bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hepatic Hilar Nerve Block for Adjunctive Analgesia in Thermal Ablation of Liver Tumors: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Georgiades Marilena , March Christine , Barajas Ordonez Felix , Omari Jazan , Powerski Maciej , Grosser Oliver S , Damm Robert , Pech Maciej
Published: February 2025

To determine whether performing a temporary hepatic hilar nerve block in patients undergoing microwave or radiofrequency ablation of primary or secondary hepatic malignancies reduces the requirement for intravenous conscious procedural sedation and analgesia.

Fifty patients undergoing percutaneous image-guided liver thermal ablation were included in this single-center prospective randomized controlled trial. The experimental arm received a hepatic hilar nerve block in addition to intravenous medication directly before thermal ablation, whereas the control group underwent thermal ablation solely under intravenous medication, with the possibility of crossover. Student’s t-test and analysis of covariance were performed to determine the block’s efficacy regarding the intraoperative medication requirement.

50 patients (22 females, 28 males) were randomly allocated to two groups without significant differences between the cohorts’ baseline patient, clinical, and tumor characteristics. Three control group patients underwent crossover. Initial analysis using Student’s t-test revealed no significant intravenous medication reduction in the control group vs. the test group (190 µg vs. 189 µg fentanyl, P = 0.96 and 1.34 mg vs. 1.60 mg Midazolam, P = 0.19). Thus, ANCOVA was performed to accommodate for heterogeneous ablation conditions (ablation time, total energy applied, affected liver capsule area). The adjusted mean fentanyl dosage was 206 µg vs. 184 µg (control group vs. test group), yielding a significant reduction after block (P = 0.020). None of the patients who received a hepatic hilar nerve block experienced any adverse events during a mean follow-up of nearly six months (range: 0–17 months).

This prospective randomized trial confirms that a hepatic hilar nerve block can be safely performed before liver tumor thermal ablation as an adjunct to intravenous medication to reduce opioid consumption and manage pain.
Posterior cruciate ligament revision surgery: Outcomes, failure rates, and complications. A systematic review of the literature
Authors: D'Ambrosi Riccardo , Carrozzo Alessandro , Di Feo Fabrizio , Skopljak Edna , Kambhampati Srinivas BS , Attri Manish , Meena Amit
Published: February 2025

Purpose: To synthesise and qualitatively assess the currently available evidence in the literature regarding the revision of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted on the basis of the PRISMA guidelines. The outcome data extracted from the studies were the Lysholm score, Orthopadische Arbeitsgruppe Knie (OAK) scoring system, KT-2000, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective and objective, radiological changes, rate of return to sports, complications, and failures and/or revision surgeries.
Results: The cohort consisted of 54 patients (42 [77.8%] men and 12 [22.2%] women), with a mean age of 33.14 ±3.67 years (range 17–48 years). The mean postoperative follow-up was 71.8 ±45.32 months, whereas the mean time from primary surgery to revision was 41.7 ±4.5 months. All studies reported a clinical improvement from preoperative to final follow-up in terms of the Lysholm, OAK, KT-2000, and IKDC scores (p<0.05). Posterior displacement was significantly improved in all studies, demonstrating the stability of the knee. The mean posterior displacement ranged from a preoperative value of 10.68 ±0.7 mm to a final value of 2.7 ±0.2 mm (p<0.05). A total of two (3.7%) failures were reported, and there were also eight (14.8%) revision surgeries.
Conclusions: Studies on posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction revisions have shown satisfactory clinical outcomes and a high level of knee stability, with a minimal risk of new reruptures. However, the rate of returning to preinjury sports activity is relatively low. Whenever possibile, it is recommended to perform the ligament revision in a single stage.
Varus Producing Distal Femur Osteotomy Alters Radiographic Measurements Related to Patellofemoral Instability – A Cadaver Study
Authors: Bond Elizabeth , Cochran Grant , Bulleit Clark , Poehlein Emily , Green Cynthia , Wittstein Jocelyn Ross
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Varus producing distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) is an established procedure to correct genu valgum in patients with osteoarthritis and gait abnormalities. DFO has also been proposed for the treatment of patellar instability in patients with valgus alignment. However, it is not known how DFO affects parameters associated with patellar instability. This study evaluated radiographic changes after DFO with variable degree of correction on six cadaveric knees, with the hypothesis that improving mechanical alignment would improve radiographic parameters related to patellar instability.
Materials/Methods: Six lower-limb cadaveric specimens were obtained after approval by the Institutional Review Board. A lateral opening wedge DFO was performed on each specimen with correction blocks of 6, 10, and 14 millimeters. The mechanical axis, tibiofemoral angle (mTFA), distal femoral angle (mDFA), Caton Deschamps Index (CDI), Insall Salvati Index (ISI), tibial tubercle to trochlear groove distance (TT-TG), and patellofemoral congruence angle (PFCA) were measured on computed tomography (CT) scans at baseline and after each correction block.
Results: At baseline, a mean varus alignment of the limbs was observed (mTFA: 2.7 2.8°, mDFA: 87.61.0°). The baseline patellar height was normal (CDI: 0.90.2, ISI: 1.00.1). Statistically significant decreases in mechanical axis and TT-TG distance and increases in mDFA and mFTA were found with increasing block size. The TT-TG distance was decreased by -1.6 mm (95% CI: -2.27 to -0.86), -3.8 mm (95% CI: -4.8 to -2.8), and -4.0 mm (95% CI: -5.4 to -2.7) with a 6, 10, and 14 mm block, respectively. No differences were observed in patellar height when measured with CDI or ISI after any block size.
Conclusion: In a cadaveric model, DFO significantly affects the mechanical axis and TT-TG distance. Specifically, this study found a mean decrease in TT-TG of -3.8 mm when performing a 10 mm opening wedge osteotomy. No changes in patellar height were observed.
Key Terms: Patellar instability; distal femoral osteotomy; genu valgum; radiologic measurements
Problem solved? An individual ratio between Point-Of-Care and venous INR values in two patients with Antiphospholipid Syndrome: two case reports
Authors: Geertsema-Hoeve Bettina C , Radin Massimo , Sciascia Savino , Urbanus Rolf T. , Huisman Albert , Borgsteede-de Wilde Josine , Limper Maarten
Published: February 2025

