Browse Articles

Attosecond MeV γ-ray pulse compression via radiation-lifetime shortening in a longitudinal magnetic field

Mega-electron volt-scale attosecond γ-ray pulses open unprecedented avenues for interrogating ultrafast electron and nuclear dynamics. However, their generation remains hampered by complex experimental configurations and limited tunability. Here, we propose and numerically validate a compact scheme where a relativistic right-handed circularly polarized Laguerre–Gaussian laser irradiates a thin plasma foil in the presence of a co-propagating aligned magnetic field. The magnetic field significantly reduces the synchrotron radiation lifetime, enabling an efficient temporal compression of γ-ray pulses to approximately 57% of their original duration, while simultaneously enhancing the stability of the photon number, radiation energy, and control over the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of the emitted γ-rays. Under strong magnetic fields, a reversal of the γ-ray OAM is observed. The compression exhibits a nonmonotonic dependence on field strength. This mechanism offers a robust pathway toward compact, structure-tunable attosecond γ-ray sources with controllable OAM, suitable for high-field quantum electrodynamics studies and next-generation light sources.

Integrated techno-enviroeconomic and life-cycle assessment of a solar–green hydrogen hybrid system with industrial wastewater reuse

The relational association between multiple sexual partners and HIV testing on cervical cancer screening among women of reproductive age in Ghana: A national population-based study

Background Cervical cancer screening remains vital in the early detection of precancerous lesions and promotes better treatment outcomes. Though evidence suggested multiple sexual partners and HIV infection as risk factors for cervical cancer, limited studies have investigated how multiple sexual partners and HIV infection impact cervical cancer screening in Ghana. Therefore, this study assessed the association of multiple sexual partnership and HIV testing on cervical cancer screening among Ghanaian women of reproductive age. Methods The study utilized data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. A weighted representative sample of 15,014 women from the 16 regions of Ghana was used for the analysis. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Chi-square and multivariable logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) at 95% Confidence Intervals were presented from the multivariable logistic regression. Results The prevalence of cervical cancer screening was 5.0%. We found lower odds of cervical cancer screening with multiple sexual partners at the bivariate level [aOR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.52–0.90], but no association was found in the multivariable model. On the other hand, women who had ever tested for HIV [aOR=4.73, 95% CI:3.39–6.59] were more likely to screen for cervical cancer than those who had never tested. This was still significant after adjusting for covariates [aOR=2.47, 95% CI:1.61–3.80]. Conclusions The study highlights the influence of multiple sexual partners and HIV testing on cervical cancer screening uptake among women of reproductive age in Ghana. Though the study found no significant association between multiple sexual partners and cervical screening uptake, HIV testing was a predictor of cervical cancer screening among women in Ghana. We recommend continued creation of awareness of cervical cancer screening among women of reproductive age.

Robust Vth stability in normally off GaN HEMTs with a stacked p <b>+</b> /p <b>−</b> -NiO gate: Suppression of interface trapping and electric-field crowding

We report a normally off AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) featuring a stacked p+/p−-NiO gate with an integrated p−-NiO reduced-surface-field (RESURF) terminal, enabling simultaneous suppression of interface traps and reduction of gate-edge electric-field crowding. The lightly doped p−-NiO transition layer improves the NiO/AlGaN interface quality by suppressing nickel vacancy-related defect states, resulting in a low interface trap density (Dit ≈ 1 × 1012 cm−2 eV−1)—over an order of magnitude lower than that of single-layer p+-NiO-gated devices. Furthermore, this layer lowers the vertical electric field across the AlGaN barrier, thereby reducing band bending and consequently suppressing Poole–Frenkel emission of accumulated holes into the GaN channel as well as electron injection from the two-dimensional electron gas into the NiO gate. The combined reduction in trap density and carrier trapping effectively stabilizes the threshold voltage and suppresses gate leakage. Moreover, the p−-NiO RESURF region flattens the lateral electric-field distribution and reduces the peak electric field at the gate edge by over 51%, enabling a high off-state breakdown voltage (BV) of 1586 V. The p+/p−-NiO gate HEMT operates in the enhancement mode with a threshold voltage of 1.9 V and exhibits only a 0.03 V shift under 0–5 V gate-bias stress. These results demonstrate that the integration of a RESURF region into the stacked p+/p−-NiO gate enables high BV and robust threshold-voltage stability in normally off GaN HEMTs.

