bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biopolymer‐Templated Deposition of Ordered and Polymorph Titanium Dioxide Thin Films for Improved Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering Sensitivity
Authors: Chen Qing , Betker Marie , Harder Constantin , Brett Calvin J. , Schwartzkopf Matthias , Ulrich Nils M. , Toimil‐Molares Maria E. , Trautmann Christina , Söderberg L. Daniel , Weindl Christian L. , Körstgens Volker , Müller‐Buschbaum Peter , Ma Mingming , Roth Stephan V.
Published: October 2021

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is an excellent candidate material for semiconductor metal oxide‐based substrates for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Biotemplated fabrication of TiO2 thin films with a 3D network is a promising route for effectively transferring the morphology and ordering of the template into the TiO2 layer. The control over the crystallinity of TiO2 remains a challenge due to the low thermal stability of biopolymers. Here is reported a novel strategy of the cellulose nanofibril (CNF)‐directed assembly of TiO2/CNF thin films with tailored morphology and crystallinity as SERS substrates. Polymorphous TiO2/CNF thin films with well‐defined morphology are obtained by combining atomic layer deposition and thermal annealing. A high enhancement factor of 1.79 × 106 in terms of semiconductor metal oxide nanomaterial (SMON)‐based SERS substrates is obtained from the annealed TiO2/CNF thin films with a TiO2 layer thickness of 10 nm fabricated on indium tin oxide (ITO), when probed by 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid molecules. Common SERS probes down to 10 nm can be detected on these TiO2/CNF substrates, indicating superior sensitivity of TiO2/CNF thin films among SMON SERS substrates. This improvement in SERS sensitivity is realized through a cooperative modulation of the template morphology of the CNF network and the crystalline state of TiO2.
Guidelines in Practice: Specimen Management
Authors: Link Terri
Published: October 2021

Specimen management is a complex process that involves multiple steps and numerous health care personnel. Preventable specimen‐related errors are common and can occur during any phase of the specimen management process. Perioperative nurses manage specimens during the preanalytical phase before specimens are delivered to the laboratory for analysis. Errors in the preanalytical phase may include mislabeling, miscommunication, loss of a specimen, improper fixation of the specimen, and transport failures. The AORN “Guideline for specimen management” provides guidance for managing specimens collected during surgical and other invasive procedures, including recommendations for handling specific types of specimens. This article discusses the guideline recommendations for intraoperative team communication, transfer from the sterile field, containment, transport, and quality. A scenario describes a facility team’s use of a root cause analysis and a failure modes and effects analysis tool to assess the risk and effects of specimen errors and create a process improvement plan.
Clinical Issues—November 2021
Authors: Jones Emily
Published: October 2021

THIS MONTH

Occupational human papillomavirus vaccination for health care workers

Key words: human papillomavirus (HPV), vaccination, occupational exposure, surgical smoke.

Respiratory protection during smoke‐generating treatment of human papillomavirus lesions

Key words: human papillomavirus (HPV), respiratory protection, surgical smoke evacuation, surgical N95 respirator, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).

Most penetrating particle size in air filtration media testing

Key words: most penetrating particle size (MPPS), ultra‐low particulate air (ULPA), filtration efficiency, filtration media, surgical smoke evacuation.

Smoke evacuation in surgical simulation laboratories

Key words: surgical smoke evacuation, simulation laboratories, surgical energy devices, surgical smoke safety.
Concerted evolution of ribosomal DNA: Somatic peace amid germinal strife
Authors: Haig David
Published: October 2021

Most eukaryotes possess many copies of rDNA. Organismal selection alone cannot maintain rRNA function because the effects of mutations in one rDNA are diluted by the presence of many other rDNAs. rRNA quality is maintained by processes that increase homogeneity of rRNA within, and heterogeneity among, germ cells thereby increasing the effectiveness of cellular selection on ribosomal function. A successful rDNA repeat will possess adaptations for spreading within tandem arrays by intranuclear selection. These adaptations reside in the non‐coding regions of rDNA. Single‐copy genes are predicted to manage processes of intranuclear and cellular selection in the germline to maintain the quality of rRNA expressed in somatic cells of future generations.
1‐Indanone and 1,3‐indandione Derivatives as Ligands for Misfolded α‐Synuclein Aggregates
Authors: Sun Xianwei , Admane Prasad , Starosolski Zbigniew A. , Eriksen Jason L. , Annapragada Ananth V. , Tanifum Eric A.
Published: October 2021

