bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rational design of a highly mesoporous Fe–N–C/Fe3C/C–S–C nanohybrid with dense active sites for superb electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction
Authors: Al-Shahat Eissa Ahmed , Kim Nam Hoon , Lee Joong Hee
Published: October 2020

A high-performance and sustainable electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction is fabricated by a single-step doping/annealing strategy.
Evaluation of the effects of nanocatalyst infiltration on the SOFC performance and electrode reaction kinetics using the transmission line model
Authors: Hong Jaewoon , Bhardwaj Aman , Namgung Yeon , Bae Hohan , Song Sun-Ju
Published: October 2020

In this work, the effect of nanocatalyst infiltration on the SOFC performance and electrode reaction characteristics was comprehensively investigated by the application of electrochemical impedance (EI) spectroscopy.
Lead-free antiferroelectric niobates AgNbO3 and NaNbO3 for energy storage applications
Authors: Yang Dong , Gao Jing , Shu Liang , Liu Yi-Xuan , Yu Jingru , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wang Xuping , Zhang Bo-Ping , Li Jing-Feng
Published: October 2020

This review elaborates on the advantages of antiferroelectrics for energy storage applications and summarizes recent research activities on two lead-free antiferroelectric niobates.
Prediction of improved thermoelectric performance by ordering in double half-Heusler materials
Authors: Guo Shuping , Liu Zihang , Feng Zhenzhen , Jia Tiantian , Anand Shashwat , Snyder G. Jeffrey , Zhang Yongsheng
Published: October 2020

Forming ordered structure instead of solid solution is an effective strategy to maintain the excellent electrical properties and achieve high thermoelectric properties in the double HH compounds.
Charge separation boosts exciton diffusion in fused ring electron acceptors
Authors: Liu Junyi , Li Zi , Wang Jiayu , Zhang Xu , Zhan Xiaowei , Lu Gang
Published: October 2020

The first-principles simulations of exciton diffusion in NFAs.
Multimodal cellular redox nanosensors based on self-doped polyaniline nanocomposites
Authors: Lee Hwunjae , Kim Hyun Soo , Rho Hyun-Wook , Huh Yong-Min , Hong Yoochan
Published: October 2020

We have successfully fabricated a nanocomposite, which is composed of polyaniline (PAni) and pyrene butyric acid (Pyba) via a solvent shift method, which was self-doped at a neutral pH value.
A benzoindole-cored building block for deep blue fluorescent materials: synthesis, photophysical properties, and applications in organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Ye Shanghui , Wu Congjin , Gu Pengfei , Xiang Tai , Zhang Senyu , Jing Tongtong , Wang Shi , Yang Xiaodi , Li Yonghua , Huang Wei
Published: October 2020

A new aromatic 2-(pyridine-4-yl)-3-phenyl-1H-benzo[g]indole core has been designed to build a series of D–π–A–π–D deep blue fluorescent materials in a Ψ-type configuration, which exhibit extremely stable efficiency curve at high luminance.
Effect of polar side chains on neutral and p-doped polythiophene
Authors: Finn Peter A. , Jacobs Ian E. , Armitage John , Wu Ruiheng , Paulsen Bryan D. , Freeley Mark , Palma Matteo , Rivnay Jonathan , Sirringhaus Henning , Nielsen Christian B.
Published: October 2020

We investigate in detail the optical, electrochemical, structural and electrical properties of polythiophenes with increasing content of polar side chains.
Multiscale understanding of electric polarization in poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based ferroelectric polymers
Authors: Meng Nan , Ren Xintong , Zhu Xiaojing , Wu Jiyue , Yang Bin , Gao Feng , Zhang Han , Liao Yaozu , Bilotti Emiliano , Reece Michael J. , Yan Haixue
Published: October 2020

The electric polarization of ferroelectric polymers with tailored structures was studied using the terahertz time-domain spectroscopy technique combined with impedance analysis.
Extracorporeal shockwave treatment in knee osteoarthritis: therapeutic effects and possible mechanism
Authors: An Senbo , Li Jingyi , Xie Wenqing , Yin Ni , Li Yusheng , Hu Yihe
Published: October 2020

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common degenerative joint disease, is characterized by the cardinal symptoms of chronic pain and restricted joint activity. The complicated pathological changes associated with OA and unclear mechanistic etiology have rendered existing non-surgical OA management options unsatisfactory. Increasing clinical and experimental evidence suggests that extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is beneficial in OA treatment. ESWT is found to have modifying effects on cartilage and subchondral bone alterations in OA progression, as well as the clinical complaints of patients, including chronic pain and limited joint activities. However, the specific treatment strategy regarding the dosage and frequency of ESWT is still underdetermined. This review discusses the existing evidence regarding the therapeutic indications and possible mechanism of ESWT for OA treatment.
Rotation‐frequency oscillations suppression strategy for AC drive system with large inertia rotating load
Authors: Xiao Fei , Mai Zhiqin , Liu Jilong , Lian Chuanqiang
Published: October 2020

