bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-energy density aqueous supercapacitors: The role of electrolyte pH and KI redox additive
Authors: Eredia Matilde , Bellani Sebastiano , Zappia Marilena I. , Gabatel Luca , Galli Valerio , Bagheri Ahmad , Beydaghi Hossein , Bianca Gabriele , Conticello Irene , Pellegrini Vittorio , Bonaccorso Francesco
Published: October 2022

Supercapacitors (SCs), including the most established electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs), are energy storage systems that can be charged in the second timescale, while sustaining a great number of re-charge cycles without losing efficiency. Undoubtedly, their major drawback is their insufficient energy density compared to batteries. Meanwhile, the reduction of the SC costs using cheap and sustainable electrolytes is also a trivial criterion to be considered in the competition race of the energy storage technologies. In this work, we report an extended characterization of aqueous SCs, screening acidic, neutral and alkaline electrolytes, as well as the addition of KI as a prototypical redox additive, and performing both two- and three-electrode configuration measurements. By using near-neutral electrolytes, our aqueous EDLCs can reach a maximum cell voltage superior to 2 V, enabling energy densities higher than 18 W h kg−1 (comparable or approaching those of lead acid and Ni–Cd batteries) at a power density up to almost 7 kW kg−1 (significantly superior to those of competing battery technologies). The introduction of redox additives can significantly increase the capacity of the SCs. However, compared to EDLCs, both the cell voltage and the energy efficiency of the SCs decrease because of partially irreversible faradaic redox reactions and overpotentials of kinetically limited redox reactions. While debunking the myth that aqueous SCs exhibit low energy density, our study also remarks the importance of adequately assessing aqueous SCs, showing the current challenges of advanced SC architectures alternative to EDLCs.
Alkaline plasma-activated water (PAW) as an innovative therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment
Authors: Pang Bolun , Liu Zhijie , Wang Sitao , Gao Yuting , Qi Miao , Xu Dehui , Zhou Renwu , Liu Dingxin , Kong Michael G.
Published: October 2022

Plasma-activated water (PAW) is considered to be an effective anticancer agent due to the diverse aqueous reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS: ROS and RNS), but the drawback of low dose and short duration of RONS in acidified PAW limits their clinical application. Herein, this Letter presents an innovative therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment with highly-effective alkaline PAW prepared by air surface plasma. This anticancer alkaline formulation is comprised of a rich mixture of highly chemical RONS and exhibited a prolonged half-life compared to acidified PAW. The H2O2, NO2−, and ONOO−/O2− concentrations in the alkaline PAW can reach up to 18-, 16-, and 14-fold higher than that in acidic PAW, and the half-life of these species was extended over 8-, 10-, and 26-fold, respectively. The synergistic potent redox action between these RONS with alkaline pH was shown to be more potent than acidic PAW for cancer cell inhibition in vitro. Furthermore, the alkaline PAW injection treatment also significantly inhibited tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice. The possible reasons are that the alkaline PAW would disturb the acid extracellular milieu leading to the inhibition of tumor growth and progression; moreover, the efficient and durable RONS with alkaline pH could induce significant cell apoptosis by altering cell biomolecules and participating apoptosis-related signaling pathways. These findings offer promising applications for developing a strategy with real potential for tumor treatment in clinical applications.
Transient vibration and product formation of photoexcited CS2 measured by time-resolved x-ray scattering
Authors: Gabalski Ian , Sere Malick , Acheson Kyle , Allum Felix , Boutet Sébastien , Dixit Gopal , Forbes Ruaridh , Glownia James M. , Goff Nathan , Hegazy Kareem , Howard Andrew J. , Liang Mengning , Minitti Michael P. , Minns Russell S. , Natan Adi , Peard Nolan , Rasmus Weronika O. , Sension Roseanne J. , Ware Matthew R. , Weber Peter M. , Werby Nicholas , Wolf Thomas J. A. , Kirrander Adam , Bucksbaum Philip H.
Published: October 2022

We have observed details of the internal motion and dissociation channels in photoexcited carbon disulfide (CS2) using time-resolved x-ray scattering (TRXS). Photoexcitation of gas-phase CS2 with a 200 nm laser pulse launches oscillatory bending and stretching motion, leading to dissociation of atomic sulfur in under a picosecond. During the first 300 fs following excitation, we observe significant changes in the vibrational frequency as well as some dissociation of the C–S bond, leading to atomic sulfur in the both 1D and 3P states. Beyond 1400 fs, the dissociation is consistent with primarily 3P atomic sulfur dissociation. This channel-resolved measurement of the dissociation time is based on our analysis of the time-windowed dissociation radial velocity distribution, which is measured using the temporal Fourier transform of the TRXS data aided by a Hough transform that extracts the slopes of linear features in an image. The relative strength of the two dissociation channels reflects both their branching ratio and differences in the spread of their dissociation times. Measuring the time-resolved dissociation radial velocity distribution aids the resolution of discrepancies between models for dissociation proposed by prior photoelectron spectroscopy work.
Soret effect on the onset of viscous dissipation thermal instability for Poiseuille flows in binary mixtures
Authors: Ali Amar K. , Hirata S. C. , Ouarzazi M. N.
Published: October 2022

