bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-Vacuum Drainage System in Percutaneous Image-Guided Thoracocentesis for Complex Pleural Effusions
Authors: Yap Jiawei Alexander , Gummalla Krishna Mohan , H'ng Martin Weng Chin
Published: February 2023

Purpose Our retrospective study is aimed to analyze the efficacy and outcomes between high-vacuum suction drain (HVSD) over passive drainage in the setting of percutaneous image-guided thoracocentesis, with a secondary aim to determine if preprocedural computed tomography (CT) can aid decision-making.

Methods Clinical and imaging details of patients using HVSD between November 2012 and October 2018, who had a preceding CT within a month before drainage, were collated. The control group was selected from patients who had thoracocentesis with passive drainage performed between November 2017 and October 2018. Cases where HVSD was the sole device were compared with those using only a chest bottle.

Results The HVSD was the only device in 17 cases compared to chest bottle in 47 cases. Mean duration being on a drain for these two arms were 5.5 and 7.3 days, respectively (p = 0.170). Fewer from the HVSD arm needed a repeat procedure (p = 0.424). Patients in the HVSD arm had significantly smaller volumes (p = 0.013) of higher density (p = 0.016), associated with a more encapsulating wall (p = 0.013) but not septations (p = 0.922). Density of contents on CT was useful in distinguishing between straw-colored effusion versus hemoserous fluid or pus (p = 0.008).

Conclusions HVSD was not inferior to the chest bottle in the setting of thoracocentesis. Considering its potential adjunctive benefits, it should be an option for draining smaller volume complex effusions. Due to poor correlation with preprocedural CT, decision to insert a HVSD should be made by the procedurist at the time of thoracentesis.
Bulk–edge correspondence for unbounded Dirac–Landau operators
Authors: Cornean H. D. , Moscolari M. , Sørensen K. S.
Published: February 2023

We consider two-dimensional unbounded magnetic Dirac operators, either defined on the whole plane or with infinite mass boundary conditions on a half-plane. Our main results use techniques from elliptic PDEs and integral operators, while their topological consequences are presented as corollaries of some more general identities involving magnetic derivatives of local traces of fast decaying functions of the bulk and edge operators. One of these corollaries leads to the so-called Středa formula: if the bulk operator has an isolated compact spectral island, then the integrated density of states of the corresponding bulk spectral projection varies linearly with the magnetic field as long as the gaps between the spectral island and the rest of the spectrum are not closed, and the slope of this variation is given by the Chern character of the projection. The same bulk Chern character is related to the number of edge states that appear in the gaps of the bulk operator.
Anisotropy-assisted bias-free spin Hall nano-oscillator
Authors: Manna Sourabh , Medwal Rohit , Gupta Surbhi , Mohan John Rex , Fukuma Yasuhiro , Rawat Rajdeep Singh
Published: February 2023

Ferromagnet/nonmagnet (FM/NM) bilayer-based spin Hall nano-oscillators (SHNOs)—a sub-class of spintronic oscillator devices—have promising potential toward realizing low-power physical reservoir computing systems because of their inherent nonlinearity and miniature form factor. However, most of the studies on SHNOs indicate that an external biasing magnetic field is necessary for their operation, creating a bottleneck for their practical implementation in designing small and compact RC hardware. In this report, using micromagnetic simulation, we demonstrate biasing field-free operation of a FM/NM bilayer-based SHNO by exploiting the magnetic anisotropy. Our results reveal that the magnetic anisotropy in the FM layer provides active control over the DC tunability of auto-oscillation frequency and the threshold value of current needed for sustained auto-oscillations. We show that the increase in uniaxial anisotropy substantially modifies the spatial profile of auto-oscillation and eventually leads to the reduction in the threshold current for auto-oscillation, which could be utilized to design low-power computing hardware using SHNO devices.
Enhanced ferroelectricity and electrocaloric effect of Sm modified BSTO with temperature stability near room temperature
Authors: Mallick Jyotirekha , Shukla Anant , Panda Shantanu Kumar , Manglam Murli Kumar , Biswal Sambit Kumar , Pradhan Lagen Kumar , Kar Manoranjan
Published: February 2023

Lead-free ferroelectric materials are essential for environment-friendly solid-state cooling technology. In this respect, the electrocaloric effect of lead-free Ba0.8−xSr0.2SmxTiO3 (x = 0.01–0.05) ceramics has been investigated. The Rietveld refinement reveals that all the ceramics exhibit tetragonal symmetry and the tetragonality decreases for x > 0.03, which is the major reason behind the decrease in both isothermal entropy change and adiabatic temperature change. The degree of diffuseness parameter is enhanced by doping of Sm3+, which confirms the formation of polar nanoregion and the enhancement of the electrocaloric effect parameter by adding extra entropy. The relaxor behavior of the prepared samples is also confirmed by estimating the degree of deviation parameter (ΔTm=77K) from the 1εrvs.T curve. So, the temperature stability of the prepared ceramics is improved in a broad temperature window. The highest isothermal entropy change (ΔS), adiabatic temperature change (ΔT), and electrocaloric strength (ΔTΔE) are found to be 1.230 Jkg−1 K−1, 0.862 K, and 0.028 73 K cm/kV at 316 K, respectively, for Ba0.77Sr0.2Sm0.03TiO3.
Impact of analog memory device failure on in-memory computing inference accuracy
Authors: Li Ning , Tsai Hsinyu , Narayanan Vijay , Rasch Malte
Published: February 2023

