bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of a central barrier potential on asymmetry-induced transport in a coaxial Malmberg–Penning trap
Authors: Eggleston D. L.
Published: June 2023

Experiments are presented measuring the radial particle flux produced when a central barrier potential is applied to the central ring of a coaxial Malmberg–Penning trap at the same time as the voltages producing the main asymmetry potential ϕ1(r) cos (kz) cos (lθ−ωt). When a negative DC voltage is applied to the entire central ring, the peak flux produced by the main asymmetry is reduced by a factor e(Veff/1.2), where Veff is the effective applied potential in volts. This barrier potential also increases the frequency of this peak flux. When asymmetric ± voltages are applied to the two azimuthally divided halves of the central ring, DC voltages increase the radial flux while AC voltages decrease it. It is shown that these asymmetric barrier voltages produce their own transport and that the resulting modification of the plasma may be a factor in changing the observed flux.
Ferromagnetism in (Cr, Mn)-co-doped 3C–SiC analyzed using density functional theory
Authors: Wang Yanfang , Hu Chencheng , Wang Dongbin
Published: June 2023

In this work, the influence of Cr and Mn impurity atoms on the electronic structure and magnetic properties of 3C–SiC was analyzed by carrying out first-principles calculations using the GGA + U method, and the influence of Si vacancies on the co-doped system was also considered. The results showed 3C–SiC systems mono-doped with Cr and Mn atoms to be spin-polarized had total magnetic moments of 3.05 and 5.00 μB, respectively. The ferromagnetic state of each of various (Cr, Mn)-co-doped 3C–SiC systems was determined to be more stable than the antiferromagnetic state, with a magnetization energy of −702.3 meV for the most stable system and a total magnetic moment of about 6.00 μB. Finally, the effect of Si vacancies on the doping system was considered on the basis of (Cr, Mn) co-doping. The introduction of Si vacancies reduced the ferromagnetism of the (Cr, Mn)-co-doped 3C–SiC system. The calculations performed in this research have provided a theoretical basis for using (Cr, Mn)-co-doped 3C–SiC as a spintronic device.
Investigations of void collapse in nanoporous Cu by molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Tian Xia , Zhang Hao , Xiang Meizhen , Cui Junzhi
Published: June 2023

Mechanical responses of nanoporous Cu samples under various loading conditions are investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. Effects of loading mode, initial void size, temperature, and void distribution are analyzed. The simulations show that the collapse time under uniaxial compression is about three times that under triaxial compression, and the collapse rate increases as the temperature rises. Dislocation nucleation is found to stimulate the collapse of void. For samples with a single void, the final dislocation density under triaxial compression is lower than that under uniaxial compression, which is due to that the dislocation accumulation rate greatly slows down after the void is fully collapsed. For samples with multiple voids, the dislocation accumulation rate under triaxial compression is much faster than that under uniaxial compression, resulting in higher dislocation density under triaxial compression. Irrespective of the initial void size, the evolutions of compression stress and void volume fraction remain invariant when the initial void volume fraction is fixed; however, the dislocation density decreases as the initial void radius increases.
BAMline—A real-life sample materials research beamline
Authors: Guilherme Buzanich Ana , Radtke Martin , Yusenko Kirill V. , M. Stawski Tomasz , Kulow Anicó , Cakir Cafer Tufan , Röder Bettina , Naese Christoph , Britzke Ralf , Sintschuk Michael , Emmerling Franziska
Published: June 2023

With increasing demand and environmental concerns, researchers are exploring new materials that can perform as well or better than traditional materials while reducing environmental impact. The BAMline, a real-life sample materials research beamline, provides unique insights into materials’ electronic and chemical structure at different time and length scales. The beamline specializes in x-ray absorption spectroscopy, x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and tomography experiments. This enables real-time optimization of material properties and performance for various applications, such as energy transfer, energy storage, catalysis, and corrosion resistance. This paper gives an overview of the analytical methods and sample environments of the BAMline, which cover non-destructive testing experiments in materials science, chemistry, biology, medicine, and cultural heritage. We also present our own synthesis methods, processes, and equipment developed specifically for the BAMline, and we give examples of synthesized materials and their potential applications. Finally, this article discusses the future perspectives of the BAMline and its potential for further advances in sustainable materials research.
A new hub-and-spoke biology curriculum designed around interdisciplinary laboratory practical sessions to enhance student employability
Authors: Winter Gal , Ketheesan Natkunam , Andronicos Nicholas M.
Published: June 2023

A new hub-and-spoke (H&S) model for restructuring the traditional biological science curriculum is presented here. The H&S model emphasises the integration of sub-disciplines of biology and the integration of biology with other scientific disciplines. In this model, traditional undergraduate courses that include both theory and a stand-alone laboratory component are replaced with discovery-based research courses that act as the hub, servicing discipline-specific theory-only courses, which act as the spoke. The hub course includes an immersive laboratory experience, aimed to integrate all the spoke components that the hub unit serves. The H&S model also offers an opportunity to develop a new framework that will support active pedagogies such as inquiry-based and open-ended problem-based learning, where students work in groups to solve challenging problems and build their capacity to design and implement approaches to undertake their own investigation, thus enhancing students critical thinking as well as generic skills. Overall, this model offers higher interdisciplinary biological laboratory skills, and an integrative understanding of scientific projects thus enhancing the graduate’s employability. This curriculum model may be easily adapted for other branches of science, given the interdisciplinary nature of all sciences and the R&D innovation sector.
Patch-clamp technique to study mitochondrial membrane biophysics
Authors: Kumari Anshu , Nguyen Dung M. , Garg Vivek
Published: June 2023

