bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SPANet: Spatial perceptual activation network for camouflaged object detection
Authors: Zhang Jianhao , Yang Gang , Dai Xun , Yang Pengyu
Published: September 2024

Camouflaged object detection (COD) aims to segment objects embedded in the environment from the background. Most existing methods are easily affected by background interference in cluttered environments and cannot accurately locate camouflage areas, resulting in over‐segmentation or incomplete segmentation structures. To effectively improve the performance of COD, we propose a spatial perceptual activation network (SPANet). SPANet extracts the spatial positional relationship between each object in the scene by activating spatial perception and uses it as global information to guide segmentation. It mainly consists of three modules: perceptual activation module (PAM), feature inference module (FIM), and interaction recovery module (IRM). Specifically, the authors design a PAM to model the positional relationship between the camouflaged object and the surrounding environment to obtain semantic correlation information. Then, a FIM that can effectively combine correlation information to suppress background interference and re‐encode to generate multi‐scale features is proposed. In addition, to further fuse multi‐scale features, an IRM to mine the complementary information and differences between features at different scales is designed. Extensive experimental results on four widely used benchmark datasets (i.e. CAMO, CHAMELEON, COD10K, and NC4K) show that the authors’ method outperforms 13 state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Non‐linear coordinated control of LPMG‐based direct drive wave energy conversion system with supplementary energy storage system based on feedback linearization
Authors: Sang Yiyan , Sheng Jiamin , Xue Hua , Wang Yufei , Wu Qigang
Published: September 2024

The linear permanent magnet generator (LPMG)‐based direct drive wave energy conversion system (DDWECS) works under perpetual fluctuations of ocean waves. Short‐term energy storage, such as electrochemical energy storage, is usually adopted in a supplementary energy storage system (SESS) to buffer power fluctuations. Since the investigated DDWECS consists of various non‐linear components such as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs)‐based power electronic converters, the unremitting changes of system working conditions caused by ocean wave effects will degrade the dynamic performance with conventional linear controllers which are implemented via local linearization around a single working condition. This paper proposes the multiple feedback linearization based non‐linear coordinated control (MFLNCC) scheme for coordinating non‐linear plants in DDWECS with SESS such as the machine‐side converter (MSC), the grid‐side converter (GSC) and DC/DC converter in SESS. The enhanced dynamic performance of the proposed MFLNCC in DDWECS with SESS is validated under different scenarios.
Use of high-performance reinforcement geosynthetics to stabilize access roads
Authors: Rdissi Yasmine , Fourmont Stephan , Dias Daniel
Published: September 2024

With the rapid infrastructure development, the availability of competent soils is decreasing. The access roads and tracks practicability should be ensured when crossing these weak soils. The practicability of access roads and tracks is therefore important. Depending on the mechanical properties of the subgrade, the construction of access roads requires the use of granular foundation materials of significant thickness, which can result in substantial costs and construction delays. This is especially true when the runway is to be constructed on soft subgrade and possibly in the presence of water. This article presents the use of a high-performance reinforcement geosynthetic to stabilize unpaved access roads, control settlement and prevent contamination between the subgrade and the foundation. A laboratory case well documented is used. Two calculation methodologies based on the subgrade soil characteristics are provided and compared.
Parameters affecting the development of capillary barriers due to conventional geotextiles
Authors: Azevedo Marcelo , Zornberg Jorge
Published: September 2024

The objective of this study is to assess the formation of capillary barriers on unsaturated soils in contact with geotextiles that have been placed with the primary function of acting as a separator between soil or drainage layers, including the geotextile component of a geocomposite. A comprehensive experimental program involving soil column infiltration tests was conducted using a variety of material combinations to assess the hydraulic performance of interfaces between unsaturated clay and geotextiles. Soil moisture was recorded using time domain reflectometers. Custom made acrylic soil columns were comparatively small (20 cm diameter and 33 cm tall) in order to facilitate test setup and reduce total testing time. Multiple column tests were conducted, which included woven and nonwoven geotextiles selected to identify which geotextile characteristics may affect the formation of a capillary barrier. Other tests were conducted to assess the effect of varying relative compaction and inflow rate on the hydraulic performance. Based on data from the moisture sensors, all tests were found to clearly show the formation of a capillary barrier, which resulted in additional moisture storage in the overlying finegrained soil layer. The test results show that currently available conventional geotextiles create a capillary barrier and restrict moisture flow into the underlying soil or drainage layer until the overlying fine-grained soil has become essentially saturated. This includes nonwoven geotextiles that are commonly used as the top layer in geocomposite drainage products or as separators between a soil layer and an underlying gravel drainage layer. The strength of the capillary barrier was found to be similar for the multiple conventional polypropylene geotextiles investigated in this study.
Erosion protection at mining sites using a concrete-enhanced synthetic turf system
Authors: Zhu Ming , Timpson Christopher
Published: September 2024

