bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational methods for periodic systems: Recent developments
Authors: Aleixo José C , Serôdio Rogério
Published: May 2024

In the past few decades, there has been a significant focus on computational methods for periodic systems. In some of these works, various considerations were outlined to establish and categorize algorithms for designing periodic discrete‐time state‐space systems. In a recent work, a direct algorithm was proposed to obtain low‐dimensional realizations from a proper lifted system in state‐space form. This algorithm, which lies in a category often called “fast” algorithms, takes advantage on the structure of lifted representations being highly efficient. In a 1993 work by Ching‐An Lin and Chwan‐Wen King, another direct algorithm was proposed that appears to be quite similar to the algorithm outlined recently. These two algorithms generate state‐space periodic realizations that are both uniform, meaning that the dimension of the state remains constant at each time instant. The algorithms proposed in these two works require both a rank test applied to two different types of matrices,
and
, respectively (in chronologic order). Although the former algorithm establishes an upper bound for the state dimension à priori, by determining the maximum rank of the matrices
, the latter obtains an upper bound à posteriori, based on the rank of matrices
. In this work, we proved that these matrices
and
have the same rank for all
, and we use this information to revise the latter algorithm and assess whether it represents an improvement. The algorithm presented as well its modified versions that were coded using the Python programming language. Surprisingly, the revised algorithm did not demonstrate any significant improvement in terms of computational efficiency.
Convergence property of Nesterov‐accelerated adaptive moment estimation with safety helmet detection and classification in smart industry application
Authors: Jirakitpuwapat Wachirapong , Dubey Premnath , Prasertsuk Narachata , Phanthong Chaowarit , Tritham Chatchai , Tritham Chattabhorn , Chandharakool Somprattana , Tharathep Chanvit , Soontornpipit Pichitpong
Published: May 2024

We propose a technique for first‐order gradient‐based optimization of stochastic objective functions called Nesterov‐accelerated adaptive moment assessment, which makes use of dynamic evaluations of lower‐order moments. The adaptive moment assessment and the Nesterov acceleration gradient are combined. Consequently, it has perks, and this technique is convenient to use, numerically economical, memory‐light, and very well‐suited for challenges with massive amounts of information and characteristics. Additionally, we investigate the algorithm's convergence characteristics and propose a conservative constraint on the convergence rate. Finally, we employ this technique for the detection and classification of safety helmets.
Comprehensive dosimetric characterization of novel silicon carbide detectors with UHDR electron beams for FLASH radiotherapy
Authors: Milluzzo Giuliana , De Napoli Marzio , Di Martino Fabio , Amato Antonino , Del Sarto Damiano , D'Oca Maria Cristina , Marrale Maurizio , Masturzo Luigi , Medina Elisabetta , Okpuwe Chinonso , Pensavalle Jake Harold , Vignati Anna , Camarda Massimo , Romano Francesco
Published: May 2024

Background: The extremely fast delivery of doses with ultra high dose rate (UHDR) beams necessitates the investigation of novel approaches for real‐time dosimetry and beam monitoring. This aspect is fundamental in the perspective of the clinical application of FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH‐RT), as conventional dosimeters tend to saturate at such extreme dose rates.

Purpose: This study aims to experimentally characterize newly developed silicon carbide (SiC) detectors of various active volumes at UHDRs and systematically assesses their response to establish their suitability for dosimetry in FLASH‐RT.

Methods: SiC PiN junction detectors, recently realized and provided by STLab company, with different active areas (ranging from 4.5 to 10 mm2) and thicknesses (10–20 µm), were irradiated using 9 MeV UHDR pulsed electron beams accelerated by the ElectronFLASH linac at the Centro Pisano for FLASH Radiotherapy (CPFR). The linearity of the SiC response as a function of the delivered dose per pulse (DPP), which in turn corresponds to a specific instantaneous dose rate, was studied under various experimental conditions by measuring the produced charge within the SiC active layer with an electrometer. Due to the extremely high peak currents, an external customized electronic RC circuit was built and used in conjunction with the electrometer to avoid saturation.

Results: The study revealed a linear response for the different SiC detectors employed up to 21 Gy/pulse for SiC detectors with 4.5 mm2/10 µm active area and thickness. These values correspond to a maximum instantaneous dose rate of 5.5 MGy/s and are indicative of the maximum achievable monitored DPP and instantaneous dose rate of the linac used during the measurements.

Conclusions: The results clearly demonstrate that the developed devices exhibit a dose‐rate independent response even under extreme instantaneous dose rates and dose per pulse values. A systematic study of the SiC response was also performed as a function of the applied voltage bias, demonstrating the reliability of these dosimeters with UHDR also without any applied voltage. This demonstrates the great potential of SiC detectors for accurate dosimetry in the context of FLASH‐RT.
Rapid pulmonary 129Xe ventilation MRI of discharged COVID‐19 patients with zigzag sampling
Authors: Fang Yuan , Li Haidong , Shen Luyang , Zhang Ming , Luo Ming , Li Hongchuang , Rao Qiuchen , Chen Qi , Li Yecheng , Li Zimeng , Zhao Xiuchao , Shi Lei , Zhou Qian , Han Yeqing , Guo Fumin , Zhou Xin
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To demonstrate the feasibility of zigzag sampling for 3D rapid hyperpolarized 129Xe ventilation MRI in human.

