bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping the Agribusiness Potency of Chicken Eggs in Indonesia: The Base Sector Analysis
Authors: Relawati Rahayu , Yudi Ariadi Bambang , Hadi Prabowo Bambang , Ali Khan Waris , Fauzi Kamarudin Mohd
Published: October 2023

The sector base mapping of chicken eggs is very important in the development of agribusiness nationally in Indonesia. The novelties of this study are to examine the economic potential of chicken egg agribusiness, and to map the agribusiness potency of chicken eggs by province in Indonesia. The purpose of the study was to analyse: i) mapping of chicken egg production and consumption by province in Indonesia, ii) mapping of the surplus/deficit of chicken eggs by province, iii) base sector of chicken egg by province in Indonesia. Secondary data were obtained from the Statistics of Indonesia (BPS-Badan Pusat Statistik) since 2010 until 2020. Data analysis uses quantitative descriptive and determination of base sector with a Location Quotient (LQ) approach which aims to determine the base sector of chicken egg in all provinces in Indonesia. The results showed that there are seven provinces in Indonesia that have more than 150 × 106 t of chicken eggs in one year, the largest of which is East Java Province. The findings of the chicken base sector are expected to be used as a basis for agribusiness actors in finding market opportunities and distribution strategies of chicken eggs.
Effect of Various Drying Temperatures on Characteristics of Mustard Green Flour and Leaves During Drying
Authors: Azara Rima , Agustini Saidi Ida , Efendi Nur , Hikmah Muizzatul , Suherman Suherman , Burlakovs Juris , Yandri Erkata
Published: October 2023

Vegetables can be extended their shelf life by processing them into vegetable flour. Flour processing technology is inseparable from the drying process which means removing water from a material until it reaches a certain moisture content. This study aims to determine the effect of various temperatures at various stages of drying on the characteristics of the material to become mustard green flour. Drying it using a cabinet dryer at temperatures of 45 oC, 55 oC, and 65 oC. Observations were made at 0 h of drying (analysis of raw materials), 2 h, 4 h, and after turning into mustard green flour. The results showed that the drying temperature had an effect on the changes in the characteristics of the material during the drying process until it turned into mustard green flour. During the drying process, there was a decrease in moisture content, ash content, total chlorophyll, and physical color of the mustard green flour. Drying temperature has an effect on decreasing moisture content, ash content, total chlorophyll and physical color of mustard green flour, while drying time affects total chlorophyll and physical color of mustard green flour.
Assessment on Hybrid Solar Dryer for an Effective Red Chili Drying Process
Authors: Suherman Suherman , Peni Barokah Nur , Atika Islamiaty Nora , Hadiyanto Hadiyanto , Rayyan Fitra Sinuhaji Tubagus , Waluyo Hadi Eko Prasetiyono Bambang , Lomi Abraham , Hendroko Setyobudi Roy , Illayan Massadeh Muhannad , Yandri Erkata
Published: October 2023

This study aims to assess hybrid solar drying method for processing red pepper compared to sun drying and solar drying. Independently selecting heat variables of 40 °C, 50 °C, 60 °C, 70 °C, and 80 °C, the temperature profiles, drying curves, thermal efficiency and effectiveness, and energy and exergy were analyzed to meet the standardized moisture content of the product as well as other features (color, vitamin C content, and β-carotene content). It was found that the drying rate decreased when the temperature rose, while the drying chamber efficiency and drying effectiveness were inversely proportional to the duration. The collector became the most efficient at 40 °C. The drying air temperature is directly proportional to utility, energy efficiency, exergy input, exergy ouput, exergy loss, exergetic efficiency, and development potential while inversely proportional to the energy utilization ratio. Drying red pepper with a hybrid solar dryer at all observed temperatures was deemed able to meet the nationally standardized water content of ≤ 10.78 %. Processing red pepper at 80 °C resulted in the L, a, and b values of color analysis of 30.37, 27.45, and 10.63 respectively, vitamin C content of 14.79 g 100 g–1, and β-carotene content of 4.43 mg 100 g–1.
Simultaneous Volar and Dorsal Dislocation of Proximal Inter Phalangeal Joints in Adjacent Fingers - A Case Report
Authors: Sabapathy S Raja , Bose Vijay C , Rex C , Dheenadhayalan J
Published: October 2023

Volar dislocation of PIP joint or MCP joint is a rare injury. They are seldom seen acutely and hence literature is sparse on the ideal method of management of these injuries. We had a patient who presented with a rare combination of volar dislocations of PIP and MCP joints of the ring finger with a classic dorsal dislocation of the PIP joint of the little finger. All dislocations underwent successful closed reduction in the acute stage followed by appropriate method of immobilisation and physiotherapy.
Value Engineering - A New Concept in Reducing Cost of Burn Care
Authors: Bharat R
Published: October 2023

An attempt was made to reduce the cost of burn care by adopting certain simple methods without in any way compromising the quality of treatment. The important factors which escalate the cost of treatment are the expensive dressing materials and high cost of antibiotics. By implementing the Value Engineering methods, savings in cost of dressing materials and antibiotics of 50.07% and 49.35% respectively were achieved.
An Innovative Technique for Static Post-Operative Splintage
Authors: Patel Neeta Kulkarni , Sahasrabudhe Parag
Published: October 2023

