bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of elasticity on the induced charge electro-osmotic mixing of viscoelastic fluids in a micromixer with a conductive cylinder
Authors: Wei Yuqi , Xu Jun , Li Jie , Yu Weicheng , Li Chi
Published: January 2024

Mixing of reagents in microfluidics is critical, and currently, the focus is on Newtonian fluids, but these reagents are often viscoelastic fluids. In this study, a micromixer containing a conductive cylinder is proposed based on the principle of induced charge electro-osmosis (ICEO). The Oldroyd-B constitutive model was chosen to characterize the flow properties of viscoelastic fluids, and the Poisson–Boltzmann model was used to describe the ion distribution in the electrolyte. The impact of the elasticity number (El) of viscoelastic fluids on the mixing efficiency, velocity, and vortex in the micromixer was studied. The results show that the mixing efficiency is only 55.41% when El = 0 (Newtonian fluid), and the mixing efficiency reaches 99.08% when El = 50. As El increases from 0 to 50, the cross-sectional average velocity at 50 μm from the micromixer exit decreases from 160 to 26.1 μm/s. Furthermore, the vortices around the conductive plate generated by the ICEO phenomenon begin to fluctuate at El = 7.
Multi frame radiography of supersonic water jets interacting with a foil target
Authors: Maler D. , Belozerov O. , Godinger A. , Efimov S. , Strucka J. , Yao Y. , Mughal K. , Lukic B. , Rack A. , Bland S. N. , Krasik Ya. E.
Published: January 2024

Pulsed-power-driven underwater electrical explosion of cylindrical or conical wire arrays produces supersonic water jets that emerge from a bath, propagating through the air above it. Interaction of these jets with solid targets may represent a new platform for attaining materials at high pressure (>1010 Pa) conditions in a university-scale laboratory. However, measurements of the internal structure of such jets and how they interact with targets are difficult optically due to large densities and density contrasts involved. We utilized multi-frame x-ray radiographic imaging capabilities of the ID19 beamline at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility to explore the water jet and its interaction with a 50 μm thick copper foil placed a few mm from the surface of water. The jet was generated with a ∼130 kA-amplitude current pulse of ∼450 ns rise time applied to a conical wire array. X-ray imaging revealed a droplet-type structure of the jet with an average density of <400 kg/m3 propagating with a velocity of ∼1400 m/s. Measurements of deformation and subsequent perforation of the target by the jet suggested pressures at the jet–target interface of ∼5 × 109 Pa. The results were compared to hydrodynamic simulations for better understanding of the jet parameters and their interaction with the foil target. These results can be used in future research to optimize the platform, and extend it to larger jet velocities in the case of higher driving currents supplied to the wire array.
Study on the performance of basalt fiber geopolymer concrete by freeze-thaw cycle coupled with sulfate erosion
Authors: Bian Yadong , Song Fei , Liu Haiyang , Li Rongyao , Xiao Chaoyu
Published: January 2024

In this research, double-blended materials such as fly ash and slag are used as binders, and basalt fibers (BF) are mixed in varying volume fractions (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0%) relative to the volume of concrete. Besides, sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) served as activators. The study investigates the freeze-thaw resistance, microstructure, performance mechanism, and internal freeze-thaw damage distribution of basalt fiber geopolymer concrete (BFGPC) through freeze-thaw cycle tests coupled with sulfate attack, SEM, and energy dispersive spectrometer analyses. The results indicated that BFGPC possesses excellent freeze-thaw resistance, achieving a minimum frost-resisting grade of F200. Increasing the BF content significantly enhances the frost resistance of the concrete. The hydration products of BFGPC include C–(A)–S–H gel, C–S–H gel, and a minor amount of N–A–S–H gel, which contribute to its structural density and homogeneity. The high compressive strength of BFGPC (87.7 MPa) further contributes to its outstanding freeze-thaw durability.
An improved stress-dependent magnetostriction model of silicon steel based on simplified multi-scale and Jiles–Atherton theory
Authors: Ben Tong , An Ni , Chen Long , Zhang Xian , Kong Yuqi
Published: January 2024

Due to the magnetic domain movement and energy change under magnetic field and stress applied, the macroscopic magnetic properties and magnetostriction properties of non-oriented (NO) silicon steel are influenced. To present this effect of the magnetic domains’ motion mechanism, a stress-dependent magnetostriction must be modeled. This paper proposes an improved stress-dependent magnetostriction model (I-SDM model) for NO silicon steel based on a simplified multi-scale model. Firstly, the stress-dependent expression of the anhysteretic magnetization, obtained by assuming a six-domain structure and considering the volume fraction of magnetic domain energy, is introduced into the inverse Jiles–Atherton (JA) model. In this way, the stress-dependent hysteresis model is constructed. Then, coupling with the improved quadratic domain rotation model that considers pinning effects, the I-SDM model for NO silicon steel is built. Finally, with the parameters obtained from experimental results, the proposed model under varying stresses is simulated and compared with other models. It shows that the proposed model has the highest simulated accuracy for both λ-H loop and λ-B loop with stress applied.
Siglec-15/sialic acid axis as a central glyco-immune checkpoint in breast cancer bone metastasis
Authors: Wang Yixian , Xu Zhan , Wu Kuan-Lin , Yu Liqun , Wang Chenhang , Ding Haoxue , Gao Yang , Sun Han , Wu Yi-Hsuan , Xia Meng , Chen Yuda , Xiao Han
Published: January 2024

