bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Role of Physical Processes in Controlling Equatorial Plasma Bubble Morphology
Authors: Picanço G. A. S. , Denardini C. M. , Nogueira P. A. B. , Fagundes P. R. , Meza A. M. , Mendoza L. P. O. , Pádua M. B. , Natali M. P. , Resende L. C. A. , Vital L. F. R.
Published: September 2024

In this study, we present the results of an analysis of the morphological features of Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs) over South America. In this context, we analyzed data from the Disturbance Ionosphere indeX (DIX) maps calculated using around 450 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stations. To mitigate the influence of magnetic disturbances on bubble development, only data from geomagnetically quiet days were utilized. This study covered the period from the post‐peak of solar cycle 24 (2015) to the pre‐peak of solar cycle 25 (2023), totaling 1321 nights with EPB occurrences, representing the largest data set of EPBs ever compiled for South America. Our analysis unveiled several key findings regarding EPBs and their behavior over the South American region. First, we observed that the amplitude of plasma depletions, as reflected in the DIX values, and the EPB latitudinal development follow an approximately 11‐year cycle driven by solar radiation levels. Furthermore, our analysis highlights the significant influence of factors such as the angle between the solar terminator and the magnetic meridian (T‐M angle), which varies inversely with the vertical plasma drift velocity during the pre‐reversal enhancement (PRE). Additionally, we discuss the longitudinal variations associated with magnetic declination, as well as the saturation behavior of EPB development with extreme solar flux.
GRP75 triggers white adipose tissue browning to promote cancer-associated cachexia
Authors: Chen Xu , Wu Qingnan , Gong Wei , Ju Shaolong , Fan Jiawen , Gao Xiaohan , Liu Xingyang , Lei Xiao , Liu Siqi , Ming Xiangdong , Wang Qianyu , Fu Ming , Song Yongmei , Wang Yan , Zhan Qimin
Published: September 2024

Cachexia, which affects 50–80% of cancer patients, is a debilitating syndrome that leads to 20% of cancer-related deaths. A key feature of cachexia is adipose tissue atrophy, but how it contributes to the development of cachexia is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate in mouse models of cancer cachexia that white adipose tissue browning, which can be a characteristic early-onset manifestation, occurs prior to the loss of body weight and skeletal muscle wasting. By analysing the proteins differentially expressed in extracellular vesicles derived from cachexia-inducing tumours, we identified a molecular chaperone, Glucose-regulated protein 75 (GRP75), as a critical mediator of adipocyte browning. Mechanistically, GRP75 binds adenine nucleotide translocase 2 (ANT2) to form a GRP75–ANT2 complex. Strikingly, stabilized ANT2 enhances its interaction with uncoupling protein 1, leading to elevated expression of the latter, which, in turn, promotes adipocyte browning. Treatment with withanone, a GRP75 inhibitor, can reverse this browning and alleviate cachectic phenotypes in vivo. Overall, our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which tumour-derived GRP75 regulates white adipose tissue browning during cachexia development and suggest a potential white adipose tissue-centred targeting approach for early cachexia intervention.
Cation induced changes to the structure of cryptophane cages
Authors: Lloyd Williams Oscar H. , Cox Claudia S. , Zhang Meng Yuan , Lessio Martina , Rusli Olivia , Donald William A. , Jekimovs Lachlan , Marshall David L. , Pfrunder Michael C. , Poad Berwyck L. J. , Brotin Thierry , Rijs Nicole J.
Published: September 2024

Ion mobility captures key processes underpinning encapsulation in cryptophane cages, including surprising structures not observed before using traditional analysis.
Critical insights into data curation and label noise for accurate prediction of aerobic biodegradability of organic chemicals
Authors: Körner Paulina , Glüge Juliane , Glüge Stefan , Scheringer Martin
Published: September 2024

The newly developed classifier has a balanced accuracy of 94.2%, better than any other classification model for aerobic biodegradability so far. During the model development, some data points needed to be excluded due to a very high variance.
Liquid Zener diodes
Authors: Sammartino Camilla , Pinchasik Bat-El
Published: September 2024

Liquid diodes promote unidirectional flow. Flexible liquid diodes can break under compression, enabling innovative control of liquid flow in capillary directional structures.
A Finger Vein Recognition Algorithm Based on the Histogram of Variable Curvature Directional Binary Statistics
Authors: Li Min , Jiang Xue , Zhu Honghao , Liu Fei , Wang Huabin , Tao Liang , Liu Shijun
Published: September 2024

Structural features are capable of effectively capturing the overall texture variations in images. However, in locally prominent areas with visible veins, other characteristics such as directionality, convexity–concavity, and curvature also play a crucial role in recognition, and their impact cannot be overlooked. This paper introduces a novel approach, the histogram of variable curvature directional binary statistical (HVCDBS), which combines the structural and directional features of images. The proposed method is designed for extracting discriminative multifeature information in vein recognition. First, a multidirection and multicurvature Gabor filter is introduced for convolution with vein images, yielding directional and convexity–concavity information at each pixel, along with curvature information for the corresponding curve. Simultaneously incorporating the original image feature information, these four aspects of information are fused and encoded to construct a variable curvature binary pattern (VCBP) with multifeatures. Second, the feature map containing multifeature information is blockwise processed to build variable curvature binary statistical features. Finally, competitive Gabor directional binary statistical features are combined, and a matching score‐level fusion scheme is employed based on maximizing the interclass distance and minimizing the intraclass distance to determine the optimal weights. This process fuses the two feature maps into a one‐dimensional feature vector, achieving an effective representation of vein images. Extensive experiments were conducted on four widely utilized vein databases, and the results indicate that the proposed algorithm, compared with solely extraction of structural features, achieved higher recognition rates and lower equal error rates.
fast-resolve: Fast Bayesian radio interferometric imaging
Authors: Roth Jakob , Frank Philipp , Bester Hertzog L. , Smirnov Oleg M. , Westermann Rüdiger , Enßlin Torsten A.
Published: September 2024