Methods

Zigzag sampling in one direction was combined with gradient‐recalled echo sequence (GRE‐zigzag‐Y) to acquire hyperpolarized 129Xe ventilation images. Image quality was compared with a balanced SSFP (bSSFP) sequence with the same spatial resolution for 12 healthy volunteers (HVs). For another 8 HVs and 9 discharged coronavirus disease 2019 subjects, isotropic resolution 129Xe ventilation images were acquired using zigzag sampling in two directions through GRE‐zigzag‐YZ. 129Xe ventilation defect percent (VDP) was quantified for GRE‐zigzag‐YZ and bSSFP acquisitions. Relationships and agreement between these VDP measurements were evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and Bland–Altman analysis.

Results

For 12 HVs, GRE‐zigzag‐Y and bSSFP required 2.2 s and 10.5 s, respectively, to acquire 129Xe images with a spatial resolution of 3.96 × 3.96 × 10.5 mm3. Structural similarity index, mean absolute error, and Dice similarity coefficient between the two sets of images and ventilated lung regions were 0.85 ± 0.03, 0.0015 ± 0.0001, and 0.91 ± 0.02, respectively. For another 8 HVs and 9 coronavirus disease 2019 subjects, 129Xe images with a nominal spatial resolution of 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 mm3 were acquired within 5.5 s per subject using GRE‐zigzag‐YZ. VDP provided by GRE‐zigzag‐YZ was strongly correlated (R2 = 0.93, p < 0.0001) with that generated by bSSFP with minimal biases (bias = −0.005%, 95% limit‐of‐agreement = [−0.414%, 0.424%]).

Conclusion

Zigzag sampling combined with GRE sequence provides a way for rapid 129Xe ventilation imaging.
Functional Oral Intake in Primary Versus Salvage Laryngectomy
Authors: Lawrence Anna C. , King Sarah , Renslo Bryan , Sawaf Tuleen , Karadaghy Omar , Kraft Shannon
Published: May 2024

Objective

Advanced‐stage laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma is treated with primary surgery or chemoradiation. We aim to determine if there are differences in postoperative functional oral intake in primary (PL) versus salvage laryngectomees (SL).

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Patients who underwent laryngectomy between 2011 and 2021.

Methods

We examined demographic, diagnostic, treatment, and swallow function data pre‐ and postoperatively. A follow‐up survey was distributed to assess current swallow status.

Results

One hundred twenty‐five patients were included. Preoperatively, 68.8% of patients reported dysphagia. Median functional oral intake score (FOIS) was 4.0 [interquartile range, IQR: 1.0‐6.75]. The SL group had lower preop FOIS [2.0; IQR: 1.0‐4.75] that did not reach significance compared to the PL group [4.5; IQR: 1.0‐7.0] (P = .052). 73.4% of patients had a feeding tube. The PL group was more likely to have the tube removed [odds ratio, OR: 2.4; confidence interval, CI: 1.0‐5.7]. The SL group was more likely to require feeding tube placement more than 6 months postop [OR: 6.9; CI: 1.65‐32.6]. SL FOIS scores improved by 3 months postop to 5 (SL ΔFOIS = 3, P = .0150). PL scores improved to 7 [PL ΔFOIS = 2, P = .0005] at 12 to 15 months. Sixty‐nine patients were contacted for a follow‐up survey and 16 completed this survey. 30.4% patients reported dietary restrictions (mean 4.4 years postop).

Conclusion

Patients undergoing SL appear to obtain similar swallow outcomes compared to PL at 3 to 6 months postlaryngectomy, but plateau. The PL group continues to improve up to 1 year postoperatively. Fifty percent of patients report on‐going dysphagia after 5 years.
Post‐traumatic Delayed Facial Nerve Palsy: Report of 2 Cases and Systematic Review
Authors: Daloiso Antonio , Franz Leonardo , Mondello Tiziana , Pavone Chiara , Spinato Giacomo , Emanuelli Enzo , Cazzador Diego , de Filippis Cosimo , Zanoletti Elisabetta , Marioni Gino
Published: May 2024

Objective

Delayed facial nerve palsy (dFNP) secondary to head injury is definitely uncommon. Although the mechanism of immediate facial nerve paralysis is well‐studied, its delayed presentation remains debated. Given the dearth of available information, we reported herein our experience with 2 cases of posttraumatic dFNP. This systematic review aimed to evaluate all available information on dFNP and to assess treatment outcome also comparing conservatively and surgically approaches.

Data Sources

Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were systematically screened.

Review Methods

The protocol of this investigation was registered on PROSPERO in April 2023 and the systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses statement.

Results

Both patients in the case studies showed a complete recovery within 2 to 3 months after the head trauma. One of them still reported a subjective taste alteration at last control. After the application of the inclusion‐exclusion criteria, 9 manuscripts with adequate relevance to this topic were included in the systematic review. The study population consisted of 1971 patients with a diagnosis of posttraumatic facial nerve palsy, of which 128 with a dFNP.

