bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal Nutrition and the Risk of Obesity and Diabetes in the Offspring
Authors: Reynolds C. M. , Bridge-Comer P. E. , Vickers M. H.
Published: August 2020

Epidemiological observations and work in experimental models in animals have highlighted the link between the nutritional environment in early life and an increased risk for offspring to develop a range of cardiometabolic and reproductive disorders in later life. This framework falls under the “Developmental Origins of Health and Disease” (DOHaD) hypothesis via a process termed developmental programming. Altered maternal nutrition, including undernutrition, overnutrition and specific micronutrient deficiencies during critical early windows of developmental plasticity, results in adaptive processes that confer short-term survival advantages but can lead to lifelong adverse impacts on the health of offspring. These effects are amplified postnatally via an obesogenic diet and sedentary behaviour and can also be passed on to future generations. The mechanistic basis of early-life programming remains largely undefined. However, involvement of epigenetic mechanisms, such as altered DNA methylation, histone modifications and miRNAs, has been implicated in addition to permanent structural changes during organ development. Further, at least in animal models, aberrant developmental programming can be reversed via targeted nutritional supplementation during early life, albeit in a sex-specific manner. A better understanding of early nutritional programming and how disease traits are transmitted across future generations is essential for the development of preventative strategies aimed at addressing the current health crisis around obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Silicon speciation in light petroleum products using gas chromatography coupled to ICP-MS/MS
Authors: Sánchez Raquel , Chainet Fabien , Souchon Vincent , Carbonneaux Sylvain , Lienemann Charles-Philippe , Todolí José-Luis
Published: August 2020

A gas chromatography method coupled to ICP-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-ICP-MS/MS) was validated for silicon speciation method for light petroleum products with a detector response independently of sample matrix and silicon chemical form.
Unusual redshift due to selective hydrogen bonding between F− ion and sensor motif: a naked eye colorimetric sensor for F− ions in an aqueous environment
Authors: Singha Jyotirlata , Samanta Tapendu , Shunmugam Raja
Published: August 2020

Naked-eye sensing of fluoride ion using 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine derivative.
Green production of hydrogen-doped faceted cobalt microcrystals using water-assisted molten salt electro-reduction method
Authors: Qiao Dongwei , Xie Kaiyu , Kamali Ali Reza
Published: August 2020

This article concerns the low voltage electro-production of hydrogen in molten salt, and the in situ utilisation of the generated hydrogen for the clean and efficient reduction of cobalt oxide into highly faceted cobalt microcrystals.
Poly(ethylene glycol) based nanotubes for tuneable drug delivery to glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Alghamdi Majed , Chierchini Filippo , Eigel Dimitri , Taplan Christian , Miles Thomas , Pette Dagmar , Welzel Petra B. , Werner Carsten , Wang Wenxin , Neto Catia , Gumbleton Mark , Newland Ben
Published: August 2020

Soft and flexible poly(ethylene glycol)-based nanotubes load doxorubicin for controlled release to glioblastoma multiforme.
Cyclotriphosphazene (P3N3) hybrid framework for aggregation induced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and degradation of rhodamine B
Authors: Basharat Majid , Khan Muhammad Shuaib , Abbas Yasir , Zhang Shuangkun , Ma Hanlin , Wu Zhanpeng , Liu Wei
Published: August 2020

Cyclotriphosphazene (P3N3) derived covalent inorganic–organic hybrid framework (CIOF) with highly crosslinked aggregation is developed, and their optical properties are realized for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and degradation of rhodamine B.
Cu catalysts supported on CaO/MgO for glycerol conversion to lactic acid in alkaline medium employing a continuous flow reaction system
Authors: Bruno Arthur M. , Simões Thiago D. R. , Souza Mariana M. V. M. , Manfro Robinson L.
Published: August 2020

The production of lactic acid (LA) from glycerol in alkaline medium was investigated using Cu catalysts supported on CaO, MgO and xCaO/MgO (x = 5, 10, 15 wt%), employing a continuous flow reaction system over a period of 30 h.
Simultaneous heteroepitaxial growth of SrO (001) and SrO (111) during strontium-assisted deoxidation of the Si (001) surface
Authors: Jovanović Zoran , Gauquelin Nicolas , Koster Gertjan , Rubio-Zuazo Juan , Ghosez Philippe , Verbeeck Johan , Suvorov Danilo , Spreitzer Matjaž
Published: August 2020

A 1 nm-thick layer of SrO deoxidizes the silicon surface and experiences structural ordering into SrO (001) and SrO (111) epitaxial islands.
“Triple-Alls” Distribution Network Information Model and Platform Design
Authors: Wang Jianfeng , Chen Liang , Shi Liqin , Zhang Dao’an , Liu Hao
Published: August 2020

In recent years, large-scale new energy sources have been connected to the power distribution network, and the ubiquitous power IoT sensing technology has developed rapidly. At the same time, the increase in energy consumption has placed higher requirements on the consumption of new energy, which has led to the “Triple-Alls” (All access, All sensing, All consumption) requirements of the distribution network. To this end, this paper conducts a series of studies on the “Triple-Alls” distribution network: First, it analyzes the characteristics and key technologies of the “Triple-Alls” distribution network by comparing with traditional distribution networks, and then establishes energy storage, photovoltaic, and wind power. Information model of “Triple-Alls” distribution network. Then, a platform design scheme meeting the requirements is constructed. Finally, the application functions of “All access”, “All sensing” and “All consumption” in the distribution network are explained in detail.
Increasing the Sensitivity of the Digital Relay Protection Against Turn-to-turn Short Circuits And Asymmetries In Wind Power Generators
Authors: Nedelchev Nedelcho , Matsankov Misho
Published: August 2020