Dental Impression Compound was found to be a useful material to fabricate immediate postoperative and maintenance splints after contracture release in 50 cases.
Bridging the financial divide: a bibliometric analysis on the role of digital financial services within FinTech in enhancing financial inclusion and economic development
Authors: Afjal Mohd
Published: October 2023

Financial technology (FinTech) and financial inclusion have become increasingly significant as means to alleviate poverty, reduce income inequality, and promote economic growth. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of research on the role of digital financial services in promoting financial access and economic development between 2010 and 2023. Using Scopus database, 695 documents were selected, and Biblioshiny and VOSviewer software were employed for analysis. The study aims to identify research themes, analyze publication trends, assess geographical distribution, recognize influential authors, institutions, and journals, uncover highly cited articles, and determine research gaps. The results reveal a growing interdisciplinary interest in FinTech and financial inclusion, with a surge in research production since 2016, emphasizing the significance of digital financial services in addressing the limitations of traditional financial institutions. The findings also highlight influential authors, institutions, and publications that have shaped the discourse, global collaboration patterns, and emerging research themes and trends. Policymakers are encouraged to foster an environment conducive to the growth and integration of FinTech, while future research directions should focus on the impact of digital financial services on vulnerable populations, alternative financing solutions, and the potential of emerging technologies in advancing financial inclusion and economic development. This analysis underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, global cooperation, and vigilance in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid adoption of digital financial services in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development.
Free riding in NATO after the Rise of Russia: cost sharing, free riding and selective incentives in NATO from 2009 to 2019
Authors: Pedersen Rasmus Brun , Ohrt Anders , Svendsen Gert Tinggaard
Published: October 2023

After a period of relative overperformance due to the focus on output indicators in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) burden-sharing debate, we ask whether the shift back to input indicators prior to the Ukraine War meant that the smaller NATO allies have returned to their fringe position as NATO underperformers. According to the deterrence model, smaller allies are induced to free ride to a higher degree than mid-sized allies. Utilizing insights from public choice theory, our analysis demonstrates, first, that there is no support to the claim that the size of NATO member state GDP determines the percentage of GDP spent on defence. Second, selective incentives tend to reduce the incentive for small allies to free ride. The relationship between GDP and the percentage of GDP spent on defence capabilities is therefore conditional upon the net gain of the individual member state. Defence capabilities that are characterized as a public good when we control for exposed borders indicate a higher percentage of GDP spent on defence. Our conclusions show that even though small allies continue to free ride, they do so less than expected due to the existence of selective incentives in the period from 2009-2019.
Non-autonomous reductions of the KdV equation and multi-component analogs of the Painlevé equations P34 and P3
Authors: Adler V. E. , Kolesnikov M. P.
Published: October 2023

We study reductions of the Korteweg–de Vries equation corresponding to stationary equations for symmetries from the noncommutative subalgebra. An equivalent system of n second-order equations is obtained, which reduces to the Painlevé equation P34 for n = 1. On the singular line t = 0, a subclass of special solutions is described by a system of n − 1 second-order equations, equivalent to the P3 equation for n = 2. For these systems, we obtain the isomonodromic Lax pairs and Bäcklund transformations which form the group Z2n×Zn.
Decoding bladder state from pudendal intraneural signals in pigs
Authors: Giannotti A. , Lo Vecchio S. , Musco S. , Pollina L. , Vallone F. , Strauss I. , Paggi V. , Bernini F. , Gabisonia K. , Carlucci L. , Lenzi C. , Pirone A. , Giannessi E. , Miragliotta V. , Lacour S. , Del Popolo G. , Moccia S. , Micera S.
Published: October 2023

Neuroprosthetic devices used for the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction, such as incontinence or urinary retention, apply a pre-set continuous, open-loop stimulation paradigm, which can cause voiding dysfunctions due to neural adaptation. In the literature, conditional, closed-loop stimulation paradigms have been shown to increase bladder capacity and voiding efficacy compared to continuous stimulation. Current limitations to the implementation of the closed-loop stimulation paradigm include the lack of robust and real-time decoding strategies for the bladder fullness state. We recorded intraneural pudendal nerve signals in five anesthetized pigs. Three bladder-filling states, corresponding to empty, full, and micturition, were decoded using the Random Forest classifier. The decoding algorithm showed a mean balanced accuracy above 86.67% among the three classes for all five animals. Our approach could represent an important step toward the implementation of an adaptive real-time closed-loop stimulation protocol for pudendal nerve modulation, paving the way for the design of an assisted-as-needed neuroprosthesis.
Comparative quantum chemical and spectral characterization of meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphine forms as seeds for J- and H-aggregates
Authors: Baliulyte Laura , Abramavicius Darius , Bagdonas Saulius , Kalnaityte Agne , Poderys Vilius , Rotomskis Ricardas , Barzda Virginijus
Published: October 2023

