bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dual effect of light and ultrasound for efficient singlet oxygen generation with novel diaxial silicon phthalocyanine sensitizer
Authors: Köse Gülşah Gümrükçü , Erdoğmuş Ali
Published: July 2023

To treat a life‐threatening disease like cancer, photodynamic therapy (PDT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) methods were combined into sono‐photodynamic therapy (SPDT) as an effective therapeutic solution. Each day, the usage of phthalocyanine sensitizers increases in the therapeutic applications as they have the ability to produce more reactive oxygen species. In this context, a new diaxially silicon phthalocyanine sensitizer, containing triazole and tert‐butyl groups, was synthesized. After elucidating the structure of the complex with elemental analysis, FT‐IR, UV–Vis, MALDI–TOF MS and 1H NMR, its photophysical, photochemical and sono‐photochemical properties were examined. When singlet oxygen generation capacity of the new synthesized silicon phthalocyanine complex was determined and compared among photochemical (PDT; ФΔ = 0.59 in DMSO, 0.44 in THF, 0.47 in toluene) and sonophotochemical (SPDT; ФΔ = 0.88 in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 0.60 in tetrahydrofuran (THF), 0.65 in toluene) methods, it can be said that the complex is a successful sono‐photosensitizer that can be used as a good SPDT agent in vitro or in vivo future studies.
Disrupt through digital: a study on the challenges faced when digitalizing R&D
Authors: El Samra Ali , James Andrew , Malik Khaleel
Published: July 2023

Digitalization and automation represent potential sources of disruption to the organization and practice of research and development (R&D). Digitalization has the potential to revolutionize future R&D, as digitalized R&D may improve efficiency and minimize risk thus reducing cycle and development times. However, companies expect organizational challenges in their R&D organization when they start to implement and work with digital technologies. Through an in‐depth case analysis, we investigate these organizational challenges at Unilever, one of the world's leading fast‐moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. Three challenges were identified: (1) managerial challenges; (2) behavioral challenges; and (3) digital technology skills challenges. Based on the identified challenges within the context of digitalizing an R&D center, our study provides some practical advice to R&D managers.
Recovery and restoration potential of cold‐water corals: experience from a deep‐sea marine protected area
Authors: Strong James A. , Piechaud Nils , De Clippele Laurence H. , Bett Brian J. , Horton Tammy , Corbera Guillem , Huvenne Veerle A. I.
Published: July 2023

Cold‐water corals (CWCs) are important species that provide habitat for other taxa but are sensitive to mechanical damage from bottom trawling. CWC conservation has been implemented in the form of marine protected areas (MPAs), but recovery from impact may be particularly slow in the deep‐sea environment; consequently, the use of restoration techniques has been considered. To gain some insight into CWC recruitment and growth, in 2011 we deployed small seabed moorings in the Darwin Mounds MPA (~1,000 m water depth). This site hosts hundreds of CWC mounds, that had previously (until 2003) been impacted by deep‐water trawling. In 2019, we carried out in situ visual surveys of these moorings and the surrounding seabed environment, then recovered two of the moorings. The mooring buoys, glass floats with plastic covers, were extensively colonized by a diverse epifauna that included the CWCs Desmophyllum pertusum and D. dianthus. The presence of coral recruits indicated that environmental conditions, and larval supply, remained favorable for the settlement and growth of CWCs within the MPA. Based on our observations, we consider four possible restoration methods, together with a “do‐nothing” option, for the Darwin Mounds CWCs that have shown little, if any, natural recovery despite 16 years of protection. We conclude that seabed emplacement of high‐relief artificial substrata is likely to be the most efficient and cost‐efficient means of promoting enhanced recovery of the CWCs.
“I'll wait for the English one”: COVID‐19 vaccine country of origin, national identity, and their effects on vaccine perceptions and uptake willingness
Authors: Atkinson Mark , Ntontis Evangelos , Neville Fergus , Reicher Stephen
Published: July 2023

Vaccines can play a crucial role in reducing the negative outcomes of pandemics. In this paper we explore how vaccine perceptions and uptake willingness can be affected by vaccine‐related information, the vaccine's country of origin, and national identity. Study 1 (N = 800) showed that a vaccine manufactured by China was perceived more negatively compared to vaccines from the UK, Germany, and Chile. Providing vaccine effectiveness information (83%) increased preference for waiting for an alternative vaccine and reduced perceived effectiveness of a vaccine from China. Brexit supporters perceived vaccines as less safe in general, and particularly thought of a vaccine from China as less competent, effective, and trustworthy, and were less prepared to have it. Study 2 (N = 601) largely replicated findings of Study 1 regarding the effects of a vaccine's country of origin. Moreover, participants who reported a higher sense of British superiority reported more negative attitudes towards a vaccine from China. However, apart from the aforementioned main effects of Study 2, our attempt to manipulate British identity vis a vis a Global identity in order to examine particular national‐identity related outcomes was not successful. Overall, vaccine characteristics can interact with various social psychological factors, potentially affecting people's perceptions and willingness to uptake particular measures to support personal and public health.
Community‐oriented policing (COP): An empirical study of its effectiveness on fear of crime
Authors: Lee Jae‐Seung , Lee Heeuk D. , Zhao Jihong Solomon
Published: July 2023

Background

Community‐oriented policing (COP) has been a central tenet in policing for the past three decades. Accordingly, studies have examined its effectiveness in reducing citizen's fear of crime, one of the legitimate objectives of COP. However, the results of studies are somewhat unclear about the effectiveness.