Conclusions

dFNP due to head trauma is a rarely encountered clinical entity, and optimal treatment still remains to be elucidated. Based on the reported data, it seems rational to propose a conservative approach for dFNP with steroid administration as a first line in most cases, indicating surgery in severe and/or refractory cases.
Latent heat storage bio‐composites from egg‐shell/PE/PEG as feasible eco‐friendly building materials
Authors: Trigui Abdelwaheb , Aribia Wafa Ben , Akrouti Amira , Znaidia Sami , Alshammari Naif Khalaf , Abdelmouleh Makki
Published: May 2024

Integrating phase change materials (PCMs), which store thermal energy as latent heat, into renewable energy production is an efficient way to harness solar energy. Thereby, the aim of this work is to develop convenient and efficient method to prepare a bio‐composite phase change materials (BCPCMs) that are eco‐friendly and cheap. The polyethylene glycol (PEG) with large latent heat was used as PCM, eggshell powder (ES) as an energy storage material (bio‐energy resources/bio‐waste is converted into useful energy storage material), the low‐density polyethylene (PE) performed as the supporting material and powder graphite (G) was the additives for improving the thermal conductivity. According to thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), the use of ES and G improved the thermal stability of BCPCM. On the other hand, the results of the differential calorimetric analysis (DSC) showed that BCPCM6 with the addition of 5 wt% of graphite filler in the mixture PEG/PE/ES (70/20/5 wt%) provides excellent thermal stability and high energy storage density per unit mass. In light of its high latent heat storage capacity of 120.1 J/g as well as its ability to prevent PEG exudation, BCPCM ensures higher thermal conductivity and shape stability during phase transition than ordinary PCM. Significant enhancement in melting‐solidification time shows an improvement in Thermal Energy Storage (TES) response time to the demand by adding ES and G respectively to the PCM. Based on the obtained results, the BCPCM as a potential candidate for an application in buildings of hot and dry climates.

Highlights

Shape‐stabilized BCPCMs were prepared by blending and impregnating method.

The BCPCM combines a high storage capacity and high heat propagation rate.

BCPCM6 provides excellent thermal stability and high energy storage density.

Enhancement in melting‐solidification time by adding ES and G to the PCM.

BCPCM as a candidate for an application in buildings of hot and dry climates.
Adipose mesenchymal stem cells‐derived exosomes attenuated hyperoxia‐induced lung injury in neonatal rats via inhibiting the NF‐κB signaling pathway
Authors: Chen Cuie , Jin Yuxia , Jin Hongxing , Chen Shujun , Wang Lu , Ji Liuqing , Wang Shi , Zhang Xixi , Sheng Anqun , Sun Yuanyuan
Published: May 2024

Objective

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common chronic morbidity in extremely preterm infants. Mesenchymal stem cells‐derived exosomes (MSC‐Exos) therapies have shown prospects in animal models of BPD. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of adipose mesenchymal stem cells‐derived exosomes (AMSC‐Exos) on BPD and the role of the NF‐κB signaling pathway in this process.

Methods

The AMSCs were extracted and AMSC‐Exos were isolated by ultracentrifugation method. Newborn rats were exposed to hyperoxia (90% O2) continuously for 7 days to establish a BPD model. The rats were treated with AMSC‐Exos by intratracheal administration on postnatal day 4 (P4). Pulmonary morphology, pulmonary vasculature, inflammatory factors, and NF‐κB were assessed. Hyperoxia‐induced primary type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECIIs) and AMSC‐Exos treatment with or without a pan‐NF‐κB inhibitor (PDTC) were established to explore the potential mechanism.

Results

Hyperoxia‐exposed rats showed alveolar simplification with decreased radial alveolar count and increased mean linear intercept, low CD31, and vascular endothelial growth factor expression, reduced microvessel density, increased the expression of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 and decreased the expression of IL‐10, and induced NF‐κB phosphorylation. AMSC‐Exos protected the neonatal lung from the hyperoxia‐induced arrest of alveolar and vascular development, alleviated inflammation, and inhibited NF‐κB phosphorylation. Hyperoxia decreased viability, increased apoptosis, enhanced inflammation, and induced NF‐κB phosphorylation of AECIIs but improved by AMSC‐Exos, PDTC, or AMSC‐Exos+PDTC. The effect of AMSC‐Exos+PDTC in AECIIs was the same as AMSC‐Exos, but more notable than PDTC alone.

Conclusion

AMSC‐Exos attenuated the hyperoxia‐induced lung injury in neonatal rats by inhibiting the NF‐κB signaling pathway partly.
Lower respiratory tract infections in children with congenital lung abnormalities
Authors: Dossche Louis , Kersten Casper , van Rosmalen Joost , Wijnen Rene , IJsselstijn Hanneke , Schnater Johannes
Published: May 2024

Objective

We aimed to determine if the incidence of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) among children with asymptomatic, observationally managed congenital lung abnormalities (CLA) differed from that of symptomatic patients who underwent surgery. Second, we sought to compare the pre‐ and post‐resection incidence of LRTI in patients who underwent surgery.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients born between 1999 and 2021 with CLA confirmed by CT scan who were enrolled in a prospective longitudinal follow‐up program. The LRTI incidence rates at 1, 2, 5, 8, and 12 years were compared between surgically and observationally managed patients using incidence rate ratios (IRR). Differences in pre‐ and post‐resection LRTI incidence rates among patients who underwent CLA‐related surgery were assessed through IRR.

Results

Among 217 included patients, 81 (37%) had undergone surgery and 136 (63%) had been observationally managed. The LRTI incidence rates did not significantly differ at any follow‐up moment between the surgical and observational groups. Among the children who underwent CLA‐related surgery, the pre‐resection LRTI incidence rates were significantly higher than the post‐resection LRTI incidence rates (IRR of 3.57, 95% confidence interval: [2.00; 6.33], p < .001).

