bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facilitating psychological safety in science and research teams
Authors: Jones Megan S. , Cravens Amanda E. , Zarestky Jill , Ngai Courtney , Love Hannah B.
Published: December 2024

Science is increasingly dependent on large teams working well together. Co-creating knowledge in this way, usually across disciplines and institutions, requires team members to feel comfortable taking interpersonal risks with each other; in other words, to have what is known as “psychological safety”. Although the importance of psychological safety for team functioning is increasingly well understood, the behaviours necessary to foster psychological safety are harder to define. We suggest that science facilitation expertise offers a path forward for scientific teams—particularly through the integration of outside facilitators or team members taking on the facilitation role—to identify dynamics that can promote or curtail psychological safety, interpret those dynamics accurately, and intervene appropriately to shift a group towards greater psychological safety. We describe how specific practices can support this cycle of observation, interpretation, and action to promote psychological safety across the team process and at key moments. We conclude with ideas for how research teams might embed these facilitation practices into their work, and how institutions can drive more widespread recognition and development of the expertise needed to cultivate psychologically safe scientific teams.
Family income does not necessarily lead to a holistic e-learning experience during COVID-19: a study in Sri Lanka
Authors: Senarath Neranjan , Dedunupitiya Wathsala , Ilangarathna Gayanthi , Thilakasiri Isuru , Samarakoon Bhagya , Ramanayake Lakshitha , Godaliyadda Roshan , Ekanayake Parakrama , Herath Vijitha , Pinnawala Mallika , Yatigammana Sakunthala , Ekanayake Janaka , Dharmarathne Samath , Tilakaratne Ganga
Published: November 2024

The COVID-19 outbreak caused a disruption of the conventional education system worldwide. This resulted in a shift towards online mode of delivery. This study analyzed the pandemic’s effect on the education of students from diverse socioeconomic groups in Sri Lanka. The required data for this study was collected through a nation-wide field survey, covering 3020 households. The factor analysis (FA) performed identified seven significant factors. Thereafter, K-means and spectral clustering were used to cluster the population in order to identify the socioeconomic groups that were impacted in a similar manner. This resulted in the identification of three clusters whose demographics and relationship to the extracted factors were extensively analyzed and interpreted. The study concluded that students in high-income households were more emotionally affected, whereas students in low-income households were mostly affected by a lack of resources. The study also concluded that students from mid-income households were the least affected emotionally.
Possibility of adiabatic demagnetization of stabilized atoms of H in solid H2 and atoms of N in solid N2
Authors: Lukashevich I. I. , Sobolev S. S.
Published: November 2024

Use of the method of adiabatic demagnetization for stabilized atoms of H in solid H2 and atoms of N in solid N2 is proposed. Magnetic cooling of these systems, with conservation of polarization of the atomic subsystem, can be used for studying their properties at ultralow temperatures and have a practical application in the future.
The dielectric properties of liquid normal and parahydrogen
Authors: Pashkov V. V. , Lobko M. P.
Published: November 2024

We have measured the dielectric constant of normal (n-H2) and para-hydrogen (p-H2) along the saturation line for temperatures between 15 and 32.2 °K, and have obtained the corresponding values of the molar polarizability p = (ϵ — l)v/(ϵ + 2) (v is the molar volume). The temperature dependence of P is quite different for n-H2 as compared with p-H2, and at the higher temperatures there is uncertainty about the value of v for n-H2. The difference observed in polarizability between n-H2 and p-H2 is analyzed in terms of existing theory.
Sum rules for the tunneling effect in superconductors
Authors: D’yachenko A. I.
Published: November 2024

Expressions are obtained that establish exact relationships between measureable quantities in S-I-S and N-I-S tunnel junctions. These results are used to show that the results of certain well-known studies of the effect of microwave radiation and ultrasound on tunnel currents are incorrect. We show that it is possible to use sum rules to provide reliable physical results in tunneling studies of nonequilibrium states in superconductors, in proximity effects, in studies of different mechanisms for destroying Cooper pairs, and so on. A valid procedure is proposed for determining the superconducting energy gap from the current-voltage characteristics.
Threshold current for the paramagnetic effect in superconductors
Authors: Frolov V. A. , Kan Ya. S.
Published: November 2024

Use of cryotronic apparatus to measure magnetic flux makes possible observation of the paramagnetic effect in a single crystal tin cylinder at currents significantly smaller than the threshold value Ig = 1.2 A given by the literature.
Fermi surface curvature in molybdenum
Authors: Tsymbal L. T. , Samokhin Yu. D. , Cherkasov A. N. , Vitchinkin V. T. , Mishin V. A.
Published: November 2024

The radio frequency dimensional effect method with digital analysis is used to study the differential characteristics of the molybdenum Fermi surface in the planes (100) and (110). Quantitative characteristics of a number of sections are obtained for the first time. Experimental results are compared with calculations and data from magnetoacoustic studies.
Dispersion law for current carriers in the alloys Bi1−x Sb for 0<x≤0.12
Authors: Mironova G. A. , Ponomarev Ya. G.
Published: November 2024

