bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soliton-like structures in the spectrum and the corresponding eigenstates morphology for the quantum desymmetrized Sinai billiard
Authors: Sales M. R. , Azevedo A. L. , Teston F. , da Luz M. G. E. , Zanetti F. M.
Published: November 2021

By continuously varying certain geometric parameters γ of the totally desymmetrized quantum Sinai billiard, we study the formation of the so-called soliton-like structures in the spectra of the resulting family of systems. We present a detailed characterization of the eigenstate ψn morphologies along such structures. Usually, scarring and bouncing ball mode states are expected to fully explain the solitons. However, we show that they do not exhaust all the possibilities. States with strong resemblance to very particular solutions of the associated integrable case (45°–45° right triangle) also account for the ψn’s. We argue that for the emergence of the solitons, in fact, there must be an interplay between the spatial localization properties of the soliton-related ψn’s and the rescaling properties of the billiards with γ. This is illustrated, e.g., by comparing the behavior of the eigenwavelengths along the solitons and the billiard size dependence on γ. Considerations on how these findings could extend to other type of billiards are also briefly addressed.
Comparison of hot-wire and particle image velocimetry measurements in the zone of interaction of a shock wave with a boundary layer at Mach number of 1.43
Authors: Vishnyakov Oleg I. , Polivanov Pavel A. , Sidorenko Andrei A.
Published: November 2021

The interaction of a shock wave with a laminar boundary layer was studied at the low supersonic Mach number M = 1.43. The measurements were carried out by particle image velocimetry and hot-wire anemometry. The wide range of Mach numbers in the shear layer occurring in the interaction zone made the analysis of hot-wire anemometer data much more difficult. The paper proposes the method of processing of the hot-wire anemometer data involving the simplified sensor calibration and the data obtained by the particle image velocimetry measurements. Good agreement of the results obtained by two experimental techniques is demonstrated. The data gathered in this work permit simplifying essentially the usage of the hot-wire anemometer technique applied for the study of transonic shear flows.
Tunable magnetic skyrmions in ferrimagnetic Mn4N
Authors: Ma Chung T. , Hartnett Timothy Q. , Zhou Wei , Balachandran Prasanna V. , Poon S. Joseph
Published: November 2021

Thin films of ferrimagnetic Mn4N are candidate materials to host magnetic skyrmions that have demonstrated thermal stability up to 450 °C. However, there are no experimental reports observing skyrmions in this system. Here, we discuss the results of sputter grown 15–17 nm Mn4N thin films on the MgO substrate capped with Pt1−xCux layers. Vibrating sample magnetometry measurement of out-of-plane hysteresis loops confirmed that magnetic properties are insensitive to the cap layer composition. Imaging based on magnetic force microscopy measurements observed 300–50 nm sized skyrmions, as the Cu concentration was increased from x = 0–0.9. We performed density functional theory calculations and found that the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interactions (iDMI) follow a trend: Mn4N/MgO(001) < Cu/Mn4N(001) < Pt/Mn4N(001). We infer from these calculations that x in the Pt1−xCux capping layer can serve as a robust tuning knob to tailor the iDMI and control the skyrmion size. This work provides guidance to achieve smaller Néel-type skyrmions in Mn4N thin films, which is an important step forward for building thermally stable skyrmionic devices.
Prototype readout electronics of a double-sided silicon strip detector for space exploration
Authors: Wang Li , Cao Zhe , Sun Wenrui , Feng Changqing , Li Chunjuan , Xia Li , An Qi
Published: November 2021

Double-sided silicon strip detectors (DSSDs) have been widely used in interplanetary exploration. In this study, the prototype readout electronics of a DSSD for space exploration is presented. It mainly includes a front-end readout module (FEM) and a data acquisition module (DAM). The FEM is responsible for acquiring the charge of the DSSD signals based on an application-specific integrated circuit and polarity inverter circuits. The DAM with a field programmable gate array is employed to perform online calculations of the position and energy as well as data packaging and transfer. Test results show that the electronics has dynamic ranges of 6–2500 and −6 to −2500 fC with an integral nonlinearity of no more than 0.5%, while the root-mean-square noise level is less than 1.9 fC. Joint tests with the DSSD indicate that a full width at half maximum energy resolution of 3.25% at 5.486 MeV and a position resolution of 1.19 mm were achieved.
Study of the interactions of sneezing droplets with particulate matter in a polluted environment
Authors: Dey Prasenjit , Saha Sandip K. , Sarkar Sandip
Published: November 2021

