bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity improvement of aluminum-based far-ultraviolet nearly guided-wave surface plasmon resonance sensor
Authors: Li Tianqi , Chen Shujing , Lin Chengyou
Published: August 2022

An aluminum (Al) based nearly guided-wave surface plasmon resonance (NGWSPR) sensor is investigated in the far-ultraviolet (FUV) region. By simultaneously optimizing the thickness of Al and dielectric films, the sensitivity of the optimized Al-based FUV-NGWSPR sensor increases from 183°/RIU to 309°/RIU, and its figure of merit rises from 26.47 RIU−1 to 32.59 RIU−1 when the refractive index of dielectric increases from 2 to 5. Compared with a traditional FUV-SPR sensor without dielectric, the optimized FUV-NGWSPR sensor can realize simultaneous improvement of sensitivity and figure of merit. In addition, the FUV-NGWSPR sensor with realistic materials (diamond, Ta2O5, and GaN) is also investigated, and 137.84%, 52.70%, and 41.89% sensitivity improvements are achieved respectively. This work proposes a method for performance improvement of FUV-SPR sensors by exciting nearly guided-wave, and could be helpful for the high-performance SPR sensor in the short-wavelength region.
Flux pinning evolution in multilayer Pb/Ge/Pb/Ge/Pb superconducting systems
Authors: Gao Li-Xin , Zhang Xiao-Ke , Zhang An-Lei , Xiao Qi-Ling , Chen Fei , Ge Jun-Yi
Published: August 2022

Multicomponent superconductors exhibit nontrivial vortex behaviors due to the various vortex–vortex interactions, including the competing one in the recently proposed type-1.5 superconductor. However, potential candidate that can be used to study the multicomponent superconductivity is rare. Here, we prepared an artificial superconducting multilayer to act as an alternative approach to study multicomponent superconductivity. The additional repulsive length and the coupling strength among superconducting films were regulated by changing the thickness of the insulting layer. The magnetization measurements were performed to clarify the effect of the competition between the repulsive vortex interactions on the macroscopic superconductivity. The vortex phase diagram and the optimum critical current density have been determined. Furthermore, a second magnetization effect is observed, and is attributed to the upper layer, which provides the weak pinning sites to localize the flux lines. The pinning behaviors switches to the mixed type with the increase of the insulting layer thicknesses. Our results open a new perspective to the study and related applications of the multilayer superconducting systems.
Nonadiabatic geometric phase in a doubly driven two-level system
Authors: Liu Weixin , Wang Tao , Li Weidong
Published: August 2022

We study theoretically the nonadiabatic geometric phase of a doubly driven two-level system with an additional relative phase between the two driving modes introduced in. It is shown that the time evolution of the system strongly depends on this relative phase. The condition for the system returning to its initial state after a single period is given by the means of the Landau–Zener–Stückelberg–Majorana destructive interference. The nonadiabatic geometric phase accompanying a cyclic evolution is shown to be related to the Stokes phase as well as this relative phase. By controlling the relative phase, the geometric phase can characterize two distinct phases in the adiabatic limit.
Exploring data-driven models for spatiotemporally local classification of Alfvén eigenmodes
Authors: Kaptanoglu Alan A. , Jalalvand Azarakhsh , Garcia Alvin V. , Austin Max E. , Verdoolaege Geert , Schneider Jeff , Hansen Christopher J. , Brunton Steven L. , Heidbrink William W. , Kolemen Egemen
Published: August 2022

Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs) are an important and complex class of plasma dynamics commonly observed in tokamaks and other plasma devices. In this work, we manually labeled a small database of 26 discharges from the DIII-D tokamak in order to train simple neural-network-based models for classifying AEs. The models provide spatiotemporally local identification of four types of AEs by using an array of 40 electron cyclotron emission (ECE) signals as inputs. Despite the minimal dataset, this strategy performs well at spatiotemporally localized classification of AEs, indicating future opportunities for more sophisticated models and incorporation into real-time control strategies. The trained model is then used to generate spatiotemporally-resolved labels for each of the 40 ECE measurements on a much larger database of 1112 DIII-D discharges. This large set of precision labels can be used in future studies for advanced deep predictors and new physical insights.
3D ion gyro-orbit heat load predictions for NSTX-U
Authors: Looby T. , Reinke M.L. , Wingen A. , Gray T. , Unterberg E.A. , Donovan D.
Published: August 2022

High power tokamaks operate with divertor heat loads capable of destroying the plasma facing components (PFCs). High fidelity heat load predictions are necessary to ascertain the PFC state for design and during operation. Typical heat flux calculations are 2D, time invariant, and assume that power flows directly along the magnetic field lines (the optical approximation). These assumptions neglect the complex 3D geometries employed to protect the PFCs, the time varying nature of the plasma and PFC thermal state, and the helical trajectories of ions with finite Larmor radii (the gyro-orbit approximation). An integrated software framework, the heat flux engineering analysis toolkit (HEAT), was developed to generate time varying optical heat loads applied to real engineering computer aided design (CAD) (Looby et al 2022 Fusion Sci. Technol.
78 10–27). Recently, an ion-gyro orbit module has been added to HEAT. This module calculates the helical trajectories of ions as they gyrate about the magnetic field lines using kinetic theory macro-particles to accelerate the calculation. First, the new gyro-orbit module will be presented. Next, a comparison to existing research is performed. Finally, an analysis of the gyro-orbit heat loads for NSTX-U is presented for diverted discharges using the engineering CAD models utilized for PFC fabrication. Including these gyro-orbit effects can enhance the PFC performance by ‘smearing’ out the magnetic shadows associated with the castellated fish-scaled geometry. Simultaneously, the helical trajectories can degrade performance when they load narrow regions on edges and corners with high heat fluxes. Analysis of the trade-offs between these competing effects is included, and regions for further investigation are identified.
Geology and Environmental Impact Assessment of Psammitic Gneiss and Lamprophyre Dykes at Wadi Sikait, South Eastern Desert, Egypt
Authors: Kamar M. S. , El Tohamy A. M. , Mira H. I. , Ismail A. M.
Published: August 2022

