bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virtual design and construction (VDC) for double-storey residential building – Case study
Authors: Lee Chee Kiat , Lau See Hung , Chong Siaw Yah
Published: April 2022

Virtual design and construction (VDC) is a combination of building information modelling (BIM) technologies with adequate work and management scheme for product in supporting people working together in an integrated and simultaneous way. The use of VDC in construction project has positive effects in reducing risk related to design and multidisciplinary coordination. This enhanced the decision-making process by reducing miscommunication issue. This paper presents a case study to investigate the process of integrating different dimensions of information i.e., time (4D) and cost (5D) with a 3D model for doublestorey residential building construction considering the zoning conditions. Implementation of VDC with zoning plan leads to an efficient construction management in project feasibility study. It enabled comparison of a virtual model to evaluate the advantages and practicality of VDC for doublestorey residential building. The 3D architectural and structural models elements are prepared at level of detail (LOD300) using Autodesk Revit. The 3D models are then integrated to simulation software (i.e., Autodesk Navisworks Manage). Visualisation of the project (i.e., 4D and 5D) is achieved as the outcome of the simulation by implementation of VDC. The results revealed that the practicability of VDC was affected by LOD and software interoperability.
Feasibility study of compressed bricks utilizing rubber glove manufacturing residue
Authors: Soo Sin-Quan , Ean Lee-Woen , Ng Cheng-Yee , Tan Jee-Cheat
Published: April 2022

The demand of the rubber glove had increased significantly since early of the year 2020 due to the COVID-19 virus breakout especially in the medical and healthcare sector. Rubber Glove Manufacturing Residue (RGMR) is the by-product from the effluent treatment by coagulation process in the manufacturing procedure. Non-recyclable RGMR are disposed to landfill after treated. This research is aimed to reuse the RGMR in cemented interlocking bricks to address the natural resources depletion issues and greenhouse gases released from the burnt brick production. The comparison in terms of physical and mechanical properties was conducted in between RGMR and crumb rubber interlocking bricks (RIB). RGMR and crumb rubber were used as partial fine aggregate replacement by 10% while fly ash was used as a cement replacement material by 56%. Four mixes were tested, and the interlocking bricks were categorized as medium weight bricks. However, only control mix and RGMR-2 mix fulfilled the loadbearing masonry requirement of a minimum of 13.8 MPa. RGMR-2 utilizing 10% fine aggregate replacement using RGMR without cement replacement. As for the mixes utilizing fly ash and fine aggregate replacement, RGMR-1 mix and RIB mix show compressive strength of 12.15 MPa and 11.64 MPa respectively. Besides that, the use of RGMR reduced the water absorption compared to RIB mix due to the larger particle size of crumb rubber. The water absorption rate for RIB mix has exceeded the limit of water absorption for the medium weight bricks of 240 kg/m3. The finding indicates that the RGMR exhibited a better performance as compared to the crumb rubber.
Experimental investigations on durability characteristics of ground granulated blast furnace slag mortar
Authors: Elsa Thomas Geethu , P.V. Indira , A.S. Sajith
Published: April 2022

Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag (GGBS), a waste product from steel plants, can be effectively utilized as a pozzolanic material and can be used as a partial replacement to cement leading to sustainable construction practice. Mortar is usually used as a binding and plastering material; hence the chances of exposure to a damaging environment are high than concrete. GGBS mortar should be examined for durability from weathering action, chemical attack, and abrasion to ensure a long-life cycle and less repair and replacement in structures. The present paper is an experimental investigation of the durability properties of GGBS mortar by considering the parameters like water absorption, effective porosity, sorptivity, chemical attacks, abrasion resistance, and chloride ion resistance. This study involves the replacement of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) with GGBS in 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 70%. The test results are compared with OPC mortar and observed a significant enhancement in the durability characteristics of GGBS mortar. Also, it is observed that 50% replacement of cement with GGBS gives an optimum mix considering the strength and durability characteristics.
Erosion risk index: Correlation of ROM-scale and Mackintosh Probe at Sungai Langat tributary
Authors: Ahmad Sabri Nazreen Farina , Abdul Rahman Norinah , Mohd Taib Aizat , Wan Mohtar Wan Hanna Melini , Karim Othman A. , Md Desa Safari , Awang Suriyani , Faisal Mohd Mohd Syazwan
Published: April 2022

The assessment of soil erosion risk has been widely studied, and various methods have been established. However, most of the methods require extensive field and laboratory works that are time-consuming. The previous literature mainly focused on utilizing the existed empirical models like USLE and its derivatives. The establishment of empirical correlation can increase the efficiency to estimate the potential of soil erosion in a shorter time. This study was performed to develop an empirical correlation between the number of blows per unit penetration (M-value) obtained from Mackintosh Probe test and ROM-scale number from soil particle size distribution analysis. Both tests were conducted at three different points at one of Sg. Langat tributary riverbank nearby Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi. The soil at each location was analyzed at three different layers, from 0 m to 1.5 m with intervals of 0.3 m and 0.5 m for Mackintosh Probe test and ROM-scale, respectively. The result indicates that ROM-scale umber is inversely proportional to M-value with a coefficient of determination of 0.5885.
Evaluation of the energy dissipation capacity of a steel damper
Authors: Fageeri Ahmed , Leblouba Moussa , Al-Sa'doon Zaid , Barakat Samer
Published: April 2022

