bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abnormal Aortic Wall Properties in Women with Turner Syndrome
Authors: Bons Lidia R. , Van Den Hoven Allard T. , Malik Maira , Van Den Bosch Annemien E. , McGhie Jacky S. , Duijnhouwer Anthonie L. , Siebelink Hans-Marc J. , Hirsch Alexander , Devos Daniel H. , Rietzschel Ernst , von der Thüsen Jan H. , van de Laar Ingrid M.B.H. , Verhagen Judith M.A. , van der Pluijm Ingrid , Budde Ricardo P.J. , Roos-Hesselink Jolien W.
Published: December 2020

Background Turner syndrome (TS) is associated with aortic dilatation and dissection, but the underlying process is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the elastic properties and composition of the aortic wall in women with TS.

Methods In this cross-sectional study, 52 women with TS aged 35 ± 13 years (50% monosomy, 12 with bicuspid aortic valve [BAV] and 4 with coarctation) were investigated using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CF-PWV) by echocardiography and ascending aortic distensibility (AAD) and aortic arch pulse wave velocity (AA-PWV) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). As control group, 13 women with BAV without TS and 48 healthy patients were included.

Results Women with TS showed a higher AA-PWV (β = 1.08, confidence interval [CI]: 0.54–1.62) after correcting for age and comorbidities compared with controls. We found no significant difference in AAD and CF-PWV. In women with TS, the presence of BAV, coarctation of the aorta, or monosomy (45, X) was not associated with aortic stiffness. In addition, aortic tissue samples were investigated with routine and immunohistochemical stains in five additional women with TS who were operated. The tissue showed more compact smooth muscle cell layers with abnormal deposition and structure of elastin and diminished or absent expression of contractile proteins desmin, actin, and caldesmon, as well as the progesterone receptor.

Conclusion Both aortic arch stiffness measurements on MRI and histomorphological changes point toward an inherent abnormal thoracic aortic wall in women with TS.
Luxação congênita do joelho no nascimento - Um caso extraordinário de redução espontânea
Authors: Kumar Abilash , Arumugam Manohar , Azuatul Nor , Noor Kamariah
Published: December 2020

A luxação congênita do joelho (LCJ) é uma malformação rara caracterizada por deformidade de hiperextensão do joelho com deslocamento anterior da tíbia, presente ao nascimento. Raramente relatada, a LCJ pode ocorrer como uma deformidade isolada ou comumente associada a anormalidades musculoesqueléticas, sendo as mais comuns a displasia do desenvolvimento do quadril (DDQ) e o pé torto congênito (PTC). A etiologia é desconhecida, mas a LCJ foi associada a certos fatores intrínsecos e extrínsecos. O tratamento com métodos conservadores em um estágio inicial tem maior probabilidade de produzir resultados bem-sucedidos. Relatamos aqui um caso raro de redução espontânea bem-sucedida de LCJ em um bebê nas suas primeiras 24 horas de vida.
The Impact of Longer Consultation Time: A Simulation-Based Approach
Authors: Jabour Abdulrahman M.
Published: December 2020

Background Maintaining a sufficient consultation length in primary health care (PHC) is a fundamental part of providing quality care that results in patient safety and satisfaction. Many facilities have limited capacity and increasing consultation time could result in a longer waiting time for patients and longer working hours for physicians. The use of simulation can be practical for quantifying the impact of workflow scenarios and guide the decision-making.

Objective To examine the impact of increasing consultation time on patient waiting time and physician working hours.

Methods Using discrete events simulation, we modeled the existing workflow and tested five different scenarios with a longer consultation time. In each scenario, we examined the impact of consultation time on patient waiting time, physician hours, and rate of staff utilization.

Results At baseline scenarios (5-minute consultation time), the average waiting time was 9.87 minutes and gradually increased to 89.93 minutes in scenario five (10 minutes consultation time). However, the impact of increasing consultation time on patients waiting time did not impact all patients evenly where patients who arrive later tend to wait longer. Scenarios with a longer consultation time were more sensitive to the patients' order of arrival than those with a shorter consultation time.

Conclusion By using simulation, we assessed the impact of increasing the consultation time in a risk-free environment. The increase in patients waiting time was somewhat gradual, and patients who arrive later in the day are more likely to wait longer than those who arrive earlier in the day. Increasing consultation time was more sensitive to the patients' order of arrival than those with a shorter consultation time.
Comparison between Single- and Multi-Radius Prostheses Used in Modified Kinematically Aligned Cruciate-Retaining Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Matsumoto Tomoyuki , Takashima Yoshinori , Takayama Koji , Ishida Kazunari , Nakano Naoki , Kuroda Yuichi , Tsubosaka Masanori , Kamenaga Tomoyuki , Matsushita Takehiko , Niikura Takahiro , Hayashi Shinya , Kuroda Ryosuke
Published: December 2020

Kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has gained interest for achieving more favorable clinical outcomes than mechanically aligned TKA. The present study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of kinematically aligned TKAs using single-radius (SR) or multi-radius (MR) prostheses. Sixty modified kinematically aligned cruciate-retaining TKAs (30 SR and 30 MR type prostheses) were performed in patients with varus-type osteoarthritis using a navigation system. Intraoperative and postoperative patellar tracking were compared between the two groups. Trochlea shape was also compared between the prostheses and preoperative native anatomy using three-dimensional simulation software. Total 2 years postoperatively, the range of motion and 2011 Knee Society Scores (KSS) were compared between the two groups. There were no differences in patellar maltracking including patellar lateral shift and tilt between the two groups; however, the ratio of intraoperative lateral retinacular release for adjusting patellar tracking was significantly higher in the MR group than in the SR group. Lateral and medial facet heights in both prostheses were understuffed compared with native knee anatomy, while the deepest point of the trochlear groove was significantly more medial in the MR group. The postoperative clinical outcomes showed no significant differences between the two groups. In conclusion, modified kinematically aligned TKAs using a SR or MR prosthesis showed no significant differences in clinical outcomes or patellar tracking when appropriate lateral retinacular release was performed.
Utility of the Platelet Function Analyzer in Patients with Suspected Platelet Function Disorders: Diagnostic Accuracy Study
Authors: Kaufmann Jonas , Adler Marcel , Alberio Lorenzo , Nagler Michael
Published: December 2020

Introduction The platelet function analyzer (PFA) is widely used as a screening tool for bleeding disorders in various settings. The diagnostic performance regarding platelet function disorders (PFDs), which are among the most common inherited bleeding disorders, is however still elusive. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of PFA for PFD in clinical practice.

Methods Comprehensive clinical and laboratory data of all consecutive patients referred to a specialized outpatient between January 2012 and March 2017 with a suspected bleeding disorder were prospectively recorded. The diagnostic work-up was performed according to a prespecified protocol following current guidelines and platelet function was tested using light transmission aggregometry as well as flow cytometry.

Results Five hundred and fifty-five patients were included (median age 43.7 years; interquartile range [IQR] 29.3, 61.7; 66.9% female). Possible PFD was diagnosed in 64 patients (11.5%) and confirmed PFD in 54 patients (9.7%). In patients with confirmed PFD, median closure times were 107 seconds (ADP or adenosine diphosphate; IQR 89, 130) and 169 seconds (EPI; IQR 121, 211). In patients without bleeding disorders, PFA closure times were 96 seconds (ADP; IQR 83, 109) and 137 seconds (EPI; IQR 116, 158). The sensitivity was 19.5% in case of PFA ADP (95%CI 12.6, 30.0; specificity 86.4%; 95% CI 82.4, 89.8), and 44.3% in case of PFA EPI (95% CI 34.9, 53.9; specificity 75.6%; 95% CI 70.8, 79.9).

Conclusion The diagnostic performance of PFA for PFD was moderate to poor. Our results do not support the utilization of PFA for screening of PFD in clinical practice.
Fabrication of AlGaAs/GaAs/diamond heterojunctions for diamond-collector HBTs
Authors: Cho Sang June , Liu Dong , Hardy Aaron , Kim Jisoo , Gong Jiarui , Herrera-Rodriguez Cristian J. , Swinnich Edward , Konstantinou Xenofon , Oh Geum-Yoon , Kim Doo Gun , Shin Jae Cheol , Papapolymerou John , Becker Michael , Seo Jung-Hun , Albrecht John D. , Grotjohn Timothy A. , Ma Zhenqiang
Published: December 2020

Diamond is a highly attractive ultrawide bandgap semiconductor for next-generation high-power switching devices and RF devices for its superior physical and electrical properties. However, the lack of effective n-type dopants in diamond has limited the material to only unipolar p-type device applications. Heterostructure bipolar devices that use better n-type semiconductors together with p-type diamond is an approach to get high performance devices. In this work, p–n–p AlGaAs/GaAs/diamond heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) are proposed and fabricated using a grafting technique. The double-heterojunction is formed by transferring an AlGaAs(p-type)/GaAs(n-type) membrane onto single-crystalline p-type doped diamond with an electron affinity of 0.32 eV. The epitaxial AlGaAs/GaAs emitter-base p–n junction shows an ideality factor of 1.09 with an Ion/Ioff of 1.53 × 107 at ± 1.5 V. The grafted GaAs/diamond n–p junction shows an ideality factor of 3.67 with an Ion/Ioff of 3.74 × 1010 at ± 5.2 V. Due to the valence-band energy barrier of 0.3 eV between the GaAs base and the diamond collector, the measured current gain for the HBT is slightly below unity. Simulations show that by reducing the electron affinity value of the p-type diamond, the base-collector energy barrier height can be correspondingly reduced, and high current gain can be expected.
Mixing properties of Cu–Mg liquid alloy
Authors: Yadav S. K. , Gautam M. , Adhikari D.
Published: December 2020

Different modeling equations were used to predict the mixing behaviors of Cu–Mg liquid alloys at different temperatures. The thermodynamic and structural properties of the liquid alloy at 1100 K were calculated in the framework of the quasi-lattice test. The validity of the model parameters was obtained by comparing the obtained results with experimental values as well as other literature data. The mixing behaviors of the system were further predicted at different temperatures by assuming a linear temperature dependence of the interaction parameters. The surface and transport properties of the system were predicted at different temperatures using renovated Butler and Kaptay equations, respectively. Theoretical investigations showed that the mixing tendency of the system gradually decreased at higher temperatures.
Strain and support effects on phase transition and surface reactivity of ultrathin ZnO films: DFT insights
Authors: Lin Le , Zeng Zhenhua , Fu Qiang , Bao Xinhe
Published: December 2020