Mitochondria are double-membrane organelles crucial for oxidative phosphorylation, enabling efficient ATP synthesis by eukaryotic cells. Both of the membranes, the highly selective inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) and a relatively porous outer membrane (OMM), harbor a number of integral membrane proteins that help in the transport of biological molecules. These transporters are especially enriched in the IMM, where they help maintain transmembrane gradients for H+, K+, Ca2+, PO43−, and metabolites like ADP/ATP, citrate, etc. Impaired activity of these transporters can affect the efficiency of energy-transducing processes and can alter cellular redox state, leading to activation of cell-death pathways or metabolic syndromes in vivo. Although several methodologies are available to study ion flux through membrane proteins, the patch-clamp technique remains the gold standard for quantitatively analyzing electrogenic ion exchange across membranes. Direct patch-clamp recordings of mitoplasts (mitochondria devoid of outer membrane) in different modes, such as whole-mitoplast or excised-patch mode, allow researchers the opportunity to study the biophysics of mitochondrial transporters in the native membrane, in real time, in isolation from other fluxes or confounding factors due to changes in ion gradients, pH, or mitochondrial potential (ΔΨ). Here, we summarize the use of patch clamp to investigate several membrane proteins of mitochondria. We demonstrate how this technique can be reliably applied to record whole-mitoplast Ca2+ currents mediated via mitochondrial calcium uniporter or H+ currents mediated by uncoupling protein 1 and discuss critical considerations while recording currents from these small vesicles of the IMM (mitoplast diameter = 2–5 µm).
Multi-mode Gaussian state analysis with total-photon counting
Authors: Avagyan Arik , Knill Emanuel , Glancy Scott
Published: June 2023

The continuing improvement in the qualities of photon-number-resolving (PNR) detectors opens new possibilities for measuring quantum states of light. In this work we consider the question of what properties of an arbitrary multi-mode Gaussian state are determined by a single PNR detector that measures total-photon number. We find an answer to this question in the ideal case where the exact photon-number probabilities are known. We show that the quantities determined by the total-photon-number distribution are the spectrum of the covariance matrix, the absolute displacement in each eigenspace of the covariance matrix, and nothing else. In the case of pure Gaussian states, the spectrum determines the squeezing parameters.
FAPbBr3@PbBr(OH) phosphor with high stability for anti-counterfeiting application via water induction
Authors: Xu Tiancheng , Liu Guiyuan , Zhou Shuxing , Cao Wenyu , Li Jinkai , Liu Zongming
Published: June 2023

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite nanocrystals have become a very widely used as semiconductor light-emitting materials. However, perovskite nanocrystals face stability challenges, which is a key factor hindering their application. In this paper, by introducing water into the synthesis of formamidinium lead bromide (FAPbBr3) perovskite, ultra-stable FAPbBr3@PbBr(OH) fluorescent material was prepared. The photoluminescence intensity of the material after the addition of water increased 2.9 times compared with that before the addition of water. The excellent green fluorescence emission was still maintained after four cycles of wash–dry treatment. Meanwhile, it also exhibits good ultraviolet and thermal stability. The above enhanced performance of FAPbBr3 nanocrystals is attributed the protection of PbBr(OH). In addition, the prepared material can be used in anti-counterfeit patterns. The anti-counterfeit patterns have good color rendering and the luminous color has a high dependence on temperature. Both of these features make it very valuable for various fluorescent anti-counterfeiting labels.
Efficient quantum secret sharing scheme based on monotone span program
Authors: Luo Shuangshuang , Li Zhihui , Meng Depeng , Guo Jiansheng
Published: June 2023

How to efficiently share secrets among multiple participants is a very important problem in key management. In this paper, we propose a multi-secret sharing scheme based on the Greenberger Horne Zeilinger (GHZ) state. First, the distributor uses monotone span program to encode the secrets and generate the corresponding secret shares to send to the participants. Then, each participant uses the generalized Pauli operator to embed its own secret share into the transmitted particle. The participant who wants to get the secrets can get multiple secrets at the same time by performing a GHZ-state joint measurement. Furthermore, since this scheme is based on a monotone span program, its access structure is more general than the access structure (t, n) threshold. Compared with other schemes, our proposed scheme is more efficient, less computational cost.
Detection of a target hidden in dense cloud clutter using an echo pattern of pulsed laser radar systems
Authors: Bahmeh Zahra , Zangeneh Hamid Reza
Published: June 2023