Aggregation of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS4) molecules as a function of solvent pH is a complex process because of the co-existence of many possible interacting monomeric ionic forms that self-assemble into various aggregate structures. Possible seeding elements of aggregates were studied using quantum chemical calculations based on density functional theory to determine favorable ionic forms and their dimers, and the simulated spectral characteristics were compared with the measured absorption spectra. Five different forms of TPPS4 monomers and ten dimers were found as possible candidates for aggregate precursors. It was found that monomeric forms dominate at pH = 12.1, pH = 7.1, pH = 4.1, and pH = 3.0 as well as at pH = −1.0. In contrast, J-type dimers become a dominant form at pH = 1.0.
On the effect of negative triangularity on ion temperature gradient turbulence in tokamaks
Authors: Merlo Gabriele , Dicorato Mattia , Allen Bryce , Dannert Tilman , Germaschewski Kai , Jenko Frank
Published: October 2023

Considering the same magnetic equilibrium and plasma conditions as in Duff et al. [Phys. Plasmas 29, 012303 (2022)], we perform linear and nonlinear simulations of electrostatic ion temperature gradient turbulence investigating the role of triangularity δ. Differently from what was previously reported, we find that triangularity increases the transport level regardless of its sign, but more strongly when δ is positive. For the case analyzed, we identify the shear of triangularity as the critical parameter determining the transport level, indicating that even in the local limit negative triangularity can reduce the transport efficiently, suggesting that confinement improvement can also be expected for larger devices.
Integrated experimental system and method for gas hydrate-bearing sediments considering stress–seepage coupling
Authors: Zhao Yapeng , Kong Liang , Hu Gaowei , Liu Lele , Liu Jiaqi , Ji Yunkai , Sang Songkui
Published: October 2023

It is of great significance to study the mechanical behavior and permeability properties of hydrate-bearing sediments for a safe, efficient, and sustainable exploitation of hydrate. However, most of the studies conducted so far have focused only on a single stress field or seepage field, which is detached from practical engineering. In this paper, a new integrated experimental system (IES) was proposed, which realizes the coupling study of stress and seepage. The main body of IES is a triaxial subsystem and a seepage subsystem. The triaxial subsystem can realize in situ synthesis and triaxial shear of hydrate-bearing sediments (HBS). Stable seepage can be effectively formed using a constant pressure infusion pump and a back pressure valve. A series of shear–seepage coupling tests were carried out to verify the effectiveness of the IES and explore the stress–seepage coupling characteristics of HBS. The results show that stress has a significant influence on permeability, and its essence is the stress compression on the seepage channel. The stress–strain relationship, volume response, and permeability are related to each other. The permeability will be affected by the coupling of hydrate saturation (pore plugging), effective confining pressure (pore compression), and shear (fracture generation).
Study on the deterioration characteristics and mechanism of physical and mechanical properties of natural gypsum rock under freeze–thaw action
Authors: Yang Yushun , Wei Sijiang , Wang Shengzhu , Wang Meng , Shen Wenlong , Li Xinpeng , Kang Jichun
Published: October 2023

The physical and mechanical properties, microstructure degradation characteristics, and damage mechanism of natural gypsum rock under 15, 30, and 45 freeze–thaw cycles were studied by using a self-developed program-controlled freeze–thaw experimental device. The results show that compared with natural gypsum, with the increase in freeze–thaw cycles, the mass of the sample increases first and then decreases, Poisson's ratio increases, the density decreases, and the longitudinal wave velocity, the uniaxial compressive strength, and the elastic modulus decrease. Indexes decrease greatly in the early stage of freeze–thaw and slowdown in the later stage. With the increase in freeze–thaw cycles, the slope of the pre-peak stage of the stress–strain curve decreases, the compaction stage is significantly prolonged, and the brittleness of the post-peak failure process decreases. Failure cracks of the specimens after freeze–thaw cycles are mainly inclined shear failure and axial tensile cracks. The analysis shows that the freeze–thaw damage of gypsum rock is caused by the superposition and mutual promotion of water-rock softening and pore frost heave. The specific performance is the damage of crystal particles and the loose pore structure at the mesoscale. On this basis, the cracks gradually develop and expand, which is consistent with the macroscopic test results of the sample. The research results have reference significance for the construction scheme design and frost damage prevention of gypsum surrounding rock tunnels in cold regions.
A quantum trajectory picture of single photon absorption and energy transport in photosystem II
Authors: Cook Robert L. , Ko Liwen , Whaley K. Birgitta
Published: October 2023

