bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bounce and contact mode regimes for drop impact on smooth surfaces: The influence of gas kinetics and electrostatics
Authors: Liu Hanyi , Zhang Jun
Published: April 2024

When liquid drops impact on solid surfaces, an air layer forms in between the drop and the surface, acting as a cushion to mitigate the impact. In this work, we focus on delineating the bounce and contact mode regimes of impacting drops on smooth surfaces, specifically discerning whether drops rebound from the air layer or make contact with the solid surfaces, and pinpointing the precise contact modes between the drop and solid surfaces by resolving the gas film evolution and rupture. Our simulation model incorporates gas kinetics and electrostatics effects, both of which have been validated by experiments documented in the literature or theoretical models regarding thin film instabilities. We undertake a comprehensive review and categorization of the contact modes and elucidate how they change under different conditions of impact velocities, ambient pressures, and electric field intensities. We also provide some perspectives on the regime map for the lubricated surfaces, which contains an unresolved issue that the critical Weber number for bouncing-wetting transition is significantly reduced compared to the solid smooth surfaces like mica. These insights have noteworthy practical implications offering guidance for a wide range of scenarios, from normal-pressure environments to low-pressure conditions at high altitudes, encompassing high electric field conditions such as nanogenerators as well as low electric field conditions resembling glass surfaces with static electricity.
Sagnac-type neutron displacement-noise-free interferometeric gravitational-wave detector
Authors: Kawasaki Yuki , Iwaguchi Shoki , Ishikawa Tomohiro , Nishizawa Atsushi , Kitaguchi Masaaki , Yamagata Yutaka , Chen Yanbei , Wu Bin , Shimizu Ryuma , Umemura Kurumi , Tsuji Kenji , Shimizu Hirohiko , Michimura Yuta , Kobayashi Kazuhiro , Onishi Takafumi , Kawamura Seiji
Published: April 2024

The detection of low-frequency gravitational waves on Earth requires the reduction of displacement noise, which dominates the low-frequency band. One method to cancel test mass displacement noise is a neutron displacement-noise-free interferometer (DFI). This paper proposes a new neutron DFI configuration, a Sagnac-type neutron DFI, which uses a Sagnac interferometer in place of the Mach–Zehnder interferometer. We demonstrate that a sensitivity of the Sagnac-type neutron DFI is higher than that of a conventional neutron DFI with the same interferometer scale. This configuration is particularly significant for neutron DFIs with limited space for construction and limited flux from available neutron sources.
Reconstruction of the initial data from the trace of the solutions on an infinite time cylinder of damped wave equations
*
Authors: Kim Seongyeon , Moon Sunghwan , Seo Ihyeok
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we consider two types of damped wave equations: the weakly damped equation and the strongly damped equation. We recover the initial velocity from the trace of the solution on a space-time cylinder. This inverse problem is related to photoacoustic tomography (PAT), a hybrid medical imaging technique. PAT is based on generating acoustic waves inside of an object of interest and one of the mathematical problem in PAT is reconstructing the initial velocity from the solution of the wave equation measured on the outside of object. Using the spherical harmonics and spectral theorem, we demonstrate a way to recover the initial velocity.
Low-temperature behaviors of the dipolar magnet Dy3Sb3Zn2O14 with a strongly site-mixing disordered kagome lattice
Authors: Jiang C Y , Wang Y , Ding Z F , Shu L
Published: April 2024

Interesting behaviors may emerge in the magnetic frustrated materials with significant site-mixing disorder. We present the results of the structural, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat measurements of Dy3Sb3Zn2O14 with ∼20

%

Dy/Zn site-mixing disorder, which results in either a diluted 2D triangular lattice, or an intermediate structure between the kagome and pyrochlore lattice. In addition to the sharp anomaly of the temperature dependence of specific heat at

T
∼

0.35 K, which was attributed to the emergent charge order state for the sample with less disorder, a broad peak at

T
∼

1.5 K, and a small hump below

T
∼

0.1 K are observed. The measured temperature dependence of specific heat and the Monte Carlo simulation suggest that the magnetic frustration persists despite of a strong site-mixing disorder.
Instantaneous Marcus theory for photoinduced charge transfer dynamics in multistate harmonic model systems
Authors: Liu Zengkui , Sun Xiang
Published: April 2024

Modeling the dynamics of photoinduced charge transfer (CT) in condensed phases presents challenges due to complicated many-body interactions and the quantum nature of electronic transitions. While traditional Marcus theory is a robust method for calculating CT rate constants between electronic states, it cannot account for the nonequilibrium effects arising from the initial nuclear state preparation. In this study, we employ the instantaneous Marcus theory (IMT) to simulate photoinduced CT dynamics. IMT incorporates nonequilibrium structural relaxation following a vertical photoexcitation from the equilibrated ground state, yielding a time-dependent rate coefficient. The multistate harmonic (MSH) model Hamiltonian characterizes an organic photovoltaic carotenoid-porphyrin-fullerene triad dissolved in explicit tetrahydrofuran solvent, constructed by mapping all-atom inputs from molecular dynamics simulations. Our calculations reveal that the electronic population dynamics of the MSH models obtained with IMT agree with the more accurate quantum-mechanical nonequilibrium Fermi’s golden rule. This alignment suggests that IMT provides a practical approach to understanding nonadiabatic CT dynamics in condensed-phase systems.
MDs-NP: a property prediction model construction procedure for naphtha based on molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Wei Yixin , Qiu Tong
Published: April 2024

