bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of magma mixing and magma mobilisation beneath Mauna Loa—insights from the 1950 AD Southwest Rift Zone eruption
Authors: Kahl Maren , Morgan Daniel J. , Thornber Carl , Walshaw Richard , Lynn Kendra J. , Trusdell Frank A.
Published: November 2023

Eruptions from Mauna Loa’s Southwest Rift Zone (SWRZ) pose a significant threat to nearby communities due to high eruption rates and steep slopes resulting in little time for evacuation. Despite the large body of research done on Mauna Loa, knowledge of the timing and duration of magma residence and transfer through its internal plumbing system is still poorly constrained. This study presents a first quantitative look at thermochemical conditions and timescales of potentially deep storage and disaggregation of magmatic mush during the run-up to the voluminous 1950 AD SWRZ eruption. Details of heterogeneous compositions and textures of the macrocryst and glomerocryst cargo in 1950 AD lavas suggest magma mixing and crystal recycling along the entire plumbing system. Furthermore, the crystal cargo contains evidence for the direct interaction between primitive, deeply stored magma and pockets of more evolved magma stored at shallow to intermediate depths. An enigmatic attribute of 1950 near-vent lava is the near-ubiquitous presence of subhedral, unreacted Mg-rich orthopyroxene phenocrysts (Mg#>80). Phase relations of Mauna Loa olivine-tholeiite indicate that orthopyroxene joins olivine as a primary phase at pressures higher than 0.6 GPa. Coexisting Mg-rich olivine and orthopyroxene and the occurrence of harzburgitic (olivine-orthopyroxene) glomerocrysts provide evidence for cognate crystallisation at near-Moho (~ 18 km) depths (Thornber and Trusdell 2008). Petrogenetically diverse populations of glomerocrysts and macrocrysts alongside evidence of multilevel magma storage indicate a network of ephemeral and possibly interconnected magma pockets from near-Moho depths to the upper/mid-crust. Fe-Mg diffusion chronometry applied to 1950 AD olivine populations implies rapid mobilisation and transport of large volumes of magma (376×106 m3) from near-Moho storage to the surface within less than 8 months, with little residence time (~ 2 weeks) in the shallow (3–5 km) plumbing system.
Nonlinear analysis on electrical properties in a bended composite piezoelectric semiconductor beam
Authors: Zhao Luke , Jin Feng , Shao Zhushan , Wang Wenjun
Published: November 2023

In this paper, the interactions between the transverse loads and the electrical field quantities are investigated based on the nonlinear constitutive relation. By considering a composite beam consisting of a piezoelectric semiconductor and elastic layers, the nonlinear model is established based on the phenomenological theory and Euler’s beam theory. Furthermore, an iteration procedure based on the differential quadrature method (DQM) is developed to solve the nonlinear governing equations. Before analysis, the convergence and correctness are surveyed. It is found that the convergence of the proposed iteration is fast. Then, the transverse pressure induced electrical field quantities are investigated in detail. From the calculated results, it can be found that the consideration of nonlinear constitutive relation is necessary for a beam undergoing a large load. Compared with the linear results, the consideration of the nonlinear constitutive relation breaks the symmetry for the electric potential, the electric field, and the perturbation carrier density, and has little influence on the electric displacement. Furthermore, the non-uniform pressures are considered. The results show that the distributions of the electric field quantities are sensitively altered. It indicates that the electrical properties can be manipulated with the design of different transverse loads. The conclusions in this paper could be the guidance on designing and manufacturing electronic devices accurately.
Macroseismic intensity attenuation models calibrated in Mw for Italy
Authors: Gomez-Capera A. A. , Santulin M. , D’Amico M. , D’Amico V. , Locati M. , Meletti C. , Varini E.
Published: November 2023

This study aims at developing new macroseismic intensity attenuation models valid for Italy by exploiting the most updated macroseismic dataset and earthquakes catalogue, as well as the information obtained from a critical analysis of the most recent models in the literature. Several different attenuation models have been calibrated as a function of the moment magnitude (Mw) and epicentral distance from 16,260 intensity data points, that are related to 119 earthquakes occurred after 1900. According to trends and residuals analysis, the preferred calibrated intensity attenuation function is a Log-Linear model for epicentral distance (Repiin km) and a linear model forMwas:

$$I\left( {MCS} \right) = {1}.{81} - {2}.{61}LogR - 0.00{39}R + {1}.{42}Mw$$IMCS=1.81-2.61LogR-0.0039R+1.42Mw

with pseudo hypocentral distance$$R = \sqrt {R_{epi}^{2} + \left( {9.87} \right)^{2} }$$R=Repi2+9.872; the estimated standard deviation isσ = 0.75. Also noteworthy is another model for macroseismic intensity attenuation that proved to be as good as the best model and shows higher sensitivity to physical parameters, such as focal depth and magnitude, especially in the epicentral area. Performance of all calibrated models was also checked on an independent set of 15 post-1900 Italian earthquakes. One of the results of the present work is the opportunity to define earthquake scenarios (e.g. probabilistic seismic hazard maps) in terms of Macroseismic Intensity and its related standard deviation, avoiding the uncertainties due to the conversion of various ground shaking parameters into intensity values.
PIXE analysis of contaminants in tree rings in proximity of the aluminum processing factory in Ladomerská Vieska (Slovakia)
Authors: Kvasniak Jakub , Ješkovský Miroslav , Kaizer Jakub , Zeman Jakub , Kontuľ Ivan , Sučák Karol , Povinec Pavel P.
Published: November 2023

