bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breeding of early ripening potato varieties under the conditions of the Kabardino-Balkarian foothill zone
Authors: Abazov Aniuar , Abidov Khaset , Basiev Sultan , Nazranov Khusein
Published: May 2021

Evolution and thousands of years of artificial selection have contributed to the formation of the widest variety of cultivated potatoes. Thanks to this, more than 4 thousand varieties of potatoes have been created in the world today. All of them are known to differ not only in habit, but also in the level of yield, ripening period, resistance degree to numerous diseases and pests, plasticity to certain climatic and soil conditions. The results of research and evaluation of 4 thousand hybrids of the 1st tuber generation (single-tuberous plants) of joint breeding of the Institute of Agriculture ISKh KBNTs RAN and FSBSI (Federal state budgetary scientific institution) “Federal Research Center (FRC) of Potato name after A.G. Lorkh” that passed the full scheme of breeding tests, 9 promising cross-breed populations with economically useful traits were identified: consistently high yield and resistance to a complex of viral, bacterial and fungal diseases. The selected cross-breeds are distinguished by early and medium early ripening periods with a growing season of 55-70 days and a maximum yield of 38.6-66.2 ton/ha, depending on the prevailing weather conditions during the growing season of potato plants in 2019-2020. The genotypes obtained are involved in the implementation of the federal scientific and technical program for the development of potato growing for 2017-2030. The main goal of the program is to create new varieties of early ripeness group of potatoes. The co-executors of this program are a number of research institutes of the Russian Federation, including the Institute of Agriculture ISKh KBNTs RAN. [1] As a result of many years of investigation, the promising cross-breed 2652-15 that emerged from breeding of the Malinovka variety with the backcross 93.20-12 under the name Zamir was transferred in 2020 for the State test of the Russian Federation in the North Caucasian region. Medium early variety for table use and mashed potatoes processing. Potential yield is 49.5 ton/ha. Tubers of an attractive rounded oval shape with shallow eyes weighing 85.5-108.4 g with a yellow color of the tuber and creamy flesh. The tubers are resistant to mechanical damage during combine harvesting, storability is good. Medium resistant to late blight in tops and highly resistant to tubers. Relatively resistant to rhizoctonia and common scab, banded and wrinkled mosaic of leaves.
New generation protein supplement in combined feeds for broiler chickens
Authors: Andrianova E.N. , Egorov I. А.
Published: May 2021

In experiments on broiler chickens of the SGC “Smena” selection, it was found that the partial replacement of fish meal with an additive based on a protein of microbial origin, containing 68.3% of crude protein, allows to provide a live weight of chickens comparable to the control with high poultry safety, due to good protein digestibility and availability of amino acids. A comprehensive assessment of the productivity of broilers according to the productivity index showed that the replacement of 50% of fish meal with microbial protein contributed to an increase in the productivity index of chickens of the second group by 4.78 points in comparison with the control. The complete replacement of fish meal in the third experimental group was less effective, as evidenced by a decrease in the productivity index to 303.91 points compared to 308.73 in the control. It is shown that the introduction of a protein supplement into the feed for broiler chickens in Analysis of the chemical composition of the liver of 35-day-old broilers showed that the protein content in the liver of chickens of the second and third groups was higher than the control by 1.99 and 0.58%, while there was no increase in the fat content in the groups with a protein supplement. The crude fat content was at the level of 11.38 and 12.20% versus 13.0% in the control, which indirectly indicates the absence of a cytotoxic effect on liver cells from the use of microbial protein in the studied dosages.
Application of intelligent methods for diagnosing animal diseases based on determining the structures of blood facies
Authors: Yanaeva Marina V. , Kuzminova Elena V. , Akindinov Nikita A. , Osepchuk Denis V. , Semenenko Marina P.
Published: May 2021

The intensive development of computer technologies, the growing importance of the problems of intellectualization and decision-making determine the need for software tools that make it possible to increase the efficiency of laboratory diagnostics in veterinary medicine. An analysis of the structure of the solid phase of biological fluids (facies) is proposed as a universal method for assessing the state of homeostasis of an organism. The paper highlights the problem of diagnosing animal diseases based on the determination of indicators of the structures of blood facies, substantiates the relevance of using neural networks to recognize the obtained images of blood facies, presents the main methods of an intelligent information system for diagnosing animal diseases.
Impact of various reagents during blood collection from poultry to analyze morpho-biochemical indicators
Authors: Vertiprakhov Vladimir , Grozina Alena , Fisinin Vladimir , Ovchinnikova Natalya , Bittirov Anatoly
Published: May 2021

