Browse Articles

Correction: Effect of denosumab on the incidence of fractures and mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A retrospective cohort study

A numerical study on the dynamics of SIR epidemic model through Genocchi wavelet collocation method

Abstract Epidemic models can play a major role in understanding the spread of diseases and their control. These mathematical models have plenty of significance in various scientific domains, including public health, to investigate disease propagation and ecology. This article explains the dynamics of SIR epidemic model of arbitrary order with aid of a precise numerical approach called Genocchi wavelet collocation method. The main purpose of this investigation is to explore and discover the results for system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations arising in the considered mathematical model and to investigate the dynamical aspects of SIR model via Caputo fractional derivative which is non-local in behaviour. The projected method depicts rapid algorithms and is extremely precise, reliable, and uses fewer computational resources. Also, this method is simpler than the other traditional numerical methods as it merges the operational matrix with the collocation method in order to transform fractional-order problem into algebraic equations which enables to obtain satisfactory results. The approximate solution obtained using proposed algorithm exposes the nature of their interactions. Furthermore, the numerical outcomes are represented through graphs for different fractional order and compared the results with Runge–Kutta method and residual power series method. The projected technique is very effective, accurate, free from controlling parameters and consume less time to investigate nonlinear complications arising in diverse fields of epidemical and biological models. Ultimately, the current study help to inspect the wild class of models and their performance which are occurring in real world.

Sputtering current driven growth and transport characteristics of superconducting Ti40V60 alloy thin films

The room-temperature growth, characterization, and electrical transport properties of magnetron sputtered superconducting Ti40V60 alloy thin films are presented. The films exhibit low surface roughness and tunable transport properties. As the sputtering current increases, the superconducting transition moves toward higher temperatures. Rietveld refinement of the two-dimensional XRD pattern reveals the presence of stress in the films, which shifts from tensile to compressive as the sputtering current increases. Additionally, the crystallite size of the films increases with higher sputtering currents. The films exhibit a strong preferential orientation, contributing to their texturing. The crystallite size and texturing are found to be correlated with the superconducting transition temperature (TC) of the films. As the crystallite size and texturing increase, the TC of the films also rises.

Fragility and thermal expansion control crystal melting and the glass transition

Analytical relations for the glass transition temperature, Tg, and the crystal melting temperature, Tm, are developed on the basis of nonaffine lattice dynamics. The proposed relations explain the following: (i) the seemingly universal factor of ≈2/3 difference between the glass transition temperature and the melting temperature of the corresponding crystal, and (ii) the recent empirical discovery that both Tg and Tm are proportional to the liquid fragility m divided by the thermal expansion coefficient α of the solid.

Exploring the perception of pre-clinical and clinical educators on clinical reasoning: A qualitative study

Introduction Educators have differing perception on the definition and conceptualization of clinical reasoning. Even though clinical reasoning is important in making a sound diagnosis and reducing diagnostic error, educators proved to be a barrier in teaching clinical reasoning due to the lack of awareness of their own reasoning process. Objectives This study was conducted to investigate the perception and understanding of pre-clinical and clinical educators on what clinical reasoning entails, their experience, and educational strategies in teaching clinical reasoning. Method A semi-structured interview was conducted with fifteen educators encompassing pre-clinical (basic science, laboratory-based) and clinical (surgical-based, medical-based, community-based and emergency medicine) educators. The transcribed interview data was then analysed thematically. Results Eight main themes were identified. Knowledge and experience were seen as important components in developing clinical reasoning. It was possible to teach clinical reasoning although there were some difficulties thus the need to have a train-the-trainer programme. Early introduction of clinical reasoning with its incorporation in various teaching and learning method; and the involvement of technological advances were also mentioned by the participants. However, pre-clinical educators did not perceive the importance of these technological advances. Role of educators; cognitive and non-cognitive attributes were also important in developing clinical reasoning. Conclusion The perception and understanding of pre-clinical and clinical educators on clinical reasoning did not really differ. They believed that clinical reasoning can be taught, and a train-the-trainer program may be of immeasurable benefit.