This paper demonstrates the evaluation of the energy dissipation capacity of a steel damper made from mild steel plates through performing a finite element analysis simulating cyclic loading. Results aimed to obtain the damper characteristics incorporated in retrofitting frames to increase their seismic resistance and energy dissipation. The analysis has well captured the damper energy dissipation capacity and the effective stiffness. Results showed that stresses were concentrated on the diaphragm plate since it is the weakest part of the damper and where the failure is expected to occur. Also, the diaphragm plate was the first segment of the damper to yield and enter the plastic ranges.
Modelling of ammonia nitrogen in river using soft computing techniques
Authors: Chin Ren Jie , Loh Wing Son , Chai Voon Hao , Yap Bryan Seng Haw , Chan Kar Hui , Sim Britney Wan Xing
Published: April 2022

Ammonia nitrogen is one of the most hazardous water pollution parameters. It is crucial to monitor the concentration of ammonia nitrogen to minimize ammonia nitrogen pollution in river water. This study aims to develop a reliable model to accurately predict ammonia nitrogen concentration. Langat River was selected as the study area. Two soft computing techniques namely Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN) and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) were employed for the model development. Different model architectures were developed and evaluated. ANFIS model VI appears as an effective tool to serve the main objective where it has a considerably high coefficient of determination, low mean absolute and root mean squared errors, and small average percentage error. The model has an average percentage error of 23%, indicating it is able to provide an estimation accuracy of at least 77%.
Das kutane Plattenepithelkarzinom – ein Update
Authors: Burda Birgit , Schultz Erwin S.
Published: April 2022

Hintergrund Das kutane Plattenepithelkarzinom (PEK) ist nach dem Basalzellkarzinom der zweithäufigste bösartige Hauttumor. In Deutschland wurden 2014 über 50.000 PEK-Neuerkrankungen dokumentiert. Mit Zunahme der durchschnittlichen Lebenserwartung und Komorbiditäten treten mittlerweile auch gehäuft lokal fortgeschrittene Tumore mit Metastasierung auf.

Methode Selektive Literaturrecherche in PubMed und unter Berücksichtigung der deutschen S3-Leitlinien „Aktinische Keratosen und Plattenepithelkarzinom der Haut“ und „Prävention von Hautkrebs“.

Ergebnisse Beim PEK ist der Goldstandard die vollständige Exzision des Primärtumors mittels histopathologischer Kontrolle der Schnittränder. Eine Radiotherapie kann eingesetzt werden, wenn eine vollständige Exzision nicht erreicht werden kann bzw. Inoperabilität besteht. Im Falle eines metastasierten (mPEK) oder lokal fortgeschrittenen (laPEK) PEK, welches nicht kurativ operiert oder bestrahlt werden kann, werden systemische medikamentöse Therapien eingesetzt. Mit der Zulassung des PD1-Antikörpers Cemiplimab steht seit 2019 in der EU eine neue systemische Therapie zur Behandlung des fortgeschrittenen PEK zur Verfügung. Nach bis zu 3 Jahren Follow-up sprechen noch 46% der Patienten mit mPEK und laPEK auf Cemiplimab an, der Medianwert für das Gesamtüberleben und die Ansprechdauer ist in beiden Gruppe noch nicht erreicht. Weitere Antikörper gegen PD1 oder PDL1, Kombinationstherapien sowie die Immuntherapie mit onkolytischen Viren ermöglichen zahlreiche Therapieoptionen und sind aktuell Gegenstand der Forschung.

Schlussfolgerung Mit der Zunahme von fortgeschrittenen Stadien des PEK nimmt die Wichtigkeit des interdisziplinären Tumorboards für den Therapieentscheid immer mehr zu. Die Weiterentwicklung bestehender therapeutischer Konzepte, die Identifikation von gut wirksamen Kombinationstherapien sowie die Entwicklung weiterer verträglicher zielgerichteter Systemtherapien ist eine entscheidende dermatoonkologische Herausforderung der nächsten Jahre.
The Diagnostic Performance of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT in Prostate Cancer Patients with Early Recurrence after Definitive Therapy with a PSA <10 ng/ml
Authors: Lengana Thabo , Lawal Ismaheel , Janse Van Rensburg Charl , Mokoala Kgomotso , Moshokoa Evelyn , Mazibuko Sfiso , Van de Wiele Christophe , Maes Alex , Vorster Mariza , Sathekge Mike Machaba
Published: April 2022

Aim The prostate bed is one of the common sites of early recurrence of prostate cancer. The currently used PSMA ligands (68Ga-PSMA-11 and 99mTc-PSMA) undergo early urinary clearance resulting in interfering physiological activity within and surrounding the prostate. This can result in sites of cancer recurrence being obscured. 18F-PSMA-1007 has an advantage of delayed urinary clearance thus the prostate region is reviewed without any interfering physiological activity. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT in patients with early biochemical recurrence after definitive therapy.

Methods Forty-six Prostate cancer (mean age 66.7±7.5, range 48–87 years) presenting with biochemical recurrence (median PSA 1.6ng/ml, range 0.1–10.0) underwent non-contrast-enhanced 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT. PET/CT findings were evaluated qualitatively and semiquantitatively (SUVmax) and compared to the results of histology, Gleason grade, and conventional imaging.

