bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
X-ray computed tomography vs Archimedes method: a head-to-head comparison
Authors: Ledwaba Tebogo , Mbuyisa Busisiwe , Blakey-Milner Byron , Steenkamp Christine , Du Plessis Anton
Published: December 2023

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is growing rapidly towards industrial adoption in various industries, but porosity remains a concern because it creates areas of stress that affects the mechanical properties and reduces reliability. Porosity can be quantified by X-ray computed tomography (XCT), but the method is relatively slow and expensive. The Archimedes density measurement method is widely used due to the low cost and ease of operation; however, it is limited in its precision for low porosity levels. In this work, a series of additively manufactured aluminium 6061-Ti6 alloy samples with different types and quantities of porosities are subjected to Archimedes, gas pycnometer and X-ray methods. This work clarifies the application range and limitations of each of these methods, using 10 mm cubes of Al 6061-Ti6 manufactured by laser powder bed fusion.
An overview on the impact of the exam-oriented education in China
Authors: Liu Mingfei
Published: December 2023

With the development of time, society has a higher and higher demand for education. Some researchers have found that the concept of exam-oriented education has a huge impact on students ‘ creativity, but there is no a highly summarize of these impacts. Therefore, this paper will explain the importance of the concept of exam-oriented education, combine the knowledge related to philosophy, and analyze the reason why it could make an impact on students’ creativity, and may lead to mental health problems for a student. The study found that the concept of exam-oriented was suitable for most students, but not for the top students because it leads to a loss of creativity and vitality. What’s more, too many exams may also lead to students’ mental health problems. Failure in the exams will make students think that they will be blocked in future learning, which could lead to depression, anxiety, and other emotions. In order to avoid these adverse effects, educators can start by discovering their own life diversity, running schools in a non-bureaucratic way, and increasing teachers’ incomes.
The Influence of K-pop on Chinese Fans’ Gender Perspectives: A Comparative Analysis Based on BTS and Blackpink
Authors: Zheng Kaiwen
Published: December 2023

As the platform economy continues to infiltrate all aspects of people’s lives, internet platforms have emerged as key arenas for the development of pop music. K-pop, a globally recognized pop culture phenomenon known for its globalized marketing strategies and stage performances that reinforce gender binary traits, is epitomized by BTS and BLACKPINK. These groups have significantly influenced the gender perceptions of their fans worldwide. This research employs the methods of textual analysis and critical discourse analysis to comparatively analyze two songs by BTS and BLACKPINK, their respective stage performances, and the comments of Chinese fans. The research reveals that BTS, as a male idol group, has transitioned from reinforcing traditional masculinity to expressing universal values. On the other hand, BLACKPINK, as a female idol group, despite incorporating elements of power and cultural hybridization, has yet to break free from the stereotypical image of women within the traditional binary concept of gender. The interplay between agencies’ globalization strategies and the participatory culture of fans has had a dual impact on the gender concepts of Chinese fans. Firstly, the dissemination of universal values has further expanded the cultural influence of K-pop. Secondly, the participatory fan culture has perpetuated the gender digital divide, which is a manifestation of post-feminist modernity in popular culture.
The Subdiaphragmatic Angle Of The Gastric Tube In Neonates –
A Potential Predictor For Perforations?
Authors: Diez Sonja , Bartos Hilda , Siemes Anna , Gerleve Hubert , Schock Alexandra , Besendörfer Manuel , Mahnken Andreas H. , Weiß Christel , Felderhoff-Müser Ursula , Müller Hanna
Published: December 2023

Background Traumatic subdiaphramatic perforation of esophagus or stomach
in neonates represents a rare clinical complication following the insertion of a
gastric tube and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of the
present study was to evaluate whether the angle of the gastric tube depicted on
a plain radiograph may serve as a diagnostic tool to predict subdiaphragmatic
traumatic (or iatrogenic) perforation.

Patients and methods Thoraco-abdominal radiographs of 128 preterm and term
neonates without perforation and 15 neonates with perforation of the
esophagogastric junction or the stomach were retrospectively analysed.

Results The angle of the gastric tube increases with postnatal age
(p=0.0380). In the control group, the angle of the gastric tube varied
between 13° and 48° (median: 31°), whereas the values
ranged from -31° to 42° (median: 11°) in neonates with
subdiaphragmatic perforation. Perforation should thus be suspected in cases with
an angle of<20° (sensitivity: 93.3%; specificity:
91.4%). Moreover, an unusual localization of the tip beyond the gastric
bubble is highly indicative of perforation.

Discussion The present study emphasizes the importance of verifying the
correct course of an inserted gastric tube.

Conclusions In daily clinical practice, an angle of<20°
should be followed by thorough physical examination, abdominal ultrasound and if
applicable contrast medium examinations to exclude perforation.
Sonomorphologic Changes in Colorectal Deep Endometriosis: The Long-Term Impact of Age and Hormonal Treatment
Authors: Keckstein Simon , Dippon Juergen , Hudelist Gernot , Koninckx Philippe , Condous George , Schroeder Lennard , Keckstein Joerg
Published: December 2023

Purpose The progression of deep endometriosis (DE) in women of reproductive age is highly variable. This study aimed to analyze the sonomorphological changes of rectal endometriosis over long periods of time and the influence of hormonal treatment.