The development of imaging agents for in vivo detection of alpha‐synuclein (α‐syn) pathologies faces several challenges. A major gap in the field is the lack of diverse molecular scaffolds with high affinity and selectivity to α‐syn fibrils for in vitro screening assays. Better in vitro scaffolds can instruct the discovery of better in vivo agents. We report the rational design, synthesis, and in vitro evaluation of a series of novel 1‐indanone and 1,3‐indandione derivatives from a Structure‐Activity Relationship (SAR) study centered on some existing α‐syn fibril binding ligands. Our results from fibril saturation binding experiments show that two of the lead candidates compounds 8 and 32 bind α‐syn fibrils with binding constants (Kd) of 9.0 and 18.8 nM, respectively, and selectivity of greater than 10× for α‐syn fibrils compared with amyloid‐β (Aβ) and tau fibrils. Our results demonstrate that the lead ligands avidly label all forms of α‐syn on PD brain tissue sections, but only the dense core of senile plaques in AD brain tissue, respectively. These results are corroborated by ligand‐antibody colocalization data from Syn211, which shows immunoreactivity toward all forms of α‐syn aggregates, and Syn303, which displays preferential reactivity toward mature Lewy pathology. Our results reveal that 1‐indanone derivatives have desirable properties for the biological evaluation of α‐synucleinopathies.
Can screening for low vitamin D levels prevent bone health complications in paediatric oncology patients?
Authors: Naeije Leonie , de Silva Mandy Pohlui , Hofman Paul
Published: October 2021

Background

No international standards include vitamin D levels at diagnosis or during treatment. It is included in the Children's Oncology Group long‐term follow‐up guidelines. However, bone health complications (like osteopenia and atraumatic fractures) can occur at diagnosis or during treatment as well.

Cases

In this small case series, we illustrate the complexity of bone health complications among our broad paediatric oncology population. If the vitamin D level is low we supplement the patient with one standard oral dose (150 000 units for 1–2 year olds, 300 000 units for 2–5 year olds and 600 000 units for >5 year olds). We do not adjust depending on diagnosis.

Conclusion

Because of the potentially negative outcomes on short, medium and long term, we recommend checking vitamin D levels on diagnosis for all newly diagnosed patients. It is a simple, low cost test and one dose of oral supplementation can easily treat the deficiency.
Research Progress of Oxygen Evolution Reaction Catalysts for Electrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Liu Yanying , Zhou Daojin , Deng Tianyin , He Guangli , Chen Aibing , Sun Xiaoming , Yang Yuhua , Miao Ping
Published: October 2021

The development of a low‐cost and high‐efficiency oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst is essential to meet the future industrial demand for hydrogen production by electrochemical water splitting. Given the limited reserves of noble metals and many competitive applications in environmental protection, new energy, and chemical industries, many studies have focused on exploring new and efficient non‐noble metal catalytic systems, improving the understanding of the OER mechanism of non‐noble metal surfaces, and designing electrocatalysts with higher activity than traditional noble metals. This Review summarizes the research progress of anode OER catalysts for hydrogen production by electrochemical water splitting in recent years, for noble metal and non‐noble metal catalysts, where non‐noble metal catalysts are highlighted. The categories are as follows: (1) Transition metal‐based compounds, including transition metal‐based oxides, transition metal‐based layered hydroxides, and transition metal‐based sulfides, phosphides, selenides, borides, carbides, and nitrides. Transition metal‐based oxides can also be divided into perovskite, spinel, amorphous, rock‐salt‐type, and lithium oxides according to their different structures. (2) Carbonaceous materials and their composite materials with transition metals. (3) Transition metal‐based metal‐organic frameworks and their derivatives. Finally, the challenges and future development of the OER process of water splitting are discussed.
Getting personal about skin: Realizing precision medicine in dermatology
Authors: Brownstone Nicholas , Wu Jashin J. , Strober Bruce E. , Dickerson Tobin J.
Published: October 2021

With the massive influx of data from “omics” methods combined with sophisticated informatics platforms, personalized medicine, defined as the tailoring of medical decision‐making and/or treatments to an individual patient, has led to the promise of better and more efficient patient care. As a concept, personalized medicine could fundamentally alter how clinicians think about the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The introduction of a precision medicine tool has benefits for multiple stakeholders; patients benefit by having improved outcomes, physicians can make confident decisions in managing their patients, and the healthcare system saves significant dollars through the reduction of wasted spend. This paradigm has been particularly true in oncology where biomarker‐driven treatment paradigms have become increasingly common. In this review, personalized medicine and biomarkers in the field of dermatology are reviewed. Specifically, three disease states are discussed including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and melanoma. For each disease state, biomarkers and personalized medicine tests are reviewed focusing on diagnosis and treatment for these conditions. The ethics, implementation, advantages, and disadvantages are discussed for the adaptation of personalized medicine in clinical dermatology. The advent of personalized medicine in dermatology could lead to a paradigm shift in how patients are treated, with the resulting improved clinical outcomes leading to concomitant reductions in wasted healthcare expenditures.
Food selectivity, nutritional inadequacies, and mealtime behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorder compared to neurotypical children
Authors: Molina‐López Jorge , Leiva‐García Beatriz , Planells Elena , Planells Paloma
Published: October 2021

Objective

To evaluate body composition, nutritional status through food selectivity and degree of inadequate intake, and mealtime behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to neurotypical children.

Method

A cross‐sectional case–control study was carried out in 144 children (N = 55 with ASD; N = 91 with neurotypical children) between 6 and 18 years of age. Body composition, nutritional intake, food consumption frequency (FFQ), and mealtime behavior were evaluated.

