bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spillover effects of Medicaid expansion on Medicare: Evidence from administrative data
Authors: Barkowski Scott , Jun Dajung , Zhang Yuting
Published: October 2024

The 2014 Medicaid expansion excluded Americans who were 65 years old and older, but they could still be affected via spillover effects. Using Medicare administrative data, we test for spillovers in Medicare spending and Medicaid coverage among low‐income Medicare beneficiaries. We analyze two cohorts: those under 65 in 2014, who could have been induced by the expansion to take up Medicaid before joining Medicare; and those 65 or older in 2014, whose Medicaid eligibility was never affected by the expansion. We only find spillovers for the under‐65 cohort, where Medicare spending fell and Medicaid coverage increased, with no measurable adverse effect on mortality. Combined with a null effect for the over‐65 cohort, these facts suggest Medicare beneficiaries were not crowded out of health care by the expansion. Instead, those under‐65 cohort satisfied “pent‐up” demand via Medicaid, consuming care they would have otherwise obtained later under Medicare.
Bayesian and non‐Bayesian inference of the process capacity index Spk′$S^{\prime }_{pk}$ under progressive type‐II right censored scheme
Authors: Saha Mahendra , Dutta Subhankar
Published: October 2024

Process capability indices (PCIs), are widely used to gauge how well a process performs within its requirements. While greater PCIs are indicative of improved process “quality,” they do not necessarily translate into lower rejection rates. Therefore, using a loss‐based PCI to gauge process capability makes more sense. In this paper, the PCI has been considered for normal random variable. The article attempts to study the classical and the Bayesian estimation of for type‐II progressive right censored sample under symmetric as well as asymmetric loss functions, namely squared error loss function, and LINEX loss function, respectively. The Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation technique has been efficiently used here to have the approximate solution for . Through an extensive Monte Carlo simulation study along with two real life examples related to electronic industry, we compare the performances of the classical and the Bayes estimates based on symmetric and asymmetric loss functions and compared among the asymptotic confidence interval and highest posterior density credible intervals, in terms of average width and corresponding coverage probabilities of , respectively.
Rational Doping Strategy to Build the First Solution‐Processed p‐n Homojunction Architecture toward Silicon Quantum Dot Photodetectors
Authors: Ghosh Batu , Yamada Hiroyuki , Nemoto Kazuhiro , Jevasuwan Wipakorn , Fukata Naoki , Sun Hon‐Tao , Shirahata Naoto
Published: October 2024

Semiconductor p‐n homojunction is a requisite building block of operating transistors and diodes which make up the modern electronic circuits and optoelectronic applications. However, it has been so far limited to bulk form of single crystals such as silicon (Si) or gallium arsenide. Herein, a brand‐new method of constructing p‐n homojunction architectures that breaks through the limitation is presented. Colloidal inks of p‐type and n‐type Si quantum dots (QDs) are synthesized by thermal disproportionation of (HSiO1.5)n doped with boron or phosphorus, followed by surface ligand engineering. Analysis combining UV photoelectron spectroscopy, electron spin resonance, and current–voltage characteristics confirms that an orthogonal solvent trick makes clean interfaces between n‐type and p‐type SiQD layers without disruption on film formation. The forward and reverse current–voltage characteristics of the diode, along with various spectroscopic characterizations, demonstrate the formation of the first p‐n homojunction of SiQDs. The self‐powered photodiode provides a tunable response specific to the wavelength.
Evaluation of Some Uncertainties in the Modeling of Blast Furnace Hydrogen Injection
Authors: Shatokha Volodymyr
Published: October 2024

While blast furnaces remain the dominant ironmaking technology, there is growing interest in using hydrogen to partially replace coke and pulverized coal to reduce CO2 emissions in this hard‐to‐decarbonize process. However, significant discrepancies in modeling the tuyere injection of hydrogen are noted in the literature, which can challenge the scale‐up from modeling predictions and pilot trials to actual blast furnace operations. To address this, the impact of uncertainties in the assumptions of the temperature in the thermal reserve zone and the ratio of H2 and CO utilization on the results of blast furnace process modeling are evaluated using a 1D steady‐state zonal model. The study indicates that variations in the assumed value of thermal reserve zone temperature significantly impact the estimation of optimal hydrogen injection rate, coke replacement ratio, and direct CO2 emissions reductions. In contrast, the same parameters are much less affected by the variations in the assumed value of the proportion between H2 and CO utilization ratios, which, however, affect the top gas composition. A need for further research to determine the range of the difference in temperatures of gas and solid in the thermal reserve zone tolerable for smooth blast furnace operation is highlighted.
The impact of counterfeit components and LRUs in the navy surface warfare supply chain: A systems dynamics approach
Authors: Porter Wayne , Reese Cody , Bickford Jason , Bourn Seth , Van Bossuyt Douglas L.
Published: October 2024

