bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature-controlled tunable emission of Bi3+-doped Rb2SnCl6 all-inorganic vacancy ordered lead-free perovskite for advanced anticounterfeiting
Authors: Xin Chengyue , Zhang Wenjun , Li Zhongfa , Chen Zihan , Duan Zhongyu
Published: January 2024

In this study, Bi3+-doped Rb2SnCl6 was found to have blue emission under 365 nm UV excitation and the luminescence colour changed to green after annealing treatment at 140–200 °C. This inspired us to use the material for optical security.
Separation of lead-212 from natural thorium solution utilizing novel sulfonamide dibenzo-18-crown-6
Authors: Cao Shiquan , Kang Yujia , Tang Huiping , Chen Zhi
Published: January 2024

The extraction of lead-212 (212Pb) from radioactive thorium (Th) waste is immensely important, as it serves to mitigate environmental risks associated with radioactive waste and provides a vital source for medical isotopes.
Heat pumps as a sustainable bridge for global heating and cooling at multi-scale
Authors: Yan Hongzhi , Ahrens Marcel Ulrich , Hertwich Edgar , Eikevik Trygve Magne , Wang Ruzhu
Published: January 2024

Heat pumps integrated with renewables enable carbon-neutral heating/cooling, requiring a multi-scale strategy, interdisciplinary research, and cross-sector collaboration.
Inhibition of N-type calcium channels by phenoxyaniline and sulfonamide analogues
Authors: Bispat Anjie S. , Cardoso Fernanda C. , Hasan Md. Mahadhi , Dongol Yashad , Wilcox Ricki , Lewis Richard J. , Duggan Peter J. , Tuck Kellie L.
Published: January 2024

A detailed SAR study led to two potent CaV2.2 inhibitors, the sulfonamide derivatives 42 and 45, which showed high plasma stability, low toxicity, favourable CNS MPO scores (4.0–4.4), and strong potency.
Halogen-bonded cocrystals via resonant acoustic mixing
Authors: Nari Alireza , Ovens Jeffrey S. , Bryce David L.
Published: January 2024

Resonant acoustic mixing (RAM) is shown to be an effective mechanochemical method for producing halogen-bonded cocrystals, characterized here by X-ray diffraction and solid-state NMR. An elusive stoichiomorph unobtainable by milling is found via RAM.
Lightweight polybenzoxazole aerogels with high compressive strength, ultralow dielectric constants, and excellent thermal stability
Authors: Zhang Yi , Liu Xiaoyun , Yang Rui , Zhuang Qixin
Published: January 2024

Three polybenzoxazole aerogels were prepared by using a two-step process through precursors. This new strategy avoids the drawback of directly preparing polymer aerogels from insoluble polymers.
A dual responsive novel bipyridyl carbohydrazide Schiff base as a colorimetric-fluorescent probe for In3+ and Al3+ ions and its potential applications
Authors: Aatif A. Mujthaba , R. Selva Kumar , Shaji Leyana K. , Selvam Pravin Kumar , Bhaskar R. , Majeed S. Abdul , Hameed A. S. Sahul , Kumar S. K. Ashok
Published: January 2024

The development of a probe for the selective recognition of trivalent cations Al3+ and In3+ has recently received greater attention due to the crucial roles these metal ions play in many biotic and material processes.
A deep decarbonization framework for the United States economy – a sector, sub-sector, and end-use based approach
Authors: Kar Saurajyoti , Hawkins Troy R. , Zaimes George G. , Oke Doris , Singh Udayan , Wu Xinyi , Kwon Hoyoung , Zhang Shannon , Zang Guiyan , Zhou Yan , Elgowainy Amgad , Wang Michael , Ma Ookie
Published: January 2024

Achieving the United States' target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 will require technological transformations and energy sector migration.
In situ polymer gelation in confined flow controls intermittent dynamics
Authors: Smith Barrett T. , Hashmi Sara M.
Published: January 2024

When alginate and calcium mix in a microfluidic junction, the system either flows, clogs, or demonstrates intermittency: gel repeatedly deposits, causing increased pressure, then ablates. The gel maintains its shape upon ablation to form micro-rods.
Investigating the effect of CeO2 on the radical scavenging activity of Pt@CoOx/NC@CeO2 during the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction in acidic and alkaline environments
Authors: Nasim Fatima , Ali Hassan , Waseem Amir , Nadeem Muhammad Arif
Published: January 2024

Researchers have concentrated on developing electrocatalysts that are especially designed to minimise oxygenated radicals generated in partial oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs).
Water-soluble bis-chalcone-based photoinitiators with long-wavelength absorption for radical polymerization and 3D printing
Authors: Lu Weineng , Qu Jinqing
Published: January 2024

Two water-soluble bis-chalcone-based photoinitiators KSES and KSTS were successfully synthesized.
A Blockchain‐Based Trustworthy Access Control Scheme for Medical Data Sharing
Authors: Wang Canling , Wu Wei , Chen Fulong , Shu Hong , Zhang Ji , Zhang Yuxuan , Wang Taochun , Xie Dong , Zhao Chuanxin
Published: January 2024

