bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COINCIDENCES CAUSED BY COMPTON BACKSCATTERING OF GAMMA-RAYS
Authors: HSU YUNG-CHANG  , CHENG LIN-SHENG  ,   中国科学院物理研究所
Published: November 2020

With slight improvement of ordinary Rossi circuit, a coincidence circuit of resolving time of 1.5×10-7 sec. has been built. Using this instrument, the annihilation radiations of small component β+-rays emitted by Zn65 have been investigated under various experimental conditions. The experiments demonstrate that the 0.21 Mev γ-rays found previously by some authors in Zn65 may be the backscattered γ-rays due to large component 1.12 Mev γ-rays of Zn65. Moreover, the coincidence rate of collimated annihilation radiations gives the percentage of β+-decay of Zn65 per total disintegration as (1.56 ±0.16)%.
ON CURRENT AMPLIFICATION IN POINT CONTACT TRANSISTORS
Authors: CHUO CHI-TSANG  , SHIUH GEN-TWEN  ,   (1)北京医学院物理教研组; (2)总军械部雷達局
Published: November 2020

For an n-type transistor, with copper and phosphor-bronze whiskers respectively for its emitter and collector, as the result of electrical forming, the emitter should have a metal-p-n structure. In the first part of this paper, the forward characteristics of such a structure is analized for the whole range of current, with special reference to the variation of the emission ratio γ with the current. The design requirement of a flat γ-Ie curve is discussed. The second part of the paper contains an analysis of current amplification of the collector. The structure assumed is a metal-p-n junction, the diffusion of phosphorus into the structure causing a high barrier for holes at the metal contact. By combining the result of the two parts, a resultant a-Ie, relation is calculated for a typical case. The main factors affecting the performance of the transistor and means of its improvement are discussed in some detail.
LONG RANGE AND SHORT RANGE FRICTIONAL SLIP-LINES ON PLANE CONTACT SURFACE IN PLASTIC COMPRESSION (THE RULE OF ISOCLINIC GRADIENT)
Authors: LIU SHU-I  ,   中国科学院冶金陶瓷研究所
Published: November 2020

In the recent years, the theory related to friction-lines has been independently developed both in Europe and here, according the information reached the author in 1956. These investigations are based on the condition of least frictional resistance at a point.In 1954, a variational equation (2a) on classical basis was given on a meeting for the related research. This equation was based on the frictional work at point. In as much as the condition of least force at a point has became acceptable, there seems no reason to object the condition of least work at a point, that is, the frictional work along the path of an element of area. Thus, the above equation are further investigated in this paper.For the case of short range slip occuring in processes such as plane forging under small reduction, the last term of this equation is zero, the rule of gradient follows. Therefore, the rule of gradient holds only for short range slip or instantaneous friction-lines.For long range slip, this equation leads to the "rule of isoclinic-gradient", (equation 9), which states that the gradient line of pressure (p) is the isoclinic curve for frictional force τ(Fig. 2). The angle of inclination (φ) changes along the pressure contour according equation (11), and along the friction-line according to equaiion (14). The function (τ) has the general nature of equation (16). Examples for long range slip is given in Fig. 3 and 4. Continuous divergent long range slip can only be generated by point or line-sourse in extrusion. The singularities in the case of short range slip are not real sourses.In this analysis, the frictional force is regarded as a shear stress on pure mechanical basis, without assuming its physical nature.For complete details of the paper, see[10].
Experimental realization of Mott insulator of ultracold 87Rb atoms in two-dimensional optical lattice
Authors: Wen Kai , Wang Liang-Wei , Zhou Fang , Chen Liang-Chao , Wang Peng-Jun , Meng Zeng-Ming , Zhang Jing ,   State Key Laboratory of Quantum Optics and Quantum Optics Devices, Institute of Opto-Electronics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China,   Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
Published: November 2020

Quantum phase transition of ultracold atomic gas is one of the core contents in the study of quantum correlational many-body systems. In this paper, two-dimensional (2D) optical lattices are generated by a single fold retroreflected laser beam, and this scheme is used to experimentally design and implement the 2D optical lattice of double wells suitable for isolating and manipulating an array of individual pairs of atoms and predict a topological semimetal in the high orbital bands in this 2D lattice. Two types of optical lattice structures are produced by controlling the laser polarization. One type is the usual 2D optical lattice, which is formed by two independent one-dimensional(1D) optical lattices in two directions and named in-plane lattice, and the other type is the lattice that is formed by the interference between two one-dimensional optical lattices in two directions and called out-plane lattice. When 87Rb BEC (Bose-Einstein condensation) is loaded into the 2D optical lattice, the quantum phase transition between superfluid state and Mott insulator state is observed by controlling the tunneling and in-site interaction. And the phase transition from superfluid state to Mott insulator is judged by observing whether there are interferential lattice points in momentum space. The lattice depths of two cases can be calibrated by Kapitza-Dirac scattering in the ultracold atomic experiment through the time-of-flight absorption imaging. In the in-plane optical lattice, some incorrect points appear in the 45° direction, because the linear polarization degree of beam is impure after being reflected by mirrors and two direction of beam are not completely orthogonal to each other. It is obvious that the two cases have different phase transition points, which is due mainly to the difference in structure. For the in-plane lattice, there are two independent 1D optical lattices, and for the out-plane lattice, the two direction beams mutually interfere with each other, therefore, two optical lattices are not independent of each other. The atoms come back to BEC by reducing the potentials of optical lattice to zero; the temperature of system is slightly higher, because of the jitter of the light lattice. The different behaviors of quantum phase transition are analyzed for two types of optical lattices. This work will provide a platform for the future study of large spin system and strong correlation physics in optical lattices.
On glass formation thermodynamics: Enthalpy vs. Entropy
Authors: Wang Li-Min , Liu Ri-Ping , Tian Yong-Jun ,   State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
Published: November 2020

