bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implications of the building system boundary definition to conduct an LCA. A case study comparison of two frameworks for assessing building sustainability: DGNB and Level(s)
Authors: Palumbo Elisabetta , Soust-Verdaguer Bernardette , Llatas Carmen , Traverso Marzia
Published: May 2022

The embodied impacts calculation is increasing attention in research, and the use of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the most widely recognised method for that purpose. To support architects and engineers in the use of LCA and to overcome the complexity of calculations in design stage practice, different frameworks for assessing building sustainability propose to conduct simplified LCA methods. Nevertheless, LCA implementation in these frameworks is not completely harmonised, causing problems of inaccuracy and incomplete assessments that generate incomparability among case studies and even possible deviations to achieve carbonneutral scenarios. There, the system boundary definition is a key step. The present paper aimed to illustrate its implications, analysing the implementation of the LCA in a building envelope of a certified passive house located in Italy. Two building sustainability frameworks, DGNB and Level(s), are used to identify how the system boundary definition influences the impact assessment results. The study keeps LCA methodological assumptions (data sources, impact categories, characterisation methods, and indicators) constant to allow a comparison focused on the system boundary implications (such as the modularity principle of LCA). The results show the margins and reduction percentages that can be achieved by the two different assessment frameworks. Finally, limitations and challenges related to methodological aspects in the use of simplified LCA to calculate the impacts of a Passive House building are addressed.
The impact of secondary materials’ quality on assessing plastic recycling technologies
Authors: Stallkamp Christoph , Volk Rebekka , Schultmann Frank
Published: May 2022

Global plastic production reached a new high in 2019. The high use of plastic leads to a high amount of plastic waste. Thereof, only 33% was collected for recycling in Europe. Plastic production depends on crude oil and energy and has high environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions. The recycling of plastic waste can reduce dependency on fossil resources, help reduce environmental impacts, and achieve sustainability goals. Currently, the chemical recycling of plastic is discussed to complement the existing mechanical recycling. Comparing the recycling technologies is needed to identify and establish the most environmentally and economically promising technology for each waste stream. However, the quality of the recovered material has a high impact on assessment results. This study discusses different assessment metrics for recycling technologies concerning the influence of recovered materials’ quality by material substitution rates and circularity potential. In a case study, mechanical and chemical recycling via pyrolysis of HDPE from lightweight packaging waste from Germany is assessed. Mechanical recycling has a lower climate change impact than chemical recycling for material substitution rates above 0.85. On the other hand, chemical recycling has a higher potential to close the plastic loop and retain plastics within the economy due to the higher secondary material quality. The assessment allows evaluating recycling options for the considered plastics from the German collection systems for packaging.
LCA supporting the design of circular biobased wall panels
Authors: Delem Laetitia , Douguet Etienne , Wastiels Lisa , Claude Vincent
Published: May 2022

One of the numerous objectives of the European CBCI project is to develop a circular biobased wall element. As part of the design process, the first prototypes are analysed using life cycle assessment (LCA) and compared to a more traditional wood-skeleton element. The results indicate that the prototypes have a significantly higher impact than the reference solution, mainly because of the specific selection of biobased finishing materials. Also, considering an in-use service life of 60 years, the use of metal connectors to enable dismantling and reuse of the structure is not justifiable from an environmental perspective as their impact is about as high as the structure itself. In conclusion, the case study illustrates how LCA allows to evaluate the environmental relevance of specific circular building solutions and can be used to identify optimization strategies.
Social innovation and workplace development for social entrepreneurship
Authors: Valente Clara , Rubach Synnøve
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this paper was to explore how social LCA (S-LCA) & social organizational LCA (SO-LCA), can be used to shape the business model of companies that want to be social sustainable both related to one’s own daily operation and the value proposition. It is especially concerned with companies at an early stage when a value chain and the internal and external business network has not yet been established. Current SLCA studies do not assess the social performance of products, because most of the indicators refer to the organizational level. Starting from the extensive list of indicators presented by Martínez-Blanco et al. these indicators have been filtered down to the most relevant for early-stage businesses based on social entrepreneurship. Further, these indicators have been used to extend business modelling guidance using The Business Model Canvas (BMC) methodology, also known as the Osterwalder model, as a framework. The findings have been tested through dialogues and workshops with a newly established centre for social entrepreneurship with a focus on workplace development for young people, refugees, and immigrants who are out of work in a Norwegian municipality.
Developing a Circular Economy for the Data Centre Industry – how the CEDaCI project contributes to sustainable decision making
Authors: Kerwin Kristina , Andrews Deborah , Adibi Naeem , Whitehead Beth , Szablewski Carolina , Chenadec Julie
Published: May 2022