Blockchain is commonly employed in access control to provide safe medical data exchange because of the characteristics of decentralization, nontamperability, and traceability. Patients share personal health data by granting access rights to users or medical institutions. The major purpose of the existing access control techniques is to identify users who are permitted to access medical data. They hardly ever recognize internal assailants from legitimate entities. Medical data will involve multilayer access within the authorized organizations. Considering the cost of permissions management and the problem of insider malicious node attacks, users hope to implement authorization constraints within the authorized institutions. It can prevent their data from being maliciously disclosed by end‐users from different authorized healthcare domains. For the purpose to achieve the fine‐grained permissions propagation control of medical data in sharing institutions, a trust‐based authorization access control mechanism is suggested in this study. Trust thresholds are assigned to different privileges based on their sensitivity and used to generate zero‐knowledge proof to be broadcasted among blockchain nodes. This method evaluates the trust of each user through the dynamic trust calculation model. And meanwhile, smart contract is employed to verify whether the user’s trust can activate some permissions and ensure the privacy of the user’s trust in the process of authorization verification. In addition, the authorization transaction between users and institutions is recorded on the blockchain for patient traceability and accountability. The feasibility and effectiveness of the scheme are demonstrated through comprehensive comparisons and extensive experiments.
New criteria for metal oxide surge arrester condition monitoring based on leakage current analysis: Considering non‐uniform pollution effect
Authors: Khodsuz Masume , Teymourian Mohammad Hossein , Seyyedbarzegar Seyyedmeysam
Published: January 2024

The role of surge arresters is vital in power systems' protection against transient overvoltages, which can arise due to occurrences like lightning strikes or switching operations. Based on the performance of the surge arrester, assessing its condition is an essential requirement for early detection of any damage or deterioration. This article proposes innovative criteria based on the surge arresters’ leakage current analysis for the classification of uniform and non‐uniform pollution levels. The leakage current signal of clean, uniform, and non‐uniform polluted surge arresters has been examined under different contamination levels, humidity, and non‐uniformity degrees. Based on the experimental results analysis, a new criterion has been proposed for assessing the surge arrester condition, which has resulted from the fifth and first‐order harmonics ratio of resistive leakage current. Analysis of the proposed criterion demonstrates that this index has a significant correlation to the pollution level. The proposed criterion ability has been established based on random forest, support vector machine, decision tree algorithm, and multi‐layer perceptron in Python language. The obtained criterion based on experimental data in different conditions has been employed for classifier training, which can be applied in the power network for better condition monitoring of surge arresters ensuring fast and accurate outcomes.
Analysis of electric field and partial discharge characteristics of cable joint stress cone dislocation defects
Authors: Sun Yuwei , Lv Anqiang , Xie Zhiyuan
Published: January 2024

The mechanisms governing electric field and partial discharge (PD) under stress cone dislocation remain unclear. This study employs the finite element method to explore the relationship between the electric field, externally applied voltage, and length of dislocation. Subsequently, the correlation between voltage and electric field is determined. The relationship between voltage and PD is established through PD tests conducted under stress cone dislocation conditions. By considering the influence of voltage, the association between the electric field and PD is established, revealing the mechanism of PD initiation by electric field distortion in joints. The findings suggest that the lifetime and reliability were increased by wrapping semi‐conductive self‐adhesive tape around the exposed cross‐linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation layer. The electric field at a specific location is approximately proportional to the applied voltage. However, the slope is influenced by the composite insulation interface and the radial distance of the copper conductor. When crossing the interface between the XLPE insulation layer and the accessory insulation layer, the slope decreases significantly. The threshold for electric field PD is determined by examining the electric field distribution and the PD inception voltage during testing. When the voltage is sufficiently high, significant electric field distortions can occur at multiple points in the joint, potentially leading to concurrent PDs at several locations.
Joint delay and energy aware dragonfly optimization‐based uplink resource allocation scheme for LTE‐A networks in a cross‐layer environment
Authors: Moses Leeban , Sambantham Perarasi , Faheem Muhammad , Ali K Shoukath , Khan Arfat Ahmad
Published: January 2024

The exponential growth in data traffic from smart devices has led to a need for highly capable wireless networks with faster data transmission rates and improved spectral efficiency. Allocating resources efficiently in a 5G communication system with a huge number of machine type communication (MTC) devices is essential to ensure optimal performance and meet the diverse requirements of different applications. The LTE‐A network offers high‐speed mobile data services and caters to MTC devices and has relatively low data service requirements compared to human‐to‐human (H2H) communications. LTE‐A networks require advanced scheduling schemes to manage the limited spectrum and ensure efficient transmissions. This necessitates effective resource allocation schemes to minimize interference between cells in future networks. To address this issue, a joint delay and energy aware Levy flight Brownian movement‐based dragonfly optimization (DELFBDO)‐based uplink resource allocation scheme for LTE‐A Networks is proposed in this work to optimize energy efficiency, maximize the throughput and reduce the latency. The DELFDO algorithm efficiently organizes packets in both time and frequency domains for H2H and MTC devices, resulting in improved quality of service while minimizing energy consumption. The Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method increases the energy efficiency by producing the appropriate channel and power assignment for UEs and MTC devices.
A single player and a mass of agents: A pursuit evasion-like game
Authors: Bagagiolo Fabio , Capuani Rossana , Marzufero Luciano
Published: January 2024

