bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metallic Species on Gas Evolution and Energy Efficiency Evolution in Pyrolysis and CO2-Assisted Gasification
Authors: Ye Xinhao , Li Jinhu , Lu Wei , Liu Xuan , Wang Zhiwei , Liang Chisen
Published: October 2023

In this study, the same moles of alkali and alkaline earth metallic species were introduced into pine wood to investigate their effects on biomass pyrolysis and carbon dioxide-assisted gasification. First, thermogravimetric analysis was conducted to examine the pyrolytic behavior of pine wood loaded with alkali and alkaline earth metallic species. A semi-batch fixed bed platform was used to quantify gaseous product parameters, including gas mass flowrate, gas yield, recovered energy, energy efficiency, and net carbon dioxide consumption. Thermogravimetric results indicated that the loading of alkali and alkaline earth metallic species promoted the thermal decomposition of pine wood at low temperatures, but an inhibitory effect was observed at high temperatures. In terms of pyrolysis, adding alkaline earth metals increased syngas yields, and recovered energy, as well as energy efficiency, whereas alkali metals had the opposite effect. For the gasification, the loading of alkali metals showed a stronger catalytic than the pine wood loaded with alkaline earth metals. Based on the evolution of carbon monoxide, the effects of alkali and alkaline earth metallic species on enhancing the biochar's gasification reactivity were in the sequence of sodium > potassium > calcium > magnesium. In addition, the addition of alkali metals exhibited a stronger capacity for carbon dioxide consumption, which contributed to the management of the greenhouse gas. Considering only energy efficiency, adding alkaline earth metals in biomass pyrolysis is an optimal choice due to the higher overall energy efficiency obtained in less time.
Impacts of the Bottom Vortex on the Surrounding Flow Characteristics of a Semi-Submerged Rectangular Cylinder Under Four Aspect Ratios
Authors: Zhou Jiaqi , Ren Junsheng , Li Dongyue , Tu Can , Bai Weiwei
Published: October 2023

Vortex has attracted attention because it is the main factor affecting the flow characteristics around offshore structures. This paper researches the flow field variations around a semi-submerged rectangular cylinder (SRC) under four aspect ratios, thereby revealing the bottom vortex effects on the flow field at Reynolds number = 36,300. According to the particle image velocimetry (PIV) data, the renormalization group (RNG) k–ε model is selected as an applicable turbulence model for studying SRC flow characteristics. From the results, the bottom vortex generation and streamwise velocity are inseparable. As the draft increases, the increased range of the bottom vortex would directly interfere with the flow characteristic around the SRC. Since the wake vortex forms a reattachment state when the SRC pierces the free surface, its flow field could be disturbed by the bottom vortex. Furthermore, the bottom vortex also affects the extreme point position of the boundary layer characteristic at the SRC bottom.
GLHAD: A Group Lasso-Based Hybrid Attack Detection and Localization Framework for Multistage Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Kokhahi Ahmad , Li Dan
Published: October 2023

As Industry 4.0 and digitization continue to advance, the reliance on information technology increases, making the world more vulnerable to cyberattacks, especially cyber-physical attacks that can manipulate physical systems and compromise sensor data integrity. Detecting cyberattacks in multistage manufacturing systems (MMS) is crucial due to the growing sophistication of attacks and the complexity of MMS. Attacks can propagate throughout the system, affecting subsequent stages and making detection more challenging than in single-stage systems. Localization is also critical due to the complex interactions in MMS. To address these challenges, a group lasso regression-based framework is proposed to detect and localize attacks in MMS. The proposed algorithm outperforms traditional hypothesis testing-based methods in expected detection delay and localization accuracy, as demonstrated in a simple linear multistage manufacturing system.
Paracetamol tablet analyzed by XPS
Authors: Rincón-Ortiz Sergio A. , Mesa Fernando , Ospina Rogelio
Published: October 2023

Paracetamol tablet was analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Sample was fixed to a stainless-steel sample holder with a copper double-sided adhesive tape. Survey spectra, C 1s, O 1s, N 1s, Si 2p, Mg 2s, Mg KLL, and Mg 1s core levels spectra were acquired. Results showed the presence of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen, elements that constitute the chemical structure of paracetamol; however, these can also be part of the excipients. In addition, silicon and magnesium were detected, which are related to excipients.
CHEK2 signaling is the key regulator of oocyte survival after chemotherapy
Authors: Emori Chihiro , Boucher Zachary , Bolcun-Filas Ewelina
Published: October 2023

Cancer treatments can damage the ovarian follicle reserve, leading to primary ovarian insufficiency and infertility among survivors. Checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) deficiency prevents elimination of oocytes in primordial follicles in female mice exposed to radiation and preserves their ovarian function and fertility. Here, we demonstrate that CHEK2 also coordinates the elimination of oocytes after exposure to standard-of-care chemotherapy drugs. CHEK2 activates two downstream targets—TAp63 and p53—which direct oocyte elimination. CHEK2 knockout or pharmacological inhibition preserved ovarian follicle reserve after radiation and chemotherapy. However, the lack of specificity for CHEK2 among available inhibitors limits their potential for clinical development. These findings demonstrate that CHEK2 is a master regulator of the ovarian cellular response to damage caused by radiation and chemotherapy and warrant the development of selective inhibitors specific to CHEK2 as a potential avenue for ovario-protective treatments.
6mA-Sniper: Quantifying 6mA sites in eukaryotes at single-nucleotide resolution
Authors: Zhang Jie , Peng Qi , Ma Chengchuan , Wang Jiaxin , Xiao Chunfu , Li Ting , Liu Xiaoge , Zhou Liankui , Xu Xinwei , Zhou Wei-Zhen , Ding Wanqiu , An Ni A. , Zhang Li , Liu Ying , Li Chuan-Yun
Published: October 2023

