bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autonomous and non-autonomous modified Leslie-type stochastic predator–prey model with foraging arena scheme
Authors: Cai Yongmei
Published: June 2023

This paper aims to investigate how the external random noise affects the dynamics of the predator–prey model with a modified Leslie and foraging arena scheme. The autonomous and non-autonomous systems are both considered. First, some asymptotic behaviors of two species are explored including the threshold point. Then, the existence of an invariant density is deduced, based on the theory elaborated in Pike and Luglato (1987). Moreover, the famous LaSalle-type theorem is applied to investigate weak extinction, which requires weaker parametric restrictions. A numerical study is conducted to illustrate our theory.
Optoelectronic and thermoelectric properties of Sb2S3 under hydrostatic pressure for energy conversion
Authors: Azadparvar Maliheh , Rahnamaye Aliabad H. A. , Özdemir Evren G.
Published: June 2023

This study reports the optoelectronic and thermoelectric properties of antimony trisulfide (Sb2S3) under a hydrostatic pressure of up to 20.4 GPa. The properties were computed based on the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave using the generalized gradient approximation by Perdew, Burke, and Ernzerhof as the exchange-correlation potentials. It was shown that increasing the pressure from 0.00 to 20.4 GPa decreases the calculated bandgap from 1.44 to 0.84 eV. There was a discontinuity in the pressure range of 4.82–6.3 GPa due to the isostructural electronic phase transition. The applied pressure increases the inner electrical polarization. At high pressure, the energy of the negative value of ε1 becomes large, and ε1 itself always remains negative. We observed that the high absorption of Sb2S3 also increases with pressure and the plasmon energy shifts to high energy. The applied pressure increases the static dielectric constant and static refractive index. It was found that the Seebeck coefficients increase with increasing temperature and decrease with increasing pressure. The bipolar effect occurs at low doping levels and high pressure. The optical and thermoelectric properties of Sb2S3 obtained under pressure show that it is suitable for clean energy conversion and optoelectronic applications.
Gas injection into a tilted rotating cylinder
Authors: Lefranc C. , Detournay O. , Meunier P.
Published: June 2023

The flux of CO2 diffusing inside a new type of bioreactors has been measured experimentally. This geoinspired bioreactor consists of a partially filled cylinder rotating around its axis tilted vertically, thus mimicking the precession motion of the Earth. The height of fluid is chosen equal to two radii in order for the first Kelvin mode to be resonant. The CO2 diffuses through a membrane located at the bottom of the liquid. The partial pressure of CO2 above the free surface is measured as a function of time. This temporal evolution is modeled by the presence of diffusive layers with no advection at the top and the bottom of the liquid. This basic model leads to an experimental value for the flux of CO2 at the membrane, which is found to be proportional to the inverse square root of the Ekman number. This is in agreement with the presence of Ekman layers of thickness proportional to the square root of the Ekman number. At a given Ekman number, the flux weakly depends on the tilt angle α with a scaling as α1/4.
Anomalous ferromagnetism and magneto-optic Kerr effect in rare-earth substituted Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3
Authors: Kumar Vishwakarma Chandan , Mani B. K.
Published: June 2023

Designing multifunctional materials with prominent electrical, optical, and magnetic properties is of keen interest to many technological applications. In the roadmap for designing such materials, we have investigated the rare-earth (Nd and Er)-substituted NBT using first-principles calculations. Our calculation predicts the emergence of magnetic degrees of freedom in these materials. The magnetic moments obtained, for the largest concentration of 25%, are ≈1.47 and 1.49 μB/f.u., respectively, for Nd-NBT and Er-NBT. The mechanism for nonzero magnetic moments in (Nd/Er)-NBT is traced to the presence of unpaired f-electrons in the systems. Our simulations on magneto-optic effects show a significant Kerr signal of 0.7 ° in both the materials. This suggests rare-earth substituted NBT as potential candidates for magneto-optical applications and motivates more theoretical and experimental works along this direction.
Exceptional high temperature retention in
Al0.93B0.07N films
Authors: Zhu Wanlin , He Fan , Hayden John , Yang Jung In , Tipsawat Pannawit , Maria Jon-Paul , Trolier-McKinstry Susan
Published: June 2023

This paper reports the retention behavior for Al0.93B0.07N thin films, a member of the novel family of wurtzite ferroelectrics. Our experiments suggest that bipolar cycling of metal (Pt/W)/Al0.93B0.07N/W/Al2O3 film stacks first induced wake-up and then a region of constant switchable polarization. The films showed excellent retention of the stored polarization state. As expected, data retention was slightly inferior in the opposite state (OS) measurements. However, it is noted that even after 3.6 × 106 s (1000 h) at 200 °C, the OS signal margin still exceeded 200 μC/cm2. The predicted OS retention is 82% after 10 yr baking at 200 °C.
Polarization response of spin-lasers under amplitude modulation
Authors: Xu Gaofeng , Patel Krish , Žutić Igor
Published: June 2023