We investigate numerically the Soret effect on the linear instability properties in convection due to viscous dissipation in a horizontal channel filled with a binary fluid mixture. Two sets of boundary conditions of experimental interest are considered. Both have no-slip boundaries for the velocity and no mass flux through them. The lower boundary is considered adiabatic, while the upper boundary is isothermal for case A and inversely for case B. As no external temperature or concentration difference is imposed on the layer, the cause of thermal instability is the flow rate through the volumetric heating induced by the viscous dissipation and the Soret effect inherent to binary mixtures. It is found that longitudinal rolls (LR) represent the preferred mode for the onset of convection. For case A, both oscillatory and steady-state LR may develop depending on the value of the separation ratio ψ, which represents the ratio between the mass contribution and the temperature contribution to buoyancy forces. The dependence of the instability thresholds on the separation ratio is discussed near and far from the codimension-two bifurcation point. For case B, the basic state remains stable for positive separation ratios, while it loses its stability via a stationary bifurcation with zero wave number for negative values of the separation ratio. The relevance of the theoretical results for the observability of such instability in real systems is discussed. Finally, we suggest a protocol to determine Soret coefficients by using the stability diagrams obtained in the current paper.
Life cycle and functional genomics of the unicellular red alga
Galdieria
for elucidating algal and plant evolution and industrial use
Authors: Hirooka Shunsuke , Itabashi Takeshi , Ichinose Takako M. , Onuma Ryo , Fujiwara Takayuki , Yamashita Shota , Jong Lin Wei , Tomita Reiko , Iwane Atsuko H. , Miyagishima Shin-ya
Published: October 2022

Sexual reproduction is widespread in eukaryotes; however, only asexual reproduction has been observed in unicellular red algae, including
Galdieria
, which branched early in Archaeplastida.
Galdieria
possesses a small genome; it is polyextremophile, grows either photoautotrophically, mixotrophically, or heterotrophically, and is being developed as an industrial source of vitamins and pigments because of its high biomass productivity. Here, we show that
Galdieria
exhibits a sexual life cycle, alternating between cell-walled diploid and cell wall–less haploid, and that both phases can proliferate asexually. The haploid can move over surfaces and undergo self-diploidization or generate heterozygous diploids through mating. Further, we prepared the whole genome and a comparative transcriptome dataset between the diploid and haploid and developed genetic tools for the stable gene expression, gene disruption, and selectable marker recycling system using the cell wall–less haploid. The BELL/KNOX and MADS-box transcription factors, which function in haploid-to-diploid transition and development in plants, are specifically expressed in the haploid and diploid, respectively, and are involved in the haploid-to-diploid transition in
Galdieria
, providing information on the missing link of the sexual life cycle evolution in Archaeplastida. Four actin genes are differently involved in motility of the haploid and cytokinesis in the diploid, both of which are myosin independent and likely reflect ancestral roles of actin. We have also generated photosynthesis-deficient mutants, such as blue-colored cells, which were depleted in chlorophyll and carotenoids, for industrial pigment production. These features of
Galdieria
facilitate the understanding of the evolution of algae and plants and the industrial use of microalgae.
Perivascular cells support folliculogenesis in the developing ovary
Authors: Li Shu-Yun , Bhandary Bidur , Gu Xiaowei , DeFalco Tony
Published: October 2022

Supporting cells of the ovary, termed granulosa cells, are essential for ovarian differentiation and oogenesis by providing a nurturing environment for oocyte maintenance and maturation. Granulosa cells are specified in the fetal and perinatal ovary, and sufficient numbers of granulosa cells are critical for the establishment of follicles and the oocyte reserve. Identifying the cellular source from which granulosa cells and their progenitors are derived is an integral part of efforts to understand basic ovarian biology and the etiology of female infertility. In particular, the contribution of mesenchymal cells, especially perivascular cells, to ovarian development is poorly understood but is likely to be a source of new information regarding ovarian function. Here we have identified a cell population in the fetal ovary, which is a Nestin-expressing perivascular cell type. Using lineage tracing and ex vivo organ culture methods, we determined that perivascular cells are multipotent progenitors that contribute to granulosa, thecal, and pericyte cell lineages in the ovary. Maintenance of these progenitors is dependent on ovarian vasculature, likely reliant on endothelial–mesenchymal Notch signaling interactions. Depletion of Nestin
+
progenitors resulted in a disruption of granulosa cell specification and in an increased number of germ cell cysts that fail to break down, leading to polyovular ovarian follicles. These findings highlight a cell population in the ovary and uncover a key role for vasculature in ovarian differentiation, which may lead to insights into the origins of female gonad dysgenesis and infertility.
(Polite) directives in mediaeval Catalan
Authors: Nagy C. Katalin
Published: October 2022

