bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase transitions of Ge12Sb88 thin films on high- and low-thermal-conductivity substrates and their potential applications in storage
Authors: Wang Xiao-Fang , Lin Pao-An , Wen Xue-miao , Lu Bing-Yuh , Li Tian-Le , Zhu Wei-Ling 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This study examined the phase-change Ge12Sb88 films that are fabricated through radio-frequency reactive magnetron sputtering to substrates with varying thermal conductivity. The in situ resistance was measured, and x-ray diffraction was conducted to investigate the phase-change behavior of the films under adjustments to the heating and annealing temperature. Differences in the films’ band gaps were determined by a spectrometer. The results were as follows: (a) the initial resistance levels of the films on low-thermal-conductivity substrates were higher than those on high-thermal-conductivity substrates. Resistance ratios were in the range of 102–103. The substantial changes in resistance influenced the characteristics of accelerating switching time and reduced the power consumption of the investigated materials. (b) Because of the partial crystallization of the films, an additional phase transition (from face-centered cubic (fcc)1 to fcc2) was observed among thin films on low-thermal-conductivity substrates. This phase transition can be leveraged in the development of data storage devices.
Accelerated and outdoor weathering of silver nanowire transparent conductors under electrical stress in pseudo-modules
Authors: Chang Hung-Shuo , Feng Pan , Lyu Yadong , Lin Chiao-Chi 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In realistic applications, silver nanowires (AgNWs) are encapsulated in optoelectrical devices to function as transparent conductors and electrodes. Environmental stressors along with the essential electrical stress are inevitably harmful to the AgNWs inside the devices. Herein, to investigate the degradation behavior discrepancy between materials-level and device-level tests, we adopted pseudo-module to mimic the encapsulation. The pseudo-module allows the application of electrical stress and facilitates the interim specimen access for materials characterization through assembly-disassembly. Indoor accelerated and outdoor weathering tests with applied electrical stress to the pseudo-module encapsulated AgNW networks were performed. The impaired optoelectrical properties and morphological changes of AgNWs due to multiple or individual stressor(s) are investigated. Results indicate UVA exposure at elevated temperature coupled with electrical stress is responsible for the electrical failure of AgNW networks. Sulfidation that depresses optical transparency of AgNW networks is prone to occur at lower temperature. This work provides unambiguous degradation behaviors of AgNWs inside encapsulants, helping to improve the design of AgNWs related optoelectrical devices in the applications of solar irradiation environments.
An analytical approach of heat transfer modelling with thermal stresses in circular plate by means of Gaussian heat source and stress function
Authors: Pimpare Sangita B , Sutar Chandrashekhar S , Chaudhari Kamini K 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In the proposed research work we have used the Gaussian circular heat source. This heat source is applied with the heat flux boundary condition along the thickness of a circular plate with a finite radius. The research work also deals with the formulation of unsteady-state heat conduction problems along with homogeneous initial and non-homogeneous boundary condition around the temperature distribution in the circular plate. The mathematical model of thermoelasticity with the determination of thermal stresses and displacement has been studied in the present work. The new analytical method, Reduced Differential Transform has been used to obtain the solution. The numerical results are shown graphically with the help of mathematical software SCILAB and results are carried out for the material copper.
Nonlinear optical response in coupled quantum wells optomechanical microcavity
Authors: Yadav Surabhi , Bhattacherjee Aranya B 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
We investigate the optical properties of a hybrid solid-state optomechanical microcavity containing two coupled quantum wells interacting with the cavity mode in the presence of a third-order nonlinear medium and a mechanically compliant distributed Bragg reflector (MC-DBR). The MC-DBR interacts with the cavity mode via the nonlinear radiation pressure effect. The steady state mean-field analysis shows the existence of optical bistability, which can be utilized to design all optical tunable switch. The coupling between the two quantum wells, the interaction between the excitons and the optical mode, the Kerr nonlinearity, and the optomechanical interaction can be tuned to operate the optical switch at lower input laser power. The fluctuation dynamics demonstrate the presence of optomechanically induced transparency (OMIT) and optomechanically induced absorption (OMIA). We find that both OMIT and OMIA can be manipulated efficiently by optomechanical coupling strength and the quantum well tunneling rate.
Design and simulation of liquid infiltrated photonic crystal fibre in terahertz frequencies
Authors: Yakasai Izaddeen , Abas Pg Emeroylariffion , Maidi Abdul Mu’iz , Kaijage Shubi , Begum Feroza 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Since ethanol, methanol, and water are polar solvents with similar physical properties albeit contrasting chemical properties, it is essential to have a method of accurately and reliably detecting and differentiating the liquids. In this paper, a unique-structured liquid infiltrated photonic crystal fibre (PCF) for sensing ethanol, methanol and water, has been introduced. The structure has been modelled, simulated and analysed in the terahertz (THz) region using the full vectorial finite element method. It has been shown that the THz light, which is guided using modified total internal reflection (M-TIR), is confined within the infiltrated analytes with negligible losses. For the detection of infiltrated liquids at 1.6 THz operating frequency, the proposed PCF shows sensitivity levels above 99% and effective material losses (EMLs) in the order of 10−4 dB m−1. Manufacturing of the proposed fibre has been shown to be feasible using the existing PCF fabrication technologies. It is envisaged that the proposed PCF will provide a solution to the existing challenges in detecting common polar solvents.
Influence of divalent metal ion (Zn2+) on magnetic properties, curie temperature and DC electrical properties in Ce3+ substituted Ni-Zn ferrites
Authors: M V Santhosh Kumar , Alhadhrami A , G J Shankarmurthy , Thriveni M G , Prasanna B M 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Nanoparticles of Ni1−xZnxCe0.1Fe1.9O4 ferrite substituted with Zn2+ ion concentrations (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 & 1.0) have been synthesised via aqueous citrate precursor auto combustion method. The obtained Powder x-ray diffraction data suggests a good crystalline phase; the crystallite size exists in the range of 14 ∼ 38 nm. The lattice constant of samples increases with Zn2+ concentration. It validates Vegard’s law and the decreasing trends in porosity of the samples were identified. The inhomogeneity in the grains was confirmed from FE-SEM. The EDS spectrogram attributes the good stoichiometry in the product. The Thermogravimetric analysis reveals that the crystallization occurred within the temperature 800 °C. The high-temperature DC conductivity of the samples shows that NTC behaviour. The Curie temperature and activation energy are estimated and the activation energy of carriers are found to be more at the paramagnetic region. The magnetic saturation (‘Ms*’) has maximum for Zn2+ = 0.2 (57.7 emu g−1) and coercive field (Hc) related with a radius of occupancy of Zn2+ ion validates the relation