The Shubnikov–de Haas effect is investigated in the alloys Bi1–x Sbx (0.08 ≤ x ≤ 0.12) doped with donor (Te) and acceptor (Sn) impurities, in magnetic fields to 55 koe at liquid helium temperatures. The shapes of the electron and hole isoenergetic surfaces at the point L of the Brillouin zone and the energetic dependences of the extremal sections and the cyclotronic masses are determined. The McClure dispersion law parameters are computed for Bi0.90Sb0.10.. It is shown that the energy spectrum of the alloys for 0 ≤x ≤0.12 is described well by the McClure model with a linear diminution of the Lax parameters taken into account with increasing x.
Traveling waves in an ensemble of excitable oscillators: The interplay of memristive coupling and noise
Authors: Korneev Ivan A. , Ramazanov Ibadulla R. , Slepnev Andrei V. , Vadivasova Tatiana E. , Semenov Vladimir V.
Published: December 2024

Using methods of numerical simulation, we demonstrate the constructive role of memristive coupling in the context of the traveling wave formation and robustness in an ensemble of excitable oscillators described by the FitzHugh–Nagumo neuron model. First, the revealed aspects of the memristive coupling action are shown in an example of the deterministic model where the memristive properties of the coupling elements provide for achieving traveling waves at lower coupling strength as compared to non-adaptive diffusive coupling. In the presence of noise, the positive role of memristive coupling is manifested as significant, increasing a noise intensity critical value corresponding to the noise-induced destruction of traveling waves as compared to classical diffusive interaction. In addition, we point out the second constructive factor, the Lévy noise, whose properties provide for inducing traveling waves.
Mechanism of transition from subdiffusive transport to normal diffusion for passive tracers in a plane periodical flow induced by Gaussian noise
Authors: Maryshev Boris S. , Klimenko Lyudmila S.
Published: December 2024

The known analytical solution describing a two-dimensional viscous flow with vortices under a driving force is generalized. It is shown that a periodic pattern of asymmetric vortices arises when the force amplitude exceeds a critical value. The transport of an ensemble of passive particles through the resulting structure has been studied. The envelope of each vortex contains a stagnation point, and the tracer motion along it without noise is infinitely long. It is shown that the macroscopic transport of an ensemble of tracers is extremely slow in the noise-free case. The latter leads to the mixing of the tracer ensemble. We study the peculiarities of such transport using a special flow model. Such a model has the form of a series of recurrence mappings. The recurrence mappings are constructed for the ensemble transport through a unit cell using the numerical solution of the Langevin equations in the presence of random particle displacements caused by molecular diffusion. The presence of diffusion allows particles to penetrate into the vortex, which leads to an additional slowing down of transport. The effect of noise on the variance of the tracer ensemble is investigated. It is shown that the growth of the standard deviation with time can be described by a power law. On an intermediate time scale, which grows exponentially long, as the noise strength tends to zero, a subdiffusive behavior is observed. The dependence of the subdiffusion exponent on the molecular diffusivity is obtained.
Effect on the spectral purity of photon-pairs due to on-chip temporal manipulation of the pump
Authors: Rodda Lukas , Burridge Ben M. , Barreto Jorge , Faruque Imad I.
Published: December 2024

Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) are a promising contender for quantum information technologies. The spectral purity of photons is one of the key attributes of photon-pair sources based on nonlinear optics. We can obtain >99% purity in PIC ring-resonator photon-pair sources by manipulating the pump pulse in the time domain. Here, we have developed a PIC to shape a pulse into dual, triple, and quadruple pulses and investigated the effect of these pump pulse configurations on the purity. Our results show that more complex configurations, compared to a two-pulse configuration, do not result in comparatively higher purity but allow more accurate control over choosing arbitrary values of the purity.
Tuning domain wall dynamics in a notched ferromagnetic nanostrip with Rashba effect
Authors: Dolui Sarabindu , Dwivedi Sharad
Published: December 2024

This work delineates a comprehensive investigation of the static and kinetic depinning of a domain wall in a notched ferromagnetic nanostrip. More precisely, we consider a 180° Bloch-type domain wall and examine its behavior under the action of an applied magnetic field, spin-polarized electric current, and Rashba field. Moreover, we assume an artificial notch positioned at the edges of the nanostrip, serving as a pinning site for the wall. We characterize domain walls’ pinning and depinning dynamics in the steady-state regime by using the classical Schryer and Walker trial-function approach. The results demonstrate that the static depinning limits of external stimuli are more significant than the kinetic depinning. It is also observed that higher Rashba field strength increases the static depinning fields/currents while decreasing kinetic depinning ones. Furthermore, both static and kinetic depinning thresholds are elevated with higher damping, whereas an increase in the non-adiabatic spin-transfer parameter leads to a reduction. Finally, we present numerical illustrations of the analytical results, showing good qualitative agreement with the literature.
Stern–Brocot arithmetic in dynamics of a biochemical reaction model
Authors: Folke Olsen Lars
Published: December 2024

