bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic machine learning for battery health diagnostics and prognostics—review and perspectives
Authors: Thelen Adam , Huan Xun , Paulson Noah , Onori Simona , Hu Zhen , Hu Chao
Published: June 2024

Diagnosing lithium-ion battery health and predicting future degradation is essential for driving design improvements in the laboratory and ensuring safe and reliable operation over a product’s expected lifetime. However, accurate battery health diagnostics and prognostics is challenging due to the unavoidable influence of cell-to-cell manufacturing variability and time-varying operating circumstances experienced in the field. Machine learning approaches informed by simulation, experiment, and field data show enormous promise to predict the evolution of battery health with use; however, until recently, the research community has focused on deterministic modeling methods, largely ignoring the cell-to-cell performance and aging variability inherent to all batteries. To truly make informed decisions regarding battery design in the lab or control strategies for the field, it is critical to characterize the uncertainty in a model’s predictions. After providing an overview of lithium-ion battery degradation, this paper reviews the current state-of-the-art probabilistic machine learning models for health diagnostics and prognostics. Details of the various methods, their advantages, and limitations are discussed in detail with a primary focus on probabilistic machine learning and uncertainty quantification. Last, future trends and opportunities for research and development are discussed.
Multiferroics: different routes to magnetoelectric coupling
Authors: Mostovoy Maxim
Published: June 2024

The simultaneous presence of ferroelectricity and magnetism in multiferroics breaks both spatial inversion and time reversal symmetries at the macroscopic scale, which opens the door to many interesting phenomena and resembles the violation of these symmetries in particle physics. The symmetry breaking in multiferroics occurs spontaneously at phase transitions rather than at the level of fundamental interactions, and thus can be controlled. Moreover, each crystal is a universe in itself with a unique set of symmetries, coupling constants and ordered patterns, which presents plenty of opportunities to find and design materials with strong magnetoelectric coupling.
Mechanically reconfigurable metasurfaces: fabrications and applications
Authors: Zhao Yinghao , Liu Zhiguang , Li Chongrui , Jiao Wenlong , Jiang Senlin , Li Xiaowei , Duan Jiahua , Li Jiafang
Published: June 2024

Optical metasurfaces that control the light wavefront play an important role in various applications, from imaging to spectroscopy. Over the past decade, metasurfaces-based dynamic optical manipulation has been broadly investigated on diverse reconfigurable mechanisms, providing a footing ground for light control in both spatial and temporal dimensions. Therein, mechanical reconfiguration, as one of the most direct methods, allows for the geometric alteration of constituent meta-atoms through external stimuli, thereby facilitating the evolution of metasurfaces from single function to multifunctional. This review focuses on introducing the primary mechanisms behind current mechanically reconfigurable metasurfaces, including mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical modulations. Their emerging applications, such as dynamic focusing, image display, beam steering, polarization manipulator, thermal radiation, etc., are briefly highlighted. The main challenges and future development directions are also summarized within this dynamic and rapidly evolving research area, offering insights and future perspectives for advancements in the related fields.
Nano-optomechanical fiber-tip sensing
Authors: Hendriks Arthur L. , Picelli Luca , van Veldhoven René P. J. , Verhagen Ewold , Fiore Andrea
Published: June 2024

Nano-optomechanical sensors exploit light confinement at the nanoscale to enable very precise measurements of displacement, force, acceleration, and mass. Their application is hampered by the complex optical set-ups or packaging schemes required to couple light to and from the nano-optomechanical resonator. In this work, we present a fiber-coupled nano-optomechanical sensor that requires no coupling optics. This is achieved by directly placing a nano-optomechanical structure, a double membrane photonic crystal (DM-PhC), on the facet of a fiber, using a simple and scalable wafer-to-fiber transfer method. The device is probed in reflection and has a resonance at telecom wavelengths with a relatively broad spectral width of 3–10 nm, which is advantageous for a simple read-out and achieves a displacement imprecision of $$10\,{{\rm{fm}}}/{\sqrt{{\rm{Hz}}}}$$

10

fm
/

Hz

. Using resonant driving and a ringdown measurement, we can induce and monitor mechanical oscillations with an nm-scale amplitude via the fiber, which allows for tracking the mechanical resonant frequency and the mechanical linewidth with imprecisions of 79 and 12 Hz, respectively, at integration times of 4.5 s. We further demonstrate the application of this fiber-tip sensor to the measurement of pressure, using the effect of collisional damping on the mechanical linewidth, leading to the imprecision of $$9\times {10}^{-4}\,{\rm{mbar}}$$

9
×

10

−
4

mbar

with an integration time of 290 s. This combination of optomechanics and fiber-tip sensing may open the way to a new generation of fiber sensors with unprecedented functionality, ultrasmall footprint, and low-cost readout.
Voice interactive information metasurface system for simultaneous wireless information transmission and power transfer
Authors: Meng Zan Kui , Shi Yan , Wu Quan Wei , Wei Wen Yue , Hui Ru , Wang Shao Ze , Dai Shi Han , Ma Qian , Cui Tie Jun
Published: June 2024

