bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic effective charge in the continuum of the CDW-EIS model for ionization in ion–atom collisions: angular and energy dependence
Authors: Rojas M F , Quinto M A , Rivarola R D , Monti J M
Published: May 2023

In this work, a dynamic charge is employed in the continuum distorted wave–eikonal initial state theoretical model to describe the non-Coulomb potential of the residual target for single ionization in bare ion–multielectron atom collisions. A comparison between the well-known Belkić prescription and the effective charge depending on emission angle and energy in the final residual-target continuum state is shown. The obtained results show that this effective charge improves the description of double-differential cross sections for backward emission angles over the whole emission energy range allowing the calculation of simple differential and total cross sections.
The role of Zn and Ru substitution on the structural, magnetic and dielectric properties of ferrite cuprospinels
Authors: Roy-Chowdhury Mouli , Jena Suchit Kumar , Khadse Vedant Pramod , Joshi Deep Chandra , Thota Subhash
Published: May 2023

A comprehensive study on the structural, magnetic and dielectric behavior of ferrite cuprospinels with site specific substitution of non-magnetic Zn and weakly magnetic Ru ions has been presented. Such substitution leads to two classes of stable crystal symmetries, (i) tetragonal (I41/amd): CuFe1.95Ru0.05O4 and Cu0.95Zn0.05Fe1.95Ru0.05O4 and (ii) cubic (Fd-3m):Cu0.60Zn0.40Fe1.95Ru0.05O4 and Cu0.05Zn0.95Fe1.95Ru0.05O4 bulk polycrystals. The former set of compounds undergo significant Jahn-Teller (JT) distortion due to high Cu content and such distortion gets lifted with the substitution of non-magnetic Zn ions. Ferrimagnetic (FiM) behavior is predominant in all these compounds except the highest Zn (95 at.%) content cubic system with diluted substitution of Ru (2.5 at.%) which exhibits antiferromagnetic ordering below the Néel temperature (T

N
∼ 10.9 K). We employed Néel’s expression for FiM systems applicable for the two sublattice model to extract the dominant exchange interactions (J

AA
, J

AB
and J

BB
) between the A-site and B-site cations. Subsequently the high temperature (300 K

⩽

T

⩽

900 K) inverse paramagnetic susceptibility data has been fitted to the above expression which yields dominant

J

A
A

/

k

B

∼ 391 K with very high asymptotic Curie temperature for the tetragonally distorted dilute Zn substituted cuprospinel, while the Zn-rich cubic system exhibits

J

A
A

/

k

B

∼ 300 K. On the other hand, the tetragonally distorted spinel devoid of Zn exhibits dominant

J

B
B

/

k

B

∼ 229 K with negligible

J

A
A

/

k

B

and moderate

J

A
B

/

k

B

(65 K) signifying that the JT active ions cause the onset of magnetic frustration and enhanced ordering temperatures. All the investigated systems exhibit significant magneto-crystalline anisotropy with a maximum anisotropy field H

K
∼ 6 kOe and maximum anisotropy constant (K
1 ∼ 10.88×105 erg cm−3). The broadband dielectric spectroscopy studies reveal significant enhancement of mid-frequency dielectric constant ε

R
(f, T) with plateau-like feature over a wide temperature and frequency window, together with low-loss as a result of the incorporation of Ru ions into the tetragonally distorted spinel lattice. The ac resistivity ρ(f, T) studies reveal that the mode of conduction follows Mott’s variable-range hopping (VRH) model with a linear logarithmic variation of ρ

ac
versus T
−0.25. The temperature dependence of the VRH activation energy of charge carriers follows a linear behavior which indicates the presence of localized polaron in all the investigated systems.
Denatured recognition of biological tissue based on multi-scale phase weighted-permutation entropy during HIFU treatment
Authors: Liu Bei , Qian Shengyou , Zhang Xian
Published: May 2023

In the course of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment, the capacity to precisely recognize biological tissue that has been denatured is crucial to ensuring the security and availability of HIFU treatment. Multi-scale permutation entropy (MPE) and its variant multi-scale weighted-permutation entropy (MWPE), as common methods to measure the complexity of nonlinear time series, are often used to recognize denatured biological tissue during HIFU treatment. In order to improve the inevitable disadvantages of MPE and MWPE in some cases, a new complexity method called multi-scale phase weighted-permutation entropy (MPWPE) is put forward. The proposed MPWPE improves MPE and MWPE by adding phase information through the Hilbert transform. The simulated analysis result indicates that the MPWPE can detect more dynamic changes in the synthetic signal compared with MPE and MWPE. Finally, based on the key MPWPE feature extraction algorithm, a novel intelligent biological tissue denatured recognition technology combined with the classifier is proposed. The actual HIFU echo signals of biological tissues are employed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results show that compared with MPE and MWPE, the MPWPE features can distinguish non-denatured and denatured tissues at multi scales with better performance and achieve higher recognition accuracy.
Automatic pixel-level detection of tire defects based on a lightweight Transformer architecture
Authors: Sun Yingwei , Liu Xiyu , Zhai Xiaodi , Sun Kuizhi , Zhao Mengmeng , Chang Yankang , Zhang Yan
Published: May 2023