We have performed a three-dimensional numerical simulation to determine the effect of local atmospheric pollution level on the spreading characteristics of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus through ejected droplets during sneezing and coughing in an open space. Utilizing a finite volume-based numerical method, we have performed computations for various ranges of droplet diameters and sneezing speeds. The interactions between the droplets and the suspended particles are considered by taking both hydrophobic and hydrophilic wettability characteristics into account. Our computational results show that the virus-containing droplets partially affect aerosols during the path of their transmission. With the progression of time, the droplet distribution shows an asymmetric pattern. The maximum dispersion of these droplets is found for higher sneezing velocities. The droplets with a diameter of 50 μm travel a larger distance than the larger diameter droplets. We have found that an aerosol with hydrophilic wettability undergoes complete wetting by the disease-containing droplets and therefore is conducive to disease propagation. The droplet engagement duration with aerosol decreases with increase in the sneezing velocity. Our study recommends against using physical exercise centers in a closed environment such as gymnasium and indoor games during the COVID pandemic, especially in a polluted environment. The results from our work will help in deciding proper social distancing guidelines based on the local atmospheric pollution level. They may act as a precursor in controlling further spread of diseases during this unprecedented situation of the COVID pandemic.
SARS-CoV-2 transmission in classroom settings: Effects of mitigation, age, and Delta variant
Authors: Foster Aaron , Kinzel Michael
Published: November 2021

Traditional, in-person classroom settings have been limited during the COVID-19 pandemic due to their potential to transmit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among students, teachers, and other educational workers. Using computational fluid dynamics simulations, mitigation strategies that span approaches using face coverings, various ventilation schemes, air purifiers/cleaners, and desk shields are systematically evaluated in thermally controlled classrooms. Individually, face coverings and source control were the most effective, which was followed by well-designed ventilation systems. The use of desk shields was also studied and appeared to be ineffective. The best mitigation approach is shown to be through multiple measures—using face coverings and ventilation systems combined with air purifiers. The studies were extended to elementary schools and consider Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2. In elementary settings, the reduced pulmonary and viral emission rates of small children are observed to drive reduced transmission rates, to values even lower than those observed with several mitigation methods for classrooms with adults. The Delta variant, with adults, was evaluated by considering an increase in quanta and indicated higher transmission probabilities. These increases are levels that are controllable by increasing the mitigation methods. Results indicate several plans of action for schools to return to in-person schooling in the context of age and new variants.
Effect of superhydrophobicity on the wake of a pitching foil across various Strouhal numbers
Authors: Mallah Santosh Ramagya , Sooraj P. , Sharma Atul , Agrawal Amit
Published: November 2021

Particle image velocimetry-based measurements have been performed to study the flow over a pitching superhydrophobic NACA—National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics—0012 foil (SphNACA0012 foil) and to compare the same with NACA0012 foil. This is perhaps the first experimental study on a pitching SphNACA0012 foil. The objective is to understand the effects of superhydrophobicity on NACA0012 foil pitching about its leading edge at various Strouhal numbers, St = 0.08–0.65, with a constant pitching amplitude, θ0 = 4°, and Reynolds number, Re = 2400. Superhydrophobicity is found to significantly affect three different flow regimes: 2S von-Ka´rma´n wake, symmetric wake, and asymmetric wake regimes at smaller, intermediate, and larger values of St. In the 2S von-Ka´rma´n wake regime, although the wake structures of both the foils are quite comparable, a reduction in the shear layer strength and early rolling-up of vortices are observed for SphNACA0012 foil due to a partial slip effect. With a further increase in St, a transition to the symmetric wake regime is observed for both the foils and another transition that leads to a symmetry breaking of the vortex street is found to be earlier for SphNACA0012 foil, which results in the onset of lift generation at lower St than that of NACA0012 foil. The shear layer strength is weaker for the SphNACA0012 foil except at St = 0.24, which is a critical St for the jet deflection point and results in a 13% larger thrust coefficient for SphNACA0012 foils as compared to NACA0012 foils. These results on the larger lift as well as thrust coefficient at low St suggest improved maneuverability with high propulsive efficiency when superhydrophobicity is employed on the propulsor of underwater vehicles.
Pulsed laser deposition of large-sized superlattice films with high uniformity
Authors: Ye Biying , Miao Tian , Zhu Yi , Huang Haiming , Yang Yulong , Shuai Mingming , Zhu Zhifei , Guo Hangwen , Wang Wenbin , Zhu Yinyan , Yin Lifeng , Shen Jian
Published: November 2021

Oxide superlattices often exhibit emergent physical properties that are desirable for future information device applications. The most common growth technique for fabrication of oxide superlattices is pulsed laser deposition (PLD), which is convenient yet powerful for the growth of various oxide superlattices. However, the sample size prepared by PLD is rather small confined by the plasmon plume, which greatly limits its potential for device applications. Here, we design a PLD system that is capable of fabricating large-sized oxide superlattices with high uniformity. Specifically, during growth, the laser beam scans the target surface by combining the pitch and yaw angle rotation of the high reflective mirror and the linear motion of the focus lens. A SiC susceptor is placed in between the sample holder and the substrate to improve the large area infrared heating efficiency. Using such a system, droplet-free 10 × 10 mm2 [(LSMO)12/(PCMO)6]7 superlattices are epitaxially grown with the same period of superlattices across the whole sample areas. The high uniformity of the superlattices is further illustrated by near identical physical properties of all regions of the superlattice films. The present PLD system can be used to grow various kinds of oxide superlattices with the area size as large as 2 in., which is highly useful for device applications of oxides.
Suspended germanium membranes photodetector with tunable biaxial tensile strain and location-determined wavelength-selective photoresponsivity
Authors: Wu Shaoteng , Zhou Hao , Chen Qimiao , Zhang Lin , Lee Kwang Hong , Bao Shuyu , Fan Weijun , Tan Chuan Seng
Published: November 2021

