Creation Of Channels Research Articles

Conduction channel creation by interstitial site engineering in otherwise insulating Na6ZnS4 for Na-conducting solid-state electrolytes

Na5.6Zn0.6Ga0.4S4, which retains the crystalline structure of its parent form Na6ZnS4, is described as a new class of Na-conducting solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) for all-solid-state batteries. We demonstrate that while Na6ZnS4 is ionically insulating (1.4 nS cm-1), Ga-substitution results in an astonishing improvement of ionic conductivity (σion) to 70.1 μS cm-1, making Na5.6Zn0.6Ga0.4S4 a practical SSE. This dramatic increase in σion (5 × 104 fold) is associated with an increased Na+ occupancy in interstitial sites as ‘x’ increases in Na6-xZn1-xGaxS4, where interstitial Na ions facilitate long-range Na+ conduction, which is otherwise immobile. Ga-substitution also results in phase-pure Na6-xZn1-xGaxS4, contributing at least partially to the enhancement of σion. Furthermore, Na6-xZn1-xGaxS4 exhibits neither releasing H2S gas nor compromising its crystalline structure for several hours under ambient conditions. Ga-substitution also enhances electrochemical stability. While the anodic limit remains largely unchanged, the cathodic limit is significantly lowered from 0.99 V vs. Na2Sn in Na6ZnS4 to 0.35 V in Na5.6Zn0.6Ga0.4S4, resulting in stable Na alloying/dealloying reactions in a symmetric Na2Sn ‖ Na2Sn cell. These findings are comprehensively supported by various experimental and theoretical methods. Finally, we construct a full cell (Na2Sn ‖ TiS2) and demonstrate the practicality of Na5.6Zn0.6Ga0.4S4 as a promising SSE in all solid-state Na ion batteries.

OPTIMALISASI KISSIDAN ECO HILL MENUJU DESA SIDAN SEBAGAI DESA WISATA MELALUI PENGEMBANGAN SENSORY GARDEN

Desa Sidan has great potential as a sustainable tourist destination, but it requires revitalization to make its infrastructure and facilities more attractive and comfortable. Kissidan Eco Hill, as part of the ecotourism initiative in Desa Sidan, focuses on organic farming and local culture; however, optimizing management and physical revitalization are needed to enhance its appeal. The implementation of community service activities through the revitalization and optimization of Kissidan Eco Hill is designed to position Desa Sidan as a village focused on ecological education and sustainable agriculture. The main program includes educational tours of Subak, Bali's traditional irrigation system, with stages that range from planning and development to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The development stage focuses on improving planting media and promotion, while the implementation phase includes planting and the creation of irrigation channels. Monitoring is conducted through routine checks to assess the impact and performance of the program sustainably. Key partners, such as the Head of Sidan Village, village officials, and Kissidan Eco Hill staff, play an essential role in ensuring the smooth operation and success of this program. The optimization of Kissidan Eco Hill can be further enhanced by developing a sensory garden. The available planting area at Kissidan Eco Hill is sufficient to accommodate the planting of various plants that support the establishment of a sensory garden

Transport behavior of Polymeric Methyl Methacrylate nanoplastics in saturated and unsaturated porous media: Combined influence of electrolyte and organic acids

The migration behavior of Polymeric Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) nanoplastics in saturated porous media and unsaturated porous media is investigated under conditions of electrolytes in combination with organic acids. In the saturated porous media, the mass recovery rate of PMMA decreases with ionic strength. The inhibition effect of Ca2+ on PMMA transport is stronger than that of Na+. Under the conditions of the coexistence of electrolytes with humic acid (HA), increasing the concentration of HA does not consistently enhance PMMA migration in porous media. However, citric acid (CA) exerts solely an inhibitory effect on PMMA transport. The orthogonal analysis suggests that Ca2+ concentration is the major factor affecting PMMA transport. Extended Darjaguin-Landau-Verwe-Overbeek (XDLVO) interaction energy considering the heterogeneity of HA adsorption on PMMA is calculated to quantify the interactions of PMMA-PMMA and PMMA-quartz sand under different physiochemical conditions. In unsaturated porous media, gravity leads to the creation of dominant channels, and the shear force of water flow in porous media leads to the rapid passage of PMMA through the dominant channels. However, as the water content decreases, the recovery rate of PMMA decreases from 0.99 to 0.71. Significantly, the capillary energy of a colloid retained in a thin film or at the air-water-solid (AWS) interface is several orders of magnitude larger than the XDLVO interaction energy. Findings obtained by this study may improve the current understanding of the environmental fate of nanoplastics in subsurface environments and can provide scientific methods to assess the associated risk of nanoplastics.

