bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of driver mutation on the treatment outcome of early-stage lung cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant immunotherapy and chemotherapy
Authors: Su Po-Lan , Chen Jung-Yueh , Chu Chang-Yao , Chen Yi-Lin , Chen Wan-Li , Lin Kuan-Yu , Ho Chung-Liang , Tsai Jeng-Shiuan , Yang Szu-Chun , Chen Chian-Wei , Wu Yi-Lin , Tseng Yau-Lin , Chang Chao-Chun , Yen Yi-Ting , Lin Chia-Ying , Lin Chien-Chung , Su Wu-Chou
Published: February 2022

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy and chemotherapy have improved the major pathological response (MPR) in patients with early-stage operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to assess whether the presence of targetable driver mutations affects the efficacy of the combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy. We enrolled patients with early-stage operable NSCLC who received preoperative neoadjuvant therapy between January 1, 2017, and December 30, 2020. Neoadjuvant therapy was delivered with platinum-doublet chemotherapy; moreover, pembrolizumab was added at the attending physician’s discretion based on patient’s request. Pathological responses were assessed; moreover, disease-free survival was estimated. Next-generation sequencing was performed in case sufficient preoperative biopsy specimens were obtained. We included 23 patients; among them, 11 received a combination of neoadjuvant immunotherapy and chemotherapy while 12 received neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone. The MPR and pathological complete response rates were 54.5% and 27.3%, respectively, in patients who received a combination of neoadjuvant immunotherapy and chemotherapy. These rates were significantly higher than those in patients who only received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Three patients in the combination group experienced disease recurrence during the follow-up period even though two of them showed an MPR. These three patients had targetable driver mutations, including an EGFR exon 20 insertion, EGFR exon 21 L858R substitution, and MET exon 14 skipping. Only one patient who remained disease-free had a targetable driver mutation. Among patients with early-stage operable NSCLC requiring neoadjuvant therapy, comprehensive genomic profiling is crucial before the administration of the combination of neoadjuvant immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
Spectroscopic signatures of time-reversal symmetry breaking superconductivity
Authors: Poniatowski Nicholas R. , Curtis Jonathan B. , Yacoby Amir , Narang Prineha
Published: February 2022

The collective mode spectrum of a symmetry-breaking state, such as a superconductor, provides crucial insight into the nature of the order parameter. In this work, we study two collective modes which are unique to unconventional superconductors that spontaneously break time reversal symmetry. We show that these modes are coherent and underdamped for a wide variety of time-reversal symmetry breaking superconducting states. By further demonstrating that these modes can be detected using a number of existing experimental techniques, we propose that our work can be leveraged as a form of “collective mode spectroscopy” that drastically expands the number of experimental probes capable of detecting time-reversal symmetry breaking in unconventional superconductors.
Additive-mediated intercalation and surface modification of MXenes
Authors: Zou Jing , Wu Jing , Wang Yizhou , Deng Fengxia , Jiang Jizhou , Zhang Yizhou , Liu Song , Li Neng , Zhang Han , Yu Jiaguo , Zhai Tianyou , Alshareef Husam N.
Published: February 2022

The addition of certain additives during intercalation and surface modification can result in MXene-based materials with exceptional performances.
The importance, status, and perspectives of hybrid lanthanide-doped upconversion nanothermometers for theranostics
Authors: Premcheska Simona , Lederer Mirijam , Kaczmarek Anna M.
Published: February 2022

Theranostics combines diagnostics and therapy in a single multifunctional system. In this article we highlight how nanothermometers can be used for theranostics.
Understanding the role of solvent in regulating the crystal habit
Authors: Ji Xiongtao , Wang Jingkang , Wang Ting , Huang Xin , Li Xin , Wang Na , Huang Yunhai , Li Rui , Zhao Bugui , Zhang Tao , Hao Hongxun
Published: February 2022

The crystal habit was significantly changed by organic solvents containing hydrogen-bond acceptors and donors.
Advances in modelling X-ray absorption spectroscopy data using reverse Monte Carlo
Authors: Di Cicco Andrea , Iesari Fabio
Published: February 2022

Tridimensional models of molecules, crystalline solids and liquids have been are obtained by Reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) using multiple-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy and diffraction or MD. Full details on method and applications are presented.
Theoretical treatment of IO–X (X = N2, CO, CO2, H2O) complexes
Authors: Marzouk S. , Ajili Y. , Ben El Hadj Rhouma M. , Ben Said R. , Hochlaf M.
Published: February 2022

Advanced ab initio treatments reveal several stable atmospherically relevant complexes of IO with N2, CO, CO2 and H2O and show that the I-bonded complexes are more stable than the O-bonded ones.
Direct air capture: process technology, techno-economic and socio-political challenges
Authors: Erans María , Sanz-Pérez Eloy S. , Hanak Dawid P. , Clulow Zeynep , Reiner David M. , Mutch Greg A.
Published: February 2022

This comprehensive review appraises the state-of-the-art in direct air capture materials, processes, economics, sustainability, and policy, to inform, challenge and inspire a broad audience of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
Pervaporation-assisted in situ formation of nanoporous microchannels with various material and structural properties
Authors: Seo Sangjin , Bae Juyeol , Jeon Hwisu , Lee Sungyoon , Kim Taesung
Published: February 2022