Methods This retrospective study included premenopausal women with rectal DE treated conservatively between 2002 and 2021. The lesion length and thickness of the nodule were evaluated at regular intervals over time. We created statistical models with mixed effects to identify potential factors influencing lesion progression and regression.

Results 38 patients were monitored over a mean period of 7.2 (± 4.2) years with a mean of 3.1 (± 2.1) check-ups within the observation period. We detected a significant increase in lesion length until the end of the fourth decade of life. In addition, we found a substantial decrease in the length and thickness of the nodule depending on the length of hormonal treatment.

Conclusion In conservatively managed patients with rectal endometriosis, without hormonal therapy, lesion size can exhibit a moderate increase up to the end of the fourth decade of life, after which it appears to stabilize. This increase does not follow a linear pattern. Hormonal therapy is crucial in impeding further progression, resulting in either a cessation or a regression of lesion growth.
Serum Lipid Level in Evaluating Chinese Pancreatic Neuroendocrine
Neoplasms: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Gu Danyang , Xue Bingyan , Zhu Guoqin , Xu Yanling , Yan Lijun , Tang Qiyun , Lu Chun
Published: December 2023

Background Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (p-NENs) are relatively
rare and highly heterogeneous. Dyslipidemia may be related to the risk of
developing p-NENs, although dyslipidemia in patients with p-NENs is rarely
reported. In this study, the clinical characteristics of p-NENs patients with
different lipid levels and their prognostic value in p-NENs patients were
evaluated.

Methods Patients (n=211) with p-NENs hospitalized at Jiangsu
Neuroendocrine Tumor Centre of Jiangsu Province Hospital from December 2018 to
December 2022 were enrolled. Clinical data related to p-NENs were collected.
Based on the EGA database, the related lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein
receptor (LDLR) and high-density lipoprotein binding protein (HDLBP) mRNA in
p-NENs and paratumoral tissues and the follow-up information of p-NENs were
evaluated.

Results A total of 175 p-NENs patients ultimately met the inclusion
criteria. The ki67 index was higher in p-NENs patients with elevated lipid with
the proportion of≥5, and in those with AJCC stage III and stage IV than
p-NENs patients with low-level lipid. In p-NENs patients, the expression of
HDLBP mRNA was downregulated in p-NENs tissues compared to the paratumoral
tissues. Survival analysis showed that serum lipids had no effect on the
prognosis of p-NENs; however, high LDLR level p-NENs were at the risk of poor
survival.

Conclusion Serum lipid level in p-NENs can affect the grading and staging,
but the correlation with the prognosis of p-NENs is not significant. However,
dyslipidemia may be a potential predictor of p-NENs.
Discovery of a Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor Fluorescent Probe Based on a Pyridin-2-yl-benzyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione Scaffold
Authors: de Paus Laura V. , van der Stelt Mario , Janssen Antonius P.A. , Halimi Asad , van den Berg Richard J. B. H. N. , Heitman Laura H.
Published: December 2023

Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) agonists have therapeutic potential for the treatment of (neuro)inflammatory diseases. Fluorescent probes enable the detection of CB2R in relevant cell types and serve as a chemical tool in cellular target engagement studies. Here, we report the structure-based design and synthesis of a new CB2R selective fluorescent probe. Based on the cryo-EM structure of LEI-102 in complex with the CB2R, we synthesized 5-fluoropyridin-2-yl-benzyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione analogues in which we introduced a variety of linkers and fluorophores. Molecular pharmacological characterization showed that compound 22, containing a Cy5-fluorophore with an alkyl-spacer, was the most potent probe with a pK
i of 6.2 ± 0.6. It was selective over the cannabinoid CB1 receptor and behaved as an inverse agonist (pEC50 5.3 ± 0.1, E
max –63% ± 6). Probe 22 may serve as a chemical tool in target and lead validation studies for the CB2R.
Evaluating Catalyst Performance in Synthesizing Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene by Ring-Opening-Metathesis Polymerization
Authors: Schulz Michael D. , Su Gillian A. , Reiter Paul
Published: December 2023

Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) can be synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) in a one-step process using cyclooctadiene in the presence of a hydroxyl-functionalized chain-transfer agent (CTA). However, previous studies have shown that the presence of primary alcohols can lead to the degradation of some ruthenium catalysts and that the hydroxyl end groups may be converted into aldehydes. Here we compare the performance of five ruthenium-based catalysts — Grubbs first-, second-, and third-generation catalysts (G1, G2, and G3, respectively), Hoveyda–Grubbs Z-selective catalyst (HGZ), and Hoveyda–Grubbs second-generation catalyst (HG2) — in ROMP with a CTA containing primary alcohols. We found that HTPB can be rapidly synthesized in a single step using G3 while avoiding end-group isomerization (2.2% aldehyde formation after full conversion is reached in 5 min). This result suggests that G3 may enable a more effective approach to synthesizing HTPB that avoids protecting groups but still maintains high end-group fidelity.
Novel Therapeutic Approaches in Treatment of Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
Authors: Saeidinejad MohammadMahdi , Elshabrawi Ahmed , Sriphoosanaphan Supachaya , Andreola Fausto , Mehta Gautam , Agarwal Banwari , Jalan Rajiv
Published: December 2023

