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The Florida Keys comprise a unique ecological and archaeological setting in the southeastern United States yet have remained relatively understudied archaeologically for much of the twentieth century. Anecdotal accounts of "Spanish wells," employed by sailors and settlers during the colonial and early modern eras, have long posed questions about the availability of freshwater resources to Indigenous communities in the islands and how this availability may have impacted settlement patterns. Herein, we conduct the first systematic investigation of the "Spanish wells" in English-language historical records and compare their descriptions and locations to those of known Indigenous archaeological sites in the archipelago. In total, 22 distinct water sources in and near the Keys were attested to in documents and personal accounts from 1601 CE to 2021 CE. Geospatial analysis of their distribution relative to local archaeological sites returned few statistically significant results, however, likely influenced by the extensive history of site loss in the region. While the exact nature of most "wells" remains unclear, descriptions of their reliability and their broad spatial distribution bolsters the possibility of these water resources supporting year-round Indigenous communities in the archipelago prior to colonization. Future investigation focused on the identified water sources could shed further light on their exact nature and possible exploitation by Indigenous communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a high-performance material for emerging device applications, such as in resistive switching memories, in high-k capacitors, or, due to its flexoelectricity, in micro/nano-electro-mechanical systems. Enhanced electrical properties of TiO2 are ensured, especially by a careful selection of the bottom electrode material. Iridium dioxide (IrO2) is an excellent choice, as it favors the high-k rutile phase growth of TiO2. In this study, we introduce the fabrication of IrO2/TiO2/IrO2 capacitors and thoroughly characterize their electrical behavior. These capacitors show a dielectric constant for low temperature sputtered TiO2 of ∼70. From leakage current measurements, a coupled capacitive–memristive behavior is determined, which is assumed due to the presence of a reduced TiO2−x layer at the IrO2/TiO2 interface observed from transmission electron microscopy analyses. The memristive effect most probably originates from trapping and detrapping of electric charges in oxygen vacancy defects, which themselves can be generated and annihilated through an applied electric field, subsequently changing the resistance of the capacitor. The electric degradation type is identified as a filament-forming mechanism. Additionally, the temperature dependence of the leakage current is measured, demonstrating that the temperature behavior is strongly influenced by the ambient atmosphere. The latter dependency leads to the hypothesis that the oxygen evolution reaction of water incorporated in the IrO2/TiO2 interface passivates vacancies, thus significantly impacting the vacancy density in TiO2 and, as a further consequence, the electrical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Climate and economic changes promote the encroachment of woody plants on marginal mountain pastures. In the Alps, the main woody invader is the nitrogen-fixing shrub Alnus viridis (green alder). Robust breeds of different ruminant species may perform well on these shrub-encroached pastures. Aims. To assess the effects of A. viridis encroachment levels of mountain pastures on the growth performance and carcass and meat characteristics of cattle and sheep. Methods. For 8-9 weeks, 22 15-month-old growing Dexter cattle and 20 7-month-old weaned Engadine sheep were grazed rotationally on pastures in a subalpine zone with four different levels of A. viridis encroachment (average: 0.8%, 28.7%, 50.3% and 67.8%). Following slaughter, the assessed carcass and meat characteristics (longissimus thoracis and biceps femoris) included physico-chemical meat quality, muscle fibre typing, fatty acid profiling (intramuscular and perirenal fat) and the sensory properties of patties. Key results. The shrub encroachment levels had only minor effects on the animals. Interactions with the animal species influenced some sensory and fatty acid characteristics. The average daily gains were 201 g in the Dexter cattle and 104 g in the Engadine sheep. Both species achieved satisfactory carcass and meat quality and favourably low n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratios (0.63 and 0.68 in the intramuscular fat of the cattle and sheep, respectively). The meat from the Dexter cattle had a slightly higher cooking loss and shear force and a slightly lower proportion of fatty acids relevant to human health. Flavour appreciation was in favour of the burgers prepared from the beef. Conclusions. Both robust breeds were suitable for producing meat on extensive pastures with A. viridis encroachment of up to 70%. Based on indirect evidence, it seems that neither species consumed significant quantities of leaves or bark from the trees. Implications. Our study provides detailed information on rare robust breeds of two animal species in the context of meat production according to customer preferences. To better explain the differences between the two animal species, particularly in terms of fatty acid profiles, the role of the A. viridis understory needs to be clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electroactive polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) has gained much interest in smart materials research with a wide application range for industry and consumer applications due to the low cost, flexibility, chemical resistance, non-toxicity, and light weight. In this work, we present an α-phase PVDF cantilever that exploits electrostriction as the main transducer mechanism for excitation. We realize thin PVDF films with a thickness of ∼190 nm and a low roughness (∼19 nm RMS). Electrostrictive cantilevers need high electric fields to achieve amplitudes comparable to piezoelectric counterparts. At thinner films, lower voltage levels are requested for comparable electric fields, thus making electrostrictive PVDF cantilevers a viable route and subsequently allowing broader use of PVDF in MEMS devices. We use an asymmetric electrode design that has the advantage of shifting the neutral axis out of the PVDF without enhancing cantilever thickness with a supporting device layer. In addition, these devices can be produced by CMOS compatible micromachining techniques. We measured the electrostrictive and piezoelectric actuation signal with laser-Doppler vibrometry and showed the frequency spectrum and curvature of such α-phase PVDF