bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Akute okuläre Ischämien – was ist wichtig in der internistischen Diagnostik?
Authors: Lottspeich Christian , Mackert Marc J. , Hoffmann Ulrich , Czihal Michael
Published: August 2020

Was ist neu?

Zentralarterienverschluss (ZAV) und ischämische Optikusneuropathie (ION) Ischämische Erkrankungen der Retina bei ZAV sowie des Sehnervs bei ION sind häufige Ursachen von irreversiblem Sehverlust bei älteren Patienten und bedürfen einer intensiven internistischen Mitbetreuung.

Internistische Diagnostik bei ZAV und ION Im ersten Schritt sollte eine Riesenzellarteriitis (RZA) gesichert bzw. ausgeschlossen werden. Die internistische Diagnostik von nichtarteriitischem ZAV und nichtarteriitischer ION (nAION) zielt insbesondere auf die Erfassung des kardiovaskulären Risikoprofils ab. Beim nichtarteriitischen ZAV ist die Emboliequellensuche zentrale diagnostische Aufgabe. Bei Patienten mit nAION sollte ein Schlafapnoe-Screening erfolgen.

Transorbitale Sonografie Bei Darstellung eines Spot-Zeichens im Sehnervenkopf kann ein embolischer ZAV gesichert werden. Ein Spot-Zeichen schließt eine arteriitische Genese eines ZAV aus.
Aktuelle Standards in der Diagnostik und Therapie der chronischen lymphatischen Leukämie
Authors: Cramer Paula , von Tresckow Julia , Eichhorst Barbara , Hallek Michael
Published: August 2020

Was ist neu?

Diagnostik Die Aktualisierung der IWCLL-Kriterien ließ die Kriterien für die Diagnosestellung der CLL unberührt: In der Regel genügt weiterhin ein Blutausstrich und eine Immunphänotypisierung.

Therapieindikation Auch die Kriterien für die Therapieeinleitung blieben unverändert: Nur Patienten mit symptomatischer, fortgeschrittener Erkrankung sollen behandelt werden. Die Untersuchung auf Vorliegen einer Deletion 17p und/oder TP53-Mutation als wichtigster ungünstiger Prognosefaktor und prädiktiver Faktor ist essenziell vor Einleitung jeder neuen Therapie. Die Bedeutung des Mutationsstatus der variablen Region des Immunglobulin-Schwerkettengens (IgHV) hat deutlich zugenommen.

Erstlinientherapie der Patienten mit Hochrisikofaktoren Die Kombination des Bcl2-Antagonisten Venetoclax mit dem Antikörper Obinutuzumab wurde kürzlich für die Erstlinientherapie der CLL zugelassen. Aufgrund der klaren Überlegenheit gegenüber Chlorambucil/Obinutuzumab bei den unfitten, älteren Patienten sollte Venetoclax/Obinutuzumab von nun an die bevorzugte Behandlungsoption bei dieser Patientengruppe sein. Als Chemotherapie-freie und zeitlich limitierte Behandlung wird Venetoclax/Obinutuzumab auch bei den Hochrisikopatienten mit Deletion 17p/TP53-Mutation und bei den jüngeren, fitten Patienten künftig eine wichtige Option neben der Dauertherapie mit Ibrutinib darstellen. Bei Letzteren kann bei Vorliegen eines mutierten IgHV-Status auch eine Chemoimmuntherapie mit Rituximab, kombiniert mit Fliudarabin/Cyclophosphamid oder Bendamustin, erfolgen.

Rezidiv-Therapie Auch in der Rezidiv-Situation werden vorzugsweise die zielgerichteten Substanzen eingesetzt unter Berücksichtigung der zyto- und molekulargenetischen Risikofaktoren der CLL, der Patientencharakteristiken, der Tiefe und Dauer des Ansprechens sowie Verträglichkeit der vorangegangenen Therapie(n).
Arbeitsmedizinische Pneumologie – was gibt es Neues?
Authors: Nowak Dennis , Quartucci Caroline , Karrasch Stefan
Published: August 2020

Was ist neu?

Asthma mit Arbeitsplatzbezug Sensitivität und Spezifität spezifischer IgE-Bestimmungen in der Diagnostik des Berufsasthmas liegen selbst für hochmolekulare Allergene nur bei etwas über 70 %. Bei positiver Anamnese muss daher weitere Diagnostik, z. B. die serielle FeNO-Bestimmung, erfolgen, ggf. bis zur spezifischen Expositionstestung in spezialisierten Einrichtungen. Der Unterlassungszwang bezüglich der angeschuldigten Tätigkeit wird u. a. bei den obstruktiven Atemwegserkrankungen wegfallen.

Interstitielle Lungenerkrankungen durch Arbeit Bei interstitiellen Lungenerkrankungen ist nach (vermeidbaren) beruflichen Auslösern zu fahnden – ein neuer Fragebogen gibt hierfür praktische Hilfestellung.