The present study was carried out on promising lamprophyre dykes at Wadi Sikait, through the mineralogical and petrography studies with emphasis on the radiological hazard’s indices along Wadi Sikait. So, the radioelement contents in the studied rocks were measured radiometrically by using gamma-spectrometry (NaI-detector). The psammitic gneisses formed an elongated zone striking NNE-SSW and are silicified, banded, jointed, sheared, mylonitized, and hematized. The lamprophyre dykes strike NNW-SSE varies in thickness from 0.5 m to 1.5 m, and extend more than one kilometer. The averages of the eU/eTh ratio are 2.02, indicating uranium accumulation, which confirmed positive disequilibrium (P-factor). Many of the radiological hazard parameters in both psammitic gneisses and lamprophyre dykes are higher than the international limits, suggesting probable hazard. 40K plays the main and most important role in dose rate contribution. The high activity and the elevated radiological hazard parameters in the lamprophyre are related to the presence of radioactive and radioelements bearing minerals like kasolite, thorite, uranothorite, xenotime, cheralite and baddeleyite. Other mineralization was also recorded as gold and base metal minerals.
Kinetic Decomposition Models for Ammonium Percholorate Hybrid Catalyzed with Nanothermite Particles
Authors: Hamed Abdelaziz , Gobara Mohamed , Mokhtar Mohamed , Elbasuney Sherif
Published: August 2022

Ferric oxide is a universal catalyst. Reactive metal fuel can act as a high energy dense material such as aluminum which is marked by the very high gravimetric and volumetric heat output. This manuscript reports on the fabrication of colloidal ferric oxide nanoparticles of 5 nm. Colloidal ferric oxide/aluminum nanothermite mixture was integrated into ammonium percholorate (AP) via the coprecipitation technique. The shape and particles size of the prepared nano ferric oxide were investigated by using TEM instrument. Uniform dispersion of Al/Fe2O3 in the ammonium perchlorate matrix was verified using EDAX instrument. Nanothermite particles offered enhanced AP decomposition enthalpy by 120 % using DSC. Nanothermite colloid offered a decrease in AP activation energy by 51 and 40 % using Friedman and Ozawa models respectively. AP decomposition mechanism was reported to go through three consequent mechanisms including the first order mechanism, two-dimensional diffusion reactions, and one- dimensional diffusion mechanism according to extent of reacted fraction (α) of 0-0.25, 0.3-0.6, and 0.6-0.9 respectively. The results show that the catalyzing ability of the nanothermites was confirmed and has shown a superior effect on the AP energetic system.
Gamma Radiation Synthesis and Characterization of Poly (Polyaniline /Glycidyl methacrylate) Containing TiO2 Nanoparticles and Studying Their Physicochemical Properties.
Authors: Salah M , El-Arnaouty M B , Eid M , Soliman El-Sayed , Hegazy El-Sayed A
Published: August 2022

Gamma radiation was successfully utilized to formulate conducting polyaniline/glycidyl methacrylate containing TiO2 [(PANI/GMA)-TiO2]. The pattern of X-ray diffraction of the produced polymers indicated the existence of TiO2 inside the composite, with peaks connected to the TiO2 centred at 2ϴ = 25.3°, 27.5°, 37°, 38°, 41.37°, 48.1°, 54.26°, and 55.2°. The interaction between TiO
2
and PANI/GMA caused the distinctive FTIR peaks of PANI to shift to a higher wavenumber in [(PANI/ GMA)-TiO2] nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy was utilized to evaluate these composites’ morphological and structural aspects. The thermal stability tests utilizing thermal gravimetric analysis demonstrated that the inclusion of TiO2 leads to enhancing thermal stability. The electrical conductivity of the material as determined by the LCR Meter was around 10-3 (S/cm), indicating that it might be used as an electro-conductive substance.
Preparation and application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in offset ink
Authors: Ali Sayeda Sadek , Abdel-moneam Yasser Kamal , Hegazy Mohammad
Published: August 2022

TiO2nano pigments in pure crystallographic forms (anatase) were prepared via a hydrothermal approach. The produced pigments were investigated physiochemically by several techniques, then they were utilized in paper-coating mixtures and their effect on the properties of coated papers was investigated. XRD revealed that these pigments produced a pure anatase phase pigment. TEM showed that the crystallite size for anatase is 50 nm. Whether optical or physical properties for the treatment before and after application were tracked. Although TiO2is applied as a white dye, it provided good results on the black ink that is used in dyeing, whether ordinary TiO2or that in the range of nano, in small quantities. The titanium oxide nanoparticles gave better results because of the increase in the surface area and optical or electromagnetic properties obtained when converting it to the range of nanoscale. Most interestingly, the addition of TiO2nanoparticles provided an improved ink that can carry out heat, humidity, oxygen, sunlight, and vibration for a long time, as indicated by the accelerated aging test. Thus, the prepared nano pigments of the TiO2phase could be applied in jobbing offset ink and commercial paper sheets as a promising and novel pathway.
Removal techniques of ammonia from drinking water and wastewater in Egypt and developing countries: a review study
Authors: Samy Reham , Abdelmonem Nabil , Ismail Ibrahim , Abdelghany Amr
Published: August 2022

