bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolved massive stars at low-metallicity
Authors: Yang Ming , Bonanos Alceste Z. , Jiang Biwei , Lam Man I. , Gao Jian , Gavras Panagiotis , Maravelias Grigoris , Wang Shu , Chen Xiao-Dian , Tramper Frank , Ren Yi , Spetsieri Zoi T.
Published: February 2021

We present a case study in which we used a novel method to identify red supergiant (RSG) candidates in NGC 6822 based on their 1.6 μm H-bump. We collected 32 bands of photometric data for NGC 6822 ranging from the optical to the mid-infrared, derived from Gaia, PS1, LGGS, VHS, UKIRT, IRSF, HAWK-I, Spitzer, and WISE. Using the theoretical spectra from MARCS, we demonstrate that there is a prominent difference around 1.6 μm (H-bump) between targets with high and low surface gravity (HSG and LSG). Taking advantage of this feature, we identify efficient color–color diagrams of rzH (r − z vs. z − H) and rzK (r − z vs. z − K) to separate HSG (mostly foreground dwarfs) and LSG targets (mainly background red giant stars, asymptotic giant branch stars, and RSGs) from crossmatching of optical and near-infrared (NIR) data. Moreover, synthetic photometry from ATLAS9 gives similar results. We further separated RSG candidates from the remaining LSG candidates as determined by the H-bump method by using semi-empirical criteria on NIR color–magnitude diagrams, where both the theoretic cuts and morphology of the RSG population are considered. This separation produced 323 RSG candidates. The simulation of foreground stars with Besançon models also indicates that our selection criteria are largely free from the contamination of Galactic giants. In addition to the H-bump method, we used the traditional BVR method (B − V vs. V − R) as a comparison and/or supplement by applying a slightly aggressive cut to select as many RSG candidates as possible (358 targets). Furthermore, the Gaia astrometric solution was used to constrain the sample, where 181 and 193 targets were selected with the H-bump and BVR method, respectively. The percentages of selected targets in the two methods are similar at ∼60%, indicating a comparable accuracy of the two methods. In total, there are 234 RSG candidates after combining targets from the two methods, and 140 (∼60%) of them are in common. The final RSG candidates are in the expected locations on the mid-infrared color–magnitude diagram with [3.6]−[4.5] ≲ 0 and J − [8.0] ≈ 1.0. The spatial distribution is also coincident with the far-ultraviolet-selected star formation regions, suggesting that the selection is reasonable and reliable. We indicate that our method can also be used to identify other LSG targets, such as red giants and asymptotic giant branch stars, and it can also be applied to most of the nearby galaxies by using recent large-scale ground-based surveys. Future ground- and space-based facilities may promote its application beyond the Local Group.
MAGNUM survey: Compact jets causing large turmoil in galaxies
Authors: Venturi G. , Cresci G. , Marconi A. , Mingozzi M. , Nardini E. , Carniani S. , Mannucci F. , Marasco A. , Maiolino R. , Perna M. , Treister E. , Bland-Hawthorn J. , Gallimore J.
Published: February 2021

Context. Outflows accelerated by active galactic nuclei (AGN) are commonly observed in the form of coherent, mildly collimated high-velocity gas directed along the AGN ionisation cones and kinetically powerful (≳1044 − 45 erg s−1) jets. Recent works found that outflows can also be accelerated by low-power (≲1044 erg s−1) jets, and the most recent cosmological simulations indicate that these are the dominant source of feedback on sub-kiloparsec scales, but little is known about their effect on the galaxy host.

Aims. We study the relation between radio jets and the distribution and kinematics of the ionised gas in IC 5063, NGC 5643, NGC 1068, and NGC 1386 as part of our survey of nearby Seyfert galaxies called Measuring Active Galactic Nuclei Under MUSE Microscope (MAGNUM). All these objects host a small-scale (≲1 kpc) low-power (≲1044 erg s−1) radio jet that has small inclinations (≲45°) with respect to the galaxy disc.

Methods. We employed seeing-limited optical integral field spectroscopic observations from the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) at the Very Large Telescope to obtain flux, kinematic, and excitation maps of the extended ionised gas. We compared these maps with archival radio images and in one case, with Chandra X-ray observations.

Results. We detect a strong (up to ≳800–1000 km s−1) and extended (≳1 kpc) emission-line velocity spread perpendicular to the direction of the AGN ionisation cones and jets in all four targets. The gas excitation in this region of line-width enhancement is entirely compatible with shock ionisation. These broad and symmetric line profiles are not associated with a single coherent velocity of the gas. A ‘classical’ outflow component with net blueshifted and redshifted motions is also present, but is directed along the ionisation cones and jets.

Conclusions. We interpret the observed phenomenon as due to the action of the jets perturbing the gas in the galaxy disc. These intense and extended velocity spreads perpendicular to AGN jets and cones are indeed currently only observed in galaxies hosting a low-power jet whose inclination is sufficiently low with respect to the galaxy disc to impact on and strongly affect its material. In line with cosmological simulations, our results demonstrate that low-power jets are indeed capable of affecting the host galaxy.
Massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud
Authors: Bouret J.-C. , Martins F. , Hillier D. J. , Marcolino W. L. F. , Rocha-Pinto H. J. , Georgy C. , Lanz T. , Hubeny I.
Published: February 2021

Context. The evolution of massive stars depends on several physical processes and parameters. Metallicity and rotation are among the most important, but their quantitative effects are not well understood.

