bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultralong-range Rydberg molecules
Authors: Dunning F B , Kanungo S K , Yoshida S
Published: August 2024

Ultralong-range Rydberg molecules (ULRMs) comprise a Rydberg atom in whose electron cloud are embedded one (or more) ground-state atoms that are weakly-bound through their scattering of the Rydberg electron. The existence of such novel molecular species was first predicted theoretically in 2000 but they were not observed in the laboratory until 2009. Since that time, interest in their chemical properties, physical characteristics, and applications has increased dramatically. We discuss here recent advances in the study of ULRMs. These have yielded a wealth of information regarding low-energy electron scattering in an energy regime difficult to access using alternate techniques, and have provided a valuable probe of non-local spatial correlations in quantum gases elucidating the effects of quantum statistics. Studies in dense environments, where the Rydberg electron cloud can enclose hundreds, or even thousands, of ground-state atoms, have revealed many-body effects such as the creation of Rydberg polarons. The production of overlapping clouds of different cold atoms has enabled the creation of heteronuclear ULRMs. Indeed, the wide variety of atomic and molecular species that can now be cooled promises, through the careful choice of atomic (or molecular) species, to enable the production of ULRMs with properties tailored to meet a variety of different needs and applications.
Rate-potential decoupling: a biophysical perspective of electrocatalysis
Authors: Agbo Peter
Published: August 2024

In this perspective, the chemical physics of biological electron transfer are considered in relation to artificial electrocatalyst development. Nature’s ability to access a wide range of chemical reactivities through a relatively narrow set of redox-active motifs, in part by decoupling electron transport rates from reaction driving forces, are suggested as a model for the future of electrocatalyst design and testing. Theoretical rationale and experimental precedents for this concept are put forth, outlining how emulating nature’s ability to arbitrarily tune tunneling currents with respect to donor/acceptor redox potentials – reaction driving forces – may enhance our control over electrocatalyst selectivity.
Synthesis and recent developments of MXene-based composites for photocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Liao Yifan , Wang Xinglin , Gu Huajun , Zhang Huihui , Meng Jiayi , Dai Wei-Lin
Published: August 2024

The energy crisis has already seriously affected the daily lives of people around the world. As a result, designing efficient catalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) is a promising strategy for energy supply. Co-catalyst modification can significantly enhance the photocatalytic activity of single semiconductors, overcoming limitations posed by their narrow visible light absorption range and high electron–hole recombination rate. MXene-based composites demonstrate immense potential as co-catalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen production owing to their distinctive two-dimensional layered structure and outstanding photoelectrochemical properties, and further research and development efforts surrounding MXene-based composites will contribute significantly to the progress of sustainable energy technologies. In this review, we offer a comprehensive overview of synthesis methods for MXene and MXene-based composites, highlight illustrative instances of binary and ternary MXene-based composites in PHE, and explore potential avenues for future research and expansion of MXene-based composites.
Numerical simulations of a low-pressure electrodeless ion source intended for air-breathing electric propulsion
Authors: Šťastný Marek , Mrózek Kryštof , Juřík Karel , Havlíček Lukáš , Novotný Michal , Obrusník Adam
Published: August 2024

Air breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) systems offer a promising solution to extend the lifetime of very low earth orbit (VLEO) missions by using residual atmospheric particles as propellants. Such systems would operate in very low-pressure environments where plasma ignition and confinement prove challenging. In this contribution, we present results of a global plasma model (GPM) of a plasma ignited in a very low-pressure air mixture. The results are validated against experimental measurements acquired using a laboratory electrodeless ion source utilizing a resonator for plasma ignition. The device is specifically designed to operate within low-pressure environments as it holds potential applications in ABEP systems for VLEO missions. Parametric studies are carried out via GPM to investigate the resonant behavior and its implications. The potential of the model serving as a predictive tool is assessed through experimental validation against measured data, mainly investigating the extracted ion current dependency on operational pressure and external magnetic field strength. The verified model is further utilized to extrapolate additional information about the resonant plasma such as ion composition or a degree of ionization.
GFENet: a lightweight network for efficient detection of abnormal objects in transmission line corridors
Authors: Shao Nan , Zou Guofeng , Wei Liangyu , Huang Zhiwei , Zhao Xinyu
Published: August 2024

Abnormal objects in transmission line corridors pose a grave hazard to the security of the power system. The intelligent edge monitoring system, driven by a lightweight model, offers a promising approach. However, due to the limitations of the lightweight networks in addressing various uncertainties of anomalous objects, effectively balancing the efficiency and accuracy of existing methods presents a significant challenge. Therefore, a lightweight network called GFENet is proposed, which is designed to effectively address missed and false detections from the fluctuation in similarity of inter-class features and operational characteristics, as well as the diversity in intra-class shapes and scales under complex conditions. Firstly, learnable and efficient channel attention is proposed. This mechanism utilizes hybrid pooling fusion and weighted learning adjustment strategy to expand the receptive field, thereby capturing the distinctive visual features of the object. Next, we introduce feature pyramid network and path aggregation network to facilitate multi-scale feature interactions. Then, an efficient dynamic head is proposed, which employs a keypoint offset strategy to achieve scale, spatial, and task awareness. This enhances the understanding of object structure and shape without increasing computational costs. Finally, the experimental results on self-built dataset demonstrate that the GFENet can virtually balance network lightweighting and accuracy, significantly enhancing the ability to detect foreign object intrusions in complex environments.
Molecular dynamics simulations of high-energy radiation damage in hcp-titanium considering electronic effects
Authors: Li Xipeng , Qi Yuming , He Tengwu , Zhao Min , Feng Miaolin
Published: August 2024

