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“A PhD is just going to somehow break you”: A qualitative study exploring the role of peer support for doctoral students

Doctoral (PhD) students experience high rates of mental health challenges, including high rates of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and isolation. While universities offer mental health services, these may not fully address the specific needs of doctoral students. Peer support has emerged as a promising adjunct to existing service provision, drawing on shared experiences to provide emotional and practical guidance. This study aimed to explore doctoral students’ perceptions of peer support, identifying their needs and preferences for a peer support programme tailored to the doctoral experience. Nineteen doctoral students were recruited from a university in the south of England and participated in focus groups or semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis yielded four overarching themes: (1) Barriers to seeking support; (2) Value of peer support for doctoral students; (3) Tailored peer support needs; and (4) Diversity and accessibility. Findings indicate that doctoral students value peer support as a flexible, informal space to share experiences and gain advice from those with similar backgrounds. However, they also emphasised the need for diverse representation among peer supporters, adaptable training to meet neurodiverse needs, and formal recognition of peer supporters’ contributions. Study findings suggest that universities should consider implementing tailored peer support programmes to address the specific challenges faced by doctoral students, incorporating flexibility, cultural sensitivity, and accessibility to create a supportive academic environment. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of such programs in improving doctoral students’ mental health and well-being.

Current maps of moiré superlattices with atomic reconstruction

Current maps measured by conductive atomic force microscopy are critical for investigating the atomic reconstruction in moiré superlattices. However, a microscopic analytical theory for calculating the current maps of moiré superlattices is still missing. Here, we have developed a unique theory to calculate the current maps of moiré superlattices, which is based on the optical method. The theoretical results can well reproduce the fundamental characteristics of the experiments. Furthermore, the theoretical results predict that there may exist finer structure in the current map of twisted bilayer graphene. In addition, one existing viewpoint of twisted mono-bilayer graphene, i.e., the higher-current domains correspond to ABA stacking, is challenged by the present theoretical results. The present work establishes an integral theoretical framework to calculate the current maps of moiré superlattices and provides insight into the underlying physics.

Digital infrastructure and intra-provincial balanced development: Evidence from China’s provincial panel data

Unbalanced regional development poses a significant challenge to global economic growth. While existing studies have primarily concentrated on disparities between provinces, there is a notable lack of research addressing regional imbalances within a single province. In this paper, we use urban-level indicators to assess the level of intra-provincial regional balanced development in China. Based on provincial panel data from 2013 to 2022, we examine the impact of digital infrastructure on balanced regional development. We find that digital infrastructure significantly promotes balanced regional development using a fixed-effect regression model. This conclusion still holds after a series of robustness tests including instrumental variables, considering variable lag effects. Then we identify technological innovation and industrial structure upgrading as the primary mechanisms driving this relationship. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the impact of digital infrastructure on balanced provincial development is more pronounced in regions with higher levels of urbanization, whereas the heterogeneity associated with financial development levels is statistically insignificant. Based on these findings, the paper offers policy recommendations aimed at leveraging digital infrastructure to further empower balanced development across provinces.

Sodium dopant in pectin mediates ionic-electronic coupling on Na0.67Mg0.28Mn0.72O2 for electrolyte-type artificial synapse with tunable plasticity

To enhance the plasticity modulation capabilities of two terminal electrolyte-based artificial synapse, we designed a battery-like device that integrates a P2-type intercalated compound, Na0.67Mg0.28Mn0.72O2, with ion-doped pectin electrolytes. Compared to devices utilizing pure pectin, the proposed Na-rich intercalated compound artificial synapse with ion-doped pectin electrolytes, incorporating 0.5 wt. % additives, demonstrates a remarkable 2000% improvement in response. Furthermore, by leveraging the additional capacity provided by nonbonding O 2p orbitals, the device achieves a balance between short-term plasticity and memory enhancement, modulating interface behavior from the electric double layer to electrochemical doping. As a result, it facilitates functions such as high-pass filtering, Morse coding, information decryption, and sensory memory temporariness. Additionally, the controllable temporal dynamics of the high-response device with doped electrolytes enable high-accuracy pattern recognition. This enhancement in plasticity modulation capability positions the device as a promising candidate for intelligent systems that integrate perception and processing.

