bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Activation of Target Words in Picture Naming in Children Who Stutter: Evidence From Event-Related Potentials
Authors: Maxfield Nathan D.
Published: July 2024

Purpose:

Target word activation in picture naming was explored in children who stutter (CWS) and typically fluent children (TFC) using event-related potentials (ERPs).

Method:

A total of 18 CWS and 16 TFC completed a task combining picture naming and probe word identification. On each trial, a picture-to-be-named was followed by an auditory probe word-to-be-identified; the probe was identical (Identity condition) or Unrelated to the picture name. ERPs were recorded from probe onset. Attenuation of the N400 ERP component was predicted to Identity versus Unrelated trials (N400 priming). Between-groups differences in amplitude, timing, and topography of N400 priming were explored.

Results:

Naming was more accurate on Identity versus Unrelated trials. Probe word identification accuracy was not affected by Condition. N400 priming was detected, indicating that self-generated picture names facilitated semantic processing of identical probes. This effect was larger in amplitude in CWS versus TFC. Unexpectedly, an N400-preceding, frontally maximal, positive-going ERP component—associated with expectancy processing—was larger in amplitude to Unrelated versus Identity trials. This effect was smaller in CWS versus TFC.

Conclusions:

A larger N400 priming effect in CWS versus TFC reflects a tendency toward more extensive semantic processing in picture naming in CWS. A smaller Condition effect on frontally maximal, positive-going, N400-preceding ERP activity in CWS versus TFC indicates a reduced ability to form expectancies about the lexical and/or phonological identity of probe words in CWS. Both effects may point to inefficient activation of target words in picture naming in CWS.
Lutte contre le dopage et contrôle des médications
chez le cheval de course et de sport :
origine et mise en oeuvre des informations fournies aux prescripteurs
pour un usage raisonné des médicaments
Authors: Toutain Pierre-Louis , Ferran Aude
Published: July 2024

En France, le contrôle antidopage et le contrôle des médications chez les chevaux de course et de sport obéissent à des principes qui sont similaires.

Cet article explique la démarche scientifique dite Pharmacocinétique / Pharmaco-dynamique (PK/PD) qui a été adoptée pour déterminer les concentrations plasmatiques et urinaires des substances médicamenteuses qui sont considérées comme sans effet résiduel au moment des compétitions. Ces concentrations sont à la base de la sélection des valeurs de criblage analytique, c’est-à-dire des concentrations plasmatiques ou urinaires conduisant à la positivité d’un prélèvement. Elles sont implémentées pour le contrôle des médications par opposition au contrôle des substance dopantes (interdites en permanence) qui repose sur le contrôle des expositions.

Les principes de la démarche sont mis en œuvre dans le cadre général d’une analyse des risques. Elle sépare clairement l’appréciation scientifique des risques des décisions finales prises par le gestionnaire du risque et qui font intervenir d’autres considérations dont celles liées à l’harmonisation internationale des valeurs analytiques de criblage.

Pour aider le prescripteur, les Autorités de contrôle publient et mettent à jour régulièrement les temps de détection des principales substances médicamenteuse lorsqu’elles sont recherchées avec les limites de criblage qui ont été adoptées. Ces temps de détection sont le point de départ permettant au prescripteur de fixer un délai d’attente qui soit propre au cheval dont il supervise le traitement.

Une règle par défaut consiste à doubler les temps de détection pour ne pas risquer une positivité liée à un traitement médicamenteux.
Le traitement par ondes de choc des affections musculo-squelettiques
chez le cheval athlète
Authors: Pader Karine
Published: July 2024

Les ondes de choc sont un mode de physiothérapie instrumentale utilisés chez le cheval depuis les années 90 et appuyées par de nombreuses publications expérimentales et des cas cliniques.

Les ondes de choc à but thérapeutique sont disponibles en deux formats, focalisées ou radiales.

Les ondes de choc focalisées permettent au clinicien de cibler l’énergie maximale de l’onde de choc sur le site lésionnel. Les effets biologiques des ondes de choc incluent une diminution des médiateurs pro-inflammatoires, une augmentation des facteurs angiogéniques induisant une prolifération des vaisseaux sanguins, une augmentation des facteurs de croissance favorisant la cicatrisation tissulaire, une augmentation des ostéoblastes, et le recrutement de cellules souches mésenchymateuses.

Un effet analgésique de durée variable a également été rapporté dans la littérature.

Parmi les applications cliniques, les ondes de choc ont été utilisées pour le traitement des desmopathies du ligament suspenseur du boulet, les tendinopathies du tendon fléchisseurs superficiel et profond du doigt, le ligament accessoire du tendon fléchisseur profond du doigt, les douleurs dorsales ou encore les arthropathies.

En pratique, chaque séance se fait sous sédation, et un bon contact est fondamental pour une propagation des ondes satisfaisante.

