bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of MRSA virulence gene expression by the wall teichoic acid enzyme TarO
Authors: Lu Yunfu , Chen Feifei , Zhao Qingmin , Cao Qiao , Chen Rongrong , Pan Huiwen , Wang Yanhui , Huang Haixin , Huang Ruimin , Liu Qian , Li Min , Bae Taeok , Liang Haihua , Lan Lefu
Published: March 2023

Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) and Staphylococcal protein A (SpA) are key virulence determinants for community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), an important human pathogen that causes a wide range of diseases. Here, using chemical and genetic approaches, we show that inhibition of TarO, the first enzyme in the wall teichoic acid (WTA) biosynthetic pathway, decreases the expression of genes encoding PSMs and SpA in the prototypical CA-MRSA strain USA300 LAC. Mechanistically, these effects are linked to the activation of VraRS two-component system that directly represses the expression of accessory gene regulator (agr) locus and spa. The activation of VraRS was due in part to the loss of the functional integrity of penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP2) in a PBP2a-dependent manner. TarO inhibition can also activate VraRS in a manner independent of PBP2a. We provide multiple lines of evidence that accumulation of lipid-linked peptidoglycan precursors is a trigger for the activation of VraRS. In sum, our results reveal that WTA biosynthesis plays an important role in the regulation of virulence gene expression in CA-MRSA, underlining TarO as an attractive target for anti-virulence therapy. Our data also suggest that acquisition of PBP2a-encoding mecA gene can impart an additional regulatory layer for the modulation of key signaling pathways in S. aureus.
A Long-term Consistent Artificial Intelligence and Remote Sensing-based Soil Moisture Dataset
Authors: Skulovich Olya , Gentine Pierre
Published: March 2023

The Consistent Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Soil Moisture (CASM) dataset is a global, consistent, and long-term, remote sensing soil moisture (SM) dataset created using machine learning. It is based on the NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite mission SM data and is aimed at extrapolating SMAP-like quality SM back in time using previous satellite microwave platforms. CASM represents SM in the top soil layer, and it is defined on a global 25 km EASE-2 grid and for 2002–2020 with a 3-day temporal resolution. The seasonal cycle is removed for the neural network training to ensure its skill is targeted at predicting SM extremes. CASM comparison to 367 globalin-situSM monitoring sites shows a SMAP-like median correlation of 0.66. Additionally, the SM product uncertainty was assessed, and both aleatoric and epistemic uncertainties were estimated and included in the dataset. CASM dataset can be used to study a wide range of hydrological, carbon cycle, and energy processes since only a consistent long-term dataset allows assessing changes in water availability and water stress.
Large scale crowdsourced radiotherapy segmentations across a variety of cancer anatomic sites
Authors: Wahid Kareem A. , Lin Diana , Sahin Onur , Cislo Michael , Nelms Benjamin E. , He Renjie , Naser Mohammed A. , Duke Simon , Sherer Michael V. , Christodouleas John P. , Mohamed Abdallah S. R. , Murphy James D. , Fuller Clifton D. , Gillespie Erin F.
Published: March 2023

Clinician generated segmentation of tumor and healthy tissue regions of interest (ROIs) on medical images is crucial for radiotherapy. However, interobserver segmentation variability has long been considered a significant detriment to the implementation of high-quality and consistent radiotherapy dose delivery. This has prompted the increasing development of automated segmentation approaches. However, extant segmentation datasets typically only provide segmentations generated by a limited number of annotators with varying, and often unspecified, levels of expertise. In this data descriptor, numerous clinician annotators manually generated segmentations for ROIs on computed tomography images across a variety of cancer sites (breast, sarcoma, head and neck, gynecologic, gastrointestinal; one patient per cancer site) for the Contouring Collaborative for Consensus in Radiation Oncology challenge. In total, over 200 annotators (experts and non-experts) contributed using a standardized annotation platform (ProKnow). Subsequently, we converted Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine data into Neuroimaging Informatics Technology Initiative format with standardized nomenclature for ease of use. In addition, we generated consensus segmentations for experts and non-experts using the Simultaneous Truth and Performance Level Estimation method. These standardized, structured, and easily accessible data are a valuable resource for systematically studying variability in segmentation applications.
Three-dimensional visualization of neural networks inside bone by Osteo-DISCO protocol and alteration of bone remodeling by surgical nerve ablation
Authors: Utagawa Kurando , Shin Takaei , Yamada Hironori , Ochi Hiroki , Sunamura Satoko , Unno Aiko , Akazawa Chihiro , Ema Masatsugu , Takeda Shu , Okawa Atsushi , Sato Shingo
Published: March 2023

Bone is one of the largest organ systems in humans and is considered to regulate whole-body homeostasis in cooperation with other organs. We have previously reported that a sympathetic or sensory nervous system inside bone regulates bone homeostasis. However, the detailed regulatory mechanism, including the distribution of nerves inside bone, remains unknown. Although a two-dimensional histological analysis has been widely used to evaluate the structure of nerves or blood vessels, the actual structure is more complex, suggesting that it should be evaluated three-dimensionally. Here, we established a novel bone tissue clearing technique (Osteo-DISCO) for murine bones which enabled us to visualize the detailed distribution of nerves or blood vessels inside bone. Interestingly, we found that there is a specific nerve entry site in each long bone and that surgical ablation of the specific nerve fibers entering bone tissue led to decreased bone formation and impaired bone regeneration. Furthermore, we revealed that the administration of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which is primarily released from sensory nerves, suppressed the bone loss caused by surgical nerve ablation. An in vitro study also indicated that CGRP directly promotes osteoblast activity, suggesting that sensory nerves inside bone can regulate osteogenesis via the secretion of CGRP.
Offloading operation bivariate extreme response statistics for FPSO vessel
Authors: Gaidai Oleg , Cao Yu , Xu Xiaosen , Xing Yihan
Published: March 2023