Efficient and accurate visual inspection of products is of great significance for intelligent manufacturing. In this paper, a visual inspection framework based on a lightweight Transformer is proposed for the pixel-level inspection of tire defects. A dual-path-Transformer feature encoder was proposed based on a hybrid architecture of convolutional neural network and Transformer, which is used to learn the local and global relationship of defect features. Moreover, multi-scale fusion Transformer (MFT) and spatial cross Transformer (SCT) were proposed, based on which a feature decoder was built. In the decoder, the MFT provides valuable spatial information for SCT, such that different levels of feature maps can refine the dependency of pixels through SCT. The proposed method is tested on the tire radiographic image dataset. Experimental results show that the proposed method reaches a detection accuracy of 98.57% and mIoU of 85.56%. Moreover, the method achieves the balance between accuracy and efficiency with satisfactory characterization ability for the defect geometric shape, and provides theoretical support for the future industrial deployment of Transformer.
Stable and reliable IGZO resistive switching device with HfAlO
x
interfacial layer
Authors: Peng Huiren , Liu Hongjun , Ma Xuhang , Cheng Xing
Published: May 2023

The performance stability of the resistive switching (RS) is vital for a resistive random-access memory device. Here, by inserting a thin HfAlO
x
layer between the InGaZnO (IGZO) layer and the bottom Pt electrode, the RS performance in amorphous IGZO memory device is significantly improved. Comparing with a typical metal-insulator-metal structure, the device with HfAlO
x
layer exhibits lower switching voltages, faster switching speeds, lower switching energy and lower power consumption. As well, the uniformity of switching voltage and resistance state is also improved. Furthermore, the device with HfAlO
x
layer exhibits long retention time (>104 s at 85 °C) , high on/off ratio and more than 103 cycles of endurance at atmospheric environment. Those substantial improvements in IGZO memory device are attributed to the interface effects with a HfAlO
x
insertion layer. With such layer, the formation and rupture locations of Ag conductive filaments are better regulated and confined, thus an improved performance stability.
Numerical simulations of an integrated radio-frequency/wireless coil design for simultaneous acquisition and wireless transfer of magnetic resonance imaging data
Authors: Overson Devon K , Bresticker Julia , Willey Devin , Robb Fraser , Song Allen W , Truong Trong-Kha , Darnell Dean
Published: May 2023

Objective. A novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio-frequency (RF) coil design, termed an integrated RF/wireless (iRFW) coil design, can simultaneously perform MRI signal reception and far-field wireless data transfer with the same coil conductors between the coil in the scanner bore and an access point (AP) on the scanner room wall. The objective of this work is to optimize the design inside the scanner bore to provide a link budget between the coil and the AP for the wireless transmission of MRI data. Approach. Electromagnetic simulations were performed at the Larmor frequency of a 3T scanner and in a WiFi wireless communication band to optimize the radius and position of an iRFW coil located near the head of a human model inside the scanner bore, which were validated by performing both imaging and wireless experiments. Main Results. The simulated iRFW coil with a 40 mm radius positioned near the model forehead provided: a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) comparable to that of a traditional RF coil with the same radius and position, a power absorbed by the human model within regulatory limits, and a gain pattern in the scanner bore resulting in a link budget of 51.1 dB between the coil and an AP located behind the scanner 3 m from the isocenter, which would be sufficient to wirelessly transfer MRI data acquired with a 16-channel coil array. The SNR, gain pattern, and link budget for initial simulations were validated by experimental measurements in an MRI scanner and anechoic chamber to provide confidence in this methodology. These results show that the iRFW coil design must be optimized within the scanner bore for the wireless transfer of MRI data. Significance. The MRI RF coil array coaxial cable assembly connected to the scanner increases patient setup time, can present a serious burn risk to patients and is an obstacle to the development of the next generation of lightweight, flexible or wearable coil arrays that provide an improved coil sensitivity for imaging. Significantly, the RF coaxial cables and corresponding receive chain electronics can be removed from within the scanner by integrating the iRFW coil design into an array for the wireless transmission of MRI data outside of the bore.
Suppression of anomalous impurity transport in NBI-heated W7-X plasmas
Authors: Romba T. , Reimold F. , Jaspers R.J.E. , Ford O.P. , Vanó L. , Klinger T.
Published: May 2023

Radial impurity density profiles in two Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) experiments heated by neutral beam injection (NBI) are analyzed with respect to their impurity transport properties. Local impurity densities are derived from charge exchange reactions with the W7-X NBI system using simulated neutral densities cross-validated with beam emission spectroscopy. Impurity profiles of argon and carbon are found to show an evolving central accumulation inside half radius. The properties of the underlying impurity transport are assessed using the one-dimensional transport code pySTRAHL. Comparisons between simulation and experiment indicate transport dominated by anomalous diffusion outside half radius. The observed central impurity accumulation is found to match best simulations with purely (neo-)classical transport in the accumulation region. This data implies a suppression of the anomalous impurity transport channel to below 35% of the (neo-)classical one. Experimental data is found to be matched best when invoking a time evolving, inward propagating zone where anomalous impurity transport is suppressed. An additional central power deposition into a plasma with central impurity accumulation via electron cyclotron resonance heating is found to affect the (neo-)classical transport components in case of operation times below 200 ms only. For longer operation times, it is found to re-introduce an altered level of anomalous diffusion. The existence of an inward directed anomalous pinch as an alternative explanation for the central impurity accumulation cannot explain the observed profiles.
Sustainable strategies for monument protection - A panoramic view of the possibilities and pitfalls
Authors: Kodeboyina Ganesh Babu
Published: May 2023

