Exchange Potential Research Articles

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of COVID-19 among the Exposed Frontline Police Workers in Eastern Uttar Pradesh Region: An Exploratory Study

Background: The world has been hit by an unknown obstacle in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic. India also faced a never seen before situation in trying to contain the spread of COVID-19 by enforcing one of the most stringent lockdowns in the world. The billion-plus population of the country throws a severe challenge at the operational level in enforcing the measures. The frontline workers in these trying times such as the Police, Central Industrial Security Force, health-care workers, volunteers, and essential service workers have done a praiseworthy job under exceptionally hard conditions. Aim: The study aimed to investigate the awareness of COVID-19 among the frontline police workers who were posted during lockdown in our state. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire comprising 25 questions was randomly distributed among the police personnel who were on COVID-19 duty. The knowledge they had was assembled, assessed, and scrutinized. Results: A total of 150 police officers took part in the study. Mean age of 39.91 ± 9.96 years was seen. The majority of them had enough knowledge about the ongoing pandemic and they were seen to be taking good precautions to fight the virus. Conclusion: The joint effort of public and the frontline workers was the mainstream reason to bring our country back on track. Police had put their best efforts into controlling the spread of this contagion by maintaining a strict lockdown. They did immensely well and we as citizens should be grateful to them for protecting us from this pandemic.

HYDROGEL BASED ON STARCH, ACRYLAMIDE AND KAOLINE

The reduction of water resources in Central Asia forces agriculture to switch to water-saving technologies in the future. One of the ways of rational use of water resources is the use of highly swelling polymer hydrogels (HSP). A hydrogel based on starch, acrylamide, and kaolin was obtained based on a radical copolymerization reaction. In these studies, a superabsorbent composite was synthesized, obtained by the reaction of grafted copolymerization of acrylamide and potato starch in a ratio of 2:1, based on starch, acrylamide, and kaolin. Studies have shown that a superabsorbent composite with the best properties was obtained using 1 wt. % potassium persulfate, 0.8 wt. % methylene bisacrylamide and 2 wt. % aqueous kaolin solution. The rate of swelling of the hydrogel was determined, and it was shown that the moisture absorption of the hydrogel reached 890 g. This proposed method of producing super absorbent composites using natural resources such as starch, and kaolin, of course, reduces the cost of production and also makes the material environmentally friendly.

Exploring the Cultural Exchange Potential of Learning Chinese as a Second Language in Pakistan

As China’s global influence grows, there is a growing interest in learning Chinese as a second language in many countries worldwide. In Pakistan, the potential for cultural exchange between China and Pakistan represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve mutual understanding and strengthen bilateral ties. This paper aims to investigate the cultural exchange potential of learning Chinese as a second language in Pakistan through online surveys. In this paper, encouraging Chinese language education in Pakistan can play an important role in facilitating cultural exchange and strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries.

The Mother in Kore-eda's Broker : Striking New Reverberations in the Korean Context

Abstract: This article's interest in Hirokazu Kore-eda's Broker (2022) is twofold. First, it analyzes the visual text to unwrap the ideas of conventionality that are subtly debunked in the making of an unconventional family, amidst which it analyzes the mother character to be a central force of redemption and union. Ultimately, it argues the role of motherhood in this new family unit to be that of an imaginary and ideological vessel. Second, it positions this idea against the history of Korean cinema, where decades of films have similarly glorified motherhood as an unconditional love that redeems. Yet Kore-eda's radical image of a teenage sex worker as the bearer of this ideology simultaneously resonates with a different strand of Korean films: half-commercial half-arthouse films from the mid-1990s and 2000s known as "high-quality films." Motherhood is one of two connections that can be drawn between Broker and high-quality films. While the mother aligns with the female precedents of these films by together pushing the boundaries of the Korean cinematic mother, her pivotal role in the making of a new kind of family also connects to depictions of "alternative families." Such reverberations are meaningful not only in allowing Broker to be positioned within the context of Korean film history as a story that interlaces with the ideas of Korean films despite being made by a non-Korean auteur, but also in illuminating the trans- and multi-national nature of (art) films today, where the lowering of the national boundaries surrounding auteurs are leading to multi-contextual films.

