bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Significant refinement and spheroidization of harmful Fe-rich phases in Al–Cu–Mg alloys by small Sn addition
Authors: Yu Xinxiang , Song Wencheng , Shi Dandan , Shi Xianli , Dong Xiaoyan , Sun Youzheng , Dai Han
Published: July 2022

Solidification phases of conventional cast aerospace Al–Cu–Mg alloys and their evolution during homogenization were comprehensively studied. Significant refinement and spheroidization of solidification phases were found by the addition of 0.04, 0.15, and 1.00 mass % Sn to Al–Cu–Mg alloys. The soluble Sn component is dissolved in the Al matrix as solute atoms, while Sn in excess of the solid solubility segregates in the intradendrites in the form of Sn pools with a size (diameter) of one-half to several micrometers. These solute Sn atoms and Sn pools can capture Cu, Mg, and Fe atoms or hinder their diffusion into the residual liquid phase in the interdendritic region during solidification. Owing to the Sn addition, the contents of the Al2Cu, Al2CuMg, and Al7Cu2Fe phases in the interdendritic region are greatly reduced, thereby leading to significant refinement and spheroidization of these solidification phases. The formation of proeutectoid Mg2Sn phases is also found to be effective for the refinement of solidification phases.
Effects of electronic structure and magnetic performance at the surface/interface of r-GO and TiO2 in r-GO/TiO2 composite thin films: X-ray absorption near-edge structure and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Ray Sekhar C. , Mishra Dilip Kumar , Wang H. T. , Bhattacharya (Mitra) Sriparna , Pong W. F.
Published: July 2022

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) were synthesized separately by the radio frequency reactive magnetron sputtering technique on a Si-substrate (TiO2/Si) and the improved Hummers method, respectively. For deposition of r-GO onto TiO2, an aqueous solution of r-GO was deposited on the TiO2/Si thin film by the spin coating process to fabricate the (r-GO/TiO2)/Si composite thin-film. The (r-GO/TiO2)/Si composite thin-film is characterized using different spectroscopic techniques to study the effects at the interface of TiO2 and r-GO in the surface defects, vacancy, incorporation of the different oxygenated moiety, microstructural, surface morphological, electronic, and magnetic performance. Our motivation is to contribute and understand mainly the tuning of the electronic structure and magnetic performance of the (r-GO/TiO2)/Si composite structure for the development of future promising optoelectronic and spintronic applications. We found that the magnetic performance is improved due to the change in the electronic properties of r-GO deposited on TiO2 thin films. Thus, the role of the interfacial defects in the (r-GO/TiO2)/Si thin film and the mechanism of the tuning of the electronic structure and magnetic performance are elucidated comprehensively.
Single-junction quantum-circuit refrigerator
Authors: Vadimov V. , Viitanen A. , Mörstedt T. , Ala-Nissila T. , Möttönen M.
Published: July 2022

We propose a quantum-circuit refrigerator (QCR) based on photon-assisted quasiparticle tunneling through a single normal-metal–insulator–superconductor (NIS) junction. In contrast to previous studies with multiple junctions and an additional charge island for the QCR, we directly connect the NIS junction to an inductively shunted electrode of a superconducting microwave resonator making the device immune to low-frequency charge noise. At low characteristic impedance of the resonator and parameters relevant to a recent experiment, we observe that a semiclassical impedance model of the NIS junction reproduces the bias voltage dependence of the QCR-induced damping rate and frequency shift. For high characteristic impedances, we derive a Born–Markov master equation and use it to observe significant non-linearities in the QCR-induced dissipation and frequency shift. We further demonstrate that, in this regime, the QCR can be used to initialize the linear resonator into a non-thermal state even in the absence of any microwave drive.
Multipole infinite series expansion of the Coulomb repulsion term using analytical spherical Bessel-like functions
Authors: Jobunga E. O. , Mutembei J. K. , Awuor K. O.
Published: July 2022

Special functions are particular mathematical functions which arise in the solutions of various classical problems in physics. The functions are quite useful in mathematical analysis. Mostly, they find applications in applied mathematics, theoretical physics, and engineering. Special functions are usually uniquely described by a generating function, a Rodrigues’ formula, and a recurrence relation. In this work, we derive analytical spherical Bessel-like functions corresponding to the infinite degree power series expansion of the functions obtained in the multipole series expansion of the Coulomb repulsion term. The convergence of the truncated power series expansion of the functions with the corresponding derived analytical functions, as well as the comparison of analytical functions of the first and second kinds, is analyzed. Rodrigues’ formula and a recurrence relation for obtaining these analytical functions are also presented. It is shown that the higher order even and odd spherical Bessel-like functions of the first kind are derivable from the lowest order functions of the first and second kinds, respectively.
Investigation of design and self-recovery characteristics of multicellular energy-absorbing structures manufactured via laser powder bed fusion
Authors: Liu Zhixin , Liu Weidong , Ma Weijie
Published: July 2022

