bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A-T Flap for Reconstruction of Nasal Dorsum Skin Defects
Authors: Deutsch Peter , Limbrick Jack , Anari Shahram 
Published: November 2023

AbstractReconstruction of nasal defects can be challenging, especially when encountering larger defects. We describe the use of a single-stage conversion of an ‘A’ shaped defect to a ‘T’ shaped scar of large nasal skin defects in the cosmetically sensitive supra-tip and supra-alar regions. This study aimed to determine whether an A-T flap is a suitable option for nasal reconstruction and if so where and what size defects it can be used for. Retrospective case series review over an 8-year period (2011–2019) in a tertiary referral center in the United Kingdom. Case analysis was undertaken in 2020 including all patients who underwent A-T reconstruction of nasal defects. A review of histology, case notes, and clinical photography was undertaken. A total of 27 patients were identified—13 (48%) female and 14 (52%) male. The median age was 73 years (range 31–90 years). Defect locations were supra-tip (48%) and supra-alar (52%). The largest defect closed was 895 mm2 (30 × 38 mm). Range 35 to 895 mm2 (median 264 mm2). No patient required revision or corrective procedures. No functional impairment was identified. Patient and clinician reported aesthetic outcomes as good in all cases. No reports of this technique could be identified in the literature. The A-T flap is a viable option for supra-tip and supra-alar skin defects (up to 895 mm2 in our series). It aligns well with the basic principles of nasal reconstruction. The flap can be performed under local anesthesia in one stage, resulting in good functional and aesthetic outcomes and so can be considered a valuable tool for the nasal reconstructive surgeon.
Perioperative Histologically Controlled Fistula Resection in Patients with Imperforate Anus and Perineal Fistula
Authors: Skaba Richard , Dotlacil Vojtech , Fuccillo Pavla , Rouskova Blanka , Pos Lucie , Rygl Michal 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Introduction Postoperative constipation (PC) in patients with imperforate anus and perineal fistula (PF) has been reported in up to 60%. Histological studies of PF revealed innervation anomalies which seem to be one of the reasons for PC. Perioperative histologically controlled fistula resection (PHCFR) allows appropriate resection of PF and pull-down normoganglionic rectum at the time of posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP).
Materials and Methods A total of 665 patients with anorectal malformations underwent surgery between 1991 and 2021. Of these, 364 presented PF; 92 out of them (41 F) were studied. Patients with sacral and spinal cord anomalies, neurological disorders, and cut-back anoplasty were excluded. PSARP was done on all patients. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and NADH Tetrazolium-reductase histochemical method were used. Four and more ganglion cells in the myenteric plexus represented a sufficient length of the resection. The continence was scored according to the modified Krickenbeck scoring system. Final scores ranged from 1 to 7 points. Values are given as median.
Results A total of 65 (70.7%) patients presented an aganglionic segment in PF, and 27 patients presented hypoganglionosis. The median length of the resected fistula was 25 mm (interquartile range [IQR]: 20–30). The median total continence score was 7 (IQR: 6–7). Post-op constipation was observed in 6/92 (6.5%) patients.
Conclusion PHCFR diminished PC to 6.5% of patients.
Papaya Mealybug in Kenya: Identification, Management, and Future Outlook
Authors: Makale Fernadis , Kansiime Monica K. , Rwomushana Ivan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Papaya mealybug,
Paracoccus marginatus
is the most important and damaging insect pest species attacking papaya in Kenya. In addition, it feeds on various crops, fruits, and ornamental plants, most of which are of high economic value in Kenya’s agricultural sector such as chilli pepper, mango, citrus, cassava, avocado, and coffee. The mealybugs cause damage by inserting their stylets into fruits, leaves, and stems, directly feeding on the plant’s vascular system and depleting the sap. Consequently, this leads to chlorosis, plant stunting, leaf deformation, and, if left uncontrolled, leads to eventual plant death. The control of papaya mealybug on Kenyan farms has primarily depended on the application of chemical pesticides and the implementation of cultural practices, but the effectiveness of these methods has been widely reported as inadequate and burdensome. Biological control using a parasitoid
Acerophagus papayae
offers an alternative and sustainable option for the management of papaya mealybug and simultaneously safeguards the native biodiversity threatened by excessive pesticide use. This case study provides insights into the identification, distribution, impacts, and existing management strategies of papaya mealybug in Kenya. Additionally, it emphasizes ongoing and future research endeavours aimed at enhancing papaya mealybug management techniques.

