bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protective Effects of Total Alkaloids from Menispermum dauricum against Airway Inflammation in Asthmatic Mice
Authors: Lv Le , Yin Bing , You Ye , Sun Zhongyang , He Jiao , Cao Yan Jun
Published: May 2020

Menispermum dauricum is widely used to treat respiratory inflammation, including laryngopharyngitis, tonsillitis, tracheitis, and bronchitis. Total alkaloids isolated from M. dauricum have shown a variety of beneficial bioactivities. However, available data on the effects of M. dauricum total alkaloids against allergic asthma has not been reported. In present study, the protective effect of M. dauricum total alkaloids was evaluated by using an ovalbumin-induced in vivo model of asthma. The asthma model was prepared by sensitizing and challenging mice with ovalbumin, and M. dauricum total alkaloids (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) were administrated to asthmatic mice by gavage. Histopathological analysis of pulmonary changes was detected by hematoxylin and eosin, and periodic acid-schiff staining. Inflammatory cell counts were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Total immunoglobulin E and ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E levels in serum, and T-helper 2 cytokines and chemokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were detected by an ELISA. Histological results demonstrated that M. dauricum total alkaloids significantly attenuated pulmonary inflammation in asthmatic mice. M. dauricum total alkaloid treatment exhibited marked effects on asthmatic mice in reducing inflammatory cell counts, decreasing interleukin-4, interleukin-5, and interleukin-13 concentrations, and downregulating TNF-α and eotaxin levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In addition, M. dauricum total alkaloids could also inhibit the elevated serum levels of total immunoglobulin E and ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E. These findings confirmed that M. dauricum total alkaloids could suppress airway inflammation in ovalbumin-induced asthma through regulating the T-helper 2 response and chemokine level. M. dauricum total alkaloids may be a potential ethnopharmacological agent for asthmatic patients.
Investigation of Antiplasmodial Effects of Terpenoid Compounds Isolated from Myrrh
Authors: Greve Hippolyt L. , Kaiser Marcel , Schmidt Thomas J.
Published: May 2020

As part of our ongoing search for antiprotozoal natural products from plants, we examined different resins from the Burseraceae family. The dichloromethane extract obtained from myrrh, the oleo-gum-resin of Commiphora species, showed promising in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum with an IC50 value of 1 µg/mL. Bioactivity-guided fractionation led to the isolation and characterization of 18 sesquiterpenoids, namely, β-elemene (1), elemyl acetate (2), curzerenone (3), 8-hydroxyisogermafurenolide (4), 2-methoxyisogermafurenolide (5), 8-epi-2-methoxyisogermafurenolide (6), furanodienone (7), 1(10)Z,4Z-furanodien-6-one (8), rel-2R-methyl-5S-acetoxy-4R-furanogermacr-1(10)Z-en-6-one (9), (1(10)E)-2-methoxy-8,12-epoxygermacra-1(10),7,11-trien-6-one (10), 2R-methoxyfuranodiene (11), 2-acetyloxyglechomanolide (12), 8-epi-2-acetyloxyglechomanolide (13), (1R,2R,4S)-1,2-epoxyfuranogermacr-10(15)-en-6-one (14), hydroxylindestrenolide (15), isohydroxylindestrenolide (16), myrrhone (17), and myrrhterpenoid O (18). Moreover, nine (nor-)triterpenoids were isolated: mansumbinol (19), mansumbinol epoxide (20), mansumbinone (21), mansumbin-13(17)-en-3,16-dione (22), 3,4-seco-mansumbinoic acid (23), rel-20S-hydroxy-dammar-24-en-3,16-dione (24), rel-(16S,20S)-dihydroxydammar-24-en-3-one (25), cycloart-24-en-1α,2α,3β-triol (26), and 3β-isovaleroyloxycycloart-24-en-1α,2α-diol (27). All compounds were identified by MS and NMR spectroscopic analyses. To the best of our knowledge, compounds 5, 6, 12, 13, 16, 18, and 20 are reported for the first time. All isolated compounds were tested in vitro for activity against P. falciparum and cytotoxicity. The sesquiterpene 7 and the triterpene 25 were the most active compounds found in this study with IC50 values of 7.4 and 2.8 µM, respectively.
Evaluation of the Reflux Symptom Index and the Endolaryngeal Findings Scale after Treatment in Individuals with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
Authors: Silva Álvaro Siqueira , Duprat André Campos , Machado Súnia Ribeiro , Melo Daniele Nahmias , Nascimento Ribeiro Dayse Kelle
Published: May 2020

Introduction Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is a prevalent condition in outpatients visiting the otorhinolaryngological clinic, with many controversies regarding its diagnosis and follow-up. Therefore, there is a need for clinical instruments that can diagnose individuals and monitor the results of their treatment.

Objective To evaluate the applicability of the scores translated and adapted to Brazilian Portuguese: Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Endolaryngeal Reflux Findings Scale (ERFS), as instruments for post-treatment follow-up of LPR.