The Integral Role of Political Parties in the Democratic Movement of 1950

Political scientists differ in the definition of democracy. Some see it as liberal reforms or structural changes brought about by opposition parties, while others see it as the overthrow of an authoritarian administration and the first democratic elections. In Nepal, the definition of democracy and democratic movement varies, starting as an anti-Rana movement against the totalitarian state of one family rule. The anti-Rana campaign in Nepal served as the seed for the democratic movement. Plots and violence entered Nepali politics when people’s involvement in politics had decreased, which resulted in Jung Bahadur’s foundation of Rana authority in 1846. The democratic system, which was founded on the public’s involvement for fundamental rights, started to topple the repressive and authoritarian government. Since 1950, a great number of Nepali heroes have given their lives to bring democracy to their country. The purpose of this study is to uncover the political parties’ unacknowledged contributions to Nepal’s democracy struggle. This paper examines the multifaceted involvement of the political parties, highlighting the diverse strategies, mobilization techniques, and collaborative efforts that shaped the outcome of the democratic movement. Based on qualitative research method this paper shapes interpretivism utilizing and analyzing political movements and revolt change is Hegel’s Dialectical and David Easton’s Political System Theory. Hegel’s notion of “thesis-antithesis and synthesis,” which advances society, describes the conflict between outmoded and progressive concepts. The input-process-output combination that connects political parties and mass mobilization is the focus of Eastons’ theory. This paper briefly introduces Contextualizing the democratic movement in Nepal and its significance. It also highlights the Nepal’s historical and political context, tracing the events leading up to the 1950. Qualitative data about the topic under discussion has been gathered through in-depth interviews and library research. It is restricted to research on the topic’s history. The country’s democratic movement has been a central force shaping its evolution, with political parties serving as both catalysts and conduits for change. This article delves into the crucial role of political parties in Nepal’s democratic movement, highlighting their contributions, challenges, and the ongoing significance they hold in the nation’s political landscape.

A Cascaded Phase-Transfer Microfluidic Chip with Magnetic Probe for High-Activity Sorting, Purification, Release, and Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells.

Microfluidic chips have emerged as a promising tool for sorting and enriching circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood, while the efficacy and purity of CTC sorting greatly depend on chip design. Herein, a novel cascaded phase-transfer microfluidic chip was developed for high-efficiency sorting, purification, release, and detection of MCF-7 cells (as a model CTC) in blood samples. MCF-7 cells were specifically captured by EpCAM aptamer-modified magnetic beads and then introduced into the designed cascaded phase-transfer microfluidic chip that consisted of three functional regions (sorting, purification, and release zone). In the sorting zone, the MCF-7 cells moved toward the inner wall of the channel and entered the purification zone for primary separation from white blood cells; in the purification zone, the MCF-7 cells were transferred to the phosphate-buffered saline flow under the interaction of Dean forces and central magnetic force, achieving high purification of MCF-7 cells from blood samples; in the release zone, MCF-7 cells were further transferred into the nuclease solution and fixed in groove by the strong magnetic force and hydrodynamic force, and the continuously flowing nuclease solution cleaved the aptamer on the trapped MCF-7 cells, causing gentle release of MCF-7 cells for subsequent inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection or further cultivation. By measurement of the endogenous element Zn in the cells using ICP-MS for cell counting, an average cell recovery of 84% for MCF-7 cells was obtained in spiked blood samples. The developed method was applied in the analysis of real blood samples from healthy people and breast cancer patients, and CTCs were successfully detected in all tested patient samples (16/16). Additionally, the removal of the magnetic probes on the cell surface significantly improved cell viability up to 99.3%. Therefore, the developed cascaded phase-transfer microfluidic chip ICP-MS system possessed high integration for CTCs analysis with high cell viability, cell recovery, and purity, showing great advantages in early clinical cancer diagnosis.