It is indeed a fact that the rich structural heritage is at the crossroads of extinction either due to the overexploitation of their purported existence for tourism or alternatively due to our abject apathy to their very existence. Apart from this, the prospect of irrevocably losing even the few spattering of monuments that we seem to protect and guard against their degradation through inappropriate, or in some cases highly casual and ill-informed strategies is one aspect that has attracted the attention of the global community in recent years. While, there appears to be an effort to put a system in place to ensure a proper repair and rehabilitation of these monuments, there is still a lack of understanding of the broad principles to ensure an effective yet sustainable maintenance and protection strategy. To start with these ancient monuments can be broadly characterized into few specific categories based on the materials used in their construction. The paper attempts to delineate some of them and look at the tenets to be followed to ensure a sustainable upkeep of these monuments. In doing so, a few examples of the type of problems associated with monuments in the Indian context were also looked into as illustrations.
Effect of application time of NPK fertilizer with a watering system on the growth of macadamia seedlings
Authors: Firdaus N K , Putra S , Heryana N , Rusli
Published: May 2023

The growth of macadamia seedlings takes ± 1 year to become rootstock or planted in the garden. Acceleration of seedling growth can be accelerated through NPK fertilization by a watering system. The advantage of the watering system is easy to apply and the response of the seeds is faster because the fertilizer is immediately absorbed by the roots and leaves. The study aimed to determine the application time of NPK fertilization with the best watering system for the growth of macadamia seedlings. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse at Indonesian Industrial and Beverages Crops Research Institutes(IIBCRI) Sukabumi Regency West Java, from September 2020 to February 2021. The study was conducted by a randomized block design with 5 treatments (application times of NPK fertilizer by watering). Types of treatments are : (P1) once a week, (P2) every 2 weeks, (P3) every 3 weeks, (P4) 4 weeks, and (P0) watering without fertilizer once a week. The experimental results showed that watering NPK fertilizer intervals of 2 weeks were the best treatment for the growth of macadamia seedlings with a height of up to 16 cm, a number of leaves (13.2) strands, root length of 19.82 cm, and dry weight, a total of 8.01 and a root-shoot ratio of 3.77. The dose and application time of NPK fertilizer can be used as information for effective and efficient fertilization so that it can be recommended as balanced fertilization to support sustainable agriculture.
Selection of chili pepper hybrid variety candidate (Capsicum annuum L.) based upon flower characteristics
Authors: Kirana R , Handayani T , Harmanto  , Anwarudin M J
Published: May 2023

Flower is an important plant organ which can be one of the criteria for selecting new superior varieties. This study aimed at selecting the superiority candidates of new hybrid variety based upon the flower characteristics. The research was conducted in the screen house of IVEGRI Research Station from February to April 2022. The treatment consisted of 30 hybrid variety candidates and 6 hybrid parents. Observations were performed on 15 flower characters according to the descriptors for Capsicum spp. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, followed by Scott Knott’s post hoc test and heterosis value. The results of the analysis of variance showed that of the 15 flower characters, there were 7 characters that varied between treatments. Meanwhile, the post hoc test showed that only days to flowering, corolla length and anther colour had significant differences. Five candidates for early flowering hybrid varieties were selected, namely 1x5, 2x1, 4x5, 5x2, and 6x2. The heterosis value of the five selected varieties showed that they flowered 8-19% faster than their parents with a range of flowering days from 43 to 46 days after planting. Thus, they can be recommended as the candidates for the varieties of early-flowering chili hybrid. This result indicated that days of flowering can be used as a criterion to select the superiority of new varieties. However, days of flowering as selection criteria must be combined with superiority in the characteristics of high yield, resistance to pests and diseases and consumer preferences.
Cabbage pest population in the uninterrupted cultivation seasons
Authors: Murtiningsih R , Prabaningrum L , Aprianto F , Prathama M , Hudayya A , Hermanto C
Published: May 2023

The current research aimed to gather information of pests’ population in cabbage crops that were cultivated using the organic and conventional farming system in three consecutive months. Cabbages were planted every month for 3 consecutive months from March to May 2020 in the Margahayu Research Station, Lembang, West Java and the pests’ population was observed throughout the time of plant growth. Data shows the fluctuation of cabbage pests’ population including Plutella sp., Spodoptera sp, and Myzus sp. during those three planting seasons. The findings are particularly important in deciding effective control techniques to use and determining the right time to apply those control techniques.
Effect of Adsorbent from Activated Rice Husk Charcoal on The Characteristics of Crude Palm Oil (CPO); A Preliminary Study
Authors: Joni Munarso S , Mulyawanti I
Published: May 2023

