bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health impacts of extreme events
Authors: Javadinejad Safieh , Dara Rebwar , Jafary Forough
Published: April 2020

Urbanization and urban development, along with the acceleration of population growth, the development of industrial activities or the consumption of fossil fuels has greatly increased the air pollution, with the consequences of it being, in the first place, a variety of diseases and respiratory illnesses, exacerbations of cardiovascular, pulmonary, skin diseases, etc. The inhabitants of cities are noticed. On the other hand, climatic parameters such as humidity, sunshine hours, temperature, and pressure and the amount of solar radiation increases the amount of pollutants in the atmosphere and increases the coefficient of their effect on humans and natural ecosystems. Therefore, by altering the composition of effective gases in the life of the earth’s organisms and disturbing their balance, humans injure themselves and the environment, causing wide variations in the climate patterns of the earth, and on the other hand their health and well-being put at risk. In this paper, the relationship between climatic elements with the various diseases in Khoozestan province has been investigated (suspended PM). For this purpose, after the data collection, statistical calculations were carried out and the results were presented as tables and charts and the relationship between one variables with patients were examined. The results show that there is a significant and strong correlation between climatic elements such as temperature, precipitation with several disease.
Nonlinear polaritons in a monolayer semiconductor coupled to optical bound states in the continuum
Authors: Kravtsov Vasily , Khestanova Ekaterina , Benimetskiy Fedor A. , Ivanova Tatiana , Samusev Anton K. , Sinev Ivan S. , Pidgayko Dmitry , Mozharov Alexey M. , Mukhin Ivan S. , Lozhkin Maksim S. , Kapitonov Yuri V. , Brichkin Andrey S. , Kulakovskii Vladimir D. , Shelykh Ivan A. , Tartakovskii Alexander I. , Walker Paul M. , Skolnick Maurice S. , Krizhanovskii Dmitry N. , Iorsh Ivan V.
Published: April 2020

Optical bound states in the continuum (BICs) provide a way to engineer very narrow resonances in photonic crystals. The extended interaction time in these systems is particularly promising for the enhancement of nonlinear optical processes and the development of the next generation of active optical devices. However, the achievable interaction strength is limited by the purely photonic character of optical BICs. Here, we mix the optical BIC in a photonic crystal slab with excitons in the atomically thin semiconductor MoSe2 to form nonlinear exciton-polaritons with a Rabi splitting of 27 meV, exhibiting large interaction-induced spectral blueshifts. The asymptotic BIC-like suppression of polariton radiation into the far field toward the BIC wavevector, in combination with effective reduction of the excitonic disorder through motional narrowing, results in small polariton linewidths below 3 meV. Together with a strongly wavevector-dependent Q-factor, this provides for the enhancement and control of polariton–polariton interactions and the resulting nonlinear optical effects, paving the way toward tuneable BIC-based polaritonic devices for sensing, lasing, and nonlinear optics.
Publisher Correction: Molecular basis of microhomology-mediated end-joining by purified full-length Polθ
Authors: Black Samuel J. , Ozdemir Ahmet Y. , Kashkina Ekaterina , Kent Tatiana , Rusanov Timur , Ristic Dejan , Shin Yeonoh , Suma Antonio , Hoang Trung , Chandramouly Gurushankar , Siddique Labiba A. , Borisonnik Nikita , Sullivan-Reed Katherine , Mallon Joseph S. , Skorski Tomasz , Carnevale Vincenzo , Murakami Katsuhiko S. , Wyman Claire , Pomerantz Richard T.
Published: April 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Confidence controls perceptual evidence accumulation
Authors: Balsdon Tarryn , Wyart Valentin , Mamassian Pascal
Published: April 2020

Perceptual decisions are accompanied by feelings of confidence that reflect the likelihood that the decision was correct. Here we aim to clarify the relationship between perception and confidence by studying the same perceptual task across three different confidence contexts. Human observers were asked to categorize the source of sequentially presented visual stimuli. Each additional stimulus provided evidence for making more accurate perceptual decisions, and better confidence judgements. We show that observers’ ability to set appropriate evidence accumulation bounds for perceptual decisions is strongly predictive of their ability to make accurate confidence judgements. When observers were not permitted to control their exposure to evidence, they imposed covert bounds on their perceptual decisions but not on their confidence decisions. This partial dissociation between decision processes is reflected in behaviour and pupil dilation. Together, these findings suggest a confidence-regulated accumulation-to-bound process that controls perceptual decision-making even in the absence of explicit speed-accuracy trade-offs.
Domain-wall pinning and defect ordering in BiFeO3 probed on the atomic and nanoscale
Authors: Bencan Andreja , Drazic Goran , Ursic Hana , Makarovic Maja , Komelj Matej , Rojac Tadej
Published: April 2020

