bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of time-of-day on human dynamic thermal perception
Authors: Vellei Marika , Pigliautile Ilaria , Pisello Anna Laura
Published: February 2023

Implementing heating and cooling set-point temperature modulations in buildings can promote energy savings and boost energy flexibility. However, time and time-of-day requirements in current indoor climate regulations are either overly simplified or ignored completely. A better understanding of how human thermal responses vary throughout the day is useful to effectively design and operate energy-flexible buildings. To date, only a handful of studies have looked at diurnal changes in thermal perception and mostly near steady-state neutrality without controlling for light exposure. This is the first experimental investigation aimed at understanding how the time of the day influences physiological and subjective human sensory responses to a localized dynamic thermal stimulus under constant light rich in long wavelengths (red). Results indicated that humans responded physiologically differently depending on the time of the day with a higher rate of change in the skin temperature in the evening compared with the afternoon. Furthermore, the increase of thermal sensation during the warming skin temperature transients was found to be greater in the evening. No differences were observed under steady-state thermal conditions. This evidence suggests that accounting for the time of the day is important when dynamically operating buildings, such as during demand-response programs.
Case study of a landslide continuous probability rainfall threshold analysis based on the prediction interval principle
Authors: Huang Yu , Zhao Cuizhu , Jin Xiaoyan , Zhu Yan , Peng Ming , Chen Zhiyi
Published: February 2023

Bazhong City is located on stratum dominated by red-bed conditions. This type of weak geological condition with sand and mudstone interbedding is very easily affected by climatic conditions to produce rainfall-type landslides. On the basis of landslide data statistics collected in Bazhong City from 2011 to 2019, this paper uses ERA5-Land rainfall data to statistically analyze the correlation between rainfall and landslide events in Bazhong City. The landslide events in Bazhong City are greatly affected by rainfall events lasting for 10 days. Considering the influence of rainfall seepage and other processes, an effective cumulative rainfall-duration threshold curve for Bazhong City is obtained via median nonlinear fitting. Then, on the basis of the prediction interval, the rainfall threshold formula under different landslide occurrence probabilities is obtained and the critical threshold curve with a non-exceeding probability of 1% in Bazhong City is calculated and verified. Subsequently, a continuous probability distribution fitting function of landslide occurrence is established and a continuous probability distribution surface with a good fitting effect in Bazhong City is obtained. This allows a definite probability of whether future rainfall events will induce landslides to be obtained, providing an important basis for engineering disaster prevention and mitigation.
Chemical modification of dimethylpolysiloxane for enhancement of CO2 binding enthalpy
Authors: Isegawa Miho
Published: February 2023

We have applied a variety of chemical modifications to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and found that the introduction of earth metal elements is the most effective way to enhance the interaction between PDMS and CO2.
Synthesis of aromatic 1,2-disulfonimides and their prospects as monomers
Authors: Sapegin Denis Andzheevich , Kuznetsov Danila Alexandrovich , Bear Joseph C.
Published: February 2023

1,2-Disulfonimide monomers are key building blocks for next-generation gas separation membranes. Herein, the routes to their synthesis are proposed and investigated.
Recent progress in stretchable organic field-effect transistors: key materials, fabrication and applications
Authors: Weng Yun , Yu Zhaohui , Wu Ti , Liang Lijuan , Liu Shengzhen
Published: February 2023

We summarize the recent progress in the application of high-performance STOFETs achieved by developing stretchable channel materials and processing techniques.
Construction of membrane reactors coupled with conjugated network hollow microspheres for cascade production of block copolymers
Authors: Duan Yi Wei , Zhang Xi Juan , Guo Wan Lin , Jian Min , Cai Tao , Li Xue
Published: February 2023

We present a design for cascade polymer production by exploiting the construction of membrane reactors coupling with conjugated network hollow microspheres as suspended catalysts to combine aqueous photopolymerization and membrane separation process.
Gravity-induced single-layer gradient structure of Ni@Ti3C2Tx/PVA for enhanced microwave absorption
Authors: Zhang Yajun , Hu Rongxiang , Zhang Peigen , Pan Long , Sun ZhengMing
Published: February 2023

A single-layer gradient structure is developed for the first time and realized through one-step sedimentation of Ni@Ti3C2Tx in a PVA matrix, leading to enhanced microwave absorption.
Surface modified materials for active capture of enzymes
Authors: Wang Dandan , Hartz William F. , Moloney Mark G.
Published: February 2023

The insertion of bis(diarylcarbene)s onto a glass fiber (GF) membrane surface provided an active coating for the direct capture of protein – exemplified by the enzyme, cellulase – through a mild diazonium coupling process which does not require additional coupling agents.
A functional nanoflower based lateral flow immunoassay for the rapid and robust detection of pathogens
Authors: Liu Yucheng , Wang Wang , Feng Xuesong , Ji Xinghu , He Zhike
Published: February 2023

A novel nanoflower based lateral flow strip (LFS) was constructed for the diagnosis of pathogenic microorganisms. And the nanoflower based LFS exhibited great performance, rapidness and robustness.
Hydrogen ionic conductors and ammonia conversions
Authors: Irvine John T. S. , Wilson Stephy , Amnuaypanich Sujitra , Irvine Gavin J. , Verbraeken Maarten C. , Nowicki Kamil , Carins George M.
Published: February 2023