A divergent microstructure was fabricated by complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor compatible processes on the central region of a Ge p–i–n photodetector to enhance the residual tensile strain. A tunable biaxial tensile strain of ∼0.22%–1.01% was achieved by varying the geometrical factors, and it was confirmed by Raman measurements and finite element method simulations. The suspended germanium membranes enhance the absorption across the C- and L-bands (1528–1560 and 1561–1620 nm) and extend the cutoff wavelength to ∼1700–1937 nm. The Ge absorption coefficient is enhanced by ∼4.2× to 2951 cm−1 at 1630 nm, which is comparable with that of In0.53Ga0.47As. Furthermore, due to the varying strain distribution on the Ge mesa, each photodetector presents the location-determined wavelength-selective photoresponsivity characteristics. This work offers a promising approach for adjusting the absorption spectra of the photodetector by harnessing geometrically amplified biaxial strain.
Advancing the reliability of thermoelectric materials: A case study of silicides through statistics
Authors: Tseng Yu-Chih , Razavi-Tousi Seyed Salman , Ramirez Daniel , Kleinke Holger
Published: November 2021

This work presents a statistical study of mechanical properties of a pair of silicide thermoelectric (TE) materials, p-type higher manganese silicide (HMS), and bismuth-doped n-type magnesium silicide stannide. The fracture strength of each material was examined with a statistically significant number of samples to obtain useful information for subsequent engineering work. Furthermore, to lend credibility to our measurements, we applied an ASTM standard (ASTM C1161) toward the determination of the mechanical properties instead of using nonstandard approaches. This approach, rarely undertaken for TE materials, was enabled by following large-scale synthetic capabilities that met the size requirements of this standard without compromising the thermoelectric figure-of-merit. The distributions of fracture strengths of the pair of silicide materials were established, and the fracture mechanisms elucidated through analyses of the fractured surfaces. Using this information, we were able to improve the fracture strength of p-type HMS through a minor addition of vanadium without compromising the figure-of-merit ZT. Together, these results advance the reliability of silicide TE materials, making them attractive candidates for large-scale deployment.
Additive-manufactured single-piece thin multi-layer tungsten heater for an electrothermal thruster
Authors: Kinefuchi Kiyoshi , Nakata Daisuke , Coral Giulio , Suyalatu  , Sakai Hitoshi , Tsukizaki Ryudo , Nishiyama Kazutaka
Published: November 2021

In this study, a novel single-piece thin multi-layer tungsten resistive heater was successfully fabricated using additive manufacturing and tested as an electrothermal thruster. The heater has 12 resistive layers, with each layer having a thickness and height of 0.15 and 81 mm, respectively, and can provide high heating efficiency. A single-piece or monolithic heater was manufactured via additive manufacturing technique, which drastically improved its reliability and decreased its manufacturing cost. In the heating and thrust measurement tests that used nitrogen gas as a propellant, the heater reached a gas temperature of ∼2000 K at a 140-A heater current without experiencing any failure. The tungsten-heater resistance linearly increased with an increase in temperature due to the temperature dependence of tungsten’s resistivity. The specific impulse and thrust increased with the heater temperature in accordance with the theoretical prediction. Even including a voltage drop due to a contact resistance, the achieved heater efficiency reached 63% at a 100-A heater current even without a thermal insulation around the thruster. The heater efficiency decreased with an increase in the heater temperature due to heat loss to the surroundings. The heat-loss analysis indicated that both thermal conduction and radiation heat losses were crucial for improving the heater performance at a high-temperature operation of over 2000 K.
Convolutional neural networks predict the onset of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: Theory and applications
Authors: Surucu M. , Isler Y. , Perc M. , Kara R.
Published: November 2021

In this study, we aimed to detect paroxysmal atrial fibrillation episodes before they occur so that patients can take precautions before putting their and others’ lives in potentially life-threatening danger. We used the atrial fibrillation prediction database, open data from PhysioNet, and assembled our process based on convolutional neural networks. Conventional heart rate variability features are calculated from time-domain measures, frequency-domain measures using power spectral density estimations, time-frequency-domain measures using wavelet transform, and nonlinear Poincaré plot measures. In addition, we also applied an alternative heart rate normalization, which gave promising results only in a few studies, before calculating these heart rate variability features. We used these features directly and their normalized versions using min–max normalization and z-score normalization methods. Thus, heart rate variability features extracted from six different combinations of these normalizations, in addition to no normalization cases, were applied to the convolutional neural network classifier. We tuned the classifiers’ hyperparameters using 90% of feature sets and tested the classifiers’ performances using 10% of feature sets. The proposed approach resulted in 87.76% accuracy, 91.30% precision, 80.04% recall, and 87.50% f1-score in heart rate variability with z-score feature normalization. When the heart rate normalization was also utilized, the suggested method gave 100% accuracy, 100% precision, 100% recall, and 100% f1-score in heart rate variability with z-score feature normalization. The proposed method with heart rate normalization and z-score normalization methods resulted in better classification performance than similar studies in the literature. By comparing the existing studies, we conclude that our approach provides a much better tool to determine a near-future paroxysmal atrial fibrillation episode. However, although the achieved benchmarks are impressive, we note that the approach needs to be supported by other studies and on other datasets before clinical trials.
Interpolating between bumps and chimeras
Authors: Laing Carlo R.
Published: November 2021