Objectives

his study attempts to disclose how COP program affects citizens' fear of crime using two waves of survey data collected from citizen participants of the COP program in Houston, Texas.

Methods

Structural equation modeling is employed for analysis in this study.

Results

The findings of this study reveal that COP contributed to reducing fear of crime. In particular, the crime prevention‐related information learned at the COP program increased the participants' sense of collective efficacy, which shows a positive impact on reducing fear of crime.

Conclusions

This study suggest that providing crime prevention information at COP program is important to strengthen volunteer's informal social control, which contribute to reducing their fear of crime.
Complications and outcome following staphylectomy and folded flap palatoplasty in dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
Authors: Miller Annellie K. , Regier Penny J. , Colee James C.
Published: July 2023

Objective

To compare the prevalence of pre‐, intra‐, and postoperative variables and complications associated with staphylectomy (S) and folded flap palatoplasty (FFP).

Study design

Retrospective study.

Sample population

Client‐owned dogs (n = 124).

Methods

Medical records of S and FFP dogs from a veterinary teaching hospital were reviewed between July 2012 and December 2019. Signalment, clinical pre‐, intra‐, and postoperative data were collected and reviewed. Median (interquartile range) was reported.

Results

A total of 124 dogs among 14 breeds underwent surgical treatment for an elongated soft palate with either a S (n = 64) or FFP (60). FFP dogs without concurrent non‐airway procedures were associated with longer duration of surgery (p = .02; n = 63; S, median = 51 min [34–85]; FFP, median = 75 min [56.25–94.5]) and anesthesia (p = .02; n = 63; S, median = 80 min [66–125]; FFP, median = 111 min [91–140.8]). Neither soft palate surgery was associated with the occurrence of anesthetic complications (p = .30; 99/120; S, 49; FFP, 50), postoperative regurgitation (p = .18; 27/124; S, 17; FFP, 10), or with hospitalization duration (p = .94; n = 124; S, median = 1 day [1]; FFP, median = 1 [1]). Postoperative aspiration pneumonia (9/124; S, 4; FFP, 5) and major complications were rare (5/124; S, 3; FFP, 2).

Conclusion

S and FFP had similar anesthetic and perioperative complications, although FFP dogs had longer anesthetic and operative times.

Clinical significance

Although FFP took longer, no other clinically significant differences were appreciated between S and FFP procedures. Because of limitations inherent in study design, surgeons should continue to use clinical judgment when deciding on a procedure.
Garbage Segregation and Monitoring Using Low-Cost IoT System for Smart Waste Management
Authors: Bakar Muhammad Azlan , Md Yusof Yusnaidi , Mohd Sam Suriani , Azizan Azizul , Ahmad Noor Azurati , Abas Hafiza , Shafie Noraimi
Published: July 2023

Waste management is one of the serious issues in maintaining the longevity of life. Managing waste in garbage bins not only requires a systematic garbage segregation policy but also a prevention and control mechanism for human behaviour. With the aid of the low-cost-budget Internet of Things (IoT) approach, managing garbage bins for municipal and town councils become practical, effective, and easy to be enforced. This study proposed a proof-of-concept prototype of a low-cost IoT approach using Raspberry Pi and cheap sensor modules to segregate waste into garbage bins with local alarming and remote notification systems. The systems are capable of detecting metal and non-metal waste so that segregation can be applied, and measuring waste levels in the garbage bin to prevent waste overflow. On top of that, the systems are also able to warn with loudness sound of a mistype waste scanned at the bin lid and send prompt notifications to the remote observer for further actions. The study results from a number of performance testing demonstrated the developed systems can accurately measure waste levels either to be empty, half-filled, or 80% filled when the ultrasonic ranging module sensor is placed 105° inside the bin. This is the best positioning we recommended when working with a bin of size 15 cm in height and 10 cm in width. Finally, we observed that the finest detection results were achieved when the movement of objects are scanned less than 2 cm, but not more than 4 cm away.
Monitoring Elastoplastic Deformation in Ductile Metallic Materials Using Sideband Peak Count-Index Technique
Authors: Zhang Guangdong , Li Xiongbing , Li Tianji , Kundu Tribikram
Published: July 2023

Ductile metallic materials such as aluminum alloy, brass, and steel are widely used in engineering structures. Monitoring elastoplastic deformation in these materials is important for structural health monitoring (SHM) to ensure the safety of structures made of metallic materials. This article presents a newly developed and promising nonlinear ultrasonic (NLU) technique called sideband peak count-index (or SPC-I) for monitoring the early stages of elastoplastic deformation in ductile metallic alloy Al6061. Experimental results presented in this article show that the elastic range of the Al6061 SPC-I values shows slight changes due to the inherent inhomogeneities (imperfect grain boundaries or dislocations at the grain boundaries under loadings) of Al6061. Then the SPC-I value changes rapidly as the material enters the plastic range zone. Compared to the linear ultrasonic (LU) parameters (wave velocity and attenuation changes), the SPC-I shows a noticeable advantage (higher sensitivity) for monitoring the early stages of the elastoplastic deformation in these ductile metallic specimens investigated in this study. It is concluded that the SPC-I technique is useful for monitoring deformations in ductile metallic materials, especially in their plastic zone. This work extends the applicability of the SPC-I technique for monitoring elastoplastic deformations in metallic specimens that have not been reported in earlier works and can provide some guidelines for SHM related to elastoplastic deformation in metallic structures.
Large Eddy Simulation of Convective Heat Transfer in a Random Pebble Bed Using the Spectral Element Method
Authors: Nguyen Tri , Reger David , Dai Dezhi , Merzari Elia , Yuan Haomin , Jackson Brian , Busco Giacomo
Published: July 2023

