Browse Articles

Green synthesis and characterization of Annona squamosa seed chemical constituents derived silver nanoparticles against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) larvae, non-target effect, and confirmed through molecular docking

Anisotropic electron–phonon coupling and thermal transport in layered quaternary hydrides

Electron–phonon coupling (EPC) and anisotropic thermal transport properties in a series of layered quaternary hydrides XYZH (X = Ba, Sr; Y = Al, Ga; Z = Si, Ge) are systematically investigated via first-principles calculations. These compounds form covalent H–Y–Z layers separated by weakly bonded X atoms. Despite pronounced structural anisotropy, charge transport exhibits unexpectedly weak directional dependence. In contrast, the lattice thermal conductivity exhibits relatively weak anisotropy, with high-frequency hydrogen-dominated optical phonons making unexpectedly substantial contributions to cross-plane heat conduction. EPC strength is found to be highly sensitive to carrier type and composition, being strongest for p-type carriers in AlSi-based systems due to the high electronic density of states near the valence band maximum. Notably, p-type doping induces markedly stronger EPC than n-type doping, leading to a greater reduction in lattice thermal conductivity. This study unveils the unique vibrational and electron–phonon coupling mechanisms in these layered hydrides, providing critical insights for their potential applications in thermal management.

Two-stage-method-based calculation and analysis of the deformation of the existing subway tunnel caused by the diagonal crossing of the new tunnel

Abstract This study presents a theoretical analysis of the deformation induced in an existing curved subway tunnel by a new shield tunnel crossing diagonally beneath it. A refined two-stage method is developed to address this engineering problem. In the first stage, the additional stress on the existing tunnel is calculated using Mindlin’s solution. In the second stage, the existing tunnel is modeled as an Euler–Bernoulli beam on a Pasternak foundation, explicitly incorporating the effects of tunnel curvature and a stress reduction factor for the grout-reinforced zone. The proposed method is validated against monitoring data from a case study of the Zhengzhou Metro, showing good agreement. A systematic parametric analysis investigates the influence of key factors: the clearance and intersection angle between tunnels, the curvature radius of the existing tunnel, the length of the grouted section, and Poisson’s ratio of the grouted soil. Results demonstrate that the crossing angle and grouting length are the most significant parameters affecting deformation, whereas the existing tunnel’s curvature and the grout’s Poisson’s ratio have a negligible impact.

Cryogenic to beyond Curie temperature dielectric and piezoelectric properties of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 single crystals under alternate and direct current poling

This study investigated the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of [001] oriented Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 (PMN–PT) piezoelectric single crystals at cryogenic temperatures using alternating current poling (ACP) and direct current poling (DCP). The test data showed that ACP samples maintained superior properties in both dielectric constant (ε33T/ε0) and piezoelectric coefficient (d33) over DCP from 10 K until the rhombohedral–monoclinic/tetragonal transition temperature of ∼365 K. The results highlight the resilience of the ACP PMN–PT single crystals and offer insights into their application as high-performance sensors and actuators in cryogenic environments.

Racialized vulnerability and socioeconomic determinants of health among Afghan refugees in Pakistan

Measurements of the inert Hugoniot and observation of mechanical ignition in Ni(V) + Al reactive multilayers via x-ray diffraction

This study investigates the inert Hugoniot response, mechanical ignition, and reaction dynamics of Ni(V)+Al multilayers during longitudinal, laser-driven shock compression experiments. Ni(V)+Al multilayers, known for their self-propagating exothermic reactions, were subjected to longitudinal stresses exceeding 50 GPa using the laser shock facility within the Dynamic Compression Sector (DCS) at the Advanced Photon Source (APS). In situ x-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that Ni(V) and Al were not in equilibrium during compression, with stress discrepancies attributed to twinning, grain structure effects, and/or dislocation density. However, the measured inert Hugoniot closely matched prior experimental and computational studies, confirming the utility of XRD for measuring the equation of state of thin, complex materials. Additionally, reaction was observed at significantly higher stresses than reported previously using laser-launched flyers. This discrepancy suggests a strong influence of externally imposed shear stress on reaction thresholds, which likely arose from deviations in flyer planarity during past experiments. Full reaction of the multilayer occurred within 40 ns after shock-wave passage, evidenced by complete melting of the constituents. Eulerian hydrocode simulations replicated experimental conditions, providing insights into equilibrium dynamics and experimental artifacts. The results highlight how even small shear forces facilitate ignition in Ni(V)+Al multilayers at lower stresses.

