bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to improve tourists’ trust in official tourism destination websites in China—an empirical research based on CV and PASP
Authors: Wei Yingmei , Fan Diwei , Zhang Binyuan , Li Ting , Feng Yuqiang
Published: June 2024

An increasing number of Chinese tourists exhibit reluctance in trusting and using Official Tourism Destination Websites (OTDWs). To address this hesitancy, our study developed an integrated framework and structural model based on Hofstede’s cultural values (CV) and perceived administration service power (PASP) to explore methods for enhancing tourists’ trust in OTDWs. This research investigated the impacts of collectivism, low power distance, high context, local distinctiveness, perceived economic management power, perceived tourism management power, perceived benevolence, and perceived integrity on CV and PASP. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze questionnaires completed by 324 Chinese tourists with experience in traveling and using OTDWs. The overall fit of our structural model was acceptable, and the Cronbach’s Alpha values indicated adequate reliability. Findings revealed that tourists’ trust in OTDWs is positively and significantly influenced by collectivism, low power distance, high context, and perceived benevolence. Furthermore, CV positively impacts PASP. Consequently, OTDW management departments should give special attention to collectivism, low power distance, high context, and perceived benevolence to enhance tourists’ trust in OTDWs. The study’s results offer valuable insights for tourism destination managers to understand tourists’ preferences and optimize OTDWs.
Experimental and theoretical studies on self-diffusion in amorphous germanium
Authors: Böckendorf Tim , Kirschbaum Jan , Kipke Felix , Bougeard Dominique , Hansen John Lundsgaard , Larsen Arne Nylandsted , Posselt Matthias , Bracht Hartmut
Published: June 2024

Self-diffusion in amorphous germanium is studied at temperatures between 325 and 370 °C utilizing amorphous isotopically controlled germanium multilayer structures. The isotope multilayer is epitaxially grown on a single crystalline germanium-on-insulator structure by means of molecular beam epitaxy and subsequently amorphized by self-ion implantation. After heat treatment, the diffusional broadening of the isotope structure is measured with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. The temperature dependence of self-diffusion is accurately described by the Arrhenius equation with the activation enthalpy Q = (2.21 ± 0.12)  eV and pre-exponential factor D0=(2.32−2.10+20.79) cm2 s−1. The activation enthalpy equals the activation enthalpy of solid phase epitaxial recrystallization (SPER). This agreement suggests that self-diffusion in amorphous germanium is similar to SPER, also mainly mediated by local bond rearrangements. Classical molecular dynamics simulations with a modified Stillinger–Weber-type interatomic potential yield results that are consistent with the experimental data and support the proposed atomic mechanism.
Hybrid waterwheel plant and stochastic fractal search optimization for robust diabetes classification
Authors: Alhussan Amel Ali , Khafaga Doaa Sami , El-kenawy El-Sayed M. , Eid Marwa M. , Abdelhamid Abdelaziz A.
Published: June 2024

Diabetes is a chronic disease that is usually caused when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin or when the body is unable to effectively utilize the insulin produced by the pancreas. Early detection of diabetes enables the implementation of a suitable treatment method, which can lead to a healthy lifestyle. A necessity arises for an automated system capable of diagnosing diabetes using clinical and physical data in cases when the conventional approach to detecting diabetes proves to be arduous. In this paper, a new diabetes classification model based on optimized long short-term memory (LSTM) is presented and evaluated on the Pima Indians Diabetes Database (PIDD). To improve the LSTM model, a novel hybrid waterwheel plant and stochastic fractal search (WWPASFS) is proposed for optimizing its parameters. To confirm the performance superiority of the proposed WWPASFS + LSTM model, it is compared to various machine learning models and metaheuristic optimization methods. In addition, the binary WWPASFS is proposed to extract the relevant features in the PIDD dataset, with the aim of improving the accurate classification of diabetes patients. The WWPASFS + LSTM model attained the highest accuracy of 98.2% in classifying diabetes patients on the dataset in hand. The WWPASFS + LSTM model exhibited superior performance compared to the other five models, namely decision tree, K-nearest neighbors, neural networks, random forest, and support vector machines. On the other hand, the statistical analysis of the proposed approach is studied and the results prove its difference and significance.
Intelligent clustering-based interval forecasting method for photovoltaic power generation using CNN–LSTM neural network
Authors: Zhu Honglu , Sun Yahui , Zhou Hai , Guan Yifei , Wang Nan , Ma Wenwen
Published: June 2024

