bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct visualization of local deformations in suspended few-layer graphene membranes by coupled in situ atomic force and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Hummel Stefan , Elibol Kenan , Zhang Dengsong , Sampathkumar Krishna , Frank Otakar , Eder Dominik , Schwalb Christian , Kotakoski Jani , Meyer Jannik C. , Bayer Bernhard C.
Published: March 2021

Suspended membranes of two-dimensional (2D) materials are of interest for many applications. Much of their characterization relies on scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) or scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Unlike rigid samples, the suspended atomically thin 2D membranes are, however, flexible and do not remain mechanically undisturbed during SPM measurements. Local deformations can occur at the location of the scanning tip and thus result in measurements that misrepresent actual membrane topography and nanomechanical properties. Exact levels of such SPM tip-induced deformations in 2D membranes remain largely unknown, as they are to date only indirectly accessible via dual probe microscope concepts that either are not mechanically independent (e.g., SPM-SPM setups resulting in complicated imaging crosstalk) or suffer from intrinsically limited lateral resolution (e.g., optical far-field techniques as the second probe). Circumventing these shortcomings, we here demonstrate that by coupling an AFM with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) as the second, mechanically independent probe, we can directly and in situ visualize by SEM at high resolution 2D membrane deformations that result from controllable AFM tip manipulations in the nN range. Employing few-layer graphene as model membranes, we discuss the experimental realization of our coupled in situ AFM-SEM approach.
Numerical study of ElectroAeroDynamic force and current resulting from ionic wind in emitter/collector systems
Authors: Coseru S. , Fabre D. , Plouraboué F.
Published: March 2021

ElectroAeroDynamic (EAD) propulsion has recently shown a growing interest with distinct propulsive capabilities and specific advantages. These experimental observations are, therefore, driving interest for numerical predictions of their propulsive capabilities. Keeping with a drift region description associated with the Kaptzov approximation of the corona discharge region effect, we evaluate the detailed contributions of EAD forces from electro-drift effects computation only. We propose a new regularization procedure for the numerical formulation of the electro-drift problem, allowing the convergence of the resulting iterative procedure (here a Newton method) over very large domains, using iteratively adapted meshes in high gradient regions. Our predictions show a good comparison with many experimental configurations, for both the current/intensity and the propulsive force. In some cases, we identify the air drag and the Kaptzov approximation to explain discrepancies with experimental measurements. Finally, we confirm optimal configurations for staggered emitter and collector arrays, consistent with the previously reported experimental results.
Shape resonance determined from angular distribution in D2 (v = 2, j = 2) + He → D2 (v = 2, j = 0) + He cold scattering
Authors: Zhou Haowen , Perreault William E. , Mukherjee Nandini , Zare Richard N.
Published: March 2021

We find an l = 2 shape resonance fingerprinted in the angular distribution of the cold (∼1 K) Δj = 2 rotationally inelastic collision of D2 with He in a single supersonic expansion. The Stark-induced adiabatic Raman passage is used to prepare D2 in the (v = 2, j = 2) rovibrational level with control of the spatial distribution of the bond axis of the molecule by magnetic sublevel selection. We show that the rate of Δj = 2 D2–D2 relaxation is nearly two orders of magnitude weaker than that of D2–He. This suggests that the strong D2–He scattering is caused by an orbiting resonance that is highly sensitive to the shape of the long-range potential.
Epitaxial growth of (AlxGa1−x)2O3 thin films on sapphire substrates by plasma assisted pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Chen Zewei , Arita Makoto , Saito Katsuhiko , Tanaka Tooru , Guo Qixin
Published: March 2021

(AlxGa1−x)2O3 was grown on a-plane sapphire substrates at 500 °C by plasma assisted pulsed laser deposition (PLD) in the whole Al concentration range. The films were characterized using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and spectrophotometry. By using XPS to measure the bandgap of the films, it was found that as the Al concentration x changes from 0.00 to 1.00, the bandgap ranges from 5.3 to 8.5 eV. The results show that plasma assisted PLD is a promising method to grow ultra-wide bandgap (AlxGa1−x)2O3 at low temperatures, which paves the way for the application of power devices and other functional devices based on (AlxGa1−x)2O3.
Visualizing active viral infection reveals diverse cell fates in synchronized algal bloom demise
Authors: Vincent Flora , Sheyn Uri , Porat Ziv , Schatz Daniella , Vardi Assaf
Published: March 2021

Significance

Despite years of research in aquatic virology, we remain unable to estimate viral-induced mortality in the ocean and, consequently, to resolve viral impact on nutrient fluxes and microbial dynamics. Here, we assess active infection in algal single cells by subcellular visualization of virus and host transcripts, revealing the coexistence of infected and noninfected subpopulations. We revisit major assumptions of a giant virus’ life cycle: cells can produce virions without lysing and can lyse without producing virions. In a natural algal bloom, only 25% of cells were infected, highlighting the importance of other mortality agents. Enrichment of infected cells in cell aggregates suggests potential host defense strategies. Our approach opens a mechanistic dimension to the study of marine microbial interactions.
The cyanobacterium
Prochlorococcus
has divergent light-harvesting antennae and may have evolved in a low-oxygen ocean
Authors: Ulloa Osvaldo , Henríquez-Castillo Carlos , Ramírez-Flandes Salvador , Plominsky Alvaro M. , Murillo Alejandro A. , Morgan-Lang Connor , Hallam Steven J. , Stepanauskas Ramunas
Published: March 2021

