bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilizing Environmental Tracers to Reduce Groundwater Flow and Transport Model Parameter Uncertainties
Authors: Thiros Nicholas E. , Gardner W. Payton , Kuhlman Kristopher L.
Published: July 2021

Non‐uniqueness in groundwater model calibration is a primary source of uncertainty in groundwater flow and transport predictions. In this study, we investigate the ability of environmental tracer information to constrain groundwater model parameters. We utilize a pilot point calibration procedure conditioned to subsets of observed data including: liquid pressures, tritium (3H), chlorofluorocarbon‐12 (CFC‐12), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) concentrations; and groundwater apparent ages inferred from these environmental tracers, to quantify uncertainties in the heterogeneous permeability fields and infiltration rates of a steady‐state 2‐D synthetic aquifer and a transient 3‐D model of a field site located near Riverton, Wyoming (USA). To identify the relative data worth of each observation data type, the post‐calibration uncertainties of the optimal parameters for a given observation subset are compared to that from the full observation data set. Our results suggest that the calibration‐constrained permeability field uncertainties are largest when liquid pressures are used as the sole calibration data set. We find significant reduction in permeability uncertainty and increased predictive accuracy when the environmental tracer concentrations, rather than apparent groundwater ages, are used as calibration targets in the synthetic model. Calibration of the Riverton field site model using environmental tracer concentrations directly produces infiltration rate estimates with the lowest uncertainties, however; permeability field uncertainties remain similar between the environmental tracer concentration and apparent groundwater age calibration scenarios. This work provides insight on the data worth of environmental tracer information to calibrate groundwater models and highlights potential benefits of directly assimilating environmental tracer concentrations into model parameter estimation procedures.
Reply to Comment by D. Jiang on “Pressure‐to‐Depth Conversion Models for Metamorphic Rocks: Derivation and Applications”
Authors: Bauville A. , Yamato P.
Published: July 2021

In our study (Bauville & Yamato, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020gc009280), we derived simple formulas for pressure‐to‐depth conversion that allow (or not) to take into account deviatoric stresses. We then tested them against a data set of pressure from high‐pressure (HP) metamorphic rocks. In his comment, Jiang argues that the classical pressure‐to‐depth conversion, which assumes negligible deviatoric stresses (i.e., lithostatic pressure assumption) (a) provides a better explanation of the data and (b) is the only acceptable pressure‐to‐depth conversion method from the point of view of rock mechanics. We disagree with both arguments because (a) although Jiang's explanation is plausible, it does not falsify alternative models. As we concluded in Bauville and Yamato, several models explain equally well the data, and pressure data alone is not enough to validate or falsify any of these models. (b) There is a growing corpus of evidence that even HP metamorphic rocks undergo large deviatoric stress and can record even transient events in their mineralogical assemblage. Finally, Jiang criticizes that we used terms related to deformation loosely to illustrate stress concepts, and that our proposed method of falsification based on markers of deformation may be infeasible for HP metamorphic rocks. We take here the opportunity to clarify all these aspects.
Exploring the Impacts of Aerosols on ITCZ Position Through Altering Different Autoconversion Schemes and Cumulus Parameterizations
Authors: Zhao Shuyun , Suzuki Kentaroh
Published: July 2021

To disentangle the mechanisms how different types of aerosols influence the position of the Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), this study explores the impacts of black carbon (BC) and sulfate (SO4) aerosols on the ITCZ latitudinal position through altering different autoconversion schemes and cumulus parameterizations within a single climate model. To investigate their impacts with a detectable magnitude, we homogeneously perturb the emissions of BC and SO4 in the year 2000 by 10 and 5 times, respectively. It is found that for 5SO4 cases, altering the autoconversion scheme not only affects the total (atmosphere plus ocean) anomalous cross‐equatorial heat transport, but also modulates the atmospheric portion in it, and thus influences the magnitude of the corresponding ITCZ shift. The atmospheric portion in the 5SO4‐induced total anomalous cross‐equatorial heat transport increases with the cloud adjustment to 5SO4, as longer cloud lifetime can suppress more surface evaporation in the northern hemisphere and increase southern‐northern hemispheric energy contrast in the atmosphere. For 10BC cases, it is found that with the increase of cloud adjustment, the corresponding oceanic anomalous cross‐equatorial heat transport tends to shift from southward to northward, as larger cloud adjustment means more increase (decrease) of low (high) cloud fraction and less net downward radiation both at the top of the atmosphere and the surface in the northern hemisphere. However, the atmospheric anomalous cross‐equatorial heat transport and the consequent ITCZ shift caused by 10BC are affected little. Compared with the altering autoconversion scheme, altering cumulus parameterization has relatively small influences on the 10BC‐ and 5SO4‐induced anomalous cross‐equatorial heat transports and the consequent ITCZ shifts.
Human genetic variant E756del in the ion channel PIEZO1 not associated with protection from severe malaria in a large Ghanaian study
Authors: Thye Thorsten , Evans Jennifer A. , Ruge Gerd , Loag Wibke , Ansong Daniel , Agbenyega Tsiri , Horstmann Rolf D. , May Jürgen , Schuldt Kathrin
Published: July 2021

