bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated silicon reconfigurable optical transmitter
Authors: Liu Wei , Fu Sidong , Yu Yu
Published: November 2020

We demonstrate an integrated silicon reconfigurable optical transmitter based on the reconfigurability of the Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI). By incorporating modulators into the tunable MZI structure and manipulating the operation states, different modulation formats, including amplitude/phase modulated binary/quaternary signals, as well as polarization multiplexed signals, can be generated as required, to accommodate different transmission links. For a proof-of-concept demonstration, the microring modulators are adopted, and we experimentally generate a 10 GBaud on-off keying (OOK) signal, four-level pulse amplitude signal, and polarization division multiplexing OOK signal using the same transmitter. The device is promising for a next-generation intelligent optical link.
Long-range Bloch surface waves in photonic crystal ridges
Authors: Perani Tommaso , Liscidini Marco
Published: November 2020

We theoretically study light propagation in guided Bloch surface waves (BSWs) supported by photonic crystal ridges. We demonstrate that low propagation losses can be achieved just by a proper design of the multilayer to obtain photonic band gaps for both light polarizations. We present a design strategy based on a Fourier analysis that allows one to obtain intrinsic losses as low as 5 dB/km for a structure operating in the visible spectral range. These results clarify the limiting factors to light propagation in guided BSWs and represent a fundamental step towards the development of BSW-based integrated optical platforms.
Giant electric field enhancement for plasmonic imaging via graphene based nanoslit optical superlens
Authors: Du Guangqing , Lu Yu , Uddin Noor , Lankanath Dayantha , Hou Xun , Chen Feng
Published: November 2020

We present theoretical investigations on designing a simple double
nano-slit superlens for dramatically improving imaging quality for
advanced plasmonic photolithography through introducing graphene as a
plasmonic integrator. It is proposed that more than 235 times
enhancement of localized electric field can be assured as the graphene
layer is embedded in the designed superlens. It is observed that by
introducing graphene for superlensing, dominant enhancement of
electric field amplitudes of interference imaging profiles can be
observed at a properly designed photoresist with optimal thickness. We
further show by systematically examining design parameters for the
graphene-based superlens, clarifying the overall geometric and
material parameter influences on the plasmonic imaging pattern
characteristics. The results are attributed to the unique role of
graphene participating in strong hybrid plasmonic cavity coupling
modes for supporting localized electric fields of the nanoslit
superlensing. This study shows proper designing of graphene-based
optical superlens can potentially realize high-quality, low-cost and
simple-realized nano-imaging for advanced plasmonic photolithography
applications.
Polymer dispersed liquid crystals with electrically controlled light scattering in the visible and near-infrared ranges
Authors: Pozhidaev E. P. , Kaznacheev A. V. , Torgova S. I. , Kesaev V. V. , Barbashov V. A.
Published: November 2020

We developed polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) that effectively scatter light both in the visible and near-infrared ranges simultaneously. Such PDLCs are characterized by an optimal size distribution of nematic liquid crystal droplets within 0.4 − 3 µm, which is achieved due to the specially selected copolymer, the elaborated liquid crystal material as well as the proper cooling mode from the isotropic phase. These PDLC films provide electrically controlled light scattering modulation in the spectral range 300 − 2300 nm with the response time around 10 ms.
Breaking plasmonic symmetry through the asymmetric growth of gold nanorods
Authors: Melendez Lesly V. , Barrow Steven J. , Liu Amelia , Connell Timothy U. , Gómez Daniel E.
Published: November 2020

The optoelectronic properties of asymmetric metal nanostructures are of current interest for applications in photonics, sensing, and catalysis. Here, we break the symmetry of the localized surface plasmon resonance of gold nanorods by selective overgrowth of a single tip via a high-yield (

>

80

%

) wet-chemical method. While optical spectroscopy exhibits a bathochromic shift of the nanoparticle plasmon resonance, cathodoluminescence and electron energy loss spectroscopy measurements reveal a breaking of the symmetry of the associated localized surface plasmon resonance mode, which results in the subwavelength concentration of electromagnetic energy. The simple, one-step postsynthetic modification allows control of nanoparticle structural parameters, and we demonstrate how the asymmetric energy redistribution leads to increases in the surface-enhanced Raman scattering of a model analyte attached to the surface of the nanostructures. The spatial localization of energy in these nanostructures may find applications in nanofocusing, nanoimaging, and light harvesting.
Independent representations of self-motion and object location in barrel cortex output
Authors: Cheung Jonathan Andrew , Maire Phillip , Kim Jinho , Lee Kiana , Flynn Garrett , Hires Samuel Andrew
Published: November 2020