Direct structuring of three-dimensional structures by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) offers a higher degree of freedom in structural design and solves the difficult problem of traditional machining for complex structural parts. Here, we report the energy absorption characteristics of different multicellular structures manufactured via LPBF. We evaluate the energy absorption properties for different multicellular structures [triangular multicellular structure, quadrilateral multicellular structure, pentagonal multicellular structure (PMS), hexagonal multicellular structure, and octagonal multicellular structure (OMS)] by experimental and numerical calculations. The accuracy of the simulation is verified by comparing the deformation and force–displacement curves of different structures. The PMS has the best overall performance, with specific energy absorption and crushing force efficiency being 3331 mJ and 3165.74 J/kg, respectively. At the same time, the shape memory effect of all structures under 15% deformations is more than 95%. However, partial failure of the OMS occurred within 15% of the deformation. Therefore, the problem of partial failure of the structure under low deformation is a critical problem to be solved urgently in the future.
Terahertz and infrared transmission properties of super-thin periodic multi-walled carbon nanotube gratings
Authors: Yang Xiao , Zhao Jiabin , Pan Junfeng , Wang Yue , Song Mingxin
Published: July 2022

Super-aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube arrays on Si wafer were synthesized by low press chemical vapor deposition. The super-thin multi-walled carbon nanotube films were obtained by a drawing process on the side of the vertically aligned carbon nanotubes. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy. Terahertz time-domain measurements showed that anisotropic transmission properties were observed. The multi-walled carbon nanotube films with various two-dimensional periods and thicknesses displayed remarkably enhanced transmission at the terahertz range. Comparing experimental results with theoretical calculations revealed that the excitation of surface plasmon polaritons on the carbon nanotubes/Si interface was the key mechanism responsible for the enhanced transmission. The resonance peaks were red shifted with increasing period. In the infrared region, no obvious resonance peaks were observed.
Pressurized turbulent premixed CH4/H2/air flame validation using OpenFOAM
Authors: Guerrero J.
Published: July 2022

In this study, we use the Algebraic Flame Surface Wrinkling (AFSW) model to conduct numerical simulations of the PSI (Paul Scherrer Institute) high pressure, turbulent premixed Bunsen flame experiments. The AFSW model was implemented in the open-source computational fluid dynamics solver OpenFOAM, and the numerical simulations were performed using a two-dimensional axial-symmetric model with the standard k–ɛ turbulence model with wall functions. The numerical simulations were performed for two different fuel/air mixtures, namely, 100% CH4 volumetric ratio and 60% CH4 + 40% H2 volumetric ratio. The thermophysical and transport properties of the mixture were calculated as a function of temperature using the library Cantera (an open-source suite of tools for problems involving chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport processes), together with the GRI-Mech 3.0 chemical mechanism. It was found that the outcome of the AFSW model implemented in OpenFOAM was in good agreement with the experimental results, quantitatively and qualitatively. Further assessment of the results showed that, as much as the chemistry, the turbulence model and turbulent boundary/initial conditions significantly impact the flame shape and height.
Transformation of ZnS microspheres to ZnO, their computational (DFT) validation and dye-sensitized solar cells application
Authors: Waghadkar Yogesh , Shinde Manish , Tripathi Nilakantha , Pujari Bhalchandra , Bute Madhushree , Tamboli Ashif , Suzuki Norihiro , Fouad Hassan , Terashima Chiaki , Choi Hyosung , Rane Sunit , Chauhan Ratna , Gosavi Suresh , Fujishima Akira
Published: July 2022

ZnO spheres were synthesized by solid state oxidation of ZnS microspheres at different oxidation temperatures of 600 and 700 °C in an ambient atmosphere. The high temperature transformation of ZnS microspheres into hexagonal structured and highly crystalline ZnO microspheres comprising interconnected nanoparticles facilitating efficiently electron transport as well as charge collection through an intended path in the solar cell. The comparative physico-chemical and photovoltaic studies were done for synthesized ZnO microspheres. The structural study by x-ray diffraction of ZnO confirmed the hexagonal ZnO; the UV–Visible spectroscopy study showed λmax varying from 410 to 413 nm and 397 to 407 nm for ZnO microspheres synthesized by heating at 600 and at 700 °C, respectively. Additionally, crystalline and electronic structures were validated by density functional theory studies. The computational studies also revealed growth of hexagonal ZnO, where the bandgap varied with the oxidation temperature. The photovoltaic properties of ZnO microspheres synthesized at 600 °C exhibited better performance than the ones synthesized at 700 °C due to high surface roughness leading to enhanced dye loading and favorable charge collection. Dye-sensitized solar cells fabricated from ZnO microspheres synthesized at 600 and 700 °C exhibited the maximum power conversion efficiency of 3.38% and 3.06% correspondingly.
C16orf72/HAPSTR1 is a molecular rheostat in an integrated network of stress response pathways
Authors: Amici David R. , Ansel Daniel J. , Metz Kyle A. , Smith Roger S. , Phoumyvong Claire M. , Gayatri Sitaram , Chamera Tomasz , Edwards Stacey L. , O’Hara Brendan P. , Srivastava Shashank , Brockway Sonia , Takagishi Seesha R. , Cho Byoung-Kyu , Goo Young Ah , Kelleher Neil L. , Ben-Sahra Issam , Foltz Daniel R. , Li Jian , Mendillo Marc L.
Published: July 2022

