bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergetic binary organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization for the precision synthesis of polysiloxanes
Authors: Okamoto Hiroshi , Sogabe Atsushi , Honda Satoshi
Published: March 2024

Organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) is a versatile method for synthesizing well-defined polymers with controlled molecular weights, dispersities, and nonlinear macromolecular architectures. Despite spectacular advances in organocatalytic ROP, precision synthesis of polysiloxanes remains challenging due to the mismatch in polarity between highly polar initiators and nonpolar monomers and polymers and the difficulty in suppressing the formation of scrambling products via transetherification reactions during ROP of cyclic siloxanes. Here, we describe a binary organocatalytic ROP (BOROP) of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (D3) employing organic bases as catalysts and (thio)ureas as cocatalysts. The BOROP of D3 using triazabicyclodecene (TBD) and (thio)ureas generates polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMSs) with narrow dispersity (Mw/Mn < 1.1). Despite the similar basicities of TBD and 1,8-bis(tetramethylguanidino)naphthalene (TMGN), which is known as a proton sponge, a unitary organocatalytic system using TMGN was inactive for the ROP of D3. When the TMGN was paired with acidic urea, the BOROP of D3 yielded PDMSs with narrow dispersity (Mw/Mn < 1.1). Data suggest that the synergetic effect of TMGN and urea is results in an unprecedented activation–deactivation equilibrium between dormant and propagating species. The benefits of the present BOROP system are demonstrated by the formation of PDMS elastomers with more uniform network structures that are highly stretchy and have excellent mechanical properties.
Paper-based electrochemical device for early detection of integrin αvβ6 expressing tumors
Authors: Cinti Stefano , Tomassi Stefano , Ciardiello Chiara , Migliorino Rossella , Pirozzi Marinella , Leone Alessandra , Di Gennaro Elena , Campani Virginia , De Rosa Giuseppe , D’Amore Vincenzo Maria , Di Maro Salvatore , Donati Greta , Singh Sima , Raucci Ada , Di Leva Francesco Saverio , Kessler Horst , Budillon Alfredo , Marinelli Luciana
Published: March 2024

Despite progress in the prevention and diagnosis of cancer, current technologies for tumor detection present several limitations including invasiveness, toxicity, inaccuracy, lengthy testing duration and high cost. Therefore, innovative diagnostic techniques that integrate knowledge from biology, oncology, medicinal and analytical chemistry are now quickly emerging in the attempt to address these issues. Following this approach, here we developed a paper-based electrochemical device for detecting cancer-derived Small Extracellular Vesicles (S-EVs) in fluids. S-EVs were obtained from cancer cell lines known to express, at a different level, the αvβ6 integrin receptor, a well-established hallmark of numerous epithelial cancer types. The resulting biosensor turned out to recognize αvβ6-containing S-EVs down to a limit of 0.7*103 S-EVs/mL with a linear range up to 105 S-EVs /mL, and a relative standard deviation of 11%, thus it may represent a novel opportunity for αvβ6 expressing cancers detection.
Global warming and heat extremes to enhance inflationary pressures
Authors: Kotz Maximilian , Kuik Friderike , Lis Eliza , Nickel Christiane
Published: March 2024

Climate impacts on economic productivity indicate that climate change may threaten price stability. Here we apply fixed-effects regressions to over 27,000 observations of monthly consumer price indices worldwide to quantify the impacts of climate conditions on inflation. Higher temperatures increase food and headline inflation persistently over 12 months in both higher- and lower-income countries. Effects vary across seasons and regions depending on climatic norms, with further impacts from daily temperature variability and extreme precipitation. Evaluating these results under temperature increases projected for 2035 implies upwards pressures on food and headline inflation of 0.92-3.23 and 0.32-1.18 percentage-points per-year respectively on average globally (uncertainty range across emission scenarios, climate models and empirical specifications). Pressures are largest at low latitudes and show strong seasonality at high latitudes, peaking in summer. Finally, the 2022 extreme summer heat increased food inflation in Europe by 0.43-0.93 percentage-points which warming projected for 2035 would amplify by 30-50%.
Advancing tuna catch allocation negotiations: an analysis of sovereign rights and fisheries access arrangements
Authors: Andriamahefazafy Mialy , Haas Bianca , Campling Liam , Le Manach Frédéric , Goodman Camille , Adams Timothy J. H. , Hanich Quentin
Published: March 2024

Regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) determine conservation measures for transboundary fisheries resources. They are also a forum for collective action toward the management of marine resources. One of the most complex and controversial aspects of this process is the allocation of catches between RFMO members. There are a variety of processes that can be used for catch allocation. In recent years, there has been a trend in some RFMOs towards establishing a system of criteria or indicators to determine the volume or percentage of catch that should be allocated to each RFMO member. Establishing such a system is challenging and the position of countries negotiating at RFMOs is also shaped by fisheries access arrangements. The debate on allocation has been ongoing at the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission for more than a decade, where one key point of disagreement is the treatment of historical catch taken in the waters of a coastal State. On the one hand, coastal states claim that catches historically taken in their exclusive economic zones (EEZ) should be attributed to them based on their sovereign rights over living resources. On the other, some fishing countries from outside the region claim catch history based on fishing conducted in the coastal State’s waters pursuant to access agreements. We analysed UNCLOS articles, publicly available fisheries access agreements, and national legislation to unpack the linkage between fisheries access arrangements and catch allocation discussions, and we also explored examples from other regions and RFMOs. We point out that the sovereign rights of coastal states over their EEZ provide a strong basis for allocation negotiations. In the absence of specific agreements to the contrary, any catch history that arises from foreign vessels fishing inside the EEZ should be attributed to the coastal State. We also argue that it is time for members of RFMOs—and especially of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission—to move beyond the historical catch debate. They need to resolve their differences or consider other ways to allocate participatory rights in shared fisheries.
Experimental factors influencing the bioaccessibility and the oxidative potential of transition metals from welding fumes
Authors: Ghanem Manuella , Alleman Laurent Y. , Rousset Davy , Perdrix Esperanza , Coddeville Patrice
Published: March 2024

Experimental conditions such as extraction methods and storage conditions induce biases on the measurement of the oxidative potential and the bioaccessibility of transition metals from welding fumes.
Paper-based sustainable biosensors
Authors: Kumar Anuj , Maiti Pralay
Published: March 2024

Sustainability is a priority of researchers in designing and manufacturing biosensing devices in current research activities. Paper-based multifunctional biosensors are widely developed for different applications to realize a sustainable future.
A simple passivation strategy of Na-dithienylethene for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Wu Xianhu , Liu Nian , Wu Guiyuan , Cui Guanglei , Shi Rumeng , Xia Gaojie , Bi Jieyu , Huang Haidong , Zhao Chunyi , Zuo Zewen , Gu Min
Published: March 2024

The coordination effect of the carboxyl group of NaDTE with the undercoordinated Pb2+ in perovskite leads to better energy level alignment and reduced defects. A satisfactory PCE of 23.12% and long-term stability of over 1000 h.
Unveiling the synergy: a combined experimental and theoretical study of β-cyclodextrin with melatonin
Authors: Ferrero Riccardo , Pantaleone Stefano , Gho Cecilia Irene , Hoti Gjylije , Trotta Francesco , Brunella Valentina , Corno Marta
Published: March 2024

Melatonin/β-cyclodextrin complex was studied by means of experimental and computational techniques to optimize the release of the drug over time in the human body.
Theoretical insights into the lattice thermal conductivity and thermal expansion of CoNiFe medium-entropy alloys
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhang Haochun , Xiong Jie , Chen Shuai , Zhang Gang
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we investigate the impacts of elemental concentration, tensile strain and temperature on the lattice thermal conductivity of CoNiFe medium-entropy alloys using the equilibrium molecular dynamics method.
A biocompatible NIR squaraine dye and dye-antibody conjugates for versatile long-term in vivo fluorescence bioimaging
Authors: Priyanka  , Bila Galyna , Mavileti Sai Kiran , Bila Evgenia , Negrych Nazar , Gupta Shekhar , Tang Linjun , Bilyy Rostyslav , Pandey Shyam S. , Kato Tamaki
Published: March 2024

In vivo studies demonstrate SQ-58's biocompatibility for long-term NIR imaging and targeting specific tumors.
Ovonic threshold switching-based artificial afferent neurons for thermal in-sensor computing
Authors: Li Kai , Yao Jiaping , Zhao Peng , Luo Yunhao , Ge Xiang , Yang Rui , Cheng Xiaomin , Miao Xiangshui
Published: March 2024

This research demonstrates an OTS-based temperature-sensing afferent neuron that features low power consumption and a compact circuit structure.
High-strength, ultra-tough and recyclable MXene-composited organohydrogels with integrated multiple functions for wearable sensors
Authors: Qin Zhihui , Li Yunfeng , Wang Xiaoming , Liu Ying , Li Na , Xu Qiuli , Ye Lei , Jiao Tifeng
Published: March 2024

This work presents a multifunctional MXene-composited organohydrogel with high tensile strength, excellent environmental stability, recyclability and outstanding UV-shielding ability for flexible wearable sensors.
Functionalized nickel oxide as a hole transport layer for organic solar cells with simultaneous enhancement of efficiency and stability
Authors: Xiao Jingyang , Ren Minrun , Zhang Guichuan , Min Yonggang , Yip Hin-Lap
Published: March 2024

2PACz-modified NiOx thin films successfully replace PEDOT:PSS as hole transport layers, and achieve a high PCE of 16.7% in the PM6:Y6-based organic solar cells with simultaneous enhancement of efficiency, stability and reproducibility.
¿Notas La Diferencia? [Do You Hear the Difference?]: Perceptual Consequences of Intensive Voice Treatment in Spanish Speakers With Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Moya-Galé Gemma , Hernández Jonathan Delgado , Goudarzi Alireza , Walsh Stephen J.
Published: March 2024

Purpose:

The primary objective of this study was to explore the effects of intensive voice-focused treatment on speech parameters in Spanish speakers with dysarthria associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) as perceived by naïve listeners.