Chaque traitement dure entre 2 et 4 min, et il est répété tous les 15 jours pour un total de trois traitements. Les chevaux reçoivent un exercice contrôlé pendant 48 h après chaque traitement, et le protocole de convalescence dépend de l’affection traitée.
In Vitro Evaluation of Flexural Strength of Different Skin Staples
Authors: Theofilaktidou Μaria , Pavlidis Leonidas , Savvas Ioannis , Angellou Vasileia , Argyros Apostolos , Michailidis Nikolaos , Papazoglou Lysimachos G.
Published: July 2024

Objective The aim of the study was to assess the flexural deformation strength of various brands of skin staples postfiring, and to compare the distance and alignment of the staple tips.

Study Design In this experimental in vitro study, nine types of commercially available skin staples were tested. Following firing, six staples of each type were mounted on a material testing machine. Mechanical properties of staples were evaluated under uniaxial loading test, which translated to the bending of the staple for determination of flexural deformation strength. Staples were evaluated for tip alignment and distance between pointed tips.

Results Maximum force to flexural deformation was greater for Precise (29.633 ± 7.8421 N), than Proximate (16.200 ± 1.1541 N; p = 0.000), Henry Schein (23.383 ± 5.2282 N; p = 0.011), Weck Visistat (24.329 ± 1.0372 N; p = 0.025), Appose (18.133 ± 1.2675 N; p = 0.000), Manipler (14.067 ± 3.7393 N; p = 0.000), and Leukoclip (22.288 ± 1.6915 N; p = 0.002) but was not different from Gima (27.483 ± 6.5637 N; p = 0.370) and Advan (27.283 ± 2.8708 N; p = 0.327) Precise, Appose, and Advan fired staples had their pointed tips met, whereas Manipler, Leukoclip, Gima, Henry Schein, Proximate, and Weck Visistat showed a gap between pointed tips. Proximate staples also showed malalignment between their pointed tips.

Conclusion The flexural deformation strength of skin staples manufactured by Precise, Gima, and Advan was between 29 and 27 N and thus significantly superior to the other six staple types tested.
Intracranial Solitary Fibrous Tumor with Concurrent Meningioma: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Gonzales-Portillo Joaquin Vega , Showing Marco Gonzales-Portillo , Tanta Luis A. Huamán , Zambrano Sandro Casavilca
Published: July 2024

Introduction The present study describes a case of an intracranial solitary fibrous tumor (iSFT) concurrent with meningioma in different anatomical regions.

Case Description A female patient, 64-years-old, presented with an 18-month history of progressive vision impairment in the right eye and no other neurological symptoms. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed two solid and expansive lesions: one with right interhemispheric occipital location and dependent on the falx cerebri, and another located in the anterior skull base. We opted for a right frontotemporal craniotomy for the first tumor, and a right occipital craniotomy, 41-days later, for the second one, showing no postoperative complications. Histological and immunohistochemical findings confirmed the diagnosis of a grade-I fibrous meningioma and a grade-III SFT. After 9 months of follow-up, the patient showed vision improvement and no signs of neurological compromise or tumor recurrence in the last MRI.

Conclusions The present study describes the first reported case of a patient with an intracranial SFT associated with a meningioma in different anatomical locations. The involved pathogenesis and evolution of both coexisting tumors are still unknown, which highlights the need for more case reports on them.
Patient-Centered Neurosurgery: Improved Outcomes after Subtotal Surgical Resection and Nonframe-Based Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Large Cerebellopontine Angle Vestibular Schwannoma
Authors: Hazra Darpanarayan , Chandy Gina Maryann , Roy Sanjoy , Ghosh Amit
Published: July 2024

Background The novel paradigm in neurosurgery for large vestibular schwannomas (VSs) involves a combination of planned subtotal resection (STR) and scheduled postoperative fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT).

Methods This retrospective observational study aimed to evaluate and compare the outcomes of patients who underwent either near-total resection (NTR) or were treated with STR and scheduled FSRT over 6 years. We systematically coded and analyzed the data to obtain comprehensive insights into the results.

Results Our study included 65 patients diagnosed with large VS, who underwent retrosigmoid craniotomy and NTR or STR for tumor removal. The mean age of the cohort was 42.6 (standard deviation: 16.2) years, with 40 (61.5%) female patients. All patients presented with asymmetrical sensory neural hearing loss and other prevalent symptoms such as headache (58) and tinnitus (58). Cerebellar signs, speech abnormalities, and pyramidal signs were also observed. Ten patients underwent NTR, and 55 underwent STR followed by an FSRT at 3 months or later based on the physical and radiological findings. Facial nerve palsy was noted in all cases of those who underwent NTR, while no instances of facial nerve palsy, lower cranial nerve palsy, posterior fossa, or brain stem injury were noted in the STR group. One patient undergoing STR experienced meningitis and died despite best possible medical management. The majority of patients showed symptom improvement, and none of the patients reported recurrence at 3-year follow-up.

