bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategy to mitigate the dipole interfacial states in (i)a‐Si:H/MoOx passivating contacts solar cells
Authors: Mazzarella Luana , Alcañiz Alba , Procel Paul , Kawa Eliora , Zhao Yifeng , Tiringer Urša , Han Can , Yang Guangtao , Taheri Peyman , Zeman Miro , Isabella Olindo
Published: December 2020

Molybdenum oxide (MoOx) is attractive for applications as hole‐selective contact in silicon heterojunction solar cells for its transparency and relatively high work function. However, the integration of MoOx stacked on intrinsic amorphous silicon (i)a‐Si:H layer usually exhibits some issues that are still not fully solved resulting in degradation of electrical properties. Here, we propose a novel approach to enhance the electrical properties of (i)a‐Si:H/MoOx contact. We manipulate the (i)a‐Si:H interface via plasma treatment (PT) before MoOx deposition minimizing the electrical degradation without harming the optical response. Furthermore, by applying the optimized PT, we can reduce the MoOx thickness down to 3.5 nm with both open‐circuit voltage and fill factor improvements. Our findings suggest that the PT mitigates the decrease of the effective work function of the MoOx (WFMoOx) thin layer when deposited on (i)a‐Si:H. To support our hypothesis, we carry out electrical simulations inserting a dipole at the (i)a‐Si:H/MoOx interface accounting the attenuation of WFMoOx caused by both MoOx thickness and dipole. Our calculations confirm the experimental trends and thus provide deep insight in critical transport issues. Temperature‐dependent J‐V measurements demonstrate that the use of PT improves the energy alignment for an efficient hole transport.
Exploring the experiences and responses of LGBTQ+ adolescents to school‐based sexuality education
Authors: Naser Shereen C. , Clonan‐Roy Katherine , Fuller Kimberly A. , Goncy Elizabeth A. , Wolf Nicole
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study is to describe the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, two spirit, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth with school‐based sexuality education (SBSE), as well as to document strategies LGBTQ+ youth are using to address their evolving and specific sexual health needs outside of SBSE. Researchers conducted focus groups with 17 adolescents (ages 14–18) from urban and suburban Midwestern cities. Results of this study indicate LGBTQ+ youth find SBSE to be heteronormative, cisgender focused, and primarily focused on pregnancy and disease prevention, which contributes to LGBTQ+ youth experiences of exclusion. In response to SBSE that did not meet student needs, participants reported seeking sexual health information outside of SBSE. Other sources included family and other trusted adults, the Internet, and community resource centers. Students reported variable rates of use and trustworthiness across these resources. Results of this study suggest that school personnel should consider alternatives to traditional SBSE models to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ youth, and that an important part of SBSE should include guidelines for Internet safety.
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Faculty Diversity Trends by Sex, Race, and Ethnicity, 2007 to 2018 in the United States
Authors: Zhang Yanru , Silver Julie K. , Tiwana Sabeen , Verduzco‐Gutierrez Monica , Siddiqi Javed , Khosa Faisal
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Sex and race/ethnicity disparities persist in academic Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). This study contributes to the current body of knowledge by demonstrating changes in academic PM&R by sex and race/ethnicity in multiple categories over a 12‐year period.

Objective

To evaluate workforce disparities in academic PM&R by measuring sex and race/ethnicity diversity in academic degree, rank, and tenure status.

Design

Surveillance study.

Setting and Methods

Self‐reported data for PM&R from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) annual Faculty Roster report from 2007 to 2018.

Main Outcome Measures

The 12‐year average percentage composition in academic degree, rank, and tenure status was calculated to compare the overall distribution. Counts and proportion changes were plotted to depict the temporal trends. Absolute changes in racial percentage composition were graphed to highlight the progress.

Results

From 2007 to 2018, the increase by sex was roughly equal (male = 216; female = 236), whereas most of the increase was in White faculty (207). The representation of female and Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM) faculty decreased as academic level advanced. Instructors is the only category with a higher proportion of female faculty, from 2007 (53%) to 2018 (59.3%), whereas male faculty occupied over 75% of the full professor positions at any time. Among the non‐White faculty, Asian faculty had the greatest increase in proportion of full professors (3.7% to 10%) and Hispanic/Latino faculty in associate professors (2% to 7.1%), whereas full professors who were Black/African American decreased from 4 persons (2.5%) to 2 persons (0.8%).

Conclusion

An increase in total number of female and URiM faculty was observed in academic PM&R over 2007 to 2018, but sex and ethnicity/race disparities persisted, especially in higher ranks and leadership positions. For non‐White faculty, greater disparities existed, pointing toward the need to target challenges faced by URiM race/ethnicity status.
Menstrual Irregularity, Hormonal Contraceptive Use, and Bone Stress Injuries in Collegiate Female Athletes in the United States
Authors: Cheng Jennifer , Santiago Kristen A. , Abutalib Zafir , Temme Kate E. , Hulme Ann , Goolsby Marci A. , Esopenko Carrie L. , Casey Ellen K.
Published: December 2020

Background

Menstrual irregularity (MI) is common in female athletes and is a component of the Female Athlete Triad (Triad). Many athletes with the Triad are started on hormonal contraceptives (HC) for MI, but this interferes with the ability to monitor menstrual cycle regularity and can mask other causes of MI. There are limited studies investigating the relationship between MI, HC use, and injury in female collegiate athletes.

