bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of a parallel free surface upon a submerged shallow synthetic jet
Authors: Kumar Abhay , Saha Arun K , Panigrahi Pradipta K , Karn Ashish 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe interaction of a submerged shallow synthetic jet with a parallel free surface has gathered substantial interest, owing to its relevance to the operation of marine vehicles viz. ships that move close to the water surface. However, despite exhaustive research on the perturbation on a free surface, very few studies have experimentally investigated the effect of unconfined water surface height on the evolution and propagation of a submerged synthetic jet. This study experimentally investigates a synthetic jet submerged in a quiescent flow at shallow depths ejecting parallel to the free surface, through qualitative analysis and quantitative measurements. The qualitative study includes the visualization of the flow using plane laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) technique, whereas the velocity measurements are carried out by a five-beam laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) probe. The primary objective of these analysis and measurements is to gain a physical insight into the characteristics of vortex ring in a synthetic jet ejected from a fixed orifice at different water depths and at varying Reynolds number. Our studies indicate that the behavior of the vortex rings drastically changes as the depth of the jet crosses a certain threshold. Although no significant change in the path of synthetic jet is observed beyond a threshold depth in our experiments, the jet trajectory shows an interesting dependence on the Reynolds number based on circulation for shallow water depths. It has been found that at the shallow depths, the vortex ring drifts upwards and interacts with the free surface at lower Reynolds number, whereas for larger Reynolds number, the vortex ring rebounds near the free surface and moves downward. Based on our observations, it can be concluded that the phenomenon of upward/downward flection of vortex rings depends both upon its circulation and ejection depth.
Effect of milling time on XRD phases and microstructure of a novel Al67Cu20Fe10B3 quasicrystalline alloy
Authors: Amini Meysam , Rahimipour Mohammad Reza , Tayebifard Seyed Ali , Palizdar Yahya 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The quasicrystalline materials represent a new materials group with definite crystallite structural characteristics, in which the AlCuFe(B) quasicrystalline alloys have been widely studied owing to its various technological advantages such as easily accessible in nature, thermal stability, affordability as well as not having toxic constituent elements. Although these materials can be achieved by different procedures, the synthesis of more extensive amounts of AlCuFeB quasicrystalline single-phase powders is more complicated. In this study, the Al67Cu20Fe10B3 quasicrystalline alloys were synthesized through the mechanical alloying process and afterward consolidated to the bulk specimens by cold isostatic pressing (CIP) technique. The structural and microstructural evolutions, as well as the morphology of as-milled powders and phase transformations, were studied during the ball milling process using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and x-ray diffractometry (XRD), while the thermal behavior was investigated using differential thermal analysis (DTA). The most fascinated result revealed that the stable AlCuFeB single quasicrystalline phase could be directly synthesized in short milling times (around ∼4 h) by a high-energy planetary ball milling. It was appreciated that the icosahedral phase is stable up to 300 °C, which is misplaced stability at superior temperatures and transforms into crystalline phases. The microhardness of consolidated ball-milled powders at various milling times was determined and it was figured out that the icosahedral phase has an extreme microhardness as much as 10.73 GPa.
First-principles-derived effective mass approximation for the improved description of quantum nanostructures
Authors: Yeo Hyeonwoo , Lee Jun Seong , Khan Muhammad Ejaz , Kim Hyo Seok , Jeon Duk Young , Kim Yong-Hoon 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The effective mass approximation (EMA) could be an efficient method for the computational study of semiconductor nanostructures with sizes too large to be handled by first-principles calculations, but the scheme to accurately and reliably introduce EMA parameters for given nanostructures remains to be devised. Herein, we report on an EMA approach based on first-principles-derived data, which enables accurate predictions of the optoelectronic properties of quantum nanostructures. For the CdS/ZnS core/shell quantum rods, for which we recently reported its experimental synthesis, we first carry out density functional theory (DFT) calculations for an infinite nanowire to obtain the nanoscopic dielectric constant, effective mass, and Kohn-Sham potential. The DFT-derived data are then transferred to the finite nanorod cases to set up the EMA equations, from which we estimate the photoluminescence (PL) characteristics. Compared with the corresponding method based on bulk EMA parameters and abrupt potential, we confirm that our EMA approach more accurately describes the PL properties of nanorods. We find that, in agreement with the experimentally observed trends, the optical gap of nanorods is roughly determined by the nanorod diameter and the PL intensity is reduced with increasing the nanorod length. The developed methodology is additionally applied to CdSe nanoplatelets, where reliable experimental data became recently available. Here, we again obtain excellent agreements between calculated and measured optical gap values, confirming the generality of our approach. It is finally shown that the abrupt confinement potential approximation most adversely affects the accuracy of EMA simulations.
Graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (g-C3N4) to improve photovoltaic performance of polymer solar cell by combining Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and morphological effects
Authors: Pareek Saurabh , Waheed Sobia , Rana Aniket , Sharma Punit , Karak Supravat 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
In this study, multifunctionality of graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (g-C3N4 QDs) have been explored as a photovoltaic booster for polymer solar cell. Facile synthesis method of g-C3N4 QDs using organic solvent like o-dichlorobenzene which is commonly used for cell fabrication, has been demonstrated. Photovoltaic effect formation and various effects of QDs on energy transfer, carrier transport and nanoscale film morphology of the devices have been investigated thoroughly by incorporating g-C3N4 QDs as a third component into a well-established material combination of P3HT: PC71BM blend films. While systematic variation of device performances was observed with varying concentration of QDs, at an optimal concentration of 2%, almost 40% performance improvement was achieved compared to the pristine devices. The g-C3N4 QDs were found to assist Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the QDs and host polymer, improving overall energy harvesting capability of the devices. The emission spectra of g-C3N4 QDs (λ
Ems = 400–550) and absorption spectra of P3HT (λ
Abs = 400–600) were found to have overlapping features which enabled the QDs to transfer ultraviolet region photon energy to P3HT. The g-C3N4 QDs were also found to be favorable for maintaining nanoscale phase segregation of the active layer with improved crystallinity which is crucial for efficient exciton dissociation and faster charge extraction. The enhanced power conversion efficiency thus attributed to the combined consequences of improved morphology and FRET effect. This study opens new prospects for developing high-efficiency solution processable photovoltaic devices using g-C3N4 QDs as the third component of the active layer.
Occupational Exposure to Particulate Matter and Volatile Organic Compounds in Two Indoor Cannabis Production Facilities
Authors: Silvey Brynne , Seto Edmund , Gipe Alexander , Ghodsian Niloufar , Simpson Christopher D 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Legal commercial cultivation and processing of cannabis is a rapidly growing industry in multiple countries. However, to date little effort has been made to characterize and identify the various occupational hazards that workers may be facing in the cannabis production industry, including airborne contaminants that may affect the human respiratory system. In the current study, we quantified occupational exposures to particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in various task zones of two indoor cannabis facilities in Washington State. Full-shift (8-h) area measurements of PM and VOCs were collected in each task zone. Measurement devices were placed near the employee’s work area in order to attempt to estimate the personal exposure to the contaminants. In each task zone we measured particle number concentration, particle mass concentration (PMC), cumulative size distribution of the particles, and total terpene mass concentrations. The mean PMCs were greater in task zones that required the employees to manipulate the cannabis plants and materials. The arithmetic mean PMC for the trim task was 60 µg m−3, preroll task was 45 µg m−3, grow task was 42 µg m−3, and the referent office area was 27 µg m−3. When comparing each task zone PMC to the office referent PMC, the trim task, and the preroll task were significantly higher than the referent group (P-values both &lt;0.05). The arithmetic mean terpene mass concentration for the trim task was 36 mg m−3, preroll task was 9.9 mg m−3, grow task was 15 mg m−3, and for the office referent space was 4.9 mg m−3. Compared with the office space, only the trim task area had significantly elevated terpene mass concentrations (P-value &lt;0.01). We observed a weak but statistically significant correlation between PMC and total terpene mass concentrations (rho = 0.42, P &lt; 0.02). Overall, we observed that exposures to respiratory hazards were highest in task zones where cannabis plants and material were manipulated by workers, including the trim, preroll, and the grow task areas. These observations can help inform the employer of the task zones where exposure to respiratory hazards are the highest, and where it may be beneficial to deploy control measures to reduce worker exposures.
Gender Differences in Grant Submissions across Science and Engineering Fields at the NSF
Authors: RissleR Leslie J , Hale Katherine L , Joffe Nina R , Caruso Nicholas M 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
There has been great growth in women's participation in the US academic doctoral workforce, but underrepresentation remains in all science and engineering fields, especially at high academic ranks. We obtained estimates of the numbers of professorial women and men in fields likely to seek funding from the National Science Foundation and aligned those numbers with each of six research directorates to investigate temporal trends in submission patterns. We found that women are as likely to be funded as men, but the percentage of women submitting proposals was less than expected in every field but engineering. Women are as likely as men to be employed at the most research active institutions, but women are less likely than men to self-report research as their primary work activity in almost all fields but engineering. This work imbalance ultimately limits the diversity of basic science research ideas in science and engineering.
