bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Specifically adsorbed ferrous ions modulate interfacial affinity for high-rate ammonia electrosynthesis from nitrate in neutral media
Authors: Liu Chunlei , Zhang Gong , Zhang Wei , Gu Zhenao , Zhu Guibing
Published: January 2023

The electrolysis of nitrate reduction to ammonia (NRA) is promising for obtaining value-added chemicals and mitigating environmental concerns. Recently, catalysts with high-performance ammonia synthesis from nitrate has been achieved under alkaline or acidic conditions. However, NRA in neutral solution still suffers from the low yield rate and selectivity of ammonia due to the low binding affinity and nucleophilicity of NO
3
−
. Here, we confirmed that the in-situ-generated Fe(II) ions existed as specifically adsorbed cations in the inner Helmholtz plane (IHP) with a low redox potential. Inspired by this, a strategy (Fe-IHP strategy) was proposed to enhance NRA activity by tuning the affinity of the electrode–electrolyte interface. The specifically adsorbed Fe(II) ions [SA-Fe(II)] greatly alleviated the electrostatic repulsion around the interfaceresulting in a 10-fold lower in the adsorption-free energy of NO
3
−
when compared to the case without SA-Fe(II). Meanwhile, the modulated interface accelerated the kinetic mass transfer process by 25 folds compared to the control. Under neutral conditions, a Faraday efficiency of 99.6%, a selectivity of 99%, and an extremely high NH
3
yield rate of 485.8 mmol h
−1
g
−1
FeOOH
were achieved. Theoretical calculations and in-situ Raman spectroscopy confirmed the electron-rich state of the SA-Fe(II) donated to
p
orbitals of N atom and favored the hydrogenation of *NO to *NOH for promoting the formation of high-selectivity ammonia. In sum, these findings complement the textbook on the specific adsorption of cations and provide insights into the design of low-cost NRA catalysts with efficient ammonia synthesis.
Cholesterol in the cargo membrane amplifies tau inhibition of kinesin-1-based transport
Authors: Li Qiaochu , Ferrare James T. , Silver Jonathan , Wilson John O. , Arteaga-Castaneda Luis , Qiu Weihong , Vershinin Michael , King Stephen J. , Neuman Keir C. , Xu Jing
Published: January 2023

Intracellular cargos are often membrane-enclosed and transported by microtubule-based motors in the presence of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). Whereas increasing evidence reveals how MAPs impact the interactions between motors and microtubules, critical questions remain about the impact of the cargo membrane on transport. Here we combined in vitro optical trapping with theoretical approaches to determine the effect of a lipid cargo membrane on kinesin-based transport in the presence of MAP tau. Our results demonstrate that attaching kinesin to a fluid lipid membrane reduces the inhibitory effect of tau on kinesin. Moreover, adding cholesterol, which reduces kinesin diffusion in the cargo membrane, amplifies the inhibitory effect of tau on kinesin binding in a dosage-dependent manner. We propose that reduction of kinesin diffusion in the cargo membrane underlies the effect of cholesterol on kinesin binding in the presence of tau, and we provide a simple model for this proposed mechanism. Our study establishes a direct link between cargo membrane cholesterol and MAP-based regulation of kinesin-1. The cholesterol effects uncovered here may more broadly extend to other lipid alterations that impact motor diffusion in the cargo membrane, including those associated with aging and neurological diseases.
Macrophages modulate stiffness-related foreign body responses through plasma membrane deformation
Authors: Ni Yueqi , Qi Haoning , Zhang Fanyu , Jiang Shuting , Tang Qinchao , Cai Wenjin , Mo Wenting , Miron Richard J. , Zhang Yufeng
Published: January 2023

Implants are widely used in medical applications and yet macrophage-mediated foreign body reactions caused by implants severely impact their therapeutic effects. Although the extensive use of multiple surface modifications has been introduced to provide some mitigation of fibrosis, little is known about how macrophages recognize the stiffness of the implant and thus influence cell behaviors. Here, we demonstrated that macrophage stiffness sensing leads to differential inflammatory activation, resulting in different degrees of fibrosis. The potential mechanism for macrophage stiffness sensing in the early adhesion stages tends to involve cell membrane deformations on substrates with different stiffnesses. Combining theory and experiments, we show that macrophages exert traction stress on the substrate through adhesion and altered membrane curvature, leading to the uneven distribution of the curvature-sensing protein Baiap2, resulting in cytoskeleton remodeling and inflammation inhibition. This study introduces a physical model feedback mechanism for early cellular stiffness sensing based on cell membrane deformation, offering perspectives for future material design and targeted therapies.
Characterization of a glycan-binding complex of minor pilins completes the analysis of
Streptococcus sanguinis
type 4 pili subunits
Authors: Shahin Meriam , Sheppard Devon , Raynaud Claire , Berry Jamie-Lee , Gurung Ishwori , Silva Lisete M. , Feizi Ten , Liu Yan , Pelicic Vladimir
Published: January 2023