Objective

To examine the prevalence of and relationship between HC use, MI, and bone stress injuries in female collegiate athletes in the United States.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Online survey.

Participants

1020 U.S. female collegiate athletes (age ≥ 18 years).

Methods or Interventions

Assessment of risk factors for menstrual irregularity and bone stress injuries was conducted via a one‐time survey.

Main Outcome Measures

HC use, MI, history of stress fractures.

Results

Current HC use prevalence was 65% (95% confidence interval [CI], 61.9%, 67.8%). Of all athletes, 47% reported past MI. Of the athletes who were not currently using HCs, 32% had current MI. Compared with athletes without past MI, more athletes with past MI reported current HC use (73% vs. 57%) and indicated menstrual cycle consistency as the primary reason for use (24% vs. 4%) (P < .001). Additionally, 25% of athletes reported a history of stress fractures, which was associated with lean/aesthetic sports participation (odds ratio [95% CI]: 1.9 [1.4, 2.5]; P < .001) and less oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use (0.7 [0.5, 1.0]; P = .043). Compared with OCPs, injectable HCs were associated with greater odds of a history of stress fractures (4.5[1.6, 12.3]; P = .004).

Conclusions

HC use was prevalent among this cohort of female collegiate athletes, and almost half of the athletes reported past MI. A goal of menstrual cycle regularity was cited by 24% of athletes as a primary reason to use HCs, which shows that more athlete education is needed to avoid masking MI and the Triad with HCs. Further studies elucidating the relationship between HC use, MI, and sports‐related injury are warranted.
Mannosylated fluorescent cellulose‐based glycopolymers for stable uniform nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Shuang , Vana Philipp , Zhang Kai
Published: December 2020

In living organisms, carbohydrate‐protein interactions play key roles in physiological and pathological processes, which are amplified by the “glycol‐cluster effect.” In this work, we synthesized novel fluorescent cellulose derivatives bearing mannose moieties via thiol‐ene click reactions by sequentially conjugating hydrophilic mannose‐oxyethoxylpropane‐thiol (Mann‐SH) and fluorescent coumarin‐oxyhexyl‐thiol (Coum‐SH) and rhodamine B‐ethyl‐thiol (RhB‐SH) to cellulose undecenoate with terminal double bonds. The amphiphilic fluorescent cellulose derivatives were converted into nanoparticles (NPs) by dropping into low ionic strength solutions (<0.085 M). Obtained NPs have average sizes between 240 and 554 nm depending on the solution concentrations, exhibiting uniform size distributions (PDI values <0.12). These uniform NPs exhibited excellent dispersion stability even at elevated temperatures. The mannose moieties were accessible to 1,4‐benzenediboronic acid (BDBA) in NaOH aqueous solutions. Under irradiation with UV light of 320–400 nm, the fluorescence of NPs increased by the formation of open‐ring rhodamine spiroamide, which could be a promising candidate for biomedical application.
On the occurrence of flame instabilities during dust explosions
Authors: van Wingerden Kees , Schepp Peter , Lade Rob
Published: December 2020

Flame instabilities are known to affect the course of gas explosions and are especially known to increase overpressures during venting. For dust explosions, flame instabilities are often not considered to play an important role. The current paper, however, presents two series of experiments showing that flame instabilities can play a paramount role potentially increasing overpressure considerably and beyond those predicted by widely accepted standards.
Applicability of oxygen scavengers for shelf life extension during illuminated storage of cured cooked meat products packaged under modified atmosphere in materials with high and low oxygen permeability
Authors: Baele Maarten , Vermeulen An , Leloup Frédéric B. , Adons Dimitri , Peeters Roos , Devlieghere Frank , De Meulenaer Bruno , Ragaert Peter
Published: December 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of illumination, packaging material and application of oxygen scavengers on the shelf life of two different cured cooked meat products in diverse retail storage conditions. For this purpose, ham luncheon sausage and pork liver pâté were packaged in high‐ and low‐OTR (oxygen transmission rate) packages under modified atmosphere. Packages either did or did not contain a 50‐ml O2 capacity oxygen scavenger. Samples were stored at 7°C either in complete darkness or illuminated by fluorescent or LED lamps for the last 48 h of storage. Microbial quality of pâté was more crucial than that of ham sausage, partially due to a higher initial microbial load. Pâté was far more susceptible to discolouration and lipid oxidation than ham luncheon sausage. Illumination was a crucial aspect for discolouration of ham sausage, whereas pâté exhibited discolouration without illumination when packaged in low barrier packages. Hence, high barrier packages are indispensable for these types of products, especially pâté. Inclusion of an oxygen scavenger may lead to improved colour stability and lower lipid oxidation, provided that the packaging material had a sufficiently low OTR and some days of dark storage preceded illumination. Replacing a multilayered high‐barrier packaging system with a lower barrier system with an added scavenger is not an interesting option as there is competition for oxygen absorption between the food product and the scavenger.
Isotopic analysis of sub‐nanogram neodymium loads using new ATONA™ amplifiers
Authors: Reinhard Andrew , Inglis Jeremy , Steiner Robert , LaMont Stephen , Palacz Zenon
Published: December 2020

Rationale

Emerging research in the geological and nuclear forensics fields demands increasing analytical precision of isotope ratio measurements with decreasing sample sizes. Here we demonstrate the capability of a newly developed amplification technology to make precise neodymium (Nd) isotopic measurements on 100‐pg standard loads.