Information
© The Authors 2023
The improved variational nonlinear chirplet mode decomposition via local maximum synchrosqueezing transform and recursive mode extracting scheme for robust estimation of nonlinear chirplet modes and application to fault detection of rotary machine
Authors: You Guang-Hui , Lv Yong , Ma Yubo , Yi Can-Can , Zhang Yi 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
As an advanced time-frequency (TF) decomposition (TFD) method, variational nonlinear chirplet mode decomposition (VNCMD) decomposes the original signal into a series of nonlinear chirplet modes (NCMs), such that the inherent characteristic information contained in the signal can be revealed effectively. However, the decomposition ability of VNCMD is largely affected by the prior instantaneous frequency (IF) and the pre-set parameters. In practical engineering applications, the presence of noise and interference components often complicates the accurate determination of prior IFs and appropriate decomposition parameters. Considering the above issues, in order to precisely extract the NCMs and realize the effective analysis of mechanical vibration signals, this paper mainly focuses on the drawbacks of accurate prior IF and the decomposition parameters of VNCMD, and proposed an improved version via local maximum synchrosqueezing transform and a recursive mode extracting scheme. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated through simulation cases, and the results demonstrate its effectiveness. Finally, the proposed method is successfully applied to bearing data analysis and rub-impact fault detection.
Research on the examination technology of connector pin skewing according to Blob analysis*
Authors: Pan Ruizhi , Li Chao , Hu Bo , Liu Yumei 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPin skew detection is an important means to ensure the reliable operation of connectors. To address the issues of low accuracy and limited applicability in existing research, this paper proposes a connector pin skew detection method based on Blob analysis. Firstly, the image is segmented by incorporating the dimensional features of the tested connector to retain the effective information region in the image, reducing the computational workload for subsequent image processing. The image is preprocessed using an improved median filtering algorithm to effectively mitigate the interference of noise on the detection process. Secondly, a locally adaptive approach is employed to dynamically adjust the threshold, and morphological processing is applied to the pin image to enhance the pin speckle features. Subsequently, Blob analysis is utilized to analyze the connector pin speckles, obtaining data on the pin skew. Different evaluation criteria for pin skew data of various connectors are established to achieve quantitative assessment. Finally, experiments are conducted for pin skew detection of single-hole rectangular, double-hole rectangular, and single-hole circular connectors. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed connector pin skew detection method can effectively detect various types of pin skew in connectors, with a detection accuracy better than 0.05 mm and a repeatability better than 0.03 mm. This method is suitable for automatic detection scenarios of connector pin skew.
Polymerizable sol–gel synthesis of dark-visible light antibacterial magnetically-recoverable AgBr-loaded iron oxide/alumina nanocomposite
Authors: Panda Mousumi , Bose Ananya , Ganesan Ramakrishnan , Ray Dutta Jayati 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The demand for a facile approach for synthesizing multifunctional nanocomposites is increasingly vital across diverse applications. In this study, a polymerizable sol–gel synthesis has been reported to obtain nanocomposites of magnetic iron oxide deposited over alumina nanopowder. The synthesis is mediated by the deposition of a calculated amount of iron(III) methacrylate, along with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate crosslinker, over alumina nanopowder, followed by thermally-inducing free radical polymerization at 125 °C for 30 min. The powder thus obtained has been subjected to calcination at 400 °C for 150 min and the resultant nanocomposites were characterized using wide-angle x-ray scattering, attenuated total reflectance—Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet-diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurements. The nanocomposites containing 15 and 20 wt% of iron oxide have been found to exhibit a saturation magnetization (M
