bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A NSQIP Analysis of Complications after Simultaneous Bilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Rezzadeh Kevin , Nigh Evan , Debbi Eytan , Rajaee Sean , Paiement Guy
Published: May 2023

Simultaneous bilateral total hip arthroplasty (blTHA) offers the benefit of a single episode of care with the potential for lower cumulative operative times and rehabilitation periods than staged bilateral total hip arthroplasty (stTHA). This study analyzes short-term complication rates after blTHA relative to unilateral THA (ulTHA) and projected stTHA in patients with bilateral hip osteoarthritis. We compared complications in a simultaneous blTHA group and a ulTHA group using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. ulTHA patients were propensity-matched two-to-one against blTHA patients using morbidity probability score. Thirty-day complication rates were compared. Outcomes in staged procedures (stTHA) were projected by doubling complication rates in ulTHA procedures. There were 805 blTHA patients and 1,610 ulTHA patients used to estimate stTHA outcomes. The rate of major complications or death after blTHA was no higher than the projected stTHA rate (2.0 vs 3.0%, p = 0.179), but minor complications were more common after blTHA than stTHA projections (13.5 vs 6.8%, p < 0.001). Mean operative time for blTHA was 39.2 minutes shorter than that for stTHA (p < 0.001); mean hospital stay was 1 day shorter for blTHA than that for stTHA (p < 0.001). Thirty-day rates of periprosthetic fracture (0.62 vs 0.12%, p = 0.045) and dislocation (0.50 vs 0.1%, p = 0.1) were higher after blTHA than stTHA. Simultaneous blTHA appears safe in patients medically fit to tolerate longer uninterrupted surgery and appears to shorten operative time and hospital stay relative to staged THA. There is a significantly higher risk of blood transfusion, periprosthetic fracture, and dislocation after blTHA.
Understanding and engineering spontaneous orientation polarization in organic light-emitting devices
Authors: Pakhomenko Evgeny , He Siliang , Holmes Russell J.
Published: May 2023

Organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) are a ubiquitous technology for displays with growing application in a variety of other spaces. The future success of this technology depends on further improvements in device efficiency and stability. One pathway for improvement relies on engineering molecular orientation in the organic thin films comprising an OLED. This review is focused on the subsequent spontaneous alignment of molecular electric dipole moments, known as spontaneous orientation polarization (SOP), a phenomenon observed for many common OLED materials. The magnitude of polarization fields associated with SOP rival what is experienced in an OLED under high injection and can significantly impact electronic and excitonic behavior. Here, we first review current work describing the mechanism for the formation of SOP, reflecting an interplay between several factors, such as molecular shape, intermolecular interactions, and processing conditions. We also consider several strategies to tune the polarization sign and magnitude, with emphasis on connecting observations to quantitative models of SOP formation. Building on this discussion of SOP in organic thin films, we review how polarization in OLED active layers impacts key aspects of device performance, including charge injection, luminescence efficiency, and stability. Finally, this review concludes with an outlook on areas of future development needed to realize broad control over SOP for a variety of applications, highlighting gaps in our current understanding of this phenomenon.
Flexible and wearable acoustic wave technologies
Authors: Zhou Jian , Guo Yihao , Wang Yong , Ji Zhangbin , Zhang Qian , Zhuo Fenglin , Luo Jingting , Tao Ran , Xie Jin , Reboud Julien , McHale Glen , Dong Shurong , Luo Jikui , Duan Huigao , Fu Yongqing
Published: May 2023

Flexible and wearable acoustic wave technology has recently attracted tremendous attention due to their wide-range applications in wearable electronics, sensing, acoustofluidics, and lab-on-a-chip, attributed to its advantages such as low power consumption, small size, easy fabrication, and passive/wireless capabilities. Great effort has recently been made in technology development, fabrication, and characterization of rationally designed structures for next-generation acoustic wave based flexible electronics. Herein, advances in fundamental principles, design, fabrication, and applications of flexible and wearable acoustic wave devices are reviewed. Challenges in material selections (including both flexible substrate and piezoelectric film) and structural designs for high-performance flexible and wearable acoustic wave devices are discussed. Recent advances in fabrication strategies, wave mode theory, working mechanisms, bending behavior, and performance/evaluation are reviewed. Key applications in wearable and flexible sensors and acoustofluidics, as well as lab-on-a-chip systems, are discussed. Finally, major challenges and future perspectives in this field are highlighted.
Twin density and twin thickness evolution in sputtered Al–Mg alloys
Authors: Sheng X. Y. , Richter N. A. , Shang A. Y. , Wang H. , Zhang X.
Published: May 2023

Twinned Al–Mg alloys have been reported. However, the role of Mg solute in facilitating the formation of growth twins remains unclear. By using a precession-assisted crystal orientation mapping technique (PACOM) coupled with transmission electron microscopy (known as ASTAR), we examined the evolution of twin boundaries in Al, Al–1Mg, and Al–2.2Mg (at. %) films. The twinned grain fraction elevates with increasing film thickness until it reaches a peak when the film thickness is 120–160 nm. The Al–Mg alloys exhibited greater twinned grain fractions than pure Al. To investigate the fluctuation of twinned grain fraction, two types of twin boundaries were classified including intergranular and intragranular twins. The initial increase in twin density is attributed to the impingement of twinned grains during island coalescence and the twinned grains are more likely to survive during the grain growth process. Whereas the decrease in twinned grain fraction in thicker films is related to the removal of intragranular twins, and a lack of formation mechanisms of new twins.
Exploring the relationship between softness and excess entropy in glass-forming systems
Authors: Graham Ian R. , Arratia Paulo E. , Riggleman Robert A.
Published: May 2023