The aluminum smelter in the Žiar nad Hronom region of central Slovakia was a substantial source of pollution in the past. Five trees were sampled in close proximity to the smelter and the tree rings were chemically processed and analyzed with the PIXE technique. Elevated concentrations of Mg, Al, Si, P, S, K, Ca, Fe, and Zn were observed in tree rings, however, they did not show a significant correlation with PM, HF and SO2 emission rates. Concentration trends show a significant effect of the heartwood-sapwood boundary layer, where a substantial drop or increase was observed between tree-ring sections.
Highly accelerated, Dixon-based non-contrast MR angiography versus high-pitch CT angiography
Authors: Zeilinger Martin Georg , Giese Daniel , Schmidt Michaela , May Matthias Stefan , Janka Rolf , Heiss Rafael , Ammon Fabian , Achenbach Stephan , Uder Michael , Treutlein Christoph
Published: November 2023

Objectives

To compare a novel, non-contrast, flow-independent, 3D isotropic magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) sequence that combines respiration compensation, electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggering, undersampling, and Dixon water-fat separation with an ECG-triggered aortic high-pitch computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the aorta.

Materials and methods

Twenty-five patients with recent CTA were scheduled for non-contrast MRA on a 3 T MRI. Aortic diameters and cross-sectional areas were measured on MRA and CTA using semiautomatic measurement tools at 11 aortic levels. Image quality was assessed independently by two radiologists on predefined aortic levels, including myocardium, proximal aortic branches, pulmonary veins and arteries, and the inferior (IVC) and superior vena cava (SVC). Image quality was assessed on a 5-point Likert scale.

Results

All datasets showed diagnostic image quality. Visual grading was similar for MRA and CTA regarding overall image quality (0.71), systemic arterial image quality (p = 0.07–0.91) and pulmonary artery image quality (p = 0.05). Both readers favored MRA for SVC and IVC, while CTA was preferred for pulmonary veins (all p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in aortic diameters or cross-sectional areas between native MRA and contrast-enhanced CTA (p = 0.08–0.94).

Conclusion

The proposed non-contrast MRA enables robust imaging of the aorta, its proximal branches and the pulmonary arteries and great veins with image quality and aortic diameters and cross-sectional areas comparable to that of CTA. Moreover, this technique represents a suitable free-breathing alternative, without the use of contrast agents or ionizing radiation. Therefore, it is especially suitable for patients requiring repetitive imaging.
Modeling Decarburization in the AOD Converter: A Practical CFD-Based Approach With Chemical Reactions
Authors: Chanouian Serg , Pitkala Jyrki , Larsson Henrik , Ersson Mikael
Published: November 2023

Gas-blowing technology is widely used in converter steelmaking to homogenize liquid steel and accelerate chemical reactions, with Argon oxygen decarburization (AOD) being the dominant process for stainless steelmaking. Due to the harsh environment, it is advisable to study the phenomenon using small-scale physical models and numerical simulations before conducting industrial-scale trials. This paper presents a practical computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach for simulating the AOD process, with chemical reactions considered. This approach can simulate the entire process in a reasonable time using a standard workstation. The simulation employs a Finite Volume Method CFD approach to handle mass, momentum, and energy transfer, and a local equilibrium assumption is utilized. The study shows that a practical approach can be used to model the initial stage of decarburization in the AOD process with a reduced accuracy in mass transport calculations. The accuracy of the simulation is validated using industrial data, and good agreement is found.
A Principle-Based Approach to Visual Identification Systems for Hospitalized People with Dementia
Authors: Brigden T. V. , Mitchell C. , Kuberska K. , Hall A.
Published: November 2023

A large proportion of hospital inpatients are affected by cognitive impairment, posing challenges in the provision of their care in busy, fast-paced acute wards. Signs and symbols, known as visual identifiers, are employed in many U.K. hospitals with the intention of helping healthcare professionals identify and respond to the needs of these patients. Although widely considered useful, these tools are used inconsistently, have not been subject to full evaluation, and attract criticism for acting as a shorthand for a routinized response. In order for visual identifiers to be used effectively in acute care settings, thorough consideration must be given to the ethical and legal issues that are engaged in this context, and their potential benefits and harms must be weighed and balanced. This paper proposes a set of legal and ethical principles that can be used to guide the implementation of visual identifiers. Together, these principles provide a framework applicable in the design and implementation phases to systematically identify relevant considerations arising from the use of these tools. We outline some tensions that arise between principles and conclude that selecting a preferred moral framework could help to guide decision-making, as does clarity around the purpose and objectives of the identifier.
Cardiac CT Beyond Coronaries: Focus on Structural Heart Disease
Authors: Hell Michaela M. , Emrich Tilman , Lurz Philipp , von Bardeleben Ralph Stephan , Schmermund Axel
Published: November 2023

Purpose of Review

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is an established non-invasive imaging tool for the assessment of coronary artery disease. Furthermore, it plays a key role in the preinterventional work-up of patients presenting with structural heart disease.

