bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tuning of excitons in phosphorene atomic chains
Authors: Huang Wenzhuo , Zhong Jun , Sheng Weidong , Zhou Aiping
Published: October 2023

An universal scaling between the exciton binding energy and quasiparticle (QP) band gap was first discovered in two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors such as graphene derivatives, various transition materials dichalcogenides, and black phosphorus (Choi et al 2015 Phys. Rev. Lett.
115 066403; Jiang et al 2017 Phys. Rev. Lett.
118 266401), and later extended to quasi one-dimensional (1D) systems such as carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoribbons. In this work we study the excitonic states in phosphorene atomic chains by using the exact diagonalization method and show that the linear scaling between the exciton binding energy (Ex
) and QP shift (

Δ

qs

) can be easily tuned by the dielectric environment. In the presence of weak screening, Ex
is seen to increase with

Δ

qs

and exhibits a similar scaling as those 2D materials. As the screening becomes stronger, however, the dependence is found to be reversed, i.e. Ex
now decreases when

Δ

qs

increases. More interestingly, we also reveal that Ex
may even become nearly constant, independent on the system dimension and

Δ

qs

when the screening reaches a certain strength. These abnormal scaling relations are attributed to the complex nature of excitons in the strongly correlated 1D system.
Non-contact characterization of material anisotropy of additive manufacturing components by electromagnetic acoustic resonance technique
Authors: Yuan Xinyi , Li Weibin , Deng Mingxi
Published: October 2023

The degree of material anisotropy in additive manufacturing (AM) components is greatly influenced by the AM process parameters and machine setup. It is crucial to develop an effective technique for evaluating the material anisotropy in AM components to optimize AM process parameters and component design. This paper proposed a non-contact ultrasonic characterization method using the electromagnetic acoustic resonance technique to characterize the anisotropy of AM components. Various electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) were designed and utilized to characterize the material anisotropy and to determine the principal direction of the AM components. The degree of anisotropy in AM components was characterized using radial radiation EMATs. The relationship between the degree of anisotropy and the laser scanning angle was explored and further determined through the acoustic birefringence factor. Experimental results demonstrated that the anisotropy of AM components is intricately associated with the laser scanning angle, and specific angles can render the AM components isotropic. Moreover, understanding the principal directions is of significance for structural design and analyzing stress distribution in anisotropic components. Therefore, the principal directions of AM components were obtained by rotating the linear polarization EMAT. Changes in the resonance spectrum captured by the linear polarization EMAT while evaluating of principal directions were clearly illustrated, despite negligible alterations in linear ultrasonic features. Metallographic diagrams further validated the experimental findings. This investigation presented a highly accurate and reliable alternative for characterizing the anisotropy of AM components.
Sb-saturated high-temperature growth of extended, self-catalyzed GaAsSb nanowires on silicon with high quality
Authors: Schmiedeke P , Döblinger M , Meinhold-Heerlein M A , Doganlar C , Finley J J , Koblmüller G
Published: October 2023

Ternary GaAsSb nanowires (NW) are key materials for integrated high-speed photonic applications on silicon (Si), where homogeneous, high aspect-ratio dimensions and high-quality properties for controlled absorption, mode confinement and waveguiding are much desired. Here, we demonstrate a unique high-temperature (high-T >650 °C) molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) approach to realize self-catalyzed GaAsSb NWs site-selectively on Si with high aspect-ratio and non-tapered morphologies under antimony (Sb)-saturated conditions. While hitherto reported low-moderate temperature growth processes result in early growth termination and inhomogeneous morphologies, the non-tapered nature of NWs under high-T growth is independent of the supply rates of relevant growth species. Analysis of dedicated Ga-flux and growth time series, allows us to pinpoint the microscopic mechanisms responsible for the elimination of tapering, namely concurrent vapor–solid, step-flow growth along NW side-facets enabled by enhanced Ga diffusion under the high-T growth. Performing growth in an Sb-saturated regime, leads to high Sb-content in VLS-GaAsSb NW close to 30% that is independent of Ga-flux. This independence enables multi-step growth via sequentially increased Ga-flux to realize uniform and very long (>7 μm) GaAsSb NWs. The excellent properties of these NWs are confirmed by a completely phase-pure, twin-free zincblende (ZB) crystal structure, a homogeneous Sb-content along the VLS-GaAsSb NW growth axis, along with remarkably narrow, single-peak low-temperature photoluminescence linewidth (<15 meV) at wavelengths of ∼1100–1200 nm.
Numerical study of divertor detachment in TCV H-mode scenarios
Authors: Yang H , Ciraolo G , Février O , Galassi D , Bucalossi J , Bufferand H , Gorno S , Henderson S , Reimerdes H , Theiler C , Bagnato F , Falchetto G , Fedorczak N , Rivals N , Tamain P ,   the TCV Team
Published: October 2023

The effect of divertor closure and nitrogen seeding on the detachment process has been studied by performing 2D numerical simulations of tokamak à configuration variable (TCV) H-mode divertor scenarios with the SOLEDGE3X-EIRENE edge plasma transport code. The simulations reveal that, in the cases with only deuterium gas fuelling, detachment occurs at a similar level of divertor neutral pressure (