The paper describes the implementation of neural networks for increasing the sensitivity of the digital relay protection against turn-to turn short circuits in the stator winding and asymmetric modes in wind power generators. Models have been developed for monitoring two standard and two emergency mode parameters, whose deviation from the set-points is an indication of occurrence of turn-to-turn short circuits and asymmetric modes, or of combinations of these types of failures. An artificial neural network, trained by error back-propagation algorithm has been used. An experiment has been conducted to define the four criteria for studying the problem at different percentage of the short-circuit turns. A comparison between the results from both the experiment and the modeling has been made using artificial neural networks. The proposed approach, realized by means of a digital relay, allows for increasing the sensitivity of the digital relay protection against turn-to-turn short circuits and asymmetric modes for wind power generators.
Early Intervention Mechanism for Preventing Electrical Shocks During Construction Projects: Portable Electrical Equipment
Authors: Shiau Yau-Ren , Lo Fang-Yi , Ko Po-Cheng
Published: August 2020

To prevent electrical shock accidents in construction sites, the present researchers used portable electrical equipment as an example to plan a preconstruction early intervention mechanism that can be used to conduct various inspections of portable electrical devices. This study used narrative text analysis for data collection and compilation. The researchers analyzed 41 real electrocution death cases involving portable electric equipment as the electrocution medium in the Taiwanese construction industry and identified hazard factors that cause electrocution from the case summaries. Then, the IDEF3 was used to integrate and construct a model for the portable electrical equipment inspection flowchart of the early intervention mechanism as a safety inspection system to prevent electrocution in construction engineering units. This study revealed hazard factors and management omissions related to electrocutions caused by portable electrical equipment. To protect workers and strengthen the safety of the construction site, this study proposed of an electric shock prevention early intervention mechanism for portable electric equipment in construction projects. Various inspections should be conducted before equipment is brought on site for construction operations to ensure the safety of electrical equipment and reduce electrocution risks. This study also established a visualization mechanism for the visual qualification label of portable electrical equipment. This mechanism is conducive to strengthening safety management.
Preparation and Characterization of High Magnetic Loss Microwave Absorber for Splitter Load
Authors: Tian Lan , Lichao Dong , Nan Li , Chunbo Zhang , Hao Zhang , Yuchen Pei
Published: August 2020

Microwave absorbing material was prepared using epoxy resin as matrix and spherical carbonyl iron powder (s-CIP), flaky carbonyl iron powder (f-CIP) as absorbing agent. Microwave absorbing, mechanical properties and structure of the composites containing different kinds of carbonyl iron powder (CIP) were investigated. The results show that the microwave absorber with flaky CIP have better electromagnetic properties than composites with spherical CIP. With concentration of spherical CIP increasing the electromagnetic properties of composites becomes better, except for the mechanical performance. The flaky CIP/epoxy resins composites with a loading of 79 wt% plate-like CIP has attenuation constant of 25.443 dB/cm in 3 GHz. The absorber prepared using flaky CIP has homogenous, dense structure and has excellent mechanical properties.
Diagnostic of electromechanical system by fault-tolerant-control using piezoelectric sensors
Authors: El Batal Khadija , Meddad Mounir , Benahdouga Seddik , Chakhchaoui Nabil , Eddiai Adil , Mazroui M’hammed
Published: August 2020

Automated systems are fault-prone. The fault diagnosis via sensor and actuator piezoelectric is very important for the stability of the vibration control system and fault-tolerant control technology. Faults in process automation frequently lead to unexpected reactivity and the closure of a controlled plant, and the effects could be damage to technical parts of the plant, employees or the ecosystem. Fault-tolerant control is the combination between diagnostics and control techniques to cleverly handle faults. It provides improved availability and minimized safety risk. This article provides an overview of recent approaches to study and analyze the structure and other fundamental characteristics of an automated system. Thus, the starting point of this study was to investigate the Fault Tolerant Control strategy of an asynchronous machine. Ultimately, the aim is to achieve a disturbance- and/or fault-tolerant control, improving the functional reliability of this system. A decision-making device based on a piezoelectric (PZT) sensor and actuator has been developed to produce an opposite displacement to the vibratory displacement. It ensures the various reconfigurations of the control, adapted to the vibration disturbance acting on the system and modifying its characteristics. This will result in vibration attenuation. Finally, the advantages of this method are analyzed, and the fault diagnosis results with the best identification effect are determined.
Dialogue, radiation measurements and other collaborative practices by experts and residents in the former evacuation areas of Fukushima: A case study in Yamakiya District, Kawamata Town
Authors: Yasutaka T. , Kanai Y. , Kurihara M. , Kobayashi T. , Kondoh A. , Takahashi T. , Kuroda Y.
Published: August 2020

