bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical study of convective heat transfer in randomly packed beds of low aspect ratios
Authors: Lanade David , Hassan Yassin
Published: October 2024

The development of fluoride-cooled high-temperature reactors has greatly heightened the need for a thorough comprehension of heat transfer in packed beds that are cooled by liquid salts. The presence of restricting walls has a significant impact on the arrangement and movement of particles in packed beds with modest D/dp ratios (3.75–6). This study examines the changes in pressure drop and heat transfer between particles and fluid in a flow with a high-Prandtl number fluid (FLiBe), a molten-salt made from a mixture of lithium fluoride (LiF) and beryllium fluoride (BeF2) in randomly packed beds of 200 pebbles, under conditions of significant wall interference and high Reynolds number. We analyze the effects of different ratios of D/dp and evaluate the suitability of various empirical correlations by utilizing the k−ω shear-stress transport (SST) turbulence model in conjunction with the discrete element approach for generating random packing. The results of our study demonstrate that decreasing the D/dp ratios leads to a decrease in pressure drops. These pressure drops are strongly influenced by the porosity of the bed. Notably, even minor variations in porosity can lead to substantial changes in pressure drop. The Wakao and Bird correlations demonstrated superior accuracy in predicting the Nusselt number compared to other empirical correlations. The Nusselt number analysis also demonstrated consistent heat transfer behavior in both the inner and outer regions at lower D/dp ratios, reflecting a more uniform thermal distribution. However, with increasing D/dp ratios, the outer region experienced a significant reduction in Nusselt number compared to the inner region, highlighting the need to account for spatial thermal variations when assessing packed bed performance. At low D/dp ratios, the wall's influence extended throughout the bed, dampening radial velocity and temperature fluctuations. This effect was observed across all cases, suggesting that channeling flow near the wall should not be overstated in analyses, as it could misrepresent transport phenomena in systems with very low D/dp ratios. These findings provide fresh perspectives on addressing the impact of enclosing walls in densely packed beds with small D/dp ratios.
Bubble statistics in shallow angle plunging liquid jets
Authors: Zhang Wei , Qin Xinzhen , Deng Jian
Published: October 2024

The statistical characteristics of bubble plumes generated by inclined liquid jets remain inadequately understood, particularly regarding their spatial evolution. This study employs an optical fiber probe for sequential multi-point measurements to investigate the evolution of bubble plumes produced by shallow-angle inclined jets impacting both quiescent fluid and crossflow. Measurements of air volume fractions reveal that crossflow significantly attenuates the jet's penetration capability. Under both conditions, the bubble size distributions exhibit power-law behavior, with variations in the exponents observed at different spatial locations. In quiescent water, a power-law exponent of −2 is observed within the jet impact region, where the strong shear effect of the oblique jet introduces more large bubbles and extends their survival time. This exponent gradually decreases with increasing distance from the jet's influence. In the presence of crossflow, the bubble size spectrum closely resembles that observed under breaking waves. This similarity arises because the jet induces intense surface overturning and fragmentation, becoming the primary source of bubble entrainment. Multi-point measurements further indicate that bubble fragmentation dominates near the free surface, while bubble coalescence becomes more prevalent at greater depths. The results for the bubble velocity distribution indicate that, under both conditions, the distribution of high-speed bubbles follows a power law with an exponent of −6. However, the physical mechanisms driving this behavior remain unclear.
Xylanase and phytase supplementation of Moringa oleifera diets: effects on the performance, egg quality and blood profile of laying hens
Authors: Macambira G. M. , Rabello C. B. V. , Oliveira H. S. H. , Santos M. J. B. , Silva D. A. , Santos A. C. F. , Ribeiro A. G. , Lins Júnior O. S. , Sousa L. D. N. , Máximo I. L. C. , Navarro M. V.
Published: October 2024

Context Moringa oleifera leaves present enormous potential as an alternative feedstuff for laying hens. The utilisation of the leaves can be improved by exogenous enzymes owing to the presence of non-starch polysaccharides and phytate. Aims This study evaluated the influence of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOL) in diets supplemented with xylanase and phytase on laying hen performance and egg quality at peak production. Methods In total, 288 Dekalb White laying hens (32 weeks old) were distributed in a completely randomised design, following a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement (with or without MOL × 4 enzyme supplementations). Each treatment comprised six repetitions, each containing six hens. The control diet was based on ground corn and soybean meal, and the treatment diets were supplemented with 5% MOL, followed by three enzyme additives (xylanase, phytase and a xylanase + phytase blend). Key results The enzyme supplementation in MOL diets positively influenced egg production (P = 0.012), egg weight (P = 0.021) and egg mass (P = 0.009). The birds offered xylanase-supplemented diets had higher feed intakes (P = 0.015) than did those fed other diets. Moringa oleifera increased the albumen height (P < 0.001) and Haugh unit (P < 0.001), whereas MOL and phytase improved eggshell thickness (P < 0.001) and the candling score (P = 0.049), compared with treatments without phytase supplementation. MOL and enzyme supplementation improved yolk colour intensity (L, A and R parameters) and decreased plasma total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentrations. The inclusion of 5% MOL in diets did not impair laying performance. However, when MOL diets were supplemented with exogenous enzymes, there was an increase in egg weight. Conclusions MOL can be included at 5% in layer diets without affecting performance. When used in combination with xylanase and phytase, they improve performance, intensify yolk colour, and improve shell thickness, candling score, as well as serum biochemical profile. Implications These findings suggest that the combination of dietary MOL + xylanase + phytase can improve performance and egg quality in laying hens at peak production.
Enhancer landscape of lung neuroendocrine tumors reveals regulatory and developmental signatures with potential theranostic implications
Authors: Davis Ester , Avniel-Polak Shani , Abu-Kamel Shahd , Antman Israel , Saadoun Tsipora , Brim Chava , Jumaa Mohammad , Maron Yariv , Maimon Ofra , Bel-Ange Anat , Atlan Karine , Tzur Tomer , Abu Akar Firas , Wald Ori , Izhar Uzi , Hecht Merav , Grozinsky-Glasberg Simona , Drier Yotam
Published: October 2024