DETERMINATION OF THE THERMODYNAMIC PARAMETERS OF α-IRON IN BINARY SYSTEMS Fe-Cr AND Fe-Ti

This article presents the results of calculations of the thermodynamic parameters of binary Fe-Cr and Fe-Ti systems based on their state diagrams using the Bjerrum-Guggenheim osmotic coefficient, for the region of iron crystallization from the iron activity of an ideal α-γ solution for the above systems. When calculating the lines of phase equilibrium in the Fe-Cr and Fe-Ti systems, it was established that the Bjerrum-Guggenheim coefficient can serve as an assessment parameter characterizing the role of exchange forces between atoms, and by its dimension (Фi><1) one can qualitatively judge the nature of the intermolecular interactions in the system. The results of this work made it possible to correctly solve the direct Gibbs problem, namely, to obtain an analytical dependence of phase compositions on temperature at phase equilibria based on the laws of phase formation. It is shown that with the help of the Bjerrumm-Guggenheim osmotic coefficient (Fi), the real equilibrium in the system under study can be determined in detail and their correct analytical expression can be obtained. When calculating phase equilibrium lines in systems with different types of interaction between components, it was established that the Bjerrum-Guggenheim coefficient can serve as an assessment parameter characterizing the role of exchange forces between atoms. Keywords: thermodynamics; Bjerrum-Guggenheim coefficient; state diagram; osmotic coefficient; binary systems.

Avoiding spin contamination and spatial symmetry breaking by exact-exchange-only optimized-effective-potential methods within the symmetrized Kohn-Sham framework.

For open-shell atoms and molecules, Kohn-Sham (KS) methods typically resort to spin-polarized approaches that exhibit spin-contamination and often break spatial symmetries. As a result, the KS Hamiltonian operator and the KS orbitals do not exhibit the space and spin symmetry of the physical electron system. The KS formalism can be symmetrized in a rigorous way only in real space, only in spin space, or both in real and spin space. Within such symmetrized KS frameworks, we present exact-exchange-only optimized-effective-potential (OEP) methods that are free of spin contamination and/or spatial symmetry breaking. The effect of symmetrizations on the total energy and its parts and on the exchange potential is analyzed. The presented exact-exchange-only OEP methods may serve as a starting point for high-level symmetrized KS methods based, e.g., on the adiabatic-connection fluctuation-dissipation theorem.

Thermo‐electrohydrodynamic convection in the thermally driven spherical shell with differential rotation

AbstractThis study investigates thermo‐electrohydrodynamics (TEHD) convection in the thermally driven spherical shell with differential shell rotation. The TEHD convection is induced by an electric tension applied at the inner spherical shell whereas the outer shell is grounded. Hence, an electric central force field is present similar to terrestrial gravity in a planetary system. Spherical rotation mimics planetary rotation and is used to investigate the convective nature of the spherical gap. The results demonstrate four main convective regimes that depend on the strength of the electric tension and rotational forcing. The convective pattern formation is investigated by a Hammer‐Aitov projection, the radial and meridional velocity components to indicate convective or advective fluid motion related to the individual forcing. The heat transfer is characterised by the Nusselt number and showed a strong dependence on the forcing.

Theoretical and experimental study of the optoelectronic, thermodynamic and vibrational properties of the nanostructure of m-WO3

Tungsten trioxide (WO3), an n-type semiconductor, has attracted attention due to its diversity of properties, such as catalytic activity, gas sensing capabilities, photochromic behavior, and its ability to absorb both ultraviolet and visible light. This study aimed to investigate the monoclinic phase of the synthesized WO3 (m-WO3) through a combination of computational and experimental studies. We present the results of a theoretical investigation on m-WO3 using first-principles calculations (ab initio) and the pseudopotential model of plane waves. The Density Functional Theory (DFT) was employed, utilizing both the Local Density Approximation (LDA) and Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) to account for exchange potential and correlation effects. Structural properties, electron band structure, electron density of states, and optical properties (reflectivity and optical absorption) were computed for the optimized nanostructure at its lowest energy state. A comparison between the calculated lattice parameters and theoretical/experimental results revealed a good agreement. Furthermore, the thermodynamic potentials and specific heat at the constant volume of the nanostructure were calculated. Infrared (IR) and Raman spectra within the frequency range of 0–1000 cm−1 were estimated and assigned, and the results were compared with experimental data and demonstrated good agreement with the literature.

