bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research of the variable natural potential of the wind and energy energy in the northern strip of the ukrainian carpathians
Authors: Tryhuba Anatoliy , Bashynsky Oleg , Garasymchuk Ihor , Gorbovy Oleg , Vilchinska Dariia , Dubik Viktor
Published: March 2020

The expediency of studying the varying potential of wind and solar energy in the northern strip of the Ukrainian Carpathians is substantiated. The technique of conducting experiments to determine the natural potential of wind and solar energy is proposed and a model for determining the relative volumes of electricity generation by wind farms and solar electrical installations is developed. Based on the conducted research, according to the Drohobych meteorological station, an energy assessment of wind and solar energy resources in the northern strip of the Ukrainian Carpathians was performed. It is substantiated that the theoretical curves of distribution of wind velocity in separate quarters of the year in the territory of the northern strip of the Ukrainian Carpathians are described by the Weibull distributions. Based on the calculations, it is established that the highest total daily solar radiation is in the summer months. Daily graphs of the relative generation of electricity by wind farms and solar electric installations have been constructed. The expediency of formation of combined systems of energy supply of objects from wind and solar energy in the northern strip of the Ukrainian Carpathians has been established. The substantiated patterns of change in the natural potential of wind and solar energy, as well as the graphs of the relative generation of electricity from them, will significantly speed up managerial decisions and improve their quality.
Application possibilities of blockchain technology in the energy sector
Authors: Zielińska Anna
Published: March 2020

Blockchain is a block chain technology that makes it possible to send and store information in a distributed way, creating a decentralized data register. The article presents the applications of blockchain technology in the field of power engineering, among others for use in the area of settlements on the electricity market. The work shows the possibilities of using and using block chains to describe the purchase and sale, generation and management of electricity. The work describes aspects of technology that allow partial or complete decentralization of the process. The article also shows how such transactions could be carried out automatically and without supervision - giving certainty of pre-established rules, rules and assumptions.
Individual heat generation to sustainable development in local scale
Authors: Kaczmarczyk Michał , Sowiżdżał Anna , Tomaszewska Barbara
Published: March 2020

The problem of air pollution, resulting from the occurrence of so-called low emission concerns many localities in Poland and Europe. The main reasons for such a situation is burning of fuels for central heating and domestic hot water in buildings, as well as the burning of fuels in the transport sector. It should be noted that in the case of building heat management, frequently this is the result of a lack of access to the heating and gas network. This is one of the reasons hindering sustainable development opportunities. The article presents calculations of combustion products emissions into the atmosphere (TSP, CO, NOx, SOx,) from individual heat sources in households for the commune which does not have the above mentioned infrastructure. The purpose of the analysis was to present the environmental impact of changes in the structure of heat generation and improvement of the effectiveness of the devices used. In addition, the proposed calculation model can be used by municipalities, allowing the assessment of ecological effects of undertaken actions.
Reviews of Research on Mechanical Fault Diagnosis in GIS
Authors: Cai Yuqi , Jin Liang
Published: March 2020

Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) has been widely used in recent years due to their advantages of small floor area, high reliability and good safety. It has arised a series of problems. At present, researchers at home and abroad have done more in-depth research on insulation fault, but research on mechanical fault is insufficient. Firstly, this paper reviews the research status of mechanical fault detection technology in GIS at home and abroad. Secondly, the aspect of the principles of mechanical fault in GIS, fault judgment and location technology, and early fault prediction and status evaluation in GIS were summarized. Finally, the paper prospected the future research direction on this basis.
Sensitivity analysis of the model of tuberculosis
Authors: Petrova Irina , Gromov Dmitry
Published: March 2020

In this contribution, a sufficiently simple, yet realistic model of TB propagation and control is studied in detail. We compute the controlled basic reproduction numberR0(uB,uD) for the extended model including the action of two types of controls and analyze the sensitivity ofR0(uB,uD) with respect to both controls following the recently devised approach. It is shown that the computed sensitivity coefficients admit a clear epidemiological interpretation and can be used in assessing the efficacy of the respective types of intervention.
Brownian dynamics simulation of cytochrome c diffusion and binding with cytochrome c1 in mitochondrial crista
Authors: Abaturova Anna M. , Brazhe Nadezda A. , Kovalenko Ilya B. , Riznichenko Galina Yu , Rubin Andrei B.
Published: March 2020

Cytochrome c (Cc) protein shuttles electrons from respiratory chain complex III — from cytochrome c1 (Cc1) subunit — to complex IV during oxidative phosphorylation, in intermembrane space of mitochondria and cristae lumen. With Leigh syndrome (LS), the crista lumen width (CLW) increases, and ATP production declines. One of the questions raised by this situation is to find out how ATP production impairs at LS. Using the simulation of Brownian dynamics, we tested whether the increase in CLW declines respiration at the stage of electron transport of Cc to Cc1. We designed a Brownian dynamics model of horse Cc diffusion and binding with bovine Cc1 in solution by the ProKSim software. The values of the model parameters were estimated to obtain the same dependence of the second-order association rate constant on the ionic strength as in the experiment [1]. Estimated values of the model parameters were used in the model of the reaction in the cristae lumen. The model scene was a parallelepiped. The distance between the two surfaces simulated crystal membranes varied. We received increasing of half-life time of Cc diffusion and binding with Cc1 at increasing CLW. For membrane surface 90Åx100Å (close to the membrane size of complex III), the half-life time of the process changed from 0.098 to 0.22 µs with increasing cristae lumen width from 120 to 160 Å. But due to the half-life time of electron transfer between proteins in the complex, estimated in [1], is higher (100.5µs), the overall time shouldn’t change. To simulate impair of ATP production in the model with an increase in the crista lumen width, we probably need to add to the model IV complex and take into account the dimerization defect of ATP synthase.
Toward a European bioeconomic transition: is a soft shift enough to challenge hard socio-ecological issues?
Authors: Béfort Nicolas , de Fouchécour Florence , de Rouffignac Aliénor , Holt Christopher A. , Leclère Margot , Loth Teddy , Moscoviz Roman , Pion Florian , Ruault Jean-François , Thierry Marina
Published: March 2020