H
c
∝

1
r

and also, the value of the remanence ratio suggests that isotropic magnetization took place in the heterogeneous material.
Association of In Utero Exposures With Risk of Early Natural Menopause
Authors: Langton Christine R , Whitcomb Brian W , Purdue-Smithe Alexandra C , Sievert Lynnette L , Hankinson Susan E , Manson JoAnn E , Rosner Bernard A , Bertone-Johnson Elizabeth R 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Suboptimal pregnancy conditions may affect ovarian development in the fetus and be associated with early natural menopause (ENM) for offspring. A total of 106,633 premenopausal participants in Nurses’ Health Study II who provided data on their own prenatal characteristics, including diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure, maternal cigarette smoking exposure, multiplicity, prematurity, and birth weight, were followed from 1989 to 2017. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of in utero exposures with ENM. During 1.6 million person-years of follow-up, 2,579 participants experienced ENM. In multivariable models, women with prenatal DES exposure had higher risk of ENM compared with those without it (HR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.67). Increased risk of ENM was observed for those with low (&lt;5.5 pounds (&lt;2.5 kg)) versus normal (7.0–8.4 pounds (3.2–3.8 kg)) birth weight (HR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.45). Decreasing risk was observed per 1-pound (0.45-kg) increase in birth weight (HR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.90, 0.97). Prenatal smoking exposure, being part of a multiple birth, and prematurity were not associated with ENM. In this large cohort study, lower birth weight and prenatal DES exposure were associated with higher risk of ENM. Our results support a need for future research to examine in utero exposures that may affect offspring reproductive health.
Proteoform identification based on top-down tandem mass spectra with peak error corrections
Authors: Zhan Zhaohui , Wang Lusheng 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we study the problem for finding complex proteoforms from protein databases based on top-down tandem mass spectrum data. The main difficulty to solve the problem is to handle the combinatorial explosion of various alterations on a protein. To overcome the combinatorial explosion of various alterations on a protein, the problem has been formulated as the alignment problem of a proteoform mass graph (PMG) and a spectrum mass graph (SMG). The other important issue is to handle mass errors of peaks in the input spectrum. In previous methods, an error tolerance value is used to handle the mass differences between the matched consecutive nodes/peaks in PMG and SMG. However, such a way to handle mass error can not guarantee that the mass difference between any pairs of nodes in the alignment is approximately the same for both PMG and SMG. It may lead to large error accumulation if positive (or negative) errors occur consecutively for a large number of consecutive matched node pairs. The problem is severe so that some existing software packages include a step to further refine the alignments. In this paper, we propose a new model to handle the mass errors of peaks based on the formulation of the PMG and SMG. Note that the masses of sub-paths on the PMG are theoretical and suppose to be accurate. Our method allows each peak in the input spectrum to have a predefined error range. In the alignment of PMG and SMG, we need to give a correction of the mass for each matched peak within the predefined error range. After the correction, we impose that the mass between any two (not necessarily consecutive) matched nodes in the PMG is identical to that of the corresponding two matched peaks in the SMG. Intuitively, this kind of alignment is more accurate. We design an algorithm to find a maximum number of matched node and peak pairs in the two (PMG and SMG) mass graphs under the new constraint. The obtained alignment can show matched node and peak pairs as well as the corrected positions of peaks. The algorithm works well for moderate size input instances and takes very long time as well as huge size memory for large input size instances. Therefore, we propose an algorithm to do diagonal alignment. The diagonal alignment algorithm can solve large input size instances in reasonable time. Experiments show that our new algorithms can report alignments with much larger number of matched node pairs. The software package and test data sets are available at https://github.com/Zeirdo/TopMGRefine.
PHR-search: a search framework for protein remote homology detection based on the predicted protein hierarchical relationships