cantilevers. The cantilevers have a curvate of up to 120 m−1 at 1500 kV/cm. We demonstrate that the electrostrictive actuation has a low temperature dependency in the range from 25 up to 130 °C. A typical cantilever exhibits a geometry dependent low spring constant (k ∼ 0.3 N m−1) and a low quality factor (Q ∼ 75) in air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Boxer elbow and handball goalkeeper elbow are causes of impingement characterized by osteophytes formation at the olecranon and coronoid tip as well as their corresponding fossae. Herein, we present another distinct pathology in these patients: the formation of an exostosis at the posterolateral aspect of the elbow. Methods: Between April 2016 and May 2020, 12 athletes with boxer elbow and handball goalkeeper elbow (mean age of 22 years) suffering from elbow pain were enrolled in the present study. Plain radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computer tomography (CT) scans were used to evaluate the bone conformation of the posterolateral aspect of the elbow. Assessment and staging of the ossification was performed by two independent fellowship-trained elbow surgeons. Results: Bone marrow edema of the posterior aspect of the elbow at the origin of the anconeus muscle was initially detected in MRI scans. With the progression of the condition, imaging revealed an ossification posterior to the capitellum with bony bridges. In the advanced stage of the disease, the exostoses was unstable as the ossification had no adherence to the posterior capitellum during surgical excision. Plain radiographs are limited in their ability to detect the condition, whereas MRI and CT scans allow to identify a signal enhancement at the posterolateral aspect of the elbow. Conclusion: In patients without history of elbow trauma, bony irregularities of the posterior aspect of the capitellum may indicate ossification of the posterolateral aspect of the elbow, most likely caused by repetitive hyperextensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuromorphic computing has the potential to further the success of software-based artificial neural networks (ANNs) by designing hardware from a different perspective. Current research in neuromorphic hardware targets dramatic improvements to ANN performance by increasing energy efficiency and speed of operation and even seeks to extend the utility of ANNs by natively adding functionality such as spiking operation. One promising neuromorphic hardware platform is based on superconductive electronics, which has the potential to incorporate all of these advantages at the device level in addition to offering the potential of near lossless communications both within the neuromorphic circuits and between disparate superconductive chips. Here, we explore one of the fundamental brain-inspired architecture components, the fan-in and fan-out as realized in superconductive circuits based on Josephson junctions. From our calculations and WRSPICE simulations, we find that the fan-out should be limited only by junction count and circuit size limitations, and we demonstrate results in simulation at a level of 1-to-10 000, similar to that of the human brain. We find that fan-in has more limitations, but a fan-in level on the order of a few 100-to-1 should be achievable based on current technology. We discuss our findings and the critical parameters that set the limits on fan-in and fan-out in the context of superconductive neuromorphic circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work demonstrates the viability of using a plasma-focused ion beam (PFIB) as a new platform to carry out radiation effects studies in solids. While materials subjected to irradiation in either nuclear reactors or energetic particle accelerators experience limitations with respect to inaccuracies in both flux measurements and lack of precise control of irradiation areas, we demonstrate a new irradiation technique that allows the exposure of a single specimen in multiple areas, at multiple doses, and in site-specific dependencies - all with flux variations on the order of only 1%. This versatile technique also allows materials to be exposed to significantly higher irradiation dose rates than conventional accelerators. To validate the new methodology, we selected the classical example of ion-beam-induced amorphization of pure single-crystal Si. By pioneering the use of the PFIB for radiation effects studies in materials science, we were able to exploit, in both micro- and nanometer-sized detail, the differences in electron image contrast arising from crystalline versus amorphous solid-state phases in classical semiconductors subjected to irradiation, thus providing new insights on amorphization mechanisms. This methodology opens new research frontiers at the fringe of materials science with promising applications beyond the scope of materials at extremes such as in nanopatterning, nanodevices and nanoarchitectonics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The popular prioritization of climate change issues over biodiversity loss in environmental archaeology and palaeoecology has been argued to be in part due to agenda-setting created by the ripple effects of widespread media coverage of climatic change. In this paper, we argue that direct scientific evidence for past human landscapes can act as a powerful tool in modern conservation efforts to combat species loss when taking regional identities, historical ecology, and modern political ecologies into account. How to rank and prioritize conservation efforts in the Anthropocene and best make use of archaeological data are lingering questions within Anthropocene anthropology and archaeological science. By engaging with notions of deep-time enchantment and identity, archaeology can aid conservation biology with revealing the religio-philosophical dimensions that exist between humans and other species, in particular charismatic megafauna that lend themselves to high engagement at a local or regional level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citric acid is an environmentally friendly and non-toxic chemical which forms barrier-like oxide films on AA 7075 during anodization. The passive behavior and the kinetic of the film formation is investigated in macro- and microelectrochemical experiments. Galvanostatic formed anodic oxide films are investigated by FT-IRRAS and SEM. The oxide films formed are dense and free of pores and mainly consist of Al 2 O 3. The formation of insoluble aluminum citrates is excluded at the chosen pH, but a small fraction of citrate in the oxide film is evident and explained by Zn and Cu complexes, respectively, incorporated in the aluminum oxide layer. • The corrosion of AA 7075 in pure 1 M citric acid is very low. • The anodizing of AA 7075 in pure citric acid results in barrier-like