bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higgs boson decay into gluons in a 4D regularization: IR cancellation without evanescent fields to NLO
Authors: Pereira Ana , Cherchiglia Adriano , Sampaio Marcos , Hiller Brigitte
Published: January 2023

Higgs decay using an effective Higgs–Yang-Mills interaction in terms of a dimension five operator as well as usual QCD interactions is revisited in the context of Implicit Regularization (IReg) and compared with conventional dimensional regularization (CDR), four dimensional helicity (FDH) and dimensional reduction (DRED) schemes. The decay rate for $$H \rightarrow gg(g)$$

H
→
g
g
(
g
)

is calculated in this strictly four-dimensional set-up to $$\alpha _s^3$$

α
s
3

order in the strong coupling. Moreover we include joint processes that contribute at the same perturbative order in the real emission channels consisting of 3 gluons as well as gluon quark–antiquark final states with light (zero mass) quarks. Unambiguous identification and separation of UV from IR divergences is achieved putting at work the renormalization group scale relation inherent to the method. UV singularities are removed as usual by renormalization, the IR divergences are cancelled due to the method’s compliance with the Kinoshita–Lee–Nauenberg (KLN) theorem. Most importantly, we verify that no evanescent fields such as $$\epsilon $$
ϵ
-scalars need be introduced as required by some mixed regularizations that operate partially in the physical dimension.
Effect of cosmic rays irradiation on the phase change characteristics of an on-orbit fixed point
Authors: Chen Yiru , Xia Caijuan , Song Jian , Sima Rui-Heng , Zhou Jingjing , Liu Yang , Tian Xiaofeng , Zhang Qingxian , Hao Xiaopeng
Published: January 2023

Using the phase change characteristics of fixed points to trace the temperature of a spaceborne calibration blackbody is an important technical means to carry out the high-precision on-orbit calibration of thermal infrared remote sensors. In contrast to an experimental environment on the ground, a fixed point will produce radiation damage in the high-energy cosmic rays environment and may affect the phase change characteristics. This study investigates the effect of radiation damage caused by cosmic rays irradiation on the phase change characteristics of fixed points in a spaceborne calibration blackbody. In this research, the simulation method of molecular dynamics was used to simulate the irradiation damage effect of a strong cosmic rays environment on fixed-point indium (In). The experimental system was established to measure the phase change curves of samples with different irradiation doses, and then, the influence of irradiation on the phase change characteristics of the samples was analyzed. The results showed that most of the energy of irradiation was deposited on the In fixed point, resulting in the migration of 0.3% of the displacement atoms inside the In to the gap position to form the Frenkel pairs (FPs). The overcooling of the irradiated In fixed point was reduced by 0.3 $$^\circ \hbox {C}$$

∘

C

, the phase change temperature was increased by 30 mK, and the phase change plateau was more stable.
Phase shifts of the light pseudoscalar meson and heavy meson scattering in heavy meson chiral perturbation theory
Authors: Huang Bo-Lin , Lin Zi-Yang , Chen Kan , Zhu Shi-Lin
Published: January 2023

We calculate the complete T matrices of the elastic light pseudoscalar meson and heavy meson scattering to the third order in heavy meson chiral perturbation theory. We determine the low-energy constants by fitting the phase shifts and scattering lengths from lattice QCD simulations simultaneously and predict the phase shifts at the physical meson masses. The phase shifts in the $$D\pi (I=1/2)$$

D
π
(
I
=
1
/
2
)

, $$DK(I=0)$$

D
K
(
I
=
0
)

, $$D{\bar{K}}(I=0)$$

D

K

¯

(
I
=
0
)

, $$D_s{\bar{K}}$$

D
s

K

¯

, $$D\eta $$

D
η

and $$D_s\eta $$

D
s

η

S waves are so strong that bound states or resonances may be generated dynamically in all these channels. The $$DK(I=0)$$

D
K
(
I
=
0
)

channel corresponds to the well-known exotic state $$D_{s0}^{*}(2317)$$

D

s
0

∗

(
2317
)

. The $$DK(I=0)$$

D
K
(
I
=
0
)

channel corresponds to the well-known exotic state $$D_{s0}^{*}(2317)$$

D

s
0

∗

(
2317
)

. The coupled-channel $$D\pi $$

D
π

, $$D\eta $$

D
η

and $$D_s{\bar{K}}$$

D
s

K

¯

scattering corresponds to $$D_{0}^{*}(2400)$$

D

0

∗

(
2400
)

. The coupled-channel $$D\pi $$

D
π

, $$D\eta $$

D
η

and $$D_s{\bar{K}}$$

D
s

K

¯

scattering corresponds to $$D_{0}^{*}(2400)$$

D

0

∗

(
2400
)