s) value ranging from 12 to 14 emu g−1. To the nanocomposite containing 20 wt% of iron oxide, 5 wt% of AgBr was loaded through thoroughly mixing a surfactant-based precursor, silver-tetraoctyl ammonium bromide (Ag-TOAB), followed by thermolysis. All the nanocomposites have been studied for their antibacterial activity against a representative gram-negative bacterium, Escherichia coli, under dark and visible light conditions. While a 3 mg ml−1 loading of the AgBr-loaded nanocomposite has exhibited complete clearance of the bacterial growth by 90 min in the dark, a similar activity has been observed in 60 min under light. The study has revealed the multifunctionality and high potential of the AgBr-loaded iron oxide/alumina nanocomposite as a promising dual-mode antibacterial and magnetically recoverable photocatalyst material.
Computer simulation of carbonization and graphitization of coal
Authors: Ugwumadu C , Olson III R , Smith N L , Nepal K , Al-Majali Y , Trembly J , Drabold D A 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This study describes computer simulations of carbonization and graphite formation, including the effects of hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. We introduce a novel technique to simulate carbonization, ‘Simulation of Thermal Emission of Atoms and Molecules (STEAM)’, designed to elucidate volatile outgassing and density variations in the intermediate material during carbonization. The investigation analyzes the functional groups that endure through high-temperature carbonization and examines the graphitization processes in carbon-rich materials containing non-carbon impurity elements. The physical, vibrational, and electronic attributes of impure amorphous graphite are analyzed, and the impact of nitrogen on electronic conduction is investigated.
Tunable Ga2O3 solar-blind photosensing performance via thermal reorder engineering and energy-band modulation
Authors: Xi Zhaoying , Yan Sihan , Liu Zeng , Yang Lili , Zhang Maolin , Guo Yufeng , Tang Weihua 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
As an ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor, gallium oxide (Ga2O3) has been extensively applied in solar-blind photodetectors (PDs) owing to the absorbance cut-off wavelength of shorter than 280 nm, and the optimized technologies of detection performance is seriously essential for its further usages. Herein, a feasible thermal reorder engineering method was performed through annealing Ga2O3 films in vacuum, O2 and oxygen plasma atmospheres, realizing to tune solar-blind photosensing performance of Ga2O3 PDs. Thermal treatment, in fact a crystal reorder process, significantly suppressed the noise in Ga2O3-based PDs and enhanced the photo-sensitivity, with the dark current decreasing from 154.63 pA to 269 fA and photo-to-dark current ratio magically raising from 288 to 2.85 × 104. This achievement is dependent of energy-band modulation in Ga2O3 semiconductor, that is certified by first-principles calculation. Additionally, annealing in oxygen atmospheres notably reduces the concentration of oxygen vacancies in the surface of films, thereby improving the performance of the PDs; the oxygen vacancy is extremely concerned in oxide semiconductors in the view of physics of surface defects. In all, this work could display a promising guidance for modulating the performance of PDs based on wide bandgap oxide semiconductor, especially for hot Ga2O3 issue.
Magnetic ac susceptibility of superconducting Ta films for quantum computing
Authors: Yao Juntao , Zhou Chenyu , Lozano Pedro Mercado , Paone Sarah , Liu Mingzhao , Li Qiang 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Recently, breakthroughs were reported in the long coherence time (>0.5 ms) transmon qubit using tantalum films (Ta). Identifying the loss mechanism in Ta films will help further improve the performance of Ta-based superconducting qubits. Here, we report a study of superconducting properties in two sets of Ta films grown on c-cut and a-cut sapphires respectively using contact transport and noncontact magnetic ac susceptibility measurements. Although the resistive transition appears to be similar in both films, we found strikingly different responses in their complex magnetic susceptibilities

