bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing memory in reservoir computers
Authors: Carroll T. L.
Published: February 2022

A reservoir computer is a way of using a high dimensional dynamical system for computation. One way to construct a reservoir computer is by connecting a set of nonlinear nodes into a network. Because the network creates feedback between nodes, the reservoir computer has memory. If the reservoir computer is to respond to an input signal in a consistent way (a necessary condition for computation), the memory must be fading; that is, the influence of the initial conditions fades over time. How long this memory lasts is important for determining how well the reservoir computer can solve a particular problem. In this paper, I describe ways to vary the length of the fading memory in reservoir computers. Tuning the memory can be important to achieve optimal results in some problems; too much or too little memory degrades the accuracy of the computation.
Environmental radiation impact on lifetimes and quasiparticle tunneling rates of fixed-frequency transmon qubits
Authors: Gordon R. T. , Murray C. E. , Kurter C. , Sandberg M. , Hall S. A. , Balakrishnan K. , Shelby R. , Wacaser B. , Stabile A. A. , Sleight J. W. , Brink M. , Rothwell M. B. , Rodbell K. P. , Dial O. , Steffen M.
Published: February 2022

Quantum computing relies on the operation of qubits in an environment as free of noise as possible. Assessing the quality of this environment is a key aspect of ensuring high-fidelity implementations based on superconducting qubits. Relaxation, decoherence, dephasing, and quasiparticle tunneling rates have been measured for various shielding configurations used in the measurement environment for state-of-the-art transmon qubits. An ensemble of approximately 120 control devices was used for this study, with five different capacitor pad designs. The shielding elements varied in the configuration included an indium gasket at the qubit can's lid, Cryoperm magnetic shielding, the mixing chamber shield of the dilution refrigerator, the inclusion of a vacuum pump-out port, and capping unused subminiature version A connectors at the top of the measurement can's lid. It was found that the qubit lifetimes T1, T2, and Tϕ are robust to the all of configuration changes tried until the mixing chamber shield was removed, significantly increasing blackbody radiation levels in the qubit measurement space, where in that limit it was found that tapering the qubit pads reduced the amount of loss. In contrast, the quasiparticle tunneling rates were found to be extremely sensitive to all configuration changes tested. Consistent with earlier reports [McEwen et al., arXiv:2104.05219 (2021); Cardani et al., Nat. Commun. 12, 2733 (2021); Wilen et al., Nature 594, 369–373 (2021); Ristè et al. Nat. Commun. 4, 1913 (2013)], the findings from this study indicate that non-equilibrium quasiparticles do not currently limit the lifetimes of well-shielded transmon qubits.
Highly stable PEDOT:PSS electrochemical transistors
Authors: Bidinger Sophia L , Han Sanggil , Malliaras George G. , Hasan Tawfique
Published: February 2022

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are a burgeoning biosensing transducer platform due to their intrinsic amplification, high transconductance, and biocompatibility. To be successful in real world biosensing applications, however, stable performance should be demonstrated to avoid false analyte readings that could lead to dangerous misdiagnosis. This work demonstrates the stability of carefully prepared OECTs using commercially available PEDOT:PSS as the channel layer. These devices exhibit more than 99% retention of the baseline current over 50 transfer curve cycles and, importantly, after several changes in electrolyte solution. Furthermore, impressive stability is demonstrated during continuous measurements of the drain current. These results show that PEDOT:PSS OECTs are ready for biosensing applications requiring accurate continuous monitoring.
Dimensional reduction of electromagnetism
Authors: Maggi Rocco , Ercolessi Elisa , Facchi Paolo , Marmo Giuseppe , Pascazio Saverio , Pepe Francesco V.
Published: February 2022

We derive one- and two-dimensional models for classical electromagnetism by making use of Hadamard’s method of descent. Low-dimensional electromagnetism is conceived as a specialization of the higher-dimensional one, in which the fields are uniform along the additional spatial directions. This strategy yields two independent electromagnetisms in two spatial coordinates and four independent electromagnetisms in one spatial coordinate.
Phase diagram and mechanical properties of fifteen quaternary high-entropy metal diborides: First-principles calculations and thermodynamics
Authors: Liu Shi-Yu , Liu Changming , Zhang Shuoxin , Liu Shiyang , Li De-Jun , Li Yaping , Wang Sanwu
Published: February 2022

First-principles calculations and thermodynamic theory of mixing entropy and enthalpy are employed to study the phase stability, mechanical properties, and melting points of 15 existing and hypothetical quaternary high-entropy metal diborides (HEMB2s) composed of boron and six group IVB and VB refractory transition metals. A phase diagram in terms of a structural parameter, δ (the lattice size difference), and two thermodynamic parameters, ΔHmix (the mixing enthalpy) and Ω (the ratio of the entropy and enthalpy terms) is constructed. The phase diagram shows that all the 15 metal diborides satisfy the established Ω-δ criterion (i.e. Ω>1 and δ<6.6%), suggesting that they can be formed as single-phase HEMB2s. While five of these equiatomic four-metal diborides were experimentally synthesized already, the remaining ten single-phase HEMB2s are predicted by this work. Each of the 15 quaternary HEMB2s is found to have high Vickers hardness and high fracture toughness, together with an ultrahigh melting point.
Target acceleration by sub-microsecond underwater electrical explosions of wire arrays
Authors: Maler D. , Efimov S. , Krasik Ya. E.
Published: February 2022