. We also predict the scattering lengths and scattering volumes and observe good convergence in the scattering volumes. Our calculations provide a possibility to accurately investigate the exotic state in the light pseudoscalar meson and heavy meson interactions.
A Newsvendor Problem Considering Decision Biases of Strategic Customers with Private Product Value Information
Authors: Song Yanan , Yue Zexin , Chen Junlin , Zhao Xiaobo
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we consider a newsvendor system with strategic customers, who are boundedly rational and risk averse in terms of buying during the selling season or waiting for a clearance sale with price discounts. The newsvendor’s decision is to determine the optimal stock quantity. An optimization problem is formulated with the incorporation of competition among strategic customers with private product value information. We embed risk aversion within the quantal response equilibrium to characterize the strategic customer behavior. The influences of the decision biases of strategic customers on the newsvendor’s decision and profit are discussed. We find that the risk aversion considered alone always benefits the newsvendor. However, the bounded rationality considered alone benefits the newsvendor conditionally. Combining the two behavioral factor influences, the decision biases cause the newsvendor to order more and be better off when the critical fractile is high but to order less and be worse off when the critical fractile is low.
Lightweight bandgap tunable low-frequency local resonance structure
Authors: Zhang Yong Yan , Zhai Meng Jie , Cheng Tao , Xing Yu , Liang Xiao , Wu Jiu Hui , Cao Ya Bing
Published: January 2023

Local resonance (LR) structure can effectively suppress the low-frequency noise and vibration, but it is still a great challenge to design a kind of lightweight small-size structure with the low-frequency bandgap. This paper proposes a lightweight small-size LR structure with adjustable stiffness ratio, and there are two equivalent negative stiffness regions formed in the LR structure, which are not only greatly enlarged, but also coupled at last only by adjusting the stiffness ratio of the system (changing radius), and finally the negative stiffness region is successfully enlarged more than 2 times in this way. Based on the theory of regulating negative stiffness region, the mechanism of regulating the low-frequency bandgap within the lightweight small-size LR structure is further revealed. It is found that there are two low-frequency bandgaps in the LR structure, and its lower bound of the first bandgap is decreased from 54 Hz to 34 Hz only through adjusting the stiffness ratio (changing radius), and a low-frequency bandgap with 34–248 Hz is obtained by FEM at last. Most importantly, the mechanism of regulating the low-frequency bandgap only by adjusting the stiffness ratio can provide an important idea for designing the lightweight small-size LR structure since it can break out the limitation of the heavy mass and big structures in traditional methods, so it has great practical value for vibration isolation and noise reduction in engineering.
Lattice damage and helium bubbles formation in KTaO3 crystals induced by helium ion implantation
Authors: Yuan Yanan , Wang Liangling , Cui Xiaojun , Peng Feng
Published: January 2023

Potassium tantalite (KTaO[Formula: see text] has shown an excellent performance in optoelectronic applications, proving its advantages with respect to fabricating single crystal thin films by ion implantation. This work introduces the damage formation of KTaO3 under 200 keV He ion implantation at room temperature and He bubbles accumulation. Ion implantation-induced lattice damage before and after annealing was quantitatively analyzed by using the Rutherford backscattering spectrometry in channeling technique. The crystals phase analysis of the samples under different fluences was studied by using the X-ray diffraction technique. For 200 keV He ions, the accumulation and migration of He bubbles were induced by the thermal annealing effect under high fluences of He[Formula: see text]. The He bubbles appear obviously coarsening and embrittlement with thermal annealing. The blistering phenomenon caused by He ion implantation is the physical basis for the smart-cut technique, which allows the preparation of high-quality single-crystal films.
STUDY OF INTEGER AND FRACTIONAL ORDER COVID-19 MATHEMATICAL MODEL
Authors: OUNCHAROEN RUJIRA , SHAH KAMAL , UD DIN RAHIM , ABDELJAWAD THABET , AHMADIAN ALI , SALAHSHOUR SOHEIL , SITTHIWIRATTHAM THANIN
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we study a nonlinear mathematical model which addresses the transmission dynamics of COVID-19. The considered model consists of susceptible ([Formula: see text]), exposed ([Formula: see text]), infected ([Formula: see text]), and recovered ([Formula: see text]) individuals. For simplicity, the model is abbreviated as [Formula: see text]. Immigration rates of two kinds are involved in susceptible and infected individuals. First of all, the model is formulated. Then via classical analysis, we investigate its local and global stability by using the Jacobian matrix and Lyapunov function method. Further, the fundamental reproduction number [Formula: see text] is computed for the said model. Then, we simulate the model through the Runge–Kutta method of order two abbreviated as RK2. Finally, we switch over to the fractional order model and investigate its numerical simulations corresponding to different fractional orders by using the fractional order version of the aforementioned numerical method. Finally, graphical presentations are given for the approximate solution of various compartments of the proposed model. Also, a comparison with real data has been shown.
MODCN: Fine-Tuned Deep Convolutional Neural Network with GAN Deployed to Forecast Diabetic Eye Damage in Fundus Retinal Images
Authors: Joseph Jovi , Sreela S. R.
Published: January 2023