In-memory computing using analog non-volatile memory (NVM) devices can improve the speed and reduce the latency of deep neural network (DNN) inference. It has been recently shown that neuromorphic crossbar arrays, where each weight is implemented using analog conductance values of phase-change memory devices, achieve competitive accuracy and high power efficiency. However, due to the large amount of NVMs needed and the challenge for making analog NVM devices, these chips typically include some failed devices from fabrication or developed over time. We study the impact of these failed devices on the analog in-memory computing accuracy for various networks. We show that larger networks with fewer reused layers are more tolerable to failed devices. Devices stuck at high resistance states are more tolerable than devices stuck at low resistance states. To improve the robustness of DNNs to defective devices, we develop training methods that add noise and corrupt devices in the weight matrices during network training and show that this can increase the network accuracy in the presence of the failed devices. We also provide estimated maximum defective device tolerance of some common networks.
Transient photocapacitance spectroscopy on Au/TiO2 Schottky diodes with rolled-up nanomembrane electrodes
Authors: Berg L. , Schnorr L. , Merces L. , Bettini J. , Bof Bufon C. C. , Heinzel T.
Published: February 2023

Rolled-up nanomembrane electrodes are used to prepare optically transparent Au/TiO2 Schottky diodes suitable for deep level transient photocapacitance spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that both the binding energy and the capture cross section of the oxygen vacancy can be extracted from the photocapacitance transients using a rate equation model. The values are consistent with those obtained from conventional deep level transient spectroscopy, taken from the same sample. Furthermore, information about the capture process can be extracted.
Time-dependent laser irradiation-induced kinetics of changes in linear–nonlinear optical properties of Bi15In20Se65 thin films for IR applications
Authors: Priyadarshini P. , Parida A. , Alagarasan D. , Ganesan R. , Naik R.
Published: February 2023

The current research depicts the laser irradiation-induced effect on the optoelectrical and structural properties of thermally evaporated Bi15In20Se65 thin films with different exposure durations (0, 10, 20, 30, 60, and 90 min). The illumination effect under different lasing times leads to the retention of amorphous nature, indicating the short-range ordering inside the matrix. An improvement in the homogeneous and smooth texture of the film surface even after irradiation has been observed. However, significant optical changes have been noticed with different exposure durations. Transparency decreased with the exposure time, whereas an increment in the absorption coefficient with red shifting in the absorption edge was observed. Broad transparency and less absorption over the infrared region make these films promising for infrared optics such as temperature detection, energy management, monitoring, night vision, etc. Laser illumination allowed bond rearrangements that led to an increase in defect states over the forbidden gap regime and reduced the bandgap from 1.02 to 0.94 eV, confirming the photodarkening nature. This consequently enhanced the Urbach energy and electron–phonon interactions. Both extinction coefficient and refractive index enhanced with lasing duration, indicating an increment in the scattering centers with the lasing duration. The increase in the lasing time results in the increase of interband transitions, which might be due to the increase of carrier concentrations in the system. The non-linear susceptibility (χ(3)) and refractive indices showed enhancement with exposure duration. The observed non-linear refractive index (SI) is 20–30 times greater than silica. This reduction of Eg and enhancement in non-linearity improves the occurrence of two-photon absorption, signifying the potentiality for photonic devices. The hydrophilic nature of laser-irradiated films makes them suitable for applications such as self-cleaning, antifouling, and antifogging as coating materials.
A wire-shaped photoanode of the solar-blind photoelectrochemical-type photodetector based on an α-Ga2O3 nanorods/electrolyte solid/liquid heterojunction
Authors: Wang Gang , Zhang Xinmiao , Li Jiang , Bai Zhaowen , Wu Hongchang , Jin Mengjing , Zhou Jinyuan , Xie Erqing , Pan Xiaojun
Published: February 2023

Multifunctional and smart solar-blind photodetectors are of great significance for many applications, particularly for communications, optoelectronic circuits, and environmental risk monitoring. In this study, a wire-shaped photoanode of the solar-blind photoelectrochemical (PEC)-type photodetector based on an α-Ga2O3 nanorods/electrolyte solid/liquid heterojunction is realized. In photovoltaic devices, a junction generally comprises two different solid materials to facilitate the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. Similarly, a solid/liquid junction is formed between the semiconductor and the electrolyte in a PEC photodetector. The apparent rectification characteristics of the dark current indicate that the energy bands bend at the α-Ga2O3 nanorods/electrolyte interface. The local electric field in the semiconductor effectively promotes the separation of carriers. The photodetectors exhibit a high light/dark current ratio (Ilight/Idark) of 68.7; fast rise and decay response times of 0.1 and 0.06 s, respectively; and a high responsivity of 11.2 mA/W (@230 nm) at zero bias. The wire-shaped photoanode is beneficial for realizing potential omnidirectional solar-blind detection.
Numerical investigation of the scale effects of pump-jet propulsor with a pre-swirl stator
Authors: Guo Chunyu , Yang Chun , Sun Cong , Wang Chao , Yao Huadong , Lin Jianfeng
Published: February 2023