χ

′

+
i
χ

′
′

.

χ

′
′

in the c-cut films exhibits a sharp peak at superconducting transition T
c and becomes featureless below T
c indicating a strongly coupled superconducting state. In contrast,

χ

′
′

in the a-cut films exhibits a broad peak near T
c and a second peak appears below T
c, indicating granular superconductivity behavior. This second peak in

χ

′
′

is associated with the hysteresis loss at weak-link-type grain boundaries, which is believed to be a leading source of decoherence in the a-cut Ta films. The derived magnetic loss tangent in the a-cut films is about one order of magnitude higher than in the c-cut films. This study demonstrates that ac susceptibility is an excellent probe for characterizing bulk superconducting properties of the constituent superconducting materials used in qubits.
A flux pump driven non-soldering closed-loop HTS magnet and its electromagnetic-thermal semi-analytical modelling method
Authors: Zhu Lingfeng , Wang Yinshun , Gao Hanzhi , Hu Chengyang , Liu Wei , Wang Jiawen , Sun Yudong 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
We propose a new flux pump driven non-soldering closed-loop (NSCL) high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet free of any soldering joints throughout the magnet for persistent current mode (PCM) operation. All the superconducting parts of the magnet are wound directly with HTS closed-loop ring split from an 8 mm REBCO tape using our new cutting scheme free of any soldering requirements. The magnet contains two single-pancake coils connected in series forming a closed circuit through two parallel bridge branches. Two thermal switches set on the two bridge branches control the on–off of the two bridges. A copper coil with iron core installed around one of the bridges is employed as the flux pump to drive the HTS magnet. An electromagnetic-thermal semi-analytical modelling method is proposed to analyse the pumping process by which the transport current in the magnet is calculated. The theoretical limit equation of the saturation current is improved as well. The proposed method can predict the current of the NSCL HTS magnet during the pumping process and provide results that are close to experiments. Experiments verify both the feasibility of the proposed flux pump driven NSCL HTS magnet and the modelling method. The results show that the NSCL HTS magnet works well in the PCM, which provides inspiration to the design of PCM operation of high field HTS magnets. The proposed modelling method also helps guide the design of different forms of HTS magnets and the flux pumps driving them.
A higher-order collocation method based on Haar wavelets for integro-differential equations with two-point integral condition
Authors: Ahsan Muhammad , Lei Weidong , Alwuthaynani Maher , Ahmad Masood , Nisar Muhammad 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
In this article, the higher-order Haar wavelet collocation method (HCMHW) is investigated to solve linear and nonlinear integro-differential equations (IDEs) with two types of conditions: simple initial condition and the point integral condition. We reproduce and compare the numerical results of the conventional Haar wavelet collocation method (CMHW) with those of HCMHW, demonstrating the superior performance of HCMHW across various conditions. Both methods effectively handle different types of given conditions. However, numerical results reveal that HCMHW exhibits a faster convergence rate than CMHW. To address nonlinear IDEs, we employ the quasi-linearization technique. The computational stability of both methods is evaluated through various experiments. Additionally, the article provides examples to illustrate the overall performance and accuracy of HCMHW compared to CMHW for both linear and nonlinear IDEs.
Specular gloss estimation by measuring the colorimetric data produced by a reflection measurement at 8° of incidence
Authors: Safi Mahdi , Ameri Farhad , Ansari Keivan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This paper presents an experimental investigation into the estimation of specular gloss from the colorimetric data. The 28 samples were selected from the Natural Color System (NCS) gloss scale, which had different combinations of lightness and gloss levels. The samples’ spectral reflectance and colorimetric data Y and L* were measured by a d:8° geometry reflectance spectrophotometer in both SCE (Specular Component Excluded) and SCI (Specular Component Included) modes. Additionally, the specular gloss of the samples at three common angles 20◦, 60◦, and 85◦ was measured using a gloss meter. The correlation and relationship between DYSCI-SCE and DL*SCI-SCE and the specular gloss values measured for the samples at different angles were evaluated and analyzed with linear and second-polynomial regression functions. The results were validated with a different set of data acquired from 32 random solid-coated samples. The results showed the best fitting was achieved at 60◦ of gloss measurement with a second-polynomial function. As the specular gloss of DY decreased, like in a matt sample, the estimation error of specular gloss increased with a large error of over 10%.
Characterization of a 5 mm thick CZT-Timepix3 pixel detector for energy-dispersive γ-ray and particle tracking
Authors: Smolyanskiy P , Bergmann B , Burian P , Cherlin A , Jelínek J , Maneuski D , Pospíšil S , O’Shea V 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The present manuscript describes a comprehensive characterization of a novel highly segmented 5 mm CZT sensor attached to Timepix3. First, the sensor’s IV curve was measured and basic sensor characterization was done with laboratory γ-radiation sources. The sensor resistivity was determined to be (0.155± 0.02) GOhm · cm. The sensor showed decent homogeneity, both for the per-pixel count rate and electron mobility-lifetime product μ
e
τ
e. The latter was measured to be

