bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pulse overlap artifacts and double quantum coherence spectroscopy
Authors: Hedse Albin , Kalaee Alex Arash Sand , Wacker Andreas , Pullerits Tõnu
Published: March 2023

The double quantum coherence (DQC) signal in nonlinear spectroscopy gives information about the many-body correlation effects not easily available by other methods. The signal is short-lived, consequently, a significant part of it is generated during the pulse overlap. Since the signal is at two times the laser frequency, one may intuitively expect that the pulse overlap-related artifacts are filtered out by the Fourier transform. Here, we show that this is not the case. We perform explicit calculations of phase-modulated two-pulse experiments of a two-level system where the DQC is impossible. Still, we obtain a significant signal at the modulation frequency, which corresponds to the DQC, while the Fourier transform over the pulse delay shows a double frequency. We repeat the calculations with a three-level system where the true DQC signal occurs. We conclude that with realistic dephasing times, the pulse-overlap artifact can be significantly stronger than the DQC signal. Our results call for great care when analyzing such experiments. As a rule of thumb, we recommend that only delays larger than 1.5 times the pulse length should be used.
Aseasonal and short life cycles of the protandrous hermaphrodite blue threadfin (Eleutheronema tetradactylum) in a near-equatorial tropical region
Authors: Ogino Yoshimi , Kongasa Wirot , Furumitsu Keisuke , Kume Gen , Yamaguchi Atsuko
Published: March 2023

Context Eleutheronema tetradactylum is exploited throughout its distribution in the Indo–West Pacific region. However, there is a lack of data on its life cycle in near-equatorial regions and the northern hemisphere. Aim To investigate the age, growth, sex change and reproduction of Eleutheronema tetradactylum in southern Thailand. Methods Analysis of length, otolith and gonad data of 449 fish. Key results Contrary to findings from regions at higher latitudes, otoliths did not show seasonal increment formation. Instead, with the exception of large individuals, daily increments were distinguishable. Within the age range of 69–341 days, growth was linear, with results indicating a total length of 430 mm (69% of maximum length) at 1 year. The youngest mature male was 137 days old. Moreover, the length at which half the individuals changed from male to female was 376 mm, corresponding to 282 days. The gonadosomatic index indicated no specific spawning season, and the hatch-date calculations indicated year-round hatching. Conclusions Eleutheronema tetradactylum inhabiting near-equatorial regions is characterised by rapid population turnover compared with populations of higher latitudes. Implications Our findings indicated life-history variability, including seasonality loss in near-equatorial habitats, of an important coastal fish. This information is important for species conservation.
Modelling deformation-induced martensite transformation in high-carbon steels
Authors: Wong Adriel , Bedekar Vikram , Voothaluru Rohit , Galindo-Nava Enrique
Published: March 2023

The transformation behaviour of retained austenite in steels is known to differ according to chemical composition and other microstructural attributes. Earlier research indicated that austenite in high-carbon steels transforms into martensite only when the applied stress exceeds a critical value, contrary to low-carbon steels where transformation occurs in the early stages of deformation. Although transformation models have been proposed, most are optimised for low-carbon steels. Here, we propose physics-based models applied to high-carbon steels to overcome previous limitations. The models have fewer free parameters (4) compared to previous approaches (6), exhibiting improvements in the numerical and physical interpretation of the austenite transformation process. We envision the use of these models as tools for alloy design, also highlighting their scientific and technological value.
The EFF as a ‘gateway party’? Briefing based on data from the 2021 South African local government elections
Authors: Bekker Martin
Published: March 2023

This briefing offers three contributions concerning the voter profile of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), as witnessed at the 2021 elections in South Africa. The first is that the party’s support base is relatively well educated (compared to the ruling African National Congress). Second, well over 10% of party support comes from relatively high earners, as measured by income levels. Finally, EFF support appears notably ‘fluid’, as indicated by voters switching support to the EFF (mostly from the ANC) and away from the EFF (mostly towards smaller parties), ultimately suggesting an image of the EFF as a ‘gateway party’.
Process optimisation of cold spray additive manufacturing of FeCoNiCrMn high-entropy alloy
Authors: Wu Dong , Xu Yaxin , Li Wenya , Yang Yang , Liu Kun , Wan Wenpeng , Qi Zhiwei
Published: March 2023

The deposition window of cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM) a high-entropy alloy (HEA) was optimised by investigating processing parameters on deposition efficiency and porosity. The optimal parameters were obtained with helium as the driving gas, gas inlet temperature was at 700°C, and spray distance at 25 mm, at which the deposit was the thickest and of the lowest porosity. The type of driving gas is critical as it affects the porosity and deposition efficiency, and helium is required to obtain high-quality HEA deposits. With it, gas inlet temperature and spray distance have a minimal effect. Furthermore, higher gas temperature and moderate spraying distance were selected to increase particle deformation and reduce the effect of shock waves at the plate front.
The Landau–Zener formula made simple
Authors: Glasbrenner Eric P , Schleich Wolfgang P
Published: March 2023

We employ the Markov approximation and the well-known Fresnel-integral to derive in ‘one-line’ the familiar expression for the Landau–Zener transition probability. Moreover, we provide numerical as well as analytical justifications for our approach, and identify three characteristic motions of the probability amplitude in the complex plane.
Realization of a supersolid phase in a two-channel model
Authors: Wei Qin , Xu Junjun
Published: March 2023