Conclusion The combined approach of STR and FSRT ensures safety, high tumor control rates, and favorable outcomes. It provides a sensible alternative to NTR for managing large tumors, emphasizing tumor debulking while preserving neurological function for overall benefit.
Comparative analysis of tobacco industry cigarette marketing expenditures in the United States, 2009–2018
Authors: AlDukhail Shaikha , Agaku Israel T.
Published: July 2024

Anti-tobacco campaigns face challenges as tobacco marketing consistently outpaces funding for public health presentation initiatives. In 2017, tobacco companies spent around $1 million every hour to promote cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in the US. That same year, they were also mandated to sponsor and disseminate Federal court ordered Corrective Statements (CSs) advertisements in outlets such as newspapers and major television networks. Thus, it is crucial to monitor the marketing activities of the tobacco industry to bolster effective tobacco control efforts. Cigarettes marketing expenditures were obtained from the Federal Trade Commission Cigarettes reports and adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index Inflation Calculator. Temporal trends during 2009–2018 period were assessed using Joinpoint regression at (p < 0.05). The costs of publishing the CSs in print were estimated based on the cost of a full-page advertisement with similar specifications. Between 2009 and 2018, the total adjusted cigarette marketing expenditures exhibited no significant changes (AAPC = −1.5). Spending on print advertisements decreased from 0.43% in 2009 to 0.1% in 2018. Magazine cigarette marketing expenditures underwent a relative percentage decline of 80% (AAPC = −13.5;p < 0.05). In 2018, the tobacco industry allocated approximately $8.5 million for print advertisements to promote cigarettes. We estimated that it cost $5.5 million to disseminate the CSs in print the same year, constituting 0.06% of the overall expenditure on cigarette marketing and promotion. Several traditional cigarettes advertising categories have seen reduced funding over the past decade. Nevertheless, the total marketing expenditure remained unaffected. In response to marketing regulations, tobacco companies shifted their funds to less regulated channels. In 2018, a significant portion of promotional expenditures were directed toward various price discounts, which could potentially expose vulnerable children and youths to cigarette marketing. Lastly, the impact of CSs was weakened by delayed implementation and shift in consumer attention from traditional media to other digital channels.
Harmonizing economies and ecologies: Towards an equitable provincial carbon quota allocation for China’s peak emissions
Authors: Xing Zhencheng , Ma Yanyan , Luo Lan , Wang Haikun
Published: July 2024

Rational provincial allocation of carbon quotas serves as the foundational premise for attaining China’s carbon peak. Yet, prevailing strategies often overlook the holistic integration of trade-induced carbon transfers and ecological carbon sequestration, resulting in equity and scientific robustness deficiencies. This study addresses these shortcomings by examining historical carbon sources and sinks across China’s provinces and proposing a novel provincial allocation scheme based on the ‘equal consumption-based cumulative per capita net emission’ principle. Our findings reveal significant disparities in the carbon quotas between provinces, ranging from ‒98 Mt in Shanghai to 1016 Mt in Sichuan, primarily influenced by factors such as population size, historical emissions, and carbon sinks. The proposed scheme, integrating considerations of carbon transfers and sinks, safeguards the interests of less developed provinces (e.g., Hebei and Inner Mongolia) and those with valuable ecosystems (e.g., Yunnan and Inner Mongolia). Furthermore, the impact of carbon transfers on provincial carbon allocation quotas is more pronounced than that of carbon sinks. For instance, the inclusion of carbon transfers has increased Inner Mongolia’s quotas by 238 Mt, compared to 125 Mt attributed to carbon sinks. Considering the disparities in emissions reduction pressure and capacity across different provinces, combining fair carbon quota allocation with a nationwide carbon market can achieve cost-effective emissions reduction while ensuring the attainment of carbon peak.
Chasm and net: metaphors in elder-related texts in a Chinese economic newspaper
Authors: Li Ke , Zhang Qian
Published: July 2024

The current situation of aging in China is unprecedentedly severe. Polices responding to the issues about aging are tracked by the media. This study investigates the living conditions of elders portrayed in a Chinese economic newspaper, the Economic Daily, through a metaphor analysis of 309 news reports pertaining to their living conditions. The analysis is positioned within the framework of rhetorical criticism, which allows the rhetorical motive hidden behind metaphors to be discovered. Three major metaphors—metaphor of net, metaphor of building, and metaphor of chasm are found and analyzed. Most notably, two keywords—“chasm” and “net” are suggested to explain the metaphor choices of journalists and to offer insights into elders’ living conditions in China. This study finds that the chasm encompassing both the invisible gap and the obstacles confronted by Chinese elders calls for the safeguarding of a protective net. However, in the construction of the net, elders’ subjectivity is often compromised and marginalized.
Exploring the nexus between national innovation performance and happiness
Authors: Popescu Irina Alina , Reis Mourão Paulo Jorge
Published: July 2024

The study of happiness in economics has started to gain considerable momentum. Social policy factors are currently being recognized as determinants of national competitiveness, while innovation is an important factor to ensure economic growth and societal well-being. In order to shed light on the complex relationship between innovation performance and societal happiness, an examination was conducted in 130 countries that covered observations from 2011 to 2022. The analysis aims to uncover the degree to which these two dimensions are interconnected and to discern whether one may be identified as the causal factor of the other. The results derived from the SGMM regressions reveal that spaces characterized by elevated levels of innovation also tend to exhibit correspondingly higher indicators of resident happiness. Notably, this relationship is particularly pronounced in countries with observed real income per capita. Consequently, this study supports the hypothesis that innovation fosters improvements in resident well-being, despite ongoing debates. In light of these results, understanding the positive association between innovation and happiness has significant policy implications for fostering economic growth and enhancing quality of life on a national scale.
Ultra-wideband RCS reduction based on reflection cancellation and tunable absorption
Authors: Zeng Xianliang , Wu Weijun , Tao Li , Li Shuang
Published: July 2024

