bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Coconut Oil in Treating Patients Affected by Plaque-Induced Gingivitis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Ripari Francesca , Filippone Federica , Zumbo Giulia , Covello Francesco , Zara Francesca , Vozza Iole
Published: September 2020

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the coconut oil pulling efficacy as adjuvant in reducing plaque formation and in treating plaque-induced gingivitis.

Materials and Methods A sample of 20 patients was divided into two groups: a study and a control group. In the study group, coconut oil, in form of mouthwash, was administered to a sample of patients affected by gingivitis, aged between 18 and 35. The protocol established a daily application of the product for 30 days, where clinical parameters for plaque formation and gingivitis—plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI)—will be evaluated during the recalls on a specific periodontal chart. The control group did not associate a coadjuvant to the normal daily oral health procedures and the same clinical parameters were evaluated at t0 and after 30 days (t1). The data were statistically analyzed using Student’s t-test, establishing the significance level as p < 0.05.

Results PI and BI decreased in both groups, with a more relevant and significant drop in the study group, from a mean value of PI of 58.0 to 19.3 and a mean value of BI of 33.5 to 5.0. In the control group, the values decreased, respectively, from 53.9 to 29.1 for PI, and from 33.5 to 16.2. Furthermore, no significant side effect was reported during coconut oil pulling therapy.

Conclusions The collected data showed significant and promising improvements in reducing plaque formation and gingivitis. However, further researches have to be performed to have more consistent and statistically significant data on larger samples and to fully understand the mechanisms of action and effectiveness.
Apresentação rara de schwannoma no tornozelo: Um relato de caso
Authors: Gupta Prateek Kumar , Acharya Ashis , Panda Shakti Swarup
Published: September 2020

Schwannomas são tumores benignos de crescimento lento, e constituem 8% de todos os tumores de tecido mole. Os sinais clínicos e sintomas são muitas vezes mal interpretados por causa da baixa incidência, e, muitas vezes, esses tumores são mal diagnosticados. Um paciente do sexo masculino de 39 anos apresentou um inchaço solitário não traumático sobre o aspecto posteromedial do tornozelo direito, que aumentou gradualmente de tamanho e estava associado a dor. O inchaço era clinicamente firme, não flutuante, e não associado a qualquer comprometimento sensório-motor. A excisão cirúrgica do inchaço foi feita sem danificar os vasos e os nervos circundantes. O exame histopatológico do tumor excisado revelou schwannoma.
Neoadjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy and Lateral Node Dissection: Is It Mutually Exclusive?
Authors: Ogura Atsushi , van Oostendorp Stefan , Kusters Miranda
Published: September 2020

The importance of total mesorectal excision (TME) has been the global standard of care in patients with rectal cancer. However, there is no universal strategy for lateral lymph nodes (LLN). The treatment of the lateral compartment remains controversial and has gone to the opposite directions between Eastern and Western countries in the past decades. In the East, mainly Japan, surgeons consider LLN metastases as regional disease and have performed TME with lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) without neoadjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy ([C]RT) in patients with clinical Stage II/III rectal cancer below the peritoneal reflection. In the West, neoadjuvant radiotherapy or has been the standard, and surgeons do not perform LLND assuming the (C)RT can sterilize most lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM). Recent evidences show that lateral nodes are the major cause of local recurrence after (C)RT plus TME, and LLND reduces local recurrence particularly from the lateral compartment. Probably a combination of the two strategies, that is, neoadjuvant (C)RT plus LLND, would be needed to improve outcomes in patients with lateral nodal disease.
Propeller Flaps for Hand and Digit Reconstruction
Authors: Tos Pierluigi , Crosio Alessandro , Pugliese Pierfrancesco , Georgescu Alexandru Valentin
Published: September 2020

The reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the hand, as seen often after trauma or tumor excision, is a challenge due to the great differentiation of tissues depending on the hand area involved. The classical intrinsic “workhorse flaps” of the hand are associated with a significant donor-site morbidity. Capturing perforator vessels in discrete donor areas can reduce the amount of soft tissue that has to be dissected and included in what now would be a perforator flap, while also insuring robust vascularization of those transferred tissues. Moreover, the presence of perforator vessels both on the dorsal and volar sides of the hand allows harvest of perforator flaps that will respect the like-with-like principle by maintaining the main characteristics of volar and dorsal skin as desired. However, the dissection of these flaps, especially those based on volar palmar and digital perforators, still requires microsurgical skills to preserve the fine vascularization of these flaps. These small flaps are also amenable for application of the propeller flap concept. This is an especially valuable means for preserving the length of an amputated finger where bone is exposed by using more proximal uninjured tissues. Although in general only a short dissection is required to raise a propeller flap in this region, most often the donor site will have to be closed by a skin graft.
Our Definition of Propeller Flaps and Their Classification
Authors: Pignatti Marco , Ogawa Rei , Mateev Musa , Georgescu Alexandru V. , Balakrishnan Govindasamy , Ono Shimpei , Cubison Tania , Pinto Valentina , D'Arpa Salvatore , Koshima Isao , Hyakusoku Hiko , Hallock Geoffrey G.
Published: September 2020