In this study, the performance of a pump-jet propulsor (PJP) with pre-swirl stator in open water is numerically investigated. Both full-scale and model-scale configurations are considered. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations and shear stress transport k−ω turbulence model are used in the numerical calculation. The computational domain is discretized using structured grids, and a rotating grid is affixed to the rotor to deal with the relative motion between the rotor and stationary components. The mesh quality is determined based on a grid uncertainty analysis. The numerical method is validated using model-scale experimental data. The simulation results reveal the influences of the scale size on the hydrodynamic performance and the distributions of the velocity, pressure and vorticity under three advance coefficients. With the increase in the advance coefficients, the scale influences on the efficiency become more obvious, and the efficiency of the full-scale PJP is always higher than that of the model-scale PJP. The full-scale configuration is found with a more significant instability in the gap vortex development, because it presents larger interaction between tip leakage vortex (TLV) and the inner wall of the duct. As the main velocity increases, the TLV shedding is delayed. Finally, the development process of gap vortices is analyzed for the difference operation conditions.
Chiral metasurface refractive index sensor with a large figure of merit
Authors: Xie Fei , Ren Mengxin , Wu Wei , Cai Wei , Xu Jingjun
Published: February 2023

Metasurface refractive index (n) sensors aim to detect the ambient n by monitoring their spectral shifts, which have found many applications in biosensing, environmental monitoring, and so on. Traditionally, a resonance peak/valley is used as a sensing signal to track the spectral shifts. To track the spectra with higher accuracy, a larger figure of merit (FoM) is desirable; however, whose values are essentially limited by the finite resonance bandwidth. Here, we demonstrate an approach to radically improve the FoM by exploiting the 90°-crossing point of the optical rotation spectral curve as the sensing signal. Benefitting from the infinitesimal linewidth of spectral curves, we deliver a theoretically unlimited value to the FoM. Our method enables tracking the spectral shifts with explicit convenience and high precision from the raw data without any fitting procedures. The n difference on the level of 10−3 RIU was steadily distinguished in experiments. Our study provides a way for constructing the metasurface refractive index sensors.
Exploiting graph neural networks to perform finite-difference time-domain based optical simulations
Authors: Kuhn L. , Repän T. , Rockstuhl C.
Published: February 2023

Having an artificial neural network that solves Maxwell’s equations in a general setting is an intellectual challenge and a great utility. Recently, there have been multiple successful attempts to use artificial neural networks to predict electromagnetic fields, given a specific source and interacting material distribution. However, many of these attempts are limited in domain size and restricted to object shapes similar to the learned ones. Here, we overcome these restrictions by using graph neural networks (GNNs) that adapt the propagation scheme of the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method to solve Maxwell’s equations for a distinct time step. GNNs yield a significant advantage, i.e., size invariance, over conventional neural network architectures, such as convolutional or linear neural networks. Once trained, a GNN can work on graphs of arbitrary size and connectivity. This allows us to train them on the propagation procedure of electromagnetic fields on small domain sizes and, finally, expand the domain to an arbitrary scale. Moreover, GNNs can adapt to any material shape and work not only on structured grids, such as FDTD, but also on arbitrary meshes. This work may be seen as the first benchmark for field predictions with graph networks and could be expanded to more complex mesh-based optical simulations, e.g., those based on finite elements.
Identification of OH groups on SrTiO3(100)-(13×13)-R33.7° reconstructed surface by non-contact atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy
Authors: Katsube Daiki , Shimizu Ryota , Sugimoto Yoshiaki , Hitosugi Taro , Abe Masayuki
Published: February 2023

Atomic resolution imaging of a SrTiO3(100)-(13×13)-R33.7° reconstructed surface using non-contact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) and its simultaneous measurement with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is presented. Simultaneous STM and NC-AFM imaging reveals three patterns of image contrast depending on the tip apex condition and the relationship between the SrTiO3(100)-(13×13)-R33.7° surface reconstructed structure and the NC-AFM image contrast. The NC-AFM image contrast variation is deduced from the tip apex polarity on the basis of an analysis of two images with opposite contrast. This interpretation is consistent with the results of simultaneous imaging of the SrTiO3(100)-(13×13)-R33.7° surface. Furthermore, the results and interpretation identified an OH group, which is one of the surface defects, and this adsorption site.
Lightweight lattice Boltzmann
Authors: Tiribocchi Adriano , Montessori Andrea , Amati Giorgio , Bernaschi Massimo , Bonaccorso Fabio , Orlandini Sergio , Succi Sauro , Lauricella Marco
Published: February 2023

A regularized version of the lattice Boltzmann method for efficient simulation of soft materials is introduced. Unlike standard approaches, this method reconstructs the distribution functions from available hydrodynamic variables (density, momentum, and pressure tensor) without storing the full set of discrete populations. This scheme shows significantly lower memory requirements and data access costs. A series of benchmark tests of relevance to soft matter, such as collisions of fluid droplets, is discussed to validate the method. The results can be of particular interest for high-performance simulations of soft matter systems on future exascale computers.
Investigation of audible sound waves on the heat transfer characteristics of air-to-air heat exchange systems
Authors: Guo Chang , Wei Wei , Wang Cong , Liu Zhigang , Guo Lin , Gao Ming
Published: February 2023