The development of fluoride-cooled high-temperature reactors has drastically increased the demand for an in-depth understanding of the heat transfer (HT) in packed beds cooled by liquid salts. The complex flow fields and space-dependent porosity found in a pebble bed require a detailed understanding to ensure the proper cooling of the reactor core during normal and accident conditions. As detailed experimental data are complicated to obtain for these configurations, high-fidelity simulation such as large eddy simulation and direct numerical simulation (DNS) can be employed to create a high-resolution heat transfer numerical database that can assist in addressing industrial-driven issues associated with the heat transfer behavior of fluoride-cooled high-temperature reactors. In this paper, we performed a series of large eddy simulation using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code NekRS to investigate the heat transfer for a bed of 1741 pebbles. The characteristics of the flow, such as average, rms, and time series of velocity and temperature, have been analyzed. Porous media averages have also been performed. The simulation results show a good agreement between non-conjugate heat transfer and conjugate heat transfer. The generated data will be used to benchmark heat transfer modeling methods and local maxima/minima of heat transfer parameters. It will also be used for supporting convective heat transfer quantification for Kairos Power and benchmarking lower fidelity models.
Validation and Verification Analyses of Turbulent Forced Convection of Na and NaK in Miniature Heat Sinks
Authors: Pourghasemi Baixuan , Fathi Nima
Published: July 2023

The aim of this work is to evaluate the accuracy of two computational models applied to the turbulent forced convection of alkali liquid metals of Na and NaK. The results of local Nusselt numbers for two turbulent models of realizable k-ε and SST k-ω are evaluated in this analysis. A solution verification process is carried out to determine epistemic uncertainty in computational results of convective heat transfer rates of Na in stainless steel (SS-316) miniature heat sinks. Besides solutions verification, the Numerical results were validated against the experimental data for local Nusselt numbers of NaK turbulent flow within a uniformly heated tube at a Reynolds number of 30,260. The results from the SST k-ω model follow the trend of the experimental data better than the realizable k-ε turbulent model. The realizable k-ε turbulent model overestimates the NaK local Nusselt numbers by almost 5%. In both turbulent models, the maximum epistemic uncertainty of the local convective heat transfer rate is 4% within the investigated miniature heat sink at a Reynolds number of 9,000.
Exchange fluctuation theorems for strongly interacting quantum pumps
Authors: Sone Akira , Soares-Pinto Diogo O. , Deffner Sebastian
Published: July 2023

We derive a general quantum exchange fluctuation theorem for multipartite systems with arbitrary coupling strengths by taking into account the informational contribution of the back-action of the quantum measurements, which contributes to the increase in the von-Neumann entropy of the quantum system. The resulting second law of thermodynamics is tighter than the conventional Clausius inequality. The derived bound is the quantum mutual information of the conditional thermal state, which is a thermal state conditioned on the initial energy measurement. These results elucidate the role of quantum correlations in the heat exchange between multiple subsystems.
Simulation of a multichannel vacuum transistor with high cut-off frequency
Authors: Shen Zhihua , Wang Xiao , Ge Bin , Wu Shengli , Tian Jinshou
Published: July 2023

A multichannel vertical vacuum transistor based on the Fowler–Nordheim tunneling emission mechanism was proposed and numerically investigated. The multichannel structure was demonstrated to be effective in enhancing the drain current when compared to the traditional single-channel structure with the same device size. For example, transconductance increased from 0.42 mS of the single-channel structure to 0.86 mS of the four-channel structure. In addition, when the vacuum channel number increases, the size of a single channel decreases correspondingly, leading to a reduction in electric field intensity on the electron emission surface. Thus, the off-state current dramatically reduced by two orders of magnitude reaching10−15 A according to the simulated results. In other words, the ON/OFF drain current ratio of the multichannel structure is significantly enhanced. Furthermore, the simulation results indicate that the cut-off frequency of the multichannel device is 33% higher than that of the traditional single-channel one reaching 0.19 THz.
Creaky voice identification in Mandarin: The effects of prosodic position, tone, pitch range and creak locality
Authors: Li Aini , Lai Wei , Kuang Jianjing
Published: July 2023

Creaky voice, a non-modal aperiodic phonation that is often associated with low pitch targets, has been found to not only correlate linguistically with prosodic boundary, tonal categories, and pitch range, but also socially with age, gender, and social status. However, it is still not clear whether co-varying factors such as prosodic boundary, pitch range, and tone could, in turn, affect listeners' identification of creak. To fill this gap, this current study examines how creaky voice is identified in Mandarin through experimental data, aiming to enhance our understanding of cross-linguistic perception of creaky voice and, more broadly, speech perception in multi-variable contexts. Our results reveal that in Mandarin, creak identification is context-dependent: factors including prosodic position, tone, pitch range, and the amount of creak all affect how Mandarin listeners identify creak. This reflects listeners' knowledge about the distribution of creak in linguistically universal (e.g., prosodic boundary) and language-specific (e.g., lexical tone) environments.
Compressive frequency-difference direction-of-arrival estimation
Authors: Lee Jeung-Hoon , Park Yongsung , Gerstoft Peter
Published: July 2023