Mechanical faults in AC drive systems lead generally to periodic load torque ripple which reflects as speed vibration and leads to harmonic components in motor stator current. The deterioration of speed and stator current, called rotation‐frequency oscillations in this study, may degrade motor control accuracy and even cause for instability. In this study, a strategy using active control of stator current is proposed to suppress the rotation‐frequency oscillations in AC drive systems. First, the magnetomotive force and permeance approach is used to study the influence of the mechanical faults on the stator current of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). Second, in the proposed strategy, an improved current regulator cascading a proportional–integral regulator with a quasi‐proportional resonance (QPR) regulator is designed, and the mechanism of rotation‐frequency oscillations suppression strategy is analysed. In addition, digital realisation method and parameters design process for QPR regulator are introduced. Experimental evaluation of the proposed strategy is implemented on a PMSM traction system under mechanical faults, load disturbance and so on. Test results show that with the proposed strategy, speed vibration and current harmonic components caused by mechanical faults are suppressed significantly.
Control strategy to improve load/power sharing, DC bus voltage restoration, and batteries SOC balancing in a DC microgrid
Authors: Eydi Mohammad , Ghazi Reza
Published: October 2020

DC microgrids are well known as a proper solution to link different DC sources, such as photovoltaic panels and wind turbines, directly to DC loads. Along with their advantages, they suffer from an imbalance state of charge (SOC) in their energy storage units (ESUs), improper current‐sharing between ESUs, and DC bus voltage deviation. This study proposes a novel control strategy for DC microgrids, which not only balances ESUs SOC and shares current between ESUs proportional to their capacity but also, reduces DC bus voltage deviation significantly. In this way, the same droop curve is defined. Then, three virtual resistances are considered. The first one is set based on the lines resistance and ESUs capacity to share current among the ESUs properly. As the lines resistance changes affect the proportional current‐sharing, the second virtual resistance is intended to relieve this effect. The third one is suggested to balance the ESUs SOC. The small‐signal stability analysis is performed, which demonstrates that the proposed method has stability in all operating conditions. Simulation results in MATLAB/Simulink confirm that with the aid of the proposed control method, not only proper current‐sharing and ESUs SOC balancing are obtained, but also DC bus voltage deviation is effectively diminished.
A stringent upper limit of the PH3abundance at the cloud top of Venus
Authors: Encrenaz T. , Greathouse T. K. , Marcq E. , Widemann T. , Bézard B. , Fouchet T. , Giles R. , Sagawa H. , Greaves J. , Sousa-Silva C.
Published: October 2020

Aims.Following the announcement of the detection of phosphine (PH3) in the cloud deck of Venus at millimeter wavelengths, we searched for other possible signatures of this molecule in the infrared range.

Methods.Since 2012, we have been observing Venus in the thermal infrared at various wavelengths to monitor the behavior of SO2and H2O at the cloud top. We identified a spectral interval recorded in March 2015 around 950 cm−1where a PH3transition is present.

Results.From the absence of any feature at this frequency, we derive, on the disk-integrated spectrum, a 3-σupper limit of 5 ppbv for the PH3mixing ratio, which is assumed to be constant throughout the atmosphere. This limit is four times lower than the disk-integrated mixing ratio derived at millimeter wavelengths.

Conclusions.Our result places a strong constraint on the maximum PH3abundance at the cloud top and in the lower mesosphere of Venus.
On a Very Basic Behavior in Science: Importance and Issues with Quotations
Authors: Bauer Michael
Published: October 2020

This journal, founded in 1968, not only has a publication history of more than 5 decades but also stands for a distinct scientific focus in psychiatric pharmacology or psychopharmacology: the research on medication treatments for mental disorders. At some point, it is worth taking a broader look at what we are doing in psychiatry or in medicine in general. That is why, in this issue, we are publishing a study by Christopher Baethge 1 that typically may not fit into the scope of Pharmacopsychiatry. As a psychiatrist and an editor, Baethge carried out an investigation in an underresearched area: the accuracy and significance of citations in psychiatric journals.
Recent Progress in Emerging Near-Infrared Emitting Materials for Light-Emitting Diode Applications
Authors: Zheng Yingqi , Zhu Xiaozhang
Published: October 2020

In view of the wide applications of near-infrared (NIR) light in night vision, security, medicine, sensors, telecommunications, and military applications, and the scarcity of high-efficiency NIR-emitting materials, development of alternative NIR-emitting materials is urgently required. In this review, we focus on three kinds of emerging NIR-emitting materials used in light-emitting diodes (LEDs), namely organic materials, inorganic quantum dot (QD) materials, and organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite materials; the corresponding devices are organic LEDs, QD LEDs, and perovskite LEDs. The advantages and disadvantages of the three kinds of materials are discussed, some representative works are reviewed, and a brief outlook for these materials is provided.
Autosomal Recessive Congenital Ichthyosis and Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome due to Homozygous Mutation in the ALOX12B gene: A Novel Association with Review of Literature
Authors: Dawman Lesa , Kaur Anit , Nada Ritambhra , Chakraborty Soumalya , Handa Sanjeev , Sharawat Indar Kumar , Tiewsoh Karalanglin
Published: October 2020