Development and characterization of an inducible Tensin1 deficient transgenic murine model

Abstract Tensin1 (TNS1) is a key component of focal and fibrillar adhesions, mediating fibrillogenesis, as well as the transduction of mechanical cues and adhesive signaling. To enable further TNS1 characterization, we have developed a novel transgenic mouse that allows for temporally controlled and lineage specific knockout of TNS1. We found no differentially observed effects of TNS1 knockout on mouse health, breeding capacity, or vital organ histopathology. In contrast, RNA sequencing analysis identified 171 differentially expressed genes with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis demonstrating differential expression in osteoclast differentiation and a number of pathways involved in host immune response. Furthermore, STRING pathway analysis showed differential regulation of genes involved in B-cell and myeloid-related signaling pathways, a number of which were validated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT qPCR). Loss of TNS1 in THP-1 monocyte/macrophage cell line resulted in impaired migration and phagocytosis. We also observed a trend toward increased detection of lymphocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage within days following TNS1 knockout. This study provides a novel understanding of the phenotypic and genotypic changes that occur following knockout of TNS1 that may lead to subsequent understanding of its role in disease.

Electrode chemistry impact on retention performance of ferroelectric hafnium zirconium oxide (Hf0.5Zr0.5O2− <i>x</i> ) capacitors

Polarization retention of 10 nm thick ferroelectric hafnium zirconium oxide (Hf0.5Zr0.5O2−x, HZO) capacitors with W and TaN electrodes is investigated over temperatures ranging from 85 to 150 °C. Same state and opposite state polarization margins for devices with W electrodes show minimal retention loss after 105 at 150 °C. The devices capped with TaN electrodes show excellent same state retention, but the opposite state polarization margin in the TaN-electrode devices displays 40% retention loss at 150 °C after 105 s. The TaN-capped devices exhibit a more pronounced imprint, which is attributed to an increased oxygen vacancy content (compared to W-capped devices). The increased oxygen vacancy content in the TaN-capped devices is supported by photoluminescence and leakage current measurements. In addition, TaN-capped devices have chemically diffuse electrode–HZO interfaces; more abrupt interfaces are present in the W-capped devices. The presence of interfacial phases in the TaN-capped devices may lead to larger depolarization fields due to reduced charge screening. The results from this study provide further evidence that for HZO ferroelectric devices the electrode can significantly impact polarization retention behavior due to differences in oxygen vacancy concentration and formation of non-ferroelectric interfacial layers.

Cascaded regulatory network composed of small RNAs involves in the symbiosis of Panax notoginseng and fungus Acremonium sp. D212

Strong exciton–plexciton coupling in nickel phthalocyanine thin films on gold

Strong light–matter coupling is demonstrated in a simple, cavity-free structure consisting of nickel phthalocyanine thin films deposited on gold. Variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry, recorded in both conventional and total internal reflection geometries, reveals hybrid exciton–plasmon (plexciton) states with a Rabi splitting up to 0.5 eV. From the ellipsometric data, the transition dipole moment, coupling strength, and Hopfield coefficients are evaluated. Strong coupling is evidenced by abrupt phase shifts in the ellipsometric parameter Δ coinciding with minima in the amplitude parameter Ψ, as well as by topologically distinct ρ-trajectories in the complex reflection plane exhibiting winding numbers of two. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional representations of ρ as a function of the angle of incidence further highlight these signatures of strong coupling. The observed effects depend sensitively on both film thickness and molecular density. The results establish a platform for exploring polaritonic phenomena and suggest potential applications in nanoscale sensing, light-harvesting, and organic optoelectronics.

Transportation-oriented isolated type energy interaction converter for vehicle-to-vehicle

Synchronous motion and end clogging prevention of skyrmion-chains in synthetic antiferromagnetic nanotracks

The development of skyrmion-based racetrack memory is hindered by the dual challenges of maintaining skyrmion-chain synchronization and preventing end clogging. Through micromagnetic simulations, we demonstrate that synthetic antiferromagnetic (SyAF) nanotracks overcome these issues via two key mechanisms. First, robust synchronization is achieved with an optimal intralayer spacing of 1.1 lD, larger than the 0.9 lD required in single-layer systems due to enhanced repulsive interactions in SyAF structures. Second, by engineering a triangular defect at the terminus of a single ferromagnetic layer, end clogging is suppressed while dramatically reducing the critical current density (Jcr) for clogging-free operation. Jcr exhibits a distinct dependence on the defect’s apex angle (θ), increasing gradually for θ &amp;lt; 90° and sharply for θ &amp;gt; 90°. Optimized defects with a universal height of 32 nm enable reliable operation across a wide angular range (20°–90°) at substantially reduced current densities, representing a nearly two-order-of-magnitude improvement over conventional designs. This work provides fundamental insights and practical design guidelines for high-density, efficient skyrmion memory devices.

