bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Double enhancement of protonation and conjugation in donor–imine–donor covalent organic frameworks for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: He Huan , Shen Rongchen , Yan Yuhao , Chen Dejun , Liu Zhixiong , Hao Lei , Zhang Xin , Zhang Peng , Li Xin
Published: November 2024

Three donor–imine–donor COFs as relatively pure model materials were utilized to reveal that protonation and conjugation can enhance exciton dissociation, light absorption and electron transport, thus achieving a remarkable H2 evolution rate.
Dual functions of a microfluidic fuel cell as electricity generation and liquid pumping units
Authors: Yang Yang , Wen Zhiwei , Zhu Xun , He Cheng , Ye Dingding , Chen Rong , Liao Qiang
Published: November 2024

Microfluidic chip detection system serves as both electricity production and liquid pumping units.
Collective motion of energy depot active disks
Authors: Miranda Juan Pablo , Levis Demian , Valeriani Chantal
Published: November 2024

The present work shows that repulsive disks self-propelled by an internal energy depot undergo a flocking transition in the absence of alignment interactions. Flocking arises from an effective pairwise alignment controlled by persistent collisions.
Divalent cation effects in the glass transition of poly(diallyldimethylammonium)–poly(styrene sulfonate) polyelectrolyte complexes
Authors: Braide Tamunoemi , Manoj Lalwani Suvesh , Eneh Chikaodinaka I. , Lutkenhaus Jodie L.
Published: November 2024

The assembly and dynamics of polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) and polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) are influenced by water content, pH, and salt concentration.
What is better to enhance the solubility of hydrophobic compounds in aqueous solutions: eutectic solvents or ionic liquids?
Authors: Ferreira Olga , Silva Liliana P. , Almeida Heloísa H. S. , Benfica Jordana , Abranches Dinis O. , Pinho Simão P. , Coutinho João A. P.
Published: November 2024

The solubilities of three solutes in aqueous solutions of ionic liquids (choline glycolate and choline malonate) and the analogous eutectic solvents (choline chloride:glycolic acid and choline chloride:malonic acid) were studied.
Concentration-dependent kinetic study of graphene oxide (GO) reduction using biophenol and electrochemical analysis
Authors: Zafar Saad , Krishna Mani Sanjana , Monisha Monisha , Lochab Bimlesh
Published: November 2024

Renewable biophenol gallic acid (GA) is a safer, non-toxic, and efficient alternative to hydrazine for producing reduced graphene oxide (rGO), which exhibits excellent electrochemical properties and supports sustainable energy applications.
From lab to landscape: the role of chemical sciences in sustainable technology
Authors: Walia Yana
Published: November 2024

Sustainable technologies, such as hydrogen fuel cells, carbon capture systems, and methane-reducing feed additives for ruminants, play a key role in decreasing atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions.
Enhancing photoactivity of defective g-C3N4via self-polarization effect of tourmaline for CO2 reduction
Authors: Wang Jiangpeng , Huang Chao , Liu Deng , Peng HuiHui , Luo Qiong , Yang Dimin , Yu Xuelian , Hu Yingmo
Published: November 2024

The self-polarizing electric field of tourmaline promotes the photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance of nitrogen-deficient carbon nitride.
Immunomodulatory effects of calcium phosphate microspheres: influences of particle size on macrophage polarization and secretion patterns
Authors: Wan Qiwen , Tian Luoqiang , Wang Menglu , Chen Fuying , Li Xiangfeng , Xiao Yumei , Chen Xuening , Zhang Xingdong
Published: November 2024

This study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of calcium phosphate (CaP) microspheres, focusing on how particle size influenced macrophage polarization and cytokine secretion patterns.
Influence of Matching the Processing Delays of Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid Devices for Bimodal Listeners on Speech Recognition in Noise
Authors: Richter Margaret E. , Rooth Meredith A. , Dillon Margaret T.
Published: November 2024

Purpose:

Cochlear implant (CI) recipients who listen with a hearing aid (HA) in the contralateral ear, known as bimodal listeners, demonstrate individual variability in speech recognition in noise. This variability may be due in part to differences in the processing delays of the CI and HA devices. This study investigated the influence of matching the processing delays of CI and HA devices on masked speech recognition for bimodal listeners.

Method:

Twelve postlingually deafened adult CI recipients completed a task of masked speech recognition in two listening conditions: (a) independent default CI and HA processing delays (mismatched) and (b) with their HA-specific delay applied to the CI processing delay (matched). Speech recognition was evaluated with AzBio sentences presented in a 10-talker masker at a 0 dB SNR. The target was presented from the front loudspeaker at 0° azimuth, and the masker was co-located with the target, presented 90° toward the CI ear, or presented 90° toward the HA ear.

Results:

There was a significant main effect for target-to-masker configuration, with better performance when the masker was spatially separated from the target. Better masked speech recognition was observed in the matched condition as compared to the mismatched condition.

