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The deterministic replay technique can be used for debugging, improving reliability and robustness, software development and incident investigation (including reverse engineering of malware). The paper describes the implementation of deterministic replay of IA-32 based boards in QEMU. Another implementation of this technique in QEMU had been previously published, but it uses a significantly different approach. Deterministic replay implementation details and features substantially depend on deterministic area - the part of virtual machine which execution is being replayed. For replay to be deterministic the implementation must ensure that (1) all information flows across deterministic area borders should be logged and then replayed, and (2) there is no non-determinism inside deterministic area. The proposed approach is called «Min VM» because it’s based on the minimal deterministic area while the former one should be called «Max VM» as it attempts to stretch deterministic area to cover whole virtual machine. The proposed approach shows the advantages of lower time overhead for logging phase and easier support (because it is much easier to ensure determinism of small deterministic area). On the other side the shortcoming is larger log size mostly because deterministic area doesn’t include hard disks so all data flows from disks are being logged. It makes the self-sufficient replay log: image of the original HDD is not needed to replay the execution. The implementation has been tested on popular operating systems: Windows XP, Windows 7 and GNU/Linux 3.12. The current implementation shows 6 - 42% slowdown depending on application code that exceeds previous approach slowdown (17 - 79%).

MPEG-2 uses video compression with loses based on the use of discrete cosine transformation (DCT) to small blocks of encoded image. As a result, there is range of factors, each of which corresponds to a frequency index of the encoded block. The human eye, due to natural approximation, does not perceive the difference when the high-frequency DCT coefficients change. The investigated algorithm uses this feature of the human vision to embed required data in video stream invisibly.

Avian leukosis virus is a contagious oncogenic virus that can infect various bird species. This virus is economically important in the poultry industry. The aim of this study was to identify molecular strains of leukosis virus circulating in duck farms in Mazandaran province. Freshly dead birds were necropsied and samples of tumor tissues were processed for molecular detection of avian tumorigenic viruses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). At necropsy, diffuse and sometimes nodular enlargement of the internal organs and subscapular hemorrhage in the liver and spleen was noted. All three studied flocks were positive for infection with serogroup J of leukosis virus, while all samples were negative for involvement with reticuloendotheliosis and Marek’s disease viruses. Since leukosis is a serious threat to the poultry industry and currently does not have a vaccine or medicine, it is recommended to carry out periodic monitoring and analysis for the circulating strains of virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The self-passivating yttrium-containing WCr alloy has been developed and researched as a potential plasma-facing armour material for fusion power plants. This study explores the use of yttria (Y2O3) powders instead of yttrium elemental powders in the mechanical alloying process to assess their applicability for this material. Fabricated through field-assisted sintering, WCr-Y2O3 ingots show Y2O3 and Cr-containing oxides (Cr-O and Y-Cr-O) dispersed at grain boundaries (GBs), while WCrY ingots contain Y-O particles at grain boundaries, both resulting from unavoidable oxidation during fabrication. WCr-Y2O3 demonstrates higher flexural strength than WCrY across all temperature ranges, ranging from 850 to 1050 MPa, but lower fracture toughness, between 3 and 4 MPa·√m. Enhanced oxidation resistance is observed in WCr-Y2O3, with lower mass gain as compared to WCrY during the 20-hour oxidation test. This study confirms the effectiveness of both yttria and yttrium in the reactive element effect (REE) for the passivation of WCr alloy, suggesting the potential of Y2O3-doped WCr for first wall applications in a fusion power plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors, initially developed for treating hyperlipidemia, have shown promise in reducing the risk of new-onset diabetes during clinical trials. This positions CETP inhibitors as potential candidates for repurposing in metabolic disease treatment. Given their oral administration, they could complement existing oral medications like sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, potentially delaying the need for injectable therapies such as insulin. Methods: We conducted a 2x2 factorial Mendelian Randomization analysis involving 233,765 participants from the UK Biobank. This study aimed to evaluate whether simultaneous genetic inhibition of CETP and SGLT2 enhances glycemic control compared to inhibiting each separately. Results: Our findings indicate that dual genetic inhibition of CETP and SGLT2 significantly reduces glycated hemoglobin levels compared to controls and single-agent inhibition. Additionally, the