We use quantum trajectory theory to study the dynamics of the first step in photosynthesis for a single photon interacting with photosystem II (PSII). By considering individual trajectories we are able to look beyond the ensemble average dynamics to compute the PSII system evolution conditioned upon individual photon counting measurements. Measurements of the transmitted photon beam strongly affects the system state, since detection of an outgoing photon confirms that the PSII must be in the electronic ground state, while a null measurement implies it is in an excited electronic state. We show that under ideal conditions, observing the null result transforms a state with a low excited state population to a state with nearly all population contained in the excited states. We study the PSII dynamics conditioned on such photon counting for both a pure excitonic model of PSII and a more realistic model with exciton-phonon coupling to a dissipative phononic environment. In the absence of such coupling, we show that the measured fluorescence rates show oscillations constituting a photon-counting witness of excitonic coherence. Excitonic coupling to the phonon environment has a strong effect on the observed rates of fluorescence, damping the oscillations. Addition of non-radiative decay and incoherent transitions to radical pair states in the reaction center to the phononic model allows extraction of a quantum efficiency of 92.5% from the long-time evolution, consistent with bulk experimental measurements.
The role of Cheeger sets in the steady flows of viscoplastic fluids in pipes: A survey
Authors: Huilgol R. R. , Georgiou G. C.
Published: October 2023

Given a convex or a Jordan domain Ω, let Ω′ be a subset of this domain, with P(Ω′) denoting its perimeter and A(Ω′) its area. If a subset Ωc exists such that h=P(Ωc)/A(Ωc) is a minimum, the subset Ωc is called the Cheeger set of Ω and h, the Cheeger constant of the given domain. If one considers the reciprocal of this minimum or the maximum ratio of the area of the subset to its perimeter, t∗=1/h. It follows from the work of Mosolov and Miasnikov that the minimum pressure gradient G to sustain the steady flow of a viscoplastic fluid in a pipe, with a cross section defined by Ω, is given by G>τy/t∗, where τy is the constant yield stress of the fluid. In this survey, we summarize several results to determine the constant h when the given domain is self-Cheeger or a Cheeger-regular set that touches each boundary of a convex polygon and when the Cheeger-irregular set does not do so. The determination of the constant h for an arbitrary ellipse, a strip, and a region with no necks is also mentioned.
A deep reinforcement learning approach for state of charge and state of health estimation in lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Yin Yuxing , Zhu Ximin , Zhao Xi
Published: October 2023

Accurate estimation of state variables such as State of Charge (SOC) and State of Health (SOH) is pivotal in the management of lithium-ion batteries. Existing methods, including the unscented Kalman filter (UKF), often require manual tuning of parameters and may not adapt well to the non-linear and non-stationary characteristics of batteries. This paper introduces a novel approach to optimize the parameters of an adaptive unscented Kalman filter (AUKF) using deep reinforcement learning (DRL). The DRL agent learns to adjust the parameters of the AUKF to maximize the estimation accuracy through interaction with the battery environment. This approach is capable of adapting to different battery types and operating conditions, eliminating the need for manual parameter tuning. Our results indicate that the DRL-optimized AUKF outperforms traditional UKF methods in terms of SOC and SOH estimation accuracy, demonstrating the potential of this approach for improving battery management systems.
An impossibility theorem in game dynamics
Authors: Milionis Jason , Papadimitriou Christos , Piliouras Georgios , Spendlove Kelly
Published: October 2023

The Nash equilibrium—a combination of choices by the players of a game from which no self-interested player would deviate—is the predominant solution concept in game theory. Even though every game has a Nash equilibrium, it is not known whether there are deterministic behaviors of the players who play a game repeatedly that are guaranteed to converge to a Nash equilibrium of the game from all starting points. If one assumes that the players’ behavior is a discrete-time or continuous-time rule whereby the current mixed strategy profile is mapped to the next, this question becomes a problem in the theory of dynamical systems. We apply this theory, and in particular Conley index theory, to prove a general impossibility result: There exist games, for which all game dynamics fail to converge to Nash equilibria from all starting points. The games which help prove this impossibility result are degenerate, but we conjecture that the same result holds, under computational complexity assumptions, for nondegenerate games. We also prove a stronger impossibility result for the solution concept of approximate Nash equilibria: For a set of games of positive measure, no game dynamics can converge to the set of approximate Nash equilibria for a sufficiently small yet substantial approximation bound. Our results establish that, although the notions of Nash equilibrium and its computation-inspired approximations are universally applicable in all games, they are fundamentally incomplete as predictors of long-term player behavior.
Responsive strategies and self-identity construction in “Versailles Humblebragging” on Chinese social media
Authors: Wang Huijing , Xie Jiaqi
Published: October 2023

Versailles humblebragging is becoming an increasingly pervasive pragmatic and linguistic phenomenon since late 2020 in face-to-face and social media communication in China. Despite its ubiquity, there is a relative paucity of empirical research on this new phenomenon, particularly on the reactions of followers in the digital communicative context and the self-identities constructed by the posters, as well as the theoretical limitations to explicate the social cognitive factors behind the novel pragmatic behavior. This study integrated pragmatic and social cognitive theories to conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses of the responsive strategies followers used and the self-identity the humblebraggers built in this phenomenon. Based on the data retrieved from Chinese social media Weibo, we have found generally two major types of responsive strategies, namely the explicit and implicit. A majority of followers employed the implicit strategies to express their acceptance and liking with a preponderance of clicking the “like” affordance, suggesting that Versailles humblebragging helps to build good interpersonal relationship on Weibo. We have also identified seven types of self-identities and explored the underlying factors from the perspective of social cognition. It might be concluded from the findings that certain social and cultural shared beliefs, values and patterns of life are potent factors in shaping Chinese posters’ interpretation of themselves and other people.
Chinese heritage speakers as language brokers in internship abroad
Authors: Wang Yi , Diao Wenhao
Published: October 2023

