bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development report of the next generation of civil engineering
Authors: Bai Zhengwei , Zhu Eeyu
Published: June 2021

The development of civil engineering technology is a major issue related to the national economy and people’s livelihood, especially in the modern era where new technologies are emerging in all walks of life. Combining with the current development status of civil engineering technology in the world today, the author combed the new technologies closely related to the development of civil engineering technology in recent years. These new technologies mainly include: assembly structure, intelligent manufacturing, 3D printing, and industrial digitization. The existing high-tech and civil engineering technology developments are combined. Based on the current domestic and foreign technological development environment, the author puts forward the development forecast of the next generation of civil engineering technology and the company’s countermeasures. These predictions and suggestions are of great significance for the national government to formulate policies or the guidance of modern enterprises to formulate development strategies.
The coordination and supervision of county-level fiscal funds for poverty alleviation
Authors: Zheng Biao-Li , Zhu Hebin
Published: June 2021

It is necessary to realize the financial coordination of the fragmented poverty alleviation resources at the county level, In order to improve the effectiveness of poverty management. Thus, the author analyses the theoretical basis and the ways for finance to play a role in poverty alleviation, clarifies the necessity and challenge of poverty alleviation funds coordinated by county-level finance, and discusses the path to improve the county-level fiscal coordination system.
Research on the relationship between the imbalance of regional economic growth and the allocation of financial resources
Authors: Sun Rong
Published: June 2021

Since the reform and opening up, China’s economic growth has attracted worldwide attention, and people’s living standards have been significantly improved. However, China’s economic growth shows an unbalanced trend, that is, the level of economic growth in the central and western regions is far lower than that in the eastern regions, and the gap between regional economic growth is still widening, which seriously hinders the construction of a harmonious society in China. The allocation of financial resources will play a mainstay role in economic development. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the relationship between the imbalance of regional economic growth and the allocation of financial resources. This paper chooses GDP per capita to represent regional economy, and chooses deposit loan ratio, industrial structure, financial expenditure per capita, foreign capital per capita and insurance premium per capita to represent financial resource allocation. Using the above variables to build a panel regression model, according to the coefficient of the regression analysis results, this paper puts forward relevant suggestions to balance regional economic growth.
Research on the Impact of High-speed Railway on the Industrial Structure Change and Carbon Emission of Chengdu-Chongqing Urban Agglomeration
Authors: Ge Jingzhao
Published: June 2021

This paper selects the panel data of 16 cities in the Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration from 2005 to 2015, and uses differences-in-differences model to analyze the impact of high-speed railways on the industrial structure and Carbon Emission of the Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration. The results show that the construction of high-speed rail has reduced the proportion of the secondary industry and has a significant role in promoting the development of the tertiary industry. Among them, fixed asset investment increased the proportion of the secondary industry and the tertiary industry, and technology investment decreased the proportion of the secondary industry, and increased the proportion of the tertiary industry, indicating that the improvement of the level of informatization is helpful to the development of the tertiary industry. It is proposed that a more reasonable evaluation system for the economic effects of highspeed rail should be established. At the same time, the impact of high-speed rail construction on the industrial structure is different. When formulating policies, we must not only weigh the spillover effect and siphon effect of high-speed rail, but also give full play to the carbon reduction effect of economic agglomeration.
Research on the influence of environmental pollution control on regional economic growth and labor market
Authors: Ren Yuechao
Published: June 2021

The rapid economic development has made environmental problems increasingly serious. In order to ensure the quality of residents’ life, environmental governance investment has been continuously strengthened in China. This paper studies the influence of investment in environmental pollution control on regional economy and labor market in 31 provinces and cities (except Xinjiang Corps) from 2000 to 2018. It is concluded that the impact of environmental pollution control investment on regional economic growth and the local employed personnel average wage is significantly negative, and the impact of environmental pollution control investment on local unemployment rate is significantly positive. In view of this conclusion, some suggestions are put forward from the perspective of the government.
Past, present, and future perspectives on the governance of waste household appliances in China: A 20-year review based on CiteSpace analysis
Authors: Yu Huiying
Published: June 2021

This study offers a systematic review of the research on the treatment of waste household appliances in China in the past 20 years. A total of 1123 related articles were selected from the CNKI database from 1998 to 2020 to sort out the hot spots, evolution and frontier trends. The results show that: (1) In the past 20 years, the research on waste household appliances in China has followed the development path of “society-technology-human”, gradually evolving from the macro level to the micro level, and the research in the field of waste household appliances governance has begun to take shape. (2) With the increasing enrichment of research methods and the continuous expansion of research ideas, the research topic breaks through the boundaries of single theory and discipline, and reverse logistics, closed-loop supply chain, recycling behavior, recycling and dismantling technology, etc. have become research hotspots. (3) From the initial study of the management experience of developed countries to the study of recycling management with Chinese characteristics, China’s “Internet + recycling” model is ahead of the international level and has become the latest research hotspot.
The role of international experience in speed of entry: Empirical evidence from Chinese innovative firms
Authors: Du Hongping , She Maoyan , Yu Xuan
Published: June 2021

