bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced spin Hall conductivity and charge to spin conversion efficiency in strained orthorhombic SnSe through orbital selective hybridization
Authors: Ketkar E. , Shukla Gaurav K. , Lee Seung-Cheol , Bhattacharjee Satadeep , Singh Sanjay
Published: October 2023

The realization of the spin Hall effect has opened new frontiers for the design of efficient memory storage devices facilitated by the conversion of charge currents to spin currents. Here, using the Kubo formula, we calculate the intrinsic spin Hall conductivity (SHC) of orthorhombic tin selenide (o-SnSe) under the influence of isotropic compressive strain in the ab-plane. As the strain is gradually increased, we obtain a substantial hybridization between the pz orbitals of Sn and Se atoms of an electron pocket from the lowest conduction band and the topmost valence band, respectively. This hybridization process greatly enhances the SHC at the Fermi level and charge-to-spin conversion efficiency, the latter of which is superior to that of popular transition metals such as Ta and Pt. This makes strained o-SnSe an attractive candidate for use in spintronic devices.
Gaussian attractive potential for carboxylate/cobalt surface interactions
Authors: Wu Xiaojing , Steinmann Stephan N. , Michel Carine
Published: October 2023

Ligand-decorated metal surfaces play a pivotal role in various areas of chemistry, particularly in selective catalysis. Molecular dynamics simulations at the molecular mechanics level of theory are best adapted to gain complementary insights to experiments regarding the structure and dynamics of such organic films. However, standard force fields tend to capture only weak physisorption interactions. This is inadequate for ligands that are strongly adsorbed such as carboxylates on metal surfaces. To address this limitation, we employ the Gaussian Lennard-Jones (GLJ) potential, which incorporates an attractive Gaussian potential between the surface and ligand atoms. Here, we develop this approach for the interaction between cobalt surfaces and carboxylate ligands. The accuracy of the GLJ approach is validated through the analysis of the interaction of oxygen with two distinct cobalt surfaces. The accuracy of this method reaches a root mean square deviation (RMSD) of about 3 kcal/mol across all probed configurations, which corresponds to a percentage error of roughly 4%. Application of the GLJ force field to the dynamics of the organic layer on these surfaces reveals how the ligand concentration influences the film order, and highlights differing mobility in the x and y directions, attributable to surface corrugation on Co(112̄0). GLJ is versatile, suitable for a broad range of metal/ligand systems, and can, subsequently, be utilized to study the organic film on the adsorption/desorption of reactants and products during a catalytic process.
Enhanced spin orbit torque efficiency induced by large skew scattering in perpendicular Pt/Co/Ta multilayers with superlattice/alloying Nb (Ir) insertion
Authors: Zhang J. Y. , Dou P. W. , Liu R. Y. , Wang Y. B. , Deng X. , Feng L. Y. , Zheng X. Q. , Huang H. , Wang S. G.
Published: October 2023

Perpendicular magnetization switching driven by spin–orbit torque (SOT) facilitates great potential applications in high-efficient memory and logic. However, SOT-based devices suffer from a relatively low SOT efficiency and ultrahigh current density in the conventional heavy metal/ferromagnet bilayer structure. Here, we report that the SOT behavior can be effectively tuned by inserting the ultrathin Nb superlattice into heavy metal Pt layer compared with Ir insertion or the PtNb alloying layer. A slight change of critical current density (Jc) can be found in the multilayers with Ir insertion. The Jc value for the Pt/Co/Ta multilayer with [Pt/Nb]7 insertion is decreased to 1.4 × 107 A/cm2, approximately 60% lower than that in pure Pt/Co/Ta multilayers. Furthermore, the SOT efficiency is significantly enhanced with increasing the period number due to the tunable spin Hall angle (θSH). Compared with pure Pt layer, the θSH value is increased 47% for the sample with [Pt/Nb]5, which is also significantly larger than that in the one with the PtNb alloying layer. Enhanced skew scattering induced by Nb superlattice plays the main role in these tunable SOT properties. Our findings provide a feasible scheme to engineer high-efficiency SOT-based logic-in-memory.
Low-temperature electron transport of rutile-type GexSn1−xO2
Authors: Takane Hitoshi , Kakeya Itsuhiro , Izumi Hirokazu , Wakamatsu Takeru , Isobe Yuki , Kaneko Kentaro , Tanaka Katsuhisa
Published: October 2023

Rutile-type wide and ultrawide band-gap oxide semiconductors are emerging materials for high-power electronics and deep ultraviolet optoelectronics applications. A rutile-type GeO2-SnO2 alloy (r-GexSn1–xO2) recently found is one of such materials. Herein, we report low-temperature electron transport properties of r-GexSn1−xO2 thin films with x = 0.28 and 0.41. Based on resistivity and magnetoresistance measurements, along with the theory of quantum interference, it is suggested that Efros–Shklovskii variable-range hopping, i.e., hopping over the states within the Coulomb gap, is dominant at lower temperatures (T ≤ 10 and 15 K) in both r-Ge0.41Sn0.59O2 and r-Ge0.28Sn0.72O2. The negative and positive magnetoresistances observed at low temperatures are attributable to the quantum interference and field-induced spin alignment, respectively. The magnetoresistance measurements at higher temperatures suggest that both Mott variable–range hopping and thermally activated band conduction occur at T < 100 K and that almost pure thermally activated band conduction takes place at T ≥ 150 K.
Reversible charge injection-controlled resistance switching in BiFeO3 ferrodiodes
Authors: Chen Dongfang , Shen Bowen , Tan Xiaojun , Jiang Jun
Published: October 2023

