bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of bio-sourced liquid resins and their photopolymerization with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate in the roadmap to more sustainable digital light processing technologies
Authors: Hodásová Ľudmila , Isarn Isaac , Bravo Fernando , Alemán Carlos , Borràs Núria , Fargas Gemma , Armelin Elaine
Published: January 2024

Renewable sources can be used to obtain bio-based monomers, in only one-step of synthesis, for further photopolymerization with synthetic reactive monomers in DLP printers.
Melanoma immunotherapy enabled by M2 macrophage targeted immunomodulatory cowpea mosaic virus
Authors: Zhao Zhongchao , Chung Young Hun , Steinmetz Nicole F.
Published: January 2024

We have developed nanoparticle formulations targeting M2 macrophages for cancer immunotherapy by conjugating high-affinity binding peptides to cowpea mosaic virus as an immunostimulatory adjuvant.
Isolation of cytotoxic cycloartane triterpenoids from Dysoxylum malabaricum
Authors: Bhardwaj Nivedita , Sharma Vivek Kumar , Tripathi Nancy , Pimpre Kavita , Sonti Rajesh , Ravikanth G. , Koch Biplob , Jain Shreyans K.
Published: January 2024

New cycloartane triterpenoids (2–4) have been recently discovered in the bark of Dysoxylum malabaricum.
Impact of the aliphatic side chain length on photovoltaic properties of fullerenes functionalized with 3-(1-indenyl)propionic acid esters
Authors: Piotrowski Piotr , Mech Wojciech , Kaim Andrzej , Bożek Rafał , Kamińska Maria , Korona Krzysztof P.
Published: January 2024

10 Indene C60 and C70 derivatives have been synthesized and characterized, and solar cells fabricated using them gave the best efficiency for hexyl derivatives.
Electrospun perylene dianhydride electrodes with fine micro-nanostructures for high-performance lithium-organic batteries
Authors: Liu Xi , He Zhiling , Zhu Junfeng , Jia Jiru , Liao Deyi , Yang Yichao , Fan Longfei , Zhang Chan , Xiao Runfeng , Han Shaobo
Published: January 2024

An electrospun PDA electrode (PDA-es-H) demonstrates a high capacity, robust cycling stability, and excellent rate performance for lithium-organic battery application.
Preparation of a PVDF–PDA–DETA@PVP@HNT membrane for high efficiency oil–water emulsion separation
Authors: Dai Lijuan , Du Guoyong , Yuan Qiao , Deng Chunping , Zhang Huatao , Ma Wenxin
Published: January 2024

Membrane technology is considered to be an effective method for the treatment of oily wastewater.
Polypropylene-based transesterification covalent adaptable networks with internal catalysis
Authors: Gao Yuanchu , Niu Hui
Published: January 2024

With neighboring group participation, polypropylene-based transesterification covalent adaptable networks were facilely prepared via the reaction of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene and diol without using external catalysts.
Pd-catalyzed double Heck and Heck–Suzuki cascade reaction of N-(o-bromo aryl) CF3-acrylamides
Authors: Sharma Ruchi , Sihag Naveen , Bhartiya Hemaang , Saini Shivangi , Kumar Ashish , Yadav M. Ramu
Published: January 2024

A double Heck and Heck–Suzuki cascade approach using Pd catalyst yields trifluoromethyl-tethered 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles from N-(o-bromoaryl) trifluoromethyl acrylamide with alkenes/phenylboronic acids.
High-Efficiency Functional Materials: Challenges and Developments in Solution and Dry Processed Green OLEDs
Authors: Kumar Krishan
Published: January 2024

Next generation green emitting materials are fast-emerging and potent both academia and industry that the history OLEDs advancement has still another season of even better devices coming.
Construction of a novel pyrene-based two-dimensional supramolecular organic framework and the selective regulation of reactive oxygen species for photocatalysis
Authors: Jiang Man , Wang Ying , Liu Hui , Yu Shengsheng , Niu Kai-Kai , Xing Ling-Bao
Published: January 2024

We report herein a novel pyrene-based two-dimensional supramolecular organic framework (SOF) in water via host–guest interactions, which exhibits regulation of ROS and high photocatalytic efficiency.
Nicotinic acid additive with a double regulating mechanism for high-performance aqueous zinc ion batteries
Authors: Wang Hongzhi , Wang Huanhuan , Zhang Weiguo , Yan Leshan , Yao Suwei
Published: January 2024

Trace nicotinic acid (NA) can not only change the solvation structure of Zn2+, but also preferentially adsorbs on the Zn anode to reduce the side reactions and inhibit Zn dendrites. Zn‖Zn cells with NA can operate for 5200 h at 1 mA cm−2.
An electrolyte additive of bromoxoindole enables uniform Li-ion flux and tunable Li2S deposition for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Zou Jinxuan , He Pengxuan , Zhang Yufang , Cai Dong , Yang Shuo , He Ying , Dong Yangyang , Xiao Kuikui , Zhou Xuemei , Nie Huagui , Yang Zhi
Published: January 2024

6-Bromoxoindole, an electrolyte additive, enables the lithium–sulfur battery to operate stably under high-loading, lean-electrolyte, and low-temperature conditions simultaneously.
Light-driven micromotors for on-demand and local pH sensing applications
Authors: Debata Srikanta , Sahu Shivani , Panda Suvendu Kumar , Singh Dhruv Pratap
Published: January 2024

