bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cut2Self: A single image based self‐supervised denoiser
Authors: Iqbal Md. Tauhid Bin , Jubyrea  , Ryu Byungyong , Bae Sung‐Ho
Published: November 2023

Despite the recent upsurge of self‐supervised methods in single image denoising, achieving robustness and efficiency of performance is still challenging due to some prevalent issues like identity mapping, overfitting, and increased variance of network predictions. Recent self‐supervised approaches prescribe a dropout‐based single‐pixel masking strategy in this regard. However, real camera noise is signal‐dependent, and typically poses trivial changes to the images. Hence, such a strategy still preserves contextual information about target location even after dropping them out, leading to an identity mapping and overfitting problems in practice. Here, Cut2Self, a new denoising method to address this issue, which cuts out random block‐regions instead of singleton pixels to provide the higher possibility to remove contextual information from the neighbouring pixels, thus reducing identity mapping chances while being resilient against overfitting is proposed. Cut2Self creates distinct training pairs for each training iteration by randomly cutting out square regions of input and sending them to the denoising network. Thus, iteration‐wise different network predictions are generated, which are then assembled to generate the final denoised output. Cut2Self is evaluated with synthetic and real‐world noise, visualising its consistent denoising performance compared to other supervised, unsupervised, and self‐supervised methods.
MHD modelling of coronal streamers and their oscillations
Authors: Sorokina D. , Van Doorsselaere T. , Talpeanu D.-C. , Poedts S.
Published: November 2023

Context. The present work investigates solar coronal dynamics in particular streamer waves. Streamer waves are transverse oscillations of the streamer stalk, often generated by the passage of a coronal mass ejection (CME). Recent observational studies infer that the streamer wave is an eigenmode of the streamer plasma slab and an excellent candidate for coronal seismology.

Aims. In the present work, we aim to numerically investigate the theoretical concepts of the physics and properties of streamer waves and to complement the observational statistical analysis of these events.

Methods. We used the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) module of MPI-AMRVAC. An adaptive mesh refinement scheme was employed to achieve high resolution for the streamer structure. All the simulations were computed on the same base grid with the same numerical methods. We considered a dipole magnetic field on the Sun and a uniformly accelerating solar wind. We introduced a θ-velocity perturbation within our computational domain in the plane of a streamer to excite the transverse motion.

Results. A numerical model for the streamer wave phenomena was constructed in the framework of 2.5D MHD. We performed a parameter study and identified a sensitivity of the streamer dynamics to the background solar wind speed, the characteristics of the perturbation, and the input parameters for the model, such as temperature and magnetic field. We performed a statistical analysis and compared the obtained modelling results with the database of such events from observations from three different coronagraphs. We observed a narrow range of phase speeds and a correlation between wavelength and period. This is consistent with the observations and supports the idea that the streamer wave is an eigenmode of the streamer plasma slab. The measured phase speed is consistently significantly higher than the speed calculated from the measured period and wavelength. The simple fit, when the difference between these two speeds is exactly the background solar wind speed, only matches a small fraction of the data. The obtained results indicate that further investigation is required into the Doppler shift effect in the MHD theory for coronal seismology.
Solar wind entry into Mercury’s magnetosphere: Simulation results for the second swingby of BepiColombo
Authors: Teubenbacher D. , Exner W. , Feyerabend M. , Narita Y. , Schmid D. , Laky G. , Toepfer S. , Motschmann U. , Bourdin P. A. , Comişel H.
Published: November 2023

Context. We use a global 3D hybrid plasma model to investigate the interaction between Mercury’s magnetosphere and the solar wind for the second BepiColombo swingby, evaluate magnetospheric regions, and study the typical energy profile of protons.

Aims. The objective of this study is to gain a better understanding of solar wind entry and analyze simulated plasma data along a trajectory using BepiColombo swingby 2 conditions, with the goal of enhancing our comprehension of measurement data and potentially providing forecasts for future swingbys.

Methods. To model Mercury’s plasma environment, we used the hybrid code AIKEF and developed a method to extract the particle (ion) data in order to compute the proton energy spectrum along the trajectory of BepiColombo during its second Mercury swingby on June 23, 2022. We evaluate magnetopause and bow shock stand-off distances under average upstream solar wind conditions with the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) condition derived from the BepiColombo magnetic field measurements during the second Mercury swingby.

