bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photo-induced spatiotemporal bending of shape memory polymer beams
Authors: Wu Boliang , Liu Tianzhen , Chen Yuzhen , Jin Lihua
Published: October 2022

In response to external stimuli, such as heat, light, or magnetic fields, stimuli-responsive soft materials can change their current configuration to a new equilibrium state through non-equilibrium kinetic processes, including reaction, diffusion, and viscoelastic relaxation, which generates novel spatiotemporal shape-morphing behavior. Using a photothermal shape memory polymer (SMP) cantilever beam as a model system, this work analytically, numerically, and experimentally studies its non-equilibrium kinetic processes and spatiotemporal bending under light illumination. We establish a thermomechanical model for SMPs capturing the concurrent non-equilibrium processes of heat transfer and viscoelastic relaxation, which induces inhomogeneous temperature and strain distributions through the thickness of the beam, resulting in its bending and unbending. By varying the key dimensionless parameters, we theoretically and experimentally observe different types of bending dynamics. Moreover, our theory takes into consideration changes in the angles of incidence caused by extensive beam bending, and demonstrates that this effect can dramatically delay the bending due to reduction of the effective light intensity, which is further validated experimentally. This work demonstrates programmable and predictable spatiotemporal morphing of SMPs, and provides design guidelines for SMP morphing structures and robots.
An electrorheological elastomer with marigold-like TiO2 particles towards large tunable range of storage modulus
Authors: Liu Lingyun , Niu Chenguang , Ma Ning , Dong Xufeng
Published: October 2022

The tunable range of storage modulus is closely related to the performance of electrorheological elastomers (EREs). Previous studies have made great progress by adjusting the chemical composition of dielectric particles, properties of matrix and interface properties of particles/matrix, while the range of modulus variation of EREs is still narrow when the mass fraction of particles is relatively low. In this study, marigold-like TiO2 particles with complicated surface nanostructure were synthesized via a solvothermal method, and the EREs were prepared by using these particles as dispersion phase and silicone rubber as matrix. The storage modulus. The results illustrate that EREs containing marigold-like TiO2 particles (M-EREs) have large field-induced storage modulus (103.8 kPa) and significant relative ER effect (69.5%). The obvious performance results from the high crosslink density and strong friction between matrix and particles. These observations indicate a promising way to enhance the performance of EREs.
Fully-gapped superconductivity in single crystalline NbC and TaC probed by point-contact spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Dongting , Chen Chufan , Yan Dayu , Shi Youguo , Lu Xin
Published: October 2022

We report our point-contact spectroscopy (PCS) study on the single-crystalline transition metal carbide NbC and TaC with a superconducting transition temperature

T

c

 = 12.0 and 10.2 K, respectively. The differential conductance curves from both soft-PCS and mechanical-PCS (MPCS) on NbC at 1.9 K can be well fitted by a single-gap s-wave Blonder–Tinkham–Klapwijk model, and the temperature dependent gap follows a standard Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer (BCS) behavior, yielding

Δ

0

N
b
C

 = 2.0 ± 0.3 meV and 2

Δ

0

N
b
C

/

k

B

T

c

 = 3.9 ± 0.3 in the intermediate coupling regime. Similarly, our MPCS data on TaC crystals also show its superconducting gap as a function of temperature follows the BCS behavior, yielding

Δ

0

T
a
C

 = 1.7 ± 0.1 meV and 2

Δ

0

T
a
C

/

k

B

T

c

 = 3.9 ± 0.1. Our results thus support that both NbC and TaC are fully gapped s-wave superconductors.
Self-starting dynamics of continuous-waves stability in a generalized complex nonlinear transparent media for passively mode-locked lasers with fast saturable absorbers
Authors: Mbieda Ngomegni Frank G , Mbieda Petmegni Duplex S
Published: October 2022

The dynamics and stability of continuous-waves in a K-order complex nonlinear transparent media for passively mode-locked lasers with fast saturable absorbers is theoretically and systematically studied. The Benjamin modulational-instability techniques was used, assuming that in the mode-locked regime, the laser will find full expression just after the continuous-waves (cws) become unstable. A global analysis of the operation regimes are established. The model is described by a K-order term generated by K-photon ionization processes of a complex Ginzburg-Landau (CGL) equation, and plasma generation coupled to a first order differential Drude’s equation for the electron plasma density with electron-hole radiative recombination effects. Basis conditions were established for various stability regime for cw. From this, we observed that an increase in the number of photon rate K induced self-starting for normal dispersion regime. We were also able to establish that an increase in the laser input field intensity which essentially favored the self-starting laser process.
The higher-order nonlinearity and parametric effects on dust-ion-acoustic shock waves
Authors: Salam Md Abdus , Akbar M Ali , Ali M Zulfikar , Inc Mustafa
Published: October 2022