While
N
6
-methyldeoxyadenine (6mA) modification is a fundamental regulation in prokaryotes, its prevalence and functions in eukaryotes are controversial. Here, we report 6mA-Sniper to quantify 6mA sites in eukaryotes at single-nucleotide resolution, and delineate a 6mA profile in
Caenorhabditis elegans
with 2034 sites. Twenty-six of 39 events with Mnl I restriction endonuclease sites were verified, demonstrating the feasibility of this method. The levels of 6mA sites pinpointed by 6mA-Sniper are generally increased after
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
infection, but decreased in strains with the removal of METL-9, the dominant 6mA methyltransferase. The enrichment of these sites on specific motif of [GC]G
A
G, the selective constrains on them, and their coordinated changes with METL-9 levels thus support an active shaping of the 6mA profile by methyltransferase. Moreover, for regions marked by 6mA sites that emerged after infection, an enrichment of up-regulated genes was detected, possibly mediated through a mutual exclusive cross-talk between 6mA and H3K27me3 modification. We thus highlight 6mA regulation as a previously neglected regulator in eukaryotes.
Computational mechanisms underlying latent value updating of unchosen actions
Authors: Ben-Artzi Ido , Kessler Yoav , Nicenboim Bruno , Shahar Nitzan
Published: October 2023

Current studies suggest that individuals estimate the value of their choices based on observed feedback. Here, we ask whether individuals also update the value of their unchosen actions, even when the associated feedback remains unknown. One hundred seventy-eight individuals completed a multi-armed bandit task, making choices to gain rewards. We found robust evidence suggesting latent value updating of unchosen actions based on the chosen action’s outcome. Computational modeling results suggested that this effect is mainly explained by a value updating mechanism whereby individuals integrate the outcome history for choosing an option with that of rejecting the alternative. Properties of the deliberation (i.e., duration/difficulty) did not moderate the latent value updating of unchosen actions, suggesting that memory traces generated during deliberation might take a smaller role in this specific phenomenon than previously thought. We discuss the mechanisms facilitating credit assignment to unchosen actions and their implications for human decision-making.
Event-driven adaptive optical neural network
Authors: Brückerhoff-Plückelmann Frank , Bente Ivonne , Becker Marlon , Vollmar Niklas , Farmakidis Nikolaos , Lomonte Emma , Lenzini Francesco , Wright C. David , Bhaskaran Harish , Salinga Martin , Risse Benjamin , Pernice Wolfram H. P.
Published: October 2023

We present an adaptive optical neural network based on a large-scale event-driven architecture. In addition to changing the synaptic weights (synaptic plasticity), the optical neural network’s structure can also be reconfigured enabling various functionalities (structural plasticity). Key building blocks are wavelength-addressable artificial neurons with embedded phase-change materials that implement nonlinear activation functions and nonvolatile memory. Using multimode focusing, the activation function features both excitatory and inhibitory responses and shows a reversible switching contrast of 3.2 decibels. We train the neural network to distinguish between English and German text samples via an evolutionary algorithm. We investigate both the synaptic and structural plasticity during the training process. On the basis of this concept, we realize a large-scale network consisting of 736 subnetworks with 16 phase-change material neurons each. Overall, 8398 neurons are functional, highlighting the scalability of the photonic architecture.
Hydrogel-assisted microfluidic spinning of stretchable fibers via fluidic and interfacial self-adaptations
Authors: Zhao Guoxu , Wu Tinglong , Wang Ruhai , Li Zhong , Yang Qingzhen , Wang Lei , Zhou Hongwei , Jin Birui , Liu Hao , Fang Yunsheng , Wang Dong , Xu Feng
Published: October 2023

Stretchable polymeric fibers have enormous potential, but their production requires rigorous environmental controls and considerable resource consumption. It's also challenging for elastic polymers with high performance but poor spinnability, such as silicones like polydimethylsiloxane and Ecoflex. We present a hydrogel-assisted microfluidic spinning (HAMS) method to address these challenges by encapsulating their prepolymers within arbitrarily long, protective, and sacrificable hydrogel fibers. By designing simple apparatuses and manipulating the fluidic and interfacial self-adaptations of oil/water flows, we successfully produce fibers with widely controllable diameter (0.04 to 3.70 millimeters), notable length, high quality (e.g., smooth surface, whole-length uniformity, and rounded section), and remarkable stretchability (up to 1300%) regardless of spinnability. Uniquely, this method allows an easy, effective, and controllable reshaping production of helical fibers with exceptional stretchability and mechanical compliance. We deeply reveal the mechanisms in producing these fibers and demonstrate their potential as textile components, optoelectronic devices, and actuators. The HAMS method would be a powerful tool for mass-producing high-quality stretchable fibers.
Promising potential of machine learning-assisted MALDI-TOF MS as an effective detector for
Streptococcus suis
serotype 2 and virulence thereof
Authors: Wang Zhuohao , Zhou Yu , Guo Genglin , Li Quan , Yu Yanfei , Zhang Wei
Published: October 2023

