bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CFD simulation of methane dispersion dynamics
Authors: Cioclea Doru , Gherghe Ion , Ilcea Gabriel
Published: January 2024

Anthropogenic activities involve the extraction, transformation and use of natural resources. During the process of extracting useful mineral substances on the surface or underground, particles or gases appear in the work environment resulting from the removal or natural release from the rock mass. The process of transforming useful mineral substances takes place on the surface in closed premises and involves the use of complex technological processes. During these, gases, fog, dust or powders of an explosive or toxic nature can be released or reach the working atmosphere. Industrial pollutants in confined spaces are released into the atmosphere for worker safety. If workers are caught in fires or explosions caused by flammable or explosive substances, morbidity is extremely high. The paper presents the CFD analysis regarding the determination of methane dispersion dynamics at the level of a closed enclosure. Through the CFD analysis, the methane flow and dispersion paths were identified, respectively the areas with minimum concentrations in order to safely evacuate the workers.
Evaluation of the effects produced by triggering pyrotechnic articles for automotive use by exposure to various hazardous external stimuli
Authors: Garaliu-Bușoi Bogdan , Ilici Ștefan , Nicola Aurelian , Popescu Claudius , Pintilie Dan
Published: January 2024

The object of the evaluation of the risk factors that may lead to the accidental initiation of the semi-finished products containing pyrotechnic articles in the process of handling / use / storage / transport is represented by the estimation and assessment of the risk of initiation / detonation of pyrotechnic devices, based on the quantification of the dangers specific to the operations with these types of products, carried out in various phases of the technological flow, used in the manufacture of electrical circuit breakage subassemblies in motor vehicles. Protection against detonation due to accidental initiation is of particular interest to safety because these detonations endanger the life and health of workers as a result of the uncontrollable effects of deflagration and pressure, the presence of toxic reaction products and the consumption of oxygen from ambient air, which workers must inspire. Accidental initiation / detonation of the pyrotechnic actuator can occur by exposing it to the following dangerous external stimuli: electrostatic charge/electrical discharge – with a potential greater than 25 kV; stray currents when passing a current of 0.4 A through the two actuator initiation pins; temperature – higher than 165 ⁰ C; mechanical shock.
The use of aramids and para-aramids in the manufacture of individual protective equipment
Authors: (Stanimirescu) Soica Alexandra , Im Razvan Bogdan , Marc Bogdan Ioan
Published: January 2024

The paper presents the possibility of using aramids and para-aramids in order to increase the mechanical and thermal quality of individual protective equipment and the possibility of being used in harsh environments. The work will highlight the physico-chemical characteristics of aramids and para-aramids in comparison with the classic materials from which individual protective equipment is made in the present. The utility of the equipment will also be taken into account for their use underground in mining operations, a condition that is fulfilled by their chemical treatment.
Aspects Regarding the Certification of Electrical Equipment Used in Potentially Explosive Environments in Accordance with EU Directive 2014/34
Authors: Rad Marcel Daniel , Szido Sorin
Published: January 2024

EU Directive 2014/34 establishes the standards for the certification of electrical equipment used in potentially explosive atmosphere.

The EU has established standards for the certification of electrical equipment used in potentially explosive atmosphere. EU Directive 2014/34 sets out the requirements for certification and compliance. The directive applies to all electrical equipment to be used in potentially explosive atmosphere. The directive applies to manufacturers of electrical equipment and their authorized representatives. The directive sets out the safety requirements that electrical equipment must meet before it can be certified for use in potentially explosive atmosphere. The directive classifies potentially explosive atmosphere into three categories: Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2. The directive also sets out requirements for marking electrical equipment that has been certified for use in potentially explosive atmosphere.

Certification of electrical equipment involves testing the equipment to ensure that it meets safety requirements. Testing is performed by certified testing laboratories. Testing laboratories are accredited by the relevant national accreditation bodies. The testing laboratories follow the procedures laid down in the directive for testing electrical equipment. Testing includes testing the equipment for electrical safety, mechanical safety and thermal safety. The testing also includes testing the equipment for its ability to prevent ignition of potentially explosive atmospheres.
Analysis of security parameters specific to coal mines
Authors: Boantă Corneliu , Rădoi Florin
Published: January 2024

Coal continues to remain a basic energy source for industry, but the impact on the environment and underground security resulting from its extraction and use must be given ever-increasing attention. Ecological impact analysis is currently the most powerful tool for preventing pollution and environmental degradation, respectively for underground security, in any project related to coal mining. The current trend of restricting mining activity in more productive perimeters, but far from the main connections with the surface, implies a substantial increase in the demand for ventilation systems due to underground pollutants and implicitly the continuously increasing risk factors. The particularly complex conditions and with major implications in the security levels of mining operations require the objectification of control by monitoring security parameters, through systems, installations, devices and modern automatic programs in parallel with the manual control system with modern portable devices. The paper analyzes the possibility of monitoring security parameters related to the environment, mine fires and degassing installations specific to mining operations in the Valea Jiului coal basin, in order to remove several risk factors that endanger underground mining. The main safety parameters analyzed refer to the underground environment, endogenous fires and degassing of coal seams. The parameters that are followed in order to assess the efficiency of the degassing networks are: the depression in the degassing network, the methane concentration of the captured gas and the methane flow from the network.
Explosion risk assessment - an important chapter of the explosion protection document
Authors: Radu Mirela Ancuta , Jurca Adrian Marius
Published: January 2024

In order to improve the safety and health protection of workers who may be exposed to a potential risk due to explosive atmospheres, in every industrial area where such atmospheres may occur, the employer shall ensure the development and updating of a document called Explosion Protection Document. The main chapter of this document is the Explosion Risk Assessment.