oxide layers. • The anodically formed oxide layer is almost water-free aluminum oxide. • A small amount of citrates is obviously incorporated into the layer. • The anodic film is visually homogeneous and shows a slightly iridescent color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sequential-Dispersion Particles from Gas Saturated Solutions (SD-PGSS) process was applied to encapsulate lutein with biocompatible polymer excipients to elaborate drug-delivery particles for oral uptake at mild temperatures (38 and 45 °C) under 25 MPa. Polycaprolactone and a polycaprolactone/polyethyleneglycol mixture (1:1 w/w) were selected to modulate in-vitro release. An experimental setup was designed in-house to limit the challenging plugging issues often encountered with the PGSS process. In this study, process yields up to 94% were obtained. The drug precipitation yields varied from 43 to 61% and the homogeneity of lutein dispersion was demonstrated for all conditions. In-vitro release kinetics were performed in phosphate-buffered saline solutions for 8 h. A higher release of lutein was obtained from PCL/PEG blends (∼ 90% in 5 h), whereas only 56% were released from pure PCL formulations. This study highlights the potential of the SD-PGSS process in encapsulating thermosensitive compounds at moderate temperatures. [Display omitted] • Sequential-dispersion PGSS (SD-PGSS) applied to polymer excipient processing. • Solvent-free SD-PGSS applied to the elaboration of controlled release drug delivery systems. • Lutein encapsulation with biocompatible polymers for oral uptake in AMD mitigation. • Process yields up to 94% under moderate temperatures (38 and 45 °C). • Modulation of lutein release profile from solid formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents results of a score interpretation study for a computer adaptive mathematics assessment. The study purpose was to test the efficacy of item developers' alignment of items to Range Achievement‐Level Descriptors (RALDs; Egan et al.) against the empirical achievement‐level alignment of items to investigate the use of RALDs as the epicenter of the test score interpretation validity argument. Item developers aligned 82%–87% of items in a computer adaptive item bank for Grades 3–8 mathematics to the assessment's RALDs that had been reconciled to the test scale after standard setting. The degree of consistency between the hypothesized alignment and actual alignment was examined using agreement statistics. Item developers correctly identified the empirical achievement level of 56%–60% of the items, which was above the chance level of agreement. An emerging technique known as embedded standard setting (ESS; Lewis and Cook) was then used to evaluate whether score interpretations based on item developer classifications of items to RALDs were comparable to the score interpretations derived from the cut scores set in 2018. Score interpretations for the first two achievement levels were consistent across administrations; however, for the most advanced students score interpretations were not maintained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We compared the Aptima CMV TMA assay to routine real-time PCR assays in a set of 518 diagnostic specimens. • The TMA assay performance for viral blood load testing was well comparable to established PCR assays. • Sensitivity in plasma and whole blood was slightly higher for the TMA assay. • Good qualitative agreement with routine PCR in congenital/postnatal specimens not included in the TMA assay´s CE-claim. Reliable and fast detection and quantification of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in various diagnostic specimens is essential for care of immunocompromised or congenitally infected individuals. To evaluate the analytical and clinical performance of the Panther Aptima® CMV (Hologic) quantitative real-time transcription mediated amplification (TMA) assay. Performance of the TMA assay run on the Hologic Panther Fusion was analysed for 32 proficiency testing samples and 21 quantitative reproducibility panel samples; additionally, we compared results of TMA assay and routine quantitative real-time PCR assays ("PCR-A"= Biomérieux CMV R-gene® or "PCR-B"= Laboratory-developed CMV-PCR) in 518 diagnostic specimens (254 plasma, 120 EDTA whole blood, 43 urine, 45 amniotic fluid and 56 breast milk) at two university hospital laboratories. All proficiency panel samples were correctly identified and quantified by the TMA assay; replicate testing of the reproducibility panel samples showed good reproducibility within and between the two laboratories. Sensitivity in plasma and WB was higher for the TMA assay detecting low-level CMV-DNAemia in samples tested negative by routine PCR. Quantitative CMV-DNAemia values correlated well between TMA and real-time PCR. Similarly, urine, AF and BM specimens showed a high rate of concordant results (91%, 98% and 98%, respectively) among TMA and PCR with good correlation of quantitative values. The performance of the Aptima® CMV TMA assay for viral blood load testing compared well to established real-time PCRs. In addition, it can be useful for diagnostics in urine, amniotic fluid and breast milk specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• NBI shine-through losses will limit the power available in ITER low-density plasmas. • ITER NBI shine-through is studied through a wide-range parameter scan. • Shine-through dependencies on beam energy, plasma density and shape are discussed. • Shine-through heuristic formula is provided for H and He ITER plasmas. • ITER NBI vertical tilt effect is taken into account. The occurrence of localized high heat fluxes on the ITER first wall can limit the lifetime of plasma-facing components. This can be the case of excessive shine-through losses due to high-energy Neutral Beam Injection (NBI) in low density plasmas, as in the first operation phases of ITER. The use of ITER NBI will be therefore limited to densities that guarantee acceptable power fluxes on the first wall. In this work, we review the NBI shine-through issue in the ITER pre-fusion phases by numerical simulations, extending previous modelling assumptions and exploiting the IMAS modelling framework. The dependencies of shine-through on beam injection energy and plasma density profiles are discussed and a heuristic formula for shine-through fraction is proposed, fitting a large database of ad-hoc simulations. In particular the effect of NBI vertical tilt is properly taken into account by considering the effect of different plasma density profile shapes. Both on- and off-axis ITER H neutral beam injection are considered in the study. We show that increasing the density peaking, ITER NBI shine-through losses decrease, with magnitude depending on the beam vertical tilt. Two ionization codes, NEMO and BBNBI, are