bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The intersection of medieval studies and Indigenous studies: A Norse-Saami case study
Authors: Wang Solveig Marie
Published: January 2024

Medieval texts reveal the normalised presence of Saami peoples in medieval Fennoscandia, suggesting close interactions involving trade, relationships, rituals, and magic. Despite growing recognition of these relations, the Saami remain overlooked in general studies of the Middle Ages, often relegated to symbolic roles or footnotes. As a result, Saami characters are typically depicted as the exotic Other within Norse society, often being stripped of agency and humanity in historical narratives. To counter these biases and distorted narratives, an essential step is analysing exclusionary structures in medieval literature and critically reviewing existing research on Saami representation. This process challenges dehumanising portrayals and confronts present-day stereotypes. The present study aims to ‘re-humanize’ (as Paulette F. C. Steeves puts it) the medieval Saami past by using decolonising frameworks and perspectives offered by the so-called ‘Indigenous turn’ of medieval studies, bridging medieval studies and Indigenous studies within a Norse context.
Role of green finance and carbon accounting in achieving sustainability
Authors: Wu Juan
Published: January 2024

This study delves into the influence of carbon accounting and green finance on the sustainable development index within a dataset of 500 Chinese publicly listed companies over the period from 2010 to 2020. Leveraging analysis conducted through the fully modified OLS methodology, the research findings unveil that the adoption of carbon accounting positively impacts the sustainable development index among these Chinese-listed firms. However, the number of employees engaged in these companies exhibits an adverse effect on the sustainable development index, and the consumption of resources, including water and electricity, demonstrates an inverse relationship with the overall sustainability of the firms. In light of these findings, the research suggests several central policies to bolster sustainable development. These include expanding green finance markets by harnessing financial technology (fintech) and big data, advancing corporate sustainability management, investing in green energy projects, and establishing an efficient green taxation system.
Communication tools and their support for integration in transdisciplinary research projects
Authors: Fischer Cornelia , Radinger-Peer Verena , Krainer Larissa , Penker Marianne
Published: January 2024

This study investigated how different communication tools support integration in transdisciplinary research. Ten digital and analogue tools with different communication directions and degrees of participation were tested in a 3.5-year transdisciplinary research project. Based on an exploratory operationalisation of the social-organisational, cognitive-epistemic and communicative dimensions of integration, we compared the tools’ integration support as perceived by 80 practitioners, 6 scientists and 3 integration experts. The multi-methods approach involved three surveys at different project phases, an ex-post poster assessment and interviews. The study showed that a variety of tools can serve diverse actors’ needs with varying preconditions and can play a supportive role for integration. Throughout the research process, the project website was identified as the central information platform for all groups. A living document in the form of a large hand-drawn poster and sketchnotes provided quick and understandable overviews and were particularly relevant for the communicative and the social-organisational dimension of integration. Digital videoconferences performed best in the cognitive-epistemic dimension and were found to be effective for information exchange, while online voting, emails and minutes were perceived to be less relevant. The involvement of integration experts with diverse communication and visualisation skills can support adaptive, context-specific and dynamic choices of communication tools, making project outcomes accessible to a variety of actors in a timely and transparent way throughout the project. The communication tools that were perceived by the actors to be most supportive were those that used visual and textual sign systems and facilitated a strong group identity. Therefore, we conclude that future research should include and operationalise a fourth, emotional dimension of integration.
Sex differences in the mediation role of political mobilization between the search for status and risk-taking behaviors in adolescents
Authors: del Pino-Brunet Natalia , Salas-Rodríguez Javier , Hombrados-Mendieta Isabel , Gómez-Jacinto Luis
Published: January 2024

One of the primary drivers behind adolescents engaging in risk-taking behaviors is the pursuit of status. This study examines how activism and radicalism mediate the relation between the search for status and risk-taking behaviors, moderated by sex. A total of 482 participants, with an average age of 17.97 (SD = 1.83), reported their levels of status-seeking, activism, radicalism, and engagement in risk-taking behaviors. The study revealed an indirect effect of seeking status on risk-taking behaviors through the mechanisms of activism and radicalism. Furthermore, sex moderated the relation between status, activism and radicalism, and risk-taking behaviors. In both girls and boys, activism correlated with reduced engagement in risk-taking, while radicalism correlated with increased engagement. In terms of sex differences, both activism and radicalism showed a more pronounced effect in boys than in girls. These findings highlight the role of political mobilization on the relation between the pursuit of status and engagement in risk-taking.
Effect of stochastic activation function on reconstruction performance of restricted Boltzmann machines with stochastic magnetic tunnel junctions
Authors: Zeng Minggang , Li Zitian , Saw Jing Wen , Chen Bingjin
Published: January 2024