Lasers with injected spin-polarized carriers show an outstanding performance in both static and dynamic operation. In addition to the intensity response of conventional lasers, without spin-polarized carriers, both intensity and polarization of light can be exploited for optical communication in spin-lasers. However, the polarization dynamics of spin-lasers under amplitude modulation has been largely overlooked. Here, we reveal, analytically and numerically, a nontrivial polarization response that accompanies the well-known intensity dynamics of a spin-laser under amplitude modulation. We evaluate the polarization and intensity response under the same amplitude modulation and further assess the capability of such a polarization response in digital data transfer with eye diagram simulations. Our results provide a more complete understanding of the modulation response in spin-lasers and open up unexplored opportunities in optical communication and spintronics.
Quantifying the potential persuasive returns to political microtargeting
Authors: Tappin Ben M. , Wittenberg Chloe , Hewitt Luke B. , Berinsky Adam J. , Rand David G.
Published: June 2023

Much concern has been raised about the power of political microtargeting to sway voters’ opinions, influence elections, and undermine democracy. Yet little research has directly estimated the persuasive advantage of microtargeting over alternative campaign strategies. Here, we do so using two studies focused on U.S. policy issue advertising. To implement a microtargeting strategy, we combined machine learning with message pretesting to determine which advertisements to show to which individuals to maximize persuasive impact. Using survey experiments, we then compared the performance of this microtargeting strategy against two other messaging strategies. Overall, we estimate that our microtargeting strategy outperformed these strategies by an average of 70% or more in a context where all of the messages aimed to influence the same policy attitude (Study 1). Notably, however, we found no evidence that targeting messages by more than one covariate yielded additional persuasive gains, and the performance advantage of microtargeting was primarily visible for one of the two policy issues under study. Moreover, when microtargeting was used instead to identify which policy attitudes to target with messaging (Study 2), its advantage was more limited. Taken together, these results suggest that the use of microtargeting—combining message pretesting with machine learning—can potentially increase campaigns’ persuasive influence and may not require the collection of vast amounts of personal data to uncover complex interactions between audience characteristics and political messaging. However, the extent to which this approach confers a persuasive advantage over alternative strategies likely depends heavily on context.
Therapy targeting antigen-specific T cells by a peptide-based tolerizing vaccine against autoimmune arthritis
Authors: Urbonaviciute Vilma , Romero-Castillo Laura , Xu Bingze , Luo Huqiao , Schneider Nadine , Weisse Sylvia , Do Nhu-Nguyen , Oliveira-Coelho Ana , Fernandez Lahore Gonzalo , Li Taotao , Sabatier Pierre , Beusch Christian M. , Viljanen Johan , Zubarev Roman A. , Kihlberg Jan , Bäcklund Johan , Burkhardt Harald , Holmdahl Rikard
Published: June 2023

A longstanding goal has been to find an antigen-specific preventive therapy, i.e., a vaccine, for autoimmune diseases. It has been difficult to find safe ways to steer the targeting of natural regulatory antigen. Here, we show that the administration of exogenous mouse major histocompatibility complex class II protein bounding a unique galactosylated collagen type II (COL2) peptide (A
q
–galCOL2) directly interacts with the antigen-specific TCR through a positively charged tag. This leads to expanding a VISTA-positive nonconventional regulatory T cells, resulting in a potent dominant suppressive effect and protection against arthritis in mice. The therapeutic effect is dominant and tissue specific as the suppression can be transferred with regulatory T cells, which downregulate various autoimmune arthritis models including antibody-induced arthritis. Thus, the tolerogenic approach described here may be a promising dominant antigen-specific therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, and in principle, for autoimmune diseases in general.
Engineered gut symbiont inhibits microsporidian parasite and improves honey bee survival
Authors: Huang Qiang , Lariviere Patrick J. , Powell J. Elijah , Moran Nancy A.
Published: June 2023

Honey bees (
Apis mellifera
) are critical agricultural pollinators as well as model organisms for research on development, behavior, memory, and learning. The parasite
Nosema ceranae
, a common cause of honey bee colony collapse, has developed resistance to small-molecule therapeutics. An alternative long-term strategy to combat
Nosema
infection is therefore urgently needed, with synthetic biology offering a potential solution. Honey bees harbor specialized bacterial gut symbionts that are transmitted within hives. Previously, these have been engineered to inhibit ectoparasitic mites by expressing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting essential mite genes, via activation of the mite RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. In this study, we engineered a honey bee gut symbiont to express dsRNA targeting essential genes of
N. ceranae
via the parasite’s own RNAi machinery. The engineered symbiont sharply reduced
Nosema
proliferation and improved bee survival following the parasite challenge. This protection was observed in both newly emerged and older forager bees. Furthermore, engineered symbionts were transmitted among cohoused bees, suggesting that introducing engineered symbionts to hives could result in colony-level protection.
Phosphorylation of DNA-PKcs at the S2056 cluster ensures efficient and productive lymphocyte development in XLF-deficient mice
Authors: Zhu Yimeng , Jiang Wenxia , Lee Brian J. , Li Angelina , Gershik Steven , Zha Shan
Published: June 2023

The nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway is a major DNA double-strand break repair pathway in mammals and is essential for lymphocyte development. Ku70 and Ku80 heterodimer (KU) initiates NHEJ, thereby recruiting and activating the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs). While DNA-PKcs deletion only moderately impairs end-ligation, the expression of kinase-dead DNA-PKcs completely abrogates NHEJ. Active DNA-PK phosphorylates DNA-PKcs at two clusters—PQR around S2056 (S2053 in mouse) and ABCDE around T2609. Alanine substitution at the S2056 cluster moderately compromises end-ligation on plasmid-based assays. But, mice carrying alanine substitution at all five serine residues within the S2056 cluster (

DNA-PKcs
PQR/PQR

) display no defect in lymphocyte development, leaving the physiological significance of S2056 cluster phosphorylation elusive. Xlf is a nonessential NHEJ factor.

Xlf 
−/−

mice have substantial peripheral lymphocytes that are completely abolished by the loss of DNA-PKcs, the related ATM kinases, other chromatin-associated DNA damage response factors (e.g., 53BP1, MDC1, H2AX, and MRI), or RAG2-C-terminal regions, suggesting functional redundancy. While ATM inhibition does not further compromise end-ligation, here we show that in XLF-deficient background, DNA-PKcs S2056 cluster phosphorylation is critical for normal lymphocyte development. Chromosomal V(D)J recombination from

DNA-PKcs
PQR/PQR
Xlf 
−/−

B cells is efficient but often has large deletions that jeopardize lymphocyte development. Class-switch recombination junctions from

DNA-PKcs
PQR/PQR
Xlf 
−/−

mice are less efficient and the residual junctions display decreased fidelity and increased deletion. These findings establish a role for DNA-PKcs S2056 cluster phosphorylation in physiological chromosomal NHEJ, implying that S2056 cluster phosphorylation contributes to the synergy between XLF and DNA-PKcs in end-ligation.
Operando analysis reveals potential-driven in situ formation of single-Fe-atom electrocatalysts for green production of ammonia
Authors: Yang Fa , Song Ping , Ge Xin , Wang Yan , Gunji Takao , Zhang Wei , Zhao Xiao , Xu Weilin
Published: June 2023

As a sustainable approach for N
2
fixation, electrocatalytic N
2
reduction reaction (N
2
RR) to produce ammonia (NH
3
) is highly desirable with a precise understanding to the structure-activity relationship of electrocatalysts. Here, firstly, we obtain a novel carbon-supported oxygen-coordinated single-Fe-atom catalyst for highly efficient production of ammonia from electrocatalytic N
2
RR. Based on such new type of N
2
RR electrocatalyst, by combining operando X-ray absorption spectra (XAS) with density function theory calculation, we reveal significantly that the as-prepared active coordination structure undergoes a potential-driven two-step restructuring, firstly from Fe
SA
O
4
(OH)
1a
to Fe
SA
O
4
(OH)
1a′
(OH)
1b
with the adsorption of another –OH on Fe
SA
at open-circuit potential (OCP) of 0.58 V
RHE
, and subsequently restructuring from Fe
SA
O
4
(OH)
1a′
(OH)
1b
to Fe
SA
O
3
(OH)
1a″
due to the breaking of one Fe-O bond and the dissociation of one –OH at working potentials for final electrocatalytic process of N
2
RR, thus revealing the first potential-induced in situ formation of the real electrocatalytic active sites to boost the conversion of N
2
to NH
3
. Moreover, the key intermediate of Fe-NNH
x
was detected experimentally by both
operando
XAS and in situ attenuated total reflection–surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectra (ATR-SEIRAS), indicating the alternating mechanism followed by N
2
RR on such catalyst. The results indicate the necessity of considering the potential-induced restructuring of the active sites on all kinds of electrocatalysts for such as highly efficient ammonia production from N
2
RR. It also paves a new way for a precise understanding to the structure-activity relationship of a catalyst and helps the design of highly efficient catalysts.
Prosodic marking of contrast in LSFB (French Belgian Sign Language)
Authors: Lombart Clara
Published: June 2023

This paper examines the relationships between information structure and prosody in LSFB (French Belgian Sign Language), focusing on the marking of contrast. A recurrent assertion in the literature is that contrast is always marked by prosodic prominence. We discuss this interaction at the manual level by investigating the connections between the presence or absence of a manual prosodic marker and the contrastive or non-contrastive character of a sign. To explore this connection, we examine data related to the holds, dominance reversals, repetitions, and variations in duration and displacement produced on 977 signs by four native LSFB signers. We also assign a certain degree of prominence to every sign depending on the number of cues employed by a participant. Data are analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney U test, or Kruskal-Wallis test). The results show that contrast has its own prosodic marking at the manual level in LSFB and that contrastive signs are more prominent than non-contrastive ones. The prevailing cues used to encode contrast are variations in displacement or relative duration, and combinations of relative duration and displacement. The interactions between prosody, information structure, and articulatory constraints are discussed to explain the different patterns highlighted in the data sample.
Determining ideology through translation*
Authors: Kamyanets Angela
Published: June 2023