Recently, a common genetic variant E756del in the human gene PIEZO1 was associated with protection from severe malaria. Here, we performed a genetic association study of this gain-of-function variant in a large case-control study including 4149 children from the Ashanti Region in Ghana, West Africa. The statistical analysis did not indicate an association with protection from severe malaria and, thus, providing evidence against a strong protective effect of the PIEZO1 E756del variant on severe malaria susceptibility.
SARS-CoV-2-specific immune response in COVID-19 convalescent individuals
Authors: Pan Yunbao , Jiang Xianghu , Yang Liu , Chen Liangjun , Zeng Xiaojiao , Liu Guohong , Tang Yueting , Qian Chungen , Wang Xinming , Cheng Fangming , Lin Jun , Wang Xinghuan , Li Yirong
Published: July 2021

We collected blood from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent individuals and investigated SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral and cellular immunity in these discharged patients. Follow-up analysis in a cohort of 171 patients at 4–11 months after the onset revealed high levels of IgG antibodies. A total of 78.1% (164/210) of the specimens tested positive for neutralizing antibody (NAb). SARS-CoV-2 antigen peptide pools-stimulated-IL-2 and -IFN-γ response can distinguish COVID-19 convalescent individuals from healthy donors. Interestingly, NAb survival was significantly affected by the antigen peptide pools-stimulated-IL-2 response, -IL-8 response, and -IFN-γ response. The antigen peptide pools-activated CD8+ T cell counts were correlated with NAb. The antigen peptide pools-activated natural killer (NK) cell counts in convalescent individuals were correlated with NAb and disease severity. Our data suggested that the development of NAb is associated with the activation of T cells and NK cells. Our work provides a basis for further analysis of the protective immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and for understanding the pathogenesis of COVID-19. It also has implications for the development of an effective vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
CCCH protein-PvCCCH69 acted as a repressor for leaf senescence through suppressing ABA-signaling pathway
Authors: Xie Zheni , Yu Guohui , Lei Shanshan , Zhang Chenchen , Bin Xu  , Huang Bingru
Published: July 2021

CCCH is a subfamily of zinc finger proteins involved in plant growth, development, and stresses response. The function of CCCH in regulating leaf senescence, especially its roles in abscisic acid (ABA)-mediated leaf senescence is largely unknown. The objective of this study was to determine functions and mechanisms of CCCH gene in regulating leaf senescence in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). A CCCH gene, PvCCCH69 (PvC3H69), was cloned from switchgrass. Overexpressing PvC3H69 in rice suppressed both natural senescence with leaf aging and dark-induced leaf senescence. Endogenous ABA content, ABA biosynthesis genes (NCED3, NCED5, and AAO3), and ABA signaling-related genes (SnRKs, ABI5, and ABF2/3/4) exhibited significantly lower levels in senescencing leaves of PvC3H69-OE plants than those in WT plants. PvC3H69-suppression of leaf senescence was associated with transcriptional upregulation of genes mainly involved in the light-dependent process of photosynthesis, including light-harvesting complex proteins, PSI proteins, and PSII proteins and downregulation of ABA biosynthesis and signaling genes and senescence-associated genes. PvC3H69 could act as a repressor for leaf senescence via upregulating photosynthetic proteins and repressing ABA synthesis and ABA signaling pathways.
Barriers to implementing asthma self-management in Malaysian primary care: qualitative study exploring the perspectives of healthcare professionals
Authors: Lee Ping Yein , Cheong Ai Theng , Ghazali Sazlina Shariff , Salim Hani , Wong Jasmine , Hussein Norita , Ramli Rizawati , Pinnock Hilary , Liew Su May , Hanafi Nik Sherina , Bakar Ahmad Ihsan Abu , Ahad Azainorsuzila Mohd , Pang Yong Kek , Chinna Karuthan , Khoo Ee Ming
Published: July 2021

Asthma self-management is a crucial component of asthma management. We sought to explore healthcare professionals’ (HCPs’) perceptions on barriers to asthma self-management implementation in primary care. We recruited 26 HCPs from six public primary care clinics in a semi-urban district of Malaysia in 2019. The analysis was done inductively. HCPs described barriers that resonated with the “COM-B” behaviour change framework. Capability-related issues stemmed from a need for specific self-management skills training. Opportunity-related barriers included the need to balance competing tasks and limited, poorly tailored resources. Motivation-related barriers included lack of awareness about self-management benefits, which was not prioritised in consultations with perceived lack of receptiveness from patients. These were compounded by contextual barriers of the healthcare organisation and multilingual society. The approach to implementation of asthma self-management needs to be comprehensive, addressing systemic, professional, and patient barriers and tailored to the local language, health literacy, and societal context.
Vital role of magnetocrystalline anisotropy in cubic chiral skyrmion hosts
Authors: Preißinger M. , Karube K. , Ehlers D. , Szigeti B. , Krug von Nidda H.-A. , White J. S. , Ukleev V. , Rønnow H. M. , Tokunaga Y. , Kikkawa A. , Tokura Y. , Taguchi Y. , Kézsmárki I.
Published: July 2021

Magnetic anisotropy is anticipated to govern the formation of exotic spin textures reported recently in cubic chiral magnets, like low-temperature tilted conical and skyrmion lattice (SkL) states and metastable SkLs with various lattice geometry. Motivated by these findings, we quantified the cubic anisotropy in a series of CoZnMn-type cubic chiral magnets. We found that the strength of anisotropy is highly enhanced towards low temperatures. Moreover, not only the magnitude but also the character of cubic anisotropy drastically varies upon changing the Co/Mn ratio. We correlate these changes with temperature- and composition-induced variations of the helical modulation vectors, deformations of skyrmions, structural rearrangements of the metastable SkLs and the large enhancement of Gilbert damping. Similar studies on magnetic anisotropy are required for the quantitative, unified description of the known stable and metastable modulated spin textures and for the systematic exploration of novel ones in this large class of skyrmion hosts.
Utility of Fibroscan XL to assess the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients undergoing bariatric surgery
Authors: Yang Andrew , Nguyen Melinda , Ju Irene , Brancatisano Anthony , Ryan Brendan , van der Poorten David
Published: July 2021