Significance

The marine unicellular cyanobacterium
Prochlorococcus
is the most abundant photosynthetic organism on Earth. Members of this genus are classically thought to be adapted to high-oxygen and nutrient-poor ocean conditions, with a principle divergence between high-light and low-light ecotypes. We show that the most basal
Prochlorococcus
lineages are adapted to the low-oxygen, low-light, and high-nutrient conditions found in the dimly illuminated waters of anoxic marine zones. The most basal lineages have retained phycobilisomes as light-harvesting antennae—a characteristic of most other cyanobacteria—whose loss was thought to define all
Prochlorococcus
. As oxygenic photosynthesis drove ocean oxidation in the ancient Earth, oxygen appears to have played as much a role as light and nutrients in driving
Prochlorococcus
evolution.
Pandemic response policies’ democratizing effects on online learning
Authors: Kizilcec Rene F. , Makridis Christos A. , Sadowski Katharine C.
Published: March 2021

Significance

In the face of rising university tuition costs and a longstanding skills gap in the US workforce, a growing number of people access higher and continuing education programs via online platforms. There are serious concerns that online learning disadvantages members of underserved communities, thereby exacerbating social inequalities. However, it is hard to evaluate these concerns at scale partly due to selection effects. Policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as nonessential business closures, suddenly changed how people spent their time, which allowed us to estimate effects on demand for online learning and how it varies along socioeconomic dimensions. Unlike most prior studies that find education technology to maintain or amplify inequities, we present causal evidence for its potential democratizing effects.
Pyroptosis inhibition alleviates potassium oxonate- and monosodium urate-induced gouty arthritis in mice
Authors: Tian Jing , Wang Baichuan , Xie Bin , Liu Xinwei , Zhou Dapeng , Hou Xuening , Xiang Liangbi
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Pyroptosis has been found implicated in several diseases, however, whether it was involved in gouty arthritis remained unclear. Our study was performed to uncover the role of pyroptosis in gouty arthritis based on a mice model.

Methods

Mouse gouty arthritis model was established by injections of potassium oxonate (PO), monosodium urate (MSU) and pyroptosis suppressor disulfiram. The diameter of the ankle joints was measured, and ankle joints morphology was observed with hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining. Uric acid, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations were measured, while cytokines level and xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity were quantified. Relative pyroptosis markers expressions were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot as needed.

Results

In mouse model, PO and MSU injections cause damage to right ankle, increase the root thickness ratio and uric acid, creatinine and BUN levels in serum and decrease the uric acid and creatinine levels in urine. Also, under PO and MSU treatment, up-regulated XOD activity, inflammatory cytokines levels and pyroptosis markers expressions are observed. Negative regulation of mice injury by disulfiram treatment is also observed.

Conclusion

Pyroptosis inhibition might alleviate PO- and MSU-induced gouty arthritis, providing possible therapeutic strategies for gouty arthritis.
The independent and joint associations among muscle strength, abdominal obesity and cardiometabolic variables among adults
Authors: de Lima Tiago Rodrigues , González‐Chica David Alejandro , Sui Xuemei , Santos Silva Diego Augusto
Published: March 2021

The aim of the present study was to investigate the independent and joint associations among muscle strength (MS) and obesity with blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and laboratory markers. This was a cross‐sectional study comprising a representative sample of 642 adults (men: 44.9%, 39.9 ± 11.2 years; women: 55.1%, 39.3 ± 11.1 years) from Florianópolis, Brazil. MS was assessed by handgrip strength. Obesity was defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥30.0 kg/m² and a waist circumference ≥80.0 cm in women and ≥90.0 cm in men. Clinical variables included systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), C‐reactive protein (CRP), lipids, glucose metabolism markers and carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT). Linear regression models stratified by sex and adjusted for confounders were used. Higher MS levels were related to lower CRP (up to 0.59 times lower), triglycerides (up to 0.33 times lower), HOMA‐IR (up to 0.35 times lower), and higher HDL cholesterol (up to 5.2 mg/dL) levels among men. Among women, higher MS levels were related to lower SBP and DBP (up to −10.2 mmHg), CRP (up to 0.56 times lower), HOMA‐IR (up to 0.27 times lower) and IMT (up to −4.8 × 10−2 mm). In addition, MS was inversely related to triglycerides and HOMA‐IR among obese men, inversely related to CRP among obese men and women, and inversely associated to DBP only among obese women. This population‐based study corroborates findings from clinical studies suggesting that even among individuals with obesity, higher MS might help adults to reduce cardiometabolic risk.

Highlights

Muscle strength levels were directly associated with better prognosis in relation to cardiometabolic variables in individuals with or without abdominal obesity.

Among men with abdominal obesity, to have higher values of muscle strength were associated with lower values of diastolic blood pressure, C‐reactive protein, triglycerides, cholesterol and HOMA‐IR.

