bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanophotonics—Mechanical Micromanipulation of Single‐Crystals toward Organic Photonic Integrated Circuits
Authors: Chandrasekar Rajadurai
Published: May 2021

The advent of molecular crystals as “smart” nanophotonic components namely, organic waveguides, resonators, lasers, and modulators are drawing wider attention of solid‐state materials scientists and microspectroscopists. Crystals are usually rigid, and undeniably developing next‐level crystalline organic photonic circuits of complex geometries demands using mechanically flexible crystals. The mechanical shaping of flexible crystals necessitates applying challenging micromanipulation methods. The rise of atomic force microscopy as a mechanical micromanipulation tool has increased the scope of mechanophotonics and subsequently, crystal‐based microscale organic photonic integrated circuits (OPICs). The unusual higher adhesive energy of the flexible crystals to the surface than that of crystal shape regaining energy enables carving intricate crystal geometries using micromanipulation. This perspective reviews the progress made in a key research area developed by my research group, namely mechanophotonics—a discipline that uses mechanical micromanipulation of single‐crystal optical components, to advance nanophotonics. The precise fabrication of photonic components and OPICs from both rigid and flexible microcrystal via AFM mechanical operations namely, moving, lifting, cutting, slicing, bending, and transferring of crystals are presented. The ability of OPICs to guide, split, couple, and modulate visible electromagnetic radiation using passive, active, and energy transfer mechanism are discussed as well with recent literature examples.
4D Printing of Hygroscopic Liquid Crystal Elastomer Actuators
Authors: Kim Keumbee , Guo Yuanhang , Bae Jaehee , Choi Subi , Song Hyeong Yong , Park Sungmin , Hyun Kyu , Ahn Suk‐Kyun
Published: May 2021

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are broadly recognized as programmable actuating materials that are responsive to external stimuli, typically heat or light. Yet, soft LCEs that respond to changes in environmental humidity are not reported, except a few examples based on rigid liquid crystal networks with limited processing. Herein, a new class of highly deformable hygroscopic LCE actuators that can be prepared by versatile processing methods, including surface alignment as well as 3D printing is presented. The dimethylamino‐functionalized LCE is prepared by the aza‐Michael addition reaction between a reactive LC monomer and N,N′‐dimethylethylenediamine as a chain extender, followed by photopolymerization. The humidity‐responsive properties are introduced by activating one of the LCE surfaces with an acidic solution, which generates cations on the surface and provides asymmetric hydrophilicity to the LCE. The resulting humidity‐responsive LCE undergoes programmed and reversible hygroscopic actuation, and its shape transformation can be directed by the cut angle with respect to a nematic director or by localizing activation regions in the LCE. Most importantly, various hygroscopic LCE actuators, including (porous) bilayers, a flower, a concentric square array, and a soft gripper, are successfully fabricated by using LC inks in UV‐assisted direct‐ink‐writing‐based 3D printing.
Anisotropic Evaporator with a T‐Shape Design for High‐Performance Solar‐Driven Zero‐Liquid Discharge
Authors: Liu Hanwen , Jin Ruizhi , Duan Sicong , Ju Yujun , Wang Zhuoyue , Yang Ke , Wang Baodui , Wang Bo , Yao Yonggang , Chen Fengjuan
Published: May 2021

Solar‐driven evaporation is regarded as a sustainable wastewater treatment strategy for clean water recovery and salt condensation. However, achieving both high evaporation rate and long‐term stability remain challenging due to poor thermal management and rapid salt accumulation and blocking. Here, a T‐shape solar‐driven evaporator, composed of a surface‐carbonized longitudinal wood membrane (C‐L‐wood) is demonstrated as the top “” for solar harvesting/vapor generation/salt collection and another piece of natural L‐wood as the support “” for brine transporting and thermally insulating. The horizontally aligned micro‐channels of C‐L‐wood have a low perpendicular thermal conductivity and can effectively localize the thermal energy for rapid evaporation. Meanwhile, the brine is guided to transport from the support L‐wood (“”) to the centerline of the top evaporator and then toward the double edge (“”), during which clean water is evaporated and salt is crystallized at the edge. The T‐shape evaporator demonstrates a high evaporation rate of 2.43 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 sun irradiation, and is stable for 7 days of the outdoor operation, which simultaneously realizes clean water evaporation and salt collection (including Cu2+, CrO42−, Co2+), and achieves zero‐liquid discharge. Therefore, the T‐shape design provides an effective strategy for high performance wastewater treatment.
Reversible Light‐Responsive Coacervate Microdroplets with Rapid Regulation of Enzymatic Reaction Rate
Authors: Huang Yan , Wang Xiaoliang , Li Junbo , Lin Youping , Chen Haixu , Liu Xiaoman , Huang Xin
Published: May 2021

