bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Bank of England and conservative sound money politics: economic ideas in a contested political sphere
Authors: Blanden Adam
Published: September 2024

Over the course of the 2010s, Conservative politicians criticised the Bank of England for meddling in markets and punishing ‘prudent’ savers. Partly in response to this, Bank officials risked their own reputations by adopting new forms of communicative engagement with the public and attempting to defend the prevailing consensus on monetary policy. This paper draws on both qualitative coding of transcripts of Treasury Committee hearings and 11 interviews with Bank staff and officials to support its central claim that the politics of monetary policy takes place in a conflictual political sphere in which different interests, values and identities are mobilised in opposed ideologies of monetary governance. This qualitative approach helps to identify the ideological substance of public debates about monetary policy. The conflict between Conservative sound money and Bank monetary policy orthodoxy is conceptualised as a divide within the neoliberal consensus, with more progressive views marginalised or absent. Central bankers do not merely seek to publicly defend their reputations, while relegating the politics of economic ideas to abstruse debates among technocrats. Rather, central bankers are political actors in a relatively open, public and conflictual political sphere.
Exploring the impact of digital distrust on user resistance to e-health services among older adults: the moderating effect of anticipated regret
Authors: Ezeudoka Brendan Chukwuemeka , Fan Mingyue
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the factors influencing user resistance to e-health services among older adults, focusing on the role of information inequality, digital distrust, low self-efficacy, perceived risk, and social influence. Structured questionnaires were used to gather data from 301 older adult participants, and the structural equation modeling method was used to analyze the results. The results show that digital distrust, perceived risk, and user resistance have a significant positive relationship, underscoring the significance of resolving trust and risk concerns in e-health interventions. The study also finds that the association between digital distrust and user resistance is moderated by anticipated regret, indicating that people who anticipate regretting not adopting electronic health services are less likely to oppose digital technologies despite their distrust. Surprisingly, the study did not find support for the hypothesized relationship between information inequality and user resistance, indicating the need for further exploration of this complex relationship. The study contributes to a better understanding of the factors influencing user resistance to e-health services among older adults, offering valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to promote the adoption of digital health technologies in aging populations.
Clinical care ratios: differences in allied health roles in New Zealand
Authors: McNicholl Seamus Gary , Reid Duncan , Bright Felicity
Published: September 2024

Objective Allied health workforce planning is difficult and needs to be informed by data. Clinical care ratios (CCR) are commonly used to differentiate between clinical and non-clinical demands. This study aimed to identify trends within and across allied health disciplines and determine if the CCR differed by allied health discipline within one New Zealand district. Methods Means of CCR data across six allied health roles over 1 year were compared using a one-way ANOVA. Post hoc analysis was conducted to determine role differences. Results There were statistically significant differences between the CCR of the six allied health disciplines. Both occupational therapy and physiotherapy had bimodal distributions of CCR. Allied health assistants had the lowest mean and median CCR. Conclusions Non-clinical activity represents a significant proportion of allied health activity within the New Zealand hospital system. Insights into the CCR of allied health disciplines may support more effective workforce planning and enable service leaders to match the right task to the right profession.
Genetic diversity of an undescribed cryptic maskray (Neotrygon sp.) species from Fiji
Authors: Glaus Kerstin , Loganimoce Epeli , Mescam Gauthier , Appleyard Sharon A.
Published: September 2024

Context The extinction risk of sharks and rays exceeds that of most other vertebrates. Genetic analyses can help identify conservation risks. Aims Identification of Fiji’s maskray and testing the null hypothesis of no genetic differentiation within the species over time. Methods Mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) barcoding was used for species identification, and DArT-seq technology to monitor the genetic diversity. Cohort samples were collected in 2015 and 2022. A subset from each cohort was barcoded. The genetic survey was complemented by a size comparison between the two cohorts. Key results Barcoding of the COI gene showed a maximum similarity of 97.84% to Kuhl’s maskray (Neotrygon kuhlii) and 96.83% to the Coral Sea maskray (Neotrygon trigonoides), but no higher-level distinct species match to reference sequences in the Barcode of Life Datasystem. Genotyping of 56 individuals in two cohorts yielded 21,293 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and 3871 SNPs per individual were retained. The neutral genetic diversity remained stable over time. The 2015 cohort showed positive inbreeding, with one full-sibling pair identified in each cohort. Body size comparisons indicated a significant reduction in disc length and width in the 2022 cohort. Conclusions The smaller body size of the 2022 cohort may hint at increased fishing pressure, but genetic diversity has not been affected. Thus, the null hypothesis is accepted. Implications These findings provide insights into the genetic diversity of Fiji’s maskray and enable a genetic comparison with current Neotrygon species known in the region. Taxonomy confirmation is needed, but the presence of a cryptic or potentially new maskray in Fiji seems plausible.
The roles of geometry and viscosity in the mobilization of coarse sediment by finer sediment
Authors: Hassan Marwan A. , Parker Gary , Hassan Yarra , An Chenge , Fu Xudong , Venditti Jeremy G.
Published: September 2024