Context. The aim of this paper is to reduce the computational complexity of the Bayesian imaging algorithm resolve, enabling the application of Bayesian imaging for larger datasets.

Aims. By combining computational shortcuts of the CLEAN algorithm with the Bayesian imaging algorithm resolve we developed an accurate and fast imaging algorithm that we named fast-resolve.

Methods. We validate the accuracy of the presented fast-resolve algorithm by comparing it with results from resolve on VLA Cygnus A data. Furthermore, we demonstrate the computational advantages of fast-resolve on a large MeerKAT ESO 137-006 dataset, which is computationally out of reach for resolve.

Results. The presented algorithm is significantly faster than previous Bayesian imaging algorithms, broadening the applicability of Bayesian interferometric imaging. Specifically, for the single channel VLA Cygnus A datasets fast-resolve is about 144 times faster than resolve. For the MeerKAT dataset with multiple channels the computational increase in speed of fast-resolve is even greater.
The Λ(1405) pole structure from Lattice QCD: A coupled-channel πΣ − KN study
Authors: Bulava John , Cid-Mora Bárbara , Hanlon Andrew D. , Hörz Ben , Mohler Daniel , Morningstar Colin , Moscoso Joseph , Nicholson Amy , Romero-López Fernando , Skinner Sarah , Walker-Loud André
Published: September 2024

This report summarizes results of the first lattice QCD calculation of coupled-channel πΣ − K¯N scattering in the Λ(1405) region. This study was carried out using a single CLS ensemble with a heavier-than-physical pion mass mπ ≈ 200 MeV and a lighter-than-physical kaon mass mK ≈ 487 MeV. Once the finite-volume energy spectrum has been reliably extracted, the Lüscher method was employed to obtain scattering amplitudes. Through a variety of parametrizations of the two-channel K-matrix, the final results show a virtual bound state below the πΣ threshold and a resonance right below K¯N.
Photoproduction of K*Σ in an effective Lagrangian approach
Authors: Huang Fei , Wang Ai-Chao , Wei Neng-Chang
Published: September 2024

All the available data on differential cross sections, total cross sections, spin density matrix elements, and parity spin asymmetry for the γp → K*+Σ0 and γp → K*0Σ+ reactions are analyzed within an effective Lagrangian approach. The reaction amplitudes are constructed by considering the s-channel exchanges of N, Δ, and their excited states, the t-channel exchanges of K, K*, and κ, the u-channel exchanges of Λ, Σ, and Σ* , and the interaction current. Two fits with different reaction mechanisms are obtained that describe the data equally well. The s-channel Δ(1905)5=2+ resonance exchange is found to provide dominant contributions in both fits. The t-channel κ exchange only contributes significantly to γp → K*0Σ+ in model II, which challenges the claim made in literature that the available parity spin asymmetry data supports the dominant contribution of κ exchange in γp → K*0Σ+.
Combination of Bayesian inference with truncated partial-wave analysis
Authors: Kroenert Philipp , Wunderlich Yannick , Afzal Farah , Thiel Annika
Published: September 2024

This work combines experimental data from baryon spectroscopy with the latest statistical analysis-methods. The results are model-independent estimates of electromagnetic multipole parameters from which model-independent predictions of yet unmeasured polarization observables were calculated for the reaction γp → ηp, slightly above production threshold. For this purpose, truncated partial-wave analysis is combined with Bayesian inference for the first time. Thus, all results are given as distributions in contrast to point-estimates, which allows for an unprecedented uncertainty estimation.
On the nature of the N* and Δ resonances via coupled-channel dynamics
Authors: Wang Yu-Fei
Published: September 2024

This talk focuses on a recent work aiming at determining the composition of certain N* and Δ resonances, i.e. whether they are compact states formed directly by quarks and gluons, or composite generated from the mesonbaryon interaction. The information of the resonance poles is provided by a comprehensive coupled-channel approach, the Jülich-Bonn model. Thirteen states that are significant in this approach are studied. Two criteria for each state are adopted in this paper, the comparison thereof roughly indicates the model uncertainties. It is found that the conclusions for eight resonances are relatively certain: N(1535)1/2−,N(1440)1/2+,N(1710)1/2+, and N(1520)3/2− tend to be composite; whereas N(1650)1/2−, N(1900)3/2+, N(1680)5/2+, and Δ(1600)3/2+ tend to be compact.
COMPASS Results on Pion and Kaon Multiplicities from SIDIS on Proton Target
Authors: Stolarski Marcin
Published: September 2024