Type 4 filaments (T4F)—of which type 4 pili (T4P) are the archetype—are a superfamily of nanomachines nearly ubiquitous in prokaryotes. T4F are polymers of one major pilin, which also contain minor pilins whose roles are often poorly understood. Here, we complete the structure/function analysis of the full set of T4P pilins in the opportunistic bacterial pathogen
Streptococcus sanguinis
. We determined the structure of the minor pilin PilA, which is unexpectedly similar to one of the subunits of a tip-located complex of four minor pilins, widely conserved in T4F. We found that PilA interacts and dramatically stabilizes the minor pilin PilC. We determined the structure of PilC, showing that it is a modular pilin with a lectin module binding a subset of glycans prevalent in the human glycome, the host of
S. sanguinis
. Altogether, our findings support a model whereby the minor pilins in
S. sanguinis
T4P form a tip-located complex promoting adhesion to various host receptors. This has general implications for T4F.
Molecular imaging of chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1) in experimental acute lung injury
Authors: Mannes Philip Z. , Barnes Clayton E. , Biermann Jana , Latoche Joseph D. , Day Kathryn E. , Zhu Qin , Tabary Mohammadreza , Xiong Zeyu , Nedrow Jessie R. , Izar Benjamin , Anderson Carolyn J. , Villanueva Flordeliza S. , Lee Janet S. , Tavakoli Sina
Published: January 2023

The lack of techniques for noninvasive imaging of inflammation has challenged precision medicine management of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Here, we determined the potential of positron emission tomography (PET) of chemokine-like receptor-1 (CMKLR1) to monitor lung inflammation in a murine model of lipopolysaccharide-induced injury. Lung uptake of a CMKLR1-targeting radiotracer, [
64
Cu]NODAGA-CG34, was significantly increased in lipopolysaccharide-induced injury, correlated with the expression of multiple inflammatory markers, and reduced by dexamethasone treatment. Monocyte-derived macrophages, followed by interstitial macrophages and monocytes were the major CMKLR1-expressing leukocytes contributing to the increased tracer uptake throughout the first week of lipopolysaccharide-induced injury. The clinical relevance of CMKLR1 as a biomarker of lung inflammation in ARDS was confirmed using single-nuclei RNA-sequencing datasets which showed significant increases in
CMKLR1
expression among transcriptionally distinct subsets of lung monocytes and macrophages in COVID-19 patients vs. controls. CMKLR1-targeted PET is a promising strategy to monitor the dynamics of lung inflammation and response to anti-inflammatory treatment in ARDS.
Evolution of nanobodies specific for BCL11A
Authors: Yin Maolu , Izadi Manizheh , Tenglin Karin , Viennet Thibault , Zhai Liting , Zheng Ge , Arthanari Haribabu , Dassama Laura M. K. , Orkin Stuart H.
Published: January 2023

Transcription factors (TFs) control numerous genes that are directly relevant to many human disorders. However, developing specific reagents targeting TFs within intact cells is challenging due to the presence of highly disordered regions within these proteins. Intracellular antibodies offer opportunities to probe protein function and validate therapeutic targets. Here, we describe the optimization of nanobodies specific for BCL11A, a validated target for the treatment of hemoglobin disorders. We obtained first-generation nanobodies directed to a region of BCL11A comprising zinc fingers 4 to 6 (ZF456) from a synthetic yeast surface display library, and employed error-prone mutagenesis, structural determination, and molecular modeling to enhance binding affinity. Engineered nanobodies recognized ZF6 and mediated targeted protein degradation (TPD) of BCL11A protein in erythroid cells, leading to the anticipated reactivation of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expression. Evolved nanobodies distinguished BCL11A from its close paralog BCL11B, which shares an identical DNA-binding specificity. Given the ease of manipulation of nanobodies and their exquisite specificity, nanobody-mediated TPD of TFs should be suitable for dissecting regulatory relationships of TFs and gene targets and validating therapeutic potential of proteins of interest.
Developing and evaluating a contextualized interactional competence rating scale based on a metaphorical
conceptualization
Authors: Neiriz Reza
Published: January 2023

Rating scales developed to measure interactional competence (IC) are mainly data-driven which can incur
unaffordable costs for assessment practitioners with limited resources, such as universities using this test for placement
purposes. A cheaper alternative is to use models proposed in the literature to develop such rating scales. This mixed-methods
study evaluates a contextualized analytic IC rating scale developed based on Galaczi and
Taylor’s (2018) metaphorical conceptualization of IC. A many-facet Rasch analysis indicated this rating scale could
separate examinees into three levels of ability, which was lower than the expected four levels. To explore this finding, raters
were interviewed about their experiences of using this rating scale. The findings show the potential and limitations of developing
contextualized IC ratings scales based on literature and possible avenues for future research. They also suggest a direct
interaction between assessment and instructional practices of IC with implications for language teaching.
Developmental Profiles in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Silleresi Silvia
Published: January 2023