Membrane‐free coacervate microdroplets are widely utilized as protocell or membrane‐less organelle models in the study of cell physicochemical properties. Dynamic regulation of coacervate microdroplets is of great significance because of the close connection between the formation/dissociation of condensate in vivo and physiology and pathology. Here, we describe light‐responsive coacervate microdroplets prepared from azobenzene cation trans‐azobenzenetrimethylammonium bromide (trans‐azoTAB) and anion succinylated amylose (Su‐Amy), which are formed by hydrophobic interaction and electrostatic interaction. The rapid and accurate response of azoTAB to light makes the microdroplets disassemble and reassemble within seconds under UV and within minutes under blue light, which provides a method to regulate the enzymatic reaction rates by the light‐induced assembly‐disassembly‐reassembly of the coacervate microdroplets. Our results show a new type of membrane‐less protocell model that can realize flexible spatiotemporal control and demonstrate a method for dynamically regulating the rate of enzymatic reactions inside the microdroplets, which provides a feasible scheme for exploring the relationship between physiology and disease in vitro.
Halogen Bonding: An Odd Chemistry?
Authors: Turunen Lotta , Hansen Jørn H. , Erdélyi Máté
Published: May 2021

Halogen bonding is a flourishing field of research, but has for long been little recognized. The same goes for its scientific hero, Odd Hassel, who laid the foundations for all current developments. The crystallographic observation of halogen−oxygen interatomic distances shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii of the involved atoms, and the interpretation of this phenomenon as a charge‐transfer interaction, have been ground‐breaking. Today, charge‐transfer to a polarized halogen is not any longer seen as “odd”, but is commonly referred to as halogen bonding, and is widely exploited in chemistry. Despite the recognition of Hassel's work with a Nobel prize in 1969, surprisingly little appreciation is given to date to the devoted scientist, who established a world‐leading laboratory during one of the darkest eras of history. Herein, we wish to revive the legacy and highlight the impact of Odd Hassel's ground‐breaking discoveries.
Increasing Arc Column Resistance During DC Arc‐Quenching Through Arrangement of Polymer Cylinder in Silica Sand
Authors: Nakamura Koya , Kodama Naoto , Yokomizu Yasunobu , Takahashi Asato , Kondo Yusuke
Published: May 2021

In this study, experiments pertaining to direct current (DC) interruptions are performed in an arc‐quenching chamber filled with silica sand. First, the arc column resistance is measured during DC arc‐quenching to demonstrate the elementary aspects of the arc in the silica‐sand‐filled space. Subsequently, an arrangement comprising a polymer cylinder between electrodes in the silica‐sand‐filled space is proposed to increase the arc column resistance during DC arc‐quenching. A polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cylinder is used in the experiments. Measurement results indicate that the arrangement of the PMMA cylinder causes the arc column resistance to increase approximately twofold in comparison with the no‐PMMA cylinder arrangement. Finally, the effect of increasing the arc column resistance is discussed in terms of PMMA and silica vapor. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Do we need to rethink our standard genetic approach for low‐risk pregnancies?
Authors: Baert J. , Pomar L. , Quibel T.
Published: May 2021

Linked article: This Correspondence comments on Stern et al. Click here to view the article.
Ovarian characteristics and in vitro nuclear and cytoplasmic oocyte maturation in Duroc and Landrace pigs
Authors: Jochems Reina , Gaustad Ann Helen , Zak Louisa J. , Grindflek Eli , Zeremichael Teklu T. , Oskam Irma C. , Myromslien Frøydis D. , Kommisrud Elisabeth , Krogenæs Anette K.
Published: May 2021

Differences in total number of piglets born per litter are observed between the Norwegian Duroc (ND) sire and Norwegian Landrace (NL) dam line. The aim of this study was to evaluate ovarian characteristics, and in vitro nuclear and cytoplasmic oocyte maturation in both breeds. One day after weaning, follicular phase ovaries were collected. Ovary length and weight were measured and the number of follicles (< 3 mm and 3–8 mm) was counted. Cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected and matured for 48 hr. To assess cumulus expansion, COC area was analysed at 0 and 20 hr. Nuclear maturation and cortical granule (CG) distribution were analysed at 20 and 48 hr, and total glutathione (GSH) was measured at 48 hr to further elucidate cytoplasmic maturation. In first parity sows, a smaller ovary length and fewer 3 to 8 mm follicles were observed in ND compared to NL. For all sows, ND COCs covered a significantly smaller area at 0 hr, but a higher cumulus expansion ratio was observed at 20 hr compared to NL (364 ± 46% versus. 278 ± 27%, p < 0.001). At 20 hr, more ND oocytes exhibited advanced stages of nuclear maturation, while more NL oocytes showed advanced stages of CG distribution. Nuclear maturation to MII stage at 48 hr did not differ between ND and NL oocytes (90.1% and 87.7%, respectively). Moreover, no significant differences were observed for GSH content or CG distribution after maturation. In conclusion, differences with regard to ovarian characteristics as well as to cumulus expansion, and nuclear and cytoplasmic oocyte maturation at 20 hr were observed between the breeds. Further studies are required to determine if this subsequently affects in vitro fertilization and embryo development.
The effects of melt grafted maleated polybutylene succinate on the properties of poly(hydroxybutyrate‐co‐hydroxyhexanoate)/polybutylene succinate blends
Authors: Ahmad Thirmizir Mohd Zharif , Mohd Ishak Zainal Arifin , Mat Taib Razaina , C. Kanapathi Pillai K. Sudesh Kumar , Salim Muhamad Saifuddin , Hassan Aziz , Abu Bakar Mohd Bashree
Published: May 2021