Experiments of a target accelerated by the shockwaves and water flow generated by underwater sub-μs timescale electrical explosion of a planar wire array are presented. The results of this experiment are compared with previous results [Maler et al., J. Appl. Phys. 129, 034901 (2021)] in which efficient target acceleration by μs-timescale underwater explosions of planar wire arrays was obtained. Although less energy is deposited into the wire array in the present experiments, the target acquires similar and even higher velocities compared to the previous research. This is considered to be associated with the higher energy density deposition rate, inducing faster radial wire expansion, and, consequently, the generation of a stronger shockwave and faster water flow behind its front.
Uniqueness of conservative solutions to a one-dimensional general quasilinear wave equation through variational principle
Authors: Cai Hong , Chen Geng , Du Yi , Shen Yannan
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we prove the uniqueness of an energy conservative Hölder continuous weak solution to a general quasilinear wave equation by the analysis of characteristics. This result has no restriction on the size of solutions, i.e., it is a large data result. This paper is a companion paper of Cai, Chen, and Shen [J. Math. Pures Appl. (submitted); arXiv:2007.15201] addressing the Lipschitz continuous dependence of solution.
Stability and modulation of optical peakons in self-focusing/defocusing Kerr nonlinear media with PT-
δ
-hyperbolic-function potentials
Authors: Chen Yong , Song Jin , Li Xin , Yan Zhenya
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we introduce a class of novel PT-δ-hyperbolic-function potentials composed of the Dirac δ(x) and hyperbolic functions, supporting fully real energy spectra in the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian. The threshold curves of PT symmetry breaking are numerically presented. Moreover, in the self-focusing and defocusing Kerr-nonlinear media, the PT-symmetric potentials can also support the stable peakons, keeping the total power and quasi-power conserved. The unstable PT-symmetric peakons can be transformed into other stable peakons by the excitations of potential parameters. Continuous families of additional stable numerical peakons can be produced in internal modes around the exact peakons (even unstable). Further, we find that the stable peakons can always propagate in a robust form, remaining trapped in the slowly moving potential wells, which opens the way for manipulations of optical peakons. Other significant characteristics related to exact peakons, such as the interaction and power flow, are elucidated in detail. These results will be useful in explaining the related physical phenomena and designing the related physical experiments.
Invariant manifold approach for quantifying the dynamics of highly inertial particles in steady and time-periodic incompressible flows
Authors: Venditti Claudia , Giona Massimiliano , Adrover Alessandra
Published: February 2022

The dynamics of finite-sized particles with large inertia are investigated in steady and time-dependent flows through the numerical solution of the invariance equation, describing the spatiotemporal evolution of the slow/inertial manifold representing the effective particle velocity field. This approach allows for an accurate reconstruction of the effective particle divergence field, controlling clustering/dispersion features of particles with large inertia for which a perturbative approach is either inaccurate or not even convergent. The effect of inertia on heavy and light particles is quantified in terms of the rate of contraction/expansion of volume elements along a particle trajectory and of the maximum Lyapunov exponent for systems exhibiting chaotic orbits, such as the time-periodic sine-flow on the 2D torus and the time-dependent 2D cavity flow.
Evolutionary multigame with conformists and profiteers based on dynamic complex networks
Authors: Pi Bin , Zeng Ziyan , Feng Minyu , Kurths Jürgen
Published: February 2022

Evolutionary game on complex networks provides a new research framework for analyzing and predicting group decision-making behavior in an interactive environment, in which most researchers assumed players as profiteers. However, current studies have shown that players are sometimes conformists rather than profit-seeking in society, but most research has been discussed on a simple game without considering the impact of multiple games. In this paper, we study the influence of conformists and profiteers on the evolution of cooperation in multiple games and illustrate two different strategy-updating rules based on these conformists and profiteers. Different from previous studies, we introduce a similarity between players into strategy-updating rules and explore the evolutionary game process, including the strategy updating, the transformation of players’ type, and the dynamic evolution of the network structure. In the simulation, we implement our model on scale-free and regular networks and provide some explanations from the perspective of strategy transition, type transition, and network topology properties to prove the validity of our model.
Forced vibration and chaotic behavior of membrane under pretension
Authors: Feng Yao , Wu Jimei , Wang Xing
Published: February 2022