Data centres (DCs) house data processing and storage equipment. The data centre industry (DCI) is evolving rapidly, as society is becoming more dependent on digital technologies. Currently, there are 7.2 million DCs globally and provision is predicted to grow fivefold by 2030. The sector already utilises millions of tonnes of resources, including Critical Raw Materials, and the demand will only increase. DCI is based on a linear economy; recycling and materials reclamation infrastructure are also inadequate. At the end-of-life, many materials are either lost to landfill, incinerated, or unaccounted for. Furthermore, many virgin materials are located in geopolitically sensitive locations, which poses a threat to the supply chain that the sector relies on. The CEDaCI project aims to increase overall sectoral sustainability by addressing the various technical, cultural, and behavioural barriers across the DCI, such as fragmentation and sole focus on the energy efficiency. This paper describes the whole-systems approach and CEDaCI project outputs, including bespoke Eco-design guidelines, strategies, and digital tools to extend product life and recycling, and enable better decision-making to increase circularity in the DCI, prepare and support implementation of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan and ensure a secure, sustainable resource supply chain.
A workflow to integrate operational and embodied aspects when implementing Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment in Building Information Modelling
Authors: Soust-Verdaguer Bernardette , Llatas Carmen , Ayala Carmona Alejandro
Published: May 2022

The existing environmental crisis demands increased efforts to design more sustainable buildings, which means the simultaneous balance between environmental preservation, economic growth, and social well-being. This challenging objective requires holistic methods that enable a comprehensive, multi-dimension, and quantitative approach such as allows the Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA). In addition, the existing context of digital transformation in the construction and building sector is increasing the use of digital tools based on the BIM methodology to support the assessment process and integrating more dimensions to guide decision-making. The present work presents a workflow that enables the calculation of the LCSA including operational and embodied aspects. The workflow proposes the building elements that should be included in the BIM model to enable the exchange of information. The workflow is focused on the Spanish context and includes the use of Revit (as BIM modeler), Dynamo (as LCSA tool), Cypetherm (as the energy demand calculator). The proposed workflow enables us to compare different design options and building materials without much effort. The study includes findings and recommendations to reduce the effort when implementing the LCSA at the early design stages.
Using standards to maximise the benefit of digitisation of construction product Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) to reduce Building Life Cycle Impacts
Authors: Anderson Jane , Rønning Anne
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) provide standardised environmental information about the impact of making, using, and disposing of products – their embodied impacts and many are now provided digitally for use in Building LCA. Recognising the need to significantly reduce the embodied impact of our buildings, ISO/TC59/SC17 WG3 has developed ISO 22057 to standardise the provision of digitised and digitalised EPD and ensure EPD can be used to their full potential, as machine interpretable digitalised data.

Methods: ISO/TC59/SC17 WG3 has developed the standard using for ISO procedures with liaison with those in ISO working on Building Information Modelling (BIM) and building level environmental assessment standards. Using the Vienna Agreement, CEN/TC350 is also participating in the work and should adopt the standard as a European Standard.

Results: ISO 22057 will ensure digitised gate to grave EPD results are accompanied by machine readable and machine interpretable data. By standardising this process using ISO 22057, it will ensure that all building LCA tools and tool developers have access to common digital information in the most appropriate format to use alongside BIM.

Conclusions: ISO 22057 offers the opportunity to provide standardised, machine interpretable EPD and generic data which will enable the rapid digitalisation of building life cycle assessment.
Analysis of current practice and future potentials of LCA in a BIM-based design process in Germany
Authors: Schumacher Rebecca , Theißen Sebastian , Höper Jannick , Drzymalla Jan , Lambertz Michaela , Hollberg Alexander , Forth Kasimir , Schneider-Marin Patricia , Wimmer Reinhard , Bahlau Sascha , Meins-Becker Anica
Published: May 2022

The construction and building sector, responsible for 39% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is undergoing a fundamental digital transformation enabled by Building Information Modelling (BIM). Integrating life cycle assessment (LCA) in digital building design processes enables early evaluation of embodied impacts. This connection offers opportunities to generate predictive parameters to efficiently use environmental optimization potentials. The aim of this study was to investigate current barriers and incentives for practitioners to use LCA in combination with BIM in practice in Germany. Based on criteria identified in a systematic literature review, a survey amongst 161 practitioners is conducted, analysing five different user profiles. The evaluated criteria are added value, perception of relevance, intention, age, data availability, standardization, external demand and usability. The results present a recognised added value of integrating LCA in BIM from the perspective of all user profiles. Currently, measures in a political and social context have higher potentials, i. e. are more urgent to implement, than measures in the information technology context, whereas priorities vary depending on user profiles. The greatest drivers are external demand and pressure in forms of stricter political requirements and more demand from the public-sector. The presented insights, trends and need for action can support implementing procedures for achieving the urgent climate goals of the construction sector strategically through digital transformation.
Industrial symbiosis marketplace concept for waste valorization pathways
Authors: Akrivou Chrysanthi , Łękawska-Andrinopoulou Lucyna , Manousiadis Charalampos , Tsimiklis Georgios , Oikonomopoulou Vasiliki , Papadaki Sofia , Krokida Magdalini , Amditis Angelos
Published: May 2022

