bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magnetic nozzle radiofrequency plasma thruster approaching twenty percent thruster efficiency
Authors: Takahashi Kazunori 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDevelopment of a magnetic nozzle radiofrequency (rf) plasma thruster has been one of challenging topics in space electric propulsion technologies. The thruster typically consists of an rf plasma source and a magnetic nozzle, where the plasma produced inside the source is transported along the magnetic field and expands in the magnetic nozzle. An imparted thrust is significantly affected by the rf power coupling for the plasma production, the plasma transport, the plasma loss to the wall, and the plasma acceleration process in the magnetic nozzle. The rf power transfer efficiency and the imparted thrust are assessed for two types of rf antennas exciting azimuthal mode number of $$m=+1$$

m
=
+
1

and $$m=0$$

m
=
0

, where propellant argon gas is introduced from the upstream of the thruster source tube. The rf power transfer efficiency and the density measured at the radial center for the $$m=+1$$

m
=
+
1

mode antenna are higher than those for the $$m=0$$

m
=
0

mode antenna, while a larger thrust is obtained for the $$m=0$$

m
=
0

mode antenna. Two-dimensional plume characterization suggests that the lowered performance for the $$m=+1$$

m
=
+
1

mode case is due to the plasma production at the radial center, where contribution on a thrust exerted to the magnetic nozzle is weak due to the absence of the radial magnetic field. Subsequently, the configuration is modified so as to introduce the propellant gas near the thruster exit for the $$m=0$$