Titanium and its alloys are widely used as structural materials under extreme conditions due to their exceptional specific strength. However, comprehensive studies on their high-energy radiation damage remain limited. Considering electronic effects, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to explore high-energy radiation damage in hcp-titanium (hcp-Ti), focusing on displacement cascades induced by primary knock-on atoms (PKAs) with energies ranging from 1 to 40 keV. This study investigates the generation and evolution of point defects resulting from collisional cascades, particularly examining the influence of PKA energy. Additionally, the distribution and morphology of clustering defects from these events were quantitatively investigated and qualitatively visualized. The results show a significant dependence of surviving defects on PKA energies, highlighting a critical range that exhibits a shift in cascade morphology. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that PKA energy significantly influences the formation and growth of defect clusters, with both interstitials and vacancies showing increased cluster fraction and sizes at higher PKA energies, albeit with different tendencies in their formation and aggregation behaviors. Morphological analysis emphasizes the role of subcascades and provides further insights into the mechanisms of defect evolution behind high-energy radiation damage. Our extensive study across a broad range of PKA energies provides essential insights into the understanding of high-energy radiation damage in hcp-Ti.
Spring-reinforced pneumatic actuator and soft robotic applications
Authors: Zhang Boyu , Gu Xiangming , Liu Jiayuan , Kang Jingyi , Hu Chengquan , Liao Hongen
Published: August 2024

Compared to rigid-structure robots, soft robots possess higher degrees of freedom and stronger environmental adaptability, which has aroused increasing attention in the robotic field. Among them, soft pneumatic robots have excellent performances in various practical applications. However, the nonlinearity and instability of pressure response of soft actuators caused by lateral expansion come to a great challenge. To address this problem, we proposed to embed a spring constraint layer around each single air chamber. Following the design concept, we obtained single-cavity and multi-DoF pneumatic actuators and evaluated their elongation and bending characteristics. Experimental results demonstrated that our proposed actuators have more linear pressure response as well as higher consistency. Eventually, through robotic applications, including soft robotic hand and gripper our proposed actuators could facilitate flexible manipulation and elaborate performance.
Energy harvesting from transverse galloping using a two-degree-of-freedom flow energy harvester
Authors: Major Igoke , Tan P J , Abolfathi Ali
Published: August 2024

A two degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) galloping piezoelectric energy harvesting system where both oscillators are excited by the incoming flow is studied in this paper. A coupled lumped-parameter model is developed to simulate the electro-fluid-structural coupling behaviour assuming a quasi-steady aerodynamic flow field. The differential equations governing the dynamics of the lumped system are converted into nonlinear algebraic equations employing the harmonic balance method and then solved using Newton’s method. The approximate analytical solutions are compared to the solutions obtained by numerical integration, and the results agree, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The solutions were subsequently used to investigate the effects of the bluff body dimension, mechanical, electrical, aerodynamic, and electromechanical parameters on the performance of the harvester and to illustrate how to optimise some of these parameters to reduce the cut-in wind speed and maximise the power output of the energy harvester. It will be shown that the energy harvesting performance could be significantly improved by introducing piezoelectric transducers on both oscillators and including both masses in the incoming flow. A comparative study between the proposed 2-DOF flow energy harvesting system, a single-degree-of-freedom galloping piezoelectric energy harvester (GPEH), and other configurations of 2-DOF GPEH shows that the present 2-DOF GPEH generates the largest power peak.
An intriguing numerical strategy for Zakharov–Kuznetsov equation through graph-theoretic polynomials
Authors: Nirmala A N , Kumbinarasaiah S
Published: August 2024

This paper explores graph-theoretic polynomials to find the approximate solution of the (2+1)D Time-fractional Zakharov-Kuznetsov(TF-Z-K) equation. The Zakharov-Kuznetsov equations govern the behavior of nonlinear acoustic waves in the plasma of hot isothermal electrons and cold ions in the presence of a homogeneous magnetic field. Independence polynomials of the Ladder-Rung graph serve as the polynomial approximation for the suggested Independence Polynomial Collocation Method (IPCM). The Caputo fractional derivatives are adopted to determine the fractional derivatives in the TF-Z-K equation. The TF-Z-K equation is converted into a system of nonlinear algebraic equations using the collocation points in IPCM. The Newton-Raphson approach yields the solution of the suggested method by solving the resulting system. We’ve compared a few scenarios with the tangible outcomes to validate the procedure. Quantitative outcomes match the current findings and validate the exactness of IPCM compared t o the recent numerical and semi-analytical approaches in the literature.
Synthesis of Eco-friendly Zn-Ni bimetallic MOFs with biodegradable glycolic acid ligands for enhanced supercapacitor performance and hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Sunny Muhammad Arslan , Hassan Haseebul , Almutairi Badriah S , Umar Ehtisham , Iqbal M Waqas , Alqorashi Afaf Khadr , Alrobei Hussein , Ahmad Niaz , Ismayilova N A
Published: August 2024