The bioeconomy is under tension regarding its function: a transition lever based on an in-depth transformation of its production modes regarding the use of renewable resources, or a possibly green growth lever in maintained modes of production. This contribution to the debate identifies three leads to develop bioeconomy as means of organizing the sustainable transition to sustainable production modes through a renewed approach to territories, new relations regarding the exploitation of nature, and the development of new knowledge bases under sustainability constraints.
Mucites : une prise en charge basée sur la preuve
Authors: Fricain J.C.
Published: March 2020

Les mucites sont des inflammations muqueuses secondaires à un traitement anticancéreux : radiothérapie, chimiothé- rapie, thérapie ciblée. Les mucites se développent sur l’ensemble du tractus digestif, de la bouche à lanus. La sévérité des mucites orales conditionne lalimentation et par conséquent le pronostic de la maladie. Le traitement des mucites orales reste très dépendant des centres doncologie et des habitudes locales. L’objectif de cette présentation est de faire un état des lieux des connaissances actuelles sur les mucites et de leurs traitements en mettant en exergue les données de médecine basée sur la preuve de ce domaine thérapeutique.
Fermeture de communication bucco-sinusienne par autogreffe osseuse
Authors: Amroun S. , Zouari Y. , Bouattour A.
Published: March 2020

Introduction: les moyens thérapeutiques de gestion des communications bucco-sinusiennes s’intéressent souvent à la fermeture muqueuse de celles-ci. Rares sont les interventions qui corrigent le défaut osseux sous-jacent. Ce dernier rend difficile toute réhabilitation implantaire dans le même secteur. Il est présenté ici, à travers un cas clinique, une alternative de gestion d’une CBS et du défaut osseux associé. Et ceci grâce à une greffe osseuse autogène impactée, sans utilisation de matériel d’ostéosynthèse. Observation : le patient de 50 ans, non-fumeur, s’est présenté en consultation pour des écoulements purulents récurrents. Ces derniers sont apparus deux ans auparavant, entretenus par une communication bucco-sinusienne post extractionnelle. Bien que la communication en elle-même mesurait 1cm de grand axe sur 4mm de large (au niveau muqueux), le défaut osseux sous-jacent atteignait 13mm de grand axe sur 10mm de large. Après l’étude clinique et radiolographique rigoureuse de cette CBS, une impaction d’un greffon osseux tubérositaire autogène suivie d’une fermeture muqueuse hermétique ont été réalisées. La prise d’un greffon de forme similaire au défaut, mais de volume légèrement supérieur, a permis de fixer la greffe par impaction. Discussion: la littérature offre une large palette de technique de gestion des communications bucco-sinusiennes. La plus répandue et la plus prédictible est l’utilisation d’un lambeau vestibulaire tracté, avec ou sans traction de corps adipeux de la joue. Dans le cas décrit ici, la présence d’un édentement distal en extension du secteur concerné offrait une large possibilité de prélèvement osseux tubérositaire. Le traitement choisi a atteint ses objectifs, aussi bien sur le plan muqueux qu’osseux. Des signes de consolidation osseuse du greffon impacté ont été constatés à l’imagerie CBCT à 3 mois. Ce support osseux a permis une cicatrisation muqueuse satisfaisante, avec la présence suffisante de gencive attachée. La réhabilitation implantaire et pré-implantaire peut donc être envisagée. Conclusion : dans la gestion des communications bucco-sinusiennes, le choix de la technique opératoire détermine les possibilités de réhabilitations prothétiques ultérieures. La technique présentée peut être une alternative intéressante. En effet, le traitement prothétique, fixe ou amovible, sera toujours plus efficient avec un support osseux maxillaire reconstruit.
Avulsion d’une dent surnuméraire incluse par découpe puis repositionnement de l’épine nasale antérieure
Authors: Gossart R. , Favre de Thierrens C. , Torres J.H. , Fauroux M.A.
Published: March 2020

