bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Promises and technological prospects of two-dimensional Rashba materials
Authors: Bordoloi Arjyama , Garcia-Castro A. C. , Romestan Zachary , Romero Aldo H. , Singh Sobhit
Published: June 2024

The Rashba spin–orbit coupling effect, primarily arising from structural-inversion asymmetry in periodic crystals, has garnered considerable attention due to its tunability and potential applications in spintronics. Its capability to manipulate electron spin without an external magnetic field opens new avenues for spintronic device design, particularly in semiconductor technology. Within this framework, 2D Rashba materials hold special interest due to their inherent characteristics, which facilitate miniaturization and engineering capabilities. In this Perspective article, we provide an overview of recent advancements in the research of 2D Rashba materials, aiming to offer a comprehensive understanding of the diverse manifestations and multifaceted implications of the Rashba effect in material science. Rather than merely presenting a list of materials, our approach involves synthesizing various viewpoints, assessing current trends, and addressing challenges within the field. Our objective is to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical applications by correlating each material with the necessary advancements required to translate theoretical concepts into tangible technologies. Furthermore, we highlight promising avenues for future research and development, drawing from insights gleaned from the current state of the field.
Numerical study on the cavity dynamics of water entry and exit for a high-speed projectile crossing a wave
Authors: Zhou Biaojun , Zhao Zijie , Dai Qi , Yao Weiguang , Liu Xiaohan , Zhang Yufei , Wang Anhua , Zhang Hui
Published: June 2024

The high-speed projectile moving near the sea level will significantly suffer from the effects of waves. The water entry and exit of a high-speed projectile crossing a wave are investigated by detached-eddy simulation. Three simulations with different altitudes through the wave are conducted to analyze the altitude's influence on the cavity dynamics. To validate the numerical model, a water-entry experiment is carried out in a wave tank for comparison. The projectile crossing the wave forms a cavity channel from water entry to exit. Because the water below the cavity is more difficult to displace than the atmosphere with the water surface under the cavitation effects, the downward expansion of vapor is blocked, and the wave surface is lifted. Consequently, the cavity above the projectile expands more strongly until breaking through the water surface, while the cavity below the projectile keeps closed, and the projectile is wetted. Thus, a nose-up pitching moment is generated at water entry, while the drag force is gradually enhanced during the water exit, and a lift force acts toward the atmosphere. As the altitude increases, the upper cavity becomes more open, but the lower cavity shrinks, leading to the augmentation of the lift force.
Investigation of the mild surge in an axial–centrifugal compressor
Authors: Li Jiaan , Wang Baotong , Zeng Hanxuan , Zheng Xinqian
Published: June 2024

The performance and structural integrity of compressors are critically impacted by aerodynamic instability. This study examines an unstable phenomenon, known as high-frequency mild surge (HFMS), in axial–centrifugal compressors through an experimental investigation and a low-order model. The results reveal that the pressure signal during HFMS is synchronized along the circumferential and streamwise directions. To elucidate the HFMS mechanism and further explore its influential law, a multi-actuator model is developed, successfully capturing the dynamic instability behavior. As the mass flow decreases, the front axial stage becomes unstable first, while the latter centrifugal stage remains stable with a negative slope near the operating point on the performance curve. The strong pressurization of the centrifugal stage maintains the stability of the entire compression system, increasing the mass flow rate. Subsequently, the pressure ratio of the latter centrifugal stage decreases with increasing mass flow, causing the front axial stage to become unstable again. The axial stage's Helmholtz frequency is consistent with the test HFMS frequency, further proving that it is a local systematic instability dominated by the axial stage. This matching feature is particularly common in combined compressors, making HFMS a typical instability phenomenon in such systems.
Electrical properties of different materials studied by sub-microsecond underwater electrical explosions of single wires
Authors: Grikshtas R. , Asmedianov N. , Maler D. , Efimov S. , Krasik Ya. E.
Published: June 2024

Results of an experimental research and one-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations of critically damped sub-microsecond timescale underwater electrical explosions of wires made of 12 different materials are presented. Using current and voltage waveforms, streak shadow images of the shocks generated in water and wire expansion obtained by one-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations, the maximal values of the energy density, energy density deposition rates, and specific action integrals were determined. It is shown that for all study materials, the deposited energy density significantly exceeds the energy density required for the solid–liquid phase transition but is substantially smaller to induce a full liquid–vapor phase transition of the wire. At the time when the maximal value of the deposited power is realized, the deposited energy densities were found to be larger than the atomization energy for all materials. Estimates of the plasma parameters show that the explosion of the wires can be characterized by a high resistance and lowly ionized weakly coupled plasma. Three groups of materials were distinguished by either decrease, plateau, or increase in the resistance after the maximum of the deposited power. It was confirmed that the observed maximum Planckian temperature for all wire material does not exceed 6000 K due to the “bath” effect and that there is a correlation between the wire radial expansion and the strong shock wave velocities.
Deciphering the functional specialization of whole-brain spatiomolecular gradients in the adult brain
Authors: Vogel Jacob W. , Alexander-Bloch Aaron F. , Wagstyl Konrad , Bertolero Maxwell A. , Markello Ross D. , Pines Adam , Sydnor Valerie J. , Diaz-Papkovich Alex , Hansen Justine Y. , Evans Alan C. , Bernhardt Boris , Misic Bratislav , Satterthwaite Theodore D. , Seidlitz Jakob
Published: June 2024