The term propeller flap was introduced for the first time by Hyakusoku to define an island flap, based on a subcutaneous pedicle hub, that was rotated 90 degrees to correct scar contractures due to burns. With the popularization of perforator flaps, the propeller movement was applied for the first time to a skin island vascularized only by an isolated perforator, and the terms propeller and perforator flap were used together. Thereafter, the surgical technique of propeller flaps evolved and new applications developed. With the “Tokyo consensus,” we proposed a definition and a classification schema for propeller flaps. A propeller flap was defined as an “island flap that reaches the recipient site through an axial rotation.” The classification included the SPP (SPP) flap, the perforator pedicled propeller (PPP) flap, and the supercharged PPP (SCP) flap. A recent update added a new category, the axial pedicled propeller (APP) flap. Here we propose our updated and comprehensive classification of propeller flaps, taking into account the previous classification and subsequent publications. Based on their vascular pedicle, we consider the following five types of propellers: (1) SPP flap, 2.PPP flap, its subtype (2a) SCP flap, (3) APP flap, (4) muscle propeller flap, and (5) chimeric propeller flap. The variables that can be taken into account in the classification are as follows: type of nourishing pedicle, degrees of skin island rotation, position of the nourishing pedicle, artery of origin of the pedicle, and flap shape.
Hospice Care, Disease Burden Prediction, and the “Unbefriended” Patient
Authors: Biswas Sayan
Published: September 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global mayhem. Patient care has been severely affected. Patients with chronic conditions such as dialysis-dependent end stage renal diseases are finding it challenging to seek out continuous treatment. Ground breaking work by Dr. Ravikanth Yalamuri of Methodist TexSan Hospital is paving new pathways for tackling patient volume in hospital settings, especially in hospices. In particular, Dr. Yalamuri has provided succinct insights into empathetic caring for the unbefriended patients. These elderly orphans have major issues with cognition and require high levels of social aids and support, especially when they are admitted to the hospital or when they have a terminal illness. Dr. Yalamuri has highlighted the utility of operations research in these multifaceted disease model prediction.
Neutron Attenuation in Polyethylene Using an AmBe Source
Authors: Barbagallo Dylan , Bolduc Brooke , Hassett Brian , Johnson Walter , Koumba Kendrick , Leeming Ally , Mach Phuc , McCormack Joe , McDonough Molly , Nyamwanda Jacqueline
Published: September 2020

In this project an americium-beryllium (AmBe) neutron source was used to study the attenuation characteristics of polyethylene on an incident flux of varying neutron energies from 200 keV to 10 MeV. The linear absorption coefficient suitable for a single neutron energy was found to vary with absorber thickness due to the higher cross section for absorption of low-energy neutrons. The attenuation coefficient for a thickness greater than 15 cm was found to be associated with higher velocity neutrons.
High-Resolution Muography Using a Prototype Portable Muon Telescope
Authors: Perez R. , Shanto S. A. , Moosajee M. , Cano S.
Published: September 2020

We report on our continued development of a portable muon telescope with excellent angular resolution capable of imaging large archaeological structures in detail. The first prototype (Phase I) consists of four trays of scintillator bars, Winston cones, silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), readout electronics, and a network of Arduinos to handle data acquisition. Finally, we developed a reconstruction algorithm to create the final image. The cosmic muons produce scintillation photons as they pass through the scintillator bars; these photons are transported by the Winston cones to the SiPMs where they are converted into electrical signals. The electrical signals are then digitized and transmitted to an offline computer for reconstruction. The entire system is mounted on a wheeled cart and can be pointed to target different objects of interest. With Phase I, we are able to reconstruct large objects in two-dimensional space with an angular resolution of 20 mrad with an operating efficiency of 89%.
Researchers create highly transparent p-type copper iodide with enhanced electrical performance
Authors: McConnon Aili
Published: September 2020

Using copper iodide grown by pulsed laser deposition, researchers create thin films with superior photonic and electronic thin film properties.
Formation of double shell during implosion of plasma metal puff Z-pinches
Authors: Shmelev D. L. , Zhigalin A. S. , Chaikovsky S. A. , Oreshkin V. I. , Rousskikh A. G.
Published: September 2020

This work presents the results of experimental and theoretical research of impact of tailored density profile and application of external axial magnetic field on initial spatial distribution of the plasma density in the plasma metal puff Z-pinch and on its implosion dynamics. It has been discovered that upon implosion of the plasma metal puff Z-pinch some stripes interpreted as the system of two coaxial shells appear on the optical images. With the help of numerical simulation, the formation of the plasma liner consisting of a mixture of carbon and bismuth ions and formed by the expansion of the plasma jet of the arc burning on the bismuth electrode has been considered in this work. It has been shown that the lightweight carbon ions facilitate formation of the density distribution smoothly decreasing with the increase in radius, that, in turn, leads to suppression of the Rayleigh–Taylor instability in the current sheath upon further implosion. It has also been demonstrated that availability of the two types of ions in plasma considerably different in mass leads to formation (in the compression phase) of a double shell with externally located heavy ions. It has also been revealed that the application of the external axial magnetic field leads to reduction in the plasma metal puff Z-pinch initial diameter.
Vibrational detection of delamination in composites using a combined finite element analysis and machine learning approach
Authors: Jacobs Eric W. , Yang Charles , Demir Kahraman G. , Gu Grace X.
Published: September 2020