The ammonia pollution/contamination reveals at the inlet of drinking water treatment plants, especially on Northern coast of Egypt, due to the drainage of sewage and industrial wastes from factories along the Nile River, resulting in more neutralization that clogs inlet of water treatment plants. Ammonia causes many diseases; some of them lead to coma or death. Excess ammonia also causes the winter dam in North Egypt to force the drinking water treatment stations to stop operation because of the high pollution load. Therefore, many researchers removed ammonia from drinking water as it was limited to 0.5 ppm in the European association and WHO. In this review, a criticizing summary of researches work (1983-2021) is presented where removal of ammonia by physical (i.e. adsorption, air stripping, and membrane distillation), biological, and chemical (oxidation, struvite, photocatalyst, cold plasma) methods were reviewed.
Improving the Performance of Biological Tanks in Wastewater Treatment Plants by Modifying the Conventional Ceramic Aerator
Authors: Khalil Ahmed Sobhy , Sharshir Swellam
Published: August 2022

The purpose of the article is to study the process of aeration of wastewater using an aerator with an air-lift effect to ensure a uniform distribution of the concentration of suspended solids in the aeration tank of the model installation. Based on the result of the work carried out, experimental data were obtained and a theoretical description of the parameters of the aeration process, which increase the coefficients of mass transfer and the use of the reactor volume, and the costs of the process. The airlift effect increases the concentration of sludge. The airlift also helps in the spread of suspended solid in the tank, as mass transfer reactions during aeration increase by an average of 11.8%. Also, an increase in dissolved oxygen concentration from 3.02 mg / L to 3.5 mg / L, i.e., by 15%, which indicates an improvement in mass transfer and, accordingly, a decrease in energy consumption for aeration. However, the existing technological potential requires the introduction of variable equipment. An example of an alternative air dispersion system can be aerators with airlift effect.
Experimental and process design of a treatment system to remove Aluminium ions from lean sludge in an Egyptian water treatment plant
Authors: Samy Reham , Abdelghany Amr , Hanafy M. , Abdel Monem N. , El Bouraie Mohamed M.
Published: August 2022

Aluminium ions traces in drinking water were found in El Khanka Water Treatment plant in Egypt because of the lean sludge generated from Alum’s use in water treatment. This research studies using natural clay such as “bentonite” known as montmorillonite clay and combining bentonite – cationic polymer as coagulants to remove aluminium salts from lean sludge. Experimental studies were performed to determine the effect of adding bentonite on the removal of aluminium ions from lean sludge based on variation of pH. 98.8% removal of Al ions was achieved at pH 11, and 0.6 ppm concentration of bentonite in the sludge solution. Kinetic model of pseudo-second-order was found to be the best to describe the reaction and the rate constant of 11.922 mol.-1s-1was calculated. An industrial process was suggested to the removal of Aluminium ions and brief economic estimate of applying it in Egypt was prepared as well.
Influence of Chemical Treatment on the Spectral and Thermal Behavior of Activated Carbon Obtained from Olive Oil Solid Waste
Authors: elhelece Wael A A
Published: August 2022

Solid waste remained after the extraction of oil from olive oil fruits (OOSW), was used to obtain active carbon depending on chemical activation using H3PO4, KOH and ZnCl2 as activating agents. The changes in composition due to chemical treatment and pyrolysis were investigated by chemical analysis, spectral (IR), and thermal analysis (DTA). Thermodynamic parameters of formation (activation energy (ΔEa*), enthalpy change (ΔH*), entropy change (ΔS*) and free energy change (ΔG*) related to the thermal decomposition process were calculated. Adsorption of both iodine and methylene blue at very low concentrations were done, the quantity of the iodine adsorbed (iodine number) indicated the micropores content of carbon by the uptake of iodine from the solution. It is equivalent to surface area of carbon between 900m2/g and 1100 m2/g. To characterize activated carbons as well as determining the adsorption capacity adsorption of methylene blue was done.
Study of Elastomeric Heat Shielding Materials for Solid Rocket Motor Insulation
Authors: Mosa M , Mokhtar Kotb M. , Fouda H , Gobara Mohamed
Published: August 2022

Thermal insulation of solid rocket motor casing is necessary to overcome the catastrophic breakdown during the rocket propellant combustion. In our study, a comprehensive review on different types elastomeric heat shielding materials (EHSMs) such as polyurethane, silicon rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and nitrile rubber was conducted. Various types of fillers are added to the EHSMs to enhance their thermal, mechanical and ablative performances. The charring phenomenon, which offers a means of protection to the virgin polymer layer from direct flame, as well as the synergetic effect, that may occur between fillers and polymer matrices, were studied. All different methods and machines used for manufacturing EHSMs are described in detail. Moreover, the different techniques used to characterize the EHSMs are discussed. Last but not least, the empirical models that relate the thermal insulation performance to the filler concentration are presented.
Spectrophotometric and biological studies for the interaction of rifaximin with Co, Cu, Fe and vitamin C
Authors: El-Kholany A. S. , Hafith H. A. , Gaber N. M.
Published: August 2022

