bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Superluminal microwave propagation and special relativity
Authors: Recami E. , Hernández F. H.E. , Pablo A. , Barbero L.
Published: April 2022

In the first part of this paper we verify, on the basis of the numerical solution of Maxwell equations, that waves propagating down a microwave guide can travel with superluminal group velocity, thus confirming experimental results previously reported in the literature. Then, we have to face the question of superluminal motions within the theory of Special Relativity. It is not widely recognized that all such theoretical and experimental results do not place relativistic causality in jeopardy. For instance, it seems possible to solve also the known causal paradoxes devised for “faster than light” motion. Here we show, in detail and rigorously, how to solve the oldest causal paradox, originally proposed by Tolman, which is the kernel of many further tachyon paradoxes. The key to the solution is a careful application of tachyon mechanics, as it unambiguously follows from Special Relativity.
Hamilton formalism and variational principle construction
Authors: Ván P. , Nyíri B.
Published: April 2022

It is widely accepted that a variational principle cannot be constructed for an arbitrary differential equation; a rigorous mathematical condition shows which equations can have a variational formulation. On the other hand, the importance for variational principles in various fields of physics resulted in several methods to circumvent this condition and to construct another type of variational principles for any differential equation. In this paper the common origin of the considered methods is investigated, and a generalized Hamiltonian formalism is formulated. Additionally, constructive algorithms are given by different methods to construct variational principles. Simple examples are presented to make construction methods more transparent: several Lagrangians are constructed for the different forms of the Maxwell equations and for the extended heat conduction equation.
Perturbation treatment of non‐linear transport via the Robertson statistical formalism
Authors: Nettleton R.E.
Published: April 2022

A perturbation solution is found for the differential equation defining an operator Tˆ used by Robertson to relate the information‐theoretic phase‐space distribution σ to the solution ρ of the classical Liouville equation. This relation provides a closure, used in obtaining an exact equation for σ. Multiplying the latter equation by F, a phase‐space function odd under momentum reversal, of which heat and diffusion fluxes are among the examples, one gets an exact equation for ∂〈F〉/∂t. 〈F〉 is the phase space integral of ρF. The dissipative terms in ∂〈F〉/∂t can be expanded, like Tˆ, in successive orders O(〈F〉n). For a model in which equilibrium ensemble fluctuations relax exponentially, terms linear and O(〈F〉3) are calculated. The non‐linear terms exhibit an explicit time‐dependence for short times. In a steady state induced by external driving forces, the explicit time‐dependence disappears, in agreement with existing phenomenology. For simplicity, spatial uniformity is assumed. A generalization is required for large temperature or velocity gradients.
Magnetic field dependencies of the critical current and of the resonant modes of dc SQUIDs fabricated from superconductors with s + id order‐parameter symmetries
Authors: Chesca Boris
Published: April 2022

The magnetic field dependencies of the critical current and of the self‐induced resonant modes of dc SQUIDs fabricated from superconductors with s + id order parameter symmetries are calculated. Combining the complementary results of the two dependencies, an unambiguous determination of the ratio of the s and d wave components is possible. Two cases of SQUID configurations are analyzed for which the flux coupled to the two Josephson junctions of the dc SQUID is either negligible or significant.
Ground state properties of disordered and dimerized spin chains
Authors: Schuster C. , Eckern U.
Published: April 2022

Concerning the question of the (spin‐)Peierls mechanism in the presence of disorder we present a detailed analysis of the ground state phase diagram of the dimerized anisotropic Heisenberg‐XXZ chain containing one impurity. It is obtained by studying the destruction of the quantum coherence by the perturbations. The stability of the Peierls phase, i. e. the occurence of a stable dimerization, is determined by the energy gain and gap due to the coupling to the static phonons. The extension of the paramagnetic phase, found already in the clean dimerized chain, grows by adding the impurity, because the distortions weaken each other. The Peierls phase is reduced for two reasons: First, the energy gain of the spin‐system decreases, which leads to a smaller stable dimerization and second, the energy gap itself is reduced.
Metal‐insulator transition in nanocomposites of glass and RuO2
Authors: Kusy A. , Stadler A.W. , Mleczko K. , Żak D. , Pawłowski S. , Szałański P. , Zawiślak Z. , Grabecki G. , Plesiewicz W. , Dietl T.
Published: April 2022

We report on studies of interplay between percolation and quantum localization in mixtures consisting of glass grains and RuO2 metal particles of average diameters 550 and 10 nm, respectively. A weak temperature dependence of conductivity σ(T) = a + bTα, where α ≅ 0.20, is found in the temperature region 0.04 < T < 1 K. Similarly, an anomalously small magnitude of magnetoconductivity is observed in the studied magnetic field range up to 5 T. These observations demonstrate that percolation nature of electron transport leads to a significant modification of quantum corrections to conductivity at the localization boundary. The conductivity at criticality obeys a dynamic scaling equation with the conductivity exponent μ = 1.65 as expected for one‐electron Anderson localization.
Quantum critical behavior of itinerant ferromagnets
Authors: Vojta Thomas , Belitz D. , Kirkpatrick T.R. , Narayanan R.
Published: April 2022

We investigate the quantum phase transition of itinerant ferromagnets. It is shown that correlation effects in the underlying itinerant electron system lead to singularities in the order parameter field theory that result in an effective long‐range interaction between the spin fluctuations. This interaction turns out to be generically antiferromagnetic for clean systems. In disordered systems analogous correlation effects lead to even stronger singularities. The resulting long‐range interaction is, however, generically ferromagnetic.