This book presents the current state of knowledge and recent advances on three topics in research on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): the (debated) existence of profiles of abilities, the role of bilingualism, and the impact of interactive technologies. It includes six chapters that cover: a review of morphosyntactic and phonological abilities in monolingual and bilingual children on the autism spectrum; the relation between extra-linguistic factors – intellectual abilities, severity of autism trait – and language skills; an experimental study that aims to identify profiles in children with autism; and current advances on the use of interactive technologies for assessing and training language abilities in ASD. This book will be useful to anyone interested in language acquisition and language development in autism.
Diaries and journals in study abroad research
Authors: Plews John L. , Misfeldt Kim , Feddersen Richard
Published: January 2023

This chapter examines journals as a method for gathering qualitative study abroad (SA) research data. We define various kinds of journals, trace their implementation, assess their contributions, and discuss their limitations. Journals-based SA research has shown individual variation, the impact of the cultural context on gendered and racialized participants, the influence of communicative competence and use on the intellectual and social sense of self, the importance of goal setting and learner agency, and the learning potential of journals as assignments with feedback. Limitations in SA research using journals concern data analysis, data presentation, and the consideration of the benefit to participants. We encourage SA researchers to work within the transformative paradigm, demonstrate comprehensive contemplative proximity, use formal analytical frameworks, and consider especially supported written reflection in the L2.
Narratives and identity in study abroad research
Authors: Tyne Henry
Published: January 2023

Study abroad can be seen as a journey through time and space, affording narratives. This chapter focuses on the study of narratives and questions of identity for study abroad research. Looking first at narrative inquiry in general, it then considers the use of narratives in second language acquisition studies, before going on to address issues arising in study abroad research in particular. Identity is discussed in relation to narratives and narrative inquiry. Limitations and issues arising in existing studies are discussed, and suggestions are given for working with narratives in future study abroad research.
Investigating pragmatic development in study abroad contexts
Authors: Nightingale Richard , Alcón-Soler Eva
Published: January 2023

A study abroad (SA) period is considered an optimum environment for developing pragmatic competence because of the unparalleled target-language access it provides. Within this context, pragmatic development has received extensive attention over the last two decades, during which we have seen an evolution in research orientations. Existing studies employ quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches, building on each other to paint a picture of SA pragmatic development as an inherently dynamic process contingent on interdependence between a range of cognitive, affective, behavioural, and contextual factors. This chapter will reflect on existing research in this area, focusing on the approach, contributions, and limitations of a range of studies, as well as highlighting research desiderata and recommending research directions for future studies.
Is ambient it truly non-referential?
Authors: Mathurin Élise
Published: January 2023

This chapter examines the non-referential status frequently ascribed to ambient it (i.e. the pronoun it used with weather verbs and expressions of time and distance). In line with Langacker (2011), I aim to show that this use of the pronoun it is in fact referential. First, I examine the reasons why ambient it is traditionally denied a referential status and propose counter arguments. I then argue that a speaker always conveys a referential intention when using ambient it (frequently accompanied by an ostension gesture). The pointed referent, although completely obvious, is vague and difficult to name and delimit. Finally, I analyze cases that share characteristics with ambient it but that cannot be entirely included in the same category.
Electric vehicles in the press
Authors: Vargas Elodie , Machy Jérémy
Published: January 2023

The chapter proposes a corpus-based study of references to electric vehicles, a controversial technological innovation. The aim is to see whether representations, especially as conveyed through referential expressions, show any convergences, whether within a given publication or a given country. The corpus comprises 130 online articles from French and German national daily newspapers (2015–2020), with a special focus on 2017–2018, which witnessed many changes in reporting on electric vehicles. The study finds that referential expressions partly differ in the two countries, especially as regards metaphors. It also shows that referential expressions can only be interpreted in context. A seemingly “neutral” noun phrase may carry strong economic, political and cultural orientations. As such, it is highly subjective, an instrument of power.
Who creates reference?
Authors: Consten Manfred
Published: January 2023

This contribution sketches the role of hearers in the long history of reference research. Canonical approaches from semantics and (early) pragmatics as well as cognitive approaches are discussed with respect to the increasing role that hearers play in these various notions of reference. In the framework of Text-world model theory, reference objects are considered to be mental concepts that can vary as discourse progresses, as a result of a negotiation between speakers and hearers. Examples from German oral conversation corpora show that reference should be described as a collaborative, interactive procedure in order to get a notion of reference that is compatible with and useful for the analysis of conversation phenomena.
Multiscale molecular dynamics simulations predict arachidonic acid binding sites in human ASIC1a and ASIC3 transmembrane domains
Authors: Ananchenko Anna , Musgaard Maria
Published: January 2023