Microelectronics integrity is a critical issue for many industries including the Department of Defense (DoD). The military systems the DoD operates are particularly vulnerable to counterfeiting, with potentially costly or even catastrophic consequences. Counterfeits, regardless of production intent (malign or ersatz), raise significant concerns for industry and the DoD because they often demonstrate operational performance shortcomings, have lower reliability, or make components or organizations more vulnerable to attack. This article uses a systems dynamics modeling approach to explore the economics of counterfeiting for a sample system, the interactions between counterfeiters and the US Navy supply chain, and the impacts of counterfeit surveillance and detection to address the question: Is it more effective to target detection efforts at the component level or at the Line Replaceable Units level? A case study of an engine control module for the LM2500 propulsion turbine used on US Navy Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer (DDG‐51) platforms is provided to demonstrate the approach.
Buckling load of heavy columns with variable cross section and flexible end restraints
Authors: Wahrhaftig Alexandre de Macêdo , Eisenberger Moshe
Published: October 2024

Effective and economical design of heavy columns, taking into account their own self weight is a common problem in engineering. The degree of restraint provided at the ends of the column should also be taken into account and it is addressed by adding rotational and/or translational springs to simulate several levels of fixity. In this work results are given for five different combinations of boundary conditions at the two ends, and for several restraint rigidities at the supports. An approximate solution using Rayleigh's method is presented and compared to numerical finite element results and to the exact solution previously derived for general cases of variable cross section columns with variable axial force.
Angebote Früher Hilfen und gesundheitliche Entwicklung von Kindern
Authors: Weyers Simone , Götz Simon
Published: October 2024

Hintergrund

Frühe Hilfen sollen Förderangebote systematisch vernetzen und passgenau gestalten, insbesondere für sozioökonomisch benachteiligte Familien. Die Angebote sind universell oder selektiv, die Evidenz zur Wirksamkeit ist jedoch begrenzt.

Ziele

Ziele der Arbeit waren, anhand der Schuleingangsuntersuchungen (SEU) exemplarisch zu untersuchen, ob Teilnehmende an ausgewählten Angeboten der Frühen Hilfen eine bessere Entwicklung haben als Nichtteilnehmende, sowie zu erörtern, inwiefern die SEU genutzt werden kann, um die Wirkung Früher Hilfen zu beurteilen.

Methode

Wir untersuchten 3 typische Angebote der Frühen Hilfen (Familienbildung; Zukunft für Kinder (ZfK); Kita-U) im Zusammenhang mit vollständigem Impfschutz und altersgemäßer Entwicklung bei der U9. Einbezogen wurden die Daten von 4579 Düsseldorfer Schulneulingen. Mittels Propensity-Score-Matching wurden Prozentsatzdifferenzen (Average Treatment Effect on the Treated, ATT) hinsichtlich Impfschutz und Entwicklung zwischen vergleichbaren Interventions- und Kontrollgruppen berechnet.

Ergebnisse

Alle Angebote sind mit einer leicht erhöhten Wahrscheinlichkeit eines vollständigen Impfschutzes verbunden (ATT 2,1 bei Familienbildung; 2,5 bei ZfK; 5,3 bei Kita-U). Familienbildung ist zudem mit einer leicht erhöhten Wahrscheinlichkeit einer altersgemäßen Entwicklung verbunden (ATT 1,6), die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer altersgemäßen Entwicklung bei Teilnehmenden von ZfK (−10,1) und Kita‑U (−4,5) ist geringer.

Diskussion

Die Bewertung Früher Hilfen, insbesondere selektiver Angebote, ist aufgrund von Confounding und geeigneten Vergleichsgruppen eine methodische Herausforderung. Die SEU könnte jedoch unter spezifischen Bedingungen ein Rahmen für Wirkungsanalysen sein.
Navigating Contradictory Demands: An Analysis of Corporate Responses to Regulatory Hardening
Authors: Jönsson Elin
Published: October 2024

Mandatory due diligence has become increasingly common to address the harmful impacts of corporations, forcing them to navigate hardened regulatory requirements. This article focuses on the responses of large Swedish companies to the European Commission’s proposal for a Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. Drawing on critical theory, it aims to understand how companies navigate the contradictory dynamic between profitability and sustainability. The findings highlight that companies, for the most part, accept hardened demands for sustainability—but the closer to corporate practice their responses get, the more they oppose and reject these demands. The article discusses how these responses follow a neoliberal logic of regulation, and draw attention to the inherent instability of this logic, as companies struggle to find a position in which they can be both sustainable and profitable.
Stationary and Dynamic Sorption of 141Ce(III) and 152+154Eu(III) Using Alginate–Gypsum Bio-composite Beads
Authors: Mekawy Zakaria A. , Dakroury G. A. , Moussa S. I.
Published: October 2024

This study introduces a novel Alginate–Gypsum bio-composite, synthesized at a 2:1 weight ratio, as an effective sorbent for Eu(III) and Ce(III) ions in aqueous solutions. Optimal conditions (pH 3, 5-h contact time) yielded 98% sorption efficiency for both ions in single batch systems (50 mg L−1, 20 °C). In binary systems, the composite adsorbed 33.04% of Ce(III) and 47.26% of Eu(III) (mg L−1, 20 °C). Dynamic column system showed 80.297% Ce(III) and 77.5% Eu(III) sorption. The process was endothermic, spontaneous, and best described by a quasi-nth order kinetic model. The sorption process was best described by the quasi-nth order kinetic model, with Eu(III) sorption aligning with the Langmuir and Sips models, and Ce(III) sorption following the Redlich–Peterson and Sips models. Desorption was highly efficient, with up to 99% for Eu(III) and 97% for Ce(III) using 0.1 M EDTA.
Barriers and Facilitators Towards Deceased Organ Donation: A Qualitative Study Among Three Major Religious Groups in Chandigarh, and Chennai, India
Authors: Vincent Britzer Paul , Sood Vibhusha , Thanigachalam Srinivasan , Cook Erica , Randhawa Gurch
Published: October 2024