The pervaporation-driven flow induced is actively controlled to fabricate a particle-assembled membrane (PAM) along a microchannel. Such PAM-integrated microchannels with various material and structural properties are easily formed.
‘Stateful’ threshold switching for neuromorphic learning
Authors: Zhong Zhijian , Jiang Zhiguo , Huang Jianning , Gao Fangliang , Hu Wei , Zhang Yong , Chen Xinman
Published: February 2022

We report a ‘stateful’ threshold switching within millivolt and facile emulation of fundamental neuromorphic learning with low power consumption of 5.71 pW, including multifunction of associating learning and metaplasticity of learning-forgetting.
Photothermal nonlinearity in plasmon-assisted photocatalysis
Authors: Un Ieng Wai , Dubi Yonatan , Sivan Yonatan
Published: February 2022

We show that the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity of the host dominates the nonlinear photothermal response of typical plasmon-assisted photocatalysis systems under intense illumination.
Template-free preparation of iron oxide loaded hollow silica spheres and their anticancer proliferation capabilities
Authors: Akhtar Sultan , Gunday Seyda Tugba , Alqosaibi Amany I. , Aldossary Hanan , Bozkurt Ayhan , Khan Firdos Alam
Published: February 2022

Hollow silica spheres were loaded with Fe3O4NPs (u-HSS-Fe) and calcined further to remove the non-degradable phenyl groups (c-HSS-Fe) for anticancer applications.
Cheminformatics analysis of molecular datasets of transcription factors associated with quorum sensing inPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Victoria-Muñoz Felipe , Sánchez-Cruz Norberto , Medina-Franco José L. , Lopez-Vallejo Fabian
Published: February 2022

There are molecular structural features that are key to defining the agonist or antagonist activity on LasR, RhlR and PqsR transcription factors, associated with quorum sensing inPseudomonas aeruginosa.
Suppressing thermal quenching of lead halide perovskite nanocrystals by constructing a wide-bandgap surface layer for achieving thermally stable white light-emitting diodes
Authors: Zhang Qinggang , He Mengda , Wan Qun , Zheng Weilin , Liu Mingming , Zhang Congyang , Liao Xinrong , Zhan Wenji , Kong Long , Guo Xiaojun , Li Liang
Published: February 2022

Highly thermotolerant CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals with anti-thermal quenching performance were obtained by constructing wide-bandgap passivation layers coated strongly on the perovskite surface.
Antiviral cyclic peptides targeting the main protease of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Johansen-Leete Jason , Ullrich Sven , Fry Sarah E. , Frkic Rebecca , Bedding Max J. , Aggarwal Anupriya , Ashhurst Anneliese S. , Ekanayake Kasuni B. , Mahawaththa Mithun C. , Sasi Vishnu M. , Luedtke Stephanie , Ford Daniel J. , O'Donoghue Anthony J. , Passioura Toby , Larance Mark , Otting Gottfried , Turville Stuart , Jackson Colin J. , Nitsche Christoph , Payne Richard J.
Published: February 2022

RaPID mRNA display was used for the discovery of antiviral cyclic peptides that potently and selectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. The most potent inhibitor exhibited a novel binding mode, interacting with residues across the homodimer interface.
Visible light-induced functionalization of indazole and pyrazole: a recent update
Authors: Ghosh Debashis , Ghosh Sumit , Ghosh Anogh , Pyne Pranjal , Majumder Souvik , Hajra Alakananda
Published: February 2022

This review systematically discusses all of the visible light-induced functionalization methodologies and mechanisms of two significant heterocycles, indazole and pyrazole.
Exploring the trimerization process of a transmembrane helix with an ionizable residue by molecular dynamics simulations: a case study of transmembrane domain 5 of LMP-1
Authors: Zhang Bo , Peng Yinghua , Wang Yibo , Wang Xiaohui
Published: February 2022

Ionizable residues in transmembrane helix oligomerization are critical and transmembrane helix oligomerization involves multibody interactions.
Use of vibrational spectroscopy to identify the formation of neptunyl–neptunyl interactions: a paired density functional theory and Raman spectroscopy study
Authors: Pyrch Mikaela M. , Augustine Logan J. , Williams James M. , Mason Sara E. , Forbes Tori Z.
Published: February 2022

Identification of spectral signals associated with neptunyl–neptunyl interactions from acid solutions using density functional theory.
Ruthenium-nitrosyl complexes as NO-releasing molecules, potential anticancer drugs, and photoswitches based on linkage isomerism
Authors: Stepanenko Iryna , Zalibera Michal , Schaniel Dominik , Telser Joshua , Arion Vladimir B.
Published: February 2022

The progress in the design and synthesis of ruthenium-nitrosyl complexes, the role of photoinduced linkage isomerization in NO photorelease and possible medical and optical applications are discussed.
Magnetic bio-hybrid micro actuators
Authors: Quashie David , Benhal Prateek , Chen Zhi , Wang Zihan , Mu Xueliang , Song Xiaoxia , Jiang Teng , Zhong Yukun , Cheang U Kei , Ali Jamel
Published: February 2022

This review focuses on magnetically driven bio-hybrid micro actuators, categorized by major biological component, for environmental and biomedical applications.
C60-β-cyclodextrin conjugates for enhanced nucleus delivery of doxorubicin
Authors: Biswas Rohin , Yang Shilong , Crichton Ryan A. , Adly-Gendi Patrick , Chen Tyler K. , Kopcha William P. , Shi Zheng , Zhang Jianyuan
Published: February 2022