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) play important roles in inflammatory pathways by conducting ions across the neuronal membrane in response to proton binding under acidic conditions. Recent studies have shown that ASICs can be modulated by arachidonic acid (AA), and, in the case of the ASIC3 subtype, even activated by AA at physiological pH. However, the mechanism by which these fatty acids act on the channel is still unknown. Here, we have used multiscale molecular dynamics simulations to predict a putative, general binding region of AA to models of the human ASIC protein. We have identified, in agreement with recent studies, residues in the outer leaflet transmembrane region which interact with AA. In addition, despite their similar modulation, we observe subtle differences in the AA interaction pattern between human ASIC1a and human ASIC3, which can be reversed by mutating three key residues at the outer leaflet portion of TM1. We further probed interactions with these residues in hASIC3 using atomistic simulations and identified possible AA coordinating interactions; salt bridge interactions of AA with R65hASIC3 and R68hASIC3 and AA tail interactions with the Y58hASIC3 aromatic ring. We have shown that longer fatty acid tails with more double bonds have increased relative occupancy in this region of the channel, a finding supported by recent functional studies. We further proposed that the modulatory effect of AA on ASIC does not result from changes in local membrane curvature. Rather, we speculate that it may occur through structural changes to the ion channel upon AA binding.
Low-Temperature Aqueous Na-Ion Batteries: Strategies and Challenges of Electrolyte Design
Authors: Guo Qiubo , Han Shuai , Lu Yaxiang , Chen Liquan , Hu Yong-Sheng
Published: January 2023

Aqueous Na-ion batteries (ANIBs) are considered to be promising secondary battery systems for grid-scale energy storage applications and have attracted widespread attention due to their unique merits of rich resources of Na, as well as the inherent safety and low cost of aqueous electrolytes. However, the narrow electrochemical stability widow and high freezing point of traditional dilute aqueous electrolytes restrict their multi-scenario applications. Considering the charge-storage mechanism of ANIBs, the optimization and design of aqueous Na-based electrolytes dominate their low-temperature performance, which is also hot off the press in this field. In this review, we first systematically comb the research progress of the novel electrolytes and point out their remaining challenges in ANIBs. Then our perspectives on how to further improve the low-temperature performance of ANIBs will also be discussed. Finally, this review briefly sheds light on the potential direction of low-temperature ANIBs, which would guide the future design of high-performance aqueous rechargeable batteries.
Mechanically coupled cantilever beam structure for piezoelectric energy harvesting
Authors: Batra Nitika , Deol Rajinder Singh , Singh Madhusudan , Mitra Bhaskar
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we report a wideband energy harvester where mechanical coupling of the cantilever beams in cascaded configuration employed using long and thin spring like structures to couple individual harvesters. The outcomes of designing uni-beam, dual-beam, tri-beam, and quad-beam coupled energy harvesters are compared using COMSOL as well as experimentally. Simulation results indicated that quad-beam coupled energy harvesters had a bandwidth of 11.9 Hz. Physical devices were fabricated in silicon and tested using PVDF-TrFE piezoelectric material and showed a bandwidth enhancement from 0.7 to 8.9 Hz. The coupling scheme may be extended to larger arrays to increase bandwidth further as per requirements.
Reconstructed lung doses for the million person study cohort of 26,650 Tennessee Eastman corporation workers employed between 1942 and 1947
Authors: Bellamy Michael , Eckerman Keith , Dauer Lawrence
Published: January 2023

Tennessee Eastman Corporation workers were exposed to uranium dust resulting in high-linear energy transfer (LET) irradiation to lung tissue. In this work, radiation lung doses were reconstructed for 26 650 men and women working at the plant between 1942 and 1947. Site air monitoring data of uranium concentrations and payroll records were used to determine the daily inhaled activities and annualized lung doses. Variations in the activity median aerodynamic diameter of the uranium dust, the solubility of particulate matter in the lungs and the sex-specific breathing rate were investigated as part of a sensitivity analysis. Male and female mean lung doses of 18.9 and 32.7 mGy, respectively, from high-LET alpha irradiation, and there was general agreement with evaluations from previously published epidemiological studies. Annual lung dose estimates and sensitivity analysis for the 26 650 workers in the TEC cohort have been archived on the United States Department of Energy Comprehensive Epidemiologic Data Resource.
Dose reference level based on size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) and feasibility of deriving effective body diameter using tube current and time product (mAs) for adult chest and abdomen computed tomography (CT) procedures
Authors: Amalaraj T , Jeyasugiththan Jeyasingam , Satharasinghe Duminda , Pallewatte A S
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to establish dose reference level (NDRL

S
S
D
E

) based on size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) derived using effective diameter (

D

e
f
f

) for adult chest and abdomen computed tomography (CT) procedures and to explore the feasibility of driving

D

e
f
f

using the product of tube current and time (mAs). In this retrospective study, dose data, scan parameters and patient body dimensions at the mid-slice level from 14 CT units (out of 63 total) were extracted. Additionally, the mAs values of the axial slice at the same z-location where the diameter measurements were made (mAs
z
) were recorded. Pearson’s correlation (r) analysis was used to determine the relationship of

D

e
f
f

with patient BMI, weight, and mAs
z
. The NDRL

S
S
D
E

for the chest and abdomen were 9.72 mGy and 13.4 mGy, respectively. The BMI and body weight were less correlated (r = 0.24 and r = 0.33, respectively) with

D

e
f
f

. The correlation between mAs
z
and

D

e
f
f

was considerably strong (r = 0.78) and can be used to predict

D

e
f
f

accurately. The absolute dose differences between SSDEs calculated using the AAPM–204 method and mAs
z
was less than 1.1 mGy (15%). Therefore, mAs
z
is an efficient parameter to derive