One common challenge of using composite materials is detecting delamination failure in a non-destructive and cost-effective way. Past studies have proven the feasibility of using vibrational measurements to detect damage but have not explored the full capabilities and limitations of vibrational testing. Here, we use a finite element model of a composite plate to characterize the natural frequency, mode shape, and mode curvature tests for a variety of delamination scenarios. We find that the mode curvature test is resource-intensive to conduct but provides the best resolution in both identifying and localizing delamination. On the other hand, the natural frequency test is simple and inexpensive to conduct but can only reliably identify the presence of delamination. Additionally, a machine learning model is implemented to augment the natural frequency test, allowing both localization of damage and quantification of its severity with only the natural frequencies of modes 1–6. We are able to interpret our model and discover a phase transition for natural frequencies with different sized delaminations. This testing framework allows rapid non-destructive analysis for the iterative design of composites, accelerating the development of novel delamination-resistant materials.
Low-noise microwave SQUID multiplexed readout of 38 x-ray transition-edge sensor microcalorimeters
Authors: Nakashima Y. , Hirayama F. , Kohjiro S. , Yamamori H. , Nagasawa S. , Sato A. , Yamada S. , Hayakawa R. , Yamasaki N. Y. , Mitsuda K. , Nagayoshi K. , Akamatsu H. , Gottardi L. , Taralli E. , Bruijn M. P. , Ridder M. L. , Gao J. R. , den Herder J. W. A.
Published: September 2020

We report very-low-noise, fast-response, middle-scale multiplexing in a microwave superconducting quantum interference device multiplexer (MW-Mux) as a transition-edge sensor (TES) readout. Our MW-Mux is able to read 40 channels with 500 kHz sampling and has a low readout noise of 0.9 μΦ0/Hz (where Φ0 is the magnetic flux quantum), equivalent to 9 pA/Hz. By contrast, a multiplexer of less than 10 pixels with 500 kHz sampling and ∼2 μΦ0/Hz readout noise has so far been reported in the literature. Owing to the 500 kHz sampling, our MW-Mux exhibits a fast response to detect a TES pulse with a rise time around 12 μs. We demonstrated simultaneous readout of 38 pixels from an array of x-ray TES microcalorimeters. The measured full-width values at half-maximum spectral resolution ranged from 2.79 to 4.56 eV, with a median value of 3.30 eV at 5.9 keV, including a ∼10% contribution of readout noise, i.e., 0.9–1.7 eV.
Growth and characterization of ferromagnetic Fe-doped GaSb quantum dots with high Curie temperature
Authors: Sriharsha Karumuri , Anh Le Duc , Shimada Yuuji , Takahashi Takuji , Tanaka Masaaki
Published: September 2020

We report the structural and magnetic properties of the Fe-doped GaSb quantum dots (QDs) (nominal Fe concentration x = 4.7%–16.6%) grown on GaAs (001) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. The QDs with nanometer-scale dimensions consist of two areas with different crystal structures, a zinc-blende GaAsSb wetting layer and a new phase of FeGaSb alloy that has a simple cubic lattice. The size and distribution of the QDs depend on the Fe concentration, as revealed by atomic force microscopy. Magnetic force microscopy measurements at zero applied magnetic field show the presence of ferromagnetism in the QDs at room temperature with an easy axis in the 1¯10 direction, which is consistent with magnetometry measurements. The Curie temperature in these QDs is very high (>400 K), which is promising for spintronic applications at room temperature.
Suppression of ambient stray field for alkali magnetometer of nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscopes: Modeling and experiment
Authors: Qiang Shu , Fang Ji , Mingzhi Zhu , Baoxu Wang , Dongge Deng , Fei Yang
Published: September 2020

In nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscopes (NMRGs), an ambient stray field should be suppressed to maximize performance of the in situ parametrically modulated alkali magnetometer (PMAM). Transfer functions of the PMAM of NMRGs decoupled with lock-in amplifiers are obtained by theoretical and simulation identification. It is found that the frequency bandwidth of the PMAM of NMRGs decoupled by lock-in amplifiers depends largely upon the low-pass filter of the lock-in amplifiers. A dynamic Kalman filter is used to estimate the stray field disturbance that is fed back to field coils to compensate the disturbance in the PMAM. Simulation and experiment results show that the dynamic Kalman filter has adaptiveness to the frequency shift of the nuclear spin precession signal of NMRGs that is quasi-sinusoidal. The dynamic Kalman filter for the PMAM is efficient in suppressing the ambient stray field noise of broad band and low frequency.
Frequency doubler based on a single MoTe2/MoS2 anti-ambipolar heterostructure
Authors: Yao Hao , Wu Enxiu , Liu Jing
Published: September 2020

