Heavier Members Research Articles

Low-temperature properties of magnetically frustrated rare-earth zirconates A 2Zr2O7

Rare-earth A 2Zr2O7 zirconates have attracted considerable attention of the scientific community for their complex magnetic, electronic and material properties applicable in modern technologies. The light rare-earth members of the series, crystallising in the pyrochlore variant of cubic crystal structure, have been studied in detail. The heavier A 2Zr2O7 compounds have been investigated mainly from the material properties viewpoint, focussing on their thermal properties and stability at high temperature and pressure. Low-temperature studies were mostly missing until recently. We present the low-temperature magnetic and thermodynamic properties of A 2Zr2O7 with A = Y, La, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Tm, Yb, and Lu, well covering the whole series, newly synthesised by high-temperature sintering and melting methods. X-ray diffraction reveals and confirms the ordered pyrochlore structure in the light members, the disordered cubic structure of the defect-fluorite type in A 2Zr2O7 with A = Y, Gd–Yb, and finally the lower symmetry rhombohedral structure in the end-member Lu2Zr2O7. The specific heat of the investigated compounds is dominated by a low-temperature anomaly associated with magnetic ordering: long-range in light rare-earth zirconates; and short-range in heavier members. The effective magnetic moment in the studied compounds, determined by fitting the magnetisation data to the Curie–Weiss formula, is in good agreement with the expected value of the A 3+ free ion. The magnetic properties have been revealed to be strongly influenced by the geometric frustration of the magnetic moments of both the pyrochlore structure, as well as the face centred cubic lattice created by the cations of the defect-fluorite structure, but connected also to intrinsic atomic disorder. The experimental results are discussed in the framework of previous studies on A 2Zr2O7 zirconates, as well as other A 2 B 2O7 compounds.

Serum ITIH5 as a novel diagnostic biomarker in cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma often remains undetected until advanced stages due to the lack of reliable diagnostic markers. Our goal was to identify a unique secretory protein for cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis and differentiation from other malignancies, benign hepatobiliary diseases, and chronic liver conditions. We conducted bulk RNA-seq analysis to identify genes specifically upregulated in cholangiocarcinoma but not in most other cancers, benign hepatobiliary diseases, and chronic liver diseases focusing on exocrine protein-encoding genes. Single-cell RNA sequencing examined subcellular distribution. Immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays assessed tissue and serum expression. Diagnostic performance was evaluated via receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain family member five (ITIH5), a gene encoding an extracellular protein, is notably upregulated in cholangiocarcinoma. This elevation is not observed in most other cancer types, benign hepatobiliary diseases, or chronic liver disorders. It is specifically expressed by malignant cholangiocytes. ITIH5 expression in cholangiocarcinoma tissues exceeded that in nontumorous bile duct, hepatocellular carcinoma, and nontumorous hepatic tissues. Serum ITIH5 levels were elevated in cholangiocarcinoma compared with controls (hepatocellular carcinoma, benign diseases, chronic hepatitis B, and healthy individuals). ITIH5 yielded areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) from 0.839 to 0.851 distinguishing cholangiocarcinoma from controls. Combining ITIH5 with carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) enhanced CA19-9's diagnostic effectiveness. In conclusion, serum ITIH5 may serve as a novel noninvasive cholangiocarcinoma diagnostic marker.

Development of an Algorithm for Crane Trajectory Distance Calculation for Erection of Precast Concrete Members

Reducing the construction time for large logistics buildings can result in reduced construction management costs and economic gains from early operation. A large logistics building with a heavy load and long spans was constructed as a precast concrete (PC) structure, which required the use of a sizable crane to lift heavy PC members. A basic analytical approach was employed to resolve potential errors in the planning of PC member erection and to build a systematic erection plan. Calculation techniques for the trajectory distance that use the crane location were applied to select an erection plan that minimizes crane work. A crane trajectory distance calculation algorithm for sustainable PC member erection in large logistics buildings with heavy loads and long spans has been developed. The developed model aids in creating simulation and optimization models to ensure the minimal usage of cranes in the future and in determining the cost, construction time, CO2 emissions, and energy use for each erection plan.

