bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic Alteration in Colorectal Cancer: A Biomarker for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Application
Authors: Essa Hafsa Yousif Solayman , Kusaf Gunay , Yuruker Ozel , Kalkan Rasime
Published: September 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. A crucial process that initiates and progresses CRC is various epigenetic and genetic changes occurring in colon epithelial cells. Recently, huge progress has been made to understand cancer epigenetics, especially regarding DNA methylation changes, histone modifications, dysregulation of miRNAs and noncoding RNAs. In the “epigenome” of colon cancer, abnormal methylation of genes that cause gene alterations or expression of miRNA has been reported in nearly all CRC; these findings can be encountered in the average CRC methylome. Epigenetic changes, known as driving events, are assumed to play a dominant part in CRC. Furthermore, as epigenetic changes in CRC become properly understood, these changes are being established as clinical biomarkers for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Progression in this area indicates that epigenetic changes will often be utilized in the future to prevent and treat CRC.
Fiber-tip endoscope for optical and microwave control
Authors: Dix Stefan , Gutsche Jonas , Waller Erik , von Freymann Georg , Widera Artur
Published: September 2022

We present a robust, fiber-based endoscope with a silver direct-laser-written structure for radio frequency (RF) emission next to the optical fiber facet. Thereby, we are able to excite and probe a sample, such as nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond, with RF and optical signals simultaneously and specifically measure the fluorescence of the sample fully through the fiber. At our targeted frequency range of around 2.9 GHz, the facet of the fiber core is in the near-field of the RF-guiding silver structure, which comes with the advantage of an optimal RF intensity decreasing rapidly with the distance. By creating a silver structure on the cladding of the optical fiber, we achieve the minimal possible distance between an optically excited and detected sample and an antenna structure without affecting the optical performance of the fiber. This allows us to realize a high RF amplitude at the sample’s position when considering an endoscope solution with integrated optical and RF access. The capabilities of the endoscope are quantified by optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) measurements of an NV-doped microdiamond that we probe as a practical use case. We demonstrate a magnetic sensitivity of our device of 17.8 nT/Hz when measuring the ODMR exclusively through our fiber and compare the sensitivity to a measurement using a confocal microscope. Moreover, the application of our device is not limited to NV centers in diamonds. Similar endoscope-like devices combining optical excitation and detection with radio frequency or microwave antenna could be used as a powerful tool for measuring a variety of fluorescent particles that have so far only been investigated with bulky and large optical setups. Furthermore, our endoscope points toward precise distance measurements based on Rabi oscillations.
Corrugated, concaved vertically aligned carbon nanotube structures in impeded CVD growth conditions
Authors: Rajab Fahd M.
Published: September 2022

Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes (VACNT) are promising soft materials in advanced devices, including wearable strain sensors. VACNT uniform growth depends on nucleation, growth, and deactivation of metal seed catalysts by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at specific process conditions. CVD is performed at controlled process conditions to maximize VACNT growth with iron seed catalysts of various sizes, optimize water vapor concentration for enhanced VACNT growth, and probe their morphology by creating competition of the hydrocarbon feedstock to Fe seed catalyst of selected layer thicknesses. The analytical studies include ellipsometry to measure thermal oxide, barrier layer, and catalyst layer thicknesses; Raman spectroscopy to assess the characteristic peaks of carbon nanotubes; as well as scanning electron microscopy to evaluate VACNT morphology. The findings show a maximum VACNT growth of 1284 µm at 1 nm Fe catalyst, optimum water vapor content at 12.5–20 SCCM, and predominantly concaved and corrugated, a tube chamber position-dependent VACNT structures with low Ar/H2 ratio and C2H4 gas rates.
Development of a scattering model for diatomic gas–solid surface interactions by an unsupervised machine learning approach
Authors: Mohammad Nejad Shahin , Nedea Silvia , Frijns Arjan , Smeulders David
Published: September 2022

This work proposes a new stochastic gas–solid scattering model for diatomic gas molecules constructed based on the collisional data obtained from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The Gaussian mixture (GM) approach, which is an unsupervised machine learning approach, is applied to H2 and N2 gases interacting with Ni surfaces in a two-parallel wall system under rarefied conditions. The main advantage of this approach is that the entire translational and rotational velocity components of the gas molecules before and after colliding with the surface can be utilized for training the GM model. This creates the possibility to study also highly nonequilibrium systems and accurately capture the energy exchange between the different molecular modes that cannot be captured by the classical scattering kernels. Considering the MD results as the reference solutions, the performance of the GM-driven scattering model is assessed in comparison with the Cercignani–Lampis–Lord (CLL) scattering model in different benchmarking systems: the Fourier thermal problem, the Couette flow problem, and a combined Fourier–Couette flow problem. This assessment is performed in terms of the distribution of the velocity components and energy modes, as well as accommodation coefficients. It is shown that the predicted results by the GM model are in better agreement with the original MD data. Especially, for H2 gas the GM model outperforms the CLL model. The results for N2 molecules are relatively less affected by changing the thermal and flow properties of the system, which is caused by the presence of a stronger adsorption layer.
Computational prediction of new magnetic materials
Authors: Rahmanian Koshkaki Saeed , Allahyari Zahed , Oganov Artem R. , Solozhenko Vladimir L. , Polovov Ilya B. , Belozerov Alexander. S. , Katanin Andrey A. , Anisimov Vladimir I. , Tikhonov Evgeny V. , Qian Guang-Rui , Maksimtsev Konstantin V. , Mukhamadeev Andrey S. , Chukin Andrey V. , Korolev Aleksandr V. , Mushnikov Nikolay V. , Li Hao
Published: September 2022