The work provides experimental data on the impact of anticoagulants (K3 - EDTA, 3.8% sodium citrate and lithium heparin) and coagulation activator on morpho-biochemical indicators in the blood samples of broiler chickens of cross-selection of Agricultural Center “Smena” at the age of 35 days. The studies were carried out with the use of semi-automatic flow analyzer Sinnowa BS-3000P (SINNOWA Medical Science & Technology Co., Ltd, China) and veterinary automatic blood analyzer DF-50 by Dymind Biotech (PRC) with the use of original reagents. The results showed that the most optimal reagent for determination of morphological indicators of the poultry blood was EDTA. The average white blood count (WBC) is lower in blood samples with citrate and heparin in contrast to EDTA by 30.5% and 24.1%, respectively. The average red blood count (RBC) is lower in tubes with sodium citrate (by 37.9 %) and lithium heparin (by 13.8 %) in contrast to K3-EDTA. When the sodium citrate anticoagulant is used, the blood biochemistry results for all positions of the experiment, excluding calcium, are lower than in heparin, and its closest values are lower than in coagulation activator, excluding trypsin activity. That’s why, the most optimal reagents for biochemistry, including for blood enzyme tests, should be considered the tubes with heparin or coagulation activator.
Growth and development indices of Aberdeen-Angus bulls originating from sires of different body types
Authors: Shakhmurzov Mukhamed , Shevkhuzhev Anatoly , Pogodaev Vladimir , Gukezhev Vladimir , Vorokov Vitaly
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this work was to establish the characteristics of growth, exterior, payment for feed by gain in live weight among young Aberdeen-Angus breed, originating from bulls of different body types. Hammer LLC of Karachay-Cherkessia conducted the experiment: from the offspring of 4 large bulls and 3 small bulls of the Aberdeen-Angus breed, 14 bulls were selected in each group. The investigation results on the intensive rearing of different young stock from weaning to 18 months of age showed that large-type bulls were superior to small-type bulls in terms of growth rate and better payment for feed by gain in live weight. At the age of 18 months, bulls from large-type parents reached a weight of 442 kg, and from small ones - 413 kg. These differences are statistically significant (P > 0.99) for the period from weaning to one and a half years old bulls, originating from bulls of a large type spent 8.1 EFU per 1 kg of gain, and bulls originating from bulls of a small type – 8.4 EFU.
Sowing time influence on the sweet corn productivity in the mountainous ecologically clean zone of Kabardino-Balkaria
Authors: Shibzukhov Zalim-Geri , Kishev Alim , Shibzukhova Zalina , Eziev Murat , Akbar Ilahun
Published: May 2021

With a properly selected sowing time, the highest productivity of sweet corns is achieved. In the conditions of the mountainous zone of Kabardino-Balkaria, the timing of sowing sweet corn has not been studied, therefore, determining the optimal sowing time is one of the most important issues in the successful cultivation and obtaining high yields of sweet corn. In our studies, the sowing time influenced the survival rate of sweet corn plants. Optimal sowing favors the dynamic growth and development of plants, the root system, allows better assimilation of moisture in the soil, thus increasing the growth of green mass and the formation of larger and higher quality grains. Based on the analysis of data on the structure of yields, in all respects, the second sowing period (late April - early May) is ahead of other options, especially later sowing dates. The amount of products obtained depends on the weight of one earcorn. The number of marketable earcorns drops sharply at late sowing dates. The sharp decline in the productivity of sweet corn plants is explained by the fact that in the late sowing period, the soil moisture level is at a low level due to the rise in high temperatures.
The productivity of the vetch and oat mix in crop rotation when using various fertilizer systems in the Vologda region
Authors: Chukhina Olga Vasilievna , Korelskaya Larisa Alexandrovna , Demidov Nikolai Sergeevich
Published: May 2021

In 2017-2019, it was revealed that fertilizers provide 36 - 51% of the annual crops green mass yield, the collection of raw protein increases by 1.5 - 1.6 times. When N12 was introduced against the background of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, its content corresponded to 12.50%, and when the N75 was introduced, it increased to 13.6 - 13.7%. Takeaway for N, P, K increased with the use of N75P35K130-160respectively by 1.5 - 1.6 times, by 40 and 80-90% compared to control. The content of NO3 in green mass increased with the use of fertilizers, amounted to 72 - 86% of the maximum allowable concentration. The doses of N75P35K130-160fertilizers are 32 - 34 ton/ha of green mass in a vetch and oat mix and the more negative balance of the fertilizer elements investigated.
Endo-irreversible thermo-mechanical Carnot engine with new concept of entropy production action coefficient
Authors: Feidt Michel , Feidt Renaud
Published: May 2021

Thermostatics of Carnot engines has been extended by more recent research based on endo-reversible model. Our model assumes exo-reversibility but endo-irreversibility to determine new upper-bound to thermomechanical conversion. We propose a functional expression of entropy production related to cycle transformation durations. This approach analyses the energy, entropy and power consequences. We introduce a new concept of entropy production actions that results in three sequential optimums: maximum energy related to transformation durations, maximum energy associated with equipartition of entropy actions, optimal power for given cycle period.
A journey into Massimo Salvatores scientific work
Authors: Zaetta Alain , De Saint Jean Cyrille , Jacqmin Robert
Published: May 2021

