Adenosine triphosphate(ATP)-binding cassette(ABC)transporter systems are divided into importers and exporters that facilitate the movement of diverse substrate molecules across the lipid bilayer,against the concentrat...Adenosine triphosphate(ATP)-binding cassette(ABC)transporter systems are divided into importers and exporters that facilitate the movement of diverse substrate molecules across the lipid bilayer,against the concentration gradient.These transporters comprise two highly conserved nucleotide-binding domains(NBDs)and two transmembrane domains(TMDs).Unlike ABC exporters,prokaryotic ABC importers require an additional substrate-binding protein(SBP)as a recognition site for specific substrate translocation.The discovery of a large number of ABC systems in bacterial pathogens revealed that these transporters are crucial for the establishment of bacterial infections.The existing literature has highlighted the roles of ABC transporters in bacterial growth,pathogenesis,and virulence.These roles include importing essential nutrients required for a variety of cellular processes and exporting outer membrane-associated virulence factors and antimicrobial substances.This review outlines the general structures and classification of ABC systems to provide a comprehensive view of the activities and roles of ABC transporters associated with bacterial virulence and pathogenesis during infection.展开更多
The rapid advancement of nanotechnology has sparked much interest in applying nanoscale perovskite materials for photodetection applications.These materials are promising candidates for next-generation photodetectors(...The rapid advancement of nanotechnology has sparked much interest in applying nanoscale perovskite materials for photodetection applications.These materials are promising candidates for next-generation photodetectors(PDs)due to their unique optoelectronic properties and flexible synthesis routes.This review explores the approaches used in the development and use of optoelectronic devices made of different nanoscale perovskite architectures,including quantum dots,nanosheets,nanorods,nanowires,and nanocrystals.Through a thorough analysis of recent literature,the review also addresses common issues like the mechanisms underlying the degradation of perovskite PDs and offers perspectives on potential solutions to improve stability and scalability that impede widespread implementation.In addition,it highlights that photodetection encompasses the detection of light fields in dimensions other than light intensity and suggests potential avenues for future research to overcome these obstacles and fully realize the potential of nanoscale perovskite materials in state-of-the-art photodetection systems.This review provides a comprehensive overview of nanoscale perovskite PDs and guides future research efforts towards improved performance and wider applicability,making it a valuable resource for researchers.展开更多
Lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)have dominated the portable electronic and electrochemical energy markets since their commercialisation,whose high cost and lithium scarcity have prompted the development of other alkali-ion...Lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)have dominated the portable electronic and electrochemical energy markets since their commercialisation,whose high cost and lithium scarcity have prompted the development of other alkali-ion batteries(AIBs)including sodium-ion batteries(SIBs)and potassium-ion batteries(PIBs).Owing to larger ion sizes of Na^(+)and K^(+)compared with Li^(+),nanocomposites with excellent crystallinity orientation and well-developed porosity show unprecedented potential for advanced lithium/sodium/potassium storage.With enticing open rigid framework structures,Prussian blue analogues(PBAs)remain promising self-sacrificial templates for the preparation of various nanocomposites,whose appeal originates from the well-retained porous structures and exceptional electrochemical activities after thermal decomposition.This review focuses on the recent progress of PBA-derived nanocomposites from their fabrication,lithium/sodium/potassium storage mechanism,and applications in AIBs(LIBs,SIBs,and PIBs).To distinguish various PBA derivatives,the working mechanism and applications of PBA-templated metal oxides,metal chalcogenides,metal phosphides,and other nanocomposites are systematically evaluated,facilitating the establishment of a structure–activity correlation for these materials.Based on the fruitful achievements of PBA-derived nanocomposites,perspectives for their future development are envisioned,aiming to narrow down the gap between laboratory study and industrial reality.展开更多
Thermospheric neutral winds(TNWs)refer to the neutral gases in the thermosphere circulating as tides,which play a crucial role in the dynamics of the thermosphere-ionosphere system(TIS).Global geospace neutral winds,p...Thermospheric neutral winds(TNWs)refer to the neutral gases in the thermosphere circulating as tides,which play a crucial role in the dynamics of the thermosphere-ionosphere system(TIS).Global geospace neutral winds,particularly over the magnetic equator,have been a subject of study for several decades.However,despite the known importance of neutral winds,a comprehensive understanding and characterization of the winds is still lacking.Various ground-based and satellite missions have provided valuable information on the contribution of neutral winds to the global atmospheric dynamics.However,efforts in the global monitoring of neutral winds are still lacking,and the drivers behind the behavior of TNWs as well as their influence on the TIS remain incomplete.To address these knowledge gaps in the global circulation of TNWs,it is crucial to develop a deep understanding of the neutral wind characteristics over different regions.The low-latitude equatorial region in particular has been observed to exert complex influences on TNWs because of the unique effects of the Earth’s magnetic field at the dip equator.Studying neutral winds over this region will provide valuable insights into the unique dynamics and processes that occur in this region,thereby enhancing our understanding of their role in the overall dynamics of the TIS.Additionally,through empirical observations,an improved ability to accurately model and predict the behavior of this region can be achieved.This review article addresses challenges in understanding equatorial winds by reviewing historical measurements,current missions,and the interactions of ionospheric and thermospheric phenomena,emphasizing the need for comprehensive measurements to improve global atmospheric dynamics and weather forecasting.展开更多
Equatorial Plasma Bubbles(EPBs)are ionospheric irregularities that take place near the magnetic equator.EPBs most commonly occur after sunset during the equinox months,although they can also be observed during other s...Equatorial Plasma Bubbles(EPBs)are ionospheric irregularities that take place near the magnetic equator.EPBs most commonly occur after sunset during the equinox months,although they can also be observed during other seasons.The phenomenon significantly disrupts radio wave signals essential to communication and navigation systems.The national network of Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS)receivers in Indonesia(>30°longitudinal range)provides an opportunity for detailed EPB studies.To explore this,we conducted preliminary 3D tomography of total electron content(TEC)data captured by GNSS receivers following a geomagnetic storm on December 3,2023,when at least four EPB clusters occurred in the Southeast Asian sector.TEC and extracted TEC depletion with a 120-minute running average were then used as inputs for a 3D tomography program.Their 2D spatial distribution consistently captured the four EPB clusters over time.These tomography results were validated through a classical checkerboard test and comparisons with other ionospheric data sources,such as the Global Ionospheric Map(GIM)and International Reference Ionosphere(IRI)profile.Validation of the results demonstrates the capability of the Indonesian GNSS network to measure peak ionospheric density.These findings highlight the potential for future three-dimensional research of plasma bubbles in low-latitude regions using existing GNSS networks,with extensive longitudinal coverage.展开更多
