bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adversarial attack on BC classification for scale-free networks
Authors: Xuan Qi , Shan Yalu , Wang Jinhuan , Ruan Zhongyuan , Chen Guanrong
Published: August 2020

Adversarial attacks have been alerting the artificial intelligence community recently since many machine learning algorithms were found vulnerable to malicious attacks. This paper studies adversarial attacks on Broido and Clauset classification for scale-free networks to test its robustness in terms of statistical measures. In addition to the well-known random link rewiring (RLR) attack, two heuristic attacks are formulated and simulated: degree-addition-based link rewiring (DALR) and degree-interval-based link rewiring (DILR). These three strategies are applied to attack a number of strong scale-free networks of various sizes generated from the Barabási–Albert model and the uncorrelated configuration model. It is found that both DALR and DILR are more effective than RLR in the sense that rewiring a smaller number of links can succeed in the same attack. However, DILR is as concealed as RLR in the sense that they both are introducing a relatively small change on several typical structural properties, such as the average shortest path-length, the average clustering coefficient, the average diagonal distance, and the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test of the degree distribution. The results of this paper suggest that to classify a network to be scale-free, one has to be very careful from the viewpoint of adversarial attack effects.
Effect of electrode surface micro-protrusions on the breakdown time delay and jitter for nanosecond pulsed gas discharge under hundreds of kV/cm in sulfur hexafluoride
Authors: Guo Fan , Xie Yanzhao , Jia Wei , Xie Linshen , Chen Zhiqiang , Luo Weixi , Wu Wei
Published: August 2020

For nanosecond pulsed gas discharge under hundreds of kV/cm in sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), the electric field emission (EFE) effect may be the mechanism of the initial electrons. Electrode surface micro-protrusions (ESMPs) generated after discharging, would affect the discharge process under a high electric field. To investigate the effect of ESMPs on the breakdown time delay and jitter, the breakdown characteristics of different electrode materials and surface roughness are determined in this paper. Three types of electrode materials include stainless 304L, EDM-AF5 graphite, and CuW70 W-Cu alloy. The influences of stainless 304L electrodes with surface roughness coefficients of 1.6 and 0.8 on the breakdown delay and jitter are compared. After 700 discharge shots, the morphology characteristics and distributions of ESMPs are observed by a contourgraph. Based on the statistical results of ESMPs and EFE theory, the relationship between the electric field of EFE and ESMPs can be calculated. In addition, the effective electron rates of negative ion detachment (NID) are estimated. The experimental and calculation results indicate that the initial electrons are mainly produced by the EFE effect. When the pressure is below 0.5 MPa, the NID effect is limited and the breakdown time delay and jitter are dependent on the height to radius ratio and distributions of ESMPs. Once the pressure exceeds 0.5 MPa, the NID effect will be significant and the influence of ESMPs can be neglected.
The exploration of discharge efficiency and uniformity improvement with pre-ionized bipolar pulse method in DBD device
Authors: Fan Rui , Wang Yaogong , Liu Ying , Zhang Xiaoning , Tu Zhentao , Zhang Jun
Published: August 2020

An exploration of discharge efficiency and uniformity improvement by using pre-ionized bipolar pulse method in dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) device under atmospheric pressure is conducted. Through utilizing the pre-ionized charged particles on the dielectric surface, the amplitude of the applied pulses for sustaining discharge can be significantly decreased. By analyzing the influence of “built-in” electric field from surface charges on discharge efficiency and uniformity, a scheme of pre-ionized bipolar pulse method is proposed. Since the property of “built-in” field is closely dependent with pre-ionized pulse parameters, such as amplitude, pulse number, and polarity, the discharge uniformity and efficiency under different combinations of pre-ionized pulse parameters are investigated. According to experimental results, the discharge efficiency of the proposed method is increased by 11.8% and 17.4%, and the production efficiency of active species of N2(C3Πu→ B3Πg) is increased by 10.4% and 89.5% compared with a conventional bipolar pulse and positive pulse method, respectively, in ambient air. Moreover, the uniformity of DBD discharge is improved, and the maximum intensity difference between discharge regions is decreased from ∼20% to ∼5% compared with the one driven by the conventional positive pulse.
Machine learning, alignment of covariant Lyapunov vectors, and predictability in Rikitake’s geomagnetic dynamo model
Authors: Brugnago Eduardo L. , Gallas Jason A. C. , Beims Marcus W.
Published: August 2020

In this paper, the alignment of covariant Lyapunov vectors is used to train multi-layer perceptron ensembles in order to predict the duration of regimes in chaotic time series of Rikitake’s geomagnetic dynamo model. The machine learning procedure reveals the relevance of the alignment of distinct covariant Lyapunov vectors for the predictions. To train multi-layer perceptron, we use a classification procedure that associates the number of maxima (or minima) inside regimes of motion with the duration of the corresponding regime. Remarkably accurate predictions are obtained, even for the longest regimes whose duration times are around 17.5 Lyapunov times. We also found long duration regimes with a distinctive statistical behavior, namely, the longest regimes are more likely to occur, a quite unusual behavior. In fact, we observed a largest regime above which no regimes were observed.
Reduction of anomalous absorption in the extraordinary mode second harmonic electron cyclotron resonance heating experiments
Authors: Gusakov E. Z. , Popov A. Yu.
Published: August 2020

