bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gene signatures derived from transcriptomic-causal networks stratify colorectal cancer patients for effective targeted therapy
Authors: Yazdani Akram , Lenz Heinz-Josef , Pillonetto Gianluigi , Mendez-Giraldez Raul , Yazdani Azam , Sanoff Hanna , Hadi Reza , Samiei Esmat , Venook Alan P. , Ratain Mark J. , Rashid Naim , Vincent Benjamin G. , Qu Xueping , Wen Yujia , Kosorok Michael , Symmans William F. , Shen John Paul Y. C. , Lee Michael S. , Kopetz Scott , Nixon Andrew B. , Bertagnolli Monica M. , Perou Charles M. , Innocenti Federico
Published: January 2025

Background

Gene signatures derived from transcriptomic-causal networks offer potential for tailoring clinical care in cancer treatment by identifying predictive and prognostic biomarkers. This study aimed to uncover such signatures in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients to aid treatment decisions.

Methods

We constructed transcriptomic-causal networks and integrated gene interconnectivity into overall survival (OS) analysis to control for confounding genes. This integrative approach involved germline genotype and tumor RNA-seq data from 1165 metastatic CRC patients. The patients were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial receiving either cetuximab or bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy. An external cohort of paired CRC normal and tumor samples, along with protein-protein interaction databases, was used for replication.

Results

We identify promising predictive and prognostic gene signatures from pre-treatment gene expression profiles. Our study discerns sets of genes, each forming a signature that collectively contribute to define patient subgroups with different prognosis and response to the therapies. Using an external cohort, we show that the genes influencing OS within the signatures, such as FANCI and PRC1, are upregulated in CRC tumor vs. normal tissue. These signatures are highly associated with immune features, including macrophages, cytotoxicity, and wound healing. Furthermore, the corresponding proteins encoded by the genes within the signatures interact with each other and are functionally related.

Conclusions

This study underscores the utility of gene signatures derived from transcriptomic-causal networks in patient stratification for effective therapies. The interpretability of the findings, supported by replication, highlights the potential of these signatures to identify patients likely to benefit from cetuximab or bevacizumab.
Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) as an upper respiratory tract model for respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: Kolbe Sophie M. , Guilfoyle Kate , Reineking Wencke , van Amerongen Geert , van der Net Guido , Lockow Sandra , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Ludlow Martin , Osterhaus Albert D.M.E
Published: January 2025

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of respiratory tract infection in children, immunocompromised individuals and older adults. Vaccines have recently been approved for use in adults and although further efforts to develop suitable interventions for children are ongoing, there are limited animal models for RSV infection. For preclinical efficacy testing of prophylactic and therapeutic treatments cotton rat and ferret models can be used. However, these can be expensive, difficult to source and house, and often have limitations such as insufficient virus replication in the respiratory tract and/or lack of horizontal transmission. In this study, Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), which are relatively cheap, easy to source and house, were inoculated intranasally with a recombinant RSV-A-0594 strain expressing EGFP and using virological and pathological analyses. Viral replication was assessed and compared to viral replication in the ferret model. Although there was limited virus infection of the lower respiratory tract of Syrian hamsters, we show that a contemporary recombinant RSV-A strain replicates efficiently in the upper respiratory tract of Syrian hamsters (titers up to 4.5 Log10 TCID50/g and 12 Log10 RNA copies/g). These titers are comparable to those found in the ferret upper respiratory tract tissues post-infection with the same virus strain (up to 6.0 Log10 TCID50/g and 12 Log 10 RNA copies/g). Fluorescent regions indicating virus infection were macroscopically visible under UV-light in the nasal turbinates and histological assessment showed mucosal inflammation with necrotic cells in this tissue. In summary, Syrian hamsters generally displayed less severe systemic and pulmonary changes than ferrets, but do appear to be a promising model for upper respiratory tract infection with RSV.
Optical nonlinear refractive index measurements of Cr2Te3 with an immense photothermal effect
Authors: Chen Bo-Yi , Lan Jia-Chi , Tsai Mu-Hsuan , Lee Kyungtaek , Khim Yeong Gwang , Lee In Hak , Chang Young Jun , Lee Ju Han , Lee Chao-Kuei
Published: January 2025

In this work, the optical nonlinearity of PVD-grown Cr2Te3 thin films of 33- and 100-nm thickness with an immense thermal optical effect was investigated.
Synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched polyesters from polyethylene glycol and citric acid: structural insights and antibiotic resistance mitigation against drug-resistant bacterial strains
Authors: Mukherjee Aniruddha , Dutta Sonai , Sarkar Reetika , Basak Sayan , Sengupta Srijoni , Chakraborty Subhadeep , Mukherjee Anirban , Biswas Payel , Kumar Satish , Bandyopadhyay Abhijit
Published: January 2025

Hyperbranched polyesters synthesized and characterized from polyethylene glycol and citric acid provide valuable structural insights. These polyesters show potential for mitigating antibiotic resistance in drug-resistant bacterial strains.
A tough and high adhesive ionogel electrolyte achieved by in situ phase separation for high-performance electrochromic devices
Authors: Nie Dawei , Zhao Jinxu , Zheng Jianming , Xu Chunye
Published: January 2025

