bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supported Ni nanoparticles with a phosphine ligand as an efficient heterogeneous non-noble metal catalytic system for regioselective hydrosilylation of alkynes
Authors: Wang Hongli , Huang Yongji , Wang Xinzhi , Cui Xinjiang , Shi Feng
Published: September 2020

A convenient and effective heterogeneous non-noble metal catalytic system for regioselective hydrosilylation of alkynes was successfully developed by the combination of Ni/Al2O3 with a xantphos ligand.
Functionalization of spiro[fluorene-9,9′-xanthene] with diketopyrrolopyrrole to generate a promising, three-dimensional non-fullerene acceptor
Authors: Hundal Amanpreet Kaur , Ali Salman , Jameel Mohammed , Jones Lathe , Kaur Navneet , Evans Richard A. , Li Jing-Liang , Langford Steven J. , Gupta Akhil
Published: September 2020

A three-dimensional, non-planar, non-fullerene acceptor (SFX1) ITO/PEDOT:PSS (38 nm)/active layer (∼75 nm)/Ca (20 nm)/Al (100 nm) PCE (PTB7 : SFX1 1 : 1.2) = 9.42%.
trans-Hydroboration–oxidation products in Δ5-steroids via a hydroboration-retro-hydroboration mechanism
Authors: Hilario-Martínez J. Ciciolil , Murillo Fernando , García-Méndez Jair , Dzib Eugenia , Sandoval-Ramírez Jesús , Muñoz-Hernández Miguel Ángel , Bernès Sylvain , Kürti László , Duarte Fernanda , Merino Gabriel , Fernández-Herrera María A.
Published: September 2020

A trans-product is isolated and characterized under traditional hydroboration–oxidation conditions using Δ5-steroids as substrates. Experimental and theoretical studies indicate that the trans-species occurs via a retro-hydroboration mechanism.
Copper-mediated peptide arylation selective for the N-terminus
Authors: Miller Mary K. , Wang Haopei , Hanaya Kengo , Zhang Olivia , Berlaga Alex , Ball Zachary T.
Published: September 2020

The discovery of unique Chan-Lam coupling reactivity of arylboronic acids containing an ortho-sulfonamide group allows site-specific tailoring of peptide structure.
Towards efficient discovery of green synthetic pathways with Monte Carlo tree search and reinforcement learning
Authors: Wang Xiaoxue , Qian Yujie , Gao Hanyu , Coley Connor W. , Mo Yiming , Barzilay Regina , Jensen Klavs F.
Published: September 2020

A new MCTS variant with a reinforcement learning value network and solvent prediction model proposes shorter synthesis routes with greener solvents.
Spatially resolved electrochemiluminescence through a chemical lens
Authors: Fiorani Andrea , Han Dongni , Jiang Dechen , Fang Danjun , Paolucci Francesco , Sojic Neso , Valenti Giovanni
Published: September 2020

A versatile mechanism based on a chemical lens to control the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) spatial distribution is presented. Changing the buffer capacity modifies the rate of ECL reactions, and therefore the thickness of the ECL-active layer.
Preservice Education in Augmentative and Alternative Communication: An Update
Authors: DeJarnette Katherine M. , Wegner Jane R.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This survey sought to gather information from graduate programs in speech-language pathology concerning their preservice education in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The results were compared to similar previous surveys to identify improvements, continued challenges, and common barriers in providing preservice education in AAC.

Method

Two hundred fifty-one program directors, department chairs, clinical directors, and faculty members of Council on Academic Accreditation graduate programs in speech-language pathology were surveyed to explore the characteristics of preservice education in AAC.

Results

A total of 85 survey responses were received for a 33.8% return rate. Data revealed that there has been a general trend toward an increase in the number of graduate programs that offer coursework in AAC, the number of graduate students who are receiving knowledge and skills in AAC, and the number of students who obtain clinical experiences in AAC. However, results indicate that graduate programs in speech-language pathology continue to face barriers in providing comprehensive preservice education in AAC. Specifically, these barriers included limited funding, lack of faculty members with expertise in AAC, access to AAC systems and technologies, and time constraints. Results from this study may be helpful in addressing said barriers in future practice.

Conclusions

Graduate programs in speech-language pathology have improved their preservice education in AAC over the past 10 years. Survey responses indicate a continued need for improvement in clinical experiences, funding, and an increase in the number of faculty members with expertise in AAC.
Emerging Therapies and Approaches to Treat and Prevent Hearing Loss
Authors: Koleilat Alaa , Driscoll Colin L. W. , Schimmenti Lisa A. , Poling Gayla L.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

More than 460 million people are impacted by disabling hearing loss worldwide. Hearing loss has negative impacts across the life span and varies by individual. Specifically, in children, hearing loss has been shown to affect learning outcomes, behavioral and cognitive growth, and psychosocial development. In adults, hearing loss has been shown to affect quality of life, social isolation, depression, and anxiety. The purpose of this review is to advance the understanding of the latest research in the development of new treatments of hearing loss, including gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and pharmacotherapies. We address the use of animals to model human hearing loss and the importance of animals in previous discoveries and developing new therapies. We highlight the importance of early identification for better speech and developmental outcomes specifically in pediatric individuals. Lastly, we review new possibilities in the prevention of hearing loss and the path to translation into practice.

