bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing different forms of regulation of yolk thyroid hormone transfer in pied flycatchers
Authors: Sarraude Tom , Hsu Bin-Yan , Groothuis Ton G. G. , Ruuskanen Suvi
Published: September 2020

Hormones transferred from mothers to their offspring are considered a maternal tool to prepare progeny for expected environmental conditions, increasing maternal fitness. To flexibly influence offspring, mothers should be able to transmit the hormonal signals independent of their own hormonal status. However, the ability to regulate hormone transfer to the next generation is under debate. We studied the transfer of thyroid hormones (THs) to eggs in a bird model. We elevated thyroxine (T4, the prohormone for the biologically active triiodothyronine, T3) during egg-laying using T4 implants on females of a wild population of pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca), and measured plasma and yolk T4 and T3 as a response. We found an increase in plasma and yolk T4 and no changes in plasma or yolk T3 concentrations leading to a decrease in yolk T3/T4 ratio in response to the T4 treatment. The yolk T3/T4ratio was similar to the plasma ratio in females during the yolking phase. This suggests that mothers are not able to regulate TH transfer to yolk but may regulate the T4-to-T3 conversion to avoid potential costs of elevated exposure to the active hormone to herself and to her progeny. The absence of regulation in hormone transfer to eggs is in contrast to our predictions. Future studies on deiodinases activity that converts T4 to T3 in maternal and embryonic tissues may help understanding how mothers regulate circulating THs during breeding, as well as the embryos’ role in converting maternal T4 to its biological active T3 form during development.
Passive muscle stretching reduces estimates of persistent inward current strength in soleus motor units
Authors: Trajano Gabriel S. , Taylor Janet L. , Orssatto Lucas B. R. , McNulty Craig R. , Blazevich Anthony J.
Published: September 2020

Prolonged (≥60 s) passive muscle stretching acutely reduces maximal force production at least partly through a suppression of efferent neural drive. The origin of this neural suppression has not been determined, however some evidence suggests that reductions in the amplitude of persistent inward currents (PICs) in the motoneurons may be important. The aim of the present study was to determine whether acute passive (static) muscle stretching affects PIC strength in gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and soleus (SOL) motor units. We calculated the difference in instantaneous discharge rates at recruitment and derecruitment (ΔF) for pairs of motor units in GM and SOL during triangular isometric plantar flexor contractions (20% maximum) both before and immediately after a 5-min control period and immediately after five 1-min passive plantar flexor stretches. After stretching there was a significant reduction in SOL ΔF (−25.6%; 95%CI=−45.1 to −9.1 %, p=0.002) but not GM ΔF. These data suggest passive muscle stretching can reduce the intrinsic excitability, via PICs, of SOL motor units. These findings (1) suggest that PIC strength might be reduced after passive stretching, (2) are consistent with previously-established post-stretch decreases in SOL but not GM EMG amplitudes during contraction, and (3) indicate that reductions in PIC strength could underpin the stretch-induced force loss.
Biogeographic history moulds population differentiation in ageing of oxidative status in an amphibian
Authors: Liparoto Anita , Canestrelli Daniele , Bisconti Roberta , Carere Claudio , Costantini David
Published: September 2020

Regulation of oxidative status plays a substantial role in physiological ageing. However, we know little about age-related changes of oxidative status in wild animals, and even less about the role of population history in moulding ageing rates. We addressed these questions by means of a common garden experiment, using the Tyrrhenian tree frog Hyla sarda as study species. This species underwent a range expansion from northern Sardinia (source) up to Corsica (newly founded) during the Late Pleistocene, and then the two populations became geographically isolated. We found that, at the beginning of the experiment, Sardinia and Corsica frogs had similar concentrations of all oxidative status markers analysed. One year later, Corsica frogs had higher oxidative stress and suffered higher mortality than Sardinia frogs. Our results suggest the intriguing scenario that population differentiation in rates of physiological ageing owing to oxidative stress might be an overlooked legacy of past biogeographic processes.
Adding contrast-enhanced ultrasound markers to conventional axillary ultrasound improves specificity for predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Du Li-Wen , Liu Hong-Li , Gong Hai-Yan , Ling Li-Jun , Wang Shui , Li Cui-ying , Zong Min
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with conventional ultrasound of axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) in predicting metastatic ALNs in patients with breast cancer.

Methods:

This retrospective study included 259 patients with breast cancer who underwent conventional ultrasound and CEUS. The parameters and patterns evaluated on conventional ultrasound included short axis diameter (S), long axis/short axis (L/S) ratio, cortical thickness, resistive index (RI), lymph node (LN) morphology of greyscale ultrasound, hilum and vascular pattern. Meanwhile, enhancement pattern, wash-in time, time to peak (TP), maximum signal intensity, and duration of contrast enhancement were evaluated on CEUS. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent factors of ALN status. Three models (conventional ultrasound, CEUS, and combined parameters) were established. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to evaluate the accuracy of the three predictive models.

Results:

On conventional axillary ultrasound, LN morphology and vascular pattern were independent factors in predicting metastatic ALNs. On CEUS, maximum signal intensity, duration of contrast enhancement, and TP were independent factors in predicting metastatic ALNs. When combining conventional ultrasound and CEUS features, five independent factors obtained from the conventional ultrasound and CEUS were associated with ALN status. ROC curve analysis showed that the use of CEUS markers combined with conventional ultrasound features (AUC = 0.965) was superior to the use of CEUS markers (AUC = 0.936) and conventional ultrasound features alone (AUC = 0.851).