Higher muscle strength levels were inversely associated with C‐reactive protein among women with abdominal obesity; Higher muscle strength might help adults to reduce cardiometabolic risk.
High-performance and ultra-broadband vortex beam generation using a Pancharatnam–Berry metasurface with an H-shaped resonator
Authors: Chen Wenqiong , Gou Yue , Ma Huifeng , Niu Tiaoming , Mei Zhonglei
Published: March 2021

Vortex beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) are expected to efficiently increase channel capacity in communication sectors, so ultra-broadband vortex beam generators with high performance are important in next-generation communication systems. Based on the concept of the Pancharatnam–Berry phase, we propose a metasurface with an H-shaped resonator for realizing vortex beam generation within an ultra-wideband frequency range from 7.3 to 21 GHz (relative bandwidth = 96.8%). The designed meta-atom can acquire high efficiency (efficiency ≥ 92%) conversion from the incident plane wave to the reflected vortex wave across the entire frequency band. To verify the performance of the proposed metasurface, a reflective array consisting of 18 × 18 single-layered elements with different rotated angles is simulated for generating the vortex beam with a topological charge of ±2. Through OAM spectral analysis, the left-handed components of the reflected electric fields and mode purity of the generated vortex beams under different frequencies are achieved and discussed in detail. Then the metasurface is fabricated and measured, and the numerical and experimental results coincide well, proving the effectiveness and high performance of the proposed design.
mr-EBL: ultra-high sensitivity negative-tone electron beam resist for highly selective silicon etching and large-scale direct patterning of permanent structures
Authors: Taal Adriaan J , Rabinowitz Jake , Shepard Kenneth L
Published: March 2021

Electron beam lithography (EBL) is the state-of-the-art technique for rapid prototyping of nanometer-scale devices. Even so, processing speeds remain limited for the highest resolution patterning. Here, we establish Mr-EBL as the highest throughput negative tone electron-beam-sensitive resist. The 10 μC cm−2 dose requirement enables fabricating a 100 mm2 photonic diffraction grating in a ten minute EBL process. Optimized processing conditions achieve a critical resolution of 75 nm with 3× faster write speeds than SU-8 and 1–2 orders of magnitude faster write speeds than maN-2400 and hydrogen silsesquioxane. Notably, these conditions significantly differ from the manufacturers’ recommendations for the recently commercialized Mr-EBL resist. We demonstrate Mr-EBL to be a robust negative etch mask by etching silicon trenches with aspect ratios of 10 and near-vertical sidewalls. Furthermore, our optimized processing conditions are suitable to direct patterning on integrated circuits or delicate nanofabrication stacks, in contrast to other negative tone EBL resists. In conclusion, Mr-EBL is a highly attractive EBL resist for rapid prototyping in nanophotonics, MEMS, and fluidics.
Analyzing growth kinematics and fractal dimensions of molybdenum disulfide films
Authors: Jiang Yan , Baben Moritz to , Lin Yuankun , Littler Chris , Syllaios A J , Neogi Arup , Philipose Usha
Published: March 2021

Though the positive role of alkali halides in realizing large area growth of transition metal dichalcogenide layers has been validated, the film-growth kinematics has not yet been fully established. This work presents a systematic analysis of the MoS2 morphology for films grown under various pre-treatment conditions of the substrate with sodium chloride (NaCl). At an optimum NaCl concentration, the domain size of the monolayer increased by almost two orders of magnitude compared to alkali-free growth of MoS2. The results show an inverse relationship between fractal dimension and areal coverage of the substrate with monolayers and multi-layers, respectively. Using the Fact-Sage software, the role of NaCl in determining the partial pressures of Mo- and S-based compounds in gaseous phase at the growth temperature is elucidated. The presence of alkali salts is shown to affect the domain size and film morphology by affecting the Mo and S partial pressures. Compared to alkali-free synthesis under the same growth conditions, MoS2 film growth assisted by NaCl results in ≈81% of the substrate covered by monolayers. Under ideal growth conditions, at an optimum NaCl concentration, nucleation was suppressed, and domains enlarged, resulting in large area growth of MoS2 monolayers. No evidence of alkali or halogen atoms were found in the composition analysis of the films. On the basis of Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence measurements, the MoS2 films were found to be of good crystalline quality.
Superheating fields of semi-infinite superconductors and layered superconductors in the diffusive limit: structural optimization based on the microscopic theory
Authors: Kubo Takayuki
Published: March 2021

The superheating field

H

s
h

of the Meissner state is thought to determine the theoretical field-limit of superconducting accelerator cavities. We investigate

H

s
h

of semi-infinite superconductors and layered structures in the diffusive limit using the well-established quasiclassical Green’s function formalism of the BCS theory. The coupled Maxwell–Usadel equations are self-consistently solved to obtain the spatial distributions of the magnetic field, screening current density, penetration depth, pair potential, and

H

s
h

. For a semi-infinite superconductor in the diffusive limit, we obtain

H

s
h

=
0.795

H

c
0

at the temperature

T
→
0

. Here,

H

c
0

is the thermodynamic critical-field at the zero temperature. By laminating a superconducting film (S) with the thickness

d

on a semi-infinite superconductor (Σ), we can engineer

H

s
h

(
d
)

of the layered structure. When

d

is the optimum thickness

d
m

,

H

s
h

can be larger than that of the simple semi-infinite superconductors made from the S and Σ materials:

H

sh

(

d
m

)
 >
max
{

H

sh

(
S
)

