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Background: The authors developed a pain monitoring app offering educational information, and real‐time health care professional feedback on clinically significant pain (>4 numeric rating scale [NRS]‐11) for children with cancer to reduce pain at home. Methods: This monocenter, nonblinded randomized controlled trial enrolled Dutch children (0–18 years old) receiving cancer treatment (≥3 months after diagnosis, ≥2 months treatment remaining). Children were randomly assigned to use the app or receive usual care (two parallel groups). We assessed whether use of the app yielded less clinically significant pain (aim 1) and whether it affected pain severity, duration, interference, pain management strategies, and parental emotional well‐being (aim 2). The app was also evaluated by families (aim 3). Results: A total of 94 children were randomized to use the app (15 drop‐outs), and 90 were to receive care as usual (11 drop‐outs). The app group (n = 79, mean age: 7.5 [5.1] years, 48% girls, 63% hemato‐oncology diagnosis) reported significantly less clinically significant pain compared to usual care (n = 79, mean age: 7.5 [5.4] years, 52% girls, 65% hemato‐oncology diagnosis) (odds ratio [OR], 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.198–0.734]) (aim 1), as well as significantly lower pain severity (β = –0.27; 95% CI, –0.407 to –0.142). No differences were found for duration, interference, or management strategies. Parents in the app group reported significantly less distress compared to usual care (β = –0.84; 95% CI, –1.61 to –0.03]) (aim 2). Families generally evaluated the app positively (aim 3). Conclusions: Use of the app resulted in less clinically significant pain at home. The exact working mechanisms of the app should be further elucidated. Use of a pain monitoring app with educational information on pain (management) and real‐time health care professional feedback reduced clinically significant pain in children with cancer at home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objectives Methods Results Conclusions Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has shown promise in predicting surgical outcomes by non‐invasively detecting subclinical lentigo maligna (melanoma) (LM/LMM).To assess the effects of presurgical mapping using handheld RCM (HH‐RCM) on surgical treatment, follow‐up outcomes and management decisions.A total of 117 consecutive LM/LMM cases (2015–2023) were included. The diagnostic accuracy of HH‐RCM in detecting subclinical LM and invasive components was evaluated. The primary endpoints included histological margin status and changes in management based on the outcomes of the HH‐RCM mapping procedure. Margin and follow‐up outcomes were compared to a historical cohort before HH‐RCM was introduced in our center (n = 94) (2003–2014).HH‐RCM detected subclinical LM in 60% (n = 60) of cases. The median mapping duration was 14 min (range 4–50). In 27% (n = 33), the mapping procedure resulted in modified management, the majority consisting of limited surgery with adjuvant imiquimod (n = 15) or imiquimod monotherapy (n = 14). The remaining cases (n = 84) underwent HH‐RCM‐assisted surgery. Histological margins were cleared in 96.5% of the patients with a median histological margin of 3.0 mm, significantly higher than 81% in the historical cohort (median 2.0 mm) (p = 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity for detecting the extent of subclinical LM were 94% (95% CI 80.4–99.3) and 84% (95% CI 70.3–92.7), respectively. The negative predictive value for the detection of LMM was 94% (95% CI 84.4–97.7), and 75% of the initially missed LMM (n = 12) were identified during the HH‐RCM mapping procedure. The study cohort had a 1.6% local recurrence rate compared with 25% in the historical cohort.Integrating HH‐RCM as the standard of care could lead to more personalized treatment strategies for LM/LMM and allows for the selection of patients suitable for nonsurgical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FDM is a prominent AM process from which 3D models can be generated. Optimisation algorithms are used to get best levels of process parameters. The aim of this article is to analyse statistically the L16 OA and its corresponding responses in order to obtain optimal process parameter level combinations which could make the product efficient. The process parameters considered were extrusion temperature and infill density. The optimal parameter settings obtained were an extrusion temperature of 220°C and an infill density of 80%. Each parameter was considered at four different levels. Since there were two factors at four levels, L16 OA was preferred to design the experimental plan. The process parameters were selected based on the output responses. A total of 16 samples for each response were manufactured and tested, and statistical analysis was carried out. Statistical approaches like ANOVA analysis and S/N ratio analysis were used to get significance of factors and optimal parameter settings, and analysis was performed using MINITAB 16. Validation tests were carried out with optimal parameter settings as input parameters. Statistical analysis showed that extrusion temperature was a more significant factor compared to infill density for both tensile and compressive strengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The comparative assessments and an overview of mechanical, chemical, and physical properties of rail axles are presented. This review focused on the effects of compositions and microstructure on fatigue, fretting and corrosion fatigue of rail axles. The two main steel grades: low carbon steels for commuter trains and high strength low alloy steels for high-speed trains have ferrite-pearlite microstructures with 20–40 µm ferrite grain sizes. Minimum allowable yield and ultimate tensile strengths are 330 MPa and 600 MPa, and the minimum longitudinal and transverse toughnesses are 35 J and 22 J. Most axle failures are associated with surface and sub-surface defects with micro-cracks nucleating from ballast (small-sized pebbles in rail tracks), minute oscillatory movement leading to fretting, microstructural inclusions, and corrosion pits. The implications for structural integrity are highlighted and areas for future research directions are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the complementarity of direct detection (DD) and spallation source (SS) experiments for the study of sterile neutrino physics. We focus on the sterile baryonic neutrino model: an extension of the Standard Model that introduces a massive sterile neutrino with couplings to the quark sector via a new gauge boson. In this scenario, the inelastic scattering of an active neutrino with the target material in both DD and SS experiments gives rise to a characteristic nuclear recoil energy spectrum that can allow for the reconstruction of the neutrino mass in the event of a positive detection. We first derive new bounds on this model based on the data from the COHERENT collaboration on CsI and LAr targets, which we find do not yet probe new areas of the parameter space. We then assess how well future SS experiments will be able to measure the sterile neutrino mass and mixings, showing that masses in the range ~15 − 50 MeV can be reconstructed. We show that there is a degeneracy in the measurement of the sterile neutrino mixing that substantially affects the reconstruction of parameters for masses of the order of 40 MeV. Thanks to their lower energy threshold and sensitivity to the solar tau neutrino flux, DD experiments allow us to partially lift the degeneracy in the sterile neutrino mixings and considerably improve its mass reconstruction down to 9 MeV. Our results demonstrate the excellent complementarity between DD and SS experiments in measuring the sterile neutrino mass and highlight the power of DD experiments in searching for new physics in the neutrino sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sentiment Analysis is an innovative development technique that uses natural language processing