bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pionic hydrogen and deuterium
Authors: Gotta D. , Amaro F.D. , Anagnostopoulos D.F. , Bühler P. , Covita D.S. , Fuhrmann H. , Gorke H. , Gruber A. , Hennebach M. , Hirtl A. , Ishiwatari T. , Indelicato P. , Jensen T.S. , Le Bigot E.-O. , Liu Y.-W. , Manil B. , Markushin V.E. , Marton J. , Nekipelov M. , Pomerantsev V.N. , Popov V.P. , el Hassani A. J. Rusi , dos Santos J. M. F. , Schlesser S. , Schmid Ph. , Simons L.M. , Strauch Th. , Theisen M. , Trassinelli M. , Veloso J. F. C. A. , Zmeskal J.
Published: April 2022

The strong-interaction effects both in pionic hydrogen and deuterium atoms have been re-determined with improved precision. The hadronic shift and width in pionic hydrogen together with the hadronic shift in pionic deuterium constitute a one-fold constraint for the two independent pion-nucleon scattering lengths. Furthermore, the hadronic width in pionic deuterium measures the transition strength of s-wave pions on an isoscalar nucleon-nucleon pair which is an independent quantity not related to the pion-nucleon scattering lengths. The experiment was performed at the Paul Scherrer Institute by stopping a high-intensity low-energy pion beam in gaseous targets using the cyclotron trap. The X-rays emitted by the πH and πD atoms were analysed with a high resolution Bragg spectrometer equipped with spherically bent crystals. The pion-nucleon scattering lengths and other physical quantities extracted from the atom data are in good agreement with the results obtained from pionnucleon and nucleon-nucleon scattering experiments and confirm that a consistent picture is achieved for the low-energy pion-nucleon sector with respect to the expectations of chiral perturbation theory.
Recent results on the positronium decay studies with the J-PET detector
Authors: Czerwiński Eryk , Raj Juhi ,   for the J-PET Collaboration
Published: April 2022

Positronium, as a bound state of electron and positron and the lightest matter-antimatter system and at the same time an eigenstate of the C and P operators is a unique probe to search for possible violation of combined charge, parity, and time-reversal symmetries (CPT). The test is performed by a measurement of angular correlations in the annihilations of the lightest leptonic bound system. The J-PET detector is the only device which enables the determination of the polarization of photons from positronium annihilation together with the positronium spin axis on an event-by-event basis. This allows to explore a new class of discrete symmetry odd operators that were not investigated before. The first test of CPT symmetry at J-PET is presented together with preliminary results of CP, P and T symmetry test.
Mu2e DAQ and slow control systems
Authors: Gioiosa Antonio , Bonventre Richard , Donati Simone , Flumerfelt Eric , Horton-Smith Glenn , Morescalchi Luca , O’Dell Vivian , Pedreschi Elena , Pezzullo Gianantonio , Spinella Franco , Uplegger Lorenzo , Rivera Ryan
Published: April 2022

The Mu2e experiment at the Fermilab Muon Campus will search for the coherent neutrinoless conversion of a muon into an electron in the field of an aluminum nucleus with a sensitivity improvement by a factor of 10,000 over existing limits. The Mu2e Trigger and Data Acquisition System (TDAQ) uses otsdaq as the online Data Acquisition System (DAQ) solution. Developed at Fermilab, otsdaq integrates both the artdaq DAQ and the art analysis frameworks for event transfer, filtering, and processing. otsdaq is an online DAQ software suite with a focus on flexibility and scalability and provides a multiuser, web-based, interface accessible through a web browser. The data stream from the detector subsystems is read by a software filter algorithm that selects events which are combined with the data flux coming from a Cosmic Ray Veto System. The Detector Control System (DCS) has been developed using the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) open source platform for monitoring, controlling, alarming, and archiving. The DCS System has been integrated into otsdaq. A prototype of the TDAQ and the DCS systems has been built at Fermilab’s Feynman Computing Center. In this paper, we report on the progress of the integration of this prototype in the online otsdaq software.
Upgrade of the scintillating bars detector for the ASACUSA experiment
Authors: Costantini Giovanni , Giorleo Luca , Gosta Giulia , Leali Marco , Mascagna Valerio , Migliorati Stefano , Prest Michela , Ronchetti Federico , Solazzi Luigi , Vallazza Erik , Venturelli Luca
Published: April 2022

The upgrade of the scintillating bars detector, used in the experiments of the ASACUSA Collaboration at the CERN Antiproton Decelerator is presented. The detector consists of several modules, each one made of ≈1m long scintillating bars, which allow the detection of the charged particles produced in the annihilations of antiprotons and antihydrogens. The mechanics, the electronic readout and the data acquisition system upgrade are described.
Prospects for a neutron EDM measurement with an advanced ultracold neutron source at TRIUMF
Authors: Higuchi Takashi ,   on behalf of the TUCAN collaboration
Published: April 2022