All cells contain specialized signaling pathways that enable adaptation to specific molecular stressors. Yet, whether these pathways are centrally regulated in complex physiological stress states remains unclear. Using genome-scale fitness screening data, we quantified the stress phenotype of 739 cancer cell lines, each representing a unique combination of intrinsic tumor stresses. Integrating dependency and stress perturbation transcriptomic data, we illuminated a network of genes with vital functions spanning diverse stress contexts. Analyses for central regulators of this network nominated C16orf72/HAPSTR1, an evolutionarily ancient gene critical for the fitness of cells reliant on multiple stress response pathways. We found that HAPSTR1 plays a pleiotropic role in cellular stress signaling, functioning to titrate various specialized cell-autonomous and paracrine stress response programs. This function, while dispensable to unstressed cells and nematodes, is essential for resilience in the presence of stressors ranging from DNA damage to starvation and proteotoxicity. Mechanistically, diverse stresses induce HAPSTR1, which encodes a protein expressed as two equally abundant isoforms. Perfectly conserved residues in a domain shared between HAPSTR1 isoforms mediate oligomerization and binding to the ubiquitin ligase HUWE1. We show that HUWE1 is a required cofactor for HAPSTR1 to control stress signaling and that, in turn, HUWE1 feeds back to ubiquitinate and destabilize HAPSTR1. Altogether, we propose that HAPSTR1 is a central rheostat in a network of pathways responsible for cellular adaptability, the modulation of which may have broad utility in human disease.
Differentiation and homeostasis of effector Treg cells are regulated by inositol polyphosphates modulating Ca2+influx
Authors: Min Hyungyu , Kim Wooseob , Hong Sehoon , Lee Sungkyu , Jeong Jinguk , Kim Seyun , Seong Rho H.
Published: July 2022

Activated Foxp3+regulatory T (Treg) cells differentiate into effector Treg (eTreg) cells to maintain peripheral immune homeostasis and tolerance. T cell receptor (TCR)–mediated induction and regulation of store-operated Ca2+entry (SOCE) is essential for eTreg cell differentiation and function. However, SOCE regulation in Treg cells remains unclear. Here, we show that inositol polyphosphate multikinase (IPMK), which generates inositol tetrakisphosphate and inositol pentakisphosphate, is a pivotal regulator of Treg cell differentiation downstream of TCR signaling. IPMK is highly expressed in TCR-stimulated Treg cells and promotes a TCR-induced Treg cell program. IPMK-deficient Treg cells display aberrant T cell activation and impaired differentiation into RORγt+Treg cells and tissue-resident Treg cells. Mechanistically, IPMK controls the generation of higher-order inositol phosphates, thereby promoting Ca2+mobilization and Treg cell effector functions. Our findings identify IPMK as a critical regulator of TCR-mediated Ca2+influx and highlight the importance of IPMK in Treg cell-mediated immune homeostasis.
Working memory tasks in interpreting studies
Authors: Ghiselli Serena
Published: July 2022

Studies about working memory (WM) and interpreting have used a variety of methods and results are often
conflicting. There is therefore the need to analyse the cognitive tasks which have been used so far to assess their effectiveness
in detecting WM performance differences. This paper presents the findings of a meta-analysis that compares the results of
interpreters and interpreting students (study group) to the results of non-interpreters (control group) in four cognitive tasks
(reading span, n-back task, listening span and dual tasks). Interpreters show a significant WM advantage of medium size over
non-interpreters in tasks based on verbal stimuli, but not in tasks based on non-verbal stimuli. In addition, differences are
larger when there is a wider gap in interpreting expertise between the two groups.
Effectiveness of PNL technique in disaster damage assessment: evidence from selective case studies
Authors: Dave P , Pasari S
Published: July 2022

Natural disasters often cause large scale infrastructural damage and disruption of services. In such cases, a rapid damage assessment technique might prove beneficial to assist the disaster management efforts. Percent of normal light (PNL) can be one such technique. In this study, we test the effectiveness of PNL technique in rapid damage assessment from four selected case studies, namely the 2014 cyclone Hudhud, 2015 Gorkha (Nepal) earthquake, 2016 Central Italy earthquake, and the 2018 flood in Kerala. The dataset used has been taken from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite–Day/Night Band (VIIRS-DNB) scan data from the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS-1). The change in radiance values from the VIIRS-DNB dataset enables PNL computation to map the disaster affected regions. The results depict that PNL can be a viable alternative for rapid damage assessment.
Machine learning algorithms in geostatistical data analysis: formulation and observation
Authors: Pasari S , Asudani P , Mehta A
Published: July 2022