Immunotherapy is a promising approach for treating metastatic breast cancer (MBC), offering new possibilities for therapy. While checkpoint inhibitors have shown great progress in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, their effectiveness in patients with bone metastases has been disappointing. This lack of efficacy seems to be specific to the bone environment, which exhibits immunosuppressive features. In this study, we elucidate the multiple roles of the sialic acid–binding Ig-like lectin (Siglec)-15/sialic acid glyco-immune checkpoint axis in the bone metastatic niche and explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting this glyco-immune checkpoint. Our research reveals that elevated levels of Siglec-15 in the bone metastatic niche can promote tumor-induced osteoclastogenesis as well as suppress antigen-specific T cell responses. Next, we demonstrate that antibody blockade of the Siglec-15/sialic acid glyco-immune checkpoint axis can act as a potential treatment for breast cancer bone metastasis. By targeting this pathway, we not only aim to treat bone metastasis but also inhibit the spread of metastatic cancer cells from bone lesions to other organs.
Increased expression of SSEA-4 on TKI-resistant non–small cell lung cancer with EGFR-T790M mutation
Authors: Chen Nai-Yu , Lin Chih-Wei , Lai Ting-Yen , Wu Chung-Yi , Liao Pei-Chi , Hsu Tsui-Ling , Wong Chi-Huey
Published: January 2024

Non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a major life-threatening disease accounting for 85% of all lung cancer cases, has been treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), but often resulted in drug resistance, and approximately 60% of TKI-resistant cases are due to acquired secondary (epithelial growth factor receptor) EGFR-T790M mutation. To identify alternative targets for TKI-resistant NSCLC with EGFR-T790M mutation, we found that the three globo-series glycosphingolipids are increasingly expressed on this type of NSCLC cell lines, and among them, the increase of stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA-4) expression is the most significant. Compared to TKI-sensitive cell lines, SSEA-4 and the key enzyme β3GalT5 responsible for the synthesis of SSEA3 are more expressed in TKI-resistant NSCLC cell lines with EGFR-T790M mutation, and the expression levels strongly correlate with poor survival in patients with EGFR mutation. In addition, we demonstrated that a SSEA-4 targeted monoclonal antibody, especially the homogeneous glycoform with well-defined Fc glycan designed to improve effective functions, is highly effective against this subpopulation of NSCLC in cell-based and animal studies. These findings provide a direction for the prediction of tumor recurrence and treatment of TKI-resistant NSCLC with EGFR-T790M mutation.
“You are a woman, so you understand what I mean”
Authors: Acosta Vicente Carmen
Published: January 2024

This article analyses public service interpreters’ self-perceptions of the role played by their gender in their
professional practice, a matter unexplored until now in interpreting studies. Through a thematic analysis of 95 responses to a
qualitative online survey in Finland, the United Kingdom and Spain, this study identified (1) whether interpreters perceive their
gender as significant in interpreter-mediated encounters; (2) in which situations interpreters believe their gender to be
relevant; (3) the reasons why gender becomes significant in interpreter-mediated encounters, and (4) whether the interpreter’s
gender has an impact on their credibility and trust-building. The results suggest that the interpreter’s gender plays a
significant role in their interactions, having an impact on both the interpreter’s and the client’s experience. The participants
highlight the significance of the interpreter’s gender, especially in healthcare situations, and discuss it in connection with the
client’s level of comfort and preference; relatability based on shared experiences, gender biases and expectations; sexism;
intersectionality, and the interpreter’s visibility. These results are examined with respect to the literature on gender in
interpreting studies and paths for future research are suggested.
Blood indices of selenium and mercury, and their correlations with fish intake, in young people living in Britain
Authors: Bates C. J. , Prentice A. , Birch M. C. , Delves H. T. , Sinclair K. A.
Published: January 2024

Relationships between Se and Hg in erythrocytes, and between these indices and intakes of fish and other foods, were studied as an adjunct to the British National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) of young people aged 4–18 years. Hg was measured in 965 packed erythrocyte samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Fe measurements permitted the calculation of whole-blood Hg. Erythrocyte and plasma Se, and 7d weighed dietary intake estimates, were available. Erythrocyte Hg was positively skewed, normalised by log-transformation. It was 20% higher in girls than boys (3·17 v. 2·65nmo/, P=0·004), and increased with age in boys but not girls. It was directly and strongly correlated with erythrocyte or plasma Se. Hg and Se concentrations were directly correlated with fish intake. Certain other food groups were also directly correlated with Se and Hg concentrations, but less strongly than for fish. The strength and consistency of the relationship between erythrocyte Hg and Se suggests an important chemical link. Previous studies suggest that Se protects against the toxicity of Hg, and that fish is an important source of both. No toxic levels of Hg were found, which is reassuring because of the known health benefits of fish consumption, especially oily fish. Hg intakes need to be monitored, especially in women of child-bearing age, to ensure that Food Standards Agency guidelines are met.
Prevention of retinoic acid-induced early craniofacial abnormalities by folinic acid and expression of endothelin-/HAND in the branchial arches in mouse
Authors: Zhang Zhaofeng , Xu Yajun , Li Li , Han Jing , Zheng Liping , Liu Peng , Li Yong
Published: January 2024