The interaction of Rifaximin with Iron, Copper, Cobalt and Vitamin C was studied by Uv-Vis. spectrophotometric technique at different pH and time intervals. The maximum absorbance bands for Co, Fe and Cu rifaximin complexes were 446 nm, 397 nm and 241 nm respectively. The molar ratio method was used to the most stable stoichiometries for the prepared complexes. The yellow color that formed from the interaction of rifaximin with vitamin C, allowed its determination spectrophotometry. The antimicrobial activities of Iron, Copper and Cobalt complexes with Rifaximin against standard human pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram negative) using agar diffusion method were studied. Iron and Cobalt complexes were found to exhibit higher zone of inhibition against the tested pathogens while copper inhibit completely the effect of Rifaximin. The biological study for Rifaximin - Vitamin C mixture, vitamin C decreased the effect of the antibiotic on staphylococcus, and this inhibition effect increased on E-coli.
Solar-driven Photocatalyzed Hydrogen Production from Water cleavage: Evaluation and Process Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Ali Mohamed E.M. , Almutairi Mohammad M. , Mahmoud Mohamed S. , Ismail Ebrahim , Khawassek Yasser M. , Atrees Mohamed S.
Published: August 2022

Hydrogen is proper chemical storage for solar energy and is considered a green and non-pollution energy. The feasibility of solar-driven hydrogen generation from water cleavage is investigated using commercial TiO2 nanoparticles, and the process of life cycle assessment (LCA) is estimated. TiO2 is fully characterized. The results confirm the efficacy of TiO2 for solar-driven photocatalytic water splitting with the same production rate of H2. The maximum calculated photocatalytic rate of hydrogen over PC was 4.76 µmole/h under sunlight. As well the rate of produced H2 is dependent PC dose. There is a signification corelation between Kapp with PC dose with r2 of 0.96. Reaction rate constant for hydrogen production is significantly dependent concentration of TiO2. The outcome emphasized the practical application of solar-driven, cost-effective technology for production renewable energy. Also, LCA study of solar-driven H2 production is showed that higher carbon dioxide and as well as global warming potential with lower climatic change impact originated from operation of system.
Unconventional superconductivity after the BCS paradigm and empirical rules for the exploration of high temperature superconductors
Authors: Wen Hai-Hu
Published: August 2022

Superconducting state is achieved through quantum condensation of Cooper pairs which are new types of charge carriers other than single electrons in normal metals. The theory established by Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) in 1957 can successfully explain the phenomenon of superconductivity in many single-element and alloy superconductors. Within the BCS scheme, the Cooper pairs are formed by exchanging the virtual vibrations of lattice (phonons) between two electrons with opposite momentum near the Fermi surface. The BCS theory has dominated the field of superconductivity over 64 years. Many superconductors discovered in past four decades, such as the heavy Fermion superconductors, cuprates, iron pnictide/chalcogenide and nickelates seem, however, to strongly violate the BCS picture. The most important issue is that, perhaps the BCS picture based on electron-phonon coupling are the special case for superconductivity, there are a lot of other reasons or routes for the Cooper pairing and superconductivity. In this short overview paper, we will summarize part of these progresses and try to guide readers to some new possible schemes of superconductivity after the BCS paradigm. We also propose several empirical rules for the exploration of high-temperature unconventional superconductors.
Nematic pinning of the superconducting state in the doped topological insulator SrxBi2Se3
Authors: Smylie M P , Islam Z , Gu G D , Rosenkranz S , Dans J Z , Kwok W-K , Welp U
Published: August 2022

The discovery of a rotational symmetry breaking, or nematic, state in the superconducting doped topological insulator MxBi2Se3 (M = Cu, Sr, Nb) indicates a multicomponent superconducting order parameter which is topological. Many questions remain in this family of materials. In particular, the nematic axis of twofold symmetry is always pinned along one of three rotationally equivalent directions in the threefold symmetric basal plane in the rhombohedral crystal. Crystallographic strain has been proposed as the origin of the choice of pinning axis. Here, we discuss nematic pinning of the superconducting state, summarizing our magnetotransport, magnetization, penetration depth, and calorimetry measurements, which support the theoretical picture of topological superconductivity. We discuss the impact of controlled disorder via proton irradiation on the nematic superconducting state and discuss results of our multimodal technique for searching for crystallographic strain below 1 K via simultaneous diffraction and magnetotransport measurements.
Electrical Transport and Magnetic Properties of High-Quality Sr
x
Bi2Se3 Single Crystals Obtained by Annealing
Authors: Matsumae T , Pyon S , Tamegai T
Published: August 2022

Topological insulator Bi2Se3 becomes topological superconductors by doping Cu or Sr. These materials attract much interest because of the nematic state showing two-fold symmetry when the magnetic field is applied parallel to ab-plane. In this study, single crystals of Sr
x
Bi2Se3 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) were grown by the self-flux method followed by annealing process, which improved superconducting properties. Using these high-quality samples, in-plane magnetic-field-angle dependence of resistivity was measured. The result showed two-fold symmetry and indicated the existence of nematic domains. In addition, magnetoresistance as a function of in-plane field direction was measured and is discussed with regard to crystal inhomogeneity. These results help us to perform future experiments of direct visualization of nematic domains.
Tracking the Meissner Hole and Relaxation of Magnetization in (Ba,Rb)Fe2As2
Authors: Ren T , Pyon S , Tamegai T
Published: August 2022

