bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of various machine learning algorithms used for compressive strength prediction of steel fiber-reinforced concrete
Authors: Pakzad Seyed Soroush , Roshan Naeim , Ghalehnovi Mansour
Published: March 2023

Adding hooked industrial steel fibers (ISF) to concrete boosts its tensile and flexural strength. However, the understanding of ISF’s influence on the compressive strength (CS) behavior of concrete is still questioned by the scientific society. The presented paper aims to use machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) algorithms to predict the CS of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) incorporating hooked ISF based on the data collected from the open literature. Accordingly, 176 sets of data are collected from different journals and conference papers. Based upon the initial sensitivity analysis, the most influential parameters like water-to-cement (W/C) ratio and content of fine aggregates (FA) tend to decrease the CS of SFRC. Meanwhile, the CS of SFRC could be enhanced by increasing the amount of superplasticizer (SP), fly ash, and cement (C). The least contributing factors include the maximum size of aggregates (Dmax) and the length-to-diameter ratio of hooked ISFs (L/DISF). Several statistical parameters are also used as metrics to evaluate the performance of implemented models, such as coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean of squared error (MSE). Among different ML algorithms, convolutional neural network (CNN) with R2 = 0.928, RMSE = 5.043, and MAE = 3.833 shows higher accuracy. On the other hand, K-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm with R2 = 0.881, RMSE = 6.477, and MAE = 4.648 results in the weakest performance.
Tofacitinib fails to prevent T cell transfer colitis in mice but ameliorates disease activity
Authors: Subramanyam Sudheendra Hebbar , Hriczko Judit Turyne , Pappas Angeliki , Schippers Angela , Wagner Nobert , Ohl Kim , Tenbrock Klaus
Published: March 2023

Tofactinib is a JAK inhibitor approved for ulcerative colitis in humans. Despite of its’ proven effectiveness in humans, mechanistic data are scarce on the effectiveness of Tofactinib in experimental colitis in mice. We induced experimental colitis by transfer of CD4+CD25− isolated T cells into RAG2−/− (T and B cell deficient) mice and treated these mice with tofacitinib for 5–6 weeks either with a dosage of 10 or 40 mg/kg body weight immediately after CD4+ transfer or started treatment after first symptoms of disease for several weeks. While treatment with tofacitinib immediately after transfer resulted in an enhanced expansion of CD4+ T cells and did not prevent occurrence of colitis, treatment after start of symptoms of colitis ameliorated disease activity on a clinical basis and in histological analyses. Tofacitinib is effective in the treatment of murine experimental T cell transfer colitis, however does not prevent occurrence of disease.
Direct competition and potential displacement involving managed Trogoderma stored product pests
Authors: Domingue Michael J. , Wu Yunke , Vieira Kendra A. , McGraw Alana R. , Furtado Mandy , Athanassiou Christos G. , Morrison William R. , Myers Scott W.
Published: March 2023

The establishment of an exotic pest may require displacing local species with a similar niche. The potential ofTrogoderma granariumto displaceTrogoderma inclusumwas explored in a stored product setting. We performed direct competition experiments varying commodity and temperature over different durations. At nine weeksT. inclusumoutproducedT. granariumon all commodities at any temperature. However the proportion ofT. granariumversusT. inclusumwas greater at 32 °C compared to 25 °C. The nine-week production ofT. granariumwas best on wheat, while rice was optimal forT. inclusum. After 25 weeks, when adults were used at the start of competition,T. inclusummaintained an advantage in the direct competition. If larvae were used to initiate the competition for 25 weeks, the two species coexisted well at 25 °C, butT. granariumnearly excludedT. inclusumat 32 °C. ThusT. inclusumperforms better in competition over shorter intervals when resources are plentiful, butT. granariumcan be more successful over longer time periods, particularly when late instar larvae are involved. The finding suggests a real threat of introductions ofT. granariumlarvae to establish populations within grain storage infrastructure whereT. inclusumis common.
Experimental study on evaluation and optimization of heavy metals adsorption on a novel amidoximated silane functionalized Luffa cylindrica
Authors: Sasan Narkesabad Zahra , Rafiee Reza , Jalilnejad Elham
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to synthesize an amidoximatedLuffa cylindrica(AO-LC) bioadsorbent, and evaluate its efficiency in the adsorption of heavy metals from the aqueous solutions. For this purpose, NaOH solution was used to alkaline treatment ofLuffa cylindrica(LC) fibers. The silane modification of LC was performed using 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MPS). Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/LC biocomposite (PAN-LC) was synthesized by PAN grafting onto the MPS-modified LC (MPS-LC). Finally, the AO-LC was obtained by the amidoximation of PAN-LC. The chemical structures, morphology, and thermal properties of biocomposites were characterized by the infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The results showed a successful grafting of MPS and PAN on the surface of LC. The order of heavy metals adsorption on AO-LC was: Pb2+ > Ag+ > Cu2+ > Cd2+ > Co2+ > Ni2+. The effects of operational parameters on the Pb2+adsorption were studied using Taguchi experimental design method. Statistical analysis of the results showed that the initial Pb2+concentration and the bioadsorbent dosage significantly affect the adsorption efficiency. The adsorption capacity and removal percentage of Pb2+ions were obtained as 18.88 mg/g and 99.07%, respectively. The Langmuir isotherm and Pseudo-second order kinetics models were found to be better compatible with experimental data as a consequence of the isotherm and kinetics analysis.
Denser forests across the USA experience more damage from insects and pathogens
Authors: Asaro Christopher , Koch Frank H. , Potter Kevin M.
Published: March 2023

