Over the last two decades, the UAE’s construction sector has grown significantly with the development of tall buildings, but the region faces seismic risks. Similar concerns in China led to earthquake simulation research on a city scale. The objectives include developing programming for parallel computing and creating simplified models for estimating losses. The challenges include computational complexity and uncertainties in various modules. In 1995, the structural engineering community adopted performance-based engineering principles, shifting to a probabilistic design process. The Computational Modeling and Simulation Center (SimCenter) implemented this into a generic software platform, with the 2010 release of Regional Resilience Determination (R2D) automating the methodology. A research plan aims to advance realistic seismic simulation in the UAE, integrating studies and custom developments. The goal is to create an end-to-end seismic risk assessment framework aligned with digital trends, such as BIM and GIS. The investigation focuses on a virtual dataset for tall buildings, considering variations in location, material properties, height, and seismic activity. For the studied archetypes, the average expected losses include a 3.6% collapse probability, a 14% repair cost, 22 days repair time per asset, and almost 1.5% total population injuries, ranging from 1% for the lowest severity to 0.15% for the highest. Full article

For achieving CO₂ thermal reduction, a technology combining solid carbon activation and high-temperature CO₂ reduction was proposed, named as activated-reduction technology. In this study, this technology is realized by using a circulating fluidized bed and downdraft reactor. Reduced agent parameters (O₂/C and CO₂ concentration) greatly affect the reduction effect of CO₂. In addition, the effect of the activation process on different carbon-based materials can help to broaden the range of carbon-based materials used for CO₂ reduction, which is also an important issue. The following three points have been studied through experiments: (1) the influence of the characteristics of the reduced agent (CO₂ concentration and O₂/C) on CO₂ reduction; (2) the performance of different chars in CO₂ reduction; and (3) the activation effect of solid carbon. The activation process can develop the pore structure of coal gasification char and transform it into activated char with higher reactivity. The CO concentration in the tail gas is a crucial factor limiting the effectiveness of CO₂ reduction, with an experimentally determined upper limit of around 55% at 1200 °C. If CO concentration is far from the upper limit, temperature becomes the significant influencing factor. When the reduced agent O₂/C is 0.18, the highest net CO₂ reduction of 0.021 Nm³/kg is achieved at 60% CO₂ concentration. When the reduced agent CO₂ concentration is 50%, the highest net CO₂ reduction of 0.065 Nm³/kg is achieved at 0.22 O₂/C. Compared with CPGC, YHGC has higher reactivity and is more suitable for CO₂ reduction. The activation process helps to reduce the differences between raw materials. Full article

This study introduces an innovative two-range, 12-stage Marx pulse generator employing thyristor switches designed specifically for the electroporation of biological cells. The generator consists of two module capacitors of different capacitances (1 μF and 0.25 μF), which enable the generation of electrical pulses with different durations and amplitudes of up to 25 kV. Safety aspects, including overcurrent and overvoltage protection mechanisms, are implemented in both the software and the hardware. In the experimental section, the tests of the Marx generator with resistive load are described in detail, and the results for the voltage fluctuations, pulse duration, and output characteristics of the generator are presented. The advantages of the design, including the high output voltage, the wide range of repetition rates, and the flexibility of the pulse parameters, are emphasized. Additionally, the research showcases the utilization of the devised generator for industrial purposes. Hence, an investigation into the efficiency of protein extraction from microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) and the impacts of pulsed electric fields (PEFs) on the structural characteristics of casein micelles (CSMs) was chosen as an illustrative example. The obtained results provide valuable insights into the application of PEF in food processing and biotechnology and underline the potential of the developed generator for sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Full article

The transportation of goods plays a fundamental role in the global economy. In Brazil, specifically, a significant portion of what is transported goes through highways, and the provision of this service is carried out through the hiring of specialized companies or independent drivers, who end up serving companies from various sectors. This study successfully constructed a decision model to support the hiring of road freight transport services in Brazil. To achieve this, the multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach was used, employing the Measuring Attractiveness By a Categorical-Based Evaluation Technique (MACBETH) method. The development of this model was informed by a comprehensive literature review, interviews with three transportation professionals, and a simulation involving eight anonymous Brazilian companies. This initiative aims to create a practical framework for effectively selecting logistics operators in the road transport sector to meet the needs of companies dependent on these services. Full article

