bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autonomously Tuning Multilayer Thermal Cloak with Variable Thermal Conductivity Based on Thermal Triggered Dual Phase-Transition Metamaterial
Authors: Lou 娄 Qi 琦 , Xia 夏 Ming-Gang 明岗
Published: August 2023

Thermal cloaks offer the potential to conceal internal objects from detection or to prevent thermal shock by controlling external heat flow. However, most conventional natural materials lack the desired flexibility and versatility required for on-demand thermal manipulation. We propose a solution in the form of homogeneous multilayer thermodynamic cloaks. Through an ingenious design, these cloaks achieve exceptional and extreme parameters, enabling the distribution of multiple materials in space. We first investigate the effects of important design parameters on the thermal shielding effectiveness of conventional thermal cloaks. Subsequently, we introduce an autonomous tuning function for the thermodynamic cloak, accomplished by leveraging two phase transition materials as thermal conductive layers. Remarkably, this tuning function does not require any energy input. Finite element analysis results demonstrate a significant reduction in the temperature gradient inside the thermal cloak compared to the surrounding background. This reduction indicates the cloak’s remarkable ability to manipulate the spatial thermal field. Furthermore, the utilization of materials undergoing phase transition leads to an increase in thermal conductivity, enabling the cloak to achieve the opposite variation of the temperature field between the object region and the background. This means that, while the temperature gradient within the cloak decreases, the temperature gradient in the background increases. This work addresses a compelling and crucial challenge in the realm of thermal metamaterials, i.e., autonomous tuning of the thermal field without energy input. Such an achievement is currently unattainable with existing natural materials. This study establishes the groundwork for the application of thermal metamaterials in thermodynamic cloaks, with potential extensions into thermal energy harvesting, thermal camouflage, and thermoelectric conversion devices. By harnessing phonons, our findings provide an unprecedented and practical approach to flexibly implementing thermal cloaks and manipulating heat flow.
Role of Lanthanide in the Electronic Properties of RbLn
2Fe4As4O2 (Ln = Sm and Ho) Superconductors
Authors: Huang Yi-Na , Ye Zhao-Feng , Liu Da-Yong , Qiu Hang-Qiang
Published: August 2023

We focus on the effect of ionic radius of lanthanides and the number of electrons in 4f orbitals on the superconducting temperature in 12442-type iron-based superconductors RbLn
2Fe4As4O2 (Ln = Sm and Ho). Electronic properties of RbSm2Fe4As4O2 and RbHo2Fe4As4O2 with the largest differences of ionic radii and numbers of electrons in 4f orbital, and the largest difference of superconducting temperatures by using first-principles calculations. We predict that the ground state of RbLn
2Fe4As4O2 is spin-density-wave-type in-plane striped antiferromagnet, and the magnetic moment around each Fe atom is about 2μ
B. RbSm2Fe4As4O2 has a great influence on the energy band near the Γ point, and a Dirac-like dispersion energy band appears. This band is mainly contributed by the

d

z
2

orbital of Fe, which proves that RbSm2Fe4As4O2 has a stronger three-dimensionality. At the same time, this extra Fermi surface appears at the Γ point, which also shows that Sm can effectively enhance the coupling strength within Fe2As2 bilayers. This is also confirmed by the charge density difference ρ(RbHo2Fe4As4O2) −ρ(RbSm2Fe4As4O2). It increases the internal coupling strength of the bilayer Fe2As2 layers, which in turn leads to a higher T
c of RbSm2Fe4As4O2 than RbHo2Fe4As4O2. Determining the details of their electronic structure, which may be closely related to superconductivity, is crucial to understanding the underlying mechanism. Such microscopic studies provide useful clues for our further research of other high-temperature superconductors.
Electron impact resonances of uracil in an aqueous environment from anion photoelectron imaging
Authors: Cooper Graham A , Clarke Connor J , Verlet Jan R R
Published: August 2023

The effect that solvation has on electron attachment to uracil, U, was studied by probing the electronic resonances of the uracil radical anion, U−, in gas-phase water clusters, U−(H2O)
n
, using photoelectron imaging across a range of photon energies. Specifically, the π
3* shape resonance was probed in detail and the spectral signatures following excitation to this resonance are considered. Several new methods for analysis are provided to capture the different actions of the resonance on the photoelectron emission, which in turn provide insight into the location of the π
3* resonance and its subsequent dynamics. The effect of solvation on each action observed through the photoelectron emission is studied for n ⩽ 10. We find that the actions—be they related to statistical emission, prompt autodetachment, or the photoelectron angular distributions—all become less sensitive as the cluster size increases, suggesting that their use for very large clusters may be limited. Additionally, we consider the correlation between electron detachment from the anion, as probed in the experiments, and electron attachment to the neutral. Specifically, they are linked through the reorganisation energy in a linear response picture and we show how the cluster approach developed here allows one to decompose the total reorganisation energy into intramolecular (associated with the anion to neutral geometry change in U) and intermolecular (associated with the change in hydration sphere) contributions. For U in a bulk aqueous environment, we find that the total reorganisation energy, λ ∼ 1.2 eV, shows equal contributions from both intra- and intermolecular changes.
Highly sensitive DS-CSRR based microwave sensor for permittivity measurement of liquids
Authors: Buragohain Akash , Das Gouree Shankar , Beria Yatish , Kalita Partha Protim , Mostako Abu Tahir Talat
Published: August 2023