Many mining sites are facing water erosion challenges due to changing weather patterns and more frequent extreme weather conditions. A concrete-reinforced engineered turf system has been developed for erosion protection and used in mining applications recently. This system consists of an impermeable geomembrane that does not allow the stormwater runoff to be in contact with the subgrade and hence, eliminating potential erosion of subgrade. This presentation provides an overview of conventional erosion protection methods and the concrete-reinforced engineered turf system, followed by an evaluation of the hydraulic performance of the concrete-reinforced engineered turf system, including the steady state overtopping flume testing, heavy debris load testing, and intentional damage testing. Case studies are provided to demonstrate installation and field performance of the erosion protection system for stormwater channels, downchutes, spillways, and slopes at mining sites.
Creep penetration of particles at geomembrane surfaces
Authors: Bilgin Ömer , Mosawi Mohammad
Published: September 2024

Laboratory tests were conducted to measure polyethylene geomembrane contact surface area change with time under sustained loading. The presentation summarizes the test results and findings. A theoretical model for time-dependent contact area is also assessed using the results obtained from the tests conducted. The results show that the contact areas at the geomembrane surface increase with time as anticipated and the rate of increase in contact area decreases with time. The investigations also showed that the time-dependent soil-geomembrane contact area can be predicted using a theoretical model.
Effect of bentonite particle sizes on GCL hydration by lateritic soils
Authors: Batista da Silva Jose Wilson , Portelinha Fernando H. M. , Correia Natalia S.
Published: September 2024

Numerous studies have analysed the influence of subgrade on the hydration process of GCLs and have shown that initial soil moisture content, particle sizes and soil mineralogy significantly affect the GCL hydration process. However, recent works have revealed that GCLs structure and bentonite characteristics are also a major variable in this process, affecting the water retention curve (WRC), hydration levels and long-term performance of the GCLs. This study examines the impact of bentonite particle size on the hydration process of a GCL when in contact with lateritic subgrades. The hydration process of three different GCLs was analyzed under isothermal conditions in a closed system. The results indicated an influence of bentonite particle sizes on the GCL hydration processes. GCL with granular bentonite showed difficulty in hydration from lateritic subsoils compared to GCLs with powdered bentonites.
Evaluating the integrity of HDPE geomembranes in high-stress heap leaching projects
Authors: León Andrés , Zúñiga Daniel
Published: September 2024

The success of heap leaching projects is highly dependent on the design and construction of the liner system, including the selection of suitable overliner material, representing a significant part of project capital expenses. This paper presents results from two recent studies at one of the largest copper leaching operations in Chile, which aimed to expand the secondary leaching process and to explore challenges in expanding a lowgrade oxide dump leach. Large Scale Puncture tests were developed to evaluate HDPE geomembrane performance under maximum heap leach loads. The first study subjected the geomembrane to loads equivalent to 120 meters with 2” maximum size overliner material, revealing no puncture failures, only minor yielding. In the second study, simulating loads of up to 235 meters, mild to moderate yielding occurred for heights up to 180 meters, whilst for heights of 225 and 235 meters, major yielding was presented, showing that reached the limit of the puncture failure due to increased load or deformation over time. The study concluded that the recent HDPE geomembranes manufacturing are more resistant and can withstand higher loads and an overliner with a maximum grain size larger than 1.5” without puncture failure, although deformation may still occur.
GCL-LLDPE geomembrane interface friction angle evaluation and stability analysis of a valley fill leach pad project
Authors: Zúñiga Daniel , León Andrés
Published: September 2024

The Los Chancas mining project, initiated in 1998, is a copper mine focused on extracting copper sulfides and oxides. In 2020, a mine plan update required a review of the constructability design and an evaluation of the Permanent Leach Pad and Filtered Waste/Rock Dump's physical stability. This paper presents results from an evaluation study regarding friction angles at the liner interface and stability analysis in the VLF pad. Previously, an internal friction angle of 23° was established for the basal liner interface (LLDPE-GCL) to meet stability requirements. However, due to the high required friction angle, the pad design was updated with lower slopes. The study evaluated various GCL materials from two suppliers using direct shear tests, revealing that the GCL from the second supplier achieved a high friction angle of 22.3° at the interface. Stability analysis considered two critical sections, examining three types of failure under both static and pseudo-static conditions. Results showed a need for a minimum friction angle of 16° in static conditions and 20.5° in pseudo-static conditions to ensure compliance. These results suggest the potential use of high strength geosynthetic materials in the studied areas, with a preference for the GCL material offering the highest friction angle.
Reinforced Soil Slope, an innovative sustainable grade separation system utilized in civil infrastructure
Authors: Mottadelli Luca , Mandavkar Sachin , Weldu Mehari
Published: September 2024