Methods

The reference materials were analyzed as NdO+ to increase the ionization efficiency of the small analyte loads. The Nd isotopic measurements were made using an IsotopX Isoprobe‐T thermal ionization mass spectrometer upgraded with the ATONA™ amplifier system. The ATONA™ amplifier system uses capacitance‐based amplification as opposed to traditional impedance‐based amplification.

Results

The long‐term gains of the ATONA™ amplifiers are shown to have less than 1 ppm variability. Repeat measurements of the JNdi‐1 reference material demonstrate the ability of the ATONA™ amplification technology to make measurements of 143Nd/144Nd ratios with 23 ppm external reproducibility on 100‐pg loads. The effect of increasing integration time on analytical reproducibility is also displayed as increasing integration time from 10 to 30 s reduced the external measurement uncertainty from 37 to 23 ppm.

Conclusions

These measurements represent an improvement of more than a factor of 3 in external measurement reproducibility relative to previously published 143Nd/144Nd measurements of 100‐pg loads. This new technology will allow for the measurement of smaller samples for precise isotope ratios and open new avenues of research in the geological and nuclear forensic communities.
A meta‐analysis of agglomeration and venture performance: Firm‐level evidence
Authors: Mathias Blake D. , McCann Brian T. , Whitman Daniel S.
Published: December 2020

Research summary

Agglomeration theory has long explored and asserted that similar firms locate in close geographic proximity for performance‐related benefits. However, no study has systematically assessed the literature to determine whether the relationship between agglomeration and firm performance holds. Through a meta‐analysis of 42 studies and nearly 200,000 firm‐level observations, our study estimates the relationship between agglomeration and performance, showing the importance of knowledge spillovers in this relationship. Specifically, we find although agglomeration confers innovation benefits, it does not consistently offer financial performance benefits. We also highlight several important conditions, including firm age, industry technology intensity, and economic development level that impact the agglomeration–performance relationship. Together, our work advances agglomeration theory by suggesting when, and to what extent, agglomeration holds the most promise for organizations.

Managerial summary

All firms must address a fundamental question before launching their firms—where to locate? Existing thought largely suggests that locating near similar firms offers certain advantages, such as reducing search costs for skilled employees or gaining access to knowledge spillovers. By examining the body of literature on this topic, our study analyzes the collective evidence of the performance benefits of co‐location. We find that co‐location generally enhances firm innovation, but we discover it fails to increase firm financial performance, on average. And, in some cases, co‐location is detrimental to financial performance. Ultimately, we offer a variety of contingencies that help explain when co‐locating might be advantageous or disadvantageous to firms, thereby providing firm leaders and entrepreneurs with clear guidance on when (and when not) to co‐locate.
Effect of Total Calcium in Heavy Rail Steels on the Transformation of Inclusions during Heat Treatment at 1473 K
Authors: Wang Yi , Zhang Yuexin , Zhang Lifeng , Liu Nan , Ren Ying
Published: December 2020

Heat treatment experiments of heavy rail steel samples are performed with varied total calcium (T.Ca) in the steel to investigate the transformation of inclusions. Before heat treatment, original inclusions in the heavy rail steel are homogeneous Al2O3–SiO2–CaO–MgO with little CaS. After soaking for 60 min at 1473 K, the precipitation of the CaS outer layer and MgO·Al2O3 core is clearly observed. The transformation ratio of CaO to CaS in inclusions increases with T.Ca in the steel under current steel compositions. When the T.Ca content in the steel increases from 3 to 9 ppm, the CaS content of inclusions increases by 5.31–16.14%, while the CaO content of inclusions varies in an opposite way by 5.40–14.01%. In addition, the content of Al2O3 in inclusions increases by 1.73–6.33%, the SiO2 content decreases by approximately 6%, while the content of MgO changes little. Thermodynamic calculation performed by FactSage 7.0 verifies the transformation of inclusions from CaO–SiO2 to CaS–Al2O3 in the solid heavy rail steel during heat treatment. A kinetic model is developed to predict the evolution of inclusions in the heavy rail steel during the heat treatment process.
Long noncoding RNA DUXAP10 promotes the stemness of glioma cells by recruiting HuR to enhance Sox12 mRNA stability
Authors: Wu Bolin , Yang Chengyou , Fang Yuefeng , Ding Weilong , Zhang Yuqing
Published: December 2020

