bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Sitka spruce masting on phenology and demography of siskins Spinus spinus
Authors: Furness Euan N. , Furness Robert W.
Published: March 2021

Masting behaviour of Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis may influence Eurasian siskin Spinus spinus breeding ecology as breeding siskins specialize on spruce seeds. We caught siskins and other small passerines over 16 years using mist nets adjacent to large plantations of mature Sitka spruce. We sexed, aged, measured and weighed the birds and collected feather samples from fledglings to measure nitrogen and carbon stable isotope ratios. Siskins departed in late summer, and returned, and bred earlier in years of higher cone abundance. Nitrogen and carbon isotopes indicated that siskins fed their chicks on Sitka spruce seeds in most years, and more so in years of high cone production. More siskins were caught following heavy rainfall, when the cones had closed, encouraging the birds to seek alternative food sources. Fledglings were not heavier or larger in years with higher cone crops but were more numerous. However, the age ratio of siskins caught the following year was unaffected by cone crop. Given their reliance on Sitka spruce seeds, climate change may have a major impact on siskin numbers by altering the availability of Sitka spruce seeds, either through changes in masting patterns or cone opening, or due to climate-related changes in forestry practices. Siskins represent a valuable study system to conservation ecology, where a native species is ecologically reliant on introduced taxa.
Author Correction: Targeted sequencing reveals the somatic mutation landscape in a Swedish breast cancer cohort
Authors: Mathioudaki Argyri , Ljungström Viktor , Melin Malin , Arendt Maja Louise , Nordin Jessika , Karlsson Åsa , Murén Eva , Saksena Pushpa , Meadows Jennifer R. S. , Marinescu Voichita D. , Sjöblom Tobias , Lindblad-Toh Kerstin
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Nanomechanical mechanisms of Lyme disease spirochete motility enhancement in extracellular matrix
Authors: Strnad Martin , Oh Yoo Jin , Vancová Marie , Hain Lisa , Salo Jemiina , Grubhoffer Libor , Nebesářová Jana , Hytönen Jukka , Hinterdorfer Peter , Rego Ryan O. M.
Published: March 2021

As opposed to pathogens passively circulating in the body fluids of their host, pathogenic species within the Spirochetes phylum are able to actively coordinate their movement in the host to cause systemic infections. Based on the unique morphology and high motility of spirochetes, we hypothesized that their surface adhesive molecules might be suitably adapted to aid in their dissemination strategies. Designing a system that mimics natural environmental signals, which many spirochetes face during their infectious cycle, we observed that a subset of their surface proteins, particularly Decorin binding protein (Dbp) A/B, can strongly enhance the motility of spirochetes in the extracellular matrix of the host. Using single-molecule force spectroscopy, we disentangled the mechanistic details of DbpA/B and decorin/laminin interactions. Our results show that spirochetes are able to leverage a wide variety of adhesion strategies through force-tuning transient molecular binding to extracellular matrix components, which concertedly enhance spirochetal dissemination through the host.
Surfactant-assisted one-pot sample preparation for label-free single-cell proteomics
Authors: Tsai Chia-Feng , Zhang Pengfei , Scholten David , Martin Kendall , Wang Yi-Ting , Zhao Rui , Chrisler William B. , Patel Dhwani B. , Dou Maowei , Jia Yuzhi , Reduzzi Carolina , Liu Xia , Moore Ronald J. , Burnum-Johnson Kristin E. , Lin Miao-Hsia , Hsu Chuan-Chih , Jacobs Jon M. , Kagan Jacob , Srivastava Sudhir , Rodland Karin D. , Steven Wiley H. , Qian Wei-Jun , Smith Richard D. , Zhu Ying , Cristofanilli Massimo , Liu Tao , Liu Huiping , Shi Tujin
Published: March 2021

Large numbers of cells are generally required for quantitative global proteome profiling due to surface adsorption losses associated with sample processing. Such bulk measurement obscures important cell-to-cell variability (cell heterogeneity) and makes proteomic profiling impossible for rare cell populations (e.g., circulating tumor cells (CTCs)). Here we report a surfactant-assisted one-pot sample preparation coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) method termed SOP-MS for label-free global single-cell proteomics. SOP-MS capitalizes on the combination of a MS-compatible nonionic surfactant, n-Dodecyl-β-D-maltoside, and hydrophobic surface-based low-bind tubes or multi-well plates for ‘all-in-one’ one-pot sample preparation. This ‘all-in-one’ method including elimination of all sample transfer steps maximally reduces surface adsorption losses for effective processing of single cells, thus improving detection sensitivity for single-cell proteomics. This method allows convenient label-free quantification of hundreds of proteins from single human cells and ~1200 proteins from small tissue sections (close to ~20 cells). When applied to a patient CTC-derived xenograft (PCDX) model at the single-cell resolution, SOP-MS can reveal distinct protein signatures between primary tumor cells and early metastatic lung cells, which are related to the selection pressure of anti-tumor immunity during breast cancer metastasis. The approach paves the way for routine, precise, quantitative single-cell proteomics.
Global patterns of nitrate isotope composition in rivers and adjacent aquifers reveal reactive nitrogen cascading
Authors: Matiatos Ioannis , Wassenaar Leonard I. , Monteiro Lucilena R. , Venkiteswaran Jason J. , Gooddy Daren C. , Boeckx Pascal , Sacchi Elisa , Yue Fu‐Jun , Michalski Greg , Alonso-Hernández Carlos , Biasi Christina , Bouchaou Lhoussaine , Edirisinghe Nandana V. , Fadhullah Widad , Fianko Joseph R. , García-Moya Alejandro , Kazakis Nerantzis , Li Si-Liang , Luu Minh T. N. , Priyadarshanee Sakhila , Re Viviana , Rivera Diego S. , Romanelli Asunción , Sanyal Prasanta , Tamooh Fredrick , Trinh Duc A. , Walters Wendell , Welti Nina
Published: March 2021

