bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Muscle Fatigue Is Attenuated When Applying Intermittent Compared With Continuous Blood Flow Restriction During Endurance Cycling
Authors: Corvino Rogério Bulhões , Scheffer Débora da Luz , Penteado dos Santos Rafael , Latini Alexandra , Oliveira Anderson Souza , Caputo Fabrizio
Published: May 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify a blood-flow-restriction (BFR) endurance exercise protocol that maximizes metabolic strain and minimizes muscle fatigue. Methods: Twelve healthy participants accomplished 5 different interval cycling endurance exercises (2-min work, 1-min rest) in a randomized order: (1) control, low intensity with unrestricted blood flow (CON30); (2) low intensity with intermittent BFR (i-BFR30, ∼150 mm Hg); (3) low intensity with continuous BFR (c-BFR, ∼100 mm Hg); (4) unloaded cycling with i-BFR0 (∼150 mm Hg); and (5) high intensity (HI) with unrestricted blood flow. Force production, creatine kinase activity, antioxidant markers, blood pH, and potassium (K+) were measured in a range of 5 minutes before and after each cycling exercise protocol. Results: HI showed the highest reduction (Δ = −0.26 [0.05], d = 5.6) on blood pH. Delta pH for c-BRF30 (Δ = −0.02 [0.03], d = 0.8) and Δ pH for i-BRF30 (Δ = −0.04 [0.03], d = 1.6) were different from each other, and both were higher compared with CON30 (Δ = 0.03 [0.03]). There was significant before-to-after force loss following HI (Δ = 55 [40] N·m−1, d = 1.5) and c-BFR30 (Δ = 27 [21] N·m−1, d = 0.7) protocols only, which were accompanied by significant increases in K+ (HI: Δ = 0.94 [0.65] mmol·L−1, d = 1.8; c-BFR30: Δ = 0.72 [0.85] mmol·L−1, d = 1.2). Moreover, all BFR conditions elicited slight increases in plasma creatine kinase, but not for HI and CON30. Glutathione changes from before to after were significant for all BFR conditions and HI, but not for CON30. Conclusions: The attenuation in fatigue-induced reductions in maximal force suggests that i-BFR exercise could be preferable to c-BFR in improving exercise capacity, with considerably less biologic stress elicited from HI exercises.
Occupational Physical Activity Was Associated With Disability Levels at 6-Month Follow-Up of Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hisamatsu Thalysi M. , Oliveira Crystian B. , Lira Fábio S. , Morelhão Priscila K. , Azevedo Bruna R. , Lemes Ítalo R. , Franco Márcia R. , Pinto Rafael Z.
Published: May 2022

Background: Physical activity plays an important role in the prognosis of chronic low back pain (LBP); however, whether physical activity predicts pain intensity and disability remains unknown. This study investigated whether objective and subjective physical activity measures predict pain intensity and disability levels 6 months later in patients with chronic LBP. Methods: Patients with chronic LBP seeking care at 2 outpatient physiotherapy clinics were recruited. At baseline assessment, we collected anthropometric/sociodemographic data, duration of symptoms, pain intensity, disability, and physical activity (accelerometer and questionnaire). After 6 months, we reassessed pain and disability. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to investigate the association of physical activity measures with pain and disability at follow-up. Results: A total of 179 patients with chronic LBP were included. High occupational physical activity at baseline predicted disability at 6-month follow-up (B = 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.21 to 2.21) after controlling for age and baseline disability, meaning that for every 1-point increase in occupational physical activity, disability increased on average by 1.22 point. The remaining physical activity measures showed no association with pain intensity or disability at follow-up. Conclusion: Higher perceived levels of occupational physical activity predicted higher disability levels at 6-month follow-up in patients with chronic LBP.
Cross-biome synthesis of source versus sink limits to tree growth
Authors: Cabon Antoine , Kannenberg Steven A. , Arain Altaf , Babst Flurin , Baldocchi Dennis , Belmecheri Soumaya , Delpierre Nicolas , Guerrieri Rossella , Maxwell Justin T. , McKenzie Shawn , Meinzer Frederick C. , Moore David J. P. , Pappas Christoforos , Rocha Adrian V. , Szejner Paul , Ueyama Masahito , Ulrich Danielle , Vincke Caroline , Voelker Steven L. , Wei Jingshu , Woodruff David , Anderegg William R. L.
Published: May 2022

Uncertainties surrounding tree carbon allocation to growth are a major limitation to projections of forest carbon sequestration and response to climate change. The prevalence and extent to which carbon assimilation (source) or cambial activity (sink) mediate wood production are fundamentally important and remain elusive. We quantified source-sink relations across biomes by combining eddy-covariance gross primary production with extensive on-site and regional tree ring observations. We found widespread temporal decoupling between carbon assimilation and tree growth, underpinned by contrasting climatic sensitivities of these two processes. Substantial differences in assimilation-growth decoupling between angiosperms and gymnosperms were determined, as well as stronger decoupling with canopy closure, aridity, and decreasing temperatures. Our results reveal pervasive sink control over tree growth that is likely to be increasingly prominent under global climate change.
Scalable processing for realizing 21.7%-efficient all-perovskite tandem solar modules
Authors: Xiao Ke , Lin Yen-Hung , Zhang Mei , Oliver Robert D. J. , Wang Xi , Liu Zhou , Luo Xin , Li Jia , Lai Donny , Luo Haowen , Lin Renxing , Xu Jun , Hou Yi , Snaith Henry J. , Tan Hairen
Published: May 2022