m
=
0

mode configuration and the thruster efficiency approaching twenty percent is successfully obtained, being highest to date in the kW-class magnetic nozzle rf plasma thrusters.
Vulnerability of the foot's morphological structure to deformities caused by foot loading paradigm in school-aged children: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Szczepanowska-Wolowiec Beata , Sztandera Paulina , Kotela Ireneusz , Zak Marek 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe study aimed to assess the association between the key predictive foot structure variables and its loading paradigm in 625 school-aged children. Clinical appraisal relied primarily on having the plantar parts of their feet comprehensively assessed with Podoscan 2D Foot CAD, and a dynamometer platform, the research tools of choice widely acknowledged for their overall accuracy and reliability, with a view to determining the distribution of respective foot loads, as well as addressing both balance and gait issues. The Clarke's angle, Wejsflog index, length and width of the feet, regardless of gender, proved the key predictive variables for the foot-loading paradigm. Notably the Clarke's angle, construed the most sensitive variable in assessing flat-footedness, offered an extra added value in overall investigative effort. The actual design of the study protocol effectively complements a standard clinical assessment procedure, whereas by comprehensively addressing those variables, it is also believed to aid clinicians in gaining an extra, hands-on, diagnostic potential, so that any teenagers exposed to the highest risk of developing foot deformities could effectively be identified through pertinent screening tests, and consequently offered a task-oriented, therapeutic management, specifically aimed at preventing potential postural complaints in later life.
MiRNA10b-directed nanotherapy effectively targets brain metastases from breast cancer
Authors: Yoo Byunghee , Ross Alana , Pantazopoulos Pamela , Medarova Zdravka 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRNA interference represents one of the most appealing therapeutic modalities for cancer because of its potency, versatility, and modularity. Because the mechanism is catalytic and affects the expression of disease-causing antigens at the post-transcriptional level, only small amounts of therapeutic need to be delivered to the target in order to exert a robust therapeutic effect. RNA interference is also advantageous over other treatment modalities, such as monoclonal antibodies or small molecules, because it has a much broader array of druggable targets. Finally, the complementarity of the genetic code gives us the opportunity to design RNAi therapeutics using computational, rational approaches. Previously, we developed and tested an RNAi-targeted therapeutic, termed MN-anti-miR10b, which was designed to inhibit the critical driver of metastasis and metastatic colonization, miRNA-10b. We showed in animal models of metastatic breast cancer that MN-anti-miR10b accumulated into tumors and metastases in the lymph nodes, lungs, and bone, following simple intravenous injection. We also found that treatment incorporating MN-anti-miR10b was effective at inhibiting the emergence of metastases and could regress already established metastases in the lymph nodes, lungs, and bone. In the present study, we extend the application of MN-anti-miR10b to a model of breast cancer metastatic to the brain. We demonstrate delivery to the metastatic lesions and obtain evidence of a therapeutic effect manifested as inhibition of metastatic progression. This investigation represents an additional step towards translating similar RNAi-targeted therapeutics for the systemic treatment of metastatic disease.
Red light-induced structure changes in phytochrome A from Pisum sativum
Authors: Oide Mao , Nakasako Masayoshi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPhytochrome A (phyA) is a photoreceptor protein of plants that regulates the red/far-red light photomorphogenic responses of plants essential for growth and development. PhyA, composed of approximately 1100 amino acid residues, folds into photosensory and output signaling modules. The photosensory module covalently binds phytochromobilin as a chromophore for photoreversible interconversion between inactive red light-absorbing (Pr) and active far-red light-absorbing (Pfr) forms to act as a light-driven phosphorylation enzyme. To understand the molecular mechanism in the initial process of photomorphogenic response, we studied the molecular structures of large phyA (LphyA) from Pisum sativum, which lacks the 52 residues in the N-terminal, by small-angle X-ray scattering combined with multivariate analyses applied to molecular models predicted from the scattering profiles. According to our analyses, Pr was in a dimer and had a four-leaf shape, and the subunit was approximated as a bent rod of 175 × 50 Å. The scattering profile of Pfr was calculated from that recorded for a mixture of Pr and Pfr under red-light irradiation by using their population determined from the absorption spectrum. The Pfr dimer exhibited a butterfly shape composed of subunits with a straight rod of 175 × 50 Å. The shape differences between Pr and Pfr indicated conformational changes in the Pr/Pfr interconversion which would be essential to the interaction with protein molecules involved in transcriptional control.
Impact of the southern annular mode on extreme changes in indian rainfall during the early 1990s
Authors: Huang Pao-Wei , Lin Yong-Fu , Wu Chau-Ron 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe variability in rainfall amounts in India draws much attention because it strongly influences the country’s ecological and social systems. Indian rainfall is associated with climate factors, including El Niño/Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole. Here we identified the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), the primary pattern of climate variability in the Southern Hemisphere, as the ultimate forcing leading to decadal changes in Indian rainfall. Through statistical analyses using observational data covering the period from 1979 to 2015, we show an increase in the decadal rainfall amount in the early 1990s over the Indian region. Examining atmospheric environmental conditions, we demonstrate that conditions have become more favorable over the past few decades. Specifically, during the positive SAM phase since the early 1990s, changes in the atmospheric fields have evoked anomalous vertical motion over the continent and the Indian Ocean, enhancing the southerly cross-equatorial flow by increased land–sea thermal contrast, thereby increasing decadal rainfall in the region.
Periodicities in an active region correlated with Type III radio bursts observed by Parker Solar Probe
Authors: Cattell Cynthia , Glesener Lindsay , Leiran Benjamin , Dombeck John , Goetz Keith , Martínez Oliveros Juan Carlos , Badman Samuel T. , Pulupa Marc , Bale Stuart D. 
Published: February 2021