Remediation of nitrate pollution of Earth’s rivers and aquifers is hampered by cumulative biogeochemical processes and nitrogen sources. Isotopes (δ15N, δ18O) help unravel spatiotemporal nitrogen(N)-cycling of aquatic nitrate (NO3−). We synthesized nitrate isotope data (n = ~5200) for global rivers and shallow aquifers for common patterns and processes. Rivers had lower median NO3− (0.3 ± 0.2 mg L−1, n = 2902) compared to aquifers (5.5 ± 5.1 mg L−1, n = 2291) and slightly lower δ15N values (+7.1 ± 3.8‰, n = 2902 vs +7.7 ± 4.5‰, n = 2291), but were indistinguishable in δ18O (+2.3 ± 6.2‰, n = 2790 vs +2.3 ± 5.4‰, n = 2235). The isotope composition of NO3− was correlated with water temperature revealing enhanced N-cascading in warmer climates. Seasonal analyses revealed higher δ15N and δ18O values in wintertime, suggesting waste-related N-source signals are better preserved in the cold seasons. Isotopic assays of nitrate biogeochemical transformations are key to understanding nitrate pollution and to inform beneficial agricultural and land management strategies.
Anthocyanins from the fruits ofLycium ruthenicumMurray improve high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance by ameliorating inflammation and oxidative stress in mice
Authors: Tian Baoming , Zhao Jianhua , Xie Xiaoqing , Chen Tao , Yin Yan , Zhai Ruohan , Wang Xinlei , An Wei , Li Juxiu
Published: March 2021

Anthocyanins from the fruits ofLycium ruthenicumMurray improve high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance by ameliorating inflammation and oxidative stress in mice.
Development of β-carotene loaded oil-in-water emulsions using mixed biopolymer–particle–surfactant interfaces
Authors: Wei Yang , Zhou Dan , Yang Shufang , Dai Lei , Zhang Liang , Mao Like , Gao Yanxiang , Mackie Alan
Published: March 2021

In this study, β-carotene loaded oil-in-water emulsions were stabilized by complex interfaces composed of propylene glycol alginate (PGA), rhamnolipids (Rha), and zein colloidal particles (ZCPs).
Precision ejection of microfluidic droplets into air with a superhydrophobic outlet
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Chang Kai-Chun , Abate Adam R.
Published: March 2021

We describe a general approach to controllably and precisely eject droplets of tunable composition from microfluidic devices using superhydrophobic patterning.
α,β-Unsaturated acyl ammonium species as reactive intermediates in organocatalysis: an update
Authors: Bitai Jacqueline , Westwood Matthew T. , Smith Andrew D.
Published: March 2021

α,β-Unsaturated acyl ammonium species are versatile intermediates that have been applied in a variety of transformations including Michael additions, domino reactions and cycloadditions.
Preparation of thermostable and compatible citrate-based polyesters for enhancing the ultraviolet shielding performance of thermoplastic resin
Authors: Chen Heng , Liu Huan , Chen Ming , Ge Penghui , Chen Shaojun , Yuan Hao
Published: March 2021

A new class of citrate-based polyesters with excellent ultraviolet absorption characteristic was synthesized as polymer additive to enhance ultraviolet shielding performance of PETG.
Organocatalytic 1,6-hydrophosphination of para-quinone methides: enantioselective access to chiral 3-phosphoxindoles bearing phosphorus-substituted quaternary carbon stereocenters
Authors: Wang Lisheng , Yang Fuxing , Xu Xiaoping , Jiang Jun
Published: March 2021

An efficient organocatalytic enantioselective 1,6-hydrophosphonylation of para-quinone methides has been achieved for the construction of phosphorus-substituted quaternary carbon stereocenters.
Facile phase transition engineering of MoS2 for electrochemical hydrogen evolution
Authors: Gao Bo , Zhao Yiwei , Du Xiaoye , Chen Yaqi , Guan Boyuan , Li Yan , Li Yanhuai , Ding Shujiang , Zhao Hongyang , Xiao Chunhui , Song Zhongxiao
Published: March 2021

Magnetron sputtering and DFT calculations revealed that the single-doped Cu-MoS2, Au-MoS2, Ag-MoS2, and Al-MoS2 exhibited distinct phase transitions compared to Cr-MoS2, Hf-MoS2, Ta-MoS2, and Zr-MoS2, due to the introduction of additional charge.
Energy transfer enhanced broadband near-infrared phosphors: Cr3+/Ni2+ activated ZnGa2O4–Zn2SnO4 solid solutions for the second NIR window imaging
Authors: Wang Cuiping , Zhang Yuxi , Han Xing , Hu Dingfang , He Diping , Wang Xiaoming , Jiao Huan
Published: March 2021

Near-infrared luminescent materials have attracted considerable interest because of their excellent performance in the field of optical imaging.
Mechanistic aspects of ammonia synthesis on Ta3N5 surfaces in the presence of intrinsic nitrogen vacancies
Authors: Zeinalipour-Yazdi Constantinos D.
Published: March 2021

