Basic Research Research Articles

Impurity Impacts of Recycling NMC Cathodes

AbstractThe skyrocketing demands for electric vehicles cause large quantities of spent lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) and pressure on the global supply chain, leading to raw materials shortages and cost increases. In LIBs, LiNixMnyCozO2(NMC) cathodes are one of the major cathode materials. Thus, recycling NMC cathodes from spent lithium‐ion batteries is emerging because they contain abundant valuable materials, which can be considered unique “mineral” sources. Impurities are one of the main concerns for introducing recovered materials back into new battery manufacture because impurities are typically considered to impair the properties of recovered materials. However, some impurities can beneficially act as dopants or coatings. To comprehensively understand the effects of different impurities and treat impurities properly, this review summarizes the origin and species of possible impurities which can be introduced during different pretreatment processes, analyzes the methods to remove impurities, and discusses the effects of impurities on the regeneration process and recovered materials. This work also outlines future perspectives for fundamental research about impurities and relevant challenges of the recycling industry, helps academia and manufacturers to create new impurity standards of recovered cathode materials, and suggests opportunities for achieving a circular economy for the lithium‐ion batteries industry.

Influence of lobbying in EU policy process phases

The influence of lobbies in the European Union is a complex phenomenon that must be analyzed through various direct and indirect conditioning dimensions. This theoretical research examines the impact of pressure groups at each of the six stages of the public policy formulation process in the supranational entity: problem emergence in society, agenda setting, consideration of policy options, decision-making, policy implementation, and policy evaluation. The study reveals how the influence of lobbies fluctuates depending on the point in the process and the type of interests they represent. Lobbies with social interests tend to have an advantage in phases involving public engagement, using grassroots lobbying strategies. On the other hand, economic lobbies dominate in phases that require contact with legislators, employing direct communication strategies. Among the direct conditioning dimensions, economic capacity–whether explicitly or implicitly−and access to decision-makers are crucial factors in determining the degree of influence. Additionally, in terms of indirect dimensions, media coverage is considered the most explanatory element regarding the influence capacity of lobbies, particularly at the initial and final stages of the governance cycle.

N46 Exploring the impact of initiating a Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) by utilising an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) pre clinic questionnaire prior to patients attending an IBD outpatients clinic

Abstract Background Initiating a Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) through an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) pre-clinic questionnaire can have a significant impact on the management and outcomes of patients attending an IBD outpatient clinic. This includes improved patient-centred care by enhanced understanding of the patient experience and targeted consultations, improved clinical outcomes, enhanced communication and shared decision making and increased efficiency and resource utilisation. Methods The PROM pre-clinic questionnaire was designed by the Consultant Nurse and was sent to a sample group of patients with IBD for their thoughts. The Consultant Nurse was keen to hear the views of the patients on the suitability of the questions, length of the questionnaire, any topics not covered in the questionnaire, and why we are requesting this to be completed prior to clinics. This exercise proved very popular with the patients as they felt that we really wanted to know what they thought and that they were involved from the start. Results Initiating a Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) through an IBD Pre-Clinic Questionnaire has led to a number of significant improvements within the clinic for both patients and service alike, This includes early identification and interventions for patients, individualised treatment plans, better understanding of patient concerns, increased patient engagement, efficient use of clinic time, and quality improvement initiatives. The main improvement is that the patients loves it as it gives them the vehicle to highlight their concerns. The PROM pre-clinic questionnaire was started on one clinic and is now used on all of my clinics. Now we know that the system works we will be sending this questionnaire to our patients virtually prior to each clinic and will be rolling this out to all nurse led clinics. Conclusion Initiating a Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) using an IBD pre-clinic questionnaire has the potential to significantly enhance the management of IBD in outpatient settings. It improves patient-centred care, clinical outcomes, communication, efficiency, and overall patient engagement and satisfaction. While there are challenges to implementation, the benefits for both patients and healthcare providers make a compelling case for the adoption of PROMs in IBD management.