Acceleration of raw materials’ depletion and waste accumulation create a need for stakeholders to shift from linear to circular business models by adopting novel strategies. Circular economy (CE) and industrial symbiosis (IS) offer a direction towards sustainable, resource efficient systems and eco-friendly waste management approaches. IS encompasses all types of interfirm cooperation in order to achieve a green, waste-free supply chain and at the same time to attain profits. However, among other barriers hampering widespread adoption of IS is lack of information exchange. Digital tools have emerged as facilitators of IS, since they enable real-time data sharing, identification and evaluation of symbiotic opportunities, while continuous progress of those tools is necessary for the digital transformation of IS. Important elements for the functionality and success of such tools are the criteria determining the matching of potential stakeholders and the support of the decision-making process. In the ongoing research that is presented, these matching criteria and benchmarks for waste valorization pathways are investigated and a matchmaking framework is proposed. The objective of the framework is to identify the most suitable collaborators to be deployed later to an automated matchmaking process, revealing latent possibilities (e.g. by suggesting indirect matches) and advantages of symbiotic actions from a holistic perspective. This tailor-made assessment is aspired to evaluate stakeholders’ compatibility based on more than a mere waste streams’ valorization match. Stakeholders’ specific requirements and motivations are incorporated in the potential partnership evaluation, thereby a multicriterion approach is proposed considering the potential cooperators’ relevance in terms of aspects like strategic goals, the level of IS embracement or synergy’s environmental impact.
Accelerating sustainable development and production of nanomaterials and printed electronics
Authors: Prenzel Tobias M. , Gehring Florian , Davis Zachary J. , Slack Neville , Katsavou Ioanna , Jakobsen Leif H. , Fito Carlos , Hvid Niels , Serrano Jesús
Published: May 2022

Printed and embedded electronics are considered game changing for electronics industry, and various R&D groups worldwide have already achieved remarkable progress. In the EU, limited access to these developments for industry and businesses still hampers wide rollout. Additionally, technology evaluation is often strictly focused on performance, i.e. whether technical functionalities meet specified requirements. For multiple reasons, a more holistic evaluation could contribute to more sustainable innovation. The EU-funded LEE-BED project has therefore created an open innovation test bed for printed electronics (PE), offering a time-efficient three-step process accessible via an online single entry point for easy involvement. The approach fosters evaluating ideas, developing prototypes, and transferring knowledge to interested parties from SMEs to global OEMs with or without previous involvement with PE. The first step (LEE-BED Phase 1) includes a multi-dimensional assessment of technical feasibility, economic viability, environmental sustainability, safety, and intellectual property before developing any prototype. This has successfully been applied to industry partners from construction, automotive, labelling, and luxury brands, offering novel functionalities and additional aesthetics through PE in their business practices. In this way, LEE-BED has established a collaborative platform for PE innovation sharing key learnings and opportunities.
Optomagnetic Imaging Spectroscopy (OMIS) for in situ detection of bacteria in blood – feasibility study
Authors: Garry Brittany , Stoiljkovic Nikola , Jovic Zorana , Pavlovic Radmila , Getnet Derese , Demons Samandra T. , Tyner Stuart D. , Zurawski Daniel V. , Swierczewski Brett E. , Koruga Djuro , Bobrov Alexander G. , Antonic Vlado
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in military and civilian hospitals. Rapid identification of involved pathogens is a key step for appropriate diagnosis, treatment and ultimately survival. Current diagnostics tools are either very bulky and not deployment ready, or require a long time to provide results. Given these obstacles, new solutions are urgently needed. Optomagnetic Imaging Spectroscopy (OMIS) is novel technology successfully used for the detection of cancer cells and viruses. OMIS has high sensitivity due to recording the unpaired and paired electrons of sample material. Furthermore, machine learning that uses the algorithms random forest (RF) classifier and artificial neural network (ANN) is integrated into the technology to enhance detection. Here we evaluated the feasibility of OMIS for the detection of bacteria in blood. Methods: We used commercially available human blood spiked with a defined concentration multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus derived from a clinical isolate. Final concentrations of bacteria of 1 × 106, 1 × 105 and 1 × 104 CFU/mL corresponding to High (H), Medium (M) and Low (L) concentrations respectively. A total of 240 samples (60 samples per concentration as well as 60 samples of sterile blood (N)) was imaged, and the data were analyzed using random forest classifier and artificial neural network. Images for the training set and validation sets were separately obtained and used for comparison against true positive values (confirmatory plating on the nutrient agar). Results: The average score of classification samples in the correct category (N, L, M, H) one-by-one was 94% for the ANN algorithm, while for the RF algorithm accuracy was 93% (average means that three times different 40 samples (of 240 samples) were chosen, and each prediction test had different sample mixtures). The closeness of the two values of accuracy strongly indicates that the input data (interaction of light with paired and unpaired electrons) and output data (classification N, L, M, H concentration of bacteria) are correlated.
On the Complexity of the Generalized Fibonacci Words
Authors: Cassaigne Julien , Kaboré Idrissa
Published: May 2022

In this paper we undertake a general study of the complexity function of the generalized Fibonacci words which are generated by the morphism defined by σl,m(a) = albm and σl,m(a) = a.
Effects of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) on phytoplankton community structure and water quality: a short-term mesocosm study
Authors: Zhang Liqiong , Mei Xueying , Tang Yali , Razlutskij Vladimir , Peterka Jiří , Taylor William D. , Naselli-Flores Luigi , Liu Zhengwen , Tong Chunfu , Zhang Xiufeng
Published: May 2022