Geostatistical analyses on spatiotemporal datasets have been increasingly popular on diverse disciplines including environmental sciences, soil and earth studies, meteorology, hydrology, and oceanography. They help in documenting and summarizing information to understand the variation of the process and other parameters. Due to high spatial variability and noise in the dataset, traditional geostatistical tools often fail to produce desirable results. In view of this, the present study proposes two machine learning methods, namely artificial neural network (ANN) and k-nearest neighbour (kNN), along with the kriging interpolation to derive temporal distribution of soil parameters. Results in terms of smooth porosity maps demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Application of Hybrid Support Vector Machine model for Streamflow Prediction in Barak valley, India
Authors: Sahoo A , Ghose D K
Published: July 2022

Forecasting streamflow (Qflow) is vital in flood and water management, determining potential of river water flow, agricultural practices, hydropower generation, and environmental flow study. This research aims to explore capability of hybrid support vector machines (SVM) with Whale Optimisation Algorithm (WOA) model for forecasting streamflow at Badarpur Ghat gauging station of Barak river basin and evaluate its enactment with the conventional SVM model. Root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) statistical measures are considered as evaluating standards. Assessment of outcomes indicates that the optimization algorithm could enhance the accurateness of standalone SVM model in monthly streamflow forecasting. Compared to conventional artificial intelligence methods without a data pre-processing system, the comparatively good performance of applied hybrid model gives an effective alternate to achieve better precision in streamflow forecasting. Results confirm that enhanced SVM model can better process a multifaceted hydrogeological data set, have higher prediction accuracy, and possess better generalisation capability.
Evaluation of a Preliminary Support Design of Railway Tunnel Adit in Inner Lesser Himalaya India: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Azad Md Alquamar , Singh Neelratan , Singh S K , Alok Apurva
Published: July 2022

This article addresses the excavation method and support design for the adit tunnel in the Rudraprayag District, Lesser Himalayas of India, using Rock Mass Rating (RMR), Tunneling Quality Index (Q), and New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM). Based on ONORM B 2203 correlations with RMR and Q systems, the New Austrian Tunneling Method rock structure classes were developed. Because the geology was constantly changing, NATM concepts were applied. The RMR-based rock mass estimates were overestimated, but the qualitative investigation was correct. The NATM method is more appropriate for a Garhwal Himalayan rock with varying rock mass uncertainty. The present adit research reveals several outstanding questions about rock mass quality, tunnel behavior during construction, and use. The analysis results might be used to build new tunnels in comparable terrain in other parts of the world.
Groundwater quality assessment and its insinuations in some parts of Aheri taluka dist. - Gadchiroli, Maharashtra
Authors: Peddiwar S T , Ingole D K , Nimbarte G R
Published: July 2022

Aheri tehsil of Gadchiroli district in the Indian state of Maharashtra is located on the bank of the Pranhita River, a side stream of the Godavari River. In the present study, total five villages from Aheri taluka were selected to collect groundwater samples. A total number of 25 samples were collected, where five samples represent each village. This study is concerned with physicochemical parameters mainly electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, temperature, chloride, fluoride, total hardness, pH, nitrate, alkalinity, iron and turbidity to analyse groundwater quality. Out of 25 samples, eight samples of water were detected to be unfit for consumption. Hence, some remedial measures are suggestible. The study revealed the associations among all physicochemical parameters by correlation coefficient analysis.
Characterization of coke plant effluent by lysimeter test to evaluate safe disposal to land
Authors: Kumar Nikhil , Naik H K , Mishra Lipsa , Jena S
Published: July 2022

The importance of coal carbonization industries is evolving with great interest from the national point of view. In coke ovens, naturally found coal is converted to coke suitable for metallurgical industries. Enormous quantities of liquid effluents produced contain suspended solids high in COD, BOD, phenols, ammonia, and other toxic substances disposed into the water bodies without proper treatment contamination of the aquatic ecosystem. A large coke plant of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) at Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) has been surveyed for this purpose, and the impact of its effluent on surface water quality is discussed in this paper. The study found that concentrations of BOD, COD, total suspended, and dissolved solids have exceeded the tolerance limit as per I.S.: 2490 effluent water standard (inland surface water). Column lysimeters were prepared by collecting soil from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) campus, Jhirpani riverside, Mandira Dam side, putting it layer-wise into a column, and compacting it carefully to put on the original in-situ conditions. Raw effluents, diluted effluents, and water (as a blank) were applied to the three lysimeters twice a week with a 5cm inundating. The impact of raw and diluted effluent on groundwater quality and soil is also studied and discussed in this paper. The study found that the RSP soil sample and NIT campus soil sample were found more efficient for the disposal of effluents, and it is estimated that 2.73 hectares of land can be irrigated with effluents of the coke plant without deteriorating groundwater and soil quality.
Landuse/landcover monitoring and spatiotemporal modelling using multilayer perceptron and ‘multilayer perceptron’-Markov Chain ensemble models: A case study of Dausa City, Rajasthan
Authors: Soni Sangeeta , Singh Harvir , Qurashi Jameel , Shuja Mirza , Pandey Manish , Arora Aman
Published: July 2022

