bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of concentration of cadmium sulfate solution on structural, optical and electric properties of Cd1–x
Zn
x
S thin films
Authors: Xue Yuming , Zhang Shipeng , Song Dianyou , Zhang Liming , Wang Xinyu , Wang Lang , Sun Hang 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Cd1–

x
Zn
x
S thin films were deposited by chemical bath deposition (CBD) on the glass substrate to study the influence of cadmium sulfate concentration on the structural characteristics of the thin film. The SEM results show that the thin film surfaces under the cadmium sulfate concentration of 0.005 M exhibit better compactness and uniformity. The distribution diagrams of thin film elements illustrate the film growth rate changes on the trend of the increase, decrease, and increase with the increase of cadmium sulfate concentration. XRD studies exhibit the crystal structure of the film is the hexagonal phase, and there are obvious diffraction peaks and better crystallinity when the concentration is 0.005 M. Spectrophotometer test results demonstrate that the relationship between zinc content x and optical band gap value E
g can be expressed by the equation E
g(x) = 0.59x
2 + 0.69x + 2.43. Increasing the zinc content can increase the optical band gap, and the absorbance of the thin film can be improved by decreasing the cadmium sulfate concentration, however, all of them have good transmittance. At a concentration of 0.005 M, the thin film has good absorbance in the 300–800 nm range, 80% transmittance, and band gap value of 3.24 eV, which is suitable for use as a buffer layer for solar cells.
Tailoring molecular termination for thermally stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Ma Sai , You Jingbi , Bai Yang , Chen Qi 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Interfacial engineering has made an outstanding contribution to the development of high-efficiency perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, we introduce an effective interface passivation strategy via methoxysilane molecules with different terminal groups. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) has increased from 20.97% to 21.97% after introducing a 3-isocyanatopropyltrimethoxy silane (IPTMS) molecule with carbonyl group, while a trimethoxy[3-(phenylamino)propyl] silane (PAPMS) molecule containing aniline group deteriorates the photovoltaic performance as a consequence of decreased open circuit voltage. The improved performance after IPTMS treatment is ascribed to the suppression of non-radiative recombination and enhancement of carrier transportation. In addition, the devices with carbonyl group modification exhibit outstanding thermal stability, which maintain 90% of its initial PCE after 1500 h exposure. This work provides a guideline for the design of passivation molecules aiming to deliver the efficiency and thermal stability simultaneously.
GaN-based blue laser diode with 6.0 W of output power under continuous-wave operation at room temperature
Authors: Liang Feng , Zhao Degang , Liu Zongshun , Chen Ping , Yang Jing , Duan Lihong , Shi Yongsheng , Wang Hai 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
In this work, we reported the room-temperature continuous-wave operation of 6.0 W GaN-based blue laser diode (LD), and its stimulated emission wavelength is around 442 nm. The GaN-based high power blue LD is grown on a c-plane GaN substrate by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), and the width and length of the ridge waveguide structure are 30 and 1200 μm, respectively. The threshold current is about 400 mA, and corresponding threshold current density is 1.1 kA/cm2.
Investigation of lateral spreading current in the 4H-SiC Schottky barrier diode chip
Authors: Wang Xi , Zhong Yiwen , Pu Hongbin , Hu Jichao , Feng Xianfeng , Yang Guowen 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Lateral current spreading in the 4H-SiC Schottky barrier diode (SBD) chip is investigated. The 4H-SiC SBD chips with the same vertical parameters are simulated and fabricated. The results indicate that there is a fixed spreading resistance at on-state in current spreading region for a specific chip. The linear specific spreading resistance at the on-state is calculated to be 8.6 Ω/cm in the fabricated chips. The proportion of the lateral spreading current in total forward current (P
sp) is related to anode voltage and the chip area. P
sp is increased with the increase in the anode voltage during initial on-state and then tends to a stable value. The stable values of P
sp of the two fabricated chips are 32% and 54%. Combined with theoretical analysis, the proportion of the terminal region and scribing trench in a whole chip (K
sp) is also calculated and compared with P
sp. The K
sp values of the two fabricated chips are calculated to be 31.94% and 57.75%. The values of K
sp and P
sp are close with each other in a specific chip. The calculated K
sp can be used to predict that when the chip area of SiC SBD becomes larger than 0.5 cm2, the value of P
sp would be lower than 10%.
