bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using stated preference methods to design gender-affirming long-acting PrEP programs for transgender and nonbinary adults
Authors: Restar A. , Wilson-Barthes M. G. , Dusic E. , Operario D. , Galárraga O.
Published: October 2024

Integrating gender-affirming care with biomedical HIV prevention could help address the disproportionate HIV risk experienced by transgender and nonbinary (trans) adults. This discrete choice experiment assesses and identifies the most important programming factors influencing the decisions of trans adults to use injectable long-acting HIV pre-exposure prophylaxes (LA-PrEP). From March to April 2023 n = 366 trans adults in Washington state chose between four different choice profiles that presented hypothetical programs (each comprised of 5 attributes with 4 levels). We analyzed ranked choice responses using a mixed rank-ordered logit model for main effects. Respondents preferred to receive LA-PrEP from a gender-affirming care provider and a co-prescription for both oral and injectable hormones. Trans adults strongly favored 12-month protection and injection in the upper arm. No strong preferences emerged surrounding the type of health facility offering the gender-affirming LA-PrEP program. Our findings show that integrating and leveraging gender-affirming health systems, inclusive of medical services such as hormone therapy, with HIV biomedical products like LA-PrEP is strongly preferred and influential to trans adults’ decision to use LA-PrEP. Leveraging choice-based design experiments provides informative results for optimizing gender-affirming LA-PrEP programming tailored to trans adults.
Remote detection of water stress in cotton using a center pivot irrigation system-mounted sensor package
Authors: Sapkota Bala R. , Adams Curtis B. , Su Qiong , Ale Srinivasulu
Published: October 2024

Much research has been invested in infrared temperature (IRT)-based methods for cotton (Gossypium hirsutism L.) water stress detection using in-field sensors, but adoption of these is low, perhaps due to logistical challenges. Alternatively, the Water Deficit Index (WDI) was developed for crop water stress assessment using remote sensors not embedded in the canopy. The objective of this research was to evaluate the performance of a sensor package—including modern IRT and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) sensors facing downward at 45˚, and a mini weather station—attached unintrusively to a center pivot irrigation system for detecting cotton water stress using WDI. Sensor packages were evaluated in a two-year field study that included four irrigation treatments (0, 30, 60, and 90% ET replacement) and in two production cotton fields. Overall, the tested system was effective at distinguishing crop water stress among irrigation rates. Comparison of the results to a ground-based station and simulations indicated that WDI overestimated water stress at the highest irrigation rate, but performed well otherwise. Accuracy of the system could be improved by measuring canopy coverage (Fc) from the same vantage point as the IRT and NDVI sensors (from the pivot, downward at a 45˚ angle).
Ex vivo propagation of synaptically-evoked cortical depolarizations in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease at 20 Hz, 40 Hz, or 83 Hz
Authors: Patel Aayushi A. , Zhu Mei Hong , Yan Riqiang , Antic Srdjan D.
Published: October 2024

Sensory stimulations at 40 Hz gamma (but not any other frequency), have shown promise in reversing Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related pathologies. What distinguishes 40 Hz? We hypothesized that stimuli at 40 Hz might summate more efficiently (temporal summation) or propagate more efficiently between cortical layers (vertically), or along cortical laminas (horizontally), compared to inputs at 20 or 83 Hz. To investigate these hypotheses, we used brain slices from AD mouse model animals (5xFAD). Extracellular (synaptic) stimuli were delivered in cortical layer 4 (L4). Leveraging a fluorescent voltage indicator (VSFP) expressed in cortical pyramidal neurons, we simultaneously monitored evoked cortical depolarizations at multiple sites, at 1 kHz sampling frequency. Experimental groups (AD-Female, CTRL-Female, AD-Male, and CTRL-Male) were tested at three stimulation frequencies (20, 40, and 83 Hz). Despite our initial hypothesis, two parameters—temporal summation of voltage waveforms and the strength of propagation through the cortical neuropil—did not reveal any distinct advantage of 40 Hz stimulation. Significant physiological differences between AD and Control mice were found at all stimulation frequencies tested, while the 40 Hz stimulation frequency was not remarkable.
Profiling neuroinflammatory markers and response to nusinersen in paediatric spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Hong Ying , Brusa Chiara , Scoto Mariacristina , Cornell Nikki , Patel Parth , Baranello Giovanni , Muntoni Francesco , Zhou Haiyan
Published: October 2024

Neuroinflammation is an emerging clinical feature in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Characterizing neuroinflammatory cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in SMA and their response to nusinersen is important for identifying new biomarkers and understanding the pathophysiology of SMA. We measured twenty-seven neuroinflammatory markers in CSF from twenty SMA children at different time points, and correlated the findings with motor function improvement. At baseline, MCP-1, IL-7 and IL-8 were significantly increased in SMA1 patients compared to SMA2, and were significantly correlated with disease severity. After six months of nusinersen treatment, CSF levels of eotaxin and MIP-1β were markedly reduced, while IL-2, IL-4 and VEGF-A were increased. The decreases in eotaxin and MIP-1β were associated with changes in motor scores in SMA1. We also detected a transient increase in MCP-1, MDC, MIP-1α, IL-12/IL-23p40 and IL-8 after the first or second injection of nusinersen, followed by a steady return to baseline levels within six months. Our study provides a detailed profile of neuroinflammatory markers in SMA CSF. Our data confirms the potential of MCP-1, eotaxin and MIP-1β as new neuroinflammatory biomarkers in SMA1 and indicates the presence of a subtle inflammatory response to nusinersen during the early phase of treatment.
A double-layered fully automated insomnia identification model employing synthetic data generation using MCSA and CTGAN with single-channel EEG signals
Authors: Philip Mulamoottil Steffi , Vigneswaran T.
Published: October 2024