We explore the relationship between a machine-learned structural quantity (softness) and excess entropy in simulations of supercooled liquids. Excess entropy is known to scale well the dynamical properties of liquids, but this quasi-universal scaling is known to breakdown in supercooled and glassy regimes. Using numerical simulations, we test whether a local form of the excess entropy can lead to predictions similar to those made by softness, such as the strong correlation with particles’ tendency to rearrange. In addition, we explore leveraging softness to compute excess entropy in the traditional fashion over softness groupings. Our results show that the excess entropy computed over softness-binned groupings is correlated with activation barriers to rearrangement.
Study on aerodynamic performance of inverted cone vertical axis wind turbine with different rotor configurations
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wang Ao , Qu Jianjun , Benini Ernesto
Published: May 2023

Offshore wind resources are abundant. Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are suitable for working in the sea environment because of their low cost and high reliability. In this paper, an offshore floating inverted cone vertical axis wind turbine (ICVAWT) is proposed. The 3D unsteady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is utilized to model the ICVAWT. The turbulence model SST k−ω is used to solve the Navier–Stokes equation, and the setting parameters of the solver and the independent grid are determined. The scale experimental prototype is designed using the similarity theory and the wind tunnel experiment is carried out. The experimental results verify the validity of the CFD model. The aerodynamic performance of nine ICVAWT configurations is analyzed by using the CFD model, and the effects of inverted cone angle and blade number on the power coefficient and operation stability of the ICVAWT are studied. It is found that when the inverted cone angle is 45°, and the number of blades is three (called the optimal configuration), the power coefficient is the highest at 0.309 (the optimal tip speed ratio is 3.5). With the increase in inverted cone angle and blade number, the fluctuation of wind turbine operating torque decreases. According to the distribution of each physical quantity in the flow field, the changes in aerodynamic performance are explained. Further research on the optimized configuration is carried out.
Origin and stability of the core-shelled Y–Ti–Zr–O nano-oxides in oxide-dispersion-strengthened ferritic alloys
Authors: Zhang Jianning , Jiang Yong , Wang Yiren , Chen Xuanyu , Lu Zheng
Published: May 2023

Quaternary Y–Ti–Zr–O nano-oxides form in preference to other ternary nano-oxides in Y+Ti+Zr micro-alloyed FeCr- oxide-dispersion-strengthened (ODS) ferric alloys. In this study, bulk substitution and interfacial segregation were calculated from the first-principles to explore the formation and stability of core-shelled Y–Ti–Zr–O nano-oxides. Our results were validated with previous electron microscopic characterizations. The major findings that were obtained are as follows. Quaternary Y–Ti–Zr–O nano-oxides are most likely formed as a consequence of Zr substitution of Ti in Y–Ti–O nano-oxides. Ti segregation from the matrix interior to the Y2Ti2O7 interface is a self-limiting process, and the resulting Ti-shell at Y2Ti2O7 nano-cores can hardly be thermally stable. In contrast, the Y2(Ti,Zr)2O7 nano-core due to Zr substitution can strongly trap the Zr-substituted Ti at its interface. The resulting Ti-shell can be more stable at high Zr-content Y2(Ti,Zr)2O7 nano-cores but will reduce the interface adhesion strength. The gained insights help to clarify the experimental observations and achieve a better understanding of micro-alloying effects and mechanisms in FeCr-ODS ferric alloys.
Prediction of mechanical properties for a grafted polypropylene system via transfer learning with a small database
Authors: Zhu Yujie , Dong Xinhua , Huang Shangshi , Li Chuanyang , Wang Rui , Yang Mingcong , Wang Shaojie , Li Manxi , Liang Zuodong , Li Juan , Zhang Yaru , Zhang Qi , Yuan Hao , Li Qi , He Jinliang
Published: May 2023

The increasing demand for polymer dielectrics in different scenarios, such as electrical insulation cable, requires elevated electrical and mechanical properties. In order to understand the relationship between mechanical properties and the structure of grafted monomers in a grafted polypropylene (PP) system, a design framework based on the transfer-learning method has been proposed for designing grafted side chain structure in PP system. 22 samples of polypropylene-grafted polymer are synthesized. Through a well-trained multi-layer perceptron model for predicting glass transition temperature (Tg), mechanical properties of the grafted PP have been well predicted by the transfer-learning method. Meanwhile, the grafting group structures are divided into nine substructures. By assembling these substructures, the chemical space is established for prediction. Moreover, candidates with satisfied deep traps and flexible mechanical properties are screened out for reference. This work turns qualitative understanding into a quantitative analysis based on mathematical models and broadens the application of polymer materials design with a small dataset.
Theinfinity-loop microresonator: A new integrated photonic structure working on an exceptional surface
Authors: Franchi Riccardo , Biasi Stefano , Piciocchi Diego , Pavesi Lorenzo
Published: May 2023