In the context of carbon neutrality and carbon peaking, molecular management has become a focus of the petrochemical industry. The key to achieving molecular management is molecular reconstruction, which relies on rapid and accurate calculation of oil properties. Focusing on naphtha, we proposed a novel property prediction model construction procedure (MDs-NP) employing molecular dynamics simulations for property collections and gamma distribution from real analytical data for calculating mole fractions of simulation mixtures. We calculated 348 sets of mixture properties data in the range of 273 K–300 K by molecular dynamics simulations. Molecular feature extraction was based on molecular descriptors. In addition to descriptors based on open-source toolkits (RDKit and Mordred), we designed 12 naphtha knowledge (NK) descriptors with a focus on naphtha. Three machine learning algorithms (support vector regression, extreme gradient boosting and artificial neural network) were applied and compared to establish models for the prediction of the density and viscosity of naphtha. Mordred and NK descriptors + support vector regression algorithm achieved the best performance for density. The selected RDKFp and NK descriptors + artificial neural network algorithm achieved the best performance for viscosity. Using ablation studies, T, P_w and CC(C)C are three effective descriptors in NK that can improve the performance of the property prediction models. MDs-NP has the potential to be extended to more properties as well as more-complex petroleum systems. The models from MDs-NP can be used for rapid molecular reconstruction to facilitate construction of data-driven models and intelligent transformation of petrochemical processes.
Radiological complexity of nuclear facilities: an information complexity approach to workplace monitoring
Authors: Chakraborty Abinash , Parashar Neeraj , Kumar Pandey Dhananjay , Kumar Pankaj , Deokar U V , Pandey J P N , Kulkarni M S
Published: April 2024

Nuclear energy is crucial for achieving net-zero carbon emissions. A big challenge in the nuclear sector is ensuring the safety of radiation workers and the environment, while being cost-effective. Workplace monitoring is key to protecting workers from risks of ionising radiation. Traditional monitoring involves radiological surveillance via installed radiation monitors, continuously recording measurements like radiation fields and airborne particulate radioactivity concentrations, especially where sudden radiation changes could significantly impact workers. However, this approach struggles to detect incremental changes over a long period of time in the radiological measurements of the facility. To address this limitation, we propose abstracting a nuclear facility as a complex system. We then quantify the information complexity of the facility’s radiological measurements using an entropic metric. Our findings indicate that the inferences and interpretations from our abstraction have a firm basis for interpretation and can enhance current workplace monitoring systems. We suggest the implementation of a radiological complexity-based alarm system to complement existing radiation level-based systems. The abstraction synthesized here is independent of the type of nuclear facility, and hence is a general approach to workplace monitoring at a nuclear facility.
Application of 2E-2U method for free-field underwater calibrations of hydrophones and projectors in a reverberant laboratory test tank
Authors: Çorakçı Ata Can , Biber Alper , Saydam Talha , Aksoy Serkan
Published: April 2024

In this paper, application of a Two-Equations Two-Unknowns (2E-2U) method is described for calibration of hydrophones and projectors below 1 kHz in a laboratory test tank. At low frequencies, amplitude and phase measurements for the calibration of the hydrophones and projectors in the test tank are difficult to perform since echo-free time of the laboratory test tank is not large enough due to transducer initial transients and tank wall boundary reflections. To overcome these difficulties, the 2E-2U method is applied to received (windowed) signals obtained during calibration measurements. Thus, calibration measurements become possible at a frequency down to 250 Hz. These measurements in the test tank are performed for a hydrophone and a developed flextensional projector. First, the received sensitivities for the hydrophone are calculated and validated by comparisons with pressure calibration in a closed chamber. Good agreements are obtained between the two measurement platforms, with a maximum difference of 0.5 dB and uncertainty of 1.3 dB. Then, the transmitting voltage response (TVR) of the flextensional projector is calculated and compared with the calibration data obtained from the method defined in the relevant standards. Good agreements are obtained between the two TVR data with a maximum difference of 1.1 dB and uncertainty of 1.7 dB.
First-principles study of the effect of strain on the structural and optoelectronic properties of flexible photovoltaic material Cs2AgInBr6
Authors: Bareth Brij Kumar , Tripathi Madhvendra Nath
Published: April 2024

The lead-free double-perovskite halide materials are promising materials for photovoltaics. Recently, Cs2AgInBr6 (CAIB) has been synthesized with the estimated direct nature of a band gap value of 1.57 eV. To cover the wide solar spectrum for photo-conversion, the applied strain is one of the promising approaches to achieve it through band gap tuning. The density functional theory is used to investigate the effect of compressive strain on the structural, electronic, and optical properties of CAIB. The elastic constants follow the Born–Huang stability criterion and show the mechanical stability of the composition even under compressive strain. The Poisson’s ratio in the range of 0.23–0.26 and B/G > 1.75 indicate the ductile and soft nature of the material. The band gap increases monotonically without changing the direct nature of the band gap by increasing the compressive strain. However, the larger value of strain reproduces more dispersive conduction band minima and valence band maxima, resulting in lower effective masses and consequently larger carrier mobilities. The variations in the optical properties of CAIB are explored under compressive strain. The structural, electronic, and good photo response of the material in the visible and ultraviolet regions indicate the suitability of the material for flexible photovoltaics.
Gyro-kinetic simulations of trapped electron collision effects on low-frequency drift-wave instabilities in tokamak plasmas
Authors: Tao Y Q , Wang L , Xu G S , Chen R , Yan N , Sun P J , Yang Q Q , Lin X , Ye Y
Published: April 2024