Prevention of retinoic acid-induced craniofacial abnormalities by folinic acid, and endothelin-1 (ET-1)/dHAND protein and mRNA expression were investigated in mouse embryos using the whole embryo culture, streptavidin–biotin peroxidase complex method, and whole-mount in situ hybridization. In the whole embryo culture, 1·0 and 0·1mm-folinic acid dose dependently prevented branchial region malformations and decreased defects by 93% and 77%, respectively. Folinic acid at concentrations of 1·0 and 0·1mm significantly increased ET-1 and dHAND protein expression levels compared to retinoic acid-exposed values in embryonic branchial areas. Folinic acid also increased ET-1 and dHAND mRNA levels in the same region. The present results suggest that folinic acid may prevent retinoic acid-induced craniofacial abnormalities via increasing ET-1 and dHAND levels in the branchial region during the organogenic period.
Scattering amplitudes for self-force
Authors: Adamo Tim , Cristofoli Andrea , Ilderton Anton , Klisch Sonja
Published: January 2024

The self-force expansion allows the study of deviations from geodesic motion due to the emission of radiation and its consequent back-reaction. We investigate this scheme within the on-shell framework of semiclassical scattering amplitudes for particles emitting photons or gravitons on a static, spherically symmetric background. We first present the exact scalar two-point amplitudes for Coulomb and Schwarzschild, from which one can extract classical observables such as the change in momentum due to geodesic motion. We then present, for the first time, the three-point semiclassical amplitudes for a scalar emitting a photon in Coulomb and a graviton on linearised Schwarzschild, outlining how the latter calculation can be generalized to the fully non-linear Schwarzschild metric. Our results are proper resummations of perturbative amplitudes in vacuum but, notably, are expressed in terms of Hamilton’s principal function for the backgrounds, rather than the radial action.
Lost work and exergy: two views of the same concept
Authors: Anacleto Joaquim
Published: January 2024

We present the fundamental equation for a system and for a process, and by considering irreversibility within the system, we show that the lost work concept emerges naturally from the formalism. We then argue that if irreversibility is considered within the surroundings the lost work becomes what is known as exergy. Therefore, lost work and exergy are two views of the same concept, which in turn integrates a broader and more fundamental concept: entropy generation. It is our opinion that the clarification of the meanings of lost work and exergy, as well as the discussion that leads to an understanding of their differences and similarities, has not received the attention in the literature that it deserves. This paper fills that gap, and it is hoped that the discussion of these two concepts here will be useful for both students and teachers.
Chemical pressure as an effective tool for tuning the structural disordering and barocaloric efficiency of complex fluorides (NH4)3MF7 (M: Sn, Ti, Ge, Si)
Authors: Flerov Igor N , Gorev Mikhail V , Bogdanov Evgeniy V , Laptash Nataly M
Published: January 2024

Double fluoride salts (NH4)3M4+F7 (M4+: Sn, Ti, Ge, Si) demonstrate a high efficiency of using chemical pressure as a tool for control and tuning structural ordering/disordering, sensitivity to hydrostatic pressure, successions of the phase transitions, etc and, as a result, for purposeful variation within a wide range of parameters of barocaloric effect (BCE). The conventional and inverse BCEs near the triple points were found on the T − p phase diagrams, combination of which can be used to construct original cooling cycle in narrow temperature and pressure ranges. Reconstructive transformation between two cubic phases,

P
m

3
ˉ

m
↔
P
a

3
ˉ

, realized in (NH4)3SnF7 at atmospheric pressure and in (NH4)3TiF7 at

p
>

0.4 GPa are characterized by rather low thermal hysteresis,

δ

T
0

= 1 K, and a great entropy change,

Δ

S

BCE

= 110–152 J (kg · K)−1, depending on the size of the central atom. At above 300–350 K, a contribution to BCE associated with the regular thermal expansion of the crystal lattice becomes comparable to entropy and temperature changes under pressure in the region of the phase transitions. An analysis of the absolute, relative and integral barocaloric characteristics of (NH4)3M4+F7 compounds showed their high competitiveness with respect to other barocaloric materials considered as promising solid-state refrigerants.
Magnetization reversal via domain wall motion in vertical high-aspect-ratio nanopillar with two magnetic junctions
Authors: Honda Syuta , Sonobe Yoshiaki
Published: January 2024

