bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emission from HCN and CH3OH in comets
Authors: Bergman P. , Lerner M. S. , Olofsson A. O. H. , Wirström E. , Black J. H. , Bjerkeli P. , Parra R. , Torstensson K.
Published: February 2022

Aims. The aim of this work is to characterise HCN and CH3OH emission from recent comets.

Methods. We used the Onsala 20-m telescope to search for millimetre transitions of HCN towards a sample of 11 recent and mostly bright comets in the period from December 2016 to November 2019. Also, CH3OH was searched for in two comets. The HCN sample includes the interstellar comet 2I/Borisov. For the short-period comet 46P/Wirtanen, we were able to monitor the variation of HCN emission over a time-span of about one month. We performed radiative transfer modelling for the observed molecular emission by also including time-dependent effects due to the outgassing of molecules.

Results. HCN was detected in six comets. Two of these are short-period comets and four are long-period. Six methanol transitions were detected in 46P/Wirtanen, enabling us to determine the gas kinetic temperature. From the observations, we determined the molecular production rates using time-dependent radiative transfer modelling. For five comets, we were able to determine that the HCN mixing ratios lie near 0.1% using contemporary water production rates, ${Q_{{{\rm{H}}_2}{\rm{O}}}}$, taken from other studies. This HCN mixing ratio was also found to be typical in our monitoring observations of 46P/Wirtanen but here we notice deviations of up to 0.2% on a daily timescale which could indicate short-time changes in outgassing activity. From our radiative transfer modelling of cometary comae, we find that time-dependent effects on the HCN level populations are of the order of 5–15% when ${Q_{{{\rm{H}}_2}{\rm{O}}}}$ is around 2 × 1028 mol s−1. The effects may be stronger for comets with lower ${Q_{{{\rm{H}}_2}{\rm{O}}}}$. The exact details of the time-dependent effects depend on the amount of neutral and electron collisions, radiative pumping, and molecular parameters such as the spontaneous rate coefficient.
The LOFAR view of giant, early-type galaxies: Radio emission from active nuclei and star formation
Authors: Capetti A. , Brienza M. , Balmaverde B. , Best P. N. , Baldi R. D. , Drabent A. , Gürkan G. , Rottgering H. J. A. , Tasse C. , Webster B.
Published: February 2022

We studied the properties and the origin of the radio emission in the most luminous, early-type galaxies (ETGs) in the nearby Universe (MK ≤ −25, recession velocity ≤7500 km s−1), as seen by the 150 MHz Low-Frequency ARray (LOFAR) observations. LOFAR images are available for 188 of these giant ETGs (gETGs), and 146 (78%) of them are detected above a typical luminosity of ∼1021 W Hz−1. They show a large spread in power, reaching up to ∼1026 W Hz−1. We confirm a positive link between the stellar luminosity of gETGs and their median radio power, the detection rate, and the fraction of extended sources. About two-thirds (91) of the detected gETGs are unresolved, with sizes ≲4 kpc, confirming the prevalence of compact radio sources in local sources. Forty-six gETGs show extended emission on scales ranging from 4 to 340 kpc, at least 80% of which have a FR I class morphology. Based on the morphology and spectral index of the extended sources, ∼30% of them might be remnant or restarted sources, but further studies are needed to confirm this. Optical spectroscopy (available for 44 gETGs) indicates that for seven gETGs the nuclear gas is ionized by young stars suggesting a contribution to their radio emission from star forming regions. Their radio luminosities correspond to a star formation rate (SFR) in the range 0.1−8 M⊙ yr−1 and a median specific SFR of 0.8 × 10−12 yr−1. The gas flowing toward the center of gETGs can accrete onto the supermassive black hole but also stall at larger radii and form new stars, an indication that feedback does not completely quench star formation. The most luminous gETGs (25 galaxies with MK < −25.8) are all detected at 150 MHz; however, they are not all currently turned on: at least four of them are remnant sources and at least one is likely powered by star formation.
Indirect effects among biodiversity loss of mutualistic ecosystems
Authors: Wang Guangwei , Liu Xueming , Chen Guanrong , Zhang Hai-Tao
Published: February 2022

Drastic reduction in biodiversity has been a severe threat to ecosystems, which is exacerbated when losing few species leads to disastrous and even irreparable consequences. Therefore, revealing the mechanism underlining biodiversity loss is of uttermost importance. In this study, we show that abundant indirect interactions among mutualistic ecosystems are critical in determining species' status. Combining topological and ecological characteristics, we propose an indicator derived from a dynamic model to identify keystone species and quantify their influence, which outperforms widely-used indicators like degree in realistic and simulated networks. Furthermore, we demonstrate that networks with high modularity, heterogeneity, biodiversity, and less intimate interactions tend to have larger indirect effects, which are more amenable in predicting decline of biodiversity with the proposed indicator. These findings shed some light onto the influence of apposite biodiversities, paving the way from complex network theory to ecosystem protection and restoration.
Deep learning and colon capsule endoscopy: automatic detection of blood and colonic mucosal lesions using a convolutional neural network
Authors: Mascarenhas Miguel , Ribeiro Tiago , Afonso João , Ferreira João P.S. , Cardoso Hélder , Andrade Patrícia , Parente Marco P.L. , Jorge Renato N. , Mascarenhas Saraiva Miguel , Macedo Guilherme
Published: February 2022

Background and study aims Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is a minimally invasive alternative to conventional colonoscopy. However, CCE produces long videos, making its analysis time-consuming and prone to errors. Convolutional neural networks (CNN) are artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms with high performance levels in image analysis. We aimed to develop a deep learning model for automatic identification and differentiation of significant colonic mucosal lesions and blood in CCE images.