Challenges in fabricating all-perovskite tandem solar cells as modules rather than as single-junction configurations include growing high-quality wide-bandgap perovskites and mitigating irreversible degradation caused by halide and metal interdiffusion at the interconnecting contacts. We demonstrate efficient all-perovskite tandem solar modules using scalable fabrication techniques. By systematically tuning the cesium ratio of a methylammonium-free 1.8–electron volt mixed-halide perovskite, we improve the homogeneity of crystallization for blade-coated films over large areas. An electrically conductive conformal “diffusion barrier” is introduced between interconnecting subcells to improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of all-perovskite tandem solar modules. Our tandem modules achieve a certified PCE of 21.7% with an aperture area of 20 square centimeters and retain 75% of their initial efficiency after 500 hours of continuous operation under simulated 1-sun illumination.
Recording bacterial responses to changes in the gut environment
Authors: Zahavi Liron , Segal Eran
Published: May 2022

A CRISPR-based tool reveals intestinal microbiota gene expression through time
Mapping cell types across human tissues
Authors: Liu Zedao , Zhang Zemin
Published: May 2022

Single-cell analyses reveal tissue-agnostic features and tissue-specific cell states
The bias hunter
Authors: Starr Douglas
Published: May 2022

Itiel Dror is determined to reveal the role of bias in forensics, even if it sparks outrage
Pandemic delays continue to plague polar science
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: May 2022

Backlog of NSF-funded work will allow few new projects
Odds for winning NSF grants improve as competition eases
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: May 2022

Agency reports a 17% drop in number of grant applications since 2011, troubling some observers
Recall of preexisting cross-reactive B cell memory after Omicron BA.1 breakthrough infection
Authors: Kaku Chengzi I. , Bergeron Alan J. , Ahlm Clas , Normark Johan , Sakharkar Mrunal , Forsell Mattias N. E. , Walker Laura M.
Published: May 2022

Understanding immune responses after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) breakthrough infection will facilitate the development of next-generation vaccines. Here, we profiled spike (S)–specific B cell responses after Omicron/BA.1 infection in messenger RNA–vaccinated donors. The acute antibody response was characterized by high levels of somatic hypermutation and a bias toward recognition of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strains, suggesting the early activation of vaccine-induced memory B cells. BA.1 breakthrough infection induced a shift in B cell immunodominance hierarchy from the S2 subunit, which is highly conserved across SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs), and toward the antigenically variable receptor binding domain (RBD). A large proportion of RBD-directed neutralizing antibodies isolated from BA.1 breakthrough infection donors displayed convergent sequence features and broadly recognized SARS-CoV-2 VOCs. Together, these findings provide insights into the role of preexisting immunity in shaping the B cell response to heterologous SARS-CoV-2 variant exposure.
Enhancing the Thermostability of Phytase to Boiling Point by Evolution-Guided Design
Authors: Wang Qian , Liu Xiaoqing , Tian Jian , Wang Yaru , Zhang Honglian , Wang Yuan , Luo Huiying , Yao Bin , Huang Huoqing , Tu Tao
Published: May 2022

Due to the harsh reaction conditions of industrial production, the relative instability of enzymes limits their application in industrial production, such as for food, pharmaceuticals, and feed. For example, the pelleting process of feed includes a brief high temperature (80 to 85°C), which requires the enzyme to have excellent thermostability.
Staphylococcus aureus Does Not Synthesize Arginine from Proline under Physiological Conditions
Authors: Jeong Bohyun , Shah Majid Ali , Roh Eunjung , Kim Kyeongkyu , Park Indal , Bae Taeok
Published: May 2022

Staphylococcus aureus
is a versatile Gram-positive human pathogen infecting various human organs. The bacterium's versatility is partly due to efficient metabolic regulation via the carbon catabolite repression system (CCR).
S. aureus
is known to interconvert proline and arginine, and CCR represses the synthesis of both amino acids.
Scaffolding Protein GspB/OutB Facilitates Assembly of the Dickeya dadantii Type 2 Secretion System by Anchoring the Outer Membrane Secretin Pore to the Inner Membrane and to the Peptidoglycan Cell Wall
Authors: Zhang Shiheng , Gu Shuang , Rycroft Piers , Ruaudel Florence , Delolme Frederic , Robert Xavier , Ballut Lionel , Pickersgill Richard W. , Shevchik Vladimir E.
Published: May 2022

Gram-negative bacteria have two cell membranes sandwiching a peptidoglycan net that together form a robust protective cell envelope. To translocate effector proteins across this multilayer envelope, bacteria have evolved several specialized secretion systems.
Ferric Citrate Uptake Is a Virulence Factor in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Frick-Cheng Arwen E. , Sintsova Anna , Smith Sara N. , Pirani Ali , Snitkin Evan S. , Mobley Harry L. T.
Published: May 2022

UPEC, the primary causative agent of uncomplicated UTI, is responsible for five billion dollars in health care costs in the United States each year. Rates of antibiotic resistance are on the rise; therefore, it is vital to understand the mechanisms of UPEC pathogenesis to uncover potential targets for novel therapeutics.
Sequence-Based Genomic Analysis Reveals Transmission of Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence among Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains
Authors: Zhang Yi , Chen Chen , Wu Jing , Jin Jialin , Xu Tao , Zhou Yang , Cui Peng , Chen Jiazhen , Chen Shu , Jiang Ning , Zhang Wenhong
Published: May 2022