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by thromboembolic and obstetric complications in the presence of persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Treatment aims to prevent recurrent thrombosis, primarily using anticoagulation therapy with vitamin-K antagonists (VKA). Monitoring of VKA therapy relies on the International Normalized Ratio (INR), which can be assessed using point-of-care (POC) testing. However, in a subset of APS patients with a high-risk aPL profile, the POCT-INR is falsely elevated, which might lead to underdosing of VKA and subsequent high risk of recurrent thrombosis. This case report describes two female patients with triple-positive thrombotic APS receiving VKA therapy. Both patients underwent biweekly paired INR measurements via POCT-INR and venous INR methods. Despite significant discrepancies, a strong individual linear correlation was observed: r=0.77 (95%CI 0.54 – 0.99, p<0.001) and r=0.93 (95%CI 0.88 – 0.97, p<0.001), respectively. These findings suggest that individualized correction factors could be developed to improve the accuracy of POCT-INR measurements, thereby optimizing VKA dosing in these patients.
Interventional Management of Benign Biliary Strictures
Authors: Meher Dinesh , Patidar Yashwant
Published: February 2025

Biliary strictures can occur due to benign and malignant etiologies, of which ∼30% are due to benign causes. The diagnosis of benign biliary strictures (BBSs) is often missed or delayed as many cases present with subtle clinical findings. Clinical presentation in these patients is often variable ranging from asymptomatic to cholangitis and sepsis. Diagnosis can be done using various modalities like ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Imaging helps identify the stricture location, extent as well as etiology of obstruction. Management of BBS requires a multidisciplinary approach of surgeon, gastroenterologist, and interventional radiologist. The percutaneous approach provides an alternative to surgery or endoscopic-guided procedures in biliary stricture treatment with the main advantages being rapid decompression of the biliary system and prompt relief of cholangitis. This review provides an overview of various percutaneous management techniques by interventional radiologists. The various percutaneous techniques like percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, balloon dilatation, plastic or biodegradable stents, magnetic compression anastomosis, and percutaneous endobiliary radiofrequency ablation are discussed.
Embryology of the Vascular System: Implications for Variants
Authors: Patel Ronak K. , Simmons Curtis L. , Ozen Merve
Published: February 2025

The vascular system is an intricate system that develops during early periods of embryogenesis. Through a complex signaling pathway of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, embryonic vessels grow and coalesce, which allows nutrient and waste management. Dysfunction in these endothelial cells gives rise to vascular variants. Throughout gestational development, vascular variants can form in different organ systems such as the thoracic cavity, hepatic, renal, and lower pelvis. It is clinically very important for physicians to recognize these variants, as these variants can predispose to certain illnesses and treatment of patients surgically. This article discusses the embryology and vascular variants of the arterial system with a focus on the thoracic cavity, hepatic, renal, and pelvic variations to help aid in minimizing technical complications during procedures.
Diagnosis and Medical Management of Biliary Strictures
Authors: Benintende Andrew , Duggan Erin M. , Thuluvath Avesh J.
Published: February 2025

Biliary strictures are a relatively rare condition characterized by narrowing of the intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts. Though biliary strictures are most commonly malignant in etiology, both benign and malignant strictures are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis of an indeterminate biliary stricture is often challenging and requires a comprehensive workup, including laboratory testing, biochemical markers, and imaging and endoscopy, with the primary aims of differentiating malignant versus benign biliary disease and identifying the location, length, and extent of the stricture. A wide range of imaging modalities can be employed in doing so, including ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Tissue sampling is often required during the workup of indeterminate biliary strictures and is most feasibly obtained through endoscopy. Diagnosis of indeterminant biliary strictures should be prompt to prevent long-term sequelae of the disease. Once diagnosed, the treatment of biliary strictures is guided by the etiology, location, and severity of the stricture. Benign biliary strictures have been historically treated with balloon dilation and stenting. These procedures remain mainstays in treatment, but additional therapeutic advances including radiofrequency ablation, laser stricturotomy, and magnetic compression anastomoses have emerged as novel, potentially beneficial adjuncts. In malignant biliary strictures, the resectability of malignancy is the primary factor determining treatment. Surgical management for resectable malignancies causing malignant biliary strictures remains the gold standard treatment approach. For unresectable malignant biliary strictures, the goal shifts to adequately draining the biliary tree to palliate the patient using similar treatment approaches as benign biliary strictures. With advancing endoscopic, percutaneous, and surgical techniques, standard-of-care diagnostic and treatment approaches are likely to continue to evolve to further optimize long-term outcomes.
Glomus Tumor of the Finger Diagnosed on Bone Scintigraphy
Authors: Lombardi Alecio F. , Martinez Felipe , Long Jeremiah R.
Published: February 2025