Low-frequency drift-wave instabilities play a crucial role in the radial transport of present-day tokamaks, and trapped electron collisions can significantly influence these instabilities. In this paper, the effects of trapped electron collisions on these instabilities are investigated based on linear gyro-kinetic simulations. The basic numerical techniques including dispersion relation integral method and orthogonal basis function expansion are presented in detail with necessary benchmark work. The results demonstrate that in medium gradients, the increase of trapped electron proportions promotes the growth rate and radial heat transport largely for quasi-linear trapped electron modes (TEMs) and ion temperature gradient (ITG) modes. Moreover, trapped electron collisions have strong stabilizing effects, especially for TEMs driven by electron temperature gradients. Two distinctive branches, namely Mode #1 and #2, are investigated in steep gradients. Both behave in a varied instability nature during different ranges of the normalized wave vector

k
^

θ

. Mode #1 mainly induces radial heat transport during

k
^

θ

<
0.5

and is significantly suppressed by the collisions. Mode #2 mainly induces radial heat transport during

0.4
<

k
^

θ

<
0.8

, and is largely enhanced by the collisions. When the collisionality is large enough, Mode #2 has stronger transport capacity than the other. Mode #2 at the medium wave vector, known as dissipative TEM, may provide the mechanism of the edge coherent mode observed in EAST H-mode plasmas, wherein collisionality plays an important role in the mode excitation.
Optimal collimation of proton beams accelerated by a Laguerre–Gaussian laser with a proper pulse duration
Authors: Wang Mengjiao , Wang Wenpeng , Shi Zhiyong , Ma Huiting , Sun Fengyu , Sun Xinyue , Lv Zhengxing , Leng Yuxin , Li Ruxin
Published: April 2024

In this study, three-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations were conducted to evaluate a collimated proton beam accelerated by an intense Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) laser with different pulse durations. The flux and energy of the collimated proton beam could be simultaneously enhanced by selecting an optimal pulse duration. This phenomenon can be primarily attributed to the correlation between the LG laser driven self-generated magnetic field and pulse duration, and this correlation enables the collimation of protons during their interaction and transport. The results obtained in this study elucidate the formation mechanism of different collimated proton patterns, driven by femtosecond and picosecond LG lasers, observed in previous experiments. In addition, based on these results, an optimum pulse duration for high-quality proton beams is proposed for various future applications.
Combined ns pulsed-RF excitation and impedance matching considerations for the production of moderate E/n atmospheric pressure discharges for gas conversion
Authors: Filice Dante , Coulombe Sylvain
Published: April 2024

Sub-breakdown radiofrequency (RF) discharges enabled by a nanosecond (ns) pulse ignition source are studied at atmospheric pressure in a range of gas mixtures from completely inert (in Ar) to completely reactive (in CO2). An electrical characterisation of the continuous wave (CW) RF discharge (13.56 MHz) is performed to determine plasma impedance and plasma power dissipation. Two different measurement methods to electrically characterize the system are described and compared. One method uses in-situ measurements of discharge parameters (voltage, current and the phase angle), and the other method performs ex-situ measurements of the load circuit using a vector network analyser. It was found that RF plasma power deposition depended on the applied RF power as well as the gas mixture composition. Using the in-situ voltage, current and phase angle measurements, plasma power deposition was calculated to be as much as 85% and 76% of the applied RF power for the pure Ar and pure CO2 cases, respectively. A preliminary qualitative assessment of the plasma composition was performed by optical emission spectroscopy, and CO2 conversion by mass spectrometry. CO2 to CO conversions of 11.2% and 5.5% in a 20:80 (CO2:Ar) mixture and in 100% CO2, respectively, were observed. This study demonstrates a RF plasma source for gas conversion applications at atmospheric pressure in a completely reactive gas.
Calculation and prediction of divertor detachment via impurity seeding by using one-dimensional model
Authors: Zhou 周 Wen-Jie 文杰 , Liu 刘 Xiao-Ju 晓菊 , Wu 邬 Xiao-He 潇河 , Li 李 Bang 邦 , Shi 石 Qi-Qi 奇奇 , Fan 樊 Hao-Chen 皓尘 , Yang 杨 Yan-Jie 艳杰 , Li 李 Guo-Qiang 国强
Published: April 2024