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) associated with autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) is a rare association. In this article, we described a 4-year-old boy with steroid-resistant NS (SRNS) who had a history of ichthyotic skin lesions since birth. Renal biopsy revealed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (tip variant). The skin biopsy was consistent with the findings of ichthyosis. Next-generation sequencing revealed a homozygous pathogenic variant (c.1625_1626del) in the exon 12 of the ALOX12B gene, confirming the diagnosis of ARCI2. The ALOX12B gene belongs to the lipoxygenase family and has a pivotal role in the formation of lipid layers in the epidermis. Leukotrienes have a counter-regulatory effect within the inflamed glomeruli, which influences the vascular tone and glomerular basement membrane permeability, that can be implicated in the pathogenesis of the NS. This child is currently in remission, on tacrolimus and low-dose prednisolone, with emollients and is on regular follow-up. SRNS associated with congenital ichthyosis secondary to a mutation in the ALOX12B gene has never been reported so far. The knowledge regarding this novel association will help the treating physicians in diagnosing this condition early, which will enable proper genetic counseling and prognostication of the disease to the family.
Emotional policies: Introducing branding as a tool for science diplomacy
Authors: Raev Alexander , Minkman Ellen
Published: October 2020

This article seeks to expand the science diplomacy (SD) discourse by introducing the concept of branding, focusing on its use as a tool for nation state decision makers. Although the current literature on SD has explored the relation between science and diplomacy, the question of how individual science projects can effectively aid SD has been left largely unanswered. Drawing on the SD as well as on the place and policy branding literature, a framework for the analysis and conceptualization of branding as a tool for SD and for Public Diplomacy in general is developed. This framework introduces three distinct branding styles: nation branding, policy branding and policy tool branding. The applicability of the framework is demonstrated by the comparison of two cases of branding by nation state policy makers: branding in the field of German transnational education and in the science and knowledge-based Dutch Water Diplomacy. The German case study shows that branding activities relating to ‘German’ SD are fragmented and focus mostly on individual projects, while the use of transnational education as an instrument to advance policy branding or nation branding remains largely underdeveloped. Such a lopsided branding process undermines the effectiveness of branding as an effective SD tool. In contrast, the potential of coordinated branding strategies as a foreign policy tool becomes apparent in the ‘Dutch Delta Approach’. In this centralised and coordinated branding process, activities on all three proposed branding layers were implemented, effectively employing branding to increase the visibility of the Dutch nation state, increase the attraction of its high-tech water management sector as well as to rejuvenate the Netherland’s bi-lateral relations with selected partner countries. Branding, as we argue, should be added to the analysis of contemporary science diplomacy as well as of broader foreign policies, adding to the understanding of SD as an instrument of cross-border communication and global opinion shaping. The paper ends with a discussion of potential limitations of branding, in order to illustrate that branding can be an effective instrument but should not be seen as an international relations panacea.
Development of a high-performance readout circuit for photoelectric detectors
Authors: Yuan Honghui , Chen Yongping
Published: October 2020

A high-performance readout circuit for photoelectric detectors is developed in this paper to achieve high-speed low-noise image detection. Here, the W/L ratio of the first-stage P-type following transistor is reduced to decrease the parasitic capacitance of buses, and the bias voltage of the P-type following load transistor is minimized to increase the driving current. These changes increase the sampling frequency of the read-out circuit from its original 2 MHz to 6 MHz, thereby effectively improving the readout frequency of the long-line visible light CMOS detector. Four-sampling is used to achieve true correlated double-sampling and reduce the equivalent input noise of the device, thus, overcoming the original circuit’s non-true correlation cancellation. Testing revealed that the number of equivalent input noise electrons of the CMOS detector decreased from 100e to 50e (rms) when the integral time is 200 µs and the photosensitive area is 20 × 18 μm2. The device could work steadily at a sampling rate of 6 MHz, and its linearity and output swing exceed 99% and 2 V, respectively. Moreover, the sensitivity of the detector could meet the requirements of the system. The development of the proposed CMOS detector lays an important theoretical foundation and provides practical value for future research on ultra-high speed and high-definition image detection technologies.
Design and simulation of a novel concentric silicon drift detector with equal width divider resistor chain and floating cathodes
Authors: Huang Xuanang , Wu Chaosheng , Liu Manwen , Li Zheng
Published: October 2020

Enabling the traditional concentric silicon drift detector (CSDD) does not need an external voltage divider in the application; hence, a novel CSDD structure is proposed in this paper, in which resistor chains of equal width are deposited equally between the cathode rings and come in contact with the cathode rings. The new CSDD can achieve voltage division automatically and only needs to bias the voltage on the cathodes of the innermost ring and the outermost ring. In addition, floating cathodes were designed between the cathodes to obtain a nearly straight line drift channel and to reduce the low electric field area near the surface. The electrical properties of three types of floating cathodes (called floating cathodes of a single-ring, floating cathodes of a double-ring, and floating cathodes of a four-ring) were simulated and compared using the technology computer aided design tool. Under the field effect between the floating cathodes and the bulk, the electric field near the surface increased substantially. Moreover, the electric field near the surface of the CSDD with the floating cathodes of a double-ring changes the most uniformly so that the drift path is the straightest.
Anisotropic, meandering domain microstructure in the improper ferroelectric CsNbW2O9
Authors: McCartan Shane J. , Turner Patrick W. , McNulty Jason A. , Maguire Jesi R. , McCluskey Conor J. , Morrison Finlay D. , Gregg J. Marty , MacLaren Ian
Published: October 2020

