bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nanometer-thin pure boron CVD layers as material barrier to Au or Cu metallization of Si
Authors: Shivakumar D. Thammaiah , Knežević Tihomir , Nanver Lis K. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMetallization layers of aluminum, gold, or copper are shown to be protected from interactions with silicon substrates by thin boron layers grown by chemical-vapor deposition (CVD) at 450 °C. A 3-nm-thick B-layer was studied in detail. It formed the p+-anode region of PureB diodes that have a metallurgic junction depth of zero on n-type Si. The metals were deposited by electron-beam-assisted physical vapor deposition (EBPVD) at room temperature and annealed at temperatures up to 500 °C. In all cases, the B-layer was an effective material barrier between the metal and Si, as verified by practically unchanged PureB diode I–V characteristics and microscopy inspections of the deposited layers. For this result, it was required that the Si surface be clean before B-deposition. Any Si surface contamination was otherwise seen to impede a complete B-coverage giving, sometimes Schottky-like, current increases. For Au, room-temperature interactions with the Si through such pinholes in the B-layer were excessive after the 500 °C anneal.
Active fault characterization and seismotectonic zoning of the Hispaniola island
Authors: Terrier-Sedan Monique , Bertil Didier 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDesigning a seismic source model based on the most complete description of potentially active faults and on the kinematics of their latest movements is an essential requirement in seismic hazard studies, at regional and local scales. A study to characterize active faults in the Hispaniola island (today’s Haiti and Dominican Republic) has been conducted in the framework of the probabilistic seismic hazard assessment for Santo Domingo (capital of the Dominican Republic). In this work, we present a seismotectonic map of Hispaniola and its surroundings, based on a compilation and synthesis of geological, geophysical, geodetic and seismological data. Based on these data, distinct seismic zone sources are proposed and classified as either intercrustal domains, major active faults or subduction zones. Each seismic source is described according to several parameters, including its mechanism and current rate of deformation, the associated seismicity and its estimated maximal magnitude. These results constitute an essential database for a homogeneous evaluation of the seismic hazards of Hispaniola.
Parametric study of the $${\beta }$$-$${\sigma }$$ two-fluid model for simulating fully suspended slurry flow: effect of flow conditions
Authors: Messa G. V. , Malin M. , Matoušek V. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAs proven in a recently published paper [Messa GV, Matoušek V (2020) Analysis and discussion of two fluid modelling of pipe flow of fully suspended slurry. Powder Technol 30:747$$-$$
-
768.], the $$\beta$$
β
-$$\sigma$$
σ
two-fluid model is capable of accurately reproducing the main features of turbulent, fully-suspended slurry flows in horizontal pipes provided that suitable values of the two parameters $$\beta$$
β
and $$\sigma$$
σ
are chosen. At present, the case-specific nature of $$\beta$$
β
and $$\sigma$$
σ
and their lack of a clear physical meaning are the main obstacles that must be overcome to give the $$\beta$$
β
-$$\sigma$$
σ
two-fluid model value not only as interpretative tool, but also as a predictive one. An important preliminary step to achieve this goal is to disclose the mathematical essence of the $$\beta$$
β
-$$\sigma$$
σ
two-fluid model, namely, to interpret the fluid-dynamic solution on the grounds of the structure of the differential and discretized equations. Such a methodological approach is applied here to the benchmark case of turbulent slurry flow between two infinite, horizontal, parallel plates, focusing, in particular, on the influence of the bulk-mean velocity of the slurry and the volumetric concentration of the solids in the flow. The study provides not only deeper insight into the $$\beta$$
β
-$$\sigma$$
σ
model, but also indicates important implications for alternative two-fluid models.
Astragaloside IV inhibits palmitic acid-induced apoptosis through regulation of calcium homeostasis in mice podocytes
Authors: Zang Yingjun , Liu Shuang , Cao Aili , Shan Xiangyu , Deng Wenjuan , Li Zhijun , Wang Hao , Wang Yunman , Wang Li , Peng Wen 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLoss of podocytes is a hallmark of diabetic nephropathy, and a growing body of evidence indicates that podocytes are susceptible to palmitic acid (PA). We have previously shown that AS-IV inhibited PA-induced podocyte apoptosis by activating sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA), which indicate calcium regulation may involve in the process. Immunofluorescence staining, Western blot and flow cytometry were used to measure the protective efficacy of AS-IV to ameliorate PA-induced ER stress and podocyte apoptosis. Meanwhile, AS-IV inhibited cytochrome c release, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, accompany with the depletion of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ and elevation of cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+. Sequestration of cytosolic calcium with BAPTA-AM limited the response of podocyte apoptosis, while during the process the effect of AS-IV was also restrained. In contrast, elevation of cytosolic calcium with calcium ionophore ionomycin was depressed by AS-IV addition. Furthermore, inhibiting TRPC6 expression with SKF96365 or TRPC6 siRNA counteracted the beneficial effect of AS-IV. Our study provides further evidence to conclude the inhibitory effect of AS-IV to podocyte apoptosis is Ca2+-dependent. And the efficacy correlates with inhibiting TRPC6-mediated Ca2+ influx, and then cellular Ca2+ disturbance was coordinated.
On sums of coefficients of polynomials related to the Borwein conjectures
Authors: Goswami Ankush , Pantangi Venkata Raghu Tej 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRecently, Li (Int J Number Theory, 2020) obtained an asymptotic formula for a certain partial sum involving coefficients for the polynomial in the First Borwein conjecture. As a consequence, he showed the positivity of this sum. His result was based on a sieving principle discovered by himself and Wan (Sci China Math, 2010). In fact, Li points out in his paper that his method can be generalized to prove an asymptotic formula for a general partial sum involving coefficients for any prime $$p>3$$