Strain and support effects play a crucial role in heterogeneous catalysis, which has been intensively studied over metal-based catalysts. In contrast, there is little discussion about the two effects in oxide systems. In this work, using an ultrathin ZnO film as an example, we investigate strain and support effects on the structure and surface reactivity of oxide catalysts through density functional theory calculations. Our results suggest that tensile strain increases the surface reactivity of ZnO films as indicated by enhanced CO and NH3 adsorptions and compressive strain renders an early phase transition from an inert graphene-like phase to a more reactive wurtzite-like phase. The support (Au, Pt, and Ru) can promote the phase transition and surface reactivity concurrently, which exhibits a larger effect on the reactivity than the strain. The support effect can be ascribed to the increasing rumple and polarization of ZnO films through the strong ZnO–substrate interaction, which enhances the surface reactivity. The insight helps us to develop advanced oxide-based catalysts through the strain and/or substrate engineering.
The effect of a social facilitator cow on the distance walked and time spent walking by abruptly weaned beef calves
Authors: Nickles K. R. , Relling A. E. , Moraes L. E. , Parker A. J.
Published: December 2020

Context
Separation of a calf from its dam at weaning can cause stress behaviours such as excessive walking and vocalising. These behaviours combined with poor dry matter and water intakes during weaning can cause bodyweight loss in calves. We questioned whether adding a social facilitator cow to pens of calves weaned on pasture would decrease calf walking behaviours and prevent a loss in bodyweight.

Aims
We tested the hypothesis that a social facilitator (SF) cow at weaning would reduce the walking behaviours of calves and increase calf bodyweight.

Methods
Eighty Simmental × Angus heifer calves were allocated to four replications. In each replication, 20 heifer calves were randomly assigned to either the SF (n = 10) treatment in which calves were abruptly weaned and placed on pasture with a SF cow on the day of weaning (day 0), or to the control (CON, n = 10) treatment in which calves were abruptly weaned and placed on pasture without a SF cow. All calves had their bodyweight recorded and were blood sampled on Days 0, 1, 7, and 14 for non-esterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate concentration. To quantify and evaluate walking behaviours, all calves were fitted with an individual global positioning system collar that recorded calf location every 10 s for a 24-h period on Days 0, 7, and 14.

Key results
There was no effect for time spent walking (P = 0.07) or distance walked (P = 0.08), although the SF calves spent numerically less time walking and walked shorter distances on the day of weaning compared with the CON calves. There were no differences observed for calf bodyweight or average daily gain.

Conclusion
The results of this study indicate that the addition of a SF animal at weaning does not affect the distance walked on the day of weaning or the time calves devote to walking.

Implications
It is unlikely that a SF cow will decrease the distance and time spent walking by calves enough to improve calf bodyweight.
Incorporating ethics and welfare into randomized experiments
Authors: Narita Yusuke
Published: December 2020

Significance

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) determine the fate of numerous people, giving rise to a long-standing ethical dilemma. The goal of this paper is to alleviate this dilemma. To do so, this paper proposes and empirically implements an experimental design that improves subjects’ welfare while producing similar experimental information as typical RCTs do.
Forward-looking serial intervals correctly link epidemic growth to reproduction numbers
Authors: Park Sang Woo , Sun Kaiyuan , Champredon David , Li Michael , Bolker Benjamin M. , Earn David J. D. , Weitz Joshua S. , Grenfell Bryan T. , Dushoff Jonathan
Published: December 2020

Significance

The generation and serial interval distributions are key, but different, quantities in outbreak analyses. Recent studies suggest that the two distributions give different estimates of the reproduction numberRas inferred from the observed growth rater. Here, we show that estimatingRbased onrand the serial interval distribution, when defined from the correct reference cohort, gives the same estimate as usingrand the generation interval distribution. We apply our framework to COVID-19 serial interval data from China, outside Hubei province (January 21 to February 8, 2020), revealing systematic biases in prior inference methods. Our study provides the theoretical basis for practical changes to the principled use of serial interval distributions in estimatingRduring epidemics.
Mechanisms and plasticity of chemogenically induced interneuronal suppression of principal cells
Authors: Rogers Stephanie , Rozman Peter A. , Valero Manuel , Doyle Werner K. , Buzsáki György
Published: December 2020

Significance

Chemogenic activation of interneurons can bring about unexpected short-term and long-term changes in circuit dynamics. DREADD activation of all interneuron types suppressed firing of pyramidal cells but, unexpectedly, individual interneurons did not display sustained firing but instead undulated firing rates, interleaved with other interneurons. Despite the tonic suppression of spikes of individual pyramidal neurons, population bursts underlying sharp wave ripples persisted, often with stronger synchrony. Repeated drug application induced progressively weaker changes over days. Such plastic effects of DREADD activation should be taken into account in the interpretation of behavioral consequences.
Transgenic cotton and sterile insect releases synergize eradication of pink bollworm a century after it invaded the United States
Authors: Tabashnik Bruce E. , Liesner Leighton R. , Ellsworth Peter C. , Unnithan Gopalan C. , Fabrick Jeffrey A. , Naranjo Steven E. , Li Xianchun , Dennehy Timothy J. , Antilla Larry , Staten Robert T. , Carrière Yves
Published: December 2020

Significance

We report eradication of the pink bollworm, one of the world’s most damaging crop pests, from the cotton-growing areas of the continental United States and northern Mexico. A coordinated, multitactic program achieved this success a century after the pest invaded both countries. The program included releases of billions of sterile pink bollworm moths from airplanes and planting of cotton engineered to produce insect-killing proteins from the bacterium
Bacillus thuringiensis
. Analysis of computer simulations and 21 y of field data from Arizona indicate these two tactics interacted synergistically to suppress the pest. By eradicating the pink bollworm, the program ended the damage it caused to cotton and the insecticide sprays used to control it, yielding economic, environmental, and social benefits.
Adaptive responses to
mTOR
gene targeting in hematopoietic stem cells reveal a proliferative mechanism evasive to mTOR inhibition
Authors: Fan Cuiqing , Zhao Chuntao , Zhang Feng , Kesarwani Meenu , Tu Zhaowei , Cai Xiongwei , Davis Ashley Kuenzi , Xu Lingli , Hochstetler Cindy L. , Chen Xiaoyi , Guo Fukun , Huang Gang , Azam Mohammad , Tian Weidong , Lu Q. Richard , Zheng Yi
Published: December 2020