Nile tilapia is a highly invasive fish species, deliberately introduced into many lakes and reservoirs worldwide, sometimes resulting in significant ecosystem alterations. A short-term mesocosm experiment with and without Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was designed to test the hypotheses that the presence of tilapia may affect phytoplankton community structure, increase nutrients availability in water column and deteriorate water quality. Nutrients, total suspended solids (TSS) and biomass of phytoplankton in different size classes (as Chla) were measured. We found that tilapia increased the total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), NH4+and TSS concentrations, deteriorating the water quality. In addition, under tilapia presence, the biomass of phytoplankton, as well as that of micro- and nano-phytoplankton, increased leading to a change in the structure of the phytoplankton assemblage. Moreover, a reduction in the biomass of periphyton was observed. Omnivorous tilapia is often dominant in tropical and subtropical waters, and removal of this fish may represent an effective management tool to improve the water quality.
The optical helicity in a more algebraic approach to electromagnetism
Authors: Fernandez-Corbaton Ivan
Published: May 2022

The constant miniaturization trend in nanophotonics challenges some of the theoretical tools at our disposal: Analytical shortcuts such as the dipolar and paraxial approximation become unapplicable, and the computational cost of fully numerical studies often renders them impractical. A basic electromagnetic property, the optical helicity, and the use of more abstract tools inspired by it, are rising to meet the challenge.
La téléconsultation et la Covid-19: pour un renouvellement des pratiques professionnelles face aux enjeux de formation
Authors: Dorion Michelle , Dionne Eric
Published: May 2022

Contexte: En ce temps de pandémie de Covid-19, la téléconsultation, qui permet de communiquer avec un professionnel de la santé qui n’est pas au même endroit, évolue rapidement, car elle représente une façon novatrice d’assurer des services de soins de santé à distance. Un tel dispositif s’accompagne d’une réorganisation du travail collaboratif entre les différents acteurs impliqués et crée un cadre thérapeutique unique impliquant des mutations dans la relation soignant-patient. Bien que la téléconsultation génère une nouvelle façon de travailler et de nouvelles compétences professionnelles, force est de constater que l’offre de formation pour les futurs professionnels de la santé quant à l’utilisation de ce dispositif est lacunaire. Cela est d’autant plus flagrant dans le contexte actuel de la Covid-19 où le renouvellement des pratiques est une occasion privilégiée pour repenser à l’intégration de cette technologie et aux enjeux de formation pour les futurs professionnels de la santé. Objectif: Cet article présente un point de vue critique sur la téléconsultation en montrant les besoins de formation que cette dernière impose et des pistes de formation afin de développer les compétences nécessaires à sa mise en œuvre.
Regularity and Energy Conservation of the Nonhomogeneous Incompressible Ideal Magnetohydrodynamics Equations
Authors: XIONG Jiajia , BIE Qunyi , ZHOU Yanping
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we study the regularity and local energy equation of the weak solutions for nonhomogeneous incompressible ideal magnetohydrodynamics system. The conditions given on the regularity of solutions guarantee the energy to be conserved. The main method we have employed relies on the commutator estimates.
ADMM Algorithmic Regularization Paths for Sparse and Large Scale Positive-Definite Covariance Matrix Estimation
Authors: XIA Lin , WANG Guanpeng , HUANG Xudong
Published: May 2022

Estimating sparse positive-definite covariance matrices in high dimensions has received extensive attention in the past two decades. However, many existing algorithms are proposed for a single regularization parameter and little attention has been paid to estimating the covariance matrices over the full range of regularization parameters. In this paper we suggest to compute the regularization paths of estimating the positive-definite covariance matrices through a one-step approximation of the warm-starting Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) algorithm, which quickly outlines a sequence of sparse solutions at a fine resolution. We demonstrate the effectiveness and computational savings of our proposed algorithm through elaborative analysis of simulated examples.
Finite-Time Generalized Synchronization and Parameter Identification of Chaotic Systems with Different Dimensions
Authors: LI Dekui , WEI Xingmin
Published: May 2022

Finite-time generalized synchronization and parameter identification of chaotic systems with different dimensions are studied in this paper. Based on finite-time stability theory, adaptive controllers and parameter identification rules are proposed to realize generalized synchronization of chaotic systems and identify accurately all their unknown parameters in finite time. At the same time, the obtained synchronization time formula can estimate the required longest time for realizing the generalized synchronization of chaotic systems, which solely depends on the initial values of chaotic systems and is easily calculated in numerical simulation. At the last, some numerical examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness and correctness of the obtained conclusions.
Valuation of Hybrid Pension Scheme Liabilities under Inflation
Authors: LIU Shuai , WANG Chuanyu , XUE Juan
Published: May 2022