Electrochemical technologies like supercapacitors and water-splitting electrolysis are gaining traction due to their impressive efficiency in both energy storage and generation. A hydrothermal technique was employed to synthesize a metal–organic framework (MOF) containing zinc and nickel. Glycolic acid (GA), a naturally occurring biodegradable ligand, was utilized to explore its potential for incorporation into the MOF heterostructure. The ZnNi-MOF (GA) composites showed a notable specific capacity of 1648 C g−1 (2060 F/g) under a current density of 1.0 A g−1 at 70 °C. The study investigated a supercapacitor system design where a combination of polyaniline-doped activated carbon was used for the negative electrode and a zinc-nickel metal–organic framework (GA) was used for the positive electrode. The synthesized ZnNi-MOF (GA)//AC energy storage device demonstrated a specific capacity of 110 C g−1 (55 F g−1) at a higher current density of 2.0 A g−1. The recyclability and stability of device (ZnNi-MOF (GA)//AC) were evaluated using 10000 charge–discharge cycles, yielding an 86% capacity retention. The ZnNi-MOF (GA) composite displayed outstanding catalytic ability in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in comparison to other tested materials, achieving the lowest Tafel slope of 42.79 mV/dec. The findings of our research suggest that ZnNi-MOF (GA) exhibits desirable characteristics that make it a promising material for electrodes in the applications of supercapattery and HER.
A spatial phase-shifting method for real-space wave reconstruction of off-axis electron holograms
Authors: Su Jiaqi , Liu Yuying , Ye Xianhui , An Qianming , Pan Junheng , Li Zi-An
Published: August 2024

The Fourier transform with a side-band filter is the well-established method for reconstructing off-axis fringe-type holograms due to its ease of implementation and fast processing. However, this method works in reciprocal space and requires inversion of a side-band sub-region, which can degrade the spatial resolution of reconstructed wave compared to the original hologram. We present a new method, the spatial phase-shifting (SPS) method, for real-space wave reconstruction of off-axis electron holograms. We describe the working principles of the SPS method in analogy to the temporal phase-shifting method. We conducted both hologram simulations and experiments to evaluate its applicability and effectiveness. We compared the wave reconstruction results of the SPS and the conventional Fourier transform method, highlighting the advantages of the newly proposed SPS method. Our results demonstrate that the proposed SPS method is particularly effective for real-space wave reconstruction of small-sized hologram, providing an alternative approach to off-axis type holography wave reconstruction.
Effect of external electric fields on the ionic conductivity of the PET ion-track membrane
Authors: Ceccio Giovanni , Vacik Jiri , Fink Dietmar , Siegel Jakub , Cannavò Antonino
Published: August 2024

Polymeric ion track-etched membranes with asymmetric pores have been the subject of increased interest in both the academia and industry in recent decades. This interest is related to the rectification behavior of the membranes and their possible applications. In this work, the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membranes with conical ion tracks were investigated for different etching conditions. Thin PET membranes were prepared using irradiated foils etched in a NaOH bath with the help of external electric fields (AC/DC) of a specific polarity. After etching, the I-V characteristics of the membranes were examined in the KCl solutions with different molarities. The obtained results showed that the I-V relations are strongly non-linear, thus confirming the rectification behavior of the membranes. It turned out that the external AC and DC fields applied during etching play an important role. They make it possible to influence the pore etching process, and so the properties of the membranes, which is important for the intended applications. Keywords: polymeric membranes, asymmetric pores, polyethylene terephthalate, I-V characteristics, transport phenomena
Design and optimization of refractive index biosensor for MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer biomarker detection
Authors: Kamani Trupti , Patel Shobhit K , Alsalman Osamah , Alsaif Faisal
Published: August 2024

