bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparisons of Different Propulsion Topologies of Service Ships for Islands
Authors: Abderrahmane Feriel , Amoros Fabian , Sammari Wael , Hernando-Gil Ignacio , Vechiu Ionel , Lhomme Walter , Charpentier Jean-Frédéric
Published: October 2023

Maritime transport is one of the main drivers of a country’s economic growth. Up to 90% of world trade is carried out by sea. However, the high consumption of fossil fuels leads to significant greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants emissions, such as the nitrogen dioxide (NOx) and the sulfur oxides (SOx). Decarbonizing maritime transport, through the transition to electrified propulsion, is a major challenge for researchers and engineers in the naval construction sector. This paper studies electric, thermal and hybrid energy/propulsion solutions for ships serving the island of Ouessant, located near Brittany’s coast in France. Using a simplified methodology based on power flows between the various components (batteries, generators, fuel cells), the most suitable type of energy is investigated according to the case study, for efficient and effective vessel use. The simulations show that the energy consumption of the fully electric solution is the best with 5.78 MWh consumed against, for example, 13.89 MWh equivalent of fuel for the classic diesel topology.
Navigationale Gesundheitskompetenz der Bevölkerung in
Deutschland
Authors: Schaeffer Doris , Griese Lennert , Klinger Julia
Published: October 2023

Ziel Viele Gesundheitssysteme zeichnen sich durch hohe Komplexität
und Unübersichtlichkeit aus. Sich in ihnen zu orientieren und an die
richtige Stelle zu gelangen, erfordert hohe Navigationale Gesundheitskompetenz
(NGK). Darunter wird die Fähigkeit verstanden, sich durch das
Gesundheitssystem manövrieren und mit dazu erforderlichen Informationen
umgehen zu können. Bislang fehlt es an Daten zur NGK der
Bevölkerung. Ziel des Artikels ist es deshalb, empirisch zu analysieren,
wie sich die NGK in Deutschland darstellt und mit welchen soziodemografischen
und -ökonomischen Faktoren sie assoziiert ist.

Methode Die NGK wurde mit einem neuen, international entwickelten
Instrument (HLS19-NAV) erhoben, das die selbsteingeschätzten
Schwierigkeiten bei 12 navigationsbezogenen Informationsaufgaben misst. Es wurde
bereits in 8 Ländern eingesetzt, darunter auch Deutschland. Hier wurden
in einer repräsentativen Querschnittsstudie Daten von 2.151 Personen der
erwachsenen Wohnbevölkerung zur NGK erhoben. Der Zusammenhang zwischen
soziodemografischen und -ökonomischen Faktoren und der NGK wurde mittels
Varianz- sowie multivariater linearer Regressionsanalyse geprüft.

Ergebnisse Rund 80% der Befragten verfügen über
eine geringe NGK; im Mittel liegt der NGK-Score bei 41,5 von 100
möglichen Punkten. Menschen mit geringen sozioökonomischen
Ressourcen, im hohen Lebensalter, Menschen, die selbst nach Deutschland migriert
oder durch gesundheitliche Probleme eingeschränkt sind, weisen eine
besonders geringe NGK auf. Doch auch Personen mit guter Ressourcenausstattung
haben eine relativ geringe NGK. Bei Gesundheitsfachpersonen fällt die
NGK deutlich höher aus.

Schlussfolgerung Zwar wurden in den letzten Jahren etliche
Bemühungen unternommen, um bestehende Navigationsschwierigkeiten zu
mildern und Patient:innen besser durch das deutsche Gesundheitssystem zu leiten.
Den Studienergebnissen zufolge besteht im Bereich der NGK jedoch weiterhin hoher
Handlungsbedarf. Erforderlich sind vor allem Strukturmaßnahmen: Dazu
gehört die Schaffung ausreichender verlässlicher Informationen
über das Gesundheitssystem und seine Organisationen, ebenso die
Etablierung von Navigationshilfen und Versorgungspfaden und die Realisierung
eines gesundheitskompetenten Gesundheitssystems mit Organisationen und
Gesundheitsprofessionen, die zur Verbesserung der NGK beitragen.
Has excess epidemic prevention changed Chinese students’ willingness to study abroad: three rounds of the same volume survey based on the new “push–pull” theory
Authors: Lin Songyue , Liu Jin
Published: October 2023

After the outbreak of COVID-19, unlike other countries in the world, China has always taken strict prevention and control measures, and even formed a trend of excessive epidemic prevention. Influenced by traditional culture, Chinese students’ willingness to study abroad has been greatly reduced, but long-term strict prevention will also lead to the public weariness of the epidemic. Therefore, our research group has formed a new “push–pull” theoretical analysis framework, carried out three rounds of the same volume investigation in the early (2020), middle (2021), and late (2022) stages of the epidemic, and 12,248 students from more than 270 universities in mainland China were investigated. Through tracking and investigating the changes in the willingness of Chinese students to study abroad at different stages of the epidemic, this study fills the gap in existing research that has not yet conducted a dynamic survey on the willingness of Chinese students to study abroad because of the epidemic. The results show that COVID-19 profoundly reversed the four influencing factors: study abroad pull, study abroad push, domestic pull, and domestic push. The epidemic and related factors have become new components of push–pull factors influencing Chinese students studying abroad. Under the government’s guidance of strict epidemic prevention measures, COVID-19 has dramatically reduced the willingness of Chinese students to study abroad, and effectively changed the preference for their studying destinations, which is related to national political ideology. However, under the excessive epidemic prevention, Chinese college students’ willingness to study abroad rebounded as the public’s acceptance of the epidemic increased in the latest period. This study has added new factors to the push–pull theory, providing inspiration for the advancement of the push–pull theory with the times. It also provides deeper thinking on the new pattern of talent mobility faced by different countries.
Magnetic anisotropy instability due to magnetic field annealing in Ta/MgO/NiFe/MgO/Ta anisotropic magnetoresistive sensors
Authors: Shan Xin , Huang Yiya , Ren Hongyu , Zhu Ronggui , Zhang Hui , Feng Chun , Yu Guanghua
Published: October 2023

