bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19: Another Look at Solidarity
Authors: Häyry Matti
Published: December 2020

Is there such a thing as corona solidarity? Does voluntary mutual aid solve the problems caused by COVID-19? I argue that the answer to the first question is “yes” and to the second “no.” Not that the answer to the second question could not, in an ideal world, be “yes,” too. It is just that in this world of global capitalism and everybody looking out for themselves, the kind of communal warmth celebrated by the media either does not actually exist or is too weak to rule out the uglier manifestations of group togetherness, driven partly by the pandemic. I make my point by offering two approaches to understanding what solidarity is. According to the first, it is essentially partiality: “us” against “them.” According to the second, it can be many things, including the impartial promotion of the good of others. I show that the second reading would make it possible for mutual aid to solve the problems caused by COVID-19 and other crises. This would happen at the expense of conceptual clarity, but that is a minor concern. The major concern is that the more natural manifestations of group togetherness are incited by negative feelings. This is par for the course within the narrower reading of solidarity, but it means that the potentially positive ideas of identity, care, communal values, and special relations are displayed in violent confrontation instead of a calm recognition of the threats that most of us face together.
Looking Towards the Future: Popular Music Studies and Music Scholarship
Authors: WRIGHT BRIAN F. , CODDINGTON AMY , MALL ANDREW
Published: December 2020

In the foreword to the first issue of Popular Music and Society, published in 1971, Ray B. Browne wrote that, ‘until very recently … academics, with a few notable exceptions, were by and large indifferent to the role of popular music in their world’; he then recounted a rejection he had received from an academic journal, whose editor had written that, ‘although this might be interesting, we both had to admit that popular songs really had no academic significance’. Today, exactly fifty years later, the position of popular music studies within the academy is far removed from Browne's experience: there are multiple academic journals and scholarly press book series devoted solely to popular music, scholars regularly present papers on popular music topics at academic conferences, and departments across colleges and universities offer an increasingly wide variety of popular music courses. Popular music has even become a viable area of interest within music scholarship.
The Future of Europe's Democratic Way of Life
Authors: Verovšek Peter J.
Published: December 2020

In 2016 the democratic world experienced two major shocks. Although support for illiberal nationalism has been on the rise for at least a decade, the events of that year, starting with the narrow victory of the Leave campaign in the United Kingdom's 23 June referendum on its membership in the European Union (EU), followed less than six months later by Donald J. Trump's election as president of the United States on 8 November, constituted a clear break. In contrast to the postwar liberal democratic order, which legitimized itself through the provision of welfare benefits and effective management of competing interests, these two developments seemingly signaled a return to the more rough-and-tumble, unstable politics of the interwar period.
Naniwa-bushi in Hawai‘i: The Rise and Fall of a Japanese Narrative Art in Diaspora
Authors: WASEDA MINAKO
Published: December 2020

浪花節は19世紀末から20世紀半ばに大衆的な人気を誇った日本の音楽的な語りのジャンルである。日本人労働移民によってハワイにもたらされ、後には日本の浪曲師がハワイ巡業を行うようになり、ハワイの日系社会でも人気を確立した。本論はハワイにおける浪花節の盛衰をたどり、移植された音楽ジャンルが日本と日系ディアスポラの文化的架け橋として機能し、いかにハワイ日系人のアイデンティティの支えとなっていたか、また国境を超えた人々と文化の往来を促していたかを明らかにする。また戦争という不可抗力によって、いかに音楽文化の運命が翻弄されうるかを描き出す。

Naniwa-bushi is a genre of Japanese musical storytelling which enjoyed its greatest popularity from the late nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century. Brought to Hawai‘i by Japanese immigrants and later by itinerant Japanese performers, it soon found popularity in the diaspora community. This paper traces the rise and fall of naniwa-bushi in Hawai‘i and demonstrates how a transplanted musical genre functioned as a cultural bridge between Japan and its diaspora, helping immigrants sustain their identity and motivating trans-border flows of performers and culture. It also highlights the powerful impact of war that changed the destiny of a musical culture.
Fostering Reconciliation through Collaborative Research in Unama’ki: Engaging Communities through Indigenous Methodologies and Research-Creation
Authors: OSTASHEWSKI MARCIA , JOHNSON SHAYLENE , MARSHALL GRAHAM , PAUL CLIFFORD
Published: December 2020

This article documents relationships, strategies, and activities involved in developing and carrying out collaborative community-engaged research for reconciliation, based on Indigenous methodologies and research-creation. It documents an example of Indigenous/non-Indigenous collaboration in Unama’ki (also known as Cape Breton, Canada), providing data towards the refinement of models of research designed to foster reconciliation, and contributing to a literature on Indigenous/non-Indigenous collaborations in ethnomusicology and related fields. While revealing some challenges in the process with respect to addressing local needs, it also describes transformations that can be achieved through effective collaboration, including ways in which universities can be involved.
Copper-catalysed synthesis of α-alkylidene cyclic carbonates from propargylic alcohols and CO2
Authors: Cervantes-Reyes Alejandro , Farshadfar Kaveh , Rudolph Matthias , Rominger Frank , Schaub Thomas , Ariafard Alireza , Hashmi A. Stephen K.
Published: December 2020