Insomnia was diagnosed by analyzing sleep stages obtained during polysomnography (PSG) recording. The state-of-the-art insomnia detection models that used physiological signals in PSG were successful in classification. However, the sleep stages of unbalanced data in small-time intervals were fed for classification in previous studies. This can be avoided by analyzing the insomnia detection structure in different frequency bands with artificially generated data from the existing one at the preprocessing and post-processing stages. Hence, the paper proposes a double-layered augmentation model using Modified Conventional Signal Augmentation (MCSA) and a Conditional Tabular Generative Adversarial Network (CTGAN) to generate synthetic signals from raw EEG and synthetic data from extracted features, respectively, in creating training data. The presented work is independent of sleep stage scoring and provides double-layered data protection with the utility of augmentation methods. It is ideally suited for real-time detection using a single-channel EEG provides better mobility and comfort while recording. The work analyzes each augmentation layer’s performance individually, and better accuracy was observed when merging both. It also evaluates the augmentation performance in various frequency bands, which are decomposed using discrete wavelet transform, and observed that the alpha band contributes more to detection. The classification is performed using Decision Tree (DT), Ensembled Bagged Decision Tree (EBDT), Gradient Boosting (GB), Random Forest (RF), and Stacking classifier (SC), attaining the highest classification accuracy of 94% using RF with a greater Area Under Curve (AUC) value of 0.97 compared to the existing works and is best suited for small datasets.
An intrinsic low-frequency atmospheric mode of the Indonesian-Australian summer monsoon
Authors: Liang Yu , Xie Shang-Ping , Zhang Honghai
Published: October 2024

Deep convection in the Indo-Pacific warm pool is vital in driving global atmospheric overturning circulations. Year-to-year variations in the strength and location of warm pool precipitation can lead to significant local and downstream hydroclimatic impacts, including floods and droughts. While the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is recognized as a key factor in modulating interannual precipitation variations in this region, atmospheric internal variability is often as important. Here, through targeted atmospheric model experiments, we identify an intrinsic low-frequency atmospheric mode in the warm pool region during the austral summer, and show that its impact on seasonal rainfall is comparable to ENSO. This mode resembles the horizontal structure of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), and may play a role in initiating ENSO as stochastic forcing. We show that this mode is not merely an episodic manifestation of MJO events but primarily arises from barotropic energy conversion aided by positive feedback between convection and circulation.
Simultaneous measurements of oil- and water-content in crude oil-polluted sands with NMR-deconvolution analysis
Authors: Wu Yuxin , Zhao Zihan , Ding Hao , Wang Diansheng , Zhou Wei
Published: October 2024

This study introduces a novel deconvolution method for accurately quantifying oil or water signals in NMR spectra of oil–water–sand mixtures.
An ultra-sensitive photoelectrochemical biosensing platform based on the AgVO3/BiOI heterojunction for an enzyme activity inhibition reaction
Authors: Jin Dangqin , Xiao Jiali , Zhou Hui , Gao Qin , Gong Aiqin , Xu Qin , Shu Yun
Published: October 2024

An ultra-sensitive photoelectrochemical sensing platform for profenofos detection based on the inhibition of catalase activity was prepared in this work.
A partially fluorinated polymer network enhances the Li-ion transference number of sulfolane-based highly concentrated electrolytes
Authors: Konishi Yukako , Kokubo Hisashi , Tsuzuki Seiji , Tatara Ryoichi , Dokko Kaoru
Published: October 2024

The side chains of partially fluorinated polymers trap anions and enhance the Li-ion transference number of gel electrolytes for lithium batteries, resulting in concentration polarization suppression in the batteries.
Reaction pathways leading to HPALD intermediates in the OH-initiated oxidation of isoprene
Authors: Szabó Péter , Liu Zhen , Müller Jean-François , Harvey Jeremy N. , Peeters Jozef
Published: October 2024

The HPALD formation in the OH-initiated isoprene oxidation has been revisited. Vibrationally hot peroxy radicals from O2 addition in the α-position of Z,Z′-OH-allyl radicals decompose in a chemically activated manner, efficiently yielding δ-HPALDs.
Antimony centre in three different roles: does donor strength or acceptor ability determine the bonding pattern?
Authors: Chlebík Richard , Fekete Csilla , Jambor Roman , Růžička Aleš , Benkő Zoltán , Dostál Libor
Published: October 2024

The guanidine substituted organostibines allowed remarkable coordination variability including three distinct modes of M⋯Sb bonding (M = Pd or Pt), i.e. Sb → M L-type and Z-type interactions involving M ← Sb donation and M → Sb backdonation.
Polymer electrolytes with high cation transport number for rechargeable Li–metal batteries: current status and future direction
Authors: Shan Xinyuan , Song Zhaowei , Ding Hang , Li Lengwan , Tian Yuhang , Sokolov Alexei P. , Tian Ming , Xu Kang , Cao Peng-Fei
Published: October 2024

