bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Astronomical Forcing of Sea‐Level Changes and the History of the Solar System 1,640 Million Years Ago
Authors: Shi Juye , Fan Tailiang , Jin Zhijun , Liu Quanyou , Zhang Tan , Jiang Ming , Wang Bo
Published: September 2023

The Paleoproterozoic was an important stage in the evolution of life and the environment during Earth's history. Understanding astronomical rhythms and solar system behavior in the Paleoproterozoic is often challenging. In this study, ∼190 m high‐resolution magnetic susceptibility (MS) and ∼30 m high‐resolution Ba/Al data are used to conduct cyclostratigraphic analyses of the Chuanlinggou Formation in the Yanliao Rift, North China Craton. Spectral analysis indicates significant peaks at wavelengths of 12.1–7.7, 2.8–1.6, 0.58–0.33, and 0.29–0.22 m, which matches well with the astronomical cycles predicted by Waltham for ∼1,640 Ma. A 9.9‐Myr astronomical time scale is constructed by tuning the MS series to the 405‐kyr‐long eccentricity cycle. The geological records show ∼1.56‐Myr very long eccentricity period and ∼1.0‐Myr very long obliquity period (close to 3(s4 − s3) − 2(g4 − g3) = 0) in the Paleoproterozoic. The sea‐level change curve predicted by dynamic noise models reveals a significant ∼1.0‐Myr period, indicating that sea level fluctuation may have been driven by the very long obliquity period. Bayesian inversion is used to further estimate the evolution of the ancient Earth‐Moon orbital parameters, constraining a precession rate of 87.14 ± 0.25 arcsec/year and an Earth‐Moon distance of 341,530 ± 390 km for the Paleoproterozoic Changcheng System. These results indicate that astronomical orbital forcing may have played an important role in climate and sea‐level changes in the Precambrian, increasing the understanding of the fundamentals of global sea level fluctuations, orbitally driven mechanisms and the chaotic behavior of the Precambrian solar system.
Evaluation of Radiatively Active Frozen Hydrometeors Mass in CMIP6 Global Climate Models Using CloudSat‐CALIPSO Observations
Authors: Li J.‐L.F. , Xu Kuan‐Man , Tsai Yu‐Cian , Lee Wei‐Liang , Jiang Jonathan H. , Yu Jia‐Yuh , Fetzer Eric , Wu Longtao , Stephens Graeme
Published: September 2023

This study uses derived 2C‐ICE estimates of frozen hydrometeors path (IWP) and vertical profile of ice water content (IWC) from CloudSat‐CALIPSO satellite measurements to evaluate stratiform floating ice (CIWP/CIWC), falling ice (snow) (SWP/SWC) and total ice (TIWP/TIWC) simulated by three subsets of CMIP6 models. They include those neglecting the falling ice (snow) radiative effects (NOS) or those considering these effects (SON) but with separate (SON2) or combined (SON1) frozen hydrometeors (cloud ice and falling ice) interacting with radiation. CIWP from NOS subset agrees with 2C‐ICE estimates better than SON2 except for overestimating over the trade‐wind regions. This is also the case for vertical profiles of regionally‐averaged CIWC, with the exception of overestimates in the lower troposphere of high latitudes by NOS. Falling ice (SWP/SWC) is simulated reasonably well in SON2 models against 2C‐ICE estimates, but with significant underestimates over mid‐ and high‐latitudes. Vertical shapes of regionally‐averaged SWC profiles are well reproduced but magnitudes are underestimated for all regions except for the middle troposphere of the tropical region. The inclusion of snow improves the agreement between the simulated TIWP/TIWC of SON1 and SON2 subsets and 2C‐ICE estimates, compared to the NOS subset. However, TIWP/TIWC are underestimated over the storm track and high latitude for all three subsets except for the tropical region of SON2. The aforementioned discrepancies are likely due to model physics, but observational estimates of frozen hydrometeors mass and content are also highly uncertain. Further studies are needed to improve both models and observational estimates of frozen hydrometeors mass.
Geochemical Differences Between Alive, Uncrusted and Dead, Crusted Shells of Neogloboquadrina pachyderma: Implications for Paleoreconstruction
Authors: Hupp Brittany N. , Fehrenbacher Jennifer S.
Published: September 2023

Planktic foraminiferal‐based trace element‐calcium ratios (TE/Ca) are a cornerstone in paleoceanographic reconstructions. While TE‐environment calibrations are often established through culturing experiments, shell growth in culture is not always consistent with growth in a natural setting. For example, many species of planktic foraminifera thicken their shell at the end of their life cycle, producing a distinct “gametogenic” crust. Crust is common in fossil foraminifers, however, shells grown in culture do not often develop a thick crust. Here, we investigate potential vital effects associated with the crusting process by comparing the trace element (Mg/Ca, Na/Ca, Ba/Ca, Sr/Ca, Mn/Ca, Zn/Ca) and stable isotope (δ13C, δ18O) composition of alive, fully mature, uncrusted shells to recently deceased, crusted shells of Neogloboquadrina pachyderma collected from the same plankton tows off the Oregon (USA) coast. We find that uncrusted (N = 55) shells yield significantly higher Ba/Ca, Na/Ca, Mn/Ca, and Sr/Ca than crusted (N = 66) shells, and crust calcite records significantly lower TE/Ca values for all elements examined. Isotopic mixing models suggest that the crust calcite accounts for ∼40%–70% of crusted shell volume. Comparison of foraminiferal and seawater isotopes indicate that N. pachyderma lives in the upper 90 m of the water column, and that crust formation occurs slightly deeper than their average living depth habitat. Results highlight the necessity to establish calibrations from crusted shells, as application of calibrations from TE‐enriched uncrusted shells may yield attenuated or misleading paleoceanographic reconstructions.
Establishment and effectiveness evaluation of pre-test probability model of coronary heart disease combined with cardiopulmonary exercise test indexes
Authors: Liu Si Xu , Yu Sheng Qin , Yang Kai Jing , Liu Ji Yi , Yang Fan , Li Ye , Yao Chang Li , Zhao Guang Sheng , Sun Feng Zhi
Published: September 2023

