bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatic identification method of bridge structure damage area based on digital image
Authors: Wang Jinchao , Liu Houcheng , Han Zengqiang , Wang Yiteng
Published: August 2023

It is of great scientific and practical value to use effective technical means to monitor and warn the structural damage of bridges in real time and for a long time. Traditional image recognition network models are often limited by the lack of on-site images. In order to solve the problem of automatic recognition and parameter acquisition in digital images of bridge structures in the absence of data information, this paper proposes an automatic identification method for bridge structure damage areas based on digital images, which effectively achieves contour carving and quantitative characterization of bridge structure damage areas. Firstly, the digital image features of the bridge structure damage area are defined. By making full use of the feature that the pixel value of the damaged area is obviously different from that of the surrounding image, an image pre-processing method of the structure damaged area that can effectively improve the quality of the field shot image is proposed. Then, an improved Ostu method is proposed to organically fuse the global and local threshold features of the image to achieve the damaged area contour carving of the bridge structure surface image. The scale of damage area, the proportion of damage area and the calculation rule of damage area orientation are constructed. The key inspection and characteristic parameter diagnosis of bridge structure damage area are realized. Finally, test and analysis are carried out in combination with an actual project case. The results show that the method proposed in this paper is feasible and stable, which can improve the damage area measurement accuracy of the current bridge structure. The method can provide more data support for the detection and maintenance of the bridge structure.
Improving the efficiency of 4A-zeolite synthesized from kaolin by amine functionalization for CO2 capture
Authors: Bahmanzadegan Fatemeh , Pordsari Mahyar Ashourzadeh , Ghaemi Ahad
Published: August 2023

This study focuses on optimizing the CO2 adsorption capacity of 4A-zeolite synthesized from kaolin by employing structural modifications through impregnation with tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) and diethanolamine (DEA). Various analytical techniques were utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of these modifications. Design expert software and response surface methodology (RSM) was employed for data analysis and operational variable optimization, leading to improved CO2 adsorption performance of the modified zeolites. The adsorption capacity of the modified zeolites was assessed under different temperatures, pressures, and amine concentrations using a test device. The optimal adsorption capacity of 4A-DEA adsorbent is found to be 579.468 mg/g, with the optimal operational variables including a temperature of 25.270 °C, pressure of 8.870 bar, and amine concentration of 11.112 wt%. The analysis shows that the adsorption process involves both physisorption and chemisorption, and the best kinetic model is the fractional-factor model.
Alternating L4 loop architecture of the bacterial polysaccharide co-polymerase WzzE
Authors: Wiseman Benjamin , Widmalm Göran , Högbom Martin
Published: August 2023

Lipopolysaccharides such as the enterobacterial common antigen are important components of the enterobacterial cell envelope that act as a protective barrier against the environment and are often polymerized by the inner membrane bound Wzy-dependent pathway. By employing cryo-electron microscopy we show that WzzE, the co-polymerase component of this pathway that is responsible for the length modulation of the enterobacterial common antigen, is octameric with alternating up-down conformations of its L4 loops. The alternating up-down nature of these essential loops, located at the top of the periplasmic bell, are modulated by clashing helical faces between adjacent protomers that flank the L4 loops around the octameric periplasmic bell. This alternating arrangement and a highly negatively charged binding face create a dynamic environment in which the polysaccharide chain is extended, and suggest a ratchet-type mechanism for polysaccharide elongation.
Drone swarm strategy for the detection and tracking of occluded targets in complex environments
Authors: Amala Arokia Nathan Rakesh John , Kurmi Indrajit , Bimber Oliver
Published: August 2023

Drone swarms can achieve tasks via collaboration that are impossible for single drones alone. Synthetic aperture (SA) sensing is a signal processing technique that takes measurements from limited size sensors and computationally combines the data to mimic sensor apertures of much greater widths. Here we use SA sensing and propose an adaptive real-time particle swarm optimization (PSO) strategy for autonomous drone swarms to detect and track occluded targets in densely forested areas. Simulation results show that our approach achieved a maximum target visibility of 72% within 14 seconds. In comparison, blind sampling strategies resulted in only 51% visibility after 75 seconds and 19% visibility in 3 seconds for sequential brute force sampling and parallel sampling respectively. Our approach provides fast and reliable detection of occluded targets, and demonstrates the feasibility and efficiency of using swarm drones for search and rescue in areas that are not easily accessed by humans, such as forests and disaster sites.
Circulating extracellular vesicles containing S100A9 reflect histopathology, immunophenotype and therapeutic responses of liver metastasis in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Tsamchoe Migmar , Lazaris Anthoula , Kim Diane , Krzywon Lucyna , Bloom Jessica , Mayer Thomas , Petrillo Stephanie K , Dejgaard Kurt , Gao Zu-Hua , Rak Janusz , Metrakos Peter
Published: August 2023

Background

Metastasis is the principal cause of cancer treatment failure and an area of dire diagnostic needs. Colorectal cancer metastases to the liver (CRCLMs) are predominantly classified into desmoplastic and replacement based on their histological growth patterns (HGPs). Desmoplastic responds well to current treatments, while replacement HGP has a poor prognosis with low overall survival rates.