Miryam de Flores: The Woman of the Port. The Legacy of a Female TV Auteur From the Colombian Caribbean Region

This article highlights the contribution made by writer/director Miryam de Flores (1938–2008) to the emerging television industry in the Colombian Caribbean Region and analyses her vision as a female auteur in this economic, social and cultural context. Miryam de Flores was born in Barranquilla, Colombia and from a young age she worked in the media industry. In 1984, the Colombian government authorised the creation of regional television channels throughout the country. In this context, Telecaribe was founded in 1986, a television channel that covers the seven territorial entities of the Colombian Caribbean Region. In Telecaribe’s early years, Miryam de Flores played a leading role writing/directing two sitcoms, a children’s news programme, a telenovela, and a cultural magazine, among other productions. Particularly, as will be analyzed in this article, her telenovela “La Mujer del Puerto” (1990–1992) (The Woman of the Port) became a narrative with a female gaze and an approach connected to the cultural identity of the Colombian Caribbean region. Miryam de Flores played a key role in setting the pillars of Telecaribe and providing a female gaze to the productions developed in this emerging television channel.

Integration of extended reality and CAE in the context of industry 4.0

ABSTRACT Simulation plays a major role in the development of new products and is considered one of the nine technological pillars of Industry 4.0. By encapsulating a plethora of digital tools, simulation has transitioned towards what is known as Computer Aided Engineering (CAE), which further enables engineers to validate the design and ensure product performance. The development of cutting-edge digital technologies, such as Extended Reality (XR), has also gained attention aiming at the facilitation of human-machine interface (HMI) and the creation of communication channels for improved remote collaboration. The contribution of this study lies in the design and development of a cloud-based framework for the integration of CAE tools with Mixed Reality (MR), specifically, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), focusing on industrial refrigeration systems design and editing applications. Furthermore, the developed solution provides augmented 3D visualizations overlaid on the existing installations. The proposed framework supports the virtual co-existence of engineers during the design phase, thus enabling collaboration and mentoring between experienced and young engineers. Additionally, it can be realized as a Cloud platform, which supports the distribution of several services such as storage of CAD files, simulation results, and the XR application for the setup and visualization of simulation results.

Heterogeneous solvent dissipation coupled with particle rearrangement in shear-thinning non-Brownian suspensions.

Dense non-Brownian suspensions exhibit significant shear thinning, although a comprehensive understanding of the full scope of this phenomenon remains elusive. This study numerically reveals intimate heterogenous coupled dynamics between many-body particle motions and solvent hydrodynamics in shear-thinning non-Brownian suspensions. In our simulation systems, we do not account for frictional contact forces, reflecting experimental conditions under low shear rates where shear thinning occurs, while hydrodynamic interactions are directly incorporated using the Smoothed Profile Method. We demonstrate the spatially correlated viscous dissipation and particle motions; they share the same characteristic length, which decreases with increasing shear rate. We further show that, at lower shear rates, significant particle density changes are induced against the incompressibility of the solvent, suggesting the cooperative creation and annihilation of gaps and flow channels. We discuss that hydrodynamic interactions may substantially restrict particle rearrangements even in highly dense suspensions, influencing the quantitative aspects of macroscopic rheology.

Recent Treatment Strategies and Molecular Pathways in Resistance Mechanisms of Antiangiogenic Therapies in Glioblastoma.