A vertical ferromagnetic (FM) nanopillar can be used as magnetic memory owing to characteristics such as its high storage capacity and high thermal stability. The perpendicular shape anisotropy (PSA) of the pillar enables its magnetization direction to be stabilized. A pillar with a high aspect ratio exhibits both strong PSA and magnetization with high thermal stability. Reversing the magnetization direction of such a pillar using the current flowing through it is a significant challenge in spintronics. However, spin injection from another FM layer alone cannot reverse the magnetization of pillars of which the length exceeds 100 nm. This motivated us to propose a magnetic junction (MJ) consisting of a high-aspect-ratio FM nanopillar with two thin FM layers. Using micromagnetic simulation, we demonstrate the magnetization reversal of a 150 nm-long pillar with a diameter of 15 nm. The simulation revealed that the magnetization of the pillar reverses because of the spin transfer torque induced by the spin injection from the two thin FM layers and the spin-polarized current (SPC) flowing in the pillar in the longitudinal direction. During the magnetization reversal process, a domain wall (DW) first forms at one end of the pillar due to the spin injection. Then, driven by the SPC, the DW moves to the other end of the pillar, and the magnetization is reversed. The magnetization direction of the pillar, controlled by changing the direction of the current flowing through the pillar, can be evaluated from the respective magnetoresistance values of the two MJs. Alternatively, by pinning the DW in the pillar, a three-value magnetic memory can be developed. In addition, multi-bit and analog memories can be developed by controlling the pinning position of the DW. The high-aspect-ratio pillar-writing scheme is foreseen to pave the way for the practical development of next-generation spintronic devices.
Dynamic terahertz beamforming based on magnetically switchable hyperbolic materials
Authors: Carvalho William O F , Moncada-Villa E , Mejía-Salazar J R , Spadoti Danilo H
Published: January 2024

In this work, we introduce a concept to enable dynamic beamforming of terahertz (THz) wavefronts using applied magnetic fields (B). The proposed system exploits the magnetically switchable hyperbolic dispersion of the InSb semiconductor. This phenomenology, combined with diffractive surfaces and magnetic tilting of scattered fields, allows the design of a metasurface that works with either circularly or linearly polarized wavefronts. In particular, we demonstrate numerically that the transmitted beam tilting can be manipulated with the direction and magnitude of B. Numerical results, obtained through the finite element method, are qualitatively supported by semi-analytical results from the generalized dipole theory. Motivated by potential applications in future Tera-WiFi active links, a metasurface is simulated for the working frequency f = 300 GHz. The results indicate that the transmitted field can be actively tuned to point in five different directions with beamforming of

±

45

∘

, depending on the magnitude and direction of B. In addition to magnetic beamforming, we also demonstrate that our proposal exhibits magnetic circular dichroism, which can also find applications in magnetically tunable THz isolators for one-way transmission/reflection.
Dual excitation self-balancing capacitance measurement method based on frequency adjustment
Authors: Wang Xuanze , Yang Zhenyu , Cai Yuxiong , Zhai Zhongsheng , Wang Haowei , Liu Da
Published: January 2024

The double-ended excitation self-balancing bridge excitation method is a capacitance measurement method with rather a high measurement accuracy currently. However, the reference impedance of the electric bridge limits the traditional self-balancing excitation measurement method, making it difficult to achieve high accuracy and a wide range of capacitance sensor measurements. In the proposed paper, frequency adjustment method is introduced to enable impedance matching between the measured capacitance and the reference resistance. The measurement range is broadened as well as maintaining the accuracy of the capacitance measurement. The measurement circuit is composed of a reference resistor, a bridge in series with the measured capacitance and an operational amplifier follower circuit. First, we roughly measure the input impedance of the operational amplifier and the capacitive reactance of the capacitance under test using a two-step excitation method. Then, the best excitation frequency is calculated to match the reference resistor according to the capacitive reactance under test, and the input impedance of the operational amplifier is re-estimated with the best frequency. Finally, we complete the accurate measurement of the capacitive reactance under test through the use of dual excitation. The experimental results demonstrate the method’s high accuracy measurement within the range of 1.6 pF–16 nF, with the reference resistance set at 1 MΩ and the excitation frequency adjusted between 10 and 100 kHz. Additionally, dual excitation stability testing verifies relative standard deviations in the range of 0.01%–0.12%. Experiments on filter capsule sensing detection show that the proposed frequency adjustment measurement method can perform highly sensitive capacitive sensing measurements under the influence of parasitic effects.
Research on attitude correction algorithm for mobile wind lidars
Authors: Zhao Shijun , Shan Yulong
Published: January 2024

The laser wind measurement technology is remarkable for detecting clear-sky wind fields. The Doppler beam swinging algorithm for wind lidars has been developed to obtain vertical wind profiles based on fixed observation methods. However, the Doppler frequencies are superposed due to the self-motions of lidars caused by carrier motions when lidars are used on motion carrier platforms. Meanwhile, the emission directions of laser beams are uncertain due to changes in carriers’ motion directions and tilts. Thus, a new wind measurement correction model must be studied with lidar attitudes. This study considers the influences of the motion velocities, the carrier’s tilt angles, and the laser beams’ yaw angles at the 0° azimuth angle on the measured results under lidar motions, a correction model of motion attitudes for mobile wind lidars was designed. Sensitivity simulation tests for motion attitude parameters were carried out, and the influences of different attitude parameters of the carrier on the measured results were investigated to evaluate and verify the effects of the correction model. Results indicated that the wind measurement correction model could correct data errors caused by the carrier’s motion and tilts. The motion velocities, carrier directions, and the yaw angles of the laser beams at the 0° azimuth angle had an essential influence on the wind velocity measurements. Besides, the carrier’s pitch angles and the roll angles, which did not influence the wind velocity measurements, only affected the altitudes of the wind field data. Furthermore, the pitch angles exerted more significant influences on the data altitudes than the roll angles.
Uniform regularity and zero capillarity-viscosity limit for an inhomogeneous incompressible fluid model of Korteweg type in half-space
Authors: Li Fucai , Zhang Shuxing , Zhang Zhipeng
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we study the uniform regularity and zero capillarity-viscosity limit for an inhomogeneous incompressible fluid model of Korteweg type in the half-space