Forests across much of the United States are becoming denser. Trees growing in denser stands experience more competition for essential resources, which can make them more vulnerable to disturbances. Forest density can be expressed in terms of basal area, a metric that has been used to assess vulnerability of some forests to damage by certain insects or pathogens. A raster map of total tree basal area (TBA) for the conterminous United States was compared with annual (2000–2019) survey maps of forest damage due to insects and pathogens. Across each of four regions, median TBA was significantly higher within forest areas defoliated or killed by insects or pathogens than in areas without recorded damage. Therefore, TBA may serve as a regional-scale indicator of forest health and a first filter for identifying areas that merit finer-scale analysis of forest conditions.
Sympathetic neurons secrete retrogradely transported TrkA on extracellular vesicles
Authors: Mason Ashley J. , Keeler Austin B. , Kabir Farah , Winckler Bettina , Deppmann Christopher
Published: March 2023

Proper wiring of the peripheral nervous system relies on neurotrophic signaling via nerve growth factor (NGF). NGF secreted by target organs (i.e. eye) binds to the TrkA receptor expressed on the distal axons of postganglionic neurons. Upon binding, TrkA is internalized into a signaling endosome and retrogradely trafficked back to the soma and into the dendrites to promote cell survival and postsynaptic maturation, respectively. Much progress has been made in recent years to define the fate of the retrogradely trafficked TrkA signaling endosome, yet it has not been fully characterized. Here we investigate extracellular vesicles (EVs) as a novel route of neurotrophic signaling. Using the mouse superior cervical ganglion (SCG) as a model, we isolate EVs derived from sympathetic cultures and characterize them using immunoblot assays, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and cryo-electron microscopy. Furthermore, using a compartmentalized culture system, we find that TrkA derived from endosomes originating in the distal axon can be detected on EVs secreted from the somatodendritic domain. In addition, inhibition of classic TrkA downstream pathways, specifically in somatodendritic compartments, greatly decreases TrkA packaging into EVs. Our results suggest a novel trafficking route for TrkA: it can travel long distances to the cell body, be packaged into EVs, and be secreted. Secretion of TrkA via EVs appears to be regulated by its own downstream effector cascades, raising intriguing future questions about novel functionalities associated with TrkA+ EVs.
Impact of the Tambora volcanic eruption of 1815 on islands and relevance to future sunlight-blocking catastrophes
Authors: Wilson Nick , Valler Veronika , Cassidy Michael , Boyd Matt , Mani Lara , Brönnimann Stefan
Published: March 2023

Island nations may have potential long-term survival value for humanity in global catastrophes such as sun-blocking catastrophes from nuclear winter and large magnitude volcanic eruptions. One way to explore this issue further is to understand the impact on islands after the largest historically observed volcanic eruption: that of Mt Tambora in 1815. For each of the 31 large, populated islands selected, we conducted literature searches for relevant historical and palaeoclimate studies. We also analysed results from a reconstruction (EKF400v2), which uses atmospheric-only general circulation model simulations with assimilated observational and proxy data. From the literature review, there was widespread evidence for weather/climate anomalies in 1815–1817 for these islands (29/29 for those with data). But missing data was an issue for other dimensions such as impaired food production (seen in 8 islands out of only 12 with data). Based on the EKF400v2 reconstruction for temperature anomalies (compared to the relatively “non-volcanic” reference period of 1779 to 1808), the islands had lower temperature anomalies in the 1815–1818 period than latitudinally equivalent continental sites (at 100 km and 1000 km inland). This was statistically significant for the great majority of the comparisons for group analyses by hemisphere, oceans, and temperate/tropical zone. When considering just the islands, all but four showed statistically anomalous temperature reductions in the 1816–1817 period (for most p < 0.00001). In the peak impact year of 1816, the lowest anomalies were seen for islands in the Southern Hemisphere (p < 0.0001), the Indian Ocean (p < 0.0001), and in the tropics and subtropics of the Southern Hemisphere (p = 0.0057). In conclusion, the findings of both the literature review and reconstruction simulations suggest climatic impacts of the Tambora eruption for nearly all these 31 large islands, albeit less than for continental sites. Islands with the smallest temperature anomalies were in the Southern Hemisphere, in particular the Indian Ocean and the tropics and subtropics of the Southern Hemisphere.
Feasibility and intra-and interobserver reproducibility of quantitative susceptibility mapping with radiomic features for intracranial dissecting intramural hematomas and atherosclerotic calcifications
Authors: Park Sang Ik , Kim Donghyun , Jung Seung Chai , Nam Yoonho , Alabdulwahhab Abdulrahman , Lee Jungbok , Choi Keum Mi
Published: March 2023

Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) for 61 patients with dissecting intramural hematomas (n = 36) or atherosclerotic calcifications (n = 25) in intracranial vertebral arteries were collected to assess intra- and interobserver reproducibility in a 3.0-T MR system between January 2015 and December 2017. Two independent observers each segmented regions of interest for lesions twice. The reproducibility was evaluated using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and within-subject coefficients of variation (wCV) for means and concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) and ICC for radiomic features (CCC and ICC > 0.85) were used. Mean QSM values were 0.277 ± 0.092 ppm for dissecting intramural hematomas and − 0.208 ± 0.078 ppm for atherosclerotic calcifications. ICCs and wCVs were 0.885–0.969 and 6.5–13.7% in atherosclerotic calcifications and 0.712–0.865 and 12.4–18.7% in dissecting intramural hematomas, respectively. A total of 9 and 19 reproducible radiomic features were observed in dissecting intramural hematomas and atherosclerotic calcifications, respectively. QSM measurements in dissecting intramural hematomas and atherosclerotic calcifications were feasible and reproducible between intra- and interobserver comparisons, and some reproducible radiomic features were demonstrated.
Impact of implementing emergency demand response program and tie-line on cyber-physical distribution network resiliency
Authors: Osman Sally R. , Sedhom Bishoy E. , Kaddah Sahar S.
Published: March 2023

Recently, due to the complex nature of cyber-physical distribution networks (DNs) and the severity of power outages caused by natural disasters, microgrid (MG) formation, distributed renewable energy resources (DRERs), and demand response programs (DRP) have been employed to enhance the resiliency of these networks. This paper proposes a novel multi-objective MGs formation method-based darts game theory optimization algorithm. The microgrid formation is obtained by controlling the sectionalizing and tie-line switches. The network graph theory is used to represent the constructed microgrid, and the non-linear equations of power flow and loss calculations are adopted in the microgrid formation model. To measure the system's resiliency under extreme disaster events, metrics are utilized to prove the system's flexibility and resiliency. The modified IEEE 33-bus test system is designed to validate the proposed approach's effectiveness. Three case studies are performed with and without considering the emergency demand response program (EDRP) and tie-lines.
The importance of high quality real-life social interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Monninger Maximilian , Aggensteiner Pascal-M. , Pollok Tania M. , Kaiser Anna , Reinhard Iris , Hermann Andrea , Reichert Markus , Ebner-Priemer Ulrich W. , Meyer-Lindenberg Andreas , Brandeis Daniel , Banaschewski Tobias , Holz Nathalie E.
Published: March 2023

The coronavirus pandemic has brought about dramatic restrictions to real-life social interactions and a shift towards more online social encounters. Positive social interactions have been highlighted as an important protective factor, with previous studies suggesting an involvement of the amygdala in the relationship between social embeddedness and well-being. The present study investigated the effect of the quality of real-life and online social interactions on mood, and explored whether this association is affected by an individual’s amygdala activity. Sixty-two participants of a longitudinal study took part in a one-week ecological momentary assessment (EMA) during the first lockdown, reporting their momentary well-being and their engagement in real-life and online social interactions eight times per day (N ~ 3000 observations). Amygdala activity was assessed before the pandemic during an emotion-processing task. Mixed models were calculated to estimate the association between social interactions and well-being, including two-way interactions to test for the moderating effect of amygdala activity. We found a positive relationship between real-life interactions and momentary well-being. In contrast, online interactions had no effect on well-being. Moreover, positive real-life social interactions augmented this social affective benefit, especially in individuals with higher amygdala being more sensitive to the interaction quality. Our findings demonstrate a mood-lifting effect of positive real-life social interactions during the pandemic, which was dependent on amygdala activity before the pandemic. As no corresponding effect was found between online social interactions and well-being, it can be concluded that increased online social interactions may not compensate for the absence of real-life social interactions.
Efficacy of resistance training in hypoxia on muscle hypertrophy and strength development: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Benavente Cristina , Schoenfeld Brad J. , Padial Paulino , Feriche Belén
Published: March 2023

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effects of resistance training under hypoxic conditions (RTH) on muscle hypertrophy and strength development. Searches of PubMed-Medline, Web of Science, Sport Discus and the Cochrane Library were conducted comparing the effect of RTH versus normoxia (RTN) on muscle hypertrophy (cross sectional area (CSA), lean mass and muscle thickness) and strength development [1-repetition maximum (1RM)]. An overall meta-analysis and subanalyses of training load (low, moderate or high), inter-set rest interval (short, moderate or long) and severity of hypoxia (moderate or high) were conducted to explore the effects on RTH outcomes. Seventeen studies met inclusion criteria. The overall analyses showed similar improvements in CSA (SMD [CIs] = 0.17 [− 0.07; 0.42]) and 1RM (SMD = 0.13 [0.0; 0.27]) between RTH and RTN. Subanalyses indicated a small effect on CSA for shorter inter-set rest intervals, moderate hypoxia and moderate loads favoring RTH. Moreover, a medium effect for longer inter-set rest intervals and a trivial to small effect for severe hypoxia and moderate loads favoring RTH was found on 1RM. Evidence suggests that RTH employed with moderate loads (60–80% 1RM) enhances both hypertrophy and strength. Hypertrophy appears to benefit from shorter (≤ 60 s) inter-set rest intervals during RTH while greater gains in strength are achieved with longer rest intervals (≥ 120 s). The use of moderate hypoxia (14.3–16% FiO2) seems to be somewhat beneficial to hypertrophy but not strength. Further research is required with greater standardization of protocols to draw stronger conclusions on the topic.
Nanobubble size distribution measurement by interactive force apparatus under an electric field
Authors: Han Zhenyao , Chen Hao , He Chunlin , Dodbiba Gjergj , Otsuki Akira , Wei Yuezhou , Fujita Toyohisa
Published: March 2023

