bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on the Guidelines for Green Ecological Planning and Construction of New Cities in Shanghai
Authors: Pan Hongyan , Yang Guoshu , Qiu Xilan
Published: February 2025

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Shanghai's five new cities (Jiading, Qingpu, Songjiang, Fengxian, and Nanhui) are designated as key development areas, with the goal of becoming future cities that lead high-quality living standards and the most ecologically advanced urban areas. In response to the evolving demands for the development of green ecological urban areas in Shanghai, the standards for urban evaluation have been revised. To fully implement the planning and construction requirements of green ecological urban areas in the new cities, a targeted green ecological planning study was conducted at the overall level for these five new cities. Following the approach of “separate cities, separate regions, and distinct focuses,” target units for green ecological urban areas were defined, and a tailored indicator system (“one city, one policy”) along with a list of key regional projects was developed.
Constructing the Boundary-Domain Theory: A Spatial and Social Framework
Authors: Zhu Hua , Song Zhangpan , Lai Xinghua , Li Haiyang
Published: February 2025

This paper examines the concept of power spaces across various disciplines, including architectural design and urban development, to understand how spatial environments influence power dynamics and social interactions. It introduces the “Boundary-Domain” theory as a key framework for analyzing the role of physical and social boundaries in shaping specific domains. The study highlights how the interplay between boundaries and domains can either foster segregation or enhance connectivity, providing insights for addressing social and spatial challenges in modern urban contexts.
Design Method and Construction Process of Slope Greening in A Basalt Mine
Authors: Chu Xiaoming , Yang Yu , Yu Yunxiao
Published: February 2025

Through the greening management example of a basalt mine slope in Shengzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, a variety of greening technology methods, such as local anchors and local active nets, were used. The ecological environment of the quarry slope was improved, the overall level of slope management was upgraded, and the management results were safe and reliable.
Study on Mechanical Properties of Recycled Aggregate Concrete with Cement-Based Crystalline Materials
Authors: Ou Jinhao , Feng Jiang , Liu Jiaqi
Published: February 2025

The acceleration of urbanization has led to the increasing scale of construction waste, which has caused a lot of waste of resources, and recycled aggregate concrete technology can effectively utilize these wastes. Due to the existence of complex systems such as mortar and microcracks at the interface of recycled aggregate, the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete are insufficient. Based on this, this paper proposes a permeable crystalline material XYPEX containing a large number of active components, and adds different amounts of XYPEX. The working performance and mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete were measured. The conclusions are as follows: the incorporation of XYPEX can improve the slump expansion of recycled aggregate concrete mixture and enhance the fluidity of concrete. With the increase of XYPEX content, the mechanical strength of recycled aggregate concrete also increases, and the best performance is achieved when the content is 2.0 %. XYPEX can make recycled aggregate concrete generate more crystals insoluble in water, fill in its pores, enhance its mechanical properties, and meet the application requirements of recycled aggregate concrete.
Dynamics of the Double-Well Duffing System
Authors: Gregory Wilson , Tuwankotta Johan Matheus , Harjanto Eric
Published: February 2025

We consider a Duffing system with double-well potential beam system by F. C. Moon and P. J. Holmes (1979). When there is no forcing, we study the stability of the system with and without small damping. Furthermore, the solution of the unforced system will always be bounded. When the system is perturbed with a small periodic forcing, superharmonic and subharmonic cases will appear. We obtain approximations for the solution in the nonharmonic, superharmonic, and subharmonic cases, which can provide the dynamics of the solution.
Sensitivity Analysis of Thiele’s Differential Equation: A Case Study of Different Insurance Policy
Authors: Laurencius Yonathan Ferdinand , Setya Budhi Wono , Puspita Dila
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we conduct sensitivity analysis on dual-state Thiele’s differential equation, which specifies the continuous evolution of insurance policy values over time. The analysis is focused on the impacts of the premium, the sum assured and the interest rate amounts. The force of mortality is determined using an estimation to the Indonesian Mortality Table IV, which is based on Gompertz’s Law. The annual rate of premium is calculated using the equivalence premium principle. The force of interest is based on the stochastic CIR’s short-rate model, of which the market price of risk parameter is varied.
Isomorphism of Matrix Algebras over Cuntz Algebras
Authors: Humam Afif , Lindiarni Janny , Gunadi Reinhart , Setya Budhi Wono
Published: February 2025

Starting with a Cuntz algebra On constructed by n isometries, we discuss a C*-algebra consisting of elements of a fixed size k square matrix, where the entries of matrix are from the Cuntz algebra 𝒪n. It is surprising to find that if k divides n, the resulting C*-algebra of matrix is isomorphic to the Cuntz algebra 𝒪n. We extend this result to cases where k is larger than n, showing that the same conclusion holds provided that every prime factor of k divides n.
Boundedness of a Kantorovich type of the Szász-Mirakjan Operator
Authors: Neswan Oki , Hakim Denny Ivanal , Ifronika  , Setya-Budhi Wono
Published: February 2025