A highly tough and highly adhesive ionogel electrolyte achieved by one-step polymerization using in situ phase separation for high-performance electrochromic devices.
Tuning electronic and optical properties of 2D polymeric C60 by stacking two layers
Authors: Shearsby Dylan , Wu Jiaqi , Yang Dekun , Peng Bo
Published: January 2025

Our study provides strategies to tune electronic and optical properties of 2D polymeric C60via the introduction of stacking degrees of freedom.
Self-supported CoWO4 nanoarrays enhance the electrochemical reduction of nitrite to ammonia
Authors: Zhao Baofang , Chen Qiuyue , Zhang Jing , An Xuguang , Liu Qian , Xie Lisi , Li Xiaolei , Yao Weitang , Kong Qingquan
Published: January 2025

CoWO4 nanoarrays on Ni foam can serve as an efficient electrocatalyst for the selective reduction of NO2− to NH3 in neutral solution, achieving an NH3 production rate of 18.856 mg h−1 cm−2 and a faradaic efficiency of 95.2% at −0.7 V.
Improving stability and efficiency of PTAA-based inverted perovskite solar cells through a guest strategy
Authors: Cao Jieying , Yin Xinxing , Lu Lei , Song Jiaxing , Hu Lin , Jin Yingzhi , Su Zhen , Li Zaifang , Hai Jiefeng
Published: January 2025

A novel guest molecule BQ-BO has been developed for improving energy level alignment, hole transport, passivation and thermal morphology of PTAA. The PTAA:BQ-BO based device delivered a high PCE of 21.81% with good thermal stability.
The Effect of Contralateral Routing of Signal Devices on the Quality of Life of Unilateral Cochlear Implant Recipients and Their Frequent Communication Partners
Authors: Johnson Kate , Jeon Eun Kyung , Dwyer Robert , Agrawal Smita , Gurgel Richard
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

Unilateral cochlear implant (CI) recipients with limited hearing in the contralateral ear are deprived of the advantages of binaural hearing. To address speech recognition challenges arising from the head shadow effect, a contralateral routing of signal (CROS) device can be used; however, less is known of the broader impact of a CROS device on an individual's quality of life (QoL) or that of their frequent communication partners (FCPs). This preliminary study aimed to evaluate the impact of CROS on speech recognition in noise and its influence on the QoL of unilateral CI recipients and their FCPs.

Method:

This preliminary study enrolled seven adult unilateral CI recipients and their FCPs. All CI recipients were fitted with CROS devices during their initial appointments. Speech recognition testing was conducted in noise with and without the CROS device in a sound booth before a take-home trial. Participants used the CROS devices for approximately 1 year, with device fitting occurring before and continuing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed two QoL questionnaires, the Auditory Performance and Satisfaction Scale for Single-Sided Deafness (APS-SSD) and the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ), twice: once prior to CROS device use and once after the take-home trial. Additionally, the FCPs of each CI recipient completed the Significant Other Scale of Hearing Disability (SOS-HEAR) Questionnaire twice, once before and once after extended CROS device use.

Results:

When noise was directed toward the CI ear and speech toward the non-CI ear, speech recognition improved by 32% with the CROS device (
p
= .001). CI recipients reported significant median improvement in the “general” domain of the APS-SSD after the take-home trial (Wilcoxon
Z
= 12.0,
p
< .05). FCPs reported a significant median reduction in concerns related to their partner's hearing when the CI recipient used the CROS device (Wilcoxon
Z
= 2.0,
p
< .05).

Conclusions:

This preliminary study demonstrates the benefit of CROS devices for unilateral CI recipients in noisy environments. Additionally, it highlights the positive impact of CROS devices on the QoL of both CI recipients and their FCPs. These findings emphasize the importance of considering CROS devices as a valuable solution for unilateral CI recipients to enhance their hearing experience, overall well-being, and that of their FCPs.
An experimental anomaly detection framework for a conveyor motor system using recurrent neural network and dendritic gated neural network
Authors: Kiangala Kahiomba Sonia , Wang Zenghui
Published: January 2025

Machine breakdowns are alarming threats to factories. They can substantially decrease productivity, cause financial losses, and create unsafe work environments for operators. Early detection of system anomalies is crucial to prevent and fix machine threats before they become fatalities. With the advent of digitalisation and smart manufacturing, various artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques contribute to implementing efficient anomaly detection systems with more accurate results. In this research, the design of an experimental anomaly detection platform (ADP) was suggested for a conveyor motor system. The ADP analyses time‐series conveyor motor parameters and accurately classifies whether they would cause a faulty system. The authors build a classification ML model using dendritic gated neural networks (DGNN) to achieve better accuracy. Dendritic Neural Networks are highly immune to forgetting, contributing to better performance than regular artificial neural networks (ANNs) using backpropagation. The ADP also includes a fault detection platform section for the conveyor motors' time‐series parameters with recurrent neural networks (RNN) ML regression models to predict motor sensor values. When training ML classification models, the predicted time‐series parameters can also serve data augmentation purposes. This regression section contributes to a more robust and double‐layered ADP, preventing threats from the time‐series inputs to the output classification level. The ADP solution suits small traditional factories with limited historical data records. The experimental results show the benefits of using our ADP built on the DGNN ML model over several classification models such as ANN, convolutional neural network (CNN), and support vector machine (SVM).
The influence of the restitution coefficient and multiple impacts on the force exerted by ISO tapping machines
Authors: Wittstock Volker , Bietz Heinrich , Schmelzer Martin
Published: January 2025