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) DUXAP10 has been shown to act as an oncogene in various tumors; however, its roles in glioma progression have never been established. Here, we show that DUXAP10 is overexpressed in glioma tissues and cells. Loss of function experiments reveal that DUXAP10 knockdown has little effects on glioma cell viability, but significantly reduces the stemness of glioma cells, which is characterized as the decrease of stemness marker expression, tumor sphere‐forming ability, and ALDH activity. RNA immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays indicate that DUXAP10 can directly interact with HuR protein and suppress the cytoplasm‐nuclear translocation of HuR, which subsequently enhances Sox12 mRNA stability in cytoplasm and thus increases Sox12 expression. Further rescuing experiments show that the HuR/Sox12 axis is responsible for DUXAP10‐mediated effects on glioma cell stemness.
UoC‐4: A MOF Based on Octahedral ScO6 Nodes and Fluorinated Trimesate Ligands
Authors: Mattick Tim , Smets Daniel , Christoffels Ronja , Körtgen Lisa , Tobeck Christian , Ruschewitz Uwe
Published: December 2020

A new MOF (metal‐organic framework),
[Sc(dF‐BTC)6/6]⋅solvent with dF‐BTC3−=2,4‐difluoro‐1,3,5‐benzene‐tricarboxylate, termed UoC‐4 (UoC≡University of Cologne), was synthesized by solvothermal reaction in an ethanol/water solvent mixture. The crystal structure of UoC‐4 was solved and refined from X‐ray single crystal data (I41/amd, Z=8). In the crystal structure each of the three carboxylate groups of the dF‐BTC3− linker coordinates to two Sc3+ cations, resulting in an almost ideal ScO6 octahedron. The connectivity of these ScO6 and dF‐BTC3− building units leads to a 3D framework structure with a new unprecedented topology. Small voids with a diameter of <5 Å are formed, in which most likely disordered ethanol molecules reside. UoC‐4 is stable against moisture, but in water a slow hydrolysis occurs. Thermal decomposition in an inert atmosphere starts above 400 °C. Activation of the material failed so that no gas sorption isotherm with N2 as test gas could be recorded. The small pores within UoC‐4 are obviously not accessible for gases like N2 due to very small opening windows.
Effect of temperature‐dependent and internal heat source on a micropolar thermoelastic medium with voids under 3PHL model
Authors: Alharbi Amnah M. , Abd‐Elaziz Elsayed M. , Othman Mohamed I. A.
Published: December 2020

The goal of the paper is to present the study of the effect of an internal heat source and the dependence of temperature on a micropolar voided medium that is thermoelastic in the theory of the three‐phase‐lag model of thermoelasticity. The governing equations are formulated and then the exact displacement component expressions, temperature field, microrotation components, the components of stress and volume fraction field change are found with the normal mode technique. The obtained results for thermal variations were validated by comparing to the three‐phase‐lag model (3PHL) and the Green and Naghdi of type III theory (G‐N III). The comparisons are shown graphically to explore the effects of the internal heat source and void parameters as well as temperature dependent. Other subjects of interest received their own deductions from this investigation.
Six out of ten patients with sinus tarsi syndrome returned to pre-injury type of sport after subtalar arthroscopy
Authors: Lauf Kenny , Dahmen Jari , Altink J. Nienke , Stufkens Sjoerd A. S. , Kerkhoffs Gino M. M. J.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine multiple return to sport rates, long-term clinical outcomes and safety for subtalar arthroscopy for sinus tarsi syndrome.

Methods

Subtalar arthroscopies performed for sinus tarsi syndrome between 2013 and 2018 were analyzed. Twenty-two patients were assessed (median age: 28 (IQR 20–40), median follow-up 60 months (IQR 42–76). All patients were active in sports prior to the injury. The primary outcome was the return to pre-injury type of sport rate. Secondary outcomes were time and rate of return to any type of sports, return to performance and to improved performance. Clinical outcomes consisted of Numerous Rating Scale of pain, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score, 36-item Short Form Survey and complications and re-operations.

Results

Fifty-five percent of the patients returned to their preoperative type of sport at a median time of 23 weeks post-operatively (IQR 9.0–49), 95% of the patients returned to any type and level sport at a median time of 12 weeks post-operatively (IQR 4.0–39), 18% returned to their preoperative performance level at a median time of 25 weeks post-operatively (IQR 8.0–46) and 5% returned to improved performance postoperatively at 28 weeks postoperatively (one patient). Median NRS in rest was 1.0 (IQR 0.0–4.0), 2.0 during walking (IQR 0.0–5.3) during walking, 3.0 during running (IQR 1.0–8.0) and 2.0 during stair-climbing (IQR 0.0–4.5). The summarized FAOS score was 62 (IQR 50–90). The median SF-36 PCSS and the MCSS were 46 (IQR 41–54) and 55 (IQR 49–58), respectively. No complications and one re-do subtalar arthroscopy were reported.

Conclusion

Six out of ten patients with sinus tarsi syndrome returned to their pre-injury type of sport after being treated with a subtalar arthroscopy. Subtalar arthroscopy yields effective outcomes at long-term follow-up concerning patient-reported outcome measures in athletic population, with favorable return to sport level, return to sport time, clinical outcomes and safety outcome measures.

Level of evidence

IV.
Radiomics for prediction of survival in lower-grade gliomas—it’s time to move beyond the crystal ball
Authors: Pinto dos Santos Daniel , Garcia Santos José Maria
Published: December 2020

Key Points

• Radiomics might help predict survival of patients with lower-grade gliomas.