Significance

mTOR plays a critical role in regulating cell growth and is an important anticancer target. Numerous studies using mTOR inhibitors have shown that mTOR targeting suppresses gene expression and cell proliferation. However, mTOR-targeted cancer therapies have seen very limited success, and evasive resistance to mTOR-targeted drugs needs to be addressed. By examining
mTOR
gene-deleted mouse hematopoietic stem cells, which show a loss of quiescence and hyperproliferation, we uncovered the activation of the ERK/MNK/eIF4E/RNA polymerase II/c-Myc axis as an adaptive mechanism to
mTOR
loss that results in increased chromatin accessibility and activated global gene expression, allowing the cells to hyperproliferate. The work also implicates a potential strategy for overcoming evasive resistance in mTOR-targeted therapies for leukemia.
Cross-species recognition of SARS-CoV-2 to bat ACE2
Authors: Liu Kefang , Tan Shuguang , Niu Sheng , Wang Jia , Wu Lili , Sun Huan , Zhang Yanfang , Pan Xiaoqian , Qu Xiao , Du Pei , Meng Yumin , Jia Yunfei , Chen Qian , Deng Chuxia , Yan Jinghua , Wang Hong-Wei , Wang Qihui , Qi Jianxun , Gao George Fu
Published: December 2020

Significance

It is widely believed that SARS-CoV-2 may infect bats, but direct evidence is still lacking and the molecular basis is less understood. Here, we report that SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) binds to bACE2-Rm with lower affinity than that to human ACE2 receptor (hACE2). Pseudotyped and wild SARS-CoV-2 could infect host cells expressing bACE2-Rm. The complex structure of SARS-CoV-2 RBD and bACE2-Rm revealed a conserved binding mode similar to that of hACE2. Mutational analysis revealed that the Y41 and E42 of bACE2-Rm, which contains variations in many bats, play central roles in the interaction with SARS-CoV-2 RBD. These findings provide the molecular basis for a better understanding of potential infection of SARS-CoV-2 in bats.
Three-Terminal Thermionic Heat Engine Based on Semiconductor Heterostructures
Authors: Yang Yun-Yun , Xu Shuai , He Ji-Zhou
Published: December 2020

We propose a model for three-terminal thermionic heat engines based on semiconductor heterostructures. According to electron transport theory, we drive the formulas for the charge current and energy current flowing from the electron reservoir and we then obtain the power output and efficiency in the linear and nonlinear regimes. Furthermore, we analyze the performance characteristic of the thermionic heat engine and get the maximum power output by optimizing the performance parameters. Finally, we optimize the thermodynamic performance of the thermionic heat engine by maximizing the product of the power output and efficiency.
Observation of Cesium (nD
5/2+6S
1/2) Ultralong-Range Rydberg-Ground Molecules
Authors: Bai Su-Ying , Bai Jing-Xu , Han Xiao-Xuan , Jiao Yue-Chun , Zhao Jian-Ming , Jia Suo-Tang
Published: December 2020

Ultralong-range Cs2 Rydberg-ground molecules (nD
5/2 + 6S
1/2
F) (33 ≤ n ≤ 39, F = 3 or 4) are investigated by a two-photon photo-association spectroscopy of an ultracold Cs gas. Two vibrational ground molecular spectra of triplet 3
Σ and hyperfine mixed singlet-triplet 1,3
Σ molecular states and their corresponding binding energies are attained. The experimental observations are simulated by an effective Hamiltonian including low energy electron scattering pseudopotentials, the spin-orbit interaction of the Rydberg atom, and the hyperfine interaction of the ground-state atom. The zero-energy singlet and triplet s-wave scattering lengths are extracted by comparing the experimental observations and calculations. Dependences of the measured binding energies on the effective principal quantum number, n
eff = n − δD
(δD
is the quantum defect of Rydberg D state), yield the scaling of

n

eff

−
5.60
±
0.16

(
3

​
Σ
,
F
=
3
)

,

n

eff

−
5.62
±
0.16

(
3

​
Σ
,
F
=
4
)

for deep triplet potential and

n

eff

−
5.65
±
0.38

(

1
,
3

​
Σ
,
F
=
3
)

,

n

eff

−
6.19
±
0.14

(

1
,
3

​
Σ
,
F
=
4
)

for shallow mixed singlet-triplet potential well. The simulations of low-energy Rydberg electron scattering show agreement well with the experimental measurements.
Hermite Non-Uniformly Correlated Array Beams and Its Propagation Properties
Authors: Zhao Xue-Chun , Zhang Lei , Lin Rong , Lin Shu-Qin , Zhu Xin-Lei , Cai Yang-Jian , Yu Jia-Yi
Published: December 2020