Method A total of 35 individuals with atypical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and with an objective diagnosis of LPR, confirmed by high digestive endoscopy and 24-hour esophageal pH-metry dual probe test were submitted to the RSI and ERFS questionnaires, used in the pre- and post-treatment of 90 days with a Proton Pump Inhibitor.

Result The evaluation of RSI and ERFS in the pre- and post-treatment showed a reduction in the results of the two scores, with a higher drop in the RSI (p < 0.001) than in the ERFS (p = 0.014). Although there was an improvement in the values in 23.9% of the individuals in the ERFS, there was no change in the category (p = 0.057), different from the RSI (p < 0.001), where there was a 67.4% improvement in values, as well as change in category (score went from positive to negative). There was a correlation between RSI and ERFS, moderate in the pretreatment and strong in the post-treatment.

Conclusion The RSI and ERFS scores, when translated and adapted for Brazilian Portuguese and applied simultaneously, can be considered a good tool for post-treatment LPR follow-up.
CONCEPT MAPPING – AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO PROMOTE CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS AMONG NURSES
Authors: Nirmala T. , Shakuntala B. S.
Published: May 2020

Title: Effect of Concept Mapping in Development of Critical thinking (CT) Skills among B. Sc Nursing Students

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of concept mapping as a teaching strategy to develop critical thinking skills.

Materials and Methods: Pretest, post test control group design was used. The IV year B.Sc nursing students were included as experimental group (n=40) and control group (n=44). The experimental group was given a training to prepare nursing care plans using concept mapping. The training programme was for 12 weeks where the participants were given case study scenarios every week to prepare nursing care plans using concept map. The experimental group and control group were again assessed for the critical thinking skills. The concept maps were evaluated using scoring criteria.

Results: In the post test, there was a significant difference in the critical thinking scores of both the groups at 0.05 level. (t=2.16). A significant improvement was identified between the pretest and post test critical thinking scores of experiment group at 0.05 level (t=2.0). Comparison of concept mapping scores of the experimental group in the pretest and post test showed a highly significant difference at 0.041 level.

Conclusion: The study was able to show a significant improvement in the critical thinking skills of nursing students. However, the critical thinking scores were poor due to the high standard of the assessment tool. It is needed to develop critical thinking skill assessment tool which will suit the nursing community and further research is required to promote concept mapping as a teaching and learning strategy.
CHAOS SCIENCE & THE PARADOX IN ELECTRO CARDIOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATIONS
Authors: Kumar Arunachalam
Published: May 2020

The application of the radically and new non-linear science of 'chaos' has been slow in acceptance in the medical field; each and every diagnostic, investigative and pharmaco-therapeutic process involved in health science is dictated by direct Newtonian tenets of causeeffect and linear mathematical derivations. Exclusive and total dependence on scalar models have compartmentalized patient profiles into rigid cocoons such as age, sex, weight, height, physiological and biochemical evaluations making interventional therapeutic regimens solely dictated by our over-riding choice to use scales of convenience for every single one of our evaluation, assessment and treatment criteria.

The paradoxical and skewed results in seemingly normal processes, when viewed through 'chaos' systems, show how wrong our total reliance on scale and linear applications are! As an example of how terribly paradoxical inferences can be, I have electrocardiography, a common and widely used diagnostic process
MANAGEMENT OF COMPLETELY EDENTULOUS MAXILLARY ARCH OPPOSING NATURAL DENTITION - A CASE REPORT
Authors: D. Anupama Prasad , D. Krishna Prasad , Hegde Chethan
Published: May 2020

The present case report deals with oral rehabilitation of completely edentulous maxillary arch opposing a full complement of natural dentition prosthetically by incorporating metal denture base in place of the conventional Poly Methyl Methacrylate material to combat the masticatory forces from natural dentition and improve the longevity of the prosthetic replacement, at the same time prevent resorption of the underlying residual maxillary ridge.
A STUDY ON ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE ON PRACTICE REGARDING FIRST AID MEASURES AMONG THE SELF HELP GROUPS IN SELECTED AREAS OF MANGALORE WITH A VIEW TO DEVELOP INFORMATION MODULE
Authors: M. Deepak , Nayak Sabitha
Published: May 2020

A descriptive study was conducted to assess the knowledge on first aid measures among self help group members. The study was conducted in selected community areas of Natekal PHC. The sample for the study comprised of 100 self help group members selected by nd th purposive sampling technique. The data was collected between 2nd October 2011 and 13th November 2011 by using structured questionnaires. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study finding revealed that majority of the samples 55% were in the age group of 25-30 years, 64% were females, 44% of them were manual laborers and 39 % received information from the teaching programs, 20% from mass media 13% from friends and 17% of them do not have exposure to any source of information about the first aid practices. The results showed that majority of the samples 62% had good knowledge, and 38% had average knowledge about the first aid practice. Among the seven areas of the knowledge assessment on first aid measures the mean percentage score of the samples were highest (70%) in the area of poisoning and lowest score (28.8%) in the area of bleeding. There is no significant association between knowledge and selected demographic variables like age, educational status, membership in any social organization, occupation, place of living, and source of information other than gender.
EFFECT OF FOOT REFLEXOLOGY ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG MENOPAUSAL WOMEN IN SELECTED SCHOOLS IN MANGALORE
Authors: Pinto Preethi Cony , Paul Shynee
Published: May 2020

