bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A bayesian spatio-temporal dynamic analysis of food security in Africa
Authors: Bofa Adusei , Zewotir Temesgen
Published: July 2024

Exploring the factors influencing Food Security and Nutrition (FSN) and understanding its dynamics is crucial for planning and management. This understanding plays a pivotal role in supporting Africa's food security efforts to achieve various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Utilizing Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on data from the FAO website, spanning from 2000 to 2019, informative components are derived for dynamic spatio-temporal modeling of Africa’s FSN Given the dynamic and evolving nature of the factors impacting FSN, despite numerous efforts to understand and mitigate food insecurity, existing models often fail to capture this dynamic nature. This study employs a Bayesian dynamic spatio-temporal approach to explore the interconnected dynamics of food security and its components in Africa. The results reveal a consistent pattern of elevated FSN levels, showcasing notable stability in the initial and middle-to-late stages, followed by a significant acceleration in the late stage of the study period. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia exhibited particularly noteworthy high levels of FSN dynamicity. In particular, child care factors and undernourishment factors showed significant dynamicity on FSN. This insight suggests establishing regional task forces or forums for coordinated responses to FSN challenges based on dynamicity patterns to prevent or mitigate the impact of potential food security crises.
Genetic background influences mineral accumulation in rice straw and grains under different soil pH conditions
Authors: Yamamoto Toshio , Kashihara Kazunari , Furuta Tomoyuki , Zhang Qian , Yu En , Ma Jian Feng
Published: July 2024

Mineral element accumulation in plants is influenced by soil conditions and varietal factors. We investigated the dynamic accumulation of 12 elements in straw at the flowering stage and in grains at the mature stage in eight rice varieties with different genetic backgrounds (Japonica, Indica, and admixture) and flowering times (early, middle, and late) grown in soil with various pH levels. In straw, Cd, As, Mn, Zn, Ca, Mg, and Cu accumulation was influenced by both soil pH and varietal factors, whereas P, Mo, and K accumulation was influenced by pH, and Fe and Ni accumulation was affected by varietal factors. In grains, Cd, As, Mn, Cu, Ni, Mo, Ca, and Mg accumulation was influenced by both pH and varietal factors, whereas Zn, Fe, and P accumulation was affected by varietal factors, and K accumulation was not altered. Only As, Mn, Ca and Mg showed similar trends in the straw and grains, whereas the pH responses of Zn, P, K, and Ni differed between them. pH and flowering time had synergistic effects on Cd, Zn, and Mn in straw and on Cd, Ni, Mo, and Mn in grains. Soil pH is a major factor influencing mineral uptake in rice straw and grains, and genetic factors, flowering stage factors, and their interaction with soil pH contribute in a combined manner.
Optimization of fracturing technology for unconventional dense oil reservoirs based on rock brittleness index
Authors: Wu Huimei , Zhang Nan , Lou Yishan , Zhai Xiaopeng , Liu Bin , Li Song
Published: July 2024

The concept of volume fracturing has revolutionized the conventional limits of low permeability, expanded the effective resource space, and significantly enhanced oil well production in tight oil reservoir development. This paper elucidates the mechanism of volume fracturing technology for tight sandstone reservoirs by considering multiple factors such as the initiation range of multi-fractures, influence of far-well horizontal principal stress on fracture initiation and propagation, degree of natural fractures development, and mechanical parameters of reservoir rock. Through simulation based on the mechanical parameters of reservoir rock, a comparative analysis was conducted between the model-calculated rock fracture pressure value and measured data from fracturing construction wells in the study area. The results revealed that there was a discrepancy within 10% between the model calculations and actual data. By simulating the effects of different injection volumes of fracturing fluid, pumping rates, and perforation methods on the fracture geometry, optimal design parameters for volume fracturing technology were obtained. Additionally, we propose optimization ideas and suggestions for construction parameters applicable to field operations. The simulation results indicate that a minimum recommended fluid volume scale exceeding 1800 m3 is advised for the reservoir. Based on frictional calculations, it is recommended to have an on-site construction rate not less than 18.0 m3/min along with 36–48 holes/section for perforation purposes. The numerical simulation research presented in this paper provides a theoretical reference basis and practical guidance for the application of fracturing network technology in tight sandstone reservoirs.
Results of neck-specific exercise for altered postural sway in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders: a longitudinal case–control study
Authors: Peolsson Anneli , Bahat Hilla Sarig , German Dmitry , Peterson Gunnel
Published: July 2024

Postural sway has not been investigated before or after a neck exercise intervention in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). The aim of the study was to investigate postural sway in individuals with chronic WAD grades 2 and 3: (a) compared with healthy matched controls at baseline; (b) after three months of neck-specific exercise and (c) to investigate the correlation between postural sway with self-reported dizziness during motion and balance problems/unsteadiness. This is a longitudinal prospective experimental case–control intervention study. Individuals with WAD (n = 30) and age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers (n = 30) participated. Postural sway was assessed using an iPhone application. Measurements were carried out at baseline, and for those with WAD a second measurement was performed at the three-month follow-up when neck-specific exercise intervention ended. The WAD group performed significantly worse than the healthy group in both pathway and ellipse area double stance eyes closed at baseline (main outcome), but not at the three-month follow-up. The WAD group significantly improved after rehabilitation in both pathway double stance eyes closed and pathway single stance eyes open. The correlation between postural sway and self-rated dizziness during motion and balance problems was low to moderate. One may conclude that postural sway was improved after a neck-specific exercise programme. The study results strengthen earlier findings that individuals with WAD have worse balance outcome when they have to rely on neck proprioception (eyes closed). The study results may be important for the development of improved rehabilitation methods for WAD.
Occurrence of an unusual extensive ice-free feature within the pack ice of the central Weddell Sea, Antarctica
Authors: Jena Babula , Turner John , Reeves-Francois Tylei , Bajish C. C , Holmes Caroline , Harrison Thomas Caton , Phillips Tony , Wang Zhaomin
Published: July 2024