The main purpose of this study is to quantify and compare the embodied carbon (EC) from the materials used or designed to build the Adohi Hall, a residence building located on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, AR. It has been constructed as a mass timber structure. It is compared to the same building design with a steel frame for this study. Based on the defined goal and scope of the project, all materials used in the building structure are compared for their global warming potential (GWP) impact by applying a life cycle assessment (LCA) using a cradle-to-construction site system boundary. This comparative building LCA comprises the product stage (including raw material extraction, processing, transporting, and manufacturing) plus transportation to the construction site (nodule A1–A4, according to standard EN 15804 definitions). In this study, GWP is primarily assessed with the exclusion of other environmental factors. Tally^®, as one of the most popular LCA tools for buildings, is used in this comparative LCA analysis. In this study, the substitution of mass timber for a steel structure with a corrugated steel deck and concrete topping offers a promising opportunity to understand the GWP impact of each structure. Mass timber structures exhibit superior environmental attributes considering the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂ eq). Emissions per square meter of gross floor area for mass timber stand at 198 kg, in stark contrast to the 243 kg CO₂ eq recorded for steel structures. This means the mass timber building achieved a 19% reduction in carbon emissions compared to the functional equivalent steel structure within the building modules A1 to A4 studied. When considering carbon storage, about 2757 tonnes of CO₂ eq are stored in the mass timber building, presenting further benefits of carbon emission delays for the life span of the structure. The substitution benefit from this construction case was studied through the displacement factor (DF) quantification following the standard process. A 0.28 DF was obtained when using mass timber over steel in the structure. This study provides insights into making more environmentally efficient decisions in buildings and helps in the move forward to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and address GWP mitigation. Full article

Biomechanical assessments of running typically take place inside motion capture laboratories. However, it is unclear whether data from these in-lab gait assessments are representative of gait during real-world running. This study sought to test how well real-world gait patterns are represented by in-lab gait data in two cohorts of runners equipped with consumer-grade wearable sensors measuring speed, step length, vertical oscillation, stance time, and leg stiffness. Cohort 1 (N = 49) completed an in-lab treadmill run plus five real-world runs of self-selected distances on self-selected courses. Cohort 2 (N = 19) completed a 2.4 km outdoor run on a known course plus five real-world runs of self-selected distances on self-selected courses. The degree to which in-lab gait reflected real-world gait was quantified using univariate overlap and multivariate depth overlap statistics, both for all real-world running and for real-world running on flat, straight segments only. When comparing in-lab and real-world data from the same subject, univariate overlap ranged from 65.7% (leg stiffness) to 95.2% (speed). When considering all gait metrics together, only 32.5% of real-world data were well-represented by in-lab data from the same subject. Pooling in-lab gait data across multiple subjects led to greater distributional overlap between in-lab and real-world data (depth overlap 89.3–90.3%) due to the broader variability in gait seen across (as opposed to within) subjects. Stratifying real-world running to only include flat, straight segments did not meaningfully increase the overlap between in-lab and real-world running (changes of <1%). Individual gait patterns during real-world running, as characterized by consumer-grade wearable sensors, are not well-represented by the same runner’s in-lab data. Researchers and clinicians should consider “borrowing” information from a pool of many runners to predict individual gait behavior when using biomechanical data to make clinical or sports performance decisions. Full article