Krebserkrankungen der Lunge und Pleura durch Arbeit Auch bei Patienten mit Lungenkarzinom ist nach beruflichen Ursachen zu recherchieren. Auch hier stehen Fragebögen und Tabellen in patientenverständlicher Sprache zur Verfügung. Lungenkrebserkrankungen durch langjährige Passivrauchexposition werden künftig als Berufskrankheit gelten.
Update endokrine Orbitopathie
Authors: Eckstein Anja , Oeverhaus Michael , Stöhr Mareile , Dekowski Dirk , Berchner-Pfannschmidt Utta , Esser Joachim , Möller Lars
Published: August 2020

Die endokrine Orbitopathie (EO) ist die häufigste extrathyreoidale Manifestation des Morbus Basedow. Für Therapieentscheidungen wird die Erkrankung in eine aktive und eine inaktive Phase eingeteilt sowie eine Unterscheidung zwischen einer milden, moderaten und schweren visusbedrohenden Manifestation vorgenommen, wobei die Lebensqualität der Patienten bei den beiden letzteren erheblich eingeschränkt ist.
COVID-19 und die Bedeutung der kardiovaskulären Komorbidität
Authors: Seoudy Hatim , Frey Norbert
Published: August 2020

Was ist neu?

Prognostischer Einfluss kardiovaskulärer Vorerkrankungen Kardiovaskuläre Komorbiditäten sind mit schweren Verlaufsformen und einer erhöhten Letalität mit COVID-19 assoziiert. Eine optimale Behandlung der Begleiterkrankungen könnte den Verlauf von COVID-19 günstig beeinflussen.

Kardiovaskuläre Komplikationen durch COVID-19 COVID-19 induziert bei einem Teil der Patienten ein akutes kardiovaskuläres Syndrom. Die Pathogenese ist noch nicht vollständig geklärt, wesentliche Prozesse sind jedoch eine direkte Schädigung der Kardiomyozyten durch SARS-CoV-2 sowie ein Hyperinflammationssyndrom. Bei schweren COVID-19-Verlaufsformen ist darüber hinaus eine deutlich erhöhte Inzidenz thromboembolischer Komplikationen zu beobachten.

Rolle des Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosteron-Systems Das Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosteron-System spielt in der Pathophysiologie von COVID-19 eine wichtige Rolle. Aktuell wird die Fortsetzung einer indizierten Therapie mit einem ACE-Inhibitor, AT1-Rezeptorantagonisten oder einem Angiotensin-Rezeptor-Neprilysin-Inhibitor empfohlen.

Kardiovaskuläre Nebenwirkungen der medikamentösen Therapie Medikamente zur Behandlung von COVID-19 müssen hinsichtlich ihrer kardiovaskulären Nebenwirkungen bewertet werden. Remdesivir weist nach aktueller Datenlage ein günstiges Sicherheitsprofil auf.

Kardiovaskuläre Erkrankungen und „social distancing“ Das „social distancing“ ist ein wesentliches Instrument zur Ausbreitungskontrolle von SARS-CoV-2. Dennoch muss eine leitliniengerechte Versorgung von Patienten mit kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen sichergestellt werden.

Kardiovaskuläre Langzeitkomplikationen COVID-19 ist potenziell mit kardiovaskulären Langzeitkomplikationen assoziiert. Daher sind Konzepte zur langfristigen Betreuung der Patienten notwendig.
CKD-MBD: Was gibt es Neues?
Authors: Brandenburg Vincent
Published: August 2020

Was ist neu?

Phosphathaushalt Nach wie vor ist unklar, wann, mit welchem Zielspiegel und mittels welcher Art von phosphatsenkenden Maßnahmen und Medikamenten die Hyperphosphatämie behandelt werden sollte. Aus Erfahrung ist eine Kombination aus phosphatarmer Diät und Phosphatbindern sinnvoll.

Hyperparathyreoidismus Bei chronischer Nierenerkrankung (CKD) ist eine stärkere PTH-Stimulation nötig als bei Nierengesunden, um nicht eine adyname Osteopathie zu entwickeln. Deutlich erhöhte PTH-Werte wiederum gehen jedoch mit einer gesteigerten Morbidität und Mortalität einher. Für Dialysepatienten liegt der Zielbereich im Serum-PTH gemäß den KDIGO-Leitlinien zwischen dem 2- und 9-Fachen der oberen Norm. Für Patienten mit CKD ohne Dialyse ist der optimale PTH-Bereich nicht klar.

Vitamin D Vitamin D kann weiterhin begleitend zur Therapie der CKD-MBD und insbesondere des Hyperparathyreoidismus eingesetzt werden. Außerhalb des Skelettsystems dürften einer nativen Vitamin-D-Supplementierung jedoch kaum messbare Effekte zuzuschreiben sein.

Arteriosklerose Der Verzicht auf eine Therapie mit Vitamin-K-Antagonisten und der Ersatz durch Rivaroxaban kann wahrscheinlich das Fortschreiten der Koronarkalzifikation verlangsamen.

Biomarker In der Routinediagnostik von CKD-MBD und deren Therapie spielen auch weiterhin die klassischen Biomarkern wie PTH, Phosphat, Kalzium oder alkalische Phosphatase die größte Rolle.

Renale Osteodystrophie und Osteoporose Es ist noch nicht ausreichend belegt, wie bei CKD das Frakturrisiko zu senken ist.

SGLT2-Inhibitoren Aktuell ist der breite Einsatz von SGLT2-Inhibitoren für Patienten mit CKD G3 oder G4 noch keine Option. Zu erwarten ist eine Indikationserweiterung auf einen GFR-Grenzwert von zumindest 30 ml/min für die Indikation CKD und/oder Herzinsuffizienz (auch jeweils ohne Diabetes mellitus).
A Case Report to Assess Passive Immunity in a COVID Positive Pregnant Patient
Authors: Toner Lorraine E. , Gelber Shari E. , Pena Juan A. , Fox Nathan S. , Rebarber Andrei
Published: August 2020

Introduction Data regarding transplacental passage of maternal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) antibodies and potential immunity in the newborn is limited.