Snow Accumulation Variability at the South Pole From 1983 to 2020, Associated With Central Tropical Pacific Forcing

AbstractDespite a variety of efforts made to measure snow accumulation at the South Pole (SP), snow accumulation changes and their mechanism have not yet been fully explained. Here, SP stake farm measurements, global sea surface temperature observations, and atmospheric circulation data from European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis version 5 were used to investigate the annual and seasonal snow accumulation changes at the SP during 1983–2020, and their association with central tropical Pacific Sea surface temperature variations. SP annual snow accumulation decreased significantly for the 1983–2007 period at a rate of −39.7 ± 1.4 mm decade−1, but switched to a dramatically positive trend during 2008–2020 (108.7 ± 2.7 mm decade−1), with the strongest increase in the austral autumn. The switch to a dramatically upward trend can largely be attributed to a cyclonic anomaly over the South Atlantic and an anticyclonic anomaly over the Drake Passage, causing the enhanced advection of warm and wet air into the SP. These circulation patterns were generated by an atmospheric Rossby wave train forced by rapid warming in the central tropical Pacific during 2008–2020.

Probing chiral discrimination in biological systems using atomic force microscopy: The role of van der Waals and exchange interactions

We analyze from a theoretical perspective recent experiments where chiral discrimination in biological systems was established using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Even though intermolecular forces involved in AFM measurements have different origins, i.e., electrostatic, bonding, exchange, and multipole interactions, the key molecular forces involved in enantiospecific biorecognition are electronic spin exchange and van der Waals (vdW) dispersion forces, which are sensitive to spin–orbit interaction (SOI) and space-inversion symmetry breaking in chiral molecules. The vdW contribution to chiral discrimination emerges from the inclusion of SOI and spin fluctuations due to the chiral-induced selectivity effect, a result we have recently demonstrated theoretically. Considering these two enantiospecific contributions, we show that the AFM results regarding chiral recognition can be understood in terms of a simple physical model that describes the different adhesion forces associated with different electron spin polarization generated in the (DD), (LL), and (DL) enantiomeric pairs, as arising from the spin part of the exchange and vdW contributions. The model can successfully produce physically reasonable parameters accounting for the vdW and exchange interaction strength, accounting for the chiral discrimination effect. This fact has profound implications in biorecognition where the relevant intermolecular interactions in the intermediate-distance regime are clearly connected to vdW forces.

First Principle Study of Structural, Electronic, Optical Properties of Co-Doped ZnO

In this theoretical study, the electronic, structural, and optical properties of copper-doped zinc oxide (CZO) were investigated using the full-potential linearized enhanced plane wave method (FP-LAPW) based on the density functional theory (DFT). The Tran–Blaha modified Becke–Johnson exchange potential approximation (TB-mBJ) was employed to enhance the accuracy of the electronic structure description. The introduction of copper atoms as donors in the ZnO resulted in a reduction in the material’s band gap from 2.82 eV to 2.72 eV, indicating enhanced conductivity. This reduction was attributed to the Co-3d intra-band transitions, primarily in the spin-down configuration, leading to increased optical absorption in the visible range. The Fermi level of the pure ZnO shifted towards the conduction band, indicating metal-like characteristics in the CZO. Additionally, the CZO nanowires displayed a significant blue shift in their optical properties, suggesting a change in the energy band structure. These findings not only contribute to a deeper understanding of the CZO’s fundamental properties but also open avenues for its potential applications in optoelectronic and photonic devices, where tailored electronic and optical characteristics are crucial. This study underscores the significance of computational techniques in predicting and understanding the behavior of doped semiconductors, offering valuable insights for the design and development of novel materials for advanced electronic applications.

