bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Key comparison BIPM.RI(I)-K4 of the absorbed dose to water standards of the NIM, China and the BIPM in 60Co gamma radiation
Authors: Kessler C , Burns D , Jin J , Zhang X , Wang Z P , Liu F B , Huang J , Qi Y P , Yang X Y , Wang K
Published: July 2022

Main text

A key comparison of the standards for absorbed dose to water of the National Institute of Metrology (NIM), China, and the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) was carried out in the 60Co radiation beam of the BIPM in December 2021. The comparison result, based on the calibration coefficients for four transfer standards and evaluated as a ratio of the NIM and the BIPM standards for absorbed dose to water, is 1.0027 with a combined standard uncertainty of 3.6 parts in 103. The results are analysed and presented in terms of degrees of equivalence, suitable for entry in the BIPM key comparison database.

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Influence of slow or fast surface traps on the amplitude and symmetry of the piezoelectric response of semiconducting-nanowire-based transducers
Authors: Lopez Garcia Andrés Jenaro , Mouis Mireille , Cresti Alessandro , Tao Ran , Ardila Gustavo
Published: July 2022

ZnO nanowires are excellent candidates for energy harvesters, mechanical sensors, piezotronic and piezophototronic devices. These nanowires are usually non-intentionally n-doped during their growth. The essential role of doping, surface traps and surface Fermi level pinning in the actual response of piezoelectric semiconductors has already been demonstrated. In order to go further, this paper investigates the influence of the density and of the dynamics of surface traps on such important parameters as the output generated potential and the effective piezoelectric coefficient. We implemented numerical simulations based on the finite element method by combining the mechanical, piezoelectric, and semiconducting characteristic of ZnO nanowires array based nanocomposites (the so-called vertically integrated nanogenerator configuration) operated in compression. It was found that a certain amount of surface traps was required to obtain a usable generated output potential from the studied devices in the range of dimensions and doping level reported in most experimental results. Moreover, the surface traps influence was strongly dependent on their dynamics. As a first step towards the analysis of traps dynamics, we compared the two extreme cases of ultra-slow and ultra-fast traps. The symmetry and asymmetry of the piezoelectric response and a comparison to thin film was also discussed. This study demonstrates that the realistic modelling of the piezoelectric response of semiconductor based transducers should account for traps dynamics effects.
A method to predict temperature derivatives of the bulk modulus: A case study for HfB2
Authors: Özkan Hüsnü , Delice Serdar , Gasanly Nizami
Published: July 2022

Hafnium diboride (HfB2) is an ultra-high temperature ceramic that has attracted increased attention for its fascinating properties. In this study, temperature derivatives of the bulk modulus of HfB2 were calculated from room temperature up to 2273 K by using the relevant theoretical thermodynamic equations for the bulk modulus. The equations used involve the parameters as the enthalpy, thermal expansion and heat capacity in addition to the Anderson Grüneisen parameter. The calculations were performed using the pressure derivative of the bulk modulus for the Anderson Grüneisen parameter and the experimental temperature dependent values for the other parameters of the used equations. Temperature derivatives of the bulk modulus of HfB2 were found to be, −0.012/−0.013 GPa K−1 at 293 K and −0.015/−0.016 GPa K−1 at 2273 K. These values are in good agreement with the corresponding experimental data, and quite close to the corresponding values reported for ZrB2 and TiB2. However, the experimental temperature derivatives of the bulk moduli for the three diborides, TiB2, ZrB2, and HfB2 are quite smaller in magnitude than the corresponding theoretical values. The Grüneisen parameter of HfB2 decreases from 1.2 to about 1.0 with increasing temperature up to about 500 K, and then it has a small variation at higher temperatures. HfB2, with its high strength, high density and small temperature derivatives of the bulk modulus, may be useful for the aerodynamic and nuclear applications. The method presented in our studies is a practical way to predict temperature dependencies of the bulk moduli. This method may be more useful at ultra-high temperatures where the experimental bulk moduli measurements are quite difficult.
On the total energy conservation of the Alcubierre spacetime
Authors: Carneiro F.L. , Ulhoa S.C. , Maluf J.W. , da Rocha-Neto J.F.
Published: July 2022

In this article, we consider the Alcubierre spacetime, such a spacetime describes a “bubble” that propagates with arbitrary global velocity. This setting allows movement at a speed greater than that of light.
There are some known problems with this metric, e.g., the source's negative energy and the violation of the source's energy conservation when the bubble accelerates.
We address these two issues within the realm of the Teleparallel Equivalent of General Relativity (TEGR). The energy conservation problem can be solved when considering the energy of the gravitational field itself. The total energy of the spacetime, gravitational plus source, is conserved even in accelerated motion.
We explicitly show the dependence of energy and gravitational energy flux on the frame of reference, one adapted to a static observer and the other to a free-falling one in the same coordinate system.
Addressing the problem of energy negativity of the source, we find that a static observer measures positive energy of the source, while an Eulerian observer measures a negative one. Thus, we surmise that negative energy may be a reference problem.
Evaluation of the transportable atom gravimeter HUST-QG
Authors: Xu Yao-Yao , Cui Jia-Feng , Qi Kun , Chen Le-Le , Deng Xiao-Bing , Luo Qin , Zhang Heng , Tan Yu-Jie , Shao Cheng-Gang , Zhou Min-Kang , Duan Xiao-Chun , Hu Zhong-Kun
Published: July 2022