Electro-mechanical interactions between charged point defects and domain walls play a key role in the functional properties of bulk and thin-film ferroelectrics. While for perovskites the macroscopic implications of the ordering degree of defects on domain-wall pinning have been reported, atomistic details of these mechanisms remain unclear. Here, based on atomic and nanoscale analyses, we propose a pinning mechanism associated with conductive domain walls in BiFeO3, whose origin lies in the dynamic coupling of the p-type defects gathered in the domain-wall regions with domain-wall displacements under applied electric field. Moreover, we confirm that the degree of defect ordering at the walls, which affect the domain-wall conductivity, can be tuned by the cooling rate used during the annealing, allowing us to determine how this ordering affects the atomic structure of the walls. The results are useful in the design of the domain-wall architecture and dynamics for emerging nanoelectronic and bulk applications.
Metal chloride perovskite thin film based interfacial layer for shielding lithium metal from liquid electrolyte
Authors: Yin Yi-Chen , Wang Qian , Yang Jing-Tian , Li Feng , Zhang Guozhen , Jiang Chen-Hui , Mo Hong-Sheng , Yao Ji-Song , Wang Kun-Hua , Zhou Fei , Ju Huan-Xin , Yao Hong-Bin
Published: April 2020

Fabricating a robust interfacial layer on the lithium metal anode to isolate it from liquid electrolyte is vital to restrain the rapid degradation of a lithium metal battery. Here, we report that the solution-processed metal chloride perovskite thin film can be coated onto the lithium metal surface as a robust interfacial layer to shield the lithium metal from liquid electrolyte. Via phase analysis and density functional theory calculations, we demonstrate that the perovskite layer can allow fast lithium ion shuttle under a low energy barrier of 0.45 eV without the collapse of framework. Such perovskite modification can realize stable cycling of LiCoO2|Li cells with an areal capacity of 2.8 mAh cm−2 using thin lithium metal foil (50 μm) and limited electrolyte (20 μl mAh−1) for over 100 cycles at 0.5 C. The metal chloride perovskite protection strategy could open a promising avenue for advanced lithium metal batteries.
Unique Cancer Migratory Behaviors in Confined Spaces of Microgroove Topography with Acute Wall Angles
Authors: Yaginuma Tomohiro , Kushiro Keiichiro , Takai Madoka
Published: April 2020

In recent years, many types of micro-engineered platform have been fabricated to investigate the influences of surrounding microenvironments on cell migration. Previous researches demonstrated that microgroove-based topographies can influence cell motilities of normal and cancerous cells differently. In this study, the microgroove wall angle was altered from obtuse to acute angles and the resulting differences in the responses of normal and cancer cells were investigated to explore the geometrical characteristics that can efficiently distinguish normal and cancer cells. Interestingly, different trends in cell motilities of normal and cancer cells were observed as the wall angles were varied between 60–120°, and in particular, invasive cancer cells exhibited a unique, oscillatory migratory behavior. Results from the immunostaining of cell mechanotransduction components suggested that this difference stemmed from directional extensions and adhesion behaviors of each cell type. In addition, the specific behaviors of invasive cancer cells were found to be dependent on the myosin II activity, and modulating the activity could revert cancerous behaviors to normal ones. These novel findings on the interactions of acute angle walls and cancer cell migration provide a new perspective on cancer metastasis and additional strategies via microstructure geometries for the manipulations of cell behaviors in microscale biodevices.
Differential kinase activity of ACVR1 G328V and R206H mutations with implications to possible TβRI cross-talk in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma
Authors: Cao Hongnan , Jin Miao , Gao Mu , Zhou Hongyi , Tao Yizhi Jane , Skolnick Jeffrey
Published: April 2020

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a lethal pediatric brain cancer whose median survival time is under one year. The possible roles of the two most common DIPG associated cytoplasmic ACVR1 receptor kinase domain mutants, G328V and R206H, are reexamined in the context of new biochemical results regarding their intrinsic relative ATPase activities. At 37 °C, the G328V mutant displays a 1.8-fold increase in intrinsic kinase activity over wild-type, whereas the R206H mutant shows similar activity. The higher G328V mutant intrinsic kinase activity is consistent with the statistically significant longer overall survival times of DIPG patients harboring ACVR1 G328V tumors. Based on the potential cross-talk between ACVR1 and TβRI pathways and known and predicted off-targets of ACVR1 inhibitors, we further validated the inhibition effects of several TβRI inhibitors on ACVR1 wild-type and G328V mutant patient tumor derived DIPG cell lines at 20–50 µM doses. SU-DIPG-IV cells harboring the histone H3.1K27M and activating ACVR1 G328V mutations appeared to be less susceptible to TβRI inhibition than SF8628 cells harboring the H3.3K27M mutation and wild-type ACVR1. Thus, inhibition of hidden oncogenic signaling pathways in DIPG such as TβRI that are not limited to ACVR1 itself may provide alternative entry points for DIPG therapeutics.
Intertwined Functions of Separase and Caspase in Cell Division and Programmed Cell Death
Authors: Jeong Pan Young , Kumar Ashish , Joshi Pradeep M. , Rothman Joel H.
Published: April 2020