A sterically encumbered, nine-membered NHC-copper(i) complex was shown to be an effective catalyst for the chemical fixation of CO2 by propargylic alcohols for the diastereoselective synthesis of α-alkylidene cyclic carbonates.
Boosting Li–S battery performance using an in-cell electropolymerized conductive polymer
Authors: Gao Xiguang , Guo Chenyang , Ma Zhong , Xi Guan , Meng Yuezhong , Li Yuning
Published: December 2020

A convenient in-cell electropolymerization method is developed to prepare a conductive polymer, PEDOT, as a cathode binder inside a Li–S cell for the enhancement of the cell performance.
The electrochemical kinetics of cerium selenide nano-pebbles: the design of a device-grade symmetric configured wide-potential flexible solid-state supercapacitor
Authors: Pandit Bidhan , Agarwal Akanksha , Patel Priyanka , Sankapal Babasaheb R.
Published: December 2020

Chemically synthesized cerium selenide for high performance symmetric solid-state supercapacitors.
Inhibition of d-glycero-β-d-manno-heptose 1-phosphate adenylyltransferase from Burkholderia pseudomallei by epigallocatechin gallate and myricetin
Authors: Kim Suwon , Jo Seri , Kim Mi-Sun , Kam Heejin , Shin Dong Hae
Published: December 2020

Flavonoids play beneficial roles in various human diseases. In this study, a flavonoid library was employed to probe inhibitors of d-glycero-β-d-manno-heptose-1-phosphate adenylyltransferase from Burkholderia pseudomallei (BpHldC) and two flavonoids, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and myricetin, have been discovered. BpHldC is one of the essential enzymes in the ADP-l-glycero-β-d-manno-heptose biosynthesis pathway constructing lipopolysaccharide of B. pseudomallei. Enzyme kinetics study showed that two flavonoids work through different mechanisms to block the catalytic activity of BpHldC. Among them, a docking study of EGCG was performed and the binding mode could explain its competitive inhibitory mode for both ATP and βG1P. Analyses with EGCG homologs could reveal the important functional moieties, too. This study is the first example of uncovering the inhibitory activity of flavonoids against the ADP-l-glycero-β-d-manno-heptose biosynthesis pathway and especially targeting HldC. Since there are no therapeutic agents and vaccines available against melioidosis, EGCG and myricetin can be used as templates to develop antibiotics over B. pseudomallei.
Modified form of the Kompaneets equation
Authors: Chen Xurong , Zhang Xu , Gao Haixiang , Han Chengdong , Liu Dangbo
Published: December 2020

Comptonization is a very important phenomenon in astrophysics. The Kompaneets equation describes the Comptonization process in up-Comptonization (hν̄ ≪ kTe), while it fails in describing the down-Comptonization (hν̄ ≫ kTe), which is the most important radiative transfer process in hard X-ray and γ-ray astronomy. In this study we extend the Kompaneets equation to a new modified equation which works in a more general Comptonization process, including up- and down-Comptonization, suitable for the cases hν̄ ≪ kTe, hν̄ ≫ kTe, and hν̄ ∼ kTe. Numerical solutions for the evolution behavior of Gaussian emission lines show excellent agreement between the classical equations and our new equation for up-Comptonization, while the big differences are displayed for down-Comptonization. Based on this extended equation, the modified Sunyaev-Zel’dovich effect is investigated. Instead, some typical calculated results for up- and down-Comptonization in X-ray astronomy are compared between the new equation and the Kompaneets equation. The potential applications of the extended equation in astrophysics are also highly emphasized for further study.
A Virgo Environmental Survey Tracing Ionised Gas Emission (VESTIGE)
Authors: Boselli A. , Lupi A. , Epinat B. , Amram P. , Fossati M. , Anderson J. P. , Boissier S. , Boquien M. , Consolandi G. , Côté P. , Cuillandre J. C. , Ferrarese L. , Galbany L. , Gavazzi G. , Gómez-López J. A. , Gwyn S. , Hensler G. , Hutchings J. , Kuncarayakti H. , Longobardi A. , Peng E. W. , Plana H. , Postma J. , Roediger J. , Roehlly Y. , Schimd C. , Trinchieri G. , Vollmer B.
Published: December 2020

We study the IB(s)m galaxy IC 3476 observed in the context of the Virgo Environmental Survey Tracing Ionised Gas Emission (VESTIGE), a blind narrow-band Hα+[NII] imaging survey of the Virgo cluster carried out with MegaCam at the CFHT. The deep narrow-band image reveals a very pertubed ionised gas distribution that is characterised by a prominent banana-shaped structure in the front of the galaxy formed of giant HII regions crossing the stellar disc. Star-forming structures, at ∼8 kpc from the edges of the stellar disc, are also detected in a deep far-ultraviolet ASTROSAT/UVIT image. This particular morphology indicates that the galaxy is undergoing an almost edge-on ram pressure stripping event. The same Hα+[NII] image also shows that the star formation activity is totally quenched in the leading edge of the disc, where the gas has been removed during the interaction with the surrounding medium. The spectral energy distribution fitting analysis of the multi-frequency data indicates that this quenching episode is very recent (∼50 Myr), and roughly corresponds to an increase of the star formation activity by a factor of ∼161% in the inner regions with respect to that expected for secular evolution. The analysis of these data, whose angular resolution enables the study of the induced effects of the perturbation down to the scale of individual HII regions (req ≃ 40 pc), also suggests that the increase of star formation activity is due to the compression of the gas along the stellar disc of the galaxy, which is able to increase its mean electron density and boost the star formation process producing bright HII regions with luminosities up to L(Hα) ≃ 1038 erg s−1. The combined analysis of the VESTIGE data with deep IFU spectroscopy gathered with MUSE and with high spectral resolution Fabry Perot data also indicates that the hydrodynamic interaction has deeply perturbed the velocity field of the ionised gas component while leaving that of the stellar disc unaffected. The comparison of the data with tuned high-resolution hydrodynamic simulations accounting for the different gas phases (atomic, molecular, ionised) consistently indicates that the perturbing event is very recent (50–150 Myr), once again confirming that ram pressure stripping is a violent phenomenon that is able to perturb the evolution of galaxies in rich environments on short timescales.
Technology of establishment of terrestrial objects aerospace survey-based object-oriented monitoring systems
Authors: Maglinets Yurii A. , Brezhnev Ruslan V.
Published: December 2020