≈

0.76 Pa), despite the difference in divertor closure achieved by changing the length of the outer baffle. Nitrogen reduces the target temperature with little effect on the upstream density and momentum loss but drops the upstream pressure, leading to a decrease in the target particle flux and divertor neutral pressure. Furthermore, when the radiation front starts to move up from the outer target, the peak parallel heat flux level at the outer target remains approximately the same (

≈

2.3

MW m−2), regardless of whether it is a deuterium fuelling scan, a nitrogen seeding scan at a fixed fuelling rate, or a change in the length of the outer baffle. An empirical partial detachment qualifier calibrated on AUG experimental data was compared with the TCV simulations. The results show good agreement in detachment state prediction, indicating the potential of this detachment qualifier to be applied in devices of different sizes, emphasizing the combined influence of input power entering the divertor, neutral pressure, and the concentration and species of impurity in achieving divertor detachment.
Mechanical, electronic, optical, piezoelectric and ferroic properties of strained graphene and other strained monolayers and multilayers: an update
Authors: Naumis Gerardo G , Herrera Saúl A , Poudel Shiva P , Nakamura Hiro , Barraza-Lopez Salvador
Published: October 2023

This is an update of a previous review (Naumis et al 2017 Rep. Prog. Phys.
80 096501). Experimental and theoretical advances for straining graphene and other metallic, insulating, ferroelectric, ferroelastic, ferromagnetic and multiferroic 2D materials were considered. We surveyed (i) methods to induce valley and sublattice polarisation (P) in graphene, (ii) time-dependent strain and its impact on graphene’s electronic properties, (iii) the role of local and global strain on superconductivity and other highly correlated and/or topological phases of graphene, (iv) inducing polarisation P on hexagonal boron nitride monolayers via strain, (v) modifying the optoelectronic properties of transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers through strain, (vi) ferroic 2D materials with intrinsic elastic (σ), electric (P) and magnetic (M) polarisation under strain, as well as incipient 2D multiferroics and (vii) moiré bilayers exhibiting flat electronic bands and exotic quantum phase diagrams, and other bilayer or few-layer systems exhibiting ferroic orders tunable by rotations and shear strain. The update features the experimental realisations of a tunable two-dimensional Quantum Spin Hall effect in germanene, of elemental 2D ferroelectric bismuth, and 2D multiferroic NiI2. The document was structured for a discussion of effects taking place in monolayers first, followed by discussions concerning bilayers and few-layers, and it represents an up-to-date overview of exciting and newest developments on the fast-paced field of 2D materials.
Persistent MgB2 joints for react and wind magnets
Authors: Guven M , Zagura P , Barker C M , Kutukcu M N , Atamert S , Grovenor C R M , Speller S C
Published: October 2023

Ultra-low resistance joints are a key technology enabling superconducting magnets to operate in persistent mode and to achieve the temporal stability required for nuclear magnetic resonance and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications. High performance superconducting joints are manufactured routinely for Nb–Ti and Nb3Sn magnets, but technologies for joining other technological superconductors are still in the early stages of development. Here we report the use of a simple cold pressing and heat treatment procedure to fabricate persistent MgB2 joints with resistance values <10−12 Ω between MgB2 wires that have already undergone the full wire reaction process. Trapped persistent currents of 172 A and 160 A were achieved under self-field and 1 T background field conditions respectively at a temperature of 20 K. This corresponds to a critical current ratio of 78% under these conditions, outperforming previously reported joints using fully reacted MgB2 wire. These findings are relevant for the development of commercial MRI magnets with MgB2 wires utilizing react and wind methods.
A theoretical analysis of performance enhancement of SPR sensor based on ZnO and BaTiO3 for NH3 detection
Authors: Ghanizadeh Sara , Naghshara Hamid , Meshginqalam Bahar
Published: October 2023

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors have attracted enormous attention due to their applications in various fields. A novel SPR-based sensor with ZnO and BaTiO3 metal oxide layers is designed for NH3 gas detection. Gold and silver are used as plasmonic materials and corresponding results are compared. The prism and plasmonic materials effects on sensor response are investigated. Moreover, thicknesses of gold and silver and metal oxide layers are optimized to obtain suitable performance parameters. sensor response is analyzed in terms of minimum reflectance, sensitivity, detection accuracy and quality parameter. Applying ZnO and BaTiO3 layers lead to 37.88% and 26.03% enhancement of quality parameter and 37.91% and 26.07% improvement of detection accuracy, and more than 3.4 times improvement of detection resolution in gold and silver-based sensors, respectively. The recommended sensor structure provides appropriate performance parameters for 1 to 200 ppm of NH3 gas that can have potential applications in toxic gas sensing.
Investigating Ag2S quantum dot buffer layer in CZTSSe photovoltaics for enhanced performance
Authors: Yadav Shweta , Chauhan R K , Mishra Rajan , Kumar Saurabh
Published: October 2023

