bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep silence: Radio properties of little red dots
Authors: Perger K. , Fogasy J. , Frey S. , Gabányi K. É.
Published: December 2024

To investigate the radio properties of the recently found high-redshift population, we collected a sample of 919 little red dots (LRDs) from the literature. By cross-matching their co-ordinates with the radio catalogues based on the first- and second-epoch observations of the Very Large Array Sky Survey (VLASS) and the Faint Images of the Radio Sky at Twenty-centimeters (FIRST) survey, we found no radio counterparts coinciding with any of the LRDs. To uncover possible sub-milli-Jansky-level weak radio emission, we performed mean and median image stacking analyses of empty-field ‘quick look’ VLASS and FIRST image cutouts centred on the LRD positions. We found no radio emission above 3σ noise levels (∼11 and ∼18 μJy beam−1 for the VLASS and FIRST maps, respectively) in either of the stacked images for the LRD sample, while the noise levels of the single-epoch images are comparable to those found earlier in the stacking of high-redshift radio-quiet active galactic nuclei (AGNs). The non-detection of radio emission in LRDs suggests that these sources host weaker (or no) radio AGNs.
Dissecting the disk and the jet of a massive (proto)star
Authors: Cesaroni R. , Galli D. , Padovani M. , Rivilla V. M. , Sánchez-Monge Á.
Published: December 2024

Context. The study of disks around early-type (proto)stars has recently been boosted by a new generation of instruments, and additional evidence has been found of disk+jet systems around stars of up to ~20 M⊙. These results appear to confirm theoretical predictions that even the most massive stars may form though disk-mediated accretion.

Aims. We want to investigate one of the best examples of disk+jet systems around an early B-type (proto)star, IRAS 20126+4104. The relatively simple structure of this object and its relative proximity to Earth (1.64 kpc) make it an ideal target for resolution of its disk and the determination of its physical and kinematical structure.

Methods. Despite the high declination of IRAS 20126+4104, it has been possible to perform successful observations with the Atacama Large Millimeter and submillimeter Array at 1.4 mm in the continuum emission and a number of molecular tracers of high-density gas (for the disk) and shocked gas (for the jet).

Results. The new data allow us to improve on previous similar observations of IRAS 20126+4104 and confirm the existence of a Keplerian accretion disk around a ~12 M⊙ (proto)star. From methyl cyanide, we derived the rotation temperature and column density as a function of disk radius. We also obtained a map of the same quantities for the jet using the ratio between two lines of formaldehyde. We also use two simple models of the jet and the disk to estimate the basic geometrical and kinematical parameters of the two. From the temperature and column density profiles, we conclude that the disk is stable at all radii. We also estimate an accretion rate of ~10−3 M⊙ yr−1.

Conclusions. Our analysis confirms that the jet from IRAS 20126+4104 is highly collimated, lies close to the plane of the sky, and expands with velocity increasing with distance. As expected, the gas temperature and column density peak in the bow shock. The disk is undergoing Keplerian rotation but a non-negligible radial velocity component is also present that is equal to ~40% of the rotational component. The disk is slightly inclined with respect to the line of sight and has a dusty envelope that absorbs the emission from the disk surface. This causes a slight distortion of the disk structure observed in high-density tracers such as methyl cyanide. We also reveal a significant deviation from axial symmetry in the SW part of the disk, which might be caused by either tidal interaction with a nearby, lower-mass companion or interaction with the outflowing gas of the jet.
The gravitational form factor of the pion and proton and the conformal anomaly*
Authors: Corianò Claudio , Lionetti Stefano , Melle Dario , Tommasi Riccardo
Published: December 2024

We analyze the hard scattering amplitude of gravitational form factors (GFFs) of hadrons within QCD factorization at large momentum transfers, focusing on their conformal field theory (CFT) description. These form factors are key to studying quark and gluon angular momentum in hadrons, connected to Mellin moments of Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS). The analysis uses diffeomorphism invariance and conformal symmetry in momentum space. A non-Abelian TJJ 3-point function at O(αs2) reveals a dilaton interaction in the t-channel. We present a parameterization relevant for future DVCS/GFF experiments at the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC).
Physics programme of ALICE 3: A next-generation heavy-ion detector for LHC Run 5 and beyond
Authors: Nicassio Nicola
Published: December 2024

The ALICE Collaboration is designing a completely new apparatus, ALICE 3, for the LHC Runs 5 and 6. The detector comprises a large pixel-based tracking system covering eight units of pseudorapidity, complemented by various particle identification systems including silicon time-of-flight layers, a ring-imaging Cherenkov detector, a muon identification system, an electromagnetic calorimeter and a forward conversion tracker. ALICE 3 will, on the one hand, enable novel studies of the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) and, on the other hand, open up important physics opportunities in other areas of QCD and beyond. The main new studies in the QGP sector focus on low-pT heavy-flavour production, including beauty hadrons, multi-charm baryons and charm-charm correlations, as well as on precise multi-differential measurements of dielectrons to probe the mechanism of chiral-symmetry restoration and the time-evolution of the QGP temperature. Besides QGP studies, ALICE 3 can uniquely contribute to hadronic physics, with femtoscopic studies of the interaction potentials between charm mesons and searches for nuclei with charm, and to fundamental physics, with tests of the Low theorem for ultra-soft photon emission. This contribution will cover the latest detector concept and the state-of-the-art projections for the resulting physics performance in dielectron and heavy-flavour measurements.
Research on the Analysis of Disney+ Consumer Behavior and Marketing Strategy Based on R Language
Authors: Luo Sihang
Published: December 2024