The discovery of new magnetic materials is a big challenge in the field of modern materials science. We report the development of a new extension of the evolutionary algorithm USPEX, enabling the search for half-metals (materials that are metallic only in one spin channel) and hard magnetic materials. First, we enabled the simultaneous optimization of stoichiometries, crystal structures, and magnetic structures of stable phases. Second, we developed a new fitness function for half-metallic materials that can be used for predicting half-metals through an evolutionary algorithm. We used this extended technique to predict new, potentially hard magnets and rediscover known half-metals. In total, we report five promising hard magnets with high energy product (|BH|MAX), anisotropy field (Ha), and magnetic hardness (κ) and a few half-metal phases in the Cr–O system. A comparison of our predictions with experimental results, including the synthesis of a newly predicted antiferromagnetic material (WMnB2), shows the robustness of our technique.
Symmetry-resolved CO desorption and oxidation dynamics on O/Ru(0001) probed at the C K-edge by ultrafast x-ray spectroscopy
Authors: LaRue Jerry , Liu Boyang , Rodrigues Gabriel L. S. , Liu Chang , Garrido Torres Jose Antonio , Schreck Simon , Diesen Elias , Weston Matthew , Ogasawara Hirohito , Perakis Fivos , Dell’Angela Martina , Capotondi Flavio , Ball Devon , Carnahan Conner , Zeri Gary , Giannessi Luca , Pedersoli Emanuele , Naumenko Denys , Amann Peter , Nikolov Ivaylo , Raimondi Lorenzo , Spezzani Carlo , Beye Martin , Voss Johannes , Wang Hsin-Yi , Cavalca Filippo , Gladh Jörgen , Koroidov Sergey , Abild-Pedersen Frank , Kolb Manuel , Miedema Piter S. , Costantini Roberto , Heinz Tony F. , Luntz Alan C. , Pettersson Lars G. M. , Nilsson Anders
Published: September 2022

We report on carbon monoxide desorption and oxidation induced by 400 nm femtosecond laser excitation on the O/Ru(0001) surface probed by time-resolved x-ray absorption spectroscopy (TR-XAS) at the carbon K-edge. The experiments were performed under constant background pressures of CO (6 × 10−8 Torr) and O2 (3 × 10−8 Torr). Under these conditions, we detect two transient CO species with narrow 2π* peaks, suggesting little 2π* interaction with the surface. Based on polarization measurements, we find that these two species have opposing orientations: (1) CO favoring a more perpendicular orientation and (2) CO favoring a more parallel orientation with respect to the surface. We also directly detect gas-phase CO2 using a mass spectrometer and observe weak signatures of bent adsorbed CO2 at slightly higher x-ray energies than the 2π* region. These results are compared to previously reported TR-XAS results at the O K-edge, where the CO background pressure was three times lower (2 × 10−8 Torr) while maintaining the same O2 pressure. At the lower CO pressure, in the CO 2π* region, we observed adsorbed CO and a distribution of OC–O bond lengths close to the CO oxidation transition state, with little indication of gas-like CO. The shift toward “gas-like” CO species may be explained by the higher CO exposure, which blocks O adsorption, decreasing O coverage and increasing CO coverage. These effects decrease the CO desorption barrier through dipole–dipole interaction while simultaneously increasing the CO oxidation barrier.
Ab initio quantum scattering calculations for the CO–O2 system and a new CO–O2 potential energy surface: O2 and air broadening of the R(0) line in CO
Authors: Zadrożny Adam , Jóźwiak Hubert , Quintas-Sánchez Ernesto , Dawes Richard , Wcisło Piotr
Published: September 2022

We present ab initio calculations of the collisional broadening of the R(0) pure rotational line in CO (at 115 GHz) perturbed by O2. Our calculations are done in a fully quantum way by solving close-coupling quantum-scattering equations without any approximations. We also report a new, highly accurate CO–O2 potential energy surface on which we did the quantum-scattering calculations. The calculated collisional broadening agrees with the available experimental data in a wide temperature range. The calculated collisional shift is negligible compared to the broadening, which is also consistent with the experimental data. We combine this result with our previous calculations for the same line in CO perturbed by N2 [Jóźwiak et al., J. Chem. Phys. 154, 054314 (2021)]; the obtained air-perturbed broadening of the R(0) pure rotational line in CO and its temperature dependence perfectly agree with the HITRAN database. This result constitutes an important step toward developing a methodology for providing accurate ab initio reference data on spectroscopic collisional line-shape parameters for molecular systems relevant to the Earth’s atmosphere and for populating spectroscopic line-by-line databases.
The nonlinear lift coefficient characteristics and active flow control of a symmetrical airfoil at a low Reynolds number
Authors: Xia Tianyu , Dong Hao , Wu Jie , Li Kaixin , Jin Zhou , Liu Yuqi
Published: September 2022