In recent years, it is of great interest to evaluate the level of liabilities of the hybrid pension system as the mixed pension schemes are favored by various countries around the world. This paper further improves the hybrid pension liability assessment method proposed by Broeders et al by accounting for inflation risk and assuming that inflation risk is measured by a price index that follows geometric Brownian motion. A simulation-based pricing framework is then introduced to assess the hybrid pension liability. The results show that the introduction of inflation risk increases the total outstanding liability of hybrid pensions. Furthermore, inflation is negatively correlated with the total outstanding liability of the hybrid pension scheme, while inflation volatility is positively correlated with it.
Hegel, subjectivity and youth
Authors: Pais Alexandre
Published: May 2022

This article discusses how the constant pressure for young people to optimise themselves, to become the masters of their lives and to enjoy life to the full, instead of leading towards a new empowered citizenship, can also be experienced as an existential burden. It does so by engaging with the most recent research literature on youth studies concerning the agency/structure debate, which will be illustrated with results from a European project on youth participation. This literature will be discussed against the background of Hegelian philosophy, where it will be argued that structure is not as much a negative entity constraining people’s lives but a necessary feature of agency. The article finishes with a short exploration of Greta Thunberg’s political engagement, as an example of what universal politics could mean amidst a world permeated by identity politics.
Cost-effectiveness of the Victorian Stroke Telemedicine program
Authors: Kim Joosup , Tan Elise , Gao Lan , Moodie Marj , Dewey Helen M , Bagot Kathleen L. , Pompeani Nancy , Sheppard Lauren , Bladin Christopher F. , Cadilhac Dominique A.
Published: May 2022

Objective Stroke telemedicine improves the provision of reperfusion therapies in regional hospitals, yet evidence of its cost-effectiveness using patient-level data is lacking. The aim of this study was to estimate the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained from stroke telemedicine. Methods As part of the Victorian Stroke Telemedicine (VST) program, stroke telemedicine provided to 16 hospitals in regional Victoria was evaluated using a historical-control design. Patient-level costs from a societal perspective (2018 Australian dollars (A$)) and QALYs up to 12 months after stroke were estimated using data from medical records, surveys at 3 months and 12 months after stroke and multiple imputation. Multivariable regression models and bootstrapping were used to estimate differences between periods. Results Costs and health outcomes were estimated from 1024 confirmed strokes suffered by patients arriving at hospital within 4.5 h of stroke onset (median age 76 years, 55% male, 83% ischaemic stroke; 423 from the control period). Total costs to 12 months post stroke were estimated to be A$82 449 per person for the control period and A$82 259 in the intervention period (P = 0.986). QALYs at 12 months were estimated to be 0.43 per person for the control period and 0.5 per person in the intervention period (P = 0.02). Following 1000 iterations of bootstrapping, in comparison to the control period, the VST intervention was more effective and cost saving in 50.6% of iterations and cost-effective (A$0 and A$50 000 per QALY gained) in 10.4% of iterations. Conclusion The VST program was likely to be cost saving or cost-effective. Our findings provide confidence in supporting wider implementation of telemedicine for acute stroke care in Australia.
Can measurements of foraging behaviour predict variation in weight gains of free-ranging cattle?
Authors: Augustine David J. , Raynor Edward J. , Kearney Sean P. , Derner Justin D.
Published: May 2022

Context Technologies are now available to continuously monitor livestock foraging behaviours, but it remains unclear whether such measurements can meaningfully inform livestock grazing management decisions. Empirical studies in extensive rangelands are needed to quantify relationships between short-term foraging behaviours (e.g. minutes to days) and longer-term measures of animal performance. Aims The objective of this study was to examine whether four different ways of measuring daily foraging behaviour (grazing-bout duration, grazing time per day, velocity while grazing, and turn angle while grazing) were related to weight gain by free-ranging yearling steers grazing semiarid rangeland. Methods Yearling steers were fitted with neck collars supporting a solar-powered device that measured GPS locations at 5 min intervals and used an accelerometer to predict grazing activity at 4 s intervals. These devices were used to monitor steers in four different paddocks that varied in forage biomass, and across two grazing seasons encompassing a wide range of forage conditions. Steer weight gain (kg/steer.day) was measured in each paddock during each of three ∼60 day time intervals, and daily foraging behaviours were measured during 15–21 days in each interval. Results A model based on only two daily measurements of foraging behaviour, mean grazing bout duration (calculated at a 5 min resolution) and mean velocity while grazing explained 62% of the variation in animal weight gain. Conclusions Daily measurements of foraging behaviour vary substantially in response to varying foraging conditions in space and time, and can effectively serve as indicators of variation in cattle weight gain. Implications On-animal sensors that monitor foraging behaviour have the potential to transmit indicators to livestock managers in real time (e.g. daily) to help inform decisions such as when to move animals among paddocks, or when to sell or transition animals from rangeland to confined feeding operations.
Activation of indistinguishability-based quantum coherence for enhanced metrological applications with particle statistics imprint
Authors: Sun Kai , Liu Zheng-Hao , Wang Yan , Hao Ze-Yan , Xu Xiao-Ye , Xu Jin-Shi , Li Chuan-Feng , Guo Guang-Can , Castellini Alessia , Lami Ludovico , Winter Andreas , Adesso Gerardo , Compagno Giuseppe , Lo Franco Rosario
Published: May 2022