Risk assessment is a complex process that involves identifying the risk, analyzing the risk and estimating the risk, the main purpose of assessing the level of risk being to establish the necessary protection measures to reduce it to acceptable levels.

This paper identifies the factors that may influence the level of risk of explosions in the workplace in order to establish the protection measures required to reduce the risk to acceptable levels.

Explosion risk assessment must be performed by competent persons with knowledge of technical, electrical and mechanical engineering and who understand the general principles of explosion protection.
The specific risks encountered at workplaces in the mines of the Jiu Valley and their correlation with the levels of danger
Authors: Matei Andrada Denisa , Morar Marius Simion , Cioara Cristian Raul
Published: January 2024

In order to ensure an appropriate level of security and health in underground mining works, it is necessary to apply some methods of diagnosing the situation of the work system/workplace, from the aspect of work security, which involves:

-

knowing the risk factors of occupational injury and illness;

-

the ranking of risk factors in relation to the potential seriousness of the consequences on the executor;

-

identification and ranking of preventive measures to be applied.

The assessment of the risk level is a systematic examination of all aspects of the work process, undertaken in order to eliminate the sources that could cause bodily harm, which constitute the basis for the substantiation of measures to prevent and combat risks. For this reason, all those involved in the work process must be consulted in the risk assessment process.

Specific risk monitoring aims to carry out a pre-accident type assessment of the risk of occupational injury and illness using assessment criteria that are based on quantitative risk assessment.
Method development for the analysis of Phenols in the ambient air using automatic thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS)
Authors: Simion Alexandru Florin , Găman Angelica Nicoleta
Published: January 2024

The study presents the development and validation of a method for analyzing phenolic compounds in ambient air using TD-GC/MS. Phenols in the air are known for their toxic and carcinogenic properties, making accurate analysis crucial for assessing their distribution and potential impacts on human health and the environment. The TD-GC/MS technique offers significant advantages over traditional methods by automating sample preparation and improving reproducibility and accuracy. This approach enables sensitive and precise analysis of 9 phenols compounds in ambient air. The optimized method demonstrated high sensitivity, allowing for the detection and quantification of phenols at trace levels in the low parts-per-trillion range. It also exhibited excellent selectivity, distinguishing target phenols from potential interferences in air samples. The validation parameters, such as LOD, LOQ, linearity, and recovery, confirmed the method's reliability and performance. Overall, the developed method, in conjunction with appropriate materials and instrumentation, provides a reliable and efficient approach for analyzing phenolic compounds in ambient air. It contributes to the advancement of air quality monitoring and risk assessment strategies by enabling the identification of pollution sources, evaluation of exposure levels, and formulation of effective mitigation measures to protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of phenols.
Practical skills and safety requirements in the profession of pyrotechnician
Authors: Cioara Cristian Raul , Tuhuț Ligia Ioana , Manea Florin
Published: January 2024

National legislation states that a pyrotechnician is a person who has specialist knowledge and is authorized to handle and use pyrotechnic entertainment items. It is necessary to acquire technical and practical knowledge, but above all the training of skills in the proper use of pyrotechnic articles, taking into account the specific risk and the complexity of the execution of the operations. At INCD INSEMEX Petro.ani, the technical and practical facilities for the organization of qualification courses in the profession of pyrotechnician have been developed, leading to an increase in the level of knowledge and the acquisition of practical skills. In this sense, the infrastructure for teaching and verifying the appropriate acquisition of the disseminated information was developed based on the application of modern pedagogical and psychopedagogical concepts to facilitate the learning process for people who come from a heterogeneous environment from the perspective of age differences and level of studies/ accumulated experience held. The paper highlights the results of the modernization of the methodological and practical infrastructure as well as the technical facilities in terms of optimizing and increasing the quality of the training process for the pyrotechnician qualification.
The assessment of the seismic effect produced by the blasting works in the Măgura Sârbi Brănișca Quarry
Authors: Gheorghiosu Edward , Robert Laslo , Kovacs Attila , Ilici Ștefan
Published: January 2024

In addition to the technical and economic advantages of blasting rocks from open-pit mining, this method of extraction can produce effects with a direct impact in the area near the quarry. Blasting works generates effects such as seismic waves that cause vibrations, rock throws, noise and toxic gases. When their intensity and scope are not systematically evaluated and analysed, blasting works can cause serious consequences for people, civil / industrial buildings, the environment, thus affecting the health of the population and the stability / integrity of the buildings / slopes in the vicinity of the mining operations. The paper presents design / determination methods of areas where explosives may / may not be used in conditions of maximum safety in terms of seismic intensity, thus protecting the population and the civil / industrial objectives in the area of the mining work.
Functional system for experimentation and testing of products for professional use - Professional risk management tool for workers performing industrial activities
Authors: Antonov Anca Elena , Buică Georgeta , Beiu Constantin , Dobra Remus
Published: January 2024