Results

Results showed a greater presence of children with a low weight (18.4% ASD vs. 3.20% comparison group) and obesity (16.3% ASD vs. 8.6% comparison group) in the ASD group for body mass index (BMI) categories (p = .003; number needed to take [NNT] = 8.07). The presence of obesity in ASD children compared to the comparison group was even higher when considering the fat component (47.5% ASD vs. 19.4% comparison group, p = .002; NNT = 10.3). ASD children had greater intake inadequacy (50% ASD vs. 22% comparison group, p = .014; NNT = 3.58), high food selectivity by FFQ (60.6% ASD vs. 37.9% comparison group, p < .037; NNT = 4.41), and more eating problems (food rejection, limited variety, disruptive behavior), compared to neurotypical children (p = .001).

Conclusion

Children with ASD showed an unbalanced body composition toward both underweight and obesity, a greater degree of inadequate intake, high food selectivity as indicated by their consumption frequency, and more disturbed eating behavior than children with neurotypical development. We suggest monitoring nutritional inadequacies and implementing nutritional strategies to expand the variety of foods children with ASD consume.
Salmonid thermal habitat contraction in a hydrogeologically complex setting
Authors: O'Sullivan Antóin M. , Corey Emily , Cunjak Richard A. , Linnansaari Tommi , Curry R. Allen
Published: October 2021

Broadening our understanding of river thermal variability is of paramount importance considering the role temperature plays in aquatic ecosystem health. At the catchment scale, spatial statistical river network models (SSN) are popular for analyses of river temperature, as these are less “data hungry” than other modeling methods, and have offered invaluable insights into how thermal habitats of salmonids may change with climate warming. However, recent work has demonstrated that hydrogeological complexity can disrupt river temperature spatial autocorrelation. We test the prediction that the non‐linearity of hydrological processes inherent in a hydrogeologically complex setting, such as the Miramichi River, invalidates the SSN approach, and a Random Forest (RF) model can overcome these complexities. In all instances, RFs outperformed SSNs when predicting average (TwA) and maximum (TwM) August river temperature during 2017, and were quite robust (TwA and TwM: R2 = 0.93; RMSE = 0.6°C; R2 = 0.91; RMSE = 1.0°C, respectively). We conclude that RF models can capture the inherent non‐linearity of hydrological processes in complex hydrogeologic settings. We examined thermal habitat change for adult and 1+/2+ Atlantic salmon—AS—(Salmo salar), and all age classes of brook trout—BKT—(Salvelinus fontinalis), during August 2017, with thresholds of behavioral thermoregulation specific to the catchment. We assumed a baseline = TwA and investigated river network contraction (km) for TwM. During TwA, all habitat was suggested to be thermally suitable for 1+/2+ AS (<23°C), but 4.2% was unsuitable for adult AS and BKT of all ages (>20°C). For TwM, ~80% of the catchment was predicted to be unsuitable for adult AS and BKT. We examined two boundaries for behavorial thermoregulation in 1+/2+ AS: >23°C and >27°C. For the >23°C boundary, ~27.7% of the catchment is thermally unsuitable during TwM, and 4.9% is thermally unsuitable for the >27°C boundary. TwA in August 2017 was identical to long‐term (1970–1999) July–August TwA, as such these thermal maps will be useful for resource managers.
Androgen Deprivation Therapy Differentially Impacts Bone and Muscle in the Short Term in Physically Active Men With Prostate Cancer
Authors: Maalouf Naim M. , Chhabra Avneesh , Zafereo Jason , Querry Ross , Towler Dwight A. , Thakur Uma J. , Frankl Joseph , Poindexter John R. , Mogharrabi Bayan , Xac May , Öz Orhan K. , Rubin Craig D.
Published: October 2021

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a cornerstone of advanced prostate cancer (PCa) therapy. Its use is associated with a loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and a greater risk of falls and osteoporotic fractures. In this prospective cohort study, we examined the impact of ADT on muscle and bone strength in men initiating ADT for PCa. Participants were evaluated at three time points: immediately before (week 0), and 6 and 24 weeks after ADT initiation. Study measures included fasting blood levels (for markers of muscle and bone metabolic activity), MRI and QCT imaging (for muscle fat content, and bone density and architecture), and validated clinical tests of muscle strength and gait. Sixteen men completed all study visits. At baseline and throughout the study, participants exercised a median of four times/week, but still experienced weight gain (+2.0 kg at week 24 versus week 0, p = 0.004). Biochemically, all men sustained dramatic early and persistent reductions in sex hormones post‐ADT, along with a progressive and significant increase in serum C‐telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX, +84% at week 24 versus week 0). There was a trend for rise in serum sclerostin (p = 0.09) and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) (p = 0.08), but no significant change in serum myostatin (p = 0.99). Volumetric BMD by QCT declined significantly at the femoral neck (−3.7% at week 24 versus week 0), particularly at the trabecular compartment. On MRI, there were no significant changes in thigh muscle fat fraction. On physical testing, men developed weaker grip strength, but experienced no worsening in lower extremity and lumbar spine muscle strength, or on functional tests of gait. In conclusion, in physically active men, ADT for 24 weeks results in a significant increase in bone resorption and reduction in BMD, but nonsignificant changes in thigh muscle quality (on imaging) or strength and gait (on functional testing). © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The short‐lived inhibitory effect of Brachiaria humidicola on nitrous oxide emissions following sheep urine application in a highly nitrifying soil
Authors: Ma Yan , Charteris Alice F. , Loick Nadine , Cardenas Laura M. , Sha Zhipeng , López‐Aizpún María , Chen Qing , Jones Davey L. , Chadwick David R.
Published: October 2021

Background

Brachiaria humidicola (Bh) has the ability to produce biological nitrification inhibitors (NIs) and release NIs from the root to the soil.