,

H

sh

(
Σ
)

}

. The present study addresses the calculation of

H

s
h

of the dirty heterostructure using the microscopic theory from beginning to end for the first time, which contributes to the microscopic understanding of the surface engineering for pushing up the accelerating gradient of superconducting cavities for particle accelerators.
Pseudo-Hermitian trimer: Asymmetric resonances and exceptional points
Authors: Tikeng-Manfouo Arnaud D , Fotsa-Ngaffo Fernande , Kofane T C
Published: March 2021

A pseudo-Hermitian (PH) system made up of three coupled waveguides (trimer) with an overall balanced gain and loss is investigated in a parity time (PT)-symmetric-like regime. Remarkably, the pseudo hermiticity parameter controls the asymmetric spatial field modulation between left and right propagating waves whereby, a complex coupling arises that induces an additional source of non-Hermiticity, which in the system acts as a relative gain/loss Hellmann-Feynman correction. In this situation, we show that, transmissionless backscatterings are observed for the PH-trimer in the non PT broken phase. Interestingly, the scattering properties of PH-trimer result in multiple lasing states with different mechanisms. In particular, we show that in the PT-symmetric case, the lasing modes associated to the coherent perfect-absorption (CPA), occur from the spectral singularity induced by the Hermitian chain coupling and give rise to unidirectional invisibility in the direction of incident wave. On the contrary, additional emerging lasing modes in a PH regime result from the scattering maxima resonance. We demonstrate that this specific cases suppress the CPA-laser phenomenon and rather exhibit exceptional points characterized by reflectionless but also the points of transmissionless. Numerical beam propagations realized to emphasize the results are in good agreement with the scattering investigation until gain/loss parameter is around it’s value giving resonance.
Control of plastic deformation in Cu50Ta50 metallic glass by insertion of Cu crystalline cores
Authors: Tran Anh-Son
Published: March 2021

The tensile characteristics and deformation mechanisms of Cu-Ta metallic glasses with the insertion of Cu crystalline cores are investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The effects of different Cu crystalline core diameters (D

Cu
), experiment temperatures (T), and Cu crystalline core numbers (N) are studied. The results show that the plasticity of the Cu-Ta MGs is significantly improved by inserting Cu crystalline cores. The Shockley dislocations (<112>) make up the majority, and the FCC structures mainly transform into the HCP structures in the Cu crystalline cores. As increasing D

Cu
, the shear transformation zones (STZs) form more severely, the fraction of atoms with the high shear strain increases, and the tensile strength reduces. As increasing T, the STZs formation is fainter and most intense at 100 K, the fraction of atoms with the shear strain greater than 0.5 (f0.5) and the tensile strength reduce, while the fraction of atoms with the shear strain greater than 0.3 (f0.3) increases. As changing N, the STZs formations in the samples with the N = 2 and 8 are more pronounced, the f0.5 of the samples with the N = 1 and 8 are lower than those in the other cases, and the tensile strength reduces as the N increases.
Birefringence of electromagnetic waves in the relic neutrino gas
Authors: Dvornikov Maxim , Semikoz Victor B.
Published: March 2021

We reconsider the problem of the birefringence of electromagnetic (EM) waves in a medium consisting of a plasma and a νν̅-gas within the Standard Model of particle physics. The considered effect arises in such a medium due to the parity violation for the electroweak neutrino-electron interaction. Our recent calculations of the electroweak correction to the photon polarization operator in the electroweak plasma allow us to significantly improve some previous estimates of such effect in astrophysics. We estimate the rotary power for EM waves propagating in a non-relativistic plasma in the intergalactic space and interacting with the gas of relic neutrinos and antineutrinos there. We show that, in presence of a plasma, the EM wave birefringence effect in a νν̅-gas exceeds significantly that effect in a νν̅-gas in empty space considered earlier. These previous treatments of the birefringence relied on the calculations of the refraction index for on-shell photons in vacuum using the forward scattering amplitude γν→γν with virtual charged leptons in Feynman diagrams. The possibility to observe experimentally the new effect suggested here is discussed.
Measuring the cosmic homogeneity scale with SDSS-IV DR16 quasars
Authors: Gonçalves Rodrigo S. , Carvalho Gabriela C. , Andrade Uendert , Bengaly Carlos A.P. , Carvalho Joel C. , Alcaniz Jailson
Published: March 2021

We report measurements of the scale of cosmic homogeneity (rh) using the recently released quasar sample of the sixteenth data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-IV DR16). We perform our analysis in 2 redshift bins lying in the redshift interval 2.2 < z < 3.2 by means of the fractal dimension D_2. By adopting the usual assumption that rh is obtained when D2 ∼ 2.97, that is, within 1% of D2=3, we find the cosmic homogeneity scale with a decreasing trend with redshift, and in good agreement with the ΛCDM prediction. Our results confirm the presence of a homogeneity scale in the spatial distribution of quasars as predicted by the fundamental assumptions of the standard cosmological model.
Distribution and monogamy of quantum coherence for open three-qubit systems under local noisy channels
Authors: Liao Ming-Jie , Zeng Hao-Sheng
Published: March 2021