Glass formation thermodynamics usually concerns the liquid-crystal Gibbs free energy difference. But, in practice, its efficiency in predicting the occurrence of the glass transition of materials and guiding the composition design is quite quantitative. In particular, it remains to be clarified to understand the relationship between and the contributions to the two fundamental quantities of enthalpy and entropy involved herein. In this paper, we study the relation between the enthalpy and the entropy involved in glass formation of various materials, and find that they are strongly correlated with each other. Theoretical and experimental analyses indicate the intrinsic correlation of the entropy of fusion with other key parameters associated with glass formation like melting viscosity and enthalpy of mixing, which confirms the close relation between the entropy of fusion and glass formation. Close inspection finds that the low entropy of fusion benefits the glass formation. Owing to the fact that the two glass-formation key variables of viscosity and enthalpy can be addressed by the entropy of fusion, we propose that the entropy of fusion be able to serve as a representative thermodynamic quantity to understand the glass formation in materials. The reliability in understanding the glass formation in terms of entropy of fusion is further verified. The studies provide a new reference for developing the glass formation thermodynamics.
Terahertz spectroscopic characterization of spin mode and crystal-field transition in high-throughput grown \begin{document}$ {\bf Sm}_{ x}{\bf Pr}_{ 1– x}{\bf FeO_3} $\end{document} crystals
Authors: Fang Yu-Qing , Jin Zuan-Ming , Chen Hai-Yang , Ruan Shun-Yi , Li Ju-Geng , Cao Shi-Xun , Peng Yan , Ma Guo-Hong , Zhu Yi-Ming ,   Terahertz Technology Innovation Research Institute, Shanghai Key Lab of Modern Optical System, and Engineering Research Center of Optical Instrument and System (Ministry of Education), Terahertz Spectrum and Imaging Cooperative Innovation Center, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China,   Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China,   STU & SIOM Joint Laboratory for Superintense Lasers and the Applications, Shanghai 201210, China,   Shanghai Institute of Intelligent Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Published: November 2020

Terahertz (THz) transient has become an effective method to study the optical and electronic spin characteristics of the rare earth orthoferrites RFeO3. High-throughput grown crystal sample is sliced at different locations, then the continuously tunable rare earth elements co-doped single crystal SmxPr1–xFeO3 is studied with antiferromagnetic spin mode (qAFM) and crystal field transitions of rare earth ions under zero magnetic fields. Using THz time-domain spectroscopy, the qAFM resonance frequencies of Sm0.2Pr0.8FeO3 and Sm0.4Pr0.6FeO3 single crystals are located on the connection line of the qAFM frequencies of PrFeO3 (0.57 THz) and SmFeO3 (0.42 THz), therefore the frequency of qAFM increases linearly with doping concentration of Sm3+ ion increasing. The Sm0.4Pr0.6FeO3 crystal undergoes a temperature-induced spin reorientation phase transition at about 160 K. When the crystal temperature is lower than 80 K, a wide band absorption peak of about 0.5 THz appears in the absorption spectrum of Sm0.2Pr0.8FeO3 due to the crystal field effect. Our results show that THz spectral data not only allow us to monitor the quality of rare earth orthoferrite crystals prepared by high throughput and analyze the rare earth elements of the sample, but also improve the ability to analyze the physical properties of the co-doped RFeO3.
Anisotropic resonance absorptions induced by high magnetic field in ZnCr2Se4
Authors: Zhang Peng , Liu Zheng , Dai Jian-Ming , Yang Zhao-Rong , Su Fu-Hai ,   Anhui Key Laboratory of Information Function Materials Structure and Devices, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang 236037, China,   Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Institute of Solid State Physics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China,   Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
Published: November 2020

As a typical helimagnet, ZnCr2Se4 possesses fascinating effects including magnetoelectric coupling, magnetostriction, negative thermal expansion, as well as possible diversity in quantum ground states. Here in this work, we investigate magnetic excitation arising from spiral spin structure in ZnCr2Se4 single crystal by using terahertz (THz) time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) under magnetic fields up to 10 T and at low temperatures. The magnetic resonance absorption is observed in a sub-THz region as the applied magnetic field is above 4 T, featuring the blue shift with magnetic field increasing. As the THz wave vector ( k ) is vertical to the external magnetic field (H), the single resonance frequency conforms well with the linear Larmor relation, corresponding to a spin structure transformation from helical to ferromagnetic state with magnetic field increasing in ZnCr2Se4. However, in the geometry in which both k and H are along the \begin{document}$ \langle 111\rangle $\end{document} direction of crystal, a well-defined resonance splitting emerges when H > 7 T. Especially, the high-frequency absorption shows pronouncedly nonlinear magnetic field dependence. It is suggested that such anisotropic spin dynamics below Néel temperature be linked with the field-driven quantum criticality unveiled in recent work.
Development and application of battery materials database
Authors: Wu Si-Yuan , Wang Yu-Qi , Xiao Rui-Juan , Chen Li-Quan ,   Key Laboratory For Renewable Energy, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China,   University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Published: November 2020