We discuss two possibilities for the ferromagnetic quantum phase transition. In clean systems, the transition is generically of first order, as is experimentally observed in MnSi. However, under certain conditions the transition may be continuous with non‐mean field critical behavior. In disordered systems, one finds a very rich phase diagram showing first order and continuous phase transitions and several multicritical points.
The quantized Hall insulator
Authors: Hilke M. , Shahar D. , Song S.H. , Tsui D.C. , Shayegan M. , Xie Y.H.
Published: April 2022

The quantized Hall insulator is characterized by vanishing conductivities and a quantized Hall resistance. For low mobility samples, the quantized Hall insulator is obtained when the magnetic field is increased well above the ν = 1 quantum Hall state. For higher mobility samples, a similar quantization is observed when the magnetic field is increased above the ν = 1/3 fractional quantum Hall states. This quantization, throughout the quantum Hall liquid‐to‐insulator transition, leads to a perfect semicircle relation for the diagonal and Hall conductivities. The measurements were performed in Ge/SiGe quantum Wells and in n‐type InP/InGaAs and GaAs/AlGaAs heterostuctures.
Scaling analysis of the low temperature conductivity in neutron‐transmutation‐doped 70Ge:Ga
Authors: Itoh K.M. , Watanabe M. , Ootuka Y. , Haller E.E.
Published: April 2022

We report on the scaling analysis of low temperature electron transport properties of nominally uncompensated neutron‐transmutation‐doped 70Ge:Ga samples in the critical regime for the metal‐insulator transition. Ga concentration (N) and temperature (T) dependent conductivities σ(N, T) are shown to collapse onto a single universal curve using finite temperature scaling of a form σ(N, T) ∝ Tx f(|N/Nc — 1|/Ty) with x ≈︂ 0.38 and y ≈︂ 0.32 for the very small region of N = Nc ± 0.004Nc. The conductivity critical exponent μ = x/y = 1.2 ± 0.2 found from this analysis is significantly larger than μ ≈︂ 0.5 found from the analysis we performed previously on the same series of samples covering the much larger region of the concentration Nc < N < 1.4Nc. Determination of the true critical region, either N = Nc ± 0.4% or N = Nc ± 40%, is necessary in the future for the reliable determination of μ in Ge:Ga.
Stress‐tuned metal‐insulator transition in Si:B: dynamical scaling
Authors: Bogdanovich S. , Sarachik M.P. , Bhatt R.N.
Published: April 2022

Uniaxial stress S was used to tune the critical density of barely metallic Si:B at low temperatures through the metal‐insulator transition. For all values of stress and temperature, the DC conductivity exhibits an excellent fit to the scaling form σ(S, T) = ATμ/zν f[(S — Sc)/T1/zν] on both sides of the transition. Finite temperature scaling yields a critical conductivity exponent μ = 1.6, considerably larger than the value obtained in experiments where the transition was crossed by varying the dopant concentration. Direct comparison of the temperature dependence of stressed and unstressed Si:B suggests that the stress‐driven and concentration‐driven metal‐insulator transitions are not equivalent. We show that the conductivity in the critical region on the metallic side follows σc ∝ T1/2, the form that has been calculated and observed in the perturbative region for weakly disordered metals. The conductivity in the insulating phase follows the Efros‐Shklovskii form, σ(S, T) ∝ exp([—(S — Sc)zν/T]1/2), expected for variable‐range hopping in the presence of Coulomb interactions, with a prefactor ∝T1/2 corresponding to the temperature dependence of the critical curve.
Role of percolation in determining critical composition for the M‐I transition in transition metal oxides
Authors: Holcomb D.F.
Published: April 2022

Among members of a large family of non‐stoichiometric transition metal oxides which exhibit a M‐I transition, NaxWO3 and its compensated relative NaxTay W1—yO3 have been particularly thoroughly investigated by experimentalists. On the theory side, recent work by Dücker, et al.[1] has significantly advanced our understanding of the physics of the metal‐insulator transition in these bellwether materials. This work confirms that for these tight‐binding materials, a “pseudo‐gap” in the density of states arises as a consequence of large values of the Coulomb interaction term U. The work also leads to the conclusion that the one‐electron Anderson localization mechanism, which considers variations in the local carrier binding energy, is not the critical factor in setting the value of xc, the critical impurity concentration for the M‐I transition. But predictions of actual values of xc remain elusive. I will show that percolation ideas, long waiting in the wings, give a clear picture of values of xc in a number of 3d, 4d, and 5d perovskites with non‐magnetic transition metal ions. The geometrical ideas associated with percolation modeling generate a picture of a “linkage” transition, to supplement, not substitute for, the results of the three‐band Anderson‐Mott‐Hubbard model used by Dücker, et al.