Timely sister chromatid separation, promoted by separase, is essential for faithful chromosome segregation. Separase is a member of the CD clan of cysteine proteases, which also includes the pro-apoptotic enzymes known as caspases. We report a role for the C. elegans separase SEP-1, primarily known for its essential activity in cell division and cortical granule exocytosis, in developmentally programmed cell death when the predominant pro-apoptotic caspase CED-3 is compromised. Loss of SEP-1 results in extra surviving cells in a weak ced-3(-) mutant, and suppresses the embryonic lethality of a mutant defective for the apoptotic suppressor ced-9/Bcl-2 implicating SEP-1 in execution of apoptosis. We also report apparent non-apoptotic roles for CED-3 in promoting germ cell proliferation, meiotic chromosome disjunction, egg shell formation, and the normal rate of embryonic development. Moreover, loss of the soma-specific (CSP-3) and germline-specific (CSP-2) caspase inhibitors result in CED-3-dependent suppression of embryonic lethality and meiotic chromosome non-disjunction respectively, when separase function is compromised. Thus, while caspases and separases have evolved different substrate specificities associated with their specialized functions in apoptosis and cell division respectively, they appear to have retained the residual ability to participate in both processes, supporting the view that co-option of components in cell division may have led to the innovation of programmed cell suicide early in metazoan evolution.
Inoculation of Azospirillum brasilense associated with silicon as a liming source to improve nitrogen fertilization in wheat crops
Authors: Galindo Fernando Shintate , Buzetti Salatiér , Rodrigues Willian Lima , Boleta Eduardo Henrique Marcandalli , Silva Vinicius Martins , Tavanti Renan Francisco Rimoldi , Fernandes Guilherme Carlos , Biagini Antônio Leonardo Campos , Rosa Poliana Aparecida Leonel , Teixeira Filho Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto
Published: April 2020

This research was developed to investigate whether inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense in combination with silicon (Si) can enhance N use efficiency (NUE) in wheat and to evaluate and correlate nutritional and productive components and wheat grain yield. The study was carried out on a Rhodic Hapludox under a no-till system with a completely randomized block design with four replications in a 2 × 2 × 5 factorial scheme: two liming sources (with Ca and Mg silicate as the Si source and limestone); two inoculations (control - without inoculation and seed inoculation with A. brasilense) and five side-dress N rates (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha−1). The results of this study showed positive improvements in wheat growth production parameters, NUE and grain yield as a function of inoculation associated with N rates. Inoculation can complement and optimize N fertilization, even with high N application rates. The potential benefits of Si use were less evident; however, the use of Si can favour N absorption, even when associated with A. brasilense. Therefore, studies conducted under tropical conditions with Ca and Mg silicate are necessary to better understand the role of Si applied alone or in combination with growth-promoting bacteria such as A. brasilense.
Deep-Water Renewal Events; Insights into Deep Water Sediment Transport Mechanisms
Authors: Ayranci K. , Dashtgard S. E.
Published: April 2020

Deep-water renewal (DWR) events are characterized in the Strait of Georgia, Canada using 11 years of real-time physical and chemical oceanographic data and seafloor videos. At least 6 DWRs occur per year at 300 m water depth and each event continues for over 3 days. They initiate during neap tides and are associated with increased turbidity. In the spring, DWRs introduce cold, oxygenated and nutrient-poor waters, and in the fall they introduce warm, oxygen-depleted, nutrient-rich and saline waters. Although the timing and magnitude of DWRs differ from year to year, we demonstrate that they are not restricted to two seasons, but continue throughout the year. High-resolution videos of DWRs show that these events comprise a plume of high suspended sediment concentration that flows parallel to the basin axis and deposits approximately 1.5 cm per event.
Differential Role for a Defined Lateral Horn Neuron Subset in Naïve Odor Valence in Drosophila
Authors: Lerner Hadas , Rozenfeld Eyal , Rozenman Bar , Huetteroth Wolf , Parnas Moshe
Published: April 2020

Value coding of external stimuli in general, and odor valence in particular, is crucial for survival. In flies, odor valence is thought to be coded by two types of neurons: mushroom body output neurons (MBONs) and lateral horn (LH) neurons. MBONs are classified as neurons that promote either attraction or aversion, but not both, and they are dynamically activated by upstream neurons. This dynamic activation updates the valence values. In contrast, LH neurons receive scaled, but non-dynamic, input from their upstream neurons. It remains unclear how such a non-dynamic system generates differential valence values. Recently, PD2a1/b1 LH neurons were demonstrated to promote approach behavior at low odor concentration in starved flies. Here, we demonstrate that at high odor concentrations, these same neurons contribute to avoidance in satiated flies. The contribution of PD2a1/b1 LH neurons to aversion is context dependent. It is diminished in starved flies, although PD2a1/b1 neural activity remains unchanged, and at lower odor concentration. In addition, PD2a1/b1 aversive effect develops over time. Thus, our results indicate that, even though PD2a1/b1 LH neurons transmit hard-wired output, their effect on valence can change. Taken together, we suggest that the valence model described for MBONs does not hold for LH neurons.
Fasentin diminishes endothelial cell proliferation, differentiation and invasion in a glucose metabolism-independent manner
Authors: Ocaña Mª Carmen , Martínez-Poveda Beatriz , Marí-Beffa Manuel , Quesada Ana R. , Medina Miguel Ángel
Published: April 2020