Significance

Quantum coherence has a fundamentally different origin for nonidentical and identical particles since for the latter a unique contribution exists due to indistinguishability. Here we experimentally show how to exploit, in a controllable fashion, the contribution to quantum coherence stemming from spatial indistinguishability. Our experiment also directly proves, on the same footing, the different role of particle statistics (bosons or fermions) in supplying coherence-enabled advantage for quantum metrology. Ultimately, our results provide insights toward viable quantum-enhanced technologies based on tunable indistinguishability of identical building blocks.
The acquisition of cold sensitivity during TRPM8 ion channel evolution
Authors: Lu Xiancui , Yao Zhihao , Wang Yunfei , Yin Chuanlin , Li Jiameng , Chai Longhui , Dong Wenqi , Yuan Licheng , Lai Ren , Yang Shilong
Published: May 2022

Significance

Adaptation to more severe ambient temperature fluctuations can be considered one of the key innovations of terrestrial tetrapods. Our study shows the formation of the functional MHR1-3 domain in transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) bestowed the channel with cold sensitivity during the water-to-land transition. The evolved MHR1-3 domain found in terrestrial tetrapods serves as an independent apparatus with cold sensitivity. Furthermore, this domain with independent cold sensitivity is necessary for the regulatory mechanism of the pore domain, where the efficacy of cold activation is largely altered by evolutionary tuning of the hydrophobicity of several residues during the diversification of terrestrial tetrapods. Our findings advance the understanding of cold-sensing emergence during evolution and the thermodynamic basis of TRPM8 cold activation.
Handle it in-house?
Authors: Naismith Ben , Juffs Alan , Han Na-Rae , Zheng Daniel
Published: May 2022

Vocabulary lists of high-frequency lexical items are an important resource in language education and a key product of corpus research. However, no single vocabulary list will be useful for every learning context, with the appropriateness of such lists affected by the corpora on which they are based. This paper investigates the impact of corpus selection on one measure of lexical sophistication, Advanced Guiraud, focusing on two frequency lists originating from an in-house learner corpus (PELIC) and a global learner corpus (Cambridge Learner Corpus). This analysis shows that frequency lists derived from both types of learner corpus can effectively serve as the basis for measuring the development of lexical sophistication, regardless of the specific program of the learners. Therefore, publicly available learner corpus frequency lists can be a reliable resource for stakeholders interested in the lexical gains of language learners.
Quantum entanglement and coherence of tripartite W state for Dirac fields under noisy channels in non-inertial frames
Authors: Kim Kwang-Il , Pak Myong Chol , Song An Ok , Gyong Ri Un , Ko Myong-Chol , Kim Nam-Chol
Published: May 2022

We investigate quantum entanglement and coherence of tripartite W state for Dirac fields under phase damping, phase flip and bit flip channels, respectively, in non-inertial frames. Via π-tangle, we numerically compute tripartite entanglement of W state under three channels when two observers are accelerated. We also analytically derive l
1-norm quantum coherence of W state under the simultaneous influence of Unruh effect and noisy environments. For phase-damping and phase-flip channels, both the acceleration and noisy channels modulate the behaviour of the tripartitle entanglement and quantum coherence. They do not vanish even for infinite acceleration when only A's qubit is under noisy environment, in contrast with the case when two or more observers’ qubits are under noisy environment. In the case of the bit flip channel, the behavior of the tripartite entanglement is similar to the one of the phase flip channel, but quantum coherence remains unaffected by the environment.
Understanding the core confinement in DIII-D super-H experiments by transport modeling
Authors: Jian X. , Holland C. , Ding S. , Knolker M. , Snyder P.B. , Chan V.S. , Garofalo A.M. , Grierson B.
Published: May 2022

The DIII-D super-H (SH) scenario, which is characterized by a significantly higher pedestal pressure compared to standard high confinement mode (H mode) plasmas, typically exhibits two phases in its temporal dynamics. The early hot ion (SH–HI) phase has higher core ion temperatures and normalized confinement factor (H
98(y,2) ∼ 2) than the later ‘standard’ SH phase, which has similar pedestal pressure characteristics to the SH–HI phase but a lower confinement factor (H
98(y,2) ∼ 1.2) as well as lower pedestal T
i/T
e ratio. However, beyond the pedestal differences, it is also observed that in the core plasma T
i is more peaked and has a significantly larger normalized gradient scale length a/L
Ti in the SH–HI phase than in the SH phase. This paper identifies the physics responsible for the different core profiles via gyrokinetic and gyrofluid modeling. It is found that the ion temperature gradient (ITG) mode dominates the core transport for both phases. Absent flow shear effects, the ITG critical gradient (a/L
Ti,crit) is shown to be far smaller in the SH–HI phase than the SH phase. The lower a/L
Ti,crit in the SH–HI phase is shown to be mainly induced by the hollow carbon (impurity) density profile, which is strongly destabilizing relative to the nearly flat carbon density profile in the SH phase. Differences in the T
i/T
e ratio between these phases are found to have a minor impact. However, the significantly stronger flow shearing in the SH–HI phase relative to the SH phase enables the achievement of higher core a/L
Ti values and is therefore mainly responsible for the higher core T
i values observed in the early SH–HI phase. Predictive transport modeling shows that the confinement in the lower-rotation SH phase could be elevated significantly if a peaked impurity density profile can be achieved, and potential applications to the performance improvement of future reactors are discussed.
Solenoid-free current drive via ECRH in EXL-50 spherical torus plasmas
Authors: Shi Yuejiang , Liu Bing , Song Shaodong , Song Yunyang , Song Xianming , Tong Bowei , Cheng Shikui , Liu Wenjun , Wang Mingyuan , Sun Tiantian , Guo Dong , Li Songjian , Li Yingying , Chen Bin , Gu Xiang , Cai Jianqing , Luo Di , Banerjee Debabrata , Zhao Xin , Yang Yuanming , Luo Wenwu , Zhou Peihai , Wang Yu , Ishida Akio , Maekawa Takashi , Liu Minsheng , Yuan Baoshan , Martin Peng Y.-K. , the EXL-50 Team
Published: May 2022