Les avulsions de dents incluses sont d’une pratique courante. Le plus fréquemment, le dégagement osseux n’a pas de conséquences. Dans certains cas, il peut poser problème, s’il concerne un futur site d’implantation ou des structures anatomiques spécifiques, notamment dans le prémaxillaire (Sukegawa et al. Case Rep Dent. 2015; 2015: 974169). Pour ces situations, la piézochirugie apparait comme une technique peu invasive puisque la découpe est plus fine et plus précise qu’avec les instruments rotatifs (Pavlıékovaé et al. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2011 40:451-7). De plus, le fait de découper un volet puis de le repositionner en fin d’intervention constitue un moyen de préserver le volume osseux. Le cas rapporté est celui d’une avulsion d’un mesiodens par découpe puis repositionnement de l’épine nasale antérieure. Une jeune fille de 13 ans a été adressée par son orthodontiste pour avulsion d’un mesiodens avant prise en charge ODF. Un examen cone beam a précisé la position de cet odontoïde. D’une morphologie évoquant une incisive conoïde, la dent surnuméraire se présentait en position verticale ; sa couronne faisait saillie dans les fosses nasales, sous le vomer, et sa racine était en arrière de celles des incisives centrales. Lors d’une intervention menée sous anesthésie générale, l’ENA a été découpée par piézochirugie (incision en V de part et d’autre du plan médian) et luxée vers le haut, sans décollement de la muqueuse nasale. L’odontoïde a été sectionné au collet. Sa couronne d’abord puis sa racine ont été avulsées. Enfin, l’ENA a été repositionnée et fixée par une vis d’ostosynthèse positionnée légèrement en biais. Les suites ont été bonnes. La vis d’ostéosynthèse a été déposée un an plus tard. L’avulsion de cette dent, profondément incluse, par les techniques conventionnelles utilisant des instruments rotatifs aurait entraîné un délabrement important. Compte tenu de la situation inversée de l’axe de la dent, il aurait été difficile de la retirer par un abord palatin. De plus, son axe vertical compliquait la séparation couronne-racine, qui n’aurait été possible que par un accès nasal. Le choix d’une technique conservatrice de l’os (découpe puis repositionnement) semblait judicieux dans la mesure où il autorisait une bonne exposition du site et le morcellement cervical de la dent, tout en épargnant le volume osseux. Le fait de ne pas avoir décollé la muqueuse palatine a probablement contribué à la trophicité et la cicatrisation de l’ENA repositionnée. Les opérateurs ont pris le soin de ne pas placer la vis d’ostéosynthèse dans la suture entre les deux parties droite et gauche de l’ENA, afin de ne pas risquer de séparer ces deux os. Ce cas illustre une technique minimalement invasive qui a permis l’avulsion d’une dent surnuméraire profondément incluse en position verticale inversée, sans entraîner de lésion des dents voisines ni de la muqueuse nasale, tout en préservant le volume osseux de l’ENA.
5 years of experience with DIBH (Deep inspiration breath-hold) combined with SGRT (Surface-Guided Radiation Therapy) in left-sided breast cancer
Authors: Steffal Claudia , Schratter-Sehn Annemarie U. , Brinda-Raitmayr Karin , Kann Thomas , Mailat Daniela , Reiterer Jochen , Tremmel Günther
Published: March 2020

Background Radiation treatment to the left breast is associated with increased cardiac morbidity as well as mortality. Deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) technique with Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) could have dosimetric advantages over the free breathing technique (NB, normal breathing) in cardiac (heart and LAD) and ipsilateral lung sparing in patients with left-sided breast cancer after surgery. Therefore this technique was implemented in 2013 at the institute of radiooncology at the KFJ/SMZ-South – Hospital Vienna.

Methods From Oct 2013 – December 2018 548 patients were referred to radiotherapy following conservative operation of left-sided invasive breast cancer. All patients gave their informed consent and underwent training sessions for the DIBH-technique independent of age or breathing activity or respiratory disorders. Patients who turned out to be unfit for DIBH were enrolled for NB. The relative reduction in Dmean heart and left lung dose was compared between the two cohorts. Acute radiation induced side effects were classified according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/The European Organisation for Research (RTOG) 37; late toxicity rates according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE Version 4.03)

Results The median age of the DIBH-patients was 58 years (27–90), of the NB-patients 65 (30–80) years. Follow-up was obtained until June 2019. The median follow-up was 52 months (range 7–73 m). The average coverage of Dmean left lung was 6.91 Gy (1.44 Gy – 12.4 Gy). The average coverage of Dmean heart was 1.17 Gy (0.12 Gy – 3.19 Gy) in the DIBH-cohort. The NB – plans had a Dmean of 8.92 Gy (5.23–16.9 Gy) at the ipsilateral lung and a Dmean of 2.31 Gy (0.71–4.21 Gy) at the heart. This shows that the DIBH-technique halved the Dmean of the heart. The amount of acute side effects was comparable between the two groups: RTOG 1: 70.8 % vs. 64 %, RTOG 3 6.6 % vs. 5.6 %, no reaction 3.2 % vs. 1.4 %. There were more CTCAE 1-late events in the NB-group (51.6 % vs. 12.67 %).

Conclusion Deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) technique with Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) is a rather simple, reproducable method with a high acceptance of the patients who can actively participate in the whole treatment process. The mean dose at the heart and the left lung can be reduced, at the heart even by as much as 50 %.
Management of Middle Hepatic Vein Injury during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Case Report
Authors: Santivañez Juan Jose , Velásquez María Elena , Cadena Manuel , Vergara Arturo
Published: March 2020

Background Cholecystectomy continues to be the first choice for the treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis. Especially in patients with acute cholecystitis, a laparoscopic approach has become the standard treatment option. Intraoperative complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy include: bile duct injury, organ damage, and bleeding due to vascular injury. Difficult hemorrhage during laparoscopic cholecystectomy occurs in 0.1 to 1.9% of all cases. Besides major vessel injuries, gallbladder bed vasculature is reported as a common injury site, mostly secondary to middle hepatic vein lesions.