By analyzing the dynamic path of internationalization, this study attempts to explain the entry mode choice, location choice, and speed of entry in the process of internationalization from the learning results obtained from previous international activities. Our research shows that the speed of the entry process depends on the type of experiential learning generated by the implicit decision-making in the process of Internationalization: the entry mode choice and the market location choice. We find that the experience accumulated in the host country has an inverted U-shaped effect on the speed of entry; while the experience accumulated of the entry mode has a U-shaped impact on the speed of entry. We perform an event history analyses(EHA) on 153 Chinese innovative firms with 905 OFDI observations during the period from 1991 to 2015, and analysis what and why is the paths of internationalization of Chinese firms. We find that Chinese innovative MNEs have more likelihood to choice the entry mode of acquisition and WOS than other entry modes in OFDI activity, and there is a higher probability that the Chinese innovative MNEs choice the market location of developed countries than developing countries in OFDI activity. Most importantly, we find that accumulated experience in host country has an inverted U-shaped impact on the speed of internationalization operation with acquisition mode and the speed of internationalization in developed countries; while accumulated experience in focal entry mode has an U-shaped impect on the speed of internationalization operation with branch or WOS mode and the speed of internationalization in developing countries. This claim is supported by both non-parametric and parametric tests in the EHA. Our research highlights the short-term and long-term consequences of different types of paths associated with the internationalization process.
Information Security Technology of Wireless Communication Physical Layer Based on Airspace Technology
Authors: Lan Jiang
Published: June 2021

Due to the characteristics of the broadcast function of the wireless communication network, the problem of information security has become very serious. And because the traditional upper-layer encryption technology is accompanied by the advancement of computer technology and eavesdropping technology, it has become more and more far from being able to meet the needs of modern society for information security. The multi-antenna beamforming technology in the airspace technology is a technology that can effectively increase the strength of the legal signal and suppress the eavesdropping signal. Therefore, it has become the most important technology in the physical layer security of our country and deserves our attention. Therefore, this article aims to study the wireless communication physical layer information security technology based on airspace technology. Based on the analysis of the basic theory of physical layer security, the current status of physical layer security research and the airspace physical layer security technology, the artificial noise auxiliary technology is promoted and applied to security identification. Taking the speed of maximizing the safe frequency spectrum as the design goal, an algorithm for joint optimization of information noise beam and artificial noise beam is proposed. The simulation results show that this algorithm can effectively improve the security and stability of the system, and it can also solve the eavesdropping problem.
A Study on the Financing Effect of U.S. Debt from the Perspective of Modern Monetary Theory-Also on the Innovation Driving Effect of Monetary Sovereignty
Authors: Cheng Chunyang
Published: June 2021

The traditional view is that China uses the foreign exchange income earned from the trade surplus to purchase U.S. treasury bonds, which provides financing for U.S. government expenditures and maintains the sustainability of U.S. public debt. Based on the modern monetary theory, this paper analyzes this phenomenon and believes that China’s trade surplus cannot finance US government expenditures. U.S. debt issuance can exert interest rate stabilization effect, exchange rate stabilization effect, currency issuance effect and innovation “crowding-out” effect, but it has no financing effect. Therefore, this paper puts forward some policy suggestions, such as increasing the central government expenditure and the issuance of treasury bonds, and implementing the reform of floating exchange rate system, in order to increase the monetary sovereignty of our country and give full play to the government’s role in promoting domestic economic innovation.
Model Construction of Museum Culture and Creativity Industry with Society Governance Targeted
Authors: Cheng Hui
Published: June 2021

The Museum Culture and Creativity (‘MCC’) industry in China confronts several issues, such as homogenization of the MCC products, shortages of passion in the MCC development and misunderstandings of the MCC industry. To solve the problems faced, solutions are to be proposed. In the context of building a modern governance system and improving approaches for society governance in China, the author constructs a model for the MCC with society governance targeted. The research is significant because it provides a unique perspective for the MCC industry and promotes the research of design governance in China.
Analysis of User Preferences for Smart Home Products in Minshuku
Authors: Xian Diyan , Xu Shihua
Published: June 2021

Smart Home Products(SHP) have been developing for more than ten years and getting more favored by customers. There are many kinds of products with different functions. In addition to ordinary home users, Minshuku hosts, hotel owners also employ smart home products to manage the houses/apartments. There may be differences in the demand preferences and types of smart home products between Minshuku users and home users. This paper classified the smart home products by functions, and analyzed the demand preferences of minshuku users for these products through questionnaire survey and interviews. Exploring these user requirements and scenarios in which product used can promote the R & D and the iteration of intelligent products.
Investigation on the Physical and Mental Health of College Students Based on Statistics
Authors: Wang Jianjian , Shen Guofang , Wang Zeyu
Published: June 2021

Contemporary college students face pressures from employment, emotion, and academic work, so the physical and mental health of college students has gradually become the focus of social attention. Through a questionnaire survey, this paper investigates five aspects : college students’sense of physical health, physical exercise, psychological distress, stress resistance and psychological adjustment methods. College students’ physical and mental health has been analyzed from the basic situation, differences in different student groups, main problems and suggestions, trying to objectively reflect the physical and mental health of college students and provide a basis for the development of college students’ideological and political education.
Campus network architecture based on identity authentication and roaming service
Authors: Li Jun , Du ZhiXiong , Liao Jie , Li XinHao , Wang Han , Pan XuQi
Published: June 2021