Results Twenty-four of the 46 (52.2%) patients demonstrated a site of recurrence on 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT. Oligometastatic disease was detected in 15 (32.6%) of these patients. Of these 10 (37.5%) demonstrated intra-prostatic recurrence, lymph node disease was noted in 11 (45.8%) whilst two patients demonstrated skeletal metastases. The detection rates for PSA levels 0–<0.5, 0.5–<1, 1–2, >2 were 31.3%, 33.3%, 55.6% and 72.2% respectively. 7 (29.2%) of the positive patients had been described as negative or equivocal on conventional imaging. An optimal PSA cut-off level of 1.3ng/ml was found.

Conclusion
18F-PSMA-1007 demonstrated good diagnostic performance detecting sites of recurrence. Its ability to detect sites of recurrence in the setting of early biochemical recurrence will have a significant impact on patient management.
EUS-guided gastroenterostomy versus surgical gastroenterostomy for the management of gastric outlet obstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kumar Anand , Chandan Saurabh , Mohan Babu P. , Atla Pradeep R. , McCabe Evin J. , Robbins David H. , Trindade Arvind J. , Benias Petros C.
Published: April 2022

Background and study aims Surgical gastroenterostomy (SGE) has been the mainstay treatment for gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). The emergence of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) presents a less invasive alternative for palliation of GOO. We conducted a comprehensive review and meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness and safety of EUS-GE compared to SGE.

Methods Multiple electronic databases and conference proceedings up to April 2021 were searched to identify studies that reported on safety and effectiveness of EUS-GE in comparison to SGE. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) of technical success, clinical success, adverse events (AE) and recurrence, and pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) of procedure time and post-procedure length of stay (LOS) were calculated. Study heterogeneity was assessed using I
2 and Cochran Q statistics.

Results Seven studies including 625 patients (372 EUS-GE and 253 SGE) were included. EUS-GE had lower pooled odds of technical success compared with SGE (OR 0.19, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.06–0.60, I
2 0 %). Among the technically successful cases, EUS-GE was superior in terms of clinical success (OR 4.73, 95 % CI 1.83–12.25, I
2 18 %), lower overall AE (OR 0.20, 95 % CI 0.10–0.37, I
2 39 %), and shorter procedure time (SMD –2.4, 95 % CI –4.1, –0.75, I
2 95 %) and post-procedure LOS (SMD –0.49, 95 % CI –0.94, –0.03, I
2 78%). Rates of severe AE (0.89, 95 % CI 0.11–7.36, I
2 67 %) and recurrence (OR 0.49, 95 % CI 0.18–1.38, I
2 49 %) were comparable.

Conclusions Our results suggest EUS-GE is a promising alternative to SGE due to its superior clinical success, overall safety, and efficiency. With further evolution EUS-GE could become the intervention of choice in GOO.
Yield of upper gastrointestinal screening in colonic adenomatous polyposis of unknown etiology: a multicenter study
Authors: Farah Filsan , Patel Swati G. , Espinoza Jeannine M. , Jensen Nicholas , Katona Bryson W. , Muller Charles , Kupfer Sonia S. , Weiss Jennifer M. , Hinton Alice , Stanich Peter P.
Published: April 2022

Background and study aims The majority of patients with 10 or more cumulative colorectal adenomas have uninformative genetic testing and meet criteria for colonic adenomatous polyposis of unknown etiology (CPUE). The yield of upper gastrointestinal screening in patients with CPUE after multi-gene panel testing is unknown and our objective was to characterize this.

Patient and methods A multicenter, retrospective analysis of screening upper endoscopies in adults with CPUE after multi-gene panel testing was performed. Those with a history of gastroduodenal neoplasia prior to CPUE diagnosis were excluded. Demographic and clinical variables were collected and compared.

Results One hundred and twenty-eight patients with CPUE were included from five participating centers. Nine (7.0 %) had gastroduodenal neoplasia on initial screening upper endoscopy. Those with over 100 colorectal adenomas had a significantly higher rate of gastroduodenal neoplasia than those with 20–99 or 10–19 colorectal adenomas (44.4 % vs 4.1 % vs 4.4 %, P = 0.002). Similar results were seen when the analysis was restricted to only duodenal or ampullary adenomas. The only malignancy was a gastric cancer in a patient with 20 to 99 colorectal adenomas. When comparing patients with gastroduodenal neoplasia to those without, the only significantly different characteristic was the cumulative number of colorectal adenomas.

Conclusions We found a 7 % rate of gastroduodenal neoplasia in patients with CPUE after multi-gene panel testing. Although patients with ≥ 100 colorectal adenomas had a significantly higher risk, over 4 % of patients with 10 to 99 colorectal adenomas had gastroduodenal neoplasia. Given this, we recommend a screening upper endoscopy at the time of a colonoscopy after CPUE diagnosis.
The Impact of COVID-19 in Bone Metabolism: Basic and Clinical
Aspects
Authors: Tsourdi Elena , Hofbauer Lorenz C. , Rauner Martina
Published: April 2022