Electrochemical and catalytic conversion to and from ammonia is strongly enhanced by appropriate choice of hydrogen conducting electrolyte or substrate. Such materials offer important routes for ammonia conversion and synthesis.
Constructing Fe/Ni atomic interfaces in Fe-doped Ni(OH)2with single-phase structures for efficient oxygen evolution
Authors: Li Cheng-Fei , Tang Hai-Bo , Zhao Jia-Wei , Li Gao-Ren
Published: February 2023

Fe doping is acknowledged as an extremely efficient strategy for enhancing the catalytic performance in oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
Effects of Gamification on Assessment of Spatial Release From Masking
Authors: Bologna William J. , Carrillo Audrey A. , Clamage David S. , Coco Laura , He Yue J. , de Larrea-Mancera Esteban Sebastian Lelo , Stecker G. Christopher , Gallun Frederick J. , Seitz Aaron R.
Published: February 2023

Purpose:

Difficulty understanding speech in noise is a common communication problem. Clinical tests of speech in noise differ considerably from real-world listening and offer patients limited intrinsic motivation to perform well. In order to design a test that captures motivational aspects of real-world communication, this study investigated effects of gamification, or the inclusion of game elements, on a laboratory spatial release from masking test.

Method:

Fifty-four younger adults with normal hearing completed a traditional laboratory and a gamified test of spatial release from masking in counterbalanced order. Masker level adapted based on performance, with the traditional test ending after 10 reversals and the gamified test ending when participants solved a visual puzzle. Target-to-masker ratio thresholds (TMRs) with colocated maskers, separated maskers, and estimates of spatial release were calculated after the 10th reversal for both tests and from the last six reversals of the adaptive track from the gamified test.

Results:

Thresholds calculated from the 10th reversal indicated no significant differences between the traditional and gamified tests. A learning effect was observed with spatially separated maskers, such that TMRs were better for the second test than the first, regardless of test order. Thresholds calculated from the last six reversals of the gamified test indicated better TMRs in the separated condition compared to the traditional test.

Conclusions:

Adding gamified elements to a traditional test of spatial release from masking did not negatively affect test validity or estimates of spatial release. Participants were willing to continue playing the gamified test for an average of 30.2 reversals of the adaptive track. For some listeners, performance in the separated condition continued to improve after the 10th reversal, leading to better TMRs and greater spatial release from masking at the end of the gamified test compared to the traditional test.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.22028789
Coupling the GUARDYAN code to subchanflow
Authors: Legrady David , Pukler Marton , Panka Balint , Tolnai Gabor
Published: February 2023

GUARDYAN is a GPU-based dynamic Monte Carlo code developed at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary. Dynamic Monte Carlo computes the neutron population evolution by calculating the direct time dependence of the neutron histories in multiplying systems. Some well-established Monte Carlo codes have DMC versions with coupling to Thermal-Hydraulic solvers. GUARDYAN has the computational advantage of applying GPUs, thus calculation burden can be carried by commonly available hardware, and is capable of handling power plant size systems for kinetics problems. GUARDYAN has been recently coupled to the subchannel thermal-hydraulics code SUBCHANFLOW in order to carry out dynamic calculations with TH feedback. This paper describes some convergence studies regarding reaching the initial equilibrium state. A literature-suggested set of TH input settings and high sample numbers resulted in very low statistical errors of the power estimates and stable global measures (L2) of power release, fuel, and coolant temperatures for both static and dynamic convergence. Dynamic mode low-sample simulations provided surprisingly stable globalL2measures, correct fuel temperatures, and power release, while coolant temperatures were off, without any indication of the incorrectness of the result. Static convergence showed an alternating, fluctuatingL2behavior that did not affect the final stable state.
Efficient importance analysis methods for structures with distribution parameter uncertainty based on cubature formula
Authors: LIU Junchao , LI Luyi
Published: February 2023

The importance analysis of a structural system with distribution parameter uncertainty can identify key parameters that significantly affect its output performance, thus providing importance guidance for its design and optimization. However, the traditional importance analysis method requires the three-loop Monte Carlo sampling to estimate the importance measurement index of a distribution parameter with such output characteristic values as mean and variance, whose computational cost is too large. To solve this problem, two efficient cubature formula methods based on the surrogate sampling probability density function (SSPDF) for the importance analysis of distribution parameters are proposed: ①the double-loop cubature formula based on the surrogate sampling probability density function (S-DLCF); ②the single-loop cubature formula based on the surrogate sampling probability density function (S-SLCF). The two methods use cubature formulas to efficiently compute the nested mean and variance in the importance measurement index of a distribution parameter, thus solving the problem that the computational effort of propagating parameter uncertainty to output characteristic values depends on parameter dimensionality because of SSPDF. The S-DLCF makes full use of the efficiency and accuracy of the cubature formula to estimate output statistical moments; the S-SLCF simplifies the integral to calculate output moments by expanding the dimensionality of the distribution parameter. The numerical and engineering examples verify the efficiency and accuracy of the two methods for the importance analysis of distribution parameters.
Influence of attack angle on ventilated supercavitating flow at high Froude number condition
Authors: WANG Yifei , DANG Jianjun , HUANG Chuang , XU Haiyu , ZUO Zhenhao
Published: February 2023