Cortical arealization arises during neurodevelopment from the confluence of molecular gradients representing patterned expression of morphogens and transcription factors. However, whether similar gradients are maintained in the adult brain remains unknown. Here, we uncover three axes of topographic variation in gene expression in the adult human brain that specifically capture previously identified rostral-caudal, dorsal-ventral, and medial-lateral axes of early developmental patterning. The interaction of these spatiomolecular gradients i) accurately reconstructs the position of brain tissue samples, ii) delineates known functional territories, and iii) can model the topographical variation of diverse cortical features. The spatiomolecular gradients are distinct from canonical cortical axes differentiating the primary sensory cortex from the association cortex, but radiate in parallel with the axes traversed by local field potentials along the cortex. We replicate all three molecular gradients in three independent human datasets as well as two nonhuman primate datasets and find that each gradient shows a distinct developmental trajectory across the lifespan. The gradients are composed of several well-known transcription factors (e.g.,
PAX6
and
SIX3
), and a small set of genes shared across gradients are strongly enriched for multiple diseases. Together, these results provide insight into the developmental sculpting of functionally distinct brain regions, governed by three robust transcriptomic axes embedded within brain parenchyma.
Promotional language and the adoption of innovative ideas in science
Authors: Peng Hao , Qiu Huilian Sophie , Fosse Henrik Barslund , Uzzi Brian
Published: June 2024

How are the merits of innovative ideas communicated in science? Here, we conduct semantic analyses of grant application success with a focus on scientific promotional language, which may help to convey an innovative idea’s originality and significance. Our analysis attempts to surmount the limitations of prior grant studies by examining the full text of tens of thousands of both funded and unfunded grants from three leading public and private funding agencies: the NIH, the NSF, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, one of the world’s largest private science funding foundations. We find a robust association between promotional language and the support and adoption of innovative ideas by funders and other scientists. First, a grant proposal’s percentage of promotional language is associated with up to a doubling of the grant’s probability of being funded. Second, a grant’s promotional language reflects its intrinsic innovativeness. Third, the percentage of promotional language is predictive of the expected citation and productivity impact of publications that are supported by funded grants. Finally, a computer-assisted experiment that manipulates the promotional language in our data demonstrates how promotional language can communicate the merit of ideas through cognitive activation. With the incidence of promotional language in science steeply rising, and the pivotal role of grants in converting promising and aspirational ideas into solutions, our analysis provides empirical evidence that promotional language is associated with effectively communicating the merits of innovative scientific ideas.
Community-Based Tourism as a Sustainable Approach to Tourism Development in Jibhi Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Gogoi Parishmita , Maheshwari Alka
Published: June 2024

The Jibhi Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India, has vast potential for community-based tourism (CBT), offering unique village experiences with quality accommodation. CBT empowers locals to generate income and share their culture, showcasing handicrafts, local cuisines, and authentic experiences. Celebration of Jibhi’s religious festivals and traditional rituals add a niche cultural perspective of the valley. The pristine environment mostly attracts nature enthusiasts, bird watchers, and hikers. Jibhi’s prospects include cultural experiences, village stays, wildlife encounters, nature-based tourism, agro-tourism, wellness, art, and adventure.

Information

© The Authors 2024
Women in STEM becoming independent: The journey to independence is an immensely gratifying odyssey
Authors: Campbell Clarissa , Funk Maja C. , Hattori Yuki , Hu Wei , Jeschke Jana , Lau Colleen M. , Ling Guang Sheng , Liu Siqi , Lloréns-Rico Verónica , Nemes Elisa
Published: June 2024

This year at JEM, we are highlighting women in science by sharing their stories and amplifying their voices. In this Viewpoint, we hear from a cross section of women, across multiple research fields, discussing their science and the process of setting up a lab as an independent researcher.
Personalized cancer T-cell therapy takes the stage, mirroring vaccine success
Authors: Chiffelle Johanna , Harari Alexandre
Published: June 2024

Personalized T-cell therapy is emerging as a pivotal treatment of cancer care by tailoring cellular therapies to individual genetic and antigenic profiles, echoing the exciting success of personalized vaccines. We describe here the parallel evolution and analogies of cancer vaccines and T-cell therapies.
On the evolution of the volume in Loop Quantum Cosmology
Authors: Navascués Beatriz Elizaga
Published: June 2024