The effects of aerobic exercise in patients with cancer-related fatigue: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is characterized by an unusual and persistent sensation of tiredness that can occur during or after treatment, potentially impacting both physical and mental capability, and which does not ameliorate with rest. Aerobic exercise (AE) has been identified as a potent modality to mitigate the severity of CRF in such patients. Objective This study aims to investigate the efficacy of AE in alleviating CRF among patients. Methods A comprehensive literature search was implemented on PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Cochrane, and Embase until June 2024. Studies were selected based on the following PICOS criteria: Participants (P): cancer patients undergoing treatment or in recovery; Intervention (I): aerobic exercise, including activities such as walking, running, yoga, or tai chi; AE interventions conducted during both treatment and recovery were included. Comparison (C): usual care, no-treatment/wait-list, or attention/activity placebo controls; Outcome (O): cancer-related fatigue (CRF) measured by validated scales; Study design (S): randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3. Results The results indicate that AE exerts a significant impact on CRF, but the heterogeneity is high (SMD = −0.76, 95% CI: −1.30 to −0.22, P < 0.05, I² = 94%). Subgroup analysis revealed that AE interventions lasting at least 12 weeks (SMD = −1.12, 95% CI = −2.02 ~ −0.22, P < 0.05, I² = 96%), 3 times or less per week (SMD = −1.00, 95% CI = −1.83 ~ −0.16, P < 0.05, I2 = 96%), with each session exceeding 60 minutes (SMD = −1.48, 95% CI = −2.32 ~ −0.64, P < 0.01, I2 = 96%), compared to the control group, significantly improve CRF in patients. Conclusion The research findings confirm the effectiveness of AE in alleviating CRF. Subgroup analysis further elucidated that AE interventions lasting at least 12 weeks, 3 times or less per week, with 60 minutes or more per session, significantly alleviated CRF among patients. However, given the limited number of included studies, caution is warranted in interpreting these subgroup analysis outcomes. The protocol for this review was duly registered on PROSPERO under the registration number CRD42024559098.

200-period Si/Si0.8Ge0.2 superlattice structure growth and characterization for vertical stacked DRAM

The demand for increased memory density and the limit of DRAM (dynamic random-access memory) device downscaling are driving conventional DRAM to advanced vertical stacked DRAM (VS DRAM). The multi-period Si/SiGe superlattice (SL) structure is crucial for achieving vertical stacking of Si channels, and the film quality of the Si/SiGe SL structure has a direct impact on the performance of subsequent DRAM devices. In this work, we obtained the 200-period Si/Si0.8Ge0.2 SL structure through multiple-epitaxial processes. The experimental results show that the crystal quality of the SL structure is satisfactory, exhibiting slight strain relaxation. The thickness uniformity in the SL structure is well maintained from bottom to top (36.7 ± 2.1 nm, σthickness = 0.77 nm). Furthermore, Ge segregation at the bottom of the SL structure was observed, resulting in a slight upward trend in the Ge concentration from bottom to top and a broadening of the bottom interface. This work demonstrates the feasibility of epitaxial growth of ultra-multilayer Si/SiGe SL structure and provides a process solution for the development of advanced VS DRAM devices.

Reducing energy and environmental footprint in agriculture: A study on drone spraying vs. conventional methods

Agricultural practices significantly contribute to resource depletion and greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the urgent need for environmental sustainability in this sector. This research assesses the energy efficiency and environmental impacts of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology compared to traditional spraying methods for wheat farms in Lorestan province, Iran. Experiments were conducted randomly with three repetitions, and data were analyzed using Simapro Impact 2002 + software, evaluating four primary categories and 15 midpoint indicators. The findings reveal that conventional spraying consumes 2.43 times more energy than drone spraying, with values of 365.26 MJ/ha and 146.84 MJ/ha, respectively. Additionally, the Global Warming Potential (GWP) for pesticide application is 41.284 kg CO2ha-1 for conventional methods and 14.485 kg CO2ha-1 for drones. Diesel emissions from tractors in traditional spraying represent the most significant environmental burden, while battery production and charging for drones contribute the largest share among various impacts. These results highlight the potential of UAV technology to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental harm, promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Nonetheless, battery limitations and the need for training remain challenges, and further studies are required to assess long-term impacts and scalability.

Direct SMA-fed gradient-index metasurface array for efficient microwave power reception

Achieving a balance between efficiency and structural simplicity remains a challenge in conventional long-range wireless power reception systems. This study introduces a microwave power reception (MPR) metasurface array based on a gradient-index design. Operating at a center frequency of 5.8 GHz, the array enables efficient conversion and concentration of incident plane waves (PWs) into surface waves (SWs) through cosine-modulated gradient-index units, with a modulation center strategically placed along the array boundary. A key innovation lies in the direct integration of a standard SubMiniature Version A (SMA) connector at the modulation center to collect the concentrated surface wave energy, significantly simplifying the receiving structure and eliminating the need for multiple rectifiers or complex feed networks commonly used in traditional MPR systems. Compared with conventional rectenna arrays, the proposed design achieves a PW-SW conversion efficiency of 68.42%. Simulations, accounting for impedance mismatch at the SMA port, yield an energy collection efficiency of 46.71%, while experimental measurements confirm a peak efficiency of 39.24% at 5.8 GHz. Moreover, the overall system complexity is reduced by over 60%. Although the direct-feed approach introduces impedance mismatch that constrains further performance enhancement, the proposed method offers a low-cost, easily integrable MPR solution that maintains reasonable reception efficiency and simplifies both the design and fabrication processes for specific application scenarios.

