bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low-cost and high-power K4[Mn2Fe](PO4)2(P2O7) as a novel cathode with outstanding cyclability for K-ion batteries
Authors: Kang Jungmin , Park Hyunyoung , Ko Wonseok , Lee Yongseok , Ahn Jinho , Yoo Jung-Keun , Song Seok Hyun , Kim Hyungsub , Kim Jongsoon
Published: March 2021

K4[Mn2Fe](PO4)2(P2O7) exhibits outstanding power-capability and stable cycle performance, with an average operation voltage of ∼3.5 V (vs. K+/K).
Energy transfer in (PEA)2FAn−1PbnBr3n+1 quasi-2D perovskites
Authors: Litvinas Džiugas , Aleksiejūnas Ramūnas , Ščajev Patrik , Baronas Paulius , Soriūtė Vaiva , Qin Chuanjiang , Fujihara Takashi , Matsushima Toshinori , Adachi Chihaya , Juršėnas Saulius
Published: March 2021

Simultaneous fast energy funnelling between the neighbouring sheets and slower carrier and exciton in-plane diffusion revealed in quasi-2D perovskites.
Syntaxins 6 and 8 facilitate tau into secretory pathways
Authors: Lee Wei Siang , Tan Daniel CS , Deng Yuanyuan , van Hummel Annika , Ippati Stefania , Stevens Claire , Carmona-Mora Paulina , Ariawan Daryl , Hou Liming , Stefen Holly , Tomanic Tamara , Bi Mian , Tomasetig Florence , Martin Adam , Fath Thomas , Palmer Stephen , Ke Yazi D. , Ittner Lars M.
Published: March 2021

Tau pathology initiates in defined brain regions and is known to spread along neuronal connections as symptoms progress in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies. This spread requires the release of tau from donor cells, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remained unknown. Here, we established the interactome of the C-terminal tail region of tau and identified syntaxin 8 (STX8) as a mediator of tau release from cells. Similarly, we showed the syntaxin 6 (STX6), part of the same SNARE family as STX8 also facilitated tau release. STX6 was previously genetically linked to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a tauopathy. Finally, we demonstrated that the transmembrane domain of STX6 is required and sufficient to mediate tau secretion. The differential role of STX6 and STX8 in alternative secretory pathways suggests the association of tau with different secretory processes. Taken together, both syntaxins, STX6 and STX8, may contribute to AD and PSP pathogenesis by mediating release of tau from cells and facilitating pathology spreading.
Down-regulation of STAT3 enhanced chemokine expression and neutrophil recruitment in biliary atresia
Authors: Fu Ming , Tan Ledong , Lin Zefeng , Lui Vincent C.H. , Tam Paul K.H. , Lamb Jonathan R. , Zhang Yan , Xia Huimin , Zhang Ruizhong , Chen Yan
Published: March 2021

Biliary atresia (BA) is an immune-related disorder and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a key signalling molecule in inflammation. The present study was designed to clarify the function of STAT3 in BA. STAT3 expression was examined in patients and a mouse BA model in which STAT3 levels were further altered with a specific inhibitor or activator. Neutrophil accumulation and the levels of the neutrophil chemoattractants (C–X–C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) and IL-8 were determined. The effects of STAT3 inhibition on IL-8 expression were examined in human biliary epithelial cell (BEC) cultures. Functional changes in liver STAT3+ neutrophils in the mouse model were analysed with 10× single cell RNA-seq methods. Results showed STAT3 and p-STAT3 expression was reduced in BA liver tissue compared with control samples. Administration of a STAT3 inhibitor increased jaundice and mortality and reduced body weight in BA mice. In contrast, the STAT3 activator ameliorated BA symptoms. Extensive neutrophil accumulation together with CXCL1 up-regulation, both of which were suppressed by an anti-CXCL1 antibody, were observed in the STAT3 inhibitor-treated group. Recombinant IL-8 administration increased disease severity in BA mice, and the STAT3 activator had the reverse effect. Inhibiting STAT3 increased apoptosis of human BECs together with up-regulated IL-8 expression. RNA-seq analysis revealed reduced the numbers of STAT3 expressing neutrophil in BA which was accompanied by marked enhanced interferon-related antiviral activities. In conclusion, STAT3 reduction, enhanced IL-8 and CXCL1 expression and promoted the accumulation of interferon-responsive neutrophils resulting in BEC damage in BA.
Compensation to Altered Auditory Feedback in Children With Developmental Language Disorder and Typical Development
Authors: Coughler Caitlin , Hamel Emily Michaela , Cardy Janis Oram , Archibald Lisa M. D. , Purcell David W.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Developmental language disorder (DLD), an unexplained problem using and understanding spoken language, has been hypothesized to have an underlying auditory processing component. Auditory feedback plays a key role in speech motor control. The current study examined whether auditory feedback is used to regulate speech production in a similar way by children with DLD and their typically developing (TD) peers.

Method

Participants aged 6–11 years completed tasks measuring hearing, language, first formant (F1) discrimination thresholds, partial vowel space, and responses to altered auditory feedback with F1 perturbation.