We study a finite-horizon differential game of pursuit-evasion like, between a single player and a mass of agents. The player and the mass directly control their own evolution, which for the mass is given by a first order PDE of transport equation type. Using also an adapted concept of non-anticipating strategies, we derive an infinite dimensional Isaacs equation, and by dynamic programming techniques we prove that the value function is the unique viscosity solution on a suitable invariant subset of a Hilbert space.
Potential use of food waste in food processing to add nutritional value
Authors: Kusumasari Septariawulan , Syabana Mohamad Ana , Pamela Vega Yoesepa , Meindrawan Bayu
Published: January 2024

Every year the waste from leftover food increases. Based on the United Nation Environment Program (UNEP) in 2021, 20.9 million tonnes of food waste is produced per year. One of the largest contributors to food waste in Southeast Asia is Indonesia. Most of the waste is generated from the household sector. Examples of food waste generated by the household sector are fruit peels, eggshells and bones. Fruit peels contain good nutrition for the body, such as starch, fiber, polyphenols, etc. Banana peel has a calcium content of 715 mg/100 g and a high starch content of 10.32%. Durian peel contains a lot of lignin, cellulose and starch. Red dragon peel has the potential to be developed as an antioxidant source. Red dragon peel is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants. Eggshell and bone waste has a high content of calcium which is good for health. Duck eggshells contain 10.11% calcium, 6.41% chicken eggs and 9.69% quail eggs. Judging from the nutritional content, food waste such as fruit peels, egg shells and bones have the potential to be used as additives in food processing to increase the nutritional value.
The Influence of the Stimulus Level Used to Prescribe Nonlinear Frequency Compression on Speech Perception
Authors: Brennan Marc A. , Rasetshwane Daniel M. , Kopun Judy G. , McCreery Ryan W.
Published: January 2024

Background Nonlinear frequency compression (NFC) is a signal processing technique designed to lower high-frequency inaudible sounds for a listener to a lower frequency that is audible. Because the maximum frequency that is audible to a listener with hearing loss will vary with the input speech level, the input level used to set NFC could impact speech recognition.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the input level used to set NFC on nonsense syllable recognition.

Research Design Nonsense syllable recognition was measured for three NFC fitting conditions—with NFC set based on speech input levels of 50, 60, and 70 dB SPL, respectively, as well as without NFC (restricted bandwidth condition).

Study Sample Twenty-three adults (ages 42–80 years old) with hearing loss.

Data Collection and Analysis Data were collected, monaurally, using a hearing aid simulator. The start frequency and frequency compression ratios were set based on the SoundRecover Fitting Assistant. Speech stimuli were 657 consonant–vowel–consonant nonwords presented at 50, 60, and 70 dB SPL and mixed with steady noise (6 dB signal-to-noise ratio) and scored based on entire word, initial consonant, vowel, and final consonant. Linear mixed effects examined the effects of NFC fitting condition, presentation level, and scoring method on percent correct recognition. Additional predictor variables of start frequency and frequency–compression ratio were examined.

Results Nonsense syllable recognition increased as presentation level increased. Nonsense syllable recognition for all presentation levels was highest when NFC was set based on the 70 dB SPL input level and decreased significantly when set based on the 60 and 50 dB SPL inputs. Relative to consonant recognition, there was a greater reduction in vowel recognition. Nonsense syllable recognition between NFC fitting conditions improved with increases in the start frequency, where higher start frequencies led to better nonsense word recognition.

Conclusion Nonsense syllable recognition was highest when setting NFC based on a 70 dB SPL presentation level and suggest that a high presentation level should be used to determine NFC parameters for an individual patient.
Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis in Pediatrics with Closed Head Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Alghamdi Saad , AlMayahi Juhina , Bagais Abdulrahman , AlOraimi Lamyaa , Al-Rashidi Qais , Al-Saadi Tariq
Published: January 2024

This study aims to systematically review the current literature on pediatric cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) following closed head injury and to evaluate the clinical management of these patients. Systemic review of the literature was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Microsoft Academic, Clinical Trials, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. All databases were searched from their date of inception to June 2022. Inclusion criteria were applied to identify articles reporting on pediatric patients with CVST following closed head injury. Out of the articles screened, 23 met the inclusion criteria, reporting on 23 pediatric patients with CVST. Falls were the most common cause of traumatic CVST (52.2%), followed by motor vehicle accidents (30.4%). Nausea and vomiting were the most common presenting symptoms (71.4%), and magnetic resonance venogram was the most common diagnostic method (43.5%). Multisinus involvement was noted in 52.2% of cases. Patients with falls from height were more likely to receive conservative management than those with nonfall mechanisms of injury (p < 0.05). Pediatric CVST following closed head injury is a rare condition, with only case reports available in the literature. Prompt diagnosis and early treatment can lead to good survival and neurological outcomes. In severe cases, neurosurgical intervention may be necessary to prevent mortality and severe morbidity. This review highlights the need for further research to establish evidence-based management guidelines for this rare but potentially serious condition in the pediatric population.
Total Splenectomy for Splenic Abscess in Pediatric Oncology: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Bhat Ramitha R. , Bhat K Vasudeva , Venkatesh Vinay Munikoty , Venkatagiri Archana Melavarige , Joshi Shreya , Kumar Vijay , Prabhu Santosh P , Godkhindi Vishwapriya , Thobbi Atul , Pai Chandana
Published: January 2024

