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We experimentally investigate the stochastic phase dynamics of planar Josephson junctions (JJs) and superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) defined in epitaxial InAs/Al heterostructures, and characterized by a large ratio of Josephson energy to charging energy. We observe a crossover from a regime of macroscopic quantum tunneling to one of phase diffusion as a function of temperature, where the transition temperature T∗ is gate-tunable. The switching probability distributions are shown to be consistent with a small shunt capacitance and moderate damping, resulting in a switching current which is a small fraction of the critical current. Phase locking between two JJs leads to a difference in switching current between that of a JJ measured in isolation and that of the same JJ measured in an asymmetric SQUID loop. In the case of the loop, T∗ is also tuned by a magnetic flux., Physical Review Letters, 130 (8), ISSN:0031-9007, ISSN:1079-7114

Hybrid semiconductor–superconductor nanowires are promising candidates as quantum information processing devices. The need for scalability and complex designs calls for the development of selective area growth techniques. Here, the growth of large scale lead telluride (PbTe) networks is introduced by molecular beam epitaxy. The group IV-VI lead-salt semiconductor is an attractive material choice due to its large dielectric constant, strong spin-orbit coupling, and high carrier mobility. A crystal re-orientation process during the initial growth stages leads to single crystalline nanowire networks despite a large lattice mismatch, different crystal structure, and diverging thermal expansion coefficient to the indium phosphide (InP) substrate. The high quality of the resulting material is confirmed by Hall bar measurements, indicating mobilities up to 5600 cm2 (Vs)−1, and Aharonov–Bohm experiments, indicating a low-temperature phase coherence length exceeding 21 µm. Together, these properties show the high potential of the system as a basis for topological networks.

PbTe is a semiconductor with promising properties for topological quantum computing applications. Here, we characterize electron quantum dots in PbTe nanowires selectively grown on InP. Charge stability diagrams at zero magnetic field reveal large even-odd spacing between Coulomb blockade peaks, charging energies below 140 μeV and Kondo peaks in odd Coulomb diamonds. We attribute the large even-odd spacing to the large dielectric constant and small effective electron mass of PbTe. By studying the Zeeman-induced level and Kondo splitting in finite magnetic fields, we extract the electron

Nasal valve collapse is relatively common with a lifetime prevalence of up to 13%. Etiologies include prior rhinoplasty, other surgical procedures, facial paralysis, congenital defects, trauma, and aging. Internal nasal valve collapse leads to impairment of nasal breathing, which significantly disturbs quality of life. Many approaches to increase the cross-sectional area of the internal nasal valve have been described. The main categories reviewed in this article are cartilage grafting, implants, and suture suspension techniques. Cartilage grafting techniques include alar batten graft, butterfly graft, spreader graft, autospreader graft, and alar composite graft. The implant technique includes the titanium butterfly implant. The suspension techniques included are the transconjunctival approach, Mitek bone anchor, flaring suture, lateral pull-up, and piriform rim suspension. Surgeons must carefully consider functionality, cosmesis, and technical difficulty when selecting an approach. We review indications, general approach, benefits, and considerations for a number of available techniques to help surgeons decide what approach might be best suited to the individual patient. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Background Facial paralysis has a profound impact on quality of life in affected individuals, primarily through loss of verbal and nonverbal communication. Common facial nerve reanimation techniques include coaptation to the masseteric or hypoglossal nerve. Most techniques require nerve grafts to achieve a tension-free neurorrhaphy. Our report aims to show a surgical adaption to current facial reanimation procedures using a partial parotidoplasty approach in order to avoid challenges caused by interpositional nerve grafts through primary neurorrhaphy. Patients and methods The modified surgical approach was performed on four patients, aged 30-67. Length of paralysis ranged from 6 to 13 months. Cause of paralysis included one patient with Bell's palsy in one patient, prior surgery in two patients, and traumatic fracture in the remaining patient. A modified Blair approach is used to expose the parotid capsule. The facial nerve is dissected proximally toward the stylomastoid foramen and distally toward the masseter. The parotid gland substance is sectioned overlying each branch of the facial nerve using ultrasonic dissection or hemostatic scalpel, allowing mobilization of the proximal segment and upper and lower divisions of the facial nerve. The superficial lobe of the parotid is preserved in most cases. The House-Brackmann (H-B) functional scale was used to assess facial nerve function pre- and post-operatively. Results All patients showed H-B score V or greater prior to reanimation. Follow-up was conducted at 3-, 6-, and 12-months in all patients with resultant improvement of H-B scores of I in three patients and II in the remaining patient. Only one complication was noted, with one patient developing a right postauricular hematoma that was adequately managed without sequelae. All remaining patients experienced an uncomplicated post-operative course. Conclusion Our modified approach to facial nerve reanimation works well with a planned parotidoplasty allowing for successful reanimation outcomes without the need for interpositional grafting. This technique may be considered in masseteric and hemi-hypoglossal nerve transfers for the reinnervation of facial muscles.