In this study, we combined genomic and epidemiological analyses and defined an optimal cutoff value for SNP difference that could be used to aid investigation in tertiary hospital in China. We revealed clonal transmission was the main cause of CP-Kpn infections in the hospital and identified four novel plasmids carrying virulence genes.
Cenozoic deformation in the eastern domain of the North Qaidam thrust belt, northern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Li Bing , Wang Yongchao , Zuza Andrew V. , Chen Xuanhua , Shao Zhaogang , Wang Zeng-Zhen , Sun Yujun , Wu Chen
Published: May 2022

The present topography of the northern Tibetan Plateau is characterized by the northwest-trending Eastern Kunlun Range, Qaidam Basin, and Qilian Shan, which figure importantly into the evolution and mechanism of Tibetan plateau development during Cenozoic Indo-Asian convergence. Understanding the Cenozoic deformation history and the source-to-sink relationship through time has significant implications for deciphering the growth history of the northern Tibetan Plateau. Despite decades of study, the timing, pattern, and mechanisms of deformation across the northern Tibetan Plateau are still vigorously debated. The North Qaidam thrust belt, located between the Qaidam Basin and Qilian Shan thrust belt, provides a valuable record of Cenozoic deformation in the northern Tibetan Plateau. Here, we present the results of new geologic mapping, structural and sedimentology analysis, and apatite fission track thermochronology to constrain the Cenozoic evolution history and reconstruct the paleogeomorphology of the eastern domain of the North Qaidam thrust belt and its foreland, the Wulan Basin. Our analyses reveal the North Qaidam thrust belt experienced multi-phase exhumation since the Cretaceous. A period of Eocene localized thrust-related uplift of the North Qaidam thrust belt initiated shortly after India-Asia collision, and lower erosion rates in the Oligocene allowed the thrust belt to expand along-strike eastward. Local uplift shed sediments to the southwest, directly into the Qaidam Basin. Reactivation of the proximal thrust faults and initiation of the northwest-striking right-slip Elashan fault at ca. 15–10 Ma drove the final accelerated mid-Miocene cooling and denudation to the surface. This phase of deformation established the overall framework morphology of the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, including the overall structure of the basins and ranges.
Geochemical evidence for incorporation of subducting sediment-derived melts into the mantle source of Paleozoic high-Mg andesites from northwestern Tianshan in western China
Authors: Ma Li-Tao , Dai Li-Qun , Zheng Yong-Fei , Zhao Zi-Fu , Fang Wei , Zhao Kai
Published: May 2022

Although high-Mg andesites (HMA) have attracted increasing attention due to their unique geochemical composition and important geological significance, there is no consensus on their petrogenesis. The present study indicates that the subducting terrigenous sediment-derived hydrous melts were incorporated into the mantle source of Paleozoic HMA in northwestern Tianshan, western China. These HMA are composed of basaltic andesite and andesite. They generally exhibit arc-type trace element distribution patterns and weakly enriched Sr-Nd-Hf isotope compositions. Some of them show remarkably higher Ba/La, Ba/Th, Rb/Nb, and U/Th ratios than normal mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB). Furthermore, most of them are characterized by higher Th/Nb, Th/Yb, and Th/Nd ratios but lower Nb/U ratios relative to normal MORB, similar to those of terrigenous sediments. Whole-rock Nd isotopes covary with Rb/Nb and Th/Yb ratios, indicating contributions from both oceanic crust-derived aqueous solutions and terrigenous sediment-derived hydrous melts. Together with their high zircon δ18O values, it appears that the mantle source of the target HMA contains terrigenous sediment-derived hydrous melts in addition to subducting oceanic crust-derived aqueous solutions. In the studied HMA, the andesite generally exhibits higher contents of large-ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements and more enrichments in Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes than the basaltic andesite. These differences indicate that the mantle source of andesite would contain more subducting sedimentderived hydrous melts than that of basaltic andesite. As a consequence, relatively Si-rich and Si-poor pyroxenite sources were respectively generated as the mantle sources of the andesite and basaltic andesite. This qualitative interpretation is verified by quantitative modeling of the geochemical transfer from subducting oceanic crust into the mantle wedge. Model calculations indicate that the addition of ~3% oceanic crust-derived aqueous solutions and 4%–12% terrigenous sediment-derived hydrous melts into the mantle wedge peridotite can account for the geochemical compositions of the target HMA. Therefore, the HMA in northwestern Tianshan provide the geochemical evidence for the crust-mantle interaction during the oceanic subduction in the Paleozoic. As such, the subducting terrigenous sediment-derived hydrous melts play a dominant role in the composition of the lithochemically fertile, geochemically enriched mantle sources and thus in the origin of HMA above oceanic subduction zones.
Featured Neoarchean granitoid association in the central North China Craton: An indicator of warm plate subduction
Authors: Sun Guozheng , Hu Yalu , Liu Shuwen , Li Sanzhong , Fu Jinghao , Gao Lei
Published: May 2022

