bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Austria and the Global Compact on Migration: the ‘populist securitization’ of foreign policy
Authors: Müller Patrick , Gebauer Charlott
Published: October 2021

Bridging arguments between securitization theory and populist communication, this article shifts attention to the strategy of ‘populist securitization’. It argues that populist parties may seek to ‘securitize’ international political issues for the purpose of domestic political mobilization. Empirically, it demonstrates the relevance of populist securitization for the case of Austria’s foreign policy on the Global Compact on Migration during the coalition government (2017–2019) between the populist radical right Freedom Party (FPÖ) and the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP). The case study of the GCM elucidates the active interest populist parties like the FPÖ take in shaping foreign policy decisions that are close to their domestic political agenda. If successful, populist securitization can have a profound and sustained impact on the public perceptions of foreign policy issues and can create a sense of urgency about the need for an appropriate foreign policy response. In doing so, foreign policy becomes part of the game of domestic politics that can affect foreign policy decisions.
How long and how strong must a climatic anomaly be in order to evoke a social transformation? Historical and contemporaneous case studies
Authors: Ulus Tal , Ellenblum Ronnie
Published: October 2021

In recent years, scholarly interest in the nexus between climate change and human societies has risen dramatically, and many researchers from different disciplines have begun studying the possible effects of climate change and climate anomalies on past and present societies. In this article, we join this lively debate, seeking to extend it by raising, and providing possible answers to, two fundamental questions: what type of climatic anomalies can undermine social stability? What duration and intensity are necessary to instigate structural change? When attempting to answer these questions, researchers tend to view short-term climatic events, such as storms or mudslides, as “unusual” events that instigate an “unusual” reality for temporary, and measurable, time periods. We argue, instead, that gradual and more “usual” climatic events, such as prolonged droughts or extended periods of untimely rains, impact societies in a more profound and “extraordinary” manner, and it is here that our paper meets the theme of the extraordinary and the usual, the axes of the current collection of essays. Based on qualitative examination of collapse periods in western Asia and northern China during the eleventh and early twelfth centuries, and a high-resolution re-examination of the crisis in Mali at the beginning of 2010, we argue that extended climate anomalies that cause decreases in the amount of available food are the anomalies that most affect the fate of human civilizations. While people can cope with short-term climate anomalies that cause periodical food crises, lasting a year or two, extended climate anomalies that affect the availability of food, like droughts, cold spells or untimely rains, can have disastrous, long-term effects: they accelerate decisive processes, push people to migrate outside their regions of residence, increase violence and religious extremism, and, ultimately, lead to structural changes in the societies that are affected by the crises.
Emerging GaN technologies for power, RF, digital, and quantum computing applications: Recent advances and prospects
Authors: Hoo Teo Koon , Zhang Yuhao , Chowdhury Nadim , Rakheja Shaloo , Ma Rui , Xie Qingyun , Yagyu Eiji , Yamanaka Koji , Li Kexin , Palacios Tomás
Published: October 2021

GaN technology is not only gaining traction in power and RF electronics but is also rapidly expanding into other application areas including digital and quantum computing electronics. This paper provides a glimpse of future GaN device technologies and advanced modeling approaches that can push the boundaries of these applications in terms of performance and reliability. While GaN power devices have recently been commercialized in the 15–900 V classes, new GaN devices are greatly desirable to explore both higher-voltage and ultra-low-voltage power applications. Moving into the RF domain, ultra-high frequency GaN devices are being used to implement digitized power amplifier circuits, and further advances using the hardware–software co-design approach can be expected. On the horizon is the GaN CMOS technology, a key missing piece to realize the full-GaN platform with integrated digital, power, and RF electronics technologies. Although currently a challenge, high-performance p-type GaN technology will be crucial to realize high-performance GaN CMOS circuits. Due to its excellent transport characteristics and ability to generate free carriers via polarization doping, GaN is expected to be an important technology for ultra-low temperature and quantum computing electronics. Finally, given the increasing cost of hardware prototyping of new devices and circuits, the use of high-fidelity device models and data-driven modeling approaches for technology-circuit co-design are projected to be the trends of the future. In this regard, physically inspired, mathematically robust, less computationally taxing, and predictive modeling approaches are indispensable. With all these and future efforts, we envision GaN to become the next Si for electronics.
Solid rocket motor internal ballistics using an enhanced surface-vorticity panel technique
Authors: DiMaggio Griffin A. , Hartfield Roy J. , Majdalani Joseph , Ahuja Vivek
Published: October 2021