This paper addresses an issue of diachronic speech act analysis and diachronic politeness research at the same
time. Its primary aim is to examine uses of two grammatical constructions based on subjunctive forms of the verb
plaure (‘please’) in medieval Catalan, relying on a corpus of texts from the thirteenth to sixteenth
centuries. It is argued that the construction “plaure (in subjunctive) + indirect object + que”
(‘may it please somebody that’) in the beginning was used to perform permission-requesting directives, and later, indirect
directives, which goes against Searle’s generalisation about possible ways of performing indirect directives. Occurrences of the
construction “plaure (in subjunctive) + indirect object + infinitive” (‘may it please somebody to do something’),
developed later but used with the same function, are also considered, and all of the relevant occurrences are analysed in the
framework of Brown and Levinson’s (1987 [1978]) politeness theory. As far as the
methodology is concerned, the paper concludes that a highly comparative approach is needed in diachronic speech act analysis –
that is, various forms suitable for performing the same type of speech act in an historical period have to be examined together.
In accordance with this principle, the findings of this study should be integrated in a larger research project focussing – in
addition to constructions with plaure (‘please’) – on uses of constructions involving the verbs meaning ‘think’
and ‘want’ as well, since all of them are assumed to be suitable for performing directives in mediaeval Catalan.
Frequency coupling in low-pressure dual-frequency capacitively coupled plasmas revisited based on the Boltzmann term analysis
Authors: Vass Máté , Wang Li , Wilczek Sebastian , Lafleur Trevor , Brinkmann Ralf Peter , Donkó Zoltán , Schulze Julian
Published: October 2022

Electron power absorption dynamics is investigated in radio-frequency (RF) argon capacitively coupled plasmas (CCPs) at low pressure (4–70 Pa) excited by a dual-frequency waveform with frequencies of 27.12 MHz and 1.937 MHz. Based on the spatio-temporal dynamics of the ambipolar electric field a novel interpretation of the mechanism of frequency coupling is given, which is not based on the hard wall model, as in previous explanations. Within this framework, frequency coupling arises due to the decreased size of the ambipolar region outside the sheath when the low-frequency sheath is close to its full expansion, which leads to decreased ionization in this region. It is shown, under the circumstances considered here, ohmic power absorption is dominant. The spatio-temporally averaged ambipolar power absorption shows nonmonotonic behaviour as a function of pressure, first increasing, then, after reaching a local maximum, decreasing as the pressure is increased. It is shown, that the reason for this nonmonotonic behaviour is ultimately connected to the frequency coupling mechanism.
Energy-saving trajectory optimization of a fluidic soft robotic arm
Authors: Wang Tao , Yao Shengda , Zhu Shiqiang
Published: October 2022

Soft robots have attracted increasing attention due to inherent environmental adaptability and reliable human–machine interaction. However, there is relatively few research about their energy efficiency which acts as an important indicator. This paper firstly derives the time-domain model of energy consumption for a fluidic soft robotic arm. With the introduction of forward kinematics, the trajectory of the soft robotic arm is optimized for energy saving under motion constraints and solved using interior point method. A series of experiments are implemented to evaluate the performance of the proposed model and the optimized trajectory. The results show that the time-based model can capture the dynamical energy behaviors of the fluidic soft actuators under various motions. It is also found that the energy consumption of the soft robotic arm is effectively reduced when the trajectory optimization is applied. This work can provide further reference to the energy-based optimization of the soft robots.
Silicon-based soft parallel robots 4D printing and multiphysics analysis
Authors: Zolfagharian Ali , Gharaie Saleh , Kouzani Abbas Z , Lakhi Mohammad , Ranjbar Sadegh , Lalegani Dezaki Mohammadreza , Bodaghi Mahdi
Published: October 2022

Four-dimensional printing has set the stage for a new generation of soft robotics. The applications of rigid planar parallel robotic manipulators are also significant because of their various desirable characteristics, such as lower inertia, higher payload, and high accuracy. However, rigid planar parallel robots are heavy and require different actuators and components. This study introduces a novel technique to produce a light three degrees of freedom soft parallel manipulator at a low cost, which can be stimulated easily. This technique allows researchers to customize the actuator’s design based on the requirement. The robot is made by 3D printing based on fused deposition modelling and a direct ink writing process. The design, development, and additive manufacturing of a soft parallel robot electrothermally driven by a linear silicon-based actuator and polylactic acid parts are presented. Silicon-based soft actuators replace the rigid conventional linear actuators in this study to drive the planar parallel manipulator. The actuation of actuators is conducted using simple heating compared to the conventional rigid actuator. Various heating approaches and configurations are compared and analysed to find the most suitable one for the effective linear stroke of the soft actuator. The finite element model is used to analyse the performance of the electrothermally silicon-ethanol soft actuators in ABAQUS. The kinematics of the planar parallel robotic manipulator are simulated in MATLAB to achieve its workspace. The final soft parallel robot mechanism and the active and passive links are fabricated and tested experimentally.
Comment on ‘Quantum principle of relativity’
Authors: Grudka Andrzej , Wójcik Antoni
Published: October 2022

Recently Dragan and Ekert (2020 New. J. Phys. 22 033038) presented arguments that probabilistic dynamics inherent in the realm of quantum physics is related to the propagation of superluminal particles. Moreover they argue that existence of such particles is a natural consequence of the principle of relativity. We show that the proposed extension of the Lorentz transformation can be interpreted in a natural way without invoking superluminal phenomena.
Clogging, diode and collective effects of skyrmions in funnel geometries
Authors: Bellizotti Souza J C , Vizarim N P , Reichhardt C J O , Reichhardt C , Venegas P A
Published: October 2022