Conclusion:

Combining conventional ultrasound and CEUS features can enable discrimination of ALN status better than the use of CEUS and conventional ultrasound features alone.

Advances in knowledge:

The axillary lymph node status in breast cancer patients impacts the treatment decision. Our ultrasonic data demonstrated that CEUS features of ALNs in breast cancer patients could be image markers for predicting ALN status. Combining conventional ultrasound and CEUS features of ALNs can improve specificity discrimination of ALN status better than the use of CEUS and the conventional ultrasound features alone, which will help the treatment planning optimization.
Generating and capitalizing on the demographic dividend potential in sub-Saharan Africa: a conceptual framework from a systematic literature review
Authors: Cardona Carolina , Rusatira Jean Christophe , Cheng Xiaomeng , Silberg Claire , Salas Ian , Li Qingfeng , Bishai David , Rimon Jose G.
Published: September 2020

Background: Africa will double its population by 2050 and more than half will be below age 25. The continent has a unique opportunity to boost its socioeconomic welfare. This systematic literature review aims to develop a conceptual framework that identifies policies and programs that have provided a favorable environment for generating and harnessing a demographic dividend. This framework can facilitate sub-Saharan African countries’ understanding of needed actions to accelerate their demographic transition and capitalize on their demographic dividend potential.

Methods: The search strategy was structured around three concepts: economic development, fertility, and sub-Saharan Africa. Databases used included PubMed and EconLit. An inductive approach was employed to expand the reference base further. Data were extracted using literature records following a checklist of items to include when reporting a systematic review suggested in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement.

Results: The final review consisted of 78 peer-reviewed articles, ten reports from the gray literature, and one book. Data were categorized according to relevant demographic dividend typology: pre-dividend and early-dividend. The results from the literature review were synthesized into a framework consisting of five sectors for pre-dividend countries, namely 1) Governance and Economic Institutions, 2) Family Planning, 3) Maternal and Child Health, 4) Education, and 5) Women's Empowerment. An additional sector, 6) Labor Market, is added for early-dividend countries. These sectors must work together to attain a demographic dividend.

Conclusions: A country's demographic transition stage must guide policy and programs. Most sub-Saharan African countries have prioritized job creation and employment for youth, yet their efforts to secure a productive labor market require preliminary and complementary investments in governance, family planning, maternal and child health, education, and women’s empowerment. Creating a favorable policy environment for generating and capitalizing on a demographic dividend can support their stated goals for development.
On the reliability of errors-in-variables models
Authors: Schaffrin Burkhard , Uzun Sibel
Published: September 2020

Reliability has been quantified in a simple Gauss–Markov model (GMM) by Baarda (1968) for the application to geodetic networks as the potential to detect outliers – with a specified significance and power – by testing the least-squares residuals for their zero expectation property after an adjustment assuming “no outliers”. It was shown that, under homoscedastic conditions, the so-called “redundancy numbers” could very well serve as indicators for the “local reliability” of an (individual) observation. In contrast, the maximum effect of any undetectible outlier on the estimated parameters would indicate “global reliability”.

This concept had been extended successfully to the case of correlated observations by Schaffrin (1997) quite a while ago. However, no attempt has been made so far to extend Baarda’s results to the (homoscedastic) errors-in-variables (EIV) model for which Golub and van Loan (1980) had found their – now famous – algorithm to generate the total least-squares (TLS) solution, together with all the residuals. More recently, this algorithm has been generalized by Schaffrin and Wieser (2008) to the case where a truly – not just elementwise –weighted TLS solution can be computed when the covariance matrix has the structure of a Kronecker–Zehfuss product.

Here, an attempt will be made to define reliability measures within such an EIV-model, in analogy to Baarda’s original approach.
An Investigation of Coping Strategies Used by College Students With Intellectual Disability
Authors: Plotner Anthony J. , Ezell Jordan A. , VanHorn-Stinnitt Chelsea , Rose Chad A.
Published: September 2020

Attending college can lead to many benefits including better outcomes in adult life for college graduates. This concept is applicable to all students, including students with intellectual disability who are attending institutions of higher education programs to refine social, academic, employment, and independent living skills. Similar to their typical peers, students with intellectual disability enrolled in postsecondary education programs endure levels of stress that result in the application of coping strategies necessary to navigate various social domains of college life, including romantic relationships, friendships, roommate relationships, and social media interactions. The present study utilizes survey and interview data to examine which coping strategies are used by college students with mild intellectual disability. When faced with stressful situations, almost one-third of study participants chose Planful Problem Solving as their first choice coping strategy in the Romantic domain, and almost half of respondents used it to deal with stressful situations related to Friendships. More than a third of college students with intellectual disability chose Confrontive Coping as their preferred strategy in the Roommate and Social Media domains. Findings are consistent with previous research, which suggests that young adults with intellectual disability use Problem-Focused strategies most frequently when dealing with stressful situations. Implications for research and practice are also presented and discussed.
Closing the Gap: Identifying Self-Reported Quality of Life Differences Between Youth With and Without Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Blaskowitz Meghan G. , Scott Paul Wesley , Randall Lindsay , Zelenko Macie , Green Bridget M. , McGrady Erin , Famularo Elana , Lonergan Megan
Published: September 2020