The possibility of suppressing low-power-threshold parametric decay instabilities excited at plasma auxiliary heating with an extraordinary wave at the second harmonic of the electron cyclotron resonance and reducing the anomalous absorption associated with this instability is considered. It is theoretically demonstrated that increasing the microwave pump beam width and its power allows reducing the related anomalous absorption rate.
Intermittent fluctuations due to Lorentzian pulses in turbulent thermal convection
Authors: Decristoforo G. , Theodorsen A. , Garcia O. E.
Published: August 2020

Turbulent motions due to flux-driven thermal convection are investigated by numerical simulations and stochastic modeling. Tilting of convection cells leads to the formation of sheared flows and quasi-periodic relaxation oscillations for the energy integrals far from the threshold for linear instability. The probability density function for the temperature and radial velocity fluctuations in the fluid layer changes from a normal distribution at the onset of turbulence to a distribution with an exponential tail for large fluctuation amplitudes for strongly driven systems. The frequency power spectral density has an exponential shape, which is a signature of deterministic chaos. By use of a novel deconvolution method, this is shown to result from the presence of Lorentzian pulses in the underlying time series, demonstrating that exponential frequency spectra can also persist in turbulent flow regimes.
Area and thickness dependence of Auger recombination in nanoplatelets
Authors: Philbin John P. , Brumberg Alexandra , Diroll Benjamin T. , Cho Wooje , Talapin Dmitri V. , Schaller Richard D. , Rabani Eran
Published: August 2020

The ability to control both the thickness and the lateral dimensions of colloidal nanoplatelets offers a test-bed for area and thickness dependent properties in 2D materials. An important example is Auger recombination, which is typically the dominant process by which multiexcitons decay in nanoplatelets. Herein, we uncover fundamental properties of biexciton decay in nanoplatelets by comparing the Auger recombination lifetimes based on interacting and noninteracting formalisms with measurements based on transient absorption spectroscopy. Specifically, we report that electron–hole correlations in the initial biexcitonic state must be included in order to obtain Auger recombination lifetimes in agreement with experimental measurements and that Auger recombination lifetimes depend nearly linearly on the lateral area and somewhat more strongly on the thickness of the nanoplatelet. We also connect these scalings to those of the area and thickness dependencies of single exciton radiative recombination lifetimes, exciton coherence areas, and exciton Bohr radii in these quasi-2D materials.
A new fast response cryogenic evaporative calorimeter
Authors: Gillespie Andrew K. , Lin Cuikun , Thorn Robert P. , Higgins Heather , Baca Robert , Durso Andrew A. , Jones Django , Ogu Ruth , Marquis Jeremy , Duncan R. V.
Published: August 2020

We present the principle and implementation of a new type of fast response evaporative calorimeter designed to work at cryogenic temperatures and above-ambient pressures. It is capable of measuring input energy from an electric pulse and the thermal output energy by measuring the evaporation of liquid nitrogen through a mass flow meter. This system may be used to measure either the steady heat output from the system submersed under the cryogen or the heat output that results from a fast square-wave profile electrical pulse of duration from 10 µs or longer. The energy output of metal capillary-wire composite systems has been measured calorimetrically. A four-wire measurement was used to monitor the input electric energy with an uncertainty less than 5% for a typical pulse. Mass flow meters and pressure regulation systems were used to monitor the rate of evaporation of liquid nitrogen with a typical precision of 2 std.-ml/min. For a typical pulse, the integrated mass flow of nitrogen could be determined with an uncertainty less than 3%. The pressure controllers and ballast compliance volumes allow the system to return to a steady state of mass flow in less than 2 min following an electric pulse. The system is capable of housing and measuring four separate wire-capillary systems in a single Dewar. On average, a calibration resulted in 3.9 std. ml evaporated per joule of input energy. This corresponds to a 97% efficiency for this calorimeter.
Double-hybrid density functional theory for g-tensor calculations using gauge including atomic orbitals
Authors: Tran V. A. , Neese F.
Published: August 2020

An efficient implementation for calculations of the electronic g-tensor at the level of second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) is presented. The resolution of identity (RI) approximation is applied for the efficient treatment of two-electron integrals, and gauge including atomic orbitals are used to circumvent the gauge problem present in all magnetic property calculations. Furthermore, given that MP2 is an ingredient in double-hybrid density functional theory (DHDFT), the latter is also featured in the implementation. Calculated g-shifts with RI-MP2 and DHDFT using the double-hybrid density functionals B2PLYP and DSD-PBEP86 are compared to experimental data and published data from other methods including coupled cluster singles doubles. Additionally, the computational performance for medium to large size molecular systems was studied using the RIJK and RIJCOSX approximations for the two-electron integral treatment in the formation of Fock and Fock-like matrices necessary for the calculation of analytic second derivatives.
Combined atomic force microscope and scanning tunneling microscope with high optical access achieving atomic resolution in ambient conditions
Authors: Pürckhauer Korbinian , Maier Simon , Merkel Anja , Kirpal Dominik , Giessibl Franz J.
Published: August 2020