D

e
f
f

. Further, the direct conversion factors to estimate SSDEs at different locations along the z-direction in the scan region from corresponding mAs and CTDI

v
o
l

were calculated. The NDRL

S
S
D
E

suggested in the present study can be used as a reference for size-dependent dose optimisation in Sri Lanka, and existing NDRL based on CTDI

v
o
l

underestimate the average adult CT dose by 36.0% and 39.7% for chest and abdomen regions respectively. The results show that using mAs
z
to determine SSDE is a simple and practical approach with an accuracy of 95% and 85% for abdomen and chest scans, respectively. However, the obtained linear relationship between

D

e
f
f

and mAs is highly dependent on the ATCM technique and the user-determined noise levels of the scanning protocol. Finally, the phantom study resulted in the strongest correlation (r = 0.99) between the D

w

z

and mAs
z
, and the prediction of patient size would be more precise than

D

e
f
f

method.
Surface plasmon polariton assisted near perfect light absorption from corrugated metal–insulator–metal structure exploiting lossy metal films
Authors: Wu Shin-Hong , Su Po-Han , Kan Hung-Chih
Published: January 2023

We propose and demonstrate a lithography-free self-assembled corrugated Cr/TiO2/Cr metal–insulator–metal (Cr-cMIM) structure on silica opal substrates for broadband near perfect light absorption applications. Our optimal Cr-cMIM structure have reached a spectral average absorption rate above 98% over the visible wavelength range. We carried out numerical calculations to simulate the interaction between the incident light and the Cr-cMIM structure. The simulated absorption spectra qualitatively reproduced the experimental results. Detailed analysis of the simulation results indicates that the corrugation of the Cr layers successfully couples the incident light with the localized surface plasmon polariton. The incorporation of the surface plasmonic excitation and the intrinsic ohmic dissipation of the Cr layers results in the broadband near perfect light absorption over the visible wavelength range.
A 3D re-entrant structural metamaterial with negative Poisson’s ratio reinforced by adding arrow structures
Authors: Wang Jie , Wu Zongze , Xiao Rui , Tang Changyu , Xu Yangguang
Published: January 2023

Structural metamaterial with negative Poisson’s ratio often has low stiffness due to its porous structure. For engineering applications, the various strategies have been developed to enhance its stiffness but also weaken the negative Poisson effect. In this work, we propose a 3D reinforced re-entrant structure (RRS) by adding arrow structures to the classical re-entrant structure (RS), which is fabricated by photocuring 3D printing of photosensitive resin. The structure-properties correlative mechanism of RRS is systematically analyzed by combining experiment (quasi-static compression experiment) and finite element simulation (ABAQUS). It is found that the equivalent elastic modulus and negative Poisson’s ratio of RRS can be tuned by various structural parameters (i.e. the thickness ratio η, the length ratio of the slant rod α, the length ratio of the vertical rod β, and the angle θ of the re-entrant cells). By optimizing the structure parameters, the equivalent elastic modulus of RRS with the negative Poisson’s ratio of −0.28 can be significantly increase to 13.67 MPa, which is 12.32 times larger than that of RS with the same negative Poisson’s ratio. Due to the flexible design of stiffness and negative Poisson ratio, our proposed 3D reinforced re-entrant structural metamaterial provides a potential way for designing engineering materials with desirable performance.
Testing primordial black hole and measuring the Hubble constant with multiband gravitational-wave observations
Authors: Liu Lang , Yang Xing-Yu , Guo Zong-Kuan , Cai Rong-Gen
Published: January 2023

There exist two kinds of stochastic gravitational-wave backgrounds associated with the
primordial curvature perturbations. One is called induced gravitational wave due to the nonlinear
coupling of curvature perturbations to tensor perturbations, while the other is produced by
coalescences of binary primordial black holes formed when the large amplitude curvature
perturbations reenter the horizon in the radiation dominant era. In this paper we find a quite
useful relation for the peak frequencies of these two stochastic gravitational-wave backgrounds.
This relation can not only offer a smoking-gun criterion for the existence of primordial black
holes, but also provide a method for measuring the Hubble constant H
0 by multiband observations
of the stochastic gravitational-wave backgrounds.
Diffusive exit rates through pores in membrane-enclosed structures
Authors: Yang Zitao , Koslover Elena F
Published: January 2023

The function of many membrane-enclosed intracellular structures relies on release of diffusing particles that exit through narrow pores or channels in the membrane. The rate of release varies with pore size, density, and length of the channel. We propose a simple approximate model, validated with stochastic simulations, for estimating the effective release rate from cylinders, and other simple-shaped domains, as a function of channel parameters. The results demonstrate that, for very small pores, a low density of channels scattered over the boundary is sufficient to achieve substantial rates of particle release. Furthermore, we show that increasing the length of passive channels will both reduce release rates and lead to a less steep dependence on channel density. Our results are compared to previously-measured local calcium release rates from tubules of the endoplasmic reticulum, providing an estimate of the relevant channel density responsible for the observed calcium efflux.
Patient-independent seizure detection based on long-term iEEG and a novel lightweight CNN
Authors: Si Xiaopeng , Yang Zhuobin , Zhang Xingjian , Sun Yulin , Jin Weipeng , Wang Le , Yin Shaoya , Ming Dong
Published: January 2023