Recent Findings

CT is the gold standard for preprocedural annular assessment, device sizing, risk determination of annular injury, coronary occlusion or left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, calcification visualization and quantification of the target structure, and prediction of a co-planar fluoroscopic angulation for transcatheter interventions in patients with structural heart disease. It is further a key imaging modality in postprocedural assessment for prosthesis thrombosis, degeneration, or endocarditis.

CT plays an integral part in the imaging work-up of novel transcatheter therapies for structural heart disease and postprocedural assessment for prosthesis thrombosis or endocarditis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the key role of CT in the context of structural heart interventions.
An energetic approach to the evolution of growth curve plasticity
Authors: Croll Jasper C. , van Kooten Tobias , de Roos André M.
Published: November 2023

Growth in individual body size amongst different species can to a greater or lesser extent depend on environmental factors such as resource availability. Individual growth curves can therefore be largely fixed or more plastic. Classic theory about phenotypic plasticity assumes that such plasticity has associated costs. In contrast, according to dynamic energy budget theory, maintaining a fixed growth rate in the face of variable resource availability would incur additional energetic costs. In this article, we explore the simultaneous evolution of the degree of plasticity in individual growth curves and the rate of non-plastic, environment-independent individual growth. We explore different relations between possible additional energetic costs and the degree of growth curve plasticity. To do so, we use adaptive dynamics to analyze a size-structured population model that is based on dynamic energy budget theory to account for the energetic trade-offs within an individual. We show that simultaneous evolution of the degree of growth curve plasticity and the rate of non-plastic individual growth will drive these traits to intermediate values at first. Afterwards, the degree of growth curve plasticity might evolve slowly towards extreme values depending on whether energetic costs increase or decrease with the degree of plasticity. In addition, the analysis shows that it is unlikely to encounter species in which individual growth is entirely fixed or entirely plastic, opposing general assumptions in dynamic energy budget theory.
World War I as a Cause of Ephemeral Hope in the Artistic Avant-Gardes
Authors: Cárcel Juan A. Roche
Published: November 2023

The article shows, first, how Sociology has approached the concepts of “hope” and “war” and how throughout the history of the discipline these terms have gone from being neglected to arousing considerable interest. Second, the paper analyzes how and why avant-garde artists understood the First World War as a motif of utopian hope to annihilate a civilization in crisis and to transform it through its aesthetic formalization. Third, the essay tries to find out whether that hope was preserved over time or, on the contrary, was soon dissolved as a result of the drama of the events. It is shown here that the savagery of the fighting dissolved all European values of modernity and progress, including artistic ones. In fact, theoretical and stylistic conceptions, aesthetic categories, ethical postulates, and artists’ aspirations for conscience to rule the world were blurred. For the artistic avant-garde, utopian promises of a better world broke down. Consequently, this obliges sociologists to pay more attention to both phenomena—that of the war and that of the avant-garde—and to seek a more objective and critical interpretation of modernity, calling for its actualization, and of Sociology itself.
Mapping acceptance and commitment therapy outcomes in the context of infertility: a systematic review
Authors: Barbosa Carolina , Santos Susana , Pedro Juliana
Published: November 2023

Evidence suggests that individuals with infertility are confronted with psychosocial challenges. This has led to a significant number of studies highlighting the subsequent negative effects on mental health. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has already been established as having a beneficial effect on psychological issues related to other health conditions. Since infertility is a relevant stressor, ACT was also expected to have a protective effect on the mental health of individuals with this disease. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify studies assessing Infertility and ACT. Empirical and quantitative studies were considered when they assessed mental health variables and ACT hexagon model components in patients with infertility. Out of the 137 studies initially identified, six met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. The samples were composed of women (three) and couples (three). Since ACT variables appear to be associated with better mental health outcomes, couples with infertility were expected to benefit from intervention addressing ACT components. Implications for future research include the need for a distinction between ACT variables, the use of validated assessment methods and the empirical examination of predictors of changes in ACT variables.
Further basic evidence for the dark-ego-vehicle principle: Higher pathological narcissism is associated with greater involvement in feminist activism
Authors: Krispenz Ann , Bertrams Alex
Published: November 2023