The ferroelectric diode effect is a promising candidate for resistive memory applications, but the precise role of defects in the current switching mechanism remains unclear. Here, we investigated ferroelectric SrRuO3/BiFeO3/SrRuO3 capacitors and observed strong diode current. The capacitors exhibited preferred polarization orientation toward the bottom electrode in the presence of an imprint field, as evidenced by poor polarization retention of upward polarizations at a bias voltage of 1 V. Interfacial defect-mediated charge injection and trapping enabled by negative voltage poling reduced the built-in field and improved the retention property at the expense of reduced diode current. This phenomenon can be reversed by long-time positive voltage poling, allowing the deeply trapped charges to be expelled out of the trap for the rejuvenation of the diode current. Our study provides experimental evidence that interfacial defects modify the diode current in a manner opposite to that of the switched polarization.
Quantifying non-threshold Auger-recombination processes in mid-wavelength infrared range HgCdTe quantum wells
Authors: Kudryavtsev K. E. , Yantser A. A. , Fadeev M. A. , Rumyantsev V. V. , Dubinov A. A. , Aleshkin V. Ya. , Mikhailov N. N. , Dvoretsky S. A. , Gavrilenko V. I. , Morozov S. V.
Published: October 2023

We study photoluminescence temperature quenching in HgTe/CdHgTe quantum wells (QWs) emitting at 3–4 μm wavelengths and recover temperature-dependent interband recombination rates. Recombination coefficients are determined for the process that we identify as a non-threshold ehh Auger process involving valence band continuum states in barriers. With the effective Auger coefficient CA reaching ∼10−13 cm4/s under resonant conditions, such a process is shown to determine stimulated emission thresholds in a wide temperature interval, while the contribution of conventional, activated Auger processes is presumably rather limited. Thus, threshold energy considerations should be used with caution for the optimization of HgCdTe QW lasers operating around 3 μm, and relatively low-barrier QWs may provide better performance than the high-barrier ones despite lower energy thresholds for thermally activated eeh-Auger recombination. It holds as long as the conduction band offset is detuned from the bandgap energy to avoid additional non-threshold eeh-processes and sufficient hole localization at elevated temperatures is maintained.
Provider views of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for cisgender women – where do women fit in HIV elimination in Australia?
Authors: Lade Caroline , MacPhail Catherine , Rutherford Alison
Published: October 2023

Background HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Australia has largely been targeted at gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. In the context of HIV elimination, the aim of this qualitative study was to explore PrEP prescribing for Australian cisgender women from the provider’s perspective. Methods Semi-structured interviews were held with Australian prescribers in 2022. Participants were recruited through relevant clinical services, newsletter distribution and snowball sampling. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Results Seventeen prescribers participated, of whom 9 were sexual health physicians and 10 worked in New South Wales. All reported limited clinical experience prescribing PrEP for women. Potential enablers to PrEP prescribing to women included education for women and clinicians, easily identifiable risk factors, individualised risk assessment and expansion of existing services. Barriers were limited PrEP awareness among women and prescribers, difficulties with risk assessment and consult and service limitations. The type of service recommended for PrEP provision varied among participants. Conclusions Clinician experience of PrEP prescribing to Australian cisgender women is limited, with substantial barriers to access perceived by prescribers. Targeted education to PrEP prescribers, updated national PrEP guidelines to include women as a distinct group and further research regarding women’s preferred model of PrEP access are required. Clarity of clinical ownership over PrEP implementation for women and, more broadly, women’s sexual health, is essential in order to achieve HIV elimination in Australia.
Estimating roadkill rates while accounting for carcass detection and persistence using open-population capture–recapture models
Authors: Menger Talita , Kindel Andreas , Brack Ismael Verrastro
Published: October 2023