The discriminate value of event-related potentials in executive function of ADHD and comorbidity of ADHD and ASD

Effect of recording layer thickness on reducing switching current in double MgO/CoFeB interfaces pMTJ

The effect of the recording layer thickness (t) on the quasi-static switching characteristics in the double MgO/CoFeB interfaces perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions with the [Co/Pt]n-based synthetic antiferromagnetic structures has been investigated. It is apparent that the switching current drops rapidly either with slightly increasing the bottom CoFeB thickness (tCoFeB ≥ 1.15 nm) or inserted Ta thickness (tTa ≥ 0.3 nm), or with marginally decreasing the upper CoFeB thickness (tCoFeB ≤ 0.75 nm), even acquiring a maximum reduction of 41.8%. The tuning mechanism of the write energy dissipation at a specific pulse width can be attributed to two parts. One is an intrinsic leverage of the effective ferromagnetic volume, spontaneous magnetization, and magnetic anisotropy field in the recording layers with a view to their dead layer. The secondary contributors may be closely related to the discrepancy between the resistance-area products of the perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction devices with the six different stack designs. Our results are instructive to the future development of practical ultralow-power chips in binary memory and logical computation fields.

Modified vibrational perturbation theory as applied to the collinear H + H2 and D + H2 reactions

A multidimensional version of the modification to vibrational perturbation theory is developed in this article. The modifications to the action are of two types: one is by shifting the energy scale with the VPT2 zero point energy E0 (mVPT2) and the other is by shifting the action by a constant VPT2-based action ΔS and is denoted mYF. These modifications give a continuous “modified” action over the whole energy range. The multidimensional versions of the mVPT2 and mYF theories have been applied to the collinear H + H2 and D + H2 reactions to calculate thermal reaction rates. The results show that the rates computed using the mVPT2 theory are marginally better than those computed by the mYF theory. The corresponding kinetic isotopic effects have also been computed. Both the theories account for the correct ℏ2 limit at high temperature and not the parabolic barrier limit as in various other theories. The mVPT2 and mYF theories also improve upon the thermal rates in the low temperature limit due to the shifting of the action by the zero point energy shift E0. The resulting theory is more accurate than the ring polymer molecular dynamics based approximation over the whole temperature range probed. The results presented here indicate that the multidimensional version of the modified VPT2 theory may be the recommended method for computing thermal tunneling rates in multidimensional systems.

Exploration of small molecules as inhibitors of potential BACE1 protein to treat amyloid cerebrovascular disease by employing molecular modeling and simulation approaches

Amyloid cerebrovascular disease, primarily driven by the accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides, is intricately linked to neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. BACE1 (beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1) plays a critical role in the production of Aβ, making it a key therapeutic target. In the current work, a CNS library of ChemDiv database containing 44085 compounds was screened against the BACE1 protein. Initially, a structure-based pharmacophore hypothesis was constructed, followed by virtual screening, with the screened hits docked to the BACE1 protein to determine the optimal binding modes. The docking results were examined using the glide gscore and chemical interactions of the docked molecules. The cutoff value of −5 kcal/mol was used to select hits with high binding affinities. A total of seven hits were chosen based on the glide g score. Furthermore, the possible binding mechanisms of the docked ligands were investigated, and it was discovered that all seven selected ligands occupied the same site in the predicted binding pocket of protein. The bioactivity scores of the compounds demonstrated that the chosen compounds possess the features of lead compounds. The toxicity risks and ADMET features of the selected hits were anticipated, and four compounds, J032-0080, SC13-0774, V030-0915, and V006-5608 were chosen for stability analysis. The selected hits were extremely stable and strongly bound to the BACE1 pocket, and conformational changes caused by RMSD, RMSF, and protein-ligand interactions were assessed using MD modeling. Similarly, principal component analysis revealed a large static number of hydrogen bonds. The MM/GBSA binding free energies maps revealed a significant energy contribution in the binding of selected hits to BACE1. The binding free energy landscapes indicated that the hits were bound with a high binding affinity. Thus, the hits could serve as lead compounds in biophysical investigations to limit the biological activity of the BACE1 protein.