Conclusions

Research and development of new therapies to treat hearing loss is an ever growing field with many notable successes. However, clinical translation still poses many challenges. Many discoveries related to gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and pharmacotherapy are in the early phases of clinical trials and hold promise. This review empowers audiologists to be aware of these most recent developments and be conscious of the evolving future landscape of treatment and management of hearing loss.
Semi-parametric estimation of the variogram scale parameter of a Gaussian process with stationary increments
Authors: Azaïs Jean-Marc , Bachoc François , Lagnoux Agnès , Nguyen Thi Mong Ngoc
Published: September 2020

We consider the semi-parametric estimation of the scale parameter of the variogram of a one-dimensional Gaussian process with known smoothness. We suggest an estimator based both on quadratic variations and the moment method. We provide asymptotic approximations of the mean and variance of this estimator, together with asymptotic normality results, for a large class of Gaussian processes. We allow for general mean functions, provide minimax upper bounds and study the aggregation of several estimators based on various variation sequences. In extensive simulation studies, we show that the asymptotic results accurately depict the finite-sample situations already for small to moderate sample sizes. We also compare various variation sequences and highlight the efficiency of the aggregation procedure.
Calcitriol Effect on Outcomes of in Vitro Fertilization in Infertile
Women with Vitamin D Deficiency: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical
Trial
Authors: Doryanizadeh Leila , Morshed-Behbahani Bahar , Parsanezhad Mohammad Ebrahim , Dabbaghmanesh Mohammad Hossein , Jokar Azam
Published: September 2020

Introduction Recent studies have addressed the role of micronutrients in
fertilization, such as vitamin D. The present study aims to explore the effects
of using calcitriol, an active form of vitamin D, on IVF results in women with
vitamin D deficiency.

Method This double-blinded randomized clinical trial was done on 180
infertile women, undergone IVF treatment. Out of them, 95 were found to have
vitamin D deficiency (blood serum 25-dihydroxy vitamin D <30
ng/ml). Fifty one women in experimental group were treated with two 0.25
µg calcitriol pills daily during 4 weeks (discontinued 8 hours prior to
the embryo transfer) and 44 subjects to the placebo group (mean vitamin D
deficiency 27.5 ±1.8 in case group vs. 27.6±1.8 in control
group, P>0.05). Final analysis includes outcomes of chemical and
clinical pregnancy was done on 74 women (including 36 in case and 38 in control
group).

Results Our study showed that in the experimental group, chemical
pregnancy success was significantly higher than that in the control group, 31.4
vs. 18.2% (P<0.05). However, there were no significant
differences between the 2 groups in reaching the clinical pregnancy stage
(25.5% in case group vs. 13.6% in control group) and
continuation of pregnancy into week 20 (9.8% in case group vs.
11.6% in control group) (P>0.05).

Conclusion Calcitriol administration by improving the implantation
process can significantly increase the chances of successful IVF cycle results
in infertile women with vitamin D deficiency.
Sensomotorische Schuheinlagen – Wirkprinzipien und Evidenz
Authors: Ranker Alexander
Published: September 2020

Sensomotorische Einlagen stimulieren die Afferenzen und haben so Einfluss auf die Aktivität der Muskulatur. Doch ist diese Behauptung durch Evidenz belegt? Zumindest bei ausreichend hohen Pelotten und in Kombination mit einem propriozeptiven Training scheinen sie die posturale Kontrolle positiv beeinflussen zu können.
Decreasing Posterior Femoral Condyle Offset Improves Intraoperative Correction of Flexion Contracture in Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Leie Murilo Anderson , Klasan Antonio , Yeo Wei Wang , Misso Dylan , Coolican Myles
Published: September 2020

Multiple intraoperative strategies are described to achieve full extension in total knee arthroplasty, but only a few studies have assessed the effect of the flexion gap on intraoperative improvement in flexion contracture. The aim of this study was to determine whether posterior condylar offset, in isolation, independently affects extension at the time of total knee arthroplasty.

Two hundred and seventy-eight patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty for knee osteoarthritis and flexion contracture ≥ 5 degrees between January 2008 and July 2018 were included in this study. Patients with other factors that could affect knee extension at the time of surgery were excluded. We recorded the thickness of posterior femoral condyle bone resected as well as the thickness of the posterior femoral component chosen for each patient. Patients' knee extension was recorded under anesthetic, prior to resection and intraoperatively after total knee replacement.

Average thickness of bone resection for the posteromedial femur was 12.64  ± 1.65 mm and for the posterolateral femur was 10.38  ± 1.52 mm. Using a linear regression model, we found that changes in posterior offset and implant downsizing influenced correction of fixed flexion deformity at the time of surgery. When patients had a combined posteromedial and posterolateral offset 2 mm thinner than the thickness of bone resected, there was an average correction of 3.5 degrees of flexion contracture.