According to the dark-ego-vehicle principle (DEVP), individuals with so-called dark personalities (e.g., individuals with high narcissistic traits) are attracted to political and social activism not for the achievement of prosocial goals but to repurpose the activism to satisfy their specific ego-focused needs. In this pre-registered study, we aimed at replicating and extending previous empirical evidence for the DEVP by examining the associations of pathological narcissism with involvement in feminist activism. A diverse US sample (N = 458) completed online measures of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory and several covariates (i.e., altruism, self-identification as a feminist, and age). Paralleling previous research, higher pathological narcissistic grandiosity was found to be statistically significantly related to greater involvement in feminist activism. Unexpectedly, gender did not moderate this relationship. Also, higher pathological narcissism was related to stronger self-identification as a feminist; however, pathological narcissistic grandiosity explained some variance in the involvement in feminist activism over and above feminist self-identification. In exploratory secondary analyses, we found that higher pathological narcissism was associated with specific feminist conversational interaction behaviors (e.g., correcting other’s non-feminist language). The limitations (e.g., the relevance of other dark personality traits beyond narcissism) and the theoretical implications for the DEVP are discussed. Overall, the findings of the present study are further support for the DEVP.
Exploiting response surface D-optimal design study for preparation and optimization of spanlastics loaded with miconazole nitrate as a model antifungal drug for topical application
Authors: Ibrahim Mervat Shafik , Elkady Omar A. , Amer Mai A. , Noshi Shereen H.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Skin fungal infections are widely spreading worldwide and are considered a main cause of skin, mucous membranes, and systemic diseases. In an approach to enhance the topical delivery of miconazole nitrate (MZN) as a poorly permeable antifungal agent, spanlastics nanocarriers as a type of elastic vesicles were adopted in the current work.

Methods

MZN spanlastics were prepared and optimized according to a D-optimal response surface design to investigate the influence of formulation variables, edge activator (EA) percentage, EA type on particle size (PS), and drug entrapment efficiency percentage (% EE) as dependent variables. The spanlastics optimized formula (F7) was further assessed for its elasticity and physico-pharmaceutical properties before being incorporated into a gel. The F7 gel formula was also examined for its physical properties, in vitro release, in vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicans (ATCC® 10231), and ex vivo skin deposition studies. The results of the F7 gel formula were compared to the F7 aqueous dispersion.

Results

The D-optimal design revealed that F7, developed using Tween 60 as EA and Span 60 at a weight ratio 2:8, is the optimized formula. F7 was an elastic, spherical, non-aggregated vesicle with an average PS of 210 nm and a drug entrapment efficiency of 90%. The drug was present in an amorphous form within the vesicles. The gel form of F7 showed a prolonged drug release behavior relative to the solution form, where 75% of the drug was released over 10 h for the former and 5 h for the latter. The antifungal study revealed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the zone of inhibition of Candida albicans (ATCC® 10231) demonstrated by spanlastics compared to MZN suspension at the same concentration level. MZN suspension showed cytotoxic activity at a concentration of 20 μg/mL and above; the incorporation of the drug in spanlastics dispersion or gel form increased the cell viability percentage. The skin deposition studies showed that F7 deposition in the dermal layer, where deep skin infections occur, is 164-folds that of the plain drug.

Conclusions

The results confirm the potential application of MZN-spanlastics to treat deeply seated skin fungal infections.
β-Arrestin2 promotes docetaxel resistance of castration-resistant prostate cancer via promoting hnRNP A1-mediated PKM2 alternative splicing
Authors: Zhou Yuhao , Li Fei , Zou Bangyu , Zhou Xiaofeng , Luo Lianmin , Dong Sicheng , He Zhiqing , Zhang Zhixiong , Liao Liqiong , Liu Hongxing , Cai Chao , Gu Di , Duan Xiaolu
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To investigate the influence of β-arrestin2 on the docetaxel resistance in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods

PC3 and DU145 cells with stable β-arrestin2 overexpression and C4-2 cells with stable β-arrestin2 knockdown, were constructed via using lentivirus and puromycin selection. MTT and colony formation assays were carried out to investigate the effect of β-arrestin2 expression on the docetaxel resistance of CRPC cells. Glycolysis analysis was used to assess the glycolytic capacity modulated by β-arrestin2. GO enrichment analysis, gene set enrichment analysis and Spearman correlation test were carried out to explore the potential biological function and mechanism via using public data from GEO and TCGA. The expressions of PKM2, Phospho-PKM2, Phospho-ERK1/2 and hnRNP A1 were detected by western blot. Functional blocking experiments were carried out to confirm the roles of PKM2 and hnRNP A1 in the regulation of β-arrestin2’s biological functions via silencing PKM2 or hnRNP A1 expression in cells with stable β-arrestin2 overexpression. Finally, nude mice xenograft models were established to confirm the experimental results of cell experiments.