Results

Children with DLD tended to compensate more than TD children for the positive F1 manipulation and compensated less than TD children in the negative shift condition.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that children with DLD make atypical use of auditory feedback.
Design and development of Cu‐Al‐Mn‐Ni shape memory alloy coated optical fibre sensor for condition‐based monitoring of physical systems
Authors: Subramaniam Karthick , Singh Shalini , Raikwar Sumeet , Shukla Ashish Kumar , Anand Palani Iyamperumal
Published: March 2021

Online fault detection, isolation and recovery using smart sensors play an important role in intelligent manufacturing system. Fibre optic sensors are very interesting for condition monitoring applications due to the advantage of this technology. Here, the experimental demonstration of Cu‐based shape memory alloy (SMA) coated optical fibre for temperature‐based sensing applications is reported. The benefit of Cu‐based SMA coated optical fibre over conventional metallic coating has been evaluated in the study. For consistent coating, an in situ fixture with a rotary drive setup has been designed and developed. Thermo optic test bench has been developed to study the actuation characteristics of the SMA coated optical fibre for varying current and voltage. Experiments were performed to investigate the light intensity in the SMA coated optical fibre at different actuation conditions. The displacement that takes place in the optical fibre due to the external temperature stimuli will create proportional intensity and wavelength shifts. The maximum average displacement of 4.9 mm has been achieved for Cu‐Al‐Mn‐Ni coated optical fibre. Results show variation in the optical fibre signal due to heating and cooling of the fibre from the applied electrical stimulus on Cu‐based SMA coating in the form of austenite to martensite transformation.
Cross‐layer multipath congestion control, routing and scheduling design in ad hoc wireless networks
Authors: Aljubayri Mohammed , Yang Zhaohui , Shikh‐Bahaei Mohammad
Published: March 2021

Demands for stable and efficient transmission are increasing due to the ongoing expansion of global wireless data traffic. One of the most promising ways to moderate burden of traffic load and decrease the queuing delay is to design cross‐layer protocols. This paper considers a utility maximization problem for multipath ad hoc wireless networks via joint cross‐layer congestion control, routing and scheduling design. In the formulated utility maximization problem, rate, scheduling and queuing delay constraints are involved under the condition of fixed channels and time varying channels. To solve this utility maximization problem, two scheduling methods are proposed, that is, perfect scheduling and distributed scheduling. In perfect scheduling, all nodes in the network contribute to the scheduling process, while distributed method only takes into account adjacent nodes. For both methods, the global convergence is proved. A comprehensive simulation evaluation is performed which shows that this proposed algorithms outperform existing cross layer protocols in terms of increasing source rate and reducing congestion price.
Artificial intelligence enhances the performance of chaotic baseband wireless communication
Authors: Ren Hai‐Peng , Yin Hui‐Ping , Zhao Hong‐Er , Bai Chao , Grebogi Celso
Published: March 2021

It was reported recently that chaos properties could be used to relieve inter‐symbol interference caused by multipath propagation in chaos‐based wireless communication system. Although there exists the optimal decoding threshold to theoretically eliminate the inter‐symbol interference, its practical implementation is still a challenge due to the strong requirement to know the future symbols to be transmitted. To tackle this almost ‘impossible’ task, convolutional neural network with deep learning structure is proposed to predict future symbols based on the received signal, to further reduce inter‐symbol interference and to obtain a better bit error rate performance. Due to the short time predictability of chaotic signal, the proposed method is able to predict short‐term future symbols and get a better threshold suitable for the time‐variant channel. The analytical bit error rate of the proposed method is derived. The contributions of the paper are as follows: firstly, a convolutional neural network with deep learning structure is proposed for the first time to predict the future symbols in the chaos baseband wireless communication system, which does not require much training in this important application; secondly, the future bits predicted by the trained convolutional neural network are used together with the past decoded bits to calculate more accurate decoding threshold compared with the existing methods, yielding a better bit error rate performance. Numerical simulations and experimental results validate the effectiveness of our theory and the superiority of the proposed method.
Joint optimization based satellite handover strategy for low earth orbit satellite networks
Authors: Liu Yifei , Feng Lang , Wu Liang , Zhang Zaichen , Dang Jian , Zhu Bingcheng , Wang Lei
Published: March 2021

Low earth orbit constellation satellite communication has the characteristics of low propagation delay, low path loss, low launch cost and wide range of applications. Due to the low orbital altitude and the short orbital period of low earth orbit satellites, the relative position between satellites and gateway stations changes fast. As a result, the links between gateway stations and satellites need to be switched continuously. Based on the minimum handover frequency algorithm, this paper considers the balance of satellite workloads, and proposes a load balanced satellite handover strategy. In the proposed handover strategy, a joint optimization algorithm is employed, and the power allocation of the satellite is optimized to improve the system capacity. In the multi‐satellite connection model, an adaptive power allocation algorithm is proposed to guarantee the service quality of the system. Simulation results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed satellite handover strategy.
Quantized‐feedback hands‐off control for nonlinear systems
Authors: Sachan Ankit , Xiong Xiaogang , Soni Sandeep Kumar , Kamal Shyam , Ghosh Sandip
Published: March 2021