Polyvalent s-block elements: A missing link challenges the periodic law of chemistry for the heavy elements.

The Periodic Law of Chemistry is one of the great discoveries in cultural history. Elements behaving chemically similar are empirically merged in groups G of a Periodic Table, each element with G valence electrons per neutral atom, and with upper limit G for the oxidation and valence numbers. Here, we report that among the usually mono- or di-valent s-block elements (G = 1 or 2), the heaviest members (87Fr, 88Ra, 119E, and 120E) with atomic numbers Z = 87, 88, 119, 120 form unusual 5- or 6-valent compounds at ambient conditions. Together with well-reported basic changes of valence at the end of the 6d-series, in the whole 7p-series, and for 5g6f-elements, it indicates that at the bottom of common Periodic Tables, the classic Periodic Law is not as straightforward as commonly expected. Specifically, we predict the feasible experimental synthesis of polyvalent [RaL-n] (n = 4, 6) compounds.

Modelling the behaviour of heavy and mass timber members subjected to blast loads

This paper presents a numerical study investigating the behaviour of glued laminated timber (glulam) beams and cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels subjected to shock-tube simulated blast loads. A 3D constitutive material model for wood, which accounts for the anisotropic nature of the material as well as high strain rate effects, was implemented into a finite element (FE) model via user subroutine. Utilizing the continuum damage approach for wood, a total of eight failure criteria were used to describe both ductile and brittle failure modes. A total of 23 full-scale experimental test results were used in the validation of the modelling approach. In general, the FE model was found to be capable of capturing the overall failure mode, damage propagation, as well as predicting the resistance curves with good accuracy.

A Comparative Study: Effects of Fineness of Cement on Consistency and Compressive Strength of Different Branded Cement in Pakistan

Abstract Cement is one of the key components of concrete, and the qualities of a particular type of cement will affect the attributes of concrete made with that cement. The influence of variations in cement brand attributes that are available in Pakistan is examined in this study. Poor cement choice may affect how long a concrete building project will last. Fineness, cement consistency, concrete compressive strength, and mortar cube strength all grow with cement fineness since they all have a positive relationship with each other. This study aimed to investigate a few particular mechanical and physical characteristics of eight cement brands used in Punjab, Pakistan. The brands of cement that were compared were Kohat, Askari, Bestway, Paidaar, DG, Pioneer, Flying, and Fauji cement. The testing was carried out in a lab and according to ASTM guidelines. In contrast, Kohat had 5.17%, Askari had 8.67%, Bestway had 3%, DG had 2.67, Flying had 9.67, and Fauji cement had 6.33%, with only Paidaar above the allowed limits. Kohat and Paidaar cement's typical consistency was 30%, DG cement was 26%, and Bestway cement was 26%; all of them fell within the range of (26%- 33%). The 28-day compressive strength test results for DG cement and Bestway cement were 7787.74 Psi and 7225.17 Psi, respectively. The strength of Pioneer and Flying cement was found to be lower than that of other cement brands. Except for DG and Bestway cement, all eight brands of cement are used for all structural elements. Bestway cement is much superior for high-rise structures and heavy structural members. Consequently, by comparing the trace element concentration of various brands of Portland cement in Pakistan, the study evaluates the impact of trace element content on cement quality and concrete strength.