This study aimed to examine the barriers and facilitators of the public toward deceased organ donation in Chandigarh, and Chennai, India, from three major religious groups, Hinduism, Islamism, and Christianity. Twenty-five focus groups were conducted (n = 87) stratified by study region, religion, sex, and age. Data were analysed using framework analysis. The results revealed that individuals were primarily willing to donate their organs. However, their religious views regarding death, after-life beliefs, funeral ritual practices, and lack of knowledge regarding their religion’s position toward deceased organ donation created tension and ambiguity in the decision-making. However, younger age groups (18–30 years) appeared more open and positive toward deceased organ donation. The conclusion demands a clear need for religious leaders and stakeholders to address their religion’s stance, which creates tension and ambiguity in any uncertainties surrounding cultural and religious-based views among the Indian population.
Bi-VLGM: Bi-Level Class-Severity-Aware Vision-Language Graph Matching for Text Guided Medical Image Segmentation
Authors: Chen Wenting , Liu Jie , Liu Tianming , Yuan Yixuan
Published: October 2024

Medical reports containing specific diagnostic results and additional information not present in medical images can be effectively employed to assist image understanding tasks, and the modality gap between vision and language can be bridged by vision-language matching (VLM). However, current vision-language models distort the intra-model relation and only include class information in reports that is insufficient for segmentation task. In this paper, we introduce a novel Bi-level class-severity-aware Vision-Language Graph Matching (Bi-VLGM) for text guided medical image segmentation, composed of a word-level VLGM module and a sentence-level VLGM module, to exploit the class-severity-aware relation among visual-textual features. In word-level VLGM, to mitigate the distorted intra-modal relation during VLM, we reformulate VLM as graph matching problem and introduce a vision-language graph matching (VLGM) to exploit the high-order relation among visual-textual features. Then, we perform VLGM between the local features for each class region and class-aware prompts to bridge their gap. In sentence-level VLGM, to provide disease severity information for segmentation task, we introduce a severity-aware prompting to quantify the severity level of disease lesion, and perform VLGM between the global features and the severity-aware prompts. By exploiting the relation between the local (global) and class (severity) features, the segmentation model can include the class-aware and severity-aware information to promote segmentation performance. Extensive experiments proved the effectiveness of our method and its superiority to existing methods. The source code will be released.
Low temperature powder bed fusion of polyamide 6: transient process characteristics and process-dependent part properties
Authors: Schlicht Samuel , Gabriel Claus , Drummer Dietmar
Published: October 2024

The powder-based additive manufacturing of high-melting polyamides is impeded by unfavorable fracture properties and oxidation tendencies, limiting the technical applicability and the reuse of unfused powder. Overcoming these limitations through new processing strategies provides the opportunity for significantly extending the range of materials applicable for powder bed fusion processes. Based on fractal, locally quasi-simultaneous exposure strategies, a mesoscale compensation of thermal and crystallization-induced shrinkage is obtained, enabling the non-isothermal processing and stable layer formation of polyamide 6 at powder bed temperatures of 25 °C, 50 °C, and 75 °C. Thermographic in situ investigations reveal the layerwise quenching of discrete layers, leading to cooling rates exceeding − 250 K s−1 at 130 °C. Based on microscopic, mechanical, thermal, and spectroscopic investigations, insights into the structure formation and corresponding mechanical properties can be obtained, yielding reduced fractions of α-PA6 while increasing the elongation at break. The inherent layerwise quenching promotes the formation of microspherulitic morphologies while minimizing oxidation-induced material degradation, reflected in infrared spectroscopic material characteristics. Relying on obtained findings, process optimization strategies can be derived that enable the processability of high-melting polyamides at reduced temperatures, reducing the energy consumption of the build process while adapting underlying material characteristics based on accelerated intermediate cooling conditions.
Subsequent Indications in Oncology Drugs: Pathways, Timelines, and the Inflation Reduction Act
Authors: Patterson Julie A. , Motyka James , Salih Rayan , Nordyke Robert , O’Brien John M. , Campbell Jonathan D.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Recent research has raised questions about potential unintended consequences of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Drug Price Negotiation Program (DPNP), suggesting that the timelines introduced by the law may reduce manufacturer incentives to invest in post-approval research towards additional indications. Given the role of multiple indications in expanding treatment options in patients with cancer, IRA-related changes to development incentives are especially relevant in oncology. This study aimed to describe heterogeneous drug-level trajectories and timelines of subsequent indications in a cohort of recently approved, multi-indication oncology drugs, including overall, across subgroups of drugs characterized by the timing and pace of additional indications, and by drug type (i.e., small molecule vs. biologic).

Methods

This cross-sectional study evaluated oncology drugs first approved by the FDA from 2008 to 2018 and later approved for one or more additional indications. Numbers, types, and approval timelines of subsequent indications were recorded at the drug level, with drugs grouped by quartile based on the pacing of post-approval development (i.e., “rapid pace” to “measured pace”).