Intrinsic nitrogen vacancies can become catalytic centers for the ammonia synthesis reaction on Ta3N5via a Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism. Dinitrogen is activated in a peculiar side on a sandwich-like configuration between two surface Ta atoms.
Inelastic scattering in isotopologues of O2–Ar: the effects of mass, symmetry, and density of states
Authors: Bop Cheikh T. , Quintas-Sánchez Ernesto , Sur Sangeeta , Robin Mathurin , Lique François , Dawes Richard
Published: March 2021

The potential energy surface for O2–Ar interactions and the fine level structure for the parent 16O16O and broken symmetry 18O16O isotopologues.
Coconut oil supplementation during development reduces brain excitability in adult rats nourished and overnourished in lactation
Authors: Alves Danielle Viana de Souza , Sousa Mariana Séfora Bezerra , Tavares Maryane Gabriela Borba , Batista-de-Oliveira Hornsby Manuella , Amancio-dos-Santos Angela
Published: March 2021

Coconut oil has been considered as a therapeutic alternative in several pathologies, but there is limited information regarding its effects on brain functioning.
Development of carrier-free self-assembled nanoparticles based on fenhexamid and polyhexamethylene biguanide for sustainable plant disease management
Authors: Tang Gang , Tian Yuyang , Niu Junfan , Tang Jingyue , Yang Jiale , Gao Yunhao , Chen Xi , Li Xuan , Wang Huachen , Cao Yongsong
Published: March 2021

The utilization of nanotechnology for the design of pesticide formulations has enormous potential to enhance the efficiency of pesticides and reduce their adverse impacts on the environment
Protecting-group-free S-glycosylation towards thioglycosides and thioglycopeptides in water
Authors: Zhang Gao-Lan , Gadi Madhusudhan Reddy , Cui Xikai , Liu Ding , Zhang Jiabin , Saikam Varma , Gibbons Christopher , Wang Peng G. , Li Lei
Published: March 2021

A facile and green S-glycosylation method is developed, in which Ca(OH)2 promoted the coupling of protection-group-free fluoride donors and thiol acceptors in water, affording various thioglycosides and thioglycopeptides.
Self-assembled nanomedicine combining a berberine derivative and doxorubicin for enhanced antitumor and antimetastatic efficacyviamitochondrial pathways
Authors: Lin Chuchu , Yang Xuan , Li Huatian , Zou Yiqing , Mohammad Imran Shair , Rong Hehui , Rao Yiqin , Song Jia , Leung Sharon S. Y. , Hu Haiyan
Published: March 2021

A self-assembled nanomedicine combining Ber and Dox with high drug loading was developed, which could translocate Dox from the nucleus to mitochondria and finally inhibit tumor proliferation and metastasis simultaneouslyviamitochondrial pathways.
A 3,5-dinitropyridin-2yl substituted naphthalimide-based fluorescent probe for the selective detection of biothiols and its application in cell-imaging
Authors: Zhuo Yihua , Zhang Yanyu , Feng Yadong , Xu Yuqing , You Qihua , Zhang Lei , Huang Huabin , Lin Lili
Published: March 2021

A highly selective OFF–ON fluorescent probe has been developed for the sensing of biothiols with a satisfactory response time and low detection limit. Also, the probe can be successfully applied for the sensing of biothiols in living cells.
Calycindaphines A–J, Daphniphyllum alkaloids from the roots of Daphniphyllum calycinum
Authors: Yang Ji , Liu Xin , Fu Jing , Lyu Hao-Yuan , Bai Li-Ping , Jiang Zhi-Hong , Zhu Guo-Yuan
Published: March 2021

Ten new Daphniphyllum alkaloids, calycindaphines A–J (1–10), were isolated from Daphniphyllum calycinum. Compound 1 possesses a unique C22 skeleton with the 5/8/7/5/5 ring system and might be a key intermediate for daphhimalenine A formation.
Studies on the interactions of Ag(i) with DNA and their implication on the DNA-templated synthesis of silver nanoclusters and on the interaction with complementary DNA and RNA sequences
Authors: Hoz Alejandra de la , Navarro Alba , Aviñó Anna , Eritja Ramon , Gargallo Raimundo
Published: March 2021

Variables affecting the fluorescent properties of DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters are studied. The secondary structure of the AgNC-stabilizing DNA sequence dramatically affects the analytical signal behind the hybridization reaction.
Achieving deep desulfurization with inverse-micellar polyoxometalates and oxygen
Authors: Wu Jinghui , Li Yue , Jiang Menting , Huo Yang , Wang Xianze , Wang Xiaohong
Published: March 2021

(CTA)PMo4V8 exhibited excellent activity in treating S-containing compounds (dibenzothiophene (DBT), 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT), benzothiophene (BT) and thiophene) in real oils, i.e. diesel and FCC gasoline.
Efficient biomass saccharification using a novel cellobiohydrolase from Clostridium clariflavum for utilization in biofuel industry
Authors: Zafar Asma , Aftab Muhammad Nauman , Asif Anam , Karadag Ahmet , Peng Liangcai , Celebioglu Hassan Ufak , Afzal Muhammad Sohail , Hamid Attia , Iqbal Irfana
Published: March 2021

Successful expression of a novel cellobiohydrolase enzyme from Clostridium clariflavum with efficient saccharification potential of plant biomass for the biofuel industry.
Characterisation of hydration water in Nafion membrane
Authors: Parker Stewart F. , Shah Shrey
Published: March 2021

Hydration of fully dried Nafion membrane results in the formation of oxonium ions of increasing complexity, up to H9O4+. Beyond this, water behaves as the bulk liquid.
Structure and thermodynamics of grafted silica/polystyrene dilute nanocomposites investigated through self-consistent field theory
Authors: Lakkas Apostolos T. , Sgouros Aristotelis P. , Revelas Constantinos J. , Theodorou Doros N.
Published: March 2021