Land snail shell morphology as a new Paleomonsoon proxy

The structural resemblance between InSin− and Sin+1 (n = 3–11): Anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional calculations

Metal-doped silicon clusters have been extensively studied due to their promising applications in the semiconductor industry and microelectronics. In this study, indium-doped silicon clusters (InSin−/0, n = 3–11) were investigated using anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional calculations. It is found that InSin− anions exhibit geometrical and electronic structures resembling their Sin+1 counterparts, with the substitution of one silicon atom by an indium atom leading to exohedral doping and multiple coordination characteristics. The exohedral configuration is attributed to a weak In–Si bond and the limited atomic valence of indium, while the multiple coordination arises from the joint contributions of three orthogonal 5p orbitals of indium atom. Electronic structure similarities between InSin− anions and Sin+1 clusters are confirmed by their identical valence molecular orbitals. The valence p-type orbitals of InSin− primarily contribute to chemical bonding, whereas the valence s-type orbitals predominantly hold electron lone pairs, as demonstrated by the electron localization function and localized molecular orbital analysis. These results provide insights into the structural and electronic properties of indium-doped silicon clusters.

The diversity and habitat association of medium and large mammals in the Dhidhessa Wildlife Sanctuary, Southwestern Ethiopia

Understanding species diversity and habitat association is the baseline for developing conservation plan. The study aimed to assess diversity, abundance and habitat association of medium and large sized mammals in the Dhidhessa Wildlife Sanctuary (DWS), Southwestern Ethiopia. The survey was conducted from December 2022 to July 2023, both in the wet and dry seasons. A stratified random sampling design was applied to stratify the study area in to four (wooded grassland, riparian forest, seasonally flooded grassland, and savanna grassland) strata based on vegetation and habitat type. Lines transect survey, sensor camera trapping, and indirect and direct evidence methods were used to collect data during wet and dry seasons. Data were analyzed using the chi square test and species diversity indexes. Twenty -seven mammalian species were recorded for the area. Order Artiodactyla which had the highest number of species (eleven = 11) followed by the, order Carnivora (n = 9). While, orders Rodentia and Tubulidentata each represented by one species. Papio anubis (n =  500, 24.9%) were the most abundant species followed by Hippopotamus amphibious (n =  364, 17.8%) in the present study area in both wet and dry seasons. But Panthera pardus (n = 13, 0.64%) and Civettictis civetta (n = 13, 0.64%) were the least abundant species in the present study area. Riparian forest had the highest number of species (n = 732, 36.3%) followed by savanna grassland (n = 615, 30.5%). Savanna grassland held the highest species diversity of medium- and large-sized mammals (H′ =  2.44). Seasonally flooded grasslands (E =  0.6849) and riparian forests (E =  0.4889) showed the highest and lowest evenness of the mammalian species, respectively. Therefore, DWS’s primary priority should be creating management plans to reestablish the sanctuary as a fully functional sustainable ecosystem and ensuring the social and economic viability of the surrounding community.

Research on yarn tension control technology for knitting underwear machine based on adaptive ADRC

Determination of the intervalence charge-transfer rate in mixed-valence arylamino-fluorene derivatives using EPR spectroscopy

Thermally activated electron-transfer processes are of interest for a variety of theoretical and technological applications. In organic mixed-valence (MV) systems, the intramolecular charge transfer between two redox centers offers valuable insights about the kinetics and energetics of electron hopping. We investigated the intramolecular charge transfer process in a series of MV organic molecules where two arylamino units are linked together by a variable length bridge. The experimental investigation is carried out by means of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy on MV radical cations. The EPR spectra, recorded in a series of solvents at different temperatures, were adequately simulated using a multiple-site random jump model implemented in a software routine, providing the intramolecular charge transfer rate as the output. The dependence of the free energy of the electron transfer process on the solvent allowed us to identify a correlation between the energetic of the charge transfer and some solvent properties.