R

+
3

. We consider the Navier-slip boundary condition for velocity and the Dirichlet boundary condition for the gradient of density. By establishing the conormal energy estimates, we prove that there exists a unique strong solution of the model in a finite time interval

[
0
,

T
0

]

, where T
0 is independent of the capillary and viscosity coefficients, and the solution is uniformly bounded in a conormal Sobolev space. Based on the aforementioned uniform estimates, we further show that there exists a constant

0
<

T
1

⩽

T
0

, such that the solutions of this model converge to the solution of the inhomogeneous incompressible Euler equations with the rates of convergence in

L
∞

(
0
,

T
1

;

L
2

(

R

+
3

)
)

and

L
∞

(
0
,

T
1

;

H
1

(

R

+
3

)
)

, as the capillary and viscosity coefficients tend to zero simultaneously.
Concentration measurements of atomic nitrogen in an atmospheric-pressure RF plasma jet using a picosecond TALIF
Authors: Khan Waseem , Dvořák Pavel , Bolouki Nima , Mrkvičková Martina
Published: January 2024

The absolute concentration and spatial distribution of ground-state atomic nitrogen (N) in an atmospheric pressure plasma jet were measured using the two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence. The jet was ignited by radio frequency voltage in argon (or argon with nitrogen admixture) flowing through a silica tube. The spatially resolved measurements of atomic nitrogen concentration were realized in the effluent of the jet. In a pure argon plasma, the N concentration was increased with the distance from the silica tube and reached the maximum value (

3.5
⋅

10

14

 cm−3) at the distance of 15 mm, and then sharply decreased at the end of the plume. On the contrary, plasma ignited in Ar with nitrogen admixture, the maximum N concentration was located directly at the end of the silica tube, where plasma starts to blow out into the ambient air. The highest N concentrations for 0.5% and 2% of N2 in the feed gas were

1.3
⋅

10

15

 cm−3 and

4
⋅

10

15

 cm−3, respectively.
Adaptive beam with elastic support based on magnetorheological elastomers for modal modulation and vibration suppression
Authors: Wang Leizhi , Zhang Ke , Ding Wei , Chen Zhaobo , Hou Longtao
Published: January 2024

Owing to the wide modulation capability of their magneto-induced modulus, smart structure-based magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) show great promise for vibration control in numerous engineering applications. In conventional smart structure-based MREs, however, vibration absorption or isolation is mainly used for discrete structural systems, and the requirement for vibration control in continuous structures can limit the application of vibration absorbers and isolators. Therefore, it is necessary to resolve the dynamic properties of the continuous structure to obtain modal information. In this paper, different types of smart beams with adaptive elastic support (AES)-based MREs, containing dual-end elastic support, single-end elastic support, and the combination of a fixed end and an AES at an arbitrary location, are developed to tactically influence the dynamics through magneto-mechanical coupling. A dynamic model of thin-walled beams with AES was established by using the improved Fourier series method (IFSM). The numerical results confirm that the effective suppression bandwidth of the beam with MRE-AES can be shifted as a result of the modal modulation-induced energy transfer from low to high frequencies, which requires a decreasing trend of modal amplitude at the response location as the elastic support stiffness increases. According to the modal analysis, the beams with single-end AES and dual-end AES have a decreasing trend of modal amplitude in the global location as stiffness increases. However, the modal amplitude trend of the beam with a fixed end and an AES is not monotonic at certain locations. The experimental results demonstrate that MRE-AES can effectively attenuate the acceleration responses of the beams with single-end AES and with a fixed end and an AES under harmonic excitation. The resonance peaks in the transmission remarkably shift to higher frequencies with increasing magnetic flux.
A 6-around-1 cable using high-temperature superconducting STAR
® wires for magnet applications
Authors: Castaneda Nathaly , Ferracin Paolo , Funkhouser Cyrus , Galstyan Eduard , Higley Hugh C , Korupolu Sri Ram , Majkic Goran , Nguyen Hoang , Prestemon Soren O , Selvamanickam Venkat , Truong Huy , Wang Xiaorong
Published: January 2024

To generate a dipole field above 20 T, we need high-temperature superconductors, including REBa2Cu3O