Exceptional points, where eigenvalues and eigenvectors coalesce, impact the behavior of different photonics components that show, e.g., enhanced sensing, coherent perfect absorption, unidirectional lasing, and chirality. However, only a few passive geometries have been developed that work on these points. Here, we introduce a novel non-Hermitian structure based on a microresonator shaped as the infinity symbol twice coupled to a bus waveguide: the infinity-loop microresonator. Unlike other structures working on an exceptional surface, the infinity-loop microresonator can achieve either high- or low-contrast unidirectional reflection with a negligible or identical reflection for counterpropagating light. It allows an easy walking through the Riemann sheet by simply controlling the phase of the light propagating in the bus waveguide, which makes it a tunable component to build more complex topological structures. Furthermore, the infinity-loop microresonator allows sensors that show the features of both an exceptional point device and a diabolic point device simultaneously.
Correlation between crystal phase composition, wake-up effect, and endurance performance in ferroelectric HfxZr1−xO2 thin films
Authors: Chen Danyang , Zhong Shuman , Dong Yulong , Cui Tianning , Liu Jingquan , Si Mengwei , Li Xiuyan
Published: May 2023

A special wake-up effect from antiferroelectric-like to ferroelectric (AFE-FE) characteristics in HfxZr1−xO2 thin films has been discussed intensively in terms of endurance performance enhancement. However, its physical origin and general impact on endurance remain unclear. In this work, the influence of various process parameters on the AFE-FE wake-up effect as well as on endurance performance and the material changes during AFE-FE wake-up are systematically studied. It is found that various parameters induce the AFE-FE wake-up effect and enhance endurance performance in the same way with enhancing tetragonal phase formation in HfxZr1−xO2 films, and the cycles of wake-up are universally associated with those of total endurance. In addition, via synchrotron-based grazing incidence x-ray diffraction, a tetragonal-orthorhombic-monoclinic phase transition is observed during AFE-FE wake-up. On the basis of these results, a correlation among crystalline composition, the AFE-FE wake-up effect, and the endurance performance of HfxZr1−xO2 thin films is established. This provides a clear guideline to a viable solution for the high endurance of HfxZr1−xO2 FE memory devices via crystal phase engineering.
The impact of temperature on thermal fluctuations in magnetic nanoparticle systems
Authors: Everaert K. , Van Waeyenberge B. , Wiekhorst F. , Leliaert J.
Published: May 2023

We investigate the effect of temperature on the thermal magnetic noise signal of magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) systems as models for non-interacting macrospins. An analytical expression for the amplitude of the fluctuations in a magnetic field is derived for the Brownian and the Néel fluctuation mechanisms and compared with numerical results at different temperatures. To experimentally validate our findings, magnetic noise spectra of two commercially available polydisperse MNP systems (Ferucarbotran and Perimag) were measured at different, biomedically relevant temperatures. A distinctive effect of temperature on the power spectral noise densities is measurable already for 5 K temperature differences and, within the bandwidth of the experiment, higher noise amplitudes are found for lower temperatures. However, a crossing of the spectra at higher frequencies is revealed in simulations so that the total fluctuation amplitude is conserved. These findings contribute to a profound understanding of temperature influences on MNP fluctuation and relaxation mechanisms.
On the inadequacy of Stern–Volmer and FRET in describing quenching in binary donor–acceptor solutions
Authors: Tan Xuanheng , Caram Justin R.
Published: May 2023

Quantitative fluorescence quenching is a common analytical approach to studying the mechanism of chemical reactions. The Stern–Volmer (S–V) equation is the most common expression used to analyze the quenching behavior and can be used to extract kinetics in complex environments. However, the approximations underlying the S–V equation are incompatible with Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) acting as the primary quenching mechanism. The nonlinear distance dependence of FRET leads to significant departures from “standard” S–V quenching curves, both by modulating the interaction range of donor species and by increasing the effect of component diffusion. We demonstrate this inadequacy by probing the fluorescence quenching of long-lifetime lead sulfide quantum dots mixed with plasmonic covellite copper sulfide nanodisks (NDs), which serve as perfect fluorescent quenchers. By applying kinetic Monte Carlo methods, which consider particle distributions and diffusion, we are able to quantitatively reproduce experimental data, which show significant quenching at very small concentrations of NDs. The distribution of interparticle distances and diffusion are concluded to play important roles in fluorescence quenching, particularly in the shortwave infrared, where photoluminescent lifetimes are often long relative to diffusion time scales.
Suppression of deep cavity aeroacoustics at low Mach number by localized surface compliance
Authors: Naseer Muhammad Rehan , Arif Irsalan , Leung Randolph C. K. , Lam Garret C. Y.
Published: May 2023