We investigated the unstable interface between vortices and anti-vortices in single crystals of iron-based superconductors (Ba0.67Rb0.33)Fe2As2 (Tc
∼ 37.6 K). These interfaces, also known as the Meissner hole, were captured with magneto-optical imaging in both pristine crystal and one with artificial point defects. Local excess current were observed flowing along the interface. In addition, we confirmed that the creep mode of such an interface follows the prediction of the critical state model, accompanied with a finite relaxation rate of magnetization.
Sharp edged Gd2BaCuO5 particles addition effect on growth and properties of top-seeded melt-grown GdBa2Cu3O7-δ
bulk superconductors
Authors: Ishibashi Shinnosuke , Hagiwara Rikako , Naik Sugali Pavan Kumar , Ogino Hiraku , Pęczkowski Paweł , Ishida Shigeyuki , Eisaki Hiroshi , Sakai Naomichi , Oka Tetsuo , Nishio Taichiro
Published: August 2022

We report on top-seeded melt growth of GdBa2Cu3O7-δ
(GdBCO) bulks added by sharp edged Gd2BaCuO5 nanoparticles (Gd211U) refined by ultrasonication. GdBCO bulks mixed with 30 mol.% of Gd211U were examined to be grown isothermally at different temperatures in a range of 1015 °C−1035 °C using a top-seeded melt growth technique. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that all samples become superconducting and especially samples grown at 1020°C and 1025°C have a maximum superconducting transition temperature (T
c) of 94.5 K. The critical current density (J
c) obtained from magnetic hysteresis loops for magnetic fields parallel to the c-axis is up to 65100 A/cm2 (the self-field at 77 K) for a sample grown at 1025 °C, while J
c of a GdBCO bulk with conventional Gd211 particles grown at 1025 °C for comparison is 29000 A/cm2 (the self-field at 77 K).
Guided Wave Transceive Technique Using Magnetostrictive Effect of STPG370 Pipe itself and High-Temperature Superconductor SQUID
Authors: Watanabe K , Okada K , Masumitsu S , Munkhnyam T , Sun W , Hatsukade Y , Shoyama Y , Tomotoshi A
Published: August 2022

We developed a non-contacting ultrasonic guided wave testing technique using magnetostrictive effects and high-temperature superconductor (HTS) SQUID for STPG370 steel pipes. A pair of C-shaped electromagnets was used to magnetize the STPG370 pipe while rotating the pipe, in order to give uniform remnant fields as bias fields. Conditions to give larger remnant field in the pipe were investigated using an electromagnetic field simulation. The simulation results indicated that C-shaped pb permalloy iron cores with an aperture angle of 20 degree and a diameter of 20 mm should be utilized for the magnetization. An excitation coil was wound around one of the magnetized parts, which is used as a transmitter. One cycle sine current of 9 App at 50 kHz was repeatedly supplied to the coil to generate T(0,1) mode guided waves in the pipe. The other magnetized part, which was used as a receiver, was combined with the HTS-SQUID gradiometer, which was located above the pipe with a lift-off of 4 mm. In measurements, the pipe was rotated to perform all-round measurements. A contour map of the time-series signal distribution of T(0, 1) mode guided wave was obtained around the pipe.
Neutron Imaging toward Epithermal Regime using a Delay Line Current-Biased Kinetic-Inductance Detector
Authors: Shishido Hiroaki , Vu The Dang , Aizawa Kazuya , Kojima Kenji M. , Koyama Tomio , Oikawa Kenichi , Harada Masahide , Oku Takayuki , Soyama Kazuhiko , Miyajima Shigeyuki , Hidaka Mutsuo , Suzuki Soh Y. , Tanaka Manobu M. , Kawamata Shuichi , Ishida Takekazu
Published: August 2022

Wide energy range neutron imaging and spectroscopy in a single experiment without changing the setup is available by a combination of a high-power pulsed neutron source and fast operating neutron detector. The delay-line current-biased kinetic-inductance detector (CB-KID) is a two-dimensional superconducting detector with high spatial and temporal resolutions, and multi-hit tolerance. We demonstrate that the delay-line CB-KID with 10B neutron conversion layer is applicable for neutron imaging and spectroscopy up to the neutron energy of 100 eV. High spatial neutron transmission image for a Sm-Sn mixed metal is successfully constructed below 0.3 eV. Concomitantly, we examine the neutron transmission up to 100 eV and identify observed resonance dips by Sm nuclei.
Design and fabrication of microwave transmitting antenna using HTS thick disk for wireless power transfer
Authors: Saito A , Shimada F , Sato T , Kiyooka K , Shibata M , Ono S , Takeda M , Narita Y , Nakajima K
Published: August 2022

We designed and fabricated a microwave transmitting antenna that uses an HTS thick disk as a patch antenna with a resonant frequency of around 5.0 GHz. The reflection property S
11, electromagnetic fields, current distributions, and far-field of several resonant modes in the antenna were analyzed using the CST studio suite. We compared the properties in several resonance modes and selected the TM11 mode, which has the smallest resonator size and the highest directivity. The antenna was assembled using a GdBCO thick disk, sapphire substrates, Cu housing, and SMA connector. We measured the S
11 using a vector network analyzer and pulse tube refrigerator and found that it had a resonant frequency of 4.996 GHz and a Q
u of 405 at the temperature of 48 K. These measured properties were in good agreement with the simulated results.
A deep learning method combined with electronic nose to identify the rice origin
Authors: Yan Chaohua , Lu An
Published: August 2022