Revisiting the brush thickness scaling laws across a broad parameter space.
One-way photoisomerization of ligands for permanent switching of metal complexes
Authors: Lvov Andrey G. , Mörtel Max , Heinemann Frank W. , Khusniyarov Marat M.
Published: March 2021

One-way photoisomerization of diarylethenes to rarely observed annulated isomers is used to achieve the permanent switching of magnetic properties of metal complexes. Uncontrolled thermal back-switching becomes completely suppressed with our concept.
Inhibition of lncRNA-NEAT1 sensitizes 5-Fu resistant cervical cancer cells through de-repressing the microRNA-34a/LDHA axis
Authors: Shao Xuecheng , Zheng Xuehui , Ma Dan , Liu Yang , Liu Guoyan
Published: March 2021

Cervical cancer is one of the most diagnosed malignancies among females. The 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent against diverse cancers. Despite the initially encouraging progresses, a fraction of cervical cancer patients developed 5-Fu resistance. We detected that nuclear-rich transcripts 1 (NEAT1) was significantly up-regulated in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines. Moreover, NEAT1 was positively associated with 5-Fu resistance. Furthermore, expression of NEAT1 was significantly up-regulated in 5-Fu resistant CaSki cervical cancer cells. Knocking down NEAT1 by shRNA dramatically promoted the sensitivity of 5-Fu resistant CaSki cells. We observed a negative correlation between long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-NEAT1 and miR-34a in cervical cancer patient tissues. Overexpression of miR-34a significantly sensitized 5-Fu resistant cells. Bioinformatics analysis uncovered that NEAT1 functions as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-34a in cervical cancer cells via sponging it at multiple sites to suppress expression of miR-34a. This negative association between NEAT1 and miR-34a was further verified in cervical cancer tissues. We found the 5-Fu resistant cells displayed significantly increased glycolysis rate. Overexpression of miR-34a suppressed cellular glycolysis rate and sensitized 5-Fu resistant cells through direct targeting the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of LDHA, a glycolysis key enzyme. Importantly, knocking down NEAT1 successfully down-regulated LDHA expressions and glycolysis rate of cervical cancer cells by up-regulating miR-34a, a process could be further rescued by miR-34a inhibition. Finally, we demonstrated inhibition of NEAT1 significantly sensitized cervical cancer cells to 5-Fu through the miR-34a/LDHA pathway. In summary, the present study suggests a new molecular mechanism for the NEAT1-mediated 5-Fu resistance via the miR-34a/LDHA-glycolysis axis.
Long non-coding RNA GAS5 aggravates myocardial depression in mice with sepsis via the microRNA-449b/HMGB1 axis and the NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Gao Hongfeng , Ma Huijing , Gao Min , Chen Aichun , Zha Shujuan , Yan Jixi
Published: March 2021

Sepsis is a common cause of deaths of patients in intensive care unit. The study aims to figure out the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) GAS5 in the myocardial depression in mice with sepsis. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was applied to induce sepsis in mice, and then the heart function, myocardium structure, and the inflammatory response were evaluated. Differentially expressed lncRNAs in mice with sepsis were identified. Then gain- and loss-of-functions of GAS5 were performed in mice to evaluate its role in mouse myocardial depression. The lncRNA-associated microRNA (miRNA)–mRNA network was figured out via an integrative prediction and detection. Myocardial injury was observed by overexpression of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in septic mice with knockdown of GAS5 expression. Activity of NF-κB signaling was evaluated, and NF-κB inhibition was induced in mice with sepsis and overexpression of GAS5. Collectively, CLP resulted in myocardial depression and injury, and increased inflammation in mice. GAS5 was highly expressed in septic mice. GAS5 inhibition reduced myocardial depression, myocardial injury and inflammation responses in septic mice. GAS5 was identified to bind with miR-449b and to elevate HMGB1 expression, thus activating the NF-κB signaling. HMGB1 overexpression or NF-κB inactivation reduced the GAS5-induced myocardial depression and inflammation in septic mice. Our study suggested that GAS5 might promote sepsis-induced myocardial depression via the miR-449b/HMGB1 axis and the following NF-κB activation.
Music Perception and Speech-in-Noise Skills of Typical Hearing and Cochlear Implant Listeners
Authors: Fowler Stephanie L. , Calhoun Hannah , Warner-Czyz Andrea D.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Adult cochlear implant (CI) users rate music as one of the most important auditory stimuli, second to speech perception. However, few studies simultaneously examine music perception and speech-in-noise perception in adult CI recipients. This study explores the effect of auditory status on music perception and speech-in-noise perception recognition in noise as well as the relationship among music engagement, music perception, and speech-in-noise perception.

Method

Participants include 10 adults with typical hearing (TH) and 10 adults with long-term CI use. All participants completed the Music-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire, which assesses subjective music experiences and their importance; the Pitch Direction Discrimination, Familiar Melody Recognition, and Timbre Recognition subtests of the Clinical Assessment of Music Perception for Cochlear Implants; the Unfamiliar Melody Recognition subtest of the Profile of Music Perception Skills; and the Bamford–Kowal–Bench Speech-in-Noise Test.

Results

The TH group significantly outperformed the CI group for speech-in-noise perception and on all four music perception tasks. The CI group exhibited not only significantly poorer mean scores but also greater variability in performance compared to the TH group. Only Familiar Melody Recognition and Unfamiliar Melody Recognition subtests significantly correlated with speech-in-noise scores.