Conclusion

We could not demonstrate differences in LRTI incidence throughout childhood between patients with surgically and observationally managed CLA. We recommend discussing cases of LRTI in patients with CLA in a multidisciplinary setting, using additional diagnostics such as chest X‐ray to screen for CLA involvement, enabling a well‐considered decision on surgical resection of the lesion.
Polarization‐Graded High‐Electron‐Mobility Transistors for Improved Johnson's Figure of Merit
Authors: Venkatesan Nivedhita , Silva‐Oelker Gerardo , Turner Wesley , Moon Jeong‐Sun , Fay Patrick
Published: May 2024

Polarization grading in AlGaN/GaN‐based high‐electron‐mobility transistors (HEMTs) is a promising device design option that can improve linearity, speed, power, and noise performance for use in millimeter‐wave applications. This work investigates the potential of compositionally graded HEMT heterostructures to enhance device breakdown through lateral electric field engineering while maintaining a high device cutoff frequency (fT) due to reduced longitudinal optical (LO) phonon scattering. The impact of polarization grading on electric field profile is compared with conventional gate‐integrated mini‐field plates (mini‐FPs). It is also observed that polarization grading can augment the efficacy of gate‐connected FPs, further enhancing performance. Using physics‐based 2D device simulations, it is demonstrated that polarization engineering via polarization grading enhances breakdown (VBD) while preserving high fT, resulting in a Johnson's figure of merit (JFOM = fT × VBD), that is, ≈2.4× that of a conventional abrupt‐junction HEMT. This improvement represents a significant advancement over the ≈1.25× to ≈2× increase achieved with the use of mini‐FPs alone in HEMTs.
Application of Carboxymethyl Cellulose and Its Edible Composite Coating in Fruit Preservation
Authors: Xu Yao , Deng Qian , Ruan Changqing , Xu Dan , Zeng Kaifang
Published: May 2024

Fruits are highly susceptible to quality deterioration and spoilage during postharvest storage. Edible coating emerges as an effective strategy to prolong the postharvest life of fruit and enhance their quality during storage. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a polysaccharide derivative widely applied in various industries due to its excellent barrier and mechanical properties. CMC has been utilized as an edible coating material for postharvest preservation of fruit for many years. Ongoing research is centred on the development of composite films by integrating CMC with natural biopolymers or potential active agents to augment their functionality in postharvest fruit preservation. This review consolidates findings on composite coatings of CMC combined with various materials for fruit storage and preservation, shedding light on the challenges associated with such composite coatings.
Available and emerging liquid treatment technologies for PFASs
Authors: DiGuiseppi William H. , Newell Charles J. , Carey Grant , Kulkarni Poonam R. , Xia Zhiyong , Stults John , Maher Thomas L. , Houtz Erika F. , Mora Rebecca , Wice Rick , Tomiczek Paul W. , Richardson Stephen D. , Xiong John , Hale Jeff , Hnatko Jason P. , McGregor Rick , McDonough Jeffrey T. , Oka Amita , Thomas Ryan , Fenstermacher Jim , Hatton Jim
Published: May 2024

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are present at a wide range of private sector facilities and United States (US) government installations, including those operated by the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the National Aeronauts and Space Administration, and other entities, as well as additional sites worldwide. Impacts have been identified in a range of environmental media including drinking water, groundwater, surface water, leachate, wastewater, soil, sediment, and soil gas. Treatment technologies to remove or destroy PFASs cost effectively have proven to be elusive to the industry. However, recent developments are bringing that goal close to reality for some media. This article has been prepared to address only liquid treatment technologies. Soil treatment technologies are presently a lower priority and may be addressed in future articles. The challenge of identifying and evaluating available and emerging liquid treatment technologies was put to the PFAS Experts Symposium in Houston, Texas, on June 7–8, 2023, which was attended by PFAS professionals and subject matter experts with a broad range of backgrounds. The discussions covered a variety of technical approaches and led to the preparation of this manuscript. This article strives to concisely summarize modern technical approaches that are potentially applicable to managing liquid media at PFAS‐impacted sites. Currently, ex situ sorbent technologies using granular activated carbon (GAC) and ion exchange (IX) resin are commercially available and most widely used. Other liquid technologies are summarized and current applications are presented to allow the reader to evaluate each technology for their particular use. This article is not intended to provide guidance on site‐specific design of treatment systems, but instead to serve as an update to earlier articles from this group and others addressing PFAS treatment technologies and related PFAS topics.
Observation of high sediment concentrations entrained in jumble river ice
Authors: Arp Christopher D. , Bondurant Allen C. , Clement Sarah , Eidam Emily , Langhorst Ted , Pavelsky Tamlin M. , Davis Julianne , Spellman Katie V.
Published: May 2024

Ice formation is generally considered to exclude many particles and most solutes and thus be relatively pure compared to ambient waters. Because river ice forms by a combination of thermal and mechanical processes, some level of sediment entrainment in the ice column is likely, though reports of sediment in river ice are limited. We observed high and sporadic levels of silt and sand in ice of the Kuskokwim and Tanana rivers (Alaska, the United States) during routine field studies. These observations led us to make a more comprehensive survey of sediment entrainment in river ice of the Kuskokwim and Yukon rivers and several of their tributaries. We collected and subsampled 48 ice cores from 19 different river locations in March 2023, which included concurrent measurements of water turbidity, velocity, and depth. Approximately 60% of cores contained detectable levels of sediment, averaging 438 mg/L with median concentrations exceeding 1000 mg/L in three cores from the Yukon and Kuskokwim main stems. Many cores had even higher concentrations at certain intervals, with seven cores having subsamples exceeding 2000 mg/L; these were often located in the middle or lower portion of the ice column. Jumble ice, formed mechanically by frazil‐pan jamming during freeze‐up, was generally the best predictor of higher sediment entrainment, and these locations often had higher under‐ice velocities and depths. Our observation of high and widespread sediment entrainment in northern river ice, particularly in jumble‐ice fields, may have implications for sediment transport regimes, ice strength and transportation safety, and how rivers break up in the springtime.
The fate and biostimulant potential of metal lactates in silt loam soil
Authors: Opdahl Lee J. , Hansen Jeremy , Strawn Daniel G. , Sanguinet Karen A.
Published: May 2024

