bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post-COVID-19 Rhino-Orbito-Maxillary Mucormycosis Defect: Our Surgical Experience with Single Stage Delayed Reconstruction Using Free Flap
Authors: Kala Prakash Chandra , Dixit Pawan Kumar , Katrolia Deepti , Karmakar Shilpi , Humnekar Akhilesh , Singla Priyanka , Singh Apoorva Pratap
Published: April 2024

Introduction The effect of the second wave of COVID-19 was immense in India, specifically in the form of vicious COVID-19-associated mucormycosis. A higher number of radical debridements are required for disease control in combination with antifungal drugs in cases of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis, which results in complex maxillofacial defects. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes in patients with rhino-orbito-maxillary defects due to COVID-19-associated mucormycosis undergoing a single stage delayed free flap reconstruction.

Methodology This prospective, single-center, multisurgeon study was performed on eight patients with COVID-19-associated rhino-orbito-maxillary mucormycosis in the department of burns and plastic surgery. The postoperative clinical outcome was evaluated using the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire for patient's quality of life (QOL), aesthetic numeric analog (ANA) scale for patient's satisfaction for aesthetics, and the functional intraoral Glasgow scale for speech and deglutition at 1 and 3 months.

Results The median age of the study patients was 40 years, with 75% of the patients being males. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was present in all the patients. Mucormycosis was diagnosed within the first 3 months of COVID-19 infection. Maxillary defect was present in 62.5% of patients, out of which 50% had bilateral maxillary defects. There was significant improvement in the QOL and the aesthetics of patients from 1 to 3 months (p < 0.001). Speech and deglutition were also improved at 3 months, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion Single stage delayed free flap reconstruction can be advocated in patients with COVID-19-associated rhino-orbito-maxillary mucormycosis defect as there is considerable improvement in patients' QOL, aesthetics, speech, and deglutition over a period of time.
Fundamentals of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease in clinical practice: part 1
Authors: Aquino Camila Henriques de , Moscovich Mariana , Marinho Murilo Martinez , Barcelos Lorena Broseghini , Felício André C. , Halverson Matthew , Hamani Clement , Ferraz Henrique Ballalai , Munhoz Renato Puppi
Published: April 2024

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is recognized as an established therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD) and other movement disorders in the light of the developments seen over the past three decades. Long-term efficacy is established for PD with documented improvement in the cardinal motor symptoms of PD and levodopa-induced complications, such as motor fluctuations and dyskinesias. Timing of patient selection is crucial to obtain optimal benefits from DBS therapy, before PD complications become irreversible. The objective of this first part review is to examine the fundamental concepts of DBS for PD in clinical practice, discussing the historical aspects, patient selection, potential effects of DBS on motor and non-motor symptoms, and the practical management of patients after surgery.
Trisomy 18: Prenatal Diagnosis and Outcome in a Tertiary Care Fetal Medicine Center in South India
Authors: Mahajan Rahul Ashok , Elayedatt Rinshi Abid , Malhotra Khushboo , Krishnan Vivek
Published: April 2024

Edwards' syndrome (trisomy 18) is the second most common aneuploidy known in humans, with an overall incidence of 1 in 6,000 live births. It occurs due to the presence of complete or part of an extra copy of chromosome 18 in all or a few body cells of the affected fetus, and it causes major anomalies in the organ systems. Despite this, an accurate diagnosis is often not made antenatally due to its very varied phenotype and the subtle nature of some of the common and consistent findings associated with this condition. This leads to lapses or delays in cytogenetic confirmation as well as delays in decision regarding termination of pregnancies with this mostly lethal fetal aneuploidy. We describe the prenatal profile of 45 confirmed cases of trisomy 18 at a tertiary fetal medicine unit. The presence of a combination of ultrasound (US) findings described in these cases will help alert sonologists and clinicians to suspect this condition and offer a confirmative cytogenetic test without delay for prenatal diagnosis. This study describes the prenatal diagnostic profile of cytogenetically confirmed trisomy 18 cases in a tertiary fetal medicine center in India. A retrospective analysis of records of 45 prenatally diagnosed trisomy 18 cases at a single tertiary fetal medicine center over a period of 11 years was done. Data were collected to describe maternal demography, indication for evaluation, major and minor US findings (trimester-wise), type of invasive test, and gestational age at diagnosis. Outcomes in terms of pregnancy termination, miscarriage, stillbirth, or livebirth were documented. Presenting at a mean maternal age and gestation age of 31.7 years and 22 + 5 weeks, respectively, 41/45 (91%) fetuses showed major and 40/45 (89%) showed minor US findings with an overall US sensitivity of 100%. The most common major US finding was a cardiac anomaly in 26 (57.8%) patients, while clenched fist with pointing index finger, observed in 17 (37.8%) cases, was the most common minor US finding. Fetal growth restriction (FGR) was noted in 20 (44.4%) patients. After cytogenetic confirmation, 37.8% underwent termination, 17.8% had a fetal demise, and only 11.1% had live birth with the longest survival noted at 5.5 months postnatally. Gender was documented in 13 fetuses with a male-to-female ratio of 0.6. A meticulously performed US examination can detect a combination of anomalies that could alert the sonologist to the possibility of trisomy 18. While the US profile could vary among fetuses, an understanding of the spectrum of the anomalies commonly seen in these fetuses would enable caregivers to reach an early accurate diagnosis, and offer appropriate genetic counseling and pregnancy decisions in these cases.
Decomposing the comprehensive efficiency of major cities into divisions on governance, ICT and sustainability: network slack-based measure model
Authors: Wu Yue , Chang Dong-Shang
Published: April 2024