In this work, a low-cost double split complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) microwave sensor has been designed and fabricated on an FR4 substrate for permittivity characterization of liquids. This modified CSRR structure is proposed to make use of the benefits of the dielectric resonator technique compared to other types of microwave methods. The resonator structure comprises two slits in each of the rings normal to each other while maintaining one slit in each ring along the feed line for maximum excitation of the resonator. The resonator with substrate dimensions of

20

mm

×
30

mm

acts like an inductance-capacitance-resistance (LCR) circuit and operates at

2.501

GHz

of the industrial scientific and medical band. Eleven different liquid samples (each with

150
μ
l

of volume) covering a wide permittivity range of

1
−
111

have been used to measure the transmission coefficient

S

21

using vector network analyzer. In comparison with many recently reported works, the sensitivity of the sensor is found to be higher with average and normalized sensitivity of

35.07

MHz/unit

permittivity and

1.4
%

respectively. Fit equations are developed for both real and imaginary parts of permittivity, and using the fit equations the permittivity of three unknown samples are determined with less than

3.7
%

error. The sensor adopts a unique orientation of the slits to enhance the E-field intensity for better interaction of the samples with the sensor. A compact form factor, low production cost, future integration possibilities, and high sensitivity are the distinct highlights of the sensor. The sensor promises to be a potential candidate for situations that demands low-cost and highly accurate measurements and may be a good alternative to commercial sensors for dielectric characterization, concentration analysis, and impurity measurement of liquids.
Particle charging during pulsed EUV exposures with afterglow effect
Authors: Chaudhuri M , Heijmans L C J , van de Kerkhof M , Krainov P , Astakhov D , Yakunin A M
Published: August 2023

Nanoparticle charging processes along with background spatial–temporal plasma profile have been investigated using 3D particle-in-cell simulations in a pulsed extreme ultraviolet (EUV) exposure environment. The particle charge polarity (positive or negative) strongly depends on its size, location, and background transient plasma conditions. The particle (100 nm diameter in size and conducting material) charge reaches a steady state in a single pulse (20 µs) within the EUV beams compared to particles outside the beam requiring multiple pulses. The larger the particle size, the lower the number of pulses required to reach a steady state. The charge of a particle decreases with pressure at a faster rate outside the beam compared to inside. These results are crucial for particle contamination (defectivity) control strategies for EUV lithography machines.
Effect of the magnetic field on the electron kinetics under AC/DC electric fields: benchmark calculations and electron cyclotron resonance
Authors: Dias Tiago C , Pintassilgo Carlos D , Guerra Vasco
Published: August 2023

This work presents a numerical study of the electron kinetics under AC/DC electric fields and DC magnetic fields crossed at arbitrary angles. The physical phenomena are studied both in model gases (Reid-ramp and Lucas–Saelee) and in real gases (N2 and Ar). The simulations are carried out with an upgraded version of the Monte Carlo open-source code LoKI-MC. The code is compared against several independent benchmark calculations available in the literature. In addition, new benchmark calculations for electron kinetics solvers are produced in conditions of coexistent AC electric and DC magnetic fields, accounting for the effect of the crossing angle between the fields and discriminating the evolution along the AC cycle. The role of the magnetic field is discussed, distinguishing the configurations with DC and AC electric fields. In DC electric fields, the oscillatory motion caused by the magnetic field decreases the efficiency of the electron acceleration, which manifests on the power absorbed by the electric field and on the electron mean energy. Notably, an exceptional behavior is found in Ar for small regions of

E

/

N

and

B

/

N

, where: for constant

B

/

N

, the mean energy decreases with increasing

E

/

N

; and, for constant

E

/

N

, it increases with increasing

B

/

N

. These phenomena were firstly reported by Ness and Makabe in 2000 and are now confirmed by means of Monte Carlo simulations. In AC electric fields, when the magnetic field value is such that the electron cyclotron frequency is similar to the angular frequency of the electric field, the synchronization of the cyclotron motion with the electric field enhances electron acceleration, through the well-known electron cyclotron resonance. However, for conditions where the mean collision frequency is much higher than the cyclotron frequency, the synchronization tends to breakdown and the magnetic field is detrimental for the electron acceleration, as in the DC electric field case.
Influence of discharge voltage on the length of atmospheric argon plasma jet
Authors: Yang Huiyu , Chen Lei , Hu Guohua , Wang Baohuai , Wang Shiang , Zhang Wenjun , Zhang Xingyu , Song Peng
Published: August 2023

