bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local conservation action requires ethical investments in global digital equity
Authors: Tabor Karyn M , Stavros Natasha , Holland Margaret B
Published: December 2024

Satellite remote sensing is vital for monitoring anthropogenic changes and for alerting us to escalating environmental threats. With recent technological advances, a variety of satellite-based monitoring systems are available to aid conservation practitioners. Yet, documented knowledge of who uses near-real-time satellite-based monitoring and how these technologies are applied to inform conservation decisions is sparse. Through an online survey and semi-structured interviews, we explored how developers and users leverage conservation early-warning and alert systems (CEASs) for enhanced conservation decisions. Some 167 developers and users of near-real-time fire and forest monitoring systems from 40 countries participated in this study. Globally, respondents used 66 unique CEASs. The most common applications were for education and awareness, fire/disaster management and law enforcement. Respondents primarily used CEASs to enforce land-use policies and deter illegal activities, and they perceived these tools as underutilized for incentivizing policy compliance or conservation. Respondents experienced inequities regarding system access, exposure and ability to act upon alert information. More investments in capacity-building, resources and action plans are needed to better link information to action. Implementing recommendations from this research can help us to increase the accessibility and inclusivity of CEAS applications to unlock their powerful capabilities for achieving conservation goals.
Right ventricular outflow tract stenting in children with tetralogy of Fallot beyond one year of age: indications and immediate outcomes
Authors: Abqari Shaad , Kidwai Mohammad Moaaz , Kamran Mirza Mohammad , Haseen Mohammad Azam , Rabbani Shamayal
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Right ventricular outflow tract stenting has emerged as a key palliative intervention for infants with tetralogy of Fallot who are not suitable candidates for complete repair. Although the Blalock-Taussig shunt remains the standard palliative approach for tetralogy of Fallot patients over one year of age, the potential of right ventricular outflow tract stenting in this older age group has not been widely explored. In this study, we present our experience with right ventricular outflow tract stenting in children beyond one year of age.

Methods and Results:

In this study, a total of 52 patients of tetralogy of Fallot who underwent palliative stenting of the right ventricular outflow tract from 2018 to 2022 were enrolled. Out of the 52 patients, 38 children were more than 1 year of age with a mean age of 4.82 ± 3.5 (1.5–13 years) and mean weight of 13.10 ± 7.0 (5.6–34) kgs. Most common indication was presence of unfavourable anatomy in 27 (71%) followed by presence of refractory spells in 14 (36.8%) patients. Stent embolisation was seen in one patient, while two patients developed features of pulmonary oedema and needed prolonged ventilatory support. There was no mortality seen in this study group.

Conclusion:

Our study has shown that right ventricular outflow tract stenting in children even beyond one year of age is technically feasible, with good immediate outcomes, especially in those who present with any complication, thus reducing the perioperative morbidity and mortality.
Advances in suicide prevention: critical overview of the gaps in suicide risk assessments, multimodal strategies, medicolegal risks, and the emerging evidence
Authors: Gupta Mayank , Khurana Priyal , Gupta Nihit
Published: December 2024

The CDC reports that the United States has the highest suicide rates in over 80 years. Numerous public policies aimed at reducing the rising suicide rates, such as Aetna’s partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the zero-suicide initiative, continue to challenge these attempts. It, therefore, remains imperative to explore the shortcomings of these efforts that hamper their efficiency in reducing suicide rates. Advancements in research over time have sparked scientific skepticism, encouraging re-evaluation of established concepts. The current paper tests prevalent assumptions and arguments to uncover a scientifically informed approach to addressing rising suicide rates in clinical settings.
Ready, steady, switch! Limited evidence for the role of executive functions in bilingual language control in children
Authors: García González Elisabet , Jylkkä Jussi , Lehtonen Minna
Published: December 2024

We investigated the extent to which executive functions (EFs) are recruited in language switching in children in a cued picture-naming (CN) task. We expected to find associations between CN and EF tasks measuring inhibitory control and shifting. Another goal was to compare parent-reported children’s everyday language control ability at home with their switching ability in the CN task and EF performance. The participants were mostly 5–7-year-old Norwegian–Spanish and Finnish–Swedish-speaking children (N = 45). The analysis was preregistered. Unexpectedly, the primary accuracy analysis showed positive associations between CN switching costs and EF performance in only one of the EF tests, flanker, and CN mixing costs were predicted only by the color-shape switch costs. Children’s everyday language control ability did not show consistent significant associations with lab measures. Our study provides weak evidence for the view that EFs are engaged in language control when children have some years of bilingual experience.
Acceptability patterns of hypothetic taxes on different types of foods in France
Authors: Manneville Florian , Sarda Barthélemy , Kesse-Guyot Emmanuelle , Péneau Sandrine , Srour Bernard , Baudry Julia , Allès Benjamin , Le Bodo Yann , Hercberg Serge , Touvier Mathilde , Julia Chantal
Published: December 2024

Objective:

To identify patterns of food taxes acceptability among French adults and to investigate population characteristics associated with them.

Design:

Cross-sectional data from the NutriNet-Santé e-cohort. Participants completed an ad hoc web-based questionnaire to test patterns of hypothetical food taxes acceptability (i.e. overall perception combined with reasons for supporting or not) on eight food types: fatty foods, salty foods, sugary foods, fatty and salty foods, fatty and sugary products, meat products, foods/beverages with unfavourable front-of-pack nutrition label and ‘ultra-processed foods’. Sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics and dietary intakes (24-h records) were self-reported. Latent class analysis was used to identify patterns of food taxes acceptability.

