Maximum Response Research Articles

Synchronous Control of High-Speed Train Lift Wing Angle of Attack Drive System Based on Chaotic Particle Swarm Optimization and Linear Auto-Disturbance Resistant Controller

In this study, a control scheme is proposed based on Chaotic Particle Swarm Optimization (CPSO) to enhance the Linear Auto-Disturbance Rejection Controller (LADRC). The focus is on addressing the challenge of high-precision variations in angle-of-attack through dual-motor cooperative control within the lifting wing of a high-speed train. The scheme initiates with the design of a dual-loop structure for LADRC, integrating position and current control. The position loop is further refined. Subsequently, the CPSO algorithm is employed to optimize the parameters of the LADRC controller. Ultimately, the loop is closed by feeding back the position error in the cross-coupled structure to the current loop, thereby achieving high-precision control. The performance of the proposed structure is validated through both Matlab/Simulink simulations and an experimental platform. The experimental results demonstrate that CPSO-LADRC, in comparison to traditional LADRC and Proportion-Integration-Differentiation (PID) control, exhibits an increase in the maximum response time by 3.76 s and 3.3 s, respectively, a reduction in overshoot by 1.12% and 0.8%, as well as a decrease in the maximum synchronization error by 0.45 cm and 1 cm, respectively. These findings validate the effectiveness of the proposed synchronous loop controller method in simplifying computational complexity, enhancing system responsiveness, robustness, and synchronization performance. Additionally, our approach facilitates precise angle-of-attack transformation for the lifting wings of high-speed trains effectively.

Seismic response analysis of single‐degree‐of‐freedom structure coupled with tuned self‐centering wall

AbstractThis paper investigates the possibility of using self‐centering walls (SCWs) as tuned mass dampers (TMDs) to control the seismic response of structures. The basic characteristics of this system are investigated using a two‐degree‐of‐freedom (2‐DOF) model, representing the main structure as a single‐degree‐of‐freedom (SDOF) oscillator interconnected with an SCW through viscous and elastic devices. The nonlinear equations of motion for the proposed coupled system are derived and then utilized to determine the displacement amplification response. The coupling parameters are optimized to minimize the dynamic response of the oscillator using a numerical method. A simulation study is conducted to investigate the response of the proposed system by considering six recorded earthquakes. Several parameters are studied, including the mass ratio, the influence of prestressing, and the slenderness angle of the wall. The displacement spectra are generated using the optimized parameters and compared to those of the uncoupled system and the traditional coupled system, which features a rigid connection between the structure and the wall. The results reveal that the proposed system effectively suppresses both maximum and root mean square responses of structures, outperforming the traditional coupled system in most cases. Improved performance for the proposed system can be achieved by increasing the wall's mass ratio and decreasing the slenderness angle. Moreover, prestressing has an adverse impact on the system's displacement response. Finally, the influence of wall flexibility is examined using a finite element model, revealing a minimal effect on the system's response.

Effects of ion implantation with arsenic and boron in germanium-tin layers

Ion implantation is widely used in the complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor process, which stimulates to study its role for doping control in rapidly emerging group IV Ge1−xSnx materials. We tested the impact of As and B implantation and of subsequent rapid thermal annealing (RTA) on the damage formation and healing of the Ge1−xSnx lattice. Ion implantation was done at 30, 40, and 150 keV and with various doses. The implantation profiles were confirmed using secondary ion mass spectrometry. X-ray diffraction in combination with Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopies indicated notable crystal damage with the increase of the implantation dose and energy. Significant damage recovery was confirmed after RTA treatment at 300 °C and to a larger extent at 400 °C for a Ge1−xSnx sample with Sn content less than 11%. A GeSn NP diode was fabricated after ion implantation. The device showed rectifying current-voltage characteristics with maximum responsivity and detectivity of 1.29 × 10−3 A/W and 3.0 × 106 cm (Hz)1/2/W at 77 K, respectively.