Aims

To compare the effects of growing Bh with Brachiaria ruziziensis (Br, which is not able to produce NIs) on soil nitrogen (N) dynamics, N gases and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and nitrifiers and denitrifiers following sheep urine application, a laboratory incubation was conducted in a He/O2 continuous flow denitrification system (DENIS). This incubation was conducted in the absence of light. Hence the measured effects of Bh and Br on N cycling were the residual effect of biological NIs released into the soil prior to the incubation and released via root death.

Methods

The treatments were: (1) Bh with water application (Bh + W); (2) Bh with sheep urine (Bh + U); (3) Br with water application (Br + W); (4) Br with sheep urine (Br + U).

Results

Results showed that soil NO3– concentration increased significantly in the soil with sheep urine application after the incubation. Soil nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO) emissions increased immediately after the sheep urine application and peaked twice during the incubation. Cumulative emissions for the first peak were significantly lower from the Bh + U treatment (0.054 kg N ha–1) compared with the Br + U treatment (0.111 kg N ha–1), but no significant differences were observed in the total cumulative N2O and NO emissions between the Bh + U and Br + U treatment at the end of the incubation. Sheep urine addition did not affect the AOA, nirS and nosZ gene copies, but significantly increased the AOB gene copies after the incubation.

Conclusions

We conclude that the residual effect of Bh to mitigate N2O emissions in a highly nitrifying soil is short‐lived.
The influence of anisotropy on compaction bands: The case of coaxiality between stress and fabric anisotropy tensors
Authors: Prassa Chara , Alevizos Sotiris , Veveakis Manolis , Dafalias Yannis F.
Published: October 2021

Compaction bands are localized failure patterns that appear in highly porous rock material under the effect of relatively high confining pressure. Being affected mainly by volumetric compression, these bands appear to be almost perpendicular to the most compressive principal stress of a stress state at the so‐called “cap” of the yield surface (YS). In this study, we focus on the mechanism that leads to the onset of compaction bands by using a viscoplasticity model able to describe the post‐localization response of these materials. The proposed constitutive framework is based on the overstress theory of Perzyna (1966) and the anisotropic clay plasticity model of Dafalias (1986), which provides not only the necessary “cap” of the YS, but introduces a rotational hardening (RH) mechanism, thus, accounting for the effect of fabric anisotropy. Following the analysis of Veveakis and Regenauer‐Lieb (2015), we identify the compaction bands as “static” cnoidal wave formations in the medium that occur at a post‐yield regime, and we study the effect of rotational and isotropic hardening on their onset. Moreover, we determine a theoretical range of confining pressures in triaxial compression tests for the compaction bands to develop. Under the assumption of coaxiality between stress and anisotropy tensors, the results show that the isotropic hardening promotes compaction localization, whereas the RH has a slightly negative effect on the onset of compaction localization.
Highly stretchable covalent adaptive networks enabled by dynamic boronic diester linkages with nitrogen→boron coordination
Authors: Lyu Zhenyu , Sun Shiqi , Wu Tongfei
Published: October 2021

Covalent adaptive networks (CANs), which can be topologically rearranged, are of remarkable versatility. Here, the collaboration of dynamic boronic diester linkages with nitrogen→boron coordination was used to develop catalyst‐free, highly stretchable CANs. The CANs with different cross‐link densities were prepared via one‐pot synthesis of poly(propylene glycol) diglycidyl ether, 3‐amino‐1,2‐propanediol and benzene‐1,4‐diboronic acid. They were found thermorheologically simple, of which the linear viscoelasticity obeyed the principle of time–temperature superposition. Their topological rearrangements activated by the reshuffling of dynamic linkages was slowed down, while the activation energy on complex viscosity decreased with increasing the cross‐link density. The CANs demonstrated great stretchability, malleability and self‐healing ability, which could be stretched to 15,000× its original length with no break at a strain rate up to 33.3 min−1. Furthermore, the reshuffling of dynamic linkages contributed to efficient energy dissipation with a maximum efficiency of 91% at room temperature.
Contemporary Czech migration policy: ‘Labour, not people’?
Authors: Stojanov Robert , Klvaňová Radka , Seidlová Aneta , Bureš Oldřich
Published: October 2021