Diverse Neoarchean granitoid assemblages, which generally include tonalites–trondhjemites–granodiorites (TTGs) and various K-rich granitoids, are prevalent in most basement terranes of the North China Craton. However, the Hengshan terrane is an exceptional case in the North China Craton; it is dominated by late Neoarchean sodic diorite-TTGs (DTTGs) and sanukitoids. These sanukitoids are the only high-K granitoids and show Mg-rich chemical features. The late Neoarchean DTTGs and sanukitoids were generated at ca. 2486–2537 Ma and show an intimate spatial association. The granitoid assemblages of the DTTGs and sanukitoids are characterized by high Mg# [100 × Mg/ (Mg + Fetotal)] values (43–65) and enriched in light rare earth elements, large ion lithophile elements, heterogeneous zircon Lu–Hf (εHf = −1.6 to +7.4), and whole-rock Sm–Nd (εNd = +0.9 to +4.2) isotopic components, which indicates that they may be derived from varying degrees of interactions between mantle peridotite and subduction-related materials. Combined with the relatively high apparent geothermal gradient (∼17 ± 2 °C/km) and the relatively low basal heat flow of continental crust (∼25 ± 5 mW m−2), the crustmantle interaction process indicates that the occurrence of late Neoarchean high-Mg magmatism was closely related to warm oceanic slab subduction in the Hengshan terrane, and the featured lithological association of DTTGs and sanukitoids most likely developed in the active continental margin at the end of the Archean.
Accumulation of windblown sand in impact craters on Mars
Authors: Gunn Andrew , Rubanenko Lior , Lapôtre Mathieu G.A.
Published: May 2022

Loose sand, blown away from source regions by winds, is transported across Mars's surface into sand sheets and dunes and accumulates within topographic sinks. In the absence of plate tectonics, impact craters constitute a dominant sink for windblown sediments on Mars today. We analyzed the volume of all mapped eolian sands in martian craters >1 km in diameter to reveal spatiotemporal patterns of sediment accumulation on the planet's surface. We combined our results with global climate simulations, maps of depth to the ice table and dust cover, as well as lithologic and age information of the underlying geologic units, to better understand the controls on intracrater sand accumulation rates. We find that crater age, latitude, and lithology influence the accumulation rate of windblown sand and, notably, that it is enhanced in mechanically weaker substrates, high-latitude craters (suggesting that modern cryogenic processes may enhance sand production), and in Late Noachian and Early Hesperian craters (possibly hinting at increased erosion rates at that time).
Recurrent tectonic activity in northeastern Brazil during Pangea breakup: Constraints from U-Pb carbonate dating
Authors: Ganade Carlos E. , Cioffi Caue R. , Machado João Pacífico , Miranda Tiago , Lopes Leonardo B. , Weinberg Roberto F. , Celestino Maria Alcione , Carvalho Bruno , Guillong Marcel , Roberts Nick M.W.
Published: May 2022

Carbonate U-Pb dating of samples from rift-bounding faults of intracontinental basins in the Borborema province, northeastern Brazil, indicate recurrent tectonic activity during Pangea breakup lasting for >150 m.y. from the Late Triassic to the Paleocene, reactivating inherited strike-slip Neoproterozoic–Cambrian shear zones. Triassic ages indicate that brittle deformation started some 80 m.y. before previously known, most likely related to rifting along the incipient Central Atlantic. The subsequent Cretaceous opening of the South Atlantic caused renewed fault activity during rifting and basin development. Furthermore, recurrent Cenozoic tectonic activity along the rift-bounding faults is indicated, suggesting that structural inheritance of the Neoproterozoic–Cambrian continental-scale Borborema shear zone system has been responsible for accommodation of recurrent tectonic stress from Mesozoic rifting to the present day.
Supplemental Material: The low-angle breakaway system for the Northern Snake Range décollement in the Schell Creek and Duck Creek Ranges, eastern Nevada, USA: Implications for displacement magnitude
Authors: Long S.P. , et al.
Published: May 2022

Figure available in paper.
Post-Laramide, Eocene epeirogeny in central Colorado—The result of a mantle drip?
Authors: Abbott Lon D. , Flowers Rebecca M. , Metcalf James , Falkowski Sarah , Niazy Fatima
Published: May 2022

The Southern Rocky Mountains first rose during the Laramide Orogeny (ca. 75–45 Ma), but today's mountains and adjacent Great Plains owe their current height to later epeirogenic surface uplift. When and why epeirogeny affected the region are controversial. Sedimentation histories in two central Colorado basins, the South Park–High Park and Denver basins, shifted at 56–54 Ma from an orogenic to an epeirogenic pattern, suggesting central Colorado experienced epeirogeny at that time. To interrogate that hypothesis, we analyzed thermal histories for seven samples from central Colorado's Arkansas Hills and High Park using thermochronometers with closure temperatures below ~180 °C, enabling us to track sample exhumation from ~5–7 km depth.

Three samples are from the Cretaceous Whitehorn pluton, and four are Precambrian granitoids. All zircon and titanite (U-Th)/He dates (ZHe and THe) and one apatite fission-track (AFT) date are similar to the 67 Ma pluton emplacement age. Whitehorn dates using the lower-temperature apatite (U-Th)/He (AHe) thermochronometer are 55–41 Ma. These data require two exhumation episodes, one ca. 67–60 Ma, the second beginning at 54–46 Ma. The pluton reached the surface by 37 Ma, based on the age of volcanic tuff filling a pluton-cutting paleovalley. The Precambrian samples do not further refine this thermal history owing to the comparatively higher He closure temperature of their more radiation-damaged apatite.

