bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
2D monochromatic x-ray imaging for beam monitoring of an x-ray free electron laser and a high-power femtosecond laser
Authors: Sawada H. , Trzaska J. , Curry C. B. , Gauthier M. , Fletcher L. B. , Jiang S. , Lee H. J. , Galtier E. C. , Cunningham E. , Dyer G. , Daykin T. S. , Chen L. , Salinas C. , Glenn G. D. , Frost M. , Glenzer S. H. , Ping Y. , Kemp A. J. , Sentoku Y.
Published: January 2021

In pump–probe experiments with an X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) and a high-power optical laser, spatial overlap of the two beams must be ensured to probe a pumped area with the x-ray beam. A beam monitoring diagnostic is particularly important in short-pulse laser experiments where a tightly focused beam is required to achieve a relativistic laser intensity for generation of energetic particles. Here, we report the demonstration of on-shot beam pointing measurements of an XFEL and a terawatt class femtosecond laser using 2D monochromatic Kα imaging at the Matter in Extreme Conditions end-station of the Linac Coherent Light Source. A thin solid titanium foil was irradiated by a 25-TW laser for fast electron isochoric heating, while a 7.0 keV XFEL beam was used to probe the laser-heated region. Using a spherical crystal imager (SCI), the beam overlap was examined by measuring 4.51 keV Kα x rays produced by laser-accelerated fast electrons and the x-ray beam. Measurements were made for XFEL-only at various focus lens positions, laser-only, and two-beam shots. Successful beam overlapping was observed on ∼58% of all two-beam shots for 10 μm thick samples. It is found that large spatial offsets of laser-induced Kα spots are attributed to imprecise target positioning rather than shot-to-shot laser pointing variations. By applying the Kα measurements to x-ray Thomson scattering measurements, we found an optimum x-ray beam spot size that maximizes scattering signals. Monochromatic x-ray imaging with the SCI could be used as an on-shot beam pointing monitor for XFEL-laser or multiple short-pulse laser experiments.
Compressing the time series of five dimensional distribution function data from gyrokinetic simulation using principal component analysis
Authors: Asahi Yuuichi , Fujii Keisuke , Heim Dennis Manuel , Maeyama Shinya , Garbet Xavier , Grandgirard Virginie , Sarazin Yanick , Dif-Pradalier Guilhem , Idomura Yasuhiro , Yagi Masatoshi
Published: January 2021

Phase space structures are extracted from the time series of five dimensional distribution function data computed by the flux-driven full-f gyrokinetic code GT5D. Principal component analysis (PCA) is applied to reduce the dimensionality and the size of the data. Phase space bases in (φ,v∥,w) and the corresponding spatial coefficients (poloidal cross section) are constructed by PCA, where φ, v∥, and w, respectively, mean the toroidal angle, the parallel velocity, and the perpendicular velocity. It is shown that 83% of the variance of the original five dimensional distribution function can be expressed with 64 principal components, i.e., the compression of the degrees of freedom from 1.3×1012 to 1.4×109. One of the important findings—resulting from the detailed analysis of the contribution of each principal component to the energy flux—deals with avalanche events, which are found to be mostly driven by coherent structures in the phase space, indicating the key role of resonant particles. Another advantage of the proposed analysis is the decoupling of 6D (1D time and 5D phase space) data into the combinations of 3D data which are visible to the human eye.
Pyroelectric thin films—Past, present, and future
Authors: Velarde Gabriel , Pandya Shishir , Karthik J. , Pesquera David , Martin Lane W.
Published: January 2021

Pyroelectrics are a material class that undergoes a change in polarization as the temperature of the system is varied. This effect can be utilized for applications ranging from thermal imaging and sensing to waste-heat energy conversion to thermally driven electron emission. Here, we review recent advances in the study and utilization of thin-film pyroelectrics. Leveraging advances in modeling, synthesis, and characterization has provided a pathway forward in one of the more poorly developed subfields of ferroelectricity. We introduce the complex physical phenomena of pyroelectricity, briefly explore the history of work in this space, and highlight not only new advances in the direct measurement of such effects but also how our ability to control thin-film materials is changing our understanding of this response. Finally, we discuss recent advances in thin-film pyroelectric devices and introduce a number of potentially new directions the field may follow in the coming years.
Transformation of n-heptane using an in-liquid submerged microwave plasma jet of argon
Authors: Hamdan Ahmad , Liu Jing-Lin , Cha Min Suk
Published: January 2021

The reforming of hydrocarbons has gained much interest as a means to upgrade low-grade fuels and to produce value-added chemicals. Plasmas have been considered one of the potential ways to reform fuels to achieve more effective and cleaner combustion, particularly by producing various hydrocarbons, hydrogen carriers, and oxygenates as well as syngas. Here, we employed a submerged microwave plasma jet of argon to investigate its potential to transform n-heptane. We found that the product selectivities were mainly governed by the effective gas temperature, which we adjusted by changing the energy density of the argon stream. The transformation of n-heptane by this method mostly produced ethylene and acetylene, which is different than the products produced by pyrolysis or a chemical equilibrium composition. Such unique selectivities could be attributed to the rapid quenching of the microwave plasma jet upon direct contact with the colder liquid. The transformation of n-heptane was significantly affected by the interactions between the microwave plasma jet and the liquid n-heptane. To support our results, we include a detailed chemical analysis and discussion of the physical characterization of the microwave plasma jet using optical emission spectroscopy.
Generalized Boltzmann relations in semiconductors including band tails
Authors: Beckers Arnout , Beckers Dominique , Jazaeri Farzan , Parvais Bertrand , Enz Christian
Published: January 2021