Massimo SALVATORES was not the man of a country, an organization, or a team. Certainly because of his origin, his education, and his culture, Massimo has always favored a broader and more open collaboration instead of a bureaucratic and shortsighted approach to the research, keeping the achievements only to a restricted inner circle. He was convinced that disinterested sharing makes one stronger and Massimo is one of the few nuclear reactor physicists who elevated international collaboration to its highest level. A short history of the major contributions that Massimo made to his dear discipline, Neutronics, will emphasize this peculiar aspect of his career.
Preface: M3E2 2021 – Economic aftershock of COVID-19
Authors: Semerikov Serhiy , Soloviev Vladimir , Kibalnyk Liubov , Chernyak Oleksandr , Danylchuk Hanna
Published: May 2021

This is an introductory text to a collection of papers from the M3E2 2021: 9th International Conference on Monitoring, Modeling & Management of Emergent Economy, which held in Odessa National University of Economics, Odessa, Ukraine, on the May 26-28, 2021. It consists of short introduction, conference review and some observations about the event and its future.
Recurrence analysis of innovation behavior of bitcoin market agents in conditions of COVID-19
Authors: Kucherova Hanna , Los Vita , Ocheretin Dmytro , Bilska Olha , Makazan Evgenia
Published: May 2021

The relevance of the research subject is explained by a fundamental change in the conditions of existence and development of agents of the digital economy, limited knowledge about their behavior under conditions of quarantine restrictions. The aim of the research is to study the series of the dynamics of the price of bitcoin and the frequency of online requests for bitcoin as an indicator of the behavior of agents of the digital economy using the methods of qualitative recurrent analysis. The types of constructed time series plots of the price of bitcoin and the frequency of requests for bitcoin are defined as drift with a superimposed linearly gradually increasing sequence, which indicates the unpredictability of the behavior of digital economy agents with a gradual stabilization in new quality trend. The scientific novelty of the research results lies in the proven connection between the series of bitcoin price dynamics and the frequency of online requests for bitcoin, tracking changes in the behavior of digital economy agents before and after the introduction of quarantine restrictions. The procedure for conducting a qualitative recurrence analysis of the series of dynamics is generalized, which takes into account the specifics of the formation of the frequency of online requests for bitcoin, the price and the behavioral aspect of its formation. The practical value lies in defining the characterization of the behavior model of digital economy agents under conditions of quarantine restrictions. The behavior of digital economy agents in the context of COVID-2019 requires further research, in particular, using cross-recurrent analysis methods.
Decision support information and analytical technology in discharge military personnel employment
Authors: Medvid Mykhailo , Ivashchenko Peter , Britchenko Igor , Trubavina Iryna , Liutyi Volodymyr
Published: May 2021

The research material proposes the use of decision support information-analytical technology in discharge military personnel employment, which, in contrast to the usual processing of survey results, makes it possible to obtain more information for decision-making. Adherence to such an approach in the development of public administration mechanisms increases the likelihood that in the case of their implementation in the country there will be positive changes, as they will indirectly take into account the availability of necessary resources. Information and analytical technology to support decisions in the field of labor economics substantiates the development of the example of discharged military personnel social welfare. According to the content, the developed decision support information-analytical technology in the field of labor economics provides for the following components: formation of social protection mechanisms; development of a questionnaire on the use of the appropriate mechanism; statistical analysis of survey results (generation of empirical distributions of answers to questions relative frequencies; comparison of answers medians; correspondences analysis; factor analysis; analysis of hierarchies); meaningful interpretation; decision making.
Modeling of strategies for the development of the resort-recreation sphere of Ukraine
Authors: Zakharchenko Pavel , Kostenko Ganna , Kungurtseva-Mashchenko Tatyana , Zhvanenko Svitlana , Mukhin Viktor
Published: May 2021

In modern world economy resort recreations – one of the most high-profitable industries of managing. Ukraine owns the powerful resort and recreational potential, effective development of which can bring a real economic benefit. For this purpose, it is necessary to form a system concept for the development of such industry, which are integral part of the economic transformations. The purpose of the article consists in development of approach to modeling of transformations strategy development of resort-recreation systems in which transformation acts as their internal and necessary part. As a result of research, the concept of transformation strategy development was grounded, as a certain period of cyclic dynamics, and the scenarios of origin of catastrophe, development and introduction of innovations is got. The offered approach assumes opportunity to consider development of economy of resort-recreation systems as process of transformation change of strategies. On this basis the model based on theory of catastrophes, which allows carrying out the scenario description of transformation strategies of resort-recreation systems is constructed.
Machine learning methods application for consumer banking
Authors: Kaminskyi Andrii , Nehrey Maryna , Zomchak Larysa
Published: May 2021