• Several different models using different radiomics features have been proposed with only little overlap in included features.

• Prospective trials and validation studies are needed to establish which models offer clinical benefit and which do not.
Monetary incentives have only limited effects on auditory distraction: evidence for the automaticity of cross-modal attention capture
Authors: Bell Raoul , Mieth Laura , Buchner Axel , Röer Jan Philipp
Published: December 2020

The duplex-mechanism account of auditory distraction postulates that two distinct forms of auditory distraction can be distinguished by whether or not they can be cognitively controlled. While the interference-by-process component of auditory distraction is postulated to be automatic and independent of cognitive control, the stimulus-aspecific attention capture by auditory deviants and the stimulus-specific attentional diversion by auditorily presented distractor sentences should be suppressed by increased task engagement. Here we test whether incentive-induced changes in task engagement affect the disruption of serial recall by auditory deviants (Experiment 1) and distractor sentences (Experiment 2). Monetary incentives substantially affected recall performance in both experiments. However, the incentive-induced changes in task engagement had only limited effects on auditory distraction. In Experiment 2, increased task engagement was associated with a small decrease of distraction relative to a quiet condition, but strong effects of auditory distraction on performance persisted in conditions of high task engagement in both experiments. Most importantly, and in contrast to the predictions of the duplex-mechanism account, the effects of stimulus-aspecific attention capture (Experiment 1) and stimulus-specific attentional diversion (Experiment 2) remained unaffected by incentive-induced changes in task engagement. These findings are consistent with an automatic-capture account according to which only the processes responsible for the deliberate memorization of the target items are dependent on controlled mental effort while the attention capture by auditory deviants and the attentional diversion by distractor speech are largely automatic.
Autism spectrum disorder and kidney disease
Authors: Clothier Joanna , Absoud Michael
Published: December 2020

Neurodevelopmental impairments have been recognised as a major association of paediatric kidney disease and bladder dysfunction, presenting challenges to clinicians and families to provide reasonable adjustments in order to allow access to investigations and treatments. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by impairments in social interaction/communication and repetitive sensory-motor behaviours. Mental health, learning and physical co-morbidities are common. There is emerging evidence that ASD and kidney disease have some overlaps with genetic copy number variants and environmental factors contributing to shared pathogenesis. Prevalence rates of ASD in kidney disease are currently not known. A high index of suspicion of underlying ASD is required when a young person presents with communication difficulties, anxiety or behaviour that challenges, which should then trigger referral for a neurodevelopmental and behavioural assessment. We discuss practical approaches for providing care, which include understanding methods of communication and sensory, behavioural and environmental adaptations.
Temporal effects of barbiturate coma on intracranial pressure and compensatory reserve in children with traumatic brain injury
Authors: Velle Fartein , Lewén Anders , Howells Timothy , Nilsson Pelle , Enblad Per
Published: December 2020

Background

The aim was to study the effects of barbiturate coma treatment (BCT) on intracranial pressure (ICP) and intracranial compensatory reserve (RAP index) in children (< 17 years of age) with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and refractory intracranial hypertension (RICH).

Methods

High-resolution monitoring data were used to study the effects of BCT on ICP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and RAP index. Four half hour long periods were studied: before bolus injection and at 5, 10, and 24 hours thereafter, respectively, and a fifth tapering period with S-thiopental between < 100 and < 30 μmol/L. S-thiopental concentrations and administered doses were registered.

Results

Seventeen children treated with BCT 2007–2017 with high-resolution data were included; median age 15 (range 6–17) and median Glasgow coma score 7 (range 3–8). Median time from trauma to start of BCT was 44.5 h (range 2.5–197.5) and from start to stop 99.0 h (range 21.0–329.0). Median ICP was 22 (IQR 20–25) in the half hour period before onset of BCT and 16 (IQR 11–20) in the half hour period 5 h later (p = 0.011). The corresponding figures for CPP were 65 (IQR 62–71) and 63 (57–71) (p > 0.05). The RAP index was in the half hour period before onset of BCT 0.6 (IQR 0.1–0.7), in the half hour period 5 h later 0.3 (IQR 0.1–0.7) (p = 0.331), and in the whole BCT period 0.3 (IQR 0.2–0.4) (p = 0.004). Eighty-two percent (14/17) had favorable outcome (good recovery = 8 patients and moderate disability = 6 patients).

Conclusion

BCT significantly reduced ICP and RAP index with preserved CPP. BCT should be considered in case of RICH.
Oral sentence generation training to improve fifth and 10th graders’ writing
Authors: Arfé Barbara , Festa Federica , Ronconi Lucia , Spicciarelli Gaia
Published: December 2020