The synthetic compound fasentin has been described as a modulator of GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 transporters, thus inhibiting glucose uptake in some cancer cells. Endothelial glucose metabolism has been recently connected to angiogenesis and it is now an emerging topic in scientific research. Indeed, certain compounds with a known effect on glucose metabolism have also been shown to inhibit angiogenesis. In this work we tested the capability of fasentin to modulate angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. We show that fasentin inhibited tube formation in endothelial cells by a mechanism that involves a negative effect on endothelial cell proliferation and invasion, without affecting other steps related to the angiogenic process. However, fasentin barely decreased glucose uptake in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells and the GLUT-1 inhibitor STF-31 failed to inhibit tube formation in these cells. Therefore, this modulatory capacity on endothelial cells function exerted by fasentin is most likely independent of a modulation of glucose metabolism. Taken together, our results show a novel biological activity of fasentin, which could be evaluated for its utility in cancer and other angiogenesis-dependent diseases.
Indication of Thalamo-Cortical Circuit Dysfunction in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study
Authors: Eleftheriou Andreas , Blystad Ida , Tisell Anders , Gasslander Johan , Lundin Fredrik
Published: April 2020

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a disorder with unclear pathophysiology. The diagnosis of iNPH is challenging due to its radiological similarity with other neurodegenerative diseases and ischemic subcortical white matter changes. By using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) we explored differences in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) in iNPH patients (before and after a shunt surgery) and healthy individuals (HI) and we correlated the clinical results with DTI parameters. Thirteen consecutive iNPH-patients underwent a pre- and post-operative clinical work-up: 10 m walk time (w10mt) steps (w10ms), TUG-time (TUGt) and steps (TUGs); for cognitive function MMSE. Nine HI were included. DTI was performed before and 3 months after surgery, HI underwent DTI once. DTI differences analyzed by manually placing 12 regions-of-interest. In patients motor and balance function improved significantly after surgery (p = 0.01, p = 0.025). Higher nearly significant FA values found in the patients vs HI pre-operatively in the thalamus (p = 0.07) accompanied by an almost significant lower ADC (p = 0.08). Significantly FA and ADC-values were found between patients and HI in FWM (p = 0.02, p = 0.001) and almost significant (p = 0.057) pre- vs postoperatively. Postoperatively we found a trend towards the HIs FA values and a strong significant negative correlation between FA changes vs. gait results in the FWM (r = −0.7, p = 0.008). Our study gives a clear indication of an ongoing pathological process in the periventricular white matter, especially in the thalamus and in the frontal white matter supporting the hypothesis of a shunt reversible thalamo-cortical circuit dysfunction in iNPH.
A combination of genetics and microbiota influences the severity of the obesity phenotype in diet-induced obesity
Authors: Smoczek Margarethe , Vital Marius , Wedekind Dirk , Basic Marijana , Zschemisch Nils-Holger , Pieper Dietmar H. , Siebert Anja , Bleich Andre , Buettner Manuela
Published: April 2020

Obesity has emerged as a major global health problem and is associated with various diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases. The inbred C57BL/6 mouse strain is often used for various experimental investigations, such as metabolic research. However, over time, genetically distinguishable C57BL/6 substrains have evolved. The manifestation of genetic alterations has resulted in behavioral and metabolic differences. In this study, a comparison of diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6JHanZtm, C57BL/6NCrl and C57BL/6 J mice revealed several metabolic and immunological differences such as blood glucose level and cytokine expression, respectively, among these C57BL/6 substrains. For example, C57BL/6NCrl mice developed the most pronounced adiposity, whereas C57BL/6 J mice showed the highest impairment in glucose tolerance. Moreover, our results indicated that the immunological phenotype depends on the intestinal microbiota, as the cell subset composition of the colon was similar in obese ex-GF B6NRjB6JHanZtm and obese B6JHanZtm mice. Phenotypic differences between C57BL/6 substrains are caused by a complex combination of genetic and microbial alterations. Therefore, in performing metabolic research, considering substrain-specific characteristics, which can influence the course of study, is important. Moreover, for unbiased comparison of data, the entire strain name should be shared with the scientific community.
The structure and photoelectrochemical activity of Cr-doped PbS thin films grown by chemical bath deposition
Authors: Ahmed Ashour M. , Rabia Mohamed , Shaban Mohamed
Published: April 2020

Nanocrystalline undoped and Cr-doped PbS thin films were prepared on glass substrates by a simple chemical bath deposition method as photoelectrodes for solar water splitting.
Properties of surface Landau–de GennesQ-tensor models
Authors: Nestler Michael , Nitschke Ingo , Löwen Hartmut , Voigt Axel
Published: April 2020

Uniaxial nematic liquid crystals whose molecular orientation is subjected to tangential anchoring on a curved surface offer a non trivial interplay between the geometry and the topology of the surface and the orientational degree of freedom.
High antimicrobial photodynamic activity of photosensitizer encapsulated dual-functional metallocatanionic vesicles against drug-resistant bacteria S. aureus
Authors: Sharma Bunty , Kaur Gurpreet , Chaudhary Ganga Ram , Gawali Santosh L. , Hassan P. A.
Published: April 2020

Developments in the field of photodynamic therapy (PDT) are being made by investigating appropriate photosensitizers (PSs) and enhancing the penetration effect of light by developing new metallocatanionic vesicles.
Ultraviolet-induced Ostwald ripening strategy towards a mesoporous Ga2O3/GaOOH heterojunction composite with a controllable structure for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Zheng Yuenan , Fan Meihong , Li Kaiqian , Zhang Rui , Li Xuefeng , Zhang Ling , Qiao Zhen-An
Published: April 2020