Light-driven and externally guided micromotors show fluorescence signal-based local pH sensing in a fluid medium.
Surface lattice resonance in an asymmetric air environment of 2D Au near-spherical nanoparticle arrays: impact of nanoparticle size and its sensitivity
Authors: Men Dandan , Wang Hong , Ding Qianqian , Wu Yingyi , Wu Ting , Qu Wenshan , Ma Liang , Zhang Honghua , Jiang Guihua , Hang Lifeng
Published: January 2024

2D Au nanoparticle (NP) arrays with larger NP size displayed an obvious surface lattice resonance (SLR) peak in an asymmetric air environment, indicating that, if the NP size was large enough, index-matching was not necessary for forming SLR.
Strain engineering of Bi2OS2 ultrathin films: electronic and ferroelectric properties
Authors: Pang Chunying , Gao Kai , Hou Chunju , Yang Yi
Published: January 2024

The non-monotonous relationship of ferroelectric polarization with strain can be attributed to distinct atomic coordination environments in Bi2OS2, which is different from a nearly monotonous trend of ferroelectricity-stabilized energy.
Thermogalvanic organohydrogel-based non-contact self-powered electronics for advancing smart agriculture
Authors: Yang Xinru , Zhang Zhiyi , Khan Saeed Ahmed , Sun Lei , Wang Zhaosu , Cui Xiaojing , Huang Zhiquan , Zhang Hulin
Published: January 2024

Non-contact self-powered electronics are proposed based on a thermoelectric hydrogel, which can be applied in remote-controlled small electronics, wireless information interaction and monitoring solar intensity via photo-thermal-electric conversion.
Dearomatized diimines for nickel(ii) and palladium(ii) catalyzed ethylene polymerization and copolymerization
Authors: Guo Lihua , Zhao Wei , Ji Mingjun , Chen Weiqiang , Li Pengwei , Li Lijie , Li Jiaxing , Liu Zhe
Published: January 2024

Dual steric enhancement was achieved through the combination of a dearomatized acenaphthyl backbone and bulky ortho substituents. The role of this bulky backbone in metal-catalyzed ethylene (co)polymerization was investigated.
Learning passive policies with virtual energy tanks in robotics
Authors: Zanella Riccardo , Palli Gianluca , Stramigioli Stefano , Califano Federico
Published: January 2024

Within a robotic context, the techniques of passivity‐based control and reinforcement learning are merged with the goal of eliminating some of their reciprocal weaknesses, as well as inducing novel promising features in the resulting framework. The contribution is framed in a scenario where passivity‐based control is implemented by means of virtual energy tanks, a control technique developed to achieve closed‐loop passivity for any arbitrary control input. Albeit the latter result is heavily used, it is discussed why its practical application at its current stage remains rather limited, which makes contact with the highly debated claim that passivity‐based techniques are associated with a loss of performance. The use of reinforcement learning allows to learn a control policy that can be passivized using the energy tank architecture, combining the versatility of learning approaches and the system theoretic properties which can be inferred due to the energy tanks. Simulations show the validity of the approach, as well as novel interesting research directions in energy‐aware robotics.
Utilization of Coal Fly-Ash derived Silicon (Si) as Capacity Enhancer of Li-Ion Batteries Anode Material
Authors: Satria Yudha Cornelius , Puspita Sari Erica , Kurniawati Dewi Dona , Paramitha Tika , Griyasti Suci Windhu
Published: January 2024

The increasing demand for energy has caused a rise in coal usage, resulting in high fly ash generation. The high SiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3content in fly ashes (FAs) allow them to be processed in electrical energy storage technology, such as lithium-ion-based secondary batteries. The research aims to develop silicon from FAs for Li-ion battery applications. The fabrication of silicon materials employed in this study are (i) extraction of SiO2from FA, (ii) gelation of SiO2, (iii) magnesiothermic reduction of SiO2to Si under N2flow, (iv) purification of silicon, (v) the solid-state composite fabrication of Si/C. The as-prepared Si was characterized. XRD test showed the presence of silicon phase and minor impurities in Mg. SEM analysis of the Si showed that the material has a polymorph shape with a rough surface of micron-sized secondary particles. EDX test showed the presence of impurities in the form of O and Mg atoms; meanwhile, the EDX mapping confirmed the dominant distribution of Si in the sample. Galvanostatic charge-discharge analysis of a battery with 5%Si/C anode and LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2or NCM811 cathode resulted in a specific charge and discharge capacity of 600 mAh/g and 473.6 mAh/g, respectively, which is greater than the graphite theoretical capacity of 372 mAh/g.
Evaluation of Efficient CCUS System Design from Chemical Industry Emission in Indonesia
Authors: Dwi Pratiwi Vibianti , Renanto Renanto , Juwari Juwari , Panca Anugraha Rendra , Arifin Rizal
Published: January 2024