Aims. To complement our earlier study on main-sequence stars, we study the evolutionary and physical properties of evolved O stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). We focus in particular on their surface abundances to further investigate the efficiency of rotational mixing as a function of age, rotation, and global metallicity.

Methods. We analysed the UV and optical spectra of 13 SMC O-type giants and supergiants using the stellar atmosphere code CMFGEN to derive photospheric and wind properties. We compared the inferred properties to theoretical predictions from evolution models. For a more comprehensive analysis, we interpret the results together with those we previously obtained for O-type dwarfs.

Results. Most dwarfs of our sample lie in the early phases of the main sequence. For a given initial mass, giants are farther along the evolutionary tracks, which confirms that they are indeed more evolved than dwarfs. Supergiants have higher initial masses and are located past the terminal-age main-sequence in each diagram. We find no clear trend of a mass discrepancy, regardless of the diagram that was used to estimate the evolutionary mass. Surface CNO abundances are consistent with nucleosynthesis from the CNO cycle. Comparisons to theoretical predictions reveal that the initial mixture is important when the observed trends in the N/C versus N/O diagram are to be reproduced. A trend for stronger chemical evolution for more evolved objects is observed. Above about 30 M⊙, more massive stars are on average more chemically enriched at a given evolutionary phase. Below 30 M⊙, the trend vanishes. This is qualitatively consistent with evolutionary models. A principal component analysis of the abundance ratios for the whole (dwarfs and evolved stars) sample supports the theoretical prediction that massive stars at low metallicity are more chemically processed than their Galactic counterparts. Finally, models including rotation generally reproduce the surface abundances and rotation rates when different initial rotational velocities are considered. Nevertheless, for some objects, a stronger braking and/or more efficient mixing is required.
Precise radial velocities of giant stars
Authors: Heeren Paul , Reffert Sabine , Trifonov Trifon , Wong Ka Ho , Lee Man Hoi , Lillo-Box Jorge , Quirrenbach Andreas , Arentoft Torben , Albrecht Simon , Grundahl Frank , Andersen Mads Fredslund , Antoci Victoria , Pallé Pere L.
Published: February 2021

Context. Using the Hamilton Échelle Spectrograph at Lick Observatory, we have obtained precise radial velocities (RVs) of a sample of 373 G- and K-giant stars over more than 12 yr, leading to the discovery of several single and multiple planetary systems. The RVs of the long-period (~53 yr) spectroscopic binary ε Cyg (HIP 102488) are found to exhibit additional regular variations with a much shorter period (~291 days).

Aims. We intend to improve the orbital solution of the ε Cyg system and attempt to identify the cause of the nearly periodic shorter period variations, which might be due to an additional substellar companion.

Methods. We used precise RV measurements of the K-giant star ε Cyg from Lick Observatory, in combination with a large set of RVs collected more recently with the SONG telescope, as well as archival data sets. We fit Keplerian and fully dynamical N-body models to the RVs in order to explore the properties of a previously known spectroscopic stellar companion and to investigate whether there is an additional planetary companion in the system. To search for long-term stable regions in the parameter space around the orbit of this putative planet, we ran a stability analysis using an N-body code. Furthermore, we explored the possibility of co-orbital bodies to the planet with a demodulation technique. We tested the hypothesis of ε Cyg being a hierarchical stellar triple by using a modified version of the N-body code. Alternative causes for the observed RV variations, such as stellar spots and oscillations, were examined by analyzing photometric data of the system and by comparing its properties to known variable stars with long secondary periods and heartbeat stars from the literature.

Results. Our Keplerian model characterizes the orbit of the spectroscopic binary to higher precision than achieved previously, resulting in a semi-major axis of a = 15.8 AU, an eccentricity of e = 0.93, and a minimum mass of the secondary of msini = 0.265 M⊙. Additional short-period RV variations closely resemble the signal of a Jupiter-mass planet orbiting the evolved primary component with a period of 291 d, but the period and amplitude of the putative orbit change strongly over time. Furthermore, in our stability analysis of the system, no stable orbits could be found in a large region around the best fit. Both of these findings deem a planetary cause of the RV variations unlikely. Most of the investigated alternative scenarios also fail to explain the observed variability convincingly. Due to its very eccentric binary orbit, it seems possible, however, that ε Cyg could be an extreme example of a heartbeat system.
Platelet Function and Turnover in Essential Thrombocythemia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kvernberg Joachim , Grove Erik Lerkevang , Ommen Hans Beier , Hvas Anne-Mette
Published: February 2021