This paper presents an ultra-wideband, low insertion loss, and high accuracy 6-bit digital step attenuator (DSA). To improve the accuracy of amplitude and phase shift of the attenuator, two innovative compensation structures are proposed in this paper: a series inductive compensation structure (SICS) designed to compensate for high frequency attenuation values and a small bit compensation structure (SBCS) intended for large attenuation bits. Additionally, we propose insertion loss reduction techniques (ILRTs) to reduce insertion loss. The fabricated 6-bit DSA core area is only 0.51 mm², and it exhibits an attenuation range of 31.5 dB in 0.5 dB steps. Measurements reveal that the root-mean-square (RMS) attenuation and phase errors for the 64 attenuation states are within 0.18 dB and 7°, respectively. The insertion loss is better than 2.54 dB; the return loss is better than −17 dB; and the input 1 dB compression point (IP1 dB) is 29 dBm at IF 12 GHz. To the best of our knowledge, this chip presents the highest attenuation accuracy, the lowest insertion loss, the best IP1dB, and a good matching performance in the range of 2–22 GHz using the 0.25 μm GaAs p-HEMT process. Full article

Caño Roto (Madrid) is one of the most relevant Spanish post-war architectures. Its typological contributions have already been studied within the framework of the so-called “Led Settlements”. This paper proposes a systematic analysis of the evolution of the neighborhood townscape, its most singular characteristic as a critical approach to the CIAM city project. It starts with the photographic documentation, studied through the methodology established by Gordon Cullen and developed, in a systematic way, by Nigel Taylor. The comparative study includes the original published photographs, a sample of photographs from the 2010s, and the shots taken in a new exhaustive documentation campaign. The comparison yields relevant results on the evolution of urban space definers: building volumes, facade composition, pavements or vegetation, and the presence of people in public areas. Several paths are studied to allow an understanding of the overall landscape structure. As a result, the key elements of the townscape of the settlement are identified and valued. The aim of this paper is to provide tools for the preservation of both the architectural and landscape heritage of Caño Roto. In short, thorough knowledge will help residents to become aware of the heritage value of their neighborhood. Full article

Biological aging, characterized by changes in metabolism and physicochemical properties of cells, has an impact on public health. Environment and lifestyle, including factors like diet and physical activity, seem to play a key role in healthy aging. Several studies have shown that regular physical activity can enhance antioxidant defense mechanisms, including the activity of enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. However, intense or prolonged exercise can also lead to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production temporarily, resulting in oxidative stress. This phenomenon is referred to as “exercise-induced oxidative stress”. The relationship between physical activity and oxidative stress in aging is complex and depends on various factors such as the type, intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise, as well as individual differences in antioxidant capacity and adaptation to exercise. In this review, we analyzed what is reported by several authors regarding the role of physical activity on oxidative stress in the aging process as well as the role of hormesis and physical exercise as tools for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia, an aging-related disease. Finally, we reported what has recently been studied in relation to the effect of physical activity and sport on aging in women. Full article

The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus), listed as an endangered species under “secondary protection” in China, faces significant threats due to ecological deterioration and the expansion of human activity. Extensive field investigations are crucial to ascertain the current status in the wild and to implement effective habitat protection measures to safeguard this species and support its population development. Traditional survey methods often fall short due to the elusive nature of the A. davidianus, presenting challenges that are time-consuming and generally ineffective. To overcome these obstacles, this study developed a real-time monitoring method that uses environmental DNA (eDNA) coupled with recombinase polymerase amplification and lateral flow strip (RPA-LFD). We designed five sets of species-specific primers and probes based on mitochondrial genome sequence alignments of A. davidianus and its close relatives. Our results indicated that four of these primer/probe sets accurately identified A. davidianus, distinguishing it from other tested caudata species using both extracted DNA samples and water samples from a tank housing an individual. This method enables the specific detection of A. davidianus genomic DNA at concentrations as low as 0.1 ng/mL within 50 min, without requiring extensive laboratory equipment. Applied in a field survey across four sites in Huangshan City, Anhui Province, where A. davidianus is known to be distributed, the method successfully detected the species at three of the four sites. The development of these primer/probe sets offers a practical tool for field surveying and monitoring, facilitating efforts in population recovery and resource conservation for A. davidianus. Full article