A simple almost fifty year old four-variable model of the peroxidase-oxidase reaction has been studied using 2D isospike stability diagrams, 2D maximum Lyapunov exponent diagrams, and other nonlinear numerical methods. The model contains two positive feedback loops. For slightly different sets of parameters, compared to the original parameters, the model reveals a wealth of dynamic behaviors, not previously reported for this model. For example, contrary to expectations, the model is capable of reproducing all early observations of mixed-mode and bursting oscillations and chaos. Furthermore, for some parameters, the mixed-mode oscillations are organized according to Stern–Brocot arithmetic. The regions of mixed-mode oscillations are separated by narrow regions of chaotic dynamics.
When do we need Pbps photonic chips and what are the challenges?
Authors: Su Yikai , He Yu , Wang Ting , Guo Xuhan , Xiao Xi , Lo Guo-Qiang
Published: December 2024

We estimate the capacity requirement for optical input/output chips boosted by artificial intelligence in computing centers. It is expected that petabits per second (Pbps) capacity on a single chip may be achieved in ten years or so in laboratories. We then study the key challenges in the implementation of such photonic chips, focusing on technical bottlenecks such as laser integration, modulation speed, MUX/DEMUX scaling, photodetector efficiency, and packaging density. We also discuss potential solutions, including novel materials and integration techniques, to enhance performance and reduce power consumption. Our analysis suggests that significant innovations in these areas could lead to the development of compact and efficient Pbps photonic chips by 2035, paving the way for next-generation optical interconnect systems.
Lower and upper bounds of decay to the d-dimensional magneto-micropolar equations
Authors: Niu Dongjuan , Shang Haifeng
Published: December 2024

This paper mainly investigates the large time behavior of the magneto-micropolar equations with zero angular viscosity in Rd (d = 2, 3). The main difficulties lie in the presence of linear curl terms and the lack of micro-rotation velocity dissipation. By utilizing the effect of velocity dissipation and damping term in the equation of micro-rotational velocity, we prove the non-uniform decay and the upper bounds of decay estimates of the global solutions. Furthermore, the lower bounds of decay estimates are shown by making full use of the structure of this system and by introducing a combined quantity. The approach used here can also be applied to derive the lower and upper bounds of decay for the magneto-micropolar equations with full dissipation. We remark that the lower bounds are new even for the fully dissipative system.
Irreversible phase transition of the Fe50Mn30Cr10Co10 high entropy alloy under stress
Authors: Wang Pan , Chen Lianyang , Yuan Mingzhi , Li Jialin , Li Wenhao , Yang Yi , Wan Shun , Li Xin , Wu Guoxia , Zhou Xiaoling
Published: December 2024

The Fe50Mn30Cr10Co10 high entropy alloy has attracted research interest in recent years due to its ability to overcome the strength-ductility trade-off. A recent study reported that a nanolaminate dual-phase microstructure, derived from the bidirectional transformation of Fe50Mn30Cr10Co10 alloy under stress, might be the main reason for its exceptional mechanical properties. Here, we report a unidirectional and irreversible phase transition from a face-centered-cubic to a hexagonal-close-packed (HCP) structure in the Fe50Mn30Cr10Co10 alloy under stress, using the in situ high-pressure x-ray diffraction method. An almost pure HCP phase is obtained at pressures exceeding 20 GPa. It remains stable in further loading and unloading processes. Transmission electron microscopy analysis indicates that dislocation motion along the {111}⟨11 2¯⟩ slip system results in the irreversible phase transition and the formation of nanolamellar microstructures in the Fe50Mn30Cr10Co10 alloy. Our study provides insights into understanding the deformation mechanism of Fe50Mn30Cr10Co10 alloy and suggests the potential to design the alloy through high-pressure manufacturing.
Research on propagation characteristics of an electromagnetic wave in magnetized fully ionized dusty plasma
Authors: Wang Zuyu , Yin Hongcheng , Guan Ling , Dang Xunwang , Deng Haochuan , An Ni
Published: December 2024

When some spacecraft fly at high speed in near-earth space, the dusty plasma is attached to the surface of the spacecraft due to the intense friction between the spacecraft and the space. The dusty plasma attached to the aircraft hinders the propagation of electromagnetic (EM) waves and affects the flight safety of the pilot. In this paper, we replace the collision term of the general Boltzmann equation with the Fokker-Planck-Landau collision term and obtain the general correlation expression of the electron distribution function in the fully ionized dusty plasma. The dielectric relation of EM waves in magnetized fully ionized dusty plasma is calculated considering the impact effect and charging effect of dust particles in the case of an external magnetic field. The reflection coefficient (R) and transmission coefficient (T) of the EM wave in magnetized fully ionized dusty plasma are calculated by a scattering matrix method. The effects of applied magnetic field intensity and dust particle parameters on the propagation characteristics of EM waves in magnetized fully ionized dusty plasma are discussed by simulation. In addition, the propagation characteristics of EM waves in ordinary plasma and magnetized fully ionized dusty plasma are compared. The results show that with the increase in the additional magnetic field, the reflection of the EM wave in the fully ionized dusty plasma decreases and the transmission increases. In the 0–100 GHz band, dust particles block EM waves from penetrating fully ionized dusty plasma. Other dusty plasma parameters also affect the propagation characteristics of EM waves to varying degrees. These results provide a theoretical reference for solving the communication related problems of high-speed aircraft.
Zero-determinant strategy for distributed state estimation against eavesdropping attacks
Authors: Yu Yan , Yang Wen , Chen Jialing
Published: December 2024