High-throughput methods based on automation technology and computer technology can quickly provide tens of thousands of scientific research data, which poses a new challenge to the scientific and efficient management of scientific data. Rechargeable secondary batteries are the keys to the development of electric vehicles and the first choice of wind/photoelectric energy storage. The discovery of new battery materials plays an important role in improving the performance of the secondary batteries. New methods based on big date can be introduced into the screening and design of battery materials to accelerate the development of secondary batteries. This work introduces the development and application of battery material database from the aspects of data acquisition, construction of general and specific battery material database, and the challenges faced by the battery material database.
LARGE DEFLECTION OF A CIRCULAR CLAMPED PLATE UNDER UNIFORM PRESSURE
Authors: Wei-Zang Chien  ,   清华大华机械系
Published: November 2020

The problem of large deflection of a clamped circular plate under uniform pressure is studied by the method of successive approximation in terms of the parameter representing the ratio of the center deflection to the thickness. The tedious numerical computations, involved in Way's power series solution are thus avoided. The yielding condition at the edge checks very well with the experimental results given by McPherson, Ramberg and Levy. The method may be easily extended to any other boundary conditions and loading details.
THE LAMINAR MIXING MOTION OF TWO INCOMPRESSIBLE GASES
Authors: P. Y. Chou  ,   国立清华大学
Published: November 2020

Equations determining the velocity and density distributions within the mixing region of two incompressible gases with different densities are set up, their temperatures being assumed to be the same. For incompressible mixing the total number of gas molecules per unit volume is constant, although the density of the gaseous mixture varies from point to point due to diffusion of matter. As an illustration we consider the plane jet and steady motion. The boundary layer method of approximation can still be applied. The boundary of the jet is shown to be the same as that for one fluid. The solution of the problem then depends upon the numerical value of the coefticient of viscosity of the mixture which is a function of the number of molecules of each constituent gas in the unit volume. The present method of investigation is applicable to the cylindrical and half jets and also to the case where the two gases are at different temperatures.
ROTATIONAL MAGNETIZATION IN POLYCRYSTALLINE FERROMAGNETICS
Authors: S. T. PAN  ,   中国科学院应用物理研究所
Published: November 2020

In the attempts to derive from theory the magnetization curve, in the region of rotational magnetization, for well annealed ferromagnetic polycrystals, a generally recognized complication is the possible existence of internal fields caused by the out of alignment of the magnetization vectors of the grains. However, if such internal fields do not really exist, a simple deduction by the usual formal treatment predicts that the magnetization curves of polycrystals, of the same crystalline structure and having the same sign for the values of the principal anisotropy constant, can be brought into coincidence by expressing the intensity of magnetization and the field in proper reduced units'. This prediction is checked experimentally by measurements on iron and an iron alloy containing 15 percent cobalt by weight. In each case, it is found that the normal magnetization curves for various temperatures can be brought into coincidence in the manner as indicated. It is therefore concluded that the effect of internal fields on the process of magnetization in the case of polycrystals cannot be any greater than that in the case of single crystals. The absence of wide spread internal fields of magnetic origin in polycrystals during rotational magnetization is then discussed in the light of recent developments in the domain theory.
ON THE TRANSFORMATION CONNECTING TWO SYSTEMS IN RELATIVE ACCELERATION
Authors: MU-HSIEN WANG  ,   浙江大学物理系
Published: November 2020

In previous papers,1 we have obtained, for a special case, the transformation coefficients connecting two systems in relative acceleration and have shown that the transformation is the only possible one that gives electromagnetic fields the observed values and is integrable. In the present paper, we will give the general co-ordinate transformation connecting two systems in arbitrary motion and its application to obtain the general electromagnetic fields due to a charged particle in arbitrary motion.
Machine learning prediction of motor response after deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease—proof of principle in a retrospective cohort
Authors: Habets Jeroen G.V. , Janssen Marcus L.F. , Duits Annelien A. , Sijben Laura C.J. , Mulders Anne E.P. , De Greef Bianca , Temel Yasin , Kuijf Mark L. , Kubben Pieter L. , Herff Christian
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Despite careful patient selection for subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS), some Parkinson’s disease patients show limited improvement of motor disability. Innovative predictive analysing methods hold potential to develop a tool for clinicians that reliably predicts individual postoperative motor response, by only regarding clinical preoperative variables. The main aim of preoperative prediction would be to improve preoperative patient counselling, expectation management, and postoperative patient satisfaction.