We study the evolution of spectral intensity and degree of coherence of a new class of partially coherent beams, Hermite non-uniformly correlated array beams, in free space and in turbulence, based on the extended Huygens–Fresnel integral. Such beams possess controllable rectangular grid distributions due to multi-self-focusing propagation property. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that adjusting the initial beam parameters, mode order, shift parameters, array parameters and correlation width plays a role in resisting intensity and degree of coherence degradation effects of the turbulence.
Gap Structure of 12442-Type KCa2(Fe1−x
Co
x
)4As4F2 (x = 0, 0.1) Revealed by Temperature Dependence of Lower Critical Field
Authors: Chu Jianan , Wang Teng , Zhang Han , Liu Yixin , Feng Jiaxin , Li Zhuojun , Jiang Da , Mu Gang , Di Zengfeng , Xie Xiaoming
Published: December 2020

We report an in-depth investigation on the out-of-plane lower critical field H
c1 of the KCa2(Fe1−x
Co
x
)4As4F2 (12442-type, x = 0, 0.1). The multi-gap feature is revealed by the kink in the temperature-dependent H
c1(T) curve for the two samples with different doping levels. Based on a simplified two-gap model, the magnitudes of the two gaps are determined to be Δ
1 = 1.2 meV and Δ
2 = 5.0 meV for the sample with x = 0, Δ
1 = 0.86 meV and Δ
2 = 2.8 meV for that with x = 0.1. With the cobalt doping, the ratio of energy gap to critical transition temperature (Δ/k
B
T
c) remains almost unchanged for the smaller gap and is suppressed by 20% for the larger gap. For the undoped KCa2Fe4As4F2, the obtained gap sizes are generally consistent with the results of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy experiments.
A combined experimental and theoretical study of photodouble ionization of water at 32 eV excess energy and unequal energy sharing
Authors: Bolognesi P , Randazzo J M , Turri G , Mathis J , Penson C , Ancarani L U , Avaldi L
Published: December 2020

The photodouble ionization of water at about 32 eV excess energy has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. In an energy and angular resolved photoelectron–photoelectron coincidence experiment, the two photoelectrons in unequal energy sharing (25 and 7 eV) condition, have been detected in a plane perpendicular to the propagation direction of the linearly polarized radiation. The measured angular distributions have been compared with, molecular orientation averaged, triple differential cross sections calculated with a recently developed theoretical model (Randazzo et al 2020 Phys. Rev. A
101 033407). The model uses separable products of orbitals as initial electronic state of the water molecule taken as a two-electron target and describes accurately the correlated two electron continuum. The combination of calculated cross sections corresponding to different dication states capture most of the measured features in terms of the evolution of both the shape and the intensity as a function of the faster electron direction which is set at 0°, 30° and 60° with respect to the polarization vector

ε

⃗

of the incident radiation. A detailed analysis in terms of the different dication states as well as of the partial wave contributions to the electron pair wave function sheds light on the origin of such features.
In situ investigation of the bismuth vanadate/potassium phosphate interface reveals morphological and composition dependent light-induced surface reactions
Authors: Favaro Marco , Ahmet Ibbi Y , Clark Pip C J , Abdi Fatwa F , Sear Micheal J , van de Krol Roel , Starr David E
Published: December 2020

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is an established n-type oxide semiconductor for photoelectrochemical oxygen evolution. Direct charge carrier recombination at the solid/liquid interface is a major cause of efficiency loss in BiVO4-based devices. Intrinsic and extrinsic surface states (SSs) can act as electron and hole traps that enhance the recombination rate and lower the faradaic efficiency. In this study, we investigate the BiVO4/aqueous KPi interface using two types of samples. The samples were prepared at two different deposition and annealing temperatures (450 °C and 500 °C) leading to different morphologies and stoichiometries for the two samples. Both samples exhibit SSs in the dark that are passivated under illumination. In situ ambient pressure hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments performed under front illumination conditions reveal the formation of a bismuth phosphate (BiPO4) surface layer for the sample annealed at 450 °C, whereas the sample annealed at 500 °C exhibits band flattening without the formation of BiPO4. These results imply that the light-induced formation of BiPO4 may not be responsible for SS passivation. Our study also suggests that slight differences in the synthesis parameters lead to significant changes in the surface stoichiometry and morphology, with drastic effects on the physical-chemical properties of the BiVO4/electrolyte interface. These differences may have important consequences for device characteristics such as long-term stability.
Geometric dimension assisted absolute phase recovery in 3D shape measurement with digital fringe projection
Authors: Lv Shenzhen , Zhang Yuyuan , Jing Lei , Wang Jian , Liu Ying , Sun Qiang
Published: December 2020

A novel method of geometric dimension assisted absolute phase recovery in 3D shape measurement is presented. This method mainly includes two steps: (a) using the window Fourier filter-quality guided phase unwrapping algorithm to obtain the relative phase distribution of the tested object; (b) using the geometric dimension of the object as a clue to convert the relative phase distribution to the absolute phase distribution. This method is convenient, and only three fringe image acquisitions are needed to recover the absolute phase. In addition, there is no limit to the depth range of the tested object. The correctness of this method is verified by several experiments.
Deep learning-enabled prediction of 2D material breakdown
Authors: Huan Yan Qi , Liu Yincheng , Goh Kuan Eng Johnson , Wong Swee Liang , Lau Chit Siong
Published: December 2020