This study proposes an ultra-wideband radar cross section (RCS) reduction technique based on reflection phase interference cancellation and tunable absorption. The operational frequency band of the combined structure is enhanced by uniting two overlapped frequency ranges effectively. As proof of concept, a demonstration structure is designed with a stacked chessboard and an active frequency selective surface (AFSS) absorber. The upper chessboard constructed of a square loop and circular patch unit cells can realize destructive phase interference performance at higher frequencies, while the bottom AFSS absorber achieves tunable absorption at a lower frequency range. Three-dimensional scattering patterns at low and high frequencies are analyzed to verify these two different RCS reduction mechanisms. The combined fabrication structure can obtain an ultra-wideband RCS reduction of more than 10 dB from 4.4 to 36.5 GHz, compared to a metallic plate of the same size, indicating good agreement between full-wave simulation and measurements.
Wigner kernels: Body-ordered equivariant machine learning without a basis
Authors: Bigi Filippo , Pozdnyakov Sergey N. , Ceriotti Michele
Published: July 2024

Machine-learning models based on a point-cloud representation of a physical object are ubiquitous in scientific applications and particularly well-suited to the atomic-scale description of molecules and materials. Among the many different approaches that have been pursued, the description of local atomic environments in terms of their discretized neighbor densities has been used widely and very successfully. We propose a novel density-based method, which involves computing “Wigner kernels.” These are fully equivariant and body-ordered kernels that can be computed iteratively at a cost that is independent of the basis used to discretize the density and grows only linearly with the maximum body-order considered. Wigner kernels represent the infinite-width limit of feature-space models, whose dimensionality and computational cost instead scale exponentially with the increasing order of correlations. We present several examples of the accuracy of models based on Wigner kernels in chemical applications, for both scalar and tensorial targets, reaching an accuracy that is competitive with state-of-the-art deep-learning architectures. We discuss the broader relevance of these findings to equivariant geometric machine-learning.
Tunable colloidal spinners: Active chirality and hydrodynamic interactions governed by rotating external electric fields
Authors: Libet Pavel A. , Yakovlev Egor V. , Kryuchkov Nikita P. , Simkin Ivan V. , Sapelkin Andrei V. , Yurchenko Stanislav O.
Published: July 2024

The rotational dynamics of microparticles in liquids have a wide range of applications, including chemical microreactors, biotechnologies, microfluidic devices, tunable heat and mass transfer, and fundamental understanding of chiral active soft matter which refers to systems composed of particles that exhibit a handedness in their rotation, breaking mirror symmetry at the microscopic level. Here, we report on the study of two effects in colloids in rotating electric fields: (i) the rotation of individual colloidal particles in rotating electric field and related to that (ii) precession of pairs of particles. We show that the mechanism responsible for the rotation of individual particles is related to the time lag between the external field applied to the particle and the particle polarization. Using numerical simulations and experiments with silica particles in a water-based solvent, we prove that the observed rotation of particle pairs and triplets is governed by the tunable rotation of individual particles and can be explained and described by the action of hydrodynamic forces. Our findings demonstrate that colloidal suspensions in rotating electric fields, under some conditions, represent a novel class of chiral soft active matter—tunable colloidal spinners. The experiments and the corresponding theoretical framework we developed open novel prospects for future studies of these systems and for their potential applications.
Hemodynamic investigation of hemorrhagic stroke treatment options for a patient-specific aneurysm using a porous medium model
Authors: Panneerselvam Nisanth Kumar , Akade Bhushan , Kumar Adarsh Anil , Sudhir B. J. , Kannath Santhosh K. , Patnaik B. S. V.
Published: July 2024

A ruptured intracranial aneurysm is a serious life-threatening medical condition. Bleed in the cerebral circulation causes subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is known as hemorrhagic stroke. The present study investigates cerebral blood circulation and aneurysm bleed using the principle of fluid mechanics. Ruptured wide-neck aneurysms are difficult to treat either by surgical clipping or stent-assisted coiling in the acute phase of rupture. Quick and intentional partial coiling (IPC) around the aneurysm rupture region is preferred for an immediate cessation of rebleed after rupture. Furthermore, the stent-assisted complete coiling (SACC) may be performed once the patient is stable and able to withstand the antiplatelet therapy at a later stage. The aneurysm recurrence and rupture after the treatment are the major issues associated with the treatment of a wide-necked aneurysm. The present study analyzes the hemodynamics of IPC followed by SACC using a novel multi-domain porous medium approach. Simulations are performed assuming a hypothesized rupture spot for the aneurysm using flow features and hemodynamic parameters. The optimal coil packing density (PD) required to fill the vicinity of the ruptured spot to prevent early rebleed and facilitate aneurysm occlusion is numerically determined. It is observed that partial coiling requires higher packing density (PD > 30%) than complete coiling to reduce the chances of aneurysm recurrence after the treatment. The insertion of the stent does not affect the aneurysm hemodynamics significantly. The stent-assisted complete coiling requires more than 20% PD to enhance the long-term stability of the treatment.
A component-splitting implicit time integration for multicomponent reacting flows simulations
Authors: Zhang Jingchao , Cai Jinsheng , Pan Shucheng
Published: July 2024