Malignant gliomas present great difficulties in treatment, with little change over the past 30 years in the median survival time of 15 months. Current treatment options include surgery, radiotherapy (RT), and chemotherapy. New therapies aimed at suppressing the formation of new vasculature (antiangiogenic treatments) or destroying formed tumor vasculature (vascular disrupting agents) show promise. This study summarizes the existing knowledge regarding the processes by which glioblastoma (GBM) tumors acquire resistance to antiangiogenic treatments. The discussion encompasses the activation of redundant proangiogenic pathways, heightened tumor cell invasion and metastasis, resistance induced by hypoxia, creation of vascular mimicry channels, and regulation of the tumor immune microenvironment. Subsequently, we explore potential strategies to overcome this resistance, such as combining antiangiogenic therapies with other treatment methods, personalizing treatments for each patient, focusing on new therapeutic targets, incorporating immunotherapy, and utilizing drug delivery systems based on nanoparticles. Additionally, we would like to discuss the limitations of existing methods and potential future directions to enhance the beneficial effects of antiangiogenic treatments for patients with GBM. Therefore, this review aims to enhance the research outcome for GBM and provide a more promising opportunity by thoroughly exploring the mechanisms of resistance and investigating novel therapeutic strategies.

An analytical model for permeability coefficient of soil-structure interface composed of different capillaries

The soil-structure interface, representing the contact surface between soil and structures such as buildings or rocks, assumes critical importance in water-related projects like earth dams, cut-off walls, side slopes, foundation pits, and water tunnels. Monitoring reports and studies consistently identify this interface as a vulnerable zone susceptible to seepage-related accidents. Despite this recognition, research on the topic has been limited, with a predominant focus on experimental methods that tend to underestimate permeability. This paper presents an analytical model, grounded in capillary theory, for calculating the permeability coefficient of the soil-structure interface. The study explores the differences in permeability between the interfacial soil and far-field soil. The study concludes that the higher porosity of the interfacial soil (porosity ≥ 0.48) compared to the far-field soil (porosity: 0.26–0.48) is a key factor in rendering the soil-structure interface susceptible to seepage. The calculated permeability coefficient of the interface, in relation to experimental values, exhibits a consistent ratio of 2.5–2.6 when the soil porosity is below 0.43, indicating reliable predictive utility. Moreover, the permeability coefficient of the interfacial soil proves to be at least 4.05–6.67 times larger than that of the far-field soil, potentially leading to the creation of preferential seepage channels at the interface.

Stable creation of a single plasma channel and collimated fast electrons using large-scale PIC simulations with new dynamic load-balancing technique

We developed a PIC code using new load balancing technique, in which the lower load processes help the higher load processes. A test calculation indicates more than 10 times faster than that without load balancing. Large scale 3-d calculations indicate the formation of central current whose density is close to critical density, supported by the magnetic field inside the channel.

Self‐Assembled Hydrazide‐Based Nanochannels: Efficient Water Translocation and Salt Rejection

Nature has ingeniously developed specialized water transporters that effectively reject ions, including protons, while transporting water across membranes. These natural water channels, known as aquaporins (AQPs), have inspired the creation of Artificial Water Channels (AWCs). However, replicating superfast water transport with synthetic molecular structures that exclude salts and protons is a challenging task. This endeavor demands the coexistence of a suitable water‐binding site and a selective filter for precise water transportation. Here, we present small‐molecule hydrazides 1b−1d that self‐assemble into a rosette‐type nanochannel assembly through intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π‐π stacking interactions, and selectively transport water molecules across lipid bilayer membranes. The experimental analysis demonstrates notable permeability rates for the 1c derivative, enabling approximately 3.18 × 108 water molecules to traverse the channel per second. This permeability rate is about one order of magnitude lower than that of AQPs. Of particular significance, the 1c ensures exclusive passage of water molecules while effectively blocking salts and protons. MD simulation studies confirmed the stability and water transport properties of the water channel assembly inside the bilayer membranes at ambient conditions.

Self-Assembled Hydrazide-Based Nanochannels: Efficient Water Translocation and Salt Rejection.

