bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GelMA loaded with platelet lysate promotes skin regeneration and angiogenesis in pressure ulcers by activating STAT3
Authors: Jin Tingting , Fu Zexin , Zhou Liuyi , Chen Lulu , Wang Ji , Wang Lu , Yan Sheng , Li Ting , Jin Peihong
Published: August 2024

Pressure ulcers (PU) are caused by persistent long-term pressure, which compromises the integrity of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous adipose tissue layer by layer, making it difficult to heal. Platelet products such as platelet lysate (PL) can promote tissue regeneration by secreting numerous growth factors based on clinical studies on skin wound healing. However, the components of PL are difficult to retain in wounds. Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) is a photopolymerizable hydrogel that has lately emerged as a promising material for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The PL liquid was extracted, flow cytometrically detected for CD41a markers, and evenly dispersed in the GelMA hydrogel to produce a surplus growth factor hydrogel system (PL@GM). The microstructure of the hydrogel system was observed under a scanning electron microscope, and its sustained release efficiency and biological safety were tested in vitro. Cell viability and migration of human dermal fibroblasts, and tube formation assays of human umbilical vein endothelial cells were applied to evaluate the ability of PL to promote wound healing and regeneration in vitro. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot analyses were performed to elucidate the skin regeneration mechanism of PL. We verified PL’s therapeutic effectiveness and histological analysis on the PU model. PL promoted cell viability, migration, wound healing and angiogenesis in vitro. Real-time PCR and western blot indicated PL suppressed inflammation and promoted collagen I synthesis by activating STAT3. PL@GM hydrogel system demonstrated optimal biocompatibility and favorable effects on essential cells for wound healing. PL@GM also significantly stimulated PU healing, skin regeneration, and the formation of subcutaneous collagen and blood vessels. PL@GM could accelerate PU healing by promoting fibroblasts to migrate and secrete collagen and endothelial cells to vascularize. PL@GM promises to be an effective and convenient treatment modality for PU, like chronic wound treatment.
Pupil contagion variation with gaze, arousal, and autistic traits
Authors: Galazka Martyna A. , Thorsson Max , Lundin Kleberg Johan , Hadjikhani Nouchine , Åsberg Johnels Jakob
Published: August 2024

Pupillary contagion occurs when one’s pupil size unconsciously adapts to the pupil size of an observed individual and is presumed to reflect the transfer of arousal. Importantly, when estimating pupil contagion, low level stimuli properties need to be controlled for, to ensure that observations of pupillary changes are due to internal change in arousal rather than the external differences between stimuli. Here, naturalistic images of children’s faces depicting either small or large pupils were presented to a group of children and adolescents with a wide range of autistic traits, a third of whom had been diagnosed with autism. We examined the extent to which pupillary contagion reflects autonomic nervous system reaction through pupil size change, heart rate and skin conductance response. Our second aim was to determine the association between arousal reaction to stimuli and degree of autistic traits. Results show that pupil contagion and concomitant heart rate change, but not skin conductance change, was evident when gaze was restricted to the eye region of face stimuli. A positive association was also observed between pupillary contagion and autistic traits when participants’ gaze was constrained to the eye region. Findings add to a broader understanding of the mechanisms underlying pupillary contagion and its association with autism.
Molecular insights into the water dissociation and proton dynamics at the β-TaON (100)/water interface
Authors: Mandal Sagarmoy , Ghosh Tushar Kanti
Published: August 2024

Ab initio molecular dynamics reveals that water spontaneously dissociates at the β-TaON surface, creating a partially hydroxylated surface. This initiates multiple active proton transport routes and increases the overall rate of proton hopping.
Unravelling heparin's enhancement of amyloid aggregation in a model peptide system
Authors: Gotla Suhas , Poddar Anushka , Borison Ilana , Matysiak Silvina
Published: August 2024

By forming contacts with amyloid-beta oligomers, heparin suppressed the peptides’ entropy of mixing and enhanced their parallel ordering.
Recent research on the physicochemical properties and biological activities of quinones and their practical applications: a comprehensive review
Authors: Dong Mingyu , Ming Xiaozhi , Xiang Tianyu , Feng Nianjie , Zhang Mengyun , Ye Xurui , He Yi , Zhou Mengzhou , Wu Qian
Published: August 2024

Quinones represent a class of crude organic compounds ubiquitously distributed in nature.
Halogen-containing bridged carborane–tetraphenylethene compounds: efficient and wide-range shifted excitation-dependent emissions
Authors: Li Fengjiao , Dong Yiran , Miao Jinling , Nie Yong , Zhang Yujian , Li Tianrui , Xu Chunyue , Liu Guangning , Jiang Xuchuan
Published: August 2024

Compound 1 shows excitation-dependent emission (ex-de) properties in various aggregate states, with a relatively high emission efficiency and a relatively wide-range emission shift (max. 73 nm), whereas compound 2 displays ex-de properties only after grinding.
Mechanical properties and water vapour corrosion behaviour of AlxCoCrFeNi high-entropy alloys
Authors: Zhang Jingyu , Huang Lin , Xiong Ke , Wang Xiaofeng , Wang Zhengyun , Guo Dashan , Li Ziqi , Feng Wei
Published: August 2024

