Browse Articles

Laser induced white emission and photocurrent of GaN nanoceramics

Abstract The measurements of the optical properties of GaN nanoceramics are reported. In particular, the laser induced white emission (LIWE) and photocurrent (LIPC) were investigated. LIWE and LIPC was measured in closed cycles: forward, with increasing excitation power density, and backward, with decreasing excitation power density, with hysteresis occurring. The photoconductivity of the obtained nanoceramics was measured at different voltage biases, demonstrating a decrease in initial resistance with applied voltage until saturation was reached, after which no further change occurred at higher voltages. The phenomena are related to charge carrier (electrons) generation via cascade multiphoton ionization and exhibit excitation threshold dependence and non-linear behavior. Simultaneous measurements strongly highlight the connection between both processes. The occurrence of hysteresis suggests potential applications in artificial lighting and/or optical memory devices.

Effects of bariatric surgery upon the sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in obese humans

Abstract Human obesity is a state of hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). It is unclear whether weight loss will normalize this apparent dysfunction and if potential changes are of short -or long-term duration. In this study, we test how weight reduction following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) surgery affects the HPA-axis and SNS activity for a follow-up period of 2 years. We show that a ≈ 30% reduction in bodyweight following RYGB, is accompanied by an increase in circulating cortisol, and decrease in the concentrations of systemic metanephrines concomitant with a transient reduction in systolic blood pressure, and that the endocrine changes persist for at least 24 months post-surgery. The decrease in SNS activity was weakly, but significantly correlated with postoperative improvements in HbA1c. These findings suggests that the anatomical rearrangement of the gastrointestinal system by bariatric surgery, and the resulting marked decrease in body weight, have long-term impact on the autonomic nervous system. The biological significance of these findings is uncertain though it could be speculated that chronically elevated serum cortisol, may be involved in the development of osteoporosis, a well-known risk of bariatric surgery, as well as control of glucose and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, the chronic reduction in metanephrines observed, suggest that SNS depression may contribute to both a reduction in blood pressure and better glycemic control following surgery. We collectively demonstrate that RYGB surgery has an early and persisting impact on the HPA-axis and the sympathetic nervous system, and that this is associated with bodyweight reduction and improved glycemic control.

Coherent spectroscopy with a single antiproton spin

Inhibition of human N myristoyltransferase 1 as a strategy to suppress cancer progression driven by myristoylation

The analysis of interactive furniture design system based on artificial intelligence

Variations in growth, physiology and fodder quality among salicornia persica ecotypes irrigated with persian gulf seawater

Reactive sputtering of SnS thin films using sulfur plasma and a metallic Tin target: achieving stoichiometry and large grains

Abstract Tin sulfide (SnS) is a promising earth-abundant and non-toxic material for photovoltaic applications; however, its practical use has been hindered by difficulties in achieving both stoichiometric composition and large grain sizes in thin films—factors critical for improving device performance. This study presents a unique strategy for fabricating high-quality SnS thin films with controlled stoichiometry and micron-scale grains using a metallic tin target and sulfur plasma (S-plasma). Unlike conventional approaches that rely on toxic H₂S gas, this method employs a S-plasma to enhance sulfur reactivity and mitigate sulfur deficiencies during film deposition. By optimizing the balance between the sputtering conditions of the Sn target and the supply conditions of the S-plasma, dense single-phase SnS thin films with micron-scale grain sizes were achieved at a substrate temperature of 300 °C, achieving an in-plane Hall mobility of 13 cm2 V−1 s−1. Furthermore, crystalline SnS thin films were fabricated even on a room-temperature substrate, enabling potential applications in flexible devices with heat-sensitive substrates. These results indicate that reactive sputtering with S-plasma is an efficient and safer route to high-performance SnS thin films, overcoming long-standing challenges in composition control and grain growth.

In-silico receptor interactions, phytochemical fingerprint and biological activities of Matricaria chamomilla flower extract and the main components

Quantum dynamics and cooling kinetics of BN− anions via buffer gases in ion traps

Following the previous study with an extensive range of quantum calculations involving different electronic states of the BN− anion [Dulitz et al., Phys. Scripta 100, 055411 (2025)], we now extend that work by modeling the quantum dynamics of the collision cooling of its rotational states in order to investigate possible paths for bringing this molecular anion down to temperatures of a few Kelvins. This specific ionic system is of direct interest when modeling experiments in cold ion traps where He or Ar atoms can function as the chief buffer gases that drive the anions down to the low trap temperatures. We employ accurate, ab initio calculations of the potential energy surfaces for the title system in its ground electronic state, interacting with either He or Ar atoms. We then obtain a wide range of inelastic cross sections and the ensuing rate coefficients in order to model the quantum kinetics of the time evolution of the cooling steps under different temperature and trap conditions. The results are analyzed and employed to estimate the cooling efficiency paths provided by various trap arrangements for the title anion. The results show that—using either of the two investigated species—the buffer gas cooling process very efficiently brings the anions to their lowest rotational states. These findings are very promising for future applications in the field of anion laser cooling.