Streptococcus suis
is a major swine pathogen that can be transmitted to humans by close contact with infected or carrier pigs. Among the 29 true serotypes, serotype 2 is the most significant due to its high prevalence in diseased pigs and its association with human clinical cases. The co-existence of strong and weak virulent strains of SS2 (
Streptococcus suis
serotype 2) complicates the surveillance, coupled with the fact that traditional methods based on serologic tests or multiple PCR are laborious and time-consuming, posing challenges to the prevention and control of streptococcosis. Therefore, developing a new method to rapidly detect
S. suis
serotype 2 and virulent strains thereof is extremely essential. In this study, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was performed among 137
S
.
suis
strains covering all the true serotypes to explore its potential for identifying SS2 strains with strong virulence. By comparing mass spectrometry data with those of bacterial phenotypic and genomic properties, our study reveals, for the first time, the strong correlations between mass spectra patterns and the phenotypes (of serotype and virulence). In addition, machine learning-based classifiers have more than 90% accuracy in making correct judgments. Overall, the promising potential of MALDI-TOF MS for virulent SS2 detection was proven, and the corresponding methods disclosed in this study will pave the way for high speed-specific causative agent identification among more extensive bacterial species.

IMPORTANCE

To the best of our knowledge, this study reveals a strong correlation between mass spectra pattern and virulence phenotype among
S. suis
for the first time. In order to make the findings applicable and to excavate the intrinsic information in the spectra, the classifiers based on the machine learning algorithms were established, and RF (Random Forest)-based models have achieved an accuracy of over 90%. Overall, this study will pave the way for virulent SS2 (
Streptococcus suis
serotype 2) rapid detection, and the important findings on the association between genotype and mass spectrum may provide a new idea for the genotype-dependent detection of specific pathogens.
Chikungunya virus perturbs the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway for efficient viral infection
Authors: Chatterjee Sanchari , Ghosh Soumyajit , Datey Ankita , Mahish Chandan , Chattopadhyay Subhasis , Chattopadhyay Soma
Published: October 2023

Viruses use various strategies to modulate host pathways and take benefit of host machineries for efficient infection. It has been reported that certain viruses manipulate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway; however, its role in Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection has not yet been investigated. Hence, the focus of the current study was to evaluate the importance of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in CHIKV infection using
in vitro
,
in vivo
, and
ex vivo
models. The study revealed that CHIKV infection suppressed the active β-catenin protein associated with Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which, in turn, led to the reduction of cyclin-D1 and upregulation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β. Inhibition of β-catenin by an inhibitor (iCRT14) showed a drastic reduction in the viral RNA, protein, and new viral particle formation
in vitro
. Next, it was found that β-catenin is important in different phases of viral life cycle. Notably, the treatment of CHIKV-infected C57BL/6 mice with this drug reduced the disease score substantially with a 91.7% decrease in the viral load. Similar result was observed in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived monocyte-macrophage populations and in physiologically relevant cells like RAW264.7 and C2C12 cells. Additionally, knockdown of β-catenin by siRNA drastically reduced viral particle formation. Further investigation revealed that CHIKV-nsP2 interacts with β-catenin during CHIKV infection. In conclusion, this work demonstrated for the first time the mechanistic insights regarding the role of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway for CHIKV infection that might contribute to the designing of effective therapeutics for the control of this virus infection in future.

IMPORTANCE

Being obligate parasites, viruses use various host cell machineries in effectively replicating their genome, along with virus-encoded enzymes. In order to carry out infection and pathogenesis, viruses are known to manipulate fundamental cellular processes in cells and interfere with host gene expression. Several viruses interact with the cellular proteins involved in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway; however, reports regarding the involvement of protein components of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection are scarce. Additionally, there are currently no remedies or vaccines available for CHIKV. This is the first study to report that modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is crucial for effective CHIKV infection. These investigations deepen the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of CHIKV infection and offer new avenue for developing effective countermeasures to efficiently manage CHIKV infection.
Polynomial Entropy and Polynomial Torsion for Fibered Systems
Authors: Grycan-Gérard Flavien , Marco Jean-Pierre
Published: October 2023

Given a continuous fibered dynamical system, we first introduce the notion of polynomial torsion of a fiber,
which measures the “infinitesimal variation” of the dynamics between the fiber and the neighboring ones.
This gives rise to an (upper semicontinous) torsion function,
defined on the base of the system, which is a new
$$C^{0}$$ (fiber) conjugacy invariant. We prove that the polynomial entropy of the system is the supremum of
the torsion of its fibers, which yields a new insight into the creation of polynomial entropy in fibered systems.
We examine the relevance of these results in the context of integrable Hamiltonian
systems or diffeomorphisms, with the particular cases of $$C^{0}$$-integrable twist maps on the annulus and geodesic flows.
Finally, we bound from below the polynomial entropy of $$\ell$$-modal interval maps in terms of their lap number and answer a question by Gomes and Carneiro.
Efficacy of Tuina in chronic low back pain with anxiety: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Yin Zhiyang , Shuaipan Zhang , He Pei , Zhang Qi , Fang Min , Lu Ping
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is one of the largest and most frequent public health problems worldwide. Tuina is a physical therapy commonly used in China to treat musculoskeletal diseases. Compared with traction, there is little high-quality scientific evidence that can demonstrate the effectiveness of Tuina in the treatment of patients with cLBP. Therefore, the purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of massage on cLBP patients compared with traction.