Patients and methods A retrospective multicenter study including 124 CCE examinations was conducted for development of a CNN model, using a database of CCE images including anonymized images of patients with normal colon mucosa, several mucosal lesions (erosions, ulcers, vascular lesions and protruding lesions) and luminal blood. For CNN development, 9005 images (3,075 normal mucosa, 3,115 blood and 2,815 mucosal lesions) were ultimately extracted. Two image datasets were created and used for CNN training and validation.

Results The mean (standard deviation) sensitivity and specificity of the CNN were 96.3 % (3.9 %) and 98.2 % (1.8 %) Mucosal lesions were detected with a sensitivity of 92.0 % and a specificity of 98.5 %. Blood was detected with a sensitivity and specificity of 97.2 % and 99.9 %, respectively. The algorithm was 99.2 % sensitive and 99.6 % specific in distinguishing blood from mucosal lesions. The CNN processed 65 frames per second.

Conclusions This is the first CNN-based algorithm to accurately detect and distinguish colonic mucosal lesions and luminal blood in CCE images. AI may improve diagnostic and time efficiency of CCE exams, thus facilitating CCE adoption to routine clinical practice.
Auto-Antikörper-Diagnostik in der Diabetologie – Aktueller Stand der Analytik und klinische Anwendung in Deutschland
Authors: Thaler Markus , Roos Marcel , Petersmann Astrid , Seissler Jochen , Peter Andreas , Landgraf Rüdiger , Müller Ulrich A. , Müller-Wieland Dirk , Nauck Matthias , Heinemann Lutz , Schleicher Erwin , Luppa Peter
Published: February 2022

Die Messung von spezifischen Autoantikörpern gegen beta-Zellproteine (beta-AAK) hat in den letzten Jahren das diagnostische Repertoire in der Diabetologie erweitert. Das Vorliegen von beta-AAK kann als erstes Stadium in der Entwicklung eines Typ-1-Diabetes mellitus (DM) gewertet werden, ohne dass Symptome bzw. metabolische Veränderungen vorliegen. Da sich diese oft Jahre vor der klinischen Manifestation in Personen mit hohem Erkrankungsrisiko nachweisen lassen, stellen sie wichtige prädiktive und frühdiagnostische Marker dar. Weiterhin kann die Bestimmung von beta-AAK zur Unterscheidung von Patienten mit einem Typ-1-DM auf der einen und Typ-2-DM und Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) auf der anderen Seite indiziert sein. Auch für die Differenzialdiagnostik von Patienten mit Insulinmangel aufgrund einer autoimmunen Betazelldestruktion und von Patienten mit klinisch sehr ähnlichem „severe-insulin-deficient“-Diabetes, die aber beide eine unterschiedliche Prognose haben, ist die Antikörperdiagnostik zielführend. Die Abschätzung des Risikos für die Entwicklung eines Typ-1-DM bei Patienten, die an autoimmunen Endokrinopathien leiden, stellt einen weiteren Einsatzbereich für beta-AAK dar.

Analytisch sind die beta-AAK mit recht unterschiedlichen Methoden messbar; häufig aber weichen die erhaltenen Messergebnisse bei verschiedenen Testmethoden beträchtlich voneinander ab. Es müssen daher eigene Cut-off Werte vom beauftragten Labor definiert werden, um die erhaltenen Ergebnisse klinisch interpretieren zu können. Zur besseren Vergleichbarkeit der Messergebnisse gibt es derzeit international abgestimmte Harmonisierungsbestrebungen. Für teilnehmende Laboratorien angebotene Ringversuche für die Bestimmungen der Autoantikörper gegen Insulin (IAA), Insulinoma-Antigen 2 (IA-2), Zink Transporter-8 (ZnT8) und Glutamatdecarboxylase (GAD65) können die analytische Qualität ebenfalls verbessern.
Automated Forced-Choice Tests of Speech Recognition
Authors: Margolis Robert H. , Wilson Richard H. , Saly George L. , Gregoire Heather M. , Madsen Brandon M.
Published: February 2022

