bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic and electrical transport properties in GdAlSi and SmAlGe
Authors: Gong 巩 Jing 静 , Wang 王 Huan 欢 , Ma 马 Xiao-Ping 小平 , Zeng 曾 Xiang-Yu 祥雨 , Lin 林 Jun-Fa 浚发 , Han 韩 Kun 坤 , Wang 王 Yi-Ting 乙婷 , Xia 夏 Tian-Long 天龙
Published: April 2024

We conduct a detailed examination of the magnetic and electrical transport properties in GdAlSi and SmAlGe crystals, which possess a LaPtSi-type structure (space group I41
md). The magnetic susceptibility data unambiguously reveal magnetic ordering below a characteristic transition temperature (T
N). For GdAlSi, a hysteresis loop is observed in the magnetization and magnetoresistance curves within the ab plane when the magnetic field is applied below T
N, which is around 32 K. Notable specific heat anomalies are detected at 32 K for GdAlSi and 6 K for SmAlGe, confirming the occurrence of magnetic transitions. In addition, the extracted magnetic entropy at high temperatures is consistent with the theoretical value of Rln(2J + 1) for J = 7/2 in Gd3+ and J = 5/2 in Sm3+, respectively. SmAlGe also exhibits Schottky-like specific heat contributions. Additionally, both GdAlSi and SmAlGe exhibit positive magnetoresistance and a normal Hall effect.
A Possible X-ray Quasi-periodic Oscillation in the Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxy Mrk 142
Authors: Zhong Xiao-Gu , Wang Jian-Cheng , Chen Yong-Yun , Yu Xiao-Ling
Published: April 2024

A possible quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) at frequency 7.045 × 10−5 Hz is found in the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 142 in the data of XMM-Newton collected on 2020 April 11. We find that the QPO signal is statistically significantly larger than the 5σ level and highly coherent with quality factor Q > 5 at the 0.3–10 keV band by using the method of the Lomb–Scargle Periodogram, the Weighted Wavelet Z-transform and the REDFIT. We analyze the data in 0.3–0.6 keV, 0.6–1 keV, 1–3 keV and 3–10 keV energy bands, and find obvious QPO signals at 0.3–0.6 keV and 1–3 keV bands. We then analyze the time-average spectra and time variability at the QPO frequency of 7.045 × 10−5 Hz, and use a model to fit them. We find that the QPO signal mainly comes from the X-ray hot corona.
Isochrone Fitting of Galactic Globular Clusters—VI. High-latitude Clusters NGC 5024 (M53), NGC 5053, NGC 5272 (M3), NGC 5466, and NGC 7099 (M30)
Authors: Gontcharov G. A. , Savchenko S. S. , Marchuk A. A. , Bonatto C. J. , Ryutina O. S. , Khovritchev M. Yu. , Il’in V. B. , Mosenkov A. V. , Poliakov D. M. , Smirnov A. A.
Published: April 2024

We fit various color–magnitude diagrams (CMDs) of the high-latitude Galactic globular clusters NGC 5024 (M53), NGC 5053, NGC 5272 (M3), NGC 5466, and NGC 7099 (M30) by isochrones from the Dartmouth Stellar Evolution Database and Bag of Stellar Tracks and Isochrones for α–enrichment [α/Fe] = +0.4. For the CMDs, we use data sets from Hubble Space Telescope, Gaia, and other sources utilizing, at least, 25 photometric filters for each cluster. We obtain the following characteristics with their statistical uncertainties for NGC 5024, NGC 5053, NGC 5272, NGC 5466, and NGC 7099, respectively: metallicities [Fe/H] = −1.93 ± 0.02, −2.08 ± 0.03, −1.60 ± 0.02, −1.95 ± 0.02, and −2.07 ± 0.04 dex with their systematic uncertainty 0.1 dex; ages 13.00 ± 0.11, 12.70 ± 0.11, 11.63 ± 0.07, 12.15 ± 0.11, and 12.80 ± 0.17 Gyr with their systematic uncertainty 0.8 Gyr; distances (systematic uncertainty added) 18.22 ± 0.06 ± 0.60, 16.99 ± 0.06 ± 0.56, 10.08 ± 0.04 ± 0.33, 15.59 ±0.03 ± 0.51, and 8.29 ± 0.03 ± 0.27 kpc; reddenings E(B − V) = 0.023 ± 0.004, 0.017 ± 0.004, 0.023 ± 0.004, 0.023 ± 0.003, and 0.045 ± 0.002 mag with their systematic uncertainty 0.01 mag; extinctions A
V = 0.08 ± 0.01, 0.06 ± 0.01, 0.08 ± 0.01, 0.08 ± 0.01, and 0.16 ± 0.01 mag with their systematic uncertainty 0.03 mag, which suggest the total Galactic extinction A
V = 0.08 across the whole Galactic dust to extragalactic objects at the North Galactic Pole. The horizontal branch morphology difference of these clusters is explained by their different metallicity, age, mass-loss efficiency, and loss of low-mass members in the evolution of the core-collapse cluster NGC 7099 and loose clusters NGC 5053 and NGC 5466.
Multi-timescale neuromodulation strategy for closed-loop deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Quan Zhaoyu , Li Yan , Wang Shouyan
Published: April 2024