Case Presentation We present a case report of a patient taken for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. During the procedure, inadvertent middle hepatic vein injury occurs. Here we describe the management approach selected for this type of injury.

Discussion We recommend careful dissection during the final steps of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Following cystic duct and cystic artery ligation, surgeons often inappropriately relax through the last part of the dissection. During this final dissection, if care is not taken, small vascular structures can be missed and injured.
Development of a sample holder for synchrotron radiation-based computed tomography and diffraction analysis of extraterrestrial materials
Authors: Uesugi Masayuki , Hirahara Kaori , Uesugi Kentaro , Takeuchi Akihisa , Karouji Yuzuru , Shirai Naoki , Ito Motoo , Tomioka Naotaka , Ohigashi Takuji , Yamaguchi Akira , Imae Naoya , Yada Toru , Abe Masanao
Published: March 2020

A sample holder for a suite of synchrotron radiation measurements on extraterrestrial materials, which are fragile and irregularly shaped, was developed using carbon nanotubes and polyimide. The holder enables investigation of such samples with multiple analytical instruments, which means that we can reduce the number of sample transfers between holders. The holder developed in our study also enables investigation of such samples without exposure to the terrestrial atmosphere, which contains abundant contaminants, such as water vapor and organic substances. The stability of the samples in the holder during the measurements and disturbance of the analysis result by the holder were evaluated, which showed that sample drift motion and image disturbance due to x-ray attenuation and scattering of the holder materials are insignificant.
Effect of deposition temperature on ultra-low voltage resistive switching behavior of Fe-doped SrTiO3 films
Authors: Jiang Xue , Wei Minglong , Chan Cheuk Ho , Wang Yingyue , Lai Ruilian , Wang Jianbo , Dai Jiyan , Qiu Xiaoyan
Published: March 2020

The effect of deposition temperature on the microstructures and resistive switching properties of Fe-doped SrTiO3 (Fe-STO) films deposited via magnetron sputtering has been investigated. The as-deposited Fe-STO films change from amorphous to polycrystalline when the deposition temperature increases to 600 °C, but 800 °C-deposited Fe-STO films exhibit cracked surface morphologies with Sr-rich nanosheet segregation. Fe-STO films deposited at ≤600 °C exhibit reversible bipolar resistive switching behaviors with ultra-low switching voltages of <±0.6 V, while 450 °C-deposited Fe-STO films retain an ON/OFF resistance ratio of ∼105 after more than 2500 endurance cycles and 600 °C-deposited Fe-STO films exhibit three different resistive switching patterns in sequence. Fe-assisted oxygen-vacancy conductive filaments are responsible for the ultra-low voltage resistive switching behaviors of Fe-STO films.
Measurement of interfacial thermal conductance of few-layer MoS2 supported on different substrates using Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Yue Xiao Fei , Wang Ying Ying , Zhao Yi , Jiang Jie , Yu Kai , Liang Yao , Zhong Bo , Ren Shou Tian , Gao Ren Xi , Zou Ming Qiang
Published: March 2020

Atomically thin molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has attracted significant research interest due to its unique properties, e.g., large on/off ratio, moderate bandgap, and ultralow standby power dissipation, which offer the potential for advanced devices. Interfacial thermal transport significantly affects the heat removal abilities of the devices, thus influencing the thermal stability of the devices. In this work, high thermal conductivity material graphene is used as a supporting substrate for MoS2 to improve heat dissipation in devices based on MoS2. Combining temperature- and laser power-dependent Raman spectroscopy studies, interfacial thermal conductance (g) of five-layer MoS2 supported on SiO2/Si and three-layer graphene substrates are obtained, which are 1.73 ± 0.07 MW m−2 K−1 and 2.56 ± 0.08 MW m−2 K−1, respectively. It is found that a 47.9% increase of g for MoS2 was supported by graphene. Using the high thermal conductivity material graphene as a supporting substrate for MoS2, therefore, opens up another channel for conducting heat, and this dramatically increases the thermal stability of the devices based on MoS2. Our results shed light on experimentally probing interfacial thermal conductance between MoS2 flakes and different supported substrates.
Comparing the excited-state properties of a mixed-cation–mixed-halide perovskite to methylammonium lead iodide
Authors: Brauer Jan C. , Tsokkou Demetra , Sanchez Sandy , Droseros Nikolaos , Roose Bart , Mosconi Edoardo , Hua Xiao , Stolterfoht Martin , Neher Dieter , Steiner Ullrich , De Angelis Filippo , Abate Antonio , Banerji Natalie
Published: March 2020

Organic–inorganic perovskites are one of the most promising photovoltaic materials for the design of next generation solar cells. The lead-based perovskite prepared with methylammonium and iodide was the first in demonstrating high power conversion efficiency, and it remains one of the most used materials today. However, perovskites prepared by mixing several halides and several cations systematically yield higher efficiencies than “pure” methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) devices. In this work, we unravel the excited-state properties of a mixed-halide (iodide and bromide) and mixed-cation (methylammonium and formamidinium) perovskite. Combining time-resolved photoluminescence, transient absorption, and optical-pump–terahertz-probe experiments with density functional theory calculations, we show that the population of higher-lying excited states in the mixed material increases the lifetime of photogenerated charge carriers upon well above-bandgap excitation. We suggest that alloying different halides and different cations reduces the structural symmetry of the perovskite, which partly releases the selection rules to populate the higher-energy states upon light absorption. Our investigation thus shows that mixed halide perovskites should be considered as an electronically different material than MAPbI3, paving the way toward further materials optimization and improved power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells.
High pressure effects on the excitation spectra and dipole properties of Li, Be+, and B2+ atoms under confinement
Authors: Martínez-Flores C. , Cabrera-Trujillo R.
Published: March 2020