Let Bn f represent the n-th Bernstein polynomial for f for each n ϵ ℕ and f ϵ C ([0, 1]) . Then for any f ϵ C ([0, 1]), the sequence {Bn f} converges uniformly to f. The generalisation of Bernstein polynomials to approximate functions defined on closed intervals [a, b] is straightforward. However, for functions with discontinuities, the convergence may fail. Kantorovich type of Szász-Mirakjan operator, S n f, enables us to approximate integrable functions on half space [0, ∞). In this paper, we show the boundedness of the Szász operators in Lp ([0, ∞)) , 1 ≤ p ≤ ∞.
Classification of bandung regency well water based on mineral elements using agglomerative clustering
Authors: Afrianti Yuli Sri , Angelia Grace , Sulaiman Fadhil Hanif , Mukhaiyar Utriweni , Oginawati Katharina , Salami Indah Rachmatiah Siti , Fahimah Nurul
Published: February 2025

Wells are crucial sources of drinking water, but their safety depends on the mineral element, making quality standards assessments. This study evaluates well water quality across 160 locations in Bandung Regency by analyzing six mineral elements (i.e., As, Cd, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) using Agglomerative Clustering with different linkages (i.e., Single, Average, and Complete) and distance metrics (i.e., Euclid and Manhattan). The aim of this study is to review the distribution of well quality using the Agglomerative clustering method which represents the Bandung Regency region. The optimal number of clusters is determined via the Mojena method, and the best linkage is selected using the Silhouette Coefficient. The study finds that Average Linkage with Euclid distance metrics and Single Linkage with Manhattan distance metrics are the most effective methods. We then assess each cluster against drinking water standards to determine quality levels, which range from 1 (poor) to 4 (excellent). The results indicate that Average Linkage with Euclid distance metrics better represents well water data. These findings are crucial for guiding the management of safe water resources based on regional characteristics.
Stability of Fluctating Baby-Skyrme Brane
Authors: Fadhilla Emir S. , Gunara Bobby E. , Suroso Agus , Atmaja Ardian N.
Published: February 2025

This work studies the stability of fluctuating Baby-Skyrme brane as a model for early-time cosmology recently introduced in [1]. The dynamical system consists of two dynamical quantities (ϕ, H) with two differential equations and one constraint. The solutions can be realized as a family of curves on a surface in ℝ3. We found that there exist stable solutions provided that the physical parameters (α, σ, k) satisfy certain conditions that are deduced from the linear stability conditions near the critical points.
The impact of schistosomiasis on the Global Disease Burden: a systematic analysis based on the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study
Authors: Shen Zhangzhou , Luo Houqiang
Published: February 2025

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that causes a significant global burden. The aim of this study was to report the latest estimates of the global, regional, and national schistosomiasis disease burden and forecast changes in schistosomiasis-related disease burden. This work was based on the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. We analyzed the schistosomiasis data by sex, age in years, and Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) region and country, using Age-Standardized Rates (ASR) for comparisons among different groups. The Estimated Annual Percent Changes (EAPC) analysis was used to evaluate the temporal trend of the disease burden, and the Differential Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Exponential Smoothing (ES) models were used to predict the disease burden from 2022 to 2046. In the GBD 2021 study, it was reported that compared to 1990, the number of deaths has decreased by 74,350, the prevalence number has increased by 1,482,260, and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) have decreased by 1,770,436. Additionally, the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) has decreased by 0.31 per 100,000 people, with an EAPC of −0.353 (95% CI: −0.361 to −0.344). Similarly, the age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR) has decreased by 15.45 per 100,000 people (EAPC: −1.56, 95% CI: −1.78 to −1.34), and the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) has decreased by 559.64 per 100,000 people (EAPC: −0.63, 95% CI: −0.95 to −0.31). The regions and countries with the highest disease burden are mostly concentrated in Africa. Despite a general decline in global schistosomiasis burden indicators, the burden of disease has actually increased in high SDI areas. The ARIMA and ES models forecast results show that female mortality and ASMR will decline in the next 25 years, while male mortality and ASMR will remain stable, and other disease indicators will continue to decline. The global schistosomiasis burden has significantly decreased over the past 30 years, but it remains high in African regions and countries, as well as low-SDI areas. Effective cooperation among countries should be strengthened to improve the disease burden in high-burden areas and countries.
Prävention der intraoperativen Hypothermie unter Allgemeinanästhesie
Authors: Koller Florian
Published: February 2025

Während einer Operation ist die Überwachung der Vitalparameter von entscheidender Bedeutung. Dazu gehört auch die Körpertemperatur der Patienten – die allerdings der am wenigsten beachtete Parameter ist. Dies liegt vor allem daran, dass die für den Patienten schwerwiegenden Folgen einer Hypothermie während der OP noch nicht ausreichend im Bewusstsein des behandelnden Teams verankert sind. Dies führte den Autor dieses Beitrags zu der Forschungsfrage, ob sich durch ein aktives perioperatives Wärmemanagement bei Patienten, die eine Allgemeinanästhesie erhalten, eine intraoperative Hypothermie vermeiden lässt.
BDO / DKI Studie: CSRD-Berichterstattung ist für Kliniken eine Last
Authors: Herrschelmann Anna
Published: February 2025