Fullerenol-cyclodextrin conjugate selectively delivers doxorubicin to the nucleus of HeLa cells.
Correction: Binding modes of methyl α-d-glucopyranoside to an artificial receptor in crystalline complexes
Authors: Köhler Linda , Hübler Conrad , Seichter Wilhelm , Mazik Monika
Published: February 2022

Correction for ‘Binding modes of methyl α-d-glucopyranoside to an artificial receptor in crystalline complexes’ by Linda Köhler et al., RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 22221–22229. DOI: 10.1039/d1ra03390e.
A hypoxia-activated NO donor for the treatment of myocardial hypoxia injury
Authors: Zhou Wen , Yang Wanxiang , Fan Keyu , Hua Wuyang , Gou Shaohua
Published: February 2022

A novel HAP-type NO donor was found to release NO under hypoxia locally. It dilates blood vessels in smooth muscle cells and attenuates myocardial hypoxia injury in cardiomyocytes.
Organismal and cellular interactions in vertebrate–alga symbioses
Authors: Yang Hui , Genot Baptiste , Duhamel Solange , Kerney Ryan , Burns John A.
Published: February 2022

Photosymbioses, intimate interactions between photosynthetic algal symbionts and heterotrophic hosts, are well known in invertebrate and protist systems. Vertebrate animals are an exception where photosynthetic microorganisms are not often considered part of the normal vertebrate microbiome, with a few exceptions in amphibian eggs. Here, we review the breadth of vertebrate diversity and explore where algae have taken hold in vertebrate fur, on vertebrate surfaces, in vertebrate tissues, and within vertebrate cells. We find that algae have myriad partnerships with vertebrate animals, from fishes to mammals, and that those symbioses range from apparent mutualisms to commensalisms to parasitisms. The exception in vertebrates, compared with other groups of eukaryotes, is that intracellular mutualisms and commensalisms with algae or other microbes are notably rare. We currently have no clear cell-in-cell (endosymbiotic) examples of a trophic mutualism in any vertebrate, while there is a broad diversity of such interactions in invertebrate animals and protists. This functional divergence in vertebrate symbioses may be related to vertebrate physiology or a byproduct of our adaptive immune system. Overall, we see that diverse algae are part of the vertebrate microbiome, broadly, with numerous symbiotic interactions occurring across all vertebrate and many algal clades. These interactions are being studied for their ecological, organismal, and cellular implications. This synthesis of vertebrate–algal associations may prove useful for the development of novel therapeutics: pairing algae with medical devices, tissue cultures, and artificial ecto- and endosymbioses.
Modeling Parkinson's disease in LRRK2 mice: focus on synaptic dysfunction and the autophagy-lysosomal pathway
Authors: Albanese Federica , Domenicale Chiara , Volta Mattia , Morari Michele
Published: February 2022

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are associated with familial and sporadic forms of Parkinson's disease (PD), for which the LRRK2 locus itself represents a risk factor. Idiopathic and LRRK2-related PD share the main clinical and neuropathological features, thus animals harboring the most common LRRK2 mutations, i.e. G2019S and R1441C/G, have been generated to replicate the parkinsonian phenotype and investigate the underlying pathological mechanisms. Most LRRK2 rodent models, however, fail to show the main neuropathological hallmarks of the disease i.e. the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and presence of Lewy bodies or Lewy body-like aggregates of α-synuclein, lacking face validity. Rather, they manifest dysregulation in cellular pathways and functions that confer susceptibility to a variety of parkinsonian toxins/triggers and model the presymptomatic/premotor stages of the disease. Among such susceptibility factors, dysregulation of synaptic activity and proteostasis are evident in LRRK2 mutants. These abnormalities are also manifest in the PD brain and represent key events in the development and progression of the pathology. The present minireview covers recent articles (2018–2021) investigating the role of LRRK2 and LRRK2 mutants in the regulation of synaptic activity and autophagy-lysosomal pathway. These articles confirm a perturbation of synaptic vesicle endocytosis and glutamate release in LRRK2 mutants. Likewise, LRRK2 mutants show a marked impairment of selective forms of autophagy (i.e. mitophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy) and lysosomal function, with minimal perturbations of nonselective autophagy. Thus, LRRK2 rodents might help understand the contribution of these pathways to PD.
Crown of thorns starfish life-history traits contribute to outbreaks, a continuing concern for coral reefs
Authors: Deaker Dione J. , Byrne Maria
Published: February 2022

Crown of thorns starfish (COTS, Acanthaster sp.) are notorious for their destructive consumption of coral that decimates tropical reefs, an attribute unique among tropical marine invertebrates. Their populations can rapidly increase from 0–1 COTS ha−1 to more than 10–1000 COTS ha−1 in short order causing a drastic change to benthic communities and reducing the functional and species diversity of coral reef ecosystems. Population outbreaks were first identified to be a significant threat to coral reefs in the 1960s. Since then, they have become one of the leading causes of coral loss along with coral bleaching. Decades of research and significant investment in Australia and elsewhere, particularly Japan, have been directed towards identifying, understanding, and managing the potential causes of outbreaks and designing population control methods. Despite this, the drivers of outbreaks remain elusive. What is becoming increasingly clear is that the success of COTS is tied to their inherent biological traits, especially in early life. Survival of larval and juvenile COTS is likely to be enhanced by their dietary flexibility and resilience to variable food conditions as well as their phenotypically plastic growth dynamics, all magnified by the extreme reproductive potential of COTS. These traits enable COTS to capitalise on anthropogenic disturbances to reef systems as well as endure less favourable conditions.
The glass transition: How do complex craggy free energy landscapes emerge?
Authors: Binder Kurt
Published: February 2022