Epigenetic modulation combined with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade enhances immunotherapy based on MAGE-A11 antigen-specific CD8+T cells against esophageal carcinoma
Authors: Wu Yunyan , Sang Meixiang , Liu Fei , Zhang Jiandong , Li Weijing , Li Zhenhua , Gu Lina , Zheng Yang , Li Juan , Shan Baoen 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are promising targets for T cell-based immunotherapy and studies have shown that certain CT genes are epigenetically depressed in cancer cells through DNA demethylation. Melanoma-associated antigen A11 (MAGE-A11) is a CTA that is frequently expressed in esophageal cancer and is correlated with a poor esophageal cancer prognosis. Consequently, MAGE-A11 is a potential immunotherapy target. In this study, we evaluated MAGE-A11 expression in esophageal cancer cells and found that it was downregulated in several tumor cell lines, which restricted the effect of immunotherapy. Additionally, the specific recognition and lytic potential of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) derived from the MAGE-A11 was determined. Specific CTLs could kill esophageal cancer cells expressing MAGE-A11 but rarely lysed MAGE-A11-negative tumor cells. Therefore, induction of MAGE-A11 expression is critical for CTLs recognition and lysis of esophageal cancer cells. Treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine increased MAGE-A11 expression in esophageal cancer cells and subsequently enhanced the cytotoxicity of MAGE-A11-specific CD8+T cells against cancer cell lines. Furthermore, we found that PD-L1 expression in esophageal cancer cells affected the antitumor function of CTLs. programmed death-1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 blockade could increase the specific CTL-induced lysis of HLA-A2+/MAGE-A11+ tumor cell lines treated with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine. These findings indicate that the treatment of tumor cells with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine augments MAGE-A11 expression in esophageal cancer cells. The combination of epigenetic modulation by 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade may be useful for T cell-based immunotherapy against esophageal cancer.
Anosmia in COVID-19: Mechanisms and Significance
Authors: Han Albert Y , Mukdad Laith , Long Jennifer L , Lopez Ivan A 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains a challenge for prevention due to asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic patients. Anecdotal and preliminary evidence from multiple institutions shows that these patients present with a sudden onset of anosmia without rhinitis. We aim to review the pathophysiology of anosmia related to viral upper respiratory infections and the prognostic implications. Current evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2-related anosmia may be a new viral syndrome specific to COVID-19 and can be mediated by intranasal inoculation of SARS-CoV-2 into the olfactory neural circuitry. The clinical course of neuroinvasion of SARS-CoV-2 is yet unclear; however, an extended follow-up of these patients to assess for neurological sequelae, including encephalitis, cerebrovascular accidents, and long-term neurodegenerative risk may be indicated.
Explaining Cross-National Variation in the Health Benefits of Tertiary Education: What Are the Roles of the Skills Gap and the Earnings Gap?
Authors: Fan Wen , Han Siqi 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Recent studies have shown that the relationship between educational attainment and health varies across countries. To better understand the cross-national variation in the health benefits of higher education, we theorize and empirically examine two country-level factors—the skills gap and the earnings gap between adults with tertiary and intermediate education. We expect the skills gap and the earnings gap to moderate educational gradients in health through shaping information transparency and thus affecting labour market and marriage market opportunities, even though men and women may be affected in distinct ways. To test our hypotheses, we analyse a sample of 75,642 women and 68,004 men in 25 countries from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies data. Multilevel linear regression models show that, for women but not men, the relationship between tertiary education and self-reported health is magnified in countries with a greater skills gap; for men but not women, the relationship between tertiary education and self-reported health is magnified in countries with a greater earnings gap. Combined, these results indicate that the educational system, the labour market, and the partner selection process cross-cut and amplify one another to shape the (re)production of health inequalities in gendered ways.
Lifetime Exposure to Conversion Therapy and Psychosocial Health Among Midlife and Older Adult Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Meanley Steven , Haberlen Sabina A , Okafor Chukwuemeka N , Brown Andre , Brennan-Ing Mark , Ware Deanna , Egan James E , Teplin Linda A , Bolan Robert K , Friedman Mackey R , Plankey Michael W 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Conversion therapies to minimize same-sex attractions are classified as a dangerous practice by numerous scientific institutions in the United States. These practices may contribute to poor long-term psychosocial health, thereby interrupting processes of healthy aging. Few studies have examined psychosocial differences between persons with and without prior experiences of conversion therapy. We assessed associations between prior conversion therapy experiences and psychosocial health among midlife and older men who have sex with men (MSM; age 40+ years).

Research Design and Methods
Participants included a multicity sample of MSM (N = 1,156) enrolled in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study who completed health surveys (2016–2019) as part of their biannual study visits. Using multivariable regressions, we investigated the associations of prior conversion therapy with current depressive symptoms, internalized homophobia, post-traumatic stress, and cumulative psychosocial conditions. Using a trait-level measure (e.g., life purpose and perseverance), we tested whether resilience moderated these associations.

