bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Massive lighter quark corrections to boosted-top cross section
Authors: Bris Alejandro , Mateu Vicent , Gil Fernando
Published: December 2022

In this work we present the computation of the missing pieces to get the bHQET thrust distribution with non-vanishing secondary quark masses at NNLO: the jet and hard functions. The difference with respect to the massless case is encoded in diagrams with massive-quark bubbles. For its computation we use a Mellin Barnes representation of the dispersive integral method that permits expressing the result as an analytic, fast-converging expansion in powers of a small parameter rather than integrals that can only be solved numerically. We also obtain the matching coefficient present when integrating out the quark mass. It is necessary for a continuous top-down running and to verify the consistency check.
Charm mass effects in the static energy computed in 2+1+1 flavor lattice QCD
Authors: Leino Viljami
Published: December 2022

We report our analysis for the static energy in (2+1+1)-flavor QCD over a wide range of lattice spacings and several quark masses. We obtain results for the static energy out to distances of nearly 1 fm, allowing us to perform a simultaneous determination of the lattice scales r2, r1 and r0 as well as the string tension, σ. While our results for r0/r1 and r0 √σ agree with published (2+1)-flavor results, our result for r1/r2 differs significantly from the value obtained in the (2+1)-flavor case, likely due to the effect of the charm quark. We study in detail the effect of the charm quark on the static energy by comparing our results on the finest lattices with the previously published (2+1)-flavor QCD results at similar lattice spacing. The lattice results agree well with the two-loop perturbative expression of the static energy incorporating finite charm mass effects.
Bethe–Salpeter Bound-State Solutions: Examining Semirelativistic Approaches
Authors: Lucha Wolfgang
Published: December 2022

Within the formalism of relativistic quantum field theory an adequate framework for the description of two-particle bound states, such as, for instance, all conventional (i.e., non-exotic) mesons, is provided by the Poincaré-covariant homogeneous Bethe–Salpeter equation. In applications, however, this approach usually proves to be rather involved, whence it is not always quite easy to extract the predictions sought. In view of this, a coarse idea of the bound-state spectrum to be expected might be gained by adhering to some simplifying approximations – which constitutes an entirely legitimate first step. The reliability of the insights inferred from the arising simpler bound-state equation may be straightforwardly examined by taking into account a couple of rigorous constraints on the obtained discrete spectrum. Application of these tools is illustrated for popular potentials.
Anomalies in the heavy sector
Authors: Ricciardi Giulia
Published: December 2022

Heavy flavour physics is well described by the Standard Model with the exception of some measurements which could be signalling new physics. We briefly review status and prospects of R(K) and R(D(*)) anomalies and also address the issue of the long standing tension in the |Vcb| and |Vub| exclusive /inclusive determinations.
Compositeness and several applications to exotic hadronic states with heavy quarks
Authors: Oller José Antonio , Guo Zhi-Hui
Published: December 2022

Several methods for studying the nature of a resonance are applied to resonances recently discovered in the bottonomium and charmonium sectors. We employ the effective-range expansion, the saturation of the width and compositeness of a resonance, as well as direct fits to data. The latter stem from generic S -matrix parameterization that account for relevant dynamical features associated to channels that couple strongly in an energy region around the resonance masses, in which their thresholds also lie. We report on results obtained with these methods for the resonances Zb(10610), Zb(10650), Zcs(3985), Zc(3900), X(4020), X(6900), X(6825), and Pcs(4459).
Triangle Singularity in the Production of T+cc(3875) and a Soft Pion at Hadron Colliders
Authors: He Li-Ping , Braaten Eric , Ingles Kevin , Jiang Jun
Published: December 2022

If the double-charm tetraquark meson T+cc(3875) is a loosely bound molecule, it can be produced in high-energy proton-proton collisions by the creation of the charm mesons D∗+D0 at short distances followed by their binding into T+cc. It can also be produced by the creation of D∗+D∗+ at short distances followed by their rescattering into T+ccπ+ through a charm-meson triangle loop. A charm-meson triangle singularity produces a narrow peak in the T+ccπ+ invariant mass distribution 6.1 MeV above the threshold with a width of about 1 MeV. The fraction of T+cc that are accompanied by π+ with E < mπ is estimated to be roughly 3%. The fraction of T+cc events with T+ccπ+ in the narrow peak from the triangle singularity could be comparable.
Rapidity-dependent charge-dependent flow, global polarisation and chiral magnetic effect in heavy ion collisions
Authors: Qiu Shi
Published: December 2022

An extremely strong magnetic field (as strong as 1015 T) is created in the off-central heavy-ion collisions by the spectator protons which "miss" the collisions, flying past each other rather than colliding. The magnetic field is interesting to be studied as it is expected to leave distinct imprints in the distribution of final state charged particles. In addition, novel QCD phenomena are anticipated to emerge with the presence of a strong magnetic field and the formation of charge-parity violating domains inside the medium produced in heavy-ion collisions. The aim of this article is to review two methods utilised by the experimental searches to probe the early magnetic field: the directed flow of charged hadrons (and heavy-flavour hadrons D0 and ¯D0) and the global polarisation of Λ and ¯Λ hyperons. Furthermore, this article is also dedicated to review the searches for one of the novel QCD phenomena, the chiral magnetic effect, at the LHC and RHIC.
Dielectron measurements with the HADES at GSI
Authors: Otto Jan-Hendrik
Published: December 2022