Atom interferometry provides an important method of high-precision absolute gravity measurement. As absolute gravimeters, various systematic errors of atom gravimeters have been identified and evaluated. Here a comprehensive evaluation of systematic errors for a transportable atom gravimeter Huazhong University of Science and Technology-Quantum Gravimeter (HUST-QG) is presented. HUST-QG exhibited a short-term sensitivity of 24 μGal Hz−1/2 and a combined uncertainty of 3 μGal. The operation and evaluation of HUST-QG for transportable gravity measurements during the 10th International Comparison of Absolute Gravimeters are discussed. And the degree of equivalence for HUST-QG in this comparison is 1.3 μGal, which supports our evaluation.
Neural decoding from surface high-density EMG signals: influence of anatomy and synchronization on the number of identified motor units
Authors: Oliveira Daniela Souza de , Casolo Andrea , Balshaw Thomas G , Maeo Sumiaki , Lanza Marcel Bahia , Martin Neil R W , Maffulli Nicola , Kinfe Thomas Mehari , Eskofier Bjoern M , Folland Jonathan P , Farina Dario , Del Vecchio Alessandro
Published: July 2022

Objective. High-density surface electromyography (HD-sEMG) allows the reliable identification of individual motor unit (MU) action potentials. Despite the accuracy in decomposition, there is a large variability in the number of identified MUs across individuals and exerted forces. Here we present a systematic investigation of the anatomical and neural factors that determine this variability. Approach. We investigated factors of influence on HD-sEMG decomposition, such as synchronization of MU discharges, distribution of MU territories, muscle-electrode distance (MED—subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness), maximum anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSAmax), and fiber cross-sectional area. For this purpose, we recorded HD-sEMG signals, ultrasound and magnetic resonance images, and took a muscle biopsy from the biceps brachii muscle from 30 male participants drawn from two groups to ensure variability within the factors—untrained-controls (UT = 14) and strength-trained individuals (ST = 16). Participants performed isometric ramp contractions with elbow flexors (at 15%, 35%, 50% and 70% maximum voluntary torque—MVT). We assessed the correlation between the number of accurately detected MUs by HD-sEMG decomposition and each measured parameter, for each target force level. Multiple regression analysis was then applied. Main results. ST subjects showed lower MED (UT = 5.1 ± 1.4 mm; ST = 3.8 ± 0.8 mm) and a greater number of identified MUs (UT: 21.3 ± 10.2 vs ST: 29.2 ± 11.8 MUs/subject across all force levels). The entire cohort showed a negative correlation between MED and the number of identified MUs at low forces (r = −0.6, p = 0.002 at 15% MVT). Moreover, the number of identified MUs was positively correlated to the distribution of MU territories (r = 0.56, p = 0.01) and ACSAmax (r = 0.48, p = 0.03) at 15% MVT. By accounting for all anatomical parameters, we were able to partly predict the number of decomposed MUs at low but not at high forces. Significance. Our results confirmed the influence of subcutaneous tissue on the quality of HD-sEMG signals and demonstrated that MU spatial distribution and ACSAmax are also relevant parameters of influence for current decomposition algorithms.
Variance of the Casimir force in an ideal Bose gas
Authors: Napiórkowski Marek , Pruszczyk Marcin
Published: July 2022

We consider an ideal Bose gas enclosed in a d-dimensional slab of thickness D. Using the grand canonical ensemble we calculate the variance of the thermal Casimir force acting on the slab’s walls. The variance evaluated per unit wall area is shown to decay like Δvar/D for large D. The amplitude Δvar is a non-universal function of two scaling variables λ/ξ and D/ξ, where λ is the thermal de Broglie wavelength and ξ is the bulk correlation length. It can be expressed via the bulk pressure, the Casimir force per unit wall area, and its derivative with respect to chemical potential. For thermodynamic states corresponding to the presence of the Bose–Einstein condensate the amplitude Δvar retains its non-universal character while the ratio of the mean standard deviation and the Casimir force takes the scaling form

(

D
/
L

)

d
−
1

2

(

D
/
λ

)

d
/
2

, where L is the linear size of the wall.
Research on modeling and simulation of GIS disconnector based on visualization technology
Authors: Zhao Bo
Published: July 2022

This paper takes the GIS disconnector of a pumped-storage power station in Henan province as the prototype. Based on the visualization technology, the equipment maintenance manual and the physical structure, this paper chooses 3ds Max software to build three-dimensional models with the combination of simple modeling and polygon modeling. It reproduces the internal structure and running principle of the 500kV GIS disconnector. After the modle’ s format is converted to .fbx, it is imported into the Unity 3D software, and the model is optimized by making animations, UI controls, script development, etc., so as to develop the module functions of the system. It realizes equipment learning, operation drills, fault simulation, simulated assessment and other functions, which aims to design a visible GIS disconnector’s simulated system. It can be applied to the pre-job training of power station, and the teaching of electric related majors in universities.
Study on a Novel Knowledge Service Method Based on the Knowledge Graph in the Domain of Substation
Authors: Gao Qi , Wang Geng , Zhao Xilan , Liu Lu
Published: July 2022

