bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unraveling dominant surface physicochemistry to build antimicrobial peptide coatings with supramolecular amphiphiles
Authors: Ye Zhou , Kobe Alexandra C. , Sang Ting , Aparicio Conrado
Published: September 2020

Surface polarity via hydrogen bonding dominates interactions with supramolecular nanofibrillar amphiphiles formed by GL13K antimicrobial peptides.
Imidazolium-type ionic liquid-based carbon quantum dot doped gels for information encryption
Authors: Wu Yiqing , Ren Yongyuan , Guo Jiangna , Liu Ziyang , Liu Lili , Yan Feng
Published: September 2020

The prepared ionic liquid-based carbon quantum dot-doped gels were fabricated into sandwich-type light-force synergistic responsive devices for information encryption.
Synthesis of organoselenyl isoquinolinium imides via iron(iii) chloride-mediated tandem cyclization/selenation of N′-(2-alkynylbenzylidene)hydrazides and diselenides
Authors: Yao Hai-Feng , Wang Dian-Liang , Li Fang-Hui , Wu Bing , Cai Zhong-Jian , Ji Shun-Jun
Published: September 2020

An efficient iron(iii) chloride promoted tandem cyclization/selenation method to construct a selenium-containing isoquinolinium imide skeleton is developed.
Stuart Warren (24 Dec 1938–22 Mar 2020)
Authors: Aggarwal Varinder K. , Armstrong Susan K. , Caggiano Lorenzo , Chibale Kelly , Clayden Jonathan , Coldham Iain , Greeves Nicholas , Hartley Richard C. , Knight Julian G. , Kuhnert Nikolai , Mitchell Helen J. , Nelson Adam , O'Brien Peter , Thomas Stephen P. , Wyatt Paul
Published: September 2020

Celebrating the life of Stuart Warren.
Highly compressible hydrogel sensors with synergistic long-lasting moisture, extreme temperature tolerance and strain-sensitivity properties
Authors: Liu Zhenzhen , Liu Jing , Zhang Junmei , Zheng Bixia , Ren Xinle , Long Yanjun , Fang Liming , Ou Rongxian , Liu Tao , Wang Qingwen
Published: September 2020

A highly compressible hydrogel sensor with synergistic long-lasting moisture, extreme temperature tolerance, and strain-sensitivity properties is demonstrated.
Application status and technical analysis of chitosan-based medical dressings: a review
Authors: Zhang Shanguo , Li Jianyong , Li Jianfeng , Du Na , Li Donghai , Li Fangyi , Man Jia
Published: September 2020

Chitosan has wide applications in the field of medical dressings due to its good biomedical properties.
The effect of Lactobacillus fermentum DALI02 in reducing the oxidative stress and inflammatory response induced by high-fat diet of rats
Authors: Huang Yujun , Qu Hengxian , Liu Dong , Wa Yunchao , Sang Jian , Yin Boxin , Chen Dawei , Chen Xia , Gu Ruixia
Published: September 2020

A long-term high-fat diet (HFD) leads to significant oxidative stress in the body and induces inflammation.
Eco-friendly synthesis of fused pyrano[2,3-b]pyrans via ammonium acetate-mediated formal oxa-[3 + 3]cycloaddition of 4H-chromene-3-carbaldehydes and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds
Authors: Osyanin Vitaly A. , Osipov Dmitry V. , Semenova Irina A. , Korzhenko Kirill S. , Lukashenko A. V. , Demidov Oleg P. , Klimochkin Yuri N.
Published: September 2020

We report the eco-friendly synthesis of fused pyrano[2,3-b]pyrans via ammonium acetate-mediated formal oxa-[3 + 3]-cycloaddition of 4H-chromene-3-carbaldehydes and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds.
Regiocontrolled dimerization of asymmetric diazaheptacene derivatives toward X-shaped porous semiconductors
Authors: Zhang Guowei , Xue Ning , Gu Wen , Yang Xingzhou , Lv Aifeng , Zheng Yonghao , Zhang Lei
Published: September 2020

The synthesis of conformationally rigid X-shaped PAHs by regiocontrolled cyclodimerization of diazaheptacene diimides is presented. The resulting porous materials exhibit enhanced semiconducting behaviors with large open channels.
Revitalizing silver nanocrystals as a redox catalyst by modifying their surface with an isocyanide-based compound
Authors: Shi Shi , Zhang Yadong , Ahn Jaewan , Qin Dong
Published: September 2020

Ag nanocrystals can serve as a redox catalyst for the production of an aromatic azo compound when their surface is modified with an isocyanide-based molecule.
Mechanical basis for fibrillar bundle morphology
Authors: Michaels Thomas C. T. , Memet Edvin , Mahadevan L.
Published: September 2020

Understanding the morphology of self-assembled fibrillar bundles and aggregates is relevant to a range of problems in molecular biology, supramolecular chemistry and materials science.
Raspberry-like LiFe5O8 nanoparticles embedded on MoS2 microflowers with excellent microwave absorption performance
Authors: Li Jing , Zhou Di , Wang Pengjian , Liu Wenfeng , Su Jinzhan
Published: September 2020