In order to widely apply the high concentration of active substances in plasma jets in sterilization, material modification, environmental protection, etc It is necessary to continuously increase the length of the jet in the external environment of atmospheric pressure under certain conditions, to increase the contact area between the jet and the action object, and to better utilize the effect of plasma. In this demonstration, a needle-ring electrode argon plasma jet device was utilized. By measuring the discharge voltage during the discharge process and capturing images of the discharge, the effect of discharge voltage on plasma jet length was studied. At an argon volume flow rate of 30 l min−1, an electrode spacing of 80 mm, and a discharge voltage of 20.5 kV, a jet length of 81.96 mm in the surrounding air was produced. The results indicate that as the discharge voltage increases, the morphology of the plasma jet changes proportionately; as the discharge voltage increases, the jet morphology changes from a small, neutral discharge to a jet with a needle-like shape, and then to a violent ‘jump’ at the end of the plasma jet; correspondingly, the plasma jet length increases with the discharge voltage, exhibiting an overall trend of first increasing and then stabilizing, but the rate of increase changes from rapid to flat; the plasma jet length increases in the process of two peaks, and after reaching the second peak, it stabilizes and no longer grows significantly; the magnitude of the excitation voltage is proportional to the distance between the two electrodes under the initial test conditions, and the plasma excitation voltage grows with increasing distance between the electrodes while the argon gas flow rate remains constant; the excitation voltage produced by the plasma jet exceeds the minimum voltage necessary to sustain the plasma discharge.
Structural and magnetic properties of YIG thin films deposited by pulsed laser deposition and RF magnetron sputtering technique
Authors: Satapathy S , Siwach P K , Singh H K , Pant R P , Maurya K K
Published: August 2023

Yttrium iron garnet (YIG) has been extensively explored for its potential avenues in spintronic applications. A majority of these studies employ thin films grown by PLD at high substrate temperature, which generally leads to an interfacial dead layer with cations interdiffusion hindering their technological implications. In this communication, we report the growth of YIG thin films at room temperature by PLD and RF sputtering techniques. Detailed structural investigation confirms the thin films’ single-phase growth and epitaxial nature. We have a further detailed investigation of magnetic properties by dc magnetization, magneto-optical Kerr effect and FMR techniques. Although our thin films exhibit a comparatively lower magnetic performance in terms of saturation magnetization and damping constant, we have obtained a significantly lower interfacial dead layer thickness of ∼1 nm, which is quite promising for spin transport applications. The present study, therefore, calls for future studies for simultaneous optimization of magnetic performance and interfacial dead layer with room temperature grown YIG thin films by both PLD and RF sputtering methods.
From decoupled integrable models to coupled ones via a deformation algorithm*
Authors: Du 杜 Wen-Ding 文鼎 , Kong 孔 De-Xing 德兴 , Lou 楼 S Y 森岳
Published: August 2023

By using a reconstruction procedure of conservation laws of different models, the deformation algorithm proposed by Lou, Hao and Jia has been used to a new application such that a decoupled system becomes a coupled one. Using the new application to some decoupled systems such as the decoupled dispersionless Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) systems related to dispersionless waves, the decoupled KdV systems related to dispersion waves, the decoupled KdV and Burgers systems related to the linear dispersion and diffusion effects, and the decoupled KdV and Harry–Dym (HD) systems related to the linear and nonlinear dispersion effects, we have obtained various new types of higher dimensional integrable coupled systems. The new models can be used to describe the interactions among different nonlinear waves and/or different effects including the dispersionless waves (dispersionless KdV waves), the linear dispersion waves (KdV waves), the nonlinear dispersion waves (HD waves) and the diffusion effect. The method can be applied to couple all different separated integrable models.
The Impact of ENSO on the Precipitation in Iraq Regions
Authors: Mutar Aqeel Gh. , Abdulkareem Asraa K. , Hussain Hazim H. , Hassoon Ahmed F. , Rajab Jasim M.
Published: August 2023

Precipitation is considered one of the important weather variables in determining the climate of any region in the world, and perhaps the precipitation in Iraq is witnessing an incomprehensible seasonal fluctuation. The work tries to identify the reasons for this fluctuation, from one season to another. The monthly average precipitation data in Iraq was obtained by Global Precipitation Climatology Project GPCP. Also, data for sea surface temperature anomalies (SST) for the four El Nino regions, as well as relative humidity and zonal wind speed were obtained from the National Centres for Environmental Prediction NCEP and National Centre for Atmospheric Research NCAR. The study period extended from 1980 to 2022, where the correlation of monthly precipitation average in Iraq with El Nino and La Niña events was tested, and it was found that there was a positive proportional effect of the El Nino event on the increase in rainfall rates in Iraq, the correlation coefficient R about 0.8 in North and Northern-East of Iraq. To explain this, the correlation between El Niño events, relative humidity, and zonal wind speed was tested. It was found that there is a proportional effect of El Nino on the relative humidity and an inverse effect on the zonal wind speed. Central and southern Iraq is less affected by El Niño and La Niña events, as the correlation coefficient of monthly precipitation average with El Niño phenomenon is approximately 0.5 to 0.6.
Biochemical Analytical Methods of Fossil Fuels Biodesulfurization Treatment
Authors: Al-Khazaali Wisam Mohammed Kareem , Ataei Seyed Ahmad
Published: August 2023