Poly(hydroxybutyrate‐co‐hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHH)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) blends were prepared using a melt blending technique. A compatibilizer of maleated PBS (PBSgMA) was produced using reactive melt grafting by varying the maleic anhydride (MA) monomer concentration ranging from 3 to 10 parts per hundred resin (phr). Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy analyses confirmed the grafting reaction of the PBSgMA. The PBSgMA was incorporated in the 80PHBHH/20PBS and 50PHBHH/50PBS blends to investigate the effect of maleated compatibilizer on the tensile, flexural, drop weight impact, and water absorption properties of the blends with droplets dispersed and co‐continuous morphology. The incorporation of PBSgMA increased the tensile and flexural strength of both the 80PHBHH/20PBS and 50PHBHH/50PBS blends, where the optimum properties achieved at 5 phr concentration of MA. The drop weight impact test results showed that uncompatibilized and compatibilized 50PHBHH/50PBS blends had higher critical strain energy release rate (Gc) than the neat PHBHH. However, blending and compatibilizing did not have a positive effect on the critical stress intensity factor (Kc) of the neat PHBHH. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the improvement of interfacial adhesion and PBS polymer dispersion in PHBHH/PBS blends when incorporated with 5PBSgMA. The water absorption test results demonstrated that compatibilized blends absorbed slightly more water than uncompatibilized blends due to the presence of hygroscopic carboxyl groups of the PBSgMA. However, water absorption effects were reversible and did not result in severe permanent damage to the blends.
Hybrid heterojunction solar cells based on single‐walled carbon nanotubes and amorphous silicon thin films
Authors: Rajanna Pramod M. , Lund Peter D. , Nasibulin Albert G.
Published: May 2021

Hybrid heterojunction solar cells based on silicon and single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) thin films have a simple structure and their manufacture employ simple low‐temperature processes. Moreover, their progress has been rapid during the last decade, wherein the efficiency of heterojunction solar cells combining hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) and SWCNTs thin film has increased from 0.03% to 8.80%. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of the state‐of‐the‐art on SWCNTs/a‐Si:H heterojunction solar cells. In addition to a comprehensive technology review, important special features such as adhesion of SWCNT film to a‐Si:H, the interface between SWCNT and a‐Si:H, and their influence on the performance of the heterojunctions are included. Future paths for improving the performance of such solar cells are also suggested. Finally, key challenges and trends for further research and development of SWCNTs/amorphous silicon heterojunction solar cells are discussed.

This article is categorized under:

Photovoltaics > Science and Materials
A path toward the clinical translation of nano‐based imaging contrast agents
Authors: Miyasato Dominie L. , Mohamed Ahmed W. , Zavaleta Cristina
Published: May 2021

Recently, nanoparticles have evolved ubiquitously in therapeutic applications to treat a range of diseases. Despite their regular use as therapeutic agents in the clinic, we have yet to see much progress in their clinical translation as diagnostic imaging agents. Several clinical and preclinical studies support their use as imaging contrast agents, but their use in the clinical setting has been limited to off‐label imaging procedures (i.e., Feraheme). Since diagnostic imaging has been historically used as an exploratory tool to rule out disease or to screen patients for various cancers, nanoparticle toxicity remains a concern, especially when introducing exogenous contrast agents into a potentially healthy patient population, perhaps rationalizing why several nano‐based therapeutic agents have been clinically translated before nano‐based imaging agents. Another potential hindrance toward their clinical translation could be their market potential, as most therapeutic drugs have higher earning potential than small‐molecule imaging contrast agents. With these considerations in mind, perhaps a clinical path forward for nano‐based imaging contrast agents is to help guide/manage therapy. Several studies have demonstrated the ability of nanoparticles to produce more accurate imaging preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively. These applications illustrate a more reliable method of cancer detection and treatment that can prevent incomplete tumor resection and incorrect assessment of tumor progression following treatment. The aim of this review is to highlight the research that supports the use of nanoparticles in biomedical imaging applications and offer a new perspective to illustrate how nano‐based imaging agents have the potential to better inform therapeutic decisions.

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging
Defects and perturbation
Authors: Brehm Enrico M.
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We investigate perturbatively tractable deformations of topological defects in two-dimensional conformal field theories. We perturbatively compute the change in the g-factor, the reflectivity, and the entanglement entropy of the conformal defect at the end of these short RG flows. We also give instances of such flows in the diagonal Virasoro and Super-Virasoro Minimal Models.
Axion assisted Schwinger effect
Authors: Domcke Valerie , Ema Yohei , Mukaida Kyohei
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We point out an enhancement of the pair production rate of charged fermions in a strong electric field in the presence of time dependent classical axion-like background field, which we call axion assisted Schwinger effect. While the standard Schwinger production rate is proportional to $$ \exp \left(-\pi \left({m}^2+{p}_T^2\right)/E\right) $$
exp

