bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel deep reinforcement learning enabled agent for pumped storage hydro‐wind‐solar systems voltage control
Authors: Huang Qin , Hu Weihao , Zhang Guozhou , Cao Di , Liu Zhou , Huang Qi , Chen Zhe
Published: October 2021

With the large‐scale penetration of wind and solar energies in the power system, the randomness of this renewable energy increases the non‐linear characteristics and uncertainty of the system, which causes a mismatch between renewable energy generation and load demand and it will badly affect the bus voltage control of distribution network. In this context, this study applies pumped storage hydroelectric (PSH) which tracks the load variation rapidly, operate flexibly and reliably to balance the power of the system to minimize the bus voltage deviation. Moreover, to obtain the optimal control policy of PSH, a deep‐reinforcement‐learning algorithm, that is, deep deterministic policy gradient, is utilized to train the agent to address the continuous transformation of the pumped storage hydro‐wind‐solar (PSHWS) system. The performance of a well‐trained agent was evaluated on the IEEE 30‐bus power system. Simulation results show that the proposed method achieves an improvement of 21.8% in cumulative deviation per month, which implies that it can keep the system operating in a safe voltage range more effectively.
A review of power system predictive failure model for resilience enhancement against hurricane events
Authors: Omogoye Okeolu Samuel , Folly Komla Agbenyo , Awodele Kehinde Oladayo
Published: October 2021

Natural events such as hurricanes usually cause unimaginable destruction to the electric power system infrastructures across the globe leading to large‐scale power outages. While the transmission network offers relatively high resilience to the hurricane extreme wind speed intensity (HEWSI), the distribution power system network (DPSN) is always the worst hit. To enhance the DPSN against hurricane events, both the pre‐ and post‐event power system resilience enhancement techniques can be reviewed, and their limitations improved. Handling hurricane risks proactively for effective recovery plans requires rigorous techniques for locating and estimating the number of system component's damage causing outages on a DPSN. A review of the resilience evaluation methodologies utilized for a proactive statistical system component's failure predictive model is presented in this paper. As a contribution, this article presents the current practices, the problems, and points out the future research directions for a statistical system components’ line outage predictive model that can greatly enhance the DPSN against hurricane events for short‐term operational planning.
Photoprocessing of H2S on dust grains
Authors: Cazaux S. , Carrascosa H. , Muñoz Caro G. M. , Caselli P. , Fuente A. , Navarro-Almaida D. , Riviére-Marichalar P.
Published: October 2021

Context. Sulfur is a biogenic element used as a tracer of the evolution of interstellar clouds to stellar systems. However, most of the expected sulfur in molecular clouds remains undetected. Sulfur disappears from the gas phase in two steps. The first depletion occurs during the translucent phase, reducing the gas-phase sulfur by 7–40 times, while the following freeze-out step occurs in molecular clouds, reducing it by another order of magnitude. This long-standing question awaits an explanation.

Aims. The aim of this study is to understand under what form the missing sulfur is hiding in molecular clouds. The possibility that sulfur is depleted onto dust grains is considered.

Methods. Experimental simulations mimicking H2S ice UV photoprocessing in molecular clouds were conducted at 8 K under ultra-high vacuum. The ice was subsequently warmed up to room temperature. The ice was monitored using infrared spectroscopy, and the desorbing molecules were measured by quadrupole mass spectrometry in the gas phase. Theoretical Monte Carlo simulations were performed for interpretation of the experimental results and extrapolation to the astrophysical and planetary conditions.

Results. H2S2 formation was observed during irradiation at 8 K. Molecules H2Sx with x > 2 were also identified and found to desorb during warm-up, along with S2 to S4 species. Larger Sx molecules up to S8 are refractory at room temperature and remained on the substrate forming a residue. Monte Carlo simulations were able to reproduce the molecules desorbing during warming up, and found that residues are chains of sulfur consisting of 6–7 atoms.

Conclusions. Based on the interpretation of the experimental results using our theoretical model, it is proposed that S+ in translucent clouds contributes notoriously to S depletion in denser regions by forming long S chains on dust grains in a few times 104 yr. We suggest that the S2 to S4 molecules observed in comets are not produced by fragmentation of these large chains. Instead, they probably come either from UV photoprocessing of H2S-bearing ice produced in molecular clouds or from short S chains formed during the translucent cloud phase.
Stellar populations with MEGARA: The inner regions of NGC 7025
Authors: Chamorro-Cazorla M. , Gil de Paz A. , Castillo-Morales A. , Dullo B. T. , Gallego J. , Carrasco E. , Iglesias-Páramo J. , Cedazo R. , García-Vargas M. L. , Pascual S. , Cardiel N. , Pérez-Calpena A. , Gómez-Álvarez P. , Martínez-Delgado I. , Catalán-Torrecilla C.
Published: October 2021

Context. This paper aims to determine the capabilities of the MEGARA spectrograph at the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), which is an optical integral-field unit, for studying stellar populations. We also aim to exploit its combination of high spectral (R ∼ 6000, 12 000 and 20 000) and spatial (0.62″) resolution within its 12″​​.5 × 11″​​.3 field of view. We do this by analysing the commissioning data of the nearby S0a galaxy NGC 7025.