Laramide crustal shortening caused 67–60 Ma exhumation. Arkansas Hills shortening ended before 67 Ma, so shortening could not have caused the exhumation event that began 54–46 Ma; thermochronology supports the Eocene epeirogeny hypothesis. Epeirogeny affected >2.0 × 104 km2, from the Sawatch Range to the Denver Basin. We attribute epeirogeny to an Eocene mantle drip that likely triggered subsequent drips, causing younger exhumation events in adjacent areas.
A juvenile Paleozoic ocean floor origin for eastern Stikinia, Canadian Cordillera
Authors: Ootes Luke , Milidragovic Dejan , Friedman Richard , Wall Corey , Cordey Fabrice , Luo Yan , Jones Gabrielle , Pearson D. Graham , Bergen Anika
Published: May 2022

The Cordillera of Canada and Alaska is a type example of an accretionary orogen, but the origin of some terranes remains contentious (e.g., Stikinia of British Columbia and Yukon, Canada). Presented herein are igneous and detrital zircon U/Pb-Hf and trace-element data, as well as the first radio larian ages from the Asitka Group, the basement to eastern Stikinia. The data are used to evaluate the role of juvenile and ancient crust in the evolution of Stikinia and the tectonic environment of magmatism. Two rhyolites are dated by U-Pb zircon at 288.64 ± 0.21 Ma and 293.89 ± 0.31 Ma, with εHf(t) = +10. Red chert contains radiolarians that are correlated with P. scalprata m. rhombothoracata + Ruzhencevispongus uralicus assemblages (Artinskian–Kungurian). Detrital zircon U/Pb-Hf from a rare Asitka Group sandstone have a mode at ca. 320 Ma and εHf(t) +10 to +16; the detrital zircon suite includes five Paleoproterozoic zircons (~5% of the population). Detrital zircons from a stratigraphically over lying Hazelton Group (Telkwa Formation) volcanic sandstone indicate deposition at ca. 196 Ma with zircon εHf(t) that are on a crustal evolution line anchored from the Asitka Group.

Zircon trace-element data indicate that the Carboniferous detrital zircons formed in an ocean arc environment. The Proterozoic detrital zircons were derived from a peripheral landmass, but there is no zircon εHf(t) evidence that such a land-mass played any role in the magmatic evolution of eastern Stikinia. The data support that eastern Stikinia formed on Paleozoic ocean floor during the Carboniferous to early Permian. Consistent with previous fossil modeling, zircon statistical comparisons demonstrate that Stikinia and Wrangellia were related terranes during the Carboniferous to Permian, and they evolved separately from Yukon-Tanana terrane and cratonic North America.
Many-body approximations to the superfluid gap and critical temperature in pure neutron matter
Authors: Drissi Mehdi , Rios Arnau
Published: May 2022

We compute singlet pairing gaps and critical temperatures in pure neutron matter with different many-body approximations. Medium effects tend to reduce gaps and critical temperatures compared to the standard BCS ansatz. In the mean-field approximation, the ratio of these two quantities remains constant across a wide range of densities. This constant ratio is close to the universal prediction of BCS theory, whether three-neutron interactions are included or not. Using a more sophisticated many-body approach that incorporates the effect of short-range correlations in pairing properties, we find that the gap to critical temperature ratio in the low-density regime is substantially larger than the BCS prediction, independently of the interaction. In this region, our results are relatively close to experiments and theoretical calculations from the unitary Fermi gas. We also find evidence for a different density dependence of zero-temperature gaps and critical temperatures in neutron matter.
Unbiased elimination of negative weights in Monte Carlo samples
Authors: Andersen Jeppe R. , Maier Andreas
Published: May 2022

We propose a novel method for the elimination of negative Monte Carlo event weights. The method is process-agnostic, independent of any analysis, and preserves all physical observables. We demonstrate the overall performance and systematic improvement with increasing event sample size, based on predictions for the production of a W boson with two jets calculated at next-to-leading order perturbation theory.
A combination of the neutrino trimaximal mixings and $$\mu $$-$$\tau $$ reflection symmetry in the type-I seesaw model
Authors: Zhao Zhen-hua
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we make an attempt to combine the neutrino trimaximal (TM1 and TM2) mixings and $$\mu $$
μ
-$$\tau $$
τ
reflection symmetry in the type-I seesaw model. Such a scenario is highly restrictive and predictive: in addition to three right-handed neutrino masses, there are only five real parameters; all the lepton flavor mixing parameters except for $$\theta ^{}_{13}$$

θ
13

will be predicted. The relations between the model parameters and the measurable neutrino parameters will be derived. The implications of this scenario for leptogenesis will be explored in detail. A further reduction of this scenario to the more restrictive and predictive minimal seesaw model with only two right-handed neutrinos will also be considered. In addition, we will also discuss a possible approach to get the desired mass matrices and study the compatibility of the trimaximal $$\mu $$
μ
-$$\tau $$
τ
reflection symmetry with texture zeros.
On gauge-invariant deformation of reducible gauge theories
Authors: Lavrov P. M.
Published: May 2022

New method for construction of gauge-invariant deformed theory from an initial gauge theory proposed in our previous papers (Buchbinder and Lavrov in JHEP 06:854, 2021; Buchbinder and Lavrov in Eur Phys J C 81:856, 2021) for closed/open gauge algebras is extended to the case of reducible gauge algebras. The deformation procedure is explicitly described with the help of generating functions of anticanonical transformations depending on fields of the initial gauge action only. The deformed gauge-invariant action and the deformed gauge generators are described with the help of the generating functions in a closed and simple form. As an example of reducible gauge systems we consider the free fermionic p-form fields or, in another words, the antisymmetric tensor-spinor fields. It is proved that gauge-invariant deformation of fermionic p-form fields leads always to non-local deformed theory which does not contain a closed local sector. In its turn the model based on two fermionic 2-form fields and a real massive scalar field admits local interactions between these fields in local sector of the deformed action.
Spectral enclosures for Dirac operators perturbed by rigid potentials
Authors: Mizutani Haruya , Schiavone Nico M.
Published: May 2022