The performance of pulsed laser radar systems has been known to be drastically reduced in dense clutter media, detecting false signals instead of the target. Therefore, high-performance laser radars have become demanding for detection applications. Here, using a multi-scattering Monte Carlo simulation, the pulsed laser radar performance is studied in dense cloud clutter (DCC), involving the role of the clutter extinction coefficient in the cloud return signal waveform of the target. After generating a large number of return signals from the clutter and the target, a unique and prominent feature is found to efficiently distinguish the two signals from each other with a resolution of 0.80 and a minimum signal to clutter ratio of 5.04 dB. A high-pass trapezoidal filter is also designed based on the characteristic feature in order to eliminate the clutter return signal. This proposed filtering method is justified by applying Fourier transform to the return power from the target and cloud, eliminating the clutter frequency response in a low frequency region. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a target hidden in DCC at short distances through receiving an echo pulse pattern.
Design, Fabrication and Assembly of the Solar Upper Transition Region Imager (SUTRI)
Authors: Wang Zhanshan , Yu Jun , Qi Runze , He Chunling , Shen Zhengxiang , Jiang Li , Gu Weichen , Wu Jiali , Zhang Zhe , Sheng Pengfeng , Wang Yifan , Yu Yue , Ye Zeyi , Xia JingJing , Xing Yujie , Jiao Hongfei , Ma Bin , Huang Qiushi , Zhang Zhong , Bai Xianyong , Deng Yuanyong , Tian Hui , Wang Nange , Shen Lun , Guo Song , Jing Lei , Chen Xiaobo , Gao Yang , Zhu Xiaocheng , Zhang Xiaofeng , He Junwang , Shi Qi , Liu Shuo , Bi Xingzi
Published: June 2023

The Solar Upper Transition Region Imager (SUTRI) focuses on the solar transition region to achieve dynamic imaging observation of the upper transition region. In this paper, we report the optical system design, mechanical design, ultrasmooth mirror manufacture and measurement, EUV multilayer film coating, prelaunch installation and calibration for the SUTRI payload at IPOE, Tongji University. Finally, the SUTRI carried by the SATech-01 satellite was successfully set to launch. All functions of this telescope were normal, and the observation results obtained in orbit were consistent with the design.
A Study on Gun Barrel Bore Erosion Based on Combustion Experiments and Finite Element Method Simulations
Authors: Guo Jun-hang , Xu Yao-feng , Li Yan-li
Published: June 2023

In order to study the erosion behavior of gun barrel bore, a new type combustion setup was designed. The combination of some samples can be mounted in the setup as the outlet nozzle. Using this setup, gun barrel bore sample can be eroded by combustion gases. The erosion process was simulated by a finite element model with a erosion model which based on heat and chemical effects. The simulation results show that thermal concentrated at the land corner and strong erosion occurred. The chamfer on barrel land corner turn smooth after few firings. The experimental and simulation methods in this paper can be used to study erosion in gun barrel bore.
Nonlinear fitting based energetic material explosive shock wave pressure action evaluation model
Authors: Kong Xiao-fang , Xu Chun-dong , Zhou Jia-jie , Dong Lei-ping
Published: June 2023

There are many varieties of new developed energetic materials with different capabilities of shock wave pressure action. In order to effectively evaluate the explosive damage power of diverse energetic materials and to make the evaluation model universal, the TNT is used as the basic material, and the evaluation model of the explosive pressure action of energetic materials is established in this paper based on the nonlinear fitting method. Explosion tests of TNT with different charge quantities are carried out under the same test conditions, and the shock wave surface reflection pressure data at different proportional distances are obtained. The evaluation model between the peak pressure of the TNT shock wave and the proportional distances is constructed based on the explosion similarity ratio formula using the nonlinear fitting function. The prediction accuracy of the established model is verified by the typical TNT charge test, and the proposed model is applied to evaluate the explosive pressure effect of energetic materials. Experimental results show that the predication accuracy of the evaluation model for evaluating the explosion shock wave pressure action of energetic materials based on the nonlinear fitting method is higher than 86.5067%, which can meet the requirements of the engineering applications.
Study on Theoretical Prediction Method of PBXs Uniaxial Tensile Compressive Strength Ratio based on Microcrack Model
Authors: Yuan H W , Dong T B , Tang W
Published: June 2023

Strength is an important characteristic of material mechanical properties. Based on the microcrack model and considering the internal friction effect between the crack surfaces, the uniaxial tensile and compressive strength theoretical model which can reflect the tensile and compressive anisotropy of materials is derived and established by using the crack initiation criteria of maximum circumferential stress and maximum circumferential strain, considering the internal friction coefficient and Poisson’s ratio. By introducing the TATB based PBXs parameters, the tension compression ratio of PBXs calculated by using the maximum circumferential stress and strain criteria are 0.293 and 0.471 respectively, with errors of -10% and 44% respectively compared with the experimental value of 0.326; The calculated failu re angles are 29.52 ° and 19.44 ° respectively. Compared with the experimental values of 24 ° and 30 ° (average 27 °), the errors are 9% and -28%, respectively. The analysis shows that the maximum circumferential stress criterion is more suitable for the construction of PBXs strength criterion based on microcrack model.
Numerical Simulation Study on the Blast Loading Performance of Reactive Fragment
Authors: Shujie Cheng , Jin Chen , Yuanjian Chen , Zhengfeng Liang , Haijun Wu
Published: June 2023