Performing atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) with atomic resolution under ambient conditions is challenging due to enhanced noise and thermal drift. We show the design of a compact combined atomic force and scanning tunneling microscope that uses qPlus sensors and discuss the stability and thermal drift. By using a material with a low thermal expansion coefficient, we can perform constant height measurements and achieve atomic resolution in both AFM and STM on various samples. Moreover, the design allows a wide angle optical access to the sensor and the sample that is of interest for combining with optical microscopes or focusing optics with a high numerical aperture.
Distinct coalescence behaviors of hot and cold drops in the presence of a surrounding viscous liquid
Authors: Saifi A. H. , Tripathi M. K.
Published: August 2020

Coalescence of a millimeter-sized drop initially touching a pool of the same liquid in the presence of another surrounding viscous liquid is studied in this work, wherein the drop may be hotter or colder than its surroundings. Moreover, the effect of the outer fluid viscosity on the coalescence dynamics and thermal convection is examined. An axisymmetric numerical model is employed to investigate the drop merger dynamics, wherein the drop and pool are modeled as water fluid, and the surroundings are modeled as silicone oils of different viscosities. The coalescence behaviors of hot and cold drops are found to be significantly different, especially at higher temperature differences. An otherwise partial coalescence for an isothermal system turns into a case of total coalescence when the drop is made colder than its surroundings, whereas the behavior in the case of a hot drop does not depart qualitatively from that of a corresponding isothermal system. Thermal convection has been examined in terms of the penetration depth of hot or cold fluid into the pool. Hot drops are found to have a greater penetration depth as compared to cold drops for higher viscosities of the surrounding fluid. The penetration depth is also related to the size of the leading vortex ring and the maximum vorticity magnitude.
Thomson scattering in plasmas: Theory generalization for ultrashort laser pulse effects
Authors: Astapenko V. A. , Rosmej F. B. , Lisitsa V. S. , Khramov E. S.
Published: August 2020

The standard approach to calculate the Thomson scattering probability is reconsidered for the case of ultrashort incident laser pulses (USLPs). We established a new model for the interaction of USLP with plasmas that is based on Fermi's equivalent photon conception to calculate the spectral-angular differential Thomson scattering probability. The simulations demonstrate that the scattering probability for USLP is a non-monotonic function of pulse duration in contrast to the standard long-pulse model showing linear dependence. An analytical approach is developed to study the nonlinear behavior of the scattering probability as a function of pulse duration and other parameters.
Acculturation and adaptation of adolescents with immigrant backgrounds in Spain: psychosocial profiles of latent classes (Aculturación y adaptación de adolescentes de origen inmigrante en España: perfiles psicosociales de clases latentes)
Authors: Sánchez-Castelló María , Navas Marisol , Ordóñez-Carrasco Jorge L. , Rojas Antonio J.
Published: August 2020

The presence of adolescents with immigrant backgrounds in Spain is a structural phenomenon with major implications and challenges for intergroup coexistence. The purpose of this study is to analyse the possible existence of psychosocial profiles in these adolescents. Using latent class cluster models (LCCM), profiles were identified where these adolescents can be situated according to their responses to variables related to acculturation (preferences, perceptions, identity) and adaptation (life satisfaction and school adjustment), using sex, ethnocultural group, place of birth and perceived discrimination as covariates. Participants were 683 adolescents with immigrant backgrounds between the ages of 12 and 19 (56% girls) enrolled in public secondary schools in five provinces in Spain. The results show the existence of three psychosocial profiles (bicultural, ethnic and national), with national being the least common. Even though the bicultural profile (orientation towards both cultures) is the most adaptive, positive results were found with all three profiles, which indicates a moderate adaptive acculturation process.
Observations, Simulations, and Reasoning in Astrophysics
Authors: Jacquart Melissa
Published: August 2020

Astrophysics faces methodological challenges as a result of being a predominantly observation-based science without access to traditional experiments. In light of these challenges, astrophysicists frequently rely on computer simulations. Using collisional ring galaxies as a case study, I argue that computer simulations play three roles in reasoning in astrophysics: (1) hypothesis testing, (2) exploring possibility space, and (3) amplifying observations.
Key comparison EURAMET.PR-K2.a.2011—spectral responsivity in the range of 900 nm to 1600 nm
Authors: Berg Steven van den , Dekker Paul , Harris Subrena , Goodman Teresa , Šmíd Marek , Szajna Grzegorz , Gran Jarle , Andersson Anne , Källberg Stefan , BAZKIR Özcan , MERIC Seval
Published: August 2020

The Euramet.PR-K2.a comparison on spectral responsivity for the wavelength range 900 nm to 1600 nm, as described in this report, was carried out to establish the degree of equivalence for the participating European laboratories with respect to the Key Comparison Reference Value (KCRV) of the CCPR-K2.a-2003 comparison. Seven laboratories, including pilot and link laboratory, participated. The comparison was piloted by VSL (Netherlands). Both VSL and NPL (UK) act as link laboratories to the CCPR-K2.a-2003 comparison.