Abstract Purpose This project was undertaken to develop automated tests of speech recognition, including speech-recognition threshold (SRT) and word-recognition test, using forced-choice responses and computerized scoring of responses. Specific aims were (1)
to develop an automated method for measuring SRT for spondaic words that produces scores that are in close agreement with average pure-tone thresholds and (2) to develop an automated test of word recognition that distinguishes listeners with normal hearing from those with sensorineural hearing
loss and which informs the hearing aid evaluation process. Method An automated SRT protocol was designed to converge on the lowest level at which the listener responds correctly to two out of two spondees presented monaurally. A word-recognition test was conducted with monosyllabic
words (female speaker) presented monaurally at a fixed level. For each word, there were three rhyming foils, displayed on a touchscreen with the test word. The listeners touched the word they thought they heard. Participants were young listeners with normal hearing and listeners with sensorineural
hearing loss. Words were also presented with nonrhyming foils and in an open-set paradigm. The open-set responses were scored by a graduate student research assistant. Results The SRT results agreed closely with the pure-tone average (PTA) obtained by automated audiometry.
The agreement was similar to results obtained with the conventional SRT scoring method. Word-recognition scores were highest for the closed-set, nonrhyming lists and lowest for open-set responses. For the hearing loss participants, the scores varied widely. There was a moderate correlation
between word-recognition scores and pure-tone thresholds which increased as more high frequencies were brought into the PTA. Based on the findings of this study, a clinical protocol was designed that determines if a listener's performance was in the normal range and if the listener benefited
from increasing the level of the stimuli. Conclusion SRTs obtained using the automated procedure are comparable to the results obtained by the conventional clinical method that is in common use. The automated closed-set word-recognition test results show clear differentiation
between scores for the normal and hearing loss groups. These procedures provide clinical test results that are not dependent on the availability of an audiologist to perform the tests.
Effects of Stimulus Polarity on Amplitude-Modulated Cervical Vestibular-Evoked Myogenic Potentials
Authors: Clinard Christopher G. , Lawlor Kerri J. , Piker Erin G.
Published: February 2022

Abstract Background Traditional approaches to cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials use a transient stimulus to elicit an onset response. However, alternate approaches with long duration stimuli may allow the development of new methodologies to better
understand basic function of the vestibular system, as well as potentially developing new clinical applications. Purpose The objective of this study was to examine the effects of stimulus polarity on response properties of amplitude-modulated cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic
potentials (AMcVEMPs). Research Design Prospective, repeated-measures, within-subjects design. Study Sample Participants were 16 young, healthy adults (ages 21‐38 years). Data Collection and Analysis Amplitude-modulated tones, with carrier
frequency of 500 Hz and modulation frequency of 37 Hz, were used to elicit AMcVEMPs. Responses were analyzed in three different stimulus polarity conditions: condensation, rarefaction, and alternating. The resulting data were analyzed for differences across polarity conditions.
Results AMcVEMP amplitudes, both raw and corrected for tonic muscle activation, were equivalent across the different stimulus phase conditions. In addition, response signal-to-noise ratio and phase coherence were equivalent across the different phases of the stimulus. Conclusion Analyses
of AMcVEMPs are stable when the carrier frequency starting phase is altered and the phase of the temporal envelope is constant.
Effect of Surgical Treatment for Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis on Pelvic Floor Disorders: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis
Authors: Fraga Mirian Vieira , Benetti-Pinto Cristina Laguna , Yela Daniela Angerame , Mira Ticiana Alves de , Brito Luiz Gustavo Oliveira
Published: February 2022

Objectives To evaluate the impact of surgical treatment of deep infiltrative endometriosis (DIE) on pelvic floor dysfunction (urinary incontinence [UI], pelvic organ prolapse [POP], fecal incontinence [FI)] or constipation, and sexual function [dyspareunia]).

Data Source The present systematic review was performed in the PubMed database. For the selection of studies, articles should be published by January 5, 2021, without language restriction.

Study Selection Six randomized controlled studies that evaluated surgical treatment for DIE and the comparison of different surgical techniques were included.

Data Collection The studies were selected independently by title and abstract by two authors. Disagreements were resolved by a third author. All included studies were also evaluated according to the Cochrane risk of bias tool and the quality of the evidence was analyzed using the GRADE criteria. Subgroup analysis by different treatments and follow-up periods was also performed.

Results Six studies were included in the quantitative analysis. The risk of bias between studies showed an uncertain risk of bias for most studies, with concealment of allocation being the least reported category. The quality of the evidence was considered low. High heterogeneity was found between the studies. No study has evaluated UI or POP comparatively before and after surgery.

Conclusion Dyspareunia and FI have improved after the surgical procedure, but it was not possible to demonstrate which surgical technique was related to these outcomes as there was surgical heterogeneity. This diversity was found across data, with the recommendation of future prospective studies addressing pelvic floor disorders with DIE.
The Role of High Concentrations of Homocysteine for the Development of Fetal Growth Restriction
Authors: Gaiday Andrey , Balash Lazzat , Tussupkaliyev Akylbek
Published: February 2022

Objective To assess homocysteine (Hcy) levels in the three trimesters of pregnancy in women with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and to evaluate the role of Hcy as a possible predictor of FGR.

Methods A total of 315 singleton pregnant women were included in the present prospective cohort study and were monitored since the 1st trimester of pregnancy before delivery. Newborns were monitored for the first 7 days of life. Patients who had risk factors for FGR were excluded. Fetal growth restriction was defined according to uterine fundal height (< 10 percentile), ultrasound fetometry (< 5 percentile), and anthropometry of newborns (< 5 percentile). The concentrations of Hcy were detected at between 10 and 14, between 20 and 24, and between 30 and 34 weeks of pregnancy by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve test and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were performed to evaluate the results of ELISA.

Results The concentration of Hcy in patients with FGR was 19.65 umol/L at between 10 and 14 weeks, compared with 9.28 umol/L in patients with normal fetal growth (p < 0.0001). The optimal cut-off level for Hcy in the 1st trimester of pregnancy was > 13.9 umol/L with AUC 0.788, sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 83.6%, and DOR of 15.2.