Achieving the detachment of divertor can help to alleviate excessive heat load and sputtering problems on the target plates, thereby extending the lifetime of divertor components for fusion devices. In order to provide a fast but relatively reliable prediction of plasma parameters along the flux tube for future device design, a one-dimensional (1D) modeling code for the operating point of impurity seeded detached divertor is developed based on Python language, which is a fluid model based on previous work (Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion
58 045013 (2016)). The experimental observation of the onset of divertor detachment by neon (Ne) and argon (Ar) seeding in EAST is well reproduced by using the 1D modeling code. The comparison between the 1D modeling and two-dimensional (2D) simulation by the SOLPS-ITER code for CFETR detachment operation with Ne and Ar seeding also shows that they are in good agreement. We also predict the radiative power loss and corresponding impurity concentration requirement for achieving divertor detachment via different impurity seeding under high heating power conditions in EAST and CFETR phase II by using the 1D model. Based on the predictions, the optimized parameter space for divertor detachment operation on EAST and CFETR is also determined. Such a simple but reliable 1D model can provide a reasonable parameter input for a detailed and accurate analysis by 2D or three-dimensional (3D) modeling tools through rapid parameter scanning.
Amplification factors for extreme sea level frequency have problematic features as a metric of coastal hazard
Authors: Hall Timothy M
Published: April 2024

The future projected frequency of a specified baseline extreme sea level (ESL), often called the amplification factor (AF), is extensively used as a metric of evolving coastal flood hazard with sea level rise (SLR). The baseline ESL is typically analyzed using extreme value analysis, and the SLR is added to the resulting distribution. In the presence of SLR uncertainty, it is natural to analyze AFs probabilistically. I derive probability density functions (PDFs) of AF, given uncertainty distributions of SLR. If the ESL distribution is modeled as Gumbel and the SLR distribution as normal, then the AF distribution is log normal. However, in active tropical cyclone regions, ESL often has a longer tail than Gumbel, and a Frechet (Type-II) Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) is more appropriate. In this case, I show that the AF distribution has a divergent mean, preventing its use as a hazard metric. In addition, I show that for Frechet ESL, the AF cannot even be defined for SLR above a threshold

β
/
ξ

f

0

−
ξ

,

where f
0 is the specified baseline frequency (e.g., f
0 = 0.01 yr−1 for the 100-year exceedance), β is the GEV scale parameter and ξ the shape parameter. This SLR threshold can be as low as 0.5 m in the southeast US and Caribbean, within reach mid to late century. Above the threshold, ESL at all frequencies exceeds the baseline reference frequency, preventing the calculation of AF. The resulting probabilistic distribution of AF is insensitive to SLR above the threshold. These features detrimentally impact the utility of AF as a hazard metric. Frechet distributions are appropriate and commonly used for ESL in tropical cyclone regions, but AFs applied to such distributions must interpreted with caution. In such regions, coastal risk managers should consider other flood hazard metrics, such as probabilistic estimates of flood depth.
Reconstruction of July-September standardized precipitation-evapotranspiration index (SPEI) for the Hindu Kush region of Northern Pakistan
Authors: Asad Fayaz , Adil Muhammad , Khan Nasrullah , Rao Mukund Palat , Alrefaei Abdulwahed Fahad , Almutairi Mikhlid H , Ali Sajid
Published: April 2024

The prolonged drought resulting from global warming is considered an important factor affecting West Asia’s socioeconomic growth, with a significant impact on the dynamic forecasting of water supply and forest ecosystems. In such a scenario, understanding historical long-term drought changes is crucial for accurately forecasting regional drought shifts in the Hindukush region. In this study, a 517-year (1506–2022 C.E.) long tree-ring width chronology of the Himalayan Cedar (Cedrus deodara D. Don) from the eastern Hindukush has been developed. The July-September Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) has revealed a positive and significant relationship (r = 0.633, p < 0.001) with tree growth, which leads to SPEI reconstruction from AD 1626 in the Hindu Kush region. Our reconstruction model has explained 40.1% of the climate variance during the instrumental period from C.E. 1965 to 2018. Fourteen wet periods (≥ 3 years) were observed before the instrumental period, specifically in C.E. 1629–1635, 1638–1658, 1666–1674, 1680–1701, 1715–1724, 1770–1776, 1794–1797, 1802–1810, 1822–1846, 1850–1857, 1872–1881, 1883–1890, 1906–1914, and 1921–1937. Similarly, twelve dry summer periods were also observed in the past 339 years, such as C.E. 1659–1665, 1675–1679, 1702–1714, 1725–1769, 1777–1793, 1798–1801, 1811–1821, 1847–1849, 1858–1871, 1891–1905, 1915–1920, and 1938–1963. Nevertheless, AD 1663 was individually the wettest (with a value of 2.13), while AD 1754 was the driest (−0.99) year. The spatial correlation analysis and its comparisons with Karakoram-Himalayan drought and precipitation reconstructions have convincingly confirmed the reliability of our SPEI reconstruction. Consequently, this reconstruction can effectively serve as a proxy for large-scale drought variability in the Hindu Kush region of northern Pakistan. Our findings strongly suggest the considerable dendrochronological potential for further climatological studies in the western Hindu Kush Mountains System.
Optimized virtual impedance solar restoration droop emulated SEPIC controller under low irradiation
Authors: Yadav Mukhraj , Singh Navdeep
Published: April 2024