A unique concept of utilizing localized surface compliance is proposed to suppress deep cavity aeroacoustics at a low Mach number. The core idea is to provide local absorption of the energy of aeroacoustic processes supporting cavity flow self-sustained feedback loop responsible for tonal noise generation. The concept is studied with a flow past cavity of length-to-depth ratio of 0.4 at freestream Mach number 0.09 and Reynolds number based on cavity length 4 × 104 using high-fidelity, two-dimensional direct aeroacoustic simulation. Having confirmed the replication of key aeroacoustic processes in the numerical solution through careful validation, localized surface compliance in the form of an elastic panel is strategically introduced to modify every process for cavity noise suppression. The panel natural frequency is set equal to the feedback loop characteristic frequency to facilitate its flow-induced structural resonance for energy absorption. Suppression of cavity noise pressure and power levels by 3.8 and 4.8 dB, respectively, is successfully achieved, together with an unforeseen cavity drag reduction by almost 19%. Comprehensive wavenumber–frequency analyses of the coupled aeroacoustics and flow-induced panel vibration are conducted to uncover the physical mechanism of noise suppression. The results show that the same type of aeroacoustic feedback loop occurs, but its efficacy is significantly reduced due to the exhaustion of aeroacoustic process energy to the flow-induced vibrating panel. The proposed concept is confirmed to be feasible in terms of giving remarkable cavity noise and drag suppression, yet it retains the basic problem geometry intact, which are considered important in many practical applications.
Engineering the glass structure of a discotic liquid crystal by multiple kinetic arrests
Authors: Yu Junguang , Chen Zhenxuan , Fatina Caroline , Chatterjee Debaditya , Bock Harald , Richert Ranko , Voyles Paul , Ediger M. D. , Yu Lian
Published: May 2023

X-ray scattering has been used to characterize the columnar packing and the π stacking in a glass-forming discotic liquid crystal. In the equilibrium liquid state, the intensities of the scattering peaks for π stacking and columnar packing are proportional to each other, indicating concurrent development of the two orders. Upon cooling into the glassy state, the π–π distance shows a kinetic arrest with a change in the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) from 321 to 109 ppm/K, while the intercolumnar spacing exhibits a constant TEC of 113 ppm/K. By changing the cooling rate, it is possible to prepare glasses with a wide range of columnar and π stacking orders, including zero order. For each glass, the columnar order and the π stacking order correspond to a much hotter liquid than its enthalpy and π–π distance, with the difference between the two internal (fictive) temperatures exceeding 100 K. By comparison with the relaxation map obtained by dielectric spectroscopy, we find that the δ mode (disk tumbling within a column) controls the columnar order and the π stacking order trapped in the glass, while the α mode (disk spinning about its axis) controls the enthalpy and the π–π spacing. Our finding is relevant for controlling the different structural features of a molecular glass to optimize its properties.
Electrically controlled nonreciprocity in a hybrid opto-electromechanical system
Authors: Wu Xin-Yu , Qin Li-Guo , Xing Fen-Fen , Tian Li-Jun , Huang Jie-Hui , Gong Shang-Qing
Published: May 2023

The nonreciprocity between two signal fields is regarded as a key function in future quantum networks and modern communication technologies. Here, we theoretically propose a scheme of nonreciprocal devices between signal fields in two different arbitrarily frequency domains in a hybrid cavity opto-electromechanical system. The model consists of a microwave cavity and an optical cavity, respectively, coupled with two different mechanical oscillators, which are coupled together by the tunable Coulomb interaction and driven by the external electrical fields. We study the nonreciprocal response between two different frequency fields. Nonreciprocal transmission is based on multichannel quantum interference to break time-reversal symmetry. The perfect nonreciprocity is shown in the certain conditions. By adjusting the Coulomb interaction, the phase differences, and strength of the electrically driven fields on the mechanical oscillators, we find that nonreciprocity can be modulated and even transformed into perfect nonreciprocity and reciprocity. These results provide a new insight into the design of nonreciprocal devices and present the potential applications in quantum information processing and quantum networks.
Unidirectional beam splitting in acoustic metamaterial governed by double fractional stimulated Raman adiabatic passage
Authors: Tang Shuai , Wu Jin-Lei , Lü Cheng , Yao Jiabao , Pei Yanbo , Jiang Yongyuan
Published: May 2023

In this work, we take fractional stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (f-STIRAP) for the design of functional acoustic waveguide (WG) coupler into account. Assisted by the agreement in the form between Schrödinger equation in quantum mechanics and the coupled-mode equation of classical waves, the quantum three-level system is mapped onto the acoustic three-WG system with space-varying coupling actions between composing WGs. The output port of the coupler can be selected by adopting different superposition forms of incident waves, which is utilized to build a one-way acoustic mode converter based on double f-STIRAP. By further constructing a functional acoustic metamaterial arrayed by mode converters, a desired beam splitting behavior can be generated unidirectionally in a broadband. Our work bridges f-STIRAP and the design of acoustic metamaterial, which may have profound impacts on exploring quantum technologies for promoting advanced acoustic functional devices with simple configuration and excellent performance.
QuantumDynamics.jl: A modular approach to simulations of dynamics of open quantum systems
Authors: Bose Amartya
Published: May 2023