Conclusion:

Bimodal listeners may experience better masked speech recognition when the processing delay of the CI is individualized to match the processing delay of the contralateral HA.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.27616845
Comparative Effectiveness of In-Person and Virtual Picture-Naming Treatment for Poststroke Anomia
Authors: Jewell Courtney C. , Diedrichs Victoria A. , Blackett Deena Schwen , Durfee Alexandra Zezinka , Harnish Stacy M.
Published: November 2024

Purpose:

In light of COVID-19, telepractice for speech therapy has been increasingly adopted. Telepractice promotes accessibility to therapy services for those in rural environments, lowers the frequency of missed appointments, and reduces the costs of rehabilitation. The efficacy of telepractice has been scarcely explored in the aphasia literature. Preliminary research has demonstrated comparable results of telepractice and in-person therapy for people with aphasia, but the current scope of research is insufficient to guide clinical practice. The present study examined whether the virtual administration of a picture-naming therapy paradigm was as effective as in-person administration.

Method:

The treatment effects of two similar clinical trials, one completed in-person (
n
= 13) and one completed virtually (
n
= 13), are compared. Participants were adults with chronic (> 6 months) poststroke aphasia. Both clinical trials administered Cued Picture-Naming Therapy 4 days a week for 2 weeks (eight treatment sessions). Treatment outcomes were analyzed using Tau-
U
effect sizes and Mann–Whitney
U
tests.

Results:

Weighted Tau-
U
averages showed an advantage of telepractice over in-person treatment in the acquisition effects of trained words, with participants demonstrating a very large effect (0.84,
p
< .01) following telepractice and a large effect (0.75,
p
< .01) following in-person treatment. Both telepractice and in-person rehabilitation demonstrated significant treatment effects and were not significantly different from each other per Mann–Whitney
U
independent-samples
t
tests.

Conclusions:

The present study demonstrated that telepractice of a picture-naming paradigm is as effective as in-person treatment administration. This justifies the use of telepractice to overcome accessibility and cost barriers to speech therapy administration and justifies taking patient preference into account. Future research should explore the efficacy of telepractice for treatments that promote greater generalizability to functional communication.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.27641031
Secret key generation for reconfigurable intelligent surface‐assisted MISO multi‐user system
Authors: Liu Kexin , Li Mingliang , Huang Kaizhi , Wan Zheng , Li Qinlong , Sun Xiaoli , Xu Xiaoming , Jin Liang
Published: November 2024

Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)‐assisted physical layer key generation plays an important role in the eavesdropping problem on a typical multi‐user scenario of wireless networks. Existing RIS‐assisted physical key generation technology mainly solved the security issues in the single‐antenna and multi‐user scenario, which is based on the idealistic assumption of a spatially independent channel model at the RIS. It limits the degrees of freedom and neglects the existence of channel spatial correlation, which would possibly degrade the sum key generation rate (SKGR). To solve the above problem, this paper proposes a secret key generation scheme for RIS‐assisted multiple‐input single‐output multi‐user system. This scheme establishes a spatial correlation channel model, which comprehensively considers the influence of spatial correlation among antennas of the base station (BS), multi‐user, and RIS elements on SKGR. Based on this, a key generation framework is designed to generate a more secure secret key with the maximum SKGR. Specifically, a closed‐form SKGR expression and an optimization problem formulation are obtained to obtain the joint optimal coefficient of the BS and RIS. Then, the difference convex‐successive convex approximation based alternating optimization algorithm is proposed to solve this optimization problem. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme has improved 10‐bit/channel use compared with the randomization scheme of BS precoding and RIS reflection coefficient. It also has an improvement of 12‐bit/channel use compared with the spatially independent scheme.
3D flux configuration cost effective switched reluctance motor with small torque ripple content; design and prototyping
Authors: Sayyaadi Hassan , Turani Amir Abbas , Nasiri Zarandi Reza
Published: November 2024

Switch reluctance motors (SRMs) have many advantages, such as easy construction, high reliability, low cost, and higher energy efficiency compared to the inductance motors. However, SRMs have a major drawback—severe torque ripple (TR), which causes a great deal of noise and movement. Hence, these motors are rarely used in industrial applications. Torque ripple reduction in reluctance motors has been studied since their invention in the 1950s, but the effectiveness of any such reduction methods remain controversial. Significant reductions in TR remain necessary to make the SRM more applicable for industrial use. The main objective of this study is to propose a new configuration of the SRM which greatly reduces TR and has low manufacturing costs. Although this new structure greatly reduces the TR, like most previous research, some aspects such as drive control and design optimisation methods could be used to more obviously reduce TR. The proposed motor has a simple configuration which is more efficient. Finite element method is used to verify the design, and a prototype has been fabricated and tested to experimentally verify its performance.
Improve the insulation performance of air‐insulated gaps: Application of polyurea materials on the ground potential side of transmission line
Authors: Li Le , Shen Huajie , Zhang Zhongyuan , Xu Shijie , Liu Yifan , Zhang Haishun , Tang Li , Peng Honggang , Wang Fan , Li Guangxi , Li Haoyi , Liu Yunpeng
Published: November 2024