In recent years, with the rapid development of computers, the university educational administration system has also undergone reforms. Under the framework of big data and other frameworks, how to handle campus information conveniently and efficiently has become a major difficulty for developers. In response to the above problems, this paper proposes a campus network structure of an identity authentication system, and on this basis, also designs a solution for applying roaming services. It is hoped that this structure can be promoted and applied in the campus services of colleges and universities, and contribute to the information construction of colleges and universities.
Cryptocurrencies as facilitators of cybercrime
Authors: Lapuh Bele Julija
Published: June 2021

The aim of the article is to show cryptocurrencies as facilitators of crime, especially cybercrime. While investing in cryptocurrencies is publicly discussed, their role in the criminal world is more hidden from the public, however, causes a lot of problems for law enforcement and regulatory authorities around the world. Criminals are interested in cryptocurrencies as targets for of their attacks, means of payment and as a method of money laundering. In this article, we discuss why cryptocurrencies have become a means of payment for the criminal underworld, what benefits they have from them, and what major challenges law enforcement is facing in that regard. The survey was conducted based on reports from authorities involved in the prosecution of cybercrime. We can conclude that the organized criminal underworld has a strong interest in cryptocurrencies and their popularity among ordinary, honest citizens, as in this way it is much easier for the criminals to conceal their activities and the origin of their assets.
Conflict management impact on the employee productivity
Authors: Paresashvili Nino , Maisuradze Teona , Gechbaia Badri , Weis Lidija , Koval Viktor
Published: June 2021

Conflict management is one of the major skill that has a significant influence on the tasks employee have to perform daily bases. Conflict is unavoidable in daily routine of the organizations. Its importance is increased in the developing countries like Georgia as external factors make people to work in more unpredictable situations. This article is based on the research conducted in Georgia, shows main challenges, trends and understanding of conflict management, shows results and offers recommendations how to make employees more productive by managing it effectively. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate main challenges of conflict management, its impact on employee and organization productivity in Georgia, make conclusions and give recommendations to managers and employees how to deal with the conflict situations and improve constructive outcomes. Other factors influencing productivity connected to conflict management were also investigated. Results: Results has shown that conflict management understanding is quite low in Georgian organizations, as well as the constructive and destructive outcomes of it. Reasons of conflict is mainly improper distribution of functions and duties. Employees prefer to use collaborating style for conflict resolution.
Therapie des Lymphödems
Authors: Brenke Rainer
Published: June 2021

Die Therapie des Lymphödems gestaltet sich immer individuell – in Abhängigkeit vom jeweiligen Befund. Noch immer ist die Komplexe Physikalische Entstauungstherapie (KPE) die Therapie der Wahl beim Lymphödem. Kernstück ist die Manuelle Lymphdrainage, die auch bei verwandten Krankheitsbildern zum Einsatz kommen kann. Ergänzt wird diese Methode durch Kompression, Bewegung und Hautpflege.

Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick zur KPE. Im abschließenden Ausblick wird der Stellenwert weiterer Therapiemöglichkeiten wie chirurgische Optionen, Medikamente, Ernährung, Lymphtaping, Tiefenoszillation u. a. erläutert.
Fast-Track-Rehabilitation nach Ösophagektomie
Authors: Schroeder Wolfgang , Mallmann Christoph , Babic Benjamin , Bruns Christiane , Fuchs Hans Friedrich
Published: June 2021

Das multimodale und interprofessionelle Konzept der Fast-Track-Rehabilitation (Synonym: „enhanced recovery after surgery“, ERAS) ist bei der transthorakalen Ösophagektomie grundsätzlich umsetzbar, weist aber im Gegensatz zur Fast-Track-Chirurgie anderer onkologischer Prozeduren 2 wesentliche Besonderheiten auf. Aufgrund der hohen Komorbidität der Patienten mit Ösophaguskarzinom ist das Fast-Track-Konzept ein Teilaspekt des perioperativen Managements und von der präoperativen Konditionierung einzelner Organdysfunktionen (Prähabilitation) nicht zu trennen. Da die gastrale Rekonstruktion eine hohe Prävalenz eines „delayed gastric conduit emptying“ (DGCE) bedingt, ist postoperativ ein frühzeitiger und kalorisch adäquater, oraler Kostaufbau nur eingeschränkt durchführbar. Einen allgemein akzeptierten Algorithmus zum postoperativen Ernährungsmanagement und zur Prophylaxe/Therapie des DGCE gibt es gegenwärtig nicht. Die in spezialisierten Zentren bereits niedrige Mortalität
wird durch das Fast-Track-Programm nicht beeinflusst. Ob die postoperative Morbidität mit diesem Konzept gesenkt wird, kann durch die gegenwärtige Studienlage nicht abschließend beantwortet werden. Nach modifizierter Fast-Track-Rehabilitation ist eine Entlassung aus der stationären Behandlung ab dem 8. postoperativen Tag bei unkompliziertem Verlauf möglich.
Gitelman Syndrome in Pregnancy: A Clinical Challenge
Authors: Ergani Seval Yilmaz , Orgul Gokcen , Tolunay Harun Egemen , Arici Mustafa , Yucel Aykan , Uygur Dilek
Published: June 2021