Methods

We developed a machine learning logistic regression prediction model which generates probabilities for experiencing weak motor response one year after surgery. The model analyses preoperative variables and is trained on 89 patients using a five-fold cross-validation. Imaging and neurophysiology data are left out intentionally to ensure usability in the preoperative clinical practice. Weak responders (n = 30) were defined as patients who fail to show clinically relevant improvement on Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale II, III or IV.

Results

The model predicts weak responders with an average area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic of 0.79 (standard deviation: 0.08), a true positive rate of 0.80 and a false positive rate of 0.24, and a diagnostic accuracy of 78%. The reported influences of individual preoperative variables are useful for clinical interpretation of the model, but cannot been interpreted separately regardless of the other variables in the model.

Conclusion

The model’s diagnostic accuracy confirms the utility of machine learning based motor response prediction based on clinical preoperative variables. After reproduction and validation in a larger and prospective cohort, this prediction model holds potential to support clinicians during preoperative patient counseling.
Genetic diversity, population structure, and effective population size in two yellow bat species in south Texas
Authors: Chipps Austin S. , Hale Amanda M. , Weaver Sara P. , Williams Dean A.
Published: November 2020

There are increasing concerns regarding bat mortality at wind energy facilities, especially as installed capacity continues to grow. In North America, wind energy development has recently expanded into the Lower Rio Grande Valley in south Texas where bat species had not previously been exposed to wind turbines. Our study sought to characterize genetic diversity, population structure, and effective population size inDasypterus egaandD. intermedius, two tree-roosting yellow bats native to this region and for which little is known about their population biology and seasonal movements. There was no evidence of population substructure in either species. Genetic diversity at mitochondrial and microsatellite loci was lower in these yellow bat taxa than in previously studied migratory tree bat species in North America, which may be due to the non-migratory nature of these species at our study site, the fact that our study site is located at a geographic range end for both taxa, and possibly weak ascertainment bias at microsatellite loci. Historical effective population size (NEF) was large for both species, while current estimates of Ne had upper 95% confidence limits that encompassed infinity. We found evidence of strong mitochondrial differentiation between the two putative subspecies ofD. intermedius(D. i. floridanusandD. i. intermedius) which are sympatric in this region of Texas, yet little differentiation using microsatellite loci. We suggest this pattern is due to secondary contact and hybridization and possibly incomplete lineage sorting at microsatellite loci. We also found evidence of some hybridization betweenD. egaandD. intermediusin this region of Texas. We recommend that our data serve as a starting point for the long-term genetic monitoring of these species in order to better understand the impacts of wind-related mortality on these populations over time.
Solid state fermentation of Moringa oleifera leaf meal by mixed strains for the protein enrichment and the improvement of nutritional value
Authors: Shi Honghui , Su Bin , Chen Xiaoyang , Pian Ruiqi
Published: November 2020

Moringa oleifera Lam. (MO) is a fast-growing multi-purpose deciduous tree with high biomass and nutritional value. However, the presence of antinutritional factors, poor palatability, and indigestibility of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) restrict its application to animal feed. This study aimed to obtain high-quality protein feeds via solid-state fermentation (SSF) of MOLM. The process conditions for increasing the true protein (TP) content using Aspergillus niger, Candida utilis and Bacillus subtilis co-cultures were optimized, and the chemical composition of MOLM was compared before and after fermentation. The results of this study showed that the highest TP content could be obtained through mixed-strain culture of A. niger, C. utilis and B. subtilis at a ratio of 1:1:2. The MOLM was inoculated with A. niger, followed by C. utilis and B. subtilis 24 h later. The optimized co-culture parameters were as follows: total inoculation size, 24%; temperature, 32 °C; fermentation time, 6.5 days; and initial water content, 60%. The maximum TP yield was 28.37%. Notably, in the fermented MOLM (FMOLM), the content of nutrients such as crude protein (CP), small peptides, and total amino acids (AAs) were significantly increased relative to unfermented MOLM, whereas the contents of crude fiber (CF), tannin, and phytic acid were significantly decreased. MOLM analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that SSF disrupted the surface structure of MOLM, and sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) indicated that macromolecular proteins were degraded. The in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) of FMOLM was also improved significantly. Our findings suggest that multi-strain fermentation with A. niger, C. utilis and B. subtilis improves the nutritional quality of MOLM, rendering it a viable functional feedstuff for use in livestock industries in the future.
Behavioural patterns of free roaming wild boar in a spatiotemporal context
Authors: Erdtmann Dana , Keuling Oliver
Published: November 2020