Objective. Patient-dependent seizure detection based on intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) has made significant progress. However, due to the difference in the locations and number of iEEG electrodes used for each patient, patient-independent seizure detection based on iEEG has not been carried out. Additionally, current seizure detection algorithms based on deep learning have outperformed traditional machine learning algorithms in many performance metrics. However, they still have shortcomings of large memory footprints and slow inference speed. Approach. To solve the above problems of the current study, we propose a novel lightweight convolutional neural network model combining the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM). Its performance for patient-independent seizure detection is evaluated on two long-term continuous iEEG datasets: SWEC-ETHZ and TJU-HH. Finally, we reproduce four other patient-independent methods to compare with our method and calculate the memory footprints and inference speed for all methods. Main results. Our method achieves 83.81% sensitivity (SEN) and 85.4% specificity (SPE) on the SWEC-ETHZ dataset and 86.63% SEN and 92.21% SPE on the TJU-HH dataset. In particular, it takes only 11 ms to infer 10 min iEEG (128 channels), and its memory footprint is only 22 kB. Compared to baseline methods, our method not only achieves better patient-independent seizure detection performance but also has a smaller memory footprint and faster inference speed. Significance. To our knowledge, this is the first iEEG-based patient-independent seizure detection study. This facilitates the application of seizure detection algorithms to the future clinic.
Self-consistent investigation of density fueling needs on ITER and CFETR utilizing the new Pellet Ablation Module
Authors: McClenaghan J. , Lao L.L. , Parks P.B. , Wu W. , Zhang J. , Chan V.S.
Published: January 2023

Self-consistent modeling using the stability, transport, equilibrium, and pedestal (STEP) workflow in the OMFIT integrated modeling framework (predicting pedestal with EPED, core profiles with TGYRO, current profile with ONETWO, and EFIT for equilibrium) suggests ITER and future devices such as China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR) Zhuang et al (2019 Nucl. Fusion
59 112010) will benefit from high-density operation (Greenwald limit fraction

f

g
w

≈

0.7−1.3). Regimes with an operational density near the Greenwald limit will likely need peaked density profiles so that the pedestal density remains below the Greenwald limit. Peaked density profiles can be achieved with the help of pellet injection. A flexible Pellet Ablation Module (PAM), which predicts the density source based on a comprehensive analytical pellet ablation model, has been developed for predicting pellet fueling for transport studies, and has been incorporated into the STEP workflow for predictive modeling. This workflow is applied to DIII-D and finds good agreement with experiments. On ITER the effect of pellet fueling is examined in an advanced inductive scenario, where a fusion gain of up to Q = 9 is predicted with strong central pellet fueling. On CFETR, with a mid-radius density source, an average of

1.5
×

10

22

electrons s−1 are required to achieve the density and temperature profiles necessary for the 1000 MW advanced scenario with a tritium burn-up fraction of

∼

3
%

.
SpacePix2: SOI MAPS detector for space radiation monitoring
Authors: Vančura P. , Gečnuk J. , Janoška Z. , Jirsa J. , Korchak O. , Kostina A. , Kafka V. , Lednický D. , Marčišovská M. , Marčišovský M. , Švihra P. , Tomášek L. , Staněk P.
Published: January 2023

The SpacePix2 monolithic active pixel sensor (MAPS) is a novel ASIC for space radiation monitoring designed in a 180 nm SOI CMOS technology. The active sensor area is 3.84 × 3.84 mm2, pixel matrix is arranged as a 64 × 64 array with 60 µm pitch. The pixel front-end amplifier signal range is 2–80 ke−, extended up to 30 Me− using a backside channel. Diodes integrated in the handle wafer in each pixel are biased at −150 V. Impinging particle generates a charge pulse converted to voltage pulse by charge sensitive amplifier (CSA). Maximum voltage memorized by the peak detector hold (PDH) circuit is digitized using on-chip 10-bit asynchronous column SAR ADCs. Two readout interfaces are available, 400 MHz LVDS and 50 MHz SPI. Total power consumption is 43 mA from a 1.8 V power supply. The ASIC has been tested in space in low Earth orbit (LEO) and sample data are shown.
Beam test studies with silicon sensor module prototypes for the CMS Phase-2 Outer Tracker
Authors: Wittig F. , Koppenhöfer R. , Maier S. , Nürnberg A.
Published: January 2023