We investigate an unusual extensive ice-free feature (EIF) within the pack ice that developed in the central Weddell Sea in December 1980 on the edge of the multi-year sea ice off the east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The EIF was first apparent on satellite imagery on 8 December 1980 and expanded until it reached its largest areal extent of ~5.4 × 105 km2 on 26 December. The combined influences of near-record strength ( ~ 15 ms−1) cold winds from the Antarctic continent (transporting sea ice northward and creating an area of thin ice), increased shortwave radiation and net heat flux into the ocean, passage of deep polar storms, and the upwelling of high saline warm water led to the opening of this unique EIF. It is still the largest ice-free feature within the pack ice resembling a polynya observed in the central Weddell Sea during the satellite era, contributing significantly to the 1981 Weddell Sea sea ice extent minimum of 0.793 × 106 km2, the lowest on record. The development mechanism of this EIF was different from the 1970’s Weddell open ocean polynya which occurred within the winter sea ice cover through enhanced ocean convection.
Multiphysics machine learning framework for on-demand multi-functional nano pattern design by light-controlled capillary force lithography
Authors: Chapagain Ashish , Cho In Ho
Published: July 2024

Nature finds ways to realize multi-functional surfaces by modulating nano-scale patterns on their surfaces, enjoying transparent, bactericidal, and/or anti-fogging features. Therein height distributions of nanopatterns play a key role. Recent advancements in nanotechnologies can reach that ability via chemical, mechanical, or optical fabrications. However, they require laborious complex procedures, prohibiting fast mass manufacturing. This paper presents a computational framework to help design multi-functional nano patterns by light. The framework behaves as a surrogate model for the inverse design of nano distributions. The framework’s hybrid (i.e., human and artificial) intelligence-based approach helps learn plausible rules of multi-physics processes behind the UV-controlled nano patterning and enriches training data sets. Then the framework’s inverse machine learning (ML) model can describe the required UV doses for the target heights of liquid in nano templates. Thereby, the framework can realize multiple functionalities including the desired nano-scale color, frictions, and bactericidal properties. Feasibility test results demonstrate the promising capability of the framework to realize the desired height distributions that can potentially enable multi-functional nano-scale surface properties. This computational framework will serve as a multi-physics surrogate model to help accelerate fast fabrications of nanopatterns with light and ML.
Ultra-fast perovskite electro-optic modulator and multi-band transmission up to 300 Gbit s−1
Authors: Mao Jiawei , Uemura Futa , Yazdani Sahar Alasvand , Yin Yuexin , Sato Hiromu , Lu Guo-Wei , Yokoyama Shiyoshi
Published: July 2024

The gap between the performance of optoelectronic components and the demands of fiber-optic communications has narrowed significantly in recent decades. Yet, the expansion of data communications traffic remains substantial, with fiber-link speeds increases anticipated in the near future. Here, we demonstrate an ultra-high-speed electro-optic waveguide modulator constructed using a thin film of lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate with a ferroelectric phase exhibiting a strong Pockels effect. The modulator has a wide optical window; thus, the modulation was demonstrated for 1550 and 1310 nm wavelengths. This device showed electro-optical intensity signaling with line rates of 172 Gbit s−1, in conjunction with on–off keying modulation; this performance could be increased to 304 Gbit s−1 using four-level pulse modulation. The signaling performance of this modulator was found to be robust, with stable performance at temperatures as high as 100 °C. This technology is expected to have applications in a wide range of classical optoelectronic devices and in quantum science and technology.
Aspirations versus adaptive achievements in the face of climate change in Sri Lanka
Authors: van den Berg Julia , Mallick Bishawjit
Published: July 2024

This research explores the linkages between threat perception and adaptive behaviour in the face of climate change in Galle, Sri Lanka. We use an analytical framework to analyse the complexity of aspiration versus adaptive practices, centring around the synthesis of threat perception, vulnerability, adaptive capacity and livelihood resilience. Our findings reveal that individual threat perception incentivises climate adaptation strategies, bolstering livelihood resilience. However, unfavourable societal circumstances affecting the participants significantly impede the implementation of these resilience strategies. In addition to a knowledge gap and lack of climate change awareness in popular discourse, we observe a conspicuous discrepancy between individual aspirations and adaptive capacity with the ongoing economic crisis and the need for governmental climate legislation at the time of research. This research, therefore, emphasises a nuanced approach to researching climate change adaptation, considering the gravity of societal circumstances that delimit how individuals can engage in livelihood resilience strategies.
A novel colorectal cancer test combining microsatellite instability and BRAF/RAS analysis: Clinical validation and impact on Lynch syndrome screening
Authors: Gallon Richard , Herrero-Belmonte Patricia , Phelps Rachel , Hayes Christine , Sollars Elizabeth , Egan Daniel , Spiewak Helena , Nalty Sam , Mills Sarah , Loo Peh Sun , Borthwick Gillian M. , Santibanez-Koref Mauro , Burn John , McAnulty Ciaron , Jackson Michael S.
Published: July 2024

Background

Lynch syndrome (LS) is under-diagnosed. UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines recommend multistep molecular testing of all colorectal cancers (CRCs) to screen for LS. However, the complexity of the pathway has resulted in limited improvement in diagnosis.