This paper is focused on PV-based reduced order pade’s approximation SEPIC (single-ended primary inductor converter) virtual Impedance, restoration controller with parallel impedance emulation condition. However, the complexity of the higher-order SEPIC controller has been reduced and compared using Pade’s approximation with different reduction techniques. It covers the time response, oscillation, overshoot, dynamic performance, and controller stability. The computational time and need of the sensor are less, and better responses occur compared to the other reduction technique under the solar irradiance variation. However, in PV, the dynamic resistance is generalized by a nonlinear solar I–V (current–voltage) curve dependent on the operating point, such as irradiance, temperature, and its I–V curve. The nonlinearity effect affects the stability of the system. The SEPIC outer voltage and inner current controller with virtual impedance controller enhance the stability, and comparative response is demonstrated through the bode plot. A virtual impedance controller (VIC) cascaded with voltage restoration minimizes the voltage notching and oscillations under variation of inertia coefficients. The transient and dynamic performance of reduced order using a genetic algorithm controller has been used to demonstrate and discuss the PV-SEPIC system’s stability.
Low-loss carrier stored trench-gate bipolar transistor with split-gate optimization
Authors: Tan Jingjing , Xu Hang , Chen Lin , Sun Qingqing , Zhu Hao
Published: April 2024

In the conventional carrier stored trench-gate bipolar transistor (CSTBT) device, a lower conduction voltage drop (Von) can be achieved with higher carrier stored (CS) layer dosage. However, the trench bottom is weakened leading to easier breakdown under high electrical field. In this work, the trench-gate structure of the conventional CSTBT is optimized and split into three components. The bottom and top left components of the split trench structure are equipotential with the emitter, which effectively eliminated the impact of collector on the trench gate with reduced gate charge (Qgc). In addition, another n-type CS layer is formed adjacent to the emitter to further enhance the hole carrier storage effect near emitter. This improves the trade-off between Von and turn-off time (Toff) without breakdown voltage (BV) degradation. The simulation results show that in comparison with the conventional CSTBT, the proposed device exhibits 64.6% reduction in Qgc under the same Von, while the turn-off time (Toff) and the saturation current are reduced by 14.9% and 43.4%, respectively. The short-circuit capability is also studied with 2.83 times improvement. Our proposed device shown here provides a feasible and attractive approach for advanced high-performance power electronics applications.
Spiral wave dynamics in a neuronal network model
Authors: Souza Diogo L M , Borges Fernando S , Gabrick Enrique C , Bentivoglio Lucas E , Protachevicz Paulo R , dos Santos Vagner , Viana Ricardo L , Caldas Ibere L , Iarosz Kelly C , Batista Antonio M , Kurths Jürgen
Published: April 2024

Spiral waves are spatial-temporal patterns that can emerge in different systems as heart tissues, chemical oscillators, ecological networks and the brain. These waves have been identified in the neocortex of turtles, rats, and humans, particularly during sleep-like states. Although their functions in cognitive activities remain until now poorly understood, these patterns are related to cortical activity modulation and contribute to cortical processing. In this work, ,we construct a neuronal network layer based on the spatial distribution of pyramidal neurons. Our main goal is to investigate how local connectivity and coupling strength are associated with the emergence of spiral waves. Therefore, we propose a trustworthy method capable of detecting different wave patterns, based on local and global phase order parameters. As a result, we find that the range of connection radius (R) plays a crucial role in the appearance of spiral waves. For R < 20 µm, only asynchronous activity is observed due to small number of connections. The coupling strength (

g
syn

) greatly influences the pattern transitions for higher R, where spikes and bursts firing patterns can be observed in spiral and non-spiral waves. Finally, we show that for some values of R and

g
syn

bistable states of wave patterns are obtained.
SAT actions of discrete quantum groups and minimal injective extensions of their von Neumann algebras
Authors: Kalantar Mehrdad , Khosravi Fatemeh , Moakhar Mohammad
Published: April 2024

We introduce a natural generalization of the notion of strongly approximately transitive (SAT) states for actions of locally compact quantum groups. In the case of discrete quantum groups of Kac type, we show that the existence of unique stationary SAT states entails rigidity results concerning injective extensions of quantum group von Neumann algebras.
MammalMethylClock R package: software for DNA methylation-based epigenetic clocks in mammals
Authors: Zoller Joseph , Horvath Steve
Published: April 2024

Motivation

Epigenetic clocks are prediction methods based on DNA methylation levels in a given species or set of species. Defined as multivariate regression models, these DNA methylation-based biomarkers of age or mortality risk are useful in species conservation efforts and in preclinical studies.

Results

We present an R package called MammalMethylClock for the construction, assessment, and application of epigenetic clocks in different mammalian species. The R package includes the utility for implementing pre-existing mammalian clocks from the Mammalian Methylation Consortium.