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), a clinical syndrome that can develop at any stage in the progression of cirrhotic liver disease, is characterized by an acute decompensation in liver function with associated multiorgan failure and high short-term mortality. Current evidence points to ACLF being reversible, particularly in those at the lower end of the severity spectrum. However, there are no specific treatments for ACLF, and overall outcomes remain poor. Expedited liver transplantation as a treatment option is limited by organ shortage and a lack of priority allocation for this indication. Other options are therefore urgently needed, and our improved understanding of the condition has led to significant efforts to develop novel therapies. In conclusion, this review aims to summarize the current understanding of the pathophysiological processes involved in the onset, progression, and recovery of ACLF and discuss novel therapies under development.
Cancer Predisposition Syndromes in Neuro-oncology
Authors: Na Brian , Shah Shilp , Nghiemphu Phioanh Leia
Published: December 2023

Although most primary central and peripheral nervous system (NS) tumors occur sporadically, there are a subset that may arise in the context of a cancer predisposition syndrome. These syndromes occur due to a pathogenic mutation in a gene that normally functions as a tumor suppressor. With increased understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of these tumors, more people have been identified with a cancer predisposition syndrome. Identification is crucial, as this informs surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment options. Moreover, relatives can also be identified through genetic testing. Although there are many cancer predisposition syndromes that increase the risk of NS tumors, in this review, we focus on three of the most common cancer predisposition syndromes, neurofibromatosis type 1, neurofibromatosis type 2, and tuberous sclerosis complex type 1 and type 2, emphasizing the clinical manifestations, surveillance guidelines, and treatment options.
The politics of the EU eco-social policies
Authors: Graziano Paolo
Published: December 2023

In recent years, the debate over the need to address ecological and social concerns has grown substantially. Phenomena such as the Gilets Jaunes in France or the ecological versus social disputes in industrial sites (such as, for example, the ILVA steel plant in Taranto) have constituted a trade-off in terms of potentially conflicting policies, making the understanding of the various underlying preferences very important. Furthermore, growing environmental concerns have challenged more traditional views anchored on the predominance of social and employment concerns. The article, in line with the research questions raised in the introduction of the Symposium, intends to contribute to the above-mentioned debate addressing the following questions: did the European Union take an ‘eco-social’ path? If so, how and why? The article illustrates the growing intertwining of social and environmental policies at the EU level and tries to explain its genesis by focusing on the role of the various actors involved. The main argument is that the European Commission, and in particular the President of the Commission, developed an eco-social agenda in order to obtain further institutional (i.e. internal) and socio-political (i.e. external) legitimation.
Policy integration and the eco-social debate in political analysis
Authors: Domorenok Ekaterina , Trein Philipp
Published: December 2023

In political research, scholars have increasingly paid attention to the political challenges of integrating new public policies into existing policy subsystems, which bears important implications for the study of eco-social policy and politics. By drawing on policy integration research, we identify and discuss insights and lessons deriving from policy integration scholarship, which appear to be relevant for understanding policy linkages between the social and environmental domains especially regarding the European Green Deal (EGD). More specifically, we focus on the following two aspects: (1) the elements of policy design and implementation practices that are deemed to be helpful for ensuring equilibrium between social and environmental goals and (2) political factors that are likely to affect policy integration dynamics along the social and environmental aspects (eco-social nexus). This article contributes to the literature by tracing novel research trajectories for the eco-social debate to explore in the policy integration perspective.
Demographic and labor force impacts of future immigration flows into Europe: does an immigrant’s region of origin matter?
Authors: Marois Guillaume , Potancokova Michaela , Gonzalez-Leonardo Miguel
Published: December 2023

Immigration has become a key demographic component in developed European nations. At the same time, many countries have seen an increase in immigration from non-European origins and more diversified migrant flows. In most population projections, however, immigrants are considered an almost homogenous population. This study utilizes a population microsimulation projection model (QuantMig-Mic) for 31 European countries that includes place of birth as a source of heterogeneity for components that could impact population size, age structures, and economic dependency ratios. We simulated different scenarios from 2020 to 2060 in which the birth regions of future immigrant flows were changed drastically compared to recent trends. Our results showed that major shifts in the origin of immigration flows toward Europe would impact the spatial distribution of the population in the continent and therefore—at the local level—the population size of some countries. We found that the age structure would be only marginally affected and that shifts in the composition of immigration flows would not significantly alter the increasing age dependency ratio. Moreover, even in the countries most impacted in terms of population size, no scenario led to notable changes in the total labor force participation rate or in the educational structure of the labor force.
Investigating customers’ continuous trust towards mobile banking apps
Authors: Che Maohao , Say Sze Yee Ashley , Yu Han , Zhou Qingji , Shu Jared , Sun Wen , Luo Xi , Xu Hong
Published: December 2023