In the case of obliquely propagated small-amplitude shock waves, in this study, we investigate the impacts of higher-order nonlinearity as well as various parameters (such as dust concentrations, viscosity, trapping parameters, etc) on the shock wave structures. The considered magnetized plasma system consists of three components, such as inertial positive ions (mobile), trapped electrons, and immobile negatively charged dust particles. The modified Burgers equation with a dominating dissipative term (in which the viscous effect is significant) is derived initially to examine the lower-order nonlinear and dissipative effects, and then, to the best of our knowledge, the modified Burgers-type linear inhomogeneous equation is derived for the first time to observe the higher-order nonlinear effects on shock waves while the plasma contains trapped electrons. The reductive perturbation method is used for the derivation of the equations, whereas the Abel’s theorem and the method of variation of parameters are used for adding the higher-order effect. From the theoretical investigation, we observe that the higher-order nonlinearity has an increasing effect on the shock amplitude. Furthermore, the viscosity and dust concentration increase the shock width and the phase speed, respectively.
Extensive investigation of the 6Li + 27Al and 6He + 27Al systems using different models
Authors: Hamada Sh , Ibraheem Awad A
Published: October 2022

In this paper, the angular distributions (ADs) for 6Li + 27Al and 6He + 27Al elastic scattering in the energy range of 7–88 MeV and 9.5–13.4 MeV, respectively, are reanalyzed utilizing various phenomenological and microscopic potentials. The purpose of this work is to investigate the cluster nature of the weakly stable 6Li and the two-neutron halo 6He projectiles to check the associated breakup effects on the scattering data and to examine the consistency of the results obtained across different implemented potentials. A novel semi-microscopic dynamical polarization potential is applied to the 6Li + 27Al system to simulate the coupling effects on the breakup channel. The ADs for the 6He + 27Al system are described using the continuum discretized coupled channels (CDCC) method, which considers the coupling to the resonant (2+, 1.8 MeV) state and twelve continuum bins belonging to L = 0, 1, and 2 states as per the adopted model for truncation and discretization of the continuum.
Comparative study of galaxy clustering using halo approximation and mean-field theory in the light of modified theories of gravity
Authors: Bagat Hilal Ahmad , Hameeda Mir , Ganai Prince A
Published: October 2022

In this manuscript, we have explored the large-scale structure (LSS) of the Universe using the halo approximation of galaxies and the mean-field (mean-field approximation) theory of galaxy clusters. Employing the modified gravitational potential, which relies on Boltzmann’s statistics, we have analyzed the effect of galaxy clusters on the large-scale structure of the Universe. With both of these approximations, we have observed the significance of the modified potential. Also, the gravitational partition function obtained from the applied approximations has been used to determine the thermodynamic properties of these galaxy clusters. Besides this, the impact of these approximations on the derived quantities, such as Helmholtz free energy, entropy, internal energy, pressure, and chemical potential, was observed and is also evident from their respective plots along with their distribution functions. Importantly, the divergence of configurational integrals has been removed through the said approach.
Deriving causal relationships in resting-state functional connectivity using SSFO-based optogenetic fMRI
Authors: Han Xu , Cramer Samuel R , Zhang Nanyin
Published: October 2022

Objective. The brain network has been extensively studied as a collection of brain regions that are functionally inter-connected. However, the study of the causal relationship in brain-wide functional connectivity, which is critical to the brain function, remains challenging. We aim to examine the feasibility of using (SSFO)-based optogenetic functional magnetic resonance imaging to infer the causal relationship (i.e. directional information) in the brain network. Approach. We combined SSFO-based optogenetics with fMRI in a resting-state rodent model to study how a local increase of excitability affects brain-wide neural activity and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC). We incorporated Pearson’s correlation and partial correlation analyses in a graphic model to derive the directional information in connections exhibiting RSFC modulations. Main results. When the dentate gyrus (DG) was sensitized by SSFO activation, we found significantly changed activity and connectivity in several brain regions associated with the DG, particularly in the medial prefrontal cortex Our causal inference result shows an 84%–100% accuracy rate compared to the directional information based on anatomical tracing data. Significance. This study establishes a system to investigate the relationship between local region activity and RSFC modulation, and provides a way to analyze the underlying causal relationship between brain regions.
Electronic thygmonasty model in Mimosa pudica biomimetic robot
Authors: Hanief Abdurrahman Bela , Irmansyah Irmansyah , Ahmad Faozan
Published: October 2022

Direct contact of random objects from the open environment to the panel surface of an electronic device may reduce the work efficiency and cause permanent damage. However, there is a possible way to solve this problem, notably by implementing an adaptive structure design inspired by plants. The Mimosa pudica plant provides several interesting information on its adaptability. Various studies have been conducted on the electrical properties of its organs explaining the phytoactuator and phytosensor cells that function within it. We combined the use of sensors, actuators, and synthetic excitable tissue as the first robot model purposed to mimic the behavior of the M. pudica plant. The Computer vision method was used to measure leaf angular movement and collected it as plant behavior data based on the mechanical stimulus experiment. The Robot structure has eight arms equipped with sensors, servo motors, and microcontrollers that are operated with two activation system models approach. The first model could imitate the stimulus process received by electronic circuits that generate action potential signals with a maximum voltage of 4.71–5.02 V and a minimum voltage of −5.33 to −3.45 V that propagated from node to node. The second model involves a trained artificial neural network model with a supervised learning pattern that provides 100% accuracy when choosing movement output based on the given combination. This robot imitates the M. pudica’s intelligent sensing capabilities and its ability to change the structure shape based on the thygmonasty experiments data which could provide an overview of how plants process information and perform hazard avoidance actions efficiently. Future applications for the technology inspired by the plant’s self-defense mechanisms are adaptive intelligent structures that can protect against harmful conditions, particle contamination, and adjusting panel structure to search for desired environmental parameters.
Application of Sustainable Development Goals for a Professional Post-Graduate Interior Architecture Program in Malaysia
Authors: Affandi T.M.I. , Za’bar Z. , Yaman R. , Noorhani N.
Published: October 2022