The noise feature of a single-mode class-A laser amplifier is investigated by solving the Maxwell–Bloch equations of motion in the presence of the fluctuation force of cavity Langevin.The aim is to calculate the simu...The noise feature of a single-mode class-A laser amplifier is investigated by solving the Maxwell–Bloch equations of motion in the presence of the fluctuation force of cavity Langevin.The aim is to calculate the simultaneous fluctuations that are superimposed on the amplitude and phase of the cavity electric field, as well as the atomic population inversion. The correlation function of these fluctuations yields the amplitude, phase, and spontaneous emission noise fluxes, respectively. The amplitude and spontaneous emission noise fluxes exhibit the Lorentzian profiles in both the below-threshold state and the injection-locking region of the above-threshold state. While noise is typically viewed negatively in science and engineering, this research highlights its positive role as a valuable tool for measuring the optical properties of a laser amplifier. For instance, the degree of first-order temporal coherence(DFOTC) is derived by taking the Fourier transform of the amplitude noise flux. The damping rate of DFOTC is associated with the coherence time of the light emitted by the laser amplifier. Furthermore, the uncertainty relation between noise bandwidth and coherence time is confirmed. Finally, it is demonstrated that the input pumping noise flux, together with the output amplitude and spontaneous emission noise fluxes, satisfy the principle of flux conservation.展开更多
In science and technology,precision measurement of physical quantities is crucial,and the quantum Fisher information(QFI)plays a significant role in the study of quantum systems.In this work,we explore the dynamics of...In science and technology,precision measurement of physical quantities is crucial,and the quantum Fisher information(QFI)plays a significant role in the study of quantum systems.In this work,we explore the dynamics of QFI in a hybrid optomechanical system,which consists of a◇-type four-level atom interacting with a single-mode quantized field via a multi-photon process.We account for various sources of dissipation,including the decay rates of the atom,the cavity and the mechanical modes.Using an effective Hamiltonian,we analytically derive the explicit form of the state vector of the entire system via the time-dependent Schr?dinger equation.We then investigate the atomic QFI for the estimation precision of the decay rate of the mechanical oscillator.Furthermore,we examine how optomechanical and atom-field coupling strengths,dissipation parameters and multi-photon transition influence the dynamics of atomic QFI.Our numerical results suggest that the estimation precision of the decay rate of the mechanical oscillator can be controlled by these parameters.展开更多
The overall objective of this work is to evaluate the energy potential of biogas inputs(chicken manure and pig poop)with a view to their value.The research determined the physicochemical composition,the amount of biog...The overall objective of this work is to evaluate the energy potential of biogas inputs(chicken manure and pig poop)with a view to their value.The research determined the physicochemical composition,the amount of biogas produced per day and the average.For hen dung,humidity(28.47%),DM(dry matter)(71.53%),OM(organic matter)(67%),density(270.77 kg/m^(3)),carbon content(39.7%),nitrogen content(2.55%)and C/N ratio(15.23)and pig pork,moisture(47.98%),DM(45.6%),OM(23.55%),mass volumic(693.12 kg/m^(3)),carbon(38.88%),nitrogen(1.82%)and C/N(11.26).These results compared to those of the literature revealed a very good coincidence.Two experiments on the methanation of these inputs were carried out,the anaerobic digestion lasted 24 days,in a temperature range of 24 to 30℃(mesophilic range).It was obtained for:hen dung 0.02526 m^(3) and pig poach 0.00841 m^(3) and on average the daily specific production of biogas of different substrates is:pork dung(0.00407 m^(3)/day)and the hen dung(0.00108 m^(3)/d)at an average temperature of 24℃.展开更多
The aim of this research is to assess the energy potential of cow dung and corn cob inputs,with a view to estimating their biogas potential.The inputs were characterized in the microbiology laboratory of the National ...The aim of this research is to assess the energy potential of cow dung and corn cob inputs,with a view to estimating their biogas potential.The inputs were characterized in the microbiology laboratory of the National Control Office Quality in Matoto,Conakry.The experiment to produce methane from cow dung and maize cob was carried out at the Applied Research in Natural Sciences Laboratory of the University of Kindia(UK)using the following equipment:Three digesters were each connected to an air chamber(gasometer)by means of flexible pipes 8 mm in diameter,connected by clamps,liquid adhesives,valves and Teflon.This research focused on determining the quantity of biogas contained in each type of substrate(cow dung,maize cob and their mixture).Three experiments on the methanization of these inputs were carried out,with anaerobic digestion lasting 27 days,in a temperature range of 27℃ to 31℃(mesophilic range).The results were as follows:maize cob 28.4 L,cow dung 22.6 L and codigestion 38.7 L.These results compared with similar studies revealed a coincidence.展开更多
We revisit the issue of whether the effective potential for the conformal factor of the metric,which is generated by quantized matter fields,possesses a non-vanishing vacuum expectation value(VEV)or not.We prove that ...We revisit the issue of whether the effective potential for the conformal factor of the metric,which is generated by quantized matter fields,possesses a non-vanishing vacuum expectation value(VEV)or not.We prove that the effective potential has a vanishing vacuum expectation value on the basis of a global GL(4)symmetry.We also account for why there seems to be two different effective potentials for the conformal factor in a theory,one of which gives rise to a vanishing VEV for the conformal factor,whereas the other has a non-vanishing VEV.展开更多