p
>
3

. In this work, we extend Li’s method to obtain asymptotic formula for several partial sums of coefficients of a very general polynomial. We find that in the special cases $$p=3, 5$$

p
=
3
,
5

, the signs of these sums are consistent with the three famous Borwein conjectures. Similar sums have been studied earlier by Zaharescu (Ramanujan J, 2006) using a completely different method. We also improve on the error terms in the asymptotic formula for Li and Zaharescu. Using a recent result of Borwein (JNT 1993), we also obtain an asymptotic estimate for the maximum of the absolute value of these coefficients for primes $$p=2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13$$

p
=
2
,
3
,
5
,
7
,
11
,
13

and for $$p>15$$

p
>
15

, we obtain a lower bound on the maximum absolute value of these coefficients for sufficiently large n.
Continuous-flow hydrogenation over resin supported palladium catalyst for the synthesis of industrially relevant chemicals
Authors: Kowalewski Emil , Zawadzki Bartosz , Matus Krzysztof , Nikiforow Kostiantyn , Śrębowata Anna 
Published: February 2021

AbstractHerein, the catalytic performance of palladium nanoparticles grafted on the polymeric TSNH2 (Tentagel-S-NH2) resin was investigated for continuous-flow liquid-phase hydrogenation of two industrially relevant chemicals: 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol and nitrocyclohexane. We investigated the effect of process parameters such as temperature and pressure on PdTSNH2 activity and selectivity. Depending on the reaction conditions, well-dispersed PdNPs with average size of about 2 nm have shown very high flexibility in terms selectivity toward the desired products: 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol or 2-methyl-2-butanol in the case of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol hydrogenation and cyclohexanone oxime or cyclohexylamine as the main product in the case of nitrocyclohexane conversion. The optimal reaction conditions for 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol formation were estimated at 25 °C and 5 bar, and in the case of cyclohexanone oxime formation at 40 °C and 10 bar. We demonstrated the general trend in the catalytic performance of 2.2 wt% Pd grafted on Tentagel-S-NH2. Independently of the hydrogenated substrate, the increase in conversion leads to decreased selectivity to 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol and cyclohexanone oxime at the expense of increasing the selectivity to 2-methyl-2-butanol or cyclohexylamine.
Graphic abstract
Public research and the quality of inventions: the role and impact of entrepreneurial universities and regional network embeddedness
Authors: Graf Holger , Menter Matthias 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe positive effect of public research on industrial innovations is beyond controversy: public research institutions produce knowledge that is subsequently transferred into product and process innovations by private businesses. Besides this rather passive role in commercializing inventions, public research institutions may also proactively exploit new knowledge through public sector entrepreneurship activities. Especially entrepreneurial universities are perceived as a conduit of knowledge spillovers; they serve as central actors of innovation networks and stimulate network activities. Whereas the linkages between network embeddedness and innovation activities have been largely explored, the determinants of patent quality in terms of radicalness, originality, and generality remain rather unclear. Considering Germany’s diverse public research infrastructure (universities, polytechnics, and non-university research institutes), our findings reveal that the type of institution and the corresponding scientific orientation (basic vs applied research) matter for the quality of inventions. The centrality of respective institutions within innovation networks reinforces the radicalness of inventions. However, we do not find