Conclusions

Patients and professionals should not assume speech perception and music perception in adult CI users derive from the same auditory or cognitive foundations. The lack of significant relationships among music engagement, music perception, and speech-in-noise perception scores in adult CI users suggests this population enjoys music despite poor and variable performance in discrete music tasks.
Associations Between Voice and Gestural Characteristics of Transgender Women and Self-Rated Femininity, Satisfaction, and Quality of Life
Authors: Hardy Teresa L. D. , Rieger Jana M. , Wells Kristopher , Boliek Carol A.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Client-based subjective ratings of treatment and outcomes are becoming increasingly important as speech-language pathologists embrace client-centered care practices. Of particular interest is the value in understanding how these ratings are related to aspects of gender-affirming voice and communication training programs for transgender and gender-diverse individuals. The purpose of this observational study was to explore relationships between acoustic and gestural communication variables and communicator-rated subjective measures of femininity, communication satisfaction, and quality of life (QoL) among transfeminine communicators.

Method

Twelve acoustic and gestural variables were measured from high-fidelity audio and motion capture recordings of transgender women (
n
= 20) retelling the story of a short cartoon. The participants also completed a set of subjective ratings using a series of Likert-type rating scales, a generic QoL questionnaire, and a population-specific voice-related QoL questionnaire. Correlational analyses were used to identify relationships between the communication measures and subjective ratings.

Results

A significant negative relationship was identified between the use of palm-up hand gestures and self-rated satisfaction with overall communication. The acoustic variable of average semitone range was positively correlated with overall QoL. No acoustic measures were significantly correlated with voice-related QoL, and unlike previous studies, speaking fundamental frequency was not associated with any of the subjective ratings.

Conclusions

The results from this study suggest that voice characteristics may have limited association with communicator-rated subjective measures of communication satisfaction or QoL for this population. Results also provide preliminary evidence for the importance of nonverbal communication targets in gender-affirming voice and communication training programs.
The Acquisition of Articulatory Timing for Liquids: Evidence From Child and Adult Speech
Authors: Howson Phil J. , Redford Melissa A.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Liquids are among the last sounds to be acquired by English-speaking children. The current study considers their acquisition from an articulatory timing perspective by investigating anticipatory posturing for /l/ versus /ɹ/ in child and adult speech.

Method

In Experiment 1, twelve 5-year-old, twelve 8-year-old, and 11 college-aged speakers produced carrier phrases with penultimate stress on monosyllabic words that had /l/, /ɹ/, or /d/ (control) as singleton onsets and /æ/ or /u/ as the vowel. Short-domain anticipatory effects were acoustically investigated based on schwa formant values extracted from the preceding determiner (=
the
) and dynamic formant values across the /ə#LV/ sequence. In Experiment 2, long-domain effects were perceptually indexed using a previously validated forward-gated audiovisual speech prediction task.

Results

Experiment 1 results indicated that all speakers distinguished /l/ from /ɹ/ along F3. Adults distinguished /l/ from /ɹ/ with a lower F2. Older children produced subtler versions of the adult pattern; their anticipatory posturing was also more influenced by the following vowel. Younger children did not distinguish /l/ from /ɹ/ along F2, but both liquids were distinguished from /d/ in the domains investigated. Experiment 2 results indicated that /ɹ/ was identified earlier than /l/ in gated adult speech; both liquids were identified equally early in 5-year-olds' speech.

Conclusions

The results are interpreted to suggest a pattern of early tongue–body retraction for liquids in /ə#LV/ sequences in children's speech. More generally, it is suggested that children must learn to inhibit the influence of vowels on liquid articulation to achieve an adultlike contrast between /l/ and /ɹ/ in running speech.
Distributed accelerated descent algorithm for energy resource coordination in multi‐agent integrated energy systems
Authors: Kou Yu , Wang Yinghui , Bie Zhaohong , Wang Xu , Ding Tao
Published: March 2021

Composed of multiple integrated energy systems (IESs) belonging to different stakeholders, multi‐agent IESs (MA‐IESs) are widely concerned because of data privacy protect. As the basis of planning design and reliability evaluation for MA‐IESs, distributed energy resource coordination (DERC) problem is studied in this paper. First, a DERC model for MA‐IESs is established, which considers energy conversion process specifically. Meanwhile, a novel distributed accelerated descent (DAD) algorithm is proposed to realize fully distributed solving. Different from most of the existing researches that investigate the DERC with box constraints, the presented algorithm is able to solve the DERC with general convex constraints. Moreover, the backward operators in the method improve the convergence rate to the best of distributed first‐order optimization algorithm with fixed step size, . Furthermore, the presented approach is initialization robustness when the load fluctuations suddenly happened in MA‐IESs. The convergence property, computing, and communication complexity are strictly proved. Finally, the effectiveness of DERC model and DAD algorithm are demonstrated by some modified case studies.
PKS 1830–211: OH and H I at z = 0.89 and the first MeerKAT UHF spectrum
Authors: Combes F. , Gupta N. , Muller S. , Balashev S. , Józsa G. I. G. , Srianand R. , Momjian E. , Noterdaeme P. , Klöckner H.-R. , Baker A. J. , Boettcher E. , Bosma A. , Chen H.-W. , Dutta R. , Jagannathan P. , Jose J. , Knowles K. , Krogager J-.K. , Kulkarni V. P. , Moodley K. , Pandey S. , Petitjean P. , Sekhar S.
Published: March 2021