To establish a pre-test probability model of coronary heart disease (CHD) combined with cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) indexes and to compare the clinical effectiveness with Duke clinical score (DCS) and updated Diamond-Forrester model (UDFM), thus further explore the predictive value. 342 cases were used to establish the prediction model equation and another 80 cases were used to verify the effectiveness. The patients were divided into CHD group (n = 157) and non-CHD group (n = 185) according to coronary artery stenosis degree >50% or not. Combining DCS and UDFM as reference models with CPET indexes, a multivariate logistic regression model was established. The area under the ROC curve of the three models were calculated to compare the predictive effectiveness. There were significant differences in gender, chest pain type, myocardial infarction history, hypertension history, smoking, pathological Q wave and ST-T change between two groups (P < 0.01), as well as age, LVEF, heart rate at anaerobic domain, peak oxygen uptake in kilograms of body weight, percentage of peak oxygen uptake to the predicted value, the oxygen uptake efficiency slope and carbon dioxide ventilation equivalent slope (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed gender, age, chest pain type, myocardial infarction history, hypertension history, smoking, pathological Q wave, ST-T change, and peak oxygen pulse were independent risk factors of CHD. The pre-test probability model of CHD combined with CPET indexes has good distinguish and calibrate ability, its prediction accuracy is slightly better than DCS and UDFM, which still needs to be verified externally in more samples.
Sandwich-type double-layer piezoelectric nanogenerators based on one- and two-dimensional ZnO nanostructures with improved output performance
Authors: Fakhri Parisa , Eaianli Naeimeh , Bagherzadeh Roohollah , Jaleh Babak , Kashfi Mohammad , Fausto Rui
Published: September 2023

Piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) have attracted great interest owing to their broad range application in environmental mechanical energy harvesting to power small electronic devices. In this study, novel flexible and high-performance double-layer sandwich-type PENGs based on one-dimensional (1-D) and two-dimensional (2-D) zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures and Ni foam as the middle layer have been developed. The morphology and structure of 1- and 2-D ZnO nanostructures have been studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). To investigate the effect of structural design on the piezoelectric performance, single-layer PENGs were also fabricated. The piezoelectric output of all prepared PENGs were evaluated under different human impacts at various forces and frequencies. The double-layer designed PENGs showed a two times larger voltage output compared to the single-layer PENGs, and the use of Ni foam as middle-layer and of 2-D ZnO nanosheets (compared to 1-D nanorods) was also found to increase the performance of the designed PENGs. The working mechanism of the prepared PENGs is also discussed. The design of nanogenerators as double-layer sandwich structures instead of two integrated single-layer devices reduces the overall preparation time and processing steps and enhances their output performance, thus opening the gate for widening their practical applications.
Enhancement of spintronic terahertz emission enabled by increasing Hall angle and interfacial skew scattering
Authors: Wang Yangkai , Li Weiwei , Cheng Hao , Liu Zheng , Cui Zhangzhang , Huang Jun , Xiong Bing , Yang Jiwen , Huang Haoliang , Wang Jianlin , Fu Zhengping , Huang Qiuping , Lu Yalin
Published: September 2023

Spintronic terahertz (THz) emitters (STEs) based on magnetic heterostructures have emerged as promising THz sources. However, it is still a challenge to achieve a higher intensity STE to satisfy all kinds of practical applications. Herein, we report a STE based on Pt0.93(MgO)0.07/CoFeB nanofilm by introducing dispersed MgO impurities into Pt, which reaches a 200% intensity compared to Pt/CoFeB and approaches the signal of 500 μm ZnTe crystal under the same pump power. We obtain a smaller spin diffusion length of Pt0.93(MgO)0.07 and an increased thickness-dependent spin Hall angle relative to the undoped Pt. We also find that the thickness of a Pt layer leads to a drastic change in the interface role in the spintronic THz emission, suggesting that the underlying mechanism of THz emission enhancement is a combined effect of enhanced bulk spin hall angle and the interfacial skew scattering by MgO impurities. Our findings demonstrate a simple way to realize high-efficiency, stable, advanced spintronic THz devices.
Methane Valorization Processes: Challenges and Achievements
Authors: Theofanidis Stavros Alexandros , Poelman Hilde , Marin Guy B. , Galvita Vladimir V.
Published: September 2023