This study measured quality of life (QOL) for transition-age youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and college youth without IDD. Transition-age youth with IDD (n = 19) and college youth without IDD (n = 30) were interviewed using the Quality of Life-Questionnaire (QOL-Q). One-way between-subjects analysis of variances (ANOVAs) and multivariable linear regression were used to explore differences between the groups and identify QOL predictors. Youth with IDD scored significantly lower on the QOL-Q than college youth without IDD. They scored lower in Independence, Community Integration, and Productivity; however, no significant difference was found in Satisfaction. Although studies have examined QOL for children, youth with autism spectrum disorder, and adults, additional research is needed on the factors that contribute to QOL among transition-age youth with IDD in order to improve the quality of their transition to adulthood.
Roughness model of an optical surface in ultrasonic assisted diamond turning
Authors: Xing Yintian , Liu Yue , Yang Chao , Xue Changxi
Published: September 2020

In this paper, the theoretical model is established to predict the optical surface roughness of difficult-to-cut material in ultrasonic assisted diamond turning (UADT). The effects of kinematics, material elastic recovery, and plastic side flow aiming at the characteristics of vibration cutting are considered. The convincing results predicted can be obtained when main machining parameters change, such as cutting speed, cutting depth, tool feed rate, tool frequency, and amplitude. Furthermore, the qualitative analysis of the model is demonstrated on the basis of comparing the trend variation by theoretical results and simulative results with the finite element method (FEM). The arithmetic average value of the vertical coordinates of the workpiece surface nodes is regarded as the surface roughness in the FEM. The minimum mesh size of workpiece is set as 5 nm in order to gain relatively exact results and avoid exceeded element distortions. Moreover, the accuracy of the predictive model is verified by cutting the MB5 magnesium alloy with UADT. The maximum error for surface roughness Ra is merely 10.26%, and average error is only about 6% after analyzing experiment and prediction results. The optimal surface roughness Ra of magnesium alloy reflector can be 3.388 nm with UADT so that the optical application level is realized only by UADT means without subsequent abrasive machining. Therefore, the predicting model is valuable for theory guidance and engineering application in the optical manufactory field of difficult-to-cut material with UADT.
Tissue optical properties combined with machine learning enables estimation of articular cartilage composition and functional integrity
Authors: Kafian-Attari Iman , Nippolainen Ervin , Semenov Dmitry , Hauta-Kasari Markku , Töyräs Juha , Afara Isaac O.
Published: September 2020

Absorption and reduced scattering coefficients (

μ

a

,

μ

s

′

) of biological tissues have shown significant potential in biomedical applications. Thus, they are effective parameters for the characterization of tissue integrity and provide vital information on the health of biological tissues. This study investigates the potential of optical properties (

μ

a

,

μ

s

′

) for estimating articular cartilage composition and biomechanical properties using multivariate and machine learning techniques. The results suggest that μa could optimally estimate cartilage proteoglycan content in the superficial zone, in addition to its equilibrium modulus. While

μ

s

′

could effectively estimate the proteoglycan content of the middle and deep zones in addition to the instantaneous and dynamic moduli of articular cartilage.
Twisted anisotropic electromagnetic beams with Laguerre Gaussian-Schell model correlation
Authors: Luo Meilan , Zhao Daomu
Published: September 2020

A class of twisted anisotropic electromagnetic beams with Laguerre Gaussian-Schell model correlation is introduced as an extension of the scalar beams into electromagnetic domain. The analytical formula for the cross-spectral density matrix of such a beam on propagation has been derived. Then the degree of coherence, the degree of polarization and the state of polarization are discussed in detail. Our results reveal that it is feasible and efficient to engineer the characteristics of beams via setting the anisotropy of the beam source, the topological charge, and specially the twisted factor. This provides us a method for synthesizing fields presenting peculiar coherence and polarization patterns.
Sensing refractive index gradients along dielectric nanopillar metasurfaces
Authors: Lu Xiaoyuan , Gautam Vini , Shishmarev Dmitry , Daria Vincent R.
Published: September 2020

Metasurfaces exhibit unique optical properties that depend on the ratio of their refractive index and that of their surroundings. As such, they are effective for sensing global changes in refractive index based on the shifts of resonances in their reflectivity spectra. However, when used as a biosensor, the metasurface can be exposed to a spatial distribution of biomolecules that brings about gradients in refractive index along the plane of the metasurface. Such gradients produce complex global reflectivity spectrum but with distinct optical enhancements in localized areas along the metasurface. Here, we propose a unique sensing paradigm that images and maps out the optical enhancements that are correlated with the spatial distribution of the refractive index. Moreover, we designed a metasurface whose resonances can be tuned to detect a range of refractive indices. Our metasurface consists of silicon nanopillars with a cylindrical nanotrench at their centers and a metal plane at the base. To assess its feasibility, we performed numerical simulations to show that the design effectively produces the desired reflectivity spectrum with resonances in the near-infrared. Using an incident light tuned to one of its resonances, our simulations further show that the field enhancements are correlated with the spatial mapping of the gradients of refractive indices along the metasurface.
Enlarging field of view by a two-step method in a near-eye 3D holographic display
Authors: Zhang Zhiqi , Liu Juan , Duan Xinhui , Wang Yongtian
Published: September 2020