This paper offers an analysis of the Czech migration policy since the so‐called European Union (EU) migration crisis in 2015 and its key instruments when it comes to migrant workers from third (non‐EU) countries. On the basis of semi‐structured interviews with 80 experts on various aspects of migration policymaking, we identified three key features of Czech migration policymaking: (i) perception of migration as a threat, (ii) orientation on temporary labour migration and (iii) lack of coherent and systematic conceptual approach towards migration. Jointly, these features explain a central paradox of the contemporary Czech migration policy: the contradiction between a strong anti‐immigration political discourse and the actual numbers of immigrants that has been rising steadily. Similarly to other European countries, there has been a growing tendency towards selectiveness in Czech migration policy, manifested in recent instruments specifically focused on attracting highly qualified migrants. However, the selection criteria are mainly based on the country of origin, and the quotas for incoming migrants reflect the existing administrative capacities and short‐term needs of the current Czech labour market for low‐ and middle‐qualified professionals rather than long‐term economic goals and demographic needs. Since the global economic recession (2008–2010), Czech migration policies have still not genuinely considered the fact that it is people, rather than just ‘labour’, who come to the Czech Republic.
A Novel Method for Winding Faults Diagnostic of Power Transformers Based on Parameter Estimation
Authors: Wang Xue , Ding Jia
Published: October 2021

This paper presents a parameter estimation based method to diagnose winding deformation and turn‐to‐turn fault of power transformers. First, an estimation model of transformer parameters is built, in which five equations are taken in account including voltage loop equation, active loss equation, input impedance equation, no‐load current equation and no‐load loss equation. Then, particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used to solve the model, and the characteristics of estimation data under winding faults are analyzed. At last, based on the estimation data, random forest (RF) algorithm is employed to classify transformer states and realize fault diagnostic. The simulation results show that the proposed parameter estimation method has high precision and are not affected by the factors including load power factors and the type and degree of winding deformation, and the impact of load rates can be avoided; the fault diagnostic scheme based on RF is quite sensitive and effective. The proposed method eliminates the need of transformer outage, and compared with other methods based on parameter estimation, it can distinguish winding deformation and turn‐to‐turn fault. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
An Energy Management Strategy Based on Fuzzy Logic for Hybrid Energy Storage System in Electric Vehicles
Authors: Shen Yongpeng , Li Yuanfeng , Tang Yaohua , Sun Jianbin , Zhao Jun , Yang Xiaoliang
Published: October 2021

To solve the problem of battery capacity degradation caused by high current magnitudes and frequent current variations in electric vehicles (EVs), a hybrid energy storage system (HESS) incorporating high energy density storage (battery) and high power density storage (ultracapacitor) is proposed. The HESS contains a multi‐port DC‐DC converter, which controls the energy flow among the battery pack, the ultracapacitor (UC) pack, and the port of output. Considering the state of charge (SOC) of UC, the speed, and demand power of EV, an energy management strategy (EMS) based on fuzzy logic control (FLC) for the HESS is proposed in this paper. According to the strategy, the battery pack serves as a base power source while the UC pack serves as a transient power source so as to smooth the battery pack current and prolong the battery life. Simulation and experiment results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy for UC/battery HESS in EVs. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Monopoles and dualities in 3d $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 quivers
Authors: Benvenuti Sergio , Garozzo Ivan , Monaco Gabriele Lo
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Seiberg-like dualities in 2 + 1d quiver gauge theories with 4 supercharges are investigated. We consider quivers made of various combinations of classical gauge groups U(N), Sp(N), SO(N) and SU(N). Our main focus is the mapping of the supersymmetric monopole operators across the dual theories. There is a simple general rule that encodes the mapping of the monopoles upon dualizing a single node. This rule dictates the mapping of all the monopoles which are not dressed by baryonic operators. We also study more general situations involving baryons and baryon-monopoles, focussing on three examples: SU − Sp, SO − SO and SO − Sp quivers.
Gravitational waves from first-order phase transitions in Majoron models of neutrino mass
Authors: Di Bari Pasquale , Marfatia Danny , Zhou Ye-Ling
Published: October 2021

Abstract

We show how the generation of right-handed neutrino masses in Majoron models may be associated with a first-order phase transition and accompanied by the production of a stochastic background of gravitational waves (GWs). We explore different energy scales with only renormalizable operators in the effective potential. If the phase transition occurs above the electroweak scale, the signal can be tested by future interferometers. We consider two possible energy scales for phase transitions below the electroweak scale. If the phase transition occurs at a GeV, the signal can be tested at LISA and provide a complementary cosmological probe to right-handed neutrino searches at the FASER detector. If the phase transition occurs below 100 keV, we find that the peak of the GW spectrum is two or more orders of magnitude below the putative NANOGrav GW signal at low frequencies, but well within reach of the SKA and THEIA experiments. We show how searches of very low frequency GWs are motivated by solutions to the Hubble tension in which ordinary neutrinos interact with the dark sector. We also present general calculations of the phase transition temperature and Euclidean action that apply beyond Majoron models.
No-scale gauge non-singlet inflation inducing TeV scale inverse seesaw mechanism
Authors: Moursy Ahmad
Published: October 2021