The study was conducted to identify the effect of foot reflexology on the quality of life among menopausal women employed in various schools from 01.08.2011 to 01.10.2011. An evaluative approach with one group pre-test post-test design was used for the study. The present study was conducted among various schools in Mangalore. The collected data from 117 samples were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Distribution of the samples based on the quality of life revealed that 78.6% had a good quality of life, 15.4% had an average quality of life and 6% had a very good quality of life. With regard to the menopausal symptoms, 55.6%, 24.8% and 19.7% experienced mild, moderate and severe symptoms respectively. 52 women with moderate to severe symptoms were selected and administered foot reflexology for 10 consecutive days. The mean post-test scores of the subjects in the quality of life was 59.43 were significantly greater than the mean pre-test score of 53.89 and the mean post-test scores in the menopausal symptoms was 16.82 which was significantly lower than the mean pre-test score of 21.82. The study also revealed a negative correlation (r= -0.653, p<0.005) between the quality of life and menopausal symptoms. There was significant association between the demographic variables and the quality of life.
A Study to Relate Sagittal Condylar Path and Horizontal Incisal Path with Bilateral Balanced Occlusion in Edentulous Subjects
Authors: D. Krishna Prasad , Prasad B. Rajendra , D. Anupama Prasad
Published: May 2020

Introduction Bilateral balanced occlusion is achieved when there is equilibrium on both sides of the prosthesis, due to the simultaneous contact of the artificial teeth in centric and eccentric occlusion. One of the areas in which research is lacking is the relation between sagittal condylar path (CP) and horizontal incisal path (IP) with optimal balanced occlusion.

Materials and Methods Semiadjustable Articulator Artex Arcon AP with Rotofix facebow, 40 µ Bosch articulating paper of red and blue color, protractor, centric and protrusive interocclusal plaster records were used for the study on 50 completely edentulous subjects. Teeth arrangement was done with optimal balanced occlusion, and the numbers of contacts were recorded in centric relation and eccentric positions. Statistical analysis was done by using student’s t test and Karl Pearson coefficient correlation.

Results The average sagittal CP was 30.38° in the age group of 40 to 55 years and 32.58° in the age group of 56 to 70 years, and the average horizontal IP was 15.79° in the age group of 40 to 55 years and 16.04° in the age group of 56 to 70 years.Statistically significant results were found between sagittal CP, horizontal IP with bilateral balanced occlusion in the age group of 40–55 years.

Conclusion Statistically significant relations were found in balanced occlusion between waxed up denture on articulator, processed denture on articulator and processed denture on articulator after selective grinding. Balanced occlusion is more predictable in a younger group of individuals.
The possessive investment in guns: towards a material, social, and racial analysis of guns
Authors: Hunter-Pazzara Brandon
Published: May 2020

In the midst of public attention to the question of racial gun violence both at the hands of vigilantes and police, this essay draws from anthropological theory on object–human relationships to reframe our understanding of racial gun violence. Following Appadurai’s (1986, 2015) attention to the “social lives” of objects and the way that objects function as both “median and materiality,” this essay argues that the demand for self-defense has altered the meaning of firearms and produced a system in which racial gun violence is normalized. Formed in three parts, the first develops a theoretical framework for thinking about the role of objects, in this case guns, in the production of social relationships. Doing so, this essay argues, allows us to take objects seriously as actors that work to produce moments of racial gun violence, as well as understand how these patterns of gun violence are the result of the mass production, distribution, and racialized marketing of the gun for the purpose of self-defense. In the second section, I utilize this framework to trace the legal, marketing, and engineering shifts that have resulted in the expansion of concealed carry laws, the development of a highly racialized marketing strategy that ties gun ownership to self-defense, and the production of smaller and more powerful pistols which now dominate the gun market. This new era of guns in American life builds from a longer history in which the gun remains central to the maintenance of the American racial order. Yet, the gun in this sense is not simply a signifier of race, but as this essay maintains, is both a material component shaping the bodily practices and cognitive capacities of gunowners, and a billion-dollar industry that has lobbied successfully to make guns more accessible and to make their use, for whites, less accountable under the law. In the final section, I undertake a rereading of the murder of Trayvon Martin, focusing on George Zimmerman’s murder weapon and the role it played both in the killing of Martin, and in sparing Zimmerman from conviction. By focusing on the role guns play in instances of racial violence and inequality, this essay demonstrates how new materialist scholarship can chart new pathways for understanding this important and timely issue.
A fractional subgrid-scale model for turbulent flows: Theoretical formulation and a priori study
Authors: Samiee Mehdi , Akhavan-Safaei Ali , Zayernouri Mohsen
Published: May 2020