Atypical spindle cell lipomatous neoplasm, also known as well-differentiated spindle cell liposarcoma, represents a newly discovered entity of adipocytic tumors. Recent research has shown this tumor variant to be more related to spindle cell lipoma, rather than the originally hypothesized atypical lipomatous tumor spectrum. Here we present a case of a 58-year-old man with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia with an enlarging mass on the posterior left shoulder, initially hypothesized to be a benign lipoma. However, magnetic resonance imaging showed a large, multiseptated, heterogeneous mass concerning for soft tissue sarcoma. After resection, pathologic analysis showed cells closely resembling spindle cell lipoma, with additional cellular and fascicular zones containing lipoblasts and mitotic figures. Molecular analysis showed no MDM2 amplification. This lack of amplification indicates this tumor is distinctly different from an atypical lipomatous tumor, which characteristically displays MDM2 amplification. However, tumor expression of RB1 was normal. The majority of atypical spindle cell lipomatous neoplasms are associated with RB1 deletions. We conclude that we have a unique example of an atypical spindle cell lipomatous tumor.

Recent experiments have suggested that superconductivity in metallic nanowires can be suppressed by the application of modest gate voltages. The source of this gate action has been debated and either attributed to an electric-field effect or to small leakage currents. Here we show that the suppression of superconductivity in titanium nitride nanowires on silicon substrates does not depend on the presence or absence of an electric field at the nanowire, but requires a current of high-energy electrons. The suppression is most efficient when electrons are injected into the nanowire, but similar results are obtained when electrons are passed between two remote electrodes. This is explained by the decay of high-energy electrons into phonons, which propagate through the substrate and affect superconductivity in the nanowire by generating quasiparticles. By studying the switching probability distribution of the nanowire, we also show that high-energy electron emission leads to a much broader phonon energy distribution compared with the case where superconductivity is suppressed by Joule heating near the nanowire.

China's water and energy sectors are both facing challenges induced by uneven distribution of supply and demand. On top of that, the two sectors are intertwined together, further exaggerating the country's water and energy stresses. This study conducts a quantitative analysis to estimate water for energy and energy for water at the provincial level in China using a bottom-up approach. It also examines the provincial interdependence of resource from a nexus perspective. The results show strong geographical variances. In 2014, the water for energy ranged from the highest of 3483 million m3 in Sichuan to the lowest of 72 million m3 in Hainan. Concerning the energy for water, Jiangsu had the largest with 12.6 TWh, while Tibet ranked the lowest with only 8 TWh. Moreover, the inter-provincial water and energy transfer is causing a vicious cycle of resource over-exploitation. It is urgent to integrate the water and energy management during policymaking and regional planning. Efforts should also be made to improve the provincial self-sufficiency through demand-side conservation and supply diversification.