Methods

We hypothesised that complex cellular response underlying HGPs may be reflected in the proteome of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs). EV proteomics data was generated through LC-MS/MS and analysed with Maxquant and Perseus. To validate the S100A9 signature, ELISA was performed, and IHC and IF were conducted on tissue for marker detection and colocalization study.

Results

Plasma EV proteome signature distinguished desmoplastic from the replacement in patients with 22 differentially expressed proteins, including immune related markers. Unsupervised PCA analysis revealed clear separation of the two lesions. The marker with the highest confidence level to stratify the two HGPs was S100A9, which was traced in CRCLM lesions and found to colocalize with macrophages and neutrophils. EV-associated S100A9 in plasma may reflect the innate immunity status of metastatic lesions and their differential therapeutic responses.

Conclusion

Plasma EV-derived S100A9 could be useful in personalising therapy in patients with CRCLM.
Metal–Organic Frameworks for Sensing Applications
Authors: Wachholz Dagwin , Kubota Lauro Tatsuo
Published: August 2023

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), also known as coordination polymers, have attracted great attention in the last few years due to their unique chemical and physical properties, such as high crystallinity, high porosity and surface area, tuneable structure, and high thermal stability. In combination with their high catalytic activity and density of active sites, these materials are suitable for use in gas storage and separation, catalysis, and, more recently, imaging and sensing. Many MOF-based sensing platforms have been reported for analytical applications in the biomedical, environmental, safety, and food areas, including the detection of heavy metal ions, anions, small molecules, pesticides, organic compounds, gases, and other important biomolecules. These sensors have shown unique and enhanced performance in chemical sensing with high sensitivity, selectivity, and reliability. Furthermore, by chemical modifications and incorporation of specific materials, MOF-based composites can be used to improve sensor performance, opening the possibility for developing a novel class of sensing devices. This chapter focuses on the recent advances in MOF-based sensors, including different signal transduction strategies (optical, electrochemical, and mechanical), the design of specific MOF-based sensing devices, and their current limitations and challenges to overcome.
Plasmonic gold dogbone nanorattles sniff out trace molecules through surface enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Bhardwaj Keshav , Singh Khushal , Jaiswal Amit
Published: August 2023

Herein, the synthesis of gold dogbone nanorattles for SERS-based sensing of trace analytes is reported. These nanorattles were then deposited onto a heat shrink film to create a SERS substrate for the sensing and detection of trace molecules.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in white-tailed sea eagle eggs from Sweden: temporal trends (1969–2021), spatial variations, fluorine mass balance, and suspect screening
Authors: Haque Faiz , Soerensen Anne L. , Sköld Martin , Awad Raed , Spaan Kyra M. , Lauria Mélanie Z. , Plassmann Merle M. , Benskin Jonathan P.
Published: August 2023

Identification of novel PFAS, updating spatiotemporal trends and providing a framework for understanding white-tailed sea eagle PFAS exposure in Sweden.
Permeate microbiome reflects the biofilm microbial community in a gravity-driven woven-fiber microfiltration (WFMF) system for wastewater treatment
Authors: Huanambal-Sovero Victor A. , Abkar Leili , Ovie Efemena S. , Colangelo Teresa , Julian Timothy R. , Beck Sara E.
Published: August 2023

The gravity-driven WFMF system reduced microbial concentrations and activity. Its biofilm was more determinant than the influent on the permeate microbiome.
Trace elements in peat bog porewaters: indicators of dissolution of atmospheric dusts and aerosols from anthropogenic and natural sources
Authors: Shotyk William , Barraza Fiorella , Butt Sundas , Chen Na , Cuss Chad W. , Devito Kevin , Frost Lukas , Grant-Weaver Iain , Javed Muhammad Babar , Noernberg Tommy , Oleksandrenko Andrii
Published: August 2023

Trace elements in peat bog porewater: indicators of dissolution of atmospheric dusts and aerosols from anthropogenic & natural sources.
Enhanced removal of Ce(iii) and Sr(ii) ions from aqueous solution using ultrasonication-assisted sawdust-TiO2 sorbent
Authors: Hassan M. R. , El-Deen S. E. A. Sharaf , El-Deen G. E. Sharaf
Published: August 2023

The ultrasonication supported sorption process is regarded as one of the most innovative and promising methods for removing heavy metal ions from contaminated water.
Gut microbiome–serum metabolic profiles: insight into the hypoglycemic effect of Porphyra haitanensis glycoprotein on hyperglycemic mice
Authors: Ou Yujia , Guo Yuehong , Chen Mingrong , Lu Xiaodan , Guo Zebin , Zheng Baodong
Published: August 2023

Our findings supported the development of Porphyra haitanensis and its glycoprotein as novel natural antidiabetic compounds to regulate the glycemic balance.
Stepwise recycling of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries based on in situ thermal reduction and ultrasonic-assisted water leaching
Authors: Ding Wei , Bao Shenxu , Zhang Yimin , Ren Liuyi , Xin Chunfu , Chen Bo , Liu Bo , Xiao Junhui , Hou Xiaochuan
Published: August 2023