We study the distribution and monogamous relations of quantum coherence for three-qubit systems under the influence of local amplitude-damping, phase-damping and random unitary channels, respectively. We find that under the influence of the considered channels, the W state has both global and bipartite coherence, and its monogamy is always equal to zero. For the Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger) state, however, there is only global coherence in the time evolution and the monogamy is always positive. We also present a partially entangled state,

|

Ψ
⟩

, which has global, bipartite, and monomeric coherences and negative monogamy during the whole time evolution.
Change in 7Be half-life in host media
Authors: Gholamian Farshid , Firoozabadi Mohammad Mehdi , Sarhaddi Reza
Published: March 2021

First-principle calculations within the density functional theory framework are used to study the probability of electron capture for the 7Be nucleus. For this purpose, electron density at the 7Be nucleus is computed in Al, Au, Pd, Pt, and Pb environments. Our results show that the half-life of 7Be is changed by implanting 7Be in host environments. Electron affinity of the media and confinement effects are responsible for the change in the half-life of 7Be nucleus. Moreover, electric potential at the 7Be nucleus is calculated. Results show that variations in electric potential are usually consistent with those in electron density at the 7Be nucleus.
Molecular picture for X
0(2900) and X
1(2900) *
Authors: He Jun , Chen Dian-Yong
Published: March 2021

Inspired by the newly observed

and

states at LHCb, the

and

interactions are studied in the quasipotential Bethe-Salpeter equation approach combined with the one-boson-exchange model. The bound and virtual states from the interactions are searched for as poles in the complex energy plane of scattering amplitude. A bound state with

and a virtual state with

are produced from the

interaction and

interaction, and can be related to the

and

observed at LHCb, respectively. A bound state with

and a virtual state with

are also predicted from the

interaction, with the same

value, to reproduce the

, which can be searched for in future experiments.
Design of a liquid-phase magnetron sputtering small-sized source for the vacuum coating system MVTU-11-1MS
Authors: Kouptsov A D , Vasilev D D , Sidorova S V , Moiseev K M
Published: March 2021

The relevance of magnetron sputtering to obtain conductive metallized coatings with a thickness of up to tens of micrometers is indicated. Attention is paid to the features of magnetron sputtering with a liquid target. It is noted that this process is currently being implemented using magnetrons with size from 3” to 6”. The design flaws of the existing NMSA-52M magnetron and its mounting unit to the chamber of the vacuum coating system MVTU-11-1MS are considered. The design of a magnetic system with an increased value of magnetic induction on a 2” magnetron surface has been developed. The magnetron sputtering source were designed: a housing, a chamber mounting unit and a cover. As a result, a variant of the improved design of the magnetron sputtering source is presented, which takes into account the disadvantages of the existing NMSA-52M magnetron.
A numerical investigation of a thermal storage water heating system using phase change materials
Authors: Shareef A S , Al-Mousawi F N , Sachit H S
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the process of thermal heat storage within a water heating system utilizing phase change materials was numerically investigated using a CFD simulation. A two-dimensional model of the water-PCM energy storage system was designed and modelled using ANSYS Fluent. Two cases of without and with PCM were studied to investigate the possibility of using PCM materials in water storage heating systems. Paraffin wax with a melting temperature of 52 °C is used as the PCM material. Results showed that PCM (can maintain the water temperature at a higher level than that of without using PCM that meets the thermal requirements of water heating storage systems for domestic application. Also, results showed that the water temperature at the end of the simulation reaches 39.7 and 48.2 °C for the cases of without and with using PCM respectively. This means the final temperature of with PCM case is 8.5 °C higher than that of without PCM case and a temperature increase of about 21.46% can be achieved. This study highlighted the advantage of using PCM materials in water storage heating systems.
Tunable thermal diffusion and heat accumulation in transparent materials based on varying the scanning speed of a femtosecond laser
Authors: Abbas AbdulSattar K. , Umran Fadhil A. , Elias Mazin M.
Published: March 2021

Based on heat accumulation effects, symmetric optical waveguides in glass can be obtained via femtosecond laser irradiation. Such modification inside glass is interesting in terms of developing integrated mini-optical devices with 3-D structures and micro channels for biosensors. This work experimentally investigated the formation of micro-channels inside porous glass irradiated with an 800 nm, 100 fs, and 250 kHz femtosecond laser with scanning speeds ranging from 250 μm/s to 1000 μm/s at a fixed power of 300 mW. Strong heat accumulation effects were thus observed at laser scanning at 250μm/s, which offered significant variations in structure morphology.
Development, implementation, and evaluation of a health outcomes and research program at an integrated health-system specialty pharmacy
Authors: Zuckerman Autumn D , Shah Nisha B , Peter Megan E , Jolly Jacob A , Kelley Tara N
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Health-system specialty pharmacies (HSSPs) provide high-quality, efficient, and collaborative care to patients receiving specialty therapy. Despite proven benefits of the integrated model, manufacturer and payer restrictions challenge the viability and utility of HSSPs. Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy developed a health outcomes and research program to measure and communicate the value of this model, drive improvement in patient care delivery, and advocate for recognition of HSSP pharmacists’ role in patient care. The purpose of this descriptive report is to describe the development and results of this program.