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN will be upgraded to the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) by 2029. In order to fully exploit the physics potential of the high luminosity era the experiments must undergo major upgrades. In the context of the upgrade of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment the silicon tracker will be fully replaced. The outer part of the new tracker (Outer Tracker) will be equipped with about 13,000 double-layer silicon sensor modules with two different flavors: PS modules consisting of a macro-pixel and a strip sensor and 2S modules using two strip sensors. These modules can discriminate between trajectories of charged particles with low and high transverse momentum. The different curvature of the trajectories in the CMS magnetic field leads to different hit signatures in the two sensor layers. By reading out both sensors, matching hits in the seed and correlation layer “stubs” are identified. This stub information is generated at the LHC bunch crossing frequency of 40 MHz and serves as input for the first stage of the CMS trigger. In order to quantify the hit and stub detection efficiency, beam tests have been performed. This article comprises selected studies from measurements gathered during two beam tests at the DESY test beam facility with 2S prototype modules assembled in 2021, featuring the Low Power Gigabit Transceiver (lpGBT). In order to compare the module performance at the beginning and end of the CMS runtime, a module with irradiated components has been built and intensively tested.
Design and preliminary results of a shunt voltage regulator for a HV-CMOS sensor in a 150 nm process
Authors: Powell S. , Hammerich J. , Karim N. , Vilella E. , Zhang C.
Published: January 2023

This paper presents the design and preliminary results of a shunt voltage regulator and two different bandgap reference designs for use with a monolithic High Voltage CMOS (HV-CMOS) sensor in a 150 nm technology node. One bandgap reference design is based on Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) as the reference element of the circuit — the rest of the circuit is entirely designed with Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs). The second bandgap reference design makes use of MOSFETs exclusively.
Visualisation of sulphur on single fibre level for pulping industry
Authors: Norlin B. , An S. , Granfeldt T. , Krapohl D. , Lai B. , Rahman H. , Zeeshan F. , Engstrand P.
Published: January 2023

In the pulp and paper industry, about 5 Mt/y chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) are produced globally from softwood chips for production of carton board grades. For tailor making CTMP for this purpose, wood chips are impregnated with aqueous sodium sulphite for sulphonation of the wood lignin. When lignin is sulphonated, the defibration of wood into pulp becomes more selective, resulting in enhanced pulp properties. On a microscopic fibre scale, however, one could strongly assume that the sulphonation of the wood structure is very uneven due to its macroscale size of wood chips. If this is the case and the sulphonation could be done significantly more evenly, the CTMP process could be more efficient and produce pulp even better suited for carton boards. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a technique based on X-ray fluorescence microscopy imaging (µXRF) for quantifying the sulphur distribution on CTMP wood fibres. Firstly, the feasibility of µXRF imaging for sulphur homogeneity measurements in wood fibres needs investigation. Therefore, clarification of which spatial and spectral resolution that allows visualization of sulphur impregnation into single wood fibres is needed. Measurements of single fibre imaging were carried out at the Argonne National Laboratory’s Advanced Photon Source (APS) synchrotron facility. With a synchrotron beam using one micrometre scanning step, images of elemental mapping are acquired from CTMP samples diluted with non-sulphonated pulp under specified conditions. Since the measurements show significant differences between sulphonated and non-sulphonated fibres, and a significant peak concentration in the shell of the sulphonated fibres, the proposed technique is found to be feasible. The required spatial resolution of the µXRF imaging for an on-site CTMP sulphur homogeneity measurement setup is about 15 µm, and the homogeneity measured along the fibre shells is suggested to be used as the CTMP sulphonation measurement parameter.
A silicon vertex detector with timing for the Upgrade II of LHCb
Authors: Haimberger J.
Published: January 2023

The LHCb Upgrade II aims at maximizing the potential for heavy flavour physics at high luminosity-LHC. The Vertex Locator (VELO) plays an important role in this task due to its excellent tracking and vertexing abilities. During Run 5 and 6, the detector will undergo through a substantial increase in data rate, pile-up and radiation damage. To achieve the same vertex reconstruction efficiency as the current Upgrade I detector, the introduction of timing and its possible implementations are discussed. Additional requirements for new sensor and ASIC technologies, introduced to cope with increased radiation damage, data rate and timing, are also presented. Finally, possible new detector layouts, adapted to expected conditions, are discussed and their impact on the RF-foil and vacuum tank geometries are treated.
The inherent trade-off between the environmental and anti-poverty goals of payments for ecosystem services
Authors: Jayachandran Seema
Published: January 2023

Conservation programs in low-income countries often have dual goals of protecting the environment and reducing poverty. This article discusses the tension between these two goals in payments for ecosystem services (PESs) programs. Participants who undertake a pro-environment behavior receive a payment, which can be decomposed into two parts: the amount that compensates them for the cost of changing their behavior and the extra amount that is a ‘pure transfer’ to them. To maximize the program’s environmental benefits, a policy maker would like to set the pure transfer component to zero, yet the pure transfer is the only part of the payment that increases participants’ economic well-being. In practice, PES programs pay out some pure transfers, and the extent of the anti-poverty benefits depends on whether the pure transfers are de facto targeted to the poor. I lay out these points and then illustrate them with data from a randomized trial of payments for forest protection in Uganda. I provide evidence that the economic gains from participation in PES are indeed larger for those with low costs to fulfill the program’s conservation requirements. I also show that, in this context, poorer eligible households enjoyed more improvement in their economic well-being than richer ones did.
Effect of uncertainties on block volume estimation
Authors: Carriero M T , Ferrero A M , Migliazza M R , Umili G
Published: January 2023