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and Glaucoma are two of the most common causes of vision loss world-wide. However, it can be averted if therapy is begun early enough. In biomedical applications, the use of digital image processing has assisted in the automated identification of some ailments at an earlier stage. To make this prediction generally neural network classifier models were previously used, but these models have the drawback of being unable to detect multiple illnesses that occur in the eye at the same time and require a big database for successful classifier training. As a result, a model is needed to reliably distinguish DR and Glaucoma in diabetic individuals more accurately and with minimum dataset images. In this view, this study introduced Mayfly Optimized Deep Convolutional Network (MODCN) model for automated disease detection in the fundus retina images. In the MODCN model, the images are initially preprocessed, segmented at generator in the GAN model then a discriminator readily gives synthesis of real images of the fundus retina, thus a wide database has been created and considered as training images for the MODCN classifier. MODCN classifier has a modified high-density layer as a transition layer to avoid overfitting and the errors are minimized by tuning the hyperparameters using Mayfly Optimization Algorithm. After feature mapping, the classes normal, DR and Glaucoma are labeled and stored. At the testing stage, images are preprocessed, feature mapped and classified in the MODCN model. Thus, the proposed MODCN model detects multiple illness such as Diabetic Retinopathy and Glaucoma at the same time even with a small amount of database that performs a successful classifier training. This model is then evaluated and gives an accuracy of 99% that was higher compared to previous models.
1,4-Phenylene incorporated decaphyrin tetrarhodium(I) complex: Synthesis, structures, and chiroptical properties
Authors: Wang Xue , Zheng Yunchao , Han Mutian , Zhang Haoxuan , Duan Zhiming , Shao Min , Jia Jia , Lei Chuanhu
Published: January 2023

1,4-Phenylene-incorporated decaphyrin(1.0.1.0.0.1.0.1.0.0) 1 has been previously synthesized and optically resolved in the free-base form; however, it undergoes racemization at elevated temperature. In this study, we fixed the figure-of-eight conformation by means of rhodium(I) coordination. The resulting tetranuclear Rh(I) complex 1-Rh[Formula: see text], which is scarcely reported to date, exhibited considerable conformational stability. Accordingly, it could be readily resolved by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a chiral stationary phase, and no racemization was observed even at 110[Formula: see text]C. Importantly, the tetranuclear porphyrinoid complex bearing a unique edge-to-edge alignment of the two 1,4-phenylene spacers revealed a relatively large molar circular dichroism (CD) with an absorption dissymmetry factor ([Formula: see text] of 0.018. While a two-fold larger [Formula: see text] of up to 0.036 was seen for the structural congener 1, wherein the 1,4-phenylene spacers adopt a face-to-face orientation. Thus, it serves to be an attractive basis to explore the structural effect on the chiroptical properties of the expanded porphyrinoid.
A Survey on Edge Intelligence and Lightweight Machine Learning Support for Future Applications and Services
Authors: Hoffpauir Kyle , Simmons Jacob , Schmidt Nikolas , Pittala Rachitha , Briggs Isaac , Makani Shanmukha , Jararweh Yaser
Published: January 2023

As the number of devices connected to the Internet has grown larger, so too has the intensity of the tasks that these devices need to perform. Modern networks are more frequently working to perform computationally intensive tasks on low-power devices and low-end hardware. Current architectures and platforms tend towards centralized and resource-rich cloud computing approaches to address these deficits. However, edge computing presents a much more viable and flexible alternative. Edge computing refers to a distributed and decentralized network architecture in which demanding tasks such as image recognition, smart city services, and high-intensity data processing tasks can be distributed over a number of integrated network devices. In this article, we provide a comprehensive survey for emerging edge intelligence applications, lightweight machine learning algorithms, and their support for future applications and services. We start by analyzing the rise of cloud computing, discuss its weak points, and identify situations in which edge computing provides advantages over traditional cloud computing architectures. We then divulge details of the survey: the first section identifies opportunities and domains for edge computing growth, the second identifies algorithms and approaches that can be used to enhance edge intelligence implementations, and the third specifically analyzes situations in which edge intelligence can be enhanced using any of the aforementioned algorithms or approaches. In this third section, lightweight machine learning approaches are detailed. A more in-depth analysis and discussion of future developments follows. The primary discourse of this article is in service of an effort to ensure that appropriate approaches are applied adequately to artificial intelligence implementations in edge systems, mainly, the lightweight machine learning approaches.
Accuracy and Reliability of At-Home Quantification of Motor Impairments Using a Computer-Based Pointing Task with Children with Ataxia-Telangiectasia
Authors: Pandey Vineet , Khan Nergis C. , Gupta Anoopum S. , Gajos Krzysztof Z.
Published: January 2023

Methods for obtaining accurate quantitative assessments of motor impairments are essential in accessibility research, design of adaptive ability-based assistive technologies, as well as in clinical care and medical research. Currently, such assessments are typically performed in controlled laboratory or clinical settings under professional supervision. Emerging approaches for collecting data in unsupervised settings have been shown to produce valid data when aggregated over large populations, but it is not yet established whether in unsupervised settings measures of research or clinical significance can be collected accurately and reliably for individuals. We conducted a study with 13 children with ataxia-telangiectasia and 9 healthy children to analyze the validity, test-retest reliability, and acceptability of at-home use of a recent active digital phenotyping system, called Hevelius. Hevelius produces 32 measures derived from the movement trajectories of the mouse cursor and then generates a quantitative estimate of motor impairment in the dominant arm using the dominant arm component of the Brief Ataxia Rating Scale (BARS). The severity score estimates generated by Hevelius from single at-home sessions deviated from clinician-assigned BARS scores more than the severity score estimates generated from single sessions conducted under researcher supervision. However, taking a median of as few as 2 consecutive sessions produced severity score estimates that were as accurate or better than the estimates produced from single supervised sessions. Further, aggregating as few as 2 consecutive sessions resulted in good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.81 for A-T participants). This work demonstrated the feasibility of performing accurate and reliable quantitative assessments of individual motor impairments in the dominant arm through tasks performed at home without supervision by the researchers. Further work is needed, however, to assess how broadly these results generalize.
Multi-Objective Optimization for Safety-Related Available E/E Architectures Scoping Highly Automated Driving Vehicles
Authors: Gonzalez de Oliveira Ricardo , Navet Nicolas , Henkel Achim
Published: January 2023