To study the influence of attack angle on ventilated supercavitating flow, a numerical model is established to simulate the supercavitation flow by using the inhomogeneous multiphase flow model and the SST k-ω turbulence model. And then, the model is verified and validated by comparing with the experimental results. The effect of attack angle on the profile of ventilated supercavity was numerically investigated over high Froude number. Results show that the attack angle causes the linear deviation of the ventilated supercavity axis, the deviation angle is in direct proportion to the attack angle, the deviation direction is opposite to the lift of the cavitator, and the deformation of the supercavity contour increases along the flow direction. The attack angle changes the gas flow structure inside the ventilated supercavity, causing the different deformation of the upper profile and lower profile. Under the condition of positive attack angle, the deformation of the lower profile of the supercavity generated by the disk cavitator is significantly greater than that of the upper profile.
A method for evaluating human-machine interface in civil aircraft cockpit based on human factor reliability
Authors: XIE Ning , CHEN Dengkai , ZHOU Yao , ZHANG Xian
Published: February 2023

In order to reduce the probability of human error in the cockpit of a civil aircraft, based on the SHEL model, this paper classifies performance shaping factors (PSF) that affect the human factor reliability of the human-machine interface. Then it constructs the relevant PSF system and uses the interpretation structure model to establish the corresponding adjacency matrix. When a multi-level recursive structure is obtained, the Noisy-OR model is introduced to construct the Bayesian network, thus establishing the new human-machine interface evaluation method. Real cases are used to verify the effectiveness of the method thus established through causal inference with the Bayesian network. The evaluation method for the reliability of a set of human factors this paper proposes provides a new approach to evaluating the human-machine interface in the cockpit of a civil aircraft.
Molecular dynamics simulation on friction performance of collision sliding contacts of soft metals in vibration environment
Authors: QIANG Baobao , TONG Ruiting , YE Jun , QUAN Zefen , WANG Jingyan , LI Shilin
Published: February 2023

Soft metals are often used for space mechanism lubrication because of their low shear strength. In outer space, the vibration of spatial mechanism will occur when there is a small disturbance due to the effects of microgravity environment. Studies on the friction properties of soft metals in vibration environment could contribute to the application of space lubrication materials. Taking a clearance joint as an example, the relative motion between the shaft and the bearing is simplified to a sliding contact between a cylinder and two smooth contact bodies. A molecular dynamics model of the collision sliding contact between a rigid cylindrical indenter and an elastic substrate is established. The effects of sliding velocity, collision velocity and indenter radius on the friction properties of soft metals are studied. The results show that the Ag substrate and Au substrate present strong adhesion to the Fe indenter. The indenter and the substrate are always in a state of adhesive sliding contact. The larger the initial collision velocity of the indenter, the higher the friction force. The friction force shows great values as the sliding velocity increases. As the increase of indenter radius, the contact area is enlarged, which results in a high friction force. The adhesion of the Cu substrate to the Fe indenter is weak, so the friction force shows a low value, and the friction performance of Cu is the best, while the friction performance of Au is the worst.
A large-deflection deformation reconstruction method for semi-flexible plate nozzle based on strain-moment relationship
Authors: YU Chengguo , ZHANG Zhili , NIE Xuqing , ZHANG Long
Published: February 2023

To enhance the health detection capability of the semi-flexible plate nozzle in a supersonic wind tunnel, a large-deflection deformation reconstruction algorithm for a semi-flexible plate nozzle based on the strain-moment relationship is developed. The multi-jack semi-flexible plate nozzle in the supersonic wind tunnel is studied; its mechanical model of contour assembly is established. The differential equation of flexible plate contour curve is deduced, and the elliptic integral expression of the flexible plate deformation is given. Based on the deformation theory of a rectangular thin plate, the deformation reconstruction algorithm is modified, and its correction effect is simulated and analysed with the finite element method. The maximum deviation after correction is only 10.78% compared with that before correction. The 0.3 m semi-flexible plate nozzle is used as the experimental platform to carry out the experimental study. The experimental results show that under the 6 Mach number, the large-deflection deformation reconstruction results based on strain-moment relationship are in good agreement with the experimental results. The coordinate deviation of the nozzle throat position is about 6.12% compared with the structural deformation, thus verifying that the deformation reconstruction algorithm in this paper is effective and accurate.
Isolierte Varikose unter dem Bild eines Gefäßtumors
Authors: Thieme Markus , El Jamal Bachar , Kahle Birgit
Published: February 2023

Wir berichten in diesem Fallbeispiel über einen Patienten, der nach einem Anpralltrauma prätibial rechts einen prall-elastischen Tumor am Ort der Verletzung entwickelte. Es erfolgte die Vorstellung zum Ausschluss eines malignen Gefäßtumors in unserer phlebologischen Sprechstunde. Sonografisch zeigte sich ein Varizenpolster im Bereich einer vorbestehenden Varize ohne Anhalt für Malignität am rechten Unterschenkel, entstanden durch die posttraumatische Angiogenese im Rahmen der Wundheilung. Aufgrund der exponierten Lage prätibial, der Gefahr einer Ruptur und den Beschwerden des Patienten entschieden wir uns zur Therapie mittels Schaumsklerosierung. Nach vier Anwendungen konnte die zuführende Vene verschlossen werden und die Beschwerden des Patienten besserten sich rasch.
One-Stage Revision with Cage Replacement as Treatment for Refractory Infections after Tibial Tuberosity Advancement in 7 Dogs
Authors: Onis David , Wagter Henrik , Serck Boris , Wouters Erik G.H.
Published: February 2023