Context Accurately estimating wildlife roadkill is necessary to compare different roads, periods, and species, and to plan and assess mitigation effectiveness. We must account for the two main sources of errors associated with carcass sampling – carcass detection and persistence. Open-population models are used to estimate abundance, survival probabilities, and recruitment in living animal populations, accounting for imperfect detection, and they can be used in the context of animal fatalities. Aims The aim of this study was to explore an open-population approach to estimate comparable roadkill rates from carcass capture–recapture data, accounting for carcass detection and persistence. Methods We surveyed carcasses of the white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris) and black-and-white tegu lizard (Salvator merianae) on four road stretches using two sampling designs with different number of visits and sampling sessions. Carcasses were marked to be recaptured over visits within the same sampling session, resulting in a capture history for each carcass. Encounter history data were modelled using the superpopulation formulation of the open-population capture–recapture model under Bayesian inference for different datasets. A daily roadkill rate per kilometre was derived from the model entry probability estimate. Key results We estimated a daily roadkill rate with 1501 captures from 447 opossum carcasses and 511 captures from 218 tegu carcasses. For full data, mean carcass detection over the sessions ranged from 0.49 to 0.85 for the opossum and from 0.27 to 0.80 for the tegu, and mean carcass persistence ranged from 0.60 to 0.94 for the opossum and from 0.64 to 0.91 for the tegu. Scenarios with more occasions and captures increased precision of roadkill rates. Conclusions We were able to explicitly estimate roadkill rates using an open-population capture–recapture model under a Bayesian framework. It provides accurate roadkill numbers for a known time frame and road extension, accounting for imperfect detection and its associated uncertainty. Under scenarios of few carcasses, users should consider a higher number of occasions. Implications Not addressing carcass sampling errors or simplistically addressing them (e.g. only once during the study period) could mislead mitigation efforts. The approach used here can be used to estimate fatalities in other locations, such as windfarms and powerlines, for which repeated observations of marked carcasses are an option.
Temperature-induced DNA density transition in phage λ capsid revealed with contrast-matching SANS
Authors: Villanueva Valencia José Ramón , Tsimtsirakis Efthymios , Krueger Susan , Evilevitch Alex
Published: October 2023

Structural details of a genome packaged in a viral capsid are essential for understanding how the structural arrangement of a viral genome in a capsid controls its release dynamics during infection, which critically affects viral replication. We previously found a temperature-induced, solid-like to fluid-like mechanical transition of packaged λ-genome that leads to rapid DNA ejection. However, an understanding of the structural origin of this transition was lacking. Here, we use small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to reveal the scattering form factor of dsDNA packaged in phage λ capsid by contrast matching the scattering signal from the viral capsid with deuterated buffer. We used small-angle X-ray scattering and cryoelectron microscopy reconstructions to determine the initial structural input parameters for intracapsid DNA, which allows accurate modeling of our SANS data. As result, we show a temperature-dependent density transition of intracapsid DNA occurring between two coexisting phases—a hexagonally ordered high-density DNA phase in the capsid periphery and a low-density, less-ordered DNA phase in the core. As the temperature is increased from 20 °C to 40 °C, we found that the core-DNA phase undergoes a density and volume transition close to the physiological temperature of infection (~37 °C). The transition yields a lower energy state of DNA in the capsid core due to lower density and reduced packing defects. This increases DNA mobility, which is required to initiate rapid genome ejection from the virus capsid into a host cell, causing infection. These data reconcile our earlier findings of mechanical DNA transition in phage.
Aberrant DJ-1 expression underlies L-type calcium channel hypoactivity in dendrites in tuberous sclerosis complex and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Niere Farr , Uneri Ayse , McArdle Colin J. , Deng Zhiyong , Egido-Betancourt Hailey X. , Cacheaux Luisa P. , Namjoshi Sanjeev V. , Taylor William C. , Wang Xin , Barth Samuel H. , Reynoldson Cameron , Penaranda Juan , Stierer Michael P. , Heaney Chelcie F. , Craft Suzanne , Keene C. Dirk , Ma Tao , Raab-Graham Kimberly F.
Published: October 2023

L-type voltage-gated calcium (Ca
2+
) channels (L-VGCC) dysfunction is implicated in several neurological and psychiatric diseases. While a popular therapeutic target, it is unknown whether molecular mechanisms leading to disrupted L-VGCC across neurodegenerative disorders are conserved. Importantly, L-VGCC integrate synaptic signals to facilitate a plethora of cellular mechanisms; however, mechanisms that regulate L-VGCC channel density and subcellular compartmentalization are understudied. Herein, we report that in disease models with overactive mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling (or mTORopathies), deficits in dendritic L-VGCC activity are associated with increased expression of the RNA-binding protein (RBP) Parkinsonism-associated deglycase (DJ-1). DJ-1 binds the mRNA coding for the alpha and auxiliary Ca
2+
channel subunits Ca
V
1.2 and α2δ2, and represses their mRNA translation, only in the disease states, specifically preclinical models of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In agreement, DJ-1-mediated repression of Ca
V
1.2/α2δ2 protein synthesis in dendrites is exaggerated in mouse models of AD and TSC, resulting in deficits in dendritic L-VGCC calcium activity. Finding of DJ-1-regulated L-VGCC activity in dendrites in TSC and AD provides a unique signaling pathway that can be targeted in clinical mTORopathies.
Substances in the mandibular glands mediate queen effects on larval development and colony organization in an annual bumble bee
Authors: Franco Maayan , Fassler Rosi , Goldberg Tzvi S. , Chole Hanna , Herz Yogev , Woodard S. Hollis , Reichmann Dana , Bloch Guy
Published: October 2023