Aims. We establish a systematic method through which we can determine the properties of the stellar populations in the observations made with MEGARA, more specifically, within the MEGADES legacy project. For this paper in particular, we determine the properties of the stellar populations of NGC 7025.

Methods. We used MEGARA observations of galaxy NGC 7025 that were taken during the commissioning phase of the instrument. We applied different approaches to estimate the properties of the stellar populations with the highest possible certainty. In addition to the specific study of NGC 7025 and in the context of the MEGADES survey, we have carried out a number of tests to determine the expected errors (including potential biases) in these star formation history (SFH) derivations as a function of these parameters, namely spectral setup, signal-to-noise ratio, σ, and the SFH itself.

Results. All the studies we conduct (both full spectral fitting and absorption line indices) of the stellar populations of NGC 7025 indicate that the stars that form its bulge have supersolar metallicity and considerably old ages (∼10 Gyr) in general. Using three different combinations of MEGARA spectral setups, we determined that the bulge of NGC 7025 has smild negative mass-weighted age gradient. For the more detailed SFH, our results indicate that in addition to a rather constant star formation at early epochs, a peak in the formation history of the stars in the bulge is also found 3.5–4.5 Gyr ago. This partly explains the mass-weighted age gradients we measured.

Conclusions. The scenario presented in NGC 7025 is that of an isolated galaxy under secular evolution that about 3.5–4.5 Gyr ago likely experienced a minor merger (mass ratio 1/10) that induced an increase in star formation and also perturbed the morphology of its outer disc. In addition to these specific results for NGC 7025, we report different lessons learned for the ongoing exploitation of the MEGADES survey with the GTC, such as the need to obtain combined observations in the LR-B + LR-V setups and a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 20 per Å.
Observations on feeding habits of the common dolphinfish,Coryphaena hippurus(Linnaeus 1758) from the western Bay of Bengal
Authors: Ghosh Shubhadeep , Mamidi Satishkumar , Hoshalli Munivenkatappa Manas , Rohit Prathibha , Eruppakkottil Median Abdussamad , Achamveetil Gopalakrishnan
Published: October 2021

Coryphaena hippurusis a large pelagic species and constitutes an important by-catch in drift gillnet, trolling and long-line fishing gears operated along the Bay of Bengal, northeastern Indian Ocean. The present study, first from the region, is aimed at deciphering the feeding dynamics from 1150 individuals collected from 2017 to 2019. 32.17% of the fishes had empty stomachs or was with food traces, 45.57% had partially-full stomachs and 22.26% had full stomachs. The feeding intensity was inferred through stomach filling and predator-prey weight ratio, which was higher in May and lower in January, and increasing as increase in the fish size.Coryphaena hippurusis considered a piscivorous pelagic predator as pelagic teleosts contribute more than half of the prey species. Major prey species were big-eye scad (27.3%), squid (10.3%), crabs (9.3%), Indian mackerel (7.2%), Indian scad (5.9%), whitebaits (5.7%) and sardines (5.4%). Scads and crabs were abundantly preyed during summer and winter, while clupeids and engraulids in monsoon; however, no significant variations were observed in prey composition between sizes. Trophic Level was 4.22 ± 0.15 and Levins Standardized Niche Breadth Index was 0.30. Dietary niche breadth was higher during summer (0.48) and monsoon (0.33) and in fishes measuring 60.0–74.9 cm (0.51) and below 45.0 cm (0.48) indicating generalised feeding. This primary study from Bay of Bengal is the first comprehensive report on trophodynamics for the species and would contribute to its management using trophic interactions.
Pratiques de protection des cultures en agroécosystèmes tropicaux et risques de maladies humaines et animales d’origine bactérienne
Authors: Ratnadass Alain , Deberdt Péninna
Published: October 2021