Significant weight loss can modify the progression of Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with the most convincing evidence coming from bariatric surgery cohorts. Effective ways to non-invasively characterise NAFLD in these patients has been lacking, with high Fibroscan failure rates reported. We prospectively evaluated the utility of Fibroscan using XL-probe over a two-year period. 190 consecutive patients undergoing bariatric surgery were followed as part of their routine care. All patients had Fibroscan performed on the day of surgery and at follow-up a mean of 13 months (± 6.3) later. The majority of patients were female (82%) with mean age of 42. Fibroscan was successful in 167 (88%) at baseline and 100% at follow up. Patients with a failed Fibroscan had higher body mass index (BMI) and alanine transaminase (ALT), but no difference in FIB-4/NAFLD score. Mean baseline Liver stiffness measurement was 5.1 kPa, with 87% of patients classified as no fibrosis and 4% as advanced fibrosis. Mean baseline controlled attenuation parameter was 291, with 78% having significant steatosis, 56% of which was moderate-severe. Significant fibrosis was associated with higher BMI and HbA1c. Significant steatosis was associated with higher BMI, ALT, triglycerides and insulin resistance. Mean follow up time was 12 months with weight loss of 25.7% and BMI reduction of 10.4 kg/m2. Seventy patients had repeat fibroscan with reductions in steatosis seen in 90% and fibrosis in 67%. Sixty-four percent had complete resolution of steatosis. Fibroscan can be performed reliably in bariatric cohorts and is useful at baseline and follow-up. Significant steatosis, but not fibrosis was seen in this cohort with substantial improvements post-surgery.
Breeding of Cav2.3 deficient mice reveals Mendelian inheritance in contrast to complex inheritance in Cav3.2 null mutant breeding
Authors: Papazoglou Anna , Henseler Christina , Broich Karl , Daubner Johanna , Weiergräber Marco
Published: July 2021

High voltage-activated Cav2.3 R-type Ca2+ channels and low voltage-activated Cav3.2 T-type Ca2+ channels were reported to be involved in numerous physiological and pathophysiological processes. Many of these findings are based on studies in Cav2.3 and Cav3.2 deficient mice. Recently, it has been proposed that inbreeding of Cav2.3 and Cav3.2 deficient mice exhibits significant deviation from Mendelian inheritance and might be an indication for potential prenatal lethality in these lines. In our study, we analyzed 926 offspring from Cav3.2 breedings and 1142 offspring from Cav2.3 breedings. Our results demonstrate that breeding of Cav2.3 deficient mice shows typical Mendelian inheritance and that there is no indication of prenatal lethality. In contrast, Cav3.2 breeding exhibits a complex inheritance pattern. It might be speculated that the differences in inheritance, particularly for Cav2.3 breeding, are related to other factors, such as genetic specificities of the mutant lines, compensatory mechanisms and altered sperm activity.
Mixed and nonvaccine high risk HPV types are associated with higher mortality in Black women with cervical cancer
Authors: Mendoza Rachelle P. , Haidary Tahmineh , Gabutan Elmer , Zhou Ying Yin , Bukhari Zaheer , Connelly Courtney , Lee Wen-Ching , Lee Yi-Chun , Wadgaonkar Raj , Agrawal Raag , Haseeb M. A. , Gupta Raavi
Published: July 2021

We studied the incidence of HPV genotypes in mostly Black women with cervical carcinoma and correlated histopathologic tumor characteristics, immune markers and clinical data with survival. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were recorded for 60 months post-diagnosis. Fifty four of the 60 (90%) patients were Black and 36 (60%) were < 55 years of age. Of the 40 patients with typeable HPV genotypes, 10 (25%) had 16/18 HPV genotypes, 30 (75%) had one of the non-16/18 HPV genotypes, and 20 (50%) had one of the 7 genotypes (35, 39, 51, 53, 56, 59 and 68) that are not included in the nonavalent vaccine. Mixed HPV infections (≥ 2 types) were found in 11/40 (27.5%) patients. Patients infected with non-16/18 genotypes, including the most common genotype, HPV 35, had significantly shorter DFS and OS. PD-L1 (p = 0.003), MMR expression (p = 0.01), clinical stage (p = 0.048), histologic grade (p = 0.015) and mixed HPV infection (p = 0.026) were independent predictors of DFS. A remarkably high proportion of cervical cancer cells in our patients expressed PD-L1 which opens the possibility of the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat these cancers. Exclusion of the common HPV genotypes from the vaccine exacerbates mortality from cervical cancer in underserved Black patients.
Informing selection of drugs for COVID-19 treatment through adverse events analysis
Authors: Guo Wenjing , Pan Bohu , Sakkiah Sugunadevi , Ji Zuowei , Yavas Gokhan , Lu Yanhui , Komatsu Takashi E. , Lal-Nag Madhu , Tong Weida , Patterson Tucker A. , Hong Huixiao
Published: July 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing pandemic and there is an urgent need for safe and effective drugs for COVID-19 treatment. Since developing a new drug is time consuming, many approved or investigational drugs have been repurposed for COVID-19 treatment in clinical trials. Therefore, selection of safe drugs for COVID-19 patients is vital for combating this pandemic. Our goal was to evaluate the safety concerns of drugs by analyzing adverse events reported in post-market surveillance. We collected 296 drugs that have been evaluated in clinical trials for COVID-19 and identified 28,597,464 associated adverse events at the system organ classes (SOCs) level in the FDA adverse events report systems (FAERS). We calculated Z-scores of SOCs that statistically quantify the relative frequency of adverse events of drugs in FAERS to quantitatively measure safety concerns for the drugs. Analyzing the Z-scores revealed that these drugs are associated with different significantly frequent adverse events. Our results suggest that this safety concern metric may serve as a tool to inform selection of drugs with favorable safety profiles for COVID-19 patients in clinical practices. Caution is advised when administering drugs with high Z-scores to patients who are vulnerable to associated adverse events.
Clinical characterization of dysautonomia in long COVID-19 patients
Authors: Barizien Nicolas , Le Guen Morgan , Russel Stéphanie , Touche Pauline , Huang Florent , Vallée Alexandre
Published: July 2021