Nature has ingeniously developed specialized water transporters that effectively reject ions, including protons, while transporting water across membranes. These natural water channels, known as aquaporins (AQPs), have inspired the creation of Artificial Water Channels (AWCs). However, replicating superfast water transport with synthetic molecular structures that exclude salts and protons is a challenging task. This endeavor demands the coexistence of a suitable water-binding site and a selective filter for precise water transportation. Here, we present small-molecule hydrazides 1b-1d that self-assemble into a rosette-type nanochannel assembly through intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions, and selectively transport water molecules across lipid bilayer membranes. The experimental analysis demonstrates notable permeability rates for the 1c derivative, enabling approximately 3.18 × 108 water molecules to traverse the channel per second. This permeability rate is about one order of magnitude lower than that of AQPs. Of particular significance, the 1c ensures exclusive passage of water molecules while effectively blocking salts and protons. MD simulation studies confirmed the stability and water transport properties of the water channel assembly inside the bilayer membranes at ambient conditions.

When socialization fails: breaking the habit of engagement with China

Abstract Why do states sustain failing policy? The literature on path dependency and cognitive habits shows how foreign policy logics become axiomatic. Yet these explanations focus too much on people and not enough on policies. We argue that the content of policies matters for the degree and depth of their entrenchment. Policies with long-term time horizons, immeasurable objectives and diffuse effects are especially vulnerable to stasis. Engagement policies toward China are a paradigmatic example. We focus on Canada's engagement policy, which exhibits both stasis and change, and refer to similar policies of other countries. Drawing on primary evidence including interviews with high-level diplomats and decision-makers, we find that engagement aimed at socializing China was sustained despite growing evidence of its failure—including through a multi-year diplomatic crisis. Change only became possible through ‘institutionalized debate’, meaning the purposeful creation of formal channels for debate. The article makes three contributions. First, we identify a novel explanation of stasis, showing that the content of policies matters. Second, we introduce a practical pathway—institutionalized debate—that can disrupt stasis once a policy logic is habituated. Finally, we identify an aspect of socialization ignored in the literature: when operationalized as policy, it becomes resistant to reversal.

Branched flow of light and interplay with input phase front curvature in a disordered photonic lattice

Branched flow refers to the bifurcation of waves as they propagate through customized disordered media, leading to the creation of multiple channels or branches. This dynamic wave phenomenon has been observed in various disordered systems under specific conditions. In our study, we demonstrate the branched flow of light within a disordered photonic lattice and establish that the intensity distribution of these branches follows Lévy statistics. This behavior is more pronounced when the wavefront of the input light beam is adjusted, resulting in the propagation of more stable branches through the structure. We also investigated the formation of light branches with varying input beam widths and the impact of two simultaneous input beams on the disordered photonic lattice. Our findings indicate that the distribution of branches in the disordered system can be controlled by shaping the wavefront of the input beam, which has potential applications in imaging, nano-lasing, and integrated photonic components. This research opens new avenues for fundamental studies on the manipulation of light through complex photonic systems.

A Matthew MXene (Ti3C2Tx) Lamellar Membrane as a Potassium-Sieving Amplifier

Transport channels with ultrahigh K+ selectivity over other ions play a crucial role for living beings, but constructing ionic channels with promising K+ selectivity and permeability remains a challenge. Here, an asymmetric bilayer membrane based on MXene (Ti3C2Tx) lamellar channels consisting of a recognition layer (RL) on top of an enhancement layer (EL) exhibits an amazing Matthew effect: amplification of the preferred transport of K+, resulting in an excellent K+-separation performance. The K+ ion is selected by the 1-aza-18-crown-6 ether-modified RL, owing to preferential affinity energy, and then rapidly transported as a hydrated ion through the EL, based on the confinement effect. Other undesired ions such as Na+ are hindered from entering the RL by the preferred K+ occupation of the crown ether. The MXene (Ti3C2Tx)-based Matthew membrane presents high K+-permeation rates of 0.1–0.2 mol∙m–2∙h–1, with a significant K+/Na+ selectivity of 5–9. The molecular separation mechanism of the Matthew membrane is investigated deeply to explore the nature of the Matthew amplification effect on K+ sieving, where the precise matching of the RL and EL within the membrane governs the fast K+ permeation with good selectivity. The asymmetric structure of our Matthew membrane is the key to understanding the biological function of ion channels for precise and fast ion transport, which will guide us in the creation of artificial ion channels or membranes.