support for the general assumption that an entrepreneurial orientation of public sector entities augments the quality of inventions. We conclude the paper with policy recommendations and with future avenues of research.Plain English Summary This study explores the relation between network embeddedness, scientific orientation, entrepreneurial orientation, and the quality of inventions of public research. Our results imply that a basic research focus induces inventions that are more radical, and a more central network position reinforces the production of more radical, original, and general patents. In contrast, an entrepreneurial orientation does not seem to stimulate a higher quality of inventions. Our results give impetus to nuanced public sector entrepreneurship policies that take the type of institution and the optimal level of regional embeddedness into account. A sole focus on the entrepreneurial transformation of public research institutes may not be sufficient to leverage the full potential of knowledge created therein. Instead, more support and guidance for creating links with other network entities is needed along with incentives to commercialize new knowledge.
Mechanistic reasoning and the problem of masking
Authors: Wilde Michael 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAt least historically, it was common for medical practitioners to believe causal hypotheses on the basis of standalone mechanistic reasoning. However, it is now widely acknowledged that standalone mechanistic reasoning is insufficient for appropriately believing a causal hypothesis in medicine, thanks in part to the so-called problem of masking. But standalone mechanistic reasoning is not the only type of mechanistic reasoning. When exactly then is it appropriate to believe a causal hypothesis on the basis of mechanistic reasoning? In this paper, I argue that it has proved difficult to provide a satisfying answer to this question. I also argue that this difficulty is predicted by recent work in knowledge-first epistemology. I think this shows that recent work in epistemology has important implications for practice in the philosophy of science. It is therefore worth paying closer attention in the philosophy of science to this recent work in knowledge-first epistemology.
Probing theoretical statements with thought experiments
Authors: El Skaf Rawad 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMany thought experiments (TEs) are used to probe theoretical statements. One crucial strategy for doing this, or so I will argue, is the following. A TE reveals an inconsistency in part of our previously held, sometimes empirically well-established, theoretical statements. A TEer or her critic then proposes a resolution in the form of a conjecture, a hypothesis that merits further investigation. To explore this characterisation of the epistemic function of such TEs, I clarify the nature of the inconsistencies revealed by TEs, and how TEs reveal and resolve them. I argue that this can be done without settling the question of which cognitive processes are involved in performing a TE; be they propositional or non-propositional. The upshot is that TEs’ reliability, like real experiments, is to be found, in part, in their replicability by the epistemic community, not in their cognitive underpinnings.
A Simple Contact Mechanics Model for Highly Strained Aqueous Surface Gels
Authors: Chau A. L. , Cavanaugh M. K. , Chen Y.-T. , Pitenis A. A. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Soft, biological, and bio-inspired materials are often compositionally heterogeneous and structurally anisotropic, and they frequently feature graded or layered organizations. This design complexity enables exceptional ranges in properties and performance yet complicates a fundamental understanding of the contact mechanics. Recent studies of soft gel layers have relied on Hertzian or Winkler foundation (“bed-of-springs”) models to characterize the mechanics but have found neither satisfactory.