A simulation of the non-adiabatic dynamics of a quantum system coupled to dissipative environments poses significant challenges. New sophisticated methods are regularly being developed with an eye toward moving to larger systems and more complicated descriptions of solvents. Many of these methods, however, are quite difficult to implement and debug. Furthermore, trying to make the individual algorithms work together through a modular application programming interface can be quite difficult as well. We present a new, open-source software framework, QuantumDynamics.jl, designed to address these challenges. It provides implementations of a variety of perturbative and non-perturbative methods for simulating the dynamics of these systems. Most prominently, QuantumDynamics.jl supports hierarchical equations of motion and methods based on path integrals. An effort has been made to ensure maximum compatibility of the interface between the various methods. Additionally, QuantumDynamics.jl, being built on a high-level programming language, brings a host of modern features to explorations of systems, such as the usage of Jupyter notebooks and high level plotting, the possibility of leveraging high-performance machine learning libraries for further development. Thus, while the built-in methods can be used as end-points in themselves, the package provides an integrated platform for experimentation, exploration, and method development.
Public health service board members’ understanding of care quality in residential aged care services
Authors: Rayner Jo-Anne , Fetherstonhaugh Deirdre , McAuliffe Linda
Published: May 2023

Objective The objective of this study was to explore how health service boards understand care quality for older people living in public sector residential aged care services. Methods Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with board members from six Victorian public health services responsible for the governance of 15 residential aged care services comprising over 850 beds. Transcripts were thematically analysed. Results Eleven board members were interviewed. While committed to their governance and monitoring role, analysis suggests board members have a limited understanding of the residential aged care environment. They rarely visit and the information they receive about residential aged care is primarily clinical data (quality indicators) as well as sub-committee and staff reports. In addition to quality indicator data and reports, accreditation and complaints are used to measure care quality. Conclusion Board members vary in their understanding of care quality in residential aged care settings. The exclusive focus on clinical indicators and accreditation as measures of quality reinforces this understanding. Visiting residential aged care services would provide understanding of the care environment and context for the information they receive. The provision of other metrics, such as consumer advocacy reports and residents’ and families’ experiences of care, would further assist board members to monitor care quality in these settings.
Frequency of herbicide resistance in wild oats (Avena spp.), brome grass (Bromus spp.) and barley grass (Hordeum spp.) as determined by random surveys across south-eastern Australia
Authors: Broster John C. , Boutsalis Peter , Gill Gurjeet S. , Preston Christopher
Published: May 2023

Context Wild oats (Avena spp.), brome grass (Bromus spp.) and barley grass (Hordeum spp.) are significant grass weeds of crop production in south-eastern Australia. The presence of herbicide resistance in these weed species is a major limiting factor on both productivity and profitability. Aims We aimed to determine the distribution of herbicide resistance in these weed species across south-eastern Australia. Methods Several surveys were conducted in randomly selected fields across four states in south-eastern Australia over a 5-year period, collecting 663 wild oats, 366 brome grass and 262 barley grass samples that were screened for resistance with up to five different herbicide groups or subgroups. Key results In wild oats, resistance was most common to clodinafop-propargyl (‘fop’ ACCase inhibitor), with 22% of samples resistant and resistance detected in all regions except Tasmania. Resistance to sulfonylurea herbicides (ALS inhibitors) was less common with 7% of samples resistant, but regionally more variable. For both brome grass and barley grass, a greater proportion of samples was resistant to the sulfonylurea mesosulfuron-methyl, at 24% and 19%, respectively, than to quizalofop-ethyl (‘fop’ ACCase inhibitor). Conclusions Resistance was recorded in all three species, with differences in the extent of resistance among herbicide groups and regions. Overall, a higher than average frequency of wild oats resistance to clodinafop-propargyl was found in regions of New South Wales and of brome grass and barley grass resistance to mesosulfuron-methyl in regions of South Australia. However, for all species some herbicides were still effective on all samples. Implications The presence of significant herbicide resistance in these weed species indicates that management decisions need to include consideration of resistance to enable successful control measures.
Legume options for summer-active pastures in a temperate rainfall environment of south-eastern Australia
Authors: Stutz Rebecca S. , De Faveri Joanne , Culvenor Richard A.
Published: May 2023

Context High-quality, summer-active pastures could improve meat production in south-eastern Australia by facilitating livestock finishing over summer, with legumes critical for enhancing the nutritive value of pasture mixes. Available legumes vary in their ability to withstand moisture stress and grazing. Aims We aimed to identify legumes suitable for a summer–autumn finishing system. Methods We tested pure swards of 12 cultivars across eight legume species in replicated small-plot experiments at Goulburn and Bombala, New South Wales, assessing productivity, persistence and warm-season nutritive characteristics over 2–3 years. Key results Lucerne (Medicago sativa) was clearly the most productive species during summer and outperformed the clovers (Trifolium spp.) in terms of persistence and productivity throughout most of the experimental period at both sites, except during autumn 2021 after high rainfall in March. Caucasian clover (T. ambiguum) was also highly persistent at both sites. Talish clover (T. tumens) and strawberry clover (T. fragiferum) were more persistent than white clover (T. repens) and red clover (T. pratense). White clover recovered strongly under high rainfall after drought, whereas red clover established rapidly but showed less capacity for post-drought recovery. Hybrid Caucasian × white clover was the least productive legume. Alternative clover species sometimes had slightly lower values of nutritive characteristics than white clover; red clover sometimes had distinctly lower values. Conclusions Lucerne performed best but several clovers were also productive, persistent and of high nutritive value over the summer–autumn period. Implications Talish, Caucasian and strawberry clovers warrant further investigation for inclusion in summer-active pastures in south-eastern Australia.
The role of genetic selection and climatic factors in the dispersal of anatomically modern humans out of Africa
Authors: Tobler Raymond , Souilmi Yassine , Huber Christian D. , Bean Nigel , Turney Chris S. M. , Grey Shane T. , Cooper Alan
Published: May 2023