The Floating Production Storage and Offloading unit (FPSO) is an offshore unit producing and storing crude oil prior to tanker transport. An important design concern is an accurate prediction of risky dynamic hawser tensions during FPSO offloading operations. Bivariate extreme hawser tension contours are important for selecting proper design values. This paper employed the AQWA hydrodynamic software to analyze vessel hydrodynamic wave loads dynamic response, acting on FPSO vessels under realistic sea state conditions. This paper presents an efficient method for estimating FPSO bivariate response statistics based on numerical simulations validated by various experiments. The bivariate Average Conditional Exceedance Rate (ACER2D) method offers an accurate bivariate extreme value probability distribution and return period contours estimation, utilizing available data efficiently. The two-dimensional probability contours, corresponding to low probability return periods, are easily obtained by the ACER2D method. The performance of the presented method has shown that the ACER2D method provides an efficient and accurate prediction of extreme return period contours. The suggested approach may be used for FPSO vessel design, minimizing potential FPSO hawser damage. Bivariate contours yield bivariate design points, as opposed to a pair of uncoupled univariate design points with the same return period as currently adopted in the industry.
A genome-wide association study identifies a possible role for cannabinoid signalling in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Osman Wael , Mousa Mira , Albreiki Mohammed , Baalfaqih Zahrah , Daggag Hinda , Hill Claire , McKnight Amy Jayne , Maxwell Alexander P. , Al Safar Habiba
Published: March 2023

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), also known as diabetic nephropathy, is the leading cause of renal impairment and end-stage renal disease. Patients with diabetes are at risk for DKD because of poor control of their blood glucose, as well as nonmodifiable risk factors including age, ethnicity, and genetics. This genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted for the first time in the Emirati population to investigate possible genetic factors associated with the development and progression of DKD. We included data on 7,921,925 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in 258 cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who developed DKD and 938 control subjects with T2DM who did not develop DKD. GWAS suggestive results (P < 1 × 10–5) were further replicated using summary statistics from three cohorts with T2DM-induced DKD (Bio Bank Japan data, UK Biobank, and FinnGen Project data) and T1DM-induced DKD (UK-ROI cohort data from Belfast, UK). When conducting a multiple linear regression model for gene-set analyses, the CNR2 gene demonstrated genome-wide significance at 1.46 × 10–6. SNPs in CNR2 gene, encodes cannabinoid receptor 2 or CB2, were replicated in Japanese samples with the leading SNP rs2501391 showing a Pcombined = 9.3 × 10–7, and odds ratio = 0.67 in association with DKD associated with T2DM, but not with T1DM, without any significant association with T2DM itself. The allele frequencies of our cohort and those of the replication cohorts were in most cases markedly different. In addition, we replicated the association between rs1564939 in the GLRA3 gene and DKD in T2DM (P = 0.016, odds ratio = 0.54 per allele C). Our findings suggest evidence that cannabinoid signalling may be involved in the development of DKD through CB2, which is expressed in different kidney regions and known to be involved in insulin resistance, inflammation, and the development of kidney fibrosis.
Innovative metal oxides (CaO, SrO, MgO) impregnated waste-derived activated carbon for biohydrogen purification
Authors: Koo-amornpattana Wanida , Phadungbut Poomiwat , Kunthakudee Naphaphan , Jonglertjunya Woranart , Ratchahat Sakhon , Hunsom Mali
Published: March 2023

In this work, a series of innovative metal oxide impregnated waste-derived activated carbons (MO/AC) was synthesized and used to purify the simulated biohydrogen based on the concept of CO2 removal from the gas stream. Effects of metal oxide types (CaO, SrO and MgO) and contents of the best metal oxides on the morphology and the CO2 adsorption capacity from the biohydrogen were investigated. It was found that both metal oxide types and contents played an important role on the adsorbent textural property and surface chemistry as well as the CO2 adsorption capacity. Among all synthesized adsorbent, the MgO-impregnated AC with 12 wt.% MgO (12MgO/AC) exhibited the highest CO2 adsorption capacity of around 94.02 mg/g. With this successive adsorbent, the biohydrogen with the H2 purity higher than 90 mol% can be achieved from the gas stream with 50 mol% CO2 for the first 2 min of adsorption period in a fixed bed reactor. The mechanism of CO2 adsorption occurred via a combined process of the physisorption and chemisorption. Besides, the 12MgO/AC exhibited a high recyclability after several repetitive adsorption/desorption cycles.
A computational fluid dynamics analysis on Fe3O4–H2O based nanofluid axisymmetric flow over a rotating disk with heat transfer enhancement
Authors: Farooq Umar , Hassan Ali , Fatima Nahid , Imran Muhammad , Alqurashi M. S. , Noreen Sobia , Akgül Ali , Bariq Abdul
Published: March 2023