In recent years, the rapid development of photovoltaic (PV) power generation has led to an increased focus on accurate forecasting of PV power output. Interval forecasting, which provides uncertainty measurement information for forecasting results, has become a hot research topic in this field. However, the accuracy of single models or traditional multi-model forecasting methods is often insufficient for meeting the forecasting requirements. In addition, interval forecasting places higher demands on the learning and generalization capabilities of forecasting models. To address these issues, this paper proposes an intelligent multi-model forecasting method based on output features clustering and convolutional neural network–long short term memory (CNN–LSTM) for PV power interval forecasting. First, multiple feature indices are constructed to represent the differences in PV output features for different months. The intelligent clustering method is then employed to achieve the multi-model clustering for forecasting model. Finally, CNN–LSTM is utilized to implement the PV power interval forecasting. The combination of CNN and LSTM effectively improves the modeling accuracy of the intelligent forecasting model. Based on actual data from PV power stations, the method described in this paper narrows down the forecasting interval compared with the single model, reducing prediction interval normalized average width by more than 4%.
Diversity and evolution of nitric oxide reduction in bacteria and archaea
Authors: Murali Ranjani , Pace Laura A. , Sanford Robert A. , Ward L. M. , Lynes Mackenzie M. , Hatzenpichler Roland , Lingappa Usha F. , Fischer Woodward W. , Gennis Robert B. , Hemp James
Published: June 2024

Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas whose production is catalyzed by nitric oxide reductase (NOR) members of the heme-copper oxidoreductase (HCO) enzyme superfamily. We identified several previously uncharacterized HCO families, four of which (eNOR, sNOR, gNOR, and nNOR) appear to perform NO reduction. These families have novel active-site structures and several have conserved proton channels, suggesting that they might be able to couple NO reduction to energy conservation. We isolated and biochemically characterized a member of the eNOR family from the bacterium
Rhodothermus marinus
and found that it performs NO reduction. These recently identified NORs exhibited broad phylogenetic and environmental distributions, greatly expanding the diversity of microbes in nature capable of NO reduction. Phylogenetic analyses further demonstrated that NORs evolved multiple times independently from oxygen reductases, supporting the view that complete denitrification evolved after aerobic respiration.
Tourism Development Opportunities in Post War: A Case of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Authors: Pathirana M.T. , Bigby B.C. , Scott N. , Gardiner S.
Published: June 2024

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has undergone significant expansion, drawing global travellers with its diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and welcoming locals. Despite setbacks associated with the civil war (1983–2009), the country has actively worked to rebuild its image and position itself as a secure travel destination. Infrastructure investments, including hotels, resorts, and transit networks, have played a crucial role in this development. Post-civil war, Jaffna in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province has emerged as a promising tourism destination. Infrastructure upgrades, such as road renovations and the establishment of an international airport, have been pivotal. Jaffna cultural and natural treasures include the Jaffna Fort, Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, and the Jaffna Public Library. However, further infrastructure enhancements and tourism professional training are needed for a complete guest experience. Community involvement, infrastructure investments, and effective marketing are essential for Jaffna to thrive as a tourist destination. This case study, based on stakeholder interviews, provides valuable insights for similar post-conflict areas globally, emphasising sustainable development. It serves as a model for collaborative planning, promoting local empowerment while engaging various stakeholders. The unique experiences in Jaffna’s post-civil war recovery make this case study relevant and significant for the broader South Asian and Asia Pacific region. It offers guidance for empowering local communities through tourism revitalisation, focusing on inclusive and sustainable development. The study contributes to tourism research by offering practical lessons applicable to Jaffna and similar regions facing comparable challenges, fostering responsible and equitable tourism growth.

Information

© The Authors 2024
Activity estimates of localised gamma emitting radionuclides using a GR-135 survey meter
Authors: Bewer Brian
Published: June 2024

During the operation of high energy accelerators activated materials are commonly created. The activity and isotopes present in these materials must be characterised for their clearance and release from the facility, or to ascertain their duration of stay in a radiological storage area. An activity estimate method using a gamma detecting GR-135 survey meter, which has the ability to collect an energy spectrum, is presented. Using several reference radioactive sources the detection efficiency and dead time of the survey meter were characterised. This information combined with the physical properties of the survey meter, the counting time and the properties of the measured photon energy emissions can be used to calculate an accurate activity estimate for localised activation on accelerator components, or loose contamination on isolated waste materials.
Hybrid simulation of shock interaction with highly nonuniform plasmas
Authors: Meng Fan-qi , Zhang Wen-shuai , Zhang En-hao , Liu Qing-kang , Zhang Xu , Chen Ming-jun , Lin Zi-han , Cai Hong-bo , Zhu Shao-ping
Published: June 2024

The impact of capsule imperfections is one of the challenges in achieving reproducible, high-gain ignition of inertial confinement fusion (ICF). The nonuniformities of capsule imperfections, which create instability seeds during the shock propagation, may cause significant performance degradation. A systematic study of the propagation of collisional shock wave in highly nonuniform plasmas is carried out using a hybrid fluid-PIC code, which enables the analysis of electromagnetic fields, ion mixing, and plasma viscosity self-consistently. During shock propagation, it interacts with multiple bubbles and significant material mixing in the nonuniform plasmas are observed. Consequently, the average viscosity of the post-shock plasma in the nonuniform case increases to

1
∼
2

times that of the uniform case. These results provide a better understanding of the possible influence of capsule imperfections in ICF implosions.
A memristive chaotic system with two dimensional offset boosting and extreme multistability
Authors: Li Xiaoxia , Cai Zhuang , Yu Tianyi , He Qianqian , Xu Guizhi
Published: June 2024