Splenic abscess is a relatively uncommon condition, especially in pediatric malignancies. The diagnosis of a splenic abscess is a clinical challenge due to low incidence. The condition is fatal if not diagnosed on time. We are reporting two cases with underlying immune suppression secondary to malignancy and multidrug-resistant sepsis with splenic abscesses as the focus. Both children had life-threatening sepsis and required total splenectomy as a life-saving measure. Postsplenectomy course was uneventful with clinical improvement, and chemotherapy was continued. High suspicion is necessary due to nonspecific presentation. The treatment of splenic abscess includes conservative management and percutaneous drainage. Splenectomy is generally not indicated; however, total splenectomy may be required in the setting of multiple splenic abscesses, also to prevent overwhelming infection in an immunocompromised setting.
How Dexamethasone Affects Necessity for Surgical Intervention for Chronic Subdural Hematoma: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Agrawal Amit , Gupta Amit , Mishra Rakesh , Atallah Oday , Rahman Md Moshiur , Das Saikat , Moscote-Salazar Luis Rafael , Krishnan Prasad , Maurya Ved Prakash
Published: January 2024

The effectiveness of dexamethasone in managing chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) patients remains uncertain although the drug is widely used in this condition. The present systematic review aims to understand the role of dexamethasone in reducing the need for surgery in cSDH patients. This study was conducted as per the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched the electronic databases of PubMed, SCOPUS, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (the Cochrane Library), and ScienceDirect with a predefined search strategy. The population consisted of cSDH patients older than 18 years and treated primarily with dexamethasone. The primary outcome was the need for surgery after dexamethasone therapy in cSDH patients. The meta-analysis of a group of patients was done with the invariance method to estimate the pooled odds of the requirement for surgery after dexamethasone therapy. In the studies with a one-to-one comparison of dexamethasone with placebo/observation, the Mantel–Haenszel statistics were used to determine the odds of surgery. The quality of the studies was assessed with the Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS) and the Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the risk of bias in randomized studies. In total, 598 studies were obtained from the database search and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 studies were finally selected for the qualitative and quantitative synthesis. One of the 10 studies was a randomized controlled trial (RCT), while the rest were observational studies. There were 653 patients who received the primary dexamethasone therapy. Of these, 388 patients did not require surgery, while 256 needed surgeries after the therapy. The pooled estimate of requirement for surgery after dexamethasone therapy was 0.41, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.37 to 0.45. A meta-analysis of the one-to-one comparison from three included studies showed a higher need of surgery in the (comparator) placebo/observation group than in the dexamethasone group with odds ratio of 7.16 (95% confidence interval: 2.21–23.13, with p = 0.0001). In addition, we identified the gaps in literature, and the complications and mortality reported in the studies. Dexamethasone is effective in reducing the requirement for surgery in some selected cSDH cases, although many patients still require surgical intervention.
Sustainable matrix beyond GDP: investment for inclusive growth
Authors: Managi Shunsuke , Chen Shuning , Kumar Pushpam , Dasgupta Partha
Published: January 2024

Measuring a country’s sustainable development by its gross domestic product (GDP) is insufficient to capture the loss of capital that determines future human welfare. To address this, we propose the inclusive wealth index, which integrates biophysical quantities and monetary values of natural, human, and produced capital. We analyzed the level of Inclusive Wealth in 163 countries over the past 30 years to assess sustainable development goals (SDGs) going beyond GDP. Global wealth has suffered significant losses in natural capital, with the biased accumulation of capital assets leading to unsustainable and unequal development. In low-income countries, soaring population levels and biased capital investments exacerbate the depletion of natural capital. Our results underscore the critical role of natural capital and inclusive capital management in sustainable development. Policymakers can use this information to make capital investments in their economies and promote recovery from COVID-19 that aligns with the SDGs, the Paris Climate Agreement, and initiatives beyond GDP.
Solar energy harvesting using new broadband metamaterial solar absorbers for generation of heat
Authors: Khichar Vivek , Hozhabri Nader , Koymen Ali R.
Published: January 2024

We have designed and fabricated TiN/SiO2/TiN–HfO2-based new metamaterial microstructures as an absorber of the visible wavelength, in the range of 400–700 nm, with exceptionally high absorption efficiency (>96%) for solar energy harvesting purposes and generation of heat upon absorption of electromagnetic energy. The finite element method-based COMSOL Multiphysics software simulations were used to optimize the structural parameters of the microstructures and visualize the electric field and electromagnetic power loss distribution in the structure. An optimized 2D unit cell of the structure consists of a 4 μm × 160 nm TiN base on a glass substrate covered with a 70 nm thick SiO2 film. A periodic structure of TiN straps (each 90 nm thick and 2 μm wide) is deposited over the SiO2. The straps are capped with a 40 nm thick layer of high-temperature dielectric HfO2 with a periodicity of 4 µm. This unit is symmetric along the other dimension and is repeated periodically along the horizontal direction. Similar optimized parameters were used for 7, 10, and 100 µm periodic structures to investigate the effect of grating structure pitch on the absorption of light. Although these microstructures were optimized for the visible light spectrum, they show absorption efficiency of >92% when integrated over a broadband wavelength spectrum ranging from 400 to 1200 nm. The experimental data show excellent agreement with the simulated results. We observe less than 5% difference between experimental and simulated absorption efficiencies for the investigated microstructures. Furthermore, we should emphasize that, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to experimentally report the light to heat conversion in metamaterials with micron-range size patterned structures.
Tuning size and composition of Si/CNT composite microspheres via droplet-microfluidics for high performance lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Huang Shijian , Yao Jiyuan , Li Xinyi , Liu Huan , Qin Yanling , Wang Xin , Luo Dan , Shui Lingling
Published: January 2024