The narrow field of view (FOV) has always been one of the most with limitations that drag the development of holographic three-dimensional (3D) near-eye display (NED). The complex amplitude modulation (CAM) technique is one way to realize holographic 3D display in real time with the advantage of high image quality. Previously, we applied the CAM technique on the design and integration of a compact colorful 3D-NED system. In this paper, a viewing angle enlarged CAM based 3D-NED system using a Abbe-Porter scheme and curved reflective structure is proposed. The viewing angle is increased in two steps. An Abbe-Porter filter system, composed of a lens and a grating, is used to enlarge the FOV for the first step and, meanwhile, realize complex amplitude modulation. A curved reflective structure is used to realize the FOV enlargement for the second step. Besides, the system retains the ability of colorful 3D display with high image quality. Optical experiments are performed, and the results show the system could present a 45.2° diagonal viewing angle. The system is able to present dynamic display as well. A compact prototype is fabricated and integrated for wearable and lightweight design.
Ultra-broadband metamaterial absorber from ultraviolet to long-wave infrared based on CMOS-compatible materials
Authors: Yue Song , Hou Maojing , Wang Ran , Guo Huifang , Hou Yu , Li Man , Zhang Zhe , Wang Yu , Zhang Zichen
Published: September 2020

Broadband absorption of electromagnetic waves in different wavelength regions is desired for applications ranging from highly efficient solar cells, waste heat harvesting, multi-color infrared (IR) detection to sub-ambient radiative cooling. Taper-shaped structures made up of alternating metal/dielectric multilayers offer the broadest absorption bandwidth so far, but face a trade-off between optical performance and material choice, i.e., those with the broadest bandwidth utilize exclusively CMOS-incompatible materials, hampering their large-scale applications. In this work, through careful examination of the unique material property of aluminum (Al) and zinc sulfide (ZnS), a sawtooth-like and a pyramid-like multilayer absorber is proposed, whose working bandwidth (0.2-15 µm) covers from ultraviolet (UV) all the way to long-wave infrared (LWIR) range, being compatible with CMOS technology at the same time. The working principle of broadband absorption is elucidated with effective hyperbolic metamaterial model plus the excitation of multiple slow-light modes. Absorption performance such as polarization and incidence-angle dependence are also investigated. The proposed Al-ZnS multilayer absorbers with ultra-broadband near-perfect absorption may find potential applications in infrared imaging and spectroscopy, radiative cooling, solar energy conversion, etc.
Pulsed-pump phosphorus-doped fiber Raman amplifier around 1260 nm for applications in quantum non-linear optics
Authors: Poem Eilon , Golenchenko Artem , Davidson Omri , Arenfrid Or , Finkelstein Ran , Firstenberg Ofer
Published: September 2020

We describe a fiber Raman amplifier for nanosecond and sub-nanosecond pulses centered around 1260 nm. The amplification takes place inside a 4.5-m-long polarization-maintaining phosphorus-doped fiber, pumped at 1080 nm by 3-ns-long pulses with a repetition rate of 200 kHz and up to 1.75 kW peak power. The input seed pulses are of sub-mW peak-power and minimal duration of 0.25 ns, carved out of a continuous-wave laser with sub-MHz linewidth. We obtain linearly polarized output pulses with peak powers of up to 1.4 kW, corresponding to peak-power conversion efficiency of over 80%. An ultrahigh small signal gain of 90 dB is achieved, and the signal-to-noise ratio 3 dB below the saturation power is above 20 dB. No significant temporal and spectral broadening is observed for output pulses up to 400 W peak power, and broadening at higher powers can be reduced by phase modulation of the seed pulse. Thus, nearly-transform-limited pulses with peak power up to 1 kW are obtained. Finally, we demonstrate the generation of pulses with controllable frequency chirp, pulses with variable width, and double pulses. This amplifier is thus suitable for coherent control of narrow atomic resonances, especially for the fast and coherent excitation of rubidium atoms to Rydberg states. These abilities open the way towards several important applications in quantum non-linear optics.
Large depth-of-field three-dimensional shape measurement with the focal sweep technique
Authors: Hu Xiaowei , Zhang Song , Zhang Yujin , Liu Yongpan , Wang Guijin
Published: September 2020

Three-dimensional (3D) shape measurement based on the fringe projection technique has been extensively used for scientific discoveries and industrial practices. Yet, one of the most challenging issues is its limited depth of field (DOF). This paper presents a method to drastically increase DOF of 3D shape measurement technique by employing the focal sweep method. The proposed method employs an electrically tunable lens (ETL) to rapidly sweep the focal plane during image integration and the post deconvolution algorithm to reconstruct focused images for 3D reconstruction. Experimental results demonstrated that our proposed method can achieve high-resolution and high-accuracy 3D shape measurement with greatly improved DOF in real time.
Gain-switched semiconductor lasers with pulsed excitation and optical injection for dual-comb spectroscopy
Authors: Quevedo-Galán C. , Durán V. , Rosado A. , Pérez-Serrano A. , Tijero J. M. G. , Esquivias I.
Published: September 2020