The design of efficient semiconductor oxide materials with heterojunction nanostructures for photocatalysis holds great promise in the fields of clean energy conversion and storage.
Synthesis of phenanthridines by I2-mediated sp3C–H amination
Authors: Fang Benyao , Hou Jiao , Tian Jinyue , Yu Wenquan , Chang Junbiao
Published: April 2020

An I2-mediated transition-metal-free sp3C–H amination reaction is established for phenanthridine synthesis in an efficient and scalable manner.
Assorted functionality-appended UiO-66-NH2for highly efficient uranium(vi) sorption at acidic/neutral/basic pH
Authors: Tripathi Sarita , Sreenivasulu B. , Suresh A. , Rao C. V. S. Brahmmananda , Sivaraman N.
Published: April 2020

Eight assorted functionalities were anchored on UiO-66-NH2viaPSM strategy displaying MOFs with similar framework but variable uranyl binding affinities. The excellent sorption capacity of UiO-66-PO-Ph makes it efficient uranium sorbent material.
Excitation dependent visible and NIR photoluminescence properties of Er3+, Yb3+ co-doped NaBi(MoO4)2 nanomaterials
Authors: Pushpendra  , Kunchala Ravi K. , Kalia Rimple , Naidu Boddu S.
Published: April 2020

Er3+, Yb3+ co-doped NaBi(MoO4)2 nanomaterials show excitation dependent photoluminescence properties in the visible and NIR regions upon excitation with UV, visible and NIR light.
Mesoporous Cu–Cu2O@TiO2 heterojunction photocatalysts derived from metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Zhao Wenling , Liu Chengcheng
Published: April 2020

Cu–Cu2O@TiO2 heterojunction photocatalyst derived from a metal–organic framework shows high photocatalytic activity for dye degradation under visible light irradiation.
The structures of ordered defects in thiocyanate analogues of Prussian Blue
Authors: Cliffe Matthew J. , Keyzer Evan N. , Bond Andrew D. , Astle Maxwell A. , Grey Clare P.
Published: April 2020

We report the structures of six new divalent transition metal hexathiocyanatobismuthate Prussian Blue analogues frameworks, which contain complex ordered defect structures.
Dielectric properties of nanocomposites based on epoxy resin and HBP/plasma modified nanosilica
Authors: Yang Guoqing , Li Jiaxin , Ohki Yoshimichi , Wang Deyi , Liu Geng , Liu Yang , Tao Kai
Published: April 2020

To enhance the bond strength of the nanosized silica/epoxy interface and modify the dielectric properties of nanocomposites, a plasma-assisted surface modification method is proposed for inorganic nanofillers. A gas–liquid two-phase dielectric barrier discharge at room temperature was initially used to graft the terminal carboxyl hyperbranched polyester onto the nanosilica surface. Then, epoxy resin composites filled with 1–7 wt. % nanosilica were prepared. The effects of the plasma-treated nanosilica on the dielectric properties of the epoxy resins were analyzed. The experimental results demonstrated that a 2 nm-thick film of hyperbranched polyester (HBP) was successfully deposited onto the nanosilica surface via the HBP/plasma treatment. Compared with the pristine epoxy resins at room temperature, the permittivity constant of the proposed nanocomposites decreased from 4.2 to 3.3 and their AC breakdown strength increased by 38%. Moreover, the dielectric loss factor and DC conductivity decreased by 40.7% and 48.4%, respectively. Additionally, deep traps of 0.99–1.53 eV were observed in the nanocomposites. It can be concluded that HBP/plasma processing creates strong chemical bonds and compact nanofiller/polymer interfacial regions. In addition, HBP/plasma processing modified the dielectric properties of the nanocomposites. The results of this study indicate that HBP/plasma treatment is an effective method for the surface modification of inorganic nanofillers and for the modification of the dielectric properties of polymer nanocomposites.
Effects of precursors’ purity on graphene quality: Synthesis and thermoelectric effect
Authors: Shiau Li Lynn , Goh Simon Chun Kiat , Wang Xingli , Zhu MinMin , Sahoo Mamina , Tan Chuan Seng , Lai Chao-Sung , Liu Zheng , Tay Beng Kang
Published: April 2020

A chemical vapor deposition method has been proven to produce large scale monolayer graphene. However, it is often reported that such graphene contains a varying amount of defects. In this work, methane precursors of different purities [99.99% (4-9G), 99.90% (3-9G), and 98.90% (2-9G)] were used. It is shown that the introduction of defects occurs during graphene growth. It has been attributed to the presence of trace oxygen molecules in the gas precursors. By controlling the amount of oxygen present, one is able to tune the defect density in graphene at will. It is purported that the oxygen reacts with methane to yield methanol and formaldehyde. The latter is oxidized to formic acid. As the graphene network expands, the alcohol and formic acid are incorporated as C—O and O—C=O functional groups. In turn, the graphene experiences an overall global tensile strain due to local bond distortion induced by the electronegative oxygen containing groups. Furthermore, the presence of N2 molecules impedes the proper coalescing of carbon-containing molecules for the formation of the sp2-rich carbon network. Electrical measurement conducted suggests that a high purity precursor (4-9G) induces the least amount of defects, which confers a high Seebeck coefficient (105.1 µV/K) and a low sheet resistance (58.3 Ω). In the case of a larger volume of oxygen in the precursor, electrical performance decreases generally.
Gate-controlled spin relaxation in bulk WSe2 flakes
Authors: Li Ying , Wei Xia , Ye Jialiang , Zhai Guihao , Wang Kaiyou , Zhang Xinhui
Published: April 2020