Near-Field Photoluminescence of WS<sub>2</sub> and MoS<sub>2</sub> Monolayers, Grown by Chemical Vapor Deposition

Monolayer triangular WS2 and MoS2 islands grown by chemical vapor deposition was investigated by near-field photoluminescence (nano-PL) enhanced by the metallized atomic force microscope (AFM) tip. To achieve maximum near-field response from WS2 and MoS2 materials fabricated Au and Ag metallized AFM tips were used. Maximum nano-PL responds from the islands is observed under the resonant conditions when the energy of the localized surface plasmon of the metallized probe coincides with the energy of the exciton luminescence of the WS2 and MoS2 materials. Nano-PL mapping of the exciton response allows visualizing structural defects and determine the local thickness changes of monolayer islands with nanometer spatial resolution.

Multi-effect coupling enhanced self-powered heterojunction ultraviolet photodetector with ultra-low detection limit

Convenient, small-sized, and self-powered sensor units are easier to integrate, making them the future development direction of photodetectors. GaN materials with wide band gap are powerful candidates for UV detection, but most GaN based self-powered UV photodetectors have poor detection ability for the weak UV light, which limits their applications. This study reports a self-powered UV photodetector based on BaTiO3/GaN heterojunction, which can detect ultra-weak UV light at a minimum of 0.68 nW/cm2 by coupling the ferroelectric polarization, anti-reflection effect, and pyro-phototronic effect. The polarized BaTiO3 thin film on the surface of GaN has an enhanced residual polarization field and generated anti-reflection effect, which can regulate the heterojunction band structure, suppress the dark current and minimize surface reflection of GaN. Simultaneously enhanced pyro-phototronic effect can significantly improve the response speed and responsivity of the device. The response time and recovery time of the device are as low as 8.794 ms and 5.018 ms. The maximum responsivity and detectivity are 88.206 mA/W and 7.392 × 1013 Jones, respectively, increased by 359% and 6065% compared to the device before polarization. Thanks to excellent material stability, the device has a sensitive and uniform response to continuously incident UV light. In addition, by simulating flame generation, it has been proven that the device has brilliant performance in flame detection and can achieve remote monitoring and fire warning functions. These results can promote the potential application of self-powered UV photodetectors based on BaTiO3/GaN heterojunction in environmental monitoring and space communication fields.

Humidity-resistant hydrogen sensors based on rare-earth-doped tin dioxide nanofibers with hydrophobic mesoporous silica sieve encapsulation

Air humidity is a major factor that degrades the performance and long-term stability of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) based gas sensors. In this work, we propose an encapsulation strategy by coating a mesoporous silica molecular sieve (SBA-15) on rare earth doped tin oxide (RE-SnO2) nanofibers for humidity-resistant hydrogen detection. In this design, the hydrophobic SBA-15 sieve layer effectively blocks the water molecules without affecting hydrogen diffusion, while the RE dopant greatly improves the responsivity and lowers down the operating temperature of the sensors, As a result, the Er-SnO2/SBA-15 and Tb-SnO2/SBA-15 sensors respectively show the maximum response values of 27.71 and 33.68 (to 10 ppm hydrogen at 280 °C, 4.67 and 5.67 times that of the bare SnO2 ones, respectively), short response/recovery time (< 1.0 s / < 1.0 s), as well as a low limit of detection for hydrogen (200 ppb) and a good gas selectivity. Under the protection of the SBA-15 sieve layer, the response retention of the sensors is significantly improved when the humidity increases from 25% to 85% RH (Er-doping, from 38.8% to 60.0%; Tb-doping, form 25.6–57.8%). Besides, further analysis on enhancement mechanism of response indicates that the SBA-15 coating contribute about 1/3 of the response enhancements via its own hydrogen physical adsorption capacity and the induced oxygen vacancies during the calcination processes.

Model-based comparison of subcutaneous versus sublingual apomorphine administration in the treatment of motor fluctuations in Parkinson’s disease

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of subcutaneous (SC) and sublingual (SL) formulations of apomorphine for the treatment of motor fluctuations in Parkinson’s disease using a pharmacokinetics (PK)/pharmacodynamics (PD) modeling approach. The PK of SC and SL apomorphine are best described by a one-compartment model with first-order absorption and a two-compartment model with delayed absorption, respectively. The PK/PD model relating apomorphine plasma concentrations to the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scores was described by a sigmoidal Emax model assuming effective concentration = drug concentration in an effect compartment. Apomorphine concentrations and UPDRS motor scores were simulated from the PK/PD models using 500 hypothetical subjects. UPDRS motor score change from baseline was evaluated using time to clinically relevant response, response duration, area under the curve, maximal response, and time to maximal response. Higher doses of each apomorphine formulation were associated with shorter time to response, longer response duration, and greater maximal response. Although the mean maximal responses to SC and SL apomorphine were comparable, the time to response was four times shorter (7 vs. 31 min) and time to maximal response was two times shorter (27 vs. 61 min) for 4 mg SC vs. 50 mg SL. Thus, faster onset of action was observed for the SC formulation compared to SL. These data may be useful for physicians when selecting “on demand” therapy for patients with Parkinson’s disease experiencing motor fluctuations.