Breast cancer is the leading malignancy in women and the 2nd widespread cancer globally. Earlier identification of breast cancer can improve treatment outcomes and prevent metastasis beyond the breast. Traditional screening tests are not sensitive enough for early diagnosis and have extended detection periods. Recent studies have explored diversified Breast cancer biosensor techniques, including optical, electrical, electrochemical, and mechanical biosensors. This paper nominates a circlet with a large plus sign refraction indices biosensor for the evaluation of two distinct breast cancer cells namely, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. The supreme sensitivity has been viewed as 1714.28 nm/RIU for the MDA-MB-231 and 1714.28 nm/RIU for the MCF-7. The supreme quality factor (QF) value for UC1(usual cell of MDA-MB-231) is 10.52, for CC1(cancer cell of MDA-MB-231) is 11.94, for UC2 (usual cell of MCF-7) is 10.64, and for CC2 (cancer cell of MCF-7) is 12.09. The minimal detection value (DL) for UC1 is 0.1573, CC1 is 0.1360, UC2 is 0.1554, and CC2 is 0.1341. This nominated sensor has the potential to sense breast tumor biomarkers.
An innovative pseudo-spectral Galerkin algorithm for the time-fractional Tricomi-type equation
Authors: Youssri Youssri Hassan , Hafez Ramy Mahmoud , Atta Ahmed Gamal
Published: August 2024

Herein, we offer semi−analytic numerical procedures for the 1−D Tricomi−type time−fractional equation (T−FTTE). We consider the Jacobi−shifted polynomials as basis functions (BFs). A novel spectral approach is implemented based on the Galerkin procedure to tackle the Tricomi−type equation. The main strength of this approach is, it reduces the diverseial problem into solving an algebraic system of equations. The constructed methodology is successfully extended to solve the 2−D T−FTTE. Some numerical test experiments are exhibited to verify the proficiency and high accuracy of the proposed method.
Structural design of two types of composites with high resistance to atomic oxygen attack based on polyimide matrices: a molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Wei Dahai , Zeng Fanlin , Cui Jianzheng
Published: August 2024

Because of their exceptional properties, polyimide (PI) polymers are widely used in various types of spacecraft. However, in low Earth orbit, spacecraft using these polymers are susceptible to atomic oxygen (AO) erosion, which will cause them to lose their original performance. Covering the PI surface with a protective coating and adding fillers to the PI matrix are two traditional methods to improve the AO erosion resistance of PI. However, a single protective method does not provide a good protective effect and does not necessarily balance the relationship between the AO resistance of the composites and other properties, such as mechanical properties. The structural design of composites can perfectly solve such problems. Therefore, two kinds of AO-resistant materials based on the PI matrix are designed in this paper, one is a hybrid-filled composite with nano-silica filler and graphene filler, and the other is a double-layer coated composite based on the structural design of a traditional bulletproof vest. And the AO incidence simulation of these two types of materials was carried out using ReaxFF-based MD simulation. The results show that the mixed filling of graphene and nano-silica not only greatly improves the AO resistance of the PI matrix, but also greatly improves the tensile mechanical properties of the matrix by adjusting the appropriate mixing ratio. The structure of PI-Gr-SiO2 (The structures are PI, Gr and SiO2 from bottom up, respectively. SiO2 will be the first to take the impact of AO.) possesses excellent resistance to AO erosion, and at the end of 64 ps of AO erosion, the PI matrix did not suffer any damage. This paper provides a new idea of material structure design using the MD method, which provides a new approach to improve the AO erosion resistance of PI and is expected to design new composites adapted to a variety of extreme environments in the future.
Process-induced stress tuning to improve linearity performance in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with SiNx passivation
Authors: Jena Devika , Das Sanghamitra , Praharaj Choudhury Jayant , Tripathy Aruna , Dash Taraprasanna
Published: August 2024

Strain engineering has proven to be a useful technique for enhancing the performance of many modern-day transistors. Stress engineering can also have a non-trivial effect on the performance of GaN HEMTs, which are devices of choice for high-power, high-frequency microwave applications. Process-induced stress can have a significant effect on AlGaN/GaN HEMT electrical characteristics in addition to the growth-induced strain present due to lattice constant mismatch between device layers. Understanding the true impact of process-induced strain on AlGaN/GaN HEMT microwave performance is highly necessary. This is especially the case for nonlinearity effects which affect the high-frequency performance of the device. To the best of our knowledge, there is no systematic report on the effect of nitride passivation-induced stress on AlGaN/GaN HEMT device linearity. This work uses a systematic combination of TCAD process simulation and device simulation to quantify the effect of process-induced stress on the device’s linearity. This work demonstrates that nonlinearity effects can be minimized through proper tuning of stress by varying design-dependent parameters such as the nitride layer thickness. The effect of stress on highly important linearity parameters of the device like

g

m

,

g

m
2

,

g

m
3

,

V
I

P

2

,

V
I

P

3

,

I
I

P

3

and

I
M

D

3

is investigated in detail. Comparing the compressive-stress device to the no-stress and tensile-stress devices, we conclude that the compressive stress device has a max

g

m
2

value that is 61% and 71% higher respectively. The max

g

m
3

for compressive stress is 0.13 A V−3 whereas those for no-stress and tensile stress are 0.067 A V−3 and 0.045 A V−3 respectively. However, the voltage-variations of