Intelligent voice interaction offers a flexible and powerful way to connect individuals with smart devices beyond our expectations. The real-time nature of voice communication enables smart devices to comprehend the user language, execute the corresponding instructions, and facilitate seamless communications, transforming our lives in unprecedented ways. Owing to self-adaptive and reprogrammable functionalities, information metasurface (IMS) opens up a new avenue for smart home and smart cities. To further enhance the intelligence of IMS, we propose an IMS system via intelligent voice interaction and information processing. The voice interaction enables the efficient remote control on the IMS in a flexible, convenient, touchless manner. Leveraging speech recognition, speech synthesis, target detection, and communication technologies, the IMS system achieves automatic beam manipulation capabilities for wireless information transmissions and wireless power transfers. The IMS system is designed to operate in two distinct modes: instruction mode, wherein the user instructs the operations, and autonomous mode, wherein the automatic detections govern the actions, in which seamless mode switching through the voice commands is supported. Users can flexibly achieve precise control over the functions of the intelligent metasurface system through voice interaction at a distance, without the need for close-range manual touch control, which greatly simplifies the operation difficulty and is particularly suitable for remote control and complex application scenarios. A series of experiments, including wireless video transmissions and wireless power transfers are conducted to demonstrate the flexibility and convenience of the IMS system. The incorporation of intelligent voice interaction technology with the IMS presents a novel paradigm for the applications of programmable and information metasurfaces.
Resonator embedded photonic crystal surface emitting lasers
Authors: Bian Zijun , Zhao Xingyu , Liu Jingzhao , Kim Daehyun , McKenzie Adam F. , Thoms Stephen , Reynolds Paul , Gerrard Neil D. , Kyaw Aye S. M. , Grant James , Rae Katherine , Orchard Jonathan R. , Hill Calum H. , Munro Connor W. , Ivanov Pavlo , Childs David T. D. , Taylor Richard J. E. , Hogg Richard A.
Published: June 2024

The finite size of 2D photonic crystals results in them being a lossy resonator, with the normally emitting modes of conventional photonic crystal surface emitting lasers (PCSELs) differing in photon lifetime via their different radiative rates, and the different in-plane losses of higher order spatial modes. As a consequence, the fundamental spatial mode (lowest in-plane loss) with lowest out-of-plane scattering is the primary lasing mode. For electrically driven PCSELs, as current is increased, incomplete gain clamping results in additional spatial (and spectral) modes leading to a reduction in beam quality. A number of approaches have been discussed to enhance the area (power) scalability of epitaxy regrown PCSELs through careful design of the photonic crystal atom1–3. None of these approaches tackle the inflexibility in being unable to independently modify the photon lifetime of the different modes at the Γ2 point. As a method to introduce design flexibility, resonator embedded photonic crystal surface emitting lasers (REPCSELs) are introduced. This device, combining comparatively low coupling strength photonic crystal structures along with perimeter mirrors, allow a Fabry–Pérot resonance effect to be realised that provides wavelength selective modification of the photon lifetime. We show that surface emission of different surface emitting modes may be selectively enhanced, effectively changing the character of the modes at the Γ2 point. This is a consequence of the selective modification of in-plane loss for particular modes, and is dependent upon the alignment of the photonic crystal (PhC) band-structure and distributed Bragg reflectors’ (DBRs) reflectance spectrum. These findings offer new avenues in surface emitting laser diode engineering. The use of DBRs to reduce the lateral size of a PCSEL opens the route to small, low threshold current (Ith), high output efficiency epitaxy regrown PCSELs for high-speed communication and power sensitive sensing applications.
Improving reconstructions in nanotomography for homogeneous materials via mathematical optimization
Authors: Kreuz Sebastian , Apeleo Zubiri Benjamin , Englisch Silvan , Buwen Moritz , Kang Sung-Gyu , Ramachandramoorthy Rajaprakash , Spiecker Erdmann , Liers Frauke , Rolfes Jan
Published: June 2024

This work presents a variant of compressed sensing that incorporates problem-specific information in order to achieve better image reconstructions for homogeneous materials in nanotomography.
Assessing the performance of various sorbents in micro-solid phase extraction cartridges for pesticide residue analysis in feed
Authors: Ninga Ederina , Hakme Elena , Poulsen Mette Erecius
Published: June 2024

Performance of different sorbents and amounts in µSPE cartridges using an automatic clean-up and sample preparation workflow.
Effects of burning and photochemical degradation of Macondo surrogate oil on its composition and toxicity
Authors: Benz Pamela P. , Zito Phoebe , Osborn Ed , Goranov Aleksandar I. , Hatcher Patrick G. , Seivert Matthew D. , Jeffrey Wade H.
Published: June 2024

When water accommodated fractions made from burned and unburned oil were exposed to light, burning of crude oil removes some, but not all toxic compounds, leaving behind compounds of considerable toxicity.
Plasma-based post-processing of colloidal nanocrystals for applications in heterogeneous catalysis
Authors: Chang Julia J. , Tian Xinchun , Cademartiri Ludovico
Published: June 2024