Increasing numbers of COVID-19 patients, continue to experience symptoms months after recovering from mild cases of COVID-19. Amongst these symptoms, several are related to neurological manifestations, including fatigue, anosmia, hypogeusia, headaches and hypoxia. However, the involvement of the autonomic nervous system, expressed by a dysautonomia, which can aggregate all these neurological symptoms has not been prominently reported. Here, we hypothesize that dysautonomia, could occur in secondary COVID-19 infection, also referred to as “long COVID” infection. 39 participants were included from December 2020 to January 2021 for assessment by the Department of physical medicine to enhance their physical capabilities: 12 participants with COVID-19 diagnosis and fatigue, 15 participants with COVID-19 diagnosis without fatigue and 12 control participants without COVID-19 diagnosis and without fatigue. Heart rate variability (HRV) during a change in position is commonly measured to diagnose autonomic dysregulation. In this cohort, to reflect HRV, parasympathetic/sympathetic balance was estimated using the NOL index, a multiparameter artificial intelligence-driven index calculated from extracted physiological signals by the PMD-200 pain monitoring system. Repeated-measures mixed-models testing group effect were performed to analyze NOL index changes over time between groups. A significant NOL index dissociation over time between long COVID-19 participants with fatigue and control participants was observed (p = 0.046). A trend towards significant NOL index dissociation over time was observed between long COVID-19 participants without fatigue and control participants (p = 0.109). No difference over time was observed between the two groups of long COVID-19 participants (p = 0.904). Long COVID-19 participants with fatigue may exhibit a dysautonomia characterized by dysregulation of the HRV, that is reflected by the NOL index measurements, compared to control participants. Dysautonomia may explain the persistent symptoms observed in long COVID-19 patients, such as fatigue and hypoxia.

Trial registration: The study was approved by the Foch IRB: IRB00012437 (Approval Number: 20-12-02) on December 16, 2020.
Word learning dogs (Canis familiaris) provide an animal model for studying exceptional performance
Authors: Fugazza Claudia , Dror Shany , Sommese Andrea , Temesi Andrea , Miklósi Ádám
Published: July 2021

Exceptional performance is present in various human activities but its origins are debated and challenging to study. We report evidence of exceptional performance and qualitative variation in learning object-names in dogs. 34 naïve family dogs and 6 knowledgeable individuals that knew multiple toy names, found in 2 years of search around the Globe, were exposed to 3 months of training to learn two novel toy-names and were tested in two-way choice tests. Only 1 naïve and all 6 knowledgeable dogs passed the tests. Additionally, only these dogs learned at least 10 new toy names over the 3 months, showing qualitative variation in this capacity. Although previous object-name knowledge could provide an explanation for the superior performance of the knowledgeable dogs, their rarity and the absence of previous training of this skill point to exceptional giftedness in these individuals, providing the basis to establish dogs as a model-species for studying talent.
Two human metabolites rescue a C. elegans model of Alzheimer’s disease via a cytosolic unfolded protein response
Authors: Joshi Priyanka , Perni Michele , Limbocker Ryan , Mannini Benedetta , Casford Sam , Chia Sean , Habchi Johnny , Labbadia Johnathan , Dobson Christopher M. , Vendruscolo Michele
Published: July 2021

Age-related changes in cellular metabolism can affect brain homeostasis, creating conditions that are permissive to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Although the roles of metabolites have been extensively studied with regard to cellular signaling pathways, their effects on protein aggregation remain relatively unexplored. By computationally analysing the Human Metabolome Database, we identified two endogenous metabolites, carnosine and kynurenic acid, that inhibit the aggregation of the amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) and rescue a C. elegans model of Alzheimer’s disease. We found that these metabolites act by triggering a cytosolic unfolded protein response through the transcription factor HSF-1 and downstream chaperones HSP40/J-proteins DNJ-12 and DNJ-19. These results help rationalise previous observations regarding the possible anti-ageing benefits of these metabolites by providing a mechanism for their action. Taken together, our findings provide a link between metabolite homeostasis and protein homeostasis, which could inspire preventative interventions against neurodegenerative disorders.
High concentrations of dissolved biogenic methane associated with cyanobacterial blooms in East African lake surface water
Authors: Fazi Stefano , Amalfitano Stefano , Venturi Stefania , Pacini Nic , Vazquez Eusebi , Olaka Lydia A. , Tassi Franco , Crognale Simona , Herzsprung Peter , Lechtenfeld Oliver J. , Cabassi Jacopo , Capecchiacci Francesco , Rossetti Simona , Yakimov Michail M. , Vaselli Orlando , Harper David M. , Butturini Andrea
Published: July 2021