AlxCoCrFeNi high-entropy alloys were prepared using a spark plasma sintering technique combined with aerosol powder and water vapour corrosion was carried out on the sintered sample by means of an independently built steam reaction device.
Sulfonamide based pyrimidine derivatives combating Plasmodium parasite by inhibiting falcipains-2 and falcipains-3 as antimalarial agents
Authors: Rahman Abdur , Anjum Shazia , Bhatt Jaimin D. , Dixit Bharat C. , Singh Anju , khan Sabiha , Fatima Sadaf , Patel Tarosh S. , Hoda Nasimul
Published: August 2024

In this report, we present the design and synthesis of a novel series of pyrimidine-tethered spirochromane-based sulfonamide derivatives aimed at combating drug resistance in malaria.
Design, synthesis, and antiproliferative screening of new quinoline derivatives bearing a cis-vinyl triamide motif as apoptosis activators and EGFR-TK inhibitors
Authors: Abd El-Lateef Hany M. , Ahmed Gaafar Ahmed Gaafar , Alqahtani Arwa Sultan , Al-Mutairi Aamal A. , Alshaya Dalal Sulaiman , Elsaid Fahmy Gad , Fayad Eman , Farouk N. A.
Published: August 2024

A set of novel quinoline tethered cis-vinyl triamides derivatives has been designed, synthesized and screened for in vitro cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cell line.
Structural biology of shelterin and telomeric chromatin: the pieces and an unfinished puzzle
Authors: Hu Hongmiao , Yan Helen Linwen , Nguyen Thi Hoang Duong
Published: August 2024

The six-subunit shelterin complex binds to mammalian telomeres and protects them from triggering multiple DNA damage response pathways. The loss of this protective function by shelterin can have detrimental effects on cells. In this review, we first discuss structural studies of shelterin, detailing the contributions of each subunit and inter-subunit interactions in protecting chromosome ends. We then examine the influence of telomeric chromatin dynamics on the function of shelterin at telomeres. These studies provide valuable insights and underscore the challenges that future research must tackle to attain high-resolution structures of shelterin.
FishFocusNet: An improved method based on YOLOv8 for underwater tropical fish identification
Authors: Lu Zhaoxuan , Zhu Xiaolong , Guo Haitao , Xie Xingang , Chen Xiangzi , Quan Xiangqian
Published: August 2024

Accurately identifying tropical fish serves as a crucial indicator, offering an insight into the state of marine biodiversity and the condition of coral reef ecosystems. However, the current detection networks are prone to omission and misidentification due to occlusion between fish and the complex underwater environment. This paper proposes a modified approach named FishFocusNet, in which alterable kernel convolution modules, asymptotic feature pyramid network (AFPN), and Shape‐IoU are integrated into YOLOv8. To extract a more comprehensive set of fish features, AKConv modules with arbitrary kernel sizes are proposed to take the place of the conventional fixed‐shaped kernels in the backbone for downsampling. AFPN is adopted as the feature integration structure in the neck, which enhances feature fusion and adaptive spatial fusion between non‐adjacent layers. In the detector head, Shape‐IoU is employed to achieve precise localization of fish targets. The superiorities of these modifications are proved by ablation experiments and comparative experiments. The experimental results show that the optimized approach obtained an mAP of 81.8% accompanied by 2.4 MB parameters and 3.6 GB FLOPS. Meanwhile, compared with more complicated models of similar scale, the proposed method can enhance recognition accuracy to 84.2% and significantly reduce computational costs.
Should Danish building regulations legalise basement dwellings? – Consequences for daylight and view out investigated through case studies
Authors: Rohde Lasse , Logadóttir Ásta , Rögnvaldsson Austmann Jakob , Birkisson Ragnar Þór
Published: August 2024

Densification of cities is ongoing for sustainability purposes, but it has consequences for daylight availability in dwellings and the view out. Despite 'comparable conditions', national daylight and view-out regulations differ between Nordic countries, particularly regarding allowing dwellings below ground level. Two case studies investigate daylight and view-out access in modelled basement dwellings through simulations of daylight autonomy and renders of view-out content. Results indicate that basement dwellings can meet daylight and view-out access requirements in suburban, low-rise neighbourhoods but cannot meet the requirements in medium- to high-rise urban contexts. This study will contribute to future political decisions on national building regulations in Denmark and may influence future decisions on urban planning and building development.
Energy supply for the building stock of tomorrow – A case study
Authors: Reidelbach Franka , Kirschstein Xenia , Reber Joscha , Bishara Nadja
Published: August 2024

Reducing energy consumption and using renewable energy sources for the building operation is crucial to achieve lower overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this case study we conduct a building energy system optimisation for a new residential district in Darmstadt, Germany under different boundary conditions using the optimisation software Sympheny. Boundary conditions of the year 2023 lead to similar results to the owner’s plan, which is mainly based on natural gas-fired cogeneration plants. However, different scenarios with predicted emission factors and energy prices for 2050 lead to a shift towards the usage of renewables. As planners tend to use current boundary conditions for their calculations, we assess the possibility of switching to a renewable heat supply after the expected life span of the cogeneration plants. The obstacles identified mainly concern the temperature level, but also the space that will not be accessible at that time. The results emphasise (1) that the decarbonisation of space heating in Germany goes hand in hand with the need to decarbonise the electricity grid and (2) the need for planners to start considering future developments as part of building energy system planning.
Performance of an earth-air heat exchanger (EAHE) in a heat recovery ventilation for residential buildings in severe cold regions
Authors: Hu Xinyi , Jokisalo Juha , Kosonen Risto , Lehtonen Matti
Published: August 2024