A breakthrough method is proposed for stepwise recovering valuable metals from spent entire lithium-ion batteries. In-situ thermal reduction combined with ultrasonic-assisted water leaching can be used to efficiently and selectively recover lithium.
A polymer library enables the rapid identification of a highly scalable and efficient donor material for organic solar cells
Authors: Rimmele Martina , Qiao Zhuoran , Panidi Julianna , Furlan Francesco , Lee Chulyeon , Tan Wen Liang , McNeill Christopher R. , Kim Youngkyoo , Gasparini Nicola , Heeney Martin
Published: August 2023

A scalable, two-step synthesis facilitates the preparation of a polymer library of varying side chain and co-monomer, enabling rapid photovoltaic device screening. FO6-T emerged as the optimal donor achieving 15.4% PCE with L8BO as the acceptor.
Defect-stabilized and oxygen-coordinated iron single-atom sites facilitate hydrogen peroxide electrosynthesis
Authors: Gao Taotao , Qiu Lu , Xie Minghao , Jin Zhaoyu , Li Panpan , Yu Guihua
Published: August 2023

Oxygen-coordinated iron single-atom sites (Fe–O4) modified with vacancy defects show high 2e−-ORR catalytic performance. The Fe–O4 moiety is relevant to the selectivity and kinetic rate of the 2e− pathway while vacancy defects enhance the stability.
DGA-functionalized super-magnetic acid-stable sorbent for treatment of acidic rich nuclear effluent
Authors: Khan P. N. , Pahan S. , Sengupta Arijit , V. Tessy
Published: August 2023

An acid-stable magnetic nanoparticle coated with silica bound to diglycolamide (MNCSDGA) has been synthesised and its sorption behavior for UO22+, Th4+ and Eu3+ from mediums containing high concentrations (0.5–6.0 M) of nitric acid (HNO3) was examined.
50th anniversary of ICCST: celebrating ICCST at its 15th edition
Authors: Rafique Jamal , Lenardão Eder J , Braga Antonio L.
Published: August 2023

Guest editors Jamal Rafique, Eder J Lenardão and Antonio L. Braga introduce the New Journal of Chemistry themed collection “50th anniversary of ICCST: celebrating ICCST at its 15th edition.”
The electro-optic spatial light modulator of lithium niobate metasurface based on plasmonic quasi-bound states in the continuum
Authors: Ju Yao , Zhou Hao , Huang Yulei , Zhao Yin , Deng Xin , Yang Zuogang , Wang Fangjie , Gu Qiongqiong , Deng Guoliang , Zuo Haoyi
Published: August 2023

Metasurface spatial light modulator for gold grating LiNbO3 based on the plasmonic quasi-BIC is realized.
High potential of new dyeing photoinitiators for fast curing of (meth)acrylate compositions under low intensity UV–Vis light
Authors: Bednarczyk Paulina , Balcerak-Woźniak Alicja , Kabatc-Borcz Janina , Czech Zbigniew
Published: August 2023

The present work describes novel two-component photoinitiating systems for radical polymerization of (meth)acrylate-based compositions.
Facile preparation of a Co3O4/Mn0.5Cd0.5S heterojunction with highly efficient photocatalytic H2 production
Authors: Wang Xiaowei , Wang Zhimeng , Cui Lishuang , Shi Lei
Published: August 2023

Co3O4/Mn0.5Cd0.5S heterojunction was prepared by a simple stirring method and showed excellent photocatalytic hydrogen production performance.
Site-selective heat boosting electrochemiluminescence for single cell imaging
Authors: Gou Xiaodan , Zhang Yiwen , Xing Zejing , Ma Cheng , Mao Changjie , Zhu Jun-Jie
Published: August 2023

Site-selective heat boosting electrochemiluminescence microscopy is reported, which enhances the ECL intensity and advances the onset potential due to a local heating spot.
Atomic layer engineering on resistive switching in sub-4 nm AlN resistive random access memory devices
Authors: Ling Chen-Hsiang , Mo Chi-Lin , Chuang Chun-Ho , Shyue Jing-Jong , Chen Miin-Jang
Published: August 2023

This study demonstrates the precise tailoring of material properties of nanoscale thin films and electrical properties of AlN RRAM devices by atomic layer annealing.
Task‐oriented feature hallucination for few‐shot image classification
Authors: Wu Sining , Gao Xiang , Hu Xiaopeng
Published: August 2023

Data hallucination generates additional training examples for novel classes to alleviate the data scarcity problem in few‐shot learning (FSL). Existing hallucination‐based FSL methods normally train a general embedding model first by applying information extracted from base classes that have abundant data. In those methods, hallucinators are then built upon the trained embedding model to generate data for novel classes. However, these hallucination methods usually rely on general‐purpose embeddings, limiting their ability to generate task‐oriented samples for novel classes. Recent studies have shown that task‐specific embedding models, which are adapted to novel tasks, can achieve better classification performance. To improve the performance of example hallucination for tasks, a task‐oriented embedding model is used in the proposed method to perform task‐oriented generation. After the initialization, the hallucinator is finetuned by applying a task‐oriented embedding model with the guidance of a teacher–student mechanism. The proposed task‐oriented hallucination method contains two steps. An initial embedding network and an initial hallucinator are trained with a base dataset in the first step. The second step contains a pseudo‐labelling process where the base dataset is pseudo‐labelled using support data of the few‐shot task and a task‐oriented fine‐tuning process where the embedding network and hallucinator are adjusted simultaneously. Both the embedding network and the hallucinator are updated with the support set and the pseudo‐labelled base dataset using knowledge distillation. The experiments are conducted on four popular few‐shot datasets. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms state‐of‐the‐art methods with 0.8% to 4.08% increases in classification accuracy for 5‐way 5‐shot tasks. It also achieves comparable accuracy to state‐of‐the‐art methods for 5‐way 1‐shot tasks.
Regional climate change in the south of Rostov region: A case of arid steppe
Authors: Nazarenko Olesya
Published: August 2023