Most laboratories show a DoE within 1 % from the CCPR KCRV for almost the full wavelength range, with some slightly larger differences mostly above 1450 nm. One laboratory shows larger deviations, up to 3%.

This report provides an overview of the comparison, a description of the characterization of the reference detectors, the data-analysis, participant results and their uncertainties and the degree of equivalence of participating laboratories with the CCPR KCRV. The full Technical Reports of the participants are included in the Appendix of the comparison report.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCPR, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
All-optical modulation in Black Phosphorus functionalized microfibre coil resonator
Authors: Yin Yu , Li Shi , Ren Jing , Du Yanqiu , Farrell Gerald , Brambilla Gilberto , Wang Pengfei
Published: August 2020

All-optical modulation is experimentally demonstrated in a microfibre coil resonator (MCR) functionalized with black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets (BP-MCR). The BP nanosheets is deposited onto microfibre and then microfibre is wrapped on a PMMA rod covered with UV-curable low refractive index polycarbonate (PC) resin. The BP-MCR modulation properties are regulated based on BP absorption, photo-thermal and optical Kerr effects. The resonance wavelength and extinction ratio responsivity to incident pump power can attain ∼0.033 nm mW−1 and ∼0.180 dBm mW−1, while the averaged rising/falling response time is ∼9.58/8.53 ms. The device could find applications as all-optical modulator, optical switch or tunable optical filter.
In situ TEM modification of individual silicon nanowires and their charge transport mechanisms
Authors: Alam Sardar B , Andersen Christopher R , Panciera Federico , Nilausen Aage A S , Hansen Ole , Ross Frances M , Mølhave Kristian
Published: August 2020

Correlating the structure and composition of nanowires grown by the vapour-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism with their electrical properties is essential for designing nanowire devices. In situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that can image while simultaneously measuring the current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of individual isolated nanowires is a unique tool for linking changes in structure with electronic transport. Here we grow and electrically connect silicon nanowires inside a TEM to perform in situ electrical measurements on individual nanowires both at high temperature and upon surface oxidation, as well as under ambient conditions. As-grown, the oxide-free nanowires have nonlinear I–V characteristics. We analyse the I–V measurements in terms of both bulk and injection limited transport models, finding Joule heating effects, bulk-limiting effects for thin nanowires and an injection-limiting effect for thick wires when high voltages are applied. When the nanowire surface is modified by in situ oxidation, drastic changes occur in the electronic properties. We investigate the relation between the observed geometry, changes in the surface structure and changes in electronic transport, obtaining information for individual nanowires that is inaccessible to other measuring techniques.
Relationship between the response of microscopic and magnetic properties with highly uniform dispersion of carbonyl iron particles in magnetorheological polyurethane foam
Authors: Norhaniza Rizuan , Mazlan Saiful Amri , Abdul Aziz Siti Aishah , Ubaidillah  , Nordin Nur Azmah , Muhazeli Noor Sahirah
Published: August 2020

Magnetorheological (MR) foam, which is comprised of magnetic particles inside the matrix phase, is capable of changing its physical and rheological properties corresponding to the applied magnetic field. However, the performance of this material seems unsatisfactory due to the nonuniform distribution of magnetic particles throughout the composite area resulting in uneven magnetic properties. Since uniform magnetic properties are significant regarding MR foam, in situ fabrication using a polyvinyl chloride mould can be used to achieve the targetted improvement. MR foam was prepared with various amounts of carbonyl iron particles (CIPs), 0, 35, 45 and 55 wt%, and investigated at three different positions (top, middle and bottom parts) with a vibration sample magnetometer. The results showed that the hysteresis loop at all CIP concentrations of 35, 45 and 55 wt% exhibited superparamagnetic properties with magnetic saturation. The M

s
of the top, middle and bottom positions were almost the same with a small standard deviation below 2 Am2 kg–1. Moreover, it is observed that the effect of porosity results in the enhancement of the magnetic saturation and remanence values. These results reveal the promising uniform magnetic properties of MR foam, which can benefit the industry by helping produce a consistent MR foam.
Development of an MEMS ultrasonic microphone array system and its application to compressed wavefield imaging of concrete
Authors: Song Homin , Park Jongwoong , Popovics John S
Published: August 2020