Abstract LB438: Preclinical characterization of ONM-412, an ultra-pH sensitive nanoparticle encapsulated IL-12 fusion protein

Abstract Background: Interleukin-12 is a potent pleiotropic cytokine, but its clinical translation has been hindered by toxicities. To deliver IL-12 to tumors with high spatial and temporal precision while minimizing off-tumor effects, we have developed an ultra-pH sensitive nanoparticle platform - ON-BOARD - that shields payloads from systemic exposure and targets solid tumors by responding to tumor acidity. Herein, we report the preclinical efficacy and safety characterization of ONM-412, an ON-BOARD nanoparticle encapsulated IL-12Fc fusion protein, and muONM-412, an encapsulated murine IL-12Fc. Methods: Properties and stability profiles of ONM-412 were characterized. pH-specific bioactivity was determined in cell-based reporter and IFNγ induction assays while the activation of ONM-412 was compared to a protease-cleavable IL-12 prodrug. Efficacy and tolerability of muONM-412 were studied in vivo after intravenous injection in mice. Pharmacodynamic response was evaluated by measuring cytokine levels in plasma and tissue, and the changes in tumor immune microenvironment were characterized. Toxicity was measured by body weight loss, systemic cytokine levels and clinical chemistry. Anti-tumor efficacy of muONM-412 was evaluated in MC38 tumor-bearing mice. The safety and tolerability of ONM-412 is also undergoing evaluation in a toxicology study with cynomolgus monkeys. Body weight, hematology, clinical chemistry and urine analysis were performed. Results: ONM-412 showed high encapsulation efficiency (&amp;gt;85%) in uniformly distributed particles (Dh&amp;lt;50nm) with 6-month on-going shelf-life stability. pH-specific release was confirmed in vitro with a &amp;gt;100-fold activation window between the acid-activated and intact formulations by an HEK reporter assay and an IFNγ induction assay. ONM-412 showed rapid and complete recovery of IL-12 bioactivity in &amp;lt;10 minutes after acid-activation while MMP demasking of a prodrug required overnight incubation and compromised potency. In vivo, mice treated with muONM-412 demonstrated significantly improved tolerability compared to unencapsulated IL-12Fc: body weight loss was reduced, no liver toxicity was observed, and plasma IFNγ levels were &amp;gt;1,000-fold lower. muONM-412 induced tumor immune remodeling, with increased infiltration by IFNγ+ and GzmB+ CD8 T and NK cells, and demonstrated strong dose-responsive anti-tumor efficacy in MC38 tumor-bearing animals. Preliminary results from an on-going study in cynomolgus monkeys suggest ONM-412 is well-tolerated at equivalent doses to those that induced maximum antitumor response in mice. Conclusions: ONM-412 significantly improved tolerability over unencapsulated IL-12Fc and showed potent anti-tumor efficacy in mice. It was well-tolerated in mice and non-human primates, showing potential for clinical translation. Citation Format: Qingtai Su, Stephen Gutowski, Austin Burcham, Bhargavi Allu, Zirong Chen, Fiona Stavros, Ruolan Han, Jason B. Miller, Tian Zhao. Preclinical characterization of ONM-412, an ultra-pH sensitive nanoparticle encapsulated IL-12 fusion protein [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr LB438.

High-Performance Broadband Image Sensing Photodetector Based on MnTe/WS2 van der Waals Epitaxial Heterostructures.