Ta/MgO/NiFe/MgO/Ta anisotropic magnetoresistive thin film sensors, which can be used for magnetic scales, were prepared. To improve the magnetoresistance ratio of the sensors, these sensors were vacuum-annealed with the magnetic field applied, and then, both the static and dynamic magnetoresistive responses of the sensors were obtained. The experimental results have shown that the instability of magnetic anisotropy occurs in the sensors after vacuum-annealing, leading to the significant hysteresis and abnormal output voltage peaks. To investigate the underlying physics, the distribution of the non-uniform demagnetizing field along the width of an anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) strip is considered, and both the static and dynamic responses of the AMR elements have been calculated on the basis of the Stoner–Wohlfarth model. The results have shown that the calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental data. The calculated results have revealed that the angles between the anisotropic field and the external magnetic field are different during the field cyclings of Hmax (maximum magnetic field) to −Hmax and −Hmax to Hmax. The angle difference is up to 6°, leading to different magnetoresistive responses. This paper is helpful for the understanding about the magnetization rotations in magnetic sensors and the manufacturing of sensors.
Dynamic droplet morphology measurement method based on digital image correlation and refraction effect
Authors: Tan Xinyun , Shou Chengyi
Published: October 2023

The measurement and analysis of the droplet morphology on a solid surface play a crucial role in investigating solid–liquid interactions and characterizing the properties of surfaces. The contact angle is a widely used parameter in characterizing the droplet, but it cannot well describe the irregular shapes, which can be easily found in the investigations of the spreading and evaporation of the droplet. In this study, a novel method for three-dimensional measurement of the transparent droplet morphology is developed by combining droplet-induced image displacement with the principles of refraction imaging. First, a full-field optical method is employed to measure the image displacement of the solid surface caused by the refraction of the droplet. Second, a physical model is established based on refraction imaging, so the relationship between image displacement and the morphology of the droplet is formulated. Finally, the three-dimensional surface of the droplet is reconstructed by resolving the physical formulations. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can accurately measure the three-dimensional morphology of droplets on solid surfaces and is applicable for irregular liquid surfaces. This method provides important technical support for studying droplet spreading, evaporation, and other related behaviors.
Understanding placentation in ruminants: a review focusing on cows and sheep
Authors: Johnson Gregory A. , Bazer Fuller W. , Seo Heewon , Burghardt Robert C. , Wu Guoyao , Pohler Ky G. , Cain Joe W.
Published: October 2023

Mammals differ regarding their placentae, but in all species placental trophoblasts interact intimately with the uterine endometrium to mediate the transfer of nutrients from the mother to the embryo/fetus through the closely juxtaposed microcirculatory systems of the uterus and placenta. Placentation in ruminants is intermediate between the non-invasive type, as observed in the epitheliochorial placenta of pigs, and the invasive type, as observed in the haemochorial placentae of mice and humans. In ruminants, placental trophoblast cells invade uterine endometrial tissue, but invasion is believed to be limited to the endometrial luminal epithelium (LE). In the LE there are varying degrees of syncytialisation among species, with syncytialisation being more extensive in sheep than cows. The hallmarks of placentation in ruminants include: (1) an extended period in which conceptuses (embryos and associated placental membranes) elongate and must be supported by secretions (histotroph) from the uterus; (2) a cascade involving an array of adhesion molecules that includes integrin-mediated attachment of the conceptus trophoblast to the endometrial LE for implantation; (3) syncytialisation of the developing early placenta, a process for which there is currently limited understanding; and (4) development of placentomes that define the cotyledonary placentae of cows and sheep, and provide haemotrophic support of fetal development.
Chlamydia in wild Australian rodents: a cross-sectional study to inform disease risks for a conservation translocation
Authors: Knox Fiona , Jelocnik Martina , Stephens Nahiid , Sims Colleen , Jackson Bethany , Cowen Saul , Rayner Kelly , Garretson Sean , Yeap Lian , Warren Kristin , Vaughan-Higgins Rebecca
Published: October 2023