This work explores the use of surface-mesh flow solvers to model solid rocket internal ballistics with arbitrary grain geometry. Specifically, a surface-vorticity approach, originally intended for external flow applications, is adapted for internal flow analysis using boundary conditions that are suitable for solid rocket motors. In this study, an enhanced panel code is shown to be capable of resolving internal rocket flowfields with a striking level of fidelity and with such a degree of computational efficiency to make it valuable in the conceptual and preliminary design of rocket motors. In this process, the vortex paneling approach embodied within FlightStream® is refined using boundary conditions appropriate for solid rocket rotational flows. The simulation results are then compared to existing analytical solutions for cylindrical and planar chamber configurations exhibiting small taper angles and uniform headwall injection. For a more realistic validation case, the space shuttle's reusable solid rocket motor (RSRM) is examined. Guided by the analytical models, simple rotational and compressibility corrections are incorporated into the solver, and the results are subsequently compared to two other computational models and experimental measurements gathered from qualification motors. For the basic configurations, our results are shown to agree well with theoretical predictions. For the RSRM case, the corrected solution agrees well with the validation data in the first half of the motor; however, it becomes less robust in the aft region unless a recirculation zone boundary patch is applied; the latter approximates the added vorticity introduced by intersegmental gaps and the submerged nozzle effects.
Jugular vein venepuncture and anatomy in Australian
Authors: Taggart Patrick L. , Schultz David , Taggart David A. , Boardman Wayne S. J. , Jackson Stephen M. , Burbridge Kathy
Published: October 2021

We describe our experiences collecting blood from Australian Rattus. We found uniform anatomy of the external jugular vein between Australian and exotic Rattus species. Understanding where the maxillary and linguofacial veins join to form the external jugular vein is critical to venepuncture. After locating this union, we consistently achieved successful venepuncture of the external jugular vein; yielding large blood volumes. All other routes of venepuncture yielded minute blood volumes or were unsuccessful. We provide recommendations for venepuncture in Australian rodents and encourage others to share their experiences; such reports facilitate sampling rarely sampled species and promote animal welfare.
Repeat burning affects species composition in degraded Cumberland Plain Woodland
Authors: Charles Morris E. , Sanders Jonathan
Published: October 2021

Cleared areas in Scheyville National Park, New South Wales, that formerly supported Cumberland Plain Woodland (CPW) now have a long unburnt mixed native and exotic grassland. To test whether re-introducing fire to these sites would benefit native species composition, and drive it towards that of neighbouring remnant woodland, an experiment was established in three grassy areas (grassy blocks) with prior agricultural land use, and one block in a remnant woodland. Replicate plots were established within blocks, and assigned to a repeat fire treatment, or unburnt controls. Plots in the fire treatment were burnt on all blocks in 2001, and in the grassy blocks only in 2005. Although the two fires did not result in recruitment of new native species on the grassy blocks, the successive fires had other beneficial effects. More native species were apparent in the above-ground vegetation on burnt than unburnt plots after both fires, and more summer-growing native grasses were apparent above ground and increased in abundance after the second fire. The large flush of exotic forbs that appeared after the first fire was not repeated after the second fire; many of these forbs had an obligate seeder fire response, and the short inter-fire interval may not have allowed replenishment of their seed bank. Burning did not result in recruitment of new native species in the grassy areas, and did not make the grassy areas more similar to the woodland in species composition. In the woodland, the first fire did not significantly affect species composition. Re-instating fire to degraded grassy sites will not by itself return the site to good quality CPW in the short term, but may contribute positively in the longer term through beneficial effects on natives and adverse effects on exotics.
Improving floral nectar storage on filter paper for sugar recovery
Authors: Amato Bianca , Petit Sophie , Schumann Russell
Published: October 2021

Nectar analysis has been used to understand pollination systems, but nectar storage methods have rarely been considered as potential sources of inaccuracy in the recovery of data. Prompt nectar sugar analysis is not always possible and storage methods can affect results. We aimed to develop an effective method to store nectar on filter paper. Nectars from two subspecies of Eremophila maculata (Scrophulariaceae) and Strelitzia reginae (Strelitziaceae) were spotted on filter papers. Nectars were redissolved and assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography to determine the masses of sugars recovered from the papers from Day 0 to Day 30. We evaluated the effects of the method of elution, paper type and size, and storage treatments on sugar recovery. Liquid nectars were also stored in the refrigerator. Sugars were best eluted from filter papers in 15 mL of water and agitated for 1 min. Nectar sugars stored on small papers tended to be recovered more successfully than those stored on larger papers (significantly for glucose). Paper performed better than nylon for glucose. Desiccant had a marginal positive effect on nectar sugar recovery, and filter paper performed better than did refrigeration of liquid nectar for storage. If highly accurate measurements are needed, nectars should be eluted with large volumes of water from small filter papers stored with desiccant within a few days of collection.
Yersiniabactin contributes to overcoming zinc restriction during
Yersinia pestis
infection of mammalian and insect hosts
Authors: Price Sarah L. , Vadyvaloo Viveka , DeMarco Jennifer K. , Brady Amanda , Gray Phoenix A. , Kehl-Fie Thomas E. , Garneau-Tsodikova Sylvie , Perry Robert D. , Lawrenz Matthew B.
Published: October 2021