This review summarizes the work on converting ligand-capped colloidal nanocrystals into active heterogeneous catalysts by using non-thermal plasmas, which remove the ligands and control surface chemistry. Questions for future work are discussed.
Review and outlook on reinforcement learning: Its application in agricultural energy internet
Authors: Fu Xueqian , Zhang Jing , Bai Xiang , Chang Xinyue , Xue Yixun
Published: June 2024

Agricultural Energy Internet (AEI), representing a key evolutionary direction in the integrated energy landscape of rural regions, holds a vital position in advancing the electrification of agricultural sectors. However, the disjointed control between agricultural loads and grid operations hinders the collaborative development of agriculture and energy. Addressing these issues, this paper investigates the current applications of artificial intelligence in the fields of agriculture and energy. The authors examine the evolutionary path of AEI, particularly emphasizing the critical technologies emerging from the intersection of agriculture, energy, and digital networks. Furthermore, the authors examine the critical technologies of reinforcement learning in the context of smart grid applications. In response to the challenges posed by low energy efficiency in rural areas, a reinforcement learning framework is proposed for coordinating fisheries, agriculture, livestock farming, and rural distribution networks. This framework provides a clear pathway for the application of reinforcement learning in AEI. This research acts as a conduit, merging agricultural and energy domains to promote a cohesive progression that markedly aids in the enhancement of rural electrification and the adoption of sustainable energy methodologies through reinforcement learning.
The existence of permanent facilities for nuclear disaster medicine progresses the development of manuals regardless of the years of designation elapsed
Authors: Ohba T. , Iyama K. , Sato H. , Yasuda H. , Hasegawa A.
Published: June 2024

To ensure the quality of nuclear disaster medical care, facilities are being developed worldwide in the event of a nuclear disaster. However, the relationship between the existence of permanent facilities and the presence or absence of facility operation manuals has not been clarified in the field of nuclear disaster medicine. This study aims to determine the relationships between the existence of permanent facilities, the presence or absence of facility operation manuals and the number of years elapsed since a facility was designated for nuclear disaster medicine. In September 2021, 26 facilities responded to an online questionnaire of the 53 facilities of nuclear disaster-related hospitals (valid response rate of 49.1%) in Japan. The existence of permanent facilities for nuclear disaster medicine was significantly higher in facilities with fewer years of designation than in those with more years of designation. The existence of permanent facilities for nuclear disaster medicine facilitated the organisational awareness of a nuclear disaster, as evidenced by the availability of manuals, regardless of the number of years elapsed since designation. In conclusion, the study suggests that the existence of permanent facilities is an important factor for organisational preparedness for a nuclear disaster.
Artificial Intelligence in Drug Identification and Validation: A
Scoping Review
Authors: Abubakar Mukhtar Lawal , Kapoor Neha , Sharma Asha , Gambhir Lokesh , Jasuja Nakuleshwar Dutt , Sharma Gaurav
Published: June 2024

The end-to-end process in the discovery of drugs involves therapeutic candidate
identification, validation of identified targets, identification of hit compound
series, lead identification and optimization, characterization, and formulation
and development. The process is lengthy, expensive, tedious, and inefficient,
with a large attrition rate for novel drug discovery. Today, the pharmaceutical
industry is focused on improving the drug discovery process. Finding and
selecting acceptable drug candidates effectively can significantly impact the
price and profitability of new medications. Aside from the cost, there is a need
to reduce the end-to-end process time, limiting the number of experiments at
various stages. To achieve this, artificial intelligence (AI) has been utilized
at various stages of drug discovery. The present study aims to identify the
recent work that has developed AI-based models at various stages of drug
discovery, identify the stages that need more concern, present the taxonomy of
AI methods in drug discovery, and provide research opportunities. From January
2016 to September 1, 2023, the study identified all publications that were cited
in the electronic databases including Scopus, NCBI PubMed, MEDLINE, Anthropology
Plus, Embase, APA PsycInfo, SOCIndex, and CINAHL. Utilising a standardized form,
data were extracted, and presented possible research prospects based on the
analysis of the extracted data.
The Microbiology of Knee Prosthetic Joint Infection and its Influence on Persistent Infection
Authors: Putnis Sven E. , Klasan Antonio , Bott Brendan , Ridley William , Hudson Bernard , Coolican Myles R.J.
Published: June 2024

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a severe complication causing a significant burden. The study aims were to establish the epidemiology of microorganisms in TKA PJI, the rate of persistent infection requiring further surgery, and the risk factors for this. Microbiological specimens between June 2002 and March 2017 at five regional hospital sites were identified with revision TKA procedures in the National Joint Replacement Registry. The time between procedures, type of revision strategy, and any subsequent further revision operations were collected. At minimum 2-year follow-up, 174 revision TKA were identified, with a mean patient age of 69 ± 11 years. A broad range of pathogens were identified. Fifty cases (29%) had persistent infection requiring at least one further operative procedure, 13 cases required 3 or more. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (CNS) was seen most with failed surgery, polymicrobial infections also posing a significant risk factor. The best chance of a successful PJI surgical strategy was < 12 months from primary TKA, with the greatest risk between 3 and 5 years (p < 0.05). Younger age significantly increased the risk of further surgery (p < 0.05). Management varied; 103 (59%) debridement, antibiotic therapy and implant retention, with further surgery in 29%; 45 (17%) single-stage revision, with further surgery in 13%; and 26 (15%) two-stage revision, with further surgery in 12%. This study presents the most common causative pathogens for PJI in TKA, and the high rate of persistent infection after initial revision surgery. Risk factors for persistent infection and further revision surgery were polymicrobial and CNS infections, patients who presented between 3 and 5 years following primary TKA, and younger age. This study therefore raises important risk factors and areas for future research to reduce the burden of multiple operations after PJI.
Cyclization via Metal-Catalyzed Hydrogen Atom Transfer/Radical-Polar Crossover
Authors: Shigehisa Hiroki
Published: June 2024