Macroporosity-Heightened Mass Transfer Enabling Complete Benzene Oxidation over Pt/SiO2 Catalyst.

Mass transfer governs the overall catalytic performance of heterogeneous catalysts considerably; however, this fundamental research has often been ignored. Here, macroporous SiO2-supported Pt nanoparticle (Pt/SiO2-M) and mesoporous SiO2-supported Pt nanoparticle (Pt/SiO2-m) catalysts were specifically fabricated by a facile thermal reduction step to engineer the resultant Pt nanoparticles showing similar physiochemical properties while possessing completely different porous microstructures exclusively originating from SiO2 supports. On this basis, a platform to explore the crucial mass transfer difference affecting catalytic activity is then established by systematically practicing industry-important benzene oxidation measurements. State-of-the-art characterization techniques confirmed that all of the as-synthesized Pt/SiO2 catalysts indeed exhibited almost identical Pt sites, excluding catalytic discrepancies raised from Pt nanoparticles. Importantly, Pt/SiO2-M displayed complete benzene oxidation capabilities at a lower temperature than that for Pt/SiO2-m, accrediting to the macroporosity-induced faster desorption rate of H2O and CO2, thus making it capable of enhancing the high utilization of Pt sites. This work highlights the importance of improving mass transfer capability toward supported nanoparticulate catalysts, demonstrating the significance of designing novel macroporous supports for industry-important catalysis implications.

Does Urban Green Development Attention Improve Energy Resource Misallocation？

Abstract Energy resource misallocation is a vital factor inhibiting energy efficiency improvement. This study uses city panel data from China and employs a theoretical and empirical research method to examine the impact of urban green development attention on energy resource misallocation. The study finds that urban green development attention has improved energy resource misallocation in Chinese cities. Urban green development attention improves energy resource misallocation through strengthening environmental regulation, promoting green technology innovation, and driving the greening of industrial structures. The impact of urban green development attention on energy resource misallocation exhibits significant heterogeneity, with more prominent improvement effects in central-western cities, resource-based cities, cities with low economic development levels, and high green finance development cities. The development of the digital economy is conducive to enhancing the energy resource misallocation improvement effect of urban green development attention. The conclusions of this study have strong implications for alleviating energy resource misallocation in cities, thereby improving urban energy efficiency.

Our Future Health: a unique global resource for discovery and translational research.

Our Future Health: a unique global resource for discovery and translational research.

Engineering Pancreatic Organoids.

Experimental cell culture models that mimic the intricate features of organs offer significant potential for fundamental research and clinical applications. In order to enhance the growth of organoids, various matrices have been developed to replicate the essential character-istics of the tissue microenvironment through physical, chemical, and mechanical cues. Recent advancements in biomaterial technology have further refined the cultivation of organoids. This review provides an overview of the effect of different matrices, whether natural or synthetic, on the fabrication of pancreatic and islet clusters. Through a comprehensive examination of ongoing research, this paper aims to increase an understanding of pancreatic organoid genera-tion, with implications for modeling pancreatic disorders and advancing regenerative medicine.

Stress dynamics between clinical supervisors and allied health students: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionThe aim of this scoping review is to connect theoretical research related to stress with practical applications to supervision experiences within allied health professions. Understanding the implications of stress between...

An improved carrier-phase-based method for precise time synchronization using the observations from the China Space Station-ground synchronization system

The development of precise time synchronization technology is key to the effective application of time–frequency standards. It will significantly promote the application of precise time–frequency standards in the areas such as Positioning, Navigation, and Timing, lunar navigation, and cutting-edge fundamental physics research. This study presents an improved carrier-phase-based method for time synchronization, which was demonstrated through both laboratory and satellite-ground experiments via the China Space Station (CSS)-ground synchronization system. Initial laboratory experiments confirmed the system’s stability, achieving picosecond-level accuracy, highlighting the robustness of the method in controlled environments. Then, preliminary satellite-to-ground synchronization experiments were conducted using the CSS and ground stations, validating the effectiveness of the carrier-phase-based method. The time synchronization accuracy reached the picosecond-level, significantly surpassing traditional pseudocode techniques, which typically achieve sub-nanosecond level accuracy. Additionally, the Allan Deviation results indicated an improvement in stability by about an order of magnitude compared to traditional pseudocode-based methods. This demonstrates that the carrier-phase-based method can effectively mitigate common sources of system errors and enhance time synchronization capabilities. Therefore, this method can provide an effective technical reference for future applications requiring higher precision in time synchronization.