In this work we present the dielectron analysis of 4.5 billion Ag+Ag collisions ((0−40)% centrality) at a center-of-mass energy of √sNN = 2.55 GeV measured with HADES. The obtained dielectron signal spectrum is compared to simulated hadronic cocktail and nucleon-nucleon reference spectra revealing a strong contribution from the hot and dense phases. The average temperature of the collision system can be extracted from the slope of the in-medium contribution. In a momentum differential analysis we observe modifications of the dielectron signal shape in the ω−ρ invariant mass region. Furthermore we compare the results to previous measurements in Au+Au collisions at slightly lower energy. The suggested modifications of the ρ spectral function is further studied within the HADES pion-beam program. Here, we present recently published results on the electromagnetic and hadronic coupling of baryonic resonances to the ρ − N final state.
Experimental Status of Jets in Heavy-Ion Collisions
Authors: Norman Jaime
Published: December 2022

Jet quenching has been one of the most important indicators that ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions produce a deconfined state of quarks and gluons, known as the Quark-Gluon Plasma. While the quenching of jets traditionally refers to the energy loss of high-momentum partons, the study of jet quenching has grown into a multi-pronged field where the measurement of jets and their modification in heavy-ion collisions is used as an important tool to study many aspects of QCD deconfinement. This contribution reviews the current experimental status of jets at the LHC and RHIC, and reports recent experimental highlights.
Critical fluctuations of QCD phase transitions and their related observables
Authors: Nishimura Toru , Kitazawa Masakiyo , Kunihiro Teiji
Published: December 2022

We study how the dilepton production rate and the electric conductivity are affected by the soft modes inherently associated with the second-order phase transitions at the critical temperature of color superconductivity and QCD critical point. It is shown that the soft modes modify the photon self-energy significantly through the so called Aslamasov-Larkin, Maki-Thompson and density of states terms, which are known responsible for the paraconductivity in the metallic superconductivity, and they lead to an anomalous enhancement of the production rate in the low energy/momemtum region and the divergence of conductivity at the critical temperature.
Aspects of chiral transition in a Hadron Resonance Gas model
Authors: Biswas Deeptak , Petrezcky Peter , Sharma Sayantan
Published: December 2022

We study the chiral condensate for 2 + 1 flavor QCD with physical quarks within a non-interacting Hadron Resonance Gas (HRG) model. By including the latest information on the mass variation of the hadrons concerning the light quark mass, from lattice QCD and chiral perturbation theory, we show that it is possible to quite accurately account for the chiral crossover transition even within a conventional HRG model. We have calculated a pseudocritical temperature Tc=161.2±1.6 MeV and the curvature of crossover curve κ2=0.0203(7). These are in very good agreement with the latest continuum extrapolated results obtained from lattice QCD studies. We also discuss the limitations of extending such calculations toward the chiral limit. Furthermore, we study the effects of non-resonant hadron interactions within the HRG model and its consequences for the chiral transition in the regime of dense baryonic matter where lattice QCD results are not currently available.
Non-perturbative insights into the spectral properties of QCD at finite temperature
Authors: Lowdon Peter , Philipsen Owe
Published: December 2022

In quantum field theories at finite temperature spectral functions describe how particle systems behave in the presence of a thermal medium. Although data from lattice simulations can in principle be used to determine spectral function characteristics, existing methods rely on the extraction of these quantities from temporal correlators, which requires one to circumvent an illposed inverse problem. In these proceedings we report on a recent approach that instead utilises the non-perturbative constraints imposed by field locality to extract spectral function information directly from spatial correlators. In particular, we focus on the application of this approach to lattice QCD data of the spatial pseudo-scalar meson correlator in the temperature range 220−960 MeV, and outline why this data supports the conclusion that there exists a distinct pion state above the chiral pseudo-critical temperatureTpc.
Topological susceptibility in high temperature QCD: a new investigation with spectral projectors
Authors: Athenodorou Andreas , Bonanno Claudio , Bonati Claudio , Clemente Giuseppe , D’Angelo Francesco , D’Elia Massimo , Maio Lorenzo , Martinelli Guido , Sanfilippo Francesco , Todaro Antonino
Published: December 2022

We compute the topological susceptibility of high temperature QCD with 2+1 physical mass quarks using the multicanonical approach and the spectral projector estimate of the topological charge. This approach presents reduced lattice artifacts with respect to the standard gluonic one, and makes it possible to perform a reliable continuum extrapolation.
Thermal Transitions in Dense Two-Colour QCD
Authors: Lawlor Dale , Hands Simon , Kim Seyong , Skullerud Jon-Ivar
Published: December 2022