A 60-year-old woman with chronic pain in the left long finger, occasionally involving the ring finger and intermittently extending to the hand, wrist, and distal forearm, was referred for radiographs and a triple-phase technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate bone scintigraphy to evaluate for possible complex regional pain syndrome. Initial radiographs were normal. A three-phase bone scan revealed focal radiotracer uptake at the distal aspect of the long finger during the blood pool phase only, with normal blood flow and delayed phases, suggesting a hypervascular soft tissue tumor. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging showed a hypervascular nodule in the nail bed of the long finger. The lesion was surgically resected, and pathology results confirmed the diagnosis of a glomus tumor.
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Unresectable Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Retrospective Observational Study from a Regional Cancer Center in South Asia—A Case Series
Authors: M.N Arunkumar , V. Priyadarshini , Selvarajan Gangothri , Seshadri Ramakrishnan Ayloor , S. Pradeep Jeyakumar
Published: February 2025

Introduction Concurrent chemoradiation is the treatment of choice for unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Recent progress toward an effective chemotherapeutic regime has seen improvement in systemic control; however, local control remains a significant issue. One strategy to improve local control and survival is stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).

Objectives This study aims to describe the clinical and treatment characteristics of patients with unresectable LAPC treated with SBRT and to assess the outcome.

Material and Methods This is a retrospective observation study of case series involving patients treated with SBRT from January 2015 to December 2023 with unresectable LAPC. Data were recorded from the electronic medical records of the hospital-based cancer registry, and overall survival was calculated using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software.

Result We enrolled four patients in this study. This group consisted of four patients with unresectable LAPC who were treated with the FOLFORINOX (folinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) chemotherapy regime followed by SBRT. For most patients, the radiotherapy dose was 30 to 40 Gy five times per week. These patients exhibited no acute or late toxicity, with 5 to 18 months overall survival.

Conclusion Chemotherapy followed by SBRT is an effective treatment in unresectable LAPC besides chemoradiation.
Low Anterior Resection Syndrome, Role of SNM?
Authors: Marinello Franco
Published: February 2025

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) includes all bowel dysfunctions after rectal cancer surgery, causing significant damage to survivors' quality of life. Among different therapeutical approaches, sacral neuromodulation (SNM) has become an interesting technique to palliate LARS symptoms. This article highlights the pathophysiology of LARS, describing the most important aspects of SNM in this scenario.
Hydrodynamic, thermodynamic, and physical properties of released condensate gas in the deep sea
Authors: Lü Yuling , Wang Qiuyan , Luo Xiaoming , Yue Binxi
Published: February 2025

Deep-sea hydrocarbon releases represent a considerable menace to the fragile ecological environment. Nonetheless, most contemporary models have limitations in forecasting the dynamics, physical attributes, and thermodynamic conditions of buoyant bubbles within the water column. This paper introduces a comprehensive bubble transport model that considers various pertinent behaviors of condensate gas bubbles, encompassing hydrodynamics, gas–liquid phase partitioning, and synergistic interactions between mass transfer and hydrate morphology. The model's reliability was substantiated by accurately predicting bubble shrinkage through on-site experiments conducted at various depths within Monterey Bay. The ascent of condensate gas bubbles leaked at 1,400 m in the South China Sea is simulated employing the proposed model. The findings reveal that the presence of a hydrate shell significantly impacts bubble velocity and survival time. The specific hydrate coverage area dictates the transition time for crystallization under identical thermodynamic conditions. The condensate gas bubble ultimately ascends to the sea surface as liquid condensate in which the C6 component emerges as the primary factor. Surface migration capacity and compressibility factors primarily determine the gas bubble evolution of the properties and ascension to the sea surface.
Accuracy of two-dimensional high-order lattice Boltzmann method with regularization for transition flows
Authors: Nakprapatsorn Thapana , Wongwaitayakornkul Pakorn , Malakit Kittipat , Pianpanit Theerasarn , Ruffolo David
Published: February 2025