Megatrends such as Highly Automated Driving (HAD) (SAE ≥ Level 3), electrification, and connectivity are reshaping the automotive industry. Together with the new technologies, the business models will also evolve, opening up new possibilities and new fields of competition. To cope with the ongoing advances, new Electric/Electronic (E/E) architecture patterns are emerging in the sector, distributing the vehicle functions across several processing devices and enhancing the connectivity between them via Ethernet-based networks. Upcoming systems will demand Safety-Related Availability (SaRA) requirements in mixed-critical E/E architectures that challenge the concept of freedom from interference defined in ISO 26262. This work explores the concepts of SaRA system development according to ISO 26262, building a framework based on model-based systems engineering to evaluate feasible next-generation automotive E/E architecture designs with a multi-objective analysis. Additionally, we propose a pattern template for SaRA systems to automate the architecture synthesis. To illustrate the framework created, we evaluate a set of automotive E/E architectures synthesized to support mixed-critical vehicle features, including SaRA SAE Level-3 functions, considering the communication networks’ performance as well as hardware and safety-related development costs. This work presents a methodology for original equipment manufacturers and Tier-1 suppliers that enables them to make the trade-offs arising in the design of E/E architectures based on quantified information.
Real-time Cyber-Physical Security Solution Leveraging an Integrated Learning-Based Approach
Authors: Wang Di , Li Fangyu , Liu Kaibo , Zhang Xi
Published: January 2023

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS)
has emerged as a paradigm that connects cyber and physical worlds, which provides unprecedented opportunities to realize intelligent applications such as smart home, smart cities, and smart manufacturing. However, CPS faces a great number of information security challenges (e.g., attacks) due to the integration of CPS as well as the human behaviors and interactions. Therefore, accurate and real-time attack detection and identification are essential to ensure information security and reliability of CPS. In this paper, we propose a novel integrated learning method that accurately detects an attack of a CPS system and then identifies the attack type in real time. Specifically, we consider a
One-Class Support Vector Machine (OCSVM)
model that only relies on the data from the normal state for training to achieve a real-time and effective detection of a CPS system state (i.e., normal or under-attack). If the system is detected to be under-attack, we then develop a
Pairwise Self-supervised Long Short-Term Memory (PSLSTM)
approach to identify the attack type, which aims to accurately distinguish the known attack types and discover unknown new attacks. Lastly, experimental results show the proposed method achieves promising performances compared with conventional and state-of-the-art learning-based benchmarks.
Social Augmented Reality: Communicating via Cultural Heritage
Authors: Ch’ng Eugene , Cai Shengdan , Feng Pinyuan , Cheng Danzhao
Published: January 2023

Social communication around art and cultural heritage objects occurs mostly on location in the museums and between in-group acquaintances. Such discussions are often brief as competing array of displays and time constraints propel the social arrangement of groups of visitors forward to the next object. Discussions are more often than not fleeting and superficial, and rarely expand beyond the boundary of the group. We postulate that the interactivity afforded by augmented reality that allows the inspection of cultural heritage objects projected onto the real environment of users can be a better experience in terms of depth of viewing. We developed a mobile augmented reality application that allows multiuser interaction and propose that discussions that occur around cultural heritage objects can be replicated and that such discussions can be expanded beyond in-groups. We conducted hypotheses testing across 10 groups of 30 participants to investigate if aspects of social communication can be facilitated or impeded by the perceived realism or artificiality of objects and explore which features of Social AR are more important for communication. The research aims to understand how social communication would work for AR when co-viewing heritage objects. The results have implications for necessitating cross-border and cross-cultural exchanges in an increasingly virtually connected world.
Magneto-Optical Properties of Noble Metal Nanostructures
Authors: Foxley Juniper , Knappenberger Kenneth L.
Published: January 2023

The magneto-optical signatures of colloidal noble metal nanostructures, spanning both discrete nanoclusters (<2 nm) and plasmonic nanoparticles (>2 nm), exhibit rich structure-property correlations, impacting applications including photonic integrated circuits, light modulation, applied spectroscopy, and more. For nanoclusters, electron doping and single-atom substitution modify both the intensity of the magneto-optical response and the degree of transient spin polarization. Nanoparticle size and morphology also modulate the magnitude and polarity of plasmon-mediated magneto-optical signals. This intimate interplay between nanostructure and magneto-optical properties becomes especially apparent in magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and magnetic circular photoluminescence (MCPL) spectroscopic data. Whereas MCD spectroscopy informs on a metal nanostructure's steady-state extinction properties, its MCPL counterpart is sensitive to electronic spin and orbital angular momenta of transiently excited states. This review describes the size- and structure-dependent magneto-optical properties of nanoscale metals, emphasizing the increasingly important role of MCPL in understanding transient spin properties and dynamics.
The Predictive Power of Exact Constraints and Appropriate Norms in Density Functional Theory
Authors: Kaplan Aaron D. , Levy Mel , Perdew John P.
Published: January 2023