Results

Multi-indication oncology drugs (N = 56/86, 65.1%) had one or more subsequent indication approved in a new: cancer type (60.7%), line of treatment (50.0%), combination (41.1%), mutation (32.1%), or stage (28.6%). The median time between FDA approvals for indications increased from 0.6 years (IQR: 0.48, 0.74) in the “rapid pace” group to 1.6 years (IQR: 1.32, 1.66), 2.4 years (IQR: 2.29, 2.61), and 4.9 years (IQR: 3.43, 6.23) in the “moderate,” “measured-moderate,” and “measured” pace groups, respectively. Drugs in the “rapid pace” group often received their first subsequent indication approval within 9 months of initial approval (median: 0.7 years; IQR: 0.54, 1.59), whereas the “measured pace” group took a median of 5.7 years (IQR: 3.43, 6.98). Across all multi-indication drugs, the median time to the most recent approval for a subsequent indication was 5.5 years (IQR: 3.18, 7.95). One quarter (25%) of drugs were approved for their most recent subsequent indication after the time at which they would be DPNP-eligible.

Conclusion

Approval histories of new oncology drugs demonstrate the role of post-approval indications in expanding treatment options towards new cancer types, stages, lines, combinations, and mutations. Heterogeneous clinical development pathways provide insights into potential unintended consequences of IRA-related changes surrounding post-approval research and development.
Statistical Survey of Interchange Events in the Jovian Magnetosphere Using Juno Observations
Authors: Daly A. , Li W. , Ma Q. , Shen X.‐C. , Capannolo L. , Huang S. , Kurth W. S. , Hospodarsky G. B. , Mauk B. H. , Clark G. , Allegrini F. , Bolton S. J.
Published: October 2024

Interchange instability is known to drive fast radial transport of electrons and ions in Jupiter's inner and middle magnetosphere. In this study, we conduct a statistical survey to evaluate the properties of energetic particles and plasma waves during interchange events using Juno data from 2016 to 2023. We present representative examples of interchange events followed by a statistical analysis of the spatial distribution, duration and spatial extent. Our survey indicates that interchange instability is predominant at M‐shells from 6 to 26, peaking near 17 with an average duration of minutes and a corresponding M‐shell width of <∼0.05. During interchange events, the associated plasma waves, such as whistler‐mode, Z‐mode, and electron cyclotron harmonic waves exhibit a distinct preferential location. These findings provide valuable insights into particle transport and the source region of plasma waves in the Jovian magnetosphere, as well as in other magnetized planets within and beyond our solar system.
Nme8 is essential for protection against chemotherapy drug cisplatin-induced male reproductive toxicity in mice
Authors: Zhu Haixia , Wang Hongxiang , Wang Dan , Liu Shuqiao , Sun Xiaoli , Qu Zhengjiang , Zhang Aizhen , Ye Chao , Li Runze , Wu Bin , Liu Min , Gao Jiangang
Published: October 2024

Cisplatin (CP), a chemotherapy drug commonly used in cancers treatment, causes serious reproductive toxicity. With younger cancer patients and increasing survival rates, it is important to preserve their reproductive capacity. NME8 is highly expressed in testis and contains thioredoxin and NDPK domains, suggesting it may be a target against the CP-induced reproductive toxicity. We deleted exons 6–7 of the Nme8 in mice based on human mutation sites and observed impaired transcript splicing. In mice, Nme8 was not essential for spermatogenesis, possibly due to functional compensation by its paralog, Nme5. Nme8 expression was elevated and translocated to the nucleus in response to two weeks of CP treatment. Under CP treatment, Nme8 deficiency further impaired antioxidant capacity, induced lipid peroxidation and increased ROS level, and failed to activate autophagy, resulting in aggravated DNA damage in testes and sperm. Consequently, the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonia and the meiosis of spermatocyte were almost completely halted, and sperm motility was impaired. Our research indicates that NME8 protects against CP-induced testis and sperm damage. This may provide new insights into the physiological functions of the Nme family and potential targets for preserving fertility in young male cancer patients.
Uncovering the small proteome of Methanosarcina mazei using Ribo-seq and peptidomics under different nitrogen conditions
Authors: Tufail Muhammad Aammar , Jordan Britta , Hadjeras Lydia , Gelhausen Rick , Cassidy Liam , Habenicht Tim , Gutt Miriam , Hellwig Lisa , Backofen Rolf , Tholey Andreas , Sharma Cynthia M. , Schmitz Ruth A.
Published: October 2024

The mesophilic methanogenic archaeal model organism Methanosarcina mazei strain Gö1 is crucial for climate and environmental research due to its ability to produce methane. Here, we establish a Ribo-seq protocol for M. mazei strain Gö1 under two growth conditions (nitrogen sufficiency and limitation). The translation of 93 previously annotated and 314 unannotated small ORFs, coding for proteins ≤ 70 amino acids, is predicted with high confidence based on Ribo-seq data. LC-MS analysis validates the translation for 62 annotated small ORFs and 26 unannotated small ORFs. Epitope tagging followed by immunoblotting analysis confirms the translation of 13 out of 16 selected unannotated small ORFs. A comprehensive differential transcription and translation analysis reveals that 29 of 314 unannotated small ORFs are differentially regulated in response to nitrogen availability at the transcriptional and 49 at the translational level. A high number of reported small RNAs are emerging as dual-function RNAs, including sRNA154, the central regulatory small RNA of nitrogen metabolism. Several unannotated small ORFs are conserved in Methanosarcina species and overproducing several (small ORF encoded) small proteins suggests key physiological functions. Overall, the comprehensive analysis opens an avenue to elucidate the function(s) of multitudinous small proteins and dual-function RNAs in M. mazei.
Dynamics of drinking water biofilm formation associated with Legionella spp. colonization
Authors: Margot Céline , Rhoads William , Gabrielli Marco , Olive Margot , Hammes Frederik
Published: October 2024