ISO tapping machines serve as absolute standards to describe the sensitivity of buildings and building elements in terms of impact noise. They consist of five hammers with a mass of 500 g each. The hammers strike the test object at a velocity corresponding to a free fall from a height of 4 cm with a time interval of 0.1 s between subsequent impacts. The force exerted by ISO tapping machines depends on the interaction between source and receiver. This interaction is governed by two independent phenomena: the mobility (mis)match and the restitution coefficient, i.e. the ratio of the hammer velocity after and before the impact. It is theoretically between 0 and 1 which introduces an uncertainty range of ±3 dB for the level of the interacting force. This contribution extends the existing equation for the blocked force of ISO tapping machines to cover multiple impacts since their occurrence is related to the force and the restitution coefficient. It is then shown experimentally that the restitution coefficient can cover the full theoretical range in practical situations. Fortunately, different types of tapping machines exhibit nearly the same restitution coefficient on the same receiver, and no systematic influence of the restitution coefficient on the hammer velocity before the impact or on the time intervals between impacts is observed. A first attempt to predict the restitution coefficient based on the mobility match between source and receiver did not give satisfactory results. A prediction of the restitution coefficient thus remains an open question.
Association of Specific Antiphospholipid Antibodies to Platelet Count and Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Griem Katharina , Falter Tanja , Hollerbach Anne , Jurk Kerstin , Aboulmaouahib Brahim , Weinmann-Menke Julia , Müller-Calleja Nadine , Lackner Karl J.
Published: January 2025

Background Thrombocytopenia is one of the most common manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). However, its causes are still poorly defined. We have shown recently that antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) directed against β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) of the IgG isotype induced platelet activation and aggregation while aPL directed against cardiolipin and anti-β2GPI IgM had no effect. Since platelet activation by anti-β2GPI might lead to platelet consumption and lower platelet count or overt thrombocytopenia, we analyzed the association of aPL with platelet count.

Material and Methods Data of consecutive patients with test orders for anticardiolipin IgG/IgM and anti-β2GPI IgG/IgM and full blood count in our laboratory from August 2015 to April 2019 were analyzed.

Results We identified 2,815 individual patients (mean age 45.7 years; 71.1% women) with complete data on aPL and platelet count, of which 445 individuals (mean age 41.0 years; 75.3% women) showed increased aPL titers. Patients with anti-β2GPI of the IgG isotype had significantly lower platelet count (220 ± 84 versus 264 ± 90 G/L, p < 0.0001) and higher frequency of thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100 G/L; 12.2% versus 2.4%, p < 0.005) than patients negative for all four aPL. These differences could not be explained by comorbidities or medications. Neither anticardiolipin IgG nor aPL of the IgM isotype was associated with lower platelet count or thrombocytopenia.

Conclusion The exclusive association of anti-β2GPI IgG aPL with low platelet count coincides with its unique ability to activate platelets and induce aggregation in vitro. This supports the hypothesis that anti-β2GPI IgG aPL may induce thrombocytopenia by chronic platelet consumption in vivo.
A Cross-sectional Study to Evaluate the Quality of Life among Children Diagnosed with Thalassemia Major in Gujarat
Authors: Joshi Dhara Bipin , Nayak Uma Siddharth
Published: January 2025

Background Thalassemia, a chronic condition that lacks an effective treatment, significantly impairs a child's quality of life (QoL), affecting academic performance and various dimensions such as physical, emotional, and social functioning. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the QoL of children with thalassemia major and to investigate the relationship with selected demographic variables of children. This study addresses the crucial need to assess the QoL among children living with thalassemia major. By evaluating QoL, health care professionals can tailor treatment approaches to improve the lives of children affected by thalassemia major.

Study Design and Methods This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the district division of the Indian Red Cross in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The consecutive sampling technique was used. The study included 117 children with β-thalassemia major. The QoL of children aged 8 to 18 years was evaluated in September 2021 using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Statistical analysis involved mean, standard deviation, and chi-square test.

Results The mean age of the participants was 14.9 ± 3.1 years. The majority of the included children (56%) received blood transfusions for 15 days. The mean total score of SF-36 was 68.62 ± 12.96. Out of the total number of children, 55 had a score of more than 70, 50 had a score between 50 and 70, and 12 had a poor QoL with a score less than 50. The chi-square analysis reveals a statistically significant association between gender perception and QoL (p = 0.033). Similarly, a notable association is noted between monthly family income and QoL (p = 0.037).