Glass as a material was already known in ancient Egypt. Now its use for windows, bottles, etc. is very common; thus, it may sound surprising that the glassy state of matter and the transition from an undercooled melt to this state are grand challenge problems of physics. This article describes the basic concepts; then it points out how the discovery of “spin glasses” and the theory by Giorgio Parisi has given a new boost to the interest in these problems. The status of a theory of the glass transition will be critically discussed.
Potentials and challenges of a circular economy. A systematic review for the use case of lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Kautz Emilia , Bozkurt Ömer F. , Emmerich Philip , Baumann Manuel , Weil Marcel
Published: February 2022

In contrast to the linear economic model that has existed since industrialization, the concept of circular economy aims to reduce negative environmental impacts. There is a growing debate about the compatibility of increasing consumption with the Earth’s finite resources, calling for a system that minimizes losses. This concept is also of great interest for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because the key role of LIBs in the transformation of the mobility sector is expected to increase their production exponentially over the next few years. So far, there is no established business model that defines the further procedure with LIBs that have reached the end of their useful life. The aim of this study is to investigate the potentials and challenges of the circular economy and how they can be addressed using the case study of LIBs. The method of Systematic Literature Review is used to identify the relevant literature on this topic in a reproducible way while avoiding content-related distortions. The results are presented in a structured way and divided into the three topics of “reuse”, “repurposing” and “recycling” according to the circular economy approach. These are further divided into the subcategories of technical, economic, social, logistical, and ecological challenges, which are explained in detail and possible solutions are suggested.
Design and analysis of shell and tube heat exchanger
Authors: Fernandes Erica Jacqueline , Krishanmurthy Sachidananda Hassan
Published: February 2022

The demand for consumption of energy in industries has made designers to build efficient heat transfer exchangers. One of the most used heat exchangers which supports this is the shell and tube heat exchangers which are built for effective heat transfer. These heat exchangers are widely utilized in the HVAC industries especially in chiller plants due to their large surface for heat transfer. So, design of these chillers is influenced by the selection of material. This research paper discusses the design and analysis of shell and tube heat exchangers by considering different material and their ability to transfer heat from the surface. So, baffles play an important role to analyze the performance of the heat exchangers and it is possible to improve their heat transfer capabilities. So, in this research paper baffle spacing and its effect on heat transfer has been analyzed using CFD analysis and compared these results with the theoretical analysis. The Design and modelling of the heat exchanger have been modelled using PTC Creo parametric and using ANSYS Fluent CFD analysis have been carried out considering copper, aluminum, and steel as the materials. From this analysis it can be stated that copper has performed well as compared to aluminum and steel by using minimum baffle spacing.
Sehnsucht nach neuer Normalität: Wann wird es so, wie es bisher noch nicht war?
Authors: Napp Barbara
Published: February 2022

Sie kennen sicherlich den Scherz, dass sich niemand hätte vorstellen können, mal mit einer Maske in eine Bank zu gehen, oder dass die Ghettofaust salonfähig wird? Lohnt es sich noch, den Kindern beizubringen, bei der Begrüßung die Hand zu geben? Oder wäre es nun adäquat, wieder den Knicks und den Diener einzuführen?
Krebs in der Corona-Pandemie: Erhöhtes Risiko
Authors: Kohrs Jens
Published: February 2022

Bei Expertinnen und Experten steigt die Sorge, dass Krebserkrankungen als indirekte Folge der Pandemie deutlich zunehmen könnten. Neben fehlender Vorsorge und der gesunkenen Zahl stationärer Behandlungen ist auch Übergewicht einer der krisenbedingten Risikofaktoren.
Social axiom and group identity explain participation in a societal event in Hong Kong
Authors: Chen Sylvia Xiaohua , Ng Jacky C. K. , Wu Wesley C. H.
Published: February 2022

The present research aims to identify cognitive and affective factors that explain participation in societal events from a social psychological perspective. This study examined the role of generalized beliefs about the world in the prediction of collective action, and adopted a diary method by collecting daily measures for two consecutive weeks during the 2014 Hong Kong protests. Social identity was significantly associated with group-related emotions and social axiom was significantly associated with group efficacy, in turn affecting social movement participation. Multilevel analyses showed that group-related emotions and group efficacy explained the effect of time on participation in the movement. Students exhibited variability in the extent of their participation: protesters who “went out to the streets” were more driven by group-related emotions than were the non-protesters who “stayed in.” The findings attested to the added value of worldviews in explaining the psychological mechanisms of collective action.
Single-frequency Brillouin lasing based on a birefringent fiber Fabry–Pérot cavity
Authors: Guo Jian , Jia Kunpeng , Wang Xiaohan , Huang Shu-Wei , Zhao Gang , Xie Zhenda , Zhu Shi-ning
Published: February 2022

Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in a high-Q resonator is capable for narrow-linewidth laser generation for various applications but is limited by on-resonance pump to SBS matching from single-longitudinal lasing. In this Letter, we present a narrow linewidth laser via SBS that is enhanced in a monolithic high-Q fiber resonator. The unique cross-polarization pump scheme based on fiber birefringence prevents high-order SBS and ensures single-frequency Brillouin lasing with high intracavity conversion efficiency. Fundamental linewidth of 50 Hz is achieved. Moreover, our scheme also allows precise characterization of Brillouin frequency shift and gain bandwidth of some nonlinear materials.
Transparent and electrically tunable electromagnetic wave absorbing metamaterial
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhou Jianbang , Chang Qi , Liu Ji , Ji Jinzu , Shao Li-Hua
Published: February 2022