Due to its unique nonlinearity and memory characteristics, memristor is considered one of the most promising partners for designing chaotic systems. In this paper, a memristor is introduced into a nonlinear system to produce complex dynamical behaviors. Symmetric extremely multistability induced by the initial condition of the memristor is observed in the asymmetric system. Attractors are arranged in the phase space by two independent offset boosters, strength cancellation gives birth to various offset boosting patterns. The effective action of the offset controller is reflected in the linear growth of the mean values and the linear shift of the signal diagrams. Moreover, the circuit implementation based on Multisim demonstrates consistency with numerical simulations and theoretical analyses. Finally, the Pseudorandom Number Generator (PRNG), tested through NIST, is developed to validate its high performance in engineering applications.
Improving computational efficiency in DSMC simulations of vacuum gas dynamics with a fixed number of particles per cell
Authors: Sabouri Moslem , Zakeri Ramin , Ebrahimi Amin
Published: June 2024

The present study addresses the challenge of enhancing computational efficiency without compromising accuracy in numerical simulations of vacuum gas dynamics using the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. A technique termed ‘fixed particle per cell (FPPC)’ was employed, which enforces a fixed number of simulator particles across all computational cells. The proposed technique eliminates the need for real-time adjustment of particle weights during simulation, reducing calculation time. Using the SPARTA solver, simulations of rarefied gas flow in a micromixer and rarefied supersonic airflow around a cylinder were conducted to validate the proposed technique. Results demonstrate that applying the FPPC technique effectively reduces computational costs while yielding results comparable to conventional DSMC implementations. Additionally, the application of local grid refinement coupled with the FPPC technique was investigated. The results show that integrating local grid refinement with the FPPC technique enables accurate prediction of flow behaviour in regions with significant gradients. These findings highlight the efficacy of the proposed technique in improving the accuracy and efficiency of numerical simulations of complex vacuum gas dynamics at a reduced computational cost.
Crack growth and fracture mechanics of CuCrFeNiCo high-entropy alloy during tension testing
Authors: Tran Anh-Son , Chu Van-Tuan , Trinh Thanh-Nga , Nguyen Anh-Tuan , Do Xuan-Hung , Tran Thi Thu Huyen
Published: June 2024

In this work, the crack growth and fracture mechanics of CuCrFeNiCo high-entropy alloy (HEA) during tension process are studied through molecular dynamics simulation method. The single-crystalline, nanocrystalline, and twinned-nanocrystalline CuCrFeNiCo HEA samples with an initial crack are prepared. The influences of boundary conditions, crack length and crystallographic orientation are considered in detail. The results indicate that the phase transition from face-centered cubic (FCC) structure into hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structure and the appearance of Shockley dislocations are the majority in all samples. The dislocations appear most densely in the twinned-nanocrstalline sample and most sparsely in the single-crystalline sample. The growth of the initial crack combined with the formation and expansion of new cracks along the grain boundaries (GBs) is the determining factor in the fracture mechanics of the CuCrFeNiCo HEA samples. The deformation capacity of the samples with free boundary conditions along the y-axis is better and the plastic deformation process is longer than the samples with periodic boundary conditions along the y-axis. The tensile strength values of the CuCrFeNiCo HEA samples change significantly in the range from 2.61 GPa to 7.75 GPa when changing the simulation conditions. The von Mises stress in the grains is markedly lower than that in the GBs.
Exploring spin photovoltaics in defective armchair phosphorene nanoribbons
Authors: Abbasi Mozhgan , Farghadan Rouhollah
Published: June 2024

This study explores the spin photovoltaic potential within armchair phosphorene nanoribbons (APNRs) that feature a periodic distribution of monovacancies (MVs) under the influence of light radiation. We investigate spin-semiconducting behavior induced by MV defects by utilizing both the mean-field Hubbard approximation and the self-consistent non-equilibrium Green's function model. This behavior is characterized by localized and anisotropic band structures around the Fermi energy, particularly within the antiferromagnetic phase. The existence of spin-splitting band gaps in defective APNRs not only enables the crafting of spin-optoelectronic nanodevices but also allows for the manipulation of electronic structure behavior with applied electric fields in both the vertical and transverse directions. Notably, the implementation of electric fields, offering tunability in electronic structure, results in varied spin photovoltaic responses encompassing a broad spectrum of photon energies from visible to ultraviolet. This research reveals promising avenues for advancing the field of spin-optoelectronic devices by MVs in APNRs.
Nonlinear gyrokinetic modelling of high confinement negative triangularity plasmas
Authors: Marinoni A. , Austin M.E. , Candy J. , Chrystal C. , Haskey S.R. , Porkolab M. , Rost J.C. , Scotti F.
Published: June 2024

Nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations correctly predict particle as well as ion and electron energy fluxes of high confinement plasmas with a negative triangularity cross sectional shape, showing that core transport in these plasmas is well described by standard gyrokinetic models. Experimentally inferred power balance fluxes are mostly reproduced within one standard deviation across a wide portion of the minor radius. Experimental conditions are reproduced by ion scale simulations, without the need to include density and temperature profile curvature effects. The experimental case is used as baseline to predict that the non-dimensional confinement scaling in negative triangularity plasmas increases strongly with plasma current while slightly degrading at increasing normalized pressure and decreasing collisionality. Recent experiments showed that low toroidal rotation negatively impacts confinement; consistent with the experiment, simulations predict that low rotational shear significantly affects confinement unless the plasma effective charge is maintained above a minimum level. Core confinement is predicted to significantly degrade in low aspect ratio devices.
Non-linear MHD modelling of transients in tokamaks: a review of recent advances with the JOREK code
Authors: Hoelzl M. , Huijsmans G.T.A. , Artola F.J. , Nardon E. , Becoulet M. , Schwarz N. , Cathey A. , Pamela S.J.P. , Aleynikova K. , Antlitz F. , Bandaru V. , Bergström H. , Bhole A. , Bogaarts T. , Bonfiglio D. , Cipolletta F. , Driessen T. , Edes L. , Futatani S. , Hao G. , Hindenlang F. , Holod I. , Hu D. , Hu S. , Isernia N. , Isliker H. , Kim S.K. , Kong M. , Korving S. , Kos L. , Krebs I. , Lee S.J. , Liang Y.C. , Liang Z. , Liu S.J. , Lu Z.X. , Meier L. , Messfeldt L. , Mitterauer V. , Nikulsin N. , Nkonga B. , Ramasamy R. , Reinking J. , Rogge C. , Rubinacci G. , Särkimäki K. , Smits T. , Sommariva C. , Sparago R. , Strien K. , Szucs M. , Tang W. , van Tongeren J. , Vannini F. , Ventre S. , Villone F. , Wang C. , Wang L. , Wieschollek F. , Wouters F. , Zielinski J. , Zhang H.
Published: June 2024

Transient magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) events like edge localized modes (ELMs) or disruptions are a concern for magnetic confinement fusion power plants. Research with the MHD code JOREK towards understanding control of such instabilities is reviewed here in a concise way to provide a complete overview, while we refer to the original publications for details. Experimental validation for unmitigated vertical displacement events progressed. The mechanism of vertical force mitigation by impurity injection was identified. Two-way eddy current coupling to CARIDDI was completed. Shattered pellet injection was simulated in JET, KSTAR, ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) and ITER. Benign runaway electron beam termination in JET and ITER was studied. Coupling of kinetic REs to the MHD is ongoing and a virtual RE synchrotron radiation diagnostic was developed. Regarding pedestal physics, regimes devoid of large ELMs in AUG were simulated and predictive JT60-SA simulations are ongoing. For ELM suppression by resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs), AUG, ITER and EAST simulations were performed. A free boundary RMP model was validated against experiments. Evidence for penetrated magnetic islands at the pedestal top based on AUG experiments and simulations was found. Simulations of the naturally ELM-free quiescent H-mode in AUG and HL-3 show external kink mode formation prevents pedestal build-up towards an ELM within windows of the edge safety factor. With kinetic neutral particles, high field side high density formation in ITER was simulated and with kinetic impurities, tungsten transport in AUG RMP plasmas was studied. To capture turbulent transport, electro-static full-f particle in cell models for ion temperature gradient and trapped electron modes were established and benchmarked. Application to RMP plasmas shows enhanced turbulence in comparison to unperturbed states. Energetic particle interactions with MHD were studied. Flux pumping that prevents the safety factor on axis from dropping below unity was simulated. First non-linear stellarator applications include current relaxation in l = 2 stellarators, while verification for advanced stellarators progresses.
A sustainability and governance index for assessing the EU’s green hydrogen import options
Authors: Nunez Almudena , Caro Katherine , Goldthau Andreas C
Published: June 2024

The European Commission’s REPowerEU plan set the target of importing 10 million tonnes of ‘green’ hydrogen into the European Union (EU) by 2030. Against this backdrop, this paper sets out to assess a central question: which countries can be identified as suitable partners for European green hydrogen imports? Using Germany as a reference case, the article develops a quantitative sustainability and governance index (SGI), assessing five dimensions identified as central to ranking external partners: (i) the political will to scale up a green hydrogen sector; (ii) a country’s integration with the EU/Germany; (iii) its commitment to international engagement and climate targets and policies; (iv) environmental regulatory effectiveness; and, (v) its governance performance. With this, the SGI offers a novel way of thinking about potential EU green hydrogen partnerships. Rather than focusing on the geography of renewables or cost structures underpinning a country’s export potential, the present index captures the extent to which countries may be suitable for green hydrogen partnerships if judged by political and environmental factors. The empirical analysis suggests significant differences between a total of 113 assessed countries as per their overall index ranking, but also the individual dimensions composing the index. This allows drawing conclusions on the policy focus of potential partnerships, taking choices when facing trade-offs regarding individual dimensions, and prioritizing among the latter.
Heat, humidity and health impacts: how causal diagrams can help tell the complex story
Authors: Sivaraj Sidharth , Zscheischler Jakob , Buzan Jonathan R , Martius Olivia , Brönnimann Stefan , Vicedo-Cabrera Ana M
Published: June 2024