7
−
x

(RE = rare earth, rebco) coated conductors. However, the optimal architecture of a high-current flexible rebco cable is not yet settled for high-field magnet applications. Here we report a 6-around-1 cable concept based on the high-temperature superconducting star
® wires. We made two cable samples. One had a single star
® wire and the other had six star
® wires. The cable with six star
® wires was 1.5 m long. It had a diameter of 5.7 mm and a pitch length of 52 mm. The critical current of the cable before bending was 1448 A at 77 K, retaining at least 77% of the total critical current from individual star
® wires. The cable had a low n value around 4.5. At a bend radius of 30 mm, the critical current and n value remained the same as before bending. The total resistance of electrical terminations was 61 nΩ at 77 K. The flexible and transposed 6-around-1 star
® cable can provide another route toward practical rebco conductors for high-field accelerator and fusion magnet applications.
Operation of kinetic-inductance travelling wave parametric amplifiers at millimetre wavelengths
Authors: Tan B-K , Klimovich N , Stephenson R , Faramarzi F , Day P
Published: January 2024

It is expected that the operation of microwave kinetic inductance travelling wave parametric amplifiers (KITWPAs) can be extended to the millimetre (mm) and the sub-mm wavelength range as long as the frequency is below the gap frequency of the superconducting film. This paper presents possible mm-wave designs for KITWPAs based on microstrip transmission lines. Our device is designed based on the BCS (Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer) model which successfully reproduces the measured transmission profile, gain, bandwidth, and nonlinear response of a fabricated KITWPA operating in the Ka-band, and includes the millimetre-wave dielectric loss determined by fitting the quality factor of a W-band microstrip resonator. We suggest a layout for a KITWPA operating near 220 GHz that can be fabricated using the same superconducting properties as the Ka-band device and can be coupled to a waveguide system. We conclude the paper by extending the 220 GHz design to higher frequency regimes approaching 1 THz.
Ramifications of chromium-to-bismuth ions substitution on the structural and optical characteristics of bismuth borate glasses for optoelectronic applications
Authors: Moustafa M G , Mokhtar H M , Abdelwahed Mohsen H , Qasem Ammar , Hassaan M Y
Published: January 2024

The exploration of optoelectronic materials with distinctive properties is still ongoing. To this end, a series of quaternary glassy materials of the composition 15Na2O–65B2O3–(20–x)Bi2O3–xCr2O3, denoted as NBBC, is synthesized using the melt quenching method, where x = 0.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, and 10.0 mol%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms that the glasses under investigation are amorphous, except for the sample with a molar ratio of 10% Cr2O3, which showed a polycrystalline structure. FTIR analysis of the NBBC glasses reveals structural changes affecting Bi-O and B-O vibrations, suggesting a correlation between composition and optical properties. Interestingly, the bandgap energy of the NBBC glasses, determined optically, demonstrates a reduction from 2.881 eV to 1.941 eV with increasing Cr2O3 content. Conversely, the tail energy exhibits an opposite trend. The observed reduction in the bandgap with increasing Cr-ions is attributed to the introduction of chromium in the glassy matrix, which changes the electronic structure and enhances the light absorption efficiency. Furthermore, various optical parameters are calculated, such as the optical constants, dielectric constants, loss energy, the density of coverage, sheet resistance, the figure of merit factor, and dispersion parameters. Notably, all of these parameters demonstrate a remarkable sensitivity to the gradual increment of chromium ions. These findings imply that the NBBC glasses could be appropriate for optoelectronic purposes.
Tensor force impact on shell evolution in neutron-rich Si and Ni isotopes*
Authors: Sidorov S.V. , Kornilova A.S. , Tretyakova T.Yu.
Published: January 2024

The influence of the tensor interaction of nucleons on the characteristics of neutron-rich silicon and nickel isotopes was studied in this work. Tensor forces are considered within the framework of the Hartree-Fock approach with the Skyrme interaction. The addition of a tensor component of interaction is shown to improve the description of the splittings between different single-particle states and decrease nucleon-nucleon pairing correlations in silicon and nickel nuclei. Special attention was directed toward the role of isovector tensor forces relevant to the interaction of like nucleons.
Nanostructure characteristics of three types of platelet-rich fibrin biomaterial: a histological and immunohistochemical study
Authors: Nguyen-Thi Thuy-Duong , Nguyen-Tran Bao-Song , Dang-Cong Thuan , Maioli Margherita , Nguyen-Thanh Tung
Published: January 2024

Background. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a blood-derived biomaterial that has shown potential in regenerative medicine. The objective of this study was to characterize the structure of fibrin network nanoparticles and cellular components using histological and immunohistochemical techniques.Methods. Three different types of PRF were manufactured: Choukri’s platelet-rich fibrin (Ch-PRF), pure platelet-rich fibrin (P-PRF), and leukocyte platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF), according to established protocols. The histological structures of the biomaterials were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The fibrin network nanostructure was confirmed by Sirius Red staining and immunohistochemical staining with a fibrinogen antibody. Leukocyte components were identified by immunohistochemical staining using CD45 antibody.Results. Histological and immunohistochemical staining of the fibrin network from the PRF biomaterial revealed a natural nanostructure characterized by porous and complex branching networks. The L-PRF and Ch-PRF fibrin networks were delicate and branched, whereas the P-PRF fibrin network displayed thicker bundles of fibers that were sometimes twisted and had noticeable pores. Nonetheless, the proportion of the fibrin network area in all three types of PRF biomaterials was not significantly different. No living cells were found in the P-PRF biomaterials, whereas Ch-PRF and L-PRF contained cells. A large number of red and white blood cells were observed within the Ch-PRF fibrin network, with a non-uniform distribution. The L-PRF biomaterial possesses a uniform structure with a high density of embedded leukocytes.Conclusions. The use of peripheral blood-derived PRF biomaterials, which mimic the natural structure of fibrin nanostructures and living cell components, offers promising possibilities for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Additional investigation is necessary to assess the properties of PRF architecture and its practical application in medical treatment.
Evaluation of life cycle assessment (LCA) use in geotechnical engineering
Authors: de Melo Dora L , Kendall Alissa , DeJong Jason T
Published: January 2024