The infamous sign problem makes it impossible to probe dense (baryon density μB > 0) QCD at temperatures near or below the deconfinement threshold. As a workaround, one can explore QCD-like theories such as twocolour QCD (QC2D) which don’t suffer from this sign problem but are qualitively similar to real QCD. Previous studies on smaller lattice volumes have investigated deconfinement and colour superfluid to normal matter transitions. In this study we look at a larger lattice volume Ns = 24 in an attempt to disentangle finite volume and finite temperature effects. We also fit to a larger number of diquark sources to better allow for extrapolation to zero diquark source.
Composite dynamics in Sp(2N) gauge theories
Authors: Lee Jong-Wan , Bennett Ed , Hong Deog Ki , Hsiao Ho , Lin C.-J. David , Lucini Biagio , Piai Maurizio , Vadacchino Davide
Published: December 2022

Sp(2N) gauge theories with fermonic matter provide an ideal laboratory to build extensions of the standard model based on novel composite dynamics. Examples include composite Higgs along with top partial compositeness and composite dark matter. Without fermions, their study also complements those based on SU(Nc) gauge theories with which they share a common sector in the large Nc = 2N limit. We report on our recent progress in the numerical studies of Sp(2N) gauge theories discretised on a four-dimensional Euclidean lattice. In particular, we present preliminary results for the low-lying mass spectra of mesons and chimera baryons in the theories with N = 2. We also compute the topological susceptibility for various values of N, extrapolate the results to the large N limit, and discuss certain universal properties in Yang-Mills theories.
Applications of Lattice Gauge Equivariant Neural Networks
Authors: Favoni Matteo , Ipp Andreas , Müller David I.
Published: December 2022

The introduction of relevant physical information into neural network architectures has become a widely used and successful strategy for improving their performance. In lattice gauge theories, such information can be identified with gauge symmetries, which are incorporated into the network layers of our recently proposed Lattice Gauge Equivariant Convolutional Neural Networks (L-CNNs). L-CNNs can generalize better to differently sized lattices than traditional neural networks and are by construction equivariant under lattice gauge transformations. In these proceedings, we present our progress on possible applications of L-CNNs to Wilson flow or continuous normalizing flow. Our methods are based on neural ordinary differential equations which allow us to modify link configurations in a gauge equivariant manner. For simplicity, we focus on simple toy models to test these ideas in practice.
Vertex reconstruction in particle detectors using quantum computing algorithms
Authors: Matorras Cuevas Francisco , Martínez Ruiz del Árbol Pablo
Published: December 2022

This work aims at testing a new quantum computing algorithm to reconstruct vertices in the context of a tracker-like particle detector. Input tracks have been generated using a simplified tracker simulator assuming they originate from two different vertices. The Point of Closest Approach of the tracks to the beam line has been considered as the nodes of a graph connected to the other nodes through a weight equivalent to the euclidean distance between the two. A Variational Quantum Eigensolver algorithm has been used in order to divide the graph in two groups that maximizes the total distance between the two groups. The algorithm has been implemented using Qiskit, the IBM framework, obtaining a track-vertex association accuracy of about 90% for distances between vertices of a few milimeters. This work represents a simple proof-of-concept that a quantum computing algorithm can be used to solve the problem of the vertex reconstruction.
Global Coagulation Testing in Acute Care Medicine: Back to Bedside?
Authors: Caspers Michael , Holle Johannes Fabian , Limper Ulrich , Fröhlich Matthias , Bouillon Bertil
Published: December 2022

Objectives Detailed and decisive information about the patients' coagulation status is important in various emergency situations. Conventional global coagulation testing strategies are often used to provide a quick overview, but several limitations particularly in the trauma setting are well described. With the introduction of direct oral anticoagulations (DOACs), a milestone for several disease entities resulting in overall improved outcomes could be reached, but at the same time providing new diagnostic challenges for the emergency situation.

Design As an alternative to conventional coagulation tests, there is increasing clinical and scientific interest in the use of early whole blood strategies to provide goal-directed coagulation therapies (GDCT) and hemostatic control in critically ill patients. Viscoelastic hemostatic assays (VHAs) were therefore introduced to several clinical applications and may provide as a bedside point-of-care method for faster information on the underlying hemostatic deficiency.

Conclusion The use of VHA-based algorithms to guide hemostatic control in emergency situations now found its way to several international guidelines for patients at risk of bleeding. With this qualitative review, we would like to focus on VHA-based GDCT and review the current evidence for its use, advantages, and challenges in the two different clinical scenarios of trauma and intracerebral bleeding/stroke management.
Optimal 25-OH-Vitamin D Level in Children Derived From Biochemical
Parameters
Authors: Gillis David , Hefter Ari , Edri Shalom , Strich David
Published: December 2022