In the process of transmission, the flexible membrane will be affected by the pretension of the guide roller and the external excitation force of the conductive silver slurry ejected by the nozzle. Because the large deflection deformation of the middle surface of the membrane caused by pretension and external force seriously affects the printing accuracy of the printed products, it is very important to study the geometric nonlinearity of the flexible membrane. In this paper, the transverse forced vibration model of the flexible membrane with pretension is established by Von Karman’s large deflection theory, and its vibration equation is discretized and solved by the Bubnov–Galerkin method and the fourth-order Runge Kutta method. Meanwhile, by analyzing the bifurcation diagram and TLE (Top Lyapunov Exponents) spectrum, the working state of the motion system with the change in parameters is obtained. In addition, the dynamic response of the system under the given parameters is obtained by comparing the phase diagram with the Poincaré mapping diagram.
Seedball technology enhances pearl millet yield in a Sahelian subsistence production system
Authors: Nwankwo Charles I. , Oumarou Hannatou M. , Nouri Maman , Aminou Ali M. , Herrmann Ludger
Published: February 2022

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) is the major staple crop produced by subsistence farmers in the West African Sahel, but its panicle yield is low because of poor seedling establishment in low-nutrient soils. Seedball is a cheap seed-pelleting technique that combines sand, loam, seeds and optionally wood ash or mineral fertiliser as an additive to enhance early growth of pearl millet under infertile soil conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of seedball technology on pearl millet crop establishment and panicle yield on-farm under Sahelian subsistence conditions. Over 2000 on-farm (2015–18) trials were conducted in 65 villages of the Maradi region in Niger. Conventionally sown and seedball-derived pearl millet crops were grown by using ‘farmer-optimised’ simple split-plot designs with three treatments: (i) farmers’ practice as control; and seedballs (2.0 cm diameter, made from 80 g sand + 50 g loam + 25 mL water + 2.5 g seeds as standard recipe) that contained either (ii) 3 g wood ash or (iii) 1 g mineral fertiliser (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium; NPK) as effective nutrient compounds. In 2016–18, participating farmers could opt for one of the seedball treatments. Panicle as well as stover yield data were collected and compared with respect to seedball type (wood ash vs NPK), sowing depth (shallow vs deep), sowing time (wet vs dry), weed management (complete vs partial), local soil type (texture range sand to loamy sand), cropping system (sole vs mixed), and farmer. Results showed that seedballs do not suppress seedling emergence. Seedball treatments produced fewer but longer and denser panicles. Wood ash-amended seedballs showed a higher panicle yield increase relative to their site controls than NPK-amended seedballs. However, the average panicle yield of NPK-amended seedballs was higher than that of the wood ash-amended seedballs. The treatment factors wet sowing, partial weeding, sole cropping and farmers showed higher panicle yield. The seedball technology increases pearl millet panicle yield by ∼30% in the Sahel; it is simple and based on local materials.
Combining mitochondrial DNA and morphological data to delineate four new millipede species and provisional assignment to the genus
Authors: Pimvichai Piyatida , Panha Somsak , Backeljau Thierry
Published: February 2022

Hitherto, the millipede genus Apeuthes (family Pachybolidae, subfamily Trigoniulinae) was only known from three species described in Vietnam based on morphological characters. The present study uses two partial mitochondrial gene fragments (cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and 16S ribosomal RNA) and morphology to define four new Apeuthes species from Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam: A. fimbriatus, sp. nov., A. longeligulatus, sp. nov., A. pollex, sp. nov. and ?A. spininavis, sp. nov. The intraspecific COI sequence divergence of two Apeuthes species is 3–7% (mean: 5%) and the interspecific divergence of five species is 11–16% (mean: 13.7%). All members of the genus share unique male characters, viz the posterior gonopod telopodite with several dentate, serrate or tuberculate lamellae in a boat-like cavity or a boat-like cavity covered with spines. The delimitation of the four new species is supported by the congruence between mitochondrial DNA and morphological data. However, while the monophyly of Trigoniulinae is well supported, the relationships within this subfamily, and particularly among Apeuthes species, including the monophyly of Apeuthes, lack strong support. Therefore assignment of the four new species, and particularly of ?A. spininavis sp. nov., to the genus Apeuthes is tentative and awaits a comprehensive revision of the group.
Kinesin-14 motors participate in a force balance at microtubule plus-ends to regulate dynamic instability
Authors: Ogren Allison , Parmar Sneha , Mukherjee Soumya , Gonzalez Samuel J. , Plooster Melissa , McClellan Mark , Mannava Anirudh G. , Davidson Elliott , Davis Trisha N. , Gardner Melissa K.
Published: February 2022

Significance

Kinesin-14 motors represent an essential class of molecular motors that bind to microtubules and then walk toward the microtubule minus-end. However, whether these motors can interact with growing plus-ends of microtubules to impact the lengthening of microtubules remains unknown. We found that Kinesin-14 motors could bind to a protein that resides at growing microtubule plus-ends and then pull this protein away from the growing end. This interaction acted to disrupt microtubule growth and decrease microtubule lengths in cells, likely by exerting minus-end–directed forces at the microtubule tip to alter the configuration of the growing microtubule plus-end. This work demonstrates general principles for the diverse roles that force-generating molecular motors can play in regulating cellular processes.
Beneficial effects of citrulline enteral administration on sepsis-induced T cell mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Reizine Florian , Grégoire Murielle , Lesouhaitier Mathieu , Coirier Valentin , Gauthier Juliette , Delaloy Céline , Dessauge Elise , Creusat Florent , Uhel Fabrice , Gacouin Arnaud , Dessauge Frédéric , Le Naoures Cécile , Moreau Caroline , Bendavid Claude , Daniel Yoann , Petitjean Kilian , Bordeau Valérie , Lamaison Claire , Piau Caroline , Cattoir Vincent , Roussel Mikael , Fromenty Bernard , Michelet Christian , Le Tulzo Yves , Zmijewski Jaroslaw , Thibault Ronan , Cogné Michel , Tarte Karin , Tadié Jean-Marc
Published: February 2022