Analysis of ignition and flame geometric characteristics of lubricating oil leaking from automotive engine onto hot surfaces

The ignition and combustion process of lubricating oil leaking from an automotive engine onto a hot surface is a major cause of vehicle fires, and the geometric characteristics of the flame directly affect the spread and severity of the fire. Therefore, studying the ignition characteristics of lubricating oil on hot surfaces and quantifying flame behavior is of great significance for vehicle fire safety protection. This study utilizes a self-developed automotive hot surface ignition oil simulation platform, employing the SOBEL threshold segmentation algorithm combined with box-counting fractal dimension theory. It investigates the factors affecting the ignition delay time of automotive engine lubricating oil, the ignition risk and probability on engine hot surfaces, and analyzes the temporal evolution characteristics of the flame fractal dimension of engine lubricating oil. This research provides theoretical support for vehicle fire risk assessment and prevention. The main findings of this study are as follows: (1) As the temperature of the hot surface increases, the ignition delay time generally shows a decreasing trend, with 450°C being a critical turning point; (2) There is an overlap between ignition and non-ignition cases within a specific range, forming a possible ignition zone, and the R² values of the fitting equations for the upper and lower boundaries are both above 95%, indicating a good fit. (3) The fractal dimension can effectively quantify the geometric complexity of the flame’s outer contour, thereby characterizing the stability of the flame’s combustion. The evolution of the fractal dimension of the lubricating oil droplet flame shows a trend of first increasing and then slowly decreasing. The interval from 0 to 1 second is the stable combustion phase, from 2 to 3 seconds is the unstable combustion phase, and from 3 to 5 seconds is the secondary stable combustion phase. During this period, the fractal dimension gradually decreases from the peak to around 1, and the flame’s outer contour transforms from complex to simple. (4) The volume of the droplet (V) affects both the peak value of the fractal dimension (Dmax) of the flame and the time at which it occurs (tmax). The larger the volume, the earlier Dmax occurs. For a 0.1 ml droplet, Dmax occurs earliest (tmax = 1.98 s), while for a 0.5 ml droplet, Dmax appears the latest (tmax = 3.22 s). There is a significant correlation between tmax and droplet volume V (R = 0.995, P = 0.001). The spray hole size has a greater impact on Dmax compared to tmax. With spray hole diameters ranging from 0.4 mm to 0.7 mm, the fractal dimensions of all droplet flames appear at around 2.6 seconds, but the values of Dmax vary significantly. As the spray hole diameter (S) decreases, Dmax approaches 2. When the spray hole diameter is 0.4 mm, Dmax is the highest, reaching 1.605, indicating the most drastic change in the geometric complexity of the flame’s outer contour and the least stable combustion process overall.

Nutritional composition health benefits and quality of fresh and dried figs from Eastern Morocco

What does an ion feel at the electrochemical interface? Revisiting electrosorption through nonlocal electrostatics

The traditional Gouy–Chapman–Stern theory has been effective in explaining the behavior of dilute electrolytes in the electrical double layer but falls short when it comes to describing how ions behave at the metal/electrolyte interface. This is because it overlooks key factors such as the molecular structure of water at the interface and the effects of electron screening in the metal. To address these gaps, we revisit ion adsorption at the metal/electrolyte interface. The approach combines the method of images with a field-theoretic framework for dilute electrolytes and metals described by the Thomas–Fermi model. Nonlocal polarization correlations in water are described by a first-order gradient expansion in the Landau free energy functional. Unlike earlier approaches that relied on the “specular reflection approximation,” our method provides a less constrained way to handle the complex electrostatic boundary conditions at the interface. Analyzing the behavior of a test charge near the interface, an electrostatic energy minimum is found. This minimum depends on the metal’s screening properties and the overall potential drop across the double layer. In addition, the alignment of water dipoles at the interface creates an asymmetry in the energy experienced by positively and negatively charged ions. Finally, we derived an expression for the electrosorption isotherm by describing both the distribution of the electrostatic potential and the lateral interactions between charges along the interface. Our findings highlight how the structure of interfacial water can drive processes such as underpotential deposition by creating favorable electrostatic conditions for ion adsorption.