The dynamics of the expectation value of the volume is one of the key ingredients behind the replacement of the Big Bang singularity by a bounce in Loop Quantum Cosmology. As such, it is of great importance that this quantity is mathematically well-defined in the space of physical states of the theory. A number of caveats have been raised about such a definition entering in conflict with the quantum evolution of states, motivated by the situation found in quantum geometrodynamics. We show that there are ways around these caveats, all of which are related to the existence of quantization prescriptions leading to a nondegenerate curvature operator in Loop Quantum Cosmology. Interestingly, the properties of the curvature operator that may allow for a good behavior of the volume are only possible thanks to the discreteness of the geometry characteristic of the loop quantization procedure.
A lightweight complex-domain acoustic feature extraction method for rotating machinery fault detection
Authors: Wei Xiaoyi , Ding Lansa , Wang Dezheng , Ma Liuqi , Chen Congyan
Published: June 2024

In the field of fault diagnosis for factory machinery systems, the development of deep learning methods has been hindered by the challenge of acquiring fault data, highlighting the need to extract noise robust features from limited labeled data. In this paper, a light and efficient complex-domain acoustic feature extraction method, complex-domain principal frequency convolution network (CPFCN) is proposed for fault diagnosis in rotating machinery, which consists of a principal frequency filter (PFF) and stacked convolution network (SCN). The PFF filters out non-principal frequency noise to focus on the predominant frequency. The SCN is designed to effectively extract the amplitude and phase features, which can fully leverage the complex-domain information within the acoustic data. The experimental results show that the proposed CPFCN have 33% increasing in accuracy while 87% reduction in training time and 41% reduction in feature extraction time. Additionally, the proposed framework has improved the accuracy by 59% on the dataset with noise compared to the best-performing method in the experimental study, achieving stronger noise robustness in the case of limited samples.
An improved LIO-SAM algorithm by integrating image information for dynamic and unstructured environments
Authors: Meng Xinyu , Chen Xi , Chen Shaofeng , Fang Yongfeng , Fan Hao , Luo Jiyu , Wu Yuhan , Sun Bingyu
Published: June 2024

Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is the process of estimating the trajectory of a mobile sensor carrier and creating a representation of its surroundings. Traditional SLAM algorithms are based on ‘static world assumption’ and simplify the problem by filtering out moving objects or tracking them separately in complex dynamic environments. However, this strong assumption restricts the application of SLAM algorithms on highly dynamic and unstructured environments. In order to resolve above problem, this paper propose an improved object-aware dynamic SLAM system by integrating image information, i.e. semantic and velocity information. Firstly, we adopt deep learning method to detect both the 2D and 3D bounding boxes of objects in the environment. This information is then used to perform multi-view, multi-dimensional bundle optimization to jointly refine the poses of camera, object, and point. Secondly, 2D detection results from image and 3D detection results from lidar are integrated by the joint probabilistic data association data association algorithm to facilitate object-level data association. We also calculate 2D and 3D motion velocity and this information is used to constraint the motion of the object. Finally, we perform comprehensive experiments on different datasets, including NCLT, M2DGR, and KITTI to prove the performance of the proposed method.
MC-WDWCNN: an interpretable multi-channel wide-kernel wavelet convolutional neural network for strong noise-robust fault diagnosis
Authors: Zhou Jianyu , Zhang Xiangfeng , Jiang Hong , Shao Zhenfa , Ma Benchi , Zhou Rong
Published: June 2024

Deep learning-based methods have shown promising results in fault diagnosis, but research on interpretability and noise robustness still needs to be done. A multi-channel wide-kernel wavelet convolutional neural network is proposed to address these issues. Firstly, a first layer of multi-channel wide-kernel convolution is designed to fuse different weight information and suppress high-frequency noise. Secondly, a discrete wavelet transform block is designed to retain the low-frequency components of the discrete wavelet transform for signal denoising and feature dimension reduction. At the same time, Improved Balance Dynamic Adaptive Threshold is used to enhance the robustness of the model’s noise and the sparsity of features, making the model easier to optimize. Lastly, a power spectrum and normalized class activation mapping are designed to validate the post-hoc explanations of the model. The effectiveness and reliability of the Multi-Channel Wide Kernel Wavelet Convolutional Neural Network are verified through two gearbox datasets.
Micro-crack in solids evaluation based on zero-frequency component of the critically refracted longitudinal wave
Authors: Wang Zhijiao , Tang Weili , Li Xinxin , Yang Yongjun , Bi Yiwen
Published: June 2024

Micro-crack in engineering materials may cause subtle changes in mechanical properties, which can lead to serious engineering accidents. It is of great significance to study the identification of micro-cracks. In this paper, it is discovered that when the critically refracted longitudinal (

L

CR

) wave propagates in elastic solids containing micro-crack, the waveform of ultrasonic waves becomes distorted, resulting in the generation of a zero-frequency component. The generated zero-frequency component provides a new research idea for micro-crack detection. Firstly, the paper derives the wave equation for nonlinear

L

CR

wave and provides a preliminary analytical solution with a zero-frequency component. Subsequently, through a combined approach involving numerical simulation and experimental observation, along with micro-crack modeling, the study delves deeper into the acoustic nonlinear characteristics of the zero-frequency component under the breathing behavior of micro-crack. Finally, both numerical simulation and experimental methods show that the zero-frequency component based on