Boltzmann relations are widely used in semiconductor physics to express the charge-carrier densities as a function of the Fermi level and temperature. However, these simple exponential relations only apply to sharp band edges of the conduction and valence bands. In this article, we present a generalization of the Boltzmann relations accounting for exponential band tails. To this end, the required Fermi–Dirac integral is first recast as a Gauss hypergeometric function followed by a suitable transformation of that special function and a zeroth-order series expansion using the hypergeometric series. This results in simple relations for the electron and hole densities that each involve two exponentials. One exponential depends on the temperature and the other one on the band-tail parameter. The proposed relations tend to the Boltzmann relations if the band-tail parameters tend to zero. This work is timely for the modeling of semiconductor devices at cryogenic temperatures for large-scale quantum computing.
Tunable magnetic circular dichroism via electrochemically controlled charge-transfer transition in Ru(bpy)32+ aqueous solution
Authors: Pan Hai-Ping , Huang Ya-Huei , Hsu Hua-Shu , Lin Minn-Tsong
Published: January 2021

Seeking potential aqueous solution with tunable magnetic properties by applied electrode potentials is an emerging research topic for the integration of aqueous solution into devices. In this work, Ru(bpy)32+, which is widely used for high efficiency electroluminescent and photovoltaic devices, has been demonstrated as a potential liquid electrolyte with tunable magnetic properties by applied electrode potentials evidenced by energy resolved magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy. The MCD signal at 450 nm transforms from paramagnetic to nonmagnetic behavior when the applied electrode potentials are >1.3 V. The transition of the MCD signal from paramagnetic to nonmagnetic behavior is ascribed to the disappearance of metal to ligand charge transfer transition during the electrochemical oxidation process. This work might provide a valuable insight into exploration of functional liquid electrolyte with tunable opto-magnetic properties.
Controls on myxomycete species and species assemblages
Authors: Wellman Peter
Published: January 2021

This paper uses data from previous worldwide myxomycete surveys to determine the controls on the occurrence of myxomycete species, and on species assemblages. The main findings are as follows. The effect of substrate pH can be modelled, in that each species has a preferred pH value relative to the mean of a survey; errors from the model are 0.2 pH units. The substrate physical properties, evaluated by subjective hardness, showed no correlation with pH measurements. Hence, myxomycete species seem to have distinct ecological niches in substrate, with preferred pH and preferred physical properties. Comparison of the species found from the liana stem substrate shows that the species association does not change within angiosperm forests. Further, the species association is the same as that found in other angiosperm litter substrates: twigs on trees or on the ground, and leaves. This and a previous finding are consistent with similar ecological environments around the world having the same myxomycete species association within sampling error. In mixed angiosperm forests around the world the pH of un-decayed wood is ~4.9, and for decayed wood and tree litter is ~6.5 in tropical latitudes, and ~5.5 at 35° latitude, so on decaying the change in pH varies with latitude.
Nativised structural patterns of make light verb construction in Malaysian English
Authors: Ong Christina Sook Beng , Abdul Rahim Hajar
Published: January 2021

This study investigated nativised structural patterns of light verb constructions (LVCs) in Malaysian English using a corpus-based, descriptive approach to analyse grammatical innovations. To facilitate the analysis, a 100-million-word general corpus comprising threads from Lowyat.Net, a popular Internet forum in Malaysia, was created, and the British National Corpus (BNC) was used as the reference corpus. Using the Sketch Engine corpus tool, the three most frequently occurringmakeLVCs in the Malaysian English corpus were identified. The data was analysed to reveal the differences between the structures ofmakeLVC in Malaysian English and its prototypical structure. The findings show that besides the non-isomorphic deverbal noun form,makeLVCs in Malaysian English prefer taking the basic constituents of an LVC. Nativised LVCs are essentially those with zero articles and isomorphic deverbal nouns taking definite articles, determiners, and descriptive adjectives in their modifier slots. The zero article LVC is the most common nativised structure pattern due to the influence of substrate languages in Malaysian English.
Speech perception in noise, gap detection and amplitude modulation detection in suspected hidden hearing loss
Authors: Vijayasarathy Srikar , Mohan Meghana , Nagalakshmi Pratibha , Barman Animesh
Published: January 2021

Objectives

The objectives of the study were to investigate speech in noise perception, gap detection, and amplitude modulation detection in construction workers exposed to occupational noise, but had normal peripheral hearing. Hidden hearing loss characterized by suprathreshold processing deficits in the absence of affected hearing sensitivity was thus probed.

