bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urban Rats (
Rattus norvegicus
) through a One Health Lens: Social and Ecological Factors Promote Opportunities for Urban Leptospirosis in Rats, Dogs, and People
Authors: Murray Maureen H. , Buckley Jacqueline Y. , Byers Kaylee A. , German Danielle , Sancha Noé U. , Mehta Supriya , Dyer Alexandre , Flores Andrea , Fyffe Rebecca , Magle Seth B.
Published: February 2024

Living in cities creates One Health challenges because urban environments can promote pathogen transmission in wildlife and human-wildlife interactions with commensal species such as rats. In this study, we examined social and ecological processes that lead to an elevated risk of leptospirosis, a fatal rat-associated disease transmitted through
Leptospira interrogans
bacteria in urine. We examined rat and human factors associated with (1) human exposure to rat urine in the home environment, (2) the presence of rats carrying
L. interrogans
on the block, and (3) environmental conditions associated with rat infection. We surveyed residents and trapped rats on the same 16 blocks in four neighbourhoods in Chicago. Survey respondents were more likely to observe rat urine in their homes if they had lower incomes. Blocks where rats were carrying
L. interrogans
had higher rat abundance and respondents with higher incomes, who reported dogs dying from leptospirosis, children playing in yards with rat waste, flooded yards, and gardens with rat burrows. Rats were more likely to be infected with
L. interrogans
if they were trapped on a block with more accessible garbage and if they were older. Our results highlight that rat presence alone does not determine the risk of close contact with rat-associated pathogens; socio-economics can affect an individual’s ability to exclude animals from living spaces. In addition, improved waste management may help mitigate disease risks for humans, wildlife, and domestic animals. We also discuss opportunities for public education about rat-associated zoonoses and lessons learned about meaningful community engagement in One Health work.

Information

© The Authors 2024
Reply to comment on ‘Determining the centres of mass of a circular arc and a circular sector using the principle of virtual work’
Authors: Manukyan Vardan , Nikoghosyan Gagik
Published: February 2024

A reply to the comment follows.
Open-source 3D printed laboratory for education: illuminating optics and optoelectronics demonstrations
Authors: Vinnakota Raj K , Barr Brady A , Radavaram Sai
Published: February 2024

This article introduces a flexible and reliable tabletop setup, specifically designed to effectively demonstrate fundamental optics concepts to a wide audience, including students from grades 5 through 12, university students, as well as enthusiasts. Leveraging additive manufacturing technology, this work provides an adaptable and accessible avenue for educators, students, and enthusiasts to explore the captivating realm of optics and optoelectronics. The article delves into detailed discussions of the experiments that can be conducted with the proposed setup to elucidate these concepts, presenting their outcomes comprehensively. Moreover, all the Computer Aided Design (CAD) files utilized in this project for 3D printing the essential optical components and systems are made available online for free, enabling users to develop the setup from scratch independently. The proposed setup offers an easily approachable design process, requiring minimal to no prior CAD experience. The experiments performed to illustrate optical concepts are straightforward and safe, making them easily comprehensible and achievable for students at various educational levels.
Effects of diamagnetic drift on nonlinear interaction between multi-helicity neoclassical tearing modes
Authors: Wang 王 Haiyuan 海源 , Jiang 姜 Shuai 帅 , Liu 刘 Tong 桐 , Wei 魏 Lai 来 , Luan 栾 Qibin 其斌 , Wang 王 Zheng-Xiong 正汹
Published: February 2024

A numerical study of the diamagnetic drift effect on the nonlinear interaction between multi-helicity neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs) is carried out using a set of four-field equations including two-fluid effects. The results show that, in contrast to the single-fluid case, 5/3 NTM cannot be completely suppressed by 3/2 NTM with diamagnetic drift flow. Both modes exhibit oscillation and coexist in the saturated phase. To better understand the effect of the diamagnetic drift flow on multiple-helicity NTMs, the influence of typical relevant parameters is investigated. It is found that the average saturated magnetic island width increases with increasing bootstrap current fraction f
b but decreases with the ion skin depth δ. In addition, as the ratio of parallel to perpendicular transport coefficients χ
∥/χ
⊥ increases, the average saturated magnetic island widths of the 3/2 and 5/3 NTMs increase. The underlying mechanisms behind these observations are discussed in detail.
Mechanism analysis of regulating Turing instability and Hopf bifurcation of malware propagation in mobile wireless sensor networks
Authors: Huang 黄 Xi-Xi 习习 , Xiao 肖 Min 敏 , Rutkowski Leszek , Bao 包 Hai-Bo 海波 , Huang 黄 Xia 霞 , Cao 曹 Jin-De 进德
Published: February 2024