The aim of this article was to report surgical and medical management, and to evaluate complications and outcome of dogs treated for refractory infection after tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) with a one-stage revision surgery consisting of implant removal and replacement of a TTA cage. It was a retrospective case series. Seven cases were included in this study. Loss of advancement of the tibial tuberosity or tibial crest fractures did not occur in any case. One-stage revision surgery was successful in 5/7 cases (71%) with good long-term outcomes. Persistent infection resulted in removal of the replaced new cage in 2/7 cases (29%), of which one was associated with septic arthritis caused by multi-resistant bacteria. One-stage revision with immediate replacement of a new TTA cage successfully prevented loss of advancement of the tibial tuberosity and tibial crest fractures in this short case series. Further studies investigating possible improvements in the treatment protocol for refractory infection after TTA are warranted.
Effects of Al doping on dislocation inclinations and strain of GaN films on Si substrates
Authors: Zhang Jie , Yang Xuelin , Ma Hongping , Zhang Qingchun , Shen Bo
Published: February 2023

We present how the interaction between Al dopants and threading dislocations affects dislocation inclinations and then plays an important role in controlling residual strain in GaN-on-Si epitaxial films. When the Al concentration in the GaN epitaxial film is increased to 0.85%, the dislocations extend almost in the growth direction, contributing to a strain-free epitaxial film. We suggest that the Al atoms could substitute for Ga vacancies at the dislocation cores on the growth surface and then inhibit the dislocation inclinations. The suppressed dislocation inclinations lead to a reduced relaxation of compressive strain. The results pave a new way to control dislocation movements and strain in GaN epitaxial films on Si substrates.
Visualizing interface states in In2Se3-WSe2 monolayer lateral heterostructures
Authors: Huo Da , Bai Yusong , Lin Xiaoyu , Deng Jinghao , Pan Zemin , Zhu Chao , Liu Chuansheng , Zhang Chendong
Published: February 2023

Recent findings of two-dimensional (2D) ferroelectric (FE) materials provide more possibilities for the development of 2D FE heterostructure electronic devices based on van der Waals materials and the application of FE devices under the limit of atomic layer thickness. In this paper, we report the in-situ fabrication and probing of electronic structures of In2Se3–WSe2 lateral heterostructures, compared with most vertical FE heterostructures at present. Through molecular beam epitaxy, we fabricated lateral heterostructures with monolayer WSe2 (three atomic layers) and monolayer In2Se3 (five atomic layers). Type-II band alignment was found to exist in either the lateral heterostructure composed of anti-FE β′-In2Se3 and WSe2 or the lateral heterostructure composed of FE β*-In2Se3 and WSe2, and the band offsets could be modulated by ferroelectric polarization. More interestingly, interface states in both lateral heterostructures acted as narrow gap quantum wires, and the band gap of the interface state in the β*-In2Se3–WSe2 heterostructure was smaller than that in the β′-In2Se3 heterostructure. The fabrication of 2D FE heterostructure and the modulation of interface state provide a new platform for the development of FE devices.
Explosive synchronization of multi-layer complex networks based on star connection between layers with delay
Authors: Jin 金 Yan-Liang 彦亮 , Han 韩 Qian-Yuan 钱源 , Guo 郭 Run-Zhu 润珠 , Gao 高 Yuan 塬 , Shen 沈 Li-Quan 礼权
Published: February 2023

Explosive synchronization (ES) is a kind of first-order jump phenomenon that exists in physical and biological systems. In recent years, researchers have focused on ES between single-layer and multi-layer networks. Most research on complex networks with delay has focused on single-layer or double-layer networks, multi-layer networks are seldom explored. In this paper, we propose a Kuramoto model of frequency weights in multi-layer complex networks with delay and star connections between layers. Through theoretical analysis and numerical verification, the factors affecting the backward critical coupling strength are analyzed. The results show that the interaction between layers and the average node degree has a direct effect on the backward critical coupling strength of each layer network. The location of the delay, the size of the delay, the number of network layers, the number of nodes, and the network topology are revealed to have no direct impact on the backward critical coupling strength of the network. Delay is introduced to explore the influence of delay and other related parameters on ES.
Ambipolar performance improvement of the C-shaped pocket TFET with dual metal gate and gate–drain underlap
Authors: Zhao 赵 Zi-Miao 梓淼 , Chen 陈 Zi-Xin 子馨 , Liu 刘 Wei-Jing 伟景 , Tang 汤 Nai-Yun 乃云 , Liu 刘 Jiang-Nan 江南 , Liu 刘 Xian-Ting 先婷 , Li 李 Xuan-Lin 宣霖 , Pan 潘 Xin-Fu 信甫 , Tang 唐 Min 敏 , Li 李 Qing-Hua 清华 , Bai 白 Wei 伟 , Tang 唐 Xiao-Dong 晓东
Published: February 2023