Materials and methods

Participants were 12 construction workers with chronic exposure to high levels of noise, but had hearing sensitivity and distortion product otoacoustic emissions within normal limits. The control group consisted of age-matched participants with no significant noise exposure. Speech in noise perception was assessed at 0 dB SNR using bi-syllabic words and Gap detection as well as Amplitude modulation detection were assessed with broadband noise.

Results

Speech in noise perception and Gap detection thresholds were significantly poorer in the noise-exposed group while Amplitude modulation detection performance did not differ significantly between the two groups.

Conclusions

Affected suprathreshold perception in the absence of peripheral hearing loss suggests the presence of a hidden hearing loss due to noise exposure. However, the disorder is subtle, and the variability is high, leading to heterogeneity in findings across studies. Studies with higher power and active replications are required to characterize cochlear synaptopathy better.
Attributes beyond Attitudes: Personality Traits on the US Supreme Court
Authors: Hall Matthew E. K. , Hollibaugh Gary E. , Klingler Jonathan D. , Ramey Adam J.
Published: January 2021

Models of behavior on the US Supreme Court almost universally assume that justices’ behavior depends, at least in part, on the characteristics of individual justices. However, few prior studies have attempted to assess these characteristics beyond ideological preferences. In contrast, we apply recent advances in machine learning to develop and validate measures of the Big Five personality traits for Supreme Court justices serving during the 1946 through 2015 terms based on the language in their written opinions. We then conduct an empirical application to demonstrate the importance of these Supreme Court Individual Personality Estimates and discuss their proper use.
Cross-section investigation of MgOH (X
2
Σ

+
) fine-structure excitation by helium
Authors: Naouai Manel , Jrad Abdelhak , Najar Faouzi , Hammami Kamel
Published: January 2021

Inelastic fine rotational cross-sections of the magnesium monohydroxide (MgOH) molecule by collision with helium (He) atoms are investigated. We illustrate the two-dimensional potential energy surface (2D-PES) for the MgOH–He interacting system. The ab initio 2D-PES is computed using the restricted coupled cluster approach with single, double, and perturbative triple excitation connected to an augmented-correlation consistent-polarized valence quadruple zeta Gaussian basis set. One minimum located at (θ = 0°; R = 8.25 bohr) on the side of the hydrogen atom is observed. Inelastic cross-sections are investigated for the 13 first fine rotational levels for a total energy up to 100 cm−1. Propensity rules toward odd ΔN and ΔN = Δj are found.
Oxygen annealing induced changes in defects within β-Ga2O3 epitaxial films measured using photoluminescence
Authors: Sun Rujun , Ooi Yu Kee , Ranga Praneeth , Bhattacharyya Arkka , Krishnamoorthy Sriram , Scarpulla Michael A
Published: January 2021

In this work, we use photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) to monitor changes in the UV, blue, and green emission bands from n-type (010) Ga2O3 films grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy induced by annealing at different temperatures under O2 ambient. Annealing at successively higher temperatures decreases the overall PL yield and UV intensity at nearly the same rates, indicating the increase in the formation of at least one non-radiative defect type. Simultaneously, the PL yield ratios of blue/UV and green/UV increase, suggesting that defects associated with these emissions increase in concentration with O2 annealing. Utilizing the different absorption coefficients of 240 and 266 nm polarization-dependent excitation, we find activation energy for the generation of non-radiative defects of 1.34 eV in the bulk but 2.53 eV near the surface. We also deduce activation energies for the green emission-related defects of 1.20 eV near the surface and 2.21 eV at low temperatures and 0.74 eV at high temperatures through the films, whereas the blue-related defects have activation energy in the range 0.72–0.77 eV for all depths. Lastly, we observe hillock surface morphologies and Cr diffusion from the substrate into the film for temperatures above 1050 °C. These observations are consistent with the formation and diffusion of V
Ga and its complexes as a dominant process during O2 annealing, but further work will be necessary to determine which defects and complexes provide radiative and non-radiative recombination channels and the detailed kinetic processes occurring at surfaces and in bulk amongst defect populations.
Multi-orbital tight binding model for the electronic and optical properties of armchair graphene nanoribbons in the presence of a periodic potential
Authors: Hieu Nguyen N , Shih Po-Hsin , Do Thi-Nga , Nguyen Chuong V
Published: January 2021

The influences of an external electric field with uniform or modulated potential on the electronic and optical properties of armchair graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are explored using the multi-orbital tight-binding Hamiltonian. The interplay between an electric field and interaction between (s, p

x
, p

y
, p

z
) orbitals remarkably enriches the main features of band structures and absorption spectra. The applied electric field can notably alter the energy dispersions of π and σ bands, leading to the deformation of band-edge states, open and close of a band gap, and modification of the Fermi energy. The vertical optical excitations happen among the π bands, while their available channels depend on the Fermi level which is controlled by the σ-edge bands and a finite potential. With the rich and unique properties, GNRs are suitable candidates for applications in the fields of photodetectors, nanoelectronics, and spintronics. The calculated results are expected to be examined by the angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopies and optical spectroscopies.
Design and synthesis of highly fluorescent and stable fullerene nanoparticles as probes for folic acid detection and targeted cancer cell imaging
Authors: Ma Yihan , Fu Sheng , Tan Yixuan , Zhang Aiqing
Published: January 2021