Characterizing electrical breakdown limits of materials is a crucial step in device development. However, methods for repeatable measurements are scarce in two-dimensional materials, where breakdown studies have been limited to destructive methods. This restricts our ability to fully account for variability in local electronic properties induced by surface contaminants and the fabrication process. To tackle this, we implement a two-step deep-learning model to predict the breakdown mechanism and breakdown voltage of monolayer MoS2 devices with varying channel lengths and resistances using current measured in the low-voltage regime as inputs. A deep neural network (DNN) first classifies between Joule and avalanche breakdown mechanisms using partial current traces from 0 to 20 V. Following this, a convolutional long short-term memory network (CLSTM) predicts breakdown voltages of these classified devices based on partial current traces. We test our model with electrical measurements collected using feedback-control of the applied voltage to prevent device destruction, and show that the DNN classifier achieves an accuracy of 79% while the CLSTM model has a 12% error when requiring only 80% of the current trace as inputs. Our results indicate that information encoded in the current behavior far from the breakdown point can be used for breakdown predictions, which will enable non-destructive and rapid material characterization for 2D material device development.
Proof-of-concept delivery of intensity modulated arc therapy on the Elekta Unity 1.5 T MR-linac
Authors: Kontaxis C , Woodhead P L , Bol G H , Lagendijk J J W , Raaymakers B W
Published: December 2020

In this work we present the first delivery of intensity modulated arc therapy on the Elekta Unity 1.5 T MR-linac. The machine’s current intensity modulated radiation therapy based control system was modified suitably to enable dynamic delivery of radiation, for the purpose of exploring MRI-guided radiation therapy adaptation modes in a research setting. The proof-of-concept feasibility was demonstrated by planning and delivering two types of plans, each investigating the performance of different parts of a dynamic treatment. A series of fixed-speed arc plans was used to show the high-speed capabilities of the gantry during radiation, while several fully modulated prostate plans—optimised following the volumetric modulated arc therapy approach—were delivered in order to establish the performance of its multi-leaf collimator and diaphragms. These plans were delivered to Delta4 Phantom+ MR and film phantoms passing the clinical quality assurance criteria used in our clinic. In addition, we also performed some initial MR imaging experiments during dynamic therapy, demonstrating that the impact of radiation and moving gantry/collimator components on the image quality is negligible. These results show that arc therapy is feasible on the Elekta Unity system. The machine’s high performance components enable dynamic delivery during fast gantry rotation and can be controlled in a stable fashion to deliver fully modulated plans.
In silico dosimetry of low-dose rate brachytherapy using radioactive nanoparticles
Authors: Seniwal Baljeet , Freitas Lucas F , Mendes Bruno M , Lugão Ademar B , Katti Kattesh V , Fonseca Telma C F
Published: December 2020

Purpose. Nanoparticles (NPs) with radioactive atoms incorporated within the structure of the NP or bound to its surface, functionalized with biomolecules are reported as an alternative to low-dose-rate seed-based brachytherapy. In this study, authors report a mathematical dosimetric study on low-dose rate brachytherapy using radioactive NPs. Method. Single-cell dosimetry was performed by calculating cellular S-values for spherical cell model using Au-198, Pd-103 and Sm-153 NPs. The cell survival and tumor volume versus time curves were calculated and compared to the experimental studies on radiotherapeutic efficiency of radioactive NPs published in the literature. Finally, the radiotherapeutic efficiency of Au-198, Pd-103 and Sm-153 NPs was tested for variable: administered radioactivity, tumor volume and tumor cell type. Result. At the cellular level Sm-153 presented the highest S-value, followed by Pd-103 and Au-198. The calculated cell survival and tumor volume curves match very well with the published experimental results. It was found that Au-198 and Sm-153 can effectively treat highly aggressive, large tumor volumes with low radioactivity. Conclusion. The accurate knowledge of uptake rate, washout rate of NPs, radio-sensitivity and tumor repopulation rate is important for the calculation of cell survival curves. Self-absorption of emitted radiation and dose enhancement due to AuNPs must be considered in the calculations. Selection of radionuclide for radioactive NP must consider size of tumor, repopulation rate and radiosensitivity of tumor cells. Au-198 NPs functionalized with Mangiferin are a suitable choice for treating large, radioresistant and rapidly growing tumors.
Monitoring electron energies during FLASH irradiations
Authors: Berne Alexander , Petersson Kristoffer , Tullis Iain D C , Newman Robert G , Vojnovic Borivoj
Published: December 2020

When relativistic electrons are used to irradiate tissues, such as during FLASH pre-clinical irradiations, the electron beam energy is one of the critical parameters that determine the dose distribution. Moreover, during such irradiations, linear accelerators (linacs) usually operate with significant beam loading, where a small change in the accelerator output current can lead to beam energy reduction. Optimisation of the tuning of the accelerator’s radio frequency system is often required. We describe here a robust, easy-to-use device for non-interceptive monitoring of potential variations in the electron beam energy during every linac macro-pulse of an irradiation run. Our approach monitors the accelerated electron fringe beam using two unbiased aluminium annular charge collection plates, positioned in the beam path and with apertures (5 cm in diameter) for the central beam. These plates are complemented by two thin annular screening plates to eliminate crosstalk and equalise the capacitances of the charge collection plates. The ratio of the charge picked up on the downstream collection plate to the sum of charges picked up on the both plates is sensitive to the beam energy and to changes in the energy spectrum shape. The energy sensitivity range is optimised to the investigated beam by the choice of thickness of the first plate. We present simulation and measurement data using electrons generated by a nominal 6 MeV energy linac as well as information on the design, the practical implementation and the use of this monitor.
The evolution of the bound particle reservoir in Wendelstein 7-X and its influence on plasma control
Authors: Schlisio G. , Wenzel U. , Naujoks D. , Pedersen T.S. , Grote H. , Winters V.R. , Niemann H. , Mulsow M. , Krychowiak M. , Drewelow P. , Gao Y. , Jakubowski M. , Puig Sitjes A. , Laqua H. , Knauer J. , Brunner K.J. , the W7-X team
Published: December 2020