During active tactile exploration, the dynamic patterns of touch are transduced to electrical signals and transformed by the brain into a mental representation of the object under investigation. This transformation from sensation to perception is thought to be a major function of the mammalian cortex. In primary somatosensory cortex (S1) of mice, layer 5 (L5) pyramidal neurons are major outputs to downstream areas that influence perception, decision-making, and motor control. We investigated self-motion and touch representations in L5 of S1 with juxtacellular loose-seal patch recordings of optogenetically identified excitatory neurons. We found that during rhythmic whisker movement, 54 of 115 active neurons (47%) represented self-motion. This population was significantly more modulated by whisker angle than by phase. Upon active touch, a distinct pattern of activity was evoked across L5, which represented the whisker angle at the time of touch. Object location was decodable with submillimeter precision from the touch-evoked spike counts of a randomly sampled handful of these neurons. These representations of whisker angle during self-motion and touch were independent, both in the selection of which neurons were active and in the angle-tuning preference of coactive neurons. Thus, the output of S1 transiently shifts from a representation of self-motion to an independent representation of explored object location during active touch.
Veterinary trypanocidal benzoxaboroles are peptidase-activated prodrugs
Authors: Giordani Federica , Paape Daniel , Vincent Isabel M. , Pountain Andrew W. , Fernández-Cortés Fernando , Rico Eva , Zhang Ning , Morrison Liam J. , Freund Yvonne , Witty Michael J. , Peter Rosemary , Edwards Darren Y. , Wilkes Jonathan M. , van der Hooft Justin J. J. , Regnault Clément , Read Kevin D. , Horn David , Field Mark C. , Barrett Michael P.
Published: November 2020

Livestock diseases caused byTrypanosoma congolense,T.vivaxandT.brucei, collectively known as nagana, are responsible for billions of dollars in lost food production annually. There is an urgent need for novel therapeutics. Encouragingly, promising antitrypanosomal benzoxaboroles are under veterinary development. Here, we show that the most efficacious subclass of these compounds are prodrugs activated by trypanosome serine carboxypeptidases (CBPs). Drug-resistance to a development candidate, AN11736, emerged readily inT.brucei, due to partial deletion within the locus containing three tandem copies of theCBPgenes.T.congolenseparasites, which possess a larger array of relatedCBPs, also developed resistance to AN11736 through deletion within the locus. A genome-scale screen inT.bruceiconfirmed CBP loss-of-function as the primary mechanism of resistance and CRISPR-Cas9 editing proved that partial deletion within the locus was sufficient to confer resistance. CBP re-expression in eitherT.bruceiorT.congolenseAN11736-resistant lines restored drug-susceptibility. CBPs act by cleaving the benzoxaborole AN11736 to a carboxylic acid derivative, revealing a prodrug activation mechanism. Loss of CBP activity results in massive reduction in net uptake of AN11736, indicating that entry is facilitated by the concentration gradient created by prodrug metabolism.
Un’antica fonte magno-greca nel De musica attribuito a Plutarco: Glauco di Reggio
Authors: Gostoli Antonietta
Published: November 2020

Glaucus of Rhegium is often cited in Ps. Plutarch’s De musica as an important source for reconstructing the history of ancient Greek music and lyric poetry. The cultural background of Glaucus’ activity was Rhegium and the Magna Graecia at the end of V century B.C. While Theagenes, his fellow citizen, who was a rhapsode, gave rise to the Homeric studies (VI century B.C.), Glaucus, who was a musician, started the classification and historiography of lyric poetry. He is cited by Ps. Plutarch’s De musica mostly in chapters derived from Heraclides Ponticus. It has been widely questioned whether the author of the De Musica had direct access to Glaucus’ work or deduced its content from Heraclides. Nevertheless, Ps. Plutarch underlined a great difference between Glaucus and Heraclides: the latter founded his research on written sources, whereas, when Glaucus compared Terpander’s melodies to Orpheus’, we cannot think he could have used any sources with musical notation for such ancient pieces of music. Evidently, he referred to orally transmitted melodies attributed to Orpheus and Terpander. Indeed, elsewhere in the De musica Glaucus refers to musical knowledge acquired by directly listening to ritual songs.
Barbarian Comparisons
Authors: Stadter Philip A.
Published: November 2020

When comparing two heroes, who both fought barbarians, Plutarch does not draw parallels between Greek and Roman campaigns. Instead, in the four pairs of Parallel Lives studied here (Pyrrh.-Mar., Them.-Cam., Cim.-Luc., Alex.-Caes.), Plutarch broadens the significance of barbarian contact, allowing the barbarian enemy, the external Other, to draw attention to Hellenic traits of freedom, culture, and prudence in his heroes and in their cities, both Greek and Roman. Equally important, this Other serves to uncover traces of the barbarian in those same heroes and cities.
Plutarch the Multiculturalist: Is West always Best?
Authors: Pelling Christopher
Published: November 2020

Is Plutarch a multiculturalist, recognising the value of non-Greek cultures along with Greek? Does he even go as far as Antiphon in the fifth century and deny any firm dividing line between barbarian and Greek? There are some traces of this, particularly an awareness that all may recognise the same gods; the Romans in particular may share some underlying traits with the Greeks while also showing differences. But Alexander the Great, even if the On the Virtue or Fortune of Alexander essays present him as unifying East and West, does so by imposing Greek values; the Life shows little interest in his learning anything from eastern values and philosophy. The alien culture to inspire most respect is that of Egypt, and the Isis and Osiris in particular accepts that there is much wisdom that Greeks share with Egyptians.
The Effect of Caffeine on Athletic Performance
Authors: Hussain Nabeel
Published: November 2020

Hypothesis: The intake of caffeine can increase physical performance during athletic activity

Methods: A search for primary sources was done using PubMed with MeSH terms. The search was limited to randomized controlled trials that were published between 2015 and 2020. After application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, seven articles were selected for this literature review.