Rational design and construction of fullerene derivatives play significant roles in the development of applications for sensing, marking and imaging in biomedical fields. In the present work, a novel type of C60 fluorescent nanoparticle (C60 FNP) was synthesized by a combination of thiol–ene chemistry and modification with folic acid (FA). The as-prepared C60 FNPs exhibited intense blue luminescence with a relatively high quantum yield of 26%, which is higher than that of any other reported fluorescent fullerene-based nanomaterial. Moreover, they revealed superior photobleaching resistance under constant UV lamp illumination for 5 h and excellent photostablity after 9 months of storage in water. Due to the mutual hydrogen bond interaction, the obtained C60 FNPs were capable of acting as a sensitive and specific probe for FA detection and quantification, with a liner range of 0 to 80 μM and a detection limit of 0.24 μM. Satisfactory recoveries (95.4%–105.2%) were obtained from a series of actual samples, further confirming the feasibility of this nanoprobe. Additionally, taking advantage of the FA moiety, the C60 FNPs had easy access to penetrate into cancer cells with higher expression levels of folate receptors, thereby achieving the function of targeted cellular imaging.
Hot excitons cooling and multiexcitons Auger recombination in PbS quantum dots
Authors: Qin Chaochao , Guo Jiajia , Zhou Zhongpo , Liu Yufang , Jiang Yuhai
Published: January 2021

In the past few years, lead chalcogenide quantum dots (QDs) have attracted attention as a new system with a strong quantum confinement effect. In this paper, the hot-excitons cooling and Auger recombination of multiexcitons in PbS QDs are investigated by the femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy. The results show that the excitons dynamics in PbS QDs are closely related to the pump-photon energy and pump-pulse energy. Multiexcitons generate when the excess energy of the absorbed photons is larger than the bandgap energy in PbS QDs. The hot-excitons cooling lifetime increases but the Auger recombination lifetime decreases as the pump-photon energy and the pump-pulse energy increase. Besides, there is a competitive relation between multiple-excitons generation and hot-excitons cooling. The dynamics results of the formation and relaxation of multiexcitons in PbS QDs would shed light on the further understanding of the interaction between excitons and photons in the optoelectronic application based on PbS QDs.
Low kinetic inductance superconducting MgB2 nanowires with a 130 ps relaxation time for single-photon detection applications
Authors: Cherednichenko Sergey , Acharya Narendra , Novoselov Evgenii , Drakinskiy Vladimir
Published: January 2021

Properties of superconducting nanowires set the performance level for superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs). Reset time in commonly employed large area SNSPDs, 1–10 ns, is known to be limited by the nanowire’s kinetic inductance to the load impedance ratio. On the other hand, reduction of the kinetic inductance in small area (waveguide integrated) SNSPDs prevents biasing them close to the critical current due to latching into a permanent resistive state. In order to reduce the reset time in SNSPDs, superconducting nanowires with both low kinetic inductance and fast electron energy relaxation are required. In this paper, we report on a study of kinetic inductance in narrow (15–100 nm) and long (up to 120 μm) superconducting MgB2 nanowires made from 5 nm thick films, offering such combination of properties. Such films were grown using hybrid physical chemical vapor deposition, resulting in a critical temperature of ∼32 K, and a switch current density of 5 × 107 A cm−2 (at 4.8 K). Using microwave reflectometry, we measured a kinetic inductance of L
k0(4.8 K) = 1.3–1.6 pH/□ regardless of the nanowire width, which results in a magnetic field penetration depth of ∼90 nm. These values are very close to those in pristine MgB2. We showed that after excitations by a 50 fs pulsed laser the reset time in 35 nm × 120 μm MgB2 nanowires is 130 ps, which is more than a factor of 10 shorter than in NbN nanowires of similar length-to-width ratios. Depending on the bias current, such MgB2 nanowires function as single-, double, or triple-photon detectors for both visible (λ = 630 nm) and infrared (λ = 1550 nm) photons, with a dark count rate of <10 cps. Although the apparent photon detection efficiency seems so far to be low, further technological advances (uniform nanowire width, smaller thickness, increasing the switching current closer to the pair-breaking current) may improve this figure of merit.
Experiments and SPICE simulations of double MgO-based perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction*
Authors: Li Qiuyang , Zhang Penghe , Li Haotian , Chen Lina , Zhou Kaiyuan , Yan Chunjie , Li Liyuan , Xu Yongbing , Zhang Weixin , Liu Bo , Meng Hao , Liu Ronghua , Du Youwei
Published: January 2021