Optimizing the therapeutic benefits of synriam combined with praziquantel in mice harbouring juvenile and mature Schistosoma mansoni

Abstract Schistosomiasis, a prevalent tropical disease, possess public health challenges, with the standard treatment, praziquantel (PZQ), facing some limitations. Synriam (SYN), an antimalarial medication, has showed promises against schistosomiasis, although in vivo research on its efficacy in preventing infection-related consequences has not been thoroughly explored. This study looked at the effectiveness of SNY-PZQ combination treatment against Schistosoma mansoni in mice at various developmental phases, including juvenile (schistosomula) and mature stages. Worm load, egg deposition, parasite maturity, and liver histology were among the key outcomes evaluated. Their modulatory effects on liver injury indicators, proinflammatory cytokines, CYP450 enzymes, and apoptosis in mice infected with mature S. mansoni were also investigated. The study was divided into two experimental batches: schistosomula and mature stages, with infected mice from each batch divided into five groups to evaluate SNY, PZQ, and their combination. The SNY-PZQ combination was administered 3 weeks post-infection (PI) for schistosomula-stage infection, and 7 weeks PI for mature-stage infection. When SYN is combined with PZQ in their sub-curative doses (SC), it strengthens the worm killing effects, making it more potent than giving PZQ alone (SC), especially when the dual treatment was given against 7-weeks mature worms (95% vs. 76% for PZQ SC). This was accompanied with almost total eggs elimination and the repair of hepatic granulomatous lesions. Nevertheless, this combination therapy has moderate effectiveness (47% vs. 13% for PZQ SC) when given against 3-weeks juvenile worms. Furthermore, administering this combined therapy to 7-weeks mature worms reduces liver damage as evidenced by decreased oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, as well as normalization of liver serum enzymes, when compared to PZQ alone, implying that they may contribute to liver fibrosis prevention. Overall, SYN, when combined with PZQ, could improve treatment efficacy, potentially overcoming drug failures, offering a cost-effective strategy for managing schistosomiasis in resource-limited countries.

Chemical master equation parameter exploration using DMRG

Well-mixed chemical reaction networks (CRNs) contain many distinct chemical species with copy numbers that fluctuate in correlated ways. While those correlations are typically monitored via Monte Carlo sampling of stochastic trajectories, there is interest in systematically approximating the joint distribution over the exponentially large number of possible microstates using tensor networks or tensor trains. We exploit the tensor network strategy to determine when the steady state of a seven-species gene toggle switch CRN model supports bistability as a function of two decomposition rates, both parameters of the kinetic model. We highlight how the tensor network solution captures the effects of stochastic fluctuations, going beyond mean field and indeed deviating meaningfully from a mean-field analysis. The work furthermore develops and demonstrates several technical advances that will allow steady-states of broad classes of CRNs to be computed in a manner conducive to parameter exploration. We show that the steady-state distributions can be computed via the ordinary density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) algorithm, despite having a non-Hermitian rate operator with a small spectral gap, we illustrate how that steady-state distribution can be efficiently projected to an order parameter that identifies bimodality, and we employ excited-state DMRG to calculate a relaxation timescale for the bistability.

Pathway insights and predictive modeling for type 2 diabetes using polygenic risk scores

Magnon spectroscopy in the electron microscope

Abstract The miniaturization of transistors is approaching its limits owing to challenges in heat management and information transfer speed1. To overcome these obstacles, emerging technologies such as spintronics2 are being developed, which make use of the electron’s spin as well as its charge. Local phenomena at interfaces or structural defects will greatly influence the efficiency of spin-based devices, making the ability to study spin-wave propagation at the nanoscale and atomic scale a key challenge3,4. The development of high-spatial-resolution tools to investigate spin waves, also called magnons, at relevant length scales is thus essential to understand how their properties are affected by local features. Here we detect bulk THz magnons at the nanoscale using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). By using high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy with hybrid-pixel electron detectors, we overcome the challenges posed by weak signals to map THz magnon excitations in a thin NiO nanocrystal. Advanced inelastic electron scattering simulations corroborate our findings. These results open new avenues for detecting magnons and exploring their dispersions and their modifications arising from nanoscale structural or chemical defects. This marks a milestone in magnonics and presents exciting opportunities for the development of spintronic devices.