The article analyses the changes in some meteorological conditions of the arid steppe for the period 1966 – 2020 in Gigant settlement. This station has continuous verified values of meteorological data. In this work data on temperature and precipitation are analysed. The yearly cycle was divided into the warm (IV – IX months) and cold (X – III months) periods. Trends in temperature and precipitation have been identified. There is an increase in temperature by 1.1°C. The amount of precipitation varies slightly. is associated with uneven water consumption throughout the year.
Using metagenomics tool to evaluate the enrichment efficiency of methanogens in marine sediment in Truong Sa archipelage, Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Thu Hoai , Do Thi Tuyen , Le Van Thang , Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh , Pham Thi Thu Huyen , Do Thi Thu Hong
Published: August 2023

Methanogens (archaea bacteria that produce methan) play an important role in the anaerobic digestion of organic waste, however, in marine environment, the low density of methanogens makes anaerobic digestion very slow. In this study, we used methagenomics tool to evaluate the enrichment efficiency of methanogens communities in marine sediments as a basis for building a anaerobic microbial formulation to treat organic waste in marine environment. The results of determination of methanogen density by MPN method have shown that methanogen has been accumulated with higher density (up to 3.2.107 MNP/ml) through 2 times of enrichment in artificial seawater with CH3COONa 10 mM substrate. In addition, metagenomics data have also shown a decrease in the number of archaea species through each enrichment, indicating that methanogenic species have gradually dominated the microbial community. This is the first study on using metagnenomics tools to evaluate the enrichment of methanogens in marine sediment samples in Truong Sa archipelago, Vietnam. Metagenomics data help provide more reliable evidence in microbial studies, especially in obligate anaerobes such as methanogens.
Wind power resources potential for energy supply of isolated regions of Kamchatska
Authors: Nefedova Liudmila , Kiseleva Sophia , Rafikova Yulia , Teterina Nina
Published: August 2023

The paper presents the potential of the wind resources for energy supply in the Kamchatka Territory. This region is isolated from the United Energy System of Russia and has a large number of remote settlements. The possibility of using wind energy resources in the region to replace diesel power plants and to reduce CO2 emissions are assessed. Estimates of the average power output values of the wind turbine Enercon E-53 810 kW, on the basis of hourly data on wind resources over a 10-year period (2011-2020) and the share of consumer load coverage for 11 settlements in the region are calculated. Territorial distribution of the specific power generation potential for this wind turbine model is presented with the use of GIS technologies. Daily and seasonal variations in productivity and share of load coverage, as well as the territorial distribution of these characteristics of the energy supply potential by the use of wind resources, are determined.
Impact of artificial intelligence and digital HRM on the resource consumption within sustainable development perspective
Authors: Sova Olena , Bieliaieva Nataliia , Antypenko Nadiia , Drozd Nataliia
Published: August 2023

The paper examines the correlation between artificial intelligence (AI) and digital human resource management (HRM), their impact on sustainable development. It explores the growing importance of sustainable HRM and its integration within business processes. The study investigates how AI and digital HRM contribute to sustainable HRM practices and analyses influencing factors. It has been proven that many companies are wary of AI and digital HRM impact on sustainable HRM, facing integration challenges. The conclusions reveal that AI and digital HRM help addressing social issues spreading in today’s world. Large corporations strive to implement them to achieve sustainable development goals. Strategic HRM focuses on strategy and human resources, while sustainable HRM emphasizes the connection between sustainability and HRM practices. To gain a deeper understanding of digital HRM, a survey on “People’s vulnerability to human trafficking and exploitation in the context of war” was conducted. The findings show AI’s potential to influence societal behaviour, highlighting its importance in shaping sustainable HRM. The practical implications of this research can aid enterprises in stabilizing their resource consumption. Economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection are essential interconnected elements for achieving sustainable development and ensuring the wellbeing of individuals and society.
Green innovation in hospitality industry: role of environmental strategies and top management support
Authors: Arsawan I Wayan Edi , Prokopenko Olha , Koval Viktor , Kazancoglu Yigit , Asyikeen Binti Abdul Jabar Nurul , Maha Lina Ni Putu
Published: August 2023

Sustainability concerns are becoming pressing in the hospitality sector, which requires incorporating the green innovation approach to yield excellent business performance and preserve the environment. However, the drivers that underpin green innovation have yet to be comprehensively established. This study aims to examine the drivers of green innovation and investigate top management support as a moderator. Data were sourced from 121 eco-friendly hotels, which comprised 276 respondents analyzed with SEM-PLS. The results demonstrated that embedding environmental strategies significantly affected top management support and green innovation. In addition, the results notably denoted that top management support mediated and moderated the relationship between environmental strategies and green innovation. This paper also discusses the theoretical and managerial implications in further detail.
The circular economy of Robinson Crusoe: Exploring the impact of the representative consumer
Authors: Cherevatsky Danylo , Smirnov Roman , Lypnytskyi Denys , Soldak Myroslava
Published: August 2023