Stochastic Magnetic Tunnel Junctions (SMTJs) emerge as a promising candidate for neuromorphic computing. The inherent stochasticity of SMTJs makes them ideal for implementing stochastic synapses or neurons in neuromorphic computing. However, the stochasticity of SMTJs may impair the performance of neuromorphic systems. In this study, we conduct a systematic examination of the influence of three stochastic effects (shift, change of slope, and broadening) on the sigmoid activation function. We further explore the implications of these effects on the reconstruction performance of Restricted Boltzmann Machines (RBMs). We find that the trainability of RBMs is robust against the three stochastic effects. However, reconstruction error is strongly related to the three stochastic effects in SMTJs-based RBMs. Significant reconstruction error is found when the stochastic effect is strong. Last, we identify the correlation of the reconstruction error with each stochastic factor. Our results might help develop more robust neuromorphic systems based on SMTJs.
Self-interaction corrected SCAN functional for molecules and solids in the numeric atom-center orbital framework
Authors: Bi Sheng , Carbogno Christian , Zhang Igor Ying , Scheffler Matthias
Published: January 2024

Semilocal density-functional approximations (DFAs), including the state-of-the-art SCAN functional, are plagued by the self-interaction error (SIE). While this error is explicitly defined only for one-electron systems, it has inspired the self-interaction correction method proposed by Perdew and Zunger (PZ-SIC), which has shown promise in mitigating the many-electron SIE. However, the PZ-SIC method is known for its significant numerical instability. In this study, we introduce a novel constraint that facilitates self-consistent localization of the SIC orbitals in the spirit of Edmiston–Ruedenberg orbitals [Rev. Mod. Phys. 35, 457 (1963)]. Our practical implementation within the all-electron numeric atom-centered orbitals code FHI-aims guarantees efficient and stable convergence of the self-consistent PZ-SIC equations for both molecules and solids. We further demonstrate that our PZ-SIC approach effectively mitigates the SIE in the meta-generalized gradient approximation SCAN functional, significantly improving the accuracy for ionization potentials, charge-transfer energies, and bandgaps for a diverse selection of molecules and solids. However, our PZ-SIC method does have its limitations. It cannot improve the already accurate SCAN results for properties such as cohesive energies, lattice constants, and bulk modulus in our test sets. This highlights the need for new-generation DFAs with more comprehensive applicability.
Unraveling the mystery of solvation-dependent fluorescence of fluorescein dianion using computational study
Authors: Roy Abheek , Samanta Suvadip , Ray Soumyadip , S Sunil Kumar , Mondal Padmabati
Published: January 2024

Fluorescein, one of the brightest fluorescent dye molecules, is a widely used fluorophore for various applications from biomedicine to industry. The dianionic form of fluorescein is responsible for its high fluorescence quantum yield. Interestingly, the molecule was found to be nonfluorescent in the gas phase. This characteristic is attributed to the photodetachment process, which out-competes the fluorescence emission in the gas phase. In this work, we show that the calculated vertical and adiabatic detachment energies of fluorescein dianion in the gas and solvent phases account for the drastic differences observed in their fluorescence characteristics. The functional dependence of these detachment energies on the dianion’s microsolvation was systematically investigated. The performance of different solvent models was also assessed. The higher thermodynamic stability of fluorescein dianion over the monoanion doublet in the solvent phase plays a crucial role in quenching photodetachment and activating the radiative channel with a high fluorescence quantum yield.
Investigation of hydrogen-enriched kerosene-fueled rotating detonation engine with multi-column film cooling
Authors: Li Jingzhe , Yu Jingtian , Li Jianghong , Lei Ying , Yao Songbai , Zhang Wenwu
Published: January 2024

To address the thermal protection challenges associated with the rotating detonation engine (RDE) in engineering applications, this study employs a three-dimensional numerical simulation based on the Eulerian–Lagrangian model to investigate the flow field of the kerosene-fueled rotating detonation with hydrogen addition. We explore the interaction between the rotating detonation flow field and the cooling air induced by multiple columns of uniformly distributed film cooling holes and also analyze the cooling effectiveness of film cooling. In the flow field where the rotating detonation wave passes through the film hole periodically at a high frequency, an increase in the number of film hole columns can decrease the fluctuation amplitude of the cooling air mass flow rate, and the recovery time of the blockage of film cooling holes shortens within a complete rotating detonation cycle. At a low injection pressure of 0.4 MPa, the cooling jet can barely be injected into the combustor. As the injection pressure increases to 0.6 and 0.8 MPa, the mass flow rate of cooling air increases significantly with enhanced cooling efficiency; however, a further rise to 1.0 MPa may result in the detachment of cooling air from the surface, without providing additional improvements in the protection area and cooling efficiency. Along the axial direction of the RDE, film cooling holes demonstrate an enhancement in cooling efficiency, which is found to maximize near the outlet.
The effects of secondary cavitation position on the velocity of a laser-induced microjet extracted using explainable artificial intelligence
Authors: Igarashi Daichi , Yee Jingzu , Yokoyama Yuto , Kusuno Hiroaki , Tagawa Yoshiyuki
Published: January 2024