We study the enhancement of the accuracy of the high-order lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) in both the order of equilibrium-distribution expansion and the degree of precision of the Gauss–Hermite quadrature. Furthermore, we investigate the accuracy of high-order regularization. We utilize two-dimensional Kolmogorov flow and Taylor–Green vortex flow over a wide range of Knudsen numbers (Kn) as the benchmark. The degree of precision of the Gauss–Hermite quadrature is assessed up to 33, the order of the equilibrium-distribution expansion is up to 14, and the order of regularization is up to 10. We compare the results to the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. The results indicate an improvement from increasing the degree of precision but not from increasing the order of equilibrium-distribution expansion. At Kn ∼ 0.1, the results from LBM with regularization agree with the theoretical solution. At Kn ≳ 1, the results from LBM with regularization contain oscillation, which is reduced as we increase the order of regularization. For a given order of regularization, there exists a numerical stability threshold for the degree of precision. This is in contrast to the order of equilibrium-distribution expansion, which has been known to have no stability restriction on the degree of precision used. When the simulation with regularization is stable, the degree of precision does not contribute to the accuracy of the simulation result. Conversely, the simulation without regularization, which should be equivalent to keeping the nonequilibrium distribution to infinite order, is stable no matter what degree of precision is chosen. Moreover, the accuracy of the simulation without regularization depends on the degree of precision used.
Pore-scale direct simulation of CO2, water, and oil three-phase relative permeabilities considering mineral wettability and dissolution
Authors: Yang Bo , Zhu Huixing , Tian Hailong , Xia Yingli , Xu Tianfu
Published: February 2025

CO2 enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) is an important technology due to its dual advantages of increasing oil production and mitigating CO2 emission. However, complex multiphase seepage mechanisms that are critical to the successful application of CO2-EOR are still uncertain. Three-phase relative permeabilities of CO2, water, and oil in the oil reservoir are an important parameter to characterize multiphase flow. To quantitatively investigate these relative permeabilities, pore-scale direct simulations were performed using the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). Given the complexity and diversity of factors affecting relative permeability, fluid distribution characteristics, and three-phase relative permeability isoperms were investigated in water-wet, oil-wet, and mixed-wet porous media, and their variation caused by calcite dissolution was further studied. Furthermore, two widely accepted models (i.e., Stone II and the Baker models) were compared with the simulation results, and their applicability was discussed. Results demonstrate that in both water-wet and oil-wet porous media, the isoperms of CO2, water, and oil relative permeability exhibit distinct variations. Additionally, in the mixed-wet sample, the presence of a high quartz content results in three-phase relative permeabilities resembling that of the single-wet sample with a water-oil contact angle of 60°. Furthermore, it is observed that the dissolution of calcite enhances the relative permeability of non-wetting fluids, but its effect on wetting fluids remains insignificant. The comparison of the predictive results from two empirical models with those obtained from LBM simulations demonstrates their superior accuracy in predicting three-phase relative permeability values in water-wet porous media while exhibiting limited applicability in oil-wet porous media.
The time-fractional Schrödinger equation in the context of non-Markovian dynamics with dissipation
Authors: Zu Chuanjin , Yu Xiangyang
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we examine the time-fractional Schrödinger equation from the perspective of non-Markovian dynamics in dissipative systems. First, we determine the range of the fractional derivative’s order by examining the memory properties of the time-fractional Schrödinger equation. Next, we employ the Jaynes–Cummings model to identify the appropriate mathematical form of the imaginary unit. Finally, we use the refined equation to study quantum teleportation under amplitude damping noise. It was found that the time-fractional Schrödinger equation without fractional operations on the imaginary unit i might be more suitable for describing non-Markovian dynamics in dissipative systems. Our research may provide a new perspective on the time-fractional Schrödinger equation, contributing to a deeper understanding and further development of time-fractional quantum mechanics.
The reliability of latex weak links on radio collars used to track eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus)
Authors: Chen Tian , Davis Naomi , Whiteley Pam , Skerratt Lee F. , El-Hage Charles , Hufschmid Jasmin
Published: February 2025

Telemetry neck collars are commonly used to collect spatial data on free ranging animals. Two major challenges in application are entanglement prevention and retrieval of the collars after the study. Weak links made of a degradable material that breaks down while deployed on the animal are a potential solution to reduce entanglement and prevent the need to capture or sedate animals for retrieval. However, weak links can perform inconsistently depending on an animal’s behaviour and environmental factors such as heat and humidity. A study of disease in eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) in Victoria, Australia, provided an opportunity to test the performance of 35 radio collars fitted with a latex weak link between May and July 2022. At the conclusion of the study, 20 collars were manually removed from euthanised animals, and 15 detached in the field; all of these broke at the weak link. Of the 15 detached collars, 10 dropped from live animals due to degradation between 106 and 208 days (mean = 147 days) after deployment, four kangaroos were found dead and their collars were retrieved nearby and one dropped immediately after attachment. The performance of the device in this study demonstrates the utility of weak links as a cheap and simple remote detachment tool to prevent entanglement and achieve remote detachment of neck collars during animal tracking studies.
Integrated approaches to maximizing maize resistance to fall armyworm
Authors: Woolfolk Sandra W. , Jeffers Daniel , Hawkins Leigh K. , Uhdre Renan , Ni Xinzhi , Warburton Marilyn L.
Published: February 2025