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is one of the most coined terms in any aspect of life be it in economy, social or environment. The objective of this study is to apply SDGs for professional post-graduate interior architecture program in Malaysia and addressed the sustainable gap in curriculum development. The aim of this study is to implant and embed sustainable operational definitions and requirements based on curriculum mapping against SDGs goals. The methodology used in this study are content analysis of SDGS and its indicators, program curriculum mapping and experts’ discussion for study findings validation. The findings indicated that all SDGs related to interior architecture practice and socio-economic requirements are significant in the development of professional post-graduate interior architecture program in Malaysia.
Quantifying NO2 Reduction Before and During Covid-19 Movement Control Order In Major Cities And Industrial Area In Peninsular Malaysia Using Satellite Data Observation
Authors: Binti Hashim Nurul Farhani , Salim Pauziyah Mohammad , Salleh Siti Aekbal , Othman Ainon Nisa
Published: October 2022

Movement Control Order (MCO) which was the restrictions or the lockdown that were implemented by the government of Malaysia from 18 March 2020 to 31 March 2020. Our study aims to evaluate Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) changes, before and during the MCO in Malaysia’s major cities especially the Klang Valley area as well as some industrial areas in the country. Tropospheric NO2 vertical column density from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) was used to evaluate the spatial-temporal variations of the NO2 before and during the first phase of the MCO for the entire Peninsular. It is found that the NO2 concentrations is very prominent in Greater Klang Valley (GKV) but those location outside the GKV are related to Power Plant Stations in the country. Reduction of NO2 quantified by TROPOMI satellite showed a sharp decline for the daily readings, with the highest differences in Greater Klang Valley urban stations (− 52%) in Cheras, followed by Shah Alam (-43%). The lowest decline was recorded in Putrajaya with only (− 18%). The industrial site locations mostly show neutral readings or low increments as low as 5%. Only the location in Johor Bahru shows a very sharp increase up till 142% perhaps due to the ‘business as usual’ of the neighbouring country. Medium correlation between ground measurement and TROPOMI column was obtained for the Greater Klang Valley locations R=0.455 before the MCO implementation, and R=0.588 after the MCO implementation. These results suggested that air pollution improvement in Greater Klang Valley area is gained from the implementation of the government full scale MCO or lockdown measures. The transportation activities played the key role in decreasing the NO2 level in Greater Klang Valley.
Reducing Over-processing Construction Waste by Using Lean Construction Tools in The Malaysian Construction Industry
Authors: Marhani Mohd Arif , Jaapar Aini , Bari Norazmi Ahmad , Shaari Shazwan Mohamed
Published: October 2022

The construction industry is one of the most important industries for social and economic growth, as well as a source of wealth. Unfortunately, the construction industry has considerable costs, time, and quality issues, necessitating being resolved. This problem also happened in the Malaysian construction industry, mostly to meet the demands of infrastructure projects. Furthermore, over-processing refers to extra work done during the construction process that increases the likelihood of a project failing. This over-processing is caused by the consultant teams’ slow response time when a problem develops, as well as the site’s poor management system implementation. Lean construction (LC) is the alternative in resolving this non- physical construction wastes. LC is a constant enhancement to the construction processes in sustaining the organisation’s growth and profitability. This research aims to develop an LC tools framework that beneficial to future LC practitioners. This paper seeks to identify the most generated over-processing construction waste and the most LC tools to reduce over-processing construction waste on the site. This research uses a quantitative method approach, and the questionnaire survey has been sent to 310 G7 contractors registered with the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) in Malaysia. A total of 116 questionnaires were returned, with a response rate of 37.4%. The findings revealed that the long approval process was the source of the majority of the site’s over-processing construction waste. Hence, management contracts, standard forms, total quality management, concurrent engineering and teamwork were the five most implemented LC tools by the LC practitioners in reducing over-processing waste. It is hoped that the outcomes of this research, able to help the LC practitioners deliver their projects. Thus, it would develop the future’s construction productivity towards a better quality of life.
Conceptual Framework for IBS Machinery Optimization
Authors: Abdullah M.Y. , Shukor A. S. A. , Mahbub R. , Mohammad M.F
Published: October 2022