Conclusion This study revealed that the QoL in children diagnosed with thalassemia major is compromised. QoL assessment should be initiated for all children with thalassemia to identify and implement essential interventions that focus on the affected domains.
Contemporary Management of Malignant Bowel Obstruction
Authors: Onyiego Alexandra , Maykel Justin
Published: January 2025

Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) is a complex problem in patients with advanced malignancies, one that poses difficult decision-making involving a patient's clinical status, extent of disease, and overall goals of care. This article will present common clinical presentations of MBO, initial resuscitation efforts, and helpful diagnostic tools. It will also review the contemporary data on medical, endoscopic, and surgical interventions used for the management of MBO. Our goal is to delineate benefits, common pitfalls, and limiting factors for these interventions while taking into consideration quality of life, patient wishes, and palliative care to support decision-making for clinicians treating patients with MBO.
Theorizing Postdevelopment
Authors: Ziai Aram
Published: January 2025

The paper seeks to define and situate postdevelopment (PD) theory within the social sciences by discussing its relation to other theoretical approaches. It concludes that PD can be seen to a rather limited extent as a development theory, but rather as a sociology of knowledge of this discipline and a critique of its foundation. PD shares the critique of capitalism with Marxism but also has a more negative view of industrial modernity, its relation to nature, economic growth and productivity. For some, PD is characterized by a spirituality alien to western modernity, although this does not seem to be necessary to subscribe to the approach. Although PD’s critique is intimately related to ecofeminist thinking (and ecofeminist authors), many of its male protagonists seem unaware of this proximity. PD is clearly a postcolonial (or decolonial) critique of colonial and neocolonial relations of power which can be found also in knowledge production, in particular in the division between the ‘developed’ Self (Europe and European settler colonies and other societies emulating them) and the ‘backward’ Other. And PD, at the least sceptical PD, is based on a post-anarchist perspective of ontological equality, oriented towards self-determination in the pluriverse and rearguard theories.
Localized dissipative formations of weakly bound superconducting structures
Authors: Asadov A. K. , Mikheenko P. N.
Published: January 2025

The possibility of isolating “quanta” of dissipative formations in granulated superconducting films is used for experimental studies of the bonds between granules. Samples prepared with different sputtering parameters are classified according to the nature of manifestation of gap singularities in them, and according to the magnetic field dependence of the critical current. A comparison with theoretical models is carried out. It is shown that purely Josephson bonds are formed between the granules of the films prepared in such a way that a part of conduction electrons is localized in them and hence the mean critical density in these films is less than 2·102 A/cm2.
Effect of liquid–electron crystal phase transition on cyclotron resonance line position for electrons at helium surface
Authors: Monarkha Yu. P. , Shikin V. B.
Published: January 2025

The shift in the cyclotron resonance frequency of surface electrons in helium is studied theoretically by taking into consideration the anharmonicity of their interaction with a liquid substrate. It is shown that in the strong magnetic field limit, the shift δω for the crystalline state of electrons is twice that for the gaseous state. This accounts for the kink observed earlier in the dependence of the shift δω on the square E⊥2 of the confining field, and allows us to associate this mechanism with the liquid–electron crystal phase transition.
Observation of kinetic paramagnetic effect in bismuth in a transverse magnetic field
Authors: Zhilyaev I. N.
Published: January 2025

The passage of heat flux through a bismuth sample in a transverse magnetic field at helium temperatures gives rise to circulation currents the direction of whose magnetic field coincides with that of the applied field (paramagnetic sign). The effect is explained by the redistribution of the currents, associated with the phonon drag and existing in the sample, due to the application of a transverse field.
On the possibility of using EPR technique for dynamic orientation of nuclear spins of gaseous hydrogen atoms
Authors: Katunin A. Ya. , Vasil’ev S. A. , Lukashevich I. I. , Safonov A. I.
Published: January 2025

Atomic hydrogen gas of density nH = 1016 cm−3 is stabilized at T ∼ 0.5 K in a magnetic field B ∼ 5 T. A rapid spin exchange between the hyperfine sublevels of atomic systems, which prevents the polarization of nuclear spins during microwave pumping of allowed EPR transitions, is observed. The constants for the rate of this process are estimated at Gc0 > 10−14 cm3/s. A method is proposed for producing doubly polarized hydrogen gas by pumping of the “forbidden” EPR transition.
Instability of Y–Ba–Cu–O structure in the vicinity of the superconducting transition
Authors: Sukharevskii B. Ya. , Tsybul’skii E. O. , Pis’menova N. E. , Bykov A. M. , Boiko F. A. , Bochkovaya G. Yu. , Shatalova G. E.
Published: January 2025

Anomalies in the thermal expansion and specific heat of YBa2Cu3O6+δ in the temperature range preceding the superconducting transition are observed by x-ray crystallographic methods and low-temperature adiabatic calorimetry. The anomaly in thermal expansion is observed at temperatures which are 10−15 K above Tc, while the anomaly in specific heat takes place at Ti = 97 K in a sample with Tc = 92.2 K. A broadening of x-ray lines is discovered at temperatures below 200 K. This broadening is found to be larger in samples with a smaller value of oxygen index δ. These anomalies can be explained by proceeding from the assumption about the existence in HTS of superstoichiometric weakly bound oxygen and lattice instability due to its migration.
New data on the Fermi surface of gallium
Authors: Stepanenko A. M. , Fil’ V. D.
Published: January 2025