Designing and synthesizing Si/C composites with a certain structure is an effective strategy to improve the performance of silicon anode materials for practical applications. Herein, we prepared Si/CNT composite microspheres with decent size uniformity and perfect spherical structure using droplet-microfluidics. The size and structure can be easily regulated by tuning the mass fraction of the precursor in the microfluidic device. The Si/CNT composite microspheres exhibited a narrow particle size distribution (coefficient of variation <15%) and a unique structure, where the silicon nanoparticles with an amorphous SiOx layer are uniformly encapsulated in a framework formed by CNTs (Carbon Nanotubes). In addition, the electrochemical performance of electrodes prepared with Si/CNT composite microspheres of different sizes and compositions was investigated, while the underlying mechanism is understood by both physical characterization and electrochemical measurement. This work lays the foundation for the rational design of Si/C composites and develops a new avenue for its commercialization.
CRISPR-based screening of small RNA modulators of bile susceptibility in
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
Authors: Prezza Gianluca , Liao Chunyu , Reichardt Sarah , Beisel Chase L. , Westermann Alexander J.
Published: January 2024

Microbiota-centric interventions are limited by our incomplete understanding of the gene functions of many of its constituent species. This applies in particular to small RNAs (sRNAs), which are emerging as important regulators in microbiota species yet tend to be missed by traditional functional genomics approaches. Here, we establish CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) in the abundant microbiota member
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
for genome-wide sRNA screens. By assessing the abundance of different protospacer-adjacent motifs, we identify the
Prevotella bryantii
B14 Cas12a as a suitable nuclease for CRISPR screens in these bacteria and generate an inducible Cas12a expression system. Using a luciferase reporter strain, we infer guide design rules and use this knowledge to assemble a computational pipeline for automated gRNA design. By subjecting the resulting guide library to a phenotypic screen, we uncover the sRNA BatR to increase susceptibility to bile salts through the regulation of genes involved in
Bacteroides
cell surface structure. Our study lays the groundwork for unlocking the genetic potential of these major human gut mutualists and, more generally, for identifying hidden functions of bacterial sRNAs.
Topology of molecular deformations induces triphasic catch bonding in selectin–ligand bonds
Authors: Barkan Casey O. , Bruinsma Robijn F.
Published: January 2024

Among the long-standing efforts to elucidate the physical mechanisms of protein–ligand catch bonding, particular attention has been directed at the family of selectin proteins. Selectins exhibit slip, catch–slip, and slip–catch–slip bonding, with minor structural modifications causing major changes in selectins’ response to force. How can a single structural mechanism allow interconversion between these various behaviors? We present a unifying theory of selectin–ligand catch bonding, using a structurally motivated free energy landscape to show how the topology of force-induced deformations of the molecular system produces the full range of observed behaviors. We find that the pathway of bond rupture deforms in non-trivial ways, such that unbinding dynamics depend sensitively on force. This implies a severe breakdown of Bell’s theory—a paradigmatic theory used widely in catch bond modeling—raising questions about the suitability of Bell’s theory in modeling other catch bonds. Our approach can be applied broadly to other protein–ligand systems.
Colour-tunable features in thermally stable Tb3+/Eu3+ co-doped telluro tungstate glasses for photonic applications
Authors: Sangwan Vikas , Jayasimhadri M , Haranath D
Published: January 2024

The melt quenching procedure has been followed to synthesize transparent Tb3+ singly activated and Tb3+/Eu3+ co-activated TeO2–WO3–K2O–ZnO–Bi2O3 (TWKZBi) glasses. The structural characteristics of the prepared TWKZBi glass samples were examined through x-ray diffraction. The existence of functional units corresponding to the different vibrations has been examined via Raman spectroscopy. The photoluminescent characteristics and energy transfer (ET) analysis in the Tb3+/Eu3+ co-activated TWKZBi glasses were investigated in depth. Several emission peaks have been observed in Tb3+ doped TWKZBi glasses under n-UV and blue excitations and the maximum luminescent intensity has been detected for 2.0 mol% of Tb3+ doped TWKZBi glass sample. The emission spectra of co-doped Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions in the TWKZBi glasses have been studied, and the maximum ET efficiency is found to be 32.82% under n-UV excitation. The ET from sensitizer (Tb3+) to activator (Eu3+) ions happen through dipole–dipole interaction, as confirmed by Dexter’s and Reisfeld’s approximation. The colour-tunable emission in the prepared glass samples can be achieved via varying the content of activator ions. The decay profiles for the 5D4 level of Tb3+ ions diminish with varying the concentration of Eu3+ ions, confirming the ET from Tb3+ to Eu3+ ions. Furthermore, temperature-dependent photoluminescence studies show that the Tb3+/Eu3+ co-doped TWKZBi glasses have good thermal stability. All the aforementioned results reveal the suitability of the Tb3+/Eu3+ co-activated TWKZBi glass samples for photonic applications.
Radioactive seed localization is a safe and effective tool for breast cancer surgery: an evaluation of over 25,000 cases
Authors: Miodownik D , Bierman D , Thornton C , Moo T , Feigin K , Damato A , Le T , Williamson M , Prasad K , Chu B , Dauer L , Saphier N , Zanzonico P , Morrow M , Bellamy M
Published: January 2024