The TUCAN (TRIUMF Ultra-Cold Advanced Neutron) collaboration is building a new high-intensity ultracold neutron (UCN) source at TRIUMF with the aim of measuring the neutron electric dipole moment (nEDM) with unprecedented precision. TUCAN employs a spallation-driven superthermal UCN production scheme which has been demonstrated with a prototype UCN source. In this article, recent progress on the major components of a new upgraded UCN source and developments in thee context of installation of the nEDM spectrometer are reported.
Machine learning in present day astrophysics
Authors: Szabó R. , Szklenár T. , Bódi A.
Published: April 2022

Machine learning is everywhere in our daily life. From the social media and bank sector to transportation and telecommunication, we cannot avoid using it, sometimes even without noticing that we are relying on it. Astronomy and astrophysics are no exception. From telescope time and survey telescope scheduling through object detection and classification, to cleaning images and making large simulations smarter and quicker to it is ubiquitous to use machine learning algorithms. To illustrate this silent revolution, we checked the NASA Astronomical Data System website and searched for the keyword ‘machine learning’ in abstracts of astronomical and astrophysical papers. In 2000 we found 56, in 2010 889, and by 2020 no less than 35,659 abstracts contained the magic two words.
Characterizing Outcomes of Medial and Lateral Perforators in Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flaps
Authors: Elver Ashlie A. , Matthews Stephanie A. , Egan Katie G. , Bowles Eva L. , Nazir Niaman , Flurry Mitchell , Holding Julie , Lai Eric C. , Butterworth James A.
Published: April 2022

Background Perforators are typically found in rows in the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. As methods to assess flap perfusion continue to improve, surgeons may be more likely to select perforators traditionally avoided. The purpose of this article is to describe clinical outcomes based on row and number of perforators to reevaluate flap and abdominal donor site morbidity.

Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who underwent breast reconstruction with DIEP flaps by four microsurgeons from 2013 to 2020. The row and number of perforators were determined from operative reports. Chi-square and t-test or nonparametric Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon two-sample test were used for discrete and continuous variable, respectively, as applicable. Logistic regression was used for multivariable analyses.

Results Of 628 flaps, 305 were medial row (58.7%), 159 were lateral row (30.6%), and 55 had both rows (10.6%). Partial flap loss was higher in both rows (p = 0.003). Fat necrosis was higher with medial (p = 0.03) and both rows (p = 0.01) when compared with lateral using multivariable analysis. Hernia or bulge was higher in lateral row flaps (lateral: 8/157, 5.1%; medial, 5/299, 1.7%; both, 0/55; p = 0.05); however, mesh was more commonly used in both row flaps (p = 0.05). There was no difference in fat necrosis or abdominal morbidity between single and multiple perforators.

Conclusion There was no difference in fat necrosis based on the number or row of perforators. The lateral row provides adequate perfusion but may be associated with an elevated risk of hernia or bulge. Patients may benefit from mesh, especially when both rows are dissected.
The Neuropsychiatric Approach to the Assessment of Patients in Neurology
Authors: Trapp Nicholas T. , Martyna Michael R. , Siddiqi Shan H. , Bajestan Sepideh N.
Published: April 2022

Neuropsychiatry is a clinical neuroscience specialty focused on the evaluation and treatment of patients who present with symptoms at the intersection of neurology and psychiatry. Neuropsychiatrists assess and manage the cognitive, affective, behavioral, and perceptual manifestations of disorders of the central nervous system. Although fellowship training in behavioral neurology-neuropsychiatry exists in the United States and several other countries internationally, the need for neuropsychiatric expertise greatly outweighs the number of specialists in practice or training. This article serves as a primer for both neurologists and psychiatrists seeking to improve or refresh their knowledge of the neuropsychiatric assessment, including detailing aspects of the history-taking, physical exam, psychometric testing, and associated diagnostic work-up. In doing so, we urge the next generation of neurologists and psychiatrists to take on both the opportunity and challenge to work at the intersection of both clinical neuroscience specialties using an integrated neuropsychiatric perspective.
Outcomes of the Keystone Island Perforator Flap: A Systematic Review
Authors: Weinberg Maxene , Heiman Adee J. , DeSanti Rebecca , Lanni Michael A. , Kouwenberg Emily Van , Patel Ashit
Published: April 2022

Background The Keystone Design Perforator Island Flap (KDPIF), first described by Behan in 2003, has been demonstrated as a versatile, safe, and straightforward reconstructive option for various soft tissue defects. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the indications, variations, and overall complication profile of the keystone flap in reconstructive surgery.

Methods A literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines using MeSH term “surgical flaps” with the keyword “keystone flap.” Empirical studies with at least 15 patients who underwent keystone flap reconstruction were assessed for quantitative analysis. Outcomes of interest included patient demographics, indications, anatomic location, flap design, and complications.

Results Database search produced 135 articles, of which 25 were selected for full-text review. Out of 23 studies selected qualitative analysis and 22 met criteria for quantitative analysis. Overall success rate of this flap was 98%. Wound complications were highest in extremity flaps. Several modifications of this flap were described.

