bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Measure of a Scar: Patient Perceptions and Scar Optimization after Skin Cancer Reconstruction
Authors: Drake Virginia E. , Moyer Jeffrey S. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn facial reconstruction after skin cancer resection, management and optimization of postoperative scar is a complex paradigm. Every scar is unique and presents a different challenge—whether due to anatomic, aesthetic, or patient-specific factors. This necessitates a comprehensive evaluation and an understanding of the tools at hand to improve its appearance. How a scar looks is meaningful to patients, and the facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon is tasked with its optimization. Clear documentation of a scar is critical to assess and determine optimal care. Scar scales such as the Vancouver Scar Scale, the Manchester Scar Scale, the Patient and Observer Assessment Scale, the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating “SCAR” Scale, and FACE-Q, among others, are reviewed here in the context of evaluating postoperative or traumatic scar. Measurement tools objectively describe a scar and may also incorporate the patient's assessment of their own scar. In addition to physical exam, these scales quantify scars that are symptomatic or visually unpleasant and would be best served by adjuvant treatment. The current literature regarding the role of postoperative laser treatment is also reviewed. While lasers are an excellent tool to assist in blending of scar and decreasing pigmentation, studies have failed to evaluate laser in a consistent, standardized way that allows for quantifiable and predictable improvement. Regardless, patients may derive benefit from laser treatment given the finding of subjective improvement in their own perception of scar, even when there is not a significant change to the clinician's eye. This article also discusses recent eye fixation studies which demonstrate the importance of careful repair of large and central defects of the face, and that patients value the quality of the reconstruction.
Investigating microplastic contamination and biomagnification in a remote area of South Australia
Authors: Ogunola Solomon O. , Reis-Santos Patrick , Wootton Nina , Gillanders Bronwyn M. 
Published: June 2023

Context Microplastics are widespread in aquatic ecosystems and are commonly recorded in water, sediment and a broad spectrum of marine biota. Yet, the extent to which organisms ingest microplastics directly or indirectly by trophic transfer is largely unknown. Aims This study characterises microplastic abundance across intertidal water, sediment, and marine biota species of different trophic levels, and investigates whether biomagnification occurs. Methods Water, sediment, molluscs, crustaceans and fish were sampled from a single area in southern Australia. Key results Microplastics were recorded in 35% of water, 45% of sediment and 39% of biota samples. Plastic load was 0.36 ± 0.08 microplastics g−1 DW for sediment, 0.50 ± 0.17 microplastics L−1 for water, and 0.70 ± 0.25 microplastics individual−1 for biota. Biomagnification was not found, although similarities in plastic characteristics across biota may imply trophic transfer. Most of the microplastics were fibres (97.5%) of blue, black and transparent colour. Spectral analysis (μ-FTIR) indicated that polyester (50%) and polyethylene (42.3%) dominated the polymer compositions. Conclusions There were no significant differences in microplastic contamination among biota species, with no biomagnification identified. Implications We provide information on biomagnification of microplastics alongside a still uncommon characterisation of contamination in water, sediment and biota.
Novel lead-free 2–1–2 composite: predicted high piezoelectric sensitivity and significant hydrostatic response
Authors: Topolov Vitaly Yu 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
A parallel-connected composite with 2–1–2 connectivity and two lead-free single-crystal (SC) components is proposed. Its high piezoelectric sensitivity is highlighted and its large hydrostatic parameters are described. The first type of composite layer represents a ferroelectric domain-engineered [001]-poled [Li, (K, Na)](Nb, Ta)O3 SC. In the second type of composite layer, piezoelectric Li2B4O7 SC rods in the form of an elliptic cylinder are regularly aligned in a large polymer matrix. The effective electromechanical properties of the composite were found in three stages, using the effective field and matrix methods that are applicable to piezoelectric media. A new orientation effect was studied, linked with rotations of SC rod bases in the polymer medium that forms the second type of layer. Since these rotations are in a Li2B4O7 SC with a unique elastic and piezoelectric anisotropy, the second type of layer exhibits a noticeable influence on the piezoelectric performance and hydrostatic response of the composite. A variation of the aspect ratio of the Li2B4O7 rod base becomes another important factor that can improve the hydrostatic parameters of the composite. Some effective parameters of related 2–1–2 composites were compared for different polymer components. Three diagrams were first constructed for the high-performance 2–1–2 [Li, (K, Na)](Nb, Ta)O3/Li2B4O7/polyethylene composite to show the ranges of rotation angles and volume fractions that correspond to the longitudinal piezoelectric voltage coefficient