Nanobubbles have been applied in many fields, such as environmental cleaning, material production, agriculture, and medicine. However, the measured nanobubble sizes differed among the measurement methods, such as dynamic light scattering, particle trajectory, and resonance mass methods. Additionally, the measurement methods were limited with respect to the bubble concentration, refractive index of liquid, and liquid color. Here, a novel interactive force measurement method for bulk nanobubble size measurement was developed by measuring the force between two electrodes filled with bulk nanobubble-containing liquid under an electric field when the electrode distance was changed in the nm scale with piezoelectric equipment. The nanobubble size was measured with a bubble gas diameter and also an effective water thin film layer covered with a gas bubble that was estimated to be approximately 10 nm based on the difference between the median diameter of the particle trajectory method and this method. This method could also be applied to the solid particle size distribution measurement in a solution.
Genome-wide identification, characterization and expression analysis of AGO, DCL, and RDR families in Chenopodium quinoa
Authors: Yun Shiyu , Zhang Xin
Published: March 2023

RNA interference is a highly conserved mechanism wherein several types of non-coding small RNAs regulate gene expression at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level, modulating plant growth, development, antiviral defence, and stress responses. Argonaute (AGO), DCL (Dicer-like), and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDR) are key proteins in this process. Here, these three protein families were identified inChenopodium quinoa. Further, their phylogenetic relationships with Arabidopsis, their domains, three-dimensional structure modelling, subcellular localization, and functional annotation and expression were analysed. Whole-genome sequence analysis predicted 21CqAGO, eightCqDCL, and 11CqRDRgenes in quinoa. All three protein families clustered into phylogenetic clades corresponding to those of Arabidopsis, including three AGO clades, four DCL clades, and four RDR clades, suggesting evolutionary conservation. Domain and protein structure analyses of the three gene families showed almost complete homogeneity among members of the same group. Gene ontology annotation revealed that the predicted gene families might be directly involved in RNAi and other important pathways. Largely, these gene families showed significant tissue-specific expression patterns, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data revealed that 20CqAGO, sevenCqDCL, and tenCqRDRgenes tended to have preferential expression in inflorescences. Most of them being downregulated in response to drought, cold, salt and low phosphate stress. To our knowledge, this is the first study to elucidate these key protein families involved in the RNAi pathway in quinoa, which are significant for understanding the mechanisms underlying stress responses in this plant.
Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Pseudomonas canadensis, and its antivirulence effects against Pseudomonas tolaasii, mushroom brown blotch agent
Authors: Ghasemi Samira , Harighi Behrouz , Ashengroph Morahem
Published: March 2023

This study reports the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a Pseudomonas canadensis Ma1 strain isolated from wild-growing mushrooms. Freshly prepared cells of P. canadensis Ma1 incubated at 26–28 °C with a silver nitrate solution changed to a yellowish brown color, indicating the formation of AgNPs, which was confirmed by UV–Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction. SEM analysis showed spherical nanoparticles with a distributed size mainly between 21 and 52 nm, and the XRD pattern revealed the crystalline nature of AgNPs. Also, it provides an evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the biosynthesized AgNPs against Pseudomonas tolaasii Pt18, the causal agent of mushroom brown blotch disease. AgNPs were found to be bioactive at 7.8 μg/ml showing a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) effect against P. tolaasii Pt18 strain. AgNPs at the MIC level significantly reduced virulence traits of P. tolaasii Pt18 such as detoxification of tolaasin, various motility behavior, chemotaxis, and biofilm formation which is important for pathogenicity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that bacterial cells treated with AgNPs showed a significant structural abnormality. Results showed that AgNPs reduced brown blotch symptoms in vivo. This research demonstrates the first helpful use of biosynthesized AgNPs as a bactericidal agent against P. tolaasii.
Factors related to hypermetabolism in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Mansour Asieh , Motamed Soudabe , Hekmatdoost Azita , Karimi Sara , Mohajeri-Tehrani Mohammad Reza , Abdollahi Mohammad , Jelodar Reihane , Sajjadi-Jazi Sayed Mahmoud
Published: March 2023

