bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital simulation of load-bearing structures with movable cargo carts
Authors: Kudryavtsev Evgeny Mikhailovich , Gavrilenko Alexandr Valerievich , Jafari Mostafa
Published: June 2024

The process of digital simulation of the design parameters of load-bearing structures when moving a cargo cart on them is developed on the example of a load-bearing beam of a crane (bridge. gantry, ...). This process includes three main stages. The first stage is the creation of appropriate mathematical multiparametric equations for automated simulation of: the values of reactions in the supports of the crane load-bearing beam; bending moments; transverse forces; displacements; beam deflection angles and maximum stresses at different positions of the cargo cart on the crane beam. The second stage is the creation of appropriate computer models in the Mathcad system using an effective functional programming language built into the system with a graphical representation of the simulation results depending on the location of the cargo cart on the load–bearing beam of the crane. The third stage is the animation simulation of the studied parameters, both for each parameter individually and all together.
Use of simulation modeling in the modernization of the Moscow district transport network for the operation of electric buses
Authors: Krasnikova Irina , Dyakonova Irina , Grigoreva Svetlana
Published: June 2024

The paper presents the development of simulation model of public transportation system of Alekseevsky district of North-Eastern administrative district of Moscow. Such model allows estimating the possibility of replacement of the existing rolling stock by electric buses. The analysis of existing transport flows is made for this purpose. Key objects, their quantitative and qualitative characteristics, features of interaction are allocated in the form of parametric models. All these are input parameters and interaction rules. The obtained results allow evaluating the options for modernization of the infrastructure necessary to ensure the operation of electric buses, and the corresponding traffic of vehicles.
The Russian chemical complex: Analysis of the trade balance in 2022
Authors: Kiselev Vladimir M. , Velikorossov Vladimir V. , Savinkov Sergey V. , Zakharov Alexander K. , Ozerov Sergey L. , Bezdelov Anton D.
Published: June 2024

The article provides an analysis of the trade balance of industrial products of the Russian Federation, including the results of 2022. It is concluded that the reason for the lag is the lack of sufficient capacity in Russia for processing base polymers. Almost a quarter of Russian raw materials are exported, in the future, plastic products and plastics in primary forms are purchased abroad at a more expensive price. In the field of other economically important positions for the country, although there is a dependence on foreign countries, nevertheless, the level of redistribution is much higher. Therefore, it is concluded that there is a positive trend in the development of the chemical complex, confirming the forecast made by the authors at the previous stages of the study of the dynamics of the development of the chemical industry of the Russian Federation about the successful implementation of the Program for the Development of the chemical industry until 2030.
Development of the Russian chemical complex in 2022
Authors: Kiselev Vladimir M. , Velikorossov Vladimir V. , Savinkov Sergey V. , Korechkov Yury V. , Ozerov Sergey L. , Bezdelov Anton D.
Published: June 2024

The article presents the results of an analysis of the socio-economic status of the chemical complex in Russia conducted by the authors based on the results of 2022, including the dynamics in the industry of the number of large, medium, and small enterprises, total employment, average capacity utilization, and average wages of chemical industry workers. It is shown that due to the current geopolitical situation, several Russian chemical productions are experiencing difficulties in production and product implementation. The actual number of enterprises in the chemical industry has decreased compared to the beginning of 2022 due to a reduction in the number of small and foreign enterprises in the industry, which is not critical on a national scale in the absence of crisis situations in product implementation. However, the average capacity utilization for major types of chemical products has decreased slightly and currently stands at 70%. The analysis results demonstrate the stability of the employee count and wages. Wages remain at the level of salaries in the manufacturing sector. The conclusion is drawn that the previously identified positive trend in the implementation of the Chemical Industry Development Program until 2030 (Strategy 2030) remains intact, according to the authors.
Intraspecific variation in Gyrodactylus mediotorus and G. crysoleucas (Gyrodactylidae) from Nearctic shiners (Leuciscidae): evidence for ongoing speciation, host-switching, and parasite translocation
Authors: Rahmouni Chahrazed , Seifertová Mária , Bean Megan G. , Šimková Andrea
Published: June 2024

A parasitological investigation of Cyprinella venusta and Notropis cf. stramineus sampled in Texas, USA, in the Guadalupe River, revealed the presence of Gyrodactylus crysoleucas Mizelle and Kritsky, 1967 on C. venusta, and Gyrodactylus mediotorus King, Marcogliese, Forest, McLaughlin & Bentzen, 2013 on both fish species. This represents new leuscicid fish hosts and locality records for these two gyrodactylids. Gyrodactylus crysoleucas previously identified from both non-native Californian Notemigonus crysoleucas and from farmed stocks in Minnesota demonstrated intraspecific variability in terms of morphology and genetics as a local adaptation associated with isolation by distance. Results further confirmed G. crysoleucas as alien in the western USA and suggested host-switching involving C. venusta and N. crysoleucas. Conservative morphology and genetics on the part of G. mediotorus from C. venusta and N. cf. stramineus (Guadalupe River) was observed, while higher genetic divergence in the ITS sequences associated with morphological discrepancy was found between the studied G. mediotorus specimens and those of Notropis hudsonius than when considering the parasites of Notropis texanus. The separation of G. mediotorus into geographical subgroups may indicate ongoing speciation linked to the Pleistocene glaciations in North America, and to hydrographic barriers that facilitated separate evolutionary paths leading to speciation. We suggest that deep investigations of Gyrodactylus populations will help to understand the speciation of these parasites and their adaptation to Nearctic fish hosts.
A modeling study of ≥2 MeV electron fluxes in GEO at different prediction time scales based on LSTM and transformer networks
Authors: Sun Xiaojing , Wang Dedong , Drozdov Alexander , Lin Ruilin , Smirnov Artem , Shprits Yuri , Liu Siqing , Luo Bingxian , Luo Xi
Published: June 2024