Context Chlamydia species impose major global burdens on both human and animal health. However, chlamydial infections of wild rodents have been understudied, posing limitations on assessments of disease risks for rodent conservation translocations. This is particularly true when there is evidence of infection in proposed source populations, as occurred for the Shark Bay mouse (Pseudomys gouldii) translocations to Dirk Hartog Island. Aims The aim of this study was to reduce uncertainty surrounding the risks posed by Chlamydia for these translocations by: (1) determining the presence, prevalence and diversity of Chlamydia in rodent populations in the Shark Bay region of Western Australia; (2) identifying associations with health parameters; and (3) assessing for evidence of cross-species transmission. Methods Swab, faecal and tissue samples from 110 wild-caught individuals (comprising five rodent and two marsupial species) were collected across four islands in Western Australia. These samples were analysed by a Chlamydiaceae 23s rRNA qPCR in a 14-month cross-sectional study conducted between 2020 and 2021. Key results In total, 20% of all individuals (22/110; 95%CI 13.6–28.4) from five species, including 19% (19/100; 95% CI 12.5–27.8) of rodents, were positive by the Chlamydiaceae qPCR, although in low loads. Further attempts at species identification of the Chlamydiaceae were unsuccessful. Our results found no detectable adverse health associations, or significant associated pathological findings, with low molecular loads supporting an asymptomatic infection state. Additionally, there were no disease associations in Shark Bay bandicoots (Perameles bougainville) despite the presence of an ocular disease syndrome previously linked to chlamydial infection in this species. Conclusions and implications Our findings suggest that sub-clinical chlamydial infections in wild Australian rodents may be widespread, but for the Dirk Hartog Island translocations, the risks of Chlamydia associated with movement of Shark Bay mice are likely low. The results highlight how current knowledge gaps pertaining to wildlife health can be addressed through collaborative approaches to translocation planning and implementation.
Solving time-fractional diffusion equations with a singular source term
Authors: Kian Yavar , Soccorsi Éric
Published: October 2023

This article deals with linear time-fractional diffusion equations with time-dependent singular source term. Whether the order of the time-fractional derivative is multi-term, distributed or space-dependent, we prove that the system admits a unique weak solution enjoying a Duhamel representation, provided that the time-dependence of the source term is a distribution. As an application, the square integrable space-dependent part and the distributional time-dependent part of the source term of a multi-term time-fractional diffusion equation are simultaneously recovered by partial internal observation of the solution.
Parity-time symmetry-enhanced simultaneous magnon and photon blockade in cavity magnonic system
Authors: Sadat Ebrahimi Mehri , Bagheri Harouni Malek
Published: October 2023

In this work, we consider a parity-time (

P

T

) symmetric cavity magnonic system involving the magnon–photon interaction with small magnon Kerr nonlinearity. Moreover, we investigate the effect of

P

T

-symmetry phase on both the magnon and photon blockade. We show that the

P

T

-symmetry phase, which is achievable by properly selecting the system parameters, can relax the large Kerr nonlinearity requirement for magnon blockade. Consequently, simultaneous perfect magnon and photon blockade can be easily obtained even in the presence of a small value of magnon Kerr nonlinearity. The outstanding feature of the selected scheme is the occurrence of simultaneous perfect magnon and photon blockade with only a small value of magnon Kerr nonlinearity. While photon blockade can be easily distinguished experimentally, the experimental realization of magnon statistics and consequently magnon blockade is still a challenge. The prominent feature of the

P

T

-symmetric cavity magnonic system can relax this challenge by following the magnon blockade criteria via the photon statistics.
Non-ideal classical plasma: laser pulse effects and dynamic dipole polarizabilities
Authors: Lumb Talwar Shalini , Lumb Sonia , Sen K D , Prasad Vinod
Published: October 2023

The properties of a hydrogen atom inside a non-ideal classical plasma, in terms of its behavior in the presence of an applied laser pulse, are explored. The strength of the pulse is chosen such that it maintains near sphericity of the system. The pulse parameters have a strong bearing on the final state attained by the system after its interaction with the pulse. Dynamic dipole polarizability is calculated and the poles are observed to be red shifted with an increase in non-ideality as well as an increase in plasma temperature. The polarizabilities for frequencies of the field below the frequency corresponding to the first pole are found to be greater for larger values of field frequency, plasma non-ideality and electron plasma temperature.
Magnetic field patterns as a tool for stress estimation in steel samples
Authors: Martínez-Ortiz P , Le Manh Tu , Pérez-Benítez J A
Published: October 2023

In this work, steel square samples were subjected to varying degrees of compression, resulting in a distribution of simultaneous compressive and tensile stresses within the samples. The tangential component of the surface magnetic flux density was mapped along both the direction of compression and perpendicular to it, using a magnetic sensor, for each level of compression. The results show that the maps of the relative difference of magnetic flux density for different levels of applied stress, with respect to the flux density at zero stress, exhibited a diagonal stripes pattern. This pattern was discovered thanks to the particular surface stress distribution in square samples. The formation of these patterns could be attributed to the re-orientation of magnetic domains due to stress and the magneto-elastic effect, which was confirmed by the change in orientation of the magnetic flux density vectors obtained from the measurement of two of their components. Additionally, the maps showed an increase in contrast between high and low values with an increase in applied stress. Finally, the maps of the module of the gradient of magnetic flux density displayed a distinct diagonal chessboard-like pattern, and the contrast between low and high values increased with an increase in applied stress.
Structural, electronic and magnetic properties of Fe-doped strontium ruthenates
Authors: Liu 刘 Nan 楠 , Wang 王 Xiao-Chao 晓超 , Si 司 Liang 良
Published: October 2023