Properties of atoms and molecules undergo significant changes when subjected to spatial confinement. We study the excitation spectra of lithium-like atoms in the initial 1s22s electronic configuration when confined by an impenetrable spherical cavity. We implement Slater’s X-α method in Hartree–Fock theory to obtain the excitation spectrum. We verify that as the cavity size decreases, the total, 2s, 2p, and higher excited energy levels increase. Furthermore, we confirm the existence of crossing points between ns–np states for low values of the confinement radius such that the ns → np dipole transition becomes zero at that critical pressure. The crossing points of the s–p states imply that instead of photon absorption, one observes photon emission for cavities with radius smaller than the critical radius. Hence, the dipole oscillator strength associated with the 2s → 2p transition becomes negative, and for higher pressures, the 2s → 3p dipole oscillator strength transition becomes larger than unity. We validate the completeness of the spectrum by calculating the Thomas–Reiche–Kuhn sum rule, as well as the static dipole polarizability and mean excitation energy of lithium-like atoms. We find that the static dipole polarizability decreases and exhibits a sudden change at the critical pressure for the absorption-to-emission transition. The mean excitation energy increases as the pressure rises. However, as a consequence of the critical transition from absorption to emission, the mean excitation energy becomes undetermined for higher pressures, with implications for material damage under extreme conditions. For unconfined systems, our results show good to excellent agreement with data found in the literature.
Dynamical self-consistent field theory captures multi-scale physics during spinodal decomposition in a symmetric binary homopolymer blend
Authors: Grzetic Douglas J. , Wickham Robert A.
Published: March 2020

We study the spinodal decomposition in a symmetric, binary homopolymer blend using our recently developed dynamical self-consistent field theory. By taking the extremal solution of a dynamical functional integral, the theory reduces the interacting, multi-chain dynamics to a Smoluchowski equation describing the statistical dynamics of a single, unentangled chain in a self-consistent, time-dependent, mean force-field. We numerically solve this equation by evaluating averages over a large ensemble of replica chains, each one of which obeys single-chain Langevin dynamics, subject to the mean field. Following a quench from the disordered state, an early time spinodal instability in the blend composition develops, before even one Rouse time elapses. The dominant, unstable, growing wavelength is on the order of the coil size. The blend then enters a late-time, t, scaling regime with a growing domain size that follows the expected Lifshitz–Slyozov–Wagner t1/3 power law, a characteristic of a diffusion-driven coarsening process. These results provide a satisfying test of this new method, which correctly captures both the early and late time physics in the blend. Our simulation spans five orders-of-magnitude in time as the domains coarsen to 20 times the coil size, while remaining faithful to the dynamics of the microscopic chain model.
Irradiation-induced reactions at the CeO2/SiO2/Si interface
Authors: Sapkota Pitambar , Aprahamian Ani , Chan Kwong Yu , Frentz Bryce , Macon Kevin T. , Ptasinska Sylwia , Robertson Daniel , Manukyan Khachatur
Published: March 2020

The influence of high-energy (1.6 MeV) Ar2+ irradiation on the interfacial interaction between cerium oxide thin films (∼15 nm) with a SiO2/Si substrate is investigated using transmission electron microscopy, ultrahigh vacuum x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and a carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation catalytic reaction using ambient pressure XPS. The combination of these methods allows probing the dynamics of vacancy generation and its relation to chemical interactions at the CeO2/SiO2/Si interface. The results suggest that irradiation causes amorphization of some portion of CeO2 at the CeO2/SiO2/Si interface and creates oxygen vacancies due to the formation of Ce2O3 at room temperature. The subsequent ultra-high-vacuum annealing of irradiated films increases the concentration of Ce2O3 with the simultaneous growth of the SiO2 layer. Interactions with CO molecules result in an additional reduction of cerium and promote the transition of Ce2O3 to a silicate compound. Thermal annealing of thin films exposed to oxygen or carbon monoxide shows that the silicate phase is highly stabile even at 450 °C.
Wavelet entropy-based evaluation of intrinsic predictability of time series
Authors: Guntu Ravi Kumar , Yeditha Pavan Kumar , Rathinasamy Maheswaran , Perc Matjaž , Marwan Norbert , Kurths Jürgen , Agarwal Ankit
Published: March 2020

Intrinsic predictability is imperative to quantify inherent information contained in a time series and assists in evaluating the performance of different forecasting methods to get the best possible prediction. Model forecasting performance is the measure of the probability of success. Nevertheless, model performance or the model does not provide understanding for improvement in prediction. Intuitively, intrinsic predictability delivers the highest level of predictability for a time series and informative in unfolding whether the system is unpredictable or the chosen model is a poor choice. We introduce a novel measure, the Wavelet Entropy Energy Measure (WEEM), based on wavelet transformation and information entropy for quantification of intrinsic predictability of time series. To investigate the efficiency and reliability of the proposed measure, model forecast performance was evaluated via a wavelet networks approach. The proposed measure uses the wavelet energy distribution of a time series at different scales and compares it with the wavelet energy distribution of white noise to quantify a time series as deterministic or random. We test the WEEM using a wide variety of time series ranging from deterministic, non-stationary, and ones contaminated with white noise with different noise-signal ratios. Furthermore, a relationship is developed between the WEEM and Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency, one of the widely known measures of forecast performance. The reliability of WEEM is demonstrated by exploring the relationship to logistic map and real-world data.
Development of microLED
Authors: Lin J. Y. , Jiang H. X.
Published: March 2020