In rivers, the addition of finer sediment to a coarser riverbed is known to increase the mobility of the coarser fraction. Two mechanisms have been suggested for this: a geometric mechanism whereby smaller sizes smooth the bed, increasing near-bed velocity and thus mobility of the larger sizes, and a viscous mechanism whereby a transitionally smooth turbulent boundary layer forms, rendering the coarser grains more mobile. Here, we report on experiments using two sediment mixtures to better understand these proposed mechanisms. In Mixture 1, we used 0.5 and 5 mm grains, and in Mixture 2, we used 2 and 20 mm grains. If the entrainment of coarse gravel by finer sediment is a purely geometric effect, then the addition of finer material should produce the same effect on the mobility of the coarser material for both mixtures because they have the same size ratio. We show that addition of finer material has a different effect on the two mixtures. We observed an increase in the mobility of the coarse fraction for both mixtures, but the increase in coarse fraction mobility for Mixture 1 was almost twice that for Mixture 2. Our experiments show that in addition to the geometric effect, enhancement of coarse gravel transport by finer sediment is also driven by a viscous effect.
Uniqueness of extremal charged black holes in de Sitter
Authors: Katona David
Published: September 2024

We prove a uniqueness theorem for the charged Nariai black holes and ultracold black holes in four dimensions. In particular, we show that an analytic solution to four-dimensional Einstein–Maxwell theory with a positive cosmological constant containing a static extremal Killing horizon with spherical cross-sections of large radius (compared to the cosmological scale), must be locally isometric to the extremal Reissner–Nordström–de Sitter black hole or its near-horizon geometry. The theorem generalises to extremal static horizons with small radius, establishing uniqueness of cold black holes for generic values of the radius.
An optimum structural design method for a torque sensor measuring the control moment of the micro flapping-wing robot
Authors: Wang Liang , Song Bifeng , Zhang Minghao , Yang Xiaojun , Sun Zhongchao , Zhang Wenming
Published: September 2024

This paper presents an optimum structural design method for a sensor capable of measuring the control torque of the micro flapping-wing robot. Torque measurement in flapping-wing robots has special demands on the sensor bandwidth. The method in this paper focuses on the development of a multi-objective optimization method based on the surrogate model to solve the sensor indicator design issues, for example, increasing sensitivity while meeting bandwidth requirements. Initially, Latin hypercube sampling was applied to the choice of the characteristic parameters of the sensor. Based on finite element techniques, the surrogate models describing displacement and eigenfrequency were established to characterize the sensor indicators, and a multi-objective optimization was conducted. According to the optimization results, the sensor structure was manufactured, and a torque measurement platform was set up. Calibration experiments and frequency response experiments demonstrated a high level of consistency between the surrogate model and the experimental data. With the assistance of the eddy current displacement sensor, the actual displacement sensitivity coefficient of the torque sensor is determined to be 0.4325 mm mNm−1, consistent with the calculation of the surrogate model. The characteristic frequency is 488.5 Hz, with a relative error of 7.47% compared to the surrogate model. This indicates that the optimum structural design method can be utilized for the rapid design of torque sensors for special requirements, thus laying the foundation for the control torque measurement of micro flapping-wing robots.
Stitching accuracy in large area scanning probe microscopy
Authors: Klapetek Petr , Nečas David , Heaps Edward , Sauvet Bruno , Klapetek Vojtěch , Valtr Miroslav , Korpelainen Virpi , Yacoot Andrew
Published: September 2024

Image stitching is a technique that can significantly enlarge the scan area of scanning probe microscope (SPM) images. It is also the most commonly used method to cover large areas in high-speed SPM. In this paper, we provide details on stitching algorithms developed specifically to mitigate the effects of SPM error sources, namely the presence of scanner non-flatness. Using both synthetic data and flat samples we analyse the potential uncertainty contributions related to stitching, showing that the drift and line mismatch are the dominant sources of uncertainty. We also present the ‘flatten base’ algorithm that can significantly improve the stitched data results, at the cost of losing the large area form information about the sample.
3D measurements of submillimeter-scale micro-holes with light-field image fusion under multi-angle illumination
Authors: Xu Shengming , Wang Rui , Zeng Fei , Shi Shengxian
Published: September 2024