Well-differentiated low-grade lung neuroendocrine tumors (lung carcinoids or LNETs) are histopathologically classified as typical and atypical LNETs, but each subtype is still heterogeneous at both the molecular level and its clinical manifestation. Here, we report genome-wide profiles of primary LNETs’ cis-regulatory elements by H3K27ac ChIP-seq with matching RNA-seq profiles. Analysis of these regulatory landscapes revealed three regulatory subtypes, independent of the typical/atypical classification. We identified unique differentiation signals that delineate each subtype. The “proneuronal” subtype emerges under the influence of ASCL1, SOX4, and TCF4 transcription factors, embodying a pronounced proneuronal signature. The “luminal-like” subtype is characterized by gain of acetylation at markers of luminal cells and GATA2 activation and loss of LRP5 and OTP. The “HNF+” subtype is characterized by a robust enhancer landscape driven by HNF1A, HNF4A, and FOXA3, with notable acetylation and expression of FGF signaling genes, especially FGFR3 and FGFR4, pivotal components of the FGF pathway. Our findings not only deepen the understanding of LNETs’ regulatory and developmental diversity but also spotlight the HNF+ subtype’s reliance on FGFR signaling. We demonstrate that targeting this pathway with FGF inhibitors curtails tumor growth both in vitro and in xenograft models, unveiling a potential vulnerability and paving the way for targeted therapies. Overall, our work provides an important resource for studying LNETs to reveal regulatory networks, differentiation signals, and therapeutically relevant dependencies.
Mixed equilibrium/nonequilibrium effects govern surface mobility in polymer glasses
Authors: Xu Jianquan , Ghanekarade Asieh , Li Li , Zhu Huifeng , Yuan Hailin , Yan Jinsong , Simmons David S. , Tsui Ophelia K. C. , Wang Xinping
Published: October 2024

Using angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, sum-frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, and molecular dynamics simulations, we verify that the glass transition temperature (
T
g
) of polymer glass is lower near the free surface. However, the experimental
T
g
-gradients showed a linear variation with depth (
z
) from the free surface, while the simulated equilibrium
T
g
-gradients exhibited a double exponential
z
-dependence. In typical simulations,
T
g
is determined based on the relaxation time of the system reaching a prescribed threshold value at equilibrium. Conversely, the experiments determined
T
g
by observing the unfreezing of molecular mobility during heating from a kinetically arrested, nonequilibrium glassy state. To investigate the impact of nonequilibrium effects on the
T
g
-gradient, we reduced the thermal annealing time in simulations, allowing the system to fall out of equilibrium. We observe a decrease in the relaxation time and the emergence of a modified
z
-dependence consistent with a linear
T
g
-gradient near the free surface. We further validate the impact of nonequilibrium effects by studying the dependence of the
T
g
on the heating/cooling rate for polymer films of varying thickness (
h
). Our experimental results reveal significant variations in the
T
g
-heating/cooling rate dependence with
h
below the bulk
T
g
, which are also observed in simulation when the simulated system is not equilibrated. We explain our findings by the reduction in mass density within the inner region of the system under nonequilibrium conditions, as observed in simulation, and recent research indicating a decrease in the local
T
g
of a polymer when placed next to a softer material.
Fe(OH)3/Ti3C2Tx nanocomposites for enhanced ammonia gas sensor at room temperature
Authors: Zhao Zhihua , Zhang Hepeng , Chen Pu , Jin Guixin , Wu Lan
Published: October 2024