Radioactive seed localization (RSL) provides a precise and efficient method for removing non-palpable breast lesions. It has proven to be a valuable addition to breast surgery, improving perioperative logistics and patient satisfaction. This retrospective review examines the lessons learned from a high-volume cancer center’s RSL program after 10 years of practice and over 25 000 cases. We provide an updated model for assessing the patient’s radiation dose from RSL seed implantation and demonstrate the safety of RSL to staff members. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of various aspects of presurgical evaluation, surgical techniques, post-surgical management, and regulatory compliance for a successful RSL program. Notably, the program has reduced radiation exposure for patients and medical staff.
Optical temperature measurement in unsteady plasma free jet
Authors: Hermann Tobias , Keun Chang Eric Won
Published: January 2024

An Argon plasma free jet is investigated using spectrally narrow bandpass filtered high-speed imaging. The images were captured at 16 kHz with an exposure time of 3.9 μs and then calibrated for absolute radiance. The free jet exhibited behaviour consistent with turbulent free shear flow and maintains an axisymmetric shape. Significant local fluctuations were observed over time, growing in strength and size as the flow convected downstream. Assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium and self-similar free-jet temperature profiles, the flow radiance is used to determine the local plasma temperature and the jet width. Then, both steady and unsteady flow models were applied to account for the jet fluctuation. In regions of low fluctuations near the nozzle exit, both models show good agreement for centreline temperatures, measuring approximately 11 200 K. In regions of significant fluctuations, the assumption of steady flow leads to an overestimation of 32% for temperature, 18% for jet width, and 41% for total jet power. The unsteady analysis approach results in lower temperatures and smaller jet widths while simultaneously satisfying momentum and energy conservation.
Flower like-novel nanocomposite of Mg(Ti0.99Sn0.01)O3 decorated on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with high capacitive behavior as supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Hermadianti Syadza Aisyah , Handayani Murni , Anggoro Muhammad Aulia , Ristiana Desinta Dwi , Anshori Isa , Esmawan Agung , Rahmayanti Yosephin Dewiani , Suhandi Andi , Timuda Gerald Ensang , Sunnardianto Gagus Ketut , Widagdo Bambang Wisnu , Ermawati Frida Ulfah
Published: January 2024

In this study, ceramic materials of Mg(Ti0.99Sn0.01)O3 were synthesized and decorated on reduced graphene oxide, forming a nanocomposite of rGO/Mg(Ti0.99Sn0.01)O3 (rGO/MTS001). The successful synthesis results were confirmed by XRD, UV–vis analysis, FT-IR, and SEM-EDS. The MTS001 has a flower-like morphology from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, and the nanocomposites of rGO/MTS001 showed MTS001 particles decorated on the rGO’s surface. The electrochemical performance of rGO/MTS001 and MTS001 was investigated by determining the specific capacitance obtained in 1 M H2SO4 solution by cyclic voltammetry, followed by galvanostatic charge–discharge analysis using a three-electrode setup. The rGO/MTS001 achieved a specific capacitance of 361.97 F g‒1, compared to MTS001 (194.90 F g‒1). The capacitance retention of rGO/MTS001 nanocomposite also depicted excellent cyclic stability of 95.72% after 5000 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g‒1. The result showed that the nanocomposite of ceramics with graphene materials has a potential for high-performance supercapacitor electrodes.
Energy painting: helium-beam radiography with thin detectors and multiple beam energies
Authors: Metzner Margareta , Zhevachevska Daria , Schlechter Annika , Kehrein Florian , Schlecker Julian , Murillo Carlos , Brons Stephan , Jäkel Oliver , Martišíková Mária , Gehrke Tim
Published: January 2024