The development of knowledge management and service enlightens the upgrading of traditional vocational education and work assistance. This work focuses on the field of substation and proposes a novel knowledge service method based on the domain knowledge graph. Specifically, a systematic three-layer knowledge graph is constructed, reflecting the physical entity, specialized knowledge and basic knowledge in substations. Furthermore, a domain model is established to translate the user’s demand into a node set derived from the knowledge graph, and a path model is established to give a sequence of the derived nodes for recommendation. The results have been validated logical and reasonable in different scenarios of learning, training and getting assistance. Taking advantage of the structure and precision of our knowledge graph, more applications can be added into the substation-related services.
Analysis of the image perception of luxury hotels based on UGC data and customer value theory
Authors: Chuling Chen , Xue Qin
Published: July 2022

Based on the big data of major network platforms, this article combines the customer value theory and text content analysis to mine and organize the customer reviews of Grand Hyatt Guangzhou. Besides, ROST CM6 software is used to conduct content analysis, coming up with four types of image perceptions of the hotel including that experience perception, hotel service, hotel facilities, geographical environment. Moreover, the social network and semantic network analysis diagram based on UGC data, showing that the evaluation of customers’ perception of hotel image is mainly in terms of service facilities, geographical location and convenience. Finally, this article combines the results of UGC data analysis to provide corresponding conclusions.
Stakeholder Identification and Analysis in the Whole County Photovoltaic Project Under the Dual-Carbon Background
Authors: Zhang Caiqing , Zhao Feng
Published: July 2022

The construction of the “whole county photovoltaic” project is an important measure to promote the smooth realization of the double carbon goal. Through the identification and analysis of stakeholders in the “whole county photovoltaic” project, it provides a reference for the early decision and steady decision of the project construction. Firstly, select the main participants of the “whole county PV” project, using UCINET software to fit the social network relationship among stakeholders, identify the constructed relationship matrix, and identify the core stakeholders of the whole project. Therefore, strengthen the contract management between the government and development enterprises and other project stakeholders, broaden the information communication channels between the project stakeholders, and improve the communication efficiency.
Dispatch optimization of electricity-gas regional integrated energy network considering carbon trading
Authors: Yang Le , Wang Yi , Hu Rui , Xu Gang , Ma Shuang
Published: July 2022

Aiming at the scheduling optimization problem of the regional electrical integrated energy network under the background of the dual carbon target strategy, on the premise of ensuring the balance and stability of the IIES energy side supply, an optimization solution method for the regional electrical-gas integrated energy network scheduling considering carbon trading was proposed. Based on the priority model of building multi-energy equipment, and taking the minimum sum of the output cost of energy production, the cost of energy conversion, and the carbon transaction cost caused by net carbon emissions as the objective function, the daily optimal scheduling of the regional electrical integrated energy network was established. The model realized the optimal solution of the output value of different energy forms. Utilizing simulation technology, the objective function values of the unit carbon tax price of 8.32$/t, 24.79$/t, and 46.94$/t under the specific scenario of IIES were discussed. The scenario with the optimal objective function (unit carbon tax price of 24.79$/t) was further compared. In addition, the real-time output value of multi-energy equipment was analyzed when the network scheduling optimization was optimized.
Identification of critical nodes for the Integrated Energy Systems based on complex networks and unified energy flows
Authors: Song Jinxi , Wang Yi , Hu Rui , Xu Gang , Ma Shuang
Published: July 2022

As the scale of the Integrated Energy System network continues to expand and the coupling and conversion of multiple energy flows deepens, the system becomes more complex and vulnerable, which poses new challenges to the stability of the system structure and the safety of its operation. Identifying the key nodes of the Integrated Energy System is the key to improve the stability and security of the system. In order to comprehensively analyze the node attributes in the integrated energy network, complex network theory and unified energy flow theory are applied to the static topology and dynamic operation state analysis of the Integrated Energy System, and the key node identification method of the Integrated Energy System is proposed from the attributes of node location information, global information and the impact on nodes during operation. Finally, simulation experiments are conducted with a typical Integrated Energy System to verify the effectiveness and superiority of the identification method proposed in this paper.
Remaining useful life prediction of Lithium-ion battery using improved support vector regression and fuzzy information granulation
Authors: Li Zuxin , Chen Jia , Gao Kaidi , Zhang Fengying , Xu Jingyun
Published: July 2022