Focusing on four Chinese heritage speakers seeking internships while studying in China, this ethnographic multi-case study reveals how their linguistic ideologies can shape their life and work abroad. Drawing upon the theory of language ideology, findings show that heritage speakers were perceived as model Chinese speakers in the classroom, and their bilingual upbringing was also considered an asset by Chinese multinational companies. While the bilingual identity afforded them initial access to internship opportunities, in the workplace they were assigned language tasks (e.g., translation) rather than responsibilities aligned with their academic training. As this distribution of labor foregrounds heritage speakers’ bilingual identity, it places them into the peripheral role as language service providers in the corporate realm. By describing these perplexing experiences, our results provide a more nuanced understanding of heritage speakers’ experiences abroad and unpack the linguistic expectations and implications for those who seek internships while studying abroad.
Enhanced densification and ionic conductivity of LLZO by flash sintering
Authors: Sazvar Amirreza , Sarpoolaky Hossein , Golmohammad Mohammad
Published: October 2023

Flash sintering arouses the interest since high-density ceramics can be obtained at shorter dwell times and lower temperatures than conventional sintering. In this study, the cubic garnet Li6.25Al0.25La3Zr2O12 (Al-LLZO) was successfully synthesised by the solid-state method. The powders were uniaxially pressed and were subjected to flash sintering at 850°C in a tube furnace under a DC bias using various current densities. It is evidenced that control of the flash electric current is a crucial factor for densification of Al-LLZO. The sample sintered in 50 V cm−1 and 200 mA mm−2 showed a cubic LLZO, 94 ± 0.4% relative density, 0.37 mS cm−1 total ionic conductivity and 0.32 eV activation energy. In addition, it was demonstrated that increasing the current density had a considerable impact on the relative density. This outstanding ionic conductivity might be due to the lower lithium loss and higher density as a result of flash sintering method applied.
Leaky wave antenna with backfire to endfire beam-scanning capability based on even mode spoof surface plasmon polaritons
Authors: Wang Min , Wei Gao , Han Kangkang , Lei Siyuan
Published: October 2023

In this paper, a leaky wave antenna (LWA) based on even mode excited spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) is proposed. The LWA can radiate beams from backfire to endfire as the frequency increases. The proposed LWA is asymmetrically modulated by the method of sinusoidal modulation of the reactance surface at two sides of the SSPP structure, which brings a phase difference between two sides of the antenna. The phase difference produces the field component that radiates the beam in the backfire or endfire direction. In this way, the full-angle beam scanning is realized. Moreover, to reduce the open-stop band effect, an improved LWA with multiperiod modulation and asymmetric units is proposed. The simulated results indicate that the radiation beam steers from backfire to endfire. A prototype of the proposed LWAs is fabricated and measured. The measured results agree well with the simulated ones.
Further development and application of a method for assessing radionuclide surface activity distribution and source location based on measurements of ambient dose equivalent rate
Authors: Chizhov K , Bragin Yu , Sneve M K , Shandala N , Siegien K , Smith G M , Ksenofontov A , Kryanev A , Tesnov I , Koukhta B , Shimansky Yu , Goncharenko G , Drozdovitch V , Kryuchkov V
Published: October 2023

A method has been developed for solving the Fredholm equation in the barrier geometry for reconstructing the surface activity density (SAD) from the results of measuring the ambient dose equivalent rate (ADER). Inclusion of the barrier geometry means that the method takes into account the shielding effect of buildings and structures on the contaminated site. The method was based on the representation of the industrial site, buildings and radiation fields in the form of a raster and the use of the visibility matrix (VM) of raster cells to describe the barrier geometry. The developed method was applied to a hypothetical industrial site with a size of 200 × 200 conventional units for four types of SAD distribution over the surface of the industrial site: ‘fragmentation’, ‘diffuse’, ‘uniform’ and ‘random’. The method of Lorentz curves was applied to estimate the compactness of the distributions of SAD and the ADER for the considered radiation sources. It was shown that the difference between the Lorentz curve for SAD and ADER means that the determination of the spatial distribution of SAD over the industrial site by solving the integral equation is essentially useful for determining the location of radiation source locations on the industrial site. The accuracy of SAD reconstruction depends on the following parameters: resolution (fragmentation) of the raster, the height of the radiation detector above the scanned surface, and the angular aperture of the radiation detector. The measurement of ADER is simpler and quicker than the direct measurement of SAD and its distribution. This represents a significant advantage if SAD distribution needs to be determined in areas with high radiation dose-rate during limited time. The developed method is useful for supporting radiation monitoring and optimizing the remediation of nuclear legacies, as well as during the recovery phase after a major accident.
Further development and application of a method for assessing radionuclide surface activity distribution and source location based on measurements of ambient dose equivalent rate. Examples for Andreeva Bay, Chernobyl NPP and Istiklol
Authors: Chizhov K , Bragin Yu , Sneve M K , Shandala N , Seregin V , Siegien K , Smith G M , Ksenofontov A , Kryanev A , Tesnov I , Shimansky Yu , Goncharenko G , Drozdovitch V , Kryuchkov V
Published: October 2023