Results: Of the seven randomized controlled trials selected, six demonstrated caffeine ingestion led to a statistically significant increase in physical performance. One of the randomized controlled trials found no statistically significant relationship between caffeine and run timings. The level set for statistical significance for this literature review was set to p < 0.05.

Conclusion: With regards to the results of the selected studies, caffeine was shown to have ergogenic activity and was able to increase physical performance during exercise and sporting competition through multiple mechanisms. Further research should be done with greater sample sizes to determine the effect of rate of metabolism on caffeine activity and to compare caffeine responders and non-responders.

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Managing expectations and developing trust
Authors: Huijser Henk , Fitzgerald Rachel
Published: November 2020

Changing learner demographics and requirements are driving an increase in the range of private education available in the higher education sector. To stay current, universities may need to adapt to learner needs and rethink how they deliver education. This case study evaluates a model of delivery that is a collaboration of a traditional public university and a private education provider to design and deliver online education for a specific demographic where the private provider undertakes the online teaching and collaborates with the university on the design. Initial evidence suggests that the partnership model has the potential to work well with good communication and adjustments from both sides, including addressing assumptions about preparedness for online. Early indications further suggest that this model facilitates rapid change and deeper understanding about online learning, and that it brings shared benefits and rewards.
Bariery w randkowaniu kobiet z niepełnosprawnością ruchową
Authors: Zawiślak Agnieszka
Published: November 2020

The article addresses the issue of dating barriers of women with physical disability. This phenomenon was presented with reference to available research results and analysis. Dating barriers were described considering division of external and internal barriers. External barriers considered social issues which encompassed negative stereotypes, patterns, attitudes and architectural barriers. Internal barriers related directly women with physical disability including their attitudes towards oneself, self-esteem and social skills. The analysis showed that the women with physical disability may have more difficulty in finding partners and forming personal relationships leading to intimacy than do women without disabilities.
Recenzja książki pod redakcją Justyny Wojciechowskiej i Beaty Kazek „Zmysły w komunikacji. Mowa i jej uwarunkowania”
Authors: Trębacz Agata , Mańkowska Karina
Published: November 2020

.
Ohyake (公) czy watakushi (私) i puraibashii (プラ イバシー) ? Przestrzenie i artefakty systemu edukacji specjalnej i inkluzyjnej w Japonii: Raport z wizualnej mikroetnografii edukacyjnej
Authors: Borowska-Beszta Beata
Published: November 2020

The presented research is a microethnographic report from a visual ethnography undertaken in May 2016, in 6 Japanese schools and 1 adult support center with disabilities located on island Kyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture. The study deals with a issues of the educational material culture and refers to the study of space and school artifacts designed in schools for students with special educational needs – understood as intellectual disabilities and for adults with such potential as well. The research was grounded in E. Schein’s organizational culture, furthermore on the concept of private space and public space described by T. Tamura and my author’s concept developed at the reinterreted role of the handicapped human in stationary institution published by W. Wolfensberger’s (1969).
Advances in automated techniques to identify Acinetobacter calcoaceticus–Acinetobacter baumannii complex
Authors: Bagudo Ahmad Ibrahim , Obande Godwin Attah , Harun Azian , Singh Kirnpal Kaur Banga
Published: November 2020

Acinetobacter species, particularly those within Acinetobacter calcoaceticus–A. baumannii complex (ACB complex), have emerged as clinically relevant pathogens in hospital environments worldwide. Early and quick detection and identification of Acinetobacter infections is challenging, and traditional culture and biochemical methods may not achieve adequate levels of speciation. Moreover, currently available techniques to identify and differentiate closely related Acinetobacter species are insufficient. The objective of this review is to recapitulate the current evolution in phenotypic and automated techniques used to identify the ACB complex. Compared with other automated or semiautomated systems of bacterial identification, matrix-assisted laser desorption–ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) demonstrates a high level of Acinetobacter species identification and discrimination, including newly discovered species A. seifertii and A. dijkshoorniae.
Effects of willingness to communicate on L2 output and leadership roles during jury discussions
Authors: Munezane Yoko
Published: November 2020

This paper aspires to make a unique contribution to the field through investigating the high-WTC/low-WTC interactions to explore whether the level of Willingness to Communicate (WTC) positively affects (a) the amount of communication, and (b) the frequency of taking the leadership roles during jury discussions when each member has a firm verdict. Participants in groups of 3–4 had jury discussions, after performing a courtroom drama. Oral performance data, collected during the jury discussions, were transcribed verbatim, and coded for analysis. Then, the amount of L2 output, and the frequency of leadership roles each student took, were counted. The results suggested that, overall, high-WTC learners produced a higher amount of L2 output, and took more leadership roles. However, when only one participant had an opposing verdict within the group, the holder of that opposing verdict in each group showed a tendency to produce the un-proportionately large amount of L2 output, and take the leadership roles frequently, despite his or her low-WTC.
Emotional intelligence as a mediator in the relationship between neuroticism and L2 achievement
Authors: Ożańska-Ponikwia Katarzyna , Piechurska-Kuciel Ewa , Skałacka Katarzyna
Published: November 2020