combined inhibition is linked to a lower incidence of diabetes compared to both the control group and SGLT2 inhibition alone. Discussion: These results suggest that combining CETP and SGLT2 inhibitor therapies may offer superior glycemic control over SGLT2 inhibitors alone. Future clinical trials should investigate the potential of repurposing CETP inhibitors for metabolic disease treatment, providing an oral therapeutic option that could benefit high-risk patients before they require injectable therapies like insulin or glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chloride is a key anion involved in cellular physiology by regulating its homeostasis and rheostatic processes. Changes in cellular Cl- concentration result in differential regulation of cellular functions such as transcription and translation, post-translation modifications, cell cycle and proliferation, cell volume, and pH levels. In intracellular compartments, Cl- modulates the function of lysosomes, mitochondria, endosomes, phagosomes, the nucleus, and the endoplasmic reticulum. In extracellular fluid (ECF), Cl- is present in blood/plasma and interstitial fluid compartments. A reduction in Cl- levels in ECF can result in cell volume contraction. Cl- is the key physiological anion and is a principal compensatory ion for the movement of the major cations such as Na+, K+, and Ca2+. Over the past 25 years, we have increased our understanding of cellular signaling mediated by Cl-, which has helped in understanding the molecular and metabolic changes observed in pathologies with altered Cl- levels. Here, we review the concentration of Cl- in various organs and cellular compartments, ion channels responsible for its transportation, and recent information on its physiological roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenovirus vaccines, particularly the COVID-19 Ad5-nCoV adenovirus vaccine, have emerged as promising tools in the fight against infectious diseases. In this study, we investigated the structure of the T cell response to the Spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus used in the COVID-19 Ad5-nCoV adenoviral vaccine in a phase 3 clinical trial (NCT04540419). In 69 participants, we collected peripheral blood samples at four time points after vaccination or placebo injection. Sequencing of T cell receptor repertoires from Spike-stimulated T cell cultures at day 14 from 17 vaccinated revealed a more diverse CD4+ T cell repertoire compared to CD8+. Nevertheless, CD8+ clonotypes accounted for more than half of the Spike-specific repertoire. Our longitudinal analysis showed a peak T cell response at day 14, followed by a decline untilmonth 6. Remarkably, multiple T cell clonotypes persisted for at least 6 months after vaccination, as demonstrated by ex vivo stimulation. Examination of CDR3 regions revealed homologous sequences in both CD4+ and CD8+ clonotypes, with major CD8+ clonotypes sharing high similarity with annotated sequences specific for the NYNYLYRLF peptide, suggesting potential immunodominance. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the immunogenicity of the Ad5-nCoV adenoviral vaccine and highlights its ability to induce robust and durable T cell responses. These findings provide valuable insight into the efficacy of the vaccine against COVID-19 and provide critical information for ongoing efforts to control infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Different vaccines have so far been developed and approved to cope with COVID-19 in the world. The aim of this updated network meta-analysis (NMA) was to compare and rank all available vaccines in terms of efficacy and complications simultaneously. Study Design: A systematic review. Methods: Three major international databases, including Web of Science, Medline via PubMed, and Scopus, were searched through September 2023. The transitivity assumption was evaluated qualitatively in terms of epidemiologic effect modifiers. The exposure of interest in this study was receiving any available COVID-19 vaccine, and the primary outcome of interest was the incidence of symptomatic COVID-19. In this NMA, the relative risk of symptomatic COVID-19 was used to summarize the efficacy of vaccines in preventing COVID-19. The data were analyzed using the frequentist-based approach, and the results were reported using a random-effects model. Finally, the vaccines were ranked using a P-score. Results: In total, 34 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met the eligibility criteria for this systematic review and NMA out of 3682 retrieved references. Based on the results of the NMA, mRNA-1273 was the most effective vaccine in preventing COVID-19 and demonstrated the highest P-score (0.93). The relative risk (RR) for mRNA-1273 versus placebo was 0.07 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03, 0.17). The second and third-ranked vaccines were BNT-162b2 (RR = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.15; P-score = 0.93) and Gam-COVID-Vac (0.09; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.25; 0.88). Conclusion: Based on the results of this NMA, it seems that all available vaccines were effective in COVID-19 prevention. However, [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A family of homogeneous controllers is proposed, which utilize noisy state measurements for stabilization of integrator chains