Results

β-Arrestin2 significantly decreased the sensitivity of CRPC cells to docetaxel stimulation, through enhancing the phosphorylation and expression of PKM2. Additionally, β-arrestin2 increased PKM2 phosphorylation via the ERK1/2 signaling pathway and induced PKM2 expression in a post-transcriptional manner through an hnRNP A1-dependent PKM alternative splicing mechanism, rather than by inhibiting its ubiquitination degradation.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that the β-arrestin2/hnRNP A1/PKM2 pathway could be a promising target for treating docetaxel-resistant CRPC.
MXene Enhanced 3D Needled Waste Denim Felt for High-Performance Flexible Supercapacitors
Authors: Fan Wei , Wang Qi , Rong Kai , Shi Yang , Peng Wanxi , Li Handong , Guo Zhanhu , Xu Ben Bin , Hou Hua , Algadi Hassan , Ge Shengbo
Published: November 2023

MXene, a transition metal carbide/nitride, has been prominent as an ideal electrochemical active material for supercapacitors. However, the low MXene load limits its practical applications. As environmental concerns and sustainable development become more widely recognized, it is necessary to explore a greener and cleaner technology to recycle textile by-products such as cotton. The present study proposes an effective 3D fabrication method that uses MXene to fabricate waste denim felt into ultralight and flexible supercapacitors through needling and carbonization. The 3D structure provided more sites for loading MXene onto Z-directional fiber bundles, resulting in more efficient ion exchange between the electrolyte and electrodes. Furthermore, the carbonization process removed the specific adverse groups in MXenes, further improving the specific capacitance, energy density, power density and electrical conductivity of supercapacitors. The electrodes achieve a maximum specific capacitance of 1748.5 mF cm−2 and demonstrate remarkable cycling stability maintaining more than 94% after 15,000 galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles. Besides, the obtained supercapacitors present a maximum specific capacitance of 577.5 mF cm−2, energy density of 80.2 μWh cm−2 and power density of 3 mW cm−2, respectively. The resulting supercapacitors can be used to develop smart wearable power devices such as smartwatches, laying the foundation for a novel strategy of utilizing waste cotton in a high-quality manner.
Electrolyte Design for Low-Temperature Li-Metal Batteries: Challenges and Prospects
Authors: Sun Siyu , Wang Kehan , Hong Zhanglian , Zhi Mingjia , Zhang Kai , Xu Jijian
Published: November 2023

Electrolyte design holds the greatest opportunity for the development of batteries that are capable of sub-zero temperature operation. To get the most energy storage out of the battery at low temperatures, improvements in electrolyte chemistry need to be coupled with optimized electrode materials and tailored electrolyte/electrode interphases. Herein, this review critically outlines electrolytes’ limiting factors, including reduced ionic conductivity, large de-solvation energy, sluggish charge transfer, and slow Li-ion transportation across the electrolyte/electrode interphases, which affect the low-temperature performance of Li-metal batteries. Detailed theoretical derivations that explain the explicit influence of temperature on battery performance are presented to deepen understanding. Emerging improvement strategies from the aspects of electrolyte design and electrolyte/electrode interphase engineering are summarized and rigorously compared. Perspectives on future research are proposed to guide the ongoing exploration for better low-temperature Li-metal batteries.
Determination of the minimum number of specimens required for laboratory testing of the shear strength of rock joints
Authors: Yong Rui , Song Jiamin , Wang Changshuo , Luo Zhanyou , Du Shigui
Published: November 2023

The shear strength of rock joints is critical in determining rock mass stability. However, the reliability of shear strength determined by testing only a few rock joint specimens is questionable due to the inherent heterogeneity of rock joints. This study aimed to investigate shear strength heterogeneity and determine the required minimum number of specimens (RMN) for obtaining reliable values. Specimens were extracted from various positions within a natural rock joint, and their roughness and shear strength variations were examined. A significant correlation between shear strength heterogeneity and joint roughness was found. Monte Carlo simulation was used to simulate engineering practice sampling procedures. The effectiveness of specimen numbers under different normal stresses was evaluated using relative error and corresponding probability. Results showed that the RMN depended on acceptable relative error, specified probability, and normal stress. For acceptable relative errors of 5% to 10% and corresponding probabilities of 85–95%, the RMN exhibits a decrease with an increase in normal stress, while it demonstrates an increase when considering acceptable relative error and probability requirements. A smaller RMN was needed under high normal stress for the same rock joint, demonstrating a decrease in shear strength heterogeneity with increasing normal stress. However, commonly used specimen numbers like 3 or 5 did not always align with the recommended RMN. The results also emphasize the significance of considering rock material properties when determining the RMN. The proposed method provides a quantitative and reliable tool for determining the RMN, considering the heterogeneity of rock joints.
Shrinkage estimation with logarithmic penalties
Authors: Kubokawa Tatsuya
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we have developed a novel approach for deriving shrinkage estimators of means without assuming normality. Our method is based on the equation of the first-order condition with a logarithmic penalty, and it introduces both one-step and two-step shrinkage estimators. The one-step estimator closely resembles the James–Stein estimator, while the differentiable two-step estimator exhibits similar performance to the positive-part Stein estimator. Although the latter does not satisfy Baranchik’s conditions, both estimators can be demonstrated to be minimax under normality assumptions. Furthermore, we have extended this method to handle cases involving an unknown scale. We have successfully applied this approach to the simultaneous estimation of Poisson means.
Calf Venous Compliance During Hypotension After an Acute bout of Aerobic Exercise in Humans
Authors: Endo Masako Yamaoka , Kanda Masako , Fukuba Yoshiyuki , Kashima Hideaki , Oue Anna , Miura Akira
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Post-exercise hypotension (PEH) following prolonged dynamic exercise is induced by an increase in systemic vascular conductance via skeletal muscle vasodilation, which may occur not only in the arteries but also in the veins, and the vasodilated regions may contribute to greater venous pooling in the exercised limbs. However, the contribution of venous distention to PEH is unclear. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate venous compliance in previously exercised muscles in a preliminary study.