g

33

∗

> 500 mV m N−1, hydrostatic piezoelectric coefficient

g
h
∗

> 200 mVm N−1 and hydrostatic figure of merit

d
h
∗

g
h
∗

>10−11 Pa−1. These effective parameters are important in piezoelectric sensors and hydroacoustic and other applications of novel lead-free composites.
Microstructure modeling and experimental verification of isotropic magnetorheological elastomers based on edge-centered cubic structure
Authors: Chen Bing , Zhao Zhijun , Peng Jiaqi , Qi Junde , Niu Zhiyang , Li Xuelian 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Aiming at the problem that the existing mechanism cannot accurately predict the shear properties of magnetorheological elastomers (MREs), in this research, a physical microscopic constitutive model of isotropic MREs based on an edge-centered cubic (ECC) lattice structure was constructed to accurately reflect the shear properties of isotropic MREs under quasi-static and dynamic shear modes and different magnetic fields. In order to reduce the error of the potential energy model in the modeling process, the accuracy of the MRE total potential energy theoretical model based on the ECC lattice structure was improved by transforming

γ
=
θ

to

γ
=
tan
θ

under finite strain, and the maximum improvement rate of the model accuracy was 6%. Then, in order to construct a microstructure-based dynamic model, the Langevin equation was constructed based on the ECC lattice, and an exact solvable model of the topological regular network was constructed by the Rouse chain. The relationship between the relaxation time, eigenvalue and magnetic flux density was revealed, and then the updated shear modulus was solved. Then, the modulus values of the prepared isotropic MRE samples at different frequencies and magnetic flux densities were compared with the theoretical model values, and the model failure phenomenon under dynamic high magnetic field, in which the theoretical results are inconsistent with the experimental results, was modified by the method of piecewise function and optimization parameters. The final results show that the correlation coefficient

R
2

between the experimental results and the theoretical results can reach 99%.
A dual paths magnetorheological damper with small field-off force and large dynamic range
Authors: Xing Xudong , Chen Zhaobo , Feng Zhongqiang , Yu Dong 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Magnetorheological (MR) dampers are widely used for vibration isolation and the dynamic range is a key index to evaluate its performance. According to the vibration isolation theory, it is essential for the damper to maximize the damping force in resonance region and minimize the damping force in high-frequency excitation. However, for single-path MR dampers, achieving the goals of low field-off force and large dynamic range has conflicting requirements on the structural parameters. In this research, a dual paths MR damper has been proposed to overcome this problem. The proposed MR damper has two coaxial paths and the magnetic field strength in each path can be controlled separately. According to the flow state of the MR fluid, the working modes of the proposed MR damper are divided into three kinds and the corresponding mathematical models are driven. Based on the mathematical models, the effect of structural parameters on the dynamic range, maximum and minimum damping force is investigated. It is concluded that increasing the piston rod radius and piston length is an effective method to expand the dynamic range while maintain a small field-off damping force. The experimental results show that the proposed MR damper working mode can be controlled by the applied currents, the minimum force is obtained in the dual paths flow state while the maximum force is obtained in the inner path flow state. In particular, the dynamic range of the proposed MR damper is significantly improved to 93.3 and the filed-off damping force remains small compared to the previously reported MR damper.
Pseudo random number generator based on vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers under current modulation embedded in microcontroller
Authors: Balaraman Sundarambal , Kuate Paul Didier Kamdem , Alhadji Abba Oumate , Rajagopal Karthikeyan 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
This paper explores the dynamics, microcontroller validation of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) under current modulation (CM) and employs it to model a process of pseudo-random number generator (PRNG). Solitary VCSEL has three equilibrium points whose stabilities depend on the direct current density. VCSEL under CM (VCSELCM) experiences antimonotonicity, chaotic bubble attractor as well as chaotic attractor. A microcontroller implementation of VCSELCM is used to establish the dynamical behaviors spotted in VCSELCM during the numerical simulations. Lastly, the chaotic characteristics depicted by the VCSELCM are used to design a process of PRNG. The generated random bits are validated successfully by a standard statistical tool set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST-800–22).
Realizing efficient THz circular dichroism using ultra-thin chiral metasurface
Authors: Qureshi Ubaid Ur Rahman , Khan M Ismail , Hu Bin 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Circular dichroism is characterized by distinct optical responses for left-handed and right-handed circularly polarized waves widely used for biological monitoring, analytical chemistry, and plasmonic sensing. This work proposes a chiral metasurface composed of a Mushroom-shaped (MS) pattern to achieve circular dichroism in reflection mode at THz frequencies. The maximum achieved absorption efficiency is 98.49% for the left-handed circularly polarized (LCP) incident wave. In comparison, the right-handed circularly polarized (RCP) incident wave is 7.39% at the resonant frequency of 12.4 THz. This high absorption results in remarkable circular dichroism (CD) of 91. 10%. Moreover, a stable response has been observed with the variation of incident angles from 0° to 30°. Meanwhile, power loss distribution, current distribution, and retrieved effective physical parameters have been used in analyzing the absorption mechanism. The high polarization selective absorption efficiency, angular stability, and compact size qualify the proposed design for a diverse range of THz applications.
Noise and fluctuations in nanoscale gas flow
Authors: Dastoor Jehan , Willerton Dawson M , Reisner Walter , Gervais Guillaume 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
We theoretically calculate the fundamental noise that is present in gaseous (dilute fluid) flow in channels in the classical and degenerate quantum regime, where the Fermi–Dirac and Bose–Einstein distribution must be considered. Results for both regimes are analogous to their electrical counterparts. The quantum noise is calculated for a two terminal system and is a complicated function of the thermal and shot noise with the thermal noise dominating when 2k