In this study, we develop models to predict the log10 of ≥2 MeV electron fluxes with 5-minute resolution at the geostationary orbit using the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and transformer neural networks for the next 1-hour, 3-hour, 6-hour, 12-hour, and 1-day predictions. The data of the GOES-10 satellite from 2002 to 2003 are the training set, the data in 2004 are the validation set, and the data in 2005 are the test set. For different prediction time scales, different input combinations with 4 days as best offset time are tested and it is found that the transformer models perform better than the LSTM models, especially for higher flux values. The best combinations for the transformer models for next 1-hour, 3-hour, 6-hour, 12-hour, 1-day predictions are (log10 Flux, MLT), (log10 Flux, Bt, AE, SYM-H), (log10 Flux, N), (log10 Flux, N, Dst, Lm), and (log10 Flux, Pd, AE) with PE values of 0.940, 0.886, 0.828, 0.747, and 0.660 in 2005, respectively. When the low flux outliers of the ≥2 MeV electron fluxes are excluded, the prediction efficiency (PE) values for the 1-hour and 3-hour predictions increase to 0.958 and 0.900. By evaluating the prediction of ≥2 MeV electron daily and hourly fluences, the PE values of our transformer models are 0.857 and 0.961, respectively, higher than those of previous models. In addition, our models can be used to fill the data gaps of ≥2 MeV electron fluxes.
Einstellungen zur Einführung der psychedelischen Therapie
Authors: Hartter Nina , Däumichen Marvin , Jungaberle Andrea , Schmidt Christopher , Wolff Max , Gründer Gerhard , Jungaberle Henrik
Published: June 2024

In 11 Fokusgruppeninterviews diskutierten 31 Teilnehmende, gegliedert in die Zielgruppen Ärzte, Psychotherapeuten und (Ex-)Patienten ihre Einstellungen, Wünsche und Bedenken in Bezug auf die mögliche Einführung psychedelischer Therapien in das deutsche Gesundheitssystem. Folgende Themenbereiche wurden besprochen: Risiken und Potenziale psychedelischer Therapien; Erwartungen und Wünsche; Zulassung, Regulation und Zugänglichkeit; therapeutische Begleitung psychedelischer Therapien; Ausbildung zur Durchführung psychedelischer Therapien; Rahmenbedingungen und Durchführung psychedelischer Therapien; Sicherheitsvorkehrungen; vermutete Wirkfaktoren psychedelischer Therapien und Befürchtungen und Bedenken. Die Teilnehmenden äußerten sich größtenteils optimistisch und wünschten sich eine patientennahme und risikominimierende Regulierung psychedelischer Therapien.
Postakute Effekte von klassischen Psychedelika
Authors: Evens Ricarda , Majić Tomislav
Published: June 2024

Klassische Psychedelika wie Psilocybin oder Lysergsäurediethylamid (LSD) werden seit einigen Jahren wieder als Mittel für die Behandlung psychiatrischer Störungen untersucht. Nach dem Abklingen der akuten psychedelischen Effekte werden typischerweise postakute Effekte beobachtet, die eine entscheidende Rolle für den Einsatz dieser Substanzen als mögliche Therapeutika spielen und sich in subakute und Langzeiteffekte unterteilen lassen. Subakute Effekte umfassen u. a. das psychedelische „Afterglow“-Phänomen, das sich in Wohlbefinden, Gefühlen von Leichtigkeit, einer tieferen Verbundenheit mit sich und einer erhöhten Offenheit für zwischenmenschliche Begegnungen sowie einer Abnahme repetitiver Grübelschleifen äußert. Andererseits können in dieser Zeit aber auch Komplikationen auftreten. So werden in den Tagen nach der Einnahme häufig Kopfschmerzen beschrieben sowie seltener depressive und Angstsymptome, Schlafstörungen, dissoziative Symptome und visuelle Wahrnehmungsstörungen sowie psychotische Syndrome. In manchen Fällen können diese Komplikationen in anhaltende psychische Störungen übergehen, die eine psychiatrisch-psychotherapeutische Versorgung erforderlich machen.
Ketamin und Esketamin
Authors: Schüle Cornelius , Koller Gabi , Herwig Uwe
Published: June 2024