Methods

Seven participants performed a single 60-min session of upright cycle ergometry at 60% of heart rate reserve. Calf venous compliance was measured using venous congestion plethysmography before and 45 min following exercise in Trial 1. Stroke volume and femoral arterial blood flow were determined using ultrasonography at the same time points in Trial 2. Heart rate and blood pressure were monitored during both trials.

Results

Mean arterial pressure significantly decreased between the start and ~ 30 min following the end of exercise (82 ± 6 mmHg vs. 76 ± 6 mmHg, respectively, in Trial 1; 79 ± 6 mmHg vs. 74 ± 5 mmHg, respectively, in Trial 2; P < 0.05). Pre- and post-exercise stroke volume did not significantly differ. Blood flow and vascular conductance in the femoral artery significantly increased from 641 ± 84 mL/min and 8.13 ± 0.79 mL/min/mmHg pre-exercise to 773 ±  121 mL/min and 10.55 ± 1.00 mL/min/mmHg post-exercise, respectively (P < 0.05). Pre- and post-exercise calf venous compliance did not significantly differ.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that vasodilation in the active limb increases during exercise, but the resulting PEH does not affect venous compliance.
Tiling and PCA Strategy for Clustering-Based High-Dimensional Gaussian Filtering
Authors: Oishi Sou , Fukushima Norishige
Published: November 2023

Edge-preserving filtering is an essential tool for image processing applications and has various types of filtering. High-dimensional Gaussian filtering (HDGF) supports a wide range of edge-preserving filtering. This paper approximates HDGF by clustering with Nyström approximation, tiling, and principal component analysis (PCA) to accelerate HDGF. Also, we compare it with the conventional HDGF approximations and clarify its effective range. We accelerate HDGF by clustering-based constant-time algorithm, which has O(K) order for convolution, where K is the number of clusters. First, we perform PCA for dimensionality reduction and then cluster signals with k-means++. HDGF is decomposed to Gaussian filtering by approximate eigenvalue decomposition of Nyström approximation using the clusters. The Gaussian filtering is performed in a constant-time algorithm. The process is further accelerated by the tiling strategy cooperating with PCA. In our experimental results, we compared three approximated HDGFs: clustering-based HDGF, permutohedral lattice, and Gaussian KD-tree. Also, we evaluated six types of high dimensional signals: RGB, RGB-IR, RGB-D, flash/no-flash, hyperspectral image, and non-local means. The proposed clustering-based HDGF was effective for low/middle-dimensional cases: RGB, RGB-IR, RGB-D, flash/no-flash, and hyperspectral images. Also, tiling with PCA strategy is effective for the conventional permutohedral lattice and Gaussian KD-tree. In the approximation of HDGF, the clustering-based HDGF is the better solution for low/middle-dimensional signals. For the higher-dimensional case of non-local means filtering, the conventional HDGF of the permutohedral lattice with the proposed PCA tiling is effective. Our code and dataset are available at https://norishigefukushima.github.io/TilingPCA4CHDGF/.
Predicting rice diseases using advanced technologies at different scales: present status and future perspectives
Authors: Li Ruyue , Chen Sishi , Matsumoto Haruna , Gouda Mostafa , Gafforov Yusufjon , Wang Mengcen , Liu Yufei
Published: November 2023

The past few years have witnessed significant progress in emerging disease detection techniques for accurately and rapidly tracking rice diseases and predicting potential solutions. In this review we focus on image processing techniques using machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models related to multi-scale rice diseases. Furthermore, we summarize applications of different detection techniques, including genomic, physiological, and biochemical approaches. In addition, we also present the state-of-the-art in contemporary optical sensing applications of pathogen–plant interaction phenotypes. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers seeking effective solutions to address the challenges of high-throughput data and model recognition for early detection of issues affecting rice crops through ML and DL models.
Line Planning for Different Demand Periods
Authors: Schiewe Alexander , Schöbel Anita , Sieber Linda
Published: November 2023