The present study investigates the interaction of the higher-order personality trait of Neuroticism and the lower-order personality trait of Emotional Intelligence (trait EI) in the context of foreign language acquisition (FLA). A mediation model was applied to explore the pathway from Neuroticism via trait EI to self-rated L2 skills. The reported results show that the trait EI is not only a significant predictor of the self-reported L2 speaking proficiency, but also a mediator in the relationship between Neuroticism and self-rated L2 speaking proficiency. Consequently, trait EI could be regarded as an important variable in the FLA context because its positive impact on self-perceived L2 speaking skills might diminish the negative influence of Neuroticism.
Incomplete mimesis, or when Indian dance started to narrate stories
Authors: Ganser Elisa
Published: November 2020

It has become customary to refer to traditional Indian performance genres as “dance-theatre” in cases where they patently display techniques of narration or storytelling, carried out through the codified and controlled use of the body in time with the music of instruments and sung lyrics. The Indic vocabulary dedicates a specific term, nṛtya, to those forms in which the narrative element clearly prevails over the abstract dance movements—where gestures and facial expressions are used to communicate emotions but the dialogues or poetic lines are assigned to a singer and not recited by the actor/dancer. However, if we look at the way in which Sanskrit theoreticians have divided the spectacular object into specific genres, things get fuzzy. The ancient theory of Indian theatre (Nāṭyaśāstra, 2nd century BC–4th century AD?), in fact, acknowledges only a binary distinction between “theatre” (nāṭya)—the conjunction of a dramatic text and its representation on stage—and “dance” (nṛtta)—movements set to a rhythm with the sole aim of producing beauty and devoid of a narrative-cum-representational function. From this perspective, the recognition of a narrative capacity in dance looks more like the fruit of great theoretical effort rather than a natural development, which has posed a number of significant challenges to literary critics, who must painstakingly negotiate between the constantly evolving genres of performance, the binding categories reiterated in the śāstras (authoritative treatises), and the newly developed aesthetic theories of drama, requiring an ever more specialized concept of dramatic mimesis. Apart from giving an overview of how the performance genres are divided and classified in the Sanskrit treatises, with an explanation of the relevant vocabulary, this article will focus on some of the theoretical problems that emerge when dance starts to narrate stories, in particular in the work of Abhinavagupta, a prominent Kashmirian philosopher writing at the turn of the first millennium.
Initial study on changes in activity of brain waves during audio stimulation using noninvasive brain–computer interfaces: choosing the appropriate filtering method
Authors: Browarska Natalia , Kawala-Sterniuk Aleksandra , Zygarlicki Jarosław
Published: November 2020

Objectives

In this paper series of experiments were carried out in order to check the influence of various sounds on human concentration during visually stimulated tasks performance.

Methods

The obtained data was filtered. For the study purposes various smoothing filters were tested, including Median and Savitzky–Golay Filters; however, median filter only was applied. Implementation of this filter made the obtained data more legible and useful for potential diagnostics purposes. The tests were carried out with the implementation of the Emotiv Flex EEG headset.

Results

The obtained results were promising and complied with the initial assumptions, which stated that the “relax”-phase, despite relaxing sounds stimuli, is strongly affected with the “focus”-phase with distracting sounds, which is clearly visible in the shape of the recorded EEG data.

Conclusions

Further investigations with broader range of subjects is being currently carried out in order to confirm the already obtained results.
Asymmetric Effects of Monetary Policy
Authors: Lin Tzu-Yu
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we first use a structural vector autoregression model to examine whether the US economy responds asymmetrically to expansionary and contractionary monetary policies. The empirical results show that monetary policy has significant asymmetric effects on output and investment. To provide an explanation of such asymmetries, we consider a nonlinear dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model in which collateral constraints are occasionally binding over the business cycle. The nonlinear DSGE model is able to match the empirical findings that macroeconomic aggregates react asymmetrically to positive and negative monetary policy shocks.
Are hemoglobin A1c point-of-care analyzers fit for purpose? The story continues
Authors: Lenters-Westra Erna , English Emma
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Point-of-care (POC) analyzers are playing an increasingly important role in diabetes management but it is essential that we know the performance of these analyzers in order to make appropriate clinical decisions. Whilst there is a growing body of evidence around the more well-known analyzers, there are many ‘new kids on the block’ with new features, such as displaying the presence of potential Hb-variants, which do not yet have a proven track record.

Methods

The study is a comprehensive analytical and usability study of six POC analyzers for HbA1c using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) protocols, international quality targets and certified International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) and National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) Secondary Reference Measurement Procedures (SRMP). The study includes precision (EP-5 and EP-15), trueness (EP-9), linearity (EP-6), sample commutability (fresh, frozen and lyophilized), interference of Hb-variants (fresh and frozen samples).