Coherent structures/motions in turbulence inherently give rise to intermittent signals with sharp peaks, heavy-skirt, and skewed distributions of velocity increments, highlighting the non-Gaussian nature of turbulence. This suggests that the spatial nonlocal interactions cannot be ruled out of the turbulence physics. Furthermore, filtering the Navier–Stokes equations in the large eddy simulation of turbulent flows would further enhance the existing nonlocality, emerging in the corresponding subgrid scale fluid motions. This urges the development of new nonlocal closure models, which respect the corresponding non-Gaussian statistics of the subgrid stochastic motions. To this end and starting from the filtered Boltzmann equation, we model the corresponding equilibrium distribution function with a Lévy-stable distribution, leading to the proposed fractional-order modeling of subgrid-scale stresses. We approximate the filtered equilibrium distribution function with a power-law term and derive the corresponding filtered Navier–Stokes equations. Subsequently in our functional modeling, the divergence of subgrid-scale stresses emerges as a single-parameter fractional Laplacian, (−Δ)α(·), α ∈ (0, 1], of the filtered velocity field. The only model parameter, i.e., the fractional exponent, appears to be strictly dependent on the filter-width and the flow Reynolds number. We furthermore explore the main physical and mathematical properties of the proposed model under a set of mild conditions. Finally, the introduced model undergoes a priori evaluations based on the direct numerical simulation database of forced and decaying homogeneous isotropic turbulent flows at relatively high and moderate Reynolds numbers, respectively. Such analysis provides a comparative study of predictability and performance of the proposed fractional model.
Asymptotic behavior of stochastic discrete wave equations with nonlinear noise and damping
Authors: Wang Renhai , Li Yangrong
Published: May 2020

In this article, we study the asymptotic behavior for a class of discrete wave equations with nonlinear noise and damping defined on a k-dimensional integer set. The well-posedness of the system is established when the nonlinear drift function and the nonlinear diffusion term are only locally Lipschitz continuous. The mean random dynamical system associated with the non-autonomous system is shown to possess a unique tempered weak pullback mean random attractor in L2(Ω,F,ℓ2×ℓ2). The existence of invariant measures for the autonomous system is also derived by using the Krylov–Bogolyubov method. The difficulty in proving the tightness of a family of distribution laws of the solutions is overcome by using the idea of uniform estimates on the tails of solutions.
Ab initio study of structure and electrical conductivity of warm dense oxygen
Authors: Fu Zhijian , Jia Lijun , Long Xiaoxia , Xia Jihong , Xiao Xuyang , Li Yang , Zhang Wei , Li Zhiguo
Published: May 2020

Using quantum molecular dynamics simulations, the equation of state and electrical conductivity of warm dense oxygen is calculated in the density and temperature ranges of 2.0–4.3 g/cm3 and 103–105 K, respectively. The simulations show that the dissociation of oxygen molecules at about 2000 K and 2.6 g/cm3 reaches 89%, and complex clusters form with increasing temperature and density. The dissociation of oxygen molecules significantly affects the electrical conductivity. The electrical conductivity of warm dense oxygen is greater than 105 S/m at pressures above 20 GPa and the oxygen is metallic, and then the electrical conductivity weakly dependent on pressure, up to 200 GPa. The density of states of liquid oxygen indicates conduction-state electron behavior in the warm dense matter regime.
New method for bubble/slug velocity measurement in small channels
Authors: Tang Xiao-Yu , Huang Junchao , Ji Haifeng , Wang Baoliang , Huang Zhiyao
Published: May 2020

Based on the C4D technique and cross correlation velocity measurement technique, a new method for bubble/slug velocity measurement of the gas–liquid two-phase flow in small channels is proposed. A new C4D sensor, which is suitable for the parameter measurement of the gas–liquid two-phase flow in small channels, is developed by introducing the principle of capacitive reactance elimination. With two new C4D sensors, a bubble/slug velocity measurement system is developed, and the bubble/slug velocity is determined by the cross correlation velocity measurement technique. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed bubble/slug velocity measurement method, three prototypes of bubble/slug velocity measurement systems with different diameters (1.82 mm, 2.65 mm, and 2.96 mm, respectively) were established, and the bubble/slug measurement experiments were carried out. The research results show that the capacitive reactance elimination is an effective way to overcome the unfavorable influence of the coupled capacitances on measurement results. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method can successfully realize the bubble/slug velocity measurement in small channels, and the velocity measurement accuracy is satisfactory. For the three prototypes of the bubble/slug velocity measurement system, the maximum relative errors of the bubble/slug velocity measurement are all less than 5%.
Distinct subtypes of inhibitory interneurons differentially promote the propagation of rate and temporal codes in the feedforward neural network
Authors: Gwak Jeongheon , Kwag Jeehyun
Published: May 2020