The health outcomes and research program began as an initiative for pharmacists to evaluate and convey the benefits they provide to patients, providers, and the health system. Early outcomes data proved useful in communicating the value of an integrated model to key stakeholders and highlighted the need to further develop research efforts. The department leadership invested resources to build a research program with dedicated personnel, engaged research experts to train pharmacists, and fostered internal and external collaborations to facilitate research efforts. As of March 2021, the health outcomes and research program team has published 33 peer-reviewed manuscripts, presented 88 posters and 7 podium presentations at national conferences, and received 4 monetary research awards. Further, the program team engages other HSSP teams to initiate and expand their own health outcomes research in an effort to empower all HSSPs in demonstrating their value.

Conclusions

The health outcomes and research program described has pioneered outcomes research among HSSPs nationwide and has proven valuable to specialty pharmacists, the health system, and key specialty pharmacy stakeholders.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Complications Associated With Autogenous Diced Cartilage Wrapped in Fascia Used in Nasal Dorsum Augmentation
Authors: Keyhan Seied Omid , Ramezanzade Shaqayeq , Bohluli Behnam , Fallahi Hamid Reza , Shakiba Madjid , Yates Julian
Published: March 2021

Background

Nasal dorsum augmentation is a highly challenging rhinoplastic procedure. Problems encountered in this surgery, such as residual humps, irregularities, and asymmetry, account for a significant number of revision rhinoplasties.

Objectives

The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess complication rates and graft harvesting site morbidity and revision rates.

Methods

We carried out a systematic review of the literature for pertinent materials in PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar up to and including August 2020. In addition, the reference list of included studies was searched manually. The criteria used were those described in the PRISMA Declaration for performing systematic reviews.

Results

The initial search yielded 236 results. After 3 stages of screening, 16 papers (18 groups) were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Our results indicated that the total rates for the complications studied were as follows: graft resorption, 2.52%; insufficient augmentation, 3.93%; deviation (graft displacement), 1.77%; infection, 2.30%; irregularity, 1.36%; supra-tip depression, 1.13%; overcorrection, 3.06%; hematoma at recipient site, 1.36%; and visible bulging of the graft, 2.64%. The total rates for donor site hypertrophic scar and donor site hematoma were 2.64% and 3.58%, respectively. The rate of the revision surgery was 3.03%.

Conclusions

Current findings suggest the overall complications and revision rates with the use of diced cartilage wrapped in fascia for dorsum augmentation were relatively low and this technique is a reliable treatment choice for patients with primary/secondary dorsum deficiencies. Further studies with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-ups, clearer definitions of complications, and objective measurements are warranted to draw reliable practical conclusions.

Level of Evidence: 4
亚洲人面部注射年轻化和美学形象整体设计新方案
Authors: 海燕 崔 , 海光 赵 , 海淞 徐 , 国宝 王 , 谭琳琳 和
Published: March 2021

越来越多的亚洲人正在寻求非手术面部美容治疗。亚洲人的容貌、审美和解剖特征与西方人并不完全相同，同时还缺少系统化的美学评估和解决方案。作者从中国书法中吸取灵感，提出“未来”(Future Codes) 设计理念，来描述亚洲人面部美容注射艺术，从而帮助医生做好面部美容的设计与治疗。“未来”是由两个汉字组成的象形文字，翻译成英文就是“Future”，它代表着美好未来的意义，生动地描述了审美评估、设计及操作的方法。这一概念涵盖了亚洲人面部注射艺术的系统性总体设计，而且这些程序容易学习，执行起来也很安全。这是临床上第一个系统性解决方案，是通过东方哲学和文化针对亚洲人面部美化年轻化而提出的创新理念。

证据等级：5
Adhesive film applications help to prepare strawberry fruit sections for desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Enomoto Hirofumi
Published: March 2021

Desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI) is a powerful tool to analyze the distribution of metabolites in biological tissues. Cryosectioning of biological tissues is usually required prior to DESI-MSI, but it can be difficult for tissues that are fragile, hard, and have a high-water content. The Kawamoto method uses transparent adhesive films to prepare cryosections; however, its application for plant tissues, such as strawberry tissues, in DESI-MSI has not been verified. In this study, strawberry cryosections maintained original structures were prepared using adhesive film. Subsequently, numerous peaks were detected for the sections using the positive and negative ion modes of DESI-MSI. Several primary and specialized metabolites, such as amino acids, sugars, organic acids, and flavonoids, were identified and visualized. These results suggest the use of adhesive films when cryosectioning could improve DESI-MSI analysis of the metabolites in strawberry fruits and various tissues of other plant species.
The C-terminal of the α1b-adreneroceptor is a key determinant for its structure integrity and biological functions
Authors: Liu Ying , Shao Yu-Ting , Ward Richard , Ma Li , Gui Hao-Xin , Hao Qian , Mu Xi , Yang Yang , An Su , Guo Xiao-Xi , Xu Tian-Rui
Published: March 2021