Results. We found that the magnetosheath on the quasi-perpendicular (dusk) side of the bow shock is thicker than that on the quasi-parallel (dawn) side, where a foreshock is formed. Multiple plasma populations can be extracted from our modeled energy spectra that assist in identifying magnetospheric regions. We observed protons of solar wind origin entering Mercury’s magnetosphere. Their energies range from a few electron volts in the magnetosphere up to 10 keV in the magnetosheath.
Sharp Observability Inequalities for Hyperbolic Systems with Potentials
Authors: Fu Xiaoyu , Liao Zhonghua , Lü Qi
Published: November 2023

This paper is devoted to a sharp internal/boundary observability inequality for a hyperbolic system with a zero order potential. For this purpose, we first establish a new Carleman estimate for hyperbolic operator inH1-norm. Based on this Carleman estimate and a modified auxiliary optimal control problem, we obtain Carleman estimate for hyperbolic operator inL2-norm. Then, by virtue of a modified energy estimate and a delicate treatment of the observation region, we obtain an internal observability estimate with the observability constant of the order exp (C‖q‖2/3L∞(Q;ℝN×N)), withqthe potential involved in the system. We also address the same problem for boundary observation. Compared with the related results in the literature, the main contributions of this paper are the observability constant is sharper, the waiting timeTis shorter and the internal (or boundary) observation domain is smaller.
Das deutsche Transplantationsmärchen: Und wenn sie nicht
gestorben sind, dann warten sie noch heute
Authors: Blasczyk Rainer
Published: November 2023

Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen,

wenn Organspenden Flugtickets wären, dann würde man überall
in Europa Erste Klasse fliegen, nur in Deutschland bliebe man am Boden. Deutschland
bleibt weit hinter seinen Möglichkeiten zurück. Organspende rettet
Leben, aber nirgendwo in Europa so wenig wie in Deutschland. Unsere hochmodernen
Tests für Verträglichkeitsprüfung und
Transplantationsmonitoring? Eine technologische Meisterleistung, die jedoch in der
Praxis kaum Früchte trägt. Denn in Deutschland muss man nehmen, was
man kriegen kann, egal wie schlecht die Verträglichkeit ist.
A web-based survey to map the electromyography practice in Brazil
Authors: Neto José Lopes Tabatinga , Basso Gabriela Ejima Mie , Lima David Nunes de , Ferreira Eduardo Soares , Paula Denisse Sales , Leitão Antônio Miguel Furtado , Viana Antonio Brazil , Thomas Florian Patrick , Gondim Francisco de Assis Aquino
Published: November 2023

Background Detailed information about the electromyography practice in Brazil is largely unavailable.

Objective To evaluate where and how electromyography is performed in Brazil, as well as regional disparities and the professional and academic credentials of electromyographers.

Methods We conducted an internet-based survey of active Brazilian electromyographers. The websites of health insurance companies, professional academies, medical cooperatives, online search engines, and social networks in each Brazilian state were screened and we evaluated the credentials of each electromyographer listed in the Brazilian Federal Medical Board (BFMB) registration website and their online curricula vitae in the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq, in Portuguese). We also evaluated the same parameters in a control group of non-electromyographer neurologists randomly matched by geographical distribution and gender.

Results We found 469 electromyographers (384 neurologists and 85 non-neurologists), with a male predominance. In total, 81.9% were BFMB-certified neurologists, 49.9%, BFMB-certified clinical neurophysiologists, and 10.4%, BFMB-certified physiatrists. Among the non-neurologists, 48.2% were physiatrists. Most electromyographers practiced in states on the Southern and Southeastern regions of Brazil. When adjusted by population, the Federal District and the states of Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás presented the highest of eletromyographers density. Electromyographers were not more likely to have current/past academic affiliations.

Conclusion In Brazil, electromyography is performed predominantly by neurologists, and half of them are BFMB-certified clinical neurophysiologists. The present study highlights regional disparities and may guide government-based initiatives, for instance, to improve the diagnosis of leprosy and the management of neuromuscular disorders within the Brazilian territory.
Population size, morphometrics and movement patterns of the brush-tailed mulgara (Dasycercus blythi): is predation by mammalian predators having an effect?
Authors: Read Madison , Morris Keith , Prince Jane , Sims Colleen , Mills Harriet , Lohr Cheryl
Published: November 2023

Worldwide predation by feral cats has caused severe declines in many animal species. Prior to extinction, threatening processes typically alter species behaviour, habitat use, survival and reproductive rates. By monitoring these parameters, we may be able to determine if feral cats are a significant threatening process to a species prior to extinction. We aimed to test whether feral cats are negatively affecting the population size, morphometrics and movement patterns of mulgaras (Dasycercus blythi) on the Matuwa Indigenous Protected Area, in the arid rangelands of Western Australia. We hypothesised that mulgaras, which inhabit a cat-free environment, would have a larger home range and denser population, and be in better condition than those that inhabited an adjacent area with a suppressed density of feral cats. We trapped (n = 64), and radio-tracked (n = 19) mulgara inside and outside an 1100 ha cat-free fenced enclosure on five occasions in 2012. Treatment (i.e. inside or outside the cat-free enclosure) was a significant variable for explaining variation in mulgara density. There was no significant difference in morphometrics or the home ranges of mulgara between the sexes or treatments. Head length, pes length and weight, as well as tail width and length, were significantly different between sexes and over time, suggesting that seasonal variation influences mulgara populations more than low levels of cat predation.
How and why do rangeland changes and their underlying drivers differ across Namibia’s two major land-tenure systems?
Authors: Brinkmann Katja , Menestrey Schwieger Diego Augusto , Grieger Lena , Heshmati Sara , Rauchecker Markus
Published: November 2023