We construct a two-channel model based on the one-dimensional extended Bose–Hubbard model, by including a second channel of free bosons. We use the mean-field theory to map the system to a reduced single-channel one and solve this system by means of the density matrix renormalization group method. We find the region where the superfluid and density-wave orders coexist which signals a supersolid state. Our theory can be realized experimentally with state-dependent optical lattices.
Low-energy solar neutrino detection utilizing advanced germanium detectors
Authors: Bhattarai S , Mei D-M , Raut M S
Published: March 2023

We explore the possibility to use advanced germanium (Ge) detectors as a low-energy solar neutrino observatory by means of neutrino-nucleus elastic scattering. A Ge detector utilizing internal charge amplification for the charge carriers created by the ionization of impurities is a novel technology with experimental sensitivity for detecting low-energy solar neutrinos. Ge internal charge amplification (GeICA) detectors will amplify the charge carriers induced by neutrino interacting with Ge atoms through the emission of phonons. It is those phonons that will create charge carriers through the ionization of impurities to achieve an extremely low energy threshold of ∼0.01 eV. We demonstrate the phonon absorption, excitation, and ionization probability of impurities in a Ge detector with impurity levels of 3 × 1010 cm−3, 9 × 1010 cm−3, and 2 × 1011 cm−3. We present the sensitivity of such a Ge experiment for detecting solar neutrinos in the low-energy region. We show that, if GeICA technology becomes available, then a new opportunity arises to observe pp and 7Be solar neutrinos. Such a novel detector with only 1 kg of high-purity Ge will give ∼10 events per year for pp neutrinos and ∼5 events per year for 7Be neutrinos with a detection energy threshold of 0.01 eV.
Terahertz amplification and lasing by using transverse electric modes in a two-layer-graphene-dielectric waveguide structure with direct current
Authors: Moiseenko I M , Popov V V , Fateev D V
Published: March 2023

We study for the first time the interaction between the waveguide modes of graphene structure and freely propagating terahertz (THz) electromagnetic waves (this interaction takes place within the light cone). We revealed a new and rather unexpected physical phenomenon by showing that freely incident THz electromagnetic waves can resonate with the surface transverse electric (TE) modes of the graphene waveguide in virtue of these modes having their dispersions in the vicinity of the light cone. The dispersion and amplification of surface TE modes in a dielectric waveguide covered with two graphene layers biased by direct current (DC), as well the amplification and lasing of incident THz wave by excitation of TE mode resonances, are investigated. The DC flows perpendicular to the direction of the surface wave propagation and creates the capacitive complex conductivity of graphene at THz frequencies, which is necessary for the existence of surface TE modes in graphene. The real part of graphene conductivity can be negative at THz frequencies due to DC in graphene which leads to amplification and lasing of THz radiation. Such structure can be of great practical importance because an external THz wave can be amplified or generated in lasing process without using special coupling elements commonly needed for ensuring the interaction between external THz wave and surface waveguide modes. The use of a two-layer graphene structure makes it possible to reduce the charge–carrier drift velocity required for reaching the lasing threshold at those resonances, as compared to a structure with a single graphene layer.
A new convolutional neural network-based framework and data construction method for structural damage identification considering sensor placement
Authors: Yang Jianhui , Peng Zhenrui
Published: March 2023

In the application of data driven structural damage identification (SDI) based on supervised deep learning technology, valid data demarcation is the foundation; a convolutional neural network model with learning ability and capability of processing rich signal information is the core. Based on this understanding, this work makes three contributions: Firstly, the structural damage location and severity are jointly demarcated, and the SDI problem is transformed into a multi-classification task. Secondly, a 3D signal processing convolutional neural networks (3DS-CNN) is designed with an attempt to identify the complex and slight damages using the most basic network structure. Thirdly, a ‘major and subsidiary’ data construction (MSDC) method integrating the key intrinsic mode function is proposed to construct 3D data. Then the proposed schemes are verified by two different structures. The results show that the 3DS-CNN has excellent damage identification ability for small-size data with noise pollution. MSDC method can enrich the feature information of the damage signals and help the network with deep feature excavation, even if the vibration signals are heavily polluted. Going one step further, the impact of sensor placement is discussed, and it is found that when external excitation is obvious, better SDI accuracy can be achieved even using a single sensor signal with slight noise. When the noise interference is obvious, the generalization ability and noise robustness of the network can be enhanced by optimizing sensor placement. In this case, the sensor placement criteria and the sensitive nodes of the structure should be comprehensively and carefully considered to avoid mutual ‘coupling’ interference of data between sensors.
Improving the intrinsic activity of ultrathin 2D–2D heterostructures by bridge-bonded Ni–O–Ti ligands for efficient oxygen evolution
Authors: Xu Chenhui , Xiong Furong , Wang Yao , Nai Jianwei , Zhang Wang
Published: March 2023