Considering the progressive prevalence and co-occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), as well as the current evidence suggesting the elevated levels of basal metabolic rate (BMR) among these individuals, the present study aimed to identify factors determining hypermetabolism in such subjects. This cross sectional study was conducted in 30 to 53-year-old individuals with concurrent T2DM and NAFLD (controlled attenuation parameter score ≥ 260 dB/m). Resting energy expenditure (REE) was determined by an indirect calorimetry device. Hypermetabolism was defined as an elevated measured REE > 110% of the predicted REE. The multivariate logistic regression test was used for detecting factors associated with hypermetabolism. Between September, 2017, and March, 2018, a total of 95 eligible participants (64.40% male) with both T2DM and NAFLD were included, while 32.63% of them were classified as hypermetabolic. Overall, the mean recruitment age ± standard deviation and median (interquartile range) body mass index were 44.69 ± 5.47 years and 30.20 (27.80–33.30) kg/m2, respectively. Demographic, anthropometric and biochemical variables did not vary significantly across two groups except for total body water, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors (p < 0.05). According to the results of multivariable logistic regression analyses, hypermetabolism had a positive association with adiponectin (odds ratio [OR] 1.167, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.015–1.342, p = 0.030), physical activity (OR 1.134, 95% CI 1.002–1.284, p = 0.046), alanine transaminase (OR 1.062, 95% CI 1.006–1.122, p = 0.031) and diastolic blood pressure (OR 1.067, 95% CI 1.010–1.127, p = 0.021). However, fat free mass was inversely related to hypermetabolism (OR 0.935, 95% CI 0.883–0.991, p = 0.023). Adiponectin, alanine transaminase, physical activity, diastolic blood pressure and fat free mass were independently associated with hypermetabolism in subjects with NAFLD and T2DM.
Virtual monoenergetic imaging predicting Ki-67 expression in lung cancer
Authors: Dou Peipei , Zhao Hengliang , Zhong Dan , Hu Yingliang , Liu Bin , Zhang Haiyan , Cao Aihong
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to optimize slope and energy levels for evaluating Ki-67 expression in lung cancer using virtual monoenergetic imaging and compare the predictive efficiency of different energy spectrum slopes (λHU) for Ki-67. Forty-three patients with primary lung cancer confirmed via pathological examination were enrolled in this study. They underwent baseline arterial-phase (AP) and venous-phase (VP) energy spectrum computed tomography (CT) scanning before surgery. The CT values were 40–190 keV, with 40–140 keV indicating pulmonary lesions at AP and VP, and P < 0.05 indicating a statistically significant difference. An immunohistochemical examination was conducted, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to analyze the prediction performance of λHU for Ki-67 expression. SPSS Statistics 22.0 (IBM Corp., NY, USA) was used for statistical analysis, and χ2, t, and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for quantitative and qualitative analyses of data. Significant differences were observed at the corresponding CT values of 40 keV (as 40-keV is considered the best for single-energy image for evaluating Ki-67 expression) and 50 keV in AP and at 40, 60, and 70 keV in VP between high- and low-Ki-67 expression groups (P < 0.05). In addition, the λHU values of three-segment energy spectrum curve in both AP and VP were quite different between two groups (P < 0.05). However, the VP data had greater predictive values for Ki-67. The areas under the curve were 0.859, 0.856, and 0.859, respectively. The 40-keV single-energy sequence was the best single-energy sequence to evaluate the expression of Ki-67 in lung cancer and to obtain λHU values using the energy spectrum curve in the VP. The CT values had better diagnostic efficiency.
Field-controlled quantum anomalous Hall effect in electron-doped CrSiTe3 monolayer
Authors: Kang Sungmo , Kang Seungjin , Kim Heung-Sik , Yu Jaejun
Published: March 2023

We report Chern insulating phases emerging from a single layer of layered chalcogenide CrSiTe3, a transition metal trichacogenides (TMTC) material, in the presence of charge doping. Due to strong hybridization with Te p orbitals, the spin-orbit coupling effect opens a finite band gap, leading to a nontrivial topology of the Cr eg conduction band manifold with higher Chern numbers. Our calculations show that quantum anomalous Hall effects can be realized by adding one electron in a formula unit cell of Cr2Si2Te6, equivalent to electron doping by 2.36 × 1014 cm−2 carrier density. Furthermore, the doping-induced anomalous Hall conductivity can be controlled by an external magnetic field via spin-orientation-dependent tuning of the spin-orbit coupling. In addition, we find distinct quantum anomalous Hall phases employing tight-binding model analysis, suggesting that CrSiTe3 can be a fascinating platform to realize Chern insulating systems with higher Chern numbers.
Association of accelerometer-derived circadian abnormalities and genetic risk with incidence of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Yang Lulu , Feng Hongliang , Ai Sizhi , Liu Yue , Lei Binbin , Chen Jie , Tan Xiao , Benedict Christian , Wang Ningjian , Wing Yun Kwok , Qi Lu , Zhang Jihui
Published: March 2023