V
I

P

2

,

and the

V
I

P

3

parameters which are derived from these

g

m

values shows that the compressive stress case can help achieve overall better device linearity by stress tuning. This work also studies how the effect of process-induced stress on device linearity varies with the crucial gate length parameter.
Full shape cosmology analysis from BOSS in configuration space using neural network acceleration
Authors: Ramirez Sadi , Icaza-Lizaola Miguel , Fromenteau Sebastien , Vargas-Magaña Mariana , Aviles Alejandro
Published: August 2024

Recently, a new wave of full modeling analyses have emerged within the Large-Scale Structure community, leading mostly to tighter constraints on the estimation of cosmological parameters, when compared with standard approaches used over the last decade by collaboration analyses of stage III experiments. However, the majority of these full-shape analyses have primarily been conducted in Fourier space, with limited emphasis on exploring the configuration space. Investigating n-point correlations in configuration space demands a higher computational cost compared to Fourier space because it typically requires an additional integration step. This can pose a limitation when using these approaches, especially when considering higher-order statistics. One avenue to mitigate the high computation time is to take advantage of neural network acceleration techniques. In this work, we present a full shape analysis of Sloan Digital Sky Survey III/BOSS in configuration space using a neural network accelerator. We show that the efficacy of the pipeline is enhanced by a time factor 103 without sacrificing precision, making it possible to reduce the error associated with the surrogate modeling to below 10-2 percent which is compatible with the precision required for current stage IV experiments such as DESI. We find Ω
m
= 0.286±0.009, H
0 = 68.8±1.2 kms-1Mpc-1 and A
s × 109 = 2.09 +0.25
-0.29. Our results on public BOSS data are in good agreement with BOSS official results and compatible with other independent full modeling analyses. We explore relaxing the prior on ωb
and varying ns
, without significant changes in the mean values of the cosmological parameters posterior distributions, but enlarging their widths. Finally, we explore the information content of the multipoles when constraining cosmological parameters.
Leveraging the Empirical Wavelet Transform in Combination with Convolutional LSTM Neural Networks to Enhance the Accuracy of Polar Motion Prediction
Authors: Wang Xu-Qiao , Du Lan , Zhang Zhong-Kai , Liu Ze-Jun , Xiang Hao
Published: August 2024

High-precision polar motion prediction is of great significance for deep space exploration and satellite navigation. Polar motion is affected by a variety of excitation factors, and nonlinear prediction methods are more suitable for polar motion prediction. In order to explore the effect of deep learning in polar motion prediction. This paper proposes a combined model based on empirical wavelet transform (EWT), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short Term Memory (LSTM). By training and forecasting EOP 20C04 data, the effectiveness of the algorithm is verified, and the performance of two forecasting strategies in deep learning for polar motion prediction is explored. The results indicate that recursive multi-step prediction performs better than direct multi-step prediction for short-term forecasts within 15 days, while direct multi-step prediction is more suitable for medium and long-term forecasts. In the 365 days forecast, the mean absolute error of EWT-CNN-LSTM in the X direction and Y direction is 18.25 mas and 15.78 mas, respectively, which is 23.5% and 16.2% higher than the accuracy of Bulletin A. The results show that the algorithm has a good effect in medium and long term polar motion prediction.
Comparison of NH3 and 12CO, 13CO, C18O Molecular Lines in the Aquila Rift Cloud Complex
Authors: Tursun Kadirya , Esimbek Jarken , Baan Willem , Komesh Toktarkhan , Tang Xindi , Wu Gang , Zhou Jianjun , He Yuxin , Li Dalei , Zhou Dongdong , Ma Yingxiu
Published: August 2024

The observations of the Aquila Rift cloud complex at 23.708 and 115.271 GHz made using the Nanshan 26 m radio telescope and the 13.7 m millimeter-wavelength telescope are presented. We find that the CO(1 − 0) gas distribution is similar to the NH3 gas distribution in the Aquila Rift cloud complex. In some diffusion regions characterized by CO, we identified several dense clumps based on the distribution of detected ammonia molecular emission. Through the comparison of spectral line parameters for NH3, 13CO, and C18O, our study reveals that the line center velocities of the NH3, 13CO, and C18O lines are comparable and positively correlated, indicating that they originate from the same emission region. No significant correlation was identified for other parameters, including integrated intensity, line widths, main beam brightness temperature, as well as the column densities of NH3, 13CO, and C18O. The absolute difference in line-center velocities between the 13CO and NH3 lines is less than both the average line width of NH3 and that of 13CO. This suggests that there are no significant movements of NH3 clumps in relation to their envelopes. The velocity deviation is likely due to turbulent activity within the clumps.
Characteristics of a neutron source based on an electron accelerator LINAC-200
Authors: Bleko V.V. , Bazarov Yu.B. , Baldin A.A. , Bleko V.V. , Karpov M.A. , Marmyshev V.V. , Khristenko A.A. , Kobets V.V. , Korovkin D.S. , Tcherniega N.V.
Published: August 2024