This paper aims to examine variable for the Optimization Industrialise Building System Machinery in Malaysia. The study to address higher cost in IBS Machinery when adopt with technology. Objective for this study to identify theory use in the Industrialise Building System (IBS) Machinery in Malaysia. The study fully using Literature Review on the theory of design in Machinery and also IBS product. From underlaying theories, defined variables that used in Basic Framework must be synthesis process to get finding or result in this research. The finding of the Conceptual Framework variables will be better insight for optimization when doing design on Machinery and IBS product.
Sustainable Facilities Management (SFM) initiatives in Malaysia hotel industry: reliability and validity analysis using Smart-PLS
Authors: Abu Talib Alyaa Afifah , Muhamad Ariff Nor Rima , Hasim Mohamad Sufian , Hanafiah Mohd Hafiz
Published: October 2022

This paper presents the reliability and validity analysis of the data collection instrument used in a larger study scale. A pilot study has been employed to prove the viability of the questionnaire survey and make improvements prior to the actual survey examining the framework of Sustainable Facilities Management (SFM) initiatives for Malaysia’s hotel industry. A survey was conducted among 5-star hotels registered under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Malaysia. A total of 34 respondents were successfully recruited from Klang Valley’s hotel staff. The reliability and validity analyses of this pilot study were conducted using PLS-SEM: SMART-PLS Version 3.3.2. The study’s findings revealed that the surveyed SFM initiatives in the hotel organisations were statistically significant. In addition, the findings indicated that the SFM initiatives positively contributed towards sustainable development goals (SDG); particularly SDG 6, SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 12, and SDG 13. The study’s main implications further confirmed that the instrument used in the pilot study fulfilled the acceptable requirements of the reliability and validity range for the main data collection purpose of the intended study.
Degradation of sulfamethoxazole in water by dielectric barrier discharge plasma jet: influencing parameters, degradation pathway, toxicity evaluation
Authors: HU Shuheng , YAN Weiwen , YU Jinming , ZHU Bin , LAN Yan , XI Wenhao , XU Zimu , HAN Wei , CHENG Cheng
Published: October 2022

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is an antibiotic and widely present in aquatic environments, so it presents a serious threat to human health and sustainable development. A dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma jet was utilized to degrade aqueous SMX, and the effects of various operating parameters (working gas, discharge power, etc) on SMX degradation performance were studied. The experimental results showed that the DBD plasma jet can obtain a relatively high degradation efficiency for SMX when the discharge power is high with an oxygen atmosphere, the initial concentration of SMX is low, and the aqueous solution is under acidic conditions. The reactive species produced in the liquid phase were detected, and OH radicals and O3 were found to play a significant role in the degradation of SMX. Moreover, the process of SMX degradation could be better fitted by the quasi-first-order reaction kinetic equation. The analysis of the SMX degradation process indicated that SMX was gradually decomposed and 4-amino benzene sulfonic acid, benzene sulfonamide, 4-nitro SMX, and phenylsulfinyl acid were detected, and thus three possible degradation pathways were finally proposed. The mineralization degree of SMX reached 90.04% after plasma treatment for 20 min, and the toxicity of the solution fluctuated with the discharge time but eventually decreased.
First report on onsite temperature based recovery of quenched chemiluminescence signal from graphenized μPADs: validation by catechins radical scavenging
Authors: Kumar Pavar Sai , Advincula Paul A , Goel Sanket
Published: October 2022

Graphene-based materials are excellent acceptors of the CRET phenomenon. Due to the presence of

π

-conjugated planar structure, these materials were reported to quench the chemiluminescence (CL) signal. Based on this fact, herein, for the first time, the recovery of quenched CL signal from different graphene-based materials is successfully obtained through the catalytic activity of onsite temperature. The maximum recovery of a quenched signal at an optimum temperature of 70

∘

C

was 1440% from the 10 mg ml−1 reduced graphene oxide paper analytical devices. The recovery of flash graphene and laser induced graphene materials were found to be 895% and 521%, respectively, for the same conditions via the generation of

π

-conjugated carbon radicals. Catechin, an antioxidant, was analyzed from 0.1 nM to 500 nM to interpret the generation of carbon radicals from graphenized materials. The proposed smartphone-enabled onsite heating recovery model was validated with the lower limit of 94 pM (27.3 pg ml−1) of catechin concentration without advanced photodiodes or instrumentation. The validation was performed in real samples of green tea (1 and 2). This method of CL recovery can be a future model for indicating the purity of graphene-based materials without using advanced instrumentations.
Partition complexes and trees
Authors: Heuts Gijs , Moerdijk Ieke
Published: October 2022

We construct a functor from the partition complex of a finite set

A
A

to a category of trees with leaves labelled by

A
A

and prove that it is homotopy initial. This construction and our proof are elementary and require very few preliminaries, but imply an equivalence between different bar constructions of an operad in great generality.
Uniform Lech’s inequality
Authors: Ma Linquan , Smirnov Ilya
Published: October 2022

Let

(
R
,

m

)