Although the almost worldwide distributed wild boarSus scrofais a well-studied species, little is known about the behaviour of autochthonous, free living wild boar in a spatiotemporal context which can help to better understand wild boar in conflict terms with humans and to find solutions. The use of camera traps is a favourable and non-invasive method to study them. To observe natural behaviour, 60 camera traps were placed for three months in a state forest of 17.8 km2in the region of the Luneburg Heath in northern Germany. In this area wild boar, roe deer, red deer, wolves and humans are common. The cameras recorded 20 s length video clips when animals passed the detection zone and could be triggered again immediately afterwards. In total 38 distinct behavioural elements were observed, which were assigned to one of seven behavioural categories. The occurrence of the behavioural categories per day was evaluated to compare their frequencies and see which are more essential than others. Generalised Additive Models were used to analyse the occurrence of each behaviour in relation to habitat and activity time. The results show that essential behavioural categories like foraging behaviour, locomotion and vigilance behaviour occurred more frequently than behaviour that “just” served for the well-being of wild boar. These three behavioural categories could be observed together mostly in the night in broad-leaved forests with a herb layer of 50–100%, comfort behaviour occurred mostly at the ponds in coniferous forest. It is also observable that the behavioural categories foraging and comfort behaviour alternated several times during the night which offers the hypothesis that foraging is mostly followed by comfort behaviour. These findings pave the way towards implementing effective control strategies in the wild and animal welfare in captivity.
Una ecología política de minería indígena responsable: Dilemas, disputas y desafíos en la comunidad Shuar de Congüime de la Amazonía ecuatoriana
Authors: Lalander Rickard , Eguiguren Riofrío María Beatriz , Vera Ana Karina , Reyes Maleny , Espinoza Gabriela , Lembke Magnus
Published: November 2020

Desde 2016, la comunidad indígena Shuar de Congüime en la Amazonía ecuatoriana tiene la concesión para extraer oro en su territorio mediante su empresa comunitaria Exploken Minera. Con su misión de una minería socio-ecológicamente responsable, invirtiendo los ingresos en la comunidad y sin usar químicos o metales pesados, este modelo único se contrasta con la extracción minera transnacional e ilegal en territorios indígenas. Con inspiración teórica y metodológica de la ecología política, justicia ambiental y el post-desarrollo, así como la conceptualización de utopías reales, este estudio etnográfico trata de las experiencias de gobernanza y justicia socioambiental de la empresa comunitaria y los dilemas, disputas y desafíos que emergen en la comunidad con esta nueva situación. El resultado indica que varios desafíos estructurales siguen sin resolverse. Si bien las experiencias de responsabilidad socioecológica de Exploken constituyen una opción ante el extractivismo destructivo y considerando la mejora de las condiciones de vida de muchas familias Shuar, surgieron nuevas tensiones sociales en Congüime, incluso transformaciones de las estructuras de poder social
The Influence of Clinical Supervision on the Instructional Competence of Secondary School Teachers
Authors: Bello Amelie T. , Olaer John H.
Published: November 2020

Aims: To determine the influence of clinical supervision of department heads on the instructional competence of secondary school teachers.

Study Design: Descriptive-correlational research design.

Place and Duration of Study: Digos City National High School during the School Year 2018-2019.

Methodology: Respondents were the eight (8) school heads and one hundred seventy eight (178) teachers who were permanently employed at Digos City National High School during the School Year 2018-2019. Complete enumeration was used in the identification of department heads while simple random sampling for the teacher respondents. Mean, Pearson r and Multiple Regression were the statistical tools used to treat the gathered data.

Results: The department heads had a high level of clinical supervision in terms of pre-observation, observation/analysis and strategy post-observation conference/analysis. Similarly, teachers a had high level of instructional competence of teachers. This result signified a very strong positive relationship between the two variables which indicated that about 75.80% on the variance of instructional competence can be attributed by the variation of the level of clinical observation. Regression analysis further entailed that clinical supervision significantly influenced the instructional competence of teachers.

Conclusion: The significant influence of clinical supervision on teachers’ instructional competence implies that the more teachers are mentored, the better teachers they would become. Thus, it was recommended clinical supervision in schools shall be constantly monitored and implemented so as to improve competence of teachers in the teaching learning process.
Ethnobotanical Study of Plants Used in Traditional Treatment of Diarrhoea in Humans and Cattle in Two Regions of Ivory Coast
Authors: Tuo Karim , Bolou Gbouhoury Eric-Kévin , N’docho Assi Fiacre-Tanguy , Chevillot Aurélie , Mammeri Mohamed , Vallee Isabelle , Adjou Karim , Toure Offianan André , Polack Bruno , Jambou Ronan
Published: November 2020

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in three regions of the country (two rural and one urban), using a questionnaire focussing on anti-diarrheal therapeutic habits.

Methodology: Information about the plants has been recorded (local name, organs or part(s) of the plant used, therapeutic indications, harvesting methods, methods of administration, side   effects, etc.). Collection of the plants was done in collaboration with traditional                  practitioners and identification of the specimens was conducted at the National Floristic Center (Ivory coast).

During the ethnobotanical survey, twelve traditional healers and nine breeders were interviewed which all declared to treat diarrhoea with plants. During this survey, twenty-seven species belonging to eighteen different families of plants were reported for anti-diarrhoeal use in humans or animals. They were all harvested on the field and a herbarium of each species was prepared in duplicate, one stored at the National Floristic Centre of the Felix Houphouët-Boigny University and the other at the Pasteur Institute of Ivory coast.

Results: Decoction was the most common mode of preparation used by practionioners and the oral route remained also the main way of administration of plants by healers. These plants are also used in other countries for the same or other purpose.