With the widespread use of lithium-ion batteries in various fields, battery Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) technologies are gaining more and more attention. Repeated use of batteries can lead to degradation of battery performance and thus affect battery life. Accurate prediction of the remaining useful life (RUL) of batteries is crucial and is the most central issue in battery PHM. In this paper, a method based on a combination of fuzzy information granulation (FIG) and support vector regression with artificial bee colony optimization (ABC-SVR) is proposed to estimate the RUL of Lithium-ion batteries. First, the capacity degradation data are divided into several windows using the FIG method. Second, the maximum and minimum values of each window are predicted separately using the ABC-SVR algorithm to obtain the information of the prediction window. Finally, the missing values of the prediction windows are complemented by the linear interpolation method to obtain the complete capacity prediction values, and the remaining useful life of the battery can be calculated according to the failure threshold. The results show that the proposed method obtains the RUL value with high accuracy.
Review of load modelling and scheduling strategy for orderly charging of electric vehicles
Authors: Huang Jiangzhe , Zhou Bin
Published: July 2022

With the vigorous promotion of electric vehicles, the burden brought by the irregular charging of large-scale loads to the power grid is becoming increasingly prominent. Therefore, it is necessary to study the orderly charging strategy of electric vehicles. This paper briefly describes the advantages of orderly charging of electric vehicles, introduces several types of calculation methods of charging loads, summarizes different scheduling strategies and their advantages and disadvantages, and finally puts forward some suggestions for further research.
Review on control systems and control strategies for excavators
Authors: Liu Weiwei , Luo Xuan , Zhang Jingwen , Niu Dongdong , Deng Jianyang , Sun Weiqi , Kang Jie
Published: July 2022

The product performance of excavators continuously improves with industrial development. However, unsighted improvements in the performance of excavators cannot meet the emission standards. Therefore, considerable research on energy conservation, high efficiency, and accurate control strategy should be conducted. At present, power matching research is performed because of the inconvenience of energy transmission. The technical advantages of hybrid power provide a better research direction for the energy-saving research of excavators. Intelligent control algorithms, such as sliding mode control and time-delay control, are added to the control system to improve the trajectory accuracy in excavator trajectory control. The intelligent operation of excavators reduces the requirements of the operating environment and improves operation economy in remote, complex, and dangerous operation spaces. The research statuses of excavators in power matching, hybrid control, trajectory control, and intelligent autonomous operation are reviewed. Finally, six conclusions about the current research status are drawn.
A transmitting circuit with adaptive calibration of output impedance for high speed interface
Authors: Liu Dong , Tong Xingyuan , Lv Xinwei
Published: July 2022

A transmitting circuit for high-speed interface is proposed in this paper. Optimized 10-bit parallel to serial conversion and embedded output impedance calibration are used for enhancing the performance of this transmitting circuit. Designed with 0.18 μm CMOS, this transmitting circuit can achieve an output data rate of 1.5625 Gbps with 10-bit 156.25 MHz parallel input. The output amplitude of the current mode logic (CML) driver is 1.28 Vpp with a jitter of 24.3 ps. After adaptive calibration, the mismatch between output impedance and its expected value is within 0.5%. The active area of this entire transmitting circuit is 220.1 μm × 197.5 μm. With 1.8 V power supply, the power consumption of this transmitting circuit is 41.2 mW at 1.5625 Gbps data rate.
Design and Simulation Analysis of the Folding DPF for Agricultural Diesel
Authors: Guo Shihao , Wen Xiang , Dou Lizhuang , Kou Guiyue , Mu Mingfei
Published: July 2022

According to the demand of diesel particulate filter (DPF) for agricultural machinery diesel, a folding DPF was designed by using metal fiber felt as filter element material. The flow characteristics in the designed DPF are simulated by CFD software Fluent, to optimize the structural parameters of the folding DPF. The results show that the pressure drop increases obviously when the ratio of filter element height to inlet height greater than 2; When keeping the filtering area unchanged, the pressure drops of odd filter layers 5, 7 are smaller than that of even filter layers 4, 6, 8, which can be reduced up to 14%; Increasing the length of the filter element helps to make the velocity distribution more uniform along the radial direction at the rear end of the DPF.
Monolithic pixel sensor with 25 µm × 35 µm pixel size and high time resolution implemented in 180 nm technology
Authors: Zhang H. , Peric I.
Published: July 2022

A monolithic pixel sensor with small collection electrode and partially depleted sensor diode named HVMAPS25 has been implemented in the 180 nm technology of TSI semiconductors. The pixel size is 25 µm × 35 µm. The pixel electronics contains a fast and low power charge sensitive amplifier, a comparator, a threshold tuning DAC and a digital block that measures the arrival time of the hit with 10 bit resolution and the signal amplitude (time over threshold) with 6 bit resolution. A deep p-well has been used for isolation of the pixel electronics from the sensor substrate. The building blocks of the chip, simulations and the measurement results will be presented.
Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of Solar PV- Wind Grid-connected Hybrid Energy systems for Electrification in Sultanate of Oman
Authors: Gopinath Arun , Kalyankumar B. , Al Quri Khalifa
Published: July 2022