The integration of ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors with other conductive 2D materials to form hybrid electrocatalysts with abundant heterointerfaces can enhance the electrocatalytic activity by facilitating interfacial charge transfer. However, the hybrid electrocatalysts with weak interfacial bonding have limited effect on the electrocatalytic performance because the intrinsic activity of interfacial sites cannot be altered by weak interfacial interactions. As a proof-of-concept, we design ultrathin 2D–2D heterostructures with bridge-bonded Ni–O–Ti ligands based on single-layered Ti3C2T
x
MXene and metal hydroxides, and further reveal the structure-activity correlation between interfacial bonding and electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction by combining theoretical and experimental studies. Density functional theory calculations reveal the modulation of the electronic structure of interfacial metal sites after the formation of bridged interfacial Ni–O–Ti bonding. Compared with the hydrogen-bond-linked heterostructure, the ultrathin 2D–2D heterostructure with bridge-bonded Ni–O–Ti ligands shows enhanced intrinsic activity and stability towards electrocatalytic oxygen evolution with a very low overpotential of 205 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and the long-term durability. This work provides a new understanding and approach for the design and development of 2D hybrid catalysts with highly efficient electrocatalytic activity.
Orbital stability and instability of periodic wave solutions for

ϕ4n

-models
Authors: Chen Gong , Palacios José M
Published: March 2023

In this work we study the orbital stability/instability in the energy space of a specific family of periodic wave solutions of the general

ϕ

4
n

-model for all

n
∈

N

. This family of periodic solutions are orbiting around the origin in the corresponding phase portrait and, in the standing case, are related (in a proper sense) with the aperiodic Kink solution that connect the states

−

v
2

with

v
2

. In the traveling case, we prove the orbital instability in the whole energy space for all

n
∈

N

, while in the standing case we prove that, under some additional parity assumptions, these solutions are orbitally stable for all

n
∈

N

. Furthermore, as a by-product of our analysis, we are able to extend the main result in (de Loreno and Natali 2020 arXiv:2006.01305) (given for a different family of equations) to traveling wave solutions in the whole space, for all

n
∈

N

.
Evolution of cooperation under the coexistence of imitation and aspiration dynamics in structured populations
Authors: Arefin Md Rajib , Tatsukawa Yuichi , Tanimoto Jun
Published: March 2023

Imitation and aspiration learning rules are frequently observed in humans and animals. The former is an act of copying other’s action, whereas the latter is characterized by the self-evaluation. Here we study the coexistence of these learning mechanisms in structured populations. Both rules have been combined focusing on two different scenarios: (I) adoption of either update rule with a certain probability, and (II) grouping the entire population according to the update rules. We present two pair approximation models, illustrating both scenarios, which yield a nice agreement—under weak selection—with that of agent-based simulations. For weak selection and large population size, we find that the condition for cooperation to dominate defection is similar in both heterogeneous and homogeneous update rules. We examine several variants of the mixed model such as time-evolving aspirations alongside strategies and the coevolution of strategies and update rules. In the former case, our simulation reveals that Prisoner’s dilemma and, in some cases, Stag-hunt experience overall less aspiration levels compared to other games such as Chicken or Trivial. The coevolution of strategies and update rules demonstrates a better cooperation, in contrast to the fixed update rule case, exhibiting the possibility of asymptotic coexistence of both learning mechanisms.
‘I can now detect and rectify my error.’ New generation ninth-grade learner’s problem-solving skills during experiments in physics through metacognitive brainstorming strategy
Authors: Uddin Md Jamal , Panda Bhujendra Nath , Agarwal Prakash Chandra
Published: March 2023

Enhancing the problem-solving skills of learners belonging to socio-economically disadvantaged groups is a great concern in general and particularly in the Indian context. Problem-solving skills are the most important skills of the 21st century for all learners to acquire necessary competencies. The main purpose of this work is to investigate the effect of metacognitive brainstorming strategy, gender, and residential areas, and their various interactions on problem-solving skills in physics for ninth-grade learners who belong to socio-economically marginalised groups. The pre-test–post-test, quasi-experimental design was applied to 107 learners from two government-sponsored schools of the same nature located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The 55 learners in the experimental group were given intervention through a metacognitive brainstorming strategy, whereas the 52 learners in the control group were taught the same lessons by simply using the conventional method. Self-developed and standard problem-solving skills test with a reliability of 0.89 and validity of 0.94 were employed on them as pre-test and post-test instances. The correlated t-test, independent samples t-test, and 2 × 2 factorial design analysis of covariance were applied for data analysis through Statistical Package for Social Science. The results revealed that the brainstorming instructional strategy had a huge effect on problem-solving skills due to its large effect size value (2.23 > 1.2). Moreover, the problem-solving skills of learners in physics were found to be independent of gender and residential areas, and also of their interaction with the treatment strategy, when the pre-problem-solving skill was taken as a covariate.
Implications of using the clinical target distribution as voxel-weights in radiation therapy optimization
Authors: Bengtsson Ivar , Forsgren Anders , Fredriksson Albin
Published: March 2023