The dimensions of the principal sheets of gallium Fermi surface (FS) are determined more precisely by a method combining the sound transfer with the cyclotron orbit cutoff. It is shown that the extremal size of seventh and eighth electron bands exceeds the model values [W. A. Reed, Phys. Rev. 188, 1184 (1969)] by 10−15%, while the sixth hole band is found to be practically of the same size as that obtained theoretically. Data are presented in support of the existence of a closed surface in the ninth electron band.
Threshold pumping fields and parametric excitation of exchange spin waves in low-dimensional four-sublattice antiferromagnets
Authors: Krivoruchko V. N.
Published: January 2025

Characteristic features of parametric excitation of spin waves in a quasi-two-dimensional four-sublattice antiferromagnet with a noncollinear magnetic structure are considered. It is found that the instability of spin waves in the systems under consideration increases appreciably due to the appearance of additional resonances near the pumping frequency. Moreover, new high-intensity pumping channels emerge, which disappear if the system is a multi-sublattice collinear or two-sublattice noncollinear one.
The customized design and fabrication of microchannels via optically induced dielectrophoresis for particle manipulation
Authors: Wang Wenhao , Gao Zhizheng , Feng Xuehao , Teng Xiangyu , Qiao Zezheng , Ge Zhixing , Fan Qun , Yang Wenguang
Published: January 2025

The design and manufacturing of microchannels are crucial aspects of modern micro/nanomanufacturing processes, offering a versatile platform for manipulating and driving micro/nanoparticles or cells. In this study, we propose a method for manufacturing microchannels using optically induced dielectrophoresis technology to induce the polymerization of polyethylene glycol diacrylate solution. To overcome limitations related to the light intensity energy and the size of intact microchannels, we design and manufacture microstructures of various shapes with a height of 4 µm. Additionally, we simulate and analyze the movement of and forces acting on polystyrene (PS) microspheres at different spatial positions within the microchannels. Finally, we successfully demonstrate applications involving the transport of PS microspheres in custom-fabricated microchannels. This novel biocompatible microchannel manufacturing method is simple and non-biotoxic. It provides a new approach for simulating physiological environments in vitro and cultivating and manipulating cells.
Angle-resolved Raman scattering study of anisotropic two-dimensional tellurium nanoflakes
Authors: Duan Yuhao , Zhao Deming , Li Zhonglin , Yu Jing , Liang Yao , Wang Yingying
Published: January 2025

As an elemental crystal, anisotropic two-dimensional (2D) tellurium (Te) flakes have recently garnered significant attention due to their exceptional chemical stability, tunable bandgap, low thermal conductivity, and high carrier mobility. To further investigate the anisotropic properties of Te nanoflakes, a rapid and effective method of determining their crystal axes is essential. In this study, it is demonstrated that the intensity of the Raman-active mode in Te nanoflakes exhibits a laser-polarization-dependence, varying periodically with the polarization angle. The crystal axis in two-dimensional Te nanoflakes can be identified using angle-resolved polarized Raman spectroscopy. Specifically, the Raman intensity of the A1 mode is the highest when the incident light is polarized along the [12¯10] direction and the lowest when polarized along the [0001] direction. This identification of the crystal axis via Raman spectroscopy is further verified by transmission electron microscopy measurements. In addition, theoretical simulations reveal that anisotropic Raman scattering is closely associated with the interference effect in a multilayer stacking system, as well as anisotropic absorption and anisotropic electron–phonon coupling in Te nanoflakes. This discovery not only provides a rapid method for locating the crystal axes in Te nanoflakes but also offers new insights into the scattering phenomenon in anisotropic materials beyond Te nanoflakes.
Ultrafast manipulation of Néel-type merons using electric field pulses
Authors: Kang Jiyong , Yu Dongxing , Li Yaojin , Jia Chenglong
Published: January 2025

A nanoscale meron, as a type of topological magnetic soliton with half topological charge, can function as a quantum mechanical object whose core spin (polarity) represents the qubit states |0⟩ and |1⟩. Here, we demonstrate ultrafast steering of Néel-type merons through a simple sequence of picosecond electric field pulses via magnetoelectric interactions. All four distinct meron states exhibit well-defined switching behavior. Both volatile and nonvolatile control of the meron polarity are achieved using step and half-cycle pulses, respectively. Our approach offers an energy-efficient and localized method for controlling high density storage and fast logic computations based on nanoscale merons.
A partition function estimator
Authors: Chiang Ying-Chih , Otto Frank , Essex Jonathan W.
Published: January 2025

We propose an estimator that allows us to calculate the value of a simple system’s partition function using finite sampling. The core idea is to neglect the contribution from high energy microstates, which are difficult to be sampled properly, and then calculate a volume correction term to compensate for this. As a proof of concept, the estimator is applied to calculate the partition function for several model systems, ranging from a simple harmonic oscillator to a Lennard-Jones fluid with hundreds of particles. Our results agree well with the numerically exact solutions or reference data, demonstrating that efficiently estimating partition functions for the studied example cases is possible and computationally affordable.
Interplay among various cavity modes in a microwave plasma system with well-defined cavity geometry
Authors: Mallick C. , Bandyopadhyay M. , Kumar R.
Published: January 2025

