bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unraveling the impact of nonmagnetic Sc substitution on the magnetic properties of La2NiMnO6 double perovskite
Authors: Nasir Mohammad , Khan Mahmud , Bhatt Subhash , Patra Nirmalendu , Bhattacharyya Dibyendu , Sen Somaditya 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of a sol-gel prepared series of La2Ni1−x
Sc
x
MnO6 compounds have been extensively studied using x-ray diffraction, x-ray absorption near edge structure, and dc magnetization techniques, respectively. The entire series was isostructural and exhibited the La2NiMnO6 double perovskite P21/n monoclinic structure. The nonmagnetic Sc3+ substitution led to the evolution of competing magnetic phases in La2Ni1−x
Sc
x
MnO6. The substitution also caused an increase in lattice parameters, cell volume, and bond lengths. Consequently, Sc3+ dilution resulted in a dramatic decrease in Curie temperature, suggesting a reduction in the strength of the Ni2+–O2−–Mn4+ superexchange ferromagnetic interaction. The Sc3+ substitution generated antisite defects, which significantly suppressed the saturation magnetization of the system. The competing magnetic interactions observed in the La2Ni1−x
Sc
x
MnO6 system are discussed in terms of cation disorder, cation valances, and changes in the bond lengths/angles, caused by the Sc3+ substitution.
Interacting tachyonic scalar field
Authors: Kundu A , Pathak S D , Ojha V K 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
We discuss the coupling between dark energy and matter by considering a homogeneous tachyonic scalar field as a candidate for dark energy. We obtained the functional form of scale factor by assuming that the coupling strength depends linearly on the Hubble parameter and energy density. We also estimated the cosmic age of the Universe for different values of coupling constant.
Novel travelling wave structures: few-cycle-pulse solitons and soliton molecules
Authors: Chen Zitong , Jia Man 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
We discuss a fifth order KdV (FOKdV) equation via a novel travelling wave method by introducing a background term. Results show that the background term plays an essential role in finding new abundant travelling wave structures, such as the soliton induced by negative background, the periodic travelling wave excited by the positive background, the few-cycle-pulse (FCP) solitons with and without background, the soliton molecules excited by the background. The FCP solitons are first obtained for the FOKdV equation.
Energy law preserving continuous finite element schemes for a gas metal arc welding system
Authors: Lin Yanhai , Jiang Yongyue 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
In this paper a modified continuous energy law was explored to investigate transport behavior in a gas metal arc welding (GMAW) system. The energy law equality at a discrete level for the GMAW system was derived by using the finite element scheme. The mass conservation and current density continuous equation with the penalty scheme was applied to improve the stability. According to the phase-field model coupled with the energy law preserving method, the GMAW model was discretized and a metal transfer process with a pulse current was simulated. It was found that the numerical solution agrees well with the data of the metal transfer process obtained by high-speed photography. Compared with the numerical solution of the volume of fluid model, which was widely studied in the GMAW system based on the finite element method Euler scheme, the energy law preserving method can provide better accuracy in predicting the shape evolution of the droplet and with a greater computing efficiency.
Relativistic Landau quantization in the spiral dislocation spacetime
Authors: Maia A V D M , Bakke K 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
We analyse the interaction of a relativistic electron with a uniform magnetic field in the spiral dislocation spacetime. We show that analytical solutions to the Dirac equation can be obtained, where the spectrum of energy corresponds to the relativistic Landau levels. We also analyse the influence of the spiral dislocation on the relativistic Landau levels by showing that there exists an analogue of the Aharonov–Bohm effect for bound states.
Quantifying nonclassicality of multimode bosonic fields via skew information
Authors: Zhang Yue , Luo Shunlong 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
We quantify the nonclassicality of multimode bosonic field states by adopting an information-theoretic approach involving the Wigner-Yanase skew information. The fundamental properties of the quantifier such as convexity, superadditivity, monotonicity, and conservation relations are revealed. The quantifier is illustrated by a variety of typical examples, and applications to the quantification of nonclassical correlations are discussed. Various extensions are indicated.
On the process of filtration of fractional viscoelastic liquid food
Authors: Meng Yahui , Li Botong , Si Xinhui , Chen Xuehui , Liu Fawang 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
In the process of filtration, fluid impurities precipitate/accumulate; this results in an uneven inner wall of the filter, consequently leading to non-uniform suction/injection. The Riemannian–Liouville fractional derivative model is used to investigate viscoelastic incompressible liquid food flowing through a permeable plate and to generalize Fick’s law. Moreover, we consider steady-state mass balance during ultrafiltration on a plate surface, and a fractional-order concentration boundary condition is established, thereby rendering the problem real and complex. The governing equation is numerically solved using the finite difference algorithm. The effects of the fractional constitutive models, generalized Reynolds number, generalized Schmidt number, and permeability parameter on the velocity and concentration fields are compared. The results show that an increase in fractional-order α in the momentum equation leads to a decrease in the horizontal velocity. Anomalous diffusion described by the fractional derivative model weakens the mass transfer; therefore, the concentration decreases with increasing fractional derivative γ in the concentration equation.
Band mixing in 96,98Mo isotopes *
Authors: Majarshin A. Jalili , Luo Yan-An , Pan Feng , Draayer Jerry P. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
We use the two lowest weight states to fit E2 strengths connecting the