The Large Survey Project (LSP) “MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey” (MALS) is a blind H I 21 cm and OH 18 cm absorption line survey in the L- and UHF-bands, primarily designed to better determine the occurrence of atomic and molecular gas in the circumgalactic and intergalactic medium, and its redshift evolution. Here we present the first results using the UHF band obtained towards the strongly lensed radio source PKS 1830−211, revealing the detection of absorption produced by the lensing galaxy. With merely 90 min of data acquired on-source for science verification and processed using the Automated Radio Telescope Imaging Pipeline (ARTIP), we detect in absorption the known H I 21 cm and OH 18 cm main lines at z = 0.89 at an unprecedented signal-to-noise ratio (4000 in the continuum, in each 6 km s−1 wide channel). For the first time we report the detection of OH satellite lines at z = 0.89, which until now have not been detected at z > 0.25. We decompose the OH lines into a thermal and a stimulated contribution, where the 1612 and 1720 MHz lines are conjugate. The total OH 1720 MHz emission line luminosity is 6100 L⊙. This is the most luminous known 1720 MHz maser line and is also among the most luminous of the OH main line megamasers. The absorption components of the different images of the background source sample different light paths in the lensing galaxy, and their weights in the total absorption spectrum are expected to vary in time on daily and monthly time scales. We compare our normalized spectra with those obtained more than 20 years ago, and find no variation. We interpret the absorption spectra with the help of a lens galaxy model derived from an N-body hydrodynamical simulation, with a morphology similar to its optical HST image. The resulting absorption lines depend mainly on the background continuum and the radial distribution of the gas surface density for each atomic and molecular species. We show that it is possible to reproduce the observations assuming a realistic spiral galaxy disk without invoking any central gas outflows. However, there are distinct and faint high-velocity features in the ALMA millimeter absorption spectra that most likely originate from high-velocity clouds or tidal features. These clouds may contribute to broaden the H I and OH spectra.
One-year Follow-Up Results with Hydrogel Implant in Therapy of Hallux Rigidus: Case Series with 44 Patients
Authors: Zanzinger Christoph , Harrasser Norbert , Gottschalk Oliver , Dolp Patrick , Hinterwimmer Florian , Hoerterer Hubert , Walther Markus
Published: March 2021

Background The Cartiva implant (CI) is being increasingly used in the surgical therapy of hallux rigidus. Despite a growing number of studies, numerous questions regarding patient
selection remain unanswered.

Patients and Methods As part of a retrospective case series with prospective follow-up (average follow-up period: 12 months), a total of 44 patients (male/female = 16/28; mean age at
the time of surgery: 55.4 years) with 44 CI were analysed (VAS, EFAS-, AOFAS-score). Using a correlation analysis and a machine learning algorithm, risk factors for therapy failure were
investigated.

Results The overall survival rate of the CI was 93% at 12 months. The VAS, EFAS and AOFAS scores showed a significant improvement in comparison to the preoperative condition. The
mobility of the metatarsophalangeal joint showed no increase. Patients with a medium osteoarthritis grade and a medium level of clinical restraint showed the greatest improvement in relation
to their preoperative condition.

Conclusion The CI can be seen as an effective therapy for hallux rigidus. Nonetheless, realistic patient expectations must be communicated.
With only a single input, tiny motors switch their propulsion mechanism to change direction
Authors: Bandari Anashe
Published: March 2021

Like migrating salmon, the micromotors can turn themselves around to move toward or away from a chemical stimulus.
Hessian metric via transport information geometry
Authors: Li Wuchen
Published: March 2021

We propose to study the Hessian metric of a functional on the space of probability measures endowed with the Wasserstein-2 metric. We name it transport Hessian metric, which contains and extends the classical Wasserstein-2 metric. We formulate several dynamical systems associated with transport Hessian metrics. Several connections between transport Hessian metrics and mathematical physics equations are discovered. For example, the transport Hessian gradient flow, including Newton’s flow, formulates a mean-field kernel Stein variational gradient flow; the transport Hessian Hamiltonian flow of Boltzmann–Shannon entropy forms the shallow water equation; and the transport Hessian gradient flow of Fisher information leads to the heat equation. Several examples and closed-form solutions for transport Hessian distances are presented.
Application of the triple Langmuir probe to study local plasma parameters in the radiofrequency discharge that is placed in an additional applied magnetostatic field
Authors: Kozhevnikov Vladimir , Melnikov Andrey , Khartov Sergey
Published: March 2021

This paper considers the application of the triple Langmuir probe method to investigate the local plasma parameters of the radio frequency (RF) discharge that is placed in the applied magnetostatic field. The main criteria applicability for such a method for experimental diagnostics of RF plasma parameters is presented. As an example, this paper presents experimental results that were obtained using the proposed method on local plasma parameters in one of the cross sections of the discharge chamber of the RF ion source with an applied magnetostatic field. The influence of the magnetostatic field on the radial distributions of charged particle density and electron temperature is shown.
Applicability of DFT functionals for evaluating the first hyperpolarizability of phenol blue in solution
Authors: Brandão Idney , Fonseca Tertius L. , Franco Leandro R. , Georg Herbert C. , Castro Marcos A.
Published: March 2021