A dynamical model is constructed to depict the spatial-temporal evolution of malware in mobile wireless sensor networks (MWSNs). Based on such a model, we design a hybrid control scheme combining parameter perturbation and state feedback to effectively manipulate the spatiotemporal dynamics of malware propagation. The hybrid control can not only suppress the Turing instability caused by diffusion factor but can also adjust the occurrence of Hopf bifurcation induced by time delay. Numerical simulation results show that the hybrid control strategy can efficiently manipulate the transmission dynamics to achieve our expected desired properties, thus reducing the harm of malware propagation to MWSNs.
Unveiling the early stage evolution of local atomic structures in the crystallization process of a metallic glass
Authors: Ma 马 Lin 琳 , Yang 杨 Xiao-Dong 晓东 , Yang 杨 Feng 锋 , Zhou 周 Xin-Jia 鑫嘉 , Wu 武 Zhen-Wei 振伟
Published: February 2024

The early stage evolution of local atomic structures in a multicomponent metallic glass during its crystallization process has been investigated via molecular dynamics simulation. It is found that the initial thermal stability and earliest stage evolution of the local atomic clusters show no strong correlation with their initial short-range orders, and this leads to an observation of a novel symmetry convergence phenomenon, which can be understood as an atomic structure manifestation of the ergodicity. Furthermore, in our system we have quantitatively proved that the crucial factor for the thermal stability against crystallization exhibited by the metallic glass is not the total amount of icosahedral clusters, but the degree of global connectivity among them.
Investigation of a thermomechanical improved tangential fan geometry
Authors: Hauch J , Reich K , Büschgens D , Pfeifer H
Published: February 2024

In convection-dominated thermoprocessing plants, the current state of the art is to use centrifugal and axial fans in conjunction with flow straighteners to ensure a homogeneous inflow of the fluid and thus a homogeneous temperature distribution. However, flow straighteners lead to an additional pressure loss in the system that must be overcome. Tangential fans can deliver a homogeneous volume flow over the entire width of the fan even without flow straighteners. Therefore, they offer a possibility to increase the energy efficiency of these systems. Based on this motivation, the possibilities of increasing the thermomechanical long-term stability of tangential fans are being evaluated as part of a current research and development project. To this end, the effects of design changes on the generated flow and the mechanical loads are being investigated with the help of FEM and CFD simulations. The aim is to design a tangential fan that can withstand the mechanical and dynamic loads and deliver a consistently high and homogenous fluid flow at the same time. A geometry based on the results of the simulations was manufactured as a functional sample. This sample was investigated at the hot test stand of the IOB and is compared to a reference tangential fan.
Direct Numerical Simulation of liquid metal forced and mixed convection in a square rod bundle
Authors: Trane D , Grespan M , Stalio E , Angeli D
Published: February 2024

This paper reports results of Direct Numerical Simulations of fully developed, forced and mixed convection of Liquid Lead Bismuth Eutectic (LBE) around four vertical cylindrical rods arranged in a square lattice at Pr = 0.031. The solutions provided here are placed in a context where very few data are available for low-Prandtl flows, especially in mixed convection conditions, and can hence be useful for the development and validation of advanced turbulent heat transfer models. The equations are discretized using a Finite Volume implementation of a second order projection method. The irregular cylindrical boundaries are handled with an original Immersed Boundary technique. A single friction Reynolds number value is set (Reτ = 180) and buoyancy effects are accounted for by imposing the Rayleigh number, under the Boussinesq approximation. A Ra-value Ra = 2.5 ×104 is selected in order to investigate the main differences between forced and mixed convection at low Prandtl number values. Time-averaged velocity and temperature fields are shown, in order to discuss the main features of the flow and thermal fields. First order statistics are also presented, highlighting the effect of aiding buoyancy on turbulent heat and momentum transport.
Influence of different heating systems on thermal comfort perception: a dynamic and CFD analysis
Authors: Ballerini Vincenzo , Volo Eleonora Palka Bayard de , Pulvirenti Beatrice , Schio Eugenia Rossi di , Valdiserri Paolo , Guidorzi Paolo
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we investigate the influence of different heating systems on the thermal comfort indexes, Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD), for a residential apartment located in Bologna (Italy). The apartment has an area of 40 m2 and is located on the ground floor of 4 floors building. The envelop consists in horizontal perforated bricks with internal thermal insulation material and two windows. The analyses are performed employing Trnsys, a commercial dynamic simulation software and Simcenter STAR-CCM+, a multiphysics computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. The CFD analysis regards a steady condition of a typical winter day in Bologna. Thermal comfort indexes and thermal energy demand are studied comparing two different heating generation systems existing in the considered apartment: a condensing gas boiler coupled with radiators as terminal emitters and an air-to-air heat pump. By crossing the results obtained by the dynamical approach and by the CFD simulations, a two-objective methodology where energy consumption is minimised while thermal comfort is obtained, is presented.
CFD analysis of thermal fluid dynamic parameters inside an organ pipe: influence of air temperature variations
Authors: Domenighini P , Buratti C
Published: February 2024