In this paper, the flow characteristics of a symmetrical airfoil at Re = 40 000 near a 0° angle of attack are investigated numerically, and the nonlinear lift coefficient phenomenon and different types of laminar separation bubble (LSB) structures are clearly observed. It is confirmed that the nonlinear characteristics of the lift coefficient originate from the differently shaped pressure distributions in the LSB. The causes of the different characteristics of the pressure distributions in different types of LSB are revealed by deriving the Reynolds-averaged pressure gradient equation. It is determined that the viscous stress distribution near the wall is the key to the formation of different pressure distributions. Moreover, in order to suppress the disadvantages associated with the nonlinear lift coefficient of a symmetrical airfoil, an active flow control method based on local oscillation is adopted. By introducing an oscillation disturbance upstream of the separation bubble, the effect of Reynolds stress and convection on the wall is enhanced, the reattachment of the separation flow is promoted, and the formation of an LSB at the trailing edge is suppressed. Thus, the nonlinear characteristics of the lift coefficient due to the switching of the LSB structure are eliminated.
Disentangling professional competence and foreign accent
Authors: Teló Cesar , Trofimovich Pavel , Grantham O’Brien Mary
Published: September 2022

This study examined listeners’ evaluations of first (L1) and second language (L2) English speech in work-related contexts. Ninety-six English-speaking listeners from Calgary rated audio recordings of 12 English speakers (6 L1 English, 6 L1 Tagalog) along three continua capturing one professional (competence), one experiential (treatment preference), and one linguistic (comprehensibility) dimension. The audio recordings additionally differed in terms of job prestige (high vs. low) and performance level (high vs. low). Compared to English speakers, Tagalog speakers were rated as less competent and comprehensible overall, and listeners wished to be treated more like the clients in scenarios recorded by English than Tagalog speakers, with all effects magnified for speakers with heavier foreign accents. Nonetheless, listeners generally evaluated English and Tagalog speakers similarly in low-prestige and in low-performance scenarios, but rated low performance less negatively in low-prestige positions. Findings demonstrate highly nuanced accent bias in work-related contexts.
Emotion in speech
Authors: Ariztimuño Lilián I. , Dreyfus Shoshana , Moore Alison Rotha
Published: September 2022

This paper explores how emotion is conveyed in spoken language based on a sample of three stories for children read aloud by a trained storyteller. It draws on both Martin & White’s appraisal framework (2005) and a systematic account of vocal features. Interpreting and profiling emotion is a challenge both for researchers interested in spoken language and for English-as-an-additional-language teachers, when working to improve students’ spoken expression of emotion. Underpinning this challenge is the absence of a unified theoretical stance and a consequent lack of shared analytical tools for describing how speakers use semiotic resources to convey emotion in their speech. A systemic functional semiotic approach can make visible the co-patterning of wordings and vocalisations that express emotion.
Evaluating Jesus and other “heroes”
Authors: Lamb David A. , Tenbrink Thora
Published: September 2022

The appraisal framework developed by Martin and White and others working within systemic functional linguistics has been applied in a wide variety of contexts. However, to our knowledge, it has been little used in the interpretation of ancient written documents. We believe that it may have value, amongst other things, in determining the genre of such literature and we see this as particularly relevant in the area of biography, where the author’s presentation of the subject is a key factor. So, in this study, we apply aspects of the appraisal framework to three Hellenistic Greek texts often categorised with the genre “Lives”. Selected passages from these texts were divided into short units for quantitative analysis that focused on theJudgementthat the texts’ authors make of their central characters (their “heroes”), how this isamplifiedand how theyengagewith different “voices”. These passages were also compared with the rest of the texts in a more qualitative study. Our results show notable differences in theJudgementthe authors make and presumably wish their readers to share in terms of the positive/negative portrayal of their “heroes”, the degree of amplification and the interaction with other “voices”. We consider the appropriateness of the “Lives” genre for one of these texts, theGospel of John, and also a number of methodological issues arising from an area of application that has not previously received attention. These include the difficulty of making clear-cut evaluation choices where authors themselves may be ambivalent about those they are describing and the need to take account of the differing and complex value systems of ancient cultures. We suggest that our findings may have wider relevance for other applications of appraisal.
Derisive laughter and religious identity in ancient Christianity
Authors: Sælid Gilhus Anne Ingvild
Published: September 2022

Polemic and mockery were part of Christian identity-making, especially in apologies and
heresiologies, where boundaries were created against pagans and other Christians. In this paper, the focus is on the
use of derisive laughter in the Nag Hammadi texts. This chapter presents a survey of four variants of the
laughter-motif, discusses them and investigates what they have to say about Christian monastic identity in the fourth
to fifth century in Upper Egypt. It appears that the motif works as a powerful rhetorical instrument and pedagogical
tool. It contributed to guide the readers in the right direction – towards spirituality and superior knowledge, but it
was not necessarily intended to make them laugh out loud.
Opponent or advocate?
Authors: Graham Nicole
Published: September 2022