Herein, novel nanostructure composites of LiFe5O8/MoS2 have been successfully prepared by a two-step hydrothermal method with excellent microwave absorption performance, in which raspberry-like LiFe5O8 nanoparticles embedded three-dimensional MoS2 microflowers.
Effect of NH2-terminal acetylation on the oxygenation properties of vertebrate haemoglobin
Authors: Natarajan Chandrasekhar , Signore Anthony V. , Kumar Vikas , Weber Roy E. , Fago Angela , Storz Jay F.
Published: September 2020

In vertebrate haemoglobin (Hb), the NH2-terminal residues of the α- and β-chain subunits are thought to play an important role in the allosteric binding of protons (Bohr effect), CO2 (as carbamino derivatives), chloride ions, and organic phosphates. Accordingly, acetylation of the α- and/or β-chain NH2-termini may have significant effects on the oxygenation properties of Hb. Here we investigate the effect of NH2-terminal acetylation by using a newly developed expression plasmid system that enables us to compare recombinantly expressed Hbs that are structurally identical except for the presence or absence of NH2-terminal acetyl groups. Experiments with native and recombinant Hbs of representative vertebrates reveal that NH2-terminal acetylation does not impair the Bohr effect, nor does it significantly diminish responsiveness to allosteric cofactors, such as chloride ions or organic phosphates. These results suggest that observed variation in the oxygenation properties of vertebrate Hbs is principally explained by amino acid divergence in the constituent globin chains rather than post-translational modifications of the globin chain NH2-termini.
Restart strategy for sensorless PMSM drive system based on zero‐voltage vector
Authors: Chen Bao , Shen Anwen , Li Peihe , Luo Xin , Xu Sang , Xu Jinbang
Published: September 2020

The zero‐voltage vector (ZVV) method is widely employed to restart a free‐running permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) stably in a sensorless drive system due to its simple implementation. However, in the conventional method, it is hard to determine the action time and interval time of ZVV pulses, which may result in overcurrent. Moreover, the estimation accuracy is susceptible to current measurement noise. To cope with these problems, an enhanced ZVV method based on two feedback loops is proposed. With the proposed strategy, an inner closed loop is constructed to regulate the action time of the ZVV pulse by keeping the current amplitude at the reference value, which prevents the overcurrent. Meanwhile, the reference value of the current amplitude is adjusted automatically based on the outer loop to determine a suitable interval time of the ZVV pulse. Furthermore, the phase‐locked loop technique is exploited to extract rotor speed and position. The feasibility of the proposed method is verified under simulation and experimental results with a 5.5 kW sensorless PMSM drive system.
Machine learning based disaggregation of air‐conditioning loads using smart meter data
Authors: Najafi Behzad , Di Narzo Luca , Rinaldi Fabio , Arghandeh Reza
Published: September 2020

This study proposes a novel machine learning‐based methodology to estimate the air‐conditioning (AC) load from the hourly smart meter data. The commonly employed approaches for disaggregating the share of the AC load from the total consumption are either using data obtained from dedicated sensors or high‐frequency data that cannot be provided by conventional smart meters. In the present work, an alternative approach is proposed, in which a machine learning‐based pipeline is first optimised and trained using the data obtained from a set of households in a period, including both smart meter data and the AC load measurements along with corresponding weather conditions. The obtained optimal pipeline is then utilised to estimate the AC load in another set of buildings in the same period of the year, while providing it with only the smart meter data and weather conditions. As the first step of the pipeline implementation, several features are extracted from the smart meters and weather data. The most promising algorithm is then determined, the corresponding hyper‐parameters are optimised and the most influential parameters are finally determined. The proposed method leads to a lower monitoring system's cost, lower user privacy concerns and fewer data processing complexity compared to the conventional energy disaggregation approaches, while providing an acceptable accuracy.
CVRRSS‐CHD: Computer vision‐related roadside surveillance system using compound hierarchical‐deep models
Authors: Mao Jia , Hong Dou , Wang Xi , Hsu Ching‐Hsien , Shanthini A.
Published: September 2020

Recent years, Big Data, Cloud Computing and the advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT) played a major role in making smart city measures feasible. During this smart city, development, busy roadside activities and appropriate parking are considered as one of the major issues in the intelligent transportation system. Especially, in the city side region, the roadside activities are creating traffic misbehaviour problems which lead to various surveillance issues. So, in this study, the focus on the effective computer vision‐related roadside surveillance system is created to reduce the unwanted traffic and misbehaviour issues. Initially, road traffic images are collected with the help of the IoT device, which is processed by noise reduction techniques to eliminate the noise. After that, the vehicle object is identified in terms of geometric pattern matching algorithm as named as compound hierarchical‐deep models. Here, the geometric matching process is used to solve the uncertainty problems during the prediction of the vehicle in roadside activities. From the object detected data, roadside activities, such as vehicle position, occupancy, gap‐related decision, have been handled with the help of a fuzzy‐based decision‐making system. Furthermore, the efficiency of the system has been evaluated using respective case studies and experimental analysis.
Review and synthesis of Big Data analytics and computing for smart sustainable cities
Authors: Chang Jinping , Nimer Kadry Seifedine , Krishnamoorthy Sujatha
Published: September 2020