The rapid urbanization and population growth in major cities have given rise to enduring urban challenges, prompting local governments to assess urban development performance and customize urban planning strategies to meet these challenges. This study aims to formulate an evaluation framework for the comprehensive efficiency of major cities, centering on governance, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and sustainability as fundamental aspects. Distinct from prior research, the framework employs the network slack-based measure (SBM) to unravel efficiency, concurrently scrutinizing input/output slack and link efficiency. Utilizing the network SBM model, the study assesses the comprehensive operational efficiencies of 38 major Chinese cities spanning from 2015 to 2019. The application of the Kruskal–Wallis test discerns differences in comprehensive efficiency between coastal and inland areas. The results indicate that governance, ICT, and sustainability significantly influence the comprehensive operations of cities. In addition to general and short-term policies, the implementation of the National New-Type Urbanization Plan by the Chinese central government has led to an increase in the number of cities demonstrating sustainable efficiency. Despite fluctuations in the efficiency gap during the study period, coastal cities consistently outperform their inland counterparts in terms of efficiency. Persistent geographical disparities underscore the imperative for balanced development. While acknowledging positive strides in sustainable urbanization, the study emphasizes the ongoing necessity to address the adverse impacts of urban development, positioning governance, ICT, and sustainability as indispensable elements in confronting the multifaceted challenges inherent in urban development. The research findings contribute significantly to the field of urban efficiency evaluation, accentuating the collaborative impact of governance, ICT, and sustainability.
Measurement setup for Nernst and Seebeck effect at high temperatures and magnetic fields tested on elemental bismuth and full-Heusler compounds
Authors: Parzer M. , Schmid T. , Garmroudi F. , Riss A. , Mori T. , Bauer E.
Published: April 2024

In this work, a measurement setup to study the Seebeck and Nernst effect at high temperatures and high magnetic fields is introduced and discussed. The measurement system allows for simultaneous measurements of both thermoelectric effects up to 700 K and magnetic fields up to 12 T. Based on theoretical concepts, measurement equations are derived that counteract constant spurious offset voltages and, therefore, inhibit systematic errors in the measurement setup. The functionality is demonstrated on polycrystalline samples of elemental bismuth as well as various full-Heusler materials, exhibiting an anomalous Nernst effect. In all samples, the measured Seebeck and Nernst coefficients align excellently with the reported values. This allows future research to substantially extend the measured temperature and field intervals, commonly limited to temperatures below room temperature. For the first time, the thermoelectric and thermomagnetic properties of these materials are reported up to temperatures of 560 K.
Optimization of stepped revetment configuration on minimizing wave run-up and overtopping
Authors: Rif'atin Hany Qoshirotur , Magdalena Ikha , Dewata Dara , Saengsupavanich Cherdvong , Sanitwong-na-Ayutthaya Sarinya
Published: April 2024

A stepped revetment has proven to be able to attenuate wave run-up height and wave overtopping discharge more effectively than a dike or a smooth-slope revetment does. However, the investigation into the optimal design of a stepped revetment, tailored to different wave and coastal conditions, is notably lacking. This paper introduces a computational model developed from the non-linear shallow water equations and the Genetic Algorithm. The aim is to optimize the width of a stepped revetment's step and crest, considering wave run-up and overtopping as key parameters. Multiple benchmark tests were conducted to validate the model's accuracy in estimating wave run-up and overtopping for specific setups. The results demonstrate a strong correlation between the numerical findings and experimental data. The Genetic Algorithm was then employed to predict the optimal step width for minimizing wave run-up height and determining the optimal step and crest widths to reduce wave overtopping discharge to an acceptable level. The findings reveal that for a gently sloping stepped revetment, the optimal step widths, based on wave run-up, remain relatively consistent across different wave heights. In contrast, when optimizing for wave overtopping, the optimal step width tends to fluctuate in most cases, although it shows some consistency in certain scenarios.
Nonvolatile resistive switching in interface-dominated memristors utilizing two-dimensional Cs2Pb(SCN)2Br2 perovskite films
Authors: Xu Jia , Zhang Yu , Ding Ying , Gong Yuhua , Yao Jianxi
Published: April 2024