The present work is an attempt to the LULC classification, monitoring, and spatiotemporal prediction using Artificial Neural Network - Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) and MLP-Markov Chain (MC) models. Dausa city and its surroundings of Rajasthan, India has been selected for this study for several reasons including arid climatic setting being a sensitive precursor to the climate change scenarios and the huge population pressure experienced by the area. The MLP based supervised classification for two periods 2001 and 2018 have been analyzed using Landsat 7 Thermal Mapper (TM) and Landsat 8 OLI satellite images. The images were classified into six LULC categories viz. Built-up (Settlements), Cultivated Lands (Agricultural/Cropland), Water Body, Uncultivated/Fallow Lands, Barren Lands, and Forest/Vegetation cover. The accuracy assessment for both classified images was performed using confusion matrix led Kappa Coefficient (K) technique. Reasonable accuracies, K=0.82 (2001) & K = 0.91 (2018), have been achieved for datasets selected for both periods of time. The MLP-MC model based spatiotemporal LULC prediction for the year 2045, using the trends in the classified LULC results for the period 2001-2018, prophecies that the ‘built-up land’ would increase to reach 76.10 km2 (67.60% increase) in 2045 with the reference year 2001 whereas the increase in this class of LULC would only be 39.34% during the period 2018-2045. The ‘cultivated land’ (2001-2045: -83.86%; 2018-2045: -65.20%), ‘barren land’, (2001-2045: -54.70%; 2018-2045: -4.86%), ‘water body’ (2001-2045: -96.43%; 2018-2045: -84.42%), and ‘forest/vegetation’ (2001-2045: -81.94%; 2018-2045: -20.59%), categories would experience continuous areal decline over this period, though some at faster pace and other at comparatively lower rate. The projected unprecedented exponential increase in ‘follow land/uncultivated land’ (2001-2045: +372.45%; 2018-2045: +6.39%) presents worrisome future picture of this ecologically sensitive and fragile region. The results of this study indicate and warrant intensive management and policy, and local level participation of communities to help maintain the deteriorating ecological balance in this ecologically sensitive arid ecosystem with fragile agricultural and natural vegetation traits.
Noise Mapping during New Year Eve in selected residential zone of Raipur City
Authors: Kumar Vishal , Ahirwar A.V. , Prasad A.D.
Published: July 2022

Noise can be said to be invisible danger which present in our environment. Monitoring and mitigating of noise is very much important to build a health environment. This study mapped the noise levels increased during the New Year Eve 2022 of selected residential area of Raipur City. Increase in the levels of noise was seen during the Eve due to burning of crackers and use of loudspeakers during the celebrations. Five locations were selected for the study and noise map was prepared for pre and post New Year Eve 2022. From the map all the five locations showed higher noise levels (above 70dBA pre Eve and above 67dBA post Eve) than the prescribed limit (above 55 dBA day time and 45 dBA night time) of Central Pollution Control Board, New Delhi.
Estimation of crop water requirements within Wainganga sub-basin for Kharif and Rabi season using spatial analysis
Authors: Londhe Digambar S , Kapgate Mamta D , Katpatal Y B , Mukesh M S
Published: July 2022

In India, largest user of the water is agriculture sector is the, so it is important to do the proper management of available water. Aim of this study to estimate crop water requirements (CWR) for Kharif and Rabi seasons within Wainganga sub-basin by using remote sensing and GIS technique. For this, reference evapotranspiration (ET0) is estimated by using the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Penman-Monteith method. Weather data from 8 weather stations has been collected to estimate ET0. The crop coefficient (KC) is estimated by using linear relationship with Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The MODIS NDVI dataset is used for calculation of crop coefficient. The effective precipitation (Pe) has been calculated to estimate CWR by using FAO recommended empirical method. The spatial variation maps for ET0, KC, actual evapotranspiration (ETa) and CWR are generated using Inverse Distance Weightage (IDW) interpolation technique in ArcGIS software. The results show that ET0 and ETa are higher in Kharif season than the Rabi season. The KC is also found higher in kharif than in rabi. Since the Pe is negligible in Rabi season, CWR in Rabi season is found to be higher than kharif season. The CWR in Rabi varies between 320 mm to 378 mm and in kharif season it varies between 94 mm to 263 mm. It is concluded that the seasonal estimation of CWR helps in understanding the peak water demand in that season in better way. It is required to provide sufficient irrigation to the crops in Rabi season especially as the agricultural production completely depends on the irrigation facilities in the study area because there is no rainfall in this season.
Physically based modelling techniques for landslide susceptibility analysis: A comparison
Authors: Meena V , Kumari S , Shankar V
Published: July 2022

In mountainous areas, landslides are the most common natural catastrophic event, due to these events thousands of people are killed each year, and millions of dollars are lost in property damage. Landslides are mainly induced by earthquakes, rainfall, or manmade activities. Several GIS techniques, such as synthetic aperture radar, ranging data from spaceborne, airborne, and ground-based platforms, optical, and light detection and various physically based models such as SINMAP, TRIGRS, SHALSTAB etc. have been widely used to study slope failures in recent years. Each of these techniques has advantages and limitations for susceptibility analysis of landslides. The current research focuses on landslide susceptibility models that are physically based, their parameterization and working principle. The study infers that TRIGRS is the most commonly used model for slope stability analysis, whereas GEO top model is the only 3D slope stability model which considers the spatial variation of soil parameters hence it can be considered as the most advanced physically based slope stability model.
Spatial variation of Physico-chemical parameters and water quality assessment of urban ponds at Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
Authors: Tamrakar Anjali , Upadhyay Kshitij , Bajpai Samir
Published: July 2022