The rice quality is directly affected by the natural environment in which it is grown. It is common to pass off poor quality as good quality rice sold in rice markets. Therefore, an effective rice quality detection method should be proposed. This work proposes a deep learning method combined with an electronic nose (e-nose) to realize the classification of rice origin, and then realize the detection of rice quality. Firstly, channel-spatial collaborative attention (CSCA) is proposed to adaptively focus on key features of gas information. Secondly, three shallow convolutional neural network (CNN) structures are introduced to achieve gas information classification. Finally, CSCA and three CNN structures are combined to construct a classification network for rice gas recognition. The results show that in the comparison of multi-structure models, LeNet5-CSCA has the best classification performance, with a classification accuracy of 97.70%, a precision of 97.45%, a recall of 97.67%, and a F1-score of 97.56%.
Superlarge living hyaline cartilage graft contributed by the scale-changed porous 3D culture system for joint defect repair
Authors: Yao Hang , Li Tianliang , Wu Zhonglian , Tao Qi , Shi Junli , Liu Lihua , Zhao Yuchi
Published: August 2022

It is known that an excellent hyaline cartilage phenotype, an internal microstructure with safe crosslinking and available size flexibility are the key factors of cartilage grafts that allow for clinical application. Living hyaline cartilage grafts (LhCGs) constructed by phase-transfer hydrogel (PTCC) systems were reported to have a hyaline phenotype and bionic microstructure. By employing chondrocytes to secrete matrix in the hydrogel and then removing the material to obtain material-free tissue in vitro, LhCG technology exhibited superior performance in cartilage repair. However, PTCC systems could only produce small-sized LhCGs because of medium delivery limitations, which hinders the clinical application of LhCGs. In this study, we prepared three different noncrosslinked gelatin microspheres with diameters from 200 μm to 500 μm, which replaced the original pore-forming agent. The new PTCC system with the mixed and gradient porous structure was used for the preparation of superlarge LhCGs with a continuous structure and hyaline phenotype. Compared to the original technique, the porous gradient structure promoted nutrient delivery and cartilage matrix secretion. The small size of the microporous structure promoted the rapid formation of matrix junctions. The experimental group with a mixed gradient increased cartilage matrix secretion significantly by more than 50% compared to the that of the control. The LhCG final area reached 7 cm2 without obvious matrix stratification in the mixed gradient group. The design of the scale-changed porous PTCC system will make LhCGs more promising for clinical application.
N = 2 quantum chiral superfields and quantum super bundles
Authors: Fioresi R , Lledó M A , Razzaq J
Published: August 2022

We give the superalgebra of N = 2 chiral (and antichiral) quantum superfields realized as a subalgebra of the quantum supergroup SL
q
(4|2). The multiplication law in the quantum supergroup induces a coaction on the set of chiral superfields. We also realize the quantum deformation of the chiral Minkowski superspace as a quantum principal bundle.
Stitching and registering highly multiplexed whole-slide images of tissues and tumors using ASHLAR
Authors: Muhlich Jeremy L , Chen Yu-An , Yapp Clarence , Russell Douglas , Santagata Sandro , Sorger Peter K
Published: August 2022

Motivation

Stitching microscope images into a mosaic is an essential step in the analysis and visualization of large biological specimens, particularly human and animal tissues. Recent approaches to highly multiplexed imaging generate high-plex data from sequential rounds of lower-plex imaging. These multiplexed imaging methods promise to yield precise molecular single-cell data and information on cellular neighborhoods and tissue architecture. However, attaining mosaic images with single-cell accuracy requires robust image stitching and image registration capabilities that are not met by existing methods.

Results

We describe the development and testing of ASHLAR, a Python tool for coordinated stitching and registration of 103 or more individual multiplexed images to generate accurate whole-slide mosaics. ASHLAR reads image formats from most commercial microscopes and slide scanners, and we show that it performs better than existing open-source and commercial software. ASHLAR outputs standard OME-TIFF images that are ready for analysis by other open-source tools and recently developed image analysis pipelines.

Availability and implementation

ASHLAR is written in Python and is available under the MIT license at https://github.com/labsyspharm/ashlar. The newly published data underlying this article are available in Sage Synapse at https://dx.doi.org/10.7303/syn25826362; the availability of other previously published data re-analyzed in this article is described in Supplementary Table S4. An informational website with user guides and test data is available at https://labsyspharm.github.io/ashlar/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
‘People are Trapped in History and History is Trapped Inside Them’: Exploring Britain’s Racialized Colonial Legacies in Criminological Research
Authors: Parmar Alpa , Earle Rod , Phillips Coretta
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we advocate identifying the colonizing logics of race in criminological analysis, in recognition of their enduring postcolonial presence in societies like the United Kingdom. Our argument unfolds through the life stories narrated by three men entangled by colonial remnants of power(lessness), subservience, and criminalization. For Cairo (black) and Rafan (Asian), their subalternity is exposed through their vulnerability to racialized stereotypes which have a foundation in colonial histories. Both young minority ethnic men are also situated in a transnational, glocalized frame in which their racialized and gendered identities prescribed the nature of their belonging to a British nation-state irrevocably connected to the Empire. Our reflections on a third narrative interview of Barry reveal the dividends of whiteness, simultaneously occluded, disavowed, and yet wilfully upheld, but in a competitive and exclusive form of belonging. In the articulation and analysis of these stories of crime and order, we mine styles of reasoning from postcolonial theory, sociology, history, and philosophy to embolden a postcolonial criminology.
Alcohol use in adolescence as a risk factor for overdose in the 1986 Northern Finland Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Koivisto Maarit K , Miettunen Jouko , Levola Jonna , Mustonen Antti , Alakokkare Anni-Emilia , Salom Caroline L , Niemelä Solja
Published: August 2022

Background

Overdoses and poisonings are among the most common causes of death in young adults. Adolescent problem drinking has been associated with psychiatric morbidity in young adulthood as well as with elevated risk for suicide attempts. There is limited knowledge on adolescent alcohol use as a risk factor for alcohol and/or drug overdoses in later life.