Significance

Since sepsis induces a sustained immunosuppression responsible for secondary infections acquisition and late mortality, restoring immune function would result in a better outcome. Given the role of arginine deficiency in T cell dysfunction, the evaluation of restoring arginine availability in sepsis has to be explored. Using an animal model of sepsis, we demonstrated that increasing arginine availability enhanced mitochondrial T cell function and decreased sepsis-induced immunosuppression.
Lung-selective mRNA delivery of synthetic lipid nanoparticles for the treatment of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Authors: Qiu Min , Tang Yan , Chen Jinjin , Muriph Rachel , Ye Zhongfeng , Huang Changfeng , Evans Jason , Henske Elizabeth P. , Xu Qiaobing
Published: February 2022

Significance

The current application of messenger RNA (mRNA)-based technology has largely been confined to liver diseases because of the lack of a specific and efficient extrahepatic in vivo systemic mRNA delivery system. Here, we have developed a library of N-series lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that could specifically regulate the protein composition of protein corona on the surface of LNPs, which allows specific delivery of mRNA to the lung. We further demonstrated that our lung-targeting LNP could effectively deliver mouse tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (
Tsc2
) mRNA into TSC2-null cells and restore its function, resulting in enhanced control of tumor burden in a preclinical model of lymphangioleiomyomatosis, a destructive lung disease caused by loss-of-function mutations in the
Tsc2
gene.
Numerical modeling of CO2 arc based on the non-chemically equilibrium effect
Authors: Sun Hao , Zhang Yushi , Wu Yi , Nan Yanwei , Chen Jiefu , Liu Tianxiao , Niu Chunping , Rong Mingzhe
Published: February 2022

Carbon dioxide (CO2) and its mixtures are potential alternatives as the arc quenching medium in switchgear. During the arc decaying phase after the arc current drops to zero, the arc plasma will deviate from the local thermally equilibrium (LTE) state and then the non-chemically equilibrium (non-CE) effect should be considered to predict the arc behavior. A non-CE numerical model was established to investigate the dynamic behavior of CO2 arc during the current zero (CZ) period. The time-dependent distributions of temperature, energy and electrical conductivity between the LTE and non-CE models were compared. The distributions of the species compositions and the non-equilibrium parameters were also investigated to further explain the mechanism of the non-CE effect. The non-CE particle transport is the main reason for the difference of temperature decay between non-CE and LTE calculations. The transport of all particles at the edge of the arc is dominantly influenced by the radial convection and diffusion, while the transport of atoms at the arc center is the combined results of convection, diffusion and chemical kinetics. As a contrast, the transports of electrons and ions are dominated by the chemical reactions. The decay of electron density at the nozzle throat calculated by the non-CE model are in good agreement with the laser Thomson scattering tests, while the LTE model failed to predict the electron density accurately, which proves that the non-CE effect of CO2 arc during CZ period cannot be ignored.
CO2 dissociation in a packed bed DBD reactor: effect of streamer discharge
Authors: Zhu Min , Hu Shengyu , Wu Fangfang , Ma Heng , Xie Shenyi , Zhang Chaohai
Published: February 2022

Non-thermal plasma catalysis, as a special heterogeneous catalytic reaction, needs to consider both gas discharge and catalytic reaction. Packed bed dielectric barrier discharge (PB-DBD) is widely used in non-thermal plasma catalysis, but the exact control principle of gas discharge, especially streamer discharge, is not clear. In this study, therefore, the orderly arranged dielectric rods were packed in the discharge gap of PB-DBD, and the streamer discharge behaviors were controlled by adjusting their diameter(s), quantity(ies), location(s) and dielectric constant(s). Al2O3 and ZrO2 dielectric rods with dielectric constants of about 9 and 25 were used as packing material. Pure CO2 was used as reaction gas and discharge gas. Discharge images showed that stable and controllable streamer discharges can be formed between the dielectric rod and ground electrode. The intensity, width and length of the streamer discharge can be significantly changed by optimizing the dielectric constant, diameter, packing number and position of the dielectric rod, thereby affecting the CO2 conversion efficiency. Increasing dielectric constant and the distance between the dielectric rod and ground electrode can increase the intensity of streamer discharge, thus promoting the CO2 conversion efficiency. Compared with an empty reactor, after packing 24 ZrO2 dielectric rods with a diameter of 1 mm, the CO2 conversion and energy efficiency increased from 9.58% to 20.1% and from 1.67% to 2.89%, respectively. In short, this research has important implications for plasma catalysis. This study not only reveals the synergistic characteristics between streamer discharge and CO2 dissociation, but also provides an important idea for structural optimization of PB-DBD catalyst.
A deep unsupervised learning framework for the 4D CBCT artifact correction
Authors: Dong Guoya , Zhang Chenglong , Deng Lei , Zhu Yulin , Dai Jingjing , Song Liming , Meng Ruoyan , Niu Tianye , Liang Xiaokun , Xie Yaoqin
Published: February 2022