The C-terminal of G protein-coupled receptors is now recognized as being important for G protein activation and signaling function. To detect the role of C-terminal tail in receptor activation, we used the α1b-AR, which has a long C-terminal of 164 amino acids. We constructed the intramolecular FRET sensors, in which the C-terminal was truncated to 10 (∆C-10), 20 (∆C-20), 30 (∆C-30), 50 (∆C-50), 70 (∆C-70), or 90 (∆C-90). The truncated mutants of ∆C-10, ∆C-20, or ∆C-30 cannot induce FRET signal changes and downstream ERK1/2 phosphorylation. However, the truncated mutants of ∆C-50, ∆C-70, or ∆C-90 induce significant FRET signal changes and downstream ERK1/2 phosphorylation, especially ∆C-90. This is particularly true in the case of the ∆C-90, ∆C-70, or ∆C-50 which retained the potential phosphorylation sites (Ser401, Ser404, Ser408, or Ser410). The ∆C-90 showed an increase in agonist-induced FRET signal changes and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in PKC- or endocytosis-dependent and EGFR-, src-, or β-arrestin2-independent.
A new screening method for identifying chemosensory receptors responding to agonist
Authors: Tsuchiya Sakura , Terada Yuko , Matsuyama Minami , Yamazaki-Ito Toyomi , Ito Keisuke
Published: March 2021

Humans sense taste and smell of various chemical substances through approximately 430 chemosensory receptors. The overall picture of ligand–chemosensory receptor interactions has been partially clarified because of numerous interactions. This study presents a new method that enables a rapid and simple screening of chemosensory receptors. It would be useful for identifying chemosensory receptors activated by taste and odor substances.
Extracellular matrix components and elasticity regulate mouse vaginal epithelial differentiation induced by mesenchymal cells
Authors: Nakajima Tadaaki , Kozuma Miyabi , Hirasawa Tomoko , Matsunaga Yukiko T , Tomooka Yasuhiro
Published: March 2021

Oviduct, uterus, and vagina are derived from Müllerian ducts. But only in the vagina, the epithelium differentiates into stratified layers. Organ-specific secreted factors derived from the stroma of a neonatal mouse induce epithelial differentiation in the female reproductive tracts. However, the effects of the components and mechanical property of extracellular matrix (ECM) on the regulation of gene expression in the mesenchymal cells of neonatal stroma and differentiation of epithelium in the female reproductive tracts have been overlooked. In the present study, we have developed a simple 3D neonatal vaginal model using clonal cell lines to study the effect of ECM’s components and stiffness on the epithelial stratification. Transcriptome analysis was performed by DNA-microarray to identify the components of ECM involved in the differentiation of vaginal epithelial stratification. The knockdown experiment of the candidate genes relating to vaginal epithelial stratification was focused on fibromodulin (Fmod), a collagen cross-linking protein. FMOD was essential for the expression of Bmp4, which encodes secreted factors to induce the epithelial stratification of vaginal mesenchymal cells. Furthermore, stiffer ECM as a scaffold for epithelial cells is necessary for vaginal epithelial stratification. Therefore, the components and stiffness of ECM are both crucial for the epithelial stratification in the neonatal vagina.
Beyond the Toxic Trio: Exploring Demand Typologies in Children’s Social Care
Authors: Hood Rick , Goldacre Allie , Webb Calum , Bywaters Paul , Gorin Sarah , Clements Keith
Published: March 2021

Demand for children’s social care is often conflated with rates of intervention and associated with a limited constellation of parental risk factors. This article reports on a more comprehensive picture of demand obtained through a quantitative study of child welfare interventions in England. Longitudinal child-level data were combined from children’s social care services in six English local authorities over a four-year period (2015–2018). Latent class analysis was undertaken for a random sample of child episodes where an assessment was undertaken (n = 15,000). The results were tested for consistency across LAs and to identify the most appropriate number of classes. Conditional probabilities were used to interpret the demand represented by each class, and to explore the relationship between typologies and child characteristics such as age, gender and ethnicity. The analysis found seven classes, or typologies of demand, to be present in factors at assessment across all the LAs, which were linked to certain child characteristics and intervention pathways. The findings go beyond the ‘toxic trio’ terminology often used to profile risks to children and support the innovative use of administrative data to provide insight into patterns of demand. Implications are discussed for strategic responses to child welfare problems and the multi-agency context of prevention.
Systemic infection exacerbates cerebrovascular dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Asby Daniel , Boche Delphine , Allan Stuart , Love Seth , Miners J Scott
Published: March 2021

We studied the effects of systemic infection on brain cytokine level and cerebral vascular function in Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, in superior temporal cortex (Brodmann area 22) from Alzheimer’s disease patients (n = 75), vascular dementia patients (n = 22) and age-matched control subjects (n = 46), stratified according to the presence or absence of terminal systemic infection. Brain cytokine levels were measured using Mesoscale Discovery Multiplex Assays and markers of cerebrovascular function were assessed by ELISA. Multiple brain cytokines were elevated in Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia: IL-15 and IL-17A were maximally elevated in end-stage Alzheimer’s disease (Braak tangle stage V–VI) whereas IL-2, IL-5, IL12p40 and IL-16 were highest in intermediate Braak tangle stage III–IV disease. Several cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-15) were further raised in Alzheimer’s disease with systemic infection. Cerebral hypoperfusion—indicated by decreased MAG:PLP1 and increased vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF)—and blood–brain barrier leakiness, indicated by raised levels of fibrinogen, were exacerbated in Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia patients, and also in non-dementia controls, with systemic infection. Amyloid-β42 level did not vary with infection or in association with brain cytokine levels. In controls, cortical perfusion declined with increasing IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13 and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) but these relationships were lost with progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and with infection (even in Braak stage 0–II brains). Cortical platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFRβ), a pericyte marker, was reduced, and endothelin-1 (EDN1) level was increased in Alzheimer’s disease; these were related to amyloid-β level and disease progression and only modestly affected by systemic infection. Our findings indicate that systemic infection alters brain cytokine levels and exacerbates cerebral hypoperfusion and blood–brain barrier leakiness associated with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, independently of the level of insoluble amyloid-β, and highlight systemic infection as an important contributor to dementia, requiring early identification and treatment in the elderly population.
Vibration-based synchronous sampling and its application in wind-turbine drive-train-condition monitoring
Authors: Hu Ting , Wan Hongyi , Luo Huageng
Published: March 2021