The circular economy typically addresses waste recycling issues at the micro-level, primarily focusing on individual enterprises, and less frequently at the meso-level, such as regions. This article introduces a novel perspective by examining recycling processes not only at the macro level but also through the lens of the Robinson Crusoe economy (ERC). The ERC concept was originally proposed in the 1930s. In this new paradigm, a representative producer, embodying Robinson Crusoe, establishes a business structure that implements a circular economy mega-project. This project comprises individual mono-projects aimed at maximizing profits derived from waste recycling. On the other hand, a representative consumer (representing the state and society) seeks to maximize its inherent utility, including taxes and fees. Now, the focus shifts to Robinson Crusoe as a consumer, thus defining the objective of this study as identifying approaches to determining the macroeconomic effects associated with such consumption. The recycling of blast-furnace slags in Ukraine serves as a case study for analysis.
Ashwagandha
Authors: Chopra Ananda Samir
Published: August 2023

Ashwagandha birgt großes Potenzial im therapeutischen Einsatz bei neurologischen und psychovegetativen Erkrankungen sowie zur Stärkung des Immunsystems. Die verfügbaren klinischen Daten sind jedoch limitiert, sodass intensive Untersuchungen zur Bestätigung der Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit nötig sind.
A Novel Neuroimaging Phenotype in the Pediatric Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Dyskinesia
Authors: Sinha Rahul , Hosur Bharat , Singh Sonali , Kamila Gautam , Meena Ankit Kumar
Published: August 2023

Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is a rare disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of hyperkinetic movements which can be isolated or associated with benign infantile seizures as part of the infantile convulsions with choreoathetosis syndrome. We present a case of hyperkinetic movement disorder in the form of choreoathetosis, ballismus, dystonia triggered by sudden movements with a past history of benign infantile convulsions in a 12-year-old girl. The contrast-enhanced brain and spine magnetic resonance imaging showed bilaterally symmetric superior cerebellar cytotoxic edema sparing the vermis with swollen cerebellar foliae. Whole-exome sequencing identified a homozygous frameshift duplication NM_145239.3(PRRT2):c.649dupC(p.Arg217Profs*8) in the PRRT2 gene. This case report highlights the frameshift duplication in the PRRT2 gene and rare neuroimaging findings which further expand the phenotypic characteristics of PKD in children.
Invasive Fungal Infection in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipient from an Indian Oncology Setting
Authors: Ghafur Abdul , Das Bikram , Raja T. , Easow Jose , Kartikeyan Radhika , Easow Benjamin M. , Ramanan S G.
Published: August 2023

Objective Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. Data from India is limited. The objective of this study was to analyze the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes associated with IFI in our center.

Materials and Methods Adult patients, who underwent marrow/stem cell transplantation between 2014 and 2018, in an oncology center in India, were included in this single-center retrospective observational study. The revised European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/ Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) consensus group 2008 definition for IFI was considered to define cases. Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes associated with IFI were analyzed.

Statistical Analysis All continuous variables were represented by mean ± standard deviation and categorical variables as percentage. Comparison of categorical variables was done by either the chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test. All “p” values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results Out of the 126 patients who underwent HSCT between January 2014 and December 2018, 56 (44.4%) patients had allo-HSCT, 64 (50.8%) had auto-HSCT, and 6 (4.8%) had haplo-identical HSCT. Eighty-three (63%) patients were male and 43 (34%) females, and 113 (83.9%) Asians and 13 (10.3%) Africans. Total 111 (88%) patients received myeloablative conditioning and 24 (19%) received total body irradiation. The hematological conditions were acute myeloid leukemia (n = 23; 18.25%), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 16; 12.69%), chronic myeloid leukemia (n = 4; 3.17%), Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 17; 13.4%), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 11; 8.73%), myeloma (n = 35; 27.7%), sickle cell disease (n = 13; 10.31%), etc. Most patients received fluconazole (78; 61.9%) followed by micafungin (23; 18.25%), posaconazole (20; 15.87%), voriconazole (4; 3.17%), and liposomal amphotericin B (1; 0.79%) as antifungal prophylaxis. The overall rate of IFI (possible cases included) was auto-HSCT (n = 5; 7.81%), and allo-HSCT (n = 5; 8.92%). Among auto-HSCT, the IFI was proven = 0, probable n = 1 (1.5%), and possible n = 4 (6.25%) and among allo-HSCT the IFI was proven = 0, probable n = 2 (3.57%), and possible n = 3 (5.35%). No patients in haplo-HSCT had IFI. The 1-year survival rate among the IFI cases was 8/10(80%). A meaningful comparison of the risk factors and the impact of prophylactic regimens were difficult because of the very low number of IFI cases.