Une revue bibliographique récente montre que les pratiques de protection agroécologique des cultures (PAEC) contre les ravageurs, pathogènes et adventices, réduisent généralement les risques zoonotiques viraux en santé publique et vétérinaire, alors que les pratiques conventionnelles (à base agrochimique) tendent à les augmenter. Nous avons analysé la littérature scientifique pour déterminer si ces conclusions pouvaient être élargies aux infections bactériennes, avec focus sur les agroécosystèmes tropicaux. En santé publique et vétérinaire, les principales infections bactériennes impactées par des pratiques de protection des cultures sont celles ayant pour réservoirs des rongeurs (avec arthropodes vecteurs, comme la peste, ou pas, comme la leptospirose), et les maladies à entérobactéries (e.g., Salmonella) et autres bactéries opportunistes (e.g., Pseudomonas). La problématique d’antibiorésistance en santé publique est peu affectée par les pratiques de protection des cultures conventionnelles. Des pratiques relevant de la substitution aux intrants de synthèse (variétés résistantes aux attaques de rongeurs ou à la colonisation par des entérobactéries ; pesticides minéraux; solarisation) peuvent se traduire par une réduction plus importante du risque sanitaire que certaines pratiques relevant de la reconception des agroécosystèmes (push-pull ; intégration agriculture-élevage). Toutefois, vu ses effets vertueux en termes de réduction des pollutions, conservation de la biodiversité et résilience climatique, la PAEC, basée sur la reconception, contribue, à des échelles spatiotemporelles supérieures, à la réduction du risque sanitaire lié aux infections bactériennes. Les impacts des pratiques de protection des cultures, basées sur l’amélioration de l’efficience des pratiques conventionnelles, sur la substitution ou sur la reconception, sur les risques d’infection bactérienne en santé publique et vétérinaire, sont sensiblement différents de ceux observés avec les risques zoonotiques viraux. Des recherches sont encore nécessaires pour concilier, dans une perspective « Une seule santé », les trois types de pratiques, afin de réduire les risques sanitaires liés aux maladies infectieuses autant à bactéries qu’à virus, parasites (protozoaires et vers) ou champignons.
Spatial and temporal variation in species composition of ciliates communities (Alveolata, Ciliophora) from tropical urban and rural streams
Authors: Velho Luiz Felipe Machado , de Castro Suzana de Fátima Rodrigues , Lansac-Tôha Fernando Miranda , Meira Bianca Ramos , de Oliveira Felipe Rafael , Alves Geziele Mucio , Lansac-Tôha Fábio Amodêo
Published: October 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the spatial and temporal patterns in species composition of ciliates, in rural streams, affected by agricultural activities, and urban streams, impacted by domestic wastewater. Samplings were taken in two different periods of the year, in the headwater, middle and mouth stretch of ten streams. We recorded 143 species of ciliates, distributed in 14 groups, standing out Hymenostomatia, Peritrichia and Hypotrichia. Our results showed significant spatial (between rural and urban streams) and, especially, temporal differences (between winter and summer periods) in the ciliates taxonomic composition. Such differences seem to be not related to the organic load that was quite similar among streams and periods sampled. Rather, the changes in ciliates composition are probably driving mainly by other enviromental variables such as resources, determined by the spatial diferences in light availability, and flow water velocity and discharge, which present high temporal dissimilarity.
La radiobiologie française : historique, constats et enjeux
Authors: Foray N. , Averbeck D. , Cosset J.-M. , Drouet M. , Favaudon V. , Masse R.
Published: October 2021

Forte des travaux pionniers de ses figures historiques emblématiques comme Pierre et Marie Curie, Claudius Regaud ou Antoine Lacassagne, la radiobiologie française se trouve aujourd’hui dans une situation dramatique en matière de ressources humaines et d’expertise, comme la plupart des pays développés. Pourtant, les progrès considérables dans la thérapie des cancers et dans le radiodiagnostic, les enjeux de Défense Nationale et de l’exploration spatiale ainsi qu’une attente sociétale grandissante pour une évaluation objective des risques liés aux radiations ionisantes devrait encourager nos institutions à maintenir et préserver le savoir et le savoir-faire des radiobiologistes. Sans proposer un catalogue des thèmes et des laboratoires, l’objectif de cet article, est de mieux analyser et comprendre l’évolution historique et scientifique de la radiobiologie française pour mieux en dégager les enjeux de demain.
Novel Insights into Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Toxicity and Implications for Risk Assessment: Occurrence, Genotoxicity, Toxicokinetics, Risk Assessment–A Workshop Report
Authors: Schrenk Dieter , Fahrer Jörg , Allemang Ashley , Fu Peter , Lin Ge , Mahony Catherine , Mulder Patrick P.J. , Peijnenburg Ad , Pfuhler Stefan , Rietjens Ivonne M.C.M. , Sachse Benjamin , Steinhoff Barbara , These Anja , Troutman John , Wiesner Jacqueline
Published: October 2021

This paper reports on the major contributions and results of the 2nd International Workshop of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids held in September 2020 in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are among the most relevant plant toxins contaminating food, feed, and medicinal products of plant origin. Hundreds of PA congeners with widespread occurrence are known, and thousands of plants are assumed to contain PAs. Due to certain PAsʼ pronounced liver toxicity and carcinogenicity, their occurrence in food, feed, and phytomedicines has raised serious human health concerns. This is particularly true for herbal teas, certain food supplements, honey, and certain phytomedicinal drugs. Due to the limited availability of animal data, broader use of in vitro data appears warranted to improve the risk assessment of a large number of relevant, 1,2-unsaturated PAs. This is true, for example, for the derivation of both toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic data. These efforts aim to
understand better the modes of action, uptake, metabolism, elimination, toxicity, and genotoxicity of PAs to enable a detailed dose-response analysis and ultimately quantify differing toxic potencies between relevant PAs. Accordingly, risk-limiting measures comprising production, marketing, and regulation of food, feed, and medicinal products are discussed.
Outcome-Messung familienintegrierender Versorgungsmodelle für Frühgeborene: Ein Scoping-Review
Authors: Mayer-Huber Sandra , Paulick Johannes , Pricoco Rafael
Published: October 2021

Zielsetzung Dieser Scoping-Review soll einen Überblick über die gesundheitsökonomische Bewertung von Behandlungseffekten familienintegrierter/familienzentrierter Versorgungsmodelle von Frühgeborenen geben. Kern der Arbeit bildet die Analyse der Verweildauer, deren Auswertungsmethoden sowie deren Beeinflussung durch Stichprobeneigenschaften. Ebenso wurden Rehospitalisierungsraten und Kostenanalysen berücksichtigt.