In distributed networks, the transmission of state estimates via wireless channels between neighbor nodes is susceptible to interception by eavesdroppers, leading to significant risks to data privacy. Given the substantial energy and bandwidth consumption of data encryption, sensors with limited energy must strategically decide when to encrypt data. Simultaneously, eavesdroppers with similar energy constraints must determine when to intercept transmissions. In this paper, we propose a game-theoretic approach to this security dilemma and introduce a defense strategy based on zero-determinant (ZD) policies. Initially, we model the interaction between sensors and malicious eavesdroppers in the distributed state estimation as an iterative game. Subsequently, we apply ZD strategies to protect both channel and node data, respectively. We further explore how, under these strategies, sensors can unilaterally set the expected payoff of eavesdroppers or coerce a positive correlation with the expected payoff of sensors. Moreover, we analyze how sensors can devise optimal strategies by maximizing their own utility while minimizing that of the opponent, regardless of the actions of the opponent. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed methods are validated through numerical simulations.
The theoretical approach for description of magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect in all-d-metal Heusler alloys Ni2−xCoxMn1.25Ti0.75
Authors: Sokolovskiy V. V. , Matyunina M. V. , Baigutlin D. R. , Buchelnikov V. D. , Taskaev S. V.
Published: December 2024

This paper investigates the influence of Co addition and atomic ordering on the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of all-d-metal Heusler alloys Ni2−xCoxMn1.25Ti0.75, which exhibit a second-order magnetic phase transition. The modeling approach employed is based on the density functional theory and Monte Carlo method. The atomic ordering is considered with reference to the fully ordered structure, L21, and the partially ordered structure, B2. It is demonstrated that in both structures, the predominant magnetic state within the cubic austenitic phase is characterized by ferromagnetic ordering. An increase in the Co content results in the strengthening of the ferromagnetic exchange interactions between Mn, Ni, and Co, as well as an increase in the Curie temperature. For the ground state L21 structure, the largest Curie temperature values are observed, exceeding those of the B2 structure by almost 100 K. The temperature dependencies of the magnetization and magnetocaloric effect (ΔSmag) in magnetic fields up to 2 T are calculated using the Heisenberg Hamiltonian by the Monte Carlo method. The largest effect (ΔSmag≈1.4 J/kg K) is observed for the compound with x = 0.375 and B2 structure at temperature ≈150 K, whereas for L21-Ni1.5Co0.5Mn1.25Ti0.75 and B2-Ni1.25Co0.75Mn1.25Ti0.75, ΔSmag of 1.05 J/kgK appears in the vicinity of room temperature.
Super-resolution reconstruction of wind fields with a swin-transformer-based deep learning framework
Authors: Tang Lingxiao , Li Chao , Zhao Zihan , Xiao Yiqing , Chen Shenpeng
Published: December 2024

Deep learning approaches that allow for the rapid simulation of high-resolution atmospheric turbulence are expected by using the super-resolution (SR) technique. Recently, the shifted window attention mechanism in Swin-Transformer offers a significant improvement compared with the vanilla attention mechanism. This method restricts the attention computation to a local neighborhood, reducing the computational load to a linear relationship with sequence length. However, its original architecture is unsuitable for the SR in turbulence due to the mismatch with classification, detection, and segmentation tasks. In this study, the hierarchical structure is redesigned, and a new relative position representing approach is introduced to facilitate the SR procedures of turbulent wind. The channel-shuffled perceptual loss is integrated into the loss function to guide the update of weight parameters. The experimental cases of idealized two-dimensional turbulent flow and realistic boundary layer wind are employed to validate the performance. The results suggest that the proposed approach remarkably outperformed the previous Super-Resolution Convolutional Neural Network, Deep Statistical Downscaling, and Regional Climate Model Emulator in wind vectors. It exhibits lower values than the other three networks whether in terms of point-wise metrics like mean square error, mean absolute error, mean absolute percentage error, or perceptual metrics, including structural similarity index measure and probability density functions. The reconstructed wind vectors closely match the target high-resolution results. This study will help advance the application of shifted window attention mechanisms in wind field SR.
Influence of adjacent nozzles on flow and fuel atomization characteristics of the central nozzle in a triple-nozzle combustor
Authors: Wang Bo , Zhang Haotian , Li Jiacheng , Ren Guangming , Gan Xiaohua
Published: December 2024

