bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solution-processed PDMS/SWCNT porous electrodes with high mass loading: toward high performance all-stretchable-component lithium ion batteries
Authors: Liang Jing , Wang Shuya , Yu Hongyan , Zhao Xiaoli , Wang Haiting , Tong Yanhong , Tang Qingxin , Liu Yichun
Published: January 2020

An all-stretchable-component lithium ion battery based on a 3D PDMS/SWCNT porous framework was fabricated, delivering high electrochemical performance and high stretchability.
Green synthesis of polypyrrole tubes using curcumin template for excellent electrochemical performance in supercapacitors
Authors: Jyothibasu Jincy Parayangattil , Lee Rong-Ho
Published: January 2020

In this study, polypyrrole (PPy) having a unique hollow tubular structure was prepared through a simple and scalable one-step method of in situ chemical oxidative polymerization, employing curcumin, a plant-derived material, as a readily removable and eco-friendly template.
Rational design of bifunctional ORR/OER catalysts based on Pt/Pd-doped Nb2CT2 MXene by first-principles calculations
Authors: Kan Dongxiao , Wang Dashuai , Zhang Xilin , Lian Ruqian , Xu Jing , Chen Gang , Wei Yingjin
Published: January 2020

Nb2CF2–VF–Pt is confirmed to be the best bifunctional catalyst toward ORR and OER, with relative low theoretical overpotentials (0.40 V for ORR and 0.37 V for OER).
A 16.4% efficiency organic photovoltaic cell enabled using two donor polymers with their side-chains oriented differently by a ternary strategy
Authors: Chang Yuan , Lau Tsz-Ki , Chow Philip C. Y. , Wu Ningning , Su Dan , Zhang Weichao , Meng Huifeng , Ma Chao , Liu Tao , Li Kun , Zou Xinhui , Wong Kam Sing , Lu Xinhui , Yan He , Zhan Chuanlang
Published: January 2020

A ternary material system featuring two donor polymers with identical absorption spectra and differently-oriented side-chains was used in an organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell. It is the first ternary blended OPV cell with two donor polymers with >16% efficiency.
Exploring mechanisms for generating spin-orbital coupling through donor–acceptor design to realize spin flipping in thermally activated delayed fluorescence
Authors: Wang Miaosheng , Chatterjee Tanmay , Foster Camera Janelle , Wu Ting , Yi Chih-Lun , Yu Haomiao , Wong Ken-Tsung , Hu Bin
Published: January 2020

Spin-orbital coupling effects and the underlying spin-dependent processes to achieve high-efficiency TADF are revealed based on magneto-optical studies.
A new strategy for structuring white organic light-emitting diodes by combining complementary emissions in the same interface
Authors: Wei Xiaozhen , Gao Long , Miao Yanqin , Zhao Yaping , Yin Mengna , Wang Hua , Xu Bingshe
Published: January 2020

All exciplex-based white emission is realized by combining complementary exciplex emissions in the same exciplex donor layer interface.
A malaria parasite subtilisin propeptide-like protein is a potent inhibitor of the egress protease SUB1
Authors: Tarr Sarah J. , Withers-Martinez Chrislaine , Flynn Helen R. , Snijders Ambrosius P. , Masino Laura , Koussis Konstantinos , Conway David J. , Blackman Michael J.
Published: January 2020

Subtilisin-like serine peptidases (subtilases) play important roles in the life cycle of many organisms, including the protozoan parasites that are the causative agent of malaria, Plasmodium spp. As with other peptidases, subtilase proteolytic activity has to be tightly regulated in order to prevent potentially deleterious uncontrolled protein degradation. Maturation of most subtilases requires the presence of an N-terminal propeptide that facilitates folding of the catalytic domain. Following its proteolytic cleavage, the propeptide acts as a transient, tightly bound inhibitor until its eventual complete removal to generate active protease. Here we report the identification of a stand-alone malaria parasite propeptide-like protein, called SUB1-ProM, encoded by a conserved gene that lies in a highly syntenic locus adjacent to three of the four subtilisin-like genes in the Plasmodium genome. Template-based modelling and ab initio structure prediction showed that the SUB1-ProM core structure is most similar to the X-ray crystal structure of the propeptide of SUB1, an essential parasite subtilase that is discharged into the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) to trigger parasite release (egress) from infected host cells. Recombinant Plasmodium falciparum SUB1-ProM was found to be a fast-binding, potent inhibitor of P. falciparum SUB1, but not of the only other essential blood-stage parasite subtilase, SUB2, or of other proteases examined. Mass-spectrometry and immunofluorescence showed that SUB1-ProM is expressed in the PV of blood stage P. falciparum, where it may act as an endogenous inhibitor to regulate SUB1 activity in the parasite.
Children's Response Bias and Identification of Misarticulated Words
Authors: Krueger Breanna I. , Storkel Holly L.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine whether children's identification of misarticulated words as real objects was influenced by an inherent bias toward selecting real objects or whether a change in experimental conditions could impact children's selections.

Method

Forty preschool children aged 4 years 0 months to 6 years 11 months across 2 experiments heard accurate productions of real words (e.g., “leaf”), misarticulated words (e.g., “weaf” and “yeaf”), and unrelated nonwords (e.g., “geem”). Within the misarticulated words, the commonness of the substitute was controlled to be “common” or “uncommon.” Using the MouseTracker software, children were asked to select between a real object (e.g., a leaf) and a novel object (Experiment 1) or between a real object (e.g., a leaf) and a blank square, which represented a hidden object (Experiment 2).