Availability and implementation

The source code and documentation manual for MammalMethylClock, and clock coefficient .csv files that are included within this software package, can be found on Zenodo at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10971037.
The sound of fear is heritable
Authors: Blumstein Daniel T , Vu Natalie , Edic Megan , Vo Linh , Martin Julien G A
Published: April 2024

The nonlinearity and fear hypothesis predicts that highly aroused vocal mammals and birds produce vocalizations (notably alarm calls and screams) which contain a variety of nonlinear phenomena (NLP). Such vocalizations often sound “noisy” because vocal production systems are over-blown when animals are highly aroused. While much is known about the conditions under which animals produce vocalizations containing NLP and how species respond to them, there is little research about the heritability of such behavioral traits. Using the quantitative genetic animal model, we estimated the genetic basis of “noise” in alarm calls produced by females and found significant heritability in call entropy—our measure of the noisiness. About 9% of the variance in noisiness can be accounted for by genetic differences. Taken together, these findings suggest that the degree to which marmots produce noisy calls is modestly heritable and can be thus subject to further evolution via natural selection.
Integrative liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry metabolomics and high-throughput sequencing technology reveal physicochemical characteristics and bacterial diversity of traditionally pickled mustard tuber from different regions of China
Authors: Liu Siyu , Luo Jiaqi , Liu Xiayu , Shi Ying , Chen Qihe
Published: April 2024

Objectives

This work aimed to investigate and compare the physicochemical properties and bacterial diversity of traditionally pickled mustard tuber from different regions in China.

Materials and Methods

Pickles were obtained from Ningbo (NB), Nei Mongol (NMG), and Harbin (HEB). The pH was monitored by a pH meter. Titratable acidity and salinity were determined via titrimetric analysis. Nitrite content was measured using N-(1-naphthyl)-ethylenediamine dihydrochloride spectrophotometric method. Organic acids were detected by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Bacterial diversity was conducted through the Illumina high-throughput sequencing platform.

Results

There were significant differences in the physicochemical properties of pickled mustard tuber from various locations, with the NB pickles having the highest pH, salinity, and nitrite content and the lowest titratable acidity. Importantly, pickles with higher titratable acidity levels had relatively lower nitrite and salinity contents. A total of 63 organic acids were detected, with lactic acid and succinic acid being the most prevalent. Moreover, the organic acid compositions of the NMG and HEB samples were more similar than those of the NB pickles. Additionally, bioinformatic analysis revealed that Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the predominant bacterial phyla in all the samples. Among these, Lactobacillus was the major genus. The most abundant bacteria were found in the HEB pickles. Further correlation analysis revealed a strong correlation between bacterial community and 11 internal physicochemical parameters.

Conclusions

This study could contribute to a better understanding of the physicochemical characteristics and bacterial diversity of pickled mustard tuber from different locations.
Domesticating Wealth Inequality
Authors: Pouliot Vincent , Patterson Scott Robert
Published: April 2024

Relative wealth inequality between countries of the North and South has not improved since the era of decolonization, yet the LIO's economic regime has scarcely been challenged since the 1970s' New International Economic Order. This paper seeks to explain this puzzle by theorizing and empirically tracking a pervasive pattern of rhetorical “domestication” through which wealth inequality was framed as a domestic instead of an international problem. As part of a rhetorical process of “containment,” the NIEO challenge was met with two alternative, liberal discourses from the 1980s through the present: a “responsive” discourse embodied by the Brandt report and its social-democratic middle ground; and a “resisting” one typified by a speech delivered by Ronald Reagan in Cancun in 1983. Our empirical demonstration illustrates how LIO proponents discursively contained NIEO contestation through the spread of a domesticated rhetoric. Using a corpus of General Assembly annual debates from 1971 to 2018, our machine learning textual analysis reveals how a growing proportion of diverse countries address economic development in an increasingly managerial way. By tracking rhetorical tropes, we document a groundswell movement away from structural and political contestation of the LIO. Overall, our original methodology—based on an inductive and relational approach to machine learning text analysis—allows us to capture the many euphemisms that containment diplomacy at the UN entails, and more generally, how key political problems get muffled in global debates.
First-in-human study of alpibectir (BVL-GSK098), a novel potent anti-TB drug
Authors: Pieren Michel , Abáigar Gutiérrez-Solana Ana , Antonijoan Arbós Rosa María , Boyle Gary W , Davila Myriam , Davy Maria , Gitzinger Marc , Husband Lisa , Martínez-Martínez María S , Mazarro Dolores Ochoa , Pefani Eleni , Penman Sophie L , Remuiñán Modesto J , Vlasakakis Georgios , Zeitlinger Markus , Dale Glenn E
Published: April 2024

Background

The clinical candidate alpibectir augments the activity of, and overcomes resistance to, the anti-TB drug ethionamide in vitro and in vivo.

Objectives

A Phase 1, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and food effect of alpibectir administered as single and multiple oral doses in healthy volunteers (NCT04654143).

Methods

Eighty participants were randomized. In single ascending dose (SAD), a total of six dose levels of alpibectir (0.5 to 40 mg) were tested under fasted and fed (10 mg) conditions as single daily doses in sequential cohorts. In multiple ascending dose (MAD), repeat doses (5 to 30 mg) were administered once daily for 7 days in three sequential cohorts.

Results

No serious adverse event was reported. Thirteen participants across groups experienced a total of 13 mild or moderate treatment-emergent adverse events. Alpibectir showed rapid absorption after single dose (mean Tmax range of 0.88 to 1.53 h). Food affected the PK of alpibectir, characterized by a slower absorption (mean Tmax 3.87 h), a lower Cmax (−17.7%) and increased AUC0–t (+19.6%) compared with the fasted condition. Following repeat dosing, dose proportionality was shown for both Cmax and AUC0–tau. Accumulation of alpibectir was observed across all doses, with a more profound effect on AUC during a dosing interval (AUC0–tau) compared with Cmax (1.8- and 1.3-fold on average), respectively. Steady state was considered to have been achieved by Day 7 of dosing.