Accurate time synchronization is fundamental to the correct and efficient operation of Wireless Sensor Networks(WSNs),especially in security-critical,time-sensitive applications.However,most existing protocols degrade...Accurate time synchronization is fundamental to the correct and efficient operation of Wireless Sensor Networks(WSNs),especially in security-critical,time-sensitive applications.However,most existing protocols degrade substantially under malicious interference.We introduce iSTSP,an Intelligent and Secure Time Synchronization Protocol that implements a four-stage defense pipeline to ensure robust,precise synchronization even in hostile environments:(1)trust preprocessing that filters node participation using behavioral trust scoring;(2)anomaly isolation employing a lightweight autoencoder to detect and excise malicious nodes in real time;(3)reliability-weighted consensus that prioritizes high-trust nodes during time aggregation;and(4)convergence-optimized synchronization that dynamically adjusts parameters using theoretical stability bounds.We provide rigorous convergence analysis including a closed-form expression for convergence time,and validate the protocol through both simulations and realworld experiments on a controlled 16-node testbed.Under Sybil attacks with five malicious nodes within this testbed,iSTSP maintains synchronization error increases under 12%and achieves a rapid convergence.Compared to state-ofthe-art protocols like TPSN,SE-FTSP,and MMAR-CTS,iSTSP offers 60%faster detection,broader threat coverage,and more than 7 times lower synchronization error,with a modest 9.3%energy overhead over 8 h.We argue this is an acceptable trade-off for mission-critical deployments requiring guaranteed security.These findings demonstrate iSTSP’s potential as a reliable solution for secure WSN synchronization and motivate future work on large-scale IoT deployments and integration with energy-efficient communication protocols.展开更多
Based on the density functional theory,the double half-Heusler alloys LuXCo_(2)Bi_(2)(X=V,Nb,and Ta)were studied to predict their structural,thermodynamic,thermoelectric,and optical characteristics.All the considered ...Based on the density functional theory,the double half-Heusler alloys LuXCo_(2)Bi_(2)(X=V,Nb,and Ta)were studied to predict their structural,thermodynamic,thermoelectric,and optical characteristics.All the considered alloys are thermodynamically stable and have semiconductor behavior with indirect band gaps of 0.62,0.75,and 0.8 eV for LuVCo_(2)Bi_(2),LuNbCo_(2)Bi_(2),and LuTaCu_(2)Bi_(2),respectively.The investigated compounds exhibit semiconducting behavior with energy gaps below 0.8 eV.The impact of heat and pressure on thermodynamic coefficients was evaluated,and the influence of charge carriers on the temperature-dependent properties was studied using the semi-classical Boltzmann model.The studied compounds were characterized by their low lattice thermal conductivity at room temperature and low thermal expansion coefficient.These alloys exhibit substantial absorption coefficients in the ultraviolet(UV)light region,high optical conductivity,and high reflectivity in the visible light region,making them highly appealing materials for applications in the energy and electronics sectors.展开更多
This study investigates the complex heat transfer dynamics inmultilayer bifacial photovoltaic(bPV)solar modules under spectrally resolved solar irradiation.A novel numericalmodel is developed to incorporate internal h...This study investigates the complex heat transfer dynamics inmultilayer bifacial photovoltaic(bPV)solar modules under spectrally resolved solar irradiation.A novel numericalmodel is developed to incorporate internal heat generation resulting from optical absorption,grounded in the physical equations governing light-matter interactions within the module’smultilayer structure.The model accounts for reflection and transmission at each interface between adjacent layers,as well as absorption within individual layers,using the wavelength-dependent dielectric properties of constituent materials.These properties are used to calculate the spectral reflectance,transmittance,and absorption coefficients,enabling precise quantification of internal heat sources from irradiance incidents on both the front and rear surfaces of the module.The study further examines the influence of irradiance reflection on thermal behavior,evaluates the thermal impact of various supporting materials placed beneath the module,and analyzes the role of albedo in modifying heat distribution.By incorporating spectrally resolved heat generation across each layer often simplified or omitted in conventional models,the proposed approach enhances physical accuracy.The transient heat equation is solved using a one-dimensional finite difference(FD)method to produce detailed temperature profiles under multiple operating scenarios,including Standard Test Conditions(STC),Bifacial Standard Test Conditions(BSTC),Normal Operating Cell Temperature(NOCT),and Bifacial NOCT(BNOCT).The results offer valuable insights into the interplay between optical and thermal phenomena in bifacial systems,informing the design and optimization of more efficient photovoltaic technologies.展开更多
Current research focuses on the performance degradation of photovoltaic(PV)modules,examining both crystalline silicon(p-Si and m-Si)and thin-film technologies,including a-Si/μc-Si,HIT,CdTe and CIGS.These modules were...Current research focuses on the performance degradation of photovoltaic(PV)modules,examining both crystalline silicon(p-Si and m-Si)and thin-film technologies,including a-Si/μc-Si,HIT,CdTe and CIGS.These modules were operated outdoors in two distinct climatic zones in the United States(US)over a period of three years.The degradation analysis includes the study of various quantities,such as the decrease in peak power,the reduction in current and voltage,and the variation in the fill factor.The annual degradation rate(DR)of PV modules is obtained by a linear fit of the effective maximum power evolution over time.The results indicate that m-Si and p-Si modules experienced a slight decrease in performance,with DRs of−0.83%and−1.07%,respectively.Subsequently,the HIT module exhibited a DR of−1.75%,while CdTe and CIGS modules demonstrated DRs of−2.03%and−2.45%,respectively.The a-Si/μc-Si module showed the highest DR at−3.26%.Using the Single Diode Model(SDM),we monitored the temporal evolution of physical parameters as well as changes in the shape of the I-V and P-V curves over time.We found that the key points of the I-V curve degrade over time,as do the I-V and P-V characteristics between two days approximately 30 months apart.展开更多
The focus of this study is on investigating the vanadyl 2,9,16,23-tetraphenoxy-29H, 31H-phthalocyanine(VOPc Ph O)and its blend with o-xylenyl C60 bis-adduct(OXCBA), for use as a lateral ultraviolet organic photodetect...The focus of this study is on investigating the vanadyl 2,9,16,23-tetraphenoxy-29H, 31H-phthalocyanine(VOPc Ph O)and its blend with o-xylenyl C60 bis-adduct(OXCBA), for use as a lateral ultraviolet organic photodetector. The research focuses on improving dark current reduction, which is a challenge in lateral organic photodetector. By integrating the OXCBA, low dark current values of 4.83 nA·cm^(-2)(D_(shot)^(*)= 1.414 × 10^(11)Jones) have been achieved as compared to the stand-alone VoPcPhO device of 14.06 nA·cm^(-2). The major contributing factors to dark current reduction are due to the efficient charge transfer at the photoactive-electrode interface, the deep highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO)level of OXCBA, which leads to favorable energy level alignments hindering hole injection, and the occurrence of bulk heterojunction vertical phase segregation between VOPcPhO and OXCBA. These findings shed light on the relationship between the organic photoconductor's material composition, morphology, and performance metrics and open new avenues for metal phthalocyanine-based lateral ultraviolet organic photodetectors with low dark current and enhanced performance.展开更多