The use of standard procedures for the diagnosis of osteoporosis and assessment
of fracture risk significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the
incidence of fragility fractures was mostly unaltered. Both COVID-19 per se and
its treatments are associated with a negative impact on bone health. Preclinical
models show that mice infected with SARS-CoV2 even without symptoms display loss
of trabecular bone mass two weeks post infection, due to increased numbers of
osteoclasts. Osteoporosis medications do not aggravate the clinical course of
COVID-19, while preclinical data suggests possible beneficial effects of some
therapies. While vitamin D deficiency is clearly associated with a worse
clinical course of COVID-19, evidence of improved patient outcome with vitamin D
supplementation is lacking. Osteoporosis treatment should not be generally
discontinued, and recommendations for substituting therapies are available.
Osteoporosis therapies do not interfere with the efficacy or side-effect
profiles of COVID-19 vaccines and should not be stopped or indefinitely delayed
because of vaccination.
Therapeutic Effect of the Correction of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Mancera Sánchez Jimena , Hernaiz Leonardo Juan Carlos , Ishiwara Niembro Julia Kioko , Lesser Juan Carlos
Published: April 2022

Introduction Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) appears during the same age group in which vitamin D and calcium deficiencies are evident. Vitamin D deficiency could predispose to BPPV, since these two entities share a demineralization process.

Objective To establish the otological impact of vitamin D supplementation in patients with its deficiency who suffer from BPPV.

Methods This was a randomized clinical trial. A total of 35 patients with vitamin D deficiency (< 30 ng/ml) and BPPV were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (control group): treatment with repositioning maneuvers; and Group 2: treatment with repositioning maneuvers and vitamin D supplementation.

Results A follow-up of between 6 and 13 months and a log rank test revealed that the probability of recurrence between the experimental groups was significantly different, with group 2 having a decreased recurrence of vertigo (p = 0.17). Scores in the Dizziness Handicap inventory (DHI) in patients treated with vitamin D supplementation were smaller (10 ± 9) when compared with a score of 36 ± 9 in the control group.

Conclusion Plasmatic values of 25-hydroxyvitamin D have an impact in patients with BPPV, who present an improvement in their quality of life when their vitamin D levels are replaced with supplementation. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo could stop being perceived as a purely otologic disease.
Clinical Quiz—Newborn Female with an Anorectal Malformation and a Gynecological Abnormality
Authors: Apte Anisha , Mayhew Allison , McKenna Elise , Gomez-Lobo Veronica , Levitt Marc A.
Published: April 2022

We present a case of a newborn female with imperforate anus who on exam was found to have a rectal fistula in the vestibule, no vaginal opening, and a normal urethra. A diagnostic laparoscopy was performed to elucidate the internal anatomy. The case is presented with a focus on surgical strategies in approaching the female patient with anorectal malformation and a Mullerian anomaly, with questions for the readers posed in a quiz format.
Complex Arterial Pathology of Angiomyolipomas of Tuberous Sclerosis
Authors: Yeisley Christopher D. , Tafreshi Shima , Moirano Joseph , Gandras Eric , Siegel David
Published: April 2022

Based on observations at angiography, it was hypothesized that angiomyolipomas (AMLs) associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) have a more robust parasitic blood supply and require more complex embolization involving lower order vessels compared with the non-TSC patients' AMLs. This was a retrospective review of 71 patients who underwent angiography and embolization for renal AML at multiple centers within a single health system. All of the patients with TSC (11/11) were found to have “complex” tumor vascular supply. Of the patients with sporadic AML, 51/60 (85%) had “simple” tumor vascular supply. Sporadic cases with a complex tumor blood supply were larger tumors, with an average size of 11.5 cm. This study supports our hypothesis that AMLs associated with TSC have more complex tumor vascularity compared with sporadic lesions, and aims to better prepare interventionalists to deal with the complex cases.
Improving Provisioning of an Inpatient Portal: Perspectives from Nursing Staff
Authors: Gaughan Alice A. , Walker Daniel M. , Sova Lindsey N. , Vink Shonda , Moffatt-Bruce Susan D. , McAlearney Ann Scheck
Published: April 2022

Background Inpatient portals are recognized to provide benefits for both patients and providers, yet the process of provisioning tablets to patients by staff has been difficult for many hospitals.

Objective Our study aimed to identify and describe practices important for provisioning an inpatient portal from the perspectives of nursing staff and provide insight to enable hospitals to address challenges related to provisioning workflow for the inpatient portal accessible on a tablet.

Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with 210 nursing staff members across 26 inpatient units in six hospitals within The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC) following the introduction of tablets providing access to an inpatient portal, MyChart Bedside (MCB). Interviews asked questions focused on nursing staffs' experiences relative to MCB tablet provisioning. Verbatim interview transcripts were coded using thematic analysis to identify factors associated with tablet provisioning. Unit provisioning performance was established using data stored in the OSUWMC electronic health record about provisioning status. Provisioning rates were divided into tertiles to create three levels of provisioning performance: (1) higher; (2) average; and (3) lower.

Results Three themes emerged as critical strategies contributing to MCB tablet provisioning success on higher-performing units: (1) establishing a feasible process for MCB provisioning; (2) having persistent unit-level MCB tablet champions; and (3) having unit managers actively promote MCB tablets. These strategies were described differently by staff from the higher-performing units when compared with characterizations of the provisioning process by staff from lower-performing units.