This perspective provides an overview of early developments, current status, and remaining challenges of microLED (μLED) technology, which was first reported in Applied Physics Letters in 2000 [S. X. Jin, J. Li, J. Z. Li, J. Y. Lin and H. X. Jiang, "GaN Microdisk Light Emitting Diodes," Appl. Phys. Lett. 76, 631 (2000)]. Today, microLED is recognized as the ultimate display technology and is one of the fastest-growing technologies in the world as technology giants utilize it on a wide range of products from large flat panel displays and televisions, wearable displays, and virtual reality displays to light sources for the neural interface and optogenetics. It is anticipated that the collective R&D efforts worldwide will bring microLED products not only to the mass consumer electronic markets but also to serve the society on the broadest scale by encompassing sectors in medical/health, energy, transportation, communications, and entertainment.
Changes in band alignment during annealing at 600 °C of ALD Al2O3 on (InxGa1 − x)2O3 for x = 0.25–0.74
Authors: Fares Chaker , Xian Minghan , Smith David J. , McCartney Martha R. , Kneiß Max , von Wenckstern Holger , Grundmann Marius , Tadjer Marko , Ren Fan , Pearton S. J.
Published: March 2020

Changes in valence band offsets (VBOs) as a result of annealing of heterostructures of atomic layer deposited Al2O3 on (InxGa1 − x)2O3 (where x = 0.25–0.75), grown by pulsed laser deposition, are reported. The heterostructures have been annealed at 600 °C to simulate the expected thermal budget during device fabrication. The VBOs decrease significantly as a result of annealing, with the change being larger at higher indium concentrations. The decrease in VBO ranges from −0.38 eV for (In0.25Ga0.75)2O3 to −1.28 eV for (In0.74Ga0.26)2O3 and is likely due to increased interfacial disorder at the heterointerface as well as phase differences between gallium-rich samples and indium-rich samples. After annealing, the band alignment remains type I (nested gap) for x = 0.25, 42, and 60 but becomes type II for the (In0.74Ga0.26)2O3 sample.
Animal performance, and enteric methane, manure methane and nitrous oxide emissions from Murrah buffalo calves fed diets with different forage-to-concentrate ratios
Authors: Nampoothiri Vinu M. , Mohini Madhu , Malla Bilal Ahmad , Mondal Goutam , Pandita Sujata
Published: March 2020

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary forage:concentrate ratios on growth performance and enteric and faecal greenhouse-gas emissions from growing buffalo calves. Fifteen Murrah male calves (bodyweight = 233.35 ± 30.92 kg; 8–12 months age) were randomly assigned to three dietary groups that were fed a mixture of berseem fodder, wheat straw and concentrate at the ratios of 20:60:20 (C20), 20:40:40 (C40) and 20:20:60 (C60) respectively, for 120 days. Enteric methane (CH4) production was estimated by the sulfur hexafluoride tracer technique. Faeces were stored for 12 weeks and CH4 and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes from stored faeces were estimated every 14 days. Dry-matter intake, feed conversion efficiency and nitrogen retention were not affected (P > 0.05) but average daily gain and urinary nitrogen loss (g/day) were higher for C60 than the C20 diet (P < 0.05). Daily enteric CH4 emission (g/day) was not affected but CH4 yield (g/kg dry-matter intake) and energy loss through CH4 as a proportion of energy intake were lower for C60 than the C20 diet (P < 0.05). Faeces composition was not affected, and large variations of greenhouse-gas emissions were observed for first 10 days of storage. Methane emissions from stored faces were 1.28 ± 0.40, 1.94 ± 0.34 and 3.90 ± 0.27 mg/kg faeces per day for C20, C40 and C60 diets respectively, being higher for C60 than the C40 and C20 diets (P < 0.05). Methane-flux rate from faeces was greater for C60 than the C20 and C40 diets (0.75 vs 0.26 and 0.37 g/animal respectively; P < 0.05). Diet C60 increased N2O fluxes from stored faeces by 63% and 58% respectively, expressed in mg/kg faeces per day and mg/animal per day, compared with C20 diet (P < 0.05). Overall, dietary concentrate proportion of up to 60% in growing buffalo calf diets improved growth performance without increasing enteric CH4 emission, but CH4 and N2O production from faeces were increased. This work has provided information for gas emissions factors from open storage of faeces. More detailed studies on gaseous emissions from open lots on farms are required.
Introduction: Sign and Script in South Asia
Authors: Davis Christina P. , LaDousa Chaise
Published: March 2020