Micro-holes, crucial components in various industries, pose challenges in accurate measurement due to their small dimensions and complex geometries. Traditional methods, such as coordinate measuring machines, profilometers, and 2D camera-based imaging systems, are effective but limited in scalability and efficiency. Light-field imaging offers promising solutions for addressing these challenges by providing spatial-angular information for depth reconstruction. However, uneven illumination and specular reflection on metal substrates hinder accurate depth estimation. To overcome these limitations, we propose a novel approach combining multi-angle illumination and exposure fusion. This method enhances image quality and consistency by capturing raw light-field images under varied illuminations and fusing them to mitigate intensity variations. Experimental verification demonstrates the effectiveness of our method in accurately characterizing micro-holes, with improvements concerning depth estimation accuracy observed up to 40% compared to normal cases. Multiple raw light-field images are recorded while the illumination is modulated for each image. Exposure fusion is performed for each sub-aperture image (SAI). The fusion process takes contrast and well-exposedness into account. The magnitude of error reduction can be affected by many factors other than applying multi-SAI fusion. The factors of illumination configurations, hole orientations, and surface properties will probably influence the performance. However, it can be estimated and concluded that by applying multi-SAI fusion, in most cases, the measurement error can be reduced by 15% to 40%. By addressing challenges related to uneven illumination and specular reflection commonly observed on metal surfaces, our method enhances depth reconstruction accuracy, enabling more precise characterization of micro-hole structures. The method takes advantage of the rapid recording capability of the light-field camera and fuses SAIs from multiple raw light-field images captured under different illumination. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of our approach, showcasing estimated improvements in depth estimation accuracy by up to 40% in most cases compared to normal illumination. The measuring efficiency can be above 10 000 effective points per second which qualifies in-situ inspections. Moving forward, further optimization and refinement of the proposed method could lead to broader applications in the measurement of other micro-structures under complicated surface conditions using light-field imaging.
Orbital and parametric normal forms for families of Hopf-zero singularity
Authors: Gazor Majid , Sadri Nasrin
Published: September 2024

This paper explores the simplest truncated orbital and parametric normal forms of controlled Hopf zero singularities. We assume a quadratic generic condition and complete the remaining results on their simplest truncated orbital and parametric normal forms of Hopf-zero singularities. Different normal form styles are explored for their potential applications in bifurcation control. We obtain their associated universal asymptotic unfolding normal forms. We derive coefficient normal form formulas of the most generic cases and present the relations between the controller coefficients and asymptotic universal unfolding parameters. These play an important role in their potential applications in bifurcation control. Finally, the results are implemented on a controlled Chua circuit system to illustrate the applicability of our results.
Numerical inverse scattering transform for the derivative nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Cui Shikun , Wang Zhen
Published: September 2024

In this paper, we develop the numerical inverse scattering transform (NIST) for solving the derivative nonlinear Schrödinger (DNLS) equation. The key technique involves formulating a Riemann–Hilbert problem that is associated with the initial value problem and solving it numerically. Before solving the Riemann–Hilbert problem (RHP), two essential operations need to be carried out. Firstly, high-precision numerical calculations are performed on the scattering data. Secondly, the RHP is deformed using the Deift–Zhou nonlinear steepest descent method. The DNLS equation has a continuous spectrum consisting of the real and imaginary axes and features three saddle points, which introduces complexity not encountered in previous NIST approaches. In our numerical inverse scattering method, we divide the (x, t)-plane into three regions and propose specific deformations for each region. These strategies not only help reduce computational costs but also minimise errors in the calculations. Unlike traditional numerical methods, the NIST does not rely on time-stepping to compute the solution. Instead, it directly solves the associated Riemann–Hilbert problem. This unique characteristic of the NIST eliminates convergence issues typically encountered in other numerical approaches and proves to be more effective, especially for long-time simulations.
Progress in transparent thermoelectrics
Authors: Mulla Rafiq
Published: September 2024

Transparent thermoelectric materials are a special kind of material that converts thermal energy into electrical power and possess unique properties for transparent electronics and future energy applications. These materials are being studied for specific applications such as windowpanes, photovoltaic panels, sensor displays, smart electronic devices, and more. For such applications, it is desirable that the thermoelectric materials be in the form of thin films or coatings, be optically transparent, and exhibit excellent thermoelectric performance. Understanding the electrical, thermal, and optical properties of materials is crucial for the development of transparent thermoelectric devices. This paper discusses the current progress in the development of transparent thermoelectric materials.
Physics simulation capabilities of LLMs
Authors: Ali-Dib Mohamad , Menou Kristen
Published: September 2024

Large Language Models (LLMs) can solve some undergraduate-level to graduate-level physics textbook problems and are proficient at coding. Combining these two capabilities could one day enable AI systems to simulate and predict the physical world. We present an evaluation of state-of-the-art (SOTA) LLMs on PhD-level to research-level computational physics problems. We condition LLM generation on the use of well-documented and widely-used packages to elicit coding capabilities in the physics and astrophysics domains. We contribute ∼50 original and challenging problems in celestial mechanics (with REBOUND), stellar physics (with MESA), 1D fluid dynamics (with Dedalus) and non-linear dynamics (with SciPy). Since our problems do not admit unique solutions, we evaluate LLM performance on several soft metrics: counts of lines that contain different types of errors (coding, physics, necessity and sufficiency) as well as a more educational’ Pass-Fail metric focused on capturing the salient physical ingredients of the problem at hand. As expected, today's SOTA LLM (GPT4) zero-shot fails most of our problems, although about 40% of the solutions could plausibly get a passing grade. About 70%–90% of the code lines produced are necessary, sufficient and correct (coding & physics). Physics and coding errors are the most common, with some unnecessary or insufficient lines. We observe significant variations across problem class and difficulty. We identify several failure modes of GPT4 in the computational physics domain, such as poor physical units handling, poor code versioning, tendency to hallucinate plausible sub-modules, lack of physical justification for global run parameters (e.g., simulation time, or upper-lower bounds for parametric exploration) and inability to define steady-state or stopping conditions reliably. Our reconnaissance work provides a snapshot of current computational capabilities in classical physics and points to obvious improvement targets if AI systems are ever to reach a basic level of autonomy in physics simulation capabilities.
Excitation and manipulation of toroidal dipole response in an antenna
Authors: Chen Chen , Wang Ying , Chu Zijia , Li Jianfei , Yao Jingfeng , Igumnov Vladislav , Zhou Zhongxiang , Yuan Chengxun
Published: September 2024