A method for reconstructing surface activity density (SAD) maps based on the solution of the Fredholm equation has been developed and applied. The construction of SAD maps was carried out for the site of the temporary storage (STS) of spent fuel and radioactive waste (RW) in Andreeva Bay using the results of measuring campaign in 2001–2002 and for the sheltering construction of the solid RW using the results of measurements in 2021. The Fredholm equation was solved in two versions: under conditions of a barrier-free environment and taking into account buildings and structures located on the industrial site of the STS Andreeva Bay. Lorenz curves were generated to assess the compactness of the distributions of SAD and ambient dose equivalent rate (ADER) for the industrial site and the sheltering construction at STS Andreeva Bay, the area of the IV stage uranium tailing site near the city of Istiklol in the Republic of Tajikistan, and for roofs of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The nature of impact of the resolution (fragmentation) of the raster, the value of the radius of mutual influence of points (contamination sites), the height of the radiation detector above the scanned surface and the angular aperture of the radiation detector on the accuracy of the SAD reconstruction is shown. The method developed allows more accurate planning of decontamination work when only ADER measurements data is available. The proposed method can be applied to support the process of decontamination of radioactively contaminated territories, in particular during the remediation of the STS Andreeva Bay.
Study on fabrication of force transducer based on carbon nano-flake balls
Authors: Adiputra Richard , Chen Yi-Hung , Wu Shang-Ru , Vanko Gabriel , Andok Robert , Tsai Hung-Yin
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this study was to fabricate a force sensor. A novel three-dimensional carbon-based material called a carbon nano-flake ball (CNFB) was used because it exhibits a large surface-area and high electrical conductivity. Moreover, CNFB can be easily fabricated using a one-step process via microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition. In the present study, two different methods, chemical and mechanical exfoliation, were used to fabricate the CNFB thin films. CNFEs were successfully synthesized on the silicon-based composite substrate. The substrate was constructed by the Si, SiO2, and Al2O3, where Al2O3 played the role of the substrate for the force sensor while SiO2 was the interface layer and was removed in the process by hydrogen fluoride (HF) solution to separate Al2O3 from Silicon. The experiments showed that using sol–gel catalyst coating as pretreatment precursor, results in a larger ball-size but lower deposition density of CNFB on Al2O3 substrate. By using mechanical exfoliation by polyimide (PI) tape, the CNFB grown on silicon substrate can be easily exfoliated from the substrate. PI/CNFB was successfully exfoliated from the substrate with a silver-grey color at the bottom of the CNFB which is likely to be silicon carbide (SiC) from the energy dispersive spectrometer analysis. The sheet resistance of PI/CNFB was 18.3 ± 1.0 Ω sq.−1 PI/CNFB exhibits a good force sensing performance with good stability after 10 times of loading-unloading cycles and a good sensitivity of 11.6 Ω g−1.
Probing the photocurrent in two-dimensional titanium disulfide
Authors: Zhang Ruan , Zhu Shuangxing , Wu Jiaxin , Fan Yijie , Xie Binghe , Meng Jianqiao , Cai Xinghan
Published: October 2023

Generating photocurrent in a condensed matter system involves the excitation, relaxation, and transportation of charge carriers. As such, it is viewed a potent method for probing the dynamics of non-equilibrium carriers and the electronic band structure of solid state materials. In this research, we analyze the photoresponse of the mechanically exfoliated titanium disulfide (TiS2), a transition metal dichalcogenide whose classification as either a semimetal or a semiconductor has been the subject of debate for years. The scanning photocurrent microscopy and the temperature-dependent photoresponse characterization expose the appearance of a photovoltaic current primarily from the metal/TiS2 junction in an unbiased sample, while negative photoconductivity due to the bolometric effect is observed in the conductive TiS2 channel. The optoelectronic experimental results, combined with electrical transport characterization and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements, indicate that the TiS2 employed in this study is likely a heavily-doped semiconductor. Our findings unveil the photocurrent generation mechanism of two dimensional TiS2, highlighting its prospective optoelectronic applications in the future.
Spin device-based image edge detection architecture for neuromorphic computing
Authors: Verma Gaurav , Soni Sandeep , Kaushik Brajesh Kumar
Published: October 2023