The frequency doubler is a fundamental element in high frequency integrated circuits, which is usually implemented by a large number of devices in conventional configurations. In this article, we demonstrate a frequency doubler consisting of only one single heterostructure device by stacking two atomically thin MoTe2 and MoS2 flakes together. The resultant MoTe2/MoS2 heterostructure exhibits prominent anti-ambipolar characteristic after rapid thermal annealing treatment, which effectively modulates the p-doping level of the MoTe2, and thus, the transfer characteristic of the MoTe2/MoS2 heterojunction. The anti-ambipolar behavior gives the transfer curve of the MoTe2/MoS2 heterojunction an inverted “V” shape, based on which the source—drain current of the junction oscillates at a frequency that is twice that of the signal frequency inputted through the gate electrode. As a result, the frequency of the output voltage on the loading resistance doubles the input signal frequency. The developed frequency doubler functions well within 3 kHz, which may be improved by optimizing the device structure. This approach greatly reduces the total number of devices required to achieve the function of frequency doubling, and therefore, may achieve higher degree of integration.
Static and dynamic origins of interfacial anomalous Hall effect in W/YIG heterostructures
Authors: Ma L. , Fu H. R. , Tang M. , Qiu X. P. , Shi Z. , You C. Y. , Tian N. , Zheng Jian-Guo
Published: September 2020

We investigate and disentangle the static interfacial proximity and dynamic spin transport-induced interfacial anomalous Hall effect in W/Y3Fe5O12 (YIG) heterostructures. Quantitative studies via the anomalous Hall effect and spin Hall magnetoresistance reveal that the contributions from both the static interfacial proximity and the dynamic spin transport increase with decreasing temperature (T) but with opposite signs. The contribution from dynamic spin transport is negative and more prominent than that from the static interfacial proximity effect, especially at high T, resulting in an overall negative anomalous Hall resistivity (ρAHE). By illustrating the indispensable and opposite role of static interfacial proximity and dynamic spin transport in the interfacial anomalous Hall effect in W/YIG heterostructures, our study facilitates the development of low power consumption spintronic devices based on magnetic insulators.
Intrinsic and extrinsic effects on the brittle-to-ductile transition in metallic glasses
Authors: Yuan X. , Şopu D. , Moitzi F. , Song K. K. , Eckert J.
Published: September 2020

The effects of cooling rate, temperature, and applied strain rate on the tensile deformation behavior of a Cu64Zr36 metallic glass (MG) are investigated using large-scale molecular dynamics simulations. An increase in the quenching rate during sample preparation, as well as an increase of the temperature or the applied strain rate, affects the activation of shear transformation zones (STZs) and, consequently, the shear-banding processes, which ultimately causes a brittle-to-ductile transition in the deformation behavior of MGs. A quantitative interpretation for the observed enhanced ductility in MGs with an increasing quenching rate is obtained by sampling the saddle points on the potential energy surface. High quenching rates lead to lower energy barriers for activation of a local atomic rearrangement (STZ) as compared to those MGs obtained at low quenching rates. Although the glassy structure does not show significant variations with increasing temperature, the kinetic energy of the atoms increases dramatically, which allows the atoms to rearrange easily; therefore, the probability of homogeneous thermal activation of STZs increases. Finally, a large number of STZs can also be activated by deformation at high strain rates when a large amount of elastic energy is stored in the glassy matrix. Consequently, a high density of STZ events and, therefore, a more complex percolation process results in a low probability for strain localization and formation of critical shear bands. Our results provide an atomistic understanding for the strain localization mechanisms in metallic glasses and shed more light on the brittle-to-ductile transition.
Recursive evaluation and iterative contraction of N-body equivariant features
Authors: Nigam Jigyasa , Pozdnyakov Sergey , Ceriotti Michele
Published: September 2020

Mapping an atomistic configuration to a symmetrized N-point correlation of a field associated with the atomic positions (e.g., an atomic density) has emerged as an elegant and effective solution to represent structures as the input of machine-learning algorithms. While it has become clear that low-order density correlations do not provide a complete representation of an atomic environment, the exponential increase in the number of possible N-body invariants makes it difficult to design a concise and effective representation. We discuss how to exploit recursion relations between equivariant features of different order (generalizations of N-body invariants that provide a complete representation of the symmetries of improper rotations) to compute high-order terms efficiently. In combination with the automatic selection of the most expressive combination of features at each order, this approach provides a conceptual and practical framework to generate systematically improvable, symmetry adapted representations for atomistic machine learning.
Influence of surface passivation on the electrical properties of p–i–n GaAsP nanowires
Authors: Saket O. , Himwas C. , Cattoni A. , Oehler F. , Bayle F. , Collin S. , Travers L. , Babichev A. , Julien F. H. , Harmand J. C. , Tchernycheva M.
Published: September 2020

The electrical properties of passivated and non-passivated axial p–i–n junctions in GaAsP nanowires are investigated using electron-beam induced current microscopy. Organized self-catalyzed p–i–n nanowires having different segment lengths are grown by molecular-beam epitaxy on nanopatterned Si substrates. The nanowires are in situ passivated with a GaP shell. The position of the junction is found to be dependent on the length of the upper Be-doped segment evidencing the diffusion of Be atoms from the upper segment to the bottom part of the nanowire. Comparison between non-passivated and passivated nanowires shows a strong enhancement of the collection region after passivation. The results also prove the existence of a p-doped shell around the nanowires formed due to a parasitic radial growth. This shell is depleted in non-passivated nanowires; however, it becomes electrically active after surface passivation modifying the carrier collection pattern.
Effect of junction-to-nanowire resistance ratio on the percolation conductivity and critical exponents of nanowire networks
Authors: Fata Nicholas , Mishra Shreshtha , Xue Ying , Wang Yunong , Hicks Jeremy , Ural Ant
Published: September 2020