We have studied the spin relaxation dynamics in both n- and p-type layered bulk WSe2 under a perpendicular electric field by employing time-resolved Kerr rotation and helicity-resolved transient reflection measurements. The experimental results reveal the efficient tuning of spin relaxation time from 3 ps to 46 ps by the external electric field at 10 K. The dependence of spin relaxation time on the external electric field is understood based on active interlayer hopping. These studies demonstrate the gate-tunable spin polarization and relaxation in bulk transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), which are fundamentally important for understanding spin dynamics and the practical design of spintronic devices based on bulk TMDCs.
Effect of hydrogen adsorption energy on the electronic and optical properties of Si-modified single-layer graphene with an Al decoration
Authors: Zhang Ying , Cui Hong , Tian Weizhi , Liu Tong , Wang Yazhou
Published: April 2020

The adsorption energy and changes in the structural, electronic, and optical properties of an Al-modified Si-doped single-layer graphene (SLG) structure after hydrogen adsorption were studied using first-principles calculations. The simulation results revealed that the hydrogen adsorption energy of SLG + Si + Al gradually increased to 0.571 eV with an increase in the number of hydrogen molecules. After structural optimization, the C–C bond and the C–Si–C bond angle of SLG + Si + Al regular hexagonal lattice changed within 1.430–1.440 Å and decreased by 29.997°, respectively. In the SLG + Si + Al structure, the resonance of electrons was strengthened, the absorption spectrum of light was enhanced, the width of the absorption peak increased, and electrons absorbed more energy in the transition process.
Evaluation of Hugoniot parameters for unreacted Al/PTFE reactive materials by modified SHPB test
Authors: Xiao Jianguang , Wang Zhao , Nie Zhengyuan , Tang Enling , Zhang Xuepeng
Published: April 2020

Numerical simulation is one of the most effective ways to investigate the internal damage mechanism for reactive materials (RMS), and an adequate equation of state (EOS) is of great importance. Explosives and lasers are widely employed to drive a flying plate to obtain the EOS parameters. However, the velocity achieved by these ways is too high to obtain the corresponding EOS parameters for unreacted RMS because they tend to be deflagrated under the intense dynamic loads. In order to evaluate the shock EOS parameters for unreacted Al/PTFE RMS, this work introduces a direct method based on the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test. The traditional SHPB test was developed by adding two polyvinylidene fluoride piezoelectric sensors pasted at the bottom surfaces of cylindrical RM specimens, which could directly obtain the real-time stress wave speed, and the particle speed is tested by the strain gauge in the transmit bar. Therefore, the two key parameters (the elastic wave speed C0 and slope S) in the shock EOS are achieved by the method of directly linear fitting. This work could provide favorable reference for relative simulation researchers of RMS.
Quadratic Mutual Information based Regression for Prediction of Quality Variable in Batch Process
Authors: Li Zheng , Wang Pu , Gao Xuejin , Qi Yongsheng , Gao Huihui
Published: April 2020

Quality prediction is of great importance for batch processes. Predicting quality variable is a challenging task because of various factors such as strong nonlinearity and non-Gaussian exist in batch data. A quadratic mutual information based regression method is proposed to handle the problem. The proposed method takes into account higher order statistics that reveal the non-linear dependencies between the process variables and important quality variables. Furthermore, the proposed method is implemented without the hypothesis of Gaussian distribution of the dataset as in MPLS. The effectiveness of the QMIR method is illustrated by a dataset of industrial Escherichia coli fermentation process, compared with MPLS.
Indoor Positioning by Weighted Fuzzy Matching in Lifi Based Hospital Ward Environment
Authors: Kyung Yu Ho , Gon Kim Jeong
Published: April 2020

Core technologies of the fourth industrial revolution include AI (Artificial Intelligence), IoT (Internet of Things), and Big Data. The field of effective use of these technologies is the field of navigation. However, in indoor navigation, the accuracy is very low due to objects and walls placed in various positions. In this paper, we propose an indoor location tracking technology based on LiFi (Light Fidelity) communication to determine the exact location of a user using location tracking technology and communication technology. First of all, the fingerprinting database is constructed by measuring the CIR (Channel Impulse Response) value of each SP (Sample Point) using the fingerprinting technique. Then we use the Weighted Fuzzy Matching Algorithm to track the user’s location. The simulation results show that the performance of the LiFi environment is superior to that of the WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) environment.
Realization of A Deformable Wheel Adapting to Running Conditions
Authors: Chen Yaowei , Iwase Masmi , Inoue Jun , Hatakeyama Shoshiro , Suyama Atsusi
Published: April 2020