The aim of the study was to evaluate the bone-optimal pediatric levels of
25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25OHD) by testing the level at which 25OHD optimally
effects calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone levels in a large
population-based dataset. This was an observational retrospective
“big-data” study. We analyzed 49 935 25OHD tests from children
sampled in Clalit Health Services, Jerusalem district between 2009 and 2019.
Associated data were available in the following number of samples: corrected
calcium; 18 869, phosphorus: 1241, and PTH: 449. We tested correlations between
each parameter and 25OHD, adjusting phosphorus levels by age using a
“phosphorus index”. Pearson’s and Spearman’s
correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the strength of the
correlation between 25OHD and each parameter. There was a significant
correlation between 25OHD levels and both PTH and calcium but not for the
phosphorus index. The level at which increase in 25OHD continued to cause
significant alteration was: for PTH up to 100 nmol/l
(40 ng/ml), for corrected calcium it increased beyond 100
nmol/l. Increasing levels of 25OHD levels up to at least 100
nmol/l are associated with improvement in parameters known to be
associated with increased bone mineralization. Therefore, one should aim for a
25OHD level of 100 nmo/l.
Design and Development of Halyos: A Patient-Facing Visual EHR Interface for Longitudinal Risk Awareness
Authors: Mataraso Samson , Socrates Vimig , Lekschas Fritz , Gehlenborg Nils
Published: December 2022

Objectives We have developed Halyos, a visual electronic health record (EHR) web application that complements existing patient portals. Halyos is designed to integrate with existing EHR systems to help patients interpret their health data.

Methods The Halyos application utilizes the Substitutable Medical Applications and Reusable Technologies on Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (SMART on FHIR) platform to create an interoperable interface that provides interactive visualizations of clinically validated risk scores and longitudinal data derived from a patient's clinical measurements.

Results These visualizations allow patients to investigate the relationships between clinical measurements and risk over time.

Discussion By enabling patients to set hypothetical future values for these clinical measurements, patients can see how changes in their health will impact their risks.

Conclusion Using Halyos, patients are provided with the opportunity to actively improve their health based on increased understanding of longitudinal information available in EHRs and to begin a dialogue with their providers.
Low-cost Colonoscopic Simulator and Colonoscope to Train Basic Skills in Colonoscopy during Undergraduate Studies
Authors: de Pinho João Henrique Sendrete , Riscado Lorrane Vieira Siqueira , Sales Marcos Paulo Moreira , de Souza Gabriel Seixa , de Castro Abner Ramos , Bechara Cristiane de Souza
Published: December 2022

Objective To develop a low-cost simulator model and a colonoscope with materials that are easily accessible to offer training on colonoscopy skills during undergraduate studies. Since this is the procedure of choice for colorectal cancer screening, the general practitioner must be able to recognize its main indications, preparation, and complications.

Methods Using materials such as a mannequin, a vehicle inspection camera, a conduit, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe, acrylic, wood, and red paint, we built a simulator and a 150-cm long and 20-to-25-mm thick colonoscope. The colonoscope's handle and handhold were made of acrylic, the colonoscope's mobile end was made with articulated PVC rings, and the up and down movements were performed according to the traction of the steel cables. The camera attached to its distal end enables connection to a smartphone to view the image. In the simulator, the conduit was inserted into the mannequin to simulate the curvatures of the colon. Red spray paint was used to simulate the staining of the colonic mucosa in the inner region of the mannequin and the adventitial layer in the outer region.

Results We were able to build a simulator and a colonoscope with a total amount of R$ 182.82 (roughly US$ 36.50). Both were tested and proved to be useful in the acquisition of psychomotor and cognitive skills in colonoscopy.

Conclusion The simulator and colonoscope developed by us are cost-effective, useful in the acquisition of psychomotor and cognitive skills in colonoscopy, and can facilitate the structuring of a training program for undergraduate students.
India’s Afghanistan policy: a quest for strategic space post the US withdrawal
Authors: Ganaie Reyaz Ahmad , Ganaie Muzaffar Ahmad
Published: December 2022

This paper attempts to analyse India’s foreign policy towards Afghanistan in the post-9/11 era. While the 9/11 attacks marked the beginning of a new epoch in world politics, the ensuing US-led military intervention in Afghanistan offered India a much needed opportunity to re-establish diplomatic ties with Kabul. Since then, India has remained cautious in its approach toward Afghanistan by relying more on assistance-driven foreign policy measures rather than on engaging militarily in the war-torn country. However, the question remains as to what extent India has been able to create strategic space for itself in Afghanistan, given the fact that India had to shut down its embassy and consulates in Afghanistan in August 2021 when the Taliban regained control of the country? Or, has India’s policy been too reliant on soft power that India failed to capitalise on the opportunity created by the overthrow of the Taliban regime in late 2001?
Allied HealthWays – a clinical guidance website for allied health in an integrated health system
Authors: Eden Paula , McGeoch Graham
Published: December 2022