Although contactless ultrasonic wavefield imaging shows potential for effective nondestructive inspection of various engineering materials, it has been rarely applied to concrete materials owing to technical challenges including low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) caused by inherent heterogeneity of concrete. This paper presents development of a multi-channel MEMS ultrasonic microphone array system and its application to compressed wavefield imaging of concrete materials. The developed multi-channel MEMS ultrasonic microphone array system contains eight MEMS ultrasonic microphone elements and a signal conditioning circuit that enables measurements of ultrasonic signals with high SNR. A compressed sensing approach, based on the multiple measurement vector (MMV) concept, is applied to reconstruct a full dense ultrasonic wavefield data from sparsely sampled ultrasonic wavefield data. Experiments are carried out on a laboratory concrete sample to verify the performance of the developed MEMS microphone array system and proposed compressed sensing approach and then large-scale concrete samples to demonstrate practical application. The experimental results demonstrate that the developed MEMS microphone array system provides high-quality (SNR > 20 dB) ultrasonic data collected from concrete elements; furthermore, the proposed compressed sensing approach provides accurate reconstruction of dense wavefield data, as determined by peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), from sparsely measured wavefield data with compression ratios up to 85% and PSNR above 25 dB in data collected form realistic large-scale concrete samples. By combining the MEMS array system and compressed sensing approach, the total ultrasonic data acquisition time needed to produce dense wavefield data can be significantly reduced.
S wave resonance *
Authors: Garcilazo H. , Valcarce A.
Published: August 2020

We use an existing model of the

three-body system based on two-body separable interactions to study the

three-body channel. For the

,

, and

amplitudes, we have constructed separable potentials based on the most recent results of the HAL QCD Collaboration. They are characterized by the existence of a resonance just below or above the

threshold in the H-dibaryon channel,

. A three-body resonance appears 2.3 MeV above the

threshold. We show that if the

H-dibaryon channel is not considered, the

S wave resonance disappears. Thus, the possible existence of a

resonance would be sensitive to the

interaction. The existence or nonexistence of this resonance could be evidenced by measuring, for example, the

cross section.
The angular distributions of elastic scattering of 12,13C+Zr *
Authors: Rong Cui-Hua , Zhang Gao-Long , Gan Lin , Li Zhi-Hong , Brandão L. C. , Cardozo E. N. , Cortes M. R. , Li Yun-Ju , Su Jun , Yan Sheng-Quan , Zeng Sheng , Lian Gang , Guo Bing , Wang You-Bao , Liu Wei-Ping , Lubian J.
Published: August 2020

To obtain the neutron spectroscopic amplitudes for 90-96Zr overlaps, experimental data of elastic scattering with small experimental errors and precise optical potentials were analyzed. In this study, the elastic scattering angular distributions of

C +

(A = 90, 91, 92, 94, 96) were measured using the high-precision Q3D magnetic spectrometer in the Tandem accelerator. The São Paulo potential was used for the optical potential. The optical model and coupled channel calculations were compared with the experimental data. The theoretical results were found to be very close to the experimental data. In addition, the possible effects of the couplings to the inelastic channels of the

targets and

C projectiles on the elastic scattering were studied. It was observed that the couplings to the inelastic channels of the

C projectiles could improve the agreement with the experimental data, while the inelastic couplings to the target states are of minor importance. The effect of the one-neutron stripping in the

C+

elastic scattering was also studied. The one-neutron stripping channel in

C +

was found to be not relevant and did not affect the elastic scattering angular distributions. Our results also show that in the reactions with the considered zirconium isotopes, the presence of the extra neutron in

C does not influence the reaction mechanism, which is governed by the collective excitation of the

C core.
Equation of state and chiral transition in soft-wall AdS/QCD with a more realistic gravitational background *
Authors: Fang Zhen , Wu Yue-Liang
Published: August 2020

We construct an improved soft-wall AdS/QCD model with a cubic coupling term of the dilaton and the bulk scalar field. The background fields in this model are solved by the Einstein-dilaton system with a nontrivial dilaton potential, which has been shown to reproduce the equation of state from the lattice QCD with two flavors. The chiral transition behaviors are investigated in the improved soft-wall AdS/QCD model with the solved gravitational background, and the crossover transition can be realized. Our study provides the possibility to address the deconfining and chiral phase transitions simultaneously in the bottom-up holographic framework.
Strain engineering in monolayer WS2 and WS2 nanocomposites
Authors: Wang Fang , Li Suhao , Bissett Mark A , Kinloch Ian A , Li Zheling , Young Robert J
Published: August 2020

