bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Doping of carbon nanotubes by halogenated solvents
Authors: Taborowska Patrycja , Stando Grzegorz , Sahlman Mika , Krzywiecki Maciej , Lundström Mari , Janas Dawid 
Published: April 2022

AbstractCarbon nanotubes (CNTs) play a unique role in the area of flexible conductors as they have remarkably high electrical conductivity and bend easily without deformation. Consequently, CNTs are commonly deposited on substrates as conductive tracks/coatings. Halogenated solvents are often employed to facilitate the deposition process because they dry rapidly due to their high volatility. In this work, we report that halogenated solvents can dope CNTs considerably. The study showed that the use of dichloromethane, chloroform, or bromoform for the CNT deposition significantly impacts the chemical potential of the material, thereby modifying its charge transport characteristics. As a consequence, up to four-fold improvement in electrical conductivity is noted due to doping.
Modified lateral pressure formula of shallow and circular silo considering the elasticities of silo wall and storage materials
Authors: Xu Zhijun , Liang Pengfei 
Published: April 2022

AbstractFor the shallow and circular silo (SCS), when the aspect ratio is between 1.0 and 1.5, the lateral pressure especially dynamic pressure may cause destruction if the size of the silo is large. This paper proposed a modified calculation method of lateral pressure on the silo wall of SCS, considering the elasticities of silo wall and storage materials. The availability of shallow silo and deep silo methods, and the modified method were compared with the experiment and simulation. The results show that the Rankine’s formula is too conservative for the static lateral pressure, and the results of the modified method and Janssen formula are close to that of the experimental and simulation. For the dynamic lateral pressure calculation, Rankine theory is unsafe for the discharging load. The relative error of the dynamic lateral pressure based on Janssen theory is between 20 and 30%, which is too large. The dynamic lateral pressure calculated by the modified method is in good agreement with that of the experimental and simulation, and the relative error is less than 10%. Therefore, the modified method of lateral pressure formula is reasonable, which can provide guidance for the safety design of silo structure.
Effects of conservation tillage strategies on soil physicochemical indicators and N2O emission under spring wheat monocropping system conditions
Authors: Yuan Jianyu , Yan Lijuan , Li Guang , Sadiq Mahran , Rahim Nasir , Wu Jiangqi , Ma Weiwei , Xu Guorong , Du Mengyin 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAs one of the important greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide (N2O) has attracted much attention globally under climate change context. Agricultural practices are the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, scarcity of literature is available on the effects of different tillage measures on soil N2O emission under spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) ecosystem in the semi-arid area of the Loess Plateau. The main objective of the experimental study was to explore the influence of conservation tillage techniques on soil physicochemical properties, nitrous oxide emission and yield in the Northern semi-arid Dingxi region of China. Four treatments viz., conventional tillage (CT), no tillage (NT), straw mulch with conventional tillage (TS) and stubble-return with no-till (NTS) were evaluated under randomized complete block design with three replications. Our results depicted that compared with conventional tillage, bulk density and water content of topsoil was increased and soil pH value was reduced under conservation tillage techniques. Conservation tillage NT, TS and NTS increased organic carbon, TN, MBN and NH4+-N and reduced the accumulation of NO3–N. Additionally, although the N2O emission under NT, TS and NTS was 8.95, 41.90 and 21.05% respectively higher than under T treatment, the corresponding wheat yield was 15.40, 31.97 and 63.21% higher than T treatment. Moreover, correlation analysis showed that soil moisture and temperature were the most significant factors affecting soil N2O emission. The NTS treatment pointedly increased crop yield without significantly increasing soil N2O emission. Consequently, based on economic and environmental benefits and considering N2O emission and crop yield, we suggest that NTS technique is the best conservation tillage strategy in the semi-arid environmental zone of the Loess Plateau of Dingxi China.
Detection and genetic diversity of Bartonella species in small mammals from the central region of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China
Authors: Yu Juan , Li Qingduo , Lu Liang , Li Shoujiang , Song Xiuping , Li Dongmei , Rao Huaxiang 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Bartonella infections in small mammals from the central region of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Toward this, small mammals were captured using snap traps in Yushu City and Nangqian County, West China, and the spleen tissue was used for Bartonella culture. The suspected positive colonies were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and by sequencing the citrate synthase (gltA) gene. We discovered that 31 out of the 103 small mammals tested positive for Bartonella, with an infection rate of 30.10%. Sex differences between the mammals did not result in a significant difference in infection rate (χ2 = 0.018, P = 0.892). However, there was a significant difference in infection rates in different small mammals (Fisher’s exact probability method, P = 0.017) and habitats (χ2 = 7.157, P = 0.028). Additionally, 31 Bartonella strains belonging to three species were identified, including B. grahamii (25), B. japonica (4) and B. heixiaziensis (2), among which B. grahamii was the dominant epidemic strain (accounting for 80.65%). Phylogenetic analyses showed that most of the B. grahamii isolates identified in this study may be closely related to the strains isolated from Japan and China. Genetic diversity analyses revealed that B. grahamii strains had high genetic diversity, which showed a certain host and geographical specificity. The results of Tajima’s test suggested that the B. grahamii followed the progressions simulated by a neutral evolutionary model in the process of evolution. Overall, a high prevalence and genetic diversity of Bartonella infection were observed in small mammals in the central region of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. B. grahamii as the dominant epidemic strain may cause diseases in humans, and the corresponding prevention and control measures should be taken into consideration in this area.
Incorporating local ancestry improves identification of ancestry-associated methylation signatures and meQTLs in African Americans
Authors: Li Boyang , Aouizerat Bradley E. , Cheng Youshu , Anastos Kathryn , Justice Amy C. , Zhao Hongyu , Xu Ke 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHere we report three epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of DNA methylation on self-reported race, global genetic ancestry, and local genetic ancestry in admixed Americans from three sets of samples, including internal and external replications (Ntotal = 1224). Our EWAS on local ancestry (LA) identified the largest number of ancestry-associated DNA methylation sites and also featured the highest replication rate. Furthermore, by incorporating ancestry origins of genetic variations, we identified 36 methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTL) clumps for LA-associated CpGs that cannot be captured by a model that assumes identical genetic effects across ancestry origins. Lead SNPs at 152 meQTL clumps had significantly different genetic effects in the context of an African or European ancestry background. Local ancestry information enables superior capture of ancestry-associated methylation signatures and identification of ancestry-specific genetic effects on DNA methylation. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating local ancestry for EWAS in admixed samples from multi-ancestry cohorts.
Combinatorial optimization with photonics-inspired clock models
Authors: Honari-Latifpour Mostafa , Mills Matthew S. , Miri Mohammad-Ali 
Published: April 2022