Objective. Delineating and planning with respect to regions suspected to contain microscopic tumor cells is an inherently uncertain task in radiotherapy. The recently proposed clinical target distribution (CTD) is an alternative to the conventional clinical target volume (CTV), with initial promise. Previously, using the CTD in planning has primarily been evaluated in comparison to a conventionally defined CTV. We propose to compare the CTD approach against CTV margins of various sizes, dependent on the threshold at which the tumor infiltration probability is considered relevant. Approach. First, a theoretical framework is presented, concerned with optimizing the trade-off between the probability of sufficient target coverage and the penalties associated with high dose. From this framework we derive conventional CTV-based planning and contrast it with the CTD approach. The approaches are contextualized further by comparison with established methods for managing geometric uncertainties. Second, for both one- and three-dimensional phantoms, we compare a set of CTD plans created by varying the target objective function weight against a set of plans created by varying both the target weight and the CTV margin size. Main results. The results show that CTD-based planning gives slightly inefficient trade-offs between the evaluation criteria for a case in which near-minimum target dose is the highest priority. However, in a case when sparing a proximal organ at risk is critical, the CTD is better at maintaining sufficiently high dose toward the center of the target. Significance. We conclude that CTD-based planning is a computationally efficient method for planning with respect to delineation uncertainties, but that the inevitable effects on the dose distribution should not be disregarded.
Benefits of using removable filters in dual-layer flat panel detectors
Authors: Cai Emily Y , De Caro Christian , Treb Kevin , Li Ke
Published: March 2023

Objective. Existing dual-layer flat panel detectors (DL-FPDs) use a thin scintillator layer to preferentially detect low-energy x-rays, followed by a permanent Cu filter to absorb residual low-energy x-rays, and finally, a thicker scintillator layer to preferentially detect high-energy x-rays. The image outputs of the two scintillator layers can be jointly processed for dual-energy (DE) planar and cone-beam CT imaging. In clinical practice, a given FPD is often used for not only DE imaging but also routine single-energy (SE) imaging. With the permanent Cu layer, the total x-ray absorption is unsatisfactory for SE imaging since more than 30% of x-rays can be lost in the Cu layer. The purpose of this work was to demonstrate the benefits of using a removable filter material in DL-FPDs for SE and DE imaging applications. Approach. The proposed detector contains a removable filter between the two scintillator layers. The filter can be either a chamber filled with a liquid high-Z
eff material or a removable solid filter. When DE imaging is not clinically indicated, the DL-FPD can switch to a high-efficiency SE imaging mode by retracting the filter from the inter-scintillator space. For commonly available filter materials (iodine, gadolinium, and Cu), their optimal area densities were theoretically calculated for both water-bone decomposition and water-iodine decomposition DE imaging tasks. Preliminary experimental studies were also performed to compare the SE performance of the proposed DL-FPD with the existing DL-FPD with the permanent Cu filter and study the stability of the liquid filter on a rotating gantry. Main results. The optimal filter material was found to be an iodine solution (approximately 375 mg cm−2). With this liquid filter in place, the proposed DL-FPD has equivalent or better DE imaging performance compared with the existing DL-FPD with the Cu filter. When the filter is removed from the inter-scintillator space for SE imaging, the total x-ray absorption efficiency of the proposed DL-FPD ranges from 73% (100 kVp) to 54% (140 kVp), compared with 51% (100 kVp) to 41% (140 kVp) for the existing DL-FPD with a permanent 1 mm Cu filter. Significance. The removable filter provides a boost to the total x-ray absorption efficiency of DL-FPDs for SE imaging without compromising DE imaging. This can facilitate the adoption of DL-FPDs in clinical x-ray imaging systems that usually perform more SE imaging procedures than DE imaging series.
Micro-CT imaging of multiple K-edge elements using GaAs and CdTe photon counting detectors
Authors: Allphin A J , Clark D P , Thuering T , Bhandari P , Ghaghada K B , Badea C T
Published: March 2023

Objective. To evaluate the performance of two photon-counting (PC) detectors based on different detector materials, gallium arsenide (GaAs) and cadmium telluride (CdTe), for PC micro-CT imaging of phantoms with multiple contrast materials. Another objective is to determine if combining these two detectors in the same micro-CT system can offer higher spectral performance and significant artifact reduction compared to a single detector system. Approach. We have constructed a dual-detector, micro-CT system equipped with two PCDs based on different detector materials: gallium arsenide (GaAs) and cadmium telluride (CdTe). We demonstrate the performance of these detectors for PC micro-CT imaging of phantoms with up to 5 contrast materials with K-edges spread across the x-ray spectrum ranging from iodine with a K-edge at 33.2 keV to bismuth with a K-edge at 90.5 keV. We also demonstrate the use of our system to image a mouse prepared with both iodine and bismuth contrast agents to target different biological systems. Main results. When using the same dose and scan parameters, GaAs shows increased low energy (<50 keV) spectral sensitivity and specificity compared to CdTe. However, GaAs performance at high energies suffers from spectral artifacts and has comparatively low photon counts indicating wasted radiation dose. We demonstrate that combining a GaAs-based and a CdTe-based PC detector in the same micro-CT system offers higher spectral performance and significant artifact reduction compared to a single detector system. Significance. More accurate PC micro-CT using a GaAs PCD alone or in combination with a CdTe PCD could serve for developing new contrast agents such as nanoparticles that show promise in the developing field of theranostics (therapy and diagnostics).
The internal transport barrier formation on EAST tokamak during the fishbone instability
Authors: Wang Siqi , Cai Huishan , Chen Xiang , Li Ding
Published: March 2023