Conventional farming practices have negatively impacted micronutrient fertility and overall soil health. Metal lactates are an organic micronutrient amendment that provide both a labile carbon substrate as well as mineral nutrition for plant and microbial growth. To determine the ability of metal lactates to provide readily available micronutrients, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Co in lactate and chloride salt form were amended to soils and incubated for 28 days. Operationally defined speciation was determined using sequential extraction on samples incubated for 1, 5, or 28 days. The results show a comparable distribution of metals in chloride and lactate form; however, differences were detected in water‐soluble and exchangeable Ni and Zn at each timepoint. For example, in the water exchangeable fraction, there was 2.6%–2.9% less Ni and 0.2%–0.3% less Zn in the metal lactate‐treated soil compared to soil treated with metal chlorides. Furthermore, carbonate‐bound Ni averaged 4.1% and 4% less in metal lactate‐treated soils as compared to metal chloride‐treated soils on days 1 and 5, and Cu decreased 2.9%–3.3% during the treatment period for the lactate‐bound form. Additionally, microbial phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) was performed and found a stimulatory effect of metal lactates on bacterial biomass with an increase of 12%–18% relative to the metal chloride treatment. Results from this study support the use of metal lactates as a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizers by providing bioavailable micronutrients for plant nutrition in addition to a labile carbon source to support the growth of microbial populations.
In Situ MOF‐74‐Pyrolysis‐Generated Porous Carbon Supporting Spinel Cu0.15Co2.85O4/C Boosts Ammonium Perchlorate Accelerating Decomposition: Precise Cu Doping Modulating Oxygen Vacancy Concentration
Authors: Wei Shilong , Zhang Yifan , Tan Haojie , Xia Zhengqiang , Zhai Lianjie , Hu Jun , Yang Qi , Xie Gang , Chen Zhong , Chen Sanping
Published: May 2024

As one of the main components of solid propellant, ammonium perchlorate (AP) shows slow sluggish decomposition kinetics with unconcentrated heat release. To achieve efficient catalytical decomposition, it is a significant challenge to design reasonable catalyst structure and explore the interaction between catalyst and AP. Herein, a series of porous carbon supported spinel‐typed homogeneous heterometallic composites CuxCo3−xO4/C via pyrolysis of MOF‐74‐Co doped Cu. On basis of precise electronic‐structure‐tuning through modulating Cu/Co ratio in MOF‐74, Cu0.15Co2.85O4/C with 5% Cu‐doping featuring oxygen vacancy concentration of 26.25% exhibits the decrease to 261.5 °C with heat release up to 1222.1 J g−1 (456.9 °C and 669.2 J g−1 for pure AP). The detail process of AP accelerated decomposition is approved by TG‐DSC‐FTIR‐MS technique. Density functional theory calculation revealed that in the Cu0.15Co2.85O4/C, the distinctive ability for NH3 catalyzed oxidation assisted with absorption performance of active porous C boosts accelerating AP decomposition. The findings would provide an insight for perceiving and understanding AP catalytic decomposition.
Regulation of Charge Transfer Pathway in Ag‐ZnIn2S4 Nanowires for Visible Photodynamic Therapy on Candida Albicans Infections
Authors: Sun Xiaoyu , Zhao Lebing , Cheng Jian , Fang Zemin , Zhou Hang , Li Shikuo
Published: May 2024

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is receiving extensive attention as an antimicrobial strategy that does not cause drug resistance by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Herein, hierarchical Ag‐ZnIn2S4 (Ag‐ZIS) core‐shell nanowires are synthesized by in situ Metal‐Organic Framework derived method for efficient PDT of Candida albicans (C. albicans). The core‐shell structure enables spatial synergy strategy to regulate the charge transfer pathway under visible light excitation, in which the Ag nanowires are like the highway for the photogenerated electrons. The enhanced charge carrier separation efficiency greatly increased the chances for the generation of ROS. As expected, the optimized Ag‐ZIS nanowires exhibit excellent performance for inactivation of C. albicans under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm, 15 min), and the effective sterilization concentration is as high as 107CFU mL‐1. Moreover, in vivo infection experiments suggested that the PDT effect of Ag‐ZIS nanowires on the mouse wound healing is better than that of the clinical Ketoconazole drug. The PDT antifungal mechanism of Ag‐ZIS nanowires is also investigated, and superoxide anion is found to be the predominant active species to causes C. albicans damage. This work provides a new perspective for designing novel interface structures to regulate charge transfer to achieve efficient PDT antifungal therapy.
Orientation‐Dependent Photoconductivity of Quasi‐2D Nanocrystal Self‐Assemblies: Face‐Down, Edge‐Up Versus Randomly Oriented Quantum Wells
Authors: Ibrahem Mohammed A. , Waris Mohsin , Miah Md Rumon , Shabani Farzan , Canimkurbey Betul , Unal Emre , Delikanli Savas , Demir Hilmi Volkan
Published: May 2024