Our study demonstrated that posterior femoral condyle offset is an independent variable affecting correction of flexion contracture at the time of surgery in a gap balanced cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty. This is a level IV evidence study.
Managing Diabetes in the COVID-19 Era: Focus on COVID-19 Safe Clinics, Telemedicine, and Diabetes Self-Management
Authors: Palui Rajan , Pramanik Subhodip , Ray Arindam , Gupta Uttio , Siddhanta Sattik , Dutta Deep
Published: September 2020

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 is a dreaded pandemic that is going to persist, and diabetic people with poor glycemic control are at high risk of complications and death from it. Social distancing being the only way to prevent infection spread, it is very difficult to continue usual clinic-based diabetes care. So, in this review, we focus to discuss safe clinic practice recommendations, scope of telemedicine in care of follow-up patients, and diabetes self-management that every individual with diabetes needs to follow. These issues will be of utmost important as we need to understand and implement personal and social hygiene in a better way even in post lockdown period.
Kinematically Aligned Total Knee Arthroplasty Did Not Show Superior Patient-Reported Outcome Measures: An Updated Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials with at Least 2-Year Follow-up
Authors: Hiyama Shuhei , Takahashi Tsuneari , Takeshita Katsushi
Published: September 2020

Kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty (KATKA) was developed to improve the anatomical alignment of knee prostheses, assisting in restoring the native alignment of the knee and promoting physiological kinematics. Early clinical results were encouraging, showing better functional outcomes than with mechanically aligned total knee arthroplasty (MATKA). However, there have been concerns about implant survival, and follow-up at 10 years or more has not been reported. In addition, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing KATKA with MATKA have reported inconsistent results. The current meta-analysis of RCTs with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up investigated the clinical and radiological differences between KATKA and MATKA. A systematic review of the English language literature resulted in the inclusion of four RCTs. The meta-analysis found no significant difference in any of the following parameters: postoperative range of motion for flexion (mean difference for KATKA − MATKA [MD], 1.7 degrees; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.4 to 4.8 degrees; p = 0.29) and extension (MD, 0.10 degrees; 95% CI, −0.99 to 1.2 degrees; p = 0.86); Oxford Knee Score (MD, 0.10 points; 95% CI, −1.5 to 1.7 points; p = 0.90); Knee Society Score (MD, 1.6 points; 95% CI, −2.8 to 6.0 points; p = 0.49); and Knee Function Score (MD, 1.4 points; 95% CI, −4.9 to 7.8 points; p = 0.66). In addition, there was no significant difference between KATKA and MATKA in the rate of complications requiring reoperation or revision surgery (odds ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.25–4.09; p = 0.99) or in the length of hospital stay (MD, 1.0 days; 95% CI, −0.2 to 2.2 days; p = 0.092). KATKA did not increase the number of patients with poor clinical results due to implant position, particularly for varus placement of the tibial component. In this meta-analysis based on four RCTs with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up, KATKA were only relevant to cruciate retaining TKA and could not be extrapolated to posterior stabilized TKA. Patient-reported outcome measures with KATKA were not superior to those with MATKA.
Strength enhancement of nanocrystalline tungsten under high pressure
Authors: Yang Jing , Deng Wen , Li Qiang , Li Xin , Liang Akun , Su Yuzhu , Guan Shixue , Wang Junpu , He Duanwei
Published: September 2020

Three tungsten powder samples—one coarse grained (c-W; grain size: 1 µm–3 µm) and two nanocrystalline (n-W; average grain sizes: 10 nm and 50 nm)—are investigated under nonhydrostatic compression in a diamond anvil cell in separate experiments, and their in situ X-ray diffraction patterns are recorded. The maximum microscopic deviatoric stress in each tungsten sample, a measure of the yield strength, is determined by analyzing the diffraction line width. Over the entire pressure range, the strength of tungsten increases noticeably as the grain size is decreased from 1 µm–3 µm to 10 nm. The results show that the yield strength of tungsten with an average crystal size of 10 nm is around 3.5 times that of the sample with a grain size of 1 µm–3 µm.
Dispersal potential in two restricted and five wide-ranging Senecio (Asteraceae) taxa from central eastern New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Mickaill Lily N. N. , Bell Stephen A. J. , Beranek Chad T.
Published: September 2020