There has been a great deal of movement around the idea of Smart City for quite a while. Urban areas are being distinguished as future shrewd urban areas. Hypothetically, at any rate, brilliant urban areas can on a very basic level transform ourselves at numerous levels, the execution of the smart city idea around the globe has been sporadic, the best‐case scenario because of a few reasons. Whatever the stage the smart city usage is at internationally, big data, information and the Internet of things (IoT) can drive the execution. Huge information and the IoT are getting down to business with other programming and equipment to lead the vision of a smart city to realisation. Big information can help diminish outflows and cut down contamination. In this study, the adaptive heuristic mathematical model based on traffic congestion has been proposed. Sensors fitted in the streets will gauge the complete traffic at various occasions of multi‐day and the all‐out emissions. The information can be sent to a focal unit which will organise with the traffic police using sustainable management techniques. Traffic can be overseen or redirected along different, less blocked territories to lessen carbon outflows in a specific territory. Sustainable management analysis has been done based on numerical simulations.
Bifurcation and oscillatory dynamics of delayed CDK1‐APC feedback loop
Authors: Zhou Shenshuang , Zhang Wei , Zhang Yuan , Ni Xuan , Li Zhouhong
Published: September 2020

Extensive experimental evidence has been demonstrated that the dynamics of CDK1‐APC feedback loop play crucial roles in regulating cell cycle processes, but the dynamical mechanisms underlying the regulation of this loop are still not completely understood. Here, the authors systematically investigated the stability and bifurcation criteria for a delayed CDK1‐APC feedback loop. They showed that the maximum reaction rate of CDK1 inactivation by APC can drive sustained oscillations of CDK1 activity ( ) and APC activity ( ), and the amplitude of these oscillations is increasing with the increase of the reaction rate over a wide range; a certain range of the self‐activation rate for CDK1 is also significant for generating these oscillations, for too high or too low rates the oscillations cannot be generated. Moreover, they derived the sufficient conditions to determine the stability and Hopf bifurcations, and found that the sum of time delays required for activating CDK1 and APC can induce and to be oscillatory, even when the and settle in a definite stable steady state. Furthermore, they presented an explicit algorithm for the properties of periodic oscillations. Finally, numerical simulations have been presented to justify the validity of theoretical analysis.
A comparative analysis of denoising algorithms for extragalactic imaging surveys
Authors: Roscani V. , Tozza S. , Castellano M. , Merlin E. , Ottaviani D. , Falcone M. , Fontana A.
Published: September 2020

Aims.We present a comprehensive analysis of the performance of noise-reduction (denoising) algorithms to determine whether they provide advantages in source detection, mitigating noise on extragalactic survey images.

Methods.The methods we analyze here are representative of different algorithmic families: Perona-Malik filtering, bilateral filter, total variation denoising, structure-texture image decomposition, non-local means, wavelets, and block-matching We tested the algorithms on simulated images of extragalactic fields with resolution and depth typical of theHubble,Spitzer, andEuclidSpace Telescopes, and of ground-based instruments. After choosing their best internal parameters configuration, we assessed their performance as a function of resolution, background level, and image type, in addition to testing their ability to preserve the objects fluxes and shapes. Finally, we analyze, in terms of completeness and purity, the catalogs that were extracted after applying denoising algorithms on a simulatedEuclidWide Survey VIS image and on real H160 andK-band (HAWK-I) observations of the CANDELS GOODS-South field.

Results.Denoising algorithms often outperform the standard approach of filtering with the point spread function (PSF) of the image. Applying structure-texture image decomposition, Perona-Malik filtering, the total variation method by Chambolle, and bilateral filtering on theEuclid-VIS image, we obtain catalogs that are both more pure and complete by 0.2 magnitude than those based on the standard approach. The same result is achieved with the structure-texture image decomposition algorithm applied on the H160 image. The relative advantage of denoising techniques with respect to PSF filtering rises with increasing depth. Moreover, these techniques better preserve the shape of the detected objects with respect to PSF smoothing.

Conclusions.Denoising algorithms provide significant improvements in the detection of faint objects and enhance the scientific return of current and future extragalactic surveys. We identify the most promising denoising algorithms among the 20 techniques considered in this study.
Amplification of magnetic field twisting by a stagnation point flow
Authors: Sumner Chloe , Taroyan Youra
Published: September 2020

Context.Flows are a common feature of many processes occurring in the solar atmosphere, such as the formation of prominences where evaporated plasma from the chromosphere condensates along thin prominence threads that are seen to twist and oscillate.

Aim.We aim to investigate the twisting of these threads by plasma condensation during their formation.

Methods.We introduce a simple model with fixed critical points where the flow speed matches the Alfvén speed. This allows us to study the problem separately in the sub-Alfvénic and super-Alfvénic regimes. The temporal and spatial evolution of small amplitude initial twists along a thread is investigated analytically and numerically.

Results.Analytical solutions are constructed in terms of the generalised hypergeometric functions. The solutions grow in time, despite the absence of any influxes of energy or magnetic fields. These results are confirmed numerically: We find oscillations with an amplifying amplitude and increasing period in the sub-Alfvénic regime. In the super-Alfvénic regime, we find twist amplification without any accompanying oscillations. An interesting result is the convergence of the twists at the critical points that leads to the formation of steep gradients and small scales. Energy is transferred from the flow to the amplifying twists.