(R,\mathfrak {m})

be a Noetherian local ring of dimension

d
≥
2

d\geq 2

. We prove that if

e
(

R
^

r
e
d

)
>
1

e(\widehat {R}_{red})>1

, then the classical Lech’s inequality can be improved uniformly for all

m

\mathfrak {m}

-primary ideals, that is, there exists

ε
>
0

\varepsilon >0

such that
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="e left-parenthesis upper I right-parenthesis less-than-or-equal-to d factorial left-parenthesis e left-parenthesis upper R right-parenthesis minus epsilon right-parenthesis script l left-parenthesis upper R slash upper I right-parenthesis">

e
(
I
)
≤
d
!
(
e
(
R
)
−
ε
)
ℓ
(
R

/

I
)

e(I)\leq d!(e(R)-\varepsilon )\ell (R/I)

for all

m

\mathfrak {m}

-primary ideals

I
⊆
R

I\subseteq R

. This answers a question raised by Huneke, Ma, Quy, and Smirnov [Adv. Math. 372 (2020), pp. 107296, 33]. We also obtain partial results towards improvements of Lech’s inequality when we fix the number of generators of

I
I

.
Quasi-infinite divisibility of a class of distributions with discrete part
Authors: Berger David , Kutlu Merve
Published: October 2022

We consider distributions on

R

\mathbb {R}

that can be written as the sum of a non-zero discrete distribution and an absolutely continuous distribution. We show that such a distribution is quasi-infinitely divisible if and only if its characteristic function is bounded away from zero, thus giving a new class of quasi-infinitely divisible distributions. Moreover, for this class of distributions we characterize the existence of the

g
g

-moment for certain functions

g
g

.
Polarisation of SKT Calabi-Yau ∂∂̄-manifolds by Aeppli classes
Authors: Ma Yi
Published: October 2022

Given a

∂

∂
¯

\partial \bar \partial

-manifold

X
X

with trivial canonical bundle and carrying a metric

ω
\omega

such that

∂

∂
¯

ω
=
0

\partial \bar \partial \omega =0

, we introduce the concept of small deformations of

X
X

polarised by the Aeppli cohomology class

[
ω

]
A

[\omega ]_A

of a strong Kähler with torsion metric

ω
\omega

. There is a correspondence between the manifolds polarised by

[
ω

]
A

[\omega ]_A

in the Kuranishi family of

X
X

and the Bott-Chern classes that are primitive in a sense that we define. We also investigate the existence of a primitive element in an arbitrary Bott-Chern primitive class and compare the metrics on the base space of the subfamily of manifolds polarised by

[
ω

]
A

[\omega ]_A

within the Kuranishi family.
Corrigendum to “Uniformly continuous orbit equivalence of Markov shifts and gauge actions on Cuntz–Krieger algebras”
Authors: Matsumoto Kengo
Published: October 2022

In the given proofs of Theorem 1.5 in the author’s article "K. Matsumoto, Uniformly continuous orbit equivalence of Markov shifts and gauge actions on Cuntz–Krieger algebras", Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 145 (2017), pp. 1131–1140, there are two places that the matrices are needed to be primitive. The statement of Theorem 1.5 and its proof are corrected.
A quantitative variational analysis of the staircasing phenomenon for a second order regularization of the Perona-Malik functional
Authors: Gobbino Massimo , Picenni Nicola
Published: October 2022

We consider the Perona-Malik functional in dimension one, namely an integral functional whose Lagrangian is convex-concave with respect to the derivative, with a convexification that is identically zero. We approximate and regularize the functional by adding a term that depends on second order derivatives multiplied by a small coefficient.

We investigate the asymptotic behavior of minima and minimizers as this small parameter vanishes. In particular, we show that minimizers exhibit the so-called staircasing phenomenon, namely they develop a sort of microstructure that looks like a piecewise constant function at a suitable scale.

Our analysis relies on Gamma-convergence results for a rescaled functional, blow-up techniques, and a characterization of local minimizers for the limit problem. This approach can be extended to more general models.
EV charging station with cascaded low-pass filtering scheme-based control of unified power quality conditioner
Authors: Patel Arpitkumar J , Sant Amit V
Published: October 2022

This paper proposes a cascaded low-pass filter (CLPF) scheme for the control of a unified power quality conditioner (UPQC) installed for enhancing the power quality of an electric vehicle (EV) charging station. With the incorporation of UPQC, the EV charging station draws sinusoidal currents at unity power factor and the supply voltage is maintained at the nominal value at the charger input. In the CLPF scheme, the α–β components of the load current are individually processed through a cascade connection of two LPFs to determine the corresponding fundamental orthogonal components. Based on thus determined components, the instantaneous and peak value and phase angle of the fundamental positive sequence component (FPSC) of the load current are computed. Similarly, the corresponding quantities related to the load and supply voltages are also computed with the CLPF scheme. With the computations related to the load current and supply voltage, the unit voltage templates (UVTs), power factor and fundamental active component (FAC) of the load current are calculated. For the control of shunt compensation, reference currents are generated based on the FAC of the load current and UVTs. Alternately, the control of series compensation is employed with the help of UVTs and peak amplitude of the FPSC of the load voltage. The performance of CLPF scheme-based extraction is compared with that of the earlier reported schemes through simulation and experimental studies. The performance comparison reveals a faster dynamic and more accurate steady-state response with the proposed scheme. The performance analysis of the proposed CLPF scheme-based control of a UPQC deployed at the EV charging station for different operating conditions demonstrates station operation with requisite reactive power compensation and mitigation of voltage sag/swell, and prevention of propagation of harmonic and unbalanced currents into the grid. This results in increased reliability of charger operation, energy savings and increased efficiency of the distribution network.
Monitoring the acute and subacute recovery of cognitive ocular motor changes after a sports-related concussion
Authors: Symons Georgia F , O’Brien William T , Abel Larry , Chen Zhibin , Costello Daniel M , O’Brien Terence J , Kolbe Scott , Fielding Joanne , Shultz Sandy R , Clough Meaghan
Published: October 2022