Authors: Jin Xiaopeng , Luo Xiaoling , Liu Bin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractProtein remote homology detection is one of the most fundamental research tool for protein structure and function prediction. Most search methods for protein remote homology detection are evaluated based on the Structural Classification of Proteins-extended (SCOPe) benchmark, but the diverse hierarchical structure relationships between the query protein and candidate proteins are ignored by these methods. In order to further improve the predictive performance for protein remote homology detection, a search framework based on the predicted protein hierarchical relationships (PHR-search) is proposed. In the PHR-search framework, the superfamily level prediction information is obtained by extracting the local and global features of the Hidden Markov Model (HMM) profile through a convolution neural network and it is converted to the fold level and class level prediction information according to the hierarchical relationships of SCOPe. Based on these predicted protein hierarchical relationships, filtering strategy and re-ranking strategy are used to construct the two-level search of PHR-search. Experimental results show that the PHR-search framework achieves the state-of-the-art performance by employing five basic search methods, including HHblits, JackHMMER, PSI-BLAST, DELTA-BLAST and PSI-BLASTexB. Furthermore, the web server of PHR-search is established, which can be accessed at http://bliulab.net/PHR-search.
Therapeutic implications of exosomes in the treatment of radiation injury
Authors: Dai Shijie , Wen Yuzhong , Luo Peng , Ma Le , Liu Yunsheng , Ai Junhua , Shi Chunmeng 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Radiotherapy is one of the main cancer treatments, but it may damage normal tissue and cause various side effects. At present, radioprotective agents used in clinics have side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and hypotension, which limit their clinical application. It has been found that exosomes play an indispensable role in radiation injury. Exosomes are lipid bilayer vesicles that carry various bioactive substances, such as proteins, lipids and microRNA (miRNA), that play a key role in cell-to-cell communication and affect tissue injury and repair. In addition, studies have shown that radiation can increase the uptake of exosomes in cells and affect the composition and secretion of exosomes. Here, we review the existing studies and discuss the effects of radiation on exosomes and the role of exosomes in radiation injury, aiming to provide new insights for the treatment of radiation injury.
CO2-capture research and Clean Energy Technologies Research Institute (CETRI) of University of Regina, Canada: history, current status and future development
Authors: Tontiwachwuthikul Paitoon (P T) , Wilson Malcolm , Idem Raphael 
Published: December 2021

Summary
Clean Energy Technologies Research Institute (CETRI) was formerly known as the International Test Centre for CO2 Capture in the early 2000s. The original focus of the centre was to help lower the carbon intensity of the current energy sources to low-carbon ones in Canada. Currently, CETRI’s mandates have expanded and now include most of the low-carbon and near-carbon-free clean-energy research activities. Areas of research focus include carbon (CO2) capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), near-zero-emission hydrogen (H2) technologies, and waste-to-renewable fuels and chemicals. CETRI also brings together one of the most dynamic teams of researchers, industry leaders, innovators and educators in the clean and low-carbon energy fields.
Use of Tenofovir Diphosphate Levels to Predict Viremia During the Postpartum Period in Women Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): A Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Odayar Jasantha , Orrell Catherine , Phillips Tamsin K , Hu Nai Chung , Kabanda Siti , Malaba Thokozile R , Allerton Joanna , Wiesner Lubbe , Hsiao Nei yuan , Castillo-Mancilla Jose , Lesosky Maia , Myer Landon 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Background
There are few data on the utility of tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) in dried blood spots (DBSs) to predict future viral load (VL) in postpartum women with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods
We conducted a nested case-control study within a trial of postpartum ART delivery strategies. Participants started ART containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in pregnancy, were &lt;10 weeks postpartum, and had a VL &lt;400 copies/mL. VL and TFV-DP samples were taken every 3–6 months over 24 months. Cases had ≥1 VL ≥20 copies/mL; controls were randomly sampled from women with persistent viral suppression (VS; VL &lt;20 copies/mL). Generalized estimating equations were used to calculate likelihood odds ratios (LORs) for future VL ≥20 copies/mL by TFV-DP concentration at the preceding visit.