Biodesulfurization of fossil fuels is a promising method for treating the high sulfur content of crude oils and their derivatives in the future. This method is environmentally friendly and can desulfurize recalcitrant organosulfur compounds. Bioreactions depend on the treated fluid, targeted sulfur compounds, and the biotreaters applied. Various analytical methods support this treatment, including measurement of total sulfur and speciation of organosulfur compounds (HCS). Monitoring of intermediates, end products, biomass growth, and identification using methods such as genes, DNA, and hydrocarbons is also possible. Additionally, testing the occurrence of desired and undesired products is important. This history review summarizes these methods.
Spatial Analysis of the PM2.5 Air Pollution in Iraq by using R Language
Authors: Ali Sabah H. , Al-Shiha Abeer A. M. , Qubaa Abdalrahman R.
Published: August 2023

Remote sensing refers to the acquisition of data and information about a phenomenon and a territory, without a direct contact with it. It is alternative to in-situ observation. Due to its wide coverage, multi-temporal and multispectral capability, remote sensing satellites have been used for studying and monitoring the spatial distribution of the aerosol pollution (like PM2.5) in the atmosphere. PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) that has a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, which is about 3% the diameter of a human hair. The current study concentrates on the using of R programming language to process and analyze the retrieval PM2.5 dataset over Iraq for the period (January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020), these data were downloaded from the European Union’s Earth observation Copernicus program through the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMs). The study presented output results of the PM2.5 concentration levels by developing an automatic tool that restructuring the netCDF file into excel file using R language. In addition, it produces different valuable charts that help in practical dataset interpretation and decision-making. The results of the study showed the variation in the spatial distribution of PM2.5 in the study area due to the diversity of pollution sources from one region to another.
Relationship Between the Concentrations of Black Carbon and some Meteorological Parameters Over Iraq using GIS Techniques
Authors: Wahab Basim I. , Hassan Baidaa J. , Al-Timimi Yaseen K. , Al-Ataby Iqbal K.
Published: August 2023

Black carbon is a significant cause of global warming, and anthropogenic activity along with weather conditions affects its long-term variability. Numerous regional and socioeconomic factors have influenced the distribution of Black Carbon (BC) concentration. In this work, monthly black carbon remote sensing data were used to interpolate the yearly regional distributions of black carbon concentrations in order to investigate the link between black carbon concentrations and climatic factors and their spatial variance in Iraq during the period (1980 to 2022). The correlation coefficient between black carbon and several climatic variables, such as precipitation, temperature, wind speed, and pressure, has been calculated using the Pearson correlation coefficient model. The findings also revealed that pressure has the strongest relationship with BC, with substantial positive correlations of more than 0.7 extending from the northeast through the centre to the extreme southeast. It becomes evident to us that the relationships between small particles and meteorological variables vary depending on the areas, the topography, the local climate, human and natural variances, and weather variations.
How, where, and when to charge electric vehicles – net-zero energy system implications and policy recommendations
Authors: Luh Sandro , Kannan Ramachandran , McKenna Russell , Schmidt Thomas J , Kober Tom
Published: August 2023

A coordinated Charging Infrastructure (CI) strategy could accelerate the adoption of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). Policymakers need to understand the tradeoffs between several types of CI developments. To support decision-makers, we apply the Swiss TIMES Energy system Model, which we extended with heterogeneous consumer segments with four trip types and several CI options. The novelty of this work lies in the interplay of such method advancements, representing BEV charging options with various CI types that can be accessed based on their location type at an hourly intraday temporal resolution. In explorative scenario analyses, we evaluate the effects of CI on car fleet deployment and their energy system implications in achieving net-zero CO2 emissions in Switzerland by 2050. Our analysis shows that the BEV share makes up 39%–77% of the fleet by 2050, and each BEV needs about 5 kW total charging capacity, split into 1.6–2.6 BEVs per private charger and 18–25 BEVs per public charger. Providing overnight charging access through private home chargers or public chargers in residential areas facilitates a 12%–20% increased BEV penetration compared to the reference scenario. For consumers without private home charging, improved public CI in non-residential areas increases BEV uptake by 24%. While low-power slow CI is cost-effective at home, high-power fast CI in commercial areas supports integration of solar PV. We highlight the need for coordinated CI policies and provide a variety of policy options based on our analysis and international insights.
𝐿₁-distortion of Wasserstein metrics: A tale of two dimensions
Authors: Baudier F. , Gartland C. , Schlumprecht Th.
Published: August 2023

By discretizing an argument of Kislyakov, Naor and Schechtman proved that the 1-Wasserstein metric over the planar grid

{
0
,
1
,
…
,
n

}
2

\{0,1,\dots , n\}^2

has

L
1

L_1

-distortion bounded below by a constant multiple of

log
⁡
n

\sqrt {\log n}

. We provide a new “dimensionality” interpretation of Kislyakov’s argument, showing that if

{

G
n

}

n
=
1

∞

\{G_n\}_{n=1}^\infty

is a sequence of graphs whose isoperimetric dimension and Lipschitz-spectral dimension equal a common number

δ
∈
[
2
,
∞
)

\delta \in [2,\infty )

, then the 1-Wasserstein metric over

G
n

G_n

has

L
1

L_1

-distortion bounded below by a constant multiple of

(
log
⁡

|

G
n

|

)