The evolutionarily recent dispersal of anatomically modern humans (AMH) out of Africa (OoA) and across Eurasia provides a unique opportunity to examine the impacts of genetic selection as humans adapted to multiple new environments. Analysis of ancient Eurasian genomic datasets (~1,000 to 45,000 y old) reveals signatures of strong selection, including at least 57 hard sweeps after the initial AMH movement OoA, which have been obscured in modern populations by extensive admixture during the Holocene. The spatiotemporal patterns of these hard sweeps provide a means to reconstruct early AMH population dispersals OoA. We identify a previously unsuspected extended period of genetic adaptation lasting ~30,000 y, potentially in the Arabian Peninsula area, prior to a major Neandertal genetic introgression and subsequent rapid dispersal across Eurasia as far as Australia. Consistent functional targets of selection initiated during this period, which we term the Arabian Standstill, include loci involved in the regulation of fat storage, neural development, skin physiology, and cilia function. Similar adaptive signatures are also evident in introgressed archaic hominin loci and modern Arctic human groups, and we suggest that this signal represents selection for cold adaptation. Surprisingly, many of the candidate selected loci across these groups appear to directly interact and coordinately regulate biological processes, with a number associated with major modern diseases including the ciliopathies, metabolic syndrome, and neurodegenerative disorders. This expands the potential for ancestral human adaptation to directly impact modern diseases, providing a platform for evolutionary medicine.
Brain imaging and neuropsychological assessment of individuals recovered from a mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Petersen Marvin , Nägele Felix Leonard , Mayer Carola , Schell Maximilian , Petersen Elina , Kühn Simone , Gallinat Jürgen , Fiehler Jens , Pasternak Ofer , Matschke Jakob , Glatzel Markus , Twerenbold Raphael , Gerloff Christian , Thomalla Götz , Cheng Bastian
Published: May 2023

As severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections have been shown to affect the central nervous system, the investigation of associated alterations of brain structure and neuropsychological sequelae is crucial to help address future health care needs. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive neuroimaging and neuropsychological assessment of 223 nonvaccinated individuals recovered from a mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection (100 female/123 male, age [years], mean ± SD, 55.54 ± 7.07; median 9.7 mo after infection) in comparison with 223 matched controls (93 female/130 male, 55.74 ± 6.60) within the framework of the Hamburg City Health Study. Primary study outcomes were advanced diffusion MRI measures of white matter microstructure, cortical thickness, white matter hyperintensity load, and neuropsychological test scores. Among all 11 MRI markers tested, significant differences were found in global measures of mean diffusivity (MD) and extracellular free water which were elevated in the white matter of post-SARS-CoV-2 individuals compared to matched controls (free water: 0.148 ± 0.018 vs. 0.142 ± 0.017,
P 
< 0.001; MD [10
−3
 mm
2
/s]: 0.747 ± 0.021 vs. 0.740 ± 0.020,
P 
< 0.001). Group classification accuracy based on diffusion imaging markers was up to 80%. Neuropsychological test scores did not significantly differ between groups. Collectively, our findings suggest that subtle changes in white matter extracellular water content last beyond the acute infection with SARS-CoV-2. However, in our sample, a mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection was not associated with neuropsychological deficits, significant changes in cortical structure, or vascular lesions several months after recovery. External validation of our findings and longitudinal follow-up investigations are needed.
Identifying a pedagogical genre of literature review
Authors: Afifi Nur
Published: May 2023

This article reports initial parts of a classroom-based action research aimed to teach students to write a literature review (LR), which is considered as a critical, yet often overlooked genre, thus posing difficulties to the students. The existing works on LRs appear to treat the ability to write overviews of individual studies, and to combine them in acceptable ways, as assumed knowledge. In fact, for the learners in the context of the study, and in many second- and foreign-language learning contexts, such abilities are not shared among learners. Therefore, in the implementation of an initial short course, a genre analysis of 60 literature reviews from publications and completed theses in applied linguistics was conducted to identify suitable generic patterns used in literature reviews that could be implemented in the context. The result is apedagogical genre of literature review, a genre description of LRs appropriate for the students’ English proficiency level, outlined in detail in this article with the teaching implication for this pedagogical context.
Where there is panic, the media are close by
Authors: Jiang Qingsheng , Mao Yansheng , Yuan Zhou-min
Published: May 2023