Organ pipes represent a fluid-dynamic challenge since the time of Bernoulli and Reynolds. A complete and reliable description of the fluid behaviour at the basement of the resonator named the “mouth” of the pipe is still absent. In the context of the design of an air-heating system for the attenuation of the inconsistencies between sounding frequencies of organ pipes, computing efforts were carried out focusing on the fluid-dynamic behaviour of the air at the mouth of the pipe at different temperature conditions. Describing the air dynamic and the heat transfer at the mouth level of the pipe, it would be possible to predict the heating conditions within the pipe resonator, which was the main subject of the project. Multiple points on the pipe organ air blowing scheme were considered for simulation results extraction. Temperature, pressure, and audio measurements were performed and no significant influence of the temperature on those parameters was raised from measurements, rising questions about the effective behaviour of the blowed air at the mouth of the pipe. Simulations were performed to predict both the fluid dynamic and the heat transfer. A finite volume approach in Fluent environment was chosen. The SST k-omega model was considered in reliability vs computation time balance. 3D simulations were performed based on a CAD reconstructed model of a real pipe. The results of the simulations confirmed experimental data, and they may prove the absence of a significant mass exchange between the in and outside of the mouth of the pipe. The oscillation of the air membrane at the mouth of the pipe may be cleared from instabilities and turbulence regime phenomena, as usually described in the literature.
Saccardo nozzle ventilation system: cfd analysis to upgrade the performance of the ventilation system
Authors: Musto M , Cascetta F , Bianco N , Rotondo G
Published: February 2024

This paper presents the results of a 3D numerical investigation carried out on a Saccardo ventilation system operating in road tunnel, with the aim to improve the Performance of the Ventilation System, Pvs. 1D mathematical model, here presented, has highlighted that the pitch angle and length of inflow opening are the main parameters that influence the Pvs. The results have shown that the pitch angle of the Saccardo nozzle, influences moderately the Pvs, instead the opening inflow lengths influence considerably the transferring of the momentum, increasing the mass flow rate. Pvs trend vs opening inflow length shows an improvement up to 47% with respect to the reference opening inflow length.
Switching criteria analysis for a condenser moving boundary model
Authors: Giovannini Michael , Lorenzini Marco
Published: February 2024

The switching moving boundary (SMB) scheme is widely used for numerical simulation of heat exchangers, especially in vapour compression refrigeration system. The method divides the heat exchanger into up to three zones (superheated vapour, two-phase fluid and subcooled liquid), depending on the operating conditions and treats each as a lumped-parameter system. During transients the number of zones may vary, and suitable switching criteria and related threshold values must be given, for this change to occur. Also, variables for the zones momentarily phased out need to be tracked, to allow smooth operation of the model. In this work, a switching moving boundary model of a brazed plate condenser in counter-flow arrangement is studied to obtain some useful guidelines for the selection of the optimal switching thresholds. It is shown that these values influence both the accuracy and the numerical robustness of the model; moreover an appropriate selection of these parameters may allow the usage of a fixed-step solver, which is more suitable for real-time simulations.
Towards a more realistic MELCOR model for a dry cask for spent nuclear fuel. Part I: sensitivity studies.
Authors: Angelucci M , Paci S
Published: February 2024

The United States (US) Department Of Energy (DOE) has addressed the thermal analysis of the Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) stored within a dry cask system as a matter of high priority. In this regard, it is of utmost importance that simulation tools effectively reproduce the general thermal behavior of the modelled cask, including heat exchange and removal. Temperature distribution in the different components of the system is usually the focus of performed thermal analyses. In particular, attention is paid to the maximum temperature reached in the fuel cladding, namely the Peak Cladding Temperature (PCT). Within this framework, the present paper is the first of a two-paper series aimed at developing a more accurate model for the HI-STORM 100S cask. The dry cask in question is modelled and its behavior is simulated by means of the MELCOR code (version 2.2.18019). Stressing the need for a more realistic model rather than a conservative one, this paper reports the efforts undertaken to evaluate the influence of some specific modelling choices on the PCT. The study of the cask performance is therefore conducted taking into consideration three main factors: the axial power distribution in the Fuel Assembly (FA), the flow losses in the air gap between the internal canister and the external overpack, and the conductivity of the overpack concrete.
Towards a more realistic MELCOR model for a dry cask for spent nuclear fuel. Part II: application.
Authors: Angelucci M , Paci S
Published: February 2024

Nowadays, a great deal of attention is devoted to the development of best-estimate models able to produce more realistic outcomes. This is also the case for system codes, such as MELCOR, that are being mostly used in a conservative way especially when dealing with the licensing process. The above-mentioned need for more realistic results is at the core of this two-paper series related to the creation of a more accurate MELCOR model for the HI-STORM 100S dry cask. The findings obtained from the sensitivity studies carried out in the Part I are leveraged to set up an improved MELCOR model, the characteristics of which are consistent with the typical features of Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF), and with geometrical and material properties of the cask itself. The addition of an axial power profile in the Fuel Assembly (FA), the better characterization of the flow losses in the air gap between internal metallic canister and external concrete-based overpack, and the choice of an appropriate value for the concrete thermal conductivity, are taken into account conjointly in this Part II. The outcomes from the improved MELCOR simulation are reported mainly in terms of the Peak Cladding Temperature (PCT), being the variable under regulatory surveillance. However, in addition to PCT, calculated temperature profiles are displayed and compared against the ones resulting from the previous model.
Comprehensive modeling of ventilation systems for Nearly Zero Energy Buildings
Authors: Sedoni R , Cannistraci G , Santangelo P E , Angeli D , Romani M , Fioravanti L
Published: February 2024