Using Monte Carlo simulations, we study the effect of the junction-to-nanowire resistance ratio on the percolation transport in nanowire networks. By varying the resistance ratio over a span of six orders of magnitude, we first investigate its effect on the conductivity of nanowire networks at different values of five parameters, namely, nanowire density, nanowire length, device width, nanowire alignment, and curviness. We find that the network conductivity decreases with an increase in the resistance ratio, which is most pronounced close to the percolation threshold. We also find that the network resistivity depends linearly on the resistance ratio in the junction-dominated regime, with the slope increasing as the network approaches the percolation threshold. For nanowire alignment, however, the minimum slope occurs for a partially aligned network, rather than a completely random one. Next, we study the effect of the resistance ratio on the percolation critical exponents for each of the five parameters. We find that that the critical exponents increase as the resistance ratio increases from a nanowire-dominated to a junction-dominated network; however, the amount of this increase depends on the parameter being varied. We explain these findings by physical arguments based on percolation transport. These results, which can be applied to any two-dimensional network comprised of one-dimensional nanoelements, show that Monte Carlo simulations are crucial for not only studying the physics of percolation transport in nanowire networks, but also enabling predictive modeling and optimization of nanowire networks for a wide range of device applications, such as transparent conductors and resistive switching memory.
Weather impact on airborne coronavirus survival
Authors: Dbouk Talib , Drikakis Dimitris
Published: September 2020

The contribution of this paper toward understanding of airborne coronavirus survival is twofold: We develop new theoretical correlations for the unsteady evaporation of coronavirus (CoV) contaminated saliva droplets. Furthermore, we implement the new correlations in a three-dimensional multiphase Eulerian–Lagrangian computational fluid dynamics solver to study the effects of weather conditions on airborne virus transmission. The new theory introduces a thermal history kernel and provides transient Nusselt (Nu) and Sherwood (Sh) numbers as a function of the Reynolds (Re), Prandtl (Pr), and Schmidt numbers (Sc). For the first time, these new correlations take into account the mixture properties due to the concentration of CoV particles in a saliva droplet. We show that the steady-state relationships induce significant errors and must not be applied in unsteady saliva droplet evaporation. The classical theory introduces substantial deviations in Nu and Sh values when increasing the Reynolds number defined at the droplet scale. The effects of relative humidity, temperature, and wind speed on the transport and viability of CoV in a cloud of airborne saliva droplets are also examined. The results reveal that a significant reduction of virus viability occurs when both high temperature and low relative humidity occur. The droplet cloud’s traveled distance and concentration remain significant at any temperature if the relative humidity is high, which is in contradiction with what was previously believed by many epidemiologists. The above could explain the increase in CoV cases in many crowded cities around the middle of July (e.g., Delhi), where both high temperature and high relative humidity values were recorded one month earlier (during June). Moreover, it creates a crucial alert for the possibility of a second wave of the pandemic in the coming autumn and winter seasons when low temperatures and high wind speeds will increase airborne virus survival and transmission.
A blueprint for performing SERS measurements in tissue with plasmonic nanofibers
Authors: Wallace Gregory Q. , Delignat-Lavaud Benoît , Zhao Xingjuan , Trudeau Louis-Éric , Masson Jean-François
Published: September 2020

Plasmonic nanostructures have found increasing utility due to the increased popularity that surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has achieved in recent years. SERS has been incorporated into an ever-growing list of applications, with bioanalytical and physiological analyses having emerged as two of the most popular. Thus far, the transition from SERS studies of cultured cells to SERS studies involving tissue has been gradual and limited. In most cases, SERS measurements in more intact tissue have involved nanoparticles distributed throughout the tissue or localized to specific regions via external functionalization. Performing highly localized measurements without the need for global nanoparticle uptake or specialized surface modifications would be advantageous to the expansion of SERS measurements in tissue. To this end, this work provides critical insight with supporting experimental evidence into performing SERS measurements with nanosensors inserted in tissues. We address two critical steps that are otherwise underappreciated when other approaches to performing SERS measurements in tissue are used. Specifically, we demonstrate two mechanical routes for controlled positioning and inserting the nanosensors into the tissue, and we discuss two means of focusing on the nanosensors both before and after they are inserted into the tissue. By examining the various combinations of these steps, we provide a blueprint for performing SERS measurements with nanosensors inserted in tissue. This blueprint could prove useful for the general development of SERS as a tool for bioanalytical and physiological studies and for more specialized techniques such as SERS-optophysiology.
Origin of enhanced boric acid adsorption in light-burned magnesium oxide
Authors: Sato Kiminori , Kamaya Minori
Published: September 2020