Machine learning (ML) methods are effective tools for analysis of many actual problems in modern banking. Increasing growth of data and rapid digitalization underpin the acceleration of ML implementation. These processes are especially noticeable in consumer banking because banks have millions of the retail customers. The first goal of our research is to form an extended review ML application in consumer banking. From one side we have identified the most developed ML methods, which are applied in this segment (for example different types of regressions, fuzzy clustering, neural network, principal component analysis etc.). From the other side, we point out two multi-purpose tools used by banks in consumer segment intensively, namely scoring and clustering. Secondly, our goal is to present some innovative applications of ML methods to the analysis of each task. This includes several applications for scoring models and fuzzy clustering application. All applications are oriented to make banks business processes more effective. Considered applications were realised on real data from the Ukrainian banking industry.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings and Clinical Outcomes in the Early Postoperative Period after Full Endoscopic Diskectomy for Lumbar Disk Herniation
Authors: Terai Tomoya , Chikawa Takashi , Henmi Tatsuhiko , Sairyo Koichi
Published: May 2021

Introduction This prospective case-control study aimed to establish the normal spectrum of early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients whose symptoms resolve after full endoscopic diskectomy (FED). We examined the changes in postoperative MRI findings and their relation to early clinical symptoms.

Methods In total, 33 patients underwent FED under local anesthesia. Clinical assessments and MRI examinations were performed preoperatively and immediately (within 1 week) and late (at 3 and 12 months) postoperatively. Residual disk bulging after surgery was classified into four grades compared with preoperative MRI findings: none (grade A), <25% (grade B), 25–75% (grade C), and >75% (grade D).

Results MRI at postoperative week 1 showed grade B residual disk bulging in 9 patients, grade C residual disk bulging in 8 patients, and grade D residual disk bulging in 16 patients. Improvement was seen at postoperative month 3 (grade A in 18 patients, grade B in 10 patients, and grade C in 5 patients) and at postoperative month 12 (grade A in 29 patients, grade B in 3 patients, and grade C in 1 patient). Visual analog scale scores and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores showed significant differences at 1 week, 3 months, and 12 months after surgery.

Conclusion Postoperative MRI findings within 1 week of FED showed grade C or D residual disk material in 24 of 33 patients (73%). Clinical symptoms improved in the early postoperative period, even though residual disk bulging was present. Persisting residual bulging in the early stage following surgery may not correlate with clinical symptoms.
Perineurioma: A Rare Entity of Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors
Authors: Brand Christine , Pedro Maria Teresa , Pala Andrej , Heinen Christian , Scheuerle Angelika , Braun Michael , Antoniadis Gregor
Published: May 2021

Objective Intraneural perineurioma is a rare tumor entity. It is a benign, very slow growing peripheral nerve sheath tumor that typically occurs in children and young adults. Motor deficits and muscle atrophy are classic presenting symptoms, while sensory deficits are rare at the onset of the disease. Recommended treatment strategies are lacking. We have evaluated the clinical follow-up and our experience with treatment of this rare entity.

Methods A total of 30 patients with intraneural perineuriomas were assessed retrospectively. Demographic data, clinical symptoms, diagnostic examinations, therapy strategies, and clinical outcome were analyzed. Descriptive statistical methods were used for evaluation.

Results The mean age was 22 years. Eleven women and 19 men were affected. The lesion occurred in the area of the upper extremity in 16 patients and in the area of the lower extremity in 14 patients. The most frequently affected nerve was the sciatic nerve, followed by the radial nerve. All patients showed a motor deficit to some extent. Seventy percent (n = 21) revealed atrophy, 43.3% (n = 13) had sensitive deficits, and 17% (n = 5) suffered of pain. Fascicle biopsies were performed in 26 patients (87%). In four patients (13%), the tumor was completely resected and then reconstructed via nerve grafts. Seventy percent of the patients (n = 21) received a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 5 years postoperatively, in which no progress was shown.

Conclusions To diagnose perineurioma, it is essential to take a biopsy of an enlarged, nonfunctional fascicle. Furthermore, a long-distance epineuriotomy to decompress the hypertrophic fascicle is reasonable. To preserve the nerves' residual function, a complete resection is not recommended. Results after grafting are poor. One reason for this might be residual tumor cells along the nerve that cannot be visualized. Malignant transformation is not yet reported and tumor growth is stable for years.
Collimation Reduces Radiation Exposure to the Surgeon in Endoscopic Spine Surgery: A Prospective Study
Authors: Erken H. Yener , Yilmaz Onur
Published: May 2021

Background and Study Aims There are no previous studies in the literature comparing the radiation dose to which surgeons are exposed while using a standard fluoroscopy versus collimation during transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar diskectomy (PELD). The aim of this study is to compare this and to evaluate the effectiveness of collimation in reducing radiation exposure.

Methods In this study, the operating surgeon (single surgeon) placed a gamma radiation dosimeter on his chest outside of the lead apron during transforaminal PELD surgeries and measured the radiation exposure immediately after each surgery. As foraminoplasty using free-hand reamers is a longer procedure and requires more fluoroscopy shots, we divided the patients into two groups. The first group consisted of 24 patients (nonforaminoplasty group). The second group consisted of 13 patients (foraminoplasty group). We compared the radiation exposure to the operating surgeon using a standard fluoroscopy versus collimation for each group individually and overall. We randomized the patients within each group based on the order in which they had their respective procedures.