Setting:

NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort study.

Participants:

Adults (n 27 900) engaged in the French NutriNet-Santé e-cohort.

Results:

The percentage of participants in favour of taxes ranged from 11·5 % for fatty products to 78·0 % for ultra-processed foods. Identified patterns were (1) ‘Support all food taxes’ (16·9 %), (2) ‘Support all but meat and fatty products taxes’ (28·9 %), (3) ‘Against all but UPF, Nutri-Score and salty products taxes’ (26·5 %), (4) ‘Against all food taxes’ (8·6 %) and (5) ‘No opinion’ (19·1 %). Pattern 4 had higher proportions of participants with low socio-economic status, BMI above 30 kg/m2 and who had consumption of foods targeted by the tax above the median.

Conclusions:

Results provide strategic information for policymakers responsible for designing food taxes and may help identify determinants of support for or opposition to food taxes in relation to individual or social characteristics or products taxed.
Statistical Distribution of Urban Area Reveals a Converging Trend of Global Urban Land Expansion
Authors: Hu Shengjie , Yang Zhenlei , Galindo Torres Sergio Andres , Wang Zipeng , Han Haoying , Wada Yoshihide , Wanger Thomas Cherico , Li Ling
Published: December 2024

Urban land expansion is a major driver of many environmental and societal changes that challenge human well‐being and sustainable development, but its evolutionary process and dynamics are neither clear nor well‐integrated into urban science quantitatively. We analyzed the global urban extent data based on nighttime lights to examine the statistical distribution of urban land area at the global scale, and in 13 regions and countries over 29 years. The results reveal a converging temporal trend in urban land expansion from subnational to global scales, characterized by a coherent shift of urban area distribution from an initial power law toward an exponential distribution. This trend is well captured by a unified mathematical model based on the shifted power law distribution function and is reflected in the gradual predominance of medium‐size cities over small‐size cities in the configuration of urban systems across the world. The shift of urban area distributions bears the consequence of reduced urban system stability and resilience, and can be linked to increasing exposure of urban populations to extreme heat events and air pollution. These changes are likely to be driven by the increasing influence of external economies of scale associated with globalization. The findings challenge the status quo of land urbanization practices and emphasize the importance of medium‐size cities in urban planning.
Simulations of Optical Emissions in Io's Plasma Torus
Authors: Nerney Edward G. , Bagenal Fran , Schmidt Carl
Published: December 2024

The Io plasma torus in Jupiter's magnetosphere, dominated by sulfur and oxygen ions from Io's volcanism, exhibits complex radial and azimuthal structures and significant temporal variability. This study analyzes ground‐based optical emission data from the Dual Imaging Spectrograph on the 3.5 m telescope at Apache Point Observatory (APO). We deduce variability and determine steady‐state radial conditions by combining 30 nights of observations from 2013 to 2018 and co‐adding dawn and dusk profiles. The results of a “Cubic‐cm” spectral emission model are compared with forward modeling techniques to account for projection effects and line‐of‐sight (LOS) integration. This study provides the first detailed characterization of local conditions within the ribbon, gap region, and cold torus from remote sensing of the major Io plasma torus species (, , and ). We find that electron and ion densities in the cold torus are significantly lower than previous Voyager 1 PLS measurements, consistent with later studies. Electron temperatures in the cold torus align with Voyager PLS data, while those in the warm torus are lower than expected from Cassini UVIS and more consistent with contemporaneous Hisaki observations. Key findings include a shift of the cold torus toward Jupiter and a larger gap region, with ribbon locations remaining stable. The electron density profiles show a shallower decline with radial distance in the warm torus than previously reported, highlighting the variability within the Io plasma torus and the challenges of non‐uniqueness in fitting plasma parameters determined via remote sensing.
A Probabilistic Process‐Based Model of Bank Erosion and Its Application in the Middle Yangtze River
Authors: Zhu Heng , Xia Junqiang , Deng Shanshan , Zhou Yueyao
Published: December 2024

Bank erosion in a natural alluvial river is influenced not only by near‐bank hydraulic conditions but also predominantly by bank soil properties. These factors exhibit considerable uncertainties, which are seldom considered in previous bank erosion models. Therefore, this study proposes a probabilistic process‐based model of bank erosion by embedding the probability distributions of different bank soil parameters. The model was applied to simulate the bank erosion process in the Middle Yangtze River (MYR), and it was validated against field measurements. Results show that: (a) bank soil parameters including critical shear stress, friction angle and cohesion, followed the Log‐Normal or Gamma distribution, with large variation coefficients of 0.44, 0.59, and 0.50; (b) the expected values of the calculated bank erosion widths agreed closely with measurements (with a relative error of 5%), and the high probability of mass failure occurred within a seasonal timescale (during September–November 2019), despite the high uncertainties in soil properties; and (c) the incorporation of water content variation into the stochastic model further increased the uncertainty of the results by several‐fold, indicating that considering more influencing factors in the model may reduce prediction accuracy. Besides, from a large‐scale perspective, the high diversity of river morphology (channel width) is also closely related to these uncertainties.
Using Ground‐Penetrating Radar to Infer Ice Wedge Characteristics Proximal to Water Tracks
Authors: Harris Rachel H. , Evans Sarah G. , Marshall Scott T. , Godsey Sarah E. , Parsekian Andrew D.
Published: December 2024