Ground-state Kohn-Sham density functional theory provides, in principle, the exact ground-state energy and electronic spin densities of real interacting electrons in a static external potential. In practice, the exact density functional for the exchange-correlation (xc) energy must be approximated in a computationally efficient way. About 20 mathematical properties of the exact xc functional are known. In this work, we review and discuss these known constraints on the xc energy and hole. By analyzing a sequence of increasingly sophisticated density functional approximations (DFAs), we argue that ( a) the satisfaction of more exact constraints and appropriate norms makes a functional more predictive over the immense space of many-electron systems and ( b) fitting to bonded systems yields an interpolative DFA that may not extrapolate well to systems unlike those in the fitting set. We discuss both how the class of well-described systems has grown along with constraint satisfaction and the possibilities for future functional development.
Processing Temperature Impact on TiNb2O7 Thick All Active Material Lithium-Ion Battery Electrodes
Authors: Cai Chen , Koenig Gary M.
Published: January 2023

Lithium-ion batteries have become a widespread energy storage technology, and research continues towards improving battery properties. One route to increase electrode areal active material loading and decrease relative volume fractions of inactive components is to increase electrode thickness, but increasing thickness can impact mechanical stability for conventional composite electrodes. All active material (AAM) electrodes, including those in this work, can mitigate mechanical and transport limitations for very thick lithium-ion electrodes. Such electrodes are free of polymer binders and conductive additives, and processed by pressing electroactive material powder into a porous pellet followed by mild sintering to improve mechanical properties. This study investigated the processing of a more recent material processed into AAM electrodes, TiNb2O7, which has relatively high volumetric capacity among reported materials processed into AAM electrodes. The anode material was characterized in AAM electrodes where different processing temperatures were used, resulting in different titanium and niobium containing phases being present. This manuscript provides insights and electrochemical consequences for fabricating AAM electrodes with multicomponent oxide phases.
Review—Electrochemical Migration in Electronic Materials: Factors Affecting the Mechanism and Recent Strategies for Inhibition
Authors: Lee Ee Lynn , Goh Yi Sing , Haseeb A. S. M. A. , Wong Yew Hoong , Sabri Mohd Faizul Mohd , Low Boon Yew
Published: January 2023

Electrochemical migration (ECM) is one of the serious failure modes encountered in electronic devices due to the electrochemical reactions triggered by the presence of moisture and bias voltage, leading to the growth of dendrites and short circuits. The classical ECM mechanism consists of four consecutive stages: (i) electrolyte formation, (ii) anodic dissolution, (iii) ion transport, and (iv) dendrite growth. ECM is a delicate process that involves a combination of a good number of factors, such as the electrode properties, climatic conditions, contaminants, electric field, additives, etc. We intend to provide a comprehensive review of the complex effects that these factors have on each stage of ECM and provide insights into the recent developments in ECM research. Previous findings, current debates and recent discoveries are covered in this article. This review paper also provides a review of recent strategies for ameliorating ECM failures in electronics.
Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Surface on Anodized Aluminum Through a Wet-Chemical Route
Authors: S. S. Subramanian , D Maruthamani , M Kumaravel
Published: January 2023

Fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces on anodized aluminum substrates by wet-chemical grafting using cost-effective chemicals through a simple immersion process is described in this work. Formation of formate-alumoxane is possible by treating the anodized and sealed aluminum substrate with formic acid at around 50 °C. On treatment with sodium salts of higher-order carboxylic acids (stearic acid, lauric acid, and palmitic acid), the formate ions are replaced by higher-order carboxylates. A possible bonding mechanism of the longer chain carboxylic acids with aluminium surfaces has been suggested based on IRRAS and XPS studies. The as-prepared superhydrophobic aluminum substrates exhibited a static water contact angle of up to 167° with a sliding angle not higher than 6°, with decent resistance against abrasion in addition to good UV, environmental and thermal stabilities. Aluminium substrates of any size, shape and surface finish can be easily rendered robust and superhydrophobic without the use of expensive chemicals and sophisticated machinery.
Loss of ETV1/ER81 in motor neurons leads to reduced monosynaptic inputs from proprioceptive sensory neurons
Authors: Ladle David R. , Hippenmeyer Simon
Published: January 2023

In the stretch reflex circuit, proprioceptive afferents establish monosynaptic connections with spinal motor neurons that project to the same muscle. The ETS transcription factor ETV1/ER81 is expressed in all proprioceptive afferents, but only certain groups of motor neurons in the spinal cord of the mouse. Conditional ablation of Er81 expression from motor neurons reveals selective defects in the establishment of stretch reflex connections within motor pools that would normally express Er81.
Evolution of muscle coordination and mechanical output throughout four weeks of arm cranking submaximal training
Authors: Cartier Théo , Rao Guillaume , Viehweger Elke , Vigouroux Laurent
Published: January 2023

Four weeks of submaximal training did not change mechanical realization or muscle synergies during arm cranking exercise. Despite the novelty of the movement, the same muscle coordination organization was found across participants, supporting the existence of low-dimensional organization of muscle coordination. Such organization allows stability in movement and can be adjusted to fit movement requirements.
Evaluating the Influence of Carbon Fiber on the Mechanical Characteristics and Electrical Conductivity of Roller-Compacted Concrete Containing Waste Ceramic Aggregates Exposed to Freeze-Thaw Cycling
Authors: Nasr Danial , Babagoli Rezvan , Rezaei Mohsen , Andarz Arsalan
Published: January 2023