Method:

Fifteen Spanish speakers with dysarthria associated with PD received the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD) for a month. Voice and speech recordings were conducted pretreatment, posttreatment, and at a 1-month follow-up. Thirty naïve adult listeners rated the perceptual dimensions of ease of understanding (EoU), resonance, articulatory precision, prosody, and voice quality from sentences extracted from an emotional monologue on a visual analogue scale.

Results:

EoU, resonance, articulatory precision, and voice quality significantly improved pre- to posttreatment, but gains were not maintained at follow-up. Speech severity was a significant source of variance in mean listener response for all perceptual dimensions, although the interaction between speech severity and time was only significant for resonance and voice quality.

Conclusions:

LSVT LOUD may be beneficial to improve perceptual speech domains affected by PD in Spanish speakers with dysarthria. Its impact on the different speech subsystems may reflect a universal distribution of effects when directly targeting the glottal source. Language-specific contributions of each perceptual domain to speech intelligibility should be explored in further research to determine linguistically sensitive treatment targets.
Tjong: A transformer‐based Mahjong AI via hierarchical decision‐making and fan backward
Authors: Li Xiali , Liu Bo , Wei Zhi , Wang Zhaoqi , Wu Licheng
Published: March 2024

Mahjong, a complex game with hidden information and sparse rewards, poses significant challenges. Existing Mahjong AIs require substantial hardware resources and extensive datasets to enhance AI capabilities. The authors propose a transformer‐based Mahjong AI (Tjong) via hierarchical decision‐making. By utilising self‐attention mechanisms, Tjong effectively captures tile patterns and game dynamics, and it decouples the decision process into two distinct stages: action decision and tile decision. This design reduces decision complexity considerably. Additionally, a fan backward technique is proposed to address the sparse rewards by allocating reversed rewards for actions based on winning hands. Tjong consists of 15M parameters and is trained using approximately 0.5 M data over 7 days of supervised learning on a single server with 2 GPUs. The action decision achieved an accuracy of 94.63%, while the claim decision attained 98.55% and the discard decision reached 81.51%. In a tournament format, Tjong outperformed AIs (CNN, MLP, RNN, ResNet, VIT), achieving scores up to 230% higher than its opponents. Furthermore, after 3 days of reinforcement learning training, it ranked within the top 1% on the leaderboard on the Botzone platform.
Research on a local path planning algorithm based on multivehicle collaborative mapping and a potential field method
Authors: Sun Chunya , Jing Haixin , Xiao Yanqiu , Cui Guangzhen , Zhao Meijie , Zhang Weili
Published: March 2024

To eliminate blind spots in the field of vision and achieve a safe and collision‐free path, this paper proposes a path planning method based on multivehicle collaborative mapping in the context of vehicle networking. First, a multi vehicle map merging strategy based on the fireworks algorithm is proposed. In this strategy, a dissimilarity objective function based on the concept of grid map similarity is established and an improved fireworks algorithm is used to quickly search for the maximum overlap between local maps, achieving multivehicle collaborative mapping. Second, a real‐time path planning method based on artificial potential field theory is proposed. The information obtained from multivehicle collaborative mapping is first combined with the potential field model to form a multifield coupled road environment model. Then, the obstacle repulsion potential field model is improved to address the issues of traditional artificial potential field methods that target unreachability and poor dynamic response. The feasibility and effectiveness of the collaborative path planning method and single vehicle path planning method are tested through simulation analysis. This paper demonstrates through simulation analysis that the proposed path planning method can effectively achieve beyond line of sight perception and safely and comfortably guide vehicles to complete path planning.
Optimization of wind‐wave hybrid system based on wind‐wave coupling model
Authors: Liu Tiesheng , Liu Yanjun , Huang Shuting , Xue Gang
Published: March 2024

The integration of wave energy converters (WECs) into floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) can effectively reduce costs and increase power generation. When WECs are integrated into FOWT, the hydrodynamic interference, motion coupling, and other factors contribute to the high spatial dimension of the coupled optimization, making it difficult to find the globally optimal solution. Therefore, this study proposes an optimization method based on a wind‐wave coupling model, and takes a new wind‐wave hybrid system as an example for verification and analysis. First, the experimental design is completed through random sampling, and the corresponding WECs and wind turbine power of each sample point are calculated using full coupling simulation. And then according to the design input and simulation results, the wind‐wave coupling model is obtained by training the elliptical basis functions neural network (EBFNN). At last, based on this model, the non‐dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA‐II) is used to optimize the WECs microarray. The results show that the prediction model established in this paper has high accuracy and is used with the NSGA‐II to effectively improve the wind‐wave coupling energy harvesting. This method can effectively solve the problem of high coupling dimensions in the process of hybrid system design.
Smoothing cooling demand of buildings with PCM thermal batteries
Authors: Lee Seung Ho , Liu Ming , Saman Wasim , Bostrom Michel
Published: March 2024