A component-splitting method is proposed to improve the convergence characteristics of the implicit time integration for compressible multicomponent reactive flows. The characteristic decomposition of the flux Jacobian in multicomponent Navier–Stokes equations yields a large sparse eigensystem, presenting challenges of slow convergence and high computational cost for the implicit methods. To address this issue, the component-splitting method splits the implicit operator into two parts: one for the flow equations (density, momentum, and energy) and the other for the component equations. The implicit operators of each part employ flux-vector splitting with their respective spectral radii to achieve convergence acceleration. This approach avoids the exponential increase in computational time with the number of species and allows the implicit method to be used in multicomponent flows with a large number of species. Two consistency corrections are developed with the objective of reducing the component-splitting error and ensuring numerical consistency in mass fraction. Importantly, the impact of the component-splitting method on accuracy is minimal as the residual approaches convergence. The accuracy, efficiency, and robustness of the component-splitting method are extensively investigated and compared with the coupled implicit scheme through several numerical cases involving thermo-chemical nonequilibrium hypersonic flows. The results demonstrate that the component-splitting method reduces the number of iteration steps required for the convergence of residual and wall heat flux, decreases the computation time per iteration step, and diminishes the residual to a lower magnitude. The acceleration efficiency is enhanced with an increase in the Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy number and the number of species.
A tailor-made quantum state tomography approach
Authors: Binosi D. , Garberoglio G. , Maragnano D. , Dapor M. , Liscidini M.
Published: July 2024

Quantum state tomography (QST) aims at reconstructing the state of a quantum system. However, in conventional QST, the number of measurements scales exponentially with the number of qubits. Here, we propose a QST protocol, in which the introduction of a threshold allows one to drastically reduce the number of measurements required for the reconstruction of the state density matrix without compromising the result accuracy. In addition, one can also use the same approach to reconstruct an approximated density matrix tailoring the number of measurements on the available resources. We experimentally demonstrate this protocol by performing the tomography of states up to 7 qubits. We show that our approach can lead to results in agreement with those obtained by QST even when the number of measurements is reduced by more than two orders of magnitude.
Substantial breakdown of the hydrogen-bonding network, local density inhomogeneities and fluid-liquid structural transitions in supercritical octanol-1: A molecular dynamics investigation
Authors: Skarmoutsos Ioannis
Published: July 2024

Molecular dynamics simulations have been employed to explore the hydrogen-bonding structure and dynamics in supercritical octanol-1 at a near-critical temperature and up to high densities and pressures. A substantial breakdown of the hydrogen-bonding network when going from ambient-liquid to supercritical conditions is revealed. The fraction of the non-hydrogen bonded molecules significantly increases in supercritical octanol-1, and a substantial decrease in the intermittent hydrogen-bond lifetime is observed. This behavior is also reflected on the maximum local density augmentation, which is comparable to the values obtained for non-polar and non-hydrogen bonded fluids. The existence of a structural transition from an inhomogeneous fluid phase to a soft-liquid one at densities higher than 2.0 ρc is also revealed. At higher densities, a significant change in the reorientational relaxation process is observed, reflected on the significant increase in the ratio of the Legendre reorientational times τ1R/τ2R. The latter becomes much higher than the value predicted by the Debye model of diffusive reorientation and the corresponding ratio for ambient liquid octanol-1. The non-polar tail of octanol-1 under supercritical conditions reorients more slowly in comparison with the polar tail. Interestingly, the opposite behavior is observed for the ambient liquid, further verifying the strong effect of the breakdown of the hydrogen bonding network on the properties of supercritical octanol-1. In accordance with the above-mentioned findings, the static dielectric constant of supercritical octanol-1 is very low even at high densities and pressures, comparable to the values obtained for non-polar and non-hydrogen bonded fluids.
Auditory hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons regenerate synapses with refined release properties in vitro
Authors: Vincent Philippe F. Y. , Young Eric D. , Edge Albert S. B. , Glowatzki Elisabeth
Published: July 2024

Ribbon synapses between inner hair cells (IHCs) and type I spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) in the inner ear are damaged by noise trauma and with aging, causing “synaptopathy” and hearing loss. Cocultures of neonatal denervated organs of Corti and newly introduced SGNs have been developed to find strategies for improving IHC synapse regeneration, but evidence of the physiological normality of regenerated synapses is missing. This study utilizes IHC optogenetic stimulation and SGN recordings, showing that, when P3-5 denervated organs of Corti are cocultured with SGNs, newly formed IHC/SGN synapses are indeed functional, exhibiting glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic currents. When using older organs of Corti at P10-11, synaptic activity probed by deconvolution showed more mature release properties, closer to the specialized mode of IHC synaptic transmission crucial for coding the sound signal. This functional assessment of newly formed IHC synapses developed here, provides a powerful tool for testing approaches to improve synapse regeneration.
g
-factor symmetry and topology in semiconductor band states
Authors: Sharma Mira , DiVincenzo David P.
Published: July 2024