Tennis training enhances blindfolded navigation in children and adults

Vegetation cover fraction and the residential distribution of child-rearing households in urban Tokyo and Osaka: An ecological cross-sectional analysis

In Japan, promoting the long-term settlement of child-rearing households is critical to counteract community decline driven by a falling birthrate and an aging population. Most previous studies on residential location preferences among child-rearing households have relied on self-reported data, and a lack of quantitative evidence based on geospatial and demographic indicators still remains. This ecological cross-sectional study examined the association between vegetation cover fraction (VCF) and the residential distribution of child-rearing households by analyzing the relationship between VCF and the proportion of children (POC) in Tokyo and Osaka. Correlations between VCF and the POC were calculated for all town blocks with VCF values below 0.5 (representing urban and suburban areas rather than forested or rural regions), stratified by distance from the city center and school-age groups, and adjusted for neighborhood environmental and transportation accessibility factors. VCF showed a positive association with the POC even after adjustment (Tokyo: 4,814 town blocks, coefficient: 0.05; Osaka: 7,337 town blocks, coefficient: 0.040). Significant positive associations were observed within 0–15 km from the city center in Tokyo and within 5–15 km in Osaka, but not beyond 15 km. The strongest associations in Tokyo were observed within 5 km for preschool-aged children and 5–10 km for older students, while those in Osaka were noted within 5–10 km for younger children and 20–25 km for junior high school students. These findings suggest that the residential distribution of child-rearing households in urban areas is positively associated with nearby urban greenery.

On-chip electrically reconfigurable diffractive element and metalens with phase change material

Realizing compact, reconfigurable on-chip meta-atoms capable of dynamically controlling the phase and amplitude of integrated photonic fields remains a fundamental challenge. Here, we demonstrate a reconfigurable on-chip diffractive element and corresponding metalens based on the phase change material Sb2S3, enabling dynamic modulation of the optical field. Initially, a reconfigurable on-chip diffractive unit was designed by harnessing the intrinsic characteristics of the phase change material. Subsequently, an on-chip metalens was constructed from an array of these units, and state-of-the-art micro- and nanofabrication techniques were employed to realize the device. Finally, performance evaluations confirmed the metalens's reconfigurability. This provides a platform for on-chip reconfigurable photonics, with potential applications in photonic computing, optical storage, and advanced spectroscopy.

Progeny testing of tropical and sub-tropical maize lines for grain yield and Striga resistance

Influences of azolla-derived biofertilizer and compost on soil chemical properties and rice growth in contaminated soil

Pollution caused by heavy metals and extensive use of synthetic fertilizers has harmful effects on soil organic matter content, soil health, environmental safety, and human health. To overcome these problems, using several types of amendments to improve soil conditions can boost crop productivity. It has been proposed to use Azolla as compost and a biofertilizer to enhance soil quality and promote rice growth in contaminated soil. This study was carried out at the Department of Soil and Water, Faculty of Agriculture, Tanta University, Egypt, during summer season of 2021. To investigate the effect of Azolla in two forms: as a green manure ( Azolla pinnata ) and as compost under different levels of nitrogen fertilizer on the growth of the rice crop (Sakha 104). In addition, the study investigated some soil chemical properties contaminated by heavy metals such as Cu, Pb, and Zn. To achieve the aim of this study, soil samples from two different sites were collected from Kafr El-Zayat, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt. Thirteen treatments were used to fulfill the study's objectives. The results showed that the application of Azolla pinnata and Azolla compost significantly improved the grain production of rice, increased cation exchange capacity (CEC), % of organic matter (OM), available and total NPK, and prevented the pH from rising. The total and available levels of Zn and Cu in our samples dropped to an acceptable level, leading to the adoption of remedial measures according to Canadian soil quality recommendations, although the total Pb content remained high. In the end, our research advances important Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, such as Life on Land (SDG 15) by restoring soil health, Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) by encouraging circular bioeconomies, and Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and Good Health (SDG 3) through safer food production.