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) heterostructure is receiving considerable attention due to its novel electronic, optoelectronic, and spintronic devices with design-oriented and functional features. However, direct design and synthesis of high-quality TMDC/MnTe heterostructures remain difficult, which severely impede further investigations of semiconductor/magnetic semiconductor devices. Herein, the synthesis of high-quality vertically stacked WS2/MnTe heterostructures is realized via a two-step chemical vapor deposition method. Raman, photoluminescence, and scanning transmission electron microscopy characterizations reveal the high-quality and atomically sharp interfaces of the WS2/MnTe heterostructure. WS2/MnTe-based van der Waals field effect transistors demonstrate high rectification behavior with rectification ratio up to 106, as well as a typical p-n electrical transport characteristic. Notably, the fabricated WS2/MnTe photodetector exhibits sensitive and broadband photoresponse ranging from UV to NIR with a maximum responsivity of 1.2 × 103 A/W, a high external quantum efficiency of 2.7 × 105%, and fast photoresponse time of ∼50 ms. Moreover, WS2/MnTe heterostructure photodetectors possess a broadband image sensing capability at room temperature, suggesting potential applications in next-generation high-performance and broadband image sensing photodetectors.

MC4R Variants Modulate α-MSH and Setmelanotide Induced Cellular Signaling at Multiple Levels.

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) plays an important role in body weight regulation. Pathogenic MC4R variants are the most common cause of monogenic obesity. We have identified 17 MC4R variants in adult and pediatric patients with obesity. Here we aimed to functionally characterize these variants by analyzing 4 different aspects of MC4R signaling. In addition, we aimed to analyze the effect of setmelanotide, a potent MC4R agonist, on these MC4R variants. Cell surface expression and α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)- or setmelanotide-induced cAMP response, β-arrestin-2 recruitment, and ERK activation were measured in cells expressing either wild type or variant MC4R. We found a large heterogeneity in the function of these variants. We identified variants with a loss of response for all studied MC4R signaling, variants with no cAMP accumulation or ERK activation but normal β-arrestin-2 recruitment, and variants with normal cAMP accumulation and ERK activation but decreased β-arrestin-2 recruitment, indicating disrupted desensitization and signaling mechanisms. Setmelanotide displayed a greater potency and similar efficacy as α-MSH and induced significantly increased maximal cAMP responses of several variants compared to α-MSH. Despite the heterogeneity in functional response, there was no apparent difference in the obesity phenotype in our patients. We show that these obesity-associated MC4R variants affect MC4R signaling differently yet lead to a comparable clinical phenotype. Our results demonstrate the clinical importance of assessing the effect of MC4R variants on a range of molecular signaling mechanisms to determine their association with obesity, which may aid in improving personalized treatment.

A mathematical model for temporal cerebral blood flow response to acetazolamide evaluated in patients with Moyamoya disease

Background: Paired cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurement is usually acquired before and after vasoactive stimulus to estimate cerebrovascular reserve (CVR). However, CVR may be confounded because of variations in time-to-maximum CBF response (tmax) following acetazolamide injection. With a mathematical model, CVR can be calculated insensitive to variations in tmax, and a model offers the possibility to calculate additional model-derived parameters. A model that describes the temporal CBF response following a vasodilating acetazolamide injection is proposed and evaluated. Methods: A bi-exponential model was adopted and fitted to four CBF measurements acquired using arterial spin labelling before and initialised at 5, 15 and 25 min after acetazolamide injection in a total of fifteen patients with Moyamoya disease. Curve fitting was performed using a non-linear least squares method with a priori constraints based on simulations. Results: Goodness of fit (mean absolute error) varied between 0.30 and 0.62 ml·100 g-1·min-1. Model-derived CVR was significantly higher compared to static CVR measures. Maximum CBF increase occurred earlier in healthy- compared to diseased vascular regions. Conclusions: The proposed mathematical model offers the possibility to calculate CVR insensitive to variations in time to maximum CBF response which gives a more detailed characterisation of CVR compared to static CVR measures. Although the mathematical model adapts generally well to this dataset of patients with MMD it should be considered as experimental; hence, further studies in healthy populations and other patient cohorts are warranted.