FOREIGN EXPERIENCE IN IMPLEMENTING QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN THE PROVISION OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES

The article examines modern models of quality of local self-government bodies' activities aimed at improving the quality of municipal services: TQM schools; standardized models of management systems; models of organizational excellence; models of diagnostic self-assessment and other models aimed at achieving high quality of municipal services. It is established that the introduction of a quality management system in the activities of local self-government bodies, created in accordance with the international standards of the ISO 9000 series, is one of the most effective methods of increasing the efficiency of local self-government bodies, improving the quality of municipal services, and identifying the needs and interests of residents of the territorial community. The results of the study of best practices in the implementation of municipal service quality management systems in the partner cities of the UNDP Municipal Governance and Sustainable Development Program project are analysed. Attention is drawn to such quality assessment methods as the Balanced Scorecard (BSC); the Theory of «Learning Organizations»; Knowledge Management; the Theory and practice of Change Management; and Benchmarking Technology. The study of the peculiarities of municipal service provision suggests that it is necessary to revise the principles of selection of municipal employees who perform the functions of providing services to citizens, in addition to professional qualities, to pay attention to personal qualities, since close contact with consumers implies the influence of the human factor on service activities; it is necessary to establish public control over the provision of municipal services and ensure feedback between the subjects of municipal service provision and consumers, creation of channels for systematic submission of complaints and suggestions; delegation of customer service powers to private entities while maintaining the control functions of public authorities; implementing artificial intelligence technologies to further improve the quality of municipal services.

Fast Li-ion battery chemistry enabled by small-sized solvent

Carbonate-based electrolytes, known for their high solvation energy and high ionic conductivity at room temperature, present significant challenges in ultra-low temperature and fast charging applications. In the February issue of Nature, Fan and colleagues demonstrated that utilizing solvents like fluoroacetonitrile with small molecular size and low solvation energy, facilitates the creation of rapid ion-conduction ligand channels and enables the formation of an inorganic-rich interphase for high-performance ionic batteries, effectively addressing the aforementioned challenges.

Customizing an all‐in‐one polydimethylsiloxane‐based electroanalytical platform using a 3D‐pen templated channel

AbstractThe combination of 3D‐printing technology and microfluidics has garnered widespread interest for creating new designs and has opened a large window for creativity. However, some laboratories do not have the necessary technology to explore this potential advantage. In this paper, we demonstrate how to explore target technologies to fabricate a single version of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)‐based electroanalytical platform using a low‐cost protocol and disposable materials. This protocol is cost‐effective in terms of equipment and materials, allowing for the creation of a circular channel, a T‐junction system, and two designs of electrochemical detectors customized onto a single platform. The interesting new device has some important characteristics, such as fabrication following green and sustainable protocols. Additionally, it can address the limitations associated with flow‐based analysis, for which the classical three‐electrode configuration is inadequate. It has also demonstrated the feasibility of using the device in analytical applications for the determination of salicylic acid in commercial dermocosmetic samples, including aqueous samples.

Russian regional television: formation and development of the national TV channel “Sakha”

RELEVANCE. The study examined the processes of formation and development of the national television channel “Sakha” (broadcasting territory – the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)). Based on materials from regulatory documents and publications in periodicals, the author systematizes the creation and functioning of a national regional television channel. The chronological scope of the study (from 2002 to 2012) is determined by the following factors: 2002 – the opening of the republican television broadcasting channel in the region, 2012 – the beginning of the formation of a new infrastructure of Russian television in connection with the transition to digital broadcasting. Purpose of the study: to analyze and record the stages of formation of the national television channel in Yakutia in the period from creation to the transition to digital broadcasting.MATERIALS AND METHODS. The empirical base of the study consists of periodicals stored in the National Library of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) named after A.S. Pushkin, which reflect the events of the period under study, as well as materials from regulatory documents. The study used comparative historical analysis and a systematic method.RESULT AND DISCUSSION. The analysis made it possible to reveal that the state policy of the region actively contributed to the development of regional television of the period under study by updating and expanding its material and technical base, which led to an improvement in indicators at various levels - an increase in broadcasting volumes, an increase in the number of television programs in the Yakut language, as well as the creation of a fundamentally different from the post-Soviet model of the TV channel concept.CONCLUSION. The results of the study may be useful for further study of the history of television in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in the context of the overall development of the modern media system of the region and the country as a whole.