Die Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung stellt viele Krankenhäuser vor große Herausforderungen. Eine aktuelle Studie zeigt, dass hier hoher Aufwand auf begrenzten Nutzen trifft.
Bell pair extraction using graph foliage techniques
Authors: Zhang Derek
Published: February 2025

Future quantum networks can facilitate communication of quantum information between various nodes. We are particularly interested in whether multiple pairs can communicate simultaneously across a network. Quantum networks can be represented with graph states, and producing communication links amounts to performing certain quantum operations on graph states. This problem can be formulated in a graph-theoretic sense with the (Bell) vertex-minor problem. We discuss the recently introduced foliage partition and provide a generalization. This generalization leads us to a useful result for approaching the vertex-minor problem. We apply this result to identify the exact solution for the Bell vertex-minor problem on line, tree, and ring graphs.
Application of ultrafast x-ray lasers in studying the material structure under shock compression
Authors: Rastogi Vinay , Smith Raymond F. , Sims Melissa , Wicks June K.
Published: February 2025

For more than a century, x rays have been an essential tool in physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, and other subjects, considerably expanding our understanding of the fundamental structure of materials. X rays and electrons are among the most useful tools in the scientific toolbox for understanding the properties and functions of materials and molecules because of their capacity to penetrate matter and differentiate the structural changes at the atomic level. This information has a wide range of applications, including the development of innovative materials for electronics and clean energy technologies, as well as more effective pharmaceuticals with fewer side effects. A major new field in x-ray science has been opened by recent developments in ultrafast x-ray sources operating in the femtosecond (fs) to atto-second regimes. These advancements make possible element-specific probing of dynamics of charge particles and electronic configurations of electronic motions at fundamental timescales, sensitive probing of structural dynamics in materials at the atomic and electronic level at fundamental timescales, and efficient new methods for examining the coupling between atomic and electronic structural dynamics to investigate the material properties and functions. The most significant advancement has been the latest discovery of x-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs), of which there are now many new facilities either operational or under development worldwide. In addition, the development of high-order harmonic extreme ultraviolet sources based on lasers that operate in the atto-second regime as well as the tabletop and synchrotron-based laser-plasma x-ray sources that operate in the fs regime complement the achievements of XFEL. The current article provides a comprehensive discussion and future perspectives on the application of ultrafast XFELs to study the structure of matter under shock compression.
Nonequilibrium ac quantum transport in nanoscale transistors
Authors: Ahn Phil-Hun , Hong Sung-Min
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the small-signal (ac) nonequilibrium Green function (NEGF) simulation approach. By utilizing the solution of the steady-state (dc) NEGF solutions, the ac responses of the electrostatic potential and the electron density can be calculated. For the self-consistent solution considering the long range Coulomb interaction, the Poisson equation is coupled with the NEGF equations for both ac and dc cases. Especially, for the ac case, the NEGF and Poisson equations are fully coupled and solved in a single system matrix. In order to take into account the mode interaction fully, the real-space approach is presented. For the application of the ac quantum transport, a silicon based highly scaled nanosheet metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor is simulated under the ballistic transport approximation at room temperature. The simulation results at a low frequency are verified against the quasi-static results. We present the ac intrinsic performance of the device at the terahertz range. At the high-frequency range, the plasma instability from the ungated silicon region is investigated.
Identification of disorder and effect of annealing on physical properties of half-metallic Fe–Ti–Sn based Heusler alloys
Authors: Mishra Kulbhushan , Ghanta Bibhas , Bera A. K. , Bhobe P. A.
Published: February 2025

One notable yet typical characteristic of Heusler compounds is their susceptibility to antisite defects and disorders. Concerning this, the Fe2TiSn Heusler compound has been an exciting and disputed candidate, where the ground state properties are highly affected by antisite disorder. Attempts to manipulate the extent of the disorder via doping or substitution are well-documented. This study presents qualitative evidence for significant modification of the disorder, achievable through careful heat treatment of the compositions. Polycrystalline compositions of Fe2TiSn, Fe2Ti0.75Cr0.25Sn, and Fe2TiSn0.5Sb0.5 are investigated for its electrical transport and magnetic properties by separately investigating the samples of each composition in its “as-prepared” state and after post-annealing treatment. Temperature-dependent neutron diffraction has been recorded on the as-prepared compositions to estimate the antisite disorder in these compositions. The structural refinement of the neutron diffraction data confirms the presence of approximately 5% Fe–Ti antisite disorder in these compositions. An additional 10% Fe–Sb disorder is found to exist in Fe2TiSn0.5Sb0.5. The secondary heat treatment of all the compositions leads to a noticeable decrease in antisite disorder, which is seen to drastically affect its electrical resistivity and magnetization. These findings highlight the effectiveness of heat treatment in improving the ordering of the crystal structure of the compositions, with implications for their suitability in spintronics application.
From prediction to experimental realization of ferroelectric wurtzite Al1−xGdxN alloys
Authors: Lee Cheng-Wei , Smaha Rebecca W. , Brennecka Geoff L. , Haegel Nancy M. , Gorai Prashun , Yazawa Keisuke
Published: February 2025