Methods

One-step multiplex PCR was used to generate sequencing-ready amplicons from 14 microsatellite instability (MSI) markers and 22 BRAF, KRAS, and NRAS mutation hotspots. MSI and BRAF/RAS variants were detected using amplicon-sequencing and automated analysis. The assay was clinically validated and deployed into service in northern England, followed by regional and local audits to assess its impact.

Results

MSI analysis achieved 99.1% sensitivity and 99.2% specificity and was reproducible (r = 0.995). Mutation hotspot analysis had 100% sensitivity, 99.9% specificity, and was reproducible (r = 0.998). Assay-use in service in 2022–2023 increased CRC testing (97.2% (2466/2536) versus 28.6% (601/2104)), halved turnaround times, and identified more CRC patients at-risk of LS (5.5% (139/2536) versus 2.9% (61/2104)) compared to 2019–2020 when a multi-test pathway was used.

Conclusion

A novel amplicon-sequencing assay of CRCs, including all biomarkers for LS screening and anti-EGFR therapy, achieved >95% testing rate. Adoption of this low cost, scalable, and fully automatable test will complement on-going, national initiatives to improve LS screening.
Transmission dynamics of avian influenza viruses in Egyptian poultry markets
Authors: Mahmoud Sara H. , Gomaa Mokhtar , El Taweel Ahmed , Moatasim Yassmin , Kamel Mina Nabil , El Sayes Mohamed , Abo Shama Noura M. , Badra Rebecca , Mahmoud Mona , McKenzie Pamela P. , Webby Richard J. , Kandeil Ahmed , Ali Mohamed Ahmed , El-Shesheny Rabeh , Kayali Ghazi
Published: July 2024

Live bird markets (LBMs) are considered hotspots for Avian Influenza Viruses (AIVs). In such markets, AIVs pose threats to both poultry and public health. Within LBMs, AIVs spread through various routes, including direct contact, environmental contamination, and aerosol transmission. Unique factors in Egyptian LBMs, such as the coexistence of wild and domestic birds, increase transmission risks between birds as well as spill-overs into exposed humans. Understanding the transmission dynamics of AIVs is vital for implementing effective control measures. We conducted a study in four Egyptian LBMs located in Mediterranean coast cities from November 2021 to March 2023. In this study we tested 3,971 samples from poultry, wild birds, and the environment, out of which 692 (17.4%) were positive for AIV. Poultry exhibited a higher prevalence (42.2%) than wild birds (34.4%). Environmental samples, including water (30.8%), surfaces (17.2%), and air (18.2%), also tested positive for AIV. Diverse AIV subtypes, including H5N1, H9N2, H5/H9 co-infection, and H5N8, were detected among avian species and the environment. Temporal analysis revealed fluctuating IAV positivity rates from November 2021 to March 2023. These results emphasize the importance of continuous surveillance, resource allocation, and multisectoral collaboration to protect poultry and human health, and prevent novel influenza strains’ emergence in Egyptian LBMs.
Emergence of exchange bias in van der Waals magnetic alloy CrxPt1−xTe2
Authors: Bailey-Crandell Ryan , Huey Warren L. B. , Williams Archibald J. , Zhou Wenyi , Goldberger Joshua E. , Kawakami Roland K.
Published: July 2024

CrxPt1−xTe2 is a recently developed van der Waals magnetic alloy noted for its stability under ambient conditions. Here, we report the emergence of an exchange bias effect in CrxPt1−xTe2, without typical exchange bias sources such as an adjacent antiferromagnetic layer. We find that the exchange bias is present for x = 0.45 and absent for x = 0.35, which is correlated to the presence of a Cr modulation where the Cr concentration alternates each vdW layer (modulation period of 2 layers) for x ≥ 0.4. We perform Monte Carlo simulations utilizing exchange parameters from first-principles calculations, which recreate the exchange bias in hysteresis loops of Cr0.45Pt0.55Te2. From our simulations, we infer the source of exchange bias to be magnetic moments locked into free energy minima that resist magnetization reversal. This work presents a way to introduce desirable magnetic properties to van der Waals magnets.
Magnetic anisotropy and GGG substrate stray field in YIG films down to millikelvin temperatures
Authors: Serha Rostyslav O. , Voronov Andrey A. , Schmoll David , Verba Roman , Levchenko Khrystyna O. , Koraltan Sabri , Davídková Kristýna , Budinská Barbora , Wang Qi , Dobrovolskiy Oleksandr V. , Urbánek Michal , Lindner Morris , Reimann Timmy , Dubs Carsten , Gonzalez-Ballestero Carlos , Abert Claas , Suess Dieter , Bozhko Dmytro A. , Knauer Sebastian , Chumak Andrii V.
Published: July 2024