To reveal the mechanism of the effect of audible sound waves on the heat transfer process, the flow and heat transfer characteristics of an air-to-air heat exchanger were analyzed by incidence of sound waves with different intensities on its cold, hot, and both sides. The results showed that the sound waves incident on the cold side enhanced the heat exchange between the unstable cold flow and hot surface, which decreased the surface temperature of the latter with an increasing sound pressure level (SPL). In contrast, the sound waves incident on the hot side increased the surface temperature, thereby enhancing the heat transfer performance. When the SPL increased to 140 dB, the average surface heat flux increased by 8.22% and 15.19% under the sound waves incident on the cold and hot sides, respectively, whereas the sound energy efficiency was relatively higher with the sound waves incident on the cold side. Additionally, under the synergetic effect of the incidence of sound waves on both sides on the flow characteristics, the average surface heat flux increased by 25.56%. It was higher than the summation of the corresponding fluxes under the incidence of sound waves on single side, while the sound energy efficiency decreased under high SPL. The results indicated that sound waves incident on both sides can effectively enhance the heat transfer performance. This research is significant for the application of sound waves on the heat transfer process of air-to-air heat exchange systems.
A nuclear magnetic resonance proxy model for predicting movable fluid of rocks based on adaptive ensemble learning
Authors: Gong An , Zhang Yongan , Sun Youzhuang , Lin Wei , Wang Jing
Published: February 2023

The movable fluid percentage and movable fluid porosity of rocks are important parameters for evaluating the development potential of petroleum reservoirs, which are usually determined by expensive and time-consuming low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments combined with centrifugation. In this study, an NMR proxy model based on adaptive ensemble learning was proposed to predict the rock movable fluid indexes efficiently and economically. We established adaptive ensemble learning via an opposite political optimizer (AEL-OPO), which adaptively combines 33 base learners through political optimization to increase the prediction accuracy of the NMR proxy model. To improve the generalization ability of the AEL-OPO, opposition-based learning was introduced to improve the global search speed and stability of the political optimizer. Accessible petrophysical parameters, such as rock density, porosity, permeability, average throat radius, and maximum throat radius, were used as a training set, a validation set, and a test set. The prediction results show that our new strategy outperforms the other 33 base learners, with R2 (coefficient of determination) values of 84.64% in movable fluid percentage and 74.09% in movable fluid porosity.
Alternating magnetic field improved NiFe@MoS2 monolayer diatomic site catalyst for overall water splitting
Authors: Jiang Zhenzhen , Hu Ce , Luo Xingfang , Gong Xunguo , Zeng Wei , Zou Chengwu , Zhou Hang , Zhou Wenda , Yu Ting , Lei Wen , Yuan Cailei
Published: February 2023

Further uprating the catalytic activities of diatomic active sites while maintaining the atomic loading and diatomic coordination by external stimulation is a promising way to break the bottleneck in the improvement of diatomic site catalysts (DASCs). Herein, the as-prepared NiFe@MoS2 DASCs treated by external high-frequency alternating magnetic field (AMF) further expedite the alkaline water electrolysis process with a superior cell voltage of 1.576 V to afford a current density of 10 mA cm−2 than that treated without AMF (1.652 V). Theoretical simulation by COMSOL Multiphysics helps visualize the increase in temperature locally around the diatomic active sites, qualitatively revealing the magnetic heating effect that originates from the anchored magnetic Ni and Fe atoms. The selective magnetic heating of bifunctional diatomic active site proposed in this work can broaden horizons and endow another dimension in the design of highly efficient catalysts toward various complicated energy-related reactions.
Effect of substitution of 3d, 4d and 5d elements on structural, electronic, magnetic properties and XMCD spectra of Co-based full Heusler alloys: A DFT study
Authors: Dutt Rajeev , Chakrabarti Aparna
Published: February 2023

In the present work, we have probed the role of substitution of 3d, 4d and 5d elements (i.e., with electronic configuration (EC): ndy, where n = 3–5; y = number of electrons in the d level) at the B site on structural, magnetic and electronic properties of a set of full Heusler alloys (FHAs) namely, Co2BAl, using density functional theory (DFT) based electronic structure (ES) calculations. We have optimized all the 30 combinations studied here in Fm3̄m (A2BC type, conventional FHA structure) and F4̄3m (ABAC type, inverse FHA structure) space groups using VASP code. Thereafter, ES calculations have been carried out using DFT based FPLAPW method as implemented in WIEN2k code with an exchange-correlation term (PBE + mBJ + SOC), which is beyond GGA and includes the spin-orbit-coupling (SOC). Furthermore, XMCD calculations have been performed using single particle approximation and Fermi’s Golden rule as implemented in WIEN2k code. FHAs with atoms having EC nd1−6,10 (n = 3–5) at B site have Fm3̄m as the lowest energy structure with the exception of 4d6 and 5d6. Calculated magnetic moments (MM) of these alloys with atoms with EC nd1−5 are found to be in agreement with the Slater-Pauling (SP) rule, with an integer or close to integer value along with 3d6. However, alloys having atoms at B site with nd7−9 (along with 4d6 and 5d6) are found to be in F4̄3m space group and their values of the MM are not in agreement with the SP rule. XMCD spectra corresponding to various atomic sites help in understanding the impact of the local environment. Hence, calculations of the same have been performed to understand the low values of Co MM with atoms at B site having EC 3d3−5 and the negative MM of the Ti and Zr atoms at B site.
Photoactivatable nanoagonists chemically programmed for pharmacokinetic tuning and in situ cancer vaccination
Authors: Wan Jianqin , Ren Lulu , Li Xiaoyan , He Shasha , Fu Yang , Xu Peirong , Meng Fanchao , Xian Shiyun , Pu Kanyi , Wang Hangxiang
Published: February 2023