AlN-based alloys find widespread application in high-power microelectronics, optoelectronics, and electromechanics. The realization of ferroelectricity in wurtzite AlN-based heterostructural alloys has opened up the possibility of directly integrating ferroelectrics with conventional microelectronics based on tetrahedral semiconductors, such as Si, SiC, and III–Vs, enabling compute-in-memory architectures, high-density data storage, and more. The discovery of AlN-based wurtzite ferroelectrics has been driven to date by chemical intuition and empirical explorations. Here, we demonstrate the computationally-guided discovery and experimental demonstration of new ferroelectric wurtzite Al1−xGdxN alloys. First-principles calculations indicate that the minimum energy pathway for switching changes from a collective to an individual switching process with a lower overall energy barrier, at a rare-earth fraction x with x > 0.10–0.15. Experimentally, ferroelectric switching is observed at room temperature in Al1−xGdxN films with x > 0.12, which strongly supports the switching mechanisms in wurtzite ferroelectrics proposed previously [Lee et al., Sci. Adv. 10, eadl0848 (2024)]. This is also the first demonstration of ferroelectricity in an AlN-based alloy with a magnetic rare-earth element, which could pave the way for additional functionalities such as multiferroicity and opto-ferroelectricity in this exciting class of AlN-based materials.
Aerodynamic performance of a rotating cylinder at Re = 8.215 × 105
Authors: Cao Fei , Lin Haihua , Sun Chengmeng , Li Junxia , Jiao Bo
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the aerodynamic characteristics of a rotating cylinder under critical Reynolds number condition, aiming to establish a theoretical basis for the optimization of rotary sails and the enhancement of ship-assisted propulsion systems. By improving aerodynamic efficiency, this research contributes to economic benefits and environmental sustainability. Based on the Magnus effect, numerical simulations were conducted using Fluent to analyze the flow around a rotating cylinder at a Reynolds number of Re = 8.215 × 105. The study explores a wide range of rotational ratios from 0 to 16 to compare the wake dynamics and fluid force characteristics under varying conditions. The results demonstrate a clear relationship between the rotational ratio and aerodynamic performance. Specifically, the lift and drag coefficients exhibit distinct trends as the rotational ratio increases, with a critical rotational ratio of 2.5 identified as yielding optimal aerodynamic efficiency. At this rotational ratio, the lift-to-drag ratio reaches its maximum, marking the cylinder's best performance under the studied conditions. Furthermore, the investigation reveals significant changes in the wake structure and separation point position. As the rotational ratio increases, the separation point gradually moves downstream, with its position ranging from 82° to 93° relative to the stagnation point. The wake vortex structure undergoes five distinct developmental regimes, illustrating progressive changes in flow behavior that are closely linked to the rotational ratio.
Entanglement transition in random rod packings
Authors: Jung Yeonsu , Plumb-Reyes Thomas , Lin Hao-Yu Greg , Mahadevan L.
Published: February 2025

Random packings of stiff rods are self-supporting mechanical structures stabilized by long-range interactions induced by contacts. To understand the geometrical and topological complexity of the packings, we first deploy X-ray computerized tomography to unveil the structure of the packing. This allows us to directly visualize the spatial variations in density, orientational order, and the entanglement, a mesoscopic field that we define in terms of a local average crossing number, a measure of the topological complexity of the packing. We find that increasing the aspect ratio of the constituent rods in a packing leads to a proliferation of regions of strong entanglement that eventually percolate through the system and correlated with a sharp transition in the mechanical stability of the packing. To corroborate our experimental findings, we use numerical simulations of contacting elastic rods and characterize their stability to static and dynamic loadings. Our experiments and computations lead us to an entanglement phase diagram which we also populate using published experimental data from pneumatically tangled filaments, worm blobs, and bird nests along with additional numerical simulations using these datasets. Together, these show the regimes associated with mechanically stable entanglement as a function of the statistics of the packings and loading, with lessons for a range of systems from reconfigurable architectures and textiles to active morphable filamentous assemblies.
STING-induced noncanonical autophagy regulates endolysosomal homeostasis
Authors: Huang Tuozhi , Sun Chenglong , Du Fenghe , Chen Zhijian J.
Published: February 2025