Conclusions.Magnetic field lines may be twisted by a stagnation point flow without the influx of any azimuthal field or energy. This twisting could assist in the formation of topology that is able to support the growth of prominences. The formation of steep gradients and small scales at the critical point is a new phenomenon which requires further investigation in the non-linear regime with the inclusion of magnetic diffusion.
Stellar Population Astrophysics (SPA) with TNG
Authors: Casali G. , Magrini L. , Frasca A. , Bragaglia A. , Catanzaro G. , D’Orazi V. , Sordo R. , Carretta E. , Origlia L. , Andreuzzi G. , Fu X. , Vallenari A.
Published: September 2020

Context.Open clusters are excellent tracers of the chemical evolution of the Galactic disc. The spatial distribution of their elemental abundances, through the analysis of high-quality and high-resolution spectra, provides insight into the chemical evolution and mechanisms of element nucleosynthesis in regions characterised by different conditions (e.g. star formation efficiency and metallicity).

Aims.In the framework of the Stellar Population Astrophysics (SPA) project, we present new observations and spectral analysis of four sparsely studied open clusters located in the solar neighbourhood, namelyCollinder 350,Gulliver 51,NGC 7044,andRuprecht 171.

Methods.We exploit the HARPS-N spectrograph at the TNG telescope to acquire high-resolution optical spectra for 15 member stars of four clusters. We derive stellar parameters (Teff, logg, [Fe/H] andξ) using both the equivalent width (EW) analysis and the spectral fitting technique. We compute elemental abundances for light,α-, iron-peak, andn-capture elements using the EW measurement approach. We investigate the origin of the correlation between metallicity and stellar parameters derived with the EW method for the coolest stars of the sample (Teff <  4300 K). The correlation is likely due to the challenging continuum setting and to a general inaccuracy of model atmospheres used to reproduce the conditions of very cool giant stars.

Results.We locate the properties of our clusters in the radial distributions of metallicity and abundance ratios, comparing our results with clusters from theGaia-ESO and APOGEE surveys. We present the [X/Fe]−[Fe/H] and [X/Fe]−RGCtrends for elements in common between the two surveys. Finally, we derive the C and Li abundances as a function of the evolutionary phase and compare them with theoretical models.

Conclusions.The SPA survey, with its high-resolution spectra, allows us to fully characterise the chemistry of nearby clusters. With a single set of spectra, we provide chemical abundances for a variety of chemical elements, which are comparable to those obtained in two of the largest surveys combined. The metallicities and abundance ratios of our clusters fit very well in the radial distributions defined by the recent literature, reinforcing the importance of star clusters to outline the spatial distribution of abundances in our Galaxy. Moreover, the abundances of C and Li, modified by stellar evolution during the giant phase, agree with evolutionary prescriptions (rotation-induced mixing) for their masses and metallicities.
Preliminary study on the preparation of graphene from coke with a combined chemical and physical routine
Authors: Sun Minmin , Zhang Jianliang , Li Minghao , Xiong Wei , Li Kejiang , Li Hongtao
Published: September 2020

As a revolutionary material with optical, electrical and mechanical properties, graphene has high production costs in terms of materials science, micro-nano processing, energy, biomedicine and drug delivery. To explore the low-cost materials for the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials, a method for the affordable and facile fabrication by metallurgical coke fine was demonstrated. The demineralized coke ultrafine powder (< 10 µm) was oxidized, and then treated with a combination of thermal exfoliation and solvent exfoliation. The resulting carbon powder were characterized with microscopic morphology, the defects and type of carbon and the carbon structural order by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy (XPS), Raman Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The graphene prepared by chemical-physical routine with demineralized metallurgical coke superfine powder exhibits similar characteristics to those prepared by graphite traditionally, which provides an economical and environmentally friendly method for the preparation of graphene materials.
The physical and chemical properties of camelina (Camelina sativa(L.) Crantz) seeds subjected to sulfur fertilization
Authors: Ropelewska Ewa , Jankowski Krzysztof J.
Published: September 2020

Camelina is an oilseed crop. Seeds may have an application in various industries. Sulfur applied to soil can increase the seed yield. However, there is insufficient information on the optimal dose of sulfur fertilization that provides the best physical and chemical properties of seed. The aim of this study was to determine the physical and chemical properties of camelina seeds subjected to sulfur fertilization at 0 (control), 15, 30 kg S ha−1applied as potassium sulfate. The content of crude fat of camelina seeds ranged from 346.4 g kg−1dm (30 kg S ha−1) to 360.9 g kg−1 dm (control plots). The selected shape factors and linear dimensions of camelina seeds were significantly positively affected by sulfur fertilizer applied at 30 kg S ha−1. The results can be used to select the optimal dose of sulfur fertilizer, which has the greatest positive effect on camelina seed properties. Seeds with the best characteristics are desirable for the processing. The optimal dose of sulfur fertilizer is 30 kg S ha−1. It may be useful in practice that the selected linear dimensions and shape factors of seeds were significantly positively affected by sulfur fertilizer applied at 30 kg S ha−1.
Wo kein Wettbewerb, da keine Innovation
Authors: Kulin Admir
Published: September 2020