Immunotherapy holds great promise for the treatment of aggressive and metastatic cancers; however, currently available immunotherapeutics, such as immune checkpoint blockade, benefit only a small subset of patients. A photoactivatable toll-like receptor 7/8 (TLR7/8) nanoagonist (PNA) system that imparts near-infrared (NIR) light-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD) in dying tumor cells in synchrony with the spontaneous release of a potent immunoadjuvant is developed here. The PNA consists of polymer-derived proimmunoadjuvants ligated via a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-cleavable linker and polymer-derived photosensitizers, which are further encapsulated in amphiphilic matrices for systemic injection. In particular, conjugation of the TLR7/8 agonist resiquimod to biodegradable macromolecular moieties with different molecular weights enabled pharmacokinetic tuning of small-molecule agonists and optimized delivery efficiency in mice. Upon NIR photoirradiation, PNA effectively generated ROS not only to ablate tumors and induce the ICD cascade but also to trigger the on-demand release of TLR agonists. In several preclinical cancer models, intravenous PNA administration followed by NIR tumor irradiation resulted in remarkable tumor regression and suppressed postsurgical tumor recurrence and metastasis. Furthermore, this treatment profoundly shifted the tumor immune landscape to a tumoricidal one, eliciting robust tumor-specific T cell priming in vivo. This work highlights a simple and cost-effective approach to generate in situ cancer vaccines for synergistic photodynamic immunotherapy of metastatic cancers.
Two transporters cooperate to secrete amphipathic peptides from the cytoplasmic and membranous milieus
Authors: Dickey Seth W. , Burgin Dylan J. , Huang Steven , Maguire David , Otto Michael
Published: February 2023

Diverse organisms secrete amphipathic biomolecules for competitive gains. However, how cells cope with producing these membrane-permeabilizing molecules is unclear. We focused on the PSM family of secreted amphipathic peptides in the pathogen
Staphylococcus aureus
that uses two ABC transporters, PmtCD and AbcA, to export peptides across the bacterial cell membrane. We found that increased peptide hydrophobicity favors PSM secretion through PmtCD over AbcA and that only PmtCD protected cells against amphipathic peptides. We propose a two-system model in which PmtCD and AbcA independently export PSMs from either membrane or cytosolic environments, respectively. Our model provides a rationale for the encoding of multiple transport systems on diverse biosynthetic gene clusters used to produce distinct amphipathic molecules. In addition, our data serve as a guide for selectively blocking PSM secretion to achieve antimicrobial or antivirulence approaches and to disrupt established roles of PSM-mediated virulence.
Planet-compatible pathways for transitioning the chemical industry
Authors: Meng Fanran , Wagner Andreas , Kremer Alexandre B. , Kanazawa Daisuke , Leung Jane J. , Goult Peter , Guan Min , Herrmann Sophie , Speelman Eveline , Sauter Pim , Lingeswaran Shajeeshan , Stuchtey Martin M. , Hansen Katja , Masanet Eric , Serrenho André C. , Ishii Naoko , Kikuchi Yasunori , Cullen Jonathan M.
Published: February 2023

Chemical products, such as plastics, solvents, and fertilizers, are essential for supporting modern lifestyles. Yet, producing, using, and disposing of chemicals creates adverse environmental impacts which threaten the industry’s license to operate. This study presents seven planet-compatible pathways toward 2050 employing demand-side and supply-side interventions with cumulative total investment costs of US$1.2–3.7 trillion. Resource efficiency and circularity interventions reduce global chemicals demand by 23 to 33% and are critical for mitigating risks associated with using fossil feedstocks and carbon capture and sequestration, and constraints on available biogenic and recyclate feedstocks. Replacing fossil feedstocks with biogenic/air-capture sources, shifting carbon destinations from the atmosphere to ground, and electrifying/decarbonizing energy supply for production technologies could enable net negative emissions of 0.5 GtCO2eqy−1across non-ammonia chemicals, while still delivering essential chemical-based services to society.
Chemical interactions that govern the structures of metals
Authors: Sun Yuanhui , Zhao Lei , Pickard Chris J. , Hemley Russell J. , Zheng Yonghao , Miao Maosheng
Published: February 2023

Most metals adopt simple structures such as body-centered cubic (BCC), face-centered cubic (FCC), and hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structures in specific groupings across the periodic table, and many undergo transitions to surprisingly complex structures on compression, not expected from conventional free-electron-based theories of metals. First-principles calculations have been able to reproduce many observed structures and transitions, but a unified, predictive theory that underlies this behavior is not yet in hand. Discovered by analyzing the electronic properties of metals in various lattices over a broad range of sizes and geometries, a remarkably simple theory shows that the stability of metal structures is governed by electrons occupying local interstitial orbitals and their strong chemical interactions. The theory provides a basis for understanding and predicting structures in solid compounds and alloys over a broad range of conditions.
Neuronal morphology enhances robustness to perturbations of channel densities
Authors: Zang Yunliang , Marder Eve
Published: February 2023