In present times modern electronic devices often come across thermal difficulties as an outcome of excessive heat production or reduction in surface area for heat exclusion. The current study is aimed to inspect the role of iron (III) oxide in heat transfer enhancement over the rotating disk in an axisymmetric flow. Water is utilized as base fluid conveying nano-particle over the revolving axisymmetric flow mechanism. Additionally, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach is taken into consideration to design and compute the present problem. For our convenience, two-dimensional axisymmetric flow configurations are considered to illustrate the different flow profiles. For radial, axial, and tangential velocity profiles, the magnitude of the velocity, streamlines, and surface graphs are evaluated with the similarity solution in the computational fluid dynamics module. The solution of dimensionless equations and the outcomes of direct simulations in the CFD module show a comparable solution of the velocity profile. It is observed that with an increment in nanoparticle volumetric concentration the radial velocity decline where a tangential motion of flow enhances. Streamlines stretch around the circular surface with the passage of time. The high magnetization force$$0 \le {{\mathrm{m}}_{1}}\le 6$$0≤m1≤6resist the free motion of the nanofluid around the rotating disk. Such research has never been done, to the best of the researchers’ knowledge. The outcomes of this numerical analysis could be used for the design, control, and optimization of numerous thermal engineering systems, as described above, due to the intricate physics of nanofluid under the influences of magnetic field and the inclusion of complex geometry. Ferrofluids are metallic nanoparticle colloidal solutions. These kinds of fluids do not exist in nature. Depending on their purpose, ferrofluids are produced using a variety of processes. One of the most essential characteristics of ferrofluids is that they operate in a zero-gravity environment. Ferrofluids have a wide range of uses in engineering and medicine. Ferrofluids have several uses, including heat control loudspeakers and frictionless sealing. In the sphere of medicine, however, ferrofluid is employed in the treatment of cancer via magneto hyperthermia.
Influence of nanoparticles aggregation and Lorentz force on the dynamics of water-titanium dioxide nanoparticles on a rotating surface using finite element simulation
Authors: Ali Bagh , Siddique Imran , Ahmad Hijaz , Askar Sameh
Published: March 2023

This communication briefings the roles of Lorentz force and nanoparticles aggregation on the characteristics of water subject to Titanium dioxide rotating nanofluid flow toward a stretched surface. Due to upgrade the thermal transportation, the nanoparticles are incorporated, which are play significance role in modern technology, electronics, and heat exchangers. The primary objective of this communication is to observe the significance of nanoparticles aggregation to enhance the host fluid thermal conductivity. In order to model our work and investigate how aggregation characteristics affect the system’s thermal conductivity, aggregation kinetics at the molecular level has been mathematically introduced. A dimensionless system of partial-differential equations is produced when the similarity transform is applied to a elaborated mathematical formulation. Thereafter, the numerical solution is obtained through a well-known computational finite element scheme via MATLAB environment. When the formulation of nanoparticle aggregation is taken into consideration, it is evident that although the magnitude of axial and transverse velocities is lower, the temperature distribution is enhanced by aggregation.
Quantum-coherence-free precision metrology by means of difference-signal amplification
Authors: Li Jialin , Niu Yazhi , Wang Xinyi , Qin Lupei , Li Xin-Qi
Published: March 2023

The novel weak-value-amplification (WVA) scheme of precision metrology is deeply rooted in the quantum nature of destructive interference between the pre- and post-selection states. And, an alternative version, termed as joint WVA (JWVA), which employs the difference-signal from the post-selection accepted and rejected results, has been found possible to achieve even better sensitivity (two orders of magnitude higher) under some technical limitations (e.g. misalignment errors). In this work, after erasing the quantum coherence, we analyze the difference-signal amplification (DSA) technique, which serves as a classical counterpart of the JWVA, and show that similar amplification effect can be achieved. We obtain a simple expression for the amplified signal, carry out characterization of precision, and point out the optimal working regime. We also discuss how to implement the post-selection of a classical mixed state. The proposed classical DSA technique holds similar technical advantages of the JWVA and may find interesting applications in practice.
Quantifying implicit biases in refereeing using NBA referees as a testbed
Authors: Pelechrinis Konstantinos
Published: March 2023

Implicit biases occur automatically and unintentionally and are particularly present when we have to make split second decisions. One such situations appears in refereeing, where referees have to make an instantaneous decision on a potential violation. In this work I revisit and extend some of the existing work on implicit biases in refereeing. In particular, I focus on refereeing in the NBA and examine three different types of implicit bias; (i) home-vs-away bias, (ii) bias towards individual players or teams, and, (iii) racial bias. For this study, I use play-by-play data and data from the Last 2 min reports the league office releases for games that were within 5 points in the last 2 min since the 2015 season. The results indicate that the there is a bias towards the home team—particularly pronounced during the playoffs—but it has been reduced since the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, there is robust statistical evidence that specific players benefit from referee decisions more than expected from pure chance. However, I find no evidence of negative bias towards individual players, or towards specific teams. Finally, my analysis on racial bias indicates the absence of any bias.
Projecting XRP price burst by correlation tensor spectra of transaction networks
Authors: Chakraborty Abhijit , Hatsuda Tetsuo , Ikeda Yuichi
Published: March 2023