The high-cation transport number polymer electrolytes (HTPEs) with simultaneously high cation transport number and high ionic conductivity could provide a solution to enable high-performance solid-state batteries.
Nano-TiO2 and elevated temperature impair intestinal health in crabs via a mussel-based food chain
Authors: Amouri Rim EL , Tu Zhihan , Abo-Raya Mohamed H. , Wang Xiaotong , Shi Yuntian , Hu Menghong , Wang Youji
Published: October 2024

The findings showed that nano-TiO2 and warming can cause significant impacts on crab's health. Crabs under direct and combined exposures tended to preserve energy. However, under indirect exposure, they tended to use more energy.
Abnormal enterohepatic circulation of bile acids caused by fructooligosaccharide supplementation along with a high-fat diet
Authors: Zeng Fang , He Shi , Sun Ying , Li Xue , Chen Kaiyang , Wang Hongbin , Man Shuli , Lu Fuping
Published: October 2024

Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) is a widely used prebiotic and health food ingredient, but few reports have focused on its risk to specific populations.
Thermodynamically stable synthesis of high entropy alloys and efficiently catalyzed oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid under base-free conditions
Authors: Lv Guangqiang , Liu Shan , Chen Xiaoyan , Chen Mengxin , Wu Yanjuan , Gao Yuji , Wang Shuai , Tao Furong , Wang Jingui , Niu Liwei
Published: October 2024

In a completely non-alkaline aqueous system, a high-entropy alloy catalyst composed of FeCoNiCuGaPt activates O2 and H2O molecules to form hydroxyl radicals (˙OH) and efficiently oxidizes 5-hydroxymethylfurfural into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid.
A polyhedral Ni/Cu bimetallic metal–organic framework for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Burud Mahesh , Jadhav Vidhya , Pattanshetti Akshata , Chougale Prathamesh , Chavan Vijay , Kim Honggyun , Patil Supriya A. , Kim Deok-kee , Supale Amit , Sabale Sandip
Published: October 2024

We prepared efficient polyhedral Ni/Cu bimetallic MOFs that are synthesized by a simple solvothermal method, in which the incorporation of Ni enhances the electrocatalytic properties of CuBTC MOF with distinct molar ratios.
Synthesis of furan-based conjugated polymers with tunable bandgaps via direct C–H arylation of oligofurans
Authors: Guo Hui , Jiang Dayong , Gu Yufan , Wang Ruixin , Wang Luoyi , Jin Xu-Hui
Published: October 2024

Using long oligofurans as synthetic building blocks has been found to enable the efficient synthesis of conjugated furan-based polymers through direct C–H arylation, which exhibit excellent antimicrobial activity.
Metal–organic framework micro-nano reactors as armour of Escherichia coli for hydrogen production in air
Authors: Fan Yun , Yan Junyang , Zhang Siyao , Su Ruifa , Zha Baoli , Zhang Weina
Published: October 2024

The MOF shell of an E. coli@ZIF-8 micro–nano reactor, used as armour for E. coli, not only protects the internal E. coli and improves its survival rate, but also delays the transport of oxygen to enable E. coli to produce hydrogen in air.
Zwitterions as catalytic electron donor species for visible light-induced photoactivation of oxime esters and direct C3-alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones
Authors: Mao Haichen , Zhang Yuting , Cao Hengrong , Chang Junbiao , Zhu Bo
Published: October 2024

A novel ternary EDA complex catalysis strategy has been developed using zwitterions, enabling the alkylation of various quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones and heteroaryl cycles with pyrrolines. This discovery opens new avenues for EDA complex catalysis.
Direct access to thiomethyl/selenomethyl-substituted pyrazoles by combining isocyanide insertion into the inert C(sp)–S bond and intermolecular cyclization
Authors: He Yan , Sun Hua , Liu Guo-Hui , Wang Ying-Chun , Pan Ying-Ming
Published: October 2024

A strategy for preparing a series of thiomethyl/selenomethyl substituted pyrazoles through palladium-catalyzed isocyanide insertion into the C(sp)–S bond, followed by TMSN3-involved CuI/Sc(OTf)3 catalyzed intermolecular cyclization was reported.
Cobalt-catalyzed stereoselective synthesis of chiral gem-difluorocyclopropanes with vicinal stereocenters
Authors: Liu Bingxue , Liu Deguang , Niu Cong , Xia Yu , Lu Xi , Fu Yao , Liu Qiang
Published: October 2024

We present a cobalt-catalyzed regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective hydroalkylation of gem-difluorocyclopropenes, accessing chiral gem-difluorocyclopropanes with vicinal stereocenters.
Synthesis of [4.6] spirocarbocycles: a base-promoted ring-expansion and subsequent I2-mediated regioselective spirocyclization protocol
Authors: Fei Nana , Wang Zongkang , He Peng , Kang Qiongwen , Wang Yan , Wang Chengyu , Li Yanzhong
Published: October 2024

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of [4.6] spirocarbocycles by reacting cyclic β-ketoesters with aryl-fused 1,6-diyn-3-ones has been developed.
Enhancing the corrosion inhibition of copper sheets in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions by combining two organic heterocyclic derivatives
Authors: Yan Xudong , Liu Wenjing , Xu Yang , Xiong Sang
Published: October 2024