This paper examined the influence of adjacent nozzles on the flow and fuel atomization characteristics of the central nozzle in a triple-nozzle model combustor. High-frequency particle imaging velocimetry testing for airflow and phase Doppler particle analyzer testing for fuel particles were employed. Under the central nozzle air intake mode, the momentum exchange between the swirling flow and the surrounding stationary air leads to a seemingly shrinking flow field. While under the triple nozzles air intake mode, the low static pressure at the geometric center between adjacent nozzles attracts the swirling flows to converge, resulting in a larger expansion angle. Confinement has a complex impact on swirling flow. When the angle of the swirling airflow is small, it guides the flow to expand. However, when the angle becomes too large, it restricts further expansion. Observed Sauter mean diameter (SMD) peaks for the tested cases lie within a similar range, suggesting comparable spray angles. Nevertheless, the triple-nozzle air intake mode exhibits consistently higher SMD values and significantly greater spray core penetration depth. Instantaneous flow characteristics deepen the understanding of these differences in atomization results. The large range of airflow oscillation under the central nozzle air intake mode allows the airflow to directly interact with the droplets. While under the triple-nozzle air intake mode, the air flow path is too far away from the spray, resulting in that most droplets do not receive sufficient aerodynamic forces for atomization.
Self-assembly of MoTe2 nanostructures and nanocomposites over centimeter-large areas via femtosecond laser
Authors: Chu Lingrui , Zhu Han , Li Ziqi , Juodkazis Saulius , Chen Feng
Published: December 2024

The fabrication of patterned two-dimensional (2D) materials exhibits significant potential for advancing their electronic and optoelectronic applications. In this Letter, we demonstrate a rapid and scalable method for creating nanoscale periodic molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) nanostructures and mixed-dimensional heterostructures over a large area using direct femtosecond laser irradiation. Under intense femtosecond laser pulses, periodic energy deposition occurs in layered MoTe2 and subsequently induces the formation of MoTe2 periodic nanostructures. In addition, femtosecond laser ablation at a high repetition rate (1 MHz) results in the formation of numerous crystalline Te nanoparticles scattered on the surface of MoTe2 layers, creating mixed-dimensional Te/MoTe2 heterostructures. Notably, the fabrication of MoTe2 periodic nanostructures and mixed-dimensional heterostructures is driven by a self-assembled process. This technique enables the production of centimeter-scale MoTe2 periodic nanostructures and nanocomposites within 5 min, offering a cost-effective, lithography-free approach for fabricating periodically nanostructured 2D materials in large areas for practical applications in electronics, optoelectronics, catalysis, and sensing.
Effects of value-driven social learning on cooperation in the prisoner’s dilemma games
Authors: Xu Haojie , Wu Hongshuai , Huang Changwei
Published: December 2024

Despite the growing attention and research on the impact of Q-learning-based strategy updating on the evolution of cooperation, the joint role of individual learners and social learners in evolutionary games has seldom been considered. Here, we propose a value-driven social learning model that incorporates a shape parameter, β, to characterize the degree of radicalism or conservatism in social learning. Using the prisoner’s dilemma game on a square lattice as a paradigm, our simulation results show that the cooperation level has a non-trivial dependence of β, density ρ, and dilemma strength b. We find that both β and ρ have nonmonotonic effects on cooperation; specifically, moderate levels of radicalism in social learning can facilitate cooperation remarkably, and when slightly conservative, can form a favorable cooperation region with the appropriate ρ. Moreover, we have demonstrated that social learners play a key role in the formation of network reciprocity, whereas individual learners play a dual role of support and exploitation. Our results reveal a critical balance between individual learning and social learning that can maximize cooperation and provide insights into understanding the collective behavior in multi-agent systems.
Analysis of hydrodynamic performance and acoustic characteristics of loop propellers
Authors: Cao Xiaojian , Xu Shengyuan , Li Zhenqi , Liu Xun , Yin Chunsheng , Qin Hongde
Published: December 2024

To improve the efficiency and stealthiness of marine operations of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), 12 loop propellers with different structural parameters are selected as research subjects. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations method is used to simulate the flow field result around the loop propellers and is combined with detached eddy simulation and the acoustic analogy method for hydrodynamic analysis and noise prediction. The influence of three structural parameters, namely the number of propeller blades, the thickness of propeller blades, and the pitch of propeller blades, on the hydrodynamic and noise performance of the propeller is investigated, and the loop propeller structure with the optimal hydrodynamic and noise performance is selected. The research results indicate that increasing the number of propeller blades and increasing the pitch of the loop propeller can significantly improve the thrust and torque of the propeller and effectively reduce the noise. However, increasing the thickness of the propeller blades can also increase the thrust and torque of the propeller, but it will sacrifice the noise performance of the loop propeller to a certain extent. The sensitivity of the noise performance with respect to the blade thickness is significantly higher than that of the two parameters of blade number and pitch. To verify the accuracy of the hydrodynamic and noise performance simulation results, this study conducted hydrodynamic and noise performance tests on the preferred loop propeller structure in the towing pool and anechoic pool and successfully verifies the reliability of the numerical simulation method used in this study for the prediction of the propeller performance by comparing the test data with the simulation results. This study provides theoretical support for the design optimization of loop propellers and helps to promote the design of high-efficiency and low-noise propellers in complex marine environments.
What factors affect the recruitment and retention of allied health professionals working in hospitals? A systematic literature review
Authors: Baumgartner Laure , Wright Olivia , Barne Katelyn , Bartrim Karly , Kirkegaard Amy , Sullivan Victoria , Burch Emily , Ball Lauren
Published: December 2024