Magnetic and electrical properties of a heavy-fermion compound EuRh2Al8

We report the magnetic, thermodynamic, and electrical properties of ${\mathrm{EuRh}}_{2}{\mathrm{Al}}_{8}$, a Eu-based heavy fermion member in the ${\mathrm{RT}}_{2}{\mathrm{X}}_{8}$ families with an orthorhombic $Pbam$ structure. Magnetization studies reveal multiple phase transitions in the single crystals, including two successive antiferromagnetic transitions at ${T}_{N1}\ensuremath{\sim}12.5\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ and ${T}_{N2}\ensuremath{\sim}8.2\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. These two transitions are closely related to competing magnetic interactions in the Shastry-Sutherland lattice, which further give rise to another in-plane spin-flop transition at 1/3 of the full magnetization below 5 K when the applied magnetic field is higher than 6 T within the $ab$ plane. In addition to these, specific heat measurements in ${\mathrm{EuRh}}_{2}{\mathrm{Al}}_{8}$ demonstrate a heavy fermion state with a large Sommerfeld coefficient $\ensuremath{\gamma}=393\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{mJ}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}{\mathrm{mol}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}{\mathrm{K}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. Electrical transport measurement shows that its resistivity exhibits a ${T}^{2}$-dependence below ${T}_{N2}$ and a robust linear $T$-dependence above ${T}_{N1}$, which is also typical of a heavy fermion metal. Our work provides fundamental physical properties of ${\mathrm{EuRh}}_{2}{\mathrm{Al}}_{8}$ and promotes understanding of the complex magnetic interactions and unusual spin correlations in the ${\mathrm{RT}}_{2}{\mathrm{X}}_{8}$ families.

Commentary on Brennan et al.: Pros and cons of minimum unit price for alcohol.

Commentary on Brennan et al.: Pros and cons of minimum unit price for alcohol.

κέλῡφος and καλύπτω

Abstract Though καλύπτω ‘cover’ is normally and correctly associated with *√ḱel- ‘cover’, the origin of the entire base καλυφ- remains unclear. The basis of clarification consists in an appreciation of the formally resemblant s-stem κέλῡφος, whose meaning ‘sheath, case, shell, husk, pod’ has invited comparison. The author therefore hypothesizes that the bases καλυφ- and κελῡφ- include related layers of nominal material. Starting from an originally adnominal *ḱel-ó- (> OIr. cel ‘death’), the author reconstructs the u-stem substantive *ḱó/él-u- ‘covering’, for which the evidence of Proto-Germanic *χlewa- ‘shelter’ and Greek κολεόν ‘sheath’ is adduced. The element in -φ- is then argued to reflect a nominalized form of *√bʰuhx- ‘become’ qua light verb of an anti-causative periphrasis whose originally acrostatic heavy member *ḱó/él-u- was employed as a predicative instrumental *ḱéluh₁ eventually fossilized as an indeclinable adnominal eligible for use as a First Compound Member (FCM) (> κέλῡφος). By comparison to the allomorphically archaic πόλις ‘city’ (gen. πόληος), the author finally argues for the paradigmatic renewal of *ḱó/él-u- (> > *ḱól-u- : ḱl̥-u̯- : ḱl̥l-éu̯) and the eligibility of its weak stem as first member of a compound from which was formed the *-i̯e/o- present ancestral to καλύπτω.

Pricing strategies for blockchain payment service under customer heterogeneity

The growing popularity of cryptocurrency payment among supply chain members have resulted in considerable waiting in blockchain payment services. In response, service providers offer “priority payment” which allows users to pay additional transaction fee in exchange for priority transaction processing. Despite its growing popularity, there is very limited formal research that studies this service and its impact. In this paper, we examine the impact of the priority option on SC members' blockchain payment service adoption behavior, payment service provider's strategies, as well as his revenue generation. We find that offering priority blockchain payment option increases heavy members' usage of the option and reduces their usage of the waiting blockchain payment option. On the other hand, it boosts certain light players' usage of both blockchain payment services when the transaction fee rate is not too high. The service provider should charge a lower (higher) transaction fee rate if the trust-enabling rate of the priority blockchain payment option is relatively high (low). Finally, we demonstrate that offering priority blockchain payment option actually reduces his revenue when the trust-enabling rate of the option is sufficiently low. Thus, blindly charging transaction fees actually does more harm than good to the service providers.