This chapter explores one of the earliest Christian commentators on laughter, Clement of
Alexandria. It argues that his views on laughter were more nuanced than the fervent opposition with which he is often
characterised and that, at times, he advocates for laughter. With particular reference to ‘On laughter’ in his
Paedagogus, this chapter will demonstrate how Clement was influenced by Greek philosophy,
Scripture, and the Hellenistic society within which he lived when forming his ambiguous views on laughter. Indeed, by
exploring laughter in various forms, e.g. drunken laughter, erotic laughter, comic laughter, and pedagogical laughter,
it will become clear that Clement’s beliefs about laughter vary depending on the context, the intention, and the
consequences of the laughter.
The smile of the martyr
Authors: Lanfranchi Pierluigi
Published: September 2022

A martyr smiling while interrogated or tortured is a topos of Early Christian
martyrological literature. It is also present in stories on Jewish martyrs in the rabbinic literature. Authors of
Acta and Passiones often oppose the laughter of the pagan crowd to the smile of
the Christian martyr. The Greek word μειδιᾶν (‘to smile’) and γελᾶν (‘to laugh’) suppose different emotional attitudes as well as different facial expressions.
This article aims to show how Christian authors use this opposition and propose the martyr’s smile as the final
strategy of resistance against violence and as an ideal paradigm of Christian behaviour.
How is this sutra different from my ass?
Authors: Dijkstra Michel
Published: September 2022

In Zen Buddhism humour is used in a soteriological way. Zen masters confront their disciples with
(practical) jokes in order to free their minds and discover enlightenment. In this essay, I investigate the humour of
enlightenment by first pointing out the influence of Daoist humoristic stories on Zen. Next, three dimensions of Zen
jokes are highlighted, namely relativism, the way of cutting through illusion and liberating intimacy. With the help
of humour, Zen masters like Linji and the Japanese teenager Satsujo teach their disciples that they should not cling
to their views. This relativism leads to an insight into one’s own illusions. Once these false views are literally
‘laughed away’ one can discover a liberating connection with all things.
Finicking monkeys
Authors: Sterken Arjan
Published: September 2022

This chapter discusses the Chinese trickster figure Monkey King in narrative scenes in which he
either steals or is tempted to steal food. It explores the way in which Monkey King is humorously utilised in the
discourse on which of the Three Teachings (sanjiao), Daoism, Confucianism, or Buddhism, is superior
to the others. First, this chapter discusses Monkey King’s multifarious origins. Afterwards, three texts are analysed:
The story of how the monk Tripiṭaka of the great country of Tang brought back the Sūtras;
The interpreter Pak; and The journey to the West. In all these texts, the type
of humour utilised is best described by the superiority theory.
An evaluation of fatigue crack initiation in Ti–6Al–4V alloy by Schmid factor
Authors: Arakawa Jinta , Sato Hiroki , Handa Ryosuke , Kimura Yukihiko , Hashimoto Shotaro , Akebono Hiroyuki , Sugeta Atsushi
Published: September 2022

A plane bending fatigue test was conducted on Ti–6Al–4V, and the crystal grains where the fatigue crack initiated were identified from the crystal orientation map obtained by using the EBSD method. In addition, the slip system, which generated the fatigue crack initiation, was identified by calculating the out-of-plane component of the Schmid factor ( SF) of each slip system. As a result, fatigue cracks were found to occur owing to basal slip. In this study, the out-of-plane component of the SF was mapped by considering the effect of the crystal grain size. The results clarified that the number of crystal grains where fatigue crack may initiate can be limited by using the out-of-plane component of the SF and the grain size.
Experimental evaluation of multi-jointed soft detection arm of geometry inspection gauges for detecting internal convex defects in natural gas pipelines
Authors: Yue Chunmei , Liu Shuhai , Xiao Huaping , Zhu Xiaoxiao
Published: September 2022

Regular deformation inspection of in-service natural gas pipelines can reduce accidents caused by pipeline failure. In this study, a novel contact-testing geometry inspection gauge is proposed, and its multi-jointed soft detection arm is the focus of our study. 3D printing technology and mold casting were used to fabricate a newly designed detection arm. A finite element method was used to analyze the process of the detection arm passing through the convex defect and optimize its joint number. Then, a series of comparison experiments were conducted with various convex defects to evaluate the superiority of the measuring performance of the multi-jointed soft detection arm. The experimental results show that compared to the no-jointed detection arm, the multi-jointed detection arm has a more accurate experimental value, especially for defects with closer heights (8 and 10 mm) and is relatively more stable in repeated experiments. This study provides options for the design of a flexible caliper pipeline inspection gauge for deformation inspection in pipelines.
Temperature induced giant shift of phonon energy in epitaxial boron nitride layers
Authors: Iwański J , Tatarczak P , Tokarczyk M , Da̧browska A K , Pawłowski J , Binder J , Kowalski G , Stȩpniewski R , Wysmołek A
Published: September 2022