The valorization of methane sources to chemicals via direct conversion routes is a significant challenge, as the yields are far from economically interesting. Therefore, it is one of the most intensively studied research topics in catalysis. The search for an efficient process to convert methane to fuels and high added-value chemicals such as olefins, methanol and aromatics is inspired by two interrelated factors: (1) the constantly growing demand, as a result of rising living standards and population growth and (2) environmental concern regarding CO2 emission abatement. Rephrasing the truism “you cannot make money from methane by any direct route, except by burning it” sums up the great challenges of converting methane into fuels and chemicals in a cost-competitive way. Direct methane activation is one of the most challenging reactions the catalysis community faces: this goes without saying when considering the intensive and enormous amount of research on this topic, so far without any breakthrough development. For decades, catalysis has focused on producing small building blocks out of long oil molecules. C1 chemistry is placed at the top of current research mostly for the production of chemicals. The challenges are not trivial, since small and simple molecules (i.e. CH4, N2, and CO2) can be unreactive and/or difficult to activate. The purpose of this Chapter is to present the past and the future of methane valorization routes and to motivate researchers to work in this interesting and beneficial research area.
Homogeneously Catalysed Functionalization of Methane
Authors: Vanden Broeck Sofie M. P. , Cazin Catherine S. J. , Nolan Steven P.
Published: September 2023

In this contribution, the homogeneously catalysed functionalization of methane is discussed. The most important transformations presented deal with oxidation to methanol and/or methanol derivatives (such as methyl sulfonate and methyl trifluoroacetate), carbo(n)(x)ylation to acetic acid and hydroperoxidation to methyl hydroperoxide. For these transformations, a wide variety of metal catalysts is used; from mercury and palladium to more Earth abundant metals such as copper, iron and vanadium.
One-pot synthesis of functionalized bis(trifluoromethylated)benziodoxoles from iodine(i) precursors
Authors: Milzarek Tobias M. , Ramirez Nieves P. , Liu Xing-Yu , Waser Jerome
Published: September 2023

A one-pot synthesis of bis(trifluoromethylated)benziodoxoles from iodine(i) precursors has been developed. This method tolerates multiple functional groups on both alkyne and aromatic backbone.
Hydrodynamic radius of dendrimers in solvents
Authors: Khusnutdinova Naira R. , Markelov Denis A.
Published: September 2023

The calculation of the hydrodynamic radius of a dendrimer from the mean-square displacement requires a huge simulation box and large trajectory. The rotational diffusion method allows the use of smaller boxes to obtain accurate results.
Identification of structure–biodegradability relationships for ionic liquids – clustering of a dataset based on structural similarity
Authors: Amsel Ann-Kathrin , Olsson Oliver , Kümmerer Klaus
Published: September 2023

In silicocluster analysis of the ionic liquids’ dataset revealed new insights into structure–biodegradability relationships for improved biodegradability to design fully mineralising ionic liquids (benign by design).
Synthesis of Lewis adduct-based indenophenanthridine and study of its tunable optoelectronic properties toward an amine sensor
Authors: Jamuna Kannan , Govindharaj Prasannamani , Kamalakkannan Rajaram , Krishnan Aravind , Sebastian Amal Tom , Data Przemyslaw , Devi Natarajan Savitha , Sivakumar Shanmugam
Published: September 2023

A nitrogen-boron-based Lewis adduct synthesized from indenophenanthridine derivatives were found to exhibit remarkable photophysical properties and was found to be an efficient sensor for detection of volatile amines.
Catalytic activity of a palladium(ii) complex modified on multi-wall carbon nanotubes: an efficient catalyst for the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction
Authors: Keypour Hassan , Kouhdareh Jamal
Published: September 2023

We prepared a novel palladium (Pd) catalyst by loading palladium chloride onto novel functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The Pd(ii)/MWCNT complex efficiently and selectively catalyzed large-scale synthesis of target molecules with high yield and large turnover numbers.
Hydrogen-bond-assisted topochemical synthesis of a multivalent zwitterionic tetramer via concomitant cross- and homo [2+2] photocycloadditions. Theoretical antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Escalona Ana , Heinemann Frank W. , Briceño Alexander , Alvarado Ysaias J. , Paz José Luis , Lossada Carla , González-Paz Lenin , Toro Robert , Henao José Antonio
Published: September 2023

A multivalent zwitterionic tetramer with a pentacyclic ladderane-like core is obtained by a triple topochemical photoreaction, assisted by hydrogen bonding interactions.
Running Critical Power: A Comparison Of Different Theoretical
Models
Authors: Ruiz-Alias Santiago A. , Ñancupil-Andrade Alberto A , Pérez-Castilla Alejandro , García-Pinillos Felipe
Published: September 2023

This study aimed (i) to compare the critical power (CP) and work capacity over CP
(W´) values reported by the different CP models available in current
analysis software packages (Golden Cheetah and Stryd platform), (ii) to locate
the CP values in the power-duration curve (PDC), and (iii) to determine the
influence of the CP model used on the W´ balance. Fifteen trained
athletes performed four time trials (i. e., 3, 5, 10,
20 minutes) to define their PDC through different CP models: work-time
(CPwork), power-1/time (CP1/time),
Morton hyperbolic (CPhyp), Stryd platform (CPstryd), and
Bioenergetic Golden Cheetah (CPCheetah). Three additional time trials
were performed: two to locate the CP values in the PDC (30 and
60 minutes), and one to test the validity of the W’ balance
model (4 minutes). Significant differences (p<0.001) were
reported between models for the estimated parameters (CP, W´).
CPcheetah was associated with the power output developed between
10 to 20 minutes, CP1/time, CPstryd
CPwork and CPhyp. The W´ reported by the
three-parameter CP models overestimated the actual 4 minutes time to
exhaustion, with CPwork (0.48 [− 0.19 to 1.16]
minutes); and CP1/time (0.40 [− 0.13 to 0.94]
minutes) being the only valid models (p≥0.240).
Facile Installation of β-Hydroxyarylethylamino Motifs at the C2-Position of Quinoline Moiety via Copper-Catalyzed [3+3]-Cycloaddition Reaction of N-Oxide with N-Ts Aziridine
Authors: Das Animesh , Konwar Monuranjan , Das Tapashi , Naskar Arpan , Murmu Ranjit
Published: September 2023