Conclusion Assessment of serum Hcy concentration may be used as a predictor of FGR, with the highest diagnostic utility in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.
People underestimate the probability of contracting the coronavirus from friends
Authors: Schlager Tobias , Whillans Ashley V.
Published: February 2022

This article reveals a social perception that may contribute to the spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Across five studies—including two large-scale samples of Americans and Canadians (N = 3395)—we show that people consistently underestimate the risk of contracting the coronavirus from close others (i.e., friends) compared to other groups (e.g., colleagues or strangers). We show that informing people of their (unconscious) preference to believe that friends are less of a threat than strangers can effectively attenuate this tendency. Together, these results provide evidence that people’s beliefs about the probability of contracting the coronavirus from their friends are lower than from strangers, which can affect their physical distancing intentions.
Atomic layer deposition of metal phosphates
Authors: Henderick Lowie , Dhara Arpan , Werbrouck Andreas , Dendooven Jolien , Detavernier Christophe
Published: February 2022

Because of their unique structural, chemical, optical, and biological properties, metal phosphate coatings are highly versatile for various applications. Thermodynamically facile and favorable functionalization of phosphate moieties (like orthophosphates, metaphosphates, pyrophosphates, and phosphorus-doped oxides) makes them highly sought-after functional materials as well. Being a sequential self-limiting technique, atomic layer deposition has been used for producing high-quality conformal coatings with sub-nanometer control. In this review, different atomic layer deposition-based strategies used for the deposition of phosphate materials are discussed. The mechanisms underlying those strategies are discussed, highlighting advantages and limitations of specific process chemistries. In a second part, the application of metal phosphates deposited through atomic layer deposition in energy storage and other emerging technologies such as electrocatalysis, biomedical, or luminescence applications are summarized. Next to this, perspectives on untangled knowledge gaps and opportunities for future research are also emphasized.
Influence of temporal variations in plasma conditions on the electric potential near self-organized dust chains
Authors: Vermillion Katrina , Sanford Dustin , Matthews Lorin , Hartmann Peter , Rosenberg Marlene , Kostadinova Evdokiya , Carmona-Reyes Jorge , Hyde Truell , Lipaev Andrey M. , Usachev Alexandr D. , Zobnin Andrey V. , Petrov Oleg F. , Thoma Markus H. , Pustylnik Mikhail Y. , Thomas Hubertus M. , Ovchinin Alexey
Published: February 2022

Self-organization of dust grains into stable filamentary dust structures (or “chains”) largely depends on dynamic interactions between individual charged dust grains and complex electric potential arising from the distribution of charges within a local plasma environment. Recent studies have shown that the positive column of the gas discharge plasma in the Plasmakristall-4 (PK-4) experiment at the International Space Station supports the presence of fast-moving ionization waves, which lead to variations of plasma parameters by up to an order of magnitude from the average background values. The highly variable environment resulting from ionization waves may have interesting implications for the dynamics and self-organization of dust particles, particularly concerning the formation and stability of dust chains. Here, we investigate the electric potential surrounding dust chains in the PK-4 experiment by employing a molecular dynamics model of the dust and ions with boundary conditions supplied by a particle-in-cell with Monte Carlo collision simulation of the ionization waves. The model is used to examine the effects of the plasma conditions within different regions of the ionization wave and compare the resulting dust structure to that obtained by employing the time-averaged plasma conditions. The comparison between simulated dust chains and experimental data from the PK-4 experiment shows that the time-averaged plasma conditions do not accurately reproduce observed results for dust behavior, indicating that more careful treatment of plasma conditions in the presence of ionization waves is required. It is further shown that commonly used analytic forms of the electric potential do not accurately describe the electric potential near charged dust grains under these plasma conditions.
Hybrid approach to accurate modeling of coupled vibrational-chemical kinetics in carbon dioxide
Authors: Kosareva A. , Kunova O. , Kustova E. , Nagnibeda E.
Published: February 2022

In the present study, a new hybrid approach is proposed to modeling coupled vibrational and chemical kinetics in carbon dioxide (CO2) and products of its decomposition. The study develops and completes our previous work carried out for a single-component CO2 gas. The model is based on self-consistent implementation of state-to-state chemical and energy production rates into the equations of multi-temperature CO2 kinetics. It distinguishes vibrational temperatures of all CO2 modes and diatomic species and thus takes into account multiple relaxation mechanisms including intra-mode, inter-mode, and inter-molecular energy transitions as well as state-specific dissociation and exchange reactions. Other advantages of the proposed full multi-temperature approach are the possibility of capturing strong non-equilibrium effects in a flow, straightforward implementation of the chemical-vibrational coupling terms, easy update for new models of state-specific reaction rates. Comparisons with the results obtained in the frame of a detailed but numerically demanding state-to-state approach for the problem of spatially homogeneous relaxation showed good accuracy of the new model under the wide range of initial conditions; at the same time, traditional multi-temperature approaches failed to provide accurate predictions of non-equilibrium flow parameters under arbitrary deviations from equilibrium. Effects of chemical reaction models and selective mode excitation are assessed. The numerical efficiency of the developed model is found acceptable compared to that of the state-to-state approach.
Microscopic EDL structures and charge–potential relation on stepped platinum surface: Insights from the ab initio molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Li Peng , Liu Yuwen , Chen Shengli
Published: February 2022