The products intended for professional use must guarantee the fulfilment of the safety and health requirements from the design phase; they are being tested in the experimentation and “zero series” stage to validate the series production. The work equipment for professional use, the industrial product prototype’s functional, operating and protection properties must be defined to establish the necessary conditions for their experimentation. In this sense, it is necessary to develop specific tools for the management of professional risks in order to take the decision at the managerial level to protect the workers who carry out industrial activities. The study presents research results regarding establishing security and compliance conditions to develop a methodology for experimentation, testing and validation of product prototypes intended to protect workers and prevent occupational risks in electrical installations. As part of the research study, a managerial tool for managing professional risks was developed in order to ensure the protection of people who carry out industrial activities and the prevention of occupational risks in the energy sector, which consisted of an intelligent decision support tool necessary for designing, experimenting the product prototype, the testing of the upgraded product model and its validation, to introduce it into series production.
Stress and satisfaction at work, as part of the passage of time, among the employees of a state company
Authors: Caldarescu Gabriela , Florea Laura-Angelica , Tanasievici George Daniel
Published: January 2024

This paper presents a study in which a team of specialists analyzed three variables that can influence work relationships, namely stress, emotions and job satisfaction. Through the analysis carried out, it was observed whether there are notable differences regarding the quantitative overload at work, role ambiguity, role conflict and career development as part of the stress felt by employees, respectively on dimensions regarding remuneration (salary), advancement, working conditions and the nature of work as part of the perception of job satisfaction, in close relation with the emotion dimension, in a state-owned company, a decade apart. From the comparative analysis of the results from the two monitored periods: years 2013 and 2023, it emerges as a conclusion the need for psychosocial protection measures for employees that can materialize through: strategies related to professional requirements, strategies related to the employee's abilities and strategies related to the control of difficult situations that to take into account the components of the work system, for better functioning both at the level of the company that was the subject of this study, but by extrapolation they can be useful to other organizations that present similar functioning characteristics.
Pflegebedürftigkeit analysieren – Potential der Daten
aus Pflegebegutachtungen des Medizinischen Dienstes Bayern für Public
Health-Forschung und -Praxis
Authors: Schütz Johanna , Redlich Marie-Christin , Fischer Florian
Published: January 2024

Hintergrund Ungeachtet der Implikationen des demografischen Wandels
existiert in Deutschland bislang noch keine systematische und vergleichbare
Differenzierung einer Pflegeberichterstattung auf kleinräumiger Ebene,
in welcher die Situation der ambulanten pflegerischen Versorgung abgebildet
wird. Daher ist das Ziel dieses Beitrags, Erkenntnisse der Pflegebegutachtung
des Medizinischen Dienstes Bayern darzustellen und daraus Ableitungen
für eine zukünftige Pflegeberichterstattung zu ziehen.

Methodik Für die Analyse wurden anonymisierte
Pflegeerstbegutachtungen des Medizinischen Dienstes Bayern des Jahres 2019
exemplarisch mittels deskriptiver Methoden ausgewertet. Die Studie beschreibt
die Charakteristika von Personen mit Pflegegradempfehlung, die Verteilung der
Pflegegrade, medizinische Diagnosen sowie Grad der Selbstständigkeit in
den Lebensbereichen.

Ergebnisse Die begutachteten Personen weisen ein Durchschnittsalter von 80
Jahren auf. Zum Zeitpunkt der Erstbegutachtung lebte der größte
Anteil der Personen mit zugewiesenem Pflegegrad in einer ambulanten
Wohnsituation. Pflegegrad (PG) 1 (geringe Beeinträchtigung der
Selbständigkeit oder der Fähigkeiten) erhielten 35,1%
der Versicherten, PG 2 (erhebliche Beeinträchtigungen) 43,1%, PG
3 (schwere Beeinträchtigungen) 16,6%, PG 4 und 5 (schwerste
Beeinträchtigungen) wurden jeweils im niedrigen einstelligen
Prozentbereich bei der Erstbegutachtung vergeben (3,9% bzw.
1,4%). Bei den medizinischen Diagnosen dominierten v. a.
Störung des Ganges und der Mobilität, nicht näher
bezeichnete Demenz, Herzinsuffizienz sowie Senilität. Insbesondere die
Lebensbereiche ‚Mobilität‘ und ‚Gestaltung des
Alltagslebens sowie sozialer Kontakte‘ sind mit Einschränkungen
bei den Pflegebedürftigen verbunden.