Methodik In einer Literaturrecherche gemäß Scoping-Review-Methodik und vordefinierten Kriterien wurden 14 Studien eingeschlossen.

Ergebnisse Mittelmaßdifferenzen und Adjustierungsverfahren zählten zu den häufigsten Analyseverfahren. Fünf Studien berichteten zudem die Rehospitalisierungsraten. Eine Beeinflussung der Effekte durch Stichprobeneigenschaften zeigte sich nicht.

Schlussfolgerung Familienintegrierte/familienzentrierte Konzepte sind vielversprechende Versorgungsansätze für Frühgeborene. Weitere gesundheitsökonomische Analysen sind notwendig, um die gesamtgesellschaftlichen Auswirkungen beurteilen zu können.
Complicated Intramural Hematoma with Medionecrosis of the Aortic Wall
Authors: Thomas Rosmi P. , Gaughan Natalie , Anderson Daniel , Schena Stefano
Published: October 2021

Medionecrosis and medial degeneration are rare complications associated with intramural hematomas (IMHs). We present a case of a 69-year-old Asian female with an IMH with medionecrosis and medial degeneration of the aortic wall. The patient underwent successful surgical intervention, and pathological findings were significant for cystic medial degeneration of the aortic wall.
Homeopathic Medicines Used as Prophylaxis in Kolkata during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Community-Based, Cluster-Randomized Trial
Authors: Mukherjee Shyamal Kumar , Ganguly Subhasish , Das Satadal , Chatterjee Kalyan Kumar , Naskar Kisor Kumar , Dey Samit , Choudhury Saptarshi , Paul Amitava , Sarkar Sasanka Sekhar , Bhattacharyya Soumya , Sengupta Sumana , Alam Sk. Monsur , Bhattacharya Pulakendu , Naskar Satyajit , Mukherjee Sudeshna , Shamim Saima , Mandal Dibyendu , Sardar Sudeshna , Sarkar Sanjib , Ray Benoy , Gole Raghubir , Dey Avijit , Bhattacharya Chanchal , Saha Subhranil
Published: October 2021

Introduction There is some evidence that homeopathic treatment has been used successfully in previous epidemics, and currently some countries are testing homeoprophylaxis for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. There is a strong tradition of homeopathic treatment in India: therefore, we decided to compare three different homeopathic medicines against placebo in prevention of COVID-19 infections.

Methods In this double-blind, cluster-randomized, placebo-controlled, four parallel arms, community-based, clinical trial, a 20,000-person sample of the population residing in Ward Number 57 of the Tangra area, Kolkata, was randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio of clusters to receive one of three homeopathic medicines (Bryonia alba 30cH, Gelsemium sempervirens 30cH, Phosphorus 30cH) or identical-looking placebo, for 3 (children) or 6 (adults) days. All the participants, who were aged 5 to 75 years, received ascorbic acid (vitamin C) tablets of 500 mg, once per day for 6 days. In addition, instructions on healthy diet and general hygienic measures, including hand washing, social distancing and proper use of mask and gloves, were given to all the participants.

Results No new confirmed COVID-19 cases were diagnosed in the target population during the follow-up timeframe of 1 month—December 20, 2020 to January 19, 2021—thus making the trial inconclusive. The Phosphorus group had the least exposure to COVID-19 compared with the other groups. In comparison with placebo, the occurrence of unconfirmed COVID-19 cases was significantly less in the Phosphorus group (week 1: odds ratio [OR], 0.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06 to 0.16; week 2: OR, 0.004; 95% CI, 0.0002 to 0.06; week 3: OR, 0.007; 95% CI, 0.0004 to 0.11; week 4: OR, 0.009; 95% CI, 0.0006 to 0.14), but not in the Bryonia or Gelsemium groups.

Conclusion Overall, the trial was inconclusive. The possible effect exerted by Phosphorus necessitates further investigation.

Trial registration: CTRI/2020/11/029265.
The Role of the Smartphone in the Diagnosis of Vestibular Hypofunction: A Clinical Strategy for Teleconsultation during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond
Authors: Barreto Renato Gonzaga , Yacovino Darío Andrés , Cherchi Marcello , Nader Saulo Nardy , Teixeira Lázaro Juliano , Silva Delice Alves da , Verdecchia Daniel Hector
Published: October 2021

Introduction Vestibular disorders (VDs) are highly prevalent in primary care. Although in general they comprise conditions that are not life-threatening, they are associated with significant functional and physical disability. However, the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed limitations on the standard treatment of benign conditions, including VDs. In this context, other resources may aid in the diagnosis and management of patients with VDs. It is well known that teleconsultation and teletreatment are both safe and effective alternatives to manage a variety of conditions, and we maintain that VDs should be among these.