Light-burned magnesium oxide (MgO) possesses a high surface area and has attracted interest as a promising candidate for boron adsorption materials; however, the detailed molecular structures decisive for enhancing the adsorption performance have not yet been elucidated. Here, the origin of enhanced boric acid adsorption for the light-burned MgO is studied by multiple probes, including positronium (Ps) annihilation spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and sorption experiments coupled with molecular simulations. The state-of-the-art technique of open space analysis using Ps revealed the detailed structure of the interfaces between MgO nanograins: ∼10 Å and ∼30 Å open spaces, participating in the chemisorption of B(OH)4− and BO33− simultaneously with the physisorption of neutral B(OH)3 molecules. Furthermore, in addition to the fraction of open spaces, a proton quasi-layer formed on the interior surfaces of the above-mentioned angstrom-scale open spaces was identified to be attributable for enhancing both the chemisorption and physisorption.
Deformation-induced silicon nanostructures
Authors: Meng Fanning , Zhang Zhenyu , Gao Peili , Chevella Durgaiah , Liu Tingting
Published: September 2020

Silicon (Si) has been widely used in advanced energy technologies including solar cells and secondary batteries because of its unique properties. However, up to now, the highest conversion efficiency of solar cells for silicon is just over 26%. Furthermore, during charge–discharge cycles, the Si voluminal expansion has been considered seriously, which greatly reduces the cycle life of the solar cell. Therefore, many research efforts have been focusing on the development of new phase, nanostructure, and pathways for improving the conversion efficiency and the cycle life of Si-based energy devices. In this review article, advanced methods, such as in situ transmission electron microscope nanomechanical testing, nanoscratching, nanoindentation, scratching at the nanoscale, and micrometer examination of the deformation-induced nanostructure of Si, are first presented. Subsequently, deformation-induced nanostructures in Si are proposed, in which the nanostructures are fabricated by a developed setup and novel diamond wheels. A new phase and a pathway in Si are manufactured and demonstrated by this setup. Finally, the perspectives and challenges of deformation-induced Si nanostructures for future developments are discussed.
Are red-tailed phascogales (Phascogale calura) at risk from Eradicat® cat baits?
Authors: Friend J. Anthony , Hill Robert , Macmahon Brian , Bell Louisa , Button Tim , Mosen Corey , Hill Stephanie
Published: September 2020

Abstract ContextFeral cats have benefitted from effective control of foxes in south-western Australia and, consequently, their impact on some threatened mammal species has increased. Control of feral cats in the region can be enhanced by use of the Eradicat® cat bait, but its impact on non-target animal populations requires investigation before widespread use. AimsThe aim of the present study was to determine through field trials whether consumption of Eradicat® baits by resident red-tailed phascogales, following a broadscale baiting operation to control feral cats, was sufficiently frequent to cause significant rates of mortality in wild populations of phascogales. MethodsNine radio-tagged red-tailed phascogales were monitored through an Eradicat® baiting event to determine their survival. Removal and consumption of toxic and non-toxic rhodamine B-labelled baits by a range of species were monitored with camera traps and by subsequent trapping of red-tailed phascogales and other mammals to sample whiskers for evidence of rhodamine uptake. Key resultsAlthough some phascogales showed interest in baits and sometimes moved them from the deposition site, all radio-tagged phascogales survived for at least 1 week after baiting, by which time very few or no baits remained. Examination of whiskers sampled from individuals exposed to rhodamine-labelled baits showed that consumption of non-toxic Eradicat® baits by phascogales was negligible; only one phascogale of 62 sampled showed any rhodamine banding. ConclusionsThe present study provided no evidence that red-tailed phascogales in the study region are at risk from an Eradicat® baiting episode in autumn. ImplicationsThe risk to red-tailed phascogale populations through the use of Eradicat® baiting to control cats in their habitat in the Great Southern region of Western Australia is likely to be low. Further research to elucidate any impact of repeated baiting on populations of this species at several locations is recommended.
Australian funnel-web spiders evolved human-lethal δ-hexatoxins for defense against vertebrate predators
Authors: Herzig Volker , Sunagar Kartik , Wilson David T. R. , Pineda Sandy S. , Israel Mathilde R. , Dutertre Sebastien , McFarland Brianna Sollod , Undheim Eivind A. B. , Hodgson Wayne C. , Alewood Paul F. , Lewis Richard J. , Bosmans Frank , Vetter Irina , King Glenn F. , Fry Bryan G.
Published: September 2020

Significance

The venom of Australian funnel-web spiders contains δ-hexatoxins (δ-HXTXs) that exert fatal neurotoxic effects in humans by inhibiting inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels, but their precise ecological role remains unclear. Sequencing of venom-gland transcriptomes from 10 funnel-web species uncovered 22 δ-HXTXs. Evolutionary analysis revealed extreme conservation of these toxins, despite their ancient origin. We isolated the lethal δ-HXTX from venom of the Sydney funnel-web spider and showed that it induces pain in mice, suggesting a role in predator deterrence. Although humans are not the target of δ-HXTXs, these toxins likely evolved to deter vertebrate predators commonly encountered by these spiders, such as bandicoots, birds, and lizards. Thus, the lethal potency of δ-HXTXs against humans is an unfortunate evolutionary coincidence.
Quality-control mechanisms targeting translationally stalled and C-terminally extended poly(GR) associated with ALS/FTD
Authors: Li Shuangxi , Wu Zhihao , Tantray Ishaq , Li Yu , Chen Songjie , Dong Jason , Glynn Steven , Vogel Hannes , Snyder Michael , Lu Bingwei
Published: September 2020