Rangeland degradation, with the loss of perennial grasses and shrub encroachment, negatively affects livestock production and reduces the drought resilience of commercial ranchers and pastoralists in drylands. This situation applies in Namibia, where few attempts have been made to investigate rangeland changes and shrub encroachment across the two major land-tenure systems in the country, namely, freehold and communal land. This study aimed to investigate the inter-relationships among rangeland changes, land tenure and management in Namibia within the past 55 years, by combining remote-sensing analysis, literature review, and interviews. Land-cover classification results revealed different trends in the two tenure systems between 1965 and 2020. Both were affected by shrub invasion. At the onset of the observation period, the percentage of grass-dominated savanna was higher on communal land. Whereas a linear increase in shrubland was observed after 1965 on communal land and on freehold land up to 2001, the shrub encroachment trend on freehold land reversed from 2011, mainly because of de-bushing measures. The most important drivers for rangeland changes and shrub encroachment were related to specific land-management practices and the historical and socio-economic contexts in which they occurred, including various policies associated with colonialism, fire suppression and overgrazing, combined with recurrent droughts. Although farmers on freehold land apply various strategies to combat shrub encroachment, the aftermaths of colonial policies and the issues of common-pool resource management have limited the options of those on communal land to implement such measures. The search for sustainable management options, thus, requires a deeper understanding of their potentials and shortcomings in both land-tenure types; such understanding could be acquired by considering local knowledge and past and current land-use practices. Management options that incorporate the numerous benefits of woody plants and the uses of shrubs hold promise for sustaining livelihoods in both land-tenure systems.
Instantons and the quantum bound to chaos
Authors: Sadhasivam Vijay Ganesh , Meuser Lars , Reichman David R. , Althorpe Stuart C.
Published: November 2023

The rate at which information scrambles in a quantum system can be quantified using out-of-time-ordered correlators. A remarkable prediction is that the associated Lyapunov exponent

λ

that quantifies the scrambling rate in chaotic systems obeys a universal bound

λ
<
2
π

k
B

T
/
ħ

. Previous numerical and analytical studies have indicated that this bound has a quantum-statistical origin. Here, we use path-integral techniques to show that a minimal theory to reproduce this bound involves adding contributions from quantum thermal fluctuations (describing quantum tunneling and zero-point energy) to classical dynamics. By propagating a model quantum-Boltzmann-conserving classical dynamics for a system with a barrier, we show that the bound is controlled by the stability of thermal fluctuations around the barrier instanton (a delocalized structure which dominates the tunneling statistics). This stability requirement appears to be general, implying that there is a close relation between the formation of instantons, or related delocalized structures, and the imposition of the quantum-chaos bound.
Multi-scale multi-attention network for diabetic retinopathy grading
Authors: Xia Haiying , Long Jie , Song Shuxiang , Tan Yumei
Published: November 2023

Objective. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) grading plays an important role in clinical diagnosis. However, automatic grading of DR is challenging due to the presence of intra-class variation and small lesions. On the one hand, deep features learned by convolutional neural networks often lose valid information about these small lesions. On the other hand, the great variability of lesion features, including differences in type and quantity, can exhibit considerable divergence even among fundus images of the same grade. To address these issues, we propose a novel multi-scale multi-attention network (MMNet). Approach. Firstly, to focus on different lesion features of fundus images, we propose a lesion attention module, which aims to encode multiple different lesion attention feature maps by combining channel attention and spatial attention, thus extracting global feature information and preserving diverse lesion features. Secondly, we propose a multi-scale feature fusion module to learn more feature information for small lesion regions, which combines complementary relationships between different convolutional layers to capture more detailed feature information. Furthermore, we introduce a Cross-layer Consistency Constraint Loss to overcome semantic differences between multi-scale features. Main results. The proposed MMNet obtains a high accuracy of 86.4% and a high kappa score of 88.4% for multi-class DR grading tasks on the EyePACS dataset, while 98.6% AUC, 95.3% accuracy, 92.7% recall, 95.0% precision, and 93.3% F1-score for referral and non-referral classification on the Messidor-1 dataset. Extensive experiments on two challenging benchmarks demonstrate that our MMNet achieves significant improvements and outperforms other state-of-the-art DR grading methods. Significance. MMNet has improved the diagnostic efficiency and accuracy of diabetes retinopathy and promoted the application of computer-aided medical diagnosis in DR screening.
Lumps, solitons and stability analysis for the (3 + 1)-dimensional fractional potential-YTSF-like model in weakly dispersive medium
Authors: Badshah Fazal , Tariq Kalim U , Wazwaz Abdul-Majid , Mehboob Fozia
Published: November 2023