Changes to the microstructure of a hard carbon(HC)and its solid electrolyte interface(SEI)can be effective in improving the electrode kinetics.However,achieving fast charging using a simple and inexpensive strategy wi...Changes to the microstructure of a hard carbon(HC)and its solid electrolyte interface(SEI)can be effective in improving the electrode kinetics.However,achieving fast charging using a simple and inexpensive strategy without sacrificing its initial Coulombic efficiency remains a challenge in sodium ion batteries.A simple liquid-phase coating approach has been used to generate a pitch-derived soft carbon layer on the HC surface,and its effect on the porosity of HC and SEI chemistry has been studied.A variety of structural characterizations show a soft carbon coating can increase the defect and ultra-micropore contents.The increase in ultra-micropore comes from both the soft carbon coatings and the larger pores within the HC that are partially filled by pitch,which provides more Na+storage sites.In-situ FTIR/EIS and ex-situ XPS showed that the soft carbon coating induced the formation of thinner SEI that is richer in NaF from the electrolyte,which stabilized the interface and promoted the charge transfer process.As a result,the anode produced fastcharging(329.8 mAh g^(−1)at 30 mA g^(−1)and 198.6 mAh g^(−1)at 300 mA g^(−1))and had a better cycling performance(a high capacity retention of 81.4%after 100 cycles at 150 mA g^(−1)).This work reveals the critical role of coating layer in changing the pore structure,SEI chemistry and diffusion kinetics of hard carbon,which enables rational design of sodium-ion battery anode with enhanced fast charging capability.展开更多
Monte Carlo(MC) simulations have been performed to refine the estimation of the correction-toscaling exponent ω in the 2D φ^(4)model,which belongs to one of the most fundamental universality classes.If corrections h...Monte Carlo(MC) simulations have been performed to refine the estimation of the correction-toscaling exponent ω in the 2D φ^(4)model,which belongs to one of the most fundamental universality classes.If corrections have the form ∝ L^(-ω),then we find ω=1.546(30) andω=1.509(14) as the best estimates.These are obtained from the finite-size scaling of the susceptibility data in the range of linear lattice sizes L ∈[128,2048] at the critical value of the Binder cumulant and from the scaling of the corresponding pseudocritical couplings within L∈[64,2048].These values agree with several other MC estimates at the assumption of the power-law corrections and are comparable with the known results of the ε-expansion.In addition,we have tested the consistency with the scaling corrections of the form ∝ L^(-4/3),∝L^(-4/3)In L and ∝L^(-4/3)/ln L,which might be expected from some considerations of the renormalization group and Coulomb gas model.The latter option is consistent with our MC data.Our MC results served as a basis for a critical reconsideration of some earlier theoretical conjectures and scaling assumptions.In particular,we have corrected and refined our previous analysis by grouping Feynman diagrams.The renewed analysis gives ω≈4-d-2η as some approximation for spatial dimensions d <4,or ω≈1.5 in two dimensions.展开更多
Safety berms(also called safety bunds or windrows),widely employed in surface mining and quarry operations,are typically designed based on rules of thumb.Despite having been used by the industry for more than half a c...Safety berms(also called safety bunds or windrows),widely employed in surface mining and quarry operations,are typically designed based on rules of thumb.Despite having been used by the industry for more than half a century and accidents happening regularly,their behaviour is still poorly understood.This paper challenges existing practices through a comprehensive investigation combining full-scale experiments and advanced numerical modelling.Focusing on a Volvo A45G articulated dump truck(ADT)and a CAT 773B rigid dump truck(RDT),collision scenarios under various approach conditions and different safety berm geometries and materials are rigorously examined.The calibrated numerical model is used to assess the energy absorption capacity of safety berms with different geometry and to predict a critical velocity for a specific scenario.Back analysis of an actual fatal accident indicated that an ADT adhering to the speed limit could not be stopped by the safety berm designed under current guidelines.The study highlights the importance of considering the entire geometry and the mass and volume of the material used to build the safety berm alongside the speed and approach conditions of the machinery.The findings of the study enable operators to set speed limits based on specific berm geometries or adapt safety berm designs to match speed constraints for specific machinery.This will reduce the risk of fatal accidents and improve haul road safety.展开更多
In this paper,we present results from a semi-analytical model that investigates the launching of cold,nonrelativistic jets from a wide radial extent of stationary and axisymmetric magnetized accretion disks.Specifical...In this paper,we present results from a semi-analytical model that investigates the launching of cold,nonrelativistic jets from a wide radial extent of stationary and axisymmetric magnetized accretion disks.Specifically,we examine the effects of magnetization on the disk-jet system in configurations where the magnetic field is near equipartition with the thermal pressure at the disk midplane.In this study,the magnetic strength parameterμis explicitly expressed as a function of the magnetic diffusivity parameter(μ-1/√αm).This formulation provides a more direct link between the magnetic field configuration and the diffusive processes within the accretion disk.By establishing this relationship,we better constrain the role of magnetization in jet launching and explore how variations inμinfluence the overall disk-jet dynamics.We focus on three representative cases whereμtakes the values 0.5,0.7,and 0.9.We solve the stiff ordinary differential equations of the semi-analytical MHD model using the Seulex subroutine of Hairer&Wanner,which employs the Taylor method with adaptive mesh refinement.The resulting solutions are compared with those obtained by Zanni et al.,Tzeferacos et al.,and Stepanovs&Fendt.展开更多
While being a promising candidate for large-scale energy storage,the current market penetration of vanadium redox flow batteries(VRFBs)is still limited by several challenges.As one of the key components in VRFBs,a mem...While being a promising candidate for large-scale energy storage,the current market penetration of vanadium redox flow batteries(VRFBs)is still limited by several challenges.As one of the key components in VRFBs,a membrane is employed to separate the catholyte and anolyte to prevent the vanadium ions from cross-mixing while allowing the proton conduction to maintain charge balance in the system during operation.To overcome the weakness of commercial membranes,various types of membranes,ranging from ion exchange membranes with diverse functional groups to non-ionic porous membranes,have been designed and reported to achieve higher ionic conductivity while maintaining low vanadium ion permeability,thus enhancing efficiency.In addition,besides overall efficiency,stability and cost-effectiveness of the membrane are also critical aspects that determine the practical applicability of the membranes and thus VRFBs.In this article,we have offered comprehensive insights into the mechanism of ion transportation in membranes of VRFBs that contribute to the challenges and issues of VRFB applications.We have further discussed optimal strategies for solving the trade-off between the membrane efficiency and its durability in VRFB applications.The development of state-of-the-art membranes through various material and structure engineering is demonstrated to reveal the relationship of properties-structure-performance.展开更多
基金supported by the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia under the Research University Grant(No.GUP-2020-030)awarded to Sylvia CHIENG.