This study focuses on optimizing the performance of CZTSSe (Copper Zinc Tin Sulphide/Selenide) photovoltaic (PV) cells by incorporating an Ag2S quantum dot (QD) buffer layer. CZTSSe, with its significant Direct bandgap (1–1.5 eV) and the absorption coefficient (>104 cm−1), shows promise for efficient visible-range light absorption. Ag2S quantum dots, known in terms of their favourable attributes, such as high absorption, low solubility, and minimal surface recombination, are explored as a buffer layer material. The effects of the Ag2S quantum dot (QD) buffer layer on the optical and electrical characteristics of CZTSSe photovoltaic (PV) cells are comprehensively examined using simulation characterization. Key parameters, including Short-circuit (JSC), fill factor (FF), open-circuit voltage (VOC), and power conversion efficiency (PCE), are analyzed to validate device characteristics. The SCAPS-1d simulator is employed for performance assessment and enhancement through tuning device parameters such as energy bandgap, absorber layer thickness, buffer layer thickness, defect density, and acceptor concentrations of the absorber and hole transport layer (HTL), and donor concentrations of the buffer. Additionally, temperatures, as well as series-shunt resistance’s influence on device effectiveness, are explored. The study aims to maximize light absorption, enhance charge conduction, reduce carrier loss due to recombination, and upgrade CZTSSe PV cells’ overall performance. The CZTSSe solar unit achieves its highest PCE of 27.56% when employing an Ag2S buffer layer and Cu2O hole transport layer. The study provides valuable knowledge about the optimization of CZTSSe solar cells and the potential benefits of utilizing Ag2S QD in the role of buffer layer material. This research contributes to the understanding of enhancing CZTSSe PV cell performance through the incorporation of Ag2S QD buffer layers and presents pragmatic directives that can be employed to facilitate the progression of CZTSSe-based photovoltaic devices.
A 111dB-SNDR 20kHz-BW Delta-Sigma Modulator with Auto-Zeroing and Class-AB Amplifier
Authors: Luan Gaofeng , Xing Xinpeng , Feng Haigang , Gielen Georges
Published: October 2023

This paper describes the design of a high-precision audio Delta-Sigma modulator. To guarantee the modulator linearity and resolution with a limited oversampling rate (OSR), 4th-order 1-bit architecture is chosen. Auto-zeroing technique is used to reduce offset and low-frequency noise. To optimize power consumption, the switched-capacitor loop filter is implemented by feedforward structure with a passive adder and class-AB two-stage amplifiers. A clock generator with optimized non-overlapping pulse widths is designed to improve precision. Simulation results in 180nm CMOS show that with a 10.24MHz sampling rate, the presented modulator achieves 111dB signal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio (SNDR) at 20kHz bandwidth (BW) and consumes 17.9mW power under 3.3V supply, corresponding to an excellent figure-of-merit (FoM) of 171.5dB. Simulation results in process corners and temperatures show that the modulator is robust over variations.
VIHCEMOS-CFAR Detector Based on Improved VI-CFAR
Authors: Qin Tian-Ci , Wang Zhong-Xun , Huang Yong , Wei Hao-Xuan , Liu Yan
Published: October 2023

A variability index heterogeneous clutter estimate modified ordered statistics constant false alarm rate (VIHCEMOS-CFAR) detector based on improved VI-CFAR is proposed. First calculate the VI and MR values and then judge the clutter background: If the background is uniform, cell averaging (CA) target detection strategy is adopted; HCE detection strategy is adopted if it is clutter edge background; If it is a complex background composed of multiple targets or strong clutter, the OS detection strategy is adopted. The method of judging the interfering targets and strong clutter in the reference window by using the phase characteristics is used to calculate the accurate k. The Modified-OS algorithm with corrected k is proposed as the detection strategy in the multi-target environment to improve the target detection performance in practical projects. Through detailed experiments, it is proved that VIHCEMOS has adaptive clutter background capability and better detection performance than all other CFAR detection algorithms in multi-target environment.
Comparison of 1T1R and 1C1R ReRAM Arrays
Authors: Alshaya Abdulaziz , Malik Adil , Mifsud Andrea , Papavassiliou Christos
Published: October 2023

The rise of memristors with potential applications in memory has attracted wide interests. Memristors are typically assembled in crossbar arrays with data bits encoded by the resistance of individual cells. The 1T1R cell structure is the most popular for memristive memory as it eliminates sneak path currents. The transistor not only allows for flexible selection of memory cells but also facilitates the programming for computing-in-memory applications. In this paper, we replace the selector in the 1T1R configuration with a capacitor to form a selectorless and passive combination of ReRAM structure. Moreover, we evaluate the merits of the two structures in SkyWater 130nm CMOS technology by comparing the writing technique, power consumption, switching speed, and memory density. Furthermore, we compared the complexity of the readout method between 1T1R and 1C1R for a memory application. This work shows that the 1C1R configuration is a promising memory structure that consumes less energy, switches faster, has higher density, and has a simpler readout method when compared to 1T1R.
Overview of Magnetic Field Sensor
Authors: Wang Silin , Gao Junji
Published: October 2023

This article summarizes the commonly used in magnetic sensors Hall sensors, Anisotropic magnetoresistive sensor (AMR), Giant magnetoresistance effect sensor (GMR) and Tunneling magnetoresistance sensor (TMR). The structure and working principle of each sensor are introduced. In addition, some error sources of magnetic sensors and the calibration techniques used are introduced, and some typical application examples of each sensor are introduced.
Photodetector based on ZnO/PbS-EDT heterojunction
Authors: Liang Xingchen , Liu Shilin , Ding Yijing , Li Qing
Published: October 2023