This paper addresses a quantized feedback hands‐off control for a class of nonlinear systems. Here, sector is constructed with the suitable choice of control‐Lyapunov function. With adjustment policy of quantization parameters, the quantized feedback hands‐off control can force the states of the nonlinear feedback system to the interior of a continuous‐time sector infinite time and the Lyapunov‐candidate function decreases automatically inside the designed sector. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated by numerical examples.
Fault‐tolerant control strategy of open‐winding brushless doubly fed wind power generator based on direct power control
Authors: Jin Shi , Shi Long , Zhang Yue , Sun Dan , Ji Bing
Published: March 2021

This study presents a study of fault‐tolerant operation for a brushless doubly fed reluctance generator (BDFRG) system under a converter switch fault. The topology of the dual converter fed open‐winding BDFRG is adopted to improve post‐fault operation capacity. For post‐fault operation, the appropriate voltage vectors of control winding are selected to directly adjust the active and reactive power of power winding based on the direct power control theory. Switching tables are formulated under different switch faults. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed strategy.
Compact single‐varactor diode frequency‐reconfigurable microstrip patch antenna
Authors: Al Ahmad Mahmoud , Kabeer Saifudeen , Sanad Ala Abu , Olule Lillian J. A.
Published: March 2021

A single‐varactor frequency‐reconfigurable microstrip patch antenna is presented. The antenna comprises a symmetrical arrangement of four metallised patches coupled and interconnected via slots and metallic bars, respectively. The antenna structure is excited through a single feed probe connected to one of the patches. To achieve a compact size of 22 × 21 × 1.57 mm, a shorting pin is placed close to the feed point to pull down the antenna's resonant frequency. By adding a varactor diode at the centre of the patch, frequency reconfigurability is introduced. Variation in the varactor's DC reverse bias voltage from 0 to 7.5 V results in a corresponding resonant frequency shift from 1000 to 1150 MHz, thus providing a tuning range of 15%. The proposed design is compact and achieves frequency reconfiguration with a single‐varactor diode and a low bias voltage requirement compared with the design characteristics reported in existing works. The antenna can find application in various existing and emerging communication systems.
Improved ionic solid/viologen hybrid electrochromic device using pre‐bleached Prussian‐blue electrode
Authors: Chaudhary Anjali , Pathak Devesh K. , Tanwar Manushree , Kandpal Suchita , Ghosh Tanushree , Rani Chanchal , Kumar Rajesh
Published: March 2021

The authors demonstrate how a simple step of loading an electrochromically active Prussian blue (PB; an ionic solid) electrode with Li+ ions can help in achieving a more efficient viologen based solid state hybrid electrochromic device. To accomplish this, two different devices, with and without Li+ ion loaded PB electrodes, have been fabricated. These devices have been compared in terms of their current‐voltage response, bias dependent optical modulation and corresponding colour switching to establish the role of Li+ ion in charge transport and charge balancing involved during bias induced redox mediated colour switching of the two devices. The Li+ containing PB electrode device exhibits a superior performance with twice (40%) the value of colour contrast (20%), quick response switching (1.3 s), excellent stability (8400 s) and better power efficiency as compared to the device containing as‐synthesised PB electrode. A mechanism has been proposed to explain the role of the Li+ ion which is later substantiated using bias‐dependent in situ Raman spectroscopic evidences.
Bony Union and Flap Resorption in Cranioplasty with Autologous Subcutaneous Pocket Preserved Bone Flap: Early Report on an Ambidirectional CT Scan-Based Study
Authors: Sengupta Sudip Kumar , Kumar Andrews Navin , Maurya Vinay , Bajaj Harish , Yadav Krishan Kumar , G. Ashwath K. , Faujdar Dharamjeet Singh
Published: March 2021

Introduction Absence of sufficient number of prospective randomized controlled studies and comparatively small sample size and short follow-up period of most of the studies, available so far, have left ambiguity and lack of standardization of different aspects of cranioplasty.

Materials and Methods This is an early report of a computed tomography scan image-based ambidirectional study on cranioplasties performed with autologous subcutaneous pocket preserved bone flaps. Retrospective arm compared bony union and factors influencing it between cranioplasties and craniotomies. Patients with poor bony union and aseptic resorption were followed up in the prospective arm.

Results Retrospective arm of the study, followed up for five years (mean 32.2 months), comprised 42 patients as cases (Group 1) and 29 as controls (Group 2). Twenty-seven individuals (64.3%) in Group 1 had good bony union, as compared with 20 (68.9%) good unions in Group 2 out of the 29 patients. Four patients (9.5%) in Group 1 showed evidence of flap resorption, a finding absent in any patient in Group 2. Age, sex, smoking habits, superficial skin infection, and method of fixation did not appear to have any implication on bony union. Craniotomies done using Gigli saws fared better as compared with those done with pneumatic saw with lesser flap size–craniectomy size discrepancy, though it was not statistically significant. Fifteen patients have been included in the Prospective arm at the time of submission of this article.