The cGAS–STING pathway mediates innate immune responses to cytosolic DNA. In addition to its well-established role in inducing inflammatory cytokines, activation of the cGAS–STING pathway also induces noncanonical autophagy, a process involving the conjugation of the ATG8 family of ubiquitin-like proteins to membranes of the endolysosomal system. The mechanisms and functions of STING-induced autophagy remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that STING activation induced formation of pH-elevated Golgi-derived vesicles that led to ATG16L1 and V-ATPase-dependent noncanonical autophagy. We showed that STING-induced noncanonical autophagy resulted in activation of the MiT/TFE family of transcription factors (TFEB, TFE3, and MITF), which regulate lysosome biogenesis. We found that lipidation of the ATG8 proteins, particularly GABARAPs, inhibited phosphorylation of MiT/TFE transcription factors by mTORC1. The lipidated GABARAPs bound to the Folliculin-interacting proteins (FNIPs), thereby sequestering the FNIP-folliculin protein complexes from activating mTORC1, resulting in dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation of MiT/TFE transcription factors. Furthermore, we found that STING-induced autophagy activated Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), a protein implicated in Parkinson’s disease, through GABARAPs lipidation. We further showed that STING-induced autophagy induced ALIX-mediated ESCRT machinery recruitment to mitigate endolysosomal perturbation. These results reveal the multifaceted functions of STING-induced noncanonical autophagy in regulating endolysosomal homeostasis.
A hormone-to-neuropeptide pathway inhibits sexual receptivity in immature
Drosophila
females
Authors: Chen Jie , Zhu Peiwen , Jin Sihui , Zhang Zhaokun , Jiang Simei , Li Sheng , Liu Suning , Peng Qionglin , Pan Yufeng
Published: February 2025

Newborns, typically asexual, undergo a process of sexual transition to reach sexual maturity, but the regulatory mechanism underlying this transition is not clear. Here, we studied how female sexual behavior is modulated during sexual transition by hormones and neuromodulators in
Drosophila
. We found that neuropeptide Leucokinin (LK) inhibits female receptivity specifically during a sexual transition period in immature females, but not in younger or mature females. Moreover, the steroid hormone ecdysone, which is mainly synthesized in the female ovary during sexual maturation, acts on LK neurons via the ecdysone receptor to suppress sexual receptivity. We further found that LK suppresses female receptivity through its receptor LKR in central pC1 neurons, a decision center for female sexual behavior. These findings reveal a hormone-to-neuropeptide pathway that specifically inhibits sexual behavior during sexual maturation in female
Drosophila
, shedding light on how hormones and neuromodulators coordinate sexual development and behaviors.
PALADIN: A novel plug-and-play 3D CS-MRI reconstruction method
Authors: Wu Jia-Mian , Yin Shibai , Jiang Tai-Xiang , Liu Guisong , Zhao Xi-Le
Published: February 2025

Compressive sensing magnetic resonance imaging (CS-MRI) accelerates data acquisition by reconstructing high-quality images from a limited set of $k$-space samples. To solve this ill-posed inverse problem, the plug-and-play (PnP) framework integrates image priors using convolutional neural network (CNN) denoisers. However, CNN denoisers often prioritize local details and may neglect broader degradation effects, leading to visually plausible but structurally inaccurate artifacts. Additionally, the theoretical convergence of PnP methods remains a significant challenge.In this work, we propose a novel method, Plug-And-pLAy 3D MRI recoNstruction (PALADIN), to bridge the gap between denoising and MRI reconstruction. Our model employs the tensor tubal nuclear norm (TNN) to capture intrinsic correlations in 3D MRI data. It also incorporates two implicit regularizers. The first leverages CNN denoisers to exploit image priors. The second, introduced here for the first time, is formulated as a CS-MRI reconstruction subproblem and solved using a deep learning-based method to preserve global spatial structure.We solve the proposed model using the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). We extend existing theoretical results to prove the algorithm's convergence to a fixed point under reasonable assumptions.Experiments on two datasets with three sampling masks show that our method outperforms state-of-the-art MRI reconstruction methods. Ablation studies confirm that the TNN and the two implicit regularizers work together to improve reconstruction quality.
Fundamental aspects of Aharonov-Bohm quantum machines: Thermoelectric heatengines and diodes
Authors: Bedkihal Salil , Behera Jayasmita , Bandyopadhyay Malay
Published: February 2025

The study of heat-to-work conversion has gained considerable attention in recent years, highlightingthe potential of nanoscale systems to achieve energy conversion in steady-state devices withoutthe involvement of macroscopic moving parts. The operation of these devices is predicated on thesteady-state flows of quantum particles, including electrons, photons, and phonons. This reviewexamines the theoretical frameworks governing these steady-state flows within various mesoscopicor nanoscale devices, such as thermoelectric heat engines, particularly in the context of quantum dotAharonov-Bohm interferometric configurations. Naturally, quantum interference effects hold greatpromise for enhancing the thermoelectric transport properties of these quantum devices by allowingmore precise control over energy levels and transport pathways, thus improving heat-to-work conversion.Driven quantum dot Aharonov-Bohm networks offer an ideal platform for studying theseengines, thanks to their ability to maintain quantum coherence and provide precise experimentalcontrol. Unlike bulk systems, nanoscale systems such as quantum dots reveal distinct quantum interferencephenomena, including sharp features in transmission spectra and Fano resonances. Thisreview highlights the distinction between optimization methods that produce boxcar functions andcoherent control methods that result in complex interference patterns. This review reveals that theeffective design of thermoelectric heat engines requires careful tailoring of quantum interference andthe magnetic field-induced effects to enhance performance. In addition, We focus on the fundamentalquestions about the bounds of these thermoelectric machines. Particular emphasis is given to howmagnetic fields can change the bounds of power or efficiency and the relationship between quantumtheories of transport and the laws of thermodynamics. These machines with broken time-reversalsymmetry provides insights into directional dependencies and asymmetries in quantum transport.We offer a thorough overview of past and current research on quantum thermoelectric heat enginesusing the Aharonov-Bohm effect and present a detailed review of three-terminal Aharonov-Bohmheat engines, where broken time-reversal symmetry can induce a coherent diode effect. Our reviewalso covers bounds on power and efficiency in systems with broken time-reversal symmetry. Weclose the review by presenting open questions, summaries, and conclusions.
Distance measurement between metal tips via plasmon-enhanced NV fluorescence
Authors: Ji Lumin , Zhao Liye , Huang Pu , Wang Yuhai
Published: February 2025