As the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria increases, interest in non-antibiotic treatment is also increasing. Among the methods used in non-antibiotic therapy, natural antibiotics such as essential oils have disadvantages such as low efficiency. In the case of phototherapy, the light used for antibacterial activities has low penetration into the human body because of its short wavelength, making it of low medical utility. To solve this problem, this study aimed to determine conditions for enhancing the antibacterial activity of natural phytochemicals and visible light. Four natural phytochemical extracts that showed high antibacterial properties in previous studies were analyzed. Synergistic effects on antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity were determined when natural phytochemical extracts and visible light were simultaneously used. As a result, it was confirmed that the antibacterial activity increased by four times when Sanguisorba officinalis L. was irradiated with 465 nm for 10 min and 520 nm for 40 min, and Uncaria gambir Roxb. was irradiated with 465 nm for 10 min and 520 nm for 60 min compared to when Sanguisorba officinalis L. and Uncaria gambir Roxb. were used alone. The synergistic effect on antibacterial activity was independent of the absorption peak of the natural phytochemical extracts. In addition, in the case of natural phytochemical extracts with improved antibacterial activity, it was confirmed that the improvement of antibacterial activity was increased in inverse proportion to the light irradiation wavelength and in proportion to the light irradiation time. The antibacterial activity was enhanced regardless of antibiotic resistance. In the case of cytotoxicity, it was confirmed that there was no toxicity to A549 cells when treated with 465 nm, the shortest wavelength among the natural phytochemical extracts. These results show how to replace blue light, which has been underutilized due to its low transmittance and cytotoxicity. They also demonstrate the high medical potential of using natural phytochemical and visible light as a combination therapy. Full article

Under the combined influence of climate change and urban development, the risk of urban flooding caused by extreme weather events has increased significantly, making assessing flood vulnerability and resilience increasingly crucial for urban flood management. With the 45 counties in Qinghai Province as the research objects, the hazard risk of flood and exposure are combined to study their vulnerability. At the same time, resilience is evaluated by the indicators selected from four dimensions (society, economy, environment, and infrastructure). Through Z-scoring, the vulnerability and resilience of each county are clustered into four groups to explore their associations from a spatial balance perspective. Obstacle factor analysis is introduced to summarize the key factors affecting the improvement of urban resilience in Qinghai Provence. The results show that the eastern areas of Qinghai experience high vulnerability to flooding because of high levels of hazard and exposure. What is more, Xining, Haidong, and Haixi experience a high level of resilience. A strong spatial mismatch between vulnerability and resilience exists in Qinghai, with 24 counties (58%) being self-adapted, 8 counties (18%) over-abundant, and 11 counties deficient in terms of nature–nurture. The length of levee and number of beds in medical institutions are the main obstacles to resilience in Qinghai. The research results can provide a theoretical and scientific basis for future urban flood management and resilience development in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Full article

Deer are susceptible to infection with parasitic helminths, including species which are of increasing economic concern to the livestock industry due to anthelmintic drug resistance. This paper systematically collates helminth prevalence data from deer across Europe and explores patterns in relation to host and parasite species, as well as landscape factors. A livestock pasture contact index (LPCI) is developed to predict epidemiological overlap between deer and livestock, and hence to examine deer helminth fauna in the context of their surrounding environment. Fifty-eight studies comprising fallow (Dama dama), red (Cervus elaphus), roe (Capreolus capreolus) and sika (Cervus nippon) deer were identified. Deer populations in “likely” contact with livestock pasture had a higher mean prevalence of the abomasal nematodes Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia ostertagi, Teladorsagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus axei (p = 0.01), which are common in livestock and not primarily associated with deer. Roe deer populations had a higher prevalence of T. circumcincta (p = 0.02) and T. axei (p = 0.01) than fallow deer and a higher prevalence of H. contortus than both red (p = 0.01) and fallow deer (p = 0.02). Liver fluke and lungworm species were present sporadically at low prevalence, while the abomasal nematode Ashworthius sidemi occurred locally at high prevalence. Insights from this research suggest that deer helminth fauna is reflective of their surrounding environment, including the livestock species which inhabit areas of shared grazing. This is explored from an epidemiological perspective, and the prospect of helminth transmission between wild and domestic hosts is discussed, including drug-resistant strains, alongside the role of helminths as indicators relevant to the transmission of other pathogens at the wildlife–livestock interface. Full article