Results
The full sample was predominantly non-Hispanic white with a mean age of 62.6 years. Fifteen percent of men (n = 171/1,156) reported prior conversion therapy. In multivariable models, men exposed to conversion therapy were more likely to have depressive symptoms and above-average internalized homophobia. Men exposed to conversion therapy had 2–2.5 times the odds of reporting 1 and ≥2 psychosocial conditions, respectively, compared with those who reported 0 conditions. Resilience did not moderate these associations.

Discussion and Implications
Conversion therapies are nonaffirming social stressors for MSM and may compromise critical psychosocial aspects of healthy aging among MSM.
A detailed image of the continent-borderland transition beneath Long Beach, California
Authors: Clayton Robert W 
Published: June 2020

SUMMARYNew crustal images beneath Long Beach, California show the region of the Inner Borderland to continent transition. The cross-sections are obtained from stacked autocorrelations of virtual sources generated from oil-industry data recorded in the city of Long Beach, CA. They show that the Moho is dipping at 65° and obliquely truncates an ∼10 km thick flat-lying lower crustal fabric. The Moho appears to be fault controlled and an integral part of the extrusion of the Catalina Schist that underlays the Inner Borderland. The basement interface has significant offsets of up to 2 km, none of which correspond to the mapped trace of the Newport–Inglewood Fault.
Do Epigenetic Changes Drive Corticosterone Responses to Alarm Cues in Larvae of an Invasive Amphibian?
Authors: Sarma Roshmi R , Edwards Richard J , Crino Ondi L , Eyck Harrison J F , Waters Paul D , Crossland Michael R , Shine Richard , Rollins Lee A 
Published: June 2020

SynopsisThe developmental environment can exert powerful effects on animal phenotype. Recently, epigenetic modifications have emerged as one mechanism that can modulate developmentally plastic responses to environmental variability. For example, the DNA methylation profile at promoters of hormone receptor genes can affect their expression and patterns of hormone release. Across taxonomic groups, epigenetic alterations have been linked to changes in glucocorticoid (GC) physiology. GCs are metabolic hormones that influence growth, development, transitions between life-history stages, and thus fitness. To date, relatively few studies have examined epigenetic effects on phenotypic traits in wild animals, especially in amphibians. Here, we examined the effects of exposure to predation threat (alarm cues) and experimentally manipulated DNA methylation on corticosterone (CORT) levels in tadpoles and metamorphs of the invasive cane toad (Rhinella marina). We included offspring of toads sampled from populations across the species’ Australian range. In these animals, exposure to chemical cues from injured conspecifics induces shifts in developmental trajectories, putatively as an adaptive response that lessens vulnerability to predation. We exposed tadpoles to these alarm cues, and measured changes in DNA methylation and CORT levels, both of which are mechanisms that have been implicated in the control of phenotypically plastic responses in tadpoles. To test the idea that DNA methylation drives shifts in GC physiology, we also experimentally manipulated methylation levels with the drug zebularine. We found differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between control tadpoles and their full-siblings exposed to alarm cues, zebularine, or both treatments. However, the effects of these manipulations on methylation patterns were weaker than clutch (e.g., genetic, maternal, etc.) effects. CORT levels were higher in larval cane toads exposed to alarm cues and zebularine. We found little evidence of changes in DNA methylation across the GC receptor gene (NR3C1) promoter region in response to alarm cue or zebularine exposure. In both alarm cue and zebularine-exposed individuals, we found differentially methylated DNA in the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 gene (SOCS3), which may be involved in predator avoidance behavior. In total, our data reveal that alarm cues have significant impacts on tadpole physiology, but show only weak links between DNA methylation and CORT levels. We also identify genes containing DMRs in tadpoles exposed to alarm cues and zebularine, particularly in range-edge populations, that warrant further investigation.
Public procurement for innovation: firm-level evidence from Italy and Norway
Authors: Divella Marialuisa , Sterlacchini Alessandro 
Published: June 2020

AbstractControlling for factors affecting the participation in the procurement market, this article attempts to identify the main determinants of firms’ propensity to undertake innovative activities as part of public procurement contracts. The empirical analysis is carried out by using micro-data from two Community Innovation Surveys for Italian and Norwegian firms. We find that small- and medium-sized firms, as opposed to larger companies, have a lower capability to enter into the procurement market; however, once they succeed, they are equally capable of offering innovative solutions to public buyers. Another major result regards firms’ cooperation with universities and public research institutes, which seems to play a key role in order to facilitate firms’ involvement in public procurement for innovation. Although there are some differences in the estimated coefficients of explanatory variables, these results are consistent between Italy and Norway.