Quantum magnonics investigates the quantum-mechanical properties of magnons, such as quantum coherence or entanglement for solid-state quantum information technologies at the nanoscale. The most promising material for quantum magnonics is the ferrimagnetic yttrium iron garnet (YIG), which hosts magnons with the longest lifetimes. YIG films of the highest quality are grown on a paramagnetic gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) substrate. The literature has reported that ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) frequencies of YIG/GGG decrease at temperatures below 50 K despite the increase in YIG magnetization. We investigated a 97 nm-thick YIG film grown on 500 μm-thick GGG substrate through a series of experiments conducted at temperatures as low as 30 mK, and using both analytical and numerical methods. Our findings suggest that the primary factor contributing to the FMR frequency shift is the stray magnetic field created by the partially magnetized GGG substrate. This stray field is antiparallel to the applied external field and is highly inhomogeneous, reaching up to 40 mT in the center of the sample. At temperatures below 500 mK, the GGG field exhibits a saturation that cannot be described by the standard Brillouin function for a paramagnet. Including the calculated GGG field in the analysis of the FMR frequency versus temperature dependence allowed the determination of the cubic and uniaxial anisotropies. We find that the total crystallographic anisotropy increases more than three times with the decrease in temperature down to 2 K. Our findings enable accurate predictions of the YIG/GGG magnetic systems behavior at low and ultralow millikelvin temperatures, crucial for developing quantum magnonic devices.
Spintronic devices for biomedical applications
Authors: Mostufa Shahriar , Liang Shuang , Chugh Vinit Kumar , Wang Jian-Ping , Wu Kai
Published: July 2024

In the past decade, there has been a significant rise in the development of novel spintronic device architectures specifically designed to meet the demands of diverse biomedical applications. These advancements have notably focused on enhancing various bioassay detection techniques, including magnetocardiography and neural signal recording. Through collaboration within the spintronics community, these devices are rapidly transitioning from laboratory prototypes to practical applications, catering to diverse biomedical applications and benefiting both researchers and medical practitioners alike. In this review, we comprehensively explore the biomedical applications of spintronic devices, due to their inherent sensitivity to external magnetic fields, ease of fabrication into large arrays of nano/micro-sized devices within confined spaces, resilience under harsh environmental conditions, and high repeatability. Established spintronics devices that exploit various magnetoresistive effects have already been extensively deployed as magnetic biosensors for disease diagnosis, medical imaging, and bio-magnetic field detection, offering superior sensitivity and robustness. This review aims to provide peers with an up-to-date overview of spintronic devices in biomedical contexts while also commenting on future research trends and challenges. With advancements in nano/microfabrication techniques enhancing device robustness and magnetic field sensitivity, it is foreseeable that these spintronic devices could catalyze revolutionary transformations in healthcare.
Frequency-modulated timer regulates torpor–arousal cycles during hibernation in distinct small mammalian hibernators
Authors: Gibo Shingo , Yamaguchi Yoshifumi , Gracheva Elena O. , Bagriantsev Sviatoslav N. , Tokuda Isao T. , Kurosawa Gen
Published: July 2024

Hibernation allows mammals to endure harsh seasons by reducing their basal metabolism and body temperature (Tb) to minimize energy expenditure. During hibernation in small animals such as Syrian hamsters and 13-lined ground squirrels, Tb decreases to an ambient level ( < 5 °C) and remains constant for days to weeks in a physiological condition termed deep torpor. Torpor is interrupted by periods of arousal, during which Tb recovers to a euthermic level (approximately 37 °C), and these torpor–arousal cycles are repeated multiple times during hibernation. However, little is known about the mechanisms governing Tb fluctuations during hibernation. In this study, we employed an unbiased model selection approach to Tb data and revealed that a model incorporating frequency modulation quantitatively reproduced Tb fluctuation during hibernation in Syrian hamsters. We found that an unexpectedly long period of 120–430 days modulates a shorter period of several days. In addition, the aforementioned model reproduced Tb fluctuation in 13-lined ground squirrels, which can undergo repeated hibernation according to intrinsic circannual rhythms in constant laboratory conditions. This is the first quantitative study to demonstrate the concerted action of two endogenous periods, one lasting a few days and the other lasting a year, in the torpor–arousal cycles of distinct mammalian hibernators. We anticipate that our theoretical analysis of Tb fluctuation will be a starting point for quantitative comparisons of hibernation patterns across various hibernating species. Furthermore, quantification of Tb data using models will foster our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of hibernation by revealing the biological processes operating within these periods.
Ductile-to-brittle transition and yielding in soft amorphous materials: perspectives and open questions
Authors: Divoux Thibaut , Agoritsas Elisabeth , Aime Stefano , Barentin Catherine , Barrat Jean-Louis , Benzi Roberto , Berthier Ludovic , Bi Dapeng , Biroli Giulio , Bonn Daniel , Bourrianne Philippe , Bouzid Mehdi , Del Gado Emanuela , Delanoë-Ayari Hélène , Farain Kasra , Fielding Suzanne , Fuchs Matthias , van der Gucht Jasper , Henkes Silke , Jalaal Maziyar , Joshi Yogesh M. , Lemaître Anaël , Leheny Robert L. , Manneville Sébastien , Martens Kirsten , Poon Wilson C. K. , Popović Marko , Procaccia Itamar , Ramos Laurence , Richards James A. , Rogers Simon , Rossi Saverio , Sbragaglia Mauro , Tarjus Gilles , Toschi Federico , Trappe Véronique , Vermant Jan , Wyart Matthieu , Zamponi Francesco , Zare Davoud
Published: July 2024