In this study, all-inorganic two-dimensional (2D) perovskite Cs2Pb(SCN)2Br2 was employed in a thin-film vertical structure prototype memristor. The device consisted of a Cs2Pb(SCN)2Br2 film prepared through solution approach, sandwiched between an Ag electrode and a TiO2/FTO substrate bottom electrode. Two types of resistive switching (RS) behaviors were observed within a single device at different temperatures. At room temperature, the dominant control mechanism was the interface Schottky barrier, whereas at higher temperatures, the primary driving force shifted to the conductive channel. The device has an on/off ratio exceeding 103 under the interface control mechanism. The migration of mobile bromine vacancies within the Cs2Pb(SCN)2Br2 film, whose concentration was enhanced by the infiltration and reaction of the Ag active electrode within the Cs2Pb(SCN)2Br2 film, is proposed to be the root cause for both types of RS characteristics. These findings offer insights into the potential application of 2D Cs2Pb(SCN)2Br2 perovskite in RS memory devices.
Numerical study on the damage of liquid-filled containers subjected to shaped charge jet impact
Authors: Ma Shixin , Li Xiangdong
Published: April 2024

In the studies of the vulnerability of armored vehicles, the impact of high-velocity penetrators on liquid-filled container components is one of the critical concerns. The purpose of this study is to investigate the structural damage of the liquid-filled container subjected to shaped charge jet impact utilizing the Structural Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian method in ANSYS/LS-DYNA. The numerical model is validated against available experimental data. The validation effort of the numerical model showed very good agreements with experiments in terms of radial shock wave and radial crater formation as a function of time. Using the validated model, the liquid pressure, the energy transfer as well as the influence of overmatch on the impact process were analyzed. The results indicate that the structural damage modes of containers under shaped charge jet impact include perforation and wall deformation. Perforation results from the penetration of the jet tip and tail, while wall deformation is caused by the high-velocity impact of the flowing liquid. In cases where the overmatch (OM) is equal to 1, the contribution of the tip to front and back wall perforation increment primarily depends on the impact velocity. In cases with OM less than 1, the “filtering effect” of the Rolled Homogeneous Armor (RHA) armor plate leads to the loss of the tail's contribution to front wall perforation.
Fast relaxation of interlayer excitons from the free to self-trapped states in lead halide perovskite van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Deng Jia-Pei , Ma Xin-Jun , Li Shao-Juan , Li Zhi-Qing , Wang Zi-Wu
Published: April 2024

We study the thermal relaxation of interlayer excitons from the free to momentary self-trapped states in lead halide perovskite van der Waals heterostructures based on the well-known Huang-Rhys model. We find that these relaxation processes (self-trapped processes) are very fast ranging from nanoseconds to picoseconds. Moreover, the self-trapped time displays different variational trends by regulating three key structural parameters of the heterostructure, which could be intrinsically attributed to the modulation of exciton–phonon coupling by these structural parameters, resulting in the variation of the self-trapping depth. The underlying physical pictures that the changing of intersection points of two adiabatic potential between the free and momentary self-trapped states in the configuration coordinates are proposed to explain these relaxation processes. These results not only provide the significant enlightenments for analyzing the abnormal features of excitonic spectra in experiments but also present the practical ways to modulate the dynamical processes of excitons in two-dimensional structures.
The tale of HORTON: Lessons learned in a decade of scientific software development
Authors: Chan Matthew , Verstraelen Toon , Tehrani Alireza , Richer Michelle , Yang Xiaotian Derrick , Kim Taewon David , Vöhringer-Martinez Esteban , Heidar-Zadeh Farnaz , Ayers Paul W.
Published: April 2024

HORTON is a free and open-source electronic-structure package written primarily in Python 3 with some underlying C++ components. While HORTON’s development has been mainly directed by the research interests of its leading contributing groups, it is designed to be easily modified, extended, and used by other developers of quantum chemistry methods or post-processing techniques. Most importantly, HORTON adheres to modern principles of software development, including modularity, readability, flexibility, comprehensive documentation, automatic testing, version control, and quality-assurance protocols. This article explains how the principles and structure of HORTON have evolved since we started developing it more than a decade ago. We review the features and functionality of the latest HORTON release (version 2.3) and discuss how HORTON is evolving to support electronic structure theory research for the next decade.
Exploring the excess of cloud condensation nuclei and rain suppression using a minimal three-dimensional Boussinesq model with bulk cloud microphysics
Authors: Guerrero Medina Olmo , Hernández-Dueñas Gerardo
Published: April 2024

Over the years, there have been discussions about the possibility of air pollution affecting the process of rain formation. In this study, we have developed a simplified model that represents the atmospheric dynamics and cloud microphysics to explore the impact of pollution on rain formation. We used an existing three-dimensional minimal model consisting of five equations, for which we added a simple bulk parametrization that represents the role of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) in cloud formation processes. We conducted numerical tests using two CCN profiles, with either one or two accumulation layers and modified their abundance to explore the effects of different CCN concentrations and distributions. We conducted four numerical tests corresponding to the two aforementioned profiles with polluted and low-polluted scenarios. The numerical simulations suggested that a layer with high CCN concentration close to the surface tends to suppress precipitation, while the same concentration distributed over two layers tends to enhance the efficiency of rain formation. The simulations also showed that CCN particles far from the surface produced higher cloud tops and longer events, consistent with previous research. Although the model includes a stable representation of precipitating turbulent convection with bulk cloud microphysics, we expect its simplicity and conservation properties to allow for deeper theoretical analyses that can help us better understand the physical processes involved in the studied phenomenon. We hope this model will serve as a tool to explore different aerosol-related scenarios within the context of minimal models.
Laboratory study of rotationally inelastic collisions of CO2 at low temperatures
Authors: Álvarez C. , Tejeda G. , Fernández J. M.
Published: April 2024