Fall armyworm (FAW) is a serious pest of maize causing major yield loss throughout the world. FAW management is not easy primarily due to its ability to migrate into areas lacking resistant cultivars, lack of diapause, and evolving resistance to control measures. Here, we discuss genetics of both maize and FAW and deployment of genetic control including historical resistance breeding efforts, transgenic
Bt
traits, gene identification studies to promote marker-assisted selection, and various recent advancements to accelerate maize improvement such as genome editing, genomic selection, high throughput phenotyping, and RNAi. FAW management can also be achieved using an integrated pest management approach. Challenges to IPM control include climate change, complex cropping systems and the wide range of hosts for FAW. We suggest that multinational cooperative public and private research will be needed to create an integrated insect resistance management (IIRM) approach for FAW control tying together genetics of the crop, the pest, and insect predators; genetic and agronomic monitoring and control methods; and a changing environment. This will give breeders the time to use advanced plant breeding techniques to create and deploy maize cultivars with stress resilience, yield stability and grain quality.
Effect of over and undercharging on intercalation induced stress in lithium nickel-manganese-cobalt electrode
Authors: Tomar Ishu , Sarkar Abhishek
Published: February 2025

Cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries are prone to delamination under over-voltage and fast charging conditions. This causes loss of active materials, reduction of battery capacity, and cycle life. This work develops a physics-based model to simulate the effect of over and undercharging of different cathode particle sizes in a composite electrode. A chemo-mechanical model is designed to simulate the non-linear volumetric expansion of a range of electrode particle sizes encapsulated in a binder, under different voltage conditions. The cathode fracture is modelled under fast charging conditions due to fatigue loading caused by (de)lithiation of lithium-ions during electrochemical cycling of nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cathode in a half-cell arrangement. Two modes of degradation are considered, i.e., particle surface is free, and particle surface is fixed. Paris’ law is used to model the growth of fatigue cracks. The variation of tangential and radial stress in the particle and film are presented for the charging rate (1C – 4C). The results predict crack growth and conditions of failure in the electrode during electrochemical cycling under various charging rates. Finally, an intuitive capacity loss model is developed to predict the cycle life and active material losses due to film delamination and particle fracture.
Study on the influence of airborne LiDAR measurement data representation method on DRL-based UAV navigation performance
Authors: Sheng Yuanyuan , Liu Huanyu , Li Junbao
Published: February 2025

With the development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, UAV navigation based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL) has become a current research focus. In the existing research on UAV navigation based on LiDAR, most of them construct the state space of DRL using the direct measurement data of LiDAR, ignoring the impact of the representation method of LiDAR measurement data on navigation performance. To address this issue, this study analyzed the characteristics of different representation methods of LiDAR measurement data. Considering the impact of UAV angle changes, the LiDAR measurement data were represented by polar coordinates and Cartesian coordinates respectively to construct the state space of the UAV navigation model. Based on two classic DRL frameworks, through a large number of flight tests in complex static and dynamic scenarios, it was found that when considering the dynamic information of the environment, the models based on polar coordinates and Cartesian coordinates have better navigation performance, which provides new ideas for the effective utilization of LiDAR perception information.
Competitive mechanism between light extraction efficiency and sidewall passivated effect in the green micro-LEDs with varied thickness of Al2O3 layer
Authors: Deng Youcai , Li Denghai , Dai Yurong , Lin Zongmin , Lin Youqin , Liu Zongyuan , Chen Xinxing , Kuo Hao-Chung , Chen Zhong , Lai Shouqiang , Wu Tingzhu
Published: February 2025

In this study, green micro-light-emitting diodes (μ-LEDs) with Al2O3 layers of varying thicknesses (0, 30, 60, and 90 nm) was fabricated using atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology. The optoelectronic characteristics of devices was measured and investigated. Current–voltage (I–V) measurements indicate that the ALD passivation layer effectively reduces leakage current. By applying the ABC + f(n) model to analyze external quantum efficiency, the internal physical mechanisms that the ALD passivation layer enhances the optoelectronic performance of green μ-LEDs was identified. Optical simulations demonstrated the transmittance relationship for different ALD passivation layer thicknesses, explaining improvements of light extraction efficiency. Furthermore, aging tests confirmed that the ALD passivation layer significantly increases the stability of green μ-LEDs. These findings offer valuable insights for enhancing the luminous efficiency and reliability of green μ-LEDs.
Acoustic holography in biomedical applications
Authors: Burstow Rachel , Andrés Diana , Jiménez Noé , Camarena Francisco , Thanou Maya , Pouliopoulos Antonios
Published: February 2025

Acoustic holography can be used to construct a desired wavefront at a desired 2D plane or 3D volume by beam shaping an emitted field and is a relatively new technique in the field of biomedical applications. Acoustic holography was first theorized in 1985 following Gabor's work in creating optical holograms in the 1940s, and the recent developments in 3D printing have led to an easier and faster way to manufacture monolithic acoustic holographic lenses which can be attached to single element transducers. As ultrasound passes through the lens material, a phase shift is applied to the waves, causing an interference pattern at the 2D image plane which forms the desired pressure field. This technology has many applications already in use and has become of increasing interest for the medical community, particularly for treating regions that are notoriously difficult to operate on, such as the brain. Acoustic holograms could provide a non-invasive, precise, and patient specific way to deliver drugs, induce hyperthermia, create tissue cell patterns, and help many other fields of medicine. However, there are still limitations holding acoustic holograms back such as the difficulties in creating 3D holograms and the passivity of the monolithic lenses. This review will aim to outline the biomedical applications of acoustic holograms reported to date and discuss their current limitations and the future work that is needed for them to reach their full potential in the biomedical community.
On electromagnetic perturbations of geodesic acoustic modes in anisotropic tokamak plasmas
Authors: Chen Zhe , Ren Haijun , Wang Hao , Roach Colin M
Published: February 2025