Abstract

We develop a model of sneutrino inflation that is charged under U(1)B−L gauge symmetry, in no-scale supergravity framework. The model provides an interesting modification of tribrid inflation. We impose U(1)R symmetry on the renormalizable level while allow Planck suppressed non-renormalizable operators that break R-symmetry. This plays a crucial role in realizing a Starobinsly-like inflation scenario from one hand. On the other hand it plays an essential role, as well as SUSY breaking effects, in deriving the tiny neutrino masses via TeV inverse seesaw mechanism. Thus, we provide an interpretation for the extremely small value of the μS mass parameter required for inverse seesaw mechanism. We discuss a reheating scenario and possible constraints on the model parameter space in connection to neutrino masses.
Pragmatic authenticated key agreement for IEEE Std 802.15.6
Authors: Khan Haibat , Dowling Benjamin , Martin Keith M.
Published: October 2021

The IEEE Std 802.15.6 is the latest international standard for Wireless Body Area Networks. The security of communication in this standard is based upon four elliptic-curve-based key agreement protocols. These protocols have been shown to exhibit serious security vulnerabilities but surprisingly, do not provision any privacy guarantees. To date, no suitable key agreement protocol has been proposed which fulfills all the requisite objectives for IEEE Std 802.15.6. In this paper, two key agreement protocols are presented which, in addition to being efficient and provisioning advance security properties, also offer the essential privacy attributes of anonymity and unlinkability. We develop a formal security and privacy model in an appropriate complexity-theoretic framework and prove the proposed protocols secure in this model.
Python software to transform GPS SNR wave phases to volumetric water content
Authors: Martín Angel , Anquela Ana Belén , Ibáñez Sara , Baixauli Carlos , Blanc Sara
Published: October 2021

The global navigation satellite system interferometric reflectometry is often used to extract information about the environment surrounding the antenna. One of the most important applications is soil moisture monitoring. This manuscript presents the main ideas and implementation decisions needed to write the Python code to transform the derived phase of the interferometric GPS waves, obtained from signal-to-noise ratio data continuously observed during a period of several weeks (or months), to volumetric water content. The main goal of the manuscript is to share the software with the scientific community to help users in the GPS-IR computation.
Qarakhanids on the Edge of the Bukhara Oasis: Archaeobotany of Medieval Paykend
Authors: Mir-Makhamad Basira , Mirzaakhmedov Sirojidin , Rahmonov Husniddin , Stark Sören , Omel’chenko Andrey , Spengler Robert N.
Published: October 2021

The urban center of Paykend was an exchange node just off the main corridor of the Silk Road in the Bukhara Oasis on the edge of the hyperarid Kyzyl–Kum Desert. The city was occupied from the end of 4 century B.C.E. to the mid–12 century C.E.; our study focuses on the Qarakhanid period (C.E. 999 – 1211), the last imperial phase of urban occupation at Paykend before its abandonment. In this study, we present the results of an analysis of archaeobotanical remains recovered from a multifunction rabat, which appears to have comprised a domicile, military structure, center of commerce, and/or a caravanserai, a roadside inn for travelers. We shed light on how people adapted a productive economy to the local ecological constraints. By adding these data to the limited Qarakhanid archaeobotany from across Central Asia, we provide the first glimpses into cultivation, commerce, and consumption at a Silk Road trading town along the King’s Road, the central artery of ancient Eurasia.
Effects of Local Administration of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in the Prefrontal Cortex, Striatum, and Hippocampus of Rats
Authors: Irrsack Ellen , Schuller Julia , Petters Charlotte , Willmann Wiebke , Dringen Ralf , Koch Michael
Published: October 2021

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are used for diverse medical approaches, although the potential health risks, for example adverse effects on brain functions, are not fully clarified. Several in vitro studies demonstrated that the different types of brain cells are able to accumulate IONPs and reported a toxic potential for IONPs, at least for microglia. However, little information is available for the in vivo effects of direct application of IONPs into the brain over time. Therefore, we examined the cellular responses and the distribution of iron in the rat brain at different time points after local infusion of IONPs into selected brain areas. Dispersed IONPs or an equivalent amount of low molecular weight iron complex ferric ammonium citrate or vehicle were infused into the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), the caudate putamen (CPu), or the dorsal hippocampus (dHip). Rats were sacrificed 1 day, 1 week, or 4 weeks post-infusion and brain sections were histologically examined for treatment effects on astrocytes, microglia, and neurons. Glial scar formation was observed in the mPFC and CPu 1 week post-infusion independent of the substance and probably resulted from the infusion procedure. Compared to vehicle, IONPs did not cause any obvious additional adverse effects and no additional tissue damage, while the infusion of ferric ammonium citrate enhanced neurodegeneration in the mPFC. Results of iron staining indicate that IONPs were mainly accumulated in microglia. Our results demonstrate that local infusions of IONPs in selected brain areas do not cause any additional adverse effects or neurodegeneration compared to vehicle.
Correction to: Complex bubble deformation and break-up dynamics studies using interface capturing approach
Authors: Fan Yuqiao , Fang Jun , Bolotnov Igor
Published: October 2021