Sultanate of Oman’s power sector is undergoing a rapid restructuring to involve renewable energy sources as part of the generation system. The present power sector majorly depends on the a-renewable energy source, natural gas for its power generation. CeA central grid system connecting all the provinces of Oman involving renewable and non-renewable energy sources in power generation is initiated and is gaining acceleration. Hybridization and its optimization of energy resources at different locations based on geographical factors, cost of electricity production, greenhouse gas emission, and initial and operating costs involved in the generation is still a major concern for the development of a central grid system. In this paper, the development of an optimal hybrid system for the load profile of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences – Shinas (UTAS- Shinas) is done. The initial study was done to develop load profile data of UTAS- Shinas. The annual Peak demand of the University is 720 kW. Various hybrid and standalone combinations involving renewable and non-renewable options are simulated and analysed with a hybridization software tool, HOMER Pro. Solar PV and wind are the major renewable energy resources, found to have ambient potential in Oman. When a renewable energy system is there in the hybrid system design, a non-renewable energy source can be added as a backup generation system to improve its system reliability. Optimization of the hybrid combinations is required as the cost of electricity generation will be expensive, if a wrong combination is selected. Out of the different hybrid combinations selected, PV- Wind – Natural gas-based hybrid system was found to be the most beneficial system for UTAS- Shinas, after considering Renewable energy fraction of 61.6 % power, which can penetrate to the system, the Net Present Cost (NPC), Cost of Energy (COE), Payback period and Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission control as the constraints for the optimization procedure. The practical implementation is done on campus by taking a sample load and illustrating the project with power sources PV of 3.5kW, wind energy conversion of 1.5kW, and grid connection from Majan Electricity Company with an auto change over the facility.
Design and Model Identification of a Power Kite Wind Energy System
Authors: Mihoub M , Al-Hatmi H
Published: July 2022

Power kite energy systems use power kites attached to the ground by tethers that transfer the wind mechanical power to ground electrical generators. In order to remain in the air, the power kite should fly continuously in “lying” eight form trajectories. One key to the optimal operation of this system is automatic control of the kite flight, requiring a reliable real-time position measurement and advanced closed-loop control of the position and speed of the kite during its flight. The basis of a good controller is the identification and modelling of the dynamic system. This is the purpose of the current work. A power kite system prototype is built and identified on the basis of input-output data. Validation of the obtained model is also provided.
The presence of microplastics in fishes of South Maldives
Authors: Shiyana Fathimath , Buyong Faeiza , Shareef Abdulla , Fazlina Nazrah Hirzin Radin Siti , Ismail Asmida
Published: July 2022

Plastic pollution has been a widespread global challenge with negative impacts on human health, environment and economies. Recently its effect on the environment and marine life has been of immense interest. This study aimed to investigate the presence of microplastics in the gut, gill and flesh of Selar Crumenophthalmus and Decapterus Macarellus from two different locations in South Maldives. A total of 56 fishes were examined from the two species and a total of 200 possible microplastic pieces were identified by visual analysis. It was found that 80% of Selar Crumenophthalmus contained micro and macroplastics, whereas these were detected in 76.2% of Decapterus Macarellus. The average abundance of microplastics in fishes was 3.3 ± 4.6 items/individual and in both species, the abundance of microplastics was highest in the gills compared to other body parts with an average abundance of 1.4 ± 2.1 items/individual. The ingested plastics mainly consisted of fragments (57.5%), fibres (41.5%) and films (1%). The particles which were identified from the analysed samples predominantly included blue (36.90%), grey (30.48%), black (17.11%) and red (9.09%) colours. The ingested plastics were found to be polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), which were determined with the use of Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy.
Effect of sputtering power and substrate temperature on structural, optical, wettability and anti-icing characteristics of aluminium doped zinc oxide
Authors: Patel Nicky P , Chauhan Kamlesh V
Published: July 2022

Thin films of ZnO:Al were synthesized on glass substrates by RF magnetron sputtering. Structural, optical, wettability and anti-icing properties of the thin films are studied as a function of substrate temperature and sputtering power. XRD patterns showed an increase in the intensity of (002) peak when the sputtering power and substrate temperature are increased. The roughness and average grain size also increased with an increment in substrate temperature and sputtering power. Transmittance and band gap energy observed in the wavelength range of 350–800 showed the average transmittance was in the range of 90 to 76% and 3.12–2.88 eV. The contact angle and anti-icing properties observed during the investigation demonstrated that the synthesized coatings are hydrophobic and the formation of ice was delayed when compared to uncoated substrates.
Influence of the rf power and oxygen content on structural, electrical, and optical properties of V2O5 thin films prepared via reactive radio frequency sputtering
Authors: Khlayboonme S Tipawan , Thedsakhulwong Amorn
Published: July 2022

Herein, V2O5 thin films were deposited through O2-reactive radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering using a metallic vanadium arget without external heating on a glass substrate. The influence of the RF power and O2 content on phase formation was investigated, and the percentage of the phase volume was related to the electrical and optical properties of the films. These films were composed of a mixture of α and β phases of V2O5, and the coexistence of monoclinic (βм) and tetragonal (βт) symmetries of the β-phase structure was observed. The phase of the film deposited at 100 W RF power with 10% O2 was βт. Increasing the RF power to 150 W led to the development of the βм phase in the film. At 200 W, the obtained film was a mixture of βм- and α-V2O5 phases, and the film produced with an O2 content of more than 10% was a mixture of three phases: βт-, βм-, and α-V2O5. Further increase in the O2 content decreased the βм-phase volume but increased the βт-phase volume. The electrical resistivity and optical properties depended on the phase volume. Furthermore, the relationship between the phase volume and film properties is presented.
Phylogeography supports lineage divergence for an endemic rattlesnake (Crotalus ravus) of the Neotropical montane forest in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt
Authors: Cisneros-Bernal Antonio Yolocalli , Rodríguez-Gómez Flor , Flores-Villela Oscar , Fujita Matthew K , Velasco Julián A , Fernández Jesús A
Published: July 2022