Escalating energy tariffs and peak cooling demands due to climate change along with expanding use of variable renewable energy supply are presenting new challenges and opportunities for air conditioning system operation and control. This research presents the outcome of an investigation into the use of a thermal battery using salt-hydrate phase change material (PCM) in commercial buildings. A 1.2 m3 modular thermal battery using 15 °C melting temperature salt-hydrate PCM has been designed and fabricated. Its cooling performance and feasibility of integration into a chilled water-cooling system of commercial buildings has been comprehensively investigated. This storage unit can accommodate approximately 52 kWh of energy, featuring a rapid heat discharge rate of 32.58 kW during the initial 30 min to effectively address sudden cooling demands. The overall heat discharge rate closely aligns with simulation results, reaching approximately 96% accuracy. This has been achieved through optimisation of the heat exchanger design through mathematical simulation, detailed testing to match various operational scenarios and evaluation of economic and peak load shifting benefits. The results demonstrate the environmental and economic effectiveness of the PCM thermal battery as an independent component in building cooling systems. It provides a timely response to peak cooling demand and improves thermal comfort of the buildings.
Sweeteners in Orodispersible Films: How Much is too
Much?
Authors: Rahić Ognjenka , Behrem Sabina , Tucak-Smajić Amina , Hadžiabdić Jasmina , Imamović Belma , Hindija Lamija , Šahinović Merima , Vranić Edina
Published: March 2024

Four natural sweeteners (sucrose, xylitol, fructose, and isomalt) were selected
to examine the influence of their qualities and amounts on the characteristics
of orodispersible films. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (2% w/w) was utilized as
the film-forming polymer and 1% w/w glycerol as a plasticizer. Films were
produced through the solvent casting method, rendering them suitable for
convenient application in community or hospital pharmacy settings. The
physicochemical and optical properties of the films were analyzed, and
Fourier-transform infrared analysis was carried out. All films exhibited
acceptable disintegration time, uniformity of mass, thickness, and optical
characteristics, with significant dependence (p<0.05) on both sweetener type
and quantity. Disintegration time varied based on the employed method, as well
as the characteristics and amount of sweetener. Additionally, all films
maintained pH values within the oral cavity range, suggesting no potential
irritancy upon administration. Fourier-transform infrared analysis confirmed the
formation of the film and demonstrated compatibility between its components.
Research Progress of β-Ketoenamine-Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Xue Ping , Li Mingyuan , Tang Mi , Wang Zhengbang , Wang Chengliang
Published: March 2024

β-Ketoamide covalent organic frameworks (COFs), also named Tp-COFs, are considered to be a milestone material in the history of photocatalysts because of their excellent visible-light absorption, high crystallinity, ultra-high stability and structural diversity. In recent years, a large number of Tp-COFs and their composites have been successfully constructed based on molecular or composite engineering strategies, and exhibited splendid photocatalytic water splitting activity. In comparison with a composite strategy, the molecular engineering technique effectively avoids interface problems by designing and preparing frameworks at the molecular level. Therefore, it is necessary to timely summarize the construction of Tp-COF photocatalysts based on the molecular engineering strategy, so as to provide some theoretical basis and enlightenment for the subsequent development of high-performance Tp-COFs. Finally, the shortcomings and challenges of this technique and personal views on the further development of Tp-COFs are presented.
Data-driven framework for prediction and optimization of gas turbine blade film cooling
Authors: Wang Yaning , Wang Zirui , Qian Shuyang , Qiu Xubin , Shen Weiqi , Zhang Xinshuai , Lyu Benshuai , Cui Jiahuan
Published: March 2024

Film cooling is a crucial technique for protecting critical components of gas turbines from excessive temperatures. Multiparameter film cooling optimization is still relatively time-consuming owing to the substantial computational demands of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods. To reduce the computational cost, the present study develops a data-driven framework for predicting and optimizing the film cooling effectiveness of high-pressure turbines based on deep learning. Multiple rows of cooling holes located on the pressure surface of the turbine blade are optimized, with the coolant hole diameter, the incline angle, and the compound angle as design parameters. A conditional generative adversarial network model combining a gated recurrent unit and a convolutional neural network is designed to establish the complex nonlinear regression between the design parameters and the film cooling effectiveness. The surrogate model is trained and tested using independent CFD results. A sparrow search algorithm and the well-trained surrogate model are combined to acquire the optimal film cooling parameters. The proposed framework is found to improve multi-row film cooling effectiveness by 21.2% at an acceptable computational cost.
Automatic detection system for steel skeleton size based on machine vision
Authors: Jin Huaxue , Fan Wei , Chen Xiaoya , You Wenbiao , Ye Ruifang
Published: March 2024