The

g

tensor, which determines the reaction of Kramers-degenerate states to an applied magnetic field, is of increasing importance in the current design of spin qubits. It is affected by details of heterostructure composition, disorder, and electric fields, but it inherits much of its structure from the effect of the spin–orbit interaction working at the crystal-lattice level. Here, we uncover interesting symmetry and topological features of

g

=

g

L

+

g

S

for important valence and conduction bands in silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide. For all crystals with high (cubic) symmetry, we show that large departures from the nonrelativistic value

g
=
2

are guaranteed by symmetry. In particular, considering the spin part

g

S

(

k

)

, we prove that the scalar function

d
e
t
(

g

S

(

k

)

)

must go to zero on closed surfaces in the Brillouin zone, no matter how weak the spin–orbit coupling is. We also prove that for wave vectors

k

on these surfaces, the Bloch states

|

u

n

k

〉

have maximal spin–orbital entanglement. Using tight-binding calculations, we observe that the surfaces

d
e
t
(

g

(

k

)
)
=
0

exhibit many interesting topological features, exhibiting Lifshitz critical points as understood in Fermi-surface theory.
Detecting the heterodyning of gravitational waves
Authors: Stegmann Jakob , Vermeulen Sander M
Published: July 2024

Gravitational waves modulate the apparent frequencies of other periodic signals. Low-frequency gravitational waves could therefore be detected by observing frequency modulations in signals from higher-frequency sources, e.g. those from binary white dwarfs detected with the LISA gravitational-wave detector. We propose a concrete method to extract these modulations by coherently adding the cross-spectra of a large number of well-resolved quasi-monochromatic signals. We apply this method to the case of LISA, and find this method would enable the detection of background gravitational wave strain amplitudes of, e.g.

A
≃

10

−
10

at a frequency

F
≃

10

−
8

Hz

, given current projections for the number and properties of Galactic binary white dwarfs and the sensitivity of the instrument. We also estimate (to within an order of magnitude) that this method could potentially compete with that of current pulsar timing arrays when using signals from binary neutron stars such as those expected to be observed with proposed detectors like DECIGO. Our results show that gravitational-wave detectors could be sensitive at frequencies outside of their designed bandwidth using the same infrastructure, which has the potential to open up unexplored and otherwise inaccessible parts of the gravitational wave spectrum.
Using magnons as a quantum technology platform: a perspective
Authors: Pal Pratap Kumar , Mondal Amrit Kumar , Barman Anjan
Published: July 2024

Traditional electronics rely on charge currents for controlling and transmitting information, resulting in energy dissipation due to electron scattering. Over the last decade, magnons, quanta of spin waves, have emerged as a promising alternative. This perspective article provides a brief review of experimental and theoretical studies on quantum and hybrid magnonics resulting from the interaction of magnons with other quasiparticles in the GHz frequency range, offering insights into the development of functional magnonic devices. In this process, we discuss recent advancements in the quantum theory of magnons and their coupling with various types of qubits in nanoscale ferromagnets, antiferromagnets, synthetic antiferromagnets, and magnetic bulk systems. Additionally, we explore potential technological platforms that enable new functionalities in magnonics, concluding with future directions and emerging phenomena in this burgeoning field.
New global exponential stability conditions for nonlinear delayed differential systems with three kinds of time-varying delays
Authors: Zhang Xian , Zhang Zhongjie , Wang Yantao , Wang Xin
Published: July 2024

For a class of nonlinear differential systems with heterogeneous time-varying delays, including distributed, leakage and transmission time-varying delays, a novel global exponential stability (GES) analysis method was developed. Based on the GES definition, some sufficient conditions and rigorous convergence analysis of nonlinear delayed differential systems are presented directly, which ensure all states to be globally exponentially convergent. The proposed analysis method not only avoids the construction of the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional, but also uses some simple integral reduction techniques to determine the global exponential convergence rate. Furthermore, the main advantages and low calculation complexity are demonstrated through a theoretical comparison. Finally, three numerical examples are provided to verify the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Emergent phases in graphene flat bands
Authors: Bhowmik Saisab , Ghosh Arindam , Chandni U
Published: July 2024