Conclusion Keystone reconstruction demonstrates excellent success rates and versatility. However, further studies with more standard reporting are needed to determine guidelines for patient specific surgical planning.
Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile: Derivation and Validation of a Client-centered Outcome Measure for Hearing Aid Services
Authors: Gatehouse Stuart
Published: April 2022

The Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile (GHABP) has been derived, optimized, and verified as an instrument suitable for application in the context of the evaluation of the efficacy and effectiveness of rehabilitative services for hearing-impaired adults. The profile produces scales of preintervention disability, handicap, reported hearing aid use, reported benefit, satisfaction, and residual disability, obtained over a combination of prespecified listening circumstances and those nominated by individual hearing-impaired listeners. A validity criterion for the GHABP and other contenders for use in the evaluation of such services is proposed and justified. The outcome scales from the GHABP are demonstrated to exhibit the power to discriminate between hearing aid fittings, and the instrument is proposed as a suitable candidate for a routine service monitoring indicator as part of a program of quality assurance and standards.

Abbreviations: GHABP = Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile, HDABI = Hearing Disability and Aid Benefit Interview, SII = Speech Intelligibility Index
Testing the upper edge of the quantum realm
Authors: Johnson-Groh Mara
Published: April 2022

A combination of techniques hopes to push the mass and quantum delocalization records for matter-wave interferometry.
Molecular beam epitaxial growth and electronic transport of GaInSb/GaSb (111) quantum wells
Authors: Yao Siqi , Dong Yu-jiang , Du Rui-Rui
Published: April 2022

We report on the epitaxial growth of antimony-based GaSb/Ga1−xInxSb/GaSb quantum wells (QWs) on the (111) plane. Different from the more common (001) heterostructures, (111) structures offer certain advantages in electronic properties, such as the existence of the strain-induced piezoelectric effect, as well as a large effective mass of hole carriers along the growth axis. In the present work, we found that high-quality QWs can be successfully grown using a GaSb buffer layer on a vicinal GaAs (111)B substrate. Due to the presence of the piezoelectric field and the surface states, hole carriers are introduced in the QW without intentional doping. Electrical transport measurements on an x = 0.1 sample at 300 mK show that the QW has a two-dimensional hole gas (2DHG) density of 6.7 × 1011 cm−2 and a mobility of 28 000 cm2/Vs. The 2DHG exhibits clear Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations and the integer quantum Hall effect under a perpendicular magnetic field.
Structure and relaxor ferroelectric behavior of the novel tungsten bronze type ceramic Sr5BiTi3Nb7O30
Authors: He Qiuwei , Schmid Siegbert , Chen Xue , Peng Biaolin , Li ChunChun , Hu Changzheng , Liu Laijun , Hinterstein Manuel
Published: April 2022

This paper reports a novel lead-free tungsten bronze type ceramic, Sr5BiTi3Nb7O30, prepared by a conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction route. The crystal structure identified using synchrotron x-ray diffraction data and Raman spectroscopy for Sr5BiTi3Nb7O30 could be described as an average structure with the centrosymmetric space group P4/mbm and a local non-centrosymmetric structure at room temperature. In the second-harmonic generation measurement, the Sr5BiTi3Nb7O30 compound exhibits second-order nonlinear optical behavior, which suggests the material is ferroelectric. Temperature dependence of the dielectric permittivity indicates that the dielectric anomaly in Sr5BiTi3Nb7O30, associated with the disorder on the A and B sites, results in strong frequency dispersion with a low phase-transition temperature. A macroscopic and phenomenological statistical model was employed to describe the temperature dependence of the dielectric responses of Sr5BiTi3Nb7O30 and Sr6Ti2Nb8O30. The calculated sizes of polar nanoregions for both compounds imply structural disorder induced by A and B sites, giving rise to a more diffuse ferroelectric transition for Sr5BiTi3Nb7O30. The smaller polar nanoregions with smaller electrical dipole moments can be activated at lower temperatures, leading to Sr5BiTi3Nb7O30 having a lower Tm (∼260 K) than other tungsten bronze type ferroelectrics. This work charts a promising feasible route to the development of improved relaxor ferroelectrics in tungsten bronze type oxides.
Effects of topological changes in microchannel geometries on the hydrodynamic formation and breakup of all-aqueous droplets
Authors: Javanmard Mohammad Hossein , Niksirat Farshad , Moraveji Mostafa Keshavarz
Published: April 2022

Microfluidic gravity-driven droplet generation in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) has recently emerged as an effective technique used to passively create all-biocompatible environments. The hydrodynamic formation and breakup of all-aqueous viscous threads in flow-focusing microfluidic devices were experimentally studied by applying different intersection angles (θ). Four typical flow regimes are observed over a range of 0.2–2 kPa, namely, transitional, jetting, threading, and tubing. The flow rate ratio based on the specifications of the entire device was calculated, and the flow regimes were mapped based on the capillary number of the flows. Scaling laws that describe the flow behavior are then put forth based on physical arguments. In the jetting regime, droplet size and jet width are measured and correlated with flow rate ratio. The critical thread length before droplet pinch-off is determined by flow rate ratio and the capillary number of any of the phases. In the transitional regime, droplet length is affected by flow rate ratio and the capillary number of the continuous phase. In addition, through variations in θ, the influence of altering the geometry of the device on the flow regimes was considered. The findings presented in this article provide insight into the intricate process of droplet generation in passive ATPS microfluidics.
Role of the primary radio frequency magnetic field distribution in atomic magnetometer based inductive measurements
Authors: Bevington P. , Wright L. , Gartman R. , Chalupczak W.
Published: April 2022