Case Report We present a 25-year-old multigravida with known red blood cell isoimmunization, who was found to be COVID-19 positive at 27 weeks of gestation while undergoing serial periumbilical blood sampling and intrauterine transfusions. Maternal COVID-19 antibody was detected 2 weeks after positive molecular testing. Antibodies were never detected on cord blood samples from two intrauterine fetal cord blood samples as well as neonatal cord blood at the time of delivery.

Conclusion This case demonstrates a lack of passive immunity of COVID-19 antibodies from a positive pregnant woman to her fetus, neither in utero nor at the time of birth. Further studies are needed to understand if passage of antibodies can occur and if that can confer passive immunity in the newborn.

Key Points
Isolation, Characterization, and Comparison of Efficiencies of Bacteriophages to Reduce Planktonic and Biofilm-Associated Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Rai Anoopkrishna , Vittal Rajeshwari V. , Mohan Raj Juliet R.
Published: August 2020

Introduction In the present era, wherein occurrence of antimicrobial resistance compounded with biofilms in disease conditions has rendered present antibiotic therapy ineffective, the need for alternative strategies to treat bacterial infections has brought bacteriophages to the forefront. The antimicrobial activity of phages is often determined by a viable cell reduction assay which focuses only on planktonic forms. The physiology of an organism in biofilm differs from those that are planktonic; hence, there is a need to evaluate the activity of phages both on planktonic forms, as well as on biofilms, to select candidate therapeutic phages.

Materials and Methods Bacteriophages for Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from environmental samples and characterized based on growth kinetics and DNA fingerprint patterns. Activity of isolated phages on planktonic forms was determined by viable count reduction assay. Phage ability to prevent biofilm formation and ability to disperse formed biofilms were performed in 96-well microtiter plates and biofilm estimated by crystal violet assay.

Results Four bacteriophages designated, that is, P3, PD1, PE1, and PE2, were isolated and characterized. Planktonic cells of S. aureus were found to be sensitive to phages PD1, PE1, and PE2. Phages PD1 and PE2 were efficient in preventing biofilm formation and phages PD1, PE1, and P3 were efficient in dispersing formed biofilms.

Conclusion The ability of some phages to disperse biofilms effectively, while unable to show the same efficiency on planktonic cells, indicates that viable count reduction assay alone may not be a sufficient tool to imply bactericidal activity of bacteriophages, especially while trying to eradicate biofilms.
Sneezing plays a large role in transmission of COVID-19 by asymptomatic carriers
Authors: Bandari Anashe
Published: August 2020

Sneezes are more common than coughs in healthy individuals and cover a much larger space. Properly modeling sneezing can help understand asymptomatic transmission and aid in the optimal design of crowded indoor spaces.
Thermionic emission in nodal-ring semimetals
Authors: Chen Suguo , Huang Sunchao , Duan Wenye , Shi Wei , Zhang Chao
Published: August 2020

We theoretically investigate the thermionic emission from nodal-ring semimetals. The thermionic emission is found to be anisotropic in the x- and y-directions. The anisotropic emission can be enhanced by increasing the radius of nodal-ring b. The main feature of nodal-ring semimetals not only results in anisotropic thermionic emission but also affects the value of thermionic emission current density (TECD). The TECD of the lower branch of the energy–momentum dispersion increases with b, while the TECD of the upper branch decreases with b. Unlike in conventional materials, the TECD in nodal-ring semimetals depends on Fermi energy that is similar to the situation in Dirac semimetals. The underlined reason is that Dirac semimetals and nodal-ring semimetals have a linear or a linear-like energy–momentum dispersion while conventional materials have a parabolic energy–momentum dispersion. The TECD of nodal-ring semimetals depends strongly on work function and temperature.
Single-phase multipole radiofrequency trap
Authors: Rudyi S. S. , Vovk T. A. , Kosternoi I. A. , Rybin V. V. , Rozhdestvensky Yu. V.
Published: August 2020

We present a theoretical basis and simple experimental realization of a multipole radio-frequency trap consisting of four equal cylindrical electrodes, where all of the bars have an in-phase applied voltage. An effective potential, which describes three additional stable quasi-equilibrium points, is obtained, and an electrostatic distribution is calculated using the method of image charges. We construct an experimental setup and localize a group of charged silicate microspheres at normal pressure. The experimental results agree well with the proposed analytical model. A strong dependence on modulation of the radio-frequency field and effective potential is confirmed.
Particle modeling of vacuum arc discharges
Authors: Yang Wei , Sun Qiang , Zhou Qianhong
Published: August 2020