Cryptoassets are becoming essential in the digital economy era. XRP is one of the large market cap cryptoassets. Here, we develop a novel method of correlation tensor spectra for the dynamical XRP networks, which can provide an early indication for XRP price. A weighed directed weekly transaction network among XRP wallets is constructed by aggregating all transactions for a week. A vector for each node is then obtained by embedding the weekly network in continuous vector space. From a set of weekly snapshots of node vectors, we construct a correlation tensor. A double singular value decomposition of the correlation tensors gives its singular values. The significance of the singular values is shown by comparing with its randomize counterpart. The evolution of singular values shows a distinctive behavior. The largest singular value shows a significant negative correlation with XRP/USD price. We observe the minimum of the largest singular values at the XRP/USD price peak during the first week of January 2018. The minimum of the largest singular value during January 2018 is explained by decomposing the correlation tensor in the signal and noise components and also by evolution of community structure.
Genetic sequencing of a 1944 Rocky Mountain spotted fever vaccine
Authors: Xiao Yongli , Beare Paul A. , Best Sonja M. , Morens David M. , Bloom Marshall E. , Taubenberger Jeffery K.
Published: March 2023

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a rapidly progressive and often fatal tick-borne disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. Its discovery and characterization by Howard Ricketts has been hailed as a remarkable historical example of detection and control of an emerging infectious disease, and subsequently led to the establishment of the Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML). Here, we examined an unopened bottle of a vaccine, labeled as containing RMSF inactivated by phenol-formalin of infected ticks, developed prior to 1944 at RML by DNA analysis using Illumina high throughput sequencing technology. We found that it contains DNA from the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni), the vector of RMSF, the complete genome of Rickettsia rickettsii, the pathogen of RMSF, as well as the complete genome of Coxiella burnetii, the pathogen of Q-fever. In addition to genomic reads of Rickettsia rickettsii and Coxiella burnetii, smaller percentages of the reads are from Rickettsia rhipicephali and Arsenophonus nasoniae, suggesting that the infected ticks used to prepare the vaccine carried more than one pathogen. Together, these findings suggest that this early vaccine was likely a bivalent vaccine for RMSF and Q-fever. This study is the among the first molecular level examinations of an historically important vaccine.
Understanding the hydrological response of a headwater-dominated catchment by analysis of distributed surface–subsurface interactions
Authors: Özgen-Xian Ilhan , Molins Sergi , Johnson Rachel M. , Xu Zexuan , Dwivedi Dipankar , Loritz Ralf , Mital Utkarsh , Ulrich Craig , Yan Qina , Steefel Carl I.
Published: March 2023

We computationally explore the relationship between surface–subsurface exchange and hydrological response in a headwater-dominated high elevation, mountainous catchment in East River Watershed, Colorado, USA. In order to isolate the effect of surface–subsurface exchange on the hydrological response, we compare three model variations that differ only in soil permeability. Traditional methods of hydrograph analysis that have been developed for headwater catchments may fail to properly characterize catchments, where catchment response is tightly coupled to headwater inflow. Analyzing the spatially distributed hydrological response of such catchments gives additional information on the catchment functioning. Thus, we compute hydrographs, hydrological indices, and spatio-temporal distributions of hydrological variables. The indices and distributions are then linked to the hydrograph at the outlet of the catchment. Our results show that changes in the surface–subsurface exchange fluxes trigger different flow regimes, connectivity dynamics, and runoff generation mechanisms inside the catchment, and hence, affect the distributed hydrological response. Further, changes in surface–subsurface exchange rates lead to a nonlinear change in the degree of connectivity—quantified through the number of disconnected clusters of ponding water—in the catchment. Although the runoff formation in the catchment changes significantly, these changes do not significantly alter the aggregated streamflow hydrograph. This hints at a crucial gap in our ability to infer catchment function from aggregated signatures. We show that while these changes in distributed hydrological response may not always be observable through aggregated hydrological signatures, they can be quantified through the use of indices of connectivity.
Characterization and investigation of electrochemical and biological properties of antibacterial silver nanoparticle-deposited TiO2 nanotube array surfaces
Authors: Durdu Salih , Yalçin Emine , Altinkök Atilgan , Çavuşoğlu Kültiğin
Published: March 2023

The one of main reasons of the premature failure of Ti-based implants is infections. The metal- and metal oxide-based nanoparticles have very high potential on controlling of infections. In this work, the randomly distributed AgNPs-deposited onto well-ordered TiO2 nanotube surfaces were fabricated on titanium by anodic oxidation (AO) and electrochemical deposition (ED) processes. AgNPs-deposited nanotube surfaces, which is beneficial for bone tissue growth exhibited hydrophilic behaviors. Moreover, the AgNPs-deposited nanotube surfaces, which prevent the leaching of metallic Ti ions from the implant surface, indicated great corrosion resistance under SBF conditions. The electrochemical corrosion resistance of AgNPs-deposited nanotube surfaces was improved up to about 145% compared to bare Gr2 surface. The cell viability of AgNPs-deposited nanotube surfaces was improved. Importantly, the AgNPs-deposited nanotube surfaces exhibited antibacterial activity for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Eventually, it can be concluded that the AgNPs-deposited nanotube surfaces possess high stability for long-term usage of implant applications.
Mouse strain-dependent variation in metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD): a comprehensive resource tool for pre-clinical studies
Authors: Karimkhanloo Hamzeh , Keenan Stacey N. , Bayliss Jacqueline , De Nardo William , Miotto Paula M. , Devereux Camille J. , Nie Shuai , Williamson Nicholas A. , Ryan Andrew , Watt Matthew J. , Montgomery Magdalene K.
Published: March 2023