The formation of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) and Pleistocene climatic fluctuations have been shown to influence the diversification of lineages and species distributed throughout central Mexico. In some taxa, however, evidence of lineage diversification is not easily recognized, as often is the case in reptiles. Here we present a phylogeographic study on a Mexican endemic rattlesnake species (Crotalus ravus), with the aim of understanding how distinct lineages are distributed across the TMVB. Genetic (mtDNA) and genomic (ddRADseq) data were generated from samples across the species’ range to evaluate phylogeographic structure, estimate phylogenetic relationships and divergence times, and perform environmental niche modeling (ENM). Both datasets recover strong phylogeographic structuring of two distinct lineages on an east-west axis, with an estimated Pleistocene divergence (~1.47 Myr). The ENM suggest that the distribution of the two lineages experienced expansion and reduction events throughout recent evolutionary time. We attribute the diversification of C. ravus lineages to geological events associated with the formation of the TMVB, as well as Quaternary climate changes, both of which have been previously recognized in co-distributed taxa in the TMVB. This work emphasizes the existence of cryptic diversification processes in a morphologically conserved species distributed in a region of complex climatic and orogenic heterogeneity.
Does the magnitude of lipid lowering with statin therapy indicate higher intracranial bleeding risk?
Authors: Katsanos Aristeidis H , Shoamanesh Ashkan
Published: July 2022

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Genetically predicted on-statin LDL response is associated with higher intracerebral haemorrhage risk’ by Mayerhofer et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awac186).
Toward global integration of biodiversity big data: a harmonized metabarcode data generation module for terrestrial arthropods
Authors: Arribas Paula , Andújar Carmelo , Bohmann Kristine , deWaard Jeremy R , Economo Evan P , Elbrecht Vasco , Geisen Stefan , Goberna Marta , Krehenwinkel Henrik , Novotny Vojtech , Zinger Lucie , Creedy Thomas J , Meramveliotakis Emmanouil , Noguerales Víctor , Overcast Isaac , Morlon Hélène , Papadopoulou Anna , Vogler Alfried P , Emerson Brent C
Published: July 2022

Metazoan metabarcoding is emerging as an essential strategy for inventorying biodiversity, with diverse projects currently generating massive quantities of community-level data. The potential for integrating across such data sets offers new opportunities to better understand biodiversity and how it might respond to global change. However, large-scale syntheses may be compromised if metabarcoding workflows differ from each other. There are ongoing efforts to improve standardization for the reporting of inventory data. However, harmonization at the stage of generating metabarcode data has yet to be addressed. A modular framework for harmonized data generation offers a pathway to navigate the complex structure of terrestrial metazoan biodiversity. Here, through our collective expertise as practitioners, method developers, and researchers leading metabarcoding initiatives to inventory terrestrial biodiversity, we seek to initiate a harmonized framework for metabarcode data generation, with a terrestrial arthropod module. We develop an initial set of submodules covering the 5 main steps of metabarcode data generation: (i) sample acquisition; (ii) sample processing; (iii) DNA extraction; (iv) polymerase chain reaction amplification, library preparation, and sequencing; and (v) DNA sequence and metadata deposition, providing a backbone for a terrestrial arthropod module. To achieve this, we (i) identified key points for harmonization, (ii) reviewed the current state of the art, and (iii) distilled existing knowledge within submodules, thus promoting best practice by providing guidelines and recommendations to reduce the universe of methodological options. We advocate the adoption and further development of the terrestrial arthropod module. We further encourage the development of modules for other biodiversity fractions as an essential step toward large-scale biodiversity synthesis through harmonization.
Not between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: Singapore's Hedging
Authors: Chang Jun Yan
Published: July 2022

Hedging is typically understood as a middle path straddling balancing/bandwagoning, the military/economic, and United States/China. This conventional understanding of hedging confuses risk and threat. It also makes the hedging concept non-falsifiable and thus analytically dubious, while further reinforcing a false dialectic of other states in the Asia-Pacific as caught between the United States and China. This article proposes to restore the centrality of risk and autonomy back to the concept of hedging. It contends that hedging is a risk management strategy that emphasizes autonomy—to retain control, reduce uncertainty, and remain secure—preventing the costs of alignment by signaling ambiguity in the military, political, and economic sectors. This hedging concept is subsequently applied to a case study of Singapore, demonstrating that the island state is the quintessential hedger. In so doing, this article develops a falsifiable concept of hedging that enables such a strategy to be explicitly identified, and importantly, returns agency back to the other states amid intensifying Sino-US competition.
Looking in a mirror, laparoscopic gastric sleeve in situs inversus patient: a case report
Authors: Paipilla Omar A , Molina Gabriel A , Zavalza Juan F , Gil Miriam , Montero Maria L , Fuster Richard , Hernandez Maria E , Diaz Marisela A
Published: July 2022