The prolonged duration of winter season and the occurrence of extreme low temperatures present significant challenges when implementing mechanical ventilation systems in severe cold regions. These challenges encompass substantial requirements for heating supply air and frequent operations for defrosting. Heat stored in the ground has the potential to be harnessed for pre-conditioning supply air through the utilization of an earth-air heat exchanger (EAHE). This study focuses on evaluating the heating performance of the EAHE when integrated into a heat recovery ventilation system. The energy model of a case building in Harbin and the proposed ventilation system were simulated in IDA ICE. The results show that as the outdoor temperature drops, the proportion of heat supplied by EAHE increases, leading to a decrease in reliance on reheater to heat supply air. This underscores the advantages of applying EAHE to preheat fresh air in colder climates.
Pedagogical insights of using urban and building performance simulation in a problem-based learning context
Authors: Berger Christiane , Santos Luis , Hellwig Runa T.
Published: August 2024

Integrating building performance simulation (BPS) in design workflows for the built environment is becoming increasingly common as it holds the potential to assist designers in making informed decisions regarding efficiency, sustainability, and overall environmental quality. Consequently, BPS has been integrated into the curriculum of several architecture and engineering programs. The paper specifically focuses on the pedagogical potential of using BPS in a project-based and problem-based learning (PBL) environment and discusses existing related pedagogical strategies. To this end, this work examines the benefits and challenges of using BPS in teaching along two case studies. Finally, the paper outlines pedagogical strategies to overcome typical shortcomings of using BPS in project-based learning and PBL environments and critically discusses pedagogical insights of using simulation in architecture and architectural engineering programs.
Closing the gap between theoretical models and real-time measurements – The SmartTune initiative
Authors: Lassen Niels , Chaudhary Gaurav , Dokka Tor Helge , Nordahl Petter Bøhm , Dokka Kjell
Published: August 2024

While modern buildings are becoming more and more complex, several scientific studies have uncovered performance gaps between the simulated and actual performance in buildings. Research has uncovered gaps for energy, indoor climate, user satisfaction, facility management and maintenance cost. These gaps are highly relevant for the field of building performance simulation, as large gaps make simulation results less trustworthy. Collaborators Skanska Norway, Piscada and Simenergi have since 2019 addressed this topic through research and innovation and are now close to launching “SmartTune” - a commercially available tool for creating digital twins for energy performance. The tool matches and combines measured data from the building automation system, simulated data from the SIMIEN energy simulation software and subjective assessments of indoor climate collected through a novel method for user feedback in a common, web-based interface. This article presents the goals, general concept, strategy, and overall architecture of the SmartTune system as well as plans for future development. Arguments for why digital twins are the “way forward” for building simulation are presented, and arguments for the use of advanced tools such as machine learning are discussed.
Improvement of the heating load calculation through analysis of the heating capacities using thermal simulation
Authors: Kotte Luisa , Weiß Dirk , Tribulowski Katja
Published: August 2024

The present study addresses the growing significance of renewable energies as a replacement for conventional gas and oil heating systems. Given the dynamic nature of these renewable energies, the integration of thermal simulations into building planning is becoming increasingly important. However, a significant portion of German standards remains static, especially the heating load calculation according to DIN EN 12831-1:2017-09. As the norm calculates the heating performance based on the day with the lowest temperatures, there is a risk that, among other things, the supply temperature will be incorrectly designed on milder days. The heating curve plays a crucial role, but it is usually adjusted only after the building's heating system is installed.
Simulation model calibration for a multi-purpose building on an hourly basis
Authors: Amini Hamed , Maria Tikka , Alanne Kari , Kosonen Risto
Published: August 2024

When developing digital twins for buildings, the calibration of simulation models on an hourly basis is essential to maintain the fidelity of the virtual representation and to enable real-time monitoring and analysis in the operational phase. Achieving such a high accuracy in building performance simulations (BPS) calls for novel calibration strategies with enhanced effectiveness. In this regard, this paper outlines a calibration strategy that makes use of hourly measurements to improve the fidelity of energy simulation models. The proposed approach includes a hierarchical structure involving data acquisition and management, setting unknown weather parameters, sensitivity analysis, calibration of fixed parameters, and hourly calibration of dynamic variables. Here, acquired data from the building’s sensor are refined to enable hourly demand calibration, and an accurate weather data file is gathered. Next, sensitivity analysis is conducted to identify the key fixed parameters for the calibration process. Following the calibration of these fixed parameters, the final level involves the calibration of dynamic variables to achieve a robust hourly agreement between simulated and measured data. The developed strategy is implemented in a multi-purpose building located in the Aalto University campus in Finland. The building is simulated as a simplified five-zone model developed in the whole-building simulation software IDA-ICE, including various educational sections, workshops, a shopping center, and a metro station. Sensors and meters are used to measure the hourly indoor air temperature by zone, whereas the calibration aims at minimizing the difference between measured and simulated heating and cooling energy demands. In conclusion, the proposed calibration strategy appears to be successful in facilitating hourly synchronization between simplified simulation models and multi-purpose buildings.
Calibration and validation of physics-based data-driven models for simulating the thermal behavior of indoor spaces in an assisted living facility
Authors: Campodonico Avendano Italo Aldo , Dadras Javan Farzad , Najafi Behzad , Moazami Amin
Published: August 2024