Evidence suggests potential links between circadian rhythm and atrial fibrillation (AF). However, whether circadian disruption can predict the onset of AF in the general population remains largely unknown. We aim to investigate the association of accelerometer-measured circadian rest-activity rhythm (CRAR, the most prominent circadian rhythm in humans) with the risk of AF, and examine joint associations and potential interactions of CRAR and genetic susceptibility with AF incidence. We include 62,927 white British participants of UK Biobank without AF at baseline. CRAR characteristics, including amplitude (strength), acrophase (timing of peak activity), pseudo-F (robustness), and mesor (height), are derived by applying an extended cosine model. Genetic risk is assessed with polygenic risk scores. The outcome is the incidence of AF. During a median follow-up of 6.16 years, 1920 participants developed AF. Low amplitude [hazard ratio (HR): 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.25–1.58], delayed acrophase (HR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.10–1.39), and low mesor (HR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.21–1.52), but not low pseudo-F, are significantly associated with a higher risk of AF. No significant interactions between CRAR characteristics and genetic risk are observed. Joint association analyses reveal that participants with unfavourable CRAR characteristics and high genetic risk yield the highest risk of incident AF. These associations are robust after controlling for multiple testing and in a series of sensitivity analyses. Accelerometer-measured CRAR abnormalities, characterized by decreased strength and height, and later timing of peak activity of circadian rhythm, are associated with a higher risk of AF in the general population.
Protein structure and folding pathway prediction based on remote homologs recognition using PAthreader
Authors: Zhao Kailong , Xia Yuhao , Zhang Fujin , Zhou Xiaogen , Li Stan Z. , Zhang Guijun
Published: March 2023

Recognition of remote homologous structures is a necessary module in AlphaFold2 and is also essential for the exploration of protein folding pathways. Here, we propose a method, PAthreader, to recognize remote templates and explore folding pathways. Firstly, we design a three-track alignment between predicted distance profiles and structure profiles extracted from PDB and AlphaFold DB, to improve the recognition accuracy of remote templates. Secondly, we improve the performance of AlphaFold2 using the templates identified by PAthreader. Thirdly, we explore protein folding pathways based on our conjecture that dynamic folding information of protein is implicitly contained in its remote homologs. The results show that the average accuracy of PAthreader templates is 11.6% higher than that of HHsearch. In terms of structure modelling, PAthreader outperform AlphaFold2 and ranks first on the CAMEO blind test for the latest three months. Furthermore, we predict protein folding pathways for 37 proteins, in which the results of 7 proteins are almost consistent with those of biological experiments, and the other 30 human proteins have yet to be verified by biological experiments, revealing that folding information can be exploited from remote homologous structures.
Nanowires exfoliated from one-dimensional van der Waals transition metal trihalides and quadrihalides
Authors: Su Chuanxun , He Lixin
Published: March 2023

Ab initio calculations suggest that it is possible to exfoliate nanowires from large families of one-dimensional van der Waals transition metal trihalides and quadrihalides.
Progress of high performance Ti3C2TxMXene nanocomposite films for electromagnetic interference shielding
Authors: Hu Guirong , Cen Zhuoqi , Xiong Yuzhu , Liang Kun
Published: March 2023

Progress of MXene nanocomposite films with different layer structures of light weight, high flexibility, high mechanical strength, good hydrophobicity, and multifunctionality for EMI shielding.
Co-combustion characteristics and kinetic analysis of three different wastes of antibiotic fermentation and coal
Authors: Yuan Guanglei , Liang Ruru , Duan Erhong , Liu Renping
Published: March 2023

The combustion characteristics and kinetic properties of three antibiotic residues and their mixtures with coal were studied by thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), and the kinetic mechanism functions were calculated.
Triplet generation at the CdTe quantum dot/anthracene interface mediated by hot and thermalized electron exchange for enhanced production of singlet oxygen
Authors: Chi Zhen , Xu Jia , Luo Shida , Ran Xia , Wang Xiaojuan , Liu Pingan , He Yulu , Kuang Yanmin , Guo Lijun
Published: March 2023

Two triplet energy transfer pathways, including hot and thermalized electron exchange, in CdTe QDs–anthracene with efficiencies of ∼27% and ∼85% are revealed. The complexes demonstrate the efficient generation of singlet oxygen with a yield of ∼59%.
Electrochemical trifluoromethylation of 2-isocyanobiaryls using CF3SO2Na: synthesis of 6-(trifluoromethyl)phenanthridines
Authors: La-ongthong Kannika , Chantarojsiri Teera , Soorukram Darunee , Leowanawat Pawaret , Reutrakul Vichai , Kuhakarn Chutima
Published: March 2023

An efficient electrochemical trifluoromethylation of 2-isocyanobiaryls using Langlois reagent as the source of trifluoromethyl group was reported.
Detection of pedestrians and vehicles in autonomous driving with selective kernel networks
Authors: Zhang Zhenlin , Hanwen Gao , Wu Xingang
Published: March 2023