The manuscript offers a critical perspective on the shear-induced solid-to-liquid transition in amorphous materials, synthesizing insights from the talks and informal discussions that unfolded during a week of vibrant exchange at the Lorentz Center.
A green approach to nanoplastic detection: SERS with untreated filter paper for polystyrene nanoplastics
Authors: Chaisrikhwun Boonphop , Balani Mary Jane Dacillo , Ekgasit Sanong , Xie Yunfei , Ozaki Yukihiro , Pienpinijtham Prompong
Published: July 2024

A green SERS method using untreated filter paper achieves low detection limits (0.31 μg mL−1) for various polystyrene nanoplastics in water samples, offering a simple and practical monitoring method.
Synthesis of a novel twisted π-conjugated macrocycle via double Friedel–Crafts reaction and its physical properties
Authors: Jiang Zhiyan , Kuninobu Yoichiro
Published: June 2024

We report the synthesis of a novel twisted π-conjugated macrocycle bridged by C(sp3) atoms by double Friedel–Crafts reaction. This molecule is a rare example of a π-conjugated macrocyclic system with homoconjugation.
Organelle-based immunotherapy strategies for fighting against cancer
Authors: Li Yanhua , Song Yingying , Yin Jiaqi , Pan Wei , Li Na , Tang Bo
Published: June 2024

Intelligent immunotherapeutic strategies based on influencing the function of organelles and some suggestions for constructing strategies are highlighted.
Recent progress in transition metal complexes featuring silylene as ligands
Authors: Hendi Zohreh , Pandey Madhusudan K. , Kushvaha Saroj Kumar , Roesky Herbert W.
Published: June 2024

This review highlights recent advances in transition metal complexes of silylene, showcasing their efficacy in hydroboration, hydrosilylation, hydrogenation, hydrogen isotope exchange, and small molecule activation chemistry.
Evaluating the interactions between vibrational modes and electronic transitions using frontier orbital energy derivatives
Authors: Schröder Lisa A. , Anderson Harry L. , Rončević Igor
Published: July 2024

Frontier orbital energy derivatives can be used to identify vibrations strongly coupled to electronic structure.
Aromaticity transfer in an annulated 1,4,2-diazaborole: facile access to Cs symmetric 1,4,2,5-diazadiborinines
Authors: Pattathil Vignesh , Pranckevicius Conor
Published: July 2024

A tricyclic annulated 1,4,2-diazaborole reacts with hydrido-, fluoro-, and chloro-boranes to form 6-membered diazadiborinine derivatives. Reduction of these latter products leads to the first examples of Cs symmetric 1,4,2,5-diazadiborinines.
Dynamics of an aqueous suspension of short hyaluronic acid chains near a DPPC bilayer
Authors: Paul Anirban , Chakrabarti Jaydeb
Published: June 2024

Atomistic simulations show the dynamics of the HA–water/DPPC bilayer interface is sensitive to HA concentration and weakly varies with chain size. Factors influencing the interface are HA network structure, HA–DPPC interactions, and HA residence time.
Nanoplastic at environmentally relevant concentrations activates a germline mir-240-rab-5 signaling cascade to affect the secreted ligands associated with transgenerational toxicity induction in C. elegans
Authors: Hua Xin , Zhang Le , Wang Dayong
Published: July 2024

Epigenetic regulation plays an important role in regulating the transgenerational toxicity of pollutants.
Bimodal alteration of cognitive accuracy for spintronic artificial neural networks
Authors: Kumar Anuj , Das Debasis , Lin Dennis J. X. , Huang Lisen , Yap Sherry L. K. , Tan Hang Khume , Lim Royston J. J. , Tan Hui Ru , Toh Yeow Teck , Lim Sze Ter , Fong Xuanyao , Ho Pin
Published: July 2024

A bimodal approach to enhance cognitive accuracies by tuning the magnetoresistance and multistate in a compound spin synapse is developed.
Simple temperature-regulated polymerization for the fabrication of a tea polyphenols-modified PVDF membrane for emulsion separation
Authors: Xie Atian , Lu Lei , Wei Can , Luo Jirong , Tian Tong , Wang Feiyan , Li Quan , Pu Jiaheng , Cui Jiuyun , Li Chengcai
Published: July 2024

Surface modification of membranes through facile coating methods is a promising way to improve their pollution resistance and separation performance.
Reusable isotype heterojunction g-C3N4/alginate hydrogel spheres for photocatalytic wastewater treatment
Authors: Narita Yuito , Nishi Kento , Matsuyama Tatsushi , Ida Junichi
Published: July 2024