Context.Periodicities have frequently been reported across many wavelengths in the solar corona. Correlated periods of ~5 min, comparable to solarp-modes, are suggestive of coupling between the photosphere and the corona.Aims.Our study investigates whether there are correlations in the periodic behavior of Type III radio bursts which are indicative of nonthermal electron acceleration processes, and coronal extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emission used to assess heating and cooling in an active region when there are no large flares.Methods.We used coordinated observations of Type III radio bursts from the FIELDS instrument on Parker Solar Probe (PSP), of EUV emissions by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and white light observations by SDO Helioseismic and Magnetic Image (HMI), and of solar flare X-rays by Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) on April 12, 2019. Several methods for assessing periodicities are utilized and compared to validate periods obtained.Results.Periodicities of ~5 min in the EUV in several areas of an active region are well correlated with the repetition rate of the Type III radio bursts observed on both PSP and Wind. Detrended 211 and 171 Å light curves show periodic profiles in multiple locations, with 171 Å peaks sometimes lagging those seen in 211 Å. This is suggestive of impulsive events that result in heating and then cooling in the lower corona. NuSTAR X-rays provide evidence for at least one microflare during the interval of Type III bursts, but there is not a one-to-one correspondence between the X-rays and the Type III bursts. Our study provides evidence for periodic acceleration of nonthermal electrons (required to generate Type III radio bursts) when there were no observable flares either in the X-ray data or the EUV. The acceleration process, therefore, must be associated with small impulsive events, perhaps nanoflares.
The Elusive Appearance of Hyperenhancing Solid Serous Cystadenoma of the Pancreas—Radio-Pathological Correlation
Authors: Mohan Supraja Laguduva , Chakkalakkoombil Sunitha Vellathussery , Devaraj Sunil Kumar , Kashyap Ravindar , Ganesh Rajesh Nachiappa 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSerous cystadenomas account for ~10 to 29% of pancreatic cystic tumors. Solid serous cystadenoma (SSCA) is a rare variant, first described in 1996, with imaging characteristics different from the classical serous cystadenoma of the pancreas and can cause a diagnostic dilemma due to its resemblance to other solid tumors of the pancreas. To the best of our knowledge, only 22 cases of SSCA of pancreas have been reported till date.A 50-year-old female patient underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the abdomen for a hypoechoic lesion detected in the body of the pancreas during ultrasound (US) examination. Due to the hyperenhancement of the well-circumscribed lesion in the arterial phase, a provisional diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumor was considered. Gallium 68-labeled somatostatin-analog (Ga 68-DOTANOC) positron emission tomography CT scan did not show any uptake within the lesion and endoscopic US (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was also inconclusive. She underwent laparotomy and the lesion was enucleated and it was proven to be a serous microcystadenoma on postoperative histopathologic examination.A diagnosis of SSCA should be considered for solid-appearing pancreatic lesions with characteristic CECT features such as arterial phase hyperenhancement, and immediate washout, along with negative results on DOTANOC scan and EUS-guided FNAC. Malignant transformation of SSCA has not been reported till date, and hence these can be safely followed up, instead of invasive surgery.
A Bony Mallet Thumb with Interposition of the Nail Plate
Authors: Afshar Ahmadreza , Tabrizi Ali , Taleb Hassan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThumb extensor injuries and bony avulsion in the distal phalanx of the thumb are rare compared with other fingers. The most reported complications are infection, nail deformity, joint incongruity, implant failure, recurrent flexion deformity, and residual pain. This report presents a case of 30-year-old man suffering from an injury in the left thumb distal phalanx with a displaced comminuted intra-articular fracture of the distal phalanx of the left thumb. The nail plate was interposed between the dorsal and palmar fragments. The interposition of the nail plate in the bony mallet thumb has not been described before. Surgical treatment and fixation with a 2-mm miniscrew resulted in successful treatment. Clinical suspicion of this complication is of great importance and can affect treatment outcomes.
Biallelic Variants in LAMB1 Causing Hydranencephaly: A Severe Phenotype of a Rare Malformative Encephalopathy
Authors: Sen Kuntal , Kaur Shagun , Stockton David W. , Nyhuis Mary , Roberson Jacquelyn 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Case Report A 32-year-old female with a history of three prior pregnancy losses presented for genetic testing following an ultrasonography diagnosis of fetal hydranencephaly. Baby was born via C-section and was noted to have a head circumference of 48 cm, in addition to ocular and cardiac anomalies and dysmorphic features. Whole genome sequencing revealed a homozygous variant in LAMB1 gene.
Discussion The pathobiogenesis of hydranencephaly is incompletely understood and is attributed to vascular, infectious, or genetic etiology. Herein we present LAMB1 as a monogenic cause of fetal hydranencephaly which was incompatible with life. Previously, LAMB1-associated phenotype consisted of cobblestone lissencephaly and hydrocephalus, developmental delay, and seizures. Our proband expands the phenotypic spectrum of this malformative encephalopathy.
Clinical Study of Postoperative Bleeding after Tonsillectomy in 497 Cases
Authors: Tanaka Takeshi , Ishii Kenji , Matsumoto Kyoko , Miura Koushirou , Kihara Ayako , Kamio Tomonobu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 497 patients who underwent tonsillectomy at Kamio Memorial Hospital from September 2015 to August 2018. A total of 35 cases (7.0%) developed postoperative bleeding and three cases (0.6%) needed a second operation under general anesthesia to stop the bleeding. Postoperative bleeding most frequently occurred between 24 hours and 6 days after the operation. The incidence of postoperative bleeding was significantly higher in males and in patients aged 20 to 39 years old. The operation time, body mass index, smoking habit, and history of hypertension were not identified as clinical risk factors for bleeding after tonsillectomy in this study.
A dark quencher genetically encodable voltage indicator (dqGEVI) exhibits high fidelity and speed
Authors: Alich Therese C. , Pabst Milan , Pothmann Leonie , Szalontai Bálint , Faas Guido C. , Mody Istvan 
Published: February 2021