Conclusion Ours is a study with a small sample size, unable to put its weight on any side, but can surely add some more data to help the Neurosurgeons in choosing the best for their patients.
Environmental problems and Geographic education. A case study: Learning about the climate and landscape in Ontinyent (Spain)
Authors: Campo-Pais Benito , Morales-Hernández Antonio José , Morote-Seguido Álvaro , Souto-González Xosé Manuel
Published: March 2021

Cultural perceptions of the environment bring us back to elements and factors guided by “natural” cause-effect principles. It seems that academic education has had little effect on the manner and results of learning about changes in the local landscape, especially as regards rational explanations. There is considerable difficulty relating academic concepts about the climate to transformations in the environmental landscape. Teaching tasks are mediatized due to the use of rigorous and precise concepts which facilitate functional and satisfactory learning. This is the objective of the research this article aims to undertake, for which we have chosen the case of Ontinyent (Spain). This research will include two parts: the first aims to identify problems in geographical education of the climate, and the second applies to didactic suggestions for improvement. Methodologically, this study involves qualitative, non-experimental, research-oriented toward change, which purports to understand the educational reality. Our sample included a total of 431 students. Moreover, a semi-structured interview, conducted with teachers in schools and universities in Ontinyent, was organized. Fourteen teachers were interviewed, including two who participated as research professors in the action-research method. The study revealed that students’ conceptual and stereotypical errors, in the different educational stages, vary according to the type (climate, weather, climate change, landscape) and stage (Primary, Secondary, University). They are persistent and continuous, given that they are repeated and appear anchored in the ideas and knowledge development of students regarding the problems and the study of the climate throughout their education.
Multiscale measurements with adjustable x-ray spot size for in situ imaging and diffraction
Authors: Li S. Y. , Zhang Y. Y. , Zhang N. B. , Xie H. L. , Fan D. , Luo S. N. , Lu L. , Chen S.
Published: March 2021

A large field of view is normally desired for synchrotron x-ray imaging, while a small x-ray spot size is required for x-ray diffraction. A multiscale measurement system with an adjustable x-ray spot size is developed to accommodate different spot size requirements for in situ phase-contrast imaging and diffraction. The centers of a diffraction scintillator with a through-hole and an imaging scintillator are collinear with the x-ray beam. With the proof-of-principle experiments on a magnesium alloy under uniaxial tension, we demonstrate the feasibility of the multiscale measurement system for full azimuthal range diffraction measurements with improved resolution and large field of view strain field measurements via x-ray digital image correlation.
Effect of reduction produced defects on the dielectric relaxation and electrical conduction of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-based ceramics
Authors: Chen Caiwen , Chen Pan , Chu Baojin
Published: March 2021

The chemical reduction has often been exploited to improve the dielectric, piezoelectric, and flexoelectric response of the perovskite oxides. In this work, the effect of reduction on the dielectric properties of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-based ceramics was investigated in a broad temperature range from −130 to 175 °C. After the reduction of the ceramics, three dielectric anomalies were observed. The two dielectric anomalies at a low temperature exhibit a thermally activated dielectric relaxation characteristic with an activation energy of ∼0.3 eV. Evidence indicates that the two dielectric anomalies are related to the hopping of electrons between the defective lattice sites which has an interaction with the dipoles existing in the bulk and the region close to the ceramic surface, respectively. The third dielectric anomaly is observed around room temperature, and the frequency-independent dielectric constant and loss are greatly increased in the reduced ceramics. The origin of the dielectric anomaly is argued to be related to the interaction of water with the ceramic surface region. The reduction produces a large number of oxygen vacancies, facilitating the water adsorption on the surface of the reduced ceramics. The interaction greatly increases the migration and conduction of protons, generating a pronounced dielectric anomaly. We also show that the similar dielectric anomaly, though very weak, also appears in other unreduced perovskite-type oxides, indicating that the interaction of water with the surface is a common phenomenon in perovskite-type oxides.
Overstable rotating convection in the presence of a vertical magnetic field
Authors: Banerjee Ankan , Ghosh Manojit , Sharma Lekha , Pal Pinaki
Published: March 2021

Recently, Banerjee et al. [Phys. Rev. E 102, 013107 (2020)] investigated overstable rotating convection in the presence of an external horizontal magnetic field and reported a rich bifurcation structure near the onset. However, the bifurcation structure near the onset of overstable rotating convection in the presence of a vertical magnetic field has not been explored yet. We address the issue here by performing three dimensional direct numerical simulations and low-dimensional modeling of the system using a Rayleigh–Bénard convection model. The control parameters, namely, the Taylor number (Ta), the Chandrasekhar number (Q), and the Prandtl number (Pr) are varied in the ranges 750≤Ta≤106, 0<Q≤103, and 0<Pr≤0.5. Our investigation reveals two qualitatively different onset scenarios including bistability (coexistence of subcritical and supercritical convections). Analysis of the low-dimensional model shows that a supercritical Hopf bifurcation is responsible for the supercritical onset and a subcritical pitchfork bifurcation is responsible for the subcritical onset. It is also observed that the appearance of a subcritical convection at the onset has strong dependence on all three control parameters: Ta, Q, and Pr. The scenario of a subcritical convection is found to disappear as Pr is increased for fixed Ta and Q. However, most striking findings of the investigation are that the increment in Ta for fixed Q and Pr opposes the subcritical convection, whereas the increment in Q for fixed Ta and Pr favors it. This is in sharp contrast with the earlier results reported in rotating magnetoconvection.
InGaN-based nanowires development for energy harvesting and conversion applications
Authors: Zhang Huafan , Min Jung-Wook , Gnanasekar Paulraj , Ng Tien Khee , Ooi Boon S.
Published: March 2021