Objective. Four-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (4D CBCT) has unique advantages in moving target localization, tracking and therapeutic dose accumulation in adaptive radiotherapy. However, the severe fringe artifacts and noise degradation caused by 4D CBCT reconstruction restrict its clinical application. We propose a novel deep unsupervised learning model to generate the high-quality 4D CBCT from the poor-quality 4D CBCT. Approach. The proposed model uses a contrastive loss function to preserve the anatomical structure in the corrected image. To preserve the relationship between the input and output image, we use a multilayer, patch-based method rather than operate on entire images. Furthermore, we draw negatives from within the input 4D CBCT rather than from the rest of the dataset. Main results. The results showed that the streak and motion artifacts were significantly suppressed. The spatial resolution of the pulmonary vessels and microstructure were also improved. To demonstrate the results in the different directions, we make the animation to show the different views of the predicted correction image in the supplementary animation. Significance. The proposed method can be integrated into any 4D CBCT reconstruction method and maybe a practical way to enhance the image quality of the 4D CBCT.
The feasibility of designing a back propagation neural network to predict the levitation force of high-temperature superconducting magnetic levitation
Authors: Liu Xiaoning , Ke Zhihao , Chen Yining , Deng Zigang
Published: February 2022

The levitation force between the superconductor and the magnet is highly nonlinear and affected by the coupling of multiple factors, which brings many obstacles to research and application. In addition to experimental methods and finite element simulations, the booming artificial neural network (ANN) which is adept at continuous nonlinear fitting may provide another solution to predict the levitation force. And this topic has not been deeply investigated so far. Therefore, this study aims to apply the ANN to predict the levitation force, and a typical neural network applied with the back propagation (BP) is adopted. The data set with 2399 pieces of data considers nine input factors and one force output, which was experimentally obtained by several test devices. The pre-process of the data set contains cleaning, balancing, one-hot encoding (for the discrete classified variable), normalization (for the continuous variable) and randomization. A classical perception with three layers (input, hidden and output layer) is applied in this paper. And the gradient descent back propagation algorithm reduces the error by iteration. Through the assessment and evaluation of the network, a great prediction accuracy could achieve. The prediction results could well illustrate the features of force (nonlinear, hysteresis, external field dependence and type difference between the bulk and stack), which confirm the feasibility of using a BP neural network to predict the levitation force. Furthermore, the performance of the neural network is determined by the data set, especially the uniformity and balance among factors in the set. Moreover, the huge gap in the quantity of data between factors disturbs the network to make a comprehensive judgment, and in this situation, the binary one-hot encoding of the small quantity and discrete data factor is efficient, instead of the actual value of the factor, the one-hot encoded data only represent the category. Moreover, a label encoder method is adopted to distinguish the decent and ascend (decent = 1, ascent = 0) for the force hysteresis.
Electromagnetically induced transparency based on magnetic toroidal mode of dielectric reverse-symmetric spiral metasurfaces
Authors: Fu Tao , Zhou Ziquan , Wang Daofan , Yang Tianbo , Li Haiou , Chen Yonghe
Published: February 2022

The intriguing properties of the toroidal mode (TM) resonance can potentially promote a low-loss light–matter interaction. This study proposes an electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) resonance with a high quality factor, which can reach 7798, and low mode volume can reach 0.009 μm3, high contrast ratio can reach nearly 100%, in the near-infrared region, which is generated by the magnetic TM in a reverse-symmetric coupling spiral metasurface. A two-oscillator model can only explain the influence of near-field coupling at the EIT point for weak coupling. Moreover, a multipole decomposition method shows that the excitation mechanism of EIT resonances originates from the destructive interference between the subradiant modes (magnetic toroidal dipole-electric quadrupole) and magnetic dipole resonance. Consequently, a new general extinction spectrum interference model is applied to fit all coupling conditions for both weak and strong coupling results that perfectly correspond to the multipole decomposition method. The results of this study could be useful in the analysis and understanding of the electromagnetic coupling characteristics of nanoparticles and provide a design approach for novel metasurfaces for low-loss optical applications.
Instabilities of complex fluids with partially structured and partially random interactions
Authors: Carugno Giorgio , Neri Izaak , Vivo Pierpaolo
Published: February 2022