The quality of crude palm oil (CPO) needs to be considered to ensure the food safety of further processed products. Several characteristics of CPO such as water content, free fatty acids, Cl, and Fe are known to be precursors for the formation of toxic compounds such as 3-Mono Chloro-1,2-Propane-Diol (MCPD) in further processed products. A study was conducted to determine the effect of activated rice husk charcoal used as an adsorbent in improving the quality of CPO. The activation process includes immersion in potassium hydroxide and sodium chloride solutions, washing to neutral pH (pH 7), filtering, and burning using a furnace at 300°C for 2 hours. The activated husk charcoal was then reduced its size into 100 mesh. The activated husk charcoal was then applied to CPO by adding 1% to the CPO, then heated until it reaches temperature of 50 and 60°C followed by stirring for 30 and 60 minutes, then deposited for 10 minutes before it was filtered. The results showed that the adsorbent obtained through the activation process using potassium hydroxide with a contact time of 60 minutes on CPO could reduce free fatty acids up to 21.87%, Fe 31.97%, moisture content 96,3% and Cl 91.15%. The application of activated husk charcoal on CPO also showed a significant effect on the water content, viscosity, and color of CPO. These results can be used as an alternative treatment for handling CPO in reducing the formation of toxic compounds such as 3-MCPD in CPO-derived food products.
Model of settlement of the crime of economic exploitation against children through a humanist approach
Authors: Ferawati F
Published: May 2023

Cases of economic exploitation of children by parents continue to increase. Various methods have been used by the government and law enforcement officials, including issuing regulations that provide legal protection for children, including criminal sanctions for perpetrators of exploitation. However, these efforts have not overcome cases of exploitation of children, for this reason a comprehensive approach is needed to solve this problem. The aim of this research is to provide solutions to overcome cases of economic exploitation of children through a humane approach, sanctions not only in the form of imprisonment but adjusted with the cause of the exploitation. So that efforts to resolve cases of exploitation of children do not only focus on giving punishment to the perpetrators but also provide solutions to the economic problems of the parties. This research can be grouped into observational research by way of a survey using interview data. While the nature of this research is descriptive research that aims to provide a detailed and clear description of the problem to be studied. The results of this study can be used as a basis for legal construction in resolving cases of economic exploitation of children that occur in Indonesia.
The urgency to strengthen blue carbon ecosystem settings based on theory law development to use to realize sustainable development in Indonesia
Authors: Susanti H , Yanti E
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this study is first, to find out how the blue carbon ecosystem is currently regulated in Indonesia and secondly to find out how urgent it is to strengthen the regulation of blue carbon ecosystems in Indonesia to realize sustainable development in Indonesia. The research method used in this research is a normative juridical research method, the problem approach used in this writing is through the approach of various laws and regulations (statute approach). There are already several regulations that regulate good blue carbon ecosystems in the constitution and various laws and regulations, including Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management and Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry. In addition, it includes Law Number 32 of 2014 concerning Marine Affairs and Law Number 27 of 2007 concerning the Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands as well as various other laws and regulations. However, there are still many areas that have not made regional regulations to protect mangrove areas, so the blue carbon ecosystem has not been optimally maintained. It is very necessary to establish regulations strictly to protect blue carbon ecosystems both from laws and regulations, as well as derivative regulations used to protect the use of blue carbon ecosystems to achieve sustainable development in Indonesia.
Small amplitude dust acoustic solitary waves in a magnetized dusty plasma with nonthermal distribution for both electrons and ions
Authors: Kian Rasool Barazandeh , Mahdieh Mohammad Hossein
Published: May 2023

The propagation of dust acoustic solitary waves (DASWs) has been investigated in a magnetized dusty plasma consisting of negatively charged dust particles, nonthermal ions and nonthermal electrons. Using reductive perturbation method, the Korteweg-de-Vries (K-dV) equation is derived. It is found that the basic structures (such as polarity, amplitude, width) of DASWs are influenced by nonthermal ions and nonthermal electrons. The results show that both compressive and rarefactive DASWs exist in such dusty plasma. It is observed that by increasing the nonthermality parameter of ions and electrons, the nonlinear wave phase velocity increases. Furthermore, nonthermal distributed ions have more effect on the nonlinear wave phase velocity of the DASWs than nonthermal distributed electrons. The dependence of the angle that the external magnetic field makes with the propagation direction of wave on the amplitude and width of DASWs has been also investigated. It was concluded that this angle strongly affects the DASWs. Finally, the effect of the magnetic field appears only in the width and not in the amplitude of the DASWs. The findings of this study can be helpful in understanding the structures of DASWs in the dusty plasma in which both nonthermal ions and nonthermal electrons exist. Such structures can be found in different regions of space and astrophysics mediums such as the upper ionosphere and Saturn’s E-ring.
Stratified topography theory to understand frictional electrification for sliding triboelectric nanogenerators
Authors: Li Haoran , Han Tianyu , Hu Hui , Shi Xi , Peng Zhike , Hu Songtao
Published: May 2023