Using a particle-based model, we examine the collective dynamics of skyrmions interacting with a funnel potential under dc driving as the skyrmion density and relative strength of the Magnus and damping terms are varied. For driving in the easy direction, we find that increasing the skyrmion density reduces the average skyrmion velocity due to jamming of skyrmions near the funnel opening, while the Magnus force causes skyrmions to accumulate on one side of the funnel array. For driving in the hard direction, there is a critical skyrmion density below which the skyrmions become trapped. Above this critical value, a clogging effect appears with multiple depinning and repinning states where the skyrmions can rearrange into different clogged configurations, while at higher drives, the velocity-force curves become continuous. When skyrmions pile up near the funnel opening, the effective size of the opening is reduced and the passage of other skyrmions is blocked by the repulsive skyrmion–skyrmion interactions. We observe a strong diode effect in which the critical depinning force is higher and the velocity response is smaller for hard direction driving. As the ratio of Magnus force to dissipative term is varied, the skyrmion velocity varies in a non-linear and non-monotonic way due to the pile up of skyrmions on one side of the funnels. At high Magnus forces, the clogging effect for hard direction driving is diminished.
Mixture of the nearest- and next-nearest-neighbor d + id-wave pairings on the honeycomb lattice
Authors: Li Xian-Dong , Liu Hong-Rui , Yu Zuo-Dong , Gong Chang-De , Yu Shun-Li , Zhou Yuan
Published: October 2022

Symmetry of superconducting pairing is one of the cardinal issues in superconductivity. In general, the nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor pairings cannot spontaneously mix with each other constrained by the distinct symmetry classification, for example the

d

x

2

−

y

2

- and d

xy
-wave pairings in the square lattice. The honeycomb lattice provides a special platform to study the mixture of the nearest-neighbor and the next-nearest-neighbor pairing components due to its unique crystal structure. Here, using the variational quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we report a robust superconducting ground state with the intrinsic mixture of the nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor chiral d + id-wave pairings on the honeycomb lattice. We numerically identify that the two pairing channels promote each other. The proportion of the next-nearest-neighbor d + id component can be readily tuned by doping density and the short-range interactions. Our results provide the efficient ways to manipulate the real-space pairings.
Neutrino mass and mass ordering: no conclusive evidence for normal ordering
Authors: Gariazzo Stefano , Gerbino Martina , Brinckmann Thejs , Lattanzi Massimiliano , Mena Olga , Schwetz Thomas , Choudhury Shouvik Roy , Freese Katherine , Hannestad Steen , Ternes Christoph A. , Tórtola Mariam
Published: October 2022

The extraction of the neutrino mass ordering is one of the major challenges in particle physics and cosmology, not only for its implications for a fundamental theory of mass generation in nature, but also for its decisive role in the scale of future neutrinoless double beta decay experimental searches.
It has been recently claimed that current oscillation, beta decay and cosmological limits on the different observables describing the neutrino mass parameter space provide robust decisive Bayesian evidence in favor of the normal ordering of the neutrino mass spectrum [1].
We further investigate these strong claims using a rich and wide phenomenology, with different sampling techniques of the neutrino parameter space.
Contrary to the findings of Jimenez et al. [1], no decisive evidence for the normal mass ordering is found.
Neutrino mass ordering analyses must rely on priors and parameterizations that are ordering-agnostic: robust results should be regarded as those in which the preference for the normal neutrino mass ordering is driven exclusively by the data, while we find a difference of up to a factor of 33 in the Bayes factors among the different priors and parameterizations exploited here.
An ordering-agnostic prior would be represented by the case of
parameterizations sampling over the two mass splittings and a mass scale,
or those
sampling over the individual neutrino masses via normal prior distributions only.
In this regard, we show that the current significance in favor of the normal mass ordering should be taken as 2.7σ (i.e. moderate evidence), mostly driven by
neutrino oscillation data.
Let us stress that, while current data favor NO only mildly, we do not exclude the possibility that this may change in the future.
Eventually, upcoming oscillation and cosmological data may (or may not) lead to a more significant exclusion of IO.
A Fast Radio Burst Backend for the Tianlai Dish Pathfinder Array
Authors: Yu Zijie , Deng Furen , Sun Shijie , Niu Chenhui , Li Jixia , Wu Fengquan , Wang Wei-Yang , Wang Yougang , Feng Hui , Shu Lin , Hao Jie , Ansari Reza , Stebbins Albert , Chen Xuelei
Published: October 2022

The Tianlai Dish Pathfinder Array is a radio interferometer array consisting of 16 six-meter dish antennas. The original digital backend integration time is at the seconds level, designed for H i intensity mapping experiment. A new digital backend with millisecond response is added to enable it to search for fast radio burst during its observations. The design and calibration of this backend, and the real time search pipeline for it are described in this paper. It is capable of forming 16 digital beams for each linear polarization, covering an area of 19.6 square degrees. The search pipeline is capable of searching for, recording and classifying FRBs automatically in real time. In commissioning, we succeeded in capturing the signal pulses from the pulsars PSR B0329+54 and B2021+51.
Shape Model and Rotation Acceleration of (1685) Toro and (85989) 1999 JD6 from Optical Observations
Authors: Tian Jun , Zhao Hai-Bin , Li Bin
Published: October 2022