Composite inhibitors can successfully adsorb onto Cu surfaces to form multilayer inhibitor films. The adsorption films isolated the spread process of other corrosive media, resulting in the improvement of the anti-corrosion effect on the Cu surface.
High-efficiency detection of primary amine-based chiral molecules by a facile aldimine condensation reaction
Authors: Yu Yang , Shi Aiyan , Wang Tongtong , Wang Tiefeng , Xu Fei
Published: October 2024

A pH-sensitive fluorane dye was developed to be reacted with chiral molecules through an aldimine condensation reaction. After the mixing operation, the chiral features of detected molecules could be facilely determined by spectral analysis.
When microplastics/plastics meet metal–organic frameworks: turning threats into opportunities
Authors: Wu Pengfei , Guo Mengting , Zhang Ran-Wei , Huang Qing , Wang Guibin , Lan Ya-Qian
Published: October 2024

The study discussed how MOFs treat microplastics, how to make plastic-based MOFs, and how MOF@plastic composites can be used. It aids in understanding how to convert plastic/microplastic concerns into opportunities for high-valued products.
A constitutional isomer selective chemical proteomic strategy for system-wide profiling of protein lysine 5-hydroxylation
Authors: Sin Yi-Cheng , Park Meeyeon , Griffin Timothy J. , Yong Jeongsik , Chen Yue
Published: October 2024

An efficient chemical proteomic strategy has been developed for affinity enrichment and constitutional isomer specific identification of protein lysine 5-hydroxylation (5-Hyl) based on highly selective periodate chemistry.
The exocyst in context
Authors: Meek Sasha , Hernandez Altair C. , Oliva Baldomero , Gallego Oriol
Published: October 2024

The exocyst is a hetero-octameric complex involved in the exocytosis arm of cellular trafficking. Specifically, it tethers secretory vesicles to the plasma membrane, but it is also a main convergence point for many players of exocytosis: regulatory proteins, motor proteins, lipids and Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor Attachment Protein Receptor (SNARE) proteins are all connected physically by the exocyst. Despite extensive knowledge about its structure and interactions, the exocyst remains an enigma precisely because of its increasingly broad and flexible role across the exocytosis process. To solve the molecular mechanism of such a multi-tasking complex, dynamical structures with self, other proteins, and environment should be described. And to do this, interrogation within contexts increasingly close to native conditions is needed. Here we provide a perspective on how different experimental contexts have been used to study the exocyst, and those that could be used in the future. This review describes the structural breakthroughs on the isolated in vitro exocyst, followed by the use of membrane reconstitution assays for revealing in vitro exocyst functionality. Next, it moves to in situ cell contexts, reviewing imaging techniques that have been, and that ideally could be, used to look for near-native structure and organization dynamics. Finally, it looks at the exocyst structure in situ within evolutionary contexts, and the potential of structure prediction therein. From in vitro, to in situ, cross-context investigation of exocyst structure has begun, and will be critical for functional mechanism elucidation.
FluencyBank Timestamped: An Updated Data Set for Disfluency Detection and Automatic Intended Speech Recognition
Authors: Romana Amrit , Niu Minxue , Perez Matthew , Provost Emily Mower
Published: October 2024

Purpose:

This work introduces updated transcripts, disfluency annotations, and word timings for FluencyBank, which we refer to as FluencyBank Timestamped. This data set will enable the thorough analysis of how speech processing models (such as speech recognition and disfluency detection models) perform when evaluated with typical speech versus speech from people who stutter (PWS).

Method:

We update the FluencyBank data set, which includes audio recordings from adults who stutter, to explore the robustness of speech processing models. Our update (semi-automated with manual review) includes new transcripts with timestamps and disfluency labels corresponding to each token in the transcript. Our disfluency labels capture typical disfluencies (filled pauses, repetitions, revisions, and partial words), and we explore how speech model performance compares for Switchboard (typical speech) and FluencyBank Timestamped. We present benchmarks for three speech tasks: intended speech recognition, text-based disfluency detection, and audio-based disfluency detection. For the first task, we evaluate how well Whisper performs for intended speech recognition (i.e., transcribing speech without disfluencies). For the next tasks, we evaluate how well a Bidirectional Embedding Representations from Transformers (BERT) text-based model and a Whisper audio-based model perform for disfluency detection. We select these models, BERT and Whisper, as they have shown high accuracies on a broad range of tasks in their language and audio domains, respectively.

Results:

For the transcription task, we calculate an intended speech word error rate (isWER) between the model's output and the speaker's intended speech (i.e., speech without disfluencies). We find isWER is comparable between Switchboard and FluencyBank Timestamped, but that Whisper transcribes filled pauses and partial words at higher rates in the latter data set. Within FluencyBank Timestamped, isWER increases with stuttering severity. For the disfluency detection tasks, we find the models detect filled pauses, revisions, and partial words relatively well in FluencyBank Timestamped, but performance drops substantially for repetitions because the models are unable to generalize to the different types of repetitions (e.g., multiple repetitions and sound repetitions) from PWS. We hope that FluencyBank Timestamped will allow researchers to explore closing performance gaps between typical speech and speech from PWS.