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), characterized as the joint presence of steatosis, hepatocellular ballooning and lobular inflammation, and liver fibrosis are strong contributors to liver-related and overall mortality. Despite the high global prevalence of NASH and the substantial healthcare burden, there are currently no FDA-approved therapies for preventing or reversing NASH and/or liver fibrosis. Importantly, despite nearly 200 pharmacotherapies in different phases of pre-clinical and clinical assessment, most therapeutic approaches that succeed from pre-clinical rodent models to the clinical stage fail in subsequent Phase I-III trials. In this respect, one major weakness is the lack of adequate mouse models of NASH that also show metabolic comorbidities commonly observed in NASH patients, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia. This study provides an in-depth comparison of NASH pathology and deep metabolic profiling in eight common inbred mouse strains (A/J, BALB/c, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J, CBA/CaH, DBA/2J, FVB/N and NOD/ShiLtJ) fed a western-style diet enriched in fat, sucrose, fructose and cholesterol for eight months. Combined analysis of histopathology and hepatic lipid metabolism, as well as measures of obesity, glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity, dyslipidaemia, adipose tissue lipolysis, systemic inflammation and whole-body energy metabolism points to the FVB/N mouse strain as the most adequate diet-induced mouse model for the recapitulation of metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and NASH. With efforts in the pharmaceutical industry now focussed on developing multi-faceted therapies; that is, therapies that improve NASH and/or liver fibrosis, and concomitantly treat other metabolic comorbidities, this mouse model is ideally suited for such pre-clinical use.
Sm2O3 and Sm2O3-based nanostructures for photocatalysis, sensors, CO conversion, and biological applications
Authors: Khan Mohammad Mansoob , Matussin Shaidatul Najihah
Published: March 2023

Development of Sm2O3 and Sm2O3-based nanomaterials using various synthesis methods for various applications.
Water-stable halide coordination polymers with dual self-trapped exciton emissions for dual-mode Hg2+sensing
Authors: Shi Yin-Jing , Yang Xianghua , He Hou-Rong , Liao Wei-Ming , Zhou Hua-Qun , Chung Lai-Hon , Yu Lin , He Jun
Published: March 2023

An acid- and base-stable halide coordination polymer exhibits excitation-dependent dual self-trapped exciton emissions and colorimetric and turn-off sensing on Hg2+ions.
Wide-parameter coarse-grained state mechanism analysis in the methane combustion system
Authors: Du Pei , Li Meng , Liang Shengyao , Ji Lin , Acampora Luigi , Marra Francesco Saverio
Published: March 2023

Based on the coarse graining idea, network community detection and bifurcation techniques are combined to analyze detailed combustion models.
Preparation of nitrogen-doped carbon dots and their enhancement on lettuce yield and quality
Authors: Tan Jieqiang , Zhao Shili , Chen Junyu , Pan Xiaoqin , Li Chen , Liu Yingliang , Wu Caijuan , Li Wei , Zheng Mingtao
Published: March 2023

Nanotechnology is an effective way to stimulate the yield potential of crops.
An innovative S-scheme PhC2Cu/Ag/Ag2MoO4 photocatalyst for efficient degradation of sulfamethazine antibiotics: heterojunctions and innergenerated-H2O2 promote radical production
Authors: Liang Danluo , Lin Zili , Wu Yuliang , Li Daguang , Chen Jiayi , Jin Xiaoyu , Chen Yingyi , Zhang Jinfan , Liu Haijin , Chen Ping , Lv Wenying , Liu Guoguang
Published: March 2023

Schematic diagram of the photocatalytic reduction mechanism for the PAM40 system.
Asymptotic stability of non‐instantaneous impulsive systems and T‐S fuzzy non‐instantaneous impulsive control for nonlinear systems
Authors: Deng Hao , Li Chuandong , Wang Yinuo
Published: March 2023

This paper studies the asymptotic stability for a class of non‐instantaneous impulsive systems and Takagi‐Sugeno (T‐S) fuzzy non‐instantaneous impulsive control for linear and nonlinear systems. First, a class of concrete comparison system for a more accurate and universal nonlinear non‐instantaneous impulsive model is constructed. Then, the less conservative sufficient conditions of Lyapunov asymptotic stability are studied by impulsive differential inequalities and generalized comparison principle. On the other hand, an improved non‐instantaneous impulsive control scheme with T‐S fuzzy model is also presented for the asymptotic stability of the nonlinear systems. Finally, simulation results on controlling a linear and a nonlinear system are presented to illustrate the rationality and effectiveness of the obtained results.
Online multiple object tracking with enhanced Re‐identification
Authors: Yang Wenyu , Jiang Yong , Wen Shuai , Fan Yong
Published: March 2023