In an experimental microwave ion source plasma system with a well-defined cavity geometry, multiple cavity resonant mode excitations have been observed. The interactions among these modes can influence microwave coupling to the plasma, enhance plasma uniformity, and affect plasma oscillations. The superposition of closely spaced cavity resonant modes leads to a temporal modulation of the plasma due to the beating effect between pairs of modes. As a result, a new range of plasma oscillations is recorded at the same modulation frequency. This modulation is confirmed by the experimentally measured frequency emission spectra and the accumulation of hot electrons within the plasma-filled cavity. The plasma's resonance with the modulated wave contributes to an increase in the hot electron population. Additionally, the phenomenon of parametric decay (PD) can help explain the rise in hot electron populations in over-dense plasma. The frequency emission spectra show evidence of ion acoustic waves, whose daughter electrostatic waves are resulting from the PD. These appear as two sideband frequency peaks around each excited cavity mode frequency, adhering to the frequency and k-vector selection rules. The observed daughter wave peaks are identified as ion acoustic waves. All experimental findings have been further supported by analytical calculations and microwave plasma simulations conducted using the Finite Element Method in COMSOL Multiphysics software. This paper highlights the temporal phase modulation and the PD phenomena induced by the excitation of different closely spaced cavity modes around the broadly launched microwave frequency of approximately 200 MHz at 2.45 GHz and their interactions.
Compositional disordering: Nanoscale engineering of advanced crystalline scintillation materials
Authors: Korzhik M. , Retivov V. , Dubov V. , Ivanov V. , Komendo I. , Lelekova D. , Karpyuk P. , Mechinsky V. , Postupaeva A. , Smyslova V. , Shlegel V. , Shpinkov I. , Vasil'ev A.
Published: January 2025

This article provides an overview of the latest results in the field of improving the properties of multiatomic inorganic oxide compounds for scintillators. A possibility to control the spatial distribution of nonequilibrium carriers in the ionization track by creating a compositional disorder in the crystalline matrix is in focus. Managing the disorder at the nanoscale level creates an opportunity for the efficient energy loss by carriers during thermalization, smaller spatial dispersion, and, consequently, more efficient binding into excitons and, further, an increase in the scintillation yield. The methods to produce multicationic crystalline scintillation materials have been discussed. The effectiveness of the approach is confirmed for both activated and self-activated scintillation materials.
The bcc coating of Lennard-Jones crystal nuclei vanishes with a change of local structure detection algorithm
Authors: Gispen Willem , Pérez de Alba Ortíz Alberto , Dijkstra Marjolein
Published: January 2025

Since the influential work of ten Wolde, Ruiz-Montero, and Frenkel [Phys. Rev. Lett. 75, 2714 (1995)], crystal nucleation from a Lennard-Jones fluid has been regarded as a paradigmatic example of metastable crystal ordering at the surface of a critical nucleus. We apply seven commonly used local structure detection algorithms to characterize crystal nuclei obtained from transition path sampling simulations. The polymorph composition of these nuclei varies significantly depending on the algorithm used. Our results indicate that one should be very careful when characterizing the local structure near solid–solid and solid–fluid interfaces. Particles near such interfaces exhibit a local structure distinct from that of bulk fluid or bulk crystal phases. We argue that incorporating outlier detection into the local structure detection method is beneficial, leading to greater confidence in the classification results. Interestingly, the bcc coating nearly disappears when adopting a machine learning method with outlier detection.
Thermo-hydraulic performance enhancement of a circular tube by a novel ellipsoidal dimple configuration
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Liu ChaoTing , Wang Ning , Tian Zhen , Wu Xiang , Zhang Kun , Song KeWei
Published: January 2025

The enhancement of thermo-hydraulic performance in the tube-side of heat exchangers is an effective method to maximize the utilization of energy. In the present study, a circular tube with a novel configuration layout of ellipsoidal dimples is proposed to promote the thermal efficiency inside the tube. A realizable k–ε model was adopted to numerically analyze the effect of dimple attack angle on the thermo-hydraulic characteristics. Findings show that the proposed dimpled tube with a novel layout of dimples significantly promotes the heat transfer and comprehensive performance. Six pairs of longitudinal vortices are generated in the tube by the dimples. The thermal performance of the proposed layout is increased by 33.73% compared with other dimple layouts. Nusselt number first increases and then decreases when the attack angle changes from 0° to 90°. There is an optimum attack angle of 45° that has the highest heat transfer and thermal performance. Compared with the smooth tube, Nusselt number is enhanced by 85.55% with an increase in friction factor by 71.1%. The performance evaluation criteria can be up to 1.61, that is, the comprehensive performance is enhanced by 61%. The results are beneficial to the design and optimization of heat transfer tubes.
Toward mitigating the impact of non-bulk defects on describing water structure in salt aqueous solutions: Characterizing solution density with a network-based structural indicator
Authors: Han Jiale , Gao Yitian , Feng Yixuan , Yu Zhiwu , Wu Jian , Fang Hongwei
Published: January 2025