The microstructural features and charge–potential relation of an electric double layer (EDL) at a stepped Pt(553)/water interface are investigated using ab initio molecular dynamics simulation. The results indicate that the chemisorbed O-down water molecules gather at the (110) step sites, while the (111) terrace sites are covered by the H-down water molecules, which greatly weakens the push-back effect of interface water on the spillover electrons of the stepped surface and, therefore, results in a much more positive potential of zero charge (PZC) than the extended low-index Pt surfaces. It is further revealed that around the PZC, the change in the surface charge density is dominated by the change in the coverage of chemisorbed water molecules, while EDL charging is the main cause of the change in the surface charge density at potential away from the PZC, thus leading to an S-shaped charge–potential relation and a maximum interface capacitance around PZC. Our results make up for the current lack of the atomic-scale understanding of the EDL microstructures and charge–potential relation on the real electrode surfaces with plentiful step and defect sites.
Origin of ductility in amorphous Ag2S0.4Te0.6
Authors: Li Zhili , Zhang Jiye , Lin Chen , Fu Qingqiao , Luo Jun
Published: February 2022

Amorphous Ag2S0.4Te0.6 shows outstanding ductility and promising thermoelectric properties at room temperature [He et al., Sci. Adv. 6, eaaz8423 (2020)], while the origin of its exceptional ductility is still not very clear. Here, we systematically investigate the temperature-dependent structure and thermodynamic behavior of the Ag2SxTe1−x (x = 0–1.0) system by means of in situ x-ray powder diffraction and dynamic thermodynamic analysis, respectively. Our experimental results reveal that the degree of crystallization in Ag2SxTe1−x varies continuously with the ratio of S and Te. The Ag2S0.4Te0.6 sample is composed of two amorphous phases, i.e., the S-rich and Te-rich Ag2(S,Te) glasses. The S-rich Ag2(S,Te) amorphous phase with the atomic ratio about Ag:S:Te = 66:21:13 is identified as the ductile phase, which is the origin of ductility in the Ag2S0.4Te0.6 sample. The Ag2S-based glass in the supercooled liquid state at room temperature behaves like a Newtonian fluid at low strain rates, leading to the excellent ductility of Ag2S0.4Te0.6. Our work demonstrates the great potential to design and realize flexible inorganic functional materials through amorphization.
Annealing synchronizes the 70
S
ribosome into a minimum-energy conformation
Authors: Chu Xiaofeng , Su Xin , Liu Mingdong , Li Li , Li Tianhao , Qin Yicheng , Lu Guoliang , Qi Lei , Liu Yunhui , Lin Jinzhong , Shen Qing-Tao
Published: February 2022

Significance

In metallurgy, annealing heats a metal or alloy to a predetermined temperature, holds this temperature for a certain time, and then decreases the metal to room temperature to change the physical and sometimes also the chemical properties of the material. Researchers introduce a similar concept to simulated annealing to predict minimum-energy conformations of biological macromolecules. In this work, we experimentally verify that annealing at a fast cooling rate can synchronize the 70
S
ribosome into a nonrotated state with minimum energy in our free-energy landscape analysis. Our results not only offer a facile yet robust approach to stabilizing proteins for high-resolution structural analysis but also contribute to understanding of protein folding and temperature adaptation.
Use of Deep Learning in Forensic Sex Estimation of Virtual Pelvic Models from the Han Population
Authors: Cao Yongjie , Ma Yonggang , Yang Xiaotong , Xiong Jian , Wang Yahui , Zhang Jianhua , Qin Zhiqiang , Chen Yijiu , Vieira Duarte Nuno , Chen Feng , Zhang Ji , Huang Ping
Published: February 2022

Accurate sex estimation is crucial to determine the identity of human skeletal remains effectively. Here, we developed convolutional neural network (CNN) models for sex estimation on virtual hemi-pelvic regions, including the ventral pubis (VP), dorsal pubis (DP), greater sciatic notch (GSN), pelvic inlet (PI), ischium, and acetabulum from the Han population and compared these models with two experienced forensic anthropologists using morphological methods. A Computed Tomography (CT) dataset of 862 individuals was divided into the subgroups of training, validation, and testing, respectively. The CT-based virtual hemi-pelvises from the training and validation groups were used to calibrate sex estimation models; and then a testing dataset was used to evaluate the performance of the trained models and two human experts on the sex estimation of specific pelvic regions in terms of overall accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, F1 score, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Except for the ischium and acetabulum, the CNN models trained with the VP, DP, GSN, and PI images achieved excellent results with all the prediction metrics over 0.9. All accuracies were superior to those of the two forensic anthropologists in the independent testing. Notably, the heatmap results confirmed that the trained CNN models were focused on traditional sexual anatomic traits for sex classification. This study demonstrates the potential of AI techniques based on the radiological dataset in sex estimation of virtual pelvic models. The excellent sex estimation performance obtained by the CNN models indicates that this method is valuable to proceed with in prospective forensic trials. Key PointsDeep learning can be a promising alternative for sex estimation based on the pelvis in forensic anthropology.The deep learning convolutional neural network models outperformed two forensic anthropologists using classical morphological methods.The heatmaps indicated that the most known sex-related anatomic traits contributed to correct sex determination.
A semiclassical singularity theorem
Authors: Fewster Christopher J , Kontou Eleni-Alexandra
Published: February 2022