This paper presents the fabrication of a photodetector using a ZnO/PbS-EDT heterojunction. The combination of PbS QDs with narrow bandgap and ZnO QDs with excellent electron transport properties results in a high-performance photodetector with broad-spectrum capabilities. The solid-state ligands are used to exchange PbS QDs to form a thick light-absorbing layer. The study also discusses the effect of UV treatment on the morphology of the PbS film and its impact on the device performance. The UV-treated devices exhibit good performance even when operated at 0V. When subjected to 940 nm light irradiation, the maximum responsivity is 37.5 mA/w, the detectivity is 1.16x1012 Jones, and the rise and fall time are 53 μs and 35 μs, respectively. This device demonstrates remarkable performance with its fast response, high responsivity, and low noise.
Classification of Sequential Circuits as Causal Functions
Authors: Nishimura’ Shunji
Published: October 2023

In sequential circuits, the current output can depend on both past and current inputs. However, certain kinds of sequential circuits do not refer to all of the past inputs to generate the current output; but only to a subset of past inputs. This paper investigates which subset of past inputs a sequential circuit refers to, and proposes a new classification of sequential circuits based on this criterion. While the conventional classification of sequential circuits distinguishes between synchronous and asynchronous circuits, the new classification consolidates synchronous circuits and multiple clock domain circuits into the same category. This is consistent with the notion that “multiple clock domain circuits are analogous to synchronous circuits,” and thus, the proposed classification appears valid from this perspective. It is expected that a method underlying our classification will allow a deeper understanding of sequential circuits.
A 540-mA, 0.0487-ps-FOM Digital LDO based on Bi-directional Binary Search with Dual-loop Control
Authors: Chen Meiling , Chen Jianhua , Chen Weijian , Cheng Jie , Zeng Yanhan
Published: October 2023

A dual-loop digital low-dropout regulator based on the bi-directional binary search method is implemented in a 0.18-μm CMOS process in this paper. To improve the transient response, a bi-directional successive approximation register without initialization is proposed in coarse loop. To speed up fine adjustment during heavy loads, a two-dimensional MOSFET array is adopted to improve fine regulation step. Simulation results demonstrate that, during load current steps between 540 mA and 40 mA, the undershoot/overshoot is 364 mV/161 mV, and the digital LDO settles within 210 ns. For a supply voltage of 1.4 V with 200 mV dropout, the current efficiency is as high as 99.99% and the figure of merit is as low as 0.0487 ps.
Digital Background Calibration Techniques for 2GS/s 12bit Time-Interleaved Pipelined ADC
Authors: Qian Lei , Xing Xinpeng , Feng Haigang , Gielen Georges
Published: October 2023

This paper presents digital background(BG) calibration techniques which are utilized to correct both inter-stage gain error (IGE) and inter-channel mismatches in a 12-bit 2GS/s 4-channel time-interleaved pipeline ADC. The inter-stage gain is mitigated by Least Mean Square (LMS) based calibration with a proposed Pseudo Noise (PN) codes injected into 1.5bit MDAC stages, which has neither input amplitude limitation nor comparator requirement. The inter-channel offset and gain mismatches are eliminated by Modified Moving Average (MMA) and LMS –based calibrations respectively. The inter-channel sampling time mismatch is estimated by correlation function and compensated by digital-controlled delay line. Simulation results in 40nm CMOS show that the presented calibration techniques improve the 2GS/s TI ADC SNDR from 46.2138dB to 6761.49dB 35dB and SFDR from 50.8150.09dB to 82.3574.04dB with a Nyquist input, consuming only 23.3mW power in a 184um*183um area.
A calibration-free 10.7 fJ/conv.-step 12-bit 120-MS/s pipelined SAR ADC in 40nm CMOS
Authors: Li Nan , He Xinyuan , Xing Xinpeng
Published: October 2023

A calibration-free 12-bit 120-MS/s 2-stage pipelined successive approximation register (pipelined SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is presented in this paper. In asynchronous SAR ADCs, capacitive digital-to-analog converters (CDACs) are designed with bottom-plate sampling to improve sampling accuracy and split-capacitor array to save switching energy. Furthermore, both reference scaling technique and a PVT-stabilized closed-loop residue amplifier are implemented in this design to obtain an accurate inter-stage gain, enabling no additional calibration required in the pipelined SAR ADC. The prototype ADC in 40nm CMOS technology achieves a peak signal-to-noise-distortion ratio (SNDR) of 73.4 dB and 88.91dB spurious-free-dynamic-range (SFDR) at 120 MS/s sampling rate, consuming 4.88 mW power from 0.9 V supply voltage, and corresponding to an excellent figure-of-merit (FoM) of 10.7 fJ/conv.-step.
A Reconfigurable Analog Baseband for Multistandard Wireless Receivers in 22-nm CMOS
Authors: Huang Mingjing , He Xiaoyong
Published: October 2023