Understanding how Legionella spp. proliferate in multispecies biofilms is essential to develop strategies to control their presence in building plumbing. Here, we analyzed biofilm formation and Legionella spp. colonization on new plumbing material during 8 weeks. Biofilm formation was characterized by an initial increase in intact cell concentrations up to 9.5 × 105 cells/cm2, followed by a steady decrease. We identified Comamonas, Caulobacter, Schlegella, Blastomonas and Methyloversatilis as pioneer genera in the biofilm formation process. Importantly, L. pneumophila was the dominant Legionella spp. and rapidly colonized the biofilms, with culturable cell concentrations peaking at 3.1 × 104 MPN/cm2 after 4 weeks already. Moreover, several Legionella species co-occurred and had distinct dynamics of biofilm colonization. Vermamoeba vermiformis (V. vermiformis) was the dominant protist identified with 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Together our results highlight that biofilm formation upon introduction of new building plumbing material is a dynamic process where pathogenic Legionella species can be part of the earliest colonizers.
Air stability of monolayer WSi2N4 in dark and bright conditions
Authors: Driouech Mustapha , Cocchi Caterina , Ramzan Muhammad Sufyan
Published: October 2024

Two-dimensional materials with chemical formula MA2Z4 are a promising class of materials for optoelectronic applications. To exploit their potential, their stability with respect to air pollution has to be analyzed under different conditions. In a first-principle study based on density functional theory, we investigate the adsorption of three common environmental gas molecules (O2, H2O, and CO2) on monolayer WSi2N4, an established representative of the MA2Z4 family. The computed adsorption energies, charge transfer, and projected density of states of the polluted monolayer indicate a relatively weak interaction between substrate and molecules resulting in an ultrashort recovery time of the order of nanoseconds. O2 and water introduce localized states in the upper valence region but do not alter the semiconducting nature of WSi2N4 nor its band-gap size apart from a minor variation of a few tens of meV. Exploring the same scenario in the presence of photogenerated electrons and holes, we do not notice any substantial difference except for O2 chemisorption when negative charge carriers are in the system. In this case, monolayer WSi2N4 exhibits signs of irreversible oxidation, testified by an adsorption energy of -5.5 eV leading to an infinitely long recovery time, a rearrangement of the outermost atomic layer bonding with the pollutant, and n-doping of the system. Our results indicate stability of WSi2N4 against H2O and CO2 in both dark and bright conditions, suggesting the potential of this material in nanodevice applications.
Evidence for SARS-CoV-2 infected Golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) reducing daily energy expenditure and body core temperature
Authors: Mohl Björn-Patrick , Blaurock Claudia , Riek Alexander , Hambly Catherine , Speakman John R. , Balkema-Buschmann Anne
Published: October 2024

Golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) are a well-established animal model for human infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, robust virus replication and pathological manifestations similar to human COVID-19 pneumonia. To investigate the physiological changes upon infection in this animal model, we explored the alterations in daily energy expenditure (DEE), water turnover, body mass, body temperature, and locomotor activity in non-infected and SARS-CoV-2 infected Golden Syrian hamsters for four days post SARS-CoV-2. DEE was measured using the doubly labelled water method, which allows for the accurate estimation of carbon dioxide production and, consequently, energy expenditure in animals. Additionally, we investigated total water intake (TWI), which comprises drinking water, preformed water in food, and metabolic water. Using intraperitoneally implanted data loggers, we also monitored body core temperature and locomotor activity in some of the animals. Here we provide evidence for infected hamsters exhibiting significantly lower DEE and TWI compared to non-infected animals. We also observed an increase in body weight in the non-infected animals, while infected animals experienced weight loss. Further, infected animals showed a significantly decreased body temperature, indicating a generally lowered metabolic rate.
Gaseous emissions from brake wear can form secondary particulate matter
Authors: Patel Anil , Aggarwal Sneha , Bard Lucas , Durif Olivier , Introna Micol , Juárez-Facio Ana Teresa , Tu Minghui , Elihn Karine , Nozière Barbara , Olofsson Ulf , Steimer Sarah S.
Published: October 2024

Road traffic is an important source of urban air pollutants. Due to increasingly strict controls of exhaust emissions from road traffic, their contribution to the total emissions has strongly decreased over time in high-income countries. In contrast, non-exhaust emissions from road vehicles are not yet legislated and now make up the major proportion of road traffic emissions in many countries. Brake wear, which occurs due to friction between brake linings and their rotating counterpart, is one of the main non-exhaust sources contributing to particle emissions. Since the focus of brake wear emission has largely been on particulate pollutants, little is currently known about gaseous emissions such as volatile organic compounds from braking and their fate in the atmosphere. This study investigates the oxidative ageing of gaseous brake wear emissions generated with a pin-on-disc tribometer, using an oxidation flow reactor. The results demonstrate, for the first time, that the photooxidation of gaseous brake wear emissions can lead to formation of secondary particulate matter, which could amplify the environmental impact of brake wear emissions.
Sex-specific vertical movements of spawning atlantic cod in coastal habitats inferred from acoustic telemetry
Authors: Skjæraasen J. E. , Olsen E. M. , McQueen K. , Nyqvist D. , Meager J. J. , Karlsen Ø , Sivle L. D.
Published: October 2024