The paper studies a technology for the establishment of Earth remote sensing systems based on the object-oriented approach to the complex system analysis and design. The technology relies upon the system of knowledge combining the knowledge of a certain subject domain, the knowledge of image processing algorithms and the typology of the problems in question. Another important element of the technology is a set of human-computer interaction methods that make it possible to arrange a task setting and solving cycle without or with little involvement of image processing experts. The paper presents the input conditions and the main stages of the technology, as well as examples of possible use of the system in agricultural monitoring.
Experimental evaluation of nonparametric clustering algorithms for image segmentation
Authors: Sinyavskiy Yuriy , Rylov Sergey , Pestunov Igor
Published: December 2020

Experimental evaluation of 12 nonparametric clustering algorithms for image segmentation was made. Algorithms developed in FRC ICT are compared to ones from ENVI, ELKI and Smile software packages. Seven model datasets were generated to estimate clustering accuracy. The computational efficiency was evaluated using digital photographs and fragments of multispectral images obtained from WorldView-2 satellite.
Application of high frequency filtration to remove cloudiness in Earth remote sensing images
Authors: Tutatchikov Valeriy , Noskov Mikhail
Published: December 2020

At present, methods of digital processing of Earth remote sensing images are widely used to improve the image quality. For example, many images are discarded due to high clouds in the images, which obscure objects of interest. In this paper, the possibility of using high- frequency global filters to reduce cloudiness in the image is considered, and the results of image enhancement are shown.
Analysis of floodable areas of the Angara river
Authors: Andrey Gachenko , Alexey Hmelnov
Published: December 2020

In this work, the authors present a technology for riverside terrain model building that has been tested on a number of scientific projects to study the littoral area of tail race of the Irkutsk Hydroelectric Power Station and the Bratsk Reservoir. This model is used for forecasting changes in the reservoir shorelines associated with wastewater in the cascade of hydroelectric power stations. The technology described in the work was approved to solve a number of practical problems and showed its effectiveness. Specialized application software was developed and terrain data from various sources were used to specify and detail the end result.
Determination of the earth's surface deformations in the "Kiyzassky" open pit according to Sentinel-1 Data
Authors: Mikov Leonid , Popov Semion
Published: December 2020

The paper deals with the issues of assessment of the condition and changes in the land surface on the territory of the Kiizassky open pit (Kemerovo region) because of the landslide that occurred in June 2019. The application of the multi-pass series of Sentinel-1 satellite radar data using the Small Baseline Subset (SBaS) method to determine the Earth surface displacement dynamics using constructed vertical displacement maps is demonstrated..
Dry turning optimization of austenitic stainless steel 316L based on Taguchi and TOPSIS approaches
Authors: Touggui Youssef , Belhadi Salim , Mabrouki Tarek , Temmar Mustapha , Yallese Mohamed Athmane
Published: December 2020

Austenitic stainless steel (AISI 316L ASS) is known as a very difficult material to cut due to its high toughness, work hardening combined with built-up-edge (BUE) formation and also poor thermal conductivity. In order to improve its machinability, it seems important to carry out experimentation helping to study effects of cutting parameters on process responses. For that both Taguchi and TOPSIS approaches were applied to determine an optimal combination of cutting parameters during dry turning of AISI 316L ASS. Cutting speed (Vc), feed (f), cutting depth (ap) and cutting time (tc) were selected as four input parameters. Flank wear (VB), tangential cutting force (Fz), surface roughness (Ra) and material removal rate (MRR) were considered as the major process responses. Nine cutting tests were carried out based on Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array. Thus, in order to distinguish the greater significant cutting parameter, Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied. Ultimately, in the case of Taguchi approach results show optimal combinations in terms of (Vc, f, ap and tc) for attaining minimum VB, Fz and Ra and also reaching maximization of MRR. In addition, TOPSIS approach was exploited yielding to results that indicate optimal combination of cutting parameters for achieving simultaneously minimum VB, Fz and Ra and maximum MRR.
N-Chlorinative Ring Contraction of 1,4-Dimethoxyphthalazines via a Bicyclization/Ring-Opening Mechanism
Authors: Im Jeong Kyun , Jeong Ilju , Choi Jun-Ho , Chung Won-jin , Yang ByeongDo , Moon Hyeon
Published: December 2020