−
π

m
2

+

p
T
2

/
E

, with m and pT denoting the fermion mass and its momentum transverse to the electric field E, the axion assisted Schwinger effect can be enhanced at large momenta to exp(−πm2/E). The origin of this enhancement is a coupling between the fermion spin and its momentum, induced by the axion velocity. As a non-trivial validation of our result, we show its invariance under field redefinitions associated with a chiral rotation and successfully reproduce the chiral anomaly equation in the presence of helical electric and magnetic fields. We comment on implications of this result for axion cosmology, focussing on axion inflation and axion dark matter detection.
Janus solutions in three-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 8 gauged supergravity
Authors: Chen Kevin , Gutperle Michael
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Janus solutions are constructed in d = 3, $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 8 gauged supergravity. We find explicit half-BPS solutions where two scalars in the SO(1, 8)/SO(8) coset have a nontrivial profile. These solutions correspond on the CFT side to an interface with a position-dependent expectation value for a relevant operator and a source which jumps across the interface for a marginal operator.
A well-posedness result for a system of cross-diffusion equations
Authors: Seis Christian , Winkler Dominik
Published: May 2021

This work’s major intention is the investigation of the well-posedness of certain cross-diffusion equations in the class of bounded functions. More precisely, we show existence, uniqueness and stability of bounded weak solutions under a smallness assumption on the intial data. As an application, we provide a new well-posedness theory for a diffusion-dominant cross-diffusion system that originates from a hopping model with size exclusions. Our approach is based on a fixed point argument in a function space that is induced by suitable Carleson-type measures.
Analysis of allelic variants of RhMLO genes in rose and functional studies on susceptibility to powdery mildew related to clade V homologs
Authors: Fang Peihong , Arens Paul , Liu Xintong , Zhang Xin , Lakwani Deepika , Foucher Fabrice , Clotault Jérémy , Geike Juliane , Kaufmann Helgard , Debener Thomas , Bai Yuling , Zhang Zhao , Smulders Marinus J. M.
Published: May 2021

Key message

Rose has 19 MLO genes. Of these, RhMLO1 and RhMLO2 were shown to be required for powdery mildew infection, which suggests their potential as susceptibility targets towards disease resistance.

Powdery mildew, caused byPodosphaera pannosa, is one of the most serious and widespread fungal diseases for roses, especially in greenhouse-grown cut roses. It has been shown that certainMLO genes are involved in powdery mildew susceptibility and that loss of function in these genes in various crops leads to broad-spectrum, long-lasting resistance against this fungal disease. For this reason, theseMLOgenes are called susceptibility genes. We carried out a genome-wide identification of theMLOgene family in theRosa chinensisgenome, and screened for allelic variants among 22 accessions from seven differentRosaspecies using re-sequencing and transcriptome data. We identified 19MLOgenes in rose, of which four are candidate genes for functional homologs in clade V, which is the clade containing all dicotMLOsusceptibility genes. We detected a total of 198 different allelic variants in the set ofRosaspecies and accessions, corresponding to 5–15 different alleles for each of the genes. Some diploidRosaspecies shared alleles with tetraploid rose cultivars, consistent with the notion that diploid species have contributed to the formation of tetraploid roses. Among the fourRhMLOgenes in clade V, we demonstrated using expression study, virus-induced gene silencing as well as transient RNAi silencing that two of them,RhMLO1andRhMLO2, are required for infection byP. pannosaand suggest their potential as susceptibility targets for powdery mildew resistance breeding in rose.
Polymethylmethacrylat-Zementbeschichtung intramedullärer Implantate
Authors: Rupp Markus , Walter Nike , Ismat Abdullah , Alt Volker
Published: May 2021

Hintergrund

Die Beschichtung von intramedullären Stäben mit antibiotikahaltigem PMMA(Polymethylmethacrylat)-Knochenzement sorgt für eine hohe lokale Antibiotikakonzentration und für Stabilität bei noch nicht konsolidierten Frakturen. Allerdings kann sich bei Entfernung des Implantats Knochenzement ablösen und im Markraum von Röhrenknochen verbleiben.

Fallbeschreibung

Eine 56-jährige Patientin litt nach einer periprothetischen Kniegelenkinfektion an einer schmerzhaften Reinfektion mit Staphylococcus epidermidis. Es bestand eine Indikation zu einem Ausbau der Prothese.

Operation

Die einliegende Rotations-Scharnier-Prothese wurde nach Weichteildebridement und Synovektomie entfernt. Für eine temporäre Arthrodese wurden als intramedulläre Implantate Humerusnägel verwendet, die mit antibiotikahaltigem PMMA-Zement beschichtet waren. Um ein Ablösen des Knochenzements bei der Implantatentfernung und einen Verbleib von Zementresten im Knochen zu verhindern, wurden die Humerusnägel mit Cerclagedraht armiert. Das so beschichtete Implantat wurde dann „pressfit“ in den Markraum implantiert.
Diffusivity Estimation for Activator–Inhibitor Models: Theory and Application to Intracellular Dynamics of the Actin Cytoskeleton
Authors: Pasemann Gregor , Flemming Sven , Alonso Sergio , Beta Carsten , Stannat Wilhelm
Published: May 2021

A theory for diffusivity estimation for spatially extended activator–inhibitor dynamics modeling the evolution of intracellular signaling networks is developed in the mathematical framework of stochastic reaction–diffusion systems. In order to account for model uncertainties, we extend the results for parameter estimation for semilinear stochastic partial differential equations, as developed in Pasemann and Stannat (Electron J Stat 14(1):547–579, 2020), to the problem of joint estimation of diffusivity and parametrized reaction terms. Our theoretical findings are applied to the estimation of effective diffusivity of signaling components contributing to intracellular dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton in the model organism Dictyostelium discoideum.
Recreational activity after cementless total hip arthroplasty in patients older than 75 years
Authors: Zimmerer Alexander , Navas Luis , Kinkel Stefan , Weiss Stefan , Hauschild Matthias , Miehlke Wolfgang , Streit Marcus
Published: May 2021

Introduction

This retrospective study aimed to compare activity levels before and at mid-term follow-up after primary cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients older than 75 years.