In this paper we are interested in generalizing Keller-type eigenvalue estimates for the non-selfadjoint Schrödinger operator to the Dirac operator, imposing some suitable rigidity conditions on the matricial structure of the potential, without necessarily requiring the smallness of its norm.
Detailed Proof of Existence of Value Function in Time-Optimal Games with Lifeline
Authors: Munts Nataly V. , Kumkov Sergey S.
Published: May 2022

The paper discusses the existence of the value function of a time-optimal differential game with lifeline in a quite general formulation. In such a game, the first player tries to lead the trajectory of the system to a terminal set as soon as possible avoiding the lifeline. The aim of the second player is to lead the trajectory to the lifeline or, if it is not possible, to keep it outside the terminal set, or, if the latter is impossible too, to postpone maximally reaching the terminal set.
Aerodynamic Nonlinear Energy Evolution Characteristics of Vertical Vortex-Induced Vibration of Open Bridge Girder
Authors: Li Jia-Wu , Ma Zhen-Xing , Qiao Xiao-Ru , Hao Jian-Ming , Zhao Guo-Hui , Wang Feng
Published: May 2022

Compared with traditional streamlined box girders, girders with a typical open section have a highly bluff aerodynamic shape and are prone to cause vortex-induced vibration (VIV), which will affect the safety and serviceability of a bridge. In this study, the surface pressure distribution and aerodynamic nonlinearity characteristics of a typical open section are studied through wind tunnel tests and numerical simulations. Based on the synchronous measurement technology, the evolution characteristics of the surface pressure distribution in different periods of the VIV lock-in region are analyzed, and the numerical simulation of the section was performed by a user-defined function (UDF) program. The numerical simulation results are in good agreement with the wind tunnel test results. Furthermore, the multi-order components of aerodynamic force in the VIV process were decomposed by the Hilbert vibration decomposition (HVD) method. Our study found that the average pressure of the open section’s surface at the leading edge was negative, as this is where the air flow is separated. At the extreme point of the VIV lock-in region, the fluctuating pressure changes most drastically in the region ([Formula: see text]), indicating that the intensity of vortex shedding is the greatest in this region. High-order components of the aerodynamic forces acting on an open section girder can be identified by analysis. The aerodynamic damping of the open section girder is significantly reduced in the VIV lock-in region, and reaches its minimum near the extreme point of VIV. Due to the presence of high-order harmonic components, the degree of aerodynamic nonlinearity continues to increase. Moreover, the work performed by each aerodynamic component throughout the whole vibration period has different characteristics, and the influence of the third-order and above components on the VIV system can be ignored. This study can help us to further understand the aerodynamic nonlinear energy evolution characteristics of the open section, and further improve people’s understanding of the VIV system.
On the Characteristics and Practical Parameters Selection of a Quasi-Zero-Stiffness Isolator
Authors: Sheng Piao , Jing Shuangxi , Zhang Zhenhua
Published: May 2022

Quasi-zero-stiffness (QZS) isolators, characterized by high-static-low-dynamic stiffness (HSLDS), have attracted interest in the field of low-frequency vibration isolation. An existing QZS isolator, using horizontal springs in series with rigid oblique rods as a negative stiffness mechanism, has been proposed to obtain desirable low-frequency isolation performance. However, it is unknown if the rigid oblique rods will obtain the optimal isolation performance for the existing QZS isolation system. In this research, considering that the oblique rods are flexible rather than rigid, the effects of the stiffness of the springs and the rods on mechanical characteristics and isolation performance of this QZS isolator are investigated to answer the above question and to guide design of the QZS isolator. The QZS conditions ensuring the QZS characteristics of the proposed QZS isolator are derived, and the parametric analysis on QZS characteristics is conducted. Further, amplitude-frequency response of the QZS isolation system is obtained by the average method and the numerical methods; the following parametric analysis indicates that the optimal stiffness ratio of horizontal spring to vertical spring should be slightly greater than 0.5 to obtain a reasonable compromise between the peak amplitude control and peak force transmissibility reduction. Meanwhile, when the stiffness ratio of the oblique rod to the vertical spring is greater than 2, the QZS isolator with finite-stiffness oblique rods has similar isolation performance as that of the existing QZS isolator with rigid oblique rods. Therefore, designers could select oblique rods with finite stiffness to avoid excessive size or non-negligible weights of the rods.
Abstract key polynomials and distinguished pairs
Authors: Mavi Sneha , Bishnoi Anuj
Published: May 2022

In this paper, for a henselian valued field [Formula: see text] of arbitrary rank and an extension [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] we use abstract key polynomials for [Formula: see text] to obtain distinguished pairs and saturated distinguished chains.
When Hom-Lie structures form a Jordan algebra
Authors: Zusmanovich Pasha
Published: May 2022