Ketamin blickt bereits auf eine längere Geschichte der Anwendung in der Psychiatrie zurück. Insbesondere ist es in den letzten 2 Dekaden zur Behandlung von therapieresistenten Depressionen erforscht und eingesetzt worden und ist mit dem Enantiomer Esketamin in Deutschland für diese Indikation zugelassen. Hier wird es vor allem als pharmakologische Intervention genutzt. Ketamin kann zudem als atypisches Psychedelikum oder Dissoziativum bezeichnet werden, da die Wirkung mit einer charakteristischen qualitativen Bewusstseinsänderung einhergeht. Insofern gibt es Ansätze, diese psychophänomenologische Wirkung therapeutisch im Sinne einer ketaminaugmentierten Psychotherapie zu nutzen. Dies ist aber mit der Studienlage nicht untermauert. Im Artikel werden zunächst pharmakologische Aspekte von Ketamin und Esketamin vorgestellt, dann aktuelle klinisch-psychiatrische Anwendungen und letztlich die Überlegung diskutiert, erlebte Bewusstseinsinhalte psychotherapeutisch einzubringen.
Simulating bile: Digesting fluid dynamics
Authors: Shapiro Maura
Published: June 2024

Computational fluid dynamics simulation helps uncover the differences between healthy bile and bile found in patients with choledochal cysts.
Enhanced robotic tactile perception with spatiotemporal sensing and logical reasoning for robust object recognition
Authors: Mao Qian , Zhu Rong
Published: June 2024

Since tactile sensing provides rich and delicate sensations, touch-based object recognition has attracted public attention and has been extensively developed for robots. However, robotic grasping recognition in real-life scenarios is highly challenging due to the complexity of real-life objects in shapes, sizes, and other details, as well as the uncertainty of real grabs in orientations and locations. Here, we propose a novel robotic tactile sensing method, utilizing the spatiotemporal sensing of multimodal tactile sensors acquired during hand grasping to simultaneously perceive multi-attributes of the grasped object, including thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, surface roughness, contact pressure, and temperature. Multimodal perception of thermal attributes (thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and temperature) and mechanical attributes (roughness and contact pressure) greatly enhance the robotic ability to recognize objects. To further overcome the complexity and uncertainty in real-life grasping recognition, inspired by human logical reasoning “from easy to hard” in solving puzzles, we propose a novel cascade classifier using multilayered long short-term memory neural networks to hierarchically identify objects according to their features. With the enhanced multimodal perception ability of tactile sensors and the novel cascade classifier, the robotic grasping recognition achieves a high recognition accuracy of 98.85% in discriminating diverse garbage objects, showing excellent generalizability. The proposed spatiotemporal tactile sensing with logical reasoning strategy overcomes the difficulty of robotic object recognition in complex real-life scenes and facilitates its practical applications in our daily lives.
Electron backscattering coefficients for Cr, Co, and Pd solids: A Monte Carlo simulation study
Authors: Imtiaz H. I. , Khan M. S. S. , Hussain A. , Mao S. F. , Zou Y. B. , Ding Z. J.
Published: June 2024

We have calculated electron backscattering coefficients, η(Ep), at primary electron energies Ep of 0.1–100 keV for three elemental and intermediate atomic number solids, Cr, Co and Pd, with an up-to-date Monte Carlo simulation model. A relativistic dielectric functional approach is adopted for the calculation of the electron inelastic cross section, where several different datasets of optical energy loss function (ELF) are adopted. The calculated backscattering coefficient is found to be substantially affected by the ELF, where the influence can be seen to follow the f- and ps-sum rules and the resultant energy dependence of electron inelastic mean free path. To understand the uncertainties involved in a comparison with experimental data both the theoretical uncertainty due to the elastic cross-section model and the experimental systematic error for the contaminated surfaces are investigated. A total of 192 different scattering potentials are employed for the calculation of Mott's electron elastic cross section and this theoretical uncertainty is confirmed to be small. On the other hand, the simulation of contaminated Co and Pd surfaces with several carbonaceous atomic layers can well explain the experimental data. The present results indicate that accurate backscattering coefficient data should be either measured from fully cleaned surfaces or obtained from modern Monte Carlo theoretical calculations involving reliable optical constants data. With the recent progress in the accurate measurement of optical constants by reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy technique, constructing a reliable theoretical database of electron backscattering coefficients for clean surfaces of elemental solids is highly hopeful.
Microwave metamaterial microstrip line with enhanced refractive index and its application to compact a Wilkinson power divider
Authors: Cheng Siying , Xu Xiaofei , Pi Kaya
Published: June 2024

A new microwave metamaterial microstrip line (meta-MSL) is studied by integrating planar mushroom metamaterial structures into a conventional MSL. The meta-MSL is featured with an enhanced effective refractive index than the conventional, extracted from numerical demonstrations using the S-parameter method. The extraordinarily increased refractive index is found to be associated with weak dispersion and low dissipation loss, making the meta-MSL particularly beneficial to compact a microwave Wilkinson power divider (WPD). One metamaterial WPD (meta-WPD) is built using new meta-MSLs. Full-wave numerical calculations reveal that the new meta-WPD has low insertion losses, low reflections, and high isolations between the output ports, working as a good substitute for the conventional WPD. However, the new meta-WPD is exceptional in its small size, which is particularly useful in mobile and wireless applications where compact microwave components are in critical demand.
Eigenvalues of quantum Gelfand invariants
Authors: Jing Naihuan , Liu Ming , Molev Alexander
Published: June 2024