Electromagnetic protection materials are widely used in both military and civilian fields. However, the limited wave-absorbing band and low transparency of conventional electromagnetic protection materials are the impediment for extensive applications. Here, a transparent and electrically tunable wave-absorbing metamaterial for stealth technology and electromagnetic protection has been theoretically and experimentally realized. The trend of the absorption feature change in simulation is consistent with that of the experiment results. The main part of this material adopts a sandwich structure consisting of two layers of indium tin oxide (ITO) and one layer of glass in between. The upper ITO layer is periodically patterned and combined with varactor diodes, which function as a frequency-selective surface. The effective operating frequency range is in the S-band, which covers the common frequency band of WiFi and many other electronic devices. The wave absorbing performance of this material can be electronically tunable by changing the applied voltage. The main absorption peak can be up to 90% with a tunable amplitude range of 30% and a tunable frequency band range of 1 GHz, and the transmittance of the sample in the visible is 80.23%. The metamaterial has high performance on electromagnetic shielding, whose effectiveness is larger than 30 dB in the range of 2.6–3.95 GHz. This transparent and tunable metamaterial has great potential for the applications in electromagnetic protection and stealth.
Long wavelength interband cascade lasers
Authors: Massengale J. A. , Shen Yixuan , Yang Rui Q. , Hawkins S. D. , Klem J. F.
Published: February 2022

InAs-based interband cascade lasers (ICLs) can be more easily adapted toward long wavelength operation than their GaSb counterparts. Devices made from two recent ICL wafers with an advanced waveguide structure are reported, which demonstrate improved device performance in terms of reduced threshold current densities for ICLs near 11 μm or extended operating wavelength beyond 13 μm. The ICLs near 11 μm yielded a significantly reduced continuous wave (cw) lasing threshold of 23 A/cm2 at 80 K with substantially increased cw output power, compared with previously reported ICLs at similar wavelengths. ICLs made from the second wafer incorporated an innovative quantum well active region, comprised of InAsP layers, and lased in the pulsed-mode up to 120 K at 13.2 μm, which is the longest wavelength achieved for III–V interband lasers.
Optical and generation characteristics of new nonlinear Ba2Ga8GeS16 and Ba2Ga8(GeSe2)S14 crystals for the mid-IR range
Authors: Badikov V.V. , Badikov D.V. , Shevyrdyaeva G.S. , Laptev V.B. , Melnikov A.A. , Chekalin S.V.
Published: February 2022

Ba2Ga8GeS16 and Ba2Ga8(GeSe2)S14 single crystals of large size and good optical quality have been grown for the first time. Their linear optical characteristics – transmission spectra in the range of 0.3 – 25 μm, dispersion of principal refractive indices, and birefringence – have been measured. Irradiation of the crystals by 100-fs laser pulses with a wavelength of 8.3 μm initiated second-harmonic generation with an efficiency comparable with that obtained for the AgGaS2 crystal.
Backward SRS suppression of picosecond pulses in water upon moving the pump beam waist from the water volume through the surface
Authors: Pershin S.M. , Vodchits A.I. , Khodasevich I.A. , Orlovich V.A. , Kudryavtseva A.D. , Tcherniega N.V.
Published: February 2022

We report, for the first time to our knowledge, suppression of backward stimulated Raman scattering (BSRS) of picosecond pulses (57 ps, 532 nm) due to the development of optical breakdown in the surface (0 – 3 mm) water layer with a shift of the beam waist (lens focal length of 83 mm) to the water – air interface without changing the pump pulse energy (∼1.3 – 1.5 mJ). In this case, SRS generation in forward direction is observed even in the presence of breakdown. When the focal plane coincides with the surface, the BSRS generation is restored without optical breakdown, despite an increase in the pump radiation intensity due to a decrease in the beam diameter. It is significant that the optical breakdown threshold in the water volume was unattainable even with an increase in the pump pulse energy by more than an order of magnitude – up to 16 mJ. The mechanism of self-consistent summation of nonlinear optical processes, such as electrostriction, beam self-focusing, beam phase conjugation, and BSRS pulse compression is discussed.
Mid-IR optical parametric oscillation and second harmonic generation of repetitively pulsed output of a fibre-laser pumped Tm3+ :YAP laser in a fan-out periodically poled MgO:LiNbO3 crystal
Authors: Antipov O.L. , Kolker D.B. , Dobrynin A.A. , Getmanovskii Yu.A. , Sharkov V.V. , Chuvakova M.A. , Akhmatkhanov A.R. , Shur V.Ya. , Shestakova I.A. , Larin S.V.
Published: February 2022

The nonlinear optical frequency conversions of repetitively pulsed output of a 1941-nm Tm3+ : YAP laser pumped by a cw 1670-nm fibre laser are studied experimentally. Both mid-IR optical parametric oscillation (OPO) and second harmonic generation (SHG) are obtained in the same periodically poled MgO : LiNbO3 crystal with a fan-out domain design by tuning the grating period and temperature. The energy conversion efficiency of the degenerate OPO at 3820 – 3970 nm exceeds 43 % at a 0.5 kHz repetition rate, while the energy conversion efficiency of SHG at 970.5 nm reaches 34 %.
Nonlinear frequency conversion of a Ho :YAG laser beam
Authors: Vorontsov K.V. , Garanin S.G. , Egorov N.A. , Zakharov N.G. , Zorin R.A. , Kolomeets V.B. , Lazarenko V.I. , Nadezhin A.S. , Nomakonov G.N. , Tulyakov K.A. , Frolov Yu.N.
Published: February 2022