The toroidal dipole is always overlooked due to its relatively weak interaction with the electromagnetic fields, but it actually exhibits tremendous potential for the design of advanced photonic devices. Here, we demonstrate the existence of toroidal dipole in plasma antenna system, which is rarely observed in the antenna design. It consists of a half-wavelength antenna and eight plasma rings to excite the toroidal dipole to enhance the electromagnetic radiation of the whole antenna system, whose mechanism is different from conventional antenna, which is a multiband antenna. We further confirm that the hybrid mode, which combines the toroidal dipole and multipole moments, can be dynamically adjusted to control both return loss and the opening of operating windows. This allows for flexible tuning of the multiband antenna simply by manipulating the response of the toroidal dipole. Furthermore, the toroidal dipole antenna is stable in dusty plasma, making it suitable for solving the problem of ‘blackout’ phenomena in aerospace communications, which exhibits the additional benefits of reduced cost and easier to manufacture.
Spray pyrolysis grown Cu and Ni co-doped ZnO thin films: a study of their structural, optical, wettability, and photocatalytic performance
Authors: Ali Dilawar , Raza Ali , Muneer Iqra , Ahson Rabia , Ishtiaq Mohsin , Waheed Anjam , Tanveer M U , Mohd Razip Wee M F , Aziz Muhammad Hammad , Wahab Rizwan
Published: September 2024

This study explores the impact of Cu and Ni doping on the structural, wettability, optical, and photocatalytic properties of ZnO thin films. The co-doped thin films, with varying Ni concentrations, were deposited using a spray pyrolysis method onto pre-heated soda lime glass substrates. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite structure with preferred orientation primarily along the (002) plane, while crystallinity decreased with higher Ni concentrations. Scanning electron microscopy reveals a compact, adherent structure in all films, with Ni incorporation altering the surface morphology. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy identified characteristic absorption bands for metal-oxygen bonds. Optical analysis indicated that all thin films exhibited over 88% average transmittance in the visible region, accompanied by a red shift in the optical bandgap. Photoluminescence spectra exhibited a broad emission band in the visible region, indicating intrinsic and extrinsic defects induced by doping. Co-doping transforms the wettability character of ZnO thin films from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. Finally, the photodegradation efficiency of the thin films against methylene blue under sunlight significantly increases from 72% to 92% with an increase in Ni concentration.
A new model of the impact of information dissemination with emotional responses on disease transmission in multilayer networks
Authors: Huo Liang’an , Gu Jiafeng , Wu Bingjie
Published: September 2024

During disease transmission, the dissemination of information about the disease prompts safety concerns among individuals. Individuals’ various emotional responses to information may affect infection prevention measures and, consequently, disease transmission. In this paper, we propose a new coupled information and disease transmission model with emotional factors in multiplex networks. Our specific focus is on the impact of diverse emotional responses on the dynamics process. We employ the Microscopic Markov Chain Approach (MMCA) to analyze the model, and obtaining state transfer equations, and deriving the disease transmission threshold. Extensive numerical simulations show that dissemination of information by relevant authorities motivates individuals to adopt scientific self-protective behaviors, thus helping to control disease transmission. Furthermore, individuals who have different emotional responses after obtaining information have varying effects on disease transmission, and reducing the anxiety response or increasing the calm response of individuals can more effectively decrease the scale of disease transmission and increase the disease transmission threshold. In summary, improving the quality of information released by the emergency management department, reducing the individual’s anxiety response, and encouraging the adoption of positive and effective protective measures are of paramount importance for epidemic prevention and control.
Study on the evolution characteristics of coal mass spalling during coal and gas outbursts
Authors: Li Feng , Wang Chenchen , Li Zeyu , Duan Baoyan , Xia Bin , Liang Dongdong
Published: September 2024

The process of coal and gas outbursts (called outbursts for short) are commonly accompanied by coal mass spalling and fragmentation, but the formation mechanism of spalling is still unclear. To clarify this mechanism, this research constructs multi-layered combined coal-rock mass model. Based on the stress wave propagation mechanism, it’s found that outbursts initially start from ‘weak layer’. Besides, there are two significant results by analyzing the process of unloading waves formed by sudden pressure relief of the excavation face. Firstly, in the axial direction, due to the internal impact of the coal mass during the unloading wave propagation, the load shock wave is formed. The tensile stress is formed on the surface of the coal mass, resulting in rapid damage to the coal mass and even multi-layered spalling. Secondly, in the radial plane, permanent standing surfaces will be formed when the unloading wave catches up with the plastic load wave. Under effect of the unloading wave, internal impact will occur a series of load shock wave, resulting in the formation of multi-layered spalling in the radial plane. In addition, the attenuation law of the load shock wave generated by the internal impact in multi-layered coal mass is also analyzed, results showed that the thickness of coal mass spalling formed far away from the free surface will increase. Finally, the three-dimensional dynamic damage path and the spindle shape damage area formation mechanism in coal mass under external dynamic load are analyzed, which provides a new idea for elucidating the outbursts mechanism.
The Abrikosov vortex structure revealed through near-field radiative heat exchange
Authors: Castillo-López S G , Macías-Zepeda R , Esquivel-Sirvent R , Pirruccio G , Villarreal C
Published: September 2024