A good understanding and observation of ethics has now been more than ever critical in all professions toward a sustainable and continuation of world affairs. Various scientific, engineering, social institutions, and organizations have been putting a heightened emphasis on observation of the ethical approach in all fronts during this CoVid19 time and moving into the future. To date, the elements of ethics have been developed and observed by various and the said entities and professions;however, at times, professionals working with various entities in accomplishing projects (including, the research) may and do see (a significant) subtleness in the way elements of ethics are included and a level of difficulty in observation(s). Some of the noted entities, revisiting the requirement of ethics to make sure are good for application in a broad manner (i.e., across applicable entities). In this work, authors, with a significant work experience in academia, government, and private industry, made an attempt compiling (as selected) those elements of ethics residing with various critical scientific, engineering, and social institutions. For example, professionals accomplishing on environmental compliance would need to observe ethics at a level with no room to failure at any step of the project(s). A few selected and field observed ethical situations will be detailed in presentation. Thus, this effort on a comprehensive review (and verification) of ethics and requirements would be helpful to various certified and registered professionals and provides good guidance. © ASCE.

Integration of high-quality semiconductor-superconductor devices into scalable and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor compatible architectures remains an outstanding challenge, currently hindering their practical implementation. Here, we demonstrate growth of InAs nanowires monolithically integrated on Si inside lateral cavities containing superconducting TiN elements. This technique allows growth of hybrid devices characterized by sharp semiconductor-superconductor interfaces and with alignment along arbitrary crystallographic directions. Electrical characterization at low temperature reveals proximity induced superconductivity in InAs via a transparent interface.

Nasal valve collapse is relatively common with a lifetime prevalence of up to 13%. Etiologies include prior rhinoplasty, other surgical procedures, facial paralysis, congenital defects, trauma, and aging. Internal nasal valve collapse leads to impairment of nasal breathing, which significantly disturbs quality of life. Many approaches to increase the cross-sectional area of the internal nasal valve have been described.The main categories reviewed in this article are cartilage grafting, implants, and suture suspension techniques. Cartilage grafting techniques include alar batten graft, butterfly graft, spreader graft, autospreader graft, and alar composite graft. The implant technique includes the titanium butterfly implant. The suspension techniques included are the transconjunctival approach, Mitek bone anchor, flaring suture, lateral pull-up, and piriform rim suspension. Surgeons must carefully consider functionality, cosmesis, and technical difficulty when selecting an approach.We review indications, general approach, benefits, and considerations for a number of available techniques to help surgeons decide what approach might be best suited to the individual patient.This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Acidic solutions from metal bioleaching processes usually contain mixtures of metals in different concentrations which need to be separated and concentrated in downstream processing. Aim of this study was to explore and compare biosorption of rare earth elements (REE) by different microorganisms in acidic solutions. Biosorption of REE by bacteria and fungi showed element selective biosorption. The gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis showed a higher selectivity to ytterbium (Yb) and lutetium (Lu) than the gram-negative bacteria Leisingera methylohalidivorans and Phaeobacter inhibens. In contrast, the tested fungi (Catenulostroma chromoblastomyces, Pichia sp.) showed a preference for the middle rare earth elements. Algae exhibited a low biosorption performance. Additionally, for B. subtilis and one yeast (Pichia sp.), better results were achieved with living than dead biomass. This study compares for the first time biosorption of different microorganisms at standardized conditions at low pH und application related conditions.

Background Pseudomeningocele is an uncommon but widely recognized complication of spinal surgery that can be challenging to correct. When conservative measures fail, patients frequently require reoperation to attempt primary closure of the durotomy, yet attempts at true watertight closures of the dura or fascia sometimes fall short. We describe a technique of lumbosacral pseudomeningocele repair involving a 2-layer pants-over-vest closure of the pseudomeningocele coupled with mobilization of bilateral paraspinal musculature to create a Z-plasty, or a Z-shaped flap. We have demonstrated a high success rate with our small series. Methods The technique used meticulous manipulation of the pseudomeningocele to make a 2-layer pants-over-vest closure. This closure coupled with wide mobilization and importation of paraspinous muscle into the wound effectively obliterated dead space with simultaneous tamponade of the dural tear. The lateral row perforators were left intact, providing excellent vascularity with adequate mobility to the patient. Results This technique was incorporated into the care of 10 patients between 2004 and July 2019. All wounds were closed in a single stage after careful flap section based on the wound's needs. We demonstrated successful pseudomeningocele resolution in all 10 patients with no observed clinical recurrence of symptomatic pseudomeningocele after at least 6 months of follow-up. Conclusions This technique provides a straightforward option for the spine surgeon to manage these challenging spinal wounds with minimal, if any, need for further laminectomy as well as a high fistula control rate with minimal morbidity.