Energy confinement in the spherical tokamak Globus-M2 with a toroidal magnetic field reaching 0.8 T
Authors: Kurskiev G.S. , Gusev V.K. , Sakharov N.V. , Petrov Yu.V. , Bakharev N.N. , Balachenkov I.M. , Bazhenov A.N. , Chernyshev F.V. , Khromov N.A. , Kiselev E.O. , Krikunov S.V. , Minaev V.B. , Miroshnikov I.V. , Novokhatskii A.N. , Zhiltsov N.S. , Mukhin E.E. , Patrov M.I. , Shulyatiev K.D. , Shchegolev P.B. , Skrekel O.M. , Telnova A.Yu. , Tkachenko E.E. , Tukhmeneva E.A. , Tokarev V.A. , Tolstyakov S.Yu. , Varfolomeev V.I. , Voronin A.V. , Goryainov V.Yu. , Bulanin V.V. , Petrov A.V. , Ponomarenko A.M. , Yashin A.Yu. , Kavin A.A. , Zhilin E.G. , Solovey V.A. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The work presents the results of the energy confinement study carried out on the compact spherical tokamak Globus-M2 with a toroidal magnetic field as high as 0.8 T. A reproducible and stable discharge was obtained with the average plasma density (5–10) × 1019 m−3. Despite the increase in the magnetic field, the neutral beam injection (NBI) led to clear and reproducible transition to the H-mode accompanied by a decrease in the turbulence level at the plasma edge. NBI allowed effectively heat the plasma: electron and ion temperatures in the plasma core exceeded 1 keV. Compared to the previous experiments carried out with a toroidal magnetic field as high as 0.4 T plasma total stored energy was increased by a factor of 4. The main reason or this phenomenon is a strong dependence of the energy confinement time on the toroidal magnetic field in the spherical tokamak. It was experimentally confirmed that such kind of dependence is valid for ST with magnetic field up to 0.8 T. It has also been shown that the enhancement of the energy confinement in Globus-M2 with collisionality decrease is associated with an improvement of both electron and ion thermal insulation.
The impact of the intensity of selective sanitary cutting in oak forests on the defeat of the pedunculated oak (Quercus Robur L.) trees by powdery mildew
Authors: Tsaralunga V , Tsaralunga A , Yakovenko N , Gridnev Yu 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The article assesses the impact of the intensity of selective sanitary cutting in oak forests on the defeat of oak trees by powdery mildew. The research methodology included visual estimation and detailed inspection of oak plantations. On their basis, the species composition of pathogens was identified, the degree of crown desiccation from a complex of factors and leaf infestation with powdery mildew and necrotic spots was assessed. The dispersive analysis was applied for data processing. The analysis of the long-term survey of the plots passed by selective sanitary cutting shows that the degree of damage to oak trees by powdery mildew on permanent test areas practically does not depend directly from selective sanitary cutting, in general, and from their intensity, in particular. The dynamics of the damage degree of the oak trees by powdery mildew changed almost synchronously in all test areas and in the control area. The results can be used in the practice of the Voronezh region forestry enterprises when carrying out forest pathology surveys.
Guiding and routing surface plasmons with transformation-invariant metamaterials
Authors: Huang Yao , Zhang Jingjing , Qiang Bo , Xu Zhengji , Wang Qijie , Luo Yu 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Rough metallic surfaces cause severe scattering to surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), thereby limiting SPP transmission efficiency. Here, we propose a general scheme to design ultracompact plasmonic routers that can confine and guide SPPs on an arbitrarily shaped rough surface. Our strategy makes use of recently proposed transformation-invariant metamaterials (TIMs). To illustrate the advantages of this approach, we perform finite-element simulations, showing that the performance of the designed surface wave router is robust against the change in thickness. As a result, a λ/6 thick TIM layer can significantly suppress scattering from arbitrarily shaped metallic bumps or crevices. We also give a blueprint to implement such ultracompact surface wave routers based on periodic metal/epsilon-near-zero material stackings.