Objective Workforce shortages in hospitals have necessitated a focus on recruitment and retention of health professionals. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise literature relating to factors that affect recruitment and retention of allied health professionals working in hospital settings. Method PubMed, CINAHL (via EbscoHost), Embase (via Elsevier), and Scopus Advanced Search databases were used to retrieve 1665 studies, of which 16 were included. Herzberg’s two-factor theory was used to synthesise study findings and develop key themes. Results Job advancement, company policies, supervision (leadership), working conditions, salary, recognition, and growth opportunities were factors identified as affecting recruitment and retention. Conclusion Identified factors are largely amenable to change and could contribute to a more sustainable allied health workforce in hospitals and enhance the quality of care. This research could significantly impact and enhance the evidence supporting interventions and strategies that are critical for retaining the allied health workforce in hospitals.
Connecting young people to Country through marine turtle conservation: exploring three case studies in Western Australia’s Pilbara region
Authors: Guildea Clodagh , Fossette Sabrina , Simpson Tristan , McDonald Sarah , Samuelraj Natasha , Gee James , Wilson Suzanne , Hyland Jane , Atanas Dimitrov , Buzan Susan , Tan Julian , Mackin Rebecca , Rossendell Jason , Whiting Scott
Published: December 2024

The world’s oceans are confronting many challenges, which are affecting threatened species such as marine turtles. To address these challenges, it is imperative that pro-environmental behaviors are cultivated in the wider community, and young people are provided opportunities to overcome socio-economic and geographical barriers to meaningfully experience nature. In the Pilbara region of Western Australia, Aboriginal Traditional Custodians share a deep connection and caring relationship with Country. Collaboration and partnership between Traditional Custodians and conservation programs are essential for empowering Aboriginal young people as future conservation leaders and to achieve long-term conservation goals. Western Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, a government department, has been working with schools and community organisations across the Pilbara to support access to remote Sea Country and marine turtle conservation experiences for Aboriginal young people. By examining three case studies demonstrating the collaboration among the North West Shelf Flatback Turtle Conservation Program, West Pilbara Turtle Program, Waalitj Foundation, Onslow School and Roebourne District High School, this article explores the importance of building partnerships, providing additional on-Country opportunities for young people, and enabling future pathways for the longevity of long-term conservation programs and the health of the environment and communities.
Nutrient-dense foods and diverse diets are important for ensuring adequate nutrition across the life course
Authors: Beal Ty , Manohar Swetha , Miachon Lais , Fanzo Jessica
Published: December 2024

The world faces a global challenge of how to meet the nutritional needs of a diverse global population through diets. This paper defines the relative nutritional needs across each stage of the life cycle to support human health and identifies who is nutritionally vulnerable. Findings in this paper suggest that there are biological nutritional vulnerabilities stemming from high micronutrient needs per calorie in certain phases of the life cycle, particularly for infants and young children, women of reproductive age, pregnant and lactating women, and older adults, particularly older women. The paper demonstrates the role of micronutrient-dense animal-source foods and plant-source foods important in meeting essential nutrient needs to support healthy growth, development, and aging across vulnerable stages of the life cycle.
The costs of competition in distributing scarce research funds
Authors: Schweiger Gerald , Barnett Adrian , van den Besselaar Peter , Bornmann Lutz , De Block Andreas , Ioannidis John P. A. , Sandström Ulf , Conix Stijn
Published: December 2024

Research funding systems fundamentally influence how science operates. This paper aims to analyze the allocation of competitive research funding from different perspectives: How reliable are decision processes for funding? What are the economic costs of competitive funding? How does competition for funds affect doing risky research? How do competitive funding environments affect scientists themselves, and which ethical issues must be considered? We attempt to identify gaps in our knowledge of research funding systems; we propose recommendations for policymakers and funding agencies, including empirical experiments of decision processes and the collection of data on these processes. With our recommendations, we hope to contribute to developing improved ways of organizing research funding.
Permafrost instability negates the positive impact of warming temperatures on boreal radial growth
Authors: Alfaro-Sánchez Raquel , Richardson Andrew D. , Smith Sharon L. , Johnstone Jill F. , Turetsky Merritt R. , Cumming Steven G. , Le Moine James M. , Baltzer Jennifer L.
Published: December 2024

Climate warming can alleviate temperature and nutrient constraints on tree growth in boreal regions, potentially enhancing boreal productivity. However, in permafrost environments, warming also disrupts the physical foundation on which trees grow, leading to leaning trees or “drunken” forests. Tree leaning might reduce radial growth, undermining potential benefits of warming. Here, we found widespread radial growth reductions in southern latitude boreal forests since the 1980s. At mid latitudes, radial growth increased from ~1980 to ~2000 but showed recent signs of decline afterward. Increased growth was evident since the 1980 s at higher latitudes, where radial growth appears to be temperature limited. However, recent changes in permafrost stability, and the associated increased frequency of tree leaning events, emerged as a significant stressor, leading to reduced radial growth in boreal trees at the highest latitudes, where permafrost is extensive. We showed that trees growing in unstable permafrost sites allocated more nonstructural carbohydrate reserves to offset leaning which compromised radial growth and potential carbon uptake benefits of warming. This higher allocation of resources in drunken trees is needed to build the high-density reaction wood, rich in lignin, that is required to maintain a vertical position. With continued climate warming, we anticipate widespread reductions in radial growth in boreal forests, leading to lower carbon sequestration. These findings enhance our understanding of how climate warming and indirect effects, such as ground instability caused by warming permafrost, will affect boreal forest productivity in the future.
Reply to Kassian et al. (2023). Calibrated weighted permutation test detects ancient language connections in the
Circumpolar area (Chukotian-Nivkh and Yukaghir-Samoyedic)
Authors: Ceolin Andrea
Published: November 2024