Gaining continuous trust from mobile banking customers is a critical step in retaining customers for their usage of the provided services. The current study aims to investigate how customers’ continuous trust is formed at the continuous-use stage. Online survey responses from 450 frequent mobile banking users are collected. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) based on a proposed model that predicts trust. The findings successfully validated the model and its reduced form. Based on the model, customers’ continuous trust can be predicted by mobile banking apps’ perceived ease of use, privacy assurance and security features, organisation reputation, customer support, and customers’ previous experience. Furthermore, the interactive relationships among these proposed factors are proposed and validated in the model. By studying trust in mobile banking past the initial adoption stage, we provide evidence to support the theoretical framework of investigating mobile banking continuous trust from the three constructs—mobile app (perceived ease of use, privacy assurance, security features), organisation (reputation, customer support), and customer (prior experience).
Spin-orbit coupling in molecular complexes beyond van der Waals regime: Key factors for further splitting of 2P3/2 ground state
Authors: Cao Wenjin , Wang Xue-Bin
Published: December 2023

We report a joint spectroscopic and theoretical study probing spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in a variety of molecular complexes between an iodine atom and a ligand (L) with L ranging from Ar, HF to formic/acetic acids, and glycine/N-methylated glycine derivatives. Cryogenic photoelectron spectroscopy of L·I- (L=HCOOH, CH3COOH) reveals three distinct peaks, identified as three SOC states, denoted as X(1/2), A(3/2), and B(l/2) for the corresponding neutrals. The X and A separation ΔEXA is measured to be 0.10 eV for both, whereas the X and B gap ΔEXB is 0.98 and 0.97 eV for formic and acetic acid, respectively. These new ΔEXA values are compared with the previously reported values for the molecular complexes L·I· with L=Ar, HF, glycine, and A-methylated glycines. All together these complexes encompass a diversity of intermolecular interactions, from van der Waals to weak and strong hydrogen bonding. While the ΔEXB remains similar, the ΔEXA is shown to be extremely sensitive to the type of ligands and interactions, spanning from 5 meV to 150 meV. High-level relativistic quantum calculations including explicit SOC formulism nicely reproduce all experimental SOC splitting. A direct correlation between the magnitude of ΔEXA with the intermolecular interaction strength or bond distance of the neutral complexes—the stronger interaction (shorter bond length), the greater splitting, is established.
Theoretical study of time-resolved photoelectron circular dichroism in the photodissociation of a chiral molecule
Authors: Fiechter Marit R. , Svoboda Vít , Wörner Hans Jakob
Published: December 2023

Photoelectron circular dichroism (PECD), the forward–backward asymmetry of the photoelectron angular distribution when ionizing randomly oriented chiral molecules with circularly polarized light, is an established method to investigate chiral properties of molecules in their electronic ground state. Here, we develop a computational strategy for predicting time-resolved PECD (TRPECD) of chemical reactions and demonstrate the method on the photodissociation of 1-iodo-2-methylbutane. Our approach combines multi-configurational quantum-chemical calculations of the relevant potential-energy surfaces of the neutral and singly ionized molecule with ab initio molecular-dynamics (AIMD) calculations. The PECD parameters along the AIMD trajectories are calculated with the aid of electron-molecule scattering calculations based on the Schwinger variational principle implemented in ePolyScat. Our calculations have been performed for two probe wavelengths (133 and 160 nm) accessible through low-order harmonic generation in gases. Our results show that the TRPECD is a highly sensitive probe of photochemical reaction dynamics. Most interestingly, the TRPECD is found to change sign multiple times along the photodissociation coordinate, in agreement with recent experiments on CHBrFI [Svoboda et al., “Femtosecond photoelectron circular dichroism of chemical reactions,” Sci. Adv. 8, eabq2811 (2022)]. The computational protocol introduced in the present work is general and readily applicable to other chiral photochemical processes.
Solitary waves in electro-mechanical lattices
Authors: Rosenau Philip , Krylov Slava
Published: December 2023

We introduce and study both analytically and numerically a class of microelectromechanical chains aiming to turn them into transmission lines of solitons. Mathematically, their analysis reduces to the study of a spatially one-dimensional nonlinear Klein–Gordon equation with a model dependent onsite nonlinearity induced by the electrical forces. Since the basic solitons appear to be unstable for most of the force regimes, we introduce a stabilizing algorithm and demonstrate that it enables a stable and persisting propagation of solitons. Among other fascinating nonlinear formations induced by the presented models, we mention the “meson”: a stable square shaped pulse with sharp fronts that expands with a sonic speed, and “flatons”: flat-top solitons of arbitrary width.
A planar cloverleaf antenna for circularly polarized microwave fields in atomic and molecular physics experiments
Authors: Yuan Weijun , Zhang Siwei , Bigagli Niccolò , Warner Claire , Stevenson Ian , Will Sebastian
Published: December 2023