Variational quantum algorithms for trace distance and fidelity estimation
Authors: Chen Ranyiliu , Song Zhixin , Zhao Xuanqiang , Wang Xin 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Estimating the difference between quantum data is crucial in quantum computing. However, as typical characterizations of quantum data similarity, the trace distance and quantum fidelity are believed to be exponentially-hard to evaluate in general. In this work, we introduce hybrid quantum–classical algorithms for these two distance measures on near-term quantum devices where no assumption of input state is required. First, we introduce the variational trace distance estimation (VTDE) algorithm. We in particular provide the technique to extract the desired spectrum information of any Hermitian matrix by local measurement. A novel variational algorithm for trace distance estimation is then derived from this technique, with the assistance of a single ancillary qubit. Notably, VTDE could avoid the barren plateau issue with logarithmic depth circuits due to a local cost function. Second, we introduce the variational fidelity estimation algorithm. We combine Uhlmann’s theorem and the freedom in purification to translate the estimation task into an optimization problem over a unitary on an ancillary system with fixed purified inputs. We then provide a purification subroutine to complete the translation. Both algorithms are verified by numerical simulations and experimental implementations, exhibiting high accuracy for randomly generated mixed states.
Association Between Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences and NeonatalSCG5DNA Methylation—Effect Modification by Prenatal Home Visiting
Authors: Folger Alonzo T , Nidey Nichole , Ding Lili , Ji Hong , Yolton Kimberly , Ammerman Robert T , Bowers Katherine A 
Published: November 2021

AbstractMaternal childhood adversity and trauma may elicit biological changes that impact the next generation through epigenetic responses measured in DNA methylation (DNAm). These epigenetic associations could be modified by the early postnatal environment through protective factors, such as early childhood home visiting (HV) programs that aim to mitigate deleterious intergenerational effects of adversity. In a cohort of 53 mother-child pairs recruited in 2015–2016 for the Pregnancy and Infant Development Study (Cincinnati, Ohio), we examined the association between maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and neonatal DNAm in the secretogranin V gene (SCG5), which is important in neuroendocrine function. We examined prenatal HV as an effect modifier. Mothers completed a questionnaire on ACEs during pregnancy, and infant buccal samples were collected 1 month postpartum. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the association between maternal ACEs and neonatal DNAm expressed as M-values averaged across 4 cytosine-phosphate-guanine dinucleotide sites. A higher number of maternal ACEs (&gt;3) was associated with a 5.79–percentage-point lower offspring DNAm (95% confidence interval: −10.44, −1.14), and the association was modified by the number of home visits received during pregnancy. In a population of at-risk mother-child dyads, preliminary evidence suggests that maternal ACEs have a relationship with offspring SCG5 DNAm that differs by the amount of prenatal HV.
Effects of Classroom Instruction on the Development of L2 Interactional Resource for Joint Stance Taking: Use of Japanese Interactional ParticleYoin Spontaneous Peer Conversation
Authors: Hoshi Saori 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe present study examines the development of L2 interactional competence (Hall et al. 2011) focusing on JFL learners’ use of a Japanese interactional particle yo in spontaneous conversation with native speaker peers. More specifically, this study aims to investigate the instructional effectiveness for the learners’ ability to use the particle yo as an epistemic marker for joint stance taking (Morita 2015, 2018) in interaction. The study implements pragmatics-focused instruction, incorporating awareness-raising and conversational activities, in a third-semester Japanese class for one semester. Qualitative analysis focused on the learners’ ability to deploy yo in activity-relevant participation including an assessment activity (Goodwin and Goodwin 1992) and evidence for their use of yo that extends beyond the instructional content. The findings revealed that the instructed learners increasingly became able to use yo in various stance-indexing activities such as assessment, news telling, highlighting epistemic gap between participants toward the ongoing topic. Learners’ emerging interactional competence reflects their ability to use yo as an interactional resource for co-constructing stance and intersubjectivity as they engage in conversation with NS peers.