A case study represented by an assisted living facility in Norway is modeled utilizing physics-based data-driven digital twin (DT) of the indoor thermal spaces with indoor temperature. Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL), Machine Learning (ML), and Non-linear Autoregressive (NARX) models with timeseries and sliding-window cross-validation are compared. Results show that NARX models have the highest accuracy, with a MAPE score of 0.03%. In addition, the sliding-window enhanced the models’ accuracy and reduced the cyclical pattern for the autocorrelated values. The HVAC systems in this study case are representative of those found in Norwegian buildings, making the digital twin calibration applicable to other facilities.
Were the Superheavy Elements made in Space?
Authors: Aprahamian Ani
Published: August 2024

A question for decades has been the potential production of heavy or superheavy elements in nature. Once the nuclear weapons tests showed that elements heavier than the Uranium were found in the debris, it was clear that a rapid neutron capture process followed by beta decay was creating heavier elements. The next question was the location of the r-process end? What other heavy elements are made? Did nature make the superheavy elements via the r-process too? The answer is yet to be found. There are many indications that it probably did but the definitive evidence is yet to surface. The laboratory experiments with neutron rich beams and neutron rich targets via cold and hot fusion reactions have created a number of new isotopes in addition to the elements that have completed the periodic table. Furthermore, the new superheavy element factory at the JINR in Dubna has now allowed the identification of over one hundred decay chains of the various isotopes of superheavy elements connecting to the main part of the chart of nuclides via decays. This is where we should look for the definitive evidence for the production of the superheavy elements in nature.
Heaven and Earth: Nuclear Astrophysics after GW170817
Authors: Piekarewicz Jorge
Published: August 2024

The historical detection of gravitational waves from the binary neutron star merger GW170817 is providing fundamental new insights into the astrophysical site for the creation of the heaviest elements in the cosmos and the equation of state of neutron-rich matter. Shortly after this historical detection, electromagnetic observations of neutron stars together with measurements of the properties of neutron-rich nuclei at terrestrial facilities have placed additional constraints on the dynamics of neutron-rich matter. It is this unique synergy between heaven and earth that is the focus of this article.
Nuclear Structure Aspects of DCX Reactions and β β Decay Transitions
Authors: Civitarese O. , Tarutina T.
Published: August 2024

The theory of Double Charge Exchange (DCX) reactions between nuclei requires both the description of the reaction mechanism, which consists of the exchange of nucleons between the target and the projectile, as well as the structure of the matrix elements of the operators which mediate the transitions. From the point of view of the nuclear structure theory it requires the use of microscopic models for light and heavy mass nuclei. The reaction sector requires the use of momentum-dependent operators. It has been argued that these matrix elements could be associated to decay channels like the neutrinoless nuclear double beta decay (0νββ)(DBD). The motivation related to this claim is the need to determine, as accurately as possible, the values of the matrix elements of operators responsible for 0νββ. We shall focus the attention on the possible relationship between DBD and DCX nuclear matrix elements, by studying the dependence of the participant operators upon the momentum.
The properties of ϕ(2170) and its three-body nature
Authors: Martínez Torres A. , Malabarba Brenda B. , Khemchandani K. P.
Published: August 2024

In this talk we summarize the results we obtained for the partial decay widths of ϕ(2170) into two-body final states formed by a K̄ and a Kaonic resonance, like K(1460), K1(1270), as well as to final states constituted by a ϕ and an η/η´ mesons. The results obtained are compared with the values extracted from experimental data on the corresponding branching ratios, which were determined by the BESIII collaboration. A reasonable agreement is found, which together with the previous reproduction of the mass, width, and cross section for the process e+e− → ϕ f0 strongly indicates the molecular nature of ϕ(2170) as a ϕKK̄ system.
Solar energy on the Moon for fixed or tracked photovoltaic systems
Authors: Weiss Maxime , Dumais Félix , Volatier Maïté , Aimez Vincent , Jaouad Abdelatif , Darnon Maxime
Published: August 2024