International audience; Spatial distributions of organisms result from a complex interplay of processes, including habitat selection as well as species interactions, and it remains a continual challenge to disentangle the relative importance of such effects. I investigated how habitat variation and conspecific interactions influence the abundance and distribution of different life history stages of the intertidal fish Oligocottus snyderi. I first examined the role of priority recruitment effects and found that prior recruitment had no effect on subsequent O. snyderi recruitment. I then examined how habitat variation influences adult and recruit abundances by manipulating surfgrass Phyllospadix spp. cover in tide pools, a habitat attribute that positively covaries with both O. snyderi life history stages. Surprisingly, whereas O. snyderi adults showed the expected negative response to surfgrass removal, the recruit response was positive. Additional experiments investigated whether these contrasting results were due to an ontogenetic change in habitat preference or to negative interactions between adults and recruits. Direct manipulation of adult abundance in the field determined that O. snyderi recruit abundance increases when adult abundance decreases. Laboratory studies indicated that although O. snyderi recruits have little to no preference for surfgrass cover, they do exhibit a strong negative reaction to conspecific adults and adjust their distributions accordingly. This combination of field and laboratory studies suggests that the ontogenetic habitat shift of O. snyderi is actually a result of negative interactions between size classes, such that recruits settle into sub-optimal tide pools in order to avoid interacting with adults.

The International Whaling Commission's (IWC) Scientific Committee provides important advice to the IWC on a large variety of cetacean species, sub-species and populations and the issues affecting them. Cetaceans are facing increasing, non-whaling-related threats, and the Scientific Committee (SC), in accordance with the Commission's requests, has strengthened its conservation-oriented research work. A selection of the reports of the Scientific Committee from between 1986 and 2012 was assessed for its: (i) fundamental research; (ii) management; (iii) conservation; and (iv) administrative content, and to identify potential trends over time. Recommendations and their urgency were also examined, as implied from the language used by the SC in its reports. The analysis showed that the work of the Scientific Committee has increasingly been oriented towards conservation issues over the period reviewed, but at the same time this conservation work has received little funding. Increased support for conservation-related research projects is warranted to promote the long-term survival of cetaceans. Based on this review of the content and focus of the Committee reports, the analysis suggested that its issued advice be made clearer, whenever possible, and governments are urged to give due consideration to this science-based advice particularly when urgent conservation actions are needed. In addition, more consistent funding of the IWC's conservation-related research should be pursued to improve international conservation outputs regarding cetacean populations.

We report an experimental and theoretical study of the low-temperature specific heat C and magnetic susceptibility χ of the layered anisotropic triangular-lattice spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnets Cs_{2}CuCl_{4-x}Br_{x} with x=0, 1, 2, and 4. We find that the ratio J^{'}/J of the exchange couplings ranges from 0.32 to ≈0.78, implying a change (crossover or quantum phase transition) in the materials' magnetic properties from one-dimensional (1D) behavior for J^{'}/J0.6 to two-dimensional (2D) behavior for J^{'}/J≈0.78. For J^{'}/J0.6, realized for x=0, 1, and 4, we find a magnetic contribution to the low-temperature specific heat, C_{m}∝T, consistent with spinon excitations in 1D spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnets. Remarkably, for x=2, where J^{'}/J≈0.78 implies a 2D magnetic character, we also observe C_{m}∝T. This finding, which contrasts the prediction of C_{m}∝T^{2} made by standard spin-wave theories, shows that Fermi-like statistics also plays a significant role for the magnetic excitations in spin-1/2 frustrated 2D antiferromagnets.