New COMPASS preliminary results on pion and kaon multiplicities from SIDIS on a proton target are presented. These proton results provide a complementary data set to the deuteron results published in 2016. In the current analysis, we use an improved treatment of Radiative Corrections using DJANGOH MC. Compared to the previously used method, relative differences of up to 12% are observed in the multiplicities. Despite these changes, the preliminary COMPASS kaon results are still incompatible with those from HERMES. The presented results will provide an important input for global fragmentation function fits.
Search for Light Dark Matter with the DarkMESA Experiment
Authors: Plura Saskia , Christmann Mirco , Doria Luca , Denig Achim
Published: September 2024

The search for Dark Matter is an integral part of New Physics searches, however, Dark Matter has yet to be observed directly. Theoretical models provide a large parameter space for Dark Matter and allow for different properties of the particles. Models incorporating so-called portal interactions, where Dark Matter interacts with Standard Model particles through a mediator particle, are of special interest. Examples for these are Dark Photon and Axion models, which can be studied at low energy accelerator facilities.

The DarkMESA experiment is a beam dump experiment located at the upcoming accelerator MESA at the JGU Mainz. The accelerator provides an electron beam of 155 MeV and 150 μA in extracted beam mode, which, along with the high-power beam dump of the P2 experiment, provides an ideal environment for Light Dark Matter searches.

To accurately predict the expected reach and the impact of the detector design of the DarkMESA experiment on it with respect to different Dark Matter models, most notably Dark Photon and Axion mediated models, a Geant4 simulation is used. Here, the current status of the simulations is discussed.
The role of persuasion by significant others and engagement in bank-switching intention
Authors: Bortne Øystein , Bjornestad Jone , Arnestad Mads Nordmo , Tjora Tore , Brønnick Kolbjørn Kallesten
Published: September 2024

A person’s beliefs in individual abilities, such as self-efficacy or perceived behavioral control, profoundly affect emotion, cognition, and behavior. However, the influence of such beliefs is not apparent in current research on bank-switching intention and behavior. Moreover, the relationship between bank-switching intention and the sources that promote self-efficacy and perceived behavioral control has received even less attention. In a study with a representative sample of 1245 adults in the Norwegian market, we looked at the role of four promotional sources of self-efficacy, i.e., enactive mastery experience, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, and physiological and affective states, in bank-switching intention. In line with past research, we found a negative association between customer satisfaction and bank-switching intention. However, bank-switching intention was positively associated with promoters of self-efficacy in bank-switching behavior, particularly persuasion from significant others and a feeling of engagement. This feeling of engagement also interacted with customer satisfaction on bank-switching intention. Our findings suggest that bank-switching intentions cannot be attributed solely to customer dissatisfaction. They also involve social cognitive aspects promoting individual self-efficacy and human agency. The effects of significant others and internal emotional activation are important when decoding bank-switching intention.
miR-96-5p expression is sufficient to induce and maintain the senescent cell fate in the absence of stress
Authors: Santiago Fernando E. , Adige Tanvi , Mahmud Shamsed , Dong Xiao , Niedernhofer Laura J. , Robbins Paul D.
Published: September 2024

Senescence is a cell fate driven by different types of stress that results in exit from the cell cycle and expression of an inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Here, we demonstrate that stable overexpression of miR-96-5p was sufficient to induce cellular senescence in the absence of genotoxic stress, inducing expression of certain markers of early senescence including SASP factors while repressing markers of deep senescence including LINE-1 and type 1 interferons. Stable miR-96-5p overexpression led to genome-wide changes in heterochromatin followed by epigenetic activation of p16
Ink4a
, p21
Cip1
, and SASP expression, induction of a marker of DNA damage, and induction of a transcriptional signature similar to other senescent lung and endothelial cell types. Expression of miR-96-5p significantly increased following senescence induction in culture cells and with aging in tissues from naturally aged and

Ercc1

−/Δ
progeroid mice. Mechanistically, miR-96-5p directly suppressed expression of SIN3B and SIN3 corepressor complex constituents KDM5A and MORF4L2, and siRNA-mediated knockdown of these transcriptional regulators recapitulated the senescent phenotype. In addition, pharmacologic inhibition of the SIN3 complex suppressed senescence and SASP markers. These results clearly demonstrate that a single microRNA is sufficient to drive early senescence in the absence of genotoxic stress through targeting epigenetic and transcriptional regulators, identifying novel targets for the development of senotherapeutics.
Halofilins as emerging bactofilin families of archaeal cell shape plasticity orchestrators
Authors: Curtis Zachary , Escudeiro Pedro , Mallon John , Leland Olivia , Rados Theopi , Dodge Ashley , Andre Katherine , Kwak Jasmin , Yun Kun , Isaac Berith , Martinez Pastor Mar , Schmid Amy K. , Pohlschroder Mechthild , Alva Vikram , Bisson Alex
Published: September 2024