We are concerned with the question when Hom-Lie structures on a Lie algebra are closed with respect to the Jordan product. Somewhat unexpectedly, this leads us to certain questions connected with the Yang–Baxter equation, and with decomposition of a Lie algebra into the sum of subalgebras with given properties.
Accelerating scenarios of viscous fluid universe in modified f(T) gravity
Authors: Maurya Dinesh Chandra
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we have investigated the physical behavior of cosmological models in modified teleparallel gravity with a linear function [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are model parameters and [Formula: see text] is the torsion scalar. We have considered a homogeneous and isotropic Friedman universe filled with bulk viscosity fluid. We have solved the field equations for the scale factor [Formula: see text] and found [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is an integrating constant, [Formula: see text] is the equation of state (EoS) for normal matter and [Formula: see text] is generated from bulk viscosity fluid. We have calculated the several cosmological parameters for this scale factor and studied their physical and geometrical behavior along with the observational data sets [Formula: see text] and Union [Formula: see text] compilation of SNe Ia data sets. We have observed that the [Formula: see text] factor reveals the presence of cosmological constant and for [Formula: see text], the acceleration drives by the bulk viscosity of the fluid and it behaves just like dark energy model without cosmological constant. We have studied the effective EoS [Formula: see text] and found [Formula: see text]. We have evaluated the age of the present universe as [Formula: see text] Gyrs. Also, we have studied the nature of deceleration parameter with the signature-flipping point at [Formula: see text] and the present value of deceleration parameter [Formula: see text] is obtained as [Formula: see text], respectively, for both observational datasets.
Size-Dependent Elastic Buckling of Two-Variable Refined Microplates Embedded in Elastic Medium
Authors: Duan Yuhang , Zhang Bo , Li Xiangyu , Zhang Xu , Shen Huoming
Published: May 2022

This study applies a two-variable refined shear deformation theory (TVRSDT) and a modified couple stress theory (MCST) to develop a size-dependent elastic buckling model for microplates under combined axial compression and in-plane shear and resting on Winkler–Pasternak foundation. Our model incorporates two transverse displacement variables and one material length scale parameter (MLSP); it satisfies the zero-traction boundary conditions on the top and bottom surfaces of microplates, thereby circumventing the use of a shear correction factor. The equations of motion are determined via the Euler–Lagrange equation. A closed-form buckling solution is presented for microplates with four edges simply supported. To handle the nonsimply supported microplates, a thirty-two-degree-of-freedom (32-DOF) four-node differential quadrature (DQ) finite element with [Formula: see text]-continuity is proposed. The corresponding element matrices are obtained using the minimum potential energy principle. Comparison studies are conducted to exhibit the validity of the derived formulations. Finally, the present buckling model is employed for predicting the elastic buckling behaviors of microplates embedded in an elastic medium. The effects of in-plane loading patterns, boundary conditions, aspect ratio, length-to-thickness ratio, MLSP and elastic medium parameters on the buckling load and buckling mode are elucidated.
A Novel Re-Entrant-Type Metamaterial with Tunable Negative Poisson’s Ratios and Coefficients of Thermal Expansion
Authors: Lu Fucong , Chen Xinqiang , Zhu Yilin , Zhang Chuanbiao , Hou Yuhang
Published: May 2022

Introducing bi-material double-triangular elements into a standard re-entrant structure, a novel metamaterial is proposed in this work. The effect of geometrical parameters on negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is studied theoretically and verified by finite element (FE) method. Results show that the proposed structure provides tunable Poisson’s ratios in wide ranges (from negative to positive) by adopting base materials with different elastic moduli. The horizontal Poisson’s ratio of the structure increases with the increment of the re-entrant angle, and decreases with the decrement of the elastic modulus ratio (i.e., the ratio of the elastic modulus of MAT-1 and MAT-2); while the vertical Poisson’s ratio decreases with the increment of the re-entrant angle, but is independent on the elastic modulus ratio. Moreover, comparing with various reported re-entrant structures, the proposed design enhances elastic modulus significantly owing to the introduced bi-material triangles. The structure also exhibits tailorable CTEs. The CTE of the structure decreases with the increment of the CTE ratios and the re-entrant angle.
An age-structured tuberculosis model with information and immigration: Stability and simulation study
Authors: Liu Lili , Zhang Jian , Li Yazhi , Ren Xinzhi
Published: May 2022

This paper establishes an age-structured Tuberculosis (TB) model to investigate the joint impacts of information and immigration of population on the spread of TB disease. Mathematically, we show that the model is point dissipative, and the semi-flow generated by the model has the property of asymptotic smoothness, and then study the existence and global stability of positive steady state by the direct Lyapunov functional. Numerically, by using Matlab software, we verify the theoretical results, and further explore the influence of information (including information coverage and disease-related memory delay) and immigration on the final size of TB disease. The simulation results show that both information coverage and immigration are positive correlated with the final size of disease, and disease-related memory delay can affect the arrival time of positive steady state, which implies us that improving information coverage, enlarging disease-related memory, and reducing the immigration of population (especially latent and infected individuals) can effectively control the progression of TB disease.
Mesozoic biological events and ecosystems in East Asia: introduction
Authors: Chang Su-Chin , Zheng Daran
Published: May 2022

Since the late twentieth century, palaeontological and geological evidence from East Asia has contributed to significant advances in the understanding of the Mesozoic world. Geological Society Special Publication 521 covers a wide range of topics that subdivide into four themes. These include: (1) clues and evidence from vertebrate fossils; (2) clues and evidence from invertebrate and plant fossils; (3) significant fossils from amber; and (4) palaeoenvironments and palaeoecosystems. The volume features 18 articles by 53 authors from different disciplines, including geochronology, palaeontology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, tectonics and geochemistry.
Using Four Hypothesis Probability Estimators for CABAC in Versatile Video Coding
Authors: Chan Ka-Hou , Im Sio-Kei
Published: May 2022