High-precision displacement sensing serves as a cornerstone for measuring numerous physical quantities. Through plasmon-enhanced fluorescence, we propose a nitrogen-vacancy (NV)-based highly sensitive and microwave-free distance measurement scheme for metal tips with a sub-wavelength scale size. The best sensitivity is estimated to be $ 72\ \rm{fm/\sqrt{Hz}}$ with a high bandwidth of $ 21 \ \rm{GHz}$ through simulations and numerical analyses. The study reveals that the sensor performance remains insensitive to fluctuations in plasmon resonance wavelength, indicating the system's inherent tolerance to structural deviations, potentially stemming from manufacturing imperfections. Furthermore, a greater quantum radiation efficiency leads to an improved sensitivity and a wider working range. This low-noise, no-damage, and robust scheme with a high frequency bandwidth has potential applications in on-chip inertial devices and basic physical research.
Investigating the structural and dielectric properties of electrospun nanofibers based on P(VDF-TrFE)/conjugated polymer for optoelectronic applications
Authors: Salim Ehab , Alshehri Naif Ahmed
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the fabrication of semiconductive nanofiber films created from polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoro ethylene (P(VDF-TrFE)) and Poly [N-9′-heptadecany l-2, 7-carbazole-alt-5, 5- (4′, 7′-di-2-thieny l-2′, 1′, 3′-benzothiadiazole)] (PCDTBT) using the electrospinning technique. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that films ranging from 200 to 400 nm in diameter exhibit a smooth fiber topology. Attenuated total reflectance for Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra showed symmetric, antisymmetric, and non-significant chemical interactions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed a ferroelectric β phase and amorphous structure, with no distinct Bragg diffraction peak. The UV-Vis spectra indicated the presence of semicrystalline P(VDF-TrFE) in the electrospun nanofiber film, where the carbazole units and conjugated main chains resulted in PCDTBT absorption at 415 nm and 589 nm. Blending PCDTBT with P(VDF-TrFE) lowered the band gap and enhanced Urbach energy (EU). Incorporating PCDTBT with P(VDF-TrFE) improved the DC conductivity from 1.42×10-4 S cm-1 to 1.07×10-3 S cm-1. Polarization at the semiconductor-insulator interface improved the nanofiber blend's characteristics, including a lower bulk resistance (Rb) and a greater dielectric constant than P(VDF-TrFE). These Nanofibers may be employed in transparent electrodes and coatings for optoelectronic devices that need visible spectrum transparency and UV protection.
Fostering gifted students in physics
Authors: Korner Marianne
Published: February 2025

Awakening, recognizing, and fostering gifted students is a challenge in science education that teachers should address for the purpose of a comprehensive STEM support. Several models and strategies are known for promoting giftedness. This article discusses to what extent a format such as the Physics Olympiad is at all suitable to meet the desiderata of educating the gifted. Furthermore, we focus tasks for the promotion gifted students are presented, which were developed in th context of pre-service teacher training courses at the University of Vienna. The tasks as well as results on the students’ learning processes will be presented.
Physics Game as a Stimulus for Experimental Activity
Authors: Sukeľová Tatiana , Velmovská Klára
Published: February 2025

Given our objective of ongoing development in the area of scientific competencies among our pupils, we have identified the use of a Physics game as a stimulating tool for encouraging experimental activities. The text includes a model for creating physics games, which we followed in developing the Physics game. Through a Physics game proposed by us, we sought to determine whether it serves as a more stimulating element for experimental activities than the Standard assigned experiment. The study involved pupils in the second year of an eight-year grammar school (aged 12-13). The objective was to ascertain the extent to which the Physics game was conducive to encouraging pupils to engage in experimental activities. This was achieved by analysing the responses provided to questionnaire items pertaining to this specific aspect. From the pilot survey, we found that the Physics game created by us stimulates pupils to experiment more than the Standard assigned experiment.
Teaching scientific practices through low-cost tools: an experiment with high school students
Authors: Gabelli Lucia , Carli Marta , Lissandron Giorgio , Pantano Ornella
Published: February 2025