The authors aim to explore the effectiveness of two‐component polyurea materials applied to transmission line towers (on the ground potential side) in improving the insulation performance of the conductor–tower gap. The physicochemical and electrical properties of the polyurea materials were first analysed and a conductor–tower gap testing platform was constructed to investigate the effects of the length and thickness of the polyurea layer on the ground potential side under a 50‐Hz AC voltage on the breakdown characteristics. Experimental studies revealed that the characteristic breakdown voltages of polyurea layers of different lengths (40, 100, 200, and 400 cm) are approximate. Compared with the air‐insulated gap before the application of polyurea, thinner polyurea layers (1 and 2 mm) showed no significant improvement in the breakdown voltage, whereas thicker layers (3, 4, and 5 mm) significantly improved it. In particular, with a polyurea layer thickness of 4 mm and gap distance of 20 cm, the characteristic breakdown voltage increased from 138.43 to 155.71 kV. In addition, the withstand voltage distance decreased from 4 to 3 cm without any breakdown, even when the high‐voltage conductor directly contacted the polyurea layer and the layer was not penetrated. The authors provide theoretical support and experimental data for improving the conductor–tower gap insulation performance by applying a polyurea layer on the ground potential side.
The interacting double white dwarf population with LISA: Stochastic foreground and resolved sources
Authors: Toubiana A. , Karnesis N. , Lamberts A. , Miller M. C.
Published: November 2024

Aims. We investigate the impact of tidal torques and mass transfer on the population of double white dwarfs that will be observed with LISA.

Methods. Our Galactic distribution of double white dwarfs is based on the combination of a cosmological simulation and a binary population synthesis model. We used a semi-analytical model to evolve double white dwarf binaries considering ten different hypotheses for the efficiency of tidal coupling and three hypotheses for the birth spins of white dwarfs. We then estimated the stochastic foreground and the population of resolvable binaries for LISA for these different combinations.

Results. Our predicted double white dwarf binary distribution can differ substantially from the distribution expected if only gravitational waves (GWs) are considered. If white dwarfs spin slowly, then we predict an excess of systems around a few due to binaries that outspiral after the onset of mass transfer. This excess of systems leads to differences in the confusion noise, which are most pronounced for strong tidal coupling. In that case, we find a significantly higher number of resolvable binaries than in the GW-only scenario. If instead white dwarfs spin rapidly and tidal coupling is weak, then we find no excess around a few mHz, and the confusion noise due to double white dwarfs is very low. In that scenario, we also predict a subpopulation of outspiralling binaries below 0.1 mHz. Using the Fisher matrix approximation, we estimate the uncertainty on the GW-frequency derivative of resolvable systems. We find that, even for non-accreting systems, the mismodelling error due to neglecting effects other than GWs is larger than the statistical uncertainty, and thus this neglect would lead to biased estimates for mass and distance.

Conclusions. Our results suggest that the population of double white dwarfs is likely to be different from what is expected in the standard picture, which highlights the need for flexible tools in LISA data analysis. Because our semi-analytical model hinges upon a simplistic approach to determining the stability of mass accretion, it will be important to deepen our comprehension of stability in mass-transferring double white dwarf binaries.
Constraining the Hubble constant with scattering in host galaxies of fast radio bursts
Authors: Yang Tsung-Ching , Hashimoto Tetsuya , Hsu Tzu-Yin , Goto Tomotsugu , Ling Chih-Teng , Ho Simon C.-C. , Chen Amos Y.-A. , Kilerci Ece
Published: November 2024

Aims. Measuring the Hubble constant (H0) is one of the most important missions in astronomy. Nevertheless, recent studies exhibit differences between the employed methods.

Methods. Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are coherent radio transients with large dispersion measures (DM) with a duration of millisecondsḊMIGM, the free electron column density along a line of sight in the intergalactic medium (IGM), could open a new avenue for probing H0. However, it has been challenging to separate DM contributions from different components (i.e., the IGM and the host galaxy plasma), and this hampers the accurate measurements of DMIGM and hence H0. We adopted a method to overcome this problem by using the temporal scattering of the FRB pulses due to the propagation effect through the host galaxy plasma (scattering time). The scattering-inferred DM in a host galaxy improves the estimate of DMIGM, which in turn leads to a better constraint on H0. In previous studies, a certain value or distribution has conventionally been assumed of the dispersion measure in host galaxies (DMh). We compared this method with ours by generating 100 mock FRBs, and we found that our method reduces the systematic (statistical) error of H0 by 9.1% (1%) compared to the previous method.

Results. We applied our method to 30 localized FRB sources with both scattering and spectroscopic redshift measurements to constrain H0. Our result is H0 = 74−7.2+7.5 km s−1 Mpc−1, where the central value prefers the value obtained from local measurements over the cosmic microwave background. We also measured DMh with a median value of 103−48+68 pc cm−3.