The control of the velocity of a high-speed laser-induced microjet is crucial in applications such as needle-free injection. Previous studies have indicated that the jet velocity is heavily influenced by the volumes of secondary cavitation bubbles generated through laser absorption. However, there has been a lack of investigation of the relationship between the positions of secondary cavitation bubbles and the jet velocity. In this study, we investigate the effects of secondary cavitation on the jet velocity of laser-induced microjets extracted using explainable artificial intelligence (XAI). An XAI is used to classify the jet velocity from images of secondary cavitation and to extract features from the images through visualization of the classification process. For this purpose, we run 1000 experiments and collect the corresponding images. The XAI model, which is a feedforward neural network (FNN), is trained to classify the jet velocity from the images of secondary cavitation bubbles. After achieving a high classification accuracy, we analyze the classification process of the FNN. The predictions of the FNN, when considering the secondary cavitation positions, show a higher correlation with the jet velocity than the results considering only secondary cavitation volumes. Further investigation suggested that secondary cavitation that occurs closer to the laser focus position has a higher acceleration effect. These results suggest that the velocity of a high-speed microjet is also affected by the secondary cavitation position.
Interfacial electron transfer of perylenes: Influence of the anchor binding mode
Authors: Yan Han , Harmer Ryan , Zafar Binish , Galoppini Elena , Gundlach Lars
Published: January 2024

Interfacial electron transfer (IET) through saturated single-linker and dual-linker groups from a perylene chromophore into nanostructured TiO2 films was studied by ultrafast spectroscopy. Perylene chromophores with one and two propanoic acid linker groups in the peri and ortho positions were investigated. In comparison to previously studied perylenes bound via unsaturated acrylic acid linkers, the chromophores with saturated linkers showed bi-exponential IET dynamics. Two distinct transfer times were observed that indicate the presence of two concurrent binding modes. A comparison between ortho- and peri-substituted sensitizers resulted in slower IET dynamics and weaker electronic coupling for ortho substitution. Finally, IET from sensitizers with saturated linker groups is neither promoted nor hindered by a second linker group. This indicates that only one of the two linkers binds covalently to the surface. This study reveals the importance of the anchor-binding mode and design considerations of the linker for regulating IET.
Dissipative coupling induced UWB magnonic frequency comb generation
Authors: Liu Zeng-Xing
Published: January 2024

Magnonic frequency combs have recently attracted particular attention due to their potential impact on spin-wave science. Here, we demonstrate theoretically the generation of ultra-wideband magnonic frequency combs induced by dissipative coupling in an open cavity magnomechanical system. A broadband comb with gigahertz repetition rates is obtained in the magnonic spectrum, and a typical non-perturbation frequency-comb structure is also observed. The total width of the magnonic comb in the robust plateau region can be up to ∼400 comb lines, which is much broader and flatter than that reported in the previous works. Furthermore, when the dissipative coupling strength is further increased, the chaotic motion is predicted in the magnonic spectrum. Our results provide an in-depth understanding of nonlinear magnomechanic dynamics in open quantum systems and fundamentally broaden the research range of magnon in wider spectral regimes.
Genetic transformation of the frog-killing chytrid fungus
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Authors: Kalinka Erik , Brody Stephanie M. , Swafford Andrew J. M. , Medina Edgar M. , Fritz-Laylin Lillian K.
Published: January 2024

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
(
Bd
), a causative agent of chytridiomycosis, is decimating amphibian populations around the world.
Bd
belongs to the chytrid lineage, a group of early-diverging fungi that are widely used to study fungal evolution. Like all chytrids,
Bd
develops from a motile form into a sessile, growth form, a transition that involves drastic changes in its cytoskeletal architecture. Efforts to study
Bd
cell biology, development, and pathogenicity have been limited by the lack of genetic tools with which to test hypotheses about underlying molecular mechanisms. Here, we report the development of a transient genetic transformation system for
Bd
. We used electroporation to deliver exogenous DNA into
Bd
cells and detected transgene expression for up to three generations under both heterologous and native promoters. We also adapted the transformation protocol for selection using an antibiotic resistance marker. Finally, we used this system to express fluorescent protein fusions and, as a proof of concept, expressed a genetically encoded probe for the actin cytoskeleton. Using live-cell imaging, we visualized the distribution and dynamics of polymerized actin at each stage of the
Bd
life cycle, as well as during key developmental transitions. This transformation system enables direct testing of key hypotheses regarding mechanisms of
Bd
pathogenesis. This technology also paves the way for answering fundamental questions of chytrid cell, developmental, and evolutionary biology.
A simple methodology for identifying speech act tendencies
Authors: Dixon Tülay , Dixon Daniel H.
Published: January 2024

Speech act studies often compare two or more groups of speakers by analyzing how often each group uses a given
strategy to realize a speech act. Since the goal of such studies is to compare groups, they often do not discuss the variation
that exists within the groups and, by extension, what can be considered a speech act tendency for a given group. To illustrate
within-group variation and how such variation can be interpreted to identify the speech act tendencies of a group, this study used
e-mail refusals of requests written by 50 native speakers of English as a case study. Data were collected using a discourse
completion task and analyzed for participants’ strategies to refuse a request. Descriptive statistics show a considerable amount
of variation in this rather homogenous group of English speakers but also allow for the identification of both commonly and rarely
used refusal strategies. These findings highlight the importance of considering the commonly used strategies and the rarely used
strategies when attempting to empirically identify speech act tendencies for teaching and assessment purposes. Implications of the
results for future research, teaching, and assessment practices are discussed.
Sequence organization in L2 interactions
Authors: Garre-León Víctor
Published: January 2024