Objective. Beta triggered closed–loop deep brain stimulation (DBS) shows great potential for improving the efficacy while reducing side effect for Parkinson’s disease. However, there remain great challenges due to the dynamics and stochasticity of neural activities. In this study, we aimed to tune the amplitude of beta oscillations with different time scales taking into account influence of inherent variations in the basal ganglia–thalamus–cortical circuit. Approach. A dynamic basal ganglia–thalamus–cortical mean–field model was established to emulate the medication rhythm. Then, a dynamic target model was designed to embody the multi-timescale dynamic of beta power with milliseconds, seconds and minutes. Moreover, we proposed a closed-loop DBS strategy based on a proportional–integral–differential (PID) controller with the dynamic control target. In addition, the bounds of stimulation amplitude increments and different parameters of the dynamic target were considered to meet the clinical constraints. The performance of the proposed closed-loop strategy, including beta power modulation accuracy, mean stimulation amplitude, and stimulation variation were calculated to determine the PID parameters and evaluate neuromodulation performance in the computational dynamic mean–field model. Main results. The Results show that the dynamic basal ganglia–thalamus–cortical mean–field model simulated the medication rhythm with the fasted and the slowest rate. The dynamic control target reflected the temporal variation in beta power from milliseconds to minutes. With the proposed closed-loop strategy, the beta power tracked the dynamic target with a smoother stimulation sequence compared with closed-loop DBS with the constant target. Furthermore, the beta power could be modulated to track the control target under different long-term targets, modulation strengths, and bounds of the stimulation increment. Significance. This work provides a new method of closed–loop DBS for multi-timescale beta power modulation with clinical constraints.
A lateralized motor network in order to understand adaptation to visuomotor rotation
Authors: Elango Sundari , Chakravarthy V Srinivasa , Mutha Pratik K
Published: April 2024

Objective. The functional asymmetry between the two brain hemispheres in language and spatial processing is well documented. However, a description of difference in control between the two hemispheres in motor function is not well established. Our primary objective in this study was to examine the distribution of control in the motor hierarchy and its variation across hemispheres. Approach. We developed a computation model termed the bilateral control network and implemented the same in a neural network framework to be used to replicate certain experimental results. The network consists of a simple arm model capable of making movements in 2D space and a motor hierarchy with separate elements coding target location, estimated position of arm, direction, and distance to be moved by the arm, and the motor command sent to the arm. The main assumption made here is the division of direction and distance coding between the two hemispheres with distance coded in the non-dominant and direction coded in the dominant hemisphere. Main results. With this assumption, the network was able to show main results observed in visuomotor adaptation studies. Importantly it showed decrease in error exhibited by the untrained arm while the other arm underwent training compared to the corresponding naïve arm’s performance—transfer of motor learning from trained to the untrained arm. It also showed how this varied depending on the performance variable used—with distance as the measure, the non-dominant arm showed transfer and with direction, dominant arm showed transfer. Significance. Our results indicate the possibility of shared control between the two hemispheres. If indeed found true, this result could have major significance in motor rehabilitation as treatment strategies will need to be designed in order to account for this and can no longer be confined to the arm contralateral to the affected hemisphere.
Synthesis of Carbon Dots from butterfly pea (Cliptoria ternatea) as detection of the heavy metal ion Cu 2+
Authors: Barus Diana Alemin , Ginting Andi Riza Jeremia , Ginting Junedi , Ginting Riski Titian , Emia Pepayosa B
Published: April 2024

The synthesis of carbon dots nanomaterials based on butterfly pea (Cliptoria ternatea) with urea doped (N-CDs) has been successfully carried out using the hydrothermal method. The N-CDs material shows a dark brown solution which indicates that the carbon dots have been successfully synthesized. In this study, we analyzed the influence of optical properties before and after adding Cu2+ ions to the sensitivity of N-CD. The characterization of N-CDs was analyzed using a UV-Vis Spectrophotometer and Photoluminescence (PL) Spectroscopy, as well as using Fourier Transform Infra-Red. The research results show that the absorption spectrum range is from 200 to 800 nm, with an absorption peak at 206.58 nm and the band gap energy obtained is 4.95 eV. The CD solution produces good fluorescence when observed under ultraviolet light (395 nm) and emits a turquoise green color. Based on the IR spectrum, there is an increase in transmittance in the carbon dots spectrum after the addition of urea and at the wave number 1404 cm−1 there is a C-N group which indicates that the process of doping nitrogen atoms on the carbon dots has been successful. The sensitivity of N-CD when sensing Cu2+ ions with a minimum Limit of Detection (LOD) is as low as 183.33 nm. The N-CD can be applied as a biosensor friendly and environmentally method.
Synthesis of Activated Carbon from Rice Husk as A Filter For Iron (Fe) And Copper (Cu) In Well Water
Authors: Sitorus Zuriah , Halimatuddahliana  , Sembiring Emita , Butar-butar Rizky Febby Yolanda
Published: April 2024