Significance

Transition metals are required for proper cellular function, which renders them critical for all life. To restrict bacterial infection, eukaryotic organisms actively sequester these transition metals, a concept referred to as nutritional immunity. Consequently, bacterial pathogens have evolved dedicated mechanisms to acquire transition metals in order to colonize the host. During human plague,
Yersinia pestis
overcomes iron limitation via the production of the secreted siderophore yersiniabactin. Here, we identify an iron-independent role for yersiniabactin in evading zinc-mediated nutritional immunity during mammalian infection and in
Y. pestis
colonization of the flea–insect vector. Importantly, yersiniabactin is found in several pathogens, indicating that a variety of bacteria use it to acquire multiple metals in order to overcome nutritional immunity.
SARS-CoV-2 evolution in animals suggests mechanisms for rapid variant selection
Authors: Bashor Laura , Gagne Roderick B. , Bosco-Lauth Angela M. , Bowen Richard A. , Stenglein Mark , VandeWoude Sue
Published: October 2021

Significance

SARS-CoV-2 emerged because of viral spillover from animals to humans, and spillback to other animal species has been observed with accelerating frequency. Cross-species transmission generally results in the rapid adaptation of the virus to the new host, and repeated transmissions may hasten viral evolution and novel strain emergence. We report the surprisingly rapid selection of numerous SARS-CoV-2 variants in cell culture and following infection of nonhuman mammalian hosts, including dogs and cats. These molecular changes in SARS-CoV-2 provide insight into mechanisms of viral host adaptation, lay the groundwork for additional studies assessing dominant variant fitness and phenotype, and highlight the potential for human reinfection with new viral variants arising in species in close and frequent contact with humans.
Fevers and the social costs of acute infection in wild vervet monkeys
Authors: McFarland Richard , Henzi S. Peter , Barrett Louise , Bonnell Tyler , Fuller Andrea , Young Christopher , Hetem Robyn S.
Published: October 2021

Significance

Using state-of-the-art biologging technology, we document the occurrence of fevers in wild vervet monkeys and demonstrate that fevers coincide with overt sickness behavior. In so doing, we demonstrate a hidden cost of sociality: Febrile animals were twice as likely to receive aggression from their group mates and were six times more likely to be wounded following the onset of a fever. Sick animals were targeted when least able to fight back, potentially improving the attacker’s social status and further reducing a sick animal’s survival prospects. Understanding disease transmission dynamics requires greater attention to the ways in which social structure can change as a result of infection and how such shifts can influence future patterns of transmission.
Serum apolipoprotein A-I depletion is causative to silica nanoparticles–induced cardiovascular damage
Authors: Liu Xuting , Wei Wei , Liu Zixuan , Song Erqun , Lou Jianlin , Feng Lingfang , Huang Rongchong , Chen Chunying , Ke Pu Chun , Song Yang
Published: October 2021

Significance

To address a crucial knowledge deficiency concerning the correlation between nanoparticles (NPs) exposure and cardiovascular diseases, here we present a toxicological mechanism for inhaled NPs by delineating their interactions with the biomacromolecules encountered en route. In biological ambience, NPs are known to spontaneously adsorb proteins, thereby acquiring a new biological identity and further entailing pathological prospects. Here, we found that silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) specifically adsorbed apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) in the blood to ameliorate their cytotoxicity, while a rapid clearance of SiNPs from the bloodstream depleted plasma Apo A-I and facilitated SiNPs-induced atherosclerosis. This study is a demonstration of the relationship between plasma protein adsorption and cardiovascular damage induced by engineered NPs.
Live agent preference and social action monitoring in the macaque mid-superior temporal sulcus region
Authors: Ninomiya Taihei , Noritake Atsushi , Isoda Masaki
Published: October 2021

Significance

During live social interactions, there is increased demand for mentalizing about others to cope with otherwise unpredictable manifestations of their behavior. Anatomically, the middle superior temporal sulcus (mid-STS) region is hypothesized to be the macaque homologue of the human temporoparietal junction (TPJ), a key node in the mentalizing network. However, whether the macaque mid-STS is the functional homologue of the human TPJ is unknown. Here, we provide single-neuron evidence that the two areas share similar properties in social cognitive functions despite differences in anatomical landmarks. Our findings demonstrate that mid-STS neurons have a preference for task performance with live over video-recorded partners and encode errors in the prediction of partners’ actions, both aspects being cardinal features of the human TPJ.
Going city
Authors: Schoenmakers Gert-Jan , Storment John David
Published: October 2021

In certain varieties of Dutch spoken among young people, the preposition and determiner in locative and
directional PPs can sometimes be omitted. We argue on the basis of language data taken from Twitter and intuitions of young
speakers of Dutch that nominal arguments in these constructions do not have a DP layer, the absence of which leads to a special
interpretation. The option to omit the preposition is related to the structural and semantic complexity of the verb. The bare
construction is possible only with simple verbs, and not with manner-of-motion verbs. We present an analysis that accounts for the
non-pronunciation of prepositions in directional predicates by claiming that they can be licensed through incorporation into the
verb. This type of incorporation is blocked if the verb is structurally complex.
The productivity of Dutch diminutives
Authors: van Tuijl Rosita , Coopmans Peter
Published: October 2021