The global health burden associated with exposure to heat is a grave concern and is projected to further increase under climate change. While physiological studies have demonstrated the role of humidity alongside temperature in exacerbating heat stress for humans, epidemiological findings remain conflicted. Understanding the intricate relationships between heat, humidity, and health outcomes is crucial to inform adaptation and drive increased global climate change mitigation efforts. This article introduces ‘directed acyclic graphs’ (DAGs) as causal models to elucidate the analytical complexity in observational epidemiological studies that focus on humid-heat-related health impacts. DAGs are employed to delineate implicit assumptions often overlooked in such studies, depicting humidity as a confounder, mediator, or an effect modifier. We also discuss complexities arising from using composite indices, such as wet-bulb temperature. DAGs representing the health impacts associated with wet-bulb temperature help to understand the limitations in separating the individual effect of humidity from the perceived effect of wet-bulb temperature on health. General examples for regression models corresponding to each of the causal assumptions are also discussed. Our goal is not to prioritize one causal model but to discuss the causal models suitable for representing humid-heat health impacts and highlight the implications of selecting one model over another. We anticipate that the article will pave the way for future quantitative studies on the topic and motivate researchers to explicitly characterize the assumptions underlying their models with DAGs, facilitating accurate interpretations of the findings. This methodology is applicable to similarly complex compound events.
On the emission-path dependency of the efficiency of ocean alkalinity enhancement
Authors: Schwinger Jörg , Bourgeois Timothée , Rickels Wilfried
Published: June 2024

Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) deliberately modifies the chemistry of the surface ocean to enhance the uptake of atmospheric CO2. The chemical efficiency of OAE (the amount of CO2 sequestered per unit of alkalinity added) depends, among other factors, on the background state of the surface ocean, which will significantly change until the end of this century and beyond. Here, we investigate the consequences of such changes for the long-term efficiency of OAE. We show, using idealized and scenario simulations with an Earth system model, that under doubling (quadrupling) of pre-industrial atmospheric CO2 concentrations, the simulated mean efficiency of OAE increases by about 18% (29%) from 0.76 to 0.90 (0.98). We find that only half of this effect can be explained by changes in the sensitivity of CO2 sequestration to alkalinity addition itself. The remainder is due to the larger portion of anthropogenic emissions taken up by a high-alkalinity ocean. Importantly, both effects are reversed if atmospheric CO2 concentrations were to decline due to large-scale deployment of land-based (or alternative ocean-based) carbon dioxide removal (CDR) methods. By considering an overshoot pathway that relies on large amounts of land-based CDR, we demonstrate that OAE efficiency indeed shows a strong decline after atmospheric CO2 concentrations have peaked. Our results suggest that the assumption of a constant, present-day chemical efficiency of OAE in integrated assessment modeling and carbon credit assignments could lead to economically inefficient OAE implementation pathways.
Constructive plaquette compilation for the parity architecture
Authors: ter Hoeven Roeland , Niehoff Benjamin E , Sudhir Kale Sagar , Lechner Wolfgang
Published: June 2024

Parity compilation is the challenge of laying out the required constraints for the parity mapping in a local way. We present the first constructive compilation algorithm for the parity architecture using plaquettes for arbitrary higher-order optimization problems. This enables adiabatic protocols, where the plaquette layout can natively be implemented, as well as fully parallelized digital circuits. The algorithm builds a rectangular layout of plaquettes, where in each layer of the rectangle at least one constraint is added. The core idea is that each constraint, consisting of any qubits on the boundary of the rectangle and some new qubits, can be decomposed into plaquettes with a deterministic procedure using ancillas. We show how to pick a valid set of constraints and how this decomposition works. We further give ways to optimize the ancilla count and show how to implement optimization problems with additional constraints.
Collective biphoton temporal waveform of photon-pair generated from Doppler-broadened atomic ensemble
Authors: Kim Heewoo , Jeong Hansol , Moon Han Seb
Published: June 2024

Photonic quantum states generated from atomic ensembles will play important roles in future quantum networks and long-distance quantum communication because their advantages, such as universal identity and narrow spectral bandwidth, are essential for quantum nodes and quantum repeaters based on atomic ensembles. In this study, we report the collectively coherent superposition of biphoton wavefunction emitted from different velocity classes in a Doppler-broadened cascade-type atomic ensemble. We experimentally demonstrate that the three times difference of temporal width of both biphoton temporal waveforms varies dependent on the wavelengths of the signal and idler photons from both 6S1/2–6P3/2–6D5/2 and –8S1/2 transitions of 133Cs, corresponding to the idler and signal wavelengths of 852 nm–917 nm and 852 nm–795 nm, respectively. Our results help understand the characteristics of biphoton sources from a warm atomic ensemble and can be applied to long-distance quantum networks and practical quantum repeaters based on atom–photon interactions.
Embedded components design strategy framework for fused deposition modeling system
Authors: Sharum Mohd Afiq , Rajendran Thavinnesh Kumar , Maidin Shajahan , Ismail Shafinaz
Published: June 2024