Line planning as one of the first planning stages in public transport is a well-researched topic. Nearly all models start with the assumption that the demand for public transport is known and fixed. For real-world applications this assumption is not practicable, since there are different demands depending on the period of the day and the day of the week, e.g., the high demand in morning traffic differs from the demand during a week-day, or from the low demand on Sunday’s afternoons, or at night. Planning lines for different demand periods comes with two conflicting goals: On the one hand, the line concept should be adapted as good as possible to the respective demand. On the other hand, the lines should be as similar as possible for different demand periods, e.g., the line plan for Sunday afternoon should be related to the one on Monday morning. In this paper, we show that line planning for different demand periods can be modeled and solved: We introduce the multi-period line planning problem which is to find optimized line concepts for each demand period which are similar (enough) to each other. To this end, we discuss three different approaches to define the (dis)similarity between line concepts. These are frequency-based concepts, and concepts taking the number of different lines and the shape of the lines into account. For the latter, we use Wasserstein distances for modeling the similarity between two line concepts. We show that for all these similarity measures the line planning problem can be formulated as an integer linear program and solved efficiently. Our experiments furthermore show the differences of the resulting line concepts, and that the similarity of line concepts between different demand periods and the quality of the line concept are conflicting goals.
Simulating Gaussian boson sampling quantum computers
Authors: Dellios Alexander S. , Reid Margaret D. , Drummond Peter D.
Published: November 2023

A growing cohort of experimental linear photonic networks implementing Gaussian boson sampling (GBS) have now claimed quantum advantage. However, many open questions remain on how to effectively verify these experimental results, as scalable methods are needed that fully capture the rich array of quantum correlations generated by these photonic quantum computers. In this paper, we briefly review recent theoretical methods to simulate experimental GBS networks. We focus mostly on methods that use phase-space representations of quantum mechanics, as these methods are highly scalable and can be used to validate experimental outputs and claims of quantum advantage for a variety of input states, ranging from the ideal pure squeezed vacuum state to more realistic thermalized squeezed states. A brief overview of the theory of GBS, recent experiments, and other types of methods are also presented. Although this is not an exhaustive review, we aim to provide a brief introduction to phase-space methods applied to linear photonic networks to encourage further theoretical investigations.
Performance enhancement and environmental analysis of vapor compression refrigeration system with dedicated mechanical subcooling
Authors: Solanki Naveen , Arora Akhilesh , Singh Raj Kumar
Published: November 2023

The primary focus of this study is on the energy, exergy, and environmental (3E) analysis of a dedicated mechanical subcooled vapor compression refrigeration (DMS-VCR) system for applications involving commercially available water chillers that employ R134a (in both subcooler and main cycle). For a cooling capacity of 100-kW water chillers, the mathematical model of the DMS-VCR system is built to determine the performance parameter of the system. The DMS-VCR system reduces electricity usage by 15.52% and increase in COP by 9.5%, which results in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions of about 15.55%. When compared to equivalent vapor compression refrigeration system (VCRS), the system’s exergetic efficiency is also increased by 8%. Since the computer simulation results will undoubtedly give design engineers a better option, the subcooling and superheating of the vapor compression refrigeration system become alluring in this study. Consequently, the DMS-VCR system performs better as per the combined 3E study.
Integrating a non-gridded space representation into a graph neural networks model for citywide short-term crash risk prediction
Authors: Jurado Martins de Oliveira Gabriel , Lavieri Patricia Sauri , Cunha Andre Luiz
Published: November 2023

Current applications of Graph Neural Networks in citywide short-term crash risk prediction have been limited by a gridded representation of space, which restricts the network’s capability to effectively capture the spatial and temporal dependency of crash occurrences. In addition, a grided representation does not match most geographic units used for administrative purposes, limiting the use of crash risk predictions by practitioners. This paper applies a gated localised diffusion graph neural network (GLDNet) model to compare the use of two alternative geographic units, Mesh Block (MB) and grid, to forecast locations where crashes are likely to occur in a future time window. The GLDNet relies on a graph-based representation of geographic units and a weighted loss function to address the sparsity of crash occurrences. The tests are performed using crash data from the City of Melbourne, Australia, over a period of one year. The predictions are made at six-hour intervals, and the results show that the GLDNet consistently outperforms baseline methods, with differences in prediction accuracy from 10% to 21% in relation to historical average and benchmark deep learning models. In terms of geographic units, the MB-based GLDNet performed better than its grid counterpart, with differences in prediction accuracy of up to 12.3%. The better performance stems from the underlying information attached to the MB units (i.e., land use) and the network properties (i.e., degree of centrality), which enhance the GLDNet capability to identify crash risk in both central and peripherical areas. Regarding its applicability, the MB-based GLDNet directly integrates with other data sources, which provides contextual information about crash hotspots that helps decision-makers develop police patrolling and rescuing strategies.
Perspective: nanoscale electric sensing and imaging based on quantum sensors
Authors: Zhang Shichen , Bian Ke , Jiang Ying
Published: November 2023