The improper ferroelectric CsNbW2O9 has recently been highlighted as the first material outside the manganite family to exhibit a similar meandering, sixfold domain structure to that responsible for enhanced and diminished conduction at charged domain walls in the rare earth manganites. While there is no current evidence for variation in domain wall conduction relative to bulk in CsNbW2O9, the similarities in microstructure strongly suggest that charged domain walls are present in this material. Herein, we report a comprehensive study of the domain microstructure of CsNbW2O9 by both piezoresponse force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to reveal that there are, in fact, clear distinctions in the domain structure of the two systems. Constraints arising from the crystal structure of CsNbW2O9, namely, the connectivity of the BO6 polyhedra and atomic displacements occurring purely along the c axis, mean that domain walls preferentially run parallel to the c direction (the polar axis of the material) and thus remain uncharged. The characteristic cloverleaf domain structure reminiscent of the manganites is still present; however, the structure meanders predominantly in the ab plane and, therefore, appears differently depending on the projection direction from which it is viewed. As a result of this microstructural constraint, charged domain walls are not prevalent in this material.
Transient acoustic vaporization signatures unique to low boiling point phase change contrast agents enable super-resolution ultrasound imaging without spatiotemporal filtering
Authors: DeRuiter R. M. , Markley E. N. , Rojas J. D. , Pinton G. F. , Dayton P. A.
Published: October 2020

The unique activation signal of phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs or droplets) can be separated from the tissue signal and localized to generate super-resolution (SR) ultrasound (US) images. Lipid-shelled, perfluorocarbon PCCAs can be stochastically vaporized (activated) by a plane wave US transmission thereby enabling them to be used as separable targets for ultrasound localization microscopy. The unique signature of droplet vaporization imaging and the transient inherent nature of this signature increases signal contrast and therefore localization confidence, while the poor resolution of the low-frequency vaporization signal is overcome by the super-resolution result. Furthermore, our proposed PCCA SR technique does not require the use of user-dependent and flow-dependent spatio-temporal filtering via singular-value decomposition. Rather, matched filters selected by Fourier-domain analysis are able to identify and localize PCCA activations. Droplet SR was demonstrated in a crossed-microtube water phantom by localizing the activation signals of octafluoropropane nanodroplets (OFP, C3F8, −37 °C boiling point) to resolve 100 µm diameter fluorinated ethylene propylene tubes, which are ordinarily 35% smaller than the native diffraction-limited resolution of the imaging system utilized.
A multi-directional controllable multi-scroll conservative chaos generator: Modelling, analysis, and FPGA implementation*
Authors: Dong En-Zeng , Li Rong-Hao , Du Sheng-Zhi
Published: October 2020

Combing with the generalized Hamiltonian system theory, by introducing a special form of sinusoidal function, a class of n-dimensional (n = 1,2,3) controllable multi-scroll conservative chaos with complicated dynamics is constructed. The dynamics characteristics including bifurcation behavior and coexistence of the system are analyzed in detail, the latter reveals abundant coexisting flows. Furthermore, the proposed system passes the NIST tests and has been implemented physically by FPGA. Compared to the multi-scroll dissipative chaos, the experimental portraits of the proposed system show better ergodicity, which have potential application value in secure communication and image encryption.
Effects of vector leptoquarks on

decay
Authors: Azizi K. , Olgun A. T. , Tavukoğlu Z.
Published: October 2020

Experimental data on

,

, and

, provided by different collaborations, show sizable deviations from the standard model predictions. To describe these anomalies, many new physics scenarios have been proposed. One of them is the leptoquark model, which introduces the simultaneous coupling of vector and scalar leptoquarks to quarks and leptons. To look for similar possible anomalies in the baryonic sector, we investigate the effects of a vector leptoquark

on various physical quantities related to the tree-level

decays (

), which proceed via

transitions at the quark level. We calculate the differential branching ratio, forward-backward asymmetry, and longitudinal polarizations of leptons and

baryons at the

and

lepton channels in the leptoquark model and compare their behavior to the predictions of the SM in terms of

. In the calculations, we use the form factors calculated in full QCD as the main input and account for all errors coming from the form factors and model parameters. We observe that at the

channel, the

fit solution to data related to the leptoquark model sweeps some regions out of the SM band; nevertheless, the fit has a considerable intersection with the SM predictions. The

type solution gives roughly the same results as the SM on

. At the

channel, the leptoquark model gives results that are consistent with the SM predictions and existing experimental data on the behavior of

with respect to

. Concerning the

behavior of the

, the two types of fits for

and the predictions at the

channel in the leptoquark model give exactly the same results as the SM. We also investigate the behavior of the parameter

with respect to

and the value of

in both the vector leptoquark and SM models. Both fit solutions lead to results that deviate considerably from the SM predictions for

and

. Future experimental data on

and

, made available by measurements of the

channel, will be particularly helpful. Any experimental deviations from the SM predictions in this channel would emphasize the importance of tree-level hadronic weak transitions as good probes of new physics effects beyond the SM.
Microscopic states of Kerr black holes from boundary-bulk correspondence *
Authors: Wang Jing-Bo
Published: October 2020