This paper describes the involvement of the residents of the Yamakiya district of the Kawamata town, a former evacuation area after the accident of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP), in the on-going research activities of the authors on the behaviour of radioactive caesium in the environment. By relying on dialogue, measuring radiation, and other collaborative practices, this involvement enabled a series of actions to be taken to resolve the challenges related to the recovery after the lifting of the evacuation order that were appreciated by the residents. The paper also discusses the effects of the interactive program led by the Yamakiya School organized by the authors in cooperation with the residents including among others lectures, voluntary works and radiological surveys on local issues. Based on the above, the authors make recommendations on the desirable form of relationship between residents and experts after an event of large-scale environmental pollution including radiological contamination. Through these activities the authors have also gradually changed their research approach.
Kopfschmerzen während der HIV-Infektion
Authors: Evers Stefan
Published: August 2020

Kopfschmerzen sind eines der häufigsten Schmerzsyndrome bei HIV-Infizierten. Wie bei vielen Schmerzzuständen besteht auch bei Kopfschmerzen eine schmerztherapeutische Unterversorgung der HIV-infizierten Patienten. Systematisch können Kopfschmerzen während der HIV-Infektion in 4 Gruppen eingeteilt werden. Zum einen können Kopfschmerzen durch das HI-Virus selbst ausgelöst werden. Semiologisch ähneln diese Kopfschmerzen einem Kopfschmerz vom Spannungstyp. Dann können Kopfschmerzen als Symptom einer sekundären Erkrankung auftreten, hierbei insbesondere bei opportunistischen Infektionen des ZNS. Weiterhin kann die Therapie der HIV-Infektion und der verschiedenen neurologischen Komplikationen zu Kopfschmerzen führen, dies gilt insbesondere für die Proteaseinhibitoren. Schließlich können idiopathische Kopfschmerzen bei HIV-Infizierten auftreten, dabei muss auf die spezifischen Interaktionen zwischen der Therapie dieser Kopfschmerzen und der antiretroviralen Therapie geachtet werden.
Ein aktueller Schwerpunkt, eine gute Neuigkeit und ein dankbares
„Adieu“
Authors: Singer Dominique
Published: August 2020

Liebe Leserinnen und Leser

ein halbes Jahr ist nun vergangen, seit wir der herannahenden Pandemie sorgenvoll
entgegenblickten, und dank eines vergleichsweise stabilen Gesundheitswesens in
Verbindung mit früh einsetzenden Vorsichtsmaßnahmen und einer
inzwischen realistischer einzuschätzenden Virulenz des Erregers haben
sich die schlimmsten Befürchtungen hierzulande glücklicherweise
nicht bewahrheitet. Doch statt einer Erleichterung über die aufgegangene
„Flatten-the-curve“-Strategie zu weichen, hat sich die
anfängliche Sorge in eine anhaltende Hab-Acht-Stellung gewandelt. Grund
hierfür ist die Angst vor der Unberechenbarkeit des Erregers, die
infektiologisch (zumal angesichts der Abläufe in anderen
Ländern) durchaus berechtigt ist, aber durch hartnäckig
kursierende Absolutzahlen ohne Bezugsrahmen (hinsichtlich des relativen Anteils
der Positiven an den Getesteten, der Symptomatischen an den Positiven, der
Hospitalisierten an den Symptomatischen usw., jeweils gemessen an
Größe und Altersstruktur der Bevölkerung) noch
zusätzlich und mitunter unangemessen geschürt wird.
Die Vergessenen und oft Unterschätzten
Authors: Best Norman
Published: August 2020

Sagt Ihnen der Name Carlo Pedersoli etwas? Eine sehr berühmte, aber
dennoch oft unterschätzte Persönlichkeit. Vielleicht einer der
am meisten unterschätzten Menschen, die mir bekannt sind. Er studierte
kurze Zeit Chemie und später Jura, war Erfinder, Schwimmer,
Olympiateilnehmer, Sänger und Unternehmer. Kennen werden ihn die meisten lediglich als Klamaukschauspieler unter dem Namen Bud
Spencer. Kannten Sie seinen richtigen Namen und wussten Sie, dass er Mitglied des
italienischen Olympiateams 1952 und 1956 war?
Zum Abschied von Prof. Dr. Werner Rath aus dem Herausgeberboard der
ZGN
Authors: Schmidt Stephan
Published: August 2020

Prof. Dr. Werner Rath ist der Inaugurator und langjähriger Herausgeber der
„Zeitschrift für Geburtshilfe und Neonatologie“–
ZGN.
Establishment of Clinical and Lab Algorithms for the Identification
of Carriers of Mutations in CYP21A2 – A Study of 365 Children and
Adolescents
Authors: Meinel J. , Haverkamp T. , Wünsche F. , Richter-Unruh A.
Published: August 2020

Background Mutations of CYP21A2 encoding 21-hydroxylase are the
most frequent cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and are associated
either with elevated basal or ACTH-stimulated levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone
(17OHP) in blood.

Objective The study objective was to identify the most suitable of 12
different test algorithms and appropriate cut-off levels for that test to
recognize patients with non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCCAH) and
carriers of clinically relevant mutations in CYP21A2.