Results

Consistent with previous findings, children chose real objects significantly more when they heard accurate productions (e.g., “leaf”) than misarticulated productions (e.g., “weaf” or “yeaf”) across both experiments. In misarticulation conditions, real object selections were lower than in the previous study; however, children chose real objects significantly more in the common misarticulation condition than in the uncommon misarticulation condition.

Conclusions

The results of this study are consistent with previous findings. Children's behavioral responses depended upon the task. Despite these differences in the task, children demonstrated ease in integrating variability into their word identification.
Horticulture affects macroinvertebrate assemblages in adjacent streams (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Authors: Arias Marina , Scalise Ana , Solis Marina , Paracampo Ariel , Indaco Mercedes , Fanelli Silvia , Mugni Hernán , Bonetto Carlos
Published: January 2020

The agrochemicals used on crops can reach watercourses, affecting water quality and biologic communities. The aim of this research was to study the effects of horticulture on the water quality and invertebrate assemblages of adjacent streams in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Four streams draining horticultural basins were compared with another four considered less disturbed: two of the latter located in a Biosphere Reserve and the other two in extensive livestock-raising basins. Pesticides were detected in the horticulture-related streams, while nutrient concentrations were significantly higher than in the less-disturbed streams. The macroinvertebrate assemblages differed: the less-disturbed streams exhibited a significantly higher taxa richness and density. Hyalella sp. and Simocephalus vetulus were dominant, whereas Entomobryoidea, Dugessidae, and Glossiphoniidae were dominant in the horticulture-associated streams. Ephemeroptera (Caenis and Baetidae) were well represented in the less-disturbed streams and rare or absent in the horticulture-adjacent streams. Multivariate analysis indicated that the horticulture-impacted sites contained high nutrient concentrations and tolerant taxa, while the less-disturbed sites corresponded to lower nutrient concentrations and sensitive taxa. We propose Hyalella sp. and S. vetulus as water-quality indicators in pampean streams and conclude that intensive agrochemical applications in horticulture increase nutrient and pesticide loads affecting the macroinvertebrate assemblages of adjacent streams.
Langzeitüberleben nach Krebs
Authors: Mehnert-Theuerkauf Anja
Published: January 2020

Die Überlebensaussichten von Krebspatientinnen und Krebspatienten haben sich
in den letzten 30 Jahren deutlich verbessert und die Anzahl der Menschen, die mit
und nach einer Krebserkrankung leben („Cancer Survivors“), steigt
weltweit an 1
2. Das Thema „Leben mit oder nach einer
Krebserkrankung“ steht im Fokus zahlreicher internationaler Studien, die
neben den körperlichen vor allem auch die psychosozialen Langzeit- und
Spätfolgen aufzeigen 3
4
5. Viele Patienten, bei denen Krebs in einem
frühen Stadium diagnostiziert wurde, weisen relativ bald nach
Behandlungsende wieder eine vergleichbare Lebensqualität im Vergleich zu
Personen ohne Krebserkrankung in der Vorgeschichte auf 6
7. Bei vielen (ehemals) Erkrankten treten nach
invasiveren Krebstherapien jedoch körperliche, funktionelle und
psychosoziale Probleme auf, die nach dem Ende der primären Therapie noch
Jahre anhalten, d. h. chronisch oder irreversibel werden oder in der Folge
erst spät auftreten können 3.
Extrakorporale Stoßwellentherapie – eine Übersicht
Authors: Lemhöfer Christina
Published: January 2020

Als 1980 erstmals extrakorporale Stoßwellen zur Auflösung von Nierensteinen genutzt wurden, war noch nicht klar, in welche Dimensionen die Therapie in den nächsten Jahren wachsen würde. Gilt es bei der Lithotripsie die Konkremente in der Niere zu zerstören, so zeigen sich in den aktuellen Anwendungen besonders im orthopädischen Bereich die Ziele deutlich spezifischer [1]. Es trat eine rasante Entwicklung der Methode ein. Insgesamt nimmt die Therapieform immer größeren Raum in der konservativen Therapie vieler muskuloskeletaler Erkrankungen ein. Der folgende Artikel soll als Einstieg in das Thema eine erste Orientierung ermöglichen
Zur Form und Struktur von Hypothesen im Rahmen der physiotherapeutischen Untersuchung am Beispiel der beobachtenden Ganganalyse – Qualitative Think-Aloud-Analyse
Authors: Gers Vivien , Probst Annette Irene , Schöttker-Königer Thomas
Published: January 2020

Hintergrund Obwohl Hypothesen als zentraler Bestandteil des Clinical Reasonings in der Physiotherapie eine Grundlage für therapeutisches Handeln darstellen, gibt es in der physiotherapeutischen Fachliteratur wenige Anhaltspunkte für deren Bildung und deren Merkmale.

Ziel Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die Hypothesenbildung am Beispiel der beobachtenden Ganganalyse zu untersuchen. Dabei wird die Frage geklärt, inwieweit Hypothesen im wissenschaftlichen Sinn gebildet werden können. Dafür werden die Begriffe Hypothese und Heuristik differenziert erläutert.

Methode Zur Untersuchung der Hypothesenbildung wurde ein qualitativer Forschungszugang gewählt. Dabei wurden acht Experten aus dem Feld der Physiotherapie anhand der Think-Aloud-Methode bei der beobachtenden Ganganalyse untersucht.