Structural indicators, also known as structural descriptors, including order parameters, have been proposed to quantify the structural properties of water to account for its anomalous behaviors. However, these indicators, mainly designed for bulk water, are not naturally transferrable to the vicinity of ions due to disruptions in the immediate neighboring space and a resulting loss of feature completeness. To address these non-bulk defects, we introduced a structural indicator that draws on the concept of clique number from graph theory and the criterion in agglomerative clustering, denoted as the average cluster number. This structural indicator aims to discern intrinsic structural characteristics within the water molecules regardless of the ions occupying the neighboring space, without requiring additional corrections. From molecular dynamics simulation results for neat water and salt aqueous solutions utilizing the TIP4P/2005 water model and the Madrid-2019 force field, we characterized the variations in densities with temperature using this network-based indicator, thereby demonstrating its practical utility. The findings suggest that at lower temperatures, the addition of ions disrupts the intrinsic structure of water molecules, with this effect diminishing as the temperature rises. Cations with larger charge density tend to induce stronger disruptions. This study highlights the importance of mitigating the impact of non-bulk defects before applying the indicators to analyze water’s intrinsic structural properties in solutions. By doing so, the relationship between changes in water structure and solution behaviors can be more accurately assessed.
Fabrication technique for mixed hydrophobic–hydrophilic wettability micromodels: Experimental and numerical validation
Authors: AlOmier Abdullah , Fahs Marwan , Hoteit Hussein
Published: January 2025

Subsurface reservoirs often display heterogeneous hydrophobic–hydrophilic wettability, known as mixed wettability, which significantly impacts the behavior of multiphase fluid flow and their entrapments. Microfluidic systems have emerged as a crucial tool for studying the impact of wettability on fluid flow at the pore scale. However, creating microfluidic devices with controlled spatial distribution of mixed wettability has been a challenge. This study investigates a novel technique for fabricating micromodels with controlled mixed wettability, using photolithography and molecular vapor deposition of perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane. The primary objective is to validate this technique through two-phase flow experiments and numerical simulations. Six different configurations of mixed wettability micromodels, including single channels with horizontal and vertical mixed wettability, Y-shaped channels with two and multiple mixed-wet branches, and mixed-wet pore-doublet models, were designed and fabricated to mimic the complex wettability variations found in natural porous media. Experimental observations, captured with a high-resolution microscope and high-speed camera, provided dynamic insights into the influence of mixed wettability on two-phase fluid flow. Pore-scale simulations, conducted using the phase-field approach in COMSOL Multiphysics®, were performed to replicate and validate the experimental findings. Simulations showed excellent agreement with the experimental results, affirming the effectiveness of the proposed fabrication technique, the robustness of the experimental setup, and the reliability of the numerical model.
Efficient confinement and acceleration of relativistic electron bunch in interaction with higher modes of Hermite–Gaussian laser beam
Authors: Akou Hossein
Published: January 2025

In this paper, the generation of high efficiency electron bunch in vacuum by utilizing Hermite–Gaussian laser beam in the HG1,1 mode and a superposition of HG1,0 and HG0,1 modes are studied. The mechanism of electron-wave energy exchange is explained in detail, and it is obtained that the interaction takes place in three fundamental steps. It is demonstrated that the particle jumping to enter the wave acceleration channel by means of the intense laser ponderomotive force and the synchronization of the electron velocity with the wave phase velocity to transfer energy to the particle are two principal steps. Then, the dynamics of an electron bunch and its confinement mechanism is investigated. It is found that the transverse ponderomotive force (Fpr) of the laser beam with the HG1,0+HG0,1 mode, by creating a potential well, confines the electrons in the radial direction and, therefore, produces a higher quality electron beam. In our simulation, the length and radius of output electron bunch are about 20λ and 450λ, respectively, its mean energy is 266 MeV, and the maximum kinetic energy of electrons reaches 700 MeV.
Novel high-TC piezo-/ferroelectric ceramics based on a medium-entropy morphotropic phase boundary design strategy
Authors: Shao Zhenjun , Liu Zenghui , Cao Yunjian , Li Hao , Xu Jun , Zhu Jingchao , Wang Liang , Niu Gang , Ren Wei , Ye Zuo-Guang
Published: January 2025

The medium- or high-entropy strategy has emerged as a new paradigm for designing high-performance piezoelectric ceramics. However, the effectiveness of this approach remains unclear to the development of high Curie temperature (TC) piezo-/ferroelectric materials with outstanding performance. To develop high-performance piezo-/ferroelectric materials suitable for high-temperature environments, in this work, we design a novel ceramic system based on a medium-entropy morphotropic phase boundary (ME-MPB) strategy. Piezo-/ferroelectric ceramics of the formula, Pb(Yb1/2Nb1/2)O3–Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3–PbTiO3, meeting the medium entropy criteria, were successfully synthesized using the conventional solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure, microstructure, dielectric, piezoelectric, and ferroelectric properties of the ceramics of the ME-MPB compositions were systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed that these ceramics possess a pure perovskite phase and dense microstructure. Notably, the prepared ceramics exhibited exceptional piezoelectric performance, with a high d33 up to 603 pC/N, a large strain of 0.20%, a high remanent polarization of 44.0 μC/cm2, and a high Curie temperature of 362 °C. This study demonstrates an effective design approach based on the ME-MPB strategy and points out a new pathway for developing high-performance materials for high-temperature applications as sensors, thereby expanding the research perspective on the design of medium-entropy piezo-/ferroelectric ceramics.
Rayleigh–Taylor instability subjected to dual-frequency normal vibration
Authors: Zhu Senlin , Tao Jianjun , Zeng Renhao
Published: January 2025