Schlussfolgerung Die beim Medizinischen Dienst vorliegenden Daten
können eine hohe Relevanz für Gesundheitsforschung und -politik
einnehmen und eine Grundlage für die Interventionsplanung im
Pflegebereich bieten.
Return to Sport nach Stressfraktur – Diagnostik und Therapie bei Ermüdungsbrüchen – ein Fallbericht
Authors: Moers Stephanie , Schoch Wolfgang
Published: January 2024

Filmon Teklebrhan-Behre läuft 130 bis 140 Kilometer pro Woche. Das knallharte Trainingspensum endet mit einer Stressfraktur des Wadenbeins. Die Heilung benötigt den systematischen Wechsel zwischen Be- und Entlastung. Stephanie Moers und Wolfgang Schoch berichten von einem außergewöhnlichen Fall, der weit über den Praxisalltag hinausreicht. Filmon kam aus Eritrea nach Südbaden und läuft heute im deutschen Nationalteam.
Mikrobielle Belastung der Umgebung während der Anwendung der Hochfrequenz-Jetventilation in der Bronchoskopie
Authors: Luecke Eva , Brunner Juliane , Stegemann-Koniszewski Sabine , Kaasch Achim , Bauer Katja , Geginat Gernot , Hachenberg Thomas , Schilling Thomas , Schwarze Lisa-Lisett , Schreiber Jens
Published: January 2024

Hintergrund Die Hochfrequenz-Jetventilation (HFJV) wird in der pneumologischen Endoskopie für starre, diagnostische und therapeutische Bronchoskopien genutzt. Unklar ist hierbei, inwieweit durch den ungehinderten Atemgasstrom aus der Lunge des Patienten eine mikrobielle Belastung der Umgebungsluft entsteht.

Material und Methoden Nach Beginn der HFJV (15 min) bei 16 starren Bronchoskopien wurden direkt am distalen Endoskopausgang, auf Untersucherhöhe (40 cm über dem Endoskopausgang), in 2 m Abstand vom Endoskop im Raum sowie am Zuluftauslass des Untersuchungsraums Luftkeimmessungen mit einem RCS-Luftkeimsammler vorgenommen. Anschließend erfolgten die Bestimmung der Anzahl und Art der isolierten Erreger in den Luftproben sowie eine Keimbestimmung in der bronchoalveolären Lavageflüssigkeit (BALF) aus der Patientenlunge.

Ergebnisse Direkt am distalen Ende des Endoskops und auf Untersucherhöhe in 40 cm Entfernung wurde eine erhöhte Keimdichte (136 und 114 KBE/m3) nachgewiesen, die mit zunehmendem Abstand vom Bronchoskop deutlich abnahm (in 2 m Entfernung 98 KBE/m3 und am Zuluftauslass 82 KBE/m3). Die am häufigsten nachgewiesenen Bakterien waren Staphylococcus spp., Micrococcus spp. und Bacillus spp. In der BALF konnten nur in 4 von 16 Proben Erreger kultiviert werden, jedoch wurden dieselben Erreger in der BALF und der Umgebungsluft nachgewiesen.

Schlussfolgerungen Bei der Durchführung einer starren Bronchoskopie, bei der die Patienten mit einem offenen HFJV-System kontrolliert mechanisch ventiliert werden, entsteht eine erhöhte Erregerbelastung der Umgebungsluft und damit eine potenzielle Gefahr für den Untersucher.
A 22-pole radiofrequency ion trap setup for laboratory astrophysical studies
Authors: Behera Nihar Ranjan , Dutta Saurav , Chacko Roby , Barik Saroj , Aravind G.
Published: January 2024

The formation of large interstellar molecules starting from small reactants constitutes the bottom-up approach in astrochemistry. An experimental setup wherein the ionic reactant is prepared and allowed to react with neutral reactants within a confined interaction space is most desirable for this approach. Here, we present our efforts in constructing a 22-pole radio-frequency ion trap experimental setup that could act as a reaction chamber for the neutral reactant and trapped ions. A compact piezo-based pulsed supersonic expansion discharge source was developed to achieve efficient production of anions, particularly metal-bearing ions. In addition, two other ion sources, namely, the electron impact ion source and the plasma supersonic discharge ion source, were developed to cater to the production of specific ions. The geometry of this experimental setup facilitates photo excitation of trapped ions. The trapping efficiency was studied by trapping SF5+ and SF6− for a few seconds. The control exhibited by various parameters on the efficiency of the trapping is discussed in detail. Potential studies that could be performed with this new experimental setup are also discussed.
Effects of disorder on electron heating in ultracold plasmas
Authors: Dumin Yurii V. , Lukashenko Anastasiia T.
Published: January 2024

Starting from the beginning of their research in the early 2000s, the ultracold plasmas were considered as a promising tool to achieve considerable values of the Coulomb coupling parameter for electrons. Unfortunately, this was found to be precluded by a sharp spontaneous increase in temperature, which was often attributed to the so-called disorder-induced heating. It is the aim of the present paper to quantify the effect of spontaneous heating as a function of the initial ionic disorder and, thereby, to estimate the efficiency of its mitigation, e.g., by the Rydberg blockade. As a result of the performed simulations, we found that the dynamics of electrons exhibited a well-expressed transition from the case of the quasi-regular arrangement of ions to the disordered one; the magnitude of the effect being about 30%. Thereby, we can conclude that the two-step formation of ultracold plasmas—involving the intermediate stage of the blockaded Rydberg gas—can really serve as a tool to increase the degree of Coulomb coupling, but the efficiency of this method is moderate.
Global nonlinear stability of bidispersive porous convection with throughflow and depth-dependent viscosity
Authors: Tripathi Vinit Kumar , Shankar B. M. , Mahajan Amit , Shivakumara I. S.
Published: January 2024