Massive ground ice in Arctic regions underlain using continuous permafrost influences hydrologic processes, leading to ground subsidence and the release of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. The relation of massive ground ice such as ice wedges to water tracks and seasonally saturated hydrologic pathways remains uncertain. Here, we examine the location of ice wedges along a water track on the North Slope of Alaska using Ground‐Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys, in situ measurements, soil cores, and forward modeling. Of nine unique GPR surveys collected in the summers of 2022 and 2023, seven exhibit distinctive “X”‐shaped reflections above columnar reflectors that are spatially correlated with water track margins. Forward modeling of plausible geometries suggests that ice wedges produce reflection patterns most similar to the reflections observed in our GPR profiles. Additionally, a large magnitude (∼71 mm) rain event on 8 July 2023 led to a ground collapse that exposed four ice wedges on the margin of the studied water track, ∼100 m downstream of our GPR surveys. Together, this suggests that GPR is a viable method for identifying the location of ice wedges as air temperatures in the Arctic continue to increase, we expect that ice wedges may thaw, destabilizing water tracks and causing ground collapse and expansion of thermo‐erosional gullies. This ground collapse will increase greenhouse gas emissions and threaten the Arctic infrastructure. Future geophysical analysis of upland Arctic hillslopes should include additional water tracks to better characterize potential heterogeneity in permafrost vulnerability across the warming Arctic.
Deciphering the molecular basis of lipoprotein recognition and transport by LolCDE
Authors: Qiao Wen , Shen Chongrong , Chen Yujiao , Chang Shenghai , Wang Xin , Yang Lili , Pang Jie , Luo Qinghua , Zhang Zhibo , Xiang Yingxin , Zhao Chao , Lu Guangwen , Ding Bi-Sen , Ying Binwu , Tang Xiaodi , Dong Haohao
Published: December 2024

Outer membrane (OM) lipoproteins serve vital roles in Gram-negative bacteria, contributing to their pathogenicity and drug resistance. For these lipoproteins to function, they must be transported from the inner membrane (IM), where they are assembled, to the OM by the ABC transporter LolCDE. We have previously captured structural snapshots of LolCDE in multiple states, revealing its dynamic conformational changes. However, the exact mechanism by which LolCDE recognizes and transfers lipoprotein between domains remains unclear. Here, we characterized the E. coli LolCDE complex bound with endogenous lipoprotein or ATP to explore the molecular features governing its substrate binding and transport functions. We found that the N-terminal unstructured linker of lipoprotein is critical for efficient binding by LolCDE; it must be sufficiently long to keep the lipoprotein’s main body outside the complex while allowing the triacyl chains to bind within the central cavity. Mutagenic assays identified key residues that mediate allosteric communication between the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains and in the periplasmic domain to form a lipoprotein transport pathway at the LolC–LolE interface. This study provides insights into the OM lipoprotein relocation process mediated by LolCDE, with significant implications for antimicrobial drug development.
Fluorescent microsphere-based strip for sensitive and quantitative detection of etomidate and metomidate
Authors: Liu Qingqing , Xu Xinxin , Liu Liqiang , Qu Aihua , Xu Chuanlai , Kuang Hua
Published: December 2024

Monoclonal antibodies against ET and MT were developed and a rapid and accurate lateral flow immunoassay for wastewater, blood, and urine was established.
Application trends of hydrogen-generating nanomaterials for the treatment of ROS-related diseases
Authors: Li Xiaobing , Wang Xuezhu , Chen Guifang , Tian Bo
Published: December 2024

Excessive ROS in organism is associated with various diseases, while H2 can remove ROS due to antioxidant properties. The combination of nanomaterials and H2 can achieve targeted delivery to improve the therapeutic effect.
Magnetic phase transition and magnetocaloric effect in hexagonal MnCoGe alloys mediated by axial strain: a Monte Carlo study
Authors: Zhang Chenyu , Zhang Zhengming , Wang Dunhui , Hu Yong
Published: December 2024

We report numerical studies of the magnetic phase transition and magnetocaloric effect in hexagonal MnCoGe alloys, controlled by axial strain applied along the c-axis direction around room temperature.
Revisiting the electron transfer pathways between amicyanin and cytochrome c from a theoretical perspective
Authors: Bhat Manasa , Sankar Archan Ravi , Ghosh Kaustab , Gnanasekaran Ramachandran
Published: December 2024

Charge transfer between the ions through the residues facilitates the redox reactions.
Kinetics, quantum yield and mechanism of the decatungstate-catalyzed photooxidation of C–H hydrogen donors: role of the persistent radical effect
Authors: Didarataee Saba , Ong Julia , Suprun Anastasiia , Joshi Neeraj , Scaiano Juan C.
Published: December 2024

We report absolute rate constants for the reaction of triplet decatungstate (3DT*) with hydroperoxides using laser techniques and taking advantage of its recently discovered NIR phosphorescence.
A mechanistic model for determining factors that influence inorganic nitrogen fate in corn cultivation
Authors: Dunn Patrick J. , Gilbertson Leanne M.
Published: December 2024