An unprecedented N-chlorinative ring contraction of 1,2-diazines was discovered and investigated with an electrophilic chlorinating reagent, trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCICA). Through optimization and mechanistic analysis, the assisting role of n-Bu4NCl as an exogenous nucleophile was identified, and the optimized reaction conditions were applied to a range of 1,4-dimethoxyphthalazine derivatives. Also, an improvement of overall efficiency was demonstrated by the use of a labile O-silyl group. A bicyclization/ring-opening mechanism, inspired by the Favorskii rearrangement, was proposed and supported by the DFT calculations. Furthermore, the efforts on scope expansion as well as the evaluation of other electrophilic promoters revealed that the newly developed ring contraction reactivity is a unique characteristic of 1,4-dimethoxyphthalazine scaffold and TCICA.
The relativistic Hopfield model with correlated patterns
Authors: Agliari Elena , Fachechi Alberto , Marullo Chiara
Published: December 2020

In this work, we introduce and investigate the properties of the “relativistic” Hopfield model endowed with temporally correlated patterns. First, we review the “relativistic” Hopfield model and we briefly describe the experimental evidence underlying correlation among patterns. Then, we face the study of the resulting model exploiting statistical-mechanics tools in a low-load regime. More precisely, we prove the existence of the thermodynamic limit of the related free energy and we derive the self-consistence equations for its order parameters. These equations are solved numerically to get a phase diagram describing the performance of the system as an associative memory as a function of its intrinsic parameters (i.e., the degree of noise and of correlation among patterns). We find that beyond the standard retrieval and ergodic phases, the relativistic system exhibits correlated and symmetric regions, which are genuine effects of temporal correlation, whose width is, respectively, reduced and increased with respect to the classical case.
Dielectrophoresis as a tool for electrophysiological characterization of stem cells
Authors: Giduthuri Anthony T. , Theodossiou Sophia K. , Schiele Nathan R. , Srivastava Soumya K.
Published: December 2020

Dielectrophoresis (DEP), a nonlinear electrokinetic technique caused by Maxwell–Wagner interfacial polarization of neutral particles in an electrolyte solution, is a powerful cell manipulation method used widely for various applications such as enrichment, trapping, and sorting of heterogeneous cell populations. While conventional cell characterization and sorting methods require tagging or labeling of cells, DEP has the potential to manipulate cells in a label-free way. Due to its unique ability to characterize and sort cells without the need of labeling, there is renewed interest in using DEP for stem cell research and regenerative medicine. Stem cells have the potential to differentiate into various lineages, but achieving homogeneous cell phenotypes from an initially heterogeneous cell population is a challenge. Using DEP to efficiently and affordably identify, sort, and enrich either undifferentiated or differentiated stem cell populations in a label-free way would advance their potential uses for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. This review summarizes recent, significant research findings regarding the electrophysiological characterization of stem cells, with a focus on cellular dielectric properties, i.e., permittivity and conductivity, and on studies that have obtained these measurements using techniques that preserve cell viability, such as crossover frequency. Potential applications for DEP in regenerative medicine are also discussed. Overall, DEP is a promising technique and, when used to characterize, sort, and enrich stem cells, will advance stem cell-based regenerative therapies.
Nanoscale film thickness measurement based on weak measurement
Authors: Qin Zirui , Liu Qinggang , Yue Chong , Lang Yaopu , Zhou Xinglin
Published: December 2020

In this paper, a novel method of film thickness measurement based on weak measurements is proposed by analyzing the quantitative relationship between film thickness and the weak measurement amplified shift of the photonic spin Hall effect, and the corresponding measurement system is established to verify it through experiments. This method can measure the thickness of an arbitrary dielectric film with nanometer resolution. The theoretical analysis and experimental results show that the method is reasonable, feasible, and reliable, and the structure of the measurement system is simple, easy to operate, and easy to assemble into a prototype instrument. The measurement model and method provide not only a new way for the measurement of thin film thickness but also an important reference for the precise measurement of other optical interface parameters.
Transient analysis of light brightness emitted from high power microwave nitrogen breakdown under external dc magnetic field
Authors: Wang Lin , Bao Huaguang , Ding Dazhi , Chen Rushan
Published: December 2020

A three-dimensional (3D) multi-physics model is developed to describe the characteristics of light emitted from high power microwave nitrogen breakdown. This model consists of electromagnetic (EM) fields and plasma physics in which plasma physics and EM fields are controlled by plasma fluid equations and Maxwell's equations. A continuity equation of excited molecule (ion) is introduced into the fluid model to describe the light brightness produced in the breakdown system. The resulting multi-physics system is analyzed and described with the spectral-element time-domain method. The external dc magnetic field applied in breakdown volume is used to prolong the breakdown time. The light brightness is weakened by the dc magnetic field before the occurrence of breakdown, and the variation in light brightness with different wavelengths produced by breakdown is discussed. The position of the maximum light brightness spot can be changed by the influence of the dc magnetic field on the electron concentration. Our research provides theoretical guidance for further understanding the physical process and physical phenomena in microwave nitrogen breakdown.
Perspective on advances in InAsSb type II superlattices grown on virtual substrates
Authors: Belenky Gregory , Suchalkin Sergey , Svensson Stefan P. , Donetsky Dmitry , Ermolaev Maksim , Kipshidze Gela
Published: December 2020