The Abrikosov lattice is a property of type II superconductors in which normal and superconducting carriers coexist and arrange in a regular pattern. Here, we address the question on whether vortex matter, particularly the Abrikosov lattice, influences the local thermal properties of high-temperature superconductors. We find that their optical properties are not only dictated by the order parameter, but also that the near-field radiative heat flux acquires a periodic spatial structure inherited from the Abrikosov lattice. Surprisingly, we predict a radial displacement of the heat flux maxima with respect to the vortexes cores, for temperatures well below the critical one.
Structural, optical, magnetic, and photocatalytic analysis of exclusive metal aluminates against Congo Red dye under UV light
Authors: Ahlawat Rachna , Goswami Bindiya , Jangra Nancy , Mohan Bharti , Rani Gita
Published: September 2024

The exclusive ZnAl2O4 (ZAO), CaAl2O4 (CAO), and MgAl2O4 (MAO) nanocrystallites were prepared by the citrate sol–gel route and further annealed at 600 °C for 2 h. XRD and Rietveld refinement were conducted to explore the crystal structure and to optimize the profile parameters. FTIR confirmed the vibrational peaks of relevant functional groups. The additional stretching and bending IR modes in MAO sample emphasized structural disorders like antisites/native defects. The UV-DRS spectra of these samples analyzed the direct bandgap in 2.76–4.29 eV range. HR-TEM micrographs characterize the well-developed nanosized grains. From VSM data, several magnetic parameters were collected for prepared aluminates and found MAO as best ferromagnetic material with the highest coercive field value (1235 Oe). PL spectra of metal aluminates suggest that the broad peak in violet-blue is attributed to the band edge emission, and finite peaks in higher wavelength regions have appeared due to the large density of surface traps and oxygen vacancies. The photocatalytic mechanism of ZAO, MAO & CAO nanopowder was elucidated on the Congo Red dye (10–70 ppm) solution after exposure to UV light. The highest value of rate constant (k = 0.0118 min−1) suggests that the MAO (0.3 g l−1) sample would be an efficient photocatalyst (98%) under UV light owing to its large surface area (125 m2 g−1) and suitable bandgap. The overall results advocate the practical applicability of aluminate photocatalysts in water treatment, spintronics, and photonics.
Surface charge alteration of charcoal derived from bamboo leaves and understanding the interaction with anionic and cationic dye
Authors: Devi Yengkhom Haripriya , Pal Subhadip , Singh Huidrom Hemojit , Singh Mandvee , Somorjit Singh Ningthoujam , Herojit Singh Loushambam
Published: September 2024

Cost-effective adsorbents derived from regenerative sources provide a sustainable solution to the pressing environmental pollution challenges. Conventional studies often rely on biochar-based adsorbents obtained at high carbonization temperatures in an induced environment. The present study explored the efficacy of carbon derived from the stems (CBS) and leaves (CBL) of bamboo plants as efficient dye adsorbents at low carbonization temperatures. CBL carbonized at 350 °C exhibited a remarkable dye adsorption efficiency of 90%, significantly outperforming CBS, which achieved only 39% efficiency. To enable the adsorption of both dyes, heterophase metal oxides, specifically Fe-doped ZnO and ZnFe2O4 were incorporated. Zeta potential measurements revealed a transition from negative to positive values with metal oxide incorporation, suggesting alterations in the surface acidity and functional group composition. The adsorption performance of the composite (WC20) sample was evaluated using Congo Red (CR) and Crystal Violet (CV) dyes. Comprehensive studies on the adsorption kinetics, isotherm modeling, and thermodynamics have been conducted to identify WC20 as the most effective composite. The equilibrium adsorption data aligned well with the Langmuir isotherm model, demonstrating maximum adsorption capacities of 65.31 mg g−1 for CR and 38.05 mg g−1 for CV at room temperature of 298 K with constant pH. Thermodynamic analysis indicated a hybrid adsorption mechanism, wherein CR adsorption was predominantly driven by chemisorption, whereas CV adsorption was governed by physisorption. Mechanistic insights have revealed that electrostatic interactions and π–π stacking play crucial roles in dye removal. These findings underscore the potential applicability of WC20 as a cost-effective and efficient adsorbent for the remediation of both cationic (CV) and anionic (CR) dyes in wastewater, highlighting its viability for future environmental management and pollution mitigation strategies.
Images of Kerr-MOG black holes surrounded by geometrically thick magnetized equilibrium tori
Authors: Zhang Zelin , Chen Songbai , Jing Jiliang
Published: September 2024