L

CR

wave is feasible to detect micro-crack, and it is also proved that the zero-frequency component has higher sensitivity to micro-crack damage than the second and third harmonics.
The role of Sn grain orientation in Cu depletion of Sn-based solders
Authors: Haq Fariha , Pham Andrew , Sadasiva Subramanya , Li Guangxu , Koslowski Marisol
Published: June 2024

The miniaturization of solder bumps in flip-chip packages results in large variability in their microstructure making the prediction of joint lifetime challenging. This is of particular importance in Sn-rich solders due to the anisotropic diffusion behavior of Sn and the presence of fast diffusion pathways, such as grain boundaries and twins that vary from joint to joint. We developed a multi-physics phase-field model to predict the electromigration-enhanced evolution of intermetallic compounds in Cu/Sn system with different grain structures. We present simulations of solder joints with polycrystalline Sn with grains with different orientations to observe the effect of Sn anisotropy and grain boundaries on electromigration failure. The simulations predict Cu depletion in the cathode and the formation and accumulation of intermetallic compounds along Sn grain boundaries dependent on the Sn grain orientation. Additionally, Cu6Sn5clusters are formed in the Sn matrix when high diffusion rates at the interfaces are considered.
Identifying time-varying dynamics of heart rate and oxygen uptake from single ramp incremental running tests
Authors: Gielen Jasper , Stessens Loes , Meeusen Romain , Aerts Jean-Marie
Published: June 2024

Objective. The fact that ramp incremental exercise yields quasi-linear responses for pulmonary oxygen uptake (

V
˙

O
2

) and heart rate (HR) seems contradictory to the well-known non-linear behavior of underlying physiological processes. Prior research highlights this issue and demonstrates how a balancing of system gain and response time parameters causes linear

V
˙

O
2

responses during ramp tests. This study builds upon this knowledge and extracts the time-varying dynamics directly from HR and

V
˙

O
2

data of single ramp incremental running tests. Approach. A large-scale open access dataset of 735 ramp incremental running tests is analyzed. The dynamics are obtained by means of 1st order autoregressive and exogenous models with time-variant parameters. This allows for the estimates of time constant (τ) and steady state gain (SSG) to vary with work rate. Main results. As the work rate increases, τ-values increase on average from 38 to 132 s for HR, and from 27 to 35 s for

V
˙

O
2

. Both increases are statistically significant (p < 0.01). Further, SSG-values decrease on average from 14 to 9 bpm (km·h−1)−1 for HR, and from 218 to 144 ml·min−1 for

V
˙

O
2

(p < 0.01 for decrease parameters of HR and

V
˙

O
2

). The results of this modeling approach are line with literature reporting on cardiorespiratory dynamics obtained using standard procedures. Significance. We show that time-variant modeling is able to determine the time-varying dynamics HR and

V
˙

O
2

responses to ramp incremental running directly from individual tests. The proposed method allows for gaining insights into the cardiorespiratory response characteristics when no repeated measurements are available.
Role of anisotropy in understanding the molecular grounds for density scaling in dynamics of glass-forming liquids
Authors: Grzybowski A , Koperwas K , Paluch M
Published: June 2024

Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations of glass-forming liquids play a pivotal role in uncovering the molecular nature of the liquid vitrification process. In particular, much focus was given to elucidating the interplay between the character of intermolecular potential and molecular dynamics behaviour. This has been tried to achieve by simulating the spherical particles interacting via isotropic potential. However, when simulation and experimental data are analysed in the same way by using the density scaling approaches, serious inconsistency is revealed between them. Similar scaling exponent values are determined by analysing the relaxation times and pVT data obtained from computer simulations. In contrast, these values differ significantly when the same analysis is carried out in the case of experimental data. As discussed thoroughly herein, the coherence between results of simulation and experiment can be achieved if anisotropy of intermolecular interactions is introduced to MD simulations. In practice, it has been realized in two different ways: (1) by using the anisotropic potential of the Gay–Berne type or (2) by replacing the spherical particles with quasi-real polyatomic anisotropic molecules interacting through isotropic Lenard–Jones potential. In particular, the last strategy has the potential to be used to explore the relationship between molecular architecture and molecular dynamics behaviour. Finally, we hope that the results presented in this review will also encourage others to explore how ‘anisotropy’ affects remaining aspects related to liquid–glass transition, like heterogeneity, glass transition temperature, glass forming ability, etc.
Improving the superconducting properties of 100 m class MgB2 wire with 18+1 filaments produced via an internal Mg diffusion process
Authors: Wang Zhikai , Yang Fang , Wang Qingyang , Wang Dayou , Yan Guo , Zhang Pingxiang
Published: June 2024