Conclusions:

Our analysis shows that there are gaps in speech recognition and disfluency detection performance between typical speech and speech from PWS. We hope that FluencyBank Timestamped will contribute to more advancements in training robust speech processing models.
An EfficientNet integrated ResNet deep network and explainable AI for breast lesion classification from ultrasound images
Authors: Jabeen Kiran , Khan Muhammad Attique , Hamza Ameer , Albarakati Hussain Mobarak , Alsenan Shrooq , Tariq Usman , Ofori Isaac
Published: October 2024

Breast cancer is one of the major causes of deaths in women. However, the early diagnosis is important for screening and control the mortality rate. Thus for the diagnosis of breast cancer at the early stage, a computer‐aided diagnosis system is highly required. Ultrasound is an important examination technique for breast cancer diagnosis due to its low cost. Recently, many learning‐based techniques have been introduced to classify breast cancer using breast ultrasound imaging dataset (BUSI) datasets; however, the manual handling is not an easy process and time consuming. The authors propose an EfficientNet‐integrated ResNet deep network and XAI‐based framework for accurately classifying breast cancer (malignant and benign). In the initial step, data augmentation is performed to increase the number of training samples. For this purpose, three‐pixel flip mathematical equations are introduced: horizontal, vertical, and 90°. Later, two pre‐trained deep learning models were employed, skipped some layers, and fine‐tuned. Both fine‐tuned models are later trained using a deep transfer learning process and extracted features from the deeper layer. Explainable artificial intelligence‐based analysed the performance of trained models. After that, a new feature selection technique is proposed based on the cuckoo search algorithm called cuckoo search controlled standard error mean. This technique selects the best features and fuses using a new parallel zero‐padding maximum correlated coefficient features. In the end, the selection algorithm is applied again to the fused feature vector and classified using machine learning algorithms. The experimental process of the proposed framework is conducted on a publicly available BUSI and obtained 98.4% and 98% accuracy in two different experiments. Comparing the proposed framework is also conducted with recent techniques and shows improved accuracy. In addition, the proposed framework was executed less than the original deep learning models.
Blockchain‐IoT: A revolutionary model for secure data storage and fine‐grained access control in internet of things
Authors: Ullah Zia , Husnain Ghassan , Mohmand Muhammad Ismail , Qadir Mansoor , Alzahrani Khalid J. , Ghadi Yazeed Yasin , Alkahtani Hend Khalid
Published: October 2024

With the rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud storage has emerged as one of the cornerstones of data management, facilitating ubiquitous access and seamless sharing of information. However, with the involvement of a third party, traditional cloud‐based storage systems are plagued by security and availability concerns, stemming from centralized control and management architectures. A novel blockchain‐IoT model that leverages blockchain technology and decentralized storage mechanisms to address these challenges is presented. The model combines the Ethereum blockchain, interplanetary file system, and attribute‐based encryption to ensure secure and resilient storage and sharing of IoT data. Through an in‐depth exploration of the system architecture and underlying mechanisms, it is demonstrated how the framework decouples storage functionality from resource‐constrained IoT devices, mitigating security risks associated with on‐device storage. In addition, data owners and users can easily exchange data with one another through the use of Ethereum smart contracts, fostering a collaborative environment and providing incentives for data sharing. Moreover, an incentive mechanism powered by the FileCoin cryptocurrency is introduced, which motivates and ensures data sharing transparency and integrity between stakeholders. Furthermore, in the proposed blockchain‐IoT model, the proof‐of‐authority system consensus algorithm has been replaced by a delegated proof‐of‐capacity system, which reduces transaction costs and energy consumption. Using the Rinkby Ethereum official testing network, the proposed model has been demonstrated to be feasible and economical, emphasizing its potential to redefine IoT data management.
The impact of spatial representation in energy transition modelling on systemwide energy return on investment
Authors: Sahin Hasret , Solomon Abebe Asfaw , Aghahosseini Arman , Breyer Christian
Published: October 2024

Adopting aggregation techniques in power sector modelling led to disregarding the key characteristics of regions in terms of resource use, which may not completely capture the bottlenecks in the energy transition. This study provides a holistic approach to estimate its impact on the transition of the European power system from the perspective of energy return on investment (EROI) by using six energy transition scenarios based on three different spatial representations. The findings indicate that EROI trends are highly dependent on the spatial representation, technology selection and energy mix. Further additional capacities of complementary technologies along with an upsurge in renewable capacities drive EROI values down. Disregarding the physical distances in the energy modelling results in large EROI enhancement due to the artificial smoothing effect of the aggregation method. EROI values of the aggregated scenarios remain between 18 and 24 by 2050. In the case of 20 independent sub‐regions, the lowest EROI is obtained at about 14 by 2050, due to the limitation on optimal resource utilisation. Interconnection of the sub‐regions, which represents the best proximation to the real situation, increases the EROI to 17 by 2050.
Chromospheric Mg I emission lines of pre-main-sequence stars
Authors: Yamashita Mai , Itoh Yoichi , Takagi Yuhei
Published: October 2024

Context. To reveal details of the internal structure, the relationship between chromospheric activity and the Rossby number has been extensively examined for main-sequence stars. For active pre-main-sequence (PMS) stars, it is suggested that the level of activity be assessed using optically thin emission lines, such as Mg I.

Aims. We aim to detect Mg I chromospheric emission lines from PMS stars and to determine whether the chromosphere is activated by the dynamo process or by mass accretion from protoplanetary disks.

Methods. We analyzed high-resolution optical spectra of 64 PMS stars obtained with the Very Large Telescope (VLT)/X-shooter and UVES and examined the infrared Ca II (8542 Å) and Mg I (8807 Å) emission lines. To detect the weak chromospheric emission lines, we determined the atmospheric parameters (Teff and log 𝑔) and the degree of veiling of the PMS stars by comparing the observed spectra with photospheric model spectra.