Background and context The Canterbury health system adopted a whole-system approach towards integrated patient care. There was a need to optimise the use of allied health resources, across private and public settings. Assessment of the problem There was no common means for consensus and communication among allied health professions about consistent patient care, and barriers such as a lack of trust existed. This paper describes the implementation and monitoring of Allied Healthways, a website for allied health professionals, set up in 2017 using the HealthPathways approach. Results Over 100 pathways have been published on Allied Healthways, with >13 000 clinicians using the site in Canterbury. Targeted education sessions for allied health professionals, combined with newsletters, raised awareness of new pathways or changes in the system. A survey highlighted the usefulness of Allied Healthways, and the majority of respondents agreed that the site should be available nationwide. Strategies for improvement Development of pathways was found to be a useful mechanism for improving integration in the system. The workgroups and direct meetings engaged allied health professionals and helped achieve local consensus on pathways. They also enabled improvements to be designed and then communicated as a pathway. Lessons learnt Although the patient journey should be consistent, irrespective of their point of contact with the health system, guidance and processes need to be relevant to their target audience. It was essential to write pathways specifically for allied health professionals.
Identifying hypotheses for drivers of decline of the bogong moth (Agrotis infusa)
Authors: Caley Peter
Published: December 2022

Context Migratory populations of bogong moths in Australia are in decline. Numbers decreased after European settlement in the 1800s, and were stable before declining again from about 1980. Numerous hypothesised drivers for the decline have been postulated, and Caughley’s declining population paradigm provides a systematic approach to diagnosing which of these are important, and hence the knowledge to guide recovery actions. Aims This paper aims to assess which of the hypothesised drivers remain as candidate hypotheses for further investigation. Methods Within the context of known bogong moth life history and the timing of observed declines, hypothesised drivers of the two decline phases were assessed with respect to their potential impact on larval recruitment and adult survival during migration and aestivation. Key results Changes in vegetation composition and availability arising from the spread of pastoralism stand out as a likely driver of the early decline, with the herbivorous moth larva facing competition with introduced livestock, feral herbivores, and increased densities of native macropods. Many of the numerous postulated drivers of the most recent decline (e.g. changes in rainfall, rising temperatures in aestivation sites, increasing fire frequency) appear to have little support to be retained. Postulated drivers that remain as working hypotheses include increasing soil temperatures, increased cropping areas, and changed cropping practices and area. The effect of some drivers, such as artificial light pollution, is unclear and may warrant further investigation. Conclusions Inference on the drivers of bogong moth population decline is wanting. Implications Designed experiments are needed.
Non-parametric comparative analysis of the spatiotemporal pattern of human-caused and natural wildfires in Galicia
Authors: Marey-Pérez M. F. , Fuentes-Santos Isabel , Saavera-Nieves Paula , González-Manteiga Wenceslao
Published: December 2022

Background Wildfire is a major environmental threat worldwide and climate change is expected to increase its severity. Galicia has suffered high wildfire incidence during the last decades, most wildfires being from arson, in contrast with the low rate of natural wildfires. Aim This work aims to characterise the spatiotemporal dynamics of human-caused and natural fires in Galicia. Methods We apply first- and second-order non-parametric inference to spatiotemporal wildfire point patterns. Key results The distribution of natural wildfires remained stable over years, with high incidence in summer and in the eastern area of Galicia. Arson wildfires had aggregated patterns, with strong interaction between outbreaks and fires, and their distribution varied both over and within years, with high incidence shifting between the southern and western areas, and high hazard in early spring and late summer. Negligence wildfire patterns showed short-distance aggregation, but large-distance aggregation between outbreaks and fires; their spatial distribution also varied between and within years. Conclusions Different models and covariates are required to predict the hazard from each wildfire type. Natural fires are linked to meteorological and environmental factors, whereas socioeconomic covariates are crucial in human-caused wildfires. Implications These results are the basis for the future development of predictive spatiotemporal point process models for human-caused wildfires.
From modals to modal constructions
Authors: Leclercq Benoît
Published: December 2022

The goal of this paper is to present the results of a corpus analysis aimed at identifying n-grams (i.e., lexical sequences) with the modalscan,couldandbe able to. While details about the functional profile of these verbs are still being discussed (e.g.,Leclercq & Depraetere 2022), it is surprising that relatively scarce attention is given to the lexico-grammatical patterns in which they are found and which come with their own semantic and pragmatic features. Using the methodology developed inCappelle and Depraetere (2016b), a total of 1,640 n-grams were extracted from COCA (Davies 2008-). A number of these patterns are discussed and, in keeping with the approach developed in Construction Grammar (Hilpert 2019), it is shown that an enhanced understanding of these verbs can be achieved when viewed as part of more complex networks of constructions.
Best-practice recommendations for cautery disbudding goat kids
Authors: Hempstead Melissa N. , Plummer Paul J.
Published: December 2022