This paper presents a low noise, and high linearity reconfigurable receiver (RX) analog baseband (ABB) with tunable bandwidth (BW) and gain for multi-standard applications. The designed ABB consists of a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) and a second-order active RC low-pass filter (LPF) with cutoff frequency range from 0.7 MHz–10 MHz, whereas the gain could be tuned between 0 dB and 49 dB. The proposed ABB is implemented in 22 nm CMOS process. The post-simulation results show that the current consumption is 3.36 mA from 1 V supply and the area occupies 571×328 μm
2. The ABB achieves 42.8 dBm in-band third-order harmonic intercept point (IIP3). The spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) and in-band total harmonic distortion (THD) is 83.2 dBc and is -83.1 dB, respectively. The input referred in-band integrated noise (IRN) is 144.8 μVrms
. A digital DCOC is used to calibrate the output DC level.
Influence of Inverter Voltage Switching on Windings of Asynchronous Motor
Authors: Liu Dong
Published: October 2023

Focus on the stator winding insulation of asynchronous motor, the transition process of the pulse voltage output by the frequency converter was analyzed, the voltage equivalent mathematical models and simulation model of the stator winding, reactor and cable were established. For rolling mill in metallurgical industry, the different voltage slope was verified by using real high-power asynchronous motor and frequency converter for pulse voltage test. Aiming at the voltage oscillation caused by different cables length, the second order system fitting was used to analyze the voltage spectrum characteristics, and the reactor’s suppression effect for voltage oscillation was also verified.
Tree species identification and health assessment of forest sample plots based on UAV hyperspectral remote sensing technology
Authors: Zeng Guanzhong , Xu Jiaqi , Zhang Wei , Wang Bin
Published: October 2023

National forest resource information is an important part of national basic information in many countries, sample plot survey is the main means to obtain this information. With the progress of science and technology and social development, the demand for cost saving and scientific and technological innovation has led to the wide application of UAV remote sensing in forest resource survey. This study introduced the practice of UAV hyperspectral remote sensing survey in Yicheng, Hubei Province, described in detail how to realize tree species identification and health assessment in forest sample plots by means of unmanned aerial vehicles. The results showed that the classification results of tree species identification method based on UAV hyperspectral remote sensing technology had high accuracy, and the results of the tree health assessment method used had certain reliability. This method greatly improved the safety of work in hazardous areas and reduced the cost.
Prefab-Net: Segmentation of prefabricated building from satellite imagery with deep neural network
Authors: Wang Minjie , Xiong Zhen , Zhang Leyong , Li Zhiqiang , Chen Ting , Wang Zhiyong , He Jianjun
Published: October 2023

The development of deep learning techniques such as convolutional neural networks (CNN) has injected new vitality into the study of semantic segmentation. Benefiting from the development of new technology, the automatic and intelligent work of remote sensing image segmentation has also entered a new stage. With the further improvement of China’s urbanization rate, urban construction is also developing rapidly. One of the most important tasks in land surveillance is to monitor buildings above ground using remote sensing images. Prefabricated building is the most common type of illegal building in developing area. At present, supervision mainly relies on the traditional human-centered method, which is time-consuming and low in efficiency. Whether the deep learning methods can benefit the prefabricated building segmentation has not yet been tested. By taking the realistic demand into account, this paper proposes a customized neural network structure, which combines multiple refined modules and improves the feature extraction, especially for the prefabricated building segmentation task. Through the comparison with the baseline algorithm, the specifically refined model for the prefabricated building has shown better results in our experimental area, which proves the feasibility and superiority in practical application.
Characterization of the Angat Ophiolite: New insights from bulk major and trace element geochemistry and petrographic analysis
Authors: Colocar R.D.A , De Leon H.R.R. , Pagbilao V.T.M. , Arpa M.C.B. , Queaño K.L.
Published: October 2023

The Angat Ophiolitic Complex, located north-northeast of Manila, Luzon is perhaps one of Luzon’s most fundamental suspect terranes. The definite age of the ophiolite is not well-established, with various authors having different claims. Encarnacion et al. (1993) conducted a U-Pb age dating for the Angat wherein the Angat Ophiolite was found to have an Early Middle Eocene age (48 Ma), close to the ZOC age - leading to the assumption that the two ophiolites are related and underlie most of Central Luzon. Hence, this paper aims to collect samples from the Eocene and Cretaceous Angat Ophiolite for petrographic and geochemical analyses, identify the relationship between the separated basalt units from the basalts in the main ophiolite body, and compare the geochemistry of the Eocene and Cretaceous units of the Angat Ophiolite with the other well-known ophiolites from the literature. Field investigations were conducted in five important localities wherein 15 samples were obtained. The results highlighted that the major mineral phases in the samples collected are plagioclase and augite, with some samples having hornblende and olivine. All samples appear to have undergone low-grade greenschist facies metamorphism, which may be attributed to hydrothermal alteration. Chloritization of pyroxene minerals is also evident, along with the hydrothermal alteration products of plagioclase and pyroxenes. The relationship between the EAO, MOC, and separated basalt patch in Marilaque Highway is identified. The Coto Block of the Zambales Ophiolite and the Angat Ophiolite may be related and formed over a mantle initially enriched by a subduction component.
Rare Earth Elements in Mud Volcanic Water of the North-Western Caucasus
Authors: Chelnokov G. A. , Lavrushin V.Y. , Kharitonova N.A. , Zheng Guodong , Aidarkozhina A. S.
Published: October 2023