techniques to derive people's emotions under positive, negative, and neutral based on public opinions of information. The main objective of this study is to introduce a novel stock market prediction method based on the Grey Exponential Smoothing method for analyzing social media data within a big-data distributed environment. The empirical investigation of this study is mainly carried out based on the stock market price indices parallel to the extracted Tweets collected during the three selected politically important moments that happened in Sri Lanka during the past ten years; the first case study is based on the political background after the ending of the thirty years of civil war in years 2009. In the year 2015, Maithripala Sirisena ended the dynastic rule of Mahinda Rajapaksa. So, the second case study has based the Tweets on the political reforms done after the 2015 presidential election; the third study is based on the Sri Lankan political and economic background after the Rajapaksas rose again in 2020. For validations purpose, K Nearest Neighbour, Decision Tree Model, Support Vector Machine, Grey Exponential Smoothing model, and Multinomial Naïve Bayes machine learning were considered. According to the empirical findings, the new proposed Hybrid Grey Exponential Smoothing model is highly accurate with the lowest RMSE error values in one-headforecasting. Furthermore, the key finding of this research suggested that the hybrid Grey Exponential Smoothing model performs well in sentiment classification-based financial predictions than traditional methods, especially with non-stationary behavioral backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets wrapped around samarium oxide (Sm2O3) nanotubes were successfully synthesized using a facile and environmentally friendly hydrothermal method in this paper. X-ray diffraction, SEM, TEM, high resolution TEM, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize all of the prepared nanostructures. The purity of the material synthesized, which is made up of Sm2O3 nanotubes in a single cubic crystalline phase with a mean length of about 450 nm and a diameter of about 50 nm, were verified by additional tests. The synthesized samples were used to fabricate resistive sensors, which were then tested for NO2 and CO2 sensing properties at different concentrations (5–1000 ppm). In comparison to pure RGO and Sm2O3, the experimental results showed that the composite-based Sm2O3/RGO sensor has good sensing properties in terms of response (98.3%), fast response (15 s)/recovery time (12 s), and excellent response repeatability. The formations of p–p heterojunction in the Sm2O3/RGO composite were attributed for the improved sensing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Standard once-daily dosing of ceftriaxone may not lead to adequate antibiotic exposure in all cases of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB). Therefore, we compared clinical effectiveness of empirical antibiotic treatment with flucloxacillin, cefuroxime and ceftriaxone in adult patients with MSSA bacteraemia Methods We analysed data from the Improved Diagnostic Strategies in Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (IDISA) study, a multicentre prospective cohort study of adult patients with MSSA bacteraemia. Duration of bacteraemia and 30 day SAB-related mortality were compared between the three groups using multivariable mixed-effects Cox regression analyses. Results In total, 268 patients with MSSA bacteraemia were included in the analyses. Median duration of empirical antibiotic therapy was 3 (IQR 2–3) days in the total study population. Median duration of bacteraemia was 1.0 (IQR 1.0–3.0) day in the flucloxacillin, cefuroxime and ceftriaxone groups. In multivariable analyses, neither ceftriaxone nor cefuroxime was associated with increased duration of bacteraemia compared with flucloxacillin (HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.73–1.60 and HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.88–1.71). In multivariable analysis, neither cefuroxime nor ceftriaxone was associated with higher 30 day SAB-related mortality compared with flucloxacillin [subdistribution HR (sHR) 1.37, 95% CI 0.42–4.52 and sHR 1.93, 95% CI 0.67–5.60]. Conclusions In this study, we could not demonstrate a difference in duration of bacteraemia and 30 day SAB-related mortality between patients with SAB empirically treated with flucloxacillin, cefuroxime or ceftriaxone. Since sample size was limited, it is possible the study was underpowered to find a clinically relevant effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was, therefore, to evaluate the impact on organic carbon and the formation of soil aggregates in areas of natural vegetation converted into pastures in southern Amazonas. The research was carried out in seven areas in the municipality of Humaitá, Amazonas, Brazil, five of which were pastureland, one native forest, and one natural field. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0–10 and 10–20 cm in the seven study areas and analyzed for aggregate stability, soil density, soil organic carbon, and the calculated soil organic carbon stock. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were then carried out. Conversion from forest to pasture had a negative impact on percentage of aggregates >2 mm, soil density, concentration and stock of soil organic carbon. Organic carbon correlates positively with percentage of aggregates >2 mm, geometric mean diameter and weighted mean diameter, and negatively with soil density. Aggregate stability influences carbon sequestration in the pasture and forest areas studied, but has no influence in the natural grassland environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absolute photoabsorption cross section of imidazole, and that of 1-methylimidazole, have been measured from threshold up to 10.8 eV using synchrotron radiation. For each molecule, the absorption spectrum exhibits several broad bands due to transitions into excited valence states and some sharp structure associated with Rydberg states. Assignments have been proposed for some of the observed absorption bands using calculated transition energies and oscillator strengths. Quantum defect analyses have also helped guide these assignments. Natural transition orbital plots indicate that many of the electronically excited states have a mixed Rydberg/valence character. This mixing leads to irregularities in both the transition energies and the relative intensities of the absorption bands ascribed to Rydberg states. The vibrational progressions belonging to some of the Rydberg states have been interpreted using simulations of the corresponding cation's vibrational structure obtained within the Franck-Condon model employing harmonic frequencies and normal modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aimed to systematically identify and characterize existing digital health tools for pain monitoring in children with cancer, and to assess common barriers and facilitators of implementation. Methods: A comprehensive literature search (PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and PsycINFO) was carried out to identify published research on mobile apps and wearable devices focusing on acute and/or chronic pain in children (0–18 years) with cancer (all diagnoses) during active treatment. Tools had to at least include a monitoring feature for one or more pain characteristic(s) (e.g., presence, severity, perceived cause interference with daily life). Project leaders of identified tools were invited for an interview on barriers and facilitators. Results: Of 121 potential publications, 33 met inclusion criteria, describing 14 tools. Two methods of delivery were used: apps (n=13), and a wearable wristband (n=1). Most publications focused on feasibility and acceptability. Results of interviews with project leaders (100% response rate), reveal that most barriers to implementation were identified in the organizational context (47% of barriers), with financial resources and insufficient time available mentioned most often. Most factors that facilitated implementation related to end users (56% of facilitators), with end-user cooperation and end-user satisfaction mentioned most often. Conclusions: Existing digital tools for pain in children with cancer were mostly apps directed at pain severity monitoring and little is still known about their effectiveness. Paying attention to common barriers and facilitators, especially taking into account realistic funding expectations and involving end users during early stages of new projects, might prevent evidence based interventions from ending up unused. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to nature has been suggested to promote immigrants' health and facilitate adaptation. This review summarizes previous research focusing on the relationship between nature and immigrants' integration, wellbeing and physical activity. A search strategy was developed and adapted to seven databases. After removing duplicates, 4861 records were screened, 81 met inclusion criteria. Community gardens and urban parks were the most studied environments. In these settings, embodied experiences (the interactive processes of sensing and cognition) can foster new memories that facilitate adaptation and attachment to new natural environments. Social interaction and reconnecting with pre-migration experiences through specific use patterns can promote cultural continuation, sense of belonging and wellbeing. Other health benefits such as physical activity, disease management and improved nutrition were less frequently studied. Barriers to participation and recommendations for research and practice were also identified. Use of stronger study designs and greater inclusion of immigrant groups in research, design and evaluation of nature-based initiatives is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), a toxic heavy metal, is a serious pollutant from tannery effluent, and its accumulation in soil and water causes severe environmental concerns and increasing public health issues. The present study focuses on the isolation and identification of chromium-reducing bacteria collected from the tannery industry in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. Chromium-reducing bacteria Pseudomonas putida were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing followed by BLAST search. The plasmid with Cr(VI) reductase gene was isolated from Ps. putida and transferred to Escherichia coli DH5α for further studies. Methods and Results The bacterial cultures were kept under controlled conditions for 72 h to observe the growth rates and bacterial resistance to chromium. When strains wild-type and transformant E. coli DH5α were grown in chromium-supplemented media, they revealed significant growth, but strains cured type Ps. putida and E. coli DH5α recorded minimum growth. The Cr(VI) reduction employed by transformant E. coli DH5α and wild Ps. putida was 42.52 ± 1.48% and 44.46 ± 0.55%, respectively. The culture supernatant of the wild Ps. putida and transformant E. coli DH5α showed an increased reduction of Cr(VI) compared with cell extract supernatant and cell debris due to the extracellular activity of chromium reductase being responsible for Cr(VI) reduction. Besides, the chromium reductase gene was confirmed in the isolated Ps. putida and transformant E. coli DH5α. Conclusions Transformant bacteria could employ an alternative method for heavy metal detoxification in contaminated environments like tannery effluent and mining processes. Significance and Impact of Study High Cr(VI) concentration resistance and high Cr(VI) reducing the strain's ability make it suitable for bioremediation. These possible horizontal gene transfer events indicated in this study may have enabled transformant E. coli DH5α as a good candidate for reducing the heavy metal pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquitoes are globally distributed and adapted to a broad range of environmental conditions. As obligatory hosts of many infectious pathogens, mosquito abundance and distribution are primarily determined by the presence and quality of larval habitats. To understand the dynamics and productivity of larval habitats in changing island environments, we conducted a four-month mosquito survey across ten inhabited islands in the Lakshadweep archipelago. Using fine-resolution larval habitat mapping, we recorded 7890 mosquitoes representing 13 species and 7 genera. Of these, four species comprised 95% of the total collections—Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia) was the dominant species followed by Armigeres subalbatus, Culex quinquefasciatus and Malaya genurostris. We found larval species richness was positively associated with the island area and mosquito larval richness (Chao1 estimator) was higher in artificial habitats than in natural habitats. Furthermore, mosquito species composition did not deteriorate with distance between islands. Mosquito abundance by species was associated with microclimatic variables—pH and temperature. We detected co-existence of multiple species at a micro-habitat level with no evidence of interactions like competition or predation. Our study analyzed and identified the most productive larval habitats –discarded plastic container and plastic drums contributing to high larval indices predicting dengue epidemic across the Lakshadweep islands. Our data highlight the need to devise vector control strategies by removal of human-induced plastic pollution (household waste) which is a critical driver of disease risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine clinical practice variation and identify knowledge gaps in antibiotic treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB).Methods: A web-based survey with questions addressing antibiotic treatment of SAB was distributed through the ESGAP network among infectious disease specialists, clinical microbiologists and internists in Croatia, France, Greece, the Netherlands and the UK between July 2021 and November 2021.Results: A total number of 1687 respondents opened the survey link, of whom 677 (40%) answered at least one question. For MSSA and MRSA bacteraemia, 98% and 94% preferred initial monotherapy, respectively. In patients with SAB and non-removable infected prosthetic material, between 80% and 90% would use rifampicin as part of the treatment. For bone and joint infections, 65%-77% of respondents would consider oral step-down therapy, but for endovascular infections only 12%-32% would. Respondents recommended widely varying treatment durations for SAB with different foci of infection. Overall, 48% stated they used 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT (18F-FDG-PET/CT) to guide antibiotic treatment duration. Persistent bacteraemia was the only risk factor for complicated SAB that would prompt a majority to extend treatment from 2 to 4-6 weeks.Conclusions: This survey in five European countries shows considerable clinical practice variation between and within countries in the antibiotic management of SAB, in particular regarding oral step-down therapy, choice of oral antibiotic agents, treatment duration and use of 18F-FDG-PET/CT. Physicians use varying criteria for treatment decisions, as evidence from clinical trials is often lacking. These areas of practice variation could be used to prioritize future studies for further improvement of SAB care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field exposures are often used to provide useful information about sub-surface reservoirs. This paper discusses general lessons learnt about the use of deformed Devonian and Carboniferous meta-sedimentary rocks in the Harz Mountains, Germany, as analogues for a proposed enhanced geothermal reservoir (EGS) at Göttingen. The aims of any analogue study must be clarified, including agreeing with people from other disciplines (especially reservoir modellers) about the information that can and cannot be obtained from surface exposures. Choice of an analogue may not simply involve selection of the nearest exposures of rocks of a similar age and type, but should involve consideration