Employing conversation analysis (CA) to analyze a first encounter between a second language (L2) learner and a
native speaker (NS) of Spanish, this study demonstrates how interactants’ differences in deploying sequence expansion and
recipient uptake impact the interaction. Focusing on sequence organization during storytelling episodes, I argue that both
interactants, teller and recipient, act as co-authors of the telling episode by conveying stancetaking differently, to display
(mis)alignment and/or (dis)affiliation with the telling. The focal data are derived from one videotaped, semi-structured
conversation of an L2-NS dyad. I identify ten focal episodes of sequences representing some form of post-expansions, recipient
uptake, and stancetaking. The study reveals that these two speakers used post-expansions differently: the Spanish NS used them to
accept a second-pair part; the Spanish learner employed them to close a second-pair part and transition toward a new topic, such
as when encountering less-preferred recipient uptake. Gestures and gaze (e.g., looking away from the interlocutor) accentuated
closing a dispreferred second-pair part. Given the importance of recipient uptake in talk-in-interaction, the article offers
implications for research and pedagogy regarding training L2 learners to produce appropriate sequences beyond minimal
post-expansions in talk.
Fast crystallization of InSe thin films via pulsed laser welding technique and effect of crystallinity on the optical and dielectric properties
Authors: Khusayfan Najla M , Qasrawi A F , Khanfar Hazem K , Alharbi Seham R
Published: January 2024

In the current study the crystalline phase of indium selenide thin films which were grown by the thermal evaporation technique is achieved via pulsed laser welding technique (PLW) in a second. The films crystallinity is achieved under various welding conditions including the pulse width (

PW

), repetition frequency (

f

r

) and pulse diameter (

d

). The optimum parameters for obtaining well crystalline phase are

PW
=
1.0

ms,

f

r

=
10

Hz and

d
=

1.0 mm. PLW induced crystallinity showed preferred structure relating to monoclinic phase of InSe. Compositionally while amorphous films exhibited In2Se3 chemical structure, crystalline ones preferred InSe phase. Associated with this type of crystallinity, direct and indirect energy band gap values of 2.32 eV and 3.12 eV are determined. The crystalline films showed lower dielectric constant value accompanied with higher optical conductivity and higher terahertz cutoff frequency in the infrared range of light. In addition the dielectric dispersion spectra were treated using Drude–Lorentz model to read the optical conductivity parameters for the PLW assisted crystalline InSe terahertz resonators. The treatment showed that the crystallinity of the films resulted in improved free carrier density, longer relaxation times at femtosecond level, larger plasmon frequencies and higher drift mobility values. These features together with the response of terahertz cutoff frequency to IR excitations make crystalline InSe thin films promising for optoelectronic and terahertz technology applications.
Development of Schottky barrier field-effect transistors (SB-MOSFET) with ultra-low thermal budget
Authors: Molina-Reyes Joel , Jimenez Arely-Vazquez , Juarez Adriana Mercedes Cuellar
Published: January 2024

This work presents the development of SB-MOSFET transistors incorporating thin HfO2 as a thin gate dielectric deposited by thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) at low temperature. Aluminum thin films were used as the source/drain (S/D) and gate (G) electrodes, using e-beam evaporation at high-vacuum conditions. Even though low subthreshold slope (SS) values of 111 mV/dec and threshold voltage (Vth) of 0.58 V were obtained using a low thermal budget of 150 °C for transistor fabrication, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis highlights the importance of proper mask alignment in order to enhance electrical performance and thus, reproducibility of the electrical characteristics of this device. This device can be fully integrated into silicon after standard Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible processing, so that it could be easily adopted into Front-End-Of-Line or even in Back-End-Of-Line stages of an integrated circuit, where low thermal budget is required and where its functionality could be increased by developing additional and fast logic.
Ion temperature dynamics for the edge and scrape-off layer plasma turbulence: role of gyro-viscosity and vorticity
Authors: Bisai N
Published: January 2024

In the presence of magnetic curvature and density/pressure inhomogeneity, the edge and scrape-off layer (SOL) regions of a tokamak plasma are highly turbulent mainly because of the drift/interchange instability mechanisms. The divergence of ion polarization drift contains the ion diamagnetic drift and

E

⃗

×

B

⃗

drift velocity to define the plasma vorticity and convection of fluid, which can be approximated in several ways using various combinations of these two drifts. Here, in this work, three different approximations are used to represent three different models and are solved numerically. The numerical results indicate that the basic results of turbulence like radial profiles, radial electric field gradients, fluctuation labels, and Reynolds stress are widely different from the three different models. As these models provide different results, therefore, one must be careful to use these approximations for the description of turbulence. This work may be useful in choosing appropriate approximations to include ion temperature gradients for the turbulence studies on tokamaks/stellarators. The role of gyro-viscosity for plasma turbulence has been identified in this work.
Wear Properties of Metal Material in Dredging Equipment
Authors: Wang Wenkui , Hu Jingzhao , Guo Tao
Published: January 2024