The rotational relaxation of CO2 by inelastic collisions has been studied in three supersonic jets. The jets were probed by means of Raman spectroscopy with high spectral and spatial resolutions, measuring the rotational populations and the total number density. The time evolution of the rotational populations was analyzed by means of a kinetic master equation, with the help of the energy-corrected sudden power law to relate the numerous state-to-state rate (STS rates) coefficients. In the thermal range investigated, 60–260 K, the STS rates decrease with increasing temperature and with increasing change in the rotational quantum number. Other quantities of interest for fluid dynamics, such as the rotational collision number, the relaxation cross section, and the bulk viscosity, have been derived from the STS rates.
Nanoscale single-electron box with a floating lead for quantum sensing: Modeling and device characterization
Authors: Petropoulos N. , Wu X. , Sokolov A. , Giounanlis P. , Bashir I. , Mitchell A. K. , Asker M. , Leipold D. , Staszewski R. B. , Blokhina E.
Published: April 2024

We present an in-depth analysis of a single-electron box (SEB) biased through a floating node technique that is common in charge-coupled devices. The device is analyzed and characterized in the context of single-electron charge sensing techniques for integrated silicon quantum dots (QD). The unique aspect of our SEB design is the incorporation of a metallic floating node, strategically employed for sensing and precise injection of electrons into an electrostatically formed QD. To analyze the SEB, we propose an extended multi-orbital Anderson impurity model (MOAIM), adapted to our nanoscale SEB system, that is used to predict theoretically the behavior of the SEB in the context of a charge sensing application. The validation of the model and the sensing technique has been carried out on a QD fabricated in a fully depleted silicon on insulator process (FD-SOI) on a 22-nm CMOS technology node. We demonstrate the MOAIM's efficacy in predicting the observed electronic behavior and elucidating the complex electron dynamics and correlations in the SEB. The results of our study reinforce the versatility and precision of the model in the realm of nanoelectronics and highlight the practical utility of the metallic floating node as a mechanism for charge injection and detection in integrated QDs. Finally, we identify the limitations of our model in capturing higher order effects observed in our measurements and propose future outlooks to reconcile some of these discrepancies.
Out-of-equilibrium interactions and collective locomotion of colloidal spheres with squirming of nematoelastic multipoles
Authors: Senyuk Bohdan , Wu Jin-Sheng , Smalyukh Ivan I.
Published: April 2024

Many living and artificial systems show similar emergent behavior and collective motions on different scales, starting from swarms of bacteria to synthetic active particles, herds of mammals, and crowds of people. What all these systems often have in common is that new collective properties like flocking emerge from interactions between individual self-propelled or driven units. Such systems are naturally out-of-equilibrium and propel at the expense of consumed energy. Mimicking nature by making self-propelled or externally driven particles and studying their individual and collective motility may allow for deeper understanding of physical underpinnings behind collective motion of large groups of interacting objects or beings. Here, using a soft matter system of colloids immersed into a liquid crystal, we show that resulting so-called nematoelastic multipoles can be set into a bidirectional locomotion by external oscillating electric fields. Out-of-equilibrium elastic interactions between such colloidal objects lead to collective flock-like behaviors emerging from time-varying elasticity-mediated interactions between externally driven propelling particles. Repulsive elastic interactions in the equilibrium state can be turned into attractive interactions in the out-of-equilibrium state under applied external electric fields. We probe this behavior at different number densities of colloidal particles and show that particles in dense dispersions collectively select the same direction of a coherent motion due to elastic interactions between near neighbors. In our experimentally implemented design, their motion is highly ordered and without clustering or jamming often present in other colloidal transport systems, which is promising for technological and fundamental-science applications, like nano-cargo transport, out-of-equilibrium assembly, and microrobotics.
Identities in conflict
Authors: Garcés-Conejos Blitvich Pilar , Bou Franch Patricia
Published: April 2024

This paper explores the construction of Latino identity in Spain. The term Hispanic (Latino later became the label of choice) was added to the US census in the 1970s, initially as an ethnic category, but it has undergone a process of racialization, making Latinos a distinct racial group in the US. The concept ofLatinidadhas been extensively studied in the US context. This paper adopts a netnographic approach to examine howLatinidadis constructed in Spain. To conduct this qualitative research, NVivo was used to analyze a reference corpus of over 5,000 online comments triggered by a video discussing the situation of Latinos in Spain that had been posted on YouTube byEl País. The study employs a multidisciplinary approach, drawing from fields like identity, impoliteness, and raciolinguistics. It particularly focuses on perceptions of visible minorities and attitudes towards language varieties different from European Spanish.
A de novo dominant-negative variant is associated with OTULIN-related autoinflammatory syndrome
Authors: Takeda Yukiko , Ueki Masahiro , Matsuhiro Junpei , Walinda Erik , Tanaka Takayuki , Yamada Masafumi , Fujita Hiroaki , Takezaki Shunichiro , Kobayashi Ichiro , Tamaki Sakura , Nagata Sanae , Miyake Noriko , Matsumoto Naomichi , Osawa Mitsujiro , Yasumi Takahiro , Heike Toshio , Ohtake Fumiaki , Saito Megumu K. , Toguchida Junya , Takita Junko , Ariga Tadashi , Iwai Kazuhiro
Published: April 2024