Sie kommt! Endlich! 2021, nach nur knapp 16 Jahren Diskussion, wird die elektronische Patientenakte (ePA) in Deutschland eingeführt. Was eigentlich Grund zur Freude für eine ganze Industrie sein sollte, ist in der Realität ernüchternd: Zu viele Beschränkungen, zu wenig Wettbewerb, kaum Innovationspotenzial.
Feminismus und Sexualpolitik: Die #MeToo-Bewegung und ihre Kritiker_innen
Authors: Herzog Dagmar
Published: September 2020

Dieser Aufsatz zieht eine Bilanz der ersten zwei Jahre der Debatten rund um die #MeToo-Bewegung in den USA. Die Autorin dokumentiert viele Erfolge der Bewegung – bezüglich der Sensibilisierung der Öffentlichkeit und Entwicklung von Solidaritäten, der Strafverfolgung von Tätern oder dem Erzwingen ihres beruflichen Rücktritts, sowie der Änderung von Gesetzen und Richtlinien. Der Aufsatz untersucht aber auch die Bedenken vieler sexpositiver feministischer, antirassistischer und queerer Kritiker_innen der Bewegung und ihre Überlegungen zu den tieferliegenden Problemen in der US-Sexualkultur, die die Bewegung aufgedeckt hat. Des Weiteren analysiert der Aufsatz unter den Rubriken von Enterotisierung, Instrumentalisierung sowie Verdrängung und Verschiebung, wie die Existenz der #MeToo-Bewegung insbesondere von Antifeminist_innen innerhalb parteipolitischer Konflikte immer mehr als Waffe benutzt werden konnte. Die Autorin unterstreicht, wie wichtig es ist, die Diskussion über #MeToo in einen breiteren Kontext der Arbeitsrechte und der aktuellen wirtschaftlichen und politischen Bedingungen in den USA zu stellen.
Das Hamburger Modell im Wandel – von der Profession zur Konfession
Authors: Maß Reinhard
Published: September 2020

In der Neuauflage „Paartherapie bei sexuellen Störungen“ (herausgegeben von Hauch 2020) werden relevante Forschungsergebnisse außer Acht gelassen. Ich bin der Auffassung, dass dieses Vorgehen nicht in Einklang mit modernen wissenschaftlichen und ethischen Standards steht. Es kann zu einer Überschätzung der Wirksamkeit des Hamburger Modells der Paartherapie bei sexuellen Störungen führen, inbesondere bei der Behandlung von Paaren mit mangelndem sexuellem Verlangen.
Role of Lachesis and Gripp Heel in the Treatment of COVID-19
Authors: Islam Md Aminul
Published: September 2020

From December 2019, a new pandemic named Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019) has become a key topic of discussion across the world. The reason behind this discussion is the rapid increase in human death due to COVID-19 which has stunned the world. The pathogen of COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which is similar to SARS CoV. SARS-CoV-2 infects mainly the respiratory system which causes the death because there is no effective vaccines or therapeutics against COVID-19. Homoeopathic drugs like Lachesis and Gripp Heel may play an effective role to cure corona patients.
COVID-19, Homoeopathic Immunomodulation and the Road Ahead: Perspective
Authors: Gupta Juhi , Gupta Sanjay
Published: September 2020

Background The global flare of a pneumonia-like disease in 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has transformed into a malignant outbreak globally, with 73 lakh cases and 4 lakh deaths at the time of writing. Experimentation is pouring in from all quarters including homoeopathy. The disease speaks of the irreparable impacts of medications, rendering the body non-responsive to infections and afflictions. This review highlights the versatile approach of Classical Homoeopathic Immunomodulation along with recognition of the road ahead.

Objectives The aim of this study is to establish the immortal scientificity of homoeopathic principles by relating/explaining them in every classical and contemporary context. The principles of homoeopathy are to be revisited within the current context and more catered approaches for expansion of the Materia Medica with its application are the immediate requirements. This is possible primarily with Dr Hahnemann's versatile approach and principles, which stand the test of time, and secondarily due to the fact that chemotherapeutic dependence has permanently created negative imprints on human ability to fight diseases/external infections.

Methods A literature review of the existing knowledge of homoeopathy and its classical literature was done using books, databases like ResearchGate, PubMed and archives from the World Wide Web. Homoeopathic approaches and applications were reviewed, for a more catered design. Modern medical terminology and its relevance were also explored, with homoeopathic explanations. Causes of virulence of COVID-19 and their probable relations to comorbidities and drug dependence are catered upon.

Results Effectiveness of homoeopathy in management and prevention of epidemic outbreaks is well known. Literature and research have established immunomodulatory effects in vitro and in vivo. Application of this natural healing system to combat the after-effects of continued chemical interventions in large doses is sought.