Accurate detection of pedestrians and vehicles on the road is an important content in autonomous driving technology. In this article, a method to optimise the object detection network using the channel attention mechanism is proposed. In general, small object detection problems and difficult sample detection problems in object detection tasks can be solved by using feature pyramids. Different from building a feature pyramid, the authors did not make extensive changes to the network, but used the channel attention mechanism to dynamically adjust the output of a layer during the feature extraction process, allowing each neuron to adjust its receptive field size adaptively according to multiple scales of the input information, so that the network pays attention to the extraction of important features, especially the features of small objects and difficult samples. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed method, experiments were conducted on standard benchmark data sets. It has been observed that the proposed method is superior to the original object detection network in terms of the detection accuracy of pedestrians and vehicles, especially the detection of small objects.
Dynamic ageing research of cross‐linked polyethylene cable insulation based on temporal‐spatial dimension under combined electro‐thermal effect
Authors: Zhao Yifeng , Xie Yue , Zhao Yu , Huang Jiasheng , Fan Xinghui , Nie Yangyang , Liu Gang
Published: March 2023

Dynamic ageing process of cross‐linked polyethylene (XLPE) cable insulation under combined electro‐thermal effect is investigated by the construction of theoretical analysis model and the practice of operation‐simulated ageing test. Firstly, theoretical analysis model is constructed from time and spatial dimensions. From the time dimension, in the light of the impeding trend of internal stress to external stress, the XLPE ageing process of Steady state ‐Transition state ‐Steady state (STS) is proposed to illustrate the dynamic ageing process of XLPE. From the spatial dimension, the insulation is divided into three scales to quantify the ageing. Secondly, to practice the theoretical analysis model, an operation‐simulated ageing test was conducted on two high voltage alternating current cables with service years of 15 and 30 for 540 days. Subsequently, relevant diagnostic measurements were applied to analyse the influence of physicochemical characteristics on the dielectric and heat transfer performances of the cables. The results show that the degradation of the actual operating cable is an extremely slow process. On the one hand, the response in physical changes of morphology counterbalances the external stress, maintaining the stability. On the other hand, once the chemical changes occur, negative feedback mechanism tends to impede the occurrence of further degradation by regulating fields distribution.
Dissolved gas analysis and dissipation factor measurement of mineral oil‐based nanofluids under thermal and electrical faults
Authors: Maher Ahmed , Mansour Diaa‐Eldin A. , Helal Khaled , Abd El Aal Ramadan A. A.
Published: March 2023

Mineral oil is the most frequent insulating liquid used in oil‐immersed transformers for electrical insulation and heat dissipation. However, oil‐based nanofluids are becoming more popular in scientific research as they have proved to have better dielectric and thermal characteristics. When applying these nanofluids into actual transformers, they would be exposed to thermal and electrical stresses. Thus, The aim of the authors is to investigate the generation pattern of dissolved gases in nanofluids under thermal and electrical faults and to assess the applicability of traditional Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) techniques if oil‐based nanofluids are used in transformers. Oil‐based nanofluid samples were prepared using a magnetic stirrer and an ultrasonic homogeniser and then subjected to simulated thermal and electrical faults in the laboratory using properly sealed test cells. Three types of metal oxides, Silicon dioxide, Titanium dioxide, and Aluminium oxide nanoparticles, have been used to prepare nanofluids with 0.02 g/L and 0.04 g/L concentrations. The gases released and dissolved into oil due to the simulated faults were analysed and compared to traditional mineral oil as a benchmark. The dielectric dissipation factor was obtained and analysed for all samples. According to the findings, the presence and concentration of nanoparticles were shown to influence the amount of gases produced. As a result, this research is crucial in guaranteeing that traditional DGA techniques can be employed in transformers that use oil‐based nanofluids.
Analysis and design of a novel cubic WPT system in a metal environment for an enclosed sensor scenario
Authors: Liang Cang , Yuan Huan , Zhang Renjie , Yang Aijun , Wang Xiaohua , Rong Mingzhe
Published: March 2023

This paper proposes a novel cubic WPT system for an enclosed sensor scenario, and its transmission characteristics in a metal environment have been analyzed. In addition, stable and high transmission efficiency can be normally achieved in all positions. The proposed quasi‐double D coil structure is composed of two pairs of transmitting coils; each transmitting coil pair is placed face to face and connected serially. Through current amplitude modulation, magnetic flux can flow towards the centre of the receiving coil and keep the system high efficiency when the rotation angle of the receiving coil changes. However, the installation position of the receiving coil is not fixed in the switch cabinet application, and an irregular iron wall and the metal shell of sensors could also lead to inconsistent iron loss of multiple transmitters. To overcome the resulting disturbances in efficiency, the improved current amplitude control method and the optimal load have been theoretically deduced in the case of the position variation of the receiving coil in a metal environment. Finally, experimental results in two‐dimensional space verify the omnidirectional transmission capability of the proposed quasi‐double D coil, and efficiency disturbances are effectively alleviated.
Quantum finite difference solvers for physics simulation
Authors: Chagneau Anthony , Nathoo Laëticia , Alloul Jérémy , Gabriel Bertrand
Published: March 2023