Moon exploration will require local renewable energy production system, which design needs estimations of the received solar energy as a function of the location and the installation mode. We developed a novel method to compute the solar energy received by a 1 m2 flat surface anywhere on the Moon, for any period and using four different installation modes used for photovoltaic systems (fixed, 1-axis tracked vertical or horizontal and 2-axis tracked). By computing hourly elevations and azimuths of the Sun from the lunar year 2012 to 2031, we determined the incident angle between the solar rays and the surface, enabling the calculation of the solar energy received over a 20-year cycle, encompassing nearly all Sun-Moon relative positions on a human scale. We applied this method to compare the solar energy received on a one-axis tracked surface (vertical or horizontal axis), a two-axis tracked surface and a fixed surface at optimal azimuth and tilt, at ten locations from equator to poles. While the two-axis tracker exhibits the highest solar energy levels, comparable solar energies are observed near the poles with a vertical axis tracker and near the equator with a horizontal axis tracker. A fixed system, on the other hand, experiences a significant loss of solar energy in comparison to a two-axis tracker, ranging from 37% to 64%. Additionally, we showed that the partial Sun visibility results in reduced solar energy levels, particularly prevalent near the poles where the Sun remains close to the horizon. Near the poles, a vertical axis tracker seems the best solution, and could be theoretically applied with a perfect concentrator photovoltaic system with an acceptance angle above +/−3.5°.
Ein Enzym für die Kohlenstofffixierung
Authors: Störiko Anja
Published: August 2024

Dr. Johannes Rebelein vom Max-Planck-Institut in Marburg charakterisierte ein bakterielles Enzym, das Kohlenmonoxid (CO) und -dioxid (CO2) in Kohlenwasserstoffe umwandeln kann. Dieser bisher einzigartige natürliche Biokatalysator könnte das Treibhausgas CO2 für die Herstellung nachhaltiger Chemikalien, Kraftstoffe oder Plastik nutzbar machen. Für diese Entdeckung erhält Rebelein den Forschungspreis 2024 der Vereinigung für Allgemeine und Angewandte Mikrobiologie (VAAM). Den mit 10 000 Euro dotierten Preis für herausragende aktuelle Arbeiten auf dem Gebiet der Mikrobiologie verlieh die VAAM auf ihrer Jahrestagung in Würzburg am 2. Juni 2024.
Metastatic Malignant Melanoma of Brain: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Seervi Manoj Kumar , Jain Surendra , Meena Ugan Singh , Purohit Devendra Kumar
Published: August 2024

Malignant melanoma is third most common cause of brain metastasis after lung and breast cancer. Most patients with brain metastases from malignant melanoma are diagnosed after treatment for known extracranial metastases and have a poor outcome despite various local and systemic therapeutic approaches. Here we discuss an unusual case of a 61-year-old male patient who presented with a brain metastasis as the initial disease presentation and the presumed primary lesion was later found in the gastrointestinal tract and the scalp. Treatment consisted of a surgical removal of the large intracranial lesion. Further evaluation for primary lesion was done by general physical examination, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the chest and whole abdomen. Apart from that, colonoscopy was done, and a biopsy was taken from a suspicious colonic lesion. The scalp pigmented lesion was also evaluated. Both biopsies were in favor of melanoma. Recently, management of metastatic melanoma of the brain is decided according to the number of lesions, accessibility, visceral metastasis, and resectability of the lesion. Various treatment options are surgical resection, whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Malignant melanoma is relatively radioresistant, so the results are debatable. In conclusion, the prognosis of intracranial malignant melanoma is determined by the following factors: (1) the type of lesion; (2) the involvement of the leptomeninges; (3) the extent of tumor excised; and (4) the molecular immunology borstel number 1 (MIB 1) antibody index, which is the most relevant factor for prognosis in this type of cancer.
Alcohol- and drug-impaired e-scooter riding: exploring countermeasures from Australia, Belgium, New Zealand, and Norway
Authors: Alexander Marina , Bates Lyndel
Published: August 2024

This article explores the emerging problem of drug- and alcohol-impaired e-scooter riding. Fifteen government and e-scooter hire firm professionals from four jurisdictions (Australia, Belgium, New Zealand, Norway) described and assessed countermeasures designed to deter drug- and alcohol-impaired riding. Government professionals were from local/municipal councils, state and national departments of transport, and policing organisations. We used Braun and Clarke’s (Qual Res Psychol 18(3):328–352, 2020.https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2020.1769238) six-step method of thematic analysis and the NVivo qualitative analysis software system to analyse the interviews. All participants said traditional police enforcement is ineffective because laws and regulations are underdeveloped, and police have limited resources for patrols. Thematic analysis grouped countermeasures into four themes: enforcement, education, encouragement, and the road environment. Third-party policing initiatives show promise. For example, local/municipal councils required e-scooter hire firms to ban e-scooters from areas that sell alcohol through GPS-based geofencing. However, geofencing and other regulatory controls do not extend to privately owned e-scooters, a growing sector in the market. Other countermeasures used a combination of education and behavioural change techniques (BCTs) to encourage compliance. For example, innovative nudge methods (a type of BCT) have potential to change dangerous riding behaviours by targeting riding norms. However, participants said some people will continue to ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs either because they are addicted to substances or exhibit high-risk behaviours. Government should therefore adopt laws and regulations that build a more forgiving road environment, based on the safe system approach, to limit injuries when crashes occur.
To investigate the brain, think like a neuron
Authors: Shapiro Maura
Published: August 2024