Objective To develop a preliminary model of clinical guidelines for the evaluation by teleconsultation of patients with suspected diagnosis of vestibular hypofunction during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Methods A bibliographic review of the diagnostic feasibility in VDs by teleconsultation was carried out in the LILACS, SciELO, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases; books and specialized websites were also consulted. The legal, regulatory, and technical issues involving digital consultations were reviewed.

Results We found 6 field studies published between 1990 and 2020 in which the efficiency of teleconsultations was observed in the contexts of epidemics and environmental disorders and disadvantageous geographical conditions. After reviewing them, we proposed a strategy to examine and address vestibular complaints related to vestibular hypofunction.

Conclusion The creation of a digital vestibular management algorithm for the identification, counseling, initial intervention, monitoring and targeting of people with possible vestibular hypofunction seems to be feasible, and it will provide a reasonable alternative to in-person evaluations during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Ear, Nose, and Throat Practice Guidelines: An Update for COVID-19
Authors: Kapoor Sahil , Gupta Ayushi , Saidha Poonam Kumar
Published: October 2021

Introduction Amidst another wave of COVID-19, the alarming number of cases per day in India has affected the healthcare system and professionals tremendously. As the disease burden continues to increase, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists remain at high risk of exposure to this aerosol borne virus. This requires the creation and regulation of protocols for conducting routine clinical practice, especially by ENT specialists.

Objectives To review the available literature and to propose strategies and recommendations for ENT practitioners to conduct their regular practice amidst this pandemic.

Data synthesis A systematic review of the available literature on ENT practice during the COVID-19 pandemic was done. Out of the many protocols proposed in various studies, the most practical and feasible ones that could be adopted by practicing ENT doctors/ surgeons in the long run were selected. Adequate precautions and use of high level of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required to be adopted by all practicing ENT doctors. Use of teleconsultation has been promoted as it limits face-to-face exposure. Proper guidelines should be followed for both emergency and elective surgeries. Endoscopy can be used as a safe and useful tool for ENT examination.

Conclusion As practicing otorhinolaryngologists, it is of utmost importance that we take all necessary precautions and adopt safety measures in our clinical practice while conducting out patient department (OPD) consultations, operative procedures, and emergency care to protect our patients, ourselves, and other healthcare staff during this time.
“Don’t confuse me with facts”—how right wing populism affects trust in agencies advocating anthropogenic climate change as a reality
Authors: Krange Olve , Kaltenborn Bjørn P. , Hultman Martin
Published: October 2021

Everyday public denial of anthropogenically caused climate change (ACC) has complex antecedents and exists on both individual and institutional levels. Earlier research has linked ACC denial to opposition to formal science and elites, perceived threats to the industrialist capitalist order and existing system properties. Research also suggest that trust in public organizations is a key factor in determining support or opposition to climate change policies. In this paper, we explore the possibility that right wing populism and anti-elitist attitudes fuel both ACC denial and low trust in environmental institutions. We surveyed a representative sample of Norwegians (N = 3032) to measure ACC denial, how denial is linked to socio-demographic characteristics, trust in environmental institutions, attitudes toward elites and immigration, as well as environmental attitude orientations. Results show that lack of trust in environmental institutions is strongly associated with ACC denial, and furthermore that the degree of trust—or lack thereof—is partly a function of anti-elitist attitudes, opposition to migration and views of nature.
Enhanced water flow sensing performance based on multi-ciliated structure of ionic polymer–metal composite
Authors: Yang Qian , Hu Qiao , Liu Yu , Li Yixin , Li Sihu , Zhu Zicai
Published: October 2021

Ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC) is a promising candidate for underwater sensing due to the merits of rapid response, flexibility, miniaturization, and self-powered nature. The high sensitivity of a sensor is vital for underwater robots. Inspired by the lateral line cilia of fish, a new water flow sensor system based on the multi-ciliated structure of the IPMC is presented to improve the sensitivity of the sensor. As illustrated by the experiments on oscillatory flow, the sensitivity and detection range of the multi-ciliated sensor reached 3.83 times and increased by about 39%, respectively, compared with that of a single sensor. In addition, an array composed of multi-ciliated systems of IPMCs was successfully applied to the location of a vibrating dipole, while the velocity prediction of underwater moving objects was also realized with a minimum average error rate of 1.70%. The system with high sensitivity proposed in this paper is promising to be an effective supplement to traditional underwater detection methods.
Construction of analytical solution for Hirota–Satsuma coupled KdV equation according to time via new approach: Residual power series
Authors: Yousif Majeed A. , Mahmood Bewar A.
Published: October 2021

In this work, a modern and novel approach method called the residual power series technique has been applied to find an analytical solution for an important equation in optical fibers called the Hirota–Satsuma coupled KdV equation with time as a series solution. Comparison of the analytical approximate solution with the exact solution concluded that the present method is an important addition for analyzing a system of partial differential equations that have a strong nonlinear term. We also represented graphically and discussed the effect of initial condition parameters and reaction of time on the model.
Actual and projected gaps in the provision of residential aged care in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Austin Adam , Le Thomas-Hoang , Moss Thomas , Wark Stuart
Published: October 2021