Rewiring endogenous genes in CAR T cells for tumour-restricted payload delivery

Relaxation spectra of molecular glass formers probed by tandem Fabry–Perot interferometry and photon correlation spectroscopy: A critical re-assessment

Relaxation spectra of molecular glass formers measured by tandem Fabry–Perot interferometry (TFPI) and by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) are revisited from well above Tm down to Tg. We scrutinize the claim that a generic relaxation stretching is found close to Tg, while varying stretching is established at high temperatures. The TFPI spectra observed in this work reveal no change of the stretching over a large temperature range, and a Cole–Davidson susceptibility yields stretching parameters within βCD = 0.39–0.80. The spectra display a high-frequency excess wing contribution, which prohibits a single power law description of the high-frequency flank of the main relaxation. Corresponding PCS decays measured close to Tg display no change in the stretching either. Yet, the PCS spectra are overall broader than the TFPI spectra. They exhibit some variation and are superiorly described by a Kohlrausch function with βK = 0.52–0.73. Three of the eight systems significantly deviate from the previously reported generic relaxation function. We do not find indications that the spectral width changes within a narrow temperature interval to bridge the different stretching monitored by the two techniques. In addition to other possible explanations, we consider a sharp transition of the dynamics in the ns range not covered by the two techniques so far. Comparing PCS spectra of weakly polar liquids with their dielectric spectra, we find counterexamples of the claim that they become identical; the PCS spectra are narrower in these cases. Still, in this limit, the dielectric spectra display identical spectral shapes.

Design and implementation of a self-correcting non-retrodirective cross-eye jamming system using reference amplitude ratio and phase difference

Evaporation from spherical chitosan polymer gels

Water retention is an important feature in the design and use of biocompatible polymers, such as chitosan, which is often used as a hydrogel for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. We study water evaporation from chitosan-based hydrogels both for gels in close proximity and for essentially isolated gels. We find that water evaporation from single gels is diffusive, as for pure water drops, but that it happens more slowly. We interpret this difference in terms of a steady-state where the equilibrium properties entering the problem are effectively lower. In the case of many gels, the evaporation process becomes one-dimensional due to water-vapor saturation of the local environment of the gels. Using an electric analogy, we model the transition between the two cases, ultimately illustrating pathways for tuning the water retention properties of polymer hydrogels.

Lightweight grape leaf disease recognition method based on transformer framework

Yielding of crystals toward the quasistatic limit: A slip-plane condensation transition

A novel scenario for the yielding of three-dimensional crystals in the quasistatic limit is presented. To this end, a face-centered cubic Lennard-Jones crystal under deformation and periodic boundary conditions is studied using Monte Carlo simulation in combination with successive umbrella sampling. As a reaction coordinate, a non-affinity parameter X is introduced. In terms of this parameter, the yielding of the crystal can be described as a phase transition, where at the system-size-dependent yield strain ɛ(y), a deformed crystal, the “N phase,” transforms into a nearly stress-free state, the “M phase.” The N–M phase transition is dominated by the long-ranged elasticity of the crystal. As a consequence, there are no mixed states of both phases. Moreover, the free energy barrier between them is not associated with interfacial contributions, but rather scales with the total volume V of the crystal, implying non-convexity of the X-dependent free energy F(X). On the path from the N to the M phase with increasing X, the free energy F(X) develops two kinks that are associated with jumps of a field conjugate to the non-affinity parameter X. At the first kink, corresponding to the maximum of F(X), there is the nucleation of a partial slip plane, associated with the formation of a stacking fault that is circumvented by a loop of Shockley partial dislocations. At the second kink, at a lower free energy, the dislocations are annihilated leaving behind the stacking fault around now fully developed slip planes. The resulting M phase is inhomogeneous with periodically repeating stacking faults around the fully developed slip planes (here, the distance between the slip planes is determined by the periodic boundary conditions and the initial orientation of the crystal in the simulation box).

Application of the metaheuristic algorithms to quantify the GSI based on the RMR classification