Results

Only two of the six analyzers performed to acceptable levels over the range of performance criteria. Hb-variant interference, imprecision or variability between lot numbers are still poor in four of the analyzers.

Conclusions

This unique and comprehensive study shows that out of six POC analyzers studied only two (The Lab 001 and Cobas B101) met international quality criteria (IFCC and NGSP), two (A1Care and Innovastar) were borderline and two (QuikReadgo and Allegro) were unacceptable. It is essential that the scientific and clinical community are equipped with this knowledge in order to make sound decisions on the use of these analyzers.
Handshake antimicrobial stewardship as a model to recognize and prevent diagnostic errors
Authors: Searns Justin B. , Williams Manon C. , MacBrayne Christine E. , Wirtz Ann L. , Leonard Jan E. , Boguniewicz Juri , Parker Sarah K. , Grubenhoff Joseph A.
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Few studies describe the impact of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) on recognizing and preventing diagnostic errors. Handshake stewardship (HS-ASP) is a novel ASP model that prospectively reviews hospital-wide antimicrobial usage with recommendations made in person to treatment teams. The purpose of this study was to determine if HS-ASP could identify and intervene on potential diagnostic errors for children hospitalized at a quaternary care children’s hospital.

Methods

Previously self-identified “Great Catch” (GC) interventions by the Children’s Hospital Colorado HS-ASP team from 10/2014 through 5/2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Each GC was categorized based on the types of recommendations from HS-ASP, including if any diagnostic recommendations were made to the treatment team. Each GC was independently scored using the “Safer Dx Instrument” to determine presence of diagnostic error based on a previously determined cut-off score of ≤1.50. Interrater reliability for the instrument was measured using a randomized subset of one third of GCs.

Results

During the study period, there were 162 GC interventions. Of these, 65 (40%) included diagnostic recommendations by HS-ASP and 19 (12%) had a Safer Dx Score of ≤1.50, (Κ=0.44; moderate agreement). Of those GCs associated with diagnostic errors, the HS-ASP team made a diagnostic recommendation to the primary treatment team 95% of the time.

Conclusions

Handshake stewardship has the potential to identify and intervene on diagnostic errors for hospitalized children.
“To my soldier friend Klaus from MARIANNE”
Authors: Hess Jan
Published: November 2020

This essay focusses on the peritexts of Klaus Mann’s private diaries. On the basis of the diary manuscripts, various examples and types of peritexts as well as their implementation in the partial edition published first by Spangenberg and afterwards by Rowohlt are presented and analysed with regard to their significance for the main text of the diary. Based on these examples at least two aspects are elaborated that must be taken into account for a complete, academic edition of the diaries:

the inseparable correlation between diary text and text medium,

the meaning of the diaries as a form of use and as a form of expression as well.
Beiwerk als Werk
Authors: Bernhart Toni
Published: November 2020

After Love Letters by Christopher Strachey in 1954, Stochastische Texte by the mathematician Theo Lutz in 1959 were the first successful attempt in the world to create a literary text through a computer. In 2019, Lutz’s archive was acquired by the German Literature Archive (Deutsches Literaturarchiv Marbach). It includes a large number of previously undiscovered and unpublished items which made possible the attempt to reconstruct the generation of the text in a number of steps. Lutz’s experiment was inspired by the philosopher Max Bense, whose work was assisted by a young student, Rul Gunzenhäuser, who would himself later prove to be a pioneer in informatics. It took its starting point from words extracted from the novel Das Schloss by Franz Kafka. Lutz subsequently wrote a computer program in order to generate a randomly assembled text on a Zuse Z 22 machine. In a final step, the text was then poetically revised by the author.
Patents versus rewards: the implications of production inefficiency
Authors: Bagchi Aniruddha , Mukherjee Arijit
Published: November 2020

It is believed that if there is no informational asymmetry between firms and the government, firms could be remunerated for innovation using optimal taxation rather than patents. We show that under reasonable conditions (such as the government’s inability to customise the tax rate for each firm), patent protection is preferable to a tax/subsidy scheme if the marginal costs of the imitators are sufficiently higher than that of the innovator. Otherwise, the tax/subsidy scheme is preferable. These results hold under Cournot and Bertrand competition with product differentiation, but not for the case of Bertrand competition with homogeneous products. We rationalise these findings as the results of a trade-off between the distortions induced by monopoly under patents and production inefficiency under the tax/subsidy scheme.
The Right to Health and Resource Allocation. Who Gets What and Why in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Smorto Guido
Published: November 2020

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to a worldwide, substantial increase in the demand for pharmaceuticals, hospital beds, ventilators, and medical supplies. When needs suddenly exceed demand worldwide, resources may quickly become scarce in relation to potential demand, so that strict rationing is the only viable response. Against this backdrop, this paper scrutinizes the rationales for prioritization of scarce resources, and it questions the actual role and reach of the market with regard to resources that are essential to deliver health care, especially in times of severe shortage, such as during a global pandemic.
Three-dimensional elastic-plastic damage constitutive model of wood
Authors: Zhang Lipeng , Xie Qifang , Zhang Baozhuang , Wang Long , Yao Jitao
Published: November 2020