Bactofilins are rigid, nonpolar bacterial cytoskeletal filaments that link cellular processes to specific curvatures of the cytoplasmic membrane. Although homologs of bactofilins have been identified in archaea and eukaryotes, functional studies have remained confined to bacterial systems. Here, we characterize representatives of two families of archaeal bactofilins from the pleomorphic archaeon
Haloferax volcanii
, halofilin A (HalA) and halofilin B (HalB). HalA and HalB polymerize in vitro, assembling into straight bundles. HalA polymers are highly dynamic and accumulate at positive membrane curvatures in vivo, whereas HalB forms more static foci that localize in areas of local negative curvatures on the outer cell surface. Gene deletions and live-cell imaging show that halofilins are critical in maintaining morphological integrity during shape transition from disk (sessile) to rod (motile). Morphological defects in Δ
halA
result in accumulation of highly positive curvatures in rods but not in disks. Conversely, disk-shaped cells are exclusively affected by
halB
deletion, resulting in flatter cells. Furthermore, while Δ
halA
and Δ
halB
cells imprecisely determine the future division plane, defects arise predominantly during the disk-to-rod shape remodeling. The deletion of
halA
in the haloarchaeon
Halobacterium salinarum
, whose cells are consistently rod-shaped, impacted morphogenesis but not cell division. Increased levels of halofilins enforced drastic deformations in cells devoid of the S-layer, suggesting that HalB polymers are more stable at defective S-layer lattice regions. Our results suggest that halofilins might play a significant mechanical scaffolding role in addition to possibly directing envelope synthesis.
Distribution of centrality measures on undirected random networks via the cavity method
Authors: Bartolucci Silvia , Caccioli Fabio , Caravelli Francesco , Vivo Pierpaolo
Published: September 2024

The Katz centrality of a node in a complex network is a measure of the node’s importance as far as the flow of information across the network is concerned. For ensembles of locally tree-like undirected random graphs, this observable is a random variable. Its full probability distribution is of interest but difficult to handle analytically because of its “global” character and its definition in terms of a matrix inverse. Leveraging a fast Gaussian Belief Propagation-Cavity algorithm to solve linear systems on tree-like structures, we show that i) the Katz centrality of a single instance can be computed recursively in a very fast way, and ii) the probability

P
(
K
)

that a random node in the ensemble of undirected random graphs has centrality

K

satisfies a set of recursive distributional equations, which can be analytically characterized and efficiently solved using a population dynamics algorithm. We test our solution on ensembles of Erdős-Rényi and Scale Free networks in the locally tree-like regime, with excellent agreement. The analytical distribution of centrality for the configuration model conditioned on the degree of each node can be employed as a benchmark to identify nodes of empirical networks with over- and underexpressed centrality relative to a null baseline. We also provide an approximate formula based on a rank-

1

projection that works well if the network is not too sparse, and we argue that an extension of our method could be efficiently extended to tackle analytical distributions of other centrality measures such as PageRank for directed networks in a transparent and user-friendly way.
Sprain energy consequences for damage localization and fracture mechanics
Authors: Xu Houlin , Nguyen Anh Tay , Bažant Zdeněk P.
Published: September 2024

The 2023 smooth Lagrangian Crack-Band Model (slCBM), inspired by the 2020 invention of the gap test, prevented spurious damage localization during fracture growth by introducing the second gradient of the displacement field vector, named the “sprain,” as the localization limiter. The key idea was that, in the finite element implementation, the displacement vector and its gradient should be treated as independent fields with the lowest (

C
0

) continuity, constrained by a second-order Lagrange multiplier tensor. Coupled with a realistic constitutive law for triaxial softening damage, such as microplane model M7, the known limitations of the classical Crack Band Model were eliminated. Here, we show that the slCBM closely reproduces the size effect revealed by the gap test at various crack-parallel stresses. To describe it, we present an approximate corrective formula, although a strong loading-path dependence limits its applicability. Except for the rare case of zero crack-parallel stresses, the fracture predictions of the line crack models (linear elastic fracture mechanics, phase-field, extended finite element method (XFEM), cohesive crack models) can be as much as 100% in error. We argue that the localization limiter concept must be extended by including the resistance to material rotation gradients. We also show that, without this resistance, the existing strain-gradient damage theories may predict a wrong fracture pattern and have, for Mode II and III fractures, a load capacity error as much as 55%. Finally, we argue that the crack-parallel stress effect must occur in all materials, ranging from concrete to atomistically sharp cracks in crystals.
Wafer heating uniformity: enhancement using toroidal slot antennas and resonant cavity modes
Authors: Jung Sung-Hyeon , Kim Sang-Woo , Oh Jong-Hoon , Kang Dong-Jin , Jang Min-U , Lee Ho-Jun
Published: September 2024

Atomic layer processing technology has advanced significantly since semiconductor devices have evolved from 2D to 3D stacked structures. Creating a uniform temperature distribution across the entire wafer during repeated heating and cooling cycles is an important aspect of atomic layer processing. Conventional embedded heaters rely on thermal conduction, resulting in slow heating rates. This can delay the cycle time of atomic layer processes, where rapid temperature changes are crucial. To overcome these problems, this study adopted a method to directly heat the wafer using gigahertz band microwaves. While there has been research on the heating mechanisms and effects of microwave irradiation on Si Wafers, studies on uniformity are lacking. Microwave heating depends on the distribution of the field, thus this study presents methods for improving uniformity by optimizing the antennas and controlling the cavity modes. A 2.45 GHz microwave was propagated in the TE10 mode in a WR-340 waveguide and radiated into the chamber through a slot located on a toroidal antenna designed for uniform heating. The radiated microwaves formed cavity modes within the chamber, thereby heating the 300 mm wafer. The wafer temperature was measured using a fiber Bragg grating sensor array; the heating rate at the top and back of the wafer was 6.5 °C/kW/s, and the within-wafer non-uniformity was 11.68% and 10.94%, respectively, after applying 500 W power for 60 s. A comparison of the temperature characteristics of the top and back sides of the wafer indicated no significant differences in uniformity, heating rate, and temperature profile. Based on these findings, it is anticipated that in atomic layer processes, where temperature control is crucial, the proposed method could reduce the process time and increase yield.
A time series context self-supervised learning for soft measurement of the f-CaO content
Authors: Zhao Yantao , Han Yuxuan , Chen Bingxu , Wang Yao , Sun Yuhao , Yu Hongnian
Published: September 2024