In this paper, numerical simulation is used to study the buffer layer material, thickness and structure on the reactive fragment load and its action time under blast impact loading conditions. The results show that the buffer layer can significantly reduce the peak pressure of the detonation wave acting on the reactive fragment and prolong the action time; the buffering capacity of different buffer materials is different; for the same material, the buffering capacity is proportional to the material thickness; compared with a single layer of buffer layer, the buffer layer with the same thickness and composite structure has a stronger capacity.
Acceleration Measurement Analysis on Warhead Penetration/Explosion on Concrete Targets
Authors: Changli Wang , Ming Ke , Ming Li , Jian Duan , Pengjie Li , Zikai Shen , Gang Zhou , Kehui Wang
Published: June 2023

Blast wave will be generated in concrete when hit by projectiles at a high velocity. Such blast wave will severely threaten structures. The impact acceleration on the structure surface is an instinctive indicator of the propagation of blast wave, since the acceleration is closely linked to the penetration and explosion state of the warhead. This paper conducted acceleration measurement and analysis on the penetration and explosion of penetration warheads on reinforced concrete target. In addition, test results, on-board testing results and numerical results have been compared to analyze the damage process and mechanism of the target, providing basis for warhead design, target design, simulating calculation and damage efficacy evaluation.
Dynamical response of a cantilever beam under moving mass with fractional damping
Authors: Gu Xudong , Zhao Bingxin , Gao Ruolin , Yang Yongfeng , Liu Yuhao
Published: June 2023

In the present paper, the dynamical response of a cantilever beam with fractional damping excited by the moving mass load is studied. First, the vibration equation of the cantilever beam is established by adopting Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. Then, the established equation is discretized by using Galerkin discretization. The discrete equation is difficult to solve due to the fractional damping. Based on the generalized harmonic function technology, the fractional damping force is approximated by a damping force and a conservative force. Then, an efficient algorithm is used to calculated the truncated equation to derive the dynamical response. The displacement at the end of the cantilever beam is calculated, and the influence of fractional damping coefficients is analysed.
Water availability evaluation towards land extensification potency in Belanti II Swamp Irrigation Area, Central Kalimantan
Authors: Romorajausia  , Sujono J , Taryono
Published: June 2023

Belanti II Swamp Irrigation Area has 3976 Ha total area with 2630 Ha or 66,15% land used as paddy area, 462 Ha or 11,62% land used as residential area, and 884 Ha or 22,23% land used as shrubs that uncultivated yet. However, there are no water availability analysis yet in shrubs area. Through this study, water availability in that area will be searched towards land extensification potency. Method used in this study is analysis of river tidal pattern by modelling it in HEC-RAS. Through this method, water availability and affordability can be seen in the uncultivated area by comparing water level and elevation of the land. Based on simulation, river tidal pattern can irrigate 603,36 Ha of 884 Ha uncultivated area which is closer to the source of tide and mean that water level are higher than the land elevation, meanwhile the rest 280,64 Ha of uncultivated area which is farther from the source of tide cannot be irrigated mean that the land elevation are higher than the water level. Water availability in the uncultivated area will affects land extensification potency in Belanti II Swamp Irrigation Area. Through this result, optimization steps of water management can be determined, so that land extensification can be done impacted to productivity enhancement of paddy harvest and followed by increasing of farmers income.
The appearance and textural characteristic of couverture praline chocolate filled with carrageenan-based hydrogel
Authors: Nisa N H , Saputro A D , Kusumawardani I N S , Fadilah M A N , Setiowati A D , Rahayoe S
Published: June 2023

Praline is a type of chocolate with fat-based and water-based filling. This chocolate is becoming more popular in Indonesia and gaining intentions of small-scale chocolate producers. In this study, couverture praline chocolate with water-based filling was produced using manual method. The aim of this study was to investigate the best treatment to create the most stable praline shell filled with carrageenan-based hydrogel. The variables used in this study was duration of shell formation (10, 15, 20 minutes) during manual tempering process. Chocolate characteristics, namely hardness, colour and particle size were measured at day 0, 4, 8, 12. The result showed that chocolate hardness increased as the duration of shell formation also increased. Chocolate lightness was decreased as the duration of crystal maturation increased. Whereas, particle size was relatively high and tended to fluctuate.
The effect of additional orange Pangkep (Citrus maxima) peel oil on characteristics and microbial inhibition of corn flour-based edible film
Authors: Idayani  , Hasizah A , Syarifuddin A
Published: June 2023