For decades, cetacean bycatch has been a major conservation and welfare concern in the European Union with high numbers of harbour porpoises, dolphins and whales dying each year. Despite binding legal requirements to monitor and reduce bycatch, cetacean bycatch monitoring has been insufficient in most fisheries and areas to generate reliable estimates of bycatch rate. Measures to reduce bycatch have been limited and not always directed at the most problematic fisheries. EU cetacean bycatch legislation (Council Regulation (EC) No. 812/2004) was repealed and replaced by a new Regulation, Regulation on the conservation of fishery resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures (2019/1241). Whilst some improvements have been made in the new Regulation, scientific advice of the ICES Bycatch Working Group (ICES WGBYC), and other expert regional bodies, such as ASCOBANS and ACCOBAMS, were not incorporated explicitly and some measures in the adopted Technical Measures Regulation weaken both the provisions of the existing cetacean bycatch legislation and the Commission’s original proposal. The bycatch measures adopted for cetaceans are not sufficient to mitigate bycatch effectively in European waters. Management solutions to reduce bycatch are identified and a number of general recommendations towards development of national and regional management plans, implementation and enforcement to that end are made.

We define a class of non-compact Fano toric manifolds, called admissible toric manifolds, for which Floer theory and quantum cohomology are defined. The class includes Fano toric negative line bundles, and it allows blow-ups along fixed point sets. We prove closed-string mirror symmetry for this class of manifolds: the Jacobian ring of the superpotential is the symplectic cohomology (not the quantum cohomology). Moreover, SH(M) is obtained from QH(M) by localizing at the toric divisors. We give explicit presentations of SH(M) and QH(M), using ideas of Batyrev, McDuff and Tolman. Assuming that the superpotential is Morse (or a milder semisimplicity assumption), we prove that the wrapped Fukaya category for this class of manifolds satisfies the toric generation criterion, i.e. is split-generated by the natural Lagrangian torus fibres of the moment map with suitable holonomies. In particular, the wrapped category is compactly generated and cohomologically finite. The proof uses a deformation argument, via a generic generation theorem and an argument about continuity of eigenspaces. We also prove that for any closed Fano toric manifold, if the superpotential is Morse (or a milder semisimplicity assumption) then the Fukaya category satisfies the toric generation criterion. The key ingredients are non-vanishing results for the open-closed string map, using tools from the paper by Ritter-Smith (we also prove a conjecture from that paper that any monotone toric negative line bundle contains a non-displaceable monotone Lagrangian torus). We also need to extend the class of Hamiltonians for which the maximum principle holds for symplectic manifolds conical at infinity, thus extending the class of Hamiltonian circle actions for which invertible elements can be constructed in SH(M)., 70 pages (51 pages + appendices). Version 2: rewrote the Introduction, fixed a mistake (Remark 1.15), generation theorem generalized to all admissible toric manifolds (Section 1.8)

The study aimed to identify Integrative Review of the factors impeding the implementation of policies for Attention to Emergencies, focusing on pre-hospital care in northen Mato Grosso. It can be seen the results that the lack of professional qualification and organization of the system, failure to in inform the public about the service, leading to overcrowding of this, and the lack of a systematic database between units at the national level, are obstacles that must be overcome for the implementation of a system of prehospital care more efficient.

In this article we present the fabrication of freestanding thin-film nanobridges of Ir. We perform magnetoconductance (MC) measurements of atomic contacts and monoatomic chains of Ir, realized by the mechanically controlled break-junction method. We observe continuous changes of the MC on the field scale of several tesla, as observed earlier for atomic-size contacts of two other strong paramagnets, Pd and Pt. The amplitude and the shape of the MC depend on the orientation of the magnetic field as well as on subtle details of the atomic arrangement, as confirmed by stretching studies of the contacts. Both positive dominant MC and negative dominant MC occur and are attributed to collinear or noncollinear alignment of the magnetic moments of the electrodes, respectively. By careful manipulation of the chain geometry we are able to study the transition between these two cases, which is hallmarked by a complex MC behavior. For special arrangements the MC almost vanishes. Our findings are in agreement with recent calculations of the geometry dependence of the magnetic anisotropy energy and open a route to tailor the MC behavior as required for particular applications.