OTULIN-related autoinflammatory syndrome (ORAS), a severe autoinflammatory disease, is caused by biallelic pathogenic variants of OTULIN, a linear ubiquitin-specific deubiquitinating enzyme. Loss of OTULIN attenuates linear ubiquitination by inhibiting the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC). Here, we report a patient who harbors two rare heterozygous variants of OTULIN (p.P152L and p.R306Q). We demonstrated accumulation of linear ubiquitin chains upon TNF stimulation and augmented TNF-induced cell death in mesenchymal stem cells differentiated from patient-derived iPS cells, which confirms that the patient has ORAS. However, although the de novo p.R306Q variant exhibits attenuated deubiquitination activity without reducing the amount of OTULIN, the deubiquitination activity of the p.P152L variant inherited from the mother was equivalent to that of the wild-type. Patient-derived MSCs in which the p.P152L variant was replaced with wild-type also exhibited augmented TNF-induced cell death and accumulation of linear chains. The finding that ORAS can be caused by a dominant-negative p.R306Q variant of OTULIN furthers our understanding of disease pathogenesis.
Cosmography with next-generation gravitational wave detectors
Authors: Chen Hsin-Yu , Ezquiaga Jose María , Gupta Ish
Published: April 2024

Advancements in cosmology through next-generation (XG) ground-based gravitational wave (GW) observatories will bring in a paradigm shift. We explore the pivotal role that GW standard sirens will play in inferring cosmological parameters with XG observatories, not only achieving exquisite precision but also opening up unprecedented redshifts. We examine the merits and the systematic biases involved in GW standard sirens utilizing binary black holes, binary neutron stars, and neutron star-black hole mergers. Further, we estimate the precision of bright sirens, golden dark sirens, and spectral sirens for these binary coalescences and compare the abilities of various XG observatories (A♯, cosmic explorer, Einstein telescope, and their possible networks). When combining different sirens, we find sub-percent precision over more than 10 billion years of cosmic evolution for the Hubble expansion rateH(z). This work presents a broad view of opportunities to precisely measure the cosmic expansion rate, decipher the elusive dark energy and dark matter, and potentially discover new physics in the uncharted Universe with XG GW detectors.
Energy spectrum and superfluidity breakdown of Bose–Einstein condensates in optical lattice under density-dependent artificial gauge field
Authors: Zhou Ming-Zhi , Ma Yun-E , Xu Shi-Dong , Mi Lai-Lai , Zhang Ai-Xia , Xue Ju-Kui
Published: April 2024

Nonlinear feedback between the gauge field and the material field can yield novel quantum phenomena. Here, the interplay between a density-dependent artificial gauge field and Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs) trapped in an optical lattice is studied. The energy spectrum and superfluidity represented by energetic and dynamical stabilities of the system are systematically discussed. A density-dependent artificial gauge field with a back-action between the BECs dynamics and the gauge field induces an effective atomic interaction that depends on the quasi-momentum and density of the condensates, resulting in a symmetry-broken energy spectrum and exotic stability phase diagram, that is, the system is only stable in a certain range of atoms density and under a limited lattice strength. The density-dependent artificial gauge field changes the sequence for the emergence of energetic and dynamical instability and the regimes of the energetic and dynamical instabilities are significantly separated, offering an efficient way to examine the energetic and dynamical instabilities of superfluids separately. In particular, the density-dependent artificial gauge field, as a mechanism for transferring momentum to the fluid, results in dynamic instability of the condensates even in free space. Our results provide deep insights into the dynamical response of superfluid systems to gauge fields and have potential applications for the coherent control of exotic superfluid states.
Gaussian-kernel weighted neighborhood preserving embedding algorithm and its application in fault detection
Authors: Wang Hancheng , Li Peng , Ai Mingxi , Wu Jiande , Yang Chuangyan , Pan Deen
Published: April 2024

Fault detection in industrial processes is essential for enhancing production safety. Despite the application of the neighborhood preserving embedding (NPE) algorithm in fault detection as a manifold learning technique, a notable limitation exists-NPE overlooks local geometric structure, leading to suboptimal fault detection and occasional false alarms. This paper introduces the Gaussian kernel weighted NPE (KW-NPE) algorithm to address this challenge. Specifically designed for precise weight assignment in local structures, KW-NPE strategically employs the Gaussian kernel method to project the spatial neighborhood set and capture comprehensive local structural characteristics. The weight assignment, dependent on feature values, enhances the retention of intrinsic structure during dimensionality reduction. A novel objective function further augments this process.To assess performance, a comprehensive composite index is introduced in a case study, amalgamating the false alarm rate and fault detection rate. The effectiveness of the KW-NPE algorithm is demonstrated through extensive simulations and its application to the Tennessee Eastman process dataset, highlighting its superiority over conventional approaches.
3D printed self-sensing cementitious composites using graphite and carbon microfibers
Authors: Liu Han , Laflamme Simon , D’Alessandro Antonella , Ubertini Filippo
Published: April 2024