A test of the appropriateness of percolation models to describe a M‐I transition is the determination of the value of v in the relationship σ(T = 0K) ≡ σ(0) ∝ (x — xc)v. Fragmentary data from NaxWO3, NaxTayW1—xO3 and LaNixCo1—xO3 give value of v lying between 1.6 and 2.5, the range of exponents typically found in various percolation models.
Quantum ergodicity for electrons in two dimensions
Authors: Shepelyansky Dima L. , Song Pil Hun
Published: April 2022

We study the effect of electron‐electron interaction on a two dimensional (2D) disordered lattice. For the case of two electrons the analytical estimates are presented showing a transition from localized to delocalized states in a way similar to the Anderson transition in 3D. The localized phase corresponds to large values of the parameter rs, which is determined by the ratio of the Coulomb and Fermi energies. The numerical investigations of the spectral statistics P(s) in a system with up to Np = 30 spin polarized electrons show the transition from the Poisson to the Wigner‐Dyson distribution at a total electron energy independent of Np. The relation to experiments on the metal‐insulator transition in 2D is also discussed.
Metallic phase between the Fermi glass and the Wigner crystal in two dimensions
Authors: Waintal X. , Benenti G. , Pichard J.‐L.
Published: April 2022

For intermediate Coulomb energy to Fermi energy ratios rs, spinless fermions in a two‐dimensional random potential form a new quantum phase, different from the Fermi glass (weakly interacting Anderson localized states) and the Wigner crystal (regular array of charges pinned by the disorder). The intermediate phase is characterized by an ordered flow of persistent currents with a typical value decreasing with excitation energy. Extending finite size scaling analysis to the many body ground state, we find that electron‐electron interactions can drive the Fermi glass towards an intermediate metallic phase (Coulomb metal).
Direct observation of strong localization of quasi‐two‐dimensional light waves
Authors: Bozhevolnyi S.I.
Published: April 2022

Scattering of surface plasmon polaritons on rough metal surfaces is investigated by using scanning near‐field optical microscopy. Different scattering regimes, i.e., single, double and multiple scattering, are observed and related to the spatial Fourier spectra of the corresponding near‐field optical images. For the regime of strong multiple scattering, the near‐field optical images exhibit spatially localized (within 150—250 nm) intensity enhancement by 10—50 times. This feature is attributed to strong localization of surface polaritons due to interference effects in multiple scattering caused by surface roughness. Similar bright light spots are observed with light scattering by silver colloid clusters deposited on glass substrates. Differences and similarities in these scattering phenomena are discussed.
Conductivity of granular superconductors in a strong magnetic field
Authors: Beloborodov I.S. , Efetov K.B.
Published: April 2022

We suggest a theory of the negative magnetoresistance in a metallic granular superconductors. Calculations are performed in a strong magnetic field when the superconducting gap inside the grains is already destroyed by orbital mechanism. We found that even without including the effects of weak localization the conductivity of granular system strongly decreases due to reduction of the density of states by superconducting fluctuations. At the same time, it is shown that Aslamazov‐Larkin and Maki‐Thompson corrections vanish at very low temperaturs. Our results can explain the unusual experimental behaviour of the resistivity of granular system in a strong magnetic field.
Aptamers for SARS‐CoV‐2: Isolation, Characterization, and Diagnostic and Therapeutic Developments
Authors: Amini Ryan , Zhang Zijie , Li Jiuxing , Gu Jimmy , Brennan John D. , Li Yingfu
Published: April 2022

The SARS‐CoV‐2 virus and COVID‐19 pandemic continue to demand effective diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. Finding these solutions requires highly functional molecular recognition elements. Nucleic acid aptamers represent a possible solution. Characterized by their high affinity and specificity, aptamers can be rapidly identified from random‐sequence nucleic acid libraries. Over the past two years, many labs around the world have rushed to create diverse aptamers that target two important structural proteins of SARS‐CoV‐2: the spike (S) protein and nucleocapsid (N) protein. These have led to the identification of many aptamers that show real promise for the development of diagnostic tests and therapeutic agents for SARS‐CoV‐2. Herein we review all these developments, with a special focus on the development of diverse aptasensors for detecting SARS‐CoV‐2. These include electrochemical and optical sensors, lateral flow devices, and aptamer‐linked immobilized sorbent assays.
Selection on the gametophyte: Modeling alternation of generations in plants
Authors: Sorojsrisom Elissa S. , Haller Benjamin C. , Ambrose Barbara A. , Eaton Deren A. R.
Published: April 2022

Premise

The degree of gametophyte dependence on the sporophyte life stage is a major feature that differentiates the life cycles of land plants, yet the evolutionary consequences of this difference remain poorly understood. Most evolutionary models assume organisms are either haploid or diploid for their entire lifespan, which is not appropriate for simulating plant life cycles. Here, we introduce shadie (Simulating Haploid–Diploid Evolution), a new, simple Python program for implementing simulations with biphasic life cycles and analyzing their results, using SLiM 3 as a simulation back end.

Methods

We implemented evolutionary simulations under three realistic plant life cycle models supported in shadie, using either standardized or biologically realistic parameter settings to test how variation in plant life cycles and sexual systems affects patterns of genome diversity.

Results

The dynamics of single beneficial mutation fixation did not vary dramatically between different models, but the patterns of spatial variation did differ, demonstrating that different life histories and model parameters affect both genetic diversity and linkage disequilibrium. The rate of linkage disequilibrium decay away from selected sites varied depending on model parameters such as cloning and selfing rates, through their impact on effective population sizes.