In existing online multiple object tracking algorithms, schemes that combine object detection and re‐identification (ReID) tasks in a single model for simultaneous learning have drawn great attention due to their balanced speed and accuracy. However, different tasks require to focus different features. Learning two different tasks in the same model extracted features can lead to competition between the two tasks, making it difficult to achieve optimal performance. To reduce this competition, a task‐related attention network, which uses a self‐attention mechanism to allow each branch to learn on feature maps related to its task is proposed. Besides, a smooth gradient‐boosting loss function, which improves the quality of the extracted ReID features by gradually shifting the focus to the hard negative samples of each object during training is introduced. Extensive experiments on MOT16, MOT17, and MOT20 datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, which is also competitive in current mainstream algorithm.
Acceleration of suprathermal protons near an interplanetary shock
Authors: Yang L. , Heidrich-Meisner V. , Berger L. , Wimmer-Schweingruber R. F. , Wang L. , He J. , Zhu X. , Duan D. , Kollhoff A. , Pacheco D. , Kühl P. , Xu Z. , Keilbach D. , Rodríguez-Pacheco J. , Ho G. C.
Published: March 2023

Context.Interplanetary collisionless shocks are known to be sources of energetic charged particles up to hundreds of MeV. However, the underlying acceleration mechanisms are still under debate.

Aims.We determine the properties of suprathermal protons accelerated by the interplanetary shock on 2021 November 3 with the unprecedented high-resolution measurements by the SupraThermal Electron Proton sensor of the Energetic Particle Detector on board the Solar Orbiter spacecraft, in order to constrain the potential shock acceleration mechanisms.

Methods.We first reconstructed the pitch-angle distributions (PADs) of suprathermal protons in the solar wind frame. Then, we studied the evolution of the PADs, the temporal flux profile, and the velocity distribution function of this proton population close to the shock and compared the observations to theoretical predictions.

Results.We find that the suprathermal proton fluxes peak ∼12 to ∼24 s before the shock in the upstream region. The proton fluxes rapidly decrease by ∼50% in a thin layer (∼8000 km) adjacent to the shock in the downstream region and become constant farther downstream. Furthermore, the proton velocity distribution functions in the upstream (downstream) region fit a double power law,f(v)∼v−γ, at ∼1000 − 3600 km s−1, with aγof ∼3.4 ± 0.2 (∼4.3 ± 0.7) at velocities (v) below a break at ∼1800 ± 100 km s−1(∼1600 ± 200 km s−1) and aγof ∼5.8 ± 0.3 (∼5.8 ± 0.2) at velocities higher than this. These indices are all smaller than predicted by first-order Fermi acceleration. In addition, the proton PADs in the covered pitch-angle range show anisotropies in the direction away from the shock in the region close to the upstream region and become nearly isotropic farther upstream, while downstream of the shock, they show a tendency of anisotropies towards 90° PA.

Conclusions.These results suggest that the acceleration of suprathermal protons at interplanetary shocks are dynamic on a timescale of ∼10 s, that is, few proton gyroperiods. Furthermore, shock-drift acceleration likely plays an important role in accelerating these suprathermal protons.
Deuterium burning measurement at LUNA and its astrophysical and nuclear implications
Authors: Cavanna Francesca
Published: March 2023

The deuterium burning reaction D(p,γ)3He at low energies is of primary importance in cosmology because it affects the primordial deuterium abundance, that in turn is very sensitive to fundamental cosmological parameters such as the baryon density and the amount of relativistic species permeating the early Universe. This reaction is also of a particular interest in theoretical nuclear physics because it offers a unique opportunity to test ab initio calculations. In the following a recent study of the D(p,γ)3He reaction in the 30 ≲ Ecm[keV] ≲ 280 energy range will be presented. This measurement has been performed in the underground Gran Sasso Laboratory by the LUNA (Laboratory for Underground Nuclear Astrophysics) collaboration. In addition, the need of having new and precise measurement of the D(d,n)3He and D(d,p)3H reactions will also be discussed.
Potential experimental evidence of an Efimov state in 12C and its influence on astrophysical carbon creation
Authors: Cardella Giuseppe , Bonasera Aldo , Martorana Nunzia, Simona , Acosta Luis , De Filippo Enrico , Geraci Elena , Gnoffo Brunilde , Guazzoni Chiara , Maiolino Concettina , Pagano Angelo , Pagano Emanuele, Vincenzo , Papa Massimo , Pirrone Sara , Politi Giuseppe , Risitano Fabio , Rizzo Francesca , Russotto Paolo , Trimarchi Marina
Published: March 2023

We describe the search of the Efimov state in 12C performed by analysing a large set of 3-α particles coincidence data measured at the LNS laboratories with the CHIMERA detector. The data are compatible with the presence of an Efimov state at the excitation energy of 7.485 MeV, with an excitation probability smaller than 0.3% of the population probability of the Hoyle state. The Efimov state gamma decay probability should be around 30%, much larger than the one of the Hoyle state. The population of this level is compatible with the Suda limit for the 3-α reaction rate in stars because its population should be possible only through direct 3-α reaction. More investigations improving the detector angular resolution are needed to confirm these preliminary observations.
Studies of photo-nuclear reactions at astrophysical energies with an active-target TPC
Authors: Ćwiok Mikołaj , Dominik Wojciech , Fijałkowska Aleksandra , Fila Mateusz , Janas Zenon , Kalinowski Artur , Kierzkowski Krzysztof , Kuich Magdalena , Mazzocchi Chiara , Okliński Wojciech , Zaremba Marcin , Gai Moshe , Schweitzer Deran K. , Stern Sarah R. , Finch Sean , Friman-Gayer Udo , Johnson Samantha R. , Kowalewski Tyler M. , Balabanski Dimiter L. , Matei Catalin , Rotaru Adrian , Haverson Kristian C.Z. , Smith Robin , Allen Ross A.M. , Griffiths Mark R. , Pirrie Stuart , Santa Rita Alcibia Pedro
Published: March 2023