1
δ

(\log |G_n|)^{\frac {1}{\delta }}

. We proceed to compute these dimensions for

⊘
\oslash

-powers of certain graphs. In particular, we get that the sequence of diamond graphs

{

D

n

}

n
=
1

∞

\{\mathsf {D}_n\}_{n=1}^\infty

has isoperimetric dimension and Lipschitz-spectral dimension equal to 2, obtaining as a corollary that the 1-Wasserstein metric over

D

n

\mathsf {D}_n

has

L
1

L_1

-distortion bounded below by a constant multiple of

log
⁡

|

D

n

|

\sqrt {\log | \mathsf {D}_n|}

. This answers a question of Dilworth, Kutzarova, and Ostrovskii and exhibits only the third sequence of

L
1

L_1

-embeddable graphs whose sequence of 1-Wasserstein metrics is not

L
1

L_1

-embeddable.
The SNARE-associated protein Sft2 functions in Imh1-mediated SNARE recycling transport upon ER stress
Authors: Lai Chun-Chi , Chiu Wan-Yun , Chen Yan-Ting , Wu Chia-Lu , Lee Fang-Jen S.
Published: August 2023

Vesicular trafficking involving SNARE proteins play a crucial role in the delivery of cargo to the target membrane. Arf-like protein 1 (Arl1) is an important regulator of the endosomal trans-Golgi network (TGN) and secretory trafficking. In yeast, ER stress-enhances Arl1 activation and Golgin Imh1 recruitment to the late-Golgi. Although Arl1 and Imh1 are critical for GARP-mediated endosomal SNARE-recycling transport in response to ER stress, their downstream effectors are unknown. Here, we report that the SNARE-associated protein Sft2 acts downstream of the Arl1–Imh1 axis to regulate SNARE recycling upon ER stress. We first demonstrated that Sft2 is required for Tlg1/Snc1 SNARE-recycling transport under tunicamycin-induced ER stress. Interestingly, we found that Imh1 regulates Tlg2 retrograde transport to the late-Golgi under ER stress, which in turn is required for Sft2 targeting to the late-Golgi. We further showed that Sft2 with 40 amino acids deleted from the N-terminus exhibits defective mediation of SNARE recycling and decreased association with Tlg1 under ER stress. Finally, we demonstrated that Sft2 is required for GARP-dependent endosome-to-Golgi transport in the absence of Rab protein Ypt6. This study highlights Sft2 as a critical downstream effector of the Arl1-Imh1 axis, mediating the endosome-to-Golgi transport of SNAREs.
Design principles of Cdr2 node patterns in fission yeast cells
Authors: Opalko Hannah , Geng Shuhan , Hall Aaron R. , Vavylonis Dimitrios , Moseley James B.
Published: August 2023

Pattern-forming networks have diverse roles in cell biology. Rod-shaped fission yeast cells use pattern formation to control the localization of mitotic signaling proteins and the cytokinetic ring. During interphase, the kinase Cdr2 forms membrane-bound multiprotein complexes termed nodes, which are positioned in the cell middle due in part to the node inhibitor Pom1 enriched at cell tips. Node positioning is important for timely cell cycle progression and positioning of the cytokinetic ring. Here, we combined experimental and modeling approaches to investigate pattern formation by the Pom1-Cdr2 system. We found that Cdr2 nodes accumulate near the nucleus, and Cdr2 undergoes nucleocytoplasmic shuttling when cortical anchoring is reduced. We generated particle-based simulations based on tip inhibition, nuclear positioning, and cortical anchoring. We tested model predictions by investigating Pom1-Cdr2 localization patterns after perturbing each positioning mechanism, including in both anucleate and multinucleated cells. Experiments show that tip inhibition and cortical anchoring alone are sufficient for the assembly and positioning of nodes in the absence of the nucleus, but that the nucleus and Pom1 facilitate the formation of unexpected node patterns in multinucleated cells. These findings have implications for spatial control of cytokinesis by nodes and for spatial patterning in other biological systems.
Changes in the acoustic structure of Australian bird communities along a habitat complexity gradient
Authors: García-Navas Vicente , Feliu Naliny , Blumstein Daniel T
Published: August 2023

Avian vocalizations have evolved in response to a variety of abiotic and biotic selective pressures. While there is some support for signal convergence in similar habitats that are attributed to adaptation to the acoustic properties of the environment (the “acoustic adaptation hypothesis,” AAH), there is also evidence for character displacement as a result of competition for signal space among coexisting species (the “acoustic niche partitioning hypothesis”). We explored the acoustic space of avian assemblages distributed along six different habitat types (from herbaceous habitats to warm rainforests) in southeastern Queensland, Australia. We employed three acoustic diversity indices (acoustic richness, evenness, and divergence) to characterize the signal space. In addition, we quantified the phylogenetic and morphological structure (in terms of both body mass and beak size) of each community. Acoustic parameters showed a moderately low phylogenetic signal, indicating labile evolution. Although we did not find meaningful differences in acoustic diversity indices among habitat categories, there was a significant relationship between the regularity component (evenness) and vegetation height, indicating that acoustic signals are more evenly distributed in dense habitats. After accounting for differences in species richness, the volume of acoustic space (i.e., acoustic richness) decreased as the level of phylogenetic and morphological resemblance among species in a given community increased. Additionally, we found a significantly negative relationship between acoustic divergence and divergence in body mass indicating that the less different species are in their body mass, the more different their songs are likely to be. This implies the existence of acoustic niche partitioning at a community level. Overall, while we found mixed support for the AAH, our results suggest that community-level effects may play a role in structuring acoustic signals within avian communities in this region. This study shows that signal diversity estimated by diversity metrics of community ecology based on basic acoustic parameters can provide additional insight into the structure of animal vocalizations.
Right coronary artery compromise following radiofrequency catheter ablation for supraventricular tachycardia: cases reports
Authors: Young William J , Vyas Sandip , Wragg Andrew , Sporton Simon , Rosengarten James , Schilling Richard J , Ang Richard
Published: August 2023