Results
61 cases and 20 controls contributed 365 DBS-VL pairs (median ART duration, 16 months). Sensitivity and specificity of TFV-DP &lt;700 fmol/punch to detect future viremia were 62.9% (95% CI, 54.7–70.6%) and 89.7% (84.9–93.4%), respectively. Adjusting for age, ART duration, previous VL, and duration between the TFV-DP and VL measures, LORs of viremia for TFV-DP concentrations 350–699 and &lt;350 fmol/punch versus TFV-DP ≥1850 fmol/punch were 3.5 (95% CI, 1.1–10.8; P = .033) and 12.9 (3.6–46.6; P &lt; .0001), respectively. Including only samples taken during VS, the LOR of future viremia for TFV-DP concentration &lt;350 fmol/punch versus TFV-DP ≥1850 fmol/punch was 9.5 (1.9–47.0).

Conclusions
TFV-DP concentrations in DBSs were strongly associated with future viremia and appear useful to identify nonadherence and predict future elevated VL.
Tobacco Use and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence Among People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Practical Guide for Clinicians
Authors: Reddy Krishna P , Kruse Gina R , Lee Stephanie , Shuter Jonathan , Rigotti Nancy A 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
More than 40% of people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) in the United States smoke tobacco cigarettes. Among those on antiretroviral therapy, smoking decreases life expectancy more than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) itself. Most PWH who smoke want to quit, but tobacco dependence treatment has not been widely integrated into HIV care. This article summarizes the epidemiology of tobacco use among PWH, health consequences of tobacco use and benefits of cessation in PWH, and studies of treatment for tobacco dependence among the general population and among PWH. We provide practical guidance for providers to treat tobacco dependence among PWH. A 3-step Ask-Advise-Connect framework includes asking about tobacco use routinely during clinical encounters, advising about tobacco cessation with emphasis on the benefits of cessation, and actively connecting patients to cessation treatments, including prescription of pharmacotherapy (preferably varenicline) and direct connection to behavioral interventions via telephone quitline or other means to increase the likelihood of a successful quit attempt.
Frequency and outcome of acute coronary syndrome during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Mousavi R A , Wallmueller C , Stratil P , Pichler G , Piringer F , Delle Karth G , Schober A 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Introduction
In 2020 the Austrian government has ordered two complete lockdowns and two lockdown lights to maintain control over the infection rate of Covid-19. Several studies have analysed the frequency and outcome of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during the pandemic. Some have described a decrease in the admission rate of patients with ST-elevated-myocardial-infarction (STEMI) and no-ST-elevated-myocardial-infarction (NSTEMI), with the reasons still being discussed.

Purpose
The aim of this study is to analyse possible differences in frequency, comorbidities and outcome of all STEMI and NSTEMI admissions over various lockdown (L) periods in Austria and to provide a possible explanation for the results.

Methods
Analysis of prospectively gathered data on ACS patients in our heart center in the year 2020. Patients were split into 4 groups: no lockdown (NL): n=136; duration (dur): 36 weeks (w); lockdown 1 (L1): n=24; dur: 7w; lockdown 2 (L2): n=16; dur: 2.5w; lockdown light (LL): n=22; dur: 5.5w. To account for the different durations, we divided patients by lockdown duration (n/w). End of a L was defined as re-opening of shops; in LL period schools and restaurants were closed but shops were open. To compare the different groups, age, sex, BMI, comorbidities, cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) duration of preclinical-symptomatic phase (onset of chest pain to PCI), blood parameters, indication, vascular access (femoral/radial) and target vessel were recorded. As outcome we defined CPR, shock and in hospital death.

Results
Out of 198 patients 126 were male (63.6%) and 72 female (36.4%), with a mean age of 65±12 years. There were no statistically significant differences in age, BMI or CVRF between the 4 groups. A 50% higher number of diabetics in the LL group as compared to 25.3% in the NL group (p=0.005) was noticed. STEMI admissions from 2.2 patients/week (n/w) without L decreased to 1.4/w during L1. During L2, the frequency rate rose to 3.2/w in the LL group and admission rates to 2/w, which is almost as high as in the NL group. No differences in NSTEMI admissions between the NL (1.3/w), the L1 (1.4/w) and the LL group (1.8/w) were found. During L2 the frequency of NSTEMI patients increased to 3.2/w. We found a rise in in-hospital death rates from 4.4% without L to 9.1% during LL, though with boarder line statistical significance (p=0.05).

Conclusion
Compared to the NL group, our data show a decrease of STEMI and NSTEMI admissions during L1. This trend was not confirmed during L2, despite identical government's restrictions. We, thus, postulate that the decrease of ACS admissions in L1 was caused by patients' concern regarding in-hospital Covid-19 infection rather than by actual restrictions.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.