Reinforced Soil slope is an innovative solution for sustainable grade separation systems that has gained popularity in recent years. This construction method involves stabilizing the soil with reinforcing elements like geogrids, geotextiles, or woven wire mesh, combining the advantages of these elements' tensile strength and the shear strength of natural soil. This fusion yields a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative for grade separation, particularly beneficial in areas where it is not feasible or economical to construct conventional grade separation systems. These RSS systems are successful for earth-retaining structures, embankments, and road cuttings and can be seamlessly integrated into landscapes, making them an appealing choice for environmentally sensitive areas. Their sustainability is evident in utilizing on-site fill materials, minimizing the need for frequent maintenance and repairs, thereby reducing the construction's carbon footprint. Moreover, their affordability compared to traditional methods makes them accessible to communities with limited budgets. Leveraging local materials and labor not only cuts costs but also boosts the local economy and generates employment opportunities. Crucially, reinforced soil slopes exhibit enhanced durability, distributing loads evenly and bolstering resistance against natural calamities like earthquakes or landslides. Consequently, they offer safer alternatives for communities in high-risk zones. In this paper, we will see a real case study of a project in San Francisco, where RSS has been used to repair a slope damaged during a past seismic event.
Molecular dynamic simulation study on interaction mechanism between biopolymer and kaolinite
Authors: Chandregowda Shreyas Aralumallige , Bhatia Shobha K. , Palomino Angelica M.
Published: September 2024

The mining industry produces enormous amounts of waste annually. These wastes – mine tailings – predominantly consist of clay size particles with the major clay mineral being kaolinite. Due to its colloidal nature, kaolinite is generally separated using polymeric flocculants. Recently, biopolymers have been explored in place of synthetic polymers as a flocculant. Researchers have previously investigated kaolinite-biopolymer surface interaction mechanisms by inferring using bench scale physical tests. However, there is a lack of clear understanding of exact interactions between kaolinite and biopolymers at the atomistic scale. In this study, molecular dynamic simulation is used to investigate the interaction mechanism(s) at the atomistic scale between sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (anionic) and a kaolinite surface at neutral pH (7). Molecular dynamic simulation was also performed with a kaolinite surface with deprotonated edges to identify interaction mechanisms. Hydrogen bonding and cation bridging interaction mechanisms were identified from the visualization of interacting atoms. Simulation results have been supplemented with sedimentation test results and Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy results.
Performance analysis of the application of multidirectional rigid geogrids for haul road truck access
Authors: Vilalaz Oliveira Érica Patrícia , Leopoldo Leonardo Gomes , Dos Santos Barros Manollo , Caressato Junior Wladimir
Published: September 2024

Located in the southeast region of Brazil, Mina Serra do Sapo has well-defined seasons, with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. The condition of constant and voluminous rain, associated with the Minas Gerais environment, where we have haul road truck traffic of up to 340 tons and the low supply of resistant materials for the formation of the pavement, represents a great challenge to maintain production, minimizing losses, both related to feeding the crushing process and equipment maintenance. In this context, critical sections of the mine were selected, where haul road trucks are loaded, to stabilize the base using rigid multidirectional geogrids, interspersed with layers of landfill without compaction control, using materials available in the field. For measurement purposes, sensors were installed on Komatsu 830E 1AC trucks, capable of measuring two parameters, Chassis torque and Spring weight. What was found was an abrupt positive response from the sensors in regions formed by rigid multidirectional geogrids, compared to other regions where no type of pavement treatment was applied.
Exhumation of a Coated Polyester (PET) Geogrid from a Masonry Block Retaining Wall after 20 Years of Service
Authors: Koerner George R.
Published: September 2024

The technology of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining walls using masonry block facing with geosynthetic reinforcement is one of the fastest growing segments of the geosynthetic industry. Due to their excellent aesthetics, low costs, ease of constructability and usually good performance, these structures are seen throughout the world. However, some of these systems are being challenged for having very high alkalinity (particularly between rows of masonry blocks) which is unsuitable for some PET resins. The focus of this paper is to present field data from such a masonry block wall which was built using three different masonry block types. The wall was built as a test wall, but it is full size and serves a dual purpose of replacing a failed timber wall. Alkalinity (as measured by pH) measurements are taken directly between the block surfaces at the contact of the geogrids to the block units. Data and trends from twenty years of monitoring are presented. We had the opportunity to disassemble the wall and exhume a section of geogrid that was subsequently tested for wide width tensile strength. These tension test results shed some light on actual reduction factors for Installation damage and chemical degradation.
Reinforced soil retaining wall for ash handling facility Java 9 and 10 coal-fired steam power
Authors: Darmawan Raffly Muhammad , Dwiprana Fajar Setya , Avicenna Abdul Aziz , Harninto Dandung Sri , Widhiastuti Fajar , Anindita Nadya Ayu , Nurjannah Dhinta Ayundya
Published: September 2024