Metal vapor vacuum arcs (VAs) are widely used in various fields of industry, such as circuit breakers, ion sources, electrical thrusters, and deposition systems. VAs usually originate from metal vapors eroding from the surface of a cathode, where they burn as tiny bright points, hence their name “cathode spots” (CS). Due to their high plasma density, short life span, and micrometer scale, the in situ and non-intrusive diagnostics of CS are a challenge. Numerical simulation is one method used to study CS with the aid of high-performance computing. The well-established particle-in-cell method provides solutions for the spatial-temporal electromagnetic field and the microscopic distribution functions of plasma species in phase space from which the macroscopic parameters of the plasma can be calculated. This Perspective reviews the progress in particle modeling of VAs with an emphasis on the non-stationary and non-local physical processes that are not reproduced by fluid models. Furthermore, a personal outlook on future challenges is provided: the physical modeling of plasma–electrode interactions, the collection and evaluation of collision cross sections, the trade-off between heavy computation cost and predictive ability, and the verification and validation of the simulation code.
Experimental and numerical evaluation of a lab-scale external solar receiver
Authors: Zhou Hao , Li Yawei , Zhu Yifan , Fang Wenfeng , Liu Dan , Zhou Mingxi , Cen Kefa
Published: August 2020

Solar power tower system with an external receiver is one of the most promising technologies for electricity generation and has a high concentration ratio and a high operating temperature range. In this paper, a lab-scale external receiver with xenon lamps, using molten salt as a heat transfer fluid, was established, and its optical and thermodynamic properties were evaluated. Experimental and numerical methods were used to analyze the performance of the receiver. For the base case (100% light power, no wind, 2.3 kg/s mass flow, and 400 °C inlet temperature), the deviation in the maximum temperature of the wall determined through numerical simulation and thermal imager measurement was 1.8%; the deviation in the back temperature of the receiver identified through simulation and thermocouple measurement was 0.22%. The performance of the receiver under different working conditions was also explored. Experimental and simulation results had good agreement at different mass flow rates, light power, and wind speed, and the deviation under each condition was less than 5%. The experimental results showed that the temperature rise of molten salt increased from 4.3 °C to 7.4 °C when the inlet temperature increased from 375 °C to 500 °C; the temperature rise of molten salt increased from 1.8 °C to 5.3 °C when the power of the xenon lamps increased from 20% to 100%; the temperature rise of molten salt decreased from 8.3 °C to 5.3 °C when the mass flow rate increased from 1.4 kg/s to 2.3 kg/s; and the temperature rise of molten salt decreased from 5.3 °C to 3.6 °C when the wind velocity increased from 0 to 10 m/s. The practical and simulation results present useful reference sources for fellow researchers and practitioners in the sector of the solar power tower system.
Engineering hematite/plasmonic nanoparticle interfaces for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Tofanello A. , Diao Z. , Djatoubai E. , Su J. Z. , Shen S. H. , Souza F. L. , Vayssieres L.
Published: August 2020

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of metallic nanoparticles has become an attractive strategy for increasing the efficiency of solar water splitting. However, the metal/semiconductor junction may introduce unwanted interfaces or surface species that reduce the SPR effect as well as compromising efficient charge transport. The processes of separation, transport, and transfer of charges in metal-based plasmonic photoelectrodes are highly sensitive to the nature of the coupling between metal/semiconductor/electrolyte and a comprehensive understanding of these interfaces is still lacking. In this work, we proposed the construction of hematite photoanodes modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and aluminum oxide with different arrangements, whose optimized coupling between the interfaces led to enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance. Using a combination of finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, well-established materials synthesis and x-ray spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and PEC characterization techniques, selected architecture design strategies are evaluated. The experimental results reveal that the direct contact between semiconductors and metals coated by the dielectric leads to an improvement in localized electric field at the interface upon the formation of hot electrons, boosting the generation and separation efficiencies of electron–hole pairs. The main role of the dielectric coating, which led to an ineffective surface state passivation, is to prevent the photooxidation of AuNPs. FDTD calculations are employed to investigate the spatial distribution of the electric-field intensity around the AuNPs deposited onto the hematite surfaces and to corroborate the local field enhancement effect. The outcome of this combined experimental-theoretical study reveals that engineering plasmonic interfaces is a powerful tool to design efficient photoanodes for plasmon-driven PEC water splitting.
Excitation of high-frequency in-plane bulk acoustic resonance modes in geometrically engineered hafnium zirconium oxide nano-electro-mechanical membrane
Authors: Hakim F. , Ghatge M. , Tabrizian R.
Published: August 2020

A nano-electro-mechanical membrane created from atomic-layered ferroelectric hafnium zirconium oxide (Hf0.5Zr0.5O2), titanium nitride (TiN), and silicon dioxide is engineered to localize high quality factor (Q) in-plane bulk acoustic resonance modes over 80–840 MHz. The in-plane geometry of the membrane, with an overall thickness of 50 nm and an aspect ratio exceeding 104:1, is optimized to simultaneously preserve the stress profile needed for sustaining ferroelectric polarization and enable propagation and constructive interaction of extensional and shear waves to create bulk acoustic modes. A ferroelectric polarization of 11.2 μC/cm2 is measured at the transduction ports, which is consistent after nano-membrane release. The first, third, and seventh order width extensional modes (WE1,3,7) and the third order of the width shear mode (WS3) are electrically measured at 109, 389, 766, and 267 MHz, respectively, showing Qs over 50–100 that are dominated by the large electrical resistance of TiN electrodes. High mechanical Qs of 538, 407, 781, and 594 are extracted for the WE1,3,7 and WS3 modes, respectively, after de-embedding the TiN electrode impedance, resulting in large resonance frequency (f0) × Q products as high as 6 × 1011. The measured characteristics, along with numerical simulations, are used to extract a Young's modulus of ∼340 GPa for the 10 nm-thick Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 film, which is in close agreement with the reported ab initio estimations.
Responses to Security Sensitive Biological Agents (SSBA) risks by the Australian Federal Police
Authors: Roffey Paul , Gahan Michelle
Published: August 2020