Materials and methods

A cohort of 79 patients with a mean age at surgery of 78 years (range 76–84 years) was evaluated 6.3 years (range 4–8 years) after cementless THA due to osteoarthritis and was followed up with a questionnaire to determine their activity level. Pre- and post-operative recreational activities were assessed at routine follow-up using the University of California, Los Angeles activity score, and the Schulthess Clinic sports and activity questionnaire. Post-operative health-related quality of life was measured using Veterans Rand 12-item survey (VR-12).

Results

Six years after THA, 72% of preoperatively active patients had returned to activity. Comparing activity preoperatively (before the onset of symptoms) and 6 years after THA, the number of disciplines and session length has decreased significantly. A significant decline in high-impact activities was observed, while participation in low-impact activities significantly increased.

Conclusion

The majority of patients maintained a recreational activity level in the mid-term after primary cementless THA. However, a change in disciplines toward low-impact activities was observed.
Auditory thalamus dysfunction and pathophysiology in tinnitus: a predictive network hypothesis
Authors: Brinkmann Pia , Kotz Sonja A. , Smit Jasper V. , Janssen Marcus L. F. , Schwartze Michael
Published: May 2021

Tinnitus is the perception of a ‘ringing’ sound without an acoustic source. It is generally accepted that tinnitus develops after peripheral hearing loss and is associated with altered auditory processing. The thalamus is a crucial relay in the underlying pathways that actively shapes processing of auditory signals before the respective information reaches the cerebral cortex. Here, we review animal and human evidence to define thalamic function in tinnitus. Overall increased spontaneous firing patterns and altered coherence between the thalamic medial geniculate body (MGB) and auditory cortices is observed in animal models of tinnitus. It is likely that the functional connectivity between the MGB and primary and secondary auditory cortices is reduced in humans. Conversely, there are indications for increased connectivity between the MGB and several areas in the cingulate cortex and posterior cerebellar regions, as well as variability in connectivity between the MGB and frontal areas regarding laterality and orientation in the inferior, medial and superior frontal gyrus. We suggest that these changes affect adaptive sensory gating of temporal and spectral sound features along the auditory pathway, reflecting dysfunction in an extensive thalamo-cortical network implicated in predictive temporal adaptation to the auditory environment. Modulation of temporal characteristics of input signals might hence factor into a thalamo-cortical dysrhythmia profile of tinnitus, but could ultimately also establish new directions for treatment options for persons with tinnitus.
A comparative analysis of gaseous phase hydration properties of two lichenized fungi: Niebla tigrina (Follman) Rundel & Bowler from Atacama Desert and Umbilicaria antarctica Frey & I. M. Lamb from Robert Island, Southern Shetlands Archipelago, maritime Antarctica
Authors: Harańczyk Hubert , Strzałka K. , Kubat K. , Andrzejowska A. , Olech M. , Jakubiec D. , Kijak P. , Palfner G. , Casanova-Katny Angélica
Published: May 2021

Gaseous phase hydration properties for thalli of Niebla tigrina from Atacama Desert, and for Umbilicaria antarctica from Isla Robert, maritime Antarctica, were analyzed using 1H-NMR relaxometry, spectroscopy, and sorption isotherm analysis. The molecular dynamics of residual water was monitored to distinguish the sequential binding very tightly, tightly, and loosely bound water fractions. These two species differ in hydration kinetics faster for Desert N. tigrina [A1 = 0.51(4); t1 = 0.51(5) h, t2 = 15.0(1.9) h; total 0.7 for p/p0 = 100%], compared to Antarctic U. antarctica [A1 = 0.082(6), t1 = 2.4(2) h, t2 = [26.9(2.7)] h, total 0.6 for p/p0 = 100%] from humid polar area. The 1H-NMR measurements distinguish signal from tightly bound water, and two signals from loosely bound water, with different chemical shifts higher for U. antarctica than for N. tigrina. Both lichen species contain different amounts of water-soluble solid fraction. For U. antarctica, the saturation concentration of water soluble solid fraction, cs = 0.55(9), and the dissolution effect is detected at least up to Δm/m0 = 0.7, whereas for N. tigrina with the similar saturation concentration, cs = 053(4), this fraction is detected up to the threshold hydration level equal to ΔM/m0 = 0.3 only.
Boundary politics and the social imaginary for sustainable food systems
Authors: Niewolny Kim L.
Published: May 2021

In this essay, Kim Niewolny, current President of AFHVS, responds to the 2020 AFHVS Presidential Address given by Molly Anderson. Niewolny is encouraged by Anderson’s message of moving “beyond the boundaries” by focusing our gaze on the insurmountable un-sustainability of the globalized food system. Anderson recommends three ways forward to address current challenges. Niewolny argues that building solidarity with social justice movements and engendering anti-racist praxis take precedence. This work includes but is not limited to dismantling the predominance of neoliberal-fueled technocratic productivism in agricultural science and policy while firmly centering civil society collective action and human rights frameworks as our guiding imaginary for racial, gender, environmental, and climate justice possibilities for sustainable food systems praxis. She concludes by exploring the epistemic assertion to push beyond our professional and political imaginaries to build a more fair, just, and humanizing food system.
A robust multiobjective model for the integrated berth and quay crane scheduling problem at seaside container terminals
Authors: Nourmohammadzadeh Abtin , Voß Stefan
Published: May 2021