This study reports on an investigation of the productivity of the Dutch diminutive paradigm, which gives rise to
five suffixal allomorphs, against the background of Yang’s (2016) Tolerance Principle.
It shows how, by studying the frequency of the allomorphs and the environments in which they occur, we can use the Tolerance
Principle to determine if a productive rule system can be found for the Dutch diminutives. In doing so, we also describe how we
collected the necessary data by setting up a corpus study on Dutch diminutives, including a specific one with data from child
directed speech.
‘Between’ constructions in Biblical Hebrew
Authors: Zwarts Joost
Published: October 2021

Unlike its English counterpartbetween, the Biblical Hebrew (BH) prepositionbêndoes not allow a conjoined object (between A and B), but it uses additional prepositions in two typologically unusual patterns:bên A wə-bên B‘between A and-between B’ andbên A lə-B‘between A to-B’. This article shows that these two patterns, and their equivalence with the English one, can be accounted for semantically, on the basis of the underlying filter behaviour of the ‘betweenness’ meaning.
Atg39 selectively captures inner nuclear membrane into lumenal vesicles for delivery to the autophagosome
Authors: Chandra Sunandini , Mannino Philip J. , Thaller David J. , Ader Nicholas R. , King Megan C. , Melia Thomas J. , Lusk C. Patrick
Published: October 2021

Mechanisms that turn over components of the nucleus and inner nuclear membrane (INM) remain to be fully defined. We explore how components of the INM are selected by a cytosolic autophagy apparatus through a transmembrane nuclear envelope–localized cargo adaptor, Atg39. A split-GFP reporter showed that Atg39 localizes to the outer nuclear membrane (ONM) and thus targets the INM across the nuclear envelope lumen. Consistent with this, sequence elements that confer both nuclear envelope localization and a membrane remodeling activity are mapped to the Atg39 lumenal domain; these lumenal motifs are required for the autophagy-mediated degradation of integral INM proteins. Interestingly, correlative light and electron microscopy shows that the overexpression of Atg39 leads to the expansion of the ONM and the enclosure of a network of INM-derived vesicles in the nuclear envelope lumen. Thus, we propose an outside–in model of nucleophagy where INM is delivered into vesicles in the nuclear envelope lumen, which can be targeted by the autophagosome.
Active and passive transductions—definitions and implications for learning
Authors: Svensson Kim , Lundqvist Jennie , Campos Esmeralda , Eriksson Urban
Published: October 2021

To move between different semiotic systems, such as graphs and formulas, is a necessary step in learning physics or solving problems. In social semiotics, this movement of semiotic material is called a transduction and during a transduction a student must unpack, filter, and highlight different aspects of the concept or problem. Unpacking, filtering, and highlighting have been shown to be important to the meaning-making process and transductions should be seen as indicators of meaning-making and learning. However, in this paper we argue that not all transductions performed by students requires unpacking, filtering, or highlighting, and hence the definition of transduction needs to be refined in its description. We introduce the ideas of passive and active transductions that separates transductions that may lead to meaning-making from transductions that may not. This separation is done through shown engagement with the semiotic material of the transduction. We connect shown engagement with the semiotic material to the already established anatomy of disciplinary discernment to create a useful tool when evaluating student engagement and discernment. In the paper, we showcase examples of passive and active transductions and provide a short description of how to identify them in different learning situations.
Two-dimensional collisions of disks and spheres
Authors: Cross Rod
Published: October 2021

An oblique collision between two spheres or two disks is usually analysed by ignoring the friction force between the objects. In the present paper, effects of the friction force are examined explicitly to analyse oblique collisions between two circular objects. Two distinct collision modes are described, one where the friction force is due to sliding friction and one where static friction dominates. Experimental results are presented for oblique collisions of two ice hockey pucks. This type of collision could be investigated as a student project, for example by colliding two coins on a smooth horizontal surface or two pucks on an air table.
Stability for the Calderón’s problem for a class of anisotropic conductivities via an ad hoc misfit functional
Authors: Foschiatti Sonia , Gaburro Romina , Sincich Eva
Published: October 2021

We address the stability issue in Calderón’s problem for a special class of anisotropic conductivities of the form σ = γA in a Lipschitz domain

Ω
⊂

R

n

, n ⩾ 3, where A is a known Lipschitz continuous matrix-valued function and γ is the unknown piecewise affine scalar function on a given partition of Ω. We define an ad hoc misfit functional encoding our data and establish stability estimates for this class of anisotropic conductivity in terms of both the misfit functional and the more commonly used local Dirichlet-to-Neumann map.
Development of MEMS composite sensor with temperature compensation for tire pressure monitoring system
Authors: Zhang Jiahong , Wang Chao , Xie Xiaolu , Li Min , Li Ling , Mao Xiaoli
Published: October 2021