Conclusion The overall rate of IFI in HSCT patients in our setting was low compared to global data on IFI in HSCT.
Variations in racial and ethnic groups’ trust in researchers associated with willingness to participate in research
Authors: Hu William T. , Bergren Stephanie M. , Dychtwald Dana K. , Ma Yiming , Dong XinQi
Published: August 2023

Low enrollment in U.S. biomedical research by non-White adults has historically been attributed to mistrust, but few studies have simultaneously examined dimensions of trust in three or more racial/ethnic groups. Leveraging the racial/ethnic diversity of New Jersey, we prospectively recruited 293 adults (72% women, 38% older than 54 years of age) between October 2020 and February 2022 to complete two anonymous surveys in English or one of the common languages (e.g., Spanish, Mandarin Chinese). The first consisted of 12 Likert-scale questions related to trust in biomedical researchers (according to safety, equity, transparency), and the second assessed willingness to consider participation in eight common research activities (health-related survey, blood collection, genetic analysis, medication study, etc). Participants self-reported as Hispanic (n = 102), Black (n = 49), Chinese (n = 48), other Asian (n = 53), or White (n = 41) race/ethnicity. Factor analysis showed three aspects related to trust in researchers: researchers as fiduciaries for research participants, racial/ethnic equity in research, and transparency. Importantly, we observed differences in the relationship between mistrust and willingness to participate. Whereas Chinese respondents’ low trust in researchers mediated their low interest in research involving more than health-related surveys, Hispanic respondents’ low trust in research equity did not deter high willingness to participate in research involving blood and genetic analysis. We caution that a generic association between trust and research participation should not be broadly assumed, and biomedical researchers should prospectively assess this relationship within each minoritized group to avoid hasty generalization.
Punitive damages in consumer public interest litigation in China: an empirical study
Authors: Zhang Xingmei , Wang Yu
Published: August 2023

With litigation socialisation development, an increasing number of civil litigation cases have taken on social functions. Against this background, a punitive damages system involving social interests has developed. Since the implementation of China’s consumer public interest litigation system in 2013, the number of cases involving punitive damages filed by procuratorates or consumer associations has steadily increased. These cases have mainly concerned the fields of food and medicinal product consumption. Regarding punishment and deterrence, Chinese judges generally hold a positive attitude towards a plaintiff’s request for punitive damages, which has no obvious correlation with plaintiff type, consumption type, or claim scale. In China, the calculation of punitive damages is related to the consumption field involved in the case. Most judges determine punitive damages in fields of food and medicinal product consumption as ten times the defendant’s total sales amount, and in the general consumption field, three times the defendant’s sales amount, but some judges choose to decide the specific amount at their discretion to avoid excessive punishment and ensure that damages are paid. Additionally, most judges believe that there is no relationship between punitive damages and administrative or criminal fines, or they only consider the defendant’s criminal or administrative punishment as a discretionary circumstance for determining punitive damages. Only a few judges believe that there is a correlation among the three, and advocate punitive damages and administrative or criminal fines to offset each other. Chinese judges have two main tendencies in judging the ownership and management of punitive damages; that is, punitive damages are handed over to the state treasury or allocated to special accounts. In view of judges’ understanding of the social attributes of punitive damages and the influence of the guidance of national documents in recent years, allocating punitive damages to special accounts for safekeeping and use, is becoming a growing trend.
Membrane phenomena in dilute electrolytes
Authors: Chikina I.
Published: August 2023

The self-consistent description of membrane effects at the “pure water–dilute weak electrolyte” boundary is proposed. The approach is based on a modification of the well-known statistics of electrolytes, governed by ionic equilibrium taking in terms of dissociation constants: Kaq (ionic product of water) and Kd (dissociation constant in Oswald’s law for diluting weak electrolytes). The formalism makes it possible to treat membrane effects in electrolytes based on the description of contact phenomena near the interface between two conducting media. In particular, it is possible to relate the membrane characteristics of the “pure water–dilute acetic acid solution” contact with the dissociation constants Kaq and Kd.
Anomalous temperature dependence of energy levels of electrons on helium
Authors: Nasyedkin Kostyantyn , Watanabe Masamitsu , Kono Kimitoshi
Published: August 2023

We report on magnetoconductivity measurements of electrons on helium exposed to resonant microwave irradiation within the temperature range associated with electron-ripplon scattering. Our findings reveal a non-monotonic temperature dependence of the intersubband frequency, with an abrupt decrease observed at temperatures below 0.3 K. We attribute this unexpected energy levels shift to the adsorption of 3He impurities near the liquid helium surface at low temperatures and such behavior is consistent with recent theoretical calculations of the surface electron energy spectra on 3He–4He mixtures.
Response to comment on “Interacting quantum and classical waves: Resonant and non-resonant energy transfer to electrons immersed in an intense electromagnetic wave” [Phys. Plasmas 30, 084701 (2023)]
Authors: Mahajan Swadesh M. , Asenjo Felipe A.
Published: August 2023

This is a note in response to Dr. Machi's comment on our recent paper [S. M. Mahajan and F. A. Asenjo, Phys. Plasmas 29, 022107 (2022)].
Arcing in ambient air triggered by pulsed x-ray radiation
Authors: d’Abzac Quentin , Ribière Maxime , Eichwald Olivier , Ducasse Olivier
Published: August 2023