Objective
The contact mechanics of soft gel layers are not yet fully understood. The aim of this work is to develop a simple contact mechanics model tailored for compositionally-graded materials with soft surface layers under high strains and deformations.

Methods
Concepts from polymer physics, fluid draining, and Winkler foundation mechanics are combined to develop a simple contact mechanics model which relates the applied normal force to the probe radius of curvature, elastic modulus, and thickness of soft surface layers subjected to high strains.

Results
This simple model was evaluated with two examples of graded surface gel layers spanning multiple length-scales, including commercially available contact lenses and stratified hydrogels. The model captures the nonlinear contact mechanics of highly strained soft aqueous gel layers more closely than either Hertz or Winkler foundation theory while simultaneously enabling a prediction for the thickness of the surface gel layer.

Conclusion
These results indicate that this simple model can adequately characterize the contact mechanics of highly strained soft aqueous gel layers.
Threshold Dynamics in a Model for Zika Virus Disease with Seasonality
Authors: Ibrahim Mahmoud A. , Dénes Attila 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe present a compartmental population model for the spread of Zika virus disease including sexual and vectorial transmission as well as asymptomatic carriers. We apply a non-autonomous model with time-dependent mosquito birth, death and biting rates to integrate the impact of the periodicity of weather on the spread of Zika. We define the basic reproduction number$${\mathscr {R}}_{0}$$R0as the spectral radius of a linear integral operator and show that the global dynamics is determined by this threshold parameter: If$${\mathscr {R}}_0 < 1,$$R0<1,then the disease-free periodic solution is globally asymptotically stable, while if$${\mathscr {R}}_0 > 1,$$R0>1,then the disease persists. We show numerical examples to study what kind of parameter changes might lead to a periodic recurrence of Zika.
A quantitative interpretation of the saturation exponent in Archie’s equations
Authors: Han Tong-Cheng , Yan Han , Fu Li-Yun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSaturation exponent is an important parameter in Archie’s equations; however, there has been no well-accepted physical interpretation for the saturation exponent. We have theoretically derived Archie’s equations from the Maxwell–Wagner theory on the assumption of homogeneous fluid distribution in the pore space of clay-free porous rocks. Further theoretical derivations showed that the saturation exponent is in essence the cementation exponent for the water–air mixture and is quantitatively and explicitly related to the aspect ratio of the air bubbles in the pores. The results have provided a theoretical backup for the empirically obtained Archie’s equations and have offered a more physical and quantitative understanding of the saturation exponent.
Launch lock system for reaction wheels
Authors: Berlin M. , Goossens N. , Oelze H. W. , Braxmaier C. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLaunch loads are critical forces to the payload. Many structures are not designed to survive these loads, thus, additional systems which absorb them are required. These launch lock mechanisms are available in different varieties. For a future magnetic bearing reaction wheel, two different principles of launch lock mechanism concepts were developed and tested. The first one is based on a spring mechanism, while the second uses electromagnetism to move the locking pins. A first testing with prototypes of both was conducted to evaluate the functionality. Subsequently improvements regarding reducing the mass and construction volume were incorporated in the design. In the course of this, additive manufacturing with PLA filament has been used to study possible applications for these mechanisms. The spring concept resulted to be more reliable than the electromagnetic one, but requires a damping mechanism. A usage of additive manufactured PLA components is a promising possibility for the production.
Development of vaccine formulations: past, present, and future