The edible film is a thin layer of hydrophilic materials made of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats that replaces plastic packaging. This study was carried out to determine the effect of adding the Pangkep orange peel (Citrus maxima) oil on edible films based on corn flour. Treatments applied in this research were concentration of corn flour (2%, 4%, and 6% (w/v)) and concentration of Pangkep orange peel (Citrus maxima) oil (1%, 1.5%, and 2% (v/v)). Measurement parameters were tensile strength, elongation, thickness, moisture content, and inhibition of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that the composition of Pangkep orange oil (Citrus maxima) and corn flour had a significant effect on the elongation, thickness, moisture, and inhibition of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The best formula treatment was obtained with a combination treatment containing 4% corn flour and 1% Pangkep orange peel oil (Citrus maxima).
Effect of supplementing cellulase, carnitine and lemuru fish oil in feed on chemical composition of Muscovy duck meat
Authors: Sudibya  , Salsabila  , Rusdiyana E , Rinanto Y , Utomo S B , Siswanto B
Published: June 2023

Muscovy duck in Indonesia has good potential to be developed as a meat producer, but currently its production and performance are still relatively low. additional feed is needed to increase it, such as cellulase enzymes, L-carnitine, and lemuru fish oil. where this combination, enzymes can increase nutrient digestibility, fish oil which is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and L-carnitine as a metabolic facilitator needed to oxidize long chain fatty acids. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementing cellulase, carnitine and fish oil in feed on performance, EPA and DHA composition of Muscovy duck meat. In total, 120 Muscovy ducks in grower period were allocated to 4 dietary treatments with 5 replicates of 6 ducks. The treatments consisted of T0 = basal ration, T1 = T0 supplemented with 0.1% cellulase, T2 = T1 supplemented with L-carnitine 40 ppm, and T3 = T2 supplemented with 4% lemuru fish oil. The dietary treatments were fed for 90 days. The results of study showed that the effects of supplementing fish oil and L-carnitine in rations containing cellulase enzyme have a significant value (P<0.01) on the performance (feed consumption, daily body weight gain, feed conversion and IOFC) of male Muscovy duck grower phase and have a significant value (P<0.01) on EPA and DHA level in Muscovy duck meat. The supplementation can decrease feed consumption, meanwhile it increase daily body weight gain, improve feed conversion ratio, increase IOFC value, EPA and DHA level.
Oysterman and Refugee
Authors: Ho Denise Y.
Published: June 2023

This article examines the Hong Kong–China maritime border since 1949, when the establishment of the People’s Republic of China and the onset of the Cold War turned the 1898 imperial boundary into an ideological line, one that nonetheless remained porous to ties of trade and kinship. It focuses on the oyster-producing communities in the tidelands of the Pearl River estuary, showing how oystermen—some of them also refugees—faced security threats exacerbated by the Cultural Revolution while they also leveraged the borderland’s opportunities. The oyster industries are a case study in two forms of agricultural production: traditional land and labor relations on the Hong Kong coast, and collective agriculture in China’s socialist period, followed by decollectivization in the reform era. By the end of the Mao years in 1976, China’s oyster industry well exceeded that of Hong Kong’s, but both systems were vulnerable to industrial pollution. In the reform era and after, China’s oystermen built upon persistent networks to navigate their position between Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and the Pearl River Delta. The prosperity of the China oysterman, rather than the Hong Kong refugee, illustrates the inversion of the border’s valence from a colonial past to a postsocialist future.
“Improper and Almost Rebellious Conduct”
Authors: Mishler Max
Published: June 2023

The 1833 Slavery Abolition Act provided for the gradual emancipation of eight hundred thousand human beings. It also confirmed the sovereignty of King-in-Parliament over all people residing in British dominions and resolved a long-standing dispute over whether enslaved people were private property or royal subjects entitled to legal safeguards. This debate first emerged in the late eighteenth century but acquired additional urgency following the 1807 abolition of the slave trade, when attempts to mitigate slavery through the enactment of ameliorative statutes and procedural reforms encouraged enslaved people to petition magistrates for redress in cases of abuse. Slaves vigorously defended their newly granted rights to bodily protection, sustenance, and family preservation through the instigation of legal complaints against overseers, managers, and slave owners. By the 1820s, enslaved litigants across Britain’s empire were publicly and collectively petitioning colonial magistrates to intercede on their behalf. The judicialization of quotidian battles over the terms of enslavement refashioned colonial social relations, affirmed enslaved people’s status as British subjects, and generated volumes of case files that circulated back to the metropole, where the Colonial Office cited them in critical assessments of slave law and where abolitionists used them to press for immediate emancipation. Enslaved people’s legal activism was operationally antislavery; it eroded the power of colonial enslavers and prodded Parliament to pass the 1833 Abolition Act.
Practical Reason and Private Law: Some Sketches
Authors: Finnis John
Published: June 2023

Our common law rejected Roman law’s treatment of contractual and tortious obligations as property, but radicalized property rights by making their object abstract entities such as estates and trusts. By dealing in such entities’ existence or non-existence, and in the validity/fallacy of arguments about them, Property minimizes practical reasoning (about ends, means, the rightful, permitted, wrongful …), for a practical reason—to advance valuable ends such as stability and security and their fruits: prosperity (in principle for all), and independence in face of public power and oligarchical (or indeed democratic) groupthink. Part II illustrates this in a simple Trusts case.