We consider the quantum Gelfand invariants which first appeared in a landmark paper by Reshetikhin et al. [Algebra Anal. 1(1), 178–206 (1989)]. We calculate the eigenvalues of the invariants acting in irreducible highest weight representations of the quantized enveloping algebra for gln. The calculation is based on Liouville-type formulas relating two families of central elements in the quantum affine algebras of type A.
Age-related behavioral resilience in smartphone touchscreen interaction dynamics
Authors: Ceolini Enea , Ridderinkhof K. Richard , Ghosh Arko
Published: June 2024

We experience a life that is full of ups and downs. The ability to bounce back after adverse life events such as the loss of a loved one or serious illness declines with age, and such isolated events can even trigger accelerated aging. How humans respond to common day-to-day perturbations is less clear. Here, we infer the aging status from smartphone behavior by using a decision tree regression model trained to accurately estimate the chronological age based on the dynamics of touchscreen interactions. Individuals (N = 280, 21 to 87 y of age) expressed smartphone behavior that appeared younger on certain days and older on other days through the observation period that lasted up to ~4 y. We captured the essence of these fluctuations by leveraging the mathematical concept of critical transitions and tipping points in complex systems. In most individuals, we find one or more alternative stable aging states separated by tipping points. The older the individual, the lower the resilience to forces that push the behavior across the tipping point into an older state. Traditional accounts of aging based on sparse longitudinal data spanning decades suggest a gradual behavioral decline with age. Taken together with our current results, we propose that the gradual age-related changes are interleaved with more complex dynamics at shorter timescales where the same individual may navigate distinct behavioral aging states from one day to the next. Real-world behavioral data modeled as a complex system can transform how we view and study aging.
Historical redlining is associated with disparities in wildlife biodiversity in four California cities
Authors: Estien Cesar O. , Fidino Mason , Wilkinson Christine E. , Morello-Frosch Rachel , Schell Christopher J.
Published: June 2024

Legacy effects describe the persistent, long-term impacts on an ecosystem following the removal of an abiotic or biotic feature. Redlining, a policy that codified racial segregation and disinvestment in minoritized neighborhoods, has produced legacy effects with profound impacts on urban ecosystem structure and health. These legacies have detrimentally impacted public health outcomes, socioeconomic stability, and environmental health. However, the collateral impacts of redlining on wildlife communities are uncertain. Here, we investigated whether faunal biodiversity was associated with redlining. We used home-owner loan corporation (HOLC) maps [grades A (i.e., “best” and “greenlined”), B, C, and D (i.e., “hazardous” and “redlined”)] across four cities in California and contributory science data (iNaturalist) to estimate alpha and beta diversity across six clades (mammals, birds, insects, arachnids, reptiles, and amphibians) as a function of HOLC grade. We found that in greenlined neighborhoods, unique species were detected with less sampling effort, with redlined neighborhoods needing over 8,000 observations to detect the same number of unique species. Historically redlined neighborhoods had lower native and nonnative species richness compared to greenlined neighborhoods across each city, with disparities remaining at the clade level. Further, community composition (i.e., beta diversity) consistently differed among HOLC grades for all cities, including large differences in species assemblage observed between green and redlined neighborhoods. Our work spotlights the lasting effects of social injustices on the community ecology of cities, emphasizing that urban conservation and management efforts must incorporate an antiracist, justice-informed lens to improve biodiversity in urban environments.
Two-lined Chestnut Borer, Agrilus bilineatus (Weber)
Authors:   Fera Science, Audsley Neil , Avila Gonzalo ,   Plant & Food Research, Ioratti Claudio ,   Fondazione Edmund Mach, Caron Valerie ,   CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Ferracini Chiara ,   Università di Torino, Bukovinszki Tibor ,   Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, Kenis Marc ,   CABI, Milonas Panagiotis ,   Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Herz Annette ,   Julius Kühn-Institut, Trdan Stanislav ,   University of Ljubljana, Fatu Ana-Christina ,   Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, Sabbatini-Peverieri Giuseppino ,   Agricultural Research Council South Africa, Lesieur Vincent ,   CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Borowiec Nicolas ,   Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, Collatz Jana ,   Agroscope, Tanner Rob ,   European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization, McGee Conor ,   Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine Ireland
Published: June 2024

The 2-lined chestnut borer (Agrilus bilineatus) is a pest native to eastern North America, affecting oak (Quercus spp.) and chestnut (Castanea spp.). The larvae feed under the bark, leading to tree death within one to four years. While primarily a secondary pest attacking stressed trees, it can affect healthy trees during outbreaks. Recently established in Turkey, it poses a significant threat to European oak and chestnut species. There is no history of classical biological control against A. bilineatus. The parasitoid Phasgonophora sulcata, native to North America, shows potential as a biological control agent but is not species-specific. Other natural enemies, including various parasitoids and predators, have been identified, but their effectiveness and associations with A. bilineatus require further research. The potential for significant impact in Europe and the EPPO region underscores the need for monitoring and possible control measures if the pest spreads.
Characterization of heated volume generation by nanosecond pulsed plasma actuator with various pressure environments
Authors: Matsunaga Tomohiro , Iwamoto Masaaki , Miki Yuma , Kinefuchi Kiyoshi
Published: June 2024