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by increased platelet counts. ET has an incidence of 0.6 to 2.5 per 100,000 per year in Europe and North America. The disease is characterized by an increased thromboembolic risk, possibly caused by increased platelet counts. Furthermore, increased platelet function and/or increased platelet turnover may play a role. We aimed to explore: (1) whether platelet function and platelet turnover are increased in ET patients compared with healthy controls, and (2) whether these parameters are associated with increased thromboembolic risk and, therefore, may support decision-making on treatment in ET patients. We performed a systematic literature search on March 20, 2020 in Embase and PubMed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. In total, 1,923 articles were identified, 38 of which were included according to prespecified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among the 38 studies, platelet activation (CD36 and CD62P) was investigated in 18 studies and was found to be increased in 12 of these. Platelet aggregation was investigated in 21 studies and was reported to be reduced in 20 of them. Platelet turnover (immature platelet count and mean platelet volume) was investigated in five studies with inconclusive results. No parameters were reported to predict the risk of thromboembolic events. In conclusion, platelet activation was increased in ET patients, but platelet aggregation was reduced. Future studies exploring markers of thromboembolic risk in ET patients are warranted.
Two-step manufacturing of hundreds of meter-long silicon micrometer-size core optical fibers with less than 0.2 dB/cm background losses
Authors: Kudinova M. , Bouwmans G. , Vanvincq O. , Habert R. , Plus S. , Bernard R. , Baudelle K. , Cassez A. , Chazallon B. , Marinova M. , Nuns N. , Bigot L.
Published: February 2021

This work reports on the fabrication and the characterization of hybrid optical fibers with silicon core and silica cladding. Adopting a two-step manufacturing technique derived from the stack-and-draw method, silicon-core fibers with core dimensions ranging from about 0.8 μm to 3.5 μm have been successively drawn into hundreds of meter-long fibers. A 3.3 μm diameter core fiber has been more extensively characterized and background losses for this as-drawn fiber are less than 0.2 dB/cm between 1250 nm and 1650 nm, with a minimum of 0.12 dB/cm around 1600 nm. The crystalline state of the core and the limited impact of oxygen contamination were confirmed by Raman scattering, x-ray diffraction, HR-STEM, and ToF-SIMS analysis. Transmission peaks associated with specific modal distributions are evidenced under certain injection conditions and their positions are shown to be in good accordance with mode cut-off wavelengths of a step-index silicon-core fiber.
Modeling, simulation, and optimization of electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) devices
Authors: Wei Qiuxu , Yao Wenliang , Gu Le , Fan Bolin , Gao Yongjia , Yang Li , Zhao Yingying , Che Chuncheng
Published: February 2021

With widespread research studies on electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) for droplet manipulation in the field of lab-on-a-chip, how to improve the driving capability of droplets has increasingly attracted enormous interest. Aiming to decrease driving voltages and improve driving effectiveness, this paper studies the modeling, simulation, and optimization of EWOD devices. The theoretical model is refined mainly in consideration of the saturation effect of the contact angle and then verified by both simulation and experiments. As a design guide to decrease the driving voltage, a theoretical criterion of droplet splitting, the most difficult one among four basic droplet manipulations, is developed and then verified by experimental results. Moreover, a novel sigmoid electrode shape is found by the optimization method based on finite element analysis and achieves better driving effectiveness and consistent bidirectional driving capability, compared with the existing electrode shapes. Taken together, this paper provides an EWOD analysis and optimization method featuring a lower voltage and a better effectiveness and opens up opportunities for optimization designs in various EWOD-based applications.
Research on reducing reluctance torque of permanent magnet toroidal motor
Authors: Liu Xin , Sun Maopu , Wang Xiaoyuan
Published: February 2021

The permanent magnet toroidal motor (PMTM) is a special motor that combines a permanent magnet motor with a deceleration mechanism. Because of the special structure of the PMTM, its reluctance torque includes cogging torque and end torque. In order to reduce the reluctance torque ripple of the PMTM and improve its output stability, the cogging torque and end torque of the motor are optimized, respectively. The structure of eccentric permanent magnet teeth improves the sine of the air gap magnetic induction of the motor, thereby effectively reducing the fluctuation of the cogging torque. It is proposed to add compensation windings at both ends of the central worm stator to reduce the fluctuation of the end torque. The dynamic compensation effect and the change in air gap magnetic induction intensity with the current applied to the compensation windings are analyzed by finite element simulation. The relationship between the compensation current and the structure parameters of the motor is derived. Finally, it is verified that the output torque ripple can be effectively reduced by adding the magnetic isolation material between the compensation winding and the three-phase winding. The research results show that the reluctance torque fluctuation can be greatly reduced by using eccentric permanent magnet teeth and compensation windings. It provides an important reference basis for the optimization design of the electromagnetic structure of the PMTM.
The importance of exact exchange—A methodological investigation of NO reduction in heme–copper oxidases
Authors: Blomberg Margareta R. A.
Published: February 2021

Significant improvements of the density functional theory (DFT) methodology during the past few decades have made DFT calculations a powerful tool in studies of enzymatic reaction mechanisms. For metalloenzymes, however, there are still concerns about the reliability in the DFT-results. Therefore, a systematic study is performed where the fraction of exact exchange in a hybrid DFT functional is used as a parameter. By varying this parameter, a set of different but related functionals are obtained. The various functionals are applied to one of the reactions occurring in the enzyme family heme–copper oxidases, the reduction of nitric oxide (NO) to nitrous oxide (N2O) and water. The results show that, even though certain parts of the calculated energetics exhibit large variations, the qualitative pictures of the reaction mechanisms are quite stable. Furthermore, it is found that the functional with 15% exact exchange (B3LYP*) gives the best agreement with experimental data for the particular reactions studied. An important aspect of the procedure used is that the computational results are carefully combined with a few more general experimental data to obtain a complete description of the entire catalytic cycle of the reactions studied.
Relations between thermodynamics, structures, and dynamics for modified water models in their supercooled regimes
Authors: Horstmann R. , Vogel M.
Published: February 2021