In the present work, a lumped-parameter model of a multifunctional ventilation unit for residential applications was developed in the Simulink environment, also relying on the Simscape toolbox with Moist Air and Two-Phase fluid libraries. A simple, yet effective method to analyze and optimize the efficiency of the combined HVAC – air distribution system is proposed. To investigate the impact of boundary conditions on system performance, a parametric study of different installation conditions was also carried out, including outdoor air and indoor air temperature, humidity, static pressure, filter fouling, pressure drop in the intake and distribution ducts. The model highlights a strong decrease in the useful cooling/heating heat flow rate produced by the system as the installation and maintenance conditions become more challenging.
Infrared measurements of fluid temperature in a polymeric Pulsating Heat Pipe
Authors: Pagliarini L , Clemens F , Bozzoli F , Cattani L , Miche N , Bernagozzi M , Marengo M , Alqahtani A A , Bertola V
Published: February 2024

Pulsating heat pipes are two-phase passive heat transfer devices partially filled with a working fluid in saturation conditions. During operation, supplying heat to one end of the system (named evaporator) results in a local increase in temperature and pressure, which drives the fluid through a transport section (named adiabatic section) towards the cooled, opposite end (named condenser) for effective heat dissipation. The local thermo-fluid dynamic state of the working fluid is sometimes assessed by means of non-intrusive techniques, such as infrared thermography. In this case, the radiative properties of the systems in the infrared spectrum must be known a priori. Nevertheless, since pulsating heat pipes may be manufactured with different materials, wall thicknesses and channel geometries, the radiative properties of the walls and the confined flow are not always known or assessable by means of the available literature. Hence, the work proposes to design a straightforward calibration procedure for quantitative infrared fluid temperature measurements in a polymeric pulsating heat pipe charged with FC-72 and having unknown radiative properties. The emissivity and transmissivity of the walls and confined fluid are estimated with good accuracy. The results will allow repeatable and reliable fluid temperature measurements in future experimentations on the mentioned device.
Preliminary thermal-hydraulic deterministic safety analysis of an in-vessel LOCA for the DTT facility
Authors: Grippo G. , Bersano A. , Mascari F.
Published: February 2024

The DTT (Divertor Tokamak Test) facility is a new experimental tokamak under development by an Italian consortium in cooperation with several high-standard European laboratories. The ENEA division FSN-SICNUC is involved in the project for carrying out deterministic safety analysis of postulated accidents. In the first year of activity, it has been analyzed an In-Vessel LOCA (IVLOCA) scenario. The IVLOCA scenario selected is caused by a break in the divertor’s cassette cooling tubes with the consequent release of coolant inside the Vacuum Vessel (VV). The best estimate thermal-hydraulic system code TRACE, developed by USNRC, was selected to conduct the preliminary thermal-hydraulic analysis of this accident. DTT is currently under design, so not all the data are frozen. Therefore, based on some engineering assumptions and scaling considerations from similar facilities, the nodalization of DTT VV was developed using the three-dimensional TRACE component “VESSEL”. Then, a sensitivity analysis was carried out to simulate the break and the consequent water injection in the VV. This was done to compare the system behavior and test different nodalization approaches. Subsequently, the data of the DTT divertor cooling system were used to run additional simulations. The results allow to compare different nodalization approaches and to have a preliminary estimate of the pressure peak and temperature behavior in the VV for an IVLOCA. Finally, a first uncertainty analysis was carried out using the DAKOTA toolkit, coupled with TRACE code in SNAP. Two uncertain input parameters were selected: the rupture area of a cooling divertor tube and the temperature of the divertor coolant. The uncertainty analysis allows having a wider spectrum of system behavior and a preliminary insight on the dispersion of the VV pressure, selected as figure of merit. This paper aims to show the results of this preliminary analysis, characterizing the phenomena that occurred during the selected transient.
Convective condensation of R449a inside a smooth tube
Authors: Lucchini A , Carraretto I M , Colombo L P M , Mazzeo D , Pittoni P G , Lipori G
Published: February 2024

The HVAC sector has started the phase-out of refrigerants characterized by high values of global warming potential and atmospheric lifetime. Drop-in replacement requires that the new, environmentally safe fluids also show comparable heat transfer performances. This work addresses R449a, a low GWP zeotropic mixture (components: R32, R125, R1234yf, R134a, mass fractions: 24.3%, 24.7%, 25.3%, 25.7%, respectively), suitable to replace both R404A and R507A. Experiments were carried out on condensation in horizontal smooth tubes (outer diameter: 9.52 mm, thickness: 0.3 mm). The range of operating conditions meets the standard for HVAC devices (operating pressure: 14.46 bar, bubble temperature: 30°C, temperature glide: approximately 5 K refrigerant mass flux ranging from 136 to 202 kg m−2 s−1, quality change -0.8 and -0.2, mean quality ranging from 0.2 to 0.8). The test section is the inner pipe in a tube-in-tube counter-flow heat exchanger, where the refrigerant is cooled by a demineralized water stream in the annulus. Both the pressure drop and the heat transfer coefficient were measured across a length of 1.3 m and 1.1 m, respectively.
Pool boiling performances comparison of FC-72 and Novec 649 in the presence of a DC electric field
Authors: Garivalis A I , Fanani P , Di Marco P
Published: February 2024