We adopt general relativistic ray-tracing (GRRT) schemes to study images of Kerr-MOG black holes surrounded by geometrically thick magnetized equilibrium tori, which belong to steady-state solutions of thick accretion disks within the framework of general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (GRMHD). The black hole possesses an extra dimensionless MOG parameter described its deviation from usual Kerr one. Our results show that the presence of the MOG parameter leads to smaller disks in size, but enhances the total flux density and peak brightness in their images. Combining with observation data of black hole M87* from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), we make a constraint on parameters of the Kerr-MOG black hole and find that the presence of the MOG parameter broadens the allowable range of black hole spin.
The Valuable Long-period Cluster Cepheid KQ Scorpii and other Calibration Candidates
Authors: Majaess Daniel , Turner David G. , Minniti Dante , Alonso-Garcia Javier , Saito Roberto K.
Published: September 2024

The classical Cepheid KQ Sco is a valuable anchor for the distance scale because of its long pulsation period (28.ͩ7) and evidence implying membership in the open cluster UBC 1558. Analyses tied to Gaia DR3 astrometry, photometry, spectroscopy, radial velocities, and 2MASS-VVV photometry indicate a common distance of 2.15 ± 0.15 kpc (L21 DR3 corrections applied). Additional cluster Cepheid candidates requiring follow-up are identified, and it is suggested that a team of international researchers could maintain a cluster Cepheid database to guide the broader community to cases where consensus exists.
GRB 201223A: Implication of Fallback Accretion onto the Newborn Black Hole from its Multiband Afterglow
Authors: Lu Tian-Hua , Xu Dong , Lei Wei-Hua , Fu Shao-Yu , Jiang Shuai-Qing , Zhu Zi-Pei , Liu Xing , An Jie
Published: September 2024

Multiband afterglow observations of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are important for studying the central engine. GRB 201223A is a GRB with prompt optical detection by GWAC. Here we report on the early optical afterglow of GRB 201223A detected by NEXT (only 2.8 minutes after the Swift/BAT trigger), which smoothly connects the prompt optical emission and the afterglow phase. Utilizing Amati diagrams and considering the detection of afterglow emission in the Swift u-band, we suggest a redshift range of 0.26–1.85. Based on our optical data and combined with early optical observation from GWAC and early X-ray data from Swift/XRT, a multiband fitting is performed using PyFRS, and we obtain the best afterglow parameters (assuming a redshift of z = 1.0):

E

K
,
iso

=

5.01

−
1.70

+
1.91

×

10

54

erg,

Γ

0

=

426.58

−
138.18

+
148.86

,

θ

j

=

25.98

−
10.54

+
9.67

deg,

n

0

=

0.30

−
0.26

+
3.78

cm−3,

p
=

2.32

−
0.01

+
0.01

,

ϵ

e

=

3.31

−
0.86

+
1.59

×

10

−
5

,

ϵ

B

=

3.47

−
2.62

+
4.12

×

10

−
1

. The late-time X-ray shows a re-brightening, indicating late-time central engine activities. After comparing the leading two central engine models, i.e., magnetar model and hyperaccreting black hole model, we find that the fallback accretion onto a newborn black hole provides a better explanation for the X-ray re-brightening with fallback accretion rate

M

p

̇

≃
2.76
×

10

−
9

M

⊙

s

−
1

and the total fallback accreted mass M
fb ≃ 1.41 × 10−6
M
⊙.
SNSDeepNet: spike and non-spike detection in epilepsy
Authors: Kumar Priyaranjan , Kumar Upadhyay Prabhat , Kumar Panda Manoj
Published: September 2024

Epilepsy, a severe neurological condition is marked by sharp waveforms known as spikes in electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. Prompt detection of these spikes is crucial for reducing accidental injuries and safeguarding the lives of epilepsy patients. This article proposes an innovative deep-learning approach for epileptic spike detection using Spike and Non-spike Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (SNSDeepNet). Our method utilizes CNNs alongside an adaptive Layer-wise Adaptive Moments (LAMB) optimizer to effectively extract relevant features from time-domain (TD) and frequency-domain (FD) representations of spike and non-spike signals. The adaptive LAMB optimizer enhances the training process and accelerates convergence compared to traditional optimizers. The proposed model is evaluated using EEG recordings from three datasets: the Children’s Hospital Boston (CHB-MIT) dataset, the Siena Scalp EEG dataset (Physionet Siena Scalp EEG Database), and the Bonn EEG dataset from the University of Bonn. After pre-processing and applying a peak detection algorithm, we extract TD and FD features from the signals. Our model demonstrates impressive performance. The CHB-MIT dataset achieved an average accuracy of 99.69%, sensitivity of 99.68%, F1-score of 99.11%, and a false positive rate (FPR) of 0.026 98. For the Siena dataset, the model achieved an accuracy of 99.62%, specificity of 99.04%, sensitivity of 99.93%, F1-score of 99.48%, and an FPR of 0.009 208. The Bonn dataset achieved an average accuracy of 94.10%, specificity of 92.39%, sensitivity of 97.35%, and an FPR of 0.0764. These findings underscore the effectiveness of the proposed architecture in accurately identifying epileptic spikes, highlighting its potential to enhance epilepsy diagnosis and treatment.
Modification to traditional vertical axis wind turbine system to implement permanent magnet propelling phenomenon as measure of performance enhancement
Authors: Hegde Sandesh , C G Ramachandra , M Prashanth Pai
Published: September 2024