By employing a combined approach of density-functional theory (DFT) and dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) calculations, we examine the structural, electronic, and magnetic characteristics of two distinct strontium ruthenates: Sr2RuO4, an unconventional superconductor, and the correlated metal SrRuO3, both at 50% Fe-doping level. In both Sr2Fe0.5Ru0.5O4 and SrFe0.5Ru0.5O3, the original ruthenium (Ru) and the dopant iron (Fe) atoms adopt 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional G-type structures, respectively. The hybridization between Fe-3d and Ru-4d is comparatively weaker than in other double perovskite systems. The interplay between strong correlations and reduced itinerancy results in significant spin splitting at Fe and Ru sites. Consequently, a charge transfer process, along with the super-exchange effect, leads to antiferromagnetically coupled Fe3+ and Ru5+ ions and establishes a semiconducting ferrimagnetic order. Subsequent DMFT calculations demonstrate the persistence of the ferrimagnetic order even at room temperature (300 K). These findings align with prior reports on SrFe0.5Ru0.5O3, thus reinforcing the notion that 3d–4d transition metal oxides hold considerable promise as candidates for high-performance spintronic devices, such as spin-valve sensors and spintronic giant magnetoresistance devices.
Studying the co-evolution of information diffusion, vaccination behavior and disease transmission in multilayer networks with local and global effects
Authors: Huo 霍 Liang’an 良安 , Wu 武 Bingjie 兵杰
Published: October 2023

Today, with the rapid development of the internet, a large amount of information often accompanies the rapid transmission of disease outbreaks, and increasing numbers of scholars are studying the relationship between information and the disease transmission process using complex networks. In fact, the disease transmission process is very complex. Besides this information, there will often be individual behavioral measures and other factors to consider. Most of the previous research has aimed to establish a two-layer network model to consider the impact of information on the transmission process of disease, rarely divided into information and behavior, respectively. To carry out a more in-depth analysis of the disease transmission process and the intrinsic influencing mechanism, this paper divides information and behavior into two layers and proposes the establishment of a complex network to study the dynamic co-evolution of information diffusion, vaccination behavior, and disease transmission. This is achieved by considering four influential relationships between adjacent layers in multilayer networks. In the information layer, the diffusion process of negative information is described, and the feedback effects of local and global vaccination are considered. In the behavioral layer, an individual’s vaccination behavior is described, and the probability of an individual receiving a vaccination is influenced by two factors: the influence of negative information, and the influence of local and global disease severity. In the disease layer, individual susceptibility is considered to be influenced by vaccination behavior. The state transition equations are derived using the micro Markov chain approach (MMCA), and disease prevalence thresholds are obtained. It is demonstrated through simulation experiments that the negative information diffusion is less influenced by local vaccination behavior, and is mainly influenced by global vaccination behavior; vaccination behavior is mainly influenced by local disease conditions, and is less influenced by global disease conditions; the disease transmission threshold increases with the increasing vaccination rate; and the scale of disease transmission increases with the increasing negative information diffusion rate and decreases with the increasing vaccination rate. Finally, it is found that when individual vaccination behavior considers both the influence of negative information and disease, it can increase the disease transmission threshold and reduce the scale of disease transmission. Therefore, we should resist the diffusion of negative information, increase vaccination proportions, and take appropriate protective measures in time.
Electron characteristics and dynamics in sub-millimeter pulsed atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge
Authors: Fang 方 Junlin 骏林 , Zhang 张 Yarong 亚容 , Lu 卢 Chenzi 陈梓 , Gu 顾 Lili 莉莉 , Xu 徐 Shaofeng 少锋 , Guo 郭 Ying 颖 , Shi 石 Jianjun 建军
Published: October 2023

The discharge characteristics and mechanism of sub-millimeter pulsed dielectric barrier discharge in atmospheric-pressure helium are investigated experimentally and theoretically, demonstrating that when the discharge gap distance is reduced from 1.00 mm to 0.20 mm, the discharge ignition time is reduced to approximately 40 ns and discharge intensity is enhanced in terms of the discharge optical emission intensity and density of the plasma species, (energetic electrons with energy above 8.40 eV). The simulated results show that as the discharge gap distance is further reduced to 0.10 mm, the number of energetic electrons decreases, which is attributable to the contraction of plasma bulk regime and reduction of electron density in the discharge bulk. Conversely, the proportion of energetic electrons to the total electrons in the discharge monotonically increases as the discharge gap distance is reduced from 1.00 mm to 0.10 mm. It is proposed that a gap distance of 0.12 mm is optimal to achieve a high concentration and proportion of energetic electrons in sub-millimeter pulsed atmosphere dielectric barrier discharge.
Photo-responsive droplet manipulation slippery lubricant-infused porous surface with ultra-high durability
Authors: Liu 刘 Ze-Zhi 泽志 , Zhang 张 Chen 琛 , Wen 文 Tong 通 , Li 李 Hui-Zhu 荟竹 , Gao 高 Wen-Ping 文萍 , Wang 王 Xin-Kong 新孔 , Zhao 赵 Wei 伟 , Wang 王 Kai-Ge 凯歌 , Bai 白 Jin-Tao 晋涛
Published: October 2023