Metamorphic InAs1−xSbx/InAs1−ySby strained layer superlattice (SLS) structures allow for great flexibility of engineering artificial band structures and, therefore, the design of new optical and electrical properties. By using tailored virtual substrates, the average lattice constant of the SLS can be chosen anywhere between 0.606 nm (InAs) and 0.648 nm (InSb), which allows for flexibility in the choice of compositions and thicknesses of the constituent layers. These parameters can then be tuned in a wide range, which is not possible when using binary substrates. Specifically, the layer thicknesses can be nearly arbitrarily small. Short period InAs1−xSbx/InAs1−ySby SLSs exhibit strong optical absorption and improved perpendicular carrier transport and can demonstrate Dirac-type carrier dispersion, a large g-factor, and deep band inversion. The prospects for the development of devices based on these structures are discussed.
Mitigation of Rayleigh-like waves in granular media via multi-layer resonant metabarriers
Authors: Zaccherini R. , Palermo A. , Marzani A. , Colombi A. , Dertimanis V. , Chatzi E.
Published: December 2020

In this work, we experimentally and numerically investigate the propagation and attenuation of vertically polarized surface waves in an unconsolidated granular medium equipped with small-scale metabarriers of different depths, i.e., arrays composed of one, two, and three embedded layers of sub-wavelength resonators. Our findings reveal how such a multi-layer arrangement strongly affects the attenuation of the surface wave motion within and after the barrier. When the surface waves collide with the barriers, the wavefront is back-scattered and steered downward underneath the oscillators. Due to the stiffness gradient of the granular medium, part of the wavefield is then rerouted to the surface level after overcoming the resonant array. Overall, the in-depth insertion of additional layers of resonators leads to a greater and broader band wave attenuation when compared to the single layer case.
Two- and three-dimensional simulations of Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities using a coupled Cahn–Hilliard/Navier–Stokes model
Authors: Zanella R. , Tegze G. , Le Tellier R. , Henry H.
Published: December 2020

We report on two- and three-dimensional numerical simulations of Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities in immiscible fluids. A diffuse-interface model that combines the Cahn–Hilliard equation, governing the evolution of the volume fraction of one fluid, and the Navier–Stokes equations, governing the bulk velocity and pressure, is used. The study is limited to low Atwood numbers owing to the use of the Boussinesq approximation. The code is based on a pseudo-spectral method. A linear analysis is first performed in a two-dimensional case of Rayleigh–Taylor instability to confirm that the model very well captures this phenomenon in the case of inviscid or viscid fluids. One key aspect of this work is that the influence of the thermodynamic parameters related to the Cahn–Hilliard equation (interface thickness and mobility) is quantitively studied. Three-dimensional results of Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities in viscous fluids are then presented to show the possibilities of this modeling. We observe the effect of the viscosity and the wavelength of an initial single-mode perturbation on the mass transport during the nonlinear regime.
Using temperature dependent fluorescence to evaluate singlet fission pathways in tetracene single crystals
Authors: Cruz Chad D. , Chronister Eric L. , Bardeen Christopher J.
Published: December 2020

The temperature-dependent fluorescence spectrum, decay rate, and spin quantum beats are examined in single tetracene crystals to gain insight into the mechanism of singlet fission. Over the temperature range of 250 K–500 K, the vibronic lineshape of the emission indicates that the singlet exciton becomes localized at 400 K. The fission process is insensitive to this localization and exhibits Arrhenius behavior with an activation energy of 550 ± 50 cm−1. The damping rate of the triplet pair spin quantum beats in the delayed fluorescence also exhibits an Arrhenius temperature dependence with an activation energy of 165 ± 70 cm−1. All the data for T > 250 K are consistent with direct production of a spatially separated 1(T⋯T) state via a thermally activated process, analogous to spontaneous parametric downconversion of photons. For temperatures in the range of 20 K–250 K, the singlet exciton continues to undergo a rapid decay on the order of 200 ps, leaving a red-shifted emission that decays on the order of 100 ns. At very long times (≈1 µs), a delayed fluorescence component corresponding to the original S1 state can still be resolved, unlike in polycrystalline films. A kinetic analysis shows that the redshifted emission seen at lower temperatures cannot be an intermediate in the triplet production. When considered in the context of other results, our data suggest that the production of triplets in tetracene for temperatures below 250 K is a complex process that is sensitive to the presence of structural defects.
Exchange bias in flexible freestanding La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/BiFeO3 membranes
Authors: Jin Cai , Zhu Yuanmin , Han Wenqiao , Liu Qi , Hu Sixia , Ji Yanjiang , Xu Zedong , Hu Songbai , Ye Mao , Chen Lang
Published: December 2020

Exchange bias lies in the core of cutting-edge technologies, for instance, high-density data storage, spin valves, and high-frequency magnetic devices. As the devices with flexibility have become vital in the forefront of technology, the maintenance of exchange bias under high flexion is highly desired. This paper reports the strong exchange bias in flexible freestanding La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/BiFeO3 membranes with decent mechanical durability. The La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 layer is biased strongly by the BiFeO3 layer even in the freestanding state. At the same time, the strain is demonstrated to affect the strength of the exchange bias of the La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/BiFeO3 bilayer. Furthermore, the saturation magnetization and exchange bias field of the freestanding La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/BiFeO3 membranes are preserved well after 1000 bending cycles. Our work on freestanding membranes paves the way for manufacturing advanced flexible spintronic devices.
Stable and efficient blue and green organic light emitting diodes employing tetradentate Pt(II) complexes
Authors: Li Guijie , Ameri Lydia , Fleetham Tyler , Zhu Zhi-Qiang , Li Jian
Published: December 2020