文摘Adenosine triphosphate(ATP)-binding cassette(ABC)transporter systems are divided into importers and exporters that facilitate the movement of diverse substrate molecules across the lipid bilayer,against the concentration gradient.These transporters comprise two highly conserved nucleotide-binding domains(NBDs)and two transmembrane domains(TMDs).Unlike ABC exporters,prokaryotic ABC importers require an additional substrate-binding protein(SBP)as a recognition site for specific substrate translocation.The discovery of a large number of ABC systems in bacterial pathogens revealed that these transporters are crucial for the establishment of bacterial infections.The existing literature has highlighted the roles of ABC transporters in bacterial growth,pathogenesis,and virulence.These roles include importing essential nutrients required for a variety of cellular processes and exporting outer membrane-associated virulence factors and antimicrobial substances.This review outlines the general structures and classification of ABC systems to provide a comprehensive view of the activities and roles of ABC transporters associated with bacterial virulence and pathogenesis during infection.
基金supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)grant funded by the Korean government(MSIT)(No.RS-2022–00165798)Anhui Natural Science Foundation(No.2308085MF211)The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Research and Graduate Studies at King Khalid University for funding this work through Large Research Project under Grant Number(R.G.P.2/491/45).
文摘The rapid advancement of nanotechnology has sparked much interest in applying nanoscale perovskite materials for photodetection applications.These materials are promising candidates for next-generation photodetectors(PDs)due to their unique optoelectronic properties and flexible synthesis routes.This review explores the approaches used in the development and use of optoelectronic devices made of different nanoscale perovskite architectures,including quantum dots,nanosheets,nanorods,nanowires,and nanocrystals.Through a thorough analysis of recent literature,the review also addresses common issues like the mechanisms underlying the degradation of perovskite PDs and offers perspectives on potential solutions to improve stability and scalability that impede widespread implementation.In addition,it highlights that photodetection encompasses the detection of light fields in dimensions other than light intensity and suggests potential avenues for future research to overcome these obstacles and fully realize the potential of nanoscale perovskite materials in state-of-the-art photodetection systems.This review provides a comprehensive overview of nanoscale perovskite PDs and guides future research efforts towards improved performance and wider applicability,making it a valuable resource for researchers.
基金financial support from the Special Funds for the Cultivation of Guangdong College Students’Scientific and Technological Innovation(“Climbing Program”Special Funds,pdjh2023b0145)the Scientific Research Innovation Project of Graduate School of South China Normal University(2024KYLX047)financial support from the Australian Research Council,Centre for Materials Science,Queensland University of Technology.
文摘Lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)have dominated the portable electronic and electrochemical energy markets since their commercialisation,whose high cost and lithium scarcity have prompted the development of other alkali-ion batteries(AIBs)including sodium-ion batteries(SIBs)and potassium-ion batteries(PIBs).Owing to larger ion sizes of Na^(+)and K^(+)compared with Li^(+),nanocomposites with excellent crystallinity orientation and well-developed porosity show unprecedented potential for advanced lithium/sodium/potassium storage.With enticing open rigid framework structures,Prussian blue analogues(PBAs)remain promising self-sacrificial templates for the preparation of various nanocomposites,whose appeal originates from the well-retained porous structures and exceptional electrochemical activities after thermal decomposition.This review focuses on the recent progress of PBA-derived nanocomposites from their fabrication,lithium/sodium/potassium storage mechanism,and applications in AIBs(LIBs,SIBs,and PIBs).To distinguish various PBA derivatives,the working mechanism and applications of PBA-templated metal oxides,metal chalcogenides,metal phosphides,and other nanocomposites are systematically evaluated,facilitating the establishment of a structure–activity correlation for these materials.Based on the fruitful achievements of PBA-derived nanocomposites,perspectives for their future development are envisioned,aiming to narrow down the gap between laboratory study and industrial reality.
基金the Ministry of Higher Education(KPT)Malaysia for the MyBrainSc program.Idahwati Sarudin was supported by Universiti Sains Malaysia through a Short-Term Grant(Project No.304/PFIZIK/6315730)Nurul Shazana Abdul Hamid received funding from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for funding this work through a University Research Grant(Grant No.GUP-2023-048)。
文摘Thermospheric neutral winds(TNWs)refer to the neutral gases in the thermosphere circulating as tides,which play a crucial role in the dynamics of the thermosphere-ionosphere system(TIS).Global geospace neutral winds,particularly over the magnetic equator,have been a subject of study for several decades.However,despite the known importance of neutral winds,a comprehensive understanding and characterization of the winds is still lacking.Various ground-based and satellite missions have provided valuable information on the contribution of neutral winds to the global atmospheric dynamics.However,efforts in the global monitoring of neutral winds are still lacking,and the drivers behind the behavior of TNWs as well as their influence on the TIS remain incomplete.To address these knowledge gaps in the global circulation of TNWs,it is crucial to develop a deep understanding of the neutral wind characteristics over different regions.The low-latitude equatorial region in particular has been observed to exert complex influences on TNWs because of the unique effects of the Earth’s magnetic field at the dip equator.Studying neutral winds over this region will provide valuable insights into the unique dynamics and processes that occur in this region,thereby enhancing our understanding of their role in the overall dynamics of the TIS.Additionally,through empirical observations,an improved ability to accurately model and predict the behavior of this region can be achieved.This review article addresses challenges in understanding equatorial winds by reviewing historical measurements,current missions,and the interactions of ionospheric and thermospheric phenomena,emphasizing the need for comprehensive measurements to improve global atmospheric dynamics and weather forecasting.