Internal Mg diffusion (IMD) technology reveals the expansive prospects of MgB2 superconducting wires. To facilitate the practical application of IMD, a series of 100 m class MgB2 wires with 18 + 1 filaments were prepared in this study. Based on the optical micrographs and performance analyses, the annealing temperature, B powder type and diameter of wires were refined. The results indicated that introducing C-coated B powder into wires would accelerate the diffusion of Mg melt and enhance the J
e and layer J
c significantly, while shrinking the wire diameter would further improve the wire transport capability. The optimal J
e and layer J
c of wire with an 0.8 mm diameter reached 1.2 × 104 and 1.1 × 105 A cm−2, respectively at 4.2 K and 8 T, which contained C-coated B powder and was annealed at 650 °C. These improved wires were eligible for magnet use in terms of performances, integrity, length and uniformity.
Investigation on characteristic of vanadium trioxide insulation mixed with metal powder for rare-earth barium copper oxide coils
Authors: Lee Sung Hoon , Chae Yoon Seok , Kim Ho Min , Quach Huu Luong , Kim Ji Hyung
Published: June 2024

This study examined the turn-to-turn contact resistance (R
ct) between rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) tapes and layers of vanadium trioxide (V2O3) and V2O3 mixed with metal powder mixture. V2O3 in single crystal structure was electrically characterised to exhibit resistivity with negative temperature dependence, allowing the turn-to-turn insulation to self-regulate the current bypass between REBCO tapes. To facilitate effective quench protection of V2O3-insulated REBCO magnets above the metal-insulator transition temperature (T
rt), R
ct must be further reduced to a level similar to those of non- and metal as insulated (NI and MI) REBCO magnets. Thus, we explored the mixing of conductive metal powders such as molybdenum (Mo) with V2O3 paste and investigated the transition properties of R
ct. The resistance versus temperature characteristics, microscopic morphologies of the V2O3 layers, and thermal conductivity (k
v) were appropriately assessed to determine the effects of mixing the metal powder with V2O3. The R
ct of virgin V2O3 exhibited variations of 107–105
μΩ cm2 under 77–293 K. As the mixing concentration of the metal powder was increased, the reduction magnitude on R
ct increased for > T
rt (approximately 150 K). Furthermore, the transition slope became gentler for a wider temperature range of < T
rt. For metal powder concentrations exceeding 50 wt%, R
ct decreased by approximately 2 orders of magnitude (∼103
μΩ cm2) for > 150 K compared with that for virgin V2O3 paste. Moreover, compared to that of pure V2O3, k
v demonstrated a remarkable increase of approximately 352% at 91 K for Mo powder mixed at a concentration of 60 wt%. The improved electrical and thermal properties of the V2O3 insulation layer owing to the mixing of metal powders can help REBCO magnets operate in an insulated state under normal conditions and effectively convert to a non-insulated state under quenching.
Pattern selection and the route to turbulence in incompressible polar active fluids
Authors: Reinken Henning , Heidenreich Sebastian , Bär Markus , Klapp Sabine H L
Published: June 2024

Active fluids, such as suspensions of microswimmers, are well known to self-organize into complex spatio-temporal flow patterns. An intriguing example is mesoscale turbulence, a state of dynamic vortex structures exhibiting a characteristic length scale. Here, we employ a minimal model for the effective microswimmer velocity field to explore how the turbulent state develops from regular, stationary vortex patterns when the strength of activity resp. related parameters such as nonlinear advection or polar alignment strength—is increased. First, we demonstrate analytically that the system, without any spatial constraints, develops a stationary square vortex lattice in the absence of nonlinear advection. Subsequently, we perform an extended stability analysis of this nonuniform ‘ground state’ and uncover a linear instability, which follows from the mutual excitement and simultaneous growth of multiple perturbative modes. This extended analysis is based on linearization around an approximation of the analytical vortex lattice solution and allows us to calculate a critical advection or alignment strength, above which the square vortex lattice becomes unstable. Above these critical values, the vortex lattice develops into mesoscale turbulence in numerical simulations. Utilizing the numerical approach, we uncover an extended region of hysteresis where both patterns are possible depending on the initial condition. Here, we find that turbulence persists below the instability of the vortex lattice. We further determine the stability of square vortex patterns as a function of their wavenumber and represent the results analogous to the well-known Busse balloons known from classical pattern-forming systems such as Rayleigh–Bénard convection experiments and corresponding models such as the Swift–Hohenberg equation. Here, the region of stable periodic patterns shrinks and eventually disappears with increasing activity parameters. Our results show that the strength of activity plays a similar role for active turbulence as the Reynolds number does in driven flow exhibiting inertial turbulence.
Persistent spiking activity in neuromorphic circuits incorporating post-inhibitory rebound excitation
Authors: Hore Archita , Bandyopadhyay Sharba , Chakrabarti Saswat
Published: June 2024