Based on the premise that journalistic translation functions as a gatekeeping force, this study uses Thematic
Content Analysis and Critical Discourse Analysis to analyse translation decisions of UNIAN, a leading news agency in Ukraine owned
by oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky, in order to ‘reconstruct’ its ideological agenda. The findings indicate that, as regards
international matters, the ideology promoted by UNIAN is oriented towards Ukrainian national interests. This conclusion follows
from the dominant themes of the translated articles – such as the Russian aggression in the east of Ukraine, Ukraine’s
relationship with the new US administration, and the EU’s attitude to Russia – and from ideological shifts in the target texts.
Domestically, however, UNIAN appears to be at least partially pro-oligarchic, since the corruption and reform theme is downplayed
in the translations, even though it was widely discussed in western press at the time when the corpus for the study was
collected.
Dual gradient method for ill-posed problems using multiple repeated measurement data
Authors: Jin Qinian , Wang Wei
Published: June 2023

We consider determining

-minimizing solutions of linear ill-posed problems

A
x
=
y

, where

A
:

X

→

Y

is a bounded linear operator from a Banach space

X

to a Hilbert space

Y

and

is a proper strongly convex penalty function. Assuming that multiple repeated independent identically distributed unbiased data of y are available, we consider a dual gradient method to reconstruct the

-minimizing solution using the average of these data. By terminating the method by either an a priori stopping rule or a statistical variant of the discrepancy principle, we provide the convergence analysis and derive convergence rates when the sought solution satisfies certain variational source conditions. Various numerical results are reported to test the performance of the method.
Losing the balance in risk-benefit analysis
Authors: Rehani Madan M
Published: June 2023

The idea of a benefit-risk analysis has been used for decades, but no one has probably bothered to see if there is a ratio or even questioned the concept because it does give an intuitive sense. There are situations where the tendency to lose the balance between the risk and benefit has been observed to move either towards benefit alone or risk alone. This may happen in medicine for benefit alone and in the nuclear industry for risk alone when public perceptions are involved. For example, in medicine, when the risk is uncertain and/or may happen in the long term as against the benefit, which may be immediate, the tendency to ignore risk has been observed. On the other hand, accidents in the nuclear industry shadow the benefits of nuclear power, resulting in authorities abandoning nuclear power in some countries. Similarly, tissue reactions to patients in fluoroscopic guided interventions have been highlighted despite the fact that the stochastic risks in the same procedure may be tens of times higher. Attention has been drawn to the analogy of risks in pharmaceuticals as against radiation and better-developed system for drugs for us to learn from. This article describes situations of losing balance and provides motivation for the International Commission on Radiological Protection to develop solutions for situations that entail immediate benefits with long-term radiation risk, commonly encountered in medical exposure.
Shape memory alloy based smart compression stocking and real-time health monitoring app for deep venous thrombosis
Authors: Hua Shuyuan , Liu Yiwen , Jiang Jinhua , Xiao Fei , Hou Ruihang , Li Aijia , Cai Xiaorong , Hu Xiangjun , Ding Xifan , Jin Xuejun
Published: June 2023

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a severe venous disease with high incidence and mortality rate. Patients suffering from DVT have poor quality of life due to continuous sequela. Prophylaxis is applied on high-risk individuals while clinical researches have demonstrated the efficacy of graduated compression stockings (GCSs) in reducing DVT incidence. However, the prophylactic effect of conventional GCS on DVT in daily life does not meet the expectation due to its disadvantages such as low compliance and static pressure. For the purpose of superior prevention, a smart graduated compression stocking (SGCS) based on shape memory alloy (SMA) was designed, prototyped and tested in this research. A related mobile App was designed to modulate dynamic pressure and monitor health conditions such as temperature and pulse during the application of the SGCS. Experimental results showed that the prototype was able to provide clinical-standard pressure (at least 15 mmHg to 21 mmHg), three levels of adjustable dynamic pressure and low dressing difficulty while the App guaranteed the real-time physiological signs monitoring of skin temperature and dorsalis pedis artery pulse.
Deterministic all-versus-nothing proofs of Bell nonlocality based on non-stabilizer states
Authors: Tang Weidong
Published: June 2023

The all-versus-nothing proof of Bell nonlocality is a prominent demonstration of Bell’s theorem without inequalities. There are two kinds of such proofs: the deterministic all-versus-nothing proof and the probabilistic all-versus-nothing proof, which have received extensive research attention. Traditionally, all previous deterministic all-versus-nothing proofs are constructed based on stabilizer states. However, this work presents new deterministic proofs derived from non-stabilizer states, thereby breaking away from this conventional approach. These novel results not only significantly broaden the range of demonstrations of Bell nonlocality without inequalities but also offer valuable resources for certain quantum information processing applications.
Shimmering gravitons in the gamma-ray sky
Authors: Ramazanov S. , Samanta R. , Trenkler G. , Urban F.
Published: June 2023