PtON1-tBu and PtON6-tBu-doped blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) demonstrated estimated operational lifetimes LT70 of 174 and 380 h at an initial luminance of 1000 cd/cm2 with CIE coordinates of (0.188, 0.256) and (0.197, 0.309), respectively. Modifying the molecular structure of the lumiphore resulted in a PtON12-tBu-based green OLED, which realized an estimated operational lifetime LT70 of 1410 h at an initial luminance of 1000 cd/cm2 with CIE coordinates of (0.281, 0.559). These studies demonstrate that the tetradentate Pt(II) complexes bearing phenyl-pyrazole or benzopyrazole can act as stable phosphorescent emitters for the development of efficient and stable blue and green OLEDs.
Machine learning with bond information for local structure optimizations in surface science
Authors: Garijo del Río Estefanía , Kaappa Sami , Garrido Torres José A. , Bligaard Thomas , Jacobsen Karsten Wedel
Published: December 2020

Local optimization of adsorption systems inherently involves different scales: within the substrate, within the molecule, and between the molecule and the substrate. In this work, we show how the explicit modeling of different characteristics of the bonds in these systems improves the performance of machine learning methods for optimization. We introduce an anisotropic kernel in the Gaussian process regression framework that guides the search for the local minimum, and we show its overall good performance across different types of atomic systems. The method shows a speed-up of up to a factor of two compared with the fastest standard optimization methods on adsorption systems. Additionally, we show that a limited memory approach is not only beneficial in terms of overall computational resources but can also result in a further reduction of energy and force calculations.
Space-dependent diffusion with stochastic resetting: A first-passage study
Authors: Ray Somrita
Published: December 2020

We explore the effect of stochastic resetting on the first-passage properties of space-dependent diffusion in the presence of a constant bias. In our analytically tractable model system, a particle diffusing in a linear potential U(x) ∝ μ|x| with a spatially varying diffusion coefficient D(x) = D0|x| undergoes stochastic resetting, i.e., returns to its initial position x0 at random intervals of time, with a constant rate r. Considering an absorbing boundary placed at xa < x0, we first derive an exact expression of the survival probability of the diffusing particle in the Laplace space and then explore its first-passage to the origin as a limiting case of that general result. In the limit xa → 0, we derive an exact analytic expression for the first-passage time distribution of the underlying process. Once resetting is introduced, the system is observed to exhibit a series of dynamical transitions in terms of a sole parameter, ν≔(1+μD0−1), that captures the interplay of the drift and the diffusion. Constructing a full phase diagram in terms of ν, we show that for ν < 0, i.e., when the potential is strongly repulsive, the particle can never reach the origin. In contrast, for weakly repulsive or attractive potential (ν > 0), it eventually reaches the origin. Resetting accelerates such first-passage when ν < 3 but hinders its completion for ν > 3. A resetting transition is therefore observed at ν = 3, and we provide a comprehensive analysis of the same. The present study paves the way for an array of theoretical and experimental works that combine stochastic resetting with inhomogeneous diffusion in a conservative force field.
Transient grating spectroscopy of photocarrier dynamics in semiconducting polymer thin films
Authors: Ouyang Wenkai , Li Yu , Yurash Brett , Schopp Nora , Vega-Flick Alejandro , Brus Viktor , Nguyen Thuc-Quyen , Liao Bolin
Published: December 2020

While charge carrier dynamics and thermal management are both keys to the operational efficiency and stability for energy-related devices, experimental techniques that can simultaneously characterize both properties are still lacking. In this paper, we use laser-induced transient grating (TG) spectroscopy to characterize thin films of the archetypal organic semiconductor regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) and its blends with the electron acceptor [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester on glass substrates. While the thermal responses from the thin film and the substrate cannot be distinguished due to their similar thermal diffusivities, we show that the recombination dynamics of photocarriers in the organic semiconductor thin films occur on a similar timescale and can be separated from the thermal response. Our measurements indicate that the photocarrier dynamics are determined by multiple recombination processes and our extracted recombination rates are in good agreement with previous reports using other techniques. We further apply TG spectroscopy to characterize another conjugated polymer and a molecular fluorescent material to demonstrate its general applicability. Our study indicates the potential of transient grating spectroscopy to simultaneously characterize thermal transport and photocarrier dynamics in organic optoelectronic devices.
Mechanical properties and applications of 2D black phosphorus
Authors: Galluzzi Massimiliano , Zhang Yanli , Yu Xue-Feng
Published: December 2020