compared exploiting the standardized data input of the IMAS suite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The valence-shell ionization spectrum of bromobenzene, as a representative halogen substituted aromatic, was studied using the non-Dyson third-order algebraic-diagrammatic construction [nDADC(3)] approximation for the electron propagator. This method, also referred to as IP-ADC(3), was implemented as a part of the Q-Chem program and enables large-scale calculations of the ionization spectra, where the computational effort scales as n5 with respect to the number of molecular orbitals n. The IP-ADC(3) scheme is ideally suited for investigating low-lying ionization transitions, so fresh insight could be gained into the cationic state manifold of bromobenzene. In particular, the present IP-ADC(3) calculations with the cc-pVTZ basis reveal a whole class of low-lying low-intensity two-hole-one-particle (2h-1p) doublet and quartet states, which are relevant to various photoionization processes. The good qualitative agreement between the theoretical spectral profile for the valence-shell ionization transitions generated with the smaller cc-pVDZ basis set and the experimental photoelectron spectrum measured at a photon energy of 80 eV on the PLÉIADES beamline at the Soleil synchrotron radiation source allowed all the main features to be assigned. Some theoretical aspects of the ionization energy calculations concerning the use of various approximation schemes and basis sets are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mültimodal treatment concepts enhance options for sürgery in locally advanced pancreatic düctal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This review provides an overview of technical advances to facilitate cürative-intent resection in PDAC. Methods: A review of the literatüre addressing cürrent technical advances in sürgery for PDAC was performed, and cürrent state-of-the-art sürgical techniqües sümmarized. Results: Artery-first and üncinate-first approaches, dissection of the anatomical triangle between the coeliac and süperior mesenteric arteries and the portomesenteric vein, and radical antegrade modülar pancreatosplenectomy were introdüced to enhance the completeness of resection and redüce the risk of local recürrence. Elaborated techniqües for resection and reconstruction of the mesenteric-portal vein axis and a venous bypass graft-first approach frequently allow resection of PDAC with venoüs involvement, even in patients with portal venoüs congestion and cavernoüs transformation. Arterial involvement does not preclude surgical resection per se, but may become surgically manageable with recent techniques of arterial divestment or arterial resection following neoadjuvanttreatment. Conclusion: Advanced techniques of surgical resection and vessel reconstruction provide a toolkit for curative-intent surgery in borderline resectable and locally advanced PDAC. Effects of these surgical approaches on overall survival remain to be proven with high-level clinical evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work studies the formation, chemical composition, and structure of an oxide layer formed on the technical solid-state sintered ceramic (EKasic®D) in a strong alkaline solution (1 M NaOH at pH 14) at high anodic potentials (30 V vs. 3 M Ag/AgCl). The observed formation of oxide films on SiC in alkaline solution is in contradiction to the thermodynamic laws (Pourbaix-diagram). The film thickness was determined by SEM/EDX measurements using the specific thin film analysis tool "AZtec" (Oxford Instruments) as well as the transmission electron microscopy. The thickness of the oxide film formed at 30 V amounts to 30 nm that corresponds with a field strength of E = 10 MV cm−1, which corresponds with the formation according to the high-field mechanism. The chemical composition was studied by EDX-analysis in a transmission electron microscope as well as by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The oxide layer is completely amorphous and consists of non-stoichiometric SiO x and SiO x C y. The layer is assumed as graded with a higher amount of SiO x in the outermost regions and an increased amount of SiO x C y in the inner region of the passive layer. Additionally, the passive layer is doped by a small amount of aluminum originating from a sinter additive used in the manufacture of the SiC ceramic and completely incorporated into the SiC grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim was to conduct a population-based projection to estimate the number of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cases in Germany until 2040. Data obtained from a report published in 2017 (doi:10.20364/VA-17.08) were used for future prediction analysis. The data were originally collected by the German Central Institute for Statutory Health Insurance. We used the illness–death model to estimate future numbers of RA cases, considering nine possible scenarios based on different incidence and mortality rates. In the baseline scenario, the number of women with RA is projected to increase by 417 000 cases and men by 179 000 cases by 2040, compared with 2015. Peak numbers of cases are concentrated in the 70–80-year-old age group, particularly among women. In the most favourable scenario (scenario 2), assuming a decreasing incidence, the total number of RA cases is projected to rise by 284 000 by 2040, reflecting a 38% relative increase from 2015 to 2040. The least favourable scenario (scenario 9), assuming an increasing incidence, projects a significant burden on the healthcare system. The total number of RA cases is expected to rise by 1.16 million by 2040, marking a substantial 158% relative increase from 2015 to 2040. Our research emphasizes a discernible trend: with an ageing society, improving treatment effectiveness, and declining all-cause mortality, we anticipate a rise in the absolute numbers of RA cases in Germany in the coming years. Our models robustly support this viewpoint, underscoring impending challenges for healthcare systems. Addressing these challenges demands multifaceted interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminium nitride (AlN) is a promising material for challenging sensor applications such as process monitoring in harsh environments (e.g., turbine exhaust), due to its piezoelectric properties, its high temperature stability and good thermal match to silicon. Basically, the operational temperature of piezoelectric materials is limited by the increase of the leakage current as well as by enhanced diffusion effects in the material at elevated temperatures. This work focuses on the characterization of aluminum nitride thin films after post deposition annealings up to temperatures of 1000 °C in harsh environments. For this purpose, thin film samples were temperature