This study focuses on the synthesis of activated carbon through the calcination method, designed as an absorber for iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) metals in well water previously investigated. The raw material utilized for activated carbon production is rice husk waste, with variations in calcination temperatures set at 700°C, 800°C, and 900°C. The characterization of the activated carbon involved XRD testing for phase analysis, SEM-EDX analysis on rice husk to discern the morphology and composition of the activated carbon components, and absorption performance analysis using AAS. The XRD testing results revealed an amorphous shape in samples calcinated at 700°C and 800°C. However, the 900°C samples exhibited the formation of the tridymite phase. SEM-EDX results showcased an increased surface area and a more compact pore structure, attributed to high-temperature calcination. AAS testing results indicated an improvement in the absorption capacity of iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) metals. In this research, each 4 g activated carbon sample proved most effective at reducing the initial iron (Fe) metal content from 8.06 mg/L to <0.009 mg/L, achieving an impressive 99.88% absorption. Furthermore, with every 2 g sample, copper (Cu) metal was efficiently absorbed, reducing the initial content from 3.99 mg/L to <0.006 mg/L, achieving a notable 99.85% absorption.
Utilization of taro beneng (xantoshoma undipes k.koch) starch in the manufacture of bioplastics with sorbitol plasticizer and its characterization
Authors: Maghfirah A , Susilawati  , Brahmana K , Pratiwi D A , Ramadina S
Published: April 2024

Preparation of bioplastics and chitosan with sorbitol plasticizer by varying starch and chitosan in the ratio of 30%: 70%, 40% : 60%, 50% : 50%, 60% : 40%, 70% : 30% and added sorbitol plasticizer with variations of 60% and 80%. Characterization was carried out on the composition of starch and chitosan with the addition of sorbitol plasticizer starting with physical and mechanical testing and obtained 2 bioplastics showing the highest elongation and tensile strength data obtained in sample BSB4 in the ratio of starch and chitosan 60%: 40% by adding 60% sorbitol plasticizer showed an elongation value of 21.68898% and a tensile strength of 1.7352 MPa and sample BSC1 with a ratio of starch and chitosan 30%: 70% with the addition of 80% sorbitol plasticizer resulted in an elongation value of 23.6926% and tensile strength of 2.3997 MPa. The biodegradability test on bioplastics showed a mass reduction for 4 weeks or 28 days with the highest percentage of each variation of starch and chitosan by adding sorbitol plasticizer reaching 19.38%. SEM results show that there is still mixing between starch and a less homogeneous solution as evidenced by several points on bioplastics that are still white, and the same groups are obtained between the constituents of bioplastics, namely O-H, C-H, and N-H.
Preparation and Characterization of PVA/Chitosan-Based Hydrogels Enriched with Carbon Materials via the Freeze-Thaw Method
Authors: Sihombing Y A , Nafisah N , Anshori I , Hapidin D A , Edikresnha D , Khairurrijal K
Published: April 2024

The freeze-thaw method successfully prepared polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan (CS)-based hydrogels. This study evaluated the hydrogel’s physical and thermal properties with a compositional variation of activated carbon (AC) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in PVA/CS (PCS) hydrogel. Incorporating AC into the PCS hydrogel led to pore reduction, yielding a lower swelling degree in PCS/AC hydrogel than in PCS hydrogel. On the other hand, adding rGO had minimal impact on the shape and distribution of pores. However, rGO exhibited effective dispersion on the hydrogel surface, reducing the swelling degree of PCS/rGO hydrogel. The maximum swelling degree only showed an increase in PCS/AC 0.1%, attributed to the porous nature of AC, effectively binding water molecules while maintaining a relatively consistent pore size compared to PCS hydrogel. Incorporating AC and rGO into the PCS hydrogel enhanced thermal stability, which is evident from the increased residue and endothermic peak temperature compared to the hydrogel without AC and rGO. These findings suggest that the modification with AC and rGO can enhance the physical and thermal properties of PCS hydrogel.
The Effect of Silica Concentration on The Absorption Properties of Silica-Based Ceramic Membrane
Authors: Surya I , Nasution K S , Sembiring A M , Hayeemasae N
Published: April 2024

Water pollution is currently an increasingly widespread environmental problem. Methylene blue is a synthetic dye used in the textile industry which pollutes the aquatic environment. The absorption of Methylene Blue textile dye which pollutes the environment uses silica precipitate as a filler in ceramic membranes with a clay matrix. Silica precipitate added to the ceramic membrane varies with a concentration of 0.3 %, 1.01 %, 1.68 %, 2.34 % and 2.99 %. The membrane will be characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) testing to determine the functional groups of the components it contains. Testing the absorption of methylene blue contaminant content from artificial wastewater using the UV-Vis Spectrophotometry test. The FTIR test carried out compared the functional groups of membrane samples before and after sintering. The results obtained from the FTIR test were that the membrane after sintering contained silica and some PEG, while the membrane before sintering contained other components such as PVA, PEG, water molecules and silica. The UV-Vis test carried out on the membrane gave results that the membrane was 0.3 %, 1.01 %, 1.68 %, 2.34 % and 2.99 % respectively has a removal efficiency of 58.0 %, 54.0 %, 59.3 %, 64.0 % and 66.4 %, where the best removal efficiency of methylene blue was on a membrane filled with 2.99 % of silica. Tests on the membrane showed that an increase in silica concentration was in line with an increase in the quality of the membrane’s performance in rejecting methylene blue contaminants.
Exploring the Influence of Temperature on Sodium Titanate Mineral Formation Using X-Ray Diffraction
Authors: Noer Zikri , Sihombing Yuan Alfinsyah , Rajagukguk Juniastel , Idamayanti Dewi , Taufik Dede , Amri Fauzan , Agus Muhammad Abduh Akram
Published: April 2024

