Gravity as the square of Yang‐Mills: implications for 𝒩 = 8 supergravity

The pure gravity Lagrangian can be written as the “square” of the pure Yang‐Mills Lagrangian to second order in coupling constants. This paper uses this form of the gravity Lagrangian as a starting point to arrive at a compact light‐cone superspace Lagrangian for 𝒩 = 8 supergravity to order κ².     

Scalably Using Node Attributes and Graph Structure for Node Classification

The task of node classification concerns a network where nodes are associated with labels, but labels are known only for some of the nodes. The task consists of inferring the unknown labels given the known node labels, the structure of the network, and other known node attributes. Common node classification approaches are based on the assumption that adjacent nodes have similar attributes and, therefore, that a node’s label can be predicted from the labels of its neighbors. While such an assumption is often valid (e.g., for political affiliation in social networks), it may not hold in some cases. In fact, nodes that share the same label may be adjacent but differ in their attributes, or may not be adjacent but have similar attributes. In this work, we present JANE (Jointly using Attributes and Node Embeddings), a novel and principled approach to node classification that flexibly adapts to a range of settings wherein unknown labels may be predicted from known labels of adjacent nodes in the network, other node attributes, or both. Our experiments on synthetic data highlight the limitations of benchmark algorithms and the versatility of JANE. Further, our experiments on seven real datasets of sizes ranging from 2.5K to 1.5M nodes and edge homophily ranging from 0.86 to 0.29 show that JANE scales well to large networks while also demonstrating an up to 20% improvement in accuracy compared to strong baseline algorithms.     

Superior corrosion protection and in vitro biocompatibility of Na-HAp/CS composite coating on PoPD-coated 316L SS

The synthesis and development of sodium (Na)-substituted hydroxyapatite (HAp)/chitosan (CS) composite using poly (O-phenylenediamine) (PoPD) coating on 316L SS substrate for improving bioactivity and corrosion protection was studied. The surface of Na-HAp/CS/PoPD bilayer coatings on 316L SS substrate was characterized by diverse analytical techniques. The open circuit potential (OCP) measurement, potentiodynamic polarization, and impedance test revealed that the bilayer coating provides excellent protection to the substrate against the corrosion in the simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. This interior layer of the coating acts as a barrier against the release of metal ions from the substrate, which was confirmed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. Besides, the mechanical properties of the coatings were analyzed. From the obtained results, the bilayer coating exhibited greater mechanical strength than the individual coating. An in vitro bioactivity of the coatings was assessed by immersion in the SBF solution at 7–28 days. The apatite formation of bilayer coatings on 316L SS substrate is found to be more bioactive compared with the Na-HAp, PoPD, and Na-HAp/CS. The in vitro biocompatibility test showed no adverse effects, which was proved by the enhanced biocompatibility of the bilayer coating on 316L SS.     

The quintic interaction vertex in light-cone gravity

We consider pure gravity in light-cone gauge and derive the complete quintic interaction vertex. Up to quartic order, the Kawai–Lewellen–Tye (KLT) relations can be made manifest at the level of the Einstein–Hilbert Lagrangian. The quintic interaction vertex represents an essential first step in further extending the off-shell validity of the KLT relations to higher order vertices.     

Performance analysis of CONWIP systems with batch size constraints

Multi-product manufacturing systems operating under CONWIP control are often modeled as closed queuing networks with synchronization stations. Performance analysis of these systems can be challenging, especially when batch size constraints are explicitly considered. This research develops a new approach for evaluating the performance of these systems based on parametric characterizations and traffic process approximations. The approach explicitly models the effect of batch size constraints on the departure process and waiting times at the different stations in the network to derive new characterization equations. These equations are used to derive a set of linking equations that is solved using an iterative algorithm to obtain estimates of network performance. Numerical studies indicate that the proposed method is yields fairly accurate performance estimates and can be useful in evaluating tradeoffs that guide managerial decisions.     

Detection of single ion channel activity on a chip using tethered bilayer membranes

Membrane-bound ion channels are promising biological receptors since they allow for the stochastic detection of analytes at high sensitivity. For stochastic sensing, it is necessary to measure the ion currents associated with single ion channel opening and closing events. However, this calls for stability, high reproducibility, and long lifetimes. A critical issue to overcome is the low stability of the ion channel environment, that is, the bilayer membrane. A promising technique to surmount this is to connect the lower part of the membrane to a surface forming a tethered bilayer membrane. By reconstituting the synthetic ion channel, gramicidin A, into a tethered bilayer as part of a microchip design, we have been able to record the activity of single ion channels. The observed activity was compared with that obtained by a conventional electrophysiology method, tip dipping, to confirm its authenticity. These findings allow for the construction of stable biosensors based on ion channels and provide a novel technique for the characterization of ion channel activity.     

Formation of tethered bilayer lipid membranes on gold surfaces: QCM-Z and AFM study

Recently, tethered bilayer lipid membranes (tBLMs) have shown high potential as biomimetic systems due to their high stability and electrical properties, and have been used in applications ranging from membrane protein incorporation to biosensors. However, the kinetics of their formation remains largely uninvestigated. By using quartz crystal microbalance with impedance analysis (QCM-Z), we were able to monitor both the kinetics and viscoelastic properties of tether adsorption and vesicle fusion. Formation of the tether monolayer was shown to follow pseudo-first-order Langmuir kinetics with association and dissociation rate constants of 21.7 M-1 s(-1) and 7.43 x 10-6 s(-1), respectively. Moreover, the QCM-Z results indicate a rigid layer at the height of deposition, which then undergoes swelling as indicated by AFM. The deposition of vesicles to the tether layer also followed pseudo-first-order Langmuir kinetics with observed rate constants of 5.58 x 10(-2) and 2.41 x 10-2 s(-1) in water and buffer, respectively. Differential analysis of the QCM-Z data indicated deposition to be the fast kinetic step, with the rate-limiting steps being water release and fusion. Atomic force microscopy pictures taken complement the QCM-Z data, showing the major stages of tether adsorption and vesicle fusion, while providing a road map to successful tBLM formation.     

Effect of porosity of α-alumina on non-thermal plasma decomposition of ethylene in a dielectric-packed bed reactor

The performances of the porous and nonporous α-alumina (α-Al₂O₃) for the decomposition of ethylene in a dielectric-packed bed plasma reactor were comparatively examined with respect to the decomposition efficiency and the formation of byproducts. The decomposition was mainly controlled by discharge power, oxygen content, and properties of the alumina, such as porosity and surface area. The addition of a small quantity of oxygen led to an increase in the generation of oxidative species which eventually increased the ethylene decomposition efficiency. In the presence of 5 % oxygen, ethylene at an initial concentration of 1,898 ppm was completely oxidized into CO or CO₂ when using the porous α-alumina. On the other hand, the nonporous α-alumina resulted in an incomplete oxidation, producing several carbon-containing byproducts other than CO and CO₂. Moreover, with the other conditions kept constant, the decomposition efficiency obtained with the porous α-alumina was higher than that with the nonporous one, suggesting the adsorption capability of the packing material plays an important role in the decomposition process.