Conclusion: This study shows that traditional medicinal plants play an important role in the treatment of diarrhoea in Ivory coast. It provides basis for future studies to assess, biological and chemical potential of these plants.
Inactivation of the three GGA genes in HeLa cells partially compromises lysosomal enzyme sorting
Authors: Doray Balraj , Liu Lin , Lee Wang‐Sik , Jennings Benjamin C. , Kornfeld Stuart
Published: November 2020

The Golgi‐localized, gamma‐ear containing, ADP‐ribosylation factor‐binding proteins (GGAs 1, 2, and 3) are multidomain proteins that bind mannose 6‐phosphate receptors (MPRs) at the Golgi and play a role, along with adaptor protein complex 1 (AP‐1), in the sorting of newly synthesized lysosomal hydrolases to the endolysosomal system. However, the relative importance of the two types of coat proteins in this process is still unclear. Here, we report that inactivation of all three GGA genes in HeLa cells decreased the sorting efficiency of cathepsin D from 97% to 73% relative to wild‐type, with marked redistribution of the cation‐independent MPR from peripheral punctae to the trans‐Golgi network. In comparison, GNPTAB−/− HeLa cells with complete inactivation of the mannose 6‐phosphate pathway sorted only 20% of the cathepsin D. We conclude that the residual sorting of cathepsin D in the GGA triple‐knockout cells is mediated by AP‐1.
Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation of the inner bore of a CT gantry
Authors: Mahesh Mahadevappa , Siewerdsen Jeffrey H.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility and practicality of ultraviolet (UV) germicidal irradiation of the inner bore of a computed tomography (CT) gantry as a means of viral decontamination.

Method

A UV lamp (PADNUT 38 W, 253 nm UV‐C light tube) and UV‐C dosimeter (GENERAL UV‐C Digital Light Meter No. UV512C) were used to measure irradiance throughout the inner bore of a CT scanner gantry. Irradiance (units μW/cm2) was related to the time required to achieve 6‐log viral kill (10−6 survival fraction).

Results

A warm‐up time of ~120 s was required for the lamp to reach stable irradiance. Irradiance at the scan plane (z = 0 cm) of the CT scanner was 580.9 μW/cm2, reducing to ~350 μW/cm2 at z = ±20 cm toward the front or back of the gantry. The angular distribution of irradiation was uniform within 10% coefficient of variation. A conservative estimate suggests at least 6‐log kill (survival fraction ≤ 10−6) of viral RNA within ±20 cm of the scan plane with an irradiation time of 120 s from cold start. More conservatively, running the lamp for 180 s (3 min) or 300 s (5 min) from cold start is estimated to yield survival fraction <<10−7 survival fraction within ±20 cm of the scan plane.

Conclusion

Ultraviolet irradiation of the inner bore of the CT gantry can be achieved with a simple UV‐C lamp attached to the CT couch. Such practice could augment manual wipe‐down procedures, improve safety for CT technologists or housekeeping staff, and could potentially reduce turnover time between scanning sessions.
Useful island block geometries of a passive intensity modulator used for intensity‐modulated bolus electron conformal therapy
Authors: Chambers Erin L. , Carver Robert L. , Hogstrom Kenneth R.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This project determined the range of island block geometric configurations useful for the clinical utilization of intensity‐modulated bolus electron conformal therapy (IM‐BECT).

Methods

Multiple half‐beam island block geometries were studied for seven electron energies 7‐20 MeV at 100 and 103 cm source‐to‐surface distance (SSD). We studied relative fluence distributions at 0.5 cm and 2.0 cm depths in water, resulting in 28 unique beam conditions. For each beam condition, we studied intensity reduction factor (IRF) values of 0.70, 0.75, 0.80, 0.85, 0.90, and 0.95, and hexagonal packing separations for the island blocks of 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, and 1.50 cm, that is, 30 unique IM configurations and 840 unique beam‐IM combinations. A combination was deemed acceptable if the average intensity downstream of the intensity modulator agreed within 2% of that intended and the variation in fluence was less than ±2%.

Results

For 100 cm SSD, and for 0.5 cm depth, results showed that beam energies above 13 MeV did not exhibit sufficient scatter to produce clinically acceptable fluence (intensity) distributions for all IRF values (0.70–0.95). In particular, 20 MeV fluence distributions were unacceptable for any values, and acceptable 16 MeV fluence distributions were limited to a minimum IRF of 0.85. For the 2.0 cm depth, beam energies up to and including 20 MeV had acceptable fluence distributions. For 103 cm SSD and for 0.5 cm and 2.0 cm depths, results showed that all beam energies (7–20 MeV) had clinically acceptable fluence distributions for all IRF values (0.70–0.95). In general, the more clinically likely 103 cm SSD had acceptable fluence distributions with larger separations (r), which allow larger block diameters.