Significance
Voltage sensing with genetically expressed optical probes is highly desirable for large-scale recordings of neuronal activity and detection of localized voltage signals in single neurons. Here we describe a method for a two-component (hybrid) genetically encodable fluorescent voltage sensing in neurons. The approach uses a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-tagged fluorescent protein (enhanced green fluorescent protein) that ensures the fluorescence to be specifically confined to the outside of the plasma membrane and D3, a voltage-dependent quencher. Previous hybrid genetically encoded voltage sensing approaches relied on a single quenching molecule, dipycrilamine (DPA), which is toxic, increases membrane capacitance, interferes with neurotransmitters, and is explosive. Our method uses a nontoxic and nonexplosive compound that performs better than DPA in all aspects of fluorescent voltage sensing.
The RING E3 ligase SDIR1 destabilizes EBF1/EBF2 and modulates the ethylene response to ambient temperature fluctuations in
Arabidopsis
Authors: Hao Dongdong , Jin Lian , Wen Xing , Yu Feifei , Xie Qi , Guo Hongwei 
Published: February 2021

Significance
As a gaseous plant hormone, ethylene plays a vital role in plant growth and development as well as the adaptive responses to environmental stimuli. EBF1 and EBF2, which ubiquitinate and degrade the master transcription factors of ethylene signaling (EIN3/EIL1), have emerged as signaling hubs to regulate various physiological processes. Here, we characterized a RING finger E3 ligase SDIR1 that can directly destabilize EBF1/EBF2 to promote the ethylene response. Notably, SDIR1 mediates the temperature-induced protein degradation of EBF1/EBF2 to fine tune the ethylene signaling at different ambient temperatures. This work elucidates another layer of ethylene signal transduction and advances our understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying the environmental control of ethylene signaling.
The Covid infodemic
Authors: Hyland Ken , Jiang Feng (Kevin) 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Covid-19, the greatest global health crisis for a century, brought a new immediacy and urgency to international bio-medical research. The pandemic generated intense competition to produce a vaccine and contain the virus, creating what the World Health Organization referred to as an ‘infodemic’ of published output. In this frantic atmosphere, researchers were keen to get their research noticed. In this paper, we explore whether this enthusiasm influenced the rhetorical presentation of research and encouraged scientists to “sell” their studies. Examining a corpus of the most highly cited SCI articles on the virus published in the first seven months of 2020, we explore authors’ use of hyperbolic and promotional language to boost aspects of their research. Our results show a significant increase in hype to stress certainty, contribution, novelty and potential, especially regarding research methods, outcomes and primacy. Our study sheds light on scientific persuasion at a time of intense social anxiety.
Relativistic R-matrix calculations of the photoionization of W63+ ions
Authors: An Y H , Wu Z W , Jiang J , Xie L Y , Zhang D H , Dong C Z 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The direct and resonant single-photon photoionization of W63+ ions from their ground state 1s
22s
22p
63s
2
S
1/2 and four lowly-excited states 1s
22s
22p
63p
2
P
1/2,3/2 and 1s
22s
22p
63d
2
D
3/2,5/2 has been studied within the framework of the relativistic R-matrix method and the multiconfigurational Dirac–Fock method. Special attention has been paid to obtaining direct and resonant ionization limits and to identifying possible resonant symmetries of W63+ ions. To this end, the photoionization cross-sections have been calculated using the Dirac Atomic R-matrix Code package. Direct and resonant ionization limits were obtained for the ground-state photoionization of W63+ ions, and the resonant peaks identified were found to be associated with the resonances 1s