The distribution and abundance of rare earth elements in mud volcanic waters of the North-Western Caucasus were studied. Waters are represented by two types: Na-Cl and Na-HCO3-Cl. All waters are characterized by high TDS (8.1-29.5 g/l), neutral to alkaline pH (7.2–8.9), reduced conditions (Eh from -280 to +92 mV), and methane as the main associated gas. It is established that concentrations of REE vary from 0.18 to 7.02 ppb. Based on REE content and pH mud volcanic waters were subdivided into three groups. In each group the concentration of ∑REE roughly increases as pH decreases. Due to geological conditions the highest concentrations of REE are observed in mud volcanoes located within the oldest Cretaceous sediments within the flexural-fault zones of the North-Western Caucasus and the Taman region. Mud volcanoes connected with the Maikop series (₽3-N1), have lower REE concentrations. For the first time the geochemical and geological data suggest different sources of matter for mud volcanoes of the studied area.
Forestry ecological security measurements and obstacle factor analysis in Yunnan
Authors: Wang Fuli , Fu Wei , Luo Mingcan
Published: October 2023

Forestry ecological security is not only a necessary condition for sustainable development of forestry economy, but also an important guarantee for protecting biodiversity and reducing carbon emissions. It plays a crucial role in achieving high-quality industrial development and ecological civilization construction goals. The ecological security of forestry in Yunnan was examined from 2011 to 2020 using the PSR model, entropy power technique, and barrier degree model. The results show that the forestry ecological safety composite index generally shows an improving trend, rising from 0.3495 in 2011 to 0.7290 in 2020. The index of forestry industry pressure subsystem and human response subsystem has an increasing trend, with an average annual increase of 22.36% and 34.05%, respectively. The index of forest ecological subsystem is on a decreasing trend. Urban sewage discharge intensity, forestry investment, per capita GDP, per capita water resources, per capita forest area, and per capita forest fire damage area were the main obstacle factors impacting forestry ecological security in Yunnan.
Linear scaling approach for optical excitations using maximally localized Wannier functions
Authors: Merkel Konrad , Ortmann Frank
Published: October 2023

We present a theoretical method for calculating optical absorption spectra based on maximally localized Wannier functions, which is suitable for large periodic systems. For this purpose, we calculate the exciton Hamiltonian, which determines the Bethe–Salpeter equation for the macroscopic polarization function and optical absorption characteristics. The Wannier functions are specific to each material and provide a minimal and therefore computationally convenient basis. Furthermore, their strong localization greatly improves the computational performance in two ways: first, the resulting Hamiltonian becomes very sparse and, second, the electron–hole interaction terms can be evaluated efficiently in real space, where large electron–hole distances are handled by a multipole expansion. For the calculation of optical spectra we employ the sparse exciton Hamiltonian in a time-domain approach, which scales linearly with system size. We demonstrate the method for bulk silicon—one of the most frequently studied benchmark systems—and envision calculating optical properties of systems with much larger and more complex unit cells, which are presently computationally prohibitive.
Design of a low stiffness magnetic support for the carbon fiber pipe under low-frequency vibration and impulse
Authors: Xu Zhenyuan , Zhang Yang , Ye Mingsong , Ma Wenjing , Luo Junpeng , Yang Kaike , Zhang Junwei , Wang Xi
Published: October 2023

Carbon fiber optical arms are highly sensitive to vibration disturb, and external vibrational excitation can significantly degrade the accuracy of the optical path. Firstly, this paper proposes a carbon fiber optical arm pipe magnetic support system for low-frequency and impulse vibrations. The overall stiffness of the magnetic support is reduced by the cooperation of mechanical springs with positive stiffness and magnetic springs with negative stiffness. Secondly, based on analytical calculations of magnetic forces and finite element simulations, a comprehensive dynamic model of the system is established and solved using the Runge–Kutta method. Finally, an experimental platform for the equipment is set up, and both frequency sweep response tests and impulse vibration response tests are conducted on the system. The results demonstrate that the proposed magnetic support with low stiffness effectively reduces the interference of low-frequency vibrations on the supported carbon fiber pipe.
Neuromorphic cytometry: implementation on cell counting and size estimation
Authors: Zhang Ziyao , Xu Zhangyu , McGuire Helen M , Essam Chip , Nicholson Andrew , Hamilton Tara J , Li Jiayin , Eshraghian Jason K , Yong Ken-Tye , Vigolo Daniele , Kavehei Omid
Published: October 2023