The linear instability and the nonlinear stability analyses have been performed to examine the combined impact of a uniform vertical throughflow and a depth-dependent viscosity on bidispersive porous convection using the Darcy theory with a single temperature field. The validity of the principle of exchange of stability is proved. The eigenvalue problems resulting from both linear instability and nonlinear stability analyses with variable coefficients are numerically solved using the Chebyshev pseudo-spectral method. The equivalence of linear instability and nonlinear stability boundaries is established in the absence of throughflow, while in its presence, the subcritical instability is shown to be evident. The stability of the system is independent of the direction of throughflow in the case of constant viscosity, whereas upflow is found to be more stabilizing than downflow when the viscosity is varying with depth. While the viscosity parameter offers a destabilizing influence on the onset of convection in the absence of throughflow, it imparts both stabilizing and destabilizing effects on the same in its presence. The influence of the ratio of permeabilities and the interphase momentum transfer parameter is to make the system more stable. The findings of a mono-disperse porous medium are presented as a specific case within the broader context of this investigation.
Energy dissipation mechanism of tip-leakage cavitation in mixed-flow pump blades
Authors: Li Wei , Li Haoming , Liu Mingjiang , Ji Leilei , Agarwal Ramesh K. , Jin Shengyang
Published: January 2024

Tip leakage flow is one of the significant factors influencing the internal flow stability of mixed-flow pumps, and in severe cases, it can lead to channel blockage and energy loss. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the energy dissipation mechanism induced by tip leakage vortex cavitation, this study is based on the Wray–Agarwal (WA) turbulence model and the homogeneous flow model, investigating the cavitation flow characteristics of mixed-flow pumps. Additionally, the entropy production theory is employed to evaluate the energy losses within the mixed-flow pump and analyze the components of energy loss in the impeller and guide vanes. The research results reveal that with increasing cavitation intensity, the low-pressure region at the leading edge of the blade extends toward the trailing edge, influencing the static pressure distribution on the blade's pressure side. Leakage flow and the spatial distribution of leakage vortices move closer to the suction side of the blade with increasing cavitation intensity. Cavitation primarily affects the energy losses in the impeller region, with turbulent dissipation being the main source of energy loss. High turbulent dissipation zones are concentrated at the trailing edge of the blade, correlating with recirculation vortices and trailing-edge vortices. This study provides theoretical insights with practical implications for enhancing the cavitation performance of mixed-flow pumps, offering valuable guidance for design and operation.
Glovebox-assisted magnetic force microscope for studying air-sensitive samples in a cryogen-free magnet
Authors: Zhang Yuchen , Zhao Kesen , Zheng Shaofeng , Wang Jihao , Zhang Jing , Feng Qiyuan , Wang Ze , Gao Jianhua , Hou Yubin , Meng Wenjie , Lu Yalin , Lu Qingyou
Published: January 2024

Most known two-dimensional magnets exhibit a high sensitivity to air, making direct characterization of their domain textures technically challenging. Herein, we report on the construction and performance of a glovebox-assisted magnetic force microscope (MFM) operating in a cryogen-free magnet, realizing imaging of the intrinsic magnetic structure of water and oxygen-sensitive materials. It features a compact tubular probe for a 50 mm-diameter variable temperature insert installed in a 12 T cryogen-free magnet. A detachable sealing chamber can be electrically connected to the tail of the probe, and its pump port can be opened and closed by a vacuum manipulator located on the top of the probe. This sealing chamber enables sample loading and positioning in the glove box and MFM transfer to the magnet maintained in an inert gas atmosphere (in this case, argon and helium gas). The performance of the MFM is demonstrated by directly imaging the surface (using no buffer layer, such as h-BN) of very air-sensitive van der Waals magnetic material chromium triiodide (CrI3) samples at low temperatures as low as 5 K and high magnetic fields up to 11.9 T. The system’s adaptability permits replacing the MFM unit with a scanning tunneling microscope unit, enabling high-resolution atomic imaging of air-sensitive surface samples.
The structure of B-ARR reveals the molecular basis of transcriptional activation by cytokinin
Authors: Zhou Chuan-Miao , Li Jian-Xu , Zhang Tian-Qi , Xu Zhou-Geng , Ma Miao-Lian , Zhang Peng , Wang Jia-Wei
Published: January 2024