Tort, however, is private law-rules/principles for enforcing originally moral obligations to compensate for violating essentially moral but formally conventional and derivatively/technically legal obligations (of respect and care). Part III illustrates Tort’s private-law/moral character in dialectic with Goldberg and Zipursky. Part IV sketches Tort’s relevance to compensating for aspects and consequences of regulators’ failures to exercise morally/conventionally due care in executing public-law duties/powers to regulate makers, distributors or mandators of inherently dangerous medical means.
Comparing the impact of mixed-culture microbial communities and fecal transplant on the intestinal microbiota and metabolome of weaned piglets
Authors: Rahman Rajibur , Fouhse Janelle M , Prisnee Tausha L , Ju Tingting , Diether Natalie E , Willing Benjamin P
Published: June 2023

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an emerging technique for modulating the pig microbiota, however, donor variability is one of the major reasons for inconsistent outcomes across studies. Cultured microbial communities may address some limitations of FMT; however, no study has tested cultured microbial communities as inocula in pigs. This pilot study compared the effects of microbiota transplants derived from sow feces to cultured mixed microbial community (MMC) following weaning. Control, FMT4X, and MMC4X were applied four times, while treatment FMT1X was administered once (n = 12/group). On postnatal day 48, microbial composition was modestly altered in pigs receiving FMT in comparison with Control (Adonis, P = .003), mainly attributed to reduced inter-animal variations in pigs receiving FMT4X (Betadispersion, P = .018). Pigs receiving FMT or MMC had consistently enriched ASVs assigned to genera Dialister and Alloprevotella. Microbial transplantation increased propionate production in the cecum. MMC4X piglets showed a trend of higher acetate and isoleucine compared to Control. A consistent enrichment of metabolites from amino acid metabolism in pigs that received microbial transplantation coincided with enhanced aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis pathway. No differences were observed among treatment groups for body weight or cytokine/chemokine profiles. Overall, FMT and MMC exerted similar effects on gut microbiota composition and metabolite production.
Telomere Length, Health, and Mortality in a Cohort of Older Black South African Adults
Authors: Gao Sarah , Rohr Julia K , de Vivo Immaculata , Ramsay Michele , Krieger Nancy , Kabudula Chodziwadziwa W , Farrell Meagan T , Bassil Darina T , Harriman Nigel W , Corona-Perez Diana , Pesic Katarina , Berkman Lisa F
Published: June 2023

Telomere length (TL) may be a biomarker of aging processes as well as age-related diseases. However, most studies of TL and aging are conducted in high-income countries. Less is known in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as South Africa, where life expectancy remains lower despite population aging. We conducted a descriptive analysis of TL in a cohort of older adults in rural South Africa. TL was assayed from venous blood draws using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (T/S ratio). We examined the correlation between TL and biomarkers, demographic characteristics, mental/cognitive health measures, and physical performance measures in a subsample of the Wave 1 2014–2015 “Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa” (HAALSI) cohort (n = 510). We used logistic regression to measure the association between TL and mortality through Wave 3 (2021–2022). In bivariate analyses, TL was significantly correlated with age (r = −0.29, p < .0001), self-reported female sex (r = 0.13, p = .002), mortality (r = −0.1297, p = .003), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.09, p = .037), pulse pressure (r = −0.09, p = .045), and being a grandparent (r = −0.17, p = .0001). TL was significantly associated with age (β = −0.003; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.005, −0.003). TL was significantly associated in unadjusted multivariate analyses with mortality, but the relationship between TL and mortality was attenuated after adjusting for age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.19; 95% CI = 0.03, 1.27) and other covariates (OR = 0.17; 95% CI = 0.02, 1.19). Our study is the first analysis of TL in an older adult South African population. Our results corroborate existing relationships between TL and age, sex, cardiometabolic disease, and mortality found in higher-income countries.
The seismogenic structure of March 2021 Tyrnavos (central Greece) doublet (Mw 6.3 andMw 6.0), constrained by aftershock locations and geodetic data
Authors: Papadimitriou Eleftheria , Karakostas Vasileios , Papazachos Constantinos , Foumelis Michael , Kiratzi Anastasia , Pikridas Christos , Bonatis Pavlos , Kostoglou Anastasios , Kourouklas Christos , Scordilis Emmanuel , Bitharis Stylianos , Paradisopoulou Parthena , Panou Areti , Galanis Odysseas , Karagianni Eleni , Vamvakaris Domenikos , Karagianni Ioanna , Kkallas Charalambos , Chatzis Nikolaos , Chatzipetros Alexandros , Fotiou Aristidis , Ventouzi Chrisanthi , Grendas Ioannis , Kementzetzidou Despoina , Karakaisis George , Hatzidimitriou Panagiotis
Published: June 2023