Dual-metal gate and gate–drain underlap designs are introduced to reduce the ambipolar current of the device based on the C-shaped pocket TFET(CSP-TFET). The effects of gate work function and gate–drain underlap length on the DC characteristics and analog/RF performance of CSP-TFET devices, such as the on-state current (I
on), ambipolar current (I
amb), transconductance (g
m), cut-off frequency (f
T) and gain–bandwidth product (GBP), are analyzed and compared in this work. Also, a combination of both the dual-metal gate and gate–drain underlap designs has been proposed for the C-shaped pocket dual metal underlap TFET (CSP-DMUN-TFET), which contains a C-shaped pocket area that significantly increases the on-state current of the device; this combination design substantially reduces the ambipolar current. The results show that the CSP-DMUN-TFET demonstrates an excellent performance, including high I
on (9.03 × 10−9 A/μm), high I
on/I
off (∼1011), low SSavg (∼13 mV/dec), and low I
amb (2.15 × 10−2 A/μm). The CSP-DMUN-TFET has the capability to fully suppress ambipolar currents while maintaining high on-state currents, making it a potential replacement in the next generation of semiconductor devices.
Prediction of lattice thermal conductivity with two-stage interpretable machine learning
Authors: Hu Jinlong , Zuo Yuting , Hao Yuzhou , Shu Guoyu , Wang Yang , Feng Minxuan , Li Xuejie , Wang Xiaoying , Sun Jun , Ding Xiangdong , Gao Zhibin , Zhu Guimei , Li Baowen
Published: February 2023

Thermoelectric and thermal materials are essential in achieving carbon neutrality. However, the high cost of lattice thermal conductivity calculations and the limited applicability of classical physical models have led to the inefficient development of thermoelectric materials. In this study, we proposed a two-stage machine learning framework with physical interpretability incorporating domain knowledge to calculate high/low thermal conductivity rapidly. Specifically, crystal graph convolutional neural network (CGCNN) is constructed to predict the fundamental physical parameters related to lattice thermal conductivity. Based on the above physical parameters, an interpretable machine learning model–sure independence screening and sparsifying operator (SISSO), is trained to predict the lattice thermal conductivity. We have predicted the lattice thermal conductivity of all available materials in the open quantum materials database (OQMD) (https://www.oqmd.org/). The proposed approach guides the next step of searching for materials with ultra-high or ultra-low lattice thermal conductivity and promotes the development of new thermal insulation materials and thermoelectric materials.
Remote datalogging of solar UV irradiation using open-source ESP32 platform and MQTT protocol
Authors: Tyutyundzhiev N , Angelov Ch , Arsov T , Lovchinov K , Nitchev H , Mutafov A , Alexieva G
Published: February 2023

Recent data loggers are computer peripheral devices or stand-alone smart instruments which can collect local databases and are able to transfer data to remote servers. Therefore, an appropriate communication protocol is required to facilitate the integration to existing computer infrastructure. This study proposes the utilization of MQTT as a communication protocol between scientific instrumentation: UV sensors, open-source data processing controllers and SoC computers. Data acquisition was done in real-time, stored in InfluxDB database and graphically presented by Grafana visualization tool.
Effect of pressure and cross-flow velocity on membrane behaviour in red wine nanofiltration
Authors: Dencheva-Zarkova M , Genova J , Tsibranska I
Published: February 2023

Nanofiltration has found numerous applications in winemaking industry as an effective separation technology, allowing for the recovery and concentration of valuable bioactive compounds from wine/grape by-products, as well as for wine dealcoholization. However, the assessment of membrane fouling remains essential for a stable and sustainable membrane operation. Because of its complex nature, wine components (colloids and solutes such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, proteins) contribute to different mechanisms of fouling. The increase of fouling propensity as well as the conditions that contribute to it - transmembrane pressure and cross-flow velocity – are studied in the present study. Quantitative characteristics as fouling indices are discussed. Results with red wine (Mavrud) nanofiltration are obtained using two NF membranes - Nadir® NP030 P (asymmetric polyethersulfone (PES), MWCO 500 Da) and Alfa Laval NF99HF (thin film composite polyester, MWCO 200 Da). Nanofiltration runs were carried out by a constant-pressure cross-flow filtration system MaxiMem, Prozesstechnik GmbH with a rectangular flat-sheet membrane of 215 cm2 active area.

Effect of transmembrane pressure (TMP) (10 to 50 bar) and cross-flow rate (1-3 l/min) on the permeate flux are discussed in view of membrane fouling. Higher operating pressures enhance the permeate flux but may also lead to increased fouling. The two membranes show very different permeate fluxes, the ones measured with NF99HF being 10-20 times higher. Increase in cross-flow velocity improves the hydrodynamic conditions such as shear stress field close to the membrane. The expected positive effect on permeate flux is the more noticeable the more pronounced the fouling. This was shown by two polymer membranes of different molecular weight cut-off exhibiting different susceptibility to fouling.
Electric characterization of transition metal (Co, Ni, Fe) doped ZnO thin layers prepared by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Spassov D , Paskaleva A , Blagoev B , Mehandzhiev V
Published: February 2023

Doping of ZnO with different ions enables efficient control of its optical, electrical and magnetic properties. ZnO thin films doped with 3d transition metals have potential to be used as diluted magnetic semiconductors. In this work, dielectric and electrical properties of transition metal (Ni-, Co- or Fe-) doped ZnO thin films prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD) have been studied. Standard capacitance-voltage (C-V) and current-voltage (I-V) as well as capacitance-frequency (C-f) characteristics have been measured. Some important parameters, e.g. the concentration of majority carriers N
D, barrier height Ф
b as well as the built-in potential Vbi are determined. Different polarization effects are considered to explain the strong frequency dependence of dielectric constant.
Structural and optical characterization of thin films from bimetallic Au-Sb system as tuneable plasmonic material for UV spectral range
Authors: Todorov R. , Katrova V. , Hristova-Vasileva T. , Milushev G.
Published: February 2023