Transcriptome Analysis of Hypoxic Lymphatic Endothelial Cells Indicates Their Potential to Contribute to Extracellular Matrix Rearrangement.

Lymphedema (LE) affects millions of people worldwide. It is a chronic progressive disease with massive development of fibrosclerosis when untreated. There is no pharmacological treatment of lymphedema. The disease is associated with swelling of the interstitium of the affected organ, mostly arm or leg, impressive development of adipose tissue, fibrosis and sclerosis with accumulation of huge amounts of collagen, and Papillomatosis cutis. Malnutrition and reduced oxygenation of the affected tissues is a hallmark of lymphedema. Here, we investigated if the hypoxia of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) might contribute to fibrosis. We applied RNASeq and qPCR to study the concordant changes of the exome of three human foreskin-derived LEC isolates after 4 days of hypoxia (1% O2) vs. normoxia (21% O2). Of the approximately 16,000 genes expressed in LECs, 162 (1%) were up- or down-regulated by hypoxia. Of these, 21 genes have important functions in the production or modification of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In addition to the down-regulation of elastin, we found up-regulation of druggable enzymes and regulators such as the long non-coding RNA H19, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain family member 5 (ITIH5), lysyl-oxidase (LOX), prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha 1 (P4HA1), procollagen-lysine 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2 (PLOD2), and others that are discussed in the paper. Initial lymphatics do not produce a continuous basement membrane; however, our study shows that hypoxic LECs have an unexpectedly high ability to alter the ECM.

Spontaneous Polarization of Cryo-Deposited Films for Five Normal Saturated Monohydroxy Alcohols, CnH2n+1OH, n = 1-5.

Vapor-deposited films of neutral polar molecules on cold surfaces exhibit spontaneous electric polarization across the faces of the film. We deposited known amounts of the first five members of the normal monohydroxy alcohols at substrate temperatures in the range of 30-130 K. It is known that voltages measured are proportional to film thickness and that the effect is substrate-independent. The main trend observed was that the voltage per molecule surface density grows with molecule size and drops with deposition temperature. With the exception of some high-temperature methanol depositions, the films had a negative voltage on the vacuum side. Furthermore, the heavier members (1-butanol and 1-pentanol) showed reduced voltages for the lowest temperatures, suggesting that all members of the series could follow this pattern at temperatures below what was experimentally accessible. After deposition, film voltage was monitored during a temperature ramp showing first an increase in the voltage measured, then gradual decay before film evaporation. Initial film voltages are in general agreement with the concept of surface mobility of vapor-deposited molecules and indicate a negative correlation with dipole moment size.

Study of the Band Gap Changes in Flat Acenes

In the future molecular electronic is substitute the silicon electronic by the organic molecules. Due to p orbital's, upper and lower electron clouds, and resonance phenomenon, the aromatic hydrocarbon from the root of benzene can provide suitable environments for electron transition. A useful approach for this purpose is an appropriate pattern to predict electronic properties by topological indices method (TIM). Therefore, it is first tried to produce a relationship between the topological indices based on the number of rings; then F index values are measured for Circumacenes family. The gap energy changes in the family of C8(n+2)/3H(2n+22)/3 was calculated using Gaussian 09 Software by Hartree–Fock method. The relationships described the gap energy changes in the Circumacenes family achieved by F index. Finally, some heavier members of Circumacenes family are exposed to TIM to predict of Gap energy.

High resolution photoelectron imaging of boron-bismuth binary clusters: Bi2Bn - (n = 2-4).