subject to system faults and disturbances. In the absence of sampling noises, the exact system stabilization is ensured in spite of some system faults. The same controllers also practically stabilize generally disturbed integrator chains. Controllers demonstrate strong noise‐reduction capabilities, and system faults are robustly detected. The stabilization accuracy is estimated in the presence of noises and faults. Simulation confirms the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a class analysis, the article shows the failure of the commercialized health care system in the Global North and South to address the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, the article investigates the dynamics, consequences, and prospects of the struggle by developed countries to overcome the coronavirus crisis, revealing the extremely low effectiveness and class limitations of the measures taken. The stumbling block in the way of curbing the pandemic on a global scale has been the refusal by developed countries to help developing countries vaccinate their populations. The brunt of the COVID-19 problem has been shifted by the capitalist state and monopolies onto the working class, leading to increased exploitation, excess mortality, and widening inequality. On the basis of an analysis of the health crisis in the capitalist world, the article concludes that global civilization must move toward a more just and democratic world order that is able to put the health of workers before monopoly profits, and to guarantee everyone the right to live with dignity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmias in humans, mostly caused by hyper excitation of specific areas in the atrium resulting in dyssynchronous atrial contractions, leading to severe consequences such as heart failure and stroke. Current therapeutics aim to target this condition through both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. To test and validate any of these treatments, an appropriate preclinical model must be carefully chosen to refine and optimise the therapy features to correctly reverse this condition. A broad range of preclinical models have been developed over the years, with specific features and advantages to closely mimic the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation. In this review, currently available models are described, from traditional animal models and in vitro cell cultures to state-of-the-art organoids and organs-on-a-chip. The advantages, applications and limitations of each model are discussed, providing the information to select the appropriate model for each research application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resonant diffractive optical elements can be used to create the desired spatial and angular distribution of scattered light in a narrow wavelength range. Exciton resonance could help to make such elements active. Here an exciton diffraction grating made from fully inorganic CsPbBr3 halide perovskite is demonstrated. Spatial modulation of excitonic properties of the single crystal is achieved using local defect formation by 30 keV Ga+ focused ion irradiation with low irradiation dose 1014 cm−2. Such a low dose prevents the appearance of non‐resonant diffraction since no sample milling occurs. The observed diffraction reflex has a maximum efficiency of 2.3 × 10−3 at the free exciton resonance and 1.7 meV spectral width. The temperature, angular, and spectral properties of resonant diffraction are studied. The possibility of creating exciton diffraction gratings based on halide perovskites is one more confirmation of their applicability as a new material for information photonics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction and pinnacle of colliding blast waves research commenced in the 1950s following World War II. Since then, sporadic studies have appeared throughout the literature up until the early 1990s, beyond which a significant contributory gap on the topic ensued. With the interminable proactivity of modern civil and aerospace defense research in the past several decades, investigations on the phenomena of blast wave collisions have fallen behind in comparison. Recent events and applications of offensive and defensive operations have slowly begun to rekindle studies on colliding blast waves in the last few years. However, there remains limitations on the extent of analyses which have yet to be adequately addressed. This review attempts to critically compile and analyze all existing research on blast wave collisions to identify pertinent shortcomings of the present state-of-the-art. In addition, related investigations of colliding shock waves and the collision of shock waves and blast waves are also provided to further elaborate on their distinctions to colliding blast waves. Prior to such discussions, the fundamentals of blast wave behaviors in terms of their characteristics, formation, and propagation are presented to pave a background to subsequent advanced topics. Finally, unique classifications of direct and indirect applications of blast wave collisions are presented with modern perspectives. As a result, a classical problem is reawakened toward understanding and addressing highly complex and dynamic shock wave systems in defense applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mordenites are widely used in catalysis and environmental protection. The catalytic properties of mordenite are largely determined by the composition of its crystal framework, i.e., the SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio (MR), and the cationic form. In H-mordenites, the most important characteristic becomes the structure and distribution of acid sites, which depends on the number and distribution of Al tetrahedra in the framework. In the present work, the local structure of these centers in H-mordenite catalysts with a nominal MR varied from 9.9 to 19.8 was studied in detail using a combination of magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). 