In this work we demonstrate the capability of two gain-switched optically injected semiconductor lasers to perform high-resolution dual-comb spectroscopy. The use of low duty cycle pulse trains to gain switch the lasers, combined with optical injection, allows us to obtain flat-topped optical frequency combs with 350 optical lines (within 10 dB) spaced by 100 MHz. These frequency combs significantly improve the spectral resolution reported so far on dual-comb spectroscopy with gain-switched laser diodes. We evaluate the performance of our system by measuring the transmission profile of an absorption line of H13CN at the C-band, analyzing the attainable signal-to-noise ratio for a range of averaging times.
Black and white fused silica: modified sol-gel process combined with moth-eye structuring for highly absorbing and diffuse reflecting SiO2 glass
Authors: Brunner Robert , Kraus Matthias , Hirte Johannes , Diao Zhaolu , Weishaupt Klaus , Spatz Joachim P. , Harzendorf Torsten , Trost Marcus , Munser Anne-Sophie , Schröder Sven , Baer Michael
Published: September 2020

Diffuse reflecting (white) and highly absorbing (black) fused silica based materials are presented, which combine volume modified substrates and surfaces equipped with anti-reflective moth-eye-structures. For diffuse reflection, micrometer sized cavities are created in bulk fused silica during a sol-gel process. In contrast, carbon black particles are added to get the highly absorbing material. The moth-eye-structures are prepared by block copolymer micelle nanolithography (BCML), followed by a reactive-ion-etching (RIE) step. The moth-eye-structures drastically reduce the specular reflectance on both diffuse reflecting and highly absorbing samples across a wide spectral range from 250 nm to 2500 nm and for varying incidence angles. The adjustment of the height of the moth-eye-structures allows us to select the spectral position of the specular reflectance minimum, which measures less than 0.1%. Diffuse Lambertian-like scattering and absorbance appear nearly uniform across the selected spectral range, showing a slight decrease with increasing wavelength.
Fiber-laser-pumped high-repetition-rate picosecond optical parametric generation and amplification in MgO:PPLN
Authors: Nandy Biplob , Chaitanya Kumar S. , Ebrahim-Zadeh M.
Published: September 2020

We report the generation of tunable high-repetition-rate picosecond pulses in the near-infrared at high average power with record conversion efficiency using single-pass optical parametric generation (OPG) and amplification (OPA) in MgO:PPLN, for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. By deploying a mode-locked Yb-fiber laser at 1064 nm providing 21 ps pump pulses at 80 MHz, and a cascade of two 50-mm-long MgO:PPLN crystals, we generate up to 8.3 W of total average output power at a conversion efficiency of 59% over a tunable range of 513 nm, across 1902–2415 nm, with a record threshold as low as 600 mW (7.5 nJ). The two-stage OPG-OPA scheme provides control over fine wavelength tuning and output spectral bandwidths, enabled by the independent control of phase-matching in each crystal. The OPG-OPA output exhibits high spatial beam quality and excellent passive power and central wavelength stability better than 0.9% rms and 0.1% rms, respectively, over 1 hour. The output pulses have a duration of

∼

11

ps

, with a 10 dB bandwidth of

∼

350

nm

at 2107 nm.
Dual-output fs/ps burst-mode laser for megahertz-rate rotational coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering
Authors: Smyser Michael E. , Braun Erik L. , Athmanathan Venkat , Slipchenko Mikhail N. , Roy Sukesh , Meyer Terrence R.
Published: September 2020

A burst-mode laser system is developed for hybrid femtosecond/picosecond (fs/ps) rotational coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (RCARS) at megahertz rates. Using a common fs oscillator, the system simultaneously generates time synchronized 1061 nm, 274 fs and 1064 nm, 15.5 ps pulses with peak powers of 350 MW and 2.5 MW, respectively. The system is demonstrated for two-beam fs/ps RCARS in

N

2

at 1 MHz with a signal-to-noise ratio of 176 at room temperature. This repetition rate is an order of magnitude higher than previous CARS using burst-mode ps laser systems and two to three orders of magnitude faster than previous continuously pulsed fs or fs/ps laser systems.
Reduced optical losses in refractory plasmonic titanium nitride thin films deposited with molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Maurya Krishna Chand , Shalaev Vladimir M. , Boltasseva Alexandra , Saha Bivas
Published: September 2020

Refractory plasmonic materials that have optical properties close to those of noble-metals and at the same time are environmentally friendly, commercially viable and CMOS-compatible could lead to novel devices for many thermo-photonic applications. Recently developed TiN thin films overcome some of the limitations of noble-metals, as their optical loss is larger than noble metals and conventional methods to deposit TiN films are not compatible for its integration with other semiconductors. In this work, high-quality epitaxial single-crystalline TiN thin films are deposited with plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) that exhibit optical losses that are less than that of Au in most part of the visible (300 nm – 580 nm) and near-IR spectral ranges (1000 nm - 2500 nm). In addition, a large figure-of-merit for surface plasmon polariton (SPP) propagation length compared to the previously reported TiN films is achieved with the MBE-deposited films.
Extraction Process and Analysis of Components in Essential Oils of
Piper longum Linn. Harvested in Dak Lak Province, Vietnam
Authors: Tran Thien Hien , Khang Van Chi , Ngo Hoang Duy , Le Xuan Tien
Published: September 2020