Objective The need for residential care services will grow significantly over the coming years as the general population in Australia continues to age. The aim of this study was to assess the adequacy of residential care services across New South Wales (NSW), Australia, in relation to the current and predicted future aging population. Method This study was a secondary data analysis. Existing datasets were compiled for analysis by creation of a temporal geodatabase, with predicted population data from 2019 to 2029 linked to corresponding geographic zones. Results Demand for operational places was over capacity in 2019, at 101.5%. From 2019 to 2029, this will grow to 120.2% of 2019 capacity by 2024 and to 135.6% by 2029. An additional 25 800 operational places will be required by 2029 to meet targets. During the previous decade of 2008–18, operational places grew by only 11 502 places. Conclusions NSW was not providing an adequate level of residential aged care and, under current allocations, this problem will worsen substantially over time, with flow-on impacts for the health sector. With aged care reform a current federal government focus, the results of this study may guide decisions that better support the provision of residential aged care. What is known about this topic? The recently completed Australian Royal Commission into aged care noted widespread system failure and highlighted the gaps in medical services that older Australians were experiencing. What does this paper add? This paper reports that demand for residential aged care places in NSW was already over capacity in 2019 and that the availability of places varies considerably across the state. Further, an additional 25 800 operational places are required by 2029 to meet government targets. If the growth rate from the past decade is maintained, this will result in a shortfall of 14 298 aged care places in NSW alone. What are the implications? Without significant increases in the current rate of growth for aged care places, the mainstream medical and health sectors will face significant additional pressures arising from unmet need in both older patients and their informal carers.
Activity patterns and detection rates of red-legged pademelons (
Authors: Vernes Karl , Elliott Todd F. , Elliott Kelsey
Published: October 2021

Red-legged pademelons (Thylogale stigmatica) occur as several subspecies in eastern Australia. The northern subspecies (T. stigmatica stigmatica) in north Queensland is considered common; the southern subspecies (T. stigmatica wilcoxi) in north-eastern New South Wales is, by comparison, rare and is listed as threatened. Activity patterns should also vary between these subspecies because T. s. stigmatica emerges from the forest at night to graze, whereas T. s. wilcoxi remains in the forest throughout the 24-h cycle. Using camera traps, we detected pademelons at a greater rate at a Queensland site occupied by T. s. stigmatica than at a New South Wales site inhabited by T. s. wilcoxi; this result is consistent with their conservation status. However, pademelons at these sites displayed remarkably similar activity patterns within rainforest over the 24-h period, a result that was unexpected based on what is known of their diel behaviour.
Power spectra reveal distinct BOLD resting-state time courses in white matter
Authors: Li Muwei , Gao Yurui , Ding Zhaohua , Gore John C.
Published: October 2021

Significance

This work reports our discoveries on the power spectra of functional MRI signals in white matter under resting state. Interestingly, the unique and repeatable features in the power spectra we observed are consistently found to coincide with locations of particular structural organizations in deep white matter. Close scrutiny into the functional signal profiles reveals distinct hemodynamic responses in these locations, which reflects unique neurovascular and anatomical configurations therein. Findings from this work add to the existing understanding of blood-oxygen-level–dependent changes during resting state and reveal a strong structural-vascular-functional association in white matter.
Demonstration of the role of cell wall homeostasis in
Staphylococcus aureus
growth and the action of bactericidal antibiotics
Authors: Salamaga Bartłomiej , Kong Lingyuan , Pasquina-Lemonche Laia , Lafage Lucia , von und zur Muhlen Milena , Gibson Josie F. , Grybchuk Danyil , Tooke Amy K. , Panchal Viralkumar , Culp Elizabeth J. , Tatham Elizabeth , O’Kane Mary E. , Catley Thomas E. , Renshaw Stephen A. , Wright Gerard D. , Plevka Pavel , Bullough Per A. , Han Aidong , Hobbs Jamie K. , Foster Simon J.
Published: October 2021

Significance

The bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan is essential for maintenance of viability and yet is dynamic, permitting growth and division. Peptidoglycan synthesis is inhibited by important antibiotics, including β-lactams and vancomycin. Using the human pathogen
Staphylococcus aureus
, we have examined peptidoglycan homeostatic mechanisms and how their interruption leads to cell death. This has revealed two antibiotic-induced killing mechanisms mediated by specific peptidoglycan hydrolases, both involving the appearance of holes that span the entire thickness of the cell wall. One of the mechanisms is associated with growth and the other with cell division. This study supports a simple model for how cells grow via a combination of peptidoglycan synthesis and hydrolysis and how antibiotic intervention leads to cell death.
Configurational fingerprints of multicellular living systems
Authors: Yang Haiqian , Pegoraro Adrian F. , Han Yulong , Tang Wenhui , Abeyaratne Rohan , Bi Dapeng , Guo Ming
Published: October 2021