We report the results of experiments on frequency conversion of a Ho : YAG laser beam (wavelength λ ∼ 2.1 μm) into the near-, mid-, and far-IR regions, aimed at expanding the spectral composition of compact multispectral sources of coherent radiation. The experimentally found laser conversion efficiency into the second harmonic reaches 32 % and 54 % in the cw and repetitively pulsed regimes, respectively. The parametric conversion efficiency into the mid-IR range (λ = 3.5 – 5.0 μm) reaches 55 %, while for the far-IR range (λ = 8 – 8.2 μm) it turns out to be 10.5 %.
Comparison of virtually fencing and electrically fencing sheep for pasture management
Authors: Marini Danila , Cowley Fran , Belson Sue , Lee Caroline
Published: February 2022

Context Virtual fencing technology has potential for application in intensive grazing management. However, it is unknown whether the presence of the virtual fence will affect the grazing behaviour of sheep under intensive grazing situations. Aims This study compared pasture consumption by sheep when pasture access is restricted using either a virtual fence (n = 12) or a conventional electric fence (n = 12), tested over three cohorts. Methods The sheep were given access to a small section of pasture (8 × 8 m) for approximately 4 h, over a total of 4 days of grazing, being moved onto a fresh plot each day. Within the grazing plot, average pasture dry matter, normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), and rising plate meter (RPM) height, were measured before and after grazing. NDVI and RPM height were also measured along the fence line before and after grazing. Key results For within plot measures, there was no effect of treatment on biomass (P = 0.42), pasture height (P = 0.69) or NDVI (P = 0.72). The same was observed for measures taken at the fence line. The results of this study indicated that using a virtual fence to restrict access to pasture to create targeted grazing is as effective as using an electric fence. Conclusions The similarity in pasture consumption between the groups indicated that the virtual fence does not affect normal grazing behaviour of sheep, nor discourage them from grazing up to the fence line. Further work should be conducted in larger flocks and using automated systems. Implications Virtual fencing has the potential to be used to restrict sheep access to pasture to create targeted grazing that is as effective as is using an electric fence.
Detection of heat-shock protein 70 in cow’s milk using ELISA
Authors: Pathirana Indunil N. , Garcia Sergio C.
Published: February 2022

Context Heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) has been suggested as an effective biomarker to assess heat stress in livestock. Milk sampling being a non-invasive procedure in cows, the detection of HSP70 in milk would be beneficial for heat-stress studies in cows. Aims The objective of the present study was to optimise an ELISA system to detect HSP70 in cow’s milk and to assess its application in quantifying HSP70 in milk collected during two different weather conditions (hot and mild) and from two production groups (low and high yielding). Methods Foremilk samples were collected from 48 Holstein-Friesian cows under two different weather conditions (hot, n = 25 and mild, n = 23) and from two production groups (low yielding, n = 15 and high yielding, n = 33). Milk HSP70 was measured using a newly optimised, competitive in-house ELISA. The assay validation parameters (i.e. dilutional linearity, parallelism, recovery rate, intra-assay and inter-assay precision) were computed. Key results The minimum detection limit and the sensitivity range of the ELISA were 125 ng/mL and 125–4000 ng/mL respectively. The HSP70 concentrations in cow’s milk ranged from 536.88 to 1532.04 ng/mL. There were weak negative correlations (P < 0.05; n = 48) between HSP70 concentration and milk yield, calculated on either a per cow per day (r = −0.39), per cow per am or pm milking (r = −0.29), or per cow per quarter (r = −0.35) basis. Estimated marginal mean (EMM) HSP70 mass (HSP concentration × milk yield) in milk was higher during hot weather than during mild weather in all three of the above yield calculations (P < 0.0001). An increased (P < 0.05) EMM HSP70 mass was found in high-yielding group compared with low-yielding group when yield calculation was based on per cow per quarter. Conclusions A sensitive ELISA system was optimised to quantify HSP70 in cow’s milk. Higher milk HSP70 masses were found in milk samples collected during hot weather and from high-yielding cows. Implications The assay of HSP70 in milk is a useful tool for non-invasive detection of heat stress in cows. Further studies to measure HSP70 in milk samples collected from the same individual cows during different seasons would be needed to better explain and to confirm these findings.
Tuning ultra-high damping capacity of Mn–Cu alloy to fit wide-range service temperature
Authors: Zhang Sibin , Tian Qingchao , Qi Yongshun , Li Yongcheng , Li Chuanjun
Published: February 2022

Mn–Cu-based damping alloy prepared by directional solidification is very promising for vibration and noise control. Aging treatment with and without application of magnetic field on the microstructure and damping performance of directionally solidified Mn–Cu alloy was studied by means of X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic thermal mechanical analysis and scanning electron microscope. It is found that aging treatment makes the orientation shift from (200) to (111), and aging treatment under magnetic field helps Mn–Cu alloy keep high damping in the wide temperature range. The polymorphic microstructure characterised by fine twin bands with low-angle misorientation boundaries leads to a substantial increase of twin boundary internal friction up to several times higher than that of polycrystalline state.
The repeated bout effect influences lower‐extremity biomechanics during a 30‐min downhill run
Authors: Khassetarash Arash , Baggaley Michael , Vernillo Gianluca , Millet Guillaume Y. , Edwards W. Brent
Published: February 2022