Direction-of-arrival estimation is difficult for signals spatially undersampled by more than half the wavelength. Frequency-difference beamforming [Abadi, Song, and Dowling (2012). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 132, 3018–3029] offers an alternative approach to avoid such spatial aliasing by using multifrequency signals and processing them at a lower frequency, the difference-frequency. As with the conventional beamforming method, lowering the processing frequency sacrifices spatial resolution due to a beam broadening. Thus, unconventional beamforming is detrimental to the ability to distinguish between closely spaced targets. To overcome spatial resolution deterioration, we propose a simple yet effective method by formulating the frequency-difference beamforming as a sparse signal reconstruction problem. Similar to compressive beamforming, the improvement (compressive frequency-difference beamforming) promotes sparse nonzero elements to obtain a sharp estimate of the spatial direction-of-arrival spectrum. Analysis of the resolution limit demonstrates that the proposed method outperforms the conventional frequency-difference beamforming in terms of separation if the signal-to-noise ratio exceeds 4 dB. Ocean data from the FAF06 experiment support the validity.
Skewing cPLA
2
α activity toward oxoeicosanoid production promotes neutrophil N2 polarization, wound healing, and the response to sepsis
Authors: Maus Kenneth D. , Stephenson Daniel J. , Macknight H. Patrick , Vu Ngoc T. , Hoeferlin L. Alexis , Kim Minjung , Diegelmann Robert F. , Xie Xiujie , Chalfant Charles E.
Published: July 2023

Uncontrolled inflammation is linked to poor outcomes in sepsis and wound healing, both of which proceed through distinct inflammatory and resolution phases. Eicosanoids are a class of bioactive lipids that recruit neutrophils and other innate immune cells. The interaction of ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P) with the eicosanoid biosynthetic enzyme cytosolic phospholipase A
2
(cPLA
2
) reduces the production of a subtype of eicosanoids called oxoeicosanoids. We investigated the effect of shifting the balance in eicosanoid biosynthesis on neutrophil polarization and function. Knockin mice expressing a cPLA
2
mutant lacking the C1P binding site (

cPLA
2

α

KI/KI

mice) showed enhanced and sustained neutrophil infiltration into wounds and the peritoneum during the inflammatory phase of wound healing and sepsis, respectively. The mice exhibited improved wound healing and reduced susceptibility to sepsis, which was associated with an increase in anti-inflammatory N2-type neutrophils demonstrating proresolution behaviors and a decrease in proinflammatory N1-type neutrophils. The N2 polarization of

cPLA
2

α

KI/KI

neutrophils resulted from increased oxoeicosanoid biosynthesis and autocrine signaling through the oxoeicosanoid receptor OXER1 and partially depended on OXER1-dependent inhibition of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Thus, C1P binding to cPLA
2
α suppresses neutrophil N2 polarization, thereby impairing wound healing and the response to sepsis.
Psychrotrophic Bacteria Equipped with Virulence and Colonization Traits Populate the Ice Cream Manufacturing Environment
Authors: Valentino Vincenzo , De Filippis Francesca , Sequino Giuseppina , Ercolini Danilo
Published: July 2023

Several microbial species might permanently establish in food processing facilities, thus contributing to food loss. In fact, food contact surfaces might transfer microorganisms to intermediates and products, potentially representing a hazard to human health.
Microbiology at Home (M@H): an Online, Self-Paced Solution To Enhance Practical Skills in Foundation Microbiology
Authors: Winter Gal , Ketheesan Natkunam
Published: July 2023

The online education market share is rapidly increasing, raising the demand to teach sciences outside the laboratory environment. Here, we present Microbiology at Home (M@H), a new approach that integrates hands-on microbiology experimentation with online interactive simulations using authentic scenarios in microbiology in the home environment.
Histoplasma capsulatum
requires peroxisomes for multiple virulence functions including siderophore biosynthesis
Authors: Brechting Peter J. , Shah Chandan , Rakotondraibe Liva , Shen Qian , Rappleye Chad A.
Published: July 2023

Peroxisomes are versatile eukaryotic organelles essential for many functions in fungi, including fatty acid metabolism, reactive oxygen species detoxification, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. A suite of Pex proteins (peroxins) maintains peroxisomes, while peroxisomal matrix enzymes execute peroxisome functions. Insertional mutagenesis identified peroxin genes as essential components supporting the intraphagosomal growth of the fungal pathogen
Histoplasma capsulatum
. Disruption of the peroxins Pex5, Pex10, or Pex33 in
H. capsulatum
prevented peroxisome import of proteins targeted to the organelle via the PTS1 pathway. This loss of peroxisome protein import limited
H. capsulatum
intracellular growth in macrophages and attenuated virulence in an acute histoplasmosis infection model. Interruption of the alternate PTS2 import pathway also attenuated
H. capsulatum
virulence, although only at later time points of infection. The Sid1 and Sid3 siderophore biosynthesis proteins contain a PTS1 peroxisome import signal and localize to the
H. capsulatum
peroxisome. Loss of either the PTS1 or PTS2 peroxisome import pathway impaired siderophore production and iron acquisition in
H. capsulatum
, demonstrating compartmentalization of at least some biosynthetic steps for hydroxamate siderophore biosynthesis. However, the loss of PTS1-based peroxisome import caused earlier virulence attenuation than either the loss of PTS2-based protein import or the loss of siderophore biosynthesis, indicating additional PTS1-dependent peroxisomal functions are important for
H. capsulatum
virulence. Furthermore, disruption of the Pex11 peroxin also attenuated
H. capsulatum
virulence independently of peroxisomal protein import and siderophore biosynthesis. These findings demonstrate peroxisomes contribute to
H. capsulatum
pathogenesis by facilitating siderophore biosynthesis and another unidentified role(s) for the organelle during fungal virulence.