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industry significantly contribute to increasing CO2 in the atmosphere as the main cause of the Green House Gas (GHG) effect and climate change. CO2 emissions cause the need for evaluation in finding emission reduction systems. The CCUS (Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage) system is one of the most studied emission reduction systems. This study aims to obtain an intuitive and quantitative CCUS network design framework using GAMS (General Algebraic Modeling System) software with a mathematical approach. Several sources of CO2 emissions and potential absorbers are scattered in several regions in Indonesia. A mathematical approach was developed to optimize the amount of CO2 stored and utilized by varying the minimum time difference (dt min) between source and sink from 0, 3, 5, 8, to 10 years. The economic potential of the source-sink pair decreases with the change in dt with an average of 6.50 x 106 USD. Based on the potential economic value, the CCUS system with industrial CO2 emission sources has a positive value that can be applied in Indonesia.
Development of STEAM-2C: Integrated Acid-Base Digital Book Based on Malang Local Wisdom
Authors: Jauza Nareswari Tsalis , Wahyu Wijaya Husni , Candra Eka Setiawan Nur
Published: January 2024

Contextual approach in learning acid-base concepts is proven to improve students’ understanding. This is based on an initial survey of students regarding the acid-base concept, as many as 66.7% were interested in learning the concept if it is related to everyday life. Therefore, a contextual approach integrates contextual and real-world applications has been proposed to make the concept more meaningful to students. STEAM-2C which integrates aspects of (Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering, Mathematics, Culture, and Communication) is one application of a contextual approach that is proven to increase motivation, besides that students also need to explore the local wisdom around them. However, the problem is that no learning resource combines aspects of STEAM-2C based on local wisdom, one of which is in Malang City. Therefore, a learning media was developed in the form of a flipbook integrated with the STEAM-2C approach based on Malang’s local wisdom, namely Malangan batik which is associated with the concept of acid-base. The method used in this research is the RnD (Research and Development) method with a modified ADDIE development model with restrictions into 3 stages, namely analysis, design, and development. The results showed that a digital-based flipbook in the form of an application had been compiled. The content in the flipbook includes chem-culture, chem-matter, chem-news, and chem-tech illustrating the integration of acid-base material with the STEAM-2C approach. Flipbook is packaged as an application with several main features, namely pre-test, learning video, flipbook, posttest, and games to support the student learning process. The integration of the STEAM-2C approach and local wisdom can familiarize students with social and cultural awareness characters that are closely related to 21st century skills, as well as make students able to solve problems better, creatively, independently, think logically, and introduce local wisdom values to students on acid-base material.
Optimization of Protease Activity byBacillus haynesiiBK1H Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Septianingrum Wildanna Rohma , Sanjaya Eli Hendrik , Alvionita Mieke , Suharti Suharti
Published: January 2024

Proteases are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of peptide bonds into oligopeptides and amino acids. Previous bacterial studies reported that eight proteolytic isolates had been isolated from Bledug Kuwu mud, Central Java. One of these isolates is BK1H which has a proteolytic index of 2.960 making it possible to be studied further. In this study, optimization of the protease activity of BK1H was carried out using 3 factors namely temperature, pH, and divalent metal cations. This research was conducted through several stages, (1) Bacterial culture regeneration, (2) Protease fermentation using the SmF method, (3) Determination of the type of protease, (4) One Factor at a Time (OFAT), (5) Plackett-Burman Design (PBD), (6) Response Surface Methodology-Central Composite Design (RSM-CCD), and (7) Confirmation of RSM-CCD optimization results on experimental results. OFAT experiment results showed the lowest activity and the highest activity was obtained at 37°C and 57°C; pH 6 and 8; and CaCl2 0.5 and 1.0 mM. The significance test of the 2 factors namely temperature and pH has a p value <0.05, which indicates that these factors have a significant effect on protease activity. The optimum factor value in the RSM-CCD has a temperature of 63.10°C and pH 10.82, with the predicted activity of 149.910 U/mL, while the experimental results have activity of 157.630 ± 16.240 U/mL.
Chemical Content and Pharmacology of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) Fruit Peel: A Review
Authors: Mojo Triyono , Sutrisno  , Marfuah Siti
Published: January 2024

The sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) fruit peel is one of the often overlooked part of the sweet orange plant. However, recent research indicates that sweet orange peel possesses various bioactive properties and intriguing health benefits. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of the chemical compounds, pharmacological activities, and potential development of sweet orange peel, serving as an introduction to further research. Sweet orange peel contains a variety of chemical compounds, including essential oils, flavonoids, carotenoids, steroids, terpenoids, alkane groups, and ethyl esters. These chemical compositions confer antioxidant properties to sweet orange peel, which can protect the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. In vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that sweet orange peel extracts exhibit strong antioxidant activity and may aid in preventing degenerative diseases such as cancer. Additionally, sweet orange peel shows potential antimicrobial activity. Certain compounds in sweet orange peel have proven effective against various types of bacteria and pathogenic fungi.
A bi-objective approach for the multi-skilled worker assignment of a hybrid assembly line-seru production system
Authors: Wu Yinghui , Zeng Shaoyu , Li Bingbing , Yu Yang
Published: January 2024