The optical properties of silver and gold based bimetallic alloys make possible to adjust their plasma frequency. The direct alloying and plasmonic activity of thin layers from the Au-Sb system are presented in the present work. The thin films were deposited by thermal co-evaporation of gold and antinomy. The chemical and phase composition of thin films, were analysed by X-ray microanalysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The results of the X-ray microanalysis show that the composition of the thin layers corresponds well to the predetermined. The XRD patterns, depending on the envisaged compositions, show formation of intermetallic compound AuSb2 and binary alloys between the initial elements and the intermediate compound, which is in accordance with the Au-Sb phase diagram.

The dispersion of the complex permittivity was determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry. The results show that the increase of the antimony content leads to an increase of the values of the imaginary part of the complex permittivity in the visible spectral region at photon energies greater than 3 eV, and a decrease in the ultraviolet spectral region. Based on the obtained dispersions of the complex permittivity, extinction cross-sections and local field enhancement of spherical Au-Sb nanoparticles were determined and their plasmon activity was evaluated.
Physical properties of phospholipids at low temperatures through Slipid force field
Authors: Ivanova Nikoleta , Chamati Hassan
Published: February 2023

Slipid (Stockholm lipids) force field is suitable for the description of the physical properties of biological membranes composed of phospholipids at room temperature. So far, its accuracy to reproduce the behavior of the thermodynamic and structural quantities of membranes at low temperatures has not yet been tested in sufficient details. In the present study, we compute some characteristic quantities of SOPC (1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) using GROMACS in conjunction with Slipid force field. The initial configuration of the SOPC system composed of 128 lipid molecules distributed equally in each monolayer and 5120 water molecules was generated with the aid of CHARMM-GUI. Atomistic molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were performed at several temperatures. By virtue of a statistical analysis of trajectories, we computed the main structural parameters of the lipid molecules and thermodynamic quantities characterizing the phase behavior of the bilayer. The results are compared to available experimental data, as well as theoretical predictions. The Slipid force field was found to describe fairly well the structural behavior of the lipids at low temperatures.
Lamb-dip ro-vibrational spectroscopy of buffer-gas-cooled acetylene
Authors: Aiello Roberto , Santi Maria Giulia Delli , Sarno Valentina Di , Rosa Maurizio De , Ricciardi Iolanda , Natale Paolo De , Santamaria Luigi , Giusfredi Giovanni , Maddaloni Pasquale
Published: February 2023

We present an original opto-mechanical scheme which, effectively coupling a Lamb-dip saturated-absorption cavity ring-down spectrometer to a buffer-gas-cooling (BGC) source, allows us to determine the absolute frequency of the acetylene (ν
1 + ν
3) R(1)e transition at 6561.0941 cm−1 with an overall (statistical + systematic) uncertainty as low as 1.2 kHz. By improving the previous record with buffer-gas-cooled molecules by one order of magnitude, our achievement opens the door to new kind of ultra-precise low-temperature spectroscopic studies.
Hydroxyl Molecular Line Shapes in Laser-Ignition of Air
Authors: Parigger C G , Helstern C M
Published: February 2023

This work communicates measurement and analysis of diatomic molecular hydroxyl (OH) spectra after generation of laser-induced plasma. A relative laboratory-air humidity of the order of 25% causes the occurrence of OH recombination radiation that is recorded with optical emission spectroscopy. A Q-switched, 150 mJ, 6 ns pulsed Nd:YAG laser beam at the fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm is focused in air with f/5 optics. Formation of OH is clearly discernible at time delays of several dozen microseconds after plasma initiation. Optical emissions are dispersed by a 0.64-m Czerny-Turner spectrometer and an intensified charge-coupled device records the data along the wavelength and slit dimensions.
Nonthermal effects on hydrogen Stark profiles
Authors: Stamm R , Hannachi I , Meireni M , Rosato J , Marandet Y
Published: February 2023

Plasma waves in nonthermal conditions can be strongly amplified by instabilities. We consider plasma conditions where a velocity-space instability amplifies the oscillating electric field magnitude of electron plasma waves up to several times the average plasma microfield. For a wide range of plasma conditions, the first Lyman and Balmer lines of hydrogen are then affected by both the dynamic plasma microfield and the oscillating field. We present computer simulations of line shapes showing the changes expected in such nonthermal conditions.
Comparing the roles of time overhead and spatial dimensions on optimal resetting rate vanishing transitions, in Brownian processes with potential bias and stochastic resetting
Authors: Ahmad Saeed , Das Dibyendu
Published: February 2023