Conclusions. The DMh had to be assumed in previous works to derive DMIGM. Scattering enables us to measure DMIGM without assuming DMh to constrain H0. The reduction in systematic error is comparable to the Hubble tension (∼10%). Combined with the fact that more localized FRBs will become available, our result indicates that our method can be used to address the Hubble tension using future FRB samples.
Multi-wavelength properties of three new radio-powerful z ∼ 5.6 quasi-stellar objects discovered from RACS
Authors: Ighina L. , Caccianiga A. , Moretti A. , Broderick J. W. , Leung J. K. , López-Sánchez A. R. , Rigamonti F. , Seymour N. , An T. , Belladitta S. , Bisogni S. , Della Ceca R. , Drouart G. , Gargiulo A. , Liu Y.
Published: November 2024

We present a multi-wavelength study of three new z ∼ 5.6 quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) identified from dedicated spectroscopic observations. The three sources were selected as high-z candidates based on their radio and optical/near-infrared properties as reported in the Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey (RACS), the Dark Energy Survey (DES), and the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) survey. These are among the most radio-bright QSOs currently known at z > 5.5, relative to their optical luminosity, having R = S5GHz/S4400Å > 100. In this work, we present their identification, and we also discuss their multi-wavelength properties (from the radio to the X-ray band) based on detections in public surveys as well as in dedicated radio and X-ray observations. The three sources present a wide range of properties in terms of relative intensity and spectral shape, highlighting the importance of multi-wavelength observations in accurately characterising these high-z objects. In particular, from our analysis we found one source at z = 5.61 that presents clear blazar properties (strong radio and X-ray emission), making it one of the most distant currently known in this class. Moreover, from the fit of the optical/near-infrared photometric measurements with an accretion disc model as well as the analysis of the CIV broad emission line in one case, we were able to estimate the mass and accretion rate of the central black holes in these systems, finding MBH ∼ 1 − 10 × 109 M⊙ accreting at a rate λEdd ∼ 0.1 − 0.4. The multi-wavelength characterisation of radio QSOs at z > 5.5, such as the ones reported here, is essential to constraining the evolution of relativistic jets and supermassive black holes hosted in this class of objects.
The grazing-angle icy protoplanetary disk PDS 453
Authors: Martinien L. , Ménard F. , Duchêne G. , Tazaki R. , Perrin M. D. , Stapelfeldt K. R. , Pinte C. , Wolff S. G. , Grady C. , Dominik C. , Roumesy M. , Ma J. , Ginski C. , Benisty M. , Hines D. C. , Schneider G.
Published: November 2024

Context. Observations of highly inclined protoplanetary disks provide a different point of view, in particular, they provide a more direct access to the vertical disk structure when compared to less steeply inclined more pole-on disks.

Aims. PDS 453 is a rare highly inclined disk where the stellar photosphere is seen at grazing incidence on the disk surface. Our goal is take advantage of this geometry to constrain the structure and composition of this protoplanetary disk. In particular, it shows a 3.1 µm water-ice band in absorption that can be uniquely related to the disk.

Methods. We observed the system in polarized intensity with the VLT/SPHERE instrument, as well as in polarized light and total intensity using the HST/NICMOS camera. Infrared archival photometry and a spectrum showing the water-ice band were used to model the spectral energy distribution under the Mie scattering theory. Based on these data, we fit a model using the radiative transfer code MCFOST to retrieve the geometry and dust and ice content of the disk.

Results. PDS 453 has the typical morphology of a highly inclined system with two reflection nebulae in which the disk partially attenuates the stellar light. The upper nebula is brighter than the lower nebula and shows a curved surface brightness profile in polarized intensity. This indicates a ring-like structure. With an inclination of 80° estimated from models, the line of sight crosses the disk surface, and a combination of absorption and scattering by ice-rich dust grains produces the water-ice band.

Conclusions. PDS 453 is seen at high inclination and is composed of a mixture of silicate dust and water ice. The radial structure of the disk includes a significant jump in density and scale height at a radius of 70 au that produces a ring-like image. The depth of the 3.1 µm water-ice band depends on the amount of water ice, until it saturates when the optical thickness along the line of sight becomes too large. Therefore, quantifying the exact amount of water from absorption bands in edge-on disks requires a detailed analysis of the disk structure and tailored radiative transfer modeling. Further observations with JWST and ALMA will allow us to refine our understanding of the structure and content of this interesting system.
Measuring the intracluster medium velocity structure within the A3266 galaxy cluster
Authors: Gatuzz E. , Sanders J. , Liu A. , Fabian A. , Pinto C. , Russell H. , Eckert D. , Walker S. , ZuHone J. , Mohapatra R.
Published: November 2024