We use molecular dynamics simulations to study relations between thermodymamic, structural, and dynamical properties of TIP4P/2005 water models with systematically reduced partial charges and, thus, weaker hydrogen bonds. Observing a crossing of isochores in the P–T diagram, we show that these water-like models have a readily accessible liquid–liquid critical point (LLCP) associated with a transition between high-density liquid (HDL) and low-density liquid (LDL) forms and determine the dependence of the critical temperature Tc, pressure Pc, and density ρc on the charge-scaling factor from fits to a two-structure equation of states. The results indicate that the water-like models exhibit liquid polyamorphism in a wide range of interaction parameters. Considering elongated systems, we observe a decomposition into extended and stable HDL-like and LDL-like regions at appropriate pressures and low temperatures and analyze the respective structural and dynamical properties. We show that the diverse local order results in very different correlation times of local dynamics, while the fragility is hardly changed. The results yield insights into the origin of a dynamical crossover, which is observed when lowering the temperature along isobars and was previously interpreted in terms of a fragile-to-strong transition. Our findings imply that the effect does not involve two liquid phases with an exceptionally large difference of the fragility but rather a high temperature dependence near the LLCP results from a rapid conversion from HDL-like environments with faster dynamics to LDL-like ones with slower dynamics.
Coercivity enhancement of hot-deformed NdFeB magnet by doping R80Al20 (R = La, Ce, Dy, Tb) alloy powders
Authors: Chang H. W. , Lin G. T. , Wong Y. J. , Huang W. M. , Chang W. C.
Published: February 2021

Significant enhancement in coercivity for hot deformed (HD) NdFeB magnets is achieved by doping R80Al20 (R= La, Ce, Dy, Tb) alloy powders. All studied samples exhibit fine microstructure with good (00L) texture. By doping R80Al20 powders, the coercivity of HD NdFeB magnets is significantly increased from 16.0 kOe to 19.4 kOe, 20.0 kOe, 21.8 kOe, and 23.8 kOe for R = La, Ce, Dy, and Tb, respectively, while (BH)max is decreased from 41.5 MGOe to 39.3-40.8 MGOe slightly. Microstructure analysis shows that Ce or La prefers to distribute mostly at grain boundary, while Dy or Tb and Al locate at grain boundary and surface. The magnetic isolation due to R-rich phase containing Nd, Ce or La, Al at the grain boundary contributes to coercivity enhancement with the samples with R = La and Ce. In additional to magnetic isolation, the strengthened magnetic anisotropy field of 2:14:1 phase due to Tb or Dy, and slight Al substitutions gives rise to the significant enhancement of coercivity for those with R80Al20 (R = Dy and Tb).
Stretchy molecules rupture far from the crack
Authors: Miller Johanna L.
Published: February 2021

Newly observed molecular consequences of fracturing in an elastic sheet reveal some surprises.
Is there unwarranted variation in obstetric practice in Australia? Obstetric intervention trends in Queensland hospitals
Authors: Fox Haylee , Callander Emily , Lindsay Daniel , Topp Stephanie M.
Published: February 2021

Objective The aim of this study was to report on the rates of obstetric interventions within each hospital jurisdiction in the state of Queensland, Australia. Methods This project used a whole-of-population linked dataset that included the health and cost data of all mothers who gave birth in Queensland, Australia, between 2012 and 2015 (n = 186 789), plus their babies (n = 189 909). Adjusted and unadjusted rates of obstetric interventions and non-instrumental vaginal delivery were reported within each hospital jurisdiction in Queensland. Results High rates of obstetric intervention exist in both the private and public sectors, with higher rates demonstrated in the private than public sector. Within the public sector, there is substantial variation in rates of intervention between hospital and health service jurisdictions after adjusting for confounding variables that influence the need for obstetric intervention. Conclusions Due to the high rates of obstetric interventions statewide, a deeper understanding is needed of what factors may be driving these high rates at the health service level, with a focus on the clinical necessity of the provision of Caesarean sections. What is known about the topic? Variation in clinical practice exists in many health disciplines, including obstetric care. Variation in obstetric practice exists between subpopulation groups and between states and territories in Australia. What does this paper add? What we know from this microlevel analysis of obstetric intervention provision within the Australian population is that the provision of obstetric intervention varies substantially between public sector hospital and health services and that this variation is not wholly attributable to clinical or demographic factors of mothers. What are the implications for practitioners? Individual health service providers need to examine the factors that may be driving high rates of Caesarean sections within their institution, with a focus on the clinical necessity of Caesarean section.
Seasonal climate summary for Australia and the southern hemisphere (summer 2018–19): extreme heat and flooding prominent
Authors: Hague Ben S.
Published: February 2021