Effects of rhythmic auditory guide on sprint running

Auditory guides can influence the tempo of rhythmic movements, potentially enhancing running performance by improving parameters. Many previous studies have focused on low-speed running, but there is a lack of research on high-speed sprint running. This study investigated whether a metronome-based rhythmic auditory guide could modulate sprint running motions. Twenty-two junior high school students participated in the study, performing three 40-meter sprint trials under different conditions: (1) without an auditory guide (baseline), (2) with a slow-rhythm auditory guide (3.40 ±  0.24 Hz), and (3) with a fast-rhythm auditory guide (4.16 ±  0.29 Hz). Step rate, step length, and sprint velocity were analyzed using video recordings. The slow-rhythm auditory guide significantly decreased the step rate and increased the step length compared with the baseline condition (p <  0.05). Conversely, the fast-rhythm auditory guide significantly increased step rate and decreased step length (p <  0.05). These findings demonstrate that rhythmic auditory guides can effectively alter step rate and step length during sprint running in junior high school athletes. This suggests that auditory stimulus training could be a useful tool for coaching.

Task-evoked pupil responses during free-viewing of hierarchical figures in relation to autistic traits in adults

Abstract Sensory processing differences, particularly within the visual domain, are common in neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism. Studies examining hierarchical processing of figures containing global (i.e., gist) and local (i.e., detail) elements are inconsistent but converge on a common theme in relation to autism: slowed global processing and a locally-oriented default. We examined behavioral and pupillary responses in adults with varying levels of autistic traits during a free-viewing hierarchical processing task. Results showed that participants were both more likely and faster to report global elements, but contrary to our hypothesis, differences in level of autistic traits were unrelated to spontaneous reporting of global vs. local elements. When examining phase-based analysis of pupillary responses, participants high on autistic traits showed more early and less later constriction within trials. Further, trajectory-based pupillary analysis revealed two trajectories, one characterized by constriction and the other dilation, and results showed that the dilation group disproportionately included low traits individuals. Findings suggest that although high and low traits groups showed similar behavioral responses, visual strategies used may differ, as indicated by pupillometry. This study advances our understanding of the relationship between autistic traits and visual processing, laying groundwork for further investigations into neurodivergent visual processing mechanisms.

Reform of agricultural land property rights system and grain production resilience: Empirical evidence based on China’s “Three Rights Separation” reform

The latest reform in China’s agricultural land rights system has implemented the “Three Rights Separation” reform, distinguishing between ownership rights, contract rights, and management rights of rural land. This reform is a significant step taken by the Chinese government to ensure a rational allocation of agricultural land resources, contributing greatly to enhancing food production resilience and promoting food security. This paper analyzes panel data from 30 Chinese provinces from 2005 to 2021 to assess the resilience levels in grain production. It utilizes a multi-period Difference-in-Differences model to examine the effects of the separation of three rights of agricultural land on this resilience, including their mechanisms of action. The findings reveal that(1)although the resilience of grain production in China has progressively improved over the study period, it remains low, indicating substantial potential for enhancement;(2)The separation of three rights of agricultural land significantly boosts the resilience of grain production, a conclusion corroborated by robustness tests;(3)The analysis shows that the policy promotes resilience by facilitating land transfer and boosting investments in agricultural productivity;(4)Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the policy’s impact is more pronounced in major grain-producing areas and central regions, with stronger effects observed in northern wheat-growing areas compared to southern rice-growing regions.