27Al MAS NMR indicates the presence of extra-framework Al in most of the studied samples that results in a higher real MR of the zeolitic framework compared to the nominal value. Concentrations of Lewis and Brønsted acid sites, as well as of silanol groups were estimated by elemental analysis, NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy. The values of site concentrations obtained from band intensities of adsorbed CO and those of OH groups are compared with the amount of framework and extra-framework aluminum. The advantages and restrictions of different methods of active site characterization are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strong acceleration of abyssal flows in narrow deep‐water channels and fracture zones is a key feature of bottom circulation in the Atlantic Ocean. In the Equatorial Atlantic, these bottom currents transport Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) over the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge from west to east. The main pathway for Antarctic waters in this region is the Romanche Fracture Zone. The deepest point of this fracture zone is the Vema Deep; its maximum depth based on the published data is 7,856 m. This deep basin is filled by waters of Antarctic origin overflowing a sill in a narrow channel. During the expedition on the R/V Akademik Ioffe (August 2022), we revealed a strong flow in the middle part of the Romanche Fracture Zone and collected new data on thermohaline and kinematic structures of this gravity current. Our survey is the first observational evidence of the intense flow into the Vema Deep. At the sill, the flow splits into branches flowing through three distinct channels of intricate configuration located in the southern transform valley of the fracture zone. The northern channel is proved to be the main pathway of the coldest and densest bottom waters to the Vema Deep. We also found that vertical structure of the flow is presented by two individual jets, namely the deep and bottom jets. The total transport of AABW through the Romanche Fracture Zone at this location was estimated at 1.40 Sv; the velocities exceeding 10 cm/s were found at depths greater than 5,000 m. Plain Language Summary: Abyssal basins of the Atlantic Ocean are filled with cold and dense Antarctic waters. Propagation of these waters plays an important role in the heat transport of the ocean and influences the Earth's climate. The most intense bottom currents of Antarctic waters are formed in the narrow abyssal channels connecting deep ocean basins. In particular, fracture zones of the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge connect deep basins of the western and eastern Atlantic. The equatorial Romanche Fracture Zone is the deepest fracture zone in the tropical Atlantic and provides transport of the coldest bottom waters from the Brazil to the Guinea and Sierra Leone basins. Direct measurements from ships remain the main source of information about the structure of currents in the abyssal fracture zones. In this work, we present new field observations at the entrance to the Vema Deep, which is the deepest point of the Romanche Fracture Zone. New measurements revealed several jets of the Antarctic Bottom Water flow guided by distinct channels in the bottom topography. It was also shown that the location of the abyssal pycnocline affects the vertical structure of the abyssal currents in this region. Comparison with historical measurements shows an increase in bottom temperatures exceeding 0.06°C. Key Points: Flow of the Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) in the Romanche Fracture Zone intensifies at the entrance to the Vema DeepThe flow splits into multiple jets observed in three distinct channels of the fracture zoneAABW temperatures in the Vema Deep increased by 0.066°C over the last 30 years [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of the study: The number one killer, cardiovascular disease, has sharply increased in recent years. For early diagnosis and prevention, continuous cardiac monitoring is crucial, and flexible, stretchable electronic devices have become essential instruments to record cardiac activity. Bioelectronics has greatly improved from recent developments in soft, ultrathin bioelectronics that have been made possible by breakthroughs in soft materials and novel device designs. Methodology: This study focuses on flexible and stretchable materials as well as design strategies for current developments in soft electronics-based wearable and implantable devices for cardiac monitoring. Main Findings: The mechanical deformability in soft bioelectronics has enabled researchers to obtain high-quality bio-signals and reduce long-term negative effects in vivo. They