This is a summary of the southern hemisphere atmospheric circulation patterns and meteorological indices for summer 2018–19; an account of seasonal rainfall and temperature for the Australian region is also provided. January 2019 was Australia’s hottest month on record, nearly 1°C warmer than any previous month. Impacts of heavy rain and floods were reported in Australia, New Zealand and South American nations. Extreme terrestrial and maritime heatwaves occurred in and around Australia and New Zealand. Case studies of the Australian heatwave, Queensland floods in January and February, and a tide-driven coastal inundation event are considered.
Learning to silence saccadic suppression
Authors: Scholes Chris , McGraw Paul V. , Roach Neil W.
Published: February 2021

Significance

Sensory systems often suppress self-generated sensations in order to discriminate them from those arising in the environment. The suppression of visual sensitivity during rapid eye movements is well established, and although functionally beneficial most of the time, it can limit the performance of certain tasks. Here, we show that with repeated practice, mechanisms that suppress visual signals during eye movements can be modified. People trained to detect brief visual patterns learn to turn off suppression around the expected time of the target. These findings demonstrate an elegant form of plasticity, capable of improving the visibility of behaviorally relevant stimuli without compromising the wider functional benefits of suppression.
Language focused episodes by monolingual teachers in English Medium Instruction science lessons
Authors: An Jiangshan , Macaro Ernesto , Childs Ann
Published: February 2021

This study is situated in a newly emerging EMI setting in China where an Anglophone high school curriculum is
taught by predominantly foreign teachers through English to local Chinese students. These teachers are termed ‘monolingual
teachers’ in the sense that they cannot use the students’ L1 as a resource in their teaching should they wish to, as opposed to
the typical bilingual teachers commonly explored in the existing EMI literature. Through quantitative and qualitative analysis of
30 video-recorded EMI science lessons taught by 15 monolingual teachers we identified and explored the language-focused-episodes
(LFEs) where students’ attention was explicitly diverted from the content plane to the language plane. We found very limited
explicit language instruction, with non-technical vocabulary being the main type of LFEs, and only a narrow range of grammatical
features being attended to. The implications for this lack of focus on language are discussed in the context of monolingual
teachers but also with reference to the potential for bilingual teachers to use both L1 and L2 for LFEs.
The role of language in scaffolding content & language integration in CLIL science classrooms
Authors: Tang Kok-Sing
Published: February 2021

This chapter synthesizes
the contributions from the authors in this edited volume by addressing two overarching questions. First, what is the role of language in mediating
science teaching and learning in a CLIL science classroom? Second, to what extent can content and language be integrated or
separated in CLIL instruction and assessment? In addressing the first question, I distil three major perspectives of how the
authors conceive the role of language as a scaffolding tool. These roles are: (a) providing the discursive means and structure for
classroom interaction to occur, (b) enabling students’ construction of knowledge through cognitive and/or linguistic processes,
and (c) providing the semantic relationships for science meaning-making. These three perspectives roughly correspond to the
discursive, cognitive-linguistic, and semiotic roles of language respectively. In addition, two other roles – epistemic and
affective, though not emphasized in this volume, are also discussed. In addressing the second question, I raise a dilemma
concerning the integration of content and language. While there are clear political and theoretical arguments calling for an
inseparable integration, there is also a common practice to separate content and language as distinct entities for various
pedagogical and analytical purposes. In revolving this conundrum, I suggest a way forward is to consider the differences in the
various roles of language (discursive/cognitive/linguistic vs. semiotic/epistemic/affective) or the levels of language involved
(lexicogrammar vs. text/genre).
Verbal working memory as a predictor of explicit and implicit knowledge of English passive voice
Authors: Pawlak Miroslaw , Biedroń Adriana
Published: February 2021

While there is copious evidence concerning the effectiveness of different instructional options in teaching
grammar (e.g., Nassaji, 2017; Pawlak, 2017),
less is known about the extent to which the contribution of pedagogical intervention is mediated by individual factors. The same
can be said about the product of instructed but also uninstructed second language acquisition, that is the knowledge of target
language grammar. The chapter attempts to shed light on one such variable, that is working memory, which has recently been an object
of intensive empirical inquiry (e.g., Li, 2017; Wen, Biedroń, & Skehan, 2016). It reports the results of a study that investigated the role of verbal working
memory in the development of explicit and implicit knowledge of the English passive voice. Participants were 156 Polish university
students enrolled in a three-year BA program in English. The data on verbal working memory were collected by means of the
Polish Listening Span Test (PLSPAN), developed by Zychowicz, Biedroń and
Pawlak (2017). Explicit knowledge was tapped by means of an untimed grammatically judgment test, which focused on
reception, and a traditional grammar test, which targeted production. Implicit knowledge was tapped through a timed grammaticality
judgment test for reception and a focused communication task (Ellis, 2003) for
production. Correlational analysis demonstrated that verbal working memory was a weak predictor of explicit productive and
receptive knowledge but not implicit knowledge.
Phonological short-term memory capacity and L2 oral performance
Authors: Granena Gisela , Yilmaz Yucel
Published: February 2021

phonological short-term memory (PSTM) capacity is the ability to retain verbal information briefly (Archibald
& Gathercole, 2006). Since PSTM facilitates the storage of verbal material, one expects a positive relationship between PSTM
and several aspects of second language (L2) learning. Some studies have found a relationship between PSTM and oral production
skills, such as fluency (e.g., O’Brien et al., 2006). This paper reports on the results
of a study that looked at the inter-relations between complexity, accuracy, and fluency (CAF), and between these dimensions and
PSTM. One hundred and thirty-five L2 learners of Spanish participated in the study. Results showed that performance in one L2
speech dimension did not have a negative impact on performance in another dimension, but that as complexity increased or
decreased, there was a better chance of fluency than accuracy also increasing or decreasing. PSTM capacity was related to
complexity and fluency, but not to accuracy. These results were interpreted as lending some support to Skehan’s Trade-off
Hypothesis (Skehan, 2009).
Armed conflict and resistance in indigenous Colombia
Authors: Ferrari Simone
Published: February 2021