Significance

Tissues are composed of many cells that coordinate in space, through which tissue-level material characteristics emerge. While recent progress revealed that many biological processes are analogous to material phase transitions, a systematic framework to describe the spatial order of complex living systems has been missing, which limits our understanding of material phase transitions in living systems. We develop a unified method to quantify the evolution of spatial order across different types of disordered systems, including jammed thermal systems, two-dimensional cell monolayers, three-dimensional epithelial spheroids, and
Drosophila
embryos. Using scaling analysis, we show successful differentiation of gas-like, liquid-like, and solid-like phases in various living systems.
Mammalian face as an evolutionary novelty
Authors: Higashiyama Hiroki , Koyabu Daisuke , Hirasawa Tatsuya , Werneburg Ingmar , Kuratani Shigeru , Kurihara Hiroki
Published: October 2021

Significance

The anatomical framework of the jaw has traditionally been thought to be highly conserved among vertebrates. However, here we show that the therian-unique face (muzzle) evolved via a drastic alteration of the common pattern of the tetrapod jaw. Through comparative morphological and developmental analyses, we demonstrated that the therian mammal’s premaxilla (rostral-most upper jawbone) is derived from the maxillary prominence of the mandibular arch. The developmental primordium that produces the premaxilla in nonmammalian tetrapods rarely contributes to the upper jaw in therian mammals but rather forms a motile nose. We propose that these previously unrecognized rearrangements allowed key innovations such as the highly sensitive tactile perception and olfactory function in mammalian evolution.
Phase separation in the outer membrane of
Escherichia coli
Authors: Benn Georgina , Mikheyeva Irina V. , Inns Patrick George , Forster Joel C. , Ojkic Nikola , Bortolini Christian , Ryadnov Maxim G. , Kleanthous Colin , Silhavy Thomas J. , Hoogenboom Bart W.
Published: October 2021

Significance

Antimicrobial resistance is particularly prevalent in gram-negative bacteria, as antibiotics that act inside the cells must overcome their outer membrane. So far, technical limitations have prevented us from determining how outer-membrane proteins and lipids are organized to form this functional barrier. Here, we use nanoscale imaging of live bacteria to reveal that the most abundant outer-membrane proteins form a network that spans the entire bacterial surface, leaving only small gaps of phase-separated lipopolysaccharide. This tendency to phase separate is further emphasized by the formation of new domains when phospholipids are mislocated at the surface, rendering cells more susceptible to some antibiotics. Overall, the phase-separated nature of the outer membrane defines a perspective on its integrity and barrier function.
The [有yǒu+ vp] construction in Singapore Mandarin
Authors: Teo Ming Chew
Published: October 2021

As a result of contact between mutually unintelligible Southern Chinese varieties like Hokkien and Cantonese, Colloquial Singapore Mandarin (csm)有yǒu‘have’ has extended its semantic functions to include that of realis modality marker. This paper will demonstrate how a framework of ambiguity and semantic continuity can allow us to determine the associative links between different synchronous functions of the有yǒu‘have’ construction. The ambiguous context that links the existential and realis modality functions of有yǒu‘have’ is [没有méi yǒu‘not have’ +vp]. This ambiguous context allows有yǒu‘have’ to be reanalyzed as a realis modality marker withméi‘not’ as the negator. Additionally, the semantic continuity between the existential and realis modality marker functions further confirms such an association. While [yǒu+np] affirms the existence of someone or something, [yǒu+vp] affirms the existence of an event.
(Neo)liberalizing the state – Privatization of core government competencies
Authors: Scherling Johannes
Published: October 2021

For a few decades now and most prominently promoted by the US, neoliberal economics have been on the rise,
epitomized in recent austerity policies with regard to countries that have met financial trouble. In particular the drive for
privatization of core public services relating to basic human needs, such as water, social services or pensions, has been
increasingly criticized because of a perceived incompatibility between the profit motive and social solidarity. This article uses
a corpus-based analysis of the discourse on privatization in the US of proponents supporting, respectively opposing it, with an overall
corpus size of about 230,000 tokens. It examines how the two groups conceptualize privatization differently and which strategies
are applied to fore- or background particular aspects of it.
Painting the state in the text
Authors: Oji Ruth Karachi Benson
Published: October 2021

Literary works across cultures are never written in a vacuum. They depict the reality of the society where they
are set. With the societal obligation of the writers to serve as righters, especially in Africa, this study attempts a pragmatic
inquiry of the state of the Nigerian society as implicitly and artistically painted in Remi Raji’s poetry collection, A
Harvest of Laughters. The known literature on Remi Raji’s A Harvest of Laughters have analysed the
collection mainly from literary and ideological perspectives. Attention has not been given to the collection from a pragmatic
perspective, hence the intervention of this study. Drawing insights from Jacob Mey’s Pragmatic Acts Theory, the study analyses the
pragmatic imports in the collection with fourteen (14) randomly selected excerpts across different segments of the collection
constituting the data. Data was purposively selected from different poems in the collection. The findings show that the two major
discursive issues in the text are the depiction of the government as cruel and the portrayal of the citizenry as victims. The
former was conveyed through the practs of oppressing, embezzling and deceiving, while the latter was revealed through the practs
of suffering and hoping. The study concludes that pragmatics is a valuable tool in the demystification of texts.
Fabrication and characterization of annular-shaped piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer mounted with Pb(Zr,Ti)O3-based monocrystalline thin film
Authors: Liu Ziyi , Yoshida Shinya , Tanaka Shuji
Published: October 2021