Catalytic transformations of alkenes via the metal-hydride hydrogen atom transfer (MHAT) mechanism have notably advanced synthetic organic chemistry. This Account focuses on MHAT/radical-polar crossover (MHAT/RPC) conditions, offering a novel perspective on generating electrophilic intermediates and facilitating various intramolecular reactions. On using cobalt hydrides, the MHAT mechanism displays exceptional chemoselectivity and functional group tolerance, making it invaluable for the construction of complex biologically relevant molecules under mild conditions. Recent developments have enhanced regioselectivity and expanded the scope of MHAT-type reactions, enabling the formation of cyclic molecules via hydroalkoxylation, hydroacyloxylation, and hydroamination. Notably, the addition of an oxidant to traditional MHAT systems enables the synthesis of rare cationic alkylcobalt(IV) complexes, bridging radical mechanisms to ionic reaction systems. This Account culminates with examples of natural product syntheses and an exploration of asymmetric intramolecular hydroalkoxylations, highlighting the ongoing challenges and opportunities for future research to achieve higher enantioselectivity. This comprehensive study revisits the historical evolution of the MHAT mechanism and provides a groundwork for further innovations on the synthesis of structurally diverse and complex natural products.

1 Introduction

2 Intramolecular Hydroalkoxylation and Hydroacyloxylation Reactions

3 Intramolecular Hydroamination Reactions

4 Intramolecular Hydroarylation Reactions

5 Deprotective Cyclization

6 Asymmetric Intramolecular Hydroalkoxylation

7 Conclusion
Evaluation of Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitude Towards Management of Displaced Tooth from Socket (Avulsion) Amongst Nursing Fraternity in Mangaluru City: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Shenoy Prithi , Rao Ajay , Sargod Sharan , Suvarna Reshma , Shabbir Afreen , Mahaveeran Shrivya Saloni , Manu Parvathy , Deepanjan Manisha
Published: June 2024

Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge, awareness, and attitude in the management of displaced tooth from socket (avulsion) amongst nursing fraternity in Mangaluru City.

Materials and Methods A 20-item questionnaire regarding knowledge, awareness toward management of avulsed tooth was administered to 150 nursing interns.

Results Among 150 participants, 47% demonstrated awareness of the storage media for an avulsed tooth. About half of the respondents did not know regarding handling of avulsed tooth. The majority of participants responded positively about attending workshop on dental trauma management.

Conclusion Given the frequent encounter with emergencies, it is imperative for nurses to possess sufficient knowledge regarding management of traumatic dental injuries.
Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Dyskinesia Secondary to Novel Variant in PRRT2: A Case Report
Authors: Altamirano Juan Manuel , López-Ortiz Eduardo , Armas-Salazar Armando , Salinas-Barboza Karla
Published: June 2024

Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is a movement disorder characterized by frequent, brief episodes of choreiform or dystonic movements, often triggered by voluntary movement or a startle sensation. Here, we report a case of PKD associated with a novel variant in PRRT2 gene. A 19-year-old male with no medical history presented with hyperkinetic movement disorder symptoms consistent with PKD. Clinical evaluation, laboratory studies, and genetic testing were performed to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment with carbamazepine was initiated, and the patient's response was monitored over a 9-month period. The patient exhibited classic clinical criteria for PKD, including brief episode duration, an identified kinesigenic trigger, and responsiveness to pharmacological treatment. Genetic testing revealed a pathogenic variant in PRRT2 gene not previously reported in association with PKD. Treatment with carbamazepine led to complete resolution of symptoms, with sustained improvement observed during follow-up. This case highlights the importance of considering PKD in the differential diagnosis of hyperkinetic movement disorders and emphasizes the role of genetic testing in confirming the diagnosis. Furthermore, it underscores the efficacy of carbamazepine in managing PKD symptoms associated with PRRT2 gene. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and optimize treatment strategies for PKD.
A drop of light: an interactive new media art investigation of human-technology symbiosis
Authors: Ahmedien Diaa Ahmed Mohamed
Published: June 2024