The pressure and temperature inside the tire is mainly monitored by the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). In order to improve the integration of the TPMS system, moreover enhance the sensitivity and temperature-insensitivity of pressure measurement, this paper proposes a microelectromechanical (MEMS) chip-level sensor based on stress-sensitive aluminum–silicon hybrid structures with amplified piezoresistive effect and temperature-dependent aluminum–silicon hybrid structures for hardware and software temperature compensations. Two types of aluminum–silicon hybrid structures are located inside and outside the strained membrane to simultaneously realize the measurement of pressure and temperature. The model of this composite sensor chip is firstly designed and verified for its effectiveness by using finite element numerical simulation, and then it is fabricated based on the standard MEMS process. The experiments indicate that the pressure sensitivity of the sensor is between 0.126 mV/(V·kPa) and 0.151 mV/(V·kPa) during the ambient temperature ranges from −20 °C to 100 °C, while the measurement error, sensitivity and temperature coefficient of temperature-dependent hybrid structures are individually ±0.91 °C, −1.225 mV/(V °C) and −0.150% °C−1. The thermal coefficient of offset (TCO) of pressure measurement can be reduced from −3.553%FS °C−1 to −0.375%FS °C−1 based on the differential output of the proposed sensor. In order to obtain the better performance of temperature compensation, Elman neural network based on ant colony algorithm is applied in the data fusion of differential output to further eliminate the temperature drift error. Based on which, the overall measured error is within 3.45 kPa, which is less than ±1.15%FS. The TCO is −0.017%FS °C−1, and the thermal coefficient of span is −0.020%FS °C−1. The research results may provide a useful reference for the development of the high-performance MEMS composite sensor for the TPMS system.
Bogoliubov theory of a Bose–Einstein condensate of rigid rotor molecules
Authors: Smith Joseph C , Rittenhouse Seth T , Wilson Ryan M , Peden Brandon M
Published: October 2021

We consider a BEC of rigid rotor molecules confined to quasi-2D through harmonic trapping. The molecules are subjected to an external electric field which polarizes the gas, and the molecules interact via dipole–dipole interactions. We present a description of the ground state and low-energy excitations of the system including an analysis of the mean-field energy, polarization, and stability. Under large electric fields the gas becomes fully polarized and we reproduce a well known density-wave instability which arises in polar BECs. Under smaller applied electric fields the gas develops an in-plane polarization leading to the emergence of a new global instability as the molecules ‘tilt’. The character of these instabilities is clarified by means of momentum-space density–density structure factors. A peak at zero momentum in the spin–spin structure factor for the in-plane component of the polarization indicates that the tilt instability is a global phonon-like instability.
A model study on superfluidity of a unitary Fermi gas of atoms interacting with a finite-ranged potential
Authors: Mal Subhanka , Deb Bimalendu
Published: October 2021

We calculate Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer (BCS) state of a unitary Fermi gas of atoms interacting with the finite-ranged Jost-Kohn potential which has been recently shown to account for the resonant interactions (2019 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 52 165004). Using exact scattering solution of the potential, we derive two-body T-matrix element which is employed to construct the BCS Hamiltonian in momentum space. We present results on the energy- and range-dependence of the pairing gap and superfluid density and the range-dependence of the chemical potential for a wide variation of the scattering length including the unitary regime. In the zero range limit our calculated gap at the Fermi energy is found to be nearly equal to that calculated in mean-field theory with contact potential. The mean gap averaged over the full width at half maximum of the gap function in the zero range and unitary limits is found to be 0.42E
F which is quite close to the recent result of the quantum Monte-Carlo simulation (2018 Phys. Rev. A 97 013601). The chemical potential in the zero range limit also agrees well with that for the contact potential.
Indication of strong interatomic Coulombic decay in slow He2+
–Ne2 collisions
Authors: Kirchner Tom
Published: October 2021

Electron removal in collisions of alpha particles with neon dimers is studied using an independent-atom-independent-electron model based on the semiclassical approximation of heavy-particle collision physics. The dimer is assumed to be frozen at its equilibrium bond length and collision events for the two ion–atom subsystems are combined in an impact parameter by impact parameter fashion for three mutually perpendicular orientations. Both frozen atomic target and dynamic response model calculations are carried out using the coupled-channel two-center basis generator method. We pay particular attention to inner-valence Ne(2s) electron removal, which is associated with interatomic Coulombic decay (ICD), resulting in low-energy electron emission and dimer fragmentation. Our calculations confirm a previous experimental result at 150 keV/amu impact energy regarding the relative strength of ICD compared to direct electron emission. They further indicate that ICD is the dominant Ne+ + Ne+ fragmentation process below 10 keV/amu, suggesting that a strong low-energy electron yield will be observed in the ion–dimer system in a regime in which the creation of continuum electrons is a rare event in the ion–atom problem.
Effective modulation of spin accumulation using a ferromagnetic/nonmagnetic bilayer spin channel
Authors: Ariki Taisei , Nomura Tatsuya , Ohnishi Kohei , Kimura Takashi
Published: October 2021

A lateral spin valve consisting of highly spin-polarized CoFeAl electrodes with a CoFeAl/Cu bilayer spin channel has been developed. Despite a large spin absorption into the CoFeAl capping channel layer, an efficient spin injection and detection using the CoFeAl electrodes enable us to observe a clear spin valve signal. We demonstrate that the nonlocal spin accumulation signal is significantly modulated depending on the relative angle of the magnetizations between the spin injector and absorber. The observed modulation phenomena is explained by the longitudinal and transverse spin absorption effects into the CoFeAl channel layer with the spin resistance model.
Pressure-induced enhancement of the superconducting transition temperature in La2O2Bi3AgS6
Authors: Paredes Aulestia Esteban I , Liu Xinyou , Pang Yiu Yung , So Chun Wa , Yu Wing Chi , Goh Swee K , Lai Kwing To
Published: October 2021