A general and atom-efficient synthesis of quinoline-C2-substituted β-hydroxyarylethylamino derivatives was achieved by copper-catalyzed [3+3]-cycloaddition reaction of N-oxide with N-Ts aziridines. Notably, temperature has a huge impact on this transformation as evidenced by the fact that, at 80 °C, exclusively the [3+3] cycloadduct was isolated whereas, at elevated temperature (140 °C), it has been converted into the aminated product with good yield. Notably, there is no byproduct in the overall process. The use of base-free conditions, excellent site selectivity, and good functional group tolerance are the important features of the process.
Pd-catalyzed Stereodivergent [4+2] Annulation to Access [6.7]-Fused N-Heterocycles
Authors: Huang Yuan , Ma Zhan-Cai
Published: September 2023

Stereodivergent synthesis of N-heterocycle frameworks bearing 1,3-nonadjacent stereogenic centers through a single transformation remains a high-priority challenge in organic synthesis. Herein, we highlight our recent discovery of stereodivergent access to such useful structural motifs using Pd-catalyzed [4+2] annulation reactions of vinyl benzoxazinaones and seven-membered cyclic N-sulfonyl aldimines. A wide range of N-heterocycles with 1,3-nonadjacent stereogenic centers were obtained in high efficiency and stereodivergency. Importantly, the polarity of solvents was found to play a key role in switching the diastereoselectivity. Furthermore, good enantioselectivities of these reactions were achieved by the employment of commercially available Wingphos as the chiral ligand.
Experimental realization of an ultra-thin and continuous scanning metasurface mimicking a Luneburg lens
Authors: Feng Junlang , Chen Wenqiong , Shou Haijun , Zhang Jingwei , Lv Huanchang , Mei Zhonglei
Published: September 2023

Luneburg lens is traditionally a spherical dielectric with centro-symmetric and graded refractive index, which has been widely applied in civilian and military fields due to its outstanding abilities of focusing or collimating electromagnetic waves. However, the existing designs of Luneburg lens generally suffer from the disadvantages of bulkiness, complex fabrication process, and limited scanning angles, etc. Herein, a planar metasurface that could mimic the planar Luneburg lens is designed by utilizing the addition theorem. It has been experimentally verified that the Luneburg-like lens has large and continuous scanning angles from −52° to 52° at a frequency of 10 GHz if an excitation antenna is moved along a straight line. Besides, the total thickness of the proposed lens is only 3 mm and it has the advantages of low cost, ease of fabrication, as well as being isolated from the feeder. As a result, the proposed Luneburg-like lens has great potential values of being flexibly applied in numerous fields.
Verbally mediated data
Authors: Leow Ronald P. , Bowles Melissa A.
Published: September 2023

This chapter explores how think-alouds (TAs) and
stimulated recalls (SRs) have been used to study cognitive processing, with
a particular focus on writing processes. We describe the two types of verbal
report and discuss the kinds of research questions that each is well-suited
to answer, as well as considerations to be addressed when deciding which one
to use in a given research design. We then discuss the validity of TAs and
SRs and assess the robustness of findings from empirical studies on the
writing process that have used TAs and SRs. We conclude by providing some
future directions for research to move the field of L2 writing processes
forward.
An ultra-stable laser based on molecular iodine with a short-term instability of 3.3 × 10−15 for space based gravity missions
Authors: Zhang Zhenqi , Wang Zhiyuan , Liu Hongli , Yuan Wenhao , You Wen , Zhang Jie , Deng Ke , Lu Zehuang
Published: September 2023

Many space based gravity missions require frequency stabilized lasers with stringent requirements. Toward those requirements, we develop a compact frequency-stabilized laser which is referenced to the R(56)32−0: a1 transition of molecular iodine based on the modulation transfer spectroscopy technique. The stability of the laser is limited by the beam pointing noise, the electronic servo noise, and the residual amplitude modulation (RAM) noise. To improve the beam pointing stability, the system is constructed by gluing most components of the optical system on an ultra-low expansion glass base. We use a pre-amplifier to suppress the electronic servo noise, and use a wedged electro-optic phase modulator to suppress the RAM noise. The fractional frequency instability of the system is evaluated to be 3.3 × 10−15 at 2 s and 4 s averaging time, and is lower than 6 × 10−15 at averaging times from 1 s to 10 000 s. To our knowledge, this is the best short-term (1–4 s) instability reported so far for an iodine stabilized laser. The stability fully meets the requirements of next generation gravity mission and laser interferometer space antenna mission.
Superconductor-semiconductor hybrid capacitance with a nonlinear charge–voltage profile
Authors: Lauwens Joachim , Kerkhofs Lars , Sala Arnau , Sorée Bart
Published: September 2023