and

transitions in

Mo. Our results confirm that the

and

states are maximally mixed, and that the

states are weakly mixed in both nuclei. An appropriate Hamiltonian to represent the band mixing is found to be exactly solvable, and its eigenstates can be expressed as the basis vectors in the configuration mixing scheme and interacting boson model. The interacting boson model and coexistence mixing configuration under the solvable methods are suitable models for analyzing the band mixing with high accuracy.
Exploring the uncertainties in theoretical predictions of nuclear β-decay half-lives *
Authors: Shi M. , Fang J. Y. , Niu Z. M. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Nuclear

-decay half-lives are predicted based on an empirical formula and the mass predictions from various nuclear models. It is found that the empirical formula can reproduce the nuclear

-decay half-lives well, especially for short-lived nuclei with

s. The theoretical half-life uncertainties from

-decay energies and the parameters of the empirical formula are further investigated. It is found that the uncertainties of the half-lives are relatively large for heavy nuclei and nuclei near the neutron-drip line. For nuclei on the r-process path, the uncertainties for those with

are about one order of magnitude, which are much larger than the uncertainties for those with

and

. However, theoretical uncertainties from the parameters of the empirical formula are relatively small for the nuclei on the r-process path, which indicates that the empirical formula is very suitable for predicting the

-decay half-lives in r-process simulations.
Effect of momentum anisotropy on quark matter in the quark-meson model *
Authors: Zhang He-Xia , Zhang Ben-Wei 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
We investigate the chiral phase structure of quark matter with spheroidal momentum-space anisotropy specified by one anisotropy parameter

in the 2+1 flavor quark-meson model. We find that the chiral phase diagram and the location of the critical endpoint (CEP) are significantly affected by the value of

. With an increase in

, the CEP is shifted to lower temperatures and higher quark chemical potentials. In addition, the temperature of the CEP is more sensitive to the anisotropy parameter than the corresponding quark chemical potential, which is the opposite to that from the finite system volume effect. The effects of the momentum anisotropy on the thermodynamic properties and scalar (pseudoscalar) meson masses are also studied at the vanishing quark chemical potential. The numerical results reveal that an increase in

can hinder the restoration of chiral symmetry. We also find that shear viscosity and electrical conductivity decrease as

increases. However, the bulk viscosity exhibits a significant non-trivial behavior with