基金the National Institute of Information and Communication Technology International Exchange Program 2024−2025(No.2024−007)for their invaluable support in this research.3D tomography software is available at Prof.Kosuke Heki’s(Hokkaido University,Japan)personal homepage(https://www.ep.sci.hokudai.ac.jp/~heki/software.htm).support from the 2024 Japan Student Services Organization Research Follow-up Fellowship for a 90-day research visit at the Institute for Space−Earth Environmental Research,Nagoya University,Japan.PA also acknowledges the support received from Telkom University under the“Skema Penelitian Terapan Periode I Tahun Anggaran 2024”,and the Memorandum of Understanding for Research Collaboration on Regional Ionospheric Observation(No:092/SAM3/TE-DEK/2021).
文摘Equatorial Plasma Bubbles(EPBs)are ionospheric irregularities that take place near the magnetic equator.EPBs most commonly occur after sunset during the equinox months,although they can also be observed during other seasons.The phenomenon significantly disrupts radio wave signals essential to communication and navigation systems.The national network of Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS)receivers in Indonesia(>30°longitudinal range)provides an opportunity for detailed EPB studies.To explore this,we conducted preliminary 3D tomography of total electron content(TEC)data captured by GNSS receivers following a geomagnetic storm on December 3,2023,when at least four EPB clusters occurred in the Southeast Asian sector.TEC and extracted TEC depletion with a 120-minute running average were then used as inputs for a 3D tomography program.Their 2D spatial distribution consistently captured the four EPB clusters over time.These tomography results were validated through a classical checkerboard test and comparisons with other ionospheric data sources,such as the Global Ionospheric Map(GIM)and International Reference Ionosphere(IRI)profile.Validation of the results demonstrates the capability of the Indonesian GNSS network to measure peak ionospheric density.These findings highlight the potential for future three-dimensional research of plasma bubbles in low-latitude regions using existing GNSS networks,with extensive longitudinal coverage.
文摘The noise feature of a single-mode class-A laser amplifier is investigated by solving the Maxwell–Bloch equations of motion in the presence of the fluctuation force of cavity Langevin.The aim is to calculate the simultaneous fluctuations that are superimposed on the amplitude and phase of the cavity electric field, as well as the atomic population inversion. The correlation function of these fluctuations yields the amplitude, phase, and spontaneous emission noise fluxes, respectively. The amplitude and spontaneous emission noise fluxes exhibit the Lorentzian profiles in both the below-threshold state and the injection-locking region of the above-threshold state. While noise is typically viewed negatively in science and engineering, this research highlights its positive role as a valuable tool for measuring the optical properties of a laser amplifier. For instance, the degree of first-order temporal coherence(DFOTC) is derived by taking the Fourier transform of the amplitude noise flux. The damping rate of DFOTC is associated with the coherence time of the light emitted by the laser amplifier. Furthermore, the uncertainty relation between noise bandwidth and coherence time is confirmed. Finally, it is demonstrated that the input pumping noise flux, together with the output amplitude and spontaneous emission noise fluxes, satisfy the principle of flux conservation.
文摘In science and technology,precision measurement of physical quantities is crucial,and the quantum Fisher information(QFI)plays a significant role in the study of quantum systems.In this work,we explore the dynamics of QFI in a hybrid optomechanical system,which consists of a◇-type four-level atom interacting with a single-mode quantized field via a multi-photon process.We account for various sources of dissipation,including the decay rates of the atom,the cavity and the mechanical modes.Using an effective Hamiltonian,we analytically derive the explicit form of the state vector of the entire system via the time-dependent Schr?dinger equation.We then investigate the atomic QFI for the estimation precision of the decay rate of the mechanical oscillator.Furthermore,we examine how optomechanical and atom-field coupling strengths,dissipation parameters and multi-photon transition influence the dynamics of atomic QFI.Our numerical results suggest that the estimation precision of the decay rate of the mechanical oscillator can be controlled by these parameters.
文摘The overall objective of this work is to evaluate the energy potential of biogas inputs(chicken manure and pig poop)with a view to their value.The research determined the physicochemical composition,the amount of biogas produced per day and the average.For hen dung,humidity(28.47%),DM(dry matter)(71.53%),OM(organic matter)(67%),density(270.77 kg/m^(3)),carbon content(39.7%),nitrogen content(2.55%)and C/N ratio(15.23)and pig pork,moisture(47.98%),DM(45.6%),OM(23.55%),mass volumic(693.12 kg/m^(3)),carbon(38.88%),nitrogen(1.82%)and C/N(11.26).These results compared to those of the literature revealed a very good coincidence.Two experiments on the methanation of these inputs were carried out,the anaerobic digestion lasted 24 days,in a temperature range of 24 to 30℃(mesophilic range).It was obtained for:hen dung 0.02526 m^(3) and pig poach 0.00841 m^(3) and on average the daily specific production of biogas of different substrates is:pork dung(0.00407 m^(3)/day)and the hen dung(0.00108 m^(3)/d)at an average temperature of 24℃.
文摘The aim of this research is to assess the energy potential of cow dung and corn cob inputs,with a view to estimating their biogas potential.The inputs were characterized in the microbiology laboratory of the National Control Office Quality in Matoto,Conakry.The experiment to produce methane from cow dung and maize cob was carried out at the Applied Research in Natural Sciences Laboratory of the University of Kindia(UK)using the following equipment:Three digesters were each connected to an air chamber(gasometer)by means of flexible pipes 8 mm in diameter,connected by clamps,liquid adhesives,valves and Teflon.This research focused on determining the quantity of biogas contained in each type of substrate(cow dung,maize cob and their mixture).Three experiments on the methanization of these inputs were carried out,with anaerobic digestion lasting 27 days,in a temperature range of 27℃ to 31℃(mesophilic range).The results were as follows:maize cob 28.4 L,cow dung 22.6 L and codigestion 38.7 L.These results compared with similar studies revealed a coincidence.
基金supported in part by the JSPS Kakenhi under Grant No.21K03539。
文摘We revisit the issue of whether the effective potential for the conformal factor of the metric,which is generated by quantized matter fields,possesses a non-vanishing vacuum expectation value(VEV)or not.We prove that the effective potential has a vanishing vacuum expectation value on the basis of a global GL(4)symmetry.We also account for why there seems to be two different effective potentials for the conformal factor in a theory,one of which gives rise to a vanishing VEV for the conformal factor,whereas the other has a non-vanishing VEV.