Traditional methods of removing snow and ice from pavements using chemicals are combined with mechanical removal that involves a lot of manpower, advanced machinery, chemicals that are harmful to the environment, and damage to pavements. Furthermore, annually, large quantities of ceramic materials become waste due to their fragile nature during processing, transport, and installation, and their accumulation in the nature has brought about environmental and health-related concerns. Therefore, the study aims to investigate the effect of using waste ceramic as a replacement for fine aggregate in roller compacted concrete (RCC) and the application of carbon fiber to improve the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of RCC. To achieve this goal, several tests such as compressive strength, indirect tensile strength, electrical resistance, chloride ion penetration, specific gravity, and skid resistance tests were carried out on the fabricated samples before and after freeze-thaw cycling exposure. The experimental results illustrated that replacing waste ceramics with fine-grained aggregate increased the compressive strength and tensile strength of RCC. Furthermore, carbon fiber increased tensile strength but had no noticeable influence on compressive strength. Freeze-thaw conditioning led to a reduction in the compressive and tensile strength regardless of the aggregate type and carbon fiber utilization. In the samples containing waste ceramic aggregate, the electrical conductivity was reduced, and by adding carbon fiber, its electrical conductivity was increased. Exposure to freeze-thaw cycling resulted in an increase in electrical resistance and the passing charge. Waste ceramic incorporation created a similar mixture in terms of skid resistance, while in contrast, the carbon fiber slightly reduced the skid resistance. In addition, freeze-thaw conditioning resulted in an increase in the skid resistance. Besides, in this study, kernelized support vector regression (KSVR) and radial bias function (RBF) neural network models were proposed to estimate the indirect tensile strength (ITS) and compressive strength (CS) values. The results showed that both models have high performance in estimating these values, but RBF was a more efficient model.
Modelling and Simulation of Intelligent English Paper Generating Based on SSA‐GA
Authors: Han Limin , Gao Hong , Zhai Rongjie
Published: January 2023

To enhance the quality and efficiency of computer‐enabled generation of papers for Test for English Majors Band 8 (TEM‐8), a paper generation model supported by sparrow search algorithm‐genetic algorithm was studied. First, a simplified test paper generation mathematical model was set up after analyzing and studying types and characteristics of TEM‐8 tasks. In the model, quantity, type, difficulty, discrimination degree, scores, exposure, and answering time of test questions were taken into consideration. To enhance the optimizing effect of the genetic algorithm for searching test questions, the traditional genetic algorithm was improved by introducing the sparrow search algorithm into the model to achieve a better crossover rate, variance rate, optimization precision, and speed of the genetic algorithm. A new sparrow search‐genetic algorithm (SSA‐GA) was designed, and the optimizing effect of SSA‐GA was verified to be ideal through optimizing six standard test functions. Then, SSA‐GA was applied to conduct experimentation with test paper generation, and comparison with traditional genetic algorithms was also made. The values of best and average fitness of SSA‐GA were better than those of the traditional genetic algorithm (GA) in the paper generation. Exposure rate and success rate in TEM‐8 paper generation of SSA‐GA were higher than those of traditional GA in TEM‐8 paper generation. Results showed that the studied SSA‐GA could implement test paper generation with higher speed and better quality.
Investigation of Anti-Inflammatory Properties, Phytochemical Constituents, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Potentials of the Whole Plant Ethanolic Extract of Achillea santolinoides subsp. wilhelmsii (K. Koch) Greuter of Balochistan
Authors: Akbar Ali , Gul Zareen , Chein Su Hlaing , Sadiq Muhammad Bilal
Published: January 2023