The content of free calcium oxide (f-CaO) in cement clinker is an important index for cement quality. In the production of cement clinker, the number of unlabeled samples is excessive and there is an interplay between the variables in time. A time series context self-supervised learning (TS-CSSL) is proposed. This method constructs pretextual tasks based on the temporal relationships between different variables from a large amount of unlabeled time series data. Considering the process of cement production and the residence time of materials in each piece of equipment, the method designs the segmentation of periods for different variables in the context-based self-supervised pretextual task. On this basis, a soft sensor for f-CaO content was implemented. After the experimental validation, the evaluation metrics root means square errors (

RMSE

of the TS-CSSL model decreased by 2.41% and

R
2

improved by 10.93% compared to the random initialization model. Compared to the model with 8 sets of temporal relationships, the TS-CSSL model showed a decrease in

RMSE

of 5.33% and an increase in

R
2

of 21.9%. The experimental results demonstrate that the feature representation learned by the model can be used in a CNN framework and the effectiveness of the proposed self-supervised assistance task.
Coaxial cable delay measurement with different methods: analyzing influential factors and quantifying numerical effects
Authors: Yu Tian , Liang Kun , He Zhiyu , Liao Hao , Wang Jian
Published: September 2024

Most of the timing scenarios call for the need of precise delay measurement and compensation for coaxial cables. However, experience to date has shown that the cable delay can only be characterized by other physical quantities such as time interval or group delay, etc. In this paper, the principles of three existing commonly used measurement methods were discussed and the various factors that can affect the measurement results were analyzed. Measurement setups and the corresponding uncertainty budgets for the three techniques were then designed and explained. With the aim to quantify numerical effects of the influential factors, specific experiments on a 50 m antenna cable were conducted on time interval measurement to obtain the optimal range of the instrument’s trigger level based on external pulses with different rise time settings, as well as on group delay measurement to determine the influence of different frequency aperture settings. Then, experiments using the relatively proper parameters, which we believe, to the optimal extent, would mitigate the measurement uncertainties were performed. In order to ensure the measurement consistency across the methods, the measurement results were compared and cross-validated to obtain the recommended selections of parameters to align the measurements for coaxial cable delay utilizing the different methods.
A lateral and longitudinal control method based on linear quadratic regulator for intelligent vehicles considering future path changes
Authors: Sun Binbin , Cui Kaichen , Wang Pengwei , Xie Mengxue , Gao Song , Cheng Shuo
Published: September 2024

To improve the tracking performance of intelligent vehicles, a lateral controller based on linear quadratic regulator (LQR) theory and a longitudinal controller based on backstepping sliding mode control (SMC) theory are proposed in this paper. Firstly, a feedforward LQR controller was established based on a two-degree-of-freedom vehicle dynamics model. To solve the stability reduce problem of feedforward LQR controller caused by model linearization, the controller was improved based on the constant turn rate and velocity model. To further improve the predictive controller, an adaptive prediction time mechanism based on the particle swarm optimization algorithm was established. Finally, a longitudinal tracking algorithm based on backstepping SMC was proposed. To verify the performance of the proposed controllers, co-simulation and hardware in loop experiments were conducted. The results show that the proposed controllers have both stability and accuracy, which can significantly improve tracking performance.
Novel methods for determination and manipulation of surface charges performed on an atmospheric DBD microplasma
Authors: Labenski Robin , Steuer David , van Impel Henrik , Böke Marc , Schulz-von der Gathen Volker , Golda Judith
Published: September 2024

In photo- and electrocatalysis it is already well-established that surface charges can alter chemical adsorption and reaction paths of the catalyst. However, the novel realm of plasma catalysis lacks experimental exploration regarding the impact of plasma-induced surface charges on catalytic processes. This paper paves the way by introducing a straightforward method for precisely charging the dielectric (catalyst) in a dielectric barrier discharge microplasma at atmospheric pressure. It additionally enables the determination of this surface charge avoiding artifacts or volume charge interference. Through pre-charging of the dielectric, the charges’ impacts on re-ignition and forming of charge equilibria during the discharge are investigated. Moreover, a laser-assisted operando technique is introduced to generate up to 15% of either positive or negative additional surface charges (compared to the default operation) within

3.5

μs after irradiation and potential for even higher yields. The charges’ origin and the plasma’s response to these laser-induced surface charges are explored.
Photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen, ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin using UV/ZnO in a suspended photocatalytic reactor
Authors: Karthika V , Karthikeyan S , Kathirvel R
Published: September 2024