Objective. This study introduces a novel approach for integrating the post-inhibitory rebound excitation (PIRE) phenomenon into a neuronal circuit. Excitatory and inhibitory synapses are designed to establish a connection between two hardware neurons, effectively forming a network. The model demonstrates the occurrence of PIRE under strong inhibitory input. Emphasizing the significance of incorporating PIRE in neuromorphic circuits, the study showcases generation of persistent activity within cyclic and recurrent spiking neuronal networks. Approach. The neuronal and synaptic circuits are designed and simulated in Cadence Virtuoso using TSMC 180 nm technology. The operating mechanism of the PIRE phenomenon integrated into a hardware neuron is discussed. The proposed circuit encompasses several parameters for effectively controlling multiple electrophysiological features of a neuron. Main results. The neuronal circuit has been tuned to match the response of a biological neuron. The efficiency of this circuit is evaluated by computing the average power dissipation and energy consumption per spike through simulation. The sustained firing of neural spikes is observed till 1.7 s using the two neuronal networks. Significance. Persistent activity has significant implications for various cognitive functions such as working memory, decision-making, and attention. Therefore, hardware implementation of these functions will require our PIRE-integrated model. Energy-efficient neuromorphic systems are useful in many artificial intelligence applications, including human-machine interaction, IoT devices, autonomous systems, and brain-computer interfaces.
Electrical rejuvenation of chronically implanted macroelectrodes in nonhuman primates
Authors: O’Sullivan K P , Orazem M E , Otto K J , Butson C R , Baker J L
Published: June 2024

Objective. Electrodes chronically implanted in the brain undergo complex changes over time that can lower the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of recorded signals and reduce the amount of energy delivered to the tissue during therapeutic stimulation, both of which are relevant for the development of robust, closed-loop control systems. Several factors have been identified that link changes in the electrode-tissue interface (ETI) to increased impedance and degraded performance in micro- and macro-electrodes. Previous studies have demonstrated that brief pulses applied every few days can restore SNR to near baseline levels during microelectrode recordings in rodents, a process referred to as electrical rejuvenation. However, electrical rejuvenation has not been tested in clinically relevant macroelectrode designs in large animal models, which could serve as preliminary data for translation of this technique. Here, several variations of this approach were tested to characterize parameters for optimization. Approach. Alternating-current (AC) and direct-current (DC) electrical rejuvenation methods were explored in three electrode types, chronically implanted in two adult male nonhuman primates (NHP) (Macaca mulatta), which included epidural electrocorticography (ECoG) electrodes and penetrating deep-brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was performed before and after each rejuvenation paradigm as a gold standard measure of impedance, as well as at subsequent intervals to longitudinally track the evolution of the ETI. Stochastic error modeling was performed to assess the standard deviation of the impedance data, and consistency with the Kramers–Kronig relations was assessed to evaluate the stationarity of EIS measurement. Main results. AC and DC rejuvenation were found to quickly reduce impedance and minimize the tissue component of the ETI on all three electrode types, with DC and low-frequency AC producing the largest impedance drops and reduction of the tissue component in Nyquist plots. The effects of a single rejuvenation session were found to last from several days to over 1 week, and all rejuvenation pulses induced no observable changes to the animals’ behavior. Significance. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of electrical rejuvenation for diminishing the impact of chronic ETI changes in NHP with clinically relevant macroelectrode designs.
Fusion decommissioning and regulation (UK-STEP perspectives)
Authors: Westwood L.N. , Gilbert M.R. , Scott-Mearns N.
Published: June 2024

A Funded Decommissioning Programme (FDP) is submitted to the secretary of state for approval as a requirement for a nuclear site licensee to install or operate a nuclear power station. The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) reactor will not require a nuclear site licence and therefore a FDP is currently not a legal requirement under Section 45 of the Energy Act 2008, (HMG 2008 Energy act 2008). However, it is expected that in line with the UK energy sector the UKAEA STEP programme needs to understand what is required both technically and financially to decommission the STEP reactor and associated facilities. This considers the initial summary level documents to support the FDP, which sets out the steps to decommission STEP at the end of its operational life. These documents are not fully developed as the STEP programme is currently in the concept design stage and is expected to be revised as more information becomes available and the Funding Arrangements Plan (FAP) and Decommissioning and Waste Management Plan (DWMP) are developed further along with the Detailed DWMP (DDWMP) which underpins the DWMP is also developed. Ultimately the DWMP, DDWMP and references should demonstrate UKAEA’s plans for the decommissioning of the West Burton site and for the management and disposal of waste
3

3

Waste in this paper includes both primary and secondary waste arisings.

arisings are realistic, clearly defined and achievable. Although this work has been done within the context of the UK and for a spherical tokamak a lot of the designated technical matters and technical matter that are not designated will be applicable to decommissioning outside of the UK as the work for decommissioning is still required, irrespective of the legal framework for funding of the decommissioning. This work is also applicable for other forms of fusion devices, especially as they develop into commercial scale for energy production, as the drivers are associated with the hazards from ionising radiation.
Variable-spectrum mode control of high poloidal beta discharges
Authors: Hanson Jeremy M. , Clement Mitchell , Garofalo Andrea M. , Strait Edward J.
Published: June 2024

DIII-D experiments demonstrate that high pressure, broad current profile equilibria can be accessed in the high poloidal beta regime by optimizing the MHD mode control poloidal spectrum. A novel, variable spectrum (VS) magnetic feedback scheme implemented using the DIII-D internal non-axisymmetric coils (I-coils) facilitated access to reduced internal inductance