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis to incorporate sustainability metrics into geotechnical engineering design decisions, driven by the surging eco-consciousness of industry standards. Consequently, life cycle assessment (LCA) has emerged as a popular method for evaluating the environmental impacts of geotechnical systems or projects. This paper conducts a critical review of 54 publications that apply LCA to various geotechnical systems, including deep foundations, biogeotechnics, dams, ground improvement, earth retaining structures, tunnels, and others. This review assesses the current state of practice for LCA in geotechnical engineering, identifies common barriers to implementation, and provides suggestions for successful execution. While sustainability practices have been more readily adopted by some subdisciplines of civil engineering including structural and transportation, geotechnical engineering faces distinct challenges due to its inherent site-specific nature, characterized by non-homogeneous soils and the necessity for bespoke solutions. Despite the notable increase in geotechnical LCAs, the absence of uniform standards remains a critical issue. Many studies could be improved by enhancing transparency in reporting data and results, clearly justifying input assumptions, and assessing the effects of variable soil conditions. Geotechnical LCA studies often concentrate on highly specialized problems, limiting the relevance of findings to other projects and impeding the development of clear recommendations for industry practitioners. Future research endeavors would benefit from establishment of comprehensive frameworks and multi-indicator models tailored to geotechnical systems to more accurately capture expected environmental impacts and opportunities for their reduction. A standardized approach could reduce redundancy in studies, encourage knowledge transfer, and provide a basis for broader applicability of sustainability practices in the geotechnical engineering profession.
Best practices for PGY1 letters of intent: Recommendations from a modified Delphi process
Authors: Isaacs Alex N , Domingo Ma Emmanuelle , Miller Monica L , Beckett Robert D
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to provide consensus recommendations from residency program leaders on letters of intent (LOIs) written by postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy residency candidates.

Methods

A 3-round modified Delphi process was used to determine consensus among PGY1 residency program leaders across the country. A screening and demographic survey was utilized to ensure representation of panelists. The initial items for round 1 of the study were developed using existing published literature, with pilot testing by 2 residency program directors. For each round, respondents rated items on a 7-point Likert scale, with opportunities to provide qualitative feedback and modifications for lower-rated items. For future rounds, items were adjusted based on respondent feedback. Only items meeting predefined consensus were included in the final recommendations.

Results

A total of 254 pharmacists were invited to participate in the panel, with 41 completing the demographic and study consent survey. There were 35 participants in round 1, 34 of whom remained for rounds 2 and 3. The panel created 18 LOI recommendations for PGY1 residency candidates. Most recommendations were focused on the content of the LOI, while others were related to formatting.

Conclusion

The recommendations from this study can be employed by PGY1 pharmacy residency candidates to enhance their likelihood of success in the residency application process.
Induced emotion counter-regulation affects attentional inhibition of emotional information: ERP evidence from a randomized manipulation approach
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhang Wanqi , Guan Wanyao , Liu Pan
Published: January 2024

Automatic emotion counter-regulation refers to an unintentional attentional shift away from the current emotional state and toward information of the opposite valence. It is a useful emotion regulation skill that prevents the escalation of current emotional state. However, the cognitive mechanisms of emotion counter-regulation are not fully understood. Using a randomization approach, this study investigated how automatic emotion counter-regulation impacted attentional inhibition of emotional stimuli, an important aspect of emotion processing closely associated with emotion regulation and mental health. Forty-six university students were randomly assigned to an emotion counter-regulation group and a control group. The former group watched an anger-inducing video to evoke automatic emotion counter-regulation of anger, while the latter group watched an emotionally neutral video. Next, both groups completed a negative priming task of facial expressions with EEG recorded. In the emotion counter-regulation group, we observed an enhanced attentional inhibition of the angry, but not happy, faces, as indicated by a prolonger response time, a larger N2, and a smaller P3 in response to angry versus happy stimuli. These patterns were not observed in the control group, supporting the role of elicited emotion counter-regulation of anger in causing these modulation patterns in responses.
Depleting inositol pyrophosphate 5-InsP7 protected the heart against ischaemia–reperfusion injury by elevating plasma adiponectin
Authors: Fu Lin , Du Jimin , Furkert David , Shipton Megan L , Liu Xiaoqi , Aguirre Tim , Chin Alfred C , Riley Andrew M , Potter Barry V L , Fiedler Dorothea , Zhang Xu , Zhu Yi , Fu Chenglai
Published: January 2024

Aims

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived circulating protein that exerts cardiovascular and metabolic protection. Due to the futile degradation of endogenous adiponectin and the challenges of exogenous administration, regulatory mechanisms of adiponectin biosynthesis are of significant pharmacological interest.