It was previously claimed by the author that black holes can be considered as topological insulators. Both black holes and topological insulators have boundary modes, and the boundary modes can be described by an effective BF theory. In this paper, the boundary modes on the horizons of black holes are analyzed using methods developed for topological insulators. BTZ black holes are analyzed first, and the results are found to be compatible with previous works. The results are then generalized to Kerr black holes, for which new results are obtained: dimensionless right- and left-temperatures can be defined and have well behavior in both the Schwarzschild limit

and the extremal limit

. Upon the Kerr/CFT correspondence, a central charge

can be associated with an arbitrary Kerr black hole. Moreover, the microstates of the Kerr black hole can be identified with the quantum states of this scalar field. From this identification, the number of microstates of the Kerr black hole can be counted, yielding the Bekenstein-Hawking area law for the entropy.
Nuclear reaction cross sections for hadron therapy
Authors: Simpson E C
Published: October 2020

Treatment planning in hadron therapy uses Monte Carlo techniques that require total nuclear reaction cross sections for a variety of interacting systems and over a wide range of energies. Current empirical models are tuned to reproduce cross sections for stable isotopes, but in some cases, overestimate measured cross sections by 20%. Here we discuss an alternative approach: the optical limit of Glauber theory, which describes existing measurements better and offers more reliable predictions for the many systems where there is no experimental information. We also suggest how existing implementations of empirical models within GEANT4 could be improved. Ultimately, these calculations should contribute to improvements in planning of hadron therapy treatments.
Imaging and radiation isocentre determination for inline MR-guided radiotherapy systems – proof of principle using MR-phantom with embedded monolithic silicon detector
Authors: Causer T J , Alnaghy S J , Alnaghy S , Roberts N , Petasecca M , Rosenfeld A B , Metcalfe P , Oborn B M
Published: October 2020

Multiple vendors are now offering real-time MRI-guided radiotherapy systems. Quality assurance of the imaging and radiation isocentre alignment is an essential component of the QA programme for any linear accelerator used for delivering image-guided radiotherapy. In this work, the authors describe the design and feasibility testing of a device that combines a high resolution monolithic silicon strip detector with an MRI visible phantom for characterisation of optical, MR imaging and radiation isocentre for inline MR-guided radiotherapy systems.
Advancement of microdosimetric kinetic model in heavy-ion radiotherapy
Authors: Inaniwa T
Published: October 2020

To date, more than 11,000 cancer patients have been treated with therapeutic carbon-ion beams at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS). In the treatment planning system, the biological effectiveness of the therapeutic carbon-ion beams has been predicted based on the microdosimetric kinetic (MK) model. The MK model has a variety of applications. For instance, it can be used to predict the biological effectiveness of therapeutic carbon-ion beams under protracted irradiations as well as under hypoxic conditions. Recently, we have updated the MK model to a stochastic microdosimetric kinetic (SMK) model for a new research project about hypo-fractionated multi-ion radiotherapy, referred to as a “Quantum Scalpel”. This report overviews advancement of the MK model in heavy-ion radiotherapy.
Microdosimetric study for helium-ion beam using fully 3D silicon microdosimeters
Authors: Lee S H , Mizushima K , Sakata D , Kohno R , Sakama M , Iwata Y , Shirai T , Pan V A , Tran L T , Rosenfeld A B , Suzuki M , Inaniwa T
Published: October 2020

In this study, the survival fraction of pancreatic cancer cells exposed to a spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) helium-ion beam are estimated using the microdosimetric method with the microdosimetric kinetic (MK) model, by measuring the specific energy with a microdosimeter. To measure the microdosimetric spectra, a 3D mushroom microdosimeter was used by mounting it on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates. At different positions of the Bragg curve of a pristine helium-ion beam of 166 MeV/u, microdosimetric spectra were measured via a scanning beam port in the National Institute of Radiological Sciences. The MK parameters were determined such that the survival fraction (SF) calculated by the MK model predicts the previously reported in vitro data. For a cuboid target of 10×10×6 cm3, a treatment plan that utilised helium-ion beam was designed from the in-house treatment planning software (TPS) to achieve a 10% SF of pancreatic cancer cells throughout the target. The physical doses and microdosimetric spectra were measured for different depths by irradiating the scanning-SOBP helium-ion beam; consequently, the SF at each position of the SOBP was predicted. The predicted SFs from measured physical dose and microdosimetric spectra were in good agreement with the planned SF from TPS.
Real-time, upstream, radiotherapy verification using a Monolithic Active Pixel Sensor System
Authors: Velthuis J J , Beck L , Hugtenburg R , Pritchard J , de Sio C
Published: October 2020