The Yarkovsky-O’Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack (YORP) effect is a net torque caused by solar radiation directly reflected and thermally re-emitted from the surface of small asteroids and is considered to be crucial in their dynamical evolution. By long-term photometric observations of selected near-Earth asteroids, it is hoped to enlarge asteroid samples with a detected YORP effect to facilitate the development of a theoretical framework. Archived light-curve data are collected and photometric observations are made for (1685) Toro and (85989) 1999 JD6, which enables measurement of their YORP effect by inverting the light curve to fit observations from a convex shape model. For (1685) Toro, a YORP acceleration υ = (3.2 ± 0.3) × 10−9 rad · day−2 (1σ error) is updated, which is consistent with previous YORP detection based on different light-curve data; for (85989) 1999 JD6, it is determined that the sidereal period is 7.667 749 ± 0.000009 hr, the rotation pole direction is located at λ = 232° ± 2°, β = − 59° ± 1°, the acceleration is detected to be υ = (2.4 ± 0.3) × 10−8 rad · day−2 (1σ error) and in addition to obtaining an excellent agreement between the observations and model. YORP should produce both spin-up and spin-down cases. However, including (85989) 1999 JD6, the dω/dt values of 11 near-Earth asteroids are positive totally, which suggests that there is either a bias in the sample of YORP detections or a real feature needs to be explained.
Light and Period Variations in Two K-type Contact Binaries: HI Leo and V523 Cas
Authors: Yang Yuangui , Wang Shuang , Yuan Huiyu , Dai Haifeng
Published: October 2022

We presented a low-precision spectrum for HI Leo, Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite data for V523 Cas, and new photometry for both K-type contact binaries. Comparing their light curves on different observing dates, we found small intrinsic variabilities, such as variable amplitudes for HI Leo and the varying heights around the second maxima for V523 Cas. By the Wilson–Devinney Code, we deduced six photometric solutions. The dark spot of V523 Cas may appear on the surface of the more massive component on BJD 2458768, while it disappears on BJD 2458779. Our results indicate that the two binaries are W-type shallow-contact binaries (f ≤ 10%). From the eclipse timing residuals, we found that the orbital periods may continuously increase, accompanied by one to two light-time effects due to additional bodies. The modulated periods and semi-amplitudes are P
3 = 25.8(±1.0) yr and A
3 = 0.ͩ0066(6) for HI Leo, P
3 = 114.8(±2.0) yr and A
3 = 0.ͩ0448(12), P
4 = 18.89(±0.14) yr and A
4 = 0.ͩ0025(2) for V523 Cas, respectively. The orbital period secularly increases at a rate of dP/dt = 2.86(±0.11) × 10−7 day yr−1 for HI Leo and dP/dt = 3.45(±0.07) × 10−8 day yr−1 for V523 Cas, which may be attributed to mass transfer from the secondary to the primary. With mass transferring, the shallow-contact binaries, HI Leo and V523 Cas, will evolve into the broken-contact configurations.
The Role of Jets in Exploding Supernovae and in Shaping their Remnants
Authors: Soker Noam
Published: October 2022

I review studies of core collapse supernovae (CCSNe) and similar transient events that attribute major roles to jets in powering most CCSNe and in shaping their ejecta. I start with reviewing the jittering jets explosion mechanism that I take to power most CCSN explosions. Neutrino heating does play a role in boosting the jets. I compare the morphologies of some CCSN remnants to planetary nebulae to conclude that jets and instabilities are behind the shaping of their ejecta. I then discuss CCSNe that are descendants of rapidly rotating collapsing cores that result in fixed-axis jets (with small jittering) that shape bipolar ejecta. A large fraction of the bipolar CCSNe are superluminous supernovae (SLSNe). I conclude that modeling of SLSN light curves and bumps in the light curves must include jets, even when considering energetic magnetars and/or ejecta interaction with the circumstellar matter (CSM). I connect the properties of bipolar CCSNe to common envelope jets supernovae (CEJSNe) where an old neutron star or a black hole spirals-in inside the envelope and then inside the core of a red supergiant. I discuss how jets can shape the pre-explosion CSM, as in Supernova 1987A, and can power pre-explosion outbursts (precursors) in binary system progenitors of CCSNe and CEJSNe. Binary interaction also facilitates the launching of post-explosion jets.
Generating and measuring pico-radian angles
Authors: Alcock Simon G , Yacoot Andrew , Ince Rabia , Patel Hiten
Published: October 2022