Background

Coronary compromise is a serious potential complication following catheter ablation; however, procedural details in the literature are often lacking, preventing the identification of learning opportunities.

Case summary

We report two cases of right coronary compromise following catheter ablation for symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia. After radiofrequency energy delivery at the coronary sinus ostium in both cases, inferior lead ST-elevation was observed. Diagnostic coronary angiography identified an occluded posterior left ventricular branch of the coronary artery, and optical coherence tomography demonstrated a high thrombus burden at this location. Electrocardiographic ST-segments settled with implantation of a drug-eluting stent.

Discussion

Coronary compromise was likely secondary to energy delivery during catheter ablation. This case series highlights the need for electrophysiologist to understand coronary anatomy relative to anatomical landmarks, to anticipate the risk of vascular injury as physical distance from the site of ablation is likely important. Risk for coronary compromise, while a rare complication, needs to be discussed with patients during the consenting process. We also demonstrate the importance of an efficient multi-disciplinary team process for managing acute procedural complications.
Impact of transfusion strategy on platelet aggregation and biomarkers in myocardial infarction patients with anemia
Authors: Silvain Johanne , Lattuca Benoit , Puymirat Etienne , Ducrocq Gregory , Dillinger Jean-Guillaume , Lhermusier Thibault , Procopi Niki , Cachanado Marine , Drouet Elodie , Abergel Helene , Danchin Nicolas , Montalescot Gilles , Simon Tabassome , Steg Philippe Gabriel
Published: August 2023

Background

Higher rates of thrombotic events have been reported in myocardial infarction (MI) patients requiring blood transfusion. The impact of blood transfusion strategy on thrombosis and inflammation is still unknown.

Objective

To compare the impact of a liberal vs. a restrictive transfusion strategy on P2Y12 platelet reactivity and biomarkers in the multicentric randomized REALITY trial.

Methods

Patients randomized to a liberal (hemoglobin ≤10 g/dL) or a restrictive (hemoglobin ≤8 g/dL) transfusion strategy had VASP-PRI platelet reactivity measured centrally in a blinded fashion and platelet reactivity unit (PRU) measured locally using encrypted VerifyNow; at baseline and after randomization. Biomarkers of thrombosis (P-selectin, PAI-1, vWF) and inflammation (TNF-α) were also measured. The primary endpoint was the change in the VASP-PRI (difference from baseline and post randomization) between the randomized groups.

Results

A total of 100 patients randomized were included in this study (n = 50 in each group). Transfused patients received on average 2.4 ± 1.6 units of blood. We found no differences in change of the VASP PRI (difference 1.2% 95% CI (−10.3–12.7%)) or by the PRU (difference 13.0 95% CI (−21.8–47.8)) before and after randomization in both randomized groups. Similar results were found in transfused patients (n = 71) regardless of the randomized group, VASP PRI (difference 1.7%; 95% CI (−9.5–1.7%)) or PRU (difference 27.0; 95% CI (−45.0–0.0)). We did not find an impact of transfusion strategy or transfusion itself in the levels of P-selectin, PAI-1, vWF, and TNF-α.

Conclusion

In this study, we found no impact of a liberal vs. a restrictive transfusion strategy on platelet reactivity and biomarkers in MI patients with anemia. A conclusion that should be tempered due to missing patients with exploitable biological data that has affected our power to show a difference.
Critical steps in the production of oil from oilseed to reduce heterocyclic aromatic amines
Authors: Zhang Chenxia , Li Mengle , Ma Weiwei , Ma Yuxiang , Wang Xuede , Liu Huamin
Published: August 2023

Contamination by the heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) norharman and harman is one of the risks in vegetable oil production, so oil producers strive to decrease their content in the end products. In this study, the effects of production conditions—specifically, two pretreatment methods (roasting and microwaving), four extraction methods (two pressing and two solvent extraction) and adsorption refining (four absorbents)—of five oils (flaxseed, peanut, rapeseed, sesame, and sunflower seed) were evaluated. The results showed that microwaving as a pretreatment produced significantly fewer HAAs than roasting (P<0.05). After two pretreatments, the HAA content of oils was ranked from high to low as follows: sunflower oil, sesame oil, flaxseed oil, rapeseed oil, and peanut oil. Solvent-extracted oils (9.16–316.73 µg/kg) had fewer HAAs than pressed oils (26.61–633.93 µg/kg). Using adsorbents reduced HAAs in oils from the initial 21.77–484.22 to 0.31–41.58 µg/kg, and the removal rate reached 99.28%. This study provides critical HAA reduction strategies for application in the oil production process to obtain safe final products.
Implementing Climate Preparedness
Authors: Booth John
Published: August 2023