A “bump” refers to a group of active neurons surrounded by quiescent ones while a “chimera” refers to a pattern in a network in which some oscillators are synchronized while the remainder are asynchronous. Both types of patterns have been studied intensively but are sometimes conflated due to their similar appearance and existence in similar types of networks. Here, we numerically study a hybrid system that linearly interpolates between a network of theta neurons that supports a bump at one extreme and a network of phase oscillators that supports a chimera at the other extreme. Using the Ott/Antonsen ansatz, we derive the equation describing the hybrid network in the limit of an infinite number of oscillators and perform bifurcation analysis on this equation. We find that neither the bump nor chimera persists over the whole range of parameters, and the hybrid system shows a variety of other states such as spatiotemporal chaos, traveling waves, and modulated traveling waves.
Motion of long bubbles in gravity- and pressure-driven flow through cylindrical capillaries up to moderate capillary numbers
Authors: Danov Krassimir D. , Lyutskanova-Zhekova Galina S. , Smoukov Stoyan K.
Published: November 2021

The motion of bubbles and drops through tubes in gravity- and pressure-driven flows is intensively studied numerically and experimentally. The Bretherton asymptotic expressions predict axisymmetric bubbles movement at low velocities. They describe the dependence of capillary (Ca) and Bond (Bo) numbers on the system parameters but are valid only in the ranges 0 < Ca < 0.005 and 0.84 < Bo < 1.04. This paper investigates the gravity-induced motion of bubbles with free or tangentially immobile interfaces in pressure-driven flows. We derive the exact solution of the hydrodynamic problem using the lubrication approximation in the zero- and first-order approximations for pressure and fluid velocity. The respective boundary value problem for the bubble shape is solved numerically to obtain the wetting film thickness, h, between the bubble and the capillary and the dependence of the capillary numbers on the flow parameters and magnitude of gravity. The proposed model expands the applicable solution ranges by 400 and 38 times, respectively (0 < Ca < 2 and 0 < Bo < 7.5), validated with available experimental data. The model's simplicity and transparency open the possibility to generalize this approach including determining new physicochemical properties of liquids and interfaces.
An experimental investigation of drag and noise reduction from a circular cylinder using longitudinal grooves
Authors: Zheng Chuntai , Zhou Peng , Zhong Siyang , Zhang Xin , Huang Xun , So Raymond Chi-Hung
Published: November 2021

Aerodynamic and aeroacoustic characteristics of a cylinder with longitudinal grooves were studied in an anechoic wind tunnel, emphasizing on drag and noise attenuation. The parallel mounted load cells and a single microphone measured the aerodynamic resistance and noise of a circular cylinder with longitudinal grooves at Reynolds number ranging from 5.84×104 to 8.48×104, covering the flow regimes from the sub-critical to the post-critical states. The results show that longitudinal grooves can effectively trigger the boundary-layer transition started at a Reynolds number around 5.84×104, causing the so-called drag crisis. During the transition process, a drag reduction over 50% and a maximum noise attenuation over 15 dB can be achieved by longitudinal grooves. The variations of the drag and noise are linked to the near-field flow measurements using hot-wire in different regimes, enhancing our understanding of the problem.
Australian forested wetlands under climate change: collapse or proliferation?
Authors: Saintilan Neil , Asbridge Emma , Lucas Richard , Rogers Kerrylee , Wen Li , Powell Megan , Colloff Matthew J. , Rodriguez Jose F. , Saco Patricia M. , Sandi Steven , Pham Tien Dat , Lymburner Leo
Published: November 2021

Climatically driven perturbations (e.g. intense drought, fire, sea surface temperature rise) can bring ecosystems that are already stressed by long-term climate change and other anthropogenic impacts to a point of collapse. Recent reviews of the responses of Australian ecosystems to climate change and associated stressors have suggested widespread ecosystem collapse is occurring across multiple biomes. Two commonly cited case studies concern forested wetland ecosystems: mangrove forest dieback in northern Australia (2015–16) and riverine forest dieback in the south-east of the continent (2002–09). We present an alternative interpretation that emphasises the dominant signal of climate change effects, rather than the interdecadal signal of climate variability that drives wetland forest dynamics. For both the south-east Australian riverine forests and mangroves of northern Australia, aerial extent remains greater after dieback than in the early 1990s. We interpret dieback and defoliation in both systems as a dry phase response and provide evidence of a current and near-future climate change trajectory of increased areal extent and cover (i.e. tree colonisation and range infilling). In both case studies, climate change-driven increases in tree cover and extent are occurring at the expense of wetland grasslands and the important ecosystem functions they support.
Within and between classroom transmission patterns of seasonal influenza among primary school students in Matsumoto city, Japan
Authors: Endo Akira , Uchida Mitsuo , Hayashi Naoki , Liu Yang , Atkins Katherine E. , Kucharski Adam J. , Funk Sebastian
Published: November 2021