The ever increasing demand for container transportation has led to the congestion of maritime container terminals in the world. In this work, the two interrelated problems of berth and quay crane scheduling are considered in an integrated multiobjective mathematical model. A special character of this model is that the arrival times of vessels and the failure (working) times of quay cranes are not deterministic and can vary based on some scenarios. Hence, a robust model is devised for the problem having three objectives of minimising the deviations from target berthing locations and times as well as departure delays of all vessels. This robust optimisation seeks to minimise the value of the objectives regarding all the scenarios. An exact solution approach based on the 𝜖-constraint method by the Gurobi software is applied. Moreover, regarding the complexity of the problem, two Simulated Annealing (SA) based metaheuristics, namely a Multi-Objective Simulated Annealing (MOSA) and a Pareto Simulated Annealing (PSA) approach are adapted with a novel solution encoding scheme. The three methods are compared based on some multiobjective metrics and a statistical test. The advantage of the integration of berth and quay crane scheduling is examined as well.
Atlas of ticks (Acari: Argasidae, Ixodidae) in Germany
Authors: Rubel Franz , Brugger Katharina , Chitimia-Dobler Lidia , Dautel Hans , Meyer-Kayser Elisabeth , Kahl Olaf
Published: May 2021

An updated and increased compilation of georeferenced tick locations in Germany is presented here. This data collection extends the dataset published some years ago by another 1448 new tick locations, 900 locations of which were digitized from literature and 548 locations are published here for the first time. This means that a total of 3492 georeferenced tick locations is now available for Germany. The tick fauna of Germany includes two species of Argasidae in the genera Argas and Carios and 19 species of Ixodidae in the genera Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, and Ixodes, altogether 21 tick species. In addition, three species of Ixodidae in the genera Hyalomma (each spring imported by migratory birds) and Rhipicephalus (occasionally imported by dogs returning from abroad with their owners) are included in the tick atlas. Of these, the georeferenced locations of 23 tick species are depicted in maps. The occurrence of the one remaining tick species, the recently described Ixodes inopinatus, is given at the level of the federal states. The most common and widespread tick species is Ixodes ricinus, with records in all 16 federal states. With the exception of Hamburg, Dermacentor reticulatus was also found in all federal states. The occurrence of the ixodid ticks Ixodes canisuga, Ixodes frontalis, Ixodes hexagonus and I. inopinatus were documented in at least 11 federal states each. The two mentioned argasid tick species were also documented in numerous federal states, the pigeon tick Argas reflexus in 11 and the bat tick Carios vespertilionis in seven federal states. The atlas of ticks in Germany and the underlying digital dataset in the supplement can be used to improve global tick maps or to study the effects of climate change and habitat alteration on the distribution of tick species.
Leveraging HPC accelerator architectures with modern techniques — hydrologic modeling on GPUs with ParFlow
Authors: Hokkanen Jaro , Kollet Stefan , Kraus Jiri , Herten Andreas , Hrywniak Markus , Pleiter Dirk
Published: May 2021

Rapidly changing heterogeneous supercomputer architectures pose a great challenge to many scientific communities trying to leverage the latest technology in high-performance computing. Many existing projects with a long development history have resulted in a large amount of code that is not directly compatible with the latest accelerator architectures. Furthermore, due to limited resources of scientific institutions, developing and maintaining architecture-specific ports is generally unsustainable. In order to adapt to modern accelerator architectures, many projects rely on directive-based programming models or build the codebase tightly around a third-party domain-specific language or library. This introduces external dependencies out of control of the project. The presented paper tackles the issue by proposing a lightweight application-side adaptor layer for compute kernels and memory management resulting in a versatile and inexpensive adaptation of new accelerator architectures with little draw backs. A widely used hydrologic model demonstrates that such an approach pursued more than 20 years ago is still paying off with modern accelerator architectures as demonstrated by a very significant performance gain from NVIDIA A100 GPUs, high developer productivity, and minimally invasive implementation; all while the codebase is kept well maintainable in the long-term.
A receding horizon event-driven control strategy for intelligent traffic management
Authors: Lucia Walter , Franzè Giuseppe , Famularo Domenico
Published: May 2021

In this paper, the intelligent traffic management within a smart city environment is addressed by developing anad-hocmodel predictive control strategy based on an event-driven formulation. To this end, a constrained hybrid system description is considered for safety verification purposes and a low-demanding receding horizon controller is then derived by exploiting set-theoretic arguments. Simulations are performed on the train-gate benchmark system to show the effectiveness and benefits of the proposed methodology.
Seasonal occurrence and sexual segregation of great white sharks Carcharodon carcharias in Mossel Bay, South Africa
Authors: Milankovic Hannah R. , Ray Nicholas D. , Gentle Louise K. , Kruger Christo , Jacobs Esther , Ferreira Craig J.
Published: May 2021