Artificial intelligence and deep learning today are utilized for several applications namely image processing, smart surveillance, edge computing, and so on. The hardware implementation of such applications has been a matter of concern due to huge area and energy requirements. The concept of computing in-memory and the use of non-volatile memory (NVM) devices have paved a path for resource-efficient hardware implementation. We propose a dual-level spin–orbit torque magnetic random-access memory (SOT-DLC MRAM) based crossbar array design for image edge detection. The presented in-memory edge detection algorithm framework provides spin-based crossbar designs that can intrinsically perform image edge detection in an energy-efficient manner. The simulation results are scaled down in energy consumption for data transfer by a factor of 8x for grayscale images with a comparatively smaller crossbar than an equivalent CMOS design. DLC SOT-MRAM outperforms CMOS-based hardware implementation in several key aspects, offering 1.53x greater area efficiency, 14.24x lower leakage power dissipation, and 3.63x improved energy efficiency. Additionally, when compared to conventional spin transfer torque (STT-MRAM and SOT-MRAM, SOT-DLC MRAM achieves higher energy efficiency with a 1.07x and 1.03x advantage, respectively. Further, we extended the image edge extraction framework to spiking domain where ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm is implemented. The mathematical analysis is presented for mapping of conductance matrix of the crossbar during edge detection with an improved area and energy efficiency at hardware implementation. The pixel accuracy of edge-detected image from ACO is 4.9% and 3.72% higher than conventional Sobel and Canny based edge-detection.
Fabrication of high-performance triboelectric nanogenerator based on Ni3C nanosheets to self-power thermal patch for pain relief
Authors: Kulakarni Smaran Panth , Kumar Das Nishat , Badhulika Sushmee
Published: October 2023

In this work, we report a vertical contact-separation mode triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) comprising of Ni3C/PDMS composite and Nylon Nanofibers for self-powering a nichrome wire-based thermal patch for muscular/joint relaxation. An optimised composition of Ni3C (25 wt%) and PDMS as a tribo-negative material and Nylon Nanofibers synthesised via electrospinning on copper electrode foil as a tribo-positive material were used to fabricate the TENG. The fabricated TENG exhibits outstanding output generating an average open circuit voltage of ∼252 V, an average short circuit current of ∼40.87 μA and a peak power of ∼562.35 μW cm−2 at a matching resistance of 20 MΩ by manual tapping. Enhancement in contact area due to electrospun nylon and micro capacitive Ni3C flakes in dielectric PDMS contribute to the exceptional performance of the TENG. The optimised TENG is then connected to a full bridge rectifier with a 100 nF filtering capacitor to convert the AC voltage to a DC output with a peak voltage of ∼5.4 V and a ripple voltage of ∼1.04 V to recharge an ICR 18650 Li-ion battery, which functions as a medium to improve electrical energy flow to the heat patch. The electrical energy is converted into heat energy by a wounded nichrome wire placed inside the heat patch. The nichrome wire of length 3 cm with appropriate number of windings was employed in the heat patch. An increment of 45 °F can be observed by switching the charged Li-ion battery-based circuit ON for just 30 s. The strategy of self-powering a heat patch using this TENG finds enormous applications in physiotherapy and sports to relieve muscle and joint pains.
Growth and characterization of germanium telluride nanowires via vapor–liquid–solid mechanism
Authors: Taha Inas , Ansari Sumayya M , Alketbi Shaikha , Mohammad Baker , Aldosari Haila M
Published: October 2023

Phase-change materials (PCMs), which can transition reversibly between crystalline and amorphous phases, have shown great promise for next-generation memory devices due to their nonvolatility, rapid switching periods, and random-access capability. Several groups have investigated phase-change nanowires for memory applications in recent years. The ability to regulate the scale of nanostructures remains one of the most significant obstacles in nanoscience. Herein, we describe the growth and characterization of germanium telluride (GeTe) nanowires, which are essential for phase-change memory devices. GeTe nanowires were produced by combining thermal evaporation and vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) techniques, using 8 nm Au nanoparticles as the metal catalyst. The influence of various growth parameters, including inert gas flow rate, working pressure, growth temperature, growth duration, and growth substrate, was examined. Ar gas flow rate of 30 sccm and working pressure of 75 Torr produced the narrowest GeTe nanowires horizontally grown on a Si substrate. Using scanning electron microscopy, the dimensions, and morphology of GeTe nanowires were analyzed. Transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy were utilized to conduct structural and chemical analyses. Using a SiO2/Si substrate produced GeTe nanowires that were thicker and lengthier. The current–voltage characteristics of GeTe nanowires were investigated, confirming the amorphous nature of GeTe nanowires using conductive atomic force microscopy. In addition, the effects of the VLS mechanism and the Gibbs–Thomson effect were analyzed, which enables the optimization of nanowires for numerous applications, such as memory and reservoir computing.
Microdosimetry-based investigation of biological effectiveness of 252Cf brachytherapy source: TOPAS Monte Carlo study
Authors: Chattaraj Arghya , Selvam T Palani
Published: October 2023

Objective. To investigate biological effectiveness of 252Cf brachytherapy source using Monte Carlo-calculated microdosimetric distributions. Approach.
252Cf source capsule was placed at the center of the spherical water phantom and phase-space data were scored as a function of radial distance in water (R = 1–5 cm) using TOPAS Monte Carlo code. The phase-space data were used to calculate microdosimetric distributions at 1 μm site size. Using these distributions, Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE), mean quality factor (