loaded for 2 h in pure nitrogen and oxygen gas atmospheres and characterized with respect to the film stress and the leakage current behaviour. The X-ray diffraction results show that AlN thin films are chemically stable in oxygen atmospheres for 2 h at annealing temperatures of up to 900 °C. At 1000 °C, a 100 nm thick AlN layer oxidizes completely. For nitrogen, the layer is stable up to 1000 °C. The activation energy of the samples was determined from leakage current measurements at different sample temperatures, in the range between 25 and 300 °C. Up to an annealing temperature of 700 °C, the leakage current in the thin film is dominated by Poole-Frenkel behavior, while at higher annealing temperatures, a mixture of different leakage current mechanisms is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Orf virus (ORFV) represents a suitable vector for the generation of efficient, prophylactic antiviral vaccines against different pathogens. The present study investigates for the first time the therapeutic application of ORFV vector-based vaccines against tumors induced by Cottontail Rabbit Papillomavirus (CRPV). ORFV-CRPV recombinants were constructed expressing the early CRPV gene E1, E2, E7, or LE6, respectively. In two independent experiments we used in total 23 rabbits which immunized with a mixture of the four ORFV-CRPV recombinants or empty ORFV vector as control five weeks after the appearance of skin tumors. For the determination of the therapeutic efficacy the subsequent growth of the tumors was recorded. In the first experiment, we could demonstrate that three immunizations with the combined four ORFV-CRPV recombinants of rabbits with high tumor burden resulted in significant growth retardation of the tumors as compared to the control. A second experiment was performed to test the therapeutic effect of 5 doses of the combined vaccine in rabbits with a lower tumor burden compared to non-immunized rabbits. Tumor growth was significantly reduced after immunization and one vaccinated rabbit even displayed complete tumor regression until the end of the observation period at 26 weeks. Results of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin tests suggest the induction of a cellular immune response mediated by the ORFV-CRPV vaccine. The data presented show for the first time a therapeutic potential of the ORFV vector platform and encourage further studies for the development of a therapeutic vaccine against virus-induced tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flexoelectric effect describes the electromechanical coupling of a strain gradient to a polarization and vice versa. This effect scales linearly with permittivity and strain gradients can get very high for dimensions on the micro and nanoscale. Even though the flexoelectric effect can be best exploited within micro or nanoelectromechanical systems (M/NEMS) applications, it has not been established in today's M/NEMS device architectures as other transducer principles, like piezoelectricity. In this work, values of the converse flexoelectric coefficient for one of the most promising flexoelectric materials, titanium dioxide (TiO 2) are provided. The experimental results are based on a carefull characterization of IrO 2 /TiO 2 /IrO 2 cantilevers. Besides CMOS compatiblity TiO 2 is selected as functional thin film material as it offers a very high permittivity and shows no hysteresis or saturation effects as it is neither ferro- nor paraelectric. Additionally, it guarantees a low cost, lead-free realization and can be directly integrated in a standard silicon MEMS fabrication process by sputter deposition. In order to correctly determine the flexoelectric coefficient, other electromechanical coupling effects are considered and assessed. The flexoelectric coefficient is shown to be µ eff = 1.78 ± 0.16 nC m−1 at 10 kHz. The flexoelectric coupling constant with a value of 2.75 V is in good agreement with that theoretically predicted by Kogan's estimate of 3.14 V. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports measured and inferred characteristics of plasma jets produced by a 10 cm plasma-armature railgun designed to provide a platform to study phenomena associated with high-Mach-number plasma flows. This gas-fed accelerator is powered by an underdamped LC pulse-forming network operated at charge voltages up to 15 kV and fired into a large cylindrical vacuum chamber, emitting a series of plasma jets which propagate into the chamber. Analysis of data captured by an interferometer and spectrometer at locations 10 and 40 cm away from the railgun's bore suggests jet velocities between 14.5 and , electron number densities between 3.4 × 1014 and 2.5 × 1016 cm−3, a plasma temperature of approximately 2 eV, and Mach number between 5.1 and 7.0. These parameters fall in a parameter space conducive to the study of shock structures in multi-ion-species plasmas, as the ion stopping distances and consequently shock thicknesses are expected to be in the several millimeter to few-centimeter range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the capacitated truck-and-trailer routing problem (CTTRP), a limited fleet of capacitated trucks and trailers is available at a depot to serve a set of customers, of which some are only accessible by the truck alone. In this paper, we propose a two-commodity flow formulation for the CTTRP, which uses two sets of flow variables that model the flow of goods carried by trucks pulling a trailer and by trucks alone, respectively. We describe some valid inequalities for strengthening the formulation and develop a branch-and-cut algorithm for solving it. In our computational experiments, we consider both the CTTRP and its special case in which a single capacitated truck pulling an uncapacitated trailer is available. We report results on instances derived from known benchmark sets featuring up to 40 customers. The results show that our branch-and-cut solves 30-customer instances with either a single vehicle or loose capacity constraints with very high success rate. Of the more tightly capacitated 30-customer instances, about half can be solved. We also report results on benchmark instances of the single TTRP with satellite depots with up to 50 customers. In addition, we find that the lower bounds provided by the two-commodity flow formulation are superior to those of a corresponding one-commodity flow formulation. Finally, we study the effect of forbidding transfers between trucks and trailers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The equiatomic CrCoNi alloy is regarded as a model single-phase face-centered cubic medium-entropy alloy. A CrCoNi single crystal was grown by a Bridgman technique using a Ni-base superalloy seed. The elastic stiffnesses and thermal expansion coefficient were determined between 100 K and 673 K employing resonant ultrasound spectroscopy and dilatometry, respectively. All data were found to be in excellent agreement with those reported for polycrystalline CrCoNi. A comparison of the normalized Cauchy pressure of CrCoNi with those of other alloys indicates that interatomic bonds become more directional with increasing Cr-concentration while Co and Ni promote a metallic character. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CrCoNi exhibits the best combination of strength and ductility among all the equiatomic single-phase FCC subsets of the CrMnFeCoNi high-entropy alloy. Here, its yield strength was determined in compression as a function of grain size and temperature. Yield strength was also plotted as a function of "crystallite" size, which takes into account both annealing twin boundaries and grain boundaries. The resulting Hall-Petch slopes were straight lines but with different slopes that depend on the number of twin boundaries per grain. Scanning transmission electron microscopy of deformed specimens revealed the formation of dislocation pile-ups at grain and annealing twin boundaries indicating that the latter also act as obstacles to slip and contribute to strength. Using a simple pile-up model, the strengths of the grain and twin boundaries were estimated to lie in the range 900–1250 MPa. Assuming that they have the same strength, in the case of twin boundaries this strength corresponds roughly to the stress required to constrict Shockley partials, which suggests that dissociated dislocations have to become compact before they can cross the annealing twin boundaries. Image 1 • Temperature dependence of boundary hardening reported for the first time in CrCoNi. • The influence of texture on Hall-Petch behavior is also reported for the first time. • Dislocation pile-ups are observed at grain and annealing twin boundaries by TEM. • DDD allow to estimate the relative contributions of different boundaries to strength. • Boundary strengths correspond to the stress needed to constrict Shockley partials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work examined the gas evolution on a solid-state sintered silicon carbide material (EKasic®D) at high anodic potentials (up to 120 V vs Ag/AgCl). By using the amperometric detection as well as the method of oxygen quenching, the part of anodic evolved oxygen could be determined for 75–95% of the total amount of consumed charge. The minor part of the total charge is consumed by oxide film formation (passive range) or material dissolution (transpassive range). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze the eigenstates' Fock space structure in the tilted Bose-Hubbard Hamiltonian. Fock space localization is quantified in terms of finite-size generalized fractal dimensions. This approach allows us to monitor the parametric evolution of localization across avoided crossings in the energy spectrum. We identify a manifold of strongly localized eigenstates, both in Fock and configuration space, which persists in regimes where all system parameters (hopping, interaction, and tilt strengths) are comparable. For a fixed number of bosons, the localization properties of that manifold are independent of the lattice size. The influence of avoided crossings on the structure of the localized manifold is discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic peripheral nerve lesions affect patients of all age groups. They are associated with functional deficits that have severe consequences for affected patients and prolonged or permanent inability to work has socioeconomic relevance. In order to improve prognoses and achieve the best possible outcome an early diagnosis and competent knowledge of the correct approach and treatment strategies are essential. Unfortunately, nerve lesions are often not detected in time, so that surgical treatment can only be initiated after a delay. Because of the relatively high proportion of iatrogenic nerve lesions, a profound knowledge of the optimal care of patients with peripheral nerve lesions is compulsory for every doctor who works in the operative field. Surgical treatment of peripheral nerve lesions should remain in the hands of experienced peripheral nerve surgeons. The foundation of successful treatment, however, begins earlier at the initial referral when the patient receives the correct diagnostics and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reported outcome benefits after surgical pleth index (SPI, GE Healthcare, Helsinki, Finland) guided anaesthesia are conflicting. One potential explanation may be the lack of evidence for the selection of meaningful SPI target values. A recently published trial found an SPI cut-off of 30 as a 'best-fit' to predict moderate-to-severe acute postoperative pain. This prospective trial was designed to validate this target and to investigate the influence of patient age on SPI in this context.Methods: After ethics approval, 200 patients undergoing non-emergency surgery were enrolled. Data related to SPI, heart rate (HR), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded for the last 5 min of surgery, just before arousal. After admission to recovery, pain scores (numeric rating scale [NRS], 0-10) were obtained every 5 min for 15 min.Results: The data of 196 patients were analysed. Receiver-operating curve analysis showed a cut-off SPI value of 29 to be the optimum intraoperative target to discriminate between NRS 0-3 and 4-10. This confirms the 'best fit' cut-off for SPI published previously. Though still superior to HR and MAP, the sensitivity and specificity of the SPI were only poor. Age had no influence on the predictive accuracy of SPI.Conclusions: An SPI of approximately 30 was confirmed as having the best sensitivity/specificity to predict moderate-to-severe pain in the postanaesthesia care unit. However, the predictive accuracy was overall poor and not influenced by patient age.Clinical Trial Registration: ACTRN12617001475336. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spin dynamics of sub-100-nm Ni80Fe20 nanomagnets are directly measured using the magneto-optic Kerr effect and a broadband detection scheme. Elliptical dots approximately 68 nm in diameter and 10 nm thick were fabricated in 20×20 μm2 arrays. There is approximately a factor of 2 increase in the effective linewidth when compared to a 20 μm diameter continuous disk of the same material. Using micromagnetic simulations, we model the effect of dot-to-dot size variation on the effective linewidth and find that 2 nm size variations are more than sufficient to account for the effective increase in linewidth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We adapted a time-resolved magneto-optic microprobe for use with a pulsed inductive microwave magnetometer apparatus, to measure the magnetization dynamics of a thin Permalloy film at micrometer and millimeter length scales under exactly the same experimental conditions. The optical microprobe has a spatial resolution of 1 μm. We compare the data obtained over these different length scales to quantitatively determine the localized inhomogeneous contribution to magnetic damping. When measured directly with the magneto-optic technique, the inhomogeneous contributions are in agreement with the value 88±16 A/m (1.1±0.2 Oe) extrapolated from PIMM measurements of linewidth versus frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the enhancement of ferromagnetic damping for thin Permalloy (Ni80Fe20) films grown with Cu capping layers of variable thickness (5–1000 nm). The measurements were performed with a pulsed inductive microwave magnetometer in the frequency range between 2.3 and 2.7 GHz. The damping was enhanced if the Cu layers were thicker than the spin-diffusion length of ls≈250 nm. For example, the damping was enhanced by 30% for a Permalloy (3 nm)/Cu (1000 nm) bilayer relative to the damping for Permalloy with a 5-nm-thick Cu capping layer. Existing theory for spin pumping from the Permalloy layer into the Cu layer was used to model the additional contribution to damping for these bilayer systems. Additional experiments on Permalloy (5 nm)/Cu(x nm)/Ta (5 nm) provided indirect evidence for spin accumulation inside the Cu layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a quantitative, systematic study of the effect of magnetostriction on the dynamical properties in NiFe alloys. Both the ferromagnetic resonance frequency and the damping times are correlated to the magnetostriction. In addition, we find that the Gilbert damping parameter varies by more than 100% over the range of Ni percentage tested (61.9%–86.7%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the magnetic properties of flat permalloy cylinders by Lorentz transmission electron microscopy and micromagnetic simulations. The magnetization patterns during in situ magnetizing experiments have been imaged and they revealed that the magnetization reversal of the cylindrically shaped dots investigated is determined by the formation and annihilation of magnetic vortices. Furthermore, the experiments and micromagnetic simulations showed a dependence of the vortex annihilation field not only on the aspect ratio but also on the absolute thickness of the cylinders. The diameter of the cylindrical dots was varied between 150 and 1000 nm, and the thicknesses were 3, 5.5, 8.3, 15, and 20 nm, respectively. The formation of inhomogeneous magnetization patterns prior to vortex evolution was observed and by a comparison of the experimental to simulated Fresnel images these patterns can be identified as S- and C-like states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study on the magnetization loops of submicron ferromagnetic permalloy dot rays. Fabrication of the permalloy films; Magnetization loops from alternating gradient magnetometry; Results and discussion.

Presents information on a study which analyzed the failure mechanisms of polycrystalline gold thin film interconnects. Experimental details; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

Measures the residual dipolar couplings by hydrogen dipolar-encoded longitudinal magnetization, double and triple-quantum nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in cross-linked elastomers. Correlation with cross-link density; Reconversion of multiple quantum coherences.

The parkable piezoprobe is a site investigation tool for measuring the coefficient of consolidation, in situ offshore, at shallow embedment depths. The device applies a similar bearing pressure to subsea infrastructure so it reaches a comparable self-weight penetration when 'parked' at the seabed, representative of an unburied pipeline. Instrumentation on the device allows the dissipation of penetration-induced excess pore pressure to be recorded at various locations on the surface. From these dissipation responses the coefficient of consolidation can be inferred, which is a key parameter in the design of many offshore structures founded in surficial soil, such as pipelines or shallow foundations. The intent is that this device is deployed from a seabed frame, while other activities such as penetrometer testing or sampling take place in parallel. This paper presents robust interpretation methods for the parkable piezoprobe by using a combination of centrifuge experiments and large deformation finite-element analyses. The centrifuge tests demonstrate that the penetration response of the parkable piezoprobe is adequately captured by existing bearing capacity models, allowing the optimum device weight to be identified. A comprehensive interpretation method is then developed for the dissipation stage. This yields accurate estimates of the coefficient of consolidation, even for cases where there is no prior knowledge of the soil parameters or the depth to which the device embeds under its own self-weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dissolution mechanism of pure chromium at high current density characteristic for electrochemical machining processes is studied. The combination of electrochemical, microscopic, and spectroscopic techniques leads to a comprehensive interpretation of the dissolution mechanism. The polishing quality increases with increasing nitrate concentration and current density, respectively. The oxygen evolution amounts up to 45% of the consumed anodic charge and the apparent valence of the chromium dissolution decreases with increasing applied potential down to z = 3.5. The authors explain this phenomenon by a passive dissolution of chromium via Cr3+ followed by a chemical oxidation of Cr3+ to dichromate under nitrate reduction to nitrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We extend the 'No-dynamic-arbitrage and market impact'-framework of Gatheral [Quant. Finance, 2010, 10(7), 749-759] to the multi-dimensional case where trading in one asset has a cross-impact on the price of other assets. From the condition of absence of dynamical arbitrage we derive theoretical limits for the size and form of cross-impact that can be directly verified on data. For bounded decay kernels we find that cross-impact must be an odd and linear function of trading intensity and cross-impact from asset i to asset j must be equal to the one from j to i. To test these constraints we estimate cross-impact among sovereign bonds traded on the electronic platform MOT. While we find significant violations of the above symmetry condition of cross-impact, we show that these are not arbitrageable with simple strategies because of the presence of the bid-ask spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Emotion-cognition interactions are often (Simon, 1967; Sloman, 2002) understood as adaptational