The present proposal is to analyze the linguistic
landscape of the municipality of Toribío (Colombia) as a means of
testimony of the autonomous indigenous resistance against the
violence suffered by the Nasa communities during the Colombian
Conflict. The methodological approach proposed is based on the
cultural analysis of the units from their context referent to social
tensions, with an emphasis on its “meaning-making” (Ivkovic & Arfin, 2019)
value. This will also rely on palabrandar, a
category of the Nasa epistemology that means the ability to “walk
the word” (Almendra,
2017, p. 73) so that it may be a transformative path and
action of the community environment.
Donde su visión se hace realidad
Authors: Amgott Natalie
Published: February 2021

This chapter examines the Linguistic Landscape
of business plazas in Orlando, Florida to identify the roles of
Spanish and English and illustrate how signage converges with local
neighborhoods. Data consists of storefront signage for 119
businesses in 10 Orlando plazas. Quantitative data analysis
demonstrated how language represented the surrounding populations
(Van Mensel, Vandenbroucke,
& Blackwood, 2016). By integrating grammar of visual
design (Kress & Van Leeuwen,
1996), geosemiotics (Scollon & Scollon, 2003), and multimodality (Kress, 2003, 2010), I examined how
multimodal choices further index certain populations. Findings
indicate the importance of neighborhood plaza culture in language
choice and the role of gentrification and translocal identities in
the creation of Orlando business signs.
Risk modelling further implicates the angiogenesis pathway in anterior cruciate ligament ruptures
Authors: Rahim Masouda , Lacerda Miguel , Collins Malcolm , Posthumus Michael , September Alison V.
Published: February 2021

The aim of this study was to explore the interactions between the interleukins and the angiogenesis signalling pathway, following a pathway‐based approach. Statistical modelling tools were used to develop a preliminary polygenic risk assessment model for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures, incorporating the angiogenesis signalling genes (VEGFA and KDR) and interleukins (IL1B, IL6, IL6R) which also function to regulate angiogenesis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the most informative contributors to ACL rupture risk from a range of eleven potential intrinsic risk factors: age, sex, BMI and eight genetic polymorphisms within five genes, namely, IL1B rs16944 C/T, IL6 rs1800795 G/C, IL6R rs2228145 C/A, VEGFA rs699947 C/A, VEGFA rs1570360 G/A, VEGFA rs2010963 C/G, KDR rs2071559 A/G and KDR rs1870377 T/A. A total of 232 asymptomatic controls (CON) and 234 participants with surgically diagnosed ACL ruptures, of which 135 participants reported a non‐contact mechanism of injury (NON subgroup), were previously genotyped for the selected polymorphisms. The polygenic risk model identified the VEGFA rs699947 CC genotype (p = 0.024, odds ratio (OR): 3.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17–9.62), VEGFA rs2010963 GC genotype (p = 0.049, OR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.00–5.87), age (p = 0.011, OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95–0.99) and BMI (p = 0.009, OR:1.09, 95% CI: 0.57–2.11) as the most significant predictors of ACL rupture risk from the data included. The results of this study highlight VEGFA, age and BMI as biologically significant components of this network requiring further investigation in the context of musculoskeletal soft tissue injury risk.

Highlights

The findings of this study highlight the VEGFA gene, age and BMI as biologically significant contributors to ACL rupture susceptibility.

Upon further validation of these risk factors, they may be included in genetic risk assessment tools to design pre‐habilitation strategies, prescribe appropriate treatment strategies after injury or to assess how an individual is likely to respond to load.

Polygenic risk models aid in highlighting the components of the complex ECM remodelling pathway requiring further investigation, using a multidisciplinary approach.

VEGFA is a key angiogenic protein contributing to ECM homeostasis and may therefore have potential therapeutic implications that need to be explored.
The N-terminus of Sfi1 and yeast centrin Cdc31 provide the assembly site for a new spindle pole body
Authors: Rüthnick Diana , Vitale Jlenia , Neuner Annett , Schiebel Elmar
Published: February 2021

The spindle pole body (SPB) provides microtubule-organizing functions in yeast and duplicates exactly once per cell cycle. The first step in SPB duplication is the half-bridge to bridge conversion via the antiparallel dimerization of the centrin (Cdc31)-binding protein Sfi1 in anaphase. The bridge, which is anchored to the old SPB on the proximal end, exposes free Sfi1 N-termini (N-Sfi1) at its distal end. These free N-Sfi1 promote in G1 the assembly of the daughter SPB (dSPB) in a yet unclear manner. This study shows that N-Sfi1 including the first three Cdc31 binding sites interacts with the SPB components Spc29 and Spc42, triggering the assembly of the dSPB. Cdc31 binding to N-Sfi1 promotes Spc29 recruitment and is essential for satellite formation. Furthermore, phosphorylation of N-Sfi1 has an inhibitory effect and delays dSPB biogenesis until G1. Taking these data together, we provide an understanding of the initial steps in SPB assembly and describe a new function of Cdc31 in the recruitment of dSPB components.
Multiphoton and plasma absorption measurements in CaF2 and UV fused silica at 473 nm
Authors: Grudtsyn Ya V , Koribut A V , Rogashevskii A A , Gerasimova Yu A , Trofimov V A , Yalovoi V I , Semjonov S L
Published: February 2021