provide close, long-term integration with cardiac tissues due to their thin and soft characteristics, allowing for continuous, high-quality, and wide coverage in cardiac monitoring. Applications of this study: This review is anticipated to provide timely and significant information for prospective audiences in the fields of material science and biomedical engineering, who seek a concise summary of key technologies, as well as biomedical fields who may be interested in the clinical implications of soft bioelectronics for cardiac healthcare. Novelty/Originality of this study: The materials, fabrication techniques, and device designs for flexible and stretchable electronics are reviewed with a particular emphasis on flexible and soft materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma fusion devices will require plasma-facing components (PFCs) which can withstand the extreme environment at the edge of a hot fusion plasma. Despite the excellent properties of tungsten(W) as a hard refractory metal, adverse effects such as embrittlement, melting, and morphological evolution have been observed in W when it is bombarded by a high-fluence of low-energy ions including helium. This study investigates the effect of helium ion bombardment on pure tungsten and a tungsten heavy alloy (W-HA)(NAECOMET 1000). Pure tungsten and NAECOMET 1000 samples were implanted with 3 keV helium ions with fluences ranging from 1.15 × 10 21 m − 2 to 2.21 × 10 22 m − 2 , using Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (PIII). After PIII treatment, samples were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), which revealed differences in surface morphology and topography. Although the melting and cracking of the Ni/Cu binder phase in the NAECOMET 1000 samples was seen under all implantation conditions, the Ni/Cu presence did somewhat slow the formation of W fuzz in comparison to pure tungsten. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies showed peak shifts increasing with helium ion fluence for both the pure W and NAECOMET 1000 samples, as well as increase in mean crystallite size, confirming the distortion of the lattice. XPS compositional analysis showed a strong oxidation (>97 %) near the metal surface, after helium PIII treatment, for both pure W and NAECOMET 1000 W-HA samples. Some conclusions about the potential suitability of W-HA materials for fusion plasma PFCs are drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancements in robotic surgery help to improve the endoluminal diagnosis and treatment with minimally invasive or non-invasive intervention in a precise and safe manner. Miniaturized probe-based sensors can be used to obtain information about endoluminal anatomy, and they can be integrated with medical robots to augment the convenience of robotic operations. The tremendous benefit of having this physiological information during the intervention has led to the development of a variety of in vivo sensing technologies over the past decades. In this paper, we review the probe-based sensing techniques for the in vivo physical and biochemical sensing in China in recent years, especially on in vivo force sensing, temperature sensing, optical coherence tomography/photoacoustic/ultrasound imaging, chemical sensing, and biomarker sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Right ventricular failure (RVF) is the most important prognostic factor for morbidity and mortality in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or pulmonary hypertension (PH) caused by left heart diseases. However, right ventricle (RV) remodeling is understudied and not targeted by specific therapies. This can be partly explained by the lack of basic knowledge of RV remodeling. Since the physiology and hemodynamic function of the RV differ from those of the left ventricle (LV), the mechanisms of LV dysfunction cannot be generalized to that of the RV, albeit a knowledge of these being helpful to understanding RV remodeling and dysfunction. Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) has recently emerged to participate in the LV cardiomyocyte Ca2+ homeostasis and as a critical player in Ca2+ mishandling in a pathological context. In this paper, we highlight the current knowledge on the SOCE contribution to the LV and RV dysfunctions, as SOCE molecules are present in both compartments. he relative lack of studies on RV dysfunction indicates the necessity of further investigations, a significant challenge over the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of finite‐time and fixed‐time stability analysis is considered for a class of nonlinear systems x˙=H(x)b(x),$$ \dot{x}=H(x)b(x), $$ where H$$ H $$ is homogeneous of a degree ν≠0$$ \nu \ne 0 $$ and b$$ b $$ is bounded. It is shown that under certain conditions on b$$ b $$ the asymptotic stability of the system implies its finite‐time stability for ν<0$$ \nu <0 $$ or nearly fixed‐time stability for ν>0$$ \nu >0 $$. The so‐called homogeneous extensions are utilized for the analysis. The results are generalized to a class of systems x˙=∑i=0pHi(x)bi(x),$$ \dot{x}=\sum \limits_{i=0}^p\kern.17em {H}_i(x){b}_i(x), $$ where for every i=0,1,...,p,p∈ℕ,$$ i=0,1,\dots, p,\kern0.3em p\in \mathbb{N}, $$Hi$$ {H}_i $$ are homogeneous of some (possibly different) degrees and bi$$ {b}_i $$ satisfy certain boundedness conditions. An example of a mechanical system