Axon-inspired brain-machine interface minimizes tissue damage from insertion and records high-quality electrical signals from the cerebellum.
Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition of titanium nitride for superconducting devices
Authors: Femi-Oyetoro John , Sypkens Sasha , LeDuc Henry , Dickie Matthew , Beyer Andrew , Day Peter , Greer Frank
Published: August 2024

This study examines the superconducting properties of titanium nitride (TiN) deposited via plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition on both planar and three-dimensional (3D) structures. Our deposition method achieves consistent uniformity, maintaining sheet resistance (R□) > 95% across a 6-in. wafer, crucial for large-scale superconducting device fabrication and yield optimization. The planar films, akin to reactive-sputtered TiN, reached a critical temperature (Tc) of 4.35 K at a thickness of ≈40 nm. For aspect ratios (ARs) between 2 and 40, we observed a single transition of ≈2 K at ARs between 2 and 10.5, and multiple transitions at ARs > 10.5. We discuss mechanisms influencing superconducting properties in the 3D structures, aligning with current and future superconducting technologies.
Origins of fine structure in DNA melting curves
Authors: Asatryan Arevik V. , Benight Albert S. , Badasyan Artem V.
Published: August 2024

With the help of the one-dimensional random Potts-like model, we study the origins of fine structures observed on differential melting profiles of double-stranded DNA. We theoretically assess the effects of sequence arrangement on DNA melting curves through the comparison of results for random, correlated, and block sequences. Our results re-confirm the smearing out of the fine structure with the increase in chain length for all types of sequence arrangements and suggest that the fine structure is a finite-size effect. We have found that the fine structures on melting curves of chains comprised of blocks with correlations in sequence are more persistent, probably because of increased sequence disorder the blocks introduce. Many natural DNAs show a well-expressed fine structure of melting profiles. Our results for block sequences may suggest the existence of such sequence motifs in natural DNA sequences.
Numerical analysis of ultrasound-mediated microbubble interactions in vascular systems: Effects on shear stress and vessel mechanics
Authors: Heidary Zeinab , Ohl Claus-Dieter , Mojra Afsaneh
Published: August 2024

The present study concerns the numerical modeling of microbubble oscillation within an elastic microvessel, aiming to enhance the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-mediated drug delivery and diagnostic imaging. The success of such applications depends on a thorough understanding of microbubble–vessel interactions. Despite some progress, the critical impact of the stabilizing shell around gas core has remained underexplored. To address this, we developed a novel numerical approach that models the stabilizing shell. Additionally, there is novelty in modeling consequent vascular deformation in response to complicated spatiotemporal microbubble oscillations. The novel approach was implemented for shear stress evaluation as a critical factor in vascular permeability. Finally, our unique approach offered novel insights into microbubble–vessel interactions under diverse acoustic conditions. Results indicated substantial impact of shell properties and acoustic parameters on induced shear stress. With a fourfold increase in acoustic pressure amplitude, 15.6-fold and sixfold increases were observed in maximum shear stress at 1 and 3 MHz, respectively. Also, the peak shear stress could reach up to 15.6 kPa for a shell elasticity of 0.2 N/m at 2.5 MHz. Furthermore, decreasing microvessel/bubble size ratio from 3 to 1.5 increased maximum shear stress from 5.1 to 24.3 kPa. These findings are crucial for optimizing ultrasound parameters in clinical applications, potentially improving treatment outcomes while minimizing risk of vessel damage. However, while our model demonstrated high fidelity in reproducing experimental observations, it is limited by assumptions of vessel geometry and homogeneity of vessel properties. Future work can improve our findings through in vitro experimental measurements.
Effect of jet splitting using passive strut on the performance and thermoacoustic characteristics of a scramjet combustor
Authors: Nair Prasanth P. , Ananthu J. P. , Narayanan Vinod
Published: August 2024