in the entire temperature domain of interest.
Sustainable but hungry? Food security outcomes of certification for cocoa and oil palm smallholders in Ghana
Authors: Dompreh Eric Brako , Asare Richard , Gasparatos Alexandros 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Cocoa and oil palm are the major commodity crops produced in Ghana and livelihood options for hundreds of thousands of rural households. However, their production has negative environmental and socioeconomic impacts. Certification standards have been promoted as a market-led mechanism to ensure their sustainable production. Even though food security does not feature in the theory of change of most certification standards, there are interesting intersections. This paper assesses the food security outcomes of certification adoption among cocoa and oil palm smallholders in Ghana. We analyse 608 household surveys from two study sites using propensity score matching and multiple standardized metrics of food security such as the Food Consumption Score (FCS), the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and the Coping Strategies Index. Certified cocoa/oil palm farmers are more food secure than uncertified farmers and food crop farmers across most indicators and group comparisons. However, the differences are for most indicators not substantial or statistically significant (except the HFIAS). In fact, 65% and 68% of the certified cocoa and oil palm farmers are vulnerable to food insecurity in terms of the FCS. These results suggest that even though certification adoption can improve the livelihoods and yields of farmers, in reality it has marginal effect on food security. Certification standards would need to emphasize food security in their guidelines, theories of change and support packages to smallholders if they are to enhance food security and have a truly positive effect on the sustainability of cocoa and oil palm production.
Greater aridity increases the magnitude of urban nighttime vegetation-derived air cooling
Authors: Ibsen Peter C , Borowy Dorothy , Dell Tyler , Greydanus Hattie , Gupta Neha , Hondula David M , Meixner Thomas , Santelmann Mary V , Shiflett Sheri A , Sukop Michael C , Swan Christopher M , Talal Michelle L , Valencia Miguel , Wright Mary K , Jenerette G Darrel 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
High nighttime urban air temperatures increase health risks and economic vulnerability of people globally. While recent studies have highlighted nighttime heat mitigation effects of urban vegetation, the magnitude and variability of vegetation-derived urban nighttime cooling differs greatly among cities. We hypothesize that urban vegetation-derived nighttime air cooling is driven by vegetation density whose effect is regulated by aridity through increasing transpiration. We test this hypothesis by deploying microclimate sensors across eight United States cities and investigating relationships of nighttime air temperature and urban vegetation throughout a summer season. Urban vegetation decreased nighttime air temperature in all cities. Vegetation cooling magnitudes increased as a function of aridity, resulting in the lowest cooling magnitude of 1.4 °C in the most humid city, Miami, FL, and 5.6 °C in the most arid city, Las Vegas, NV. Consistent with the differences among cities, the cooling effect increased during heat waves in all cities. For cities that experience a summer monsoon, Phoenix and Tucson, AZ, the cooling magnitude was larger during the more arid pre-monsoon season than during the more humid monsoon period. Our results place the large differences among previous measurements of vegetation nighttime urban cooling into a coherent physiological framework dependent on plant transpiration. This work informs urban heat risk planning by providing a framework for using urban vegetation as an environmental justice tool and can help identify where and when urban vegetation has the largest effect on mitigating nighttime temperatures.
Enhanced mid-infrared gas absorption spectroscopic detection using chalcogenide or porous germanium waveguides
Authors: Zegadi Rami , Lorrain Nathalie , Bodiou Loїc , Guendouz Mohammed , Ziet Lahcene , Charrier Joël 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Different integrated photonic sensors are investigated for the detection in the mid-infrared region of the two gases namely CO2 and CH4. The three studied structures are ridge waveguides, based both on chalcogenide films (ChG) or porous germanium (PGe) and slot waveguides based on ChG. Waveguide dimensions are optimized to obtain the highest power factor between guided light and gas while maintaining a single mode propagation in the mid-infrared wavelength range. The achievable power factor is 1% in case of ChG ridge-waveguide, 45% for PGe-ridge, and 58% in case of ChG-slot. Extremely low limits of detection (LOD), 0.1 ppm for CO2 at λ = 4.3 μm and 1.66 ppm for CH4 at λ = 7.7 μm are obtained for a ChG slot waveguide, due to the large gas absorption coefficients in the mid-infrared spectral range. For PGe waveguides, low LOD values are also computed: 0.12 ppm for CO2 at λ = 4.3 μm and 1.89 ppm for CH4 at λ = 7.7 μm. These results show that the proposed structures could achieve competitive performance required for generic spectroscopic detection on a chip for environment and health sensing.
Ir/Ni/W/Ni Ohmic contacts for n-type 3C-SiC grown on p-type silicon substrate
Authors: Li Ru-Quan , Guo Jun-Mei , Wen Ming , Zhou Xiao-Long , Guan Wei-Ming , Wang Chuan-Jun 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
In this work, Ohmic contacts to n-type 3C-SiC grown on p-type Si substrate employing Ni layer and Ir/Ni/W/Ni multilayers were investigated. Specific contact resistances of 2.57 × 10–4 Ω · cm2 and 2.74 × 10–5 Ω · cm2 were achieved with Ni layer and Ir/Ni/W/Ni multilayers, respectively, at an annealing temperature of 1050 °C. Samples were characterized using XRD, AFM and SEM. The result indicates the W is effective as a carbon absorbing and stabilizing layer and the presence of Ir cap layer facilitates lowering the surface roughness. As a result, the thermal stability and contact surface morphology of Ir/Ni/W/Ni/3C-SiC is greatly improved compared with Ni/SiC contact.
Seeds and seedlings of oaks suffer from mammals and molluscs close to phylogenetically isolated, old adults
Authors: Deniau Maud , Pihain Mickael , Béchade Benoît , Jung Vincent , Brunellière Margot , Gouesbet Valérie , Prinzing Andreas 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background and Aims
Mammals and molluscs (MaM) are abundant herbivores of tree seeds and seedlings, but how the trees and their environment affect MaM herbivory has been little studied. MaM tend to move much larger distances during the feeding stage than the more frequently studied insect herbivores. We hypothesize that MaM (1) select and stay within the patches that promise to be relatively the richest in seeds and seedlings, i.e. patches around adult trees that are old and within a distantly related, less productive neighborhood; and (2) try to remain sheltered from predators while foraging, i.e. mammals remain close to adult trees or to cover by herbs while foraging, and might force their mollusc prey to show the opposite distribution.

Methods
We exposed oak acorns and seedlings in a temperate forest along transects from adult conspecifics in different neighbourhoods. We followed acorn removal and leaf herbivory. We used exclusion experiments to separate acorn removal by ungulates vs. rodents and leaf herbivory by insects vs. molluscs. We measured the size of the closest conspecific adult tree, its phylogenetic isolation from the neighbourhood and the herbaceous ground cover.