Method and Patients Between July 2006 and July 2015 ACTH-tests were
conducted in 365 children and adolescents (Age 1–20 y) suspected
to have NCCAH. As a reference, results from subsequent gene sequencing of
CYP21A2 was used. Inclusion criteria that were used were premature
pubarche with accelerated bone age, hyperandrogenism, hirsutism, or menstrual
irregularities. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) were plotted. Evaluated
test algorithms were composed around 17OHP measurements by radioimmunoassays.
The most suitable test was identified by the greatest area under the curve
(AUC).

Results Among the 12 tested algorithms, the sum of 30 min and
60 min stimulated 17OHP values (sum17OHPstim) showed the highest AUC of
0.774 for identifying heterozygous and bi-allelic mutations. A cut-off of
10.1 μg/l was advisable. Bi-allelic mutations only were
best identified calculating the difference between 30 min and basal
17OHP values (Δ17OHP30). A cut-off of 9.4 μg/l
was most effective.

Conclusion Alternatively to the above mentioned cut-offs the difference
of 60 min after stimulation to basal 17OHP (Δ17OHP60) can be
used for the benefit of a combined test to identify both heterozygotes and
bi-allelic patients. There are minimal decreases in sensitivity and specificity
compared to an approach that applies two tests. However, it denotes a simpler
approach in the clinical routine.
Sexueller Missbrauch von Minderjährigen im Verantwortungsbereich der katholischen Kirche: Institutionelle Spezifika
Authors: Dreßing Harald , Hermann Dieter , Dölling Dieter , Collong Andrea , Horten Barbara , Salize Hans-Joachim
Published: August 2020

Einleitung Von 2014 bis 2018 hat ein interdisziplinäres Konsortium von Wissenschaftlern das Ausmaß und mögliche Ursachen des sexuellen Missbrauchs von Kindern und Jugendlichen im Verantwortungsbereich der katholischen Kirche in Deutschland untersucht. Nach den Standorten der beteiligten Universitäten trägt die Studie das Akronym MHG (Mannheim / Heidelberg/Gießen). Die dabei vorgenommene Personalaktenanalyse hat für den Zeitraum von 1946 bis 2014 1670 katholische Kleriker ermittelt, die des sexuellen Missbrauchs von Minderjährigen beschuldigt wurden. Die Personalaktenanalyse ergab weiterhin Hinweise darauf, dass es für die katholische Kirche spezifische systemische Bedingungen gibt, die den sexuellen Missbrauch von Minderjährigen begünstigen.

Methode Auf der Basis eines Vergleichs von Strafakten beschuldigter Kleriker und von Tätern aus anderen institutionellen Kontexten wird geprüft, ob sich die Hypothesen zu spezifischen systemischen Bedingungen des Missbrauchs in der katholischen Kirche falsifizieren lassen.

Ergebnis Taten von Priestern sind nicht weniger schwer und die Anzahl Betroffener pro Verurteiltem sind nicht geringer als bei Tätern in anderen Institutionen, die Dauer des Missbrauchs durch katholische Kleriker ist sogar signifikant länger. Von sexuellem Missbrauch Betroffene im Kontext der katholischen Kirche sind signifikant häufiger männlich. Die katholische Kirche hat bei Vorwürfen gegen Kleriker wegen eines sexuellen Missbrauchs von Kindern oder Jugendlichen umfassender als andere Institutionen versucht, die Taten zu verharmlosen und zu vertuschen.

Fazit Präventionskonzepte müssen die spezifischen Bedingungen des sexuellen Missbrauchs in der katholischen Kirche stärker berücksichtigen.
Divergent and Diastereoselective Synthesis of α-Monosubstituted and trans-α,β-Disubstituted γ-Lactams from (S)-N,N-Dibenzyl-α-amino Aldehydes via Henry and Michael Reactions
Authors: Pereira Vera L. P. , P. Meirelis Francine , Vieira Bruna G. N.
Published: August 2020

γ-Monosubstituted and trans-α,β-disubstituted γ-lactams were diastereoselectively synthesized from common intermediates (S)-N,N-dibenzylated aldehydes derived from natural l-(α)-amino acids, employing a divergent approach. The key features of the routes include diastereoselective Henry and Michael reactions that produced chiral γ-nitroester derivatives, which were subsequently submitted to a tandem reduction-lactamization sequence providing the title compounds. The versatility of routes can allow the preparation of several other mono-, di-, or tri-substituted γ-lactams.
Diastereoselective Synthesis of Alkylated 1,4-Cyclohexadiene Esters Using Epimeric Pyrroloimidazolones
Authors: Metallinos Costa , Tran Ngan , Cadwallader Dusty
Published: August 2020

A pair of ortho-benzoate esters containing epimeric pyrroloimidazolones undergo sequential Birch reduction and diastereoselective alkylation to provide products ranging from 88:12 to >95:5 diastereomeric ratio (dr) for the syn-epimer, and 50:50 to 95:5 dr for the anti-epimer. The stereochemistry of the products is confirmed by a combination of X-ray crystallography on a key anti-epimer-derived product, in combination with specific rotation measurements of enantiomers that are prepared from the syn or anti starting materials. A diastereomerically pure allyl-substituted substrate is shown to undergo Cope rearrangement, which transposes the quaternary chiral center to a remote position without racemization. This work is complementary to asymmetric reductive alkylation reported previously by Schultz using anisole substrates with chiral benzamide auxiliaries in that the pyrroloimidazolones act as surrogates for the methoxy group.
An Augmented Model with Inferred Blood Features for the Self-diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Zhou Tianshu , Zhang Ying , Wu Chengkai , Shen Chao , Li Jingsong , Liu Zhong
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives The penetration rate of physical examinations in China is substantially lower than that in developed countries. Therefore, an auxiliary approach that does not depend on hospital health checks for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is needed.