As Australia’s national law enforcement agency the Australia Federal Police (AFP) plays a number of roles, broadly grouped under intelligence and investigation, in supporting a whole of government approach to responding to, and mitigating, risks from Security Sensitive Biological Agents (SSBA). The AFP is responsible for coordinating the investigation of national and transnational crimes, which includes acts of bioterrorism, and preventing, countering and responding to attacks in Australia and on Australian interests overseas. This paper provides an overview of the responses to SSBA risks by the AFP.
Imported biologicals: unforeseen biosecurity risks in the laboratory
Authors: Dougall Annette M , Brinkley Tim R , Clarke Brian D
Published: August 2020

Imported biological products are ubiquitous necessities of modern life that can pose significant biosecurity risks to Australia. Products produced using animal material are used everywhere from enzymes in cleaning products, to cell lines and bacterial cultures used to produce vaccines and medicines. This article highlights adventitious agents of biologicals and provides an overview of the considerations and regulatory tools administered under the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Commonwealth) to manage these biosecurity risks whilst still facilitating imports of biologicals.
Commercial platforms for Security Sensitive Biological Agents testing
Authors: Bates John
Published: August 2020

The rapid testing for Security Sensitive Biological Agents is carried out by Public Health laboratories. The commercial platforms for performing such tasks in Australia are described.
A decade of RCPAQAP Biosecurity improving testing for biological threats in Australia
Authors: Lau Katherine A , Theis Torsten , Kaufer Alexa M , Gray Joanna L , Rawlinson William D
Published: August 2020

Biosecurity is a term broadly applied to the protection, control and accountability of biological agents and toxins to minimise the risk of their introduction through natural, unintentional (accidents) or deliberate processes. Biosecurity protection involves the engagement of all stakeholders including government, public health networks, industry, and scientific community. While the Commonwealth Government primarily manages biosecurity, it is also a shared responsibility with State and Territory governments. Rapid, accurate diagnosis is essential to informing all levels of response to biosecurity threats. External quality assurance (EQA) through proficiency testing (PT) is an indispensable tool to allow assessment of laboratory performance. This ensures laboratory capability and capacity are in a constant state of readiness to effectively detect biological threats and reduce the impact and transmission of disease. Since 2009, the Royal College of Pathologists Australasia Quality Assurance Program (RCPAQAP) has been contracted by the Australian Government Department of Health to establish a proficiency testing program (PTP) for the detection of biological threat agents. Starting out as a PTP for the detection of Bacillus anthracis, RCPAQAP Biosecurity has undergone significant transformation, thereby building and enhancing laboratory preparedness. Alterations in the program have been in line with the changing landscape of biosecurity and other emerging infectious diseases across Australia, and worldwide.
Population structure of the chub mackerel (Scomber colias) in the North-east Atlantic inferred from otolith shape and body morphometrics
Authors: Muniz A. A. , Moura A. , Triay-Portella R. , Moreira C. , Santos P. T. , Correia A. T.
Published: August 2020

The Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) is an important commercial fish species of the North-east Atlantic. Two-year-old individuals collected between January and April of 2018 at six sampling locations (45 fish per site) of the North-east Atlantic (Azores, Madeira, Canaries and mainland Portugal – Matosinhos, Sesimbra and Portimão) were used for body morphometrics and otolith-shape analyses. Data were analysed by univariate and multivariate statistics. Re-classification success using shape analyses and body morphometrics showed an overall rate of 51 and 74% respectively. Regional differences regarding the otolith-shape analyses suggested a single stock, not necessarily homogenous, with a discrete separation of two main groups (oceanic islands and mainland Portugal). However, body morphometrics showed a more detailed separation in two main groups (Canaries and the others, but with a slight differentiation between fish from Azores-Madeira and mainland Portugal). Moreover, joint analyses gave an overall re-classification success of 82% and allowed a more comprehensive scenario, showing the existence of three main groups (Canaries, Azores-Madeira and mainland Portugal). Regional differences are probably related with different oceanographic conditions influencing the feeding regime and fish growth. The hereby data suggest that S. colias caught in the North-east Atlantic are different population units, and we recommend a fishery management at a finer regional scale.
Animation and myth of the hero as discursive device in Mexican political campaigns
Authors: Aguilar Campos Citlaly
Published: August 2020

A political campaign is a dialogical game that will always make a deployment of discursive resources that manage to generate empathy and in that way, obtain the vote of the people. Animation and myth are resources that politicians use in their favor to construct their messages. The reason? These elements are exceptional dialogical units thanks to their power of meaning and cohesion on a personal and social level. This research focus in two Mexican politicians Alfredo del Mazo and Andres Manuel López Obrador, who during their elections – 2017 and 2018, respectively – used digital animation to create a striking propaganda. The critical frame is based on Joseph Campbell, Rollo May, Carlos A. Scolari, Clifford Geertz and Edna Becerril.
Dialogic construction of authority in Hebrew women’s writing from the 19th century
Authors: Cohen-Achdut Miri
Published: August 2020