We explore the benefits of combining properties of the radio frequency atomic magnetometer, namely, its insensitive axis and the ability of vector field measurement, with the symmetry of the primary radio frequency field in inductive imaging of objects. In particular, we present the results of measurements performed with a pair of radio frequency magnetic field coils with the same and opposite polarities, i.e., in- and opposite-phases. Implementing different coil configurations enhances various features of the objects such as surfaces or edges and helps identify the object composition.
Dissipative tunneling rates through the incorporation of first-principles electronic friction in instanton rate theory. II. Benchmarks and applications
Authors: Litman Y. , Pós E. S. , Box C. L. , Martinazzo R. , Maurer R. J. , Rossi M.
Published: April 2022

In Paper I [Litman et al., J. Chem. Phys. (in press) (2022)], we presented the ring-polymer instanton with explicit friction (RPI-EF) method and showed how it can be connected to the ab initio electronic friction formalism. This framework allows for the calculation of tunneling reaction rates that incorporate the quantum nature of the nuclei and certain types of non-adiabatic effects (NAEs) present in metals. In this paper, we analyze the performance of RPI-EF on model potentials and apply it to realistic systems. For a 1D double-well model, we benchmark the method against numerically exact results obtained from multi-layer multi-configuration time-dependent Hartree calculations. We demonstrate that RPI-EF is accurate for medium and high friction strengths and less accurate for extremely low friction values. We also show quantitatively how the inclusion of NAEs lowers the crossover temperature into the deep tunneling regime, reduces the tunneling rates, and, in certain regimes, steers the quantum dynamics by modifying the tunneling pathways. As a showcase of the efficiency of this method, we present a study of hydrogen and deuterium hopping between neighboring interstitial sites in selected bulk metals. The results show that multidimensional vibrational coupling and nuclear quantum effects have a larger impact than NAEs on the tunneling rates of diffusion in metals. Together with Paper I [Litman et al., J. Chem. Phys. (in press) (2022)], these results advance the calculations of dissipative tunneling rates from first principles.
Disrupting bonding in azoles through beryllium bonds: Unexpected coordination patterns and acidity enhancement
Authors: Montero-Campillo M. Merced , Mó Otilia , Alkorta Ibon , Elguero José , Yáñez Manuel
Published: April 2022

Although triazoles and tetrazole are amphoteric and may behave as weak acids, the latter property can be hugely enhanced by beryllium bonds. To explain this phenomenon, the structure and bonding characteristics of the complexes between triazoles and tetrazoles with one and two molecules of BeF2 have been investigated through the use of high-level G4 ab initio calculations. The formation of the complexes between the N basic sites of the azoles and the Be center of the BeF2 molecule and the (BeF2)2 dimer leads to a significant bonding perturbation of both interacting subunits. The main consequence of these electron density rearrangements is the above-mentioned increase in the intrinsic acidity of the azole subunit, evolving from a typical nitrogen base to a very strong nitrogenous acid. This effect is particularly dramatic when the interaction involves the (BeF2)2 dimer, that is, a Lewis acid much stronger than the monomer. Although the azoles investigated have neighboring N-basic sites, their interaction with the (BeF2)2 dimer yields a monodentate complex. However, the deprotonated species becomes extra-stabilized because a second N–Be bond is formed, leading to a new five-membered ring, with the result that the azole-(BeF2)2 complexes investigated become stronger nitrogenous acids than oxyacids such as perchloric acid.
30-kHz linewidth interband cascade laser with optical feedback
Authors: Li Xiang-Yi , Fan Zhuo-Fei , Deng Yu , Wang Cheng
Published: April 2022

Interband cascade lasers are power-efficient mid-infrared laser sources which usually exhibit a spectral linewidth of hundreds of kHz. However, narrower linewidth lasers are more desirable for high-resolution molecular spectroscopy applications. This work narrows the spectral linewidth of an interband cascade laser from about 530 kHz down to about 30 kHz by applying optical feedback from an external mirror. In contrast to common laser diodes, the linewidth reduction of interband cascade lasers does not require any feedback phase control, which significantly simplifies the experimental configuration, and hence, is highly favorable for practical applications.
Collision of an acceleration wave with blast wave in van der Waals dusty reacting gases
Authors: Kipgen Lhinghoineng , Singh Randheer
Published: April 2022

A system of hyperbolic partial differential equations describing a one-dimensional planar and radially symmetric flow of real dusty reacting gases is considered. The transport equation for an acceleration wave is obtained to analyze the evolution of the acceleration wave via a particular solution for the system under consideration. The Rankine–Hugoniot jump conditions across the blast wave are used to determine Lax entropy conditions for a physical blast wave. Furthermore, amplitudes of reflected waves, transmitted waves, and the bounce in shock acceleration, which arises from the collision between an acceleration wave and a blast wave, are determined.
Estimating habitat characteristics associated with the abundance of free-roaming domestic cats across the annual cycle
Authors: Clyde Hannah E. , Norris D. Ryan , Lupton Emily , Gow Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2022