Objective. Compact ion imaging systems based on thin detectors are a promising prospect for the clinical environment since they are easily integrated into the clinical workflow. Their measurement principle is based on energy deposition instead of the conventionally measured residual energy or range. Therefore, thin detectors are limited in the water-equivalent thickness range they can image with high precision. This article presents our energy painting method, which has been developed to render high precision imaging with thin detectors feasible even for objects with larger, clinically relevant water-equivalent thickness (WET) ranges. Approach. A detection system exclusively based on pixelated silicon Timepix detectors was used at the Heidelberg ion-beam therapy center to track single helium ions and measure their energy deposition behind the imaged object. Calibration curves were established for five initial beam energies to relate the measured energy deposition to WET. They were evaluated regarding their accuracy, precision and temporal stability. Furthermore, a 60 mm × 12 mm region of a wedge phantom was imaged quantitatively exploiting the calibrated energies and five different mono-energetic images. These mono-energetic images were combined in a pixel-by-pixel manner by averaging the WET-data weighted according to their single-ion WET precision (SIWP) and the number of contributing ions. Main result. A quantitative helium-beam radiograph of the wedge phantom with an average SIWP of 1.82(5) % over the entire WET interval from 150 mm to 220 mm was obtained. Compared to the previously used methodology, the SIWP improved by a factor of 2.49 ± 0.16. The relative stopping power value of the wedge derived from the energy-painted image matches the result from range pullback measurements with a relative deviation of only 0.4 %. Significance. The proposed method overcomes the insufficient precision for wide WET ranges when employing detection systems with thin detectors. Applying this method is an important prerequisite for imaging of patients. Hence, it advances detection systems based on energy deposition measurements towards clinical implementation.
A tutorial overview of the angular scattering models of electron–neutral, ion–neutral, neutral–neutral, and Coulomb collisions in Monte Carlo collision modeling on low-temperature plasma
Authors: Yang Wei
Published: January 2024

Over the past decade, extensive modeling practices on low-temperature plasmas have revealed that input data such as microscopic scattering cross-sections are crucial to output macroscopic phenomena. In Monte Carlo collision (MCC) modeling of natural and laboratory plasma, the angular scattering model is a non-trivial topic. Conforming to the pedagogical purpose of this overview, the classical and quantum theories of binary scattering, such as the commonly used Born–Bethe approximation, are first introduced. Adequate angular scattering models, which MCC simulation can handle as input, are derived based on the above theories for electron–neutral, ion–neutral, neutral–neutral, and Coulomb collisions. This tutorial does not aim to provide accurate cross-sectional data by modern approaches in quantum theory, but rather to introduce analytical angular scattering models from classical, semi-empirical, and first-order perturbation theory. The reviewed models are expected to be readily incorporated into the MCC codes, in which the scattering angle is randomly sampled through analytical inversion instead of the numerical accept–reject method. These simplified approaches are very attractive, and demonstrate in many cases the ability to achieve a striking agreement with experiments. Energy partition models on electron–neutral ionization are also discussed with insight from the binary-encounter Bethe theory. This overview is written in a tutorial style in order to serve as a guide for novices in this field, and at the same time as a comprehensive reference for practitioners of MCC modeling on plasma.
Microstructural, optical, and morphological investigations of SnO2 nanomaterials grown by microwave assisted sol gel method
Authors: Deshmukh Lalita , Kadam S L
Published: January 2024

Tin Oxide (SnO2) nanomaterials were grown using the microwave-assisted sol–gel method at different concentrations of tin precursor (namely 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 M). Stannous chloride is used as a Sn precursor. Liquid ammonia was used to maintain the pH in the range of 12–13. Synthesis was carried out in an aqueous medium using a Teflon container in a microwave oven for 1 hour. Precipitate was annealed in ambient air for 600oC. Structural, optical, and morphological investigations were done. XRD reveals the growth of the tetragonal phase of SnO2. The prominent presence of (110), (101), and (211) reflections was noticed at 26.6, 33.7, and 52 two-theta values. Tin oxide is transparent in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. However, several attempts have been made to decrease the visible blindness of tin oxide. The band gap is a property of nanomaterials that can tailor their application in the optoelectronic field. Band gap and crystallite size show a prominent relationship in the nano-domain. Strain was not considered while calculating crystallite size using the Scherrer formula. In this investigation, we have measured the crystallite size and other structural features such as strain, stress, deformation energy, dislocation de\nsity, etc using the W-H plot method. All modified models of the W-H method have been utilized for this measurement. A comparative and comprehensive study of structural features was carried out using the Scherrer method, the Williamson–Hall method, and all its modified models. The crystallite size measured by the Scherrer method and various models of the W-H method shows a peak at 0.2 M concentration. Crystallite size plots of various modified W-H methods show similar trends, followed by the Scherrer plot. Strain calculated by Brag’s theory as well as all modified W-H depicts similar behaviour upon changing the concentration. Globular agglomerated morphology was revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of tin (Sn) and oxygen (O) was confirmed by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The band gap was obtained using the Tauc theory, which portrays variation in the range of 3.4 to 3.6 eV.
A Systematic study on the alpha decay of superheavy nuclei using empirical diffuseness parameter in the coulomb and proximity potential model
Authors: Prathapan K , Deneshan P , Rajan M K Preethi , Biju R K
Published: January 2024

Recent studies of Dehghani et al [Mod. Phys. Lett. A 33 14 1850080 (2018)] and Abdul-latif et al [Phys. Rev. C 100, 024601 (2019)] revealed the importance of the diffuseness parameter in the calculation of alpha decay half-lives from superheavy elements using proximity potentials. In the present paper, predictions of the empirical formula for the diffuseness parameter proposed by Abdul-latif et al is analyzed in view of the diffuseness parameter calculated by Dehghani et al using WKB method and considering deformed Woods–Saxon nuclear potential, deformed Coulomb potential, and centrifugal potential; and related theoretical aspects. From the conclusions, we propose three new empirical formulae for the diffuseness parameter. Using the diffuseness parameter calculated from the proposed empirical formula in the Coulomb and Proximity Potential Model (CPPM), the alpha decay half-life of 68 superheavy nuclei is calculated and compared with the experimental values. The inclusion of the diffuseness parameter in proximity potential improved the predictive power of the CPPM considerably.
Effect of Ag layer thickness on lateral photovoltaic mechanisms in Ag/p-Si structures
Authors: Dong Xinyuan , Zheng Diyuan
Published: January 2024