This study aims at evaluation of the photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceutical compounds acetaminophen (ATM), ciprofloxacin (CXN), and amoxicillin (AMX) using zinc oxide (ZnO) nano powder as a photocatalyst in a suspended reactor using a 16 W UV lamp. Operating parameters pH, catalyst dosage, and pollutant concentration were optimised for a working volume of 1.3 litres of model pharmaceutical compounds. The photo degradation efficiency was 95% at pH 6 after 5 h of irradiation for ATM, 98% at pH 6 after 2 h of irradiation for CXN, and 100% at pH 10 after 3 h of irradiation for AMX. The reaction kinetics for the degradation of ATM, CXN, and AMX followed pseudo-first order with the rate constants in the order of kAMX>kCXN>kATM 0.0321 min−1, 0.0232 min−1 and 0.0070 min−1 respectively. TOC (Total Organic Carbon) analysis was carried out for the model compounds, among which compound amoxicillin was found having a higher rate constant of about 0.0108 min−1, which is 1.2 times higher than ciprofloxacin and 2.5 times greater than acetaminophen. This study concludes that ZnO nano powder is efficient in degrading the model pharmaceutical compounds ATM, CXN, and AMX by utilising the UV light, which is evident from the results of the UV–vis spectrophotometer, HPLC analysis, and mineralisation study. In addition, ANOVA was performed on the results obtained from optimisation studies, which confirms the substantial influence of the operating parameters on the degradation of the compounds.
Influence of La3+ doping on structural and optical properties of SrCeO3 perovskite
Authors: Yadav Dharmendra , Kumar Pravin , Tripathi Alok Kumar , Yadav Ram Sagar , Nirala Gurudeo , Yadav Sushma , Yadav Ashish Kumar , Yadav Sandeep
Published: September 2024

The SrCe1-xLaxO3 (x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.10) perovskite materials have been successfully synthesized by auto-combustion method and calcined at 1100°C. The XRD patterns reveal a highly crystalline orthorhombic crystal structure with a Pnma space group in all samples. The TEM micrograph shows a spherical morphology of the 10 mol% La3+ doped SrCeO3 perovskite sample alongwith the SAED pattern confirming its highly crystalline nature. The incorporation of La3+ ion in the SrCeO3 perovskite has been confirmed by the Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements. The UV–vis absorption spectra at room temperature show various bands, with a strong absorption band observed below 400 nm. The optical band gap of the undoped and La3+ doped samples have been calculated and it is smaller for the La3+ doped perovskite samples than that of the undoped perovskite sample. Therefore, the La3+ doped SrCeO3 perovskite may be applicable for optoelectronic applications.
ParamANN: a neural network to estimate cosmological parameters for ΛCDM Universe using Hubble measurements
Authors: Pal Srikanta , Saha Rajib
Published: September 2024

In this article, we employ a machine learning (ML) approach for the estimations of four fundamental parameters, namely, the Hubble constant (H
0), matter (Ω0m
), curvature (Ω0k
) and vacuum (Ω0Λ) densities of non-flat ΛCDM model. We use 31 Hubble parameter values measured by differential ages (DA) technique in the redshift interval 0.07 ≤ z ≤ 1.965. We create an artificial neural network (ParamANN) and train it with simulated values of H(z) using various sets of H
0, Ω0m
, Ω0k
, Ω0Λ parameters chosen from different and sufficiently wide prior intervals. We use a correlated noise model in the analysis. We demonstrate accurate validation and prediction using ParamANN. ParamANN provides an excellent cross-check for the validity of the ΛCDM model. We obtain H
0 = 68.14 ± 3.96 kmMpc−1s−1, Ω0m
= 0.3029 ± 0.1118, Ω0k
= 0.0708 ± 0.2527 and Ω0Λ = 0.6258 ± 0.1689 by using the trained network. These parameter values agree very well with the results of global CMB observations of the Planck collaboration. We compare the cosmological parameter values predicted by ParamANN with those obtained by the MCMC method. Both the results agree well with each other. This demonstrates that ParamANN is an alternative and complementary approach to the well-known Metropolis-Hastings algorithm for estimating the cosmological parameters by using Hubble measurements.
Auto-Bäcklund transformation and exact solutions for a new integrable (2+1)-dimensional shallow water wave equation
Authors: Guo Xinyue , Li Lianzhong
Published: September 2024

Shallow water waves (SWWs) are often used to describe water flow and wave movement in shallow water areas. The article introduces a novel (2 + 1)-dimensional SWW equation. We prove that the equation is integrable and obtain an auto-Bäcklund transformation by truncating Painlevé expansion. Using the bilinear form of the equation, a new auto-Bäcklund transformation and some exact solutions are obtained. Besides, a convergent power series solution is derived using Lie symmetry method. These exact solutions can enrich mathematical modeling and help us understand nonlinear wave phenomena. Finally, conserved vectors are derived.
Passively Q-switched Er,Yb:GdMgB5O10 microchip laser with Cr:ZnS thin layer saturable absorber
Authors: Gorbachenya K N , Volkova E A , Maltsev V V , Koporulina E V , Kuleshov N V , Kisel V E
Published: September 2024