Sexual differences in neuronal and synaptic properties across subregions of the mouse insular cortex

BackgroundThe insular cortex (IC) plays a pivotal role in processing interoceptive and emotional information, offering insights into sex differences in behavior and cognition. The IC comprises two distinct subregions: the anterior insular cortex (aIC), that processes emotional and social signals, and the posterior insular cortex (pIC), specialized in interoception and perception of pain. Pyramidal projection neurons within the IC integrate multimodal sensory inputs, influencing behavior and cognition. Despite previous research focusing on neuronal connectivity and transcriptomics, there has been a gap in understanding pyramidal neurons characteristics across subregions and between sexes.MethodsAdult male and female C57Bl/6J mice were sacrificed and tissue containing the IC was collected for ex vivo slice electrophysiology recordings that examined baseline sex differences in synaptic plasticity and transmission within aIC and pIC subregions.ResultsClear differences emerged between aIC and pIC neurons in both males and females: aIC neurons exhibited distinctive features such as larger size, increased hyperpolarization, and a higher rheobase compared to their pIC counterparts. Furthermore, we observed variations in neuronal excitability linked to sex, with male pIC neurons displaying a greater level of excitability than their female counterparts. We also identified region-specific differences in excitatory and inhibitory synaptic activity and the balance between excitation and inhibition in both male and female mice. Adult females demonstrated greater synaptic strength and maximum response in the aIC compared to the pIC. Lastly, synaptic long-term potentiation occurred in both subregions in males but was specific to the aIC in females.ConclusionsWe conclude that there are sex differences in synaptic plasticity and excitatory transmission in IC subregions, and that distinct properties of IC pyramidal neurons between sexes could contribute to differences in behavior and cognition between males and females.

Voltage-tunable graphene-InP schottky photodetector with enhanced responsivity using plasmonic waveguide integration

In this work, we propose and theoretically investigate a novel side-illuminated graphene Schottky photodetector (SIGS-PD) integrated on an InP waveguide platform suitable for the telecommunication wavelength of 1.55 μm. Bilayer graphene is positioned to absorb the transverse magnetic (TM) mode, with an InP substrate forming a Schottky junction to enable electrical connectivity and carrier separation. Through electrostatic gating, the graphene Fermi level is actively tuned to reach an epsilon-near-zero condition of 0.51 eV, transitioning the optical properties from dielectric to metallic. This supports reconfigurable plasmonic modes confined within the subwavelength graphene layer, interacting strongly with the TM optical mode. Responsivity of TM mode is enhanced 10 × TE mode reaching 1.24 A W−1 at the epsilon-near-zero point for the wavelength of 1.55 μm due to discontinuity and localization of the perpendicular electric field. The maximum responsivity is achieved at reverse bias of 4.5 V for device lengths under 4 μm. Dark current is suppressed to 10−15 A by the rectifying Schottky junction. An internal specific detectivity of 9.6 × 1012 Jones is predicted along with >25 GHz bandwidth, exploiting combined benefits of plasmonic enhancement and electrical transport control in the hybrid graphene-InP platform. The voltage-tunability of the graphene optical properties provides a pathway to dynamically optimize device performance. This work demonstrates a route towards high-responsivity and high-speed graphene photodetectors seamlessly integrated with photonic integrated circuits.

Pomalidomide improves the effectiveness of CAR-T treatment in the relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma or B-cell leukemia/lymphoma with extramedullary disease.

Relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) and B-cell leukemia/lymphoma with extramedullary disease (EMD) have poor prognosis and high mortality, lack of effective therapeutic approaches. We reported for the first time that 6 patients with malignant hematological diseases with EMD received chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T treatment combined with pomalidomide, and CAR-T cells were treated with pomalidomide in vitro to determine its killing activity and cytokine secretion. Three patients with RRMM were given B cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-CAR-T therapy. All 3 patients with B-cell leukemia/lymphoma received CD19/22-CAR-T sequential infusion. There were no treatment-related deaths. The maximum overall response rate (ORR) was 100%. Median follow-up was 211.5 days (75-407 days). Three patients (50%) experienced cytokine release syndrome, all of which were grade 1, and no neurotoxicity was observed. In vitro experiments showed that the killing activity did not differ significantly between BCMA-CAR-T cells with and without pomalidomide (10, 25, or 50 μg/mL) in 8226/U266 cell cocultures (P > .05). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ secretion was significantly higher from 8226 and Raji cells cocultured with BCMA-CAR-T and cluster of differentiation (CD)19-CAR-T cells (P < .05). Based on the cocultures, adding pomalidomide significantly promoted IFN-γ and TNF-α secretion (P < .05). Based on the above clinical and in vitro studies demonstrating the co-administration of pomalidomide with CAR-T cell treatment demonstrated favorable tolerability and therapeutic effectiveness in RRMM or B-cell leukemia/lymphoma.