In dredging engineering, the parts of dredging and conveying system which contact with dredging mixture often suffer from serious wear and short service life. In order to improve the durability of materials, new materials and generation processes are constantly proposed. It is always a difficult work to analyze the wear properties and mechanism of materials.In this paper, dry friction and abrasive wear tests were carried out on Cr15, Cr26, Fedur®40, medium manganese steel and XGG with Q235 carbon steel as the comparison material. The wear mechanism of materials was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation on the wear surface of materials. Under the test conditions, the dry friction wear rates of the five materials were 6.98×10−6 mm3/Nm,5.71×10−6 mm3/Nm,20.2×10−6 mm3/Nm,21.9×10−6 mm3/Nm and 5.39×10−6 mm3/Nm respectively.The wear rates of abrasive wear tests were 58.3×10−6 mm3/Nm,25.2×10−6 mm3/Nm,83.4×10−6 mm3/Nm,30.9×10−6 mm3/Nm and 32.1×10−6 mm3/Nm respectively. The results show that the metal surface is covered with coarse and deep cutting and chipping marks under abrasive wear, while the metal surface only has fine furrowing and a little fatigue spalling under dry friction wear. The wear rate of abrasive wear of five wear-resistant materials is much higher than that of dry friction wear. Cr26 and XGG showed better wear performance than other materials under the two test conditions.
Time calibration and synchronization of the scintillation light detection system in ICARUS-T600
Authors: Raselli G.L. , Behera B. , Benocci R. , Bonesini M. , Copello S. , Diwan M. , Menegolli A. , Petrillo G. , Prata M.C. , Rossella M. , Torretta D. , Vicenzi M. ,   the Icarus collaboration
Published: January 2024

The ICARUS-T600 Liquid Argon (LAr) Time Projection Chamber (TPC) is presently taking data
in the Short Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program at Fermilab (U.S.A.) to search for a possible LSND-like
sterile neutrino signal at Δm
2 ≈ 1 eV2 with the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB). A
light detection system, based on 360 large area Photo-Multiplier Tubes (PMTs), has been realized
for ICARUS-T600 to detect VUV photons produced by the passage of ionizing particles in LAr. This
system is fundamental for the TPC operation, providing an efficient trigger and contributing to
the 3D reconstruction of events. Moreover, since the detector is exposed to a huge flux of cosmic
rays due to its shallow depths installation, the light detection system allows for the time
reconstruction of events, contributing to the identification and to the selection of genuine
neutrino interactions. The correct time reconstruction of events requires the precise knowledge of
the delay of each PMT channel and a good synchronization of recording electronics, this last based
on fast sampling digitizers. To achieve a time resolution better than 1 ns, we perform three
consecutive timing corrections deployed at different stages of the optical data flow. Results
demonstrate the capability of the ICARUS-T600 light detection system to allow a precise
reconstruction of the temporal evolution of each event occurring in the detector and the
association of neutrino events with the bunched structure of BNB.
Development of a compact scintillator-based gamma-ray neutron detector for terrestrial and space applications
Authors: Ölçek Deniz , Jebali Ramsey Al , Meier Dirk , Haavik Andreas Fagerland , Gheorghe Codin , Gjennestad Magne Sødal , Hamran Svein-Erik , Kohfeldt Anja , Maehlum Gunnar
Published: January 2024

We present the development of a gamma ray and neutron detector for possible use in terrestrial and planetary science. The detector is based on a monolithic scintillator coupled to an array of silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) read out by compact integrated electronics, and it shall allow one to detect gamma-rays and neutrons with energies from 0.025 eV to 1 MeV with energy resolution of < 4% full-width half-maximum (FWHM) at 662 keV (Cs-137). Among the various scintillators studied, we measured the energy resolution of 4.87% FWHM at 662 keV with a monolithic and cylindrical CLLBC and confirmed acceptable sensitivity to thermal neutrons at 3.1 MeV. The results are promising towards our goal to measure the abundance of hydrogen bearing compounds and rock-forming elements for planetary geology research.
A laserball calibration device for the SNO+ scintillator phase
Authors: Valder S. , Gibson-Foster A. , Falk E. , Peeters S.J.M. , Mills C. , Nirkko M. , Rigan M. , Sinclair J.
Published: January 2024

Located 2 km underground in SNOLAB, Sudbury, Canada, SNO+ is
a large scale liquid scintillator experiment that primarily aims to
search for neutrinoless double beta decay. Whilst SNO+ has light and
radioactive calibration sources external to the inner volume, an
internally deployed optical source is necessary for the full
characterization of the detector model. A laser diffuser ball
developed for SNO has previously demonstrated to be an effective
optical calibration device for both SNO and SNO+ water phase. Since
the introduction of liquid scintillator for SNO+, the material
compatibility, cleanliness, and radiopurity requirements of any
materials in contact with the internal medium have
increased. Improving on the original SNO laserball design, a new
laserball calibration device has been developed for the SNO+
scintillator phase with the goal of measuring the optical properties
of the detector and performing routine PMT gain and timing
calibrations. Simulations have been written to model the diffusion
properties to optimise optical and temporal performance for
calibration. Prototype laserballs have been built and characterised,
demonstrating sub-ns timing resolution and a quasi-isotropic light
distribution.
An experimental investigation of the proton fraction in a three electrode 2.45 GHz ECR ion source
Authors: Kewlani H.M. , Gharat S.H. , Roychowdhury P. , Dikshit B. , kumar Rajesh
Published: January 2024