Nowadays, plants containing biological activities are increasingly interested for their antioxidant and
antibacterial properties. In particular, Pepper longum Linn. was known as one of the popular types of
pepper family in Vietnam with many different uses in food and medicine. In this study, Pepper longum
fruits were studied for extraction to essential oil by hydrodistillation through two survey methods
such as single factor investigation method and optimization by response surface methodology (RSM).
The analysis results by design expert software program version 11 shown that at the condition that the
ratio of water to raw material 6:1 (mL/g), during 225 min extraction at 130 ºC, the essential oil yield
was obtained 0.8%. The model predicts this result for F-value, P-values and Lack of Fit are
mathematically significant and values for reliability R2 = 0.9963, C.V. % =1.99. Essential oil obtained
was evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique, which accounted that
β-caryophyllene contains the highest amount among the other 43 components present.
Study of Intermolecular Interactions of Binary Mixture of
sec- and tert-Amines with Alkanols (C1-C3): Refractive Indices
Authors: Bhagat Payal , Maken Sanjeev
Published: September 2020

In this work, the refractive indices (nD) of binary mixture of diisopropylamine (DIPA) and tributylamine
(TBA) (as sec- and tert-amines) with alkanol (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol) were measured
from 298.15 K to 318.15 K. The sec- and tert-amines were selected to study the effect of branching at
N-atom of amine on intermolecular interactions with alkanols having different chain length. It was
found that the TBA interacts strongly with alkanol in comparison to DIPA due to steric hindrance
offered by isopropyl group at N-atom. Various mixing rules were applied to evaluate the refractive
index compared well with the experimental refractive indices data for the present binary mixtures.
The experimental refractive indices was also fitted to Redlich-Kister polynomial.
Synthesis and Properties of Two Fe(III) Coordination Polymers Based on
2-Amino-4-methylthiazole, 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole and Aromatic Polycarboxylate
Authors: Al-Fakeh Maged S. , Amiri Nesrine , Al-Hakemi Ahmed N. , Saeed Saeed El-Sayed , Albadri Abuzar E.A.E.
Published: September 2020

Two of coordination polymers of the general formula [Fe(BDC)(AMTZ)Cl]·2H2O and
[Fe(BDC)(MBT)Cl]·H2O, BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, AMTZ = 2-amino-4-methyl-thiazole
and MBT = 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, have been synthesized and characterized. Structure of both
coordination polymers has been evaluated on the basis of elemental analysis, thermal, FT-IR, UV-vis
spectra and the charges been carried by the atoms, caused a dipole moment of 2.4346 debye and total
energy -382 × 103 Kcal mol-1. Biological activity of the two synthesized complexes was tested against
some fungal and bacterial strains
Improving Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination Responses in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Does Greater Dose and Greater Frequency Lead to Greater Protection?
Authors: Banty Andrea , Melmed Gil Y.
Published: September 2020

Prevention of hepatitis B (HBV) infection is particularly important for patients with inflammatory bowel disease because of risks of HBV reactivation on immunosuppressive therapies. However, immune responses to standard HBV vaccination regimens are suboptimal. Chaparro et al. compared immune responses to 2 vaccines, an adjuvanted HBV vaccine (Fendrix) and double-dosed standard vaccine (Engerix-B) using an accelerated, 4-dose regimen (0, 1, 2, and 6 months). Although the study did not demonstrate superiority of one vaccine over another, several lessons can be derived regarding immune response to vaccinations among patients with inflammatory bowel disease, including the need to consider nonstandard regimens for patients on immunosuppression. These lessons can be translated broadly, including to a potential future severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccine when one becomes available.
Pavement Macrotexture Determination Using Multi-View Smartphone Images
Authors: Tian Xiangxi , Xu Yong , Wei Fulu , Gungor Oguz , Li Zhixin , Wang Ce , Li Shuo , Shan Jie
Published: September 2020

Pavement macrotexture contributes greatly to road surface friction, which in turn plays a vital role in reducing road accidents. Conventional methods for macrotexture measurement are either expensive, time-consuming, or of poor repeatability. Based on multi-view smartphone images collected
in situ, this paper develops and evaluates an affordable and convenient alternative approach for pavement macrotexture measurement. Photogrammetric computer vision techniques are first applied to create high resolution point clouds of the pavement. Analytics are then developed to determine
the macrotexture metric: mean profile depth by using the image-based point clouds. Experiments are carried out with 790 images over 25 spots on three state routes and six spots at an Indiana Department of Transportation test site. We demonstrate multi-view smartphone images can yield results
comparable to the ones from the conventional laser texture scanner. It is expected that the developed approach can be adopted for large scale operational uses.
Approches géographiques de la nuit urbaine libre et festive
Authors: Grondeau Alexandre , Dourthe Gwenaëlle
Published: September 2020