This paper proposed a framework for 3D printing of embedded objects specifically for the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) system. The main problem revolves around the difficulty of the additive manufacturing process to fully manufacture a product that can be used immediately after the printing process, thus creating the need for embedded component design to be utilized in the process. The framework was utilized to reduce components and assemblies to improve product design. To ensure environmental sustainability, the framework emphasizes materials used to make recyclable items. Design Process Flow, Design Knowledge, Key Enabling Technologies, and Design Application were used to create a four-layered design framework to tackle embedded product design challenges. The framework’s robustness and effectiveness were compared using three case studies: electric shaver, remote control and nintendo switch. The framework proposed a blade-interchangeable product for the electric shaver. In the second case study (remote control) the cover’s flexibility with similar sizes makes it reusable. In the third case study (nintendo switch), every part is interchangeable with numerous styles and designs, allowing the user to autonomously change to the desired pattern without external support. With its various features, the framework shows potential in reducing development time, cost, and resources to aid the embedded component design strategy and printing for the FDM process.
Blow-up solutions of fractional diffusion equations with an exponential nonlinearity
Authors: Nguyen Anh , Caraballo Tómas , Tuan Nguyen
Published: June 2024

The goal of this work is to investigate finite-time blow-up solutions to a class of time-space fractional diffusion equations with nonlinear exponential source terms. In contrast to the small critical data case, which leads to global solutions, we prove in this study that if the initial Schwartz data is large enough, our solutions will blow up in a finite time. The main idea of the analysis is based on the Fourier analytic approach and embeddings between Triebel-Lizorkin spaces and Besov spaces.
On subtensors of high partition rank
Authors: Draisma Jan , Karam Thomas
Published: June 2024

We prove that for every positive integer

d
≥
2

d \ge 2

there exist polynomial functions

F
d

,

G
d

:

N

→

N

F_d, G_d: \mathbb {N} \to \mathbb {N}

such that for each positive integer

r
r

, every order-

d
d

tensor

T
T

over an arbitrary field and with partition rank at least

G
d

(
r
)

G_d(r)

contains a

F
d

(
r
)
×
⋯
×

F
d

(
r
)

F_d(r) \times \cdots \times F_d(r)

subtensor with partition rank at least

r
r

. We then deduce analogous results on the Schmidt rank of polynomials in zero or high characteristic.
Model theory and agnostic online learning via excellent sets
Authors: Malliaris M. , Moran S.
Published: June 2024

We use algorithmic methods from online learning to explore some important objects at the intersection of model theory and combinatorics, and find natural ways that algorithmic methods can detect and explain (and improve our understanding of) stable structure in the sense of model theory. The main theorem deals with existence of

ϵ
\epsilon

-excellent sets (which are key to the Stable Regularity Lemma, a theorem characterizing the appearance of irregular pairs in Szemerédi’s celebrated Regularity Lemma). We prove that

ϵ
\epsilon

-excellent sets exist for any

ϵ
>

1
2

\epsilon > \frac {1}{2}

in

k
k

-edge stable graphs in the sense of model theory (equivalently, Littlestone classes); earlier proofs had given this only for

ϵ
>
1

/

2

2
k

\epsilon > 1/{2^{2^k}}

or so. We give two proofs: the first uses regret bounds from online learning, the second uses Boolean closure properties of Littlestone classes and sampling. We also give a version of the dynamic Sauer-Shelah-Perles lemma appropriate to this setting, related to definability of types. We conclude by characterizing stable/Littlestone classes as those supporting a certain abstract notion of majority: the proof shows that the two distinct, natural notions of majority, arising from measure and from dimension, densely often coincide.
Teaching Honesty as a Part of Teaching Dissent
Authors: Stitzlein Sarah M
Published: June 2024

This chapter responds to an uptick in political dissent in recent years, especially among youth and populists. While dissent is a valuable component of ensuring quality life within a democracy, dissent cannot be done well if it does not emphasize truth-telling and truth-seeking as citizens navigate conflicting beliefs, practices, and policies. This chapter showcases how pragmatist classroom inquiry works against populist dichotomous groupings of “the people” versus “the elite,” because they prevent us from functioning smoothly together. Epistemic blind spots result when we are unable to see a situation from a competing perspective and are unwilling to attend to dissenting views raised by “the other side.” Building on philosophies of agonism, it describes how students should learn to engage as adversaries rather than as enemies, even when starting from places of conflict that are common in our world today.
The Form of Memory: Delacroix and the Sketchbook
Authors: Olmsted Jennifer W
Published: June 2024