Single- or few-layer forms of black phosphorus, so called phosphorene, were isolated by exfoliation in 2014 as 2D layered materials holding great promise in electronic and optoelectronic fields. In this perspective, we highlight recent developments in black phosphorus research, in particular, we will focus on the mechanical properties of its 2D form. Its unique puckered structure is responsible for strong anisotropy in mechanical and transport properties, different from graphene and transition-metal dichalcogenide 2D materials. This peculiar mechanical anisotropy can be exploited for applications such as nanomechanical resonators, thermoelectric devices, and motion sensors with tunable functions inaccessible by isotropic materials. Current bottlenecks hindering further progress in devices applications involve first surface degradation in environmental conditions which, in turn, can be exploited in surface friction mechanics to achieve superlubricity. In this framework, the investigation of mechanical properties of phosphorene will be pivotal for facile fabrication, transfer, and resolution of technical hurdles as well the discovery of novel applications. As research directions in next foreseeable future, we will discuss the challenge of crosstalk between mechanical and transport properties, in particular, how the stress–strain stimulations can be used to tune optoelectronic and thermoelectric performance.
Regularizing the MCTDH equations of motion through an optimal choice on-the-fly (i.e., spawning) of unoccupied single-particle functions
Authors: Mendive-Tapia David , Meyer Hans-Dieter
Published: December 2020

The multi-configuration time-dependent Hartree method is a general algorithm to solve the time-dependent Schrödinger equation, in which the wavefunction is expanded in a direct product of self-adapting time-dependent Single-Particle Functions (SPFs) that are propagated in time according to the Dirac–Frenkel variational principle. In the current version of this approach, the size of the SPF basis is fixed at the outset so that singularities in the working equations resulting from unoccupied functions have to be removed by a regularization procedure. Here, an alternative protocol is presented, in which we gradually increase the number of unoccupied SPFs on-the-fly (i.e., spawning) and optimize their shape by variationally minimizing the error made by the finite size of the basis. An initial estimate for the respective new expansion coefficients is also computed, thus avoiding the need to regularize the equations of motion. The advantages of employing the new algorithm are tested and discussed in some illustrative examples.
Digitaria bicornis (Asian crabgrass).
Authors: Vélez-Gavilán Jeanine
Published: December 2020

D. bicornis is an annual, sometimes perennial grass. It is listed as invasive in North America (Mexico), Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama), the Caribbean (Cuba), South America (Colombia, Ecuador) and Oceania (Nauru, USA-Hawaii) (Catasús Guerra, 2015; PIER, 2016). It is considered as a weed in cultivated fields (Quattrocchi, 2006; Dias et al., 2007; Duarte et al., 2009; Catasús Guerra, 2015; Ramírez S et al., 2015).
A simulation object with LabVIEW: simultimeter (simulated multimeter)
Authors: Coramik Mustafa
Published: December 2020

Teaching materials used in distance education are generally obtained from the internet as ready-made by teachers. Materials such as simulation, animation and presentation are usually limited to the frame drawn by the creator and do not allow changes outside this limit. In addition, many of these types of materials do not have a feedback mechanism. The multimeter is one of the basic tools used in all courses such as physics laboratory, electronics laboratory, electrical laboratory and even chemistry laboratory, which are practiced in the fields of science and engineering. Students make many mistakes while using the multimeter. For this purpose, in this study, it is aimed to design a digital multimeter used in the laboratories of the basic courses at high school and university level as a simulation object. This simulation program is called SiMultimeter (simulated multimeter). The other aims of the study are that the simulation gives feedback to the users and that it can be installed on the computer with .exe extension without the need for internet connection.
Transfusion-Associated Circulatory Overload and Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury
Authors: van den Akker Tayler A , Grimes Zachary M , Friedman Mark T
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To review the new current diagnostic criteria of transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) from the literature while highlighting distinguishing features. We provide comprehensive understanding of the importance of hemovigilance and its role in appropriately identifying and reporting these potentially fatal transfusion reactions.

Methods

A review of the English language literature was performed to analyze TACO and TRALI while providing further understanding of the rationale behind the historical underrecognition and underreporting.

Results

Our review demonstrates the new 2018 and 2019 case definitions for TACO and TRALI, respectively. With more comprehensive diagnostic strategies, adverse transfusion events can be better recognized from mimicking events and underlying disease. In addition, there are mitigation strategies in place to help prevent complications of blood product transfusion, with emphasis on the prevention of TACO and TRALI.

Conclusions

TACO and TRALI are potentially fatal adverse complications of blood transfusion. Both have been historically underrecognized and underreported due to poor defining criteria and overlapping symptomatology. Developing a thorough clinical understanding between these two entities can improve hemovigilance reporting and can contribute to risk factor identification and preventative measures.
Glial cells and adaptive immunity in frontotemporal dementia with tau pathology
Authors: Hartnell Iain J , Blum David , Nicoll James A R , Dorothee Guillaume , Boche Delphine
Published: December 2020