Electronic devices that work in the quantum regime often employ hybrid nanostructures to bring about a nonlinear behaviour. The nonlinearity that these can provide has proven to be useful, in particular, for applications in quantum computation. Here we present a hybrid device that acts as a capacitor with a nonlinear charge–voltage relation. The device consists of a nanowire placed between the plates of a coplanar capacitor, with a co-parallel alignment. At low temperatures, due to the finite density of states on the nanowire, the charge distribution in the capacitor is uneven and energy-dependent, resulting in a charge-dependent effective capacitance. We study this system analytically and numerically, and show that the nonlinearity of the capacitance is significant enough to be utilized in circuit quantum electrodynamics. The resulting nonlinearity can be switched on, modulated, and switched off by an external potential, thus making this capacitive device highly versatile for uses in quantum computation.
Unveiling of incubation and absorption-enhanced effects occurring during multi-shot femtosecond laser ablation of aluminum and steel surfaces
Authors: Wang Pengjie , Peng Qing
Published: September 2023

Interactions between ultrafast lasers and metal targets are crucial in various laser micro/nano-machinings. However, the underlying incubation and absorption-enhancement mechanisms remain elusive, which hinders the quality control of laser processing. Herein, we studied the incubation effect and absorption enhancement during multi-shot femtosecond-laser ablations via combining experiments and hydrodynamic simulations, taking aluminum alloy and stainless steels as paradigm materials. Accumulation effects of heat and damage-induced deformation were revealed by the evolutions of microstructures induced by low-energy femtosecond lasers. The calculated ablation thresholds were reduced with shot number, demonstrating the incubation effect. Calculation of threshold fluence via crater diameter is better than ablation depth, because that the latter is determined by different parameters at low- and high-energy conditions. Experimental observations and hydrodynamic simulations indicated that the enhanced absorption could be attributed to several factors, including laser-induced surface micro/sub-micro structures, photoionization, and plasma evolutions.
Azimuthal ion movement in HiPIMS plasmas—part I: velocity distribution function
Authors: Thiemann-Monjé S , Held J , Schüttler S , von Keudell A , Schulz-von der Gathen V
Published: September 2023

Magnetron sputtering discharges feature complex magnetic field configurations to confine the electrons close to the cathode surface. This magnetic field configuration gives rise to a strong electron drift in azimuthal direction, with typical drift velocities on the order of 100 km s−1. In high power impulse magnetron sputtering plasmas, the ions have also been observed to follow the movement of electrons with velocities of a few km s−1, despite being not magnetized. In this work, we report on measurements of the azimuthal ion velocity using spatially resolved optical emission spectroscopy, allowing for a more direct measurement compared to experiments performed using mass spectrometry. The azimuthal ion velocities increase with target distance, peaking at about 1.55 km s−1 for argon ions and 1.25 km s−1 for titanium ions. Titanium neutrals are also found to follow the azimuthal ion movement which is explained with resonant charge exchange collisions. The experiments are then compared to a simple test-particle simulation of the titanium ion movement, yielding good agreement to the experiments when only considering the momentum transfer from electrons to ions via Coulomb collisions as the only source of acceleration in azimuthal direction. Based on these results, we propose this momentum transfer as the primary source for ion acceleration in azimuthal direction.
Tuning and exploiting interlayer coupling in two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Jiao Chenyin , Pei Shenghai , Wu Song , Wang Zenghui , Xia Juan
Published: September 2023

Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials can stack into new material systems, with van der Waals (vdW) interaction between the adjacent constituent layers. This stacking process of 2D atomic layers creates a new degree of freedom—interlayer interface between two adjacent layers—that can be independently studied and tuned from the intralayer degree of freedom. In such heterostructures (HSs), the physical properties are largely determined by the vdW interaction between the individual layers, i.e. interlayer coupling, which can be effectively tuned by a number of means. In this review, we summarize and discuss a number of such approaches, including stacking order, electric field, intercalation, and pressure, with both their experimental demonstrations and theoretical predictions. A comprehensive overview of the modulation on structural, optical, electrical, and magnetic properties by these four approaches are also presented. We conclude this review by discussing several prospective research directions in 2D HSs field, including fundamental physics study, property tuning techniques, and future applications.
Robust stellarator optimization via flat mirror magnetic fields
Authors: Velasco J.L. , Calvo I. , Sánchez E. , Parra F.I.
Published: September 2023

Stellarator magnetic configurations need to be optimized in order to meet all the required properties of a fusion reactor. In this work, it is shown that a flat-mirror quasi-isodynamic (QI) configuration (i.e. a QI configuration with sufficiently small radial variation of the mirror term) can achieve small radial transport of energy and good confinement of bulk and fast ions even if it is not very close to perfect omnigeneity, and for a wide range of plasma scenarios, including low β and small radial electric field. This opens the door to constructing better stellarator reactors. On the one hand, they would be easier to design, as they would be robust against error fields. On the other hand, they would be easier to operate since, both during startup and steady-state operation, they would require less auxiliary power, and the heat loads on plasma-facing components caused by fast ion losses would be reduced to acceptable levels.
Drift kinetic theory of neoclassical tearing modes in tokamak plasmas: polarisation current and its effect on magnetic island threshold physics
Authors: Dudkovskaia A.V. , Connor J.W. , Dickinson D. , Hill P. , Imada K. , Leigh S. , Wilson H.R.
Published: September 2023