We report on the design and characterization of a compact microwave antenna for atomic and molecular physics experiments. The antenna is comprised of four loop antennas arranged in a cloverleaf shape, allowing for precise adjustment of polarization by tuning the relative phase of the loops. We optimize the antenna for left-circularly polarized microwaves at 3.5 GHz and characterize its near-field performance using ultracold NaCs molecules as a precise quantum sensor. Observing an unusually high Rabi frequency of 2π × 46.1(2) MHz, we extract an electric field amplitude of 33(2) V/cm at 22 mm distance from the antenna. The polarization ellipticity is 2.3(4)°, corresponding to a 24 dB suppression of right-circular polarization. The cloverleaf antenna is planar and provides large optical access, making it highly suitable for quantum control of atoms and molecules and potentially other quantum systems that operate in the microwave regime.
Investigation of ignition and flame propagation in an axisymmetric supersonic combustor with laser-induced plasma
Authors: Li Qinyuan , Zhu Jiajian , Tian Yifu , Sun Mingbo , Wan Minggang , Yan Bo , Luo Tiangang , Sun Yongchao , Wang Chao , Tang Tao , Wang Hongbo
Published: December 2023

The ignition and flame propagation in an axisymmetric supersonic combustor were investigated. The laser-induced plasma was employed to ignite the supersonic inflow with a speed of Mach 2.5 and a total temperature of 1486 K. A direct-connect axisymmetric model scramjet with a fully transparent glass combustor was built, which enabled the circumferential and axial flame propagation in the cavity-based axisymmetric supersonic combustor to be visualized by the high-speed photography from the endoscopic and external views, respectively. An initial flame kernel is produced by the laser-induced plasma and propagates to the cavity leading edge along the axial direction. The establishment of the cavity shear-layer flame facilitates circumferential flame propagation. The circumferential flame propagation is coupled with the axial propagation, eventually generating a loop-shaped flame with a central-hole. Acceleration of the flame propagation can be observed, especially when the global equivalence ratio is increased. A plausible explanation for the flame propagation in the axisymmetric supersonic combustor was found using URANS numerical simulation. The axisymmetric cavity generates a low-speed loop-shaped recirculation region and thickened cavity shear-layer with an appropriate local equivalence ratio, resulting in the simultaneous axial and circumferential flame propagation. The increased temperature in the cavity and the thickened cavity shear-layer during the flame propagation produce a more intense heat release and mass transfer, leading to faster flame propagation.
Exact exchange-like electric response from a meta-generalized gradient approximation: A semilocal realization of ultranonlocality
Authors: Aschebrock Thilo , Lebeda Timo , Brütting Moritz , Richter Rian , Schelter Ingo , Kümmel Stephan
Published: December 2023

We review the concept of ultranonlocality in density functional theory and the relation between ultranonlocality, the derivative discontinuity of the exchange energy, and the static electric response in extended molecular systems. We present the construction of a new meta-generalized gradient approximation for exchange that captures the ultranonlocal response to a static electric field in very close correspondence to exact exchange, yet at a fraction of its computational cost. This functional, in particular, also captures the dependence of the response on the system size. The static electric polarizabilities of hydrogen chains and oligo-acetylene molecules calculated with this meta-GGA are quantitatively close to the ones obtained with exact exchange. The chances and challenges associated with the construction of meta-GGAs that are intended to combine a substantial derivative discontinuity and ultranonlocality with an accurate description of electronic binding are discussed.
Two-step nucleation and crystal growth in a metastable solution
Authors: Alexandrov Dmitri V. , Makoveeva Eugenya V.
Published: December 2023

This study is concerned with a theory of two-step nucleation and growth of crystals in a metastable liquid. This mechanism is that crystalline nuclei formation occurs in dense liquid clusters suspended in the solution. These clusters contain higher solution concentration and viscosity, leading to a lower surface free energy barrier and faster phase transition route. The theory is based on growth laws of crystals during the two-step bulk phase transformation. At the initial stage, the crystals evolve in a diffusion-limited environment with almost unchanged supersaturation. At the second stage, they become larger, move beyond these clusters, and evolve in accordance with a hyperbolic tangent law. A generalized particle growth law joining the first and second stages is obtained by stitching the diffusion limited and hyperbolic tangent laws. On this basis, an integrodifferential model of the evolution of a polydisperse ensemble of crystals was formulated and solved. The crystal-size distribution function increases and the solution supersaturation remains practically unchanged until the particle size corresponds to a transition in the particle growth rate from a diffusion-limited branch to a hyperbolic tangent branch. This is followed by an increase in the crystal growth rate, a decrease in the distribution function and solution supersaturation. Then the distribution function increases up to the maximum size of crystals grown in the solution. A sufficiently long time interval of almost constant supersaturation and the N-shaped behavior of the distribution function are the consequences of a two-step nucleation and growth mechanisms.
Point design of octahedral spherical Hohlraum with HDC–CH capsule for a predictable inertial confinement fusion at/beyond ignition
Authors: Qiao Xiumei , Chen Yao-Hua , Cao Hui , Lan Ke
Published: December 2023