We present a detailed analysis of the velocity structure of the hot intracluster medium (ICM) within the A3266 galaxy cluster, including new observations taken between June and November 2023. Firstly, morphological structures within the galaxy cluster were examined using a Gaussian gradient magnitude (GGM) and an adaptively smoothed GGM filter applied to the EPIC-pn X-ray image. Then, we applied a novel XMM-Newton EPIC-pn energy scale calibration, which uses instrumental Cu Kα as a reference for the line emission, to measure the line-of-sight velocities of hot gas within the system. This approach enabled us to create two-dimensional projected maps for velocity, temperature, and metallicity, showing that the hot gas displays a redshifted systemic velocity relative to the cluster redshift across all fields of view. Further analysis of the velocity distribution through non-overlapping circular regions demonstrates consistent redshifted velocities extending up to 1125 kpc from the cluster core. Additionally, the velocity distribution was assessed along regions following surface brightness discontinuities, where we observed redshifted velocities in all regions, with the largest velocities reaching 768 ± 284 km/s. Moreover, we computed the velocity probability density function (PDF) from the velocity map. We applied a normality test, finding that the PDF adheres to an unimodal normal distribution consistent with theoretical predictions. Lastly, we computed a velocity structure function for this system using the measured line-of-sight velocities. These insights advance our understanding of the dynamic processes within the A3266 galaxy cluster and contribute to our broader knowledge of ICM behavior in merging galaxy clusters.
Heuristic solution for the acoustic radiation of a moving monopole in an inhomogeneous and moving atmosphere. Application to aircraft noise
Authors: Kayser Bill , Dragna Didier , Blanc-Benon Philippe
Published: November 2024

A coupled approach is proposed for predicting sound radiation from a monopole in arbitrary motion in a moving and inhomogeneous atmosphere. It is based on a heuristic model proposed in the literature for sound radiation by a moving source in a homogeneous atmosphere at rest above an absorbing ground and a ray-tracing code, which takes into account meteorological effects. Validation of the model is performed with a reference three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain solution of the linearized Euler equations for several test-cases with different source trajectories and atmospheric conditions. We show that neglecting convective amplification or the source motion between the emission and reception times can lead to significant errors in the predictions. Finally, an application case for aircraft noise is presented. The importance of ground and meteorological effects on the sound pressure levels is highlighted.
Application of EUS or MRCP prior to ERCP in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis in clinical practice
Authors: de Jong Mike J.P. , Engels Megan M.L. , Sperna Weiland Christa , Krol Robin , Bisseling Tanya M. , van Geenen Erwin-Jan M. , Siersema Peter , van Delft Foke , van Hooft Jeanin E.
Published: November 2024

Background and study aims Patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis can be stratified according to the 2019 European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) guideline into low-, intermediate- and high-likelihood groups for presence of choledocholithiasis. For the intermediate group, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is recommended to assess whether an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is necessary prior to cholecystectomy. The aim of the study was to investigate adherence to the guideline for diagnostic and treatment strategy for cholelithiasis in daily clinical practice.

Patients and methods A multicenter, retrospective cross-sectional observational study of the diagnostic pathway of patients with suspicion of choledocholithiasis was conducted between 2019 and 2021. Patients were stratified according to the ESGE guideline "Endoscopic management of common bile duct stones”.

Results A total of 305 patients were included in the analysis and stratified into low- (17%), intermediate- (40%) and high- (43%) likelihood of choledocholithiasis. In these three categories, 182 patients (60%) underwent ERCP. Adherence to the ESGE guideline recommendation was 59.7% overall and was the highest in the intermediate-likelihood group (83.6%), compared with 45.1% in the low- and 43.2% in the high-likelihood group, respectively (P < 0.001). In the high-likelihood group, 49% underwent additional imaging. In 195 patients who underwent additional imaging, 55 ERCPs (28.2%) could be avoided.

Conclusions This study shows that stratification according to the ESGE guideline is useful to reduce the number of unnecessary additional imaging procedures and ERCPs in patients with a suspicion of choledocholithiasis. It seems worthwhile to perform EUS prior to ERCP in the same session.
Knowledge of Dental Students about the Association between Periodontal Bacteria and Obesity and Their Attitude toward Obese Patients
Authors: Hashim Ahmed
Published: November 2024

Objective Periodontal disease (PD) and obesity are associated and highly prevalent in both developed and developing countries. This study aims to assess dental students' and interns' knowledge about the association and mechanism linking both conditions, as well as predict attitudes toward providing advice and treatment to obese patients.

Materials and Methods One hundred and ten participants, mean age 22.65 years, completed self-administered questionnaires. The survey consisted of 25 items, divided into 5 sections. Participants'responses were evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale.

Statistical Analysis The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 for descriptive, correlation and regression analysis of the variables.

Results Over 62% of the participants agreed that they gained knowledge about the association between PD and obesity. Furthermore, they understood that the bidirectional link is initiated and driven by gram-negative bacteria and inflammation (75%). Over 50% of the participants showed a positive attitude toward obese patients. In contrast, many of the participants (57%) exhibited signs of stereotyping toward obese individuals, and 69% of the respondents were deficient in peer-assisted learning.