Photo-responsive slippery lubricant-infused porous surface (SLIPS) for droplet manipulation is flexible, non-contact and non-destructive in droplet manipulation, which has promising applications in flexible robotics, microfluidics, biomedicine, and chemical analysis. However, the repeated manipulations for droplets of SLIPSs are quite limited in the works reported so far, the poor durability of droplet manipulation severely limits the practical application of the surfaces. In this paper, an Fe3O4-doped polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based SLIPS is proposed and implemented to achieve ultra-high repeated droplet manipulation numbers under near-infrared ray (NIR) laser irradiation. Firstly, a micron columnar array structure with micro-pits on the top side, as well as, a wall structure out of the array is designed on SLIPS to reserve the lubricant. Secondly, the prototype of the SLIPS is fabricated by a 3-step ultraviolet (UV) lithography, and subsequently immersed in silicone oil for more than 96 h to obtain the ultra-high durability slippery lubricant-infused porous surface (UD-SLIPS). With a power of 25 mW–85 mW NIR laser, the repeated manipulation of microdroplets (≤ 5 μL) in the scale of 1 cm can exceed more than 3000 times which is far beyond that in previous reports. Finally, the droplet manipulation performance of this photo-responsive UD-SLIPS and the influence of infusion time on durability are investigated. The mechanism of the PDMS swelling effect is found to be the key factor in improving the droplet manipulation durability of SLIPS. The findings of this work would be of great significance for the development of highly durable photo-responsive functional surfaces for droplet manipulation.
Molecular dynamics study of primary radiation damage in TiVTa concentrated solid-solution alloy
Authors: Zhao 赵 Yong-Peng 永鹏 , Dou 豆 Yan-Kun 艳坤 , He 贺 Xin-Fu 新福 , Cao 曹 Han 晗 , Wang 王 Lin-Feng 林枫 , Deng 邓 Hui-Qiu 辉球 , Yang 杨 Wen 文
Published: October 2023

The primary radiation damage in pure V and TiVTa concentrated solid-solution alloy (CSA) was studied using a molecular dynamics method. We have performed displacement cascade simulations to explore the generation and evolution behavior of irradiation defects. The results demonstrate that the defect accumulation and agglomeration in TiVTa CSA are significantly suppressed compared to pure V. The peak value of Frenkel pairs during cascade collisions in TiVTa CSA is much higher than that in pure V due to the lower formation energy of point defects. Meanwhile, the longer lifetime of the thermal spike relaxation and slow energy dissipation capability of TiVTa CSA can facilitate the recombination of point defects. The defect agglomeration rate in TiVTa CSA is much lower due to the lower binding energy of interstitial clusters and reduced interstitial diffusivity. Furthermore, the occurrence probability of dislocation loops in TiVTa CSA is lower than that in pure V. The reduction in primary radiation damage may enhance the radiation resistance of TiVTa CSA, and the improved radiation tolerance is primarily attributed to the relaxation stage and long-term defect evolution rather than the ballistic stage. These results can provide fundamental insights into irradiation-induced defects evolution in refractory CSAs.
Predicting Gravitational Waves from Jittering-jets-driven Core Collapse Supernovae
Authors: Soker Noam
Published: October 2023

I estimate the frequencies of gravitational waves from jittering jets that explode core collapse supernovae (CCSNe) to crudely be 5–30 Hz, and with strains that might allow detection of Galactic CCSNe. The jittering jets explosion mechanism (JJEM) asserts that most CCSNe are exploded by jittering jets that the newly born neutron star (NS) launches within a few seconds. According to the JJEM, instabilities in the accreted gas lead to the formation of intermittent accretion disks that launch the jittering jets. Earlier studies that did not include jets calculated the gravitational frequencies that instabilities around the NS emit to have a peak in the crude frequency range of 100–2000 Hz. Based on a recent study, I take the source of the gravitational waves of jittering jets to be the turbulent bubbles (cocoons) that the jets inflate as they interact with the outer layers of the core of the star at thousands of kilometers from the NS. The lower frequencies and larger strains than those of gravitational waves from instabilities in CCSNe allow future, and maybe present, detectors to identify the gravitational wave signals of jittering jets. Detection of gravitational waves from local CCSNe might distinguish between the neutrino-driven explosion mechanism and the JJEM.
Large-aperture Telescope Tracking Control Based on Time-synchronization Strategy
Authors: Li Yun , Ye Yu , Yang Shi-Hai , Xu Ling-Zhe , Xu Jin , Wang Hai , Deng Zhuang-Zhuang , Liu Rui-Qiang , Gu Xiao-Jie , Gu Bo-Zhong
Published: October 2023