Bismuth boride is a heavy member of the III-V semiconductors. Although there have been some theoretical interests in this material, it has not been synthesized experimentally. Here, we report a high-resolution photoelectron imaging study on a series of boron-bismuth binary clusters, Bi2Bn - (n = 2-4), produced by laser vaporization of a B/Bi mixed target. Vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectra are obtained for all three clusters, and the measured vibrational and electronic information is used to compare with theoretical calculations to understand their structures and bonding. Bi2B2 - is found to be linear (D∞h, 2Πg) with a B2 unit and two terminal Bi atoms, while Bi2B3 - is found to be planar (C2v, 1A1), consisting of a B3 triangle with two bridging Bi atoms. Interestingly, the spectra of Bi2B4 - reveal two co-existing isomers; both are found to be planar and contain a rhombus B4 unit with two bridging Bi atoms in a trans (C2h, 2Au) and cis (C2v, 2B1) fashion separated only by 0.03 eV in energy. The interactions between the two Bi atoms and the Bn motifs are understood using chemical bonding analyses. This study shows that the Bi-B bonding is weak enough so that the Bn units maintain their structural integrity with the Bi atoms bonded to the cluster periphery only.

KGSA: A Gravitational Search Algorithm for Multimodal Optimization based on K-Means Niching Technique and a Novel Elitism Strategy

AbstractGravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) is a metaheuristic for solving unimodal problems. In this paper, a K-means based GSA (KGSA) for multimodal optimization is proposed. This algorithm incorporates K-means and a new elitism strategy called “loop in loop” into the GSA. First in KGSA, the members of the initial population are clustered by K-means. Afterwards, new population is created and divided in different niches (or clusters) to expand the search space. The “loop in loop” technique guides the members of each niche to the optimum direction according to their clusters. This means that lighter members move faster towards the optimum direction of each cluster than the heavier members. For evaluations, KGSA is benchmarked on well-known functions and is compared with some of the state-of-the-art algorithms. Experiments show that KGSA provides better results than the other algorithms in finding local and global optima of constrained and unconstrained multimodal functions.

Magnetic and magnetodielectric behavior of the Haldane spin-chain system, Ho2BaNiO5

The Haldane spin-chain compound, Ho2BaNiO5, crystallizing in an orthorhombic space group (Immm) and known to order antiferromagnetically below (TN=) 53 K, is investigated by magnetization, heat-capacity, dielectric, magnetodielectric, and pyrocurrent studies as well as neutron diffraction experiments down to 2 K. We report here another magnetic feature in the close vicinity of 12 K (as a consequence of the saturation of the magnetic moment of Ho) as revealed by qualitative changes in the behavior of isothermal magnetization when the temperature is varied across 12–15 K. Heat-capacity and magnetic susceptibility data also are consistent with this conclusion. The compound can be classified as ‘metamagnetodielectric’, when comparing the plots of dielectric constant as a function of temperature and magnetic field with the corresponding plots of magnetization. We are not able to find any evidence for ferroelectricity. This is notable considering that all the heavy rare-earth members of this family with the same crystal structure were known to be multiferroics. Pyrocurrent data however reveal a feature around 55 K, which is attributable to ‘thermally stimulated depolarization current’.

Fracture and Fatigue Design of the Wilshire Grand Tower

The 1,100-foot Wilshire Grand Tower in Los Angeles owned by the Hanjin Group is the tallest building in the United States west of Chicago. The building, whose architect is AC Martin Inc., has a slender elevation in one direction, necessitating the use of heavy steel box columns filled with concrete on the perimeter, connected to the concrete core with outrigger trusses. The building has a slender, 272-ft-tall spire, also constructed from steel plates. The height and slenderness of the tower, as well as the spire, and its location in a seismically active zone motivated comprehensive analysis to mitigate the risk of steel fracture within a performance-based design framework. This analysis includes the following components: (1) development of acceptance criteria for earthquake-induced fracture, especially when it may follow years of wind-induced fatigue crack growth; (2) wind tunnel testing; (3) linear and nonlinear time-history simulations to determine stress demands in critical components under appropriate wind and seismic hazards; and (4) fracture mechanics simulations to characterize trade-offs among various design variables to meet the acceptance criteria. The analysis indicates that wind-induced oscillations have the potential to grow fatigue cracks in some components, affecting their performance during a subsequent maximum considered earthquake. This situation is unusual for steel buildings, being the result of the extraordinary height, geometry, heavy steel members, and location of this particular building. The analysis also indicates that fracture risk may be successfully mitigated through existing design and detailing approaches and acceptance criteria, along with use of steel material exhibiting high, but commercially available and affordable, specified Charpy V-notch toughness values.