Significance

Empirical evidence on detailed transmission patterns of influenza among students within and between classes and grades and how they are shaped by school population structure (e.g., class and school sizes) has been limited to date. We analyzed a detailed dataset of seasonal influenza incidence in 29 primary schools in Japan and found that the reproduction number at school did not show any clear association with the size or the number of classes. Our findings suggest that the interventions that only focus on reducing the number of students in class at any moment in time (e.g., reduced class sizes and staggered attendance) may not be as effective as measures that aim to reduce within-class risk (e.g., mask-wearing and vaccines).
Staticity and regularity for zero rest-mass fields near spatial infinity on flat spacetime
Authors: Gasperín E , Valiente Kroon J A
Published: November 2021

Linear zero-rest-mass fields generically develop logarithmic singularities at the critical sets where spatial infinity meets null infinity. Friedrich’s representation of spatial infinity is ideally suited to study this phenomenon. These logarithmic singularities are an obstruction to the smoothness of the zero-rest-mass field at null infinity and, in particular, to peeling. In the case of the spin-2 field it has been shown that these logarithmic singularities can be precluded if the initial data for the field satisfies a certain regularity condition involving the vanishing, at spatial infinity, of a certain spinor (the linearised cotton spinor) and its totally symmetrised derivatives. In this article we investigate the relation between this regularity condition and the staticity of the spin-2 field. It is shown that while any static spin-2 field satisfies the regularity condition, not every solution satisfying the regularity condition is static. This result is in contrast with what happens in the case of general relativity where staticity in a neighbourhood of spatial infinity and the smoothness of the field at future and past null infinities are much more closely related.
Searching strong ‘spin’-orbit coupled one-dimensional hole gas in strong magnetic fields
Authors: Li Rui
Published: November 2021

We show that a strong ‘spin’-orbit coupled one-dimensional hole gas is achievable via applying a strong magnetic field to the original two-fold degenerate (spin degeneracy) hole gas confined in a cylindrical Ge nanowire. Both strong longitudinal and strong transverse magnetic fields are feasible to achieve this goal. Based on quasi-degenerate perturbation calculations, we show the induced low-energy subband dispersion of the hole gas can be written as

E
=

ℏ

2

k

z

2

/

(

2

m

h

*

)

+
α

σ

z

k

z

+

g

h

*

μ

B

B

σ

x

/
2

, a form exactly the same as that of the electron gas in the conduction band. Here the Pauli matrices σ

z,x
represent a pseudo spin (or ‘spin’), because the real spin degree of freedom has been split off from the subband dispersions by the strong magnetic field. Also, for a moderate nanowire radius R = 10 nm, the induced effective hole mass

m

h

*

(

0.065
∼
0.08

m

e

)

and the ‘spin’-orbit coupling α (0.35 ∼ 0.8 eV Å) have a small magnetic field dependence in the studied magnetic field interval 1 < B < 15 T, while the effective g-factor

g

h

*

of the hole ‘spin’ only has a small magnetic field dependence in the large field region.
Genome-wide imputation using the practical haplotype graph in the heterozygous crop cassava
Authors: Long Evan M , Bradbury Peter J , Romay M Cinta , Buckler Edward S , Robbins Kelly R
Published: November 2021

Genomic applications such as genomic selection and genome-wide association have become increasingly common since the advent of genome sequencing. The cost of sequencing has decreased in the past two decades; however, genotyping costs are still prohibitive to gathering large datasets for these genomic applications, especially in nonmodel species where resources are less abundant. Genotype imputation makes it possible to infer whole-genome information from limited input data, making large sampling for genomic applications more feasible. Imputation becomes increasingly difficult in heterozygous species where haplotypes must be phased. The practical haplotype graph (PHG) is a recently developed tool that can accurately impute genotypes, using a reference panel of haplotypes. We showcase the ability of the PHG to impute genomic information in the highly heterozygous crop cassava (Manihot esculenta). Accurately phased haplotypes were sampled from runs of homozygosity across a diverse panel of individuals to populate PHG, which proved more accurate than relying on computational phasing methods. The PHG achieved high imputation accuracy, using sparse skim-sequencing input, which translated to substantial genomic prediction accuracy in cross-validation testing. The PHG showed improved imputation accuracy, compared to a standard imputation tool Beagle, especially in predicting rare alleles.
Systems on the edge: developing organizational theory for the persistence of mistreatment in childbirth
Authors: Ramsey Kate
Published: November 2021