There has been a massive growth in the study of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) over the past decade, based upon their interesting and unusual electronic, optical and mechanical properties, such as tuneable and strain-dependent bandgaps. Tungsten disulphide (WS2), as a typical example of TMDs, has considerable potential in applications such as strain engineered devices and the next generation multifunctional polymer nanocomposites. However, controlling the strain, or more practically, monitoring the strain in WS2 and the associated micromechanics have not been so well studied. Both photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy have been proved to be effective but PL cannot be employed to characterise multilayer TMDs while it is difficult for Raman spectroscopy to reveal the band structure. In this present study, PL and Raman spectroscopy have been combined to monitor the strain distribution and stress transfer of monolayer WS2 on a flexible polymer substrate and in polymer nanocomposites. It is demonstrated that WS2 still follows continuum mechanics on the microscale and that strain generates a non-uniform bandgap distribution even in a single WS2 flake through a simple strain engineering. It is shown that these flakes could be useful in optoelectronic applications as they become micron-sized PL emitters with a band gap that can be tuned by the application of external strain to the substrate. The analysis of strain distributions using Raman spectroscopy is further extended to thin-film few-layer WS2 polymer nanocomposites where it is demonstrated that the stress can be transferred effectively to WS2 flakes. The relationship between the mechanical behaviour of single monolayer WS2 flakes and that of few-layer flakes in bulk composites is investigated.
Thermal tolerance depends on season, age and body condition in imperilled redside dace Clinostomus elongatus
Authors: Turko Andy J , Nolan Colby B , Balshine Sigal , Scott Graham R , Pitcher Trevor E
Published: August 2020

Urbanization tends to increase water temperatures in streams and rivers and is hypothesized to be contributing to declines of many freshwater fishes. However, factors that influence individual variation in thermal tolerance, and how these may change seasonally, are not well understood. To address this knowledge gap, we studied redside dace Clinostomus elongatus, an imperilled stream fish native to rapidly urbanizing areas of eastern North America. In wild redside dace from rural Ohio, USA, acute upper thermal tolerance (i.e. critical thermal maximum, CTmax) ranged between ~34°C in summer (stream temperature ~22°C) and 27°C in winter (stream temperature ~2°C). Juveniles had higher CTmax than adults in spring and summer, but in winter, CTmax was higher in adults. Thermal safety margins (CTmax − ambient water temperature; ~11°C) were less than the increases in peak water temperature predicted for many redside dace streams due to the combined effects of climate change and urbanization. Furthermore, behavioural agitation occurred 5–6°C below CTmax. Safety margins were larger (>20°C) in autumn and winter. In addition, redside dace were more sensitive (2.5°C lower CTmax) than southern redbelly dace Chrosomus erythrogaster, a non-imperilled sympatric cyprinid. Body condition (Fulton’s K) of adult redside dace was positively correlated with CTmax, but in juveniles, this relationship was significant only in one of two summers of experiments. Next, we measured CTmax of captive redside dace fed experimentally manipulated diets. In adults, but not juveniles, CTmax was higher in fish fed a high- vs. low-ration diet, indicating a causal link between nutrition and thermal tolerance. We conclude that redside dace will be challenged by predicted future summer temperatures, especially in urbanized habitats. Thus, habitat restoration that mitigates temperature increases is likely to benefit redside dace. We also suggest habitat restoration that improves food availability may increase thermal tolerance, and thus population resilience.
Categories of systematic influences applied to increase cancer screening participation: a literature review and analysis
Authors: Rahbek Or Joseph , Jauernik Christian P , Ploug Thomas , Brodersen John
Published: August 2020

Background

Health authorities can influence citizens in subtle ways that render them more likely to participate in cancer screening programmes, and thereby possibly increase the beneficial effects. If the influences become too severe, the citizens’ ability to make a personal choice may be lost on the way. The purpose of this analysis was to identify and categorize the influences while questioning whether they still permit the citizens to make their own choices regarding participation.

Methods

A two-stringed approach was used to obtain empirical examples of systematic influences that aim to raise participation rates in cancer screening programmes: First, a systematic literature search was conducted on three databases. Second, relevant experts were contacted via internationally based e-mail lists and asked for examples of systematic influences in cancer screening. The present analysis was based on direct, conventional content analysis to address different categories of systematic influences.

Results

The literature search yielded 19 included articles and the expert inquiry yielded 11 empirical examples of which content analysis of the empirical examples generated six major categories of systematic influence: (i) misleading presentation of statistics, (ii) misrepresentation of harms vs. benefits, (iii) opt-out systems, (iv) recommendation of participation, (v) fear appeals and (vi) influencing the general practitioners and other healthcare professionals.

Conclusion

The six categories of identified influences work through psychological biases and personal costs and are still in widely use. The use of these types of influence remains ethically questionable in cancer screening programmes since they might compromise informed decision making.
1. The European Union and its Member States: An Overview
Authors: Bulmer Simon , Lequesne Christian
Published: August 2020

This chapter provides an overview of the European Union and its member states. It first explains why the member states matter in the EU before discussing the role of member states in the EU, with particular emphasis on three approaches to understanding member state–EU relations: intergovernmentalism, institutionalism, and governance approaches. It then examines the Europeanization of the member states as well as the revival of domestic politics approaches, which claim that it is impossible to understand the EU in light of its politicization during the 2010s. It concludes by presenting the logic and structure of this volume: how the relationship between the EU and its member states will be portrayed in the chapters that follow.
2. Member States in European Integration
Authors: Bickerton Christopher
Published: August 2020