Ergebnisse Es konnten drei unterschiedliche Hypothesentypen herausgearbeitet werden. Dabei handelt es sich um (1) zu bewertende, (2) zu interpretierende und (3) zu bewertende und konditionale Annahmen. Keine der von den Experten gebildeten Hypothesen entspricht den Kriterien, die an Hypothesen im wissenschaftlichen Sinn heranreichen. Die Hypothesentypen entsprechen eher der Form, die wissenschaftstheoretisch Heuristiken zugeordnet werden.

Schlussfolgerungen Für die beobachtende Ganganalyse zeigt sich ein hypothesengeleitetes Vorgehen, welches an Heuristiken orientiert ist. Der Begriff der Hypothesenbildung wird derzeit in der Physiotherapie ungenau benutzt und sollte weiter untersucht werden, um den Wert von Annahmen, Heuristiken und echten Hypothesen für den Prozess der therapeutischen Entscheidungsfindung zu präzisieren und in Lehre und Forschung umsetzbar zu machen.
Synthesis of α,α-Disubstituted Benzocyclobutane Amino Acids through [2+2] Annulation of Benzyne with Dehydroalanine
Authors: Picard Audrey , Ciblat Stephane , Ramtohul Yeeman K.
Published: January 2020

A mild and general method for the synthesis of α,α-disubstituted benzocyclobutane amino acids through a [2+2] annulation of benzyne with dehydroalanine is described. Yields up to 88% of the constrained quaternary amino acids can be obtained and its application in peptidomimetic synthesis is demonstrated.
Safe method for release of severe post burn neck contracture under tumescent local anaesthesia and ketamine
Authors: Agarwal Pawan
Published: January 2020

Severe post burn neck contracture results in difficult intubation, which can be life threatening and can result in multiple serious complications and sequels. Thirty patients with age ranging from 12 to 50 years were operated under local tumescent anesthesia supplemented with intravenous ketamine for release of post burn neck contracture and split skin grafted. This technique obviates the need for endotracheal intubation. There were no complications attributed to this anesthesia technique. There was no graft loss and blood loss was minimal.
Mycobacterium fortuitum abdominal wall abscesses following liposuction
Authors: Al Soub Hussam , Al-Maslamani Eman , Al-Maslamani Mona
Published: January 2020

we describe here a case of abdominal abscesses due to mycobacterium fortuitum following liposuction. the abscesses developed three months after the procedure and diagnosis was delayed for five months. the clues for diagnosis were persistent pus discharge in spite of broad spectrum antibiotics and failure to grow any organisms on routine culture. this condition has been rarely reported; however, the increasing number of liposuction procedures done and awareness among physicians will probably result in the identification of more cases. combination antibiotic therapy with surgical drainage in more extensive diseases is essential for cure.
Characterizing signal encoding and transmission in class I and class II neurons via ordinal time-series analysis
Authors: Estarellas C. , Masoliver M. , Masoller C. , Mirasso Claudio R.
Published: January 2020

Neurons encode and transmit information in spike sequences. However, despite the effort devoted to understand the encoding and transmission of information, the mechanisms underlying the neuronal encoding are not yet fully understood. Here, we use a nonlinear method of time-series analysis (known as ordinal analysis) to compare the statistics of spike sequences generated by applying an input signal to the neuronal model of Morris–Lecar. In particular, we consider two different regimes for the neurons which lead to two classes of excitability: class I, where the frequency-current curve is continuous and class II, where the frequency-current curve is discontinuous. By applying ordinal analysis to sequences of inter-spike-intervals (ISIs) our goals are (1) to investigate if different neuron types can generate spike sequences which have similar symbolic properties; (2) to get deeper understanding on the effects that electrical (diffusive) and excitatory chemical (i.e., excitatory synapse) couplings have; and (3) to compare, when a small-amplitude periodic signal is applied to one of the neurons, how the signal features (amplitude and frequency) are encoded and transmitted in the generated ISI sequences for both class I and class II type neurons and electrical or chemical couplings. We find that depending on the frequency, specific combinations of neuron/class and coupling-type allow a more effective encoding, or a more effective transmission of the signal.
Fano resonance lineshapes in a waveguide-microring structure enabled by an air-hole
Authors: Gu Linpeng , Fang Liang , Fang Hanlin , Li Juntao , Zheng Jianbang , Zhao Jianlin , Zhao Qiang , Gan Xuetao
Published: January 2020

We propose and demonstrate, by simply inserting an air-hole in the waveguide side-coupling with a microring resonator (MRR), that the transmission spectrum presents Fano lineshapes at all of the resonant modes. Measured from the fabricated devices, Fano lineshapes with slope rates over 400 dB/nm and extinction ratios over 20 dB are obtained. We ascribe it to the air-hole-induced phase-shift between the discrete resonant modes of the MRR and the continuum propagating mode of the bus-waveguide, which modifies their interference lineshapes from symmetric Lorentzian to asymmetric Fano. From devices with varied locations and diameters of the air-hole, different Fano asymmetric parameters are extracted, verifying the air-hole-induced phase-shifts. This air-hole-assisted waveguide-MRR structure for achieving Fano resonance lineshapes has the advantage of simple design, compact footprint, and large tolerance of fabrication errors, as well as broadband operation range. It has great potential to expand and improve the performances of on-chip MRR-based devices, including sensors, switches, and filters.
Interplay between emission wavelength and s-p splitting in MOCVD-grown InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots emitting above 1.3
μ
m
Authors: Podemski Paweł , Musiał Anna , Gawarecki Krzysztof , Maryński Aleksander , Gontar Przemysław , Bercha Artem , Trzeciakowski Witold A. , Srocka Nicole , Heuser Tobias , Quandt David , Strittmatter André , Rodt Sven , Reitzenstein Stephan , Sęk Grzegorz
Published: January 2020