AbstractNP-hard combinatorial optimization problems are in general hard problems that their computational complexity grows faster than polynomial scaling with the size of the problem. Thus, over the years there has been a great interest in developing unconventional methods and algorithms for solving such problems. Here, inspired by the nonlinear optical process of q-photon down-conversion, in which a photon is converted into q degenerate lower energy photons, we introduce a nonlinear dynamical model that builds on coupled single-variable phase oscillators and allows for efficiently approximating the ground state of the classical q-state planar Potts Hamiltonian. This reduces the exhaustive search in the large discrete solution space of a large class of combinatorial problems that are represented by the Potts Hamiltonian to solving a system of coupled dynamical equations. To reduce the problem of trapping into local minima, we introduce two different mechanisms by utilizing controlled chaotic dynamics and by dynamical formation of the cost function through adiabatic parameter tuning. The proposed algorithm is applied to graph-q-partitioning problems on several complex graphs.
Robust decentralized control of interval DC linked hybrid microgrids network
Authors: Nabi Behrouz , Seyedtabaii Saeid 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHere, a robust sparse decentralized controller (RSDC) for uncertain DC‐linked hybrid microgrids is designed. The robustness against load/generation uncertainty is guaranteed using Kharitonov's stability criteria and sparsity is promoted by appending an l1 term to the typical Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR). To improve the convergence rate, the differentiable term of the composite cost function is second order approximated, the coordinate descent technique is adopted, and the “active set” idea which limits the search to the effective regions is employed. In addition, the level of sparsity is automatically and optimally adjusted not to compromise the system's stability and robustness. The algorithm is applied to a 69‐bus (consist of 7 hybrid microgrid) distribution system and the controller sparsity percentage, design convergence rate, and performances are compared with the H2 and H∞ designs. The results indicate that the proposed method is superior to the others in all aspects, which are presented by the numerical indices, the time‐domain transient responses, and the closed‐loop poles map.
Lion swarm optimisation‐based tuning method for generalised predictive fractional‐order PI to control the speed of brushless direct current motor
Authors: Wang Tingting , Wang Hongzhi , Hu Huangshui , Qing Jinhui , Wang Chuhang 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn order to enhance the speed tracking performance of brushless direct current motor (BLDCM), a new generalised predictive fractional‐order PI (GPFOPI) control algorithm ground on lion swarm optimisation (LSO‐GPFOPI) is proposed in this paper. First, GPFOPI combines robust generalised predictive control with scalable fractional‐order PI, whose optimal control law is obtained through the model parameters and the predicted speed reference values. Next, the lion swarm algorithm is utilised to optimally tune the three parameters of GPFOPI, so as to make them be optimised. Finally, the optimal control signal is input into the system of BLDCM to control its speed. To verify the effectiveness of LSO‐GPFOPI, its performance is compared with other algorithms. The results show that LSO‐GPFOPI has better response speed, speed tracking ability, anti‐interference ability, robustness, and self‐adaptability than other algorithms. Moreover, an experimental platform of the BLDCM drive system is built to verify the feasibility of the LSO‐GPOPI algorithm, and the test results prove that LSO‐GPOPI can guarantee the smooth and accurate operation of BLDCM.
Supervised dual tight frame learning with deep thresholding network for phase retrieval
Authors: Shi Baoshun , Lian Qiusheng , Su Yueming 
Published: April 2022