Results. After subtracting the photospheric model spectrum from the PMS spectrum, we detected Ca II and Mg I as emission lines. The strengths of the Mg I emission lines in PMS stars with no veiling are comparable to those in zero-age main-sequence (ZAMS) stars if both types of stars have similar Rossby numbers. The Mg I emission lines in these PMS stars are thought to be formed by a dynamo process similar to that in ZAMS stars. In contrast, the Mg I emission lines in PMS stars with veiling are stronger than those in ZAMS stars. These objects are believed to have protoplanetary disks, where mass accretion generates shocks near the photosphere, heating the chromosphere.

Conclusions. The chromosphere of PMS stars is activated not only by the dynamo process but also by mass accretion.
Heavy-ion induced double charge exchange reaction in a multi-channel approach: The research program of the NUMEN project
Authors: Cappuzzello Francesco , Lenske Horst , Cavallaro Manuela , Agodi Clementina , Auerbach Naftali , Bijker Roelof , Brischetto Giuseppe A. , Carbone Diana , Ciraldo Irene , De Gregorio Giovanni , Ferreira Jonas L. , Gambacurta Danilo , García-Tecocoatzi Hugo , Gargano Angela , Lay José A. , Linares Roberto , Lubian Jesus , Santopinto Elena , Sgouros Onofrios , Soukeras Vasileios , Spatafora Alessandro
Published: October 2024

We give an updated view of the status and prospects of heavy-ion double charge exchange (HI-DCE) reaction studies performed at the Laboratori Nazionali del Sud of the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN-LNS) in the context of the NUMEN project. The important role of HI-DCE for nuclear reaction, nuclear structure and double beta-decay investigations is outlined. A powerful way to scrutinize the nuclear response to HI-DCE is to consistently link it to the information extracted from the competing direct reactions pointing to a multi-channel description of the whole network of quasi-elastic processes. Indeed, these complementary studies are mandatory in order to minimize the systematic errors in the data analyses and build a many-facets and parameter-free representation of the systems under study.
Towards the next generation of detectors for n-γ capture reactions at n_TOF (CERN)
Authors: Musumarra Agatino , Patronis Nikolas , Massimi Cristian , Pellegriti Maria Grazia , Papanikolaou Dimitrios
Published: October 2024

Benzene-d6 has been the scintillation material of choice for performing most of the neutron-capture cross-section measurements at CERN n_TOF for more than 20 years. Recently a revamping of solidstate Stilbene scintillators has been justified by their good timing performances, lack of toxicity and excellent neutron-gamma discrimination by Pulse-Shape Analysis. Consequently, several measurements were recently performed at the n_TOF facility at CERN and INFN-Catania to characterize their performance. We benchmarked both regular and deuterated stilbene scintillation crystals in EAR2@CERN. Based on these results, we are developing and designing a new generation of detectors with enhanced detection sensitivity and improved safety and maintenance conditions.
Multinucleon transfer in 48Ti + 48Ti collisions at 11.5 MeV/nucleon
Authors: Souliotis Georgios , Koulouris Stergios , Rodrigues Marcia R. D. , Roeder Brian , Depastas Theodoros , Edwards Njeri , Mabiala Justin , Ramirez Daniela , Settlemyre Thomas , Bonasera Aldo
Published: October 2024

In this work, experimental data of projectile fragment distributions from a preliminary experimental study of the reaction of 11.5 MeV/nucleon 48Ti on 48Ti analyzed with the MARS recoil separator at the Cyclotron Institute of Texas A&M University are presented. Production cross sections, momentum distributions and excitation-energy distributions are extracted and compared with calculations with the Deep Inelastic Transfer (DIT) model and the Constrained Molecular Dynamics model (CoMD). Despite the limited extent of the present dataset, an overall agreement of the models with the data is found pointing at the prevailing nucleon-exchange character of the collisions at this energy.
Multinucleon Transfer Studies of the 70Zn (15 MeV/nucleon) + 64Ni System with Focus on Excitation Energy Distributions
Authors: Koulouris Stergios , Souliotis Georgios , Cappuzzello Francesco , Carbone Diana , Pakou Athena , Agodi Cristina , Brischetto Giuseppe , Calabrese Salvatore , Cavallaro Manuela , Ciraldo Irene , Fasoula Olga , Sgouros Onoufrios , Soukeras Vasileios , Spatafora Alessandro , Torresi Domenico , Veselsky Martin
Published: October 2024

Existing high-resolution experimental data collected with the MAGNEX spectrometer were analyzed to investigate peripheral collisions of medium-mass nuclei from the reaction 70Zn (15 MeV/nucleon) + 64Ni. The main focus of this work was to correlate the observed ejectiles with the excitation energy of their progenitors. Experimental excitation energy distributions were generated and compared with the Deep-Inelastic Transfer (DIT) model. This revealed a dominance of direct reaction mechanisms located at low excitation energies and more complex mechanisms at higher energies. Future efforts include further detailed studies of the excitation energy distributions to elucidate the multinucleon transfer mechanisms and to comprehend the resolution limits achievable with medium-mass nuclei such as 70Zn.
Double differential cross section calculations of (n,p) reactions on 27Al and 24Mg targets
Authors: Sarpün I˙smail Hakkı , Tel Eyyup , Aydın Abdullah , Yıldırır Unal
Published: October 2024