Water bodies, natural or man-made, are under threat due to rapid urbanization. This research paper assesses the water quality of 20 ponds located in the vicinity of urban habitats of Raipur district, Chhattisgarh (India) using the Water Quality Index (WQI). The samples were analyzed for 16 physicochemical parameters in the post-monsoon winter season. The parameters were used to calculate WQI and the ponds were categorized accordingly for end use purposes, that is, drinking, irrigation, industrial, or unfit for use without treatment. The WQI of post-monsoon samples resulted in that 75% of the total pond water samples are in excellent condition, & 25% of the samples are unfit for various activities like drinking, irrigation, industrial & domestic. A high value of nutrients was observed in all the ponds, suggesting that the nutrient entering through surface runoff, solid waste disposal, and wastewater is entering the ponds. Our results conclude that all ponds require interventional steps to restore pond water quality and stop it from further degradation, determining which trophic state of the ponds may change in the future. The spatial monitoring of physical and chemical properties of pond water helps to predict, identify, and assess the natural condition of the urban ponds and their relation with the surrounding (environment) and helps in adopting rejuvenation measures.
Kodagu disaster (Floods - Emphasis on Catchment Fragmentation Index and unscientific land usage) analysis using GIS
Authors: Kushal M , Barman Sangita Deb
Published: July 2022

India is a densely populated country, natural hazards like floods and landslides cause a great impact on peoples’ life and property as well. The floods and landslides in Kodagu, Karnataka was not only because of unexpected heavy rain but has various man-made causes like unscientific land-usage modifications. This unscientific land usage and linear constructions like roads railways, etc. have caused catchment fragmentation, hindered or blocked the natural streamflow, and resulted in localized water stagnation, resulting in floods and landslides. This paper defines an index-catchment fragmentation index to generalize the causes of both unscientific land usage and linear constructions (mainly roads). Catchment fragmentation causes variations in soil moisture content, flow path, flow velocity, flow connectivity, as well as on concentration time. This paperuses the Multi-Criteria Decision Making-Analytical hierarchy process (MCDM-AHP) to create a flood hazard zonation map and also aims at predicting the hazard and vulnerability zones and hence triesto guide on correcting the unscientific land usages.
Advancement of Environmental Concerns Through Cli-Fi: James Bradley’s Clade as a Prototype
Authors: Manjhi Anil
Published: July 2022

Climate Change due to anthropogenic factors and its repercussions in the form of disastrous environmental calamities is the burning issue in the current scenario. People of different fields are trying every possible means to bring awakening in the populace. The field of literature is also making contributions to this noble cause. Cli-fi or Climate Change Fiction is the newfangled branch of Ecocriticism from the field of literature, which is entirely dedicated to dealing with and bringing up climate change problems, global warming and likewise. The impact of this genre of literature has brought up the positive impact on the wider range of the population in simple language as compared to that of the technical language. Thus, this research study aims to bring forth the advancement of environmental concern employing Cli-fi or Climate Change Fiction by analysing James Bradley’s work Clade as a prototype and inclusively quoting other key literary works in this genre and their primary contributions made in this field of operation. The narrative technique with vivid descriptions, the mapping of the psychological awakening of emotions towards environmental concern and the portrayal of environmental calamities will pave the way and establish the advanced approach of literature for environmental concern and climate change.
3D Monitoring & its Significance in Tunneling: Special Emphasis on Tunnel T-74R of USBRL Project, India
Authors: Ahmed A , Mishra S , Singh A K , Azad A
Published: July 2022

Nowadays, Tunnels are the major transportation network throughout the world. The importance of tunnel and its associated system also increases as the demand of Tunnel construction increases day by day. It has its significant importance in water conveyance networks as well as communication networks. As it is spreading fast over the world, the assessments of deformations are becoming an important part of tunneling system. The paper deals with the 3D monitoring system for the safety perspective and to make proper judgement about the condition of tunnels related to the information obtained in the measuring equipments. It also enables to react under various rock setting with the precise and reliable monitoring results. As we observed in the T-74R tunnel, where deformation of the tunnel’s support system is a natural occurrence, the T-74R’s main support system was also affected. The groundmass is prone to deformation due to its poor state and proximity to the principal thrust. The finding of the T-74R tunnel utilising 3D monitoring devices is important. They have provided the information about actual ground behaviour conditions.
Assessment of active tectonics in the Siwalik basin around the Subansiri river, NE India
Authors: Singh Archana , Gogoi Bijoylakshmi , Bezbaruah Devojit , Singh Neelratan
Published: July 2022