Two-dimensional material (2D material) MXene has great application potential in gas sensors because of its excellent controllable performance and vast specific surface area. In this study, we used a straightforward in-situ electrostatic self-assembly technique to create Fe(OH)3/Ti3C2Tx nanocomposites, which were then used to fabricate gas sensors for ammonia detection at room temperature (25 °C). Several characterization methods were performed aimed at determining the surface appearance and construction of the nanocomposites, and the sensing characteristics and mechanism were also systematically examined. The findings demonstrate the effective incorporation of amorphous Fe(OH)3 nanoparticles on the surface of Ti3C2Tx. Additionally the nanocomposites of Fe(OH)3/Ti3C2Tx have considerably higher specific surface area than pure Ti3C2Tx, hence offering more active NH3 adsorption sites. The response of the sensor to 100 ppm NH3 was 48.6% at room temperature, which was 9.3 times more higher than that of pure Ti3C2Tx. The sensors also have the advantages of long-term stability (33 d), low NH3 detection limit (500 ppb), and rapid recovery time (85 s) and response times (78 s). It is anticipated that this work will be helpful for developing the new generation of wearable ammonia sensors at room temperature.
Study on UV-VIS characteristics of Aluminum Zinc Oxide nanoparticles through manganese substitution using Wemple-Di domenico method and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Norouzzadeh P , Mabhouti Kh , Rahmani Z
Published: October 2024

In this research Manganese-substitution impact on linear and nonlinear (NL) optical properties of Aluminum-doped ZnO (AlZnO) Nanoparticles (NPs) are investigated. Utilizing measured data of reflectance acquired from the DRS, the higher-order NL optical characteristics of the provided NPs are examined. The maximum quantity of NL susceptibility

χ

3

is measured to be around 3.945 × 10−10 esu at wavelength λ = 520 nm and 7.467 × 10−11 esu at wavelength λ = 530 nm for AlZnO and Manganese-substituted Aluminum-doped Zinc-Oxide (Mn-also) NPs, for particle sizes 14−67 nm and 11−54 nm, consecutively. Consequently, the synthesis method (sol–gel) which is used in this work concluded a decrease in particle size and different optical behavior especially in UV spectral regions during the substitution with Manganese in comparison with the AlZnO. This decrement assures that a decrease in the size of crystallite induces a decline in the

χ

3

.

The obtained optical parameters are red shifted with the Manganese substitution. Also, the NL absorption coefficient (β
c(m/W)) is enhanced in the UV range. The maximum of the NL absorption coefficient (β
c(m/W)), for AlZnO and Mn-AlZnO NPs, are determined (at λ = 250 nm) 2.24 × 10−18 (m/W) and 5.76 × 10−15 (m/W) respectively.
New periodic solutions and solitary wave solutions for the time-fractional differential equations
Authors: Liu Meina , Lu Lin , Chen Yujing , Zhang Chao
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we obtain many different types of exact solutions to the time-fractional Klein–Gordon equation and the time-fractional generalized Hirota-Satsuma coupled KdV system by using the modified rational function approach. Some new solutions such as the kink-periodic solution, the anti-kink-periodic solution and the concave-convex-periodic solution are constructed. Furthermore, the kink and the singular kink waves, the bell shaped soliton and the singular soliton solutions of the two equations also are found. Some numerical simulations are presented, these works can effectively reflect the propagation phenomena of time-fractional nonlinear systems, and also enable us to understand time-fractional nonlinear physical phenomena more clearly.
Applications of molecular beam epitaxy in optoelectronic devices: an overview
Authors: Hidayat Wagma , Usman Muhammad
Published: October 2024

Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) is a crystal growth technique used to manufacture ultra-thin semiconducting layers with nearly flawless control over layer their compositions, dimensions, and doping concentrations. Initially, this growth technique has been extensively employed to III-V semiconducting alloys. MBE has found widespread application in the growth of semiconducting compounds (i.e., silicon, germanium, II-VI, IV-VI), dielectrics, epitaxial metallic films, as well as superconducting materials. For a comprehensive overview of MBE, in this work, we will first go over some of the fundamentals of MBE, followed by its brief history, and its significance in the production of various electronic and optoelectronic devices, including light-emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes (LDs) photodiodes/photodetectors, and solar cells.
Generation of scalar and vector beams with longitudinally varying polarization based on all-silicon metasurfaces
Authors: Wang Wei , Wang Jun , Wu Qiaohua , Zhang Tian , Lin Jie , Jin Peng , Liu Shutian , Zhou Keya
Published: October 2024

Beams with longitudinally continuously varying polarization provide a new application dimension in fields such as optical communication and optical manipulation. The small-sized and multifunctional metasurfaces have been used to generate scalar or vector beams whose polarizations vary along the propagation direction within a single polarization mode. However, dual-mode beams with longitudinally varying polarization can further increase the dimension of manipulation, but they have been rarely explored. Here, we propose a scheme based on the spatial partitioning method for designing dual-mode beams with longitudinally evolving polarization. To validate the proposed scheme, we demonstrate three dual-mode beams generated by all-silicon metasurfaces which have evolving polarization from scalar to vector, scalar vortex to vector vortex, and first-order to second-order cylindrical vector, respectively. The transverse polarization distributions of these beams depend on their longitudinal position. The different focal lengths of the orthogonal circularly polarized components and the design of long focal depth make it possible to change the polarization distribution longitudinally. The optical fields generated based on the proposed scheme are expected to be applied in depth detection and optical manipulation.
First-principles studies on the electronic and thermal transport properties of twin graphene and its analogues
Authors: Li Wentao
Published: October 2024