Mistreatment in childbirth is institutionalized in many healthcare settings globally, causing widespread harm. Rising concern has elicited research on its prevalence and characteristics, with limited attention to developing explanatory theory. Mistreatment, a complex systemic and behavioral phenomenon, requires social science theory to explain its persistence despite official norms that promote respectful care. Diane Vaughan’s normalization of organizational deviance theory from organizational sociology emerged from studies of how things go wrong in organizations. Its multi-level framework provided an opportunity for analogical cross-case comparison to elaborate theory on mistreatment as normalized organizational deviance. To elaborate the theory, the Tanzanian public health system in the period of 2010–2015 was selected as a case. A broad Scopus search identified 4068 articles published on the health system and maternal health in Tanzania of which 122 were selected. Data was extracted using a framework based on the theory and reviews of mistreatment in healthcare. Relationships and patterns emerged through comparative analysis across concepts and system levels and then were compared with Vaughan’s theory and additional organizational theories. Analysis revealed that normalized scarcity at the macro-level combined with production pressures for biomedical care and imbalanced power-dependence altered values, structures and processes in the health system. Meso-level actors struggled to achieve production goals with limited autonomy and resources, resulting in workarounds and informal rationing. Biomedical care was prioritized, and emotion work was rationed in provider interactions with women, which many women experienced as disrespect. Analogical comparison with another case of organizational deviance based on literature enabled a novel approach to elaborate theory. The emergent theory sheds light on opportunities to transform systems and routinize respectful care. Theory application in additional settings and exploration of other social theories is needed for further understanding of this complex problem.
Judicial amendment of the constitution
Authors: Macfarlane Emmett
Published: November 2021

This article examines the conceptual distinction between judicial interpretation and judicial amendment. It argues that there are contexts where courts can depart so far from the constitutional text, the intent or purposes of relevant constitutional provisions, and the broad consensus within the political community about what the constitution does and does not contemplate, that they engage in effective amendment of the constitution. In these instances, judicial reasoning acts in defiance of, or with disregard for, codified constitutional amending procedures. The distinction between judicial amendment and judicial interpretation is not a clear or easy one. An analysis of its invocation in the context of the United States, Canada, and Australia finds that the concept of judicial amendment is often employed in a way that threatens to merely replicate extant debates over competing theories of constitutional interpretation. At a conceptual level then, the distinction between judicial amendment and interpretation requires a high threshold. The article identifies a set of factors to establish when courts are no longer engaged in mere interpretation but are fundamentally altering the constitution itself. It then applies those factors to an analysis of three cases of judicial amendment in Canada and India.
Ultra-processed food and risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies
Authors: Delpino Felipe Mendes , Figueiredo Lílian Munhoz , Bielemann Renata Moraes , da Silva Bruna Gonçalves Cordeiro , dos Santos Francine Silva , Mintem Gicele Costa , Flores Thaynã Ramos , Arcêncio Ricardo Alexandre , Nunes Bruno Pereira
Published: November 2021

Background

The consumption of some food groups is associated with the risk of diabetes. However, there is no evidence from meta-analysis which evaluates the consumption of ultra-processed products in the risk of diabetes. This study aimed to review the literature assessing longitudinally the association between consumption of ultra-processed food and the risk of type 2 diabetes and to quantify this risk through a meta-analysis.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis with records from PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), Scielo, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. We included longitudinal studies assessing ultra-processed foods and the risk of type 2 diabetes. The review process was conducted independently by two reviewers. The Newcastle Ottawa scale assessed the quality of the studies. A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effect of moderate and high consumption of ultra-processed food on the risk of diabetes.

Results

In total 2272 records were screened, of which 18 studies, including almost 1.1 million individuals, were included in this review and 72% showed a positive association between ultra-processed foods and the risk of diabetes. According to the studies included in the meta-analysis, compared with non-consumption, moderate intake of ultra-processed food increased the risk of diabetes by 12% [relative risk (RR): 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06–1.17, I2 = 24%], whereas high intake increased risk by 31% (RR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.21–1.42, I2 = 60%).

Conclusions

The consumption of ultra-processed foods increased the risk for type 2 diabetes as dose-response effect, with moderate to high credibility of evidence.
Estimates on the generalization error of physics-informed neural networks for approximating PDEs
Authors: Mishra Siddhartha , Molinaro Roberto
Published: November 2021

Physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) have recently been widely used for robust and accurate approximation of partial differential equations (PDEs). We provide upper bounds on the generalization error of PINNs approximating solutions of the forward problem for PDEs. An abstract formalism is introduced and stability properties of the underlying PDE are leveraged to derive an estimate for the generalization error in terms of the training error and number of training samples. This abstract framework is illustrated with several examples of nonlinear PDEs. Numerical experiments, validating the proposed theory, are also presented.
Clinical outcome in patients who underwent amputation due to extremity soft tissue sarcoma: Tokai Musculoskeletal Oncology Consortium study
Authors: Hagi Tomohito , Nakamura Tomoki , Nagano Akihito , Koike Hiroshi , Yamada Kenji , Aiba Hisaki , Fujihara Nasa , Wasa Junji , Asanuma Kunihiro , Kozawa Eiji , Ishimura Daisuke , Kawanami Katsuhisa , Izubuchi Yuya , Shido Yoji , Sudo Akihiro , Nishida Yoshihiro
Published: November 2021

Background

Soft tissue sarcomas are a diverse group of rare malignant tumours, mostly occurring in the lower extremities. Amputations are necessary for achieving local control when the soft tissue sarcomas are too large and/or have neurovascular involvement. Patients who require amputation have a poorer prognosis than those who undergo limb-salvage surgery.