In this study, the fractional (3 + 1)-dimensional potential Yu-Toda-Sasa-Fukuyama (YTSF)-like model is being investigated analytically and semi-analytically. The given model is converted into a bilinear form using the Hirota bilinear method. Which refers to the development of lump waves, collisions between lump waves and periodic waves, collisions between lump waves and single- and double-kink soliton solutions, and collisions between lump, periodic, and single- and double-kink soliton solutions. Furthermore, the Adomian technique and the modified extended Tanh function technique are applied to obtain several forms of innovative combinations for the governing dynamical fractional model. In addition, it has been confirmed that the established results are stable, and it has been helpful to validate the calculations. Moreover, multiple intriguing exact solutions are utilized to illustrate the physical nature of 3D, contour, and 2D graphs. A collection of bright, dark, periodic, rational, and elliptic function solutions are obtained for the solution.
Terahertz sensor based on plasmon-induced transparency in a carbon nanotube metamaterial
Authors: Li Yuchang , Wang Wenxing , Chen Fang , Zhang Huafeng , Yang Wenxing , Wang Boyun
Published: November 2023

In this paper, the plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) effect based on a carbon nanotube (CNT) resonator structure is achieved. An array of two split ring resonators (SRRs) and a cut wire (CW) resonator are utilized to form the proposed metamaterial. A PIT transparency window is achieved under a TM polarization terahertz light. Results show that the PIT effect is originated from the near-field coupled of the bright mode and dark mode. A coupled harmonic oscillator model is used to describe the near-field coupling between the bright mode and subradiant mode, and the results agree well with the FDTD simulation. The effect of geometrical sizes, like structure period, the radius and the splitting degree of the split ring resonator, the length of the cut wire resonator, and the coupling distance on the PIT window is analyzed in detail. Besides, the sensing and slow light performance of the proposed CNT metamaterial are studied, a maximum sensitivity of 0.74 THz RIU, and a time delay of 0.54 ps are obtained. Therefore, the proposed CNT-based device can be applied to the PIT effect, near-infrared modulators, slow light devices, sensors, and other fields.
Solving exact solution of time independent Schrodinger wave equation and visualizing eigenfunctions using XCOS
Authors: Bali Neha Batra , Sachdeva Ritika , Ashdhir Pragati , Verma Maya , Haridas Divya , Menon Rashmi , Tanwar Amit
Published: November 2023

Time independent Schrodinger wave equation (SWE) for a quantum system can be solved computationally which involves application of numerical method. Different computational tools used to solve SWE involving different potentials were reviewed. XCOS, an inbuilt tool of Scilab for modelling and simulating hybrid dynamic system and is an open-source is used to solve the Schrodinger wave equation for different quantum systems. Only basic understanding of mathematics up to high school level is required to solve Schrodinger wave equation using XCOS. Different quantum systems considered are free particle in a well bounded by infinite potential at the boundaries, radial part of SWE for Hydrogen atom under coulombic potential, screened coulombic potential. Radial part of Schrodinger wave equation for a particle under harmonic and anharmonic potential were also solved using XCOS computational tool. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors were obtained by solving radial part of Schrodinger wave equation for molecules under Morse potential. Advantages and limitation of XCOS computational tools were also discussed. We argue in favour of the academic use of computational tool XCOS to solve Schrodinger wave equation in introductory quantum mechanics courses.
Propagation of perfect Laguerre–Gaussian entangled states in non-Kolmogorov atmospheric turbulence
Authors: Yu Xiaotong , Yin Ziqing , Wang Jicheng , Zhu Yun , Li Mengmeng , Khakhomov Sergei , Hu Zheng-Da
Published: November 2023

We investigate the impacts of backward scattering (BS) of non-Kolmogorov turbulence on the entangled perfect Laguerre–Gaussian (PLG) beams. The explicit expressions for PLG quantum entanglement and quantum coherence are derived in the BS case. We find that the introduction of BS reduces the entanglement and coherence, disrupts the initial decay characteristics, and induces the revival of entanglement and coherence, in which sense turbulence may possess a non-Markovian (memory) effect. As the OAM number increases, the non-Markovian feature increases logarithmically. In addition, the universal decay of entanglement and coherence and the non-Kolmogorov effects are also explored.
Laser speckle-based estimation of surface condition for designing quieter material
Authors: Mahapatra Mausumi , Singh Priyanka P , Nath Ganeswar
Published: November 2023

Laser speckle is a non-contact, non-interfering, non-destructive, rapid and controllable technique with a large area of coverage that has attracted much attention for surface analysis of materials. The emergence of different natural cellulosic materials as potential candidates for the replacement of synthetic ones is promising, but their sustainability from the point of view of material design is still in question. Machining of the surface of cellulosic components for making sound-dampening materials has a critical effect on determining their surface condition. Laser speckle is an emerging tool for surface analysis of a variety of materials, and it has important applications in material design and analysis. As a cutting-edge research tool, ultrasonic wave technology has maintained a significant contribution to the design and structural monitoring of composite materials. The present work uses date palm leaf fibers for composite reinforcement. The sound-dampening properties, such as sound absorption and transmission, were analyzed on the basis of surface roughness observed with the laser speckle technique and modified by ultrasonically blended surfactants. The surface roughness of the synthesized material was found to increase with sonication time with an R
2 value of 0.944 and observed fluctuation in roughness data on the surface of the material. The sound absorption coefficient is 0.98 with a transmission loss of 60 dB, for which the material is classified as an ASTM E1050 Class A acoustic material. Further, the method of laser speckle-based roughness estimation is found to be potential tool for the design of any type of quieter material.
Simulation of x-ray bremsstrahlung generation under vacuum heating of solid target electrons
Authors: Kostenko O F
Published: November 2023