A 3D combined elastic-plastic damage constitutive model for wood is proposed within the theoretical framework of classical plasticity and continuum damage mechanics (CDM). The model is able to describe the various behavior of wood under loading, including the orthotropic elasticity, strengths inequality under tension and compression in each orthotropic direction, ductile softening under longitudinal compression, brittle failure under transverse tension, and parallel shearing, densification hardening under transverse compression. Hoffman criterion and a set of eight separate failure criteria were used to define wood yielding and damage initiation, respectively. Isotropic hardening was assumed after yielding and defined by an exponential type function. The constitutive model was implicitly discretized using backward Euler method, solved through the return mapping algorithm and implemented into ABAQUS through the user-defined material subroutine (UMAT). The proposed model was firstly verified by material property tests considering different stress states: monotonic and repeated tension and compression (in both parallel and perpendicular-to-grain directions), parallel-to-grain shearing, and the interactions between perpendicular-to-grain compression/tension and parallel-to-grain shearing, etc. Mechanical behavior of typical structural elements was further simulated to validate the proposed constitutive model.
Integrated Ca2+ flux and AFM force analysis in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Malkovskiy Andrey V. , Ignatyeva Nadezda , Dai Yuanyuan , Hasenfuss Gerd , Rajadas Jayakumar , Ebert Antje
Published: November 2020

We developed a new approach for combined analysis of calcium (Ca2+) handling and beating forces in contractile cardiomyocytes. We employed human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) from dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients carrying an inherited mutation in the sarcomeric protein troponin T (TnT), and isogenic TnT-KO iPSC-CMs generated via CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. In these cells, Ca2+ handling as well as beating forces and –rates using single-cell atomic force microscopy (AFM) were assessed. We report impaired Ca2+ handling and reduced contractile force in DCM iPSC-CMs compared to healthy WT controls. TnT-KO iPSC-CMs display no contractile force or Ca2+ transients but generate Ca2+ sparks. We apply our analysis strategy to Ca2+ traces and AFM deflection recordings to reveal maximum rising rate, decay time, and duration of contraction with a multi-step background correction. Our method provides adaptive computing of signal peaks for different Ca2+ flux or force levels in iPSC-CMs, as well as analysis of Ca2+ sparks. Moreover, we report long-term measurements of contractile force dynamics on human iPSC-CMs. This approach enables deeper and more accurate profiling of disease-specific differences in cardiomyocyte contraction profiles using patient-derived iPSC-CMs.
LOTUS-domain proteins - developmental effectors from a molecular perspective
Authors: Kubíková Jana , Reinig Rebecca , Salgania Harpreet Kaur , Jeske Mandy
Published: November 2020

The LOTUS domain (also known as OST-HTH) is a highly conserved protein domain found in a variety of bacteria and eukaryotes. In animals, the LOTUS domain is present in the proteins Oskar, TDRD5/Tejas, TDRD7/TRAP/Tapas, and MARF1/Limkain B1, all of which play essential roles in animal development, in particular during oogenesis and/or spermatogenesis. This review summarizes the diverse biological as well as molecular functions of LOTUS-domain proteins and discusses their roles as helicase effectors, post-transcriptional regulators, and critical cofactors of piRNA-mediated transcript silencing.
Research on the application of liquid-liquid extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (LLE-GC-MS) and headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) in distinguishing the Baiyunbian aged liquors
Authors: Zhou Rong , Chen Xiao , Xia Ying , Chen Maobin , Zhang Yu , Li Qin , Zhen Da , Fang Shangling
Published: November 2020

The purpose of the study was to reveal the differences of the flavor compounds among five Baiyunbian aged liquors by liquid-liquid extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (LLE-GC-MS) and headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS). In optimizing the LLE parameters, an extractant, methyl tert-butyl ether, was found which has a good extract effect and has never been used for the extraction of liquor flavor substances. Then the optimized LLE method has been applied to comprehensively analyze flavor compounds in 3-year-storage liquors (3Y), 5Y, 12Y, 15Y, and 20Y of Baiyunbian liquors combined with GC-MS. The results showed that the number and concentration of total flavor compounds also enhanced with the increase of cellaring ages. The total concentration of flavor compounds in 20Y was the highest (4543.23 mg/L), and the 3Y was the lowest (3984.96 mg/L). Among them, the significant differences among five samples were esters, alcohols, acids and nitrogen-containing compounds. Cluster analysis was used to analyze the aromas profiles by LLE-GC-MS, which revealed relationship among five samples. The results showed that the similarity of the samples was highest between 15Y and 20Y, followed by 3Y and 5Y. The characteristic flavors fingerprints of five kinds of Baiyunbian aged liquors were established by HS-GC-IMS. The results showed that the characteristic peaks in GC-IMS 3D spectra corresponding to flavor compounds can effectively characterize the sample information areas. The sectional intensities of 60 characteristic peaks in the corresponding three-dimensional spectra were selected as variables. After the principal components analysis (PCA) was used to reduce information dimensionality, it was further distinguished by HS-GC-IMS that 3Y and 5Y can be completely separated, but 15Y and 20Y were very similar and cannot be completely distinguished. The obtained results are valuable for the in-depth understanding and further study of flavors of Baiyunbian liquors.
A nonlocal problem for a differential operator of even order with involution
Authors: Kalenyuk Petro I. , Baranetskij Yaroslav O. , Kolyasa Lubov I.
Published: November 2020