Utilizing shaft-speed information to analyse vibration signals is an important method for fault diagnosis and condition monitoring of rotating machineries, especially for those running at variable speeds. However, in many cases, shaft-speed information is not always available, for a variety of reasons. Fortunately, in most of the measurements, the shaft-speed information is embedded in the vibration response in many different forms, such as in the format of the fundamental shaft-rotation-frequency response and its harmonics, and the gear-meshing-frequency response and its harmonics, etc. Proper signal processing can be used to extract the shaft instantaneous speed from the measured vibration responses.

In existing instantaneous shaft-speed-identification methods, a narrow-bandpass filtering technique is used explicitly or implicitly. In a complex gearbox system, such as that used in a wind turbine, the gear-meshing-response component could be modulated by many other shaft speeds, due to the configuration of the gearbox or due to the existence of component damage. As a result, it is very difficult to isolate a single vibration-response component for instantaneous shaft-speed detection.

In this paper, an innovative approach is presented. The instantaneous shaft speed is extracted based on maxima tracking from the vibration-response spectrogram. A numerical integration scheme is employed to obtain the shaft instantaneous phase. Digital-domain synchronous resampling is then applied to the vibration data by using the instantaneous phase information. Due to the nature of noise suppression in the numerical integration, the accuracy of synchronous sampling is greatly improved. This proposed approach demonstrates the feasibility and engineering applicability through a controlled laboratory test case and two field wind-turbine cases. More detailed results and conclusions of this research are presented at the end of this paper.
Unifying inference for semiparametric regression
Authors: Hong Shaoxin , Jiang Jiancheng , Jiang Xuejun , Xiao Zhijie
Published: March 2021

In the literature, a discrepancy in the limiting distributions of least square estimators between the stationary and nonstationary cases exists in various regression models with different persistence level regressors. This hinders further statistical inference since one has to decide which distribution should be used next. In this paper, we develop a semiparametric partially linear regression model with stationary and nonstationary regressors to attenuate this difficulty, and propose a unifying inference procedure for the coefficients. To be specific, we propose a profile weighted estimation equation method that facilitates the unifying inference. The proposed method is applied to the predictive regressions of stock returns, and an empirical likelihood procedure is developed to test the predictability. It is shown that the Wilks theorem holds for the empirical likelihood ratio regardless of predictors being stationary or not, which provides a unifying method for constructing confidence regions of the coefficients of state variables. Simulations show that the proposed method works well and has favourable finite sample performance over some existing approaches. An empirical application examining the predictability of equity returns highlights the value of our methodology.
Atrial fibrillation is associated with large beat-to-beat variability in mitral and tricuspid annulus dimensions
Authors: Naser Jwan A , Kucuk Hilal Olgun , Ciobanu Andrea O , Jouni Hayan , Oguz Didem , Thaden Jeremy J , Pislaru Cristina , Pellikka Patricia A , Foley Thomas A , Eleid Mackram F , Muraru Denisa , Nkomo Vuyisile T , Pislaru Sorin V
Published: March 2021

Aims

Beat-to-beat variability in cycle length is well-known in atrial fibrillation (Afib); whether this also translates to variability in annulus size remains unknown. Defining annulus maximal size in Afib is critical for accurate selection of percutaneous devices given the frequent association with mitral and tricuspid valve diseases.

Methods and results

Images were obtained from 170 patients undergoing 3D echocardiography [100 (50 sinus rhythm (SR) and 50 Afib) for mitral annulus (MA) and 70 (35 SR and 35 Afib) for tricuspid annulus (TA)]. Images were analysed for differences in annular dynamics with a commercially available software. Number of cardiac cycles analysed was 567 in mitral valve and 346 in tricuspid valve. Median absolute difference in maximal MA area over four to six cycles was 1.8 cm2 (range 0.5–5.2 cm2) in Afib vs. 0.8 cm2 (range 0.1–2.9 cm2) in SR, P < 0.001. Maximal MA area was observed within 30–70% of the R-R interval in 81% of cardiac cycles in SR and in 73% of cycles in Afib. Median absolute difference in maximal TA area over four to six cycles was 1.4 cm2 (range 0.5–3.6 cm2) in Afib vs. 0.7 cm2 (range 0.3–1.7 cm2) in SR, P < 0.001. Maximal TA area was observed within 60–100% of the R-R interval in 81% of cardiac cycles in SR, but only in 49% of cycles in Afib.

Conclusion

MA and TA reach maximal size within a broad time interval centred around end-systole and end-diastole, respectively, with significant beat-to-beat variability. Afib leads to a larger beat-to-beat variability in both timing of occurrence and values of annulus size than in SR.