Identifying when recovery from a sports-related concussion (SRC) has occurred remains a challenge in clinical practice. This study investigated the utility of ocular motor (OM) assessment to monitor recovery post-SRC between sexes and compared to common clinical measures. From 139 preseason baseline assessments (i.e. before they sustained an SRC), 18 (12 males, 6 females) consequent SRCs were sustained and the longitudinal follow-ups were collected at 2, 6, and 13 days post-SRC. Participants completed visually guided, antisaccade (AS), and memory-guided saccade tasks requiring a saccade toward, away from, and to a remembered target, respectively. Changes in latency (processing speed), visual–spatial accuracy, and errors were measured. Clinical measures included The Sports Concussion Assessment Tool, King-Devick test, Stroop task, and Digit span. AS latency was significantly longer at 2 days and returned to baseline by 13-days post-SRC in females only (P < 0.001). Symptom numbers recovered from 2 to 6 days and 13 days (P < 0.05). Persistently poorer AS visual–spatial accuracy was identified at 2, 6 and 13 days post-SRC (P < 0.05) in both males and females but with differing trajectories. Clinical measures demonstrated consistent improvement reminiscent of practice effects. OM saccade assessment may have improved utility in tracking recovery compared to conventional measures and between sexes.
Recurrence of Symptoms Following Cryptococcal Meningitis: Characterizing a Diagnostic Conundrum With Multiple Etiologies
Authors: Bahr Nathan C , Skipper Caleb P , Huppler-Hullsiek Kathy , Ssebambulidde Kenneth , Morawski Bozena M , Engen Nicole W , Nuwagira Edwin , Quinn Carson M , Ramachandran Prashanth S , Evans Emily E , Lofgren Sarah M , Abassi Mahsa , Muzoora Conrad , Wilson Michael R , Meya David B , Rhein Joshua , Boulware David R
Published: October 2022

Background

Cryptococcal meningitis is a common cause of AIDS-related mortality. Although symptom recurrence after initial treatment is common, the etiology is often difficult to decipher. We sought to summarize characteristics, etiologies, and outcomes among persons with second-episode symptomatic recurrence.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled Ugandans with cryptococcal meningitis and obtained patient characteristics, antiretroviral therapy (ART) and cryptococcosis histories, clinical outcomes, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis results. We independently adjudicated cases of second-episode meningitis to categorize patients as (1) microbiological relapse, (2) paradoxical immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), (3) persistent elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) only, or (4) persistent symptoms only, along with controls of primary cryptococcal meningitis. We compared groups with chi-square or Kruskal-Wallis tests as appropriate.

Results

724 participants were included (n = 607 primary episode, 81 relapse, 28 paradoxical IRIS, 2 persistently elevated ICP, 6 persistent symptoms). Participants with culture-positive relapse had lower CD4 (25 cells/μL; IQR: 9–76) and lower CSF white blood cell (WBC; 4 cells/μL; IQR: 4–85) counts than paradoxical IRIS (CD4: 78 cells/μL; IQR: 47–142; WBC: 45 cells/μL; IQR: 8–128). Among those with CSF WBC <5 cells/μL, 86% (43/50) had relapse. Among those with CD4 counts <50 cells/μL, 91% (39/43) had relapse. Eighteen-week mortality (from current symptom onset) was 47% among first episodes of cryptococcal meningitis, 31% in culture-positive relapses, and 14% in paradoxical IRIS.

Conclusions

Poor immune reconstitution was noted more often in relapse than IRIS as evidenced by lower CSF WBC and blood CD4 counts. These easily obtained laboratory values should prompt initiation of antifungal treatment while awaiting culture results.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT01802385.
Diagnostic Performance of Physician Gestalt for Bacteremia in Patients in the Process of Being Admitted With Suspected Infection
Authors: Fujii Kotaro , Takada Toshihiko , Kamitani Tsukasa , Aoki Takuya , Takeshima Taro , Kudo Masataka , Sasaki Sho , Yano Tetsuhiro , Yagi Yu , Tsuchido Yasuhiro , Itoh Hideyuki , Fukuhara Shunichi , Yamamoto Yosuke
Published: October 2022

Background

Due to potentially fatal consequences of missed bacteremia, blood cultures are often overused. While there are several prediction models that can be used to identify patients who truly need blood cultures, physicians often rely on their gestalt. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of physician gestalt for bacteremia in comparison with 2 existing prediction models: Takeshima and Shapiro.