μ

e

τ

e

¯

= 1.3 × 10−3 cm2/V with a standard deviation σ = 0.4 × 10−3 cm2/V describing the dispersion of values for different pixels. The basic sensor characterization is complemented by measurements at grazing angle in a 120 GeV/c at the CERN’s Super Proton Synchrotron. The penetrating nature of these particles together with the pixelation of the sensor allows for a determination of the charge collection efficiency (CCE), as well as charge carrier drift properties (drift times, lateral charge cloud expansion) as a function of the interaction depths in the sensor. While CCE drops by 30%–40% towards the cathode side of the sensor, from the drift time dependency on interaction depth, the electron mobility μ
e was extracted to be (944.8 ± 1.3) cm2/V/s and τ
e = (1.38 ± 0.31) μs. The spectroscopic performance was assessed in photon fields and extracted from energy loss spectra measured at different angles in the pion beam. While at photon energies below 120 keV incomplete charge collection leads to an underestimation of the photon energy when irradiated from the front-side, at higher energies the relative energy resolution was found to be ∼4.5%, while a relative energy resolution of ∼7.5% was found for the particle energy loss spectra. It is shown that the drift time information can be used to reconstruct particle interactions in the sensor in 3D, providing a spatial resolution of σ
xyz = 241 μm within the sensor volume and a particle trajectory measurement precision Δxyz = 100 μm, at a distance of 1 m from the sensor. We demonstrate by measurement with a 22Na source, that the energy resolution combined with the 3D reconstruction allows for detection of γ-ray source location and polarity using Compton scattering within the sensor (Compton camera and scatter polarimeter).
Stable bulk nanobubbles can be regarded as gaseous analogues of microemulsions
Authors: Chen Changsheng , Zhang Hongguang , Zhang Xianren 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
In our previous work [2022 Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 24 9685], we used molecular dynamics simulations to show that bulk nanobubbles can be stabilized by forming a compressed amphiphile monolayer at bubble interfaces. This observation closely matches the origin of stability of microemulsions and inspired us to propose here that, in certain cases, stable bulk nanobubbles can be regarded as gaseous analogues of microemulsions: the nanobubble phase and the bubble-containing solution phase coexist with the external gas phase. This three-phase coexistence is then validated by molecular dynamics simulations. The stability mechanism for bulk nanobubbles is thus given: the formation of a compressed amphiphilic monolayer because of microbubble shrinking leads to a vanishing surface tension, and consequently the curvature energy of the monolayer dominates the thermodynamic stability of bulk nanobubbles. With the monolayer model, we further interpret several strange behaviors of bulk nanobubbles: gas supersaturation is not a prerequisite for nanobubble stability because of the vanishing surface tension, and the typical nanobubble size of 100 nm can be explained through the small bending constant of the monolayer. Finally, through analyzing the compressed amphiphile monolayer model we propose that bulk nanobubbles can exist ubiquitously in aqueous solutions.