bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment for Hemifacial Spasm Associated with a Dissecting Vertebral Artery Aneurysm Requiring Microvascular Decompression in Addition to Endovascular Trapping: A Case Report with Literature Review
Authors: Ko Hak-cheol , Lee Seung Hwan , Shin Hee Sup , Koh Jun Seok
Published: March 2021

Background The treatment protocol for hemifacial spasm (HFS) associated with dissecting vertebral artery aneurysm (DVAA) has not been established.

Case Description A-42-year-old man with left HFS underwent endovascular trapping for a DVAA that was identified on brain imaging. Although the dissecting segment was treated successfully, the HFS persisted for 3 months, and subsequently microvascular decompression (MVD) was needed. The posteroinferior cerebellar artery (PICA) was found to be interposed between the root exit zone of the facial nerve and DVAA during surgery. After pulling out the PICA, the HFS ceased immediately.

Conclusion HFS associated with DVAA should be considered carefully before formulating a treatment strategy. Moreover, the cause of pulsatile compression may not be visible on brain imaging, and MVD surgery may be indicated in such cases.
Novel Focal Therapeutic Hypothermia Device for Treatment of Acute Neurologic Injury: Large Animal Safety and Efficacy Trial
Authors: Carlstrom Lucas P. , Perry Avital , Graffeo Christopher S. , Dai Daying , Ding Yong H. , Jakaitis Daniel R. , Lu Aiming , Rodgers Seth , Kreck Thomas , Hoofer Kelly , Gorny Krzysztof R. , Kadirvel Ramanathan , Kallmes David F.
Published: March 2021

Objective Therapeutic hypothermia is a potentially powerful and controversial clinical tool for neuroprotection following acute neurologic pathology, particularly vascular injury. Indeed, therapeutic hypothermia remains a standard of care for postcardiac arrest ischemia and acute neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, improving both survival and outcomes. Although therapeutic hypothermia remains promising for cellular and systems-based neuronal protection in other neurologic injury states, the systemic side effects have limited clinical utility, confounded analysis of potential neurologic benefits, and precluded the completion of meaningful clinical trials.

Methods To address such limitations, we developed and tested a novel, minimally invasive, neurocritical care device that employs continuous circulation of cold saline through the pharyngeal region to deliver focal cerebrovascular cooling. We conducted a preclinical safety and efficacy trial in six adult porcine animals to assess the validity and functionality of the NeuroSave device, and assess cooling potential following middle cerebral artery occlusion (n = 2).

Results NeuroSave consistently lowered brain parenchymal temperature by a median of 9°C relative to core temperature within 60 minutes of initiation, including in ischemic cerebral parenchyma. The core body temperature experienced a maximal reduction of 2°C, or 5% of body temperature, with no associated adverse effects identified.

Conclusion The present study uses a large animal preclinical model to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a novel, noninvasive device for the induction of robust and systemically safe hypothermia within the brain.
Primary Calvarial Ewing Sarcoma: A Case Series
Authors: Mohindra Sandeep , Tripathi Manjul , Batish Aman , Kapoor Ankur , Patil Ninad Ramesh , Mahendru Shaurya , Ahuja Chirag , Chatterjee Debajyoti
Published: March 2021

Background Calvarial Ewing tumor is a relatively rare differential among bony neoplasms. We present our experience of managing primary calvarial Ewing sarcoma (EWS), highlighting their clinical and radiological findings.

Method In a retrospective analysis, we evaluated our 12-year database for pathologically proven EWS. A literature search was conducted for the comparative presentation and update on the management and outcome.

Result From January 2008 to December 2020, we managed eight patients (male:female = 5:3; age range 6 months to 19 years, mean 11.5 years) harboring primary calvarial EWS. All cases underwent wide local excision; two patients required intradural tumor resection, while one required rotation flap for scalp reconstruction. Mean hospital stay was 8 days. All patients received adjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy. Three patients remained asymptomatic at 5 years of follow-up, while two patients died.

Conclusion Primary calvarial EWS is a rare entity. It usually affects patients in the first two decades of life. These tumors can be purely intracranial, causing raised intracranial pressure symptoms, which may exhibit rapidly enlarging subgaleal tumors with only cosmetic deformities or symptoms of both. Radical excision followed by adjuvant therapy may offer a favorable long-term outcome.
Newer Volatile Anesthetic Agents in Cardiac Anesthesia: Review of Literature
Authors: Mandke Alka , Sarkar Manjula , Deshpande Charulata , Maheshwari Arun , Kumar Bhupesh , Bhavani M. , Varma Shapna , Shah Hetal , Bhanu Laksmi , Khanderkar Shailesh , Ganpathy K. , Soni Kunal , Nebu Reena , Saxena Gaurav
Published: March 2021