A model of nitrogen biogeochemical cycling in agriculture soil at the field scale for assessing how crop management practices affect nitrogen fertilizer fate and transport.
Integrating oxophilic and protophilic properties in a multivalent Co9S8@CoMoPx electrode to boost alkaline hydrogen evolution
Authors: Chen Xijie , Zhang Fengming , Wang Xiao , Liu Fangming , Li Jinhan , Yu Meng , Cheng Fangyi
Published: December 2024

This work reports the development of a Co9S8@CoMoPx electrode with coexistence of multiple metal valence states, which endows the electrocatalyst with satisfactory HER performance.
Enhanced anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of nanoparticles loaded with a combination of Aloe vera–Moringa oleifera extracts
Authors: Carballo-López Gabriela I. , Ojeda-González Jhordan , Martínez-García Kevin D. , Cervantes-Luevano Karla E. , Moreno-Ulloa Aldo , Castro-Ceseña Ana B.
Published: December 2024

Synergistic effect of combined Aloe vera and Moringa oleifera extracts enhanced cytocompatibility in hepatic stellate cells and modulated profibrotic genes.
Synthesis of chiral mesoporous silica nanoparticles for the adsorptive removal of the chiral insecticide sulfoxaflor from water
Authors: Alharthi Sarah , Ali Ashraf , Santali Eman Y.
Published: December 2024

Chiral adsorbent was prepared by functionalization of mesoporous silica nanoparticles cellulose-based chirla selector for the removal of chiral insecticide sulfoxaflor.
Efficient counter electrode for quantum dot sensitized solar cells using p-type PbS@reduced graphene oxide composite
Authors: Dang Huu Phuc , Tung Ha Thanh , Hanh Nguyen Thi My , Duyen Nguyen Thuy Kieu , Thuy Vo Thi Ngoc , Anh Nguyen Thi Hong , Hieu Le Van
Published: December 2024

This study developed a novel PbS–rGO composite counter electrode to enhance the performance of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs).
Ultrafast chirality-dependent dynamics from helicity-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Xiu , Zhang Lu , Zhu Junzhi , Qin Tingxiao , Huang Haiyun , Xiang Baixu , Liu Haiyun , Xiong Qihua
Published: December 2024

Helicity-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy enables the mechanistic understanding of the ultrafast dynamics of chirality and chiroptics in micro- and nano-chiral materials.
Design strategies and performance enhancements of PVDF-based flexible electrolytes for high-performance all-solid-state lithium metal batteries
Authors: Liu Zhongxiu , Islam Md Shariful , Fang Yuhui , Zhu Meifang , Cao Changyong (Chase) , Xu Guiyin
Published: December 2024

Lithium metal is considered one of the most promising anode materials for lithium batteries due to its high theoretical specific capacity (3860 mA h g−1) and low redox potential (−3.04 V).
Tunable base-controlled chemoselective synthesis of trifluoromethyl-containing N-substituted benzimidazole-2-thiones and monofluorinated 4H-benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazine
Authors: Deng Yupian , Qian Yuhao , Huang Jiaqi , Sun Zhudi , Zhuge Ronghua , Huang Qingchun , Cao Song
Published: December 2024

A base-controlled synthesis of N-β-CF3-substituted 2H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-thiones and 2-fluoro-4H-benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazines via hydroamination or defluorinative cyclizations of α-CF3-styrenes with 2-mercaptobenzimidazole was developed.
Boosting the electrocatalytic activity of LaCoO3 core–shell hollow spheres for oxygen evolution reaction through modulating inner oxygen vacancies
Authors: Li Long , Guo Jinbo , Shen Jiang , Hu Qiang
Published: December 2024

The contribution of oxygen vacancies for improving the OER activity of LaCoO3.
Understanding and quantifying the impact of solute–solvent van der Waals interactions on the selectivity of asymmetric catalytic transformations
Authors: Kayal Riya , Baldinelli Lorenzo , Harden Ingolf , Neese Frank , Bistoni Giovanni
Published: December 2024

Advanced computational tools are used to investigate the nature and strength of van der Waals interactions between solute and solvent molecules at the transition state level, highlighting their role in selectivity.
Ligand protonation leads to highly fluorescent boronium cations
Authors: Watson Alexander E. R. , Boyle Paul D. , Ragogna Paul J. , Gilroy Joe B.
Published: December 2024

Protonation of non-emissive boron complexes of acyl pyridylhydrazone ligands afforded highly emissive boronium cations. Geometric planarization and the prevention of quenching by photoinduced electron transfer were key to the observed properties.
Implementing magnetic properties on demand with a dynamic lanthanoid–organic framework
Authors: Gómez-Muñoz Iván , Hu Ziqi , Vitórica-Yrezábal Iñigo J. , Coronado Eugenio , Mínguez Espallargas Guillermo
Published: December 2024

A flexible lanthanoid–organic framework (LOF) with both breathing and gate-opening phenomena excels as a single-ion magnet and demonstrates impressive qubit-properties.
Rapid adsorptive removal of Pb2+ ions from aqueous systems using a magnetic graphene oxide calcium alginate composite: optimisation, isotherms, and kinetics
Authors: Malitha Sadit Bihongo , Mahmudunnabi Dewan Md. , Mazumder Shreyoshi , Hossain Khandker Saadat , Nurnabi Mohammad , Alam Md. Zahangir
Published: December 2024

Synthesis and application of a magnetic graphene oxide calcium alginate composite (MGO@CA) for rapid removal of lead (Pb2+) ions from aqueous systems.
Vortex chain in helium in a rotating slit
Authors: Tkachenko V. K.
Published: December 2024