Intensity modulated radiotherapy is a widely used technique for accurately targeting cancerous tumours in difficult locations. As treatments are becoming more complex, new methods need to be developed to monitor them. Monolithic active pixel sensors are a viable candidate for providing upstream beam monitoring during treatment. A MAPS based system can be made thin enough to have less than 1% attenuation. We have already demonstrated leaf position resolutions below 130µm at the iso-centre for 5mm wide leaves sampled 34 times per second. We have shown that the signal due to therapeutic photons can be determined and thus the dose in patient. Furthermore, the sensor works well inside an MR-linac, allowing leaf position verification even in that challenging environment.
Thin low-gain avalanche detectors for particle therapy applications
Authors: Vignati A , Donetti M , Fausti F , Ferrero M , Giordanengo S , Hammad Ali O , Martì Villarreal O A , Mas Milian F , Mazza G , Monaco V , Sacchi R , Shakarami Z , Sola V , Staiano A , Tommasino F , Verroi E , Wheadon R , Cirio R
Published: October 2020

The University of Torino (UniTO) and the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN-TO) are investigating the use of Ultra Fast Silicon Detectors (UFSD) for beam monitoring in radiobiological experiments with therapeutic proton beams. The single particle identification approach of solid state detectors aims at increasing the sensitivity and reducing the response time of the conventional monitoring devices, based on gas detectors. Two prototype systems are being developed to count the number of beam particles and to measure the beam energy with time-of-flight (ToF) techniques. The clinically driven precision (< 1%) in the number of particles delivered and the uncertainty < 1 mm in the depth of penetration (range) in radiobiological experiments (up to 108 protons/s fluxes) are the goals to be pursued. The future translation into clinics would allow the implementation of faster and more accurate treatment modalities, nowadays prevented by the limits of state-of-the-art beam monitors. The experimental results performed with clinical proton beams at CNAO (Centro Nazionale di Adroterapia Oncologica, Pavia) and CPT (Centro di Protonterapia, Trento) showed a counting inefficiency <2% up to 100 MHz/cm2, and a deviation of few hundreds of keV of measured beam energies with respect to nominal ones. The progresses of the project are reported.
Research on microstructure and mechanical properties of HIP Ti-6Al-4V treated by surface rolling at low-heating temperatures
Authors: Li Gang , Zhang Wenkang , Liu Yu , Xue Chuan , Ma Yan , Yuan Hengyi
Published: October 2020

This paper was to research the effects of surface rolling at low-heating temperatures (SRLT) on microstructure and mechanical properties of HIP Ti–6Al–4V alloy. An obviously plastic deformation emerged in surface modification layer and accompanied with the grain refinement and dense dislocations. The values of compressive residual stress and surface microhardness were also increased. The fretting friction tests were further compared without lubrication. The sample treated by surface rolling (SR) at 160 °C had the smaller steady-state CoF and less material loss relative to the untreated sample. But it still had the higher steady-state Coefficient of friction (CoF) and more material loss than surface-rolled sample at room temperature. On the one hand, the comparatively low microhardness and residual stress would damage the mechanical properties. On the other hand, the material’s friction would be increased by the high surface roughness and the absence of cold work strengthening would decrease the wear resistance. In addition, the low-heating temperature would also increase material deformation mechanism and decline the friction properties.
Durable slippery lubricant-infused multiscale-textured surfaces for repelling highly adhesive liquids
Authors: Hajeesaeh Sulaiman , Muensit Nantakan , van Dommelen Paphavee , Daengngam Chalongrat
Published: October 2020

Surfaces that can repel various types of liquid and retain surface properties over acceptably long periods of time are in great demand. Here, we presented a simple but effective technique to fabricate slippery, lubricant-infused surfaces with excellent liquid-repellent properties and resistance to hydrodynamic damage, evaporation, and high static pressure. Chemically-functionalized multiscale-textured surfaces were impregnated by highly-viscous and vacuum-grade lubricants that fully wetted the nanoscale roughness while conformed to the microscale textures. This generated slippery rough surfaces with improved liquid-resistant properties evaluated by water and highly-adhesive latex. The respective contact angles of water and latex droplets were above 130.1 ± 0.8° and 105.7 ± 1.1°, while water and latex sliding angles were less than 5.8 ± 0.7° and 8.7 ± 0.7°, respectively. More importantly, the slippery roughness reduced liquid-lubricant contact areas, and protected the lubricating layer from flow-induced erosion. The particular lubricant-infused surfaces can withstand an impact of a water jet speed up to 2.6 ms−1 for at least 10 min. Furthermore, the viscous lubricant layer was unaffected by evaporation at 65 °C for at least 11 weeks, and stable under hydrostatic pressure of 150 kPa for 20 min.
Recent progresses and challenges of metal sulfides as advanced anode materials in rechargeable sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Yang Xu , Liang Hao-Jie , Yu Hai-Yue , Wang Mei-Yi , Zhao Xin-Xin , Wang Xiao-Tong , Wu Xing-Long
Published: October 2020