Authors: D’Amico Carmine , Fontana Flavia , Cheng Ruoyu , Santos Hélder A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe current situation, heavily influenced by the ongoing pandemic, puts vaccines back into the spotlight. However, the conventional and traditional vaccines present disadvantages, particularly related to immunogenicity, stability, and storage of the final product. Often, such products require the maintenance of a “cold chain,” impacting the costs, the availability, and the distribution of vaccines. Here, after a recall of the mode of action of vaccines and the types of vaccines currently available, we analyze the past, present, and future of vaccine formulation. The past focuses on conventional formulations, the present discusses the use of nanoparticles for vaccine delivery and as adjuvants, while the future presents microneedle patches as alternative formulation and administration route. Finally, we compare the advantages and disadvantages of injectable solutions, nanovaccines, and microneedles in terms of efficacy, stability, and patient-friendly design.
Graphical abstract
Different approaches to vaccine formulation development, the conventional vaccine formulations from the past, the current development of lipid nanoparticles as vaccines, and the near future microneedles formulations are discussed in this review.
A robotic pill for oral delivery of biotherapeutics: safety, tolerability, and performance in healthy subjects
Authors: Dhalla Arvinder K. , Al-Shamsie Ziad , Beraki Simret , Dasari Anvesh , Fung Leonard C. , Fusaro Laura , Garapaty Anusha , Gutierrez Betsy , Gratta Delia , Hashim Mir , Horlen Kyle , Karamchedu Padma , Korupolu Radhika , Liang Eric , Ong Chang , Owyang Zachary , Salgotra Vasudha , Sharma Shilpy , Syed Baber , Syed Mansoor , Vo April T. , Abdul-Wahab Radia , Wasi Asad , Yamaguchi Alyson , Yen Shane , Imran Mir 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBiotherapeutics are highly efficacious, but the pain and inconvenience of chronic injections lead to poor patient compliance and compromise effective disease management. Despite innumerable attempts, oral delivery of biotherapeutics remains unsuccessful due to their degradation in the gastrointestinal (GI) environment and poor intestinal absorption. We have developed an orally ingestible robotic pill (RP) for drug delivery, which protects the biotherapeutic drug payload from digestion in the GI tract and auto-injects it into the wall of the small intestine as a safe, pain-free injection since the intestines are insensate to sharp stimuli. The payload is delivered upon inflation of a balloon folded within the RP, which deflates immediately after drug delivery. Here we present results from two clinical studies demonstrating the safety, tolerability and performance of the RP in healthy humans. In the first study, three versions of the RP (A, B and C) were evaluated, which were identical in all respects except for the diameter of the balloon. The RP successfully delivered a biotherapeutic (octreotide) in 3 out of 12 subjects in group A, 10 out of 20 subjects in group B and 16 out of 20 subjects in group C, with a mean bioavailability of 65 ± 9% (based on successful drug deliveries in groups A and B). Thus, reliability of drug delivery with the RP ranged from 25 to 80%, with success rate directly related to balloon size. In a separate study, the deployment of the RP was unaffected by fed or fasting conditions suggesting that the RP may be taken with or without food. These promising clinical data suggest that biotherapeutics currently administered parenterally may be safely and reliably delivered via this versatile, orally ingestible drug delivery platform.
Graphical abstract
Maritime sector at verge of change: learning and competence needs in Finnish maritime cluster
Authors: Kilpi Vesa , Solakivi Tomi , Kiiski Tuomas 
Published: February 2021

AbstractShipping plays an important role in the world, transporting over 80% of international trade and employing over 1.5 million seafarers. The maritime industry, including shipbuilding and equipment manufacturing, is extensive. Both of these interconnected businesses are facing rapid change caused by increasingly speedy technological development and the tightening of environmental regulation. This survey-based research analyzes the current and future competence needs of firms operating in maritime logistics and the maritime industry. The findings indicate that in both contexts, the increasing importance of various general competences is understood and the need is recognized in particular to improve those related to environmental regulation as well as technology and automation. Overall, the gap between current and desired levels of competence is expected to widen. In terms of education, this is likely to affect vocational training and university-level learning differently in that functional competences are emphasized more in the former and social and meta-competences in the latter.