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has been widely accepted and adopted as a weight loss procedure for obesity. Although technically demanding, it is feasible and can improve patients’ overall health. However, any variation from normal anatomy can be challenging for any surgery, especially bariatric surgery, where a mistake could mean going from a life-saving opportunity to costing the patient’s life. We present the case of an obese patient who sought medical attention and decided on bariatric surgery. During her preoperative evaluation, situs inversus totalis was discovered. After careful planning, the surgical team completed the surgery without complications, and the patient recovered completely.
Cyclic Framed Little Disks Algebras, Grothendieck–Verdier Duality And Handlebody Group Representations
Authors: Müller Lukas , Woike Lukas
Published: July 2022

We characterize cyclic algebras over the associative and the framed little 2-disks operad in any symmetric monoidal bicategory. The cyclicity is appropriately treated in a coherent way, that is up to coherent isomorphism. When the symmetric monoidal bicategory is specified to be a certain symmetric monoidal bicategory of linear categories subject to finiteness conditions, we prove that cyclic associative and cyclic framed little 2-disks algebras, respectively, are equivalent to pivotal Grothendieck–Verdier categories and ribbon Grothendieck–Verdier categories, a type of category that was introduced by Boyarchenko–Drinfeld based on Barr’s notion of a $\star$-autonomous category. We use these results and Costello’s modular envelope construction to obtain two applications to quantum topology: I) We extract a consistent system of handlebody group representations from any ribbon Grothendieck–Verdier category inside a certain symmetric monoidal bicategory of linear categories and show that this generalizes the handlebody part of Lyubashenko’s mapping class group representations. II) We establish a Grothendieck–Verdier duality for the category extracted from a modular functor by evaluation on the circle (without any assumption on semisimplicity), thereby generalizing results of Tillmann and Bakalov–Kirillov.
IIIMiddle English
Authors: Ash-Irisarri Kate , Atkinson Laurie , Black Daisy , Brazil Sarah , Calder Natalie , Finn Andrew , Greene Darragh , Lazikani Ayoush , Menmuir Rebecca , Ronan Mark , Sargan J D , Strickland Seth
Published: July 2022

This chapter has thirteen sections: 1. Early Middle English; 2. Theory; 3. Manuscript and Technical Studies; 4. Religious Writing; 5. Secular Prose; 6. Secular Verse; 7. Piers Plowman; 8. Gower; 9. Older Scots; 10. Drama; 11. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, Patience, and Cleanness; 12. Romance: Metrical, Alliterative, Prose. 13. Hoccleve and Lydgate. Section 1 is by Ayoush Lazikani; section 2 is by Andrew Finn; section 3 is by J.D. Sargan; section 4 is by Natalie Calder; section 5 is by Mark Ronan; section 6 is by Darragh Greene; section 7 is by Seth Strickland; section 8 is by Laurie Atkinson; section 9 is by Kate Ash-Irisarri; section 10 is by Daisy Black and Sarah Brazil; sections 11 and 12 are by Darragh Greene; section 13 is by Rebecca Menmuir.

Due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of publications from 2019 are covered instead in this year’s volume.
Universal, Rapid, and Visual Detection Methods for Phytoplasmas Associated with Coconut Lethal Yellowing Diseases Targeting 16S rRNA Gene Sequences
Authors: Yu Shao-shuai , Pan Ying-wen , Zhu Hui , Song Wei-wei
Published: July 2022

Coconut lethal yellowing (LY) diseases caused by phytoplasmas are devastating diseases for coconut cultivation and seriously threaten the coconut industry around world. The phytoplasmas associated with the LY diseases belonged to six 16Sr groups containing 16SrI, 16SrIV, 16SrXI, 16SrXIV, 16SrXXII, and 16SrXXXII with comparatively higher variable levels. Conserved regions of the 16S rRNA genes of LY phytoplasmas belonging to the six 16Sr groups were obtained in the study. Based on the conserved region sequences of 16S rRNA genes, two sets of LAMP primers, Co-4 and Co-6, were designed and screened, and the rapid and visual detection methods universal for different groups LY phytoplasmas were established. The entire detection reactions of the universal detection methods could be completed with only 30 to 40 min of constant temperature amplification at 64°C, and the detection results were judged by the color changes of the reaction systems, which are convenient and quick. For the six groups of phytoplasmas, the estimated minimum detection limit range of the universal detection primers Co-4 and Co-6 were identical: 4.8 × 101 to 4.8 × 107 copies per 200 μl. The universal detection methods for the LY phytoplasmas established in the study are of great significance for the rapid diagnosis and identification and the efficient monitoring and early warning as well as the port inspection and quarantine of the LY phytoplasmas and their related diseases.
Functional outcome of proximal fibular osteotomy in knee osteoarthritis: a prospective study
Authors: Mongia Aaditya Keerti , Singh Sukhmin , Adhikari Navneet , Budhiraja Mohit , Kumar Avinash , Singh Devendra
Published: July 2022

Background:

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint causes a debilitating pain that hampers the daily activities of affected patients. Proximal fibular osteotomy provides an option in the disease’s early stages to prolong the life of the native joint.