A nonlinear 4-dimensional drift island theory derived in (Imada et al 2019 Nucl. Fusion
59 046016 and references therein) provides qualitative predictions of the plasma response to a stationary neoclassical tearing mode (NTM) magnetic island in a low beta, large aspect ratio tokamak plasma. (Dudkovskaia et al 2021 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion
63 054001) refines a model for the magnetic drift frequency and exploits the limit of rare collisions, reducing this theory to 3-dimensional and thus providing a more accurate treatment of the trapped-passing boundary layer. The drift island theory is further improved in (Dudkovskaia et al 2023 Nucl. Fusion
63 016020) by introducing plasma shaping and finite beta effects. In the present paper, an improved model is adopted to resolve the drift island separatrix boundary layer, allowing one to investigate the polarisation current contribution that exists around the magnetic island separatrix, including in the presence of the background electric field. In particular, different magnetic topologies from both sides of the separatrix generate a radial discontinuity in the distribution function gradient there, when collisions are neglected. Allowing for collisional dissipation in the leading order distribution function around the separatrix resolves this discontinuity, smoothing the density distribution. The overall effect of the polarisation current on the NTM threshold is then combined from the outer contributions that exist outside the layer, as well as the separatrix layer piece, and self-consistently accounts for the electrostatic potential reconstructed from plasma quasi-neutrality. The corresponding NTM threshold is quantified and compared with previous predictions of (Dudkovskaia et al 2021 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion
63 054001, Dudkovskaia et al 2023 Nucl. Fusion
63 016020).
A production interface to enable legacy factories for industry 4.0
Authors: Kwok Tsz Ho , Gaasenbeek Tom
Published: September 2023

Due to the recent pandemic, our factory operations have experienced significant setbacks, prompting the need for factory automation to maintain productivity. However, most of our factories rely heavily on human input and oversight and cannot operate remotely. Automating our factories has revealed technological gaps that fall short of our expectations, needs, and vision. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to bridge this gap by introducing practical methodologies and applied technology that can enhance legacy factories and their equipment. Our proposed solution is the ORiON Production Interface (OPI) unit, which can function as a smart networked edge device for virtually any machine, allowing the factory to operate efficiently. We have incorporated various computer vision algorithms into the OPI unit, enabling it to autonomously detect errors, make decentralized decisions, and control quality. Despite the concept of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) being known, many machines in use today are closed source and unable to communicate or join a network. Our research offers a viable solution to implement Industry 4.0 in existing factories, and experimental results have demonstrated various applications such as process monitoring, part positioning, and broken tool detection. Our intelligent networked system is novel and enables factories to be more innovative and responsive, ultimately leading to enhanced productivity. All manufacturing companies interested in adopting Industry 4.0 technology can benefit from it, and the OPI, being an IoT device, is also an appealing option for developers and hobbyists alike.
Volumes of definable sets in o-minimal expansions and affine GAGA theorems
Authors: Brosnan Patrick
Published: September 2023

In this mostly expository note, I give a quick proof of the definable Chow theorem of Peterzil and Starchenko using the Bishop-Stoll theorem and a volume estimate for definable sets due to Nguyen and Valette. The volume estimate says that any

d
d

-dimensional definable subset of

S
⊆

R

n

S\subseteq \mathbb {R}^n

in an o-minimal expansion of the ordered field of real numbers satisfies the inequality

H

d

(
{
x
∈
S
:
‖
x
‖
>
r
}
)
≤
C

r
d

\mathcal {H}^d(\{x\in S:\lVert x\rVert >r\})\leq Cr^d

, where

H

d

\mathcal {H}^d

denotes the

d
d

-dimensional Hausdorff measure on

R

n

\mathbb {R}^n

and

C
C

is a constant depending on

S
S

. Since this note is intended to be helpful to algebraic geometers not versed in o-minimal structures and definable sets, I review these notions and also prove the main volume estimate from scratch.
Geometry of logarithmic derivations of hyperplane arrangements
Authors: Denham Graham , Steiner Avi
Published: September 2023

We study the Hadamard product of the linear forms defining a hyperplane arrangement with those of its dual, which we view as generating an ideal in a certain polynomial ring. We use this ideal, which we call the ideal of pairs, to study logarithmic derivations and critical set varieties of arrangements in a way which is symmetric with respect to matroid duality. Our main result exhibits the variety of the ideal of pairs as a subspace arrangement whose components correspond to cyclic flats of the arrangement. As a corollary, we are able to give geometric explanations of some freeness and projective dimension results due to Ziegler and Kung–Schenck.
Racial and Economic Segregation Over the Life Course and Incident Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy Among Black Women in California
Authors: Francis Brittney , Pearl Michelle , Colen Cynthia , Shoben Abigail , Sealy-Jefferson Shawnita
Published: September 2023