Fusion ignition has been successfully achieved at the National Ignition Facility, but the main obstacles of low-mode asymmetries, laser-plasma instabilities (LPIs), and hydrodynamic instabilities (HIs) still remain in the path toward a predictable yield for fusion ignition, especially at high gain. A recently proposed octahedral spherical Hohlraum, i.e., a spherical Hohlraum with six laser entrance holes of octahedral symmetry [Lan et al., Phys. Plasmas 21, 010704 (2014); Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 245001 (2021)], was demonstrated to have the advantages of a naturally high radiation symmetry without any symmetry tuning technology and a high energy coupling efficiency from the drive laser to the capsule hotspot. In addition, a novel HDC–CH (here, HDC and CH refer to high density carbon and glow discharge plastic, respectively) capsule design was proposed to have the advantages in both low LPIs and low HIs by using two different ablators [Qiao and Lan, Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 185001 (2021)]. For the first time, here we proposed a point design target composed of an octahedral spherical Hohlraum and an HDC–CH capsule to suppress the above-mentioned obstacles and presented the 2D simulation of the effect of symmetry and hydrodynamic instabilities on implosion performances. Our work provides a novel target design for a more predictable fusion ignition in experiment.
Improving XYG3-type doubly hybrid approximation using self-interaction corrected SCAN density and orbitals via the PZ-SIC framework: The xDH@SCAN(SIC) approach
Authors: Bi Sheng , Wang Shirong , Zhang Igor Ying , Xu Xin
Published: December 2023

XYG3-type doubly hybrid (xDH) approximations have gained widespread recognition for their accuracy in describing a diverse range of chemical and physical interactions. However, a recent study [Song et al., J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 12, 800–807 (2021)] has highlighted the limitation of xDH methods in calculating the dissociation of NaCl molecules. This issue has been related to the density and orbitals used for evaluating the energy in xDH methods, which are obtained from lower-rung hybrid density functional approximations (DFAs) and display substantial density errors in the dissociation limit. In this work, we systematically investigate the influence of density on several challenging datasets and find that xDH methods are less sensitive to density errors compared to semi-local and hybrid DFAs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the self-interaction corrected SCAN density approach offers superior accuracy compared to the self-consistent SCAN density and Hartree–Fock density approaches, as evidenced by performing charge analysis on the dissociation of heterodimers, such as NaCl and LiF. Building on these insights, we propose a five-parameter xDH method using the SCAN density and orbitals corrected by the PZ-SIC scheme. This new xDH@SCAN(SIC) method provides a balanced and accurate description across a wide range of challenging systems.
Predicting micro/nanoscale colloidal interactions through local neighborhood graph neural networks
Authors: Filiatraut Alexandra N. , Mianroodi Jaber R. , Siboni Nima H. , Zanjani Mehdi B.
Published: December 2023

Understanding interparticle interactions has been one of the most important topics of research in the field of micro/nanoscale materials. Many significant characteristics of such materials directly stem from the way their building blocks interact with each other. In this work, we investigate the efficacy of a specific category of Machine Learning (ML) methods known as interaction networks in predicting interparticle interactions within colloidal systems. We introduce and study Local Neighborhood Graph Neural Networks (LN-GNNs), defined according to the local environment of colloidal particles derived from particle trajectory data. The LN-GNN framework is trained for unique categories of particle neighborhood environments in order to predict interparticle interactions. We compare the performance of the LN-GNN to a baseline interaction network with a simpler architecture and to an Instance-Based ML algorithm, which is computationally more expensive. We find that the prediction performance of LN-GNN measured as an average normalized mean absolute error outperforms the baseline interaction network by a factor of 2–10 for different local neighborhood configurations. Furthermore, LN-GNN’s performance turns out to be very comparable to the instance-based ML framework while being an order of magnitude less expensive in terms of the required computation time. The results of this work can provide the foundations for establishing accurate models of colloidal particle interactions that are derived from real particle trajectory data.
Energy exchange during the early phase of droplet impact onto a dry surface
Authors: Biswas Koushik , Mikhil Surendran , Bakshi Shamit
Published: December 2023

This study investigates droplet impact dynamics on a rigid substrate using droplets of water and water–glycerol mixtures. Experiments are conducted in the Weber number range of 179–929, and the corresponding Reynolds numbers are in the range of 5253–12 090. The profile of the droplet interface is studied. Assuming self-similarity in the internal flow at the interface of the droplet, the profiles are scaled using appropriate scales. It is observed that the profiles of the droplet interface (at different points of time) collapse close to each other when plotted in this manner. This observation serves as an experimental evidence to the self-similarity of the internal flow in this phase. Based on this fact, we make an estimate of kinetic energy at early stages of droplet impact. The surface energy is also estimated by assuming axisymmetry in the droplet profile obtained through back-light imaging. We observe that a considerable amount of the kinetic energy is lost during the early stages of droplet impact. We believe that an accurate estimation of this deficit in kinetic energy at an early stage of impact will be necessary to account in the energy based models for droplet impact.
Three-dimensional quasi-geostrophic vortices with vanishing amount of potential vorticity anomaly
Authors: Zoeller V. , Viúdez A.
Published: December 2023