Myocardial protection with volatile anesthetic agents have been suggested by multiple studies. These studies, however, are scattered and are often limited to a particular aspect of cardiac anesthesia. Older inhalational agents like halothane is known to cause significant hepatic damage in patients undergoing long duration surgeries while isoflurane is known to have marked vasodilating properties that also affects the coronary arteries leading to coronary “steal” phenomenon. Additionally, newer agents, like sevoflurane and desflurane, have shown more prominent cardioprotective effects than older agents. We searched ScholarOne, Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library. The medical subject headings (MeSH) terms “anaesthesia, inhalational,” “anaesthesia, intravenous, or TIVA,” and “Cardiac anaesthesia or Cardiac Surgery” were used. Additional studies were identified by review of the reference sections of all eligible studies. The aim of this review article is to bring together the evidences with newer inhalational agents and provide a holistic view of their benefits and shortcomings in cardiac anesthesia.
A symmetric multi-rod tunable microwave cavity for a microwave cavity dark matter axion search
Authors: Simanovskaia Maria , Droster Alex , Jackson Heather , Urdinaran Isabella , van Bibber Karl
Published: March 2021

The microwave cavity technique is currently the most sensitive way of looking for dark matter axions in the 0.1 GHz–10 GHz range, corresponding to masses of 0.41 µeV–41 µeV. A particular challenge for frequencies greater than 5 GHz is designing a cavity with a large volume that contains a resonant mode that shows high coupling to dark matter axions, a high quality factor, is broadly tunable, and is free from intruder modes. For the Haloscope at Yale Sensitive to Axion Cold dark matter, we have designed and constructed an optimized high frequency cavity with a tuning mechanism that preserves a high degree of rotational symmetry, critical to maximizing its figure of merit. This cavity covers an important frequency range according to recent theoretical estimates for the axion mass, 5.5 GHz–7.4 GHz, and the design appears extendable to higher frequencies as well. This paper will discuss key design and construction details of the cavity, present a summary of the design evolution, and alert practitioners of potentially unfruitful avenues for future work.
Continuous spin representation from contraction of the conformal algebra
Authors: Khan Abu Mohammad
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we discuss the Inönü–Winger contraction of the conformal algebra. We start with the light-cone form of the Poincaré algebra and extend it to write down the conformal algebra in d dimensions. To contract the conformal algebra, we choose five dimensions for simplicity and compactify the third transverse direction to a circle of radius R following the Kaluza–Klein dimensional reduction method. We identify the inverse radius, 1/R, as the contraction parameter. After the contraction, the resulting representation is found to be the continuous spin representation in four dimensions. Even though the scaling symmetry survives the contraction, the special conformal translation vector changes and behaves like the four-momentum vector. We also discuss the generalization to d dimensions.
Rovibrationally state-specific collision model for the O2(Σg−3) + O(P3) system in DSMC
Authors: Pan Tzu-Jung , Stephani Kelly A.
Published: March 2021

A rovibrationally state-specific collision model for the O2(Σg−3)+O(P3) system is presented for direct simulation Monte Carlo, including rotation–vibration–translation energy transfer, exchange, dissociation, and recombination processes. The two-step binary collision approach is employed to model recombination reactions. Two available cross section databases by Andrienko/Boyd and Esposito/Capitelli are employed for the rovibrationally resolved model (rv-STS) and vibrationally resolved model (v-STS), respectively. The difference between rv-STS and v-STS comes from two contributions: the multisurface factor of dissociation (fMS) and the rotational averaging process. The dissociation cross section with the constant fMS is typically larger than with the variable fMS, especially for the low vibrational energy states. On the other hand, the cross sections resulting from the rotationally averaged database are found to underpredict the dissociation rate coefficient at low temperatures. In the rovibrational heating case, the rv-STS predicts faster relaxation than the v-STS, which also shows a lower quasi-steady-state temperature than v-STS. In the rovibrational cooling case, the rv-STS shows a faster relaxation than v-STS, which also presents a thermal non-equilibrium between rovibrational and translational mode during the cooling process.
Competition between electroosmotic and chemiosmotic flow in charged nanofluidics
Authors: Chanda Sourayon , Tsai Peichun Amy
Published: March 2021

In electrolyte solutions, charged nanoscale pores or channels with overlapping electrical double layers are charge selective, thereby benefiting a wide range of applications such as desalination, bio-sensing, membrane technology, and renewable energy. As an important forcing mechanism, a gradient of electrolyte concentration along a charged nano-confinement can drive flow without an external electrical field or applied pressure difference. In this paper, we numerically investigate such a diffusioosmotic nanoflow, particularly for dilute electrolyte concentrations (0.01 mM–1 mM), and calculate the corresponding electrical and concentration fields in a charged nanochannel connecting two reservoirs of different salt concentrations—a typical fluidic configuration for a variety of experimental applications. Under a wide range of parameters, the simulation results show that the flow speed inside the nanochannel is linearly dependent on the concentration difference between the two reservoir solutions, Δc, whereas the flow direction is primarily influenced by three key parameters: nanochannel length (l), height (h), and surface charge density (σ). Through a comparison of the chemiosmotic (due to ion-concentration difference) and electroosmotic (as a result of the induced electric field) components of this diffusioosmotic flow, a non-dimensional number (C=h/lλGC) has been identified to delineate different nanoscale flow directions in the charged nanochannel, where λGC is a characteristic (so-called Gouy–Chapman) length associated with surface charge and inversely proportional to σ. This critical dimensionless parameter, dependent on the above three key nanochannel parameters, can help in providing a feasible strategy for flow control in a charged nanochannel.
Simultaneous 3D surface profile and pressure measurement using phase-shift profilometry and pressure-sensitive paint
Authors: Li Yongzeng , Dong Zhe , Liang Lei , Liu Yingzheng , Peng Di
Published: March 2021