The angular performance of a nano-angle generator (NANGO) developed at Diamond Light Source has been characterised using a dual-beam laser interferometer designed and built at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). NANGO is a flexure-based, piezo actuated device which generates milli- to sub-nano-radian angles for the calibration of metrology instruments used to test the quality of synchrotron x-ray mirrors and angular nano-positioning stages at Diamond. The NPL interferometer provides traceability for small angle measurements made by NANGO. An uncertainty budget has been developed for measurements over a 50 nanoradian range. In closed-loop, using feedback from the NANGO’s angle encoder, for the first time we show that 1 nanoradian steps made by NANGO are measurable by an external metrology device. The 200 kHz acquisition rate of the NPL angle interferometer also reveals new dynamic information about NANGO’s angular motion. The NPL interferometer demonstrates that NANGO in open-loop can make: distinct steps of 500 picoradians; sinusoidal oscillations at 0.4 Hz with an amplitude of 125 picoradians; or 1 nanoradian oscillations at 40 Hz. Traceability to the SI though National Metrology Institute instrumentation for NANGO will provide enhanced accuracy for a wide range of angle metrology applications at Diamond, including inputs to deterministic polishing techniques for the creation of next-generation x-ray mirrors and dynamic characterisation of nano-positioning stages.
Partition pooling for convolutional graph network applications in particle physics
Authors: Bachlechner M. , Birkenfeld T. , Soldin P. , Stahl A. , Wiebusch C.
Published: October 2022

Convolutional graph networks are used in particle physics
for effective event reconstructions and classifications. However,
their performances can be limited by the considerable amount of
sensors used in modern particle detectors if applied to sensor-level
data. We present a pooling scheme that uses partitioning to create
pooling kernels on graphs, similar to pooling on images. Partition
pooling can be used to adopt successful image recognition
architectures for graph neural network applications in particle
physics. The reduced computational resources allow for deeper
networks and more extensive hyperparameter optimizations. To show
its applicability, we construct a convolutional graph network with
partition pooling that reconstructs simulated interaction vertices
for an idealized neutrino detector. The pooling network yields
improved performance and is less susceptible to overfitting than a
similar network without pooling. The lower resource requirements
allow the construction of a deeper network with further improved
performance.
Effect of platelet-rich plasma scaffolding combined with osteochondral autograft transfer for full-thickness articular cartilage defects of the femoral condyle
Authors: Li Ming , Tu Yiji , Zhang Haojun , Zhang Yunfeng , Di Zhenglin
Published: October 2022

We aimed to investigate the local application methods of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and the effect and safety of PRP scaffolding combined with osteochondral autograft transfer (OAT) in the treatment of full-thickness articular cartilage defects of the femoral condyle. Patients with cartilage defects of the femoral condyle were treated with OAT combined with PRP scaffolding between July 2017 and December 2020. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography were utilized to assess the size, location, and severity of the osteochondral defects. X-ray and MRI images of the knee were obtained at the final follow-up to assess the osseointegration and integrity of the implanted articular cartilage. Osteoarthritic changes in the knee joint were evaluated using the Kellgren–Lawrence grading system. Clinical status was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and Lysholm scores before the treatment and at the final follow-up. Complications and patient satisfaction were recorded to assess the safety of this combination therapy. Twenty-one patients were recruited, with a mean follow-up duration of 18.23 ± 6.84 months. The mean lesion size was 2.3 ± 0.59 cm2. The mean platelet concentration in PRP at baseline was 6.27 ± 0.63 times greater than that in the peripheral blood. The VAS, IKDC, and Lysholm scores had improved significantly at the final follow-up (P < 0.001). No serious complications such as joint infection, deep venous thrombosis, or hematoma were observed. Eighteen patients (85.72%) were satisfied with their knee function and quality of life at the final follow-up. Three patients (14.28%) complained of mild anterior knee pain, which was relieved by oral administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. MRI examinations of all patients showed bony consolidation and the defect surface was covered with cartilage-like tissue. X-ray evaluations indicated that osteoarthritis in two knees (9.5%) had progressed from grade 1 to grade 2 at the final follow-up. The preliminary results showed that OAT combined with PRP may be a safe and effective technique for the treatment of full-thickness articular cartilage defects in the knee.
Heart-on-a-chip using human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes with an integrated vascular endothelial layer based on a culture patch as a potential platform for drug evaluation
Authors: Tang Yadong , Tian Feng , Miao Xiaomin , Wu Dianqi , Wang Yaqi , Wang Han , You Kai , Li Qinglan , Zhao Suqing , Wang Wenlong
Published: October 2022

Many strategies have been adopted to construct in vitro myocardium models, which are of great value to both drug cardiotoxicity evaluation and cardiovascular drug development. In particular, the recent rapid development of human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology and the rise of the organ-on-a-chip technique have provided great potential to achieve more physiologically relevant in vitro models. However, recapitulating the key role of the vasculature endothelial layer in drug action on myocardium in the models is still challenging. In this work, we developed an openable heart-on-a-chip system using highly purified functional hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) with an integrated vascular endothelial layer based on our previously proposed culture-patch method. The purity and functionality of the differentiated hiPSC-CMs were characterized, which were applied into the lower chamber of the sandwich-structured device to form the CM layer. The integrity and cell morphology of the endothelial layer on the culture patch as well as the influence of fluid shear force were studied, which was integrated in between the upper and lower chambers. The constructed heart-on-a-chip was finally applied for drug testing. The effect of two cardiac targeting drugs (isoproterenol and E-4031) directly on the hiPSC-CMs or after penetrating through the endothelial layer under static or dynamic conditions was evaluated. The results demonstrated the significance of a vascular layer in in vitro myocardium models for drug testing, as well as the advantage and potential of the proposed platform for cardiovascular drug evaluation with more human physiological relevance.
Band alignment and interlayer hybridisation in transition metal dichalcogenide/hexagonal boron nitride heterostructures
Authors: Magorrian S J , Graham A J , Yeung N , Ferreira F , Nguyen P V , Barinov A , Fal’ko V I , Wilson N R , Hine N D M
Published: October 2022