Researchers are used to investigating the influence of surface topography on the frictional electrification of sliding triboelectric nanogenerators TENGs from the perspective of a single-stratum topography; however, a stratified feature has shared reality in closer relationships. Here, we characterize the stratified feature of the topographies for the sliding TENGs, and link them to the electrification voltages, finding that the frictional electrification strongly depends on the characteristics of the small-scale component in a stratified topography, which suggest us to develop a stratified electrification model for mechanism reveal. Based on the dependence, we also succeed in identifying the stratified topographic characteristics with frictional electrification signals by machine learning including support vector machine and convolutional neural network, which can be envisioned as a tool for topography measurement. This is the first demonstration of a stratified topography theory for sliding TENGs, providing new insights into the mechanism reveal and functional application of frictional electrification.
Investigation on the tunable and polarization sensitive three-band terahertz graphene metamaterial absorber
Authors: Zhan Ying , Fan Chunzhen
Published: May 2023

A tunable three-band absorber has been proposed and investigated in the terahertz (THz) with graphene strips. Three perfect absorption is elaborately analyzed with the electrical field and the induced surface current distribution. Owing to the unique character of graphene, the position and intensity of three peaks are flexibly regulated with different Fermi energy and chemical potential. Meanwhile, an on to off modulation of the perfect absorption is achieved when the polarization angle varies from 0 to 90°, and the modulation degree of three resonant peaks can simultaneously approach 100%, which are much higher than the previous work. Moreover, the tunable absorption is examined with different geometry parameters and intermediate medium. Such highly tunable absorber with our proposed design has numerous application potential in the controllable optical switchers, filters, detectors, and sensors.
McShane Identities for Higher Teichmüller Theory and the Goncharov–Shen Potential
Authors: Huang Yi , Sun Zhe
Published: May 2023

We derive generalizations of McShane’s identity for higher ranked surface group representations by studying a family of mapping class group invariant functions introduced by Goncharov and Shen, which generalize the notion of horocycle lengths. In particular, we obtain McShane-type identities for finite-area cusped convex real projective surfaces by generalizing the Birman–Series geodesic scarcity theorem. More generally, we establish McShane-type identities for positive surface group representations with loxodromic boundary monodromy, as well as McShane-type inequalities for general rank positive representations with unipotent boundary monodromy. Our identities are systematically expressed in terms of projective invariants, and we study these invariants: we establish boundedness and Fuchsian rigidity results for triple and cross ratios. We apply our identities to derive the simple spectral discreteness of unipotent-bordered positive representations, collar lemmas, and generalizations of the Thurston metric.
CD5L aggravates rheumatoid arthritis progression via promoting synovial fibroblasts proliferation and activity
Authors: Wu Xia-Nan , Gao Zhao-Wei , Yang Lan , Zhang Juan , Liu Chong , Zhang Hui-Zhong , Dong Ke
Published: May 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease with progressive cartilage erosion and joint destruction. Synovial fibroblasts (SFs) play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of RA. This study aims to explore the function and mechanism of CD5L during RA progression. We examined the levels of CD5L in synovial tissues and SFs. The collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat models were used to investigate the effect of CD5L on RA progression. We also investigated the effects of exogenous CD5L on the behavior and activity of RA synovial fibroblasts (RASFs). Our results showed that CD5L expression was significantly upregulated in synovium of RA patients and CIA-rats. Histology and Micro-CT analysis showed that synovial inflammation and bone destruction were more severe in CD5L-treated CIA rats compared with control rats. Correspondingly, CD5L blockade alleviated bone damage and synovial inflammation in CIA-rats. The exogenous CD5L treatment promoted RASFs proliferation invasion and proinflammatory cytokine production. Knockdown of CD5L receptor by siRNA significantly reversed the effect of CD5L treatment on RASFs. Moreover, we observed that CD5L treatment potentiated PI3K/Akt signaling in the RASFs. The promoted effects of CD5L on IL-6 and IL-8 expression were significantly reversed by PI3K/Akt signaling inhibitor. In conclusion, CD5L promote RA disease progression via activating RASFs. CD5L blocking is a potential therapeutic approach for RA patients.
Heart in the Right Place: Thatcherism and Love in Jeanette Winterson’s The Passion
Authors: Parker Emma
Published: May 2023

This essay argues that Jeanette Winterson’s The Passion (1987) employs the past to examine the present and explores the role of love in Thatcherism. Drawing on Sara Ahmed’s The Cultural Politics of Emotion (2004), it proposes that Winterson opposes the passions that defined the decade—Thatcherite love of nation and money—with feminist and queer reconceptions of love based on connection, community, and otherness. By showing how the novel’s critique of Thatcherism intersects with critiques of heteropatriarchy, the essay challenges the view that Winterson’s fiction privileges matters of the heart over social and political issues. Anticipating Ahmed’s analysis, Winterson demonstrates that, while love often sustains inequality and injustice, love reconceived has the potential to reshape the world—a theme that becomes central to her later work.
Double trouble: trypanosomatids with two hosts have lower infection prevalence than single host trypanosomatids
Authors: Al-Ghafli Hawra , Barribeau Seth M
Published: May 2023