Black women in the United States have the highest incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and are disproportionately burdened by its adverse sequalae, compared with women of all racial and ethnic groups. Segregation, a key driver of structural racism for Black families, can provide information critical to understanding these disparities. We examined the association between racial and economic segregation at 2 points and incident HDP using intergenerationally linked birth records of 45,204 Black California-born primiparous mothers (born 1982–1997) and their infants (born 1997–2011), with HDP ascertained from hospital discharge records. Women’s early childhood and adulthood neighborhoods were categorized as deprived, mixed, or privileged based on the Index of Concentration at the Extremes (a measure of concentrated racial and economic segregation), yielding 9 life-course trajectories. Women living in deprived neighborhoods at both time points experienced the highest odds of HDP (from mixed effect logistic regression, unadjusted odds ratio = 1.26, 95% confidence interval: 1.13, 1.40) compared with women living in privileged neighborhoods at both time points. All trajectories involving residence in a deprived neighborhood in early childhood or adulthood were associated with increased odds of HDP, whereas mixed-privileged and privileged-mixed trajectories were not. Future studies should assess the causal nature of these associations.
Advances in 3D solar flare modelling
Authors: Druett Malcolm , Jeffrey Natasha
Published: September 2023

Malcolm Druett and Natasha Jeffrey report on the RAS Specialist Discussion Meeting entitled ‘Advances in 3D Solar Flare Modelling’
Role of pattern recognition receptors in chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain
Authors: Araldi Dionéia , Khomula Eugen V , Bonet Ivan J M , Bogen Oliver , Green Paul G , Levine Jon D
Published: September 2023

Progress in the development of effective chemotherapy is producing a growing population of patients with acute and chronic painful chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a serious treatment-limiting side effect for which there is currently no US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment.

CIPNs induced by diverse classes of chemotherapy drugs have remarkably similar clinical presentations, leading to the suggestion they share underlying mechanisms. Sensory neurons share with immune cells the ability to detect damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), molecules produced by diverse cell types in response to cellular stress and injury, including by chemotherapy drugs. DAMPs, in turn, are ligands for pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), several of which are found on sensory neurons, as well as satellite cells, and cells of the immune system. In the present experiments, we evaluated the role of two PRRs, TLR4 and RAGE, present in dorsal root ganglion (DRG), in CIPN.

Antisense (AS)-oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) against TLR4 and RAGE mRNA were administered intrathecally before (‘prevention protocol’) or 3 days after (‘reversal protocol’) the last administration of each of three chemotherapy drugs that treat cancer by different mechanisms (oxaliplatin, paclitaxel and bortezomib). TLR4 and RAGE AS-ODN prevented the development of CIPN induced by all three chemotherapy drugs. In the reversal protocol, however, while TLR4 AS-ODN completely reversed oxaliplatin- and paclitaxel-induced CIPN, in rats with bortezomib-induced CIPN it only produced a temporary attenuation. RAGE AS-ODN, in contrast, reversed CIPN induced by all three chemotherapy drugs.

When a TLR4 antagonist was administered intradermally to the peripheral nociceptor terminal, it did not affect CIPN induced by any of the chemotherapy drugs. However, when administered intrathecally, to the central terminal, it attenuated hyperalgesia induced by all three chemotherapy drugs, compatible with a role of TLR4 in neurotransmission at the central terminal but not sensory transduction at the peripheral terminal.

Finally, since it has been established that cultured DRG neurons can be used to study direct effects of chemotherapy on nociceptors, we also evaluated the role of TLR4 in CIPN at the cellular level, using patch-clamp electrophysiology in DRG neurons cultured from control and chemotherapy-treated rats. We found that increased excitability of small-diameter DRG neurons induced by in vivo and in vitro exposure to oxaliplatin is TLR4-dependent. Our findings suggest that in addition to the established contribution of PRR-dependent neuroimmune mechanisms, PRRs in DRG cells also have an important role in CIPN.
Structural and functional network analysis of twins using fMRI data
Authors: Yao Xing , Klugah-Brown Benjamin , Yang Hang , Biswal Bharat
Published: September 2023

Similarities between twins have been widely demonstrated, underscoring the remarkable influence of genetics across numerous traits. In this study, we explore the genetic underpinnings of the human brain by examining MRI data from the Queensland Twin Imaging study. Specifically, this study seeks to compare brain structure and function between twins and unrelated subjects, with an emphasis on describing the effects of genetic factors. To achieve these goals, we employed the source-based morphometry method to extract intrinsic components and elucidate recognizable patterns. Our results show that twins exhibit a higher degree of similarity in gray and white matter density compared with unrelated individuals. In addition, four distinct states of brain activity were identified using coactivation patterns analysis. Furthermore, twins demonstrated a greater degree of similarity in the temporal and spatial features of each state compared with unrelated subjects. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that twins show greater similarity in both brain structure and dynamic functional brain activity. Further exploration of these methods may advance our understanding of the complex interplay between genes, environment, and brain networks.
‘The solution is we need to have a centre’: a study on diabetes in Liberia
Authors: Bleah Paulina , Wilson Rosemary , Macdonald Danielle , Camargo-Plazas Pilar
Published: September 2023