Results We analyzed 39 patients who underwent transforaminal PELD between May and December 2019. In both groups, as well as overall, the recorded radiation exposure to the surgeon was significantly lower in surgeries in which collimation was used. In the first group, the radiation dose was 0.083 versus 0.039 mSv per surgery (p = 0.019), whereas in the second group, it was 0.153 versus 0.041 mSv per surgery (p = 0.001), and overall it was 0.108 versus 0.039 mSv per surgery (p < 0.001).

Conclusion The use of collimation during transforaminal PELD significantly reduces spine the surgeon's exposure to radiation. Therefore, spine surgeons should consider using collimation during transforaminal PELD.
Trabecular Metal Augments for Treatment of Acetabular Defects: A Systematic Review
Authors: Malahias Michael-Alexander , Mancino Fabio , Gu Alex , De Martino Ivan , Togninalli Danilo , Bostrom Mathias P. , Sculco Peter K.
Published: May 2021

Severe acetabular bone defects during revision total hip arthroplasty are often treated with a hemispherical shell and highly porous modular metal augments. Several papers have been already published reporting on the clinical performance of trabecular metal (TM) augments combined with a hemispherical shell for the management of severe acetabular defects. However, no systematic review of the literature has been published to date. The U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed/MEDLINE), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were queried for publications utilizing keywords pertinent to tantalum augments and TM (Zimmer Biomet, Warsaw, Indiana) augments, revision THA, clinical outcomes, and complications associated with these procedures. Fifteen articles were found to be suitable for inclusion in the present study, which included 769 revision cases where acetabular augments were used. The majority of acetabular bone defects were type 3 according to the Paprosky classification (type 2A in 58 cases, 7.2%; type 2B in 139 cases, 17.2%; type 2C in 72 cases, 8.9%; type 3A in 360 cases, 44.7%; and type 3B in 177 cases, 22.0%). The overall revision rate for the 769 acetabular revisions with augments was 5.7% (46 cases) at mean mid-term follow-up. The most common reasons for revision were dislocation (3.3%), periprosthetic joint infection (2.9%), and aseptic loosening (2.7%). TM augments combined with hemispherical shells were found to be effective in the treatment of moderate-to-severe acetabular bone defects with a 5% acetabular component revision rate at mean mid-term follow-up. The literature did not delineate whether pelvic discontinuity was associated with a higher risk of aseptic loosening after TM augment. Further studies are needed to clarify the impact of additional screw fixation on survival rates, and whether the type of augment (wedge augments, “flying buttress” augments, column augments), the configuration used, and the number of screws influence clinical and radiographic outcomes.
Investigating the Frequency of Infantile Colic in Children with Migraine
Authors: Beiraghi Toosi Mehran , Ghodsi Alireza , Sarabi Mehrdad , Ghahremani Sara , Fazeli Nasrin , Ghahremani Somayeh
Published: May 2021

Infantile colic is a common problem observed within the first 3 months of life in infants and is a common cause of crying among infants. Migraine is a common cause of recurrent primary headaches during childhood. The pathogenesis of migraine and colic has remained unknown, but various factors seem to be involved. Patients with migraine may have a medical history of infantile colic, and infantile colic is considered an early manifestation of migraine. In this study, we investigate the frequency of history of infantile colic in 6- to 14-year-old children with migraines. In this case–control study, 80 children with the diagnosis of migraine and 100 children without migraine, all within the age range of 6 to 14 years, were included. A checklist was completed for each person about the background information and history of infantile colic as well as the history of migraine in parents. Among the children with migraine, 92.5%, and in the control group, 10%, had a familial history of migraine. Also, among the children with migraine, 61.25%, and in the control group, 4%, had a history of infantile colic. The obtained results showed that the frequency of a history of infantile colic was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group. This study provides some evidence regarding the presence of association between infantile colic as well as the familial history of migraines and developing migraines in the future. However, due to some limitations of the retrospective manner of the study, the results should be completed with future studies.
The Impact of Resistant Bacterial Pathogens including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia on Lung Transplant Outcomes
Authors: Mitchell Alicia B. , Glanville Allan R.
Published: May 2021

Pseudomonas and Burkholderia are gram-negative organisms that achieve colonization within the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis, and are associated with accelerated pulmonary function decline. Multidrug resistance is a hallmark of these organisms, which makes eradication efforts difficult. Furthermore, the literature has outlined increased morbidity and mortality for lung transplant (LTx) recipients infected with these bacterial genera. Indeed, many treatment centers have considered Burkholderia cepacia infection an absolute contraindication to LTx. Ongoing research has delineated different species within the B. cepacia complex (BCC), with significantly varied morbidity and survival profiles. This review considers the current evidence for LTx outcomes between the different subspecies encompassed within these genera as well as prophylactic and management options. The availability of meta-genomic tools will make differentiation between species within these groups easier in the future, and will allow more evidence-based decisions to be made regarding suitability of candidates colonized with these resistant bacteria for LTx. This review suggests that based on the current evidence, not all species of BCC should be considered contraindications to LTx, going forward.
Acute Rejection in the Modern Lung Transplant Era
Authors: Renaud-Picard Benjamin , Koutsokera Angela , Cabanero Michael , Martinu Tereza
Published: May 2021