The generation of arcs in air at atmospheric pressure induced by static voltage and triggered by x-ray pulses is analyzed. A static voltage is set between a cathode and an anode, and the arcing process is triggered by irradiating the air gap of a pin-to-plane switch with an x-ray photon pulse in the MeV range. This x-ray pulse produces a weakly ionized non-equilibrium air plasma (called the pre-plasma), which reduces the breakdown threshold. The influence of this pulsed x-ray on the arcing process is analyzed. The reduction of the breakdown voltage has been quantified, and for low static voltages, the creation of a sheath that is responsible for a delay in the arcing process is highlighted. Electrical measurements (currents and voltages) and optical emission spectroscopy have been performed to characterize the arcs in terms of electron density, temperature, and electric conductivity. A good agreement between measurements and 3D Maxwell calculations is achieved, which allows us to determine the electric conductivity of the arc in both self-triggered and x-ray-triggered regimes.
Resonant instabilities mediated by drag and electrostatic interactions in laboratory and astrophysical dusty plasmas
Authors: Israeli Ben Y. , Bhattacharjee Amitava , Qin Hong
Published: August 2023

Dusty plasmas are known to support a diverse range of instabilities, including both generalizations of standard plasma instabilities and ones caused by effects specific to dusty systems. It has been recently demonstrated that a novel broad class of streaming instabilities, termed resonant drag instabilities (RDIs), can be attributed to a particular resonance phenomenon, manifested by defective eigenvalues of the linearized dust/fluid system. In this work, it is demonstrated that this resonance phenomenon is not unique to RDIs and can be used as a framework to understand a wider range of instabilities, termed resonant instabilities. Particular attention is given to the filamentary ionization instability seen in laboratory dusty plasmas and to the two-stream instability. It is shown that, due to the commonalities in underlying physics between the dust-ion-acoustic two-stream instability and the acoustic RDI, these instabilities should be relevant in strongly overlapping regimes in astrophysical dusty plasmas. It is proposed that a similar overlap in the experimental accessibility of these modes (and of the filamentary instability) allows for the possibility of experimental investigation in the laboratory of complex and astrophysically relevant instability dynamics.
Molecular hydrodynamic theory of the velocity autocorrelation function
Authors: Seyler S. L. , Seyler C. E.
Published: August 2023

The velocity autocorrelation function (VACF) encapsulates extensive information about a fluid’s molecular-structural and hydrodynamic properties. We address the following fundamental question: How well can a purely hydrodynamic description recover the molecular features of a fluid as exhibited by the VACF? To this end, we formulate a bona fide hydrodynamic theory of the tagged-particle VACF for simple fluids. Our approach is distinguished from previous efforts in two key ways: collective hydrodynamic modes and tagged-particle self-motion are modeled by linear hydrodynamic equations; the fluid’s spatial velocity power spectrum is identified as a necessary initial condition for the momentum current correlation. This formulation leads to a natural physical interpretation of the VACF as a superposition of products of quasinormal hydrodynamic modes weighted commensurately with the spatial velocity power spectrum, the latter of which appears to physically bridge continuum hydrodynamical behavior and discrete-particle kinetics. The methodology yields VACF calculations quantitatively on par with existing approaches for liquid noble gases and alkali metals. Furthermore, we obtain a new, hydrodynamic form of the self-intermediate scattering function whose description has been extended to low densities where the Schmidt number is of order unity; various calculations are performed for gaseous and supercritical argon to support the general validity of the theory. Excellent quantitative agreement is obtained with recent MD calculations for a dense supercritical Lennard-Jones fluid.
High-speed real-time periodic weak pulse signal detection with simplified phase-weighted stacking
Authors: Shui Yanbin , Shen Zhongtao , Wang Xuan , Liu Shubin
Published: August 2023

Phase-weighted stacking (PWS) is an efficient noise reduction technique widely used in exploration seismology. It uses the coherence of the instantaneous phase to enhance signals by reducing incoherent noise. However, the high computational cost makes it difficult to apply PWS for the real-time detection of weak signals with high repetition frequency. This paper proposes a novel simplified PWS method with low computational complexity. The complex plane is divided into four quadrants, and the instantaneous phases in the same quadrant are simplified to the same phase. Based on the proposed method combined with a one-bit analog-to-digital converter, a novel field-programmable gate array-based high-speed real-time periodic weak pulse signal detection technique is presented. A prototype is implemented to verify the proposed technique. For weak pulse signals with an input signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of −21 dB to −15 dB for 2500 cycles, the results obtained show that the simplified PWS algorithm can improve the SNR of the coherently integrated signals by about 10–15 dB with a latency of about 2 µs.
q-pac: A Python package for machine learned charge equilibration models
Authors: Vondrák Martin , Reuter Karsten , Margraf Johannes T.
Published: August 2023

Many state-of-the art machine learning (ML) interatomic potentials are based on a local or semi-local (message-passing) representation of chemical environments. They, therefore, lack a description of long-range electrostatic interactions and non-local charge transfer. In this context, there has been much interest in developing ML-based charge equilibration models, which allow the rigorous calculation of long-range electrostatic interactions and the energetic response of molecules and materials to external fields. The recently reported kQEq method achieves this by predicting local atomic electronegativities using Kernel ML. This paper describes the q-pac Python package, which implements several algorithmic and methodological advances to kQEq and provides an extendable framework for the development of ML charge equilibration models.
Ultra-stretchable active metasurfaces for high-performance structural color
Authors: Ghasemi Amir , Fang Rui , Zeze Dagou A. , Hedayati Mehdi Keshavarz
Published: August 2023