In Liberia, one of the poorest nations in sub-Saharan Africa, the burden of diabetes is a growing concern. The high mortality and morbidity associated with diabetes have significant implications for individuals, families and society at large. The aim of this critical hermeneutic study was to explore what it is like to live with diabetes in Liberia. We recruited 10 participants from Monrovia, Liberia to partake in this study. Photovoice, a well-established participatory data collection approach was used to gather images and stories that represented participants’ everyday experiences of living with diabetes. Three major themes were uncovered, highlighting the strengths, challenges and solutions related to living with diabetes in Liberia: strengths—engagement in diabetes self-management practices, focused on participants’ commitment to engage in diabetes self-management practices despite the socioeconomic challenges they experienced; challenges—lack of social and economic support, focused on limited access to food, diabetes medications and supplies and diabetes education; and solutions—centre for diabetes education, care and support, focused on participants’ recommendations for a community-based diabetes centre, a single point of access for meeting the needs of people with diabetes. A strong commitment to prioritize diabetes on Liberia’s national health agenda and increased resources for diabetes care is needed to address the challenges experienced by people living with this chronic disease in Liberia.
Diagnosing Viral Infections Through T-Cell Receptor Sequencing of Activated CD8+ T Cells
Authors: Vujkovic Alexandra , Ha My , de Block Tessa , van Petersen Lida , Brosius Isabel , Theunissen Caroline , van Ierssel Sabrina H , Bartholomeus Esther , Adriaensen Wim , Vanham Guido , Elias George , Van Damme Pierre , Van Tendeloo Viggo , Beutels Philippe , van Frankenhuijsen Maartje , Vlieghe Erika , Ogunjimi Benson , Laukens Kris , Meysman Pieter , Vercauteren Koen
Published: September 2023

T-cell–based diagnostic tools identify pathogen exposure but lack differentiation between recent and historical exposures in acute infectious diseases. Here, T-cell receptor (TCR) RNA sequencing was performed on HLA-DR+/CD38+CD8+ T-cell subsets of hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients (n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 30; 10 of whom had previously been exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]). CDR3α and CDR3β TCR regions were clustered separately before epitope specificity annotation using a database of SARS-CoV-2–associated CDR3α and CDR3β sequences corresponding to >1000 SARS-CoV-2 epitopes. The depth of the SARS-CoV-2–associated CDR3α/β sequences differentiated COVID-19 patients from the healthy controls with a receiver operating characteristic area under the curve of 0.84 ± 0.10. Hence, annotating TCR sequences of activated CD8+ T cells can be used to diagnose an acute viral infection and discriminate it from historical exposure. In essence, this work presents a new paradigm for applying the T-cell repertoire to accomplish TCR-based diagnostics.
The first case of a littoral spleen-preserving resection: a case report
Authors: Lew Chen , Dhadlie Sunny , Hussey Daniel , Mayavel Naveen , Skinner Stewart , Wilson Kasmira
Published: September 2023

Littoral cell angiomas are uncommon primary splenic haemangiomas with rare malignant potential. We report a case of a 76-year-old male with an incidental solitary littoral cell angioma found within an accessory spleen. We provide an overview of the literature of littoral cell angiomas and highlight the diagnostic challenge and treatment of this important differential for general surgeons caring for patients with splenic masses. This is the first case to describe primary resection of a littoral cell angioma with splenic preservation.
Iron and zinc homeostasis in plants: a matter of trade-offs
Authors: Hanikenne Marc , Bouché Frédéric
Published: September 2023

This article comments on:

Stanton C, Rodríguez-Celma J, Krämer U, Sanders D, Balk J. 2023. BRUTUS-LIKE (BTSL) E3 ligase-mediated fine-tuning of Fe regulation negatively affects Zn tolerance of Arabidopsis. Journal of Experimental Botany 74, 5767–5782.
Extensin and senescence: a cell wall connection
Authors: Kurepa Jasmina , Smalle Jan A
Published: September 2023

This article comments on:

Lu H, Niu X, Fan Y, Yuan Y, Huang L, Zhao B, Liu Y, Xiao F. 2023. The extensin protein SAE1 plays a role in leaf senescence and is targeted by the ubiquitin ligase SINA4 in tomato. Journal of Experimental Botany 74, 5635–5652.
Dissecting the Gaia HR diagram – II. The vertical structure of the star formation history across the solar cylinder
Authors: Mazzi Alessandro , Girardi Léo , Trabucchi Michele , Dalcanton Julianne J , Luger Rodrigo , Marigo Paola , Miglio Andrea , Costa Guglielmo , Chen Yang , Pastorelli Giada , Fouesneau Morgan , Zaggia Simone , Bressan Alessandro , Dal Tio Piero
Published: September 2023

Starting from the Gaia DR3 HR diagram, we derive the star formation history (SFH) as a function of distance from the Galactic plane within a cylinder centred on the Sun with a 200 pc radius and spanning 1.3 kpc above and below the Galaxy’s midplane. We quantify both the concentration of the more recent star formation in the Galactic plane, and the age-related increase in the scale height of the Galactic disc stellar component, which is well-described by power laws with indices ranging from 1/2 to 2/3. The vertically-integrated star formation rate falls from $(1.147 \pm 0.039)\times 10^{-8}\, \text{M}_\odot \, \text{yr}^{-1} \, \text{pc}^{-2}$ at earlier times down to $(6.2 \pm 3.0) \times 10^{-9}\, \text{M}_\odot \, \text{yr}^{-1} \, \text{pc}^{-2}$ at present times, but we find a significant peak of star formation in the 2–3 Gyr age bin. The total mass of stars formed per unit area over time is $118.7 \pm 6.2\, \text{M}_\odot \, \text{pc}^{-2}$, which is nearly twice the present stellar mass derived from kinematics within 1 kpc from the Galactic plane, implying a high degree of matter recycling in successive generations of stars. The method is then modified by adopting an age-dependent correlation between the SFH across the different slices, which results in less noisy and more symmetrical results without significantly changing the previously mentioned quantities. This appears to be a promising way to improve SFH recovery in external galaxies.