The problem of the aging society has become more serious, and the use rate of the mobile auxiliary equipment such as wheelchair has increased. Moreover, the situation of the ground on which such wheelchairs run becomes complicated by the urbanization progress, and especially, for the rough terrain and the obstacle, the elderly and the their caregivers meet difficulties to pass through due to such as the distance and the external force. According to this situation, a new mobility device adapted to various running environments is required. This research has proposed a deformable wheel to overcome these issues. The deformation wheel was designed to be able to run in the rough plane such as a step, and it runs only by the rotation motion of the wheel, with the expansion mechanism with the variable diameter hub added, while retaining the performance of the circular wheel which can run on the high efficiency and high speed in the plane.
Construction of SLAM Algorithm for Window Cleaning Robot Moving Along Window Frame
Authors: Sasaki Shintaro , Hatakeyama Shoshiro , Iwase Masami , Nansai Shunsuke
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this study is to build SLAM algorithm for window cleaning robot which move along window frame. Automation of window cleaning in skyscraper by a robot is desired. It’s necessary for cleaning to the corner of window that the robot which move on the windowpane wall recognizes shape of the window frame and to estimations self-localization on the windowpane wall. However, since it is difficult to detect the glass surface directly with a non-contact sensor, it is not possible to acquire the features necessary for SLAM. Therefore, the window frame is detected as a feature point by the RGB-D sensor, and the SLAM algorithm on the windowpane wall is constructed using the detected feature value. In this paper, various window frame shapes are prepared, distance information from the RGB-D sensor to the window frame is acquired, and the results obtained as 3D information and the feature value acquisition results by image processing are described.
Weak Reverse attention with Context Aware for Person Re-identification
Authors: Gong Ke , Ning Xin , Yu Hanchao , Zhang Liping , Sun Linjun
Published: April 2020

Person re-identification is a difficult topic in computer vision. Some study think that current deep learning methods is biased to capture the most discriminative features and ignore low-level details, more serious is it pay too much attention on relevance between background appearances of person images. It might limit their accuracy or makes them needlessly expensive for a not best performance. In this paper, we carefully design the Weak Reverse attention with Context Aware Network (WRCANet). Specifically, by merging weak reverse attention network and content aware module, the model can not only remove the background noise to extract the main information of persons, but also suppress the loss of local detailed information as the network deepens. We experiment on the Market-1501, DukeMTMC-reID and CUHK03, and the results show that our method achieves the state-of-the-art performance.
Generalization and Visual Comprehension of CNN Models on Chromosome Images
Authors: Wang Chengyu , Huang Daiyun , Su Jionglong , Yu Limin , Ma Fei
Published: April 2020

Computer-aided image classification has achieved start-of-the-art performance since Convolutional Neural Network structures were employed. Classical neural networks such as AlexNet and VGG-Net inspired several rules of designing network models. Besides benchmark datasets such as MNIST, CIFAR and ImageNet, classification performance of medical images such as chromosome karyotyping images also improved via Convolutional Neural Network. However, there are few studies on generalization among different datasets. In this paper, we designed a neural network with nine layers, and achieved classification accuracy of 0.984, 0.816 and 0.921 on the dataset of MNIST, CIFAR and chromosome karyotype images. We also visualized the output of several layers of the model and explained that smooth output between neural network layers may induce lower accuracy on classification.
Control Performance Optimization of Variable Cycle Aero-engine Based on MTLBO
Authors: Qian Yifan , Ye Zhifeng , Xu Yongyuan , Zhang Haibo
Published: April 2020

In view of the characteristics of variable cycle aero-engine with many adjustable variables, Modified Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization (MTLBO) algorithm is adopted to construct an optimization program to optimize the steady-state performance of multi-variable. Under the condition of non-afterburner single-duct with constant main fuel flow, the maximum thrust is optimized under the operation points of low altitude & speed and high altitude & speed, respectively based on MTLBO algorithm. The results show that the convergence of the optimization algorithm is stable, and the possibility of falling into local optimum can be avoided, which proves that the MTLBO algorithm can solve the performance optimization problem of variable cycle aero-engine.
Oleoresin yield of Pinus merkusii trees from East Banyumas
Authors: Lukmandaru G , Amri S , Sunarta S , Listyanto T , Pujiarti R , Widyorini R
Published: April 2020

Pinus merkusii is the main pine found in Indonesia to produce oleoresin. The present study assessed the oleoresin yield treated by various stimulants (ETRAT, SR4, sulphuric acid, sulphuric acid-Ethepon mixtures), and relate it with several tree characteristics. Trees were selected from different two different class ages i.e. IV (16-20 years) and VII (31-35 years) and were tapped for 8 days by bark chipping method in 5 replications. The pine stand was located in East Banyumas of Perhutani. Results showed that the mixture of sulfuric acid and Ethephon gave comparatively high oleoresin yield levels. In general, tree from age class of VII exhibited higher amount of resin production than those of age class of IV. The levels of oleoresin yield were significantly correlated with tree height in 31-35-year-old trees. After combining data from the two age classes, only a positive relationship between tree diameter and oleoresin yield was measured in untreated trees. For stimulated trees, the oleoresin yield exhibited positive significant correlation coefficient with tree diameter, tree height, and crown closure for certain stimulants. The negative significant correlation was observed between oleoresin yield and site elevation. As no consistent pattern of correlations with regard to stimulating agents, it suggests that the role of other factors should be explored in future works.
Increase in accuracy forecast for electrical energy consumption of the WEM subjects using fuzzy neural networks
Authors: Fedorov Ya P , Burkovsky V L , Rutskov A L
Published: April 2020