Conclusion

The geometric operating range of island block separations and IRF values (block diameters) producing clinically appropriate IM electron beams has been determined.
Fast and High‐Throughput Synthesis of Medium‐ and High‐Entropy Alloys Using Radio Frequency Inductively Coupled Plasma
Authors: Zhu Bo , Alavi Sina , Cheng Changjun , Sun Haokun , Zhao Hongwei , Kim Keun Su , Mostaghimi Javad , Zou Yu
Published: November 2020

Multiprincipal element alloys, or medium‐ and high‐entropy alloys (MEAs and HEAs), hold great potential for numerous structural and functional applications, yet the synthesis of such alloys out of a vast composition space is a daunting task. Herein, a radio frequency inductively coupled plasma (RF‐ICP) method for preparing bulk MEAs and HEAs in a rapid and high‐throughput fashion is reported. Typical MEAs and HEAs are successfully synthesized within 40 s per alloy, thereby greatly improving the fabrication efficiency and throughput. This method provides a new opportunity to accelerate the discovery of new complex alloys for a broad range of applications.
Far‐Field Excitation of Acoustic Graphene Plasmons with a Metamaterial Absorber
Authors: Wen Chunchao , Chen Xingqiao , Zhang Jianfa , Xu Wei , Luo Jie , Zhou Yingqiu , Zhu Zhihong , Qin Shiqiao , Yuan Xiaodong
Published: November 2020

When a graphene sheet is placed near a metal surface, it supports a special type of highly confined and low‐loss electromagnetic mode called acoustic graphene plasmons (AGPs). AGPs squeeze infrared photons into extremely confined areas down to a subnanometric scale and provides a unique platform for strong light–matter interactions. However, the efficient excitation of AGPs is a challenge due to the large momentum mismatch between free‐space light and AGPs. With theoretical analysis and numerical simulations, it is shown that the far‐field excitation of AGPs is realized by integrating graphene in a metal–insulator–metal (MIM) metamaterial with magnetic resonance (MR). More than ten graphene plasmonic modes are excited in the midinfrared range, resulting in a multiresonant spectra with Fano‐like characteristics at each resonant wavelength. The proposal opens a new door to explore the strong plasmonic coupling between graphene and metallic metamaterials down to atomic scale for extreme nanophotonics. The potential applications range from ultracompact tunable metamaterials and ultrasensitive infrared spectroscopy to single‐molecule optics, quantum plasmonics, and others.
The role of environment, local adaptation, and past climate fluctuation on the amount and distribution of genetic diversity in two subspecies of Mexican wild Zea mays
Authors: Gasca‐Pineda Jaime , Gutiérrez‐Guerrero Yocelyn T. , Aguirre‐Planter Erika , Eguiarte Luis E.
Published: November 2020

Premise

Past climate fluctuations during the Holocene and Pleistocene shaped the distribution of several plant species in temperate areas over the world. Wild maize, commonly known as teosinte, is a good system to evaluate the effects of historical climate fluctuations on genetic diversity due to its wide distribution in Mexico with contrasting environmental conditions. We explored the influence of contemporary factors and historical environmental shifts on genetic diversity, including present and three historical periods using neutral markers.

Methods

We used 22 nuclear microsatellite loci to examine the genetic diversity of 14 populations of Zea mays subsp. parviglumis and 15 populations of Zea mays subsp. mexicana (527 individuals total). We implemented genetic structure analyses to evaluate genetic differentiation between and within subspecies. We applied coalescent‐based demographic analysis and species distribution modeling to evaluate the effects of historical environmental shifts.

Results

We found 355 alleles in total for the two subspecies and variable levels of diversity in each (Z. mays subsp. parviglumis expected heterozygosity HE = 0.3646–0.7699; Z. mays subsp. mexicana HE = 0.5885–0.7671). We detected significant genetic structure among populations (DEST = 0.4332) with significant heterozygote deficiency (FIS = 0.1796), and variable selfing rates (sg2 = 0.0–0.3090). The Bayesian assignment analysis differentiated four genetic groups. Demographic and species distribution modeling analysis suggested that environmental shifts were influential in the amount of genetic diversity.

Conclusions

Our analyses suggest that the current genetic diversity in teosinte is shaped by factors such as local adaptation and genetic isolation, along with historical environmental fluctuations.
Flow and heat transfer characteristics in square channel with concave–convex vortex generators based on numerical simulations
Authors: Jiang Yuncong , Chen Bingyu , Duan Chengdong , Yan Xiaokang , Wang Lijun
Published: November 2020

This paper aims to obtain a better heat transfer performance by using vortex generators with different structures in the square channel. To compare the flow pattern of three different vortex generators, the stream‐wise velocity profile, the visualized Q‐criterion, and the stream‐wise vorticity flux distribution were used to obtain the flow structures in detail. The heat transfer performance was quantified by the Nusselt number (Nu) and compared for the different vortex generators. It was found that the concave structure vortex generator has a better heat transfer performance with an increase of about 11.07% for average Nu. This is because the concave vortex generator induces a more complex hydraulic dynamic flow structure due to its two counter rotating vortex pairs in the square channel. Furthermore, the distance from the lower counter rotating vortex pairs to the wall is significantly decreased by the restraint from the upper counter rotating vortex pairs. This can help disturb the thermal boundary layer and improve the heat transfer performance.
Associations of Antibodies Targeting Periodontal Pathogens With Subclinical Coronary, Carotid, and Peripheral Arterial Atherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Giles Jon T. , Reinholdt Jesper , Andrade Felipe , Konig Maximilian F.
Published: November 2020

Objective

Both periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are overrepresented in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was undertaken to investigate the contribution of periodontal pathogens to CVD in RA.