This Tutorial teaches the essential development of nitrogen-plasma-assisted molecular-beam-epitaxy grown InGaN nanowires as an application-inspired platform for energy harvesting and conversion applications by growing dislocation- and strain-relieved axial InGaN-based nanowires. The Tutorial aims to shed light on the interfacial, surface, electrical, and photoelectrochemical characteristics of InGaN nanowires through nanoscale and ultrafast characterizations. Understanding the interrelated optical-physical properties proved critical in the development of renewable-energy harvesting and energy conversion devices. Benefiting from their unique aspect ratio and surface-to-volume ratio, semiconductor properties, and piezoelectric properties, the group-III-nitride nanowires, especially InGaN nanowires, are promising for clean energy conversion applications, including piezotronic/piezo-phototronic and solar-to-clean-fuel energy-conversion.
Shell mass effect on the hot-spot pressure in inertial confinement fusion implosion
Authors: Kang Dongguo , Zhang Huasen , Zou Shiyang , Zheng Wudi , Zhu Shaoping , Ding Yongkun
Published: March 2021

The effect of the shell mass on the hot spot pressure is investigated numerically for the Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) implosion. By using a simplified one-dimensional spherical model, it is found that there exists a critical shell mass that determines whether the hot spot can reach the maximum pressure. When the shell mass is larger than the critical mass, the hot spot pressure reaches the maximum value determined by the conventional scaling law Phsmax∝Mach3.2 (Mach is the Mach number of the imploding shell) and is independent of the shell mass. When the shell mass is smaller than the critical mass, the hot spot pressure decreases with decreasing shell mass. The dependence of the hot spot pressure on the shell mass can be uniformly described by an analytic formula. A similar effect of the shell mass on the hot spot pressure is also found in realistic ICF implosion for both direct drive and indirect drive. The conventional ICF implosions belong to the situation that the shell mass is smaller than the critical mass. The analytic formula can also be used to quantify the shell mass effect on the hot spot pressure for realistic ICF implosion when the effective shell mass is correctly taken into account.
A deep learning-based concept for high throughput image flow cytometry
Authors: Martin-Wortham Julie , Recktenwald Steffen M. , Lopes Marcelle G. M. , Kaestner Lars , Wagner Christian , Quint Stephan
Published: March 2021

We propose a flow cytometry concept that combines a spatial optical modulation scheme and deep learning for lensless cell imaging. Inspired by auto-encoder techniques, an artificial neural network mimics the optical transfer function of a particular microscope and camera for certain types of cells once trained and reconstructs microscope images from simple waveforms that are generated by cells in microfluidic flow. This eventually enables the label-free detection of cells at high throughput while simultaneously providing their corresponding brightfield images. The present work focuses on the computational proof of concept of this method by mimicking the waveforms. Our suggested approach would require a minimum set of optical components such as a collimated light source, a slit mask, and a light sensor and could be easily integrated into a ruggedized lab-on-chip device. The method is benchmarked with a well-investigated dataset of red blood cell images.
KS-pies: Kohn–Sham inversion toolkit
Authors: Nam Seungsoo , McCarty Ryan J. , Park Hansol , Sim Eunji
Published: March 2021

A Kohn–Sham (KS) inversion determines a KS potential and orbitals corresponding to a given electron density, a procedure that has applications in developing and evaluating functionals used in density functional theory. Despite the utility of KS inversions, application of these methods among the research community is disproportionately small. We implement the KS inversion methods of Zhao–Morrison–Parr and Wu–Yang in a framework that simplifies analysis and conversion of the resulting potential in real-space. Fully documented Python scripts integrate with PySCF, a popular electronic structure prediction software, and Fortran alternatives are provided for computational hot spots.
Local velocity of thermoresponsive colloidal gels in rate-driven flow
Authors: Smith Kristine M. , San-Miguel Adriana , Hsiao Lilian C.
Published: March 2021

The interplay between flow and attractive interactions in colloidal gels results in complex particle trajectories and velocity profiles that are not evident from bulk rheological measurements. We use high-speed confocal microscopy to investigate the local velocity of a low volume fraction (ϕ = 0.20) thermogelling nanoemulsion system as it flows through a cylindrical capillary at temperatures below and above the gel point. The nanoemulsions are composed of poly(dimethyl siloxane) droplets in a continuous phase of sodium dodecyl sulfate, de-ionized water, and a gelator molecule, poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate). The trajectories of fluorescent polystyrene tracer beads in the oil-rich domains are tracked using two-dimensional image processing. While the velocity profiles agree with those computed from rheometry measurements for nanoemulsion suspensions below the gel point temperature, increasing attractive interactions above the gel point results in statistically significant deviations. Specifically, the velocity measurements indicate a higher yield stress and a larger degree of shear thinning than expected from bulk rheology measurements, resulting in a more plug-shaped velocity profile as temperature and associated interdroplet attraction increase. These deviations from theoretical predictions are likely due to structural heterogeneity. Confocal microscopy images show that small, fluidized clusters are found in high shear rate regions near the capillary walls, while large dense clusters form in low shear rate regions closer to the center of the capillary.
Viscous vortex layers subject to more general strain and comparison to isotropic turbulence
Authors: Shariff Karim , Elsinga Gerrit E.
Published: March 2021