A simultaneous three-dimensional (3D) surface profile and pressure measurement method that integrates phase-shift profilometry and pressure-sensitive paint (PSP2) is proposed. The advantages of this novel technique over previous 3D pressure-sensitive paint (3D-PSP) techniques include a simplified system with low cost, no interference with PSP coatings, high spatial resolution, and high accuracy. A modified digital light-processing (DLP) projector-structured light generator is used to encode ultraviolet light and generate fringe projection to excite the pressure-sensitive paint. The 3D profile is reconstructed using four phase-shifting emission images. Meanwhile, the surface intensity ratio distribution is obtained. The PSP2 method is applied to a nitrogen jet impingement experiment onto a spherical model. The intensity ratio results obtained using the PSP2 method differ little from the conventional PSP results obtained using uniform excitation. The phase distortion due to the emission intensity fluctuation leads to errors in surface profile measurement, and the fringe projection with high contrast improves surface profile measurement accuracy. In most of the final results, the average total errors between the reconstructed 3D surface and the CAD geometry are less than 0.1 mm.
Electron-phonon coupling of epigraphene at millikelvin temperatures measured by quantum transport thermometry
Authors: Karimi Bayan , He Hans , Chang Yu-Cheng , Wang Libin , Pekola Jukka P. , Yakimova Rositsa , Shetty Naveen , Peltonen Joonas T. , Lara-Avila Samuel , Kubatkin Sergey
Published: March 2021

We investigate the basic charge and heat transport properties of charge neutral epigraphene at sub-kelvin temperatures, demonstrating a nearly logarithmic dependence of electrical conductivity over more than two decades in temperature. Using graphene's sheet conductance as an in situ thermometer, we present a measurement of electron-phonon heat transport at mK temperatures and show that it obeys the T4 dependence characteristic for a clean two-dimensional conductor. Based on our measurement, we predict the noise-equivalent power of ∼10−22 W/Hz of the epigraphene bolometer at the low end of achievable temperatures.
Population analysis with Wannier orbitals
Authors: Kundu Sudipta , Bhattacharjee Satadeep , Lee Seung-Cheol , Jain Manish
Published: March 2021

We formulate Wannier orbital overlap population and Wannier orbital Hamilton population to describe the contribution of different orbitals to electron distribution and their interactions. These methods, which are analogous to the well-known crystal orbital overlap population and crystal orbital Hamilton population, provide insight into the distribution of electrons at various atom centers and their contributions to bonding. We apply this formalism in the context of a plane-wave density functional theory calculation. This method provides a means to connect the non-local plane-wave basis to a localized basis by projecting the wave functions from a plane-wave density functional theory calculation to a localized Wannier orbital basis. The main advantage of this formulation is that the spilling factor is strictly zero for insulators and can systematically be made small for metals. We use our proposed method to study and obtain bonding and electron localization insights in five different materials.
First-principles molecular dynamics simulation study on Ti4+ ion in aqueous sulfuric acid
Authors: Choe Yoong-Kee , Tsuchida Eiji , Tokuda Kazuya , Otsuka Jun , Saito Yoshihiro , Masuno Atsunobu , Inoue Hiroyuki
Published: March 2021

A first-principles molecular dynamics simulation study was carried out to investigate the structural features of Ti4+ in aqueous sulfuric acid. Ti4+ forms several stoichiometric compounds in aqueous sulfuric acid, the identity and structural information details of which have been the subject of numerous studies. Three stoichiometric compounds of Ti4+ in aqueous sulfuric acid were found in the simulations, namely, [Ti=O(OH)2(H2O)3], [Ti(OH)2(H2O)2SO4], and [Ti2O2(H2O)5(OH)2SO4]. The results indicated that HSO4− formed a complex with the Ti ion by releasing its proton, which implies that such a coordination increases the proton concentration in the solution. The multinuclear complex was formed in our simulation conditions (concentration: 1M Ti4+ and temperature: 353 K); the result supports the interpretation of a previous experimental study.
Removing background and estimating a unit height of atomic steps from a scanning probe microscopy image using a statistical model
Authors: Kohsaka Yuhki
Published: March 2021

We present a statistical method to remove background and estimate a unit height of atomic steps of an image obtained using a scanning probe microscope. We adopt a mixture model consisting of multiple statistical distributions to describe an image. This statistical approach provides a comprehensive way to subtract a background surface even in the presence of atomic steps as well as to evaluate terrace heights in a single framework. Moreover, it also enables us to extract further quantitative information by introducing additional prior knowledge about the image. An example of this extension is estimating a unit height of atomic steps together with the terrace heights. We demonstrate the capability of our method for a topographic image of a Cu(111) surface taken using a scanning tunneling microscope. The background subtraction corrects all terraces to be parallel to a horizontal plane, and the precision of the estimated unit height reaches the order of a picometer. An open-source implementation of our method is available on the web.
Characterizing dynamical transitions by statistical complexity measures based on ordinal pattern transition networks
Authors: Huang Min , Sun Zhongkui , Donner Reik V. , Zhang Jie , Guan Shuguang , Zou Yong
Published: March 2021