Significance

Amyotrophic laterosclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressing neurological disease that robs patients’ motor functions. Despite intensive research, molecular events that initiate the disease are poorly understood. Expansion of G4C2 repeats in theC9orf72gene causes ALS with frontotemporal dementia, one of the most common forms of ALS. Increasing evidence suggests that dipeptides translated from G4C2 repeat transcripts, especially the arginine-containing poly(GR) and poly(PR), are particularly toxic. We found that translation of poly(GR) can occur on mitochondrial surface and is frequently stalled, triggering ribosome-associated quality control and C-terminal extension, which promote poly(GR) aggregation and toxicity. Genetic studies uncovered conserved roles of mitochondrial protease YME1L and noncanonical Notch signaling in restraining poly(GR), offering insights into disease pathogenesis and targets for therapeutic intervention.
Ventromedial prefrontal area 14 provides opposing regulation of threat and reward-elicited responses in the common marmoset
Authors: Stawicka Zuzanna M. , Massoudi Roohollah , Horst Nicole K. , Koda Ken , Gaskin Philip L. R. , Alexander Laith , Santangelo Andrea M. , McIver Lauren , Cockcroft Gemma J. , Wood Christian M. , Roberts Angela C.
Published: September 2020

Significance

Ventromedial prefrontal cortex is a large heterogenous region, which is dysfunctional in mood and anxiety disorders. Unfortunately, neuroimaging and focal lesion studies in humans have failed to resolve this heterogeneity, especially in relation to the symptom domains of enhanced negative emotion, blunted positive emotion, and autonomic dysfunction. We address this issue in marmoset monkeys, which have similar prefrontal organization to humans. By comparing inactivation and overactivation of area 14 within rostral ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) across threatening and rewarding contexts, we reveal how area 14 overactivation heightens responsivity to distal threat and blunts appetitive arousal. Its lack of effect on basal cardiovascular reactivity and expression and extinction of certain proximal threat highlight its distinct profile of effects within the vmPFC.
Assessing the ecological niche and invasion potential of the Asian giant hornet
Authors: Zhu Gengping , Gutierrez Illan Javier , Looney Chris , Crowder David W.
Published: September 2020

The Asian giant hornet (
Vespa mandarinia
) was recently detected in western British Columbia, Canada and Washington State, United States.
V. mandarinia
are an invasion concern due to their ability to kill honey bees and affect humans. Here, we used habitat suitability models and dispersal simulations to assess potential invasive spread of
V. mandarinia
. We show
V. mandarinia
are most likely to establish in areas with warm to cool annual mean temperature, high precipitation, and high human activity. The realized niche of introduced populations is small compared to native populations, suggesting introduced populations could spread into habitats across a broader range of environmental conditions. Dispersal simulations also show that
V. mandarinia
could rapidly spread throughout western North America without containment. Given its potential negative impacts and capacity for spread, extensive monitoring and eradication efforts throughout western North America are warranted.
Extraordinary flight performance of the smallest beetles
Authors: Farisenkov Sergey E. , Lapina Nadejda A. , Petrov Pyotr N. , Polilov Alexey A.
Published: September 2020

Size is a key to locomotion. In insects, miniaturization leads to fundamental changes in wing structure and kinematics, making the study of flight in the smallest species important for basic biology and physics, and, potentially, for applied disciplines. However, the flight efficiency of miniature insects has never been studied, and their speed and maneuverability have remained unknown. We report a comparative study of speeds and accelerations in the smallest free-living insects, featherwing beetles (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae), and in larger representatives of related groups of Staphylinoidea. Our results show that the average and maximum flight speeds of larger ptiliids are extraordinarily high and comparable to those of staphylinids that have bodies 3 times as long. This is one of the few known exceptions to the “Great Flight Diagram,” according to which the flight speed of smaller organisms is generally lower than that of larger ones. The horizontal acceleration values recorded in Ptiliidae are almost twice as high as even in Silphidae, which are more than an order of magnitude larger. High absolute and record-breaking relative flight characteristics suggest that the unique morphology and kinematics of the ptiliid wings are effective adaptations to flight at low Reynolds numbers. These results are important for understanding the evolution of body size and flight in insects and pose a challenge to designers of miniature biomorphic aircraft.
Rhizosphere activity in an old-growth forest reacts rapidly to changes in soil moisture and shapes whole-tree carbon allocation
Authors: Joseph Jobin , Gao Decai , Backes Bernhard , Bloch Corinne , Brunner Ivano , Gleixner Gerd , Haeni Matthias , Hartmann Henrik , Hoch Günter , Hug Christian , Kahmen Ansgar , Lehmann Marco M. , Li Mai-He , Luster Jörg , Peter Martina , Poll Christian , Rigling Andreas , Rissanen Kaisa A. , Ruehr Nadine K. , Saurer Matthias , Schaub Marcus , Schönbeck Leonie , Stern Benjamin , Thomas Frank M. , Werner Roland A. , Werner Willy , Wohlgemuth Thomas , Hagedorn Frank , Gessler Arthur
Published: September 2020