On groundwater flow and shallow geothermal potential: A surrogate model for regional scale analyses

Many cities worldwide lay upon alluvial aquifers which have a great potential for low temperature geothermal installations thanks to the thermal diffusive properties of saturated porous media and the constant temperature of the subsurface. In addition, aquifers with fast moving groundwater have a higher potential due to the additional energy replenishment by advection, which is often underestimated.This work aims at bridging the gap between quantitative hydro-thermal numerical analysis and regional scale assessment developing a process-based surrogate model for the estimation of the thermal exchange (geothermal) potential of ground source heat pumps (GSHP) considering groundwater advection. The proposed method is based on a synthetic 3D FEM model reproducing the infinite line source configuration and introducing groundwater advection. Conductive/advective g-functions were derived from the numerically simulated space-time thermal perturbation for a comprehensive set of hydrogeological regimes, and a surrogate model was developed by a machine learning (ML) regression of the thermal response of the system. This solution, beyond the run time of the numerical study and the ML training phase, is very fast, applicable at any scale and scalable to any desired depth.The trained model can be used to predict the geothermal potential of GSHP for almost all sedimentary basins around the world upon the availability of the required input data (aquifer thickness and saturation, aquifer porosity and groundwater flow velocity). In this study, large scale geothermal potential maps were generated from input layers implemented in a GIS, for a demonstrative area in northern Italy showing highly variable groundwater flow (Darcy velocity from 10−3 to 10+3 m/y). A promising increase (up to +250 %) in the thermal exchange potential of GSHP due to the contribution of advection was highlighted discussing the benefits of groundwater flow and the amount of usable potential with implications on shallow geothermal energy management and development.

Ab-Initio Investigation into the Physical Characteristics of CuInSe2 and CuInTe2 Compounds

In this study, an analysis of chalcopyrite compounds CuInTe2 and CuInTe2 is presented, with a focus on their electronic, structural, optical, and thermal properties. The full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method is employed for the investigation of these properties, based on a first-principles approach rooted in density functional theory (DFT). Two distinct approximations for the exchange and correlation potential, namely the WC-GGA and mBJ-GGA approximations, are considered in our calculations to ensure a robust and accurate examination of the materials under scrutiny. The findings obtained closely align with previously established theoretical and experimental data, thereby validating the reliability of our computational methodology. It is noteworthy that a novel dimension is introduced by this study, as the influence of both pressure and temperature on the thermal parameters of CuInTe2 and CuInTe2 compounds is explored. This facet of the research is distinguished by its innovative nature, as there is no prior record, to the best of our knowledge, of a similar analysis in the existing literature. The thermal properties are deemed of paramount significance, particularly in the context of crystal growth process optimization and the prediction of performance under extreme thermodynamic conditions.

Ab-initio calculation of halogen elements effect on the behavior of new double perovskite Cs2InSbX6 (X = F, Cl, Br, I): 1st part structural and optoelectronic properties

In recent years, there has been a growing fascination with lead-free perovskite materials, particularly in the realms of solar energy and photonics. It is imperative to conduct comprehensive theoretical investigations of these materials to effectively guide experimental pursuits. In this research, we harnessed the power of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, employing the Wien2k code, to delve into the distinctive characteristics of double-perovskite halides Cs2InSbX6 (X = F, Cl, Br, I). The viability and stability of their cubic structures were meticulously assessed, taking into consideration essential metrics such as the tolerance factor, octahedral factor and formation energy. Notably, the pronounced influence of spin–orbit coupling necessitated gap energy adjustments, achieved through a dual-pronged approach utilizing the generalized Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof gradient approximation (PBE-GGA) and the modified Becke-Johnson (mBJ) exchange potential. The intricacies of band structure and state density were scrutinized using the GGA + mBJ method. The comprehensive findings elucidate that these compounds manifest fundamental electronic bandgaps spanning a range from 0.26 to 2.67 eV. Furthermore, they exhibit remarkably low carrier effective masses and a substantial degree of band dispersion. Of significance is the profound influence of halogen atom substitutions on their optical properties. Notably, a high absorption coefficient in the ultraviolet spectrum and the presence of a negative real dielectric function provide strong evidence for the adoption of metallic properties within a specific energy range. These compelling outcomes underscore the potential of these materials as highly promising candidates for a diverse array of photonic applications.

Optogenetics Reveals Roles for Supporting Cells in Force Transmission to and From Outer Hair Cells in the Mouse Cochlea.