As a new spherical tokamak designed to simplify the engineering requirements of a possible future fusion power source, the EXL-50 experiment features a low aspect ratio vacuum vessel (VV), encircling a central post assembly containing the toroidal field coil conductors without a central solenoid. Multiple electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) resonances are located within the VV to improve current drive effectiveness. Copious energetic electrons are produced and measured with hard x-ray detectors, carry the bulk of the plasma current ranging from 50–150 kA, which is maintained for more than 1 s duration. It is observed that over one ampere current can be sustained per watt of ECRH power issued from the 28 GHz gyrotrons. The plasma current reaches I
p > 80 kA for high density (>5 × 1018 m−2) discharge with 150 kW ECRH. An analysis was carried out combining reconstructed multi-fluid equilibrium, guiding-center orbits of energetic electrons, and resonant heating mechanisms. It is verified that in EXL-50 a broadly distributed current of energetic electrons creates a smaller closed magnetic-flux surface of low aspect ratio that in turn confines the thermal plasma electrons and ions and participate in maintaining the equilibrium force balance.
Application of response surface methodology (RSM) in analyzing the hydrolytic degradation of plasticized MWCNTs nanocomposites
Authors: Norazlina H , Suhaila A , Rabiatul Manisah M , Nabihah A , Lili Shakirah H , Nurul Aniyyah M S , Kamal Y
Published: May 2022

The present research goals are to investigate how several parameters became the factor to maximize the degradation ability of biopolymer. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was blended in poly(lactic acid (PLA) assisted by poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a plasticizer. PLA/PEG/mCNTs from the melt blending technique was used for analysis in hydrolysis degradation purposely to discover how the time, temperature and pH of media solution could affect the weight loss and validate by Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The hydrolysis study was examined at three parameters of immersion; time from 7 to 28 days; the temperature at 25 °C, 45 °C and 65 °C; and pH of the solution at pH 3 (HCl), pH 6.5 (deionized water) and pH 10 (NaOH). The maximum weight loss, 22.53 % was observed after 28 days of immersion at 65 °C of immersion temperature and pH 3 of solution. The quadratic model developed was reasonably accurate based on the R2 value of 0.966, insignificant lack of fit, and low percentage error during validation experiment from the predicted values (< 5 %).
Effects of potassium hydroxide and polyethylene glycol on conductivity of methylcellulose membrane for fuel cells applications
Authors: Zu N A M , Abdullah S , Latiff M.K.A , Hashim N , Besar M B H , Sobri N A M , Hassan L S , Abdullah N , Mohamed R M
Published: May 2022

In Fuel Cells Technology, the need for lower cost, highly conductive of membrane is crucially demanding. The biopolymers methylcellulose (MC) was chosen as the membrane backbone because of the availability of MC, natural and good barrier against environmental parameters. In order to increase the conductivity value of MC membrane, two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, different weight of potassium hydroxide (KOH) was added onto MC membrane. For experiment 2, different weight of KOH and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were used in the MC membrane matrix. For both experiments, the membrane was prepared using simple solution casting technique. The conductivity value of MC/KOH and MC/KOH/PEG were investigated by Linear Sweep Voltammetry Potentiostatic (LSV). The findings show that the conductivity value of MC membrane was significantly increased when adding KOH and PEG. For binary solution of MC/KOH, ratio of 75% of MC and 25% of KOH yield the best conductivity 0.78 × 10−5 Scm−1. While for tertiary solution MC/KOH/PEG, the best conductivity value was given by composition of 60/20/20 which is 2.00 × 10−4 Scm−1. The research showed that the addition of KOH or KOH/PEG significantly improved the ionic conductivity of MC membrane. This discovery will play a vital role in the development of low cost, high conductivity in Fuel Cells technology.
H2S adsorption using ZnO modified Na-A zeolite and conditions optimization by Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Hadi Abdullah Abdul , Mat Ramli , Somderam Sathoshini , Shah Abd Aziz Azharin , Abu Asshaary Daud Mohd
Published: May 2022