Sensory information is believed to be encoded in neuronal spikes using two different neural codes, the rate code (spike firing rate) and the temporal code (precisely-timed spikes). Since the sensory cortex has a highly hierarchical feedforward structure, sensory information-carrying neural codes should reliably propagate across the feedforward network (FFN) of the cortex. Experimental evidence suggests that inhibitory interneurons, such as the parvalbumin-positive (PV) and somatostatin-positive (SST) interneurons, that have distinctively different electrophysiological and synaptic properties, modulate the neural codes during sensory information processing in the cortex. However, how PV and SST interneurons impact on the neural code propagation in the cortical FFN is unknown. We address this question by building a five-layer FFN model consisting of a physiologically realistic Hodgkin–Huxley-type models of excitatory neurons and PV/SST interneurons at different ratios. In response to different firing rate inputs (20–80 Hz), a higher ratio of PV over SST interneurons promoted a reliable propagation of all ranges of firing rate inputs. In contrast, in response to a range of precisely-timed spikes in the form of pulse-packets [with a different number of spikes (α, 40–400 spikes) and degree of dispersion (σ, 0–20 ms)], a higher ratio of SST over PV interneurons promoted a reliable propagation of pulse-packets. Our simulation results show that PV and SST interneurons differentially promote a reliable propagation of the rate and temporal codes, respectively, indicating that the dynamic recruitment of PV and SST interneurons may play critical roles in a reliable propagation of sensory information-carrying neural codes in the cortical FFN.
Formation mechanism and application of a three-dimensional pattern in dielectric barrier discharge system
Authors: Yu Guanglin , Dong Lifang , Guo Liting , Liu Fucheng , Li Caixia , Dou Yaya , Ren Chenhua , Pan Yuyang
Published: May 2020

We report a continuous three-dimensional pattern with the symmetry of D2h in dielectric barrier discharge by introducing surface discharges (SDs) with a specially designed device for the first time. From the front view, it consists of dark spots and bright bars, which correspond to the conventional volume discharge (VD) and novel VD. Different from the conventional VD, the novel VD bends through three gas gaps and discharges multiple times per half-voltage-cycle, which results from the complex interaction between the VD and SD. By using this device, three surfaces of the sample inserted between electrodes are processed simultaneously, which greatly improves the plasma processing efficiency.
Carbon ablator areal density at fusion burn: Observations and trends at the National Ignition Facility
Authors: Meaney K. D. , Kim Y. , Geppert-Kleinrath H. , Herrmann H. W. , Berzak Hopkins L. , Hoffman N. M. , Cerjan C. , Landen O. L. , Baker K. , Carrera J. , Mariscal E.
Published: May 2020

For inertial confinement fusion experiments, the pusher is composed of a high-density deuterium tritium cyrogenic fuel layer and an ablator, often made of carbon. In an ideal, no-mix implosion, increasing the areal density of the pusher transfers more pressure to the hot spot and increases the hot spot confinement time. There has been a lack of knowledge about the final compressed state of the ablator for implosions at the National Ignition Facility. 14 MeV fusion neutrons inelastically scattering on the remaining carbon ablator excites a nuclear metastable state that emits a prompt 4.4 MeV gamma ray. The gamma reaction history diagnostic data, when reduced by a new data analysis technique, can isolate and measure the carbon gamma rays, which are proportional to the areal density of the ablator during fusion burn. The trends over many National Ignition Facility campaigns show that the ablator areal density is weakly sensitive to the maximum shell velocity, the cold fuel radius, the ablator mass remaining, or the laser picket intensity. Controlled parameter scans reveal that, for specific campaigns, ablator compression has a strong dependence on laser coast time, high Z dopants, and the laser drive foot duration. Using a model of the compressed ablator density profile reveals that the greatest variation of the ablator areal density comes from its thickness, with highly compressed, thin layers having high areal density values. The compression and thickness of the ablator are other metrics that designers should understand to differentiate the types of capsule degradation and maximize the inertial confinement fusion performance.
Quantitative evaluation of enhanced Er luminescence in GaAs-based two-dimensional photonic crystal nanocavities
Authors: Ogawa M. , Tatebayashi J. , Fujioka N. , Higashi R. , Fujita M. , Noda S. , Timmerman D. , Ichikawa S. , Fujiwara Y.
Published: May 2020

We evaluate the enhancement of Er luminescence coupled to two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal (PC) nanocavities by means of photoluminescence measurements and numerical simulations. L3 PC nanocavities are utilized for characterization and evaluation, with GaAs:Er,O grown by low-pressure organometallic vapor phase epitaxy as the active layer. Optical characterization at room temperature demonstrates a 5.8-fold enhancement of Er luminescence due to coupling to the cavity mode of the 2D-PC nanocavities. This enhancement of Er luminescence is supported by a finite-difference time domain simulation where an enhancement of 4.1 times is found, which is in reasonable agreement with the observed experimental results. These results pave the way toward understanding the interaction between cavity modes in PC nanocavities and luminescence from rare-earth elements.
Periodic solutions and complicated dynamics in network congestion control systems with state-dependent round-trip delays and non-smooth dropping probability
Authors: Wang Shuo , Pei Lijun
Published: May 2020