Here, strongly orientation‐dependent lateral photoconductivity of a CdSe monolayer colloidal quantum wells (CQWs) possessing short‐chain ligands is reported. A controlled liquid‐air self‐assembly technique is utilized to deliberately engineer the alignments of CQWs into either face‐down (FO) or edge‐up (EO) orientation on the substrate as opposed to randomly oriented (RO) CQWs prepared by spin‐coating. Adapting planar configuration metal‐semiconductor‐metal (MSM) photodetectors, it is found that lateral conductivity spans ≈2 orders of magnitude depending on the orientation of CQWs in the film in the case of utilizing short ligands. The long native ligands of oleic acid (OA) are exchanged with short‐chain ligands of 2‐ethylhexane‐1‐thiol (EHT) to reduce the inter‐platelet distance, which significantly improved the photoresponsivity from 4.16, 0.58, and 4.79 mA W−1 to 528.7, 6.17, and 94.2 mA W−1, for the MSM devices prepared with RO, FO, and EO, before and after ligands exchange, respectively. Such CQW orientation control profoundly impacts the photodetector performance also in terms of the detection speed (0.061 s/0.074 s for the FO, 0.048 s/0.060 s for the EO compared to 0.10 s/0.16 s for the RO, for the rise and decay time constants, respectively) and the detectivity (1.7 × 1010, 2.3 × 1011, and 7.5 × 1011 Jones for the FO, EO, and RO devices, respectively) which can be further tailored for the desired optoelectronic device applications. Attributed to charge transportation in colloidal films being proportional to the number of hopping steps, these findings indicate that the solution‐processed orientation of CQWs provides the ability to tune the photoconductivity of CQWs with short ligands as another degree of freedom to exploit and engineer their absorptive devices.
The Surface Confinement of FeO Assists in the Generation of Singlet Oxygen and High‐Valent Metal‐Oxo Species for Enhanced Fenton‐Like Catalysis
Authors: Wang Guangfu , Huang Danlian , Cheng Min , Du Li , Chen Sha , Zhou Wei , Li Ruijin , Li Sai , Huang Hai , Xu Wenbo , Tang Lin
Published: May 2024

Transition metal compounds (TMCs) have long been potential candidate catalysts in persulfate‐based advanced oxidation process (PS‐AOPs) due to their Fenton‐like catalyze ability for radical generation. However, the mechanism involved in TMCs‐catalyzed nonradical PS‐AOPs remains obscure. Herein, the growth of FeO on the Fe3O4/carbon precursor is regulated by restricted pyrolysis of MIL‐88A template to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for tetracycline (TC) removal. The higher FeO incorporation conferred a 2.6 times higher degradation performance than that catalyzed by Fe3O4 and also a higher interference resistance to anions or natural organic matter. Unexpectedly, the quenching experiment, probe method, and electron paramagnetic resonance quantitatively revealed that the FeO reassigned high nonradical species (1O2 and FeIV═O) generation to replace original radical system created by Fe3O4. Density functional theory calculation interpreted that PMS molecular on strongly‐adsorbed (200) and (220) facets of FeO enjoyed unique polarized electronic reception for surface confinement effect, thus the retained peroxide bond energetically supported the production of 1O2 and FeIV═O. This work promotes the mechanism understanding of TMCs‐induced surface‐catalyzed persulfate activation and enables them better perform catalytic properties in wastewater treatment.
Spatially Confined Radical Addition Reaction for Electrochemical Synthesis of Carboxylated Graphene and its Applications in Water Desalination and Splitting
Authors: Liu Xiaotian , Huang Mingzheng , Yang Shuting , Devasenathipathy Rajkumar , Xie Linhong , Yang Zhongyun , Wang Limin , Huang Dujuan , Peng Xinglan , Chen Du‐Hong , Li Jian‐Feng , Fan Youjun , Chen Wei
Published: May 2024

Due to the chemical stability of graphene, synthesis of carboxylated graphene still remains challenging during the electrochemical exfoliation of graphite. In this work, a spatially confined radical addition reaction which occurs in the sub‐nanometer scaled interlayers of the expanded graphene sheets for the electrochemical synthesis of highly stable carboxylated graphene is reported. Here, formate anions act as both intercalation ions and co‐reactant acid for the confinement of electro‐generated carboxylic radical (●COOH) in the sub‐nanometer scaled interlayers, which facilitates the radical addition reaction on graphene sheets. The controllable carboxylation of graphene is realized by tuning the concentration of formate anions in the electrolyte solution. The high crystallinity of the obtained product indicates the occurrence of spatially confined ●COOH addition reaction between the sub‐nanometer interlayers of expanded graphite. In addition, the carboxylated graphene have been used for water desalination and hydrogen/oxygen reduction reaction. Therefore, this work provides a new method for the in situ preparation of functionalized graphene through the electrolysis and its applications in water desalination and hydrogen/oxygen reduction reactions.
Positional functionalizations of metal–organic frameworks through invasive ligand exchange and additory MOF‐on‐MOF strategies: A review
Authors: Lee Daeyeon , Lee Sangho , Choi Isaac , Kim Min
Published: May 2024

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) represent a unique class of porous materials with tremendous potential for diverse applications. A key factor contributing to their versatility is their ability to precisely introduce functional groups at specific positions within pores and crystals. This review explores two prominent strategies for achieving the positional functionalization of MOFs: post‐synthetic ligand exchange (PSE) and MOF‐on‐MOF. In PSE, the existing ligands within solid‐state MOFs can be selectively replaced by the desired functional groups in solution through ligand dynamics. This invasive functionalization provides a flexible approach to fine‐tuning the surface of the MOFs with the target functionality. Conversely, MOF‐on‐MOF strategies are additive methodologies involving the controlled growth of one MOF layer onto another. The functionality of the core and shell (or surface) can be independently controlled. This review critically examines the examples, strengths, limitations, and applications of these strategies, emphasizing their significance in advancing the field of MOF functionalization and paving the way for tailored multifunctional materials with precise and specific properties.
Digitaler Haushalt und Markt
Authors: Dethier Erik , Bossauer Paul , Pakusch Christina , Schreiber Dirk
Published: May 2024