Fire resistance of concrete walls with light aggregate

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the design methods for fire-exposed concrete columns and walls. In addition, it presents analyses and tests showing that the methods are applicable for designing columns and walls of lightweight aggregate concrete based on expanded clay aggregate as well as heavy normal weight concrete and that the methods fit smoothly with cold design, when the fire exposure varies towards no fire. Design/methodology/approach During the 1990s, some of these design methods were included in the Eurocode as “the zone method”. They are still a part of the code. The rest of the methods, which were not included, served in practice, teaching and research. The present paper derives calculation methods proving their connection with common design for load cases without fire exposure. Furthermore, the paper presents full-scale tests proving the validation of the design methods for structural members of light aggregate concrete in addition to the full-scale tests of heavy concrete members. Findings The design methods give correct estimates of the load-bearing capacity of eccentric loaded concrete columns. An extended version of the methods estimates load-bearing capacity for walls with fire exposure on one side with sufficient accuracy for the purpose of design. Originality/value The author developed the main parts of the design methods in the 1980s and 1990s and others have from time to time referred to some parts of them mainly the minor parts published in the Eurocodes. However, owing to work overload, the author has not published the derivation and verification of them before. This paper provides in particular a verification against full-scale tests of light-aggregate concrete walls not published before.

Class I HDACs control a JIP1-dependent pathway for kinesin-microtubule binding in cardiomyocytes

Class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors block hypertrophy and fibrosis of the heart by suppressing pathological signaling and gene expression programs in cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts. The impact of HDAC inhibition in unstressed cardiac cells remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that treatment of cultured cardiomyocytes with small molecule HDAC inhibitors leads to dramatic induction of c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK)-interacting protein-1 (JIP1) mRNA and protein expression. In contrast to prior findings, elevated levels of endogenous JIP1 in cardiomyocytes failed to significantly alter JNK signaling or cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Instead, HDAC inhibitor-mediated induction of JIP1 was required to stimulate expression of the kinesin heavy chain family member, KIF5A. We provide evidence for an HDAC-dependent regulatory circuit that promotes formation of JIP1:KIF5A:microtubule complexes that regulate intracellular transport of cargo such as autophagosomes. These findings define a novel role for class I HDACs in the control of the JIP1/kinesin axis in cardiomyocytes, and suggest that HDAC inhibitors could be used to alter microtubule transport in the heart.

Uncover compressed supersymmetry via boosted bosons from the heavier stop/sbottom

A light stop around the weak scale is a hopeful messenger of natural supersymmetry (SUSY), but it has not shown up at the current stage of LHC. Such a situation raises the question of the fate of natural SUSY. Actually, a relatively light stop can easily be hidden in a compressed spectra such as mild mass degeneracy between stop and neutralino plus top quark. Searching for such a stop at the LHC is a challenge. On the other hand, in terms of the argument of natural SUSY, other members in the stop sector, including a heavier stop tilde{t}_2 and lighter sbottom tilde{b}_1 (both assumed to be left-handed-like), are also supposed to be relatively light and therefore searching for them would provide an alternative method to probe natural SUSY with a compressed spectra. In this paper we consider quasi-natural SUSY which tolerates relatively heavy colored partners near the TeV scale, with a moderately large mass gap between the heavier members and the lightest stop. Then W / Z / h as companions of tilde{t}_2 and tilde{b}_1 decaying into tilde{t}_1 generically are well boosted, and they, along with other visible particles from tilde{t}_1 decay, are a good probe to study compressed SUSY. We find that the resulting search strategy with boosted bosons can have better sensitivity than those utilizing multi-leptons.