Background Spider veins on the lower limbs are very common and have been reported to be present in 41% of women over 50. Sclerotherapy as a traditional treatment for spider veins has a low cost, though it may have adverse sequelae. Lasers have shown fewer but still substantial complications as well. Its lower efficacy relative to sclerotherapy has limited laser application for the treatment of spider veins. Objectives To present a new alternative in management of spider veins which involves a low voltage current delivered via an insulated micro needle with beveled tip. Methods Thirty female patients were treated with the “Given Needle.” The technique utilizes a micro needle with an insulated shaft with an exposed beveled tip, which is inserted into a hand piece connected to a mono-polar electrical generator. The needle is introduced through the skin into or on the spider vein. The current is then applied with obliteration of the vein. Results Twenty patients (66%) had more than a 70% resolution. The most common complication was skin erythema, which developed in 15 patients, followed by bruising in 13 patients. Both of these complications resolved in 2-3 weeks. Conclusions A novel approach for the treatment of spider veins has been described. The development of an insulated micro needle with an exposed beveled tip utilizing low current has minimized adjacent tissue damage and improved efficacy. The low cost, low level of complications, and comparable results offer a valuable alternative to sclerotherapy and laser treatment. Level of Evidence 4![Graphic][1] Therapeutic [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif

We prove that symplectic cohomology for open convex symplectic manifolds is invariant when the symplectic form undergoes deformations which may be non-exact and non-compactly supported, provided one uses the correct local system of coefficients in Floer theory. As a sample application beyond the Liouville setup, we describe in detail the symplectic cohomology for disc bundles in the twisted cotangent bundle of surfaces, and we deduce existence results for periodic magnetic geodesics on surfaces. In particular, we show the existence of geometrically distinct orbits by exploiting properties of the BV-operator on symplectic cohomology., Comment: 48 pages, 1 figure. Results are unchanged. Additional details were added in the Introduction and in the proof of Prop.3.9. To appear in: International Journal of Mathematics

On the Recommended Vernacular Names of Mesoplodon peruvianus Reyes, Mead & Van Waerebeek, 1991 (Cetacea, Ziphiidae) in Several World Languages Relevant and distinctive vernacular species names are essential to assure efficient communication among scientists under field and laboratory conditions, but also among non-specialists including the public at large. We provide a rationale for recommended vernacular and alternative names for the lesser beaked whale Mesoplodon peruvianus Reyes, Mead & Van Waerebeek, 1991 in 11 major world languages which encompass most of cetacean literature. Principal criteria for name endorsement are unambiguity and nonrepetitiveness with respect to other aquatic mammal species.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to determine if irrigation of breast implant pockets with antibiotics reduces the rate of capsular contracture (CC). Capsular contracture is the most common complication after primary augmentation mammoplasty, yet its etiology remains cryptogenic. METHODS PubMed was searched for publications from January 1 of 2000 through October of 2015. Studies with the following criteria were included: primary breast augmentation with implants, use of antimicrobial irrigation (AMI), and documentation of CC. The primary outcome studied was incidence of CC. The quality of included studies was assessed independently. Studies were meta-analyzed to obtain a pooled odds ratio (OR) describing the effect of AMI on CC. RESULTS The meta-analysis included 8 studies and 10,923 patients. A total of 5348 patients received AMI, and 5575 patients did not. Our analysis revealed that the combined AMI, the antibiotic irrigation subgroup, and the iodine subgroup were associated with an increased propensity for CC [OR, 2.60; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.3-2.94, I = 97%, P < 0.00001; OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.14-1.78, I = 89%, P < 0.00001; OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.24-1.22, P = 0.05; I = 73], respectively. CONCLUSIONS Antimicrobial irrigation of implant pockets fails to reduce the propensity for CC. The authors recommend that further prospective multicenter trials be conducted to further elucidate the role of antibiotic irrigation in CC.