An extended Brunel model of hot electron generation in nonrelativistic laser-plasma interactions is considered. The model takes into account the permittivity of the surface plasma and the energy absorbed by electrons accelerated by the electric field components perpendicular and parallel to the target. A model for the generation of x-ray bremsstrahlung in the case of a Gaussian laser beam is presented. It is shown that the influence of electron motion parallel to the plasma surface on the absorbed intensity becomes distinguishable only at relatively low absolute values of the permittivity. Calculations of the dependences of the yield of hard bremsstrahlung x-rays on the angle of incidence of laser radiation and on the energy interval in which the yield of bremsstrahlung is measured are in qualitative agreement with the experimental data, if we assume that the electron concentration in the skin layer is relatively low (approximately 5–7 times the critical concentration).
Neutron radiation induced effects in 4H-SiC PiN diodes
Authors: Gsponer Andreas , Gaggl Philipp , Burin Jürgen , Thalmeier Richard , Waid Simon , Bergauer Thomas
Published: November 2023

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a wide band gap semiconductor and an attractive candidate for
applications in harsh environments such as space, fusion, or future high luminosity colliders. Due
to the large band gap, the leakage currents in SiC devices are extremely small, even after
irradiation to very high fluences, enabling operation without cooling and at high
temperatures. This study investigates the effect of neutron irradiation on 50 μm p-n 4H-SiC
diodes using current-voltage, capacitance-voltage, and charge collection efficiency (CCE)
measurements up to neutron fluences of 1 × 1016
n
eq/cm2. The leakage
currents of the investigated devices remained extremely small, below 10 pA at 1.1 kV reverse bias.
In the forward bias, a remarkable drop of the current was observed, which was attributed to an
increased epi resistivity due to compensation of the epi layer doping by deep-level defects. The
CCE was evaluated for alpha particles from a radioactive source, a 62.4 MeV proton beam at the
MedAustron ion therapy center and using UV-TCT. The charge collection efficiency in reverse bias
was shown to scale directly with the 1 MeV equivalent fluence Φeq as CCE∝Φeq
-0.63±0.01. A CCE better than 50% was able to be obtained for
fluences up to 1 × 1015
n
eq/cm2. Because of the low currents in the
forward direction, particle detection was also possible in forward bias, where the CCE was found
to be increased relative to reverse bias. Furthermore, a significant dependency on the amount of
injected charge was observed, with the CCE surpassing 100% in alpha and UV-TCT measurements,
requiring further systematic investigation.
Active correction of window Faraday effects for ITER laser diagnostics
Authors: Watts C. , Golluccio G. , Leveque A. , Pak S. , Sirineli A. , Vayakis G. , Zubieta R.
Published: November 2023

Measurement of the change in polarization of a laser beam traversing a magnetized plasma is a standard diagnostic technique for extracting key plasma parameters, including density and current profile. Depending on the polarization orientation of the incident laser beam relative to the

plasma
magnetic field, the polarization change is denoted as either Faraday rotation or Cotton-Mouton effect. On ITER three laser diagnostics will make use of this effect to make their measurements. Unfortunately, this effect is also evident when the laser beam passes through the vacuum window. The large magnetic field and finite verdet constant of the window material mean that on ITER this effect — in particular faraday rotation — is non-negligible, and needs to be disentangled from the desired measurement parameter. The Toroidal Interferometer-Polarimeter (TIP) and Density Interferometer-Polarimeter (DIP), in particular, are affected. Both diagnostics use lasers in the 5–10 μm range, and will use zinc-selenide (ZnSe) as the vacuum window material.

In order to compensate for the unwanted window distortion a sensor is being developed to monitor the magnetic field perpendicular to the window and actively

correct
for the faraday rotation in real time. The sensor consists of an inductive coil closely fitted just in front of the window disc. It comprises several turns of fine wire in center-tap configuration. Both the raw voltage signal, as well as the integrated signal, will be monitored to estimate the magnetic field through the window disk. The system is designed to measure fields up to B <1 T with an accuracy of 0.01 T, at frequencies of D.C. to 1 kHz. The backend electronics will leverage off similar technology developed for other ITER magnetics systems. Using the real-time magnetic field information, in conjunction with published and/or measured data on the verdet constant of the ZnSe window material, in-house developed software will estimate the faraday rotation induced by passing through the window.