The construction of coal ash handling facilities requires a large area to store large amounts of Fly Ash and Bottom Ash (FABA) material. Bund wall is proposed near the facility to be built FABA stockpile up to EL.+80.0. The area of the proposed bund wall is very limited, so a vertical earth retaining wall is proposed to maintain the FABA backfill as well as support the proposed Hauling Road. In this case, Geoforce Segmental Retaining Wall (GSRW) is adopted as one type of soil reinforcement, the construction is a combination of reinforcing elements in the form of geosynthetic strip (GI Strips) that interact with the filling material through friction and provide tensile capacity. The combination works as a gravitational structure capable of withstanding lateral ground pressure. This GI Strip material is produced in Indonesia so that it has a high “Tingkat Komponen Dalam Negeri” (TKDN) value. GSRW works are 820 m long with a height of 19.44 m. The analysis carried out was assisted by the PLAXIS 3D program to understand the deformation in the structure and obtain safety factors according to the requirements in “SNI Persyaratan Perancangan Geoteknik 8460:2017”.
Large-scale testing of electro-osmosis with enhanced wick-drain techniques for dewatering iron mine tailing
Authors: Mahmoudipour Reza
Published: September 2024

In geotechnical engineering, two conventional methods, electro-osmosis, and wick drains (also known as prefabricated vertical drains or PVD), are commonly employed to mechanically enhance fine-grained saturated soils. This research aims to combine these two methods to develop a novel approach. Various configurations were examined, and comparisons were made between the new product and each method individually to identify the optimal configuration, pattern, and degree of improvement. Samples were collected from the thickener at the Golgohar iron ore mine and arranged into seven large-scale testing pools. Square and triangular patterns, along with constant and alternating poles, were investigated in this study. The results demonstrated that the combination of these technologies improved the mechanical properties, with the most significant enhancement in undrained shear strength observed in pools employing an enhanced Wick drain featuring constant poles and a triangular pattern.
Experimental evaluation of water infiltration through concrete-geocell liners
Authors: Acosta Carlos , Fierro Gustavo , Zornberg Jorge
Published: September 2024

In this article we study the infiltration rate and flow characteristics of water through concrete-geocell liners by experimental and analytical means. Geocells filled with concrete have been used in the construction of many hydraulic works, such as shore protections (both marine and riverine), spillways, and canal liners; these liners have been reported to offer high performance, as they are able to withstand large flow velocities, hydrodynamic effects, and environmental stresses, while still being more cost-effective than other hard-armor systems such as reinforced concrete and articulating concrete blocks (ACBs). Despite their increasing use there is no report of their hydraulic conductivity in the literature, which this paper aims to fulfil. First, an analytical solution to the problem is achieved by parting from the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations and applying reasonable assumptions to arrive at a formula that relates flow rate to pressure gradient, fluid properties, and importantly, the hydraulic aperture (the idealized gap at the concrete-geocell interface); this gap is then estimated using the ACI-209 method for the prediction of concrete shrinkage, resulting in the proposed semi-analytical method. The formulation was then evaluated experimentally by conducting hydraulic tests on full scale geocell specimens filled with concrete under conditions that are deemed representative of real case applications. The results indicate that the proposed methodology has satisfactory predictive capabilities and provides flow rate estimates in accordance with measured data.
Stability design of a geosynthetic reinforced rock cuttings wall
Authors: Granet Alexandre , Janin Jean-Pierre , Cavagnet Spencer , Dias Daniel
Published: September 2024

Rocks excavation with tunnel boring machines induces a lot of cuttings. This granular material needs to be stored. When reinforced by geosynthetics, significant tensile stresses can be obtained in the resulting composite structure which allows to build steep slopes. A real case study of a reinforced rock cuttings wall is presented in this paper. To study accurately this complex problem, two calculation methods were used: a limit equilibrium (using the Bishop criteria), classically used for these kinds of stability problems and two-dimensional finite element calculations. These two methods are different and give different results. The FE calculation is the more representative and the more conservative method for such designs when considering the studied case.
Multi-scale hybrid modeling of plant growth in response to environmental conditions and soil nutrients availability
Authors: Chini Hassan , Jebrane Aissam , Hakim Abdelilah
Published: September 2024

Crop modeling plays a crucial role in agriculture, aiding our understanding and prediction of crop growth and yield in diverse environmental conditions. This study aims to develop a comprehensive mathematical model describing plant growth in response to environmental conditions and soil nutrient availability. To achieve this, we relied on a field experiment with lettuce plants under varying environmental conditions. Employing growth models such as logistic, Gompertz, Aikman & Scaife, and Scaife, Cox & Morris, we assessed the influence of time, day-degrees, and effective day-degrees across different plant densities and during distinct periods throughout the year. In general, describing plant growth in terms of day-degrees or effective day-degrees yielded an improved model fit and more precise estimations of growth parameters. As a result, we described the growth of plant length in terms of effective day-degrees instead of time in the equations of the Bessonov–Volpert system. Additionally, we modified the equation describing plant length growth using previously fitted functions. By incorporating these adjustments, we characterized the one-dimensional growth of plant weight under varying environmental conditions without branching, using the Bessonov–Volpert model. This study contributes valuable insights into crop modeling techniques, refining our understanding of optimizing plant growth under different environmental conditions.
On the use of self-reports in marketing research: insights about initial response biases from daily diary data
Authors: Blozis Shelley A. , Villarreal Ricardo
Published: September 2024