Context Domestic cats (Felis catus) hold an important place in human society but can negatively impact ecosystems when roaming freely outdoors. Aims Specific research goals included identifying factors associated with cat abundance over the year. Methods We deployed trail cameras in Wellington County, Ontario, Canada to estimate what habitat characteristics were associated with cats in the spring/summer and the fall/winter. Within a subset of our study area, we also compared these findings to a previous study that used walking surveys. Key results In the spring/summer, cat abundance was positively related to proximity to buildings and negatively related to distance to agriculture. In the fall/winter, cat abundance was negatively related to the presence of coyotes (Canis latrans) and positively related to proximity to major roads. Overall, cat abundance was higher in urban than rural locations, and higher in spring/summer compared to fall/winter. Both our results from trail cameras and walking surveys from a previous study identified that median income, woodlots, and major roads were important habitat characteristics associated with cats during the summer, and we discuss the costs and benefits associated with both approaches. Conclusions Free-roaming cats are associated with different habitat characteristics in spring/summer versus fall/winter and vary in abundance across landscape type and season. Implications The development of management strategies aimed at reducing free-roaming cats in temperate areas should incorporate seasonal and landscape patterns.
Leading-edge elongation by follower cell interruption in advancing epithelial cell sheets
Authors: Okimura Chika , Iwanaga Misaki , Sakurai Tatsunari , Ueno Tasuku , Urano Yasuteru , Iwadate Yoshiaki
Published: April 2022

Significance

Collective cell migration is an important phenomenon in the developmental process of living organisms and even in mature individuals. The cells in the collective are accurately classified into leader cells, which lead the collective at the leading edge, and follower cells. We found that in the collective migration of keratocytes, the epidermal cells of fish responsible for wound repair, a mechanical interaction between two leader cells and a single follower cell can forcibly break the connection between the two leader cells and transform the follower cell into a leader cell.
Ctenophores are direct developers that reproduce continuously beginning very early after hatching
Authors: Edgar Allison , Ponciano José Miguel , Martindale Mark Q.
Published: April 2022

A substantial body of literature reports that ctenophores exhibit an apparently unique life history characterized by biphasic sexual reproduction, the first phase of which is called larval reproduction or dissogeny. Whether this strategy is plastically deployed or a typical part of these species’ life history was unknown. In contrast to previous reports, we show that the ctenophore
Mnemiopsis leidyi
does not have separate phases of early and adult reproduction, regardless of the morphological transition to what has been considered the adult form. Rather, these ctenophores begin to reproduce at a small body size and spawn continuously from this point onward under adequate environmental conditions. They do not display a gap in productivity for metamorphosis or other physiological transition at a certain body size. Furthermore, nutritional and environmental constraints on fecundity are similar in both small and large animals. Our results provide critical parameters for understanding resource partitioning between growth and reproduction in this taxon, with implications for management of this species in its invaded range. Finally, we report an observation of similarly small-size spawning in a beroid ctenophore, which is morphologically, ecologically, and phylogenetically distinct from other ctenophores reported to spawn at small sizes. We conclude that spawning at small body size should be considered as the default, on-time developmental trajectory rather than as precocious, stress-induced, or otherwise unusual for ctenophores. The ancestral ctenophore was likely a direct developer, consistent with the hypothesis that multiphasic life cycles were introduced after the divergence of the ctenophore lineage.
Point defect localization and cathodoluminescence emission in undoped ε-Ga2O3
Authors: Hidouri Tarek , Parisini Antonella , Dadgostar S , Jimenez J , Fornari R
Published: April 2022

In this study, experimental and theoretical investigations have been performed on nominally undoped ϵ-Ga2O3 films deposited on (0001)-Al2O3 substrates by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy using different O and Ga precursor ratios. Hydrogen and helium were used as carrier gas. Low-temperature cathodoluminescence (CL) broad emissions extending over the range 1.5–3.4 eV were deconvoluted in five peaks, whose position, integrated intensity, and full width at half maximum were investigated in the temperatures range 80 K–300 K. A non-monotonic behavior of the extracted CL peaks is observed, which is attributed to localization phenomena connected with families of point defects. The behavior of two main luminescence emissions with temperature has been simulated using the localized state ensemble model. The derived parameters agree with the experimental observations and provide a new interpretation of micro-and macroscale disorder inside ϵ-Ga2O3 and related potential fluctuations.
Inverse method for the reconstruction of contact stress in point contact with surface profile measurement
Authors: Lin Q , Sun C , Chen J
Published: April 2022

Based on the boundary element method (BEM) and surface profile measurement, a method is developed to solve the inverse problems with point contact. The missing contact stress is modeled by six contact parameters. Using the BEM, the contact parameters are related to the surface profiles after deformation. The contact parameters is optimized with a global optimization algorithm by minimizing the difference between the modeled and measured surface profiles. A numerical example is adopted to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed method as well as its robustness against the noises introduced to the surface profiles. Subsequently, the inverse method is used for the reconstruction of the contact stress in the point contact. The agreement between the reconstructed results and the applied load validates the effectiveness of the inverse method in engineering practice.
On the calculation of the relative biological effectiveness of ion radiation therapy using a biological weighting function, the microdosimetric kinetic model (MKM) and subsequent corrections (non-Poisson MKM and modified MKM)
Authors: Parisi Alessio , Furutani Keith M. , Beltran Chris J.
Published: April 2022