Social organization is commonly dynamic, with extreme examples in annual social insects, but little is known about the underlying signals and mechanisms. Bumble bee larvae with close contact to a queen do not differentiate into gynes, pupate at an earlier age, and are commonly smaller than siblings that do not contact a queen. We combined detailed observations, proteomics, microRNA transcriptomics, and gland removal surgery to study the regulation of brood development and division of labor in the annual social bumble bee
Bombus terrestris
. We found that regurgitates fed to larvae by queens and workers differ in their protein and microRNA composition. The proteome of the regurgitate overlaps significantly with that of the mandibular (MG) and hypopharyngeal glands (HPG), suggesting that these exocrine glands are sources of regurgitate proteins. The proteome of the MG and HPG, but not the salivary glands, differs between queens and workers, with caste-specificity preserved for the MG and regurgitate proteomes. Queens subjected to surgical removal of the MG showed normal behavior, brood care, and weight gain, but failed to shorten larval development. These findings suggest that substances in the queen MG are fed to larvae and influence their developmental program. We suggest that when workers emerge and contribute to larval feeding, they dilute the effects of the queen substances, until she can no longer manipulate the development of all larvae. Longer developmental duration may allow female larvae to differentiate into gynes rather than to workers, mediating the colony transition from the ergonomic to the reproductive phase.
The evolution of hot Jupiters revealed by the age distribution of their host stars
Authors: Chen Di-Chang , Xie Ji-Wei , Zhou Ji-Lin , Dong Subo , Yang Jia-Yi , Zhu Wei , Liu Chao , Huang Yang , Xiang Mao-Sheng , Wang Hai-Feng , Zheng Zheng , Luo A-Li , Zhang Jing-Hua , Zhu Zi
Published: October 2023

The unexpected discovery of hot Jupiters challenged the classical theory of planet formation inspired by our solar system. Until now, the origin and evolution of hot Jupiters are still uncertain. Determining their age distribution and temporal evolution can provide more clues into the mechanism of their formation and subsequent evolution. Using a sample of 383 giant planets around Sun-like stars collected from the kinematic catalogs of the Planets Across Space and Time project, we find that hot Jupiters are preferentially hosted by relatively younger stars in the Galactic thin disk. We subsequently find that the frequency of hot Jupiters declines with age as

F
HJ

∝
exp

(
−
0.20
±
0.06
×

t
Gyr

)

. In contrast, the frequency of warm/cold Jupiters shows no significant dependence on age. Such a trend is expected from the tidal evolution of hot Jupiters’ orbits, and our result offers supporting evidence using a large sample. We also perform a joint analysis on the planet frequencies in the stellar age-metallicity plane. The result suggests that the frequencies of hot Jupiters and warm/cold Jupiters, after removing the age dependence are both correlated with stellar metallicities as

F
HJ

∝

10

1
.

6

−
0.3

+
0.3

×

[
Fe
/
H
]

and

F

WJ
/
CJ

∝

10

1
.

1

−
0.3

+
0.2

×

[
Fe
/
H
]

, respectively. Moreover, we show that the above correlations can explain the bulk of the discrepancy in hot Jupiter frequencies inferred from the transit and radial velocity (RV) surveys, given that RV targets tend to be more metal-rich and younger than transits.
Showing high-achieving college applicants past admissions outcomes increases undermatching
Authors: Tomkins Sabina , Grossman Joshua , Page Lindsay , Goel Sharad
Published: October 2023

More than 40% of US high school students have access to Naviance, a proprietary tool designed to guide college search and application decisions. The tool displays, for individual colleges, the standardized test scores, grade-point averages, and admissions outcomes of past applicants from a student’s high school, so long as a sufficient number of students from previous cohorts applied to a given college. This information is intended to help students focus their efforts on applying to the most suitable colleges, but it may also influence application decisions in undesirable ways. Using data on 70,000 college applicants across 220 public high schools, we assess the effects of access to Naviance on application undermatch, or applying only to schools for which a candidate is academically overqualified. By leveraging variation in the year that high schools adopted the tool, we estimate that Naviance increased application undermatching by more than 50% among 17,000 high-achieving students in our dataset. This phenomenon may be due to increased conservatism: Students may be less likely to apply to colleges when they know their academic qualifications fall below the average of admitted students from their high school. These results illustrate how information on college competitiveness, when not appropriately presented and contextualized, can lead to unintended consequences.
Omicron breakthrough infections in vaccinated or previously infected hamsters
Authors: Zhou Jie , Sukhova Ksenia , Peacock Thomas P. , McKay Paul F. , Brown Jonathan C. , Frise Rebecca , Baillon Laury , Moshe Maya , Kugathasan Ruthiran , Shattock Robin J. , Barclay Wendy S.
Published: October 2023