Improvements in the Maximum THz Output Power and Responsivity in Near-Ballistic Uni-Traveling-Carrier Photodiodes With an Undercut Collector

Improvements in the Maximum THz Output Power and Responsivity in Near-Ballistic Uni-Traveling-Carrier Photodiodes With an Undercut Collector

A socio-economic and quality-oriented optimal fruit supply chain network design in a multi-market and multi-product environment: A real case study

This paper focuses on developing an optimal sustainable fruit Closed-Loop Supply Chain (CLSC). A novel multi-objective Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model is suggested to formulate a multi-product, multi-market, multi-period, multi-level, multi-mode selling problem which aims to minimize cost and emissions and maximize the whole social segments’ responsiveness to fruit, vinegar, and compost. The model is solved by the LP-metric method and implemented in a real case in Iran. The findings indicate that achieving the highest level of responsiveness comes with a substantial cost for the network. However, this does not apply to environmental considerations. For decision-makers prioritizing sustainability, the proposed decision support system strongly advises against buying fruit from fruit cars. Due to the absence of positive impacts on the level of responsiveness, buying from fruit cars results in increased costs and emissions. For a cost- and environmentally-sensitive decision-maker, it is recommended to provide higher-quality fruits. Because the lower the quality of the fruit, leads to increased waste rates and emissions. Meeting increased vinegar demand, with its elevated costs and emissions, becomes justifiable only when the policymaker is actively seeking to achieve maximum responsiveness.

Circularly polarized 2 × 2 fractal antenna array for space borne tracking applications

A corporate feed sequentially rotated 2 × 2 circularly polarized fractal antenna array is investigated in this work. Four number of compact circular fractal antenna elements are positioned symmetrically across the geometry. The antenna elements in the subarray are incorporated with 1st order Koch fractal cuts and rotated with respect to its neighbor and the phase change thus generated becomes offset with the phase change in the excitation in the corporate feed. A 2nd order Minkowski fractal curve is implemented on the ground plane to optimize the radiation performance of the array. The proposed fractal antenna array (FAA) is powered with a coaxial feed, with its pin connected to the asymmetric line configuration placed on the top surface. The dimensional confinement of the array is limited to 0.904λ0 × 0.876λ0 × 0.012λ0 (fr = 2.27 GHz) and the overall layout of the geometry is built on a FR4 substrate having a dielectric constant of 4.4. The circularly polarized radiation characteristics of the elements are developed as a result of fractal cuts along the vertical and horizontal sides. A maximum gain response of 5.4 dBic is observed in the impedance band ranging from 2 GHz to 2.5 GHz. The measured results of the proposed array are found to be in good agreement. In quantitative comparison with a few existing arrays with respect to its diverse performance the proposed CP FAA is found to be suitable for space-borne applications operating in the S-band.

Chemical bath deposited CdTe thin film: Optical, electrical, and photoresponse aspects

Owning a narrow bandgap, remarkable optical and electrical properties with notable stability has made cadmium telluride (CdTe) an immensely vital semiconductor to develop cutting-edge optoelectronics. Taking these properties in to account, CdTe thin film is deposited employing the chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the as-deposited thin film unveiled the composite crystalline structure, incorporating cubic, hexagonal, and tetragonal phases. The energy dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ascertained the chemical composition of CdTe thin film. Distinctive Raman peaks are detected at 141 and 167 cm−1, signifying the presence of Cd-Te bond in the deposited thin film. The comprehensive evaluation of scanning electron micrographs emphasized the firm adhesion of the film to the substrate and displayed a uniform overlay of microstructures resembling rods. The observations from atomic force microscopy unveiled uniform grain structure with topographical features of hills and valleys. The UV-Visible spectroscopic examination elucidated that the as-deposited thin films exhibits a direct optical bandgap value of 1⋅59 eV. Temperature-dependent analysis of d.c. electrical resistivity exhibited a descending pattern, substantiating thin film's semiconducting attributes. The investigation into the photoresponse attributes of the thin film is accomplished by subjecting it to a polychromatic light, green and red monochromatic light source with an intensity of 50 mW/cm² employing three different biasing voltages. The thin film demonstrated maximum photocurrent for red light source than polychromatic and green light with maximum responsivity of 59⋅4 μA/W and detectivity of 17⋅7 × 106 Jones. These findings provide valuable insights on the photoresponse behavior of CBD deposited CdTe thin film in its as-deposited form.