Trypanosomatids are a diverse family of protozoan parasites, some of which cause devastating human and livestock diseases. There are two distinct infection life cycles in trypanosomatids; some species complete their entire life cycle in a single host (monoxenous) while others infect two hosts (dixenous). Dixenous trypanosomatids are mostly vectored by insects, and the human trypanosomatid diseases are caused mainly by vectored parasites. While infection prevalence has been described for subsets of hosts and trypanosomatids, little is known about whether monoxenous and dixenous trypanosomatids differ in infection prevalence. Here, we use meta-analyses to synthesise all published evidence of trypanosomatid infection prevalence for the last two decades, encompassing 931 unique host-trypansomatid systems. In examining 584 studies that describe infection prevalence, we find, strikingly, that monoxenous species are two-fold more prevalent than dixenous species across all hosts. We also find that dixenous trypanosomatids have significantly lower infection prevalence in insects than their non-insect hosts. To our knowledge, these results reveal for the first time, a fundamental difference in infection prevalence according to host specificity where vectored species might have lower infection prevalence as a result of a potential ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ style trade-off between the vector and subsequent hosts.
Confirmation of presumptive Legionella colonies on culture media according to ISO 11731:2017: principles, problems, and practice
Authors: Ditommaso Savina , Giacomuzzi Monica , Memoli Gabriele , Garlasco Jacopo , Zotti Carla M
Published: May 2023

Aims

The ISO 11731 norm, published in 2017, describes a method to identify and enumerate Legionella based exclusively on the confirmation of presumptive colonies by subculturing them on BCYE and BCYE-cys agar (BCYE agar without L-cysteine).

Methods and results

Despite this recommendation, our laboratory has kept confirming all presumptive Legionella colonies by combining the subculture method with the latex agglutination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Here, we show that the ISO 11731:2017 method adequately performs in our laboratory according to ISO 13843:2017. We compared the performance of the ISO method in detecting Legionella in typical and atypical colonies (n = 7156) from health care facilities (HCFs) water samples to that of our combined protocol, and we found a 2.1% false positive rate (FPR), underscoring the importance of combining agglutination test and PCR with subculture to achieve optimal confirmation. Lastly, we estimated the water system disinfection cost for HCFs (n = 7), which due to false positive results, would display Legionella values exceeding the threshold of risk acceptance established by the Italian guidelines.

Conclusions

Overall, this large-scale study indicates that the ISO 11731:2017 confirmation method is error-prone, leading to significant FPRs, and higher costs for HCFs due to remedial actions on their water systems.
Successful surgical management of a combined abdominal and thoracic penetrating injury: a case report
Authors: Hooda Zamaan , O’kane Lisa , Bustamante John Paul , Zaku Bledi , Aniukwu Jideofor , Wessner Scott , Cerda Luis
Published: May 2023

Penetrating rebar injuries are extremely rare occurrences, but they are very life-threatening, particularly when involving the thoracic and abdominal cavities. The surgical approach to these traumatic injuries depends upon the length and diameter of the rebar as well as the path of penetration into the abdominal and thoracic regions. Due to the highly uncommon occurrence of penetrating rebar injuries, there is very limited information and studies pertaining to this topic in the literature. In this case report, we present a 43-year-old male patient sustaining a rebar penetrating injury, with the entry site being the left flank and the exit site being the anterior left chest. Upon arrival, the patient was emergently taken to the operating room and underwent simultaneous exploratory laparotomy and a left thoracotomy. The operation was successful in removing the rebar and the patient survived.
Stapleless thoracoscopic lobectomy for congenital pulmonary airway malformation: a simple technique in thoracoscopic surgery
Authors: Masahata Kazunori , Uga Naoko , Nomura Motonari , Kamiyama Masafumi , Okuyama Hiroomi
Published: May 2023

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a developmental malformation that affects the lung parenchyma, especially terminal respiratory bronchioles. This paper reports a case of an infant diagnosed with CPAM who underwent stapleless thoracoscopic lobectomy using Hem-o-Lok clips®. Computed tomography showed cystic pulmonary lesions in the left lower lobe. Thoracoscopic lobectomy was performed at the age of 1 year and 3 months. During surgery, the hilar vasculature was treated using either Hem-o-Lok® clips or a LigaSure vessel sealing system. The lower lobe bronchus was divided using double Hem-o-Lok® clips proximally. The surgery was successfully completed. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and there were no complications. This technique can be easily performed as a thoracoscopic lobectomy with the potential benefits of safe and effective procedures for bronchus closure and vascular sealing in the small working space of pediatric patients.
Robotic-assisted completion cholecystectomy with repair of cholecystoduodenal fistula
Authors: Hurwitz Joshua C , Kolwitz Christine E , Kim David Y , Petrone Patrizio , Halpern David K
Published: May 2023