John Booth, Vice Chair of the BCS Green IT Specialist Group, looks at sustainable IT and explores the systems and team configurations that can help us survive climate events.
Wikipedia: Pretty Good in Parts
Authors: Runciman Brian
Published: August 2023

Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, speaks to Brian Runciman MBCS in the first of the new series of the BCS Gem of all Mechanisms podcast.
Business Analysis
Authors: Lovelock Christina
Published: August 2023

Christina Lovelock MBCS explores the importance of organisational agility as the key to resilience.
Putting the Intelligence in Automation
Authors: Major Danny
Published: August 2023

Intelligent automation is making tangible impacts across many markets and industries. Danny Major FBCS explores and explains its place in digital transformation.
The Promise of Bargaining Protocols
Authors: Lavie Shay , Tabbach Avraham
Published: August 2023

Litigants settle in the shadow of the law, but they behave in the shadow of the settlement outcome. Disparities in bargaining power drive a wedge between the shadow of the settlement and the shadow of the law. Broad literature has recognized various problems that stem from this discrepancy, from suboptimal deterrence to distributive concerns. We offer a new perspective to address these concerns—regulating the settlement process, through a judge-induced bargaining protocol. We develop this argument through a bargaining protocol that assigns a take-it-or-leave-it offer to one of the parties and discuss the policy goals that such protocol could advance.
Corporate Governance Welfarism
Authors: Kahan Marcel , Rock Edward
Published: August 2023

Corporate governance is on the verge of entering a new stage. After the managerialism that dominated the view of the corporation into the 1970s and the shareholderism that supplanted it, we are witnessing the emergence of a new paradigm: corporate governance welfarism. Welfarism rejects the faith that market forces will promote general welfare and lacks confidence in the government’s ability to set proper boundary constraints. By looking to corporations to internalize externalities directly, welfarism thus offers an alternative way to deal with social problems that the political system has failed to address. Welfarism comes in three strands—portfolio welfarism, shareholder welfarism, and direct social welfarism—two of which are consistent with shareholder primacy. The important distinction between welfarism and shareholderism, rather, is that welfarism, by embracing goals that are much broader than shareholder value as a means to promote overall welfare, reflects a departure from the classical liberal economic theory that underpins shareholderism. Welfarism, in turn, departs from managerialism in looking beyond the single firm, in relying on shareholder and stakeholder pressure rather than on managerial discretion to balance firm value maximization and broader objectives, and in embracing a wider set of potential stakeholders. Welfarism is on the rise ideologically. While it is unclear how much welfarism has already affected operations at individual firms, the underlying drivers of welfarism are likely to remain or grow. There are, therefore, good reasons to believe that the push towards welfarism will take hold, grow, and, over time, generate a welfarist turn in corporate governance. Welfarism, however, is subject to two inherent limitations. First, welfarism has its greatest traction for publicly traded companies with dispersed shareholders. By contrast, for companies with a single shareholder, a controlling shareholder, or a small group of shareholders, the welfarist prescriptions will have only a limited impact. Second, the very lack of consensus that impedes political solutions reemerges under and constrains welfarism by generating disagreements among shareholders, impugning its legitimacy, and imposing political barriers to its implementation.
Crime Scenes, Searches, and Exhibits
Authors: Cook Tony
Published: August 2023

This chapter focuses on the professional management of crime scenes, searches, and exhibits. A clear advantage of forensic or physical trace evidence is that it cannot be affected by faulty memory, prejudice, poor eyesight, or a witness not wishing to come forward. However, when used evidentially it must be proved beyond all reasonable doubt that the correct and necessary procedures were applied and managed rigorously. This is to prove the ‘integrity’ of these processes and avoid accusations of interference or cross-contamination. The chapter then looks at the identify, secure, and protect (ISP) principle, before considering the process of crime scene assessments, physical searches, scene administration, releasing crime scenes, and exhibit management. It also discusses the role of Crime Scene Coordinators and Managers, as well as Exhibits Officers (EOs). Finally, the chapter examines health and safety considerations.
Trace, Investigate, and Evaluate (TIE)
Authors: Cook Tony
Published: August 2023

This chapter addresses the abbreviated term TIE, which stands for ‘Trace, Investigate, and Evaluate’. It is an instruction and process used in an investigative strategy aimed at identifying those who could realistically be the offender. A TIE strategy is generally used only in the most serious cases where there is no clear suspect and to help identify one. One of the early decisions a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) might have to make is whether the TIE process is to be used on their enquiry. The idea is to find those contained within the groups and subject them to close scrutiny, then evaluate the outcome which should help either implicate or eliminate them. Once a group of subjects has been identified through defined criteria as being suitable for the TIE process, they become the focus of a range of investigative techniques to assist in evaluating what, if any, connection they have to the enquiry. These usually include alibi checks, interviews to obtain accounts and taking elimination samples and fingerprints.
Investigative Strategies
Authors: Cook Tony
Published: August 2023