Nanosecond dielectric barrier discharge (NS-DBD) has emerged as a promising technique for controlling high-speed flows, generating a heated volume that generates strong density and viscosity gradients, thereby perturbing flow dynamics. Since its potential application in low-pressure, high-speed flows, understanding how the size and growth of the heated volume correlate with surrounding pressure is crucial. In this study, we employed typical schlieren and background-oriented schlieren (BOS) techniques to investigate the heated volume’s sensitivity to surrounding pressure in quiescent air. The observed heated volume’s size variations with surrounding pressure likely stemmed from the increase in thermal diffusivity at lower pressures. BOS findings unveiled a nearly linear decrease in heated volume’s core density with energy input. Meanwhile, the heated volume’s size augmented with energy input but exhibited gradual saturation, attributable possibly to shear stresses impeding volume expansion as temperature and viscosity rose, or to consumption of energy in vibration excitation and other reactions. In the cases of 100 and 50 kPa, the sensitivity of the heated volume’s size to the reduced electric field appeared to be similar. However, at 10 kPa, where the reduced electric field is higher compared to that of the 100 and 50 kPa cases due to the lower air density, the size sensitivity drastically decreased. This suggested a transition in discharge mode from filamentary to diffusive behavior at lower pressures.
Multiphoton-pumped UV-Vis transient absorption spectroscopy of 2D materials: basic concepts and recent applications
Authors: Glinka Yuri D
Published: June 2024

2D materials are considered a key element in the development of next-generation electronics (nanoelectronics) due to their extreme thickness in the nanometer range and unique physical properties. The ultrafast dynamics of photoexcited carriers in such materials are strongly influenced by their interfaces, since the thickness of 2D materials is much smaller than the typical depth of light penetration into their bulk counterparts and the mean free path of photoexcited carriers. The resulting collisions of photoexcited carriers with interfacial potential barriers of 2D materials in the presence of a strong laser field significantly alter the overall dynamics of photoexcitation, allowing laser light to be directly absorbed by carriers in the conduction/valence band through the inverse bremsstrahlung mechanism. The corresponding ultrafast carrier dynamics can be monitored using multiphoton-pumped UV-Vis transient absorption spectroscopy. In this review, we discuss the basic concepts and recent applications of this spectroscopy for a variety of 2D materials, including transition-metal dichalcogenide monolayers, topological insulators, and other 2D semiconductor structures.
Tunable mid-infrared photodetector based on graphene plasmons controlled by ferroelectric polarization for micro-spectrometer
Authors: Wang Shicai , Guo Junxiong , Lin Lin , He Yuhao , Tang Jun , Wang Yi , Cai Ji , Yu Mengya , Lin Yuan , Gong Tianxun , Zhang Jinxing , Huang Wen , Zhang Xiaosheng
Published: June 2024

Surface plasmonic detectors have the potential to be key components of miniaturized chip-scale spectrometers. Graphene plasmons, which are highly confined and gate-tunable, are suitable for in situ light detection. However, the tuning of graphene plasmonic photodetectors typically relies on the complex and high operating voltage based on traditional dielectric gating technique, which hinders the goal of miniaturized and low-power consumption spectrometers. In this work, we report a tunable mid-infrared (MIR) photodetector by integrating of patterned graphene with non-volatile ferroelectric polarization. The polarized ferroelectric thin film provides an ultra-high surface electric field, allowing the Fermi energy of the graphene to be manipulated to the desired level, thereby exciting the surface plasmon polaritons effect, which is highly dependent on the free carrier density of the material. By exciting intrinsic graphene plasmons, the light transmittance of graphene is greatly enhanced, which improves the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the device. Additionally, the electric field on the surface of graphene enhanced by the graphene plasmons accelerates the carrier transfer efficiency. Therefore, the responsivity of the device is greatly improved. Our simulations show that the detectors have a tunable resonant spectral response of 9–14 μm by reconstructing the ferroelectric domain and exhibit a high responsivity to 5.67 × 105 A W−1 at room temperature. Furthermore, we also demonstrate the conceptual design of photodetector could be used for MIR micro-spectrometer application.
PVDF-HFP encapsulated WS2 nanosheets in droplet-based triboelectric nanogenerators for possible detection of human Na+/K+ ion concentration
Authors: Baraily Madhav , Baro Bikash , Boruah Ratan , Bayan Sayan
Published: June 2024

Here we report the liquid–solid interaction in droplet-based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) for estimation of human Na+/K+ levels. The exploitation of PVDF-HFP encapsulated WS2 as active layer in the droplet-based TENG (DTENG) leads to the generation of electrical signal during the impact of water droplet. Comparison over the control devices indicates that surface quality and dielectric nature of the PVDF-HFP/WS2 composite largely dictates the performance of the DTENG. The demonstration of excellent sensitivity of the DTENG towards water quality indicates its promising application towards water testing. In addition, the alteration in output signal with slightest variation in ionic concentration (Na+ or K+) in water has been witnessed and is interpreted with charge transfer and ion transfer processes during liquid–solid interaction. The study reveals that the ion mobility largely affects the ion adsorption process on the active layer of PVDF-HFP/WS2 and thus generates distinct output profiles for diverse ions like Na+ and K+. Following that, the DTENG characteristics have been exploited to artificial urine where the varying output signals have been recorded for variation in urinary Na+ ion concentration. Therefore, the deployment of PVDF-HFP/WS2 in DTENG holds promising application towards the analyse of ionic characteristics of body fluids.
Optimizing graphene content in scaffolds for evenly distributed crumpled MoS2 paper wads as anodes for high-performance Li-ion batteries
Authors: Shabir Abgeena , Khan Firoz , Hor Abbas Ali , Hashmi S A , Julien C M , Islam S S
Published: June 2024