In this study, we proposed an annular-shaped piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) based on a Pb(Zr,Ti)O3-based monocrystalline thin film. This pMUT is expected to increase the resonance frequency while maintaining displacement sensitivity, making it superior to an island-shaped pMUT, which is a conventional design. To demonstrate the validity of this assumption, annular- and island-shaped pMUTs with a 60 μm-diameter diaphragm were prototyped and characterized. As a result, the annular-shaped pMUT exhibited a resonance frequency of 11.9 MHz, a static displacement sensitivity of 2.35 nm V−1 and a transmitting figure-of-merit (FOM) of 28 nm MHz V−1. On the other hand, the island-shaped pMUT exhibited a resonance frequency of 9.6 MHz and a static displacement of 2.5 nm V−1 and an FOM of 24 nm MHz V−1. Therefore, the annular-shaped pMUT was experimentally demonstrated to provide a higher FOM compared to the island-shaped pMUT. In addition, the annular-shaped pMUT with the optimal dimensions is found to be able to keep a relatively large fabrication margin. This is an advantageous point for the practical device fabrication. We believe this design has a potential to become a standard design for high-performance pMUT devices.
Numerical simulations of 22% efficient all-perovskite tandem solar cell utilizing lead-free and low lead content halide perovskites
Authors: Pandey Rahul , Sharma Sakshi , Madan Jaya , Sharma Rajnish
Published: October 2021

Lead-free or low lead content perovskite materials are explored in photovoltaic (PV) devices to mitigate the challenges of toxic lead-based halides. However, the conversion efficiency from such materials is far below compared to its counterparts. Therefore, to make a humble contribution in the development of lead-free or low lead content perovskite solar cells (PSCs) for future thin-film PV technology, a simulation study of tin (Sn) and Pb mixed halide (MAPb0.5Sn0.5I3, 1.22 eV) PSC is carried out in this manuscript. The device is further optimized in terms of transport layer and thickness variation to get 15.1% conversion efficiency. Moreover, the optimized narrow bandgap halide based device is further deployed in the monolithic tandem configuration with lead-free wide bandgap (1.82 eV) halide, i.e. Cs2AgBi0.75Sb0.25Br6, 1.82 eV (WBH) PSC, to mitigate the thermalization as well as transparent E
g losses. Filtered spectrum, current matching, and construction of tandem J–V curve at the current matching point are utilized to design the tandem solar cell under consideration. Tandem device delivered short current density, J
SC (15.21 mA cm−2), open-circuit voltage, V
OC (1.95 V), fill factor, FF (74.09%) and power conversion efficiency, PCE (21.97%). The performance of the devices considered in this work is found to be in good approximation with experimental work.
A theoretical model of a flexible capacitive pressure sensor with microstructured electrodes for highly sensitive electronic skin
Authors: Yang Weidong , Ding Wenxuan , Liu Menglong , Yang Jun , Li Mao
Published: October 2021

Electronic skin (e-skin) has attracted much attention in smart wearables, prosthetics, and robotics. Capacitive-type pressure sensors are generally regarded as a good option for designing tactile sensing devices owing to their superior sensitivity in low-pressure regions, fast response time, and convenient manufacturing. Introducing microstructures on the electrode surface is an effective approach to achieve highly sensitive capacitive pressure sensors. In this work, an electromechanical model is proposed to build the relationship between capacitance change and compressive force. The present model can predict the sensitivity of the capacitive pressure sensor with microstructured electrodes, where each cellular microstructure is modeled using contact mechanics theory. It is the first time in the literature that, based on the Hertz theory framework, a rigorous electromechanical theory framework is established to model a flexible capacitive pressure sensor. In addition, the model can be extended to other microstructures, such as micro-pyramid, micro-pillar, and micro-dome array. The validation indicates that the analytical results agree well with the experimental data from our previous work and other literature. Moreover, the present model can effectively capture the sensitivity of the pressure sensor in the beginning range of small pressure. Sensitivity in this range is the most significant for the e-skin due to its robust linearity for a pressure sensor. Besides, we analyzed the compressive force–displacement relationship, the compressive force–contact radius relationship, and the influences of the geometrical and material parameters on the electromechanical coupling effect. The results show that the height and the Young’s modulus of the soft dielectric layer are regarded as the dominant influencing factors in the sensitivity of capacitive pressure sensors.
Technology computer aided design based deep level transient spectra: simulation of high-purity germanium crystals
Authors: Lauwaert Johan
Published: October 2021

Very often deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) specimens deviate from ideal textbook examples, making the interpretation of spectra a huge challenge. This challenge introduces inaccurate estimates of emission signatures and the lack of appropriate estimates for the concentrations of the observed trap levels. In this work it is shown with the example of high-purity germanium that technology computer aided design including symbolic differentiation provides the necessary numerical stability over a wide temperature range to model DLTS spectra. Moreover high-purity germanium is a quasi intrinsic semiconductor for which it is well-known that original small signal theory can introduce strong errors. It is furthermore shown that the parasitic impact of fractional filling and high resistivity material can be modelled and that these modelled spectra can in the future assist the interpretation of experimental results.