Knowledge on how life history traits affect distribution in range-restricted and endemic plants is paramount for conservation and management, particularly for threatened species. Traits relating to dispersal ability are important in the ongoing persistence of range restricted species and may present a pathway to extinction or invasion. This is evident in the highly diverse and cosmopolitan genus Senecio (Asteraceae), where both threatened and invasive species occur within Australia. In this study, propagule geometry, settling velocity and dispersal potential for two range-restricted and threatened native taxa (S. linearifolious var. dangarensis Belcher ex I.Thomps., S. spathulatus var. attenuatus I.Thomps.) are contrasted with four native taxa that occupy wider ranges (S. amygdalifolius F.Muell., S. l. var. arachnoideus I.Thomps., S. l. var. macrodontus (DC.) I.Thomps., S. pinnatifolius A.Rich. var. pinnatifolius) and one introduced, wide-ranging species (S. madagascariensis Poir.). Differences were found in settling velocity and propagule morphology across all taxa. Based on propagule morphology, S. amygdalifolius has the greatest dispersal potential, S. spathulatus var. attenuatus the smallest, whereas all other taxa were similar. Although useful, dispersal potential alone does not fully explain distributional differences between all range-restricted and widespread taxa, and close assessment of habitat attributes may be required to further elucidate dispersal limitations in some taxa.
The segmental phonetics and phonology of Hyow, A Tibeto-Burman language of Bangladesh
Authors: Zakaria Muhammad
Published: September 2020

This paper presents a description and analysis of segmental phonetics and phonology of Hyow, a Tibeto-Burman language spoken by almost 4,000 people in the southeast of Bangladesh. Hyow demonstrates phonological features which are absent in other Chin languages of the Tibeto-Burman branch. Proto Kuki-Chin initial voiceless nasals are not only preserved in Mara and Central Chin languages (Van Bik 2009: 220), but also in Hyow. Unlike other Southern Chin languages, Hyow final liquids are sometimes preserved or developed into central approximants. In fact, final liquids are preserved in Bangladesh Hyow, and in two varieties of Laitu – Keyni and Myebon – and Laisaw in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. The salient and prevalent phonological process of re-syllabification in Hyow demonstrates that the glottal stop cannot be treated as a phonetic property of the coda-cluster sonorants, which is otherwise treated as glottalized in some Chin languages by scholars, e.g. Hakha Lai (Hyman & Van Bik 2002: 114). Hyow does not show a phonemic contrast between long and short vowels which is very often found in Chin languages. Though Mainland Southeast Asian Languages are profoundly known for having sesquisyllables or reduced syllables, in Hyow, vowels of initial syllables of disyllabic words carrying grammatical morphemes are harmonized with vowels of root-initial syllables, which confirms the absence of such type of reduced syllables in Hyow. The phonological description and analysis in this paper are furthermore supported by phonetic data and illustrations. Discussions of variant phonetic realizations of certain segments have also been included.
Information structure and intonational accent in Burmese
Authors: Ozerov Pavel
Published: September 2020

It tends to be assumed that tonal languages do not make use of intonational tones and accent location for the purpose of conveying information structural aspects of the utterance. This study of read-aloud stories in colloquial Burmese shows that this tonal language does resort to this sort of intonational means for information-structuring reasons. The prosody of Burmese exhibits identifiable intonational patterns, which function on the level of accentual phrases. An accentual phrase constitutes the basic prosodic unit, and it is there that we find the real interaction of information structure, intonation and tone. Accentual phrases are organised around a single accent, the location of which depends on information structural factors. Sentences can consist of a single accentual phrase or a few phrases, while the exact partition into such phrases is also motivated by information- and discourse-structuring considerations.
The psychosocial perspective on immigration: an introduction (La perspectiva psicosocial de la inmigración: una introducción)
Authors: Navas Marisol
Published: September 2020

In recent decades, there have been an increasing number of notable contributions from social psychology to the study of immigration, one of the major social problems and challenges of the twenty-first century with important consequences for both the displaced persons and the host societies. Social psychology has studied immigration using a classic majority-minority paradigm, considering the host societies’ view of immigrants and the immigrants’ own standpoints. This monograph brings together studies from both perspectives, applying different theoretical and methodological approaches and examining priority avenues of research in the adult and adolescent population in different countries and settings.
Controllable Modulation to Quantum Well States on β-Sn Islands
Authors: Wang Ze-Rui , Zhao Chen-Xiao , Wang Guan-Yong , Qin Jin , Xia Bing , Yang Bo , Guan Dan-dan , Wang Shi-Yong , Zheng Hao , Li Yao-Yi , Liu Can-hua , Jia Jin-Feng
Published: September 2020

We investigate the surface structure and electronic properties of β-Sn islands deposited on a graphitized 6H-SiC (0001) substrate via low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. Owing to the confinement of the island geometry, quantum well states (QWSs) are formed, manifesting as equidistant peaks in the tunneling spectra. Furthermore, a distinct strip feature appears on the surfaces of odd-layer Sn islands, ranging from 15–19 layers, which is not present on the surfaces of even-layer Sn islands. The spatial distribution of strips can be modified by applying a bias pulse, using an STM tip. Furthermore, the strip-like structure shows significant impacts on the QWS. An energy splitting of the lowest unoccupied QWSs is observed in strip regions; this may be ascribed to caused the phase shift of the wave functions of the QWSs on the top surface, due to surface distortions created by the aforementioned strips.
Accuracy in atomic and molecular data
Authors: Drake G W F
Published: September 2020