We investigate properties of perpendicular anisotropy magnetic tunnel junctions (pMTJs) with a stack structure MgO/CoFeB/Ta/CoFeB/MgO as the free layer (or recording layer), and obtain the necessary device parameters from the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) vs. field loops and current-driven magnetization switching experiments. Based on the experimental results and device parameters, we further estimate current-driven switching performance of pMTJ including switching time and power, and their dependence on perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and damping constant of the free layer by SPICE-based circuit simulations. Our results show that the pMTJ cells exhibit a less than 1 ns switching time and write energies < 1.4 pJ; meanwhile the lower perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and damping constant can further reduce the switching time at the studied range of damping constant α < 0.1. Additionally, our results demonstrate that the pMTJs with the thermal stability factor ≃ 73 can be easily transformed into spin-torque nano-oscillators from magnetic memory as microwave sources or detectors for telecommunication devices.
An image encryption algorithm based on improved baker transformation and chaotic S-box*
Authors: Wang Xing-Yuan , Sun Huai-Huai , Gao Hao
Published: January 2021

The algorithm is an image encryption algorithm based on the improved baker transformation and chaotic substitution box (S-box). It mainly uses the initial values and parameters of a one-dimensional logistic chaotic system as an encryption key. Specifically, in the image scrambling stage, the algorithm primarily uses an improved baker transform method to process the image. In the image diffusion stage, the algorithm first uses the chaotic S-box method to process the encryption key. Secondly, an exclusive OR (XOR) operation is performed on the image and the encryption key to initially diffuse the image. Finally, the image is again diffused using the method of ortho XOR. Simulation analysis shows that the algorithm can achieve good encryption effect, simple and easy implementation, and good security. In the digital image communication transmission, it has good practical value.
Temperature and doping dependent flat-band superconductivity on the Lieb-lattice*
Authors: Xu Feng , Zhang Lei , Jiang Li-Yun
Published: January 2021

We consider the superconducting properties of Lieb lattice, which produces a flat-band energy spectrum in the normal state under the strong electron–electron correlation. Firstly, we show the hole-doping dependent superconducting order amplitude with various electron–electron interaction strengths in the zero-temperature limit. Secondly, we obtain the superfluid weight and Berezinskii–Kosterlitz–Thouless (BKT) transition temperature with a lightly doping level. The large ratio between the gap-opening temperature and BKT transition temperature shows similar behavior to the pseudogap state in high-T
c superconductors. The BKT transition temperature versus doping level exhibits a dome-like shape in resemblance to the superconducting dome observed in the high-T
c superconductors. However, unlike the exponential dependence of T
c on the electron–electron interaction strength in the conventional high-T
c superconductors, the BKT transition temperature for a flat band system depends linearly on the electron–electron interaction strength. We also show the doping-dependent superconductivity on a lattice with the staggered hoping parameter in the end. Our predictions are amenable to verification in the ultracold atoms experiment and promote the understanding of the anomalous behavior of the superfluid weight in the high-T
c superconductors.
Risk analysis for sustainable supplier selection
Authors: Rahmadani M , Suparno
Published: January 2021

One of the important factors to survive in a competitive market is sustainable supplier selection. It is especially important because suppliers, who consider three dimensions of sustainability, namely economic, social, and environmental, are upstream players in the supply chain. Considering risk to choose the best supplier may lead to a more extensive and complex sustainable supplier selection process. Therefore, not only will the supplier selected by its performance but also by considering the unexpected deviations. In particular, to tackle this issue, this paper proposes a sustainable supplier selection model by integrating the DEMATEL-ANP and FMEA methods by considering supplier risk in the decision process. The result shows that the best supplier which aligns with the criteria for selecting sustainable suppliers. Moreover, it has a smaller risk compared to other suppliers. As a representative in this research is a pharmaceutical company.
Quantum Lenoir Engine with a Multiple-eigenstates Particle in 1D Potential Box
Authors: Saputra Y D
Published: January 2021

QLE which has the working substance of a quantum system, a single particle confined in a one-dimensional potential box, has been constructed theoretically in this paper. The quantum system replaces the role of the classical system which has a working substance in the form of gas confined in a piston cylinder. The piston that moves back and forth is substituted by a 1D potential box wall that can move freely to change the width of the potential box. In this way, the three classical thermodynamic processes in the CLE (Classical Lenoir Engine), namely isochoric, isotherm, and isobar, can be analogous to the quantum system. Finally, we find that the thermal efficiency formulation of QLE has the similarity of shape to the CLE efficiency equation. However, a higher ratio of specific heat for QLE makes the efficiency value greater than CLE at each same compression ratio.
Impacts Due to Foundation Piling Work
Authors: Sari O L , Saputra A A I , Subhakti A , Putri A P , Khala C C S
Published: January 2021

The foundation erection work is a job that has a high enough complexity. In making the decision of the type of pile and the method of erection, practitioners have many choices with various conditions in the field. Decision making will result in an impact during the foundation erection process. This study aims to analyze what are the impacts caused by the choice of pole type and piling method. A preliminary survey was conducted together with four experts to verify and reduce the 11 impact indicators obtained from the literature study, obtained 6 impact indicators which are quite relevant according to experts and will be used in the questionnaire survey. The questionnaire survey was conducted on 45 practitioner respondents who had carried out foundation building work. Data analysis validity and reliability tests were carried out on the questionnaire data. It was concluded that there were three main impacts that occurred due to the choice of the type of foundation pile and the piling method, namely environmental impact, economic impact, and social impact. The main impacts are broken down into six impacts including the use of fuel, ground vibration, fuel and material costs, equipment and labor costs, workplace safety, and noise.
Risk Mitigation Analysis And Strategy Of Product Development Processes In The Textile Industry (Case Study: Hijab Trader At Balikpapan Center)
Authors: Leksono Vridayani Anggi , Abdallah Bayu Nur , Zamzani Muhamad Imron
Published: January 2021