Complex network approaches have been recently emerging as novel and complementary concepts of nonlinear time series analysis that are able to unveil many features that are hidden to more traditional analysis methods. In this work, we focus on one particular approach: the application of ordinal pattern transition networks for characterizing time series data. More specifically, we generalize a traditional statistical complexity measure (SCM) based on permutation entropy by explicitly disclosing heterogeneous frequencies of ordinal pattern transitions. To demonstrate the usefulness of these generalized SCMs, we employ them to characterize different dynamical transitions in the logistic map as a paradigmatic model system, as well as real-world time series of fluid experiments and electrocardiogram recordings. The obtained results for both artificial and experimental data demonstrate that the consideration of transition frequencies between different ordinal patterns leads to dynamically meaningful estimates of SCMs, which provide prospective tools for the analysis of observational time series.
Angle-independent plasmonic substrates for multi-mode vibrational strong coupling with molecular thin films
Authors: Brawley Zachary T. , Storm S. David , Contreras Mora Diego A. , Pelton Matthew , Sheldon Matthew
Published: March 2021

Vibrational strong coupling of molecules to optical cavities based on plasmonic resonances has been explored recently because plasmonic near-fields can provide strong coupling in sub-diffraction limited volumes. Such field localization maximizes coupling strength, which is crucial for modifying the vibrational response of molecules and, thereby, manipulating chemical reactions. Here, we demonstrate an angle-independent plasmonic nanodisk substrate that overcomes limitations of traditional Fabry–Pérot optical cavities because the design can strongly couple with all molecules on the surface of the substrate regardless of molecular orientation. We demonstrate that the plasmonic substrate provides strong coupling with the C=O vibrational stretch of deposited films of PMMA. We also show that the large linewidths of the plasmon resonance allow for simultaneous strong coupling to two, orthogonal water symmetric and asymmetric vibrational modes in a thin film of copper sulfate monohydrate deposited on the substrate surface. A three-coupled-oscillator model is developed to analyze the coupling strength of the plasmon resonance with these two water modes. With precise control over the nanodisk diameter, the plasmon resonance is tuned systematically through the modes, with the Rabi splitting from both modes varying as a function of the plasmon frequency and with strong coupling to both modes achieved simultaneously for a range of diameters. This work may aid further studies into manipulation of the ground-state chemical landscape of molecules by perturbing multiple vibrational modes simultaneously and increasing the coupling strength in sub-diffraction limited volumes.
Analysis of the nonlinear forced vibration and stability of composite beams using the reduced-order model
Authors: Kim Kumchol , Ri Kwangchol , Yun Cholil , Kim Choljun , Kim Yunnam
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the nonlinear vibration of composite beams and the stability of the solution by using the reduced-order model and the incremental harmonic balance (IHB) method. Timoshenko beam theory is used to indicate the displacement of the beam element. Each nodal point has three degrees of freedom. Simplified homogenized beam theory is used to calculate the equivalent moduli of each ply of the composite beam. Element matrices are created using the weak form quadrature element method, and the equation of motion at the element is created using Lagrange’s equation. A system matrix is created using the element matrix assemble rule of the finite element method. In order to reduce the calculation time, a reduced-order model is used. The nonlinear forced vibration equation is solved using the IHB method. The results calculated using the non-reduced-order model and the reduced-order model are compared, and the results are very close. Based on this, the reduced-order model is used to analyze the nonlinear vibrations of composite beams at the first resonance point, and stability tests are conducted for the calculated solutions using the multivariable Floquet theory.
Two level simulation of Schmidt number effect on passive scalar transport in wall-bounded turbulent flows
Authors: Ranjan R. , Menon S.
Published: March 2021

In this study, the two-level simulation (TLS) modeling strategy developed earlier for momentum mixing is assessed in turbulent flows with passive scalar mixing and transport. Compared to the conventional algebraic and transport equation based subgrid-scale closures for large-eddy simulation (LES), where the effects of the unresolved small scales (SS) of motion on the large scales (LS) are modeled, in the TLS model, both large and small scales are explicitly evolved in a coupled two-scale decomposition method called TLS. Earlier studies demonstrated the ability of the SS model in the TLS to simulate high Reynolds number wall-bounded flows with a reasonable LS grid resolution. In the present study, this two-scale strategy is extended to model passive scalar mixing in turbulent channel flows. A comprehensive a priori assessment of the scalar SS model is performed using direct numerical simulation datasets for passive scalar transport in a fully developed turbulent channel flow at frictional Reynolds number Reτ=395 and at Schmidt numbers Sc= 1 and 4. This assessment is carried out to study the evolution of the large and the small scales of the scalar field in physical and spectral space and also to assess the SS prediction of quantities relevant for modeling of scalars such as scalar dissipation rate, counter-gradient transport, and backscatter. A TLS model is, then, used in a posteriori near-wall study using a hybrid TLS–LES approach to assess the two-scale scalar model.
Realization of highly conducting n-type diamond by phosphorus ion implantation
Authors: Das Dhruba , Kandasami Asokan , Ramachandra Rao M. S.
Published: March 2021