Methods and results

Here, we report that 5-diphosphoinositol 1,2,3,4,6-pentakisphosphate (5-InsP7) generated by inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 1 (IP6K1) governed circulating adiponectin levels via thiol-mediated protein quality control in the secretory pathway. IP6K1 bound to adiponectin and DsbA-L and generated 5-InsP7 to stabilize adiponectin/ERp44 and DsbA-L/Ero1-Lα interactions, driving adiponectin intracellular degradation. Depleting 5-InsP7 by either IP6K1 deletion or pharmacological inhibition blocked intracellular adiponectin degradation. Whole-body and adipocyte-specific deletion of IP6K1 boosted plasma adiponectin levels, especially its high molecular weight forms, and activated AMPK-mediated protection against myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion injury. Pharmacological inhibition of 5-InsP7 biosynthesis in wild-type but not adiponectin knockout mice attenuated myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion injury.

Conclusion

Our findings revealed that 5-InsP7 is a physiological regulator of adiponectin biosynthesis that is amenable to pharmacological intervention for cardioprotection.
Cardiac paraganglioma: implications and impacts of a rare disease—a case report
Authors: Bernal Torres Wikler , Vinasco Leidy A Giraldo , Gómez Juan Esteban , de León Juan D López Ponce
Published: January 2024

Background

Tumour-producing catecholamines arise in the adrenal medulla (pheochromocytomas), as well as in extra-adrenal chromaffin cells (paragangliomas). The origin can be from any location; however, it is very rare in the heart.

Case summary

A 43-year-old woman with a history of arterial hypertension presented with dyspnoea on moderate exertion, New York Class Association (NYHA) functional classes III and IV, and oedema in the lower extremities. Medical and laboratory evaluation revealed an NT-proBNP of 6046 pg/mL, a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 15%, longitudinal strain of −7%, and a mass located on the inner surface of the left atrioventricular groove. Surgical intervention was performed, and the tumour was resected. Pathological report showed an extra-adrenal paraganglioma without neoplastic involvement in the margins of the vena cava. After surgery, the patient showed clinical improvement with NYHA functional class I, LVEF of 56%, and longitudinal strain of −20% on transthoracic echocardiography 4 months after treatment.

Discussion

Paragangliomas are tumours that are rarely found in the heart, and their diagnosis is difficult. However, early detection and treatment can improve the quality of life of affected patients.
On the design of effective sanctions: the case of bans on exports to Russia
Authors: Hausmann Ricardo , Schetter Ulrich , Yildirim Muhammed A
Published: January 2024

We build on Baqaee and Farhi (2019, 2021) and derive a theoretically grounded criterion that allows targeting bans on exports to a sanctioned country at the level of ∼5,000 six-digit HS products. The criterion implies that the costs to the sanctioned country are highly convex in the market share of the sanctioning parties. Hence, there are large benefits from coordinating export bans among a broad coalition of countries. Applying our results to Russia reveals that sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are not systematically related to our arguments once we condition on Russia’s total imports of a product from participating countries. We discuss drivers of these differences and then provide a quantitative evaluation of the export bans to show that (i) they are very effective with the welfare loss typically ∼100 times larger for Russia than for the sanctioners; (ii) improved coordination of the sanctions and targeting sanctions based on our criterion allows to increase the costs to Russia by about 80% with little to no extra cost to the sanctioners; and (iii) there is scope for increasing the cost to Russia further by expanding the set of sanctioned products.
Genetic differentiation and phenotypic plasticity drive troglomorphic character development in European cavefish
Authors: Behrmann-Godel Jasminca , Roch Samuel , Böhm Alexander , Jolles Jolle Wolter , Brinker Alexander
Published: January 2024

The Aach cave loach (Barbatula barbatula), a recently discovered member of the Nemacheilidae family, offers a unique opportunity to understand the mechanisms underlying evolutionary change. In a common garden experiment, we reared groups of laboratory-bred cave, surface, and hybrid loach under different light conditions. Troglomorphic characters varied significantly among the fish, influenced to a different extent by parental origin and light conditions. Cavefish progeny consistently exhibited smaller eyes, lighter pigmentation, longer barbels, and larger olfactory epithelia than surface fish, while hybrids displayed intermediate characteristics. Surface and hybrid fish raised in complete darkness resembled the cavefish phenotype, while cavefish raised under a natural photoperiod approached the surface form. Characters associated with eye degeneration were found to be primarily heritable. Conversely, traits related to chemo- and mechano-reception were enhanced in the surface and hybrid groups reared in complete darkness, suggesting phenotypic plasticity. Our findings offer valuable insights into the interplay between genetic differentiation and phenotypic plasticity to troglomorphic adaption. This contributes to the broader understanding of the early stages of adaptation, where phenotypic plasticity, drift, and selection shape phenotypes. Relatively recently established cavefish, such as the Aach cave loach, are promising candidates for comparative research investigating evolutionary mechanisms.