Methods In this study, we proposed an augmented method with inferred blood features that uses self-care inputs available at home for the auxiliary diagnosis of MetS. The dataset used for modeling contained data on 91,420 individuals who had at least 2 consecutive years of health checks. We trained three separate models using a regularized gradient-boosted decision tree. The first model used only home-based features; additional blood test data (including triglyceride [TG] data, fasting blood glucose data, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] data) were included in the second model. However, in the augmented approach, the blood test data were manipulated using multivariate imputation by chained equations prior to inclusion in the third model. The performance of the three models for MetS auxiliary diagnosis was then quantitatively compared.

Results The results showed that the third model exhibited the highest classification accuracy for MetS in comparison with the other two models (area under the curve [AUC]: 3rd vs. 2nd vs. 1st = 0.971 vs. 0.950 vs. 0.905, p < 0.001). We further revealed that with full sets of the three measurements from earlier blood test data, the classification accuracy of MetS can be further improved (AUC: without vs. with = 0.971 vs. 0.993). However, the magnitude of improvement was not statistically significant at the 1% level of significance (p = 0.014).

Conclusion Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of the third model for MetS homecare applications and lend novel insights into innovative research on the health management of MetS. Further validation and implementation of our proposed model might improve quality of life and ultimately benefit the general population.
Endoscopic Orbital and Periorbital Approaches in Minimally Disruptive Skull Base Surgery
Authors: Miller Craig , Bly Randall , Moe Kris S.
Published: August 2020

Endoscopic surgery of the orbit, periorbital region, and adjacent areas of the anterior and middle cranial fossae and brain has gained significant popularity over the last decade. These procedures are now being used at multiple institutions internationally with a success and safety record that has been demonstrated to be at par with or better than other techniques. The approaches provide minimally disruptive, scarless access to regions that previously required extensive open operations with significant retraction of critical neurovascular structures leading to prolonged morbidity and hospitalization.

This paper will describe the basic techniques of these approaches, how they can be used alone or in multiportal (para- and contraportal) technique and guide the reader to resources for further learning.
Social pathologies and ideologies in light of Jürgen Habermas: a new interpretation of the thesis of colonisation
Authors: Ortega-Esquembre César
Published: August 2020

This paper analyses the role that the critique of ideologies plays within Jürgen Habermas’ Critical Theory. I offer a reinterpretation of the thesis of colonisation of lifeworld in light of a specific reading of the critique of ideologies, trying to show that this thesis can be interpreted as a case of critique of ideologies. To do so, I firstly present a brief general map of the different forms of social critique present today in social philosophy by placing special emphasis on the critique of ideologies. Secondly, I briefly state Habermas’ diagnosis on the colonisation of lifeworld by differentiating the two levels of critique which are, in my view, contained within the theory of communicative action: critique as the discursive redemption of validity claims by participants and critique as an observer’s social diagnosis. Lastly, I confront these two levels of critique with the form of critique of ideologies analysed in the first point and conclude that we can refer to the second level as a case of a critique of ideologies.
Suppressing internal convection of a droplet using confinement during protein crystallization
Authors: Pradhan Tapan Kumar , Panigrahi Pradipta Kumar
Published: August 2020

Fluid convection during protein crystallization plays a significant role in determining the crystal growth rate and crystal quality. Crystals grown in reduced flow strength gives a superior quality crystal. Hence, tuning the fluid flow strength is very essential in the crystal growth process. In this work, we demonstrate a new method to suppress the flow strength using the confinement effect during the vapor diffusion method of protein crystallization where the crystal is grown inside an evaporating droplet. A flow study is carried out at four different confinement conditions to study the effect of confinement. The flow inside the droplet is caused by the evaporation induced natural convection, which is measured by the micro-PIV method. The concentration gradient generated around the growing crystal induces buoyancy driven flow around the protein crystal during the crystal growth phase. The evaporation rate from the droplet and the flow strength inside the droplet get suppressed by increasing the confinement. Hence, the flow strength can be tuned by adjusting the confinement, which is a very simple method to manipulate the flow strength inside the protein droplet.
Graphene-based temperature sensors suspended by anodic aluminum oxide
Authors: Kim J. , Cui T.
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we investigate the substrate effect in graphene temperature sensors. Recently, there have been many research studies done on temperature sensors using the nanofabrication technique. However, the sensitivity and response time need to be improved. In this study, we propose a new type of temperature sensor that consists of graphene and Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO). In this device, graphene and AAO are used as the sensing material and the substrate, respectively. We characterize the sensitivity and the response time using the experimental results and simulation data. The real-time resistance change of graphene is monitored depending on the temperature, and the response time is also analyzed by COMSOL Multiphysics. To confirm the porous substrate effect, we compare the device performance of the AAO substrate to the performance of the glass substrate. From these results, the suspended graphene on the AAO substrate shows about two times higher sensitivity and a much faster response time than the glass substrate.
Pressure-induced crystallization of an amorphous martensite alloy
Authors: Liu Ye , Lou Hongbo , Zhang Fei , Liang Tao , Chen Songyi , Li Shubin , Zhang Xin , Tan Lijie , Prakapenka Vitali B. , Greenberg Eran , Yang Yanping , Zeng Zhidan , Zeng Qiaoshi
Published: August 2020