IMPORTANCE

The fungal pathogen
Histoplasma capsulatum
infects host phagocytes and establishes a replication-permissive niche within the cells. To do so,
H. capsulatum
overcomes and subverts antifungal defense mechanisms which include the limitation of essential micronutrients.
H. capsulatum
replication within host cells requires multiple distinct functions of the fungal peroxisome organelle. These peroxisomal functions contribute to
H. capsulatum
pathogenesis at different times during infection and include peroxisome-dependent biosynthesis of iron-scavenging siderophores to enable fungal proliferation, particularly after activation of cell-mediated immunity. The multiple essential roles of fungal peroxisomes reveal this organelle as a potential but untapped target for the development of therapeutics.
Characterization of TelE, a T7SS LXG Effector Exhibiting a Conserved C-Terminal Glycine Zipper Motif Required for Toxicity
Authors: Teh Wooi Keong , Ding Yichen , Gubellini Francesca , Filloux Alain , Poyart Claire , Givskov Michael , Dramsi Shaynoor
Published: July 2023

In this study, 38 clinical isolates of
Streptococcus gallolyticus
subsp.
gallolyticus
(
SGG
) were sequenced and a genetic locus encoding the type VIIb secretion system (T7SSb) was found conserved and absent from 16 genomes of the closely related
S. gallolyticus
subsp.
pasteurianus
(
SGP
). The T7SSb is a bona fide pathogenicity island.
Unveiling a New Perspective on Distinguishing Omicron Breakthrough Cases and Postimmune COVID-19-Naive Individuals: Insights from Antibody Profiles
Authors: Zhang Shihan , Dong Chen , Zhen Qian , Shi Chao , Tian Hua , Li Chuchu , Kong Xiaoxiao , Dai Qigang , Huang Haodi , Simayi Aidibai , Zhu Fengcai , Xu Yawen , Hu Jianli , Xu Ke , Chen Liling , Bao Changjun , Jin Hui , Zhu Liguo
Published: July 2023

This study fills a gap in the epidemiological evidence by investigating the value of serological indicators, particularly IgG and IgA levels, in the auxiliary diagnosis of COVID-19 infections when nucleic acid results are undetectable. The findings reveal that among Omicron breakthrough cases, both IgG and IgA antibody levels exhibit significant changes.
Neonatal administration of fenofibrate had no developmental programming effect on the lipid profile and relative leucocyte telomere lengths of adolescent rats fed a high-fructose diet postnatally
Authors: Ibrahim Kasimu Ghandi , Chivandi Eliton , Erlwanger Kennedy Honey , Brooksbank Richard Leslie
Published: July 2023

Telomere length, a marker of ageing, is susceptible to developmental programming that may cause its accelerated attrition. Metabolic syndrome triggers telomere attrition. Fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha agonist, is protective against telomere attrition. We investigated the impact of fenofibrate administered during suckling on the lipid profile and leucocyte telomere lengths of rats fed a high-fructose diet post-weaning. Suckling Sprague-Dawley pups ( n = 119) were allocated to four groups and gavaged with either 10 mL·kg−1 body mass 0.5% dimethyl sulfoxide, 100 mg·kg−1 body mass fenofibrate, fructose (20%, w / v), or a combination of fenofibrate and fructose for 15 days. Upon weaning, each of the initial groups was split into two subgroups: one had plain water while the other had fructose solution (20%, w / v) to drink for 6 weeks. Blood was collected for DNA extraction and relative leucocyte telomere length determination by real-time PCR. Plasma triglycerides and cholesterol were also quantified. The treatments had no effect ( p > 0.05) on body mass, cholesterol concentration, and relative leucocyte telomere lengths in both sexes. Post-weaning fructose increased triglyceride concentrations ( p < 0.05) in female rats. Fenofibrate administered during suckling did not affect ageing nor did it prevent high fructose-induced hypertriglyceridaemia in female rats.
Boosting Just-In-Time Code Comment Updating Via Programming Context and Refactor
Authors: Mi Xiangbo , Zhang Jingxuan , Tang Yixuan , Ju Yue , Lan Jinpeng
Published: July 2023