The recent progress in the growth of large-area boron nitride epilayers opens up new possibilities for future applications. However, it remains largely unclear how weakly attached two-dimensional BN layers interact with their substrate and how their properties are influenced by defects. In this work, we investigate hBN layers grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy in the temperature range of 160–540 K. Our measurements reveal strong differences in the character of layer-substrate interaction for as-grown and delaminated epitaxial layers. A much weaker interaction of as-grown layers is explained by wrinkles formation that reduces strain at the layer-substrate interface, which for layers transferred to other substrates occurs only in a limited temperature range. The most striking result is the observation of a giant increase in the E
1u
phonon energy of up to ∼6 cm−1 in a narrow temperature range. We show that the amplitude and temperature range of the anomaly is strongly modified by UV light illumination. The observed giant effect is explained in terms of strain generation resulting from charge redistribution between shallow traps and different defects, which can be interpreted as a result of strong electron-phonon coupling in hBN. The observed narrow temperature range of the anomaly indicates that the effect may be further enhanced for example by electrostrictive effects, expected for sp2 boron nitride.
Ultrasound-guided in vivo histotripsy in rabbit kidneys using millisecond-length two-stage ultrasound pulses combined with fundamental and second harmonic superposition
Authors: Qi Tingting , Yang Rongzheng , Liu Xuan , Lu Mingzhu , Liu Yehui , Li Ruixin , Mao Jianyun , Zhang Yi , Jing Yanshu , Chang Juntao , Zhang Quan , Wan Mingxi
Published: September 2022

Objective. Histotripsy is a non-invasive focused ultrasound ablation method that can mechanically disintegrate tissues. This study aims to verify that ultrasound-guided histotripsy using millisecond-length two-stage ultrasound pulses combined with fundamental and second harmonic superposition can enhance treatment in rabbit kidneys in vivo. Approach. Rabbit kidneys (n = 10) were treated using a custom-designed 1.1/2.2 MHz two-element confocal-annular array, with lateral and axial full width at half-maximum pressure dimensions of approximately 1.0 and 6.0 mm. Two-stage ultrasound pulses were applied: stage 1 used 60–80 pulses with a pulse duration of 6 ms and a pulse repetition frequency of 10 Hz. Meanwhile, stage 2 consists of 2–4 periods, each period consists of a concentrated pulse train of localized high DC of 6% and an off-time of 3–5 s, with an average DC of 1%–1.5%. B-mode ultrasound imaging was used to guide and monitor the boiling and cavitation bubbles. Main results. Ultrasound-guided treatment was successful in all rabbits, and the ablation rate is about seven times that of single-frequency combined two-stage pulses, achieving enhanced histotripsy. The regular elliptical lesions with dimensions of 10.6 ± 0.8 mm × 3.9 ± 0.6 mm (axial × lateral) were generated, and a large-volume lesion was generated by multi-point treatment. The size of most lysates was about 2.5 μm. Histologically, lesions were completely homogenized and well demarcated between treated-untreated areas. There was no apparent damage to critical structures surrounding lesions. Nonlinear simulations revealed that it may be the interaction between shock front and the cavitation and boiling bubbles generated by the dual-frequency effect enhanced the treatment efficiency. Significance. The novel histotripsy could improve treatment efficiency and generate regular elliptical lesions with controllable shape and axial dimensions, which may be a useful tool in treating renal cell carcinoma.
A nonlinear magnetic and torsional spring coupling piezoelectric energy harvester with internal resonance
Authors: Lin Wanrong , Xu Yunfei , Wang Sijia , Chen Zhiwen , Xie Zhengqiu , Huang Wenbin
Published: September 2022

Magnetically coupled dual-beam energy harvesters have been presented by several researches to achieve a broader response bandwidth. However, in the low frequency operating environment with limited space, the dimension of the piezoelectric beam is limited which leads to high stiffness of the generated beam. Therefore, the output of dual-beam system is relatively low under low frequency and amplitude vibrations. In this paper, a nonlinear magnetic and torsional spring coupling energy harvester is proposed. The stiffness of the torsional spring can be easily adjusted to make the designed harvester suitable for low frequency vibrations. The introduction of torsion springs provides an extra degree of freedom to the system and broadens the response band of the system from 8.7 Hz to 15 Hz. Furthermore, the presence of the 1:3 internal resonance phenomenon in the harvester considerably achieves frequency enhancement and bandwidth extension, significantly improving the harvesting performance in low frequency environments. Numerical analysis, simulation, and experimental are carried out to verify that the proposed energy harvester is capable of harvesting low frequency wideband vibration energy. The results show that magnetic and torsional spring coupling piezoelectric energy harvester is capable of broadband energy harvesting in the range of 5–20 Hz (i.e. 15 Hz bandwidth).
A tunable multi-arm electromagnetic pendulum for ultra-low frequency vibration energy harvesting
Authors: Nicolini Lorenzo , Castagnetti Davide , Sorrentino Andrea
Published: September 2022