We develop a theory for thermodynamic instabilities of complex fluids composed of many interacting chemical species organised in families. This model includes partially structured and partially random interactions and can be solved exactly using tools from random matrix theory. The model exhibits three kinds of fluid instabilities: one in which the species form a condensate with a local density that depends on their family (family condensation); one in which species demix in two phases depending on their family (family demixing); and one in which species demix in a random manner irrespective of their family (random demixing). We determine the critical spinodal density of the three types of instabilities and find that the critical spinodal density is finite for both family condensation and family demixing, while for random demixing the critical spinodal density grows as the square root of the number of species. We use the developed framework to describe phase-separation instability of the cytoplasm induced by a change in pH.
Estimation of seizure onset zone from ictal scalp EEG using independent component analysis in extratemporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: de Borman Aurélie , Vespa Simone , Tahry Riëm El , Absil P.-A.
Published: February 2022

Objective. The purpose of this study is to localize the seizure onset zone of patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy. During the last two decades, multiple studies proposed the use of independent component analysis (ICA) to analyze ictal electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. This study aims at evaluating ICA potential with quantitative measurements. In particular, we address the challenging step where the components extracted by ICA of an ictal nature must be selected. Approach. We considered a cohort of 10 patients suffering from extratemporal lobe epilepsy who were rendered seizure-free after surgery. Different sets of pre-processing parameters were compared and component features were explored to help distinguish ictal components from others. Quantitative measurements were implemented to determine whether some of the components returned by ICA were located within the resection zone and thus likely to be ictal. Finally, an assistance to the component selection was proposed based on the implemented features. Main results. For every seizure, at least one component returned by ICA was localized within the resection zone, with the optimal pre-processing parameters. Three features were found to distinguish components localized within the resection zone: the dispersion of their active brain sources, the ictal rhythm power and the contribution to the EEG variance. Using the implemented component selection assistance based on the features, the probability that the first proposed component yields an accurate estimation reaches 51.43% (without assistance: 24.74%). The accuracy reaches 80% when considering the best result within the first five components. Significance. This study confirms the utility of ICA for ictal EEG analysis in extratemporal lobe epilepsy, and suggests relevant features to analyze the components returned by ICA. A component selection assistance is proposed to guide clinicians in their choice for ictal components.
The role of sectoral coverage in emission abatement costs: evidence from marginal cost savings
Authors: Zhang Qifeng , Fang Kai , Chen Jing , Liu Hong , Liu Peilin
Published: February 2022

Sectoral coverage that plays a critical role in operationalizing the emission trading scheme (ETS), has gained substantive attention. Despite the insightful views on sectoral coverage from the emission reduction potential or carbon leakage, previous studies overlook the cost-effectiveness of ETS in the sense that the varying marginal contributions of each sector to reducing emission abatement costs (EACs) (which is defined as marginal cost savings, MCSs) remain underexplored. To fill this gap, this paper proposes a costs-oriented approach for sectoral coverage (COASCO), which ranks the sectors by estimating and comparing their MCSs. Taking China’s climate targets by 2030 as an example, we conduct an empirical study that implements the COASCO method to explore the impacts of sectoral coverage on China’s EACs. Our analysis demonstrates that, while coverage extension generally reduces China’s EACs, a small sectoral coverage can already lead to a substantial decline in the national EACs. The results underpin the Pareto principle that covering six sectors (i.e. Electricity production, Metallurgy, Transport and storage, Petroleum and gas, Nonmetal mining) out of 29 can reduce China’s EACs by over 80% compared to covering Electricity production only. Although coverage extension may reduce the differences in EACs between sectors and improve market activation, extending the sectoral coverage probably gives rise to the number of big carbon traders, which thenincreases the risks of market manipulation. As a result, covering those six sectors can reach a balance between ETS market activation and risks. By providing a generalized and systematic framework for determining the sectoral coverage, this study makes it possible to minimize the total EACs associated with any sectoral coverages, thus assisting policymakers in fulfilling China’s latest ambitious goals of reaching carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 in a cost-effective manner.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) Implementation for Highway Project from Consultant’s Perspectives in Malaysia
Authors: Halim E , Mohamed A , Fathi M S
Published: February 2022

In today’s world, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is not a new term in the construction industry. Although BIM has been adopted in the AEC industry for a few decades now, the BIM implementation cultivation pace between developed countries and developing countries such as many European which considered as BIM leaders and some Asian countries has still shown significant differences. In Malaysia, there are several remarkable building projects with BIM utilization but very limited in road and highways project. Despite BIM capabilities in facilitating designers during design stage, BIM implementation are still considered unfavourable within the highway design consultants in Malaysia. Many firms seem reluctant to migrate from their traditional 2D drafting centric design process to BIM design process due to several reasons such as high cost in software investment, inadequate knowledge and expertise on BIM and lack of promotion from the government or relevant authority. Although BIM can benefit the project throughout its life-cycle from preliminary to operation and maintenance stage, the coordination and integration during design stage can contributes to positive impacts in progressing towards efficient construction documentation and construction stage. BIM 3D integrated modelling during design stage (conceptual and detailed design) are deemed to facilitate a highway project in terms of optimization through early visualization, design for constructability, road safety enhancement, reduce error and time consumption during construction and early clash detection. Therefore, this paper is intended to gather preliminary outlooks and views from the present practitioners in the highway industry on challenges encounters by consultants using the current traditional design practices, BIM capabilities in transforming the current design approach and BIM adoption barriers in Malaysian highway industry. Series of interviews were conducted with the professionals involved in highway projects especially during the design stage and based on the findings from the interviews conducted, all highway design consultants from various disciplines are aware on how BIM can tackle the challenges of current traditional design practice with 3D modelling approach and collaborative working environment. Although the results showed that highway consultants are willing to migrate to BIM workflow, cost and lack of expertise, urges from government and understanding on BIM are among barriers which hinder the BIM adoption in highway industry.
Investigation physical and rheological properties of bio-asphalt containing waste cooking oil
Authors: Ali A M
Published: February 2022

In recent years, several oil-based modifications have been employed to give clear benefits to the pavement sector, including the use of waste cooking oil (WCO). These activities are aimed at resolving waste management issues. The purpose of this research is to see if using waste cooking oil as an additive to the asphalt binder, which will be utilized later in the construction of flexible pavements, is feasible. This will be seen as an appropriate and lawful way of disposing of this kind of wastes. The current investigation examined the physical and rheological properties of aged and unaged binder modified with different percentages of WCO. In addition to the control sample, three different percentages of WCO content (1.5%, 3%, and 4.5% by weight of the binder) were blended with the PEN 60/70 control binder to evaluate for such related properties of the waste cooking oil-modified binder (WCOMB). Then, after aging the samples in a Rolling Thin Film Oven Test (RTFOT), the properties were verified through flash and fire points, penetration, softening point, viscosity, and Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) tests. The findings proved that the penetration depth of the modified binder increased as WCO ratios increased, while the softening point decreased. The study was showed that the binder became soft in the presence of WCO. The results of the viscosity and DSR tests were satisfactory until the WCO content reached 3%. Based on the findings, the modified asphalt binder was workable and less rigid until it reached 3% of WCO. Moreover, recycling this waste material will be a suitable technique in waste materials recycling.
A Preliminary Study: Influence of Sub-Surface Ground Condition on the Tunnel Boring Machine Performance
Authors: Ramanathan K , Abdullah R A , Rahim A , Jusoh S N , Khoo C M , Fua X , Ban Y Xin , Xie Q
Published: February 2022

Tunnelling through various ground condition affects the performance of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). Previous researches have conducted studies to explain on this relationship. However, a more localised influence of Malaysian Kenny Hill Formation subsurface condition towards TBM drive are yet to be carried out. This study will assess this relationship at areas nearby Museum Station during the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) Line 1 with a length span of 540m. After the data collection from TBM and borehole report, data analysis was carried out namely using cutter head, thrust cylinder and subsurface profiling. These data were plotted based on the chainage and tunnel ring number. It is observed that subsurface profile at Ring 9 and Ring 11 required a higher thrust force due to its cohesive soil condition and inclusion of sandstone rock. However, Ring 10 is vice versa as there were more non-recovered soil samples at the specified area. The reduction of thrust force eventually increases the speed of TBM penetration. Thus, a clear relationship showing that subsurface condition highly influences the TBM drive.
Geotechnical Properties Of Tropical Residual Soils For Sustainable Landfilling
Authors: Yamusa Y B , Mohammed H I , Ahmad K , Majid Z
Published: February 2022

To select a site for sanitary landfilling, it is paramount that geotechnical analysis is conducted to acquire relevant data for the purpose of studying soil properties. One of the basic requirements for the landfill site selection process is geotechnical criteria. This ensures that the chosen sites are founded on an impermeable soil deposit having adequate geotechnical characteristics that is also socially acceptable, economically cheap, and environmentally friendly. Geotechnical properties investigated in the laboratory for three sites samples comprises volumetric shrinkage, shear strength, and permeability. Groundwater contamination comes because of leachate. As such soil meant for landfill sites must have exceptional geotechnical properties able of restraining these leachates. Consequently, landfill soils must possess excellent ability to retain leachate in terms of permeability, an acceptable shear strength to withstand the waste load, and appropriate volumetric shrinkage to refute wetting and drying seasonal variations. The physical properties which showed that site A has a fines content of its soil up to 51%, site B with 29% and site C with 14%. Engineering property showed that site A has the lowest permeability of 2.1 × 10-9 m/s, followed by site B with 2.08 × 10-8 m/s, and then site C with the highest permeability of 1.5 × 10-7 m/s at OMC. The results show that only site A achieved maximum regulatory range of permeability value of 10-9 m/s. This implies that site A is the most suitable and sustainable, then followed by site B and then site C.
Geomorphological Spatial Model of Risk Analysis for Natural Disasters in Heritage Railway Tunnel
Authors: Rahmadana A D W , Rosyidi S A P , Setiawan D M , Nuraini R
Published: February 2022