The ion beam extracted from a proton ion source contains
H+ ion along with H2
+ and H3
+ molecular ions. In this
work, the ionic fractions in the extracted beam of ECR ion source
were measured using an analyzing magnet. A computerized proton
fraction measurement setup is described in detail with
instrumentation and control for pulsed operation of the ECR ion
source. A timing diagram has been incorporated for trigger
synchronization illustrating the process of pulsing the plasma,
controlling the analyzing magnet parameters and acquiring data about
the magnetic field and beam current. The proton fraction was
measured in two cases, in the first case using SS304 plasma chamber
and in the second case incorporating aluminium (Al) cylinder and
boron nitride (BN) plates inside the plasma chamber. In the first
case, the proton fraction was found to be in the range of ∼60%
and in the second case because of the presence of secondary electron
donors it increased to 93%. In order to understand the enhancement
of H+ fraction in the hydrogen plasma, plasma parameters (ne
,
Te
and EEDF) and its dependence on microwave power and neutral
gas pressure were investigated.
Beyond the forecast: knowledge gaps to anticipate disasters in armed conflict areas with high forced displacement
Authors: Jaime Catalina , de Perez Erin Coughlan , van Aalst Maarten , Easton-Calabria Evan
Published: January 2024

Although conflict-affected populations are often exposed to and severely impacted by disasters, little is known about their perceptions and practices concerning early warning and early action (EWEA) or how EWEA strategies can protect communities affected by conflict- and climate-related disasters. This is particularly problematic as, due to the multiple challenges posed by conflict and compound crises in these contexts, early warnings of weather hazards do not often translate in early actions. This comprehensive literature review examined 384 peer reviewed papers produced between 2004 and 2022, focused on the 20 countries most affected by non-international armed conflict and exposed to climate hazards. This paper answers the question: what is the state of knowledge of EWEA for climate hazards in countries affected by armed conflict and high levels of forced displacement?Findings demonstrate that most research focuses on climate science rather than social science across six elements of the EWEA value chain: 1. hazards analysis, 2. understanding vulnerability and exposure, 3. warning communication and dissemination, 4. forecasting availability and monitoring, 5. early action planning, and 6. financing systems. In total, 75.65% of the research studies focused on hazard analysis, forecast availability, and monitoring. There has been a strong increase in academic research on EWEA in conflict-affected countries since 2004. However, we identify that most of this research has been in Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Nigeria which, although severely affected by conflict, also have a higher level of economic development and stability. In contrast, there is little research focused on EWEA in most of the remaining countries. Across all thematic areas, there is a lack of consideration of conflict dynamics in EWEA research. This paper contributes to evidence on the need to recognize people affected by conflict in disaster risk reduction, as called for in the Sendai Framework for Action midterm review, with the aim of enhancing EWEA investments to enable tailored approaches appropriate for conflict-affected states.
The entanglement criteria based on equiangular tight frames
Authors: Shi Xian
Published: January 2024

Finite tight frames play an important role in miscellaneous areas, including quantum information theory. Here we apply a class of tight frames, equiangular tight frames, to address the problem of detecting the entanglement of bipartite states. Here we derive some entanglement criteria based on positive operator-valued measurements built from equiangular tight frames. We also present a class of entanglement witnesses based on the equiangular tight frames. At last, we generalize the entanglement criterion for bipartite systems to multipartite systems.
The optimization and comparison of two high-throughput faecal headspace sampling platforms: the microchamber/thermal extractor and hi-capacity sorptive extraction probes (HiSorb)
Authors: van Vorstenbosch Robert , Mommers Alex , Pachen Daniëlle , van Schooten Frederik-Jan , Smolinska Agnieszka
Published: January 2024

Disease detection and monitoring using volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is becoming increasingly popular. For a variety of (gastrointestinal) diseases the microbiome should be considered. As its output is to large extent volatile, faecal volatilomics carries great potential. One technical limitation is that current faecal headspace analysis requires specialized instrumentation which is costly and typically does not work in harmony with thermal desorption units often utilized in e.g. exhaled breath studies. This lack of harmonization hinders uptake of such analyses by the Volatilomics community. Therefore, this study optimized and compared two recently harmonized faecal headspace sampling platforms: High-capacity Sorptive extraction (HiSorb) probes and the Microchamber thermal extractor (Microchamber). Statistical design of experiment was applied to find optimal sampling conditions by maximizing reproducibility, the number of VOCs detected, and between subject variation. To foster general applicability those factors were defined using semi-targeted as well as untargeted metabolic profiles. HiSorb probes were found to result in a faster sampling procedure, higher number of detected VOCs, and higher stability. The headspace collection using the Microchamber resulted in a lower number of detected VOCs, longer sampling times and decreased stability despite a smaller number of interfering VOCs and no background signals. Based on the observed profiles, recommendations are provided on pre-processing and study design when using either one of both platforms. Both can be used to perform faecal headspace collection, but altogether HiSorb is recommended.
Polymorphism of the myostatin gene exon 1 using PCR-RFLP technique in five beef cattle in Indonesia
Authors: Naufal S M , Jakaria  , Noor R R
Published: January 2024