As part of the commissioning work at the linear electron accelerator LINAC-200 (JINR), we conducted experiments to study the characteristics of a pulsed neutron source obtained by irradiating a converter target with a 140 MeV electron beam. To estimate neutron source parameters and neutron energy spectra in lead and tungsten targets with different sizes numerical simulations were performed. Additionally, we have conducted experiments to measure the energy spectra of neutrons and gamma rays using high-resolution time-of-flight method. It has been found that the ratio of integral estimates between the calculated and average measured neutron yields (for tungsten and lead targets) did not exceed 30%. The fluence of resonant and thermal neutrons in the target is estimated at 2.8×1013 neutrons per second, which corresponds to the requirements for modern pulsed neutron sources.
Spectral X-ray computed tomography image denoising using weighted local regression and noise-insensitive feature dimensionality reduction
Authors: Hotta T. , Yatagawa T. , Ohtake Y. , Matsukawa M. , Suzuki H. , Aoki T.
Published: August 2024

This study introduces a novel denoising method for spectral
X-ray computed tomography (CT) images using weighted local
regression (WLR). The proposed method exploits the common structural
information present across different energy bins. Denoised pixel
intensities of a certain energy bin are estimated using the
intensities of the other energy bins via WLR. Denoising is achieved
by applying a WLR model to the noisy pixel intensities of all energy
bins, excluding the target bin, which obtains approximate noise-free
intensities for the target energy bin. The performance of our
approach was assessed using synthetic spectral X-ray CT images
produced using a Monte Carlo photon simulator called the Electron
Gamma Shower 5 (EGS5). Both qualitative and quantitative evaluations
demonstrated that our approach effectively reduced noise across all
energy bins while maintaining image sharpness. Comparisons with
common denoising methods demonstrate the effectiveness of the
proposed method.
Automated characterisation and operational insights of superconducting travelling wave parametric amplifiers: unveiling novel behaviours and enhancing tunability
Authors: Wood S. , Klimovich N. , Tan B.-K.
Published: August 2024

Superconducting travelling wave parametric amplifiers
(TWPAs) exhibit great promise across various applications, owing to
their broadband nature, quantum-limited noise performance, and
high-gain operation. Whilst their construction is relatively simple,
particularly for thin-film-based TWPAs, challenges such as the
requirement for an extremely long transmission line, current
fabrication limitations, and their sensitivity to fabrication
tolerances, mean that their optimal operating conditions often
differ from those anticipated during the design stage. As a result,
manual fine-tuning of numerous operational parameters becomes
necessary to recover optimal performance; a process that is both
labour-intensive and time-consuming. This paper introduces an
automated methodology designed to significantly accelerate the
characterisation of a TWPA by several orders of magnitude without
requiring human intervention. Additionally, we have developed
metrics to condense the multitude of measured frequency responses of
the TWPA, obtained in data cube form, into an easily-understandable
format for further scientific interpretation. To demonstrate the
efficacy and speed of our methodology, we utilise an existing NbTiN
(niobium titanium nitride) TWPA as an example. This showcases the
capability of our approach to unveil both broad- and fine-scale
behaviours of the device, highlighting the importance of an
automated experimental setup for the in-depth investigation of TWPAs
for future developments.
The public use of early-stage scientific advances in carbon dioxide removal: a science-technology-policy-media perspective
Authors: Tripodi Giorgio , Lillo Fabrizio , Mavilia Roberto , Mina Andrea , Chiaromonte Francesca , Lamperti Francesco
Published: August 2024

While Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) solutions are considered essential to meet Paris Agreement objectives and curb climate change, their maturity and current ability to operate at scale are highly debated. The rapid development, deployment, and diffusion of such methods will likely require the coordination of science, technology, policy, and societal support. This article proposes a bibliometric approach to quantify the public use of early-stage research in CDR. Specifically, we employ generalized linear models to estimate the likelihood that scientific advances in eight different carbon removal solutions may induce (i) further production of scientific knowledge, (ii) technological innovation, and (iii) policy and media discussion. Our main result is that research in CDR is of significant social value. CDR research generates significant, positive, yet heterogeneous spillovers within science and from science to technology, policy, and media. In particular, advances in Direct Air Capture spur further research and tend to result in patentable technologies, while Blue Carbon and Bio-energy with Carbon Capture and Storage appear to gain relative momentum in the policy and public debate. Moreover, scientific production and collaborations cluster geographically by type of CDR, potentially affecting long-term carbon removal strategies. Overall, our results suggest the existence of coordination gaps between science, technology, policy, and public support.
From trees to rain: enhancement of cloud glaciation and precipitation by pollen
Authors: Kretzschmar Jan , Pöhlker Mira , Stratmann Frank , Wex Heike , Wirth Christian , Quaas Johannes
Published: August 2024

The ability of pollen to enable the glaciation of supercooled liquid water has been demonstrated in laboratory studies; however, the potential large-scale effect of plants and pollen on clouds, precipitation and climate is pressing knowledge to better understand and project clouds in the current and future climate. Combining ground-based measurements of pollen concentrations and satellite observations of cloud properties within the United States, we show that enhanced pollen concentrations during springtime lead to an increase in cloud ice fraction of up to 0.1 in the temperature regime where pollen are considered to act as INP (−15