Currently, most buildings are constructed using prefabricated concrete slabs supported by a steel skeleton that is generally tied and welded manually. However, if the overall size of the skeleton is incorrect and this error is not noticed before the concrete is poured, then a huge waste is incurred by having to scrap all the prefabricated slabs. Therefore, we propose an automatic system for measuring the frame size needed for prefabricated slabs made of reinforced concrete using LabVIEW and the NI Vision library of machine-vision functions to perform image processing and machine-vision detection. A charge-coupled device camera obtained an overall image, and then, LabVIEW processed the image and extracted its features. The system compared the measured size with the design size and issued a warning if the two differ by more than 0.5 cm. From experimental comparison and verification, the maximum measurement error between the test results and the actual size was 2.7% and the root mean square error was 0.66%. This meets the requirements of actual site construction and provides a scientific reference for realizing the automatic detection of the skeleton size for reinforced-concrete precast slabs.
Delayed detached eddy simulation for wake flow analysis of axisymmetric boattail models under low-speed conditions
Authors: Van Pham Khiem , Tran Hung The , Nguyen Dung Trung , Le Anh Dinh , Nguyen Quang Dinh , Pham Dong Thanh
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the steady and unsteady behaviors of near-wake flow for axisymmetric models acquired with conical boattails with different slant angles under low-speed conditions. Delayed detached eddy simulation (DDES) was applied for the numerical processes. The Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) was then used to reconstruct the dominant modes of the pressure at the base and velocity fields on the symmetry plane. Both near-wake and far-wake flows were considered in this study to obtain a full pattern of the wake. It was shown that the DDES allows for obtaining a highly accurate wake flow field. The large-scale structure of the base flow with two dominant modes of vortex shedding at StD = 0.19–0.24 and bubble pumping at StD = 0.06–0.08 occurs for the axisymmetric blunt-based model. At boattail angles up to 16°, those frequencies are clearly distinguished from the time series of POD modes of the velocity fluctuations. However, for higher angles, the motions of the “bubble pumping” and vortex shedding combine to generate frequencies in the range of StD = 0.07–0.15. The fully separated flow disturbs a ratio of one-third for the bubble pumping and vortex shedding frequencies, which was shown widely in previous studies. The reduction of frequency band and large-scale features for boattail angles of 16° explains the low drag generated for that configuration.
Linear and nonlinear stability analyses of micropolar fluid flow in horizontal porous layers
Authors: Barman Pankaj , D. Srinivasacharya
Published: March 2024

The linear and nonlinear stability analyses of micropolar fluid flow in a horizontal porous layer heated from below in the presence of throughflow is numerically investigated. The Brinkman model is considered to govern the micropolar fluid flow within the porous region. The main purpose of the present study is to investigate the behavior of the subcritical region for micropolar fluid parameters in the presence of throughflow. The energy approach is used to analyze nonlinear stability, whereas the normal mode scheme is used to investigate linear stability. The obtained eigenvalue problems related to linear and nonlinear stability analyses are solved numerically using the bvp4c routine in MATLAB. Finally, the critical thermal Rayleigh number is determined for the given values of the governing parameters. It is observed that the subcritical area decreases as the Darcy number (Da), micropolar parameter (m), and absolute value of throughflow parameter (|Pe|) decrease. Furthermore, there is no subcritical gap in the absence of the throughflow effect for micropolar fluid flow, which is a good agreement for the linear and nonlinear thresholds.
Contrast dependence of scattering profiles for poly(ethylene glycol) in water: Investigation by small-angle neutron scattering with 3He spin filter and small-angle x-ray scattering
Authors: Ryoki Akiyuki , Watanabe Fumi , Okudaira Takuya , Takahashi Shingo , Oku Takayuki , Hiroi Kosuke , Motokawa Ryuhei , Nakamura Yo
Published: March 2024

The small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements were performed for deuterated and non-deuterated poly(ethylene glycol) (d-PEG and h-PEG, respectively) in D2O and a D2O/H2O mixed solvent (Mix) to compare the scattering profiles. To determine the coherent scattering intensity of SANS, a 3He spin filter was utilized. The scattering profiles determined by the SANS measurements were analyzed in terms of the wormlike chain model with touched beads along the contour of the chain. However, the SAXS profiles were not explained by the same model with uniform beads but with beads each consisting of a core and a shell having different electron densities. To explore the chain thickness determined from the SANS profile, the scattering intensities for different combinations of d-PEG/D2O, d-PEG/Mix, h-PEG/D2O, and h-PEG/Mix were also examined.
Numerical simulation of the underwater gun using gas-curtain launch
Authors: Bai Wenbin , Yu Yonggang , Zhang Xinwei
Published: March 2024

A novel gas-curtain launch technique is proposed to enhance the interior ballistic performance for underwater guns. The size of the initial gas curtain in front of the projectile is a critical factor in determining the subsequent behavior of the gunpowder gas jet flow field once the projectile leaves the muzzle. Hence, a validated two-dimensional unsteady multiphase model is built for the flow field at the muzzle of an underwater gas-curtain launch. The calculation involves determining the development of the initial gas curtain sizes for a 30 mm underwater gun, specifically focusing on the evolution of the precursor jet and gunpowder gas jet flow field. The results indicate that a double three-wave point structure forms within the bottle-shaped shock wave structure of the precursor jet when the initial gas curtain length equals the barrel. As the initial gas curtain size increases, the “bottle” structure elongates along the axial direction and compresses radially. After the projectile exits the muzzle, the gunpowder gas quickly expands toward the front, causing the collapse of the Mach disk of the precursor jet. The gunpowder gas jet then reforms a new bottle-shaped shock wave structure. A larger initial gas curtain can facilitate the expansion of the gunpowder gas, resulting in an increased size of the bottle, delayed formation, and weakened intensity of the Mach disk. Additionally, increasing the size of the initial gas curtain decreases the resistance experienced by the projectile outside the barrel. The initial gas curtain can also affect the cavitation bubble evolution process on the projectile sidewall, showing a growth-(attenuation)-stability trend.
Correlated libration in liquid water
Authors: Shelton David P.
Published: March 2024