Objective. To investigate similarities and differences in the formalism, processing, and the results of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) calculations with a biological weighting function (BWF), the microdosimetric kinetic model (MKM) and subsequent modifications (non-Poisson MKM, modified MKM). This includes: (a) the extension of the V79-RBE10% BWF to model the RBE for other clonogenic survival levels; (b) a novel implementation of MKMs as weighting functions; (c) a benchmark against Chinese Hamster lung fibroblast (V79) in vitro data; (d) a study on the effect of pre- or post- processing the average biophysical quantities used for the RBE calculations; (e) a possible modification of the modified MKM parameters to improve the model accuracy at high linear energy transfer (LET). Methodology. Lineal energy spectra were simulated for two spherical targets (diameter = 0.464 or 1.0 μm) using PHITS for 1H, 4He, 12C, 20Ne, 40Ar, 56Fe and 132Xe ions. The results of the in silico calculations were compared with published in vitro data. Main results. All models appear to underestimate the RBE
α
of hydrogen ions. All MKMs generally overestimate the RBE50%, RBE10% and RBE1% for ions with an LET greater than ∼200 keV μm−1. This overestimation is greater for small surviving fractions and is likely due to the assumption of a radiation-independent quadratic term of clonogenic survival (ß). The overall RBE trends seem to be best described by the novel ‘post-processing average’ implementation of the non-Poisson MKM. In case of calculations with the non-Poisson MKM, pre- or post- processing the average biophysical quantities affects the computed RBE values significantly. Significance. This study presents a systematic analysis of the formalism and results of widely used microdosimetric models of clonogenic survival for ions relevant for cancer particle therapy and space radiation protection. Points for improvements were highlighted and will contribute to the development of upgraded biophysical models.
Photosensitive Schottky diodes based on nanostructured thin films of graphitized carbon formed on Cd1−

x
Zn
x
Te crystalline substrates
Authors: Orletskyi I G , Ilashchuk M I , Solovan M M , Maistruk E V , Koziarskyi I P , Koziarskyi D P , Mostovyi A I , Ulyanytskiy K S
Published: April 2022

Photosensitive Schottky diodes of graphite/n-Cd1−x
Zn
x
Te were obtained by depositing thin films of graphitized carbon on crystalline substrates of n-Cd1−x
Zn
x
Te solid solution by electron beam evaporation. Based on the analysis of the single-phonon Raman spectra, it was found that the obtained films can be considered as nanocrystalline carbon structures with crystallite sizes of La
≈ 4.8 nm. From the research on the temperature dependencies of the I–V-characteristics and frequency dependencies of the C–V-characteristics, the main parameters of the structure were determined as well as the role of surface energy states in the formation of the profile of energy zones in the contact area. The main mechanisms of the forward and reverse currents are established. Using the diffusion theory of rectification, the height of the potential barrier was calculated and found to coincide with the experimentally determined value. A model of the diode energy diagram is proposed, which accurately describes the experimental electrophysical phenomena. The photoelectric properties of the graphite/n-Cd1−x
Zn
x
Te diodes were studied.
Global fluid simulation of plasma turbulence in a stellarator with an island divertor
Authors: Coelho A.J. , Loizu J. , Ricci P. , Giacomin M.
Published: April 2022

Results of a three-dimensional, flux-driven, electrostatic, global, two-fluid turbulence simulation for a five-field period stellarator with an island divertor are presented. The numerical simulation is carried out with the GBS code, recently extended to simulate plasma turbulence in non-axisymmetric magnetic equilibria. The vacuum magnetic field used in the simulation is generated with the theory of Dommaschk potentials, and describes a configuration with a central region of nested flux surfaces, surrounded by a chain of magnetic islands, similar to the diverted configurations of W7-X. The heat outflowing from the core reaches the island region and is transported along the magnetic islands, striking the vessel walls, which correspond to the boundary of the simulation domain. The radial transport of particles and heat is found to be mainly driven by a field-aligned coherent mode with poloidal number m = 4. The analysis of this mode, based on non-local linear theory considerations, shows its ballooning nature. In contrast to tokamak simulations and experiments, where blobs often contribute to transport, we do not observe the presence of intermittent transport events.
Performance of Hamamatsu VUV4 SiPMs for detecting liquid argon scintillation
Authors: Pershing T. , Xu J. , Bernard E. , Kingston J. , Mizrachi E. , Brodsky J. , Razeto A. , Kachru P. , Bernstein A. , Pantic E. , Jovanovic I.
Published: April 2022