Cementitious materials possessing self-sensing properties conferred through the incorporation of conductive fillers have attracted significant interest in the research community due to their potential application to structural health monitoring of civil infrastructure. A key advantage of cementitious sensors is that they can be organically embedded within cementitious structures to provide extremely robust monitoring capabilities. Of interest to this paper, the integration of cementitious sensors could be critical in empowering the 3D printing of cementitious composites by enabling real-time monitoring of additive manufacturing. Such integration could be achieved by 3D printing self-sensing cementitious nodes during the fabrication process. 3D printed self-sensing cementitious sensors could also be topologically engineered to achieve new opportunities in sensing of existing and new concrete and other cementitious structures. This paper presents one of the earliest studies, if not the first, on the 3D printing of self-sensing functionalized composites. The self-sensing cementitious composite sensors are fabricated using a cementitious matrix doped with graphite (G) and carbon microfibers. Various mixtures are studied, in particular G-only, G with milled carbon microfibers (MCMF), G with chopped carbon microfibers (CCMF), and G with MCMF and CCMF. A study of the percolation curves reveals that it is possible to attain electrical percolation using these conductive particles to create strain-sensitive sensors by leveraging the boosted piezoresistive effect. A study of strain sensing performance conducted on various specimens fabricated using different mixture types reveals the optimal concentration of dopants under different types of conductive particles. It is found that the optimal mixture that yields optimal performance also improves the Young’s Modulus of the specimens by 42.2% compared to cement-only specimens. Overall, this optimal mixture composed of 10% weight-to-cement G (10 wt% G), 0.250 wt% MCMF, and 0.125 wt% CCMF yielded a static gauge factor of 622, a resolution of 167 

μ
ε

, an accuracy of 19.24 

μ
ε

, and a Young’s Modulus of 798 MPa.
Metal cation crosslinked, partially reduced graphene oxide membranes with enhanced stability for high salinity, produced water treatment by pervaporative separation
Authors: Almarzooqi Khalfan , Burton Nikolai D , Tsui Ting Y , Elkamel Ali , Pope Michael A
Published: April 2024

Graphene oxide (GO)-based membranes hold significant promise for applications ranging from energy storage to protective coatings, to saline water and produced water treatment, owing to their chemical stability and unique barrier properties achieving a high selectivity for water permeation. However, unmodified GO membranes are not stable when submerged in liquid water, creating challenges with their commercial utilization in aqueous filtration and pervaporation applications. To mitigate this, we develop an approach to modify GO membranes through a combination of low temperature thermal reduction and metal cation crosslinking. We demonstrate that Zn2+–rGO and Fe3+–rGO membranes had the highest permeation flux of 8.3 ± 1.5 l m−2 h−1 and 7.0 ± 0.4 l m−2 h−1, for saline water separation, respectively, when thermally reduced after metal cross-linking; These membranes maintained a high flux of 7.5 ± 0.7 l m−2 h−1, and 5.5 ± 0.3 l m−2 h−1 for produced water separation, respectively. All the membranes had a salt rejection higher than 99%. Fe3+ crosslinked membranes presented the highest organic solute rejections for produced water of 69%. Moreover, long term pervaporation testing was done for the Zn2+–rGO membrane for 12 h, and only a minor drop of 6% in permeation flux was observed, while Zn2+–GO had a drop of 24%. Both modifiers significantly enhanced the stability with Fe3+–rGO membranes displaying the highest mechanical abrasion resistance of 95% compared to non-reduced and non-crosslinked GO. Improved stability for all samples also led to higher selectivity to water over organic contaminants and only slightly reduced water flux across the membrane.
Measurement of specific heat by using non-isolating container and Arduino: a novel teaching method
Authors: Erol Mustafa , Kuzucu M Emre
Published: April 2024

This study reports a novel method to measure and teach the specific heat by means of ordinary non-isolating containers and Arduino microprocessors. The measurements are managed by simply placing cold substances in hot water and by monitoring the instant temperature variation via the Arduino UNO microprocessor. This method is original in the sense that it employs ordinary non-isolating containers and obvious heat loss from the container is determined by mathematically modelling the temperature decrease as a function of time. The specific heat measurements are managed based on the heat energy exchange between the hot water and the cold substance by extracting the heat loss to the environment. Proposed method is specifically employed for the substances of aluminium and copper and the measurements revealed that the relative errors of the measurements are 6.50% for copper and 1.38% for aluminium. This novel approach is very easy to implement, inexpensive and can effectively be employed on teaching physics, science and engineering. The novel method can also be employed on basic research activities and industrial applications.
Single-channel EOG sleep staging on a heterogeneous cohort of subjects with sleep disorders
Authors: van Gorp Hans , van Gilst Merel M , Overeem Sebastiaan , Dujardin Sylvie , Pijpers Angelique , van Wetten Bregje , Fonseca Pedro , van Sloun Ruud J G
Published: April 2024