The libration spectrum of liquid H2O is resolved into an octupolar twisting libration band at 485 cm−1 and dipolar rocking–wagging libration bands at 707 and 743 cm−1 using polarization analysis of the hyper-Raman scattering (HRS) spectrum. Dipole interactions and orientation correlation over distances less than 2 nm account for the 36 cm−1 splitting of the longitudinal and transverse polarized bands of the dipolar rocking–wagging libration mode, while the intensity difference observed for the bands is the result of libration correlation over distances larger than 200 nm. The coupled rock and wag libration in water is similar to libration modes in ice. The libration relaxation time determined from the width of the spectrum is 36–54 fs. Polarization analysis of the HRS spectrum also shows long range correlation for molecular orientation and hindered translation, bending and stretching vibrations in water.
Positioning antagonistic discourses in the (de)bounded spaces of power
Authors: Lamour Christian , Mazzoleni Oscar
Published: March 2024

Scholarship has underlined how radical right-wing populism (RRWP) emphasizes border control aiming to protect the
“people”. Although increasing attention is being paid to the discursive dimensions of border construction, the complexity of the
phenomenon suggests the need for further analysis in an interdisciplinary perspective and with an emphasis on the geometry of
spatial powers (Massey 1999, 2005).
Understanding power dynamics in space is all the more important now that radical right-wing populism (RRWP) is becoming a key
political phenomenon. The use of the border in right-wing populist narratives draws on the representation of power struggles in
space concerning the management of flows (people, goods, services, capital, ideas, values, etc.). The scope of the introduction to
this special issue is to address the connection between radical right-wing populism, borders, and spaces of power, and to present
the research articles investigating this link through a series of different case studies.
Magneto-optic Kerr Effect Measurement of TbMn6Sn6 at mK Temperature
Authors: Huang 黄 Dai-Qiang 代强 , Wang 汪 Yang 洋 , Wang 王 He 贺 , Wang 王 Jian 健 , Liu 刘 Yang 阳
Published: March 2024

Novel electron states stabilized by Coulomb interactions attract tremendous interests in condensed matter physics. These states are studied by corresponding phase transitions occurring at extreme conditions such as mK temperatures and high magnetic field. In this work, we introduce a magneto-optical Kerr effect measurement system to comprehensively explore these phases in addition to conventional transport measurement. This system, composed of an all-fiber zero-loop Sagnac interferometer and in situ piezo-scanner inside a dilution refrigerator, operates below 100 mK, with a maximum field of 12 Tesla and has a resolution as small as 0.2 μrad. As a demonstration, we investigate TbMn6Sn6, where the manganese atoms form Kagome lattice that hosts topological non-trivial Dirac cones. We observed two types of Kerr signals, stemming from its fully polarized ferromagnetic ground state and positive charged carriers within the Dirac-like dispersion.
Towards a quantum field theory description of nonlocal spacetime defects
Authors: Carone Christopher D , Donald Noah L
Published: March 2024

We propose an ansatz for encoding the physics of nonlocal spacetime defects in the Green’s functions for a scalar field theory defined on a causal set. This allows us to numerically study the effects of nonlocal spacetime defects on the discrete Feynman propagator of the theory defined on the causal set in 1+1 dimensions, and to compare to the defect-free limit. The latter approaches the expected continuum result, on average, when the number of points becomes large. When defects are present, two points with the same invariant spacetime interval can have different propagation amplitudes, depending on whether the propagation is between two ordinary spacetime points, two defects, or a defect and an ordinary point. We show that a coarse-grained description that is only sensitive to the average effect of the defects can be interpreted as a defect-induced mass and wave-function renormalization of the scalar theory.
Microtexture region segmentation of eddy current testing data using a structural prior
Authors: Homa Laura , Lesthaeghe Tyler , Cherry Matt , Wertz John
Published: March 2024

Microtexture regions (MTRs) are collections of grains with similar crystallographic orientation. Because their presence in titanium alloys can significantly impact aerospace component life, a nondestructive method to detect and characterize MTR is needed. In this work, we propose to use data from two nondestructive evaluation methods, eddy current testing (ECT) and scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM), in order to recover the boundary and dominant crystallographic orientation of each MTR in a specimen. ECT is an electromagnetic method that is sensitive to changes in crystallographic orientation associated with MTR; however, its low resolution prevents it from resolving MTR boundaries well. In contrast, SAM is a high frequency ultrasound method that is able to resolve MTR boundaries but is not sensitive to orientation. This paper proposes an algorithm to characterize MTR that makes use of a method known as covariance generalized matching component analysis. This method is used to build a surrogate linear forward model that relates MTR boundaries and orientation to ECT data. The model is inverted using the SAM data as a structural prior. We demonstrate this technique using simulated ECT and experimental SAM data from a large grain titanium specimen.
Atomistic simulations of the frictional properties of 2D materials: a review
Authors: Wu Gang , Ogata Shigenobu , Gao Lei
Published: March 2024