An experiment was conducted at the High Intensity γ-ray Source (HIγS) facility at the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) in Durham, NC, USA to measure the cross-section of the key astrophysical thermonuclear reaction 12C(α,γ)16O by means of its inverse photo-disintegration process. A high-intensity monochromatic γ-ray beam interacted with the CO2 gas in the active volume of the Warsaw active target TPC detector. The reaction products were detected and their momenta reconstructed, so to also determine angular correlations. Data were collected at 15 beam energies ranging from 8.51 to 13.9 MeV. Preliminary results are presented.
Shedding light on 17O(n,α)14C reaction at astrophysical energies with Trojan Horse Method and Asymptotic Normalization Coefficient
Authors: Guardo Giovanni Luca , Lamia Livio
Published: March 2023

Indirect methods have been established in the past as a complementary way of increasing our knowledge about nuclear structure and low-energy cross section measurements. Among these, the neutron induced reaction cross sections appear to be of particular interest because of their role both for unstable and stable beams. In view of this, we report here the combined study of the 17O(n,α)14C reaction accomplished by the Trojan Horse Method (THM) and the Asymptotic Normalization Coefficient (ANC) method. The low lying resonances 8038, 8125, 8213, and 8282 keV in 18O are studied and Γn are derived. A comparison with direct data and recent THM experimental data is presented. The independent ANC investigation corroborates our previous THM results, confirms the consistence of the two indirect investigation and shows new frontiers also in view of neutron induced reactions with RIB’s.
Nuclear physics in the N≈126 region relevant for the r process
Authors: Podolyák Zsolt
Published: March 2023

Understanding how the heavy chemical elements are made in the astrophysical r-process requires information on both the properties of the nuclei involved and that of the environment. The availability of experimental information on the neutron-rich N∼126 nuclei is discussed, with emphasis on phenomena specifically relevant to this region: the large role of first-forbidden β decays, and that of the Δn=0 selection rule in Gamow-Teller decays. The development of nuclear data bases by combining different theoretical approaches is suggested.
Measurement of the 86Kr(α,n)89Sr cross section at energies relevant for the weak r-process
Authors: Angus Cameron , Williams Matthew , Andreyev Andrei , Bhattacharjee Soumendu , Buck Samantha , Chakraborty Soham , Davids Barry , Diget Christian , Garnsworthy Adam , Griffin Chris , Fernandez Asunción , Hackman Greg , Hudson Kevan , Hufschmidt Dirk , Karayonchev Vasil , Kim Yong , Laird Alison , Lennarz Annika , Mashtakov Konstantin , Machule Peter , Natzke Connor , Pak Kihong , Psaltis Athanasios , Radich Allison , Rauscher Thomas , Rhodes Daniel , Sauvage Thierry , Simon Anna , Svensson Carl , Upadhyayula Sriteja , Williams Jonathan , Yates Daniel , Zidar Tammy
Published: March 2023

The r-process has been shown to be robust in reproducing the abundance distributions of heavy elements, such as europium, seen in ultra-metal poor stars. In contrast, observations of elements 26 < Z < 47 display overabundances relative to r-process model predictions. A proposed additional source of early nucleosynthesis is the weak r-process in neutrino-driven winds of core-collapse supernovae. It has been shown that in this site (α,n) reactions are both crucial to nucleosynthesis and the main source of uncertainty in model-based abundance predictions. Aiming to improve the certainty of nucleosynthesis predictions, the cross section of the important reaction 86Kr(α,n)89Sr has been measured at an energy relevant to the weak r-process. This experiment was conducted in inverse kinematics at TRIUMF with the EMMA recoil mass spectrometer and the TIGRESS gamma-ray spectrometer. A novel type of solid helium target was used.
Background gamma measurement for low energy astrophysical reaction at FRENA
Authors: Saha Sukhendu , Bar Tanmoy , Basu Chinmay
Published: March 2023

The majority of astrophysical reactions have very low cross-sections (nanobarn to picobarn range) and significant error bars [1, 2]. Hence γ-ray background studies up to 3 MeV have been performed inside the Facility for Research in Experimental Nuclear Astrophysics (FRENA), Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India. A meticulous background calculation has been performed at different positions inside the accelerator hall and beam hall using two NaI(Tl) detectors [3]. An XPS measurement has been carried out to identify elements present in the FRENA wall concrete. Activity calculations done in [4] shows that neutrons produced by various experiments may combine with any nearby elements and form various radioactive isotopes with long half-lives, which may produce a γ-ray background .
Common Sounds Audiograms: Quantitative Analyses and Recommendations
Authors: Hillis Cory L. , Uchanski Rosalie M. , Davidson Lisa S.
Published: March 2023