B

T
ρ ≫ mΔP and vice versa. The cumulant generating function for mass flow, which generates all the higher order statistics related to our mass flow distribution, is also derived and is used to find an expression for the third cumulant of flow across a fluidic channel.
Performance and systematic uncertainties of CTA-North in conditions of reduced atmospheric transmission
Authors: Pecimotika Mario , Dominis Prester Dijana , Hrupec Dario , Mićanović Saša , Pavletić Lovro , Sitarek Julian 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is the next-generation stereoscopic system of Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs). In IACTs, the atmosphere is used as a calorimeter to measure the energy of extensive air showers induced by cosmic gamma rays, which brings along a series of constraints on the precision to which energy can be reconstructed. The presence of clouds during observations can severely affect Cherenkov light yield, contributing to the systematic uncertainty in energy scale calibration. To minimize these systematic uncertainties, a calibration of telescopes is of great importance. For this purpose, the influence of cloud transmission and altitude on CTA-N performance degradation was investigated using detailed Monte Carlo simulations for the case where no action is taken to correct for the effects of clouds. Variations of instrument response functions in the presence of clouds are presented. In the presence of clouds with low transmission (≤ 80%) the energy resolution is aggravated by 30% at energies below 1 TeV, and by 10% at higher energies. For higher transmissions, the energy resolution is worse by less than 10% in the whole energy range. The angular resolution varies up to 10% depending both on the transmission and altitude of the cloud. The sensitivity of the array is most severely reduced at lower energies, even by 60% at 40 GeV, depending on the clouds' properties. A simple semi-analytical model of sensitivity degradation has been introduced to summarize the influence of clouds on sensitivity and provide useful scaling relations.
Observational insights into the accelerating universe through reconstruction of the deceleration parameter
Authors: Naik Devaraja Mallesha , Kavya N. S. , Venkatesha V. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Recent developments in the exploration of the universe suggest that it is in an accelerated phase of expansion. Accordingly, our study aims to probe the current scenario of the universe with the aid of the reconstruction technique. The primary factor that describes cosmic evolution is the deceleration parameter. Here, we provide a physically plausible, newly defined model-independent parametric form of the deceleration parameter. Further, we constrain the free parameters through statistical MCMC analysis for different datasets, including the most recent Pantheon+. With the statistically obtained results, we analyze the dynamics of the model through the phase transition, EoS parameter, and energy conditions. Also, we make use of the tool Om diagnostic to test our model.
Bump deposition techniques for hybrid X-ray detectors
Authors: Schneider Andreas , Ghorbanian Navid , Osborn Jack , Cross Simon P. , Lipp John D. , French Marcus J. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Flip-chip bonding is a common method for joining application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) to pixel sensors in order to build hybrid radiation detectors for X-rays and gamma-rays. STFC-RAL is using two methods for the interconnects between ASIC and sensor pixels. These are either indium bumps which are deposited on ASIC and sensor prior to bonding or alternatively electrically conductive adhesive dots are printed on the sensor pixel array and flip-chip bonded to gold studs attached to each pixel of the ASIC. Conventionally the indium deposition is carried out on wafer-scale using a photolithographic lift-off process. Sensor and ASIC with indium bumps are singulated from wafers afterwards. Some sensor material (e.g. CdZnTe) which is required for high-energy and high-flux X-ray detectors at X-ray Free Electron Lasers (XFEL) or in other scientific experiments is only available as individual die instead of wafers. The stencil printing of conductive epoxy dots onto those sensor dies together with gold ball studding of ASICs is a suitable method for those dies. However, due to the size of printed epoxy dots this method has a limited pixel pitch and is currently only used for sensors with 250 μm-pitch or for larger pitch. A novel method for indium deposition was developed for such dies. A shadow mask with small apertures is optically aligned to the pixel array and mechanically clamped to the sensor die. After indium evaporation onto this assembly and after removal of the mask, indium bumps as small as 50 μm with a height of ∼ 5 μm are deposit onto the pixel array of the sensor. The same is done for a matching ASIC. A comparison of these two methods indicates that indium bumps created by the shadow mask technique are approx. half the size of the epoxy dots and comparable with gold studs. Using this method, at present a pitch of 100 μm for those indium bumps can be achieved and development for further improvement towards smaller pitch is carried out currently. This novel indium deposition method is compared with the conventional wafer-scale indium lift-off method and the epoxy/gold stud flip-chip bonding in terms of interconnect quality, bond yield, and suitability for hybrid radiation detectors.