Cautery disbudding is a painful husbandry practice routinely performed on goat kids using a hot cautery iron to destroy the horn buds and prevent horn growth. After a thorough review of the scientific literature on cautery disbudding of goat kids, it is apparent that there is considerable variation in disbudding practice in relation to training, kid-related factors (e.g. age, sex), iron-related factors (e.g. temperature, application time), procedure (e.g. horn bud removal), and pain mitigation, which all can impact the behaviour and welfare of goat kids. This case study provides best-practice recommendations for cautery disbudding goat kids. It is imperative that goat kid-specific training, with allowance for time and opportunities for practice, is provided to improve the technical ability of operators, and to reduce the potential for negative impacts on kid health and welfare. Procedural factors to be taken into consideration in preparation for disbudding include age of goat kid at disbudding, sex, temperature and application time of the iron, and whether the horn bud is removed. Goat kids typically are very vocal with rapid and intense movements during disbudding, and they perform head shaking and scratching following disbudding, which can be alleviated with appropriate pain management. Isoflurane or dexmedetomidine and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as meloxicam can reduce pain, whereas lidocaine blocks have varying efficacy and cause pain to administer. Goat kid-focused best-practice recommendations for cautery disbudding can improve the health and welfare outcomes for goat kids.
Relevance-based channel selection in motor imagery brain–computer interface
Authors: Nagarajan Aarthy , Robinson Neethu , Guan Cuntai
Published: December 2022

Objective. Channel selection in the electroencephalogram (EEG)-based brain–computer interface (BCI) has been extensively studied for over two decades, with the goal being to select optimal subject-specific channels that can enhance the overall decoding efficacy of the BCI. With the emergence of deep learning (DL)-based BCI models, there arises a need for fresh perspectives and novel techniques to conduct channel selection. In this regard, subject-independent channel selection is relevant, since DL models trained using cross-subject data offer superior performance, and the impact of inherent inter-subject variability of EEG characteristics on subject-independent DL training is not yet fully understood. Approach. Here, we propose a novel methodology for implementing subject-independent channel selection in DL-based motor imagery (MI)-BCI, using layer-wise relevance propagation (LRP) and neural network pruning. Experiments were conducted using Deep ConvNet and 62-channel MI data from the Korea University EEG dataset. Main Results. Using our proposed methodology, we achieved a 61% reduction in the number of channels without any significant drop (p = 0.09) in subject-independent classification accuracy, due to the selection of highly relevant channels by LRP. LRP relevance-based channel selections provide significantly better accuracies compared to conventional weight-based selections while using less than 40% of the total number of channels, with differences in accuracies ranging from 5.96% to 1.72%. The performance of the adapted sparse-LRP model using only 16% of the total number of channels is similar to that of the adapted baseline model (p = 0.13). Furthermore, the accuracy of the adapted sparse-LRP model using only 35% of the total number of channels exceeded that of the adapted baseline model by 0.53% (p = 0.81). Analyses of channels chosen by LRP confirm the neurophysiological plausibility of selection, and emphasize the influence of motor, parietal, and occipital channels in MI-EEG classification. Significance. The proposed method addresses a traditional issue in EEG-BCI decoding, while being relevant and applicable to the latest developments in the field of BCI. We believe that our work brings forth an interesting and important application of model interpretability as a problem-solving technique.
Fully desktop fabricated flexible graphene electrocorticography (ECoG) arrays
Authors: Hu Jia , Hossain Ridwan Fayaz , Navabi Zahra S , Tillery Alana , Laroque Michael , Donaldson Preston D , Swisher Sarah L , Kodandaramaiah Suhasa B
Published: December 2022

Objective: Flexible Electrocorticography (ECoG) electrode arrays that conform to the cortical surface and record surface field potentials from multiple brain regions provide unique insights into how computations occurring in distributed brain regions mediate behavior. Specialized microfabrication methods are required to produce flexible ECoG devices with high-density electrode arrays. However, these fabrication methods are challenging for scientists without access to cleanroom fabrication equipment. Results: Here we present a fully desktop fabricated flexible graphene ECoG array. First, we synthesized a stable, conductive ink via liquid exfoliation of Graphene in Cyrene. Next, we established a stencil-printing process for patterning the graphene ink via laser-cut stencils on flexible polyimide substrates. Benchtop tests indicate that the graphene electrodes have good conductivity of ∼1.1 × 103 S cm−1, flexibility to maintain their electrical connection under static bending, and electrochemical stability in a 15 d accelerated corrosion test. Chronically implanted graphene ECoG devices remain fully functional for up to 180 d, with average in vivo impedances of 24.72 ± 95.23 kΩ at 1 kHz. The ECoG device can measure spontaneous surface field potentials from mice under awake and anesthetized states and sensory stimulus-evoked responses. Significance: The stencil-printing fabrication process can be used to create Graphene ECoG devices with customized electrode layouts within 24 h using commonly available laboratory equipment.
Toward a generalizable deep CNN for neural drive estimation across muscles and participants
Authors: Wen Yue , Kim Sangjoon J , Avrillon Simon , Levine Jackson T , Hug François , Pons José L
Published: December 2022