Autonomous electronic devices and sensors are essential to reduce expensive maintenance, increasing job security and reliability, avoiding battery replacements and wired systems. Industrial systems and civil structures vibrate dissipating an important amount of energy that can be harvested to power small devices. This work continues and extends a previous work from the authors (Castagnetti 2019 Meccanica
54 749–60). Here we improved that initial configuration by proposing a tunable multi-arm electromagnetic pendulum for ultra-low frequency vibrations energy harvesting. This configuration features five electromagnetic converters and a magnetic spring, each supported by a pendulum arm with different length: when excited by external vibrations, this six arms frame is free to oscillate around a central pivot. The paper starts from conceptual design, includes a detailed multiphysics dynamic simulation implemented with Matlab Simscape software, presents the prototype development through three-dimensional printing and experimental validation. Systematic experimental tests investigated different pendulum configurations for three stiffness levels of the magnetic spring and confirmed both the ultra-low frequency response (from 2 to 10 Hz), as predicted by the dynamic simulation, and the good voltage and power outputs. Specifically, for the higher stiffness of the magnetic spring, corresponding to an oscillation frequency of about 9.5 Hz, the power output was up to 8.4 mW and the output voltage of about 2 Volt.
On-chip test vector generation and downsampling for testing RSFQ circuits
Authors: Chen Liyun , Maezawa Masaaki , Ying Liliang , Ren Jie , Wang Zhen
Published: September 2022

An on-chip high-frequency testing method for rapid single flux quantum circuits is proposed. This method employs test vectors based on pseudo-random sequences created by an on-chip high-frequency clock generator (CG) and a linear feedback shift register with parallel outputs (LSPO). Downsamplers (DSMs) at the outputs of a circuit under test (CUT) decimate the CUT output data so that high-frequency testing can be performed at sufficiently low data rates between the CUT and room-temperature electronics. The proposed testing can continuously test the circuit at high frequency with low-cost instruments. All of the critical subsystems, including LSPO, CG, and DSM, were designed, fabricated, and successfully tested. We validated proper operation at up to 40 GHz, confirming the concept and execution.
Dynamics of magnetic flux propagation in bulk, single grain superconducting rings during pulsed field magnetisation
Authors: Beck Michael , Tsui Yee Kin , Shi Yun Hua , Moseley Dominic , Dennis Anthony R , Cardwell David A , Durrell John H , Ainslie Mark D
Published: September 2022

When used as trapped field magnets (TFMs), single grain, bulk high-temperature superconducting (HTS) rings are promising candidates for the generation of strong, uniform magnetic fields for nuclear magnetic resonance. The pulsed field magnetisation (PFM) technique provides a low cost, compact and portable method to magnetise these samples as TFMs; however it has proven difficult to achieve high trapped fields in HTS rings using PFM. To date, a record field of only 0.60 T has been achieved for rings magnetised by single-pulse PFM—compared with over 4 T for disc-shaped HTS—and the reasons for this discrepancy are poorly understood. In this work, we use the finite element method to model the propagation of magnetic flux into HTS rings under quasi-static zero field cooled magnetisation and PFM, and validate the results analytically and experimentally. Magnetic flux is found to penetrate finite HTS rings from both the inner and outer surfaces, inducing a negative field at the inner face of the ring. This field is reversed as the applied field increases past the point of full penetration, locally dissipating magnetic energy and heating the sample. HTS rings are therefore more susceptible to local instabilities that severely limit their ability to trap a useful magnetic field. Consequently, thermomagnetic stability of HTS rings during single-pulse PFM can only be ensured by taking careful consideration of reducing flux movement through the bulk around the point at which the field is reversed. This may require more advanced PFM techniques like waveform control or multi-pulse stepwise-cooling to reduce local heating and increase the trapped field.
The Ising critical quantum Otto engine
Authors: Piccitto Giulia , Campisi Michele , Rossini Davide
Published: September 2022

We study a four-stroke Otto engine whose working fluid is a quantum Ising chain. The thermodynamic cycle consists in sweeps of the transverse magnetic field occurring in thermal isolation, alternated by thermalisation strokes with reservoirs at different temperatures. The system–environment coupling is modelled in a thermodynamically consistent way by means of a nonlocal Lindblad master equation. We show that the engine may operate in four different operation modes, depending on the various parameters, in particular it can act as a heat engine and as a refrigerator. We detect an enhancement of the thermodynamic performance as the critical point is crossed, and investigate it in detail.
Constraining spatial curvature with large-scale structure
Authors: Bel Julien , Larena Julien , Maartens Roy , Marinoni Christian , Perenon Louis
Published: September 2022