Fish spawning location and behaviour can be challenging to detect, especially in deep water. Here we utilise two large acoustic telemetry datasets from western and mid Norway to study the vertical movement dimension of individual Atlantic cod Gadus morhua spawning behaviour in their natural habitats. The datasets comprise ~ 6 million depth detections from 644 sexed, mature cod, collected at seven different Norwegian coastal cod spawning grounds during 2017–2021. During the spawning period, females were typically found at shallower depths compared to males, while this pattern was much less pronounced or absent outside this period. Furthermore, we identify a hitherto undescribed sex-dependent vertical movement behaviour: periodic descents, where females made deep dives, putatively associated with egg release and spawning, approximately every third day. Females not showing this behaviour tended to occupy deeper positions in the water column than the “periodic descent” females and hence may approach and retreat from spawning males more horizontally. These observed sex-specific behaviours correspond well to the lek-like description of the cod mating system and with cod reproductive physiology, where females are known to mature and release batches of eggs at intervals of several days as part of a bet-hedging strategy.
Quantum state tomography with locally purified density operators and local measurements
Authors: Guo Yuchen , Yang Shuo
Published: October 2024

Understanding quantum systems is of significant importance for assessing the performance of quantum hardware and software, as well as exploring quantum control and quantum sensing. An efficient representation of quantum states enables realizing quantum state tomography with minimal measurements. In this study, we propose an alternative approach to state tomography that uses tensor network representations of mixed states through locally purified density operators and employs a classical data postprocessing algorithm requiring only local measurements. Through numerical simulations of one-dimensional pure and mixed states and two-dimensional pure states up to size 8 × 8, we demonstrate the efficiency, accuracy, and robustness of our proposed methods. Experiments on the IBM and Quafu Quantum platforms complement these numerical simulations. Our study opens avenues in quantum state tomography for two-dimensional systems using tensor network formalism.
Recyclable sulfur cured natural rubber with controlled disulfide metathesis
Authors: Kaur Anureet , Fefar Meet M. , Griggs Thomas , Akutagawa Keizo , Chen Biqiong , Busfield James J. C.
Published: October 2024

Traditionally, sulfur-cured natural rubber compounds exhibit limited recyclability due to a significant drop in mechanical performance after reprocessing. Maintaining physical and chemical properties after recycling of a cross-linked polymer is an essential requirement for the global rubber industry to become more sustainable. Here, we demonstrate that tuning the curing process to favour a reversible cross-linked network based on disulfide and polysulfide bonds enables recyclability. We use a sulfur-based vulcanization system optimized with copper (II) methacrylate at concentrations of 2.47, 4.94, and 9.89 phr to control disulfide metathesis at low temperatures and enhance recyclability. Mechanical characterization identifies 2.47 phr as optimal for maintaining mechanical properties after initial moulding and full recovery after recycling. Additionally, we demonstrate that copper (II) methacrylate can be incorporated into existing rubber waste streams to promote recyclability.
Highly sensitive electrochemical biosensor for MUC1 detection based on DNA-functionalized CdTe quantum dots as signal enhancers
Authors: Wang JiaJia , Kan Chun , Jin Baokang
Published: October 2024

The substrate CdTe/PPy achieves highly sensitive detection of MUC1 by co-sensitizing with CdTe on sig-DNA and according to the change of electrochemical signal caused by the change of CdTe quantity on sig-DNA.
Aziridines as Versatile C(sp3) Precursors in Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Strategies
Authors: Baik Eunji , Shin Jihye , Hwang Junha , Dongbang Sun , Kim Eunbi
Published: October 2024

Aziridines, which serve as valuable scaffolds in numerous pharmaceuticals and bioactive molecules, have emerged as highly efficient C(sp3) precursors in the realm of organic chemistry. Particularly, employing aziridines as versatile electrophiles in transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling has enabled precise control over the regiochemistry in the formation of new C(sp3)–C, –Si, and –B bonds. This review explores recent innovative aziridine cross-coupling approaches using Ni or Pd catalysis, highlighting initial findings of new mechanistic approaches and delineating distinct catalytic pathways.