Metamaterials as artificially structural materials exhibit customized properties unattainable in nature. While dynamic response is highly desired, metamaterials are usually passive and cannot be tuned post-fabrication. A conventional active metamaterial consists of rigid resonators mounted on flexible substrates that permit a limited amount of mechanical tuning. Given that rigid resonators permanently deform or debond under large strains (above 30%), the range of flexibility that is possible with tunable metamaterials is limited. Here, we propose a kirigami-inspired geometry that overcomes this limitation. The proposed design enhances stretchability exceeding 100% when compared with the existing design. A high degree of flexibility is achieved through “stress engineering” at the interface between rigid resonators and flexible substrates. Our design shows that the resonance modes shift at a rate of 3.32 ± 0.1 nm for every 1% change in strain, which is the highest tunability reported thus far. We demonstrate how this new concept can be applied to structural color. Using a single design, we demonstrated the full range of colors for the first time. The novel concept of highly stretchable metamaterials may revolutionize the field and enable its use in applications such as wearable sensors, smart displays, and switchable devices requiring extremely dynamic properties.
Efficient, nonparametric removal of noise and recovery of probability distributions from time series using nonlinear-correlation functions: Additive noise
Authors: Dhar Mainak , Dickinson Joseph A. , Berg Mark A.
Published: August 2023

Single-molecule and related experiments yield time series of an observable as it fluctuates due to thermal motion. In such data, it can be difficult to distinguish fluctuating signal from fluctuating noise. We present a method of separating signal from noise using nonlinear-correlation functions. The method is fully nonparametric: No a priori model for the system is required, no knowledge of whether the system is continuous or discrete is needed, the number of states is not fixed, and the system can be Markovian or not. The noise-corrected, nonlinear-correlation functions can be converted to the system’s Green’s function; the noise-corrected moments yield the system’s equilibrium-probability distribution. As a demonstration, we analyze synthetic data from a three-state system. The correlation method is compared to another fully nonparametric approach—time binning to remove noise, and histogramming to obtain the distribution. The correlation method has substantially better resolution in time and in state space. We develop formulas for the limits on data quality needed for signal recovery from time series and test them on datasets of varying size and signal-to-noise ratio. The formulas show that the signal-to-noise ratio needs to be on the order of or greater than one-half before convergence scales at a practical rate. With experimental benchmark data, the positions and populations of the states and their exchange rates are recovered with an accuracy similar to parametric methods. The methods demonstrated here are essential components in building a complete analysis of time series using only high-order correlation functions.
Evaporation and scattering of neon, methane, and water from a dodecane flat liquid jet
Authors: Yang Walt , Lee Chin , Saric Steven , Pohl Marvin N. , Neumark Daniel M.
Published: August 2023

The evaporation and scattering of Ne, CD4, and D2O from a dodecane flat liquid jet are investigated in a molecular beam apparatus. The experiment yields translational energy distributions as a function of scattering angle by means of a rotatable mass spectrometer. In the evaporation experiments, one observes a Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution with a cos θ angular distribution superimposed on a weak, isotropic background. The scattering experiments show contributions from impulsive scattering and thermal desorption. At select incident angles for the three systems, angular distributions show super-specular scattering for the impulsive scattering channel, an effect attributed to anisotropic momentum transfer to the liquid surface. The impulsive scattering channel is analyzed with a soft-sphere model to explore energy transfer between the scatterer and liquid as a function of deflection angle. Compared to Ne scattering, the polyatomic gases exhibit more thermal desorption and, in the impulsive scattering channel, a higher degree of internal excitation.
Evaluation of the spatial resolution of Gafchromic™ HD-V2 radiochromic film characterized by the modulation transfer function
Authors: Miyatake Tatsuhiko , Kojima Sadaoki , Sakaki Hironao , Dinh Thanh-Hung , Takemoto Ibuki , Hata Masayasu , Nishikino Masaharu , Watanabe Yukinobu , Ishino Masahiko , Mori Michiaki , Koga James Kevin , Yamamoto Yoichi , Ito Fuyumi , Kando Masaki , Shirai Toshiyuki , Kondo Kiminori
Published: August 2023

The Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) characteristics of radiochromic film (RCF) dosimetry with optical systems were evaluated with an RCF, HD-V2, which is transferred with the line patterns of the resolution test chart. In the evaluation using a GT-X980 flatbed scanner, a high contrast spatial resolution with an MTF of ≥0.8 is limited to about 83.3 μm due to artifacts such as scattering of the HD-V2 transmitted light. To achieve high contrast at higher spatial frequencies, a test bench microdensitometer (TBMD) was developed, and its optical performance, dose equivalent response, and spatial resolution characteristics with MTF were evaluated. The TBMD had a minimum readout focal diameter of 13 μm, and its high contrast spatial resolution with an MTF of ≥0.8 is about 11.9 μm. The result that the optical density error increases with decreasing focal diameter in the TBMD supports our hypothesis that these errors are based on the non-uniformity of the shading and surface roughness of the HD-V2 active layer monomers.