High-performance logic circuits based on Ag/ZnAl2O4/FTO resistive random-access memory devices

Focusing on the in-memory computing application, this article proposes logic circuits based on Ag/ZnAl2O4/fluorine-doped tin oxide resistive random-access memory (RRAM) devices. The devices were fabricated via spin coating and inkjet printing, demonstrating bipolar resistive switching behaviors, along with excellent cycle endurance (&amp;gt;6000 cycles), long-term retention capacity (&amp;gt;5 × 104 s), and good uniformity. Furthermore, fundamental logic gates (NOR, AND, and XNOR gates) and an n-bit adder were implemented using these devices. To study their arithmetic performance and computational reliability, a non-ideal simulation model of the RRAM devices was developed. The computation success rate of the logic gates is confirmed to be greater than 99.96%. Notably, the proposed n-bit adder exhibits a small footprint (6n + 1 computing units) and low latency (2n + 8 clock cycles).

Bandgap engineering and enhanced charge separation in Zn-modified BiW11 polyoxometalate for azo dye photodegradation

Correction: Comparison of four diagnostic indices for metabolic syndrome in a Northern Spanish population

Broadband photoresponse enhancement in tin-based perovskites via CF3PEA <b>+</b> A-site doping

Eco-friendly tin-based perovskites have been promising lead-free alternatives for optoelectronic applications, yet their performance is limited by rapid crystallization and poor crystal quality. Here, we utilize 2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylammonium (CF3PEA+) doping at the A-site to simultaneously enhance the stability and optoelectronic properties of FASnI3 while preserving its three-dimensional structure. We demonstrate that optimal CF3PEA+ doping (6%) significantly slows down crystallization kinetics, suppresses Sn2+ oxidation, reduces deep-traps, and improves charge carrier mobility of the perovskite film. Compared to undoped films, the doped films exhibit significant improvements in charge transport and photoresponsivity (from 0.272 to 1.52 A/W at 637 nm) across 350–980 nm, outperforming phenethylammonium (PEA+)-doped counterparts. Spectroscopic studies reveal that these enhancements originate from strong chemical interactions between the CF3PEA+ and the perovskite cations. This work provides important insights into rational A-site engineering for high-performance tin-based optoelectronic devices.

BrCaM an artificial intelligence model for surgical decision making in breast cancer

Abstract Optimizing surgical decisions in breast cancer is critical. Choosing between mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is complex due to heterogeneous pre-operative clinical factors. We developed BrCaM ( Br east Ca ncer M odel), a machine learning–based Clinical Prediction Model designed to analyze pre-operative surgical decision patterns. A dataset of 5100 patients (age range: 18–96 years) treated at a Breast Unit with standardized protocols was used. Surgeon-guided feature selection and an end-to-end machine learning pipeline were implemented. Multiple algorithms were evaluated; AdaBoost performed best using 10-fold cross-validation. BrCaM achieved an overall accuracy of 95% in distinguishing BCS from mastectomy. Feature selection identified clinically meaningful predictors that reflect established criteria influencing surgical decisions. In this retrospective setting, BrCaM captures real-world surgical decision patterns based on clinical factors. These findings support the consistency of current clinical practice and provide a foundation for future prospective validation as a clinical decision-support adjunct.

Chemically mediated neural and behavioral responses in early benthic juvenile Caribbean spiny lobsters, Panulirus argus

Spiny lobsters use their chemical senses to acquire resources such as shelter and food, avoid predators, and interact with conspecifics. However, little is known about if and how these responses change over developmental stages. Here, we used early benthic juvenile stage Caribbean spiny lobsters, Panulirus argus , in calcium imaging studies to investigate physiological properties of olfactory receptor neurons in the olfactory organ, i.e ., the antennules, and in behavioral studies to characterize chemically triggered responses. The basic structural organization of the antennules is similar in early benthic juvenile, older juvenile, and adult lobsters. Our calcium imaging studies show that the olfactory receptor neurons of both life stages have generally similar patterns of spontaneous activity, tuning characteristics, sensitivity, and kinetic parameters of responses to chemicals. Our behavioral studies show that early benthic juvenile spiny lobsters have similar behaviors to adults in that they produce currents following stimulation with food-related chemicals, navigate through the chemical plumes to locate the source of food-related chemicals, show alarm responses to conspecific hemolymph, and groom their antennules following stimulation with L-glutamate. Our findings suggest that features of the olfactory organ and its sensory neurons and the behavioral patterns are generally similar across developmental stages, making early benthic juvenile lobsters a favorable model for studying chemosensory transduction, coding mechanisms, and chemical-driven behaviors. The smaller scale of early benthic juvenile lobsters allows the use of compact, miniature benchtop laboratory setups, offering significant flexibility for medium-throughput basic and applied studies.