1 Introduction

2 Aziridines Used as C(sp3) Precursors with Organometallic Reagents

2.1 Ni-Catalyzed Aziridine Cross-Coupling

2.2 Pd-Catalyzed Aziridine Cross-Coupling

3 Net-Reductive Approaches via Cross-Electrophile Coupling of Aziridines

3.1 Cross-Electrophile Coupling Using Chemical Reductants

3.2 Electrochemical Reductions in Cross-Electrophile Coupling

4 Aziridine Cross-Coupling via Metallaphotoredox Catalysis

4.1 Net-Reductive Metallaphotoredox-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling

4.2 Redox-Neutral Metallaphotoredox-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling

5 Miscellaneous

6 Conclusion and Future Outlook
Valence photoelectron spectra of aminobenzoic acid molecules: a combined theoretical and experimental study
Authors: Veteläinen Onni , Babayan Morsal , Rahman Abid Abdul , Kukk Edwin , Pihlava Lassi , Urpelainen Samuli , Huttula Marko , Kivimäki Antti , Alatalo Matti , Patanen Minna
Published: October 2024

The valence photoelectron spectra (PES) of gas-phase aminobenzoic acids (meta-, ortho- and para-isomers) were measured using synchrotron radiation and calculated from first principles using Density Functional Theory (DFT) with popular hybrid exchange-correlation functionals and many-body perturbation theory using the perturbative one-shot (G0W0) and eigenvalue self-consistent (GnW0) approaches within the GW approximation. The vibrational structures and line shapes found in the PES were modeled using Time-Dependent DFT. Theory can reproduce the experimental results very well. The photoelectron-photoion coincidence spectra of the ortho- and para-isomers were also measured. They reveal interesting differences in the fragmentation patterns and the influence of metastable states at the onset of fragmentation.
Low-temperature growth of CuS thin film on flexible substrates for photodetection
Authors: Sabat Somesh , Gartia Anurag , Sahoo Kiran Kumar , Biswal Sameer Ranjan , Pradhan Diana , Kar Jyoti Prakash
Published: October 2024

The covellite phase of copper sulfide thin film (CuS), due to its excellent electronic, optical and chemical properties, has attracted enormous attention in cutting-edge research. This is a comprehensive study of the structural, optical, morphological and electrical properties of CuS thin films deposited by chemical bath deposition technique on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates at different deposition temperatures, i.e. 25 °C, 40 °C, 55 °C and 70 °C for the fabrication of flexible photodetectors. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectral studies reveal the presence of hexagonal covellite phase (CuS), whereas the root mean square (RMS) roughness of CuS thin film increases with an increase in deposition temperature. The optical bandgap of CuS thin film is found to be decreased with an increase in deposition temperature. The optimized CuS thin film, deposited at 70 °C, exhibits a homogeneous surface with RMS roughness of 13.72 nm, mobility of 25.09 cm2 V−1s−1 and bandgap of 1.86 eV. The mobility of CuS thin film is found to be increased with the increase in deposition temperature. The flexible CuS photodetector, fabricated at 70 °C, exhibits better photoresponse characteristics, with the highest responsivity of 0.18 mA W−1, specific detectivity of 1.39 × 108 Jones and sensitivity of 173.25 % upon light illumination. The established photocurrent possesses an outstanding dependence on various intensities of illuminated light. Furthermore, the bending test of flexible CuS photodetectors reveals the absence of any sign of deterioration up to bending angle of 30°. This suggests that the Al/CuS-PET/Al photodetector device could be used in various wearable optoelectronic device applications.
Design and optimization of squeeze-shear mode MR brake with multi-fluid flow channels based on multi-objective sooty tern optimization algorithm
Authors: Lu He , Wang Qiyu , Dai Lili , Shen Yurui , Hua Dezheng , Liu Xinhua
Published: October 2024

Aiming at the deficiency of magnetic field utilization rate and the mass–torque ratio of magnetorheological fluid brake (MRB), a novel MRB is proposed in this paper. Initially, a squeeze-shear mode MRB with multi-fluid flow channels (S-MRB) is designed and its structure and working principle are described. Based on the analysis of the magnetic circuit, mathematical models are established to describe the rotary torque of the S-MRB. Furthermore, COMSOL software is carried out to model and simulate the electromagnetic field of the S-MRB, which verified the rationality of structure design. Then, with the braking torque and mass of the S-MRB as objective function, multi-objective optimization algorithm is adopted to optimize the structural parameters of the S-MRB. The optimization results show that the braking torque is increased by 25.34% and the mass of the MRB is decreased by 2.7%. Finally, a MRB braking performance test platform is established, and the effectiveness and superiority of the S-MRB are verified by braking torque dynamic response characteristic experiments.
Single-flux-quantum circuits utilizing self-shunted NbN/TaN/NbN Josephson junctions grown on silicon substrates
Authors: Zhong Yulong , Zhang Lu , Xie Junjie , Zheng Zengxu , Lu Mingjun , Jin Hua , Wu Ling , Shi Weifeng , Wang Huiwu , Peng Wei , Chen Lei , Wang Zhen
Published: October 2024

We report on the electrical properties of NbN/TaN/NbN Josephson junctions grown on thermally oxidized silicon substrates, along with the design and fabrication of superconducting single-flux-quantum (SFQ) circuits based on these NbN superconductor/normal metal/superconductor (SNS) junctions. The critical current density (J
c) of the junctions was found to be relatively sensitive to the barrier thickness, decreasing from 108.0 ± 8.1 kA cm−2 for a 15 nm barrier to 12.8 ± 1.9 kA cm−2 for a 30 nm barrier. For a J
c of approximately 24.5 ± 2.1 kA cm−2 and a barrier thickness of 25 nm, the NbN SNS junctions are self-shunted and exhibit nonhysteretic current–voltage (I–V) characteristics. Especially for junctions with diameter (φ) ranging from 0.8 to 1.6 μm, their critical current (I
c) falls within the range of 110–450 μA, making them suitable for SFQ circuits. By considering the impact of excess current and incorporating it as an additional term in the conventional resistively and capacitively shunted junction model, the I–V curves of NbN SNS junctions can be precisely described, successfully minimizing the deviation between simulations and test results. The DC-SFQ and SFQ-DC interface circuits can both operate normally, and the bias margins of cell circuits such as Josephson transmission line, confluence buffer, D flip-flop, and splitter are greater than 40%. Compared to Nb superconductor/insulator/superconductor junctions, their self-shunting characteristics and relatively thick 25 nm barriers can also enhance the integration of circuits and increase the yield to complex circuits.
Thermal gradient-induced critical current degradation in mesoscopic superconducting thin film
Authors: Xie Dongdong , Zhang Yajun , Zhang Xingyi
Published: October 2024