Patients and Methods

We investigated the tumour characteristics and the clinical outcomes in 55 patients with primary soft tissue sarcomas, who underwent amputation. We excluded patients with amputation performed distal to the wrist or ankle joints and those with recurrent soft tissue sarcomas.

Results

The mean tumour size was 11.1 cm. Hip disarticulation was performed in 6 patients, 20 underwent above the knee amputation, 8 underwent knee disarticulation and 12 underwent below the knee amputation. Shoulder disarticulation was performed in three patients, five underwent above the elbow amputation, and one underwent below the elbow amputation. The 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 52.8%. The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate and 5-year metastasis-free survival rates were 90.1% and 38.5%, respectively. Larger tumour size, age and the distant metastases at first presentation were predictors of poor prognosis for survival in multivariate analysis. Twenty-eight patients could walk using artificial limbs. The level of amputation (above versus below the knee) showed a significant difference in achieving independent gait.

Conclusion

Amputation is a useful treatment option for achieving local control in patients with large soft tissue sarcomas. Patients had an opportunity of walking, especially for those who underwent below the knee amputation.
Marginal resection for patients with atypical lipomatous tumours of the extremities and trunk wall: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kido Akira , Kitagawa Yasuyuki , Tsukushi Satoshi , Iwata Shintaro , Ishida Yukako , Tsukamoto Shinji , Kawai Akira
Published: November 2021

Background

This systematic review assessed and compared the efficacy of marginal resection to wide resection in patients with atypical lipomatous tumours (ALT) by evaluating the local recurrence rates, overall survival and adverse event rates.

Methods

We evaluated studies published between 1 January 1990 and 31 January 2019. The risks of bias in the selected studies were analyzed using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. The quality of the evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach.

Results

Three case–control studies and three case series studies were identified. A meta-analysis was performed of six studies to evaluate the local recurrence rate after resection. Comparison of marginal and wide resections showed that the local recurrence rate was not significantly higher in the marginal resection group (14.2 and 1.4%, odds ratio: 2.88, 95% confidence interval 0.99–8.33, P = 0.05). We observed no difference in overall survival. In one study, the rates of adverse events were 14.7% in the marginal resection group and 45.4% in the wide treatment group (odds ratio, 0.32; 95% confidence interval 0.11–80.91, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In our analyses, five of six studies reported no recurrence for wide resection, compared to three to seven recurrences in the marginal resection group. One study reported only one case of recurrence for wide resection. Because ALT has a relatively good prognosis, the use of marginal resection is acceptable to preserve musculoskeletal function.
The building up of observed stellar scaling relations of massive galaxies and the connection to black hole growth in the TNG50 simulation
Authors: Varma S , Huertas-Company M , Pillepich A , Nelson D , Rodriguez-Gomez V , Dekel A , Faber S M , Iglesias-Navarro P , Koo D C , Primack J
Published: November 2021

We study how mock-observed stellar morphological and structural properties of massive galaxies are built up between z = 0.5 and z = 3 in the TNG50 cosmological simulation. We generate mock images with the properties of the CANDELS survey and derive Sersic parameters and optical rest-frame morphologies as usually done in the observations. Overall, the simulation reproduces the observed evolution of the abundances of different galaxy morphological types of star-forming and quiescent galaxies. The log M* − log Re and log M* − log Σ1 relations of the simulated star-forming and quenched galaxies also match the observed slopes and zeropoints to within 1-σ. In the simulation, galaxies increase their observed central stellar mass density (Σ1) and transform in morphology from irregular/clumpy systems to normal Hubble-type systems in the Star Formation Main Sequence at a characteristic stellar mass of ∼1010.5 M⊙ which is reflected in an increase of the central stellar mass density (Σ1). This morphological transformation is connected to the activity of the central Super Massive Black Holes (SMBHs). At low stellar masses (109 < M*/M⊙ < 1010) SMBHs grow rapidly, while at higher mass SMBHs switch into the kinetic feedback mode and grow more slowly. During this low-accretion phase, SMBH feedback leads to the quenching of star-formation, along with a simultaneous growth in Σ1, partly due to the fading of stellar populations. More compact massive galaxies grow their SMBHs faster than extended ones of the same mass and end up quenching earlier. In the TNG50 simulation, SMBHs predominantly grow via gas accretion before galaxies quench, and Σ1 increases substantially after SMBH growth slows down. The simulation predicts therefore that quiescent galaxies have higher Σ1 values than star-forming galaxies for the same SMBH mass, which disagrees with alternative models, and may potentially be in tension with some observations.
ExoMol line lists – XLIV. Infrared and ultraviolet line list for silicon monoxide (28Si16O)
Authors: Yurchenko Sergei N , Tennyson Jonathan , Syme Anna-Maree , Adam Ahmad Y , Clark Victoria H J , Cooper Bridgette , Dobney C Pria , Donnelly Shaun T E , Gorman Maire N , Lynas-Gray Anthony E , Meltzer Thomas , Owens Alec , Qu Qianwei , Semenov Mikhail , Somogyi Wilfrid , Upadhyay Apoorva , Wright Samuel , Zapata Trujillo Juan C
Published: November 2021