Human-technology interactions have constantly exposed humans’ technologically mediated perception to a psychological paradox of two conflicting coupled states. The first supports human capabilities, whereas the second affects individuals’ self-perceptions. “A Drop of Light” is an interactive new media art investigation based on human-computer interaction. It seeks to reproduce this paradox by developing a computer-generated holographic spot. This spot acts as a responsive technological hypermedium with which participants interact, and their technologically mediated perceptions are embodied, expressed, and analyzed. By defining and applying three structural principles of an assumed technological embodiment model of human perception, a dialogue was established between the generated holographic spot and the participants to facilitate three levels of integration with the technological hypermedium. The project culminated in the creation of an empirical interactive installation performance employed as an experimental psychology lab. In this exhibition-based lab, the interaction zone embodied the performer’s hesitation mode. Her technological attitude and consequent responsive activities oscillated between technophilia and technophobia. These are two conflicting psychological states. By analyzing the interactions’ real-time-based processes, the role of the structural principles was validated. They were instrumental in developing the technologically mediated symbolic conversation between the performer and the hypermedium. Operationally, the principles equipped the conversation’s two parties to upgrade their mutual interactions toward a symbiotic coexistence in the installation’s ecosystem. Through this, the performer’s hesitation mode was reduced, and her balanced technological attitudes were validated. Within this context, the project emphasizes how interactive new media practices contribute. They help investigate participants’ technologically mediated experiences and behaviors. They also aid in the derivation of related quantitative and qualitative data in favor of human perception studies and related psychological inquiries.
Suzanne Labin: socialist, anti-communist and ‘Globalist’
Authors: Dubler Agnès
Published: June 2024

This article follows the transnational career of Suzanne Labin, a French socialist and anti-communist professional, in order to analyse the roles and agencies of individuals while the global connectivity of anti-communist actors was growing during the ‘long 1960s’ (approximately 1955–1980). Retrospective analysis, as well as accounts from contemporaries, describes this period as a time of multi-polarisation and globalisation. I will chart Labin’s path from anti-Stalinist circles in France to conservative circles in the US, to finally becoming the first and only female permanent member of the global anti-communist umbrella organisation, the World Anti-Communist League (WACL), chairing its French chapter in 1972. An analysis of Labin’s seemingly ambiguous alliances as a socialist with anti-communist and right-wing organisations will shed light on the particularities of international anti-communism during the ‘long 1960s’ on three levels. First, it will show the dynamics between anti-communist networks and actors on national, transatlantic and global levels, especially their contact points. Second, it will underline the diversity of anti-communism and its capacity to integrate several (even contradictory) ideologemes. Third, by following Labin’s global anti-communist engagement within the WACL and her cosmopolitan lifestyle, this article will argue that anti-communist actors were actively involved in the process of globalisation during the ‘long 1960s’.
Frame rate improvement in coherent plane-wave compounding using null subtraction imaging
Authors: Xu Yijun , Li Boyi , Luo Jianwen , Liu Xin , Ta Dean
Published: June 2024

Coherent plane-wave compounding (CPWC) has attracted significant attention in preclinical research and clinical diagnosis. However, a trade-off exists in CPWC between the image quality and frame rate. Null subtraction imaging (NSI), as a novel beamforming method, can realize high-quality imaging with enhanced lateral resolution and suppressed grating lobes. This study explores NSI to reduce the number of emissions while preserving the imaging quality. The performance of the proposed method is assessed using the Plane-Wave Imaging Challenge in Medical Ultrasound datasets, including phantom and in vivo datasets. The results verify the potential of NSI in terms of frame rate improvement compared to the conventional delay and sum beamforming method. NSI with 5 and 15 plane-wave emissions is evaluated. For example, for the experimental phantom datasets, NSI with 15 plane-wave emissions improves the lateral full-width at half maximum by 0.10 in comparison to DAS with 75 plane-wave emissions. Moreover, the corresponding contrast ratio and generalized contrast-to-noise ratio increase from 25.11 to 31.19 dB and 0.63 to 0.68, respectively, indicating contrast improvement. Thus, compared to DAS with 75 plane-wave emissions, the proposed method accelerates data acquisition by a factor of 5, resulting in remarkable frame rate improvement.
Erosion wear characteristics of metal seal floating ball valve in gas–solid–liquid three-phase flow
Authors: Wang Jialun , Zhang Yefeng , Tang Hesheng
Published: June 2024

During high-pressure acid leaching, sulfuric acid slurry acts as the transportation medium in the withdrawal drum for acid pressure leaching. Over time, the metal-sealed float valve at the pipeline outlet may experience internal leakage. To address this issue, the Euler–Lagrange method for fluid dynamics is used to evaluate the corrosion wear characteristics of the valve in a three-phase flow. Specifically, we investigate the erosion and wear properties of the ball valve core as it opened and closed. To further understand how different ball valve openings impact erosion characteristics, we establish a correlation between the corrosion rate and the drag coefficient. Our research findings indicate that as the valve’s relative opening decreases from 80% to 20%, the corrosion wear rate gradually increases. In addition, the number of particles within the valve cavity also follows a similar trend. These erosion results highlight the significant influence that particle quantity has on erosion. Moreover, with an increase in particle size, both the erosion gradient range and maximum erosion rate decrease.
Perforating characters of Zr-based bulk metallic glass fragment against thin steel target
Authors: Zhang Y. F. , Fang L. , Liu J. G. , Wei X. , Wu K. , Xu C. , Liu G. Q.
Published: June 2024