of such factors as the quality and geological setting of the analogue and reservoir, and of any processes that need to be understood. Fieldwork should focus on solving particular problems relating to understanding the EGS, with care being needed to avoid becoming distracted by broader geological issues. It is suggested that appropriate questions should be asked and appropriate analyses used when planning a study of a geothermal reservoir, including studies of exposed analogues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Uncontrolled occupational exposure to silica is still frequent in Brazil, with several recent records in the state of Minas Gerais. However, few national studies have addressed silica-related diseases other than silicosis. Aims To describe the occurrence of the main non-malignant silica-related diseases: silicosis, tuberculosis (TB), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and autoimmune diseases in a specialized outpatient clinic. Methods Case series study of 1525 patients exposed to silica, seen between 1984 and 2021, with descriptive findings of clinical and occupational data from the first medical evaluation. Results Medians of age and exposure time were 47 and 15 years, respectively, and 97% of patients were male. The prevalence of silicosis was 44%, of which 27% had large opacities. The main occupational sectors were underground gold mining (28%), precious and semi-precious stone work (20%), and artisanal mining (9%). Spirometries were abnormal in 55%, with obstructive disorder being the most common finding. COPD (25%), active TB or sequelae (12%), and connective tissue diseases (6%) were diagnosed in patients with and without silicosis. Conclusions The percentage of silicosis appears to be alarming, even considering the biases of selective referrals. The patients were relatively young and already had a functional impact, caused not only by silicosis but by one or more silica-related diseases. COPD, TB, and connective tissue diseases proved to be frequent, leading to the need for specifics protocols to investigate them in individuals exposed to silica. By adopting strategies to combat silicosis, the prevention of other silica-related diseases is concomitantly promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting the bulk-average velocity (UB) in open channels with rigid vegetation is complicated due to the non-linear nature of the parameters. Despite their higher accuracy, existing regression models fail to highlight the feature importance or causality of the respective predictions. Therefore, we propose a method to predict UB and the friction factor in the surface layer (fS) using tree-based machine learning (ML) models (decision tree, extra tree, and XGBoost). Further, Shapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) was used to interpret the ML predictions. The comparison emphasized that the XGBoost model is superior in predicting UB (R = 0.984) and fS (R = 0.92) relative to the existing regression models. SHAP revealed the underlying reasoning behind predictions, the dependence of predictions, and feature importance. Interestingly, SHAP adheres to what is generally observed in complex flow behavior, thus, improving trust in predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquitoes are globally distributed and adapted to a broad range of environmental conditions. As obligatory hosts of many infectious pathogens, mosquito abundance and distribution are primarily determined by the presence and quality of larval habitats. To understand the dynamics and productivity of larval habitats in changing island environments, we conducted a four-month mosquito survey across ten inhabited islands in the Lakshadweep archipelago. Using fine-resolution larval habitat mapping, we recorded 7890 mosquitoes representing 13 species and 7 genera. Of these, four species comprised 95% of the total collections—Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia) was the dominant species followed by Armigeres subalbatus, Culex quinquefasciatus and Malaya genurostris. We found larval species richness was positively associated with the island area and mosquito larval richness (Chao1 estimator) was higher in artificial habitats than in natural habitats. Furthermore, mosquito species composition did not deteriorate with distance between islands. Mosquito abundance by species was associated with microclimatic variables—pH and temperature. We detected co-existence of multiple species at a micro-habitat level with no evidence of interactions like competition or predation. Our study analyzed and identified the most productive larval habitats –discarded plastic container and plastic drums contributing to high larval indices predicting dengue epidemic across the Lakshadweep islands. Our data highlight the need to devise vector control strategies by removal of human-induced plastic pollution (household waste) which is a critical driver of disease risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The valence shell photoelectron spectra of 2-chloropyridine and 3-chloropyridine have been studied both experimentally and theoretically. Synchrotron radiation has been employed to record angle resolved photoelectron spectra in the photon energy range 20-100 eV, and these have enabled anisotropy parameters and branching ratios to be derived. The experimental results have been compared with theoretical predictions obtained using the continuum multiple scattering Xα approach. This comparison shows that the anisotropy parameter associated with the nominally chlorine lone-pair orbital lying in the molecular plane is strongly affected by the atomic Cooper minimum. In contrast, the photoionization dynamics of the second lone-pair orbital, orientated perpendicular to the molecular plane, seem relatively unaffected by this atomic phenomenon. The outer valence ionization has been studied theoretically using the third-order algebraic-diagrammatic construction (ADC(3)) approximation scheme for the one-particle Green's function, the outer valence Green's function method, and the equation-of-motion (EOM) coupled cluster (CC) theory at the level of the EOM-IP-CCSD and EOM-EE-CC3 models. The convergence of the results to the complete basis set limit has been investigated. The ADC(3) method has been employed to compute the complete valence shell ionization spectra of 2-chloropyridine and 3-chloropyridine. The relaxation mechanism for ionization of the nitrogen σ-type lone-pair orbital (σN LP) has been found to be different to that for the corresponding chlorine lone-pair (σCl LP). For the σN LP orbital, π-π* excitations play the main role in the screening of the lone-pair hole. In contrast, excitations localized at the chlorine site involving the chlorine πCl LP lone-pair and the Cl 4p Rydberg orbital are the most important for the σCl LP orbital. The calculated photoelectron spectra have allowed assignments to be proposed for most of the structure observed in the experimental spectra. The theoretical work also highlights the formation of satellite states, due to the breakdown of the single particle model of ionization, in the inner valence region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: [18F]FDG-PET/CT is used for diagnosing metastatic infections in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) and guidance of antibiotic treatment. The impact of [18F]FDG-PET/CT on outcomes remains to be determined. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the effects of [18F]FDG-PET/CT on all-cause mortality and new diagnostic findingsin SAB.Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE.com, Web of Science, and Wiley's Cochrane library from inception to 29 January 2021. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials, clinically controlled trials, prospective and retrospective cohort studies, and case-control studies investigating the effects of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in hospitalized adult patients with SAB. We excluded studies lacking a control group without [18F]FDG-PET/CT. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool and certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach by two independent reviewers.Results: We identified 1956 studies, of which five were included in our qualitative synthesis, including a total of 880 SAB patients. All studies were non-randomized and at moderate or serious risk of bias. Four studies, including a total of 804 patients, reported lower mortality in SAB patients that underwent [18F]FDG-PET/CT. One study including 102 patients reported more detected metastatic foci in the participants in whom [18F]FDG-PET/CT was performed.Discussion: We found low certainty of evidence that [18F]FDG-PET/CT reduces mortality in patients with SAB. This effect is possibly explained by a higher frequency of findings guiding optimal antibiotic treatment and source control interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The valence shell ionization spectrum of pyridine was studied using the third-order algebraicdiagrammatic construction approximation scheme for the one-particle Green's function and the outer-valence Green's function method. The results were used to interpret angle resolved photoelectron spectra recorded with synchrotron radiation in the photon energy range of 17-120 eV. The lowest four states of the pyridine radical cation, namely, 2A2(1a2-1), 2A1(7a1-1), 2B1(2b1-1) and 2B2(5b2-1), were studied in detail using various high-level electronic structure calculation methods. The vertical ionization energies were established using the equation-of-motion coupled-cluster approach with single, double and triple excitations (EOM-IP-CCSDT) and the complete basis set extrapolation technique. Further interpretation of the electronic structure results was accomplished using Dyson orbitals, electron density difference plots and a second-order perturbation theory treatment for the relaxation energy. Strong orbital relaxation and electron correlation effects were shown to accompany ionization of the 7a1 orbital, which formally represents the nonbonding ó-type nitrogen lone-pair (nó) orbital. The theoretical work establishes the important roles of the л-system (л-л* excitations) in the screening of the nó-hole and of the relaxation of the molecular orbitals in the formation of the 7a1(nó) 1 state. Equilibrium geometric parameters were computed using the MP2 (second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory) and CCSD methods and the harmonic vibrational frequencies were obtained at the MP2 level of theory for the lowest three cation states. The results were used to estimate the adiabatic 0-0 ionization energies, which were then compared to the available experimental and theoretical data. Photoelectron anisotropy parameters and photoionization partial cross sections, derived from the experimental spectra, were compared to predictions obtained with the continuum multiple scattering approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction to an article titled "Comparative effectiveness of β-lactams for empirical treatment of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia: a prospective cohort study" published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. The correction addresses an error in the abstract of the original article, specifically in the results section. The corrected version states that neither cefuroxime nor ceftriaxone was associated with an increased duration of bacteraemia compared to flucloxacillin. The overall conclusions of the study remain unchanged. The authors apologize for any inconvenience caused. [Extracted from the article]

An automated instrument to measure specific surface area (SSA) of powdered materials was designed using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) isotherm method. A sample of known SSA was introduced to make the method simple, accurate, and fast. The cost of the instrument was reduced by operating the instrument at a fixed partial pressure. A piezoelectric sensor was introduced to detect the changes in gas flow rates with better sensitivity and low cost. The analyzer was used to analyze the SSA of an unknown sample, to compare the SSA of two samples, and to identify unknowns using the SSA. The error of the instrument was less than 0.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study is to systematically quantify the along-track resolution of Satellite for Argos and AltiKa (SARAL)/AltiKa and Environmental Satellite (ENVISAT)-RA2 altimeters over continental margins. Spectral coherence and power spectral density estimated from pairs of stacked (averaged) sea surface height (SSH) profiles from repeat tracks as a function of wave number are used to estimate along-track resolution and noise characteristics, respectively. The analyses were carried out along 96 SARAL/AltiKa and ENIVISAT-RA2 tracks covering continental margins of India, Gulf of Mexico, and South America. Our study clearly suggests that for all three sites the short-wavelength resolution of SARAL/AltiKa (15–18 km) is ~27–33% better than ENVISAT-RA2 (22–25 km) data. Variations in sediment thickness along the continental margins have significant influence in the along-track resolution of both altimeters. Strong geoid signals owing to thin sediments (0.1–0.3 km thick) along the South American margin provided higher resolution for both SARAL/AltiKa (15 km) and ENVISAT-RA2 (22 km) altimeters. Conversely, over the continental margins of India and Gulf of Mexico with huge sediment thickness (1–20 km), the resolution of SARAL/AltiKa and ENVISAT-RA2 drops to 18 and 25 km, respectively. We also observe that resolution of both altimeters is higher by 1–2 km for continental margins with narrow shelf. The present study has implications in the generation of high-resolution marine geoid and gravity anomalies using SARAL/AltiKa along with other altimeters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study assessed adherence to, feasibility of, and barriers and facilitators of implementation of an app developed to monitor and follow-up with pain in children with cancer at home. Methods: Children (8–18 years) receiving cancer treatment (all diagnoses) or their parents (of children aged 0–7 years) used the KLIK Pain Monitor app for 3 weeks. Pain was assessed twice daily using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS-11) (ranging from 0 to 10). Healthcare professionals (HCP's) from the hospital's Pediatric Pain Service were instructed to follow-up with clinically significant pain scores (≥ 4) within 120 min (scores 4–6) or 30 min (scores 7–10). Adherence, feasibility, and implementation outcomes were assessed using questionnaires, app log data, and interviews. Results: Twenty-seven children (M age = 7.3 years, 51.8% male) and six HCP's participated. Sixty-three percent (N = 17) of families used the app on a daily basis during three weeks, and 18.5% (N = 5) reported pain scores twice daily during that time (family adherence). Twelve out of 27 children (44.4%) reported a clinically significant pain score at least once. In 70% (14/20) of clinically significant pain scores, HCP's followed-up with families within the set timeframe (HCP adherence). Outcomes reveal feasibility for the majority of app functions (i.e., positive evaluation by ≥ 70% families/HCP's), and non-feasible aspects could be resolved. Identified barriers and facilitators were used to improve future implementation efforts. Conclusion: Use of the KLIK Pain Monitor app seems feasible. Future research will determine its effectiveness in reducing pain in children with cancer at home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent measurement of the muon anomalous magnetic moment by the Fermilab E989 experiment, when combined with the previous result at BNL, has confirmed the tension with the SM prediction at 4.2 σ CL, strengthening the motivation for new physics in the leptonic sector. Among the different particle physics models that could account for such an excess, a gauged U (1) L μ - L τ stands out for its simplicity. In this article, we explore how the combination of data from different future probes can help identify the nature of the new physics