Isotype heterojunction g-C3N4 synthesized from urea and thiourea showed high photocatalytic activity, completely decolorizing Rhodamine B in 15 min under visible light. Immobilized in an alginate hydrogel, it maintained efficiency over 10 cycles.
A novel fluorescent probe with a phosphofluorene molecular structure for selective detection of hydrogen sulfide in living cells
Authors: Zhang Shuntao , Liu Xingyong , Chen Xiangjun , Tang Jiefeng , Wang Juan
Published: July 2024

The fluorescent probe PPF-CDNB based on the asymmetric π-conjugated phosphine structure of phosphorfluorene can highly selectively and sensitively detect hydrogen sulfide in live cells, and exhibits a significant fluorescence enhancement effect.
Slow hole diffusion limits the efficiency of p-type dye-sensitized solar cells based on the P1 dye
Authors: Brands Maria B. , Lugier Olivier C. M. , Zhu Kaijian , Huijser Annemarie , Tanase Stefania , Reek Joost N. H.
Published: July 2024

The performance of NiO as p-type semiconducting material in DSSC's suffers from excessive charge recombination, limiting the overall efficiency. Here we study the origin of the phenomenon, indicating that slow hole diffusion is the main cause.
Fusing crops representation into snippet via mutual learning for weakly supervised surveillance anomaly detection
Authors: Zhang Bohua , Xue Jianru
Published: July 2024

In recent years, the challenge of detecting anomalies in real‐world surveillance videos using weakly supervised data has emerged. Traditional methods, utilising multi‐instance learning (MIL) with video snippets, struggle with background noise and tend to overlook subtle anomalies. To tackle this, the authors propose a novel approach that crops snippets to create multiple instances with less noise, separately evaluates them and then fuses these evaluations for more precise anomaly detection. This method, however, leads to higher computational demands, especially during inference. Addressing this, our solution employs mutual learning to guide snippet feature training using these low‐noise crops. The authors integrate multiple instance learning (MIL) for the primary task with snippets as inputs and multiple‐multiple instance learning (MMIL) for an auxiliary task with crops during training. The authors’ approach ensures consistent multi‐instance results in both tasks and incorporates a temporal activation mutual learning module (TAML) for aligning temporal anomaly activations between snippets and crops, improving the overall quality of snippet representations. Additionally, a snippet feature discrimination enhancement module (SFDE) refines the snippet features further. Tested across various datasets, the authors’ method shows remarkable performance, notably achieving a frame‐level AUC of 85.78% on the UCF‐Crime dataset, while reducing computational costs.
Prediction of voltage stability index in buses without measurement in distribution systems
Authors: Hemmatpour Mohammad Hasan
Published: June 2024

In power systems, voltage collapse during overload can be a significant threat. Accurate forecasting of critical operational conditions within power grids is crucial for preventing such situations. Precise predictions of voltage collapse enable operators to monitor the system closely and implement necessary corrective measures promptly, avoiding potential issues. However, monitoring networks can be costly due to the numerous loads and transformers in the distribution system. A comprehensive approach known as the voltage stability index (VSI) forecast without measurement buses (VFWMB) has been introduced to address this challenge. This approach involves innovative methods, including the seeking observation zone with weight least square (SOZWLS) technique for determining the number and location of measurements in the network based on its topology. Additionally, short‐term load forecasting is performed using the long short‐term memory (LSTM) forecasting method, followed by voltage estimation for buses without measurements. Finally, the proposed method calculates the modern voltage stability index for distribution systems (MVSIDS) for upcoming hours. All indicators and techniques in the VFWMB method have been validated. The algorithm has been thoroughly tested on various networks, including small and large, balanced and unbalanced, and both real and test networks, showing high efficiency in the electricity industry.
A metaheuristic image cryptosystem using improved parallel model and many‐objective optimization
Authors: Xin Zihao , Liu Sheng , Zhou Xiaoyi , Han Wenbao , Ma Jianqiang
Published: July 2024

Metaheuristic is one of the techniques to improve the security of image encryption. However, existing metaheuristic image cryptosystems based on metaheuristic may have convergence difficulties during the optimization process, which cause insecurity and slow convergence. Besides, the time cost of the parallel execution model applied to metaheuristic image cryptosystems is not low enough. Therefore, a parallel many‐objective optimized key generation framework is proposed. Firstly, if four or more security indicators of cryptosystem, which are the results of security test, need to be optimized, the many‐objective optimization algorithm is employed to the proposed framework. With method adjusts the chaotic system parameters as the optimization key, which effectively avoid the convergence difficulty of the encryption key. Secondly, a master‐slave parallel model is improved to metaheuristic encryption. The model allocates the most time‐consuming fitness calculation work to slave nodes, which makes the modified model more reasonable and thus reduces the encryption time. To evaluate the performance of the proposed framework, a specific encryption scheme is constructed, that utilizes a 2D quadric map and many‐objective optimization algorithm based on dominance and decomposition (MOEA/DD) to optimize five security indicators. Experimental results reveal that this scheme has good security performances and less parallel encryption time.
Machine learning‐assisted anomaly detection for power line components: A case study in Pakistan
Authors: Basit Abdul , Manzoor Habib Ullah , Akram Muhammad , Gelani Hasan Erteza , Hussain Sajjad
Published: July 2024