Objective. Sleep staging based on full polysomnography is the gold standard in the diagnosis of many sleep disorders. It is however costly, complex, and obtrusive due to the use of multiple electrodes. Automatic sleep staging based on single-channel electro-oculography (EOG) is a promising alternative, requiring fewer electrodes which could be self-applied below the hairline. EOG sleep staging algorithms are however yet to be validated in clinical populations with sleep disorders. Approach. We utilized the SOMNIA dataset, comprising 774 recordings from subjects with various sleep disorders, including insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing, hypersomnolence, circadian rhythm disorders, parasomnias, and movement disorders. The recordings were divided into train (574), validation (100), and test (100) groups. We trained a neural network that integrated transformers within a U-Net backbone. This design facilitated learning of arbitrary-distance temporal relationships within and between the EOG and hypnogram. Main results. For 5-class sleep staging, we achieved median accuracies of 85.0% and 85.2% and Cohen’s kappas of 0.781 and 0.796 for left and right EOG, respectively. The performance using the right EOG was significantly better than using the left EOG, possibly because in the recommended AASM setup, this electrode is located closer to the scalp. The proposed model is robust to the presence of a variety of sleep disorders, displaying no significant difference in performance for subjects with a certain sleep disorder compared to those without. Significance. The results show that accurate sleep staging using single-channel EOG can be done reliably for subjects with a variety of sleep disorders.
Photovoltaic spatial gap solitons in biased photorefractive optical lattices
Authors: Katti Aavishkar , Umesh Draupath
Published: April 2024

We investigate the existence and characteristics of spatially confined optical gap solitons within an optical lattice embedded in a biased bulk photovoltaic photorefractive crystal. The Floquet-Bloch theory is used to analyze the uniform lattice and derive the optical lattice band structure. In the photonic band gaps, which are typically opaque to light transmission, the photorefractive nonlinearity permits the formation of solitons. The paraxial Helmholtz equation is set up and solved thereby discovering single hump and double hump soliton states in both band gaps. Interestingly, we have not found any multi peak solitons to exist in this particular case. We examine the characteristics of these gap solitons, finding that the soliton width (an indicator of nonlinearity) and intensity depend on their location within the band gap. We find that the magnitude of the external electric field profoundly affects the gap soliton characteristics. Additionally, the Vakhitov-Kolokolov (VK) criterion, perturbation analysis and numerical techniques are used to analyze the stability of the various types of the spatial gap solitons in both the band gaps.
Green lubricants in action: a comprehensive performance evaluation of groundnut oil-based cutting fluids in metal machining processes
Authors: Srinivas M Shanmuka , Kumar Dheeraj , Suvin P S , Kailas Satish V , Pawar Sanjay R , Roy Choudhury Mridusmita
Published: April 2024

As industries worldwide seek environmentally sustainable solutions, the metalworking sector faces a growing need for eco-friendly alternatives to traditional cutting fluids. This abstract introduces the concept of an innovative approach to cutting fluid technology—the use of groundnut oil as a base material for machining fluids. Derived from peanuts, groundnut oil presents a renewable and biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based counterparts, addressing concerns related to resource depletion and environmental impact. A comprehensive performance evaluation of groundnut oil- based cutting fluid has been carried out by series of critical tests such as separation testing, particle size and stability testing, frictional testing, corrosion testing and drilling testing. The results of these tests collectively contribute to a comprehensive understanding of groundnut oil-based cutting fluids, shedding light on their potential as sustainable and high-performance alternatives in metalworking. The zeta potential for the prepared green cutting fluid has been found to be 49.10 mV. The dimensions of the dispersed particles in a fluid of the cutting fluid have been found as 250–260 nm. The environmentally friendly cutting fluid exhibits favourable outcomes in corrosion resistance, frictional performance, and drilling efficacy during testing.
A modified lognormal approximation of the Lyman-α forest: comparison with full hydrodynamic simulations at 2 ≤ z ≤ 2.7
Authors: Arya B. , Roy Choudhury T. , Paranjape A. , Gaikwad P.
Published: April 2024

Observations of the Lyman-α forest in distant quasar spectra with upcoming surveys
are expected to provide significantly larger and higher-quality datasets. To interpret these
datasets, it is imperative to develop efficient simulations. One such approach is based on the
assumption that baryonic densities in the intergalactic medium (IGM) follow a lognormal
distribution. We extend our earlier work to assess the robustness of the lognormal model of the
Lyman-α forest in recovering the parameters characterizing IGM state, namely, the
mean-density IGM temperature (T
0), the slope of the temperature-density relation (γ),
and the hydrogen photoionization rate (Γ12), by comparing with high-resolution Sherwood
SPH simulations across the redshift range 2 ≤ z ≤ 2.7. These parameters are estimated
through a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique, using the mean and power spectrum of the
transmitted flux. We find that the usual lognormal distribution of IGM densities cannot recover
the parameters of the SPH simulations. This limitation arises from the fact that the SPH baryonic
density distribution cannot be described by a simple lognormal form. To address this, we extend
the model by scaling the linear density contrast by a parameter ν. While the resulting
baryonic density is still lognormal, the additional parameter gives us extra freedom in setting
the variance of density fluctuations. With this extension, values of T
0 and γ implied in
the SPH simulations are recovered at ∼ 1 - σ (≲ 10%) of the median (best-fit)
values for most redshifts bins. However, this extended lognormal model cannot recover
Γ12 reliably, with the best-fit value discrepant by ≳ 3 - σ for z >
2.2. Despite this limitation in the recovery of Γ12, whose origins we explain, we argue
that the model remains useful for constraining cosmological parameters.
Covariance matrices for the Lyman-α forest using the lognormal approximation
Authors: Arya B. , Paranjape A. , Roy Choudhury T.
Published: April 2024