AbstractData‐driven tight frames are popular for solving imaging inverse problems. However, the imaging quality is limited by the representation ability of single tight frame and thresholds tuned manually. In this work, a supervised dual tight frame learning framework fused with an elaborated deep thresholding network (DTN) is proposed, and the issue of low‐quality reconstructions in previous phase retrieval (PR) algorithms is addressed. To effectively learn dual tight frames, a loss function is formed using the mean square error, tight constraint, dual constraint, and sparse constraint terms. Moreover, to determine the thresholds adaptively, the thresholds are extracted from the frame coefficients via DTN. By an end‐to‐end supervised learning manner, the dual tight frames and DTN are jointly trained from labels and their counterparts corrupted by Gaussian noise. Using the Gaussian denoiser constructed by dual tight frames, a regularisation model is firstly designed, and then exploited to formulate a PR optimisation problem. The image filtering and image updating steps are performed alternatively for solving this problem. Particularly, the image updating subproblem is tackled by an inertial epigraph solver. The simulation experiments show that the proposed PR algorithm can obtain higher‐quality reconstructions compared with the benchmark ones.
An improved sliding mode control (SMC) approach for enhancement of communication delay in vehicle platoon system
Authors: Li Handong , Wu Haimeng , Gulati Ishita , Ali Saleh A. , Pickert Volker , Dlay Satnam 
Published: April 2022