The novel two-dimensional (2D) carbon allotropes with various carbon networks have provided an unprecedented platform to explore fascinating device applications beyond graphene. In this work, the electronic and thermal transport properties of the twin graphene and its structural analogues, i.e., γ-graphyne, twin T-graphene, and twin 4–8 graphene, have been systematically revealed through first-principles calculations. Our results confirm the energetic and dynamical stability of the twin graphene family, and the intrinsic semiconducting nature of these 2D carbon sheets superior to graphene. Based on the solution of the phonon Boltzmann transport equation, the evaluated thermal conductivity of the considered 2D carbon sheets indicates that the absence of acetylenic linkages in carbon networks leads to a relatively enhanced heat transfer capacity, i.e., a higher thermal conductivity in the twin graphene family than the γ-graphyne case. More interestingly, a way to effectively tune thermal transport properties in the twin graphene family has been proposed via the utilization of atom-embedded carbon nanocages. Our results indicate that a notable 63.8% reduction in thermal conductivity can be achieved for twin graphene through the embedding of Ti atoms into the nanocages, exhibiting great potential for robust thermal management in low-dimensional carbon networks.
Multiple solitons, multiple lump solutions, and lump wave with solitons for a novel (2+1)-dimensional nonlinear partial differential equation
Authors: Ma Zhimin , Han Hongwei , Tian Lin
Published: October 2024

The primary aim of this paper is to explore exact solutions to a novel (2+1)-dimensional water wave equation that models oceanic wave phenomena. We begin by applying the Hirota bilinear transformation method to derive multi-soliton solutions, including 3-soliton and 4-soliton solutions. Then, utilizing the bilinear form of the equation and the long-wave limit method, we identify multiple lump solutions and interaction solutions between lumps and solitons. These include 1-lump, 2-lump, and 3-lump solutions, as well as interactions between a 1-lump and a 1-soliton, and between a 1-lump and 2-solitons. The physical dynamics of these solutions are visually represented, offering insight into the corresponding oceanic wave phenomena.
Entropy analysis of mixed convective electro-magnetohydrodynamic couple-stress hybrid nanofluid flow with variable electrical conductivity in a porous channel
Authors: Mushahary Pungja , Ontela Surender
Published: October 2024

The paper presents a novel study to examine the irreversibility of quadratically mixed convective electro-magnetohydrodynamic (EMHD) flow of a couple-stress hybrid nanofluid (CSHNF) with variable properties in a vertical porous channel. The channel walls are exposed to an applied electric field effect and a uniform transverse magnetic field. The hybrid nanofluid considered is an ethylene glycol (C
2
H
6
O
2) base mixed with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs), assuming the base fluid and nanoparticles to be in a state of thermal equilibrium following the Tiwari-Das nanofluid model. The potential applications of the study can be in microfluidics to nanofluidics, particularly in developing cooling technologies, EMHD pumps, high-end microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices used in bioengineering. A constant pressure gradient acting in the flow direction and the buoyancy effect under the quadratic Boussinesq approximation drive the flow. The governing momentum and energy equations are nondimensionalized using pertinent dimensionless parameters and solved by the semi-analytical homotopy analysis method (HAM). The entropy generation and the Bejan numbers are derived to examine the irreversibilities in the system. To investigate the rate of shear stresses and heat transfer, skin friction coefficients and Nusselt numbers on the channel walls are determined. The analysis emphasizes the influence of nanoparticle concentration and electromagnetic field on the flow dynamics, temperature distribution, and system irreversibilities in the presence of porous media. It reveals the enhancement of fluid velocity and temperature degradation for higher concentrations. In contrast, both reduce for higher magnetic and electrical strength. With the enhancement of electrical joule heating and quadratic convection, a higher entropy generation rate is attained with a low rate of heat transfer irreversibility. However, it reduces with higher nanoparticle concentration, electrical strength, porosity, and variable electrical conductivity parameters under the dominance of heat transfer irreversibility.
Resonant transport in a double-barrier heterostructure AlxGa1−xAs/GaAs and mass discontinuity: a semiclassical path integral approach
Authors: Douvropoulos Theodosios Geo
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we investigate the dependence of the resonant carrier transport in an AlGaAs/GaAs double-barrier heterostructure on the electron’s effective mass discontinuity between the well and the barrier layer. We use a one-dimensional model for the effective potential and consider the activation of the resonant tunneling mechanism when a bias is applied between the emitter and the collector. We calculate the system’s Green’s function through semiclassical path integration to obtain the complex spectrum. Electron’s effective mass discontinuity affects our calculations through the contributions of the various propagations inside the heterostructure and the multiple reflections from the turning points. Our findings show that the lowest resonance energy decreases linearly with increasing bias, while the real energy shift of the resonance decreases in a non-linear manner with the mass discontinuity. We also observe that the resonant transport time increases nearly linearly with the mass discontinuity. These results demonstrate the impact of the carrier’s inertia enhancement on the resonance characteristics and are consistent with established concepts in quantum mechanics and previously published works. Furthermore, we identify a critical bias value that distinguishes the behavior of the symmetric and asymmetric heterostructure. Additionally, the derivative of the transport time with respect to mass discontinuity is found to be independent of the applied bias. Our results provide concise analytical relationships involving parameters such as barrier and well thickness and shape, enabling the prediction and optimization of various nanoscale devices’ performance.
Effect of nano-Cu-loaded graphene fillers on tribological properties of PTFE based composite coatings
Authors: Huang Shan , Yin Yanguo , Fang Xiaoliang , Miao Jilin , Lu Zheng , Zhang Guotao
Published: October 2024

The Polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE)-based composite coating has been widely used in the tribology field due to the high strength of graphene(GNS) and the self-lubricating property of PTFE. However, the weak interfacial bonding between GNS and PTFE inhibits the tribological performance of PTFE-based composite coatings. In this study, the composite coating is in situ fabricated by loading Cu nanoparticles on the GNS surface, and the microstructure, bonding, friction, and wear properties of the composite coating were investigated. The results showed that the interfacial bond strength, friction, and wear properties of Cu@GNS-PTFE coating are higher than those of pure PTFE and GNS-PTFE coating. Compared with the PTFE coating, the Cu@GNS-PTFE coating with the optimal ratio(5%) can increase the bond strength by 24.6% and reduce the wear rate by 42.2%. The lubrication mechanism of the Cu@GNS-PTFE coating is the Cu nanoparticle can increase the interfacial bonding property of GNS and PTFE from both mechanical interlocking and chemical activity, which can promote the synergistic lubrication of GNS and PTFE, and provide a theoretical basis for the further application of PTFE and GNS.
Gradient metasurface covered with water-based channels for reconfigurable RCS reduction
Authors: Cheng Houyuan , Ding Fan , Yang Helin , Fu Yang , Li Shangru , Zhou Xiaofeng , Zhou Xiangli
Published: October 2024

A gradient metasurface covered with water-based channels (GMWC) is proposed for RCS (radar cross section) reduction reconfiguration. The amplitude and phase response of the metasurface unit covered by the water-based channel (WC) is altered, which results in a change in the monostatic scattering of the GMWC. Under the normal incidence of X-polarized plane waves, the RCS reduction of GMWC shows different levels when different water channels are activated. The simulated results show that the average RCS reduction of GMWC increases from 5 dB to 20 dB in 5 dB steps in the 6 GHz to 8.2 GHz frequency band under four different reconstruction states (10000;01000;00100;00001). Besides, GMWC has an average RCS reduction of 10 dB within UWB (4–18 GHz) under state 10000. Finally, GMWC is fabricated and measured, and the measured results are in agreement with the simulated results. The RCS reduction reconfiguration characteristic of GMWC has potential application in target camouflage.
An extreme thermal cycling reliability test of ATLAS ITk Strips barrel modules
Authors: Tishelman-Charny A. , Affolder A. , Capocasa F. , Duden E. , Fadeyev V. , Gignac M. , Helling C. , Herde H. , Johnson J. , Lynn D. , Morii M. , Mitra A. , Poley L. , Sciolla G. , Stucci S. , Sharma P. , Van Nieuwenhuizen G. , Wallin E. , Wang A. , Wonsak S.
Published: October 2024

At the end of Run 3 of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the
accelerator complex will be upgraded to the High-Luminosity LHC
(HL-LHC) in order to increase the total amount of data provided to
its experiments. To cope with the increased rates of data,
radiation, and pileup, the ATLAS detector will undergo a substantial
upgrade, including a replacement of the Inner Detector with a future
Inner Tracker, called the ITk. The ITk will be composed of pixel and
strip sub-detectors, where the strips portion will be composed of
17,888 silicon strip detector modules. During the HL-LHC running
period, the ITk will be cooled and warmed a number of times from
about -35°C to room temperature as part of the operational
cycle, including warm-ups during yearly shutdowns. To ensure ITk
Strips modules are functional after these expected temperature
changes, and to ensure modules are mechanically robust, each module
must undergo ten thermal cycles and pass a set of electrical and
mechanical criteria before it is placed on a local support
structure. This paper describes the thermal cycling Quality Control
(QC) procedure, and results from the barrel pre-production phase
(about 5% of the production volume). Additionally, in order to
assess the headroom of the nominal QC procedure of 10 cycles and to
ensure modules don't begin failing soon after, four representative
ITk Strips barrel modules were thermally cycled 100 times — this
study is also described.
Low-frequency noise in the Double SOI (DSOI) MOSFETs with back-gate control
Authors: Li You , Liu Fanyu , Shu Lei , Lu Bo , Li Bo , Luo Jiajun
Published: October 2024

In this paper, the impact of the back-gate voltage (Vb
)
on the low-frequency (1/f) noise is evaluated for the 180 nm
double silicon-on-insulator (DSOI) NMOS, fabricated with various
thicknesses of first buried oxide (BOX1) layer (145/50 nm). Both
positive and negative Vb
increased the measured normalized
drain current power spectral density (PSD) for more than ten-fold in
DSOI standard devices with 145 nm BOX1, while the normalized PSD
decreases with Vb
going up in devices with 50 nm BOX1. By
comparing with CNF+CMF model, interface trap density and the Coulomb
scattering coefficient are extracted with the back-gate voltage
applied. The interface trap density increases in standard devices
for both positive and negative Vb
, but decreases with
increasing back-gate biasing from -10 V to 10 V in devices with
50 nm BOX1. The interface trap density shows a similar back-gate
coupling effect with threshold voltage under the influence of
different thickness of BOX1. The CNF and CMF noise variation under
back-gate voltage can be explained by the significant fluctuation in
drain current.
Detector upgrade for 222Rn concentration in high purity nitrogen measurement
Authors: Ling X. , Yan Y.J. , Zhu Z.H. , Hu T. , Zhou L. , Cai X. , Ding Y.Y. , Fang J. , Shao J.Y. , Sun L.L. , Sun X.L. , Xie Y.G. , Zhang H.D. , Yu B.X.
Published: October 2024