In this study, an inquiry was conducted to examine the influence of temperature on the crystal structure of sodium titanate (NTO). NTO was synthesized using NaCl, TTIP, citric acid, and ethylene glycol as precursors. The NaCl-citric acid precursor was dissolved in purified water, while the titanium precursor was prepared by blending ethylene glycol with TTIP. After vigorous stirring, the precursor solution was placed in a Teflon-coated stainless steel autoclave, subjected to preheating, and subsequently dried to form a gel. The gel underwent calcination at temperatures ranging from 800 to 1000 °C for 3 hours each. The resulting samples were rinsed with deionized water and dried to eliminate residual NaCl. Based on the results of XRD characterization, the NaTi4O8 phase experienced decomposition into rutile form when the calcination temperature was increased from 800-1000 °C and began to be identified as a rutile phase at a temperature of 900 °C.
Manufacture of Bagasse Activated Carbon Using H2SO4 Activator
Authors: Siregar Rumatar Yan Monri , Sembiring Timbangen , Rianna Martha , Sianturi Herty Afrina , Pasaribu Erika Adriana , Siburian Rikson Asman Fertiles
Published: April 2024

Manufacture activated carbon bagasse waste has been prepared using H2SO4 catalyst in successful research. Bagasse is made from yellow bagasse. First, carbon C is obtained by drying carbon using an oven at temperature of 300°C for 2.5 hours. Active carbon of bagasse is obtained from activation of 5% H2SO4 (1M) in a ratio of 1:10. The measurements performed in this study were the water absorption test and activated carbon. When measuring the water content, Evaporated substance content, ash content, and bound activated carbon level were measured according to SNI 06-3730-1995. FTIR results showed a sharp and wide peak around 3387 cm−1, 2922.16 cm−1 which shows the vibration of the O-H group on inactivated bagasse carbon, but after activation there is a peak around 3410.15 cm−1. Comparison of the diffraction patterns of carbon before activation and carbon after activation shows that all solids have broad peaks in the 20° - 45° region which is a characteristic peak of carbon and there are also pointed peaks in the 23° and 43° regions. The XRD results showed broadened peaks and absence of pointed peaks, irregular background intensity and showed an amorphous structure.
Effect of Temperature and Sunlight Intensity on Surface of Solar Panels on Electric Power Generated
Authors: Masthura  , Abdullah
Published: April 2024

An alternate power generation method that uses solar energy absorption is the solar panel system. Temperature, sunshine intensity, and environmental weather all have an impact on the voltage, current, and electrical power produced by solar cells. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of changes in temperature and light intensity from the sun on the surface of the 120 Wp solar panel used on the electrical power generated. The tools utilized are a 120 watt power supply, solder, digital thermometer, lux meter, and multimeter. The findings demonstrated a clear relationship between the amount of electricity generated and the solar panel’s surface temperature as well as light intensity. The more light intensity detected and the higher the temperature, the more electric power produced. The weather has a big impact on both temperature and light intensity. The temperature and light intensity on the surface of the solar panel increase with increasing sun exposure.
Simulating Lateral H/He Flame Propagation in Type I X-ray Bursts
Authors: Johnson Eric T. , Zingale Michael
Published: April 2024

X-ray bursts are the thermonuclear runaway of a mixed H/He layer on the surface of a neutron star. Observations suggest that the burning begins locally and spreads across the surface of the star as a flame. Recent multidimensional work has looked in detail at pure He flames spreading across a neutron star. Here we report on progress in multidimensional modeling of mixed H/He flames and discuss the challenges.
Validation of the 65 nm TPSCo CMOS imaging technology for the ALICE ITS3
Authors: Ferrero C. ,   the ALICE collaboration
Published: April 2024

During the next Long Shutdown (LS3) of the LHC, planned for 2026, the innermost three layers of the ALICE Inner Tracking System will be replaced by a new vertex detector composed of curved ultra-thin monolithic silicon sensors. The R&D initiative on monolithic sensors of the CERN Experimental Physics Department, in cooperation with the ALICE ITS3 upgrade project, prepared the first submission of chip designs in the TPSCo 65 nm technology, called MLR1 (Multi Layer Reticle). It contains four different test structures with different process splits and pixel designs. These proceedings illustrate the first validation of the technology in terms of pixel performance and radiation hardness.
CR-39 track detector calibration with H and He beams for applications in the p-11B fusion reaction
Authors: Petringa G. , Kantarelou V. , Catalano R. , Cantone G. , Giampiccolo O. , Messina G.E. , Angemi G. , Arjmand S. , Caruso E. , Cuttone G. , Farokhi F. , Fattori S. , Giuffrida L. , Guarrera M. , Kurmanova A. , Margarone D. , Oliva D. , Pappalardo A. , Pizzino A. , Schillaci F. , Sciuto A. , Suarez J. , Cirrone G.A.P.
Published: April 2024

The 11B(p,α)2α reaction, generating three alpha particles, emerges as a promising alternative or complementary route for clean and efficient energy generation. A comprehensive understanding of reaction dynamics, energy distribution of emitted particles, and optimization of fusion efficiency requires precise diagnostic methods. CR39 detectors, being highly sensitive to ions and neutrons while remaining transparent to low fluxes of electrons and gammas, are extensively utilized as primary Solid State Nuclear Track Detector devices in laser-plasma environments. This study presents the CR-39 track detector calibration to low-energy protons and alpha particles. CR-39 irradiation took place at INFN-LNL (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare — Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, Legnaro, Italy) across a range of energies (≥ 80 keV) up to a few MeV, employing various etching times with a NaOH solution. The observed discrepancy in particle diameters, related to a specific etching time, presents a promising avenue for distinguishing alpha particles from proton contributions. This finding holds potential for future practical applications in the study of 11B(p,α)2α fusion reactions.
MightyPix at the LHCb Mighty Tracker — verification
of an HV-CMOS pixel chip's digital readout
Authors: Scherl S. , Striebig N. , Hennessy K. , Perić I. , Vilella E.
Published: April 2024