What is the highest energy at which gravitons can be observed? We address this question by studying graviton-to-photon conversion — the inverse-Gertsenshtein effect — in the magnetic field of the Milky Way. We find that above ∼ 1 PeV the effective photon mass grows large enough to quench the conversion rate.
For sub-PeV energies, the induced photon flux is comparable to the sensitivity of LHAASO to a diffuse γ-ray background, but only for graviton abundances of order Ωgw
h
2
0 ∼ 1. In the future, owing to a better understanding of γ-ray backgrounds, larger effective areas and longer observation times, sub-PeV shimmering gravitons with a realistic abundance of Ωgw
h
2
0 ∼ 0.01 could be detected. We show how such a large abundance is achieved in a cosmologically-motivated scenario of post-recombination superheavy dark matter decay. Therefore, the sub-PeV range might be the ultimate energy frontier at which gravitons can be observed.
Research on General Structure of Double Returns Vertical Wind Tunnel
Authors: Shen Jiang , Zhang Yifei , Qiu Rongkai , YueyinMa  , Liu Bingbin
Published: June 2023

Vertical wind tunnels play very important role in parachute training, helicopter rotor test, flight experience and other aspects, among which the double returns vertical wind tunnel has spread widely due to its low lose and low running cost. By using innovative structure design and finite element method, the general layout, research on design of supports and important sections are completed. The design part mainly describes glass flight section, integrated fan section, wind speed adjust device, ventilation door and the whole raft foundation structure. The dynamic debugging results show that the double return vertical wind tunnel has rational design, little vibration and high efficiency.
Development of a Moving-Least-Square-based Immersed Boundary Method for the simulation of viscous Compressible Flows
Authors: Yi Hang , Wang Yan
Published: June 2023

In this paper, a Moving-Least-Squares (MLS)-based immersed boundary method (IBM) for simulating viscous compressible flows is proposed. For this method, the compressible lattice Boltzmann flux solver (LBFS) is used to solve the flow field on the Eulerian mesh and the MLS-based IBM introduced in present paper is used to implement boundary condition. The discrete Lagrangian points are used to represent the Solid boundaries. A second-order MLS interpolation is used for numerical exchange between two grids of IBM. The forced implicit boundary condition is adopted to ensure that the physical boundary condition can be accurately satisfied. The present method is able to achieve a higher numerical accuracy than traditional IBM, which use the Delta function for interpolation. Some numerical validation tests are used for the validation of proposed method. The order and accuracy of the MLS approximation are tested by using a classical example of flow past a cylinder. Test of flow past the NACA0012 airfoil at different Mach numbers, angles of attack and Reynolds numbers is applied to verified the accuracy.
The Application of Machine learning to Amazonia-1 satellite power subsystem telemetry prediction
Authors: Barbosa I M , Ferreira M G V , Júnior M F C
Published: June 2023

This article presents the data acquisition, exploratory data analysis, model training, evaluation, and use of hyperparameters in a machine learning model that will be used to predict telemetry data from the Amazonia-1 satellite. The Amazonia-1 satellite was launched in 2021, it uses the Multi-Mission Platform as a service module and has a Wide Field Imager imaging camera. Its power subsystem has 715 telemetries with distinct data types that will be used as dependent and independent variables. The amount of telemetry data generated daily is large, making manual analysis of this data unfeasible. The ensemble XGBoost machine learning algorithm is used to predict the values of the dependent variable D008 “Battery Module 1 Voltage” that belongs to the electric power subsystem. For the evaluation and performance Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and R2 are used. The final learning model resulted in the coefficient of determination (R2) with 99.99%, MAE of 0.005749, and RMSE of 0.007727. After the cross-validation step, RMSE reached 0.006888. The execution time was 57 minutes and 32 seconds. Based on these numbers, we can consider that the machine learning model built reached a good result, especially when used with cross-validation.
New Operational Load Monitoring Approach Using Digital Image Correlation and Image Classification Networks
Authors: Mucha W , Kokot G , Viana J C , Nunes J P
Published: June 2023

The following paper presents a novel approach that can be applied to Operational Load Monitoring and Structural Health Monitoring processes. The approach is based on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital image correlation (DIC) techniques. DIC is an optical method that allows measuring full-field structural displacements and strains. In the presented approach only a relatively small fragment of the material’s surface is monitored by DIC. The obtained partial image of strains or displacements is then processed by a carefully trained AI model, an image classification network, able to predict the state of whole structure (e.g. materials stresses, potential loss of material continuity). The assumption is that all possible load cases and states of the monitored structure can be identified and simulated, so the data obtained from simulations can then be used to train the image classification network. A numerical example is presented as proof of the presented concept. A modern lightweight aerostructure in the form of a hat-stiffened composite panel was used as monitored structure in the presented example and its Operational Load Monitoring was performed based on a relatively small fragment of normal strains map. The reference maps to train the network were simulated numerically. The prediction model estimates the Tsai-Wu failure criterion value for the whole composite material. The obtained accuracy of predictions proved the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approach.
Analysis of RC buildings under seismic zones in Bangladesh concerning shear wall, aspect ratio and breadth to length ratio
Authors: Redwan-Ul-Islam  , Fariha Zeba , Bashar Bhuiyan M A , Islam Rafszanul
Published: June 2023