The study regards the development of a teaching-learning sequence (TLS) for students in a technical institute, aimed at enhancing scientific practices. The TLS was designed following a design-based research methodology, undergoing two cycles of design and test. The study describes the process and analyses students’ achievement of a specific learning outcome (the development of the practice ‘developing and using models’) during the latest version of the TLS. To obtain a more accurate evaluation, an assessment strategy based on the triangulation of multiples sources (students’ work and an observation grid filled in by two independent observers) was adopted. The findings suggest that the TLS had a positive impact on the development of the target scientific practice, particularly in some sub-abilities such as the mathematization of motion, its representation through space-time graphs and motion diagrams, and the translation between different representations. On the other hand, students had difficulties in constructing multiple representations and discussing the limitations of models. The study emphasizes the importance of continued refinement of teaching proposals to address emergent challenges and optimize learning support.
Multimedia-supported electricity teaching via the application “PUMA : Spannungslabor”
Authors: Stolzenberger Christoph , Frank Florian , Trefzger Thomas
Published: February 2025

Learning about Electricity suffers from the fundamental concepts being difficult to understand for students. The multimedia application “PUMA : Spannungslabor” was developed to support students by visualizing didactic analogies for electricity. The application uses Augmented Reality-technology to place a digital representation atop a real-world circuit. It is connected to the real-world circuit by camera and via Bluetooth, which enables the measurement and presentation of real-life data through the app. An additional mode was implemented, enabling the use of the application as a simulation. This contribution presents the application which is designed for use in classes at secondary level 1 and gives examples on how it can support learning about electricity.
Bridging the gap between cutting-edge science and school: non-formal education in high-energy physics
Authors: Tomášik Boris , Kekeláková Júlia , Melo Ivan , Pleskot Vojtěch
Published: February 2025

We report mainly on the global flagship outreach activity in particle physics: the International Particle Physics Masterclasses. It is illustrated on the example of Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The Masterclasses are described and their long-term impact is studied with the help of a survey among former participants. The positive effect of Masterclasses in shifting the attitude towards science is shown. We also discuss the modification of Masterclasses for a pandemic situation. Finally, we present CASCADE projects as a way to foster the interest in a field which has been strongly enhanced by previous experience, e.g., at Masterclasses.
Gender disparities in STEM degree programs and academic orientation actions
Authors: Elisa Dryden Silva Eva , Lippiello Stefania , Pantano Ornella
Published: February 2025

This project aimed to promote gender inclusion in Physics Education by identifying the observed needs, challenges and underlying factors contributing to gender disparities in Physics and other STEM disciplines at the University of Padova (Italy). To gather perspectives on the various elements affecting academic orientation actions, different stakeholders from our academic context were brought together in a focus group. It involved university professors, university students, high school teachers and students, researchers, and other staff members. A discourse analysis of the focus group discussion revealed that career choices are shaped by a complex interplay of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. While the participants emphasized the importance of personal interests, external influences such as family expectations, school experiences, and perceived career prospects emerged as equally significant determinants to students’ career decisions. Specific aspects emerged that can negatively or positively influence the degree choice of a student. These insights can inform the design of new interventions aimed at improving academic orientation that challenge stereotypes and biases that may discourage students from pursuing Physics and other STEM fields. The results contribute to ongoing efforts to increase the inclusivity of Physics and other STEM educational environments.
Fluorinated Electrolyte-Assisted Dry Nano LLZO Composite Solid-State Electrolytes for Lithium-Metal Batteries
Authors: Han Qigao , Wang Fuhe , Wang Fengqian , Ji Shuaijing , Zhong Jun , Du Jinqiao , Tian Jie , Zhang Weixin , Tang Shun , Cao Yuancheng
Published: February 2025

Li7La3Zr2O12 composite solid-state electrolytes (LLZO CSSEs) face severe application challenges due to the effect of grain boundary impedance. For this reason, the ionic conduction blocking effect caused by the polymer is mitigated by a dry process while reducing the polymer content. When paired with the designed fluorinated electrolyte, the ionic conductivity of the LLZO CSSEs reach 1.52 mS cm−1, exhibiting a significant ionic conduction synergistic effect. The wide electrochemical stabilization window and better flame retardancy can guarantee the stable application of LLZO CSSEs in lithium-metal batteries, and the lithium symmetric batteries can be stably cycled more than 1000 hours under the current density of 1 mA cm−2. The Li|LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 solid-state batteries achieved a better rate performance with the specific capacity of 128.50 mAh g−1 under the current of 5 C. These results indicate that LLZO CCSEs have the potential for further applications and are contributed to the development of lithium-metal batteries.
Activating Nickel-tungsten alloy for efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution via interface engineering
Authors: Chen Xiaodong , Wanyan Fu , Wang Zhaojie , Lu Xiaoqing
Published: February 2025

The design of unprecious metal catalysts that exhibit both high-performance and durstability presents a significant challenge for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Non-precious metal-based 5NiWAg10-NiW@CF catalyst with efficient HER catalytic activity was developed and synthesized based on interfacial engineering modulation. The experimental results show that the heterogeneous interface not only promotes the exposure of the active site, but also accelerates the transfer of electrons. The 5NiWAg10-NiW@CF catalyst presents high HER electrocatalytic activity, achieving an overpotential of 118 mV at a current density of 0.01 A cm−2. Particularly, the favorable kinetics of 5NiWAg10-NiW@CF towards the HER in alkaline atmosphere was evidenced by its Tafel slope as low as 103 mV dec−1. This work offers a new perspective for the interfacial engineering optimization of catalysts.
European household material footprints decrease with the degree of urbanisation if passenger mobility infrastructure is considered
Authors: Sborz Julia , Ottelin Juudit
Published: February 2025