MightyPix is a high voltage complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (HV-CMOS) active pixel
sensor, currently being developed for the Mighty Tracker, an upgrade proposed for LHCb in
anticipation of the High Luminosity LHC. To ensure that MightyPix will be able to handle the
particle hit rates at the Mighty Tracker, which are expected to reach
17 MHz/cm2, simulations of the chip's digital readout mechanism were
performed. Using simulated particle hits the chip's performance within the LHCb environment is
characterised. For this, a behavioural model of the first prototype, MightyPix1, representing the
analogue pixel matrix, together with the synthesised digital logic is used. Simulation results
show the MightyPix1 readout mechanism having an efficiency over 99 % up to
20 MHz/cm2. The bottleneck was found to be the speed at which the hits are read
out. This yielded new design ideas to improve the readout for MightyPix2, leading to an efficiency
of over 99 % up to 30 MHz/cm2.
Overview of the production and qualification tests of the lpGBT
Authors: Hernandez Montesinos D. , Baron S. , Biereigel S. , Hazell P. , Kulis S. , Vicente Leitao P. , Moreira P. , Porret D. , Wyllie K.
Published: April 2024

The Low-Power Gigabit Transceiver (lpGBT) is a radiation-tolerant ASIC used in high-energy physics experiments for multipurpose high-speed bidirectional serial links. Around 200,000 chips have been tested with a production test system capable of exercising the majority of the ASIC functionality to ensure its correct operation.
Furthermore, specific individual qualification tests were carried out beyond the production tester limits, including radiation, multi-drop bus topology, inter-chip communication through different types of electrical links and characterization of jitter and stability of the recovered clocks.
In this article, an overview of the production and qualification tests is given together with their results demonstrating the robustness and flexibility of the lpGBT.
Data transmission architecture of the ALICE ITS3 stitched sensor prototype MOSAIX
Authors: Dorosz P. ,   the MOSIAX design team and the ALICE collaboration
Published: April 2024

The ALICE Collaboration will replace the three innermost layers of the Inner Tracker
System (ITS) at the LHC with an innovative vertex detector. A single-die stitched monolithic pixel
detector segment of 1.85 cm × 26.6 cm designed in 65 nm CMOS imaging technology will be
used as a building block for these layers. The pixel detector segment consists of 144 data
transmitters that are evenly distributed over the full area. The data communication is done via
the 1.85 cm short edge of the detector. This contribution will focus on the architecture,
challenges, and techniques used to aggregate up to 30.72 Gb/s of data flux arriving at the short
edge of the chip and to send it off-chip.
A dedicated in-beam PET system with a modular dual-head for radiotherapy imaging in HIMM
Authors: Kong Jie , Zhou Xibo , Wang Changxin , Chen Jinda , Liang Genyuan , Du Chengming , She Qianshun , Qian Yi , Yan Junwei
Published: April 2024

This paper presents a heavy-ion in-beam PET, referred to as ibPET with a specifically custom designed data acquisition system, which was constructed and tested at the Heavy Ion Medical Machine (HIMM) beam-line, HICTC in Wuwei. The data acquisition system of ibPET has undergone several upgrades during the years, And its data processing capability now exceeds one million events per second per channel. To achieve optimal performance of the ibPET under existing conditions, we tested coincident events and noise equivalent count (NEC) under different time coincidence windows.The results show that the signal-to-noise ratio of the reconstructed image data reaches its peak when the time window is around 3 ns, indicating that the ibPET performance is optimal at this point. In order to determine the size of the time window, we measured the system's time resolution FWHM to be 1.63 ns, and ultimately chose a time window size of twice the time resolution FWHM, which is 3.25 ns. Meanwhile, we demonstrate the capability of our ibPET to monitor the dose range with various irradiation. The results demonstrate that the system exhibits the expected exponential decay in counting rate after irradiation, and accurately provides penetration depth positions at different energy levels.
Feasibility assessment of polycrystalline CsPbI3 relative dosimeters in photon and electron beam radiotherapy
Authors: Yang S.W. , Park S.K. , Kim K.H.
Published: April 2024