Conclusion Incorporating obesity education, peer-assisted learning, and stigma-free competency skills into the dental curriculum is crucial for enhancing attitudes towards obese patients.
Relationship between superconducting transition temperature, specific heat, and electrical resistivity in Nb-V alloys
Authors: Leonov A. N. , Fedotov A. K.
Published: November 2024

A study is made of the correlation between the superconducting transition temperature Tc and the Debye temperature ΘD, electronic specific heat γ, and the derivative with respect to temperature of the electrical resistivity (dp/dT)T>ΘD in alloys of the system Nb-V. The measured values of Tc are in good qualitative agreement with values calculated from the microscopic theory of superconductivity in the strong-coupling approximation, confirming the validity of this approximation for these alloys.
Effect of superconducting coating on the heat conductivity of a normal metal
Authors: Bezuglyi E. V.
Published: November 2024

General linear response quantum methods are used to find the temperature dependence of the electron heat conductivity of a film of a pure (l≫L, where l is the mean free path and L is the film thickness) normal metal between two thin superconducting layers of thickness d≪L. It is shown that the well-known Andreev total reflection of the electron excitations is accompanied by tunneling and above-barrier reflection whose partial probabilities are determined by the excitation energy and the thickness of the superconducting layer.
Tunnel spectra of carboxylic acids: the transition from physical absorption to chemisorption
Authors: Shklyarevskii O. I. , Lysykh A. A. , Yanson I. K.
Published: November 2024

Tunnel spectra have been examined for adsorbed formic, acetic, and propionic acids; the vapors were introduced into the junctions by condensation onto aluminum or magnesium films previously oxidized and cooled to 77 °K. The subsequent preparation of the tunnel contact involved no heating, while the characteristics were measured directly on the system after deposition at about 4.2 °K. It is found that HCOOH, CH3COOH, and CH3CH2COOH form dimers under these conditions, which are physically adsorbed on the surface of the base film. If the contact is heated, dissociative chemisorption occurs, with the formation of the corresponding ions. The resulting changes in the tunnel spectra provide direct information on the interaction with the surface, as well as an unambiguous interpretation of various bands.
Change of yield stress accompanying the superconducting transition in lead-indium alloys
Authors: Dotsenko V. I. , Pustovalov V. V. , Fomenko V. S. , Shcherbina M. E.
Published: November 2024

The change in the yield stress accompanying superconducting transitions in lead-indium alloys is investigated over a wide range of alloy compositions with a view to elucidating the mechanism underlying this effect. Experimental plots of the change in the yield stress versus strain and composition are compared with the results of theoretical calculations. Composition ranges in which particular mechanisms may be expected to manifest themselves are determined.
Theory of relaxation processes in superconductors
Authors: Bar’yakhtar V. G. , Seminozhenko V. P.
Published: November 2024

Equations describing the relaxation of electron and phonon temperature, the effective chemical potential of quasiparticles, and the energy gap are analyzed on the basis of the kinetic equations for electrons and phonons in superconductors as well as the equation for the nonequilibrium-order parameter which the authors have derived in an earlier study. The corresponding relaxation times are also calculated.
Elementary excitations of a two-dimensional Ising ferromagnet in a transverse magnetic field in the presence of impurities
Authors: Okladnoi Yu. G. , Tsukernik V. M.
Published: November 2024

The influence of a magnetic impurity on the elementary excitation spectrum of a two-dimensional Ising ferromagnet is investigated in a low transverse magnetic field. It is shown that in the case of a “ferromagnetic” impurity in a matrix of spin 1/2, from one to three local energy levels can be split off from the lower edge of the continuous spectrum of one-magnon states where the conditions for their existence impose quite strict constraints on the spin-Hamiltonian parameters. Three distinct spin configurations can be realized in the presence of an “antiferromagnetic” impurity in the crystal in the ground state. Single-magnon states of a ferromagnet are considered for those values of the spin-Hamiltonian parameters when two of them are realized. It is shown that from one to six local levels above or below the continuous spectrum band can appear, and their distance from the band edge can substantially exceed its width. Quasilocal energy levels originating within the continuous spectrum of the single-magnon states are also investigated.
Kinetics of configurational equilibration of the ortho subsystem of solid hydrogen
Authors: Kokshenev V. B. , Strzhemechnyi M. A.
Published: November 2024

A theoretical investigation of the processes of configurational relaxation of the ortho subsystem of solid hydrogen at low temperatures (T≲4Г, where Г ∼1°K is the quadrupole coupling constant) and low concentrations of the ortho modification (c∼0.01) is presented. It is shown that the characteristic configurational-relaxation time is determined mainly by the probability of phononless dissociation of nearest-neighbor pairs of ortho molecules. For the configurational-relaxation time τ the following dependence on concentration and temperature is obtained: τ∼ c5/3 exp(4Г/T).
Strain tunable electronic properties of MoSi2N4/WSi2N4 heterostructure
Authors: Li Xuanhao , Yu Jin , Zhong Hongxia
Published: November 2024