To ensure the low background of the Jiangmen Underground
Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) detector, high purity nitrogen (HPN) is
used as a cover gas in direct contact with the liquid scintillator,
which serves as the target material for neutrinos. The radon
concentration in this nitrogen should be less than
10 μBq/m3. Given the background of the old detector, which
is 2.20 ± 0.64 mBq/m3, combined with its enrichment
efficiency of 51.0 % at a flow rate of 25 standard liters per
minute (SLM), the effective measurement of radon concentrations
below 10 μBq/m3 in HPN is a major challenge. A highly
sensitive radon detector was upgraded to measure the radon
concentration in HPN. A low background radon detection chamber was
constructed based on the method of electrostatic collection and
electrolytic polishing of low background steel with an internal
surface roughness of ≤ 0.2 μm. The background of the radon
detection chamber was reduced to 1.47 ± 0.19 mBq/m3. An
automatic enrichment system based on 472 g low background activated
carbon was developed. The introduction of a large amount of
activated carbon has led to a significant increase in the enrichment
flow rate to 200 SLM. In addition, the enrichment efficiency of the
system simultaneously improved to 71 %. The relationship between
the collection efficiency of the detection chamber and the applied
voltage was calibrated. The result measured with this detector,
shows that the radon concentration in HPN is
2.38 ± 0.30 μBq/m3.
Introduction
Authors: Creissels Denis
Published: October 2024

The first section of this chapter consists of a brief and informal overview of the topics addressed in the book, in which only terms and notions familiar from traditional grammar and/or introductory courses in morphosyntax are used. Section 1.2 discusses the position taken by the author about some concepts generally considered basic for the analysis of clause structure and its semantic correlates, and the terms used to refer to them. Section 1.3 presents the framework within which transitivity, valency, and voice are discussed in the remainder of the book. Section 1.4 describes the structure of the book. Section 1.5 discusses the glossing principles and conventions adopted in the book. Section 1.6 is about the genetic affiliation of the languages quoted in the book.
The transitive construction
Authors: Creissels Denis
Published: October 2024

The first section of this chapter is a general introduction to variation in the coding of the core terms of the transitive construction. Section 4.2 deals with TAM/polarity-driven variation in transitive coding. Section 4.3 examines variation in transitive coding conditioned by the status of the clause. Section 4.4 discusses differential coding of A or P. Section 4.5 deals with scenario-driven transitive coding. Section 4.6 is devoted to direct/inverse marking in the transitive construction. Section 4.7 discusses transitivity marking. Section 4.8 puts forward a typological approach to the diversity in transitive coding based on the notion of A-prominent vs. P-prominent systems of transitive coding.
Non-causative A/S-nucleativization
Authors: Creissels Denis
Published: October 2024

This chapter is devoted to non-causative A/S-nucleativization, whose recognition as a distinct type of voice is one of the original aspects of the typology of voice put forward in this book. Section 13.1 discusses definitional and terminological issues. Sections 13.2 and 13.3 are devoted to the A-nucleativization of instrumental obliques and dative obliques respectively. Section 13.4 discusses the A/S-nucleativization of concernees (more commonly designated as external possessors), a type of voice that often involves the same marking as passivization, and is consequently commonly labeled ‘adversative passive.’ Section 13.5 discusses the A-nucleativization of affected participants other than concernees. Section 13.6 analyzes situations in which the distinction between A/S-nucleativization and other types of mechanisms may be problematic.
The noncausal–causal alternation, the psych alternation, and the undirected–directed alternation
Authors: Creissels Denis
Published: October 2024

The first section of this chapter puts forward some introductory remarks on the alternations discussed in the remainder of the chapter. Section 16.2 deals with the noncausal–causal alternation in general, and also more specifically with the unaccusative–transitive alternation. Section 16.3 discusses the psych alternation defined as the relationship between verbs expressing psychological processes triggered by stimuli with the stimulus as the perspectival center, and verbs expressing the same psychological processes with the experiencer as the perspectival center. Section 16.4 deals with the undirected–directed alternation in general, and also more specifically with the unergative–transitive alternation. Section 16.5 examines the possibility that the same markers are shared by the unaccusative–transitive and unergative–transitive alternations.
Conclusion
Authors: Creissels Denis
Published: October 2024