Conclusion As inpatient portals are recognized as a powerful tool that can increase patients' access to information and enhance their care experience, implementing the strategies we identified may help hospitals' efforts to improve provisioning and increase their patients' engagement in their health care.
Operating on the Mesentery in Robotic Colonic Surgery—General Techniques
Authors: Coulter Jonathan , Peirce Colin
Published: April 2022

During colorectal surgery the mesentery is the organ on which the greatest amount of operating time is focused. It has recently gained increasing attention. This technical review focuses on the mesentery during robotic colonic procedures. Specifically, we focus upon how to access, dissect, and divide the mesentery using the robotic platform. We also touch on the management of bleeding and some specific disease etiologies.
Development and Standardization of SCAN-C Test for Auditory Processing Disorders in Children
Authors: Keith Robert W.
Published: April 2022

This paper reports on the development and standardization of SCAN-C: Test for Auditory Processing Disorders in Children-Revised. The revisions include new test instructions that have been reworded to make them easier for young children, aural stimuli presented on a compact disc, a revision of the Competing Words subtest, and the addition of a Competing Sentences subtest. Normative data on the new test were obtained on 650 children age 5 years, 0 months, to 11 years, 11 months. Analysis of new standardization data revealed systematic improvement in performance with increasing age. A new method of calculating the composite standard score gives equal weighting to each subtest of SCAN-C. Subtest test-retest reliability was substantially improved over the original SCAN, with SCAN-C correlations ranging from .65 to .82 for 5 to 7 year olds. Concurrent validity tests found that SCAN-C test results can be viewed with the same confidence as SCAN.

Abbreviations: AFG = Auditory Figure-Ground, CD = compact disc, COMP = composite score, CS = Competing Sentences, CW = Competing Words, FW = Filtered Words
A Case of Susac Syndrome
Authors: Yellin M. Wende , Johnson Thomas W.
Published: April 2022

Susac syndrome is a readily recognized but often misdiagnosed disorder almost exclusively affecting women in the 20- to 40–year age range. Characterized by the clinical triad of encephalopathy, branch retinal artery occlusions, and sensorineural hearing loss, patients with Susac syndrome are often misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Unlike MS, however, the disease process extends over a 1- to 2–year period and then goes into remission. This presentation describes the progression of symptoms of a patient eventually diagnosed with Susac syndrome.

Abbreviations: ALD = assistive listening device, EEG = electroencephalogram, MRI = magnetic resonance imaging, MS = multiple sclerosis
A button switch inspired duplex hydrogel sensor based on both triboelectric and piezoresistive effects for detecting dynamic and static pressure
Authors: Chen Zhensheng , Yu Jiahao , Zhang Xiaoxi , Zeng Haozhe , Li Yunjia , Wu Jin , Tao Kai
Published: April 2022

The capability to sense complex pressure variations comprehensively is vital for wearable electronics and flexible human–machine interfaces. In this paper, inspired by button switches, a duplex tactile sensor based on the combination of triboelectric and piezoresistive effects is designed and fabricated. Because of its excellent mechanical strength and electrical stability, a double-networked ionic hydrogel is used as both the conductive electrode and elastic current regulator. In addition, micro-pyramidal patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) acts as both the friction layer and the encapsulation elastomer, thereby boosting the triboelectric output performance significantly. The duplex hydrogel sensor demonstrates comprehensive sensing ability in detecting the whole stimulation process including the dynamic and static pressures. The dynamic stress intensity (10–300 Pa), the action time, and the static variations (increase and decrease) of the pressure can be identified precisely from the dual-channel signals. Combined with a signal processing module, an intelligent visible door lamp is achieved for monitoring the entire “contact–hold–release–separation” state of the external stimulation, which shows great application potential for future smart robot e-skin and flexible electronics.
Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM): a non-traditional approach to study host-microbial symbioses
Authors: Deore Pranali , Wanigasuriya Iromi , Tsang Min Ching Sarah Jane , Brumley Douglas R. , van Oppen Madeleine J. H. , Blackall Linda L. , Hinde Elizabeth
Published: April 2022

Corals and their photosynthetic endosymbiotic algae (Symbiodiniaceae) produce a strong autofluorescent signal that spans the visible to near-infrared (NIR) spectrum. However, this broad-spectrum emission hinders the use of fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) for the study of bacterial heterogeneity within the different niches of corals and Symbiodiniaceae, because FISH fluorophores also fluoresce within the visible to NIR spectrum. A solution to this impediment is to use fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). The ‘lifetime’ property of fluorophores is a feature that enables sample (e.g. coral/Symbiodiniaceae) autofluorescence to be distinguished from FISH-labelled bacteria. In this manner, the location of bacteria around and within Symbiodiniaceae can be quantified along with their identity and spatial distribution. Furthermore, the ‘lifetime’ of the host and associated microbe cellular autofluorescence can be analysed in terms of endogenous fluorophore composition (e.g. metabolic co-factors, aromatic amino acids) and serves as information for symbiotic versus parasitic host-microbe association.
Monolayer MoS2 of high mobility grown on SiO2 substrate by two-step chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Ma Jia-Jun , Wu Kang , Wang Zhen-Yu , Ma Rui-Song , Bao Li-Hong , Dai Qing , Ren Jin-Dong , Gao Hong-Jun
Published: April 2022