Electronic correlations in two-dimensional materials play a crucial role in stabilising emergent phases of matter. The realisation of correlation-driven phenomena in graphene has remained a longstanding goal, primarily due to the absence of strong electron-electron interactions within its low-energy bands. In this context, magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene has recently emerged as a novel platform featuring correlated phases favoured by the low-energy flat bands of the underlying moiré superlattice. Notably, the observation of correlated insulators and superconductivity, and the interplay between these phases have garnered significant attention. A wealth of correlated phases with unprecedented tunability was discovered subsequently, including orbital ferromagnetism, Chern insulators, strange metallicity, density waves, and nematicity. However, a comprehensive understanding of these closely competing phases remains elusive. The ability to controllably twist and stack multiple graphene layers has enabled the creation of a whole new family of moiré superlattices with myriad properties. Here, we review the progress and development achieved so far, encompassing the rich phase diagrams offered by these graphene-based moiré systems. Additionally, we discuss multiple phases recently observed in non-moiré multilayer graphene systems. Finally, we outline future opportunities and challenges for the exploration of hidden phases in this new generation of moiré materials.
Novel emergent phases in a two-dimensional superconductor
Authors: Kaur Simrandeep , Kumar Kundu Hemanta , Kumar Sumit , Dogra Anjana , Narayanan Rajesh , Vojta Thomas , Bid Aveek
Published: July 2024

In this letter, we report our observation of an extraordinarily rich phase diagram of a LaScO3/SrTiO3 heterostructure. Close to the superconducting transition temperature, the system hosts a superconducting critical point of the Infinite-randomness type characterized by an effective dynamical exponent

ν
z

that diverges logarithmically. At lower temperatures, we find the emergence of a magnetic field-tuned metallic phase that co-exists with a quantum Griffiths phase (QGP). Our study reveals a previously unobserved phenomenon in 2D superconductors—an unanticipated suppression of the QGP below a crossover temperature in this system. This concealment is accompanied by the destruction of the superconducting quantum critical point (QCP) signaled by a power-law divergence (in temperature) of the effective dynamical exponent. These observations are entirely at odds with the predictions of the infinite-randomness scenario and challenge the very concept of a vanishing energy scale associated with a QCP. We develop and discuss possible scenarios like smearing of the phase transition that could plausibly explain our observations. Our findings challenge the notion that QGP is the ultimate ground state in two-dimensional superconductors.
The feasibility and safety of biomaterials for posterior scleral reinforcement in rabbits
Authors: Zhang Wen-fei , Li Bin-han , Liu Zi-bo , Peng Tai-ran , Dai Rong-ping , Yang Zhi-kun , Wang Yue-lin , Xiong Zhuo , Wu Chan , Zhang Ting , Xue An-quan , Chen You-xin
Published: July 2024

To explore the feasibility and safety of biomaterials for posterior scleral reinforcement (PSR) in rabbits. Decellularization and genipin crosslink were applied to the fresh bovine pericardium and porcine endocranium, and then mechanical properties, suture retention strength, and stability were tested. PSR operation was performed on 24 rabbit eyes using treated biological materials. Ophthalmic examination was performed regularly before and after PSR operation (1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months). To evaluate the effectiveness, A ultrasound, diopter, and optical coherence tomography were conducted. General condition, fundus photograph, and pathological examination were recorded to evaluate the safety. Compared with genipin crosslinked bovine pericardium (Gen-BP) (21.29 ± 13.29 Mpa), genipin crosslinked porcine endocranium (Gen-PE) (34.85 ± 3.67 Mpa, P < 0.01) showed a closer elastic modulus to that of genipin crosslinked human sclera. There were no complications or toxic reactions directly related to the materials. Capillary hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen fiber deposition were observed, and the content of type I collagen fibers increased after PSR. Overall, the choroidal thickness of treated eyes was significantly thickened at different time points after PSR, which were 96.84 ± 21.08 μm, 96.72 ± 22.00 μm, 90.90 ± 16.57 μm, 97.28 ± 14.74 μm, respectively. The Gen-PE group showed changes that were almost consistent with the overall data. Gen-BP and Gen-PE are safe biological materials for PSR. The Gen-PE group demonstrated more significant advantages over the Gen-BP group in terms of material properties.
Exploring pesticide transport, groundwater, and environmental justice in a changing climate: a community engaged research approach
Authors: Martin Pedro J , Wen Yingxi , Woods Alexis , Fayida Tresor , Hobbs Shakira R
Published: July 2024

The pressing issue of pesticide exposure disproportionately affecting marginalized communities underscores the immediate necessity to tackle pesticide drift from nearby agricultural areas, especially aggravated by the impacts of climate change. Effective measures including stricter regulations, enhanced monitoring, alternative agricultural practices, and community engagement are essential to mitigate environmental injustices and safeguard community health. This article delves into the intricate relationship between pesticide transport, groundwater vulnerability, and environmental justice within the context of climate change. Employing a geospatial analytical hierarchy overlay model, we comprehensively assess the impact of pesticide transport on groundwater vulnerability while scrutinizing climate change and associated environmental justice concerns. Groundwater vulnerability across the Kentucky River Basin varies, with 18% classified as very low, 23% as low, 27% as prone, and 20% and 12% as high and very high, respectively, concentrated mainly in the mid-eastern and southern regions due to population density and biodiversity. The research integrates a robust analytical detection technique, with a focus on glyphosate and its metabolites concentrations, to validate and refine spatial models. By engaging with communities, this study enhances understanding of environmental complexities, offering insights for sustainable environmental management.
Flow structure around a microswimmer at fluid–fluid interface
Authors: Mishra Rishish , Gosika Mounika , Gidituri Harinadha , Pothukuchi Harish
Published: July 2024