In this paper we evaluate the morphotectonics of the area around the Subansiri river in north-eastern India. Research focuses on understanding the impacts on areas experiencing active tectonic deformation. It also explains the variety of kinematics observed in the area from the Miocene to the present. The tectonics can explain some structures related to the extensional tectonics predominant in the region and the development of the minor and major morph structures driven by faults with different kinematics. We developed a morphotectonic evolutionary model for the area based on the morphotectonic analysis and geological mapping. Morphotectonic indices used to evaluate the tectonic activeness in this study are Mountain Front sinuosity Index, Valley Floor Width to Valley Height Ratio, Asymmetry Factor, Transverse Topographic Symmetry Factor, Mountain Front Steepness Index, Basin Shape Index and Stream Length Gradient Index. There are numerous lineaments present in the study area which are trending in NW-SE and NE-SW direction.
Research on shear strength of geopolymer concrete by using fly ash
Authors: Daur Sachin A. , Sinha Madhulika
Published: July 2022

Cement is one of the most important construction material. Cement is a backbone of civil engineering work. Development of whole world depends upon increasing infrastructure. For which cement is very necessary. Manufacturing of cement produce huge amount of carbon di-oxide and other greenhouse gases which is hazardous to the environment causes pollution. Hence it is very necessary to develop alternative binding material instead of cement for construction. Many researchers contribute their work on replacement of cement in concrete.
Development of different hydrogeological influencing thematic layers and groundwater potential zones of Deo river watershed of Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, India
Authors: Mohanta N K , Jhariya D C , Mawale Y K , Sahu M
Published: July 2022

Water is one of the most abundant renewable resources, and it is essential to all living things. Groundwater is one of the major sources of Water in the planet Earth. Continuous uses of water without any conservation cause lowering of Ground water level and thus living forms are facing many problems now-a-days. Due to increase in industrialisation in the state of Odisha water problem is rising its head. Using Remote Sensing and Geographic information system (GIS) methods, this research aids in the delineation of water potential zones in the Deo river watershed in Mayurbhanj district, odisha. For this, different thematic layers have been prepared and interpreted. This study may be helpful to monitor and conserve groundwater in near future.
Improving plasma sterilization by constructing a plasma photocatalytic system with a needle array corona discharge and Au plasmonic nanocatalyst
Authors: ZHU 朱 Bin 斌 , LI 李 Qiwei 其玮 , GAO 高 Yanan 亚楠 , YAN 闫 Yan 妍 , ZHU 朱 Yimin 益民 , XU 徐 Li 力
Published: July 2022

Efficient sterilization by a plasma photocatalytic system (PPS) requires strong synergy between plasma and photocatalyst to inactivate microorganisms while suppressing the formation of secondary pollutants. Here, we report that a PPS constructed from a needle array corona discharge and Au/TiO2 plasmonic nanocatalyst could remarkably improve the sterilization of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and alleviate formation of the discharge pollutant O3. At 6 kV, the combination of corona discharge and Au/TiO2 achieves sterilization efficiency of 100% within an exposure time of 5 min. At 5 kV and an exposure time of 8 min, the presence of Au/TiO2 improves sterilization efficiency of the corona discharge from 73% to 91% and reduces the O3 concentration from 0.38 to 0.04 ppm, whereas the presence of TiO2 reduces the sterilization efficiency and O3 concentration to 66% and 0.17 ppm, respectively. The Au/TiO2 in the PPS enables a uniform corona discharge, enhances the interaction between plasma, E. coli and nanocatalysts, and suppresses the formation of O3. Further, the Au/TiO2 can be excited by ultraviolet–visible light emitted from the plasma to generate electron–hole pairs, and thus contributes to the formation of reactive radicals and the oxidative inactivation of E. coli. The PPS constructed from a needle array corona discharge and Au-based plasmonic nanocatalyst provides a promising approach for developing high-efficiency sterilization techniques.
Impact of comprehensive geriatric assessment on the risk of adverse events in the older patients receiving anti-cancer therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chuang Min-Hsiang , Chen Jui-Yi , Tsai Wen-Wen , Lee Chia-Wei , Lee Mei-Chuan , Tseng Wen-Hsin , Hung Kuo-Chuan
Published: July 2022

Background

to assess the efficacy of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) for preventing treatment-related toxicity in older people undergoing non-surgical cancer therapies.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases were searched from inception till January 2022 to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the incidence of toxicity measured by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (primary outcome) and that of therapeutic modifications, early treatment discontinuation, progression-free survival, overall survival and hospitalisation (secondary outcomes).

Results

analysis of six RCTs published from 2016 to 2021 recruiting 2,126 participants (median age: 71–77) who received chemotherapy as the major therapeutic approach revealed 51.7% and 64.7% of Grade 3+ toxicity in the CGA and control (i.e. standard care) groups, respectively (RR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.7–0.94, P = 0.005, I2 = 65%, certainty of evidence [COE]: moderate). There were no significant differences in the incidence of early treatment discontinuation (RR = 0.88, P = 0.47; I2 = 63%,1,408 participants, COE: low), initial reduction in treatment intensity (RR = 0.99, P = 0.94; I2 = 83%, 2055 participants, COE: low), treatment delay (RR = 1.06, P = 0.77, I2 = 0%, 309 participants, COE: moderate), hospitalisation (RR = 0.86, P = 0.39, I2 = 41%, 914 participants, COE: moderate), progression-free and overall survival with or without CGA. However, there was an association between CGA and a lower incidence of dose reduction during treatment (RR = 0.73, P < 0.00001, 956 participants, COE: moderate).