The flexibility and responsiveness of seru production have caught the attention of manufacturing and electronics industries. However, multi-skilled worker assignment poses a crucial and challenging decision-making problem for seru production systems. The existing literature on this problem for pure seru production systems primarily focuses on improving efficiency indexes, which often leads to an unbalanced workload among workers. To address this issue, this article investigates multi-skilled worker assignment for a hybrid assembly line-seru production system that comprises divisional serus and a short assembly line. To balance workload and optimize production efficiency, a bi-objective integer nonlinear programming model is developed. This model jointly optimizes worker-to-seru, worker-to-line, batch-to-seru, task-to-worker, and the processing sequence of each batch. A meta-heuristic method, combining Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) with Multi-Objective Simulated Annealing (MOSA), NSGA-II-MOSA, is designed to solve the model. The results of numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed model and solving method can greatly reduce workload imbalance while maintaining production efficiency. Moreover, NSGA-II-MOSA provides better Pareto solutions than three well-known multi-objective optimization approaches.
Synthesis of Heterodiarylmethanes via Metallaphotoredox Decarboxylative Arylation
Authors: Jeanneret Alexandria D. M. , Yanez Amanda
Published: January 2024

A metallaphotoredox-catalyzed synthesis of heterodiarylmethanes using mild reaction conditions, commercially available substrates, and bench-stable catalysts is demonstrated. Moderate yields are obtained, and further derivatization of the newly formed benzylic position is shown.
A meta-analysis to gauge the impact of pedagogies employed in mixed-ability high school biology classrooms
Authors: Santhosh Malavika E. , Bhadra Jolly , Ahmad Zubair , Al-Thani Noora
Published: January 2024

This article systematically reviews the pedagogies employed in mixed-ability high school biology classrooms to spotlight the most effective educational model, in terms of learning gains. A meta-analysis was performed on 32 eligible studies sorted via the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. The effect sizes (impacts) were calculated in terms of students’ affective, behavioral, and cognitive gains. The results confirmed that the overall effectiveness of non-traditional models was highly significant when compared to traditional lecture models (p < 0.001). Furthermore, this impact is even more profound when problem-based, inquiry-based, and argumentation-based approaches are adopted, contributing to students’ cognitive, affective, and behavioral gains. Further findings also propound the necessity for future studies evaluating affective gains during project-based, problem-based, and argumentation-based models and behavioral gains during blended models. This study would benefit researchers, policymakers, and academicians to innovate and implement novel pedagogical strategies, considering the students’ learning gains in mixed-ability biology classrooms.
Financial inclusion, education, and employment: empirical evidence from 101 countries
Authors: Song Xiaoling , Li Jiaqi , Wu Xueke
Published: January 2024

This study analysed the data of 101 countries from the World Bank’s Financial Inclusion and Financial Availability Survey databases for the years 2011, 2014, 2017, and 2021. It constructed a new financial inclusion evaluation index system using digital empowerment and established a dual fixed-effect panel data regression model to examine the impact of financial inclusion on employment. The study also considered the moderating effect of education on financial inclusion affecting employment. The results indicate that financial inclusion is beneficial to improving employment levels. The level of education development is proportional to the level of employment, and it has a regulatory effect of promoting the financial inclusion’s positive impact on employment level. The heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that the effect of financial inclusion on improving employment levels is greater in female groups. The promotion of financial inclusion is the largest in low- and middle-income countries, followed by high-income countries, indicating that financial inclusion must have a certain economic foundation to fully play its role, and it has more obvious benefits for relatively poor and weak areas than for high-income areas. The conclusions of this study have implications for improving employment and augmenting financial inclusion.
Coronary heart disease prediction based on hybrid deep learning
Authors: Li Feng , Chen Yi , Xu Hongzeng
Published: January 2024

Machine learning provides increasingly reliable assistance for medical experts in diagnosing coronary heart disease. This study proposes a deep learning hybrid model based coronary heart disease (CAD) prediction method, which can significantly improve the prediction accuracy compared to traditional solutions. This research scheme is based on the data of 7291 patients and proposes a hybrid model, which uses two different deep neural network models and a recurrent neural network model as the main model for training. The prediction results based on the main model training use a k-nearest neighbor model for secondary training so as to improve the accuracy of coronary heart disease prediction. The comparison between the model prediction results and the clinical diagnostic results shows that the prediction model has a prediction accuracy rate of 82.8%, a prediction precision rate of 87.08%, a prediction recall rate of 88.57%, a prediction F1-score of 87.82%, and an area under the curve value of 0.8 in the test set. Compared to single model machine learning predictions, the hybrid model has a significantly improved accuracy and has effectively solved the problem of overfitting. A deep learning based CAD prediction hybrid model that combines multiple weak models into a strong model can fully explore the complex inter-relationships between various features under limited feature values and sample size, improve the evaluation indicators of the prediction model, and provide effective auxiliary support for CAD diagnosis.
Cross-sectional profile of photocarrier mobility in thin-film solar cells via multimolecular recombination and charge extraction by linearly increasing voltage (cs-p-CELIV)
Authors: Stocek Noah B. , Young Miguel J. , Bauld Reg , Ouyang Tianhao , Fanchini Giovanni
Published: January 2024