Methods

Here, data from The Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 study with a follow-up from adolescence to early adulthood were used to assess the associations between adolescent alcohol use and subsequent alcohol or drug overdose. Three predictors were used: age of first intoxication, self-reported alcohol tolerance and frequency of alcohol intoxication in adolescence. ICD-10-coded overdose diagnoses were obtained from nationwide registers. Use of illicit drugs or misuse of medication, Youth Self Report total score, family structure and mother’s education in adolescence were used as covariates.

Results

In multivariate analyses, early age of first alcohol intoxication [hazard ratios (HR) 4.5, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.2–9.2, P < 0.001], high alcohol tolerance (HR 3.1, 95% CI 1.6–6.0, P = 0.001) and frequent alcohol intoxication (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.0–3.4, P = 0.035) all associated with the risk of overdoses. Early age of first intoxication (HR 5.2, 95% CI 1.9–14.7, P = 0.002) and high alcohol tolerance (HR 4.4, 95% CI 1.7–11.5, P = 0.002) also associated with intentional overdoses.

Conclusions

Alcohol use in adolescence associated prospectively with increased risk of overdose in later life. Early age of first intoxication, high alcohol tolerance and frequent alcohol intoxication are all predictors of overdoses.
Co-administration of ursodeoxycholic acid with rosuvastatin/ezetimibe in a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease model
Authors: Seo Sang Hyun , Lee Da Hyun , Lee Yu Seol , Cho Kyung Joo , Park Hye Jung , Lee Hye Won , Kim Beom Kyung , Park Jun Yong , Kim Do Young , Ahn Sang Hoon , Bae Soo Han , Kim Seung Up
Published: August 2022

Background

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), statins, and ezetimibe (EZE) have demonstrated beneficial effects against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We investigated the efficacy of the combination of UDCA and the mix of rosuvastatin (RSV)/EZE in the treatment of NAFLD.

Methods

NAFLD mouse models were developed by injecting thioacetamide, fasting, and high-carbohydrate refeeding, high-fat diet, and choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined high-fat diet (CDAHFD). Low-dose UDCA (L-UDCA; 15 mg/kg) or high-dose UDCA (H-UDCA; 30 mg/kg) was administered with RSV/EZE. We also employed an in vitro model of NAFLD developed using palmitic acid-treated Hepa1c1c7 cells.

Results

Co-administration of RSV/EZE with UDCA significantly decreased the collagen accumulation, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and mRNA levels of fibrosis-related markers than those observed in the vehicle group in thioacetamide-treated mice (all P < 0.01). In addition, in the group fasted and refed with a high-carbohydrate diet, UDCA/RSV/EZE treatment decreased the number of apoptotic cells and serum ALT levels compared with those observed in the vehicle group (all P < 0.05). Subsequently, H-UDCA/RSV/EZE treatment decreased the number of ballooned hepatocytes and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1) mRNA levels (P = 0.027) in the liver of high-fat diet-fed mice compared with those observed in the vehicle group. In the CDAHFD-fed mouse model, UDCA/RSV/EZE significantly attenuated collagen accumulation and fibrosis-related markers compared to those observed in the vehicle group (all P < 0.05). In addition, UDCA/RSV/EZE treatment significantly restored cell survival and decreased the protein levels of apoptosis-related markers compared to RSV/EZE treatment in palmitic acid-treated Hepa1c1c7 cells (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Combination therapy involving UDCA and RSV/EZE may be a novel strategy for potent inhibition of NAFLD progression.
Faecal carriage of enterococci harbouring oxazolidinone resistance genes among healthy humans in the community in Switzerland
Authors: Nüesch-Inderbinen Magdalena , Biggel Michael , Zurfluh Katrin , Treier Andrea , Stephan Roger
Published: August 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the faecal carriage of enterococci harbouring oxazolidinone resistance genes among healthy humans in Switzerland and to genetically characterize the isolates.

Methods

A total of 399 stool samples from healthy individuals employed in different food-processing plants were cultured on a selective medium containing 10 mg/L florfenicol. Resulting enterococci were screened by PCR for the presence of cfr, optrA and poxtA. A hybrid approach combining short-read and long-read WGS was used to analyse the genetic context of the cfr, optrA and poxtA genes.

Results

Enterococcus faecalis (n = 6), Enterococcus faecium (n = 6), Enterococcus gallinarum (n = 1) and Enterococcus hirae (n = 2) were detected in 15/399 (3.8%) of the faecal samples. They carried cfr + poxtA, optrA, optrA + poxtA or poxtA. Four E. faecalis harbouring optrA and one E. faecium carrying poxtA were resistant to linezolid (8 mg/L). In most optrA-positive isolates, the genetic environments of optrA were highly variable, but often resembled previously described platforms. In most poxtA-positive isolates, the poxtA gene was flanked on both sides by IS1216E elements and located on medium-sized plasmids.