A counseling tool routinely used by pediatric audiologists and early intervention-specialists is the often-named “common sounds audiogram” (CSA). Typically, a child's hearing detection thresholds are plotted on the CSA to indicate that child's audibility of speech and environmental sounds. Importantly, the CSA may be the first item that parents see when their child's hearing loss is explained. Thus, the accuracy of the CSA and its associated counseling information are integral to the parents' understanding of what their child can hear and to the parents' role in the child's future hearing care and interventions. Currently available CSAs were collected from professional societies, early intervention providers, device manufacturers, etc., and analyzed (n = 36). Analysis included quantification of sound elements, presence of counseling information, attribution of acoustic measurements, and errors. The analyses show that currently-available CSAs are wildly inconsistent as a group, not scientifically justified, and omit important information for counseling and interpretation. Variations found among currently available CSAs can lead to very different parental interpretations of the impact of a child's hearing loss on his/her access to sounds, especially spoken language. Such variations, presumably, could also lead to different recommendations regarding intervention and hearing devices. Recommendations are outlined for the development of a new, standard CSA.
Complication Is Inevitable, but Suffering is Optional—Psychological Aspects of Dealing with Complications in Surgery
Authors: Le Hau D. , Wolinska Justyna M. , Baertschiger Reto M. , Himidan Sharifa A.
Published: March 2023

Surgical complications remain common in health care and constitute a significant challenge for hospitals, surgeons, and patients. While they cause significant physical, financial, and psychological harm to patients and their families, they also heavily burden the involved physicians. This phenomenon, known as the “second victim,” results in negative short and long-term physical, cognitive, and psychological consequences on the surgeon. In this review, we explored the intricate connections between the surgeons' emotional response to adverse events concerning the patient outcome, perceived peer reaction, and existing social and institutional support systems. Using a selective literature review coupled with personal experiences, we propose a model of this complex interaction and suggest specific interventions to ameliorate the severity of response within this framework. The institution of the proposed interventions may improve the psychological well-being of surgeons facing complications and promote a cultural shift to better support physicians when they occur.
A qualitative evaluation of a Nudgeathon event for the co-design of sexual health campaign images targeting overseas-born men who have sex with men
Authors: Tran Julien , Vlaev Ivo , Read Daniel , Schmidtke Kelly Ann , Chow Eric P. F. , Lee David , Tapa James , Ong Jason J.
Published: March 2023

Background Additional approaches to HIV prevention and management, such as Nudgeathons, are required to increase access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among overseas-born men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods In September 2021, we conducted a 4-h online Nudgeathon, wherein four teams co-designed behaviourally informed adverts to improve PrEP access and uptake for overseas-born MSM. After the Nudgeathon, eight of 17 invited Nudgeathon attendees were interviewed about their experience. We conducted a qualitative content analysis of interview data to highlight participants’ experiences of the co-design process. Results We identified three major themes: (1) what worked well; (2) group dynamics; and (3) improvement and future directions. The Nudgeathon about PrEP was a positive learning experience, with valuable contributions and overall satisfaction with the end-products. The online format was perceived as less costly than if the Nudgeathon was hosted in person, and suitable for participants from different geographical regions. In-person Nudgeathons with international attendees would require costs for flights, accommodation, function room hire and catering. Within groups, sharing personal experiences essential to co-designing concepts. However, less information on how to create nudges and more information before the Nudgeathon was preferred. Conclusion Our evaluation finds that Nudgeathons are fast and efficient in developing potential solutions to complex issues related to HIV prevention.
Restriction on the form of the quark anomalous magnetic moment from lattice QCD results*
Authors: Kawaguchi Mamiya , Huang Mei
Published: March 2023

The quark anomalous magnetic moment (AMM) is dynamically generated through spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking. It has been revealed that, even though its exact form is still unknown, the quark AMM is essential to exploring quark matter properties and QCD phase structure under external magnetic fields. In this study, we take three different forms of the quark AMM and investigate its influence on the chiral phase transition under a magnetic field. In general, a negative (positive) quark AMM acts as a magnetic-catalyzer (magnetic-inhibitor) for chiral symmetry breaking. It is found that a constant quark AMM drives an unexpected 1st order chiral phase transition, a quark AMM proportional to the chiral condensate flips the sign on the chiral condensate, and a quark AMM proportional to the square of the chiral condensate suppresses the magnetic enhancement in the chiral condensate at finite temperatures while retaining the chiral crossover phase transition. We also evaluate the intrinsic temperature dependence of the effective AMM form by fitting the effective model result of the chiral condensate to lattice QCD data, which may have a nontrivial correlation with the chiral phase transition.
TriWaSp: a multi-faceted visible spectroscopy diagnostic on the ST40 tokamak
Authors: Willett H.V. , Osin D. , Naylor G. , Wood J. , Lomanowski B. , Sertoli M.
Published: March 2023

We present a new state-of-the-art Triple Wavelength Spectrometer (TriWaSp), recently deployed on ST40, a high field low aspect ratio spherical tokamak. The TriWaSp has a range of possible applications due to its flexible design; the current configuration focuses on charge exchange recombination spectroscopy from carbon and neon impurities in the ST40 plasma. This paper discusses the detailed setup of the system and presents initial charge exchange ion temperature measurements using a single line of sight, which show good agreement with other ion temperature diagnostics. Building on these commissioning results and forward modelling of the system, a new observation geometry has been implemented for the next experimental campaign which will considerably improve the localisation of ion temperature and velocity profile measurements.