A scramjet engine offers a potential route to achieve supersonic speeds using airbreathing engines. Achieving proper mixing and combustion poses a challenge due to the supersonic inflow of air. Researchers have explored multi-strut configurations to tackle this issue. However, multiple struts supplying fuel inefficiently can lead to fuel loss and reduced efficiency. Alternatively, utilizing a multi-strut setup passively could enhance combustion and mixing efficiency. In this study, two types of jet splitting passive strut configurations were investigated computationally with the improved delayed detached-eddy simulation turbulence model. Implementation of passive strut altered vortical structures, influencing mixing and combustion performance. The splitting of the jet introduces large-scale vortices downstream. Strategically placing the passive strut in the wake of the combustion zone was found to improve both mixing and combustion efficiency. Acoustic loading was seen to increase with the introduction of passive strut. It was observed that the diamond-shaped passive strut has the highest combustion efficiency; however, it suffers from higher acoustic loading. The dynamic mode decomposition analysis revealed the coupling frequency of fluctuating pressure and heat release rate, which causes thermoacoustic loading. Overall, passive strut placement significantly influenced combustion, mixing, and thermoacoustic properties, highlighting the importance of considering passive strut configurations in design optimization for scramjet engines.
Modulation of the wake of a horizontal cylinder by pycnocline thickness in stratified flow
Authors: Zheng Min-min , Liu Ya-dong , Liu Wei-huang , Tang Yu-ying , Wang You-jiang , He Yan-ping
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the modulating effect of the pycnocline thickness in two-dimensional stratified flow on a cylinder. It encompasses three typical flow regimes identified by Boyer in experiments conducted within the Reynolds number range of Re = 260–2000. Quantitative control of the modulation effect of internal interface waves on the cylinder wake is achieved by varying the thickness of the pycnocline. Under appropriate thickness of the pycnocline, a multiple-centerline-structure can transition to isolated-mixed-structure flow regimes and Double-Eddy-Wavy-Wake flow regimes. Similar modulation patterns are also observed in isolated-mixed flow regimes. Normalized pressure distribution and velocity fields indicate that in low Reynolds number flow regimes (Re < 600), downstream isolated mixed regions generate dynamic pressure that periodically cascades upstream. This periodic reverse energy transfer provides favorable adverse pressure gradients, cyclically reducing the drag force on the cylinder. The cyclic period is, for the first time, classified into four stages: dynamic pressure storage stage, dynamic pressure transfer stage, dynamic pressure consumption stage, and dynamic pressure exhaustion stage. Despite the highly nonlinear modulation effect of internal interface waves in low Reynolds number conditions, the linear predictive theory of lee waves based on streamline equations remains instructive in predicting the trend of lee waves wavelength variation with pycnocline thickness. Drawing upon the modulation study results concerning the pycnocline thickness on lee waves, a regime map is constructed, illustrating the directional evolution of lee waves flow patterns based on variations in pycnocline thickness.
Pure kinetic inductance coupling for cQED with flux qubits
Authors: Geisert Simon , Ihssen Soeren , Winkel Patrick , Spiecker Martin , Fechant Mathieu , Paluch Patrick , Gosling Nicolas , Zapata Nicolas , Günzler Simon , Rieger Dennis , Bénâtre Denis , Reisinger Thomas , Wernsdorfer Wolfgang , Pop Ioan M.
Published: August 2024

We demonstrate a qubit-readout architecture where the dispersive coupling is entirely mediated by a kinetic inductance. This allows us to engineer the dispersive shift of the readout resonator independent of the qubit and resonator capacitances. We validate the pure kinetic coupling concept and demonstrate various generalized flux qubit regimes from plasmon to fluxon, with dispersive shifts ranging from 60 kHz to 2 MHz at the half-flux quantum sweet spot. We achieve readout performances comparable to conventional architectures with quantum state preparation fidelities of 99.7% and 92.7% for the ground and excited states, respectively, and below 0.1% leakage to non-computational states.
Disorder and demixing in bidisperse particle systems assembling bcc crystals
Authors: Kennard Jasmin J. , Zelaya Solano H. Jonathan , Biddulph Caleb D. , Prager Ryan C. , Dshemuchadse Julia
Published: August 2024

Colloidal and nanoparticle self-assembly enables the creation of ordered structures with a variety of electronic and photonic functionalities. The outcomes of the self-assembly processes used to synthesize such structures, however, strongly depend on the uniformity of the individual nanoparticles. Here, we explore the simplest form of particle size dispersity—bidispersity—and its impact on the self-assembly process. We investigate the robustness of self-assembling bcc-type crystals via isotropic interaction potentials in binary systems with increasingly disparate particle sizes by determining their terminal size ratio—the most extreme size ratio at which a mixed binary bcc crystal forms. Our findings show that two-well pair potentials produce bcc crystals that are more robust with respect to particle size ratio than one-well pair potentials. This suggests that an improved self-assembly process is accomplished with a second attractive length scale encoded in the particle–particle interaction, which stabilizes the second-nearest neighbor shell. In addition, we document qualitative differences in the process of ordering and disordering: in bidisperse systems of particles interacting via one-well potentials, we observe a breakdown of order prior to demixing, while in systems interacting via two-well potentials, demixing occurs first and bcc continues to form in parts of the droplet down to low size ratios.
Investigation of vortex-induced vibration of a Π-type bridge girder and its suppression using G-shaped apron combination measure
Authors: Huang Lin , Dong Jiahui , Wang Qi , Liao Haili , Li Mingshui
Published: August 2024

The Π-type steel-concrete composite girder, a commonly used bridge deck composed of an upper concrete slab and two lower lateral I-side steel girders, often suffers from severe vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs). Herein, the VIV response and triggering mechanism of a Π-type girder are systematically investigated, by adopting 1:50 scale section model wind tunnel tests and flow-field numerical simulations. Afterward, several aerodynamic measures were designed to mitigate the significant VIVs present in the original section, and an effective measure composed of the G-shaped apron and lower central stabilizer plate was found. Numerical simulation results show that the Π-type girder's upper and lower surfaces both exhibit severe vortex shedding, and both contribute significantly to the occurrence of VIVs. Consequently, the aerodynamic measures introduced for the Π-type girder must be able to simultaneously improve the flowing bypassing situation around the upper and lower surfaces of the section, and the G-shaped apron and the lower central stabilizer plate could both accomplish this simultaneously. The results show that the VIV suppression effect of this G-shaped apron combination measure is greatly affected by the height of the G-shaped apron's vertical plate and the height of the lower central stabilizer plate. Only both of them to a certain height, this measure can entirely prevent the Π-type girder from VIVs. After shape optimization, a G-shaped apron combination aerodynamic measure that can eliminate completely the Π-type girder's VIVs at low damping ratios of about 0.5% is proposed, of which the vibration-suppressing effect was verified by wind tunnel testing of 1:20 section model.
A new synthetic correlation electron cyclotron emission diagnostic for validating nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations of electron temperature turbulence
Authors: Wang G. , Rhodes T. L. , Howard N. T. , Peebles W. A.
Published: August 2024