Recently, solid-state amorphization through temperature-induced martensitic transition has been reported. The stability of the amorphous martensite phase, which co-exists with a crystalline counterpart, is intriguing but remains unclear. In this work, we studied the structural stability of a Ti59.1Zr37Cu2.3Fe1.6 amorphous martensite alloy by combining in situ high-pressure synchrotron x-ray diffraction with ex situ transmission electron microscopy. During compression at room temperature, an irreversible pressure-induced crystallization of the amorphous martensite phase into a β-Ti phase is revealed. Qualitative analysis reveals the important role of the local atomic strain in stabilizing/destabilizing amorphous martensite alloys and its high tunability of the local atomic strain under high pressure.
Radio frequency polarization modulation based on an optical frequency comb
Authors: Zhang Ruixue , Gong Yiming , Day Matthew W. , Sun Dong , Cundiff Steven T.
Published: August 2020

We propose a method to generate stabilized radio-frequency polarization modulation based on optical frequency combs. Two pulse trains with the same repetition rate and different offset frequencies generate arbitrary polarization states that are modulated at the offset frequency difference. Long-term stability of the polarization modulation is demonstrated with the modulation frequency at frep/2. Modulation at frep/4 is also demonstrated to show the flexibility of the technique. We employ an electrical delay line to fine-tune the polarization states that constitute the time-dependent modulation.
Universal reshaping of arrested colloidal gels via active doping
Authors: Mallory S. A. , Bowers M. L. , Cacciuto A.
Published: August 2020

Colloids that interact via a short-range attraction serve as the primary building blocks for a broad range of self-assembled materials. However, one of the well-known drawbacks to this strategy is that these building blocks rapidly and readily condense into a metastable colloidal gel. Using computer simulations, we illustrate how the addition of a small fraction of purely repulsive self-propelled colloids, a technique referred to as active doping, can prevent the formation of this metastable gel state and drive the system toward its thermodynamically favored crystalline target structure. The simplicity and robust nature of this strategy offers a systematic and generic pathway to improving the self-assembly of a large number of complex colloidal structures. We discuss in detail the process by which this feat is accomplished and provide quantitative metrics for exploiting it to modulate the self-assembly. We provide evidence for the generic nature of this approach by demonstrating that it remains robust under a number of different anisotropic short-ranged pair interactions in both two and three dimensions. In addition, we report on a novel microphase in mixtures of passive and active colloids. For a broad range of self-propelling velocities, it is possible to stabilize a suspension of fairly monodisperse finite-size crystallites. Surprisingly, this microphase is also insensitive to the underlying pair interaction between building blocks. The active stabilization of these moderately sized monodisperse clusters is quite remarkable and should be of great utility in the design of hierarchical self-assembly strategies. This work further bolsters the notion that active forces can play a pivotal role in directing colloidal self-assembly.
Impact of impurity-based phonon resonant scattering on thermal conductivity of single crystalline GaN
Authors: Bagheri Pegah , Reddy Pramod , Kim Ji Hyun , Rounds Robert , Sochacki Tomasz , Kirste Ronny , Bockowski Michał , Collazo Ramón , Sitar Zlatko
Published: August 2020

The impact of impurities on the thermal conductivity of halide vapor phase epitaxy gallium nitride (GaN) was studied. Phonon resonances with impurities, modeled as Lorentz oscillators, were used to explain the much lower thermal conductivity than predicted by the Debye–Callaway model. The resonance energies for the oscillators were determined by Raman spectroscopy for Mn and by mass difference approximation for C and Fe. Employing the obtained resonance energies and proportionality factors extracted as fitting parameters, the modified model showed a good agreement with the experimental data. While the doping decreased thermal conductivity for all temperatures, the room temperature values started decreasing significantly once the doping levels approached ∼1019 cm−3. Consequently, required doping levels to achieve certain GaN-based devices may reduce the thermal conductivity of GaN by as much as 1/3.
Effects of bedding structures on the propagation characteristics of acoustic waves in shales at operating frequencies of acoustic logging
Authors: Li Hongtao , Jian Xu , Li Gao , Wu Pengcheng , Jia Hongjun , Wang Yanmin , Xu Ming
Published: August 2020