Purpose Disease progress may be affected by pregnancy-related changes, and
underlying conditions may also affekt pregnancy outcomes in women with Gitelman
syndrome (GS). Case presentation A 35-year-old woman with GS (gravida 2 para 1)
was referred to our hospital to start routine antenatal care follow-up at 6
weeks of gestation. At the age of 31, she had been diagnosed with GS after her
first uneventful pregnancy. Upon early admission, her serum Mg+level was
0.51 mmol/L and her serum K+level
2.7 mmol/L with normal kidney function tests. She was already
taking oral combined potassium citrate and potassium bicarbonate supplementation
once a day before pregnancy. At the eighth gestational week, the medication was
changed to an oral potassium color sachet of 1.5 gram per day until labor
because of the insufficient dosage to maintain optimum potassium levels. She was
also taking 365 milligrams of oral magnesium oxide twice a day before and during
pregnancy. In the third trimester of the pregnancy, her serum Mg+level
was 0.48 mmol/L and serum K+level
2.8 mmol/L. Because of the previous uterine surgery history, she
underwent an elective cesarean operation at 39 weeks’ gestation under
spinal anesthesia and delivered a healthy 3090-gram female
infant.

Conclusion Increased need for potassium and magnesium supplementation
should be the critical considerations when managing pregnant patients with
GS.
Empirical Antimicrobial Therapy of Neonates with Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Donà Daniele , Gastaldi Andrea , Barbieri Elisa , Bonadies Luca , Aluvaala Jalemba , English Mike
Published: June 2021

Objective Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by ischemic necrosis of the intestinal mucosa, mostly affecting premature neonates. Management of NEC includes medical care and surgical approaches, with supportive care and empirical antibiotic therapy recommended to avoid any disease progression. However, there is still no clear evidence-based consensus on empiric antibiotic strategies or surgical timing. This study was aimed to review the available evidence on the effectiveness and safety of different antibiotic regimens for NEC.

Study Design MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and CINAHL databases were systematically searched through May 31, 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized interventions reporting data on predefined outcomes related to NEC treatments were included. Clinical trials were assessed using the criteria and standard methods of the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials, while the risk of bias in nonrandomized studies of interventions was evaluated using the ROBINS-I tool. The certainty in evidence of each outcome's effects was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.

Results Five studies were included in this review, two RCTs and three observational studies, for a total amount of 3,161 patients. One RCT compared the outcomes of parenteral (ampicillin plus gentamicin) and oral (gentamicin) treatment with parenteral only. Three studies (one RCT and two observational) evaluated adding anaerobic coverage to different parenteral regimens. The last observational study compared two different parenteral antibiotic combinations (ampicillin and gentamicin vs. cefotaxime and vancomycin).

Conclusion No antimicrobial regimen has been shown to be superior to ampicillin and gentamicin in decreasing mortality and preventing clinical deterioration in NEC. The use of additional antibiotics providing anaerobic coverage, typically metronidazole, or use of other broad-spectrum regimens as first-line empiric therapy is not supported by the very limited current evidence. Well-conducted, appropriately sized comparative trials are needed to make evidence-based recommendations.

Key Points
Gingival Biotype: A Secret for Esthetic Success
Authors: Sarma Marjita , Shenoy Nina , Bhandary Rahul
Published: June 2021

Gingival biotype, in the recent years, has gained substantial interest as one of the important pillars for esthetic success. This review provides recommendations to be considered prior to performing any dental procedure to attain best clinical results. Several methods for measuring biotype have been suggested. Gingiva is often subjected to various insults during routine dental procedures. Hence, understanding the gingival biotype can provide insights into precautions rendered necessary during tissue handling to avoid undesirable treatment outcomes.
I know the name well, but cannot read it correctly: difficulties in reading recent Japanese names
Authors: Ogihara Yuji
Published: June 2021

Previous literature has mentioned the difficulty in reading recent Japanese names correctly. However, this difficulty has not been empirically demonstrated. Thus, it is unclear to what extent and how it is difficult. Therefore, this paper provides empirical evidence of the difficulty in reading Japanese names correctly. Data including names of babies born between 2004 and 2018 were analyzed. The results showed that common writings have many variations in reading, which makes it difficult (or almost impossible) to choose the correct reading among many options. For example, one of the common writings for boys, 大翔 had 18 variations in reading, and for girls, 結愛 had 14 variations in reading. These variations differed remarkably in pronunciation, length, and meaning. Empirically reporting this difficulty in reading Japanese names correctly contributes to a better understanding of naming practices not only in Japan but also in vast regions where Chinese characters are/were used.
A compact electron beam ion trap in support of high-temperature plasma diagnostics based on conduction-cooled superconducting coils
Authors: Bin B. , Lyu B. , Yang Y. , Zhang H. M. , Hao Q. W. , Wang F. D. , Dai C. , Du X. W. , Fu J. , Li Y. Y. , Li J. , Wang Q. P.
Published: June 2021