We report a novel two-step ambient pressure chemical vapor deposition (CVD) pathway to grow high-quality MoS2 monolayer on the SiO2 substrate with large crystal size up to 110 μm. The large specific surface area of the pre-synthesized MoO3 flakes on the mica substrate compared to MoO3 powder could dramatically reduce the consumption of the Mo source. The electronic information inferred from the four-probe scanning tunneling microscope (4P-STM) image explains the threshold voltage variations and the n-type behavior observed in the two-terminal transport measurements. Furthermore, the direct van der Pauw transport also confirms its relatively high carrier mobility. Our study provides a reliable method to synthesize high-quality MoS2 monolayer, which is confirmed by the direct 4P-STM measurement results. Such methodology is a key step toward the large-scale growth of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) on the SiO2 substrate and is essential to further development of the TMDs-related integrated devices.
Direct visualization of structural defects in 2D semiconductors
Authors: Guo Yutuo , Wang Qinqin , Li Xiaomei , Wei Zheng , Li Lu , Peng Yalin , Yang Wei , Yang Rong , Shi Dongxia , Bai Xuedong , Du Luojun , Zhang Guangyu
Published: April 2022

Direct visualization of the structural defects in two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors at a large scale plays a significant role in understanding their electrical/optical/magnetic properties, but is challenging. Although traditional atomic resolution imaging techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy, can directly image the structural defects, they provide only local-scale information and require complex setups. Here, we develop a simple, non-invasive wet etching method to directly visualize the structural defects in 2D semiconductors at a large scale, including both point defects and grain boundaries. Utilizing this method, we extract successfully the defects density in several different types of monolayer molybdenum disulfide samples, providing key insights into the device functions. Furthermore, the etching method we developed is anisotropic and tunable, opening up opportunities to obtain exotic edge states on demand.
Computational simulation of ionization processes in single-bubble and multi-bubble sonoluminescence
Authors: Liang Jin-Fu , Xiong De-Feng , An Yu , Chen Wei-Zhong
Published: April 2022

The most recent spectroscopic studies of moving-single bubble sonoluminescence (MSBSL) and multi-bubble sonoluminescence (MBSL) have revealed that hydrated electrons (

e

aq

−

) are generated in MSBSL but absent in MBSL. To explore the mechanism of this phenomenon, we numerically simulate the ionization processes in single- and multi-bubble sonoluminescence in aqueous solution of terbium chloride (TbCl3). The results show that the maximum degree of ionization of single-bubble sonoluminescence (SBSL) is approximately 10000 times greater than that of MBSL under certain special physical parameters. The hydrated electrons (

e

aq

−

) formed in SBSL are far more than those in MBSL provided these electrons are ejected from a bubble into a liquid. Therefore, the quenching of

e

aq

−

to SBSL spectrum is stronger than that of the MBSL spectrum. This may be the reason that the trivalent terbium [Tb(III)] ion line intensities from SBSL in the TbCl3 aqueous solutions with the acceptor of

e

aq

−

are stronger than those of TbCl3 aqueous solutions without the acceptor of

e

aq

−

. Whereas the Tb(III) ion line intensities from MBSL are not variational, which is significant for exploring the mechanism behind the cavitation and sonoluminescence.
Cold Leg LBLOCA uncertainty analysis using TRACE/DAKOTA coupling
Authors: Agnello G , Di Maio P A , Bersano A , Mascari F
Published: April 2022

Safety analyses for nuclear power plants were carried out in the past using a conservative approach. With the increase of the phenomenological knowledge, through experimental data, and computational power, it became possible to adopt best estimate thermal- hydraulic system codes to perform deterministic safety analyses. However, some uncertainties are still present in the models, correlations, initial and boundary conditions, etc. Therefore, it is fundamental to quantify the uncertainty of calculation. This approach is called “Best Estimate Plus Uncertainty” (BEPU). Among the available uncertainty analysis methodologies, the probabilistic method to propagate input uncertainty is widely adopted. In the present study, an uncertainty analysis of a cold leg large break loss of coolant accident in a generic PWR-900 MWe has been developed and it has been carried out coupling the best estimate thermal- hydraulic system code TRACE and the uncertainty quantification tool DAKOTA in the SNAP environment/architecture.
Characterization of Cs-free negative ion production in the ion source SPIDER by cavity ring-down spectroscopy
Authors: Barbisan M. , Agnello R. , Casati G. , Pasqualotto R. , Sartori E. , Serianni G.
Published: April 2022

The neutral beam injectors of the ITER experiment will be based on negative ion sources for the generation of beams composed by 1 MeV H/D particles. The prototype of these sources is currently under testing in the SPIDER experiment, part of the Neutral Beam Test Facility of Consorzio RFX, Padua, Italy. Among the targets of the experimentation in SPIDER, it is of foremost importance to maximize the beam current density produced by the accelerator. The SPIDER operating conditions can be optimized thanks to a cavity ring-down spectroscopy diagnostic, which provides line-integrated measurements of negative ion density in proximity of the accelerator apertures. The specific implementation in SPIDER shows a drift in ring down time measurements, which develops in a time scale of few hours, thus possibly affecting the negative ion density estimates in plasma pulses of 1 h duration, as required by ITER. Possible causes and solutions are discussed. Regarding the source performance, this paper presents how negative ion density is influenced by the RF power used to sustain the plasma, and by the magnetic filter field present in SPIDER to limit the amount of co-extracted electrons. In this study, SPIDER was operated in hydrogen and deuterium, in Cs-free conditions.
Unconventional optical properties of 2D Janus SMoSe induced by structural asymmetry
Authors: Zhang Jing , Wen Xiewen , Zhai Tianshu , Wiederrecht Gary P , Lou Jun
Published: April 2022