Methods and analyses

This is a single-centre, assessor-blinded and analyst-blinded prospective randomised controlled trial with two parallel arms. Ninety-four patients with cLBP will be recruited. Three treatments were given every week for a total of 4 weeks. In the Traction group, participants were given traction therapy in the Tuina group, participants will receive a four-step physiotherapy including kneading, rolling, plucking and oblique pulling. The outcomes will be measured at baseline, at the end of treatment, as well as 1 and 2 months after treatment. The primary outcome will be the Hamilton Anxiety Scale after 12 sessions of treatment. The secondary outcomes will be the Visual Analogue Scale, the medical outcomes study Short Form 36, Serum Quantitative Index and genetic testing after 12 sessions of treatment.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2200065448.
Geographic Atrophy Management Consensus (GA-MAC): a Delphi panel study on identification, diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Kaiser Peter K , Karpecki Paul M , Regillo Carl D , Baumal Caroline , Ryan Edwin H , Ip Michael S , Modi Yasha , Yeu Elizabeth , Nijm Lisa , Farid Marjan , Rebenitsch Ronald Luke , Kim Terry , Shechtman Diana L , Nichols Kelly , Schweitzer Justin , Dunbar Mark T , Rafieetary Mohammad R , Donnenfeld Eric D
Published: October 2023

Background/aims

With a paradigm shift in geographic atrophy (GA) treatments now available, establishing consensus on the identification and diagnosis of the disease along with considerations for management of patients with GA will assist eye care professionals (ECP) in their day-to-day practices, leading to improved patient outcomes.

Methods

A modified Delphi panel process (Geographic Atrophy Management Consensus) consisting of three total surveys and one virtual live meeting held between survey 2 and survey 3. Data were collected from July to October 2022. Participants included expert members of the eye care community that have demonstrated outstanding leadership among peers: a steering committee with three ECPs and a 15-member panel divided between five optometrists, five comprehensive ophthalmologists and five retina specialists. Consensus on statements related to the management of patients with GA was calculated using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method.

Results

At the conclusion of the third survey, consensus was reached on 91% of the 77 statements. Critical consensus topics include: (1) optical coherence tomography as the favoured method to diagnose and monitor GA, (2) preferred practice patterns regarding referral of patients to retina specialists and (3) treatment criteria given the advent of emerging therapeutics for GA.

Conclusions

Generating awareness of early signs of disease development, progression and identifying the best tools to evaluate GA establishes ideal management and referral strategies. Given the paradigm shift in GA management driven by approved therapies, coupled with the fact that the disease is progressive resulting in devastating vision loss, these strategies are critical to ensure best overall outcomes.
E-IMNCI: a novel clinical diagnostic support system approach to strengthen effectiveness and quality of IMNCI implementation in India
Authors: Alwadhi Vaishali , Bajpayee Devina , Kumar Nandan , Mohanty Jaya Swarup , Mukherji Kallol , Saboth Prasant Kumar , Sinha Ankita , Prasad Ajit , Kumar Harish
Published: October 2023

Integrated management of childhood illness is a globally proven primary care strategy to improve child survival and is being implemented worldwide in countries with high burden of child mortality. Its implementation as Integrated Management of Newborn and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) in India has been challenging.

The primary objective of the present work was to assess the feasibility, acceptability and use of an adapted Integrated E Diagnostic Approach (IeDA) that provides e-Learning and improved clinical practices of the primary level health service provider auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) to deliver IMNCI services. This India-specific approach was contextualised to the Indian IMNCI programme based on 7 years of IeDA implementation learning from West Africa.

The Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness pilot was implemented across 80 front-line workers, 70 ANMs and 10 medical officers) in 55 facilities of 3 blocks of Ranchi district, Jharkhand. This report evaluated the feasibility of its use by ANMs only. Based on the results, it can be concluded that it is possible to implement the newly developed application. A total of 2500 cases were managed by ANMs using the application till May 2020. All ANMs used it to provide treatment to the children. 63% of ANMs used it to provide medications, 83% for counselling and 71% for follow-up as per the recommendations. The app is highly acceptable to ANMs for use as a clinical case management tool for childhood illness. There were some improvements in case management in both the age group (0–59 days and 2–12 months) of children. 78% of caregivers responded with their desire to revisit the health facility in future, highlighting the contribution of an e-tool in improving the perception of the caregiver.
Feasibility of frailty screening among patients with advanced heart failure
Authors: Lehto Hanna-Riikka , Jain Nelia , Bernacki Rachelle E , Landzberg Michael J , Desai Akshay S , Orkaby Ariela R
Published: October 2023

Background

Frailty is common among patients with advanced heart failure (HF), and screening for frailty to guide care is recommended. Although multiple tools are available to screen for frailty, the feasibility of routinely incorporating frailty screening into daily clinical practice among hospitalised advanced HF patients has not been rigorously tested.