AbstractVehicle platoon systems are widely recognized as key enablers to address mass‐transport. Vehicle‐to‐vehicle (V2V) and vehicle‐to‐infrastructure (V2I) are two technologies that drive platooning. The inter‐vehicle spacing and collaboration velocity in the platoon are important parameters that must be controlled. A new mass‐transport system called the Tracked Electric Vehicles (TEV) has been proposed which has reduced the inter‐vehicular spacing to only a quarter of the regular car length. This enables mass transport at uniform speed for cars with speed of 200km/h. However, conventional radar based adaptive cruise control (ACC) system fail to control each vehicle in these scenarios. Lately, sliding mode control (SMC) has been applied to control platoons with communication technology but with low speed and without delay. This paper proposes a novel SMC design for TEV using global dynamic information with the communication delay. Also, graph theory has been employed to investigate different V2V communication topology structures. To address issues of node vehicle stability and string stability, Lyapunov candidate function is chosen and developed. Additionally, this paper uses first‐order vehicle models with different acceleration/deceleration parameters for simulation validations under communication delay. The results show that this SMC has a significant tolerance ability and meets the design requirements of TEV.
The Gravitational Wave Universe Toolbox
Authors: Yi Shu-Xu , Stoppa Fiorenzo , Nelemans Gijs , Cator Eric 
Published: April 2022

Context:TheGW-Universe Toolboxis a software package that simulates observations of the gravitational wave (GW) Universe with different types of GW detectors, including Earth-based and space-borne laser interferometers and pulsar timing arrays. It is accessible as a website, and can also be imported and run locally as a Python package.Methods:We employ the method used by theGW-Universe Toolboxto generate a synthetic catalogue of detection of stellar-mass binary black hole (BBH) mergers. As an example of its scientific application, we study how GW observations of BBHs can be used to constrain the merger rate as a function of redshift and masses. We study advanced LIGO (aLIGO) and theEinsteinTelescope (ET) as two representatives of the second and third generation GW observatories, respectively. We also simulate the observations from a detector that is half as sensitive as the ET at its nominal designed sensitivity, which represents an early phase of the ET. We used two methods to obtain the constraints on the source population properties from the catalogues: the first uses a parameteric differential merger rate model and applies a Bayesian inference on the parameters; the other is non-parameteric and uses weighted Kernel density estimators.Results:Our results show the overwhelming advantages of the third generation detector over those of the second generation for the study of BBH population properties, especially at redshifts higher than ∼2, where the merger rate is believed to peak. With the simulated aLIGO catalogue, the parameteric Bayesian method can still give some constraints on the merger rate density and mass function beyond its detecting horizon, while the non-parametric method loses the constraining ability completely there. The difference is due to the extra information placed by assuming a specific parameterisation of the population model in the Bayesian method. In the non-parameteric method, no assumption of the general shape of the merger rate density and mass function are placed, not even the assumption of its smoothness. These two methods represent the two extreme situations of general population reconstruction. We also find that, despite the numbers of detected events of the half ET can easily be compatible with full ET after a longer observation duration, and the catalogue from the full ET can still give much better constraints on the population properties due to its smaller uncertainties on the physical parameters of the GW events.
The GAPS programme at TNG
Authors: Maldonado J. , Colombo S. , Petralia A. , Benatti S. , Desidera S. , Malavolta L. , Lanza A. F. , Damasso M. , Micela G. , Mallonn M. , Messina S. , Sozzetti A. , Stelzer B. , Biazzo K. , Gratton R. , Maggio A. , Nardiello D. , Scandariato G. , Affer L. , Baratella M. , Claudi R. , Molinari E. , Bignamini A. , Covino E. , Pagano I. , Piotto G. , Poretti E. , Cosentino R. , Carleo I. 
Published: April 2022