is presented in the last section to illustrate the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial communities in drinking water provide a gauge to measure quality and confer insights into public health. In contrast to urban systems, water treatment in rural areas is not adequately monitored and could become a health risk. We performed 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to analyze the microbiome present in the water treatment plants at two rural communities, one city, and the downstream water for human consumption in schools and reservoirs in the Andean highlands of Ecuador. We tested the effect of water treatment on the diversity and composition of bacterial communities. A set of physicochemical variables in the sampled water was evaluated and correlated with the structure of the observed bacterial communities. Predominant bacteria in the analyzed communities belonged to Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. The Sphingobium genus, a chlorine resistance group, was particularly abundant. Of health concern in drinking water reservoirs were Fusobacteriaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Ruminococcaceae; these families are associated with human and poultry fecal contamination. We propose the latter families as relevant biomarkers for establishing local standards for the monitoring of potable water systems in highlands of Ecuador. Our assessment of bacterial community composition in water systems in the Ecuadorian highlands provides a technical background to inform management decisions., Competing Interests: The authors declare there is no conflict., (© 2024 The Authors This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence (CC BY 4.0), which permits copying, adaptation and redistribution, provided the original work is properly cited (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).)

Supersonic plasma has been widely used. A vacuum arc ion source provides one possible method for generating supersonic plasma. An external magnetic field can effectively avoid the wall loss of the plasma in the ion source and improve the ion yield. In this work, a two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic model is established, considering different components including ions and electrons. With the help of simulation, we explore the physical characteristics of the supersonic vacuum arc plasma formed from a copper disk cathode. The characteristics that we focus on include plasma composition, current density distribution, plasma velocity, and plasma temperature. These characteristics as well as the ion yield are compared when different magnetic fields generated by solenoids near the cathode are applied, as well as when the arc current is different. The results show that, in the absence of an external magnetic field, ions expand freely with the approximate axial velocity and average ion charge state. With the increase of external magnetic flux density, the wall loss of the plasma will decrease, and the axial velocity and average ion charge state will increase, but the magnetic saturation phenomenon exists. The simulation results are consistent with the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single crystalline tungsten was irradiated by the medium-mass ion Si with 7.5 MeV and high mass-ion W with 20.3 MeV up to a calculated peak damage level of 0.04 dpa and 0.5 dpa. The obtained dislocation structure of the damage zone was investigated by transmission electron microscopy and systematically compared with each other. Bright-field kinematical images were taken under four different two-beam diffraction conditions g = âˆ'200, 020, âˆ'110, 110 close to the [100] zone axis. The observed damage depth and damage peak position is in good agreement with the SRIM calculated damage depth profiles. The dislocation structures were investigated at the region of the damage peak because there the damage levels are comparable. In both irradiations (Si and W), the dislocation structures were similar. At the low damage level of 0.04 dpa dislocation loops and dislocation-loop clusters were found. The size of the dislocation loops in the W-irradiated tungsten sample was up to 20% higher than for the Si-irradiated sample. At the high damage level of 0.5 dpa a dislocation network consisting of dislocation-loop chains and dislocation lines was found for both irradiations. The dislocation line density was about 12% higher for the W-irradiated sample. Through comparison of the damage zone to SRIM damage depth profiles it was found that the transition from dislocation loops and dislocation-loop clusters to an ordered dislocation network takes place at about 0.08â€"0.1 dpa. Despite the large differences in ion mass and irradiation energy the dislocation structures were very similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chloride intracellular channel (CLIC) protein family displays the unique feature of altering its structure from a soluble form to a membrane-bound chloride channel. CLIC1, a member of this family, is found in the cytoplasm or in internal and plasma membranes, with membrane relocalisation linked to endothelial disfunction, tumour proliferation and metastasis. The molecular switch promoting CLIC1 activation remains under investigation. Here, cellular Cl- efflux assays and immunofluorescence microscopy studies have identified intracellular Zn2+ release as the trigger for CLIC1 activation and membrane insertion. Biophysical assays confirmed specific binding to Zn2+, inducing membrane association and enhancing Cl- efflux in a pH-dependent manner. Together, our results identify a twostep mechanism with Zn2+ binding as the molecular switch promoting CLIC1 membrane insertion, followed by pH-mediated activation of Cl-efflux. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a high-sensitivity radiometer at a frequency of 61.2 GHz (millimeter spectral range), the radio brightness characteristics of aqueous solutions of alkalis (KOH, NaOH) have been studied under laboratory conditions. The radio brightness parameters have been compared with calculated data from dielectric spectra in the millimeter range. Using KOH solutions as an example, a correspondence between the experimental and calculated radio brightness parameters in the initial concentration range, where hydration changes in water in solutions predominate, has been revealed. It has been established that even in the millimeter range it is necessary to consider the spectral contributions of both dipole and ion losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTs) are common in the pathologically remodelled heart. These arrhythmias can be lethal, necessitating acute treatment like electrical cardioversion to restore normal rhythm. Recently, it has been proposed that cardioversion may also be realized via optically controlled generation of bioelectricity by the arrhythmic heart itself through optogenetics and therefore without the need of traumatizing high-voltage shocks. However, crucial mechanistic and translational aspects of this strategy have remained largely unaddressed. Therefore, we investigated optogenetic termination of VTs (i) in the pathologically remodelled heart using an (ii) implantable multi-LED device for (iii) in vivo closed-chest, local illumination. Methods and results In order to mimic a clinically relevant sequence of events, transverse aortic constriction (TAC) was applied to adult male Wistar rats before optogenetic modification. This modification took place 3 weeks later by intravenous delivery of adeno-associated virus vectors encoding red-activatable channelrhodopsin or Citrine for control experiments. At 8–10 weeks after TAC, VTs were induced ex vivo and in vivo , followed by programmed local illumination of the ventricular apex by a custom-made implanted multi-LED device. This resulted in effective and repetitive VT termination in the remodelled adult rat heart after optogenetic modification, leading to sustained restoration of sinus rhythm in the intact animal. Mechanistically, studies on the single cell and tissue level revealed collectively that, despite the cardiac remodelling, there were no significant differences in bioelectricity generation and subsequent transmembrane voltage responses between diseased and control animals, thereby providing insight into the observed robustness of optogenetic VT termination. Conclusion Our results show that implant-based optical cardioversion of VTs is feasible in the pathologically remodelled heart in vivo after local optogenetic targeting because of preserved optical control over bioelectricity generation. These findings add novel mechanistic and translational insight into optical ventricular cardioversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two samples of protonated mordenite with close nominal molar ratios (MRs) SiO2/Al2O3 equal to 15.0 and 15.2 are studied by various physicochemical methods. Both samples have the mordenite crystal structure but different morphologies and exhibit different dehydration patterns. According to the 1H, 27Al, 29Si NMR data, these samples show different local structural features, e.g. relative coordination of Si and Al containing tetrahedra. The complex analysis of 1H NMR spectra of hydrated and partially dehydrated samples and IR spectroscopy data shows that acid sites in both samples are mainly bridging OH groups and that the charge in H-MOR-15.0 prepared from the ammonia form is neutralized (in addition to the hydroxyl groups) by residual ammonium ions, while the charge in H-MOR-15.2 prepared by acid etching is additionally neutralized by mobile H+ and/or H3O+ cations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Polar Silk Road (PSR) will open up China's maritime trade route through the Arctic to Northwest Europe and affect the freight function structure of China's coastal ports. This study evaluates ports' freight capacity and predicts the freight function structure of China's coastal ports under the PSR from four dimensions, namely, comprehensive/professional, function status, function scale and function hierarchy. The freight function structure is also compared with the current one. Results show that the ports in the Bohai Rim and Yangtze River Delta will have more diversified development and become the main force of the port system under the PSR. Coal will have an important position in most ports' cargo transportation under the PSR. The PSR will bring great economic development opportunities to the northern ports because of the influence of the sea route distance. The port function hierarchy is more obvious under the PSR, and the medium-sized ports are most affected by the PSR. We classify coastal portsaccording to the freight scale and freight function. An adaptive proposal