In van der Waals heterostructures, the relative alignment of bands between layers, and the resulting band hybridisation, are key factors in determining a range of electronic properties. This work examines these effects for heterostructures of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), an ubiquitous combination given the role of hBN as an encapsulating material. By comparing results of density functional calculations with experimental angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) results, we explore the hybridisation between the valence states of the TMD and hBN layers, and show that it introduces avoided crossings between the TMD and hBN bands, with umklapp processes opening ‘ghost’ avoided crossings in individual bands. Comparison between density functional theory (DFT) and ARPES spectra for the MoSe2/hBN heterostructure shows that the valence bands of MoSe2 and hBN are significantly further separated in energy in experiment as compared to DFT. We then show that a novel scissor operator can be applied to the hBN valence states in the DFT calculations, to correct the band alignment and enable quantitative comparison to ARPES, explaining avoided crossings and other features of band visibility in the ARPES spectra.
A clean and efficient method for purifying crude selenium based on a selective leaching - directed decomposition purification process
Authors: Xu Na , He Xiaocai , Xu Qingxin , Diao Weizhi , Yan Sen , He Qiugu , Ren Tin
Published: October 2022

The rare element selenium is a key material in supporting the development of high-tech and new products. This research has led to the development of a method of purifying crude selenium based on a selective leaching-directed decomposition purification process. The influence of factors such as the concentration of the leaching solution, leaching temperature, solid-liquid ratio, and leaching time on the leaching rate of Se were investigated in detail. The experimental results show that the optimal conditions for selective leaching of selenium were as follows: the concentration of leaching solution (solute: Na2SO3) was 260 g l−1, the stirring speed was 300 rpm, the ratio of liquid to solid was 0.10 g ml−1, the reaction temperature was 90 °C, the reaction time was 180 min, and the leaching rate of selenium on one run was >95%. The products of selenium after two runs meet the requirements of Se99.9 in YS/223–2007, the Chinese nonferrous metal industry standard. The direct yield of Se is greater than 90%, and precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum are enriched in the residue. No waste is produced during the whole purification process, and all products can be recycled. This study provides an efficient and environmentally friendly method for the purification of crude selenium, which has important industrial applications.
An efficient deep neural network accelerator using controlled ferroelectric domain dynamics
Authors: Majumdar Sayani
Published: October 2022

The current work reports an efficient deep neural network (DNN) accelerator, where analog synaptic weight elements are controlled by ferroelectric (FE) domain dynamics. An integrated device-to-algorithm framework for benchmarking novel synaptic devices is used. In poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)-based ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJs), analog conductance states are measured using a custom pulsing protocol, and associated control circuits and array architectures for DNN training are simulated. Our results show that precise control of polarization switching dynamics in multi-domain polycrystalline FE thin films can produce considerable weight-update linearity in metal–ferroelectric–semiconductor (MFS) tunnel junctions. Ultrafast switching and low junction currents in these devices offer extremely energy-efficient operation. Via an integrated platform of hardware development, characterization and modeling, we predict the available conductance range, where linearity is expected under identical potentiating and depressing pulses for efficient DNN training and inference tasks. As an example, an analog crossbar-based DNN accelerator with MFS junctions as synaptic weight elements showed >93% training accuracy on a large MNIST handwritten digit dataset while, for cropped images, >95% accuracy is achieved. One observed challenge is the rather limited dynamic conductance range while operating under identical potentiating and depressing pulses below 1 V. Investigation is underway to improve the FTJ dynamic conductance range, maintaining the weight-update linearity under an identical pulse scheme.
Harnessing Google Health Trends Data for Epidemiologic Research
Authors: Neumann Krista , Mason Susan M , Farkas Kriszta , Santaularia N Jeanie , Ahern Jennifer , Riddell Corinne A
Published: October 2022