This chapter concludes the book by highlighting the most salient aspects of the approach to transitivity, valency, and voice developed in the previous chapters. It also mentions several aspects of transitivity and valency that would have deserved a more detailed treatment, but for which this would have necessitated more detailed data on a greater variety of languages than currently available: the possible relationships between the lexical semantics of verbs and their division into valency classes, the possible relationships between transitive–intransitive alignment in the coding properties of core NPs and alignment in their syntactic behavior (syntactic accusativity vs. ergativity), and the historical explanation of the possibility that markers involved in the coding of valency alternations may also have uses that are not related to manipulations of valency.
Arterial Properties and Ventricular–Arterial Interactions in Severe Aortic Stenosis: Impact on Prognosis
Authors: Horton Edward R , Johnson Bryce V , Vidula Mahesh , Lee Jonathan J , Kondaveeti Soumya , Magro Caroline A , Denduluri Srivinas , Segers Patrick , Herrmann Howard C , Chirinos Julio A
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Systemic arterial properties contribute to clinical heterogeneity and outcomes in degenerative calcific aortic stenosis (AS). Lumped parameters of afterload have previously been associated with adverse left ventricular remodeling, mortality, and poor exercise tolerance in this population, but most studies did not assess pulsatile aortic pressure–flow relations, the gold standard method for assessing arterial load. Moreover, arterial compliance is highly dependent on nonpulsatile (mean) arterial pressure, which influences prognosis in this population.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 135 patients with severe AS with same-day catheterization and echocardiogram. Invasive aortic pressures and echocardiographic flow waveforms were used to assess pressure–flow and pressure–volume relations using Windkessel modeling and wave separation analyses. We used Cox regression to assess the relationship between pulsatile load and time to death and heart failure hospital admission (DHFA).

RESULTS

Total arterial compliance accounting for pressure dependence was independently predictive of all-cause mortality (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.66–0.97; P = 0.023) and DHFA (HR = 0.70; 95% CI = 0.50–0.97; P = 0.031) even after adjustment for age, race, gender, body mass index, and comorbidities, whereas other arterial parameters were not.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with severe AS, pressure-dependent arterial compliance predicts adverse outcomes, whereas traditional pulsatile arterial load measures do not. Our findings suggest that methods accounting for pressure load on the arterial wall are advantageous in this population in which lower mean pressure can result from severe stenosis and ventricular dysfunction.
Development and experimental validation of computational methods for human antibody affinity enhancement
Authors: Li Junxin , Liao Linbu , Zhang Chao , Huang Kaifang , Zhang Pengfei , Zhang John Z H , Wan Xiaochun , Zhang Haiping
Published: October 2024

High affinity is crucial for the efficacy and specificity of antibody. Due to involving high-throughput screens, biological experiments for antibody affinity maturation are time-consuming and have a low success rate. Precise computational-assisted antibody design promises to accelerate this process, but there is still a lack of effective computational methods capable of pinpointing beneficial mutations within the complementarity-determining region (CDR) of antibodies. Moreover, random mutations often lead to challenges in antibody expression and immunogenicity. In this study, to enhance the affinity of a human antibody against avian influenza virus, a CDR library was constructed and evolutionary information was acquired through sequence alignment to restrict the mutation positions and types. Concurrently, a statistical potential methodology was developed based on amino acid interactions between antibodies and antigens to calculate potential affinity-enhanced antibodies, which were further subjected to molecular dynamics simulations. Subsequently, experimental validation confirmed that a point mutation enhancing 2.5-fold affinity was obtained from 10 designs, resulting in the antibody affinity of 2 nM. A predictive model for antibody–antigen interactions based on the binding interface was also developed, achieving an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.83 and a precision of 0.89 on the test set. Lastly, a novel approach involving combinations of affinity-enhancing mutations and an iterative mutation optimization scheme similar to the Monte Carlo method were proposed. This study presents computational methods that rapidly and accurately enhance antibody affinity, addressing issues related to antibody expression and immunogenicity.
Fetal hypoxia exposure induces Hif1a activation and autophagy in adult ovarian granulosa cells
Authors: Zhang Lu-Yao , Zhang Ke , Zhao Xi , Tao Hai-Ping , Jia Gong-Xue , Fang You-Gui , Hou Yun-Peng , Yang Qi-En
Published: October 2024

Environmental hypoxia adversely impacts the reproduction of humans and animals. Previously, we showed that fetal hypoxia exposure led to granulosa cell (GC) autophagic cell death via the Foxo1/Pi3k/Akt pathway. However, the upstream regulatory mechanisms underlying GC dysfunction remain largely unexplored. Here, we tested the hypothesis that fetal hypoxia exposure altered gene expression programs in adult GCs and impaired ovarian function. We established a fetal hypoxia model in which pregnant mice were maintained in a high-plateau hypoxic environment from gestation day (E) 0–16.5 to study the impact of hypoxia exposure on the ovarian development and subsequent fertility of offspring. Compared with the unexposed control, fetal hypoxia impaired fertility by disordering ovarian function. Specifically, fetal hypoxia caused mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidant stress, and autophagy in GCs in the adult ovary. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that 437 genes were differentially expressed in the adult GCs of exposed animals. Western blotting results also revealed that fetal exposure induced high levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (Hif1a) expression in adult GCs. We then treated granulosa cells isolated from exposed mice with PX-478, a specific pharmacological inhibitor of Hif1a, and found that autophagy and apoptosis were effectively alleviated. Finally, by using a human ovarian granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN) to simulate hypoxia in vitro, we showed that Hif1a regulated autophagic cell death in GCs through the Pi3k/Akt pathway. Together, these findings suggest that fetal hypoxia exposure induced persistent Hif1a expression, which impaired mitochondrial function and led to autophagic cell death in the GCs of the adult ovary.
SMaRT M-Seq: an optimized step-by-step protocol for M protein sequencing in monoclonal gammopathies
Authors: Nevone Alice , Lattarulo Francesca , Russo Monica , Cascino Pasquale , Merlini Giampaolo , Palladini Giovanni , Nuvolone Mario
Published: October 2024