Objective. High-density electromyography (HD-EMG) decomposition algorithms are used to identify individual motor unit (MU) spike trains, which collectively constitute the neural code of movements, to predict motor intent. This approach has advanced from offline to online decomposition, from isometric to dynamic contractions, leading to a wide range of neural-machine interface applications. However, current online methods need offline retraining when applied to the same muscle on a different day or to a different person, which limits their applications in a real-time neural-machine interface. We proposed a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) framework for neural drive estimation, which takes in frames of HD-EMG signals as input, extracts general spatiotemporal properties of MU action potentials, and outputs the number of spikes in each frame. The deep CNN can generalize its application without retraining to HD-EMG data recorded in separate sessions, muscles, or participants. Approach. We recorded HD-EMG signals from the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscles from five participants while they performed isometric contractions during two sessions separated by ∼20 months. We identified MU spike trains from HD-EMG signals using a convolutive blind source separation (BSS) method, and then used the cumulative spike train (CST) of these MUs and the HD-EMG signals to train and validate the deep CNN. Main results. On average, the correlation coefficients between CST from the BSS and that from deep CNN were

0.983
±
0.006

for leave-one-out across-sessions-and-muscles validation and

0.989
±
0.002

for leave-one-out across-participants validation. When trained with more than four datasets, the performance of deep CNN saturated at

0.984
±
0.001

for cross validations across muscles, sessions, and participants. Significance. We can conclude that the deep CNN is generalizable across the aforementioned conditions without retraining. We could potentially generate a robust deep CNN to estimate neural drive to muscles for neural-machine interfaces.
Investigation of the effects of purge gas recycling for increasing methanol production and carbon dioxide reduction on the environment using dynamic simulation
Authors: Sarvestani Maryam Ebrahimzadeh , Maria Francesco Di
Published: December 2022

Nowadays, not only development but also survival requires energy. In today’s world, this energy is supplied through various carriers such as oil, gas, electricity, and renewable energy. Due to the increasing expansion of urban communities and the expansion of industry and industrial life, the issue of environmental pollution and excessive increase in greenhouse gases has become one of the major problems of communities. Half of all carbon dioxide emissions are generated by fossil fuel and power plants. Synthesis gas, which includes carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane, and nitrogen, is obtained by reforming natural gas. This gas is used to produce valuable products such as methanol. In general, methanol is produced from the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide separately in the presence of zinc oxide and copper catalysts by a complex mechanism. In this study, to increase methanol production in the unit, the effect of recycling different gas components in the industrial unit has been investigated using dynamic simulation. Also, the amount of carbon dioxide reduction and its effects on the environment are examined. These studies showed that by considering these changes, the rate of methanol production current can be increased by about two percent.
The pyrolysis and gasification pathways of automotive shredder residue targeting the production of fuels and chemicals
Authors: Manente Giovanni , Martignano Sebastiano , Ficarella Antonio , Cavaliere Pasquale
Published: December 2022

Automotive shredder residue (ASR), also referred to as car fluff, is the 15-25% of end-of-life vehicle’s mass remaining after de-pollution, dismantling, shredding of the hulk and removal of metals from the shredded fraction. ASR typically consists of metals, plastics, rubber, textile, wood and glass, and is commonly landfilled. The use of ASR as a fuel in incineration processes is controversial since toxic pollutants can be generated as by-products if operational conditions and gas cleaning systems are not carefully controlled. Thermochemical treatment of ASR consists of advanced technology processes that convert ASR components liable to decomposition under the application of heat into liquids and/or gases and a solid residue containing metals. Within the thermochemical treatment options for ASR, pyrolysis and gasification are generally considered as the emerging technologies. The pyrolysis process uses medium temperatures (400-600°C) and an oxygen-free environment to decompose ASR chemically, thus producing minimum emissions and allowing metals to be recovered. Gasification is operated at higher temperatures (>700-800°C) and typically uses air as a gasification agent, which raises some issues in terms of emissions. Lab and pilot-scale plants fed with ASR have been built using both technologies, also considering a combination of them. The aim of this paper is the identification of the best conversion pathway for the production of transportation fuels, aviation fuels or chemicals (hydrogen, methanol, etc.) from ASR. The intermediate products from gasification and pyrolysis are used as feedstock in secondary processes for the production of the final products. The heterogeneous and complex composition of ASR raises several challenges upon its thermochemical treatment, so that the second step of the conversion process is typically not even addressed. Instead, this further step is fundamental to obtain some valuable products that can directly replace fossil derived fuels or chemicals. The updated picture presented in this work should help identify the main advantages and drawbacks of the pyrolysis and gasification processes when considered part of an overall ASR to fuels or chemicals plant.
Transformation of a historical building into a Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB)
Authors: Romano G , Mancini F
Published: December 2022