Effect of mineral filler on low velocity impact behaviour of bi-directional glass fibre/epoxy composites exposed to varied temperature conditions

Fibre reinforced plastics are predominantly used in automotive, aerospace applications due to their promising features of low cost, easy of processing and durability, however these composites are more susceptible to varied temperature conditions under different loading conditions. One such problem where these composites vary greatly in their performance is due to impact loading conditions. The objective of present research is to determine the effect of calcium inosilicate (also termed as wollastonite) powder which is used as a filler on low velocity impact (LVI) behaviour of bi-directional glass fibre reinforced with epoxy thermosets (GFRP) for different loading percentage of 1%,3%,5% and 7%. Composites were prepared through manual lay-up route and prepared samples were exposed for 3 different temperature conditions of continuous heating and cooling cycles at +500c, −50C including room temperature conditions for 168hrs. Aged samples were tested for low velocity impact(LVI) testing by keeping constant energy of 30J. Results revealed that addition up to 3% filler influence largely on LVI response of GFRP composites for all the temperature conditions, addition to this polynomial regression of 9th order was performed and the results were best fit with experimental values. Fractography study revealed the severity of damage modes upon LVI testing.

Operando spectroscopic monitoring the dynamic transformation of CoNiMoO4 precatalyst toward efficient oxygen evolution

Electrochemical water splitting plays a pivotal role in sustainable hydrogen generation, but its efficiency remains constrained by kinetically sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, CoNiMoO4 nanowires were synthesized and evaluated for potential OER application. The dynamic structural reconstruction during OER operation was monitored by combined in situ Raman and UV–vis spectroscopies, which revealed a phase evolution journey from precursor to hydroxide and finally (oxy)hydroxide at high potentials. Ni doping suppressed the complete oxidation to CoO2 phase and instead facilitated the formation of CoNiOOH intermediates as active species. Furthermore, precise modulation of the d-band center optimized the adsorption energy of oxygen intermediates, achieving enhanced catalytic activity. The findings advance the fundamental understanding of reconstruction in transition metal oxides and offer valuable insights for designing efficient OER catalysts.

How our student journal club built on sand developed strong foundations

Testing learning as alternative to the blank slate hypothesis in the honey bee, Apis mellifera

Reliable recognition of nestmates and discrimination against non-nestmates is key to the integrity of social insect colonies. Cuticular hydrocarbon profiles play a key role in this recognition process in many species, including honey bees. Newly emerged worker bees are largely devoid of cuticular hydrocarbons and therefore believed to represent a “blank slate” that is not discriminated against and instead accepted into other colonies regardless of colony origin. However, instead of being unrecognizable, the absence of cuticular hydrocarbons may also represent a recognizable “Gestalt”. Thus, an alternative hypothesis for the universal acceptance of newly emerged workers may be that older workers in every colony learn the absence of cuticular hydrocarbons as a familiar stimulus that belongs to their colony because other such workers are constantly emerging under normal circumstances. Here, we tested this hypothesis by comparing the response to newly emerged workers between bees that matured in colonies with and without newly emerging bees. Contrary to our prediction, we found no significant difference between these two experimental groups in an aggression bioassay towards newly emerged workers. We thus failed to provide empirical evidence against the blank slate hypothesis. However, the groups displayed significant differences in aggression towards foragers from their own respective colonies, indicating that the emergence of new workers in a colony can affect group discriminatory behavior in honey bees. Furthermore, we identified a negative effect of temperature on aggressive behavior toward newly emerged workers.

An incoherent superconducting nanowire phonon detector revealing the controversial gate-controlled supercurrent

Superconductor nanodevices are widely applied in quantum computers and quantum detectors. Gate-controlled supercurrent (GCS) provides a potential platform for developing quantum systems, but the mechanism remains controversial. Recent reports suggest that there may be out-of-equilibrium phonons acting in GCS, but insightful investigations are lacking. Here, we report an incoherent superconducting nanowire phonon detector to convert the phase transitions induced by out-of-equilibrium phonons into electric pulse signals, enabling discrete-time measurements. The statistical properties of the gate-induced signals reveal the Poisson properties of phonon injection and the thermalization dynamics of hot electrons in the GCS on the α-Si substrate. These mechanisms are further evidenced by applying opposite gate voltages on two remote gates, in which only phonons play a role. The proposed detector not only is a candidate for constructing phonon-based solid quantum devices based on the GCS but also contributes to research on the out-of-equilibrium phenomena in superconducting nanodevices.