The electronic structure of strain-engineered single InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots emitting in the telecommunication O band is probed experimentally by photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy. The observed resonances can be attributed to p-shell states of individual quantum dots. The determined energy difference between the s-shell and the p-shell shows an inverse dependence on the emission energy. The experimental data are compared with the results of confined state calculations, where the impact of the size and composition in the investigated structures is simulated within the 8-band k·p model. On this basis, the experimental observation is attributed mainly to changes in the indium content within individual quantum dots, indicating a way of engineering and selecting a desired quantum dot whose electronic structure is the most suitable for a given nanophotonic application.
Emittance study of the high intensity highly charged heavy ion beams extracted from electron cyclotron resonance ion source
Authors: Fang X. , Sun L. T. , Yuan Y. J. , Qian C. , Yang Y. , Lu W. , Zhao H. W.
Published: January 2020

According to the requirements of ion beams extracted from an electron cyclotron resonance ion source transverse phase space coupling research and the afterglow beam property effective measurement, a pepper pot type meter called PEMiL (Pepper Pot Emittance Meter in Lanzhou) has been designed, fabricated, and commissioned to obtain the emittance of high intensity highly charged heavy ion beams. The direct current beam emittance measurement results verify the coupling property caused by the semisolenoid field. This paper also describes the scheme of multiple exposure accumulation which was applied to measure the afterglow beam property, and the transverse phase space distribution of the oxygen afterglow beam which was measured for the first time is presented.
Magnetic correlations in the disordered ferromagnetic alloy Ni-V revealed with small angle neutron scattering
Authors: Schroeder A. , Bhattarai S. , Gebretsadik A , Adawi H. , Lussier J.-G. , Krycka K. L.
Published: January 2020

We present small angle neutron scattering (SANS) data collected on polycrystalline Ni1−xVx samples with x ≥ 0.10 with confirmed random atomic distribution. We aim to determine the relevant length scales of magnetic correlations in ferromagnetic samples with low critical temperatures Tc that show signs of magnetic inhomogeneities in magnetization and μSR data. The SANS study reveals signatures of long-range order and coexistence of short-range magnetic correlations in this randomly disordered ferromagnetic alloy. We show the advantages of a polarization analysis in identifying the main magnetic contributions from the dominating nuclear scattering.
BaTiO3/Al0.58Ga0.42N lateral heterojunction diodes with breakdown field exceeding 8 MV/cm
Authors: Razzak Towhidur , Chandrasekar Hareesh , Hussain Kamal , Lee Choong Hee , Mamun Abdullah , Xue Hao , Xia Zhanbo , Sohel Shahadat H. , Rahman Mohammad Wahidur , Bajaj Sanyam , Wang Caiyu , Lu Wu , Khan Asif , Rajan Siddharth
Published: January 2020

In this Letter, we demonstrate a Pt/BaTiO3/Al0.58Ga0.42N lateral heterojunction diode with enhanced breakdown characteristics. By using BaTiO3, a high-k material, as a dielectric material between the anode and semiconductor, the peak electric field at the anode edge near the cathode was significantly reduced and an average breakdown field exceeding 8 MV/cm was achieved for devices with an anode to cathode spacing of <0.2 μm. In contrast, Pt/Al0.58Ga0.42N control Schottky diodes displayed an average breakdown field of ∼4 MV/cm for devices with similar dimensions. The use of a high-k dielectric can more effectively utilize the high breakdown fields in ultra-wide bandgap materials by proper management of the electric field. This demonstration thus provides a framework to realize ultra-scaled lateral devices with improved breakdown characteristics.
Mechanically tuned conductivity at individual grain boundaries in polycrystalline ZnO varistor ceramics
Authors: Bremecker Daniel , Keil Peter , Gehringer Maximilian , Isaia Daniel , Rödel Jürgen , Frömling Till
Published: January 2020

Mechanically induced changes in electrical properties have gained increasing interest over the last decade. The research field piezotronics, which describes the change in potential barrier height (e.g., at Schottky contacts) by piezoelectric charges, could lead to promising applications such as sensors or strain trigged transistors. In this contribution, the changes of potential barriers by mechanical stress at several grain boundaries of polycrystalline ZnO have been quantified. Rationalization is provided by concurrent measurement of crystal orientations of both neighboring grains. The highest changes in barrier height could be observed at ZnO–ZnO grain boundaries exhibiting varistor properties. In this case, the barrier height can be almost completely reduced by positive piezoelectric charges. Furthermore, an increase in barrier height is observed with negative piezoelectric charges. The developed physical model suggests an equivalent impact of externally applied voltage and induced positive piezoelectric charge on the barrier properties. In turn, not only the barrier height is modified by piezoelectric charges but also the breakdown voltage. This has, nevertheless, been only indirectly verified in experiments. These allow rationalizing the proposed model. Furthermore, a statistical study reveals a change in the distribution of breakdown voltages with changing stress conditions in the varistor ceramic.
Influence of van der Waals epitaxy on phase transformation behaviors in 2D heterostructure
Authors: Dong Jiyu , Liu Lixuan , Nie Anmin , Xiang Jianyong , Zhai Kun , Wang Bochong , Wen Fusheng , Mu Congpu , Chen Yanan , Zhao Zhisheng , Gong Yongji , Tian Yongjun , Liu Zhongyuan
Published: January 2020