The phytohormone cytokinin has various roles in plant development, including meristem maintenance, vascular differentiation, leaf senescence, and regeneration. Prior investigations have revealed that cytokinin acts via a phosphorelay similar to the two-component system by which bacteria sense and respond to external stimuli. The eventual targets of this phosphorelay are type-B ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATORS (B-ARRs), containing the conserved N-terminal receiver domain (RD), middle DNA binding domain (DBD), and C-terminal transactivation domain. While it has been established for two decades that the phosphoryl transfer from a specific histidyl residue in ARABIDOPSIS HIS PHOSPHOTRANSFER PROTEINS (AHPs) to an aspartyl residue in the RD of B-ARRs results in a rapid transcriptional response to cytokinin, the underlying molecular basis remains unclear. In this work, we determine the crystal structures of the RD-DBD of ARR1 (ARR1
RD-DBD
) as well as the ARR1
DBD
–DNA complex from
Arabidopsis
. Analyses of the ARR1
DBD
–DNA complex have revealed the structural basis for sequence-specific recognition of the GAT trinucleotide by ARR1. In particular, comparing the ARR1
RD-DBD
and ARR1
DBD
–DNA structures reveals that unphosphorylated ARR1
RD-DBD
exists in a closed conformation with extensive contacts between the RD and DBD. In vitro and vivo functional assays have further suggested that phosphorylation of the RD weakens its interaction with DBD, subsequently permits the DNA binding capacity of DBD, and promotes the transcriptional activity of ARR1. Our findings thus provide mechanistic insights into phosphorelay activation of gene transcription in response to cytokinin.
Inositol phosphatase INPP4B sustains ILC1s and intratumoral NK cells through an AKT-driven pathway
Authors: Peng Vincent , Trsan Tihana , Sudan Raki , Bhattarai Bishan , Cortez Victor S. , Molgora Martina , Vacher Jean , Colonna Marco
Published: January 2024

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a heterogeneous population of lymphocytes that coordinate early immune responses and maintain tissue homeostasis. Type 1 innate immune responses are mediated by natural killer (NK) cells and group 1 ILCs (ILC1s). Despite their shared features, NK cells and ILC1s display profound differences among various tissue microenvironments. Here, we identify the inositol polyphosphatase INPP4B as a hallmark feature of tissue-resident ILC1s and intratumoral NK cells using an scRNA-seq atlas of tissue-associated and circulating NK/ILC1s. Conditional deletion of Inpp4b in ILC1s and NK cells reveals that it is necessary for the homeostasis of tissue-resident ILC1s but not circulating NK cells at steady-state. Inpp4b-deficient cells display increased rates of apoptosis and reduced activation of the prosurvival molecule AKT. Furthermore, expression of Inpp4b by NK/ILC1s is necessary for their presence in the intratumoral environment, and lack of Inpp4b impairs antitumor immunity. These findings highlight INPP4B as a novel regulator of tissue residency and antitumor function in ILC1s and NK cells.
Electro-metabolic signaling
Authors: Longden Thomas A. , Lederer W. Jonathan
Published: January 2024

Precise matching of energy substrate delivery to local metabolic needs is essential for the health and function of all tissues. Here, we outline a mechanistic framework for understanding this critical process, which we refer to as electro-metabolic signaling (EMS). All tissues exhibit changes in metabolism over varying spatiotemporal scales and have widely varying energetic needs and reserves. We propose that across tissues, common signatures of elevated metabolism or increases in energy substrate usage that exceed key local thresholds rapidly engage mechanisms that generate hyperpolarizing electrical signals in capillaries that then relax contractile elements throughout the vasculature to quickly adjust blood flow to meet changing needs. The attendant increase in energy substrate delivery serves to meet local metabolic requirements and thus avoids a mismatch in supply and demand and prevents metabolic stress. We discuss in detail key examples of EMS that our laboratories have discovered in the brain and the heart, and we outline potential further EMS mechanisms operating in tissues such as skeletal muscle, pancreas, and kidney. We suggest that the energy imbalance evoked by EMS uncoupling may be central to cellular dysfunction from which the hallmarks of aging and metabolic diseases emerge and may lead to generalized organ failure states—such as diverse flavors of heart failure and dementia. Understanding and manipulating EMS may be key to preventing or reversing these dysfunctions.
Cosmology from the vacuum
Authors: Antonini Stefano , Simidzija Petar , Swingle Brian , Van Raamsdonk Mark
Published: January 2024

We argue that standard tools of holography can be used to describe fully non-perturbative microscopic models of cosmology in which a period of accelerated expansion may result from the positive potential energy of time-dependent scalar fields evolving towards a region with negative potential. In these models, the fundamental cosmological constant is negative, and the Universe eventually recollapses in a time-reversal symmetric way. The microscopic description naturally selects a special state for the cosmology. In this framework, physics in the cosmological spacetime is dual to the vacuum physics in a static planar asymptotically AdS Lorentzian wormhole spacetime, in the sense that the background spacetimes and observables are related by analytic continuation. The dual spacetime is weakly curved everywhere, so any cosmological observables can be computed in the dual picture via effective field theory without detailed knowledge of the UV completion or the physics near the big bang. In particular, while inflation may explain the origin of perturbations in the cosmology picture, the perturbations can be deduced from the dual picture without any knowledge of the inflationary potential.
Electron and ion spectroscopy of camphor doped helium nanodroplets in the extreme UV and soft x-ray regime
Authors: Sen Sanket , Mandal S , De S , Sen Arnab , Gopal R , Ben Ltaief L , Turchini S , Catone D , Zema N , Coreno M , Richter R , Mudrich M , Sharma V , Krishnan S R
Published: January 2024