Detection of light signals is crucial to a wide range of
particle detectors. In particular, efficient detection of vacuum
ultraviolet (VUV) light will provide new opportunities for some
novel detectors currently being developed, but is technically
challenging. In this article, we characterized the performance of
Hamamatsu VUV4 silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) for detecting VUV
argon scintillation light without wavelength shifting. Using a
customized cryogenic amplifier design, we operated two models of
VUV4 SiPMs inside liquid argon and thoroughly examined their direct
sensitivities to liquid argon scintillation. In addition to
describing their cryogenic performance, we measured a photon
detection efficiency of 14.7+1.1
-2.4% and
17.2+1.6
-3.0% at 128 nm for these two VUV4 models for
operation at 4 V of overvoltage, with the main uncertainty arising
from the SiPM reflectivity for VUV light.
Exosomes derived from magnesium ion—stimulated macrophages inhibit angiogenesis
Authors: Hang Ruiqiang , Tian Xue , Qu Guangping , Zhao Yuyu , Yao Runhua , Zhang Yi , Wei Wenfa , Yao Xiaohong , Chu Paul K
Published: April 2022

Angiogenesis, an essential prerequisite to osteogenesis in bone repair and regeneration, can be mediated by immunoregulation of macrophages. Magnesium and its alloys are promising biodegradable bone implant materials and can affect immunoregulation of macrophages by the degradation products (magnesium ions). Nevertheless, the mechanism of macrophage-derived exosomes stimulated by Mg ions in immunoregulation is still not well understood. Herein, 10–50 mM magnesium ions are shown to inhibit the macrophage viability and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, but a high concentration results in macrophage apoptosis. The exosomes secreted by macrophages from magnesium ion stimulation inhibit angiogenesis of endothelial cells, as manifested by the suppressed cell viability, proliferation, migration, and tube formation, which arise at least partially from exosome-mediated downregulation of endothelial nitric oxide and the vascular endothelial growth factor. The findings reported in this paper suggest that the bio-functionality of biodegradable magnesium alloys must be considered from the perspective of immunoregulation of macrophage-derived exosomes. Our results also suggest potential cancer therapy by inhibiting tumor-associated angiogenesis.
Coupled forest zoning and agricultural intervention yields conflicting outcomes for tropical forest conservation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Authors: Nackoney J , Demol M , Akpona H A , Bauters M , Boeckx P , Dupain J , Facheux C , Hansen M C , Kalemba J-C , Kehbila A G , Potapov P , Tabu Senga A , Six J , Turubanova S , Williams D , Vanlauwe B
Published: April 2022

Agricultural intensification and forest conservation are often seen as incompatible. Agricultural interventions can help boost food security for poor rural communities but in certain cases can exacerbate deforestation, known as the rebound effect. We tested whether coupling agricultural interventions with participatory forest zoning could improve food security and promote forest conservation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Simple agricultural interventions led to a >60% increase in cassava yields and a spill-over effect of improved cassava variety uptake in non-intervention zones. Household surveys conducted at the end of the 8 year project implementation period revealed that households that received agricultural interventions had more favorable attitudes toward forest zoning and conservation. The surveys also showed that farmers in the intervention domain practiced less land-intensive field and fallow management strategies compared to those practiced in the non-intervention domain. However, an 18 year time series analysis of Landsat satellite data revealed that agricultural expansion persisted in areas both with and without intervention assistance, and there is risk of a rebound effect. Approximately 70% of the tree cover loss that occurred outside of the agricultural areas was located within a 3 km buffer zone surrounding the outermost edges of the agricultural areas, which suggested that the majority of tree cover loss was caused by agricultural expansion. Within that 3 km buffer, average annual tree cover loss during the post-intervention period was higher in the intervention domain compared to the non-intervention domain (0.17% yr−1 compared to 0.11% yr−1 respectively, p < 0.001), suggesting risk of a rebound effect. The disconnection between household perceptions of zoning adherence and actual behavior indicates the importance of strengthening governance structures for community-based monitoring and enforcement.
Loschmidt echo and Poincaré recurrences of entanglement
Authors: Ermann Leonardo , Frahm Klaus M , Shepelyansky Dima L
Published: April 2022

We study numerically the properties of entanglement of two interacting, or noninteracting, particles evolving in a regime of quantum chaos in the quantum Chirikov standard map. Such pairs can be viewed as interacting, on noninteracting, Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen pairs in a regime of quantum chaos. The analysis is done with such tools as the Loschmidt echo of entanglement and the Poincaré recurrences of entanglement in presence of absorption. The obtained results show unusual features of the entropy of entanglement and the spectrum of Schmidt decomposition with their dependence on interactions at different quantum chaos regimes.
A new Android Application Framework (AAF) for API PM2.5 data management system
Authors: Sadun A S , Rosli M A , Hashim N H , Sukor J A , Othman N , Cheng N K , Si T C , Ning C Y
Published: April 2022