The environmentally friendly, easily available and affordable alternative energy sources are one of the important requirements for the growth of the modern world. This research work explains how the magnetic repulsion characteristics of permanent magnets could be used as the energy source to meet energy demands. The wok is carried out on the permanent magnet propelled vertical axis wind turbine and its performance is compared with the traditional vertical axis wind turbine. The results show that the permanent magnet propelled wind turbine will function much better than the traditional one, even at slower wind speeds. The magnetic repulsive properties are used as a supplementary energy source in a permanent magnet propelled vertical axis wind turbine, which add kinetic energy to the turbine’s rotational momentum, while transforming wind power to mechanical movement.
Prediction method of loess landslides based on faster R-CNN and WACM
Authors: Chen Qiang , Ding Haiying
Published: September 2024

Due to the complexity of the environment and geological conditions in which the loess slope is located, there are many challenges in the accuracy and prediction of loess landslide detection. Therefore, this study introduces a fast convolutional neural network model to solve the problems of traditional detection methods in terms of technology, cost, and detection accuracy, and to achieve real-time detection of the morphology of loess landslides. A weight absorption coupling model is constructed to address the uniform moisture content in loess with hidden dangers. Combined with instability probability, the probability of shallow loess landslides is predicted. The results showed that the mAP value of the Faster R-CNN algorithm using the ResNet125 network exceeded 90%, which was 46.23% and 32.01% higher than the algorithm models using ResNet50 and VGG16, respectively. The proposed model performed fractal analysis on four different loess particle samples, with correlation coefficients R2 above 0.9. The difference between the predicted and actual moisture content of upper and surface loess was within 11%. Compared with existing methods, the research and construction of a loess landslide detection and probability prediction model has greatly improved reliability and accuracy, which is of great significance for predicting the probability of different loess landslides.
Oxidation of sulfur, hydrogen, and iron by metabolically versatile Hydrogenovibrio from deep sea hydrothermal vents
Authors: Laufer-Meiser Katja , Alawi Malik , Böhnke Stefanie , Solterbeck Claus-Henning , Schloesser Jana , Schippers Axel , Dirksen Philipp , Brüser Thomas , Henkel Susann , Fuss Janina , Perner Mirjam
Published: September 2024

Chemolithoautotrophic Hydrogenovibrio are ubiquitous and abundant at hydrothermal vents. They can oxidize sulfur, hydrogen, or iron, but none are known to use all three energy sources. This ability though would be advantageous in vents hallmarked by highly dynamic environmental conditions. We isolated three Hydrogenovibrio strains from vents along the Indian Ridge, which grow on all three electron donors. We present transcriptomic data from strains grown on iron, hydrogen, or thiosulfate with respective oxidation and autotrophic carbon dioxide (CO2) fixation rates, RubisCO activity, SEM, and EDX. Maximum estimates of one strain’s oxidation potential were 10, 24, and 952 mmol for iron, hydrogen, and thiosulfate oxidation and 0.3, 1, and 84 mmol CO2 fixation, respectively, per vent per hour indicating their relevance for element cycling in-situ. Several genes were up- or downregulated depending on the inorganic electron donor provided. Although no known genes of iron-oxidation were detected, upregulated transcripts suggested iron-acquisition and so far unknown iron-oxidation-pathways.
Fitness factors impacting survival of a subsurface bacterium in contaminated groundwater
Authors: Thorgersen Michael P , Goff Jennifer L , Trotter Valentine V , Poole II Farris L , Arkin Adam P , Deutschbauer Adam M , Adams Michael W W
Published: September 2024

Many factors contribute to the ability of a microbial species to persist when encountering complexly contaminated environments, including time of exposure, the nature and concentration of contaminants, availability of nutritional resources, and possession of a combination of appropriate molecular mechanisms needed for survival. Herein we sought to identify genes that are most important for survival of Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae in contaminated groundwater environments containing high concentrations of nitrate and metals using the metal-tolerant Oak Ridge Reservation isolate, Pantoea sp. MT58 (MT58). Survival fitness experiments in which a randomly barcoded transposon insertion (RB-TnSeq) library of MT58 was exposed directly to contaminated Oak Ridge Reservation groundwater samples from across a nitrate and mixed metal contamination plume were used to identify genes important for survival with increasing exposure times and concentrations of contaminants, and availability of a carbon source. Genes involved in controlling and using carbon, encoding transcriptional regulators, and related to Gram-negative outer membrane processes were among those found to be important for survival in contaminated Oak Ridge Reservation groundwater. A comparative genomics analysis of 75 Pantoea genus strains allowed us to further separate the survival determinants into core and non-core genes in the Pantoea pangenome, revealing insights into the survival of subsurface microorganisms during contaminant plume intrusion.
Hepatitis a vaccine immunogenicity and boostability in adults receiving immunosuppressive therapy and adults living with HIV: a prospective single-centre cohort study
Authors: Schnyder Jenny L , Garcia Garrido Hannah M , Tanck Michael W , Maurer Irma , Harskamp Agnes M , Kootstra Neeltje , Grobusch Martin P , Goorhuis Abraham
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Hepatitis A (hepA) vaccination is highly immunogenic in healthy individuals; however, there is uncertainty about the immunogenicity in immunocompromised populations (ICPs).