ℓ

i

operation above the no-wall beta limit compared with both no feedback and fixed spectrum feedback. In addition, the VS feedback helped avoid beta collapses caused by marginally unstable resistive wall mode activity. The lower and upper I-coil rows were configured in two independent feedback loops, allowing the feedback field’s poloidal spectrum to vary and track changes in the plasma mode structure as the edge safety factor q
95 varied from 11 to 6 during the discharges. The q
95 dependence of the measured phase difference between the lower and upper I-coil rows during VS feedback is qualitatively compatible with ideal MHD simulations of the least-stable plasma kink mode and with plasma response simulations that included kinetic modifications to ideal MHD. The VS feedback approach is a straightforward way to improve resilience to variations in mode structure that occur as plasma parameters change. The demonstrated expansion of the operating space to lower

ℓ

i

is expected to improve the coupling of the plasma kink mode to external fields and beneficial wall eddy currents, and is compatible with high bootstrap fraction operation.
Low gain avalanche detectors for precision timing in the CMS MTD endcap timing layer
Authors: Costa M. ,   the CMS collaboration
Published: June 2024

The MIP Timing Detector (MTD) of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) is designed to provide precision timing information (with resolution of ∼40 ps per layer) for charged particles, with hermetic coverage up to a pseudo-rapidity of |η| = 3. This upgrade will reduce the effects of pile-up expected under the High-Luminosity LHC running conditions and brings new and unique capabilities to the CMS detector. The time information assigned to each track will enable the use of 4D reconstruction algorithms and will further discriminate in the time domain interaction vertices within the same bunch crossing to recover the track purity of vertices in current LHC conditions. The endcap region of the MTD, called the Endcap Timing Layer (ETL) will be instrumented with silicon-based low gain avalanche detectors (LGADs), covering the high radiation pseudo-rapidity region between |η| = 1.6 and 3.0. Each endcap will be instrumented with a two-disk system of LGADs, read out by Endcap Timing Readout Chips (ETROCs), being designed for precision timing measurements. We will present an overview of the MTD ETL design, which is detailed in the MTD technical design report. We will also present the R&D and test beam studies that were instrumental for achieving the ETL design, characterization of the LGAD sensors, as well as recent progress on the development of the ETROC readout electronics.
Dynamic diffraction of thermal neutrons in crystals with continuous deformation field
Authors: Shahverdyan A.V. , Trouni K.G. , Kocharyan V.R.
Published: June 2024

The purpose of the work is to consider the basics of the formation of a diffraction wave field of thermal neutrons in the case of Laue transmission geometry of a limited beam of neutrons in the crystal, taking into account the peculiarities of the interaction of thermal neutrons with a continuously and slowly changing deformation field of the crystal net. The conditions of both diffraction blurring and diffraction contraction (focusing) up to the practical restoration of the original shape of the packet will be studied.

An integral form for determining the quasi-amplitudes of diffracted waves within the framework of the original spatially inhomogeneous beams is formulated, based on the constructed functions of the influence of a point source of thermal neutron waves for crystals with a continues deformation field. It has been shown that neutron focusing is effective, which is revealed by a smaller half-width of the focal spot, an increase in the resolving power of the energy spectrum and focusing efficiency.
Characterization of a SiPM-based monolithic neutron scatter camera using dark counts
Authors: Balajthy J. , Brown J. , Brubaker E. , Cabrera-Palmer B. , Cates J. , Goldblum B.L. , Folsom M. , Hausladen P. , Keefe K. , Nattress J. , Negut V. , Nishimura K. , Steele J. , Ziock K. ,   the SVSC collaboration
Published: June 2024

The Single Volume Scatter Camera (SVSC) Collaboration aims to develop portable neutron
imaging systems for a variety of applications in nuclear non-proliferation. Conventional
double-scatter neutron imagers are composed of several separate detector volumes organized in at
least two planes. A neutron must scatter in two of these detector volumes for its initial
trajectory to be reconstructed. As such, these systems typically have a large footprint and poor
geometric efficiency. We report on the design and characterization of a prototype monolithic
neutron scatter camera that is intended to significantly improve upon the geometrical shortcomings
of conventional neutron cameras. The detector consists of a 50
mm×56 mm× 60 mm
monolithic block of EJ-204 plastic scintillator instrumented on two faces with arrays of 64
Hamamatsu S13360-6075PE silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). The electronic crosstalk is limited to
< 5% between adjacent channels and < 0.1% between all other channel pairs. SiPMs introduce a significantly
elevated dark count rate over PMTs, as well as correlated noise from after-pulsing and optical
crosstalk. In this article, we characterize the dark count rate and optical crosstalk and present
a modified event reconstruction likelihood function that accounts for them. We find that the
average dark count rate per SiPM is 4.3 MHz with a standard
deviation of 1.5 MHz among devices. The analysis method we employ
to measure internal optical crosstalk also naturally yields the mean and width of the
single-electron pulse height. We calculate separate contributions to the width of the
single-electron pulse-height from electronic noise and avalanche fluctuations. We demonstrate a
timing resolution for a single-photon pulse to be (128 ± 4) ps. Finally, coincidence analysis is employed to measure
external (pixel-to-pixel) optical crosstalk. We present a map of the average external crosstalk
probability between 2×4 groups of SiPMs, as well as the in-situ timing characteristics
extracted from the coincidence analysis. Further work is needed to characterize the performance
of the camera at reconstructing single- and double-site interactions, as well as
image reconstruction.
Study of silicon photomultipliers for the readout of a lead/scintillating-fiber calorimeter
Authors: Alemanno F. , Bernardini P. , Corvaglia A. , De Matteis G. , Martina L. , Miccoli A. , Panareo M. , Panetta M.P. , Pinto C. , Surdo A.
Published: June 2024