Superconducting materials inevitably suffer from the sudden change of temperature in localized areas in practical applications, and the concomitant thermal gradient may be detrimental to their performance. Critical current density is a key factor affecting the performance of superconductors. However, the effect of thermal gradient on the critical current density has not been identified. Here, by combining the time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau equations and the heat transfer equation, the thermal gradient and magnetic field dependence of the critical current density are systematically investigated and rationalized by exploring the behavior of vortex and magnetization. For lower magnetic fields, it is found that the thermal gradients strongly reduce the local surface barriers, which inhibits vortex entry and movement, leading to a rapid deterioration of the current-carrying capability. Under moderate magnetic fields, the critical current density corresponding to higher thermal gradients decreases more slowly with increasing magnetic field, which results from the thermal gradient-induced entry and moving of vortices along the current direction. As the magnetic field continues to increase, the variation of the critical current density transitions into a platform period and even slightly rises. The enhanced critical current is primarily attributed to the excess entry of vortices, which increases the surface barrier of the sample. With the further increase in the magnetic field, the critical current density continues to decrease due to increased magnetic field penetration. These results unveil the fundamental interplay between thermal gradients, external magnetic field, vortex, magnetization and critical current density, and provide a theoretical basis for understanding the heat-induced quenching of mesoscopic superconducting thin films in practical applications.
Analysis of transverse momentum spectra of protons, deuterons, and tritons in symmetric heavy-ion collisions at
= 200 GeV at the RHIC
Authors: Ahmad Waqas , Ullah Ihsan , Zaman Ali , Khan Imran , Iqbal Akhtar , Qudus Abdul , Ullah Sana , Ullah Naseeb , Ramzan Muhammad
Published: October 2024

The blast wave model with Tsallis statistics is used to analyze the transverse momentum spectra of protons (p), deuterons (d), and tritons (t) in

= 200 GeV gold-gold (Au-Au) collisions at the RHIC in various centrality bins. In particular transverse momentum ranges, the model results closely match experimental data from the PHENIX (p) and STAR (d and t) collaborations. The data are compared with those of protons obtained in Cu+Cu collisions and deuterons and tritons in Ru+Ru collisions at a center of mass energy of 200 GeV from the STAR collaboration. Particle spectra are used to derive the kinetic freeze-out temperatures, transverse flow velocities, and freeze-out volumes. According to the findings, the kinetic freeze-out temperature increases from the central to peripheral collisions. In this transition, the transverse flow velocity and freeze-out volume both decrease. For the collisions of both collaborations, this study reveals mass-dependent kinetic freeze-out temperature and differential volume possibilities. Overall, the non-extensivity parameter q decreases with increasing centrality of the studied heavy-ion collisions, and heavier mass particles have smaller values of q, which implies higher degrees of thermalization and equilibrium in more central collisions and for heavier particles.
Mass ladder operators and quasinormal modes of the static BTZ-like black hole in Einstein-bumblebee gravity*
Authors: Ge 葛 Fengkai 丰恺 , Pan 潘 Qiyuan 启沅 , Chen 陈 Songbai 松柏 , Jing 荆 Jiliang 继良
Published: October 2024

We investigate mass ladder operators for the static BTZ-like black hole in Einstein-bumblebee gravity and probe the quasinormal frequencies of the mapped modes using mass ladder operators for a scalar perturbation under Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions. We find that the mass ladder operators depend on the Lorentz symmetry breaking parameter, and the imaginary parts of the frequencies shifted by the mass ladder operators increase with the increase in the Lorentz symmetry breaking parameter under the two boundary conditions. Note that, under the Neumann boundary condition, the mapped modes caused by the mass ladder operator

are unstable. Moreover, the mass ladder operators do not change the Breitenlohner-Freedman bound for the scalar modes, as in the case of the usual BTZ black hole. These results could aid us in further understanding the conformal symmetry and Lorentz symmetry breaking in Einstein-bumblebee gravity.
Study of the semileptonic decays
*
Authors: Tran C. T. , Ivanov M. A. , Santorelli P. , Tran H. C.
Published: October 2024

We study the exclusive semileptonic decays

, where

. The relevant hadronic form factors are calculated using the covariant confined quark model developed previously by our group. We predict the branching fractions

to be of the order of

and 10−10 for the case of B and

, respectively. Our predictions agree well with other theoretical calculations. We also consider the effects of possible new physics in the case of

and show that the branching fraction of this decay can be enhanced by an order of magnitude using constraints from the

and

experimental data.