The article discusses quotations as linguistic means for constructing authority. It seeks to attenuate two accepted premises regarding quotations and authority in linguistic research: firstly, that the source of quotation is the (single) source of authority, and secondly, the writer’s dichotomic attitude toward it: reliance or refutation. Two opinion essays in Hebrew were examined, authored by a woman and published in a Maskilic periodical during the 19th century – a time when women were denied the social license to write in Hebrew. The pragmatic micro-analysis shows that the writer uses various linguistic means to construct her authority by means of dialogical conflicts between several external sources: the Jewish canonical texts, her educated peers or prevailing viewpoints of the time.
From the discrete to the continuous brachistochrone: a tale of two proofs
Authors: Agmon David , Yizhaq Hezi
Published: August 2020

In a previous paper (2019 Eur. J. Phys.
40 035005) we showed how to design a discrete brachistochrone with an arbitrary number of segments. We have proved, numerically and graphically, that in the limit of a large number of segments, N ≫ 1, the discrete brachistochrone converges into the continuous brachistochrone, i.e. into a cycloid. Here we show this convergence analytically, in two different ways, based upon the results we obtained from investigating the characteristics of the discrete brachistochrone. We prove that at any arbitrary point, the sliding bead has the same velocity on both the continuous and discrete paths, and the radius of the curvature of both paths is the same at corresponding points. The proofs are based on the well-known fact that the curve of a cycloid is generated by a point attached to the circumference of a rolling wheel. We also show that the total acceleration magnitude of the bead along the cycloid is constant and equal to g, whereas the acceleration vector is directed toward the center of the wheel, and it rotates with a constant angular velocity.
Induced-charge electrokinetics in microfluidics: a review on recent advancements
Authors: Manshadi Mohammad K D , Mohammadi Mehdi , Zarei Mohammad , Saadat Mahsa , Sanati-Nezhad Amir
Published: August 2020

Applying an external electric field over a polarizable electrode or object within microchannels can induce an electric double layer (EDL) around channel walls and create induced-charge electrokinetics (ICEK) within channels. The primary consequence of the induced charge is the generation of micro-vortices around the polarizable electrode or object, presenting great potential for various microfluidic applications. This review presents the advances in theoretical, numerical and experimental studies on the physics and applications of ICEK within microfluidics. In particular, the characteristics and performance of ICEK-based microfluidic components in active micromixers, micropumps, and microvalves are critically reviewed, followed by discussing the applications of ICEK in electrophoresis and particle/cell manipulation within microfluidics. Furthermore, the opportunities and challenges of ICEK-based microfluidic devices are highlighted. This work facilitates recognizing deliverable ICEK-based microfluidic technologies with unprecedented functionality for the next generation of biomedical applications with predictable manufacturability and functionality.
Two-dimensional ultrathin van der Waals heterostructures of indium selenide and boron monophosphide for superfast nanoelectronics, excitonic solar cells, and digital data storage devices
Authors: Mohanta Manish Kumar , Kishore Amal , De Sarkar Abir
Published: August 2020

Semiconducting indium selenide (InSe) monolayers have drawn a great deal of attention among all the chalcogenide two-dimensional materials on account of their high electron mobility; however, they suffer from low hole mobility. This inherent limitation of an InSe monolayer can be overcome by stacking it on top of a boron phosphide (BP) monolayer, where the complementary properties of BP can bring additional benefits. The electronic, optical, and external perturbation-dependent electronic properties of InSe/BP hetero-bilayers have been systematically investigated within density functional theory in anticipation of its cutting-edge applications. The InSe/BP heterostructure has been found to be an indirect semiconductor with an intrinsic type-II band alignment where the conduction band minimum (CBM) and valence band maximum (VBM) are contributed by the InSe and BP monolayers, respectively. Thus, the charge carrier mobility in the heterostructure, which is mainly derived from the BP monolayer, reaches as high as 12 × 103 cm2 V−1 s−1, which is very much desired in superfast nanoelectronics. The suitable bandgap accompanied by a very low conduction band offset between the donor and acceptor along with robust charge carrier mobility, and the mechanical and dynamical stability of the heterostructure attests its high potential for applications in solar energy harvesting and nanoelectronics. The solar to electrical power conversion efficiency (20.6%) predicted in this work surpasses the efficiencies reported for InSe based heterostructures, thereby demonstrating its superiority in solar energy harvesting. Moreover, the heterostructure transits from the semiconducting state (the OFF state) to the metallic state (the ON state) by the application of a small electric field (∼0.15 V Å−1) which is brought about by the actual movement of the bands rather than via the nearly empty free electron gas (NFEG) feature. This thereby testifies to its potential for applications in digital data storage. Moreover, the heterostructure shows strong absorbance over a wide spectrum ranging from UV to the visible light of solar radiation, which will be of great utility in UV—visible light photodetectors.
Circularly polarized x-ray generation from an ionization induced laser plasma electron accelerator
Authors: Feng Jie , Li Yifei , Geng Xiaotao , Li Dazhang , Wang Jinguang , Mirzaie Mohammad , Chen Liming
Published: August 2020