The critical angular velocity of a slit, above which the vortex chain in the slit is stable, is found.
Investigation of the decay of the “frozen” nonequilibrium state of indium films with high hydrogen concentration
Authors: Belevtsev B. I. , Komnik Yu. F. , Yatsuk L. A.
Published: December 2024

An electron-diffraction study of indium films, obtained by deposition in a hydrogen atmosphere (with pressures of PH2=1.4×10−5−1×10−4 torr) on a substrate cooled with liquid helium to a temperature of ∼3.5 or ∼4.5 K, was performed. The measurements of the interplanar distances enabled the hydrogen concentration in the crystals to be determined. It was found that dissolved hydrogen decreases the tetragonal distortion of the indium lattice up to the point at which it becomes completely cubic. Attention is given mainly to the study of the decay of the nonequilibrium phase In (H) with high hydrogen concentration, stabilized by means of an external layer of solid hydrogen. It was found that the starting state of the In (H) phase is labile, and the initial stage of the decay of this state has a spinodal character. The internal stresses in the films, arising as a result of the spinodal decay, are analyzed. Both homogeneous compression of the entire film and the appearance of nonuniform microstresses, which are balanced within separate crystallites, were observed. The data obtained indicate the high mobility of hydrogen in indium films at low temperatures < 5 K).
Theory of the interaction of dislocations with ortho impurities in solid hydrogen
Authors: Kal’noi S. E. , Strzhemechnyi M. A.
Published: December 2024

We carry out a microscopic calculation of the energy of the rotational states of ortho hydrogen molecules in the strain field of a para hydrogen matrix. For the case of a screw dislocation, an estimate is given for the corresponding interaction constant (Fin = 2.63 K).
Electronic structure of molybdenum: theory and experiment (review)
Authors: Kaganov M. I. , Kugel’ K. I. , Lisovskaya T. Yu.
Published: December 2024

We review the calculated and experimental data on the Fermi surface, the band structure, and the density of states in molybdenum. We discuss the limits of applicability and accuracy of the various methods for studying electronic structure.
Point-contact spectroscopy of the interaction of electrons with magnetic impurities in metals
Authors: Omel’yanchuk A. N. , Tuluzov I. G.
Published: December 2024

The stationary and nonstationary current-voltage characteristics of point-contacts made of magnetic alloys are determined by the method of quasiclassical Green’s function, integrated with respect to the energy variable. The cases of alloys with disordered (Kondo effect in a spatially nonuniform situation) and ordered magnetic impurities (point-contact spectroscopy of the ferromagnetic phase of spin glasses) are studied. In the case of disordered impurities, in the absence of an external magnetic field the second derivative of the stationary IVC has the form of a “negative zero-bias anomaly”—a minimum at eV∼ T. In the presence of an external magnetic field Q, aside from the Kondo minimum, there also appears on the second derivative of the IVC a maximum at eV∼ Q, formed by the inelastic scattering of electrons. In the case of ordered magnetic impurities the second derivative of the IVC has the form of a “positive zero-bias anomaly”—a maximum at eV∼ Qex, which is associated with the inelastic scattering of electrons by impurities located in the internal magnetic field Qex. It is shown that in the nonstationary case an external alternating signal with a frequency of the order of the energy at which the stationary IVC is nonlinear can be detected. The inductive component of the nonstationary current in the case of spin glasses has a nontrivial dependence on the constant bias, due to the renormalization of the electron mass as a result of the interaction of electrons with the magnetic impurities.
Anomalous multiphonon scattering of intermediate radius excitons
Authors: Ratner A. M.
Published: December 2024

In contrast to previous works which studied the effects of single-phonon scattering, we have studied multiphonon scattering of broadband excitons, related to the transformation of them into local excitations. The integrated cross section for such scattering as a function of exciton energy reproduces the absorption band of the local center and becomes anomalously strong in the central region of the band where a peak appears in the exciton dispersion curve.
Influence of hydrogen impurities on the electrical and superconducting properties of disordered lead films
Authors: Belevtsev B. I. , Odnokozov V. I.
Published: December 2024

The electrical and superconducting properties of lead films (thickness 70−350 Å) deposited onto liquid-helium-cooled substrate in a hydrogen atmosphere (at pressures pH2 = 10−6−10−4 torr) have been studied. We have found that as the hydrogen content increases, disordering of the lattice of the films ensues and is accompanied by an increase in the residual resistivity (until signs of weak localization of electrons appear) and a lowering of the superconducting transition temperature Tc. The decrease in Tc under the influence of the disordering is described by the expression ΔTc ∽ In2R□ (R□ is the resistance of a square section of the film). The results of these studies and the data from previous investigations suggest that during hydrogenation of nontransition metals by means of codeposition of metal and hydrogen the principal mechanism by which hydrogen affects Tc is associated with lattice distortions.
Investigation of the electron–phonon interaction in the intermetallic compound Cd3Mg by point contact spectroscopy
Authors: Khotkevich V. V. , Khotkevich A. V.
Published: December 2024

The electron–phonon interaction (EPI) function in the ordered intermetallic compound Cd3Mg has been determined experimentally by point contact spectroscopy. It was possible to prepare pure point contacts with an effective diameter much smaller than the electron mean free path and thereby to obtain quantitative information about the EPI. The experimental value of the integral parameter of the EPI is close to estimates based on electronic heat capacity data and the electronic density of states in Cd3Mg.
Electronic states on dielectric drops
Authors: Nabutovskii V. M. , Romanov D. A.
Published: December 2024