Conclusions

Alpibectir was generally well tolerated, and no clinically relevant safety findings were identified in the participants treated during SAD or MAD. The PK is dose-proportional and affected by food.
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing data analysis over 3 years at the Yaoundé General Hospital, Cameroon
Authors: Ngogang Marie Paule , Nkoth Abel fils , Ngaleu Welysiane , Mfouapon Heroine , Ekoume Priscille , Nibeye Yannick , Medi Sike Christiane , Voundi Esther Voundi , Mouliom Mouiche Mohammed Moctar , Fonkoua Marie Christine , Toukam Michel , Mbopi-Keou Francois-Xavier
Published: April 2024

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major health concern with high rates in low-income countries. Bacteriology laboratories sustain the fight against AMR by providing antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) results to ensure appropriate therapies. These laboratories generate a lot of data, which are usually used for prospective interventions. Our study conducted in a lower-middle-income hospital setting aimed to describe the profile of bacteria isolated from the specimens received over 3 years, assess their susceptibility profile and identify potential gaps or area of improvement from the analysis of our data.

Methods

Monthly data were retrieved from registers for all specimens received between January 2020 until December 2022. Data were compiled and analysed using the R and WHONET software.

Results

Out of 3582 specimens received, 797 were culture positive (22.3%). Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were frequently isolated (30.5% and 24.2%, respectively). AST results analysis showed high resistance of Gram-negative bacteria to penams and cephems, whereas low resistance was observed to carbapenems. Susceptibility to antibiotics based on the AWaRe antibiotic classification was variable. The bacteriological profile in the various types of specimen was established and rational information to design a therapeutic protocol adapted to our hospital setting was obtained.

Conclusions

AST results may not only be used for prospective guidance for treatment, but rather cumulative data analysis can contribute to design effective antibiotic prescriptions and improve general practices at the laboratory. This is, however, dependent on a good record-keeping, standardization of practices and collaboration between clinicians and laboratory scientists.
Comparing indicators of disease severity among patients presenting to hospital for urinary tract infections before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Patel Selina , Gill Martin , Hayward Andrew , Hopkins Susan , Copas Andrew , Shallcross Laura
Published: April 2024

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients may have delayed seeking healthcare for urinary tract infections (UTIs). This could have resulted in more severe presentation to hospital and different antibiotic usage.

Objectives

We explored evidence for such changes through existing national indicators of prescribing, and routine clinical data collected in the electronic health record (EHR).

Methods

We carried out a retrospective cohort study of patients presenting to two UK hospitals for UTIs, comparing two indicators of disease severity on admission before and during the pandemic: intravenous (IV) antibiotic use, and National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2). We developed regression models to estimate the effect of the pandemic on each outcome, adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity and index of multiple deprivation.

Results

During the pandemic, patients were less likely to present to hospital for UTI with NEWS2 of 0 or 1 [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52–0.85] compared with before, more likely to present with score 2 (aOR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.18–1.94), whereas the likelihood of presenting with a NEWS2 of >2 remained the same (aOR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.87–1.29). We did not find evidence that this limited increase in disease severity resulted in changes to IV antibiotic use on admission (adjusted risk ratio: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.91–1.15).

Conclusions

There may have been a small increase in disease severity at hospital presentation for UTI during the pandemic, which can be detected using routine data and not through national indicators of prescribing. Further research is required to validate these findings and understand whether routine data could support a more nuanced understanding of local antimicrobial prescribing practices.
Performance of a Norfentanyl Immunoassay in Specimens with Low Concentrations of Fentanyl and/or Norfentanyl
Authors: Uljon Sacha , Tolan Nicole V , Mahowald Grace K , Khaliq Tahira , Urwiller Elizabeth D , Fernandes Maria Daluz , Basu Sankha S , Kang Phillip , Erickson Timothy B , Hayes Bryan D , Chai Peter R , Melanson Stacy E F
Published: April 2024

Background

Many fentanyl immunoassays are limited in their ability to detect norfentanyl. Urine specimens collected from individuals who have been exposed to fentanyl frequently have detectable concentrations of norfentanyl (≥2 ng/mL) but low concentrations of fentanyl (<2 ng/mL) by LC-MS/MS. The Lin-Zhi Fentanyl II Immunoassay (Lin-Zhi) claims 100% cross-reactivity with norfentanyl and therefore may detect exposure missed by other assays.

Methods

In addition to verifying the manufacturer's analytical sensitivity claims, we selected 92 urine specimens with low-positive Lin-Zhi results (1–99 absorbance units, lowest 10%) for analysis by the Immunalysis Health Equity Impact Assessment and ARK II fentanyl methods. The accuracy of the 3 immunoassays was compared to LC-MS/MS as the reference method.