Acoustic characteristics measured by acoustic logging are usually used to estimate the structures and mechanical properties of rock materials. However, it is problematic to measure acoustic characteristics of shales because of their structural anisotropy caused by the bedding structures. This study focused on the effects of bedding structures on the acoustic characteristics of shales at operating frequencies of acoustic logging. A numerical model was first established to estimate the acoustic characteristics of shales based on the viscoelastic theory. Then, acoustic transmission experiments were conducted to examine the acoustic characteristics of shales with different bedding angles. The model calculations were compared with experimental results, showing good agreement. Based on the model, the effects of the angle, density, and thickness of bedding planes on the acoustic characteristics of shales at operating frequencies of acoustic logging were analyzed in detail. The results indicate that the wave velocity and main amplitude increased with increasing bedding angle whereas the attenuation coefficient decreased. The wave velocity monotonically decreased with an increase in the bedding density and thickness when the acoustic waves were transmitted through the shale model, but the attenuation of acoustic waves exhibited an opposite trend with the slope. In comparison, the dominant frequency was relatively stable with variations in the bedding structures. In general, the effect of bedding thickness on the acoustic characteristics of shales was smaller than those of the bedding angle and bedding density. The findings of this study can be beneficial for the accurate measurement of shale acoustic characteristics in acoustic logging.
Source of magnetic field effects on the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2
Authors: Player Thomas C. , Hore P. J.
Published: August 2020

We present an analysis of reported magnetic field effects (MFEs) on the yield of formic acid produced by electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide at a nanoparticle tin electrode [H. P. Pan et al., J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 11, 48–53 (2020)]. Radical pair spin dynamics simulations are used to show that (1) the Δg mechanism favored by Pan et al. is not sufficient to explain the observed magneto-current, (2) field-dependent spin relaxation, resulting from the anisotropy of the g-tensor of CO2•−, combined with the coherent singlet–triplet interconversion arising from isotropic hyperfine and Zeeman interactions, can quantitatively account for the observed MFE, and (3) modification of hyperfine interactions by isotopic substitution (1H → 2H and/or 12C → 13C) could be used to test both the proposed reaction mechanism and the interpretation presented here.
Corrigendum to: ‘Live and Large’: Super-Resolution Optical Fluctuation Imaging (SOFI) and Expansion Microscopy (ExM) of Microtubule Remodelling by Rabies Virus P Protein
Authors: Rozario Ashley M. , Zwettler Fabian , Duwé Sam , Hargreaves Riley B. , Brice Aaron , Dedecker Peter , Sauer Markus , Moseley Gregory W. , Whelan Donna R. , Bell Toby D. M.
Published: August 2020

The field of super-resolution microscopy continues to progress rapidly, both in terms of evolving techniques and methodologies as well as in the development of new multi-disciplinary applications. Two current drivers of innovation are increasing the possible resolution gain and application in live samples. Super-resolution optical fluctuation imaging (SOFI) is well suited to live samples while expansion microscopy (ExM) enables obtainment of sub-diffraction information via conventional imaging. In this Highlight we provide a brief outline of these methods and report results from application of SOFI and ExM in our on-going study into microtubule remodelling by rabies virus P proteins. We show that MT bundles in live cells transfected with rabies virus P3 protein can be visualised using SOFI in a time-lapse fashion for up to half an hour and can be expanded using current Pro-ExM protocols and imaged using conventional microscopy.
Salinity risk assessment of an irrigation development using treated coal seam gas water in the Condamine River catchment
Authors: Crawford M. H. , Williams K. M. , Biggs A. J. W. , Dafny E.
Published: August 2020

All irrigation developments inherently carry a salinity risk, due to an unavoidable change in the water and salt balance. The time frame in which either land or water salinity will develop is driven by the ability of the landscape to absorb the change of water and salt supplied. Factors that influence this are landscape attributes, such as the size of the unsaturated zone and its properties (permeability and drainage), management considerations (land-use changes, water application rate and crop water use) and climate variability (temperature and rainfall). This study assessed the risk of secondary salinity expression occurring in an irrigation area in the Condamine-Balonne catchment in southern inland Queensland, Australia. The objectives were to (1) define the depth, size and properties of the unsaturated zone and regolith, (2) define deep drainage rates for past, present and future land uses and (3) assess this information to calculate the risk that groundwater table rise may result in surface salinity expression. Data collected during field investigations was used to conceptualise the regolith architecture, undertake hydrogeological modelling, estimate the available moisture storage capacity of the unsaturated zone and model paddock deep drainage characteristics. The work identified that irrigation-induced deep drainage had started to mobilise salt stores in the unsaturated zone. It also identified connectivity between land management and salt discharges into the Condamine River. As the water supply for the scheme is scheduled to continue until 2030, there is a clear risk of the unsaturated zone moisture storage capacity being exceeded, leading to both land and surface water salt expressions.
Thermodynamic instabilities in holographic neutron stars at finite temperature
Authors: Argüelles Carlos R , Canavesi Tobías , Díaz Manuel , Grandi Nicolás
Published: August 2020

We study the thermodynamics of a self-gravitating system of neutral fermions at finite temperature and analyze its backreaction in an asymptotically AdS space. We evaluate numerically the free entropy as a function of temperature, and perform a stability analysis applying the simpler and powerful graphical method referred as the Katz criterion. We found that for highly-enough degenerate fermionic solutions, the onset of thermodynamic instability arises, though prior to the turning point on the mass as a function of the central density. Our results for finite temperature fermions provide a novel and more general way to study the confinement to deconfinement phase transition in the holographic field theory, generalizing former conclusions developed for systems at zero temperature.
Interface modification of SnO2 layer using p–n junction double layer for efficiency enhancement of perovskite solar cell
Authors: Yarangsi Vasan , Hongsith Kritsada , Sucharitakul Sukrit , Ngamjarurojana Athipong , Tuantranont Adisorn , Kumnorkaew Pisist , Zhao Yixin , Phadungdhitidhada Surachet , Choopun Supab
Published: August 2020