Air Pollution Index (API) is used in Malaysia to measure the ambient air quality and PM2.5 is one of its parameters for ambient air quality monitoring. However, most of the PM2.5 samplers available for research and monitoring by universities and monitoring providers are in manual mode in which the data was logged into the equipment data logger and was manually extracted to the personal computer before analysis. Therefore, this project is aimed to propose an Android Application Framework (AAF) containing IoT devices to monitor the real-time ambient air quality and disseminate computed API information through the social media platform. In this study, mobile apps which are Blynk was used and enabled the user to control remotely desirable outcomes at any time. E-sampler IoT interface, mobile application, data management, data management system, API judgment and information dissemination are proposed to make AAF succeed. As a result, the proposed AAF has been fully utilized in obtaining real-time pollutants data and finally analyzing PM2.5 to obtain real-time API information. IoT device has successfully interface with E-Sampler, to obtain raw data and be able to be downloaded for further analysis. In conclusion, AAF has functioned great and information was disseminated to the public through social media.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) in a naval ship after refit program: a time variation analysis
Authors: Zahaba Maryam , Sarah Fatihah Tamsi Nur , Engliman Sakinah , Faiz Kamaruddin Amirul , Artika Hassan Noor , Ariffin Arman
Published: April 2022

Refurbishments of the ship’s external and internal structures are the main scopes of a refit program. These activities may affect the indoor air quality (IAQ) inside ships and increase the indoor air pollutants (IAP) concentrations onboard. Therefore, continuous IAQ monitoring is needed to determine IAP exposure to the ship’s crew. This study evaluates the changes in IAQ conditions inside a naval ship over a two-time interval to determine the effect of compliance with the recommended engineering control measures proposed in the first assessment. Following the standard of the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 (ICOP on IAQ 2010), seven IAQ parameters (temperature, relative humidity (RH), carbon dioxide (CO2), respirable particulates/particulate matter (PM10), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), bacterial count, and fungal count) were measured in two assessment phases. The first phase was conducted after the ship completed the refit program, and the second phase began three months later, following the execution of the recommended engineering control measures. According to the findings of this study, all IAQ parameters improved when compared to the first phase assessment. However, some of the readings were still non-compliance with the standards of ICOP on IAQ 2010. In conclusion, the ship’s IAQ parameters were improved following the recommended engineering control measures, although more enhanced approaches were required to ensure all parameters complied with the ICOP on IAQ 2010.
The Analysis of Pollutant Concentrations Before and During Movement Control at Quarry Areas Using an Artificial Intelligent Technique
Authors: Yahaya N Z , Jalaludin J , Rais I A I , Mohamad Hussin U S , Yahaya J , Rahman E S A
Published: April 2022

This paper investigated the influence and interactions of air pollution concentrations by using the stochastic boosted regression trees between variables for each station and the impact of the COVID-19 Movement Control Order at Ipoh City air quality station. The one-hour data were gathered from the Department of Environment from January until June 2019 and 2020. Two thousand two hundred thirty-one data of particles, gases (Nitrogen oxides, Sulphur Dioxide, Ozone, Carbon Monoxide) concentrations and meteorological data (wind speed, wind directions, temperature, and relative humidity) were captured. The BRT model development process with an algorithm using a comprehensive package, R Software and its packages to understand the variability and trends. It was found that the relationship between the number of samples and number of trees (nt) of 4372 for oob were found the best iterations obtained. The performance of the boosting model was assessed and found that the FAC2 was 0.91, the R2 values were above 0.56 (R = 0.74), and the Index of Agreements (IOA) was 0.67, which fall ranges are within an acceptable for model performance. The Relative Variable Importance (RVI) that influenced PM2.5 for non-MCO data was CO (18.9% ), SO2 (14.6 %), O3 (12.9 %), and wd (10.66 %) while CO (22.6%), RH (13.4%), 14.7% and O3 (12.1%) were RVI factors influenced to PM2.5 concentrations during MCO periods. Estimating the strength of interaction effects (SIE) between variables was 0.24 for CO-wind directions, followed by 0.19 for ozone-wind speeds and 0.15 for NO2-CO. Results showed that the model developed was within the acceptable range and could be used to understand particles and identify important parameters that influence particle concentrations.
Analysis of the Characteristics of Heavy Metal Elements in Soil Around the Smelting Area of Pasuruan Industrial Estate, Indonesia
Authors: Ammar A G A , Syafei A D , Santoso M , Tangahu B V , Assomadi A F , Hermana J
Published: April 2022

Smelting plant is an activity that produces emissions in the form of heavy metal particulates that can cause pollution and are harmful to human health in excessive concentrations. This research was conducted to determine the heavy metals’ characteristics in the soil around the metal smelting area of Beji industrial area, Pasuruan, Indonesia. A total of 33 soil samples were collected at 200 m, 500 m, 2km and 5km from the metal smelting area. The concentrations of heavy metals Zn (669.47 - 63.25 mg/kg), Cd (94.88 - 40.30 mg/kg) and V (198.98 - 108.19 mg/kg) in the soil were determined by using EDXRF Spectrometer Minipal 4. The concentration of zinc reduces with distance from an industrial region. The amounts of cadmium and vanadium did not change considerably with distance. Then the potential pollution risks of heavy metal in the soil were evaluated by method of assessment of heavy metal contaminations in soil. These Cf values indicated that the assessment of heavy metal contamination in soils from smelters was category: Indicates no contamination, suspected contamination, slight contamination and extreme contamination.