Procedural Justice, Compliance and The ‘Upstanding Citizen’: A Study of Community Protection Notices
Authors: Black Alex , Heap Vicky 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
This article explores procedural justice and motivational postures theories through the lens of Community Protection Notices (CPN), civil measures used to tackle anti-social behaviour in England and Wales. Through a qualitative study of CPN recipients, this article adds to our understanding of the social identity aspect of procedural justice theory by examining the impact on self-identified ‘upstanding citizens’ issued with a CPN for behaviours that they disputed on moral grounds. In order to renegotiate this anti-social label, participants explored other social categories to create distance between themselves and the authorities and challenged their role as representatives of the ‘law-abiding majority’. Ultimately, participants felt ‘compelled’ to comply with the requirements of their CPN, which in turn damaged perceptions of legitimacy.
The neuroradiology of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: a clinical trial perspective
Authors: Baldassari Laura E , Wattjes Mike P , Cortese Irene C M , Gass Achim , Metz Imke , Yousry Tarek , Reich Daniel S , Richert Nancy 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is an opportunistic infection of the CNS caused by the JC virus, which infects white and grey matter cells and leads to irreversible demyelination and neuroaxonal damage. Brain MRI, in addition to the clinical presentation and demonstration of JC virus DNA either in the CSF or by histopathology, is an important tool in the detection of PML. In clinical practice, standard MRI pulse sequences are utilized for screening, diagnosis and monitoring of PML, but validated imaging-based outcome measures for use in prospective, interventional clinical trials for PML have yet to be established. We review the existing literature regarding the use of MRI and PET in PML and discuss the implications of PML histopathology for neuroradiology. MRI not only demonstrates the localization and extent of PML lesions, but also mirrors the tissue destruction, ongoing viral spread, and resulting inflammation. Finally, we explore the potential for imaging measures to serve as an outcome in PML clinical trials and provide recommendations for current and future imaging outcome measure development in this area.
Irreversible specialization for speech perception in early international adoptees
Authors: Norrman Gunnar , Bylund Emanuel , Thierry Guillaume 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn early childhood, the human brain goes through a period of tuning to native speech sounds but retains remarkable flexibility, allowing the learning of new languages throughout life. However, little is known about the stability over time of early neural specialization for speech and its influence on the formation of novel language representations. Here, we provide evidence that early international adoptees, who lose contact with their native language environment after adoption, retain enhanced sensitivity to a native lexical tone contrast more than 15 years after being adopted to Sweden from China, in the absence of any pretest familiarization with the stimuli. Changes in oscillatory brain activity showed how adoptees resort to inhibiting the processing of defunct phonological representations, rather than forgetting or replacing them with new ones. Furthermore, neurophysiological responses to native and nonnative contrasts were not negatively correlated, suggesting that native language retention does not interfere with the acquisition of adoptive phonology acquisition. These results suggest that early language experience provides strikingly resilient specialization for speech which is compensated for through inhibitory control mechanisms as learning conditions change later in life.
Left atrial function in male veteran endurance athletes with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Sørensen Eivind , Myrstad Marius , Solberg Magnar Gangås , Øie Erik , Tveit Arnljot , Aarønæs Marit 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAimsTo assess left atrial (LA) function in sinus rhythm in veteran athletes with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) exposed to prolonged endurance exercise compared with veteran athletes without AF and controls with and without paroxysmal AF from a non-athletic population.Methods and resultsThree hundred and two male participants from four groups, veteran recreational skiers with paroxysmal AF (n = 62), veteran skiers without AF (n = 89), and controls from a non-athletic population with (n = 62) and without paroxysmal AF (n = 89) underwent an echocardiographic examination in sinus rhythm to evaluate LA anatomy and function. The skiers (mean age 70.8±6.7 years) reported an average exposure to regular endurance exercise for 40–50 years. LA maximum and minimum volumes were larger in skiers (P &lt; 0.001). LA volumes differed within the athletic and non-athletic groups with larger volumes in the AF groups ( P &lt; 0.001). We observed a considerable overlap in LA volumes among non-athletes with AF and athletes without AF. LA reservoir strain (33.6% ± 4.8% vs. 28.3% ± 6.7% P &lt; 0.001) and contractile strain (18.3% ± 4.0% vs. 15.0% ± 5.2% P &lt; 0.001) were lower in both AF groups regardless of athletic status. LA reservoir strain was superior to volumetric measurements at identifying participants with AF (area under the curve 0.740 ±0.041).ConclusionMale veteran athletes had significantly larger LA volumes than non-athletes. In contrast, LA strain values were similar in athletes and non-athletes with paroxysmal AF, and significantly lower than in subjects without AF.