Methods

RA patients underwent assessments of coronary artery calcification (CAC), carotid intima‐media thickness and plaque, and ankle–brachial index via computed tomography, ultrasound, and Doppler ultrasound, respectively. Sera were assayed for antibodies targeting Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans serotype B (Aa), and Aa‐derived leukotoxin A (LtxA). Associations of antibodies against these periodontal pathogens with measures of atherosclerosis were explored using generalized linear models.

Results

Among 197 RA patients, anti‐Pg was detected in 72 patients (37%), anti‐Aa in 41 patients (21%), and anti‐LtxA in 84 patients (43%). Adjusting for relevant confounders and reported tooth loss, the mean CAC score was 90% higher in those with anti‐Aa and/or anti‐LtxA compared with those without either antibody (19 units versus 10 units; P = 0.033). The adjusted odds of CAC ≥100 units were 2.23‐fold higher in those with anti‐Aa and/or anti‐LtxA compared with those without either antibody (P = 0.040). Anti‐Aa and/or anti‐LtxA seropositivity was significantly associated with all other assessed measures of atherosclerosis except carotid plaque. Anti‐Pg was not associated with any measure of atherosclerosis. Higher swollen joint count was associated with CAC exclusively in the group with anti‐Aa and/or anti‐LtxA.

Conclusion

Immunoreactivity against Aa and/or its major virulence factor LtxA was associated with atherosclerosis in multiple vascular beds of RA patients and amplified the effect of swollen joints on coronary atherosclerosis, suggesting a role for treatment/prevention of periodontal disease in the prevention of CVD in RA.
Atypical Functional Covariance Connectivity Between Gray and White Matter in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Chen Heng , Long Jinjin , Yang Shanshan , He Bifang
Published: November 2020

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a type of neurodevelopmental disorder with atypical gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) functional developmental course. However, the functional co‐developmental pattern between GM and WM in ASD is unclear. Here, we utilized a functional covariance connectivity method to explore the concordance pattern between GM and WM function in individuals with ASD. A multi‐center resting‐state fMRI dataset composed of 105 male children with ASD and 102 well‐matched healthy controls (HCs) from six sites of the ABIDE dataset was utilized. GM and WM ALFF maps were calculated for each subject. Voxel by voxel functional covariance connectivity of the ALFF values across subjects was calculated between GM and WM for children with ASD and HCs. A Z‐test combining FDR multi‐comparison correction was then employed to determine whether the functional covariance is significantly different between the two groups. A “bundling” strategy was utilized to ensure that the GM/WM clusters showing atypical functional covariance were larger than 5 voxels. Finally, canonical correlation analysis was conducted to explore whether the atypical GM/WM functional covariance is related to ASD symptoms. Results showed atypical functional covariance connections between specific GM and WM regions, whereas the ALFF values of these regions indicated no significant difference between the two groups. Canonical correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between the atypical functional covariance and stereotyped behaviors of ASD. The results indicated an altered functional co‐developmental pattern between WM and GM in ASD.

Lay Summary

White matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) are two major human brain organs supporting brain function. WM and GM functions show a specific co‐developmental pattern in typical developed individuals. This study showed that this GM/WM co‐developmental pattern was altered in children with ASD, while this altered GM/WM co‐developmental pattern was related to stereotyped behaviors. These findings may help understand the GM/WM functional development of ASD.
Impact of non‐CNS childhood cancer on resting‐state connectivity and its association with cognition
Authors: Spitzhüttl Janine S. , Kronbichler Martin , Kronbichler Lisa , Benzing Valentin , Siegwart Valerie , Pastore‐Wapp Manuela , Kiefer Claus , Slavova Nedelina , Grotzer Michael , Roebers Claudia M. , Steinlin Maja , Leibundgut Kurt , Everts Regula
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Non‐central nervous system cancer in childhood (non‐CNS CC) and its treatments pose a major threat to brain development, with implications for functional networks. Structural and functional alterations might underlie the cognitive late‐effects identified in survivors of non‐CNS CC. The present study evaluated resting‐state functional networks and their associations with cognition in a mixed sample of non‐CNS CC survivors (i.e., leukemia, lymphoma, and other non‐CNS solid tumors).

Methods

Forty‐three patients (off‐therapy for at least 1 year and aged 7–16 years) were compared with 43 healthy controls matched for age and sex. High‐resolution T1‐weighted structural magnetic resonance and resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging were acquired. Executive functions, attention, processing speed, and memory were assessed outside the scanner.

Results

Cognitive performance was within the normal range for both groups; however, patients after CNS‐directed therapy showed lower executive functions than controls. Seed‐based connectivity analyses revealed that patients exhibited stronger functional connectivity between fronto‐ and temporo‐parietal pathways and weaker connectivity between parietal‐cerebellar and temporal‐occipital pathways in the right hemisphere than controls. Functional hyperconnectivity was related to weaker memory performance in the patients' group.

Conclusion

These data suggest that even in the absence of brain tumors, non‐CNS CC and its treatment can lead to persistent cerebral alterations in resting‐state network connectivity.