Uncertainty estimates have long been a standard part of experimental physics, but the same has not been true on the theoretical side. However, the culture is now changing, and it is becoming more common to include uncertainty estimates in theoretical calculations of atomic and molecular properties. This tutorial paper discusses the progress that has been made in assessing the accuracy of both theory and experiment in a wide variety of circumstances, ranging from the most fundamental measurements of atomic properties such as the electron anomalous magnetic moment and the proton size puzzle in the hydrogen atom to uncertainty estimates for two- and three-electron atoms (helium and lithium), for many-electron atoms and for electron–atom scattering processes. This is followed by a discussion of uncertainties for molecules, and especially the recent remarkable progress for

H

2

+

and H2 treated as full three- and four-body problems without the use of the Born–Oppenheimer approximation. The paper includes a discussion of variational methods and the Hylleraas–Undheim–MacDonald theorem, which guarantees variational bounds for excited states as well as for the ground state. This leads naturally to a discussion of the use of pseudostates to perform perturbation sums over intermediate states, and a demonstration calculation for the polarizability of hydrogen. The results of well-defined uncertainty estimates have important implications for both the search for new physics beyond the standard model from high-precision measurements, and for the application of theoretical atomic and molecular data to plasma physics and to astrophysics.
Enhancement of multiatom non-classical correlations and quantum state transfer in atom-cavity-fiber system*
Authors: He Qi-Liang , Sun Jian , Song Xiao-Shu , Xiao Yong-Jun
Published: September 2020

Taking the advantage of “parity kicks” pulses, we investigate the non-classical correlation dynamics and quantum state transfer in an atom–cavity–fiber system, which consists of two identical subsystems, each subsystem comprising of multiple two-level atoms trapped in two remote single-model optical cavities that are linked by an optical fiber. It is found that the non-classical correlations and the fidelity of quantum state transfer (between the atoms) can be greatly improved by the parity kicks pulses. In particular, with decrease of the time intervals between two consecutive pulses, perfect non-classical correlation transfer and entangled state transfer can be achieved.
Tunable ponderomotive squeezing in an optomechanical system with two coupled resonators*
Authors: Wu Qin
Published: September 2020

We investigate properties of the ponderomotive squeezing in an optomechanical system with two coupled resonators, where the tunable two-mode squeezing spectrum can be observed from the output field. It is realized that the squeezing orientation can be controlled by the detuning between the left cavity and pump laser. Especially, both cavity decay and environment temperature play a positive role in generating better pondermotive squeezing light. Strong squeezing spectra with a wide squeezing frequency range can be obtained by appropriate choice of parameters present in our optomechanical system.
Enhanced vibrational resonance in a single neuron with chemical autapse for signal detection*
Authors: He Zhiwei , Yao Chenggui , Shuai Jianwei , Nakano Tadashi
Published: September 2020

Many animals can detect the multi-frequency signals from their external surroundings. The understanding for underlying mechanism of signal detection can apply the theory of vibrational resonance, in which the moderate high frequency driving can maximize the nonlinear system’s response to the low frequency subthreshold signal. In this work, we study the roles of chemical autapse on the vibrational resonance in a single neuron for signal detection. We reveal that the vibrational resonance is strengthened significantly by the inhibitory autapse in the neuron, while it is weakened typically by the excitatory autapse. It is generally believed that the inhibitory synapse has a suppressive effect in neuronal dynamics. However, we find that the detection of the neuron to the low frequency subthreshold signal can be improved greatly by the inhibitory autapse. Our finding indicates that the inhibitory synapse may act constructively on the detection of weak signal in the brain and neuronal system.
Snapback-free shorted anode LIGBT with controlled anode barrier and resistance*
Authors: Li Shun , Zhang Jin-Sha , Chen Wei-Zhong , Huang Yao , He Li-Jun , Huang Yi
Published: September 2020

A novel shorted anode lateral-insulated gate bipolar transistor (SA LIGBT) with snapback-free characteristic is proposed and investigated. The device features a controlled barrier V
barrier and resistance R
SA in anode, named CBR LIGBT. The electron barrier is formed by the P-float/N-buffer junction, while the anode resistance includes the polysilicon layer and N-float. At forward conduction stage, the V
barrier and R
SA can be increased by adjusting the doping of the P-float and polysilicon layer, respectively, which can suppress the unipolar mode to eliminate the snapback. At turn-off stage, the low-resistance extraction path (N-buffer/P-float/polysilicon layer/N-float) can quickly extract the electrons in the N-drift, which can effectively accelerate the turn-off speed of the device. The simulation results show that at the same V
on of 1.3 V, the E
off of the CBR LIGBT is reduced by 85%, 73%, and 59.6% compared with the SSA LIGBT, conventional LIGBT, and TSA LIGBT, respectively. Additionally, at the same E
off of 1.5 mJ/cm2, the CBR LIGBT achieves the lowest V
on of 1.1 V compared with the other LIGBTs.
The oldest extant tropical peatland in the world: a major carbon reservoir for at least 47 000 years
Authors: Ruwaimana Monika , Anshari Gusti Z , Silva Lucas C R , Gavin Daniel G
Published: September 2020