The strategy of stochastic resetting is known to expedite the first passage to a target, in diffusive systems. Consequently, the mean first passage time is minimized at an optimal resetting parameter. With Poisson resetting, vanishing transitions in the optimal resetting rate

r
∗

→
0

(continuously or discontinuously) have been found for various model systems, under the further influence of an external potential. In this paper, we explore how the discontinuous transitions in this context are regulated by two other factors—the first one is spatial dimensions within which the diffusion is embedded, and the second is the time delay introduced before restart. We investigate the effect of these factors by studying analytically two types of models, one with an ordinary drift and another with a barrier, and both types having two absorbing boundaries. In the case of barrier potential, we find that the effect of increasing dimensions on the transitions is quite the opposite of increasing refractory period.
High-sensitivity Troponin I Predicts Major Cardiovascular Events after Non-Cardiac Surgery: A Vascular Events in Non-Cardiac Surgery Patients Cohort Evaluation (VISION) Substudy
Authors: Borges Flavia K , Duceppe Emmanuelle , Heels-Ansdell Diane , Patel Ameen , Sessler Daniel I , Tandon Vikas , Chan Matthew , Pearse Rupert , Srinathan Sadeesh , Garg Amit X , Sapsford Robert J , Ofori Sandra N , Marcucci Maura , Kavsak Peter A , Pettit Shirley , Spence Jessica , Belley-Cote Emilie , McGillion Michael , Whitlock Richard , Lamy Andre , Conen David , Thomas Sabu , Mueller Christian , Jaffe Allan S , Devereaux P J
Published: February 2023

Background

Myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS), based on measurement of troponin T, is associated with perioperative major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). We therefore determined the high-sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI) thresholds associated with 30 day MACE after non-cardiac surgery.

Methods

We performed a nested biobank cohort study of 4553 patients from the Vascular Events in Non-Cardiac Surgery Patients Cohort Evaluation (VISION) Study. We measured hsTnI (ADVIA Centaur® hsTnI assay) on postoperative days 1 to 3 in patients ≥45 years undergoing non-cardiac surgery. An iterative Cox proportional hazard model determined peak postoperative hsTnI thresholds independently associated with MACE (i.e., death, myocardial infarction occurring on postoperative day 4 or after, non-fatal cardiac arrest, or congestive heart failure) within 30 days after surgery.

Results

MACE occurred in 89/4545 (2.0%) patients. Peak hsTnI values of <75 ng/L, 75 ng/L to <1000 ng/L, and ≥1000 ng/L were associated with 1.2% (95% CI, 0.9–1.6), 7.1% (95% CI, 4.8–10.5), and 25.9% (95% CI, 16.3–38.4) MACE, respectively. Compared to peak hsTnI <75 ng/L, values 75 ng/L to <1000 ng/L and ≥1000 ng/L were associated with adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) of 4.53 (95% CI, 2.75–7.48) and 16.17 (95% CI, 8.70–30.07), respectively. MACE was observed in 9% of patients with peak hsTnI ≥75 ng/L vs 1% in patients with peak hsTnI <75 ng/L (aHR 5.76; 95% CI, 3.64–9.11). A peak hsTnI ≥75 ng/L was associated with MACE in the presence (aHR 9.35; 95% CI, 5.28–16.55) or absence (aHR 3.99; 95% CI, 2.19–7.25) of ischemic features of myocardial injury.

Conclusion

A peak postoperative hsTnI ≥75 ng/L was associated with >5-fold increase in the risk of 30 days MACE compared to levels <75 ng/L. This threshold could be used for MINS diagnosis when the ADVIA Centaur hsTnI assay is used.

Clinicaltrials.gov Registration Number: NCT00512109.
Prognostic implications of atrial vs. ventricular functional tricuspid regurgitation
Authors: Galloo Xavier , Dietz Marlieke F , Fortuni Federico , Prihadi Edgard A , Cosyns Bernard , Delgado Victoria , Bax Jeroen J , Ajmone Marsan Nina
Published: February 2023

Aims

Atrial functional tricuspid regurgitation (AFTR) has shown distinctive pathophysiological and anatomical differences compared with ventricular functional tricuspid regurgitation (VFTR) with potential implications for interventions. However, little is known about the difference in long-term prognosis between these two FTR-aetiologies, which was investigated in the current study.

Methods and results

Patients with severe FTR were divided into two aetiologies, based on echocardiography: AFTR and VFTR. VFTR was further subdivided into (i) left-sided cardiac disease; (ii) pulmonary hypertension; and (iii) right ventricular dysfunction. Long-term mortality rates were compared and independent associates of all-cause mortality were investigated.

A total of 1037 patients with severe FTR were included, of which 129 patients (23%) were classified as AFTR and compared with 425 patients (78%) classified as VFTR and in sinus rhythm. Of the 425 VFTR patients, 340 patients (61%) had left-sided cardiac disease, 37 patients (7%) had pulmonary hypertension, and 48 patients (9%) had right ventricular dysfunction. Cumulative 10-year survival rates were significantly better for patients with AFTR (78%) compared with VFTR (46%, log-rank P < 0.001). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, VFTR as well as all VFTR subtypes were independently associated with worse overall survival compared with AFTR (HR: 2.292, P < 0.001 for VFTR).