Stochastic optimization for minimizing operational costs in smart hybrid energy networks considering electric vehicle

The residential energy hub (REH) effectively satisfies power demands, but the incorporation of renewable energy sources (RES) and the increasing use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), with their unpredictable nature, complicates its optimal functionality and challenges the accurate modeling and optimization of REH. This work proposed a stochastic model for REH using mixed integer linear programming (MILP) to optimally handle the associated uncertainties of RES and PEHVs, which was then solved using GAMS software. Four case studies with varying conditions were conducted to verify the performance of the proposed scheme, and the results indicate that the approach is superior in optimally handling the system’s associated limitations. These limitations include the intermittency and variability of RES and the uncertainties associated with PHEVs, such as arrival time, travel distance, and departure time. Additionally, this work introduces a smart charging mechanism that charges and discharges PHEVs economically, both in terms of cost and reliability. The results indicate that incorporating a smart charging mechanism decreases the total operating cost of smart REH by 2.59% while maintaining the comfort level of the consumer and increasing the reliability of the overall system. Finally, smart REH adopts a demand response program (DRP), which further reduces the operational cost by 3.7%. Furthermore, the proposed approach demonstrates a significant reduction in operating costs and an improvement in the reliability of the smart REH.

Dual passivation in air for constructing high-efficiency wide-bandgap perovskite solar cell modules

Wide-bandgap perovskites (WB-PVKs) are highly promising materials for tandem photovoltaic applications, yet their practical performance is significantly hindered by critical issues such as non-radiative recombination and photo-induced phase segregation. Herein, we report a dual-passivation strategy utilizing phenylethylammonium chloride (PEACl) and 1,3-diaminopropane dihydroiodide (PDADI) to simultaneously enhance crystallinity and reduce defect density in 1.68 eV WB-PVK films. The passivation layers were fabricated via a scalable doctor-blading technique under ambient conditions, achieving power conversion efficiencies exceeding 16% over a large active area of 64.624 cm2. PEACl and PDADI together reduced surface defects, suppressed 2D-phase formation, and increased grain size from 450 to 850 nm. Moreover, the defect density at the perovskite/electron transport layer interface decreased by approximately 27%, leading to a notable enhancement in device efficiency from ∼15% up to a maximum of 16.05%. These results demonstrate that the developed dual-passivation method effectively addresses both photovoltaic performance and phase stability issues, providing a scalable and industrially viable approach toward the fabrication of high-efficiency wide-bandgap perovskite solar modules.

Thionated levofloxacin derivative: Potential repurposing for cancer treatment and synergism with doxorubicin on doxorubicin-resistant lung cancer cells

Objectives Fluoroquinolones, such as levofloxacin (LVX), are extended-spectrum drugs used for the treatment of bacterial infections. Several fluoroquinolone derivatives have shown promising antibacterial and anticancer activities. Our group has earlier synthesized and investigated thionated LVX analogs, compounds 2 and 3, on A549 (non-small cell lung cancer) cell line and showed promising anticancer activity. The mechanism of cytotoxicity may be, in part, via aldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme inhibition and antioxidation. In this study, compounds 2 and 3 were evaluated on prostate (PC-3), breast (MCF7), colorectal (Caco-2), and small cell lung cancer (H69 and H69AR) cell lines. Methods The anticancer activity was measured using resazurin colorimetric method. Combination treatments with doxorubicin (DOX) were also employed and combination index (CI) value were calculated. Results Compound 3 possessed higher anticancer activity compared to compound 2 on the tested cancer cell lines. Compound 3 had the highest activity on PC-3 cells with IC50 value of 3.58 µM. DOX was also tested for comparison and had IC50 value of less than 0.5 µM in all tested cell lines except for H69AR (DOX-resistant form of H69), which was 4.62 µM. Combination treatment with DOX resulted in significant reduction of cell viability in PC-3, H69, and H69AR cells, with those on H69 and H69AR cells resulted in additive (CI = 1.0) and synergistic effects (CI = 0.6), respectively. Conclusions Compound 3, a thionated LVX derivative, showed a promising anticancer activity, prompting its potential repurposing for cancer treatment as well as combination treatment with DOX on DOX-resistant cancer cells.