The first electronic hyperpolarizability (β) of phenol blue (PB) in several solvents in a wide range of dielectric constants is investigated using the density functional theory (DFT). The reliability of various exchange-correlation functionals is assessed by a comparison to reference Møller–Plesset second-order perturbation theory (MP2) calculations. The equilibrium geometry of PB in each solvent is obtained by using the average solvent electrostatic configuration/free energy gradient method, which performs optimizations on the free energy hyper-surface by employing iteratively the sequential quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics methodology. The dependence of β on the bond length alternation (BLA) coordinate is rationalized by means of the two-level model. Within the employed exchange-correlation functionals, the LC-BLYP functional shows the best performance for describing the static and dynamic MP2 results of β, which increases as the BLA diminishes, reaching a maximum in an intermediate value of BLA. The results also illustrate the role played by the difference between the ground- and excited-state dipole moments (Δμ) in determining the hyperpolarizability behavior in solution. Particularly, in the aqueous solution case, Δμ goes to around zero when BLA is near zero, leading to an abrupt decline in the β value. The DFT results of this study, therefore, indicate a clear relationship between the first hyperpolarizability and the BLA coordinate for the PB in solution, in agreement with experiment.
Simulation study of phase-matched THz emission from an axially modulated magnetized plasma
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Kang Teyoun , Kylychbekov Salizhan , Song Hyung Seon , Hur Min Sup
Published: March 2021

We studied and demonstrated the emission of THz waves by the beating of two CW-laser beams in an axially modulated plasma in the presence of a static magnetic field (applied transversely to the direction of propagation of lasers) from two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation. The ponderomotive-force-induced nonlinear current drives THz radiation with frequency close to the beat frequency (Δω = ω1 − ω2) that propagates in the forward direction. Inside the plasma, THz radiation consists of a mixture of linear and radial polarization, while outside the plasma, only linear polarization dominates; however, radial polarization is stronger in the case of unmagnetized plasma. When the ripple is used, several modes are excited and the mode excited at Δk = (k1 − k2) − kq that meets the phase matching condition is resonantly enhanced. The THz field amplitude grows resonantly with time and it becomes saturated due to the excited higher-order mode coupling. The saturation level is reached about five times higher than the nonrippled plasma case in the vacuum side.
Three-dimensional numerical research on the effects of lateral pulsating airflow on droplet breakup
Authors: Ling Changming , Zhong Yin , Peng Liming
Published: March 2021

A three-dimensional physical and mathematical model of the lateral airflow for droplet breakup was established. Numerical simulation was used to study the impact of the pulsating airflow on the droplet breakup process and analyze the variation in deformation rate under different amplitudes and frequencies. The results show that compared with uniform airflow, pulsating airflow can enhance the effect of droplet breakup, with an optimal droplet crushing effect occurring when the relative amplitude of the pulsating airflow was A = 1 and the Womersley number of the pulsating airflow was 96.6.
Spectral sensor error analysis for measuring x-ray radiation drive using the DANTE diagnostic toward inertial confinement fusion experiments
Authors: Harris C. D. , Kemp G. E. , Schneider M. B. , Widmann K. , Rubery M. S. , May M. J.
Published: March 2021

DANTE is a diagnostic used to measure the x-radiation drive produced by heating a high-Z cavity (“hohlraum”) with high-powered laser beams. It records the spectrally and temporally resolved radiation flux at x-ray energies between 50 eV and 20 keV. Each sensor configuration on DANTE is composed of filters, mirrors, and x-ray diodes to define 18 different x-ray channels whose output is voltage as a function of time. The absolute flux is then determined from the photometric calibration of the sensor configuration and a spectral reconstructing algorithm. The reconstruction of the spectra vs time from the measured voltages and known response of each channel has presented challenges. We demonstrate a novel approach here for quantifying the error on the determined flux based on the channel sensor configuration and most commonly used reconstruction algorithm. In general, we find that the integrated spectral flux from a hohlraum can robustly be reconstructed (within ∼14%) using a traditional unfold approach with as few as ten channels due to the underlying assumption of a largely Planckian spectral intensity distribution.
Switching of magnetoresistive light-emitting diode by external magnetic field
Authors: Ved Mikhail , Danilov Yuri , Demina Polina , Dorokhin Mikhail , Dudin Yuri , Kotomina Valentina , Kudrin Alexey , Kuznetsov Yuri , Zdoroveyshchev Anton , Zdoroveyshchev Daniil
Published: March 2021

A magnetic switch consisting of an integrated magnetoresistive element and a light-emitting diode has been developed and investigated. Switching the state of a magnetoresistive part allows one to control the electron vs hole current ratio in a light-emitting diode. In the high-resistance state, the hole current is high enough to trigger the electroluminescence. Switching to a low-resistance state decreases the hole current drastically, thus completely switching off the light-emitting diode. The effect was found to be strongly dependent on the operating current of the integrated circuit. We believe that the observed effect has multiple applications as a high-speed magnetic field sensor with an opto-coupler, a magnetic field visualizer, or an optical device for reading magnetoresistive random access memory.
A practical simulation of a hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) sphere detonated underwater with the Taylor wave solution and modified Tait parameters
Authors: Jia Xi-yu , Wang Shu-shan , Feng Cheng-liang , Zhang Jing-xiao , Ma Feng
Published: March 2021