The combination of the aleatory nature of the rock mass structure and the epistemic errors related to the survey methods make rock mass characterization a challenge despite the remarkable evolution of the survey tools and the research on the subject. In particular, significant uncertainties affect block volume estimation: the need for simplification connected to the engineering approach to rockfall problems, for instance, risks to mask the ripple effect of uncertainties on the reliability of the results. Even considering a simplified shape of the block created by three sets of discontinuities (i.e., a prism), the uncertainties on the geometrical characteristics of the discontinuities (orientation, spacing, and persistence) greatly influence the resulting volume distribution. It is a fact that a single value of the volume cannot be representative of the rock mass: the In Situ Block Size Distribution (IBSD) should be built to describe the variability of block volumes. Many statistical distribution functions can be used for fitting spacing data (i.e., gamma, negative exponential, log-normal, Weibull). The choice of the function must follow a rigorous evaluation of the goodness of fit. This research aims to assess the influence of the uncertainties related to the discontinuities sets, with particular reference to spacing samples, on block volume estimation. Through numerical examples and a case study, this research shows that a reduction of uncertainty can be reached by rigorous statistical processing of the data.
Study of size effects on the peak and residual strength of intact and artificially fissured granite samples
Authors: González-Fernández M A , Estévez-Ventosa X , García-Bastante F , Alejano L R , Ferrero A M
Published: January 2023

There are not many studies on jointed rock specimens, which can be considered small scale rock mass analogs. On the other hand, the scale effects in the mechanical properties of such samples have seldom been studied. With the aim of continuing previous research on intact granite rocks, the authors have carried out sets of 25 stress-strain triaxial compressive tests on 1 sub-vertical and 2 sub-horizontal 38 mm, 54 mm and 84 mm diameter jointed granite specimens at various confinements. Peak and residual strength values were obtained and compared to those recovered form intact rock samples. Results suggest that peak strength follows similar trends with scale to those observed on intact rock, even if lower strength values are logically recorded. Regarding residual strength, the obtained results are in line with those observed trends for standard size samples, showing a similar trend for all cases independently of scale, even if we observe larger variability for jointed samples. The authors have also compared the values fitting the generalized Hoek-Brown criterion for rock masses to better understand the behavior in relation to sample size. So scale effects clearly appear on jointed rock peak strength of jointed sample; even if residual strength seems hardly affected by scale.
Evaluating face stability in mountain tunnel excavation by inclination monitoring at the tunnel crown - Atoda tunnel case study
Authors: Sakai K , Yamagami M , Tani T , Fumimura K
Published: January 2023

The authors have been developing a prediction method for changes of ground stiffness ahead of a tunnel face by monitoring inclination at the tunnel crown (along the face advance axis). During the Atoda tunnel construction project, inclination monitoring was conducted at measurement intervals of 10 m. This is the first tunneling project practically using the proposed method throughout the excavation length. There is used a newly developed tilt sensor equipped with a Low-Power and Wide-Area (LPWA) wireless communication system that collects inclination data and transmits it to a data gateway automatically. During excavation work zones of weathered and fractured tuff breccia were recognized; face instability and partial collapse were experienced at those locations, though tunnel deformation was generally no more than 10 mm. Inclination values had a tendency to decrease in tunnel advance direction before the face encountered the soft/weak weathered rock, verifying the effectiveness of the method for monitoring tunnel stability and safety.
Dynamic compressive behaviour of Rewa shale through SHPB tests
Authors: Deshpande V M , Chakraborty T
Published: January 2023

The present work investigates the high strain rate behaviour of transversely isotropic Rewa shale using a split Hopkinson pressure bar. Rewa shale, a type of Vindhyan shale, is collected from Rewa district in the Madhya Pradesh state of India. Samples are loaded at various strain rates ranging from 110/s to 874/s. It is found that the compressive strength is rate-dependent, and it increases as the strain rate rises. The highest compressive strength is exhibited by samples at 0° and 90°. Samples at 30°, 45° and 60° fail at higher strains and strain rates. All samples subjected to dynamic compressive loading are pervasively fragmented. The results can potentially be applied to improve drilling and blasting operations.
The pressure dependent elastic anisotropy of Grimsel granite and Bukov paragneiss
Authors: Aminzadeh A , Petruzalek M , Vavrycuk V , Lokajicek T
Published: January 2023

A methodology for obtaining the stiffness tensor of an elastic material in its most general form (with 21 independent parameters) using ultrasonic measurements is presented. The methodology is used to define the anisotropic properties of two spherical rock samples: a migmatized gneiss from Bukov (Czech Republic) and a granite from Grimsel (Switzerland) underground research laboratories. The general stiffness matrix for both rocks is determinded for different confining pressures suggesting that the Bukov sample is orthotropic at atmospheric pressure while the Grimsel sample is transversely isotropic. However, the Bukov sample remains orthotropic even at a high pressure of 100 MPa but the Grimsel sample becomes almost isotropic. Both rocks are anisotropic under the overburden pressure acting at the in-situ URL conditions. A significant amount of cracks remains open at these pressures and contribute to the overall anisotropy of rocks.