An initial prototype of the sensor has been fabricated and results from preliminary characterization trials of the system are presented. Detailed testing is planned for the future using the DIP system prototype currently under development.
Measurement of the detection efficiency of a 100 µm thin plastic scintillator for muons with p = 28 MeV/c
Authors: Stäger David ,   the muEDM collaboration
Published: November 2023

In the muEDM experiment, a gate detector is used to trigger the storage mechanism when a muon enters the experimental apparatus. This detector should operate at full efficiency and low thermal noise contamination. Furthermore, it should have a very low material budget to minimize the deflection of the muon trajectory by multiple coulomb scattering. A first prototype of this detector is a 100 µm thick plastic scintillator, connected to eight silicon photomultipliers reading out the scintillation light. In a dedicated beamtime at the πE1 beamline at the Paul Scherrer Institute, we measured the detection efficiency of this scintillator with 28 MeV/c muons.
SEU protection design for the prototype readout electronics of MAPS-based STCF inner tracker
Authors: Teng Yao , Feng Changqing , Qin Zhizhen , Liu Zhengtao , Qin Jiajun , Zhao Lei , Liu Shubin
Published: November 2023

The Super Tau Charm Facility (STCF) is a high-luminosity
electron-positron collider experiment operating at center-of-mass
energy of 2–7 GeV. Its primary goal is to explore flavor
physics, CP-violations, and investigate physics beyond the Standard
Model. The inner tracker (ITK) is a crucial component of the STCF
tracking system, which is responsible for detecting particle hits,
especially those with low momentum below 100 MeV/c. Its primary
objectives include providing high detection efficiency and spatial
resolution for charged particle tracks. However, the electronics of
ITK is susceptible to single-event upset (SEU) caused by
beam-related background. To address this, this paper presents a
prototype of FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array)-based electronics
that can detect and automatically repair SEU induced soft errors in
its Configuration Random Access Memory (CRAM) and whose Block Random
Access Memory (BRAM) has been also subjected to commonly used
hardening techniques. Importantly, the prototype's corrective
operations do not result in any dead time due to hot redundancy
backup. In the laboratory environment, we measured the bit error
rate of the data transmission to be lower than 10-12 with a
confidence level of 99.99%. Through neutron beam experiments
conducted at China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) back-n white
neutron source. We demonstrated that the readout electronics can
effectively restore correct functionality and promptly rectify soft
errors.
Directional-polarization correlations using EXILL
Authors: Urban W. , Czerwiński M. , de France G. , Jentschel M. , Köster U. , Mutti P. , Rza̧ca-Urban T. , Wiśniewski J.
Published: November 2023

Eight EXOGAM-type, Ge-clover detectors of the EXILL array,
arranged on an octagon plan and acting as Compton polarimeters, were
used to measure directional-polarization correlations of γ
rays populated in various processes. Measurements of γ
radiation following neutron-induced fission of 235U and
241Pu targets; β
--decay following fission; (n,γ)
reactions on various stable targets and measurements using
radioactive sources of 60Co, 133Ba and 152Eu were
performed at the PF1B cold-neutron facility of the Institut
Laue-Langevin in Grenoble. Digital electronics and a trigger-less
acquisition system allowed the collection of signals from Ge
detectors down to about 20 keV, providing measurements of linear
polarization down to 120 keV. The precise sensitivity
calibration was determined for the set of eight EXILL clover
polarimeters in a range from 100 keV to 10000 keV. A new formula
for calculating the directional-polarization correlations for the
upper transition in a γγ cascade is derived from first
principles. Directional-polarization correlations were measured for
a few dozens of transitions in a number of nuclei, including values
for twenty transitions in the 152Sm nucleus measured for the
first time, and compared against the calculated values, to
illustrate the quality of the technique. The combined analysis of
angular and directional-polarization correlations is presented,
which helps the determination of spin-parity assignments to excited
levels.
Microfluidic-based platforms for cell-to-cell communication studies
Authors: Zhu Lvyang , Tang Qu , Mao Zhenzhen , Chen Huanhuan , Wu Li , Qin Yuling
Published: November 2023

Intercellular communication is critical to the understanding of human health and disease progression. However, compared to traditional methods with inefficient analysis, microfluidic co-culture technologies developed for cell–cell communication research can reliably analyze crucial biological processes, such as cell signaling, and monitor dynamic intercellular interactions under reproducible physiological cell co-culture conditions. Moreover, microfluidic-based technologies can achieve precise spatial control of two cell types at the single-cell level with high throughput. Herein, this review focuses on recent advances in microfluidic-based 2D and 3D devices developed to confine two or more heterogeneous cells in the study of intercellular communication and decipher the advantages and limitations of these models in specific cellular research scenarios. This review will stimulate the development of more functionalized microfluidic platforms for biomedical research, inspiring broader interests across various disciplines to better comprehend cell–cell communication and other fields, such as tumor heterogeneity and drug screening.
Fabrication and characterization of TiOx based single-cell memristive devices
Authors: Özkal Bünyamin , Kazan Sinan , Karataş Özgül , Ekinci Gökhan , Arda Lütfi , Rameev Bulat Z
Published: November 2023