Electromagnetic geodesic acoustic modes (GAMs) are analytically investigated in tokamak plasmas with anisotropy, utilizing gyro-kinetic equations and a rigorously self-consistent anisotropic distribution. When including first-order finite-orbit-width effects and first-order finite-Larmor-radius effects, it is proven that the anisotropy with an arbitrary strength does not induce the m=±1 harmonics of A∥
, where m and A∥
denote the poloidal wavenumber and the parallel component of the perturbed magnetic vector potential, respectively. The rigorously self-consistent anisotropy introduces an equilibrium electrostatic field with poloidally asymmetric structure, and consequently induces an additional E×B drift term within the gyro-kinetic equation. This equilibrium electrostatic field inhibits the anisotropy from generating non-zero m=±1 harmonics of A∥
. Indeed we demonstrate that introducing anistropy self-consistently into the equilibrium quantitatively influences m=±1,2 harmonics of the perturbed electrostatic potential, but only the m=±2 harmonics of A∥
.
Pedestal instabilities during the L-H transition in ASDEX-Upgrade plasmas
Authors: Clairet Frederic , Glasser Anna , Conway Garrard D , Bottereau Christine
Published: February 2025

The enhanced confinement regime, or H-mode, is the result of a transport barrier at the plasma edge, where the pressure rises sharply to form a pedestal. This paper reports on a collection of experimental observations of instabilities and turbulence occurring in this decisive and narrow edge region. Using the high sampling rate enabled by an ultra-fast frequency sweeping reflectometer (UFSR), a high spatial and temporal resolution analysis of density, gradients, and turbulence allows new and thorough insights on plasma instabilities arising from the microturbulence and flow competing system during the I-phase to the ELMs and blob-filaments during the established H-mode. The measurements provide the observation on how different instabilities can arise in the pedestal during the L-H transition and address their specific turbulent natures.
Machine learning methods for locked-mode predictions in MAST-U plasmas
Authors: Gambrioli Matteo , Piron Lidia , Pau Alessandro , Cunningham Geoffrey , Piron Chiara , Ryan David Anthony , Martin Piero
Published: February 2025

In tokamaks, rotating magneto-hydro-dynamic (MHD) modes frequently decelerate as their amplitude increases. Once a critical threshold in amplitude is reached, these modes stop rotating into a specific toroidal and poloidal position and are commonly named locked modes (LM). The presence of LMs, especially with low toroidal mode numbers, causes degradation of plasma performance, i.e. particle and energy losses, and can lead to a plasma disruption. Several strategies can be adopted when designing the plasma scenario to avoid the onset of these modes, which foresee the use of plasma heating, current drive methods, error field correction and density rising either via gas puffing or pellet injection. Despite the efforts to avoid the onset of LMs, disruption mitigation systems are considered essential during the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) operations and in the view of the next fusion reactors such as the DEMOnstration Power Plant (DEMO), which can withstand a limited number of unmitigated plasma disruptions. The necessary condition towards the realization of an effective mitigation system, for safe and steady-state operations, is the development of robust and reliable metrics which are capable of predicting with a sufficient time margin the proximity to a LM. Thanks to the large availability of data, from lots of experimental campaigns performed in different experimental fusion devices, Machine Learning (ML) methods show to be a promising tool towards the achievement of this task. In this context, a wide database of MAST-U discharges has been analyzed considering data from multiple diagnostics with the scope of identifying recurrent paths which lead to LM onset. The data gathered have been the starting point for both the training and testing of two ML models, namely, K-Nearest-Neighbor (KNN) and Classification Tree (CT), developed for mode locking prediction. Both algorithms showed to be very reliable in predicting the proximity to a LM, with low percentages of missed and tardy detections. The methodology adopted for data selection, model training, as well as, the assessment of model performance are described in this work.
Analytical Modeling of 3D Inductor Based on TSV and A LC VCO with Core Area of 0.08mm2
Authors: Cai Mengye , hang zijie , Jiang Yanfeng
Published: February 2025

Through Silicon Via (TSV) technology has shown promising potential in reducing die area and enhancing the quality factor of three-dimensional (3D) inductors on a chip. This paper proposes an efficient methodology for rapidly establishing a TSV inductor. The model takes into account the excess internal inductance of the Redistribution Layer (RDL), and an algorithm is developed to rectify errors arising from current changes in the conductor. The iteration time of the proposed methodology is within 60 ms and has been verified by an electromagnetic simulator, demonstrating a maximum error of less than 1.5% across multiple parameter arrays. Moreover, this paper introduces a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) based on TSV technology. Implemented in a standard 180 nm CMOS process, the VCO operates within the frequency range of 2.17-2.35 GHz, with a core area of only 0.08 mm2. The phase noise at a 1-MHz offset is at -129.2 dBc/Hz.".
Modeling and Efficiency Enhancement of InGaP/GaAs Dual-Hetero Junction Solar Cells Using AlGaAs and AlGaInP Emitters
Authors: ZIDANI Ikram , Bensaad Zouaoui , Hafaifa Loumafak , Abid Hamza , Hafaifa Ahmed
Published: February 2025