Towards More Robust Nanobioscience: Launching the NanoBubbles Replication Initiative

Kinetics of indium adlayer and droplet on InGaN surface and their roles in InGaN growth

The presence of a bilayer of metal atoms on the growth front is critical for achieving high-quality III-nitride growth via molecular beam epitaxy. To investigate the kinetics of bilayer indium (In) atoms on the (In)GaN surface, we conducted real-time monitoring of In adsorption and desorption processes using in situ laser reflection and reflected high-energy electron diffraction. In situ monitoring using both techniques has demonstrated complementary information on the growth front. In adsorption and deposition processes exhibit two equilibrium states corresponding to the first and second monolayer coverages. For high In beam flux, In droplets will easily form, which serve as a reservoir, requiring extra time for desorption. In contrast, for very low In beam flux, only the first monolayer coverage can be held on the surface. By optimizing the In supply and substrate temperature, two monolayers of In coverage can be formed on the (In)GaN. High-quality InGaN films with smooth atomic steps are obtained because the deposition of two In monolayers on the growth front under slightly In-rich conditions enhances lateral atomic diffusion, resulting in a smoother surface morphology.

Detail-preserving simplification of textured mesh models for natural objects

Study on mechanical properties and microstructure of soil-cement solidified recycled aggregate concrete using bridge demolition waste

This study investigates the mechanical behavior and microstructural characteristics of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) solidified with soil cement, using high-quality recycled aggregates derived from demolished reinforced-concrete bridges. Concrete mixtures were prepared with varying recycled aggregate replacement ratios (60%, 80%, 100%) and soil-cement contents (15%, 18%, 21%). Compressive strength (CS) tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were conducted. Owing to the dense and high-strength nature of bridge-demolition aggregates, increasing the recycled aggregate replacement ratio from 60% to 100% led to a noticeable improvement in compressive strength—an outcome that contrasts with most studies using lower-grade construction waste. The results showed that increasing the soil-cement content raised the 28-day CS to a maximum of 21 MPa. The 7-day CS exceeding 70% of the 28-day value, indicating rapid early strength development. Compared with conventional concrete, the RAC incorporating bridge-derived aggregates demonstrated enhanced crack resistance and a denser microstructure. A regression model relating mix parameters and curing age to CS achieved coefficients of determination exceeding R 2  = 0.99, demonstrating its strong predictive capability. SEM observations showed progressive pore refinement and matrix densification during curing, consistent with the measured strength gains. These findings support the engineering application of RAC and promote the sustainable reuse of construction waste in infrastructure projects.

Pulsed magnetic field-induced cell permeabilization: Dose–response and chemotherapeutic potentiation

Non-contact pulsed magnetic field (PMF) can alter cell membrane permeability, offering a novel pathway for the transmembrane delivery of exogenous substances. However, the dose–response characteristics of the relevant parameters remain unclear, and in vitro validation in combination with chemotherapeutic agents is still lacking. To address this gap, this study systematically evaluated the effects of magnetic induction intensity and pulse width on cell membrane permeability using a self-built, adjustable PMF generator, and further investigated, in a molecular size-oriented manner, the enhancement of cytotoxicity for different chemotherapeutic agents. The results showed that, within the tested parameter ranges, the cell permeabilization rate increased exponentially with magnetic induction intensity and followed a sigmoidal trend with pulse width. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of the small-molecular-size meisoindigo was markedly enhanced under the PMF (up to a 4.52-fold increase), whereas the larger-molecular-size paclitaxel showed only minimal potentiation. This Letter not only elucidates the parameter–dose relationships governing PMF-induced cell permeabilization, but also, for the first time, demonstrates the feasibility of PMF-synergized drug potentiation guided by drug molecular size. Together, these findings provide important theoretical and experimental support for parameter optimization and for expanding the applications of noninvasive magnetic field-assisted chemotherapy.