Transmission versus intensity in 100 μm CaF2 and UV fused silica samples at a wavelength of 473 nm for different durations of the initial pulse was studied. Fitting the experimental data with a model based on the solution of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation and taking into account multiphoton absorption and absorption by the plasma, as well as the Kerr nonlinearity, diffraction and dispersion of the medium, made it possible to obtain the values of multiphoton (k-number of photons) σk
and plasma absorption (inverse bremsstrahlung) σ cross sections. The obtained values are σ
4 = 2.5 × 10−117 cm8 s3, σ = 3.6 × 10−18 cm2 for CaF2 and σ
4 = 4.4 × 10−116 cm8 s3, σ = 3 × 10−18 cm2 for UV fused silica.
Painlevé property, local and nonlocal symmetries, and symmetry reductions for a (2+1)-dimensional integrable KdV equation*
Authors: Wang Xiao-Bo , Jia Man , Lou Sen-Yue
Published: February 2021

The Painlevé property for a (2+1)-dimensional Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) extension, the combined KP3 (Kadomtsev–Petviashvili) and KP4 (cKP3-4), is proved by using Kruskal’s simplification. The truncated Painlevé expansion is used to find the Schwartz form, the Bäcklund/Levi transformations, and the residual nonlocal symmetry. The residual symmetry is localized to find its finite Bäcklund transformation. The local point symmetries of the model constitute a centerless Kac–Moody–Virasoro algebra. The local point symmetries are used to find the related group-invariant reductions including a new Lax integrable model with a fourth-order spectral problem. The finite transformation theorem or the Lie point symmetry group is obtained by using a direct method.
Enhancements of the Gaussian network model in describing nucleotide residue fluctuations for RNA
Authors: Wang Wen-Jing , Su Ji-Guo
Published: February 2021

Gaussian network model (GNM) is an efficient method to investigate the structural dynamics of biomolecules. However, the application of GNM on RNAs is not as good as that on proteins, and there is still room to improve the model. In this study, two novel approaches, named the weighted GNM (wGNM) and the force-constant-decayed GNM (fcdGNM), were proposed to enhance the performance of ENM in investigating the structural dynamics of RNAs. In wGNM, the force constant for each spring is weighted by the number of interacting heavy atom pairs between two nucleotides. In fcdGNM, all the pairwise nucleotides were connected by springs and the force constant decayed exponentially with the separate distance of the nucleotide pairs. The performance of these two proposed models was evaluated by using a non-redundant RNA structure database composed of 51 RNA molecules. The calculation results show that both the proposed models outperform the conventional GNM in reproducing the experimental B-factors of RNA structures. Compared with the conventional GNM, the Pearson correlation coefficient between the predicted and experimental B-factors was improved by 9.85% and 6.76% for wGNM and fcdGNM, respectively. Our studies provide two candidate methods for better revealing the dynamical properties encoded in RNA structures.
Reduction of impurity confinement time by combined heating of LHW and ECRH in EAST*
Authors: Xu Zong , Wu Zhen-Wei , Zhang Ling , Huang Yue-Heng , Gao Wei , Cheng Yun-Xin , Lin Xiao-Dong , Gao Xiang , Chen Ying-Jie , Li Lei , Jie Yin-Xian , Zang Qing , Liu Hai-Qing
Published: February 2021

The core impurity confinement properties are experimentally investigated in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) plasma heated by lower hybrid wave (LHW) and electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) (LHW+ECRH). It is shown that the impurity confinement time (τ
imp) in the L-mode plasma jointly heated by LHW and ECRH is weakly dependent on electron density but strongly dependent on the heating power, thus it is shorter than that in LHW-only heated L-mode plasma with the similar plasma parameters. The combined heating of LHW and ECRH can reduce the collisionality and indicates a more effective heating method for core τ
imp reduction and normalized poloidal beta (β
P) improvement. It should be emphasized that in this high β
P operation window the small ELM regime can be accessed, and an L-mode level τ
imp (40 ms–80 ms) and high β
N (∼ 1.7) can be obtained simultaneously. It means that this typical small ELMy H-mode regime has an advantage in avoiding the serious tungsten accumulation, and will be competitive in future long-pulse steady-state and high-performance operation with high-Z material plasma-facing components.
Phase- and spin-dependent manipulation of leakage of Majorana mode into double quantum dot*
Authors: Yang Fu-Bin , Ren Gan , Xie Lin-Guo
Published: February 2021