Quantum fields do not satisfy the pointwise energy conditions that are assumed in the original singularity theorems of Penrose and Hawking. Accordingly, semiclassical quantum gravity lies outside their scope. Although a number of singularity theorems have been derived under weakened energy conditions, none is directly derived from quantum field theory. Here, we employ a quantum energy inequality satisfied by the quantized minimally coupled linear scalar field to derive a singularity theorem valid in semiclassical gravity. By considering a toy cosmological model, we show that our result predicts timelike geodesic incompleteness on plausible timescales with reasonable conditions at a spacelike Cauchy surface.
Anomalies of cosmic anisotropy from holographic universality of great-circle variance
Authors: Selub Nathaniel , Wehlen Frederick , Hogan Craig , Meyer Stephan S
Published: February 2022

We examine all-sky cosmic microwave background temperature maps on large angular scales to compare their consistency with two scenarios: the standard inflationary quantum picture, and a distribution constrained to have a universal variance of primordial curvature perturbations on great circles. The latter symmetry is not a property of standard quantum inflation, but may be a symmetry of holographic models with causal quantum coherence on null surfaces. Since the variation of great-circle variance is dominated by the largest angular scale modes, in the latter case the amplitude and direction of the unobserved intrinsic dipole (that is, the ℓ = 1 harmonics) can be estimated from measured ℓ = 2, 3 harmonics by minimizing the variance of great-circle variances including only ℓ = 1, 2, 3 modes. It is found that including the estimated intrinsic dipole leads to a nearly-null angular correlation function over a wide range of angles, in agreement with a null anti-hemispherical symmetry independently motivated by holographic causal arguments, but highly anomalous in standard cosmology. Simulations are used here to show that simultaneously imposing the constraints of universal great-circle variance and the vanishing of the angular correlation function over a wide range of angles tends to require patterns that are unusual in the standard picture, such as anomalously high sectorality of the ℓ = 3 components, and a close alignment of principal axes of ℓ = 2 and ℓ = 3 components, that have been previously noted on the actual sky. The precision of these results appears to be primarily limited by errors introduced by models of Galactic foregrounds.
Analysing the pressure effect on the contact resistance of electrical connections
Authors: Riba Jordi-Roger , Bas-Calopa Pau
Published: February 2022

We propose an experiment intended for undergraduate laboratories, with the aim to introduce different novelties as a subject for a practical session or students project. We deal with the different components of the resistance in an electrical connection, with special focus on the contact resistance and its dependence with the applied mechanical load or pressure at the interface, since for a fixed geometry and connection materials, the contact pressure has a leading role on the final value of the resistance. The topics analysed are suitable for students with intermediate knowledge of physics. The dependence of the electrical resistance of two metallic rough surfaces with the applied pressure is studied and measured in the laboratory, and the weight of their different components is determined from calculations, simulations and measurements. The pressure dependence of aluminium and copper contacts have been analysed, since they are the most commonly used materials in electrical connections.
How to administer an antidote to Schrödinger’s cat
Authors: Álvarez Juan-Rafael , IJspeert Mark , Barter Oliver , Yuen Ben , Barrett Thomas D , Stuart Dustin , Dilley Jerome , Holleczek Annemarie , Kuhn Axel
Published: February 2022

In his 1935 Gedankenexperiment, Erwin Schrödinger imagined a box with a cat and a poisonous substance which has a 50% probability of being released, based on the decay of a radioactive atom. As such, the life of the cat and the state of the poison become entangled, and the fate of the cat is determined upon opening the box. We present an experimental technique that keeps the cat alive on any account. This method relies on the time-resolved Hong–Ou–Mandel effect: two long, identical photons impinging on a beam splitter always bunch in either of the outputs. Interpreting the first photon detection as the state of the poison, the second photon is identified as the state of the cat. Even after the collapse of the first photon’s state, we show their fates are intertwined through quantum interference. We demonstrate this by a sudden phase change between the inputs, administered conditionally on the outcome of the first detection, which steers the second photon to a pre-defined output and ensures that the cat is always observed alive.
A direct Z-scheme MoSi2N4/BlueP vdW heterostructure for photocatalytic overall water splitting
Authors: Xuefeng Chen , Wenna Han , Minglei Jia , Fengzhu Ren , Chengxiao Peng , Qinfen Gu , Bing Wang , Huabing Yin
Published: February 2022

Building novel van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures is a feasible method to expand material properties and applications. A MoSi2N4/blue phosphorus (BlueP) heterostructure is designed and investigated as a potential photocatalytic candidate by first-principle calculations. Based on the band alignment and electron transfer, MoSi2N4/BlueP exhibits the characteristics of direct Z-scheme vdW heterostructure, which is favorable for the spatial separation of photogenerated carriers and retains a strong redox capacity. Moreover, the MoSi2N4/BlueP possesses suitable band-edge positions for overall water splitting. Compared with the light absorption of two monolayer materials, the heterostructure has a stronger light absorption from the visible to ultraviolet region. The solar to hydrogen conversion efficiency can reach 21.1% for the heterostructure, which is over three-fold and four-fold as great as that of pristine MoSi2N4 and BlueP monolayers, respectively. All the results show that the MoSi2N4/BlueP heterostructure is a promising photocatalyst for overall water splitting, and it provides new possibilities for designing high-efficiency photocatalysts.
Superconductivity in Heusler compound ScAu2Al
Authors: Bag Biplab , Loke Rajendra , Singh Birender , Thamizhavel A , Singh Bahadur , Ramakrishnan S
Published: February 2022