In structural fusion material research, double differential sections are necessary to determine heating and damage due to secondary particles that may occur in structural materials. Therefore, in this study, the double differential proton emission cross sections of 27Al and 24Mg target nuclei were calculated theoretically with the TALYS nuclear reaction code at 14 MeV neutron energy. The calculated values were compared with existing experimental data in the EXFOR library. Additionally, the contribution of direct, compound and preequilibrium reactions in theoretical calculations was investigated.
Supramassive compact objects with neutron star and dark matter origin in the mass gap region
Authors: Vikiaris Michael , Petousis Vlasios , Veselský Martin , Moustakidis Charalampos
Published: October 2024

To this day, the nature of dark matter (DM) remains elusive despite all our efforts. This type of matter has not been directly observed, so we infer its gravitational effect. Since galaxies and supermassive objects like these are most likely to contain DM, we assume that dense objects such as neutron stars (NSs) are also likely to host DM. The NS is considered the best natural laboratory for testing theories and collecting observational data. We mainly focus on two types of DM particles, fermions and bosons, with a mass range of [0.01–1.5] GeV and repulsive interactions of about [10−4–10−1]MeV −1. Using a two-fluid model to solve the TOV equations, we find stable configurations that span hundreds of kilometers and weigh tens or even hundreds of solar masses. To visualize results, we propose the existence of a giant invisible compact DM object and the NS in the center as the core, the only visible part. Stability criteria are met for these configurations, so collapsing into a black hole is unlikely. We go further and use this work for smaller formations that exist inside the mysterious Mass Gap. We also find stable configurations of 3–4 solar masses, with NS-DM mixing capable of describing the mass gap. Regardless, the present theoretical prediction, if combined with corresponding observations, could shed light on the existence of DM and even more on its fundamental properties.
On a vector boson model realization of the proxy-SU(3) symmetry
Authors: Minkov Nikolay , Bonatsos Dennis
Published: October 2024

We test the capability of highest-weight (h.w.) irreducible representations (irreps) (λ, µ)hw determined in the model scheme with proxy SU(3) symmetry to describe groundand γ- collective bands and transition rates in heavy even-even nuclei when applied within the vector boson model (VBM) with broken SU(3) symmetry. We find that for nuclei with closely disposed groundand γ-band energy levels the obtained root-mean square (RMS) deviations between theory and experiment exceed those obtained in the original VBM application in which the (λ, µ) free values are freely adjusted to data. In nuclei with a large ground-γ energy distance we find that the quality of the (λ, µ)hw description coincides with that obtained by (λ, µ) free. This preliminary result suggests that the proxy SU(3) symmetry may be realized in terms of the algebraic VBM.
Nuclear shape / phase transitions in the N = 40, 60, 90 regions
Authors: Petrellis Dimitrios , Prášek Adam , Alexa Petr , Bonatsos Dennis , Thiamová Gabriela , Veselý Petr
Published: October 2024

We investigate the isotopes of Se, Zr, Mo and Nd in the regions with N = 40, 60 and 90, where a first-order shape / phase transition, from spherical to deformed, can be observed. The signs of phase transitional behavior become evident by examining structure indicators, such as certain energy ratios and B(E2) transition rates and, in particular, how they evolve with neutron number. Microscopic mean-field calculations using the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock + Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer framework also reveal structural changes when considering the evolution of the resulting potential energy curves as functions of deformation. Finally, macroscopic calculations, using the Algebraic Collective Model, specifically for 74Se, 102Mo and 150Nd, after fitting its parameters to experimental spectra, result in potentials that resemble some of the potentials proposed in the framework of the Bohr Hamiltonian to describe shape transitions in nuclei. A more detailed account can be found in [1].
Seven years of the proxy-SU(3) shell model symmetry
Authors: Bonatsos Dennis , Martinou Andriana , Peroulis S.K. , Mertzimekis T.J. , Minkov N.
Published: October 2024

The proxy-SU(3) symmetry was first presented in HINPw4 in Ioannina in May2017, justified within the Nilsson model and applied to parameter-free predictions of the collective variables β and γ in medium-mass and heavy nuclei. Major steps forward, including the connection of the proxy-SU(3) symmetry to the shell model, the justification of the dominance of highest weight states in terms of the short range nature of the nucleon-nucleon interaction, as well as the first proposal of appearance of islands of shape coexistence on the nuclear chart, have been presented in HINPw6 in Athens in May 2021. The recently hot topic of the prevalence of triaxial shapes in heavy nuclei will also be briefly outlined in the proxy-SU(3) framework.
Study on fracture of hyperelastic Kirchhoff-Love plates and shells by phase field method
Authors: PENG Fan , MA Weili , MA Yu'e , HUANG Wei , LI Xianfang
Published: October 2024