Conclusion

Patients with AFTR had significantly better survival as compared with patients with VFTR, as well as all VFTR subtypes, independently of other clinical and echocardiographic characteristics.
The effect of mutation subtypes on the allele frequency spectrum and population genetics inference
Authors: Liao Kevin , Carlson Jedidiah , Zöllner Sebastian
Published: February 2023

Population genetics has adapted as technological advances in next-generation sequencing have resulted in an exponential increase of genetic data. A common approach to efficiently analyze genetic variation present in large sequencing data is through the allele frequency spectrum, defined as the distribution of allele frequencies in a sample. While the frequency spectrum serves to summarize patterns of genetic variation, it implicitly assumes mutation types (A→C vs C→T) as interchangeable. However, mutations of different types arise and spread due to spatial and temporal variation in forces such as mutation rate and biased gene conversion that result in heterogeneity in the distribution of allele frequencies across sites. In this work, we explore the impact of this simplification on multiple aspects of population genetic modeling. As a site’s mutation rate is strongly affected by flanking nucleotides, we defined a mutation subtype by the base pair change and adjacent nucleotides (e.g. AAA→ATA) and systematically assessed the heterogeneity in the frequency spectrum across 96 distinct 3-mer mutation subtypes using n = 3556 whole-genome sequenced individuals of European ancestry. We observed substantial variation across the subtype-specific frequency spectra, with some of the variation being influenced by molecular factors previously identified for single base mutation types. Estimates of model parameters from demographic inference performed for each mutation subtype’s AFS individually varied drastically across the 96 subtypes. In local patterns of variation, a combination of regional subtype composition and local genomic factors shaped the regional frequency spectrum across genomic regions. Our results illustrate how treating variants in large sequencing samples as interchangeable may confound population genetic frameworks and encourages us to consider the unique evolutionary mechanisms of analyzed polymorphisms.
Generic Equidistribution of Periodic Orbits for Area-Preserving Surface Maps
Authors: Prasad Rohil
Published: February 2023

We prove that a $C^{\infty }$-generic area-preserving diffeomorphism of a closed, oriented surface admits a sequence of equidistributed periodic orbits. This is a quantitative refinement of the recently established generic density theorem for area-preserving surface diffeomorphisms. The proof has two ingredients. The first is a “Weyl law” for PFH spectral invariants, which was used to prove the generic density theorem. The second is a variational argument inspired by the work of Marques–Neves–Song and Irie on equidistribution results for minimal hypersurfaces and three-dimensional Reeb flows, respectively.
Lineage or Legions? Explaining Imperial Rule Duration in the Roman Empire
Authors: Gray Thomas R , Smith Daniel S
Published: February 2023

One widely derided aspect of autocratic regimes is that they frequently feature nepotistic systems for political organization and management of power transfers, with inexperienced or unqualified individuals taking power solely because of their familial relation to the prior ruler. Such systems are thought to be more unstable and ineffective, reducing desirable outcomes for autocratic leaders, as well as the states they govern. We argue that this characterization ignores several important features of autocratic governance: rulers must constantly negotiate with other elites and rely on political networks based around loyalty and agreed-upon divisions of power, spoils, and prestige. Beneficiaries of nepotism enter office with many advantages that should make their reigns more stable and effective than those of less connected rulers. Specifically, we find evidence from the backgrounds and tenures of Roman emperors that dynastic relation to the previous ruler explains the likelihood of an emperor surviving in office without deposal as well as their effectiveness while in office. Rulers with close familial ties to their predecessor enjoyed longer rules and were associated with periods of imperial prosperity. Moreover, we also find that youth in autocratic office is a strong predictor of longevity without deposal, and that young rulers came to power owing to their dynastic relation to a predecessor.
Use of Liquid Chromatography--Tandem Mass Spectrometry to Quantify and Confirm the Fentanyl MetaboliteN-[1-(2-Phenethy-4-Piperidinyl)] Maloanilinic Acid in Equine Urine for Doping Control
Authors: You Youwen , Proctor Rachel M , Haughan Joanne , Missanelli Jaclyn R , Robinson Mary A
Published: February 2023

Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic mu opioid receptor agonist, is banned in equine sports by the Association of Racing Commissioners International and the Fédération Équestre Internationale. The presence of fentanyl in equine blood has been confirmed during routine post-race screening for doping substances in the authors’ laboratory. While fentanyl can be detected and confirmed in blood, it is rapidly metabolized, and screening for the metabolite N-[1-(2-phenethy-4-piperidinyl)] maloanilinic acid (PMA) in equine urine is expected to allow for a longer detection time. In this study, a quantitative and confirmatory liquid chromatography--tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS-MS) method was developed for PMA analysis in equine urine. PMA was extracted by solid phase extraction, separated on a C18 column and detected using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer was operated in positive-ion mode, and multiple reaction monitoring was used to monitor product ions m/z 188, m/z 281 and m/z 323. The method was validated for extraction recovery, matrix effect, specificity, sensitivity, precision and accuracy, carryover and processed sample stability according to the guidelines of the US Food and Drug Administration for bioanalysis. The limits of detection and quantification were 5 and 10 pg/mL, respectively. Linearity was obtained over the concentration range of 10–10,000 pg/mL. To confirm PMA in equine urine, LC retention time, diagnostic product ions (m/z 188, m/z 281 and m/z 323) and product ion ratio were used as the criteria. The lowest concentration for confirmatory analysis was validated at 50 pg/mL. The method was applied to measure the PMA concentrations in equine urine following intravenous administration of fentanyl to a research horse and has confirmed the presence of PMA in post-race urine samples. This method is a valuable addition to the arsenal of equine doping control methods to combat illegal doping and protect racehorse health.
Chess cheats in check?
Authors: Rodríguez Jordi Prats
Published: February 2023

As the chess world reels from a cheating scandal, Jordi Prats looks at the problem of computer- assisted cheating and efforts to combat it