Urbanisation influences resource use through increasing affluence and dense infrastructure, enabling different lifestyles. Previous literature has highlighted the benefits of material efficiency that cities can provide. However, there is little research on household material footprints in this context. Material footprints cover all material requirements throughout global supply chains and allocate these to the final consumer of a product or service. The study aims to fill this literature gap by analysing how household material footprints and their different categories vary in Europe according to socioeconomic variables and the degree of urbanisation. Furthermore, we adjust our baseline model to see how adding the material footprint of transport infrastructure use affects the outcomes. The material footprints decrease strongly with an increasing degree of urbanisation when infrastructure is taken into account, but much less so, when only household material consumption is considered. Surprisingly, household metal footprints are higher in rural than urban areas. This is mainly because household vehicles have a larger impact on metal footprints than electronic devices, for example. Differences in the material footprint patterns between countries highlight the importance of tailored material efficiency policies considering local characteristics.
Recent Advances in Wearable Sweat Sensors Using Functional Nucleic Acids: Progress and Future Directions
Authors: Wang Jiaqi , Wang Siyuan , Zhang JingJing
Published: February 2025

Wearable sweat sensors leveraging functional nucleic acids, such as aptamers, have emerged as a transformative technology for real-time health monitoring and diagnostics. These sensors offer high specificity, sensitivity, and adaptability, making them ideal for various biosensing applications. This Perspective discusses recent innovations in the design and fabrication of wearable sweat sensors, with a particular focus on molecular recognition elements and signal transduction mechanisms. By addressing the limitations of traditional wearable devices, such as low specificity, poor sensitivity, and limited adaptability, functional nucleic acid-based sensors enable more accurate, real-time, and versatile health monitoring. We highlight the potential of these sensors in personalized medicine and continuous disease monitoring, underscoring the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to overcome existing challenges. A detailed analysis of a landmark study in the field is provided, showcasing breakthrough advancements in molecular recognition and signal transduction. Finally, we offer insights for optimizing these technologies to enhance their practicality and sustainability. Collectively, functional nucleic acid-based wearable sweat sensors are poised to become a key component in the future of health management, driven by ongoing research and technological advancements.
MLM Pretraining Dynamics for Downstream peptide: TCR Binding Prediction
Authors: Landry Brock , Zhang Jian
Published: February 2025

Motivation

Predicting antigen peptide and T-Cell receptor binding is difficult due to the combinatoric nature of peptides and the scarcity of labeled peptide binding pairs. The masked language modeling method of pretraining is reliably used to increase the downstream performance of peptide: TCR binding prediction models by leveraging unlabeled data. In the literature, binding prediction models are commonly trained until the validation loss converges. To evaluate this method, cited transformer model architectures pretrained with masked language modeling are investigated to assess the benefits of achieving lower loss metrics during pretraining. The downstream performance metrics for these works are recorded after each subsequent interval of masked language modeling pretraining.

Results

The results demonstrate that the downstream performance benefit achieved from masked language modeling peaks substantially before the pretraining loss converges. Using the pretraining loss metric is largely ineffective for precisely identifying the best downstream performing pretrained model checkpoints (or saved states). However, the pretraining loss metric in these scenarios can be used to mark a threshold in which the downstream performance benefits from pretraining have fully diminished. Further pretraining beyond this threshold does not negatively impact downstream performance, but results in unpredictable bilateral deviations from the post-threshold average downstream performance benefit.

Data availability

The datasets used in this article for model training are publicly available from each original model’s authors at https://github.com/SFGLab/bertrand, https://github.com/wukevin/tcr-bert, https://github.com/NKI-AI/STAPLER, and https://github.com/barthelemymp/TULIP-TCR.
Multi-objective optimization evaluation of renewable and clean methanol synthesis
Authors: Hai Tao , Hamed Rasheed Rassol , Sharma Aman , Dhawan Aashim , Sharma Prabhat , Rajab Husam , Becheikh Nidhal , Aich Walid , Kolsi Lioua , Singh Narinderjit Singh Sawaran
Published: February 2025

This study examines the feasibility of establishing a power-to-fuel facility for synthesizing renewable methanol (e-methanol) through the integration of green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide. Hydrogen is produced via water electrolysis using surplus renewable electricity, while carbon dioxide is captured from a conventional power plant’s emissions through an amine-based absorption process. Despite the current economic constraints, with production costs exceeding current market prices for methanol, the study highlights potential future competitiveness, especially considering impending European regulatory frameworks. Furthermore, the study employs a hybrid Grey Wolf Optimizer–Particle Swarm Optimization approach to balance the trade-offs between methanol production cost and energy efficiency.