Quality control is a system and activities to ensure quality standards in accordance with planned specifications. Quality control is also one of the important things that can affect the company’s image for consumers. Balikpapan center is one of the biggest shopping centers in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, at present there are 37 hijab traders on the same floor, resulting in trade competition. A good strategy is needed to be able to sell comfortably, where this strategy will minimize the risks that can arise. One method used is failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA). The use of FMEA can be used to identify risks and risk factors and obtain the value of potential failure, so that the greatest failure risk experienced by traders can be identified. The purpose of this research is to analyze the failure factors in the hijab industry, use the FMEA method, determine the risk of failure value in the risk priority number (RPN), and provide improvement plans for traders.. The results showed that there were 3 risk classifications, 12 risk factors, and 15 risk mitigation strategies.
Study of injectable PNIPAAm hydrogels containing niosomal angiogenetic drug delivery system for potential cardiac tissue regeneration
Authors: Malektaj Haniyeh , Imani Rana , Siadati M Hossein
Published: January 2021

Nowadays, heart disease, especially myocardial infarction, is one of the most astoundingly unfortunate causes of mortality in the world. That is why special attention has been paid toward tissue engineering techniques for curing and regeneration of heart tissue. In this study, poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAAm), a temperature-sensitive injectable hydrogel, was selected as a minimally invasive scaffold to accommodate, carry, and release of niosomal rosuvastatin to the inflicted area for inducing angiogenesis and thus accelerating the healing process. The characteristics of PNIPAAm were studied by scanning electron microscopy, rheology tests, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The properties of the niosomal rosuvastatin release system, including particle size distribution, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and drug release, were also studied. The results showed that niosomes (358 nm) had a drug EE of 78% and a loading capacity of 53%. The drug was sustainably released from the system up to about 54% in 5 d. Cellular studies showed no toxicity to the endothelial cell lines, and the niosomal drug with a concentration of 7.5 nM enhanced cell proliferation, and cell migration increased from 72% to 90% compared to the control sample. Therefore, the controlled-release of niosomal rosuvastatin enhanced angiogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these advantages suggest that PNIPAAm-based niosomal hydrogel provides a promising candidate as an angiogentic injectable scaffold for potential cardiac tissue regeneration.
Deep decarbonisation of buildings energy services through demand and supply transformations in a 1.5°C scenario
Authors: Levesque Antoine , Pietzcker Robert C , Baumstark Lavinia , Luderer Gunnar
Published: January 2021

Buildings energy consumption is one of the most important contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide, responsible for 23% of energy-related CO2 emissions. Decarbonising the energy demand of buildings will require two types of strategies: first, an overall reduction in energy demand, which could, to some extent, be achieved at negative costs; and second through a reduction of the carbon content of energy via fuel switching and supply-side decarbonisation. This study assesses the contributions of each of these strategies for the decarbonisation of the buildings sector in line with a 1.5°C global warming. We show that in a 1.5°C scenario combining mitigation policies and a reduction of market failures in efficiency markets, 81% of the reductions in buildings emissions are achieved through the reduction of the carbon content of energy, while the remaining 19% are due to efficiency improvements which reduce energy demand by 31%. Without supply-side decarbonisation, efficiency improvements almost entirely suppress the doubling of emissions that would otherwise be expected, but fail to induce an absolute decline in emissions. Our modelling and scenarios show the impact of both climate change mitigation policies and of the alleviation of market failures pervading through energy efficiency markets. The results show that the reduction of the carbon content of energy through fuel switching and supply-side decarbonisation is of paramount importance for the decarbonisation of buildings.
Economic and environmental benefits of thin bituminous surface pavements over thick bituminous surface pavements
Authors: Bulusu Venkata Jogarao , Kusam Sudhakar Reddy , Muppireddy Amarnatha Reddy
Published: January 2021

The design of bituminous pavements, using mechanistic-empirical design method, involves the selection of thicknesses of the bituminous layer and the granular layers to keep the strains at critical locations of the pavement structure within the allowable limits arrived from performance equations. The tensile strain under the bituminous layer defines the fatigue life, and compressive strain on top of the subgrade defines the rutting life of the pavement based on the performance equations adopted. It is generally considered that increasing the thickness of the bituminous layer decreases the strain at the bottom of bituminous (binder) layer. So, most of the pavement designers increase the thickness of the bituminous layer to restrict the strains. However, this is not always true. In fact, the tensile strain at the bottom of the bituminous layer increases with the increase in the thickness of bituminous layer up to a critical thickness and then slowly starts decreasing as the thickness further increases. The critical thickness of bituminous layer ranges between 50 mm and 100 mm. In the majority of the cases, the critical tensile strain under the bituminous layer corresponding to the thicknesses of the bituminous layers of 25 mm and 200 mm are very close. Apart from the economy, the problem of mix rutting is greatly minimized in the case of thin bituminous surfacing (TBS). The issues in rehabilitation and recycling of pavement materials are very less as the granular layer can be reused without much processing requirements.
Shear critical Reinforced Concrete beams with Recycled Coarse Aggregate
Authors: Papa Rao G , Sunil N , Sree Ramachandra Murty D
Published: January 2021