The contribution of oxic methane production to greenhouse gas emissions from lakes is globally relevant, yet uncertainties remain about the levels up to which methanogenesis can counterbalance methanotrophy by leading to CH4 oversaturation in productive surface waters. Here, we explored the biogeochemical and microbial community variation patterns in a meromictic soda lake, in the East African Rift Valley (Kenya), showing an extraordinarily high concentration of methane in oxic waters (up to 156 µmol L−1). Vertical profiles of dissolved gases and their isotopic signature indicated a biogenic origin of CH4. A bloom of Oxyphotobacteria co-occurred with abundant hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogens, mostly found within suspended aggregates promoting the interactions between Bacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Archaea. Moreover, aggregate sedimentation appeared critical in connecting the lake compartments through biomass and organic matter transfer. Our findings provide insights into understanding how hydrogeochemical features of a meromictic soda lake, the origin of carbon sources, and the microbial community profiles, could promote methane oversaturation and production up to exceptionally high rates.
Transcriptome architecture and regulation at environmental transitions in flavobacteria: the case of an important fish pathogen
Authors: Guérin Cyprien , Lee Bo-Hyung , Fradet Benjamin , van Dijk Erwin , Mirauta Bogdan , Thermes Claude , Bernardet Jean-François , Repoila Francis , Duchaud Eric , Nicolas Pierre , Rochat Tatiana
Published: July 2021

The family Flavobacteriaceae (phylum Bacteroidetes) is a major component of soil, marine and freshwater ecosystems. In this understudied family, Flavobacterium psychrophilum is a freshwater pathogen that infects salmonid fish worldwide, with critical environmental and economic impact. Here, we report an extensive transcriptome analysis that established the genome map of transcription start sites and transcribed regions, predicted alternative sigma factor regulons and regulatory RNAs, and documented gene expression profiles across 32 biological conditions mimicking the pathogen life cycle. The results link genes to environmental conditions and phenotypic traits and provide insights into gene regulation, highlighting similarities with better known bacteria and original characteristics linked to the phylogenetic position and the ecological niche of the bacterium. In particular, osmolarity appears as a signal for transition between free-living and within-host programs and expression patterns of secreted proteins shed light on probable virulence factors. Further investigations showed that a newly discovered sRNA widely conserved in the genus, Rfp18, is required for precise expression of proteases. By pointing proteins and regulatory elements probably involved in host–pathogen interactions, metabolic pathways, and molecular machineries, the results suggest many directions for future research; a website is made available to facilitate their use to fill knowledge gaps on flavobacteria.
Deep eutectic solvents for the preparation and post-synthetic modification of metal- and covalent organic frameworks
Authors: Maia Renata A. , Louis Benoit , Baudron Stéphane A.
Published: July 2021

The use of deep eutectic solvents (DES) as media for the preparation of metal- and covalent organic frameworks (MOFs and COFs) and their post-synthetic modification towards composites is reviewed.
Visible and infrared optical modulation of PSLC smart films doped with ATO nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Zhibo , Zhang Ruicong , Xu Liangge , Li Jiajun , Yang Lei , Yang Yanan , Bolshakov Andrey , Zhu Jiaqi
Published: July 2021

A novel polymer stabilized liquid crystal (PSLC) film doped with antimony doped tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles enable the widest waveband modulation to date, covering the visible and infrared regions from 380 to 5500 nm.
Highly selective hydrogenation of aromatic ketones to alcohols in water: effect of PdO and ZrO2
Authors: Alsalahi W. , Tylus W. , Trzeciak A. M.
Published: July 2021

A simple method leading to well-defined Pd/ZrO2 and PdO/ZrO2 nanocomposites has been developed. An important effect of the zirconia carrier on the selectivity of Pd and PdO nanocomposites has been evidenced in acetophenone hydrogenation.
Aging of atmospheric aerosols and the role of iron in catalyzing brown carbon formation
Authors: Al-Abadleh Hind A.
Published: July 2021

Iron in mineral dust can catalyze reactions with atmospheric organics that lead to the formation of brown carbon (BrC) that impact the climate in a number of ways.
Molecular dynamics simulations of a hydrophilic MIL-160-based membrane demonstrate pressure-dependent selective uptake of industrially relevant greenhouse gases
Authors: Chapman Jordan , Garapati Nagasree , Glezakou Vassiliki-Alexandra , Duan Yuhua , Hu Jianli , Dinu Cerasela Zoica
Published: July 2021

Molecular dynamics simulations of greenhouse gas sorption and permeation with respect to an aluminum-based MIL-160 membrane were performed to probe the atomic-level phenomena that endow this system with critical gas separation capabilities.
A wafer-scale fabrication method for three-dimensional plasmonic hollow nanopillars
Authors: Jonker D. , Jafari Z. , Winczewski J. P. , Eyovge C. , Berenschot J. W. , Tas N. R. , Gardeniers J. G. E. , De Leon I. , Susarrey-Arce A.
Published: July 2021