We report on the formation of n-type ultra-nanocrystalline diamond exhibiting high electrical conductivity, σRT ∼104 Ω−1 m−1 by phosphorus ion implantation. The Raman study confirms the restoration of crystallinity upon high vacuum and high-temperature annealing post-implantation process at 850 °C. Varying the fluence enabled us to obtain a reduced thermal activation energy of Ea ∼8 meV with a very high carrier concentration of ne ∼1021 cm−3. Hall measurements confirm the n-type nature in phosphorus-implanted diamond at a high fluence of 1016 ions/cm2, and the nonlinear Hall effect reveals the signature of two band conduction mechanism, one via the impurity band and the other through the conduction band.
Performance demonstration of vacuum microwave components critical for the operation of the ITER low-field side reflectometer
Authors: Muscatello C. M. , Anderson J. P. , Boivin R. L. , Finkenthal D. K. , Gattuso A. , Kramer G. J. , LeSher M. , Mrazkova T. J. , Neilson G. H. , Peebles W. A. , Rhodes T. L. , Robinson J. T. , Torreblanca H. , Zeller K. , Zeng L. , Zolfaghari A.
Published: March 2021

Final design studies in preparation for manufacturing have been performed for functional components of the vacuum portion of the ITER Low-Field Side Reflectometer (LFSR). These components consist of an antenna array, electron cyclotron heating (ECH) protection mirrors, phase calibration mirrors, and vacuum windows. Evaluation of these components was conducted at the LFSR test facility and DIII-D. The antenna array consists of six corrugated-waveguide antennas for simultaneous profile, fluctuation, and Doppler measurements. A diffraction grating, incorporated into the plasma-facing miter bend, provides protection of sensitive components from stray ECH at 170 GHz. For in situ phase calibration of the LFSR profile reflectometer, an embossed mirror is incorporated into the adjacent miter bend. Measurements of the radiated beam profile indicate that these components have a small, acceptable effect on mode conversion and beam quality. Baseline transmission characteristics of the dual-disk vacuum window are obtained and are used to guide ongoing developments. Preliminary simulations indicate that a surface-relief structure on the window surfaces can greatly improve transmission. The workability of real-time phase measurements was demonstrated on the DIII-D profile reflectometer. The new automated real-time analysis agrees well with the standard post-processing routine.
Alignment and rotation of spheroids in unsteady vortex flow
Authors: Jayaram R. , Jie Y. , Gillissen J. J. J. , Zhao L. , Andersson H. I.
Published: March 2021

Preferential orientations of inertialess nonspherical particles are examined through three qualitatively different stages of a time-evolving Taylor–Green vortex flow. Despite an unexpected decorrelation between the vorticity vector and the direction of Lagrangian stretching, experienced by material fluid elements over a substantial time interval, prolate spheroids aligned with the Lagrangian stretching direction, whereas oblate spheroids aligned with the Lagrangian compression direction. We, therefore, infer that spheroidal tracers orient themselves relative to the Lagrangian history of the velocity gradients, defined by the left Cauchy–Green deformation tensor, rather than with the fluid vorticity vector. This preferential alignment persists all throughout the statistically unsteady flow field and even in the inviscid and nonturbulent early stage of the time-dependent vortex flow. This explains the observed preferential spinning of rods and tumbling of disks, similar to that in homogeneous isotropic turbulence, even at the early stage when the flow is anisotropic and laminar. These preferred modes of particle rotation prevail all through the evolving flow despite a surprisingly long time interval, during which the fluid vorticity decorrelates from the direction of Lagrangian stretching.
Origin of simultaneous enhancement of work function and carrier concentration in In2O3 films by excimer-laser irradiation
Authors: Nomoto Junichi , Matsui Hiroaki , Yamaguchi Iwao , Nakajima Tomohiko , Tsuchiya Tetsuo
Published: March 2021

Excimer laser irradiation (ELI) has recently been revealed to simultaneously increase the work function (ϕ) and carrier concentration (N) in doped In2O3 films, suggesting a potential benefit in fabricating transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). However, the phenomenon apparently contradicts with a basic physical argument: the Fermi (EF)-to-vacuum-level separation ϕ should decrease as EF is shifted upward by increasing electronic N. To resolve this puzzle, we performed Hall effect measurements, hard/soft-x-ray, and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy on polycrystalline Sn-doped In2O3 films treated with KrF-ELI (λ = 248 nm). Our data reveal that the contradiction resides in astonishingly distinct ELI effects between bulk and the surface. Namely, ELI generates electronic carriers in the bulk via extrinsic (Sn)-dopant activation, while it depopulates the carriers on the surface that causes a huge (1.1 eV) surface-band-bending reversal from downward (electron-accumulation) to upward (-depletion). The spectroscopic evidence reveals that higher ϕ and N were obtained by ELI in vacuum than in the air atmosphere. Our results suggest that ELI is a promising technique for fabricating high-performance TCO for OLED applications.
Design of multilayer-based diagnostics for measurement of high energy x rays and gamma rays
Authors: Burcklen C. , von der Linden J. , Do A. , Kozioziemski B. , Descalle M.-A. , Chen H.
Published: March 2021