Stellar representation of extremal Wigner-negative spin states
Authors: Davis Jack , Hennigar Robie A , Mann Robert B , Ghose Shohini 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
The Majorana stellar representation is used to characterize spin states that have a maximally negative Wigner quasiprobability distribution on a spherical phase space. These maximally Wigner-negative spin states generally exhibit a partial but not high degree of symmetry within their star configurations. In particular, for spin j > 2, maximal constellations do not correspond to a Platonic solid when available and do not follow an obvious geometric pattern as dimension increases. In addition, they are generally different from spin states that maximize other measures of nonclassicality such as anticoherence or geometric entanglement. Random states display on average a relatively high amount of negativity, but the extremal states and those with similar negativity are statistically rare in Hilbert space. We also prove that all spin coherent states of arbitrary dimension have non-zero Wigner negativity. This offers evidence that all pure spin states also have non-zero Wigner negativity. The results can be applied to qubit ensembles exhibiting permutation invariance.
Radiographic testing of 3D-printed thermoplastics using Am-241 as a gamma-ray source
Authors: Alaqab Ali , Siddig Mohammed , Banoqitah Essam , Saleh Muneer Aziz , Damoom Mohammed M , Alhawsawi Abdulsalam M , Al-Hada Naif Mohammed , Alharbi W R , Saeed Abdu 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe industrial production of 3D printing is known as additive manufacturing (AM), in which a computer controls the process of producing 3D objects. Although x-ray computed radiography (XCT) is extensively used in the quality control and testing of additive manufacturing products, the gamma-ray radiography capabilities for these applications still need to be investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of gamma-ray radiography using americium-241 (Am-241) as the gamma source. Here, we inspected fused deposition three-dimensional (3D) modeling products produced from polylactic acid (PLA) as thermoplastic samples. Radiographic testing of 3D-printed thermoplastic samples was performed using Monte Carlo simulations and validated by experimental studies. We used Am-241 (gamma-ray source) to conduct simulations and experiments investigations; two simulations were used: one by using 59.6 keV energy of gamma-ray and the other using all gamma-ray energies, including 16.96 keV, 26.3446 keV% 2.31 up to 662.40 keV. Also, we performed the x-ray radiography test to be used as a standard. The results showed that the defect detectability in the 3D-printed PLA samples using Am-241 as a gamma-ray source is comparable to that of x-ray results. This study concluded that the Am-241 could be used as the gamma-ray source to perform the radiography test for the products produced by 3D-printed thermoplastics.
Using copies can improve precision in continuous-time quantum computing
Authors: Bennett Jemma , Callison Adam , O’Leary Tom , West Mia , Chancellor Nicholas , Kendon Viv 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
In the quantum optimisation setting, we build on a scheme introduced by Young et al (2013 Phys. Rev. A 88 062314), where physical qubits in multiple copies of a problem encoded into an Ising spin Hamiltonian are linked together to increase the logical system’s robustness to error. We introduce several innovations that improve the error suppression of this scheme under a special model of control noise, designed to understand how limited precision could be overcome. First, we note that only one copy needs to be correct by the end of the computation, since solution quality can be checked efficiently. Second, we find that ferromagnetic links do not generally help in this ‘one correct copy’ setting, but anti-ferromagnetic links do help on average, by suppressing the chance of the same error being present on all of the copies. Third, we find that minimum-strength anti-ferromagnetic links perform best, by counteracting the spin-flips induced by the errors. We have numerically tested our innovations on small instances of spin glasses from Callison et al (2019 New J. Phys.
21 123022), and we find improved error tolerance for three or more copies in configurations that include frustration. Interpreted as an effective precision increase, we obtain several extra bits of precision on average for three copies connected in a triangle. This provides proof-of-concept of a method for scaling quantum annealing beyond the precision limits of hardware, a step towards fault tolerance in this setting.