Access to a wafer-scale nanofabrication strategy for crafting three-dimensional plasmonic structures.
A metal-free radical cascade reaction of phosphine oxides with 2-aryloxy phenylacetylenes to synthesize diphosphonyl xanthene derivatives
Authors: Fan Tao , Liu Yan , Jiang Caina , Xu Yanli , Chen Yanyan
Published: July 2021

A cascade reaction of 2-aryloxy phenylacetylenes with phosphine oxides to provide diphosphonyl xanthenes promoted by K2S2O8 was developed. This reaction features transition metal-free and mild conditions, simple operation and good yields.
Nonlinear optics of graphdiyne
Authors: Liu Chao , Han Xiao , Shi Rongchao , Qi Siming , Chen Songhua , Xu Liang , Xu Jialiang
Published: July 2021

Graphdiyne features a high π-conjugation degree and an intrinsic natural bandgap, which guarantee a large optical refractive index and broadband absorption, and thus promises a wide range of application prospects in nonlinear optics.
Visible-light-induced tandem radical addition/cyclization of 2-alkenylphenols and CBr4 for the synthesis of 4-arylcoumarins
Authors: Tan Li-Ping , Liang Dong , Cheng Ying , Xiao Wen-Jing , Chen Jia-Rong
Published: July 2021

A visible-light-induced photoredox-catalyzed tandem radical addition/cyclization of 2-alkenylphenols and CBr4 is developed, providing efficient and practical access to various 4-arylcoumarins in a one-pot fashion.
Trimethylsulfonium lead triiodide (TMSPbI3) for moisture-stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Rahman Md. Mahbubur , Ahmed Arif , Ge Chuang-ye , Singh Ranbir , Yoo Kicheon , Sandhu Sanjay , Kim Sunghwan , Lee Jae-Joon
Published: July 2021

Trimethylsulfonium lead iodide (TMSPbI3)-based PSCs show high moisture stability with a hysteresis-free PCE of 2.22%. The high moisture stability can be attributed to the absence of hydrogen bonding between the TMS+ in TMSPbI3 and water molecules.
Correction: Controlling wet adhesion with elasticity
Authors: Duprat Camille , Protière Suzie
Published: July 2021

Correction for ‘Controlling wet adhesion with elasticity’ by Camille Duprat et al., Soft Matter, 2020, 16, 6463–6467, DOI: 10.1039/D0SM00618A.
Nonword Repetition Performance of Arabic-Speaking Children With and Without Developmental Language Disorder: A Study on Diagnostic Accuracy
Authors: Taha Juhayna , Stojanovik Vesna , Pagnamenta Emma
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a nonword repetition (NWR) task in discriminating between Palestinian Arabic–speaking children with developmental language disorder (DLD) and age-matched typically developing (TD) children.

Method

Participants were 30 children with DLD aged between 4;0 and 6;10 (years;months) and 60 TD children aged between 4;0 and 6;8 matched on chronological age. The Arabic version of a Quasi-Universal NWR task was administered. The task comprises 30 nonwords that vary in length, presence of consonant clusters (CCs) and wordlikeness ratings. Responses were scored using an item-level scoring method to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the task. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to determine the best cutoff point with the highest sensitivity and specificity values, and likelihood ratios were calculated.

Results

Children with DLD scored significantly lower on the NWR task than their age-matched TD peers. Only the DLD group was influenced by the phonological complexity of the nonwords, with nonwords with two CC being more difficult than nonwords with no or only one CC. For both groups, three-syllable nonwords were repeated less accurately than two- and one-syllable nonwords. Also, high word-like nonwords were repeated more accurately than nonwords with low wordlikeness ratings. The best cutoff score had sensitivity and specificity of 93% and highly informative likelihood ratios.

Conclusions

NWR was an area of difficulty for Palestinian Arabic–speaking children with DLD. NWR showed excellent discriminatory power in differentiating Arabic-speaking children diagnosed with DLD from their age-matched TD peers. NWR appears to hold promise for clinical use as it is a useful indicator of DLD in Arabic. These results need to be further validated using population-based studies.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14880360
Associations Between Speaking Fundamental Frequency, Vowel Formant Frequencies, and Listener Perceptions of Speaker Gender and Vocal Femininity–Masculinity
Authors: Leung Yeptain , Oates Jennifer , Chan Siew-Pang , Papp Viktória
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The aim of the study was to examine associations between speaking fundamental frequency (
f
os
), vowel formant frequencies (
F
), listener perceptions of speaker gender, and vocal femininity–masculinity.

Method

An exploratory study was undertaken to examine associations between
f
os
,
F
1
–
F
3
, listener perceptions of speaker gender (nominal scale), and vocal femininity–masculinity (visual analog scale). For 379 speakers of Australian English aged 18–60 years,
f
os
mode and
F
1
–
F
3
(12 monophthongs; total of 36
F
s) were analyzed on a standard reading passage. Seventeen listeners rated speaker gender and vocal femininity–masculinity on randomized audio recordings of these speakers.

Results

Model building using principal component analysis suggested the 36
F
s could be succinctly reduced to seven principal components (PCs). Generalized structural equation modeling (with the seven PCs of
F
and
f
os
as predictors) suggested that only
F
2
and
f
os
predicted listener perceptions of speaker gender (male, female, unable to decide). However, listener perceptions of vocal femininity–masculinity behaved differently and were predicted by
F
1
,
F
3
, and the contrast between monophthongs at the extremities of the
F
1
acoustic vowel space, in addition to
F
2
and
f
os
. Furthermore, listeners' perceptions of speaker gender also influenced ratings of vocal femininity–masculinity substantially.