Recently, a new family of layered two-dimensional materials, named MA2Z4 (M = Mo, W; A = Si; Z = N), have been attracting considerable attention due to their excellent ambient stability and physical properties. In this work, we systemically investigated the effect of mechanical strain on the electronic properties of the heterostructure of MoSi2N4/WSi2N4 by first-principles calculations. Our result shows that AC-stacked MoSi2N4/WSi2N4 is an indirect-gap semiconductor with a typical type-II band alignment. When vertical compression is applied, the heterostructure undergoes a transition from type-II to type-I to type-II band alignment accompanied by a decrease in the bandgap. Finally, the bandgap closes around a critical strain of −19%. We attribute this electronic phase transition to the enhanced polarization induced by the interfacial charge redistribution. It is also found that biaxially applied strain would induce a direct bandgap. Thus, the modulation of electronic properties proposed in the heterostructure holds great potential in electronic devices.
Effect of moisture on the electric field and breakdown voltage of XLPE cable interconnectors
Authors: Li Huachun , Cai Jing , Chen Ping , Zhang Jingcheng , Guo Wei , Pan Zehua , Qian Mengdi
Published: November 2024

Dampness in the joint is a common defect of power cables, and the influence of moisture on the performance of the intermediate joint is very important. The electric field distribution of the joint is analyzed by simulation, and the XLPE sample is used as an experimental object to test the breakdown voltage under different damp levels. Simulation results show that in the composite interface outside the main insulation, the electric field at the water film is only 20%–60% of normal. However, the electric field around the water film generally increases, and as the degree of moisture increases, the electric field distortion becomes more serious, which is prone to inducing breakdown accidents. The electric field around the water film outside the conductor has no obvious distortion and will not directly induce accidents. Through the breakdown voltage experiment of the damp XLPE sample, it is found that the average breakdown voltage is 85%–94% of normal, and it decreases with the increase of moisture. The experimental results are consistent with the simulation results. The results can be used to guide the cause analysis of cable intermediate joint accidents.
Determination and analysis of compensation capacitor for a robust distance-variable wireless power transfer system
Authors: Lee Sungjin , Cheon Jeonghyeon , Park Heegeon , Kim Dongwook
Published: November 2024

Wireless power transfer (WPT) systems have been widely adopted for full autonomy in various fields due to their convenience. However, changes in the air gap between the Tx and Rx coils significantly affect efficiency. To overcome this challenge, this paper introduces the determination of a compensation capacitor for a distance-variable WPT system that is robust in varying air gap conditions. The proposed method was verified using theoretical analysis, simulation, and experimental measurement. The electrical circuit was modeled using a T-equivalent model in a series–series (SS) topology to calculate power transfer efficiency (PTE). Specifically, compensation capacitors were analyzed at distances of 10, 30, and 50 mm, considering different self-inductance values. These results are compared against varying load resistances to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Additionally, the PTE drop ratio was defined to facilitate comparison. The results show that the PTE drop ratio for the compensation capacitor at the farthest distance was consistently smaller than that for the capacitor at the nearest distance under varying air gaps and load resistances. In this research, the difference in the PTE drop ratio between 10 and 50 mm was measured, demonstrating that determining the capacitor at the farthest distance reduces the PTE drop ratio across a range of operational conditions.
Bird and mammal roadkill patterns and associated factors on a tropical mountain area: the Interamerican Highway, Cerro de la Muerte, Costa Rica
Authors: González-Maya José F. , Sánchez-Arguedas Luis , Rodríguez Pacheco Marisol , Gutiérrez-Sanabria Diego R. , Martínez-Estévez Lourdes , Schipper Jan
Published: November 2024

Context Habitat degradation caused by roads and wildlife–vehicle collisions are two of the main drivers of terrestrial vertebrate mortality. Spatial collision patterns are influenced by habitat and road characteristics and the species’ ecology and biology, including its life history. Costa Rica has a network of 10,000 km of paved roads; however, there is a knowledge gap on road ecology and its impact to wildlife. Understanding the interconnectedness of roadkill with spatial and temporal patterns is crucial to mitigate this threat in the country. Aims Here, we describe spatial and temporal patterns in bird and mammal–vehicle collisions on a 45 km section of the Interamerican Highway and identify the critical zones that require attention. Methods Surveys were conducted by car between Río Macho Forest Reserve and Los Santos Forest Reserve for a period of 8 months. We recorded bird and mammal individuals and road and landscape features in 100 m sections to identify collision hotspots. We used the road and landscape information to try to explain the hotspot segments using generalized linear models. Key results We found 148 carcasses that belonged to 16 species of bird and five species of mammal. There was no temporal pattern in frequency of collisions for both birds and mammals. We identified 34 collision hotspots, five for birds and 29 for mammals, and seven hotspots for both groups combined. Bird collision frequency was explained by the 150 m scale forest area, distance to rivers, and road sinuosity. Mammal collisions were not explained by the evaluated variables. Conclusions Roadkill of birds and mammals was influenced by biological traits and environmental factors. The identification of specific environmental factors and collision hotspots are an initial step on collision monitoring in the Talamanca mountain range in Costa Rica. Implications This research has increased our knowledge on some of the factors that influence roadkill frequencies and vulnerability of species. Our results identified segments on the Interamerican Highway where roadkill mitigation measures should be implemented. Our findings can also serve as a reference point to analyze other segments of the highway or other roads with similar features in the country.
Bridging theory and data: A computational workflow for cultural evolution
Authors: Deffner Dominik , Fedorova Natalia , Andrews Jeffrey , McElreath Richard
Published: November 2024