Kassian et al. (2023) propose a method to detect ancient linguistic
relationships by means of a weighted permutation test applied to word lists. The method provides evidence for an ancient
historical connection between Chukotko-Kamchatkan languages and Nivkh languages, and between Samoyedic languages and Yukaghir. In
this paper, I argue that while the word lists collected by the authors represent a valid dataset for language comparison and are
supported by extensive etymological work, their statistical tests constitute a departure from the significance testing framework
that has propelled contemporary literature on long-range comparison. I then advance some proposals on how their tests can be
integrated and compared with those traditionally accepted in the literature.
EFL lexical abilities in pre-primary education
Authors: Segura Marta , Met Yağmur Elif
Published: November 2024

The increasing need for plurilingualism within the latest decades has led many schools to promote an early start
to Foreign Language (FL) teaching, in some cases as early as in pre-primary education. Research on pre-primary students to
understand FL development in instructed contexts is still scarce. This study examines (1) how English as a FL receptive vocabulary
develops over two years in pre-primary education learners, and (2) which internal and external factors influence it. Data were
collected from 71 Catalan-Spanish bilingual pre-primary students at three times: T1-September 2019
(M
age = 4;6), T2-September 2020 (M
age = 5;1), and T3-June 2021
(M
age = 5;9). EFL receptive vocabulary was measured with the PPVT-4 (Dunn & Dunn, 2007), and at T1 participants’ parents filled in a background questionnaire. Results
showed growth in participants’ lexical abilities from T1-T3. The strongest predictors of lexical development were gender, maternal
education level, school, and EFL out-of-school exposure.
An Assent-Based Training Programme for Waterfowl: Eye Examination Without Physical Manipulation or Restraint
Authors: Hill Kerry
Published: November 2024

While it is now broadly considered accepted practice to train animals so that they can be more active participants in their own care and management, standard practice for some bird species can still involve techniques that employ physical manipulation and restraint. In the author’s experience, this largely appears to be the case for waterfowl. In support of a more welfare-centred approach to managing all birds but particularly waterfowl, this case study describes an adult female whistling duck (
Dendrocygna guttata
) and her progression through a training programme designed to (i) facilitate an ophthalmological veterinary examination, and (ii) do so with the bird’s behavioural assent throughout, and therefore without physical manipulation and/or restraint. The duck accepted reinforcers from a free-standing perch (re-)introduced to her enclosure for training sessions, and through approximations towards the goal behaviour, was shaped to present her head with her left eye positioned for the application of anaesthetic eye drops. She was additionally habituated to the presence of multiple people in the examination area and some ophthalmological equipment. The duck was free to leave all training sessions at her discretion, had alternative options for accessing reinforcers, and reinforcers were not withheld outside of training sessions. This case study is an exemplar of waterfowl’s propensity for learning via human-animal interactions, and advocates for the use of training programmes that value animal welfare and agency as much as the acquisition of the goal behaviour.

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© The Author 2024
Effective geometry of Bell-network states on a dipole graph
Authors: Baytaş B , Yokomizo N
Published: December 2024

Bell-network states are a class of entangled states of the geometry that satisfy an area-law for the entanglement entropy in a limit of large spins and are automorphism-invariant, for arbitrary graphs. We present a comprehensive analysis of the effective geometry of Bell-network states on a dipole graph. Our main goal is to provide a detailed characterization of the quantum geometry of a class of diffeomorphism-invariant, area-law states representing homogeneous and isotropic configurations in loop quantum gravity, which may be explored as boundary states for the dynamics of the theory. We found that the average geometry at each node in the dipole graph does not match that of a flat tetrahedron. Instead, the expected values of the geometric observables satisfy relations that are characteristic of spherical tetrahedra. The mean geometry is accompanied by fluctuations with considerable relative dispersion for the dihedral angle, and perfectly correlated for the two nodes.
Influence of strain and point defects on the electronic structure and related properties of (111)NiO epitaxial films
Authors: Sahu Bhabani Prasad , Sharma Poonam , Yadav Santosh Kumar , Shukla Alok , Dhar Subhabrata
Published: November 2024

(111)NiO epitaxial films are grown on c-sapphire substrates at various growth temperatures ranging from room temperature to 600