Optimal rate of nitrogen fertilizer improves maize grain yield by delaying the senescence of ear leaves and thereby altering their nitrogen remobilization

ContextNitrogen fertilization affects maize grain yield through regulating ear leaf senescence and nitrogen remobilization (RemN), yet few studies focus on how nitrogen alters the onset of leaf senescence and then affects leaf RemN to regulate grain-filling. ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between the onset of ear leaf senescence, ear leaf RemN, and grain-filling. MethodsA field experiment in Yancheng, China,with six nitrogen rates (0, 67.5, 136.5, 205.5, 274.5, and 343.5 kg N ha−1) were conducted and ear leaf senescence and grain-filling were analyzed in response to different N fertilizations. ResultsOptimal nitrogen fertilization (around 205.5 kg N ha−1) significantly increased grain yield (average 10359.2 kg ha−1) and harvest index (HI, average 0.58). Additionally, nitrogen application increased the nitrogen concentration of ear leaves and delayed senescence. The maximum delay was 3.4 days compared to the control. At the time of maximum grain yield, the onset of senescence could be delayed by 1.6–1.9 days. However, delayed senescence of ear leaves negatively impacted leaf RemN contribution to grain nitrogen, with a maximum limit of 16.0 observed at 205.5 kg N ha−1. Furthermore, nitrogen fertilization could reduce the maximum grain-filling rate (Gmax), the maximum grain weight (Wmax), and the time to reach the maximum grain-filling rate (Tmax). Higher grain yield and its response to nitrogen relied on a shorter time interval between the onset of senescence and Tmax. At a nitrogen fertilization rate of 196.85 kg N ha−1 (close to the optimal rate of 205.5 kg N ha−1), the minimum time interval could be reduced to about 2.4 days, resulting in a maximum relative yield response to nitrogen of 39.98%. Conclusion and implicationOptimal nitrogen fertilization improved grain yield by delaying the onset of senescence of ear leaves and altering its RemN, thus impacting grain filling. It provided valuable insights for achieving higher yields under the optimal nitrogen fertilization by considering the onset of ear leaf senescence, the ability of RemN in relation to grain filling.

Point: Center-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation Is the Standard.

Currently, a major pulmonary rehabilitation focus is on expanding access. At-home rehabilitation is being explored as an in-center pulmonary rehabilitation alternative. It has been asserted that in-home pulmonary rehabilitation confers similar benefits to in-center pulmonary rehabilitation. An extensive database documents that in-center pulmonary rehabilitation confers a range of patient-relevant benefits. Recently, evidence has been presented that in-center pulmonary rehabilitation improves survival, perhaps the most important benefit of all. It can be argued that improvements in physical fitness, assessed as exercise capacity, are mechanistically related to survival improvements. Therefore, in-home rehabilitation must demonstrate exercise capacity improvements similar to those regularly seen in-center to be considered equivalent. A literature search identified 11 studies that compared in-home with in-center pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD that recorded exercise tolerance outcomes. Despite being described as in-home programs, almost all featured prefatory in-center evaluation; some featured in-home visits by rehabilitation professionals. In 6 of the 11 studies, only walking exercise was prescribed. Only 3 included 2-way audio/visual patient-therapist contact. With regard to exercise outcomes; in 3, there was greater in-center group improvement; in 4, outcomes were similar; and, in 4, the in-center group failed to demonstrate clinically important exercise outcome increases; decidedly mixed results. Importantly, in 8 of 11 studies, the 6-min walk test was an exercise outcome. It is argued that the 6-min walk test does not generally elicit physiologically maximum responses and cannot be used to assess exercise capacity improvements. Of the 4 studies that used other exercise outcomes, in 2, exercise endurance increase was similar between in-home and in-center groups; in the other 2, the in-center group had superior improvements. Mixed results indeed! In conclusion, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that in-home pulmonary rehabilitation yields improvements equivalent to center-based programs in physical function, the outcome likely driving long-term prognosis. Moreover, it needs to be established which of the wide variety of in-home program designs now being offered should be promoted.