We study a nonlocal problem for ordinary differential equations of

2
⁢
n

{2n}

-order with involution. Spectral properties of the operator of this problem are analyzed and conditions for the existence and uniqueness of its solution are established. It is also proved that the system of eigenfunctions of the analyzed problem forms a Riesz basis.
Calcium and s100a1 protein balance in the brain–heart axis in diabetic male Wistar rats
Authors: Kasozi Keneth Iceland , Nakimbugwe Dorothy , Ninsiima Herbert Izo , Kasolo Josephine , Matama Kevin , Safiriyu Abass Alao , Owembabazi Elna , Ssempijja Fred , Okpanachi Alfred Omachonu , Valladares Miriela Betancourt
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Calcium deregulation in diabetes mellitus (DM) is central to the brain–heart axis pathology. This has led to the use of medical plants in complementary medicine such as Amaranthus hypochondriacus (GA). The objective of the study was to establish the effects of grain amaranth feed supplementation on calcium, s100al protein and antioxidant levels on the brain–heart axis in diabetic male Wistar rats.

Methods

The study involved six groups (n=5) with DM being induced in 20 rats. To the diabetic rats, Group I received mixtard®, Group II was positive control, Groups III and IV received GA feed supplementation at 25 and 50%. In the nondiabetic rats (n=10), Group V received 50% grain amaranth while Group VI was the negative control. The brain and heart tissues were harvested after five weeks and processed using standard methods.

Results

Grain amaranth feed supplementation led to improved calcium levels in DM as compared to the positive control. This also led to increased s100a1, antioxidant levels in the brain–heart axis during DM. This then protected the tissues against oxidative damage, thus preserving tissue function and structure.

Conclusions

Grain amaranth’s actions on calcium signaling subsequently affected s100a1 protein levels, leading to improved tissue function in diabetes.
Identification of Seasonal Effects in Impulse Responses Using Score-Driven Multivariate Location Models
Authors: Blazsek Szabolcs , Escribano Alvaro , Licht Adrian
Published: November 2020

For policy decisions, capturing seasonal effects in impulse responses are important for the correct specification of dynamic models that measure interaction effects for policy-relevant macroeconomic variables. In this paper, a new multivariate method is suggested, which uses the score-driven quasi-vector autoregressive (QVAR) model, to capture seasonal effects in impulse response functions (IRFs). The nonlinear QVAR-based method is compared with the existing linear VAR-based method. The following technical aspects of the new method are presented: (i) mathematical formulation of QVAR; (ii) first-order representation and infinite vector moving average, VMA (∞), representation of QVAR; (iii) IRF of QVAR; (iv) statistical inference of QVAR and conditions of consistency and asymptotic normality of the estimates. Control data are used for the period of 1987:Q1 to 2013:Q2, from the following policy-relevant macroeconomic variables: crude oil real price, United States (US) inflation rate, and US real gross domestic product (GDP). A graphical representation of seasonal effects among variables is provided, by using the IRF. According to the estimation results, annual seasonal effects are almost undetected by using the existing linear VAR tool, but those effects are detected by using the new QVAR tool.
Stability and the inverse gravimetry problem with minimal data
Authors: Isakov Victor , Titi Aseel
Published: November 2020

The inverse problem in gravimetry is to find a domain 𝐷 inside the reference domain Ω from boundary measurements of gravitational force outside Ω.
We found that about five parameters of the unknown 𝐷 can be stably determined given data noise in practical situations.
An ellipse is uniquely determined by five parameters.
We prove uniqueness and stability of recovering an ellipse for the inverse problem from minimal amount of data which are the gravitational force at three boundary points.
In the proofs, we derive and use simple systems of linear and nonlinear algebraic equations for natural parameters of an ellipse.
To illustrate the technique, we use these equations in numerical examples with various location of measurements points on

∂
⁡
Ω

\partial\Omega

.
Similarly, a rectangular 𝐷 is considered.
We consider the problem in the plane as a model for the three-dimensional problem due to simplicity.
Penalty success in professional soccer: a randomised comparison between imagery methodologies
Authors: Rhodes Jonathan , May Jon , Booth Alex
Published: November 2020

Objectives

The PETTLEP model is one of the most cited forms of imagery training to enhance sporting performance, but there is limited evidence for its long-term effectiveness and it is often compared to non-imagery controls rather than other imagery techniques. We compared PETTLEP with an imagery-based behavioural change intervention, Functional Imagery Training (FIT), and assessed long-term effectiveness for enhancing professional soccer player’s penalty kick taking.