To investigate the perforating characteristics of Zr-based bulk metallic glass fragments against thin steel target, ballistic experiments were carried out to measure ballistic the limit velocities of fragments perforating against different thicknesses of targets. The fragments were driven by a 57 mm one-stage light gas gun to impact the thin steel target. The numerical model of Zr-based bulk metallic glass fragments perforating against thin steel target was established using Autodyn2D commercial software, and the perforating process and perforating mechanism were analyzed by numerical simulation. The semi-empirical model to predict the ballistic limit velocity was fitted. An energy model for calculating the residual velocity of a fragment was derived based on the conservation of energy. The theoretical results of the semi-empirical model and the energy model are in good agreement with experiment results and simulation results. And the energy model has good applicability without fitting the parameters for different target thicknesses.
Duplication and neofunctionalization of a horizontally transferred xyloglucanase as a facet of the Red Queen coevolutionary dynamic
Authors: Attah Victoria , Milner David S. , Fang Yufeng , Yan Xia , Leonard Guy , Heitman Joseph , Talbot Nicholas J. , Richards Thomas A.
Published: June 2024

Oomycete protists share phenotypic similarities with fungi, including the ability to cause plant diseases, but branch in a distant region of the tree of life. It has been suggested that multiple horizontal gene transfers (HGTs) from fungi-to-oomycetes contributed to the evolution of plant-pathogenic traits. These HGTs are predicted to include secreted proteins that degrade plant cell walls, a barrier to pathogen invasion and a rich source of carbohydrates. Using a combination of phylogenomics and functional assays, we investigate the diversification of a horizontally transferred xyloglucanase gene family in the model oomycete species
Phytophthora sojae
. Our analyses detect 11 xyloglucanase paralogs retained in
P. sojae
. Using heterologous expression in yeast, we show consistent evidence that eight of these paralogs have xyloglucanase function, including variants with distinct protein characteristics, such as a long-disordered C-terminal extension that can increase xyloglucanase activity. The functional variants analyzed subtend a phylogenetic node close to the fungi-to-oomycete transfer, suggesting the horizontally transferred gene was a bona fide xyloglucanase. Expression of three xyloglucanase paralogs in
Nicotiana benthamiana
triggers high-reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, while others inhibit ROS responses to bacterial immunogens, demonstrating that the paralogs differentially stimulate pattern-triggered immunity. Mass spectrometry of detectable enzymatic products demonstrates that some paralogs catalyze the production of variant breakdown profiles, suggesting that secretion of variant xyloglucanases increases efficiency of xyloglucan breakdown as well as diversifying the damage-associated molecular patterns released. We suggest that this pattern of neofunctionalization and the variant host responses represent an aspect of the Red Queen host–pathogen coevolutionary dynamic.
In situ visualizing reveals potential drive of lattice expansion on defective support toward efficient removal of nitrogen oxides
Authors: Hao Zhifei , Liu Guoquan , Wang Pengfei , Zhang Weiyu , Sun Wenming , Zheng Lirong , Guo Shaojun , Zhan Sihui
Published: June 2024

As a sustainable and promising approach of removing of nitrogen oxides (NO
x
), catalytic reduction of NO
x
with H
2
is highly desirable with a precise understanding to the structure–activity relationship of supported catalysts. In particular, the dynamic evolution of support at microscopic scale may play a critical role in heterogeneous catalysis, however, identifying the in situ structural change of support under working condition with atomic precision and revealing its role in catalysis is still a grand challenge. Herein, we visually capture the surface lattice expansion of WO
3−x
support in Pt–WO
3−x
catalyst induced by NO in the exemplified reduction of NO with H
2
using in situ transmission electron microscopy and first reveal its important role in enhancing catalysis. We find that NO can adsorb on the oxygen vacancy sites of WO
3−x
and favorably induce the reversible stretching of W–O–W bonds during the reaction, which can reduce the adsorption energy of NO on Pt
4
centers and the energy barrier of the rate-determining step. The comprehensive studies reveal that lattice expansion of WO
3−x
support can tune the catalytic performance of Pt–WO
3−x
catalyst, leading to 20% catalytic activity enhancement for the exemplified reduction of NO with H
2
. This work reveals that the lattice expansion of defective support can tune and optimize the catalytic performance at the atomic scale.
Epitranscriptomic cytidine methylation of the hepatitis B viral RNA is essential for viral reverse transcription and particle production
Authors: Su Pei-Yi (Alma) , Chang Chih-Hsu , Yen Shin-Chwen Bruce , Wu Hsiu-Yi , Tung Wan-Ju , Hu Yu-Pei , Chen Yen-Yu Ian , Lin Miao-Hsia , Shih Chiaho , Chen Pei-Jer , Tsai Kevin
Published: June 2024