Text generation—the mental translation of ideas into language at word, sentence, and discourse levels—involves oral language abilities. However, oral language skills are rarely a target of writing interventions. We ran an intervention to improve fifth and 10th graders’ written production through the development of oral sentence generation (grammatical and syntactic) skills. One hundred and fifteen students—68 fifth graders (four classrooms) and 47 tenth graders (four classrooms)—participated in a stepped-wedge cluster-randomized controlled trial. Two fifth-grade classrooms (n = 35) and two 10th-grade classrooms (n = 20) received nine 90-min sessions (3 weeks, three sessions a week) of oral language intervention immediately after the pretest (experimental groups); the two other fifth- (n = 33) and 10th-grade classrooms (n = 27) received business-as-usual writing instruction and received a delayed oral language intervention after the posttest (waiting list group). The intervention consisted of team-based games to improve oral sentence generation and sentence reformulation skills. We assessed written sentence generation, written sentence reformulation, written text quality (macrostructure and language), and text writing fluency before (pretest) and after (posttest) the intervention and 5 weeks after the intervention (follow-up). The results showed that training on oral sentence generation skills can lead to significant gains in both sentence generation and sentence reformulation skills and text macrostructural quality. Improvement at the sentence level was, however, significant only for the younger writers (fifth graders).
Comparison of measured residential black carbon levels outdoors and indoors with fixed-site monitoring data and with dispersion modelling
Authors: Gruzieva Olena , Georgelis Antonios , Andersson Niklas , Bellander Tom , Johansson Christer , Merritt Anne-Sophie
Published: December 2020

Epidemiologic studies on health effects of air pollution usually rely on time-series of ambient monitoring data or on spatially modelled levels. Little is known how well these estimate residential outdoor and indoor levels. We investigated the agreement of measured residential black carbon (BC) levels outdoors and indoors with fixed-site monitoring data and with levels calculated using a Gaussian dispersion model. One-week residential outdoor and indoor BC measurements were conducted for 15 families living in central Stockholm. Time-series from urban background and street-level monitors were compared to these measurements. The observed weekly concentrations were also standardized to reflect annual averages, using urban background levels, and compared spatially to long-term levels as estimated by dispersion modelling. Weekly average outdoor BC level was 472 ng/m3(range 261–797 ng/m3). The corresponding fixed-site urban background and street levels were 313 and 1039 ng/m3, respectively. Urban background variation explained 50% of the temporal variation in residential outdoor levels averaged over 24 h. Modelled residential long-term outdoor levels were on average comparable with the standardized measured home outdoor levels, and explained 49% of the spatial variability. The median indoor/outdoor ratio across all addresses was 0.79, with no difference between day and night time. Common exposure estimation approaches in the epidemiology of health effects related to BC displayed high validity for residencies in central Stockholm. Urban background monitored levels explained half of the outdoor day-to-day variability at residential addresses. Long-term dispersion modelling explained half of the spatial differences in outdoor levels. Indoor BC concentrations tended to be somewhat lower than outdoor levels.
Basic mental models of integrals: theoretical conception, development of a test instrument, and first results
Authors: Greefrath Gilbert , Oldenburg Reinhard , Siller Hans-Stefan , Ulm Volker , Weigand Hans-Georg
Published: December 2020

A basic mental model (BMM—in German ‘Grundvorstellung’) of a mathematical concept is a content-related interpretation that gives meaning to this concept. This paper defines normative and individual BMMs and concretizes them using the integral as an example. Four BMMs are developed about the concept of definite integral, sometimes used in specific teaching approaches: the BMMs of area, reconstruction, average, and accumulation. Based on theoretical work, in this paper we ask how these BMMs could be identified empirically. A test instrument was developed, piloted, validated and applied with 428 students in first-year mathematics courses. The test results show that the four normative BMMs of the integral can be detected and separated empirically. Moreover, the results allow a comparison of the existing individual BMMs and the requested normative BMMs. Consequences for future developments are discussed.
An Introduction to Symbolic Dynamics and Coding
Authors: Lind Douglas , Marcus Brian
Published: December 2020

Symbolic dynamics is a mature yet rapidly developing area of dynamical systems. It has established strong connections with many areas, including linear algebra, graph theory, probability, group theory, and the theory of computation, as well as data storage, statistical mechanics, and $C^*$-algebras. This Second Edition maintains the introductory character of the original 1995 edition as a general textbook on symbolic dynamics and its applications to coding. It is written at an elementary level and aimed at students, well-established researchers, and experts in mathematics, electrical engineering, and computer science. Topics are carefully developed and motivated with many illustrative examples. There are more than 500 exercises to test the reader's understanding. In addition to a chapter in the First Edition on advanced topics and a comprehensive bibliography, the Second Edition includes a detailed Addendum, with companion bibliography, describing major developments and new research directions since publication of the First Edition.
Wildfires May Exacerbate Asthma in the Western United States
Authors: Gold Alison
Published: December 2020

A new study predicts that by the 2050s, wildfire smoke will cause the region to spend $850 million more every year to treat asthma.
The Debate over the United Nations’ Energy Emissions Projections
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: December 2020

A new study finds the economic factor driving the divergence between emissions trajectories in climate assessments and reality.
Is There a Global Carbonate Layer in the Oceanic Mantle?
Authors: Hammouda T. , Manthilake G. , Goncalves P. , Chantel J. , Guignard J. , Crichton W. , Gaillard F.
Published: December 2020