The modified ghost fluid method (MGFM) has been one of the most popular and successful algorithms for coping with the numerical calculation of multi-medium flows, especially for the interaction between strong discontinuities and material interfaces. To apply the advanced algorithm to an underwater explosion simulation, first, the uniform distribution of the state of the detonation products, which is the most generally used initial condition in an explosion simulation, is replaced by the analytic solution of the Taylor wave. The Tait equation is, then, expanded to a broader pressure coverage of up to 100 GPa to match the initial state at the discontinuity. One-dimensional Euler equations with source terms governing the explosion flow are discretized with the fifth-order weighted essentially non-oscillatory scheme in space and the third-order Runge–Kutta scheme in time. The gas–water interface is tracked with the level set equations, and the intermediate states are resolved and defined by following the MGFM. In addition to the comparative studies among diverse numerical cases, experimental data were offered as a calibration in this work. The temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of the energy and flow variables were comprehensively discussed. Studies and analysis showed that (1) the novelly achieved parameters B = 710.8 MPa and γ = 5.22 for the Tait equation of state were highly recommended for any application involving transient loads. (2) The explosion flow field produced by the Taylor wave model was closer to the nature of physical reality. (3) Without considering the details, the stationary wave model was not entirely unacceptable as an initial condition for roughly simulating an explosion effect. The most important thing was that one had to ensure that the initial energy was equivalent to the Taylor wave case.
Nonlinear Bloch wave dynamics in photonic Aharonov–Bohm cages
Authors: Chang Nana , Gundogdu Sinan , Leykam Daniel , Angelakis Dimitris G. , Kou SuPeng , Flach Sergej , Maluckov Aleksandra
Published: March 2021

We study the properties of nonlinear Bloch waves in a diamond chain waveguide lattice in the presence of a synthetic magnetic flux. In the linear limit, the lattice exhibits a completely flat (wavevector k-independent) band structure, resulting in perfect wave localization, known as Aharonov–Bohm caging. We find that in the presence of nonlinearity, the Bloch waves become sensitive to k, exhibiting bifurcations and instabilities. Performing numerical beam propagation simulations using the tight-binding model, we show how the instabilities can result in either the spontaneous or controlled formation of localized modes, which are immobile and remain pinned in place due to the synthetic magnetic flux.
On the relation between mobile ion kinetics, device design, and doping in double-cation perovskite solar cells
Authors: Shikoh A. S. , Polyakov A. Y. , Gostishchev P. , Saranin D. S. , Shchemerov I. V. , Didenko S. I. , Di Carlo A.
Published: March 2021

Contribution of mobile ions to current transport in double cation FA1−xCsxPbI3 p–i–n solar cell structures with NiOx hole transport layers and electron transport layers (ETLs) formed by Phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) or C60 was studied by means of our previously developed suite of techniques comprising admittance spectroscopy, Deep Levels Transient Spectroscopy with standard (DLTS) and reversed (RDLTS) sequence of biasing/pulsing, and Photoinduced Open-Circuit Voltage Voc Spectroscopy (PIVTS). These studies show that the amplitudes of mirror-like peaks in DLTS/RDLTS, the hallmark of mobile ions, strongly decrease when switching from PCBM to C60 and further decrease with the addition of Cl to the growth solution. A similar effect is observed in PIVTS spectra monitoring changes in long-time open circuit Voc relaxations with temperature. The activation energies of peaks in DLTS, PIVTS, and low-frequency admittance spectra are similar to each other. The results indicate that switching the ETL type from PCBM to C60 and adding Cl in the perovskite ink for improved crystallization result in alleviating adverse effects of mobile ions, which correlates with observed changes in solar cell performance and reliability. Possible reasons for the described phenomena will be discussed.
Path probability ratios for Langevin dynamics—Exact and approximate
Authors: Kieninger S. , Keller B. G.
Published: March 2021

Path reweighting is a principally exact method to estimate dynamic properties from biased simulations—provided that the path probability ratio matches the stochastic integrator used in the simulation. Previously reported path probability ratios match the Euler–Maruyama scheme for overdamped Langevin dynamics. Since molecular dynamics simulations use Langevin dynamics rather than overdamped Langevin dynamics, this severely impedes the application of path reweighting methods. Here, we derive the path probability ratio ML for Langevin dynamics propagated by a variant of the Langevin Leapfrog integrator. This new path probability ratio allows for exact reweighting of Langevin dynamics propagated by this integrator. We also show that a previously derived approximate path probability ratio Mapprox differs from the exact ML only by O(ξ4Δt4) and thus yields highly accurate dynamic reweighting results. (Δt is the integration time step, and ξ is the collision rate.) The results are tested, and the efficiency of path reweighting is explored using butane as an example.
A compact NaI(Tl) with avalanche photodiode gamma spectrometer for in situ radioactivity measurements in marine environment
Authors: Sun Zhenyu , Zhou Fan , Cao Zhe , Zhou Ziheng , Wang Xiaohu , Yuan Jianhui , Huang Xiru , Feng Changqing , Cao Ping , An Qi
Published: March 2021

In situ radioactivity measurements in a deep ocean environment are essential for marine environmental pollution monitoring and seabed geological exploration. In the past, the most widely used gamma spectrometers were based on towed instrumentation, which could only be operated underwater at a depth of less than 1500 m. In this study, a compact gamma spectrometer with small-size, light weight, and low power consumption was designed for working in a marine in situ environment. This spectrometer, with two essential parts: detector and electronics, was designed to work on different underwater platforms in the real-time control mode or autonomous operation mode. Multiple small volume avalanche photodiodes were coupled with NaI(Tl), which can significantly reduce the spectrometer volume compared with the option of the photomultiplier tube. Integrated readout electronics were employed to digitize all detector signals for miniaturization and low power consumption. The field programmable gate array (FPGA) was used to obtain the energy spectrum in real-time and an online multi-channel summation with temperature calibration algorithm was employed to improve detection efficiency. Relevant tests were also conducted in the laboratory to evaluate critical techniques and system performance. Results show that the energy resolution (full width at half maximum over the peak position) was ∼7.5% at 662 keV, verifying the online multi-channel summation with temperature calibration based on the FPGA. Moreover, the compact prototype spectrometer worked well in the power-on hydraulic test.