Epitranscriptomic RNA modifications have emerged as important regulators of the fate and function of viral RNAs. One prominent modification, the cytidine methylation 5-methylcytidine (m
5
C), is found on the RNA of HIV-1, where m
5
C enhances the translation of HIV-1 RNA. However, whether m
5
C functionally enhances the RNA of other pathogenic viruses remains elusive. Here, we surveyed a panel of commonly found RNA modifications on the RNA of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and found that HBV RNA is enriched with m
5
C as well as ten other modifications, at stoichiometries much higher than host messenger RNA (mRNA). Intriguingly, m
5
C is mostly found on the epsilon hairpin, an RNA element required for viral RNA encapsidation and reverse transcription, with these m
5
C mainly deposited by the cellular methyltransferase NSUN2. Loss of m
5
C from HBV RNA due to NSUN2 depletion resulted in a partial decrease in viral core protein (HBc) production, accompanied by a near-complete loss of the reverse transcribed viral DNA. Similarly, mutations introduced to remove the methylated cytidines resulted in a loss of HBc production and reverse transcription. Furthermore, pharmacological disruption of m
5
C deposition led to a significant decrease in HBV replication. Thus, our data indicate m
5
C methylations as a critical mediator of the epsilon elements’ function in HBV virion production and reverse transcription, suggesting the therapeutic potential of targeting the m
5
C methyltransfer process on HBV epsilon as an antiviral strategy.
Spatial calibration of high-density absorption imaging
Authors: Vibel T , Christensen M B , Kristensen M A , Thuesen J J , Stokholm L N , Weidner C A , Arlt J J
Published: June 2024

The accurate determination of atom numbers is an ubiquitous problem in the field of ultracold atoms. For modest atom numbers, absolute calibration techniques are available, however, for large numbers and high densities, the available techniques neglect many-body scattering processes. Here, a spatial calibration technique for time-of-flight absorption images of ultracold atomic clouds is presented. The calibration is obtained from radially averaged absorption images and we provide a practical guide to the calibration process. It is shown that the calibration coefficient scales linearly with optical density and depends on the absorbed photon number for the experimental conditions explored here. This allows for the direct inclusion of a spatially dependent calibration in the image analysis. For typical ultracold atom clouds the spatial calibration technique leads to corrections in the detected atom number up to

≈

12

%

and temperature up to

≈

14

%

in comparison to previous calibration techniques. The technique presented here addresses a major difficulty in absorption imaging of ultracold atomic clouds and prompts further theoretical work to understand the scattering processes in ultracold dense clouds of atoms for accurate atom number calibration.
Empirical line ratios for optical emission spectroscopy in low-temperature, low-density, magnetised Ar plasmas
Authors: Cremona Anna , Causa Federica , Uccello Andrea , Ricci Daria , Giunta Alessandra , O’Mullane Martin ,   GyM Team
Published: June 2024

Spectroscopic evaluation of electron temperature and density in low-temperature, low-density, magnetized plasmas can be difficult, but necessary in situations where chemical erosion and physical sputtering prevent the use of other diagnostics, such as Langmuir probes (LP). Further, in such cases, because of the low densities and temperatures, the vessel and environment involved, theoretical line ratios derived from Collisional-Radiative models may not be easily applicable. This is the case, for example, of low-temperature (<15 eV), low-density (<1011 cm−3), magnetised plasma used for plasma-material interaction studies where chemical erosion and physical sputtering can be significant. The aim of the present work is to define an empirical line ratio (ELR) method derived from an extensive calibration campaign with the two diagnostics, using LP measurements as a reference. The ELR method is useful to permit the use of optical emission spectroscopy independent of LP in conditions that are critical for the latter, resulting in an effective instrument for the evaluation of plasma parameters. Further, the use of two different lines of sight and the influence of the magnetic field intensity on the measurements are also discussed. The proposed ELR method is demonstrated here for pure Ar linear plasmas and is in principle applicable also to other similar cases.
Plasma properties in the vicinity of the last closed flux surface in hydrogen and helium fusion plasma discharges
Authors: Dimitrova M , López-Bruna D , Gunn J P , Kovačič J , Svoboda V , Stockel J , Ivanova P , Vasileva E , Hasan E , Dejarnac R , Losada U , Hidalgo C , Popov Tsv K
Published: June 2024

The origin of the bi-Maxwellian electron energy distribution function (EEDF) observed in the scrape-off layer (SOL) of tokamak plasmas by means of Langmuir probes is still under discussion. It has been assumed that the ionization of hydrogen and deuterium neutrals by thermal electrons penetrating the SOL from the bulk plasma is the main reason for the appearance of a second Maxwellian. To validate this assumption, radial measurements of the electron temperatures and densities, or the plasma properties in helium plasmas in the GOLEM tokamak and the TJ-II stellarator were performed. The radial profiles of the low-temperature electron group densities follow the trend of the calculated radial profiles of the electron sources arising from the ionization of neutrals in both deuterium and helium plasmas in TJ-II. The difference in the radial location where the bi-Maxwellian EEDF appears can be explained by the difference in the rate coefficients for ionization of deuterium and helium. The results of probe measurements in GOLEM and the WEST tokamak divertor, at one radial location in the SOL, are compatible with the hypothesis concerning the ionization of neutral atoms and the type of the EEDF.
On the issue of establishing the hazardous properties of mine seams according to the output of coal thermal decomposition products
Authors: Rudniev Yevhen , Tarasov Vadym , Antoshchenko Mykola , Popovych Vitaly
Published: June 2024