For most of his career as an artist, Eugène Delacroix used designated sketchbooks during his travels, most famously on his trip to North Africa in 1832. While scholarship on Delacroix’s drawings often privileges their function as preparations for later paintings, closer scrutiny of his travel albums reveals his fascination with the temporal, experiential elements of drawing. In addition to using his sketchbooks as an aide-mémoire for later paintings, this essay proposes, Delacroix sought to fix memory and explore the essence of the fleeting moment within them. By examining the touristic and memorial aspects of his sketchbooks as they evolved over time, this essay shows how Delacroix negotiated the tension between the temporal and the material, between the sketch as physical record of lived experience and the sketch as talismanic performance against the loss of memory and the passing of time.
Early detection and diagnosis of cancer with interpretable machine learning to uncover cancer-specific DNA methylation patterns
Authors: Newsham Izzy , Sendera Marcin , Jammula Sri Ganesh , Samarajiwa Shamith A
Published: June 2024

Cancer, a collection of more than two hundred different diseases, remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Usually detected at the advanced stages of disease, metastatic cancer accounts for 90% of cancer-associated deaths. Therefore, the early detection of cancer, combined with current therapies, would have a significant impact on survival and treatment of various cancer types. Epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation are some of the early events underlying carcinogenesis. Here, we report on an interpretable machine learning model that can classify 13 cancer types as well as non-cancer tissue samples using only DNA methylome data, with 98.2% accuracy. We utilize the features identified by this model to develop EMethylNET, a robust model consisting of an XGBoost model that provides information to a deep neural network that can generalize to independent data sets. We also demonstrate that the methylation-associated genomic loci detected by the classifier are associated with genes, pathways and networks involved in cancer, providing insights into the epigenomic regulation of carcinogenesis.
Variations in origin level of superior mesenteric artery, inferior mesenteric artery, and coeliac trunk in Indian population
Authors: Singh Mohit Kumar , Tibrewala Sunita , Achhapalia Yash , Chawda Pankti
Published: June 2024

Objective

The abdominal aorta is a continuation of the thoracic aorta and gives off the coeliac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and inferior mesenteric artery. The focus of our study is to evaluate variations in the origin level in the coeliac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, inferior mesenteric artery, and aortic bifurcation in the Indian population and compare with various demographics.

Methods

The study was retrospective and the local ethics committee approval was taken before starting it. Three hundred patients who were more than 18 years of age and required contrast-enhanced CT studies were included in this. The vertebral origin level of the arteries from the abdominal aorta and aortic bifurcation level was analysed.

Results

The most common origin level of the coeliac trunk for both males and females was T12-L1 disc level. The most common origin level of the superior mesenteric artery was L1 upper level. The most common origin level of the inferior mesenteric artery was L3 upper level. The most common level of aortic bifurcation was L4 middle level. There was no statistical difference between the origin of any arteries in males and females in the Indian population.

Conclusion

As per our study of the Indian population and the published literature, it is realized that there are significant variations in the origins of the coeliac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, inferior mesenteric artery, and abdominal aorta bifurcation in different populations.

Advances in knowledge

This study elaborates on potential anatomical variations in the Indian population, particularly the Mumbai city population. Also, our study compares it to different countries’ data and their results in variations found in abdominal aorta branches.
Emergency umbilical hernia management: scoping review
Authors: Walshaw Josephine , Kuligowska Anna , Smart Neil J , Blencowe Natalie S , Lee Matthew J
Published: June 2024

Background

Umbilical hernias, while frequently asymptomatic, may become acutely symptomatic, strangulated or obstructed, and require emergency treatment. Robust evidence is required for high-quality care in this field. This scoping review aims to elucidate evidence gaps regarding emergency care of umbilical hernias.

Methods

EMBASE, MEDLINE and CENTRAL databases were searched using a predefined strategy until November 2023. Primary research studies reporting on any aspect of emergency umbilical hernia care and published in the English language were eligible for inclusion. Studies were excluded where emergency umbilical hernia care was not the primary focus and subsets of relevant data were unable to be extracted. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts and full texts, resolving disagreements by consensus or a third reviewer. Data were charted according to core concepts addressed by each study and a narrative synthesis was performed.

Results

Searches generated 534 abstracts, from which 32 full texts were assessed and 14 included in the final review. This encompassed 52 042 patients undergoing emergency umbilical hernia care. Most were retrospective cohort designs (11/14), split between single (6/14) and multicentre (8/14) with only one randomized trial. Most multicentre studies were from national databases (7/8). Themes arising included risk assessment (n = 4), timing of surgery (n = 4), investigations (n = 1), repair method (n = 8, four mesh versus suture; four laparoscopic versus open) and operative outcomes (n = 11). The most commonly reported outcomes were mortality (n = 9) and morbidity (n = 7) rates and length of hospital stay (n = 5). No studies included patient-reported outcomes specific to emergency umbilical hernia repair.