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have revolutionized portable electronics, yet their conventional graphite anodes face capacity limitations. Integrating graphene and 3D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) offers a promising solution. Ensuring a uniform distribution of 3D MoS2 nanostructures within a graphene matrix is crucial for optimizing battery performance and preventing issues like agglomeration and capacity degradation. This study focuses on synthesizing a uniformly distributed paper wad structure by optimizing a composite of reduced graphene oxide RGO@MoS2 through structural and morphological analyses. Three composites with varying graphene content were synthesized, revealing that the optimized sample containing 30 mg RGO demonstrates beneficial synergy between MoS2 and RGO. The interconnected RGO network enhances reactivity and conductivity, addressing MoS2 aggregation. Experimental results exhibit an initially superior capacity of 911 mAh g−1, retained at 851 mAh g−1 even after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g−1 current density, showcasing improved rate efficiency and long-term stability. This research underscores the pivotal role of graphene content in customizing RGO@MoS2 composites for enhanced LIB performance.
Apoptotic bodies encapsulating Ti2N nanosheets for synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy
Authors: Yang Kuo , Ren Daolu , Wang Zuyao , Dong Qianqian , Xu Mulong , Wang Tingyu , Wang Zhuyuan
Published: June 2024

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have great potential in oncology drug delivery because of their unique biological origin. Apoptotic bodies (ABs), as a member of the EV family, offer distinct advantages in terms of size, availability and membrane properties, but have been neglected for a long time. Here, using ABs and Ti2N nanosheets, we propose a novel drug delivery system (Ti2N-DOX@ABs), which exhibit a homologous targeting ability for dual-strategy tumor therapy with intrinsic biological property. The experimental results demonstrate that such a drug delivery system possesses a drug loading capacity of 496.5% and a near-infrared photothermal conversion efficiency of 38.4%. In addition, the investigation of drug internalization process proved that Ti2N-DOX@ABs featured a supreme biocompatibility. Finally, the dual-strategy response based on photothermal and chemotherapeutic effects was studied under near-infrared laser radiation. This work explores the opportunity of apoptosome membranes in nanomedicine systems, which provides a technical reference for cancer-oriented precision medicine research.
Enhanced figure of merit in two-dimensional ZrNiSn nanosheets for thermoelectric applications
Authors: Monika S , Suganya G , Gokulsaswath V , Kalpana G
Published: June 2024

A novel two-dimensional (2D) half-Heusler ZrNiSn nanosheet for thermoelectric applications was designed from bulk half-Heusler ZrNiSn through first-principles calculation. Investigation of bulk half-Heusler and 2D nanosheet ZrNiSn was performed with the Quantum Espresso code based on a density functional theory plane wave basis set. Electronic band structure and density of states calculations were used to study the confinement effects. On moving from bulk to 2D a change of structure is observed from face-centered cubic to trigonal due to confinement effects. The semiconducting nature of bulk ZrNiSn is undisturbed while moving to a 2D nanosheet; however, the band gap is widened from 0.46 to 1.3 eV due to the restricted motion of electrons in one direction. Compared with bulk ZrNiSn, 2D nanosheets were found to have a higher Seebeck coefficient a lower thermal conductivity and higher figure of merit, which makes 2D ZrNiSn nanosheets suitable for thermoelectric applications. Atomically thin 2D structures with a flat surface have the potential to form van der Waals heterojunctions, paving the way for device fabrication at the nanoscale level.
Investigation of intra-fractionated range guided adaptive proton therapy: I. On-line PET imaging and range measurement
Authors: Yang Dongxu , Zhu Xiaorong R , Chen Mingli , Ma Lin , Cheng Xinyi , Grosshans David R , Lu Weiguo , Shao Yiping
Published: June 2024

Objective. Develop a prototype on-line positron emission tomography (PET) scanner and evaluate its capability of on-line imaging and intra-fractionated proton-induced radioactivity range measurement. Approach. Each detector consists of 32 × 32 array of 2 × 2 × 30 mm3 Lutetium–Yttrium Oxyorthosilicate scintillators with single-scintillator-end readout through a 20 × 20 array of 3 × 3 mm2 Silicon Photomultipliers. The PET can be configurated with a full-ring of 20 detectors for conventional PET imaging or a partial-ring of 18 detectors for on-line imaging and range measurement. All detector-level readout and processing electronics are attached to the backside of the system gantry and their output signals are transferred to a field-programable-gate-array based system electronics and data acquisition that can be placed 2 m away from the gantry. The PET imaging performance and radioactivity range measurement capability were evaluated by both the offline study that placed a radioactive source with known intensity and distribution within a phantom and the online study that irradiated a phantom with proton beams under different radiation and imaging conditions. Main results. The PET has 32 cm diameter and 6.5 cm axial length field-of-view (FOV), ∼2.3–5.0 mm spatial resolution within FOV, 3% sensitivity at the FOV center, 18%–30% energy resolution, and ∼9 ns coincidence time resolution. The offline study shows the PET can determine the shift of distal falloff edge position of a known radioactivity distribution with the accuracy of 0.3 ± 0.3 mm even without attenuation and scatter corrections, and online study shows the PET can measure the shift of proton-induced positron radioactive range with the accuracy of 0.6 ± 0.3 mm from the data acquired with a short-acquisition (60 s) and low-dose (5 MU) proton radiation to a human head phantom. Significance. This study demonstrated the capability of intra-fractionated PET imaging and radioactivity range measurement and will enable the investigation on the feasibility of intra-fractionated, range-shift compensated adaptive proton therapy.
Investigation of dosimetric effect of beam current fluctuations in synchrotron-based proton PBS continuous scanning
Authors: Liu Chunbo , Furutani Keith M , Shen Jiajian , Wan Chan Tseung Hok , Tan Hong Qi , Li Heng , Whitaker Thomas J , Beltran Chris J , Liang Xiaoying
Published: June 2024