Methods

This was a prospective, single-centre, quality improvement study. Two brief frailty screening tools were incorporated into palliative care consultations for all patients ≥50 years from August 2021 to October 2022. In the first phase, the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) was implemented, followed by the Study of Osteoporotic Fracture (SOF) tool or a modified SOF (mSOF) version in the second phase. The primary outcome was feasibility (%) of performing frailty screenings for this high-risk population.

Results

A total of 212 patients (mean age 69±10 years, 69% male, 79% white, 30% with ischaemic HF) were referred for palliative care consultation during the study period. Overall, frailty screens were completed in 86% (n=183) of patients. CFS and mSOF reached >80% of adoption, while SOF adoption was 54%. Altogether, 52% of the population screened frail by use of CFS and 52% also by mSOF. All clinicians (n=6) participating in the study reported that frailty screening tools were useful and acceptable, and 83% reported plans for continued utilisation in future clinical practice.

Conclusions

Frailty screening with CFS or mSOF tools was feasible in hospitalised patients with advanced HF. Tools that require physical assessment were more challenging to implement. These data support the feasibility of incorporating questionnaire-based frailty screening in a busy hospital setting.
Temperature-related emergency injury visits in Hanoi, Vietnam
Authors: Le Vu Thuy Huong , Berman Jesse D , Wattenberg Elizabeth V , Ngo Toan Van , Tran Quynh Anh , Alexander Bruce H
Published: October 2023

Background

The short-term association between increasing temperatures and injury has been described in high-income countries, but less is known for low-income and-middle-income countries, including Vietnam.

Methods

We used emergency injury visits (EIV) data for 2017–2019 from 733 hospitals and clinics in Hanoi, Vietnam to examine the effects of daily temperature on EIV. Time-series analysis with quasi-Poisson models was used to estimate a linear relative risk increase (RRI) for overall populations and ones stratified by age and sex. Exposure–response curves estimated non-linear associations as an RR between daily temperature and injury. Models were adjusted for the day of week, holidays, daily relative humidity, daily particulate matter, and long-term and seasonal trends.

Results and conclusions

A total of 39 313 EIV were recorded averaging 36 injuries daily. Injuries more likely occurred in males and those aged 15–44, and aged 44–60. For linear effects, a 5°C increase in same day mean temperature was associated with an overall increased EIV (RRI 4.8; 95% CI 2.3 to 7.3) with males (RRI 5.9; 95% CI 3.0 to 8.9) experiencing a greater effect than females (RRI 3.0; 95% CI −0.5 to 6.5). Non-linear effects showed an increase in EIV at higher temperatures compared with the threshold temperature of 15°C, with the greatest effect at 33°C (RR 1.3; 95% CI 1.2 to 1.6). Further research to investigate temperature-injury among different populations and by the cause of injury is warranted.
The Supreme Court’s decision inMcCulloch v Forth Valley Health Board: Does it condone healthcare injustice?
Authors: Sarela Abeezar I
Published: October 2023

The UK Supreme Court’s recent judgement inMcCulloch v Forth Valley Health Boardclarifies the standard for the identification of ‘reasonable’ alternative medical treatments. The required standard is that of a reasonable doctor: treatments that would be accepted as proper by a responsible body of medical opinion. Accordingly, the assessment of consent involves a two-stage test: first, a ‘reasonable doctor’ test for identifying alternative treatments; followed by a ‘reasonable person in the patient’s position’ test for identifying the material risks of these reasonable alternative treatments. The separation of consent into two stages is consistent with not only a certain conception of freedom but also a nuanced construct of respect for autonomy that has a normative base. Furthermore, reliance on a reasonable doctor in the first stage is in keeping with a sociological account of medical professionalism, which posits that only doctors, and none others, can determine what is a proper treatment. Yet, reliance on a reasonable doctor permits a plurality of standards for reasonableness, because differences in opinion among doctors are pervasive. The reasons for some differences might be acceptable as unavoidable imperfections in medical decision-making to a reasonable person. But reasons for other differences might be objectionable; and the resultant inequalities in medical treatments would be considered unfair. One solution is to make the plurality of reasonable alternatives available to the patient, but this would introduce practical uncertainty and it is rejected by the Court. The Court’s approach may be pragmatic; however, it seems to allow avoidable injustice in healthcare.
Seismicity and seismic monitoring of Canada’s volcanic zones
Authors: Cassidy John F. , Mulder Taimi L.
Published: October 2023