Despite exhibiting their attractive properties and performances, the interlayer interaction in two-dimensional van der Waals epitaxy heterostructures is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate the growth of two dimensional vertically stacked multilayer β-In2Se3/monolayer WS2 heterostructures via the chemical vapor deposition method. Despite a large lattice misfit (29.9%), the vertically stacked β-In2Se3/WS2 heterostructures exhibit van der Waals epitaxy with well-aligned lattice orientation of WS2(100)[001]//In2Se3(100)[001], forming a periodic superlattice. Interestingly, a reversible phase transformation of epitaxial β-In2Se3 has been observed by temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy and electron diffraction conducted from liquid N2 to room temperature. Notably, the phase transformation of epitaxial β-In2Se3 can only be observed when its layer number is larger than 4 and the transformation temperature increases with the increase in the layer number, indicating a layer number dependent phase transformation of epitaxial β-In2Se3. These results indicate that the confinement effect exists between monolayer WS2 and epitaxial β-In2Se3, strongly constraining the lattice change of adjacent few layers of β-In2Se3.
A simple asymptotic search method for estimation of minimum zone sphericity error
Authors: Mei Jian , Huang Qiangxian , Chen Jianguo , Cheng Rongjun , Zhang Liansheng , Fang Chuanzhi , Wang Chaoqun , Cheng Zhenying
Published: January 2020

With the rapid development of micromachining technology, sphericity errors have become an important factor that determines product quality; thus, it is critical to establish an algorithm to estimate sphericity errors effectively and accurately. In this paper, an asymptotic search method based on the minimum zone sphere (MZS) is proposed to estimate sphericity errors. A least square sphere center is used as the initial reference center through establishing a search sphere model to gradually approach the MZS center. Then, a quasi-MZS center is determined. According to the definition and geometric structure of the minimum zone sphere, five control points dominating the homocentric spheres are searched. As a result, the MZS center and the sphericity error are obtained. Both simulation experiments and data from the literature are utilized to verify the feasibility and performance. The results indicate that the proposed method is reliable and can estimate sphericity errors efficiently and accurately.
Production method of millimeter-wave absorber with 3D-printed mold
Authors: Adachi S. , Hattori M. , Kanno F. , Kiuchi K. , Okada T. , Tajima O.
Published: January 2020

We established a production method of a millimeter-wave absorber by using a 3D-printed mold. The mold has a periodic pyramid shape, and an absorptive material is filled into the mold. This shape reduces the surface reflection. The 3D-printed mold is made from a transparent material in the millimeter-wave range. Therefore, unmolding is not necessary. A significant benefit of this production method is easy prototyping with various shapes and various absorptive materials. We produced a test model and used a two-component epoxy encapsulant as the absorptive material. The test model achieved a low reflectance: ∼1% at 100 GHz. The absorber is sometimes maintained at a low temperature condition for cases in which superconducting detectors are used. Therefore, cryogenic performance is required in terms of a mechanical strength for the thermal cycles, an adhesive strength, and a sufficient thermal conductivity. We confirmed the test-model strength by immersing the model into a liquid-nitrogen bath.
Numerical investigation of flow-induced vibrations of two cylinders in tandem arrangement with full wake interference
Authors: Lin Ke , Wang Jiasong , Zheng Hanxu , Sun Yuankun
Published: January 2020

This paper presents a numerical investigation on flow-induced vibration (FIV) of two elastically mounted cylinders in a tandem arrangement at subcritical Reynolds numbers. The tandem spacing between the cylinder centers is set at four cylinder diameters, placing the FIV problem within the full wake interference regime. A fluid-structure interaction numerical methodology based on a two-dimensional discrete vortex method is developed and applied to the FIV simulation of two cylinders. To investigate the effect of the upstream wake frequency and Reynolds number on the FIV response of the downstream cylinder separately, two experimental cases are designed. In one case, the FIV response is investigated with the Reynolds number varying and the upstream wake frequency fixed. In another case, the Reynolds number is fixed and the upstream wake frequency varies. In both cases, the FIV response of the upstream cylinder roughly resembles the lower branch of the typical vortex-induced vibration response of the single cylinder with the upstream reduced velocity varying from 6 to 9. For the downstream cylinder, the FIV response is characterized by two frequency branches: a dominant frequency branch associated with the wake interference mechanism and a secondary frequency branch associated with the upstream vortex shedding mechanism. It is found that the variation of the vortex shedding frequency in the upstream wake has little effect on the amplitude and dominant frequency of the downstream FIV response but directly causes the variation of the secondary frequency as the secondary frequency strictly follows the upstream vortex shedding frequency. The FIV response amplitude and dominant frequency of the downstream cylinder shows a strong dependence on the Reynolds number. The wake pattern of FIV shows that the FIV vortex shedding of each cylinder is directly related to the motion of itself but slightly modified by the wake of other cylinders for the full wake interference regime. The upstream wake vortices interfering with the downstream motion induce a flow in favor of the downstream FIV response.
Feature engineering and symbolic regression methods for detecting hidden physics from sparse sensor observation data
Authors: Vaddireddy Harsha , Rasheed Adil , Staples Anne E. , San Omer
Published: January 2020