This essay introduces a collection of six articles that analyze the political economy of language and script in relation to the emergence and contestation of identities and publics in contemporary India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and South Asian diasporas. Social media and the virtual forums that they enable have inspired new representational practices and discursive possibilities that are in dialogue with older ways of ordering difference. Rather than making a hard-and-fast distinction between new and old media, this issue draws on the rich visual tapestries of South Asia to examine implicit and explicit debates over codes, scripts, and sign language systems in relation to different forms of print and digital media, from street signs to social media posts. We demonstrate the centrality of visual semiotic systems in processes of political, economic, and sociocultural change in contemporary South Asia.
Numerical simulations of stable, high-electron-density atmospheric pressure argon plasma under pin-to-plane electrode geometry: effects of applied voltage polarity
Authors: Sato Yosuke , Ishikawa Kenji , Tsutsumi Takayoshi , Ui Akio , Akita Masato , Oka Shotaro , Hori Masaru
Published: March 2020

When applying high-voltage direct current to a pin-to-plane electrode geometry with a distance of 2 mm under atmospheric pressure in argon gas, electrical breakdown forms primary then secondary streamers. The polarity of the applied voltage affects this streamer-propagating phenomenon. Properties such as propagation speed, streamer head size, and plasma generation are parameterized at nanosecond scales by computational simulations of a self-consistent, multi-species, multi-temperature plasma fluid modeling approach. For positive polarity on the pin electrode, streamer-head propagation speeds up and streamer head size increases with increasing applied voltages. However, local electron density at the head decreases. For negative polarity, corona-like discharges form around the pin electrode under low applied voltages, and diffusive steamers form under high applied voltages. Secondary streamers re-propagate from the pin after primary streamer propagation, forming a plasma with a high electron density of 1021 m−3 for the positive polarity. We show that low-voltage operations with positive polarity are useful for stable high-electron-density discharges under atmospheric pressure argon.
Site-specific tunnel-ionization in high harmonic generation in molecules
Authors: Rego Laura , Hernández-García Carlos , Picón Antonio , Plaja Luis
Published: March 2020

We demonstrate that the standard picture of strong-field tunnel-ionization from molecules should be reformulated. The extended nature of the molecular potential implies the separation of some of the molecular sites from the edge of the ionization barrier. We show that the dependence of the tunnel probability with the distance to the barrier is translated into the ionized wavepacket, modifying substantially the high-order harmonic emission. The introduction of the dependence of tunnel ionization with the molecular site significantly improves the theoretical description of high-order harmonic generation in molecules, which is used as a cornerstone in high-harmonic spectroscopy and attosecond imaging.
Optical, electrochemical and electrical properties of p-N,N-dimethyl-amino-benzylidene-malononitrile thin films
Authors: Dhifaoui Hassen , Aloui Walid , Bouazizi Abdelaziz
Published: March 2020

A donor-acceptor small organic molecule, p-N,N-dimethyl-amino-benzylidene-malononitrile (DABMN), has been synthesized and successfully prepared in thin films using spin coating technique. The thin film of DABMN exhibited semiconductor behavior with an optical band gap of about 2.27 eV. The photoluminescence spectrum was exhibited a strong red emission. The energy levels of lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) were determined by experimental calculation from cyclic voltammetry. The electrical performance of the ITO/DABMN/Al structure device was evaluated through current-voltage characteristics and showed a typical Schottky diode behavior with good charge mobility. The charge density associated with the DABMN film was calculated from the capacitance-voltage measurements.
Designing catalysts for water splitting based on electronic structure considerations
Authors: Razek Sara Abdel , Popeil Melissa R , Wangoh Linda , Rana Jatinkumar , Suwandaratne Nuwanthi , Andrews Justin L. , Watson David F , Banerjee Sarbajit , Piper Louis F J
Published: March 2020

The disproportionation of H2O into solar fuels H2 and O2, or water splitting, is a promising strategy for clean energy harvesting and storage but requires the concerted action of absorption of photons, separation of excitons, charge diffusion to catalytic sites and catalysis of redox processes. It is increasingly evident that the rational design of photocatalysts for efficient water splitting must employ hybrid systems, where the different components perform light harvesting, charge separation and catalysis in tandem. In this topical review, we report on the recent development of a new class of hybrid photocatalysts that employs M
x
V2O5 (M = p-block cation) nanowires in order to engineer efficient charge transfer from the photoactive chalcogenide quantum dots (QDs) to the water-splitting and hydrogen evolving catalysts. Herein, we summarize the oxygen-mediated lone pair mechanism used to modulate the energy level and orbital character of mid-gap states in the M
x
V2O5 nanowires. The electronic structure of M
x
V2O5 is discussed in terms of density functional theory and hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) measurements. The principles of HAXPES are explained within the context of its unique sensitivity to metal 5(6)s orbitals and ability to non-destructively study buried interface alignments of quantum dot decorated nanowires i.e., M
x
V2O5/CdX (X = S, Se, Te). We illustrate with examples how the M
x
V2O5/CdX band alignments can be rationally engineered for ultra-fast charge-transfer of photogenerated holes from the quantum dot to the nanowires; thereby suppressing anodic photo-corrosion in the CdX QDs and enabling efficacious hydrogen evolution.
DAVI: Deep learning-based tool for alignment and single nucleotide variant identification
Authors: Gupta G , Saini S
Published: March 2020