Viscous vortex layers subject to a more general uniform strain are considered. They include Townsend's steady solution for plane strain (corresponding to a parameter a = 1), in which all the strain in the plane of the layer goes toward vorticity stretching, as well as Migdal's recent steady asymmetric solution for axisymmetric strain (a = 1/2), in which half of the strain goes into vorticity stretching. In addition to considering asymmetric, symmetric, and antisymmetric steady solutions ∀a≥0, it is shown that for a < 1, i.e., anything less than the Townsend case, the vorticity inherently decays in time: only boundary conditions that maintain a supply of vorticity at one or both ends lead to a non-zero steady state. For the super-Townsend case a > 1, steady states have a sheath of opposite sign vorticity. Comparison is made with homogeneous-isotropic turbulence, in which case the average vorticity in the strain eigenframe is layer-like, has wings of opposite vorticity, and the strain configuration is found to be super-Townsend. Only zero-integral perturbations of the a > 1 steady solutions are stable; otherwise, the solution grows. Finally, the appendix shows that the average flow in the strain eigenframe is (apart from an extra term) the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equation.
Reaction pathways in the solid state and the Hubbard U correction
Authors: Brown Joshua J. , Page Alister J.
Published: March 2021

We investigate how the Hubbard U correction influences vacancy defect migration barriers in transition metal oxide semiconductors. We show that, depending on the occupation of the transition metal d orbitals, the Hubbard U correction can cause severe instabilities in the migration barrier energies predicted using generalized gradient approximation density functional theory (GGA DFT). For the d0 oxide SrTiO3, applying a Hubbard correction to the Ti4+ 3d orbitals below 4–5 eV yields a migration barrier of ∼0.4 eV. However, above this threshold, the barrier increases suddenly to ∼2 eV. This sudden increase in the transition state barrier arises from the Hubbard U correction changing the Ti4+ t2g/eg orbital occupation, and hence electron density localization, along the migration pathway. Similar results are observed in the d10 oxide ZnO; however, significantly larger Hubbard U corrections must be applied to the Zn2+ 3d orbitals for the same instability to be observed. These results highlight important limitations to the application of the Hubbard U correction when modeling reactive pathways in solid state materials using GGA DFT.
Corrigendum to: Performance and carcass composition of pigs from two sire lines are affected differently by ambient temperature
Authors: Sousa dos Santos Luan , Reis Furtado Campos Paulo Henrique , Cândido da Silva Welex , Veira Alini Mari , Fraga Alicia Zem , Caetano Raphael Perini , Hauschild Luciano
Published: March 2021

Context
Differences among breeds or lines of pigs in terms of growth and carcass characteristics may be affected by rearing environment (genetic × environment interaction).

Aims
The present study compared the growth performance and carcass composition of pigs from two sire lines reared under constant thermoneutral (22°C; TN) or high ambient temperature (33°C; HT) conditions.

Methods
Hampshire (HAM) and synthetic-cross (SYN) castrated male pigs (n = 12 per group; 32.0 ± 2.0 kg) were kept in individual pens at either 22°C (TN) or 33°C (HT) for 55 days (two experimental phases: 0–27 and 28–55 days) following an adaptation period of 7 days. Throughout the experimental period, growth performance and body composition (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry on Days 27 and 55) were assessed, and a range of other measurements (serum parameters and physiological responses), which were divided into four measurement groups, was taken on 9 days.

Key results
Irrespective of genetic line (G), the pigs in the HT treatment had lower average daily feed intake values (P P P P P

Conclusion
Despite progeny from both genetic lines being affected negatively by high AT, the purebred HAM pigs were less affected by the high AT conditions than were the pigs from the synthetic line.

Implication
The present findings suggest that individual farm conditions and AT are among the most important factors to consider before implementing a G.
Harvesting subterranean clover seed – current practices, technology and issues
Authors: Moss Wesley M. , Guzzomi Andrew L. , Foster Kevin J. , Ryan Megan H. , Nichols Phillip G. H.
Published: March 2021

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) is Australia’s most widely sown annual pasture legume. Its widespread use as a pasture plant requires a well-functioning seed production industry, and Australia is the only significant producer of subterranean clover seed globally. However, the sustainability of this industry is under threat due to its reliance on ageing harvest equipment and the resultant environmental impacts. In order to evaluate seed harvesting practices, technology, and issues, we report on case studies, workshops, and a survey of seed producers across southern Australia. The Horwood Bagshaw Clover Harvester, designed in the 1950s, remains the most popular subterranean clover seed harvester. We discuss its use and modifications, and document several contemporary issues facing the seed production industry. Issues are primarily soil erosion and degradation; the expensive, slow and labour-intensive harvest process; and poor reliability and maintainability of harvesters that are now at least 30 years old. We conclude the root cause of these issues is the suction harvest technology utilised by the Horwood Bagshaw Clover Harvester. Analysis of the current harvest system is provided to support the development of new approaches to harvest subterranean clover seeds.
Primate innate immune responses to bacterial and viral pathogens reveals an evolutionary trade-off between strength and specificity
Authors: Hawash Mohamed B. F. , Sanz-Remón Joaquin , Grenier Jean-Christophe , Kohn Jordan , Yotova Vania , Johnson Zach , Lanford Robert E. , Brinkworth Jessica F. , Barreiro Luis B.
Published: March 2021