基金this project under Geran Putra Inisiatif(GPI)with reference of GP-GPI/2023/976210。
文摘Accurate time synchronization is fundamental to the correct and efficient operation of Wireless Sensor Networks(WSNs),especially in security-critical,time-sensitive applications.However,most existing protocols degrade substantially under malicious interference.We introduce iSTSP,an Intelligent and Secure Time Synchronization Protocol that implements a four-stage defense pipeline to ensure robust,precise synchronization even in hostile environments:(1)trust preprocessing that filters node participation using behavioral trust scoring;(2)anomaly isolation employing a lightweight autoencoder to detect and excise malicious nodes in real time;(3)reliability-weighted consensus that prioritizes high-trust nodes during time aggregation;and(4)convergence-optimized synchronization that dynamically adjusts parameters using theoretical stability bounds.We provide rigorous convergence analysis including a closed-form expression for convergence time,and validate the protocol through both simulations and realworld experiments on a controlled 16-node testbed.Under Sybil attacks with five malicious nodes within this testbed,iSTSP maintains synchronization error increases under 12%and achieves a rapid convergence.Compared to state-ofthe-art protocols like TPSN,SE-FTSP,and MMAR-CTS,iSTSP offers 60%faster detection,broader threat coverage,and more than 7 times lower synchronization error,with a modest 9.3%energy overhead over 8 h.We argue this is an acceptable trade-off for mission-critical deployments requiring guaranteed security.These findings demonstrate iSTSP’s potential as a reliable solution for secure WSN synchronization and motivate future work on large-scale IoT deployments and integration with energy-efficient communication protocols.
文摘Based on the density functional theory,the double half-Heusler alloys LuXCo_(2)Bi_(2)(X=V,Nb,and Ta)were studied to predict their structural,thermodynamic,thermoelectric,and optical characteristics.All the considered alloys are thermodynamically stable and have semiconductor behavior with indirect band gaps of 0.62,0.75,and 0.8 eV for LuVCo_(2)Bi_(2),LuNbCo_(2)Bi_(2),and LuTaCu_(2)Bi_(2),respectively.The investigated compounds exhibit semiconducting behavior with energy gaps below 0.8 eV.The impact of heat and pressure on thermodynamic coefficients was evaluated,and the influence of charge carriers on the temperature-dependent properties was studied using the semi-classical Boltzmann model.The studied compounds were characterized by their low lattice thermal conductivity at room temperature and low thermal expansion coefficient.These alloys exhibit substantial absorption coefficients in the ultraviolet(UV)light region,high optical conductivity,and high reflectivity in the visible light region,making them highly appealing materials for applications in the energy and electronics sectors.
文摘This study investigates the complex heat transfer dynamics inmultilayer bifacial photovoltaic(bPV)solar modules under spectrally resolved solar irradiation.A novel numericalmodel is developed to incorporate internal heat generation resulting from optical absorption,grounded in the physical equations governing light-matter interactions within the module’smultilayer structure.The model accounts for reflection and transmission at each interface between adjacent layers,as well as absorption within individual layers,using the wavelength-dependent dielectric properties of constituent materials.These properties are used to calculate the spectral reflectance,transmittance,and absorption coefficients,enabling precise quantification of internal heat sources from irradiance incidents on both the front and rear surfaces of the module.The study further examines the influence of irradiance reflection on thermal behavior,evaluates the thermal impact of various supporting materials placed beneath the module,and analyzes the role of albedo in modifying heat distribution.By incorporating spectrally resolved heat generation across each layer often simplified or omitted in conventional models,the proposed approach enhances physical accuracy.The transient heat equation is solved using a one-dimensional finite difference(FD)method to produce detailed temperature profiles under multiple operating scenarios,including Standard Test Conditions(STC),Bifacial Standard Test Conditions(BSTC),Normal Operating Cell Temperature(NOCT),and Bifacial NOCT(BNOCT).The results offer valuable insights into the interplay between optical and thermal phenomena in bifacial systems,informing the design and optimization of more efficient photovoltaic technologies.
文摘Current research focuses on the performance degradation of photovoltaic(PV)modules,examining both crystalline silicon(p-Si and m-Si)and thin-film technologies,including a-Si/μc-Si,HIT,CdTe and CIGS.These modules were operated outdoors in two distinct climatic zones in the United States(US)over a period of three years.The degradation analysis includes the study of various quantities,such as the decrease in peak power,the reduction in current and voltage,and the variation in the fill factor.The annual degradation rate(DR)of PV modules is obtained by a linear fit of the effective maximum power evolution over time.The results indicate that m-Si and p-Si modules experienced a slight decrease in performance,with DRs of−0.83%and−1.07%,respectively.Subsequently,the HIT module exhibited a DR of−1.75%,while CdTe and CIGS modules demonstrated DRs of−2.03%and−2.45%,respectively.The a-Si/μc-Si module showed the highest DR at−3.26%.Using the Single Diode Model(SDM),we monitored the temporal evolution of physical parameters as well as changes in the shape of the I-V and P-V curves over time.We found that the key points of the I-V curve degrade over time,as do the I-V and P-V characteristics between two days approximately 30 months apart.
基金financial support from the Ministry of Science,Technology and Innovation with Grant No. MOSTI004-2023SRF。
文摘The focus of this study is on investigating the vanadyl 2,9,16,23-tetraphenoxy-29H, 31H-phthalocyanine(VOPc Ph O)and its blend with o-xylenyl C60 bis-adduct(OXCBA), for use as a lateral ultraviolet organic photodetector. The research focuses on improving dark current reduction, which is a challenge in lateral organic photodetector. By integrating the OXCBA, low dark current values of 4.83 nA·cm^(-2)(D_(shot)^(*)= 1.414 × 10^(11)Jones) have been achieved as compared to the stand-alone VoPcPhO device of 14.06 nA·cm^(-2). The major contributing factors to dark current reduction are due to the efficient charge transfer at the photoactive-electrode interface, the deep highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO)level of OXCBA, which leads to favorable energy level alignments hindering hole injection, and the occurrence of bulk heterojunction vertical phase segregation between VOPcPhO and OXCBA. These findings shed light on the relationship between the organic photoconductor's material composition, morphology, and performance metrics and open new avenues for metal phthalocyanine-based lateral ultraviolet organic photodetectors with low dark current and enhanced performance.
基金National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFE0206300)National Natural Science Foundation of China(U21A2081,22075074,22209047)+2 种基金Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2024A1515011620)Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(2024JJ5068)Foundation of Yuelushan Center for Industrial Innovation(2023YCII0119)。
文摘Changes to the microstructure of a hard carbon(HC)and its solid electrolyte interface(SEI)can be effective in improving the electrode kinetics.However,achieving fast charging using a simple and inexpensive strategy without sacrificing its initial Coulombic efficiency remains a challenge in sodium ion batteries.A simple liquid-phase coating approach has been used to generate a pitch-derived soft carbon layer on the HC surface,and its effect on the porosity of HC and SEI chemistry has been studied.A variety of structural characterizations show a soft carbon coating can increase the defect and ultra-micropore contents.The increase in ultra-micropore comes from both the soft carbon coatings and the larger pores within the HC that are partially filled by pitch,which provides more Na+storage sites.In-situ FTIR/EIS and ex-situ XPS showed that the soft carbon coating induced the formation of thinner SEI that is richer in NaF from the electrolyte,which stabilized the interface and promoted the charge transfer process.As a result,the anode produced fastcharging(329.8 mAh g^(−1)at 30 mA g^(−1)and 198.6 mAh g^(−1)at 300 mA g^(−1))and had a better cycling performance(a high capacity retention of 81.4%after 100 cycles at 150 mA g^(−1)).This work reveals the critical role of coating layer in changing the pore structure,SEI chemistry and diffusion kinetics of hard carbon,which enables rational design of sodium-ion battery anode with enhanced fast charging capability.
文摘Monte Carlo(MC) simulations have been performed to refine the estimation of the correction-toscaling exponent ω in the 2D φ^(4)model,which belongs to one of the most fundamental universality classes.If corrections have the form ∝ L^(-ω),then we find ω=1.546(30) andω=1.509(14) as the best estimates.These are obtained from the finite-size scaling of the susceptibility data in the range of linear lattice sizes L ∈[128,2048] at the critical value of the Binder cumulant and from the scaling of the corresponding pseudocritical couplings within L∈[64,2048].These values agree with several other MC estimates at the assumption of the power-law corrections and are comparable with the known results of the ε-expansion.In addition,we have tested the consistency with the scaling corrections of the form ∝ L^(-4/3),∝L^(-4/3)In L and ∝L^(-4/3)/ln L,which might be expected from some considerations of the renormalization group and Coulomb gas model.The latter option is consistent with our MC data.Our MC results served as a basis for a critical reconsideration of some earlier theoretical conjectures and scaling assumptions.In particular,we have corrected and refined our previous analysis by grouping Feynman diagrams.The renewed analysis gives ω≈4-d-2η as some approximation for spatial dimensions d <4,or ω≈1.5 in two dimensions.
基金initiated and financially supported by Stevenson Aggregates and Fulton Hogan.
文摘Safety berms(also called safety bunds or windrows),widely employed in surface mining and quarry operations,are typically designed based on rules of thumb.Despite having been used by the industry for more than half a century and accidents happening regularly,their behaviour is still poorly understood.This paper challenges existing practices through a comprehensive investigation combining full-scale experiments and advanced numerical modelling.Focusing on a Volvo A45G articulated dump truck(ADT)and a CAT 773B rigid dump truck(RDT),collision scenarios under various approach conditions and different safety berm geometries and materials are rigorously examined.The calibrated numerical model is used to assess the energy absorption capacity of safety berms with different geometry and to predict a critical velocity for a specific scenario.Back analysis of an actual fatal accident indicated that an ADT adhering to the speed limit could not be stopped by the safety berm designed under current guidelines.The study highlights the importance of considering the entire geometry and the mass and volume of the material used to build the safety berm alongside the speed and approach conditions of the machinery.The findings of the study enable operators to set speed limits based on specific berm geometries or adapt safety berm designs to match speed constraints for specific machinery.This will reduce the risk of fatal accidents and improve haul road safety.
文摘In this paper,we present results from a semi-analytical model that investigates the launching of cold,nonrelativistic jets from a wide radial extent of stationary and axisymmetric magnetized accretion disks.Specifically,we examine the effects of magnetization on the disk-jet system in configurations where the magnetic field is near equipartition with the thermal pressure at the disk midplane.In this study,the magnetic strength parameterμis explicitly expressed as a function of the magnetic diffusivity parameter(μ-1/√αm).This formulation provides a more direct link between the magnetic field configuration and the diffusive processes within the accretion disk.By establishing this relationship,we better constrain the role of magnetization in jet launching and explore how variations inμinfluence the overall disk-jet dynamics.We focus on three representative cases whereμtakes the values 0.5,0.7,and 0.9.We solve the stiff ordinary differential equations of the semi-analytical MHD model using the Seulex subroutine of Hairer&Wanner,which employs the Taylor method with adaptive mesh refinement.The resulting solutions are compared with those obtained by Zanni et al.,Tzeferacos et al.,and Stepanovs&Fendt.
基金the financial support from the Australian Research Council(DE220101354,DP240102891)Centre for Materials Science,Queensland University of Technologythe QUT supervisor scholarship and QUT HDR tuition fee sponsorship。
文摘While being a promising candidate for large-scale energy storage,the current market penetration of vanadium redox flow batteries(VRFBs)is still limited by several challenges.As one of the key components in VRFBs,a membrane is employed to separate the catholyte and anolyte to prevent the vanadium ions from cross-mixing while allowing the proton conduction to maintain charge balance in the system during operation.To overcome the weakness of commercial membranes,various types of membranes,ranging from ion exchange membranes with diverse functional groups to non-ionic porous membranes,have been designed and reported to achieve higher ionic conductivity while maintaining low vanadium ion permeability,thus enhancing efficiency.In addition,besides overall efficiency,stability and cost-effectiveness of the membrane are also critical aspects that determine the practical applicability of the membranes and thus VRFBs.In this article,we have offered comprehensive insights into the mechanism of ion transportation in membranes of VRFBs that contribute to the challenges and issues of VRFB applications.We have further discussed optimal strategies for solving the trade-off between the membrane efficiency and its durability in VRFB applications.The development of state-of-the-art membranes through various material and structure engineering is demonstrated to reveal the relationship of properties-structure-performance.