This paper covers in depth functioning essence of the balancing electricity market in the Russian Federation in accordance with the current economic stimuli. Significant role of the prediction process for energy resources consumption has been noted, which has a direct influence on a pricing policy within the marked trade area. Analysis of different factors, that impact execution accuracy of the one day in advance model, was conducted. Problem of the weakly defined and unknown parameters, that influence the performance of the balancing electricity market, is suggested to resolve by means of fuzzy neural controller. The paper presents its structure and settings, and possibility to scale it to use not only as an analyzer but as an executive element in the subsystems of electric power systems. High accuracy performance of the fuzzy neural controller was shown - around (0,5-3) %, that is much higher than methods already in use (for instance, based on a coefficient of decline/growth of power consumption).
The selection of a priority package of measures for technical re-equipment and reconstruction of the district of electrical grids
Authors: Semenova N G , Chernova A D
Published: April 2020

Making decisions on the technical re-equipment and reconstruction of electrical grids needs analyzing a large amount of information, comparing a variety of options, evaluating the impact of a decision in the long term. Therefore, the process of formation of the package of measures is complicated. In this regard, it is necessary to develop an automated decision support system for selecting a priority package of measures for the technical re-equipment and reconstruction of the electrical grid district. The article presents the structure of the decisionmaking process for the technical re-equipment and reconstruction of the district of electrical grids, the model of formation and the method for selecting a priority package of measures. It is proposed to use graph theory for compiling a decision tree and methods of combinatorial optimization for the formation and selection of a priority package of measures. A two-level structural scheme of the decision-making process for the selection of a priority package of measures for the technical re-equipment and reconstruction of the electrical grids at the local and global levels has been developed.
Effect of carbon nanotube alignment on nanocomposite sensing performance
Authors: Lee Bo Mi , Huang Zachary , Loh Kenneth J
Published: April 2020

The objective of this study is to derive a numerical model of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based thin films that accurately reflect their electrical and electromechanical performance as observed through experimental tests. Although nanocomposites based on CNTs dispersed in polymer matrices have been studied extensively, their nanocomposite properties vary depending on CNT orientations. This study aimed to explain how differences in nanocomposite behavior could be revealed by numerical models considering different CNT alignment conditions. First, a percolation-based thin film model was generated by randomly dispersing CNT elements in a predefined two-dimensional domain. The degree of CNT alignment in the film was controlled by limiting the CNT elements’ maximum angle they make with respect to the film’s longitudinal axis. Then, numerical simulations on CNT-based film models were conducted. Second, multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-epoxy films were prepared via drop casting. Alternating current was applied to the MWCNT-epoxy mixture before curing to prepare films with different degrees of CNT alignment. The electrical and electromechanical properties of these specimens were characterized, and the results were compared with simulations. Good agreement between experiments and simulations was observed.
Deformation Cones of Nested Braid Fans
Authors: Castillo Federico , Liu Fu
Published: April 2020

Generalized permutohedra are deformations of regular permutohedra and arise in many different fields of mathematics. One important characterization of generalized permutohedra is the Submodularity Theorem, which is related to the deformation cone of the Braid fan. We lay out general techniques for determining deformation cones of a fixed polytope and apply it to the Braid fan to obtain a natural combinatorial proof for the Submodularity Theorem. We also consider a refinement of the Braid fan, called the nested Braid fan, and construct usual (respectively, generalized) nested permutohedra that have the nested Braid fan as (respectively, a coarsening of) their normal fan. We extend many results on generalized permutohedra to this new family of polytopes, including a one-to-one correspondence between faces of nested permutohedra and chains in ordered partition posets, and a theorem analogous to the Submodularity Theorem. Finally, we show that the nested Braid fan is the barycentric subdivision of the Braid fan, which gives another way to construct this new combinatorial object.
Belarusian Ostrovets nuclear power plant: the challenge of cross-border negotiations to balance economic development and environmental protection†
Authors: Abashidze Aslan Khuseinovich , Filippov Vladimir Mikhailovich , Solntsev Alexander Mikhailovich
Published: April 2020

States have sovereign rights that allow them to construct nuclear power plants. Moreover, engaging with nuclear power generation makes possible the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (2016–30) in combatting climate change, paramount to the Paris Agreement’s initiatives. In the same vein, however, constructing and operating power plants pose strict dangers to both general safety of the public and to national security. Thus, plant operations should strictly abide by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards and international law. As a result, it is important to consider the potential transboundary impacts of nuclear power plants and to conduct an appropriate transboundary environmental impact assessment (EIA). The article examines the construction of the Ostrovets Nuclear Power Plant by Belarus, close to the border of the Republic of Lithuania. The question in focus, however, is as follows: what international procedure can be used to coordinate issues of potentially negative transboundary impacts? Lithuania, in order to avoid the operation of the nuclear power plant, thus sought peaceful settlement of the dispute making use of the dispute resolution mechanisms based on international environmental agreements. The authors of this study show that the treaty bodies, established on the basis of international environmental agreements, provide important assistance in this matter in coordination with the IAEA. The use of these quasi-judicial means of resolving interstate disputes proves effective in pursuing a compromise between economic development and environmental protection. In the absence of such mechanisms at a universal level, one should consider utilizing such mechanisms in other regions of the world.