mechanisms that help to cope bounded decision-makers with constraints and dangers forced upon by their environments. In this work, emotions are regarded as emergent properties of interconnected systems of functional routines – decision-making, memory access, etc. – and associated internal monitoring and modulation systems. Couplings between these mechanisms create internal bidirectional feedback loops that can sustain globally synchronized responses, which have been referred to as "appraisal-emotion"-amalgams (Lewis, 2005). Although emotions have been suggested as crucial components for enabling biological agents to cope with difficulties of decision-making in complex, partially unknown environments (Hanoch, 2002; Muramatsu & Hanoch, 2005; Sloman, 2011), research on artificial emotion models lacks common frameworks to explore design spaces for particular classes of emotionally-influenced systems (Hudlicka, 2008; Sloman, 2002), rendering it difficult to identify basic principles or architectural constraints (Hudlicka, 2008; Sloman, 1999, 2002). This article presents a systems-level framework for modeling emotion-cognition interaction in domain-independent decision-making systems based on Optimal Control Theory as a particular form of self-modulation driven by continual evaluation of the relationship between system and environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work investigates the approach of the in-situ investigation of the microstructure of electrolytic deposited metal layers by using a conventional x-ray diffractometer. The used electrochemical x-ray cell used allows the reduction of the electrolytic film thickness during the x-ray diffraction to avoid a significant reducing of intensity caused by diffuse scattering. The results reveals the microstructure development of copper layers depending on the layer thickness and the deposition potential. The avoidance of any contamination with an ambient atmosphere and the continuously potential control guarantees steady conditions of the sample surface between the deposition steps and during the diffraction measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Theoretical plate model is feasible for MEMS membranes with diameters of 300–800 μm. • Membranes are still flexible in the ground states. • Dynamic behaviour of membranes measured for the first time with a laser Doppler Vibrometer. • The bi-stable switching shows high velocities and very high accelerations. Abstract This paper reports on the characteristic behaviour of bistable MEMS membranes before, during and after switching between the two ground states. For this purpose, silicon membranes with a diameter in the range of 300–800 μm and a thickness in the range of 2–5 μm were investigated. To achieve bistability, hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide layers with different thicknesses in the range of 50 nm–400 nm were deposited on the silicon membranes using an inductively-coupled plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition process. With this bi-layered approach, an initial deflection of 2.5–8.1 μm was achieved which results in a total switching displacement of 5–16.2 μm A setup for bulge testing in combination with a Whitelight interferometer was used to analyse the membrane behaviour before the bi-stable switching. The pressure difference required to initiate switching between the ground states was in the range of 20–320 mbar. Both parameters (i.e. static deflection and switching pressure) are in excellent agreement with an analytical model. When increasing the pressure the membranes deflect up to 2.4 μm before switching, strongly depending on the diameter of the membranes. The dynamic measurements with the laser Doppler vibrometer showed switching times in the range of 5–20 μs, maximum velocities in the range of 1.5 to 4.3 m∙s−1 and high maximum accelerations between 2 to 11∙106 m∙s-2 depending on membrane properties such as diameter, thickness and mechanical stress. Finally, with fast Fourier transform analyses of the measured velocity signal characteristics Eigenmodes of the membrane are determined dominating the oscillation behaviour after switching, thus indicating approaches for effective damping with integrated actuators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of our understanding of SLE and its negative impact originates from developed countries. This review aims to collate existing literature on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in SLE patients living in developing countries to identify the gaps for the focus of future research. A narrative literature review was compiled using selected MeSH terms to search EBSCOHOST for articles published between January 1975 and February 2018 pertaining to HRQoL in SLE patients in developing countries. 31 studies from 11 countries were included for analysis. Only one longitudinal, one randomized controlled trial (RCT), one qualitative study, and two intervention studies were found. High disease activity and organ damage were associated with poor functional ability, mental health and low socio-economic status (SES). Poor SES is a recurring theme in developing countries, and worsens all SLE outcomes by reducing access to healthcare, mental, social and emotional support systems. In developing countries, SLE has a globally negative impact on patients’ HRQoL, similar to that seen in developed countries. There is an urgent need for more HRQoL studies, and in particular, longitudinal, qualitative and interventional studies in these countries to investigate unmet needs, and to explore novel strategies to improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which investigated the damage generation and its annealing behavior in gallium arsenide (GaAs)/(Ga,aluminum (Al))As quantum wells (QW) after Ga[⊃+] implantation at room temperature, by transmission electron microscopy. Implantation and annealing of the GaAs/GaAlAs single QW; Discussion on the implantation and annealing of the GaAs/AlAs multiple QW; Differential amorphization and annealing; Segregation of defects in GaAs.

Describes a structure for a GaAs/(Ga, Al)As quantum well (QW). Data on the backscattered electron image taken from the surface of an array of interdiffused wires; Information on the low-temperature photoluminescence spectra of QW wires for different widths of the implantation masks.

Presents a study which investigated the intermixing of gallium arsenide/(gallium, aluminum)arsenide heterointerfaces by Ga[sup] implantation and annealing. Experimental details; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

Presents a study which investigated the optical characteristics of selectively intermixed gallium arsenide/gallium aluminum arsenide quantum wires by gallium[sup+] masked implantation. Experimental details; Results and discussion; Conclusion.