Comments are summary descriptions of code snippets. When analyzing and maintaining programs, developers tend to read tidy comments rather than lengthy code. To prevent developers from misunderstanding the program or leading to potential bugs, ensuring the consistency and co-evolution of comments and the corresponding code is an integral development activity in practice. Nevertheless, when modifying code, developers sometimes neglect to update the relevant comments, resulting in inconsistency. Such comments may pose threats to the comprehension and maintenance of the software. In our study, we propose an overall approach named Context and Refactor based Comment Updater (CRCU). CRCU is a Just-In-Time (JIT) comment updater for specific commits. It takes a commit-id as input and updates all the method comments in this commit according to the code change. CRCU could be viewed as an optimization and augmentation of existing comment updaters, especially those that rely only on neural networks. Compared to the existing comment updaters, CRCU fully leverages the programming context and refactoring types of the modified methods to improve its performance. In addition, several customized enhancements in data pre-processing are introduced in CRCU to handle and filter out low-quality commits. We conduct extensive experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of CRCU. The evaluation results show that CRCU combined with the state-of-the-art approaches could improve the average Accuracy by 6.87% and reduce the developers’ edits by 0.298 on average.
The sound of the event horizon
Authors: Konoplya R. A.
Published: July 2023

During the ringdown phase of a gravitational signal emitted by a black hole, the least damped quasinormal frequency dominates. If modifications to Einstein’s theory induce noticeable deformations of the black-hole geometry only near the event horizon, the fundamental mode remains largely unaffected. However, even a small change near the event horizon can significantly impact the first few overtones, providing a means to probe the geometry of the event horizon. Overtones are stable against small deformations of spacetime at a distance from the black hole, allowing the event horizon to be distinguished from the surrounding environment. In contrast to echoes, overtones make a much larger energy contribution. These findings open up new avenues for future observations.
NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF PASSIVE MICROMIXER WITH NOVEL OBSTACLE STRUCTURE
Authors: WU ZHONGLI , XU HENG , DU HAIJUN , LI YU , XU LEI , ZHANG DAOHAI
Published: July 2023

The micromixer is an important prerequisite for realizing the function of the microfluidic chip system. Micromixers are mainly used in protein crystallization, biological reactions, drug delivery and other fields. Efficient micromixers enable fast bioreaction processes. In this paper, according to the principle of plane geometry, micromixers with three different structural obstacles, circular, equilateral triangle and square, are designed to study how to improve the mixing efficiency of the micromixer. In this paper, the influence of the obstacle structure on the mixing efficiency and pressure drop of the micromixer is analyzed. Through numerical simulation, the results show that when Re = 100, the mixing efficiency of the circular obstacle micromixer is up to 97.4%, and the pressure drop is 15,789.597 Pa. In addition, this paper analyzes that the use of cylindrical obstacles can make the fluid generate horizontal and vertical vortex flow, break the usual laminar flow, and significantly improve the mixing efficiency.
Hensel minimality: Geometric criteria for ℓ-h-minimality
Authors: Vermeulen Floris
Published: July 2023

Recently, Cluckers et al. developed a new axiomatic framework for tame non-Archimedean geometry, called Hensel minimality. It was extended to mixed characteristic together with the author. Hensel minimality aims to mimic o-minimality in both strong consequences and wide applicability. In this paper, we continue the study of Hensel minimality, in particular focusing on [Formula: see text]-h-minimality and [Formula: see text]-h-minimality, for [Formula: see text] a positive integer. Our main results include an analytic criterion for [Formula: see text]-h-minimality, preservation of [Formula: see text]-h-minimality under coarsening of the valuation and [Formula: see text]-dimensional geometry.
Degrees of categoricity and treeable degrees
Authors: Csima Barbara F. , Rossegger Dino
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we give a characterization of the strong degrees of categoricity of computable structures greater or equal to [Formula: see text]. They are precisely the treeable degrees — the least degrees of paths through computable trees — that compute [Formula: see text]. As a corollary, we obtain several new examples of degrees of categoricity. Among them we show that every degree [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] a computable ordinal greater than 2 is the strong degree of categoricity of a rigid structure. Using quite different techniques we show that every degree [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] is the strong degree of categoricity of a structure. Together with the above example this answers a question of Csima and Ng. To complete the picture we show that there is a degree [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] that is not the degree of categoricity of a rigid structure.
A Tale of Two Theories–Critically Synthesized to Enhance Understanding of Executive Remuneration
Authors: Sinnadurai Philip
Published: July 2023

This concept paper synthesizes two theories of executive remuneration. Soundly motivated, the two manifestations of agency theory of equity examine the market for managerial labor. The first theory models two families of determinants of Chief Executive Officer remuneration: economic factors and wealth expropriation. The second theory models equilibrium corporate governance quality by treating the Chief Executive Officer as a rational maximizer of her own wealth utility. This theory complements the first by facilitating consideration of the contextual role played by Chief Executive Officer greed, in undermining equilibrium pricing of economic factors and the efficacy of corporate governance mechanisms.
A study on the sum of K-frames in n-Hilbert space
Authors: Wang Gang
Published: July 2023

In recent years, the concepts of frame in [Formula: see text]-Hilbert space and [Formula: see text]-frames in [Formula: see text]-Hilbert space have been introduced. The [Formula: see text]-frames in the [Formula: see text]-Hilbert space are more generalized than the ordinary frames. This paper deals with the problem of sum of [Formula: see text]-frames in [Formula: see text]-Hilbert space. First, the sufficient condition for the finite sum of [Formula: see text]-frames and Bessel sequences in [Formula: see text]-Hilbert space is given. Then, some results on the operator [Formula: see text] and pre-frame operator are given, and some new results on the sum of [Formula: see text]-frame are proved. We then discuss several results for the perturbation and stability of the [Formula: see text]-frames in [Formula: see text]-Hilbert space about the sum of the [Formula: see text]-frames.
A kind of sharp Wirtinger inequalities
Authors: Xu Guiqiao , Liu Yongping , Guo Dandan
Published: July 2023