We analyse the clustering of matter on large scales in an extension of the concordance model that allows for spatial curvature. We develop a consistent approach to curvature and wide-angle effects on the galaxy 2-point correlation function in redshift space. In particular we derive the Alcock-Paczynski distortion of fσ
8, which differs significantly from empirical models in the literature. A key innovation is the use of the 'Clustering Ratio', which probes clustering in a different way to redshift-space distortions, so that their combination delivers more powerful cosmological constraints. We use this combination to constrain cosmological parameters, without CMB information. In a curved Universe, we find that Ωm, 0=0.26± 0.04 (68% CL). When the clustering probes are combined with low-redshift background probes — BAO and SNIa — we obtain a CMB-independent constraint on curvature: Ω
K, 0 = 0.0041-0.0504
+0.0500. We find no Bayesian evidence that the flat concordance model can be rejected. In addition we show that the sound horizon at decoupling is r
d = 144.57 ± 2.34 Mpc, in agreement with its measurement from CMB anisotropies. As a consequence, the late-time Universe is compatible with flat ΛCDM and a standard sound horizon, leading to a small value of H
0, without assuming any CMB information. Clustering Ratio measurements produce the only low-redshift clustering data set that is not in disagreement with the CMB, and combining the two data sets we obtain Ω
K, 0 = -0.023 ± 0.010.
Strain effects on Li+ diffusion in solid electrolyte interphases: A molecular dynamics study
Authors: Ji Xiang , Zhang Junqian
Published: September 2022

Dilithium ethylene dicarbonate (Li2EDC) and dilithium butylene dicarbonate (Li2BDC) are the common organic compositions of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The Li+ diffusion in the amorphous and ordered phases of Li2EDC and Li2BDC under various strains has been investigated by using molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that different strains lead to diverse changes in Li+ diffusivity. The tensile strain makes the Li+ diffusion coefficients increase in amorphous and ordered Li2EDC or Li2BDC, and the compressive strain makes the Li+ diffusion coefficients decrease in them. The average Li+ coordination number calculation, ion conductivity calculation and the calculation of the residence autocorrelation function in amorphous and ordered Li2EDC or Li2BDC are performed to further analyze the strain effects on Li+ transport in them. The factors influencing Li+ diffusion in amorphous and ordered Li2EDC or Li2BDC under the strain are discussed.
Riemann–Hilbert approach of the complex Sharma–Tasso–Olver equation and its N-soliton solutions
Authors: Li Sha , Xia Tiecheng , Wei Hanyu
Published: September 2022

We study the complex Sharma–Tasso–Olver equation using the Riemann–Hilbert approach. The associated Riemann–Hilbert problem for this integrable equation can be naturally constructed by considering the spectral problem of the Lax pair. Subsequently, in the case that the Riemann–Hilbert problem is irregular, the N-soliton solutions of the equation can be deduced. In addition, the three-dimensional graphic of the soliton solutions and wave propagation image are graphically depicted and further discussed.
Production of neutron-deficient nuclei around N = 126 by proton-induced spallation*
Authors: Lei Xin , Xiao Erxi , Feng Yujie , Huang Yingge , Zhu Long , Su Jun
Published: September 2022

Many isotopes of Np, Pu, Am, and Cm around the N = 126 shell still have not been produced in the laboratory. This study aims to investigate the cross sections and yields of the neutron-deficient nuclei of Np, Pu, Am, and Cm produced in the proton-induced spallations of transuranium elements. The isospin-dependent quantum molecular dynamics (IQMD) model is applied to study the dynamical process of reaction, and the subsequent decay process is simulated by the GEMINI++ model. The IQMD-GEMINI++ model is applied to calculate the cross section, kinetic energy, and angular distribution of the isotopic productions around N = 126. The Lindhand, Scharff, and Schiott theory is applied to calculate the energy loss of different heavy nuclei in the target material. A comparison between the data and the calculations shows that the IQMD-GEMINI++ model can reproduce the production cross sections of the neutron-deficient nuclei in spallation within approximately 1.5 orders of magnitude. The maximum cross section of the undiscovered isotopes of Np, Pu, Am, and Cm is about 10−5 mb, while the kinetic energies of the productions are all less than 16 MeV. The angular distribution shows that the emission direction of production is mostly at a backward angle. The range of production in the target is within the range of 10−7 to 10−5 cm. This range is the effective target thickness for the online identification of undiscovered isotopes. Based on the effective thickness of the target and assuming an intensity of 120 μA for the proton beam, the yields of the undiscovered neutron-deficient nuclei are calculated. Productions of the undiscovered isotopes of Np, Pu, Am, and Cm by the proton-induced spallations of transuranium elements are feasible. However, experimental techniques for online identification of neutron-deficient nuclei produced in proton-induced spallation should be developed.
Compact stars admitting Finch-Skea symmetry in the presence of various matter fields*
Authors: Sokoliuk Oleksii , Baransky Alexander , Sahoo P.K.
Published: September 2022

In the present study, we investigate the anisotropic stellar solutions admitting Finch-Skea symmetry (viable and non-singular metric potentials) in the presence of some exotic matter fields, such as Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) dark matter, the Kalb-Ramond fully anisotropic rank-2 tensor field from the low-energy string theory effective action, and the gauge field imposing

symmetry. Interior spacetime is matched with both Schwarzchild and Reissner-Nördstrom vacuum spacetimes for BEC, KB, and gauge fields. In addition, we study the energy conditions, Equation of State (EoS), radial derivatives of energy density and anisotropic pressures, Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equilibrium condition, relativistic adiabatic index, sound speed, and surface redshift. Most of the aforementioned conditions are satisfied. Therefore, the solutions derived in the current study lie in the physically acceptable regime.
Long-term observations of macular thickness after subretinal implantation of a photovoltaic prosthesis in patients with atrophic age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Muqit Mahiul M K , Mer Yannick Le , Holz Frank G , Sahel José A
Published: September 2022