Medicinal plants are rich source of phytochemical constitutes and can be used to treat many human diseases. Infectious diseases have always been a major source of concern. Globally, the medicinal plant Achillea wilhelmsii locally known as Bohe Madran is extensively dispersed and widely used as traditional medicine. The aim of this present work is to investigate phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of the whole plant ethanolic extract of Achillea santolinoides subsp. wilhelmsii (WEEAW) from Balochistan region. The total phenolic content was14.81±0.18 mg GAE/g of the extract whereas the total flavonoid content was12.27±0.12 mg QE/g of the extract. The antioxidant ability of the extract was analyzed by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl) scavenging assay and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assay in terms of concentration having 50% inhibition (IC50). Results showed that IC50 value for DPPH% inhibition was0.367±0.82 mg/mL while FRAP assay represented with IC50 value of0.485±1.26 mg/mL. In antileishmanial bioassay, the extract was analyzed against Leishmania major and showed good activity with IC50 value of7.02±0.83 mg/mL. Antibacterial assay revealed that Staphylococcus aureus was highly sensitive with the diameter of inhibition zone (21.61±1.09 mm) followed by Salmonella typhi (17.32±0.15 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.41±0.63 mm), and Escherichia coli (15.30±1.17 mm) while Klebsiella pneumoniae showed minimum inhibition (14.13±0.49 mm). Antifungal activity was tested against Aspergillus flavus with 89% of inhibition zone and 77% against Mucor mucedo and Aspergillus niger with 74% of inhibition zone. The anti-inflammatory assay was carried out by inhibiting protein denaturation, proteinase inhibitory activity, and heat-induced hemolysis. The IC50 value for protein denaturation was6.67±1.25 mg/mL, proteinase inhibitory with IC50 value of4.12±0.69 mg/mL, and heat-induced hemolysis assay with IC50 value4.53±0.82 mg/mL by comparing to the standard drug aspirin having IC50 value1.85±0.54 mg/mL. Results of the current work showed that whole plant ethanolic extract of Achillea wilhelmsii exhibited substantial anti-inflammatory action, thus can be utilized as a traditional treatment. Furthermore, overall finding of this research suggested that the antioxidant potential of the plant aids to prevent free radical damage and reduce the incidence of chronic disease. More research is needed to find out more active compounds present in the extract that are responsible for their pharmacological effects.
Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Edible Wild Fruits from Malawi
Authors: Mwamatope Bonface , Chikowe Ibrahim , Tembo David T. , Kamanula John F. , Masumbu Friday F. F. , Kumwenda Felix D.
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of 17 edible wild fruits that are widely distributed and consumed in Malawi for pharmacological value exploration. Qualitative phytochemical analysis, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total antioxidant activity (TAA), and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH) were performed in aqueous and methanolic fruit extracts. The results showed that the extracts contained alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, glycosides, coumarins, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, and quinones. Piliostigma thonningii had the highest total phenolic content (1675.33 ± 12.34 mg GAEg-1 FW) in methanolic extracts, and Annona senegalensis gave the highest levels of total flavonoid content (649.67 ± 2.08 mg RE g-1 FW) in aqueous extracts. The results of antioxidant activities (FRAP, TAA, and DPPH) varied widely, and the variations were significant (P < 0.05). Thespesia garckeana and Mangifera indica exhibited a high ability to chelate metal cations in methanolic extracts and in aqueous extracts, respectively. DPPH levels were higher in aqueous extracts and ranged from 11.07% to 99.61%. This study provides evidence that the studied edible fruits of Malawi have potential as value‐added products for various treatments of oxidative stress‐associated ailments as they contain more phytochemical constituents. We recommend further studies to determine if the presence of a particular class of phytochemicals would translate into the bioactivity capability of these edible fruits.
Hybrid Vigor and Heritability Estimates in Tomato Crosses Involving Solanum lycopersicum × S. pimpinellifolium under Cool Tropical Monsoon Climate
Authors: Ene Chikezie Onuora , Abtew Wosene Gebreselassie , Oselebe Happiness Ogba , Ozi Friday Ugadu , Ogah Onwuchekwa , Okechukwu Emeka Chibuzor , Chukwudi Uchechukwu Paschal
Published: January 2023

High humidity is a major constraint to increased tomato fruit production in a cool tropical monsoon climate. However, the genetic variation observed in Solanum pimpinellifolium makes it a good gene donor for breeding tomato cultivars capable of thriving under high humidity. The objective of this study was to estimate heterosis, heritability for higher yield, and to assess the adaptability of the genotypes to humid conditions. Genotypes were raised from five morphologically divergent parents, viz., wild parent (W)–“LA2093,” “CLN2498D” (D), “CLN2417H” (H), “Tima” (T), and “UC Dan INDIA” (U). The F1s were generated by biparental mating design using “LA2093” as a common pollen donor that was selfed to produce F2s and backcrossed to both parents to obtain BC1s and BC2s. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data were collected on selected yield-influencing traits and analyzed. “D × W” and “U × W” hybrids showed significant positive better parent heterosis for fruit weight per plant (30.4% and 35.5%) and total fruit yield (48.6% and 26.9%), respectively. The additive variance was higher than dominance variance for all the traits, including total fruit yield in all hybrids viz., “H × W,” “D × W,” “T × W,” and “U × W.” High narrow sense heritability estimate of ≥60% was observed in “D × W” and “U × W” hybrids for the majority of the floral and fruit traits including total fruit yield. This makes the improvement of “D × W” and “U × W” hybrids by direct selection advantageous. Hence, the adoption of selection for the affected traits in subsequent tomato breeding programs would enhance fruit yield and adaptability to humid environments.
Motor Imagery and Mental Practice in the Subacute and Chronic Phases in Upper Limb Rehabilitation after Stroke: A Systematic Review
Authors: Villa-Berges Enrique , Laborda Soriano Ana Alejandra , Lucha-López Orosia , Tricas-Moreno José Miguel , Hernández-Secorún Mar , Gómez-Martínez Miguel , Hidalgo-García César
Published: January 2023