Self-report data are regularly used in marketing research when consumer perceptions are central to understanding consumer responses to marketing efforts. Self-report data are convenient and cost-effective. A widely known response bias that is inherent to self-report data and illuminated by daily diary data is a tendency of the first report by study participants to be more extreme relative to responses at subsequent points in time but no such effects are expected. A critical issue is that statistical data summaries can be impacted and generate misleading conclusions about perceptions. This article demonstrates the impact of initial-report effects by analyzing self-report daily diary media use (TV) data from an observational study. Based on a large and representative sample of adults in the U.S., there was a greater tendency for respondents to report watching TV, and given that TV was watched, to report more time spent watching TV on the first interview day relative to subsequent days. Initial-report effects were also evident in tests of the effects of daily and daily averages of positive and negative affect on the likeliness to watch TV and reported time spent, further indicating the importance of accounting for first-report effects in studies of media use. The need to collect repeated measures of self-report data in consumer research is also highlighted by this evidence of these response patterns that would otherwise be undetectable.
Differential Bunching Impacts Across the Income Distribution: Evidence from Tax Administrative Data
Authors: Adu-Ababio Kwabena , Bryson Samuel , Mwale Evaristo , Rand John
Published: September 2024

We investigate the behavioural responses of individual taxpayers to changes in marginal personal income tax rates applying empirical bunching methodology to tax administrative data from Zambia over the period from 2014 to 2021. We find evidence for excess bunching at the first kink in the tax schedule for all years but less evidence of bunching at the second and third thresholds. While bunching is considerable and behavioural responses are observed to changes in the location of the kinks over time, bunching at reference points (’round-number bunching’) also appears large. Implied elasticities of taxable income are however not remarkable, and comparing actual and estimated counterfactual wage distributions reveal that missed tax revenue arising from the excess bunching is limited. This is consistent with the observed bunching reacting sharply and immediately to changes in the location of the kink points over time, suggesting that observed behavioural change is driven by reporting behaviour rather than real economic responses.
A stretching apparatus with broad strain rate and temperature ranges for in-situ x-ray scattering measurements of polymers
Authors: Lu Yimin , Yang Erjie , Zhu Jianhe , Liu Shenghui , Cui Kunpeng , Guo Hang , Li Liangbin
Published: September 2024

A stretching apparatus capable of conducting tensile tests over a broad strain rate range (10−3–250 s−1) and a wide temperature range (−75–250 °C) has been designed for polymeric materials, in particular the polymeric films. Specifically, this stretching apparatus can be combined with in situ ultrasmall-, small-, and wide-angle x-ray scattering (USAXS/SAXS/WAXS) measurements. The sample stretching is achieved through the synchronized rotation of rolls, powered by servo motors. The output electrical signal extracted from a torque sensor, when combined with the rotational speed of rolls and initial sample dimensions, enables the determination of the relationship between engineering stress (σ) and Hencky strain (ε). With the sample chamber and precise control loop, the prescribed temperature can be achieved using either hot airflow for heating or cold liquid nitrogen flow for cooling. By integrating this stretching apparatus with a high brilliance x-ray source at beamline BL10U1 in Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) and detectors featuring ultrafast acquisition rates, it becomes possible to monitor multiscale structure evolutions of polymeric samples under harsh conditions involving high-speed loading combined with varying temperatures.
Advancements in optical biosensing techniques: From fundamentals to future prospects
Authors: Kaur Baljinder , Kumar Santosh , Nedoma Jan , Martinek Radek , Marques Carlos
Published: September 2024

Optical biosensors that consist of a light source, optical elements, and a photodetector are used to detect chemical and biological species and pollutants. This Tutorial discusses the fundamental details of optical biosensing techniques that include materials, working principle, components, sensor configurations, parameters, and future prospects. Optical biosensing techniques include plasmonic [surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and localized SPR], fluorescence, luminescence, Raman scattering, colorimetric, and interferometric methods. Bioreceptor elements play a significant role in detecting the specific analyte that can be synthetic or natural. Surface functionalization techniques to bind the bioreceptor elements on the surface, to control the bioreceptor orientation, have been discussed in detail. The possibility of integration of techniques on a chip, to develop wearable, implantable sensors, and the associated challenges have been fully demonstrated. This Tutorial provides valuable insights into the present state and future directions of optical biosensors for various applications.
Exploring photoionization of gas-phase free radicals with a widely tunable VUV laser at moderate spectral resolution
Authors: Le H. L. , Chen N. L. , Jiang M. , Le Bris C. , Charrière C. , Boyé-Péronne S. , Loison J.-C. , Jacovella U. , Gans B.
Published: September 2024