Previous modeling of carbonate subduction by high‐pressure experimentation has allowed to propose scenarios for bulk carbon return to the mantle, but the detailed transfer mechanisms have seldom been studied. We monitored carbonate–silicate reactions by combining high‐pressure experiments and synchrotron‐based X‐ray diffraction. Carbonates break down at moderate pressure and high temperature and CO2 is trapped at grain boundaries. Further isothermal compression yields melting, which may control continuous carbon introduction, first in the mantle wedge, and next, away from the wedge. Carbon presence has been discussed in a variety of magmatic contexts, under the oceanic lithosphere (hotspots, petit spots, and fossil ridges). We suggest the presence of a global carbon‐rich layer under the oceanic lithosphere that is steadily fed by subduction processes. This layer can be the source of mechanical weakening of the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary under the oceans. Therefore, carbon‐induced compression melting may be a key mechanism of modern‐style plate tectonics.
Diffusion Creep of Diopside
Authors: Ghosh S. , Koizumi S. , Hiraga T.
Published: December 2020

We have conducted uniaxial compression experiments on fine‐grained diopside with either 4 or 10 vol% forsterite and 10 vol% anorthite. We changed the average grain size in the diopside with forsterite aggregate from 0.43 to 4.07 μm to reveal the grain size sensitivity of the creep rate. Mechanical data were obtained at a stepped load for a temperature range of 1050°C–1170°C. The observed strain rates are best explained by stress and grain size exponent values of 1 and 2, respectively, and activation energy of ∼720 kJ/mol, which indicates lattice diffusion creep. Anorthite bearing aggregate is ∼3 times weaker than forsterite‐bearing aggregate, probably due to the presence of aluminum. We have compared previously reported diffusion creep rates of diopside in nondimensional stress and strain‐rate space, constructed based on our diffusion creep law. It demonstrates that all the earlier mechanical data are well summarized by our diffusion creep flow law.
Bioresponsive microlasers with tunable lasing wavelength
Authors: Yuan Zhiyi , Tan Xiaotian , Gong Xuerui , Gong Chaoyang , Cheng Xin , Feng Shilun , Fan Xudong , Chen Yu-Cheng
Published: December 2020

A novel mechanism to achieve active lasing particles with controllable functions and tunable wavelengths was developed, paving a new road for biological and biomedical analysis via laser emission.
Developments in tandem ion mobility mass spectrometry
Authors: Eldrid Charles , Thalassinos Konstantinos
Published: December 2020

Ion Mobility (IM) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) is a useful tool for separating species of interest out of small quantities of heterogenous mixtures via a combination of m/z and molecular shape. While tandem MS instruments are common, instruments which employ tandem IM are less so with the first commercial IM–MS instrument capable of multiple IM selection rounds being released in 2019. Here we explore the history of tandem IM instruments, recent developments, the applications to biological systems and expected future directions.
An improved control technique for designing of composite non‐linear feedback control in constrained time‐delay systems
Authors: Ghaffari Valiollah
Published: December 2020

In this research, a novel delay‐dependent composite non‐linear feedback (CNF) control would be pointed for non‐linear time‐delay systems under actuator saturation. For this aim, first, the CNF controller would be formulated in the constrained time‐delay systems. Then, a linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach is presented to obtain the controller parameters. Hence, the control synthesis of the constrained non‐linear time‐delay systems is transformed into an optimisation problem subjected to some LMIs. The suggested controller is simulated in some numerical examples like a chemical reactor with separator and recycle. The computed quantitative results will demonstrate the capability of the proposed CNF control approach compared to other best methods.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for stabilisability of discrete‐time time‐varying switched systems
Authors: Lu Junjie , She Zhikun , Liao Fucheng
Published: December 2020

This paper is concerned with necessary and sufficient conditions for stabilisability of time‐varying discrete‐time switched systems. Starting with an asymptotically stable function, an exponentially stable function and a uniformly exponentially stable function, we successively propose necessary and sufficient conditions for asymptotic stabilisability, exponential stabilisability and uniform exponential stabilisability of time‐varying switched linear systems. Further, considering the broad applications of finite‐time stability in practical systems, based on an additionally introduced concept of finite‐time stable functions, we derive a necessary and sufficient condition for finite‐time stabilisability of time‐varying switched linear systems. Afterwards, three illustrative examples are given to show the applicability of our theoretical results. In the end, we further discuss the necessary and sufficient conditions for global exponential stabilisability and global uniform exponential stabilisability of time‐varying switched non‐linear systems. Compared to traditional difference Lyapunov inequalities, we release the requirement on negative definiteness of the time‐difference of Lyapunov functions.
Stability of impulsive switched systems with sampled‐data control
Authors: Lian Jie , Li Chunyang , Zhai Guisheng
Published: December 2020

This paper investigates the sampled‐data control of impulsive switched systems with asynchronous switching. The impulses are not required to synchronise the switching. Since it is possible that switches may occur in sampling intervals, the mismatched problem may happen between controllers and system modes. Aiming for this, a functional consisting of multiple impulse‐dependent Lyapunov functions and looped functionals is constructed, which does not increase at impulsive times. By using ADT method, some sufficient conditions for exponential stability are proposed in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Furthermore, sampled‐data controllers are presented to stabilise the impulsive switched systems. The efficiency of the proposed results is verified by an F‐18 aircraft.
A novel reversible data hiding based on adaptive block‐partition and payload‐allocation method
Authors: Yang Yang , Huang Genyan , Zou Tianrui , Zhang Weiming
Published: December 2020