This study focuses on optimizing the performance of InGaP/GaAs dual-hetero junction solar cells (DHJSCs) through advanced material selection and structural modifications using the Silvaco-Atlas simulator. The baseline model, validated against theoretical and experimental benchmarks, served as a foundation for significant efficiency improvements.Key innovations include replacing conventional GaAs and InGaP emitters with AlGaAs and AlGaInP, respectively, which enhanced carrier collection and reduced recombination losses due to their superior material properties such as a larger bandwidth. Optimizations of thickness, doping concentration, and back surface field (BSF) properties further minimized performance losses. These refinements resulted in an efficiency increase from 32.83% to 41.60%, with an additional rise to 42.68% at a reduced operating temperature of 15°C. This work emphasizes the potential for achieving higher efficiencies and lower manufacturing costs by leveraging structural simulation to streamline solar cell design and development. The findings set a benchmark for future research and practical implementations in the field of high-efficiency photovoltaic technologies.
Novel (CH3NH3)3Bi2I9 perovskite solar cells processed by in-situ gas-solid reaction
Authors: Zhao Chaoliang , Yu Haili , Zhang Busheng , Wang Lingling , Zheng Zhi
Published: February 2025

(CH3NH3)3Bi2I9 thin films were synthesized via direct metal surface element reaction (DMSER) by using the bismuth thin films as precursors, which is simple to operate, low energy consumption, without organic solvent added in the reaction process. The film prepared at 220 oC for 3 h not only exhibit the better crystallinity and compactness, but also remain stable when exposed in the air for more than 100 days. In this work, a novel gas-solid reaction mechanism is described. Transient surface photovoltage (TSPV) indicates that the synthesized (CH3NH3)3Bi2I9 film is a p-type semi-conductor material. Finally, the solar cell with the structure of FTO/TiO2/(CH3NH3)3Bi2I9/Spiro-OMeTAD/Au obtained the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.039%.
Multifaceted impacts of reliability issues: trap dynamics, positive bias temperature instability, and effect of temperature on the HSSP-nTFET
Authors: Mili George , Bhowmick Brinda
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the influence of interface trap charges on the performance parameters of the proposed lateral hetero-stacked source with pocket n-type tunneling field-effect transistor (HSSP-nTFET). The influence of different concentrations of donor and acceptor trap charges on the device's DC performance metrics is thoroughly examined. It is observed that the presence of interface traps in the device leads to variations in both the threshold voltage (Vth) and subthreshold swing (SS).To evaluate the impact of various interface trap charges (ITCs) on analog/RF performance, critical parameters including electric field characteristics, Transconductance (gm), parasitic capacitance, cut-off frequency (fT), gain-bandwidth product (GBP), transit delay, TFP, Rout and device efficiency have been comprehensively analyzed for the HSSP-nTFET. Additionally, this work investigates the reliability of the proposed device by analyzing its susceptibility to interface trap conditions, temperature variations (280 to 480k), and also, PBTI (Positive Biased Temperature Instability) induced degradation, as inspected in this study, poses significant reliability concerns for analog/digital circuit design, necessitating careful consideration and mitigation strategies. Vital statistics yielded in this 3D simulation research are on-current (ION=8.18E-5 A/μm), off-current (IOFF=1.33E-19 A/μm), Vth=0.18V, SSavg=14 mV/dec, gm=1.86E-4 S and fT=0.384 THz which can serve as a strong contender for energy-efficient and high-performance applications.
Study of Ge-on-Si Avalanche Photodiodes for Short-Wave Infrared Applications
Authors: Latargez Charlotte , Durlin Quentin , Vialle Claire , Le Cocq Mélanie , Schembri Antoine , Hartmann Jean Michel , Crochemore Romain , Gabriel LIMA , Grosse Philippe , André Luc , Aliane Abdelkader
Published: February 2025

Vertical germanium-on-silicon (Ge/Si) avalanche photodiodes offer the advantages of being low-cost, CMOS-compatible and demonstrating high performance for the development of Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) sensors for telecommunications. Nevertheless, the origins of dark current and noise in Ge-on-Si APDs still need to be clearly identified to improve their performance. In this paper, we report the study of the electro-optical characteristics of fabricated Ge-on-Si Avalanche Photo Diodes. A maximum gain of 95 was achieved at -33 V on these devices (λ = 1550 nm and P = 0.4 mW). Technology Computer-Aided Design (TCAD) simulations were compared with measurements to extract the parameters of the ionization model. Through dark current measurements at various temperatures, we extracted the activation energy at different bias voltages. The dark current is governed by generationrecombination Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) mechanisms in silicon and germanium below and above the punch-through bias, respectively. Low frequency (LF) noise measurements performed on a 10-µm diameter Ge/Si APD device under dark current conditions showed the presence of a 1/f noise prior to multiplication, confirming a dominant SRH mechanism.
Improved Electrical Properties of AlGaN/GaN MIS-HEMTs with Thermal and Plasma-enhanced ALD Al2O3 Gate Dielectric
Authors: Wang Liu , Cui Peng , Chen Qianding , Yang Ming , Linewih Handoko , Qi Kaifa , Chen Siheng , luo xin , Dai Jiacheng , Lin Zhaojun , Xu Xiangang , Han Jisheng
Published: February 2025