Spectroscopic diagnostics of future fusion reactor plasmas require information on impurity line emissions, especially for relevant high-Z metal elements (e.g., tungsten). These materials will be widely used as plasma facing components for their high heat tolerance and low sputtering yield. Based on an electron beam ion trap, a compact impurity spectra platform is developed to mimic the high-temperature environment of a fusion reactor. The proposed platform can deliver a focused e-beam at energies over 30 keV using a confining magnetic field of ∼1.0 T generated by two superconducting coils (NbTi). Cooled by a closed-loop cryocooler, the coils can avoid the usage of a complicated cryogenic system involving the handling of liquid helium. For spectroscopic studies of highly charged ions, a spherically curved crystal spectrometer is proposed to measure a wavelength range around 2–4 Å covering the typical wavelength range expected to be emitted by metal ions in a fusion plasma. This paper reports the design and development progress of the platform.
Dependence of the coupling properties between a plasmonic antenna array and a sub-wavelength epsilon-near-zero film on structural and material parameters
Authors: Manukyan Karapet , Alam M. Zahirul , Liu Cong , Pang Kai , Song Hao , Zhao Zhe , Tur Moshe , Boyd Robert W. , Willner Alan E.
Published: June 2021

The resonance properties of a plasmonic dipole antenna array depend on its geometry and the properties of its surrounding medium. The linear optical properties of an array of plasmonic dipole antennas can be modified with the inclusion of an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) thin film. In this work, we numerically investigate the roles of the antenna dimensions, the ENZ film thickness and loss, and the separation between the antenna and the ENZ film in determining the linear optical response of the antenna–ENZ metasurface. The results show that for a sufficiently small separation, the linear optical properties of the antenna array are determined by the strong or ultrastrong coupling with the ENZ film and are only weakly dependent on the antenna geometry. We show that for metasurfaces with thick, lossy ENZ films, the lower polariton branch is not observable due to the high loss of ENZ films. Since the dependence of the upper polariton on antenna length is weak, this results in a single antenna-length-invariant resonance. However, in the presence of low-loss ENZ films, the lower polariton branch is also visible for antenna–ENZ metasurfaces with thicker ENZ films, indicating a strong coupling between the antenna array and the ENZ film. For a given antenna geometry, the coupling strength increases with increasing thickness of the ENZ film and can reach up to ∼50% of the zero-permittivity frequency of the ENZ film, indicating an ultrastrong coupling between the plasmonic antenna array and the ENZ film.
A remote gain controlled and polarization angle tunable Doppler backward scattering reflectometer
Authors: Wen J. , Shi Z. B. , Zhong W. L. , Yang Z. C. , Yang Z. J. , Wang B. , Jiang M. , Shi P. W. , Hillesheim J. C. , Freethy S. J. , Shi P. , Liang A. S. , Tong R. H. , Fang K. R. , Deng W. C. , Liu Y. , Yang Q. W. , Ding X. T. , Xu M.
Published: June 2021

Remote control of the diagnostic systems is the basic requirement for the high performance plasma operation in a fusion device. This work presents the development of the remote control system for the multichannel Doppler backward scattering (DBS) reflectometers. It includes a remote controlled quasi-optical system and a remote intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier gain control system. The quasi-optical system contains a rotational polarizer, its polarization angle is tunable through a remote controlled motor, and it could combine the microwave beams with a wide frequency range into one focused beam. The remote IF gain control system utilizes the digital microcontroller (MCU) technique to regulate the signal amplitude for each signal channel. The gain parameters of amplifiers are adjustable, and the feedback of working status in the IF system will be sent to MCU in real time for safe operation. The gain parameters could be controlled either by the Ethernet remote way or directly through the local control interface on the system. Preliminary experimental results show the effectiveness of the remote controlled multichannel DBS system.
Toward ultra-fast time-correlated single-photon counting: A compact module to surpass the pile-up limit
Authors: Farina S. , Acconcia G. , Labanca I. , Ghioni M. , Rech I.
Published: June 2021

Time-Correlated Single-Photon Counting (TCSPC) is an excellent technique used in a great variety of scientific experiments to acquire exceptionally fast and faint light signals. Above all, in Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM), it is widely recognized as the gold standard to record sub-nanosecond transient phenomena with picosecond precision. Unfortunately, TCSPC has an intrinsic limitation: to avoid the so-called pile-up distortion, the experiments have been historically carried out, limiting the acquisition rate below 5% of the excitation frequency. In 2017, we demonstrated that such a limitation can be overcome if the detector dead time is exactly matched with the excitation period, thus paving the way to unprecedented speedup of FLIM measurements. In this paper, we present the first single-channel system that implements the novel proposed methodology to be used in modern TCSPC experimental setups. To achieve this goal, we designed a compact detection head, including a custom single-photon avalanche diode externally driven by a fully integrated Active Quenching Circuit (AQC), featuring a finely tunable dead time and a short reset time. The output timing signal is extracted by using a picosecond precision Pick-Up Circuit (PUC) and fed to a newly developed timing module consisting of a mixed-architecture Fast Time to Amplitude Converter (F-TAC) followed by high-performance Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs). Data are transmitted in real-time to a Personal Computer (PC) at USB 3.0 rate for specific and custom elaboration. Preliminary experimental results show that the new TCSPC system is suitable for implementing the proposed technique, achieving, indeed, high timing precision along with a count rate as high as 40 Mcps.
A multi-orientation low-frequency rotational accelerometer
Authors: McCann J. J. , Winterflood J. , Ju L. , Zhao C.
Published: June 2021