Lateral forces (wind, seismic) generated in RC buildings are major design criteria against structural collapse. Shear walls offer effective ways to provide resistance against such lateral loads. The present study investigates the drift and defection control of RC symmetrical buildings by providing core and corner shear walls. Different limiting criteria were determined in four seismic zones (Zone-1 to Zone-4) in Bangladesh, based on aspect ratio and proposed breadth to length ratio (B/L ratio). Equivalent Static Analysis in ETABS V.2016 was used to analyze three distinct breadth-to-length ratios – 1, 0.7, and 0.4 for each zone without shear wall and with both core and corner shear walls. Results reveal that corner shear walls act efficiently compared to core walls to resist lateral loads, drift, and deflection. A descending failure pattern was observed from lower to higher seismic zones for the corresponding breadth to length ratios (B/L).
A case study on the water-cooling pipe scheme in concrete early curing stage
Authors: Teh T W , Yap Y Q
Published: June 2023

Modelling of early curing stage of a bridge pier foundation pile cap of 4.5m thick, to be constructed at Betong division, Sarawak was carried out to verify scheme of water-cooling pipe can meet temperature specifications in which concrete must not reach a peak temperature of 70°C, and differential temperature at core and surface of concrete must not exceed 25°C. Modelling was carried out using transient heat transfer finite element analysis programme and by treating the pile cap as a concrete solid body, assuming no heat generation nor thermal conductivity of reinforcement bars. The result shows that the cooling scheme is feasible to meet temperature limitations of the specifications.
Development of negative-ion gaseous TPC using micro pattern readout for direction-sensitive dark matter search
Authors: Higashino Satoshi , Ikeda Tomonori , Nakayama Ayaka , Ofuji Mizuno , Miuchi Kentaro
Published: June 2023

NEWAGE is the experiment of direction-sensitive dark matter search using low pressure
gaseous TPC with micro pattern strip readout (μ-PIC). It allows to measure the distribution
of angles of WIMP-nuclear recoil by track reconstruction, and it allows a positive signature of
dark matter. In recent years, large size (∼1 m3) TPC filled with SF6 gas, which is
so called “negative-ion gas”, is under development. A TPC with negative ions is a novel technology
for the measurement of absolute position of drift direction coordinates in a self-triggering
system. The determination of the absolute track position allows to discriminate nuclear recoils
in the target gas volume from alpha-rays from the detector surface, which is one of the background
sources. Furthermore, diffusion of drifting negative ions is expected to be lower than that of
nominal electron drift, which allows to improve angular resolution. This presentation reports the
status of the development of negative-ion gaseous TPC with a prototype small chamber. In
addition, we started to develop O(100) μm pitch gaseous TPC detector with pixel type readout
system to achieve reconstruction of short track nuclear recoils with good angular resolution. It
enables to explore lower mass region of direction-sensitive dark matter searches. We also report
about the status of the pixel detector development.
Developing of 540° magnetic buncher
Authors: Lachynov S.B. , Vinokurov N.A.
Published: June 2023

Generation of short electron bunches with high peak current is of great importance for different research and technological applications. Such generation requires a special bunching magnetic system. This paper describes a new scheme of a magnetic buncher for relativistic electrons. The buncher provides a strong dependence of the time of flight on the particle energy and thus is capable to bunch relatively long bunches to short ones.
Picometer-precision few-tilt ptychotomography of 2D materials
Authors: Hofer Christoph , Mustonen Kimmo , Skákalová Viera , Pennycook Timothy J
Published: June 2023

From ripples to defects, edges and grain boundaries, the 3D atomic structure of 2D materials is critical to their properties. However the damage inflicted by conventional 3D analysis precludes its use with fragile 2D materials, particularly for the analysis of local defects. Here we dramatically increase the potential for precise local 3D atomic structure analysis of 2D materials, with both greatly improved dose efficiency and sensitivity to light elements. We demonstrate light atoms can now be located in complex 2D materials with picometer precision at doses 30 times lower than previously possible. Moreover we demonstrate this using WS2, in which the light atoms are practically invisible to conventional methods at low doses. The key advance is combining the concept of few tilt tomography with highly dose efficient ptychography in scanning transmission electron microscopy. We further demonstrate the method experimentally with the even more challenging and newly discovered 2D CuI, leveraging a new extremely high temporal resolution camera.
Computing strain-dependent energy transfer from quantum dots to 2D materials
Authors: Şimşek Esra , Aslan Burak
Published: June 2023

Near-field interaction between the monolayers of two-dimensional (2D) materials has been recently investigated. Another branch under investigation has been the interaction between 2D materials and zero-dimensional (0D) nanostructures including quantum dots (QDs) and metal nanoparticles. In this work, we take one more step to engineering the interaction between those systems. We probe the effect of mechanical strain on the non-radiative energy transfer (NRET) rate from a 0D material, ZnCdSe/ZnSe QD, to a 2D material, monolayer (1L) WS2. It is known that the mechanical strain causes large shifts to the exciton energies in 1L WS2. As a result, our calculations show that strain can tune the NRET rate by engineering the overlap between the emission spectrum of ZnCdSe/ZnSe QD and the exciton resonances of 1L WS2.
Metagenomic insights into the functional microbial diversity of the lower stretch of the River Ganga: mapping antibiotic and metal resistance genes
Authors: Ghosh Anwesha , Yash  , Kumar Chakresh , Bhadury Punyasloke
Published: June 2023