We investigate the ionisation and fragmentation dynamics of free camphor molecules and camphor-doped helium nanodroplets by extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and soft x-ray photons using velocity map imaging combined with photoelectron-photoion coincidence (VMI-PEPICO) spectroscopy. We notably find that the Penning ionisation of camphor in He nanodroplets at

h
ν
=
21.43

eV is soft with nearly identical Penning ionised electron spectra correlated to different molecular fragments. Further, fragmentation following ionisation at all photon energies exhibit a droplet-specific mass peak equivalent to the missing mass of CO, suggesting suppression of further fragmentation inside the droplet. This work reveals unusual features of photoionisation of organic molecules doped in He nanodroplet motivating further experimental and theoretical explorations.
Few-shot detection of surface roughness of workpieces processed by different machining techniques
Authors: Yi Huaian , Lv Xiao , Shu Aihua , Wang Hao , Shi Kai
Published: January 2024

The traditional deep learning method for detecting workpiece surface roughness relies heavily on a large number of training samples. Also, when detecting the surface roughness of workpieces processed by different machining techniques, it requires a large number of samples of that workpiece to rebuild the model. To address these problems, this paper proposes a few-sample visual detection method for the surface roughness of workpieces processed by different techniques. This method first trains a base model using a relatively large amount of samples from one machining technique, then fine-tunes the model using small amounts of samples from workpieces of different techniques. By introducing contrastive proposal encoding into Faster R-CNN, the model’s ability to learn surface features from small amounts of workpiece samples is enhanced, thus improving the detection accuracy of surface roughness of workpieces processed by different techniques. Experiments show that this method reduces the model’s dependence on training samples and the cost of data preparation. It also demonstrates higher accuracy in surface roughness detection tasks of workpieces processed by different techniques, providing a new approach and insights for few-sample surface roughness detection.
A 3D hierarchical TiO2/CaIn2S4/C3N4 arrays photoanode with dual-heterojunction for enhanced photoelectrochemical performance
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhang Xing , Zhang Lina , Ma Jinwen , Yin Xiaotong , Tian Yuxin , Wang Chuang , Wang Qiushi
Published: January 2024

A novel 3D hierarchical TiO2/CaIn2S4/C3N4 arrays with dual heterojunctions photoanode is constructed by stepwise deposition of CaIn2S4 nanosheets and ultrathin C3N4 onto the well-aligned TiO2 nanorods arrays. Integrating the merit of the superior ability of CaIn2S4 and C3N4 to harvest visible light, dual type-Ⅱ heterojunction band structure and one-dimensional ordered nanostructures, the TiO2/CaIn2S4/C3N4 photoanode exhibits simultaneous significant improvements in visible-light harvesting, charge separation and electron transfer capability. At 1.23 V (versus reversible hydrogen electrode) under AM 1.5 G irradiation, the TiO2/CaIn2S475/C3N4 photoanode exhibits a photocurrent density of 4.5 mA cm−2, which is 5.2 and 51.1-fold higher than that of TiO2/CaIn2S475 and pristine TiO2 photoanode, respectively. Moreover, the applied bias photo-to-current efficiency (ABPE) of the TiO2/CaIn2S475/C3N4 photoanode reaches 3.5% at 0.36 V (versus reversible hydrogen electrode). These results are helpful for fabricating more efficient heterostructure photoelectrodes.
Inverse planning of lung radiotherapy with photon and proton beams using a discrete ordinates Boltzmann solver
Authors: Bedford James L
Published: January 2024

Objective. A discrete ordinates Boltzmann solver has recently been developed for use as a fast and accurate dose engine for calculation of photon and proton beams. The purpose of this study is to apply the algorithm to the inverse planning process for photons and protons and to evaluate the impact that this has on the quality of the final solution. Approach. The method was implemented into an iterative least-squares inverse planning optimiser, with the Boltzmann solver used every 20 iterations over the total of 100 iterations. Elemental dose distributions for the intensity modulation and the dose changes at the intermediate iterations were calculated by a convolution algorithm for photons and a simple analytical model for protons. The method was evaluated for 12 patients in the heterogeneous tissue environment encountered in radiotherapy of lung tumours. Photon arc and proton arc treatments were considered in this study. The results were compared with those for use of the Boltzmann solver solely at the end of inverse planning or not at all. Main results. Application of the Boltzmann solver at the end of inverse planning shows the dose heterogeneity in the planning target volume to be greater than calculated by convolution and empirical methods, with the median root-mean-square dose deviation increasing from 3.7 to 5.3 for photons and from 1.9 to 3.4 for proton arcs. Use of discrete ordinates throughout inverse planning enables homogeneity of target coverage to be maintained throughout, the median root-mean-square dose deviation being 3.6 for photons and 2.3 for protons. Dose to critical structures is similar with discrete ordinates and conventional methods. Time for inverse planning with discrete ordinates takes around 1–2 h using a contemporary computing environment. Significance. By incorporating the Boltzmann solver into an iterative least squares inverse planning optimiser, accurate dose calculation in a heterogeneous medium is obtained throughout inverse planning, with the result that the final dose distribution is of the highest quality.
A kV–MV approach to CBCT metal artifact reduction using multi-layer MV-CBCT
Authors: Jacobson Matthew W , Harris Tom , Myronakis Marios , Lehmann Mathias , Huber Pascal , Ozoemelam Ikechi , Hu Yue-Houng , Ferguson Dianne , Fueglistaller Rony , Morf Daniel , Berbeco Ross
Published: January 2024