The ability to spatially resolve the carrier mobility profile along the cross section of micrometer-thin solar cells is vital, both for fundamental studies in photovoltaics and as quality control for reproducibly obtaining high conversion efficiencies in commercial solar cell modules. Presently, no technique capable of such an endeavor is available to the best of our knowledge. Here, we introduce a novel method capable of profiling the carrier mobility along the z axis in thin-film photovoltaics. Our setup is based on the integration of photogenerated charge extraction by linearly increasing voltage (p-CELIV) with a scanning confocal optical microscope (SCOM) toward a confocal and cross-sectional p-CELIV (cs-p-CELIV) system. As monomolecular recombination of excess carriers is the most frequent radiative pathway for electrons and holes in solar cells at low power density of illumination, while multimolecular recombination dominates at high power, enhanced multimolecular recombination occurs at the SCOM focal plane. Thus, the cs-p-CELIV signal provides enhanced information on the mobility of all of the cross-sectional layers except the focal plane. By scanning the focal plane along the z axis, the mobility profile can be derived. To demonstrate our technique, we use it to investigate the carrier mobility in three hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells. The mobility profiles obtained by cs-p-CELIV correlate well with well-known depletion layer effects and the H content profile in a-Si:H, which is measured independently. Our findings are in excellent agreement with models suggesting a critical role of Si–H bonding in locally determining the carrier mobility in a-Si:H.
In-memory and in-sensor reservoir computing with memristive devices
Authors: Lin Ning , Chen Jia , Zhao Ruoyu , He Yangu , Wong Kwunhang , Qiu Qinru , Wang Zhongrui , Yang J. Joshua
Published: January 2024

Despite the significant progress made in deep learning on digital computers, their energy consumption and computational speed still fall short of meeting the standards for brain-like computing. To address these limitations, reservoir computing (RC) has been gaining increasing attention across communities of electronic devices, computing systems, and machine learning, notably with its in-memory or in-sensor implementation on the hardware–software co-design. Hardware regarded, in-memory or in-sensor computers leverage emerging electronic and optoelectronic devices for data processing right where the data are stored or sensed. This technology dramatically reduces the energy consumption from frequent data transfers between sensing, storage, and computational units. Software regarded, RC enables real-time edge learning thanks to its brain-inspired dynamic system with massive training complexity reduction. From this perspective, we survey recent advancements in in-memory/in-sensor RC, including algorithm designs, material and device development, and downstream applications in classification and regression problems, and discuss challenges and opportunities ahead in this emerging field.
Low-temperature manufacturable, recyclable, and reconfigurable liquid-metal bonded NdFeB magnets for sensors and robotics
Authors: Zhao Ran , Wang Haiquan , Shi Yafeng , Zhu Zhifang , Zhang Bing
Published: January 2024

This work presents a recyclable liquid-metal/NdFeB composite magnet (LM magnet) with a reconfigurable shape and polarity. Taking advantage of the low-temperature phase-transition property of LMs, we can re-orient the NdFeB particles and reshape the LM magnets, to produce complex magnetization profiles or complex structured magnets. The manufacturing of LM magnets was realized at low temperatures by using a template and paired permanent magnets. The microscopic morphology and elemental composition of the LM magnet were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy, respectively. The magnetic properties and phase-transition properties of the LM magnet were analyzed using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and a differential scanning calorimeter. The experimental results verified that the LM magnet can be recycled, reconfigured, and welded. The configurable magnetization profile with a resolution of up to 800 µm demonstrates that manufacturing of complex magnetic poles can be achieved through this technique. Finally, three application cases show the application prospects of the LM magnet in robots and sensors.
On exploring the generalized mixture estimators under simple random sampling and application in health and finance sector
Authors: Iqbal Kanwal , Muslim Raza Syed Muhammad , Butt Muhammad Moeen , Ahmad Hijaz , Askar Sameh
Published: January 2024

There are numerous studies where data on population units’ auxiliary variables and attributes are simultaneously available. Therefore, due to cost-effectiveness and ease of recording, the study variable and several linearly related auxiliary variables are recorded. These auxiliary variables are commonly observed as quantitative and qualitative (attributes) variables and are jointly used to estimate the study variable’s population mean using a mixture estimator. In order to achieve this, a family of generalized mixture estimators was proposed under simple random sampling with the aim of improving performance under symmetrical and asymmetrical distributions. In addition, the estimator’s behavior for various sample sizes was examined with regard to its convergence to the normal distribution. The suggested generalized mixture estimator’s mean square error is deduced up to the first order of approximation. It is discovered that for the normal, uniform, Weibull, and gamma distributions, the suggested estimator estimates the population mean of the study variable with greater accuracy than the competing estimators. It is also revealed that when the proposed estimator converges to normality, the sample size is at least taken as 110, 1000, and 120. Furthermore, the implementation of three real-life datasets related to the finance and health sectors is also presented to support the proposed estimator’s significance.
A new instrumentation for simultaneous terahertz and mid-infrared spectroscopy in corrosive gaseous mixtures
Authors: Tchana Betnga W. , Hindle F. , Manceron L. , Vander Auwera J. , Cuisset A. , Mouret G. , Bocquet R. , Perrin A. , Roy P. , Kwabia Tchana F.
Published: January 2024