A continuous supply of electricity is necessary to maintain an acceptable standard of life, and the power distribution system's overhead line components play a crucial role in this matter. In Pakistan, identifying defective parts often necessitates human involvement. An unmanned aerial vehicle was used to gather a collection of 10,343 photos to automate this procedure. Using supervised and unsupervised machine learning methods, a number of automated anomaly detection systems were created. Support vector machine, random forest, VGG16, and ResNet50 were used as supervised machine learning models, and a convolutional auto‐encoder was used as the unsupervised machine learning model. VGG16 achieved the best accuracy of 99.00% while random forest achieved the worst accuracy of 72.49%. The convolutional auto‐encoder was successful in distinguishing between normal and abnormal components. The aforementioned machine learning models can be put on unmanned aerial vehicles to immediately identify defective parts.
Computer vision for eye diseases detection using pre‐trained deep learning techniques and raspberry Pi
Authors: Al‐Naji Ali , Khalid Ghaidaa A. , Mahmood Mustafa F. , Chahl Javaan
Published: July 2024

Early diagnosis of eye diseases is very important to prevent visual impairment and guide appropriate treatment methods. This paper presents a unique approach that can detect numerous eye diseases automatically. Initially, this approach used the pre‐trained ImageNet models that provides various pre‐trained models for training the acquired data. The existing data sets are composed of 645 data images acquired clinically, represented by two groups of subjects as healthy and others holding the proposed eye defect like cataracts, foreign bodies, glaucoma, subconjunctival haemorrhage, and viral conjunctivitis. Followed by comparisons of the pre‐trained model's coefficients and prediction performance. Later, the first‐class execution model is integrated within the Raspberry Pi staging and the real‐time digital camera detection. The evaluation process used the confusion matrix, model accuracy, precision factor, recall coefficient, F1 score, and the Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC). Resulting in the performance of these pre‐trained ImageNet models used in this study represented by 93% (InceptionResNetV2), 90% (MobileNet), 86% (Residual Network ResNet50), 85% (InceptionV3), 78% (Visual Geometry Group VGG19), and 72% (Neural Architecture Search Network NASNetMobile). The results show that the InceptionResNetV2 achieved the highest performance. This proposed approach shows its efficiency and strength by early detection of the subject's unhealthy eyes through real‐time monitoring in the field of ophthalmology.
The Cygnus Allscale Survey of Chemistry and Dynamical Environments: CASCADE
Authors: Christensen I. Barlach , Wyrowski F. , Veena V. S. , Beuther H. , Semenov D. , Menten K. M. , Jacob A. M. , Kim W.-J. , Cunningham N. , Gieser C. , Hacar A. , Li S. , Schneider N. , Skretas I. , Winters J. M.
Published: July 2024

Context. Deuterated molecules and their molecular D/H-ratios (RD (D)) are important diagnostic tools with which to study the physical conditions of star-forming regions. The degree of deuteration, RD (D), can be significantly enhanced over the elemental D/H-ratio depending on physical parameters such as temperature, density, and the ionization fraction.

Aims. Within the Cygnus Allscale Survey of Chemistry and Dynamical Environments (CASCADE), we aim to explore the large-scale distribution of deuterated molecules in the nearby (d ~ 1.5 kpc) Cygnus-X region, a giant molecular cloud complex that hosts multiple sites of high-mass star formation. We focus on the analysis of large-scale structures of deuterated molecules in the filamentary region hosting the prominent HII region DR21 and DR21(OH), a molecular hot core that is in an earlier evolutionary state.

Methods. The DR21 filament has been imaged using the IRAM 30-m telescope in a variety of deuterated molecules and transitions. Here, we discuss the HCO+, HNC, and HCN molecules and their deuterated isotopologs DCO+, DNC, and DCN, and their observed line emissions at 3.6, 2, and 1.3 mm.

Results. The spatial distributions of integrated line emissions from DCO+, DNC, and DCN reveal morphological differences. Notably, DCO+ displays the most extended emission, characterized by several prominent peaks. Likewise, DNC exhibits multiple peaks, although its emission appears less extended compared to DCO+. In contrast to the extended emission of DCO+ and DNC, DCN appears the least extended, with distinct peaks. Focusing only on the regions where all three molecules are observed, the mean deuteration ratios for each species, RD, are 0.01 for both DNC and DCN, and = 0.005 for DCO+, respectively. Anticorrelations are found with deuterated molecules and dust temperature or N(H2).

Conclusions. The strongest anticorrelation is found with RD(DCO+) and N(H2), with a Pearson correlation coefficient of ρ = −0.74. We analyzed the SiO emission as a tracer for shocks and the N (HCO)/N (H13CO+) as a tracer for increased photodissociation by ultraviolet radiation. It is suggested that the anticorrelation of RD (DCO+) and N(H2) is a result of a combination of an increased photodissociation degree and shocks. A strong positive correlation between the ratio of integrated intensities of DCN and DNC with their 13C-isotopologs is found in high-column-density regions. The positive relationship between the ratios implies that the D-isotopolog of the isomers could potentially serve as a tracer for the kinetic gas temperature.
Gaia DR3 reveals the complex dynamical evolution within star clusters
Authors: Viscasillas Vázquez C. , Magrini L. , Miret-Roig N. , Wright N. J. , Alves J. , Spina L. , Church R. P. , Tautvaišienė G. , Randich S.
Published: July 2024

Context. Star clusters, composed of stars born from the same molecular cloud, serve as invaluable natural laboratories for understanding the fundamental processes governing stellar formation and evolution.