A laser plasma accelerator could provide high-intensity x-ray radiation as the basis for the next generation compact radiation source. However, there is still a lack of tunability for the radiation polarization, especially the circular polarization. Here, we propose a new method for achieving intense circularly polarized x-rays via circularly polarized 20 TW laser pulses driving plasma wakefield acceleration in the regime of ionization injection. When the laser pulse duration is long enough, the ionization injected electrons would not only possess angular momentum, but also be resonant with the laser pulses, resulting in helix structure trajectories in the process of acceleration. In our simulation, we acquired synchrotron radiation with the circularly polarized degree Pc
∼ 0.8, the pulse duration ∼16 fs, the energy spectrum peak ∼1 keV and the brilliance ∼1.8 × 1020 photons s−1 mm−2 mrad−2/0.1%BW. Such an ultra-fast and ultra-brilliant circularly polarized x-ray source has excellent application prospects in the analysis of complex bio-macro-molecule structures and for probing warm dense matter.
Interaction properties of solitons for a couple of nonlinear evolution equations
Authors: Raza Rizvi Syed Tahir , Bibi Ishrat , Younis Muhammad , Bekir Ahmet
Published: August 2020

We study one- and two-soliton solutions for the Cahn–Allen (CA) equation and the Brethorton equation. The CA equation has broad spectrum of applications especially in anti-phase boundary motion and it is used in phase-field models. While the Brethorton equation is a model for dispersive wave systems, it is used to find the resonant nonlinear interaction among three linear modes. We use the Hirota bilinear method to obtain one- and two-soliton solutions to the CA equation and the Brethorton equation.
Recent progress on excitation and manipulation of spin-waves in spin Hall nano-oscillators*
Authors: Li Liyuan , Chen Lina , Liu Ronghua , Du Youwei
Published: August 2020

Spin Hall nano oscillator (SHNO), a new type spintronic nano-device, can electrically excite and control spin waves in both nanoscale magnetic metals and insulators with low damping by the spin current due to spin Hall effect and interfacial Rashba effect. Several spin-wave modes have been excited successfully and investigated substantially in SHNOs based on dozens of different ferromagnetic/nonmagnetic (FM/NM) bilayer systems (e.g., FM = Py, [Co/Ni], Fe, CoFeB, Y3Fe5O12; NM = Pt, Ta, W). Here, we will review recent progress about spin-wave excitation and experimental parameters dependent dynamics in SHNOs. The nanogap SHNOs with in-plane magnetization exhibit a nonlinear self-localized bullet soliton localized at the center of the gap between the electrodes and a secondary high-frequency mode which coexists with the primary bullet mode at higher currents. While in the nanogap SHNOs with out of plane magnetization, besides both nonlinear bullet soliton and propagating spin-wave mode are achieved and controlled by varying the external magnetic field and current, the magnetic bubble skyrmion mode also can be excited at a low in-plane magnetic field. These spin-wave modes show thermal-induced mode hopping behavior at high temperature due to the coupling between the modes mediated by thermal magnon mediated scattering. Moreover, thanks to the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy induced effective field, the single coherent mode also can be achieved without applying an external magnetic field. The strong nonlinear effect of spin waves makes SHNOs easy to achieve synchronization with external microwave signals or mutual synchronization between multiple oscillators which improve the coherence and power of oscillation modes significantly. Spin waves in SHNOs with an external free magnetic layer have a wide range of applications from as a nanoscale signal source of low power consumption magnonic devices to spin-based neuromorphic computing systems in the field of artificial intelligence.
A meshless algorithm with the improved moving least square approximation for nonlinear improved Boussinesq equation*
Authors: Tan Yu , Li Xiao-Lin
Published: August 2020

An improved moving least square meshless method is developed for the numerical solution of the nonlinear improved Boussinesq equation. After the approximation of temporal derivatives, nonlinear systems of discrete algebraic equations are established and are solved by an iterative algorithm. Convergence of the iterative algorithm is discussed. Shifted and scaled basis functions are incorporated into the method to guarantee convergence and stability of numerical results. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the high convergence rate and high computational accuracy of the method.
New semi-quantum key agreement protocol based on high-dimensional single-particle states*
Authors: Li Huan-Huan , Gong Li-Hua , Zhou Nan-Run
Published: August 2020

A new efficient two-party semi-quantum key agreement protocol is proposed with high-dimensional single-particle states. Different from the previous semi-quantum key agreement protocols based on the two-level quantum system, the propounded protocol makes use of the advantage of the high-dimensional quantum system, which possesses higher efficiency and better robustness against eavesdropping. Besides, the protocol allows the classical participant to encode the secret key with qudit shifting operations without involving any quantum measurement abilities. The designed semi-quantum key agreement protocol could resist both participant attacks and outsider attacks. Meanwhile, the conjoint analysis of security and efficiency provides an appropriate choice for reference on the dimension of single-particle states and the number of decoy states.
Room temperature nonlinear mass sensing based on a hybrid spin-nanoresonator system*
Authors: Yang Jian-Yong , Chen Hua-Jun
Published: August 2020

We present a room temperature nonlinear mass sensing based on a hybrid spin-nanoresonator system with the microwave pump–probe technique and the spin readout technique, which includes a single spin of nitrogen–vacancy (NV) center in diamond and a nanomechanical cantilever. The resonance frequency of the nanoresonator can be measured with the nolinear Kerr spectrum, and the parameters that influence the nolinear Kerr spectrum are also investigated. Further, according to the relationship between frequency shifts and variable mass attached on the nanoresonator, this system can also be used to detect the mass of DNA molecules with the nolinear Kerr spectrum. Benefiting from the single spin of the NV center in diamond has a long coherence time at 300 K, the hybrid system can realize room temperature mass sensor, and the mass response rate can reach 2600 zg/Hz.
Optical properties of several ternary nanostructures*
Authors: Tang Xiao-Long , Cheng Xin-Lu , Cao Hua-Liang , Zeng Hua-Dong
Published: August 2020