Biological neurons show significant cell-to-cell variability but have the striking ability to maintain their key firing properties in the face of unpredictable perturbations and stochastic noise. Using a population of multi-compartment models consisting of soma, neurites, and axon for the lateral pyloric neuron in the crab stomatogastric ganglion, we explore how rebound bursting is preserved when the 14 channel conductances in each model are all randomly varied. The coupling between the axon and other compartments is critical for the ability of the axon to spike during bursts and consequently determines the set of successful solutions. When the coupling deviates from a biologically realistic range, the neuronal tolerance of conductance variations is lessened. Thus, the gross morphological features of these neurons enhance their robustness to perturbations of channel densities and expand the space of individual variability that can maintain a desired output pattern.
Intracapillary LPL levels in brown adipose tissue, visualized with an antibody-based approach, are regulated by ANGPTL4 at thermoneutral temperatures
Authors: Song Wenxin , Yang Ye , Heizer Patrick , Tu Yiping , Weston Thomas A. , Kim Joonyoung R. , Munguia Priscilla , Jung Hyesoo , Fong Jared L.-C. , Tran Caitlyn , Ploug Michael , Beigneux Anne P. , Young Stephen G. , Fong Loren G.
Published: February 2023

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is secreted into the interstitial spaces by parenchymal cells and then transported into capillaries by GPIHBP1. LPL carries out the lipolytic processing of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins (TRLs), but the tissue-specific regulation of LPL is incompletely understood. Plasma levels of TG hydrolase activity after heparin injection are often used to draw inferences about intravascular LPL levels, but the validity of these inferences is unclear. Moreover, plasma TG hydrolase activity levels are not helpful for understanding LPL regulation in specific tissues. Here, we sought to elucidate LPL regulation under thermoneutral conditions (30 °C). To pursue this objective, we developed an antibody-based method to quantify (in a direct fashion) LPL levels inside capillaries. At 30 °C, intracapillary LPL levels fell sharply in brown adipose tissue (BAT) but not heart. The reduced intracapillary LPL levels were accompanied by reduced margination of TRLs along capillaries. ANGPTL4 expression in BAT increased fourfold at 30 °C, suggesting a potential explanation for the lower intracapillary LPL levels. Consistent with that idea,
Angptl4
deficiency normalized both LPL levels and TRL margination in BAT at 30 °C. In
Gpihbp1
–/–
mice housed at 30 °C, we observed an ANGPTL4-dependent decrease in LPL levels within the interstitial spaces of BAT, providing in vivo proof that ANGPTL4 regulates LPL levels before LPL transport into capillaries. In conclusion, our studies have illuminated intracapillary LPL regulation under thermoneutral conditions. Our approaches will be useful for defining the impact of genetic variation and metabolic disease on intracapillary LPL levels and TRL processing.
A gene duplication of a septin reveals a developmentally regulated filament length control mechanism
Authors: Cannon Kevin S. , Vargas-Muniz Jose M. , Billington Neil , Seim Ian , Ekena Joanne , Sellers James R. , Gladfelter Amy. S.
Published: February 2023

Septins are a family of conserved filament-forming proteins that function in multiple cellular processes. The number of septin genes within an organism varies, and higher eukaryotes express many septin isoforms due to alternative splicing. It is unclear if different combinations of septin proteins in complex alter the polymers’ biophysical properties. We report that a duplication event within the CDC11 locus in Ashbya gossypii gave rise to two similar but distinct Cdc11 proteins: Cdc11a and Cdc1b. CDC11b transcription is developmentally regulated, producing different amounts of Cdc11a- and Cdc11b-complexes in the lifecycle of Ashbya gossypii. Deletion of either gene results in distinct cell polarity defects, suggesting non-overlapping functions. Cdc11a and Cdc11b complexes have differences in filament length and membrane-binding ability. Thus, septin subunit composition has functional consequences on filament properties and cell morphogenesis. Small sequence differences elicit distinct biophysical properties and cell functions of septins, illuminating how gene duplication could be a driving force for septin gene expansions seen throughout the tree of life.
The genetic background shapes the susceptibility to mitochondrial dysfunction and NASH progression
Authors: Benegiamo Giorgia , von Alvensleben Giacomo V.G. , Rodríguez-López Sandra , Goeminne Ludger J.E. , Bachmann Alexis M. , Morel Jean-David , Broeckx Ellen , Ma Jing Ying , Carreira Vinicius , Youssef Sameh A. , Azhar Nabil , Reilly Dermot F. , D’Aquino Katharine , Mullican Shannon , Bou-Sleiman Maroun , Auwerx Johan
Published: February 2023

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a global health concern without treatment. The challenge in finding effective therapies is due to the lack of good mouse models and the complexity of the disease, characterized by gene–environment interactions. We tested the susceptibility of seven mouse strains to develop NASH. The severity of the clinical phenotypes observed varied widely across strains. PWK/PhJ mice were the most prone to develop hepatic inflammation and the only strain to progress to NASH with extensive fibrosis, while CAST/EiJ mice were completely resistant. Levels of mitochondrial transcripts and proteins as well as mitochondrial function were robustly reduced specifically in the liver of PWK/PhJ mice, suggesting a central role of mitochondrial dysfunction in NASH progression. Importantly, the NASH gene expression profile of PWK/PhJ mice had the highest overlap with the human NASH signature. Our study exposes the limitations of using a single mouse genetic background in metabolic studies and describes a novel NASH mouse model with features of the human NASH.
First BGG operators on homogeneous conformal geometries
Authors: Gregorovič Jan , Zalabová Lenka
Published: February 2023