The investigation of fuel retention in fusion experiments is important in view of plasma density control as well as tritium inventory for future fusion reactors. We present a first gas balance of the stellarator Wendelstein 7-X with its inertially cooled graphite divertor. The gas balance is used to estimate the wall inventory and it is found that the wall plays an important and dynamic role, absorbing or releasing particles depending on the plasma conditions. Several different scenarios are presented and the effect of fueling and heating on the wall inventory is assessed. We find that the record duration plasma experiment of 100 s required previous shorter plasmas to be successfully conducted.
A measurement of parity-violating asymmetry in polarized cold neutron capture on 3He
Authors: McCrea M
Published: December 2020

The n3He experiment measured the parity-violating directional asymmetry in the proton emission direction relative to the initial neutron polarization in the capture of polarized cold neutrons in the reaction n + 3He → T + p. Data taking was completed at the end of 2015 at the SNS, and two independent analyses of the proton parity asymmetry have since been completed and are in agreement. I will present the methods used to calculate the asymmetry, and the final results of the experiment.
Perspectives of lowering CUORE thresholds with Optimum Trigger
Authors: Dompè V , Adams D Q , Alduino C , Alfonso K , Avignone F T , Azzolini O , Bari G , Bellini F , Benato G , Bersani A , Biassoni M , Branca A , Brofferio C , Bucci C , Caminata A , Campani A , Canonica L , Cao X G , Capelli S , Cappelli L , Cardani L , Carniti P , Casali N , Chiesa D , Chott N , Clemenza M , Copello S , Cosmelli C , Cremonesi O , Creswick R J , Cushman J S , D’Addabbo A , D’Aguanno D , Dafinei I , Davis C J , Dell’Oro S , Domizio S Di , Drobizhev A , Fang D Q , Fantini G , Faverzani M , Ferri E , Ferroni F , Fiorini E , Franceschi M A , Freedman S J , Fujikawa B K , Giachero A , Gironi L , Giuliani A , Gorla P , Gotti C , Gutierrez T D , Han K , Heeger K M , Huang R G , Huang H Z , Johnston J , Keppel G , Kolomensky Yu G , Leder A , Ligi C , Ma Y G , Marini L , Martinez M , Maruyama R H , Mei Y , Moggi N , Morganti S , Napolitano T , Nastasi M , Nones C , Norman E B , Novati V , Nucciotti A , Nutini I , O’Donnell T , Ouellet J L , Pagliarone C E , Pallavicini M , Pattavina L , Pavan M , Pessina G , Pettinacci V , Pira C , Pirro S , Pozzi S , Previtali E , Puiu A , Rosenfeld C , Rusconi C , Sakai M , Sangiorgio S , Schmidt B , Scielzo N D , Singh V , Sisti M , Speller D , Taffarello L , Terranova F , Tomei C , Vignati M , Wagaarachchi S L , Wang B S , Welliver B , Wilson J , Wilson K , Winslow L A , Wise T , Zanotti L , Zimmermann S , Zucchelli S
Published: December 2020

CUORE is a cryogenic experiment that focuses on the search of neutrinoless double beta decay in 130Te and it is located at the Gran Sasso National Laboratories. Its detector consists of 988 TeO2 crystals operating at a base temperature of ∼10 mK. It is the first ton-scale bolometric experiment ever realized for this purpose. Thanks to its large target mass and ultra-low background, the CUORE detector is also suitable for the search of other rare phenomena. In particular the low energy part of the spectra is interesting for the detection of WIMP-nuclei scattering reactions. One of the most important requirements to perform these studies is represented by the achievement of a stable energy threshold lower than 10 keV. Here, the CUORE capability to accomplish this purpose using a low energy software trigger will be presented and described.
Perspectives for low energy reactions measurements at the new LEMA beam-line
Authors: Acosta L , Chávez E , Barrón-Palos L , Andrade E , Marín-Lámbarri DJ , Miranda J , Ortiz ME , Favela F , Huerta A
Published: December 2020

Towards the end of 2017, a new beam line was commissioned at the Laboratorio Nacional de Espectrometría de Masas con Aceleradores (LEMA) at Instituto de Física of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (IFUNAM). Initially, LEMA was a 1 MV tandetron accelerator just dedicated to Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS); nowadays, the new line adopted the main characteristics of the AMS system in a natural way: i.e., it has a high precision measurement of the beam energy and a very high and stable current (tens of μ A) depending of charge state of each isotope. The precise low energy limit around 400 keV opens a window to study reactions in the region of interest for Astrophysics. At the same time, the LEMA beam-line allows to develop experiments combining nuclear reactions with AMS, as well the developing of all of kind of Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) studies. In this work the main characteristics of the line, the ancillary systems and the perspectives for low energy measurements for nuclear studies and applications are described.
Muon-induced neutral particle background for a shallow depth Iron Calorimeter detector
Authors: Panchal Neha , Majumder G. , Datar V.M.
Published: December 2020