The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 epidemic was marked by the repeated emergence and replacement of “variants” with genetic and phenotypic distance from the ancestral strains, the most recent examples being viruses of the Omicron lineage. Here, we describe a hamster direct contact exposure challenge model to assess protection against reinfection conferred by either vaccination or prior infection. We found that two doses of self-amplifying RNA vaccine based on the ancestral Spike ameliorated weight loss following Delta infection and decreased viral loads but had minimal effect on Omicron BA.1 infection. Prior vaccination followed by Delta or BA.1 breakthrough infections led to a high degree of cross-reactivity to all tested variants, suggesting that repeated exposure to antigenically distinct Spikes, via infection and/or vaccination drives a cross-reactive immune response. Prior infection with ancestral or Alpha variant was partially protective against BA.1 infection, whereas all animals previously infected with Delta and exposed to BA.1 became reinfected, although they shed less virus than BA.1-infected naive hamsters. Hamsters reinfected with BA.1 after prior Delta infection emitted infectious virus into the air, indicating that they could be responsible for onwards airborne transmission. We further tested whether prior infection with BA.1 protected from reinfection with Delta or later Omicron sublineages BA.2, BA.4, or BA.5. BA.1 was protective against BA.2 but not against Delta, BA.4, or BA.5 reinfection. These findings suggest that cohorts whose only immune experience of COVID-19 is Omicron BA.1 infection may be vulnerable to future circulation of reemerged Delta-like derivatives, as well as emerging Omicron sublineages.
FAM91A1–TBC1D23 complex structure reveals human genetic variations susceptible for PCH
Authors: Zhao Lin , Deng Huaqing , Yang Qin , Tang Yingying , Zhao Jia , Li Ping , Zhang Sitao , Yong Xin , Li Tianxing , Billadeau Daniel D. , Jia Da
Published: October 2023

Pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH) is a group of rare neurodevelopmental disorders with limited diagnostic and therapeutic options. Mutations in WDR11, a subunit of the FAM91A1 complex, have been found in patients with PCH-like symptoms; however, definitive evidence that the mutations are causal is still lacking. Here, we show that depletion of FAM91A1 results in developmental defects in zebrafish similar to that of TBC1D23, an established PCH gene. FAM91A1 and TBC1D23 directly interact with each other and cooperate to regulate endosome-to-Golgi trafficking of KIAA0319L, a protein known to regulate axonal growth. Crystal structure of the FAM91A1–TBC1D23 complex reveals that TBC1D23 binds to a conserved surface on FAM91A1 by assuming a Z-shaped conformation. More importantly, the interaction between FAM91A1 and TBC1D23 can be used to predict the risk of certain TBC1D23-associated mutations to PCH. Collectively, our study provides a molecular basis for the interaction between TBC1D23 and FAM91A1 and suggests that disrupted endosomal trafficking underlies multiple PCH subtypes.
Structural basis for severe pain caused by mutations in the voltage sensors of sodium channel NaV1.7
Authors: Wisedchaisri Goragot , Gamal El-Din Tamer M. , Powell Natasha M. , Zheng Ning , Catterall William A.
Published: October 2023

Voltage-gated sodium channels in peripheral nerves conduct nociceptive signals from nerve endings to the spinal cord. Mutations in voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 are responsible for a number of severe inherited pain syndromes, including inherited erythromelalgia (IEM). Here, we describe the negative shifts in the voltage dependence of activation in the bacterial sodium channel NaVAb as a result of the incorporation of four different IEM mutations in the voltage sensor, which recapitulate the gain-of-function effects observed with these mutations in human NaV1.7. Crystal structures of NaVAb with these IEM mutations revealed that a mutation in the S1 segment of the voltage sensor facilitated the outward movement of S4 gating charges by widening the pathway for gating charge translocation. In contrast, mutations in the S4 segments modified hydrophobic interactions with surrounding amino acid side chains or membrane phospholipids that would enhance the outward movement of the gating charges. These results provide key structural insights into the mechanisms by which these IEM mutations in the voltage sensors can facilitate outward movements of the gating charges in the S4 segment and cause hyperexcitability and severe pain in IEM. Our work gives new insights into IEM pathogenesis at the near-atomic level and provides a molecular model for mutation-specific therapy of this debilitating disease.
A bi-vector calibrated algorithm of fiber optic gyroscopes aided magnetometers based on inclinometer
Authors: Ji Shaowen , Zhang Chunxi , Lin Tie , Gao Shuang , Lian Aoxiang
Published: October 2023

Inclinometers based on magnetometers are widely applied in oil and gas well measurements and have poor anti-interference ability. Affected by the drilling tools and stratum, the magnetized inclinometer will cause the output deviation of three-axis magnetometer. Therefore, periodic calibration before engineering applications is a necessary operation process. Fiber optic gyroscopes, with their characteristics of high precision and anti-interference, complement the advantages of magnetometers, which have improved the precision and reliability of the borehole attitude. In addition, a navigation grade three-axis fiber optic gyroscope provides convenience for periodic calibration of magnetometer. Consequently, a bi-vector field correction method based on a fiber-optic gyroscope and magnetometer inclinometer is presented in this study. First, the geometric relation between the seven elements of the geomagnetic field and Earth’s angular velocity was deduced with reference to the right-hand criterion. Second, a bi-vector field error compensation model was established. Finally, the simulation and experimental results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed calibration method.
Novel machine learning and differentiable programming techniques applied to the VIP-2 underground experiment
Authors: Napolitano Fabrizio , Bazzi Massimiliano , Bragadireanu Mario , Cargnelli Michael , Clozza Alberto , De Paolis Luca , Del Grande Raffaele , Fiorini Carlo , Guaraldo Carlo , Iliescu Mihail , Laubenstein Matthias , Manti Simone , Marton Johann , Miliucci Marco , Piscicchia Kristian , Porcelli Alessio , Scordo Alessandro , Sgaramella Francesco , Laura Sirghi Diana , Sirghi Florin , Vazquez Doce Oton , Zmeskal Johann , Curceanu Catalina
Published: October 2023