Discussion

Evolutionary simulations are an exciting, underutilized approach in evolutionary research and education. shadie can aid plant researchers in developing null hypotheses, examining theory, and designing empirical studies, in order to investigate the role of the gametophyte life stage, and the effects of variation in plant life cycles, on plant genome evolution.
A review of hepatic fibrosis‐associated histopathology in aged cadavers
Authors: Mak Ki M. , Kee Dustin , Cheng Christopher P.
Published: April 2022

This article reviews hepatic fibrosis‐associated histopathology of aged cadavers (mean age 82 years). A study of 68 livers identified steatosis in 35.5%, central vein fibrosis in 49.2%, perisinusoidal fibrosis in 63.2%, portal tract fibrosis in 47.7%, septa formation in 44.1%, bridging fibrosis in 30.8%, and cirrhosis in 4.4% of the samples as well as one hepatocellular carcinoma and six metastatic tumors. Other studies have revealed that collagens I, III, IV, V, and VI and fibronectin constitute the matrices of fibrous central veins, perisinusoidal space, portal tracts, and septa. Elastin is rich in portal tracts and fibrous septa but absent from the perisinusoidal space. Hepatic stellate cells are ubiquitous in the liver parenchyma while myofibroblasts localize in fibrotic foci. Factor VIII‐related antigen expression signals sinusoidal to systemic vascular endothelium transformation while collagen IV and laminin codistribution indicates formation of perisinusoidal membranes. Their coincidence reflects focalized capillarization of sinusoids in the aged liver. In response to fibrogenesis, hepatic progenitor cells residing in the canal of Hering in the periportal parenchyma undergo expansion and migration deep into the lobule. Concomitantly, intermediate hepatocyte‐like cells increase in advanced fibrosis stages, which is possibly related to hepatic regeneration. Metabolic zonation of glutamine synthetase expands from the perivenous to non‐perivenous parenchyma in fibrosis progression but its expression is lost in cirrhosis, while cytochrome P‐4502E1 expression is maintained in centrilobular and midlobular zones in fibrosis progression and expressed in cirrhosis. Hence, cadaveric livers provide a platform for further investigation of hepatic histopathologies associated with the aging liver.
Using behavior skills training to teach recreational motor skills to middle school students with moderate disabilities
Authors: Macadangdang Jennifer , Black Rhonda S.
Published: April 2022

Motor skills are important for everyone as they are linked to one's amount of physical activity. Recreational motor skills are especially important for students with disabilities so they can participate in games and activities with their same‐age peers. However, many individuals with disabilities are not proficient in these skills. The purpose of this multiple baseline across skills study was to determine the effects of behavioral skills training (BST) on middle school students with disabilities' (age 12–14 years old) kicking, catching, and throwing a ball. Three students participated in the study. All participants had a diagnosis of both intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Findings revealed that implementation of BST did improve the participants' recreational motor skills. Results also suggested that for some students, generalization across skills can occur when using BST. Implications for practice and suggestions for future research are provided.
A perspective review of cannabis use and sexual offenses
Authors: Erickson Steven K. , Vorwerk Michelle L.
Published: April 2022

Substance abuse is an established risk factor for crime and violence, including sexual violence. Nevertheless, the link between cannabis use and sexual offenses remains poorly understood. Cannabis use has a broad effect on sexual functioning and can have both acute and lasting adverse effects on psychological functioning, which in turn can elevate the risk of sexual offending behavior. Yet there is a scarcity of studies that have examined the link between cannabis use and sexual offending. To help fill the gap, this perspective review investigates the link between substance use and crime with a particular emphasis on cannabis use and its effects on sexual and psychological functioning. It then explores how these mechanisms may contribute to sexual offenses and recidivism, with a final discussion on how cannabis use should be conceptualized as a risk factor for sexual violence.
How higher‐order personal values affect the purchase of electricity storage—Evidence from the German photovoltaic market
Authors: Poier Stefan , Nikodemska‐Wołowik Anna Maria , Suchanek Michał
Published: April 2022

Why do consumers make different decisions even when socioeconomic conditions are similar? The present article examines the effects of human values—as formulations of motivational goals—on the decision to purchase electricity storage for a photovoltaic system, a phenomenon hardly explored in prior research regarding high‐priced household investments. About 50 percent of photovoltaic‐system owners in Germany are also owners of an electricity storage. This study aims to explore the more deeply rooted motivational factors behind these different decisions to extend our understanding of consumers' decision‐making processes regarding energy‐efficiency investments. It is based on an online survey of 460 owners of residential photovoltaic systems in Germany in 2019 and focuses on the interplay between higher‐order values, purchase decisions, perceived risk, and environmental concern. The analysis of the higher‐order values showed direct effects of conservation and self‐transcendence and indirect effects of openness to change and self‐enhancement, both mediated by perceived risk.
Eruptive xanthomas as a marker for metabolic disorders: A specific form of xanthoma that reflects hypertriglyceridemia
Authors: Ohtaki Sohichiroh , Ashida Kenji , Matsuo Yuko , Moritaka Kanoko , Iwata Shimpei , Nagayama Ayako , Kawaguchi Aya , Koga Hiroshi , Yoshinobu Satoko , Hasuzawa Nao , Motomura Seiichi , Akiba Jun , Nakama Takekuni , Nomura Masatoshi
Published: April 2022