Charge density wave (CDW) instability is often found in phase diagrams of superconductors such as cuprates and certain transition-metal dichalcogenides. This proximity to superconductivity triggers the question on whether CDW instability is responsible for the pairing of electrons in these superconductors. However, this issue remains unclear and new systems are desired to provide a better picture. Here, we report the temperature–pressure phase diagram of a recently discovered BiS2 superconductor La2O2Bi3AgS6, which shows a possible CDW transition at T* ∼ 155 K and a superconducting transition at T

c
∼ 1.0 K at ambient pressure, via electrical resistivity measurements. Upon applying pressure, T* decreases linearly and extrapolates to 0 K at 3.9 GPa. Meanwhile, T

c
is enhanced and reaches maximum value of 4.1 K at 3.1 GPa, forming a superconducting dome in the temperature–pressure phase diagram.
Probing peptide nanowire conductivity by THz nanoscopy
Authors: Solemanifar Armin , Guo Xiao , Donose Bogdan C , Bertling Karl , Laycock Bronwyn , Rakić Aleksandar D
Published: October 2021

Significant efforts have recently been invested in assessing the physical and chemical properties of microbial nanowires for their promising role in developing alternative renewable sources of electricity, bioelectronic materials and implantable sensors. One of their outstanding properties, the ever-desirable conductivity has been the focus of numerous studies. However, the lack of a straightforward and reliable method for measuring it seems to be responsible for the broad variability of the reported data. Routinely employed methods tend to underestimate or overestimate conductivity by several orders of magnitude. In this work, synthetic peptide nanowires conductivity is interrogated employing a non-destructive measurement technique developed on a terahertz scanning near-field microscope to test if peptide aromaticity leads to higher electrical conductivity. Our novel peptide conductivity measurement technique, based on triple standards calibration method, shows that in the case of two biopolymer mimicking peptides, the sample incorporating aromatic residues (W6) is about six times more conductive than the negative control (L6). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a quantitative nano-scale terahertz s-SNOM investigation of peptides. These results prove the suitability of the terahertz radiation-based non-destructive approach in tandem with the designer peptides choice as model test subjects. This approach requires only simple sample preparation, avoids many of the pitfalls of typical contact-based conductivity measurement techniques and could help understanding fundamental aspects of nature’s design of electron transfer in biopolymers.
Enabling quantitative robot-assisted compressional elastography via the extended Kalman filter
Authors: Napoli Michael E , Goswami Soumya , McAleavey Stephen A , Doyley Marvin M , Howard Thomas M
Published: October 2021

Compressional or quasi-static elastography has demonstrated the capability to detect occult cancers in a variety of tissue types, however it has a serious limitation in that the resulting elastograms are generally qualitative whereas other forms of elastography, such as shear-wave, can produce absolute measures of elasticity for histopathological classification. We address this limitation by introducing a stochastic method using an extended Kalman filter and robot-assistance to obtain quantitative elastograms which are resilient to measurement noise and system uncertainty. In this paper, the probabilistic framework is described, which utilizes many ultrasound acquisitions obtained from multiple palpations, to fuse data and uncertainty from a robotic manipulator’s joint encoders and force/torque sensor directly into the inverse reconstruction of the elastogram. Quantitative results are demonstrated over homogeneous and inclusion gelatin phantoms using a seven degree of freedom manipulator for a range of initial elasticity assumptions. Results imply resilience to poorly assumed initial conditions as all trials were within 5 kPa of the elasticity measured by a mechanical testing system. Moreover, the presence or absence of an inclusion is clear in all reconstructed elastograms even when artifacts are present in displacement fields, indicating further robustness to measurement noise. The proposed stochastic method allows fusion of data from a robot’s sensors directly into compressional elastography image reconstruction which may stabilize optimization and improve accuracy. This approach provides a mathematical framework to readily incorporate measurements from additional sensors in future applications which may extend the capabilities of compressional elastography beyond that of producing quantitative elasticity measurements.
Night to night variability of pulse oximetry features in children at home and at the hospital
Authors: Hoppenbrouwer Xenia L R , Rollinson Aryannah U , Dunsmuir Dustin , Ansermino J Mark , Dumont Guy , Oude Nijeweme-d’Hollosy Wendy , Veltink Peter , Garde Ainara
Published: October 2021