In this paper, the Rayleigh–Taylor instability (RTI) subjected to a dual-frequency vibration in the normal direction of the viscous interface is studied theoretically. In comparison to the case with single frequency vibration, an enhanced suppression effect on RTI is achieved due to the coupling effect between the low-frequency vibrations. When the vibration frequencies are high, however, the vibration amplitude required to stabilize the interface or the neutral vibration amplitude becomes nearly independent of the phase lag between the vibrations, and the enhanced suppression effect diminishes. This phenomenon is explained by an asymptotic analytical solution of the neutral vibration amplitude at high-frequency limit, where the influences of viscosity and vibration phase lag can be ignored, and the suppression effect of the dual-frequency vibrations is equivalent to that of a single frequency vibration with an effective frequency. In addition, the enhanced suppression effect on RTI is weakened at high Ohnesorge numbers but is maximized at a low but finite Ohnesorge number with a specific mixing angle, indicating that the viscous force, the surface tension, and the frequency coupling are necessary for an optimal suppression of RTI with multi-frequency vibrations.
The mechanism behind jet entrainment into the upstream boundary layer for multi-regime mixing of a jet in hypersonic crossflow
Authors: Rowton Harry C. , Medwell Paul R. , Chin Rey
Published: January 2025

Existing methods for improving the mixing of jets in supersonic and hypersonic crossflows focus on the addition of obstructions such as cavities, steps, and wedges, which serve to create re-circulation zones and increase the residence time of the fuel–air mixing. Recent literature has shown that, under certain conditions, the jet stream can pass into the boundary layer upstream of the jet, where low-velocity high-residence time mixing can occur. To develop a fundamental understanding of the entrainment mechanism of the jet fluid to the forward boundary layer (J-FBL), an implicit large eddy simulation is employed for a Mach 5 hypersonic crossflow and a momentum flux ratio of 5.18 between the jet and crossflow. It is observed that the jet fluid entrainment occurs through a thin channel stemming from the barrel shock, close to the bow shock and near-wall shear layer. By measuring the flow through this channel, it is shown that the J-FBL entrainment flux varies over time. It is observed that the entrainment channel from the jet to the boundary layer varies in size, shape, and direction with the deformation of the barrel shock by the formation and shedding of the barrel shock shear layer (BSL) vortices. From this, it is determined that the driving mechanism for the J-FBL entrainment is the size and shape of the barrel shock. It is concluded that any flow control schemes that alter the shape of the barrel shock may be employed for utilizing the J-FBL entrainment phenomena and thus near-wall mixing.
Comparative study on numerical simulation methods for surge dynamic process of a high-speed compressor
Authors: Lu Yuqi , Wang Zhiqiang , Ji Jiajia
Published: January 2025

In this paper, an unsteady Reynolds-averaged N–S equations (URANS) method is developed to calculate the surge dynamic process of compressor. Using this method, the surge dynamic process of a four-stage high-speed axial compressor at 70% design speed under different B parameters is numerically simulated. The simulation results show that the classical surge is induced when the B parameter is 0.35 and 0.4, and the deep surge is induced when the B parameter is 1.0 and 1.44. The surge frequency decreases with the increase in the B parameter, and the surge frequency obtained when the B parameter is 1.44 is very close to the experimental results. The body-force model (BFM) is another numerical simulation method with low computational cost and can capture the details of the flow field to a certain extent. For the same high-speed four-stage compressor, under the condition that the surge frequency is almost the same as that in the experiment, the calculation results of the surge dynamic process by the URANS method and the previously developed BFM are compared. The results show that the prediction of the dynamic pressure of the wall by the two methods is in good agreement with the experimental data, and the two methods have also achieved similar results in the prediction of the blade force. The meaningful comparison results show that the URANS method can be used as a supplement to the experiment in many aspects and provide more abundant calibration data for the further development of BFM.
A multi-field coupled fractal model for shale gas extraction considering water reflux and microstructure evolution
Authors: Wang Qiuyu , Liu Guannan , Cheng Gaojie , Ji Ming , Fan Shudi
Published: January 2025

This study aims to optimize gas production in shale reservoirs by investigating the impact of hydraulic fracturing and two-phase gas-water flow within fracture-induced zones. A multi-domain, multi-phase fractal model was developed, incorporating fractal dimensions to represent the microstructure of shale reservoirs, which consist primarily of kerogen, inorganic matrix, and fractures. Key parameters, including fracture-induced zone width, maximum water relative permeability, and hydraulic fracture aperture, were analyzed for their effects on gas output and microstructure evolution. Results indicate that moderate hydraulic fracturing improves gas production, while excessive water reflux outside the optimal range diminishes output. Additionally, increased water relative permeability and hydraulic fracture aperture promote fracture and pore development, while lowering the entry pressure of the non-wetting phase facilitates matrix pore growth.