The internal transport barrier (ITB) which is related to the fishbone instability has been observed on the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) in ELMy H-mode discharges. An interpretation of the formation of the ITB on EAST tokamak is provided, based on both analytical and numerical calculations. The fishbone instability induces the redistribution of fast ions and leads to the accumulation of fast ions in a local region where the ITB is going to appear. Correspondingly, the gradients of fast ions are enhanced, where the ion temperature gradient (ITG) mode exists. Fast ions can interact with the ITG mode through the dilution, Shafranov shift and wave-particle resonance mechanisms. It is found that the ITG mode is stabilized by fast ions and the stabilizing effects are determined mainly by the density, temperature and their gradients of fast ions. The enhanced density and temperature gradients of fast ions lead to a stronger stabilizing effect on ITG mode. Compared with the stabilizing effect before the appearance of fishbone instability, the stabilization on ITG mode is enhanced after the fishbone instability, which is beneficial to the formation of the ITB.
UV Suppression in photoluminescence emission and improved photocatalytic activity under sunlight in nanoassemblies and nanocrystals of ZnO
Authors: Singh Sarika , Misra Kamakhya Prakash , Sohel Alveera , Sharma Rama
Published: March 2023

The objective of present study is to analyse the impact of alterations in the shape and size of ZnO on PL emission and photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanostructures. The study also aims at addressing the knowledge gap between synthesis approach and its role in governing the optical, morphological and photocatalytic behaviour. Here, we report the facile and controlled synthesis of nanoassemblies (NA) and nanocrystals (NC) of ZnO via soft chemical approach. The synthesized ZnO nanostructures were characterized using TEM, SEM, UV–vis and photoluminescence (PL) measurement. The morphology of ZnO is tuned by adjusting the molar ratio of DEG and water whose impact is also noticed on the PL emission spectra. PL analysis revealed that the UV emission (378 nm) and defect levels attributed to Zn interstitial (Zni) and oxygen interstitial (Oi) are stabilized at ambient condition. However, UV band gap emission peak is significantly reduced making it lesser distinct by introducing appropriate amount of water in diethylene glycol (DEG) solvent during ZnO synthesis. Such controlled nanostructured growth demonstrates potential for sustainable photocatalytic activity under both UV and Sunlight irradiation. The study shows 100% photodegradation efficiency for ZnO NA and it get completely irradiated methylene blue dye within 90 min under UV light, whereas only 70% dye is degraded in 100 min for ZnO NC. Under natural Sunlight, ZnO NA has been achieved 97% degradation efficacy in 75 min; however, ZnO NC has degraded only 89% of dye. Further, the degradation of dye over ZnO was observed to follow pseudo first order reaction kinetic model that is used to determine the rate constant of the reaction.
Rate-dependent JKR-type decohesion of a cylindrical punch from an elastic substrate
Authors: Argatov I I , Lyashenko I A , Popov V L
Published: March 2023

Recently published experimental data on non-quasistatic detachment of a flat-ended cylindrical punch from an adhesive rubber layer are analyzed in the framework of axisymmetric rate-dependent JKR-type model. The functional dependence of the work of adhesion on the velocity of the contour of contact area is assumed according to the known Gent–Schultz model. The evolution of the variable contact radius as a function of the punch displacement is described by a first-order ordinary differential equation, which possesses the localization property for its solutions, meaning that the detachment occurs at some nonzero contact radius. To facilitate the model fit to experimental force-displacement curve, a computationally efficient analytical approximate solution is suggested. A parametric analysis of the basic case (when the rubber layer is approximated by an elastic half-space) is presented.
Optical and structural properties of H-BN@Gd2O3 nanoflake prepared by laser–induced ablation in liquid
Authors: Mohsin Mayyadah H , Khashan Khawla S , Sulaiman Ghassan M
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we reported the synthesis of hexagonal BN, Gd2O3 nanoparticles, and BN@Gd2O3 hybrid nanocomposites by novel laser ablation in liquid. Several analytical techniques including x-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis spectroscopy, Fluorescence spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) with Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), High-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), and map imaging were used to investigate the structural and optical properties of synthesized nanoparticles. According to FE-SEM and TEM results, FE-SEM images show the formation of h-BN NPs, sheet-like, and spherical nanoparticles, hexagonal-type nanoflake of Gd2O3, and needle-like shapes. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images confirm that the average diameter of all samples is ∼40 nm. However, the length of the nanorods is found to vary from 50 nm to 240 nm. The optical properties studies show that the optical energy gap of h-BN, Gd2O3, and h-BN@Gd2O3 is in the range of (4.5–5.5) eV.
Effect of calcium hypochlorite as an irrigant alternative in the removal of methylene blue after photodynamic therapy under the post-space adhesive interface
Authors: Besegato João Felipe , de Sousa Gomes Costa Joatan Lucas , Zaniboni Joissi Ferrari , Bravo Giovanna Righetti , Morais Jéssika Mayhara Pereira , Escalante-Otárola Wilfredo Gustavo , Kuga Milton Carlos
Published: March 2023