Exploring the full magneto-ionic oxidation spectrum in Pt/CoFeB/HfO2

We show that in Pt/CoFeB/HfO2 a wide range of oxidation levels at the ferromagnet/oxide interface can be accessed through magneto-ionic gating using ionic liquid gates. Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) is induced at intermediate oxidation levels, while two in-plane anisotropy states with nonequivalent ionic states are induced for under-oxidized and over-oxidized interfaces. This system shows reversibility and non-volatility in the whole range of oxidation states, where oxidation levels have been monitored by x-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This study shows that multistate magneto-ionic memory elements with a wider range of intermediate states can be designed by leveraging both under- and over-oxidation around the optimal oxidation state that induces PMA.

Basic medical sciences and understanding medicine: Insights from medical students

Introduction Basic medical sciences form the cornerstone of any medical knowledge and are essential for understanding various diseases. This study aims to shed light on students’ viewpoints toward those sciences while delving into their motivations and hindrances and investigating individual subjects. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out at Damascus University in Syria, targeting final-year medical students. Data collection occurred on a designated clerkship day, during which students were invited to complete an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire evaluated students’ overall perception and academic interest in studying basic medical sciences in pre-clinical years and their willingness to pursue these sciences as a prospective career. Results The study surveyed 350 medical students, with 40% rating their interest as good/very good. The extensive content was perceived as a major hindrance by 76.9%. Anatomy was perceived as the easiest subject while pharmacology and biochemistry were considered the hardest. The majority acknowledged the value of basic sciences for further medical education (75.1%) and good physician (77.4%), but only 20.9% indicated their relevance for practical training. Furthermore, 68.6% of students were not interested in pursuing these sciences as a career, primarily due to their preference for clinical fields (55.8%) and concerns about low-income potential (41.3%). Conclusion This study highlighted students’ positive views on Basic Medical Sciences, emphasizing their essential role in understanding disease pathophysiology for medical education and practice. Nonetheless, it pointed out a lack of practical training. The findings underscore the importance of decreasing content intensity and enhancing retention through practical approaches aligned with clinical practice.

Low-temperature-annealed Ohmic contacts to ultrathin-AlGaN/GaN heterostructures with no two-dimensional electron gas

We investigated low-temperature-annealed Ohmic contacts to ultrathin-AlGaN/GaN heterostructures with no two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG), which have extremely high sheet resistances of ∼1012 Ω/□. The Ohmic contacts are formed by metal deposition and low-temperature annealing at <600 °C, where a contact resistance down to ≃0.74  Ω mm can be realized. In order to evaluate the sheet resistance ρs, the sheet electron concentration ns, and the electron mobility μs of the AlGaN/GaN under the Ohmic-metals, we fabricated and characterized multi-probe Hall devices. As a result, we find ρs significantly decreased down to ∼600  Ω/□, ns in the 1012 cm−2 range, and μs>1000 cm2/V-s under the Ohmic-metals, where the relationship between ns and μs suggests that a 2DEG is formed at the AlGaN/GaN heterointerface. The specific contact resistivity weakly depends on both ns and the measurement temperature, being well explained by direct tunneling between the formed 2DEG and the Ohmic-metal. Furthermore, it is found that the sheet resistance after Ohmic-metal removal returns to the initial value of ∼1012 Ω/□. One possible hypothesis to explain this is that polarization doping takes place under the Ohmic-metals.

Effects of salicylic acid, benzothiadiazole, and other commercial biostimulants on boosting faba bean (Vicia faba L.) tolerance against Orobanche spp

Broomrapes (Orobanche spp.) caused important agricultural problems reducing faba bean cultivated area and production in Tunisia. The effect of chemical tolerance inducers (Salicylic Acid SA and Benzothiadiazole BTH) and commercial biological tolerance inducers (Serenade, Trianum-P and Panoramix) on the induction of tolerance to O. foetida and O. crenata on faba bean was studied under field and controlled conditions experiments. These tolerance inducers were evaluated on the susceptible small seeded faba bean cv. Bachaar and applied as seeds’ pretreatment (seeds priming – coating). SA and BTH proved to be the best seed pretreatment inducers that reduced O. foetida infestation and increased plant growth and seed yield under field and controlled conditions. Induced tolerance was associated with reduced orobanche seed germination rate and tubercle number. Biological tolerance inducers reduced orobanche infestation under controlled conditions especially in quadratic plastic dishes but not under field conditions. In absence of complete resistance to broomrape, these results support the evidence of using tolerance inducers to control broomrapes and that could be considered as one additional component in an integrated control strategy.