Post-cholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) is a well-documented complication of incomplete cholecystectomy. The etiology is often post-surgical chronic inflammation from unresolved cholelithiasis, which is secondary to anatomical abnormalities, including a retained gallbladder or a large cystic duct remnant (CDR). An exceedingly rare consequence is retained gallstone fistulization into the gastrointestinal tract. We present a case of a 70-year-old female with multiple comorbidities 4 years status-post incomplete cholecystectomy, who developed PCS with cholecystoduodenal fistula secondary to retained gallstone in the remnant gallbladder, with CDR involvement, treated via robotic-assisted surgery. Reoperation in PCS has been traditionally performed via laparoscopic approach with recent advances made in robotic-assisted surgery. However, we report the first documented case of PCS complicated by bilioenteric fistula repaired with robotic-assisted surgery. This highlights the value of robotic-assisted surgery in complicated cases, where one must contend with post-surgical anatomic abnormalities and visualization difficulties. Subsequent investigation is necessary to objectively quantify the safety and reproducibility of our approach.
Incidence of Clinically Relevant Solitary Pulmonary Nodules Utilizing a Universal Health Care System
Authors: Kuckelman John , Dezube Aaron , Jacobson Francine , Learn Peter A , Miller Daniel , Mody Gita , Jaklitsch Michael
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) are common, but the clinical relevance of these nodules is unknown. Utilizing current screening guidelines, we sought to better characterize the national incidence of clinically important SPNs within the largest universal health care system in the nation.

Materials and Methods

TRICARE data were queried to identify SPNs for ages 18–64 years. SPNs that had been diagnosed within a year with no prior oncologic history were included to ensure true incidence. A proprietary algorithm was applied to determine clinically significant nodules. Further analysis characterized incidence by age grouping, gender, region, military branch, and beneficiary status.

Results

A total of 229,552 SPNs were identified with a 60% reduction seen after application of the clinical significance algorithm (N = 88,628). The incidence increased in each decade of life (all P < 0.01). Adjusted incident rate ratios were significantly higher for SPNs detected in the Midwest and Western regions. The incident rate ratio was also higher in females (1.05, confidence interval [CI] 1.018, P = 0.001) as well as non-active duty members (dependents = 1.4 and retired = 1.6, respectively, CIs 1.383-1.492 and 1.591-1.638, P < 0.01). The incidence calculated per 1,000 patients overall was 3.1/1,000. Ages 44–54 years had an incidence of 5.5/1,000 patients, which is higher than the previously reported incidence of < 5.0 nationally for the same age group.

Conclusions

This analysis represents the largest evaluation of SPNs to date combined with clinical relevance adjustment. These data suggest a higher incidence of clinically significant SPNs starting at an age of 44 years in nonmilitary or retired women localized to the Midwest and Western regions of the United States.
NGTS clusters survey – V. Rotation in the Orion star-forming complex
Authors: Smith Gareth D , Gillen Edward , Hodgkin Simon T , Alves Douglas R , Anderson David R , Battley Matthew P , Burleigh Matthew R , Casewell Sarah L , Gill Samuel , Goad Michael R , Henderson Beth A , Jenkins James S , Kendall Alicia , Moyano Maximiliano , Ramsay Gavin , Tilbrook Rosanna H , Vines Jose I , West Richard G , Wheatley Peter J
Published: May 2023

We present a study of rotation across 30 square degrees of the Orion Star-forming Complex, following a ∼200 d photometric monitoring campaign by the Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS). From 5749 light curves of Orion members, we report periodic signatures for 2268 objects and analyse rotation period distributions as a function of colour for 1789 stars with spectral types F0–M5. We select candidate members of Orion using Gaia data and assign our targets to kinematic sub-groups. We correct for interstellar extinction on a star-by-star basis and determine stellar and cluster ages using magnetic and non-magnetic stellar evolutionary models. Rotation periods generally lie in the range 1–10 d, with only 1.5 per cent of classical T Tauri stars or Class I/II young stellar objects rotating with periods shorter than 1.8 d, compared with 14 per cent of weak-line T Tauri stars or Class III objects. In period–colour space, the rotation period distribution moves towards shorter periods among low-mass (>M2) stars of age 3–6 Myr, compared with those at 1–3 Myr, with no periods longer than 10 d for stars later than M3.5. This could reflect a mass-dependence for the dispersal of circumstellar discs. Finally, we suggest that the turnover (from increasing to decreasing periods) in the period–colour distributions may occur at lower mass for the older-aged population: ∼K5 spectral type at 1–3 Myr shifting to ∼M1 at 3–6 Myr.
A prescription for the asteroseismic surface correction
Authors: Li Yaguang , Bedding Timothy R , Stello Dennis , Huber Daniel , Hon Marc , Joyce Meridith , Li Tanda , Perkins Jean , White Timothy R , Zinn Joel C , Howard Andrew W , Isaacson Howard , Hey Daniel R , Kjeldsen Hans
Published: May 2023