In this work, we present novel machine learning and differentiable programming enhanced calibration techniques used to improve the energy resolution of the Silicon Drift Detectors (SDDs) of the VIP-2 underground experiment at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory. We achieve for the first time a full width at half maximum in VIP-2 below 180 eV at 8 keV, improving around 10 eV on the previous state-of-the-art. SDDs energy resolution is a key parameter in the VIP-2 experiment, which is dedicated to searches for physics beyond the standard quantum theory, targeting Pauli exclusion principle violating atomic transitions. Additionally, we show that this method can correct for potential miscalibrations, requiring less fine-tuning with respect to standard methods.
On the characterisation of fragmented Bose–Einstein condensation and its emergent effective evolution
Authors: Lee Jinyeop , Michelangeli Alessandro
Published: October 2023

Fragmented Bose–Einstein condensates are large systems of identical bosons displaying multiple macroscopic occupations of one-body states, in a suitable sense. The quest for an effective dynamics of the fragmented condensate at the leading order in the number of particles, in analogy to the much more controlled scenario for complete condensation in one single state, is deceptive both because characterising fragmentation solely in terms of reduced density matrices is unsatisfactory and ambiguous, and because as soon as the time evolution starts the rank of the reduced marginals generically passes from finite to infinite, which is a signature of a transfer of occupations on infinitely many more one-body states. In this work we review these difficulties, we refine previous characterisations of fragmented condensates in terms of marginals, and we provide a quantitative rate of convergence to the leading effective dynamics in the double limit of infinitely many particles and infinite energy gap.
A new nano-design of 16-bit carry look-ahead adder based on quantum technology
Authors: Ahmadpour Seyed-Sajad , Jafari Navimipour Nima
Published: October 2023

There is a requirement and a desire to develop reliable and energy-efficient circuit designs that adapt to the expanding field of low-power circuit engineering in the VLSI domain based on nanotechnology. The quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) technology possesses the potential to supplant the conventional, complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology in low-power nano-scale applications due to its diminutive cell dimensions, dependable circuitry architecture, and robust structural integrity. On the other hand, the carry look-ahead adder (CLA) is one of the vital circuits in digital processing utilized in diverse digital applications. In addition, for the design of this essential circuit, the occupied area and the delay play the primary role because using a simple formulation can reduce the occupied area, energy consumption, and the number of gates count. In the previous structures, high delay and use of traditional technology (like CMOS) caused an increase in the number of gate counts and occupied areas. Using QCA technology, simple quantum cells, and a low delay, all the previous shortcomings can be resolved to reduce the number of gate counts and low occupied area in the CLA circuit. This paper proposes a new method that helps the propagation characteristics generate suitable signals to reduce the number of gate counts based on adders in QCA technology. Several new blocks are used to design fast binary adders. Finally, an optimal four and 16-bit CLA circuit will be proposed based on the adder circuit. Furthermore, the execution and experimentation of outcomes are carried out utilizing QCADesigner-2.0.3. The simulation-based comparison of values justified the proposed design’s accuracy and efficiency. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed circuit has a low area and quantum cell.
Entangling capacity of operators
Authors: Patra Manas K
Published: October 2023

Given a unitary operator U acting on a composite quantum system what is the entangling capacity of U? This question is investigated using a geometric approach. The entangling capacity, defined via metrics on the unitary groups, leads to a minimax problem. The dual, a maximin problem, is investigated in parallel and yields some familiar entanglement measures. A class of entangling operators, called generalized control operators is defined. The entangling capacities and other properties for this class of operators is studied.
Polarization control and enhanced magnetic field sensitivity utilizing surface plasmon polaritons-assisted dual-V-type four-level system
Authors: Gu Sanfeng , Wang Tianqi , Zhang Zeheng , Cai Linyuan , Deng Ming
Published: October 2023