Tropical peatlands in Southeast Asia cover ∼25 million hectares and exert a strong influence on the global carbon cycle. Recent widespread peatland subsidence and carbon dioxide emissions in response to human activity and climate change have been well documented, but peatland genesis remains poorly understood. Unlike coastal peatlands that established following sea-level stabilization during the mid-Holocene, inland peatlands of Borneo are little studied and have no apparent environmental constraint on their formation. Here, we report radiocarbon dates from the Upper Kapuas Basin which show inland peat formation since at least 47.8 thousand calibrated radiocarbon years before present, ka. We provide a synthesis of new and existing peat basal dates across Borneo, which shows a hiatus in peat genesis during a cool and dry period from 30 to 20 ka. Despite likely peat degradation during that period, the Upper Kapuas is still exceptionally deep, reaching a maximum depth (determined from coring) of 18 m. Our best estimate of mean peat depth over 3833 km2 of the Upper Kapuas is 5.16 ± 2.66 m, corresponding to a carbon density of 2790 ± 1440 Mg C ha−1. This is one of the most carbon-dense ecosystems in the world. It withstood the glacial-interglacial climate transition and remains mostly intact, but is increasingly threatened by land-use change.
Superfluidity and coherence in uniform dipolar binary Bose mixtures
Authors: Boudjemâa Abdelâali
Published: September 2020

We investigate the superfluidity and the coherence in dipolar binary Bose mixtures using the hydrodynamic approach. Useful analytical formulas for the excitation spectra, the first-order correlation function, the static structure factor, and the superfluid fraction are derived. We find that in the case of highly imbalanced mixture, the superfluidity can occur in the dilute component only at extremely low temperatures. The behavior of the first-order correlation function for both dipolar and nondipolar Bose mixtures is deeply analyzed. Then we face the two-dimensional case which encodes a non-trivial physics due to the roton modes.
Diffusive search for a stochastically-gated target with resetting
Authors: Bressloff Paul C
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we analyze the mean first passage time (MFPT) for a single Brownian particle to find a stochastically-gated target under the additional condition that the position of the particle is reset to its initial position
x

0 at a rate r. The gate switches between an open (absorbing) and closed (reflecting) state according to a two-state Markov chain and can only be detected by the searcher in the open state. One possible example of such a target is a protein switching between different conformational states. As expected, the MFPT with or without resetting is an increasing function of the fraction of time ρ
0 that the gate is closed or reflecting. However, the interplay between stochastic resetting and stochastic gating has non-trivial effects with regards the optimization of the search process under resetting. First, by considering the diffusive search for a gated target at one end of an interval, we show that the ratio Δ(r) = T(r)/T(0), where T(r) is the MFPT at a resetting rate r, exhibits a non-monotonic dependence on ρ
0 even though T(r) and T(0) increase monotonically with ρ
0. In particular, the value of Δ(r) at the optimal resetting rate (when it exists) decreases with ρ
0 up to some critical value, after which it increases and eventually approaches unity. Second, in the case of a spherical target in

R

d

, the dependence of the MFPT on the spatial dimension d is significantly amplified in the presence of stochastic gating.
The statistical foundation of entropy in extended irreversible thermodynamics
Authors: Hong Liu , Qian Hong
Published: September 2020

In the theory of extended irreversible thermodynamics (EIT), the flux-dependent entropy function plays a key role; it is a fundamental distinction between EIT and the usual flux-independent entropy function adopted by classical irreversible thermodynamics (CIT). However, its existence, as a prerequisite for EIT, and its statistical origin have never been justified. In this work, by studying the macroscopic limit of an ϵ-dependent Langevin dynamics, which admits a large deviations (LD) principle, we show that the stationary LD rate functions of probability density p

ϵ
(x, t) and joint probability density

p

ϵ

(

x
,

x

̇

,
t

)

actually turn out to be the desired flux-independent entropy function in CIT and flux-dependent entropy function in EIT respectively. The difference of the two entropy functions is determined by the time resolution for Brownian motions times a Lagrangian, the latter arises from the LD Hamilton–Jacobi equation and can be used for constructing conserved Lagrangian/Hamiltonian dynamics.
Brightening of spin- and momentum-dark excitons in transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Feierabend Maja , Brem Samuel , Ekman August , Malic Ermin
Published: September 2020

Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have been in focus of current research, among others due to their remarkable exciton landscape consisting of bright and dark excitonic states. Although dark excitons are not directly visible in optical spectra, they have a large impact on exciton dynamics and hence their understanding is crucial for potential TMD-based applications. Here, we study brightening mechanisms of dark excitons via interaction with phonons and in-plane magnetic fields. We show clear signatures of momentum- and spin-dark excitons in WS2, WSe2 and MoS2, while the photoluminescence of MoSe2 is only determined by the bright exciton. In particular, we reveal the mechanism behind the brightening of states that are both spin- and momentum-dark in MoS2. Our results are in good agreement with recent experiments and contribute to a better microscopic understanding of the exciton landscape in TMDs.
Manipulation of DNA transport through solid-state nanopores by atomic force microscopy
Authors: Si Wei , Yang Haojie , Wu Gensheng , Chen Chang , Yu Meng
Published: September 2020