Currently, rechargeable sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) with high voltage and high energy density have attracted considerable attention. However, compared with lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), there are many urgent challenges that need to be solved to achieve the practical application of SIBs. Due to the similar physicochemical properties of sodium and lithium, the study of SIBs is based on LIBs. However, the radius of Na+ is larger than that of Li+, a limited number of LIBs electrode materials can be used in SIBs, especially anode materials. Graphite can store sodium ions if an ether-based electrolyte is being used. The storage capacity of graphite for sodium is low (∼35 mAh g−1) when traditional carbonate-based electrolyte is used. Therefore, it is vital that anode materials with splendid rate capability, outstanding cycling performance and low cost are developed rapidly. Among all types of anode materials, metal sulfides (MSx) with higher theoretical specific capacity and lower cost are an ideal practical anode material. Here, a summaryof the recent research advances on MSx of SIBs is provided. The crystal structures, sodium storage mechanism and optimization strategies for high performance batteries are summarized. this paper hopes to provide inspiration for the development of MSx to assist the development of the next generation of rechargeable battery applications.
Molecular dynamics simulation of the material removal in the scratching of 4H-SiC and 6H-SiC substrates
Authors: Tian Zige , Chen Xun , Xu Xipeng
Published: October 2020

Single crystal silicon carbide (SiC) is widely used for optoelectronics applications. Due to the anisotropic characteristics of single crystal materials, the C face and Si face of single crystal SiC have different physical properties, which may fit for particular application purposes. This paper presents an investigation of the material removal and associated subsurface defects in a set of scratching tests on the C face and Si face of 4H-SiC and 6H-SiC materials using molecular dynamics simulations. The investigation reveals that the sample material deformation consists of plastic, amorphous transformations and dislocation slips that may be prone to brittle split. The results showed that the material removal at the C face is more effective with less amorphous deformation than that at the Si face. Such a phenomenon in scratching relates to the dislocations on the basal plane (0001) of the SiC crystal. Subsurface defects were reduced by applying scratching cut depths equal to integer multiples of a half molecular lattice thickness, which formed a foundation for selecting machining control parameters for the best surface quality.
Underrecognized Patterns of High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion on ThinPrep Preparations
Authors: Goyal Abha , Heymann Jonas J , Alperstein Susan A , Siddiqui Momin T
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To identify less readily identifiable patterns of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) in negative human papillomavirus (HPV)–positive Papanicolaou (Pap) tests on ThinPrep preparations.

Methods

Of all HPV-positive Pap tests that were negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) from July 2013 to June 2018, those with HSIL on subsequent histology within 6 months were identified. ThinPrep slides from the latter group (group 1) and from NILM HPV-negative Pap tests with negative follow-up (group 2) were reviewed independently by 4 participants. Group 1 cases were then reviewed together for consensus and with the ThinPrep Imaging System (TIS). Any discrepancies from the original interpretation were recorded.

Results

The study cohort included 57 cases each in groups 1 and 2. On final review of group 1 cases, 17 (29.8%) were classified as NILM or unsatisfactory. Of the remaining, 4 cases revealed rare abnormal cells not flagged by the TIS in the fields of view. In the 36 cases (63.1%) with screening or interpretative errors, the key cytologic findings accounting for major discrepancies included atypical metaplastic cells, atypical repair, rare syncytial groups, and atypical immature metaplastic cells.

Conclusions

There are 3 main underrecognized patterns of HSIL in cervical cytology: atypical metaplastic cells, atypical repair, and rare syncytial groups.
BiasAway: command-line and web server to generate nucleotide composition-matched DNA background sequences
Authors: Khan Aziz , Riudavets Puig Rafael , Boddie Paul , Mathelier Anthony
Published: October 2020

Motivation

Accurate motif enrichment analyses depend on the choice of background DNA sequences used, which should ideally match the sequence composition of the foreground sequences. It is important to avoid false positive enrichment due to sequence biases in the genome, such as GC-bias. Therefore, relying on an appropriate set of background sequences is crucial for enrichment analysis.

Results

We developed BiasAway, a command line tool and its dedicated easy-to-use web server to generate synthetic sequences matching any k-mer nucleotide composition or select genomic DNA sequences matching the mononucleotide composition of the foreground sequences through four different models. For genomic sequences, we provide precomputed partitions of genomes from nine species with five different bin sizes to generate appropriate genomic background sequences.

Availability and implementation

BiasAway source code is freely available from Bitbucket (https://bitbucket.org/CBGR/biasaway) and can be easily installed using bioconda or pip. The web server is available at https://biasaway.uio.no and a detailed documentation is available at https://biasaway.readthedocs.io.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
keras_dna: a wrapper for fast implementation of deep learning models in genomics
Authors: Routhier Etienne , Bin Kamruddin Ayman , Mozziconacci Julien
Published: October 2020

Prediction of genomic annotations from DNA sequences using deep learning is today becoming a flourishing field with many applications. Nevertheless, there are still difficulties in handling data in order to conveniently build and train models dedicated for specific end-user’s tasks. keras_dna is designed for an easy implementation of Keras models (TensorFlow high level API) for genomics. It can handle standard bioinformatic files formats as inputs such as bigwig, gff, bed, wig, bedGraph or fasta and returns standardized inputs for model training. keras_dna is designed to implement existing models but also to facilitate the development of news models that can have single or multiple targets or inputs.