Conclusion

This scoping review demonstrates the paucity of high-quality data for this condition. There is a need for randomized trials addressing all aspects of emergency umbilical hernia repair, with patient-reported outcomes.
Anther wall and pollen development in Aspidosperma Mart & Zucc. (Apocynaceae)
Authors: Alves Daniela M , Souto Letícia S , Koch Ingrid
Published: June 2024

Apocynaceae is one of the richest flowering plant families, and the complexity of their reproductive structures and morphological diversity of the flowers has been considered central to understanding its evolutionary success and diversification. However, the diversity of its embryological characters is poorly known, especially in taxa that are early diverging in the family, such as the Aspidospermateae tribe. Moreover, the knowledge gap on early divergent taxa forbids the reconstruction of evolutionary trends in Apocynaceae. Here, we investigated the anther wall and pollen development of five species of Aspidosperma using conventional plant anatomy techniques. We found that the primary conditions for the Aspidosperma species are fibrous endothecium, middle layer, and secretory tapetum having one-layered and uninucleate cells, besides simultaneous cytokinesis. We also found pollen grains 4–6 colporate, alternately with pseudocolporate in all the species, with ridges formed by the thickened inequal deposition of the infratectum layer in the exine that delimits aperture regions. The differentiated deposition of exine confers a distinctive appearance to pollen grains and appears to be associated with the hydration/dehydration process during pollination. Similar deposition patterns have been identified in other genera within the tribe Aspidospermateae, suggesting that it may constitute a synapomorphy for the tribe.
Extreme range in adult body size reveals hidden trade-offs among sexually selected traits
Authors: Somjee Ummat , Marting Peter , Anzaldo Salvatore , Simmons Leigh W , Painting Christina J
Published: June 2024

Sexually selected weapons used to monopolize mating opportunities are predicted to trade-off with traits used in competition for fertilization. Yet, the limited size range typically found among adults of a species often precludes clear comparisons between population-level and individual-level relative trait investment. The jousting weevil, Brentus anchorago (Coleoptera: Brentidae), varies more than 26-fold in body mass, which is among the most extreme adult body size ranges of any solitary terrestrial species. We reveal a trade-off at a population level: hypermetric scaling in male weapons (slope = 1.59) and a closely mirrored reversal in allocation to postcopulatory traits (slope = 0.54). Yet, at the individual level, we find the opposite pattern; males that invest relatively more in weapons for their size class also invest more in postcopulatory traits. Across 36 dung beetle and 41 brentine weevil species, we find the allometric slope explains more trait variation at larger body size ranges; in brentines, population-level scaling patterns become more detectable in species with a larger range in adult body size. Our findings reveal that population-level allometries and individual-level trade-offs can both be important in shaping relative trait allocation; we highlight that the adult body size range is rarely examined but may be integral to gaining a deeper understanding of trade-offs in reproductive allocation.
Unravelling the mechanisms of antibiotic and heavy metal resistance co-selection in environmental bacteria
Authors: Gillieatt Brodie F , Coleman Nicholas V
Published: June 2024

The co-selective pressure of heavy metals is a contributor to the dissemination and persistence of antibiotic resistance genes in environmental reservoirs. The overlapping range of antibiotic and metal contamination and similarities in their resistance mechanisms point to an intertwined evolutionary history. Metal resistance genes are known to be genetically linked to antibiotic resistance genes, with plasmids, transposons, and integrons involved in the assembly and horizontal transfer of the resistance elements. Models of co-selection between metals and antibiotics have been proposed, however, the molecular aspects of these phenomena are in many cases not defined or quantified and the importance of specific metals, environments, bacterial taxa, mobile genetic elements, and other abiotic or biotic conditions are not clear. Co-resistance is often suggested as a dominant mechanism, but interpretations are beset with correlational bias. Proof of principle examples of cross-resistance and co-regulation has been described but more in-depth characterizations are needed, using methodologies that confirm the functional expression of resistance genes and that connect genes with specific bacterial hosts. Here, we comprehensively evaluate the recent evidence for different models of co-selection from pure culture and metagenomic studies in environmental contexts and we highlight outstanding questions.
Cohort Differences in Physical Health and Disability in the United States and Europe
Authors: Gimeno Laura , Goisis Alice , Dowd Jennifer B , Ploubidis George B
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Declines in mortality have historically been associated with improvements in physical health across generations. While life expectancy in most high-income countries continues to increase, there is evidence that younger generations, particularly in the United States, are less healthy than previous generations at the same age. We compared generational trends in physical health in the United States, England, and continental Europe to explore whether other regions have experienced a similar pattern of worsening health across cohorts.

Methods

Using data from nationally representative studies of adults aged ≥50 years from the United States (Health and Retirement Study, n = 26,939), England (English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, n = 14,992) and 11 continental European countries (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, n = 72,595), we estimated differences in the age-adjusted prevalence of self-reported chronic disease and disability and observer-measured health indicators across pseudo-birth cohorts (born <1925, 1925–1935, 1936–1945, 1946–1954, 1955–1959).

Results

Age-adjusted prevalence of doctor-diagnosed chronic disease increased across successive cohorts in all regions. Trends in disability prevalence were more regionally varied. Still, in both the United States and Europe, we observed a structural break in disability trends, with declines observed in prewar cohorts slowing, stalling, or reversing for cohorts born since 1945.

Discussion

In all regions, we found evidence for worsening health across cohorts, particularly for those born since 1945. While more chronic disease in younger cohorts need not necessarily translate to worse quality of life or higher rates of functional limitation, there is some suggestion that worsening chronic disease morbidity may be spilling over into worsening disability.