A time-synchronization strategy for packetized transmission of target position about a large-aperture telescope observation control system has been proposed in this study. Compared with the existing telescope tracking strategy, the target position packing and sending strategy based on the time synchronization method proposed in this paper has the advantages of high stability and reliability. First, the telescope tracking observation control method was elaborated in this paper, including the motion pattern during telescope tracking. Then, the strategy for packetizes transmission of target positions based on time-synchronization is established and lists the detailed steps. Finally, the performance of the tracking strategy is verified using the 2.5 m telescope for the simulated uniform speed star and the blind-tracking fixed star HIP 31216, respectively. The test results show that the accuracy root mean square of the tracking strategy proposed in this paper is less than 0.″02 at 30 minutes, and the performance is much better than the design requirement of 0.″3. The most important advantage of this tracking strategy is that the telescope can guarantee normal tracking for a certain period of time even if the hardware or software of the host computer is abnormal.
Two-species k-body embedded Gaussian unitary ensembles: q-normal form of the eigenvalue density
Authors: Vyas Manan , Kota V K B
Published: October 2023

The eigenvalue density generated by an embedded Gaussian unitary ensemble with k-body interactions for two-species (say
π
and
ν
) fermion systems is investigated by deriving formulas for the lowest six moments. Assumed in constructing this ensemble, called EGUE(

k
:
π
ν

), is that the
π
fermions (m
1 in number) occupy N
1 number of degenerate single particle (sp) states, and similarly the
ν
fermions (m
2 in number) occupy N
2 number of degenerate sp states. The Hamiltonian is assumed to be k-body preserving

(

m
1

,

m
2

)

. Formulas with finite

(

N
1

,

N
2

)

corrections and asymptotic limit formulas both show that the eigenvalue density takes q-normal form with the q parameter defined by the fourth moment. The EGUE(

k
:
π
ν

) formalism and results are extended to two-species boson systems. The results in this work show that the q-normal form of the eigenvalue density established only recently for identical fermion and boson systems extends to two-species fermion and boson systems.
Contrasting controls on convection at latitude zones near and away from the equator for the Indian summer monsoon
Authors: Masiwal Rajat , Dixit Vishal , Seshadri Ashwin K
Published: October 2023

Understanding controls on convection on various timescales is crucial for improved monsoon rainfall forecasting. Although the literature points to vertically homogeneous vorticity signatures preceding rainfall during the Indian summer monsoon, we show using reanalysis data that, for rainfall associated with northward propagating intraseasonal oscillations (ISOs), different controls are present at different latitude zones. For the latitude zone close to the equator (5∘N–14∘N) and including the southern Indian region, a conventional dynamical control on rainfall exists with barotropic vorticity leading ISO rainfall by about five days. In contrast, for the latitude zone away from the equator (15∘N–24∘N; covering the central Indian region), thermodynamic fields control ISO rainfall, with barotropic vorticity following rainfall by two days on average. Over central India, the pre-moistening of the boundary layer (BL) yields maximum moist static energy (MSE) about four days prior to ISO rainfall. Analyzing the statistics of individual events verifies these observations. Similar thermodynamic control is also present for the large-scale extreme rainfall events (LEREs) occurring over central India. These high rainfall events are preceded by positive MSE anomalies arising from the moisture preconditioning of the BL. The resulting convection then leads to a maximum in barotropic vorticity 12 h after the rainfall maximum. Characterizing these influences on convection occurring over various timescales can help identify the dominant mechanisms that govern monsoon convection. This can help reduce climate model biases in simulating Indian monsoon rainfall.
Response of the ozone-related health burden in Europe to changes in local anthropogenic emissions of ozone precursors
Authors: Gu Yixuan , Henze Daven K , Nawaz M Omar , Wagner Ulrich J
Published: October 2023

Exposure to ozone (O3) is associated with many human health problems, resulting in tens of thousands of premature deaths annually in Europe. This study quantifies the impact of changes in anthropogenic emissions of O3 precursors on premature deaths from long-term O3 exposure in Europe and the impact of emissions changes during 2005–2015 using the nested-grid chemical transport model Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS)-Chem and its adjoint. In 2015, it is estimated that a 20% decrease in total anthropogenic emissions in our modeled European domain could prevent 1576 (467–3252) premature deaths from respiratory disease (

⩾

30 years of age), 70% of which is owing to the decrease in nitrogen oxides (NO
x
) emissions. Underlying this aggregate effect is substantial spatial variation. In most of Europe, O3 formation is NO
x
-limited so that NO
x
emission reductions help to decrease premature deaths. Yet where O3 formation is NO
x
-saturated (as in parts of the United Kingdom, Benelux and Germany) emission reductions cause more premature deaths through increased ozone exposure. Despite the overall decreases in anthropogenic emissions, the marginal benefit, expressed as the avoided premature deaths per 1 kg km−2 yr−1 reduction in NO
x
emissions, is found to generally increase during 2005–2015, with a mean value more than doubling over Europe. This highlights the general trend that O3 formation becomes less sensitive to volatile organic compound emissions and more limited by NO
x
emissions. An important policy implication of increasing marginal benefits is that more costly regulations of NO
x
emissions are economically justified even as total anthropogenic emission are declining. NO
x
contributions from road transport, industry, energy, and residential sectors are most affected by the change in the O3 production regime. Consequently, European regulations of NO
x
emissions targeted at those sectors will yield the highest health benefits per unit NO
x
emission of all sources.
Atomic motion behavior calculation and bonding mechanism analysis of explosive welding of high-strength and high-hardness titanium alloy Ti6Al4V/aluminum alloy 7075
Authors: Xiaoming Wu , Changgen Shi , Haitao Wang , Xuchuan Luo , Zerui Sun
Published: October 2023