Aims. This study aims to investigate correlations between the Mean Interdistance ($ \bar{D_{\mathrm{i}}} $), Mean Closest Interdistance ($ \bar{D_{\mathrm{c}}} $) and Median Weighted Central Interdistance ($ \bar{D_{\mathrm{cc}}} $) with the age of star clusters, examining their evolutionary trends and assessing the robustness of these quantities as possible age indicators.

Methods. We selected a sample of open clusters in the solar region and with a representative number of members (e.g. well populated and without outliers). The interdistances are derived from the spatial distribution of member stars within a cluster. Their evolution over time allows us to use them as age indicators for star clusters.

Results. Our investigation reveals a high-significant correlation between the interdistances and cluster age. Considering the full sample of clusters between 7 and 9 kpc, the relationship is very broad. This is due to uncertainties in parallax, which increase with increasing distance. In particular, we must limit the sample to a maximum distance from the Sun of about 200 pc to avoid artificial effects on cluster shape and on the spatial distribution of their stars along the line of sight.

Conclusions. By conservatively restraining the distance to a maximum of ∼200 pc, we have established a relationship between the interdistances and the age of the clusters. In our sample, the relationship is mainly driven by the internal expansion of the clusters and is marginally affected by external perturbative effects. Such relation might enhance our comprehension of cluster dynamics and might be used to derive cluster dynamical ages.
Delayed compression and breakage of crushed mudstones due to the drying/wetting and temperature cycles
Authors: Nihaaj Mohamed , Kiyota Takashi , Shiga Masataka , Katagiri Toshihiko
Published: July 2024

Soft sedimentary rocks, especially mudstones, disintegrated or crumbled when subjected to cyclic drying and wetting, known as slaking, which was the cause of severe slope failures and ground settlement. Drying/wetting and temperature variation are the influential factors of the slaking. In this study, a conventional oedometer was modified to make a drying/wetting cycle with temperature variation to examine the effects of slaking for four materials with different slaking ratios. Further, one of the four materials (Hamamatsu mudstone), showing higher vertical strains along the drying/wetting cycle, was experimented with under three loading conditions (100 kPa, 200kPa & 500 kPa) and drying/wetting cycles, in which the particle breakage was also measured along the drying/wetting cycles. In addition, a needle penetration test was conducted along the drying/wetting cycles. In the continuous drying/wetting cycles, the occurrence of particle breakage was higher in lower-stress conditions, where the void ratio became a governing factor for the breakage over vertical stress. The needle penetration resistance is dependent on two factors which are density and particle size, and there was a trade-off between them along the drying/wetting cycles. After a couple of drying/wetting cycles, the particle crushing resulted in a noticeable reduction in penetration resistance in lower stress conditions.
Relation between liquefaction resistance and shear modulus of crushable volcanic soils
Authors: Asadi Mohammad Bagher , Orense Rolando , Asadi Mohammad Sadeq
Published: July 2024

Pumice-rich soils originating from volcanic eruptions are deposited in various parts of the world, such as in the central region of North Island, NZ. The pumice sand components of these natural pumiceous (NP) soils are known to be crushable and lightweight, resulting in a significant difference in their cyclic resistance ratio (CRR) and small-strain shear modulus (Gmax) when compared to hard-grained (quartz) sands. In this paper, the results of a number of cyclic triaxial and bender element tests performed on reconstituted specimens of three types of NP sands having different pumice contents (PC), as well as on quartz-type Toyoura sand specimens, are discussed. Then, the concept of modified cyclic yield strain, εay,m, which relates the CRR of the specimen to its Gmax, is used. The results indicate that εay,m appears to be dependent only on the soil type, and independent of the confining pressure applied and the relative density of the specimen. All NP sand specimens show higher εay,m when compared to Toyoura sand because of their higher CRR and lower Gmax, with values of εay,m increasing as the PC of the specimen increases. Based on the results obtained, an empirical chart is developed to estimate the CRR of NP sands from their shear wave velocity (Vs) values under field conditions.
Exploring the role of fabric anisotropy in cyclic liquefaction resistance under non-hydrostatic consolidation: Insights from DEM analysis
Authors: Yang Ming , Taiebat Mahdi
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the cyclic liquefaction resistance of granular materials under non-hydrostatic consolidation using 3D discrete element method (DEM) simulations. The study specifically examines how various sample preparation techniques affect the cyclic liquefaction resistance of polydisperse spherical particle samples with a Kc value of 0.5, where Kc represents the ratio of initial horizontal to vertical normal stresses. The results reveal that the choice of sample preparation technique significantly affects the cyclic liquefaction resistance of the samples. Furthermore, this study explores the inherent fabric of the samples using coordination number and contact-normal fabric anisotropy, and demonstrates that it plays a critical role in controlling the cyclic liquefaction resistance of granular materials under nonhydrostatic consolidation. The study emphasizes the significance of considering the inherent fabric in understanding the behavior of granular materials under non-hydrostatic consolidation. This can inform the design of experiments and the development of constitutive models to explore the interplay between sample preparation techniques, fabric anisotropy, and cyclic liquefaction resistance.