Conclusion

Adjusted odds ratios highlighted the substantially larger contribution of
F
to listener perceptions of speaker gender and vocal femininity–masculinity relative to
f
os
than has previously been reported.
Skin tribology in sport
Authors: MacFarlane Maxwell James , Theobald Peter
Published: July 2021

This review describes the principles of skin friction and wear for the benefit of sports scientists, engineers and clinicians. Skin exhibits complex behaviour, defying tribological laws for dry contact; hence, its friction and wear characteristics are affected by sliding speed, normal load, and contact area. Some sports seek to increase skin friction to enhance performance; however, this needs to be offset against injury risk given that skin abrades when slid across a rough and hard surface, delaminates when slid across a smooth and hard surface, and chafes or blisters when repeatedly rubbed against some fabrics. Whilst skin interactions can both define and hinder athlete performance, there exists a need to better understand skin biomechanics to optimise the balance of risk versus reward.
Average BER performance of MPSK with noisy phase reference in Nakagami‐m fading channel
Authors: Jang Yeonsoo
Published: July 2021

This letter derives an approximate average bit error rate (BER) expression of M‐ary phase shift keying with a noisy phase reference in a Nakagami‐m fading channel. The proposed closed‐form expression is general for the M‐ary case, including previous results for both binary and quadrature phase shift keying. The accuracy of the proposed average BER expression is verified through a comparison with the exact BER.
A multiport superconducting fault‐current‐limiting circuit breaker for a flexible DC power grid
Authors: Wang Weiru , Wang Limeng , He Zhiyuan , Xin Yechun , Li Guoqing
Published: July 2021

The fault current of the high‐voltage and large‐capacity flexible DC power grid has the characteristics of a fast rising rate, high peak value, and large influence area; therefore, fault current suppression equipment suitable for the flexible DC power grid has become a research hotspot. First, the fault mechanism and fault current calculation associated with the DC converter are analysed in this study; subsequently, a multiport superconducting fault‐current‐limiting circuit breaker (SFCLCB) suitable for a flexible DC power grid is designed. The circuit breaker adopts ground drainage to transfer the fault current. It only needs to be equipped with a single‐way conduction power electronic switch group and the number of switches is not affected by the number of DC lines, considerably improving the cost effectiveness of the equipment. In addition, the workflow and current‐limiting principle of SFCLCB are analysed, and the optimal matching method is determined with respect to the resistance of the superconducting current limiter and the power electronic devices of the main circuit breaker. Afterwards, the four‐terminal flexible DC transmission simulation system is observed to exhibit high efficiency in suppressing the fault current and high cost effectiveness based on comparative simulations. Finally, its engineering applicability is verified by the digital physical and hybrid simulation platform.
Grouping of dynamic electricity consumption behaviour: An f‐divergence based hierarchical clustering model
Authors: Zhang Yufan , Ai Qian , Li Zhaoyu
Published: July 2021

Under the digitalization trend in the energy sector, utilities are devoted to providing better service to their customers by mining knowledge in fine‐grained electricity consumption data. Understanding the group behaviour of customers by clustering method is essential to achieving this end. Different from shape‐based clustering methods, an f‐divergence based hierarchical clustering model is proposed to group customers by their dynamic electricity consumption patterns. Modelling the electricity consumption by Markov chains, the customers’ consumption patterns are first summarized into transition probability matrixes. Then, dissimilarity measures based on f‐divergence are calculated. Specifically, due to their superiority, squared Hellinger distance and total variation distance are used. The hierarchical clustering is then conducted based on the obtained distance matrixes. Using real‐world smart meter dataset, the proposed method is compared with other dynamic clustering candidates by using the revised silhouette score. And consumers’ dynamic consumption patterns are not only analysed from the global to local levels, but also the relationship between clustering results and external factors are delved into. The results show that the proposed method can produce highly representative clusters, and is able to provide insights on the implementation of the demand‐side management program.
Multi-frequency characterisation of remnant radio galaxies in the Lockman Hole field
Authors: Jurlin N. , Brienza M. , Morganti R. , Wadadekar Y. , Ishwara-Chandra C. H. , Maddox N. , Mahatma V.
Published: July 2021

Context.Remnant radio galaxies represent an important phase in the life-cycle of radio active galactic nuclei. It is suggested that in this phase, the jets have switched off and the extended emission is fading rapidly. This phase is not well-studied due to the lack of statistical samples observed at both low and high frequencies.

Aims.In this work, we study a sample of 23 candidate remnant radio galaxies previously selected using the Low Frequency Array at 150 MHz in the Lockman Hole field. We examine their morphologies and study their spectral properties to confirm their remnant nature and revise the morphological and spectral criteria used to define the initial sample.

Methods.We present new observations with theKarl G. JanskyVery Large Array at 6000 MHz at both high and low resolution. These observations allowed us to observe the presence or absence of cores and study the spectral curvature and steepness of the spectra of the total emission expected at these high frequencies for the remnant candidates.