This paper explores the current position of Disney+ within the fiercely competitive streaming market, emphasizing its rapid growth and significant impact on both the Walt Disney Company and the broader industry. While existing research has primarily focused on the critical role of content and technology in the success of Disney+, this study goes further by developing a comprehensive research framework to analyze the platform’s strategic approach, market segmentation, and potential avenues for future development. Despite its achievements, Disney+ has faced considerable challenges since 2023, including a noticeable decline in subscribers within key markets and the negative repercussions of recent subscription price hikes. These issues are compounded by intensified competition from other streaming services, making it imperative for Disney+ to adapt its strategies. To address these challenges, this paper employs R language to predict user churn through logistic regression, offering a deeper understanding of customer purchasing behavior. The findings suggest that targeted market segmentation, along with more flexible pricing strategies, could be effective in mitigating subscriber losses and enhancing customer retention. By analyzing customer data and identifying potential problem areas, this research provides actionable insights that could help Disney+ navigate its current challenges and sustain its growth in an increasingly saturated market.
Study on the Adjustment Strategies of Businesses in the Retail Industry after the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Chen Zhijing
Published: December 2024

At the start of 2020, the mysterious coronavirus, COVID-19, started its journey in Wuhan, China. It quickly spread across China due to the massive transportation during the Chinese New Year. The virus then takes opportunities to get into Asia and later the whole world. Lots of people, with no prior knowledge to protect themselves, got infected, and many of them died due to its serious complications. This created problems for every industry as lockdowns were happening and lots of transaction opportunities were blocked. This investigation, mainly conducted by diving deep into a real-world business and reflects on its performance, aims to point out effective changes in marketing strategies for companies in the retail sector after COVID-19, hopefully helping them to adjust their focus and follow up with new changes. Strategies that companies could use include a shift of focus from offline to online, specifically in advertising and shopping, promotions, and local supply chains.
Research On the Driving Factors of China’s New Energy Vehicle Market
Authors: Wu Shuhuang
Published: December 2024

Over the past decade, China has witnessed a rapid development of new energy vehicles (NEVs), with both an increase in the product price/performance ratio and the implementation of stimulating policies playing an important role in this growth. To examine the factors influencing the NEV market, this paper considers four endogenous factors, namely principal components, specific designs, materials cost, and market competition, which affect NEV sales. In addition, four exogenous factors, namely subsidy, fuel cost, traffic restriction, and infrastructure, are also considered in this analysis. Subsequently, a comprehensive examination of their impact on NEV sales and their trends in influence is presented chronologically. After that, the impact of these factors has been analyzed through three case studies about battery packs, subsidy reduction, and spatial distribution. The findings indicate that China’s NEV market has undergone a transition from a phase driven by external factors in the past to one driven by internal factors currently and will continue to outpace conventional fuel vehicles in terms of product competitiveness in the future, which may even contribute to global vehicle electrification.
Analysis of the development of prospect of premade food
Authors: Xu Yi
Published: December 2024

In recent years, pre-made food has become more and more popular in the market; thus, its revenues account for a huge part of the whole food market, especially in China, which accounts for one-third of the Asian food market. Therefore, the crux of this paper is to analyse the situation of the pre-made food industry and discover its market shares, product category and target population. Besides, this paper mainly focusses on Anjoy Foods Group Co., Ltd., which is a leading pre-made food enterprise in China, and finds its superior elements. Consequently, it shows that Anjoy Foods has excellent financing performance and multiple marketing methods to promote its product. At the final, this paper mentioned several suggestions that pre-made food merchants and the government can implement. For example, they can diversify products to satisfy more detailed requirements, improve technology to upgrade products’s taste and nutrition, and enhance food safety supervision to dispel customers’ concerns about food safety hazards.
Analyzing Dove’s brand knowledge conveyance: A case study on the “Real Beauty” campaign
Authors: Zhou Yiran
Published: December 2024

Conveying brand knowledge to the target customer is hard in practice. An effective strategy is creating campaigns suitable for the brand’s core values. However, many existing campaigns only serve to damage the brand’s reputation, as they are built on promotional strategies that need to be revised. This article attempts to take a critical look at the “Real Beauty” campaign conducted by Dove to understand its delivery of brand knowledge better. Launched in 2004 to challenge traditional beauty standards, the “Real Beauty” campaign promotes authenticity, inclusiveness, and self-esteem. This analysis combines content analysis and evaluations using social media metrics to determine whether the campaign was as effective – diverse representation, emotional storytelling, and strategic use of digital platforms. By examining advertising and user-generated content and partnerships, this essay attempts to gauge the impact on key factors where businesses desire recognition, brand awareness, consumer engagement, and any changes exhibited in market share. This essay addresses difficulties and criticisms from different aspects of authenticity and the sustainability of a claim. The conclusion underscores the critical role of conveying a strong brand knowledge in creating a firm basis of people who will buy products and stick with the firm over long periods, in other words, loyal customers, highlighting some wider points that implicate social concern campaigns in the beauty industry in general.
Development and future analysis of e-commerce: A case study of Alibaba and Wish
Authors: Li Mingyu
Published: December 2024

This study research about the recent development of e-commerce in the cases of Alibaba and Wish. Over the last 30 years, the emergence of Internet and the advanced technology, e-commerce have gradually penetrated to people’s daily life, the traditional retail landscape have removed to online trading. Alibaba, a dominant leader of Chinese ecommerce industry, it keeps innovate their services including artificial intelligence, digital payment, cloud computing. On the other hand, Wish is a e-commerce platform that is focusing on low-income communities, attracting users by using the mobile -first strategies and highly personalized shopping experiences. This paper discusses about the development of both companies and provide a comprehensive analysis by using the SWOT method. In addition, it identifies the future trend of e-commerce industry, which are omnichannel retailing, mobile shopping, and personalized consumer experiences as critical factors. In conclusion, the study explores the development and the trends of the e-commerce industry, emphasise the importance of technological innovation, strategic expansion to achieve the long-term success. Via the detailed examination of Alibaba and Wish, this paper offers insights into the evolving landscape of e-commerce and the strategies necessary for platforms to thrive in this competitive environment.
Die Effekte von „Medical Flossing“ auf das statische und dynamische
Gleichgewicht bei Athlet*innen
Authors: Limpach Sam
Published: December 2024

Die sportliche Leistung zu verbessern und die Häufigkeit an Verletzungen der
unteren Extremitäten zu verringern, ist für Sportler*innen und ihr
Betreuungspersonal von großer Bedeutung. Daher spielt die
Gleichgewichtskontrolle, insbesondere die Sprunggelenk-Propriozeption, eine
unbestreitbare Rolle.

Medical Flossing könnte aufgrund ihrer theoretischen biomechanischen Mechanismen
eine zeitweilige Verbesserung der Gleichgewichtskontrolle bewirken. Die
Forschung zu möglichen Einflüssen von Flossing auf die Gleichgewichtskontrolle
ist jedoch spärlich.

In der vorliegenden Studie wurden die unmittelbaren Effekte von Flossing am
Sprunggelenk in Kombination mit einer gewichtsbelastenden Bewegungsübung auf das
statische und dynamische einbeinige Gleichgewicht untersucht. Vierzig gesunde
Sportstudent*innen (Alter 22,12±3,04) wurden nach dem Zufallsprinzip einer
Interventions- oder Kontrollgruppe zugeteilt. Beide Gruppen führten 3 Sätze von
10 erhöhten einbeinigen Wadenhebern durch. In der Interventionsgruppe wurde das
Sprunggelenk während der Übung mit Flossing-Band umwickelt. Der Vor- und
Nachtest bestand aus 4 Gleichgewichtsaufgaben mit unterschiedlichen Untergründen
(stabil, instabil) und Bewegungen (statisch, dynamisch). Die wichtigste
abhängige Variable war die Standardabweichung des „Center of Pressure“ in
anterior-posteriorer und medio-lateraler Richtung, gemessen mit einer
Kraftmessplatte.

Die Ergebnisse zeigten keinen signifikanten Unterschied der
Gleichgewichtskontrolle der beiden Gruppen bei den statischen
Gleichgewichtsaufgaben. Allerdings führten beide Gruppen die dynamischen
Aufgaben in der anterior-posterioren Richtung während des Post-Tests besser aus.
Die medio-laterale Richtung der dynamischen Aufgaben führte zu einer
signifikanten Abnahme (p=0,044) der Gleichgewichtskontrolle in der
Interventionsgruppe in Bezug auf die Interaktion Untergrund*Gruppe.

Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie deuten darauf hin, dass eine einmalige
Flossing-Anwendung das einbeinige Gleichgewicht bei gesunden Sportstudent*innen
nicht verbessert. Außerdem wurde eine Abnahme der Gleichgewichtskontrolle in
medio-lateraler Richtung festgestellt.
Nonvascular Renal Interventions: A Review and Procedural Considerations for the Interventional Radiologist
Authors: Kumari Divya
Published: December 2024

Interventional radiology plays a vital role in performing noninvasive, nonvascular genitourinary interventions. This article discusses practical aspects of the biopsy technique using the cortical tangential approach for native and transplant kidneys. Additionally, the indications, contraindications, and procedure details of the nephrostomy tube and nephroureteral placement will be reviewed.
A near spurious-free 6 GHz laterally-excited bulk acoustic resonator with single-sided wavy electrodes
Authors: Yang Sijie , Liu Wenjuan , Wen Zhiwei , Xie Ying , Tong Xin , Liu Yan , Cai Yao , Guo Shishang , Sun Chengliang
Published: December 2024

Laterally excited bulk wave resonators demonstrate outstanding electromechanical coupling coefficient (K
eff
2) suitable for the design of wideband filters. However, it has not been commercialized due to the spurious modes and low temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF). In this paper, a near spurious-free 6 GHz resonator (SW-BAR) is proposed with single-sided wavy edges in the aperture direction. The SW-BAR suppress high-order harmonics in the area of the electrodes by confining the formation of standing waves. The design is fabricated using a 316 nm Z-cut lithium niobate thin film with an 18 μm pitch (P). Measurements of the fabricated devices feature the spurious-free A1 mode with a high resonance frequency (f
s) of 5.932 GHz, K
eff
2 of 22.19%, and Bode_Q
max of 283. In addition, the TCF of the proposed structure has improved from −73.58 to −57.36 ppm °C−1 since the suppression of high-order harmonics at f
s. The near spurious-free SW-BAR shows fascinating prospects for high-performance RF filters in 5G/6G communication.
Three-color high-sensitivity thermometry using infrared laser absorption spectroscopy of NO
Authors: Zhang Lin , Jia Wanting , Sun Jiachen , Shao Jiankun
Published: December 2024

A novel three-color high-sensitivity thermometry method is proposed, providing more accurate temperature measurements for nitrogen-containing fuel reactive flows. This method determines temperature by simultaneously sweeping three absorption peaks of NO. A relationship between absorbance and temperature was established with parameters determined from shock tube experiments from 1100 to 2200 K. To evaluate its performance, six sets of NO absorption spectra data at various temperatures were collected. The results demonstrate that the three-color thermometry achieves an average absolute error of 7 K, significantly lower than the two-color thermometry’s average absolute errors of 16 and 20 K. This three-color thermometry methods offers higher sensitivity and accuracy, making it a practical solution for measuring temperatures during the combustion of nitrogen-containing fuels.
Cross-domain fault diagnosis using convolutional attention network with an improved dung beetle optimization algorithm
Authors: Li Zihang , Luo Xiong , Peng Qiaojuan , Yang Yuandong
Published: December 2024

Rotating machinery plays a critical role in large-scale equipment, and its operational condition significantly influences the stability and safety of the equipment. Therefore, it is imperative to improve the accuracy of fault diagnosis. While deep learning has been widely utilized for fault diagnosis, the effectiveness of the model heavily relies on hyperparameter configuration. Current deep learning methods often necessitate human intervention to fine-tune these hyperparameters, leading to a time-consuming and potentially subjective process. Furthermore, although various meta-heuristic algorithms have been employed for optimizing hyperparameters, these methods are computationally intensive and susceptible to converging on local optimal solutions when dealing with high-dimensional non-convex hyperparameter spaces. To tackle this issue, this paper proposes a cross-domain fault diagnosis using convolutional attention network (CAN) with an improved dung beetle optimization (IDBO) algorithm, called IDBO-CAN algorithm. Firstly, an IDBO algorithm is designed, which mainly uses chaotic local search, levy flight strategy and adaptive lognormal distribution variation to enhance the global optimization capability of the dung beetle optimization algorithm. Secondly, the setting of hyperparameters significantly affects the performance of the CAN using a one-dimensional convolutional neural network. The IDBO algorithm is employed to automatically determine better hyperparameters for CAN. Finally, the performance of IDBO and IDBO-CAN algorithms are evaluated by 13 benchmark functions and multi-source datasets. The experimental results show that IDBO and IDBO-CAN algorithms have excellent performance on many benchmark functions and datasets.
Research on fault component extraction and fault type identification of rotating machinery based on MDSM and a novel convolutional neural network
Authors: Liu Zhilei , Ning Dayong , Zhou Cheng , Geng Jianhua , Liang Gangda , Zhang Fengrui , Hou Jiaoyi
Published: December 2024

Given the complexity and difficulty in extracting and recognizing multi-axis mechanical fault components, a method for fault extraction and identification based on the multi-Axis displacement superposition method (MDSM) and a novel convolutional neural network (NCNN) is proposed. In the proposed MDSM method, first, correlation analysis is used to determine the operational status of the mechanical system and to identify the location of faults in the multi-axis rotating mechanical system. Secondly, a simplified initial point selection process is introduced to segment the collected fault component. Subsequently, a signal superposition method with position offset correction is employed to perform position correction and superposition operations on the segmented signals, enhancing the accuracy of the fault signal. Finally, the front end of the superimposed signals is extracted as the fault component, completing the separation and extraction of the fault components. For the extracted fault signals, an NCNN is designed for fault-type identification. NCNN improves computational efficiency and effectively completes fault feature identification through a lightweight network architecture and a nonlinear learning rate scheduling strategy. The results of the experiment show that the proposed method can accurately determine the fault occurrence location, extract the fault components, and achieve high-accuracy fault type identification.
A model for Andreev reflection induced by d-wave superconductivity in graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Takagaki Y
Published: December 2024

An approximate method for implementing the d-wave superconductivity in the tight-binding lattice model for graphene is proposed. A real-space pair potential having the d-wave symmetry is derived by regarding the honeycomb lattice as a multi-component rectangular system consisting of four sublattices. The reliability of the method is tested for a strip of the conventional square lattice, where the approximation is found to work well for lower-lying transverse modes. Unexpectedly, the validity excels for all the modes in the limit of the infinitely large superconducting energy gap as well as for the zero gap. Remarkable dependencies of the quantized wavenumbers on the inclination of the d-wave symmetry is thereby revealed. The Andreev reflection induced by the d-wave superconductor is reproduced by the modified method for the square lattice as long as the superconducting energy gap is small. The quasiparticle propagation at finite excitation energies, however, cannot be treated reliably when the superconductivity is introduced in armchair graphene nanoribbons (NRs), i.e. a half of the NR is normal-conducting and the other half is superconducting. The restriction of the applicability for the honeycomb lattice originates primarily from the point that the hopping between the lattice sites is not fully mirror-symmetrical.
Exposing the role of silica nanoparticles and fiber stacking in mechanical, water absorption, and bio-degradation behaviors of banana-papaya hybrid composites
Authors: Kedarnath M P , Ramasamy N , Anand M Dev , Raj J Bensam
Published: December 2024

Natural fiber composites are becoming more valuable in industries due to their eco-friendliness, high strength-to-weight ratio, and cost-effectiveness. This study aimed to develop and evaluate hybrid composites made from banana and papaya fibers, enhanced with silica nanoparticles, bonded with epoxy resin, to assess the effects of fiber layering sequence and silica content on their mechanical, water absorption, and biodegradation properties. Tri-layer composites with configurations such as BPB (Banana-Papaya-Banana) and PBP (Papaya-Banana-Papaya) were fabricated using the hand layup technique. Mechanical testing revealed that PBP composites exhibited superior tensile strength, which further improved when reinforced with silica nanoparticles (SiO2) in various concentrations. The PBP composite with 2 wt% SiO2 displayed optimal performance, showing tensile strength (83 MPa), flexural strength (104 MPa), impact strength (8.4 kJ m−2), and hardness (86 Shore-D) due to effective silica dispersion, enhancing load transfer and interfacial bonding. Thermal stability was also improved by the silica, making this composite suitable for high-temperature applications. Additionally, PBP/3 wt% SiO2 exhibited low water absorption (8% at 15 days) and minimal mass loss (14% at 60 days), highlighting its resistance to environmental degradation, which is essential for humid or marine environments. The PBP/2 wt% SiO2 composite is recommended for use in industries like automotive, manufacturing, and structural engineering, where its high mechanical properties, durability, and eco-friendliness make it a promising alternative to synthetic composites, thus supporting sustainable practices.
Design and temperature analysis of tree-shaped nanosheet FET for analog and RF applications
Authors: U Gowthami , M Durga Prakash , Patta Supraja , Sreenivasulu V Bharath
Published: December 2024

An innovative breakthrough that addresses the shortcomings of FinFET is the use of tree-shaped Nanosheet FET. This study examines the temperature dependence of the performance of 12 nm Tree-shaped NSFET on DC and analog/RF properties using a gate stack of high-k HfO2 and SiO2. From 200 K to 350 K, a detailed DC performance analysis was performed, including the transfer characteristics (ID vs VGS), output characteristics (ID versus VDS), subthreshold swing (SS), and ION/IOFF ratio. Additionally, we examined how temperature influence power consumption, dynamic power, and the ON–OFF performance metric (Q). Having the off current lesser than nA at all the temperatures, the proposed device shows good ION/IOFF switching performance. At an LG of 12 nm, the cutoff frequency (fT) is found to be in the Tera Hz region, and the Q varies from 0.9 to 5.1 μS-dec mV−1 at temperatures between 200 K and 350 K. Additionally, the impact of IB height (HIB) is investigated at 15–25 nm with the step of 5 nm and the impact of IB width (WIB) is investigated at 3–5 nm on Tree-shaped NSFET and the impact of variation in the work function is also done in this paper. The effect of scaling with different gate lengths from 20 nm down to 10 nm and its DC characteristics are examined in this paper. The power consumption of the Tree-shaped NSFET increases with temperature. From all these results, the proposed Tree-shaped NSFET shows great potential as a high-frequency competitor at the nanoscale.
High-power 1176 nm vortex beam generated in a Nd:YVO4 self-Raman laser via annular pumping
Authors: Liu Jinyan , Wang Liming , Feng Yandong , Lu Qingye , Shen Weihao , Fan Li , Zhu Jun , Hu Youyou
Published: December 2024

Optical vortices carrying orbital angular momentum are of marked importance for a myriad of practical applications. We demonstrate the direct generation of high-power (watt-level) Laguerre–Gaussian vortex beam (LG01 with radial index p = 0 and azimuthal index l = 1) in a continuous-wave Nd:YVO4 self-Raman laser at 1176 nm with annular pumping by an axicon. Under an absorbed pump power of 17.17 W, a maximum vortex Raman output of 1.43 W was achieved with an optical conversion efficiency of 8.3%. The Stokes output beam has a stable helical wavefront with well-determined handedness at high pump power. Furthermore, selective generation of LG01 modes with opposite handedness can be realized simply by breaking azimuthal symmetry by tilting the output coupler. The results show that the annular pumping by an axicon has great potential in the development of compact Raman vortex laser systems with high power, high beam quality and versatile laser wavelengths.
High-burn-up structure evolution in polycrystalline UO2: Phase-field modeling investigation
Authors: Sun 孙 Dan 丹 , Jiang 姜 Yanbo 彦博 , Tang 唐 Chuanbao 传宝 , Xin 辛 Yong 勇 , Sun 孙 Zhipeng 志鹏 , Liu 柳 Wenbo 文波 , Li 李 Yuanming 垣明
Published: December 2024

Understanding the evolution of microstructures in nuclear fuels under high-burn-up conditions is critical for extending fuel refueling cycles and enhancing nuclear reactor safety. In this study, a phase-field model is proposed to examine the evolution of high-burn-up structures in polycrystalline UO2. The formation and growth of recrystallized grains were initially investigated. It was demonstrated that recrystallization kinetics adhere to the Kolmogorov–Johnson–Mehl–Avrami (KJMA) equation, and that recrystallization represents a process of free-energy reduction. Subsequently, the microstructural evolution in UO2 was analyzed as the burn up increased. Gas bubbles acted as additional nucleation sites, thereby augmenting the recrystallization kinetics, whereas the presence of recrystallized grains accelerated bubble growth by increasing the number of grain boundaries. The observed variations in the recrystallization kinetics and porosity with burn-up closely align with experimental findings. Furthermore, the influence of grain size on microstructure evolution was investigated. Larger grain sizes were found to decrease porosity and the occurrence of high-burn-up structures.
Structural battery is world’s strongest, say researchers
Authors: Jarman Sam
Published: December 2024

A prototype described as the world’s strongest functional structural battery has been unveiled by researchers in Sweden.
Spin-offs from big science
Authors: McKenzie James
Published: December 2024

Spin-offs from big science are everywhere and some are bigger – and more unexpected – than you might think, as James McKenzie explains.
Stop the sale
Authors: Crease Robert P
Published: December 2024

We should not let the site of a lab in St Petersburg that spearheaded materials science more than 250 years ago be sold to developers, warns Robert P Crease.
Charity and the Spirituality of Reciprocity
Authors: Teubner Jonathan D
Published: December 2024

Chapter 3 addresses how practices of Christian charity can also be the normative basis for a just social or political practice. The chapter argues that Augustine internalizes wealth as a matter of pride or humility, but far from being a paean to the wealthy, this internalization of wealth proves to transform the broader society, even undermining entrenched social customs and popular political rituals associated with “pagan” Rome. This chapter offers readings of De civitate Dei 10 and 21, De trinitate 4, and several Enarrationes in Psalmos and through them addresses questions of wealth in the context of Augustine’s strife with “Pelagians.” It argues that solidarity or social cohesion is best understood, for Augustine, as a communal relation formed by entering into the practice of giving and receiving forgiveness.
Biotechnology, Gestation, and the Law
Authors: Romanis Elizabeth Chloe
Published: December 2024

Gestation is the process of which each of us are the result. The very nature of human gestation, however, has shifted and will continue to shift as a result of technology. Uterus transplantation, the transplant of a functioning uterus into the body of a person absent a uterus, enables a person who was previously unable to sustain a pregnancy to do so. Gestation as we have known it has been confined to the uterus of a person assigned female at birth. Uterus transplantation makes imaginable pregnancies in bodies that were not assigned female at birth, such as cis men. Thus, it has the capacity to ‘unsex’ pregnancy. Ectogestation, the partial or complete facilitation of gestation in an artificial device (outside the body), more drastically alters the nature of gestation as we know it: by enabling gestation without pregnancy, that is, gestation beyond the body. These novel possibilities raise important conceptual questions. Are pregnancy and gestation the same thing? Who are these technologies for and when? Who are the parents when novel forms of gestation are used? How do these technologies disrupt our notions of reproductive biosex? And are they tools of emancipation? In exploring these and other questions, this book explores the implications of novel technologies enabling gestation.
Introduction
Authors: Romanis Elizabeth Chloe
Published: December 2024

Chapter 1 first outlines technologies enabling gestation—surrogacies, uterus transplantation, and ectogestation. The technologies described range from practices that are not rare in occurrence today (gestational surrogacies) to those that remain, at present, confined to the realms of science fiction (complete ectogestation). This begs the question of when, why, and how we should engage in speculation about procreative futures. Therefore, this chapter provides a defence and account of speculative methodology. It engages in speculation not only as a form of anticipatory reflection but also to examine what speculative procreative futures reveal about the values that underpin concepts in and surrounding the generative work in procreation that are underexplored. The chapter then reflects on the nature and sociality of human procreation, specifically, the importance of referring to procreation rather than reproduction, and the realities of procreation as a social activity and, therefore, of considering social context in ethical and legal reflection on procreative technologies. Finally, the chapter outlines the approach taken in this book and the content of the substantive chapters.
Ontologies of Gestation
Authors: Romanis Elizabeth Chloe
Published: December 2024

Chapter 2 discusses both what pregnancy and birth are and what the law takes pregnancy and birth to be. First, it elucidates the distinction between pregnancy (a state of being) and gestation (a procreative process of becoming) and why this distinction is material. Second, it reflects on models of pregnancy in contemporary debates in the metaphysics of pregnancy and explains why a parthood model should be adopted. It argues, however, that the law adopts different models of pregnancy in different contexts, and this always disadvantages pregnant people because their needs are considered less material in each context. Ontological premises in law (across different contexts) enable the unstable (and sometimes inaccurate) framing of legal, ethical, social, and political questions. Finally, this chapter interrogates the metaphysical and legal distinction between birthing and being born that has been the subject of much contemporary debate. Unpicking the phenomena of pregnancy, gestation, and birth—for what they are metaphysically are and what the law takes as its ontological premises surrounding these phenomena—is a critical prerequisite to the consideration of the social, ethical, and legal implications of novel technologies enabling gestation.
Parenthood
Authors: Romanis Elizabeth Chloe
Published: December 2024

Gestation and birthing are at the heart of how legal parents are identified in English law. Most of the critique of gestation as a criterion in the attribution of motherhood focuses on whether the attribution of motherhood in a given context is right. Chapter 6 does something much narrower: it explores why we use gestation to attribute legal motherhood (and parenthood) and whether the reasons to use gestation change if the nature of gestation changes. First, the chapter problematizes the conception of the legal rule ‘mater semper certa est’ as historically rooted. Second, it illustrates that the justification for treating gestation as determinative of legal motherhood has changed over time and that the potential justifications for centring gestation in the attribution of parental status are neither clear nor wholly persuasive. Most notably, the chapter suggests that the uncritical adoption of gestation as the criterion attributing legal motherhood propagates biological essentialism that conscripts pregnant people. Finally, this chapter argues that technologies enabling gestation introduce a number of novel conceptual challenges to the operation of the rule ‘mater semper certa est’—divisible gestation, unsexed gestation, and disembodied gestation.
The Influence Economy
Authors: Sytch Maxim
Published: December 2024

This book explores supplier-induced demand in professional services, examining the conditions under which consulting, marketing, banking, and legal firms sell products and services that are unrelated to the buyer’s needs. In the weak form of supplier-induced demand, procuring an additional service may result in no change in the buyer’s outcome relative to not doing so; in the strong form, the buyer may be left worse off. The book unveils supplier-induced demand as a subtle but powerful influence by service providers stemming from the enabling market conditions, evolving professional identities, and the intricacies of buyer–seller relationships. The conditions that give rise to supplier-induced demand are increasingly characteristic of today’s broader economy, with significant implications for managerial control, vertical integration, and the economics of agglomeration. Employing econometric research, in-depth interviews, and an extensive review of existing literature, the author lays the groundwork for a more systematic understanding of the contemporary influence economy and identifies potential strategies for organizations and policymakers to counteract its adverse effects.
Labor Export, Industrial Policy, and State Capacity
Authors: Lee Suzy K
Published: December 2024

Chapter 5 explores the reasons for the different outcomes experienced by South Korea and the Philippines and what they suggest about the possibilities and limits of labor export as a development strategy. In Korea, a coherent industrial policy focusing on heavy and chemical industries enabled the chaebols to capitalize on the opportunities created by labor export. In the Philippines, similar opportunities were wasted due to a disorganized and discordant development policy. These differences can be attributed to the different relationships these states had with their economic elites. In Korea, a working developmental partnership—or at least a détente—between state and capital permitted the state to coordinate economic policy effectively. No such partnerships existed in the Philippines, where an oligarchic elite’s capital-accumulation strategy was based primarily on its political ability to monopolize rent-seeking opportunities.
Fiscal Federalism
Authors: Rangarajan C , Srivastava D K
Published: December 2024

This chapter highlights the basic tenets of fiscal federalism, making a distinction between the traditional focus on the link between decentralization and welfare to its more modern-day extensions. The idea of fiscal federalism is couched in the belief that multi-level governments can augment the pursuit of efficiency and equity in the provision of public and merit goods through cooperation, competition, and coordination among central and sub-national governments. India’s constitution provides for an independent body, namely the Finance Commission, for this purpose. The constitutional arrangements imply an asymmetry in the assignment of resources and responsibilities between the central and the sub-national governments. This has resulted in the centre having a larger share of resources, and the states having larger responsibilities. The system is brought in balance by a suitable scheme of transfers from the centre to the states. The challenge is to design a scheme of fiscal transfers that provides the right incentives and facilitates comparable standards of public and merit services throughout the country. In this chapter, the modern extensions of the idea of fiscal federalism are also extensively discussed. These deal mainly with five aspects, viz. fiscal competition among jurisdictions, political economy aspects of fiscal federalism, market-preserving fiscal federalism, environmental federalism, and fiscal decentralization and growth. These are all aspects of federalism that have a bearing on the evolution of fiscal federalism in India and are often reflected in the changing terms of reference of the Finance Commissions.
Resolving Vertical and Horizontal Imbalances in India
Authors: Rangarajan C , Srivastava D K
Published: December 2024

This chapter brings together the ideas developed based on theoretical considerations, and the Canadian and Australian examples, to comprehensively examine the design of fiscal transfers in India in resolving vertical and horizontal imbalances. With respect to the vertical dimension, we note that in India, there has been long-term stability, at least up to the Twelfth Finance Commission, in the shares of the centre and the states in the combined tax revenues of the system after tax devolution. This chapter also shows that, subject to certain assumptions, tax revenue sharing under an axiomatic framework will result in transfers that will be consistent with the concept of revenue side equalization as used in Canada. The difference is that in the Indian case, a macro base rather than a tax-by-tax approach is followed on the revenue side. A major issue in following a criteria-based tax devolution approach relates to objectively determining weights attached to different criterion. We have suggested an axiomatic framework for this. It is also argued that for determining grants, the revenue gap approach leads to significant adverse incentives. This should be replaced by a suitable norm-based approach. The volume of fiscal transfers and the extent of borrowing are interdependent. With respect to borrowing, it is important to develop a sustainability framework. A healthy and stable system of fiscal transfers requires that borrowing by the central and state governments is kept at sustainable levels.
Fiscal Deficits and Government Debt in India
Authors: Rangarajan C , Srivastava D K
Published: December 2024

This chapter looks at the impact of fiscal deficits on savings, investment, and growth in the light of the theoretical literature on the subject in the context of the fiscal deficit and debt on the combined account of the central and state governments. Fiscal deficits, when these have accumulated into higher debt, lead to higher revenue deficits through higher interest payments. Revenue deficits amount to a reduction in government savings, which may not be fully offset by a corresponding rise in private savings, leading to a fall in the overall savings rate. The impact of fiscal deficit on investment arises both from its impact on private investment and government investment. The adverse effects on private investment occur if fiscal deficits put pressure on interest rates and if private investment is sensitive to the interest rate. The effect on government capital expenditure is through committed interest payments, which rise if the debt-GDP ratio rises and/or the interest rate rises. When fiscal deficits are high in magnitude relative to the GDP and largely structural in nature, the ability of the government to mount counter-cyclical interventions is compromised, particularly when growth is below the trend levels. The Twelfth Finance Commission had recommended that the centre’s intermediation for state borrowing, except for external loans be discontinued. Further, the Commission prepared a sustainability framework to be followed both by the central and state governments and provided for large debt relief for the states, linked to their adopting the prescribed fiscal responsibility framework.
Origins
Authors: Anooshahr Ali
Published: December 2024

This chapter begins by focusing on a set of key statements and dates that are provided by Jawhar. These show that he was a child slave who was captured by Mughals in 1535. This would have been during the Gujarat campaigns of Emperor Humayun where slaves are mentioned among the Gujarati army, especially those who were brought by the Ottoman captain Mustafa Bayram. By retracing Mustafa Bayram’s path to Gujarat, we can suggest that Jawhar was most likely a child captive from Eastern Europe. He found his way into the personal retinue of the Ottoman admiral Selman Reis and brought out into the Indian Ocean world during his wars with the Portuguese. When Selman Reis was murdered by some of his sailors in a mutiny, the admiral’s nephew Mustafa Bayram brought Jawhar and some others to South Asia.
Embodiment in Microscopical Print and Practice
Authors: Kennedy Meegan
Published: December 2024

Victorian microscopists use tropes of wonder and skepticism to direct the entangled embodiment of observer, instrument, and object during microscopical observation. Metaphor deeply informs these Victorian theories of microscopy. While the microscope was advertised as, and is often discussed as, a primarily visual tool, Victorians understood microscopy as an embodied practice. Historians and literary critics writing on Victorian science often emphasize a conflict between the romantic attitude of wonder and the realist one of skepticism, but in microscopy these approaches were seen as complementary forms of embodiment; work at the microscope was both difficult and delightful. By distinguishing wonder (an affective experience) from imagination (an intellectual one), we can see how both wonder and skepticism solicit particular forms of embodied practice. Victorian microscopical writing demonstrates surprising commonalities with contemporary theorists of actor–network theory, agential realism, and affect theory, among others.
The Limits, Pleasures, and Persistence of Wonder
Authors: Kennedy Meegan
Published: December 2024

Victorians’ efforts to place limits on wonder (as with the scorn for “oh law” objects) were persistently, if unevenly, counterposed with the visceral pleasures of microscopical work. Victorian microscopists demonstrate an ambiguous relation to the exhaustive, painstaking practices of mechanical objectivity that Daston and Galison have identified in nineteenth-century British science. Overall, while microscopy was important to the work of Victorian scientific naturalists, their preference for secular and material explanations of natural phenomena did not eliminate wonder from the practice of Victorian research microscopy. Indeed, the leaders of the Microscopical Society of London generally shared a reluctance to embrace strict materialism and were well placed to model a sustained role for beauty, mystery, wonder, and pleasure in British microscopical practice.