Methods

The study enrolled consecutive adult patients with suspected infection who were in the process of being admitted to the general medicine department at 2 hospitals between April 2017 and January 2019. Attending physicians provided gestalt regarding risk of bacteremia (0%–100%). Patients with a <10% risk estimated via each strategy (ie, physician gestalt or 2 existing models) were categorized as bacteremia excluded (ie, blood cultures were considered unnecessary). Strategies were compared in terms of safety (proportion of patients with bacteremia among those classified as bacteremia excluded) and efficiency (proportion of patients classified as bacteremia excluded among the total cohort).

Results

Among 2014 patients, 292 (14.5%) were diagnosed with bacteremia. The safety of physician gestalt and the Takeshima and Shapiro models was 3.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2% to 5.7%), 6.5% (95% CI, 5.0% to 7.9%), and 10.8% (95% CI, 9.4% to 12.3%), whereas the efficiency of each strategy was 22.4% (95% CI, 22.5% to 26.3%), 52.7% (95% CI, 50.5% to 54.9%), and 87.8% (95% CI, 86.3% to 89.2%), respectively.

Conclusions

Physician gestalt was safer but less efficient than existing models. Clinical prediction models could help reduce the overuse of blood cultures.
Assembly-free discovery of human novel sequences using long reads
Authors: Li Qiuhui , Yan Bin , Lam Tak-Wah , Luo Ruibang
Published: October 2022

DNA sequences that are absent in the human reference genome are classified as novel sequences. The discovery of these missed sequences is crucial for exploring the genomic diversity of populations and understanding the genetic basis of human diseases. However, various DNA lengths of reads generated from different sequencing technologies can significantly affect the results of novel sequences. In this work, we designed an assembly-free novel sequence (AF-NS) approach to identify novel sequences from Oxford Nanopore Technology long reads. Among the newly detected sequences using AF-NS, more than 95% were omitted from those using long-read assemblers and 85% were not present in short reads of Illumina. We identified the common novel sequences among all the samples and revealed their association with the binding motifs of transcription factors. Regarding the placements of the novel sequences, we found about 70% enriched in repeat regions and generated 430 for one specific subpopulation that might be related to their evolution. Our study demonstrates the advance of the assembly-free approach to capture more novel sequences over other assembler based methods. Combining the long-read data with powerful analytical methods can be a robust way to improve the completeness of novel sequences.
Vigorous physical activity, incident heart disease, and cancer: how little is enough?
Authors: Ahmadi Matthew N , Clare Philip J , Katzmarzyk Peter T , del Pozo Cruz Borja , Lee I Min , Stamatakis Emmanuel
Published: October 2022

Aims

Vigorous physical activity (VPA) is a time-efficient way to achieve recommended physical activity levels. There is a very limited understanding of the minimal and optimal amounts of vigorous physical activity in relation to mortality and disease incidence.

Methods and results

A prospective study in 71 893 adults [median age (IQR): 62.5 years (55.3, 67.7); 55.9% female] from the UK Biobank cohort with wrist-worn accelerometry. VPA volume (min/week) and frequency of short VPA bouts (≤2 min) were measured. The dose–response associations of VPA volume and frequency with mortality [all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer], and CVD and cancer incidence were examined after excluding events occurring in the first year. During a mean post-landmark point follow-up of 5.9 years (SD ± 0.8), the adjusted 5-year absolute mortality risk was 4.17% (95% confidence interval: 3.19%, 5.13%) for no VPA, 2.12% (1.81%, 2.44%) for >0 to <10 min, 1.78% (1.53%, 2.03%) for 10 to <30 min, 1.47% (1.21%, 1.73%) for 30 to <60 min, and 1.10% (0.84%, 1.36%) for ≥60 min. The ‘optimal dose’ (nadir of the curve) was 53.6 (50.5, 56.7) min/week [hazard ratio (HR): 0.64 (0.54, 0.77)] relative to the 5th percentile reference (2.2 min/week). There was an inverse linear dose-response association of VPA with CVD mortality. The ‘minimal’ volume dose (50% of the optimal dose) was ∼15 (14.3, 16.3) min/week for all-cause [HR: 0.82 (0.75, 0.89)] and cancer [HR: 0.84 (0.74, 0.95)] mortality, and 19.2 (16.5, 21.9) min/week [HR: 0.60 (0.50, 0.72)] for CVD mortality. These associations were consistent for CVD and cancer incidence. There was an inverse linear association between VPA frequency and CVD mortality. 27 (24, 30) bouts/week was associated with the lowest all-cause mortality [HR: 0.73 (0.62, 0.87)].