The correct interpretation of infrared (IR) observations of planetary atmospheres requires an accurate knowledge of temperature and partial and global pressures. Precise laboratory measurements of absorption intensities and line profiles, in the 200–350 K temperature range, are, therefore, critical. However, for gases only existing in complex chemical equilibria, such as nitrous or hypobromous acids, it is not possible to rely on absolute pressure measurements to measure absolute integrated optical absorption cross sections or IR line intensities. To overcome this difficulty, a novel dual-beam terahertz (THz)/mid-IR experimental setup has been developed, relying on the simultaneous use of two instruments. The setup involves a newly constructed temperature-controlled (200–350 K) cross-shaped absorption cell made of inert materials. The cell is traversed by the mid-IR beam from a high-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer using along a White-cell optical configuration providing absorption path lengths from 2.8 to 42 m and by a THz radiation beam (82.5 GHz to 1.1 THz), probing simultaneously the same gaseous sample. The THz channel records pure rotational lines of molecules for which the dipole moment was previously measured with high precision using Stark spectroscopy. This allows for a determination of the partial pressure in the gaseous mixture and enables absolute line intensities to be retrieved for the mid-IR range. This new instrument opens a new possibility for the retrieval of spectroscopic parameters for unstable molecules of atmospheric interest. The design and performance of the equipment are presented and illustrated by an example of simultaneous THz and mid-IR measurement on nitrous acid (HONO) equilibrium.
Magnetostrictive-based multimodal tactile sensors for object recognition
Authors: Liu Kaile , Weng Ling , Hu Boyang , Li Zhuolin , Liu Yang , Chen Yuxin , Jiang Shengwang
Published: January 2024

Tactile perception of the human hand plays a critical role in everyday object recognition. The development of multimodal tactile sensors that can sense stimuli with high sensitivity and low cost is important for intelligent perception. In this article, a multimodal tactile sensor attached on a mechanical hand is studied, which consists of a magnetostrictive tactile sensor, a temperature sensor, and a flex sensor. By applying multimodal tactile sensors to a robotic hand to grasp objects, the output voltage of the magnetotactictive tractile tactile sensor can be used for object shape and softness recognition. The bending angle of the knuckles can be obtained by the flex sensor for object contour size recognition, while the temperature distribution of objects can be obtained through temperature sensors. In order to improve the accuracy, a 1-D convolutional neural network-extreme learning machine (CNN-ELM) pattern recognition model based on the combination of 1-D CNN and ELM is presented, with the accuracy of 97.14% for 21 objects. This multimodal tactile sensor has promising applications in the field of tactile intelligence and humanoid robotics.
Theoretical analysis of radiation effects in laminar flow over a von-Kármán body of revolution
Authors: Shah Babar Hussain , Mehmood Ahmer , Shah Nehad Ali , Awais Muhammad
Published: January 2024

An analysis presents the impact of thermal radiation on the laminar boundary layer established due to the motion of a von-Kármán surface. The reason for choosing such a shape is its appearance in many aeronautical vehicles, especially the F-16 fighter jet nose cone. However, the transverse curvature effects are also observable in many other shapes of bodies of revolution. But considering such a practical body of revolution provides a chance to quantify the transport phenomena happening on sophisticated aerospace vehicles. As a result, a correct understanding of the momentum and the thermal process in actual situations can be achieved. Power-law form of wall temperature is assumed to cover a variety of non-isothermal wall conditions. The typical body contour of a von-Kármán surface does not allow the scaling symmetry in the longitudinal direction; thus making the flow of non-similar in nature. An efficient numerical scheme (Keller–Box) with the second order accuracy is used for the solution purposes. The results are found to be satisfactory regarding the previous published work for moving cylinder cases. This ensures the validity of the tabulated data for the von-Kármán surface case. Through numerous tables and graphs, the impacts of thermal radiation parameter, wall temperature exponent, and transverse curvature parameter have been highlighted and thoroughly analyzed. Once the radiation parameter is increased, it is noticed that the rate of heat transfer increases and the thermal thickness of the boundary layer grows, whereas the reverse behavior is seen when the wall temperature exponent is increased. Furthermore, it has been found that increasing the surface transverse curvature increases the thermal thickness of the boundary layer and the rate of heat transfer. To the considered body shape, the reported data are expected to serve as a good source for the development of approximate methods concerning complex flow geometries involving transverse curvature effects.
First-principles study of bilayer hexagonal structure CrN2 nanosheets: A ferromagnetic semiconductor with high Curie temperature and tunable electronic properties
Authors: Gao Yuan , Zhou Baozeng
Published: January 2024