We investigate the nature of correlations in the small-scale flux statistics of the
Lyman-α (Lyα) forest across redshift bins. Understanding and characterising these
correlations is important for unbiased cosmological and astrophysical parameter inference using
the Lyα forest. We focus on the 1-dimensional flux power spectrum (FPS) and mean flux
(F̅) simulated using the semi-numerical lognormal model we developed in earlier work. The
lognormal model can capture the effects of long wavelength modes with relative ease as compared to
full smoothed particle hydrodynamical (SPH) simulations that are limited by box volume. For a
single redshift bin of size Δz ≃ 0.1, we show that the lognormal model predicts
positive cross-correlations between k-bins in the FPS, and a negative correlation for F̅ × FPS, in qualitative agreement with SPH simulations and theoretical expectations. For
measurements across two neighbouring redshift bins of width Δ z each (using long flux
skewers of length 2Δ z that are 'split' in half), the lognormal model predicts an
anti-correlation for FPS × FPS and a positive correlation for F̅ ×
FPS, caused by modes with the longest wavelengths. This is in contrast to SPH simulations which
predict a negligible magnitude for cross-redshift correlations derived from such `split' skewers,
and we discuss possible reasons for this difference. Finally, we perform a preliminary test of the
impact of neglecting long wavelength modes on parameter inference, finding that whereas the
correlation structure of neighbouring redshift bins has relatively little impact, the absence of
long wavelength modes in the model can lead to ≳ 2 - σ biases in the inference of
astrophysical parameters. Our results motivate a more careful treatment of long wavelength modes
in analyses that rely on the small-scale Lyα forest for parameter inference.
Splitting the spacetime: a systematic analysis of foliation dependence in cosmic averaging
Authors: Mourier Pierre , Heinesen Asta
Published: April 2024

It is a fundamental unsolved question in general relativity how to unambiguously characterize the effective collective dynamics of an ensemble of fluid elements sourcing the local geometry, in the absence of exact symmetries.
In a cosmological context this is sometimes referred to as the averaging problem.
At the heart of this problem in relativity is the non-uniqueness of the choice of foliation within which the statistical properties of the local spacetime are quantified,
which can lead to ambiguity in the formulated average theory. This has led to debate in the literature on how to best construct and view such a coarse-grained hydrodynamic theory.
Here, we address this ambiguity by performing the first quantitative investigation of foliation dependence in cosmological spatial averaging. Starting from the aim of constructing slicing-independent integral functionals (volume, mass, entropy, etc.) as well as average functionals (mean density, average curvature, etc.) defined on spatial volume sections, we investigate infinitesimal foliation variations and derive results on the foliation dependence of functionals and on extremal leaves.
Our results show that one may only identify fully foliation-independent integral functionals in special scenarios, requiring the existence of associated conserved currents.
We then derive bounds on the foliation dependence of integral functionals for general scalar quantities under finite variations within physically motivated classes of foliations.
Our findings provide tools that are useful for quantifying, eliminating or constraining the foliation dependence in cosmological averaging.
First-principles study on stability and superconductivity of ternary hydride LaYHx (x = 2, 3, 6 and 8)
Authors: Yan 颜 Xiao-Zhen 小珍 , Zhou 周 Xing-Zi 幸姿 , Liu 刘 Chao-Fei 超飞 , Xu 徐 Yin-Li 寅力 , Huang 黄 Yi-Bin 毅斌 , Sheng 盛 Xiao-Wei 晓伟 , Chen 陈 Yang-Mei 杨梅
Published: April 2024

Recent studies have shown that the La- and Y-hydrides can exhibit significant superconducting properties under high pressures. In this paper, we investigate the stability, electronic and superconducting properties of LaYH
x
(x = 2, 3, 6 and 8) under 0–200 GPa. It is found that LaYH2 stabilizes in the C2/m phase at ambient pressure, and transforms to the Pmmn phase at 67 GPa. LaYH3 stabilizes in the C2/m phase at ambient pressure, and undergoes phase transitions of C2/m → P21/m → R3m at 12 GPa and 87 GPa, respectively. LaYH6 stabilizes in the P43212 phase at ambient pressure, and undergoes phase transitions of P43212 → P4/mmm → Cmcm at 28 GPa and 79 GPa, respectively. LaYH8 stabilizes in the Imma phase at 60 GPa and transforms to the P4/mmm phase at 117 GPa. Calculations of the electronic band structures show that the P4/mmm-LaYH8 and all phases of LaYH2 and LaYH3 exhibit metallic character. For the metallic phases, we then study their superconducting properties. The calculated superconducting transition temperatures (T
c) are 0.47 K for C2/m-LaYH2 at 0 GPa, 0 K for C2/m-LaYH3 at 0 GPa, and 55.51 K for P4/mmm-LaYH8 at 50 GPa.