In this paper, the harmonic balance method with the alternating frequency/time (HB-AFT) domain technique is extended to the dynamical systems with state-dependent delays and non-smooth right-hand side for the first time. Two types of network congestion control models [the modified transmission control protocol-random early detection (TCP-RED) model and the fluid-flow TCP-additive increase multiplicative decease (AIMD)/RED model] with state-dependent round-trip time delays and non-smooth right-hand side are considered in detail. First, their dynamics and bifurcation are analyzed by the numerical analysis method. Then, the analytical approximate expressions of the periodic solutions are obtained by employing the semi-analytical method named as HB-AFT. The results of the numerical simulation and HB-AFT agree with each other very well. It indicates that the HB-AFT technique is simple, valid, effective, and accurate for the non-smooth dynamical systems with state-dependent time delays. Besides, more complicated and rich dynamical phenomena, such as period-2 solution, period-3 solution, chaos and the period-doubling bifurcation, and the window of period-3 solution, which lead to chaos, are explored in the TCP-AIMD/RED model. Moreover, two different kinds of multi-stabilities, such as the coexistence of a stable period-1 solution, a stable period-3 solution, and an asymptotically stable equilibrium, and that of a stable period-1 solution, a stable period-2 solution, chaos, and an asymptotically stable equilibrium, are also discovered in the TCP-AIMD/RED congestion control model. It discloses that the interaction of the state-dependent delay and non-smooth function can easily induce the richer and more complicated dynamics. It can explain the complicated dynamical phenomena in the Internet network. Thus, the control and parameters tuning based on the above results could be used to avoid the congestion and optimize the performance. It can give the theoretical guidance to the application and research in network congestion control, which is very important in practical application.
Effect of honeycomb porous plate on critical heat flux in saturated pool boiling of highly concentrated artificial seawater
Authors: Fogaça Wilton , Mori Shoji
Published: May 2020

To enhance the reliability of in-vessel retention techniques during a nuclear power plant hazard, the viability of seawater as a coolant to flood the reactor pressure vessel was investigated. Pool boiling of distilled water, 3.5 wt. % artificial seawater, and 7.0 wt. % highly concentrated artificial seawater was performed on a 30-mm-diameter Cu bare surface (BS) with a honeycomb porous plate (HPP). The results revealed an increase in the critical heat flux (CHF) with both artificial seawater solutions, on the BS, when compared with distilled water. The improvement of surface wettability by sea salt deposits was assumed as the main reason for the improvement. A significant enhancement in the CHF was achieved with distilled water and 3.5 wt. % artificial seawater owing to the capillary properties of HPP and the separation of the liquid and vapor phases near the heated surface. When the HPP was employed with 7.0 wt. % highly concentrated artificial seawater, the performance did not improve. Although experiments with a honeycomb solid plate suggested that a high concentration of sea salt can clog the micropores in the HPP walls, resulting in loss of its capillary properties, highly concentrated artificial seawater still presented a better performance than distilled water in all cases investigated.
Anisotropic diffusion in Cyphochilus white beetle scales
Authors: Lee Seung Ho , Han Sang M. , Han Sang Eon
Published: May 2020

Cyphochilus white beetles possess an exceptional ability to scatter visible light from their scales, which have anisotropic nanofibrillar network structures. We discover a striking effect that diffusely incident light on the beetle scales is preferentially channeled sideways and scattered backward on the average after traversing a vertical distance corresponding to only two scattering events. For normally incident light, the scattering is only slightly forward, resulting in close proximity between two optical characteristic lengths: scattering mean free path (1.78 µm) and effective transport mean free path (1.85 µm). We have used effective transport mean free path to properly describe the scattering strength in anisotropic random media. For improved description of light scattering in beetle scales, we apply complete solutions to the anisotropic diffusion equation, where the solution approach made use of optical boundary layer theory. Our method enables highly accurate determination of mean free paths and extrapolation length in the white beetle scales.
Forming self-pulsing plasma into a 3D continuous pattern
Authors: Frank Jodi Ackerman
Published: May 2020

A new technique within a dielectric barrier discharge system enables the pattern formation.
Passive acoustic switch allows for sound wave control without complex electronics
Authors: Bandari Anashe
Published: May 2020

Using a moving diaphragm connected to shunt circuits, acoustic transmission can be manipulated in a passive design.
A basis-set error correction based on density-functional theory for strongly correlated molecular systems
Authors: Giner Emmanuel , Scemama Anthony , Loos Pierre-François , Toulouse Julien
Published: May 2020

We extend to strongly correlated molecular systems the recently introduced basis-set incompleteness correction based on density-functional theory (DFT) [E. Giner et al., J. Chem. Phys. 149, 194301 (2018)]. This basis-set correction relies on a mapping between wave-function calculations in a finite basis set and range-separated DFT (RSDFT) through the definition of an effective non-divergent interaction corresponding to the electron–electron Coulomb interaction projected in the finite basis set. This enables the use of RSDFT-type complementary density functionals to recover the dominant part of the short-range correlation effects missing in this finite basis set. To study both weak and strong correlation regimes, we consider the potential energy curves of the H10, N2, O2, and F2 molecules up to the dissociation limit, and we explore various approximations of complementary functionals fulfilling two key properties: spin-multiplet degeneracy (i.e., independence of the energy with respect to the spin projection Sz) and size consistency. Specifically, we investigate the dependence of the functional on different types of on-top pair densities and spin polarizations. The key result of this study is that the explicit dependence on the on-top pair density allows one to completely remove the dependence on any form of spin polarization without any significant loss of accuracy. Quantitatively, we show that the basis-set correction reaches chemical accuracy on atomization energies with triple-ζ quality basis sets for most of the systems studied here. In addition, the present basis-set incompleteness correction provides smooth potential energy curves along the whole range of internuclear distances.
Pressure distribution and eddies at the periphery of a drop about to shed due to water shear-flow
Authors: Mahato Lukesh Kumar , Mandal Deepak Kumar
Published: May 2020