The explosive welding technology of titanium alloy Ti6Al4V/aluminum alloy 7075 is the most valuable research problem in the field of Ti/Al explosive welding. In this paper, the smooth particle hydrodynamics and molecular dynamics algorithms are used to conduct multi-scale numerical calculations on the explosive welding of Ti6Al4V and 7075. The interface morphology, interface atomic movement, lattice changes and crystal defects are comprehensively analyzed. With the calculation as a reference, the Ti6Al4V/7075 composite with a flat interface is prepared. The calculation results indicate that with the transformation of titanium aluminum crystal structure, a large number of various dislocations, mainly 1/6〈110〉dislocations, are generated on the titanium side; During explosive welding, uniform and stable element diffusion occurred. Element diffusion mainly occurred in the unloading stage when the pressure was 0. The melting zone and ablation zone were composed of TiAl and TiAl3, respectively; The fundamental reason for the combination of Ti6Al4V/7075 is the diffusion of elements and the solid-phase binding of atoms.
Empire, Status, and the Law
Authors: Ando Clifford
Published: October 2023

One phase in the long history of Roman citizenship ended in 212 ce, when the emperor Caracalla granted citizenship to all free-born residents of the empire. This moment subsequently came to be understood as inevitable, as though the juridical unification of the world had been the project of empire all along—and virtually all subsequent European empires have been implicated in the legacy of that tradition. But the history of Roman citizenship is neither unitary nor continuous. This article interrogates processes of juridification in the relationship between citizenship and empire. Some of these concern the Roman citizen body itself, which on one reading was gradually transformed from a collective of self-ruling agents to a community of economic actors. Others concern the effects on alien political and religious communities of the appearance of Roman tribunals as courts of the second instance. The legacies of Roman citizenship in modern forms of subjectivity should be understood against this complex history.
Macroalgal microbiome biogeography is shaped by environmental drivers rather than geographical distance
Authors: Pearman William S , Duffy Grant A , Liu Xiaoyue P , Gemmell Neil J , Morales Sergio E , Fraser Ceridwen I
Published: October 2023

Background and Aims

Contrasting patterns of host and microbiome biogeography can provide insight into the drivers of microbial community assembly. Distance–decay relationships are a classic biogeographical pattern shaped by interactions between selective and non-selective processes. Joint biogeography of microbiomes and their hosts is of increasing interest owing to the potential for microbiome-facilitated adaptation.

Methods

In this study, we examine the coupled biogeography of the model macroalga Durvillaea and its microbiome using a combination of genotyping by sequencing (host) and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing (microbiome). Alongside these approaches, we use environmental data to characterize the relationship between the microbiome, the host, and the environment.

Key Results

We show that although the host and microbiome exhibit shared biogeographical structure, these arise from different processes, with host biogeography showing classic signs of geographical distance decay, but with the microbiome showing environmental distance decay. Examination of microbial subcommunities, defined by abundance, revealed that the abundance of microbes is linked to environmental selection. As microbes become less common, the dominant ecological processes shift away from selective processes and towards neutral processes. Contrary to expectations, we found that ecological drift does not promote structuring of the microbiome.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that although host macroalgae exhibit a relatively ‘typical’ biogeographical pattern of declining similarity with increasing geographical distance, the microbiome is more variable and is shaped primarily by environmental conditions. Our findings suggest that the Baas Becking hypothesis of ‘everything is everywhere, the environment selects’ might be a useful hypothesis to understand the biogeography of macroalgal microbiomes. As environmental conditions change in response to anthropogenic influences, the processes structuring the microbiome of macroalgae might shift, whereas those governing the host biogeography are less likely to change. As a result, increasingly decoupled host–microbe biogeography might be observed in response to such human influences.
H - 31 Stress and Cognitive Symptoms among Community-Based Survivors of Mild to Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury: Findings from a Group Cognitive Rehabilitation Program
Authors: Ignacio Daniel A , Serpas Dylan , Clay Kiana , Liu Yingying , Berges Victoria , Pulido Carmen
Published: October 2023

Objective

The current study evaluates a 12-week cognitive rehabilitation program for community-dwelling survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The objective was to assess the feasibility and effects of a scalable, cost-effective group intervention.

Method

The present study was a quasi-experimental, within-subjects design that assessed survivors at baseline, week five, week nine, and week 12. Participants were survivors of brain injury of various etiologies, but only survivors of mild to moderate TBI who completed the full program (n = 12) were analyzed. Neuropsychiatric self-reported data were collected to evaluate the relationship between affective and cognitive symptoms in response to directed psychoeducation delivered within a group psychotherapeutic framework. A relationship in the rates of change between affective and cognitive post-concussion symptoms was hypothesized. Moreover, improvements in neuropsychological scores (RBANS) were hypothesized in all five domains.

Results

A panel regression revealed that slopes of stress symptoms, and not depression or anxiety symptoms, predicted the rate of change in post-concussive cognitive symptoms. Non-parametric analyses of ordinal trends revealed a significant decoupling of the association between stress symptoms and cognitive symptoms over the intervention period. Only improvements in memory performances were revealed. Qualitative focus groups were analyzed for themes to potentially explain the mechanism of change.