Exploring Research Trends in Thai Learners Studying Korean via Topic Modeling and Keyword Network Analysis

Background and Objectives: The Korean language education in Thailand has increasingly spread. Research on Thai learners studying Korean has also been continually conducted. The number of students majoring in Korean at the undergraduate level and subsequently pursuing graduate studies in Korean, Korean literature, and Korean culture has also increased, leading to the dissemination of master’s and doctoral theses. This study aims to study the trends and current situation of research on Korean language teaching and learning for Thai learners using Topic Modeling and Keyword Network Analysis. By doing so, the study aims to present important information and suggest guidelines in developing Korean language teaching and learning in Thailand. Methods: This study examined 283 research papers and theses on Korean language education for Thai learners published between 1998 and September 2024. The dataset includes 149 theses, 93 KCI-indexed articles, and 41 TCI-indexed articles. The data were collected using the keywords relating to Korean language education for Thai learners from RISS (Research Information Sharing Service) and Thai Journals Online. Then Topic Modeling and Keyword Network Analysis was used to analyze topics and research patterns. Results: The Topic Modeling Analysis revealed that the research topics about curriculum and textbook development have consistently been of interest until now. In addition, the topics about language skills, including pronunciation, grammar, and pragmatics have been raised as research issues in various aspects. Especially, after 2020, there has been an increase in publishing the research papers on teacher training and learner-related factors such as anxiety and learning strategies. The Keyword Network Analysis showed the words "comparison," "use," "pattern," and "process" were used in many research topics. Application of this study: The continuing interest in curriculum and textbook development from the above study results highlights the need for diverse educational information tailored to the characteristics of Thai learners. Additionally, the growing focus on individual learner factors reflects the necessity of addressing learners' challenges and creating learning environments and effective teaching methods. In addition, the results of the Keyword Network Analysis suggest the necessity of conducting more cross-cultural studies that align with the special characteristics of Thai learners and applying these findings in educational settings. Conclusions: This study examined trends in Korean language education research for Thai learners, highlighting the importance of adapting to Thailand’s changing educational landscape. As Korean language education progresses in secondary and higher education, continued research and practical applications are essential. The rising interest among Thai students emphasizes the need for tailored instructional materials, innovative strategies, and learner-centered approaches. Integrating digital learning and addressing specific linguistic challenges will enhance the learning experience. Bridging theoretical research with classroom practice can ensure that Korean language education remains effective and responsive to the diverse needs of Thai learners better.

Breakdown of the Kasha-Vavilov's rule in low-symmetry porphyrazines: Ultrafast intersystem crossing via high vibronic state.

Recently (Photochem Photobiol. 2023;100:1277-1289. doi:10.1111/php.13898), we described the anti-Kasha effect in tribenzo-6H-1,4-diazepinoporphyrazins with C2v symmetry, where the ultrafast spin changes successfully compete with the internal conversion. In this study, we show the presence of this effect in 2 (3),9 (10),16(17),23(24)-tetra-tert-butyl-29H,31H-phthalocyanine (1) and 1,4-di-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]-29H,31H-phthalocyanine (2), which also possess reduced molecular symmetry and do not bear 6H-1,4-diazepine fragments. The anti-Kasha effect in 1 and 2 supplemented by Mg(II) tribenzo-6H-1,4-diazepinoporphyrazinates 3 and 4 exhibits a close-to-linear dependence on energy gap value between the zero vibrational levels of two lowest singlet excited states S1 0 and S2 0 (these states are degenerate in D4h symmetry) and enhances with increase. The theoretical kinetic model of excited state dynamics, which takes into account the observed effects and follows Fermi's golden rule, predicts the presence of an additional excited state with enhanced spin-orbit coupling compared to S1 0, S2 0 and the corresponding triplet states, which is not predicted by TDDFT calculations in the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. The combination of the above indicates that the key role in the observed anti-Kasha effect and the mechanism of dissipation of the excited state in porphyrazines and their analogs is played by vibronic excited states, which requires theoretical research methods beyond the Born-Oppenheimer approximation.