The seasonal occurrence and temporal sexual segregation of great white sharksCarcharodon carchariashave been widely documented in various temperate and sub-tropical waters across the globe. Yet, there is limited understanding of the relationship between the life stages and habitat use ofC. carcharias, particularly in the Southern Cape. In this study, we investigated the population dynamics ofC. carchariasin Mossel Bay, South Africa, between 2009 and 2013, using skipper logbooks and citizen research data obtained by a cage-diving vessel. A total of 3064 sharks, ranging in life history stages from young-of-the-year to subadult, were sighted during 573 trips. Juveniles dominated the sightings throughout the study, and there was marked sexual segregation, with females dominating the total sightings of sharks.C. carchariaswere most abundant during the cooler, winter season, with females differing in abundance seasonally and males maintaining a low abundance throughout the year but peaking in the winter. In addition, sea surface temperature was the best indicator ofC. carchariaspresence. Abundance was greatest when vertical water visibility exceeded 3 m, with cloud cover influencing overall abundance negatively. Likely reasoning for the aggregation ofC. carchariasin Mossel Bay includes the favourable conditions and abundance of food. Juvenile sharks may also utilise this area as a training ground to learn from larger conspecifics. This research demonstrates that information on population size and structure ofC. carchariascan be obtained effectively through a compilation of logbook and citizen science data to assess and identify potential critical habitats in the quest to develop appropriate management strategies. This research also shows value in commercial cage-diving operations deriving international data sets needed to assess global populations ofC. carcharias.
The Ups and Downs of Mechanism Realism: Functions, Levels, and Crosscutting Hierarchies
Authors: Dewhurst Joe , Isaac Alistair. M. C.
Published: May 2021

Mechanism realists assert the existence of mechanisms as objective structures in the world, but their exact metaphysical commitments are unclear. We introduce Local Hierarchy Realism (LHR) as a substantive and plausible form of mechanism realism. The limits of LHR reveal a deep tension between two aspects of mechanists’ explanatory strategy. Functional decomposition identifies locally relevant entities and activities, while these same entities and activities are also embedded in a nested hierarchy of levels. In principle, a functional decomposition may identify entities engaging in causal interactions that crosscut the hierarchical structure of composition relations, violating the mechanist’s injunction against interlevel causation. We argue that this possibility is realized in the example of ephaptic coupling, a subsidiary process of neural computation that crosscuts the hierarchy derived from synaptic transmission. These considerations undermine the plausibility of LHR as a general view, yet LHR has the advantages that (i) its metaphysical implications are precisely stateable; (ii) the structure it identifies is not reducible to mere aggregate causation; and (iii) it clearly satisfies intuitive and informal definitions of mechanism. We conclude by assessing the prospects for a form of mechanism realism weaker than LHR that nevertheless satisfies all three of these requirements.
The Production and Destruction of Forests through the Lens of Landesque Capital Accumulation
Authors: Börjeson Lowe , Ango Tola Gemechu
Published: May 2021

We discuss the management of trees and forests through the lens of “landesque capital.” A theoretical point of departure is how landesque capital accumulates through a process that relies on both the ‘work of nature’ and the ‘work of people.’ This approach highlights the importance of undertaking a critical analysis of labor investment and its landscape legacies in relation to ecological processes, social dynamics, and political economy. Empirically we draw on the case of smallholder production of coffee and annual crops in southwestern Ethiopia. We show how both the production (generation and maintenance) and destruction of forests in the study area are largely shaped by processes of landesque capital accumulation and discuss the importance of analyzing how people contribute to produce forests to meet production goals in contrast to the ubiquitous notion of humans as a solely destructive force of change in forest ecosystems.
Challenging the State: Devolutionary Tenure Transitions for Saving and Expanding Forests
Authors: Alden Wily Liz
Published: May 2021

I address a contentious element in forest property relations to illustrate the role of ownership in protecting and expanding of forest cover by examining the extent to which rural communities may legally own forests. The premise is that whilst state-owned protected areas have contributed enormously to forest survival, this has been insufficiently successful to justify the mass dispossession of customary land-owning communities this has entailed. Further, I argue that state co-option of community lands is unwarranted. Rural communities on all continents ably demonstrate the will and capacity to conserve forests – provided their customary ownership is legally recognized. I explore the property rights reforms now enabling this. The replication potential of community protected forestlands is great enough to deserve flagship status in global commitments to expand forest including in the upcoming new Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Students as Partners in Peer Mentoring: Expectations, Experiences and Emotions
Authors: Seery Christina , Andres Andrea , Moore-Cherry Niamh , O’Sullivan Sara
Published: May 2021

Increasing emphasis in recent years has been placed on how faculty, staff and students in higher education can be drawn into more collaborative learning relationships through partnership working. The significant challenges in terms of negotiating shifting roles and responsibilities have been well documented. Less attention has been paid to the affective challenges, and particularly the emotional labour involved. This paper focuses on the adoption of a partnership approach to first year peer mentoring and orientation in a large Social Science programme. Peer mentors played a critical role as designers of the programme, as partners delivering the programme, and as co-researchers, offering a unique understanding and insight into aspects of the peer mentor experience that often remain hidden. Our findings draw attention to the need to consider and manage more carefully the impact of students on each other in mentoring relationships but also suggest an opportunity to harness the mentoring experience to embed a partnership culture more fully.
Associative spectra of graph algebras I
Authors: Lehtonen Erkko , Waldhauser Tamás
Published: May 2021