A reversible data hiding method based on partition is researched because it can effectively reduce shifting distortion in given embedding capacity. However, traditional partition is to divide an image into equal‐sized blocks, which cannot be divided reasonably according to the content of the image. In order to achieve dynamic partition and effectively utilize the complexity of the image, this paper proposes a novel reversible data hiding based on adaptive block‐partition and payload‐allocation method. In this technique, instead of equal partition, adaptive block‐partition is proposed to establish multiple histograms by dividing the cover image into several image blocks of different sizes dynamically, and the image blocks of different sizes are processed successively through multiple sorting and implement adaptive payload allocation according to complexity, then the data is embedded into two sides of prediction‐error histograms to effectively reduce the shifting distortion. Experimental results show that the proposed method is superior to the state‐of‐the‐art traditional fixed‐sized blocking‐based reversible data hiding methods.
Application of a novel image moment computation in X‐ray and MRI image watermarking
Authors: Singh Manoj K. , Kumar Sanoj , Ali Musrrat , Saini Deepika
Published: December 2020

Orthogonal polar image moments which are defined over a unit disk, are used often in watermarking applications. One such image moment is polar harmonic Fourier transformation (PHFT). The quality of the extracted watermark depends on the accuracy of the computed image moments. Various methods have already been used for the computation of the moments with varying degrees of accuracy. This study proposes application of a novel image moments computation method which is a synergy of analytic, and numerical techniques, to image watermarking. The computed moment results in a robust watermark extraction. The PHFT have rotation, and scaling invariance property, which allows the watermark to resist various geometric attacks. In addition to the geometric attacks the watermark has the capability to resist various signal processing attacks. The performance of the proposed watermarking scheme is performed with the methods used in recently published articles. The experimental results show that the proposed method has the better performance compared to other techniques, and has better capability to resist various attacks.
Spectral domain approach applied to the rigorous determination of the microwave field in planar structures with asymmetric electrodes distribution
Authors: Crivellaro de Menezes João Paulo , da Silva Lemes Andryos , Barbosa Oliveira José Edimar , Kitano Claudio
Published: December 2020

Among several methods used for designing microstrip‐like microwave and millimetre‐wave waveguides, we have the spectral domain approach (SDA), which allows determining parameters such as effective permittivity and characteristic impedance of multi‐electrode and multi‐layer structures. SDA is also important for designing integrated optical phase modulators, especially for computing the electromagnetic field distribution, which is essential for the determination of their half‐wave voltage and frequency bandwidth. However, it was verified that when SDA technique is applied to the computation of the field pattern inside boxed waveguides with asymmetric electrode distribution, accurate results were not obtained. Since electrical quantities in SDA, including electromagnetic field, depend on the current distribution on the electrodes, a formulation taking into account the method of images for the correct description of these currents can solve the drawback. Simulations show that using asymmetric electrodes in lithium‐niobate‐based coplanar strip (CPS) modulators, although not very usual, can provide an extra degree of freedom to their designs. We show that is possible to reduce the effective permittivity, obtain characteristic impedances nearer 50 Ω, and double the peak amplitude for the π‐mode electric field compared to that obtained for odd mode on symmetric CPS. This can improve the performance of travelling‐wave electro‐optic modulators.
Design of a compact UWB BPF with a Fractal Tree Stub Loaded Multimode Resonator
Authors: Kumari Puja , Sarkar Pankaj , Ghatak Rowdra
Published: December 2020

This paper presents a novel technique to design an ultra‐wideband bandpass filter (UWB BPF) based on fractal tree stub loaded multimode resonators. Two different topologies are opted to verify the relationships between resonant modes of the multimode resonators with different parameters of the fractal tree stub. UWB bandwidth is acquired by increasing iterations of the fractal tree without a significant effect on the filter's physical size. The proposed topologies provide design flexibility in terms of resonance and bandwidth, which are directly related to the iteration order of the fractal tree used. To verify all the features of fractal‐tree‐based UWB BPF, the proposed UWB BPF is parametrically studied using electromagnetic simulation, and a prototype is fabricated. The measured and simulated results are in close agreement. The actual size of the filters is 11.5 × 9.6 mm2. The proposed filter covers the whole band of UWB with a minimum insertion loss of 1 dB and return loss is better than 10 dB. The measured stopband extends up to 16 GHz.
Dealing with co‐channel interference in multi‐channel airborne passive radar
Authors: Cristallini Diego , Summers Ashley , Wojaczek Philipp , Young Robert , O'Hagan Daniel
Published: December 2020

We address the problem of co‐channel interference (CCI) in multi‐channel airborne passive radars using digital broadcast signals of opportunity. A framework for suppressing the CCI is proposed, based on a two‐stage approach, which reflects the range–Doppler map being a function of both a reference and a surveillance signal. In the first stage, the multiple receiving channels are used to reduce the CCI and hence improve the reconstruction of the digital reference signal. In the second stage, multi‐channel processing in the range–Doppler domain is performed to further limit the effects of CCI. For each CCI suppression stage, several filters are proposed and their performances are evaluated against real data.