The physics behind the formation of eddies and their effect on an oil drop about to shed due to water shear flow are investigated. The velocities at the frontal periphery of the drop are measured after visualizing the flow and compared with those obtained numerically. A good comparison is observed. It is found that for oleophilic surfaces, two eddies are formed at the back of the drop, while no eddies are formed at the front side. One eddy at the front and three eddies at the rear are observed for drops shedding from oleophobic surfaces. The observations are the same for both experimental and numerical analyses. Eddies, velocity variation, and peripheral pressure distribution are found to be closely related. The pressure distribution along the periphery is studied. The pressure coefficient and the drag coefficient are observed to be higher for drops shedding from the oleophobic surface than from the oleophilic surface for a given volume. Therefore, less critical velocity is necessary for the drop to shed. The velocity variation along the frontal area is responsible for the drag applied. The drag coefficient is observed to increase with the volume. The formation of various eddies and the distribution of pressure along the drop periphery are responsible for the increase in drag coefficient. The pressure drag is observed to be dominant over the viscous drag for all volumes tested. A novel topology is proposed to explain the observations.
Simulation and measurement of image charge detection with printed-circuit-board detector and differential amplifier
Authors: Rozsa Jace , Song Yixin , Webb Devon , Debaene Naomi , Kerr Austin , Gustafson Elaura L. , Caldwell Tabitha , Murray Halle V. , Austin Daniel E. , Chiang Shiuh-hua Wood , Hawkins Aaron R.
Published: May 2020

We present a novel and thorough simulation technique to understand image charge generated from charged particles on a printed-circuit-board detector. We also describe a custom differential amplifier to exploit the near-differential input to improve the signal-to-noise-ratio of the measured image charge. The simulation technique analyzes how different parameters such as the position, velocity, and charge magnitude of a particle affect the image charge and the amplifier output. It also enables the designer to directly import signals into circuit simulation software to analyze the full signal conversion process from the image charge to the amplifier output. A novel measurement setup using a Venturi vacuum system injects single charged particles (with diameters in the 100 s of microns range) through a PCB detector containing patterned electrodes to verify our simulation technique and amplifier performance. The measured differential amplifier presented here exhibits a gain of 7.96 µV/e− and a single-pass noise floor of 1030 e−, which is about 13× lower than that of the referenced commercial amplifier. The amplifier also has the capability to reach a single-pass noise floor lower than 140 e−, which has been shown in Cadence simulation.
First and second order rotational transitions of skyrmion crystal in multiferroic Cu2OSeO3 under electric field
Authors: Wan Xuejin , Hu Yangfan , Wang Biao
Published: May 2020

We investigate the electric-field-induced rotations of a skyrmion crystal (SkX) in multiferroic Cu2OSeO3. We perform our analysis within a free energy model that incorporates both the exchange anisotropy and the fourth order magnetocrystalline anisotropy, and both the deformation and rotation of SkX are taken into account. We find that for a background magnetic field along the direction [110], (i) electric fields out of the (11¯0) plane lead to continuous rotations of SkX, which explains the experiments [White et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 107203 (2014)] and (ii) electric fields in the (11¯0) plane may lead to 30° rotations of SkX. Our results provide an understanding of manipulation of SkX by the electric field, which may contribute to the applications of skyrmion-based spintronic devices without Joule heating energy losses.
Electron spin resonance spectroscopy with femtoliter detection volume
Authors: Ranjan V. , Probst S. , Albanese B. , Schenkel T. , Vion D. , Esteve D. , Morton J. J. L. , Bertet P.
Published: May 2020

We report electron spin resonance measurements of donors in silicon at millikelvin temperatures using a superconducting LC planar micro-resonator and a Josephson parametric amplifier. The resonator includes a nanowire inductor, defining a femtoliter detection volume. Due to strain in the substrate, the donor resonance lines are heavily broadened. Single-spin to photon coupling strengths up to ∼3 kHz are observed. The single shot sensitivity is 120 ± 24 spins/Hahn echo, corresponding to ≈12±3 spins /Hz for repeated acquisition.
Resolution-of-the-identity second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory with complex basis functions: Benchmark calculations and applications to strong-field ionization of polyacenes
Authors: Hernández Vera Mario , Jagau Thomas-C.
Published: May 2020