We study first BGG operators and their solutions on homogeneous conformal geometries. We focus on conformal Killing tensors, conformal Killing–Yano forms and twistor spinors in particular. We develop an invariant calculus that allows us to find solutions explicitly using only algebraic computations. We also discuss applications to holonomy reductions and conserved quantities of conformal circles. We demonstrate our result on examples of homogeneous conformal geometries coming mostly from general relativity.
Improved energy storage performance of Ba(Ti,Ca)O3 ceramics through tailoring phase structure and ferroelectric polarization
Authors: Li Zhiwei , Jiang Tongzhou , Chen Zhihui , Xu Jiujun
Published: February 2023

A novel strategy was adopted to prepare (1 − x)Ba(Ti0.97Ca0.03)O2.97–x(Bi0.51Na0.47)0.94Ba0.06TiO3 (abbreviated as (1 − x)BTC–xBNBT, x = 0.03–0.15) relaxor ferroelectric ceramics by precisely tailoring the phase structure and ferroelectric polarization. Significant enhancements in both polarization and dielectric breakdown strength are successfully achieved by realizing the phase structure dominated by the tetragonal phase in relaxor ferroelectrics. Notably, the 0.9BTC–0.1BNBT ceramic simultaneously shows an outstanding recoverable energy density of 2.17 J cm−3 and a high efficiency of 84.5% at 240 kV cm−1, as well as superior temperature (20 °C–160 °C) and frequency (1–100 Hz) stability. In addition, the charge–discharge test results show that the 0.9BTC–0.1BNBT ceramic has an ultra-fast discharge rate of t
0.9 ∼ 75 ns, an ultra-high power density of 27.7 MW cm−3 and a high discharge energy density of 0.58 J cm−3. This work not only provides a promising energy storage material for pulse capacitors, but also presents an effective method for developing new high-performance BaTiO3-based dielectric materials.
Enhanced ammonia sensing response based on Pt-decorated Ti3C2T
x
/TiO2 composite at room temperature
Authors: Zhang Haifeng , Wang Li , Zou Yecheng , Li Yongzhe , Xuan Jingyue , Wang Xiaomei , Jia Fuchao , Yin Guangchao , Sun Meiling
Published: February 2023

Herein, we report a Pt-decorated Ti3C2T
x
/TiO2 gas sensor for the enhanced NH3 sensing response at room temperature. Firstly, the TiO2 nanosheets (NSs) are in situ grown onto the two-dimensional (2D) Ti3C2T
x
by hydrothermal treatment. Similar to Ti3C2T
x
sensor, the Ti3C2T
x
/TiO2 sensor has a positive resistance variation upon exposure to NH3, but with slight enhancement in response. However, after the loading of Pt nanoparticles (NPs), the Pt-Ti3C2T
x
/TiO2 sensor shows a negative response with significantly improved NH3 sensing performance. The shift in response direction indicates that the dominant sensing mechanism has changed under the sensitization effect of Pt NPs. At room temperature, the response of Pt-Ti3C2T
x
/TiO2 gas sensor to 100 ppm NH3 is about 45.5%, which is 13.8- and 10.8- times higher than those of Ti3C2T
x
and Ti3C2T
x
/TiO2 gas sensors, respectively. The experimental detection limit of the Pt-Ti3C2T
x
/TiO2 gas sensor to detect NH3 is 10 ppm, and the corresponding response is 10.0%. In addition, the Pt-Ti3C2T
x
/TiO2 gas sensor shows the fast response/recovery speed (23/34 s to 100 ppm NH3), high selectivity and good stability. Considering both the response value and the response direction, the corresponding gas-sensing mechanism is also deeply discussed. This work is expected to shed a new light on the development of noble metals decorated MXene-metal oxide gas sensors.
Local well-posedness of a nonlinear Fokker–Planck model
Authors: Epshteyn Yekaterina , Liu Chang , Liu Chun , Mizuno Masashi
Published: February 2023

Noise or fluctuations play an important role in the modeling and understanding of the behavior of various complex systems in nature. Fokker–Planck equations are powerful mathematical tools to study behavior of such systems subjected to fluctuations. In this paper we establish local well-posedness result of a new nonlinear Fokker–Planck equation. Such equations appear in the modeling of the grain boundary dynamics during microstructure evolution in the polycrystalline materials and obey special energy laws.
Investigation on recovery stress and stability of hot-drawn Ni47Ti44Nb9 SMA
Authors: Pan Shengshan , Yan Dong , Zhang Xue , Zou Cunyu , Chen Yuanmeng , Hui Huaxing , Chen Sile , Andrawes Bassem
Published: February 2023

Ni47Ti44Nb9 shape memory alloys (SMAs) have been studied as a seismic confinement reinforcement for bridge pier columns. The confinement method relies on the force generated in SMA because of the thermally activated recovery stress. Most of the work done on NiTiNb focused on characterizing the behavior of annealed wires, and almost no work was done on the application of hot-drawn wires despite their cost-effectiveness. Aiming at exploring the usability of hot-drawn NiTiNb SMA as pier reinforcement, this paper focuses on investigating the specific thermomechanical characteristics of the hot-drawn wires including pretension characteristics, thermal activation, and partial recovery of recoverable strain. The recovery stress stability of constraint SMA under cyclic loads both in room temperature and low temperature are also studied. The states of recovery stress and its stability are mainly evaluated by three tests: pretension test, thermal activation test, and cyclic loading test. A total of 54 specimens were tested in the experiment. The results indicate that hot-drawn NiTiNb SMA could obtain sufficient recovery stress (about 480 MPa) when deformed at room temperature which has not been found in annealed SMA. Small partial recovery shape (48% recoverable strain loss in this paper) would not notably reduce recovery stress. Moreover, the stability of recovery stress under cyclic loading and low temperature could satisfy the demands of pier column reinforcement for practical use.
Propagation of hollow higher-order cosh-Gaussian beam in oceanic turbulence
Authors: Elmabruk Kholoud , Bayraktar Mert
Published: February 2023