Electronics cooling by direct immersion of the components in a dielectric liquid to obtain pool boiling is a valuable solution to dissipate the high heat fluxes of latest and increasingly challenging requirements. In the last decades, perfluorocarbons such as FC-72 were intensively studied and used. However, such fluids will be replaced by other refrigerants with lower Global Warming Potential. The Novec 649 is a suitable alternative to FC-72 as most of the thermophysical properties are similar. Enhanced boiling of FC-72 due to electric fields has been a subject of studies in the past years, for ground and space applications. The aim of this work is to compare the boiling performances of the two fluids in the presence of a DC electric field. Boiling curves were obtained at ambient pressure with fully degassed fluids and at different subcooling levels. Results showed that the performances of the two fluids are comparable in the absence of the electric field, but there are some differences when the electric field is on: electric field enhances the heat transfer coefficient of Novec 649 at low heat fluxes and the Critical Heat Flux at high subcooling. Boiling patterns and bubbles dynamics appear quite different between the two fluids in the presence of the electric field. These observations are explained with the fact that while FC-72 behaves as an electric insulator, while Novec 649 is a leaky-dielectric in the examined conditions. Thus, Novec 649 is a valid replacement of FC-72 and further investigations are needed to better quantify its boiling performances under the action of an electric field.
Experimental analysis of flow boiling heat transfer in multi-microchannel evaporators
Authors: Riccardi F , Zummo G , Saraceno L , Gugliermetti L , Caruso G
Published: February 2024

This paper provides an experimental analysis of flow boiling heat transfer in four finned evaporators with different aspect ratio and heated length have been tested. R245fa was the refrigerant chosen as working fluid for its good thermal characteristics. The imposed heat flux at the footprint covered a range from 30 to 330 kW/m2, while the fluid mass fluxes within the channel varied in a range between 17 and 225 kg/m2 s. The hydraulic diameters of the investigated evaporators were 1.15 mm and 2.09 mm, with aspect ratio (channel width/channel height) respectively of 0.3 and 0.72. Thanks to the measuring apparatus, heat transfer data were collected and then processed to calculate the local heat transfer coefficients, using the fin array heat transfer model. These local values of the heat transfer coefficient were then compared with those calculated from existing correlations for mini-micro channels flow boiling and the Mean Absolute Percent Error was finally assessed.
Parallel connected natural circulation loops using different working fluids: experimental results
Authors: Bocanegra Johan Augusto , Marchitto Annalisa , Misale Mario
Published: February 2024

Natural Circulation Loops (NCLs) are closed-loop systems that transport heat from a source to a heat sink without a pump, relying on free convection of the working fluid. Previous research has focused on the stability and influence of different operative parameters on NCLs. This experimental study investigates the thermo-hydraulic performance of three parallel-connected NCLs with small inner diameters using three different working fluids: deionized water, glycol aqueous solution (50+50% wt), and FC-43 dielectric fluid. This study examines the steady-state behaviour of the NCLs at various heat sink temperatures and heat powers. The results indicate that the common one-dimensional model for a single loop’s steady-state can be applied to this configuration and for all the tested fluids, and a proposed figure of merit can describe the working fluids and predict their steady-state behaviour.
Instability of adiabatic shear flows in a channel
Authors: Barletta A , Celli M , Lazzari S , Brandão P V
Published: February 2024

The combined forced and free convection flow of a Newtonian fluid in a horizontal plane-parallel channel is examined. The boundary walls are considered as adiabatic, so that the only thermal effect acting in the fluid is the viscous dissipation due to the nonzero shear flow. As the shear flow may be caused by either an imposed horizontal pressure gradient or an imposed velocity difference between the bounding walls, one may envisage two scenarios where the stationary basic flow is Poiseuille-like or Couette-like, respectively. Both cases are surveyed with a special focus on practically significant cases where the Gebhart number is considered as very small, though nonzero. Furthermore, the Prandtl number is assumed as extremely large, thus pinpointing a scenario of creeping buoyant flow with a fluid having a very large viscosity. Within such a framework, the instability of the basic flow is analysed versus small-amplitude perturbations.
Multichannel integrated circuit for time-based measurements in 28 nm CMOS
Authors: Kadlubowski L.A. , Kmon P.
Published: February 2024