∘

C and −25

∘

C ). We further establish the link from the pollen-induced increase in cloud ice to a higher precipitation frequency. In light of anthropogenic climate change, the extended and strengthened pollen season and future alterations in biodiversity can introduce a localized climate forcing and a modification of the precipitation frequency and intensity.
Preserving the Hermiticity of the one-body density matrix for a non-interacting Fermi gas
Authors: Farrell L M , Eaton D , Chitnelawong P , Bencheikh K , van Zyl B P
Published: August 2024

The one-body density matrix (ODM) for a zero temperature non-interacting Fermi gas can be approximately obtained in the semiclassical regime through different

ℏ

-expansion techniques. One would expect that each method of approximating the ODM should yield equivalent density matrices which are both Hermitian and idempotent to any order in

ℏ

. However, the Kirzhnits and Wigner–Kirkwood methods do not yield these properties, while the Grammaticos–Voros method does. Here we show explicitly, for arbitrary d-dimensions through an appropriate change into symmetric coordinates, that each method is indeed identical, Hermitian, and idempotent. This change of variables resolves the inconsistencies between the various methods, showing that the non-Hermitian and non-idempotent behavior of the Kirzhnits and Wigner–Kirkwood methods is an artifact of performing a non-symmetric truncation to the semiclassical

ℏ

-expansions. Our work also provides the first explicit derivation of the d-dimensional Grammaticos–Voros ODM, originally proposed by Redjati et al (2019 J. Phys. Chem. Solids
134 313–8) based on their

d
=
1
,
2
,
3
,
4

expressions.
Land use hierarchical mapping for delineation of groundwater potential zones in the Ba river basin using satellite imagery and GIS technology
Authors: Ba Dung Nguyen , Tuyet Minh Dang
Published: August 2024

The evaluation of groundwater potential is crucial for the best use and replenishment of groundwater resources, as well as for the appropriate growth and administration of a region. To study groundwater potential, it is necessary to analyze the factors that directly affect this resource. In addition to the criteria that contribute to the formation of groundwater, such as rainfall, land cover, geology, slope, etc., land use types and their infiltration capacity are also the main factors affecting the groundwater prospect. In recent years, remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) have emerged as the most important technologies in the field of groundwater research, which aid in determining groundwater potential. This paper presents a method to generate the land use hierarchical map based on the level of impact on the formation of groundwater in the Ba river basin using GIS technology and remote sensing. According to the classification result, the three classes of groundwater potential zones including “low”, “moderate”, “high” occupy 1.51%, 77.43%, and 21.06% of the study area respectively. The findings can be validated with the actual groundwater level at some locations that are evenly distributed throughout the basin. The obtained results indicate that there is an agreement between groundwater potential levels at each actual location and those depicted on the land use hierarchical map. The methodology utilized in this study is reliable, accurate and can be used to generate hierarchical maps of additional parameters. This paper will be a useful document for groundwater potential zoning in the study area
Spatial approach for agritourism landscape planning in Winongan-Gondang Wetan, Pasuruan
Authors: Syafazerlinda  , Damayanti V D
Published: August 2024

The Winongan and Gondang Wetan (WGW) sub-districts in the downstream area of the Rejoso watershed in Pasuruan are characterized by predominantly agricultural land. The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) initiated a conservation program in this region called Rejoso Kita during 2016-2022. This program is designed to enhance current agricultural practices through sustainable methodologies tha effectively introduced in 12 villages. Initial outcomes indicate these villages hold potential for development into agritourism destinations, emphasizing educational, recreational, and landscape preservation components. This study aims to evaluate the area’s suitability for agritourism, focusing on sustainability through specific zoning. By applying a spatial approach with a scoring and weighting methodology, the study determined that Gading, Lebak, and Tenggilis Rejo are the villages with the highest potential for agritourism. As a result, they have been designated as primary agritourism zones. Conversely, villages with moderate to low potential will serve as supporting and buffer zones.
Greening the Gray: Determining Plant Preferences for Indoor Fitness Gyms in the Philippines
Authors: Fontanoza F S
Published: August 2024

Biophilia is known as the innate connection people have with nature and how green spaces can positively affect basic cognition, mood and health. Mostly applied in urban areas where outdoor green spaces are scarce, designed facilities that incorporate this concept have been observed to be more beneficial to users. Interestingly, one indoor space visited by urban dwellers that have yet to be studied in terms of biophilic design application is fitness gyms. To determine gym members’ preference of planting materials if these were placed in gyms, surveys were distributed online over two weeks. 239 participants composed of actual and potential gym members selected appropriate plants as detailed in the surveys. Site planting considerations or constraints were also identified if these were used indoors. Additionally, their familiarity with biophilia and its advantages were investigated. After the responses were analysed, participants selected Dracaena fragrans, Spathiphyllum wallisii and Epipremnum aureum as top choices of plants for a gym with major considerations on plants’ aesthetic qualities, ecological and psychological benefits, and maintenance. Moreover, more than 50 percent respondents were at least slightly familiar with biophilia. They believed that having plants can improve indoor air quality, make the interiors more aesthetically pleasing and can enhance mood. As per results, it can be said that the respondents supported the idea of designing indoor fitness gyms as biophilic environments although its level of familiarity needs to be increased. This is where professionals come in, by designing facilities such as fitness gyms with plants to optimize biophilia’s benefits.
Spatial Distribution of Water Quality Classes of Rawa Pening Lake
Authors: Sutrisno A J , Handoko M
Published: August 2024