We present a low frequency rotational accelerometer coined ALFRA with a few nrad/Hz readout sensitivity above 20 mHz and 0.1 nrad/Hz above 50 mHz. The ALFRA is a beam-balance style rotation sensor, which pivots about a cross flexure designed to allow mounting with any orientation, the axis of the pivot determining which rotational component is measured. The high sensitivity is achieved through the use of a walk-off sensor readout used in a feedback loop with an electromagnetic coil to keep the beam dynamically locked. The ALFRA is relatively compact for a ground rotation sensor, measuring at 780 × 240 × 55 mm3.
Forced convective heating for low-temperature sterilization
Authors: Lee Seung Hun , Jeon Hyun Jeong , Lim Youbong , Kim Jun Young , Choe Wonho
Published: June 2021

A novel impermeable sterile pouch is developed to allow the forced convective heating mechanism for improving the sterilization cycle. The heating process is parametrically investigated to obtain an optimized condition in which a sterilization load is heated from 20 to 45 °C within 2 min, and the forced convection is experimentally and numerically analyzed to find that the convection coefficient is dramatically increased to 450 W/m2 K when compared with the conventional natural convection coefficient of 80 W/m2 K. The optimized heating process is applied to a sterilization cycle using the impermeable pouch, and the overall sterilization cycle is found to be completed within 7.5 min whose performance is validated by using a process challenge device.
A millikelvin scanning tunneling microscope in ultra-high vacuum with adiabatic demagnetization refrigeration
Authors: Esat Taner , Borgens Peter , Yang Xiaosheng , Coenen Peter , Cherepanov Vasily , Raccanelli Andrea , Tautz F. Stefan , Temirov Ruslan
Published: June 2021

We present the design and performance of an ultra-high vacuum scanning tunneling microscope (STM) that uses adiabatic demagnetization of electron magnetic moments for controlling its operating temperature ranging between 30 mK and 1 K with an accuracy of up to 7 μK rms. At the same time, high magnetic fields of up to 8 T can be applied perpendicular to the sample surface. The time available for STM experiments at 50 mK is longer than 20 h, at 100 mK about 40 h. The single-shot adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator can be regenerated automatically within 7 h while keeping the STM temperature below 5 K. The whole setup is located in a vibrationally isolated, electromagnetically shielded laboratory with no mechanical pumping lines penetrating its isolation walls. The 1 K pot of the adiabatic demagnetization refrigeration cryostat can be operated silently for more than 20 days in a single-shot mode using a custom-built high-capacity cryopump. A high degree of vibrational decoupling together with the use of a specially designed minimalistic STM head provides outstanding mechanical stability, demonstrated by the tunneling current noise, STM imaging, and scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements, all performed on an atomically clean Al(100) surface.
A perspective on scaling up quantum computation with molecular spins
Authors: Carretta S. , Zueco D. , Chiesa A. , Gómez-León Á. , Luis F.
Published: June 2021

Artificial magnetic molecules can contribute to progressing toward large scale quantum computation by (a) integrating multiple quantum resources and (b) reducing the computational costs of some applications. Chemical design, guided by theoretical proposals, allows embedding nontrivial quantum functionalities in each molecular unit, which then acts as a microscopic quantum processor able to encode error protected logical qubits or to implement quantum simulations. Scaling up even further requires “wiring-up” multiple molecules. We discuss how to achieve this goal by the coupling to on-chip superconducting resonators. The potential advantages of this hybrid approach and the challenges that still lay ahead are critically reviewed.
Birthweight of female Holstein dairy cows is associated with subsequent lactation performance
Authors: Atashi Hadi
Published: June 2021