We put forth a modular approach for distilling hidden flow physics from discrete and sparse observations. To address functional expressiblity, a key limitation of the black-box machine learning methods, we have exploited the use of symbolic regression as a principle for identifying relations and operators that are related to the underlying processes. This approach combines evolutionary computation with feature engineering to provide a tool for discovering hidden parameterizations embedded in the trajectory of fluid flows in the Eulerian frame of reference. Our approach in this study mainly involves gene expression programming (GEP) and sequential threshold ridge regression (STRidge) algorithms. We demonstrate our results in three different applications: (i) equation discovery, (ii) truncation error analysis, and (iii) hidden physics discovery, for which we include both predicting unknown source terms from a set of sparse observations and discovering subgrid scale closure models. We illustrate that both GEP and STRidge algorithms are able to distill the Smagorinsky model from an array of tailored features in solving the Kraichnan turbulence problem. Our results demonstrate the huge potential of these techniques in complex physics problems, and reveal the importance of feature selection and feature engineering in model discovery approaches.
Exploring the sterically disfavored binding of acetylene to a geminal olefinic hydrogen-fluorine atom pair: The microwave spectrum and molecular structure of cis-1,2-difluoroethylene–acetylene
Authors: Leung Helen O. , Marshall Mark D.
Published: January 2020

The microwave rotational spectrum of the gas-phase bimolecular heterodimer formed between cis-1,2-difluoroethylene and acetylene is obtained using Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy from 5.9 to 21.2 GHz. Rotational constants derived from the analysis of the spectra for the normal isotopologue and singly substituted 13C isotopologues, obtained in natural abundance, allow the determination of the structure of the complex, which, in the absence of a fluorine-hydrogen atom pair located cis to each other, adopts a sterically disfavored geometry (“side-binding”) in which the acetylene interacts with a geminal fluorine-hydrogen atom pair. Structural details are found to be similar to those of previously studied heterodimers with side-binding of acetylene to fluorine while reflecting the degree of halosubstitution. A detailed comparison with the (Z)-1-chloro-2-fluoroethylene-acetylene complex reveals information regarding the relaxed steric requirements for hydrogen bonding to chlorine as opposed to hydrogen bonding to fluorine.
The impact of the Zeeman gap in nonlocal spin Seebeck effect
Authors: Kim Meeri
Published: January 2020

Article reports on the origin of the field-induced suppression of the nonlocal spin Seebeck effect with changing magnetic field and temperature.
Piglet birthweight and sex affect growth performance and fatty acid composition in fatty pigs
Authors: Vázquez-Gómez Marta , García-Contreras Consolación , Astiz Susana , Torres-Rovira Laura , Fernández-Moya Eugenio , Olivares Álvaro , Daza Argimiro , Óvilo Cristina , González-Bulnes Antonio , Isabel Beatriz
Published: January 2020

This study aimed to determine the effects of piglet birthweight (BIW) and sex, and within-litter BIW variation, on postnatal growth traits and meat quality in fatty breeds of pig. In total, 406 crossbred piglets (half male, half female) born to Iberian sows were studied during their postnatal development until slaughter. After birth, piglets were classified into four BIW categories: very low, low, medium and high. There was a negative effect of low BIW on growth patterns and fatty acid (FA) composition, but effects of litter size and within-litter BIW variation were not found. The very low BIW piglets underwent a period of significant catch-up growth (P < 0.005) relative to high BIW piglets during the early postnatal phase, but also showed a higher feed conversion rate and lower average daily weight gain (P < 0.05 for both measures) throughout the study period. BIW affected development during the entire productive life, and the sex effect increased with age. As a result, the period to reach market weight was longer in very low BIW piglets, by 43 days for females and 15 days for males, compared with their high BIW counterparts. BIW and sex also influenced amount of intramuscular fat, n-3 FA content and monounsaturated FA composition. The study indicates that BIW, modulated by sex, is a critical point for productive traits in fatty pigs. These results provide a basis for future strategies to enhance productive efficiency and meat quality of traditional swine breeds.
Phote-HrTH (Phormia terraenovae Hypertrehalosaemic Hormone), the Metabolic Hormone of the Fruit Fly: Solution Structure and Receptor Binding Model
Authors: Abdulganiyyu Ibrahim A. , Sani Marc-Antoine , Separovic Frances , Marco Heather , Jackson Graham E.
Published: January 2020

Fruit flies are a widely distributed pest insect that pose a significant threat to food security. Flight is essential for the dispersal of the adult flies to find new food sources and ideal breeding spots. The supply of metabolic fuel to power the flight muscles of insects is regulated by adipokinetic hormones (AKHs). The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has the same AKH that is present in the blowfly, Phormia terraenovae; this AKH has the code-name Phote-HrTH. Binding of the AKH to the extra-cellular binding site of a G protein-coupled receptor causes its activation. In this paper, the structure of Phote-HrTH in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelle solution was determined using NMR restrained molecular dynamics. The peptide was found to bind to the micelle and be fairly rigid, with an S2 order parameter of 0.96. The translated protein sequence of the AKH receptor from the fruit fly, D. melanogaster, Drome-AKHR, was used to construct two models of the receptor. It is proposed that these two models represent the active and inactive state of the receptor. The model based on the crystal structure of the β-2 adrenergic receptor was found to bind Phote-HrTH with a binding constant of −102kJmol−1, while the other model, based on the crystal structure of rhodopsin, did not bind the peptide. Under molecular dynamic simulation, in a palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) membrane, the receptor complex changed from an inactive to an active state. The identification and characterisation of the ligand binding site of Drome-AKHR provide novel information of ligand–receptor interaction, which could lead to the development of species-specific control substances to use discriminately against the fruit fly.
Near-infrared optogenetic engineering of photothermal nanoCRISPR for programmable genome editing
Authors: Chen Xiaohong , Chen Yuxuan , Xin Huhu , Wan Tao , Ping Yuan
Published: January 2020