MMPD-DTA: Integrating Multi-Modal Deep Learning with Pocket-Drug Graphs for Drug-Target Binding Affinity Prediction.

Predicting drug-target binding affinity (DTA) is a crucial task in drug discovery research. Recent studies have demonstrated that pocket features and interactions between targets and drugs significantly improve the understanding of DTA. However, challenges remain, particularly in the detailed consideration of both global and local information and the further modeling of pocket features. In this paper, we propose a novel multimodal deep learning model named MMPD-DTA for predicting drug-target binding affinity to address these challenges. The MMPD-DTA model integrates graph and sequence modalities of targets, pockets, and drugs to capture both global and local target and drug information. The model introduces a novel pocket-drug graph (PD graph) that simultaneously models atomic interactions within the target, within the drug, and between the target and drug. We employ GraphSAGE for graph representation learning from the PD graph, complemented by sequence representation learning via transformers for the target sequence and graph representation learning via a graph isomorphism network for the drug molecular graph. These multimodal representations are then concatenated, and a multilayer perceptron generates the final binding affinity predictions. Experimental results on three real-world test sets demonstrate that the MMPD-DTA model outperforms baseline methods. Ablation studies further confirm the effectiveness of each module within the MMPD-DTA model. Our code is available at https://github.com/zhc-moushang/MMPD-DTA.

Use of Quantum Dots as Nanotheranostic Agents: Emerging Applications in Rare Genetic Diseases.

Rare genetic diseases (RGDs) affect a small percentage of the global population but collectively have a substantial impact due to their diverse manifestations. Although the precise reasons behind these diseases remain unclear, roughly 80% of cases are genetically linked. Recent efforts focus on understanding pathology and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for RGDs. However, there persists a gap between fundamental research and clinical therapeutic approaches, where advancements innanotechnology offer promising improvements. In this context, nanosized light-emitting quantum dots (QDs), ranging from 2-10nm, are promising materials for diverse applications. Their size-tunable light emission, high quantum yield, and photostability allow for precise tracking of cargo. Additionally, QDs can be functionalized with therapeutic agents, antibodies, or peptides to target specific cellular pathways, enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects. By combining diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities in a single platform, QDs thus offer a versatile and powerful approach to tackle rare genetic disorders. Despite several reviews on various therapeutic applications of QDs, their utilization in the specific domain of RGDs is not well documented. This review highlight QDs' potential in diagnosing and treating certain RGDs and addresses the challenges limiting their application.

SERGEY A. TOKAREV’S CONCEPTUAL IDEAS ON THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF THE YAKUTS IN THE 17th CENTURY AND THE MODERN HISTORIOGRAPHY

The article discusses the outstanding contribution of S. A. Tokarev (1899–1985) to the study of the Yakuts’ social organization in the 17th century employing a modern theoretical and methodological approach. Although the researcher generally worked within the strict framework of the formational approach commonly accepted in Soviet historiography, sometimes he managed to go beyond it in an effort to be objective. This was possible due to his deep knowledge of not only ethnographic materials, but also of Russian written sources of the 17th century. He studied huge arrays of cursive columns from the funds of the Siberian Prikaz and the Yakut Voivode’s Hut, stored in the central archives, and used them in a comparative analysis with other sources. The original concept of the social organization of the Yakuts in the 17th century that he developed in the 1930s and subsequently revised in his major works in the 1940–1950s, made an outstanding contribution to Russian historiography, supplemented it with new data and offered a holistic view of the historical and ethnographic realities of the Yakut late medieval society. However, S. A. Tokarev’s intention to remain on reliable historical ground, based on specific documentary sources of the 17th century, provoked substantial criticism. His research was cast in a continuous search for the closest scientific definitions to the categories of social organization of the Yakuts, which he identified. He used the entire toolkit of theoretical approaches and research methods and his experience, based on the best traditions of Russian historical and ethnographic science. Modern achievements of Yakut studies of historical knowledge confirm the scientific significance and relevance of the main conclusions and observations of S. A. Tokarev.