This chapter explores the role of member states in European integration. It first looks at the idea of member statehood, exploring its ambiguities and arguing for a more sophisticated understanding of what it means to be a ‘member state’ of the EU. The chapter considers in detail the role played by member states in the EU, highlighting in particular the centrality of member state governments and their power to EU policy-making and its institutions. At the same time it notes the relative absence of member state publics. The chapter ends with a reflection on whether there is a return of the nation-state, with its associated trends of nationalism and inter-state rivalry.
4. ‘France is back’ … in a French Europe
Authors: Rozenberg Olivier
Published: August 2020

This chapter examines France’s relationship with the European Union by focusing on the heterogeneity of adaptation to the EU. While public policy and legislation became increasingly Europeanized, the EU had a limited impact on political life and the domestic institutional system. This situation changed during the 2010s, as revealed by the 2017 presidential elections and the arrival of President Macron. The chapter considers patterns in France–EU relations before discussing the impact of EU membership on public opinion and political parties. It then looks at the Europeanization of French politics and the impact of EU membership on French institutions as well as public policy. The chapter argues that while domestic politicization is recent, there remains considerable continuity in other aspects of France’s adaptation to the EU.
8. Sweden: Shedding Exceptionalism in the Face of Europeanization
Authors: Michalski Anna
Published: August 2020

This chapter examines the adaptations that have occurred in Sweden’s political and administrative system following its admission to the European Union on 1 January 1995. Sweden became a member of the EU on 1 January 1995 after a long period of hesitation. After fifteen years of membership, reticence has given way to a more positive stance, best characterized as pragmatic support. The chapter first considers patterns in Sweden’s membership in the EU before discussing Swedish public opinion towards the EU and the impact of Sweden’s EU membership on the country’s political parties, political institutions, public administration, and sub-national actors such as the civil service. The chapter goes on to explore Sweden’s approach to EU public policy and concludes by comparing its experience with those of other member states, including Austria and Finland.
18. The Europeanization of National Economies?
Authors: Schmidt Vivien A.
Published: August 2020

This chapter examines the impact of Europeanization upon the national economies of European Union member states. It considers how successful the EU has been in promoting its goal of building a single European economy out of the diverse national economies of its member states; how much convergence has occurred among EU member states, and how much divergence remains; and what impact the economic crisis beginning in 2008 has had on the EU and its member states. To answer these questions, the chapter traces the development of Europe’s national economies from the post-war period until today. It also analyses the impact of globalization and Europeanization on post-war varieties of capitalism before concluding with reflections on future patterns of political economic development in the EU in light of the economic crisis.
19. Political Communication
Authors: Esser Frank , Pfetsch Barbara
Published: August 2020

This chapter examines the dimensions of the political communication system. It first explains the rationale for a comparative study of political communication before discussing relevant models of relationship between media and political institutions, as well as differences in political communication cultures among media and political elites. It then reviews findings on country-specific reporting styles in political news coverage and evaluates divergent approaches in government communication and election communication. On the side of the citizens, the chapter explores cross-national differences in the consumption of political news, along with the positive contribution of public service broadcasters for informed and enlightened citizenship. Finally, it looks at political information flows, comparing message production by political actors, political message production by media actors, usage patterns of political information, and effects of political communication.
Politics in the European Union
Authors: Bulmer Simon , Parker Owen , Bache Ian , George Stephen , Burns Charlotte
Published: August 2020

Politics in the European Union examines the theory, history, institutions, and policies of the European Union (EU). The EU is a unique, complex, and ever-changing political entity, which continues to shape both international politics and the politics of its individual member states. The text provides a clear analysis of the organization and presents a well-rounded introduction to the subject. Complete and detailed in its coverage, including coverage of the eurozone, refugee crises, and Brexit, along with the latest theoretical developments, the text provides a comprehensive assessment of EU politics and policy at the start of the 2020s. The book is divided into four parts: Part One provides the student with a strong foundation in political theory and analysis; Part Two charts European integration from 1995 through to the 2010s; Part Three addresses the distinctive character of the EU institutions; and in Part Four, key EU policy areas, both internal and external, are covered.
4. The Domestic Sources of Foreign Economic Policies
Authors: Hiscox Michael J.
Published: August 2020

This chapter examines the domestic sources of foreign economic policies. Different people in every society typically have different views about what their government should do when it comes to setting the policies that regulate international trade, immigration, investment, and exchange rates. These competing demands must be reconciled in some way by the political institutions that govern policy making. To really understand the domestic origins of foreign economic policies, we need to perform two critical tasks: identify or map the policy preferences of different groups in the domestic economy; and specify how political institutions determine the way these preferences are aggregated or converted into actual government decisions. The first task requires some economic analysis, while the second requires some political analysis. These two analytical steps put together like this, combining both economic and political analysis in tandem, are generally referred to as the political economy approach to the study of policy outcomes. The chapter then considers the impact of domestic politics on bargaining over economic issues between governments at the international level.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) risk is mediated by multiple enhancer variants within CLL risk loci
Authors: Yan Huihuang , Tian Shulan , Kleinstern Geffen , Wang Zhiquan , Lee Jeong-Heon , Boddicker Nicholas J , Cerhan James R , Kay Neil E , Braggio Esteban , Slager Susan L
Published: August 2020