We investigate several possible multilayer-based optic designs for future hard x-ray and gamma ray diagnostics, including the detection and measurement of the positron annihilation radiation at 511 keV. The focus is set on increasing the photon efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio, compared to a previous multilayer-based system that was successfully employed to measure spectra in the 55 keV–100 keV range. Several possible designs using multilayer coatings are discussed, including mirror-based optics and multilayer Laue lenses.
Progress on large-scale superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors
Authors: Steinhauer Stephan , Gyger Samuel , Zwiller Val
Published: March 2021

Superconducting nanowires have emerged as a powerful tool for detecting single photons in the visible and near-infrared range with excellent device performance metrics. We outline challenges and future directions related to the up-scaling of nanowire devices and detector systems toward widespread applications in demanding real-world settings. Progress on achieving superconducting single-photon detectors with a large active area and an increasing number of pixels is reviewed, comparing the recent literature in terms of the reported key detector parameters. Furthermore, we summarize currently available readout and multiplexing schemes for multi-pixel detector arrays and discuss implications of the recently discovered microwire-based detector geometries.
Steroidogenesis during prenatal testicular development in Spix’s cavy
Authors: Santos A. C. , Conley A. J. , Oliveira M. F. , Assis Neto A. C.
Published: March 2021

Spix’s cavy is a potentially good experimental model for research on reproductive biology and sexual development. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ontogeny of the steroidogenic enzymes involved in testicular androgen synthesis during prenatal development. Testes were investigated on Days 25, 30, 40 and >50 of gestation. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were used to establish the site and relative amount of androgenic enzymes, including 5α-reductase, cytosolic 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSDI) and mitochondrial microsomal 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSDII), throughout prenatal development. The testicular parenchyma began to organise on Day 25 of gestation, with the development of recognisable testicular cords. The mesonephros was established after Day 25 of gestation and the ducts differentiated to form the epididymis, as testicular cords were beginning to proliferate and the interstitium to organise by Day 30 of gestation, continuing thereafter. The androgen-synthesising enzymes 5α-reductase, 17β-HSDI and 3β-HSDII were evident in Leydig cells as they differentiated at all subsequent gestational ages studied. In addition, immunoblotting showed an increase in immunoreactivity for the enzymes at Days 30 and 40 of gestation (P < 0.05) and a decrease at Day 50 of gestation (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the increase in androgenic enzymes in Leydig cells coincides with the functional differentiation of the testes, and with the stabilisation and differentiation of mesonephric ducts forming the epididymis.
Shift of potential natural vegetation against global climate change under historical, current and future scenarios
Authors: Ren Zhengchao , Zhu Huazhong , Shi Hua , Liu Xiaoni
Published: March 2021

Potential natural vegetation (PNV), the final successional stage of vegetation, plays a key role in ecological restoration, the design of nature reserves, and development of agriculture and livestock production. Meteorological data from historical and current periods including the last inter-glacial (LIG), last glacial maximum (LGM), mid Holocene (MH) periods and the present day (PD), plus derived data from 2050 and 2070, in conjunction with the Comprehensive and Sequential Classification System (CSCS) model, were used to classify global PNV. The 42 classes of global PNV were regrouped into 10 groups to facilitate analysis of spatial changes. Finally, spatio-temporal patterns and successional processes of global PNV as well as the response to climate changes were analysed. Our study made the following five conclusions. (1) Only one missing class (IA1 frigid-extrarid frigid desert, alpine desert) arose in periods of LIG, MH, 2050, and 2070 for global PNV. (2) The frigid-arid groups were mainly distributed in higher latitudes and elevations, but temperate-humid groups and tropical-perhumid groups occurred in middle and low latitudes, respectively. Temperate zonal forest steppe, warm desert, savanna and tropical zonal forest steppe increased, while six other groups decreased. (3) The conversion from temperate zonal forest steppe to tundra and alpine steppe from LIG to LGM occupied the largest area, indicating a drastic shift in climate and the associated response of terrestrial vegetation sensitive to climate change. (4) The CSCS could be used to simulate the long-term succession of global PNV. (5) As a consequence of global warming, forests shifted to the northern hemisphere and Tibet, areas with much higher latitude and elevation. The PNV groups with greater shift distance revealed the more serious effects of global climate change on vegetation.
Photosynthesis tunes quantum-mechanical mixing of electronic and vibrational states to steer exciton energy transfer
Authors: Higgins Jacob S. , Lloyd Lawson T. , Sohail Sara H. , Allodi Marco A. , Otto John P. , Saer Rafael G. , Wood Ryan E. , Massey Sara C. , Ting Po-Chieh , Blankenship Robert E. , Engel Gregory S.
Published: March 2021