There is a rich of electric phenomena ubiquitously existing in novel quantum materials and advanced electronic devices. Microscopic understanding of the underlying physics relies on the sensitive and quantitative measurements of the electric field, electric current, electric potential, and other related physical quantities with a spatial resolution down to nanometers. Combined with a scanning probe microscope (SPM), the emergent quantum sensors of atomic/nanometer size provide promising platforms for imaging various electric parameters with a sensitivity beyond a single electron/charge. In this perspective, we introduce the working principle of such newly developed technologies, which are based on the strong sensitivity of quantum systems to external disturbances. Then we review the recent applications of those quantum sensors in nanoscale electric sensing and imaging, including a discussion of their privileges over conventional SPM techniques. Finally, we propose some promising directions for the future developments and optimizations of quantum sensors in nanoscale electric sensing and imaging.
Experimental 3D super-localization with Laguerre–Gaussian modes
Authors: Hu Chenyu , Xu Liang , Wang Ben , Li Zhiwen , Zhang Yipeng , Zhang Yong , Zhang Lijian
Published: November 2023

Improving three-dimensional (3D) localization precision is of paramount importance for super-resolution imaging. By properly engineering the point spread function (PSF), such as utilizing Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) modes and their superposition, the ultimate limits of 3D localization precision can be enhanced. However, achieving these limits is challenging, as it often involves complicated detection strategies and practical limitations. In this work, we rigorously derive the ultimate 3D localization limits of LG modes and their superposition, specifically rotation modes, in the multi-parameter estimation framework. Our findings reveal that a significant portion of the information required for achieving 3D super-localization of LG modes can be obtained through feasible intensity detection. Moreover, the 3D ultimate precision can be achieved when the azimuthal index l is zero. To provide a proof-of-principle demonstration, we develop an iterative maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) algorithm that converges to the 3D position of a point source, considering the pixelation and detector noise. The experimental implementation exhibits an improvement of up to two-fold in lateral localization precision and up to twenty-fold in axial localization precision when using LG modes compared to Gaussian mode. We also showcase the superior axial localization capability of the rotation mode within the near-focus region, effectively overcoming the limitations encountered by single LG modes. Notably, in the presence of realistic aberration, the algorithm robustly achieves the Cramér-Rao lower bound. Our findings provide valuable insights for evaluating and optimizing the achievable 3D localization precision, which will facilitate the advancements in super-resolution microscopy.
Recycling alkali activated slag into artificial aggregate: Influence of particle size distribution of the starting material on granulation
Authors: Kursula Kalle , Illikainen Mirja , Perumal Priyadharshini
Published: November 2023

Wet granulation is a potential method to develop artificial aggregates. In this paper, the granulation of recycled alkali-activated slag powders with different particle size (d50 ranging between 12.9–127.7 μm) distributions were investigated in order to find how these affect on the engineering properties of the artificial aggregates. Blast furnace slag was added as co-binder in 10–30 wt. % during the granulation process and to enhance the properties, especially mechanical strength. The results show that the particle size of the raw material significantly affects the engineering properties of the produced aggregates, such as the crushing force (19–131.8 N), bulk density, water absorption, porosity and microstructure of the granules. The results show that granulation is a promising method to recycle alkali-activated materials as lightweight aggregates to replace natural aggregates.

Graphical Abstract
The Domino and the Eighteenth-Century London Masquerade
Authors: Kobza Meghan
Published: November 2023

This Element presents new cultural, social, and economic perspectives on the eighteenth-century London masquerade through an in-depth analysis of the classic domino costume. Constructing the object biography of the domino through material, visual, and written sources will bring together various experiences of the masquerade and expand the existing geographical, chronological, and socio-economic scope of the entertainment beyond the masquerade event itself. This Element will examine the domino's physical and figurative movements from the masquerade warehouse, through eighteenth-century fashionable society, and into print and visual culture. It will draw upon masquerade warehouse records, newspapers, manuscripts, prints, and physical objects to establish a comprehensive understanding of the domino and how it reflected contemporary experiences of the real and imagined masquerade. Analysing the domino through interdisciplinary methodologies illustrates the impact material and visual sources can have on reshaping existing scholarship.
Development of a design space for dissimilar materials joining in aerospace applications
Authors: Ahmad Khan S. , Liaqat H. , Akram F. , Ali Khan H.
Published: November 2023

This research paper presents an application of the integrated process and product design (IPPD) approach for selecting the best joint configuration for dissimilar material joining in the early product design phase. The proposed methodology integrates the multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach with quality function deployment (QFD) to identify the key criteria for joint selection, including load-carrying capacity, size, cost per joint, ease of manufacturing, time consumption and deformation. Three types of joints (rivet, weld and adhesive) and two hybrid joints (adhesive-weld and adhesive-rivet) are considered for three dissimilar material configurations: carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) aluminum, CFRP steel, and aluminum-steel. QFD is utilised to transform job requirements into design criteria, and in the second phase, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is employed to choose the optimal joint configuration based on the weighted criteria acquired in the previous phase. The selected joint configuration is then validated through experimental study. The findings demonstrate that the proposed IPPD approach with QFD-TOPSIS techniques is highly effective for selecting mechanical joints for dissimilar material joining in the early design phase. The study concludes that the adhesive-rivet hybrid joint is the optimal solution among all alternatives. The proposed methodology can ultimately lead to improved product reliability and performance, as well as reduced development time and cost.