The Northern Thessaly Basin in central Greece ranks amongst the most well pronounced extensional (graben) basins in the backarc Aegean Sea region, with well-mapped faults having an ∼E–W orientation, compatible with the ongoing predominant ∼N–S extension. The southern margin of the basin is bounded by major faults associated with strong (M6 to M7) earthquakes, whereas along its northern margin, strong events are more scarce, in the documented catalogues. Along this northern margin, a weak, albeit persisting foreshock activity, culminated within 3 d, to an Mw 6.3 earthquake on 3 March 2021 associated with a 15-km-long NE dipping fault segment. It was followed the next day, by the second Mw 6.0 main shock associated with a 13-km-long NE dipping fault segment and 9 d later by an Mw 5.5 earthquake associated with an 8-km-long SW dipping fault segment, with its aligned epicentres, showcasing the cascade type activation of adjacent fault segments. The sequence, evolved to be very productive, with aftershocks extending ∼50 km along a ∼NW–SE trending narrow seismic zone. All events indicate pure normal faulting, with an NNE–SSW oriented extensional axis, oblique to our previous consensus of the prevalence of ∼N–S extension. This observation documents that inherited fault fabric can be reactivated within the modern tectonic stress field. We use high-quality seismological data, alongside Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) methodology and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data, to study the temporal and spatial evolution of the sequence, and to provide inferred kinematic models that describe the complexity of the seismic process, in terms of heterogeneous slip distribution, activated fault planes, fault geometry and displacement field. Cross-sections show that the activity defines the crustal seismogenic layer at depths between 5 and 10 km, associated with low-angle fault segments dipping to the NE. Other faults, both antithetic and secondary ones, appear active and accommodated aftershocks clusters. Using our preferred finite fault source model, we calculated the changes of Coulomb failure stress on the neighbouring faults.
Designing an infographic webtool for public health
Authors: Cullen Riley , Heitkemper Elizabeth , Backonja Uba , Bekemeier Betty , Kong Ha-Kyung
Published: June 2023

Objective

To create and evaluate a public health informatics tool, Florence, for communicating information to the public.

Materials and Methods

This user-centered design study included 3 phases: (1) an interview and survey study with public health practitioners to assess needs for creating infographics; (2) the application of assessment findings and public health-motivated design guidelines to the design and development of a public health-specific infographic design tool; and (3) a feasibility and usability study to evaluate the feasibility and usability of the tool.

Results

In phase 1, participants noted the importance of tailoring infographics to an audience and wanted flexible tools along with design guidance to help make fewer design decisions. In phase 2, we developed a prototype tool with: (1) layout and functionality familiar to PH users, (2) quick and intuitive ways to add and modify data in visualizations, and (3) health-focused visual elements. In phase 3, participants found Florence to be usable, providing an intuitive and straightforward experience, and that the focus on public health was useful.

Discussion

Based on needs assessments and existing literature, we created Florence along with public health practitioners to address their domain specific needs, ultimately leading to a tool that participants in our study deemed useful. Future research can build on our work to develop user-centered tools to meet their needs.

Conclusion

Infographics are important for public health communication. Creating user-centered solutions to address the unique needs of public health can support communication efforts.
A Different Perspective on the Characterization of a New Degradation Product of Flibanserin With HPLC–DAD–ESI-IT-TOF-MSn and Its Pharmaceutical Formulation Analysis With Inter-Laboratory Comparison
Authors: Geven Aysun , Özcan Saniye , Levent Serkan , Can Nafiz Öncü
Published: June 2023

Background

Flibanserin (FLB) was first synthesized as an antidepressant drug; however, due to its enhancing effects on sexual activity, it was approved for treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women in 2015.

Objective

The aim of this study was to develop a new and fully validated HPLC method for analysis of FLB in pharmaceutical formulations besides its degradation products, and identification of possible formation mechanisms by using HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT-TOF-MSn.

Method

The HPLC separation was achieved in a Supelco Ascentis® Express series phenyl hexyl column (100 × 4.6 mm, ID 2.7 µm). The mobile phase was acetonitrile–ammonium acetate solution (50:50, v/v, 10 mM, pH 5.4) mixture, which was pumped at the rate of 0.5 mL/min. Chromatography, detection, and structural identification was performed by using a LCMS-IT-TOF instrument (Shimadzu, Japan).

Results

1–(2-(4–(3-hydroxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperazine-1-yl)ethyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-one is proposed as a novel degradation product, with a mass of 407.1695 and a formula of C20H21F3N4O2 with a margin of error about 0.001 ppm. The developed method is applicable with 98% accuracy within the 2.5–50.0 µg/mL range. The LOD and LOQ were about 500 ng/mL and 1.50 µg/mL, respectively. The transferability and variation between laboratories were tested by inter-laboratory comparison and evaluated with one-way analysis of variance.

Conclusions

A novel FLB degradation product, which was produced under oxidative forced degradation conditions was observed and identified for the first time; in addition, the formation kinetics of the degradation product besides decomposition of FLB was studied. Furthermore, an inter-laboratory comparison was carried out, and application of the proposed method on a pseudo Addyi® (Sprout Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) sample was tested using both instrument configurations.