To realize DNA sequencing by a solid-state nanopore, the translocation speed of DNA through the nanopore should be slowed down to obtain the temporal resolution. In this study, we make a nanopore sensing system integrated with an atomic force microscope to control DNA transport through solid-state nanopores. The speed of DNA bound to the probe tip through the nanopore can be controlled by manipulating AFM probe tip, the ionic current as well as the force exerted on DNA strand while it is translocating through the nanopore could be simultaneously measured by the integrated system. The velocity of DNA molecules could be slowed down to ∼100 nm s−1, much less than 1 nt ms−1, which fully meets the requirement for nanopore DNA sequencing. When the probe tip is moving toward or away from the nanopore, obvious current steps associated with force steps are observed during the capturing and releasing processes of DNA strands. All-atom molecular dynamics simulation further validates the observed correlation between the ionic current and dragging force when the DNA is moving through the nanopore.
Influence of heat treatments on microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of Inconel 625 overlay cladded using PTIG
Authors: Guo Longlong , Xiao Fei , Wang Fan , Wei Wenlan , He Yutian , Luo Foshu
Published: September 2020

The influence of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) temperatures on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of Inconel 625 overlay cladded using pulsed tungsten insert gas (PTIG) was studied. The microstructure observation shows that as welded Inconel 625 overlay exhibits notable difference in grains morphology and size, and some precipitates, such as laves phase and MC phase, are distributed in the interdendritic zone. With an increase in PWHT temperature, equiaxed dendrites transform to columnar dendrites, and the overall difference in the microstructure decreases gradually. Compared with the as welded overlay, the size and number of the precipitates for the overlay heat treated at 650 °C shows very slight change. When the PWHT temperature increases to 750 °C, δ phase precipitates with the dissolving of laves phase. The number of δ phase increases clearly, and its size coarsens obviously with a further increasing PWHT temperature. Tensile tests indicate that there is a slight increase in the yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS), but a decrease in elongation with the raise of PWHT temperature, which is no greater than 750 °C. Conversely, when the PWHT temperature beyond 750 °C, the YS and UTS decrease, the elongation increases slightly. Corrosion tests in the environment containing H2S and CO2 reveal that the Inconel 625 overlay heat treated at 650 °C exhibits superior corrosion resistance than that of other temperatures. Whereas, with an increase in PWHT temperature, the corrosion resistance degenerates seriously for the formation of δ phase.
NoPeak: k-mer-based motif discovery in ChIP-Seq data without peak calling
Authors: Menzel Michael , Hurka Sabine , Glasenhardt Stefan , Gogol-Döring Andreas
Published: September 2020

Motivation

The discovery of sequence motifs mediating DNA-protein binding usually implies the determination of binding sites using high-throughput sequencing and peak calling. The determination of peaks, however, depends strongly on data quality and is susceptible to noise.

Results

Here, we present a novel approach to reliably identify transcription factor-binding motifs from ChIP-Seq data without peak detection. By evaluating the distributions of sequencing reads around the different k-mers in the genome, we are able to identify binding motifs in ChIP-Seq data that yield no results in traditional pipelines.

Availability and implementation

NoPeak is published under the GNU General Public License and available as a standalone console-based Java application at https://github.com/menzel/nopeak.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Cyber conflict or democracy “hacked”? How cyber operations enhance information warfare
Authors: Whyte Christopher
Published: September 2020

Are cyber-enabled information warfare (IW) campaigns uniquely threatening when compared with traditional influence operations undertaken by state actors? Or is the recent “hacking” of Western democracies simply old wine in new—but fundamentally similar—bottles? This article draws on classical theories of democratic functionality from the political science and communications studies fields to deconstruct the aims and effects of cyber-enabled IW. I describe democracies as information systems wherein the moderating functions of democratic discourse and policy deliberation rely on robust mechanisms for asserting the credibility, origination, and quality of information. Whereas the institutions of democracy are often compromised in ways that force failures of the system’s moderating dynamics, influence operations in the digital age act to subvert the traditional mechanisms of democratic functionality in new ways. Sophisticated digital age information operations create a multifaceted attribution challenge to the target state that amounts to unprecedented uncertainty about the nature and scope of the threat. However, the promise of cyber-enabled IW capabilities emerges more from the rewiring of modern democratic information environments around new media platforms than it does from the cyber conflict faculties of state actors. Rather, cyber operations act as an adjunct modifier of IW abilities that allow belligerent governments to secure new sources of private information, to divert attention from other pillars of IW campaigns, to compromise the capabilities of domestic counterintelligence assets and to tacitly coerce important members of society.
Improving vulnerability remediation through better exploit prediction
Authors: Jacobs Jay , Romanosky Sasha , Adjerid Idris , Baker Wade
Published: September 2020