Introduction. Motor imagery and mental practice can be defined as a continuous mechanism in which the subject tries to emulate a movement using cognitive processes, without actually performing the motor action. The objective of this review was to analyse and check the efficacy of motor imagery and/or mental practice as a method of rehabilitating motor function in patients that have suffered a stroke, in both subacute and chronic phases. Material and Methods. We performed a bibliographic search from 2009 to 2021 in the following databases, Medline (PubMed), Scopus, WOS, Cochrane, and OTSeeker. The search focused on randomized clinical trials in which the main subject was rehabilitating motor function of the upper limb in individuals that had suffered a stroke in subacute or chronic phases. Results. We analysed a total of 11 randomized clinical trials, with moderate and high methodological quality according to the PEDro scale. Most of the studies on subacute and chronic stages obtained statistically significant short-term results, between pre- and postintervention, in recovering function of the upper limb. Conclusions. Motor imagery and/or mental practice, combined with conventional therapy and/or with other techniques, can be effective in the short term in recovering upper limb motor function in patients that have suffered a stroke. More studies are needed to analyse the efficacy of this intervention during medium- and long-term follow-up.
A Reference Point‐Based Evolutionary Algorithm Solves Multi and Many‐Objective Optimization Problems: Method and Validation
Authors: Jameel Mohammed , Abouhawwash Mohamed
Published: January 2023

The integration of a decision maker’s preferences in evolutionary multi‐objective optimization (EMO) has been a common research scope over the last decade. In the published literature, several preference‐based evolutionary approaches have been proposed. The reference point‐based non‐dominated sorting genetic (R‐NSGA‐II) algorithm represents one of the well‐known preference‐based evolutionary approaches. This method mainly aims to find a set of the Pareto‐optimal solutions in the region of interest (ROI) rather than obtaining the entire Pareto‐optimal set. This approach uses Euclidean distance as a metric to calculate the distance between each candidate solution and the reference point. However, this metric may not produce desired solutions because the final minimal Euclidean distance value is unknown. Thus, determining whether the true Pareto‐optimal solution is achieved at the end of optimization run becomes difficult. In this study, R‐NSGA‐II method is modified using the recently proposed simplified Karush–Kuhn–Tucker proximity measure (S‐KKTPM) metric instead of the Euclidean distance metric, where S‐KKTPM‐based distance measure can predict the convergence behavior of a point from the Pareto‐optimal front without prior knowledge of the optimum solution. Experimental results show that the algorithm proposed herein is highly competitive compared with several state‐of‐the‐art preference‐based EMO methods. Extensive experiments were conducted with 2 to 10 objectives on various standard problems. Results show the effectiveness of our algorithm in obtaining the preferred solutions in the ROI and its ability to control the size of each preferred region separately at the same time.
Substitutions in Nd5−xTbxMo3O16+δ Series: Phase Formation, Atomistic Modeling, and Crystal Structure of Nd5Mo3O16+δ-Based Solid Solutions
Authors: Chebyshev Konstantin A. , Selikova Nelly I. , Pasechnik Lyudmila V. , Ignatov A. V.
Published: January 2023

Samples of the Nd5−xTbxMo3O16+δ series were obtained by solid-state synthesis from metal oxides at 1050°C. The formation of solid solutions based on cubic and monoclinic phases and a two-phase region between them was observed in the Nd5−xTbxMo3O16+δ compositions. Increasing the terbium content in the system leads to a decrease in the unit cell parameters of the cubic and monoclinic phases within their homogeneity regions, which confirms the formation of solid solutions. It has been established that the terbium oxidation state in the Nd5Mo3O16+δ crystal structure is +3. The predominant placement of terbium atoms in the 8c position is observed by crystal structure refinement and confirmed by the results of the atomistic simulation. The introduction of terbium into the crystal structure of neodymium molybdate leads to a decrease in the Ln1–O1 and Ln2–O2 interatomic distances. The atomistic simulation was performed by the GULP program using the fit potential of the terbium ion. Terbium molybdate with Tb5Mo3O16+δ composition is a subtraction solid solution based on Tb2MoO6. Increasing the unit cell parameters of Tb5Mo3O16+δ monoclinic phase compared to Tb2MoO6 was confirmed by structure refinement and atomistic simulation.
Oxidative Stress and Pyroptosis in Doxorubicin-Induced Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Ping Zhang , Fangfang Tou , Yuliang Zhan , Xinyong Cai , Lang Hong , Fan Hu , Jun Ma , Liang Shao
Published: January 2023

Patients undergoing doxorubicin (Dox) chemotherapy often develop new-onset atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Recent studies indicate that the TLR4/MyD88/NLRP3 pyroptosis signaling pathway plays a key role in the occurrence and development of cancer, heart failure, and atherosclerosis. However, few studies investigated the role of oxidative stress and pyroptosis in doxorubicin-induced heart failure and new-onset atrial fibrillation. In this study, we recruited 84 healthy subjects, 112 patients undergoing Dox chemotherapy showing heart failure (HF), and 62 patients undergoing Dox treatment who manifested atrial fibrillation (AF). The mRNA and protein levels of TLR4 expression, several downstream pyroptosis-associated proteins (cleaved caspase-1, NLRP3, GSDMD-N, and HMGB-1), serum inflammatory factors, and oxidative stress were detected at the beginning of chemotherapy and after 3 months of Dox chemotherapy. Oxidative stress and downstream pyroptosis-associated proteins tended to increase in the Dox-baseline group to the Dox-HF group. However, virtually no change in the expression of either oxidative stress or pyroptosis-associated proteins was detected in patients after three months of Dox chemotherapy compared with those at baseline. This study suggests that the prolonged oxidative stress and high levels of pyroptosis-associated proteins contribute to cardiac systolic dysfunction, suggesting TLR4 as a novel biomarker and a potential treatment target for doxorubicin-induced heart failure.