for the government's port function planning is proposed in the conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, an ODS 12 Cr steel was characterized using Electron Microscopy techniques, in an as-received condition and after annealing treatments between 773 K and 1573 K. Results show a complex microstructure, with the presence of fine Y–Ti–O nanoparticles dispersed in the matrix. After annealing at 1573 K, the average diameter of Y–Ti–O nanoparticles increases from ~ 4 to ~ 7 nm and partial recrystallization occurs. The trapping behavior of deuterium in the steel in its as-received state and annealed at 1573 K was investigated. Samples were exposed to low-energy deuterium plasma and analyzed with thermal desorption spectroscopy, after waiting times of 1 day and 25 days. The samples measured 1 day after exposure released a higher total amount of deuterium than the ones measured after 25 days. The effect of waiting time is explained by the release of deuterium, at 300 K, from sites with low activation energy for detrapping, Ed. In the as-received condition, part of the deuterium detrapped at 300 K was re-trapped by high-Ed sites. For the samples in the annealed condition, the redistribution of deuterium from low-Ed to high-Ed sites was not observed, but the total amount of deuterium released was higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates robustness of finite-time stability property for a homogeneous nonlinear dynamical system with sufficiently small affine inputs. In addition, robust stability conditions are presented for the systems admitting homogeneous approximations at the origin or at infinity. The effects of additional stable unmodeled dynamics in the input channel on robust stability are investigated. The utility of the obtained results is illustrated via robustness analysis of homogeneous observer with time-varying gains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of the opening Arctic waters, Arctic Northeast Passage (NEP) can be used as a shortcut between Asian and European ports, which may bring considerable economic benefits. Due to the harsh environment and substantial costs, it is difficult to construct many fulcrum ports along the Russian Arctic coast, which provide support services for ships navigating the NEP. A multi-criteria decision model is hence constructed to select fulcrum ports among candidates to support Arctic shipping through the NEP. Based on the model, the evidential reasoning (ER) approach is used to aggregate quantitative data and qualitative expert judgments to generate distributed assessments for candidate ports, as well as modeling uncertainties such as incompleteness and ignorance in the assessment of candidate ports. Their suitability as fulcrum ports are prioritized according to the utilities. The results show that Pevek, Sabetta, and Murmansk are the ideal fulcrum ports for the eastern, central, and western section, respectively, of the Russian Arctic coast. The associated policy recommendations include prioritizing the improvement of selected fulcrum ports, attaching importance to promising candidate ports, updating outdated infrastructure, and implementing more related projects. A sensitivity analysis conducted in this study validates the feasibility and reasonability of the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of miniaturization and miniaturization of portable electronic devices, the requirements of electronic devices are increasing for the performance of energy storage components within a certain volume. Considering the low power density and short cycle life of microbatteries, they cannot meet the requirements of rapid charge/discharge and long life of microelectronic devices. Meanwhile, microsupercapacitors (MSCs) have many advantages, such as high power density and long service life, and they meet the needs of use and development and have good prospects and progress advantages. In recent years, as new energy storage devices, MSCs have been widely studied in the design of device structure, but they are limited by many challenges such as low energy storage density, large internal resistance, improved cycle stability, and complex micropreparation technology. In this paper, the principle of MSCs and the research progress of structured electrodes were reviewed, thus providing a reference for the continuous optimization of the structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological characteristics of three first-year ice ridges were investigated in the Shokalsky Strait in April and May 2019 by hot-water thermal drilling with the recording of penetration rate. Boreholes were drilled along the ice ridge cross-section with an interval of 0.25 m. The ice ridge cross-sectional profiles are presented. The sail height for the investigated ridges varied within 1.8–2.7 m, and the keel draft varied from 7.0 to 9.1 m. The ratio of the keel draft to the sail height was equal to 2.7–5.2, the thickness of the consolidated layer was 2.4–2.7 m. The mean porosity of the unconsolidated part of the keel in the ice ridges made up 28–36%. The porosity distributions for the unconsolidated part of the keel along the drilling profile are given for the analyzed ice ridges. The main feature of one of the ridges was an almost rectilinear slope of the keel, which laterally extended for 16 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]