Canada’s recently active volcanic zones (e.g., eruptions during the past 10 000 years) are all located along the tectonic plate boundary region of western Canada, extending for more than 2000 km from southern British Columbia to the Yukon/Alaska border. In this article, we describe the history of seismic monitoring in and near these volcanic zones and the past and current seismicity detection thresholds. The most recently active volcanoes in Canada are Tseax Cone (∼1700s) and Lava Fork (∼1800s), both in northwestern British Columbia. However, no eruptions have occurred in Canada since the deployment of the earliest seismographs in 1898 (Victoria, BC) and 1904 (Sitka, Alaska). Seismic detection levels have decreased from M∼7 in 1900 to M∼0–1 (in many regions) today, with more than 120 seismic stations currently operating in British Columbia and the Yukon, including ∼20 seismic stations within the volcanic zones. The most recent significant seismic activity attributed to volcanic zones in Canada is the 2007 Nazko Cone earthquake swarm when nearly 1000 tiny (M < 3) earthquakes occurred here over the span of about 2 months. These were all deep earthquakes (∼30 km) near the base of the crust and showed the patterns expected from an injection of magma deep into the crust. Prior to that, at the western end of the Anahim Volcanic Belt, more than 40 felt earthquakes occurred from 1940 to 1943. We provide a summary of these two swarms and other seismicity as well as some recent and ongoing studies into seismicity at some of Canada’s volcanic zones and new developments in seismic monitoring of volcanoes (including using distributed acoustic sensing).
Semileptonic decays $$B_{c}$$ meson to S-wave charmonia and X(3872) within the covariant light-front approach
Authors: Sun Zhi-Jie , Wang Si-Yang , Zhang Zhi-Qing , Yang You-Ya , Zhang Zi-Yu
Published: October 2023

In this work, we investigate the semileptonic decays of $$B_{c}$$

B
c

meson to $$\eta _{c}(1S,2S,3S)$$

η
c

(
1
S
,
2
S
,
3
S
)

, $$\psi (1S,2S,3S)$$

ψ
(
1
S
,
2
S
,
3
S
)

and X(3872) within the framework of covariant light-front quark model (CLFQM). We combine the helicity amplitudes via the corresponding form factors to obtain the branching ratios of the semileptonic decays $$B_{c}\rightarrow \eta _{c}(1S, 2S, 3S)\ell \nu _{\ell }$$

B
c

→

η
c

(
1
S
,
2
S
,
3
S
)

ℓ

ν
ℓ

, $$B_{c}\rightarrow \psi (1S, 2S, 3S))\ell \nu _{\ell }$$

B
c

→
ψ

(
1
S
,
2
S
,
3
S
)

)
ℓ

ν
ℓ

and $$B_{c}\rightarrow X(3872)\ell \nu _{\ell }$$

B
c

→
X

(
3872
)

ℓ

ν
ℓ

, with $$\ell =e,\mu ,\tau $$

ℓ
=
e
,
μ
,
τ

. In view of the $$R_{J/\Psi }$$

R

J
/
Ψ

anomaly released by the LHCb collaboration, it is necessary to systematically calculate the ratios $$R_X$$

R
X

with $$X=\psi (1S,2S,3S),\eta _c(1S,2S,3S),X(3872)$$

X
=
ψ

(
1
S
,
2
S
,
3
S
)

,

η
c

(
1
S
,
2
S
,
3
S
)

,
X

(
3872
)

, which are helpful for checking the lepton flavor universality (LFU). We also take into account another two physical observables, the longitudinal polarization fraction $$f_{L}$$

f
L

and the forward–backward asymmetry $$A_{FB}$$

A

FB

, which can provide new clues for understanding the $$R_{J /\Psi }$$

R

J
/
Ψ

anomaly. Such theoretical predictions are necessary and interesting, and can be tested in future LHCb experiments.
Calculations of positron scattering from atomic oxygen
Authors: Mori N. A. , Scarlett L. H. , Bray I. , Fursa D. V.
Published: October 2023

The single-center convergent close coupling (CCC) method has been applied to positron scattering from the oxygen atom. Cross sections have been calculated for total, elastic, momentum transfer, total ionization, inelastic, and excitation scattering processes from threshold to 5000 eV. Due to their relevance in transport studies, we also present stopping power and mean excitation energy results. Low-energy studies have been conducted to calculate scattering length, the hidden Ramsauer–Townsend minimum, and the energy of the positron virtual state. CCC-scaled complex optical potential calculations are utilized to calculate positronium-formation, direct ionization, and values between the positronium-formation and ionization thresholds. Good agreement is generally observed at high energies with past theory, electron-atomic oxygen experiment, and halved electron/positron O$$_2$$

2

experiment. Large discrepancies, however, have been found between current and previous calculations for positronium-formation cross section and for low-energy elastic scattering cross section.

Graphic Abstract
A characterization of homogeneous totally real minimal two-spheres in a complex hyperquadric
Authors: Fei Jie , Wang Jun , Xu Xiaowei
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we give a characterization of homogeneous totally real minimal two-spheres in a complex hyperquadric [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] be a totally real minimal immersion from two-sphere in [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] (see Sec. 2) are globally defined invariants relative to the first and second fundamental forms. We prove that if its Gauss curvature [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are constants, and [Formula: see text] vanishes identically, then [Formula: see text] is congruent to [Formula: see text] constructed by the Boruvka spheres with [Formula: see text].
Numerical simulation of bending and length-varying flapping wing using discrete vortex method
Authors: Kumar Rahul , Samanta Devranjan
Published: October 2023