In this paper, AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) and metal-insulator-semiconductor high-electron-mobility transistors (MIS-HEMTs) with 5 nm Al2O3 gate dielectric grown by thermal atomic layer deposition (TALD) and plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) were investigated. Polarization Coulomb field (PCF) scattering intensity was reduced and electron mobility was improved due to low additional polarization charges and a high two-dimensional electron gas density (n2d) in MIS-HEMTs. PEALD MIS-HEMT has a lower threshold voltage (Vth) and more significant gate leakage current (IG) suppression than TALD MIS-HEMT. Compared with HEMT, a lower IG (~ 4 orders), a higher on/off current ratio (Ion/Ioff) (~ 4 orders), a higher transconductance peak (gm.peak) (~ 26%) are recorded in PEALD MIS-HEMT. Moreover, breakdown voltage (VBR) of PEALD MIS-HEMT and TALD MIS-HEMT is improved by ~ 53% and ~ 33% respectively, due to the effective suppression of electric field at gate edge.
Measuring valence band offsets in ReSe2/(0001)GaN, ReSe2/(11-22)GaN, and ReSe2/(11-20)GaN heterostructures
Authors: Lin Jingbo , Zhao Guijuan , Lv Xiurui , Hao Zhiyuan , Wei Wanting , Wang Xingliang , Wang Lianshan , Liu Guipeng
Published: February 2025

Compared to conventional (0001)-oriented GaN-based devices, which suffer from performance-degrading polarization effects at the heterojunction interfaces, semipolar (11-22) GaN and nonpolar (11-20) GaN have demonstrated significant potential for reducing or eliminating these polarization effects, thus offering possibilities for enhancing device performance. Here, we have fabricated ReSe2/(0001) GaN, ReSe2/(11-22) GaN, and ReSe2/(11-20) GaN heterostructures to investigate the impact of different GaN crystal orientations on the band alignment of ReSe2/GaN heterostructures. Band alignments were characterized using XPS. The measured VBOs for the three ReSe2/GaN heterostructures (polar, semipolar, nonpolar) were determined to be 3.08 ± 0.15 eV, 2.62 ± 0.15 eV, and 2.24 ± 0.15 eV, respectively, while the calculated CBOs were 1.51 ± 0.15 eV, 1.05 ± 0.15 eV, and 0.67 ± 0.15 eV, respectively, indicating type II band alignment for all three heterostructures. The significant influence of different GaN surface orientations on heterostructure performance revealed herein provides an important reference for the design and optimization of high-performance devices based on these materials in the future.
TOPCon solar cells with optimized emitter structure parameters based on CuO2 material
Authors: Hu Jichao , Yang Xiaodong , Zhang Zihan , Li Yao , Zhang Chao , Wang Xi , Yuan Lei , Yang Yuan , He Xiaomin
Published: February 2025

Because of its environmental protection, pollution free, renewable and other advantages, photovoltaic energy has become one of the most potential for research and development. Among them, the Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) solar cells solar cells with its excellent passivation structure is highly competitive in efficiency and cost. To mitigate the optical limitations of the emitter and enhance the overall efficiency of TOPCon solar cells, through numerical simulation analysis, the structural parameters of the emitter region of the CuO2-based TOPCon solar cells were optimized, and the conversion efficiency of the optimized solar cells reached 21.82%. Then, by comparing and analyzing the performance of the TOPCon solar cells based on CuO2 and the TOPCon solar cells based on polysilicon with the change of the emitter structure parameters, the influence mechanism of the change of material’s band gap width on the relationship between solar cells structure parameters and performance is further explored. Comparing the optimal structural parameters of TOPCon solar cells based on CuO2 and polycrystalline silicon, it was found that an increase in bandgap width leads to a decrease in the optimal emitter thickness of the solar cells, reducing production costs.
Impact of particle charge and electrorheology-effects on dust-acoustic waves in low pressure complex plasma under microgravity
Authors: Wimmer L , Dormagen N , Klein M , Kretschmer M , Lipaev A M , Schwarz M , Usachev A D , Petrov O F , Zobnin A V , Thoma M H
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the influence of particle charge and electrorheological (ER) effects on microparticle dynamics and dust-acoustic wave propagation in low-pressure complex plasmas under microgravity conditions. Experiments were conducted using PK-4 during parabolic flights and onboard the International Space Station to analyze dust particle behavior in direct current (DC) and DC polarity switching discharge plasma. Key findings reveal that variations in particle charge potential and ER effects significantly affect particle dynamics, especially at different gas pressures. Specifically, we validated a dimensionless charge potential of

z
=
0.34
±
0.17

in a DC neon plasma discharge, noting a rapid increase in this potential at pressures below 15 Pa. Furthermore, we observed a reduction in charge of up to 50% due to quadrupole effects induced by polarity switching. These results provide critical insights into plasma behavior in microgravity and the role of external electric fields in particle interactions.