The averaged received intensity of hollow higher-order cosh-Gaussian (HHOCG) beam propagating in oceanic turbulence is derived based on extended Huygens–Fresnel integral. In detail, the effect of beam parameters and oceanic turbulence parameters on the received intensity is analyzed. Interestingly, beam has a focusing nature along propagation. Our results indicate that received intensity distribution is not affected from the variation in source field parameters. Beam size at the receiver plane can vary according to the changes in turbulence nature. Accordingly, the provided results will contribute to the improvement of both underwater optical communication and imaging systems.
The halo bias for number counts on the light cone from relativistic N-body simulations
Authors: Lepori Francesca , Schulz Sebastian , Adamek Julian , Durrer Ruth
Published: February 2023

We present the halo number counts and its two-point statistics, the observable angular
power spectrum, extracted for the first time from relativistic N-body simulations. The halo
catalogues used in this work are built from the relativistic N-body code gevolution, and
the observed redshift and angular positions of the sources are computed using a non-perturbative
ray-tracing method, which includes all relativistic scalar contributions to the number counts. We
investigate the validity and limitations of the linear bias prescription to describe our simulated
power spectra. In particular, we assess the consistency of different bias measurements on large
scales, and we estimate up to which scales a linear bias is accurate in modelling the data, within
the statistical errors. We then test a second-order perturbative bias expansion for the angular
statistics, on a range of redshifts and scales previously unexplored in this context, that is 0.4 ≤ z̅ ≤ 2 up to scales ℓ
max ∼ 1000. We find that the angular
power spectra at equal redshift can be modelled with high accuracy with a minimal extension of the
number of bias parameters, that is using a two-parameter model comprising linear bias and tidal
bias. We show that this model performs significantly better than a model without tidal bias but
with quadratic bias as extra degree of freedom, and that the latter is inaccurate at z̅ ≥
0.7. Finally, we extract from our simulations the cross-correlation of halo number counts and
lensing convergence. We show that the estimate of the linear bias from this cross-correlation is
consistent with the measurements based on the clustering statistics alone, and that it is crucial
to take into account the effect of magnification in the halo number counts to avoid systematic
shifts in the computed bias.
Overview of TOMAS plasma diagnostics
Authors: Kovtun Yu. , Goriaev A. , López-Rodríguez D. , Dittrich L. , Petersson P. , Moon S. , Wauters T. , Crombé K. , Möller S. , Buermans J. , Verstraeten M. , Brezinsek S.
Published: February 2023

This paper presents an overview of the TOMAS plasma diagnostics. The Langmuir probe method is employed to measure electron temperature, density and floating potential distributions.Two triple probes (horizontal and vertical distributions) and a single probe (horizontal distribution) are used. The measured plasma parameters by the triple and single probes are compared. The ion and neutral atom flux and energy distribution is respectively characterized with a Residual Field Energy Analyzer and a Time-of-Flight Neutral Particle Analyzer. To determine the elemental/charge content of the plasma, the passive method of time-resolved optical emission spectroscopy is used. The time dependence of the integral flow of plasma emission from the discharge is registered by a photodetector. Using a filter allows the photodetector to measure spectral line intensities. To record a wide variety of plasma events several video diagnostics are used. It includes slow video cameras and one high-speed camera in the visible range including Hα.
Copolymer functional groups modulate extracellular trap accumulation and inflammatory markers in HL60 and murine neutrophils
Authors: Fong Victoria M , Wells Laura A
Published: February 2023

Undesirable host responses to implants commonly lead to impaired device function. As the first immune cell to respond to inflammation, activated neutrophils release antimicrobials and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that prime microenvironments for macrophages and other infiltrating cells. This research aims to understand how functional groups in copolymers of isodecyl acrylate (IDA) that are known to modulate healing in vivo, modulate neutrophil cells. Phorbol myristate acetate-activated HL60 cells and bone marrow-derived murine neutrophils (BMDN) were incubated with coatings of IDA copolymerized with, methacrylic acid (MAA films), methyl methacrylate (MM films), or MM functionalized with hexamethylenediamine (HMD films). Cells incubated on HMD films resulted in increased accumulation of NETs at the film’s surface in comparison to other copolymers because of increased adhesion of HL60 onto HMD films or increased rates of NETosis from BMDN. Overall, lower inflammation was observed with cells on MAA films. HL60 cells had no increase in classical inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and intracellular adhesion molecule-1, whereas HL60 on HMD films had increases in these same markers. Taken together, these studies give important insights into how neutrophils interact differently with functionalized copolymers and the proteins that adsorb to them, with MAA (carboxyl groups) leading to behavior associated with lower inflammation and HMD (amine groups) with higher inflammation and accumulation of NETs.