This paper discusses the application-specific integrated circuit prototype dedicated to readout of hybrid pixel X-ray detectors. The circuit is fabricated in 28 nm CMOS technology and occupies 1.1 × 1.1 mm2 of silicon area. Each of 8 × 4 pixels present in the prototype includes an analog front-end and a digital block with two ring oscillators and their supporting circuits. The circuit can operate in single-photon counting mode or time-based measurement mode. The paper discusses in detail the design decisions that influenced the final in-pixel ring oscillator architecture and layout. Measurement results are presented which demonstrate the performance of ring oscillators as well as regular operating modes of the chip: single photon counting and time-over-threshold measurement.
A monolithic active pixel sensor with node-based, data-driven, parallel readout for the high energy physics experiment vertex detector
Authors: Xiao Le , Dai Wenjie , Zhang Guoxiang , Zhou Zijie , You Bihui , Sun Xiangming , Huang Guangming , Gao Chaosong , Zhao Cong , Yang Ping , Liu Jiajia , Guo Di , Lu Yunpeng , Zhou Yang , Zhang Ying , Xie Lirong , Yang Ming , Yi Liwen , Tong Qiaomu , Feng Wanhan , Tian Ziyang
Published: February 2024

We present the design of a prototype MAPS sensor MIC6_V1 based on a 55 nm Quad-well CMOS Image Sensor process for the CEPC vertex detector. A new node-based, data-driven, parallel readout architecture is implemented to achieve high spatial resolution, fast readout, and low power consumption. The size of MIC6_V1 is 2.8 mm × 2.8 mm, which contains a pixel matrix of 64 rows by 64 columns, and the pixel size is 23.6 μ m × 20 μ m. The integration time is 5 μs, and the hit arrival time measurement accuracy is 10 ns.
Highly sensitive gamma ray dosimeter based on dual-core photonic crystal fiber
Authors: Elsaket Ahmed I. , Rashed Ahmed Nabih Zaki , Mohamed Abd El-Naser A. , Ahmed Hossam El-din H. , Zaky Magdy M.
Published: February 2024

This paper introduces the application of a photonic crystal
fiber (PCF) sensor to be used as a gamma ray dosimeter. This paper
proposes an efficient analysis of a highly sensitive surface Plasmon
resonance for gamma ray dose detection in nuclear research
reactors. The proposed structure makes use of a Poly-Vinyl Alcohol
(PVA) polymer, which has high sensitivity to an external electric
field and gamma rays making it suitable for nuclear reactor
applications. At resonance frequency, the peak of spectral loss for
dosimeter sensors refers to gamma irradiation dose
values. Therefore, study the different geometrical parameters for
the proposed PCF sensor is of significant importance to achieve high
sensitivity with low spectral losses. The full-vectorial
finite-element method has been used for analysis with the plane wave
expansion method. The sensitivity of the suggested sensor achieves
up to 0.006 µm per gamma-ray dose unit (μm/Gy) with low
losses.
The Meritocratic Conception
Authors: Fasel Raffael N
Published: February 2024

This chapter examines the Meritocratic conception, particularly popular among animal rights proponents, which is on the opposite end from the Aristocratic conception on the spectrum of fundamental rights conceptions. The chapter presents the two characteristic elements of the Meritocratic conception, which mirror the Aristocracy’s elements. Section 2 outlines Gregory Vlastos’s critical account of the ‘M-system’, which anticipated important elements of the Meritocratic conception. Section 3 analyses the Meritocratic conception’s first feature—Differential Consideration—which rejects an egalitarian approach to the distribution and strength of rights in favour of a gradual approach that focuses on individual characteristics and interests, and which allows for the inclusion of nonhuman beings in the category of rights-holders. Section 4 then presents the conception’s second element—Externalism—which ‘grounds’ rights in empirical facts about the nature of individuals. Finally, Section 5 discusses the conception’s strong suits and pitfalls.
Use of behavior change techniques in physical activity programs and services for older adults: findings from a rapid review
Authors: Gilchrist Heidi , Oliveira Juliana S , Kwok Wing S , Sherrington Catherine , Pinheiro Marina B , Bauman Adrian , Tiedemann Anne , Hassett Leanne
Published: February 2024

Background

Understanding behavior change techniques (BCTs) used in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of physical activity programs/services for older adults can help us to guide their implementation in real-world settings.

Purpose

This study aims to: (a) identify the number and type of BCTs used in physical activity programs/services for older adults evaluated in large, good quality RCTs and (b) explore the impact of different BCTs on different outcome domains.

Methods

This is a secondary data analysis of a WHO-commissioned rapid review of physical activity programs/services for older adults. Fifty-six trials testing 70 interventions were coded for the type and number of BCTs present using a published BCT taxonomy. The proportion of positive effects found from physical activity interventions using the most common BCTs was calculated for the outcomes of physical activity, intrinsic capacity, functional ability, social domain, cognitive and emotional functioning, and well-being and quality of life.

Results

Thirty-nine of the 93 possible BCTs were identified in the included trials and 529 BCTs in total (mean 7.6, range 2–17). The most common BCTs were “action planning” (68/70 interventions), “instructions on how to perform a behavior” (60/70), “graded tasks” (53/70), “demonstration of behavior” (44/70), and “behavioral practice/rehearsal” (43/70). Interventions that used any of the most common BCTs showed overwhelmingly positive impacts on physical activity and social domain outcomes.