Significance

Humans and our close evolutionary relatives respond differently to a large number of infections. Such differences are thought to result, at least in part, from interspecies differences in immune function. Here, we report on the whole-genome expression of blood leukocytes from four primate species responding to bacterial and viral stimulation. We show that apes mount a markedly stronger early transcriptional response to both viral and bacterial stimulation when compared to African and Asian monkeys. In addition, our findings suggest that apes activate a broader array of defense molecules that may be beneficial for early pathogen killing at the potential cost of increased energy expenditure and tissue damage. Our results provide insight into the evolution of immune responses in primates.
Iron colloids dominate sedimentary supply to the ocean interior
Authors: Homoky William B. , Conway Tim M. , John Seth G. , König Daniela , Deng FeiFei , Tagliabue Alessandro , Mills Rachel A.
Published: March 2021

Significance

Phytoplankton assimilate carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and nourish food webs on a scale that impacts planetary processes but are limited by iron deficiency over much of the global surface ocean. Therefore, we must understand processes that regulate the ocean’s iron inventory to accurately simulate and predict the ocean’s response to change. This study reveals that the widespread production of nanosized iron colloids from the weathering of lithogenic material drives sedimentary iron supply throughout the deep ocean. The discovery accounts for the unexplained occurrence of colloids and patterns of iron isotope variation previously observed in other parts of the deep ocean and suggests how long-standing assumptions we have used to simulate iron supply in ocean models must be revised.
Differential regulation of local mRNA dynamics and translation following long-term potentiation and depression
Authors: Donlin-Asp Paul G. , Polisseni Claudio , Klimek Robin , Heckel Alexander , Schuman Erin M.
Published: March 2021

Significance

Local protein synthesis is important for neuronal function and synaptic plasticity. Thousands of mRNAs are found in axons and dendrites, and it is believed that regulating their dynamic transport and distribution is a key determinant of where and when proteins are made. In this work we quantitatively assessed the dynamic transport of three synaptically localized mRNAs in live cultured neurons without exogenous stimulation and following induction of two distinct forms of synaptic plasticity. Coupling observations of mRNA dynamics with live imaging of endogenous protein synthesis dynamics, we found that alterations in mRNA movements occur independently of their translational state, indicating a multistep mechanism of capture and decoding of an mRNA to determine when translation occurs.
Short-term forecasts of expected deaths
Authors: Rizzi Silvia , Vaupel James W.
Published: March 2021

Significance

We introduce a simple but powerful method for analyzing mortality after a major shock. We apply the method to show, more conclusively than up to now, that Denmark, which imposed a lockdown during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, suffered considerably lower risks of death than Sweden, which did not impose a lockdown. Our method makes short-term forecasts of the number of deaths that would have occurred if the coronavirus pandemic or other health catastrophe had not occurred. By subtracting the forecast counts from actual death counts, excess mortality can be estimated. This can be done by age, sex, and other characteristics. The method can also be used for other kinds of short-term forecasting.
Exploring the Case: Buciti & Tara Resort: Going Beyond Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Dodds Rachel , Graci Sonya
Published: March 2021

Introduction

The Bucuti & Tara Resort is a world-class resort in Aruba that has focused on reducing its environmental footprint. It was the first certified carbon neutral hotel in the Caribbean. It is also a hotel that is socially conscious and service-oriented. In 2018, it had a 97% occupancy rate and almost 70% were repeat customers. This is due to the leadership and vision of the Bucuti & Tara owner, Ewald Biemans. Despite the many social and environmental initiatives implemented by the Bucuti & Tara Resort, it wishes to increase its sustainability efforts and influence on the community around it.
Optical control of the density and spin spatial profiles of a planar Bose gas
Authors: Zou Y-Q , Le Cerf É , Bakkali-Hassani B , Maury C , Chauveau G , Castilho P C M , Saint-Jalm R , Nascimbene S , Dalibard J , Beugnon J
Published: March 2021

We demonstrate the arbitrary control of the density profile of a two-dimensional Bose gas by shaping the optical potential applied to the atoms. We use a digital micromirror device (DMD) directly imaged onto the atomic cloud through a high resolution imaging system. Our approach relies on averaging the response of many pixels of the DMD over the diffraction spot of the imaging system, which allows us to create an optical potential with an arbitrary intensity profile and with micron-scale resolution. The obtained density distribution is optimized with a feedback loop based on the measured absorption images of the cloud. Using the same device, we also engineer arbitrary spin distributions thanks to a two-photon Raman transfer between internal ground states.
Light-scattering of tracer particles for liquid flow measurements
Authors: Das Prashant , Ghaemi Sina
Published: March 2021