Significance

Photosynthetic light-harvesting antennae transfer energy toward reaction centers with high efficiency, but in high light or oxidative environments, the antennae divert energy to protect the photosynthetic apparatus. For a decade, quantum effects driven by vibronic coupling, where electronic and vibrational states couple, have been suggested to explain the energy transfer efficiency, but questions remain whether quantum effects are merely consequences of molecular systems. Here, we show evidence that biology tunes interpigment vibronic coupling, indicating that the quantum mechanism is operative in the efficient transfer regime and exploited by evolution for photoprotection. Specifically, the Fenna–Matthews–Olson complex uses redox-active cysteine residues to tune the resonance between its excitons and a pigment vibration to steer excess excitation toward a quenching site.
A safe and highly efficacious measles virus-based vaccine expressing SARS-CoV-2 stabilized prefusion spike
Authors: Lu Mijia , Dravid Piyush , Zhang Yuexiu , Trivedi Sheetal , Li Anzhong , Harder Olivia , KC Mahesh , Chaiwatpongsakorn Supranee , Zani Ashley , Kenney Adam , Zeng Cong , Cai Chuanxi , Ye Chengjin , Liang Xueya , Shimamura Masako , Liu Shan-Lu , Mejias Asuncion , Ramilo Octavio , Boyaka Prosper N. , Qiu Jianming , Martinez-Sobrido Luis , Yount Jacob S. , Peeples Mark E. , Kapoor Amit , Niewiesk Stefan , Li Jianrong
Published: March 2021

Significance

Measles virus (MeV) vaccine is one of the safest and most efficient vaccines with a track record in children. Here, we generated a panel of rMeV-based vaccines with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) S antigens inserted near 3′ of the MeV genome. The rMeV expressing a soluble stabilized, prefusion spike (preS) is much more potent in triggering SARS-CoV-2–specific neutralizing antibody than rMeV-based full-length S vaccine candidate. A single dose of rMeV-preS is sufficient to induce high levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibody in animals. Furthermore, rMeV-preS induces high levels of Th1-biased immunity. Hamsters immunized with rMeV-preS were completely protected against SARS-CoV-2 challenge. Our results demonstrate rMeV-preS is a safe and highly efficacious bivalent vaccine candidate for SARS-CoV-2 and MeV.
Investigation on cyclic deformation behaviour of silver bicrystals and their component crystals
Authors: Chang Yuqing , Kong Lingwei , Li Peng
Published: March 2021

Cyclic deformation and fatigue crack initiation of silver bicrystals and component single crystals were discussed based on three aspects: (1) affected by the grain boundary (GB), the plateau stress of the bicrystal is slightly higher than that of any component crystal; (2) owing to the limitation of GB, dislocations pile up near GB, which simplifies the occurrence of secondary slip; and (3) cracks in bicrystals are more likely to form where persistent slip band (PSB) interacts with GB, rather than more advanced dislocation patterns such as cell and labyrinth structures. Therefore, the initiation priority of fatigue crack initiation in bicrystals is as follows: PSB-GB > PSB-PSB (cell or labyrinth) > PSB > vein.
Self-pulsing of direct-current discharge in planar and curved geometries
Authors: Levko Dmitry , Raja Laxminarayan L
Published: March 2021

The self-pulsing of direct-current discharges in planar and curved geometries is studied using the two-dimensional axisymmetric fluid model. The simulation results show that in both cases the nature of self-oscillations is the same. They are obtained in the sub-normal mode of the discharge operation, for which the discharge has the negative differential resistance. We demonstrate that the negative differential resistance is due to both the non-linear and non-local dependence of the Townsend ionization coefficient on the electric field. We show that the self-oscillations are due to the ion transit time instability and are not related neither to RC resonance nor to the relation between the negative differential resistance and the ballast resistance as it is often suggested in the literature.
Therapeutic efficacy and cardioprotection of nucleolin-targeted doxorubicin-loaded ultrasound nanobubbles in treating triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Fang Kejing , Wang Luofu , Huang Haiyun , Dong Shiwu , Guo Yanli
Published: March 2021

Targeted lipid nanobubbles as theranostic ultrasound molecular probes with both targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound molecular imaging and synergistic treatment capabilities are expected to overcome severe challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of refractory triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In this study, AS1411 aptamer-functionalised nucleolin-targeted doxorubicin-loaded lipid nanobubbles (AS1411-DOX-NBs) were constructed, and their physicochemical properties as well as anti-tumour and cardioprotective efficacies were systematically tested and evaluated. The results showed that AS1411-DOX-NBs can carry and maintain the physicochemical and pharmacodynamic properties of doxorubicin (DOX) and show stronger tumour cell-killing ability in vitro by increasing the active uptake of drugs. AS1411-DOX-NBs also significantly inhibited the growth of TNBC xenografts while maintaining the weight and health of the mice. Echocardiography and pathological examination further confirmed that AS1411-DOX-NBs effectively caused tumour tissue apoptosis and necrosis while reducing DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. The AS1411-DOX-NBs constructed in this study enable both targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound molecular imaging and synergistic therapeutic efficacy and can be used as safe and efficient theranostic ultrasound molecular probes for the diagnosis and treatment of TNBC.
Photocatalytic selective H2 release from formic acid enabled by CO2 captured carbon nitride
Authors: Wang Jinghui , Wang Xia , Qiu Lixin , Wang Honggang , Duan Limei , Kang Zhenhui , Liu Jinghai
Published: March 2021