The repeated bout effect in eccentric‐biased exercises is a well‐known phenomenon, wherein a second bout of exercise results in attenuated strength loss and soreness compared to the first bout. We sought to determine if the repeated bout effect influences changes in lower‐extremity biomechanics over the course of a 30‐min downhill run. Eleven male participants completed two bouts of 30‐min downhill running (DR1 and DR2) at 2.8 m.s−1 and −11.3° on an instrumented treadmill. Three‐dimensional kinematics and ground reaction forces were recorded and used to quantify changes in spatiotemporal parameters, external work, leg stiffness, and lower extremity joint‐quasi‐stiffness throughout the 30‐min run. Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and perceived quadriceps pain were assessed before‐after, and throughout the run, respectively. DR2 resulted in attenuated loss of MVIC (P = 0.004), and perceived quadriceps pain (P < 0.001) compared to DR1. In general, participants ran with an increased duty factor towards the end of each running bout; however, increases in duty factor during DR2 (+5.4%) were less than during DR1 (+8.8%, P < 0.035). Significant reductions in leg stiffness (−11.7%, P = 0.002) and joint quasi‐stiffness (up to −25.4%, all P < 0.001) were observed during DR1 but not during DR2. Furthermore, DR2 was associated with less energy absorption and energy generation than DR1 (P < 0.004). To summarize, the repeated bout effect significantly influenced lower‐extremity biomechanics over the course of a downhill run. Although the mechanism(s) underlying these observations remain(s) speculative, strength loss and/or perceived muscle pain are likely to play a key role.

Highlights

A 30‐min downhill running bout increased contact time and reduced flight time transitioning to an increased duty factor.

Lower‐extremity stiffness also decreased and mechanical energy absorption increased over the course of the first 30‐min downhill running bout.

When the same bout of 30‐min downhill running was performed three weeks later, the observed changes to lower extremity biomechanics were significantly attenuated.

The findings from this study demonstrated, for this first time, a repeated bout effect for lower extremity biomechanics associated with downhill running.
Embedding causal sets into Minkowski spacetime
Authors: Johnston Steven
Published: February 2022

We present a new method for embedding a causal set into an interval of Minkowski spacetime. The method uses spacetime volumes for causally related elements to define causal set analogs of Minkowski inner products. These are used to construct matrices of inner products which are then factored using the singular value decomposition to give coordinates in Minkowski spacetime. Results are presented showing good quality embeddings into Minkowski spacetime for dimensions d = 2, 3, 4. The method applies in any dimension and does not require spacelike distances to be used as an input. It offers a new way to define spatial orientation and spacelike distances in a causal set.
Reflections on effects of low doses and risk inference based on the UNSCEAR 2021 report on ‘biological mechanisms relevant for the inference of cancer risks from low-dose and low-dose-rate radiation’
Authors: Wojcik Andrzej
Published: February 2022

The 2021 United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) report summarises the knowledge on biological mechanisms of radiation action at low doses where, due to low statistical power of epidemiological investigations, the level of cancer risk must be inferred. It is the fourth UNSCEAR report since 1994 that looks into biological effects following low dose exposure with the aim of examining whether they support the assumption of the linear non-threshold (LNT) dose response for radiation-induced cancers. The conclusions of all four reports are affirmative. The new aspect of the 2021 report is that it focuses on the process of cancer risk inference. The aim of this article is to discuss the consequences of the conclusions regarding LNT and the possibilities of inferring risks from biological studies.
Response of diamond detectors in ultra-high dose-per-pulse electron beams for dosimetry at FLASH radiotherapy
Authors: Kranzer R , Schüller A , Bourgouin A , Hackel T , Poppinga D , Lapp M , Looe H K , Poppe B
Published: February 2022

Objective. With increasing investigation of the so-called FLASH effect, the need for accurate real time dosimetry for ultra-high dose rates is also growing. Considering the ultra-high dose-per-pulse (DPP) necessary to produce the ultra-high dose rates for investigations of the FLASH effect, real time dosimetry is a major challenge. In particular, vented ionization chambers, as used for dosimetry in conventional radiotherapy, show significant deviations from linearity with increasing DPP. This is due to recombination losses in the sensitive air volume. Solid state detectors could be an alternative. Due to their good stability of the response with regard to the accumulated dose, diamond detectors such as the microDiamond could be suitable here. The aims of this work are to investigate the response of microDiamond and adapted microDiamond prototypes in ultra-high DPP electron beams, to understand the underlying effects and to draw conclusions for further detector developments. Approach. For the study, an electron beam with a DPP up to 6.5 Gy and a pulse duration of 2.5 μs was used to fulfill the conditions under which the FLASH effect was observed. As a dose rate-independent reference, alanine dosimeters were used. Main Results. It has been shown that the commercially available microDiamond detectors have limitations in terms of linearity at ultra-high DPP. But this is not an intrinsic limitation of the detector principle. The deviations from linearity were correlated with the series resistance and the sensitivity. It could be shown that the linear range can be extended towards ultra-high DPP range by reducing the sensitivity in combination with a low series resistance of the detectors. Significance. The work shows that synthetic single crystal diamond detectors working as Schottky photodiodes are in principle suitable for FLASH-RT dosimetry at electron linear accelerators.
Co-, Fe-, Ni-doped and co-doped rutile GeO2: insights from ab-initio calculations
Authors: Essajai R , Salmani E , Bghour M , Labrag A , Goumrhar F , Fahoume M , Ez-Zahraouy H
Published: February 2022