The article “Complex bubble deformation and break-up dynamics studies using interface capturing approach” written by Yuqiao Fan, Jun Fang, and Igor Bolotnov, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on 18 July 2020 without open access. After publication in Volume 3, Issue 3, page 139–151, the author(s) decided to opt for Open Choice and to make the article an open access publication. Therefore, the copyright of the article has been changed to © The Author(s) 2021 and the article is forthwith distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.
Palaeolithic Europe
Authors: French Jennifer C.
Published: October 2021

In this book, Jennifer French presents a new synthesis of the archaeological, palaeoanthropological, and palaeogenetic records of the European Palaeolithic, adopting a unique demographic perspective on these first two-million years of European prehistory. Unlike prevailing narratives of demographic stasis, she emphasises the dynamism of Palaeolithic populations of both our evolutionary ancestors and members of our own species across four demographic stages, within a context of substantial Pleistocene climatic changes. Integrating evolutionary theory with a socially oriented approach to the Palaeolithic, French bridges biological and cultural factors, with a focus on women and children as the drivers of population change. She shows how, within the physiological constraints on fertility and mortality, social relationships provide the key to enduring demographic success. Through its demographic focus, French combines a 'big picture' perspective on human evolution with careful analysis of the day-to-day realities of European Palaeolithic hunter-gatherer communities—their families, their children, and their lives.
Breaking-wave induced pressure and acceleration on a clifftop boulder
Authors: Steer James N. , Kimmoun O. , Dias F.
Published: October 2021

The movements of some massive (

${O}(100)\ \textrm {t}$

) clifftop boulders, once thought to have been caused by tsunami, have been reattributed to storm waves in several recent papers. However, the precise wave-impact modes and transport mechanisms are unknown. We present preliminary linear acceleration, pressure and displacement data recorded by a

$1\,{:}\,30$

scale clifftop boulder impacted by a focused breaking wave in a laboratory flume. The 8 kg boulder was placed atop a 0.25 m high platform and struck with a breaking wave of 0.34 m amplitude. Wave focus position was varied from 0.8 m fore of the platform to 0.27 m aft of the platform to alter the breaking crest shape and wave impact type while maintaining total wave spectral energy. Pressure and acceleration time series measurements from within the boulder show distinct impact types across focus positions. All impacts produced boulder displacement, ranging from 5 mm to 42 mm (0.15 m to 1.3 m at full scale, assuming Froude scaling). The largest boulder pressures were recorded when the wave crest and trough struck the boulder at the same position (flip-through). The largest boulder displacements were measured when high pressures and long impact durations occurred simultaneously and wave focusing was close to flip-through.
Hydrogel sphere impact cratering, spreading and bouncing on granular media
Authors: Ye Xiaoyan , van der Meer Devaraj
Published: October 2021

The impact of a hydrogel sphere onto a granular target results in both the deformation of the sphere and the formation of a prominent topographic feature known as an impact crater on the granular surface. We investigate the crater formation and scaling, together with the spreading diameter and post-impact dynamics of spheres by performing a series of experiments, varying the Young's modulus

$Y$

and impact speed

$U_{0}$

of the hydrogel spheres, and the packing fraction and grain size of the granular target. We determine how the crater diameter and depth depend on

$Y$

and show the data to be consistent with those from earlier experiments using droplets and hard spheres. Most specifically, we find that the crater diameter data are consistent with a power law, where the power exponent changes more sharply when

$Y$

becomes less than 200 Pa. Next, we introduce an estimate for the portion of the impact kinetic energy that is stored as elastic energy during impact, and thus correct the energy that remains available for crater formation. Subsequently, we determine the deformation of the hydrogel spheres and find that the normalized spreading diameter data are well collapsed introducing an equivalent velocity from an energy balance of the initial kinetic energy against surface and elastic energy. Finally, we observe that under certain intermediate values for the Young's modulus and impact velocities, the particles rebound from the impact crater. We determine the phase diagram and explain our findings from a comparison of the elastocapillary spreading time and the impact duration.
Wave- and drag-driven subharmonic responses of a floating wind turbine
Authors: Orszaghova Jana , Taylor Paul H. , Wolgamot Hugh A. , Madsen Freddy J. , Pegalajar-Jurado Antonio M. , Bredmose Henrik
Published: October 2021

The nonlinear hydrodynamic responses of a novel spar-type soft-moored floating offshore wind turbine are investigated via analysis of motion measurements from a wave-basin campaign. A prototype of the TetraSpar floater, supporting a$1:60$scale model of the DTU 10 MW reference wind turbine, was subjected to irregular wave forcing (with no wind) and shown to exhibit subharmonic resonant motions, which greatly exceeded the wave-frequency motions. These slow-drift responses are excited nonlinearly, since the rigid-body natural frequencies of the system lie below the incident-wave frequency range. Pitch motion is examined in detail, allowing for identification of different hydrodynamic forcing mechanisms. The resonant response is found to contain odd-harmonic components, in addition to the even harmonics expecteda prioriand excited by second-order difference-frequency hydrodynamic interactions. Data analysis utilising harmonic separation and signal conditioning suggests that Morison drag excitation or third-order subharmonic potential flow forcing could be at play. In the extreme survival-conditions sea state, the odd resonant responses are identified to be drag-driven. Their importance for the tested floater is appreciable, as their magnitude is comparable to the second-order potential flow effects. Under such severe conditions, the turbine would not be operating, and as such neglecting aerodynamic forcing and motion damping is likely to be reasonable. Additionally, other possible drivers of the resonant pitch response are explored. Both Mathieu-type parametric excitation and wavemaker-driven second-order error waves are found to have negligible influence. However, we note slight contamination of the measurements arising from wave-basin sloshing.
A fully-coupled 3D model of a large Greenlandic outlet glacier with evolving subglacial hydrology, frontal plume melting and calving
Authors: Cook Samuel J. , Christoffersen Poul , Todd Joe
Published: October 2021