How knee muscles and ground reaction forces shape knee buckling and ankle push-off in neuromuscular simulations of human walking

Ankle push-off is important for efficient, human-like walking, and many prosthetic devices mimic push-off using motors or elastic elements. The knee is extended throughout the stance phase and begins to buckle just before push-off, with timing being crucial. However, the exact mechanisms behind this buckling are still unclear. We use a predictive neuromuscular simulation to investigate whether active muscles are required for knee buckling and to what extent ground reaction forces (GRFs) drive it. In a systematic parameter search, we tested how long the knee muscles vastus (VAS), gastrocnemius (GAS), and hamstrings could be deactivated while maintaining a stable gait with impulsive push-off. VAS deactivation up to 35% of the gait cycle resulted in a dynamic gait with increased ankle peak power. GAS deactivation up to 20% of the gait cycle was detrimental to gait efficiency and showed reduced ankle peak power. At the start of knee buckling, the GRF vector is positioned near the knee joint’s neutral axis, assisting in knee flexion. However, this mechanism is likely not enough to drive knee flexion independently. Our findings contribute to the biomechanical understanding of ankle push-off, with applications in prosthetic and bipedal robotic design, and fundamental research on human gait mechanics.

Semimetal–dielectric–metal metasurface for infrared camouflage with high-performance energy dissipation in non-atmospheric transparency window

Abstract The development of novel camouflage technologies is of great significance, exerting an impact on both fundamental science and diverse military and civilian applications. Effective camouflage aims to reduce the recognizability of an object, making it to effortlessly blend with the environment. For infrared camouflage, it necessitates precise control over surface emissivity and temperature to ensure that the target blends effectively with the surrounding infrared background. This study presents a semimetal–dielectric–metal metasurface emitter engineered for the application of infrared camouflage. The metasurface, with a total thickness of only 545 nm, consists of a Bi micro-disk array and a continuous ZnS and Ti film beneath it. Unlike conventional metal-based metasurface design, our approach leverages the unique optical properties of Bi, achieving an average emissivity of 0.91 in the 5–8 μm non-atmospheric transparency window. Experimental results indicate that the metasurface emitter achieves lower radiation and actual temperatures compared to those observed in comparative experiments, highlighting its superior energy dissipation and thermal stability. The metasurface offers advantages such as structural simplicity, cost-effectiveness, angular insensitivity, and deep-subwavelength features, rendering it suitable for a range of applications including military camouflage and anti-counterfeiting, with potential for broad deployment in infrared technologies.

CausalXtract, a flexible pipeline to extract causal effects from live-cell time-lapse imaging data.

Live-cell microscopy routinely provides massive amounts of time-lapse images of complex cellular systems under various physiological or therapeutic conditions. However, this wealth of data remains difficult to interpret in terms of causal effects. Here, we describe CausalXtract, a flexible computational pipeline that discovers causal and possibly time-lagged effects from morphodynamic features and cell-cell interactions in live-cell imaging data. CausalXtract methodology combines network-based and information-based frameworks, which is shown to discover causal effects overlooked by classical Granger and Schreiber causality approaches. We showcase the use of CausalXtract to uncover novel causal effects in a tumor-on-chip cellular ecosystem under therapeutically relevant conditions. In particular, we find that cancer-associated fibroblasts directly inhibit cancer cell apoptosis, independently from anticancer treatment. CausalXtract uncovers also multiple antagonistic effects at different time delays. Hence, CausalXtract provides a unique computational tool to interpret live-cell imaging data for a range of fundamental and translational research applications.