We report superconducting state properties and electronic structure of a full Heusler material ScAu2Al. The resistivity measurement indicates a zero-field (at nominal Earth’s field) superconducting transition temperature, T

c
= 5.12 K (in contrary to the previously reported value of 4.4 K), which falls in the highest T

c
-regime among the Heusler superconductors. The magnetization data shows that ScAu2Al is a moderate type-II superconductor, where the critical field values can be estimated from the Ginzburg–Landau–Abrikosov–Gorkov theory. The field-dependent magnetization response further shows signatures of flux jump in ScAu2Al. A sharp jump in the temperature dependent specific heat (C

p
) data confirms bulk superconductivity. We report that the electron–phonon coupling constant, λ
e–ph = 0.77, suggesting a moderate electron–phonon coupling in ScAu2Al. Further, we show that the observed λ
e–ph value in ScAu2Al is the highest amongst the reported Heusler superconductors, indicating strong correlation between T

c
and λ
e–ph values and significant role of electron–phonon coupling in mediating superconductivity in Heusler superconductors. Finally, we discuss the electronic properties and reveal the existence of van Hove singularity near the Fermi level in ScAu2Al.
Meta-optimization for fully automated radiation therapy treatment planning
Authors: Huang Charles , Nomura Yusuke , Yang Yong , Xing Lei
Published: February 2022

Objective. Radiation therapy treatment planning is a time-consuming process involving iterative adjustments of hyperparameters. To automate the treatment planning process, we propose a meta-optimization framework, called MetaPlanner (MP). Approach. Our MP algorithm automates planning by performing meta-optimization of treatment planning hyperparameters. The algorithm uses a derivative-free method (i.e. parallel Nelder–Mead simplex search) to search for weight configurations that minimize a meta-scoring function. Meta-scoring is performed by constructing a tier list of the relevant considerations (e.g. dose homogeneity, conformity, spillage, and OAR sparing) to mimic the clinical decision-making process. Additionally, we have made our source code publicly available via github. Main results. The proposed MP method is evaluated on two datasets (21 prostate cases and 6 head and neck cases) collected as part of clinical workflow. MP is applied to both IMRT and VMAT planning and compared to a baseline of manual VMAT plans. MP in both IMRT and VMAT scenarios has comparable or better performance than manual VMAT planning for all evaluated metrics. Significance. Our proposed MP provides a general framework for fully automated treatment planning that produces high quality treatment plans. Our MP method promises to substantially reduce the workload of treatment planners while maintaining or improving plan quality.
Implementation of a thin, flat water target capable of high-repetition-rate MeV-range proton acceleration in a high-power laser at the CLPU
Authors: Puyuelo-Valdes P , de Luis D , Hernandez J , Apiñaniz J I , Curcio A , Henares J L , Huault M , Pérez-Hernández J A , Roso L , Gatti G , Volpe L
Published: February 2022

Fluid targets are attractive for laser-driven ion acceleration at high-repetition-rate laser facilities. In particular, liquid targets have several interesting features since they can regenerate in situ and are debris-free (or little) and operate at a high repetition rate. Here, we report high-repetition-rate MeV-range proton acceleration by the interaction of the VEGA-2 laser system with a micrometer-thick water sheet target in a high vacuum (10−4 mbar) environment. The water target was running continuously at this pressure for 4 h and more than 1000 shots were performed. Two different water thicknesses were studied, and we measured a continuous proton distribution with energies up to 3.5 MeV. Experimental results are compared with the literature and existing scaling laws.
Review of recent developments in ultra-high field (UHF) NMR magnets in the Asia region
Authors: Yanagisawa Y , Hamada M , Hashi K , Maeda H
Published: February 2022

This paper reviews recent developments in ultra-high field (UHF) superconducting magnets for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in the Asia regionin particular, those for high-resolution NMR magnets using high-temperature superconductor (HTS) coils. In Japan, a power supply driven-mode 1.02 GHz (24.0 T) NMR magnet using a Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10-δ
(Bi-2223) inner coil was developed in 2015, providing the first high-resolution NMR at a 1H NMR frequency of >1 GHz (23.5 T). In late 2017, a new project was started to develop a persistent-mode 1.3 GHz (30.5 T) NMR magnet comprising a RE(rare earth)Ba2Cu3O7-δ
(REBCO) inner coil, a Bi-2223 middle coil, and a low-temperature superconductor (LTS) outer coil. The magnet employs the newly developed state-of-the-art superconducting joints between HTSs necessary for the persistent-mode operation, as well as magnet technologies providing an ultra-high magnetic field of >30.5 T with high temporal stability and spatiality homogeneity for high-resolution NMR measurement. In China, a ∼20 mm cold bored magnet comprising an LTS outer coil and no-insulation (NI) REBCO inner coils was developed and recorded a field of 32.35 T, the highest magnetic field ever achieved with an all-superconducting magnet, which can be used as a small cold-bored NMR. In Korea, a liquid helium-free 400 MHz (9.39 T) all REBCO NMR magnets using NI winding was developed, which is operational. These technologies provide future perspectives for a UHF NMR magnet with key features of persistent-mode operation, an operating field of 1.4 GHz using (32.9 T)-class magnets, and the liquid helium-free operation.
Large aperture phase-coded diffractive lens for achromatic and 16° field-of-view imaging with high efficiency
Authors: Ma Gu , Zheng Peng-Lei , Hu Zheng-Wen , Ma Suo-Dong , Xu Feng , Pu Dong-Lin , Wang Qin-Hua
Published: February 2022