Rutile germanium oxide (rutile GeO2), a semiconductor, can act as a half-metallic compound and is a promising material for spintronic and optoelectronic applications. Calculations were performed using the Korringa–Kohn–Rostoker (KKR) approach and the coherent potential approximation (CPA), which were further combined with two approximations, the local density approximation (LDA) and the self-interaction corrected LDA approximation (LDA-SIC), to study the electronic structure of bulk rutile GeO2 doped and co-doped with three transition-metal impurities: Fe, Co, and Ni. The doping value was set to 10%, while the co-doping level was set to 5% for each impurity. The main findings of this work are: (1) a direct ultrawide bandgap of 4.80 eV is observed and the rutile GeO2 exhibits an N-type semiconducting property. (2) Doped and co-doped GeO2 acquire a magnetic behavior and exhibit half-metallicity. (3) The mechanism responsible for these properties is also studied. (4) The critical temperature can reach 334 K when GeO2 is doped with Fe, while it rises to 398 K when it is co-doped with Fe and Co. (5) The spin polarization can be improved by co-doping. It can be inferred that rutile GeO2 doped or co-doped with (Co, Fe) transition metals can be considered to be potential candidates for spintronic and optoelectronic applications.
Three ultracold fermions in a two-dimensional anisotropic harmonic confinement
Authors: Chen Yue , Xiao Da-Wu , Zhang Peng
Published: February 2022

We calculate the energy spectrum of three identical fermionic ultracold atoms in two different internal states confined in a two-dimensional anisotropic harmonic trap. Using the solutions of the corresponding two-body problems obtained in our previous work (Chen et al 2020 Phys. Rev. A 101, 053624), we derive the explicit transcendental equation for the eigen-energies, from which the energy spectrum is derived. Our results can be used for the calculation of the 3rd Virial coefficients or the studies of few-body dynamics.
The effect of moving obstacle on regulation of pedestrian flow in a single exit room
Authors: Xu Han , Zhang Jun , Song Weiguo , Hu Yanghui , Li Xudong , Ren Xiangxia , Yang Longnan , Yu Hang , Jiang Kechun
Published: February 2022

One of the key problems for crowd management is to improve the evacuation efficiency of pedestrians. In this paper, we study pedestrian evacuation from a single exit room based on a social force model by considering the influence of a moving obstacle in front of the exit. The moving obstacle can improve evacuation efficiency for the pedestrians at different desired velocities. With a gap of 0.7 m to the exit and a speed of 0.7 m s−1, it increases the evacuation efficiency by 29.94% to 149.66% for the pedestrians at the desired velocity between 0 m s−1 and 5 m s−1. It can alleviate the ‘faster is slower’ effect and has a screening effect analogous to the effects of fixed obstacles. Besides, it reduces the mean and the relative standard deviation of time headway. The moving obstacle shows the more optimal evacuation results with the gap between the obstacle and the exit approximately equal to the integer multiple of the pedestrian diameter. The evacuation efficiency has a positive correlation with the speed of the moving obstacle where the speed is between 0.1 m s−1 and 0.5 m s−1, while it is almost constant when the speed is between 0.5 m s−1 and 1.0 m s−1. The moving obstacle promotes pedestrian flow for two reasons: the first reason is that the velocities toward the exit increase for most of the pedestrians, who are under the same crowd density as the scenarios without an obstacle. The second reason is that the crowd density near the exit is reduced, which benefits part of the pedestrians near the exit. The moving obstacle improves the order of the crowd motion leading to the velocities near the exit increasing. With a gap of 0.7 m to the exit and a speed of 0.5 m s−1, it increases polarization by 34.1% to 80.7% for the pedestrians at the desired velocity between 0 m s−1 and 5 m s−1.
The notion of fuzzy soft sets in medical ailment diagnosis
Authors: Emioma D. U. , Imaga O. F. , Edeki S. O.
Published: February 2022

People deal with the complexities of uncertain data; the most effective method for coping with uncertainty is the fuzzy set theory (Uncertain Sets) developed by Zadeh in 1965. This paper proposes a method to examine Sanchez’s medical diagnosis approach using Fuzzy Soft Complement in addition to a matrix representation of Fuzzy Soft Collection. Medical data from a particular hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, were collected and tested for diarrhea, cholera, and dysentery.
Design and cold measurements of a coupled RFQ-SFRFQ cavity
Authors: Wang Z. , Tan Q.Y. , Lu Y.R. , Gao S.L. , Xia Y. , Liu S. , Han M.Y. , Zhao J.
Published: February 2022

Based on the previous research on 26 MHz coupled RFQ-SFRFQ
(Radio Frequency Quadrupole-Separated-function Radio Frequency
Quadrupole) cavity, we propose a higher frequency coupled RFQ-SFRFQ
structure to accelerate proton beam from 35 keV to 2.5 MeV in
continuous wave (CW) mode. RFQ and SFRFQ are placed in a single
cavity, which greatly reduces the size of the accelerator. Instead
of two RF amplifiers, only one RF amplifier is needed with this
structure, as a result, this structure becomes more compact. The
beam dynamic design and electromagnetic simulation have been
accomplished. A 104 MHz coupled RFQ-SFRFQ aluminum model cavity has
been constructed and tested at low power successfully, and the
results show good agreement with the simulations.