Context Birthweight (BW), the weight of an animal taken within 24 h after birth, is the first trait that can be easily measured. Investigating the association between the BW of a calf and her performance later in life is important to realise the optimum weight at birth. Aim The aim was to investigate the association between BW of females and their productive and reproductive performance later in life in Holstein dairy cows. Methods Data used were 214 377 lactation records on 83 440 cows distributed in 134 herds collected from January 2008 to December 2018 by the Animal Breeding Centre of Iran (Karaj, Iran). Based on the BW, animals were classified into six classes: BW of 20.0–37.0 kg, 37.1–39.0 kg, 39.1–41.0 kg, 41.1–43.0 kg, 43.1–45.0 kg and 45.1–70 kg (BW1 to BW6, respectively). Multiple regression mixed models were used to investigate the association between the BW of females and their age at the first calving, lactation performance, 100- and 305-day somatic cell score, the length of the calving interval, calf BW and dystocia later in life. Key results The mean (s.d.) BW across all animals (females) included was 40.9 (4.93) kg. Of the 83 440 animals included, 19.26% weighed ≤37.0 kg and 14.06% weighed ≥45.0 kg, whereas >23% weighed between 39.1 and 41.0 kg at birth. Increased BW of females was associated with a decrease in their age at the first calving; an increase in their 305-day milk, fat and protein yield; longer length of their calving interval; increased BW of their calves; and increased risk for dystocia. However, there was no association between BW of females and their 305-day fat and protein percentages, and 100- and 305-day somatic cell score. Conclusions In any economic evaluation of BW, not only calf perinatal mortality, but also the association between the BW of females and their lactation performance later in life should be taken into account. Implications The BW of a female calf is associated with her production and reproductive performance, and needs to be considered as an important trait in the dairy cattle breeding program.
The threat by the invasive African tulip tree,
Authors: Keppel Gunnar , Peters Stefan , Taoi Jake , Raituku Napolioni , Thomas-Moko Nunia
Published: June 2021

Expert knowledge is widely used for assessing the conservation status of little-known species. Pterocymbium oceanicum is a large, emergent tree endemic to Fiji. Experts classified the species as ‘Critically Endangered’ (IUCN Red List) in 2016 and estimated the population size at <250 mature individuals with the largest subpopulation consisting of a single stand of 100 individuals. We surveyed this stand and counted 133 individuals, which validated the expert estimate. However, we discovered an additional three stands nearby, increasing the total subpopulation size to 433 individuals. Therefore, the expert estimate reliably and conservatively estimated population size but missed important information. Field surveys suggest that P. oceanicum has a narrow ecological niche as a long-lived early pioneer at mid-elevations (400–800 m) in seasonally dry forests, one of Fiji’s most degraded ecosystems. The introduced African Tulip Tree, Spathodea campanulata, is invading the sampled subpopulation and shares the characteristics of being a large, fast-growing and early successional tree. Therefore, the narrow niche of P. oceanicum may now be threatened by S. campanulata. Our study highlights that expert knowledge can provide valuable information about threatened species but also has limitations. IUCN Red List assessments based solely on expert assessments should therefore be cautiously interpreted. The invasion by S. campanulata poses a serious threat to P. oceanicum and needs to be carefully monitored, with the impacts of S. campanulata on the establishment and growth of P. oceanicum requiring urgent investigation.
The absolute chronology of Boker Tachtit (Israel) and implications for the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition in the Levant
Authors: Boaretto Elisabetta , Hernandez Marion , Goder-Goldberger Mae , Aldeias Vera , Regev Lior , Caracuta Valentina , McPherron Shannon P. , Hublin Jean-Jacques , Weiner Steve , Barzilai Omry
Published: June 2021

Significance

The Initial Upper Paleolithic (IUP) marks a distinct cultural change possibly related to
Homo sapiens
dispersals into Eurasia. New radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence dates from the recent excavations at Boker Tachtit, Negev, Israel, show that the IUP starts as early as around 50,000 y ago, and the later IUP phase dates to 48,000 y ago. Thus, the Late Middle Paleolithic (MP) and early IUP populations both inhabited the Negev 50,000 y ago. The Negev later IUP phase and the Early UP of the Eastern Mediterranean woodland are contemporaneous. These results also show that the MP to UP transition was a fast-evolving process.
Time-restricted feeding protects the blood pressure circadian rhythm in diabetic mice
Authors: Hou Tianfei , Su Wen , Duncan Marilyn J. , Olga Vsevolozhskaya A. , Guo Zhenheng , Gong Ming C.
Published: June 2021

Significance

This study investigates the cause and effect relationship between the timing of food intake and blood pressure (BP) circadian rhythm in diabetic
db/db
mice. The results show that nondipping BP is associated with the loss of food intake rhythm and imposing food intake rhythms by time-restricted feeding (TRF, food available only during active nighttime) protects BP dipping in
db/db
mice. Mechanistically, TRF suppressed the sympathetic activity during the resting daytime, thus protecting BP dipping in
db/db
mice. Our study reveals a critical role of the daily timing of food intake in the prevention and treatment of nondipping BP in diabetic mice. The utility of this approach to the treatment of hypertension in patients with diabetes remains to be determined.
The human gut microbiome and health inequities
Authors: Amato Katherine R. , Arrieta Marie-Claire , Azad Meghan B. , Bailey Michael T. , Broussard Josiane L. , Bruggeling Carlijn E. , Claud Erika C. , Costello Elizabeth K. , Davenport Emily R. , Dutilh Bas E. , Swain Ewald Holly A. , Ewald Paul , Hanlon Erin C. , Julion Wrenetha , Keshavarzian Ali , Maurice Corinne F. , Miller Gregory E. , Preidis Geoffrey A. , Segurel Laure , Singer Burton , Subramanian Sathish , Zhao Liping , Kuzawa Christopher W.
Published: June 2021