Outer hair cells (OHCs) of the organ of Corti (OoC), acting as bidirectional cellular mechanoelectrical transducers, generate, receive, and exchange forces with other major elements of the cochlear partition, including the sensory inner hair cells (IHCs). Force exchange is mediated via a supporting cell scaffold, including Deiters' (DC) and outer pillar cells (OPC), to enable the sensitivity and exquisite frequency selectivity of the mammalian cochlea and to transmit its responses to the auditory nerve. To selectively activate DCs and OPCs in male and female mice, we conditionally expressed in them a hyperpolarizing halorhodopsin (HOP), a light-gated inward chloride ion pump, and measured extracellular receptor potentials (ERPs) and their DC component (ERPDCs) from the cortilymph, which fills the OoC fluid spaces, and compared the responses with similar potentials from HOP-/- littermates. The compound action potentials (CAP) of the auditory nerve were measured as an indication of IHC activity and transmission of cochlear responses to the CNS. HOP light-activated hyperpolarization of DCs and OPCs suppressed cochlear amplification through changing the timing of its feedback, altered basilar membrane (BM) responses to tones at all measured levels and frequencies, and reduced IHC excitation. HOP activation findings reported here complement recent studies that revealed channelrhodopsin activation depolarized DCs and OPCs and effectively bypassed, rather than blocked, the control of OHC mechanical and electrical responses to sound and their contribution to timed and directed electromechanical feedback to the mammalian cochlea. Moreover, our findings identify DCs and OPCs as potential targets for the treatment of noise-induced hearing loss.

Comment on the article “A note on Newton's shell-point equivalency theorem” [Am. J. Phys. 90, 394 (2022)

When central forces follow a power law, Cameron Reed [Am. J. Phys. 90(5), 394–396 (2022)] showed that the resulting force on a test particle located outside an object with spherical symmetry is the same as if the source were located at the center of the sphere, if and only if the potential is either Newtonian, F ∝ r−2, or Hookean, F ∝ r. This Note shares another simple proof of this result and comments on the result in the light of the so-called transmutation law of central forces.

On the Use of Mobile Power Sources in Distribution Networks Under Endogenous Uncertainty

Mobile power sources (MPSs) have promising potential for spatiotemporal flexibility exchange in power distribution systems (DS). They can be strategically employed to enhance the network resilience when facing the aftermath of high-impact low-probability (HILP) events. This paper proposes a novel service restoration formulation that models and accounts for the endogenous uncertainty in the MPSs routing and scheduling decision making. The proposed restoration model is formulated as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem with nonconvex continuous relaxation. We derive computationally tractable linearization procedures to reformulate the MINLP model as an equivalent mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problem. Case studies on the IEEE 33-node and 123-node test systems demonstrate the role of incorporating endogenous uncertainties in the decision-making process and the effectiveness of the proposed restoration scheme in boosting the DS resilience.

Structural and Optoelectronic Properties of Cubic Perovskite Type XAlO3 (X = Gd and Dy) Theoretical Investigation

Abstract In this paper, we have performed a theoretical study using the linear augmented and linearized plane wave method (FP-LAPW) implemented in the Wien2k computational code based on density functional theory (DFT) to determine the structural, electronic and optical properties of GdAlO3 and DyAlO3 perovskites. The exchange and correlation potential are treated by the generalized gradient approximation of Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (GGA-PBE) and modified Becke-Johnson potential (mBJ). The structural properties such as lattice parameter, modulus of compressibility and its derivative are in good agreement with other theoretical results. The electronic properties, such as band structure and density of state revealed an indirect energy gap in the L - xG direction for GdAlO3, with gap values of 2.879 eV (GGA-PBE), 5.006 eV (mBJ) in spin-up and 2.286 eV (mBJ), 2.736 eV (mBJ) in spin-dn.for DyAlO3 perovskite, due to the over lap of the valence and conduction bands at Fermi level, which behaves like a metal oxide. We have also calculated the optical properties of these two compounds, such as dielectric function, refractive index, absorption coefficient and optical conductivity. They indicate that GdAlO3 and DyAlO3 perovskites could be useful for applications in UV photo catalysis.