Conclusion

Consideration of which BCTs are included in interventions and their impact on outcomes can improve the effectiveness and implementation of future interventions. To enable this, providers can design, implement, and evaluate interventions using a BCT taxonomy.
Arbitrator resignations: the Law Commission’s proposed reforms
Authors: Tevendale Craig , Agnihotri Anuradha
Published: February 2024

An article which assesses the Law Commission’s proposed reforms regarding arbitrator immunity and resignations. The important distinctions between a contract to serve as an arbitrator and an ordinary contractual agreement are considered, as are the differences between the contractual and functional theories of arbitrator immunity under English law. The article assesses arbitrator immunity in England and Wales and the application of the doctrine of immunity in the specific context of arbitrator resignations. The current position under English law is considered by reference to the key authorities in this area of law, as are the Law Commission’s proposals. Finally, consideration is given to the areas of uncertainty which shall remain under English law if the proposed reforms are given effect.
Decoding context memories for threat in large-scale neural networks
Authors: Crombie Kevin M , Azar Ameera , Botsford Chloe , Heilicher Mickela , Jaeb Michael , Gruichich Tijana Sagorac , Schomaker Chloe M , Williams Rachel , Stowe Zachary N , Dunsmoor Joseph E , Cisler Josh M
Published: February 2024

Humans are often tasked with determining the degree to which a given situation poses threat. Salient cues present during prior events help bring online memories for context, which plays an informative role in this process. However, it is relatively unknown whether and how individuals use features of the environment to retrieve context memories for threat, enabling accurate inferences about the current level of danger/threat (i.e. retrieve appropriate memory) when there is a degree of ambiguity surrounding the present context. We leveraged computational neuroscience approaches (i.e. independent component analysis and multivariate pattern analyses) to decode large-scale neural network activity patterns engaged during learning and inferring threat context during a novel functional magnetic resonance imaging task. Here, we report that individuals accurately infer threat contexts under ambiguous conditions through neural reinstatement of large-scale network activity patterns (specifically striatum, salience, and frontoparietal networks) that track the signal value of environmental cues, which, in turn, allows reinstatement of a mental representation, primarily within a ventral visual network, of the previously learned threat context. These results provide novel insight into distinct, but overlapping, neural mechanisms by which individuals may utilize prior learning to effectively make decisions about ambiguous threat-related contexts as they navigate the environment.
Effect of cognitive load on time spent offline during wakefulness
Authors: Wamsley Erin J , Collins Megan
Published: February 2024

Humans continuously alternate between online attention to the current environment and offline attention to internally generated thought and imagery. This may be a fundamental feature of the waking brain, but remains poorly understood. Here, we took a data-driven approach to defining online and offline states of wakefulness, using machine learning methods applied to measures of sensory responsiveness, subjective report, electroencephalogram (EEG), and pupil diameter. We tested the effect of cognitive load on the structure and prevalence of online and offline states, hypothesizing that time spent offline would increase as cognitive load of an ongoing task decreased. We also expected that alternation between online and offline states would persist even in the absence of a cognitive task. As in prior studies, we arrived at a three-state model comprised of one online state and two offline states. As predicted, when cognitive load was high, more time was spent online. Also as predicted, the same three states were present even when participants were not performing a task. These observations confirm our method is successful at isolating seconds-long periods of offline time. Varying cognitive load may be a useful way to manipulate time spent in at least one of these offline states in future experimental studies.
Ricardo’s finances and Waterloo: legends by Samuelson and others lack historical evidence
Authors: Parys Wilfried
Published: February 2024

Paul Samuelson and others suggested that Ricardo (‘the richest economist in history’) made a life-changing coup on the Stock Exchange after the Battle of Waterloo (1815), but archives reveal that Ricardo amassed his fortune more gradually, often by small profit rates upon large investments, as a jobber on the Stock Exchange and a contractor for seven British Loans. The 1815 Loan generated exceptional profits for Ricardo, but not the million sterling mentioned in unreliable legends about Ricardo or Rothschild. Such legends neglected the stock price statistics, the suboptimal timing of Ricardo’s transactions in 1815 and the dominant role of the Baring-Angerstein consortium, which took a much larger part of the Loans than Ricardo’s consortium. Insufficient attention was also paid to the special year 1813, when Britain exceptionally launched not one, but two very profitable Loans. After his large 1813 profits, Ricardo started contemplating his retirement and bought Gatcombe Park in 1814. Samuelson neglected this and overestimated the influence of 1815 events. Moreover, Samuelson claimed that today Ricardo might be prosecuted for using unscrupulous market manipulation and inside information. Archives and statistics show that Samuelson’s allegations lack historical evidence.
CNN-LSTM Base Station Traffic Prediction Based On Dual Attention Mechanism and Timing Application
Authors: Jia Hairong , Wang Suying , Ren Zelong
Published: February 2024