Nowadays, remarkable progress has been observed in research into neuromorphic computing systems inspired by the human brain. A memristive device can behaviorally imitate the biological neuronal synapse therefore memristor-based neuromorphic computing systems have been proposed in recent studies. In this study, the memristive behaviors of titanium dioxide sandwiched between two platinum electrodes were investigated. For this purpose, three SiO2/Pt/TiOx/Pt thin films with 7.2 nm, 40 nm, and 80 nm TiOx metal-oxide layers were fabricated using a pulsed laser deposition technique. The fabrication process, structural properties, photoluminescence properties and electrical transport characterization of each thin film have been investigated. All thin films were analyzed in terms of the film stoichiometry and degree of oxidation using high-resolution x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. By measuring the layer thickness, density, and surface roughness with the x-ray reflectivity technique, by analyzing the structural defects with photoluminescence spectroscopy and by characterizing the quasi-static electrical properties with the conventional two probes technique, we have shown that the fabricated memristive devices have bipolar digital switching properties with high ROFF/RON ratio. This type of switching behavior is applicable in random access memories. Experimental current–voltage behavior in the form of pinched hysteresis loop of the films have been modelled with generalized memristor model.
Regression model-based parametric analysis of drilling of multi-walled carbon nanotubes-added glass fiber composite laminates
Authors: Panchagnula Kishore Kumar , Sharma Jayaprakash Panchagnula , Cep Robert , Jasti Naga Vamsi Krishna , Kalita Kanak , Chakraborty Shankar
Published: November 2023

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs)-enhanced glass fiber composite (GFC) laminates are among the most promising materials for fulfilling various structural and non-structural requirements. They have also shown exceptional functional applications as excellent electrical and thermal conductors, as well as electromagnetic interference shielding materials. The present work primarily focuses on developing regression models for the drilling process of 0.3 wt% MCNTs-GFC laminates. For experimentation, three different coated drills—carbide, TiCN-coated, and TiAlN-coated—are used under both dry and chilled air cutting environments. The lowest thrust force, torque, and delamination factor were observed at a feed rate of 10 mm min−1 and a speed of 1500 RPM using a TiCN-coated drill in a chilled air environment. Regression analysis reveals that feed rate significantly influences thrust force, as justified by the R2 value, which is above 90% for the selected cutting conditions. The corresponding t and F statistics values indicate the statistical significance of the relevant explanatory factors. The efficiency of the developed models is further validated by considering the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) values, which are 136.9 and 144.7, respectively. These values indicate a good regression fit and likelihood of the models for data prediction. Additionally, there is a strong correlation (coefficient > 0.85) between thrust force and delamination factor under the selected cutting environments. Concurrently, the developed regression models are simulated and evaluated for random experiments (Nos. 87, 125, 187, 243, 244, and 399), and the predicted responses closely match the experimental values.
Experimental investigation on trinary blended geopolymer mortar synthesized from Industrial-agro and municipal solid waste ash subjected to different acid exposure
Authors: Tipraj Babu , Shanmugapriya T
Published: November 2023

Geopolymer binders prove to be a reliable option to avoid dependency on conventional binders, and reduce the burden on the environment. The current study assesses the durability characteristics of a developed mortar made from a combination of Granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS), Sugar cane bagasse ash (SCBA), and Municipal solid waste ash (MSWA). The Geopolymer mortar specimens were cured under ambient conditions after the ternary blended mix had been activated by a solution of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide of 8 M (SS/SH-2.5). Mass loss and compressive strength were measured at various time regimes of acid attack studies under mild concentrations of 3% sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and nitric acid. The durability, macroscopic, microscopic, and morphological, studies were carried out. The results indicated that trinary blended geopolymer mortar exposed to sulphuric acid showed less mass loss and high compressive strength retention compared to the control mortar. The nitric acid exposure exhibited comparable strength loss for the trinary blend with control mortar and hydrochloric acid showed negligible effect on mortar. Mass loss was more significant in sulfuric acid than the hydrochloric and nitric acid. RCPT and Carbonation tests revealed that geopolymer mortar exhibits moderate chlorine ion penetration and the ingress of CO2 was less in the trinary blend mix. The mineralogical studies showed the formation of gypsum, nitrate, and chloride products. The optical microscopic image revealed the ingress of sulfuric acid is more intense in the mortar compared to hydrochloric and nitric acid and microstructural studies witnessed the degradation of C-A-S-H supported by EDX.
A kinetic study on oxygen redox reaction of a double-perovskite reversible oxygen electrode— Part II: Modelling analysis
Authors: Bianchi Fiammetta Rita , Asensio Antonio Maria , Clematis Davide , Bosio Barbara , Barbucci Antonio
Published: November 2023

Mixed ionic and electronic conductor double perovskites are very promising oxygen electrode materials for solid oxide cell technology. However, understanding their specific kinetic mechanism is a fundamental preliminary step towards detecting the best reachable performance, optimising the operation conditions and the electrode architecture. Indeed, the contributions of different rate-determining steps can vary as a function of the working point. In this framework, after a detailed experimental campaign devoted to the study of SmBa0.8Ca0.2Co2O5+δ
(SBCCO) oxygen electrode behaviour, the authors propose a theoretical analysis of oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reaction paths that couples a preliminary study through equivalent circuit analysis with a physics-based model to predict the operation of SBCCO as a reversible oxygen electrode. Following a semi-empirical approach, the kinetics formulation was derived from thermodynamics and electrochemistry fundamental principles and was tuned on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) spectra in order to retrieve the unknown kinetic parameters. The successful cross-checking of the simulated results with the experimental data obtained by direct current measurements validated the proposed model, here applicable in further works on full cells to simulate the SBCCO oxygen reversible electrode performance.
Toward equitable grid resilience: operationalizing climate adaptation strategies to mitigate flooding impacts
Authors: Miraee-Ashtiani Saeed , Dehghani Nariman L , Vahedifard Farshid , Shafieezadeh Abdollah , Karimi-Ghartemani Masoud
Published: November 2023