The selective decomposition of formic acid (FA) traditionally needs to be carried out under high temperature with the noble metal-based catalysts. Meanwhile, it also encounters a separation of H2 and CO2 for pure H2 production. The photocatalytic FA dehydrogenation under mild conditions can meet a growing demand for sustainable H2 generation. Here, we reported a photocatalytic selective H2 release from FA decomposition at low temperature for pure H2 production by Pt/g-C3N4. Low-cost and easy-to-obtained urea was utilized to produce carbon nitride as the metal-free semiconductor photocatalyst, along with a photodeposition to obtain Pt/g-C3N4. The electrochemical evidences clearly demonstrate the photocatalytic activity of Pt/g-C3N4 to produce H2 and CO2 in one-step FA decomposition. And, the impedance is the lowest under simulated solar light of 70 mW cm−2 with a faster electron transfer kinetic. Under simulated solar light, H2 production rate is up to 1.59 mmol · h−1 · g−1 for FA with concentration at 2.65 mol l−1, 1700 000 times larger than that under visible light and 1928 times under ultraviolet (UV) light. DFT calculations further elucidate that nitrogen (N) active site at the g-C3N4 has an excellent adsorption towards CO2 molecule capture. Then, H2 molecules are selectively released to simultaneously separate H2 and CO2 in solution. Platinum (Pt) at Pt/g-C3N4 as the catalytic site contributes into the acceleration of H2 production.
Fabrication of nanostructured multi-unit vehicle for intestinal-specific delivery and controlled release of peptide
Authors: Feng Kun , Li Shu-Fang , Wei Yun-Shan , Zong Min-Hua , Hu Teng-Gen , Wu Hong , Han Shuang-Yan
Published: March 2021

An oral multi-unit delivery system was developed by incorporating the nanoparticle (NP) into the nanofiber mat and its efficiency for intestinal-specific delivery and controlled release of a peptide (insulin) was investigated. Initially, the influence of deacetylation degree (DD) of chitosan and ionic gelation methods on the properties of NPs was studied. High DD (95%) chitosan was attributed to higher encapsulation efficiency and stability when crosslinked with polyanion tripolyphosphate. Subsequently, the multi-unit system was fabricated using a pH-sensitive polymer (sodium alginate) as the coating layer to further encapsulate the NP. Fiber mat with an average diameter of 481 ± 47 nm could significantly decrease the burst release of insulin in acidic condition and release most amount of insulin (>60%) in the simulated intestinal medium. Furthermore, the encapsulated peptide remained in good integrity. This multi-unit carrier provides the better-designed vehicle for intestinal-specific delivery and controlled release of the peptide.
Radiation shielding properties of gadolinium-doped water
Authors: Ozturk Sertac
Published: March 2021

The utilization of water-filled radiation protection garments and walls has recently taken into consideration especially in space technologies, due to the fact that water is a material which is light, cheap, and easy-to-obtain. Furthermore, radiation shielding properties of water can be improved by adding soluble materials. In this study, a simulation-based study is presented to investigate the effects of the gadolinium additive in water for improvement on radiation shielding properties. GdCl
3 salt is selected as an additive substance. The obtained results using the Geant4 simulation toolkit indicate that the usage of gadolinium addition in water improves gamma-ray and neutron radiation properties significantly. While the linear attenuation coefficient values of water for gamma radiation increase about 60% with 20% of GdCl
3 addition, the increment of neutron macroscopic cross-section is about 40%.
Three-dimensional dual-wavelength optoacoustic angiography reveals arteriovenous anastomoses
Authors: Perekatova Valeriya , Nemirova Svetlana , Orlova Anna , Kirillin Mikhail , Kurnikov Alexey , Pavlova Ksenia , Khilov Aleksandr , Kovalchuk Andrey , Subochev Pavel
Published: March 2021

A dual-wavelength 532/1064 nm optoacoustic (OA) imaging system allows 3D visualizations of arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs) with an acoustic spatial resolution (50 µm) at depths of up to 2 mm in vivo in rabbit ears. Both structural and spectral information from the OA data are employed to analyze the anatomical locations of the blood vessels and to distinguish between veins and arteries in the zone of their confluence. The OA monitoring of a rabbit ear under temperature-induced (43 °C/15 °C) shunting demonstrated the potential of the technique for the monitoring of functional arteriovenous anastomosis.
A Modulo-Based Computation for Kendall’s Phi Test for 2 by 2 Contingency Table
Authors: Chen Ray-Ming
Published: March 2021

Kendall’s Phi Test is very important technique in testing whether there exists a significant relation between variables under some known levels of experiments. However, the typical statistical testing would utilise some complex probability distribution for the statistic. In this article, we put forward a computational approach to effectively linearize Kendall’s Phi coefficients based on modulo operation. In our approach, the confidence levels would serve the threshold of the operation. Unlike typical approach which lists the whole distribution of the statistic, our method would concentrate only on the accumulated values needed. Such computation has merits in visualization and programming. In particular, if one is interested in Kendall’s Phi-based test, then this approach could largely reduce the complexity and computational time.
On the Properties of a Radially Symmetric Self-Similar Solution of a Nonlinear Heat Conduction Equation with a Source
Authors: Aripov M M , Mukimov A SH , Djabbarov O
Published: March 2021

In this work, new properties of a radially symmetric self-similar solution of the nonlinear heat equation with source were obtained. A self-similar solution was derived using the method of standard equations. These properties were proved by regulation the solution of the self-similar equation relative to the parameter of the nonlinear source by adding an additional parameter. The obtained properties were verified by numerical experiments.