Cultural evolution applies evolutionary concepts and tools to explain the change of culture over time. Despite advances in both theoretical and empirical methods, the connections between cultural evolutionary theory and evidence are often vague, limiting progress. Theoretical models influence empirical research but rarely guide data collection and analysis in logical and transparent ways. Theoretical models themselves are often too abstract to apply to specific empirical contexts and guide statistical inference. To help bridge this gap, we outline a quality-assurance computational workflow that starts from generative models of empirical phenomena and logically connects statistical estimates to both theory and real-world explanatory goals. We emphasize and demonstrate validation of the workflow using synthetic data. Using the interplay between conformity, migration, and cultural diversity as a case study, we present coded and repeatable examples of directed acyclic graphs, tailored agent-based simulations, a probabilistic transmission model for longitudinal data, and an approximate Bayesian computation model for cross-sectional data. We discuss the assumptions, opportunities, and pitfalls of different approaches to generative modeling and show how each can be used to improve data analysis depending on the structure of available data and the depth of theoretical understanding. Throughout, we highlight the significance of ethnography and of collecting basic cultural and demographic information about study populations and call for more emphasis on logical and theory-driven workflows as part of science reform.
Postmarital residence rules and transmission pathways in cultural hitchhiking
Authors: Carrignon Simon , Crema Enrico R. , Kandler Anne , Shennan Stephen
Published: November 2024

Cultural evolutionary processes can often lead to a statistical association between neutral and adaptive traits during episodes of population dispersal and the introduction of a beneficial technology in a geographic region. Here, we examine such cultural hitchhiking processes using an individual-based model that portrays the cultural interaction between a migrant and an incumbent population. Our model is loosely based on the interaction between farming and foraging populations during the initial stages of the adoption and diffusion of agricultural practices. The two populations are characterized by different variants for their neutral and adaptive cultural traits, with the latter set providing a reproductive advantage for the migrant communities over the incumbent ones. We explore how the neutral traits of the migrant population spread and how this process is conditioned by the following factors: 1) the possibility of transmission of the adaptive traits; 2) the extent of the increased reproductive advantage provided by the adaptive variants of the migrant population; 3) postmarital residence rules; and 4) how and when neutral traits are transmitted. Our results reveal a diverse range of outputs, highlighting the relevance of factors such as the nature of postmarital resocialization and the specific combination of postmarital residence rules and sex-biased transmission.
Extremely virtual and incredibly physical
Authors: Compagnoni Ilaria , Fazzi Fabiana
Published: November 2024

Digital mediation strategies are key soft skills to develop amongst students as they prepare to interact in
increasingly collaborative settings, socially and professionally. Defined as a set of communication strategies deployed to reach
mutual agreement over a dispute, mediation enables students’ cooperation in task-based language teaching settings. However, there
is an absence of research investigating learning practices in digital social spaces that allow students to develop mediation
strategies while using foreign languages to achieve group task goals. In this article, we will outline and compare the results of
two case studies exploring the interaction potential of digital educational activities: Digital Storytelling and Digital Social
Reading. The analysis of students’ multimodal conversations during the activities shows that while there are intrinsic
interactional affordances related to the technologies (StoryMaps, izi.Travel, ThingLink, Immerse and Glose for Education) used in
educational contexts, fostering students’ mediation strategies has only been feasible through a sound instructional methodology.
Starting from the data analysis, pedagogical implications are drawn to help language teachers implement virtual technologies to
boost students’ digital mediation strategies to act successfully in their professional and social lives. Considerations include
pre-activity tech and strategy training and the integration of asynchronous and synchronous moments of reflection. Further
discussion pertains to creating a community of practice collaborating to understand tool usability for attaining activity
goals.
Learning vocabulary through listening
Authors: Graham Suzanne , Zhang Pengchong Anthony
Published: November 2024

This study explored the strategy use of 12 high-school learners of English within a vocabulary teaching
intervention which exposed three groups of learners to one of three types of oral vocabulary explanations: L2 explanations;
codeswitched explanations (CS); and contrastive focus-on-form explanations (CFoF) giving cross-linguistic information. Unlike
previous studies of vocabulary interventions, which have tended to focus solely on quantitative outcome measures and therefore
give arguably limited insights into why different interventions have the impact that they do, the study implemented stimulated
recall interviews to explore strategy use in order to better understand the learning outcomes from the intervention. A qualitative
analysis was undertaken to explore how learners used strategies and whether patterns of use emerged by intervention group and
proficiency level. Compared with the CS and L2 groups, learners from the CFoF group attended more specifically to the target words
and engaged in more metacognitive reflection and evaluation of the explanations, leading potentially to deeper processing and
hence greater vocabulary gains. Such strategy use also seemed, however, to explain their smaller gains in listening comprehension.
Finally, strategic behaviour was found to be related to levels of vocabulary knowledge and listening proficiency. The value of
exploring qualitative data on strategy use for evaluating the effects of an intervention is discussed, alongside the theoretical
and pedagogical implications of these findings.