Multi-modality imaging assessment of native valvular regurgitation: an EACVI and ESC council of valvular heart disease position paper
Authors: Lancellotti Patrizio , Pibarot Philippe , Chambers John , La Canna Giovanni , Pepi Mauro , Dulgheru Raluca , Dweck Mark , Delgado Victoria , Garbi Madalina , Vannan Mani A , Montaigne David , Badano Luigi , Maurovich-Horvat Pal , Pontone Gianluca , Vahanian Alec , Donal Erwan , Cosyns Bernard ,   the Scientific Document Committee of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Valvular regurgitation represents an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Imaging is pivotal in the evaluation of native valve regurgitation and echocardiography is the primary imaging modality for this purpose. The imaging assessment of valvular regurgitation should integrate quantification of the regurgitation, assessment of the valve anatomy and function, and the consequences of valvular disease on cardiac chambers. In clinical practice, the management of patients with valvular regurgitation largely relies on the results of imaging. It is crucial to provide standards that aim at establishing a baseline list of measurements to be performed when assessing native valve regurgitation. The present document aims to present clinical guidance for the multi-modality imaging assessment of native valvular regurgitation.
Aneurysm growth, survival, and quality of life in untreated thoracic aortic aneurysms: the effective treatments for thoracic aortic aneurysms study
Authors: Sharples Linda , Sastry Priya , Freeman Carol , Bicknell Colin , Chiu Yi Da , Vallabhaneni Srinivasa Rao , Cook Andrew , Gray Joanne , McCarthy Andrew , McMeekin Peter , Vale Luke , Large Stephen 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Aims
To observe, describe, and evaluate management and timing of intervention for patients with untreated thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Methods and results
Prospective study of UK National Health Service (NHS) patients aged ≥18 years, with new/existing arch or descending thoracic aortic aneurysms of ≥4 cm diameter, followed up until death, intervention, withdrawal, or July 2019. Outcomes were aneurysm growth, survival, quality of life (using the EQ-5D-5L utility index), and hospital admissions. Between 2014 and 2018, 886 patients were recruited from 30 NHS vascular/cardiothoracic units. Maximum aneurysm diameter was in the descending aorta in 725 (82%) patients, growing at 0.2 cm (0.17–0.24) per year. Aneurysms of ≥4 cm in the arch increased by 0.07 cm (0.02–0.12) per year. Baseline diameter was related to age and comorbidities, and no clinical correlates of growth were found. During follow-up, 129 patients died, 64 from aneurysm-related events. Adjusting for age, sex, and New York Heart Association dyspnoea index, risk of death increased with aneurysm size at baseline [hazard ratio (HR): 1.88 (95% confidence interval: 1.64–2.16) per cm, P &lt; 0.001] and with growth [HR: 2.02 (1.70–2.41) per cm, P &lt; 0.001]. Hospital admissions increased with aneurysm size [relative risk: 1.21 (1.05–1.38) per cm, P = 0.008]. Quality of life decreased annually for each 10-year increase in age [–0.013 (–0.019 to –0.007), P &lt; 0.001] and for current smoking [–0.043 (–0.064 to –0.023), P = 0.004]. Aneurysm size was not associated with change in quality of life.

Conclusion
International guidelines should consider increasing monitoring intervals to 12 months for small aneurysms and increasing intervention thresholds. Individualized decisions about surveillance/intervention should consider age, sex, size, growth, patient characteristics, and surgical risk.