behind the muon anomalous magnetic moment. In particular, we contrast U (1) L μ - L τ with an effective U (1) L μ -type model. We first show that muon fixed target experiments (such as NA64 μ ) will be able to measure the coupling of the hidden photon to the muon sector in the region compatible with (g - 2) μ , and will have some sensitivity to the hidden photon's mass. We then study how experiments looking for coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE ν NS) at spallation sources will provide crucial additional information on the kinetic mixing of the hidden photon. When combined with NA64 μ results, the exclusion limits (or reconstructed regions) of future CE ν NS detectors will also allow for a better measurement of the mediator mass. Finally, the observation of nuclear recoils from solar neutrinos in dark matter direct detection experiments will provide unique information about the coupling of the hidden photon to the tau sector. The signal expected for U (1) L μ - L τ is larger than for U (1) L μ with the same kinetic mixing, and future multi-ton liquid xenon proposals (such as DARWIN) have the potential to confirm the former over the latter. We determine the necessary exposure and energy threshold for a potential 5 σ discovery of a U (1) L μ - L τ boson, and we conclude that the future DARWIN observatory will be able to carry out this measurement if the experimental threshold is lowered to 1 keV nr . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A G åarding-type inequality is proved for a quadratic form associated to A-quasiconvex functions. This quadratic form appears as the relative entropy in the theory of conservation laws and it is related to the Weierstrass excess function in the calculus of variations. The former provides weak-strong uniqueness results, whereas the latter has been used to provide sufficiency theorems for local minimizers. Using this new G\r arding inequality we provide an extension of these results to PDE constrained problems in dynamics and statics under A-quasiconvexity assumptions. The application in statics improves existing results by proving uniqueness of Lp-local minimizers in the classical A = curl case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angle resolved photoelectron spectra of the X ²B1, Ã ²A2, B ²B1, and C ²B1 states of bromobenzene have been recorded over the excitation range 20.5-94 eV using linearly polarized synchrotron radiation. The photoelectron anisotropy parameters and electronic branching ratios derived from these spectra have been compared to theoretical predictions obtained with the continuum multiple scattering approach. This comparison shows that ionization from the 8b2 orbital and, to a lesser extent, the 4b1 orbital is influenced by the Cooper minimum associated with the bromine atom. The 8b2 and 4b1 orbitals are nominally bromine lone-pairs, but the latter orbital interacts strongly with the p-orbitals in the benzene ring and this leads to a reduced atomic character. Simulations of the X ²B1, B ²B2, and C ²B1 state photoelectron bands have enabled most of the vibrational structures appearing in the experimental spectra to be assigned. Many of the photoelectron peaks exhibit an asymmetric shape with a tail towards low binding energy. This asymmetry has been examined in the simulations of the vibrationally unexcited peak, due mainly to the adiabatic transition, in the X ²B1 state photoelectron band. The simulations show that the asymmetric profile arises from hot-band transitions. The inclusion of transitions originating from thermally populated levels results in a satisfactory agreement between the experimental and simulated peak shapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural faults on anchor rods due to corrosive processes are among the major natural causes worldwide for the collapse of guyed towers. As such towers are widely used on both power transmission lines and antenna systems, their collapse may cause unexpected interruptions of telecommunications and power delivery services. Despite being of utmost importance, underground corrosion monitoring is still a technological challenge, because it is a highly nonlinear problem, influenced by several soil characteristics and its complex iterations with the metallic structure of the rods. Some techniques have already been proposed to locate such faults; however, either they require previous knowledge about the medium or they need the interpretation of the acquired signal by a human specialist. These requirements make it difficult to use such solutions in automatic monitoring as well as to make their integration with Internet of Things (IoT) systems. In this article, a novel technique is proposed to automatically locate structural faults on anchor rods, based on a two-step machine learning (ML) solution. The system is fed by a vector composed of frequency-domain samples of the input impedance electromagnetic (EM) signals measured on the rods through a dedicated designed connector. Experimental results have demonstrated that the proposed combination of EM signal acquisition and ML data processing was able to perform the fault location on anchor rods accurately and with a total independence of any additional human analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School is a protective factor to improve and promote mental health. Many mental health problems are experienced by school learners. From various interactions with the learners, teachers are expected capable to prevent and identify school learners' mental health problems. Although the human-teacher sources are high, they are not completely used to support learners' mental health problems. This research aims to find out the mental health literacy operational definition and the urgency of the mental health literacy of the teachers. This research applied for a systematic literature review from five search engines. They were Spingerlink, Science Direct, Jstor, Eric, and Pubmed. The applied keywords were "mental health literacy", "school", and "teacher". The taken references are from 1997 - 2020. Six hundred and thirty-three articles were obtained from five search engines. From the systematic review, seven articles were obtained. An expanding concept of mental health definition was found from the initial concept proposed by Jorm. Clear concept definition influenced the measurement. Teachers must be aware of mental health literacy because they are the first lines to identify mental health problems of the learners, mostly found in 12 - 25 years-old learners. Low teacher literacy at school about mental health problems experienced by learners led to serious impacts for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absolute photoabsorption cross sections of 1- and 2-butyne have been recorded at high resolution by using the vacuum-ultraviolet Fourier-Transform spectrometer at the SOLEIL Synchrotron. Both spectra show more resolved structure than previously observed, especially in the case of 2-butyne. In this work, we assess the potential importance of Rydberg states with higher values of orbital angular momentum, l, than are typically observed in photoabsorption experiments from ground state molecules. We show how the character of the highest occupied molecular orbitals in 1- and 2-butyne suggests the potential importance of transitions to such high-l (l = 3 and 4) Rydberg states. Furthermore, we use theoretical calculations of the partial wave composition of the absorption cross section just above the ionization threshold and the principle of continuity of oscillator strength through an ionization threshold to support this conclusion. The new absolute photoabsorption cross sections are discussed in light of these arguments, and the results are consistent with the expectations. This type of argument should be valuable for assessing the potential importance of different Rydberg series when sufficiently accurate direct quantum chemical calculations are difficult, for example, in the n = 5 manifolds of excited states of larger molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absolute