Conclusions

Findings provide support for this program as a feasible cost-effective group modality for psychosocial cognitive training following mild to moderate TBI.
Hybridization and backcrossing between the endangered brown shrike (Lanius cristatus superciliosus) and the common bull-headed shrike (L. bucephalus bucephalus)
Authors: Mizumura Haruka , Kubota Kôhei , Nishiumi Isao , Imanishi Sadao , Mochizuki Mizuki , Higuchi Hiroyoshi
Published: October 2023

Interspecific hybridization has long been of interest to biologists due to its implications for species concepts, gene flow, and conservation. We found a putative hybrid between the endangered brown shrike (Lanius cristatus superciliosus) and the common bull-headed shrike (Lanius bucephalus) at the foot of Mt. Fuji, central Japan, where the adult sex ratio of brown shrikes is biased towards the male. Brown and bull-headed shrikes are closely related, and their hybridization is critical for the survival and conservation of the brown shrike. We tried to identify this individual based on genetic, morphological, plumage, and acoustic analysis. The hybrid had intermediate genetic, morphological, and plumage features between the two parental species. The maternal lineage of the hybrid was suggested to be the bull-headed shrike by COI analysis. We thus conclude that the hybrid resulted from interbreeding between a male brown shrike and a female bull-headed shrike, and a skewed sex ratio in the brown shrike may have contributed to this hybridization. Skewed sex ratio is a useful indicator of population viability and knowledge of this is helpful in rare species conservation. Genetic introgression between brown and bull-headed shrikes cannot be denied because the hybrid individual was fertile and backcrossing occurred. Exploring past and ongoing genetic relationships of the shrikes has led to insights into the evolutionary background and the potential of hybridization in an evolutionary context.
Unravelling the genetic diversity and population dynamics of three Tacinga species (Cactaceae: Opuntioideae) in the Caatinga
Authors: Barrios-Leal Dora Yovana , Menezes Rodolpho S T , Zappi Daniela , Manfrin Maura Helena
Published: October 2023

The Caatinga biogeographical region, located in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil, is characterized by high levels of cactus diversity and endemism. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity, differentiation, and phylogeography of three Tacinga species (Tacinga inamoena, Tacinga subcylindrica, and Tacinga palmadora), which are endemic and widely distributed in the Caatinga. We collected 222 samples from 108 locations and used plastid (3ʹrps16-5ʹtrnK, PsbE-PetL) and nuclear (PhyC) molecular markers for a multilocus approach. Our results suggest that diversification of the three Tacinga species occurred during the middle Pleistocene, with the Southern Sertaneja Depression ecoregion of the Caatinga being identified as the ancestral area. Interestingly, analyses of genetic structure did not show any evidence that the major river in the region (the Sao Francisco River) and the Caatinga ecoregions acted as biogeographical barriers for gene flow in these species. This suggests that the three Tacinga species exhibited different responses to widely accepted geographical and geomorphological barriers known to affect other taxonomic groups in the Caatinga. Overall, our findings provide new insights into the biogeographical history of the Caatinga and the factors that have shaped diversification and genetic structure of species in this region. Our study underlines the importance of considering the unique natural history and biological characteristics of individual taxonomic groups when investigating the biogeography of the Caatinga.
Strategic recommendations for financing green and sustainable energy projects
Authors: Dutta Arindam , Samanta Akash
Published: October 2023

The main hindrances to the large-scale development of renewable-energy projects are the lack of bankability and the inability to align investments and investors with suitable financial instruments or robust policy measures. To illustrate a bankable project, this paper presents a research-based case study on the installation of solar photovoltaic panels on the rooftops of 195 trains of the Indian Railways. Detailed information on the annual running hours, exposure to sunlight, efficiency of solar photovoltaic generation and electrical power demands of each rail coach is considered to conduct a quantitative measure of the tentative amount of fossil fuel savings. The purpose is to provide insight into the types of renewable-energy projects that can be highly attractive to financial institutions and promoters due to their lucrative internal return on investment. As seen in this case study, there are annual savings in diesel of 12 323 088 litres and a CO2 reduction of 32 755 tonnes, with return on investment of 1.3 years. Furthermore, this study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the limitations of existing renewable-energy project financing mechanisms in India. Subsequently, three policy measures are recommended to develop a robust financial mechanism that can effectively meet the needs of investors and investors. These measures include increasing equity injection through a buy-and-hold strategy, providing direct tax benefits to promoters and financing through real-estate investment trusts. The findings are highly relevant to address the challenges associated with bridging the financial gap between access to finance and capital investment in the renewable-energy sector, especially for Asian countries.
Disparities in Antiviral Treatment Among Adults With Hepatitis B Cirrhosis: An Analysis of the National Veterans Affairs Cohort
Authors: Wong Robert J , Yang Zeyuan , Cheung Ramsey
Published: October 2023

Timely antiviral therapy is critical in chronic hepatitis B cirrhosis to prevent further liver complications. Among a national cohort of US Veterans with chronic hepatitis B cirrhosis, only 52% were initiated on antiviral therapy; treatment was significantly lower among patients of non-Asian ethnicity, high-risk alcohol use, and in rural settings.