The two-dimensional (2D) materials are regarded as the ideal solid lubricants at micro- and nano-scale. Besides the experiments and analytical models, the atomistic simulations are important tools to investigate the frictional properties of 2D materials. This review will focus the recent atomistic simulation studies on frictional properties 2D materials with a particular emphasis on the density functional theory (DFT) calculations and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Starting from the proper calculation of long range dispersion forces, the correlations between the physical characteristics (e.g. electronic charge redistribution, interfacial commensurability, chemical modification, moiré superlattice, layer effect, atomic contact quality, defect, external fields, humidity and temperature) and frictional properties of 2D materials are reviewed for both the interlayer and surface sliding. Meanwhile, recent MD simulations about the phononic energy dissipation in friction of 2D materials are summarized. At last, some shortcomings in current simulation techniques are summarized and it is suggested that the atomistic simulations combined with machine learning will be a more powerful strategy to investigate the frictional properties of 2D materials.
Systematic investigation on semi-empirical thermodynamic quantities of excited nuclei using canonical ensemble
Authors: Tran Vu Dong , Phan Nhut Huan , Nguyen Quang Hung , Nguyen Xuan Hai , Le Thi Quynh Huong , Nguyen Ngoc Anh
Published: March 2024

Semi-empirical thermodynamic quantities (TQs) of 78 nuclei ranging from 43Sc to 243Pu have been systematically investigated in the temperature region below 1 MeV using the thermodynamic canonical ensemble. The latter is carried out by taking into account the experimental nuclear level density (NLD) data measured using the Oslo method for the low-excitation region below the neutron binding energy B
n combining with the back-shifted Fermi gas NLD model for the excitation energy from B
n to about 250 MeV. In particular, the uncertainty of the TQs propagating from the fluctuation of the experimental NLD data has been, for the first time, calculated. The results obtained indicate that the uncertainty of TQs due to the experimental NLD is incomparable with the changes caused by the nuclear structure effects. The free energy of even–even nuclei behaves differently from that of odd-A ones. The total energy in the low-temperature region below T

E
≃ 0.4 − 0.6 MeV for medium-mass nuclei and T

E
≃ 0.2 − 0.4 MeV for heavy-mass ones slowly varies. When temperature is from T

E
to 1 MeV, the total energy increases extremely faster than the increase of temperature, exhibiting the constant-temperature behavior. The entropy exhibits an abrupt change in their slope at T

S
≃ 0.2 − 0.4 MeV in medium-mass nuclei and T

S
≃ 0.5 − 0.6 MeV in heavy-mass ones. The existence of T

E
and T

S
has been interpreted due to the breaking of the first Cooper pair. Finally, the heat capacity shows a strongly pronounced S-shape in nuclei belonging to the rare-earth region. The temperatures defined at the center of the S − shaped heat capacities, which are known to closely relate to the critical temperature of the pairing phase transition T
C, are quite close to those theoretically predicted, namely T

C
≈ 0.5Δ − 0.6Δ with Δ = 12A
−1/2 being the empirical pairing gap at zero temperature. The semi-empirical TQs obtained in the present work can be, therefore, a reliable data source to test and/or validate many nuclear thermodynamical models and to examine some nuclear structure properties such as pairing and deformation.
Interpretable intelligent fault diagnosis strategy for fixed-wing UAV elevator fault diagnosis based on improved cross entropy loss
Authors: Li Yang , Jia Zhen , Liu Zhenbao , Shao Haidong , Zhao Wen , Liu Zhiqi , Wang Baodong
Published: March 2024

The current popular machine learning-based fault diagnosis methods make it difficult to explain the diagnostic results, leading to low user trust in such diagnostic techniques. In this regard, this paper explores the study of the interpretability of intelligent fault diagnosis algorithms using the elevator of a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as a diagnostic object. The Transformer model combines excellent modeling capability and efficient sequence data processing, is chosen to mine fault signal features to guarantee accurate diagnosis. Among the proposed interpretable fault diagnosis models, the local interpretable model-agnostic explanations (LIME) model is used to provide explicit interpretability for the decision-making process of the diagnosis model. In addition, a loss function called RDCE (reinforced diagnostic cross-entropy) Loss is designed to minimize the negative impact of different sample sizes for different fault types on the diagnostic performance. This loss function is designed to weigh the various types of faults to speed up the convergence of the model and improve the diagnostic accuracy. By comparing the proposed diagnostic strategy with other commonly used machine learning models, including long short term memory and recurrent neural network (RNN), the average diagnostic accuracy of the proposed diagnostic strategy is 99.97%, significantly better than that of the comparison algorithms. At the same time, this paper provides an in-depth interpretable analysis of the diagnostic process of the Transformer. The diagnostic process of the Transformer model gives the reasons for the diagnostic results from the point of view of the kind of features processed by the model. Based on this, the diagnostic model is simplified. After streamlining the number of features from 40 to 24 according to their importance, the diagnostic accuracy of the model is improved by 0.26%, and the diagnostic efficiency is improved. In addition, the proposed diagnostic strategy also shows significant advantages in terms of noise robustness.
Effect of repetitive nano-cutting tool parameters on surface quality and subsurface damage of γ-TiAl alloy
Authors: Liu Yang , Liu Longyue , Li Haiyan , Zhou Baocheng , Cao Hui , Feng Ruicheng
Published: March 2024