Various kinds of structures are made of premier construction material, concrete. Concrete is extensively used, only second for water; world consumption of concrete is staggering at 4.5 billion tons a year. All the constituent raw materials that go in the production of concrete are Ordinary Portland cement, coarse aggregate and sand which are valuable natural resources; these are facing fast depletion, as the demand for concrete is rising by leaps and bounds. In this context, conservation of concrete materials is inevitable at all costs. The world concrete industry consumes over ten billion tons of coarse aggregate annually. To conserve the natural coarse aggregate, industrial by-products must be increasingly substituted for natural coarse aggregate. In big and overpopulated cities, old and dilapidated structures are demolished for new constructions; the waste can serve as an alternative source, named recycled coarse aggregate (R.C.A). The current research is directed to investigate the suitability of R.C.A as natural coarse aggregate (N.C.A), in shear critical reinforced concrete beams.
Study on early age and ultimate compressive strength of M30 grade self-curing concrete
Authors: Jasmine George Vincent , Kumar Madisetti Pavan , Raju Ponnada Markandeya
Published: January 2021

Curing concrete is one of the important stages in making quality concrete. Research has not given due attention to this area. Due to the scarcity of potable water and subsequent need for conservation of water, the construction industry is facing a challenge in ensuring proper and adequate curing of concrete elements. Concrete is one of thelargest used construction materials across the world, which can easily be accepted as it has changed the face of rural areas. But in the localities where there is a water insufficiency and in locations of higherelevations, water curing is difficult. There is also a need for reduced water usage for curing for the conservation of potable water for environmental sustainability. These problems can be rectified by using Self-Curing or Internal Curing technique. Self-curing admixturesconsiderablyassist in the preservation of water in concrete, by bringing down the evaporationand transpiration during the hydration of concrete. The present paper is focused to study the performance of M30 grade concrete by using different self-curingcompounds like Poly-vinyl alcohol, Liquid paraffin wax, and Poly-ethylene glycol 400 in comparison with conventional immersion curing.
A review on sustainable concrete mix proportions
Authors: Rajesh Kanta Naga , Raju Ponnada Markandeya , Mishra Kapileswar , Madisetti Pavan Kumar
Published: January 2021

The need for reducing the carbon footprint and effect of hazardous gases, etc., released from the construction sectors and other product manufacturing industries on the environment is the need of the hour. In this regard, the construction sector has been utilizing some of the wastes generated from various sources in making concrete. Notable among them is the Ground granulated blast furnace slag (i.e. GGBS) as a partial substitution of cement. Further, waste foundry sand, a by-product of the foundry industry is observed to be an appropriate alternative to partial replacement of fine aggregate and demolition waste as a partial replacement of coarse aggregate. These waste utilizations have addressed some of the global environmental concerns like solid waste management, scarcity of landfilling, sustainability etc. but there is still is inefficient, given the rate at which we are producing waste. This paper presents an overview of some of the recent research published on the utilization of wastes in the production of sustainable RMC/SMC. It also presents the effect of waste utilization in concrete on mechanical, microstructural and durability factors.
Mechanical properties of hybrid polypropylene-steel fibre-reinforced concrete composite
Authors: Varma Sagi Murali Sagar , Raju Ponnada Markandeya
Published: January 2021

Fibres are materials with axial resistance to load that can withstand tensile stresses also when they are mixed in concrete. Recent research shows that the use of fibres improves the mechanical properties in terms of tensile strength and use of hybrid fibres, the mechanical properties further get improved. This paper presents an experimental investigation to quantify the improved Mechanical Properties for different amounts of mono fibres as hook end steel fibres and hybrid fibres that is a combination of hook end steel and polypropylene fibres. Compressive and splitting tensile strengths, modulus of rupture, and modulus of elasticity are studied. Steel fibres are used in the volume fractions of 0%, 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.7%, 0.9%, 1%, 1.25% and polypropylene fibres in a fixed quantity of 400 gm/m3 in M35 grade concrete. From the results, all the Mechanical properties improve with an increase in the fibre content up to an optimum volume fraction of 0.9%. Addition of steel fibres and polypropylene fibres improves flexural strength and split tensile strengths significantly. However, compressive strength and elastic modulus are slightly improved. It is also observed that the addition of fibres increases the post-peak behaviour of the concrete.
Study on cement paste blended with calcined granite powder
Authors: Singh Rajendra Prasad , Rajasekhar K , Adiseshu S
Published: January 2021