In asteroseismology, the surface effect refers to a disparity between the observed and the modelled frequencies in stars with solar-like oscillations. It originates from improper modelling of the surface layers. Correcting the surface effect usually requires using functions with free parameters, which are conventionally fitted to the observed frequencies. On the basis that the correction should vary smoothly across the H–R diagram, we parameterize it as a simple function of surface gravity, effective temperature, and metallicity. We determine this function by fitting a wide range of stars. The absolute amount of the surface correction decreases with luminosity, but the ratio between it and νmax increases, suggesting the surface effect is more important for red giants than dwarfs. Applying the prescription can eliminate unrealistic surface correction, which improves parameter estimations with stellar modelling. Using two open clusters, we found a reduction of scatter in the model-derived ages for each star in the same cluster. As an important application, we provide a new revision for the Δν scaling relation that, for the first time, accounts for the surface correction. The values of the correction factor, fΔν, are up to 2 per cent smaller than those determined without the surface effect considered, suggesting decreases of up to 4 per cent in radii and up to 8 per cent in masses when using the asteroseismic scaling relations. This revision brings the asteroseismic properties into an agreement with those determined from eclipsing binaries. The new correction factor and the stellar models with the corrected frequencies are available at https://www.github.com/parallelpro/surface.
Testing AGN outflow and accretion models with C iv and He ii emission line demographics in z ≈ 2 quasars
Authors: Temple Matthew J , Matthews James H , Hewett Paul C , Rankine Amy L , Richards Gordon T , Banerji Manda , Ferland Gary J , Knigge Christian , Stepney Matthew
Published: May 2023

Using ≈190 000 spectra from the 17th data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), we investigate the ultraviolet emission line properties in z ≈ 2 quasars. Specifically, we quantify how the shape of C iv λ1549 and the equivalent width (EW) of He ii λ1640 depend on the black hole mass and Eddington ratio inferred from Mg ii λ2800. Above L/LEdd ≳ 0.2, there is a strong mass dependence in both C iv blueshift and He ii EW. Large C iv blueshifts are observed only in regions with both high mass and high accretion rate. Including X-ray measurements for a subsample of 5000 objects, we interpret our observations in the context of AGN accretion and outflow mechanisms. The observed trends in He ii and 2 keV strength are broadly consistent with theoretical qsosed models of AGN spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for low spin black holes, where the ionizing SED depends on the accretion disc temperature and the strength of the soft excess. High spin models are not consistent with observations, suggesting SDSS quasars at z ≈ 2 may in general have low spins. We find a dramatic switch in behaviour at L/LEdd ≲ 0.1: the ultraviolet emission properties show much weaker trends, and no longer agree with qsosed predictions, hinting at changes in the structure of the broad line region. Overall, the observed emission line trends are generally consistent with predictions for radiation line driving where quasar outflows are governed by the SED, which itself results from the accretion flow and hence depends on both the SMBH mass and accretion rate.
Mergers of neutron stars and black holes with cores of giant stars: a population synthesis study
Authors: Grichener Aldana
Published: May 2023

We perform population synthesis of massive binaries to study the mergers of neutron stars (NSs) and black holes (BHs) with the cores of their giant secondaries during common envelope evolution (CEE). We use different values of the efficiency parameter αCE in the framework of the energy formalism for traditional CEE (αCE ≤ 1) and including additional energy sources to unbind the envelope (αCE > 1). We constrain the possible values of αCE by comparing the results of our simulations with local rate densities of binary compact object mergers as inferred from gravitational-wave observations. We find two main evolutionary pathways of binary systems that result in NS–core mergers, while only one of them can also lead to the merger of a BH with the core of the giant star. We explore the zero-age main-sequence statistical properties of systems that result in NS/BH–core mergers and find that the two evolutionary channels correspond to a bimodal distribution of orbital separations. We estimate the percentage of the mergers’ event rates relative to core-collapse supernovae. We include the effect of mass accreted by the NS/BH during CEE in a separate set of simulations and find that it does not affect the mergers’ event rates.
Sunspot positions from observations by Flaugergues in the Dalton Minimum
Authors: Illarionov Egor , Arlt Rainer
Published: May 2023

French astronomer Honoré Flaugergues compiled astronomical observations in a series of handwritten notebooks for 1782–1830, which are preserved at Paris Observatory. We reviewed these manuscripts and encoded the records that contain sunspot measurements into a numerical table for further analysis. All measurements are timings, and we found three types of measurements, allowing the reconstruction of heliographic coordinates. In the first case, the Sun and sunspots cross vertical and horizontal wires; in the second case, one vertical and two mirror-symmetric oblique wires; and in the third case, a rhombus-shaped set of wires. Additionally, timings of two solar eclipses also provided a few sunspot coordinates. As a result, we present the time–latitude (butterfly) diagram of the reconstructed sunspot coordinates, which covers the period of the Dalton Minimum and confirms consistency with those of Derfflinger and Prantner. We identify four solar cycles in this diagram and discuss the observed peculiarities as well as the data reliability.
Metasurfaces for next-generation wireless communication systems
Authors: Ra’di Younes , Nefedkin Nikita , Popovski Petar , Alù Andrea
Published: May 2023

Tailored time variations, nonlinearities and active elements can endow metasurfaces with unique opportunities for next-generation wireless communication systems, enriching the growing platform of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces.