bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Mixed Solvent in the Morphology and Hydrophobicity of Electrospun Polystyrene Porous Fibers
Authors: Melo Guilherme Henrique França , Sundararaj Uttandaraman
Published: September 2024

Electrospun polystyrene (PS) fibers are produced using a mixed solvent of chloroform and n,n‐dimethylformamide (DMF) to investigate the influence of the solvent ratio on the fiber surface morphology and contact angle of the obtained mats. Electrospinning is a simple processing technique for producing fibers with diameters in the range of nanometers to a few micrometers. When using the different solvent ratios for this process, porous PS membranes are created due to nonsolvent and thermally induced phase separation (N‐TIPS). The morphology of the fibers is analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed that fibers have diameters between 200 nm and 6 µm. SEM also revealed that the pores present on the surface of the fibers vary from densely compacted and well‐formed nanopores with diameters in the range of 20–50 nm to larger pores with sizes of ≈100–200 nm. The pore size varied with different solvent ratios. The surface area is analyzed using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method and found that the polymeric fibers have a high surface area (≈35 m2 g−1). The fibers with such morphology are highly hydrophobic, with a contact angle higher than 143°. These materials are excellent candidates for applications in textiles, filtration, and biomedical fields.
Unearthing the impact of earthquakes: A review of economic and social consequences
Authors: Aksoy Cevat Giray , Chupilkin Maxim , Koczan Zsoka , Plekhanov Alexander
Published: September 2024

The purpose of this paper is to offer a comprehensive overview of the socioeconomic effects of earthquakes. We begin with a thorough literature review. Following this, we assess policy measures taken in response to major earthquakes, drawing on existing research to formulate insights and recommendations that policymakers can use to effectively navigate the risks in the aftermath of such disasters. In addition to reviewing the literature and analyzing policy interventions, we conduct an in‐depth examination of the economic repercussions of earthquakes. Our analysis utilizes data from around 80 significant earthquakes across more than 30 countries. The findings indicate that, while the overall effect of major earthquakes on GDP per capita is generally small, the impact on fiscal accounts can be substantial, although this varies significantly between economies. External trade balances tend to weaken, with a considerable decrease in exports and an ambiguous effect on imports.
Organic reinforcement of an ethylene propylene diene monomer with the in situ synthesis of a polyimide dispersed phase by reactive extrusion
Authors: Dubois Charlotte , Delage Karim , Alcouffe Pierre , Garois Nicolas , Marestin Catherine , Bounor‐Legaré Véronique , Cassagnau Philippe
Published: September 2024

Ethylene‐propylene‐diene monomer rubber, grafted with maleic anhydride functions (EPDM‐g‐MA) was organically reinforced by reactive extrusion from the in situ synthesis of a polyimide (PI) phase. The blends were reactively processed at 200°C in a twin‐screw extruder, with the PI content varying from 5 to 40 wt%. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed a very fine nodular dispersion of the PI phase with diameters ranging from 130 to 240 nm depending on the PI concentration. The reinforcement of the elastomer was evidenced with a sharp increase of the Young's modulus and the tensile strength, and the stiffness of the material was further increased with the PI content. The linear viscoelastic regime, as measured by the variation in storage modulus as a function of strain, was unaffected by this organic reinforcement, thus opening up an original way of controlling the Payne effect. Additionally, the cross‐linking of the blend with 20 wt% of PI with dicumyl peroxide (DCP) showed that the PI phase did not impact the creation of the cross‐linked network. The decrease of the swelling ratio and the improvement of the elastic recovery suggested that EPDM‐g‐PI copolymers can create a second network in the material, resulting in a higher apparent cross‐linking density. The mechanical properties of the cured blend showed a doubling of the Young's modulus and maximal stress values compared to those obtained for the pure matrix as well as a constant strain at break.

Highlights

Ethylene‐propylene‐diene monomer rubber, grafted with maleic anhydride functions (EPDM‐g‐MA) was organically reinforced by reactive extrusion.

The reinforcement was obtained from the in situ synthesis of a polyimide (PI) phase.

The Young's modulus of cross‐linked EPDM containing 20 wt% PI was doubled.

The linear viscoelastic regime was unaffected by this organic reinforcement.

This original way of reinforcement opens the control of the Payne effect.
Lifestyle migrants as Eliasian ‘outsiders’: The case of Swedish emigrants to Portugal
Authors: Candeias Pedro , Rauhut Daniel
Published: September 2024

This paper discusses the emigration process by the Swedes permanently residing in Portugal and their emotional ties to the Swedish society. The focus is on those who have no ambition nor desire to keep up any ties with Sweden after they have emigrated to Portugal. Hitherto, the non‐intention to return is, both empirically and theoretically, underexplored in migration research. To enrich the conceptual framework, we incorporate Hirschmann's theory on loyalty, voice, and exit with Elias's established/outsider‐theory. The findings suggest that many of the Swedes in Portugal with no intentions to return were Eliasian ‘outsiders’ before leaving Sweden. We conclude that all lifestyle migrants do not migrate to'practice privilege’ or'self‐fulfilment’, partly contesting what is known about lifestyle migrations associated with European north‐south migrations; some have done a Hirschmann ‘exit’, left their native country and try to prosper somewhere else. The added value of this paper is its potential to explain why emigrants choose not to maintain ties with their country of origin.
Rice Husk Derived Activated Carbon‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Coumarin Derivatives: Study of Anti‐Cancer Activity
Authors: Patel Geetika , Patel Ashok Raj , Kahar Namrata , Kumar Manish , Das Utpal , Seth Rohit , Banerjee Subhash
Published: September 2024

Herein, we report the fabrication of biomass rice husk‐derived chemically activated carbon (RCAC) sheets which are self‐assembled to 2D hollow porous materials and demonstrated their catalytic efficiency in the domino Knoevenagel−Michael addition reaction for the synthesis of various bio‐active coumarin derivatives in excellent yields under metal‐free conditions mild reaction conditions. Particularly, we have illustrated a facile, eco‐friendly, economical, and sustainable method for the synthesis of bis‐(4‐hydroxycoumarin)methanes, bis‐dimedones, and 4‐hydroxy‐3‐thiomethylcoumarins, via three‐component reactions of 4‐hydroxy coumarin/demedone, aldehydes and or thiophenols. Moreover, the Michael addition of 4‐hydroxy coumarin and chalcone derivatives leading to the synthesis of warfarin derivatives has also been demonstrated using RCAC as a catalyst. The cytotoxicity potential has been performed against human liver cancer cell line Hep‐G2 cancer cells for all the synthesized products by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. The cytotoxicity study against Hep‐G2 results indicates that all compounds are capable of killing the liver cancer cell line. The most potent anti‐proliferative activity was observed in compounds 3 g, 5 b, 5 c, 5 a, and 9 b against liver cancer cells.
Structural changes at dental tissue interfaces characterized by energy‐dispersive resonant inelastic X‐ray scattering and FTIR techniques
Authors: Sánchez H. J. , Leani J. J. , Robledo J. I. , Grenón M. , Marcelli A. , Migliori A. , Wang Yuying , Qi Zeming
Published: September 2024

Energy‐dispersive inelastic X‐ray scattering (EDIXS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to study hard dental tissues like dentine, enamel, and cementum in several human dental pieces of adult individuals. Analysis of linear paths crossing different interfaces were carried out. These different techniques provide specific information that allows a combined interpretation of the results as well as a comparison of performances of both methodologies. The EDIXS analysis was focused on the calcium absorption edge because this major element has a fundamental role in the formation of the calcium phosphate structure. Regarding FTIR, the investigation focused on the study of ν1, ν3, and ν4 vibrational modes of hydroxyapatite. The ν1, ν3, and ν4 vibrational modes of hydroxyapatite are related to the vibrations of the phosphate (PO43‐) ion. Specifically, ν1 corresponds to the symmetric stretching vibration, ν3 is the asymmetric stretching vibration, and ν4 is the bending vibration of the phosphate ion. The results allowed us to infer a correlation between the variations observed in EDIXS and the ν3 vibrational mode measured with FTIR. This correlation between inelastic X‐ray scattering and FTIR spectroscopy offers a more comprehensive characterization of hydroxyapatite parameters. Furthermore, it establishes a complementary technique for the structural characterization of dental tissues.
Immunologische Aspekte und Stressregulation bei Fatigue
Authors: Peters Eva Milena Johanne
Published: September 2024

Fatigue ist ein Begriff, der eine körperliche messbare, meist muskuläre oder eine empfundene Erschöpfung beschreibt. Fatigue als Zustand wird bei einer breiten Palette langfristiger Belastungen beobachtet, wie etwa bei chronisch infektiösen, autoimmunen oder Krebserkrankungen, sowie bei psychischen Störungen. In diesem Artikel wird ein Überblick zu den bislang bekannten biopsychosozialen Zusammenhängen zwischen Fatigue, psychosozialer Belastung, Stress- und Immunantwort gegeben. Es wird herausgearbeitet, wie chronische Entzündungsprozesse und Stress bei Fatigue interagieren und für welche therapeutischen Ansätze bislang Evidenz vorliegt.

Gemäß dem aktuellen psychoneuroimmunologischen Wissensstand und dem biopsychosozialen Modell können sowohl hohe körperliche und als auch psychosoziale Belastungen in einer neuroendokrin-immunologischen Dysregulation konvergieren. Die Fatigue-Symptomatik korrespondiert nach diesem Modell mit einer chronisch überaktivierten angeborenen Immunantwort. Bei chronischer Immunaktivierung wird zudem eine Fehlaktivierung der erlernten Immunantwort begünstigt, die von (Auto‑)Antikörperproduktion und hyperaktivierten T‑Lymphozyten dominiert wird. Patient*innen, die von Fatigue berichten, weisen jedoch nicht notwendigerweise immunologische Dysregulationen auf. Hier besteht aktuell Forschungs- und Aufklärungsbedarf, um Subpopulationen von Patient*innen und spezifisch zugeschnittene Behandlungskonzepte zu identifizieren.
Psychisch kranke Bürgerinnen und Bürger als Opfer von Eingriffen in körperliche Unversehrtheit und Vernichtung in der NS-Zeit am Beispiel einer deutschen Stadt
Authors: Rose Beatrice , Schulz Jörg-Stefan , Sundermann Eckhard , Mavrogiorgou Paraskevi , Juckel Georg
Published: September 2024

Hintergrund

Auch 90 Jahre nach nationalsozialistischer Machtergreifung und Beginn des dunkelsten Kapitels deutscher Psychiatriegeschichte bleibt die Auseinandersetzung mit der medizinhistorischen Vergangenheit als kontinuierliche ärztliche Verantwortung von großer Relevanz. Die Eingriffe in das Leben psychisch kranker Menschen durch das nationalsozialistische Regime sind zwar ein fest etablierter Bestandteil der medizinhistorischen Forschung; über die genauen Vorgänge in einer konkreten Region mit ihren betroffenen Bürgerinnen und Bürgern ist jedoch bisher wenig bekannt.

Ziel der Untersuchung

Ziel dieser Untersuchung war es daher, Verlegungsrouten der „Euthanasie“-Transporte und Sterbeorte der Bochumer Opfer sowie Patientencharakteristika der Betroffenen zu identifizieren.

Material und Methoden

Zum untersuchten Zeitpunkt erfolgte die stationäre Versorgung psychisch kranker Patientinnen und Patienten aus dem Raum Westfalen in sieben Provinzialanstalten. In Bochum gab es damals keine psychiatrische Klinik, sodass die Patientinnen und Patienten auf diese Anstalten verteilt wurden. Die Basis dieser Untersuchung bildeten die Verlegungslisten der westfälischen Provinzialanstalten in die Euthanasie-Anstalten.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Es wurden insgesamt 366 Bochumer Bürgerinnen und Bürger identifiziert, die von „Euthanasie“-Verlegungen betroffen waren. Die Transportlisten wurden durch Aufnahme- und Abgangsbücher, Sterbelisten sowie Patientenakten verifiziert. Mithilfe der Erbgesundheitsakten des Stadtarchivs konnten die verlegten Bochumer Patienten daraufhin untersucht werden, ob sie Opfer einer Zwangssterilisation wurden. Das Untersuchungsprojekt war durch die DGPPN-Wanderausstellung zur T4-Aktion angestoßen worden und ist Teil des Bochumer Stolpersteinprojekts.
Laboratory Tests of Strain Burst in Boreholes of Four Types of Rocks Under Biaxial Loading
Authors: Shi Lei , Li Charlie C. , Zhang Xiwei
Published: September 2024

Biaxial compression tests were carried out on four types of rocks to investigate the relationship between the magnitude of strain burst and the intrinsic burst energy of the rock. The specimens were in the shape of cube with a circular hole in the center. They were loaded by σ1 and σ2 in the plane perpendicular to the hole axis. Under such a loading condition, V-notches were generated in the sidewalls of the hole of all specimens. However, the failure process was different in hard and soft rocks. Strain burst occurred in the hard and strong Jinzhou and Guangxi granites, while the failure was progressive spalling in the relatively soft and weak Beishan granite and Shandong sandstone. Back-calculations to some of the ejected debris in the Guangxi granite specimens showed that the ejection velocity varied from 2.33 to 4.75 m/s which was consistent with the ejection velocity of 2.98 m/s estimated from the intrinsic burst energy of the rock. The numerical modeling indicated that the rock surrounding the burst pit contributed little energy in a strain burst event. Both experiments and numerical modeling confirm that the magnitude of a strain burst is mainly attributed to the intrinsic burst energy of the rock. Based on the numerical modeling, the minimum side length of the cubic specimen must be four times the hole diameter such that the deviation of the stress distribution in the specimen is negligibly small from the analytical solutions in an infinite mass.
CMN: a co-designed neural architecture search for efficient computing-in-memory-based mixture-of-experts
Authors: Han Shihao , Liu Sishuo , Du Shucheng , Li Mingzi , Ye Zijian , Xu Xiaoxin , Li Yi , Wang Zhongrui , Shang Dashan
Published: September 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) has experienced substantial advancements recently, notably with the advent of large-scale language models (LLMs) employing mixture-of-experts (MoE) techniques, exhibiting human-like cognitive skills. As a promising hardware solution for edge MoE implementations, the computing-in-memory (CIM) architecture collocates memory and computing within a single device, significantly reducing the data movement and the associated energy consumption. However, due to diverse edge application scenarios and constraints, determining the optimal network structures for MoE, such as the expert’s location, quantity, and dimension on CIM systems remains elusive. To this end, we introduce a software-hardware co-designed neural architecture search (NAS) framework, CIM-based MoE NAS (CMN), focusing on identifying a high-performing MoE structure under specific hardware constraints. The results of the NYUD-v2 dataset segmentation on the RRAM (SRAM) CIM system reveal that CMN can discover optimized MoE configurations under energy, latency, and performance constraints, achieving 29.67× (43.10×) energy savings, 175.44×(109.89×) speedup, and 12.24× smaller model size compared to the baseline MoE-enabled Visual Transformer, respectively. This co-design opens up an avenue toward high-performance MoE deployments in edge CIM systems.
Cross-cultural Invariance of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF) in Seven Latin American Countries
Authors: Blandón-Castaño John Alexander , Puerta-Cortés Diana Ximena , Carmona Arnau , Ivern Jan , Vilca Lindsey W. , Carbonell Xavier , Caycho-Rodríguez Tomás
Published: September 2024

Due to the growing increase of online video gamers and the possible psychosocial consequences of excessive gaming, it is important to validate reliable and culturally sensitive diagnostic tools. This study aims to assess the cross-cultural invariance of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS9-SF) which was adapted to measure IGD exclusively in League of Legends (LoL), across seven Latin American countries. In the sample of 12,972 LoL players, the factor structure, invariance, and validity of the Latin American version are examined. The results revealed a better fit and reliability and construct validity when item eight was excluded; this model showed factorial invariance by country, sex, server, and game modality. In conclusion, the study provides empirical evidence that determines the applicability of the eight-item version of the IGDS9-SF in various contexts, its usefulness in assessing the severity of Internet gaming disorder, and adverse health effects in Latin American LoL players.
Naming and shaming in UN treaty bodies: Individual petitions’ effect on human rights
Authors: Schoner Rachel J.
Published: September 2024

Can individual participation in international legal institutions affect state behavior? Much of the existing literature believes that international law has a limited effect in the countries where it’s needed the most, especially in the absence of enforcement mechanisms. Focused on repressive regimes, this paper analyzes petitions (complaints) filed by victims of human rights abuse in United Nations human rights treaty bodies. As a form of naming and shaming, I theorize that violation decisions– in which a monitoring body confirms a treaty violation– may improve human rights when paired with civil society organizations that publicize the decisions. Leveraging a new dataset, I find that governments improve respect for the most severe abuses involving bodily harm immediately after violation decisions. In support of the theory, these short-lived effects are driven by petitions where civil society actors are listed as representation. This work improves our understanding of the role of non-state actors in global politics and compliance with international institutions. International organizations can, under certain conditions, provide information on non-compliance that sufficiently pressures governments to change domestic practices and decrease repression.
Should Patients Be Allowed to Pay Out of Pocket? The Ethical Dilemma of Access to Expensive Anti-cancer Treatments in Universal Healthcare Systems: A Dutch Case Study
Authors: Bomhof C. H. C. , Bunnik Eline M.
Published: September 2024

With the increasing prices of newly approved anti-cancer treatments contributing to rising healthcare costs, healthcare systems are facing complex economic and ethical dilemmas. Especially in countries with universal access and mandatory health insurance, including many European countries, the organizing of funding or reimbursement of expensive new treatments can be challenging. When expensive anti-cancer treatments are deemed safe and effective, but are not (yet) reimbursed, ethical dilemmas arise. In countries with universal healthcare systems, such as the Netherlands, this gives rise to a rather new ethical dilemma: should patients be allowed to pay out of pocket, using private funds, for medical treatments? On the one hand, to allow patients to pay for treatments out of pocket would be in line with the medical-ethical principles of beneficence and autonomy. On the other hand, allowing patients to pay out of pocket for anti-cancer treatments may lead to unequal access to medical treatments and could be considered unfair to patients who are less well-off. Thus, it could undermine the values of equality and solidarity, on which the Dutch healthcare system is built. Furthermore, out-of-pocket payments could potentially lead to financial hardship and distress for patients, which would conflict with the principle of non-maleficence. Does this mean that patients can rightfully be denied access to approved but not (yet) reimbursed anti-cancer treatments? In this article, we will use the Dutch healthcare system, which is based on equal access and solidarity, as a case study to draw attention to this—currently relatively unknown and unresolved—dilemma and to clarify the values at stake. This article contributes to current discussions about the societal problem of rising healthcare costs by informing policymakers, healthcare professionals, and ethicists about the ethical dilemma of out-of-pocket payments in universal healthcare systems, and aims to support health authorities, policymakers and health professionals in developing policy for whether to allow out-of-pocket payment-based access to newly approved but (too) expensive anti-cancer treatments.
Extra-osseous Roles of the RANK-RANKL-OPG Axis with a Focus on Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Gostage John , Kostenuik Paul , Goljanek-Whysall Katarzyna , Bellantuono Ilaria , McCloskey Eugene , Bonnet Nicolas
Published: September 2024

Purpose of Review

This review aims to consolidate recent observations regarding extra-osseous roles of the RANK-RANKL-OPG axis, primarily within skeletal muscle.

Recent Findings

Preclinical efforts to decipher a common signalling pathway that links the synchronous decline in bone and muscle health in ageing and disease disclosed a potential role of the RANK-RANKL-OPG axis in skeletal muscle. Evidence suggests RANKL inhibition benefits skeletal muscle function, mass, fibre-type switching, calcium homeostasis and reduces fall incidence. However, there still exists ambiguity regarding the exact mechanistic actions and subsequent functional improvements. Other potential RANK-RANKL-OPG extra-osseous roles include regulation of neural-inflammation and glucose metabolism.

Growing evidence suggests the RANK-RANKL-OPG axis may play a regulatory role in extra-osseous tissues, especially in skeletal muscle. Targeting RANKL may be a novel therapy in ameliorating loss of muscle mass and function. More research is warranted to determine the causality of the RANK-RANKL-OPG axis in extra-osseous tissues, especially those affected by aging.
Community Interaction, Influence, and Child Maltreatment: Variations by Rural and Urban Residence Status
Authors: Abdullah Alhassan , Mensah Felix , Zannettino Lana , Amponsah Enoch B. , Emery Clifton R.
Published: September 2024

Effects of community interventions on child maltreatment are interpreted via rational deterrence theory’s assumption of instrumental rationality. However, recent contrasting findings have raised questions about the social exchange currency that regulates human behaviour within the rational deterrence framework. This study contributes to this debate by examining the social currency of influence and its role in child maltreatment prevention. We hypothesized that both individual and community wealth of influence would predict physical abuse severity. Data was obtained from 1,100 nationally representative sample of female mothers in Ghana, and associations were examined using random effects regression models. We found a negative association between physical abuse severity and individual level influence as well as community wealth of influence. Results were only significant in the rural sample. The findings suggest that interventions aiming to increase community commitment to deter and prevent child maltreatment should focus on strengthening the currency of influence in communities.
Data-Driven Design of Single-Atom Electrocatalysts with Intrinsic Descriptors for Carbon Dioxide Reduction Reaction
Authors: Lin Xiaoyun , Zhen Shiyu , Wang Xiaohui , Moskaleva Lyudmila V. , Zhang Peng , Zhao Zhi-Jian , Gong Jinlong
Published: September 2024

The strategic manipulation of the interaction between a central metal atom and its coordinating environment in single-atom catalysts (SACs) is crucial for catalyzing the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). However, it remains a major challenge. While density-functional theory calculations serve as a powerful tool for catalyst screening, their time-consuming nature poses limitations. This paper presents a machine learning (ML) model based on easily accessible intrinsic descriptors to enable rapid, cost-effective, and high-throughput screening of efficient SACs in complex systems. Our ML model comprehensively captures the influences of interactions between 3 and 5d metal centers and 8 C, N-based coordination environments on CO2RR activity and selectivity. We reveal the electronic origin of the different activity trends observed in early and late transition metals during coordination with N atoms. The extreme gradient boosting regression model shows optimal performance in predicting binding energy and limiting potential for both HCOOH and CO production. We confirm that the product of the electronegativity and the valence electron number of metals, the radius of metals, and the average electronegativity of neighboring coordination atoms are the critical intrinsic factors determining CO2RR activity. Our developed ML models successfully predict several high-performance SACs beyond the existing database, demonstrating their potential applicability to other systems. This work provides insights into the low-cost and rational design of high-performance SACs.
A measure for the stability of structures immersed in a 2D laminar flow
Authors: Bocchi Edoardo , Gazzola Filippo
Published: September 2024

We introduce a new measure for the stability of structures, such as the cross-section of the deck of a suspension bridge, subject to a 2D fluid force, such as the lift exerted by a laminar wind. We consider a wide class of possible flows, as well as a wide class of structural shapes. Within a suitable topological framework, we prove the existence of an optimal shape maximizing the stability. Applications to engineering problems are also discussed.
Designing Electronic Structures of Multiscale Helical Converters for Tailored Ultrabroad Electromagnetic Absorption
Authors: Feng Zhaobo , Liu Chongbo , Li Xin , Luo Guangsheng , Zhai Naixin , Hu Ruizhe , Lin Jing , Peng Jinbin , Peng Yuhui , Che Renchao
Published: September 2024

Atomic-scale doping strategies and structure design play pivotal roles in tailoring the electronic structure and physicochemical property of electromagnetic wave absorption (EMWA) materials. However, the relationship between configuration and electromagnetic (EM) loss mechanism has remained elusive. Herein, drawing inspiration from the DNA transcription process, we report the successful synthesis of novel in situ Mn/N co-doped helical carbon nanotubes with ultrabroad EMWA capability. Theoretical calculation and EM simulation confirm that the orbital coupling and spin polarization of the Mn–N4–C configuration, along with cross polarization generated by the helical structure, endow the helical converters with enhanced EM loss. As a result, HMC-8 demonstrates outstanding EMWA performance, achieving a minimum reflection loss of −63.13 dB at an ultralow thickness of 1.29 mm. Through precise tuning of the graphite domain size, HMC-7 achieves an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 6.08 GHz at 2.02 mm thickness. Furthermore, constructing macroscale gradient metamaterials enables an ultrabroadband EAB of 12.16 GHz at a thickness of only 5.00 mm, with the maximum radar cross section reduction value reaching 36.4 dB m2. This innovative approach not only advances the understanding of metal–nonmetal co-doping but also realizes broadband EMWA, thus contributing to the development of EMWA mechanisms and applications.
Tailoring Light–Matter Interactions in Overcoupled Resonator for Biomolecule Recognition and Detection
Authors: Li Dongxiao , Zhou Hong , Ren Zhihao , Xu Cheng , Lee Chengkuo
Published: September 2024

Plasmonic nanoantennas provide unique opportunities for precise control of light–matter coupling in surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy, but most of the resonant systems realized so far suffer from the obstacles of low sensitivity, narrow bandwidth, and asymmetric Fano resonance perturbations. Here, we demonstrated an overcoupled resonator with a high plasmon-molecule coupling coefficient (μ) (OC-Hμ resonator) by precisely controlling the radiation loss channel, the resonator-oscillator coupling channel, and the frequency detuning channel. We observed a strong dependence of the sensing performance on the coupling state, and demonstrated that OC-Hμ resonator has excellent sensing properties of ultra-sensitive (7.25% nm−1), ultra-broadband (3–10 μm), and immune asymmetric Fano lineshapes. These characteristics represent a breakthrough in SEIRA technology and lay the foundation for specific recognition of biomolecules, trace detection, and protein secondary structure analysis using a single array (array size is 100 × 100 µm2). In addition, with the assistance of machine learning, mixture classification, concentration prediction and spectral reconstruction were achieved with the highest accuracy of 100%. Finally, we demonstrated the potential of OC-Hμ resonator for SARS-CoV-2 detection. These findings will promote the wider application of SEIRA technology, while providing new ideas for other enhanced spectroscopy technologies, quantum photonics and studying light–matter interactions.
Boosting Oxygen Evolution Reaction Performance on NiFe-Based Catalysts Through d-Orbital Hybridization
Authors: Wang Xing , Pi Wei , Hu Sheng , Bao Haifeng , Yao Na , Luo Wei
Published: September 2024

Anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) for green hydrogen production have received intensive attention due to their feasibility of using earth-abundant NiFe-based catalysts. By introducing a third metal into NiFe-based catalysts to construct asymmetrical M-NiFe units, the d-orbital and electronic structures can be adjusted, which is an important strategy to achieve sufficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance in AEMWEs. Herein, the ternary NiFeM (M: La, Mo) catalysts featured with distinct M-NiFe units and varying d-orbitals are reported in this work. Experimental and theoretical calculation results reveal that the doping of La leads to optimized hybridization between d orbital in NiFeM and 2p in oxygen, resulting in enhanced adsorption strength of oxygen intermediates, and reduced rate-determining step energy barrier, which is responsible for the enhanced OER performance. More critically, the obtained NiFeLa catalyst only requires 1.58 V to reach 1 A cm−2 in an anion exchange membrane electrolyzer and demonstrates excellent long-term stability of up to 600 h.
Improvement of prediction accuracy by choosing resampling distribution via cross-validation
Authors: Yoshida Wataru , Hirose Kei
Published: September 2024

In a regression model, prediction is typically performed after model selection. The large variability in the model selection makes the prediction unstable. Thus, it is essential to reduce the variability in model selection and improve prediction accuracy. To achieve this goal, a parametric bootstrap smoothing can be applied. In this method, model selection is performed for each resampling from a parametric distribution, and these models are then averaged such that the distribution of the selected models is considered. Here, the prediction accuracy is highly dependent on the choice of a distribution for resampling. In particular, an experimental study shows that the choice of error variance significantly changes the distribution of the selected model and thus plays a key role in improving the prediction accuracy. We also observe that the true error variance does not always provide optimal prediction accuracy. Therefore, it is not always appropriate to use unbiased estimators of the true parameters or standard estimators of the parameters for the resampling distribution. In this study, we propose employing cross-validation to choose a suitable resampling distribution rather than unbiased estimators of parameters. Our proposed method was applied to several data sets. The results indicate that the proposed method provides a better prediction accuracy than the existing method.
Rescue guiders layout study based on a two-layer optimization framework
Authors: Wang Ke , Yuan Weifeng , Yao Yao
Published: September 2024

In an emergency evacuation, the free evacuation of pedestrians can make the entire evacuation process slow and dangerous. To limit the free behavior of pedestrians and reduce the interaction between pedestrians, a reasonable layout of the guider can improve the efficiency and safety of evacuation. How to set the number, location, and exit allocation of guiders requires further investigation. In the current study, we transform the evacuation into a multi-objective optimization problem. A two-layer optimization framework is developed. In the upper level, the improved NSGA-II multi-objective algorithm is introduced to generate the favorable guider layout, and a chromosome fragment deletion operator is added to improve the optimization efficiency. In the lower layer, the agent movement simulation model is used to simulate the evacuation dynamic of crowd under the favorable guider layout. The variables of this multi-objective solution model in the upper layer are the number and location of the guiders. The evacuation time and agent movement cost are calculated by the lower layer simulation as the objective values of the solution sample, and guide the iterative search process to obtain more reasonable optimization results. The developed model is verified and then applied to a fictional scenario. The number, initial position and exit allocation of guiders are obtained by optimizing the iterative process. The results show that the near optimal solution can be applied in various visibility conditions, and the evacuation efficiency is much higher than that of unguided evacuation. This optimization framework can provide theoretical and methodological support for emergency evacuation planning.
Spatial variation and risk factors of the dual burden of childhood stunting and underweight in India: a copula geoadditive modelling approach
Authors: Bhadra Dhiman
Published: September 2024

India has one of the highest burdens of childhood undernutrition in the world. The two principal dimensions of childhood undernutrition, namely stunting and underweight can be significantly associated in a particular population, a fact that is rarely explored in the extant literature. In this study, we apply a copula geoadditive modelling framework on nationally representative data of 104,021 children obtained from the National Family Health Survey 5 to assess the spatial distribution and critical drivers of the dual burden of childhood stunting and underweight in India while accounting for this correlation. Prevalence of stunting, underweight and their co-occurrence among under 5 children were 35.37%, 28.63% and 19.45% respectively with significant positive association between the two (Pearsonian Chi square = 19346, P-value = 0). Some of the factors which were significantly associated with stunting and underweight were child gender (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.13 (1.12) for stunting (underweight)), birthweight (AOR = 1.46 (1.64) for stunting (underweight)), type of delivery (AOR = 1.12 (1.19) for stunting (underweight)), prenatal checkup (AOR = 0.94 (0.96) for stunting (underweight)) and maternal short-stature (AOR = 2.19 (1.85) for stunting (underweight)). There was significant spatial heterogeneity in the dual burden of stunting and underweight with highest prevalence being observed in eastern and western states while northern and southern states having relatively lower prevalence. Overall, the results are indicative of the inadequacy of a “one-size-fits-all” strategy and underscore the necessity of an interventional framework that addresses the nutritional deficiency of the most susceptible regions and population subgroups of the country.
Presence and implications of petrogenic organic carbon in High Himalayan Crystalline lake sediment
Authors: Singh Priyanka , Sarangi Vijayananda , Bhushan Ravi , Ali S Nawaz , Agrawal Shailesh , Tiwari Pooja , Kawsar Masud , Agnihotri Rajesh , Sanyal Prasanta , Kumar Kamlesh , Thakur Biswajeet , Manoj M C , Singh Veerukant , Dabhi Ankur , Sharma Anupam , Prakash Kuldeep , Morthekai P
Published: September 2024

Twelve lacustrine sediment samples from a relict lake in the Kalla Glacier valley were co-dated using AMS radiocarbon (14C) and infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) dating methods. In general, the radiocarbon ages of bulk organic matter were older by a minimum of 1500 years compared to (age depth) modeled luminescence ages after fading corrections. This is observed for the first time in the lake sediments of High Himalayan Crystalline zone. A combination of lipid n-alkane data, Raman spectra and geochemical proxies suggested that this was due to ancient organic carbon (OCancient) that is a mixture of pre-aged (OCpre-aged) and petrogenic (OCpetro) organic carbon within older glacial moraine debris that served as sediment source to the lake. Raman spectra suggest the presence of moderate to highly graphitized OCpetro in all the profile samples. The OCpetro contributed 0.064 ± 0.032% to the sediment and the lake stored 2.5 ± 0.7 Gg OCpetro at variable rates during the last 16 kyr, with the mean burial flux 160 kg OCpetro yr−1. This study implies (1) employing another independent dating method in addition to radiocarbon method using bulk sediment organic matter, if the carbon content is low, to observe any discrepancy, and (2) a need to investigate on the fate of OCpetro as many such small lakes become relict in this region.
Numerical simulation of an expanding magnetic field plasma thruster: a comparative study for argon, xenon and iodine fuel gases
Authors: Saini Vinod , Ganesh Rajaraman
Published: September 2024

During a space mission, switching to an electric propulsion system from chemical propulsion, once the spacecraft is out of the Earth's gravity, significantly reduces the mission's overall cost. In electric propulsion, the Hall thruster and gridded ion thruster are established technologies. These thrusters compromise mission longevity due to continuous erosion of the device electrode material. To overcome this issue, an electrode less expanding magnetic field plasma thruster or helicon plasma thruster (HPT), was proposed and research is on going worldwide. The HPT shows scaling of thrust with input power while Hall thrusters and ion thrusters do not. Typically, an inert xenon gas is used as a fuel in HPT devices due to a low ionization potential and non-hazardous nature. Xenon is not easily available in nature and during a space mission it needs to be stored in high pressure tanks. Recently, iodine has been proposed as an alternate to xenon as it is easily available and does not have any storage issues. In most of the numerical simulations, argon is used as a fuel gas to reduce the simulation cost. Using a 1D3V particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision code, we present here a net thrust generation for different fuel gases such as argon, xenon and iodine. We compare plasma flow rates and directed ion beam velocity for different fuel gases having identical inputs. Thrust and plasma flow are investigated for different magnetic field gradients in the plasma expansion region for unidirectional and bidirectional HPT and is reported here. Using iodine fuel, a significant increase in net thrust is obtained for higher magnetic field divergence for identical simulation input parameters while comparing with xenon fueled cases.
Pray the Rosary
Authors: Potter Roland
Published: September 2024

Time and again we have been urged, as individuals, in our homes, in our schools, and everywhere, to say the Rosary. Surely we must now begin to put the stress on praying the Rosary. We are concerned about the very soul of this devotion, and so about the immensely more important part of any Rosary. As the soul is always more important than the body, so too meditation of the Rosary should always have priority over any merely material recitation of the beads. This should be obvious to all. Yet how often do we slip into careless ways of talking. It is very easy for a priest to tell you, ‘for your penance, say a decade of the Rosary'. Or, perhaps, two friends may be passing a church, and one will say to the other: ‘Let's drop in and say a Rosary…’
Jesus 'Imitator Patris'
Authors: Tinsley E. J.
Published: September 2024

Christian spirituality and ethics, when most closely linked with the central affirmations of the Faith, have been traditionally expounded in terms of the ‘imitation of Christ’, This it is which has given them distinctively Christian ‘shape’, and secured that the Christian life is conceived as a possibility only because of the saving acts of God in Christ upon which as it depends. To describe the Christian life as the ‘imitation of Christ’ is not to present it, however, as a bare literal mimicry, but to stress that, in fact, the life of the Christian man is fundamentally the life of our Lord himself which he lives out in us in the sacramental life of the Church, if we will to have it so. The matter is already seen in this light in New Testament times, in, for example, St Paul's ‘Always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies’ (2 Cor. 4, 10) or ‘I have been concrucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me’ (Gal. 2, 20).
The Priest and the Mentally Sick
Authors: Plé Albert
Published: September 2024