The VUv Laser for Considering Astrophysical and Isolated Molecules (VULCAIMs) setup [Harper et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 24, 2777 (2022)] integrates a narrow-bandwidth tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and extreme ultraviolet (XUV) nanosecond-pulsed laser system (6–16 eV) and a photoelectron spectrometer, designed for recording high-spectral-resolution (rotationally resolved) photoelectron spectra of gas-phase free radicals. This approach usually needs beforehand medium-resolution synchrotron data to guide the selection of specific spectral regions to be investigated at higher resolution with the VULCAIM setup. We present an upgraded version of the VUV laser system integrating an optical parametric oscillator for continuously scanned medium-resolution measurements (<3 cm−1) across the whole VUV and XUV spectral ranges. This innovation enables broader coverage without the need to access synchrotron facilities. Furthermore, rapid mode switching allows for maintaining optimized radical production conditions from mid-resolution to high-resolution operation mode, enhancing spectroscopy capabilities significantly. The new capabilities of the VULCAIM setup are illustrated on two showcases of photoionization studies: the nitric oxide (NO) stable molecular species and the benzyl (C6H5CH2) free radical produced by pyrolysis.
Influence of sinusoidal forcing on the master FitzHugh–Nagumo neuron model and global dynamics of a unidirectionally coupled two-neuron system
Authors: Bosco Nívea D. , Rech Paulo C. , Beims Marcus W. , Manchein Cesar
Published: September 2024

In this paper, we investigate a seven-parameter, five-dimensional dynamical system, specifically a unidirectional coupling of two FitzHugh–Nagumo neuron models, with one neuron being sinusoidally driven. This master–slave configuration features neuron N1 as the master, subjected to an external sinusoidal electrical current, and neuron N2 as the slave, interacting with N1 through an electrical force. We report numerical results for three distinct scenarios where N1 operates in (i) periodic, (ii) quasiperiodic, and (iii) chaotic regimes. The primary objective is to explore how the dynamics of the master neuron N1 influence the coupled system’s behavior. To achieve this, we generated cross sections of the seven-dimensional parameter space, known as parameter planes. Our findings reveal that in the periodic regime of N1, the coupled system exhibits period-adding sequences of Arnold tongue-like structures in the parameter planes. Furthermore, regions of multistability can also be identified in these parameter planes of the coupled system. In the quasiperiodic regime, regions of periodic motion are absent, with only regions of quasiperiodic and chaotic dynamics present. In the chaotic regime of N1, the parameter planes display regions of chaos, hyperchaos, and transient hyperchaos.
Influence of surface curvature on the impact force of water droplet
Authors: Aihara A. , Tanaka M. , Fujisawa N.
Published: September 2024

Although the global market for wind energy is growing rapidly, leading-edge erosion is a critical issue hindering the development of wind power. The impact force of a droplet colliding with flat surfaces has been investigated in previous studies. However, the impact force exerted on curved surfaces, such as that experienced by eroded wind turbine blades, is not well understood. This study discusses the relationship between the impact force generated on a solid surface by a water droplet and the radius of curvature of the impacting surface. The impact force by a droplet was measured using a force sensor mounted on semi-cylindrical caps with different radii of curvature. The measurement results showed that the impact force decreased as the radius of curvature decreased. A computational fluid dynamics model solving incompressible flows showed that, unlike the case of a curved surface, the initial momentum of the droplet was mostly transferred to the flat surface. This resulted in a high impulse for an impact with a flat surface. The falling droplet was blocked by the surface, and the lateral jet was accelerated sideward. This acceleration was moderate for curved surfaces. When colliding with a flat surface, a higher impact force was generated owing to the wider area of the excited surface pressure compared with that of the curved surface. Finally, the relationship between the peak of the impact force and the surface curvature was derived, suggesting that the force peak is inversely proportional to the curvature.
Complete synchronization of two spirals by a messenger wave in a reaction diffusion system
Authors: Khan Parvej , Dutta Sumana
Published: September 2024

Synchronization phenomena are ubiquitous in nature. They can be observed in physical, chemical, and biological systems. In the present study, we examine synchronization phenomena in chemical reaction–diffusion systems in the experimental Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction. We study how two counter-rotating spirals pinned to unexcitable heterogeneities separated by a wall interact with a third free spiral of higher frequency. We found that the latter, which we call the messenger wave, synchronizes the two non-interacting pinned spirals. We also carried out numerical simulations of a model system with Barkley’s reaction–diffusion equations and found corroborating results.
Realizing n-type carbon nanotubes via halide perovskite nanowires Cs4MX5 inner filling
Authors: Cao Sisi , Yang Qiyao , Cao Juexian , Xu Wangping
Published: September 2024