Disadvantaged communities are disproportionately affected by flooding, exacerbated by climate change. This paper presents a novel framework for incorporating environmental justice into climate adaptation planning of power grids against flooding. A new energy equity metric is introduced with the vision that addressing environmental justice warrants prioritizing disadvantaged communities that have lower risk thresholds. The framework is applied to a levee-protected IEEE standard test system in northern California. The grid performance disturbed due to flooded substations is investigated under current and future climate. The mathematical model of the framework is structured as a two-stage stochastic mixed-integer programming model. This model aims to minimize the equity gap in grid resilience (EGGR) between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged communities while enhancing the system resilience by reducing the risk of power outages due to flooding. The results show that climate change undermines grid resilience, with disproportionally worse impacts on disadvantaged communities. A significant EGGR is observed that worsens under a changing climate. For adaptation, the optimal placement of distributed energy resources is determined by maximizing the grid resilience to flooding while minimizing EGGR. The proposed framework can equip decision-makers with a robust tool for operationalizing equitable climate adaptation strategies for power grids.
(Epi)genetic and clinical characteristics in 84 patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1B
Authors: Urakawa Tatsuki , Sano Shinichiro , Kawashima Sayaka , Nakamura Akie , Shima Hirohito , Ohta Motoki , Yamada Yuki , Nishida Ai , Narusawa Hiromune , Ohtsu Yoshiaki , Matsubara Keiko , Dateki Sumito , Maruo Yoshihiro , Fukami Maki , Ogata Tsutomu , Kagami Masayo
Published: November 2023

Objective

Pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1B (PHP1B) caused by methylation defects of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) on the GNAS locus can be categorized into groups according to etiologies and methylation defect patterns of the DMRs. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical characteristics of each group.

Design

Comprehensive molecular analyses consisting of methylation, copy number, and microsatellite analyses.

Methods

Eighty-four patients with PHP1B were included in this study. We classified them into 5 groups, namely, autosomal dominant inheritance-PHP1B (Group 1, G1), sporadic-PHP1B (G2), and atypical-PHP1B (G3-G5), based on the methylation defect patterns in 4 DMRs on the GNAS locus and etiologies and evaluated the clinical findings in each group and compared them among the groups.

Results

G2 had the youngest age and the highest serum intact parathyroid hormone levels among the 5 groups at the time of diagnosis. The most common symptoms at the time of diagnosis were tetany in G1, and seizures or loss of consciousness in G2. Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy and PHP-suggestive features were most frequently observed in the G2 proband. Nine patients had neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs) consisting of mild to borderline intellectual disability and/or developmental delay. There were no significant correlations between the average methylation ratios of 7 CpG sites in the GNAS-A/B:TSS-DMR and hormonal and biochemical findings.

Conclusion

This study revealed the differences in some clinical characteristics, particularly clinical features, and ages at the time of diagnosis between G2 and other groups and detailed NDs observed in some patients with PHP1B.
Factors associated with vaccine adherence among an underserved population: the adult Travellers in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Authors: Haidar Sahar , Richard Elodie , Vaux Sophie , Allaire Cecile , Castor Christine , Levy Bruhl Daniel , Mondeilh Aude , Vandentorren Stéphanie
Published: November 2023

Background

A measles epidemic affected the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region from November 2017 to May 2018 with clusters among Travellers. This indicates that measles vaccination rates among Travellers remain lower than in the general population. The objective of this study was to estimate the ‘declarative vaccination’ against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and to propose a conceptual framework to help identify determinants of MMR vaccination uptake among adult Travellers in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in 2019–20.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using random sampling was performed and included 612 adult Travellers from 1 November 2019 to 31 March 2020. A conceptual framework to model vaccination adherence was tested among this underserved population by using structural equation modelling. This model included five latent variables: health literacy, attitudes toward preventive measures, stigma, accessibility to care and perceived needs and five measured variables: information received on vaccination, perception of barriers, support for administrative documents, social support and housing conditions.

Results

Individuals who did not answer all the questions linked to the variables included in the model were excluded, thus 347 adults were included in the final sample. The declared vaccination rate against MMR was 74.0%, and 72.4% of the participants were favorable to vaccination. Vaccination adherence was significantly correlated with favorable attitudes toward preventive measures such as having a history of MMR vaccination and not having already refused a recommended vaccine and finally satisfactory information received on vaccination.

Discussion

To improve vaccination adherence, health authorities should lean on personal history with vaccination and on transmitting information on vaccination.