Eruptive xanthomas are skin manifestations associated with hypertriglyceridemia. Accordingly, the improvement of hypertriglyceridemia can ameliorate this condition. We report a case of a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus who was diagnosed with this skin lesion. Clinicians should be aware that eruptive xanthomas could indicate metabolic disorders associated with atherosclerosis.
Enzyme Kits to Facilitate the Integration of Biocatalysis into Organic Chemistry – First Aid for Synthetic Chemists
Authors: Fessner Nico D. , Badenhorst Christoffel P. S. , Bornscheuer Uwe T.
Published: April 2022

First Aid Kits are collections of the most important medical equipment required for quick medical assistance. Similarly, enzyme kits can provide a proficient, ready‐ and easy‐to‐use collection of biocatalysts that can be applied with high reproducibility. In this article, we illustrate how kits of oxyfunctionalisation enzymes could operate as synthetic ‘First Aid’ for chemists working on complex natural product total synthesis in an early‐ or late‐stage fashion, as well as in lead diversification in drug discovery processes. We reason that enzyme kits could catalyse the integration of biocatalysis into (synthetic) organic chemistry and describe how we envision their future application.
Metal‐Organic Framework‐Based Electrode Platforms in the Assembly of Biofuel Cells and Self‐Powered Sensors
Authors: M Aswathi , Ganesh V. , Berchmans Sheela
Published: April 2022

Bioelectricity or bioelectrochemical energy conversion, which is not subjected to Carnot's limitation, is a greener alternative to renewable energy sources. However, the sluggishness of electron transfer between enzyme/microorganisms and the electrodes and low efficiency of electron capture at the electrodes limit the power densities to lower levels. Development of rugged low power density devices with prolonged life is suitable for applications such as powering implantable devices, fabrication of self‐powered sensors, powering remote sensors, wastewater treatment and bioelectrosynthesis. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are versatile materials with high surface area that can act as exoskeletons for enzymes/microorganisms to stabilize and protect them from denaturation with retention of their activity for a prolonged period, thereby enabling robustness to the biocatalyst. Further MOFs and MOF‐derived carbonaceous materials are shown to perform better than Pt/C catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), the often used cathodic reaction in a biofuel cell. The role of MOFs in the area of bioelectrochemical energy conversion, especially with respect to applications in biofuel cells and self‐powered sensors, is discussed in detail in this Review.
Nitrogen fertilizer rate and timing effects on smooth bromegrass interseeded with sorghum‐sudangrass
Authors: Guretzky John A. , Hillhouse Heidi , Redfearn Daren
Published: April 2022

Interseeding perennial cool‐season grass pastures with annual warm‐season grasses may increase forage accumulation and nutritive value. Our understanding of how N fertilizer rate and timing affect the forage mass, herbage composition, and N use efficiency (NUE) of interseeded pastures remains limited. In 2018–2020, we evaluated the responses of smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) to two interseeding and five fertilizer rate and timing treatments in eastern Nebraska. Interseeding treatments included unseeded smooth bromegrass and smooth bromegrass interseeded with sorghum‐sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench  × S. bicolor var. sudanense]. Fertilizer rate and timing treatments included: 0 lb N acre–1, 80 lb N acre–1 in spring, 40 lb N acre–1 in spring and summer, 80 lb N acre–1 in summer, and 80 lb N acre–1 in spring and summer. Summer applications occurred after sorghum‐sudangrass emergence. Across years, fertilizer rate and timing had the greatest effects on forage and weed responses. Applying N at 80 lb acre–1 in spring increased spring and total spring + summer forage mass by 33% while increasing NUE compared with summer application. Interseeding did not increase summer and total forage mass, and summer N applications did not enhance the success of sorghum‐sudangrass and were problematic, increasing weediness and reducing NUE. Practitioners should fertilize smooth bromegrass with 80 lb N acre–1 in spring or 40 lb N acre–1 in split spring and summer applications in eastern Nebraska. Interseeding sorghum‐sudangrass may increase forage accumulation and nutritive value, but establishment methods need improvement.
Effects of commercial and farm‐made inoculants on the chemical composition and fermentation of kikuyu grass silages
Authors: Villalobos‐Villalobos Luis A. , Arce‐Cordero J. A.
Published: April 2022