The article analyzes the principles of building an industrial classification. It is noted that, according to the qualitative selection and quantitative assessment, the classification indicators of metamorphic transformations of the seams, determined by the average values of the analysis of coal samples, do not coincide with their characteristics according to industrial classifications. It is shown that with the intensification of metamorphic processes in the seams from grades D to A, there is a direct proportional increase in the yield of coke and an inversely proportional decrease in the yield of volatile substances. The choice of criteria for the manifestation of hazardous properties of mine seams should be based on the basic definition of the concept of metamorphism - the enrichment of organic matter with carbon and the depletion of other components. The overwhelming content of carbon and a one-sided increase in the organic mass predetermine its main role as the main indicator of metamorphic transformations of seams and coal. This method of determining the degree of metamorphism makes it possible to establish a direct connection between the manifestation of hazardous properties of mine seams and the composition of the transformed organic matter.
Study of the features of determination of heavy metals in bottom sediments
Authors: Loboichenko Valentyna , Nikitina Nataliia , Leonova Nataliia , Konovalova Olga , Bondarenko Anna , Zemlianskyi Oleh , Rashkevich Nina
Published: June 2024

In the work with the application of the atomic absorption method, the peculiarities of the influence of sample preparation on the degree of extraction of heavy metals in samples of bottom sediments were analyzed. Acid, acid-microwave sample preparation and their variations were used in the study. It was found that the greatest influence of the type of sample preparation on the degree of extraction is observed for iron and manganese. For zinc, the smallest dependence of the type of sample preparation on the completeness of its extraction from bottom sediments was noted. There is an ambiguous influence of the type of sample preparation on the degree of extraction for cobalt, copper and nickel, which may be related to the peculiarities of the chemical composition of the bottom sediments.
Regularities of the strain state of the embankment when varying the vertical element length of strengthening
Authors: Alkhdour Ahmad , Tiutkin Oleksii , Dubinchyk Olha , Miroshnyk Vitalii
Published: June 2024

The crisis that arose during the war in the transport system of Ukraine provided an opportunity to review the concept of integrating the Ukrainian railway into the European network. Corresponding changes, which require reconstruction of the railway, including track and embankment, have been analyzed. The railway embankment needs strengthening for its normal operation. The embankment reinforced with vertical elements, namely piles, has been studied. A finite-element model of the embankment, its soil base, and the rail-sleeper grid has been created. This model shows a vertical element of strengthening with lengths of 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 m. The results of the numerical analysis are obtained, which makes it possible to analyze the values of horizontal and vertical displacements. The values of both components of the strain state are analyzed. The results of the analysis prove that strengthening with such elements has a maximally positive effect on both components of deformation. The regularities of changes in embankment displacements, when varying the vertical element length of strengthening, are linear. They prove that the presence of piles reduces the horizontal component by 1.1 … 1.32 times, and the vertical one by 1.1 … 1.24 times.
Analysis of the geotechnological potential of heavy oil/bitumen production based on the improved method of well hydraulic production
Authors: Pedchenko Larysa , Pedchenko Nazar , Podoliak Mykola , Pedchenko Mykhailo
Published: June 2024

The work provides an analysis of technologies for the intensification of heavy oil and bitumen production. A variant of its improvement based on the technology of borehole hydraulic production supplemented by the processes of dissolution with hydrocarbon solvents and catalytic aquathermolysis is proposed. The technology involves transfer of main operations of technological chain “extraction-preparation” to the productive layer (transfer of rock to composition of hydraulic mixture; viscosity reduction as a result of heating, dissolution with hydrocarbon solvents, destruction as a result of catalytic aquathermolysis; flotation of oil/bitumen droplets and gravitational separation of the rock). At the same time, in order to increase the efficiency of the technology and use of catalyst, it is proposed to implement the catalytic destruction of asphaltenes starting from mining and continuing after extraction to the surface in a technological installation. Moreover, the required volume of the solvent fraction (taking into account its irreversible losses) is expected to be obtained directly at the deposit as a result of catalytic aquathermolysis and distillation at the final stage of preparation. The improvement will allow to ensure the maximum coefficient of extraction of hydrocarbons with simultaneous modernization to the level suitable for transportation by pipelines without additional preparation.
Rhenium sorption from simulated solution with AM-p-2 resin in dynamic mode
Authors: Korovin Vadym , Pohorielov Yurii , Valiaiev Oleksandr , Shestak Yurii , Cortina Jose-Luis
Published: June 2024

The article summarizes the research results on rhenium recovery with AM-p-2 strong-base macroporous styrene-divinyl benzene anion exchange resin with dimethylammonium functional groups from the simulated sulphuric medium and rhenium elution in dynamic mode attaining the recovery rate exceeding 90 % after approximately 1 500 bed volumes. Total dynamic exchange capacity 81.0 mg/g was measured, and column sorption parameters were evaluated using corresponding models. The authors denoted that the total dynamic exchange capacity values defined experimentally and calculated by Thomas fit were close. We studied rhenium elution with the solution containing ammonium nitrate 250 g/L and sulphuric acid 25 g/L yielding rhenium-rich solution that is ~63 times higher comparing to the initial solution. A clear peak in the elution profile allows getting rhenium-rich eluates. The research results will be necessary when defining mass-transfer parameters and designing equipment for processing industrial liquors and waste with rhenium recuperation.