The paper aims to perform numerical simulations of flapping flight using Discrete Vortex Method (DVM) scheme. The scheme is suitable for moderately low Reynolds number [Formula: see text] and computationally less expensive as the flow domain doesn’t need to be discretized at each time step. Flapping of a one-dimensional (1D) flexible filament in a two-dimensional (2D) inviscid flow is simulated. The effect of bending by varying the wing shape along the spanwise length on aerodynamic performance was studied. It is observed that compared to rigid wings, bending wings are found to be better in generating lift. The effect of various bending wing configurations ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) and different methods of imposing the bending ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) is studied. It was demonstrated that applying wing bending only during the downstroke phase ([Formula: see text]) is more effective than imposing bending throughout the flapping cycle ([Formula: see text]). Moreover, an effort is made to replicate the bending configuration observed in manta ray fish ([Formula: see text]) to investigate its impact on flow domain characteristics, lift, and thrust forces. Furthermore, the inclusion of a winglet is found to significantly enhance lift generation. In addition to the study of bending effects on aerodynamic performance, the study also seeks to emulate a unique aspect of bat flight kinematics, specifically the dynamic variation in wing span length during flapping. In a comparative analysis of two span length variation strategies, it is discerned that exclusively varying span length during the upstroke phase is the optimal approach for achieving increased lift generation. The study highlights the crucial role of wing bending and span length modulation in achieving elevated lift forces while simultaneously reducing drag. These findings are seen as holding significant promise for the design and optimization of Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) utilizing flapping-based lift generation mechanisms, contributing substantially to the identification of optimal parameters for enhancing MAVs’ aerodynamic performance and operational efficiency.
A solvable quantum field theory with asymptotic freedom in (3+1) dimensions
Authors: Romatschke Paul
Published: October 2023

Recently, Ai, Bender and Sarkar gave a prescription on how to obtain [Formula: see text]-symmetric field theory results from an analytic continuation of Hermitian field theories. We perform this analytic continuation for the massless (critical) [Formula: see text] model with quartic interaction in (3+1) dimensions. In the large-[Formula: see text] limit, this theory is exactly solvable, and has negative [Formula: see text]-function in the ultraviolet, and a stable bound state in the infrared. The coupling diverges at a scale [Formula: see text], but can be continued into the far infrared. At finite temperature, the theory exhibits two phases separated by a second-order phase transition near [Formula: see text].
Electroweak phase transition via dilaton in two-time physics
Authors: Phong Vo Quoc , Nam Dam Quang
Published: October 2023

The two-time model (2T model) has six dimensions with two dimensions of time, and has a dilaton particle that makes the symmetry breaking different from the Standard Model. Assuming a soft break of [Formula: see text] symmetry, the 2T extension can give a suitable picture of the matter–antimatter asymmetry by the baryogenesis scenario. By reducing the 2T metric to the Minkowski metric (1T metric) and using a new form of dilaton potential, we consider the electroweak phase transition picture in the 2T model with the dilaton as a trigger. Our analysis shows that electroweak phase transition (EWPT) is a first-order phase transition at the 200-GeV scale, its strength is about 1–[Formula: see text] and the mass of dilaton is in the interval [Formula: see text] GeV. Therefore, the 2T model indirectly suggests that extra dimension can also be a source of EWPT.
Vanishing viscosity limit to rarefaction wave with vacuum for an ionized plasma
Authors: Liu Jinjing , Pan Rong , Yao Lei
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we consider the vanishing viscosity limit to rarefaction wave with vacuum for an ionized plasma whose equations of motion are described by the one-dimensional compressible Navier–Stokes–Poisson system for ions with [Formula: see text]-law pressure. In plasma physics, it is very often assumed that the plasma is quasineutral. The quasineutrality assumption can be obtained formally from the limit of the Debye length [Formula: see text] in the Poisson equation. For the Navier–Stokes–Poisson system for ions, the Debye length [Formula: see text] is much smaller than the ion viscosity coefficient [Formula: see text], which implies when [Formula: see text], it must have [Formula: see text]. Thus, by letting [Formula: see text], we can obtain the corresponding quasineutral Euler system whose Riemann solutions include vacuum state. Then given a rarefaction wave with one-side vacuum state to the quasineutral Euler system, we construct a sequence of solutions to the Navier–Stokes–Poisson system for ions which converge to the above rarefaction wave with vacuum as the viscosity tends to zero. Moreover, the uniform convergence rate is obtained.
Conforming VEM for general second-order elliptic problems with rough data on polygonal meshes and its application to a Poisson inverse source problem
Authors: Khot Rekha , Nataraj Neela , Verma Nitesh
Published: October 2023

This paper focuses on the analysis of conforming virtual element methods (VEMs) for general second-order linear elliptic problems with rough source terms and applies it to a Poisson inverse source problem with rough measurements. For the forward problem, when the source term belongs to [Formula: see text], the right-hand side for the discrete approximation defined through polynomial projections is not meaningful even for standard conforming VEM. The modified discrete scheme in this paper introduces a novel companion operator in the context of conforming VEM and allows data in [Formula: see text]. This paper has three main contributions. The first contribution is the design of a conforming companion operator [Formula: see text] from the conforming virtual element space to the Sobolev space [Formula: see text], a modified virtual element scheme, and the a priori error estimate for the Poisson problem in the best-approximation form without data oscillations. The second contribution is the extension of the a priori analysis to general second-order elliptic problems with source term in [Formula: see text]. The third contribution is an application of the companion operator in a Poisson inverse source problem when the measurements belong to [Formula: see text]. Tikhonov’s regularization technique regularizes the ill-posed inverse problem, and the conforming VEM approximates the regularized problem given a finite measurement data. The inverse problem is also discretized using the conforming VEM and error estimates are established. Numerical tests on different polygonal meshes for general second-order problems, and for a Poisson inverse source problem with finite measurement data verify the theoretical results.
General formulae for the periapsis shift of a quasi-circular orbit in static spherically symmetric spacetimes and the active gravitational mass density
Authors: Harada Tomohiro , Igata Takahisa , Saida Hiromi , Takamori Yohsuke
Published: October 2023