To investigate the optical properties of the ternary nanostructures, the nanodisk, core–shell, and three-sphere structures are constructed. The extinction coefficients and electric near-field distributions of these structures are calculated by the discrete dipole approximation (DDA) method. The result shows that the nanodisk structure has the best extinction efficiency in the three structures. Furthermore, several three-material combinations of the nanodisk structures are investigated. The ternary nanodisk structure composed of TiO2 and two noble metals (Au, Ag or Pt) has higher extinction coefficient and near-field intensity than the nanodisk consisting of Au, TiO2 and a semiconductor (PbSe, Ge, MoS2, CdSe, CdS or TiO2). Especially, TiO2/Ag/Pt has the best extinction efficiency and the max electric near-field intensity. And the extinction spectra of TiO2/Ag/Pt and TiO2/Ag/Au structures are complementary in the visible range. This work conduces to the further research into ternary nanostructure and provides essential information about its performance in visible range.
Recent progress in multiple chiral doublet bands *
Authors: Wang Shou-Yu
Published: August 2020

Recent progress regarding multiple chiral doublet bands (

) is reviewed from the experimental and theoretical perspectives. In particular, the experimental findings, theoretical predictions, selection rule for electromagnetic transitions,

with octupole correlations, and some related topics are highlighted. Based on these discussions, it is of great scientific interest to search for the other

, as well as possible chiral wobblers, chirality-parity quartet bands, and chirality-pseudospin triplet (or quartet) bands in the nuclear system.
Stand age and climate influence forest ecosystem service delivery and multifunctionality
Authors: Jonsson Micael , Bengtsson Jan , Moen Jon , Gamfeldt Lars , Snäll Tord
Published: August 2020

We examine how levels of multiple ecosystem services (ESs) change with succession in forests with different tree species composition. More specifically we ask how ecosystem age interacts with environmental conditions to regulate ES delivery. Using the nationwide Swedish forest inventory, comprising boreal and temperate regions, we investigated how levels of six provisioning, regulating, recreational, and/or cultural forest ESs changed with forest age (10–185 years) in stands of different tree species composition. We also tested whether the number of ESs delivered (i.e. multifunctionality) changed substantially with stand age, using different threshold levels for ES delivery. Accounting for environmental conditions and stand properties, we found that levels of single ESs changed with stand age. Tree biomass production usually peaked in young to medium aged stands. In contrast, production of berries and game, and services related to biodiversity, were typically highest in old stands (120–185 years). Consistent with this strong temporal tradeoff, multifunctionality at lower threshold levels increased with stand age in most monocultures and mixtures, with the highest multifunctionality being reached somewhere between 100 and 185 years, depending on tree species composition. This was not evident for the highest threshold ES level (the top-20%), however. Moreover, multifunctionality usually decreased with warmer climatic conditions, with the exception of spruce–pine–birch mixtures. Taken together, our results show that a reduced forest age, e.g. due to forestry targeting early harvest of stands, most likely would limit the delivery of several ESs valued by society and result in less multifunctional forests. To maintain the capacity of forests to deliver high levels of multiple ESs, the role of stand age and tree species composition should be considered in decisions on how to manage future forests.
The arctic in the Russian socio-humanitarian discourse of the XXI century and political geography
Authors: Aladyshkin I V , Odinokaya M A , Rubtsova A V , Bocharov A A
Published: August 2020

The article analyzes the transformation of the Russian socio-humanitarian discourse of the Arctic in the last two decades in connection with the political course of the Russian Federation. The article considers the reasons and grounds for the demand for Arctic issues among Russian humanitarians, as well as changes in the image of the Russian North itself. Based on a combination of principles and methods of historiographical research and discourse analysis, the paper highlights key discursive strategies and categories, themes and subjects of scientific events and publications dedicated to the Arctic. The main problem points of the Arctic problem are highlighted and the dynamics of research priorities over the past two decades in the context of Russia’s political geography is traced. The author concludes that the Russian socio-humanitarian discourse considers the Arctic region based on a number of highly popular themes and motives that are set by the authorities and are key components of the narrative and symbolic complex of the Russian Arctic. It is argued that the observed growth of interest in the region is largely artificial, and the latest socio-humanitarian historiography of the Arctic is determined primarily by the official position of the state, which affects the overall level of research.
The study of the North of Russia by the scientific community of the late 19th – early 20th century
Authors: Brovina A A
Published: August 2020

The article presents the history of scientific research in the North of Russia. The scientific community regarded the European North of Russia as an important strategic and economically promising region. The researchers concerned about the problems of economic development of natural resources of the Northб have focused their attention on the European North of Russia since the 18th century. The article considers the period of the formation of scientific research and the early stage of development of scientific research in the North. It is shown that description and exploration of the territories rich in natural resources contributed to the development of both fundamental geological and geophysical research and the development of applied research trends that assisted the substantiation of the industrial prospects of the northern territories. However, the extremely unfavorable transport conditions of the northern territories interfered with the use of the identified natural resources. This territory had stayed poorly studied until the 20th century. It has been determined that the continuation of scientific research became one of the important aspects of public policy in the North. The results of scientific research were necessary both for the development of transport and for making strategic decisions, as well as for general economic growth and the study of the natural opportunities for the development of the northern economy. The activities of the scientific community became a determining factor in the subsequent industrial development of the northern territories.