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common adult leukemia in Western countries. It has a strong genetic basis, showing a ~ 8-fold increased risk of CLL in first-degree relatives. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 41 risk variants across 41 loci. However, for a majority of the loci, the functional variants and the mechanisms underlying their causal roles remain undefined. Here, we examined the genetic and epigenetic features associated with 12 index variants, along with any correlated (r2 ≥ 0.5) variants, at the CLL risk loci located outside of gene promoters. Based on publicly available ChIP-seq and chromatin accessibility data as well as our own ChIP-seq data from CLL patients, we identified six candidate functional variants at six loci and at least two candidate functional variants at each of the remaining six loci. The functional variants are predominantly located within enhancers or super-enhancers, including bi-directionally transcribed enhancers, which are often restricted to immune cell types. Furthermore, we found that, at 78% of the functional variants, the alternative alleles altered the transcription factor binding motifs or histone modifications, indicating the involvement of these variants in the change of local chromatin state. Finally, the enhancers carrying functional variants physically interacted with genes enriched in the type I interferon signaling pathway, apoptosis, or TP53 network that are known to play key roles in CLL. These results support the regulatory roles for inherited noncoding variants in the pathogenesis of CLL.
Metabolic stress regulates genome-wide transcription in a PTEN-dependent manner
Authors: Abbas Ata , Padmanabhan Roshan , Eng Charis
Published: August 2020

PTEN is implicated in a wide variety of pathophysiological conditions and traditionally studied in the context of the PIK3–AKT–mTOR axis. Recent studies from our group and others have reported a novel role of PTEN in the regulation of transcription at the genome-wide scale. This emerging role of PTEN on global transcriptional regulation is providing a better understanding of various diseases, including cancer. Because cancer progression is an energy-demanding process and PTEN is known to regulate metabolic processes, we sought to understand the role of PTEN in transcriptional regulation under metabolic stress, a condition often developing in the tumor microenvironment. In the present study, we demonstrate that PTEN modulates genome-wide RNA Polymerase II occupancy in cells undergoing glucose deprivation. The glucose-deprived PTEN null cells were found to continue global gene transcription, which may activate a survival mode. However, cells with constitutive PTEN expression slow transcription, an evolutionary mechanism that may save cellular energy and activate programmed cell death pathways, in the absence of glucose. Interestingly, alternative exon usage by PTEN null cells is increased under metabolic stress in contrast to PTEN-expressing cells. Overall, our study demonstrates distinct mechanisms involved in PTEN-dependent genome-wide transcriptional control under metabolic stress. Our findings provide a new insight in understanding tumor pathology and how PTEN loss of function, whether by genetic or non-genetic mechanisms, can contribute to a favorable transcriptional program employed by tumor cells to escape apoptosis, hence developing more aggressive and metastatic phenotypes.
Performance of a high-throughput next-generation sequencing method for analysis of HIV drug resistance and viral load
Authors: Fogel Jessica M , Bonsall David , Cummings Vanessa , Bowden Rory , Golubchik Tanya , de Cesare Mariateresa , Wilson Ethan A , Gamble Theresa , del Rio Carlos , Batey D Scott , Mayer Kenneth H , Farley Jason E , Hughes James P , Remien Robert H , Beyrer Chris , Fraser Christophe , Eshleman Susan H
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the performance of a high-throughput research assay for HIV drug resistance testing based on whole genome next-generation sequencing (NGS) that also quantifies HIV viral load.

Methods

Plasma samples (n = 145) were obtained from HIV-positive MSM (HPTN 078). Samples were analysed using clinical assays (the ViroSeq HIV-1 Genotyping System and the Abbott RealTime HIV-1 Viral Load assay) and a research assay based on whole-genome NGS (veSEQ-HIV).

Results

HIV protease and reverse transcriptase sequences (n = 142) and integrase sequences (n = 138) were obtained using ViroSeq. Sequences from all three regions were obtained for 100 (70.4%) of the 142 samples using veSEQ-HIV; results were obtained more frequently for samples with higher viral loads (93.5% for 93 samples with >5000 copies/mL; 50.0% for 26 samples with 1000–5000 copies/mL; 0% for 23 samples with <1000 copies/mL). For samples with results from both methods, drug resistance mutations (DRMs) were detected in 33 samples using ViroSeq and 42 samples using veSEQ-HIV (detection threshold: 5.0%). Overall, 146 major DRMs were detected; 107 were detected by both methods, 37 were detected by veSEQ-HIV only (frequency range: 5.0%–30.6%) and two were detected by ViroSeq only. HIV viral loads estimated by veSEQ-HIV strongly correlated with results from the Abbott RealTime Viral Load assay (R2 = 0.85; n = 142).

Conclusions

The NGS-based veSEQ-HIV method provided results for most samples with higher viral loads, was accurate for detecting major DRMs, and detected mutations at lower levels compared with a method based on population sequencing. The veSEQ-HIV method also provided HIV viral load data.