We demonstrate continuous wave and passively Q-switched Er,Yb:GdMgB5O10 microchip lasers emitting in the spectral range of 1.5–1.6 µm. A maximal output power of 220 mW was obtained at 1568 nm at an absorbed pump power of 2.3 W with a slope efficiency of 18%. By using an MBE-grown Cr:ZnS thin layer as a saturable absorber laser pulse with a duration of 24 ns and an energy of 3 µJ at a repetition rate of 50 kHz were obtained at a wavelength of 1568 nm.
Failure Analysis of Corrosion Pit on Outer Wall of Membrane Wall Pipe
Authors: Lu Xianjing , Sun Xudong , An Zhicong , Huang Guogen , Yu Ting
Published: September 2024

Flue gas pipework is a critical component of a flue gas treatment system, mainly transporting the flue gases produced by a combustion plant from the source to the vent. Flue gas pipework is vital in all applications, such as thermal storage gas stoves, heaters, and gas water heaters. However, due to negligent management during the use of piping. Corrosion pits were created in several places on the outer wall of a membrane wall pipe located on the flue gas side of the membrane wall pipe. The external circulation medium of the membrane wall pipe is mainly high-temperature flue gas, and the internal circulation medium is water. This paper determines the causes of the corrosion pits by macroscopic observation, metallographic microstructure analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). It was found that the outer wall of the flue gas sidewall pipe of the failed part was covered with reddish-brown rust, wide and shallow corrosion pits were observed, and the detection area of the inner surface of the pits had a high ‘S’ content. To reiterate, it was concluded that the cause of the corrosion pits was the flue gas dew-point corrosion.
Failure Analysis of Superheater Tube Crack in Waste Heat Boiler
Authors: Lu Xianjing , Sun Xudong , Xu Huiting , Ying Chenkai , Yu Ting
Published: September 2024

During the water pressure test of the waste heat boiler of the heavy metal recovery unit, many leaks were found in the superheater tube bundle. These leaks were all concentrated at the simmering bend location of the superheater tube parent material. This prompted an investigation into the causes of cracks in the superheater tubes of the waste heat boiler. The study followed a systematic approach, starting with macroscopic examination of the samples, nondestructive radiography, water quality examination, chemical composition analysis, metallographic analysis, scanning electron microscopy analysis, and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results of these analyses revealed that the cracks were expanding from the inner wall to the outer wall, the cracks were dendritic in distribution, and the inner and tip of the cracks were full of grey-white oxides, with typical stress corrosion cracking characteristics. The water quality detected a pH value of 10.7, which was alkaline. This sequence of events ultimately led to the conclusion that the tubes were subjected to alkaline stress corrosion cracking due to the concentration of stresses at the simmering bends, which led to the leakage.
Study on CL-20 Initiated by Flyer Driven by Copper Azide
Authors: Wang Jiabao , Wu Xingyu , Li Mingyu
Published: September 2024

A simulation model of copper azide microcharge driving flyer initiation microscale CL-20 explosive was established, and the action process of copper azide detonation driven flyer initiation microscale CL-20 explosive was numerically simulated by ANSYS/LS-DYNA fluid-structure interaction algorithm. The internal pressure and velocity changes of the flyer during the detonation of copper azide and the internal pressure change of the CL-20 explosive during the detonation were studied. The results show that the error between the experimental and numerical simulation results of the average speed of the flyer is within 10%. This provides a feasible solution for the study of the micro-explosion detonation mechanism by simultaneously analyzing the explosion process of the multi-physical field change law. The numerical simulation results are consistent with the experimental results, indicating that the established simulation model can be used to simulate the detonation process of CL-20 initiated by a flyer driven by copper azide. The copper azide charge, with a diameter of 1 mm and a charge thickness of 0.6 mm, successfully initiates the detonation of the CL-20 explosive.
Traditional ecological knowledge of the Moronene tribe: insights into forest conservation practice in Bombana Area, Southeast Sulawesi
Authors: Basri  , Ferdinan A , Powatu H , Chalid A , Sakakibara M , Ayumar A
Published: September 2024

This research examines the traditional ecological knowledge of the Moronene tribe and its insights into forest conservation practices in the Bombana area of Southeast Sulawesi. The Moronene tribe has inhabited this region for centuries, relying on the forest for their livelihoods and cultural practices. The study aims to document and analyze the TEK (traditional ecological knowledge) held by the Moronene tribe, with a specific focus on their role in forest conservation. The research was conducted in the districts of Rarowatu Utara and Lantari Jaya, Bombana Regency. Data collection involved interviews with 100 households, with the heads of households serving as respondents using structured survey questionnaires specifically designed to assess the depth and breadth of traditional ecological knowledge related to forest conservation practices. The findings of the study demonstrate that the aged 56-75 years, ethnicity of Moronene, primary occupations of farmer and civil servant, longevity lived in forest >20 years, and position as royal/royal family have a strong affinity for traditional ecological knowledge of related to the practice of forest conservation in Bombana. The results of this research provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and conservation practitioners seeking to integrate local knowledge systems into forest management and conservation strategies. Recognizing and respecting the traditional ecological knowledge of the Moronene tribe can contribute to a more inclusive and effective approach to conservation that aligns with local values, needs, and aspirations.
Maximizing vanillin loading into paper substrate and its effect on the paper mechanical properties
Authors: Jaya A , Noviandini A F , Arifin Y , Fung L K
Published: September 2024

Vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) is one of the natural food flavouring agents, can be used as an additive in paper packaging. This study aims to understand the suitable solvent to use to achieve the highest vanilla loading into the paper substrate, and its effect on the paper mechanical properties. A total of three types of commercial vanilla flavor products (A, B, and C) in an oil form were diluted to make concentration of 5% (by weight) solution in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or ethanol (EtOH), to immerse 29 gsm paper substrate. The vanillin content of the solution A, B and C in EtOH were 0.95, 1.17, and 1.14% w/v, whereas in IPA were 0.75, 0.81, and 0.69% w/v, respectively. The vanillin content absorbed in paper after immersion was determined from the assay of the samples obtained from an extraction process using water. It was found out that the vanillin concentration in the extract from the paper immersed with flavor A, B and C in EtOH and IPA were 0.05, 0.04, 0.07% w/v, and 0.09, 0.06, 0.03% w/v, respectively. It was also found out that the addition of vanilla had affected the mechanical properties of the paper (tensile strength, TEA and stretch). Compared to the paper without vanilla flavor, paper with flavor A in both solvents have 5% lower of all mechanical properties measured. The papers with flavor B in EtOH showed 10% increase in the mechanical properties, while in IPA showed 5% increase in all properties measured. Different impacts on properties were observed on flavor C. The tensile strength, stretch, and TEA increased by 9, 20, and 50% respectively.
Effect of pH neutral on the separation of nickel and cobalt from laterite leaching solution using cyanex 272
Authors: Yuda A P T , Petrus H T B M , Astuti W
Published: September 2024

Nickel and cobalt are the most common elements in the earth’s crust that naturally occur in laterite ores. Nickel and cobalt from laterite ores are recovered as products such as mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) and mixed sulphide precipitate (MSP). This research focuses on how the nickel laterite leach solution can be processed directly for solvent extraction without going through the precipitation stage. The nitric acid leach solution obtained from the laterite ore is used to extract nickel and cobalt. A cyanex 272 extractant and kerosene mixture will be used as an organic solvent for direct extraction. The raw material used was Indonesian laterite ore from Halmahera Island, which contained Ni (1.72%), Co (0.155%), Fe (26.17%), and other minor elements. The effect of pH in a neutral condition was investigated on the extraction efficiency, distribution coefficient, and separation factor. Nitric acid (1M) was applied as the leaching reagent. The variables include pH variations (6.8; 7.0; 7.2; 7.4; 7.6), 20% cyanex 272, and O/A ratio (1:1/v:v) at 20 minutes with a stirring speed of 500 rpm. Optimum results were obtained at pH 7.4 variation with an extraction efficiency of 69.26% for cobalt and 0% for Ni, respectively. At these optimum conditions, the highest distribution coefficient value is the element cobalt at pH 7.4, and the result is 2.253 with a separation factor (∞). The optimum condition focuses on removing cobalt from the organic phase, not nickel.
Synthesis and characterization of nanocomposites PVA/CMC/NFC as a barrier film paper packaging
Authors: Handayani A S , Nizardo N M , Sugandi N A D
Published: September 2024

The renewable discovery resulting from the synthesis of nanocomposites using nano fibrillated cellulose (NFC) as a nanofiller and poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as a matrix with the addition of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) additives demonstrates good potential for food packaging applications. NFC was synthesized through a mechanical homogenization method from microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and was effectively characterized by its physical properties, including density and particle size. Subsequently, PVA/CMC/NFC nanocomposites were created using a mechanical homogenization method with various CMC concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 2%) and a 90:10 ratio of PVA/CMC to NFC. The resulting nanocomposites were also characterized for their physical properties. It was found that adding CMC 2% increased the density of the solution. Then, these nanocomposites were used to apply as a coating paper. Micro photo characterization was carried out on the nanocomposite to examine the nanocomposite’s morphology on the paper and evaluate the nanocomposite’s performance as a coating paper. The results indicate that the nanocomposite has an uneven particle size distribution and demonstrates agglomeration with increased CMC concentration. This is due to hydrogen bonding interactions among PVA, CMC, and NFC, the adhesion properties to the paper, and the ratio between PVA, CMC, and NFC in solution.
Adsorption of Pb(II) ions using a biosorbent derived from pineapple peel
Authors: Saraswaty V , Aji E S , Hanifah A , Ratnaningrum D , Ardiansyah A , Setiyanto H
Published: September 2024

The potential of pineapple peel as a biosorbent for a heavy metal, Pb(II), was investigated. The experiment was carried out at various contact times, doses of adsorbent, and pH of the solution. Results obviously showed that pineapple peel biosorbent has potential for removing Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorption of Pb(II) ions depended on the pH of the solution. No significant difference was observed when the adsorption was performed at pH of 4.0 and 5.0. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) evaluation indicated that the surface of pineapple peel (PP) biosorbent is arranged like flakes and fractures, in addition some pores are also present. The biosorbent made from pineapple peel showed a cloud-like layer in the SEM image after adsorption, showing that the Pb(II) ions were successfully adsorbed. About >90% of 100 ppm Pb(II) ions were adsorbed within 5 minutes, indicating that the biosorbent derived from pineapple peel has a fast adsorption capacity. In conclusion, our investigation clearly showed the potential of biosorbent-derived pineapple peel to remove heavy metals, including Pb(II) ions, from solutions.