Methods

Thirty male professional soccer players conducted a group goal setting task, were introduced to imagery, then randomly assigned to three conditions; individual PETTLEP, group-based FIT, or a control. Baseline penalty kick success was measured, then interventions commenced lasting for a week after which, penalties were conducted again. Penalties were conducted for a third time between 15 and 17 weeks after baseline measurements.

Results

There were no differences in baseline scores between conditions on vividness of imagery and penalty kicking. Whilst the control condition did not improve, both imagery conditions improved penalty performance after one week, as did their vividness of imagery scores. However, after 15 weeks, only the FIT for groups condition maintained improvements on penalty scores and PETTLEP returned to baseline.

Conclusions

Imagery is effective in improving penalty kick taking, but PETTLEP does not support long-term change, whereas the motivational approach of FIT does.
Fast speed switching response and high modulation signal processing bandwidth through LiNbO3 electro-optic modulators
Authors: Eid Mahmoud M. A. , Rashed Ahmed Nabih Zaki , Amiri Iraj S.
Published: November 2020

This work outlined the fast speed response and high modulation bandwidth through LiNbO3 electro-optic modulators. The refractive index is analyzed to estimate the switching voltage and modulation bandwidth for these modulators. The modulation voltage and data transmission data rates are analyzed and discussed clearly through LiNbO3 electro-optic modulators. The modulator’s performance efficiency is upgraded with the optimum modulator length of 10 mm and its thickness of 2 mm. The proposed modulators are compared with GaAs electrooptic modulators under various electro-optic modulators dimensions at 1300 nm near-infrared region and room temperature.
Compact and efficient PC-based directional coupler all-optical switch
Authors: Masilamani Sivasindhu , Samundiswary Punniakodi
Published: November 2020

Recently, the photonic crystal–based optical components and devices have attracted many researchers’ attention because of its nanoscale size which makes it suitable for the photonic integrated applications. Hence, the design of all-optical switch based on photonic crystal structure have been investigated in the past few decades to meet the requirement of ultracompact size with optimized performances such as fast response time, high extinction ratio with low insertion loss. Here, the design of directional coupler–based all-optical switch operating at the wavelength of 1550 nm is proposed with new design values. The resonant operating wavelength of the switch is identified with the help of finite element method. Then, the cross-state switching operation is analysed with the help of finite-difference time-domain method by applying a nonlinear optical Kerr effect switching mechanism. The important performance metrics of the proposed design such as insertion loss, extinction ratio, directivity and the response time are obtained as −0.008 , 26.98, 20.44 dB and 0.13ps, respectively. The total footprint of the proposed optical switch is approximately 128 µm2.
Performance analysis and parameter optimization of all-optical encryption using the FWM effect in semiconductor optical amplifier
Authors: Sasikala Vinayagam , Chitra Krishnan
Published: November 2020

The demand for larger bandwidth to carry high capacity data in optical networks is increasing. Thus, it is expected to replace all digital logic with optical logic soon. Privacy and data security are also of utmost importance in all-optical networks. Generally, all-optical encryption has been carried out using (i) highly nonlinear fiber (HNLF) and (ii) Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA) with interferometric structures. However, the former is limited by the requirement of a lengthy fiber and the latter one with more number of nonlinear components. In this work, an all-optical encryption process using nonlinear effects and four-wave mixing (FWM) in SOA without interferometric structure is presented for different number systems. The basic idea of the proposed system is to use delay operations which are carried out by duo binary modulation units whereas the encryption using single SOA is possible by FWM nonlinear effect. This combination of novel design for different number systems is optimized through SOA structural parameters, pump and probe signal power, and wavelength. Through optimization, the performance improvement is assured by a good extinction ratio of 11.5 dB for the active region length of less than 200 µm. Compared to the existing techniques, the quality factor is 2.28 times and 1.52 times better than HNLF and SOA-MZI, respectively.
Comparative study of all-optical INVERTER and BUFFER gates using MZI structure
Authors: Singh Pallavi , Singh Ashutosh Kumar , Arun Vanya , Tripathi Devendra K
Published: November 2020

In the paper, one input optical gates i.e., INVERTER and BUFFER have been designed using some basic assumption to analyze with the help of Semi-conductor Optical Amplifier based Mach–Zehnder Interferometer structure. The results are optimized by iterative process. The proposed design of optical gates presents low complexity, high scalability and more feasible to evaluate through digital Boolean analyzation. The digital Boolean analyzation is analyzed by some basic Boolean rules and assumptions which makes the design more digital so that it can be compatible for more than one input optical gates also. Optical Gate is designed to get constructive and destructive interference for pump and probe as they are injected into SOA simultaneously. The phase modulation is converted into intensity modulation which gives a Boolean result. The paper is optimized by Eye diagram, Q factor, wavelength spectrum and frequency chirp for both the gates. The comparative results of extinction ratio for both the gates have also been discussed. The design is supported by theoretical analysis, simulation tool (Optsim) and Boolean explanation. The proposed designs are constructed with same pattern which supports the same Boolean analysis.