We study the periapsis shift of a quasi-circular orbit in general static spherically symmetric spacetimes. We derive two formulae in full order with respect to the gravitational field, one in terms of the gravitational mass [Formula: see text] and the Einstein tensor and the other in terms of the orbital angular velocity and the Einstein tensor. These formulae reproduce the well-known ones for the forward shift in the Schwarzschild spacetime. In a general case, the shift deviates from that in the vacuum spacetime due to a particular combination of the components of the Einstein tensor at the radius [Formula: see text] of the orbit. The formulae give a backward shift due to the extended-mass effect in Newtonian gravity. In general relativity, in the weak-field and diffuse regime, the active gravitational mass density, [Formula: see text], plays an important role, where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are the energy density, the radial stress and the tangential stress of the matter field, respectively. We show that the shift is backward if [Formula: see text] is beyond a critical value [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/cm3[Formula: see text], while a forward shift greater than that in the vacuum spacetime instead implies [Formula: see text], i.e. the violation of the strong energy condition, and thereby provides evidence for dark energy. We obtain new observational constraints on [Formula: see text] in the Solar System and the Galactic Centre.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION AND PARAMETRIC OPTIMIZATION OF ELECTRO DISCHARGE MACHINING FOR TI-5553 ALLOY USING GREY RELATION ANALYSIS COUPLED WITH TAGUCHI METHOD
Authors: RAHUL  , CHOUDHARY RAJAN , DEBNATH PRITAM , KUMAR PRADEEP
Published: October 2023

In this paper, the machinability aspects of Ti-5553 have been experimentally investigated during Electro-Discharge Machining using three different geometrical shapes of copper electrodes i.e. cylindrical, triangular, and square. TIMETAL (Ti-5553) is a titanium-based alloy extensively used for special aerospace and marine applications due to its high strength and higher hardenability. By changing each of the aforementioned process parameters at three distinct levels, experiments based on the [Formula: see text] orthogonal array (OA) design of the experiment (DOE) were carried out. The machining performance has been carried out by utilizing different input parameters i.e. current, pulse off time ([Formula: see text]), flushing pressure ([Formula: see text]), tool shape ([Formula: see text]), and voltage (V) to examine machining performance characteristics like material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), surface roughness (Ra), white layer thickness (WLT), and surface crack density (SCD). Surface integrity in contents of surface morphology and surface topography is discussed herein. In this MRR, TWR, and Ra have been optimized by using a methodology (combining Grey relational analysis method and Taguchi’s philosophy) and found the optimal parameters that will have more MRR and less TWR, Ra. Later SCD and WLT were investigated by employing the optimal setting (A3, B2, C2, D2, E1, F3) and arbitrary setting (A3, B2, C1, D3, E3, F2) and concluded that SCD and WLT are less by utilizing optimal settings for machining as compared to arbitrary settings. Among all three different geometrical shapes of copper electrodes, the cylindrical tool has been found to be the best suitable tool for machine Ti-5553.
PROCESS OPTIMIZATION OF ELECTRO-SPARK DEPOSITION USING LASER POWDER BED FUSION PROCESSED AlSi10Mg TOOL ELECTRODE THROUGH BOX-BEHNKEN DESIGN
Authors: RAJESHSHYAM R. , MOHAN R. RAJ , VENKATRAMAN R. , KUMAR P. VIVEK
Published: October 2023

Several researchers have recently expressed interest in additively manufactured electrodes for machining and surface modification applications. The additively manufactured AlSi10Mg tool electrode is one of the promising candidate materials for non-conventional processes. This research investigates the process parameters of laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) processed AlSi10Mg tool electrodes for the electro-spark deposition process (ESD). The selected deposition parameters, namely, peak current (Pc), pulse-on time (Pon) and deposition time (DT) with various levels and experimentation, are based on the box-behnken design (BBD) of the response surface methodology. The deposition was carried out to analyze the output responses of material deposition rate (MDR), additive tool wear rate (ATWR) and surface roughness (SR). The multi-objective optimization was performed to minimize the ATWR and SR and maximize the MDR. The optimized ESD parameters of Pc = 6 A, Pon = 20[Formula: see text]s, and DT = 5 min were found with predicted responses of MDR = 0.019 mg/min, ATWR = 0.095 mg/min and SR = 3.86 [Formula: see text]m. The deposited surface witnessed the formation of debris, microcracks, and a solidified surface with a dark region and accumulated worn debris that has an elongated and flat shape. The workpiece substrate was exposed to a significant amount of additive tool electrode material (Si, Al, O, Mg, S), and different intermetallic ([Formula: see text] Si) 0.148, Al2O3, and Al2S3 formations have been recognized. This finding corroborates the efficient usage of L-PBF AlSi10Mg electrodes for ESD processes.