The quantum states of an electron localized near a drop by image forces and their dependence on the size and shape of the drop are studied. In limiting cases expressions are obtained for the number of stationary and quasistationary levels with high quantum numbers. It is predicted that an electron is localized near points of minimum curvature of a nonspherical drop, the cyclotron-resonance lines are split due to the curvature of the surface, and that two spectral regions for charged solid hydrogen particles exist.
Dependence of the renormalization group description of critical phenomena on the group parameter
Authors: Kholopov E. V.
Published: December 2024

We analyze the renormalization group description of the critical behavior of a system as a function of the possible choices of the truncation parameter of the group. The variation of the critical indices with temperature, where the specific heat exponent may even change sign, is associated with a movement of the fixed point of the renormalization group transformation itself as a function of the group parameter.
Magnetic phase transition in CsDy(MoO4)2 and KDy(MoO4)2: Crystals with a strong anisotropic interaction
Authors: Khats’ko E. N. , Chernyl A. S.
Published: December 2024

We have studied the low frequency magnetic susceptibility in CsDy(MoO4)2 and KDy(MoO4)2 crystals, which exhibit a strongly anisotropic interaction, over the temperature range 0.3−20 K over the frequency interval 10-104 Hz. A transition is observed to a complex mangetically ordered state.
Hierarchical existential prior based on expanded pseudo-label for crack detection
Authors: Wang Nan , Fang Jie , Yin Jianfu , Cao Xiaoqian
Published: December 2024

Road crack detection approaches based on the image processing technique have attracted much attention during the past decade due to their convenience and efficiency, but most of them cannot achieve the expected performances due to the complex background interference and severe category imbalance of road images. This paper presents a hierarchical existential prior based on an expanded pseudo-label for crack detection. In particular, the framework contains three variants of U-Net, and each sub-network is trained by pseudo-labels generated by transforming semantic categories of non-crack pixels distributed in the neighborhoods of crack ones. Notably, the expansion degrees of labels for three sub-networks are set in hierarchical descending order. In other words, the crack samples of pseudo-labels for the latter sub-network are a subset of pseudo-labels for the former one, and we define it as an existential prior, which can optimize the network in a coarse-to-fine fashion and refine the detection result gradually. In addition, we utilize a hybrid loss consisting of IoU, SSIM, and focal loss to optimize the network in different aspects, including image-aspect, patch-aspect, and pixel aspect in the training phase, which can improve the structural representation capability of the model. In addition, we present a dynamic hyper-parameter adjustment strategy to balance the weight coefficients of different loss terms, which can enhance the robustness of the model for various practical scenes. Finally, the proposed method achieves 11.36%, 29.76%, and 26.73% in terms of Fβ on CrackTree200, Crack Forest, and ALE datasets, respectively, which sufficiently demonstrate its effectiveness and superiority.
Proton diffusion and hydrogen/deuterium exchange in amorphous solid water at temperatures from 114 to 134 K
Authors: Dunlap Megan K. , Kringle Loni , Kay Bruce D. , Kimmel Greg A.
Published: December 2024

The reaction coefficient for hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange and the diffusion of hydrated excess protons within amorphous solid water (ASW) are characterized as a function of temperature. For these experiments, water films are deposited on a Pt(111) substrate at 108 K, and reactions with pre-adsorbed hydrogen atoms produce hydrated protons. Upon heating, protons diffuse within the water, and H/D exchange occurs when they encounter D2O probe molecules deposited in the films. The time-dependent concentration of D2O is monitored with infrared spectroscopy, and it indicates the protons diffusion from the substrate and establish an equilibrium distribution prior to significant H/D exchange for temperatures 114 K ≤T≤ 134 K. By controlling the distance between the D2O molecules and the substrate, we probe the distribution of protons within the film. It decays as x−2 for the examined range of x (12–52 nm) due to the electric field that develops between the diffusing protons and their image charges in the metal substrate. This agrees with the theoretical distance scaling for the equilibrated proton concentration in a dielectric near a metal boundary. From the proton concentration and the measured D2O decay rate, a lower bound for the proton diffusion coefficient ranging from 10−20 m2/s at 114 K to 10−18 m2/s at 134 K is estimated. The diffusion coefficient has an activation energy of 0.40 eV, which is comparable to energies reported for molecular translations and rotations of H2O, suggesting they may play a critical role in the proton diffusion mechanism within ASW.
Multifunctional Sm3+ modified layered perovskite La2Ti2O7 single crystals: Enhanced piezoelectric performance and color-stable orange emission
Authors: Ji Yunqi , Wang Xiaohan , Liu Runru , Ge Wenwei , Sun Enwei , Li Xiaohe , Tang Wenting , Li Xinyang , Wang Xin , Li Fangfei , Li Liang , Zhou Qiang
Published: December 2024