In diesem Kapitel werden die Perspektive des Privathaushalts und die Perspektive des Marktes erörtert. Ein:e Verbraucher:in, welche:r innerhalb eines Haushalts zur Bedürfnisbefriedigung wirtschaftet, erledigt dabei Hausarbeit durch Kochen, Putzen, Waschen, tätigt den Abschluss von Verträgen, die Pflege von Einkaufslisten oder eine Finanzplanung. Dabei haben Verbraucher:innen unterschiedliche Praktiken und Bewältigungsstrategien entwickelt, die es in der Verbraucherinformatik zu analysieren gilt. Physische Hausarbeit wird bereits im Smart-Home-Kontext durch intelligente Maschinen (oft Roboter genannt) ausgelagert. Kognitive Hausarbeit im alltäglichen Handeln (bspw. bei Verträgen) kann und wird in Zukunft durch Software wie auch Intermediäre unterstützt werden. Digitale Märkte stellen eine häufige Form der Intermediation dar, die Besonderheiten und Effekten unterliegt, welche das Verbraucherverhalten beeinflussen können. So gewinnen zum Beispiel einige wenige Anbieter mithilfe von Netzwerkeffekten, Skaleneffekten und Lock-in-Effekten zunehmend an Marktdominanz und verdrängen kleinere Anbieter, was zu Quasimonopolen führen kann. Digitale Märkte zeichnen sich zudem durch ihre Vertrauensfunktion in der Internet-Ökonomie aus.
Digitaler Verbraucherschutz
Authors: Pins Dominik , Walther Michelle , Krüger Jana , Stevens Gunnar , Krauss Veronika , Amirkhani Sima
Published: May 2024

Verbraucher:innen hinterlassen Spuren in nahezu allen Bereichen und Lebensräumen. Besonders der stetig wachsende digitale Lebensraum ist voll von Informationen und Daten. Durch die Allgegenwärtigkeit datensammelnder Dienste und Geräte wie das Smartphone durchdringen diese immer tiefer auch die analogen Bereiche des Lebens. In diesem Kapitel geht es um Privatsphäre, Verbraucherdaten und die resultierende Cyberkriminalität. Es werden Wege aufgezeigt, wie Verbraucher:innen sensibilisiert und befähigt werden können, um sich selbst, ihre Privatsphäre und ihre Daten zu schützen. Außerdem geben wir einen Überblick, welche Arten von Cyberkriminalität es gibt und was darunter verstanden wird. Hierbei wird auf Verbraucherschutz, Privatsphäre und die verschiedenen Arten des Onlinebetrugs eingegangen. Wir bieten einen Einblick in die „digitale Resilienz“ von Verbraucher:innen und erfassen die verschiedenen Präventions- und Bewältigungsstrategien, die Opfer anwenden.
Digitale Gestaltung
Authors: Esau-Held Margarita , Krauß Veronika , Essing Britta
Published: May 2024

Die digitale Gestaltung in der Verbraucherinformatik stellt den Menschen und seine Konsumpraktiken in den Gestaltungsmittelpunkt. Dieses Kapitel erläutert gängige Designansätze und -vorgehen in der Software-Artefaktgestaltung und diskutiert die nutzer:innenzentrierten Kriterien und Ziele, die durch die Gebrauchstauglichkeit (Usability) und das Nutzungserlebnis (UX) maßgeblich bestimmt werden. Mit Rückbezug auf soziale Praktiken werden diese und die gesellschaftliche Partizipation im Allgemeinen als Designmaterial vorgestellt. Abschließend werden in zwei Design Case Studies explorative Designansätze zur Gestaltung neuer Technologien exemplarisch erläutert und diskutiert.
Writing Non-fiction Books on National Culture for Vietnamese Children in the Age of Globalisation: The Process of Building Intercultural Competence
Authors: Dang Thi Phuong Anh , Hà Tú Anh , Phan Quang Anh
Published: May 2024

This paper tracks down the process of writing non-fiction books on national culture for Vietnamese children to help them understand their identity and respect cultural differences in the age of globalisation. By self-reflecting on the writing experience, this essay elucidates the process of building intercultural competence in its relationship with national identity through the case study of “Kể chuyện văn hóa Việt”. The paper provides a discussion among the three authors in the format of an interview with the co-author who also wrote the non-fiction book series that we focus upon. The first part reflects on intercultural competence as a concept, and the second half considers how the book series emerged and put this concept into practice. The research results show that constructing national identity, individual agency, and intercultural competence for children must be transferred naturally from each book’s topic to the flow of the story. In this case, the most striking feature is the main character’s interaction with his family. In addition, the context needs to integrate both global and local elements. The series creates situations in which there is a comparison between the past and the present, between Vietnam and other countries. It helps readers engage in different worldviews and address diversity by examining their community and nation, thus becoming more tolerant of others. This paper suggests guidance for creating similar books and helps the audience understand the author’s journey to create a trade book series featuring culture-related content.
Engagement of Vietnamese Religious Communities in National Education: Resources, Challenges, and Opportunities
Authors: Van Bien Duong , Ibrohim  , Ngoan Nguyen Thi Bich , Trang Nguyen Thi , Thoa Nguyen Thi Kim , Bang Vu Thanh , Van Chung Vu
Published: May 2024