In this paper, the molecular dynamics simulation of the repeated nano-cutting of single crystal γ-Tial alloy was carried out by selecting different geometric parameters of the second cutting tool by single factor experiment. The cutting force, friction coefficient, subsurface defects, dislocation evolution and surface roughness of the second cutting were analyzed systematically. The results show that when the tool rake angle is 15°, the surface roughness is lower and the surface quality is better. The influence of different second cutting tool rake angle on the surface roughness is not strong. When the rake angle of the second cutting tool and the radius of edge are constant, the average normal cutting force decreases with the increase of the clearance angle of the tool. Under the machining parameters in this paper, the critical clearance angle of the second cutting of single crystal γ-TiAl alloy is between 10° and 15°. When the tool clearance angle is greater than the critical clearance angle, the average cutting force and the machined-surface roughness no longer change significantly. With the increase of the radius of the second cutting tool, the chip decreases, the subsurface defect increases, and the surface roughness of the machined surface also increases with strong regularity.
Concentration in Action in Greek Neoplatonism and Buddhaghosa
Authors: Griffin Michael
Published: March 2024

How do contemplative exercises, like meditation, help us to become better people in practice? Is there a risk that they might do the opposite, by distracting us from the world to such a degree that we neglect our everyday moral obligations? This chapter develops a dialogue between two historical traditions within Buddhism and Platonism, represented by Buddhaghosa in Sri Lanka and the Neoplatonist commentators of Mediterranean late antiquity. These schools, the chapter suggests, offer two distinct models for resolving this kind of concern. First, a practitioner might alternate between contemplative absorption and action, with contemplation cultivating positive mental qualities that make for better moral agency in each moment of decision. Second, we may simultaneously experience a highly receptive contemplative state even while we act in the world, making us much less likely to react in harmful, misguided ways to everyday impressions. In both cases, genuine moral improvement flows from a radical transformation of our perception of the world.
George Herbert and the Business of Practical Piety
Authors: Sullivan Ceri
Published: March 2024

Today’s nudge theory points out that people make good choices over issues where they have had past experience of similar circumstances, where there is reliable, substantial, and relevant information about the situation, and where they will get prompt feedback about the effect of a decision. Yet none of these conditions apply to the most vital of decisions to face the early modern godly: how can one be saved? This book uses nudge theory to show how practical divinity jumps over the doleful conclusions of predestination to supply readers with suggestions on how to prepare to act, regardless of their final destiny. Such texts create cognitive niches to support cheerful, godly thought and action, in a way which is far from being despairing or compulsive. Their nudges are put into practice in the religious community created by the Ferrar family at Little Gidding. Together, such prescriptions and examples highlight how George Herbert’s The Temple (1633) is a compendium of the techniques of choice architecture. Herbert’s poems are full of the humour emerging from a life of faith which is willing to guard high ideals by low cunning, stooping to use the least little things to change a self. The book initially calls on extended mind theory to ask what sort of minor physical and social structures scaffold decisions, then examines a selection of nudges used by Herbert: contracts with the self, building a mind, cleaning a heart, conversing with God, making to-do lists, and working on working well.
Listing
Authors: Sullivan Ceri
Published: March 2024

The dialogue, the catechism, and the sermon are commonly recognized as characteristic Protestant genres, but not the list. They are seen as dramatic and interactive; it is not. Yet this apparently modest and transparent device structures much religious discourse in the period, including Herbert’s poems. It is a triumph of strong persuasion disguised as neutral administration. This chapter looks first at the affordances of the list, and then at its three uses as a nudge in early modern practical theology, in making the reader think, feel, and act. Finally, the chapter turns to how Herbert’s lists undermine the precision and certainty offered by the form. In such poems as ‘The Quidditie’, ‘Providence’, ‘Love Unknown’, and ‘The Quip’, doubt rather than clarity ends up being a mark of saving grace in his list-makers.
Cross-border institutions and systems
Authors: Diener Alexander C. , Hagen Joshua
Published: March 2024

Chapter 6 explores a variety of cross border systems and institutions as key topics within the realm of border research. Efforts to strengthen border enforcement are often met with efforts to circumvent them, which can in turn fuel feelings of insecurity and calls for increased enforcement. That said, mobility of ideas and information has been a core driver of innovation and change throughout history. The internet and other communication technologies make that mobility virtually instantaneous today but have also prompted efforts to regulate and impede such exchanges. In some instances, states have begun to band together in supranational or regional organizations to achieve common goals. Such efforts reflect a desire to maximize competitive advantage, as well as common concerns that are too big or complex for individual states to manage alone. Environmental and health issues are prime examples of the latter and prompt consideration of the ethics of bordering and the degree and manner in which the spatial demarcation of difference continues to serve or imperils humanity.