Notre article étudie le mouvement free party et ses usagers comme des porteurs de réponses à la standardisation, à la marchandisation et à l’uniformisation du monde de la nuit, mais également comme producteurs d’un nouveau type de droit à la ville et de zones autonomes temporaires (temporary autonomous zones, TAZ). La free party, ses usagers et les territoires qu’ils génèrent seront ainsi appréhendés comme un moyen de lutter contre les discriminations socioéconomiques, culturelles ou vestimentaires inhérentes à la mercantilisation des lieux nocturnes festifs. Pour ce faire, nous analyserons les pratiques et les mécanismes d’appropriation de l’espace des participants aux free parties afin de poser les bases d’une approche géographique de la nuit urbaine, libre et festive.
Agroforests, swiddening and livelihoods between restored peat domes and river: effects of the 2015 fire ban in Central Kalimantan (Indonesia)
Authors: Silvianingsih Y.A. , Hairiah K. , Suprayogo D. , van Noordwijk M.
Published: September 2020

If 150 years of continued use counts as a sustainability indicator, the river-bank agroforests in the peat landscapes of Central Kalimantan suggest solutions for current challenges. The 2015 fire season in Indonesian peatlands triggered a fire ban and peatland restoration response,
prioritizing canal blocking and rewetting. However, sustainable livelihood options remain elusive. We report local ecological knowledge of soils and vegetation applied in land use choices in swiddens and agroforests in five Dayak Ngaju villages in Jabiren Raya and Kahayan Hilir subdistrict
(Pulang Pisau, C. Kalimantan, Indonesia) on the banks of the Kahayan river and discuss impacts of fire-ban policies. Plots accessible from the river with no or shallow peat were traditionally preferred for swiddening, with various indicator plants and soil characteristics underpinning the
choices. Without swiddening farmers depend on off-farm jobs and agroforests for income. More policy attention for non-peat riparian-zone agroforestry as part of peat landscape livelihood systems is warranted.
Exploring gender dynamics, economics and perceptions of the vulnerability of the bush mango value chain in three provinces of Gabon
Authors: Yobo C. Mikolo , Iponga D.M. , Tieguhong J.C. , Bengone N. Nssi , Ngoye A.
Published: September 2020

This study conducted around three provinces of Gabon (Estuaire, Ngounié, and Nyanga) aims at exploring gender dynamics, economics, and vulnerability perceptions in the bush mango value chain by analyzing male-female roles and relationships. Interviews were randomly conducted
with 174 actors as follows: 132 (Estuaire), 12 (Ngounié), and 30 (Nyanga) provinces using a semi-structured questionnaire and field observations. Women headed households dominate harvesting (21.8%), processing/trading (10.3%) and trading stages (55.2%) compared to men harvesting (7.5%),
processing/trading (0.6%) and trading (4.6%). Women tend to generate relatively higher annual gross average income (1.4 million FCFA per annum), which is 1.7 times higher than that of men. Poor management of resources, the lack of harvesting norms, logging-driven deforestation, and slash-and-burn
agriculture are among the perceived factors threatening the value chain. Targeted policy and actions on a gender perspective are suggested to reduce income inequality between men and women along the value chain. A long-term ecological study to monitor changes over forest resources use is crucial
before carrying out any mitigating measures based on cultivation and domestication in the study areas.
Looks like a duck, quacks like a hand: Tools for eliciting evidential and epistemic distinctions, with examples from Lamjung Yolmo (Tibetic, Nepal)
Authors: Gawne Lauren
Published: September 2020

This article describes the use of eight research tools used in the documentation of evidential and modal use in Lamjung Yolmo, a Tibeto-Burman language of Nepal. For each tool, the methodology is described, and some examples of the usefulness and limitations are discussed. The methods include use of existing and novel tools and materials. Image tasks included the existing resources Family Problem Picture Task and Jackal and Crow, as well as optical illusions. Object tasks included the hidden objects game and magic tricks. Listening and talking tasks included the game twenty questions, reporting previous speech, and a grammaticality judgement task based on multiple reports. Making research methods more transparent, and the open sharing of data and materials, allows us to move forward with better understanding of the contexts of evidential use, and more nuanced cross-linguistic typological analysis of evidential systems.
Dielectric relaxation and current conduction mechanism of Tb and Mn codoped bismuth ferrite grafted poly (vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite film
Authors: Halder Monalisa , Meikap Ajit Kumar
Published: September 2020

Investigation on current conduction mechanism through Tb and Mn codoped Bismuth Ferrite grafted polyvinyl alcohol (BTFMO-PVA) nanocomposite film above room temperature (300 K – 415 K) is reported here in detail. A detailed study on dielectric properties of the sample is done over a wide temperature range in a frequency range of 20 Hz - 2MHz. The conduction is attributed to correlated barrier hopping model. Bipolaron hopping dominates over single-polaron hopping in this system. Complex electric modulus spectra and complex modulus spectra are well explained by suitable models to understand the effective dielectric response. The sample responds to the externally applied magnetic field exhibiting negative magnetocapacitance at room temperature.
Influence of cutting parameters on the formation of white etching layers in BTA deep hole drilling
Authors: Strodick Simon , Berteld Kai , Schmidt Robert , Biermann Dirk , Zabel Andreas , Walther Frank
Published: September 2020