Conclusion Homoeopathy is a natural system of healing the ailing humans from diseases and an unquestioned method of detoxifying/antidoting the chemotherapeutic effects that render the human body susceptible to vague/novel diseases. Today, the challenge lies not only in diagnosis, but also in management of complexities in presentations of novel diseases and in restricting the transformation of simple infections into deadly outbreaks. Realisation of natural principles of healing is the urgent need.
Operations of small and medium enterprises and the legal system in Nigeria
Authors: Ufua Daniel E. , Olujobi Olusola J. , Ogbari Mercy E. , Dada Joseph A. , Edafe Oluwatosin D.
Published: September 2020

This research explored the effects of the legal system on SMEs operations in the Nigerian economy. The study aimed to address the gap in literature discussing the legal system and SMEs’ operations in Nigeria. It focused on learning about the current level of support of the legal system for SME operations and as well as suggesting an approach to enhance effective SMEs’ operations in Nigeria further. The current study applied a conceptual review, relying on extant literature relating to the antecedence of the Nigeria legal system, focusing on the critical factors affecting SME practices in Nigeria. A key finding is the importance of the legal system functions to SMEs practice in Nigeria. It also highlighted the weaknesses of the legal system in providing the needed backing and conducive business environment for SMEs in Nigeria. A model was proposed, depicting the need for restructuring of the legal system, improvised support of other government functionaries and other relevant stakeholders, to facilitate SMEs’ operations and enhance their contributions to the Nigerian economy. The research ends with the suggestion for further research to consider other research methodological approaches, the development of alternative dispute revolutionary measures, as well as a comparative study involving two or more economies in order to project further learning on the legal system and SMEs’ operations.
Amorphous oxide thin-film transistors and inverters enabled by solution-processed multi-layers as active channels
Authors: Guo Hong-Bo , Shan Fei , Kim Han-Sang , Lee Jae-Yun , Kim Nam , Zhao Yu , Kim Sung-Jin
Published: September 2020

This paper reports an indium zinc oxide (IZO) thin film transistor (TFT) with a multi-stacked structure that showed improved performance compared to the TFT with a single active-layer structure. Devices with a multi-stacked active-layer structure were fabricated using an IZO solution process. The determination results showed that the electrical operation and environmental stability of multi-stacked IZO TFTs were improved significantly compared to those of single active-layer IZO TFTs. The roughness of the device surface was measured by atomic force microscopy. The root mean square calculation showed that the multi-stacked active-layer IZO TFT had a smoother surface. The multi-stack structured IZO TFT showed an exceptional electron mobility of 7.75 ± 0.2 cm2/V s, an on–off current ratio of 4.67 × 105 ± 0.55 × 105, and a subthreshold swing of 1.11 V/decade. In addition, a weak threshold voltage (0.35 ± 0.42 V) that is more conducive to device driving was obtained. These results highlight the great potential of multi-stack structured IZO TFTs for applications in active-matrix backplane displays.
Multi-photon fluorescence microscopy imaging of mitochondria in living cells excited by Yb-doped femtosecond fiber laser utilizing two- and three-photon competitive absorption
Authors: Moritomo H. , Onishi S. , Makino Y. , Matsumoto K. , Suzuki Y. , Kawamata J.
Published: September 2020

By employing an Yb-doped femtosecond fiber laser oscillating at 1030 nm, multi-photon fluorescence microscopy imaging was demonstrated, utilizing competitive two- and three-photon absorption processes for excitation of the fluorescence probes. Competitive two- and three-photon absorptions occurred for all six of the fluorescence probes employed. The mitochondria of human embryonic kidney 293 cells were stained with the probes, and multi-photon fluorescence images were obtained in all cases. The brightest multi-photon fluorescence image was obtained when employing the probe compound possessing the longest cut-off wavelength. This can be attributed to the larger contribution of two-photon absorption to the competitive excitation process. Thus, by utilizing competitive two- and three-photon absorption processes, multi-photon fluorescence images can be acquired using Yb-doped femtosecond fiber laser excitation with a variety of probes.
Coupled analysis to probe the effect of angular assignments on the secondary electron yield (SEY) from copper electrodes
Authors: Qiu X. , Diaz L. , Sanati M. , Mankowski J. , Dickens J. , Neuber A. , Joshi R. P.
Published: September 2020

Secondary electron emission from copper is probed utilizing Monte Carlo simulations that take account of elastic scattering based on the Mott theory and inelastic collisions based on energy-dependent energy loss functions. The loss function and stopping power were obtained through first-principles density functional theory. Angular assignment of electrons following elastic scattering or the creation of secondaries is shown to affect the energy-dependent secondary electron yield (SEY). A good match of the simulation results (with a peak SEY of ∼180% at around 300 eV and less than 10% deviation over the 0 to 1000 eV energy range) to available experimental data is shown based on an energy and momentum conservation scheme. Also, the distribution of delay times for the generation of secondaries, the SEY behavior at different incident angles, the energy distribution of emergent secondaries, and their creation profiles as a function of depth are computed to provide a more complete picture of the governing mechanisms and predicted responses.
Extrinsic contributions to the dielectric and pyroelectric properties of Pb0.99[(Zr0.52Ti0.48)0.98Nb0.02]O3 thin films on Si and Ni substrates
Authors: Coleman K. , Shetty S. , Hanrahan B , Zhu W. , Trolier-McKinstry S.
Published: September 2020