This chapter explores some of the most common investigative strategies. These include House-to-House (H2H) enquiries, financial investigation, and proactive investigation. Some strategies may require inputs from specialists such as Interview Advisers, Media/Press Liaison Officers, Police Search Advisers (PolSAs), forensic and digital evidence recovery experts, and Crime Scene Investigators/Managers (CSI/CSMs). Ownership may be assigned for each one and those with supervisory responsibility are usually best placed to take on large or substantial projects, up to and including a Deputy SIO (DSIO). Those nominated are responsible for setting the objectives and drawing up associated policies, together with agreed terms of reference, aims and objectives, methods, parameters, and staffing and resourcing levels. Whatever strategies are used, they remain under review to ensure they are proportionate, relevant, justifiable, and on course. The chapter then defines passive data and digital data, before discussing the vital role of criminal intelligence in any investigation.
Suspect Management
Authors: Cook Tony
Published: August 2023

This chapter highlights significant tactical elements of suspect management. It begins with suspect identification. Suspects can be identified through a variety of methods, such as being found in the act of committing a crime, witness/victim interviews, forensic evidence, passive data collection, admissions, information and intelligence, analytical work, proactive overt or covert work, financial investigation, or just simple, prompt actions taken at or near a crime scene. The Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) may need to produce a strategy that outlines various methods in which suspects can be identified. The chapter then looks at the issues surrounding a decision to declare ‘suspect’ status, the making and timing of arrests, detention and interviews, recovering forensic evidence, charging, and bail, including some practical points on ways to conduct effective and proactive suspect hunts.
Homicide In vestigation
Authors: Cook Tony
Published: August 2023

This chapter outlines and describes in sufficient detail the core roles, tasks, and processes used in homicide investigations. The intentional and unlawful taking of someone's life is considered the gravest crime of all. Such an atrocious act causes unimaginable brutality and suffering, not just to victims but for families, friends, communities, and the public. For this reason the investigation of homicide is the greatest challenge for any Senior Investigating Officer (SIO), and one which carries a huge amount of professional pride and personal responsibility. The challenge is not only to investigate the circumstances, but sometimes to identify that a homicide occurred. All sudden and unexplained deaths outside medical settings require some form of investigation to confirm what caused them and to see whether they are natural, accidental, or criminal. Most result from natural causes and investigators rarely become involved provided there is no suggestion of criminal involvement. The chapter then looks at forensic pathology, post-mortem procedures, and the Human Tissue Act 2004 (HTA).
Card and English on Police Law
Authors: Card Richard
Published: August 2023

This book provides straightforward coverage of all aspects of law and police procedure that affect the community at large. This edition has been fully updated. In addition to a host of amendments to pre-existing legislation, new bodies of statute law, such as the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, the Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Act 2018, and the Assault on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018, are dealt with. Case law developments are also described, as are revisions to the PACE Codes. Introduced into the body of the new edition is content covering public service vehicles, goods vehicles, animals, birds, and plants, and game.
Police Powers
Authors: Card Richard
Published: August 2023

This chapter focuses on the powers of police officers, particularly members of police forces which hold the status of constable, whatever their rank, and special constables. It shows that some powers possessed by constables are exercisable under the Police Reform Act 2002 by police civilians and accredited persons as explained at 2.4–2.11. It also points out that police powers must be used fairly, responsibly, and with respect for the people to whom they apply. The chapter explains ‘protected characteristics’, which include age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. It references the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 which renders unlawful the exercise of a police power, which results in disciplinary proceedings or renders inadmissible evidence obtained by it.
Police Questioning and the Rights of Suspects
Authors: Card Richard
Published: August 2023

This chapter cites Code C of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984, which is the code of practice for the detention, treatment, and questioning of persons by police officers. It highlights the term ‘vulnerable’ which applies to any person that has a mental health condition or disorder which means that they may have difficulty understanding or communicating about the implications of their arrest and detention, their voluntary attendance at a police station, and the exercise of their rights and entitlements. It also talks about a person of any age suspected by the police to be vulnerable, which may be treated as such for the purposes of Code C. The chapter explores the reference of Code C to the custody officer or any police officer performing the functions of a custody officer. It looks at the role of an appropriate adult on safeguarding the rights, entitlements, and welfare of juveniles and vulnerable persons.
Treatment, Charging, and Bail of Detainees
Authors: Card Richard
Published: August 2023

This chapter cites Code C of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984, which is about the temporary withholding of information to persons that are at the time incapable of understanding as they were being violent or in urgent need of medical attention. It points out how suspects and other people entering in the custody area should be informed through placed notices that video cameras are installed and in use. It also cites PACE, s 35(1) that requires the chief officer to designate the police stations in the area that are to be used for detaining arrested persons. The chapter discusses the requirement of a custody officer to perform the functions specified in Code C as soon as is practicable. It emphasizes how no person in police detention may be released except on the authority of a custody officer.