This study aims to analyze the polymorphism of the myostatin (MSTN) gene in exon 1 at SNPc.111G>C (rs523392653) and SNPc.267G>A (rs383271508) on various beef cattle in Indonesia. A total of 136 DNA samples were analyzed in this study, consisting of 33 heads of Madura, 31 heads of PO, 36 heads of Bali, 18 heads of Simmental, and 18 heads of Limousin cattle. The DNA sample was collected from the Animal Molecular Genetic Laboratory, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University. Along 608 bp of DNA sequence was amplified using PCR with forward primer was 5′-CAA GTT GTC TCT CAG ACT GG-3′ and reverse primer was 5′-CTC CTC CTT ACA TAC AAG CC-3′ and annealing temperature was 59°C. The amplified DNA was then digested with HaeIII and AluI restriction enzymes using the RFLP method to determine polymorphism. Genotype frequencies, allele frequencies, PIC, and heterozygosity values were calculated with the PopGen32 program. The HaeIII enzyme produces two genotypes, GG and CG, while the AluI enzyme produces three: GG, AG, and AA. SNPc.111G>C polymorphism was found in Madura and PO cattle, while SNPc.267G>A polymorphism was found in Madura, PO, and Bali cattle. Both Simmental and Limousin cattle were monomorphic.
Germplasm of Indonesia local pig: potential, threat of extinction, and conservation strategy
Authors: Lase J A , Surya  , Costa M A Da
Published: January 2024

One type of livestock that is widely cultivated by some people is pigs, especially local pigs. Pigs are popular animals and are widely cultivated for needs related to socio-culture, traditional ceremonies, religious ceremonies, weddings and other ceremonies by certain community people’s in Indonesia. Indonesia has germplasm of five local pig species from eight types of pig species in the world. The pigs species lives and develops in several main areas, namely in Sumatra, Kalimantan, East Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi and Papua. Local pig species in Indonesia include Nias pig, Toba pig, Samosir pig, Bali pig, Toraja pig and Papua pig. Currently, local pigs are facing the threat of extinction, due to low productivity so that people tend to keep imported pigs with better productivity. In addition, the threat of epidemics, poaching and the absence of real preservation and conservation measures from the government have also contributed to the decline in the local pig population in Indonesia. Conservation actions that can be taken include: 1) Establish areas for cultivation and development of local pigs in districts/cities; (2) Maintaining the existence and use of public grazing land for local pig farming; and (3) Develop and increase the productivity of local pigs. In local pigs that have been raised by the community, conservation is carried out by selecting within the clump so that purity is maintained and conservation through efforts to improve the management of local pigs.
Sustaining livestock: minimum technical requirements and quality standards for Angus Grade - Black Cattle in Sragen Regency in supporting livestock preservation
Authors: Adinata Y , Krishna N H , Riyanto J
Published: January 2024

This research focuses on establishing the minimum technical requirements and quality standards for Angus Grade - Black Cattle, to promote sustainable livestock practices and support the preservation of genetic resources. The absence of standardized quality measures for Angus Grade - Black Cattle necessitates the use of data from field surveys in Sragen Regency as a baseline for initial quality standards until national standards are established. The study defines the minimum technical requirements for Angus Grade - Black Cattle breeding, with a special emphasis on sustainable production, encompassing both qualitative and quantitative criteria. the minimum requirements (in centimeters) of chest circumference, shoulder height, body length for male candidates aged 24-36 months are: Class 1 - 191, 139, 140; Class 2 - 187, 138, 137; Class 3 - 182, 137, 135, for female candidates aged 18-24 months are: Class 1 - 170, 127, 129; Class 2 - 168, 125, 126; Class 3 - 165, 124, 124, female candidates aged 24-36 months are: Class 1 - 178, 130, 131; Class 2 - 174, 129, 128; Class 3 - 170, 128, 126, respectively. These stringent requirements aim to select high-quality Angus Grade - Black Cattle for breeding, ensuring sustainable livestock production, genetic preservation, and overall productivity.
Reproductive performance of female rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) at the smallholder farmer in Karanganyar Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia
Authors: Novitasari L , Nurhidayati S A , Cahyadi M , Wati A K , Pawestri W , Yanti Y
Published: January 2024