Risk of acute kidney injury after lower urinary tract reconstruction with early NSAID therapy: A propensity matched retrospective analysis

The opioid epidemic response led to increased use of postoperative, non-opioid analgesia. Some pediatric urologists do not routinely use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for fear of causing acute kidney injury (AKI). While previous studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of NSAIDs in children, safety after lower urinary tract reconstruction has not been well characterized. ptUsing the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria for AKI (increase in creatinine ≥0.3mg/dL or increase in creatinine ≥1.5x baseline or urine output <0.5mL/kg/hr for 6h), we hypothesized there would be a difference in the incidence of postoperative AKI between patients who did and did not receive NSAIDs following surgery. Patients 2-18 years old who underwent lower urinary tract reconstruction (i.e., bladder augmentation and/or creation of a catheterizable channel) from 2009 to 2021 and had documented urine output were retrospectively reviewed. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage was calculated from creatinine and cystatin C within 6 months of surgery using the CKiD U25 equations. Patients who received NSAIDs were propensity matched on 11 characteristics with patients undergoing similar surgeries who did not receive NSAIDs. The primary outcome was incidence of AKI within 48h of surgery. The unmatched cohorts included 243 patients. Propensity matching identified 166 patients in the NSAID arm and 41 in the no NSAID arm. 26 patients with CKD stage 2-3 were included. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative AKI based on any KDIGO criteria (17.1% no NSAID versus 16.3% NSAID, p=0.87). Median postoperative opioids fell from 0.88mg/kg in the no NSAID arm to 0.37mg/kg morphine equivalents in the NSAID arm, although this was not statistically significant. Log-rank testing by Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated no difference in time to incidence of low urine output between the groups (p=0.32). In the whole population not stratified by NSAID use, no differences were seen in AKI between those with and without CKD (16.7% with versus 17.9% without CKD). There was no difference in the incidence of postoperative AKI among patients who did and did not receive NSAIDs after lower urinary tract reconstruction, excluding those with advanced CKD. These results support that postoperative NSAIDs were an unlikely source of AKI. However, AKI remained a risk following these surgeries, regardless of NSAID use, likely owing to underlying disease, longer operations, and fluid shifts.

Full solar-spectrum available Z-scheme MOF-on-MOF heterostructure for highly efficient photocatalytic VSCs removal

The construction of efficient photocatalysts with strong response to sunlight is crucial for clean and sustainable pollutant degradation and environmental remediation. Herein, a novel MOF-on-MOF structural photocatalyst named HKU@MIL with Z-scheme heterojunction was successfully designed. The light response of the composites effectively extends to the whole solar spectrum through a simple activation process, addressing the issue of the low utilization of sunlight by photocatalysts. The photocatalytic degradation rate of methyl mercaptan by activated HKU@MIL is 2.2, 3.2, and 1.8 times higher than that of NH2-MIL-125, HKUST-1, and HKU/MIL-5 (physical mixtures), respectively. Under simulated sunlight irradiation, the rate constant increases to 0.507 min−1, which is 1.4 times higher than that under visible light. Additionally, the composites exhibit good photocatalytic performance when irradiated with near-infrared light alone. The heterojunction type of the photocatalyst was investigated according to in-depth analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Additionally, the interfacial charge transmission mode of the composites and the probable pathways for methyl mercaptan degradation were explored through band structure analysis, radical quenching tests and electron spin resonance analysis. The improved photocatalytic performance of activated HKU@MIL can be attributed to the full solar spectral response and the successful creation of the Z-scheme electron migration channel, which serves to reinforces the electron pump effect. It achieves this by improving the transmission of photogenerated carriers and ensuring the strongest redox potential. This work presents a new perspective on enhancing the utilization of sunlight by photocatalysts and improving the photocatalytic performance of heterojunction photocatalysts used in environmental remediation.