In this study, the influence of cutting speed and feed rate on surface integrity in Boring Trepanning Association (BTA) deep hole drilling of AISI 4140+QT is investigated. Microstructure and micro-hardness in the subsurface zones of bores are analyzed, using metallographic and micromagnetic methods. It was found that when using high feed rates and cutting speeds, white etching layers (WEL) form at the surface of the bores. These layers are up to three times harder than the substrate material and have a maximum thickness of approx.

t

WEL

≈
12

µm

{t_{\mathrm{WEL}}}\approx 12\hspace{0.1667em}\text{\textmu m}

. WEL were usually followed by a transitional layer, so that elevated hardness was observed until a depth of

d

surf

=
35

µm

{d_{\mathrm{surf}}}=35\hspace{0.1667em}\text{\textmu m}

below the surface. Magnetic Barkhausen noise (MBN) analysis proved to be applicable for the fast and reliable detection of WEL. The presented results contribute to gaining a deeper understanding of the complex interrelations between the design of the BTA process, the resulting microstructure in the machined component and the properties of the conditioned surface. Based on discovered correlations, a dynamic process control will be developed for BTA deep hole drilling, which will allow reliably tailoring surface integrity of components to specific demands, like an optimized fatigue performance.
Cotinus coggygria Scop. induces cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, genotoxic effects, thermodynamic and epigenetic events in MCF7 breast cancer cells
Authors: Gospodinova Zlatina I. , Zupkó Istvan , Bózsity Noémi , Manova Vasilissa I. , Georgieva Mariyana S. , Todinova Svetla J. , Taneva Stefka G. , Ocsovszki Imre , Krasteva Maria E.
Published: September 2020

Current plant-derived anticancer therapeutics aim to reach higher effectiveness, to potentiate chemosensitivity and minimize the toxic side effects compared to conventional chemotherapy. Cotinus coggygria Scop. is a herb with high pharmacological potential, widely applied in traditional phytotherapy. Our previous study revealed that leaf aqueous ethanolic extract from C. coggygria exerts in vitro anticancer activity on human breast, ovarian and cervical cancer cell lines. The objective of the present research was to investigate possible molecular mechanisms and targets of the antitumor activity of the extract in breast cancer MCF7 cells through analysis of cell cycle and apoptosis, clonogenic ability assessment, evaluation of the extract genotoxic capacity, characterization of cells thermodynamic properties, and analysis on the expression of genes involved in cellular epigenetic processes. The obtained results indicated that in MCF7 cells C. coggygria extract causes S phase cell cycle arrest and triggers apoptosis, reduces colony formation, induces DNA damage, affects cellular thermodynamic parameters, and tends to inhibit the relative expression of DNMT1, DNMT3a, MBD3, and p300. Further studies on the targeted molecules and the extract anti-breast cancer potential on animal experimental model system, need to be performed in the future.
A New Model for Optimizing Firefighter Human Performance
Authors: Romero Manny , Alvar Brent
Published: September 2020

Firefighting is a profession that has the potential to be extremely demanding, both physically and mentally. More specifically, these tactical personnel must be physically fit to perform their occupational requirements, all while they are exposed to daily stressors. This is likely to include everything from physical strain and shift work to interrupted sleep and witnessing potentially traumatizing events. Failure to prepare and mitigate these occupational demands can have long-lasting implications to overall performance as well as health and wellness. Unfortunately, many of these elements often go unaddressed. As such, considerations for collaborative and overarching cross-disciplinary allied health teams should be made. Human performance optimization (HPO) is a model that has been successfully adopted by the U.S. military to enhance the overarching health, wellness, and performance of soldiers. This article proposes the utilization of a similar HPO model by providing a rationale for how it can be used to reduce premature morbidity and mortality, as well as increasing overall readiness and resilience within the firefighting profession.
Can Russia’s Health and Welfare Systems Handle the Pandemic?
Authors: Cook Linda J. , Twigg Judy
Published: September 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has tested the preparedness of Russia’s public health system to respond to a nationwide crisis, and the ability of its broader welfare state to cushion the population against the economic impacts. This essay puts these developments in the context of recent reforms of the health care and welfare systems, showing how they affected the population’s vulnerability to the pandemic’s health and economic shocks, and the government’s ability to manage both.
Construction and validation of an instrument for Forensic Nursing and similar graduation disciplines
Authors: Souza Jhuliano Silva Ramos de , Resck Zélia Marilda Rodrigues , Andrade Cláudia Umbelina Baptista , Calheiros Christianne Alves Pereira , Terra Fábio de Souza , Costa Andréia Cristina Barbosa , Vilela Sueli de Carvalho
Published: September 2020

Objective: to construct and validate a questionnaire for tracking disciplines and content of Forensic Nursing and similar disciplines in undergraduate courses. Methods: methodological study for the construction and validation of content and semantics. The items were constructed and categorized using content analysis, based on the national and international theoretical framework of Forensic Nursing, structured in three sections with dichotomous and subjective questions. Content and semantics were validated using the brainstorming technique and an 80% concordance index among the judges. Results: the sections were: identification of courses, of disciplines of Forensic Nursing and Violence, and contents of Forensic Nursing discipline. Conclusion: the Forensic Nursing Discipline and Content Supervision Questionnaire for Graduation Nursing Courses was considered easy to use and dynamic to assess the situation of Forensic Nursing and Violence-related subjects in Nursing courses at college Institutions.