The banks of the lower stretch of River Ganga are home to several towns and megapolis representing high density of human population. A stretch of 50 km represented by prefixed stations of the lower part of Ganga (Ganga Environmental Time Series- GETS) was monitored spatiotemporally using eDNA metagenome-based Nanopore sequencing to elucidate structure of microbial communities along with mapping of antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs), metal resistance genes (MRGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Besides, in situ environmental parameters, concentration of dissolved nutrients, metals and metalloids were measured. The concentration of dissolved oxygen ranged from 3.4–6.2 mg l−1, indicating deteriorating water quality corresponding to high population density. Dissolved nitrate concentrations were higher in some stations reflecting direct release of untreated municipal sewage into the river. In particular, concentration of metals such as Cd (2.34–38.52 ppb) and metalloids such as As (0–218.7 ppb) were found to be alarmingly high in surface water. Gammaproteobacteria was encountered ubiquitously while rare bacterioplankton represented by eleven classes showed site specificity. Several genes belonging to ARGs were identified and multidrug resistance genes (MDR) were found in all the studied stations exhibiting high abundance. The ‘hotspots’ of ARGs were widespread, possibly owing to rampant usage of personal health care products that may have contributed to observed ARG abundances. High abundance of MRGs comprising arsenic (∼12%) and copper (∼12%) were also identified showing strong correlations with the abundance of ARGs. Correlation and network analysis revealed the potential role of MGEs in the dissemination of ARGs. ANOSIM and cluster analyses supported patchy distribution patterns of microbial communities. The RDA plot showed possible influences of environmental parameters in shaping the microbial community structure and towards dissemination of functional genes such as ARGs and MRGs in the lower stretch of the River Ganga.
Diver
Authors: Lawrence D. H.
Published: June 2023

The week passed away. On the Saturday it rained, a soft drizzling rain, that held off at times. In one of the intervals Gudrun and Ursula set out for a walk, going towards Willey Water. The atmosphere was grey and translucent, the birds sang...
An Island
Authors: Lawrence D. H.
Published: June 2023

Meanwhile Ursula had wandered on from Willey Water along the course of the bright little stream. The afternoon was full of larks’ singing. On the bright hill-sides was a subdued smoulder of gorse. A few forget-me-nots flowered by the water. There was a rousedness...
Carpeting
Authors: Lawrence D. H.
Published: June 2023

He set off down the bank, and she went unwillingly with him. Yet she would not have stayed away, either.

‘We know each other well, you and I, already,’ he said. She did not answer.

In the large darkish kitchen of the mill, the labourer’s...
Mino
Authors: Lawrence D. H.
Published: June 2023

The days went by, and she received no sign. Was he going to ignore her, was he going to take no further notice of her secret? A dreary weight of anxiety and acrid bitterness settled on her. And yet Ursula knew she was only...
Threshold
Authors: Lawrence D. H.
Published: June 2023

Gudrun was away in London, having a little show of her work, with a friend, and looking round, preparing for flight from Beldover. Come what might she would be on the wing in a very short time. She received a letter from Winifred Crich,...
Logical Conventionalism and the Adoption Problem
Authors: Hattiangadi Anandi
Published: June 2023

In this paper, I take issue with a core commitment of logical conventionalism: that we impose a logic on ourselves by adopting general linguistic conventions governing our use of logical terms, thereby determining the meanings of the logical constants and which of our inferences are valid. Drawing on Kripke’s ‘adoption problem’, I argue that general logical principles cannot be adopted, either explicitly or implicitly. I go on to argue that the meanings of our logical terms, and the validity of our inferences, cannot depend on our adoption of logico-linguistic conventions.
Leukocyte–endothelial interaction in CKD
Authors: Sarakpi Tamim , Mesic Armir , Speer Thimoteus
Published: June 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Accordingly, CKD patients show a substantial increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Inflammation represents an important link between CKD and CVD. The interaction between endothelial cells and effector cells of the innate immune system plays a central role in the development and progression of inflammation. Vascular injury causes endothelial dysfunction, leading to augmented oxidative stress, increased expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules and chronic inflammation. CKD induces numerous metabolic changes, creating a uremic milieu resulting in the accumulation of various uremic toxins. These toxins lead to vascular injury, endothelial dysfunction and activation of the innate immune system. Recent studies describe CKD-dependent changes in monocytes that promote endothelial dysfunction and thus CKD progression and CKD-associated CVD. The NLR family pyrin domain containing 3–interleukin-1β–interleukin-6 (NLRP3–IL-1β–IL-6) signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of CVD and CKD alike. Several clinical trials are investigating targeted inhibition of this pathway indicating that anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies may emerge as novel approaches in patients at high cardiovascular risk and nonresolving inflammation. CKD patients in particular would benefit from targeted anti-inflammatory therapy, since conventional therapeutic regimens have limited efficacy in this population.
Cardiac tamponades related to interventional electrophysiology procedures are associated with higher risk of short-term hospitalization for pericarditis but favourable long-term outcome
Authors: von Olshausen Gesa , Tabrizi Fariborz , Sigurjónsdóttir Rúna , Ringborn Michael , Höglund Niklas , Hassel Jönsson Anders , Holmqvist Fredrik , Braunschweig Frieder
Published: June 2023