Ensiling allows for more efficient pasture utilization in kikuyu (Cenchrus clandestinus Hochst. ex Chiov.)‐based forage systems. However, the chemical composition of kikuyu challenges this process. Additives can improve the quality of kikuyu silage. This study aimed to evaluate how the organoleptic, fermentative, and nutritive traits of kikuyu (90‐d regrowth) were affected by three inoculants [farm‐made inoculants (FMI), Efficient Microorganisms (EMI), and a commercial inoculant] compared with a control. We hypothesized that FMI and EMI would perform similarly to the commercial inoculant on kikuyu silage. The control treatment had lower scores for odor, but texture, moisture and color were adequate and similar among treatments. Kikuyu silage had similar concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (2.72–3.23%) among treatments, with the pH (5.04–5.20) and buffering capacity [95–111 meq NaOH 100 g–1 dry matter (DM)] indicating resistance to acidification. The DM of kikuyu silage (20.7–21.0%) was similar to the forage prior to ensiling. The crude protein (8.13–8.69%) and ash (15.5–16.8%) concentrations indicated the forage's advanced maturity and were not affected by the inoculants. Mean neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was similar for FMI and EMI (54.8 and 54.8%) compared with the control and commercial inoculant (58.5 and 62.8%), and kikuyu silage had lower concentrations than fresh forage. In vitro DM digestibility was similar among treatments (55.7–59.0%). There was no clear advantage of using inoculants to ensile kikuyu grass, but the variation in NDF and hemicellulose concentrations in the control treatment suggests that kikuyu silages may benefit from inoculants.
Effects of Bond Strength on the Electronic Structure and Thermoelectric Properties of β‐VA Monolayers (Sb, As, and P)
Authors: Zhang Shi Yang , Huang Yong Liang , Wu Chang Yi , Han Jin Chen , Sun Lei , Gong Hao Ran
Published: April 2022

First‐principles calculation and Boltzmann transport theory have been combined to comparatively investigate the integration of Crystal Orbital Hamilton Populations (−ICOHP), band structures, phonon spectrums, lattice thermal conductivities, electronic transport properties, Seebeck coefficients, and thermoelectric figure of merits of β‐VA monolayers (Sb, As, and P). Calculations reveal that the thermoelectric properties increase with the decrease of the bond strength, which should be mainly due to the lower lattice thermal conductivity, suitable band gap, and weakened coupling of electrons and phonons. It is also found that the ZT value of the β‐Sb monolayer for the electronic along the x direction is the best among the β‐VA monolayers. Furthermore, the origin of the lowest lattice thermal conductivity of the β‐Sb monolayer in the β‐VA monolayers (Sb, As, and P) may be attributed to the more phonon scattering channels (P3) and the lower phonon velocity (v).The derived results are in good agreement with other theoretical results in the literature, and could provide a deep understanding of thermoelectric properties of the β‐VA monolayer materials.
Magnetic Relaxation and Modification of Thiol Groups on Co‐Mg Ferrite Nanoparticles for Theranostics
Authors: Katayanagi Hikaru , Sakai Naoki , Hamada Sota , Usui Akihito , Aoki Kota , Kodama Keita , Nashimoto Kentaro , Hosokai Yoshiyuki , Ichiyanagi Yuko
Published: April 2022

Co1‐xMgxFe2O4(x=0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) nanoparticles embedded in amorphous SiO2with particle sizes of approximately 4.5 nm were prepared using an original wet chemical method. We performed spin‐echo magnetic resonance imaging measurements for Co1‐xMgxFe2O4nanoparticles using a 0.3‐T MRI system. The particles exhibited a significantT2shortening effect compared with that of agarose, depending on the composition. All particles exhibited effective relaxivity,R2, and a significant contrast was observed in the phantom image. Furthermore, thiol group was modified to enable particles to bind specifically to maleimide proteins. These particles are expected to be potential theranostic agents.
Online streaming feature selection for multigranularity hierarchical classification learning
Authors: Wang Chenxi , Zhang Xiaoqing , Ye Liqin , Mao Yu , Li Shaozi , Lin Yaojin
Published: April 2022

Hierarchical classification learning is a hot research topic in machine learning and data mining domains, and many feature selection algorithms with category hierarchy have been proposed. However, existing algorithms assume that the feature space of data is completely obtained in advance, and ignore its uncertainty and dynamicity. To address these problems, we propose an online streaming feature selection framework with a hierarchical structure to solve the above two problems simultaneously. First, we apply the hierarchical relationship between nodes in a hierarchical structure to the Relief algorithm, so that it can be used to compute the weights of dynamic features. Second, we dynamically select important features for each internal node via comparing the magnitude of the weights of features on these nodes with their parent and sibling nodes. In addition, we perform redundancy analysis of features by calculating the covariance between features to obtain a superior online feature subset for each internal node. Finally, the proposed algorithm is compared with six online streaming feature selection methods on six hierarchical data sets, and experimental results shows that the classification performance of the proposed algorithm is effective.
A dual‐system trusted computing node construction method based on ARM multi‐core CPU architecture
Authors: Hong Yu , Ning Zhenhu , Sun Yu , Shen Changxiang
Published: April 2022

Computer node security is the source and foundation of information system security. Trusted computing dual system architecture is an important implementation method to solve the security assurance by establishing the dual system of computing nodes, on the one hand, to achieve isolation on the other hand to achieve the active metrics of the system. This article systematically analyzes the dual architecture of trusted computing, summarizes the security assurance implementation of the dual architecture of trusted computing as the problem of trusted platform control module (TPCM) trusted root parallel access bus, and designs and implements it using ARM multi‐core CPU architecture, and designs the basic hardware security assurance capabilities such as TPCM resource isolation, active metrics, secure communication and other key components of trusted cryptography module and trusted software base based on it, thus implementing the two core mechanisms of trustworthy computing, namely, trust chain construction and dynamic metrics, are implemented. The design of system integration in computing node devices based on this ARM multi‐core CPU architecture is proposed, and the related design and implementation methods are proposed, and finally, the prototype implementation and test verification are performed on the Phytium CPU platform.
Real‐Time Tunable Red/Near‐Infrared Solid‐State Emitters in the First Biological Window: 9,9‐Diethyl‐2‐diphenylaminofluorene‐Based Push‐Pull Fluorophores for Distributed Feedback and Random Lasing Applications
Authors: Durko‐Maciag Martyna , Popczyk Anna , Rémond Maxime , Zheng Zheng , Bretonniere Yann , Andraud Chantal , Mysliwiec Jaroslaw
Published: April 2022