Zinc oxide-impregnated Na-A zeolites were synthesized and used in sour gas treatment for hydrogen sulfide (H2S) removal. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to study the effect adsorption variables, on the adsorbent adsorption capacity. Box– Behnken design of experiment was selected and quadratic regression was used to describe the relationship between the process variables and the adsorbent adsorption capacity. The effects of three process variables of A: reaction temperature (28, 64 and 100 °C), B: inlet H2S concentration (111, 142 and 200 ppm), and C: inlet flow rate (20,30 and 40 mL min–1) on the adsorbent adsorption capacity were investigated. ANOVA was used to analyzed the interaction between the process variables and response factor. The result showed that all studied factors are significant for H2S removal. Analysis of variance implied the selected model was fitted with the experimental data. The result indicates that up to 31.07 mg S/g adsorbent can be obtained at optimum conditions.
The preparation and characterization of silica from coconut husk
Authors: Norul Azlin M. Z. , Syamim Syufiana S.
Published: May 2022

Agriculture wastes, especially ash containing silica, are auspicious sources of silica for synthetic amorphous silica production. In this research, coconut husk ash (CHA) was employed as a raw material to produce silica. Coconut husk was charred inside a furnace in controlled environment at 900 ºC. To extract silica, the formed ashes were treated with two separate chemical treatments. 5N H2SO4 was used in acid treatment while 2.5N NaOH followed by titration of 5N H2SO4 was used in alkali treatment. The prepared products were characterized by the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The data from FTIR characterization of coconut husk ash exposed that the presence of SiO2 increased after both chemical treatments especially in alkali treatment. The silica recovered from acid treatment was found between 25% to 68% while alkali treatment was at 76%.
Enzymatic transesterification of Rubber Seed Oil Using Immobilized Pseudomonas Cepacia Lipase
Authors: Veny Harumi , Aiman bin Abdul Rani Muhammad Amirul , Hanim Ab Hamid Farah , aziz Noorhaliza , Azrina Sazali Rozana , Shawaliah Idris Siti
Published: May 2022

Biodiesel or Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) is a biofuel formed from transesterification of vegetable oil and fat. In this study, the source of vegetable oil is Rubber seed oil (RSO). The oil was extracted from rubber seed by solvent extraction, using n-hexane and methanol. The oil produced from both solvents’ extraction were used as feedstock. Biodiesel production from RSO was performed with methanol as acyl acceptor. using immobilized Pseudomonas cepacia lipase as catalyst. Three different parameters were studied, they are reaction time, lipase inhibition, and stepwise addition of methanol/oil molar ratio. The enzymatic transesterification with ultrasonic assisted process was utilized, as it enhances the miscibility between oil and methanol, which lead to reducing the reaction time and significantly increased the yield of biodiesel. The results indicated a significant biodiesel is produced with the highest yield of 76.55%, at 45 °C, with the lipase amount of 5 % (w/w), methanol to oil molar ratio of 3:1 within 6 hours. It is found that despite high content of free fatty acid of rubber seed oil, it has a potential as alternative feedstock for FAME production.
The multipole form factors and the influence of the weak interaction in e--
6
Li elastic scattering at high energies
Authors: Vo M. T.
Published: May 2022

By using the formulas to calculate the reduced matrix elements of tensor operators, the author has completely set up the formulas for calculating the multipole form factors of nuclei with six nucleons. Applying the given formulas, the author has also determined all multipole form factors that are present in

e
−

−
3
6

L
i

elastic scattering cross section when the nucleus is in ground state. Based on the calculated multipole form factors, the influence of weak interaction is investigated corresponding to different incident electron energies.
Sum squeezing, entanglement and quantum teleportation of the superposition of photon-added pair coherent state
Authors: Chuong Ho Sy , Duc Truong Minh
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we study some non-classical properties of the superposition of photon-added pair coherent state (SPAPCS) such as two-mode sum squeezing and entanglement. The obtained results show that this state has two-mode sum squeezing behavior but the pair coherent state does not. The degree of squeezing of the SPAPCS is enhanced as more and more photons are added to the two modes of the original pair coherent state. Besides, this state is an entangled state and the entanglement degree can be enhanced by adding photons to both modes of the state. When using the SPAPCS as an entangled resource for a coherent state quantum teleportation, it is shown that the quantum teleportation process is successful and the average fidelity of the process can be higher than that of the case where the original pair coherent state is used if the parameters are selected appropriately.
Influence of Coulomb disorder on the phase diagrams of the Anderson-Hubbard model
Authors: Yen Nguyen Thi Hai , Tuan Hoang Anh , Anh Le Duc
Published: May 2022

We study the half-filled Hubbard model with Anderson and Coulomb disorder by mean of dynamical mean field theory using the geometrically averaged local density of states. The paramagnetic phase diagram of the model as a function of the Coulomb interaction and Anderson disorder strength is obtained. The spectral phase diagrams of the ground states for the model are also constructed and discussed. We show that in the intermediate and strong interaction regimes, the Coulomb disorder leads the metallic and Mott insulator phase regions shrink, while the Anderson insulator region is enlarged.