N-type carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-based field-effect transistors (FETs) have huge potential applications in low-power consumption tunnel FETs. However, the low-work function metal electrodes can achieve n-type CNTs, but they are easily oxidized due to poor environmental stability. Therefore, based on first-principles calculations, we proposed halide perovskite nanowires Cs4MX5 (M = Pb, Sn; X = Cl, Br, I) inner filling to achieve n-type single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs). The results indicated that all the perovskite nanowires located at the center of the SWCNTs possess high stability. Moreover, the diameter of SWCNTs is a crucial factor affecting the inner filling of perovskite nanowires with an optimal diameter of about 1.4 nm. Furthermore, all the perovskite nanowires Cs4MX5 are excellent electron donors, and the largest charge transfer is up to 1.72 e/nm for Cs4SnI5. Their interaction mechanism reveals that the low work function and the large internal bandgap are two important factors for cubic-phase nanowires to realize the n-type CNTs. Our findings provide some candidate materials and a feasible way to achieve n-type CNTs for applying CNTs-based FETs.
Thermodynamic quantum Fokker–Planck equations and their application to thermostatic Stirling engine
Authors: Koyanagi Shoki , Tanimura Yoshitaka
Published: September 2024

We developed a computer code for the thermodynamic quantum Fokker–Planck equations (T-QFPE), derived from a thermodynamic system–bath model. This model consists of an anharmonic subsystem coupled to multiple Ohmic baths at different temperatures, which are connected to or disconnected from the subsystem as a function of time. The code numerically integrates the T-QFPE and their classical expression to simulate isothermal, isentropic, thermostatic, and entropic processes in both quantum and classical cases. The accuracy of the results was verified by comparing the analytical solutions of the Brownian oscillator. In addition, we illustrated a breakdown of the Markovian Lindblad-master equation in the pure quantum regime. As a demonstration, we simulated a thermostatic Stirling engine employed to develop non-equilibrium thermodynamics [S. Koyanagi and Y. Tanimura, J. Chem. Phys. 161, 114113 (2024)] under quasi-static conditions. The quasi-static thermodynamic potentials, described as intensive and extensive variables, were depicted as work diagrams. In the classical case, the work done by the external field is independent of the system–bath coupling strength. In contrast, in the quantum case, the work decreases as the coupling strength increases due to quantum entanglement between the subsystem and bath. The codes were developed for multicore processors using Open Multi-Processing (OpenMP) and for graphics processing units using the Compute Unified Device Architecture. These codes are provided in the supplementary material.
Laser absorption correction for hydroxyl planar laser induced fluorescence measurements in a centrally staged combustor at elevated pressures
Authors: Ji Kexin , Hui Xin , Tao Chao , Xue Xin , An Qiang
Published: September 2024

Planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) is a crucial spectroscopic technique for measuring minor species [e.g., hydroxyl (OH), methylene (CH), and nitric oxide (NO) radicals] in combustion research, owing to its non-intrusive nature and high sensitivity. However, laser energy attenuation due to absorption poses significant challenges to its application under high-pressure conditions, which may cause asymmetric image intensity distribution along the light propagation direction. An absorption correction method for OH PLIF based on the concept of maximum number density is proposed in the present study. This method offers several key advantages, including simplicity, high accuracy, and versatility, allowing for correcting both time-averaged and instantaneous OH PLIF images. OH PLIF data obtained from a centrally staged combustor at elevated pressures (i.e., 0.3, 0.6, and 1.0 MPa) are utilized to validate the method. Correction for the time-averaged PLIF images achieves a much more symmetric distribution of OH, revealing the overall flame structures that would not have been completely visualized from the original images. The fronts of the pilot and main stage flames have also been recovered from the corrected instantaneous images. This correction algorithm provides an effective way of enhancing data quality for high-cost OH PLIF measurements at pressurized conditions.
Unraveling the origin of Kondo-like behavior in the 3
d
-electron heavy-fermion compound YFe
2
Ge
2
Authors: Xu Bing , Liu Rui , Wo Hongliang , Liao Zhiyu , Yi Shaohui , Li Chunhong , Zhao Jun , Qiu Xianggang , Yin Zhiping , Bernhard Christian
Published: September 2024

The heavy fermion (HF) state of

d

-electron systems is of great current interest since it exhibits various exotic phases and phenomena that are reminiscent of the Kondo effect in

f

-electron HF systems. Here, we present a combined infrared spectroscopy and first-principles band structure calculation study of the

3
d

-electron HF compound YFe

2

Ge

2

. The infrared response exhibits several charge-dynamical hallmarks of HF and a corresponding scaling behavior that resemble those of the

f

-electron HF systems. In particular, the low-temperature spectra reveal a dramatic narrowing of the Drude response along with the appearance of a hybridization gap (

Δ
∼

50 meV) and a strongly enhanced quasiparticle effective mass. Moreover, the temperature dependence of the infrared response indicates a crossover around