Acute cellular rejection (ACR) remains a common complication after lung transplantation. Mortality directly related to ACR is low and most patients respond to first-line immunosuppressive treatment. However, a subset of patients may develop refractory or recurrent ACR leading to an accelerated lung function decline and ultimately chronic lung allograft dysfunction. Infectious complications associated with the intensification of immunosuppression can also negatively impact long-term survival. In this review, we summarize the most recent evidence on the mechanisms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of ACR. We specifically focus on novel, promising biomarkers which are under investigation for their potential to improve the diagnostic performance of transbronchial biopsies. Finally, for each topic, we highlight current gaps in knowledge and areas for future research.
The Dirichlet isospectral problem for trapezoids
Authors: Hezari Hamid , Lu Z. , Rowlett J.
Published: May 2021

We show that non-obtuse trapezoids are uniquely determined by their Dirichlet Laplace spectrum. This extends our previous result [Hezari et al., Ann. Henri Poincare 18(12), 3759–3792 (2017)], which was only concerned with the Neumann Laplace spectrum.
3D simulations of vertical displacement events in tokamaks: A benchmark of M3D-C1, NIMROD, and JOREK
Authors: Artola F. J. , Sovinec C. R. , Jardin S. C. , Hoelzl M. , Krebs I. , Clauser C.
Published: May 2021

In recent years, the nonlinear 3D magnetohydrodynamic codes JOREK, M3D-C1, and NIMROD developed the capability of modeling realistic 3D vertical displacement events (VDEs) including resistive walls. In this paper, a comprehensive 3D VDE benchmark is presented between these state-of-the-art codes. The simulated case is based on an experimental NSTX plasma but with a simplified rectangular wall. There are differences between the physics models and numerical methods, and the VDE evolution leads to sensitivities on the initial conditions that cannot be avoided as can be done in edge localized modes (ELM) and sawtooth simulations (due to the non-cyclical nature of VDEs). Nonetheless, the comparison serves to quantify the level of agreement in the relevant quantities used to characterize disruptions, such as the 3D wall forces and energy decay. The results bring confidence regarding the use of the mentioned codes for disruption studies, and they distinguish aspects that are specific to the models used (e.g., reduced vs full MHD models). The simulations show important 3D features for a NSTX plasma, such as the self-consistent evolution of the halo current and the origin of the wall forces. In contrast to other reduced MHD models based on an ordering in the aspect ratio, the ansatz-based JOREK reduced MHD model allows capturing many aspects of the 3D dynamics even in the spherical tokamak limit considered here.
Observations of visible argon line emissions and its spatial profile from Aditya-U tokamak plasma
Authors: Shah K. , Ghosh J. , Shukla G. , Chowdhuri M. B. , Manchanda R. , Yadava N. , Ramaiya N. , Jadeja K. A. , Patel K. M. , Tanna R. L. , Mayya K. B. K. ,   Aditya-U team
Published: May 2021

The spectroscopic studies of medium and high Z impurities have been the subject of interest in fusion research due to their role in mitigating plasma disruption and reducing heat load on the plasma facing components. Line emissions from these impurities provide the rotation velocity and ion temperature measurements along with the understanding of the overall impurity behavior in plasma. In the Aditya-U tokamak, the spatially resolved Ar II line emissions have been observed using a high resolution multi-track spectroscopic diagnostic consisting of a 1 m Czerny–Turner spectrometer coupled with a charge coupled device (CCD) detector using seven lines of sight viewing plasma tangentially along the toroidal direction. The spatially resolved Ar II lines at 458.96 nm have been observed. The singly ionized Ar emission peaks at the radial location of ρ = 0.8 of the plasma having a minor radius of 25 cm. Moreover, a 0.5 m UV–visible spectrometer coupled with a CCD detector and having a line of sight passing through the plasma midplane from the radial port was used to record visible Ar survey spectra within the 670–810 nm wavelength range, and all these lines have been identified for further analysis.
Plasma-driven solution electrolysis
Authors: Bruggeman Peter J. , Frontiera Renee R. , Kortshagen Uwe R. , Kushner Mark J. , Linic Suljo , Schatz George C. , Andaraarachchi Himashi , Exarhos Stephen , Jones Leighton O. , Mueller Chelsea M. , Rich Christopher C. , Xu Chi , Yue Yuanfu , Zhang Yi
Published: May 2021