The widespread panic associated with media exposure is a serious challenge to worldwide governments in the prevention and
control of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, alleviating negative social emotions, particularly panic, is an urgent issue for the state
media. By using the comments of a Weibo post from The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Youth League, drawing on the notion of
extrinsic emotion regulation, this paper conducts a detailed analysis of negative emotions regulation through discourse
strategies by the Chinese state media and their effects in the context of COVID-19. The results demonstrate that, by exploiting language
strategies, the state media can arouse positive emotions amongst users, thus distract the public from experiencing negative emotions. In
addition, the state media participate in online interactions, thereby creating positive public emotional spaces. This study indicates that
digital platforms like Weibo, occasionally equipped with emotionalized narrative, are of significant value in the regulation of negative
emotions in public crisis contexts.
Spanglish and Tex-Mex in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas
Authors: Rodríguez-Ordóñez Itxaso , McCrocklin Shannon , Tiburcio Alejandra
Published: May 2023

The social meaning of language is embedded in a cultural system of ideas that circulates throughout the historicity of peoples in contact. Border areas are useful for studying the permeability of category constructions, including language boundaries and fluidity of identities. The present study reports survey data from 168 Spanish-English bilinguals in the border region of the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas in the ways they define ‘Spanglish’ vis-à-vis ‘Tex-Mex’ as two distinct ways of speaking. In explaining the contact forms that each label represents and ideologies that have given rise to this distinction, results are discussed using iconization and fractal recursivity (Irvine and Gal 2000) and enregisterment (Agha 2005). Overall, results indicate that for those who make a distinction between Spanglish and Tex-Mex, Spanglish is valorized as more legitimate, whereas Tex-Mex is seen as a localized style of Spanglish also considered more informal.
Improving microstructure and segregation of steel ingot by inorganic heat absorption method
Authors: Xu Yangjian , Wang Jiang , Shuai Sansan , Yu Sheng , Jiang Danqing , Chen Chaoyue , Hu Tao , Ren Zhongming
Published: May 2023

A novel method by adding inorganic heat absorption material (IHAM) into the molten steel was proposed to improve the quality of large steel ingots. The IHAM was found to melt and float up after absorbing the heat of molten steel, stirring the melt and thus accelerating the cooling process. The molten steel was also purified as the inclusions were adsorbed during the floating of IHAM. The addition of IHAM rod was conducive to increase the equiaxed grain ratio (EGR) and alleviate the central carbon segregation, while the IHAM cored wire played a more important role in reducing the inclusion index. This method holds broad appeal to solidification of large steel ingot, as it can improve the microstructure of solidified ingot.
Vibration analysis of composite plates reinforced CNTs using an exponential function approach
Authors: Lazar Mohamed Essedik , Ezzraimi Madjid , Tiberkak Rachid , Chiker Yasser , Bachene Mourad , Rechak Saïd
Published: May 2023

Free vibration analysis of functionally graded material ‘FGM’ plates reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using exponential distribution law is investigated. Nonlinear distribution through the thickness direction of Nano-fillers is considered in the present study. Thus, the mechanical properties of the nanotubes vary through the thickness and are evaluated using a modified rule of mixture. In the finite element analysis formulation, the first-order shear deformation theory has been implemented by using the exponential law. The obtained results show a better distribution of CNTs through the thickness, which leads to an improved plate stiffness. An increase in the natural frequencies is thus expected. The obtained results show the five natural frequencies which compare well with those available in the literature.
Towards classroom inclusivity: exploring K-12 teachers’ sensitivity to cultural diversity (Hacia la inclusividad en el aula: explorando la sensibilidad a la diversidad cultural del profesorado de K-12)
Authors: Baidoo-Anu David , Gyamerah Kenneth , Mahama Inuusah , Ofori-Sasu Ernest
Published: May 2023

The study explored teachers’ awareness of classroom cultural diversity using a cross-sectional survey and thematic content document analysis of Ghana’s inclusive education policy and teacher professional development manuals to explore teachers’ cultural diversity awareness. 219 K-12 teachers completed the survey. The study found that teachers are culturally sensitive to working with culturally diverse families and the use of non-standard English. However, most of the teachers have limited general cultural diversity awareness of their classrooms. Consequently, teachers are less culturally sensitive to using multicultural teaching methods and creating a multicultural classroom environment. Further, teachers are less culturally responsive in their assessment practices. Our study also revealed that although teachers were introduced to multicultural education during their initial teacher training programme, within their schools, there was limited ongoing teacher professional development on multicultural education. Results from the thematic content document analysis of the inclusion policy showed that within Ghanaian schools, there are no practical guidelines on how in-service teachers and pre-service teachers can be supported to address cultural diversities in the classroom and schooling contexts.
Families at social risk and access to 0–3 Early Childhood Education and Care in Spain: a model to understand diverse conditions in the current system (Familias en situación de riesgo social y acceso a la educación preescolar de 0 a 3 años en España: un modelo para comprender las situaciones diversas en el sistema actual)
Authors: Matsumoto Mitsuko , Mendoza-Pérez Karmele , Macías-Gómez-Estern Beatriz , Poveda David
Published: May 2023