Two-dimensional magnetic materials have been increasingly studied and discussed in the field of spintronics due to their unique electronic properties, high spin polarizability, and a variety of magnetic properties. In this paper, we report a new two-dimensional bilayer hexagonal monolayer material bilayer hexagonal structure (BHS)-CrN2 by first-principles calculations. The BHS-CrN2 nanosheet is an intrinsic ferromagnetic semiconductor material, and the Curie temperature obtained by Monte Carlo simulation is 343 K. The absence of a significant imaginary frequency in the phonon spectrum indicates the dynamic stability of BHS-CrN2. After ab initio molecular dynamics simulation, the supercell of BHS-CrN2 remains a complete structure, indicating its thermal stability. The calculated elastic moduli satisfy the Born–Huang criterion, indicating that the BHS-CrN2 system has good mechanical stability. Interestingly, the compressive strain and O atom doping can transform the electronic structure of BHS-CrN2 from a semiconductor to a half-metal, and the Curie temperature of BHS-CrN2 can be further increased to 1059 K when a 5% tensile strain is applied. Furthermore, the BHS-CrN2 in the ferromagnetic state shows a significant in-plane magnetic anisotropy energy of 0.01 meV per Cr, and the CrP2 and CrAs2 show a large out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy energy of 0.207 and 0.988 meV per Cr, respectively. The results show that the intrinsic ferromagnetic semiconductor BHS-CrN2 has good stability, high Curie temperature, and tunable magnetic properties, which is a promising material for room-temperature spintronic devices.
Instability in optical injection locking semiconductors lasers using multiparametric bifurcation analysis
Authors: Mengue A. D. , Olinga E. J. R. , Essimbi B. Z.
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we investigate bifurcations of equilibria and transients by using modified rate equations of semiconductor lasers (SCLs) subjected to optical injection. An analytical study is performed to demonstrate some two-parameter bifurcations, inter alia, Bogdanov–Takens and Gavrilov–Guckenheimer bifurcations. A detailed numerical study based on the multiparametric bifurcation method and using 3D-plots and projections reveal a rich locking dynamics of SCLs. In this way, a so-called zero frequency detuning well is highlighted in the vicinity of a Hopf bifurcation confining minimal states of the larger Lyapunov exponent in injection locking curves. Three-parameter bifurcation curves mainly underscore cusp bifurcation and resizing of its multi-equilibrium region by the specific control parameter defined in this model. The bursting phenomenon observed in the transient regime is discussed by using various numerical approaches wherefrom another quantifying method tapping into two-parameter bifurcation analysis is proposed. Thereafter, metastable chaos dynamics supported by spiraling relaxation oscillations is also investigated as well as planar saddle-node bifurcations with three homoclinic orbits for high positive and negative detunings. At last, zero α-factor effects contribute to drastically shrink the unlocking region of SCLs, twofold increase in Hopf bifurcation along with evidencing of complex chaotic sine-shaped and folded torus-shaped attractors.
AFLOW-CCE for the thermodynamics of ionic materials
Authors: Friedrich Rico , Curtarolo Stefano
Published: January 2024

Accurate thermodynamic stability predictions enable data-driven computational materials design. Standard density functional theory (DFT) approximations have limited accuracy with average errors of a few hundred meV/atom for ionic materials, such as oxides and nitrides. Thus, insightful correction schemes as given by the coordination corrected enthalpies (CCE) method, based on an intuitive parametrization of DFT errors with respect to coordination numbers and cation oxidation states, present a simple, yet accurate solution to enable materials stability assessments. Here, we illustrate the computational capabilities of our AFLOW-CCE software by utilizing our previous results for oxides and introducing new results for nitrides. The implementation reduces the deviations between theory and experiment to the order of the room temperature thermal energy scale, i.e., ∼25 meV/atom. The automated corrections for both materials classes are freely available within the AFLOW ecosystem via the AFLOW-CCE module, requiring only structural inputs.
Overcoming the doping limit in GaAs by ion implantation and pulsed laser melting
Authors: Yu Kin Man , Scarpulla M. A. , Ho Chun Yuen , Dubon O. D. , Walukiewicz W.
Published: January 2024

Most semiconductors exhibit a saturation of free carriers when heavily doped with extrinsic dopants. This carrier saturation or “doping limit” is known to be related to the formation of native compensating defects, which, in turn, depends on the energy positions of their conduction band minimum and valence band maximum. Here, we carried out a systematic study on the n-type doping limit of GaAs via ion implantation and showed that this doping limitation can be alleviated by the transient process of pulsed laser melting (PLM). For n-type doping, both group VI (S) and amphoteric group IV (Si and Ge) dopants were implanted in GaAs. For comparison, p-type doping was also studied using Zn as the acceptor. Implanted dopants were activated by the PLM method, and the results are compared to rapid thermal annealing (RTA). Our results reveal that for all n-type dopants, while implantation followed by the RTA results in a similar saturation electron concentration of 2–3 × 1018 cm−3, the transient PLM process is capable of trapping high concentration of dopants in the substitutional site, giving rise to a carrier concentration of >1019 cm−3, exceeding the doping limit of GaAs. However, due to scatterings from point defects generated during PLM, the mobility of n-type GaAs after PLM is low (∼80–260 cm2/V s). Subsequent RTA after PLM (PLM + RTA) is able to remove these point defects and recover the mobility to ∼1000–2000 cm2/V s. The carrier concentrations of these PLM + RTA samples are reduced but are still a factor of 3 higher than RTA only GaAs. This can be understood as the dopants are already incorporated in the substitutional site after PLM; they are less likely to be “deactivated” by subsequent RTA. This work is significant to the understanding of doping mechanisms in semiconductors and provides a means for device applications, which require materials with ultra-high doping.
Synaptic devices with sodium alginate ionic gel gating for global regulation
Authors: Liu Yifei , Feng Guangdi , Zhu Qiuxiang , Xu Yu , Hao Shenglan , Qu Ke , Tian Bobo , Duan Chungang
Published: January 2024