In biological imaging, red‐to‐infrared emissive dyes facilitate direct visualization of molecular interactions, through deep tissue penetration, along with minimal tissue damage. This work uses simple systems based on a single dye‐doped polymeric thin film for distributed feedback and random lasing investigations. As active compounds, novel push‐pull luminescent diphenylaminofluorene derivatives are used, functionalized with different acceptor groups. Integration of such luminescent dyes with a transparent polymeric medium allows fabrication of real‐time lasing tunability in the first biological window (650–950 nm). The observed spectral tuning of 150 nm is a groundbreaking value obtained in a single‐dye system.
Solvent‐Assisted Mechanochemical Synthesis of a Nucleotide Dimer
Authors: Johnston Christopher , Migaud Marie E.
Published: April 2022

This article contains a synthetic protocol for solvent‐assisted mechanochemical synthesis of a nucleotide dimer. First, a dinucleoside phosphite is prepared by solvent‐assisted mechanochemistry via the phosphoramidite method. Second, the dinucleoside phosphite is oxidized to form the dinucleotide under mechanochemical conditions. Finally, the dinucleotide is purified by column chromatography. Support protocols are also provided for preparing the acidic salts that can be utilized for phosphoramidite couplings and for demonstrating that the reaction occurs under mechanochemical conditions rather than as a result of solvent added for analysis. Mechanochemistry as applied to synthesis of dinucleotides is a recent development and it is anticipated that the principles in this protocol will be widely applicable to a range of nucleoside and ribonucleoside monomers. The advantages of mechanochemistry over traditional solution‐phase chemistry are the simplicity of the procedure, improved hydrolytic stability, and elimination of the need to solubilize poorly soluble compounds. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol: Solvent‐assisted mechanochemical synthesis of a nucleotide dimer

Supplementary Protocol 1: Synthesis of N‐methylimidazolium triflate

Supplementary Protocol 2: Synthesis of pyridinium trifluoroacetate

Supplementary Protocol 3: Confirmation of the efficacy of mechanochemical conditions
Biocatalysis as Key to Sustainable Industrial Chemistry
Authors: Alcántara Andrés R. , Domínguez de María Pablo , Littlechild Jennifer A. , Schürmann Martin , Sheldon Roger A. , Wohlgemuth Roland
Published: April 2022

Invited for this month′s cover is the Working Group Sustainable Chemistry of the European Society of Applied Biocatalysis (ESAB). The image shows the significant contributions of Biocatalysis to science, industry, society, and environment as a technology of first choice for Sustainable Chemistry in the 21st century. The Perspective itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.202102709.
A two‐dimensional RC network topology for fault‐tolerant design of analog circuits
Authors: Paiva Henrique Mohallem , Galvão Roberto Kawakami Harrop , Hadjiloucas Sillas , Yoneyama Takashi , Marcolino Matheus Henrique
Published: April 2022

This paper proposes a novel one‐port passive circuit topology consisting of a two‐dimensional network of resistors and capacitors, which can be used as a fault‐tolerant building block for analog circuit design. Through an analytical procedure, the network is shown to follow simple first‐order admittance dynamics. A Monte Carlo method is employed to describe the effect of simultaneous faults (short or open circuit) in random network elements in terms of confidence bounds in the frequency‐domain admittance profile. Faults in 10% of the elements resulted in only minor changes of the frequency response (up to 3.9 dB in magnitude and 12.5
in phase in 95% of the cases). An example is presented to illustrate the use of the proposed RC network in the fault‐tolerant design of a low‐pass filter.
Traits, landmarks and outlines: Three congruent sides of a tale on coral reef fish morphology
Authors: Quitzau Marita , Frelat Romain , Bonhomme Vincent , Möllmann Christian , Nagelkerke Leopold , Bejarano Sonia
Published: April 2022

Quantifying the morphology of organisms remains fundamental in ecology given the form‐function relationship. Morphology is quantifiable in traits, landmarks, and outlines, and the choice of approach may influence ecological conclusions to an unknown extent. Here, we apply these three approaches to 111 individual coral reef fish of 40 species common in Micronesia. We investigate the major dimensions of morphological variability among individuals, families, and predefined feeding functional groups. We find that although the approaches are complementary, they coincide in capturing elongation as the main dimension of variability. Furthermore, the choice of approach led to different interpretations regarding the degree of morphological differentiation among taxonomic and feeding functional groups. We also use each morphology dataset to compute community‐scale morphological diversity on Palauan reefs and investigate how the choice of dataset affects the detection of differences among sites and wave exposure levels. The exact ranking of sites from highest to lowest morphological diversity was sensitive to the approach used, but not the broad spatial pattern of morphological diversity. Conclusions regarding the effect of wave exposure on morphological diversity were robust to the approach used. Biodiversity hotspots (e.g., areas of exceptionally high diversity and/or endemism) are considered important conservation targets but their location may depend on the biodiversity metric used. In the same vein, our results caution against labelling particular sites as morphological diversity hotspots when metrics consider only a single aspect of morphology.
Fijian sea krait behavior relates to fine‐scale environmental heterogeneity in old‐growth coastal forest: The importance of integrated land–sea management for protecting amphibious animals
Authors: Lowe Christopher , Keppel Gunnar , Waqa Kalisi , Peters Stefan , Fisher Robert N. , Scanlon Annette , Osborne‐Naikatini Tamara , Thomas‐Moko Nunia
Published: April 2022