The European Commission strategic long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate-neutral economy by 2050 outlines main strategic blocks to maximise the benefits of energy efficiency, including zero emission buildings and to maximise the deployment of renewables and the use of electricity to fully decarbonise Europe’s energy supply. The following EU Climate Target Plan 2030 underlines, once again and even more urgently than in 2050, the strong need to build a modern, sustainable and resilient Europe, and this high objective means cleaner air, more energy security and more energy-efficient buildings. Looking at these European directives, Italy has signed the PNIEC, with whom intends to pursue an indicative target of reducing consumption by 2030 equal to 43% of primary energy and 39.7% of final energy compared to the PRIMES 2007 reference scenario. To achieve this goal, particular attention is paid to the existing buildings such as Palazzo De Simone. This historical building, built in the eighteenth century on a project by the architect Raguzzini, located in Benevento (BN), is now home to four different uses: the De Simone Theatre, the De Simone Chapel, a faculty of the University of Sannio and the Conservatory of Benevento. Starting from an extensive historical research, as well as from a series of non-destructive in-situ surveys and environmental measurements, it has been possible to create a satisfactory analysis framework. Later, the design objectives have been identified and, starting from these, design strategies and solutions have been formulated. It has been decided to act at a global level with a conservative restoration in compliance with the constraints imposed by the Superintendence, and at a specific level first on the building envelope, leaving the systems unchanged, then on the systems, leaving the envelope unchanged. Finally, crossing the results, the transformation of the historical building in a nZEB has been obtained, in compliance with the legislative constraints imposed by the national regulations.
Energy and Environmental Refurbishment of the Hygiene Institute within the Sapienza University of Rome campus
Authors: Romano G , Martellucci G , Mancini F , Battisti A
Published: December 2022

Starting from the definition of sustainable development introduced by the 2030 Agenda, and the most recent European implementation tools such as above all the New Green Deal, three goals have been highlighted as pilot objectives of this research: Goal 13 “Climate Action” to strengthen the resilience and adaptability of our building stock to climate-related risks, Goal 7 “Affordable and Clean Energy” by increasing the share of renewable energy and improving the energy efficiency of the existing building stock and Goal 6 “Clean Water and Sanitation”, aimed, in this specific case, at a sustainable management of water resources and technologies for recycling and reuse. In particular, the research work focused on the energy and environmental redevelopment, from a green perspective, of the “Sanarelli” Institute of Hygiene within the “Sapienza” University of Rome campus. The building was built in 1935 and, following a series of changes over the years, currently has a total volume of 37,700 m3 and an area of 9,475 m2. After an in-depth study of the status quo thanks to inspections, surveys, non-invasive investigations and environmental analyses, the work has focused on the definition of specific objectives with the ultimate aim of the energy and environmental refurbishment intervention by tracing 7 strategies thanks to which it has been possible to identify 9 technical solutions to be applied to the Institute. The design choices highlight a close synergy between active and passive devices which together contribute to achieving a circular use of water resources on site, with systems for capturing and collecting rainwater and treating wastewater, as well as achieving a significant improvement in the energy behaviour of the building. This improvement has been possible not only thanks to the updating, with respect to nowadays uses and standards, of the characteristics of the building envelope and of the active systems, but also thanks to the close collaboration between the active and passive technological solutions that have led to satisfactory results with a view to reducing CO2 emissions.
Thermal and acoustic performance of additive aerogel-clay bricks.
Authors: Buratti C , Merli F , Belloni E , Spaccini F
Published: December 2022

Aerogel is a nano-porous material with significant thermal insulation properties and a good candidate for improving the performance of traditional materials for energy efficiency in buildings. It is therefore gaining more and more interest in the construction industry and researchers are carrying out investigations for incorporating granular aerogel into bricks. The aim of the present paper is the experimental investigation of the influence on both thermal and acoustic properties of granular aerogel in mixed clay-aerogel bricks. Samples with 5% of granular aerogel were tested and compared with the pure clay. For each type of brick, the thermal conductivity (λ) was evaluated in a Small Hot Box apparatus. The acoustic performance (absorption coefficient α and Transmission Loss TL) was measured at normal incidence in a traditional impedance tube. The results reveal that the thermal conductivity of clay sample with 5% of aerogel in the initial mixture decrease to 0.212 W/(mK) at 10°C, in comparison with 0.310 W/(mK). Also α-values better than the ones without aerogel were achieved (α = 0.29 at about 1600 Hz instead of 0.11) whereas TL values, despite good (24 - 34 dB depending on the frequency), are lower than the ones obtained for the pure clay samples, due to the lower density, according to the Mass Law.
Numerical analysis of the thermal energy storage in cellular structures filled with phase-change material
Authors: Nonino Carlo , Diani Andrea , Rossetto Luisa
Published: December 2022

This paper reports the results of a numerical study on the thermal performance of metal cellular structures that can be obtained by additive manufacturing (selective laser melting) when they are impregnated with phase change material (PCM) for possible applications in electronic cooling. Two body-centered cubic (BCC) periodic structures with cell sizes of 5 mm and 10 mm and a porosity of 87%, made of two solid materials (aluminum alloy and copper), and two paraffins with characteristic melting temperatures of 55 and 64 °C were considered. The numerical simulations are carried out using the commercial code ANSYS Fluent and are based on a previously validated purely conductive heat transfer model. The computational domains include just small repetitive portions of the considered composite structures, thus allowing substantial savings of computational time. Computed results show that, with both paraffins, the copper made finer BCC structure (5 mm) yields the best thermal performances, i.e, the shortest PCM melting time and the highest rate of thermal energy storage during transients.