The Janus SMoSe monolayer that is best-known for its structural asymmetry is found to exhibit unconventional optical properties compared with its counterpart MoSe2. Optical transmittance measurements on monolayers that are directly synthesized on sapphire substrates reveal that the transmittance, as well as the real and imaginary parts of the optical dielectric constants of Janus SMoSe obtained from the Kramers–Kronig constrained analysis, show strong dependence on the polarization direction of the incident light. Meanwhile, the transmittance of the unpolarized light of Janus SMoSe becomes insensitive to light at incident angles up to 30°. The intrinsic dipoles induced by the structural asymmetry of Janus SMoSe are believed to produce these distinct optical properties. By estimating the optical absorption of the intrinsic dipoles and tracing their dependence on the light incident angles, we speculate that the dipoles are not perpendicularly aligned to the in-plane direction of the monolayer, but rather tilted by a small angle between 0° and 10°.
Cu
x
S thin films for printed memory cells and temperature sensors
Authors: Jehn Johannes , Kaiser Michael , Eulenkamp Constanze , Moosheimer Ulrich , Ruediger Andreas , Schindler Christina
Published: April 2022

Printed electronics require a multitude of various inks for different applications which leads to compatibility issues for their integration. We present a procedure to deposit a thin layer of Cu
x
S via inkjet printing of Na2S

a
q

on a thermally grown or inkjet-printed Cu surface that provides applications in electrochemical metallization memory cells (ECMs) or temperature sensors. The nanosized transformation from Cu to Cu
x
S is investigated via confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). We analyze individual responses from the sensor and memory and evaluate their respective potential in printed electronics. The negative temperature coefficient of the semiconducting Cu
x
S is determined to be

β

25
,
80

=
(
656
±
5
)

K. Resistive switching is observed for a current compliance between 0.1 and 1000 µA, with a resistance ratio R

O
F
F

/R

O
N

up to 105. The use of the same inks and processes for the memory and sensor components paves the way for new and customized designs for smart logistics applications where temperature monitoring is required.
An optical tweezer array of ground-state polar molecules
Authors: Zhang Jessie T , Picard Lewis R B , Cairncross William B , Wang Kenneth , Yu Yichao , Fang Fang , Ni Kang-Kuen
Published: April 2022

Fully internal and motional state controlled and individually manipulable polar molecules are desirable for many quantum science applications leveraging the rich state space and intrinsic interactions of molecules. While prior efforts at assembling molecules from their constituent atoms individually trapped in optical tweezers achieved such a goal for exactly one molecule (Zhang J T et al 2020 Phys. Rev. Lett.
124 253401; Cairncross W B et al 2021 Phys. Rev. Lett.
126 123402; He X et al 2020 Science
370 331–5), here we extend the technique to an array of five molecules, unlocking the ability to study molecular interactions. We detail the technical challenges and solutions inherent in scaling this system up. With parallel preparation and control of multiple molecules in hand, this platform now serves as a starting point to harness the vast resources and long-range dipolar interactions of molecules.
Humidity response of a capacitive sensor based on auxeticity of carbon nanotube-paper composites
Authors: Qian Zhongjie , Li Tianyi , Sakthivelpathi Vigneshwar , Goodman Sheila M , Dichiara Anthony B , Mamishev Alexander V , Chung Jae-Hyun
Published: April 2022

Auxetic materials showing a negative Poisson’s ratio can offer unusual sensing capabilities due to drastic percolation changes. This study presents the capacitive response of wet-fractured carbon nanotube paper composites in exposure to humidity. A strained composite strip is fractured to produce numerous cantilevers consisting of cellulose fibers coated with carbon nanotubes. During stretching, the thin composite buckles in the out-of-plane direction, which causes auxetic behavior to generate the radially structured electrodes. The crossbar junctions forming among the fractured electrodes significantly increase capacitance and its response to humidity as a function of sensor widths. The molecular junctions switch electric characteristics between predominantly resistive- and capacitive elements. The resulting capacitive response is characterized for humidity sensing without the need for an additional absorption medium. The normalized capacitance change (ΔC/C0) exhibits a sensitivity of 0.225 within the range of 40 ∼ 80% relative humidity. The novel auxetic behavior of a water-printed paper-based nanocomposite paves the way for inexpensive humidity and sweat sensors.
Four Insulin-Like Peptides Orchestrate Reproductive Signaling of the Green Lacewing, Chrysopa pallens (Rambur) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Liu Xiaoping , Zhang Lisheng , Wang Mengqing , Li Yuyan , Mao Jianjun
Published: April 2022