photoabsorption cross section of propyne was recorded between 62 000 and 88 000 cm−1 by using the vacuum-ultraviolet, Fourier-transform spectrometer at the Synchrotron Soleil. This cross section spans the region including the lowest Rydberg bands and extends above the Franck-Condon envelope for ionization to the ground electronic state of the propyne cation, X ̃+. Room-temperature spectra were recorded in a flowing cell at 0.9 cm−1 resolution, and jet-cooled spectra were recorded at 1.8 cm−1 resolution and a rotational temperature of ∼100 K. The reduced widths of the rotational band envelopes in the latter spectra reveal new structure and simplify a number of assignments. Although nf Rydberg series have not been assigned previously in the photoabsorption spectrum of propyne, arguments are presented for their potential importance, and the assignment of one nf series is proposed. As expected from previous photoelectron spectra, Rydberg series are also observed above the adiabatic ionization threshold that converge to the v3+ = 1 and 2 levels of the C≡C stretching vibration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrate contamination of water sources is a global environmental concern. A major source of pollution is agricultural runoff, which can contain decomposed organic matter, fertilizer, and animal or human waste. Nitrate adversely affects the stability of water systems such as dams and rivers and thus also public health. Regulation is essential but difficult to implement, given that measuring nitrates is laborious, and normally done using chemical assays in laboratories. We present a novel portable nitrate sensor that uses a smartphone camera fitted with low-cost optics. The sensor uses ultraviolet absorbance analysis to detect nitrates in water samples and quantify the concentration. The sensor's absorptivity when a bandpass filter was used was 0.0681 L·mg-1·cm-1 compared to 0.0934 L·mg-1·cm-1 measured with a spectrophotometer in a laboratory. Measurements by the sensor of the concentration of nitrates in two environmental samples differed from those taken by the spectrophotometer by 19% and 7%. The sensor achieved a nitrate concentration measurement resolution of 0.2 mg·L-1, and a detection range of 0-5 mg·L-1, with higher concentrations requiring dilution to quantify. Our tests showed that the smartphone-based nitrate sensor is sufficiently accurate to be used as an inexpensive instrument for nitrate analysis in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vast market of ornamental plants and flowers generates a large amount of wastes, from where fibers can be extracted. The mechanical properties of these fibers have not yet been reported. Therefore, the possibility of using them as fiber-reinforcement in polymer matrix composites is an open question. In this work the tensile mechanical properties of fibers obtained from the stem of three types of ornamental plants – Etlingera elatior, Costus comosus and Heliconia bihai – are evaluated and compared to the tensile properties of other lignocellulosic fibers. Besides, the tensile strength of the fibers is discussed in terms of the Weibull statistical distribution. E. elatior showed high values for both Young's modulus and tensile strength, comparable to the properties of fibers with already large use, such as jute. Therefore, fibers extracted from the stem of this ornamental plant are potential candidates to be used as reinforcement in polymer matrix composites. C. comosus and H. bihai on the other hand are low modulus fibers, and their use in composites will be restricted as fillers, reducing cost but not enhancing mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Models of gauged U 1 L μ − L τ can provide a solution to the long-standing discrepancy between the theoretical prediction for the muon anomalous magnetic moment and its measured value. The extra contribution is due to a new light vector mediator, which also helps to alleviate an existing tension in the determination of the Hubble parameter. In this article, we explore ways to probe this solution via the scattering of solar neutrinos with electrons and nuclei in a range of experiments and considering high and low solar metallicity scenarios. In particular, we reevaluate Borexino constraints on neutrino-electron scattering, finding them to be more stringent than previously reported, and already excluding a part of the (g − 2)μ explanation with mediator masses smaller than 2 × 10−2 GeV. We then show that future direct dark matter detectors will be able to probe most of the remaining solution. Due to its large exposure, LUX-ZEPLIN will explore regions with mediator masses up to 5 × 10−2 GeV and DARWIN will be able to extend the search beyond 10−1 GeV, thereby covering most of the area compatible with (g − 2)μ. For completeness, we have also computed the constraints derived from the recent XENON1T electron recoil search and from the CENNS-10 LAr detector, showing that none of them excludes new areas of the parameter space. Should the excess in the muon anomalous magnetic moment be confirmed, our work suggests that direct detection experiments could provide crucial information with which to test the U 1 L μ − L τ solution, complementary to efforts in neutrino experiments and accelerators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncooled split-off band infrared detectors have been demonstrated with an operational device response in the 3-5 µm range. We have shown that it is possible to enhance this device response through reducing the recapture rate by replacing one of the commonly used flat barriers in the device with a graded barrier, which was grown using a "digital alloying" approach. Responsivity of approximately 80 µA/W (D*=1.4x108 Jones) were observed at 78K under a 1V applied bias, with a peak response at 2.8 µm. This is an improvement by a factor of ~25 times compared to an equivalent device with a flat barrier. This enhancement is due to improved carrier transport resulting from the superlattice structure, and a low recapture rate enabled by a reduced distance to the image force potential peak in the graded barrier. The device performance can be further improved by growing a structure with repeats of the single emitter layer reported here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I read with interest the excellent guidelines by Kelly et al. on implementing human factors in anaesthesia [[1]]. Anaesthesia 2023; 78: 407 - 10. 4 Cooper JB. Critical role of the surgeon-anesthesiologist relationship for patient safety. We were surprised to find a disconnect between anaesthetist perceptions of surgeon and theatre team enthusiasm for human factors training (not a lot), and their actual enthusiasm (a lot!). [Extracted from the article]

The spectroscopic characteristics and the decay mechanisms of the Rydberg states arising from valence shell excitations in carbon monoxide have been investigated by using a double ion chamber and synchrotron radiation to measure the absolute photoabsorption, photoionization and photodissociation cross sections, and the photoionization quantum efficiency, in the energy range between the ionization threshold and 36 eV. Guided by earlier theoretical predictions, the prominent absorption bands due to Rydberg states belonging to series converging onto the A 2Π state ionization threshold have been assigned, in accord with previous studies, to the ndδ and the [(n + 1)s + nd]σ transitions. Apart from the (4s + 3d)σ state which decays predominantly by predissociation into neutral fragments, most of the Rydberg states belonging to these series decay preferentially by autoionization. Another Rydberg series converging onto the A 2Π state limit has been tentatively assigned to the npσ transitions, even though these transitions are predicted to be weak. The v′ = 0 and v′ = 1 vibrational levels of the 4pσ state decay preferentially by predissociation into neutral fragments. The [(n + 1)s − nd]σ transitions are also calculated to be weak but may be associated with some previously unassigned absorption bands. Structure observed in the