Availability and implementation

Freely available with a MIT License using pip install keras_dna or cloning the github repo at https://github.com/etirouthier/keras_dna.git.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Longitudinal expression changes are weak correlates of disease progression in Huntington’s disease
Authors: Mitchell Christopher T , Krier Irina , Arjomand Jamshid , Borowsky Beth , Tabrizi Sarah J , Leavitt Blair R ,   TRACK-HD Investigators, Arran N , Axelson E , Bardinet E , Bechtel N , Callaghan J , Campbell J C , Campbell M , Cash D M , Coleman A , Craufurd D , Dar Santos R , Decolongon J , Dumas E M , Durr A , Fox N C , Frajman E , Frost C , Hicks S L , Hobbs N , Hoffman A , Jauffret C , Johnson H , Jones R , Jurgens C , Justo D , Keenan S , Kennard C , Kraus P , Lahiri N , Landwehrmeier B , Langbehn D R , Lee S , Lehericy S , Marelli C , Milchman C , Monaco W , Nigaud K , Ordidge R , O’Regan A , Owen G , Pepple T , Queller S , Read J , Reilmann R , Roos R A C , Rosas H D , Say M , Scahill R I , Stout J C , Sturrock A , 't Hart E P , Tobin A J , Valabrègue R , van den Bogaard S J A , van der Grond J , Wang C , Whitlock K , Wild E , Witjes-Ane M-N , Luthi-Carter Ruth
Published: October 2020

Huntington’s disease is a severe but slowly progressive hereditary illness for which only symptomatic treatments are presently available. Clinical measures of disease progression are somewhat subjective and may require years to detect significant change. There is a clear need to identify more sensitive, objective and consistent measures to detect disease progression in Huntington’s disease clinical trials. Whereas Huntington’s disease demonstrates a robust and consistent gene expression signature in the brain, previous studies of blood cell RNAs have lacked concordance with clinical disease stage. Here we utilized longitudinally collected samples from a well-characterized cohort of control, Huntington’s disease-at-risk and Huntington’s disease subjects to evaluate the possible correlation of gene expression and disease status within individuals. We interrogated these data in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. A number of changes in gene expression showed consistency within this study and as compared to previous reports in the literature. The magnitude of the mean disease effect over 2 years’ time was small, however, and did not track closely with motor symptom progression over the same time period. We therefore conclude that while blood-derived gene expression indicators can be of value in understanding Huntington’s disease pathogenesis, they are insufficiently sensitive to be of use as state biomarkers.
Elections in Non-Democracies
Authors: Egorov Georgy , Sonin Konstantin
Published: October 2020

Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of a democratic system, but elections are common in other regimes as well. Such an election might be a pure farce, with the incumbents getting close to 100% of the vote. In other instances, incumbents allow opposition candidates to be on the ballot and run campaigns, limit electoral fraud, e.g., by inviting international observers, all to make elections appear fair. In our model, the incumbent is informed about his popularity, and having a fair election allows him to signal his popularity to the people. After casting their vote, heterogeneous citizens decide whether or not to participate in a protest, and they are more willing to do so if they expect others to protest as well. We demonstrate theoretically that regimes that have a high level of elite repression are less likely to have fair elections, but regimes with a high cost of protesting for ordinary citizens make fair elections more likely.
An agenda for well-being in ELT: an ecological perspective
Authors: Mercer Sarah
Published: October 2020

Well-being is a basic human right according to the World Health Organization. It is the foundation of a life well lived and ought to be the basis of all educational endeavours and encounters. In this article, I urge ELT to make well-being a priority for research and practice. I make three main points. Firstly, we need to be serious in defining and understanding well-being for research and teaching and get beyond superficial conceptualizations, which inhibit growth in this area and meaningful debate. Secondly, we need to consider well-being for the whole ELT ecology, understanding that well-being does not reside solely within the individual but is socially situated too. Finally, I discuss learner and teacher well-being, which lie at the heart of ELT, and argue that we have a collective responsibility in the community to work towards better conditions for well-being for all members of the ELT ecology.
Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Diversity in Mammals: A Correlation between the Effective and Census Population Sizes
Authors: James Jennifer , Eyre-Walker Adam
Published: October 2020

What determines the level of genetic diversity of a species remains one of the enduring problems of population genetics. Because neutral diversity depends upon the product of the effective population size and mutation rate, there is an expectation that diversity should be correlated to measures of census population size. This correlation is often observed for nuclear but not for mitochondrial DNA. Here, we revisit the question of whether mitochondrial DNA sequence diversity is correlated to census population size by compiling the largest data set to date, using 639 mammalian species. In a multiple regression, we find that nucleotide diversity is significantly correlated to both range size and mass-specific metabolic rate, but not a variety of other factors. We also find that a measure of the effective population size, the ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous diversity, is also significantly negatively correlated to both range size and mass-specific metabolic rate. These results together suggest that species with larger ranges have larger effective population sizes. The slope of the relationship between diversity and range is such that doubling the range increases diversity by 12–20%, providing one of the first quantifications of the relationship between diversity and the census population size.