Results

Spiking studies using purified fentanyl and norfentanyl and a set of 100 consecutive specimens confirmed the manufacturer's claims of limit of detection for fentanyl (3.8 ng/mL) and norfentanyl (5.0 ng/mL). However, the 92 low-positive patient specimens demonstrated concentrations of norfentanyl and fentanyl below 2.0 ng/mL by LC-MS/MS, with 47 (51%) having only norfentanyl detected. When comparing Lin-Zhi to the Immunalysis and ARK II immunoassays, only 27 (29%) of the 92 specimens were concordant. Fifty-two (57%) of the specimens were positive by LC-MS/MS and Lin-Zhi but false negative by one or both other immunoassays. Seven specimens (8%) were positive by Lin-Zhi but negative by the other immunoassays and had undetectable concentrations (<2 ng/mL) of fentanyl and norfentanyl by LC-MS/MS.

Conclusions

The clinical sensitivity of the Lin-Zhi exceeds the manufacturer’s claims, providing results comparable to LC-MS/MS methods.
Re-examining the compatibility of US fair use with Korean copyright law: challenges and suggestions for Korean fair use
Authors: Kim Hyojung
Published: April 2024

Korea introduced the fair use provision into the Korean Copyright Act following the model of the US system. Despite its adoption into the Korean Copyright Act, it has not been significantly relied upon by the courts of Korea. This article asserts that strong and robust fair use is crucial for achieving the objectives of Korean copyright law, which is a cultivating culture through copyright protection and facilitating the fair use of copyrighted works. Particularly important in the digital era, fair use serves as a pivotal tool for adapting the copyright system to rapid technological changes. Taking a legal transplant theory perspective, this paper evaluates the process of transplanting US fair use into Korean copyright law. It contends that the oversight of essential considerations during this process has led to a lack of balance between certainty and flexibility in Korean fair use. Following this analysis, this article offers recommendations to refine Korean fair use within the context of successful legal transplants. These recommendations will cover legislative revision, the roles of the courts and the involvement of legal experts to enhance legal certainty, ensure appropriate flexibility, and ultimately, promote the widespread use of Korean fair use.
3D DLP-printed cannabinoid microneedles patch and its pharmacokinetic evaluation in rats
Authors: Bagde Arvind , Mosley-Kellum Keb , Spencer Shawn , Singh Mandip
Published: April 2024

Objective

The objective of the present study was to enhance the bioavailability of cannabidiol (CBD) using 3D Digital Light Processing (DLP)-printed microneedle (MN) transdermal drug delivery system.

Methods

CBD MN patch was fabricated and optimized using 3D DLP printing using CBD (8% w/v), Lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP) (0.49% w/v), distilled water (20% w/v), and poly (ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate 550 (PEGDAMA 550) (up to 100% w/v). CBD MNs were characterized for their morphology, mechanical strength, in vitro release study, ex vivo permeation study, and in vivo pharmacokinetic (PK) profile.

Key findings

Microscopic images showed that sharp CBD MNs with a height of ~800 μm, base diameter of ~250 μm, and tip with a radius of curvature (RoC) of ~15 μm were successfully printed using optimized printing parameters. Mechanical strength studies showed no significant deformation in the morphology of CBD MNs even after applying 0.5N/needle force. Ex vivo permeation study showed significant (P < .0001) permeation of CBD in the receiving media as compared to CBD patch (control). In vivo PK study showed significantly (P < .05) enhanced bioavailability in the case of CBD MN patch as compared to CBD subcutaneous inj. (control).

Conclusion

Overall, systemic absorption of CBD was significantly enhanced using 3D-printed MN drug delivery system.
Association of gene polymorphisms and the decreased expression of long non-coding RNA LOC553103 with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Tao Sha-Sha , Fang Xi , Xu Liang-Zi , Zhang Ruo-Di , Luo Qing-Qing , Tang Jian , Dai Xiao-Fan , Xu Shu-Zhen , Yang Xiao-Ke , Pana Hai-Feng
Published: April 2024

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in many key bioprocesses, including the occurrence and development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to analyze the association of genetic variants of long non-coding RNA LOC553103 and its peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) expression with RA.

Methods

We enrolled 457 RA patients and 551 healthy controls and conducted a case–control study to analyze the relationship between LOC553103 gene rs272879 and the susceptibility of RA by TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping. Among them, we sampled 92 cases and 92 controls, respectively, to detect the PBMC level of LOC553103 using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction technology. We explored the association between LOC553103 rs272879 and its PBMC expression levels in 71 RA patients. Mann–Whitney, Chi-square, and Spearman correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis and P-value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The genotype frequency of LOC553103 rs272879 CC was increased, and CG was decreased in RA patients compared to the control group (χ2 = 6.772, P = .034). The LOC553103 expression level in PBMC of RA patients was downregulated compared to healthy control (Z = −4.497, P < .001). Moreover, negative correlations were observed between the PBMC level of LOC553103 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (rs = −0.262, P = .018), white blood cell count (rs = −0.382, P = .004), platelet (rs = −0.293, P = .030), and disease activity score in 28 joints (rs = −0.271, P = .016) in RA patients.

Conclusions

This study provides the first evidence supporting an association between LOC553103 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility of RA and a relationship of PBMC level of LOC553103 with clinical manifestations and laboratory indicators of RA patients.