Methods:

All consenting patients with diagnosed osteoarthritis of the knee were enrolled in the study. Preoperative radiographic and clinical assessment with functional scores was conducted. Proximal fibular osteotomy was performed at a distance of 6 to 8 cm from the fibular head. Osteotomy was done and postoperative functional scores (Visual Analogue Score, Knee Society Score, Oxford Knee Score) as well as radiographic parameters (medial and lateral joint spaces and the tibio-femoral angle) were evaluated at intervals of 2 wk, 3 mo, 6 mo and 12 mo. All data was statistically analyzed.

Results:

Sixty patients who completed the 12-month follow-up were included. Their mean age was 62.60±9.80. The Visual Analogue Score improved from 8.65±0.75 to 2.30±0.92 at 12 mo follow-up (P<0.001), showing a significant relief in overall pain. The Knee Society Score improved from 92.6±10.63 to 144.75±17.46, showing a significant improvement (P<0.001). Improvement was seen in medial joint space and lateral joint space, but it was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

Proximal fibular osteotomy is a relatively less invasive procedure compared with knee replacement and has excellent outcomes. Furthermore, it improves the overall alignment of the joint with significant relief from pain. To improve the outcome of such procedures, an early osteoarthritic knee joint should be evaluated and chosen wisely.

Level of Evidence:

Level III.
Shoulder MRI lag times after implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA): a retrospective review
Authors: Fryberger Charles T. , Harper Christopher J. , Brolin Tyler J. , Bernholt David L. , Azar Frederick M. , Throckmorton Thomas W.
Published: July 2022

Background:

With the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the challenge of expanding healthcare insurance to Americans without jeopardizing quality of care remains. This study was initiated to evaluate how the timing of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) completion for shoulder pathology correlates with implementation of the ACA by comparing lag times between the initial visit and the date of MRI completion. In addition, the access to orthopaedic care after ACA implementation was evaluated by comparing shoulder MRI lag times among three cohorts based on insurer status.

Methods:

All shoulder and proximal upper extremity MRIs between 2009 and 2017 were reviewed, 5 yr before and 3 yr after ACA implementation. Patients were grouped into commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid cohorts. Average lag times for the pre- and post-ACA periods overall and among payor cohorts were calculated.

Results:

Included were 5900 MRIs, 1997 (33.8%) before and 3903 (66.2%) after ACA implementation. The difference in payor mix before and after ACA implementation was significantly different (P<0.001). Median lag time increased from 23 days pre-ACA to 31 days post-ACA (P<0.001). For commercial insurance, median lag time was 23 days pre-ACA compared with 28 days (P<0.001) post-ACA. Median lag time pre- and post-ACA in the Medicaid cohort was 8 days compared with 30.5 days (P<0.001), respectively. Pre- and post-ACA lag times in the Medicare cohort did not differ significantly (P=0.450).

Conclusions:

Lag times increased significantly after ACA implementation in patients with commercial and Medicaid insurance. This study provides valuable insight into unintended outcomes associated with the ACA legislation.

Level of Evidence:

Level III.
Standardized protocol for hip fracture care leads to similar short-term outcomes despite socioeconomic differences in patient populations: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bindner Corey T. , Wester Christopher J. , Ghanta Ramesh B. , Wininger Austin E. , Patel Aalok P. , Atassi Omar H. , Perkins Christopher H. , Dawson John R.
Published: July 2022

Background:

Socioeconomic status is known to influence outcomes in healthcare. This study compares hip fracture care in patients of different socioeconomic status.

Methods:

A retrospective study of hip fracture patients over age 65 who received operative care by a single surgeon was undertaken at an academic level 1 trauma center (county group, n=47) and two private tertiary care hospitals (private group, n=78). A standardized hip fracture protocol was initiated for all patients upon admission with the goal of operative management in less than 48 hr. Time-to-surgery, length of stay, and short-term postoperative complications were compared between groups.

Results:

County patients were largely nonwhite (93.6%) with 12.8% uninsured, whereas 32.1% of private patients were nonwhite, and all were insured. County patients had longer time from presentation to surgery compared with private patients (30.5 hr vs 21.7 hr, respectively, P=0.003). Length of stay was equivalent between county and private patients (8.0 days vs 7.2 days, respectively, P=0.060). There was no significant difference in the rate of complications between county versus private groups (21.3% vs. 21.8%, respectively, P=0.946). Difference in 30-day mortality was not statistically significant (8.5% county vs. 3.9% private, respectively, P=0.424). No risk factors were associated with significantly increased risk of complications with logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions:

There was a similar length of stay, complication rate, and mortality rate after hip fracture surgery despite demographic differences between the groups. A fragility fracture protocol can lead to similar outcomes in patients of differing demographics and insurance payer mixes.

Level of Evidence:

Level III.