Information processing and memorizing in the brain take place in a neural network consisting of neurons connected with each other by synapses. Meanwhile, the neural network is immersed in a common electrochemical environment with global parameters regulating the overall functions, which is barely discussed in neuromorphic devices. In this study, organic/inorganic hybrid transistors with sodium alginate as the gate dielectric layer and indium tin oxide as the channel were successfully prepared. We have not only simulated the basic properties of synapses in a single device, but, on top of that, also simulated the global regulation of information processing in the brain due to the incorporation of global grids, achieving excitatory and inhibitory synaptic weight. Moreover, the construction of a 3 × 3 synaptic array enables image learning and memorizing functions. These results demonstrate the significant advantages of electrolyte-gated transistors in enabling complex neural network connectivity and offer a promising opportunity for future artificial synapses.
Recurrent viral capture of cellular phosphodiesterases that antagonize OAS-RNase L
Authors: Goldstein Stephen A. , Elde Nels C.
Published: January 2024

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) encoded by viruses are putatively acquired by horizontal transfer of cellular PDE ancestor genes. Viral PDEs inhibit the OAS-RNase L antiviral pathway, a key effector component of the innate immune response. Although the function of these proteins is well-characterized, the origins of these gene acquisitions are less clear. Phylogenetic analysis revealed at least five independent PDE acquisition events by ancestral viruses. We found evidence that PDE-encoding genes were horizontally transferred between coronaviruses belonging to different genera. Three clades of viruses within
Nidovirales
: merbecoviruses (MERS-CoV), embecoviruses (HCoV-OC43), and toroviruses encode independently acquired PDEs, and a clade of rodent alphacoronaviruses acquired an embecovirus PDE via recent horizontal transfer. Among rotaviruses, the PDE of rotavirus A was acquired independently from rotavirus B and G PDEs, which share a common ancestor. Conserved motif analysis suggests a link between all viral PDEs and a similar ancestor among the mammalian AKAP7 proteins despite low levels of sequence conservation. Additionally, we used ancestral sequence reconstruction and structural modeling to reveal that sequence and structural divergence are not well-correlated among these proteins. Specifically, merbecovirus PDEs are as structurally divergent from the ancestral protein and the solved structure of human AKAP7 PDE as they are from each other. In contrast, comparisons of rotavirus B and G PDEs reveal virtually unchanged structures despite evidence for loss of function in one, suggesting impactful changes that lie outside conserved catalytic sites. These findings highlight the complex and volatile evolutionary history of viral PDEs and provide a framework to facilitate future studies.
A disinhibitory circuit mechanism explains a general principle of peak performance during mid-level arousal
Authors: Beerendonk Lola , Mejías Jorge F. , Nuiten Stijn A. , de Gee Jan Willem , Fahrenfort Johannes J. , van Gaal Simon
Published: January 2024

Perceptual decision-making is highly dependent on the momentary arousal state of the brain, which fluctuates over time on a scale of hours, minutes, and even seconds. The textbook relationship between momentary arousal and task performance is captured by an inverted U-shape, as put forward in the Yerkes–Dodson law. This law suggests optimal performance at moderate levels of arousal and impaired performance at low or high arousal levels. However, despite its popularity, the evidence for this relationship in humans is mixed at best. Here, we use pupil-indexed arousal and performance data from various perceptual decision-making tasks to provide converging evidence for the inverted U-shaped relationship between spontaneous arousal fluctuations and performance across different decision types (discrimination, detection) and sensory modalities (visual, auditory). To further understand this relationship, we built a neurobiologically plausible mechanistic model and show that it is possible to reproduce our findings by incorporating two types of interneurons that are both modulated by an arousal signal. The model architecture produces two dynamical regimes under the influence of arousal: one regime in which performance increases with arousal and another regime in which performance decreases with arousal, together forming an inverted U-shaped arousal–performance relationship. We conclude that the inverted U-shaped arousal–performance relationship is a general and robust property of sensory processing. It might be brought about by the influence of arousal on two types of interneurons that together act as a disinhibitory pathway for the neural populations that encode the available sensory evidence used for the decision.
FCC-ee Arc Half-Cell: preliminary design & integration studies, with ideas for a mock-up
Authors: Carra F , Baudin L , Bauche J , Artoos K , Atieh S , Bertarelli A , Brunner O , Capatina O , Chance A , Chemli S , Corso J P , Coupard J , Dalena B , Di Castro M , Etheridge J , Garion C , Grillot S , Guillén-Hernández T , Guinchard M , Hanke K , Eriksson C J , Kersevan R , Losito R , Mainaud Durand H , Niewiem W , Oide K , Osborne J , Piccini A , Raubenheimer T , Rorison S , Tetrault C , Timmins M , Tock J-P , Valchkova-Georgieva F , Von Freeden L , Zimmermann F
Published: January 2024

During 2022, a dedicated study was undertaken at CERN, together with the FCC Feasibility Study collaborators, to propose a robust configuration for the FCC-ee arc half-cell. The proposed layout considers integration aspects of the elements in the arc cross section, both for the booster and the collider, as well as aspects related to powering, cooling and ventilation, supporting and alignment, optics, instrumentation, handling and installation. The interfaces between the arc elements and the straight sections have also been analysed. This paper summarizes the main conclusions of the assessment and reports the preliminary engineering analyses performed to design the supporting system of the booster and of the collider. A proposal for a possible mock-up of the arc half-cell, to be built at CERN in the next years, is also presented.