Plasmas interacting with liquids enable the generation of a highly reactive interfacial liquid layer due to a variety of processes driven by plasma-produced electrons, ions, photons, and radicals. These processes show promise to enable selective, efficient, and green chemical transformations and new material synthesis approaches. While many differences are to be expected between conventional electrolysis and plasma–liquid interactions, plasma–liquid interactions can be viewed, to a first approximation, as replacing a metal electrode in an electrolytic cell with a gas phase plasma. For this reason, we refer to this method as plasma-driven solution electrochemistry (PDSE). In this Perspective, we address two fundamental questions that should be answered to enable researchers to make transformational advances in PDSE: How far from equilibrium can plasma-induced solution processes be driven? and What are the fundamental differences between PDSE and other more traditional electrochemical processes? Different aspects of both questions are discussed in five sub-questions for which we review the current state-of-the art and we provide a motivation and research vision.
Mechanism of highly sensitive strain response in antiferromagnetic chromium
Authors: Kota Yohei , Niwa Eiji , Naoe Masayuki
Published: May 2021

We studied a possible mechanism for the highly sensitive response of electrical resistivity to strain in metal Cr by means of theoretical calculation and experimental measurement. First-principles calculations based on density functional theory were performed for antiferromagnetic Cr in the spin-density wave (SDW) state. The calculation succeeded to reproduce a significant magnetovolume effect by hydrostatic pressure observed in Cr, and the obtained result revealed that the electronic structure and magnetic properties in the SDW state are sensitive to uniaxial strain. The magnetic moment of Cr changed more than 5% with a strain of 1%. We estimated the gauge factor (GF), which denotes the sensitivity of resistance to strain, from the local density of states. The obtained GF value of Cr in the SDW state was found to be approximately 10, whereas that of Cr in the nonmagnetic state, Fe in the ferromagnetic state, and V in the nonmagnetic state was around 1. This result was consistent with our experimental measurement of the GF of Cr, Fe, and V thin films. We found that the large GF is related to a significant magnetovolume effect in Cr. The volume variation accompanying uniaxial strain influences both the magnetic state and electrical conduction of Cr through sensitive changes of the electronic structure in the SDW state.
High velocity impact of a spherical particle on a surface: Theory and simulation of the jet formation
Authors: Soulard L. , Durand O. , Prat R. , Carrard Th.
Published: May 2021

The high velocity impact of a drop on a surface causes the formation and, afterward, the breakup of a jet. The understanding of the jet breakup requires at first a detailed description of the processes preceding its formation and the determination of its initial characteristics. In this paper, we first describe the initial impact processes, revisiting the corresponding 2D shock theory; the resulting model is general and independent of the choice of the equation of state. In particular, we define in a simple way the criteria for the existence of a shock or a jet solution. The theoretical predictions are then compared with a numerical simulation using liquid tin as the material for the drop and a rigid material for the target. The theoretical shock solution fits very well the results obtained with an Eulerian hydrocode. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to simulate the growth and breakup of the jet. The theoretical jet orientation and velocity are consistent with the simulation. Finally, the rather complex velocity profile of the jet is associated with the specific phenomena related to the history of the drop.
Ab initio study of structural and electronic properties of lithium fluoride nanotubes
Authors: Oliveira Ricardo R. , Fantuzzi Felipe , Nascimento Marco Antonio Chaer
Published: May 2021

Ionic compounds exhibit great structural diversity that can be used for tailoring novel nanostructured materials with distinct technological applications. In particular, significant progress has been made in the development of inorganic nanotubes, where the introduction of polar chemical bonds dramatically affects their physical properties in comparison to their carbon-based analogs. In this work, we apply density functional theory methods combined with plane-wave basis sets and periodic boundary conditions to investigate structural and electronic properties of prototypical lithium fluoride nanotubes featuring armchair, zig-zag, and square sheet (SSNT) configurations. Our results indicate that the zig-zag nanotubes can be formed from the more stable SSNT structures by the application of a positive axial strain, where an upper value of 1.44 eV for the activation energy is obtained. Furthermore, the zig-zag structures become more stable with the increasing nanotube radius, being merely 0.13 eV higher in energy than SSNT for the (10,0) case. All nanotubes investigated herein are insulators, with bandgap energies in the range of 8.33–8.59 eV for armchair and 7.91–8.54 eV for SSNT configurations. The latter nanotubes have higher Young’s modulus, and consequently greater stiffness, than the corresponding armchair analogs. The small strain energies computed for the SSNT and armchair nanotubes reveal their high stability, making them promising candidates for experimental realization.
Antimony chalcogenide-based thin film solar cells: Device engineering routes to boost the performance
Authors: Agarwal Sumanshu , Nandal Vikas , Yadav Harekrishna , Kumar Kundan
Published: May 2021