The demand for multifunctional materials with optical and electrical properties in industrial high-temperature applications has witnessed a rapid upsurge. Among ultra-high Curie temperature perovskite-like layered structure piezoelectrics, La2Ti2O7 (LTO) single crystal possesses the highest piezoelectric coefficient, but the lack of luminescence limits its optical applications. In this work, by combining experiments and first-principles calculations, we find that Sm3+ doped LTO single crystals not only create strong orange emission with high-color-purity and high-color-stability under high temperature/pressure, but also achieve higher piezoelectric coefficient of 21.7 pC/N at 298 K and 25.6 pC/N at 773 K, accompanied by polarization enhancement originating from inner TiO6 octahedral twisting. In addition, systematic high-temperature in situ electrical measurements showed that Sm3+ doping also contributes to weakening the adverse effects of ferroelectric–ferroelectric phase transition on piezoelectricity, dielectricity, and conductivity. Our work provides insights into the performance optimization mechanisms of ultra-high Curie temperature piezoelectrics and paves the way for the development of high-performance electro-optic integrated and coupled devices for applications under extreme conditions.
Effects of contraction ratio of continuous abrupt contraction–expansion microchannels on flow regime of polyethyleneoxide solutions affected by memory and scission of polymers
Authors: Yin Guangzhou , Nakamura Yuta , Suzuki Hiroshi , Lequeux François , Hidema Ruri
Published: December 2024

This study experimentally observed the flow regime transitions of polyethylene oxide solutions in continuous abrupt contraction–expansion microchannels with different contraction ratios. The flow regimes and normalized vortex lengths in the contraction and expansion parts of each cavity were provided for various dilute solutions (0.5 × 10−3 wt.% to 1.5 × 10−3 wt.%) and flow rates. By comparing the flow regimes, normalized vortex lengths, and extensional rates across four different channels, the effects of channel dimensions on polymer memory and scission were analyzed. The results show that the contraction ratio is the most critical factor determining flow regime transitions. Higher contraction ratios result in greater extensional rates, leading to faster polymer stretching, more intense scission, and quicker flow regime transitions. In lower contraction ratio channels, the polymer memory effect lasts longer, and scission is more gradual, leading to slower flow transitions. Additionally, channels with longer throat lengths are more prone to elastic instabilities in the contraction part, but the nearly identical trends in normalized vortex length and extensional rate indicate that longer throat lengths have a limited effect on the degree of polymer scission.
Tellurium-doped MoS2/carbon composite nanotubes for potassium-ion capacitors
Authors: Zhang Xue , Tian Shuang , Liu Sen , Wang Tengteng , Huang Jingyi , Gao Peibo , Feng Yu , Zhou Jin , Zhou Tong
Published: December 2024

Potassium-ion capacitors (PICs) combine the benefits of high energy density and excellent power density at a lower cost than lithium storage technology. However, developing high-rate and stable anode materials that are compatible with capacitor-type counterparts remains a formidable challenge. In this study, tellurium-doped MoS2/carbon composite nanotubes (Te-MoS2/C NTs), featuring a one-dimensional hollow structure decorated with interlayer-extended few-layer nanosheets, were designed as anode materials for potassium storage. The Te-MoS2/C NTs achieve a notable average reversible capacity of 417.8 mA h g−1 at 0.05 A g−1 and 215.0 mA h g−1 at 5.0 A g−1. Additionally, it maintains a high capacity retention rate of 95.6% after 300 cycles at 2.0 A g−1. Moreover, density functional theory calculations validate the enhanced K+ adsorption and diffusion, attributed to the Te doping and interlayer expansion of MoS2. The PICs based on Te-MoS2/C NTs also achieves an energy density of 113.6 W h g−1 and a power density of 12.1 kW kg−1, alongside cycling stability.
Kinetochores get a grip!
Authors: Cozma Christian , Westermann Stefan
Published: December 2024

A new study by Larson and colleagues (2025. J. Cell Biol.https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.202405176) reveals that kinetochores are biased to bind to microtubule plus-ends due to an interplay between subcomplex organization and the intrinsic polarity of microtubules.
Reaction rate of radiative p
12C capture in a modified potential cluster model*
Authors: Dubovichenko S. B. , Burkova N. A. , Tkachenko A. S. , Samratova A.
Published: December 2024

The astrophysical S-factor of the 12C(p, γ
0)13N reaction at energies from 25 keV to 5 MeV within the framework of a modified potential cluster model with forbidden states is considered. The experimental phase shifts resonant

,

, and non-resonant

at the energies up to E
c.m. = 3 MeV are reproduced with high accuracy, which provides the appropriate agreement with the experimental data for the S-factor of 1950−2023 years. Two sets of asymptotic constant are used: Set I refers to C

w
= 1.30(2), and Set II refers to C

w
= 1.37(1). Set I leads to the astrophysical factor S(25) = 1.34 ± 0.02 keV·b, which is in agreement with data by Skowronski et al., 2023 – 1.34 ± 0.09 keV·b; Set II gives S(25) = 1.49 ± 0.02 keV·b, which is in agreement with data by Kettner et al., 2023 – 1.48 ± 0.09 keV·b. The reaction rates of 12C(p, γ
0)13N at temperatures T
9 from 0.001 to 10 are calculated. The detailed comparison with some models, the R-matrix approach, and NACRE II data for reaction rates is considered.
Sub-barrier Fusion Cross Sections: Role of Pauli Blocking and Isospin Asymmetry
Authors: Deng Weiwen , Cheng Kaixuan , Xu Chang
Published: December 2024