We evaluated the effect of irrigation protocols in removing methylene blue after photodynamic therapy (PDT) in post-space dentin. Bond strength to dentin and failure mode after fiber post cementation was also evaluated. Ninety bovine teeth were endodontically treated. Post-space preparation and PDT mediated by 0.01% methylene blue and diode laser (660 nm) were performed. Three irrigations protocols were tested (n = 10): distilled water (DW), 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (SH), and 6% calcium hypochlorite (CH). Other specimens were used to investigate the bond strength to post-space dentin according to the irrigation protocol and the post cementation system used (RelyX U200 cement (RU) and GC Gold Label 1 glass ionomer cement (GC) in six groups (n = 10): DW-RU, SH-RU, CH-RU, DW-GC, SH-GC e CH-GC. Regardless of the post-space third, DW showed a lower incidence of residues than SH (p < 0.05), but similar to CH. SH showed similar results to CH (p > 0.05). Regarding the bond strength, CH-RU and CH-GC showed higher values compared to the other groups (p< 0.05), but similar to each other. No differences were observed between the other groups (p > 0.05). Cohesive was the most predominant failure. 6% CH to remove methylene blue after PDT favors the bond strength of RelyX U200 and GC Gold Label.
Effect of negative triangularity on tearing mode stability in tokamak plasmas
Authors: Yang Xu , Liu Yueqiang , Xu Wei , He Yuling , Xia Guoliang
Published: March 2023

The influence of negative triangularity (NT) of the plasma shape on the n = 1 (n is the toroidal mode number) tearing mode (TM) stability has been numerically investigated, with results compared to that of the positive triangularity (PT) counterpart. By matching the safety factor profile for a series of toroidal equilibria, several important plasma parameters, including the triangularity, the plasma equilibrium pressure, the plasma resistivity as well as the toroidal rotation, have been varied. The TM localized near the plasma edge is found to be more unstable in the NT plasmas as compared to the PT counterpart. The fundamental reason for this difference is the lack of favorable average curvature stabilization in NT configurations. Direct comparison of the Mercier index corroborates this conclusion. For the core-localized mode, where the difference in the local triangularity between NT and PT becomes small and the curvature stabilization is significantly reduced, larger Shafranov shift in the plasma core associated with the NT configuration results in more stable TM. The plasma toroidal flow generally stabilizes the TM in plasmas with both NTs and PTs. The flow stabilization is however weaker in the case of negative triangularity with finite plasma pressure.
Fast Two-position Initial Alignment of SINS Based on CKF
Authors: Chen Yi , Miao Zhiyong , Li Bing , Hu Shengman
Published: March 2023

In practical vehicle applications, the initial alignment environment of SINS is more complicated, and the coarse alignment accuracy is not high due to carrier sloshing, which leads to the filtering problem of nonlinear system in fine alignment. The traditional two-position alignment method based on EKF is no longer applicable. In this paper, a fast two-position alignment method of SINS based on CKF is proposed. Use two CKFs for state estimation at two locations respectively, then the error parameters are solved through the spatial relationship between the two positions. The simulation shows that using CKF improves accuracy compared to EKF. Verified by experiment, the two-position alignment method based on CKF can better adapt to the nonlinear system, which can be applied in practical engineering.
Jamming Effectiveness of Mid-infrared Lasers on the Quaternary Cross-shaped Detector
Authors: Liu Zhongling , Wang Xuming , Hu Qili , Wang Yanxin
Published: March 2023

With the development of infrared guidance technology, the guidance accuracy and anti-jamming ability of infrared guided missile are improved constantly. Based on the analysis of the mechanism of the third generation quaternary cross-shaped detector and the influence of jamming signals on the target recognition, the detector model and the mid-infrared laser interference model based on the time-domain feature analysis are established in this paper. According to the simulation results, we use the continuous and pulsed mid-infrared laser to experiment the jamming effectiveness of the quaternary cross-shaped detector. It is found that compared with continuous mid-infrared laser, pulsed mid-infrared laser is easier to make the detector lose the target and difficult to recover the tracking.
Data Glove Based on Flexible Fiber Optic Sensor for Gesture Capture
Authors: Yu Hui , Zheng Daifu , Liu Yun , Chen Shimeng
Published: March 2023

The development of data glove is very rapid, and it is widely used in the field of human-robot interaction. Flexible optical fiber sensors are widely used in data gloves. Hereby, a flexible data glove based on space-division multiplexed flexible optical fiber sensor is proposed. The fiber exhibits high optical transmission stability and good sensing performance under deformation. Our data glove accurately recognizes and tracks gestures, and then guide the manipulator to make the same gesture. It is believed that the application of data glove will be more widespread.
The Theoretical and Experimental Study on High Power Quasi Single Mode Tm-Doped All-Fiber Laser at 1908 Nm
Authors: Wang Kaixuan , Wang Yunpeng , Xie Xinxin , Zhang Dongming , Li Pingxue
Published: March 2023