Aims

To investigate the association of iatrogenic cardiac tamponades as a complication of invasive electrophysiology procedures (EPs) and mortality as well as serious cardiovascular events in a nationwide patient cohort during long-term follow-up.

Methods

From the Swedish Catheter Ablation Registry between 2005 and 2019, a total of 58 770 invasive EPs in 44 497 patients were analysed. From this, all patients with periprocedural cardiac tamponades related to invasive EPs were identified (n = 200; tamponade group) and matched (1:2 ratio) to a control group (n = 400). Over a follow-up of 5 years, the composite primary endpoint—death from any cause, acute myocardial infarction, transitory ischaemic attack (TIA)/stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure—revealed no statistically significant association with cardiac tamponade [hazard ratio (HR) 1.22 (95% CI, 0.79–1.88)]. All single components of the primary endpoint as well as cardiovascular death revealed no statistically significant association with cardiac tamponade. Cardiac tamponade was associated with a significantly higher risk with hospitalization for pericarditis [HR 20.67 (95% CI, 6.32–67.60)].

Conclusion

In this nationwide cohort of patients undergoing invasive EPs, iatrogenic cardiac tamponade was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for pericarditis during the first months after the index procedure. In the long-term, however, cardiac tamponade revealed no significant association with mortality or other serious cardiovascular events.
The effects of Cyclina sinensis bioturbation on alkaline phosphatase and total microbial hydrolytic activities in marine clam–shrimp integrated ponds
Authors: Nicholaus Regan , Lukwambe Betina , Zheng Zhongming
Published: June 2023

This study investigated the influence of Venus clam Cyclina sinensis bioturbation activities on the total benthic microbial and phosphatase activities and selected sediment properties: total phosphorus (TP), total organic nitrogen (TON), and total organic carbon (TOC) in aquaculture ponds. Sediments samples from clam-shrimp integrated pond and non-clam integrated pond were sampled for the study, in which sediment microbial activity (MBA) and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA), sediment organic contents (TP, TON, TOC, TOM) and water quality parameter (dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and moisture content) were analyzed. The p-nitrophenyl phosphate disodium (p-NPP) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) were adopted to measure APA and MBA, respectively. Results indicated that MBA and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) in sediments significantly increased in the pond cultured with clam/shrimp compared to a non-clam cultured pond. Phosphorus concentration increased significantly and varied among months (P < 0.05), implying an increased phosphate mineralization in the sediments. The concentrations of TON and TOC did not differ significantly among months and with the treatments (P > 0.05), implying increased TON mineralization. Correlation analyses showed that there was a positive correlation with the total MBA, APA, phosphorus concentration, and organic matter content within the sediments bioturbated by the Venus clam. The results suggest that, the Venus clam sediment reworking mechanisms influenced the sediment-microbial and APA activities and mineralization, thereby affecting the pond alkaline phosphatase enzyme-related activities.
Modified Ravitch procedure for pectus excavatum in Marfan syndrome with annuloaortic ectasia
Authors: Iida Takahiro , Nagayama Kazuhiro , Kitano Kentaro , Yamauchi Haruo , Ono Minoru , Nakajima Jun
Published: June 2023

OBJECTIVES

This case series aimed to determine the feasibility of simultaneous modified Ravitch and David procedure for Marfan syndrome patients with pectus excavatum and annuloaortic ectasia.

METHODS

Between March 2014 and December 2019, seven consecutive patients underwent simultaneous surgery of modified Ravitch and David procedure for pectus excavatum and annuloaortic ectasia. The completion of cardiac surgery and sternal closure were followed by the modified Ravitch procedure. The bilateral fourth to seventh costal cartilages were resected, the sternal body partially wedge resected, and the sternum raised anteriorly with re-suture. An oblique incision was performed on bilateral third costal cartilages, and they were fixed on top of each other, with the medial end superior and the lateral end inferior. The sternum was raised anteriorly, bypassing the fourth to seventh rib ends through the back of the sternum with threads. The feasibility and safety of the procedure were assessed through a retrospective review of the patients’ clinical charts.

RESULTS

The total sample had a median age of 28 years, and comprised five males and two females. There was a significant difference in the preoperative and postoperative median Haller index, which were 6.8 and 3.9, respectively. All patients were discharged without serious complications, and there was no significant recurrence of pectus excavatum at 35–92 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our case series suggest the feasibility of one-stage surgery for pectus excavatum combined with cardiac surgery using the modified Ravitch procedure. Future efforts should be tailored for more uneventful postoperative clinical courses.