Interest in using internet search data, such as that from the Google Health Trends Application Programming Interface (GHT-API), to measure epidemiologically relevant exposures or health outcomes is growing due to their accessibility and timeliness. Researchers enter search term(s), geography, and time period, and the GHT-API returns a scaled probability of that search term, given all searches within the specified geographic-time period. In this study, we detailed a method for using these data to measure a construct of interest in 5 iterative steps: first, identify phrases the target population may use to search for the construct of interest; second, refine candidate search phrases with incognito Google searches to improve sensitivity and specificity; third, craft the GHT-API search term(s) by combining the refined phrases; fourth, test search volume and choose geographic and temporal scales; and fifth, retrieve and average multiple samples to stabilize estimates and address missingness. An optional sixth step involves accounting for changes in total search volume by normalizing. We present a case study examining weekly state-level child abuse searches in the United States during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (January 2018 to August 2020) as an application of this method and describe limitations.
The Norton Healthcare electronic antimicrobial stewardship program: An opt-out approach to antimicrobial stewardship
Authors: Wilde Ashley M , Song Matthew , Moore Sarah E , Bohn Brian C , Swingler Elena A , Schulz Paul S
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To describe the Norton Healthcare electronic antimicrobial stewardship program (E-ASP), a novel prospective audit and feedback approach that leverages the electronic medical record to overcome efficiency barriers. Additionally, to describe an accompanying opt-out antimicrobial stewardship approach that addresses provider nonresponsiveness.

Prospective audit and feedback is recommended by antimicrobial stewardship guidelines; however, execution can be difficult due to labor requirements, delays in communication, and provider nonparticipation. The Norton E-ASP was developed to address these issues by reliably identifying target patients, documenting assessments, streamlining recommendation delivery, promoting handoff, and providing automated tracking of recommendation responses. Opt-out stewardship allows recommendations to be implemented if not rejected after 24 hours.

Conclusion

A 25% reduction in target antimicrobial use has been achieved and sustained with the program. Use of the Norton E-ASP, including opt-out antimicrobial stewardship, broadened the reach and furthered the impact of infectious diseases pharmacists. Successes of this program justified addition of 3 full-time infectious diseases pharmacist positions at a large community health system. This strategy may serve as a model for tele-antimicrobial stewardship or other pharmacy recommendations.
wenda_gpu: fast domain adaptation for genomic data
Authors: Hippen Ariel A , Crawford Jake , Gardner Jacob R , Greene Casey S
Published: October 2022

Motivation

Domain adaptation allows for the development of predictive models even in cases with limited sample data. Weighted elastic net domain adaptation specifically leverages features of genomic data to maximize transferability but the method is too computationally demanding to apply to many genome-sized datasets.

Results

We developed wenda_gpu, which uses GPyTorch to train models on genomic data within hours on a single GPU-enabled machine. We show that wenda_gpu returns comparable results to the original wenda implementation, and that it can be used for improved prediction of cancer mutation status on small sample sizes than regular elastic net.

Availability and implementation

wenda_gpu is available on GitHub at https://github.com/greenelab/wenda_gpu/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A yes-associated protein 1- Notch1 receptor positive feedback loop promotes breast cancer lung metastasis by attenuating the bone morphogenetic protein 4-SMAD family member 1/5 signaling
Authors: Zhao Lin , Lei Jianjun , Gu Shanzhi , Zhang Yujiao , Jing Xin , Wang Lu , Zhang Lifen , Ning Qian , Luo Minna , Qi Yifan , Zhao Xinhan , Shao Shan
Published: October 2022

The Notch1 (Notch1 receptor) and yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) signaling can regulate breast cancer metastasis. This study aimed at investigating whether and how these two signal pathways crosstalk to promote breast cancer lung metastasis. Here, we show that YAP1 expression was positively correlated with Notch1 in breast cancer according to bioinformatics and experimental validation. Mechanistically, YAP1 with TEA domain transcription factors (TEADs) enhanced Jagged1(JAG1)-Notch1 signaling. Meanwhile, Notch1 promoted YAP1 stability in breast cancer cells by inhibiting the β-TrCP-mediated degradation, thereby, forming a YAP1- JAG1/Notch1 positive feedback loop in breast cancer. Furthermore, YAP1 enhanced the mammosphere formation and stemness of MDA-MB-231 cells by attenuating the inhibition of the BMP4-SMAD1/5 signaling. In vivo, the YAP1- JAG1/Notch1 positive feedback loop promoted the lung colonization of MDA-MB-231 cells. Our data for the first time indicate that the YAP1-Notch1 positive feedback loop promotes lung metastasis of breast cancer by modulating self-renewal and inhibiting the BMP4-SMAD1/5 signaling.
‘Participation—with what money and whose time?’ An intersectional feminist analysis of community participation
Authors: Fursova Julia , Bishop-Earle Denise , Hamilton Kisa , Kranias Gillian
Published: October 2022

The paper presents the results of community-based participatory action research that evaluated the quality and extent of resident participation in community development projects initiated by a network of non-profit and public agencies in a lower-income, racialized neighbourhood in Toronto. The paper examines dynamics of community engagement and volunteer participation in relation to the socio-political context of neoliberal urban development within which they unfold. Against this backdrop, the paper discusses processes of normalization and the mainstreaming of a technocratic or instrumental approach to community engagement. The paper argues how this instrumental approach extracts volunteer participation from residents to meet short-term organizational targets while offering no genuine opportunity for residents to co-create long-term, meaningful solutions to community needs and priorities. Such short-term, ‘band-aid’ community engagement and capacity building projects contribute to a crisis of trust between residents and the non-profit agencies. The paper presents a community engagement continuum mapping indicators for technocratic and extractivist community engagement in contrast to indicators for transformative and empowering processes.