The character of extrinsic contributions to the dielectric and pyroelectric properties of Pb0.99[(Zr0.52Ti0.48)0.98Nb0.02]O3 (PZT) films on Ni foil and Si wafers was explored using Rayleigh analysis, third harmonic phase angle, and Preisach analysis from 15 K to 296 K. The temperature dependence of the domain structure, domain wall mobility, and domain switching influenced the intrinsic, extrinsic, and secondary contributions to the pyroelectric coefficients. This, in turn, produced markedly different room temperature pyroelectric coefficients of ∼250 μC/m2 K and ∼100 μC/m2 K, respectively, for films on Ni and Si. At room temperature, the dielectric irreversible Rayleigh parameter αray was 15.5 ± 0.1 and 28.4 ± 1.6 cm/kV for PZT on Si and Ni, respectively. The higher αray value for the Ni sample suggests more domain wall motion at room temperature, which was attributed to the lower stiffness on the Ni foil compared to the ∼500 μm thick Si substrate. Below 200 K, αray for the PZT Si sample exceeds that of the Ni/PZT sample. This is believed to arise from differences in the energy landscape of pinning centers for the domain wall motion. It is proposed that the residual stresses not only set the preferred domain structures but also the barrier heights for domain wall motion and domain switching.
Study of the microwave streamer evolution using a new semi-analytical model
Authors: Brovkin V. G. , Vedenin P. V.
Published: September 2020

A microwave (MW) plasma channel (filament, plasmoid, and plasma dipole) shows promise for its applications for off-body non-electrode modification of a gas flow (plasma aerodynamics) and in the plasma assisted combustion process. A full-scale study of the plasma channel evolution requires a self-consistent solution of Maxwell's equations, plasma chemical kinetics equations, and gasdynamics equations. An attempt is made to develop a simple electrodynamic (based on the solution of Maxwell's equations) “fast” model for studying the evolution of the plasma channel in conjunction with a fairly complete system of plasma chemical reactions. The model is based on a simplifying assumption about the shape of the channel, which converts a 3D problem into a 1D one. The results of numerical calculations in air within the pressure range P = 20–150 Torr are presented. An experimental study of plasmoid development was carried out to verify the predictions of the model. The calculated results agree well with all available experimental data within the pressure range P = 20–150 Torr. The proposed electrodynamic approach made it possible to reveal (i) the mechanism of self-organization during the development of a MW streamer and (ii) the reason for a sharp decrease in the velocity of its elongation, as well as to obtain relations connecting the main characteristics of the streamer (the amplitude of the electric field in the channel and on its heads, the velocity of ionization waves, and the characteristic scale of their fronts). The proposed model will be useful both for estimating the channel parameters and for deciphering the dynamics of radiation scattered by the plasma dipole. The development of such an approach will allow one to study the evolution of multiplasmoid structures of a high-pressure MW discharge.
Structure and phase behavior of high-density ice from molecular-dynamics simulations with the ReaxFF potential
Authors: Adachi Yuji , Koga Kenichiro
Published: September 2020

We report a molecular dynamics simulation study of dense ice modeled by the reactive force field (ReaxFF) potential, focusing on the possibility of phase changes between crystalline and plastic phases as observed in earlier simulation studies with rigid water models. It is demonstrated that the present model system exhibits phase transitions, or crossovers, among ice VII and two plastic ices with face-centered cubic (fcc) and body-centered cubic (bcc) lattice structures. The phase diagram derived from the ReaxFF potential is different from those of the rigid water models in that the bcc plastic phase lies on the high-pressure side of ice VII and does the fcc plastic phase on the low-pressure side of ice VII. The phase boundary between the fcc and bcc plastic phases on the pressure, temperature plane extends to the high-temperature region from the triple point of ice VII, fcc plastic, and bcc plastic phases. Proton hopping, i.e., delocalization of a proton, along between two neighboring oxygen atoms in dense ice is observed for the ReaxFF potential but only at pressures and temperatures both much higher than those at which ice VII–plastic ice transitions are observed.
Indium surfactant assisted epitaxy of non-polar (101¯) AlGaN/InGaN multiple quantum well heterostructures
Authors: Dzuba Brandon , Senichev Alexander , Nguyen Trang , Cao Yang , Diaz Rosa E. , Manfra Michael J. , Malis Oana
Published: September 2020

The use of an indium surfactant considerably alters the composition and morphology of low-temperature non-polar m-plane (101¯0) AlxGa1−xN (x ∼ 0.2) and of silicon-doped AlGaN/InGaN multiple quantum wells grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. This paper compares heterostructures grown with indium surfactant with those grown under conventional stoichiometric and gallium-rich conditions at the relatively low temperature necessary for growth of In0.16Ga0.84N quantum wells (565 °C). Stoichiometric growth results in rough, inhomogeneous AlGaN layers that are unsuitable for optical devices. Gallium-rich growth produces a smoother AlGaN layer, reduced inhomogeneities, and sharper interfaces as compared to stoichiometric growth. However, due to the low temperature, gallium-rich growth leads to the formation of an unintentional GaN layer on top of each AlGaN barrier, reducing the energies of confined electronic states in the quantum wells. An indium surfactant enables two-dimensional AlGaN growth at low temperature, producing atomically flat surface morphology and sharp heterostructure interfaces. Indium surfactant assisted epitaxy also eliminates the high aluminum alloy inhomogeneities observed with conventional stoichiometric and gallium-rich growth. Even though partial indium incorporation into the AlGaN layer is found at the studied temperatures, the high-quality, uniform non-polar In0.055Al0.19Ga0.755N/In0.16Ga0.84N quantum wells grown with indium surfactant display bright and narrow photoluminescence that is essential for device applications.
A comparative turbulent flow study of unconfined orthogonal and oblique slot impinging jet using large-eddy simulation
Authors: Pawar Shashikant , Patel Devendra Kumar , Bisoi Mukul , Roy Subhransu
Published: September 2020