The use of stibnite (Sb2S3) as a light-harvesting material in thin film solar cells has received considerable research interest during the transition of the millennium. However, the use of perovskite diminished the research in the field, and the potential of antimony Chalcogenides [Sb2(S,Se)3] was not explored thoroughly. Although these materials also provide bandgap tuning like perovskite, by varying the composition of S and Se, it is not as popular as perovskite for the fabrication of solar cells mainly because of the low efficiency of the solar cells based on it. In this paper, we present a landscape of the functional role of various device parameters on the performance of Sb2(S,Se)3-based solar cells. For this purpose, we first calibrate the optoelectronic model used for simulation with the experimental results from the literature. The model is then subjected to parametric variations to explore the performance metrics for this class of solar cells. Our results show that despite the belief that the open circuit voltage is independent of contact layers’ doping in proper band-aligned carrier selective thin film solar cells, here we observe otherwise and the open circuit voltage is indeed dependent on the doping density of the contact layers. Using the detailed numerical simulation and analytical model, we further identify the performance optimization route for Sb2(S,Se)3-based thin film solar cells.
Neuromorphic photonics: 2D or not 2D?
Authors: Stabile R. , Dabos G. , Vagionas C. , Shi B. , Calabretta N. , Pleros N.
Published: May 2021

The computing industry is rapidly moving from a programming to a learning area, with the reign of the von Neumann architecture starting to fade, after many years of dominance. The new computing paradigms of non-von Neumann architectures have started leading to the development of emerging artificial neural network (ANN)-based analog electronic artificial intelligence (AI) chipsets with remarkable energy efficiency. However, the size and energy advantages of electronic processing elements are naturally counteracted by the speed and power limits of the electronic interconnects inside the circuits due to resistor-capacitor (RC) parasitic effects. Neuromorphic photonics has come forward as a new research field, which aims to transfer the well-known high-bandwidth and low-energy interconnect credentials of photonic circuitry in the area of neuromorphic platforms. The high potential of neuromorphic photonics and their well-established promise for fJ/Multiply-ACcumulate energy efficiencies at orders of magnitudes higher neuron densities require a number of breakthroughs along the entire technology stack, being confronted with a major advancement in the selection of the best-in-class photonic material platforms for weighting and activation functions and their transformation into co-integrated photonic computational engines. With this paper, we analyze the current status in neuromorphic computing and in available photonic integrated technologies and propose a novel three-dimensional computational unit which, with its compactness, ultrahigh efficiency, and lossless interconnectivity, is foreseen to allow scalable computation AI chipsets that outperform electronics in computational speed and energy efficiency to shape the future of neuromorphic computing.
Mechanisms for long carrier lifetime in Cd(Se)Te double heterostructures
Authors: Amarasinghe Mahisha , Albin David , Kuciauskas Darius , Moseley John , Perkins Craig L. , Metzger Wyatt K.
Published: May 2021

II–VI semiconductors are used in numerous electro-optical applications. For example, CdTe-based solar technology is cost competitive with other electricity generation sources, yet there is still significant room to improve. Carrier lifetime has historically been well below the radiative recombination limit. Lifetimes reaching beyond 100 ns can significantly enhance performance and enable novel device structures. Here, double heterostructures (DHs) with passivated interfaces demonstrate lifetimes exceeding 1 μs, yet this appears only for CdSeTe and not for CdTe DHs. We compare the passivation mechanisms in CdTe and CdSeTe DHs. CdSeTe lifetimes on the order of 1 μs correspond to a combination of superior intragrain lifetime, extremely low grain boundary recombination and greater Te4+ interfacial presence compared to CdTe.
Single-shot positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy using a liquid scintillator
Authors: Machacek Joshua R. , McTaggart Shawn , Burggraf Larry W.
Published: May 2021

Liquid scintillators provide a fast, single component response. However, they traditionally have a low flashpoint and high vapor pressure. We demonstrate the use of an EJ-309 scintillator (high flashpoint and low vapor pressure variant) to acquire single-shot positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy spectra using a trap-based positron beam.
MoS2|ZnO isotype heterostructure diode: Carrier transport and band alignment
Authors: Srivastava Shikha , Mohapatra Yashowanta N.
Published: May 2021

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is one of the most studied semiconducting materials among the class of layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). Though there has been an intense focus on its monolayers, multilayer MoS2 (m-MoS2) also offers applications owing to its indirect bandgap and relatively high carrier mobility. Specifically, there has been sporadic use of its heterostructures as in MoS2|ZnO, but so far, there is no systematic characterization to unravel the physics of such prototypical heterostructures. Here, we report results on an n–n+ isotype heterostructure diode with the Au|m-MoS2|ZnO device structure to study the role of the hetero-interface in determining its electrical characteristics. The isotype heterostructure device exhibits rectification ratio of the order of 103 over the measured temperature range of 19–300 K. Temperature dependent current–voltage (J–V) characteristics show that while tunneling is dominant at low temperature, diffusion mechanism controls the charge transport in the high temperature regime. The barrier height due to band alignment at the interface is found to have Gaussian distribution with a mean energy of 0.95 eV. We also report charge carrier freeze out due to de-ionization of the dominant donor in MoS2 at a characteristic temperature of ∼37 K, which correlates with features of both J–V and C–V characteristics. The proposed heterostructure diode facilitates electrical as well as optical characterization of multilayer TMDCs.