Volumetric modulated arc therapy represents the latest
technology in radiotherapy. It involves continuous modification of
the multi-leaf collimator spatial distribution, dose rate, and
gantry rotational speed, necessitating a dosimeter with high spatial
resolution and exceptional sensitivity per unit volume. In
particular, cesium-based inorganic perovskites have been studied for
various applications, spanning from photoconductor solar cells to
radiation detectors. These perovskites are renowned for their
outstanding attributes, including thermal stability, inorganic
stability, and light absorption capacity. Despite such advantageous
characteristics, CsPbI3 materials have only been investigated
in radiodiagnostics, with limited exploration in radiotherapy. To
address this gap, this study verified the viability of CsPbI3 
materials, note for their outstanding radiation detection
efficiency, as dosimeters capable of measuring the radiation
detection performance for radiotherapy devices. The reproducibility,
linearity, and percent depth dose (PDD) were evaluated under the
application of photon and electron beams in linear accelerators. The
reproducibility assessment revealed impressive results, with the
relative standard deviation registering at 0.53%, 0.32%, and
0.38% under electron beam energies of 6, 9, and 12 MeV and 0.45%,
and 0.89% under photon beam energies of 6 and 15 MV. Moreover, the
linearity test revealed an R
2 value of 0.9999, indicating high
linearity, at 6, 9, and 12 MeV and at 6 and 15 MV. The PDD graphs
drawn for the CsPbI3 dosimeter fabricated in this study showed
that the D
max points were consistent. The novel
CsPbI3 dosimeter demonstrated a level of detection performance
that satisfied all criteria; reproducibility, linearity, and
PDD. The results collectively indicated that the CsPbI3 
dosimeter can be used for dosimeters in radiotherapy devices.
Electrostatic lens design applied to low energy ion beam calibration system
Authors: Guifen Shi , Yiren Li
Published: April 2024

Low energy ion detection in space is one of the most important interests of space exploration. An accurate calibration of this type of instrument is necessary to ensure the effectiveness and scientificness of the obtained data. And the ion beam system is the most critical equipment in a calibration facility. In this study, an initial ion beam is generated by a Kaufman ion source and a set of electrostatic lenses is designed to expand and attenuate the ion beam. The simulation results indicate that the beam density of the ion beam can be attenuated by more than three orders of magnitude. This design reduces the space requirements and usage costs of the entire calibration system, and provides a guidance for the design of a calibration systems at the energy range of 100–1000 eV.
Simulation of electron transport in a catoptric photomultiplier tube concept for large rectangular scintillator crystals
Authors: Beavers J. , Huddleston K. , Hines N. , McNeil W.
Published: April 2024

Spectroscopic scintillation detector form factors have been
guided primarily by the design of commercially available photonic
sensors. These devices, such as photomultiplier tubes, silicon
photomultipliers, and hybrid photodetectors have underperformed in
one or more areas such as size, power consumption, and resolution. A
novel photomultiplier tube having a 50.8×152.4 mm2 
rectangular window, utilizing a reflection-mode photocathode, and a
low-gain, miniaturized dynode set is considered here to improve
photosensor packaging while enabling high-efficiency, low-resolution
scintillation spectroscopy with large, planar scintillators. Using a
phenomenological multiphysics simulation process informed by
empirical data, photoelectron collection efficiency,
single-photoelectron response, electron transit time, and transit
time spread have been modeled over a range of operating
potentials. At 750 V between the photocathode and anode, 72.5% of
photoelectrons are collected at the first dynode, and the average
gain is estimated to be 805. The most probable transit time is
14.9 ns, with a transit time spread of 2.7 ns full-width at
half-maximum.
A tool for beam optics design and its application on the VEGA transport line at ELI-NP
Authors: Chen G.-L. , Tian S.-Q. , Schubert H. , Udup E. , Matei C.
Published: April 2024

The Variable Energy Gamma (VEGA) System, currently under
construction at Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics
(ELI-NP), is a storage ring-based gamma beam source that aims to
provide gamma-ray beams with a variable energy range from 1 MeV to
19.5 MeV to the users. The electron beam transport line has been
designed to connect the linear accelerator and the storage ring in
the VEGA electron beam system. Considering the geometrical
constraints in the accelerator halls and the location of the
injection point at the storage ring, the trajectory of the electron
beam in the transport line has to first ascend by a 36-degree
dog-leg elevation to align with a plane parallel to the storage
ring, undergo a 180-degree horizontal turn, and then descend by 36
degrees vertically to reach the injection point at the storage
ring. In this paper, we introduce a beam optics tool implemented for
the beam optics design and fine-matching in the electron beam
transport line. The design of the VEGA transport line including the
layout and lattice design, is also described. The tool has been
applied to the beam optics design and optimization, utilizing
tracking simulations and beam matching for the VEGA transport line
lattice. Furthermore, the tool's potential application to similar
lattice designs is also discussed.
Harer–Zagier transform of the HOMFLY–PT polynomial for families of twisted hyperbolic knots
Authors: Petrou Andreani , Hikami Shinobu
Published: April 2024

In an attempt to generalise knot matrix models for non-torus knots, which currently remains an open problem, we derived expressions for the Harer–Zagier transform—a discrete Laplace transform—of the HOMFLY–PT polynomial for some infinite families of twisted hyperbolic knots. Among them, we found a family of pretzel knots for which, like for torus knots, the transform has a fully factorised form, while for the remaining families considered it consists of sums of factorised terms. Their zero loci show a remarkable structure, which mostly lies on the unit circle and deviates from it only in pairs.
Determination of lubricating behavior of resin during the sliding process of unidirectional prepreg
Authors: Li Zhefu , Liu Jun , Liu Weiping , Song Qinghua , Chen Ping , Yue Guangquan
Published: April 2024