With 43 legal religious organizations and an estimated 26.5 million religious adherents, Vietnam has had a very diversified religious landscape. After the Renovation (Đổi Mới), the Vietnam government’s policy of socializing education has encouraged religious groups to participate in the national education. Our chapter outlines this policy before focusing on the contributions of certain religious organizations to developing national education. Then, our research identifies significant challenges faced by religious organizations in the field of national education, as well as the critical advantages they could have had to compete in this area. Toward the end of the chapter, we recommend that religious topics be included in the curriculum for all public schools.
Languages and Ethnic Minority Students’ Access to Education in Vietnam: Problems Turned into Opportunities from the Perspective of Translanguaging
Authors: Nguyen Chinh Duc , Tran Thanh Nguyen Thao
Published: May 2024

Compared to students of the ethnic majority (the Kinh), minority students have a lower level of educational attainment. Language barriers have been widely accepted as a cause for this disparity. That is, ethnic minority students encounter schooling difficulties due to their disadvantages in Vietnamese, the national language and also the language of the ethnic majority in Vietnam. This chapter reports part of the findings of a project that explored schooling opportunities for ethnic minority students in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Specifically, the chapter highlights the findings related to language difficulties experienced by students of two ethnic minorities in two highland provinces (Gia Lai and Dak Lak). Data were collected from informal talks/interviews with educational/school leaders, teachers, and parents in local villages. The findings show that a low level of Vietnamese was perceived as the major challenge to the ethnic minority students’ schooling opportunities. In addition, students were discouraged to capitalize on their indigenous languages to facilitate their learning and engagement in the classroom. The chapter begins with an overview of educational inequalities between ethnic majority and minority students in Vietnam. Next, we focus on language barriers experienced by ethnic minority students by reviewing relevant studies. The findings and discussion will be the central section of this chapter. Based on the literature and our research findings, we suggest a solution to the perceived problems. That is, policy and practice of education for ethnic minority students need to be innovated in accordance with translanguaging, which posits ethnic minority students’ language resources should be seen as strengths rather than challenges.
The Legacy of the American War Today: The Nation, Heroes and Enemies in Vietnamese War Literature for the Youth
Authors: Hà Tú Anh , Bellot Andrea Roxana
Published: May 2024

This chapter seeks to explore the impact of American War(Vietnam War) literature in framing students’ opinions and standpoints regarding major topics such as nationhood, heroism and alterity in present-day Vietnam. High-school students from Ho Chi Minh City were asked to critically engage in the reading of short stories to be able to explore their perception and understanding of the war today. The main results suggest a move forward in the recognition of this large-scale humanitarian tragedy by valuing the sacrifices made by the national body and the acknowledgement of the enemy as a human being.
Holographic complexity of the extended Schwarzschild-de Sitter space
Authors: Aguilar-Gutierrez Sergio E. , Baiguera Stefano , Zenoni Nicolò
Published: May 2024

Abstract

According to static patch holography, de Sitter space admits a unitary quantum description in terms of a dual theory living on the stretched horizon, that is a timelike surface close to the cosmological horizon. In this manuscript, we compute several holographic complexity conjectures in a periodic extension of the Schwarzschild-de Sitter black hole. We consider multiple configurations of the stretched horizons to which geometric objects are anchored. The holographic complexity proposals admit a hyperfast growth when the gravitational observables only lie in the cosmological patch, except for a class of complexity=anything observables that admit a linear growth. All the complexity conjectures present a linear increase when restricted to the black hole patch, similar to the AdS case. When both the black hole and the cosmological regions are probed, codimension-zero proposals are time-independent, while codimension-one proposals can have non-trivial evolution with linear increase at late times. As a byproduct of our analysis, we find that codimension-one spacelike surfaces are highly constrained in Schwarzschild-de Sitter space. Therefore, different locations of the stretched horizon give rise to different behaviours of the complexity conjectures.
Gauge origami and quiver W-algebras
Authors: Kimura Taro , Noshita Go
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We explore the quantum algebraic formalism of the gauge origami system in ℂ4, where D2/D4/D6/D8-branes are present. We demonstrate that the contour integral formulas have free field interpretations, leading to the operator formalism of qq-characters associated with each D-brane. The qq-characters of D2 and D4-branes correspond to screening charges and generators of the affine quiver W-algebra, respectively. On the other hand, the qq-characters of D6 and D8-branes represent novel types of qq-characters, where monomial terms are characterized by plane partitions and solid partitions. The composition of these qq-characters yields the instanton partition functions of the gauge origami system, eventually establishing the BPS/CFT correspondence.

Additionally, we demonstrate that the fusion of qq-characters of D-branes in lower dimensions results in higher-dimensional D-brane qq-characters. We also investigate quadratic relations among these qq-characters. Furthermore, we explore the relationship with the representations, q-characters, and the Bethe ansatz equations of the quantum toroidal $$ {\mathfrak{gl}}_1 $$

gl
1

. This connection provides insights into the Bethe/Gauge correspondence of the gauge origami system from both gauge-theoretic and quantum-algebraic perspectives.

We finally present conjectures regarding generalizations to general toric Calabi-Yau four-folds. These generalizations imply the existence of an extensive class of qq-characters, which we call BPS qq-characters. These BPS qq-characters offer a new systematic approach to derive a broader range of BPS/CFT correspondence and Bethe/Gauge correspondence.