T

∗

∼

100 K from a coherent state at low temperature to a quasi-incoherent one at high temperature. Despite of these striking similarities, our band structure calculations suggest that the mechanism underlying the HF behavior in YFe

2

Ge

2

is distinct from the Kondo scenario of the

f

-electron HF compounds and even from that of the

d

-electron iron-arsenide superconductor KFe

2

As

2

. For the latter, the HF state is driven by orbital-selective correlations due to a strong Hund’s coupling. Instead, for YFe

2

Ge

2

the HF behavior originates from the band flatness near the Fermi level induced by the combined effects of kinetic frustration from a destructive interference between the direct Fe-Fe and indirect Fe-Ge-Fe hoppings, band hybridization involving Fe

3
d

and Y

4
d

electrons, and electron correlations. This highlights that rather different mechanisms can be at the heart of the HF state in

d

-electron systems.
Evolution of pH-sensitive transcription termination in
Escherichia coli
during adaptation to repeated long-term starvation
Authors: Worthan Sarah B. , McCarthy Robert D. P. , Delaleau Mildred , Stikeleather Ryan , Bratton Benjamin P. , Boudvillain Marc , Behringer Megan G.
Published: September 2024

Fluctuating environments that consist of regular cycles of co-occurring stress are a common challenge faced by cellular populations. For a population to thrive in constantly changing conditions, an ability to coordinate a rapid cellular response is essential. Here, we identify a mutation conferring an arginine-to-histidine (Arg to His) substitution in the transcription terminator Rho. The
rho
R109H mutation frequently arose in
Escherichia coli
populations experimentally evolved under repeated long-term starvation conditions, during which the accumulation of metabolic waste followed by transfer into fresh media results in drastic environmental pH fluctuations associated with feast and famine. Metagenomic sequencing revealed that populations containing the
rho
mutation also possess putative loss-of-function mutations in
ydcI
, which encodes a recently characterized transcription factor associated with pH homeostasis. Genetic reconstructions of these mutations show that the
rho
allele confers plasticity via an alkaline-induced reduction of Rho function that, when found in tandem with a Δ
ydcI
allele, leads to intracellular alkalization and genetic assimilation of Rho mutant function. We further identify Arg to His substitutions at analogous sites in
rho
alleles from species that regularly experience neutral to alkaline pH fluctuations in their environments. Our results suggest that Arg to His substitutions in Rho may serve to rapidly coordinate complex physiological responses through pH sensing and shed light on how cellular populations use environmental cues to coordinate rapid responses to complex, fluctuating environments.
Differential roles of kinetic on- and off-rates in T-cell receptor signal integration revealed with a modified Fab’-DNA ligand
Authors: Wilhelm Kiera B. , Vissa Anand , Groves Jay T.
Published: September 2024

Antibody-derived T-cell receptor (TCR) agonists are commonly used to activate T cells. While antibodies can trigger TCRs regardless of clonotype, they bypass native T cell signal integration mechanisms that rely on monovalent, membrane-associated, and relatively weakly binding ligand in the context of cellular adhesion. Commonly used antibodies and their derivatives bind much more strongly than native peptide major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) ligands bind their cognate TCRs. Because ligand dwell time is a critical parameter that tightly correlates with physiological function of the TCR signaling system, there is a general need, both in research and therapeutics, for universal TCR ligands with controlled kinetic binding parameters. To this end, we have introduced point mutations into recombinantly expressed α-TCRβ H57 Fab to modulate the dwell time of monovalent Fab binding to TCR. When tethered to a supported lipid bilayer via DNA complementation, these monovalent Fab’-DNA ligands activate T cells with potencies well-correlated with their TCR binding dwell time. Single-molecule tracking studies in live T cells reveal that individual binding events between Fab'-DNA ligands and TCRs elicit local signaling responses closely resembling native pMHC. The unique combination of high on- and off-rates of the H57 R97L mutant enables direct observations of cooperative interplay between ligand binding and TCR-proximal condensation of the linker for activation of T cells, which is not readily visualized with pMHC. This work provides insights into how T cells integrate kinetic information from TCR ligands and introduces a method to develop affinity panels for polyclonal T cells, such as cells from a human patient.
Conference interpreters’ technology readiness and perception of digital technologies
Authors: Fan Damien Chiaming
Published: September 2024

The author reports on the findings of a survey among conference interpreters regarding their readiness for and
perceptions of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. The Technology Readiness Index (TRI 2.0) was administered to a
sample of 496 conference interpreters, most of them members of AIIC. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with
25 of them to gain deeper insights into their attitudes towards AI-enabled tools and the potential impact on their professional
practice. The results indicate a cautious openness towards technology balanced by concerns about cognitive load, ethical issues
and the impact on traditional skills. The findings suggest the need for comprehensive training to enhance technological skills
while maintaining ethical standards and also for research on the cognitive effects of AI-generated content and the evolving role
of interpreters in a technology-driven landscape.