We present a phase- and spin-dependent manipulation of leakage of a Majorana mode into a double quantum dot. We study the density of states (DOS) to show the effect of phase change factor on the Majorana leakage into (out) of a double quantum dot. The DOS is derived from the Green’s function of the quantum dot by the equation of motion method, and exhibits a formant structure when ϕ = 0,2π and a resonance shape when ϕ = 0.5π and 1.5π. Also, it changes more strongly under the spin-polarized coefficient than the non-polarized lead. Such a theoretical model can be modified to explore the spin-dependent effect in the hybrid Majorana quantum dot system.
Contagion dynamics on adaptive multiplex networks with awareness-dependent rewiring*
Authors: Peng Xiao-Long , Zhang Yi-Dan
Published: February 2021

Over the last few years, the interplay between contagion dynamics of social influences (e.g., human awareness, risk perception, and information dissemination) and biological infections has been extensively investigated within the framework of multiplex networks. The vast majority of existing multiplex network spreading models typically resort to heterogeneous mean-field approximation and microscopic Markov chain approaches. Such approaches usually manifest richer dynamical properties on multiplex networks than those on simplex networks; however, they fall short of a subtle analysis of the variations in connections between nodes of the network and fail to account for the adaptive behavioral changes among individuals in response to epidemic outbreaks. To transcend these limitations, in this paper we develop a highly integrated effective degree approach to modeling epidemic and awareness spreading processes on multiplex networks coupled with awareness-dependent adaptive rewiring. This approach keeps track of the number of nearest neighbors in each state of an individual; consequently, it allows for the integration of changes in local contacts into the multiplex network model. We derive a formula for the threshold condition of contagion outbreak. Also, we provide a lower bound for the threshold parameter to indicate the effect of adaptive rewiring. The threshold analysis is confirmed by extensive simulations. Our results show that awareness-dependent link rewiring plays an important role in enhancing the transmission threshold as well as lowering the epidemic prevalence. Moreover, it is revealed that intensified awareness diffusion in conjunction with enhanced link rewiring makes a greater contribution to disease prevention and control. In addition, the critical phenomenon is observed in the dependence of the epidemic threshold on the awareness diffusion rate, supporting the metacritical point previously reported in literature. This work may shed light on understanding of the interplay between epidemic dynamics and social contagion on adaptive networks.
Searching for sub-MeV boosted dark matter from xenon electron direct detection *
Authors: Cao Qing-Hong , Ding Ran , Xiang Qian-Fei
Published: February 2021

Direct detection experiments tend to lose sensitivity in searches for sub-MeV light dark matter candidates due to the threshold of recoil energy. However, such light dark matter particles could be accelerated by energetic cosmic rays, such that they could be detected with existing detectors. We derive constraints on the scattering of a boosted light dark matter particle and electron from the XENON100/1T experiment. We illustrate that the energy dependence of the cross section plays a crucial role in improving both the detection sensitivity and also the complementarity of direct detection and other experiments.
Correlations of conserved charges and QCD phase structure *
Authors: Wen Rui , Fu Wei-jie
Published: February 2021

Correlations of conserved charges, i.e., the baryon number, electric charge, and strangeness, are calculated at finite temperature and chemical potentials up to the fourth order. The calculations are done in a 2+1 flavor low energy effective theory, in which the quantum and thermal fluctuations are encoded through the evolution of flow equations within the functional renormalization group approach. Strangeness neutrality and a fixed ratio of the electric charge to the baryon number density are implemented throughout the computation. We find that higher-order correlations incorporate more sensitive critical dynamics than the quadratic ones. In addition, a non-monotonic dependence of the fourth-order correlations between the baryon number and strangeness, i.e.,

and

, on the collision energy is also observed.
Phase transition and quasinormal modes for charged black holes in 4D Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity *
Authors: Zhang Ming , Zhang Chao-Ming , Zou De-Cheng , Yue Rui-Hong
Published: February 2021

In four-dimensional Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet (EGB) gravity, we consider the thermodynamic and phase transitions of (charged) AdS black holes. For the negative GB coefficient

, the system allows two physical critical points, corresponding to the reentrant phase transition, when the charge

. For arbitrary

, the system always leads to a van der Waals phase transition. We then study the quasinormal modes (QNMs) of massless scalar perturbations to probe the van der Waals-like phase transition between small and large black holes (SBH/LBH) for (charged) AdS black holes. We find that the signature of this SBH/LBH phase transition in the isobaric process can be detected since the slopes of the QNM frequencies change dramatically in small and large black holes near the critical point. The obtained results further support that QNMs can be a dynamic probe of thermodynamic properties in black holes.
Multiscalar B-L extension based on S
4 flavor symmetry for neutrino masses and mixing *
Authors: Vien V. V. , Long H. N.
Published: February 2021

A multiscalar and nonrenormalizable

extension of the standard model (SM) with

symmetry which successfully explains the recently observed neutrino oscillation data is proposed. The tiny neutrino masses and their hierarchies are generated via the type-I seesaw mechanism. The model reproduces the recent experiments of neutrino mixing angles and Dirac CP violating phase in which the atmospheric angle

and the reactor angle

get the best-fit values while the solar angle

and Dirac CP violating phase (

) are in

range of the best-fit value for the normal hierarchy (NH). For the inverted hierarchy (IH),

gets the best-fit value and

together with

are in the

range, while

is in

range of the best-fit value. The effective neutrino masses are predicted to be

for the NH and

for the IH, in good agreement with the most recent experimental data.