Key Results
Consistent with our hypothesis, rodents removed seeds around adult trees surrounded by phylogenetically distant trees and by a dense herb cover. Molluscs grazed seedlings surrounding large conspecific adults and where herb cover is scarce. Contrary to our hypothesis, the impact of MaM did not change from 1 to 5 m distance from adult trees.

Conclusions
We suggest that foraging decisions of MaM repulse seedlings from old adults, and mediate the negative effects of herbaceous vegetation on tree recruitment. Also, an increase in mammalian seed predation might prevent trees from establishing in the niches of phylogenetically distantly related species, contrary to what is known from insect enemies.
McSplicer: a probabilistic model for estimating splice site usage from RNA-seq data
Authors: Alqassem Israa , Sonthalia Yash , Klitzke-Feser Erika , Shim Heejung , Canzar Stefan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Motivation
Alternative splicing removes intronic sequences from pre-mRNAs in alternative ways to produce different forms (isoforms) of mature mRNA. The composition of expressed transcripts gives specific functionalities to cells in a particular condition or developmental stage. In addition, a large fraction of human disease mutations affect splicing and lead to aberrant mRNA and protein products. Current methods that interrogate the transcriptome based on RNA-seq either suffer from short-read length when trying to infer full-length transcripts, or are restricted to predefined units of alternative splicing that they quantify from local read evidence.

Results
Instead of attempting to quantify individual outcomes of the splicing process such as local splicing events or full-length transcripts, we propose to quantify alternative splicing using a simplified probabilistic model of the underlying splicing process. Our model is based on the usage of individual splice sites and can generate arbitrarily complex types of splicing patterns. In our implementation, McSplicer, we estimate the parameters of our model using all read data at once and we demonstrate in our experiments that this yields more accurate estimates compared to competing methods. Our model is able to describe multiple effects of splicing mutations using few, easy to interpret parameters, as we illustrate in an experiment on RNA-seq data from autism spectrum disorder patients.

Availability and implementation
McSplicer source code is available at https://github.com/canzarlab/McSplicer and has been deposited in archived format at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4449881.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Compartor: a toolbox for the automatic generation of moment equations for dynamic compartment populations
Authors: Pietzsch Tobias , Duso Lorenzo , Zechner Christoph 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Summary
Many biochemical processes in living organisms take place inside compartments that can interact with each other and remodel over time. In a recent work, we have shown how the stochastic dynamics of a compartmentalized biochemical system can be effectively studied using moment equations. With this technique, the time evolution of a compartment population is summarized using a finite number of ordinary differential equations, which can be analyzed very efficiently. However, the derivation of moment equations by hand can become time-consuming for systems comprising multiple reactants and interactions. Here we present Compartor, a toolbox that automatically generates the moment equations associated with a user-defined compartmentalized system. Through the moment equation method, Compartor renders the analysis of stochastic population models accessible to a broader scientific community.

Availability and implementation
Compartor is provided as a Python package and is available at https://pypi.org/project/compartor/. Source code and usage tutorials for Compartor are available at https://github.com/zechnerlab/Compartor.
A systematic review of outcome reporting in incisional hernia surgery
Authors: Harji D , Thomas C , Antoniou S A , Chandraratan H , Griffiths B , Henniford B T , Horgan L , Köckerling F , López-Cano M , Massey L , Miserez M , Montgomery A , Muysoms F , Poulose B K , Reinpold W , Smart N ,   NoSTRA HarMoNY
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
The incidence of incisional hernia is up to 20 per cent after abdominal surgery. The management of patients with incisional hernia can be complex with an array of techniques and meshes available. Ensuring consistency in reporting outcomes across studies on incisional hernia is important and will enable appropriate interpretation, comparison and data synthesis across a range of clinical and operative treatment strategies.

Methods
Literature searches were performed in MEDLINE and EMBASE (from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2019) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. All studies documenting clinical and patient-reported outcomes for incisional hernia were included.

Results
In total, 1340 studies were screened, of which 92 were included, reporting outcomes on 12 292 patients undergoing incisional hernia repair. Eight broad-based outcome domains were identified, including patient and clinical demographics, hernia-related symptoms, hernia morphology, recurrent incisional hernia, operative variables, postoperative variables, follow-up and patient-reported outcomes. Clinical outcomes such as hernia recurrence rates were reported in 80 studies (87 per cent). A total of nine different definitions for detecting hernia recurrence were identified. Patient-reported outcomes were reported in 31 studies (34 per cent), with 18 different assessment measures used.

Conclusions
This review demonstrates the significant heterogeneity in outcome reporting in incisional hernia studies, with significant variation in outcome assessment and definitions. This is coupled with significant under-reporting of patient-reported outcomes.