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, people living with HIV (PLWH), patients on immunosuppressive mono- and combination therapy, and controls received two hepA vaccine doses at months 0 and 6–12, or three combined hepA/B vaccine doses at months 0, 1 and 6–12. Antibody levels were measured before and at different time-points post-vaccination (T2, 6, 8, 12 months). The primary endpoint was the seroconversion rate (SCR) at T8, defined as hepA antibodies ≥20 mIU/ml. To assess boostability, an additional vaccine dose was administered 1–5 years after T12 in those with antibodies < 50 mIU/ml, with antibody measurements before and seven days after the booster dose.

Results

We included 150 participants. At T2 SCRs ranged between 35–58% in ICPs versus 94% in controls. Among PLWH, patients on monotherapy, combination therapy and controls SCRs at T8 were 33/34 (97%), 32/34 (94%), 25/30 (83%) and 28/28 (100%), respectively. The booster dose resulted in 71% additional seroconversion (17/24), with only patients using combination therapy not responding.

Conclusions

HepA vaccination is highly immunogenic in virologically suppressed PLWH and patients on immunosuppressive monotherapy, with SCRs after the complete hepA vaccination schedule similar to controls and adequate booster responses in case of waning immunity. However, patients using immunosuppressive combination therapy as well as all ICPs who did not receive the complete hepA vaccination schedule, are at risk of non-response to vaccination and post-vaccination antibody measurements are recommended.
Imaging in vasculitis
Authors: Troum Orrin M. , Pimienta Olga L. , Wells Alvin
Published: September 2024

Purpose of review

Systemic vasculitides are characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. Their classification is based on the size of the blood vessels involved – large, medium, or small. Vasculitis early diagnosis and reliable monitoring are crucial to establish a treatment plan and prevent serious complications. Based on these considerations and depending on the location of the affected vessels, the importance of imaging modalities including ultrasonography (US), magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), computed tomography (CT), computed tomography angiography (CTA), and [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) has progressively increased. In addition to physical exam and laboratory data, these imaging tools offer complementary information about vascular changes occurring in vasculitis.

This review summarizes the different imaging modalities being utilized to diagnose and monitor vasculitis.

Recent findings

The most recent update for the use of imaging in vasculitis is referenced in the 2023 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines in 2021. Recent advances in PET imaging in large vessel vasculitis include improved technological imaging acquisition and the use of novel radiotracers for cellular and immune targets. FDG-PET has now been demonstrated to have high sensitivity and specificity to detect temporal arteritis.

Imaging plays a significant role in the evaluation of vasculitis and continues to gain importance in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease activity. Differences exist between the ACR guidelines, which advocates for temporal artery biopsy, and the EULAR guidelines, which favors imaging modalities for the initial evaluation and diagnosis of large vessel vasculitis (LVV). Prerequisites for appropriate clinical management utilizing imaging in patients with vasculitis are the availability and access to skilled clinicians to interpret the images and the cost of these techniques not being prohibitive.
Research on curcumin mediating immunotherapy of colorectal cancer by regulating cancer associated fibroblasts
Authors: Hou Chenliang , Hu Yanning , Zhang Tao
Published: September 2024

The objective was to investigate curcumin’s (Cur) function and associated molecular mechanisms in regulating tumor immunity in colon cancer. Primary cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) from mouse CT26 colon cancer tumors were isolated. Validation of primary CAFs using immunofluorescence assay was done. Cell Counting Kit-8 experiments, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay experiments were conducted to investigate how curcumin affected the growth and cytokine secretion functions of CAFs. The effect of curcumin on regulating PD-L1 expression on CT26 cells through CAFs in vitro was explored through coculture of CAFs and tumor cells, qPCR, and western blot experiments. A mouse colon cancer cell model was established in Balb/c nude mice to explore the effect of curcumin on colon tumor cells. Changes in the tumor microenvironment were detected by flow cytometry to explore the synergistic effect of curcumin combined with anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody in the treatment of mouse colon cancer. In vitro, curcumin prevented the growth and TGF-β secretion of CT26 cells. At the same time, curcumin inhibited the secretion of TGF-β by CAFs, thereby downregulating the PD-L1 expression of CT26 cells. In vivo, curcumin combined with anti-PD-1 antibodies can further enhance the inhibitory effect of PD-1 antibodies on tumors and increase the number of tumor-suppressing immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, such as M1 macrophages and CD8 T cells, thus inhibiting tumors. Immune M2 macrophages, regulatory T cells, and other cells were reduced. In conclusion, curcumin reduces the expression of PD-L1 in colon cancer cells and improves the tumor immune microenvironment by inhibiting the proliferation of CAFs and the secretion of TGF-β. Curcumin and anti-PD-1 treatment have synergistic inhibitory effects on colon cancer.