Significance

Climate change increases the frequency of drought events and leads to higher variability in precipitation. Drought impairs rhizosphere (root and the root-associated microbiome) functioning in trees and leads to a reduced assimilate supply belowground. It remains unclear if rhizosphere and thus whole-tree functioning can quickly recover after drought release. We show that rhizosphere metabolic activity in previously drought-exposed 100-y-old Scots pine increased in response to subtle soil moisture increases (induced by light rainfall). As a consequence of this activity change, the belowground allocation of new assimilates was immediately stimulated. Even light rainfall events can lead to a fast recovery of rhizosphere functioning and the increased C and energy demand is instantly met by altered whole-tree assimilate allocation.
An apoptosis-dependent checkpoint for autoimmunity in memory B and plasma cells
Authors: Mayer Christian T. , Nieke Jan P. , Gazumyan Anna , Cipolla Melissa , Wang Qiao , Oliveira Thiago Y. , Ramos Victor , Monette Sébastien , Li Quan-Zhen , Gershwin M. Eric , Kashkar Hamid , Nussenzweig Michel C.
Published: September 2020

Significance

A number of autoimmune diseases feature somatically mutated self-reactive antibodies that develop in germinal centers. Defects in apoptosis are associated with autoimmunity and increased autoantibody production, suggesting that apoptosis is an important control mechanism for autoimmune antibodies. We show that some autoreactive antibodies are tolerated in GC and uncover an apoptosis-dependent tolerance checkpoint in memory B and plasma cells.
Prevalence of neural collapse during the terminal phase of deep learning training
Authors: Papyan Vardan , Han X. Y. , Donoho David L.
Published: September 2020

Significance

Modern deep neural networks for image classification have achieved superhuman performance. Yet, the complex details of trained networks have forced most practitioners and researchers to regard them as black boxes with little that could be understood. This paper considers in detail a now-standard training methodology: driving the cross-entropy loss to zero, continuing long after the classification error is already zero. Applying this methodology to an authoritative collection of standard deepnets and datasets, we observe the emergence of a simple and highly symmetric geometry of the deepnet features and of the deepnet classifier, and we document important benefits that the geometry conveys—thereby helping us understand an important component of the modern deep learning training paradigm.
Topic management and opportunities for learning in an advanced Francophone Cultures class
Authors: van Compernolle Rémi A.
Published: September 2020

Drawing on conversation analysis and its extension to classroom discourse studies, this article examines the ways in which topic is managed
and opportunities for learning are created in an advanced US university-level Francophone Cultures class. In the analysis, topic is treated
as an ongoing interactional achievement rather than a stable “subject” of conversation. A single-case analysis is presented to show how
topic is accomplished between the teacher and her students in relation to preference organization and epistemic stance. Specifically, the
analysis demonstrates how a prototypical three-turn Initiation-Response-Feedback (IRF) sequence is elaborated over multiple turns that
expand the teacher’s explicitly announced topic to include a side sequence addressing a metalinguistic problem and a disagreement between
two students that results in an expansion of the topic beyond the teacher’s agenda. In the discussion, the results are synthesized in
relation to how opportunities for learning emerge in the comanagement of topics. Implications for research and pedagogy are also
offered.
Translating the village
Authors: Ciribuco Andrea
Published: September 2020

This article explores translation in the lives of asylum seekers from various African countries living in state-provided
accommodation in the region of Umbria, Italy. While (semi) professional translators and interpreters play a crucial part in interactions
between institutions and asylum seekers, translation invests the totality of the asylum experience. Translation is a vital skill for asylum
seekers, and their interactions with the landscape of Italian villages involve the transfer of meaning across different languages and
semiotic systems (such as body language, social norms, and cultural practices). Building on recent semiotic and spatial approaches to
translation, this article examines the experience of translation that emerged from conversations with asylum seekers, providing an overview
of a complex ecosystem of translation and shedding light on the everyday reality of refugee integration.
Passengers’ deviant behavior mapping in train cars: Commuter line Tangerang-Duri
Authors: Zubair A , Setiadi H , Sumadio W
Published: September 2020

One of the public transportation choice in Jakarta and the surrounding areas is the Commuter Line (CL). However, this transportation mode is facing many problems related to behavior deviations that carried out by passengers. Even the CL management already has a code of conduct and security guard, passengers tend to break the law. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the passenger’s behavior in the Commuter Line. Individual behavior is observed by using the Place Centered Mapping method. This observation technique aimed to understand how people utilize or accommodate their behavior at a particular time and location in the train cars. This research model is divided into two stages. The first stage is by observation passenger’ behavior for seven days, and each day for ten hours. Besides observation, we also conduct a semi-structured interview to seven key persons. The second stage is examined the passenger’s behavior based on location. Triangulation and spatial analysis are used with several theoretical discussion about where, when and why passengers did deviant behavior. The results showed that the train door cars and the inter-car connection are vulnerable areas for passengers’ deviant behavior. The most common deviant behavior is violating regulations by using space not in accordance with its designation. The least deviant behavior is pickpocket and harassment, even it could happen in every space of the train cars. This deviant behavior occurs mainly because at the peak hour, the number of security guard officers is inadequate compared to the number of passengers