Results.We confirm 13 out of 23 candidates as remnant radio sources. This corresponds to 7% of the full sample of active, restarted, and remnant candidates from the Lockman Hole field. Surprisingly, only a minority of remnants reside in a cluster (23%). The remnant radio galaxies show a range of properties and morphologies. The majority do not show detection of the core at 6000 MHz and their extended emission often shows ultra-steep spectra (USS). However, there are also remnants with USS total emission and a detection of the core at 6000 MHz, possibly indicating a variety of evolutionary stages in the remnant phase. We confirm the importance of the combination of morphological and spectral criteria and this needs to be taken into consideration when selecting a sample of remnant radio sources.
The period-gap cataclysmic variable CzeV404 Her: A link between SW Sex and SU UMa systems
Authors: Kára J. , Zharikov S. , Wolf M. , Kučáková H. , Cagaš P. , Medina Rodriguez A. L. , Mašek M.
Published: July 2021

Context. We present a new study of the eclipsing cataclysmic variable CzeV404 Her (Porb = 0.098 d) that is located in the period gap.

Aims. This report determines the origin of the object and the system parameters and probes the accretion flow structure of the system.

Methods. We conducted simultaneous time-resolved photometric and spectroscopic observations of CzeV404 Her. We applied our light-curve modelling techniques and the Doppler tomography method to determine the system parameters and analyse the structure of the accretion disk.

Results. We found that the system has a massive white dwarf MWD = 1.00(2) M⊙, a mass ratio of q = 0.16, and a relatively hot secondary with an effective temperature T2 = 4100(50) K. The system inclination is i = 78.8°. The accretion disk spreads out to the tidal limitation radius and has an extended hot spot or line region. The hot spot or line is hotter than the remaining outer part of the disk in quiescence or in intermediate state, but does not stand out completely from the disk flux in (super)outbursts.

Conclusions. We claim that this object represents a link between two distinct classes of SU UMa-type and SW Sex-type cataclysmic variables. The accretion flow structure in the disk corresponds to the SW Sex systems, but the physical conditions inside the disk fit the behaviour of SU UMa-type objects.
Performance comparison of beam-column joints with different concretes
Authors: Jun Wu , Guohui Mu , Mingda Zhang , Sijin Wang , Jun Ma , Yanzhong Ju , Dehong Wang
Published: July 2021

With the development of concrete materials, high strength concrete (HSC) and fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) are more and more used in reinforced concrete frame structures. This paper collected the test results of normal concrete (NC), HSC and reactive power concrete (RPC) beam joints. The performances of different concrete joints were compared and analyzed from two aspects of failure process and characteristics and shear deformation. The results showed that the ratio of through-crack load to shear capacity of NC joints is about 0.75-0.80, while that of RPC joints through-crack is close to shear capacity. The randomly distributed steel fibers of RPC like dispersed steel bars can effectively restrain the development of oblique cracks in the core area of joints. When the ultimate load is reached, the average shear angle of NC joints is much larger than that of RPC and steel fiber reinforced concrete joints. The small deformation of joints ensures the stiffness of RPC and steel fiber reinforced concrete joints. However, because there is no coarse aggregate in RPC, the occlusal interaction between the two sides of oblique cracks in the core area of RPC beam-column joints is obviously lower than that of NC joints.
Numerical calculation of the resistance of catamarans at different distances between two hulls
Authors: Liu Zhaochun , Zhang Xiufeng , Meng Yao , Wang Linghong
Published: July 2021

For the design of high-speed catamarans, different distances between slices have obvious interference with the total resistance of the catamaran. In order to accurately predict the hydrodynamic characteristics of the catamaran and explore the interference of the chip spacing on the resistance prediction, this paper uses a combination of CFD calculations and empirical formulas to predict the ship model resistance under different chip spacings and calculate them. The result is compared with the empirical formula. The results of the ship model test and the results calculated by the empirical formula were used to verify the numerical calculation results. The results show that the resistance change trend is consistent, and the numerical calculation method is effective and feasible. Finally, the numerical calculation method is compared with the ship model test method, and the result is within the error range, which has certain reference value for the design and optimization of the catamaran model parameters.
Study on chloride ion diffusion characteristics of reactive powder concrete under different loads
Authors: Xin-e Yan
Published: July 2021

Reactive powder concrete (RPC) is a new cement-based material with ultra-high strength, high durability, high toughness and good volume stability. The study of chloride corrosion behavior is of great significance to the application of RPC in complex service environment. In this paper, the chloride ion immersion experiment is carried out to investigate the change rule of chloride ion concentration on the surface of RPC with soaking time under different loads. The results show that with the extending of soaking time, the chloride ion concentration of RPC surface gradually increases and tends to be stable, and the different depths from RPC surface also show similar rules. The results also show that the chloride ion diffusion characteristics of RPC under different loads are different, and the chloride ion diffusion rate under bending stress is higher than that under compressive stress.
Research on Influence of Deep Foundation Pit Excavation and Dewatering on Pile Foundation of Railway Bridge
Authors: Tianyun Liu , Changyi Yu , Nan Zhu
Published: July 2021

The three-dimensional numerical model of the foundation pit engineering is established, and the fluid-structure coupling method is used to calculate the settlement of the pile foundation of the adjacent railway bridge caused by the excavation and dewatering of the foundation pit. The results show that the settlement range of the soil around the foundation pit reaches 140m, and the pile foundation of the railway bridge is within the influence range, but the maximum settlement value does not exceed the limit value specified in the design. The method used in this paper provides effective guidance for the construction optimization of the same type of projects and reduces the project cost.