Despite significant innovations in IT security products and research over the past 20 years, the information security field is still immature and struggling. Practitioners lack the ability to properly assess cyber risk, and decision-makers continue to be paralyzed by vulnerability scanners that overload their staff with mountains of scan results. In order to cope, firms prioritize vulnerability remediation using crude heuristics and limited data, though they are still too often breached by known vulnerabilities for which patches have existed for months or years. And so, the key challenge firms face is trying to identify a remediation strategy that best balances two competing forces. On one hand, it could attempt to patch all vulnerabilities on its network. While this would provide the greatest ‘coverage’ of vulnerabilities patched, it would inefficiently consume resources by fixing low-risk vulnerabilities. On the other hand, patching a few high-risk vulnerabilities would be highly ‘efficient’, but may leave the firm exposed to many other high-risk vulnerabilities. Using a large collection of multiple datasets together with machine learning techniques, we construct a series of vulnerability remediation strategies and compare how each perform in regard to trading off coverage and efficiency. We expand and improve upon the small body of literature that uses predictions of ‘published exploits’, by instead using ‘exploits in the wild’ as our outcome variable. We implement the machine learning models by classifying vulnerabilities according to high- and low-risk, where we consider high-risk vulnerabilities to be those that have been exploited in actual firm networks.
461 AMOUNTS OF FAT AND PROTEIN CONSUMPTION ARE HIGHER, BUT OF POLYUNSATURATED FATS LOWER IN CHILDREN WITH GERD COMPARED TO CONTROLS
Authors: Morozov S , Borodina G , Nikityuk D
Published: September 2020

In contrast to adults, characteristic features of diet in children with GERD are not widely studied. Still, they may play an important role in pathogenesis of the disease and are important from the viewpoint of possible non-pharmacological treatment.

The aim of the study was to compare the rates of nutrients consumption in children and adolescents with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) compared to the control group without the disease.

Methods

Based on symptom evaluation and esophageal pH-impedance recordings patients were allocated on to GERD and control groups. All patients underwent esophagogastroscopy. Levels of nutrients consumption were assessed with the use of food frequency questionnaire in the regard to the presence of the disease, oesophagitis, and z-score body mass index (BMI).

Results

Data of 219 children and adolescents were available for the final analysis. Energy values of the rations and amount of fat consumption were higher in the GERD group compared to the control when rations were compared according to z-score BMI. In contrast to nonerosive form of GERD, patients with erosive esophagitis consumed more protein (percentage deviation from the recommended daily allowance Me [25%;75%]): 14.3 (11.07; 19.1) % vs 8.5 (6.71; 14.1) %, total fat 36.8 (12.5; 75.5) % versus 16.9 (10.1; 17.9) %, and less polyunsaturated fats −54.3 (−73.4; −47.7) % vs −45.6 (−56.2; −33.1) %, P < 0.05.

Conclusion

The rations of children with GERD are characterized by higher calorie values and larger amounts of fat intake compared to the control group in the regard to z score BMI. Low dietary fibre consumption is additional factor associated with GERD in children with excessive weight and obesity. Compared to nonerosive GERD, higher intake of energy, protein, and total fat and lower of polyunsaturated fats revealed in patients with GERD with erosive esophagitis.
506 TO STUDY THE CLINICAL IMPACT AND PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF TUMOR INFILTRATING LYMPHOCYTES IN ESOPHAGEAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA
Authors: Uma Baskaran N , M A , Rajendiran S
Published: September 2020

Esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of death due to cancer worldwide, of which Esophageal Squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most prevalent type.

The presence of Tumour Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) in a tumour indicates a good prognosis of the cancer following immunotherapy.

Numeral immunological inhibitors have been developed to treat a variety of cancers, however the role of TILs in ESCC has not been substantiated with proper evidence.

Methods

The study enrolled 27 patients of ESCC between the years 2014–2019.The evaluation was based on the criteria laid down by the International TILs Working Group 2014 (recorded in percentage based on the area of stromal compartment invaded by the mononuclear inflammatory cells). Scoring was done in 400x field as follows:

Score 0- No infiltrating lymphocytes.

Score 1- Mild increase in infiltrating lymphocytes in the tumour nest or stroma.

Score 2- Increase in infiltrating lymphocytes interwoven with the tumour tissue.

Score 3- Prominent infiltrating lymphocytes incorporated in the tumour tissue.

Results

A total of 27 cases were studied, of which 17 were males (63%) and 10 were females (37%). The commonest age group was 60–70 years (12 cases- 44.4%). 22 cases had tumours sized between 3-7 cm (81.4%).

pT1–1 case (0.03%).

pT2–10 cases (37.03%).

pT3–16 cases (59.25%).

TILs were further scored based on the standard scoring system, and the results were as follows:

Score 0 in 3 cases (11.11%).

Score 1 in 14 cases (51.8%).

Score 2 in 4 cases (14.8%).

Score 3 in 6 cases (22.22%).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the commonest score of 1 was seen in 51.8% of the cases and that of score 3 was seen in 22.22% of the cases. Tumour Infiltrating Lymphocytes can hence serve as a predictor for good prognosis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma following surgery or radiotherapy/chemotherapy.