The importance of terrestrial coastal ecosystems for maintaining healthy coral reef ecosystems remains understudied. Sea kraits are amphibious snakes that require healthy coral reefs for foraging, but little is known about their requirements of terrestrial habitats, where they slough their skin, digest prey, and breed. Using concurrent microclimate measurements and behavior surveys, we show that a small, topographically flat atoll in Fiji with coastal forest provides many microhabitats that relate to the behaviors of Yellow Lipped Sea Kraits, Laticauda colubrina. Microclimates were significantly related to canopy cover, leaf litter depth, and distance from the high‐water mark (HWM). Sea kraits were almost exclusively observed in coastal forest within 30 m of the HWM. Sloughing of skins only occurred within crevices of mature or dying trees. Resting L. colubrina were significantly more likely to occur at locations with higher mean diurnal temperatures, lower leaf litter depths, and shorter distances from the HWM. On Leleuvia, behavior of L. colubrina therefore relates to environmental heterogeneity created by old‐growth coastal forests, particularly canopy cover and crevices in mature and dead tree trunks. The importance of healthy coastal habitats, both terrestrial and marine, for L. colubrina suggests it could be a good flagship species for advocating integrated land‐sea management. Furthermore, our study highlights the importance of coastal forests and topographically flat atolls for biodiversity conservation. Effective conservation management of amphibious species that utilize land‐ and seascapes is therefore likely to require a holistic approach that incorporates connectivity among ecosystems and environmental heterogeneity at all relevant scales.
Chemical composition and microbial quality of Datshi and Zoety, unripen cottage cheese of Bhutan
Authors: Nair Anooja , Choden Dechen , Pradhan Monika
Published: April 2022

Datshi is an unripen traditional Bhutanese cottage cheese produced commonly from the cow milk. It is consumed in two forms: fresh (Datshi) and matured Datshi (Zoety). The chemical and microbial compositions of both Datshi and Zoety were investigated in this study. The results showed that both Datshi and Zoety contain high moisture: 68.7% and 73.7%, respectively. However, Datshi contains good amount of protein, fat, and ash: 30.1%, 6.6%, and 6.9%, respectively; and in comparison to Zoety: protein (27.7%), fat (3.6%), and ash (2.1%). Regarding the microbial load, total aerobes and yeast and mold in Datshi are 10.5 log cfu/g and 8.3 log cfu/g, and that in Zoety is 11.3 log cfu/g and 9 log cfu/g, respectively. This study clearly demonstrated that chemical and microbial composition changes significantly when Datshi is transformed into Zoety, especially the chemical composition decreases significantly in Zoety. However, to understand the role of microbes in this transformation, further study is required for the identification of microflora of Datshi as well as Zoety.
Monitoring fall CO2 efflux of dallisgrass and hybrid bermudagrass: Implications for nonselective weed control
Authors: Begitschke Erick , Johnston Christopher , Henry Gerald
Published: April 2022

Chemical control options for dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.) are limited, inconsistent, and damaging to desirable species. Dallisgrass and hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt Davy] may enter dormancy at different times, allowing for safe, efficacious use of nonselective herbicides for dallisgrass control. Field experiments evaluated dallisgrass and hybrid bermudagrass dormancy by measuring plant respiration in fall and subjecting the carbon efflux data to a nonlinear exponential decay regression model fitted against cooling degree‐days (CDDs). Total plant respiration differed between the species at trial initiation. Dallisgrass exhibited higher net respiration, indicating that each species proceeded into dormancy at different rates. A postemergence dallisgrass control trial was initiated at 5 to 125 CDD22C to evaluate potential rates of quinclorac (1.5, 2.3, and 3.0 kg acid equivalent ha–1), monosodium methanearsonate (6.1, 9.1, and 12.1 kg a.i. ha–1), glyphosate (5, 7.6, and 10.1 kg a.i. ha–1), and thiencarbazone + foramsulfuron + halosulfuron (0.14, 0.18, and 0.22 .kg a.i. ha–1). Dallisgrass control 36 wk after the initial treatment was greatest with glyphosate (≥97%). Minimal bermudagrass survival was observed next spring in response to fall glyphosate. Total plant respiration per sample area differed between species at trial initiation. However, dallisgrass exhibited greater net respiration, indicating differences in behavior concerning the initiation and procession of dormancy between dallisgrass and bermudagrass. Microclimates such as shaded or low‐lying areas may yield different results. Further research should determine the significance of this phenomenon to use nonselective herbicides to control dallisgrass in bermudagrass.