Physics systems are becoming increasingly complex and require more and more computing time. Quantum computing, which has shown its efficiency on some problems, such as the factorisation of a number with Shor's algorithm, may be the solution to reduce these computation times. Here, the authors propose two quantum numerical schemes for the simulation of physics phenomena, based on the finite difference method. The aim is to see if quantum versions of standard numerical schemes offer an advantage over their classical counterparts, either in accuracy, stability or computation time. First, the authors will present the different phenomena studied as well as the classical solution methods chosen. The authors will then describe the implementation of the quantum numerical schemes and present some results obtained on the different physics phenomena beforehand and then compare both approaches, classical and quantum.
Direct position determination algorithm for non‐circular sources in the presence of mutual coupling and its theoretical performance analysis
Authors: Deng Jie , Yin Jiexin , Yang Bin , Wang Ding
Published: March 2023

This article proposes a direct position determination (DPD) algorithm for non‐circular sources observed by a moving array using the self‐calibration technique in the presence of mutual coupling. The method first utilises the symmetric Toeplitz property of uniform linear array matrices with mutual coupling and cyclic Toeplitz property of uniform circular array coupling matrix, realising the decoupled estimations of target position parameters and sensor error parameters. Then the position parameters of multiple non‐circular are directly determined based on the subspace data fusion criterion in a decoupled manner, where the subspaces are obtained using the extended array data model with the non‐circular properties of the sources. This results in a significant improvement in the accuracy of the target position estimation and the number of distinguishable sources compared to the traditional mutual coupling calibration algorithm. In addition, the theoretical mean square error expression for the position estimations of the proposed algorithm under the influence of finite sampling is derived based on the matrix perturbation analysis theory, and the corresponding Cramér‐Rao bound is given. Finally, the correctness of the theoretical derivation and the superiority of the method is verified by simulation experiments.
Accounting for differential rotation in calculations of the Sun’s angular momentum-loss rate
Authors: Finley A. J. , Brun A. S.
Published: March 2023

Context. Sun-like stars shed angular momentum due to the presence of magnetised stellar winds. Magnetohydrodynamic models have been successful in exploring the dependence of this ‘wind-braking torque’ on various stellar properties; however the influence of surface differential rotation is largely unexplored. As the wind-braking torque depends on the rotation rate of the escaping wind, the inclusion of differential rotation should effectively modulate the angular momentum-loss rate based on the latitudinal variation of wind source regions.

Aims. Here we aim to quantify the influence of surface differential rotation on the angular momentum-loss rate of the Sun, in comparison to the typical assumption of solid-body rotation.

Methods. To do this, we exploited the dependence of the wind-braking torque on the effective rotation rate of the coronal magnetic field, which is known to be vitally important in magnetohydrodynamic models. This quantity has been evaluated by tracing field lines through a potential field source surface (PFSS) model, driven by ADAPT-GONG magnetograms. The surface rotation rates of the open magnetic field lines were then used to construct an open-flux weighted rotation rate, from which the influence on the wind-braking torque could be estimated.

Results. During solar minima, the rotation rate of the corona decreases with respect to the typical solid-body rate (the Carrington rotation period is 25.4 days), as the sources of the solar wind are confined towards the slowly rotating poles. With increasing activity, more solar wind emerges from the Sun’s active latitudes which enforces a Carrington-like rotation. Coronal rotation often displays a north-south asymmetry driven by differences in active region emergence rates (and consequently latitudinal connectivity) in each hemisphere.

Conclusions. The effect of differential rotation on the Sun’s current wind-braking torque is limited. The solar wind-braking torque is ∼10 − 15% lower during solar minimum, (compared with the typical solid body rate), and a few percent larger during solar maximum (as some field lines connect to more rapidly rotating equatorial latitudes). For more rapidly rotating Sun-like stars, differential rotation may play a more significant role, depending on the configuration of the large-scale magnetic field.
Synthesis of Prospective Multiple Time Points F-18 FDG PET Images from a Single Scan Using a Supervised Generative Adversarial Network
Authors: Karimipourfard Merhnoosh , Sina Sedigheh , Khodadai Shoshtari Fereshteh , Alavi Mehrsadat
Published: March 2023

The cumulative activity map estimation are essential tools for patient specific dosimetry with high accuracy, which is estimated using biokinetic models instead of patient dynamic data or the number of static PET scans, owing to economical and time-consuming points of view. In the era of deep learning applications in medicine, the pix-to-pix (p2 p) GAN neural networks play a significant role in image translation between imaging modalities. In this pilot study, we extended the p2 p GAN networks to generate PET images of patients at different times according to a 60 min scan time after the injection of F-18 FDG. In this regard, the study was conducted in two sections: phantom and patient studies. In the phantom study section, the SSIM, PSNR, and MSE metric results of the generated images varied from 0.98–0.99, 31–34 and 1–2 respectively and the fine-tuned Resnet-50 network classified the different timing images with high performance. In the patient study, these values varied from 0.88–0.93, 36–41 and 1.7–2.2, respectively and the classification network classified the generated images in the true group with high accuracy. The results of phantom studies showed high values of evaluation metrics owing to ideal image quality conditions. However, in the patient study, promising results were achieved which showed that the image quality and training data number affected the network performance. This study aims to assess the feasibility of p2 p GAN network application for different timing image generation.