Individuals who are minoritized as a result of race, sexual identity, gender, or socioeconomic status experience a higher prevalence of many diseases. Understanding the biological processes that cause and maintain these socially driven health inequities is essential for addressing them. The gut microbiome is strongly shaped by host environments and affects host metabolic, immune, and neuroendocrine functions, making it an important pathway by which differences in experiences caused by social, political, and economic forces could contribute to health inequities. Nevertheless, few studies have directly integrated the gut microbiome into investigations of health inequities. Here, we argue that accounting for host–gut microbe interactions will improve understanding and management of health inequities, and that health policy must begin to consider the microbiome as an important pathway linking environments to population health.
Disrupted osteocyte connectivity and pericellular fluid flow in bone with aging and defective TGF-β signaling
Authors: Schurman Charles A. , Verbruggen Stefaan W. , Alliston Tamara
Published: June 2021

Significance

Bone fragility increases with age as the result of the concurrent decline of bone mass, quality, and mechanosensitivity. While the coordinated decline of these behaviors remains unexplained, the role of osteocytes in each of these processes and the age-related degeneration of the lacunocanalicular network (LCN) in which they reside implicate osteocytes in bone aging. In this work, we identify canalicular loss as a driver behind declining mass transport and mechanostimulation within the LCN of aged bone and of bone with osteocyte-intrinsic defects in transforming growth factor beta signaling. We identify the ability to restore physical stimulation to osteocytes through expansion of the pericellular space. Future studies will determine if therapeutic stimulation of osteocyte function can improve bone health with age.
An ecophysiological explanation for manganese enrichment in rock varnish
Authors: Lingappa Usha F. , Yeager Chris M. , Sharma Ajay , Lanza Nina L. , Morales Demosthenes P. , Xie Gary , Atencio Ashley D. , Chadwick Grayson L. , Monteverde Danielle R. , Magyar John S. , Webb Samuel M. , Valentine Joan Selverstone , Hoffman Brian M. , Fischer Woodward W.
Published: June 2021

Significance

Rock varnish is a prominent feature of desert landscapes and the canvas for many prehistoric petroglyphs. How it forms—and, in particular, the basis for its extremely high manganese content—has been an enduring mystery. The work presented here establishes a biological mechanism for this manganese enrichment, underpinned by an apparent antioxidant strategy that enables microbes to survive in the harsh environments where varnish forms. The understanding that varnish is the residue of life using manganese to thrive in the desert illustrates that, even in extremely stark environments, the imprint of life is omnipresent on the landscape.
Formulation and resolutions of the red sky paradox
Authors: Kipping David
Published: June 2021

Significance

Red dwarf stars are the most numerous and long-lived stars in the cosmos, and recent exoplanet discoveries indicate an abundance of rocky, temperate planets around them. This presents an apparent paradox as to why we do not see a red dwarf in our sky. This “red sky paradox” could plausibly be random chance at the 1-in-100 level but would then come into tension with the Copernican principle. Three additional resolutions to the paradox are outlined, which broadly inhibit the opportunities for complex life to develop around such stars: attenuated emergence rates, truncated evolutionary windows, and/or a paucity of suitable habitats. All three appear viable given our present limited knowledge but the potential for future observational tests is explored.
Anthropogenic lead pervasive in Canadian Arctic seawater
Authors: De Vera Joan , Chandan Priyanka , Pinedo-González Paulina , John Seth G. , Jackson Sarah L. , Cullen Jay T. , Colombo Manuel , Orians Kristin J. , Bergquist Bridget A.
Published: June 2021

Significance

Anthropogenic lead (Pb) is widespread and far reaching in the environment. However, it was thought that western Arctic Ocean seawater was pristine based on low dissolved Pb and proxy data. By measuring Pb isotopes on seawater with extremely low concentrations, this study shows that anthropogenic Pb is pervasive in western Arctic Ocean seawater, and much of the dissolved Pb is from remobilization of previously deposited aerosols from the high-Pb emission period of the 20th century. Thus, historic Pb pollution still impacts Arctic seawater, and accelerated melting of permafrost and ice and increased coastal erosion may enhance this remobilization. This study also demonstrates that dissolved Pb isotopes are a sensitive tracer of contaminant and particulate sources in Arctic seawater.
Revisiting the consequences of deleting the X inactivation center
Authors: Yin Hao , Wei Chunyao , Lee Jeannie T.
Published: June 2021

Significance

Mammalian cells equalize X-linked dosages between the male (XY) and female (XX) sexes by silencing one X chromosome in the female sex. X chromosome inactivation (XCI) requires the X inactivation center (
Xic
), which spans several hundred kilobases in the mouse and includes several required noncoding genes. Over three decades, transgenic and deletional analyses have demonstrated that the
Xic
is both necessary and sufficient to induce X chromosome counting, choice, and the initiation of whole-chromosome silencing. However, one recent study reported that deleting the noncoding
Xic
surprisingly had no effect on counting or initiation of XCI. Here, we revisited the question, created independent
Xic
deletion lines, and reaffirmed the essential nature of the
Xic
for counting and X chromosome silencing.