Conclusions

Faecal carriage of Enterococcus spp. harbouring cfr, optrA and poxtA in healthy humans associated with the food-production industry demonstrates the possibility of spread of oxazolidinone resistance genes into the community. Given the importance of linezolid as a last-resort antibiotic for the treatment of serious infections caused by Gram-positive pathogens, the detection of the oxazolidinone resistance determinants in enterococci from healthy humans is of concern for public health.
A natural product from Streptomyces targets PhoP and exerts antivirulence action against Salmonella enterica
Authors: Bruna Roberto E , Casal Alejo , Bercovich Bárbara , Gramajo Hugo , Rodríguez Eduardo , García Véscovi Eleonora
Published: August 2022

Background

The overprescription and misuse of classical antimicrobial compounds to treat gastrointestinal or systemic salmonellosis have been accelerating the surge of antibiotic-recalcitrant bacterial populations, posing a major public health challenge. Therefore, alternative therapeutic approaches to treat Salmonella infections are urgently required.

Objectives

To identify and characterize actinobacterial secreted compounds with inhibitory properties against the Salmonella enterica PhoP/PhoQ signal transduction system, crucial for virulence regulation.

Methods

The methodology was based on a combination of the measurement of the activity of PhoP/PhoQ-dependent and -independent reporter genes and bioguided assays to screen for bioactive inhibitory metabolites present in culture supernatants obtained from a collection of actinobacterial isolates. Analogues of azomycin were used to analyse the functional groups required for the detected bioactivity and Salmonella mutants and complemented strains helped to dissect the azomycin mechanism of action. The tetrazolium dye colorimetric assay was used to investigate azomycin potential cytotoxicity on cultured macrophages. Salmonella intramacrophage replication capacity upon azomycin treatment was assessed using the gentamicin protection assay.

Results

Sublethal concentrations of azomycin, a nitroheterocyclic compound naturally produced by Streptomyces eurocidicus, repressed the Salmonella PhoP/PhoQ system activity by targeting PhoP and inhibiting its transcriptional activity in a PhoQ- and aspartate phosphorylation-independent manner. Sublethal, non-cytotoxic concentrations of azomycin prevented Salmonella intramacrophage replication.

Conclusions

Azomycin selectively inhibits the activity of the Salmonella virulence regulator PhoP, a new activity described for this nitroheterocyclic compound that can be repurposed to develop novel anti-Salmonella therapeutic approaches.
GAIA: G-quadruplexes in alive creature database
Authors: Vannutelli Anaïs , Schell Lauriane Lucienne Noele , Perreault Jean-Pierre , Ouangraoua Aïda
Published: August 2022

G-quadruplexes (G4) are 3D structures that are found in both DNA and RNA. Interest in this structure has grown over the past few years due to both its implication in diverse biological mechanisms and its potential use as a therapeutic target, to name two examples. G4s in humans have been widely studied; however, the level of their study in other species remains relatively minimal. That said, progress in this field has resulted in the prediction of G4s structures in various species, ranging from bacteria to eukaryotes. These predictions were analysed in a previous study which revealed that G4s are present in all living kingdoms. To date, eleven different databases have grouped the various G4s depending on either their structures, on the proteins that might bind them, or on their location in the various genomes. However, none of these databases contains information on their location in the transcriptome of many of the implicated species. The GAIA database was designed so as to make this data available online in a user-friendly manner. Through its web interface, users can query GAIA to filter G4s, which, we hope, will help the research in this field. GAIA is available at: https://gaia.cobius.usherbrooke.ca
IDH1/2wildtype gliomas grade 2 and 3 with molecular glioblastoma-like profile have a distinct course of epilepsy compared toIDH1/2wildtype glioblastomas
Authors: van Opijnen Mark P , Tesileanu C Mircea S , Dirven Linda , van der Meer Pim B , Wijnenga Maarten M J , Vincent Arnaud J P E , Broekman Marike L D , Dubbink Hendrikus J , Kros Johan M , van Duinen Sjoerd G , Smits Marion , French Pim J , van den Bent Martin J , Taphoorn Martin J B , Koekkoek Johan A F
Published: August 2022

Background

IDH1/2 wildtype (IDHwt) glioma WHO grade 2 and 3 patients with pTERT mutation and/or EGFR amplification and/or + 7/−10 chromosome gain/loss have a similar overall survival time as IDHwt glioblastoma patients, and are both considered glioblastoma IDHwt according to the WHO 2021 classification. However, differences in seizure onset have been observed. This study aimed to compare the course of epilepsy in the 2 glioblastoma subtypes.

Methods

We analyzed epilepsy data of an existing cohort including IDHwt histologically lower-grade glioma WHO grade 2 and 3 with molecular glioblastoma-like profile (IDHwt hLGG) and IDHwt glioblastoma patients. Primary outcome was the incidence proportion of epilepsy during the disease course. Secondary outcomes included, among others, onset of epilepsy, number of seizure days, and antiepileptic drug (AED) polytherapy.

Results

Out of 254 patients, 78% (50/64) IDHwt hLGG and 68% (129/190) IDHwt glioblastoma patients developed epilepsy during the disease (P = .121). Epilepsy onset before histopathological diagnosis occurred more frequently in IDHwt hLGG compared to IDHwt glioblastoma patients (90% vs 60%, P < .001), with a significantly longer median time to diagnosis (3.5 vs 1.3 months, P < .001). Median total seizure days was also longer for IDHwt hLGG patients (7.0 vs 3.0, P = .005), and they received more often AED polytherapy (32% vs 17%, P = .028).

Conclusions

Although the incidence proportion of epilepsy during the entire disease course is similar, IDHwt hLGG patients show a significantly higher incidence of epilepsy before diagnosis and a significantly longer median time between first seizure and diagnosis compared to IDHwt glioblastoma patients, indicating a distinct clinical course.