We study the performance of the resolution-of-the-identity (RI) approximation for complex basis functions that we recently introduced [M. Hernández Vera and T.-C. Jagau, J. Chem. Phys. 151, 111101 (2019)] for second-order Møller–Plesset (MP2) perturbation theory as well as for the Coulomb and exchange contributions in Hartree–Fock theory. The sensitivity of this new RI-MP2 method toward the basis set and the auxiliary basis set is investigated, and computation times are analyzed. We show that the auxiliary basis set can be chosen purely real, that is, no complex-scaled functions need to be included. This approximation enables a further speedup of the method without compromising accuracy. We illustrate the application range of our implementation by computing static-field ionization rates of several polyacenes up to pentacene (C22H18) at the RI-MP2 level of theory. Pronounced anisotropies are observed for the ionization rates of these molecules.
Probing the network topology in network-forming materials: The case of water
Authors: Formanek Maud , Martelli Fausto
Published: May 2020

Rings statistic has been widely used to investigate the network topology in numerically simulated network-forming materials in order to rationalize their physical and mechanical properties. However, different topologies arise depending on how rings are counted, leading to incomplete or even contrasting physical interpretations. Solving this critical ambiguity is of primary importance for the correct assessment of material properties. Here, we show how such differences emerge in water, a complex network-forming material endowed with polyamorphism and a directional network of hydrogen bonds whose topology is correlated with the anomalous behavior of water. We probe the network in the liquid state at several thermodynamic points under equilibrium conditions, as well as during the out-of-equilibrium first-order-like low density to high density amorphous transformation. We study three schemes for counting rings and show that each of them provides complementary insightful information about the network, suggesting that a single counting scheme may not be sufficient to properly describe network topologies and to assess material properties. Our results provide a molecular description of the rings in supercooled water and of the amorphous-to-amorphous transformation kinetics, hence shedding light on the complex nature of water. Nonetheless, our results expose how delicate the proper choice of method for counting rings is, an issue with important consequences for rationalizing the properties of network-forming materials at large.
Excited state dynamics of cis,cis-1,3-cyclooctadiene: Non-adiabatic trajectory surface hopping
Authors: Chakraborty Pratip , Liu Yusong , Weinacht Thomas , Matsika Spiridoula
Published: May 2020

We have performed trajectory surface hopping dynamics for cis,cis-1,3-cyclooctadiene to investigate the photochemical pathways involved after being excited to the S1 state. Our calculations reveal ultrafast decay to the ground state, facilitated by conical intersections involving distortions around the double bonds. The main distortions are localized on one double bond, involving twisting and pyramidalization of one of the carbons of that double bond (similar to ethylene), while a limited number of trajectories decay via delocalized (non-local) twisting of both double bonds. The interplay between local and non-local distortions is important in our understanding of photoisomerization in conjugated systems. The calculations show that a broad range of the conical intersection seam space is accessed during the non-adiabatic events. Several products formed on the ground state have also been observed.
Integral-equation approach to resonances in circular two-layer flows around an island with bottom topography
Authors: Rabinovich Michael
Published: May 2020

This paper presents an integral-equation approach to the linear instability problem of two-layer quasi-geostrophic flows around circular islands with radial offshore bottom slope. The flows are composed of concentric uniform potential-vorticity (PV) rings in each layer, with the PV of each ring being opposite in sign. The study extends an earlier similar barotropic model and focuses on the degree to which the topographic waves resonate with the deformation waves at the rings’ peripheries. The integral approach poses the instability problem in a physically elucidating way, whereby the resonating waves in the system are directly identified. Four types of instabilities are identified: instability caused by the resonance of waves at the liquid contours at the edge of each PV ring, instability caused by the resonance of the wave at the upper-layer contour and the topographic waves outside the lower-layer contour, a similar resonance of the lower-layer contour with the topographic waves, and a resonance between one of the eigenmodes of the contour subsystem with the topographic waves. The three latter resonances lead to critical layer instabilities and can be identified as resonances between the contour waves and a collection of singular topographic modes with a critical layer. The PV perturbations in the outer region can be represented asymptotically (far from the origin) as a combination of barotropic and baroclinic modes. Usually, the asymptotically barotropic mode is the mode in resonance with the contours, but, for small growth rates, the asymptotically baroclinic mode may be the dominant mode.
Ostrowski type inequalities involving conformable integrals via preinvex functions
Authors: Khurshid Yousaf , Adil Khan Muhammad , Chu Yu-Ming
Published: May 2020

In this research article, we use preinvex functions to develop Ostrowski type inequalities for conformable integrals. First, we aim for an identity linked with the Ostrowski inequality. We obtain several results of Ostrowski type inequalities for conformal integrals by using some well-known inequalities, preinvexity, and the derived identity.
The three agent demoting prefixes (ki-, m-u-, kur-) in Katripul Puyuma
Authors: Teng Stacy Fang-ching
Published: May 2020

This paper discusses the origins and possible grammaticalization pathways of three agent demoting prefixes in
Katripul Puyuma, ki-, m-u- and kur-. All three morphemes can attach to both
nominal and verbal stems. When they attach to nominal stems, they denote the meaning of ‘get’, ‘go’, and ‘reflexive’,
respectively, and when they attach to verbal stems, they express situation types that are often associated with the middle domain
(Kemmer 1993). Working from the perspective of grammaticalization, this paper
traces the origins and possible development of the three named morphemes, with supporting evidence drawn from cognates of other
Formosan languages.