In insects, insulin signaling plays a pivotal role in the regulation of growth, metabolism, reproduction, and aging. Revealing the regulatory roles of insulin signaling in natural enemy insects is helpful for developing artificial approaches to promote reproduction. In this study, the expression of four insulin-like peptides (ILPs) in female adults of the natural predator Chrysopa pallens was analyzed by quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and their functions were investigated by RNA interference (RNAi). C. pallens ILP1 (CpILP1) and C. pallens ILP4 (CpILP4) showed a gradual increase in mRNA levels from early adult stages to later stages. However, C. pallens ILP2 (CpILP2) and C. pallens ILP3 (CpILP3) had an opposite expression curve with a high transcript level at the beginning of the adult stage and a gradual reduction thereafter. All four CpILPs showed high expression levels in the ovary, but CpILP2 transcripts were also abundant in fat bodies. Disruption of CpILP1 and CpILP2 expression by RNAi-mediated knockdown strikingly suppressed ovarian development and reduced C. pallens vitellogenin gene 1 (CpVg1) transcripts. Depletion of CpILP3 transcripts did not significantly decrease ovariole number but drastically reduced CpVg1 expression. Interference with the expression of CpILP4 significantly inhibited ovarian development but did not suppress CpVg1 expression. All gene knockdowns failed to dramatically impair total fecundity and egg quality. These data suggest that the four C. pallens ILPs are involved in reproductive signaling at different degrees.
Total Energy Intake: Implications for Epidemiologic Analyses
Authors: McCullough Lauren E , Byrd Doratha A
Published: April 2022

In 1986, Willett and Stampfer (Am J Epidemiol. 1986;124(1):17–27) propelled the nutritional epidemiology field forward by publishing a commentary emphasizing the importance of analyzing diet in relation to total energy intake in epidemiologic analyses of diet and disease, detailing the value of accounting for body size, physical activity, and metabolic efficiency in diet-disease analyses via energy intake adjustment. Their publication has since been cited over 2,886 times and has inarguably advanced methodology for studying diet-disease associations, with most nutritional epidemiology studies standardly including some form of energy adjustment. However, there remains debate regarding the best scenarios and methods for energy adjustment. The goals of this commentary are to provide an updated review on factors that account for interindividual differences in energy intake, provide a balanced discussion regarding the considerations for or against adjustment for energy intake, and provide an updated examination of the commonly employed methods for the analysis of nutrient-disease associations. The principles of energy adjustment continue to be relevant nearly 25 years later, as it remains a critical method to account for potentially confounding interindividual variations in body size and physical activity.
Relationship Between Level of American Football Playing and Diagnosis of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in a Selection Bias Analysis
Authors: LeClair Jessica , Weuve Jennifer , Fox Matthew P , Mez Jesse , Alosco Michael L , Nowinski Chris , McKee Ann , Tripodis Yorghos
Published: April 2022

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with exposure to repetitive head impacts such as those from American football. Our understanding of this association is based on research in autopsied brains, since CTE can only be diagnosed postmortem. Such studies are susceptible to selection bias, which needs to be accounted for to ensure a generalizable estimate of the association between repetitive head impacts and CTE. We evaluated the relationship between level of American football playing and CTE diagnosis after adjusting for selection bias. The sample included 290 deceased male former American football players who donated their brains to the Veterans Affairs–Boston University–Concussion Legacy Foundation (VA-BU-CLF) Brain Bank between 2008 and 2019. After adjustment for selection bias, college-level and professional football players had 2.38 (95% simulation interval (SI): 1.16, 5.94) and 2.47 (95% SI: 1.46, 4.79) times the risk of being diagnosed with CTE as high-school–level players, respectively; these estimates are larger than estimates with no selection bias adjustment. Since CTE is currently diagnosed only postmortem, we additionally provide plausible scenarios for CTE risk ratios for each level of play during the former players’ lifetime. This study provides further evidence to support a dose-response relationship between American football playing and CTE.
Indemnification, Monitoring, and Competition: Evidence from R&D Contracts
Authors: Guo Di , Hua Xinyu , Jiang Kun
Published: April 2022

This article examines the adoption of indemnification clauses in research and development (R&D) contracts, in which a firm commits to reimbursing its agent against liabilities and legal costs. Indemnification achieves efficient risk sharing but dilutes the agent’s incentives to take precautions. Such incentives may be restored if the firm offers contingent indemnification and monitors the agent’s activities. Additionally, tougher competition can motivate the firm and agent to take more aggressive R&D activities, which leads to higher liability risks. We show that the optimal contract is more likely to include an indemnification clause when monitoring is more effective and market competition is tougher. By investigating R&D agreements between pharmaceutical firms and biotech agents, we find relevant empirical observations. We also observe a positive correlation between the use of indemnification clauses and the use of termination rights that allow firms to terminate projects without cause.
Gig Economy Teaching: On the Importance and Dangers of Self-branding in Online Markets
Authors: Curran Nathaniel Ming , Jenks Christopher
Published: April 2022

The gig economy is rapidly transforming service-based industries, including online teaching. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic forced millions of people worldwide to work remotely, gig economy teaching generated billions of dollars in revenue and was responsible for millions of lessons per month. Although the global labor market is currently experiencing a major shift because of the gig economy, applied linguists have paid little attention to gig-based work and its implications. The current study narrows this research gap by using self-branding theories to understand the ways in which gig economy teachers market themselves to potential students. The findings, which are based on 100 teacher profiles, reveal that teachers adopt four self-branding discourses when marketing their teaching services. These self-branding discourses may vary according to the teacher’s country of origin, professional qualifications, and first language background. The study argues that self-branding discourses reflect a larger, and perhaps more problematic, global trend in which individual workers directly compete against each other in a race to lower earnings and job security.