We herein report an optogenetically activatable CRISPR-Cas9 nanosystem for programmable genome editing in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) optical window. The nanosystem, termed nanoCRISPR, is composed of a cationic polymer-coated Au nanorod (APC) and Cas9 plasmid driven by a heat-inducible promoter. The APC not only serves as a carrier for intracellular plasmid delivery but also can harvest external NIR-II photonic energy and convert it into local heat to induce the gene expression of the Cas9 endonuclease. Due to high transfection activity, the APC shows strong ability to induce a significant level of disruption in different genomic loci upon optogenetic activation. Moreover, the precise control of genome-editing activity can be simply programmed by finely tuning exposure time and irradiation time in vitro and in vivo and also enables editing at multiple time points, thus proving the sensitivity and inducibility of such an editing modality. The NIR-II optical feature of nanoCRISPR enables therapeutic genome editing at deep tissue, by which treatment of deep tumor and rescue of fulminant hepatic failure are demonstrated as proof-of-concept therapeutic examples. Importantly, this modality of optogenetic genome editing can significantly minimize the off-target effect of CRISPR-Cas9 in most potential off-target sites. The optogenetically activatable CRISPR-Cas9 nanosystem we have developed offers a useful tool to expand the current applications of CRISPR-Cas9, and also defines a programmable genome-editing strategy toward high precision and spatial specificity.
The conceptual basis of ablativity
Authors: Hernández Arocha Héctor , Hernández Socas Elia
Published: January 2020

The aim of the present paper is to define the notion of ablativity in terms of its event structure. To achieve this goal, the authors discuss the contribution of several semantic theories dealing with that conceptual class to finally propose their own definition, extensively based on the cognitive frame-based model by Wotjak (2006;2011a;2016). Even though the survey is mainly concerned with the theoretically relevant aspects of that semantic class, many of them are also illustrated with examples from different languages, especially from Latin, Spanish and German. Finally, the authors explain how ablativity conceptually relates to other semantic classes, such as concomitance or possession.
Methanol production by reversed methylotrophy constructed inEscherichia coli
Authors: Takeya Tomoyuki , Yamakita Miyabi , Hayashi Daisuke , Fujisawa Kento , Sakai Yasuyoshi , Yurimoto Hiroya
Published: January 2020

We constructed a reversed methylotrophic pathway that produces methanol, a promising feedstock for production of useful compounds, from fructose 6-phosphate (F6P), which can be supplied by catabolism of biomass-derived sugars including glucose, by a synthetic biology approach. Using Escherichia coli as an expression host, we heterologously expressed genes encoding methanol utilization enzymes from methylotrophic bacteria, i.e. the NAD+-dependent methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) from Bacillus methanolicus S1 and an artificial fusion enzyme of 3-hexulose-6-phosphate synthase and 6-phospho-3-hexuloisomerase from Mycobacterium gastri MB19 (HPS-PHI). We confirmed that these enzymes can catalyze reverse reactions of methanol oxidation and formaldehyde fixation. The engineered E. coli strain co-expressing MDH and HPS-PHI genes produced methanol in resting cell reactions not only from F6P but also from glucose. We successfully conferred reversed methylotrophy to E. coli and our results provide a proof-of-concept for biological methanol production from biomass-derived sugar compounds.
Evidence for modified Newtonian dynamics from Cavendish-type gravitational constant experiments
Authors: Klein Norbert
Published: January 2020

Recent experimental results for the gravitational constant G from Cavendish-type experiments were analysed in the framework of modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND). MOND corrections were applied to the equation of motion of a pendulum, under the assumption that the magnitude of the horizontal time dependent gravitational acceleration determines the amount of MOND corrections. The large vertical component of the local gravitational field of the earth is fully compensated by the alignment of the torsion pendulum in accordance with Newton’s third law and therefore not considered for MOND corrections. From the analysis of the MOND corrected equation of motion of a realistic torsion pendulum with mixed gravitational and electromagnetic restoring torque simple rules for meaningful MOND corrections of measured G values determined by different operational modes of Cavendish type G experiments were derived. Based on this analysis the reported discrepancies for G determined by ‘static deflection’ and ‘electrostatic servo’ methods of the ‘BIPM’ experiment by Quinn et al and between time-of-swing and angular acceleration feedback (AAF) methods for the ‘HUST’ experiment by Li et al could be fully resolved by MOND corrections using one common MOND interpolation function, determined by a one parameter fit. The MOND corrected ‘BIPM’ and ‘HUST’ results, along with other ‘single method’ results from G experiments by Gundlach and Merkovitz, Schlamminger et al and Newman et al lead to an average G value of 6.67 422 · 10−11 m3 kg−1 s−2 with a standard deviation of 12.5 ppm only. The applied MOND correction procedure and the fitted interpolation function employed for the G experiments were found to be consistent with the most viable MOND fits to galaxy rotation curves.
Characteristics of electric quadrupole and magnetic quadrupole coupling in a symmetric silicon structure
Authors: Liu Chang , Chen Lei , Wu Tiesheng , Liu Yumin , Ma Rui , Li Jing , Yu Zhongyuan , Ye Han , Yu Li
Published: January 2020