Highlights

A novel stability-indicating assay method was developed and fully validated according to the International Council on Harmonization (Q2) R1 for the analysis of FLB in the pharmaceutical preparations. A new degradation product was identified in the oxidative forced degradation condition and characterized using HPLC–DAD–ESI-IT-TOF-MS3. Moreover, the possible mechanism and the formation kinetic of the degradation product were revealed. In addition, the developed method was transferred to another LC-PDA instrument for inter-laboratory comparison. Finally, the current method was applied to a pseudo formulation of Addy in both instruments, and ANOVA was applied for evaluation.
Can dietary magnesium sources and buffer change the ruminal microbiota composition and fermentation of lactating dairy cows?
Authors: Lobo Richard R , Arce-Cordero Jose A , Agustinho Bruna C , Ravelo Ana D , Vinyard James R , Johnson Mikayla L , Monteiro Hugo F , Sarmikasoglou Efstathios , Roesch Luiz Fernando W , Jeong Kwang Cheol C , Faciola Antonio P
Published: June 2023

Magnesium oxide (MgO) is one of the most used Mg supplements in livestock. However, to avoid relying upon only one Mg source, it is important to have alternative Mg sources. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the interaction of two Mg sources with buffer use on the ruminal microbiota composition, ruminal fermentation, and nutrient digestibility in lactating dairy cows. Twenty lactating Holstein cows were blocked by parity and days in milk into five blocks with four cows each, in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Within blocks, cows were assigned to one of four treatments: 1) MgO; 2) MgO + Na sesquicarbonate (MgO+); 3) calcium–magnesium hydroxide (CaMgOH); 4) CaMgOH + Na sesquicarbonate (CaMgOH+). For 60 d, cows were individually fed a corn silage-based diet, and treatments were top-dressed. Ruminal fluid was collected via an orogastric tube, for analyses of the microbiota composition, volatile fatty acids (VFA), lactate, and ammonia nitrogen (NH3–N). The microbiota composition was analyzed using V4/16S rRNA gene sequencing, and taxonomy was assigned using the Silva database. Statistical analysis was carried out following the procedures of block design analysis, where block and cow were considered random variables. Effects of Mg source, buffer, and the interaction between Mg Source × Buffer were analyzed through orthogonal contrasts. There was no interaction effect of the two factors evaluated. There was a greater concentration of NH3–N, lactate, and butyrate in the ruminal fluid of cows fed with CaMg(OH)2, regardless of the buffer use. The increase in these fermentation intermediates/ end-products can be explained by an increase in abundance of micro-organisms of the genus Prevotella, Lactobacillus, and Butyrivibrio, which are micro-organisms mainly responsible for proteolysis, lactate-production, and butyrate-production in the rumen, respectively. Also, dietary buffer use did not affect the ruminal fermentation metabolites and pH; however, an improvement of the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral fiber detergent (NDF), and acid fiber detergent (ADF) were found for animals fed with dietary buffer. In summary, there was no interaction effect of buffer use and Mg source, whereas buffer improved total tract apparent digestibility of DM and OM through an increase in NDF and ADF digestibility and CaMg(OH)2 increased ruminal concentration of butyrate and abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria.
Regulatory functional role of NLRP3 inflammasome during Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection in swine
Authors: Zhang Yan , Liu Bo , Said Abdelrahman , Xie Jinwen , Tian Fengrong , Cao Zongxi , Chao Zhe , Li Feng , Li Xin , Li Shuguang , Liu Hailong , Wang Wenxiu
Published: June 2023

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae causes enzootic pneumonia, a highly contagious respiratory disease in swine that causes significant economic losses worldwide. It is unknown whether the nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome regulates the immune response in swine during M. hyopneumoniae infection. The current study utilized an in vivo swine model of M. hyopneumoniae infection to investigate the regulatory functional role of the NLRP3 inflammasome during M. hyopneumoniae infection. Notable histopathological alterations were observed in M. hyopneumoniae-infected swine tissues, which were associated with an inflammatory response and disease progression. Swine M. hyopneumoniae infection was associated with an increase in the expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome, which stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 18, and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β). The impact of the NLRP3 inhibitor, MCC950 on NLRP3 and pro-inflammatory cytokines in M. hyopneumoniae-infected swine was examined to investigate the relationship between the NLRP3 inflammasome and M. hyopneumoniae infection. Taken together, our findings provide strong evidence that the NLRP3 inflammasome plays a critical regulatory functional role in M. hyopneumoniae infection in swine.
Testing for the Markov property in time series via deep conditional generative learning
Authors: Zhou Yunzhe , Shi Chengchun , Li Lexin , Yao Qiwei
Published: June 2023

The Markov property is widely imposed in analysis of time series data. Correspondingly, testing the Markov property, and relatedly, inferring the order of a Markov model, are of paramount importance. In this article, we propose a nonparametric test for the Markov property in high-dimensional time series via deep conditional generative learning. We also apply the test sequentially to determine the order of the Markov model. We show that the test controls the type-I error asymptotically, and has the power approaching one. Our proposal makes novel contributions in several ways. We utilise and extend state-of-the-art deep generative learning to estimate the conditional density functions, and establish a sharp upper bound on the approximation error of the estimators. We derive a doubly robust test statistic, which employs a nonparametric estimation but achieves a parametric convergence rate. We further adopt sample splitting and cross-fitting to minimise the conditions required to ensure the consistency of the test. We demonstrate the efficacy of the test through both simulations and the three data applications.