Objective. In proton pencil beam scanning (PBS) continuous delivery, the beam is continuously delivered without interruptions between spots. For synchrotron-based systems, the extracted beam current exhibits a spill structure, and recent publications on beam current measurements have demonstrated significant fluctuations around the nominal values. These fluctuations potentially lead to dose deviations from those calculated assuming a stable beam current. This study investigated the dosimetric implications of such beam current fluctuations during proton PBS continuous scanning. Approach. Using representative clinical proton PBS plans, we performed simulations to mimic a worst-case clinical delivery environment with beam current varies from 50% to 250% of the nominal values. The simulations used the beam delivery parameters optimized for the best beam delivery efficiency of the upcoming particle therapy system at Mayo Clinic Florida. We reconstructed the simulated delivered dose distributions and evaluated the dosimetric impact of beam current fluctuations. Main results. Despite significant beam current fluctuations resulting in deviations at each spot level, the overall dose distributions were nearly identical to those assuming a stable beam current. The 1 mm/1% Gamma passing rate was 100% for all plans. Less than 0.2% root mean square error was observed in the planning target volume dose-volume histogram. Minimal differences were observed in all dosimetric evaluation metrics. Significance. Our findings demonstrate that with our beam delivery system and clinical planning practice, while significant beam current fluctuations may result in large local move monitor unit deviations at each spot level, the overall impact on the dose distribution is minimal.
Effect of magnetic field configuration on double layer formation and reverse discharge ignition in bipolar HiPIMS
Authors: Farahani M , Kozák T , Pajdarová A D , Čapek J
Published: June 2024

The reverse discharge (RD) phenomenon in bipolar HiPIMS has been observed when a sufficiently long positive pulse is applied to the magnetron. Due to the magnetic field, electrons accumulated behind the magnetic trap are prevented from reaching the positive target. Consequently, a space charge double layer (DL) is formed between the positive target and the plasma behind the magnetic trap, leading to electron acceleration across the DL and RD ignition. This study reveals the significant impact of the magnetic field configuration on RD ignition. Experiments are performed using a Ti target involving magnetic field variation, wire probe measurements of floating potential, and optical emission spectroscopy imaging. It is found that adjusting the magnetic field to a more balanced configuration leads to earlier RD ignition, while a more unbalanced one delays or even prevents it. Specifically, the time of RD ignition decreases with an increase in the magnetic null point distance from the target. Moreover, the size and shape of optical emission in the RD varies with nearby probe placement, suggesting sensitivity to external electrodes.
A novel 3D Z-shape design of compression-twist coupling metamaterial
Authors: Chen Xuan , Liu Chenxiao , Zheng Wenqing , He Tengwu , Feng Miaolin
Published: June 2024

Compression-twist coupling (CTC) metamaterials are the type of mechanical metamaterials which can convert the axial deformation into circumferential deformation. In order to design CTC metamaterials, connecting two lattice layers with chiral oblique rods is an effective method, and the unit cell is a cube with 2D Z-shape structure on the lateral side. In this study, a new 3D spatial Z-shape CTC structure is firstly proposed by rotating the upper layer with different angles in the traditional 3D Z-shape structure. Then, the torsion angles are analyzed with changes of unit cell geometries by theoretical method, finite element simulation and experiments. Finally, by extending the new 3D Z-shape structures, the typical pyramid frustum and oblique-rod-enhanced structures are designed and their mechanical behaviors are studied.
Topological charge pumping in tetramerized Kitaev chains with nodal loop in parameter space
Authors: Ma E S , Song Z
Published: June 2024

We investigated the topological pumping charge of a tetramerized Kitaev chain with spatially modulated chemical potential, which hosts nodal loops in parameter space and violates particle number conservation. In the simplest case, with alternatively assigned hopping and pairing terms, we show that the model can be mapped into the Rice–Mele model by a partial particle-hole transformation and subsequently supports topological charge pumping as a demonstration of the Chern number for the ground state. Beyond this special case, analytic analysis shows that the nodal loops are conic curves. Numerical simulation of a finite-size chain indicates that the pumping charge is zero for a quasiadiabatic loop within the nodal loop and is ±1 for a quasiadiabatic passage enclosing the nodal loop. Our findings unveil the topology of Kitaev chains in parameter space.
Modelling neutron damage effects on tritium transport in tungsten
Authors: Dark James , Delaporte-Mathurin Rémi , Schwarz-Selinger Thomas , Hodille Etienne A. , Mougenot Jonathan , Charles Yann , Grisolia Christian
Published: June 2024