∘

C

using pulsed laser deposition technique. Two series of samples, where different laser fluences are used to ablate the target, are studied here. Films grown with higher laser fluence, are found to be embedded with Ni-clusters crystallographically aligned with the (111)NiO matrix. While the layers grown with lower laser energy density exhibit p-type conductivity, especially at low growth temperatures. X-ray diffraction study shows the coexistence of biaxial compressive and tensile hydrostatic strains in these samples, which results in an expansion of the lattice primarily along the growth direction. This effective uniaxial expansion

ε
⊥

increases with the reduction of the growth temperature. Band gap of these samples is found to decrease linearly with

ε
⊥

. This result is validated by density functional theory calculations. Experimental findings and the theoretical study further indicate that

V

Ni

+

O
I

and

V
O

+

N

i

I

complexes exist as the dominant native defects in samples grown with Ni-deficient (low laser fluence) and Ni-rich (high laser fluence) conditions, respectively. P-type conductivity observed in the samples grown in Ni-deficient conditions is more likely to result from

V

Ni

+

O
I

defects than Ni-vacancies (

V

Ni

).
Structural, dielectric, optical and photocatalytic properties of (Na0.5Bi0.5)ZrO3 lead-free perovskite: insights from experimental and ab initio theoretical studies
Authors: Saha Manish , Cho Phyu Phyu , Subrahmanyam Ch , Niranjan Manish K , Asthana Saket
Published: November 2024

In this work, we present structural, dielectric, optical and photocatalytic properties of the room temperature phase of the lead-free perovskite (Na0.5Bi0.5)ZrO3 (NBZ) system. The structural and optical properties are analyzed by combining a first-principles density functional theoretical approach and experimental characterizations. A conventional solid-state method is used for the synthesis process. X-ray powder diffraction and Rietveld refinement of the powder patterns at room temperature showed the NBZ material to be orthorhombic perovskite belonging to the space group Pnma. The calculated lattice constants of NBZ are found to be in good agreement with the experimental results. The dielectric study revealed a diffuse phase transition (DPT) in the vicinity of 290 °C. Based on the microscopic composition fluctuation model and phenomenological theory, a reasonable and effective characterizing parameter, the diffuseness degree, of the DPT is defined. The bandgap energy is estimated using UV–Vis spectroscopy and the optical absorption spectrum. The photocatalytic performance evaluation is performed by investigating the photodegradation kinetics of different pollutants by NBZ under visible light irradiation. The highest degradation efficiency is achieved for methylene blue (MB) dye (99% within 180 min), followed by rhodamine B (RhB), Congo red (CR) and methyl orange (MO) dyes. Overall, our results suggest good efficiency for NBZ as a photocatalytic agent with implications for large-scale photocatalytic applications in environmental and energy concerns. Furthermore, our study also provides several important benchmarking results on NBZ that have not been reported so far.
Precise measurement of the 7Be electron capture decay half-life in silicon carbide
Authors: Santonastaso C , Casali N. , Di Benedetto L , Boldrini V , Buompane R. , Canino M , Carrano V , Formicola A , Gialanella L , Laubenstein M , Neitzert H C , Pieruccini M , Porzio G , Rubino A
Published: November 2024

In this work we present to our knowledge the most precise measurement of the 7Be electron capture decay half-life in a host material. A silicon carbide sample with ~8.62 × 109
7Be atoms was measured for 83.5 d on an ultra-low background high purity Ge detector located deep underground in the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Italy. The result obtained for the decay half-life is T
1/2 = 53.284 ± 0.016 d, which corresponds to an uncertainty of 0.3‰. Thanks to the high sensitivity achieved, this measurement is paving the way to further investigations on this process aiming to understand how environmental conditions may affect the decay half-life.
Theoretical study of the temperature dependence of Auger–Meitner recombination in (Al,Ga)N quantum wells
Authors: McMahon Joshua M , Finn Robert , Schulz Stefan
Published: November 2024

Non-radiative Auger–Meitner recombination processes in III-nitride based optoelectronic devices operating in the visible spectral range have received significant attention in recent years as they can present a major contribution to the efficiency drop at high temperatures and carrier densities. However, insight into these recombination processes is sparse for III-N devices operating in the ultraviolet wavelength window. In this work we target the temperature dependence of the Auger–Meitner recombination rate in (Al,Ga)N/AlN quantum wells by means of an atomistic electronic structure model that accounts for random alloy fluctuations and connected carrier localisation effects. Our calculations show that in the low temperature regime both the non-radiative Auger–Meitner and radiative recombination rate are strongly impacted by alloy disorder induced carrier localisation effects in these systems. The influence of alloy disorder on the recombination rates is reduced in the high temperature regime, especially for the radiative rate. The Auger–Meitner recombination rate, however, may still be more strongly impacted by alloy disorder when compared to the radiative rate. Our calculations show that while on average radiative recombination slightly increases with increasing temperature, the Auger–Meitner recombination process may, on average, slightly decrease in the temperature range relevant to the thermal efficiency drop (thermal droop). This finding suggests that the considered Auger–Meitner recombination process is unlikely to be directly responsible for the thermal efficiency drop observed experimentally in (Al,Ga)N/AlN quantum well based light emitting devices. Thus, different non-radiative processes, external to the active region, may be the underlying cause of thermal droop in (Al,Ga)N wells.