absorption spectrum between ∼19.5 and 23.5 eV may be due to Rydberg states associated with series converging onto the D 2Π or the 3 2Σ+ state limits. This structure is discussed in relation to dispersed fluorescence spectra and negative ion yields recorded over the same energy range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With an increasing annual production, mainly in the Northeast, where there are favorable climatic conditions, the watermelon culture is one of the main generators of foreign exchange and direct and indirect jobs in Rio Grande do Norte. However, pest attacks are among the main factors limiting production, being controlled based on the use of chemicals, which in addition to increasing production costs generate accumulation of chemical residues in the fruits. To overcome this problem, it is necessary to create new alternatives for pest management, especially the whitefly that stands out as one of the main ones. In a scenario where research related to plant-based insecticides opens up perspectives and space for its use in pest control, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of plant extracts in the control of watermelon whiteflies. Free choice tests for feeding and oviposition were performed using four aqueous extracts (neem, nutsedge, pepper and sorghum) and control (water), with four replicates. The treatments were randomly arranged in cages, forming an arena in which the pest was released. It was concluded that watermelon plants sprayed with neem extracts were less attractive to whiteflies, both for food and for oviposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arabinoxylans (AXs) were isolated from brans of three varieties of rice. AX1, AX2, and AX3, respectively extracted from Bg 352, Bw 367 and Bg 300 rice varieties. The different AXs fractions were characterized and evaluated by incorporating into a gluten-free rice bread. The extractions consisted of 27.43 ± 5.72% amounts of AXs and the highest amount was resulted by AX1. The water-holding capacities of the extracted AXs were at a range of 1-2g g-1 (DM basis) which showed a significant difference among the varieties (p<0.05). The highest oil holding capacity was observed in AX1 which was 3.74 ± 0.09g g-1 (DM basis) and the range was 1-4g g-1 (DM basis). There was a positive linear relationship between the relative viscosities and concentrations of the AXs solutions. The relative viscosity decreased with the temperature of the AXs solutions. The AXs incorporated gluten-free rice bread showed a significant increment in moisture content (p<0.05). Every treated bread with AXs showed a high increment in the water activity yet the rate of decrement showed no significant difference with the control (p>0.05). The addition of AXs increased the moisture retention of the gluten-free rice bread but did not affect the rate of moisture loss during storage. The loaf volume showed significant increment at the 2% supplementation level of AXs in treated bread compared to 1% supplementation level and the control which indicates 2% supplementation is ideal to incorporate to gluten-free rice bread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The survival of a human baby is enabled by the attachment behavioral system, as babies seek proximity, directing attachment mediator behaviors toward a figure who provides security. Reflections from the existence of a primary intersubjectivity and evidence of more refined abilities than what was known at the time in which Bowlby formulated this theory conducted us to the hypothesis that attachment is perceived before the period he proposed. We performed a case study in which we analyzed video-recordings from Marina's six months of life. Episodes of differential behavior towards a figure were selected and micro-genetically transcribed. Moreover, mediator behaviors with each of the baby's caregivers were mapped. Results suggested differential behavior towards a discriminated figure since her third month. The dialogical and cultural processes that reverberated in selecting the mother as the attachment figure were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photovoltaic infrared detectors have significant advantages over photoconductive detectors due to zero bias operation, requiring low power and having reduced low frequency noise. They also exhibit no thermally assisted tunneling currents, leading to higher operating temperatures. p-type emitter/graded barrier GaAs/AlxGa1-xAs structures were tested as photovoltaic detectors in the infrared region, operating under uncooled conditions and without an applied bias voltage. A photovoltaic responsivity of 450 mV/W was obtained with a detectivity (D*) of 1.2 × 106 Jones at a peak wavelength 1.8 μm at 300 K. Responsivity and D* increased to ∼1.2 V/W and 2.8 × 106 Jones, respectively, at 280 K. A non-linear improvement in responsivity was observed with increased emitter thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report numerical analysis and experimental observation of strongly localized plasmons guided by triangular metal wedges and pay special attention to the effect of smooth (nonzero radius) tips. Dispersion, dissipation, and field structure of such wedge plasmons are analyzed using the compact two-dimensional finite-difference time-domain algorithm. Experimental observation is conducted by the end-fire excitation and near-field scanning optical microscope detection of the predicted plasmons on 40° silver nanowedges with the wedge tip radii of 20, 85, and 125 nm that were fabricated by the focused-ion beam method. The effect of smoothing wedge tips is shown to be similar to that of increasing wedge angle. Increasing wedge angle or wedge tip radius results in increasing propagation distance at the same time as decreasing field localization (decreasing wave number). Quantitative differences between the theoretical and experimental propagation distances are suggested to be due to a contribution of scattered bulk and surface waves near the excitation region as well as the addition of losses due to surface roughness. The theoretical and measured propagation distances are several plasmon wavelengths and are useful for a range of nano-optical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large pulse power systems in the presence of prepulse can deliver gigawatt power pulses into a matched load. While employing these pulse power systems for the generation of intense relativistic electron beams (IREBs), the prepulse initiated plasma closes the anode cathode gap, if the gap distance is set by the Child-Langmuir formula. In order to reduce the prepulse effect, the anode cathode gap has been increased for the generation of IREB with output parameters of 400 kV, 20 kA, and 100 ns pulse duration. In this paper the generation of IREB in the presence of prepulse without using any prepulse switch has been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of the numerical finite-difference time-domain analysis of a strongly localized antisymmetric plasmon, coupled across a nanogap between two identical metal wedges. Dispersion, dissipation, field structure, and existence conditions of such coupled wedge plasmons are determined and investigated on an example of the fundamental coupled mode. It is shown that in the general case there exist three critical wedge angles and a critical gap width (separation between the wedge tips). If the gap width is larger than the critical separation, then the antisymmetric wedge plasmons can exist only in the ranges between the first and the second critical angles, and between the third critical angle and 180°. If the gap width is smaller or equal to the critical separation, then the third and the second critical angles merge, leaving only one interval of wedge angles within which the antisymmetric coupled wedge plasmons can exist. The effect of rounded wedge tips is also investigated and is shown to be similar to that of different wedge angles. Feasibility of using these plasmons for the design of efficient subwavelength waveguides is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]