We propose a kind of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs)-assisted dual-V-type four-level composite system used for high-sensitivity weak magnetic field measurement. The SPPs are excited by a D-shaped photonic crystal fiber (PCF) deposited with gold nanowires, and are interacted with the above quantum emitter from the rubidium atomic vapor. In the presence of the external magnetic field, Faraday rotation symmetry is broken due to Zeeman effect, resulting in the polarization plane rotation when a linearly polarized probe field goes through the above quantum emitter. With the help of the coupled field and SPPs, Faraday magneto-optical rotation (MOR) are effectively regulated. The Rabi frequency of the coupled field (Ω
c
), quantum interference degree (q), and phase difference (φ) between the applied fields show strong dependence on the MOR angle and magnetic field measurement sensitivity. The simulated results reveal that the maximum MOR angle and magnetic field sensitivity both damp with Ω
c
expanding and q reducing. The maximum dichroism-independent MOR angle of 89.97° is realized for φ = 0° (180°), and the magnetic field sensitivity of 10.88°/Oe is obtained in the sweeping range of −8.88–8.88 Oe for q = 0.99, being 2.66°/Oe higher than that in the absence of SPPs (q = 0). Most importantly, the output probe field with different polarization forms can be realized by adjusting the φ value. Hence, the proposed device exhibits the potential in the fields of weak magnetic field measurement and polarization control.
Modulating dual-wavelength optical fiber vector solitons
Authors: Xu Guangyu , Peng Yangyang , Tang Yongqiang , Zhang Keyun , Liao Meisong , Fang Yongzheng , Zhou Yan
Published: October 2023

Optical fiber vector solitons have potential applications in the field of high-capacity optical fiber communications and have been widely explored in recent years. Here, we theoretically modulate dual-wavelength optical fiber vector solitons in an optical fiber system at a wavelength regime of 1 μm while considering the influence of group velocity dispersion. When the input dual-wavelength optical fiber vector solitons have the same two central wavelengths of 1057 nm and 1063 nm in orthogonal directions, the output modulated optical fiber vector solitons’ pulse shapes and optical spectra will maintain their peak intensities upon the change of the projection angle. When the two orthogonal central wavelengths of the input dual-wavelength optical fiber vector solitons are slightly different (1056 nm and 1062 nm in one polarization direction, 1058 nm and 1064 nm in the other direction), dual-peak pulse shapes appear and are accompanied by different wavelength peak intensities when the propagation distance increases. Our simulation results examine the out-cavity modulation of dual-wavelength optical fiber vector solitons and can be expanded to multi-wavelength optical fiber vector solitons’ modulation.
Portable EDXRF spectrometer: determination of linearity, LOD, LOQ, and working range for the analysis of base and precious metals in liquid matrices
Authors: Krummenauer A , Lapazin L H , Cenci M P , Veit H M
Published: October 2023

Utilizing a portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer and certified reference materials, this study aimed to determine the linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), and working range of the method for quantitative analysis of base and precious metals in liquid matrices. As the EDXRF method lacks standardization and is highly susceptible to matrix effects, these calculations play a crucial role in the analytical validation process. The obtained R2 values in this study exceeded 0.99, and the residuals exhibited a random distribution pattern. The LOD and LOQ values were determined to be exceptionally low, approaching the resolution limit of the spectrometer. Consequently, our calculations confirmed the analytical validation of the portable EDXRF method for analyzing elements in liquid matrices. The utilization of portable EDXRF equipment in quantitative measurements of elements in liquid matrices represents an innovative approach, unveiling new areas of application for this type of instrument.
Basic procedures in the production of reference materials for ultrasonic non-destructive testing
Authors: Pinto E S F , Shiuan W B , Santos E W J , Dourado T C , Costa-Félix R P B
Published: October 2023

Conducting reliable measurements with traceability is a basic premise in commercial relations between nations. This role is performed by the national standardization institutes (NMI) and coordinated by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM). The use of Reference Materials (RM) and Certified Reference Materials (CRM) have contributed for decades, mainly to the pharmaceutical and biological products industry, providing high-quality measurements and adding value to the products. This research presents the primary standards and guidelines relevant to the definition of RM and CRM for the area of non-destructive testing (NDT) by ultrasound. The generation process of these materials must occur from short- and long-term stability and homogeneity tests following ISO Guide 35. Following a basic protocol defined for the experiments, the first results generated for the RM and CRM validation process are presented for the first results generated for a production process of a set of 24 carbon steel blocks for property calibration regarding ultrasonic velocity.
Ensuring the validity of measurement results of nitrite and nitrate in meat products
Authors: de Oliveira M C , de Almeida M D , Osorio A C P , de Sena R C , Souza V
Published: October 2023

Nitrate and nitrite measurement is a fundamental part of quality control in the meat products industries. The guarantee of technical validity of the results of these measurements can be achieved through the adoption of appropriate metrological tools such as method validation. In this study, the measurement of the mass fractions of nitrite and nitrate ions was performed by ion chromatography with UV detection. The method was linear (r > 0.99) over the working range. Limits of quantification values for measuring nitrite and nitrate in meat product were 8.0 mg kg−1 and 52.4 mg kg−1, respectively. The mean values of recovery at all evaluated mass fraction levels were within the range of 88 % to 106 %. All the validation parameters resulted as satisfactory, and the method was considered adequate for the intended use.
Virtual Laboratory of Ionizing Radiation Metrology: Validation by spectrometry
Authors: Macedo E M , Nascimento M R , Pacífico L C , Garcia I F M , Ferreira J S , Santos W S , Belinato W , Navarro M V T , Peixoto J G P
Published: October 2023