Heavy-ion fusion reaction is relevant to a number of important issues not only in stellar environment but also in the synthesis of new nuclides and superheavy elements. In this work, the role of Pauli blocking and isospin effect in sub-barrier fusion reactions is investigated within the well established coupled-channels method. An isospin-dependent Pauli blocking potential is proposed to better address the deep sub-barrier fusion hindrance problem. It is found that the Pauli blocking effect manifests itself strongly for isospin symmetric targets and is reduced for targets with large isospin asymmetries. The agreement between experimental and theoretical fusion cross sections is improved for both $^{12}$\textrm{C}-target and $^{16}$\textrm{O}-target systems.
Design and experimental study of a field-reversed configuration plasma thruster prototype
Authors: HUANG 黄 Yuxuan 宇轩 , ZHANG 张 Ming 明 , YANG 杨 Yong 勇 , LYU 吕 Fangwei 方伟 , YI 易 Xiaopeng 霄鹏 , LYU 吕 Chaofan 超凡 , ZHANG 张 Yisong 毅松 , RAO 饶 Bo 波
Published: December 2024

The field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasma thruster driven by rotating magnetic field (RMF), abbreviated as the RMF-FRC thruster, is a new type of electric propulsion technology that is expected to accelerate the deep space exploration. An experimental prototype, including diagnostic devices, was designed and constructed based on the principles of the RMF-FRC thruster, with an RMF frequency of 210 kHz and a maximum peak current of 2 kA. Under the rated operating conditions, the initial plasma density was measured to be 5 × 1017 m−3, and increased to 2.2 × 1019 m−3 after the action of RMF. The coupling efficiency of RMF was about 53%, and the plasma current reached 1.9 kA. The axial magnetic field changed in reverse by 155 Gauss, successfully reversing the bias magnetic field of 60 Gauss, which verifies the formation of FRC plasma. After optimization research, it was found that when the bias magnetic field is 100 Gauss, the axial magnetic field reverse variation caused by FRC is the highest at 164 Gauss. The experimental results are discussed and strategies are proposed to improve the performance of the prototype.
Adaptation and Validation of Version B of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen for the Portuguese Population
Authors: Simão Sara , Naumann Lucas L , de Carvalho Mamede , Santos Miguel Oliveira , Martins Isabel Pavão
Published: December 2024

Objective

This study aims to adapt and provide psychometric support for the validation of version B of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS) for the Portuguese population, addressing the need for consistent cognitive evaluations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A second culturally adapted ECAS screen facilitates the accurate characterization of ALS progression, mitigates learning effects, and supports tailored care management.

Methods

The adaptation process included forward-backward translation, cultural adaptation, and cognitive debriefing on a prospective sample of 193 ALS patients and 106 controls. A multiple regression analysis identified predictors relevant for establishing ECAS cut-off scores. Psychometric evaluations, including reliability assessments and tests of convergent, construct, and criterion validity, were conducted. Additionally, version A's psychometric properties were reevaluated with complementary analyses and a larger sample.

Results

Version B demonstrated good internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha of 0.802, comparable to the previously established version A. Moderate inter-item correlations further supported reliability, reflecting internal coherence. Equivalence testing between the Portuguese versions supported convergent validity, confirming version B's alignment with version A's theoretical framework. Exploratory factor analysis provided preliminary support for construct validity, and receiver operating characteristic analyses established cut-off values for both versions, revealing moderate sensitivity with a tendency toward false negatives, and higher specificity.

Conclusions

This study provided evidence for the cultural suitability, reliability, and validity of the Portuguese ECAS B. As evidence supports the equivalence of the Portuguese ECAS versions, they can be used for flexible screenings and applied with the calculated cut-off values to enhance diagnostic accuracy.
Defining normal enthesis stiffness range in a healthy adult population
Authors: Mahazer Mohammad Khairi Jahidi , Leong Sook Sam , Wong Jeannie Hsiu Ding , Rozalli Faizatul Izza , Yahya Fariz , Tee Ying Chew , Mohd Razalli Mazuin , Vijayananthan Anushya , Baharuddin Hazlyna
Published: December 2024

Objectives

This study explores the correlation between volunteer demographics with enthesis stiffness and intra- and interobserver agreements using shear wave elastography (SWE).

Methods

Ninety-eight healthy volunteers were recruited. SWE was performed on quadriceps, suprapatellar, infrapatellar, and Achilles entheses. The stiffness measurements were measured in shear wave velocity (SWV).

Results

Mann-Whitney test revealed insignificant difference in SWV among gender. Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed significant difference in SWV between left and right Achilles entheses. Spearman correlation test revealed moderate negative correlation between SWV and age group in quadriceps (ρ, −0.45, P < .01), and weak negative correlation in suprapatellar (ρ, −0.31, P < .01), and left Achilles (ρ, −0.29, P < .01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed subjects’ demographic significantly predicted quadriceps, suprapatellar, and left Achilles entheses stiffness with only age statistically significantly to the prediction (P < .05). Kruskal-Wallis showed significant differences in SWV for quadriceps (P = .01), suprapatellar (P = .03), and left Achilles (P = .01) among different age groups. Good interobserver [0.79-0.86 (95% CI, 0.32-0.94)] and interobserver agreement [0.78-0.89 (95% CI, 0.62-0.95)] were found in all the entheses.

Conclusion

SWE emerges as a reproducible method for entheses stiffness quantification, with the study highlighting age as a significant factor impacting SWV in quadriceps, suprapatellar, and left Achilles entheses. Among the studied entheses, SWV for Achilles enthesis is the highest in all age groups.

Advances in knowledge

The study significantly contributes to the understanding of enthesis stiffness by exploring the influence of gender, BMI, and age.