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have provided affordable but errorful ways to generate raw genetic data. To extract variant information from billions of NGS reads is still a daunting task which involves various hand-crafted and parameterized statistical tools. Here we propose a deep neural networks (DNN) based alignment and single nucleotide variant (SNV) identifier tool known as DAVI: deep alignment and variant identification. DAVI consists of models for both global and local alignment and for variant calling. We have evaluated the performance of DAVI against existing state-of-the-art tool sets and found that its accuracy and performance is comparable to existing tools used for bench-marking. We further demonstrate that while existing tools are based on data generated from a specific sequencing technology, the models proposed in DAVI are generic and can be used across different NGS technologies as well as across different species. The use of DAVI will therefore help non-human sequencing projects to benefit from the wealth of human ground truth data. Moreover, this approach is a migration from expert-driven statistical models to generic, automated, self-learning models.
IgGeneUsage: differential gene usage in immune repertoires
Authors: Kitanovski Simo , Hoffmann Daniel
Published: March 2020

Decoding the properties of immune repertoires is key to understanding the adaptive immune response to challenges such as viral infection. One important quantitative property is differential usage of Ig genes between biological conditions. Yet, most analyses for differential Ig gene usage are performed qualitatively or with inadequate statistical methods. Here we introduce IgGeneUsage, a computational tool for the analysis of differential Ig gene usage. IgGeneUsage employs Bayesian inference with hierarchical models to analyze complex gene usage data from high-throughput sequencing experiments of immune repertoires. It quantifies differential Ig gene usage probabilistically and avoids some common problems related to the current practice of null-hypothesis significance testing.

Availability and implementation

IgGeneUsage is an R-package freely available as part of Bioconductor at: https://bioconductor.org/packages/IgGeneUsage/.

Contact

simo.kitanovski@uni-due.de

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Role of vaspin in porcine ovary: effect on signaling pathways and steroid synthesis via GRP78 receptor and protein kinase A†
Authors: Kurowska Patrycja , Mlyczyńska Ewa , Dawid Monika , Dupont Joelle , Rak Agnieszka
Published: March 2020

Vaspin, visceral-adipose-tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor, is involved in the development of obesity, insulin resistance, inflammation, and energy metabolism. Our previous study showed vaspin expression and its regulation in the ovary; however, the role of this adipokine in ovarian cells has never been studied. Here, we studied the in vitro effect of vaspin on various kinase-signaling pathways: mitogen-activated kinase (MAP3/1), serine/threonine kinase (AKT), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) protein kinase AMP (PRKAA1), protein kinase A (PKA), and on expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NFKB2) as well as on steroid synthesis by porcine ovarian cells. By using western blot, we found that vaspin (1 ng/ml), in a time-dependent manner, increased phosphorylation of MAP3/1, AKT, STAT3, PRKAA1, and PKA, while it decreased the expression of NFKB2. We observed that vaspin, in a dose-dependent manner, increased the basal steroid hormone secretion (progesterone and estradiol), mRNA and protein expression of steroid enzymes using real-time PCR and western blot, respectively, and the mRNA of gonadotropins (FSHR, LHCGR) and steroids (PGR, ESR2) receptors. The stimulatory effect of vaspin on basal steroidogenesis was reversed when ovarian cells were cultured in the presence of a PKA pharmacological inhibitor (KT5720) and when GRP78 receptor was knocked down (siRNA). However, in the presence of insulin-like growth factor type 1 and gonadotropins, vaspin reduced steroidogenesis. Thus, vaspin, by activation of various signaling pathways and stimulation of basal steroid production via GRP78 receptor and PKA, could be a new regulator of porcine ovarian function.
Variability in the Management of Adults With Pulmonary Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease
Authors: Abate Getahun , Stapleton Jack T , Rouphael Nadine , Creech Buddy , Stout Jason E , El Sahly Hana M , Jackson Lisa , Leyva Francisco J , Tomashek Kay M , Tibbals Melinda , Watson Nora , Miller Aaron , Charbek Edward , Siegner Joan , Sokol-Anderson Marcia , Nayak Ravi , Dahlberg Greta , Winokur Pat , Alaaeddine Ghina , Beydoun Nour , Sokolow Katherine , Kown Naomi Prashad , Phillips Shanda , Baker Arthur W , Turner Nicholas , Walter Emmanuel , Guy Elizabeth , Frey Sharon
Published: March 2020

Background

The increasing global prevalence of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease has called attention to challenges in NTM diagnosis and management. This study was conducted to understand management and outcomes of patients with pulmonary NTM disease at diverse centers across the United States.

Methods

We conducted a 10-year (2005–2015) retrospective study at 7 Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units to evaluate pulmonary NTM treatment outcomes in human immunodeficiency virus–negative adults. Demographic and clinical information was abstracted through medical record review. Microbiologic and clinical cure were evaluated using previously defined criteria.

Results

Of 297 patients diagnosed with pulmonary NTM, the most frequent NTM species were Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (83.2%), M. kansasii (7.7%), and M. abscessus (3.4%). Two hundred forty-five (82.5%) patients received treatment, while 45 (15.2%) were followed without treatment. Eighty-six patients had available drug susceptibility results; of these, >40% exhibited resistance to rifampin, ethambutol, or amikacin. Of the 138 patients with adequate outcome data, 78 (56.5%) experienced clinical and/or microbiologic cure. Adherence to the American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America (ATS/IDSA) treatment guidelines was significantly more common in patients who were cured (odds ratio, 4.5, 95% confidence interval, 2.0–10.4; P < .001). Overall mortality was 15.7%.

Conclusions

Despite ATS/IDSA Guidelines, management of pulmonary NTM disease was heterogeneous and cure rates were relatively low. Further work is required to understand which patients are suitable for monitoring without treatment and the impact of antimicrobial therapy on pulmonary NTM morbidity and mortality.