To validate nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations of electron temperature turbulence, the experimental correlation electron cyclotron emission (CECE) measurements are to be compared using a synthetic CECE diagnostic, which generates modeled CECE measurement quantities by implementing realistic measurement parameters (e.g., spatial and wavenumber resolutions, radial location, etc.) to nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations. In this work, we calculate the radial and vertical spatial and wavenumber transfer functions, which are defined by the electron cyclotron emission emissivity radial profile and vertical probing antenna pattern, respectively. These transfer functions are applied to nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations of electron temperature turbulence using the continuum gyrokinetic code. A simultaneous comparison of the experimental electron temperature turbulence power spectrum and root-mean-square (RMS) level, as well as the radial correlation length with the new synthetic CECE diagnostic at a core location ρ ∼ 0.75 in an L-mode DIII-D tokamak plasma, is presented. The preliminary result shows that the synthetic CECE output underestimates the RMS level by ∼42% and overestimates the radial correlation length by ∼40%.
Investigating energy level alignments at organic–organic interfaces in practical devices
Authors: Wang You-Mei , Wang Deng-Ke , Peng Meng-Ran , Wang Jian-Qing , Shi Chang-Sheng , Ding Jun-Qiao , Leng Mei , Zhao Yong-Biao , Lu Zheng-Hong
Published: August 2024

Energy level alignments are crucial for designing high-performance semiconductor devices. However, the reported energy levels, especially the lowest unoccupied energy levels (LUMOs), exhibit significant variability for a given molecular compound. This variability often leads to misunderstanding of device working mechanisms. In this study, single-carrier devices with organic/interlayer/organic structures are proposed to probe the energy level alignments at organic–organic heterojunctions. It is observed that carrier transport characteristics deviate significantly depending on charge scattering or trapping. Five organic molecules, including 1, 3, 5-tri(m-pyrid-3-ylphenyl)benzene (TmPyPB), 4, 4′-bis(arbazole-9-y1)biphenyl (CBP), 2, 2′, 2″-(1,3,5-benzinetriyl)-tris(1-phenyl-1-H-benzimidazole) (TPBi), bis[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-pyridine] beryllium (Bepp2), and tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum (Alq3), are utilized to test the method. The deduced LUMO level order for these materials is found to deviate significantly from reported values. Furthermore, the effect of differences in the energy level arrangement on the performance of electroluminescent devices is investigated. This work suggests that determining LUMO energy alignments via single-carrier analysis is a valuable method for understanding device working mechanisms.
KeldyshQFT: A C++ codebase for real-frequency multiloop functional renormalization group and parquet computations of the single-impurity Anderson model
Authors: Ritz Nepomuk , Ge Anxiang , Walter Elias , Aguirre Santiago , von Delft Jan , Kugler Fabian B.
Published: August 2024

We provide a detailed exposition of our computational framework designed for the accurate calculation of real-frequency dynamical correlation functions of the single-impurity Anderson model in the regime of weak to intermediate coupling. Using quantum field theory within the Keldysh formalism to directly access the self-energy and dynamical susceptibilities in real frequencies, as detailed in our recent publication [Ge et al., Phys. Rev. B 109, 115128 (2024)], the primary computational challenge is the full three-dimensional real-frequency dependence of the four-point vertex. Our codebase provides a fully MPI+OpenMP parallelized implementation of the functional renormalization group (fRG) and the self-consistent parquet equations within the parquet approximation. It leverages vectorization to handle the additional complexity imposed by the Keldysh formalism, using optimized data structures and highly performant integration routines. Going beyond the results shown in the previous publication, the code includes functionality to perform fRG calculations in the multiloop framework, up to arbitrary loop order, including self-consistent self-energy iterations. Moreover, implementations of various regulators, such as hybridization, interaction, frequency, and temperature, are supplied.
Discontinuous coarsening behavior and kinetics of L12 precipitate in high-entropy alloys
Authors: Yang Zhongsheng , Guo Bojing , Cui Dingcong , Liu Xin , Liu Yirui , Li Yue , Wang Lei , Li Junjie , Wang Jincheng , Wang Zhijun , He Feng
Published: August 2024

Coarsening is a metallurgical process that is related to solute transmission and system energy decrease. However, for the coarsening behavior of the L12 precipitate in high-entropy alloys, the influence of moving boundary is still an open question. Here, we found the moving boundary accelerates the discontinuous coarsening of L12 phase. The multiple defects-accelerated diffusion and continual particle-capturing ability of the moving boundary provide a high-efficiency solute transport for the fast-coarsening kinetics of L12 phase. In addition, a boundary-encountered assisted precipitate formation mechanism is also validated in the recrystallized area.