Integrative ensemble learning framework for forecasting controlled drug release based on Raman spectral signatures

Abstract Modeling drug-release kinetics from polysaccharide-coated oral controlled-release formulations remains challenging due to nonlinear diffusion–dissolution behavior, complex polymer–drug interactions, and the limited interpretability of conventional machine-learning approaches. In this study, we develop and validate a predictive framework for targeted colonic delivery of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) from polysaccharide-coated solid oral dosage forms using Raman spectroscopy–derived molecular fingerprints and time-resolved dissolution data. The dataset comprises 155 formulation samples, each characterized by more than 1,500 Raman spectral features, categorical formulation variables (polysaccharide type and release medium), and drug-release measurements at 2, 8, and 24 h collected under simulated physiological conditions. A dual-optimizer, dual-ensemble learning strategy is introduced, integrating the Puma Optimizer Algorithm (POA) and Black-Winged Kite Algorithm (BWKA) within a Damsphere Weighted Ensemble (DWE) of XGBoost regression and AdaBoost models. The complementary exploration–exploitation dynamics of the two optimizers enhance convergence stability and generalization, yielding strong predictive performance under five-fold cross-validation (RMSE = 0.038; R 2 = 0.991). Feature-level analysis based on F-statistics highlights release time, dissolution medium, and chemically meaningful Raman bands as dominant predictors, consistent with diffusion- and erosion-controlled release mechanisms in polysaccharide-coated systems. From a pharmaceutical perspective, the proposed framework reduces experimental burden while maintaining mechanistic interpretability, supporting Quality by Design (QbD) and green pharmaceutics principles. Owing to its modular architecture, the approach is readily extensible to other polymer-based oral controlled-release formulations and spectroscopic modalities.

Overcoming fading in passive dosimetry: A combined persistent-luminescence and residual-thermoluminescence method

Thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence are widely used in radiation dosimetry. In applying these methods, signal fading is a major source of error in dose estimation. Hypothetically, a material whose conventional TL fades significantly due to spontaneous detrapping of electrons should produce persistent luminescence (PerL) as the electrons recombine radiatively with holes. If the material is heated after measurement of PerL, the resulting TL (RTL) is due to the residual population of trapped electrons. Therefore, combining PerL and RTL may provide reliable information on radiation dose. This paper proposes a versatile method of evaluating radiation dose intended to overcome the issue of fading. The hypothesis was tested using (BaAl2O4–BaAl12O19):Eu2+, a mixed-phase phosphor. This phosphor has a continuous distribution of electron traps with an energy depth range 0.59–1.17 eV below the conduction band. In addition to conventional TL, the phosphor produces intense PerL as well as RTL and has a linear dose response between 1 and 15 Gy. The hypothesis was, thus, tested for five test doses, namely, 2, 4, 8, 11, and 14 Gy. The values of these test doses as estimated using conventional TL are 2.17 ± 0.01, 4.08 ± 0.01, 7.95 ± 0.01, 10.96 ± 0.01, and 14.12 ± 0.01 Gy, respectively. In comparison, the combined use of PerL and RTL retained them as 2.05 ± 0.02, 4.04 ± 0.02, 8.02 ± 0.02, 10.98 ± 0.02, and 13.99 ± 0.02 Gy, respectively. For all test doses, the discrepancies in doses recovered using conventional TL exceed those estimated using combined PerL and RTL, thus making the later a reliable alternative method for dosimetry.

SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein-specific monoclonal antibodies as tools for studying its antigenic structure and interaction with host cells

Abstract Diagnostics and prevention of COVID-19 are essential for controlling the spread of the virus and reducing mortality rates. As SARS-CoV-2 surface proteins are susceptible to mutations, the nucleocapsid protein (NP) with its highly conserved gene sequence is an attractive target for studying virus-host interactions. NP plays a key role in the coronavirus life cycle, modulating viral RNA packaging, transcription, and assembly. In addition, its abundant expression during infection makes it a valuable diagnostic marker. NP is involved in modulating the host’s innate immunity; however, the cellular mechanisms of its pathogenicity are not yet fully understood. This study developed and characterized murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to the SARS-CoV-2 NP to investigate its antigenic regions and utilize the MAbs in virus-detecting systems or cellular NP blocking assays. The MAbs showed cross-reactivity with Omicron NP, recognizing epitopes within functionally active domains. They also identified NP in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells, supporting their feasibility in future immunoassays. Additionally, the ability to inhibit NP-cell interaction was assessed, with MAbs 4B3, 7F10, 16D9, and 18A8 found to reduce NP internalization. Overall, this study provides well-characterized tools for investigating SARS-CoV-2 antigenicity and pathogenicity and demonstrates the functional potential of the generated MAbs in studying NP-mediated host cell interactions.

Magnetic loss reduction in angularly stacked grain-oriented steel cores under normal compressive stress

The effect of compressive stress applied normal to the lamination surface on magnetic behavior is investigated in stacked grain-oriented Fe–Si ring cores with controlled angular misalignment between rolling directions (RDs) in neighboring layers. Three angular configurations, θ=0°, 60°, and 90°, are examined under normal stress levels up to 6 MPa. Magnetic characterization combines AC loss measurements with first-order reversal curve (FORC) analysis to resolve stress-induced changes in domain wall dynamics. The results reveal that relatively low normal compressive stresses (∼0.5–2 MPa) can significantly reduce magnetic losses at power frequencies, primarily through suppression of excess loss associated with dynamic domain wall motion. FORC fingerprints indicate that lower normal stress promotes magnetically softer processes governed by 180° domain walls, while higher stresses progressively broaden the distribution of switching fields. The loss-reducing effect of normal stress is most pronounced in non-shifted and moderately shifted configurations and weakens with increasing angular misalignment. These findings demonstrate that normal compressive stress, often unavoidable in practical core assemblies, can act as an effective loss-reducing factor when combined with appropriate lamination topology.

Investigating distributed generator high penetration in improving technical, emission and economic constraints of distribution network

Opto-electronic and mechanical properties of (CdxZn1−x)2SnO4 in the cubic and orthorhombic phases using first-principles methods

We have computationally studied the cubic and orthorhombic (CdxZn1−x)2SnO4 alloy systems (x = 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00) and investigated their structural, mechanical, vibrational, and opto-electronic properties for photovoltaic applications using density functional theory and beyond methods. The calculated formation energies are below −12.41 eV for the cubic phase and −6.64 eV for the orthorhombic phase. The elastic analysis shows that the bulk moduli for both structures range from 98 to 164 GPa, shear moduli from 41 to 66 GPa, Young’s moduli from 113 to 175 GPa, and the Vickers hardness from 3.18 to 8.95 GPa. All the alloy compositions are mechanically and dynamically stable. The bandgap values, calculated using the hybrid HSE06 functional, range from 1.92 to 2.85 eV and decrease with (Cd). Both structures’ alloys have significantly higher hole effective mass than electron effective mass. A favorable absorption coefficient, along with reflectivity, suggests that the (CdxZn1−x)2SnO4 alloy system can be used as a transparent conducting oxide layer material for solar cell applications.

Assessment of lipid mediators in the urine of patients with Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis and human granulocytic anaplasmosis

The effect of charge carrier doping on electric polarization and mobility in bilayer NiCl2

Based on first-principles calculations, we discuss the effects of charge carrier doping on polarization and electron mobility in the bilayer sliding ferroelectric material NiCl2. The bilayer NiCl2 belongs to a polar point group, which can induce spontaneous out-of-plane polarization. It further reveals that polarization reversal can facilitate interlayer sliding through the low-symmetry paraelectric phase structure connecting the polarized structures. Carrier doping can affect polarization, which can be explained by the number of charge carriers in the conduction and valence bands of the doped/undoped system near the Fermi surface. This charge quantity can be obtained through charge density integration. In addition, we find that electron doping can tune the electron mobility at different temperatures, and as the temperature increases, mobility continuously decreases; this process is influenced by three scattering mechanisms. The above results provide a new perspective for designing novel charge carrier-influenced sliding ferroelectric material devices.