A variety of modern flow measurement techniques use tracer particles that should accurately follow fluid motions and should scatter sufficient light to be detectable by imagining systems. These two requirements are at odds if they are to be full-filled by varying the tracer size. For this reason, other particle properties such as material, structure, and coating are also considered. While the effect of these properties on the particle response time can be estimated, it is challenging to quantify their effect on the scattered light using the Mie scattering theory. To address this issue, we investigated the light scattering properties of several commercially available tracer particles and provided simple guidelines for selecting appropriate particles. The investigations were carried out using particle images recorded in forward, side, and backward-scatter angles that are typically used in 3D-particle tracking velocimetry. The selected particles represent a wide spectrum of particle sizes and included glass, polymer, and fluorescent particles used in liquid flows. Other properties such as hollow structures and metallic coatings were also investigated. The results showed that glass particles had greater light scattering in the forward-scatter direction, while the polystyrene particles scattered more light in the back-scatter direction. The fluorescent particles had a relatively narrow intensity distribution with a strong side-scatter. We found that silver-coated glass particles had two to four times higher image intensity in the side and back-scatter cameras when compared with uncoated glass particles. The hollow glass particles had a higher forward-scatter compared with the solid glass particles. The recorded images were also used to obtain 3D particle tracks. A large intensity variation was observed along the 3D tracks that was mainly associated with the discretization of particle images on the camera sensor.
Compound fault diagnosis of rolling bearings based on improved tunable Q-factor wavelet transform
Authors: Hu Yongtao , Zhou Qiang , Gao Jinfeng , Li Jie , Xu Yonggang
Published: March 2021

In order to solve the difficulty of compound fault diagnosis of rolling bearings, a novel rolling bearings fault diagnosis method based on improved tunable Q-factor wavelet transform (TQWT) is proposed in this paper. Firstly, a new evaluation index of signal decomposition called KR is defined by summing kurtosis and root mean square (RMS) with weight. KR is the compromise between impulse factor and energy factor, which can better represent the fault characteristics of sub-bands obtained by TQWT. Secondly, the KR is used to improve the TQWT. The improved TQWT can adaptively determine the parameters Q-factor and decomposition level. Thirdly, the bearing vibration signal is decomposed by the improved TQWT and the sub-bands are sorted descending according to the KR. Finally, the Hilbert envelope analysis is carried out and the fault types are determined by comparing the fault characteristic frequencies obtained from the Hilbert envelopes to the fault characteristic frequencies calculated by formula. The proposed fault diagnosis method is fully evaluated by simulation and experiments. The results demonstrate that the KR takes advantage of kurtosis and RMS and can be better used to optimize the parameter of TQWT. And the compound fault features of rolling bearings can be accurately separated into different sub-bands by the improved TQWT, which is helpful to improve the accuracy of compound fault diagnosis of rolling bearings.
Ultrafine molybdenum oxycarbide nanodots encapsulated in N,P co-doped carbon nanofibers as an advanced anode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Li Huanhuan , Sun Huayang , Wang Kui , Wang Yaping , Wang Nan , Lv Xiaoxin , Jiang Haobin , Chen Long
Published: March 2021

Molybdenum oxycarbide (MoOC) is a single-phase compound, which can serve as a potential anode for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) that integrates the merits of the high specific capacity of MoO2 and high conductivity of Mo2C. Herein, a novel architecture with N,P co-doped C nanofibers and MoOC nanodots is constructed from a one-step phosphorization of MoO
x
/aniline organic–inorganic hybrid. Ultrafine MoOC nanodots are well confined by N,P co-doped C nanofibers, which ensures fast Li+/electron transfer and good stability of the structure under repeated charge/discharge processes. When this unique hybrid is employed as an anode material for LIBs, promising Li+ storage properties are gained in terms of high specific capacity, superb rate and long-term cycling performance. The remarkable capacitive contribution facilitates the fast Li+ uptake/release. This work may shed light on the development of well-defined Mo-based anodes for advanced LIBs.
Application-specific nuclear medical in vivo imaging devices
Authors: Chaudhari Abhijit J , Badawi Ramsey D
Published: March 2021

Nuclear medical imaging devices, such as those enabling photon emission imaging (gamma camera, single photon emission computed tomography, or positron emission imaging), that are typically used in today’s clinics are optimized for assessing large portions of the human body, and are classified as whole-body imaging systems. These systems have known limitations for organ imaging, therefore application-specific devices have been designed, constructed and evaluated. These devices, given their compact nature and superior technical characteristics, such as their higher detection sensitivity and spatial resolution for organ imaging compared to whole-body imaging systems, have shown promise for niche applications. Several of these devices have further been integrated with complementary anatomical imaging devices. The objectives of this review article are to (1) provide an overview of such application-specific nuclear imaging devices that were developed over the past two decades (in the twenty-first century), with emphasis on brain, cardiac, breast, and prostate imaging; and (2) discuss the rationale, advantages and challenges associated with the translation of these devices for routine clinical imaging. Finally, a perspective on the future prospects for application-specific devices is provided, which is that sustained effort is required both to overcome design limitations which impact their utility (where these exist) and to collect the data required to define their clinical value.