It is acknowledged that fewer children from families at social risk and/or socio-economic disadvantage participate in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) across Europe. The article examines who among these families has special difficulties in accessing the first cycle of ECEC for infants 0–3 years of age (0–3 ECEC) in Spain. It presents a model that reveals diverse strategies taken by families in relation to 0–3 ECEC and a particular segment of families who are served ‘worst’ by the current system and whose access to 0–3 ECEC is especially hindered. In the analysis, we also highlight gender; gender appears as a fundamental dimension to understand the forms of participation (or non-participation) in 0–3 ECEC within families at risk of social exclusion. The article is based on a study in which we conducted 35 semi-structured interviews with families at social risk as well as group discussions with a total of 40 family and education professionals in five metropolitan areas of Spain.
On the design of a two-way piezoelectric MEMS microspeaker based on a multi-shape cantilever array for high-frequency applications
Authors: Chen Yu-Chen , Cheng Hsu-Hsiang , Cheng Ming-Ching , Lo Sung-Cheng , Chan Chun-Kai , Fang Weileun
Published: May 2023

This study presents the design and realization of a piezoelectric MEMS microspeaker for high-frequency enhancement. Based on piezoelectric thin film actuation, designs of cantilever diaphragms are conducted by modal analysis. Under a die size of 2.5 mm (w) × 5 mm (l) × 0.4 mm (t), the diaphragms are designed to include mid-range and tweeter units with regard to the balance of radiation area and sound pressure contribution. Furthermore, the out-of-phase driving of the proposed device can ensure that the superposition of the sound pressure level (SPL) is within the target frequency range (8–13 kHz) while reducing the SPL outside the target range. In pressure-field measurements, the proposed multi-shape cantilever array can produce high average SPL (91.6 dB) in the target frequency range from 8 kHz to 13 kHz and has a low total harmonic distortion (THD) of <1.4% under a 0.707 Vrms input signal. The performance can be further improved by biasing the input signal. With a 9 V bias, the average SPL of the proposed microspeaker in the target frequency range is enhanced to 99.4 dB, and the average THD is reduced to <0.7%. In addition, the THD from 7.7 kHz to 18 kHz is below 2.5%. This study shows the great potential of piezoelectric MEMS microspeakers for in-ear applications.
Switchable terahertz absorber based on vanadium dioxide for bandwidth tunable broadband absorption and four-band absorption
Authors: Niu Junhao , Yao Qianyu , Mo Wei , Li Chunhui , Chen Tao
Published: May 2023

We propose a switchable metamaterial absorber (MMA) for bandwidth tunable broadband and four-band absorption in the terahertz (THz) band based on the phase-transition characteristics of vanadium dioxide (VO2). The proposed MMA can achieve over 90% broadband absorption in the 3.06–7.61, 3.18–8.91, and 2.78–9.22 THz ranges when the conductivity of VO2 is

3
×
1

0

5

,

3
×
1

0

4

, and

2
×
1

0

4

 S

m

−

1

, respectively, and has the advantages of polarization insensitivity and wide-angle absorption. When VO2 is in the insulator phase, the MMA can achieve four-band high absorption, and the absorptance can reach 99% at 2.23, 4.06, 5.80, and 9.82 THz. Through the joint action of the multi-layer structure, the proposed MMA solves the problem that when only VO2 is used to tune the broadband absorption, the decrease in the conductivity of VO2 by 1 order of magnitude will lead to the obvious decrease in the broadband absorption bandwidth. A switchable absorber designed by a simple tuning method without changing the structure has significant development prospects in stealth technology and selective thermal emitters.
Tamm-surface plasmon resonances from nanograting-coupled plasmonic-photonic multilayer structure for an integrated fiber-optic sensing application
Authors: Liang Yuzhang , Wei Xinran , Chu Shuwen , Zhang Xin , Fang Yurui , Peng Wei
Published: May 2023

Simultaneous observation of Tamm plasmon (TP) and surface plasmon (SP) resonances has attracted much attention to improve the sensing performance and broaden the application field of plasmonic biosensors. Currently, enormous efforts are being devoted to simultaneously excite both SP and TP modes by exploiting total internal reflection. However, this method requires a bulky and complicated prism or microscopy setup to fulfill the phase-matching condition, limiting the miniaturization and integration of sensors. Herein, we propose and theoretically demonstrate a nanograting-coupled plasmonic-photonic multilayer structure potentially integrated on the optical fiber tip, comprising a multilayer of photonic crystal (PC) inserted between a flat gold film and a gold nanograting. The proposed plasmonic-photonic multilayer structure enables the simultaneous excitation of TP and SP modes at the normal incidence by using the zeroth and first-order diffraction light of the nanograting, respectively. The resonant positions of both SP and TP modes can be independently adjusted by changing the nanograting period and the center wavelength of the PC bandgap. Due to the insensitivity of the TP mode to ambient surroundings, the proposed structure can be served as a self-reference SP resonance sensor for robust measurement where the sensitivity of the SP resonance sensor is determined by the wavelength shift of SP mode relative to TP mode. Moreover, the spectral overlapping of both TP and SP modes results in the abrupt change of reflection intensity, which enables a rapid judgment to the refractive index of ambient surroundings by observing the red or blue shifts of SP resonant position relative to the case of TP. The simultaneous excitation of both TP and SP modes in the proposed structure opens a new path for improving detection accuracy and broadening application scenarios of fiber-optic SP resonance sensors.