The KLOE electromagnetic calorimeter is expected to be
reused in the Near Detector complex of the DUNE experiment at
Fermilab. The possible substitution of traditional Photomultiplier
Tubes (PMTs) with Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) in the
refurbished calorimeter is the object of this investigation. A block
of the KLOE lead-scintillating fiber calorimeter has been equipped
with light guides and external trigger scintillators. The signals
induced by cosmic rays and environmental radioactivity have been
collected by SiPM arrays on one side of the calorimeter, and by
conventional PMTs on the opposite side. Efficiency, stability, and
timing resolution of SiPMs have been studied and compared with
KLOE-PMTs performance. Conclusions about the convenience of
substituting PMTs with SiPMs are drawn.
Keats’s Melodious Chuckle
Authors: Ward Matthew
Published: June 2024

Keats’s Isabella; or The Pot of Basil concludes on a curious note, a ‘melodious chuckle’ that speaks of hysterical merriment. This incongruous key is in keeping with Keats’s approach to poetry as well as laughter: both are a means of keeping pain at bay but also in play. Keats’s laughter articulates his sense of art and beauty as an aestheticization of suffering, and his poetry frequently finds fun in the relation between the melancholic and the mocking. Conscious of sometimes being ‘too smokeable’, his poetry nonetheless entertains laughter as a means of better arriving at feeling, and as one of the truest ways of imagining the life of others. Sympathy and the laughable are interwoven for Keats, but so too are poetry and laughter. His verse echoes with laughter that is full of mysteries, and doubts—states of being fundamental to his sense of the sympathetic imagination and the poetic character.
Coda
Authors: Ward Matthew
Published: June 2024

Lord Byron has frequently been distinguished from Wordsworth, Shelley, and Keats, on account of his laughter. For some, Byron’s laughable poetry is a critique of Romanticism, while for others Byron and Wordsworth, no less than Byron and Keats, present contrary notions of Romanticism itself. In this coda, however, we find echoes and overlaps between these poets, through the laughter of Byron’s last romance, The Island. The poem’s heroine, Neuha, rescues her lover Torquil from the British navy, and as she bursts out of the waters, she lets out a laugh that seems as natural as breathing. It is a comic outburst felt and expressed in the shadow of tragedy. At once optimistic and ironic, joyous and foreshadowing, sublime and ridiculous, it articulates the incongruous strains of the laughter of feeling, and the contradictory, ambivalent forms of Romanticism.
CryoSegNet: accurate cryo-EM protein particle picking by integrating the foundational AI image segmentation model and attention-gated U-Net
Authors: Gyawali Rajan , Dhakal Ashwin , Wang Liguo , Cheng Jianlin
Published: June 2024

Picking protein particles in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) micrographs is a crucial step in the cryo-EM-based structure determination. However, existing methods trained on a limited amount of cryo-EM data still cannot accurately pick protein particles from noisy cryo-EM images. The general foundational artificial intelligence–based image segmentation model such as Meta’s Segment Anything Model (SAM) cannot segment protein particles well because their training data do not include cryo-EM images. Here, we present a novel approach (CryoSegNet) of integrating an attention-gated U-shape network (U-Net) specially designed and trained for cryo-EM particle picking and the SAM. The U-Net is first trained on a large cryo-EM image dataset and then used to generate input from original cryo-EM images for SAM to make particle pickings. CryoSegNet shows both high precision and recall in segmenting protein particles from cryo-EM micrographs, irrespective of protein type, shape and size. On several independent datasets of various protein types, CryoSegNet outperforms two top machine learning particle pickers crYOLO and Topaz as well as SAM itself. The average resolution of density maps reconstructed from the particles picked by CryoSegNet is 3.33 Å, 7% better than 3.58 Å of Topaz and 14% better than 3.87 Å of crYOLO. It is publicly available at https://github.com/jianlin-cheng/CryoSegNet
Epidemiology of epidermolysis bullosa in Chile
Authors: Palisson Francis , Yubero María Joao , Lecaros Cristóbal , Krämer Susanne , Fuentes Constanza , Morandé Pilar , Noya Belkis , Cofré Glenda , Castillo Jimena , Acevedo Francisco , Burattini Natalia , Muñoz Antonella , Klausseger Alfred , Fuentes Ignacia
Published: June 2024

In this manuscript we are presenting the first National Epidermolysis Bullosa Epidemiology study done in South America. Our manuscript describes not only population-level estimates, such as incidence, prevalence and mortality of EB, but also genetic data that are unique to this underrepresented population. We report new data about this rare disease showing comparable life expectancy to wealthier nations, demonstrating the value of specialized EB care centres.