Objective. To demonstrate that complete cone beam CT (CBCT) scans from both MV-energy and kV-energy LINAC sources can reduce metal artifacts in radiotherapy guidance, while maintaining standard-of-care x-ray doses levels. Approach. MV-CBCT and kV-CBCT scans are acquired at half normal dose. The impact of lowered dose on MV-CBCT data quality is mitigated by the use of a 4-layer MV-imager prototype and reduced LINAC energy settings (2.5 MV) to improve photon capture. Additionally, the MV-CBCT is used to determine the 3D position and pose of metal implants, which in turn is used to guide model-based poly-energetic correction and interleaving of the kV-CBCT and MV-CBCT data. Certain edge-preserving regularization steps incorporated into the model-based correction algorithm further reduce MV data noise. Main results. The method was tested in digital phantoms and a real pelvis phantom with large 2.5″ spherical inserts, emulating hip replacements of different materials. The proposed method demonstrated an appealing compromise between the high contrast of kV-CBCT and low artifact content of MV-CBCT. Contrast-to-noise improved 3-fold compared to MV-CBCT with a clinical 1-layer architecture at matched dose (37 mGy) and edge blur levels. Visual delineation of the bladder and prostate improved noteably over kV- or MV-CBCT alone. Significance. The proposed method demonstrates that a full MV-CBCT scan can be combined with kV-CBCT to reduce metal artifacts without resorting to complicated beam collimation strategies to limit the MV-CBCT dose contribution. Additionally, significant improvements in CNR can be achieved as compared to metal artifact reduction through current clinical MV-CBCT practices.
Precise one-to-one equivalent nanocircuit models for layered metamaterials
Authors: Ding Yuqing , Rao Qianzhen , Yu Kin Wah , Sun Lei , Wang Guo Ping
Published: January 2024

A precise one-to-one equivalent nanocircuit model for layered metamaterials is presented in this work. The theoretical analysis establishes a precise link between the nanocircuit system and the optical film system by comparing between the optical transfer matrix of an optical film and the transmission matrix of the distributed-element model. Through dimensional analysis, the connection between the optical properties of the film and the distributed circuit components of the transmission line is revealed. Subsequently, the lumped-element model is simplified to the distributed-element model for nonmagnetic films with different optical features. Finally, the lumped-element model is further applied to multilayer metamaterials with different microstructures. All analysis is confirmed through the agreement between the S-parameters of the equivalent nanocircuit model and the reflection and transmission coefficients of the layered metamaterials.
Optical manipulation of anisotropic spherical shell particles in a dual-beam trap
Authors: Bai Jing , Gao Yu , Ge Cheng-Xian , Wu Zhen-Sen , Xiao Chang
Published: January 2024

In this paper, based on the generalized Lorenz-Mie theory (GLMT), expressions for the scattering coefficient and the shape factor of the beam are derived for a uniaxial anisotropic spherical shell (UASS) particle illuminated by standing laser beams. Through a comprehensive analysis involving the Maxwell stress tensor equations and conservation law of electromagnetic momentum, explicit expressions for both the transverse and axial radiation force (RF) acting upon UASS particles have been analytically derived. The current theories are shown to be valid by comparison with the existing reference. To achieve a more stable capture of UASS particles, the influence of the corresponding parameters of the particle and the dual laser beams on the capture and manipulation is investigated in detail. These investigations could provide an effective way to achieve improvements in optical tweezers and can become an encouraging approach to realize the high accuracy operation of UASS particles.
Primordial non-Gaussianity from ultra slow-roll Galileon inflation
Authors: Choudhury Sayantan , Karde Ahaskar , Panda Sudhakar , Sami M.
Published: January 2024

We present a detailed study of the generation of large primordial non-Gaussianities during the slow-roll (SR) to ultra-slow roll (USR) transitions in the framework of Galileon inflation. We found out that due to having sharp transitions in the USR phase, which persist with a duration of Δ𝒩USR ∼ 2 e-folds, we are able to generate the non-Gaussianity amplitude of the order: |f
NL| ∼ 𝒪(10-2) in the SRI, -5 < f
NL < 5 in the USR, and -2 < f
NL < 2 in the SRII phases. As a result, we are able to achieve a cumulative average value of |f
NL| ∼ 𝒪(1). This implies that our results strictly satisfy Maldacena's no-go theorem in the squeezed limit only for SRI, while they strictly violate the same condition in both the USR and SRII phases.
The non-renormalization theorem in the Galileon theory helps to support our results regarding the generation of large mass primordial black holes along with large non-Gaussianities, which we show to be dependent on the specific positions of the transition wave numbers fixed at low scales.
Thermodynamic geometry of the RN-AdS black hole and non-local observables
Authors: Wang Chao , Wu Bin , Xu Zhen-Ming , Yang Wen-Li
Published: January 2024

This paper studies the thermodynamic geometry of the Reissner–Nordström-anti-de Sitter (RN-AdS) black hole via detection of the non-local observables in the dual field theory, including the entanglement entropy and equal-time two-point correlation function. With the dimensional analysis, we construct the principle of corresponding states of black hole thermodynamics. As a result, our findings can be applied to black holes with different AdS backgrounds. In this sense, the probe of the thermodynamic geometry of the RN-AdS black hole though the non-local observables in dual field theory has been confirmed numerically.