A new silicon monoxide (28Si16O) line list covering infrared, visible, and ultraviolet regions called SiOUVenIR is presented. This line list extends the infrared EBJT ExoMol line list by including vibronic transitions to the $A\, {}^{1}\Pi$ and $E\, {}^{1}\Sigma ^{+}$ electronic states. Strong perturbations to the $A\, {}^{1}\Pi$ band system are accurately modelled through the treatment of six dark electronic states: $C\, {}^{1}\Sigma ^{-}$, $D\, {}^{1}\Delta$, $a\, {}^{3}\Sigma ^{+}$, $b\, {}^{3}\Pi$, $e\, {}^{3}\Sigma ^{-}$, and $d\, {}^{3}\Delta$. Along with the $X\, {}^{1}\Sigma ^{+}$ ground state, these nine electronic states were used to build a comprehensive spectroscopic model of SiO using a combination of empirical and ab initio curves, including the potential energy (PE), spin–orbit, electronic angular momentum, and (transition) dipole moment curves. The ab initio PE and coupling curves, computed at the multireference configuration interaction level of theory, were refined by fitting their analytical representations to 2617 experimentally derived SiO energy levels determined from 97 vibronic bands belonging to the X–X, E–X, and A–X electronic systems through the MARVEL (Measured Active Rotational–Vibrational Energy Levels) procedure. 112 observed forbidden transitions from the C–X, D–X, e–X, and d–X bands were assigned using our predictions, and these could be fed back into the MARVEL procedure. The SiOUVenIR line list was computed using published ab initio transition dipole moments for the E–X and A–X bands; the line list is suitable for temperatures up to 10 000 K and for wavelengths longer than 140 nm. SiOUVenIR is available from www.exomol.com and the CDS data base.
Effective and scalable single-cell data alignment with non-linear canonical correlation analysis
Authors: Hu Jialu , Chen Mengjie , Zhou Xiang
Published: November 2021

Data alignment is one of the first key steps in single cell analysis for integrating multiple datasets and performing joint analysis across studies. Data alignment is challenging in extremely large datasets, however, as the major of the current single cell data alignment methods are not computationally efficient. Here, we present VIPCCA, a computational framework based on non-linear canonical correlation analysis for effective and scalable single cell data alignment. VIPCCA leverages both deep learning for effective single cell data modeling and variational inference for scalable computation, thus enabling powerful data alignment across multiple samples, multiple data platforms, and multiple data types. VIPCCA is accurate for a range of alignment tasks including alignment between single cell RNAseq and ATACseq datasets and can easily accommodate millions of cells, thereby providing researchers unique opportunities to tackle challenges emerging from large-scale single-cell atlas.
Phospho-RNA sequencing with circAID-p-seq
Authors: Del Piano Alessia , Kecman Tea , Schmid Michael , Barbieri Ruggero , Brocchieri Luciano , Tornaletti Silvia , Firrito Claudia , Minati Luca , Bernabo Paola , Signoria Ilaria , Lauria Fabio , Gillingwater Thomas H , Viero Gabriella , Clamer Massimiliano
Published: November 2021

Most RNA footprinting approaches that require ribonuclease cleavage generate RNA fragments bearing a phosphate or cyclic phosphate group at their 3′ end. Unfortunately, current library preparation protocols rely only on a 3′ hydroxyl group for adaptor ligation or poly-A tailing. Here, we developed circAID-p-seq, a PCR-free library preparation for selective 3′ phospho-RNA sequencing. As a proof of concept, we applied circAID-p-seq to ribosome profiling, which is based on sequencing of RNA fragments protected by ribosomes after endonuclease digestion. CircAID-p-seq, combined with the dedicated computational pipeline circAidMe, facilitates accurate, fast and highly efficient sequencing of phospho-RNA fragments from eukaryotic cells and tissues. We used circAID-p-seq to portray ribosome occupancy in transcripts, providing a versatile and PCR-free strategy to possibly unravel any endogenous 3′-phospho RNA molecules.
Vision Testing in Late Nineteenth- and Early Twentieth-Century Britain: Opticians, Medical Practitioners and the Battle for Professional Authority
Authors: Almond Gemma
Published: November 2021

In the 1890s, opticians were reforming their practice against a body of medical practitioners who were increasingly attempting to specialise in, and monopolise, vision testing and spectacle dispensing. This article explores how and why vision testing became a subject of debate and how opticians were able to successfully set out their claims to professional authority in the face of medical competition. It argues that opticians created a scientific rhetoric distinctive from medical training by combining optics and anatomy. In response, medical practitioners attempted to consolidate the medicalisation of an area of the body through claiming completely new, and potentially unfounded, areas of expertise and medical jurisdiction. A study of the optician’s role in the 1890s demonstrates the broader influence of fringe professions, commercial marketing and the public’s receptiveness to the construction of expertise in enabling but ultimately inhibiting the medicalisation process, an outcome that medical practitioners had to grudgingly accept.