The incompressible turbulent flow field of the slot impinging jet has been studied numerically at a Reynolds number of 7900 and d = 6w using large-eddy simulation with the wall adapting local eddy-viscosity subgrid-scale model for the angles of impingement 70° and 90°. The validity of the computation is confirmed by reasonable comparisons of the wall shear stress, pressure variation over the impingement plate, jet-centerline velocity, and second-order turbulent properties with past experimental and numerical results. The turbulent stress, turbulent length scales, and turbulent structure sizes are observed to be increased in the oblique impingement. The appearance of the oblate spheroid-shaped, three-dimensional isotropic, and prolate spheroid-shaped turbulence has been marked in the wall-jet region using the anisotropy invariant map. The power spectra of the fluctuating field maintain the −5/3 slope in the inertial subrange, which as expected becomes steeper in the dissipation range, as stated by Kolmogorov. Both positively skewed and negatively skewed fluctuations are seen in the flow field, and their probability density functions suggest that the fluctuation range increases in the case of oblique impingement. The involvement of various shearing and swirling structures has been investigated employing the proper orthogonal decomposition, the Q- function, and the λ2- function, where the isosurface of vorticity components is used to represent the direction of rotations.
Modeling of nitrogen and oxygen gas mixture with a novel diatomic kinetic model
Authors: Todorova Blaga N. , White Craig , Steijl René
Published: September 2020

Practical applications involve flows that often have more than one constituent. Therefore, the capability to model a gas mixture flow is important. Extending kinetic model equations of the Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook type from a single-species gas to multi-species gas mixtures presents a number of important challenges. This challenge is further pronounced when diatomic gas mixtures are considered due to the addition of internal energy modes. In this paper, a novel diatomic binary mixture model with separate translational, rotational, and vibrational temperatures is derived. The species drift-velocity and diffusion are considered by introducing separate species velocities and accounting for their relationship. The derivation is detailed as a logical build-up with a multi-step approach from a diatomic model for a single gas, known in the literature. Transport properties are obtained through the Chapman–Enskog type expansion. The diatomic mixture model is numerically evaluated for a gas mixture of nitrogen and oxygen. The model is validated against Monte Carlo results for normal shocks, showing good agreement for species density and temperature profiles. A parametric study demonstrates the variation in flow properties for different Mach numbers, vibrational collision numbers, and concentrations. Interesting results for the mixture properties are shown when the physics of the flow is discussed in greater detail. The effect of the different levels of vibrational excitation in the different species emphasizes the importance of modeling the flow as a mixture. The newly introduced diatomic gas mixture model demonstrates promising computational results for relevant applications.
Investigation of nonlinear energy dissipation and storage characteristics for evaluating rockburst proneness of granite and sandstone
Authors: He M. M. , Zhang Z. Q. , Zhu J. W. , Li N.
Published: September 2020

Nonlinear energy storage and dissipation of rocks are common in earthquake, tunnel, and mining engineering. To investigate the nonlinear energy characteristics of rocks, multi-level cyclic loading–unloading triaxial compression (CLTC) tests were performed on early Cretaceous granite and Permian red sandstone. The failure modes of the granite and sandstone specimens under CLTC tests were studied. The energy parameters, such as the input, elastic, and dissipated energy densities (IE, EE, and DE, respectively), of the two types of rocks under different confining pressures were calculated, and the nonlinear interrelations among the three energy parameters were investigated. The results indicated that in the CLTC tests, the failure modes of sandstone were all shear failure. The granite specimens in the CLTC tests failed via splitting. The confining pressure had no effect on the peak strength strain energy storage index at the failure of the rock specimens, which tended to be constant. The nonlinear evolution of the DE of the granite and sandstone with respect to the EE and IE in the CLTC process was divided into three stages: an initial stage, a linear stage, and an accelerated stage. Furthermore, according to the nonlinear energy-conversion mechanism, a self-inhibition energy-conversion model was established in consideration of the confining-pressure effects. Using this nonlinear energy-conversion model, the EE and DE at any strain level can be determined. The peak strength strain energy storage index was calculated to evaluate the rockburst proneness of granite and sandstone. The results agreed well with those of the uniaxial compression test.
Molecular excitations from meta-generalized gradient approximations in the Kohn–Sham scheme
Authors: Hofmann Fabian , Kümmel Stephan
Published: September 2020

Meta-Generalized Gradient Approximations (meta-GGAs) can, in principle, include spatial and temporal nonlocality in time-dependent density functional theory at a much lower computational cost than functionals that use exact exchange. We here test whether a meta-GGA that has recently been developed with a focus on capturing nonlocal response properties and the particle number discontinuity can realize such features in practice. To this end, we extended the frequency-dependent Sternheimer formalism to the meta-GGA case. Using the Krieger–Li–Iafrate (KLI) approximation, we calculate the optical response for the selected paradigm molecular systems and compare the meta-GGA Kohn–Sham response to the one found with exact exchange and conventional (semi-)local functionals. We find that the new meta-GGA captures important properties of the nonlocal exchange response. The KLI approximation, however, emerges as a limiting factor in the evaluation of charge-transfer excitations.