Diffractive lenses (DLs) can realize high-resolution imaging with light weight and compact size. Conventional DLs suffer large chromatic and off-axis aberrations, which significantly limits their practical applications. Although many achromatic methods have been proposed, most of them are used for designing small aperture DLs, which have low diffraction efficiencies. In the designing of diffractive achromatic lenses, increasing the aperture and improving the diffraction efficiency have become two of the most important design issues. Here, a novel phase-coded diffractive lens (PCDL) for achromatic imaging with a large aperture and high efficiency is proposed and demonstrated experimentally, and it also possesses wide field-of-view (FOV) imaging at the same time. The phase distribution of the conventional phase-type diffractive lens (DL) is coded with a cubic function to expand both the working bandwidth and the FOV of conventional DL. The proposed phase-type DL is fabricated by using the laser direct writing of grey-scale patterns for a PCDL of a diameter of 10 mm, a focal length of 100 mm, and a cubic phase coding parameter of 30π. Experimental results show that the working bandwidth and the FOV of the PCDL respectively reach 50 nm and 16° with over 8% focusing efficiency, which are in significant contrast to the counterparts of conventional DL and in good agreement with the theoretical predictions. This work provides a novel way for implementing the achromatic, wide FOV, and high-efficiency imaging with large aperture DL.
Anisotropic superconducting properties of FeSe0.5Te0.5 single crystals
Authors: Zhao Jia-Ming , Wang Zhi-He
Published: February 2022

We investigated the anisotropic electrical transport and magnetic properties of FeSe0.5Te0.5 single crystals grown by the self-flux method. The in-plane resistivity shows a metallic-like temperature dependence, while the out-of-plane resistivity shows a broad hump with a maximum at around 64 K. The magnetization loops for H//c-axis and H//ab-plane are also different, for example, there is a typical second peak for H//c-axis. The in-plane critical current density is larger than the out-of-plane one. The coherence length and penetration depth were estimated by the Ginzburg–Landau theory. The anisotropic parameter γ depends on the applied magnetic field and the temperature. The coupling of superconducting FeSe(Te) layers and the flux pinning mechanism relevant to anisotropy are also discussed.
Advantage of populous countries in the trends of innovation efficiency
Authors: Hu Dan-Dan , Fang Xue-Jin , Han Xiao-Pu
Published: February 2022

A flurry of studies indicates that population size has a positive effect on innovation, however, cross-country empirical evidence remains sparse. In this paper, we add to the literature by investigating the relationship between population size and innovation efficiency at the country level through constructing three relative indexes based on the datasets of patent applications and Research and Development (R&D) investment. Different from previous studies based on absolute innovation indicators, the relative indexes can reflect the core innovation efficiency of economies by excluding the impact from the difference of economic development level, with a view putting all economies into a comparable standard framework. For all of the three relative indexes, their long-term trends show significant correlations with population size, and the economy with a larger population usually has better and stable performance on the trends of innovation efficiency. In addition, we find that there is a critical population size, over which the economy would be more likely to have a spontaneous improvement on innovation efficiency. This study provides direct evidence in supporting the population size advantage on the trends of innovation efficiency at the economy level and provides new insight to understand the rapid development of innovation in a few populous countries.
A review of compact modeling for phase change memory
Authors: Ding Feilong , Peng Baokang , Li Xi , Zhang Lining , Wang Runsheng , Song Zhitang , Huang Ru
Published: February 2022

Phase change memory (PCM) attracts wide attention for the memory-centric computing and neuromorphic computing. For circuit and system designs, PCM compact models are mandatory and their status are reviewed in this work. Macro models and physics-based models have been proposed in different stages of the PCM technology developments. Compact modeling of PCM is indeed more complex than the transistor modeling due to their multi-physics nature including electrical, thermal and phase transition dynamics as well as their interactions. Realizations of the PCM operations including threshold switching, set and reset programming in these models are diverse, which also differs from the perspective of circuit simulations. For the purpose of efficient and reliable designs of the PCM technology, open issues and challenges of the compact modeling are also discussed.
First realisation of the kilogram with the METAS Kibble balance
Authors: Eichenberger A , Baumann H , Mortara A , Tommasini D , Reber D , Klingelé E , Jeanneret B , Jeckelmann B
Published: February 2022

After several years of development and continuous improvement, the Kibble balance at the Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) is now operational. Its stability and reliability allows high precision measurements to be performed under vacuum. Two measurement campaigns were conducted in 2021 with 1 kg stainless steel test masses. The result differs from the value deduced from the calibration following the dissemination process after the redefinition of the kilogram by 6 μg with a total standard uncertainty of 43 μg (k = 1). This paper presents the details of this first result with its associated uncertainty budget.