In this paper, the lubrication behavior of resin during the molding process of unidirectional prepreg materials was scrutinized using a custom-made device. The thickness of the resin between prepregs under various conditions was calculated using Inverse Hydrodynamic Lubrication (IHL) theory to elucidate the lubrication mechanism. This calculation was confirmed by examining the surface morphologies of the prepreg and employing Digital Image Correlation (DIC) techniques for validation. Furthermore, the effect of unidirectional fiber orientation on the process of inter-ply sliding was quantitatively analyzed through the combined roughness. The study showed that factors such as sliding velocity, normal pressure, and fiber orientation play a key role in the lubrication mechanism. The lubrication behavior of unidirectional prepreg transformed to mixed lubrication under specific conditions. The results in our study of the lubrication mechanism have significant implications for the refinement of molding process and the enhancement of numerical simulations of unidirectional prepregs.
High-temperature mechanical properties of additively manufactured 420 stainless steel
Authors: Bongao Harveen , M Manjaiah , de Yro Persia Ada , Pasco Jubert , McCarthy Thomas , Nyamuchiwa Kudakwashe , Aranas Clodualdo
Published: April 2024

Martensitic stainless steels are indispensable alloys in various high stress and temperature applications such as plastic injection molds and components in steam generators. Subtractive manufacturing methods used to fabricate these parts, however, limits its functionality and performance due to design constraint of cooling channels. This limitation can be resolved by means of additive manufacturing while ensuring that acceptable high-temperature properties can be achieved. In this work, the mechanical behavior of additively manufactured 420 stainless steel (AM420SS) is explored through material constitutive modeling to determine the mathematical model that best describes its flow stress in extreme conditions. This is accomplished by subjecting the samples to hot compression under the strain rates of 0.1–1.0 s−1, and temperatures between 973–1423 K (700 °C–1150 °C) via Gleeble thermomechanical test. The experimental data were used to generate the predictive flow stress curves of constitutive models which includes Johnson-Cook, Zerilli-Armstrong, Zener-Hollomon, and Hensel-Spittel equations. Results showed that Zener-Hollomon and Hensel-Spittel models are the most accurate material constitutive equations with relatively high R values of 0.986 and 0.976, and low average absolute relative error values of 6.96% and 7.69%, respectively. The material constants derived from these models can be applied in finite element analysis simulations to assess the performance of using AM420SS parts at high temperature and strain conditions.
Potential contributions of digital finance to alleviating the ‘low-end lock-in’ dilemma for green innovation in enterprises
Authors: Yu Xinxin
Published: April 2024

As climate change risks intensify worldwide, green technological innovation by enterprises has become a crucial factor affecting the balance between economic development and ecological governance. This paper utilizes data from Chinese A-share listed companies in heavily polluting industries from 2011 to 2021 to investigate the impact and mechanism of the knowledge spillover effect of enterprise digital finance development on the phenomenon of ‘low-end lock-in’ in green innovation. The study finds that digital finance development significantly promotes green innovation in enterprises, with a more pronounced enhancement in high-end green innovation output, thereby mitigating the phenomenon of ‘low-end lock-in’ in green innovation. Mechanism analysis reveals that the development of digital finance in enterprises facilitates high-end green innovation by alleviating financing constraints and enhancing internal control levels through internal and external governance structures. Heterogeneity tests indicate that the promotion effect of digital finance development on high-end green innovation is more pronounced in samples of state-owned enterprises, large and medium-sized enterprises, and enterprises in central and eastern regions. This paper constructs an index of digital finance development for enterprises through text analysis, providing theoretical support for micro-enterprise research on digital finance development and empirical support for the impact of financial development trends on theories of enterprise green innovation.
Entrepreneurship promotion policies and urban carbon emission efficiency: does environmental concerns matter?
Authors: He Xiangmin , Zhou Jianhua
Published: April 2024

To foster economic and social development, many countries have adopted entrepreneurship promotion policies. However, existing research on entrepreneurship promotion policy primarily focuses on its employment incentive effect, while neglecting to examine the underlying impact mechanism and its effect on environmental sustainability. Based on the quasi-natural experiment of China’s National Entrepreneurial Pilot Cities, this paper employs the difference-in-differences model to examine the impact of the National Entrepreneurial Cities pilot policy on urban carbon emission efficiency. The study finds that China’s National Entrepreneurial Cities pilot policy has generally impaired urban carbon emission efficiency, and a series of robustness tests show that the results are robust. National Entrepreneurial Cities pilot policy decreases urban carbon emission efficiency by increasing the proportion of necessity entrepreneurship, inhibiting the upgrading of industrial structure, and increasing overcapacity. The government’s environmental concerns and the public’s environmental concerns play a prominent role in improving the adverse impact of the National Entrepreneurial Cities on carbon emission efficiency and mainly play a significant role in central and western cities, cities with low per capita GDP, cities with high economic growth pressure, and resource-dependent cities. The research of this paper provides a reference for the government to promote entrepreneurship while taking environmental effects into account.
A gyrator-C active inductor based tunable low noise amplifier for sub-GHz frequency range
Authors: Prashar Rajni , Kapur Garima
Published: April 2024