We provide exact solutions of axisymmetric neutral vortices, that is, vortices with zero amount of potential vorticity anomaly (PVA), in three-dimensional (3D) quasi-geostrophic (QG) flows with distributed vorticity and density stratification. These solutions are linear combinations of PVA spherical layer-modes, which consist of conveniently normalized spherical Bessel functions of order 0, truncated by a zero of the spherical Bessel function of order 1. It is shown that, depending on the superposition of the different spherical layer-modes, some vortices remain axisymmetrically robust to small amplitude PVA perturbations, while other vortices evolve to stable QG tripoles. The robust axisymmetric 3D QG vortices analyzed here do not generate exterior potential flow and may provide an explanation to the persistence of baroclinic eddies in the ocean.
Pulse excited oscillation: A new high-precision excitation method for the charge-to-mass ratio determination of microparticles in plasma and comparison to stepwise excitation and the phase-resolved resonance method
Authors: Mengel Armin , Artz Maurice , Greiner Franko
Published: December 2023

The charge-to-mass ratio of microparticles confined in the sheath of an RF plasma is the key parameter for the understanding and theoretical description of dusty plasmas. Standard techniques, like the resonance method (RM) and the phase-resolved resonance method (PRRM) based upon the harmonic oscillator model of the microparticle, are used to determine the charge-to-mass ratio. However, if high precision is required, these methods become relatively slow. In this work, we present two transient response-based methods, the step excited oscillation method, adapted and modified from Meijaard et al. [Phys. Plasmas 28, 083502 (2021)], and the new pulse excited oscillation method (PEOM). A careful comparison to the PRRM and others is presented. The PEOM offers a significant increase in speed while maintaining a precision comparable to that of the PRRM.
Simple model of power generation in thermoradiative devices including realistic nonradiative processes
Authors: Vurgaftman I. , Meyer J. R.
Published: December 2023

We formulate a simple model for the power densities generated by thermoradiative devices based on narrow-gap semiconductors. Our model is more realistic than previous treatments because it includes the effects of both Auger (impact ionization) and Shockley–Read–Hall (SRH) processes on the generated power. For known materials and based on optimal values for the energy gap and operating bias, maximum possible power densities are estimated in the presence of strong nonradiative processes. In particular, we derive best-case numerical projections for thermoradiative devices based on III-V type-II superlattices and bulk HgCdTe operating at practical temperatures and having a range of SRH lifetimes. Devices with strong Auger suppression and configured in nonplanar architectures with limited geometric fill factor can in principle attain power densities per unit active area approaching 10 W/m2. However, practical limitations will more likely constrain the generation density to <1 W/m2, which is at least two orders of magnitude lower than for a typical solar cell.
Spin selectivity in elemental tellurium and other chiral materials
Authors: Sławińska Jagoda
Published: December 2023

The phenomenon of chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS), where chiral organic molecules enable the selective transmission of electrons spin-polarized along the direction of electric current, has been studied for nearly two decades. Despite its technological relevance, CISS is not fully understood. Recent studies have expanded the concept of spin selectivity to chiral inorganic crystals, offering promise for magnet-free spintronics and other applications. This Perspective reviews recent developments on spin selectivity in non-magnetic solid-state materials, whereby chirality-dependent charge-to-spin conversion is responsible for transforming electric currents into spin signals, and spin transport within devices. Notably, chiral systems often outperform non-chiral ones in terms of conversion efficiency and facilitate long-range spin transport, which makes them relevant for both fundamental and applied physics. After examining the archetypal example of the chiral crystal, elemental tellurium, and the studies of spin selectivity in Weyl semimetals, we discuss its origin in terms of the unconventional (collinear) Rashba–Edelstein effect. We also explore key factors affecting the conversion efficiency and robustness of spin transport, focusing on persistent spin textures and their influence on spin lifetime. In addition, we discuss the potential impact of band velocities and the role of orbital contributions, as well as the differences associated with reduced dimensionality, providing a roadmap for guiding future theoretical, experimental, and applied studies.
IGZO/SnOx-based dynamic memristor with fading memory effect for reservoir computing
Authors: Lee Subaek , Park Yongjin , Jung Sungyeop , Kim Sungjun
Published: December 2023

We investigate a synaptic device with short-term memory characteristics using IGZO/SnOx as the switching layer. The thickness and components of each layer are analyzed by using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The memristor exhibits analog resistive switching and a volatile feature with current decay over time. Moreover, through ten cycles of potentiation and depression, we demonstrate stable conductance modulation, leading to high-accuracy Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology pattern recognition. We effectively emulate the learning system of a biological synapse, including paired-pulse facilitation, spiking-amplitude-dependent plasticity, and spiking-rate-dependent plasticity (SRDP) by pulse trains. Ultimately, 4-bit reservoir computing divided into 16 states is incarnated using a pulse stream considering short-term memory plasticity and decay properties.
Adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics of nanomaterials: theory and experimental insight into nano-effect
Authors: Wang Mengying , Xue Yongqiang , Du Jianping
Published: December 2023