We present the first fully coupled 3D full-Stokes model of a tidewater glacier, incorporating ice flow, subglacial hydrology, plume-induced frontal melting and calving. We apply the model to Store Glacier (Sermeq Kujalleq) in west Greenland to simulate a year of high melt (2012) and one of low melt (2017). In terms of modelled hydrology, we find perennial channels extending 5 km inland from the terminus and up to 41 and 29 km inland in summer 2012 and 2017, respectively. We also report a hydrodynamic feedback that suppresses channel growth under thicker ice inland and allows water to be stored in the distributed system. At the terminus, we find hydrodynamic feedbacks exert a major control on calving through their impact on velocity. We show that 2012 marked a year in which Store Glacier developed a fully channelised drainage system, unlike 2017, where it remained only partially developed. This contrast in modelled behaviour indicates that tidewater glaciers can experience a strong hydrological, as well as oceanic, control, which is consistent with observations showing glaciers switching between types of behaviour. The fully coupled nature of the model allows us to demonstrate the likely lack of any hydrological or ice-dynamic memory at Store Glacier.
Improved swallow outcomes with early intervention using combined swallow therapy in advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Kwon D I , Villegas B C , Ouyoung L M , Sinha U K
Published: October 2021

Objective

To evaluate the impact of early intervention using combined swallow therapy, consisting of traditional swallow exercises and transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation, on patients with advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

A cohort study of 60 prospectively enrolled patients was performed. Thirty patients with advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma starting combined swallow therapy two weeks after surgery that continued throughout chemoradiotherapy were compared with a matched cohort of 30 patients starting combined swallow therapy after cancer treatment completion. Gastrostomy tube status, modified barium swallow, and Functional Oral Intake Scale scores were assessed before and after therapy.

Results

Both cohorts demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in Functional Oral Intake Scale scores. All patients in the early intervention cohort discontinued gastrostomy tube use, compared with one-third in the control cohort, with greater improvements in Functional Oral Intake Scale scores. The tongue base was the site of greatest improvement in the early intervention group.

Conclusion

Early initiation of combined swallow therapy may optimise swallow outcomes in patients with advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
Does turbinate reduction combined with septoplasty have better outcomes than septoplasty alone? A randomised, controlled study
Authors: Seden N , Araz Server E , Yigit O , Misir E
Published: October 2021

Objective

This study investigated whether inferior turbinate reduction combined with septoplasty improves patients’ outcomes, as assessed by objective and subjective methods.

Methods

A single-centre, parallel-group, randomised, open-label trial was conducted at a tertiary hospital ENT clinic. Patients who underwent septoplasty were divided into two groups: group A underwent septoplasty with radiofrequency ablation; group B underwent only septoplasty. All patients were assessed before and three months after surgery using acoustic rhinometry and peak nasal inspiratory flow measurements, as well as Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 scores.

Results

Seventy-four patients completed the study (36 in group A and 38 in group B). The patients in both groups showed significant improvements in acoustic rhinometry and peak nasal inspiratory flow measurements and in Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 scores after the surgery (p < 0.05). However, the differences between the groups were not significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Inferior turbinate ablation combined with septoplasty does not provide any more benefit to the objective and subjective outcomes of patients than septoplasty alone.
TRIPS Pluralism
Authors: Gervais Daniel J.
Published: October 2021

The article explains that the interpretation of the TRIPS Agreement by WTO dispute-settlement panels and the Appellate Body has palpably shifted since the establishment of the WTO in 1995. Some of this shift is also arguably present in disputes concerning other WTO instruments. This progressive shift comes at a time when key debates about TRIPS waivers are taking place on the rue de Lausanne, namely a first for the COVID-19 pandemic and a second possible one for environmental protection measures related to climate change. According to the proposed pluralist analysis of TRIPS, it was less likely as of 2020 that the WTO dispute-settlement system would find unjustifiable inconsistencies between WTO commitments, on the one hand, and measures to protect public health or mitigate climate change, on the other hand. Whether future Appellate Body will follow that jurisprudence is an open question. Though the analysis contained in the article may make the COVID-related TRIPS waivers doctrinally unnecessary and allow Members to take measures now, its main aim is to inform the debates about the waivers and the future interpretation of the TRIPS Agreement, including the three-step test.