills. The development of physics knowledge in particular hinges to a large degree on cognitive and affective factors. In light of this key imperative, students’ perceptions of physics as a fundamental discipline were established through the administration of Physics Anxiety Questionnaire with first year science students at a South African university. The questionnaire provided a meaningful platform to identify students’ perceptions in relation to various aspects such as physics experimental work, mathematical knowledge required to navigate physics studies, physics problem-solving, application of physics general knowledge in daily life as well as the concomitant integrated assessment of physics skills and knowledge in various instructional settings. Key findings of the study strongly suggest that the acquisition of physics skills is crucially dependent on a conflation of cognitive and affective factors forming an integral part of the learning process. Theoretical implications for meaningful development of scientific literacy are discussed.
Lessons from rural medical training for physics education in Botswana
Authors: Diener J
Published: June 2020

Despite being classified as an upper middle-income nation by the World Bank, Botswana’s economy is undiversified and heavily reliant on resources and commodities. Efforts are underway to drive the economy towards a knowledge- and technology-based one. In support of these efforts the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) was recently established. It is foreseen that a future part of the BIUST undergraduate physics curriculum would be an internship placement for final year students. This article aims to provide a framework for the design of such an internship, based on the established practices of the final year internship of (rural) medical students in South Africa.
An evaluation of student’s understanding of DC circuit concepts through students’ written explanations
Authors: Khwanda M N , Kriek J
Published: June 2020

One of the topics that is regarded as challenging to learn for conceptual understanding by students from secondary to tertiary levels is simple electric circuits. The topic is said to be challenging to learn for qualitative understanding due to the presence of misconceptions brought by or derived from every day prior experiences about the topic. In literature, the word “misconception” is mostly interchanged with alternative conceptions, naïve conceptions etc. The results of various studies from different countries showed that students have the same pattern of learning difficulties in understanding electric circuits and ultimately pass their grade with vague or inconsistent understanding of the topic. The use of multiple-choice concepts tests is common in probing students’ understanding of physics concepts but less has been done in probing students’ understanding of the concepts by using students’ responses to explanation-type questions. However, the study that dealt with the analysis of explanation-type question to physics grade 12 examination scripts concluded that the analysis of the explanations written by students in exams “does offer researchers and teachers a reliable and efficient way by which written student explanations can be probed for conceptions”. Departing from the norm of using multiple-choice concept tests to probe students’ understanding of some concepts in DC circuits the current study used the scientific explanations to achieve the following two aims: (a) To explore pre-service students’ understanding basic DC concepts through their responses to written explanations. (b) The impact of using the explanation-type questions on diagnosing students’ misconceptions of DC circuits prior to formal instruction
What are experimental skills? A study with in-service teachers
Authors: Khaparde R , Shaker A M
Published: June 2020

Developing and fostering ‘experimental skills’ is one of the goals of Physics laboratory courses. In a pilot study reported here, the authors investigated what do teachers and laboratory instructors understand by the term ‘experimental skills’. Do they associate only psycho-motor skills or they include analytical, mathematical, cognitive and other skills under the title ‘experimental skills’. The authors report the results of a study with 39 teachers from across India, who were directly involved in teaching laboratory courses at various schools and colleges for at least 8 years. Teachers were asked to describe what are ‘experimental skills’ required in experimental physics and to identify and make an exhaustive list of experimental skills which they would like their students to develop through laboratory courses from grade 8 till undergraduate level. The responses were analysed and categorised. The results indicate that teachers were not able to separate psycho-motor, cognitive and affective abilities and skills. This is essential because the tasks, methods, contents and learning processes involved in the effective development of these skills and abilities are different and should be appropriately emphasized during the designing of a laboratory course and strategy for instruction and assessment.
Programming as a semiotic system to support physics students’ construction of meaning: A pilot study
Authors: Svensson K , Eriksson U , Pendrill A , Ouattara L
Published: June 2020

Programming as a tool to be used for analyzing and exploring physics in an educational setting offers an unprecedented opportunity for the students to create and explore their own semiotic resources. Students may use programming to create and explore different models of physical systems. In this study a small group of upper secondary education students participated in a workshop where they learned to program physics simulations and to create their own models to implement using the programming language Python. Results from the study shows that upper secondary education students are able to create their own models of physical systems and implement them into code. The implemented models were models of hanging cloth and heat diffusion. Results were obtained by analyzing video and audio recordings of the students through the lens of social semiotics.
The South African pre-service teacher’s physics pedagogical orientations.
Authors: Sondlo A , Ramnarain U
Published: June 2020

To come up with ways on how teacher training institutions should train pre-service teachers is one of the most discussed topics among teacher educators and researchers. Some of the reasons for this change is to integrate new teaching methods such as inquiry-based learning and problem-solving instructions to mention few. However, it is discovered that most universities provide students with limited exposer to different methods of teaching science. The current study investigates physical science pre-service teacher’s physics pedagogical orientations when they are at university. The phrase orientation denotes teachers’ knowledge and beliefs for teaching science. Pedagogical orientations are classified into four approaches; direct didactic, direct active, guided inquiry and open discovery. To establish the physical sciences pre-service teacher’s physics pedagogical preferences, we used an instrument comprising of five items that portrayed an actual teaching scenario for a physical sciences topic. Each item had four teaching alternative methods and respondents were requested to select the most appropriate choice. A quantitative method was used to obtain teachers pedagogical orientations. The findings indicate that students preferred the direct approach aligned with the direct active, while a smaller group preferred learner-centred orientation.