The lateral photovoltaic effect (LPE) has been widely employed in optoelectronic devices for its high sensitivity and broadband responsivity. Typically, the physical mechanism of LPE is based on Schottky junction or PN junction. In this article, we present experimental evidence for multiple lateral photovoltaic mechanisms in Ag/p-Si structures and demonstrate the dominant mechanism of LPE can be converted from surface states to the Schottky barrier or localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) by tuning the Ag thickness. We believe this experimental result extends the knowledge into the underlying mechanisms of LPE and presents a wide range of possibilities for the further development of LPE-based photodetectors.
Numerical modeling of time dependent Diffusive Shock Acceleration
Authors: Aerdker S. , Merten L. , Becker Tjus J. , Walter D. , Effenberger F. , Fichtner H.
Published: January 2024

Motivated by cosmic ray (CR) re-acceleration at a potential Galactic Wind Termination
Shock (GWTS), we present a numerical model for time-dependent Diffusive Shock Acceleration (DSA). We use the stochastic differential equation solver (DiffusionSDE) of the cosmic ray
propagation framework CRPropa3.2 with two modifications: An importance sampling module is
introduced to improve statistics at high energies in order to keep the simulation time short. An
adaptive time step is implemented in the DiffusionSDE module. This ensures to efficiently meet
constraints on the time and diffusion step, which is crucial to obtain the correct shock spectra.
The time evolution of the spectrum at a one-dimensional planar shock is verified against the
solution obtained by the grid-based solver VLUGR3 for both energy-independent and energy-dependent
diffusion. We show that the injection of pre-accelerated particles can lead to a broken power law
spectrum in momentum if the incoming spectrum of CRs is harder than the re-accelerated
spectrum. If the injected spectrum is steeper, the shock spectrum dominates at all energies. We
finally apply the developed model to the GWTS by considering a spherically symmetric shock, a
spiral Galactic magnetic field, and anisotropic diffusion. The time-dependent spectrum at the
shock is modeled as a basis for further studies.
Resonant second-harmonic generation of self-focused oblique incident laser beam in plasma
Authors: Sharma Vinay , Thakur Vishal , Srivastava Sushila , Kant Niti
Published: January 2024

The present manuscript aims to realize the effect of self-focusing on second-harmonic generation (SHG) by oblique incident laser beams in plasma. When an intense laser beam is obliquely incident on the plasma, it is resolved into reflected and refracted components, and resonant SHG is produced in the reflected component on account of the self-focusing of the incident laser. With the help of paraxial approximation, we have obtained a mathematical expression for the beam width parameter and for the normalized amplitude of the second harmonic. It has been observed that the amplitude of the second-harmonic pulse is significantly influenced by the intensity of the incident laser beam, the wiggler magnetic field, and the normalized plasma frequency. The analysis was performed for different values of the angle of incidence and laser parameters. The results show stronger self-focusing and, hence, efficient SHG when the angle of incidence is the critical angle.
The quasi-Gramian solution of a non-commutative extension of the higher-order nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Riaz H W A , Lin J
Published: January 2024

The nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation, which incorporates higher-order dispersive terms, is widely employed in the theoretical analysis of various physical phenomena. In this study, we explore the non-commutative extension of the higher-order NLS equation. We treat real or complex-valued functions, such as g
1 = g
1(x, t) and g
2 = g
2(x, t) as non-commutative, and employ the Lax pair associated with the evolution equation, as in the commutation case. We derive the quasi-Gramian solution of the system by employing a binary Darboux transformation. The soliton solutions are presented explicitly within the framework of quasideterminants. To visually understand the dynamics and solutions in the given example, we also provide simulations illustrating the associated profiles. Moreover, the solution can be used to study the stability of plane waves and to understand the generation of periodic patterns within the context of modulational instability.
Theoretical calculations of proton emission half-lives based on a deformed Gamow-like model*
Authors: Zhang 张 Dong-Meng 冬萌 , Hu 胡 Xiao-Yuan 笑源 , Qi 亓 Lin-Jing 林静 , Liu 刘 Hong-Ming 宏铭 , Li 李 Ming 明 , Li 李 Xiao-Hua 小华
Published: January 2024

In this study, proton emission half-lives were investigated for deformed proton emitters with

based on the presented deformed Gamow-like model, where the deformation effect was included in the Coulomb potential. The experimental half-lives of proton emitters can be reproduced within a factor of 3.45. For comparison, the results from the universal decay law and the new Geiger-Nuttall law are also presented. Furthermore, the relevance of the half-lives to the angular momentum l for 117La, 121Pr, 135Tb, and 141Ho were analyzed, and the corresponding possible values of l were proposed: l = 3, 3, 4, 4.