Living organisms such as bacteria and algae often form biofilms at air–liquid and/or liquid–liquid interfaces. Therefore, it is important to understand the hydrodynamic interaction between the fluid–fluid interface and microorganisms. In the present study, a squirmer model is employed to study the flow field structures around a symmetrically trapped spherical microswimmer at an interface separating two fluids with viscosity contrast. In these simulations, Reynolds (

Re

) and Capillary (

Ca

) numbers are very small, and hence the contribution of inertia and interface deformations are neglected. The squirmer model is validated against the analytical solution obtained by considering a source dipole. It is observed that the flow structure and vorticity distribution around the microswimmers are strongly influenced by the squirmer parameter (β) and viscosity contrast (λ). Furthermore, the interplay between force-dipole and source-dipole along with viscosity contrast leads to a range of flow structures such as symmetric four-lobe and asymmetric quadrupolar flow fields. This flow structure asymmetry around the swimmer is quantified with different steady state orientations (φ). The effect of flow profile on the passive tracer particle transport is explored in terms of trajectories. Specifically, larger values of φ result in more profound curly trajectories.
Investigation and evaluation of high-temperature lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) corrosion resistance and compression performance of the FeCrAl-based coatings
Authors: Zhang Wei , Qiu Xi , Zhou Mingyang , Yang Jijun
Published: July 2024

The high-temperature lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) corrosion resistance and ring compression performance of the Fe15Cr11Al2Si, Fe15Cr11Al0.5Y, and Fe15Cr11Al2Si0.5Y coatings were investigated. Even if the corrosion test temperature reaches 800 °C, all these coatings can effectively protect the steel cladding tube. After the corrosion test temperature exceeded 660 °C, an obvious Al-rich oxide layer was formed on the surface of the coating, and Al element enrichment occurred at the interface between the coating and the substrate. After the corrosion test at 800 °C, holes appeared in the thick interface layer of the Fe15Cr11Al2Si0.5Y coating. The Fe15Cr11Al2Si coating cracked after the ring compression test with a deformation rate of 3%, and the coating peeled off after the deformation rate reached 5%. When the deformation rate reached 5%, there was still no cracking in the Fe15Cr11Al0.5Y coating. When the deformation rate reached 30%, the coating cracked, but the cracked coating was still tightly bonded with the substrate. The Fe15Cr11Al2Si0.5Y coating has the worst compression performance, even if the deformation rate is 1%, the coating still peels off obviously. The underlying mechanism for the evolution of corrosion resistance and compression performance was discussed.
Research on dimple suppression in multi-point flexible stretch forming of parabolic spherical part
Authors: Cheng Yan-yan , Yu Bin , Gao Yu-zhen , Xing Jian
Published: July 2024

Multi-point flexible stretch-forming process applies the idea of discretization to the die and clamp of stretch-forming, so that the die and clamp have high flexibility at the same time. Because the surface of the multi-point die is discontinuous, the sheet metal will produce the dimple during the forming process, which will affect the forming effect. To suppress the dimple, this paper takes parabolic spherical parts as the research object, and discusses the influence of swinging unit and discrete elastic cushion on the dimples of forming parts by numerical simulation. The results show that the strain and thickness distribution are more uniform and the dimples on the surface of the forming parts are obviously reduced when the swinging unit is used. The use of discrete elastic cushions on the fixed unit and the swinging unit can further suppress the dimples of the forming part and improve the forming accuracy. To verify the correctness of the numerical simulation, the multi-point die for swinging unit with discrete elastic cushion was used to carry out the flexible stretch-forming test of the parabolic spherical part. The test results are in agreement with the numerical simulation results, which shows that the methods are reliable and feasible.
Integrated design and performance optimization of three-electrode sliding discharge plasma power supply
Authors: ZHENG 郑 Borui 博睿 , WANG 王 Linwu 林武 , ZHANG 张 Jianbo 剑波 , QI 齐 Shaojie 少杰 , CHEN 陈 Yuhong 昱宏 , LIU 刘 Haodong 浩东 , BIAN 卞 Dongliang 栋梁
Published: July 2024

The three-electrode sliding dielectric barrier discharge (TES-DBD) plasma actuator significantly enhances the ionization rate and momentum exchange between charged particles and neutral particles by incorporating a parallel DC electrode into the standard DBD design. This design improves the body force and induced jet velocity while allowing flexible control of the induced jet angle, overcoming the limitations of discharge extension and uncontrollable direction in traditional DBD plasma actuators. An integrated plasma power supply has been designed specifically for TES-DBD plasma actuators, streamlining the power supply management. The methodology involves designing the circuit topology for the TES-DBD power supply, followed by simulating and validating its operating principles using Multisim software. The operational performance of the power supply is evaluated through a comprehensive analysis of its electrical, thermal, and aerodynamic properties specific to TES-DBD plasma actuation.