Rawa Pening Lake is a source of water for irrigation and clean water for the people around the lake. The quality of water is the primary concern for sustainable functioning. This study aims to examine the water quality status of the lake under government regulations. The variables are temperature, total dissolved solid (TDS), total suspended solid (TSS), Escherichia coli (E. coli), dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand, phosphate, nitrate, and oil. The study was conducted during the rainy season, from September to November 2020. It’s because of the season that farmers and the community use more of the lake water. The method used is purposive sampling, where a total of 12 locations represent each village, inlet, and outlet. The data analysis used is Storet to determine the water quality class and Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) for the spatial distribution of water quality classes. The results showed that the water quality class of the lake suffered mild pollution. TSS and DO were variables that influenced that condition. It can be concluded that the lake has sucked sedimentation as a result of the deposits of mud and sand, which can damage the ecosystem of the lake.
The Thursina Creative Islamic Boarding School Landscape Design with an Ecological Approach
Authors: Hadi A A , Arofah M W , Kristiawan H , Sarwono  , Berutu S A
Published: August 2024

The Thursina Sukamakmur Creative Islamic Boarding School is a boarding school under the State Electricity Company Baitul Mal Foundation (YBM-PLN) ’s management in Sukamakmur Village, Bogor Regency. Education at this Islamic boarding school has the theme of agriculture, where students learn about rice farming and goat and chicken farming. This Islamic boarding school has an area of 16,610 m2 with sloping to steep terrain (more than 25%) and consists of Islamic boarding school buildings, livestock areas, and rain-fed rice fields. The pesantren is surrounded by rain-fed rice fields and is located on a hillside, so it has problems in hydrology when it rains, and strong winds blow from the hill towards the valley. Therefore, a master plan was prepared using an ecological approach, in which the solutions offered minimize artificial landscape elements and optimize the function of vegetation as a wind barrier. The wind barrier is made of pine trees with three layers of thickness. With this ecological approach, it is hoped that the management of the building and environment of the Thursina Creative Islamic Boarding School can be sustainable.
Bird Nuisance at an Oil Gathering Station: A Landscape and Site Analysis
Authors: Mardiastuti A , Mulyani Y A , Hartono T T , Firmansyah F S , Manurung R , Refiandy M
Published: August 2024

Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is a migratory bird. In Petapahan Gas Station (GS), Riau, this bird roost in a big number and create some nuisance due to their faeces. The objective of this paper was to analyse the possible causes of swallow’s roost behaviour at the landscape and site level, and formulate some recommendations. Migratory bird route was studied, the surrounding areas was analysed using, and characteristics of the GS was observed. Petapahan happened to be located at the known bird migratory route. The land-use of surrounded areas was a vast area of oil-palm plantation mixed with agricultural-area, open-area, and housing, create an excellent habitat for insects as the bird’s food. There was no other alternative for roost-site in the 5km radius. At the GS there are many large pipes, small pipes, handrails, I-beams, C-beams, valves, flares, big tanks, pits, office, and many other instruments that can function as the barn swallow’s roost site. Warm temperature, sufficient lighting, and safety from predator also provided good support. Basically, the GS has to accept the occurrence of the birds, while employing some management actions: (1) setting zonation for bird-free and bird-tolerance areas, and (2) put netting and other bird deterrent sensitive sites.
Evaluation of the implementation and development of green city concept in South Tangerang City
Authors: Alessandra C N , Zain A F M
Published: August 2024

As the result from Tangerang Regency’s expansion, South Tangerang stands as one of the youngest cities in Indonesia. The strategic position located near Jakarta makes the suburban city a desirable choice for residence. Therefore, the green city concept exists to standardize sustainable efforts made to balance a city’s environment condition and the population’s life quality. This study aims to evaluate the availability of green open spaces using remote sensing and the implementation of the green city concept in South Tangerang City by utilizing the Asian Green City Index to assess its development and growth in 2010, 2015, and 2020. In 2010, the green open space area reached 3.518 ha (21,34%), then in 2015 ascended to 4.017 ha (24,37%), and eventually able to reach the criteria in 2020 with an area of 7.325 ha (44,43%). Aligning with the green open space’s availability’s escalation trend, the green city concept implementation evaluation also showcases the same growth. In 2010, the implementation performance is considered below average with an AGCI score of 25,61%. Afterwards, in 2015 and 2020, the performance score experiences an incline to the average category with AGCI scores of 44,93% and 59,75% respectively.