In this work, interface modification of SnO2 layer using p–n junction double layer is investigated for the efficiency enhancement of perovskite solar cell (PSC). For the double layer, a Sn additive layer was applied on a SnO2 layer by using the DC magnetron sputtering technique at various deposition times. The highest power conversion efficiency of 15.11% is obtained for PSC with a SnOx additive layer at 5 s sputtering time, compared to 12.89% for the best PSC without the additive layer. The effect of the SnOx additive layer on PSCs at optimum sputtering time is further explored via the photoconversion properties of both optical and electrical properties. From the results, it is found that the SnOx additive layer is essential for efficiency enhancement by forming the p-n junction with a SnO2 electron transporting layer (ETL) and modifying the interface between the ETL and the perovskite layer. The p-n junction of the ETL is observed via the diode-like behavior of I–V characteristics. The interface modification can enhance the PSC efficiency by improving the quality of the perovskite layer due to the larger grain size and higher absorbance, and by improving the charge transfer. The faster photogenerated charge transfer is confirmed by lower PL intensity and the shorter charge transfer lifetime is confirmed by the fitted open-circuit voltage decay. In addition, the SnOx additive layer can also eliminate the hysteresis effect of PSCs. This interface modification technique for PSC efficiency enhancement could be further explored for other ETLs.
Application of artificial intelligence in the determination of impact parameter in heavy-ion collisions at intermediate energies
Authors: Li Fupeng , Wang Yongjia , Lü Hongliang , Li Pengcheng , Li Qingfeng , Liu Fanxin
Published: August 2020

The impact parameter is one of the crucial physical quantities of heavy-ion collisions, and can affect obviously many observables at the final state, such as the multifragmentation and the collective flow. Usually, it cannot be measured directly in experiments but might be inferred from observables at the final state. Artificial intelligence has had great success in learning complex representations of data, which enables novel modeling and data processing approaches in physical sciences. In this article, we employ two of commonly used algorithms in the field of artificial intelligence, the convolutional neural networks (CNN) and light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM), to improve the accuracy of determining impact parameter by analyzing the proton spectra in transverse momentum and rapidity on the event-by-event basis. Au + Au collisions with the impact parameter of 0 ⩽ b ⩽ 10 fm at intermediate energies (E
lab = 0.2–1.0 GeV/nucleon) are simulated with the ultrarelativistic quantum molecular dynamics model to generate the proton spectra data. It is found that the average difference between the true impact parameter and the estimated one can be smaller than 0.1 fm. The LightGBM algorithm shows an improved performance with respect to the CNN on the task in this work. By using the LightGBM’s visualization algorithm, one can obtain the important feature map of the distribution of transverse momentum and rapidity, which may be helpful in inferring the impact parameter or centrality in heavy-ion experiments.
Influence of non-equilibrium electron dynamics on photoluminescence of metallic nanostructures
Authors: Zhang Weidong , Wen Te , Ye Lulu , Lin Hai , Gong Qihuang , Lu Guowei
Published: August 2020

A microscopic model is still strongly needed to understand the intrinsic photoluminescence (iPL) of metallic nanostructures. In this paper, a phenomenological model concerning the electron dynamics at the excited states, including the electron–phonon (e-p) and electron–electron (e-e) interactions, is developed. This model shows that the dynamics of non-equilibrium electrons at the excited states influence the iPL features significantly. Two main aspects determine the iPL process of metallic nanostructures: the photonic density of states relating to the Purcell effect caused by the surface plasmon resonances, and the electrons transition factor. This model takes into account the contribution of the e-p and e-e interactions to the dynamic electron distribution. The decay process of the non-thermal electrons at the excited states helps understanding most of the iPL features of metallic nanostructures. The calculated and experimental results coincide well regarding the spectral shape, temperature-dependent anti-Stokes emission, and nonlinear behaviors, and time-resolved spectra. The results presented in this paper provide a concise, intuitive, and comprehensive understanding of the iPL of metallic nanostructures.
Tunable electromagnetic shunt damper with opposing magnets configuration
Authors: Sun Ruqi , Wong Waion , Cheng Li
Published: August 2020

Electromagnetic damper (EMD) has been widely studied in the control of vibrating structures. It has higher tunability when compared with a viscous damper and lower cost when compared with a magnetorheological damper. However, its use is limited mainly due to the high ratios of system mass/volume to the damping force produced. In this paper, an electromagnetic shunt damper (EMSD) with opposing magnets configuration to provide a tunable damping force is proposed for vibration damping applications. The proposed EMSD configuration allows a significant reduction in size in comparison with other similar designs of EMSD found in the literature. Both simulations and experiments are conducted to verify the improvements of this proposed design over existing ones. In particular, an ESMD comprising six opposing magnets is designed and tested on a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) vibration system. The damping coefficient of the proposed EMSD offers a large tunable range with maximum damping coefficient about nine times or 900% of the minimum damping coefficient. As a result, the force and displacement transmissibilities can be minimized in a wide frequency band by varying the damping ratio in the SDOF system at different vibrating frequencies.