Imaging flow cytometry (FC) is a powerful analytic tool that combines the principles of conventional FC with rich spatial information, allowing more profound insight into single-cell analysis. However, offering such high-resolution, full-frame feedback can restrain processing speed and has become a significant trade-off during development. In addition, the dynamic range (DR) offered by conventional photosensors can only capture limited fluorescence signals, which compromises the detection of high-velocity fluorescent objects. Neuromorphic photo-sensing focuses on the events of interest via individual-firing pixels to reduce data redundancy and latency. With its inherent high DR, this architecture has the potential to drastically elevate the performance in throughput and sensitivity to fluorescent targets. Herein, we presented an early demonstration of neuromorphic cytometry, demonstrating the feasibility of adopting an event-based resolution in describing spatiotemporal feedback on microscale objects and for the first time, including cytometric-like functions in object counting and size estimation to measure 8 µm, 15 µm microparticles and human monocytic cell line (THP-1). Our work has achieved highly consistent outputs with a widely adopted flow cytometer (CytoFLEX) in detecting microparticles. Moreover, the capacity of an event-based photosensor in registering fluorescent signals was evaluated by recording 6 µm Fluorescein isothiocyanate-marked particles in different lighting conditions, revealing superior performance compared to a standard photosensor. Although the current platform cannot deliver multiparametric measurements on cells, future endeavours will include further functionalities and increase the measurement parameters (granularity, cell condition, fluorescence analysis) to enrich cell interpretation.
Using aromas to search for preserved measures and integrals in Kahan’s method
Authors: Bogfjellmo Geir , Celledoni Elena , McLachlan Robert , Owren Brynjulf , Quispel G.
Published: October 2023

The numerical method of Kahan applied to quadratic differential equations is known to often generate integrable maps in low dimensions and can in more general situations exhibit preserved measures and integrals. Computerized methods based on discrete Darboux polynomials have recently been used for finding these measures and integrals. However, if the differential system contains many parameters, this approach can lead to highly complex results that can be difficult to interpret and analyse. But this complexity can in some cases be substantially reduced by using aromatic series. These are a mathematical tool introduced independently by Chartier and Murua and by Iserles, Quispel and Tse. We develop an algorithm for this purpose and derive some necessary conditions for the Kahan map to have preserved measures and integrals expressible in terms of aromatic functions. An important reason for the success of this method lies in the equivariance of the map from vector fields to their aromatic functions. We demonstrate the algorithm on a number of examples showing a great reduction in complexity compared to what had been obtained by a fixed basis such as monomials.
Separable sample covariance matrices under elliptical populations with applications
Authors: Li Huiqin , Pan Guangming , Yin Yanqing , Zhou Wang
Published: October 2023

This paper is to investigate the spectral properties of separable covariance matrices under elliptical populations. The separable covariance matrix model can handle both cross-row and cross-column correlations thus gain more popularity recently. Under the high-dimensional setting where the dimension

p
p

and the sample size

n
n

tend to infinity proportionally, we find the limit of the empirical spectral distribution and establish the central limit theorems (CLT) for linear spectral statistics of such kinds of sample covariance matrices. Some applications of our established CLT are also given.
Program for Integration and Rapid Analysis of Mass Isotopomer Distributions (PIRAMID)
Authors: Gomez Javier D , Wall Martha L , Rahim Mohsin , Kambhampati Shrikaar , Evans Bradley S , Allen Doug K , Antoniewicz Maciek R , Young Jamey D
Published: October 2023

The analysis of stable isotope labeling experiments requires accurate, efficient, and reproducible quantification of mass isotopomer distributions (MIDs), which is not a core feature of general-purpose metabolomics software tools that are optimized to quantify metabolite abundance. Here, we present PIRAMID (Program for Integration and Rapid Analysis of Mass Isotopomer Distributions), a MATLAB-based tool that addresses this need by offering a user-friendly, graphical user interface-driven program to automate the extraction of isotopic information from mass spectrometry (MS) datasets. This tool can simultaneously extract ion chromatograms for various metabolites from multiple data files in common vendor–agnostic file formats, locate chromatographic peaks based on a targeted list of characteristic ions and retention times, and integrate MIDs for each target ion. These MIDs can be corrected for natural isotopic background based on the user-defined molecular formula of each ion. PIRAMID offers support for datasets acquired from low- or high-resolution MS, and single (MS) or tandem (MS/MS) instruments. It also enables the analysis of single or dual labeling experiments using a variety of isotopes (i.e. 2H, 13C, 15N, 18O, 34S).

Data availability and implementation

MATLAB p-code files are freely available for non-commercial use and can be downloaded from https://mfa.vueinnovations.com/. Commercial licenses are also available. All the data presented in this publication are available under the “Help_menu” folder of the PIRAMID software.
Variable clinical consequences of mosaicism for c.1167dupC in IKBKG in male and female patients with incontinentia pigmenti and related phenotypes
Authors: Acos Roy Luister C , Chang Yi-Han , Lin Yu-Chen , Salazar-Paras Dianne Katherine R , Fujimura Yu , Nakano Hajime , Akasaka Eijiro , Natsuga Ken , Guevara Bryan Edgar K , McGrath John A , Hsu Chao-Kai
Published: October 2023

In the present study, we report a duplication variant found in two families with incontinentia pigmenti, which exhibited a variety of phenotypes in both male and female carriers. Although natural mosaicism through Lyonization, with variably skewed X-inactivation, accounts for the phenotype in females, our study also demonstrates that mosaicism, albeit through a different mechanism, should also be remembered in understanding the phenotypic expression of IKBKG-related disorders in some males.
TNF-α protects from exacerbated myocarditis and cardiac death by suppressing expansion of activated heart-reactive CD4+ T cells
Authors: Rolski Filip , Tkacz Karolina , Węglarczyk Kazimierz , Kwiatkowski Grzegorz , Pelczar Paweł , Jaźwa-Kusior Agnieszka , Bar Anna , Kuster Gabriela M , Chłopicki Stefan , Siedlar Maciej , Kania Gabriela , Błyszczuk Przemysław
Published: October 2023

Aims

Tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) represents a classical pro-inflammatory cytokine, and its increased levels positively correlate with the severity of many cardiovascular diseases. Surprisingly, some heart failure patients receiving high doses of anti-TNF-α antibodies showed serious health worsening. This work aimed to examine the role of TNF-α signalling on the development and progression of myocarditis and heart-specific autoimmunity.