This article introduces the key technologies involved in four hypothetical probability estimators for Context-based Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC). The focus is on the selected adaptation rate performed in these estimators, which are selected based on coding efficiency and memory considerations, and also the relationship with the current size of the coding block. The proposed scheme can linearly realize the quantitative representation of probabilistic prediction and describes the scalability potential for higher accuracy. Besides a description of the design concept, this work also discusses motivation and implementation aspects, which are based on simple operations such as bitwise operations and single subsampling for subinterval updates. The experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed CABAC method specified in Versatile Video Coding (VVC).
WEBIST 2021 conference report
Authors: Marchiori Massimo , Mayo Francisco Domínguez
Published: May 2022

The International Conference on Web Information Systems and Technologies (WEBIST) was held online from the 26th to the 28th of October 2021. WEBIST is an annual conference that has been running for 17 years, bringing together researchers, engineers and practitioners interested in the technological advances and business applications of web-based information systems.
Report on women in logic 2020 & 2021
Authors: Alves Sandra , Kiefer Sandra , Sokolova Ana
Published: May 2022

This report follows the two latest editions of the International Workshop for Women in Logic (WiL), which took place on June 30
th
in 2020 and June 27
th
in 2021, respectively. Due to the Corona virus pandemic, both events were held virtually, with significant success. The 4
th
Women in Logic workshop (WiL'20) was part of
"Paris Nord Summer of LoVe 2020"
, a joint event on LOgic and VErification at Université Paris 13, made of Petri Nets 2020, IJCAR 2020, FSCD 2020, and more than 20 satellite events. The 5
th
edition of the workshop (WiL'21) was a satellite event of the 36th Annual ACM/IEEE Symposium on Logic in Computer Science (LICS'21). Both editions were conducted via Zoom, and the 2020 edition was partially streamed on YouTube (unfortunately, the stream was dropped due to an unsubstantiated complaint and only tardily restored).
Does Democracy Matter?
Authors: Gerring John , Knutsen Carl Henrik , Berge Jonas
Published: May 2022

Does democracy matter for normatively desirable outcomes? We survey results from 1,100 cross-country analyses drawn from 600 journal articles published after the year 2000. These analyses are conducted on 30 distinct outcomes pertaining to social policy, economic policy, citizenship and human rights, military and criminal justice, and overall governance. Across these diverse outcomes, most studies report either a positive or null relationship with democracy. However, there is evidence of threshold bias, suggesting that reported findings may reflect a somewhat exaggerated image of democracy's effects. Additionally, democratic effects are more likely to be found for outcomes that are easily attained than for those that lie beyond the reach of government but are often of great normative importance. We also find that outcomes measured by subjective indicators show a stronger positive relationship with democracy than outcomes that are measured or proxied by more objective indicators.
Cross-Sectional In Situ Optical Microscopy with Simultaneous Electrochemical Measurements for Lithium-Ion Full Cells
Authors: Hogrefe Christin , Waldmann Thomas , Molinero Miguel Benavente , Wildner Ludwig , Axmann Peter , Wohlfahrt-Mehrens Margret
Published: May 2022

A new in situ optical microscopy set-up is introduced which allows direct observation of cross-sections of Li-ion full cells in combination with simultaneous recording of electrochemical data. The method is validated by comparison of electrochemical data from coin full cells. Color changes give insights into processes on the electrode and particle level, such as lithiation behavior and electrode thickness changes. Our observations allow the evaluation of (i) the speed of lithiation fronts for LiC12 and LiC6 through anode coatings, (ii) estimation of apparent diffusion coefficients from analysis of the color distribution in single graphite particles, as well as (iii) electrical de-contacting and re-contacting of single graphite particles in connection with (iv) electrode thickness changes. Furthermore, our direct observations from the inside of full cells give indirect insights into aging phenomena such as Li plating and SEI growth.
Magnetic Topological Insulators Nano-Crystallites Fe1.4Bi0.6Se2.5Y0.5Prx: Preparation, Characterization and Physical Properties
Authors: Al-Hindawey Somaya M. M. , Ali Ahmed I. , Zayed Hamdia A. , El Nahrawy Amany M.
Published: May 2022

Magnetic topological insulators novel nano-crystallites Fe1.4Bi0.6Se2.5Y0.5Prx (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) were prepared successfully by acidic Sol, at 600 °C. Gel technique. The XRD pattern shows the higher crystallinity similar to Fe1.4Bi0.6Se3Y nanostructure. SEM shows there is a combination of small and large nanoparticles in soft accumulation of the samples. The average particle nano-size is nearly 20 ∼ 100 nm. Thermal analysis shows there are a weight loss at 450 °C corresponding to the crystallization of pure parent compound (Fe1.4Bi0.6Se2.5Y0.5). Also, the ratio of the weight loss was about (8%) of the sample indicating high thermal stability of the Fe1.4Bi0.6Se2.5Y0.5Prx. In addition, magnetic moment-field dependence confirmed additive of Pr3+-ions exhibited the transitions from antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic states. Dielectric-dependence temperature and frequency results confirmed the doping of Pr3+-ions exhibited the transition between insulator/semiconductor states. The finding data shows improvement of the engineering properties of the Fe1.4Bi0.6Se2.5Y0.5Prx composition for microelectronics application.