Conclusion

VPA of 15–20 min/week were associated with a 16–40% lower mortality HR, with further decreases up to 50–57 min/week. These findings suggest reduced health risks may be attainable through relatively modest amounts of VPA accrued in short bouts across the week.
Using a Collective Impact framework to evaluate an Australian health alliance for improving health outcomes
Authors: Parkinson Joy , Hannan Thomas , McDonald Nicole , Moriarty Stephanie , Nguyen Mai , Ball Lauren
Published: October 2022

Complex social issues such as population health mean that no one person, organization or sector can resolve these problems alone and instead require a collaborative approach. This study applied the Collective Impact framework to evaluate the alliance responsible for delivering a large-scale health promotion initiative. Committee meeting minutes for a 4-year period and qualitative interviews with key stakeholders (N = 14) involved in the design and implementation of the initiative explored the factors that contributed to collaborative efforts and initiative outcomes. Major strengths of the Healthier Queensland Alliance (the Alliance) stemmed from identifying a common agenda and using frequent communication to develop trust among Alliance partners. These processes were important, particularly in improving key relationships to ensure inclusivity and equity. Reinforcing activities helped to support individual organizational efforts, while shared measurement systems promoted data-driven decision-making and learning, which contributed to continuous improvement and innovation. Current findings support the use of the Collective Impact framework as a scaffold to assist collaborative alliances in working effectively and efficiently when implementing large-scale initiatives aiming to create positive social impact. This study has identified the foundations of practice to establish a successful Collective Impact alliance.
Customary International Law as a Source of Individual Criminal Responsibility
Authors: Staiano Fulvia
Published: October 2022

In the Abd-Al-Rahman judgment of 1 November 2021, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) was asked to rule on the compatibility of the ICC’s exercise of jurisdiction over the accused with the principle of nullum crimen sine lege. The question was motivated by the fact that the alleged crimes had neither been committed on a state party’s territory nor by a national of a state party. This article focuses on the answer provided by the Appeals Chamber and on the issues raised by its judicial reasoning. First, it discusses the legal sources to be applied in the context of criminal proceedings before the ICC with respect to situations not involving states parties to the Rome Statute. Second, it reflects on whether and to what extent customary international law may be referred to as the main source of individual criminal responsibility in such proceedings without infringing the principle of nullum crimen sine lege. In this respect, the article also analyses the accessibility and foreseeability test with specific reference to customary norms.
Observational study to predict the efficacy and optimal duration of nivolumab treatment in patients with previously treated advanced or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Goto Yasushi , Yoh Kiyotaka , Kato Terufumi , Hosomi Yukio , Usui Kazuhiro , Fukui Tomoya , Hirano Katsuya , Tanaka Hiroshi , Taguri Masataka , Kunitoh Hideo
Published: October 2022

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, including nivolumab, are essential agents for treating non-small cell lung cancer. However, predictive markers are currently lacking, especially using factors based on patient-reported outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational study of 244 patients with advanced or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer treated with second- or later-line nivolumab from August 2016 to December 2017. Patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life, were evaluated by the EQ-5D-5L before and during nivolumab treatment. To predict the efficacy of nivolumab during the early treatment phase, we also analyzed the patients’ clinical characteristics, responses and immune-related adverse events at 9 weeks of therapy. The primary endpoint was the disease control rate at 25 weeks after the initiation of nivolumab.

Results

The objective response and disease control rates at 25 weeks were 18.5 and 41.2%, respectively. The emergence of immune-related adverse events at 9 weeks did not significantly affect the disease control rate at 6 months. The response at 9 weeks and patient-reported quality of life were potentially predictive of disease control at week 25. Disease control on week 9 and patients-reported outcomes were potential predictive factors for the overall survival.

Conclusions

This study found no new baseline factors predicting the outcome of nivolumab treatment in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, but response to nivolumab was a robust predictor of overall efficacy. In addition, patient-perceived quality of life could predict the durable efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Age- and sex-specific survivorship of the Southern Hemisphere long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas edwardii)
Authors: Betty Emma L , Stockin Karen A , Hinton Bethany , Bollard Barbara A , Orams Mark B , Murphy Sinéad
Published: October 2022

Biodiversity loss is a major global challenge of the 21st century. Ultimately, extinctions of species are determined by birth and death rates; thus, conservation management of at-risk species is dependent on robust demographic data. In this study, data gathered from 381 (227 females, 154 males) long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas edwardii) that died in 14 stranding events on the New Zealand coast between 2006 and 2017 were used to construct the first age- and sex-specific life tables for the subspecies. Survivorship curves were fitted to these data using (1) a traditional maximum likelihood approach, and (2) Siler’s competing-risk model. Life table construction and subsequent survival curves revealed distinct differences in the age- and sex-specific survival rates, with females outliving males. Both sexes revealed slightly elevated rates of mortality among the youngest age-classes (<2 years) with postweaning mortality rates decreasing and remaining relatively low until the average life expectancy is reached; 11.3 years for males and 14.7 years for females. Overall (total) mortality is estimated to be 8.8% and 6.8% per annum for males and females, respectively. The mortality curve resembles that of other large mammals, with high calf mortality, lower postweaning mortality, and an exponentially increasing risk of senescent mortality. An accelerated mortality rate was observed in mature females, in contrast to the closely related short-finned pilot whale (G. macrorhynchus), which selects for an extension to the postreproductive life span. The reason for the observed differences in the mortality rate acceleration and postreproductive life span between the two pilot whale species have not been established and warrant further investigation. Obtaining robust information on the life history of long-lived species is challenging, but essential to improve our understanding of population dynamics and help predict how future pressures may impact populations. This study illustrates how demographic data from cetacean stranding events can improve knowledge of species survival rates, thus providing essential information for conservation management.