Thin walled structures such as plates and shells are widely used in many engineering fields. To Predict its fracture behavior is of great significance for integrity design and strength evaluation of engineering structures. Numerical simulation of the fracture behavior of hyperelastic plates and shells is a challenge due to complex kinematic description, hyperelastic constitutive relationship, geometric nonlinearity and the degradation on elastic parameter caused by fracture damage. Combining Kirchhoff Love (K-L) shell theory with the fracture phase field method, and numerically discretizing the first and second order partial derivatives of displacement field and phase field by using T-splines and meeting the requirements of K-L plate and shell theory for the C1 continuity of the shape function, a model for the isogeometric analysis numerical formulation of the phase field fracture in hyperelastic K-L plates and shells is established. The fracture failure behavior of hyperelastic K-L plates and shells under the uniform load and displacement load is simulated, and the effect of the Gaussian curvature on the fracture behavior of hyperelastic K-L shells is studied. The simulation results show that the present numerical scheme can effectively capture the complex crack propagation path of plates and shells under the uniform load, and the displacement field can effectively reflect the crack distribution of materials. The thin shell with negative Gaussian curvature shows the excellent fracture performance under the internal pressure, and can withstand the greater internal pressure.
Study on microstructure and thermal shock resistance of plasma sprayed Cr2O3/8YSZ composite coating
Authors: YUAN Huchuan , SUN Dengyue , MENG Qingdong , TIAN Zhaogang , SUN Zhenyu
Published: October 2024

In order to explore the high temperature performance of Cr2O3/8YSZ composite coating, four kinds of Cr2O3/8YSZ composite coatings were prepared on the surface of Q235 steel by using the plasma spraying technology (the content of 8YSZ is 50%, 30%, 20% and 0%, respectively). The morphology of the coating was characterized through thermal field emission scanning electron microscopy, and the distribution of elements in the section of the coating was scanned by using EDS line. The phase composition of the composite coating was analyzed by using X-ray diffractometer, and the surface roughness of the composite coating was measured by using surface profilometer. The microhardness of the coating was measured by using automatic micro-Vickers hardness tester, and the scratch resistance of the coating was compared by using scratch tester. The thermal shock resistance of the coating was tested in Gleeble-3800 thermal physical simulator, and the cross section morphology after thermal shock was observed and analyzed. The results show that when the ratio of Cr2O3 to 8YSZ is 7∶3, the sample coating has good thermal shock resistance due to the deflection effect of 8YSZ on the vertical cracks and the thermal stress release effect of the pores and cracks in the coating.
Fault diagnosis method for redundancy sensors of electric actuator
Authors: CUI Yuwei , LI Aijun , SUN Yang
Published: October 2024

In order to solve the singular fault modes of redundant position sensors in electric actuators, a fault diagnosis method based on Hall sensor analytical model is proposed on the basis of traditional redundancy comparison algorithm. Through the complete self-monitoring design of Hall sensor and the analytical model design, non-similar redundancy signals of sensors are formed. At the same time, a hypothesis testing method based on sliding data window is adopted, and by adjusting the width of the sliding window to meet the indicators of false alarm rate and missed alarm rate, a fault diagnosis algorithm for position sensors is formed as a whole. Finally, an algorithm validation was conducted for the 2∶2 singular fault mode of the position sensor. The results showed that the fault diagnosis algorithm based on the Hall sensor model can effectively solve the problems caused by 2∶2 singular faults, greatly improve the availability of sensor signals, and ensure the control accuracy and fault tolerance of the servo closed-loop.
Infrared and visible image fusion method based on target enhancement and rat swarm optimization
Authors: HAO Shuai , SUN Xizi , MA Xu , AN Beiyi , HE Tian , LI Jiahao , SUN Siya
Published: October 2024

In order to solve the target ambiguity and information loss in the fusion results of traditional infrared and visible images, a fusion method of infrared and visible images based on the target enhancement and mouse swarm optimization, which is abbreviated as TERSFuse. Firstly, in order to reduce the loss of the original image details in the fusion results, the infrared contrast enhancement module and the visible image enhancement module based on the brightness perception are constructed respectively. Secondly, the infrared and visible enhanced images were decomposed by using the Laplace pyramid transform to obtain the corresponding high and low frequency images. In order to make the fusion result fully retain the original information, the "maximum absolute value" rule is used to fuse the infrared and visible high frequency images, and the low frequency images are fused by calculating the weight coefficient. Finally, the image reconstruction module based on the rat swarm optimization is designed to achieve the adaptive allocation of weight parameters of high frequency and low frequency image reconstruction, and then improve the visual effect of the fused image. In order to verify the advantages of the present algorithm, the experimental results show that the present algorithm not only obtains the good visual effects, but also can retains the rich edge texture and contrast information of the original image.
Research on metal surface specular removal algorithm based on unsupervised learning
Authors: CHENG Mao , LI Bingran , CHEN Weihua , HONG Haibo , XUE Jing
Published: October 2024

The highlights on the surface of metal materials can seriously destroy the continuity of the image, produce certain false edges, and cause the texture details in the highlights area to weaken or even disappear, which interferes with the subsequent operations such as surface region segmentation and defect detection. Aiming at the low efficiency, high loss, easy distortion and difficult calibration of metal highlight data, an unsupervised perceptual enhancement network model based on the convolutional neural network (CNN) is proposed. Firstly, the method of generating antagonism is used to generate a large number of metal images with high-light feature information, which is used to increase the number of high-light metal image data sets in the training set. Secondly, a detail enhance model(DEM) and a color enhance model(CEM) are introduced into the context aggregation network to improve the feature detail retention rate in the low resolution weight graphs. Finally, the multi-scale structural similarity function is used to replace the original structural similarity function to solve the insensitive detail when the image size is too large. Experiments show that comparing with other multi-exposure image fusion models, the present model can improve the evaluation index of mutual information and average gradient of fused images by about 10%, and can retain more texture feature information.