Objective. Investigation of the night-to-night (NtN) variability of pulse oximetry features in children with suspicion of Sleep Apnea. Approach. Following ethics approval and informed consent, 75 children referred to British Columbia Children's Hospital for overnight PSG were recorded on three consecutive nights, including one at the hospital simultaneously with polysomnography and 2 nights at home. During all three nights, a smartphone-based pulse oximeter sensor was used to record overnight pulse oximetry (SpO2 and photoplethysmogram). Features characterizing SpO2 dynamics and heart rate were derived. The NtN variability of these features over the three different nights was investigated using linear mixed models. Main results. Overall most pulse oximetry features (e.g. the oxygen desaturation index) showed no NtN variability. One of the exceptions is for the signal quality, which was significantly lower during at home measurements compared to measurements in the hospital. Significance. At home pulse oximetry screening shows an increasing predictive value to investigate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity. Hospital recordings affect subjects normal sleep and OSA severity and recordings may vary between nights at home. Before establishing the role of home monitoring as a diagnostic test for OSA, we must first determine their NtN variability. Most pulse oximetry features showed no significant NtN variability and could therefore be used in future at-home testing to create a reliable and consistent OSA screening tool. A single night recording at home should be able to characterize pulse oximetry features in children.
Video based non-contact monitoring of respiratory rate and chest indrawing in children with pneumonia
Authors: Lucy Ferdous Karim , Suha Khadiza Tun , Dipty Sumaiya Tabassum , Wadud Md Sharjis Ibne , Kadir Muhammad Abdul
Published: October 2021

Objective. Pneumonia is the single largest cause of death in children worldwide due to infectious diseases. According to WHO guidelines, fast breathing and chest indrawing are the key indicators of pneumonia in children requiring antibiotic treatments. The aim of this study was to develop a video based novel method for simultaneous monitoring of respiratory rate and chest indrawing without upsetting babies. Approach. Respiratory signals, corresponding to periodic movements of chest-abdominal walls during breathing, were extracted by analyzing RGB (red, green, blue) components in video frames captured by a smartphone camera. Respiratory rate was then obtained by applying fast Fourier transform on the de-noised respiratory signal. Chest indrawing was detected by analysing relative phases of regional chest-abdominal wall mobility. The performance of the developed algorithm was evaluated on both healthy and pneumonia children. Main results. The proposed method can measure respiratory rate with an overall mean absolute error of 1.8 bpm in the range 18–105 bpm. Phase difference between regional chest wall movements in the chest indrawing (pneumonia) cases was found to be 143 ± 23.9 degrees, which was significantly higher than that in the healthy cases 52.3 ± 32.6 degrees (p < 0.001). Significance. Being non-intrusive and non-subjective, this computer-aided method can be useful in the monitoring for respiratory rate and chest indrawing for the diagnosis of pneumonia and its severity in children.
Thermal conductivity and viscosity in fully ionized multiple-charged strongly coupled plasma
Authors: Bronin S Y , Zelener B B , Zelener B V
Published: October 2021

We present the results of calculations of the thermal conductivity and viscosity coefficients for a two-component fully ionized classical Coulomb plasma having ion charges from one to three, performed by the molecular dynamics method. The model of ultracold plasma was used, where particles interact according to the Coulomb law without any restrictions at large or small distances. The calculations are carried out in a wide range of the strong coupling parameter. Similarity for the coefficients of thermal conductivity and viscosity at multiple ionization is demonstrated. Comparison with the results of calculations for other plasma models is given. The results obtained can be used for any classical non-degenerate strongly coupled plasma.
B3 0749+460A: A New Repeat “Changing-look” Active Galactic Nucleus Associated with X-Ray Spectral Slope Variations
Authors: Wang J. , Zheng W. K. , Xu D. W. , Brink T. G. , Filippenko A. V. , Gao C. , Sun S. S. , Wei J. Y.
Published: October 2021

Here we report an identification of B3 0749+460A as a new double-peaked local “changing-look” active galactic nucleus (CL-AGN) in terms of our multi-epoch spectroscopic analysis. By comparing our new spectra taken in 2021 with the ones taken by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey in 2004, BOSS in 2013 and MaNGA in 2016, we reveal type transitions of Seyfert (Sy) 1.9 → Sy1.8 → Sy1.9. In the transitions, the classical broad Hα emission fades away after 2013 and disappears in our 2021 spectrum, although the absence of broad Hβ can be traced back to at least 2016. A follow-up observation in X-rays by the Swift/XRT reveals that (1) the X-ray emission level gradually decreased since 2005; and (2) the X-ray spectrum is soft in the optical “turn-off” state and hard in the “turn-on” state. We argue that the disappearance of the classical broad Hα emission can be likely explained by the disk-wind broad-line-region model, in which the CL phenomenon is sensitive to luminosity in individual AGNs.
Development of an integrated core–edge scenario using the super H-mode
Authors: Wilks T.M. , Knolker M. , Snyder P.B. , Eldon D. , Scotti F. , Chrystal C. , Laggner F.M. , Lasnier C. , Mclean A. , Osborne T. , Paz-Soldan C. , Wang H. , Watkins J. , Casali L. , Grierson B. , Hughes J.W.
Published: October 2021