Q

̅

) and Oxygen Enhancement Ratio (OER) were calculated as a function of R. Main results. The overall shapes of the microdosimetric distributions are comparable at all the radial distances in water. However, slight variation in the bin-wise yield is observed with R. RBE,

Q

̅

and OER are insensitive to R over the range 1–5 cm. Microdosimetric kinetic model based RBE values are about 2.3 and 2.8 for HSG tumour cells and V79 cells, respectively, whereas biological weighting function-based RBE is about 2.8. ICRP 60 and ICRU 40 recommendation-based

Q

̅

values are about 14.5 and 16, respectively. Theory of dual radiation action based RBE is 11.4. The calculated value of OER is 1.6. Significance. This study demonstrates the relative insensitivity of RBE,

Q

̅

and OER radially away from the 252Cf source along the distances of 1–5 cm in water.
Quantum simulation of bosons with the contracted quantum eigensolver
Authors: Wang Yuchen , Sager-Smith LeeAnn M , Mazziotti David A
Published: October 2023

Quantum computers are promising tools for simulating many-body quantum systems due to their potential scaling advantage over classical computers. While significant effort has been expended on many-fermion systems, here we simulate a model entangled many-boson system with the contracted quantum eigensolver (CQE). We generalize the CQE to many-boson systems by encoding the bosonic wavefunction on qubits. The CQE provides a compact ansatz for the bosonic wave function whose gradient is proportional to the residual of a contracted Schrödinger equation. We apply the CQE to a bosonic system, where N quantum harmonic oscillators are coupled through a pairwise quadratic repulsion. The model is relevant to the study of coupled vibrations in molecular systems on quantum devices. Results demonstrate the potential efficiency of the CQE in simulating bosonic processes such as molecular vibrations with good accuracy and convergence even in the presence of noise.
A method for predicting the entropy and Gibbs free energy of ICl and BrCl gases based on an improved Hulburt-Hirschfelder potential
Authors: Yu Xuerong , Fan Zhixiang , Wang Zhengrong , Tian Hongrui , Fan Qunchao , Li Huidong , Fu Jia , Xie Feng
Published: October 2023

Combined with the Rydberg-Klein-Rees (RKR) data and spectral constants, a method based an improved Hulburt-Hirschfelder (IHH) potential model for calculating the molar entropy and Gibbs free energy of diatomic gases is presented. The full set of rovibrational energy is calculated by solving the one-dimension Schrödinger equation using the determined IHH potential pointwise data, and then the partition function, Gibbs free energy and entropy of the diatomic molecular gas can be determined using the quantum statistical ensemble theory. Comparing with other potentials and thermodynamic data, the application to the ground electronic state of ICl and BrCl gases shows that the IHH potential fits well with the experimental RKR data, and the calculated Gibbs free energy and molar entropy are in good agreement with the experimental values.
Anomalous size effect of thermal conductivity of two-dimensional dielectric materials
Authors: Xu Mingtian
Published: October 2023

In this work, we find that two-dimensional characteristics of hydrodynamic phonon transports in two-dimensional dielectric materials lead to the anomalous length dependency and even divergence of thermal conductivities. For suspended monolayer graphene the analytical solution of the two-dimensional Guyer-Krumhansl equations shows that the thermal conductivity increases with the increase of its length from 1 micron to 9 micron. When a specific temperature distribution at the inlet boundary is given, and the positive partial derivative of the heat flux along the length direction at the inlet and outlet boundaries is prescribed, analytical results show that the thermal conductivity of suspended monolayer graphene at the room temperature tends to infinity with the increase of its length. This result can be used to artificially regulate the thermal conductivity of suspended single-layer graphene.
Multiband absorber design and optimization with Lorenz chaotic attractor
Authors: Köksal Ahmet Sertol , Ünal Sait
Published: October 2023

Metamaterials are artificial materials that don’t come from nature and have unusual electromagnetic properties. It has applications in many fields such as medical, image processing, signal absorption, invisibility cloak, sensor, and antenna. In this study, signal absorption of metamaterials was discussed and a simulation study was carried out. The most important difference of the proposed structure is that the pattern obtained from the Lorenz chaotic attractor was used in the resonator’s design, unlike the geometric shaped works. The chaos pattern consists of units that have both random shapes and sizes. Chaos can be defined as the order of disorder, which is extremely sensitive to initial conditions and has a broad power spectrum like noise. In addition, this study aims to contribute to the science of chaos. The resonator structure used in the proposed structure showed similar results with the studies in the literature. Rogers RT5870 material was used as substrate in the design. The proposed design is an eight-band structure with excellent signal absorption, partially insensitive to polarization and angle of incidence. The results show that the proposed design absorbs signals in the infrared region of the spectrum at 14.24, 15.44, 19.72, 21.04, 33.92, 35.16, 36.44 and 38.79 THz. Near-perfect signal absorption at the indicated frequencies is 97.98%, 98.73%, 99.85%, 92.03%, 95.62%, 92.56%, 96.21% and 97.09%, respectively. The proposed design includes heat sensor and thermal imaging etc can be used in application areas.