The 51 kton Iron Calorimeter (ICAL) detector for measuring atmospheric muon neutrinos and muon anti-neutrinos separately will enable addressing the neutrino mass hierarchy problem. This will be the flagship experiment at the India based Neutrino Observatory (INO) and will be located in a cavern in a mountain with a rock cover of 1 km in all directions. This will help reduce the cosmic muon background by a factor of 106 with respect to that at sea level. In this work, the possibility of a 100 m shallow depth ICAL (SICAL) is explored. To achieve a similar cosmic muon background reduction as at 1 km depth a cosmic muon veto detector (CMVD) which can reject muons with an efficiency of 99.99% is required. However an important background could be neutral long lived particles such as neutrons and K0
L produced in interactions of muons with rock closest to ICAL. The charged particles produced in muon-nuclear interactions can be vetoed but the neutral particle can pass through CMVD undetected and subsequently mimic a neutrino like event in ICAL In this contribution the results of a GEANT4 based simulation to estimate this background in SICAL are presented.
The SPES facility at Legnaro National Laboratories
Authors: Marchi T , Prete G , Gramegna F , Andrighetto A , Antonini P , Ballan M , Bellato M , Bellan L , Benini D , Bisoffi G , Bermudez J , Benzoni G , Bortolato D , Borgna F , Calore A , Canella S , Carturan S , Ciatara N , Cinausero M , Cocconi P , Cogo A , Conventi D , Conte V , Comunian M , Costa L , Corradetti S , Angelis G De , Martinis C De , Ruvo P De , Esposito J , Fagotti E , Fabris D , Favaron P , Fioretto E , Galatá A , Gelain F , Giacchini M , Giora D , Gottardo A , Gulmini M , Lollo M , Lombardi A , Manzolaro M , Maggiore M , Maniero D , Mastinu P F , Monetti A , Pasquato F , Pegoraro R , Pisent A , Poggi M , Pavinato S , Pranovi L , Pedretti D , Roncolato C , Rossignoli M , Sarchiapone L , Scarpa D , Valiente Dobón J J , Volpe V , Vescovo A , Zafiropoulos D
Published: December 2020

Worldwide efforts to tackle the nature of exotic nuclei comprise the construction of new-generation Radioactive Ion Beam facilities. The Italian community is deeply involved in the process and the construction of SPES at Legnaro National Laboratories (INFN) is progressing. This contribution describes the layout of SPES in all its flavours, from Nuclear Physics to Applications in Nuclear Medicine and Neutron Physics. In particular, the status of the SPES-β ISOL facility, together with some of the relevant physics cases and the associated equipment are described.
Nuclear astrophysics in underground laboratories
Authors: Cavanna Francesca , Colombetti Paolo
Published: December 2020

Nuclear processes are responsible for energy generation that makes stars shine, for the synthesis of the elements in stars and also play a decisive role in explaining the chemical composition of the interstellar medium. The experimental determination of the reaction cross section at the astrophysical relevant energies is extremely difficult due to the Coulomb repulsion between the interacting nuclei which turns out in cross section values down to the fbar level. As a result, these cross sections are often too small to be measured in laboratories on the Earth’s surface, where the signal would be overwhelmed by the cosmic-ray induced background. An effective way to suppress the comic-ray induced background is to perform experiments in underground laboratories. LUNA is an experimental approach for the study of nuclear fusion reactions based on an underground accelerator laboratory. Aim of the experiment is the direct measurement of the cross section of nuclear reactions relevant for stellar and primordial nucleosynthesis. In the following the latest results and the future goals will be presented.
Nuclear structure of proton drip-line nuclei as an input to nuclear astrophysics
Authors: Ferreira L.S. , Maglione E.
Published: December 2020

The observation, and the theoretical interpretation of the decay of proton rich nuclei at the proton drip line, are a probe to the nuclear structure at the extremes of stability, with strong implications to nuclear astrophysics models. Nuclear levels, and proton separation energies, can be assigned in these studies, establishing information that could not be obtained otherwise due to very short lifetimes of these nuclei.
Realistic shell-model calculations for astrophysically relevant Gamow-Teller distributions
Authors: Itaco N , Coraggio L , Mancino R
Published: December 2020

Electron-capture reaction rates on medium-heavy nuclei are a key ingredient to describe the evolution of core-collapse and thermonuclear supernovae. To estimate these rates it is necessary to know the Gamow-Teller strength distributions involved. In this paper we report some preliminary results of the calculations of Gamow-Teller strength distributions for pf-shell nuclei performed in the framework of the realistic shell model.
Role of antikaon condensation on the universality relations of hot and rapidly rotating neutron stars
Authors: Lenka Smruti Smita , Banik Sarmistha , Char Prasanta
Published: December 2020

We study cold as well as hot neutron star (NS) at finite entropy using density dependent relativistic mean field model in the presence of nucleons and antikaon condensates. The parameters like gravitational mass(M), radius(R), moment of inertia(I) and quadrupole moment(Q) are calculated as a function of rotation frequency for a NS with fixed baryonic mass. Next, we investigate the relation of normalized I with compactness (M/R). Finally, we extend our study to calculate the tidal deformability parameter and tidal love number and show their variation with compactness.
Magnetic structure and radiative captures of few-nucleon systems: status and prospects
Authors: Marcucci Laura Elisa , Schiavilla Rocco , Gnech Alex , Viviani Michele
Published: December 2020

We review the main ingredients for an ab-initio study of few-nucleon reactions of astrophysical interest within the chiral effective field theory approach, with particular attention to radiative captures relevant for Big Bang Nucleosynthesis and stellar evolution. We conclude with an outlook for ongoing and future work.
Impact of error analysis on the composition the outer crust of a neutron star
Authors: Neill D , Medler K , Pastore A , Barton C
Published: December 2020

By means of bootstrap technique, we perform a full error analysis on the Duflo-Zucker mass model. We illustrate the impact of such study on the predicted chemical composition of the outer crust of a non-accreting neutron star. We define an existence probability for each nuclear species as a function of the depth of the crust. We observe that, due to statistical uncertainties, instead of having a well defined transition between two successive layers, we have a mixture of two species.