Associative spectra of graph algebras are examined with the help of homomorphisms of DFS trees. Undirected graphs are classified according to the associative spectra of their graph algebras; there are only three distinct possibilities: constant 1, powers of 2, and Catalan numbers. Associative and antiassociative digraphs are described, and associative spectra are determined for certain families of digraphs, such as paths, cycles, and graphs on two vertices.
A replica exchange umbrella sampling (REUS) approach to predict host–guest binding free energies in SAMPL8 challenge
Authors: Ghorbani Mahdi , Hudson Phillip S. , Jones Michael R. , Aviat Félix , Meana-Pañeda Rubén , Klauda Jeffery B. , Brooks Bernard R.
Published: May 2021

In this study, we report binding free energy calculations of various drugs-of-abuse to Cucurbit-[8]-uril as part of the SAMPL8 blind challenge. Force-field parameters were obtained from force-matching with different quantum mechanical levels of theory. The Replica Exchange Umbrella Sampling (REUS) approach was used with a cylindrical restraint to enhance the sampling of host–guest binding. Binding free energy was calculated by pulling the guest molecule from one side of the symmetric and cylindrical host, then into and through the host, and out the other side (bidirectional) as compared to pulling only to the bound pose inside the cylindrical host (unidirectional). The initial results with force-matched MP2 parameter set led to RMSE of 4.68$${\text{kcal}}/{\text{mol}}$$kcal/molfrom experimental values. However, the follow-up study with CHARMM generalized force field parameters and force-matched PM6-D3H4 parameters resulted in RMSEs from experiment of$$2.65$$2.65and$$1.72 {\text{kcal}}/{\text{mol}}$$1.72kcal/mol, respectively, which demonstrates the potential of REUS for accurate binding free energy calculation given a more suitable description of energetics. Moreover, we compared the free energies for the so called bidirectional and unidirectional free energy approach and found that the binding free energies were highly similar. However, one issue in the bidirectional approach is the asymmetry of profile on the two sides of the host. This is mainly due to the insufficient sampling for these larger systems and can be avoided by longer sampling simulations. Overall REUS shows great promise for binding free energy calculations.
A GIS-based approach to compare economic damages of fluvial flooding in the Neckar River basin under current conditions and future scenarios
Authors: Prütz Ruben , Månsson Peter
Published: May 2021

Fluvial floods can cause significant damages and are expected to increase in magnitude and frequency throughout the twenty-first century due to global warming. Alongside hazard characteristics, damage potentials depend on exposure and vulnerability, which are changing in the wake of socio-economic developments. In the context of continuously evolving damage-causing factors, assessments of future changes in flood damage potentials are increasingly asked for by decision-makers in flood risk management. This study addresses this need by (a) providing a systematic review of contemporary assessment approaches to quantitatively compare direct economic losses from fluvial flooding under current and future conditions and (b) combining the reviewed approaches to an applicable methodology which is used in a case study to quantify changing flood damage potentials in the Neckar River basin in southern Germany. Therefore, a scoping study of contemporary flood damage assessment approaches supported by geographic information systems (GIS) is performed. The subsequent case study of the Neckar River prognoses a significant increase in average annual flood damages in the study area throughout the twenty-first century. The case study produces valid results with regards to current precipitation data, whereas the absence of verification data makes the validation of projected scenarios more difficult. To account for uncertainties surrounding these future projections, a nascent qualitative confidence estimation is introduced to reflect on the strength of knowledge underlying the used flood damage assessment methodology.
The dynamics of an omnidirectional pendulum harvester
Authors: Sommermann Philipp , Cartmell Matthew P.
Published: May 2021

The pendulum applied to the field of mechanical energy harvesting has been studied extensively in the past. However, systems examined to date have largely comprised simple pendulums limited to planar motion and to correspondingly limited degrees of excitational freedom. In order to remove these limitations and thus cover a broader range of use, this paper examines the dynamics of a spherical pendulum with translational support excitation in three directions that operate under generic forcing conditions. This system can be modelled by two generalised coordinates. The main aim of this work is to propose an optimisation procedure to select the ideal parameters of the pendulum for an experimental programme intended to lead to an optimised pre-prototype. In addition, an investigation of the power take-off and its effect on the dynamics of the pendulum is presented with the help of Bifurcation diagrams and Poincaré sections.
How artworks modify our perception of the world
Authors: Vernazzani Alfredo
Published: May 2021

Many artists, art critics, and poets suggest that an aesthetic appreciation of artworks may modify our perception of the world, including quotidian things and scenes. I call this Art-to-World, AtW. Focusing on visual artworks, in this paper I articulate an empirically-informed account of AtW that is based on content-related views of aesthetic experience, and on Goodman’s and Elgin’s concept of exemplification. An aesthetic encounter with artworks demands paying attention to its aesthetic, expressive, or design properties that realize its purpose. Attention to these properties make percipients better able to spot them in other entities and scenes as well. The upshot is that an aesthetic commerce with artworks enlarges the scope of what we are able to see and has therefore momentous epistemic consequences.