The digital revolution is a reality. Many areas of industry, services as well as other applications fields, are migrating part of their jobs - even the totality - to the digital environment. Ionizing radiation metrology cannot be out of this world. For this objective, the creation of a virtual environment from the physical systems of radiation meter calibration has been proposed. The methodology tools used consist of describing all the key elements of this laboratory in Monte Carlo, using EGSnrc and egs_phd application, to simulate them and to validate the system comparing it with experimental data in the same condition. In this context, the N60 radiation quality, from ISO 4037-1, was chosen for this purpose. An AMPTEK XR-100T CdTe was used on spectrometry, and the spectra were corrected based on the Stripping method. The results showed a good agreement between experimental and simulated spectra, with a difference in their mean energy of 1.4% within the ±5% tolerance range required on ISO 4037-1:1996. After being corrected, both had mean energy of 47.2 keV and a spectral resolution of 33%, which complies with the requirements to produce the ISO N60 reference beam. This indicates that, at first analysis, the virtual system can be exposed to new metrological tests.
An Analysis of Image Processing In Forestry and Agriculture Review
Authors: Mosslah Abd Abrahim , Abbas Amel H.
Published: October 2023

Numerous techniques have been demonstrated for computer technologies to increase agricultural output. One method that is becoming into a valuable tool for picture processing. In order to help academics and farmers improve agricultural practices, this study provides a brief assessment on the use of image processing in forestry and agriculture. Modern agricultural techniques, pesticides and herbicides, plant nutrition management and plant development monitoring benefit greatly from image processing techniques. A future potential for image processing in various agricultural business situations is highlighted in this research. Segmentation in this context refers to the division of pixels in a picture into plant and nonplant pixels. For subsequent plant analysis, like plant categorization (in another meaning: determining this plant was considered either a crop or maybe a weed. Based on this analysis, the successful work depends herbicide application in smart agricultural applications, In this process, excellence is crucial. Fragmentation is first focused on through survey and then image pre-processing is carefully examined. Here, at this stage, the backgrounds of the plants are segmented (i.e., the soil attachments are isolated on one side and the plant on the other). The main plant harvesting strategies are three of which are segmentation based on threshold, segmentation based on deep learning and segmentation based on color index. The focus of our review is on color index methods due to their abundance in the literature. Therefore, according to literature research completed in last decade, specifically starting in the year 2008 to 2021, a thorough evaluation of the Color index-based categorization approaches are shown. Finally, we list the difficulties and a few chances for new breakthroughs in this field.
A prototype sensorless dual axis solar tracker system based on Arduino programming technique
Authors: Nori Abbas F. , Wdaah Enas R. , Alatta Hassan J. , Mohammed Faisel G.
Published: October 2023

The research works on designing and manufacturing a device that can generate clean energy, taking into account the geographical location of Iraq, and be economical and cheap, this manufactured device addresses the permanent problems that this type of device encounters. Therefore, a solar tracker has been manufactured that tracks the sun’s rays, to reduce the number of solar panels used, and is an environmentally friendly generator, it works without the LDR photosensors. The work was done on different days, a sunny day, a partially cloudy day, and a cloudy day. Through the work, it was practically observed that the device responded to work and reduced the problem of dispersion, as it was directed by programming from the microcontroller, not by the sensors, from the obtained results, it was noted that the generation losses in the three days under study sequentially are (10.9%, 9%, 4.9% ) and the results are very acceptable, and the anticipated outcome was attained.
Universal Geographic Information System Productivity beneath optimum Underwater Sensor Networks Routing
Authors: Hayder Israa Adil , Yasmeen Rizwana , Ali Usman , Kayani Saleha , Khan Sajawal ur Rehman , Ahmed Ghufran
Published: October 2023

Study Framework: The system of geographical information (GIS) is a computerized method for collecting, storing, disseminating, querying, updating, processing and analyzing geographic data. (GIS) enables the collection of diverse spatial data from various sources and transforms it into an information board for multiple users to boost productivity. Intelligent techniques, remote sensing, and underwater Wireless sensor networks are applied to improve GIS dramatically. Remote sensing data sources for GIS come from underwater sensor networks, The implementation of effective sensing devices, intelligent mobile nodes, and a multi-hop routing system can facilitate the efficient and optimal routing of traffic towards the basin or base station. They have been using GIS, which has revolutionized response scenarios with its ability to collect, analyze and manipulate spatial points.

The objective of the study: The aim of this research is to differentiate the significant routing protocol issues that are relevant to underwater sensor networks. These networks serve as key transceivers that have established mechanisms for seamless and efficient data transmission.

The mechanisms: The article presented a performance evaluation simulation based on a comparison of five different routing protocols that perform to promote GIS execution. A rigorous comparison of the outcomes varied by five routing protocols, where it evaluated with random mobility UnderWater sensor model based on the varied network parameters, was performed to validate this work.

The continued to improve results: The suggested study in this manuscript contains spatial-information services universal to routing protocols to aid a group of navigators in harsh circumstances. According to the findings of the study, the CTP-ABS-SEEC routing protocol demonstrated superior performance compared to the other four routing protocols (CTP-SEEC, SEEC, EEDBR, and DBR) in the specified network configuration.