Context. Active-region evolution plays an important role in the generation and variability of magnetic fields on the surface of lower main sequence stars. However, determining the lifetime of active-region growth and decay as well as their evolution is a complex task. Most previous studies of this phenomenon are based on optical light curves, while little is known about the chromosphere and the transition region.
Aims. We aim to test whether or not the lifetime of active-region evolution shows any dependency on stellar parameters, particularly stellar age.
Methods. We identified a sample of stars with well-defined ages via their kinematics and membership to young stellar associations and moving groups. We made use of high-resolution échelle spectra from HARPS at La Silla 3.6m-telescope and HARPS-N at TNG to compute rotational velocities, activity levels, and emission excesses. We used these data to revisit the activity-rotation-age relationship. The time-series of the main optical activity indicators, namely Ca II H and K, Balmer lines, Na I D1, D2, and He I D3, were analysed together with the available photometry using state-of-the-art Gaussian processes to model the stellar activity of these stars. Autocorrelation functions of the available photometry were also analysed. We used the derived lifetimes of active-region evolution to search for correlations with stellar age, spectral type, and activity level. We also used the pooled variance technique to characterise the activity behaviour of our targets.
Results. Our analysis confirms the decline of activity and rotation as a star ages. We also confirm that the rotation rate decays with age more slowly for cooler stars and that, for a given age, cooler stars show higher levels of activity. We show that F- and G-type young stars also depart from the inactive stars in the flux–flux relationship. The Gaussian process analysis of the different activity indicators does not seem to provide any useful information on the lifetime and evolution of active regions. On the other hand, the lifetimes of active regions derived from the light-curve analysis might correlate with stellar age and temperature.
Conclusions. Although we suggest caution because of small number statistics, our results suggest that active regions seem to live longer on younger, cooler, and more active stars.
Delirium Tremens and Central Pontine Myelinolysis in a Patient with
Alcohol Use Disorder and Pneumonia: a Case Report and a Narrative
Review
Authors: Danışman Mustafa , İspir Gamze Zengin , Oğur Begüm 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Introduction Delirium tremens (DT) is a serious condition occurring in
alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Alcohol consumption may also cause additional
health problems, such as respiratory infections or neuropsychiatric conditions
such as central pontine myelinolysis. In this clinical scenario, managing DT can
be expected to be more compelling and complex. Alcohol decreases coughing and
mucociliary clearance and disrupts the immunity of the respiratory system.
Case Here we report on a middle-aged man with alcohol use disorder who had
developed DT due to alcohol withdrawal and comorbid pneumonia.
Discussion and Conclusion In this paper, DT, the relation between
respiratory infections and alcohol intake, and the correlation of alcohol
consumption and central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) are discussed. Also, the
literature on alcohol consumption and the additional respiratory and neurologic
problems resulting from it are presented.
Wichtige Differentialdiagnosen des Beinödems – ein kurzer Praxisleitfaden
Authors: Koller Anna , Trautinger Franz 
Published: April 2022

ZusammenfassungDas differenzialdiagnostische Spektrum der Beinödeme ist vielfältig und umfasst sowohl phlebologische, entzündliche, traumatologische, medikamentöse und andere systemische und regionale Ursachen und Erkrankungen.Um die Ursachen für Beinödeme bestmöglich abzuklären, sind eine ausführliche Anamnese und klinische Untersuchung entscheidend. Die Lokalisation der Beinschwellung, Beginn und Dauer der Beschwerden, Schmerzsymptomatik, Allgemeinsymptome, Vorerkrankungen und bestehende Hautveränderungen können wichtige Hinweise auf mögliche zugrunde liegende Ursachen liefern. Nach Eingrenzung der möglichen Differenzialdiagnosen können gezielte apparative und laborchemische Untersuchungen ergänzend angeschlossen werden, um die Diagnose zu sichern und die richtige Therapie einzuleiten.
Bromide as the Directing Group for β-Arylation of Thiophenes
Authors: Zhang Hong-Hai , Wang Cai-Xia , Sheng Fei-Fei , Liu Kai-Hui , Gu Jian-Guo , Shen Kang , Sun Zheng-Yi , Hong Kunlun 
Published: April 2022

AbstractDirect β-arylation of thiophene derivatives with bromide as directing group is disclosed. The reaction is conducted with PdCl2/(p-tolyl)3P as catalyst, silver carbonate as additive, and aryl iodide as coupling partner, affording brominated biaryl compounds as product. Control experiments indicated that the presence of bromide group enhances the reactivity of the C–H bond, enabling β-arylation. Furthermore, the C–Br bond can be easily converted into many useful functional groups through a wide range of methodologies. The mechanistic study suggests that silver salt plays a key role in the C–H bond-activation step.