Thulium-doped all-fiber lasers at wavelength of 1908 nm have developed rapidly because of more applications. In this paper, a quasi single mode thulium-doped quasi single mode all-fiber laser is reported, which can generate laser powers of 30.8 W in oscillator and 83.5 W in amplifier at wavelength of 1908 nm. The slope efficiencies are 43.93% and 55.65%, respectively. Besides, the effect of active fiber length on the conversion efficiency are studied theoretically and experimentally. The results show that optimal fiber length could improve the cross-relaxation process and pump utilization. Based on the thermal conduction equations, experiments theoretically study the cooling temperature and the coefficient of convective heat transfer impacted on thermal management to obtain high laser power output.
Experimental Exploration of Multi-dimensional Remote Sensing Technology Applied to Target Aviation Search and Rescue
Authors: Yao Dong , Yan Chunhui , Wang Hanyu , Meng Lingtong , Zheng Yanghao , Cheng Yanping , Ma Tianxiang , Gao Wen , Liang Chao , Tan Songnian
Published: March 2023

Optical sensing system is developing from the original intensity image/video sensing mode to multi-dimensional sensing mode, and people pay more and more attention to the spectral characteristics and polarization characteristics of the target. Aviation platform plays an increasingly important role in the search and rescue field based on its unique vision advantages. In this paper, combining the advantages of multi-dimensional perception of optical load with the advantages of aviation platform, a target detection method based on multi-dimensional information is proposed, and aviation experiments are carried out. The experimental results show that the application of multi-dimensional optical information of the target can effectively reduce the background light interference and improve the relative intensity of the target in the image. The experimental results show that the method proposed in this paper is efficient and feasible, and it may be widely used in the field of aviation target search and rescue in the future.
One-stop assembly of adherent 3D retinal organoids from hiPSCs based on 3D-printed derived PDMS microwell platform
Authors: Sun Xihao , Cui Zekai , Liang Yuqin , Duan Chunwen , Chan Hon Fai , Mao Shengru , Gu Jianing , Ding Chengcheng , Yang Xu , Wang Qing , Tang Shibo , Chen Jiansu
Published: March 2023

The three-dimensional (3D) retinal organoids (ROs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), mimicking the growth and development of the human retina, is a promising model for investigating inherited retinal diseases in vitro. However, the efficient generation of homogenous ROs remains a challenge. Here we introduce a novel polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microwell platform containing 62 V-bottom micro-cavities for the ROs differentiation from hiPSCs. The uniform adherent 3D ROs could spontaneously form using neural retina (NR) induction. Our results showed that the complex of NR (expressing VSX2), ciliary margin (CM) (expressing RDH10), and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) (expressing ZO-1, MITF, and RPE65) developed in the PDMS microwell after the differentiation. It is important to note that ROs in PDMS microwell platforms not only enable one-stop assembly but also maintain homogeneity and mature differentiation over a period of more than 25 weeks without the use of BMP4 and Matrigel. Retinal ganglion cells (expressing BRN3a), amacrine cells (expressing AP2a), horizontal cells (expressing PROX1 and AP2α), photoreceptor cells for cone (expressing S-opsin and L/M-opsin) and rod (expressing Rod opsin), bipolar cells (expressing VSX2 and PKCα), and Müller glial cells (expressing GS and Sox9) gradually emerged. Furthermore, we replaced fetal bovine serum with human platelet lysate and established a xeno-free culture workflow that facilitates clinical application. Thus, our PDMS microwell platform for one-stop assembly and long-term culture of ROs using a xeno-free workflow is favorable for retinal disease modeling, drug screening, and manufacturing ROs for clinical translation.
ExosomePurity: tumour purity deconvolution in serum exosomes based on miRNA signatures
Authors: Wu Tao , Dai Yao , Xu Yue , Zheng Jie , Chen Shuting , Zhang Yinuo , Tian Peng , Zheng Xiaoqi , Wang Haiyun
Published: March 2023

Exosomes cargo tumour-characterized biomolecules secreted from cancer cells and play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression, thus providing their potential for non-invasive cancer monitoring. Since cancer cell-derived exosomes are often mixed with those from healthy cells in liquid biopsy of tumour patients, accurately measuring the purity of tumour cell-derived exosomes is not only critical for the early detection but also essential for unbiased identification of diagnosis biomarkers. Here, we propose ‘ExosomePurity’, a tumour purity deconvolution model to estimate tumour purity in serum exosomes of cancer patients based on microribonucleic acid (miRNA)-Seq data. We first identify the differently expressed miRNAs as signature to distinguish cancer cell- from healthy cell-derived exosomes. Then, the deconvolution model was developed to estimate the proportions of cancer exosomes and normal exosomes in serum. The purity predicted by the model shows high correlation with actual purity in simulated data and actual data. Moreover, the model is robust under the different levels of noise background. The tumour purity was also used to correct differential expressed gene analysis. ExosomePurity empowers the research community to study non-invasive early diagnosis and to track cancer progression in cancers more efficiently. It is implemented in R and is freely available from GitHub (https://github.com/WangHYLab/ExosomePurity).
‘Terrific Black Holes’: Experiences with Social Services in Elder Family Financial Exploitation
Authors: Kilaberia Tina R , Fuhrman Emma R , Stum Marlene S
Published: March 2023