An optimized pedestal regime called the super-H (SH) mode is leveraged to couple a fusion relevant core plasma with a high density scrape-off layer appropriate for realistic reactor power exhaust solutions. Recent DIII-D experiments have expanded the operating space of the SH regime using advanced control algorithms and investigated optimization of impurity seeding, deuterium gas puffing, and 3D magnetic perturbations. Simultaneous real-time control of the pedestal density and radiated power with in-vessel coils and nitrogen seeding enable optimal coupled divertor and pedestal conditions. Four case studies are analysed with varied levels of radiated power in the divertor volume ranging from 0 (no seeding) to 8.5 MW radiated from carbon and nitrogen emission. Plasmas with a 4.5 MW radiated power target establish a radiative mantle, leading to divertor temperatures of ∼16 eV while maintaining SH-mode, and with only marginal impact on the pedestal and core performance. Increased levels of N2 seeding with a 7.5 MW radiated power target facilitate detachment onset and divertor temperatures <5 eV, with no degradation in stored energy and the operational point remaining inside the SH-mode channel for

>
2.5

τ

E

. Finally, a 8.5 MW radiated power target leads to partial detachment, which is so far associated with the loss of access to SH-mode pedestal conditions.
Simulation of pellet ELM triggering in low-collisionality, ITER-like discharges
Authors: Wingen A. , Lyons B.C. , Wilcox R.S. , Baylor L.R. , Ferraro N.M. , Jardin S.C. , Shiraki D.
Published: October 2021

3D nonlinear, as well as 2D linear M3D-C1 simulations are used to model ELM triggering by small pellets in DIII-D discharges in the ITER relevant, peeling-limited pedestal stability regime. A critical pellet size threshold is found in both experiment and modeling depending on pedestal conditions, pellet velocity and injection direction. Using radial injection at the outboard midplane, the threshold is determined by M3D-C1 for multiple time slices of a DIII-D low-collisionality discharge that has pellet ELM triggering. Experimental observations show that a larger pellet size than the standard 1.3 mm diameter is necessary for ELM triggering; 1.8 mm pellets triggered several ELMs in cases where a smaller pellet failed. The M3D-C1 simulations are in good agreement with these observations. While the 2D linear simulations give insight into the change of growth rates for various toroidal modes with pellet size, the 3D nonlinear simulations apply a pellet ablation model that mimics the actual injection with good match to the experiment. The 3D nonlinear simulation confirms the pellet ELM triggering for a pellet size larger than the threshold found by the linear simulations.
Sol-gel system evolution control for the synthesis of gas-sensitive nanomaterials based on semiconductor oxides
Authors: Averin I A , Karmanov A A , Moshnikov V A , Yakushova N D , Pronin I A
Published: October 2021

The article analyzes conditions for the occurrence of spinodal decomposition in sol-gel systems based on semiconductor oxide precursors, resulting in labyrinthine structures. Such materials are promising for use in chemoresistive gas sensors with increased sensory response. It is shown that system evolution towards these structures is possible due to sol cooling, or increased its maturation time.
Effect of diamond-like carbon coatings alloying with chromium and molybdenum on the lubricating properties of oils during friction in pair with steel
Authors: Buyanovskii I A , Khrushchov M M , Samusenko V D , Atamanov M V , Shcherbakov Yu I
Published: October 2021

The results have been presented of an experimental study of the tribological behavior of diamond-like carbon coatings (DLC) doped with chromium and molybdenum obtained by reactive magnetron sputtering. The effect of alloying with these metals on the tribological characteristics of boundary lubrication of a DLC coating/steel contact has been studied for the case of three model lubricants (inactive, surfactant, and chemically active). It has been shown that doping with chromium and molybdenum improves both the tribological characteristics of coatings under dry friction and the lubricating properties of the model oils, while alloying with molybdenum provides lower coefficients of friction and less wear at dry and boundary friction than alloying with chromium.
Study of the parameters of molybdenum oxide films by optical methods
Authors: Nikolyukin D S , Shapovalov V I
Published: October 2021

In this work, the physical properties of molybdenum oxide films obtained by reactive magnetron sputtering were studied. Based on the experimental transmission and reflection spectra for samples at different currents in the fundamental absorption region, the optical band gap was determined, and in the visible range, the thickness of the films was defined. The studied films had the values of optical parameters that were observed by other authors. However, the dependence of the optical band gap width on the thickness of the films is not found in the literature and can be associated with the influence of the flux density of the substance sputtered from the target surface on the structure of the film.
Some problems of processing dispersed arsenic-containing raw materials by sublimation in vacuum
Authors: Volodin V N , Trebukhov S A , Nitsenko A V , Trebukhov A A , Tuleutay F Kh
Published: October 2021

Based on the analysis of the operation of vacuum electric furnaces for the processing of dispersed materials by sublimation of volatile components from them, developed by now, and the problems associated with technological processes, a technical solution has been proposed, in which the concentrate is moved due to rheological properties with direct heating by radiation from heater of the surface of the moving and mixing raw materials. Preliminary tests on the sublimation of arsenic sulfide compounds from the gravitational concentrate of the Nezhdaninskoye field with a particle size of 1.0 + 0.63 mm at a temperature of 700°C showed the extraction of arsenic into the vapor phase by more than 99%.