The aims of this study was to find out the reproductive performance of female rabbits in small holder farmer in Karanganyar Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia. This research was conducted in July-Desember 2022 in Colomadu, Gondangrejo, Kebakkramat, Karanganyar, Matesih, Jumantono, Jumapolo, Karangpandan, and Tawangmangu. The methode used in this research was a survey with a purposive sampling method. The number of respondents used was 30 New Zealand White rabbit farmers. Data collection was carried out through interviews and observation. Research parameters used in reproduction were the age of first birth, gestation period, litter size, kitten interval, and service per conception (S/C). The results showed that average age of first bith, gestation lenght, litter size, kindling interval, service per conception (S/C) were 6.1±0.8 month, 30±0.7 days, 6.0±1.0 kits, 75.8±9.9 days, 1.6±0.7 times. It can be concluded that the reproductive performance of female rabbit in Karanganyar Regency were classified as in a good condition and have a potential to be developed in the future.
Primer design and restriction site analysis targeting POU domain class 1 transcription factor 1 gene of Friesian Holstein in silico
Authors: Nissa N A , Pramono A , Trilaksono B , Cahyadi M , Volkandari S D
Published: January 2024

This study was conducted to design primer set and to map restriction site targeting synonymous mutation c.297A>G of the POU domain class 1 transcription factor 1 gene (POU1F1) of Friesian Holstein in silico. Primer set was designed to target exon 3 of the POU1F1 based on nucleotide sequence at GenBank database with accession number NC_037328.1 using primer3. Simulations of amplification targeting POU1F1 fragment and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were conducted in silico using serial cloner version 2.6 and NEBcutter version 3.0, respectively. This study used a primer pair (5′-CCT TTT AGA ACT GAG ACT GGC TG-3′ and 5′-CCC ACA GCT GTT AAC AAG CA-3′) that produce 356 bp of estimated product size. Moreover, a synonymous mutation, c.297A>G of the POU1F1, could be detected using BsII restriction enzyme in silico. The BsII did not have restriction site for AA genotype. On the other hand, it could cut the PCR product size into two fragments (167 and 189 bp) for GG genotype. It can be concluded that in silico analysis successfully amplified target region using primer designed in this study and RFLP simulation using BsII could detect synonymous mutation c.297A>G of the POU1F1. Further in vitro study should be conducted to identify c.297A>G in Friesian Holstein population.
Evaluation of perilla seeds (Perilla frutescens) based on nutrient digestibility and pH in vitro tilley and terry
Authors: Hadi R F , Widyawati S D , Hanifa A
Published: January 2024

The study was carried out to evaluate the provision of perilla seeds (Perilla frutescens) with the addition of tannins to pH, IVDMD (in vitro dry matter digestibility), and IVOMD (in vitro organic matter digestibility) in the rumen and post rumen. The research used according Completely Randomized Design with four treatments and four replications: T1 = 100% perilla seeds, T2 = 100% perilla seeds + 1% tannin, T3 = 90% basal ration + 10% perilla seeds, T4 = 90% basal ration + 10% perilla seeds + 1% tannin. The method used in vitro two-stage digestibility to the observed of stage I (rumen) and stage II (total). The variables evaluated in this study included IVDMD stage I, IVDMD stage II, IVOMD stage I, IVOMD stage II, and pH. The results showed that giving perilla seeds with the addition of tannin had a pH value obtained in accordance with the pH standard in the rumen (P>0.05); IVDMD stage I and stage II respectively 22.91-35.85% and 36.01-44.15% (P<0.05); IVOMD stage I and stage II were 38.15-48.36% (P<0.05) and 50.04-55.35% (P<0.05), respectively. The conclusion of this research was carried out to give perilla seeds at a level of 10% and 1% tannin in the ration had diverse nutrient digestibility in the rumen and post-rumen. However, it does not affect the pH of the rumen.
Production and carcass quality of thin-tailed sheep fed diets containing protected and unprotected soybean groats
Authors: Riyanto J , Sudibya S , Ramadhati Y
Published: January 2024

This study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding protected and unprotected soybean groats with different ratios on production and carcass quality of male thin-tailed sheep (TTS). The TTS were fattened for 3 months with an average initial weight of 24.09 ± 1.26 kg. Treatments consist of P1=protected and unprotected soybean groats 10%:5%, P2=protected and unprotected soybean groats 7.5%:7.5% and P3=protected and unprotected soybean groats 5%:10%. Data were analysed using a completely randomized design with three treatments and three replications. The variables observed in this study were the slaughter weight, percentage (carcass, non-carcass, meat, fat), fleshing index, rib eye muscle (longissimus dorsi) area, and meat bone ratio. This study displayed significant improvement from treatment using 10% protected + 5% unprotected soybean groats (P1), having the highest meat and fat percentage, as well as meat bone ratio. Inclusion of protected soybean groats in the diet up to 10% level had limited effect (P>0.05) on slaughter weight, carcass percentage, non-carcass percentage, fleshing index, and rib eye muscle area. This study suggests the combination of soybean groats in the diet in the form of protected:unprotected (10%:5%) provide significant improvement on carcass characteristics, while maintaining quality of carcass in the thin-tailed sheep. Further study on meat quality attributes from these supplementations requires deeper exploration.