Energy consumption in 5G base stations remains consistently high, even during periods of low traffic loads, thereby resulting in unnecessary inefficiencies. To address this problem, this paper presents a novel approach by proposing a convolutional neural network (CNN)-long short-term memory (LSTM) traffic prediction model with a dual attention mechanism, coupled with the particle swarm optimization k-means algorithm for intelligent switch timing. The proposed CNN-LSTM model leverages a dual channel attention mechanism to bolster key feature information for long-term traffic data predictions. Specifically, a temporal attention mechanism is added to the LSTM to enhance the importance of temporal information. Moreover, the particle swarm optimization K-Means algorithm is proposed in order to cluster the traffic prediction results, output the corresponding time points of the lower traffic value and to obtain the optimal switch-off periods of the base station. Extensive experiments across multiple base stations over an extended period of time have validated our approach. The results show that this method offers accurate traffic prediction with minimal average errors in traffic prediction and the on/off timings of the base stations are in line with the “tide effect” of traffic, thereby achieving the goal of energy savings.
Educational field, economic uncertainty, and fertility decline in Finland in 2010–2019
Authors: Hellstrand Julia , Nisén Jessica , Myrskylä Mikko
Published: February 2024

Fertility declined sharply and unexpectedly in Finland in the 2010s across educational levels. Using Finnish register data, we calculated total fertility rates (TFRs) and the proportion of women expected to have a first birth in 2010–2019 for 153 educational groups—reflecting field and level—and estimated how the characteristics of a group predicted its decline. As the educational field predicts factors related to economic uncertainty, heterogeneity in fertility decline across fields could shed light on the role of economic uncertainty behind the recent fertility decline. In general, women with the highest initial fertility levels (health, welfare, and education) and women in agriculture experienced weaker fertility declines (around −20% or less), while women with the lowest initial levels (ICT, arts and humanities) experienced stronger declines (around −40% or more). The extent of the fertility decline increased with higher unemployment and lower income levels in the field and with a lower share employed in the public sector. These uncertainty measures together explained one-fourth of the decline in TFR and two-fifths of the decline in first births. The results imply that fertility declined across all groups, but those with stable job prospects escaped very strong declines. Objective economic uncertainty is one aspect that mattered for the recent fertility decline.
The association between METS-IR, an indirect index for insulin resistance, and lung cancer risk
Authors: Wang Guoqing , Zhu Zhaopeng , Wang Yi , Zhang Qiang , Sun Yungang , Pang Guanlian , Ge Wenjing , Ma Zhimin , Ma Huimin , Gong Linnan , Ma Hongxia , Shao Feng , Zhu Meng
Published: February 2024

Background

Insulin resistance has been reported to increase the risk of breast, prostate and colorectal cancer. However, the role of insulin resistance and its interaction with genetic risk in the development of lung cancer remains controversial. Therefore, we aimed to explore the association between a novel metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) and lung cancer risk.

Methods

A total of 395 304 participants without previous cancer at baseline were included. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was performed to investigate the association between METS-IR and lung cancer risk. In addition, a Mendelian randomization analysis was also performed to explore the causal relationship. The joint effects and additive interactions between METS-IR and polygenetic risk score (PRS) of lung cancer were also investigated.

Results

During a median follow-up of 11.03 years (Inter-quartile range (IQR): 10.30–11.73), a total of 3161 incident lung cancer cases were diagnosed in 395 304 participants. There was a significant association between METS-IR and lung cancer risk, with an HR of 1.28 (95% CI: 1.17–1.41). Based on the Mendelian randomization analysis, however, no causal associations were observed. We observed a joint effect but no interaction between METS-IR and genetic risk. The lung cancer incidence was estimated to be 100.42 (95% CI: 91.45–109.38) per 100 000 person-year for participants with a high METS-IR and PRS, while only 42.76 (95% CI: 36.94–48.59) with low METS-IR and PRS.

Conclusions

High METS-IR was significantly associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Keeping a low level of METS-IR might help reduce the long-term incident risk of lung cancer.
FlyBase: updates to the Drosophila genes and genomes database
Authors: Öztürk-Çolak Arzu , Marygold Steven J , Antonazzo Giulia , Attrill Helen , Goutte-Gattat Damien , Jenkins Victoria K , Matthews Beverley B , Millburn Gillian , dos Santos Gilberto , Tabone Christopher J ,   FlyBase Consortium, Perrimon Norbert , Gelbart Susan Russo , Broll Kris , Crosby Madeline , dos Santos Gilberto , Falls Kathleen , Gramates L Sian , Jenkins Victoria K , Longden Ian , Matthews Beverley B , Seme Jolene , Tabone Christopher J , Zhou Pinglei , Zytkovicz Mark , Brown Nick , Antonazzo Giulia , Attrill Helen , Goutte-Gattat Damien , Larkin Aoife , Marygold Steven , McLachlan Alex , Millburn Gillian , Pilgrim Clare , Öztürk-Çolak Arzu , Kaufman Thomas , Calvi Brian , Campbell Seth , Goodman Josh , Strelets Victor , Thurmond Jim , Cripps Richard , Lovato TyAnna
Published: February 2024

FlyBase (flybase.org) is a model organism database and knowledge base about Drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as the fruit fly. Researchers from around the world rely on the genetic, genomic, and functional information available in FlyBase, as well as its tools to view and interrogate these data. In this article, we describe the latest developments and updates to FlyBase. These include the introduction of single-cell RNA sequencing data, improved content and display of functional information, updated orthology pipelines, new chemical reports, and enhancements to our outreach resources.