Objective. Subretinal prostheses electrically stimulate the residual inner retinal neurons to partially restore vision. We investigated the changes in neurosensory macular structures and it is thickness associated with subretinal implantation in geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Approach. Using optical coherence tomography, changes in distance between electrodes and retinal inner nuclear layer (INL) as well as alterations in thickness of retinal layers were measured over time above and near the subretinal chip implanted within the atrophic area. Retinal thickness (RT) was quantified across the implant surface and edges as well as outside the implant zone to compare with the natural macular changes following subretinal surgery, and the natural course of dry AMD. Main results. GA was defined based on complete retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy (cRORA). Based on the analysis of three patients with subretinal implantation, we found that the distance between the implant and the target cells was stable over the long-term follow-up. Total RT above the implant decreased on average, by 39 ± 12 µm during 3 months post-implantation, but no significant changes were observed after that, up to 36 months of the follow-up. RT also changed near the temporal entry point areas outside the implantation zone following the surgical trauma of retinal detachment. There was no change in the macula cRORA nasal to the implanted zone, where there was no surgical trauma or manipulation. Significance. The surgical delivery of the photovoltaic subretinal implant causes minor RT changes that settle after 3 months, and then remain stable over long-term with no adverse structural or functional effects. Distance between the implant and the INL remains stable up to 36 months of the follow-up.
Characterisation of HV-MAPS ATLASPix3 and its applications for future lepton colliders
Authors: Raciti B. , Gao Y. , Schimassek R. , Andreazza A. , Feng Z. , Fox H. , Han Y. , Li Y. , Martin J. , Peric I. , Sabatini F. , Velthuis J. , Zhang H. , Zhu H.
Published: September 2022

HV-MAPS are a novel type of CMOS depleted active pixel sensors for ionizing particles, implemented in standard CMOS processes, that have been proposed in several future particle physics experiments for particle tracking. In depleted monolithic sensors, the sensor element is the n-well/p-substrate diode. The sensor matrix and the readout are integrated in one single piece of silicon and the electronics is embedded in shallow wells inside deep n-wells, isolated from the substrate. High voltage biasing increases the depth of the depletion region, improving sensor properties as signal amplitude, charge collection speed and radiation tolerance. ATLASPix3 is the first full reticle size high voltage Monolithic Active Pixel CMOS sensor, designed to meet the specifications of the outer layers of the ATLAS inner tracker (ITk). Its thin design, the excellent position resolution, high readout rate and high radiation tolerance make ATLASPix3 an ideal candidate for large-area tracking detector R&D of future collider experiments such as the Circular Electron Positron Collider (CEPC) silicon tracker.
Discrete SIR model on a homogeneous tree and its continuous limit
Authors: Gairat Alexander , Shcherbakov Vadim
Published: September 2022

We study a discrete susceptible–infected–recovered (SIR) model for the spread of infectious disease on a homogeneous tree and the limit behavior of the model in the case when the tree vertex degree tends to infinity. We obtain the distribution of the time it takes for a susceptible vertex to get infected in terms of a solution of a non-linear integral equation under broad assumptions on the model parameters. Namely, infection rates are assumed to be time-dependent, and recovery times are given by random variables with a fairly arbitrary distribution. We then study the behavior of the model in the limit when the tree vertex degree tends to infinity, and infection rates are appropriately scaled. We show that in this limit the integral equation of the discrete model implies an equation for the susceptible population compartment. This is a master equation in the sense that both the infectious and the recovered compartments can be explicitly expressed in terms of its solution.
Impacts of on-board monitored data on estimated thermal characteristics of a dwelling
Authors: Joseph Thaddeus A I , den Brom P I van , Itard L C M
Published: September 2022

After the thermal renovation of a dwelling, there exists a gap between the actual and predicted energy performance. One of the reasons contributing to this gap is the poor assumptions of building thermal characteristics during the prediction stage. Nowadays, smart meters for gas and electricity, and home automation systems are becoming increasingly prominent in dwellings. Hence, there is potential to use the on-board monitored data from these sources to estimate the thermal characteristics of the actual dwellings. If it was possible to measure everything in a dwelling, then the estimation of these characteristics would become easy. However, the amount of data from the dwellings is limited. Hence with the available data, assumptions have to be made to estimate characteristics reflective of the actual dwelling. Therefore, this study investigates the impact these assumptions have on the estimated characteristics. First, a simple equation requiring minimum data is formulated to represent the heat dynamics in a building. Then, the characteristics are determined for one Dutch dwelling for the following conditions: 1. Different measurement periods, 2. Different time granularities, 3. With total (space heating + domestic hot water) and decomposed (only space heating) gas consumption data, 4. With different representations of indoor air temperature, and 5. Using electricity data to account for internal heat gains. In general, the estimated characteristics deviated for all the conditions. And thus, this study establishes the importance of well-chosen on-board monitored data.