In patients with monoclonal gammopathies, tumor B cells or plasma cells secrete a monoclonal antibody (M protein) that not only serves as a biomarker for tumor tracking but can also cause potentially life-threatening organ damage. This damage is driven by the patient-specific sequence of the M protein. Methods for sequencing M proteins have been limited by their high cost and time-consuming nature, and while recent approaches using next-generation sequencing or mass spectrometry offer advancements, they may require tumor cell sorting, are limited to subsets of immunoglobulin genes or patients, and/or lack extensive validation. To address these limitations, we have recently developed a novel method, termed Single Molecule Real-Time Sequencing of the M protein (SMaRT M-Seq), which combines the unbiased amplification of expressed immunoglobulin genes via inverse PCR from circularized cDNA with long-read DNA sequencing, followed by bioinformatic and immunogenetic analyses. This approach enables the unambiguous identification of full-length variable sequences of M protein genes across diverse patient cohorts, including those with low tumor burden. Our protocol has undergone technical validation and has been successfully applied to large patient cohorts with monoclonal gammopathies. Here we present the step-by-step protocol for SMaRT M-Seq. By enabling the parallel sequencing of M proteins from a large number of samples in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner, SMaRT M-Seq facilitates access to patient-specific M protein sequences, advancing personalized medicine approaches and enabling deeper mechanistic studies in monoclonal gammopathies.
Identification of patient characteristics that may improve procedure selection for the treatment of carotid stenosis
Authors: Kuehnl Andreas , Knappich Christoph , Kirchhoff Felix , Bohmann Bianca , Lohe Vanessa , Naher Shamsun , Eckstein Hans-Henning , Kallmayer Michael
Published: October 2024

Background

Carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting are common procedures for the treatment of carotid artery stenosis. The aim of this study was to identify factors that modify the effect between type of treatment and outcome, and could thus be used to refine the selection of treatment procedure.

Methods

All patients who underwent either carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting between 2012 and 2018 in German hospitals were included. The analysis of effect modification was focused on baseline patient characteristics. The outcome was a composite of any stroke or death until discharge from hospital. For multivariable analyses, a generalized linear mixed regression model was used.

Results

Some 221 282 patients were included, of whom 68% were male. In patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting, the risk of any stroke or death was 2.3% and 3.7% respectively. Patient age was statistically significantly associated with a higher risk of a composite outcome of any stroke or death (main effect of age: adjusted OR 1.21 (95% c.i. 1.17 to 1.26), P < 0.001). The age effect was stronger in patients treated with carotid artery stenting (interaction effect: adjusted OR 1.29 (95% c.i. 1.20 to 1.38), P < 0.001). Statistically significant interaction effects were identified for side of treatment, ASA grade, contralateral degree of stenosis, and the time interval between the index event and treatment.

Conclusion

This analysis shows that carotid artery stenting may be particularly disadvantageous in older patients, in patients with right-sided stenosis, and in symptomatic patients treated within the first 2 days after the index event. In patients with contralateral occlusion, carotid artery stenting appears equivalent to carotid endarterectomy.
Artificial light at night alters foraging behavior of freshwater amphipods depending on the light spectrum and the presence of predation cues
Authors: Hassan Wrya , Kobak Jarosław , Czarnecka Magdalena
Published: October 2024

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a common anthropogenic disturbance, which alters animal behavior. However, little is known about the impact of the spectral composition of ALAN and co-occurring predation risk on the behavior of aquatic organisms. We experimentally investigated how ALAN of different spectra (cool white LED and HPS light) affects the behavior and foraging of Gammarus jazdzewskii (Amphipoda) on chironomid prey, both as a single stressor and in combination with an olfactory predation cue. Gammarids exposed to ALAN in the absence of predation cues consumed less, compared with darkness, mainly due to their lower activity. Moreover, gammarids showed a stronger response to LED light, spending more time in the shelter and increasing prey handling time in this treatment. The addition of predation cues did not enhance the negative impact of ALAN on the foraging success. Gammarids maintained similar consumption levels as in the ALAN treatment without predation cues and in darkness with predation cues. However, gammarids in LED light altered their behavior in response to predation threat: they decreased prey handling time and consumed prey faster, which may have compensated for the higher food demand in stressful conditions. They also tended to exhibit risky behavior, leaving the shelter and moving towards the lit area, presumably to escape and avoid the combined effects of light and predation cues. Therefore, when assessing the effects of ALAN on organisms, light quality and co-occurring biotic factors should be considered, as predator pressure is common in natural environments.