A damage-induced hydrogen trap creation model is proposed, and parameters for tungsten are identified using experimental data. The methodology for obtaining these parameters using thermo-desorption analysis spectra data is outlined. Self-damaged and optionally annealed tungsten samples have undergone TDS analysis, which has been analysed to identify the properties of extrinsic traps induced by the damage and to determine how they evolve with damage and annealing temperature. A parametric study investigated the impact of the damage rate and temperature on tritium inventories in tungsten. Tritium transport simulations have been performed with FESTIM considering a 1D model of a 2 mm sample of tungsten with damage rates and temperatures varying from 0–

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dpa/fpy and 600–1300 K, respectively. The results show that after 24 h simultaneous exposure to neutron damage at

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dpa/FPY and tritium implantation at 700 K, tritium inventories can increase by up to four orders of magnitude when damaged at a rate of

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dpa/FPY compared to undamaged, defect-free tungsten, increasing further to five orders of magnitude after one full power year. The time taken to reach retention saturation shows the need for kinetic models of trapping properties on time scales relevant to reactor operation. The trap-creation model parameterisation procedure can be used to investigate neutron damage effects on other fusion-relevant materials such as EUROFER, Inconel and more.
Surface dynamics and electrochemical examination of Co3O4 films by iron doping
Authors: Yakar Emin , Sarf Fatma , Bayirli Mehmet , Ilgaz Aykut
Published: June 2024

This study focused on Co3O4 films, which were prepared by cost-effective chemical bath deposition on In:SnO2 (ITO) substrates with iron doping concentrations ranging from 2 to 6 mol %. Structural properties were investigated by XRD as well as nanotexture of Fe: Co3O4 films was captured via SEM and detailed fractal analysis was analyzed in each prepared film. Effective using of prepared Fe: Co3O4 electrodes for electrochemical charge storage applications has been examined by using CV and EIS. From x-ray patterns, spinel cubic structure of Co3O4 was observed in all samples, while peaks with Co2O3 and substrate indexed peaks were also shown. Pure and iron doped Co3O4 surfaces have spherical agglomerative forms while porous structures were observed in 4% Co3O4 samples. Redox peaks induced by Faradaic reactions in the CV plots present pseudo- capacitive nature for all electrodes and improves charge transfer process in 4% Co3O4 and 6% Co3O4 from EIS measurements. Additionally, using scaling theory, the coverage ratio, fractal dimensions, cluster sizes and interface critical exponent values of the superficial hetero morphology of the samples are calculated. While the coating rate decreases according to the iron concentration, fractal dimensions increase. However, as the number of clusters increases, the average cluster size decreases. The interface critical exponent value shows an irregular change.
Narrow band-pass filtered canonical correlation analysis for frequency identification in SSVEP signals
Authors: Janardhan Reddy T , Ramasubba Reddy M
Published: June 2024

Steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP) are generated in the parieto-occipital regions, accompanied by background noise and artifacts. A strong pre-processing method is required to reduce this background noise and artifacts. This study proposed a narrow band-pass filtered canonical correlation analysis (NBPFCCA) to recognize frequency components in SSVEP signals. The proposed method is tested on the publicly available 40 stimulus frequencies dataset recorded from 35 subjects and 4 class in-house dataset acquired from 10 subjects. The performance of the proposed NBPFCCA method is compared with the standard canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and the filter bank CCA (FBCCA). The mean frequency detection accuracy of the standard CCA is 86.21% for the benchmark dataset, and it is improved to 95.58% in the proposed method. Results indicate that the proposed method significantly outperforms the standard canonical correlation analysis with an increase of 9.37% and 17% in frequency recognition accuracy of the benchmark and in-house datasets, respectively.
Simultaneously Selective Separation of Zearalenone and Four Aflatoxins From Rice Samples Using Co-Pseudo-Template Imprinted Polymers With MIL-101(Cr)-NH2 as Core
Authors: Song Lixin , Zhang Jian , Wang Mingyu , Huang Zhipeng , Zhang Yunxia , Zhang Xing , Liang Yutao , He Juan
Published: June 2024

A novel approach for the simultaneous separation of zearalenone (ZEN) and four types of aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2) from rice samples was presented. This approach utilized modified MIL-101(Cr)-NH2 as core, with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) serving as the shell. The MIL-101(Cr)-NH2 was prepared via ring-opening reaction, while the imprinted polymers were synthesized using warfarin and 4-methylumbelliferyl acetate as co-pseudo template, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linker and azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. The resulting co-pseudo-template-MIPs (CPT-MIPs) were thoroughly characterized and evaluated. Adsorption studies demonstrate that the adsorption process of CPT-MIPs follows a chemical monolayer adsorption mechanism, with imprinted factors ranging from 1.24 to 1.52 and selective factors ranging from 1.29 to 1.52. Self-made columns were prepared, and the method for separation was developed and validated. The limit of detections ranged from 0.12 to 2.09 μg/kg, and the limit of qualifications ranged from 1.2 to 6.25 μg/kg. To assess the reliability of the method, ZEN and AFs were spiked at three different levels, and the recoveries ranged from 79.53 to 94.58%, with relative standard deviations of 2.90–5.78%.