The role of social services in responding to elder family financial exploitation (EFFE) is increasingly recognised. This qualitative thematic study draws on the perspectives of fifteen non-victim, non-perpetrator family members who described seeking help from social service entities for older adults who were financially exploited in their families. Four themes illustrated entry point failures, gaps in social services and multidisciplinary collaborations, family-related barriers to help-seeking and positive appraisals of social services professionals. Social response to EFFE is inherently multidisciplinary and extends across a range of private and public service sectors. We discuss boundary work to empower social work’s professional authority in formal service systems as well as its boundary work with the healthcare system, specifically the importance of training in evaluations of older victims’ cognitive status. Implications pertain to areas such as tailored independent social work practice, community practice, social isolation of older victims and attitudinal response.
Daily artificial gravity is associated with greater neural efficiency during sensorimotor adaptation
Authors: Tays Grant D , Hupfeld Kathleen E , McGregor Heather R , Beltran Nichole E , Kofman Igor S , De Dios Yiri E , Mulder Edwin R , Bloomberg Jacob J , Mulavara Ajitkumar P , Wood Scott J , Seidler Rachael D
Published: March 2023

Altered vestibular signaling and body unloading in microgravity results in sensory reweighting and adaptation. Microgravity effects are well-replicated in head-down tilt bed rest (HDBR). Artificial gravity (AG) is a potential countermeasure to mitigate the effects of microgravity on human physiology and performance. We examined the effectiveness of daily AG for mitigating brain and/or behavioral changes in 60 days of HDBR. One group received AG for 30 minutes daily (AG; n = 16) and a control group spent the same time in HDBR but received no AG (CTRL; n = 8). All participants performed a sensorimotor adaptation task five times during fMRI scanning: twice prior to HDBR, twice during HDBR, and once following HDBR. The AG group showed similar behavioral adaptation effects compared with the CTRLs. We identified decreased brain activation in the AG group from pre to late HDBR in the cerebellum for the task baseline portion and in the thalamus, calcarine, cuneus, premotor cortices, and superior frontal gyrus in the AG group during the early adaptation phase. The two groups also exhibited differential brain-behavior correlations. Together, these results suggest that AG may result in a reduced recruitment of brain activity for basic motor processes and sensorimotor adaptation. These effects may stem from the somatosensory and vestibular stimulation that occur with AG.
A gene copy number arms race in action: X,Y-chromosome transmission distortion across a species barrier
Authors: Baird Stuart J E , Hiadlovská Zuzana , Daniszová Kristina , Piálek Jaroslav , Macholán Miloš
Published: March 2023

A remarkable gene copy number (CN) arms race system has recently been described in laboratory mice, where Slx;Slxl1 and Sly genes compete over transmission by altering the fertilization success of X and Y chromosome-bearing sperm, respectively. Here, we focus on this system in nature, where natural selection can counter CN/gene product escalation. Our model is house mouse subspecies hybridizing in Europe. In some regions, Y chromosomes of the Eastern subspecies have introgressed onto Western genomic backgrounds, accompanied by sex ratio distortion in favor of males, consistent with the inbred lines suggested mechanism: Overabundance of SLY protein expressed by invading Y chromosomes. We take Slx as representative of the X side of this arms race and measure Slx|Sly CN and expression across an “Invasion” transect where Ys introgress and a “Control” transect with negligible introgression. Since we found similar Slx|Sly ratios in both transects, SLY overabundance is unlikely to explain the introgression. However, Slx CN is relatively low in the introgression area, suggesting that Slx is less able to combat Sly effects here. Furthermore, deterministic changes in Slx;Sly expression proportions versus CN proportions suggest standing variation for trans regulation of Slx|Sly is being co-opted in nature where their arms race reduces population fitness.
TheBurkholderia contaminansprevalent phenotypes as possible markers of poor clinical outcomes in chronic lung infection of children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: León Beltina , Prieto Claudia , Bettiol Marisa , Leguizamón Mariana , D´Alessandro Virginia , Casco Daniela , Vita Carolina , Figoli Cecilia Beatriz , Vescina Cecilia , Rentería Fernando , Cardona Silvia T , Bosch Alejandra
Published: March 2023

Burkholderia contaminans, a species of the Burkholderia cepacia complex—prevalent in certain Latin-American and European countries—can cause chronic pulmonary infection in persons with cystic fibrosis. Our aim was to gain insights into long-term lung infections with a focus on correlating how bacterial phenotypic traits in the chronic infection impact on patients’ clinical outcome. Genotypic characteristics of 85 B. contaminans isolates recovered from 70 patients were investigated. For 16 of those patients, the clinical status and bacterial phenotypic characteristics, e.g. several virulence factors, phenotypic variants, and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, were evaluated. Two clones were found in the whole bacterial population: (i) the multiresistant ST 872 PCR-recA-RFLP-HaeIII-K-pattern clone, which carries a pathogenic island homologous to BcenGI11 of B. cenocepacia J2315, and (ii) the ST 102 PCR-recA-RFLP-HaeIII-AT-pattern clone. The emergence of certain bacterial phenotypes in the chronic infection such as the nonmucoid phenotype, small colony variants, brownish pigmented colonies, and hypermutators, proved to be, together with coinfection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the possible markers of more challenging infections and poor prognosis. The presence of cocolonizers and the bacterial phenotypes that are especially adapted to persist in long-term respiratory tract infections have a crucial role in patients’ clinical outcomes.