To the eyes of faith all sickness is a trial. God is there offering us a special grace of purification and of sharing in his redeeming death, but a grace hidden and hard to discern and live. Yet the trial is still more formidable for the man whose sickness is mental, especially when, as is the case with neuroses, the sickness only partly destroys liis balance and control. His agony at feeling himself partly ‘alienated', a stranger, that is, to himself, is intense. Something deep inside him is escaping his inner attention and worse still his power. And on top of that those about him most often, even when they are full of good intentions understand nothing at all, heap one ineptitude on another and (when they have not provoked it) aggravate the disease. The sufferer feels himself excruciatingly alone, not understood, essentially helpless. Very often his faith seems to him unsettled, without strength or efficacy; all is clouded over with pain and despair.
Oremus Pro Invicem
Authors: Allchin A.M.
Published: September 2024

Nothing could be plainer than the fact that the problems of Christian disunity do not press very heavily on the great majority of English Christians. For some the whole idea that separated Christians might ever come together again in the unity of the faith seems so impossible and visionary as to be discounted altogether. For others the present situation has come to be thought of as normal, and even perhaps intended by God, and is no longer seen as a cause of sorrow or scandal; either they regards the questions which separate Christians as of no real importance, or else they think of Christians separated from themselves as so far gone in error, as to be no longer in any real sense brethrem in Christ.
Unity Work in France
Authors: Beaupére René
Published: September 2024

It is essential to have a clear idea of the numerical strength of the various religious denominations in France, if we are to assess correctly the present effort towards Christian unity in that country. The great majority of the population is Catholic, at teast in name; Protestants, Calvinist and Lutheran (leaving sects like Jehovah's Witnesses and Seventh Day Adventists out of account) number about 750,000; the Greek and Russian Orthodox come to a few thousand.

Thus the religious bodies adhering to the World Council of Churches represent a tiny minority in France. This explains why their problems, whatever their intrinsic interest, remain in the background. The movement for Christian unity in France hinges primarily on the relationship between Protestants and Catholics.
On Reflecting God
Authors: Zacharias H. C. E.
Published: September 2024

Many Catholics feel increasingly disturbed in their faith nowadays by the anthropological approach to religion. Anthropologists currently look upon religion as just one of the aspects of 'culture', as a psychological objectivation of man's subjective emotions, imaginations and explanations of reality. Gods, spirits, myths are therefore just as man-made, as are human institutions, customs, morals, say they.

May I suggest that in this, as in all other cases of disbelief and misbelief, it is quite wrong on our part (and not only tactically inexpedient) to throw the offered opinion into the waste-paper basket as totally unacceptable. We used to do so with Paganism and have only of late come to sec that Pagan beliefs are partial truths that need straightening out and being put in the proper perspective—truths which, when thus treated, enrich our own understanding by an emphasis on facts that often have hitherto escaped us.

When therefore we are told that man makes his god, I would accept this statement as quite true, as far as it goes, but add that unfortunately it does not go far enough. Does every puddle in the road make its own sun? Yes and no—poetically yes, scientifically no.
He Died in Chains
Authors: McNamara T. J.
Published: September 2024

The exhumation of the mortal remains of Matt Talbot took place in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, on Sunday, 29th June, 1952. His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin presided at the ceremony. The coffin of the Servant of God, when opened, revealed his mortal remains in skeleton form, and the burial shroud which appeared to be a Franciscan habit. In the coffin were also found three chains, three large medals, two crucifixes and portions of a large rosary. The medical experts, having taken the Oath, signed the medical report which will be inserted in the Acts of the Process. The ceremony is part of the Apostolic process of Beatification and Canonisation, and does not in any way anticipate the decision of the Holy See.

What kind of man was this Matt Talbot? What part did the chains, rosary beads and medals, found in his coffin, play in his life?

Matt Talbot was born on 2nd May, 1856, in Dublin. Both parents were pious, and in no way given to drink. They attended their monthly Confraternity Mass and Communion regularly. Twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, resulted from the marriage.
Scripture and the Liturgy
Authors: Watkin E. I.
Published: September 2024

When St Dominic's successor, Blessed Jordan of Saxony, a man remarkable for shrewd common sense, was asked which was better, studying the Scriptures or praying, he replied: You might as well ask me which is better, eating or drinking. A meticulous critic might argue that liquid nourishment is even more indispensable than solid, that no man can be saved without prayer, that prayer can save those ignorant of the Scriptures. In the concrete, however, for ourselves, Scripture and prayer, like eating and drinking, are indispensable.

Must they however be wholly separated? Can they not be, to a considerable extent at least, combined? They can, because they are.

The liturgy—Mass and Divine Office—is largely (the Office mostly) prayer in the words of Scripture, and both Mass and Office provide lessons from Scripture. The liturgical Gospels cover the greater part of the Fourth Gospel, and for a rough guess two-thirds of St Matthew and a half of St Luke.