Methods and results

Mice with genetic deletion of TNF-α (Tnf+/− and Tnf−/−) and littermate controls (Tnf+/+) were used to study myocarditis in the inducible and the transgenic T cell receptor (TCRM) models. Tnf+/− and Tnf−/− mice immunized with α-myosin heavy chain peptide (αMyHC) showed reduced myocarditis incidence, but the susceptible animals developed extensive inflammation in the heart. In the TCRM model, defective TNF-α production was associated with increased mortality at a young age due to cardiomyopathy and cardiac fibrosis. We could confirm that TNF-α as well as the secretome of antigen-activated heart-reactive effector CD4+ T (Teff) cells effectively activated the adhesive properties of cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (cMVECs). Our data suggested that TNF-α produced by endothelial in addition to Teff cells promoted leucocyte adhesion to activated cMVECs. Analysis of CD4+ T lymphocytes from both models of myocarditis showed a strongly increased fraction of Teff cells in hearts, spleens, and in the blood of Tnf+/− and Tnf−/− mice. Indeed, antigen-activated Tnf−/− Teff cells showed prolonged long-term survival and TNF-α cytokine-induced cell death of heart-reactive Teff.

Conclusion

TNF-α signalling promotes myocarditis development by activating cardiac endothelial cells. However, in the case of established disease, TNF-α protects from exacerbating cardiac inflammation by inducing activation-induced cell death of heart-reactive Teff. These data might explain the lack of success of standard anti-TNF-α therapy in heart failure patients and open perspectives for T cell–targeted approaches.
T5-like phage BF23 evades host-mediated DNA restriction and methylation
Authors: Skutel Mikhail , Andriianov Aleksandr , Zavialova Maria , Kirsanova Maria , Shodunke Oluwasefunmi , Zorin Evgenii , Golovshchinskii Aleksandr , Severinov Konstantin , Isaev Artem
Published: October 2023

Bacteriophage BF23 is a close relative of phage T5, a prototypical Tequintavirus that infects Escherichia coli. BF23 was isolated in the middle of the XXth century and was extensively studied as a model object. Like T5, BF23 carries long ∼9.7 kb terminal repeats, injects its genome into infected cell in a two-stage process, and carries multiple specific nicks in its double-stranded genomic DNA. The two phages rely on different host secondary receptors—FhuA (T5) and BtuB (BF23). Only short fragments of the BF23 genome, including the region encoding receptor interacting proteins, have been determined. Here, we report the full genomic sequence of BF23 and describe the protein content of its virion. T5-like phages represent a unique group that resist restriction by most nuclease-based host immunity systems. We show that BF23, like other Tequintavirus phages, resist Types I/II/III restriction–modification host immunity systems if their recognition sites are located outside the terminal repeats. We also demonstrate that the BF23 avoids host-mediated methylation. We propose that inhibition of methylation is a common feature of Tequintavirus and Epseptimavirus genera phages, that is not, however, associated with their antirestriction activity.
Long-Read–Based Genome Assembly Reveals Numerous Endogenous Viral Elements in the Green Algal Bacterivore Cymbomonas tetramitiformis
Authors: Gyaltshen Yangtsho , Rozenberg Andrey , Paasch Amber , Burns John A , Warring Sally , Larson Raegan T , Maurer-Alcalá Xyrus X , Dacks Joel , Narechania Apurva , Kim Eunsoo
Published: October 2023

The marine tetraflagellate Cymbomonas tetramitiformis has drawn attention as an early diverging green alga that uses a phago-mixotrophic mode of nutrition (i.e., the ability to derive nourishment from both photosynthesis and bacterial prey). The Cymbomonas nuclear genome was sequenced previously, but due to the exclusive use of short-read (Illumina) data, the assembly suffered from missing a large proportion of the genome's repeat regions. For this study, we generated Oxford Nanopore long-read and additional short-read Illumina data and performed a hybrid assembly that significantly improved the total assembly size and contiguity. Numerous endogenous viral elements were identified in the repeat regions of the new assembly. These include the complete genome of a giant Algavirales virus along with many genomes of integrated Polinton-like viruses (PLVs) from two groups: Gezel-like PLVs and a novel group of prasinophyte-specific PLVs. The integrated ∼400 kb genome of the giant Algavirales virus is the first account of the association of the uncultured viral family AG_03 with green algae. The complete PLV genomes from C. tetramitiformis ranged between 15 and 25 kb in length and showed a diverse gene content. In addition, heliorhodopsin gene-containing repeat elements of putative mirusvirus origin were identified. These results illustrate past (and possibly ongoing) multiple alga–virus interactions that accompanied the genome evolution of C. tetramitiformis.