Flame–Flame Interactions and Jet–Jet Interactions in Gas Turbine Swirl Combustors

Annular combustors are widely used in newly developed aero-engines. Nevertheless, the development of annular combustors requires substantial air supplies and high-power heaters during testing, leading to high experimental costs. To reduce these costs during the design phase, researchers often simplify annular combustors into single-dome configurations using aerodynamic and thermodynamic similarity principles. A fundamental divergence exists between the boundary conditions of annular and simplified single-dome combustors, which is reviewed in this article. It highlights the limitations of single-dome model combustors in accurately representing the crucial features of annular combustors, particularly flame–flame interaction (FFI) and jet–jet interaction (JJI). FFI and JJI existing in annular combustors are observed to result in alternating flow patterns and the superposition of mass and energy transfer between adjacent domes, which can deteriorate flame stabilization and increase NOx emissions. This review emphasizes the characteristics of multi-dome combustors and notes a lack of research comparing single-dome and multi-dome combustors under engine-relevant conditions. Addressing this research gap in the future can better connect fundamental combustion research and engine development, providing more guidance for engine designers.

Dysfunctional Studies: Family Business New School of Thought

Purpose: To explore and connect the potential elements identified as dysfunctional in family businesses (DYSFB), where productive, unproductive, and destructive aspects are underscored. Methodological design: A documentary review focused on identifying relevant scholars and academic works that address this dysfunctional dimension. Results: The "dysfunctional side" analysis provides a significant and novel contribution to family business (FB) studies. It establishes a framework for future theoretical and empirical research on deviations from ideal conditions within such organizations. Research limitations: A notable limitation is the need for further empirical research to substantiate the proposed theoretical model, which may lead to a more precise definition of the construct, as well as a clearer understanding of the factors or forces that drive DYSFB from a systemic perspective Findings: The viability of advancing a new school of thought devoted to studying dysfunctionality in family businesses (DYSFB). The theoretical model posited here lays a foundation for future research and holds considerable potential to inform public policy, shape the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and influence entrepreneurship education.

The interplay of sex and genotype in disease associations: a comprehensive network analysis in the UK Biobank

BackgroundDisease comorbidities and longer-term complications, arising from biologically related associations across phenotypes, can lead to increased risk of severe health outcomes. Given that many diseases exhibit sex-specific differences in their genetics, our objective was to determine whether genotype-by-sex (GxS) interactions similarly influence cross-phenotype associations. Through comparison of sex-stratified disease-disease networks (DDNs)—where nodes represent diseases and edges represent their relationships—we investigate sex differences in patterns of polygenicity and pleiotropy between diseases.ResultsUsing UK Biobank summary statistics, we built male- and female-specific DDNs for 103 diseases. This revealed that male and female diseasomes have similar topology and central diseases (e.g., hypertensive, chronic respiratory, and thyroid-based disorders), yet some phenotypes exhibit sex-specific influence in cross-phenotype associations. Multiple sclerosis and osteoarthritis are central only in the female DDN, while cardiometabolic diseases and skin cancer are more prominent in the male DDN. Edge comparison indicated similar shared genetics between the two graphs relative to a random model of disease association, though notable discrepancies in embedding distances and clustering patterns imply a more expansive genetic influence on multimorbidity risk for females than males. Analysis of pleiotropic contributions of two sexually-dimorphic single-nucleotide polymorphisms related to thyroid disorders further validated a distinct genetic architecture across sexes that influences associations, confirmed through examination of corresponding gene expression profiles from the GTEx Portal.ConclusionsOur analysis affirms the presence of GxS interactions in cross-phenotype associations, emphasizing the need to investigate the role of sex in disease onset and its importance in biomedical discovery and precision medicine research.