The propose exhibits a tunable low noise amplifier (LNA), which provides the tunability at sub-GHz frequency range and hence can become choicest frequency range for 5 G applications. Common source (CS) with source degeneration inductor LNA is proposed; in which the inductor in source branch is replaced by gyrator-c active inductor which not only reduced the overall area of the circuit but can also be used to provide the feature of tunability by changing the bias voltage of CMOS based active resistor in feedback branch. Therefore, instead of having a LNA circuit for the fixed frequency, a single tunable LNA design can be used over a range of frequency from 1 GHz to 5 GHz. The proposed approach will provide the direct tuning to the circuit. The forward voltage gain achieved is greater than 10 dB, input matching parameter is less than −10 dB and the output matching parameter is less than −10 dB. The average power dissipated is 0.02 W. The results can be tuned by controlling the feedback voltage of tunable active inductor (Tunable_AI). The tunable results can be achieved up to the bandwidth of 1 GHz.
Discovering quantum circuit components with program synthesis
Authors: Sarra Leopoldo , Ellis Kevin , Marquardt Florian
Published: April 2024

Despite rapid progress in the field, it is still challenging to discover new ways to leverage quantum computation: all quantum algorithms must be designed by hand, and quantum mechanics is notoriously counterintuitive. In this paper, we study how artificial intelligence, in the form of program synthesis, may help overcome some of these difficulties, by showing how a computer can incrementally learn concepts relevant to quantum circuit synthesis with experience, and reuse them in unseen tasks. In particular, we focus on the decomposition of unitary matrices into quantum circuits, and show how, starting from a set of elementary gates, we can automatically discover a library of useful new composite gates and use them to decompose increasingly complicated unitaries.
Event attribution of a midlatitude windstorm using ensemble weather forecasts
Authors: Ermis Shirin , Leach Nicholas J , Lott Fraser C , Sparrow Sarah N , Weisheimer Antje
Published: April 2024

The widespread destruction incurred by midlatitude storms every year makes it an imperative to study how storms change with climate. The impact of climate change on midlatitude windstorms, however, is hard to evaluate due to the small signals in variables such as wind speed, as well as the high resolutions required to represent the dynamic processes in the storms. Here, we assess how storm Eunice, which hit the UK in February 2022, was impacted by anthropogenic climate change using the ECMWF ensemble prediction system. This system was demonstrably able to predict the storm, significantly increasing our confidence in its ability to model the key physical processes and their response to climate change. Using modified greenhouse gas concentrations and changed initial conditions for ocean temperatures, we create two counterfactual scenarios of storm Eunice in addition to the forecast for the current climate. We compare the intensity and severity of the storm between the pre-industrial, current, and future climates. Our results robustly indicate that Eunice has become more intense with climate change and similar storms will continue to intensify with further anthropogenic forcing. These results are consistent across forecast lead times, increasing our confidence in them. Analysis of storm composites shows that this process is caused by increased vorticity production through increased humidity in the warm conveyor belt of the storm. This is consistent with previous studies on extreme windstorms. Our approach of combining forecasts at different lead times for event attribution enables combining event specificity and a focus on dynamic changes with the assessment of changing risks from windstorms. Further work is needed to develop methods to adjust the initial conditions of the atmosphere for the use in attribution studies using weather forecasts but we show that this approach is viable for reliable and fast attribution systems.
‘This smoke will finish us’: impacts of cooking with polluting fuels on air quality, health and education in three schools in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Nix Emily , Nabukwangwa Willah , Mwitari James , Lorenzetti Federico , Gohole Arthur , Saligari Serena , Shupler Matthew , Abbott Michael , Rosa Ghislaine , Anderson de Cuevas Rachel , Nyongesa Margaret , Puzzolo Elisa , Pope Daniel
Published: April 2024

Links between cooking with polluting fuels (e.g. wood and charcoal), air pollution and health in domestic settings are well-established. However, few studies have been conducted in schools that rely on such fuels for catering. This study is the first investigation of air pollution, cooking, and health in schools in Nairobi, Kenya. We carried out an in-depth mixed-methods study in three schools (two primary schools and a college) in an informal settlement using wood and/or charcoal for catering. In each school, repeated 24-hour air pollution measurements (fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO)) were collected to assess concentrations in the main kitchen and a nearby classroom, in addition to personal exposure for the main cook. Surveys with catering staff collected data on perspectives on air pollution and health symptoms. Focus groups were conducted with catering staff, teachers and senior management to understand perceived impacts on health and the school environment. 24 hour levels of PM2.5 were found to surpass world health organization interim target level 1 (IT-1) (35 μg m−3) in all schools—with levels three times higher (107.6 μg m−3) in classrooms, ten times higher (316.2 μg m−3) in kitchens and nearly six times higher (200.9 μg m−3) among cooks. Peak levels of pollution were closely linked to times of stove use, as concentrations doubled in classrooms and tripled in kitchens during cooking. Catering staff reported being concerned about their health, and reported experiencing wheezing, chest pains, eye irritation and headaches and attempted to avoid the smoke to reduce exposure. Disturbance to classes from cooking smoke was reported by teachers, with students reporting coughing and sneezing from exposure. Support is needed to enable clean cooking transitions in schools to create a healthy and safe learning environment.
“An Infinite Variety of Fragments”
Authors: Reznick Scott M
Published: April 2024

The chapter examines how the nullification crisis of the 1830s registers in Robert Montgomery Bird’s 1836 novel of fragmented selfhood, Sheppard Lee, and how the competing constitutional visions of Senators John Calhoun and Daniel Webster inform the highly metaphysical exploration of the constitution of selfhood that Bird’s novel undertakes. It argues that Bird turned to philosopher David Hume’s exploration of identity and his notion of a common point of view to examine the fate of moral vision amid the protagonist’s—and the nation’s—fundamentally disjointed experiences in the 1830s.