Nanomaterials have excellent adsorption performance due to nano-effect and have been widely used in many fields. The adsorption performance of nanomaterials depends on their adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics. Here, the thermodynamic and kinetic equations of adsorption for spherical nanoparticles are first derived in theory. The mechanisms and regularities of influences of nano-effect on thermodynamics and kinetics, using nano-CdS adsorption of methylene blue as a probe, were investigated. The results show that there are significant influences of nano-effect (i.e., interface area effect and interface tension effect) on the thermodynamics and kinetics of nanoparticle adsorption. When the particle radius is larger and beyond the nanometer scale (∼100 nm), the nano-effect can be neglected. When the radius of the nanoparticle is within 10–50 nm, the nano-effect of adsorption is mainly the interface area effect. When the radius is less than 10 nm, the influences of both the interface area effect and the interface tension effect on adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics become more significant. The theoretic equations and experimental insights in the present work could provide a significant basis and reference for improving and perfecting the adsorption theory involving nanomaterials and provide guidelines for the explanations of adsorption mechanisms as well as the selection of adsorbents.
Will the experimental population control of an invasive crayfish influence the diet and trophic position of a native crayfish? An assessment using stable isotopes
Authors: O’Hea Miller Sarah B. , Wong Marian Y. L. , Mazumder Debashish , Gray Rosie , Davis Andrew R.
Published: December 2023

Context Trophic overlap between invasive and native species can cause a competitive displacement of the native. In Australian freshwaters, the invasive crayfish Cherax destructor has proliferated into the ranges of native Euastacus species. Aims To examine trophic overlap between C. destructor and the critically endangered Euastacus dharawalus and determine whether C. destructor population control causes shifts in the diet and trophic position of E. dharawalus. Methods We compared δ13C and δ15N values of tissue from both species collected from two sites. Population control of C. destructor was then conducted at one site, whereas the C. destructor population remained uncontrolled at the second site. The δ13C and δ15N values of E. dharawalus were then once again assessed. Key results Both species occupied similar trophic positions and consumed similar proportions of each food resource prior to control efforts. However, we found increases in the contribution of detritus to the diet of E. dharawalus following the removal of C. destructor, whereas no dietary shifts occurred at the uncontrolled site. Conclusions and implications The increase in detrital consumption suggests that control of C. destructor increased the availability of a preferred resource. Further, dietary competition between C. destructor and E. dharawalus is likely and reinforces C. destructor representing a substantial threat to Euastacus crayfish.
Morphological and environmental variation within Hibiscus krichauffianus (Malvaceae), and the recognition of two new species, H. verecundus and H. calcareus
Authors: McLay Todd G. B. , Barker Robyn M. , Albrecht David E.
Published: December 2023

The velvet-leaf hibiscus, Hibiscus krichauffianus F.Muell. (Malvaceae subfamily Malvoideae), is predominantly associated with sand dunes in the Australian arid zone but the name is presently also applied to plants occurring in different habitats on the southern edge of the range, and in disjunct locations in Western Australia and eastern Queensland. We investigated the morphological and environmental variation within H. krichauffianus throughout the geographic range. As a result, we have identified two new species, H. verecundus McLay & Albr. and H. calcareus McLay & Albr.; coined a phrase name, H. sp. Belele (D.W.Goodall 3417) for a putative new taxon; and recircumscribed H. krichauffianus. We also assessed material collected when the protologue of H. krichauffianus was published in the late 1850s and selected a lectotype from the original material identified.
Pleural macrophages translocate to the lung during infection to promote improved influenza outcomes
Authors: Stumpff James P. , Kim Sang Yong , McFadden Matthew I. , Nishida Andrew , Shirazi Roksana , Steuerman Yael , Gat-Viks Irit , Forero Adriana , Nair Meera G. , Morrison Juliet
Published: December 2023

Seasonal influenza results in 3 to 5 million cases of severe disease and 250,000 to 500,000 deaths annually. Macrophages have been implicated in both the resolution and progression of the disease, but the drivers of these outcomes are poorly understood. We probed mouse lung transcriptomic datasets using the Digital Cell Quantifier algorithm to predict immune cell subsets that correlated with mild or severe influenza A virus (IAV) infection outcomes. We identified a unique lung macrophage population that transcriptionally resembled small serosal cavity macrophages and whose presence correlated with mild disease. Until now, the study of serosal macrophage translocation in the context of viral infections has been neglected. Here, we show that pleural macrophages (PMs) migrate from the pleural cavity to the lung after infection with IAV. We found that the depletion of PMs increased morbidity and pulmonary inflammation. There were increased proinflammatory cytokines in the pleural cavity and an influx of neutrophils within the lung. Our results show that PMs are recruited to the lung during IAV infection and contribute to recovery from influenza. This study expands our knowledge of PM plasticity and identifies a source of lung macrophages independent of monocyte recruitment and local proliferation.