Conclusions

our results demonstrated that comprehensive geriatric assessment may be associated with a lower incidence of treatment-related toxicity and dose reduction compared to standard care in older people receiving non-surgical cancer treatments. Further large-scale studies are warranted to support our findings.
The UN Decade of healthy ageing: strengthening measurement for monitoring health and wellbeing of older people
Authors: Amuthavalli Thiyagarajan Jotheeswaran , Mikton Christopher , Harwood Rowan H , Gichu Muthoni , Gaigbe-Togbe Victor , Jhamba Tapiwa , Pokorna Daniela , Stoevska Valentina , Hada Rio , Steffan Grace Sanico , Liena Ana , Rocard Eileen , Diaz Theresa
Published: July 2022

Over the past 100 years, life expectancy has increased dramatically in nearly all nations. Yet, these extra years of life gained have not all been healthy, particularly for older people aged 60 years and over. In 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations (UN) member states embraced a sweeping 10-year global plan of action to ensure all older people can live long and healthy lives, formally known as the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030). With the adoption of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing resolution, countries are committed to implementing collaborative actions to improve the lives of older people, their families and the communities in which they reside. The Decade addresses four interconnected areas of action. Adopting the UN's resolution on the Decade of Healthy Ageing has caused excitement, but a question that has weighed on everyone's mind is how governments will be held accountable? Besides, there have been no goals or targets set for the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing from a programmatic perspective for the action areas, and guidance on measures, data collection, analysis and reporting are urgently needed to support global, regional and national monitoring of the national strategies, programmes and policies. To this end, WHO in collaboration with UN agencies and international agencies established a Technical Advisory Group for Measurement of Healthy Ageing (TAG4MHA) to provide advice on the measurement, monitoring and evaluation of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing at the global, regional and national levels.
Impact of pharmacist participation in the patient care team on value-based health measures
Authors: Patti Michael , Colmenares Evan W , Abrahamson Anna , Weddle Sarah , Cavanaugh Jamie , Deyo Zack , Vest Mary-Haston
Published: July 2022

Purpose

To evaluate whether pharmacist engagement on the interdisciplinary team leads to improved performance on diabetes-related quality measures.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study of patients seen in primary care and specialty clinics from October 2014 to October 2020. Patients were included if they had a visit with a physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, or clinical pharmacist practitioner (CPP) within the study period and had a diagnosis of diabetes. The intervention group included patients with at least one visit with a CPP, while the control group consisted of patients who were exclusively managed by non-CPP providers. The primary outcome of this study was the median change in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to follow-up at 3, 6, and 12 months. The secondary outcome was the probability of achieving the HbA1c targets of <7% and <8% at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results

Patients referred to a CPP had higher HbA1c levels at baseline and were more likely to have concomitant hypertension (P < 0.01). Patients seen by a CPP had 0.31%, 0.41%, and 0.44% greater reductions in HbA1c compared to patients in the control group at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively (P < 0.01). Patients managed by a CPP were also more likely to achieve the identified HbA1c targets of <7% and <8%.

Conclusion

Patients referred to a CPP were more complex, but had greater reductions in HbA1c and were more likely to achieve HbA1c goals included in the organization’s quality measures. This study demonstrates the value of pharmacists in improving patient care and their role in supporting an organization’s achievement of value-based quality measures.
iACVP: markedly enhanced identification of anti-coronavirus peptides using a dataset-specific word2vec model
Authors: Kurata Hiroyuki , Tsukiyama Sho , Manavalan Balachandran
Published: July 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic caused several million deaths worldwide. Development of anti-coronavirus drugs is thus urgent. Unlike conventional non-peptide drugs, antiviral peptide drugs are highly specific, easy to synthesize and modify, and not highly susceptible to drug resistance. To reduce the time and expense involved in screening thousands of peptides and assaying their antiviral activity, computational predictors for identifying anti-coronavirus peptides (ACVPs) are needed. However, few experimentally verified ACVP samples are available, even though a relatively large number of antiviral peptides (AVPs) have been discovered. In this study, we attempted to predict ACVPs using an AVP dataset and a small collection of ACVPs. Using conventional features, a binary profile and a word-embedding word2vec (W2V), we systematically explored five different machine learning methods: Transformer, Convolutional Neural Network, bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory, Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machine. Via exhaustive searches, we found that the RF classifier with W2V consistently achieved better performance on different datasets. The two main controlling factors were: (i) the dataset-specific W2V dictionary was generated from the training and independent test datasets instead of the widely used general UniProt proteome and (ii) a systematic search was conducted and determined the optimal k-mer value in W2V, which provides greater discrimination between positive and negative samples. Therefore, our proposed method, named iACVP, consistently provides better prediction performance compared with existing state-of-the-art methods. To assist experimentalists in identifying putative ACVPs, we implemented our model as a web server accessible via the following link: http://kurata35.bio.kyutech.ac.jp/iACVP.