Granite in India is famous for flooring and also used as concrete aggregate. Granite mineral is processed in the industry and large sheets are made which are used as the flooring of dwelling units. During the processing of granite, the mineral is cut into suitable pieces and polished which produces very fine powder. The fine granite powder is a by-product of the granite industry and which is often used for landfill. On the other hand, the granite crushers industries break the granite to suitable sizes to make concrete aggregates also have this fine granite powder as its by-product. Granite is a hard mineral-rich in silica. The silica-rich mineral can be used in concrete as a mineral additive. The hydration compounds of cement in concrete have free lime and mineral admixtures rich in silica are useful in secondary reacting with the excess lime to form C-S-H gel. In the present study, experimental results are discussed for the suitability of granite powder in concrete manufacturing. In the present work, the cement by partial replacement with granite powder in normal state and calcined state up to 50% and the compressive strength of cement paste is found at 28 days. The results indicate that the partial replacement of cement with granite powder results in only a 10% decrease in strength when cement is replaced up to 30% with granite powder.
Seismic analysis of Reinforced concrete frames with stiffness irregularity
Authors: Kumar Sripathi Siva Bhanu Sai , Rama Rao G V
Published: January 2021

The earthquake occurs due to severe seismic in a particular region and causes devastation and havoc to human life. So, there is a need to assess vulnerability characteristics of the structures which are located in severe seismic regions. In this present work,seismic performance of stiffness irregular structure was studied by using the response spectrum method as per IS 1893 (Part 1) 2002. And the performance of structures with shear wall and bracings placed in the least lateral stiffness direction was studied. From the present study by comparing the seismic performance of the conventional structureand structure with shear wall/bracing it can be concluded that performance of RC frames with stiffness irregularity is more vulnerable than that of RC frames with shear wall/bracings in place. Also, RC frames with shear wall have reduced the seismic impact more than RC frames with bracings.
Optical domains in fiber lasers
Authors: Meng Yichang , Zhang Dongming , Semaan Georges , Kemel Meriem , Nady Ahmed , Salhi Mohamed , Komarov Andrey , Sanchez François
Published: January 2021

The formation mechanism of optical domains in multipulse fiber lasers was investigated. Optical domains consist of a square-shaped condensed phase of pulses derived from the slow evolution of gain. With the cross-gain saturation effect of wavelength-dependent or polarization-dependent condensed phases in the cavity, color domains (CDs) exist in dichroic fiber lasers, and polarization domains (PDs) in quasi-isotropic lasers. These operations can be described as a dynamic equilibrium, in which two signals compete and coexist in the cavity and have inverse duty cycles. In this paper, we investigate the analogies and the differences between CDs and PDs.
Microstructure evolution and hard x-ray reflectance of ultrathin Ru/C multilayer mirrors with different layer thicknesses
Authors: Liu Yang , Huang Qiushi , Qi Runze , Xiao Liangxing , Zhang Zhong , Li Wenbin , Yi Shengzhen , Wang Zhanshan
Published: January 2021

Nanoscale Ru/C multilayers are essential reflective optics in the hard x-ray region of 7–20 keV. To understand the layer growth behavior and develop ultrathin Ru/C multilayer mirrors with periods smaller than 3.0 nm, multilayers with different periods of 6.2–1.5 nm were fabricated and studied. It is found that the average interface width started to increase obviously when the period became smaller than 2.5 nm while the surface roughness of different multilayers remained almost the same. The intrinsic stress of the multilayer gradually decreased with decreasing period and reached a very low value of −82 MPa at d = 2.3 nm. High reflectance of 54% and 65% (at E = 8.04 keV) were demonstrated for the multilayers with periods of 2.5 nm and 3.0 nm, respectively, whereas that for 1.9 nm period was significantly lower. To further analyze the layer microstructure, x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used. The polycrystallized structure of Ru remained similar for the multilayers with period less than 2.5 nm, while a non-continuous layer growth and severe intermixing between Ru and C were observed for the multilayer with period of 1.9 nm. The increased intermixing between Ru and C was found to be the main reason for the larger interface width and lower reflectance of the multilayers with period smaller than 2.5 nm. It also indicated that the layer thickness threshold for a Ru/C multilayer growing with good layer quality is 1.0–1.2 nm.
Enhanced transmission performance based on ultrathin broadband circular hole array metasurface
Authors: Ruihua Li , Zhong Min
Published: January 2021

A high transmittance broadband metasurface with Si and STO layers is verified in 100–130 THz. This metasurface achieves a transmission peak (Amplitude 78.1%, Resonance frequency 112.2 THz) with a complete Si layer, or a broad transmission band (Average transmittance 82.3%, bandwidth 5.1 THz) with a Si layer defined by a circular hole array. The influence of structural parameters (period P and diameter D) on this transmission band is measured. In the first set of measurements, the average transmittance and bandwidth of this metasurface remain unchanged with P increasing. In the second set of measurements, however, the average transmittance is increased from 82.3% to 92.7%, and bandwidth is enhanced from 5.1 THz to 7.2 THz with D increasing. Finally, the sensitivity of the metasurface to temperature is measured. When temperature increases from 300 K to 360 K, average transmittance increases from 82.3% to 95.4%, and bandwidth enhances from 5.1 THz to 10.3 THz. When temperature reduces, the average transmittance and bandwidth decrease. This metasurface exploits the potential of temperature sensing.