This study gives a kind of sharp Wirtinger inequalities (Pizone inequalities) [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] with at least [Formula: see text] zeros (counting multiplicity) in [Formula: see text]. First, based on the Hermite (Lagrange) interpolation, we express [Formula: see text] as a Lagrange type (integral type) remainder. Second, we refer the computation of [Formula: see text] to the maximum value problem of a multivariate function, and we give the values of [Formula: see text] by finding the solution of the multivariate function aforementioned. At last, we refer the computation of [Formula: see text] to the norm of an integral operator. Our results are corrections and extensions to the results that appear in [J. C. Kuang, Applied Inequalities (Shandong Science and Technology Press, Jinan, 2004); A. Yu. Levin, Some estimates for a diff erentiable function, Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR 138 (1961) 37-38 (in Russian)].
A Moving Kriging Interpolation Meshless for Bending and Free Vibration Analysis of the Stiffened FGM Plates in Thermal Environment
Authors: Peng L. X. , Chen S. Y. , Chen W. , He X. C.
Published: July 2023

This paper adopts the Moving Kriging (MK) interpolation meshless method to analyze the static and dynamic behaviors of stiffened functionally graded material (FGM) plate in thermal environment based on the physical neutral surface. The ribbed FGM plate is regarded as a composite structure of a FGM plate and ribs. The displacement transformation relationship between stiffeners and FGM plates is obtained through the displacement compatible conditions and MK interpolation. The meshfree model for ribbed FGM plate is obtained by superimposing the total energy of the FGM plate and the stiffeners based on the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and physical neutral surface. The nonlinear temperature field along thickness direction is introduced into the meshless model of stiffened FGM plate. The equations governing the bending and free vibration of the ribbed FGM plate in thermal environment are obtained according to the principle of Minimum Potential Energy and Hamilton’s Principle. Thereafter, several ribbed FGM plate examples in different temperatures and with different locations of ribs are calculated. The results are compared with those given by the ABAQUS and literature. The results show that the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method in analyzing the ribbed FGM plate in thermal environment.
New Fatigue Life Prediction Model for Composite Materials Considering Load Interaction Effects
Authors: Feng Zihao , Ma Qiang , An Zongwen , Ma Huidong , Bai Xuezong
Published: July 2023

Damage to composite structures can accumulate over time and lead to fatigue failure in their actual use environment. Therefore, it is critical to establish a suitable fatigue life prediction model. This work developed an improved fatigue life prediction model based on the effects of equivalent damage and load interactions. Validation and comparison of the improved fatigue life prediction model were carried out using test data of composites subjected to secondary and tertiary loading. The analysis indicates that the accuracy of fatigue life prediction for composites under variable amplitude load is improved by the damage equivalence prediction model, which accounts for the influence of load application sequence and load interaction. Furthermore, a comparison with existing fatigue life prediction models reveals that the proposed model predicts fatigue life more accurately under different amplitude loads.
Seismically Evaluate Liquefaction-Induced Steel Tunnel–Sand–Pile Interaction (TSPI) Response
Authors: Haque Md. Foisal , Ahmed Ansary Mehedi
Published: July 2023

This paper presents the steel tunnel–sand–pile interaction (TSPI) response under scaled (0.05[Formula: see text]g and 0.1[Formula: see text]g) seismic excitations (Kobe and Loma Prieta) and sinusoidal wave (frequencies of 1, 5, and 7[Formula: see text]Hz) along with the sand relative densities of 48% and 80%. For this reason, a scaled shake table test was performed in the laboratory, and the 3D numerical analysis was performed by the Plaxis for the simulation. No joint was considered along the length of the tunnel to avoid complexity. In most cases, the excess pore pressure ratio exceeds the unit value at bottom and top locations of the TSPI model to inform the occurrence of liquefaction. Maximum lateral and translational displacements of the tunnel were found to be 143[Formula: see text]mm and 72[Formula: see text]mm, respectively, at the crown. In addition, the maximum vertical translation of sand and root mean square (RMS) value of the pile strain were obtained to be 61[Formula: see text]mm and 20[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m/m, respectively. However, close variations of numerical and experimental studies may convince the accuracy of the simulation. By the way, it has a scope to enhance this study in the future by varying the geometry of the TSPI model.
Objective Evaluation of the Source Models for Seismic Hazard Investigations Using the Logic Tree Approach: Case Study Semnan, Iran
Authors: Arshadi Mohammad Jalal , Naderi Reza
Published: July 2023

Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) has become a fundamental tool in assessing seismic hazards and for estimating seismic design and seismic safety evaluation of ground motions. This report describes a study to test and verify the numerical approaches and software used in PSHA on Semnan, one of the important cities of Iran country. The geological and seismological data are integrated into a probabilistic seismic hazard model for the region. Historical and instrumental earthquake data, geology, tectonics, fault activity, and seismic source models associated with seismic events are taken into account. A probabilistic approach within a logic-tree framework is used to calculate seismic hazard for Semnan. The results were also displayed in terms of uniform hazard spectra for rock sites for return periods of 100, 475 and 2475 years, which is deemed appropriate for structural design standards in the Iran building code. As the results of this study have been displayed on the map for different return periods and different natural periods, it can provide the basis for the preparation of new seismic risk maps.
Sustainable and Resilient Capacity Expansion Planning for Chemical Processing Industry: A Bi-Objective Approach
Authors: Krimi Issam , Al-Aomar Raid
Published: July 2023

According to United Nations reports, the worldwide population is expected to reach around 9.6 billion by 2050. This forecast emphasizes the critical role of energy and raw materials that are needed to meet the tremendous demand for goods. Consequently, firms feel pressured to establish sustainable and resilient strategic plans to acquire new process technologies and expand their capacity on time. These decisions are made at the highest management level, supported by a set of capacity expansion portfolios, to improve their competitiveness, especially in capital-intensive industries such as chemical processing. This paper investigates the sustainable and resilient capacity expansion problem for such industries within a long-term horizon. The main objective is to develop a holistic capacity expansion planning framework that fits the chemical processing industries and can be used to generate resilient scenarios while enhancing their sustainability measures. To this end, a bi-objective mixed-integer programming model was developed to solve the sustainability–resilience–profitability dilemma. The results showed a controversial relationship between the profitability of capacity expansion investments and a company’s commitment to sustainability and resilience. Furthermore, capacity expansion decisions were shown to primarily depend on the importance assigned to maximize profit as a managerial choice. However, there is no clear trend in sustainability preferences based on the sustainability weighting choice.
HiPeR - Early Detection of a Ransomware Attack using Hardware Performance Counters
Authors: Anand P. Mohan , Charan P. V. Sai , Shukla Sandeep K.
Published: July 2023

Ransomware has been one of the most prevalent forms of malware over the previous decade, and it continues to be one of the most significant threats today. Recently, ransomware strategies such as double extortion and rapid encryption have encouraged attacker communities to consider ransomware as a business model. With the advent of Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) models, ransomware spread and operations continue to increase. Even though machine learning and signature-based detection methods for ransomware have been proposed, they often fail to achieve very accurate detection. Ransomware that evades detection moves to the execution phase after initial access and installation. Due to the catastrophic nature of a ransomware attack, it is crucial to detect in its early stages of execution. If there is a method to detect ransomware in its execution phase early enough, then one can kill the processes to stop the ransomware attack. However, early detection with dynamic API call analysis is not an ideal solution, as the contemporary ransomware variants use low-level system calls to circumvent the detection methods. In this work, we use hardware performance counters (HPC) as features to detect the ransomware within 3-4 seconds - which may be sufficient, at least in the case of ransomware that takes longer to complete its full execution.
Electrochemical and Spectroscopic Properties of Europium in AlCl3-NaCl Melts
Authors: Chen Jia-Zhuang , Zhong Yu-Ke , Liu Ya-Lan , Li Mei , Han Wei , Shi Wei-Qun
Published: July 2023

The physicochemical properties of Eu cations in AlCl3-NaCl melts have been studied for the purpose of spent nuclear fuel recycling via electrochemical and spectroscopic methods. Eu metal dissolves in the AlCl3-NaCl melts to generate divalent europium and Al metal while releasing chlorine gas. The effect of Lewis acidity of melt on the electrochemical behaviors of Eu(II) has been studied. In Lewis base melt of AlCl3-NaCl, Eu(III), and Al(III) can be co-reduced at the potential between Al deposition and Eu(II) oxidation. With the enhanced Lewis acidity of the molten salt, Eu(II) diffusion becomes more facile. The in situ absorption spectra of Eu(II) in AlCl3-NaCl melts reveal that the complexation ligand of Eu(II) changes with the melt Lewis acidity, thereby affecting the electrochemical behaviors of Eu(II) species. In addition, the redox potential of the Eu(II)/Eu(III) conversion reaction is more positive than that of Sm(II)/Sm(III).
Surprising Dependence of the Exfoliation of Graphite During Formation on Electrolyte Composition
Authors: Zhang Ning , Eldesoky Ahmed , Dressler Reid A. , Dahn J. R.
Published: July 2023

Graphite is the most used lithium intercalation host for the negative electrode of the lithium-ion battery. Extensive research has been carried out to achieve high Coulombic Efficiency (CE) and long cycle life for the graphite anode. Here, LFP/graphite (graphite from Vendor 1) cells that undergo formation at 40 °C with either 1.2 M LiPF6 dissolved in ethylene carbonate:dimethyl carbonate (EC:DMC), or ethylene carbonate:ethylmethyl carbonate (EC:EMC) have excellent first cycle efficiency (FCE). However, when the formation is done at 20 °C, EC:EMC and ethylene carbonate:diethyl carbonate (EC:DEC) cells show much reduced FCE while EC:DMC cells retain high FCE. We prove by a variety of experiments that the reduced FCE is caused by solvent co-intercalation. We explore the impact of temperature, different graphites, electrolyte additives, and varied salt content on this effect. We show that basic additives, such as vinylene carbonate, are sufficient to eliminate the co-intercalation. With a well-designed electrolyte system containing additives, graphites that show co-intercalation in the absence of additives perform equivalently or better than graphites that do not show co-intercalation in the absence of additives.