Flood event in Ijo Tunnel led to disruption to schedules and train routes. The objectives of this research are to determine the susceptibility, vulnerability, capacity, and risk, to analyze the geophysical and geotechnical condition, and to compile the strategy of disaster mitigation of Ijo Tunnel. A spatial approach based on landform analysis was performed to establish the disaster components. Geophysical and geotechnical investigation was conducted to describe the condition of the affected region. A field survey was accomplished to collect data and to study supporting works of literature. The descriptive analysis was completed to determine strategy and recommendation in flood and potential landslide mitigation. The result depicts that Ijo Tunnel holds multi-disaster risk such as floods and landslides. The occurrence of floods is induced by extreme rainfall and inability of drainage channels to retain water. The landslide potential is influenced by morphological factors and composting materials in Ijo Tunnel’s region. The existence of spring fracture on the north slope also contributes to increasing the slopes’ landslide potential. The flood mitigation measure can be carried out by building a well-prepared drainage system and watershed and surface runoff management. Areas with a high level of landslide susceptibility can be overcome by building permanent retaining walls and pipes on slopes to reduce the soil saturation level.
Two-dimensional self-consistent numerical simulation of the whole discharge region in an atmospheric argon arc
Authors: ZHANG Zelong , WANG Cheng , SUN Qiang , XIA Weidong
Published: February 2022

A 2D self-consistent numerical model of the whole argon-arc discharge region that includes electrodes is developed in this work to facilitate analysis of the physical processes occurring in atmospheric arc plasma. The 2D arc column model contains the ionization and thermal non-equilibrium, which is coupled with a 1D electrode sheath model. The influence of plasma-species diffusion near the electrode region is investigated based on Maxwell–Stefan equations and the generalized Ohm’s law. The numerical results of argon free-burning arcs at atmospheric pressure are then investigated. The simulation shows that the plasma is obviously in the state of thermal and ionization equilibrium in the arc core region, while it deviates from thermal and ionization equilibrium in the arc fringe region. The actual electron density decreases rapidly in the near-anode and near-cathode regions due to non-equilibrium ionization, resulting in a large electron number gradient in these regions. The results indicate that electron diffusion has an important role in the near-cathode and near-anode regions. When the anode arc root gradually contracts, it is easy to obtain a positive voltage drop of the anode sheath (I = 50 A), while it remains difficult to acquire a positive anode sheath voltage drop (I = 150 A). The current–voltage characteristics predicted by our model are found to be identical to the experimental values.
Probabilistic view of voting, paradoxes, and manipulation
Authors: Mossel Elchanan
Published: February 2022

The Marquis de Condorcet, a French philosopher, mathematician, and political scientist, studied mathematical aspects of voting in the eighteenth century. Condorcet was interested in studying voting rules as procedures for aggregating noisy signals and in the paradoxical nature of ranking three or more alternatives. We survey some of the main mathematical models, tools, and results in a theory that studies probabilistic aspects of social choice. Our journey will take us through major results in mathematical economics from the second half of the twentieth century, through the theory of Boolean functions and their influences and through recent results in Gaussian geometry and functional inequalities.
Lyapunov unstable elliptic equilibria
Authors: Fayad Bassam
Published: February 2022

A new diffusion mechanism from the neighborhood of elliptic equilibria for Hamiltonian flows in three or more degrees of freedom is introduced. We thus obtain explicit real entire Hamiltonians on

R

2
d

\mathbb {R}^{2d}

,

d
≥
4

d\geq 4

, that have a Lyapunov unstable elliptic equilibrium with an arbitrary chosen frequency vector whose coordinates are not all of the same sign. For non-resonant frequency vectors, our examples all have divergent Birkhoff normal form at the equilibrium.

On

R

4

\mathbb {R}^4

, we give explicit examples of real entire Hamiltonians having an equilibrium with an arbitrary chosen non-resonant frequency vector and a divergent Birkhoff normal form.
Determinantal formulas for dual Grothendieck polynomials
Authors: Amanov Alimzhan , Yeliussizov Damir
Published: February 2022

We prove Jacobi–Trudi-type determinantal formulas for skew dual Grothendieck polynomials which are

K
K

-theoretic deformations of Schur polynomials. We also obtain a bialternant-type formula analogous to the classical definition of Schur polynomials.
About a cavitation model including bubbles in thin film lubrication taking convection into account
Authors: Bayada Guy , Ciuperca Ionel
Published: February 2022

In lubrication problems, which concern thin film flow, cavitation has been considered as a fundamental element to correctly describe the characteristics of lubricated mechanisms. This cavitation model consists of a coupled problem between the compressible Reynolds PDE (that describes the flow) and the Rayleigh-Plesset ODE (that describes micro-bubbles evolution). Very few theoretical results exist in the mathematical literature about such couple problems. A complete form including bubbles convection is studied here. Local times existence results are proved based on the semi group theory. Stability theorems are obtained in a particular case.
Rab21 in enterocytes participates in intestinal epithelium maintenance
Authors: Nassari Sonya , Lacarrière-Keïta Camille , Lévesque Dominique , Boisvert François-Michel , Jean Steve
Published: February 2022

In fly enterocytes, Rab21 is shown to regulate Yki activity and cell survival, and Rab21 loss leads to tissue inflammation and compensatory proliferation. A focused genetic screen identified specific endosomal trafficking steps required for gut function, and a proteomic analysis identified Rab21-dependent cargoes.