22s
22p
53lnl′ and 1s
22s2p
63lnl′ (l, l′ = s, p, d) for the fine-structured energy level or configuration at the level of fine structure or configuration. For excited-state photoionization, however, the resonant ionization limits and resonant peaks were hardly distinguishable due to much more densely spaced resonant peaks and a complicated resonant structure, although the respective direct ionization limits are obtained. We expect that this work will remedy the current lack of fundamental studies of the photoionization of W63+ ions and be helpful in the diagnosis and simulation of fusion plasmas in conjunction with the available photoionization data for tungsten ions in other charge states.
‘Dancing dolls in resonance’: a simple design-and-make STEAM toy project to promote student interest and engagement in physics
Authors: Amir Nazir , Abdullah Nor’Aini Bte 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
A way to promote student interest and engagement in physics is by capitalizing on students’ skills in arts and crafts to design and make physics-based toys. This article illustrates how two students (averaging 14 years of age) in the authors’ science class designed and fabricated a variation of a physics-based teaching aid that demonstrates the concept of resonance. The students value-added to the appeal of this teaching aid by adding ‘artful’ and ‘game-like’ contexts that aroused the curiosity of their classmates and young children in the functionality of the toy.
The ‘SXR—Pit’ paradox as an indicator of electron transport in tokamaks
Authors: Mirnov S V 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
A phenomenon is analyzed, which is observed at some laboratory-scale tokamaks and seems to be unexplained: a strong drop in the soft x-ray radiation (SXR) after it passed through the ‘thick’ Be foils (the pit in the SXR spectrum). This phenomenon becomes more pronounced as the foil thickness increases and the plasma electron density decreases. The explanation for this phenomenon is proposed, which involves the assumption that the Maxwellian electron velocity distribution becomes ‘depleted’ in the range of velocities that are 3–5 times higher than the thermal one. The anomalous electron heat transport along the weakly perturbed toroidal magnetic field of the tokamak (the ‘magnetic flutter’ model) seems to be the most probable reason for this depletion. Thus, the ‘SXR—Pit’ can be a new tool for studying the physical nature of the anomalous electron transport in tokamaks.
Target–background contrast enhancement based on a multi-channel polarization distance model
Authors: Zhong Binbin , Wang Xin , Wang Daqian , Yang Tian , Gan Xin , Qi Zhongjian , Gao Jun 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Stomatopods are creatures that have a unique ability to manipulate their environment by detecting polarized light for finding prey, choosing habitat, and navigation. In this study, based on the concept of polarization distance proposed by Martin J et al 2014 [Proc. R. Soc. B
281, 20131632], we have analyzed several multi-channel polarization distance models. The simulation and experimental results revealed that compared to other models, a four-channel polarization distance model can significantly enhance the contrast between the target and the background, and it exhibits excellent performance in terms of scene discrimination capability and robustness to noise. The structure and signal processing method of this model are inspired by biological polarization vision such as that of mantis shrimps. According to this method, a polarization-vision neural network is simulated with four-orientation receptor information as the input, and the network connections are realized in a cascaded order. The target–background contrast enhancement method based on this model has wide application prospects in the field of camouflage removal and target detection.