Multipole interferences have attracted a lot of interests in last decade due to extraordinary performance on beam control and scattering shaping. However, most of previous works focused on the dipole-based interferences while the quadrupole modes and other high-order multipole modes with unique properties were of less attention. In this work, we aim to expand the present dipole-based multipole-interference regime to the quadrupole-interference regime. We study the interference between an electric quadrupole (EQ) and a magnetic quadrupole (MQ) in both isolated and periodically arranged homogeneous cross dielectric structure. Through structural parametric control, the EQ and MQ can be precisely tuned to share the same resonant intensity at a specific wavelength, resulting in a generalized Kerker effect. Moreover, a dark MQ mode, which is orthogonal with the original MQ mode, arises when we increase the interaction between structure. We find that the spectral approaching between dark MQ and original bright EQ results in an EIT effect and Fano-shaped spectral reflection response. The induced Fano spectrum possesses tunable quality factors varying from ∼10 to >105 with the variation of EQ–MQ coupling efficiency. The numerically derived maximum quality factor (238, 618) of the dielectric EQ–MQ coupling system even exceeds the quality factors of many plasmonic resonant systems. We also prove that such spectrum can be adopted to refractive index sensing. Besides, we show that EQ–MQ coupling can bring about rapid 2π phase change, which can be applied in metasurface designs. These results and conclusions about the EQ–MQ interference systems can provide a promising avenue for advanced optical devices.
Halide perovskites: current issues and new strategies to push material and device stability
Authors: Schileo Giorgio , Grancini Giulia
Published: January 2020

This short review aims at summarizing the current challenges related to poor Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs) stability which nowadays puts severe constrains on near future device commercialization. As a game changer in the field of photovoltaics (PVs), PSCs are highly efficient and cheap to fabricate. However, they suffer from poor long-term stability upon exposure to heat, moisture, oxygen and light, and combinations thereof. Poor device stability originates from intrinsic instability issues of the perovskite active layer itself, as well as extrinsic factors due to partial degradation of the layers composing the device stack. Here we briefly review the chemical and physical processes responsible for intrinsic material instability, and we highlight possible solutions to overcome it; we then consider the whole device, discussing properties and interactions of the stacked layers. Finally, particular emphasis is placed on the need of shared standards for stability tests, which should include detailed report on experimental conditions over a statistically significant number of samples, allowing for a direct comparison of results across different groups and fostering a rapid advance of our understanding of degradation mechanisms and of the solutions to overcome them.
Multicenter evaluation of assays for estradiol and progesterone in saliva.
Authors: Sufi S B , Donaldson A , Gandy S C , Jeffcoate S L , Chearskul S , Goh H , Hazra D , Romero C , Wang H Z
Published: January 2020

Blood samples can be difficult to obtain in studies involving serial sampling, especially in developing countries where there may also be logistic, ethical, and cultural constraints that make frequent blood collection impractical. Assays for steroids in saliva may avoid some of these difficulties. A multicenter study involving laboratories in five countries was carried out to compare the results of assays for salivary estradiol and progesterone performed with centrally provided reagents and assay protocols. Concentrations of salivary steroid as obtained by all but one center were comparable with those reported in the literature. We conclude that assays of hormones in saliva are useful adjuncts to those performed on other body fluids.
Simple, rapid determination of serum guanase activity with the Hitachi 736 automated discrete analyzer.
Authors: Nishikawa Y , Fukumoto K , Watanabe F
Published: January 2020

In this new method for determining serum guanase activity by use of the Hitachi 736-40 automated analyzer, serum is incubated with a mixture of xanthine oxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase; a reagent containing KCN, guanine, nitrotetrazolium blue, and Triton X-100 is added; and the increase in absorbance at 570 and 660 nm is measured for 2.4 min. Only 20 microL of sample is required, and results are linearly related to the activity concentration of guanase up to 30 U/L. Within-run and day-to-day precision (CV) was respectively 2.6 to 4.2% and 3.5 to 5.5% over 0-30 U of guanase activity per liter. The normal reference interval, as calculated from data on 40 healthy persons, is 0.1 to 2.2 U/L. Results correlate well (r = 0.997) with those by a kinetic method (Clin Chem 27: 560, 1981). The guanase activity of 150 samples can be measured within 1 h by this method.
Continuous-flow analysis for glucose with use of glucose dehydrogenase immobilized in glass tubes.
Authors: Bissé E , Scholer A , Vonderschmitt D J
Published: January 2020

We describe a method for determining glucose in serum with glucose dehydrogenase immobilized on the inner walls of glass tubes. The reactor was incorporated into a channel of a continuous-flow analyzer (the Technicon SMAC) and used daily for four weeks in routine analysis for serum glucose. During this period we tested the linearity, precision, accuracy, and durability of the reactor. Results correlated well (r = 0.9949) with those obtained by routine methods with free (nonimmobilized) glucose dehydrogenase. The method is shown to be practicable for use in the routine laboratory.