Neuroinflammation is involved in the aetiology of many neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and motor neuron disease. Whether neuroinflammation also plays an important role in the pathophysiology of frontotemporal dementia is less well known. Frontotemporal dementia is a heterogeneous classification that covers many subtypes, with the main pathology known as frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The disease can be categorized with respect to the identity of the protein that causes the frontotemporal lobar degeneration in the brain. The most common subgroup describes diseases caused by frontotemporal lobar degeneration associated with tau aggregation, also known as primary tauopathies. Evidence suggests that neuroinflammation may play a role in primary tauopathies with genome-wide association studies finding enrichment of genetic variants associated with specific inflammation-related gene loci. These loci are related to both the innate immune system, including brain resident microglia, and the adaptive immune system through possible peripheral T-cell involvement. This review discusses the genetic evidence and relates it to findings in animal models expressing pathogenic tau as well as to post-mortem and PET studies in human disease. Across experimental paradigms, there seems to be a consensus regarding the involvement of innate immunity in primary tauopathies, with increased microglia and astrocyte density and/or activation, as well as increases in pro-inflammatory markers. Whilst it is less clear as to whether inflammation precedes tau aggregation or vice versa; there is strong evidence to support a microglial contribution to the propagation of hyperphosphorylated in tau frontotemporal lobar degeneration associated with tau aggregation. Experimental evidence—albeit limited—also corroborates genetic data pointing to the involvement of cellular adaptive immunity in primary tauopathies. However, it is still unclear whether brain recruitment of peripheral immune cells is an aberrant result of pathological changes or a physiological aspect of the neuroinflammatory response to the tau pathology.
Comparison of Hospitalization Incidence in Influenza Outpatients Treated With Baloxavir Marboxil or Neuraminidase Inhibitors: A Health Insurance Claims Database Study
Authors: Komeda Takuji , Takazono Takahiro , Hosogaya Naoki , Miyazaki Taiga , Ogura Eriko , Iwata Shinpei , Miyauchi Hideyuki , Honda Keiichi , Fujiwara Masakazu , Ajisawa Yoshikazu , Watanabe Hideaki , Kitanishi Yoshitake , Hara Kanae , Mukae Hiroshi
Published: December 2020

Background

Baloxavir marboxil (baloxavir) is a single-dose, oral antiinfluenza drug with a novel mechanism of action. We compared the incidence of hospitalization in patients treated with baloxavir vs neuraminidase inhibitors.

Methods

In this retrospective, observational, cohort study, we used real-world patient data extracted from a Japanese health insurance claims database. The enrollment period was 1 October 2018 to 17 April 2019. On day 1, eligible patients (N = 339 007) received baloxavir, oseltamivir, zanamivir, or laninamivir. Baseline characteristics were standardized using the inverse probability of treatment weighting method. The primary end point was the incidence of hospitalization (days 2–14). Secondary end points included antibacterial use, secondary pneumonia, and additional antiinfluenza drug use.

Results

Compared with the baloxavir group, the incidence of hospitalization was greater in the oseltamivir group (risk ratio [RR] and 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41 [1.00–2.00]; risk difference [RD] and 95% CI, 0.06 [.01–.12]) and zanamivir group (RR, 1.85 [1.23–2.78]; RD, 0.11 [.02–.20]). Oseltamivir-treated patients were less likely to require antibacterials than baloxavir-treated patients (RR, 0.87 [.82–.91]). However, oseltamivir-treated patients were more likely to be hospitalized with antibacterials (RR, 1.70 [1.21–2.38]) or antibacterial injection (RR, 1.67 [1.17–2.38]) than baloxavir-treated patients (post hoc analysis). Compared with baloxavir-treated patients, additional antiinfluenza drug use was greater in oseltamivir-, zanamivir-, and laninamivir-treated patients (RR, 1.51 [1.05–2.18], 2.84 [2.04–3.96], and 1.68 [1.35–2.10], respectively).

Conclusions

Baloxavir is an efficacious antiinfluenza treatment that may reduce hospitalization compared with oseltamivir and zanamivir.

Clinical Trials Registration

University hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000038159).
The genome of walking catfish Clarias magur (Hamilton, 1822) unveils the genetic basis that may have facilitated the development of environmental and terrestrial adaptation systems in air-breathing catfishes
Authors: Kushwaha Basdeo , Pandey Manmohan , Das Paramananda , Joshi Chaitanya G , Nagpure Naresh S , Kumar Ravindra , Kumar Dinesh , Agarwal Suyash , Srivastava Shreya , Singh Mahender , Sahoo Lakshman , Jayasankar Pallipuram , Meher Prem K , Shah Tejas M , Hinsu Ankit T , Patel Namrata , Koringa Prakash G , Das Sofia P , Patnaik Siddhi , Bit Amrita , Iquebal Mir A , Jaiswal Sarika , Jena Joykrushna
Published: December 2020

The walking catfish Clarias magur (Hamilton, 1822) (magur) is an important catfish species inhabiting the Indian subcontinent. It is considered as a highly nutritious food fish and has the capability to walk to some distance, and survive a considerable period without water. Assembly, scaffolding and several rounds of iterations resulted in 3,484 scaffolds covering ∼94% of estimated genome with 9.88 Mb largest scaffold, and N50 1.31 Mb. The genome possessed 23,748 predicted protein encoding genes with annotation of 19,279 orthologous genes. A total of 166 orthologous groups represented by 222 genes were found to be unique for this species. The Computational Analysis of gene Family Evolution (CAFE) analysis revealed expansion of 207 gene families and 100 gene families have rapidly evolved. Genes specific to important environmental and terrestrial adaptation, viz. urea cycle, vision, locomotion, olfactory and vomeronasal receptors, immune system, anti-microbial properties, mucus, thermoregulation, osmoregulation, air-breathing, detoxification, etc. were identified and critically analysed. The analysis clearly indicated that C. magur genome possessed several unique and duplicate genes similar to that of terrestrial or amphibians’ counterparts in comparison to other teleostean species. The genome information will be useful in conservation genetics, not only for this species but will also be very helpful in such studies in other catfishes.