In response to the inaccurate positioning of traditional camera relocation methods in scenes with large-scale or severe viewpoint changes, this study proposes a camera relocation method based on a cascaded graph neural network to achieve accurate scene relocation. Firstly, the NetVLAD retrieval method, which has advantages in image feature representation and similarity calculation, is used to retrieve the most similar images to a given query image. Then, the feature pyramid is employed to extract features at different scales of these images, and the features at the same scale are treated as nodes of the graph neural network to construct a single-layer graph neural network structure. Secondly, a top–down connection is used to cascade the single-layer graph structures, where the information of nodes in the previous graph is fused into a message node to improve the accuracy of camera pose estimation. To better capture the topological relationships and spatial geometric constraints between images, an attention mechanism is introduced in the single-layer graph structure, which helps to effectively propagate information to the next graph during the cascading process, thereby enhancing the robustness of camera relocation. Experimental results on the public dataset 7-Scenes demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively improve the accuracy of camera absolute pose localization, with average translation and rotation errors of 0.19 m and 6.9°, respectively. Compared to other deep learning-based methods, the proposed method achieves more than 10% improvement in both average translation and rotation accuracy, demonstrating highly competitive localization precision. Full article

In this study, the influence of W, Cr, and Mo on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the arc-welded interface of TiC cermet and low-carbon steel was investigated. MIG arc welding was employed to deposit muti-alloyed low-carbon steel flux-cored wire onto the surface of the TiC cermet to create the arc-welded interface. Analysis of the microstructure, phase composition, and shear fracture of the interface were conducted by OM (optical microscopy), SEM (scanning electron microscope), EMPA (Electron Probe X-ray Micro-Analyzer), and XRD (X-ray diffraction) methods. The results indicate that the order of influence on the performance of the welded interface is perceived as Cr > W > Mo. The preferred ratio of element content is W at 1.0 wt.%, Cr at 0.5 wt.%, and Mo at 2.0 wt.%. During the arc-welding process, W and Mo formed a rim structure of TiC particles to inhibit the dissolution of TiC particles, while Cr formed dispersed carbides in the bonding phase. The synergistic impact of these components resulted in the simultaneous enhancement of both the TiC particles and the bonding phase. This led to a significant increase in the shear strength of the TiC cermet welded interface to 787 MPa, marking an 83% improvement compared to the welded interface without reinforcement, which exhibited a shear strength of 430 MPa. Full article

Waddington envisioned stem cell differentiation as a marble rolling down a hill, passing through hierarchically branched valleys representing the cell’s temporal state. The terminal valleys at the bottom of the hill indicate the possible committed cells of the multicellular organism. Although originally proposed as a metaphor, Waddington’s hypothesis establishes the fundamental principles for characterizing the differentiation process as a dynamic system: the generated equilibrium points must exhibit hierarchical branching, robustness to perturbations (homeorhesis), and produce the appropriate number of cells for each cell type. This article aims to capture these characteristics using a mathematical model based on two fundamental hypotheses. First, it is assumed that the gene regulatory network consists of hierarchically coupled subnetworks of genes (modules), each modeled as a dynamical system exhibiting supercritical pitchfork or cusp bifurcation. Second, the gene modules are spatiotemporally regulated by feedback mechanisms originating from epigenetic factors. Analytical and numerical results show that the proposed model exhibits self-organized multistability with hierarchical branching. Moreover, these branches of equilibrium points are robust to perturbations, and the number of different cells produced can be determined by the system parameters. Full article

Perceptions of the complete eradication of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) may foster complacency and compromise vaccination efforts. Decreased measles vaccination rates during the COVID-19 pandemic have heightened the risk of outbreaks, even in adequately vaccinated populations. To address this, we have aligned with ECDC recommendations, leveraging previous cross-border sero-epidemiological assessments between Pécs, Hungary, and Osijek, Croatia, to identify latent risk groups and uncover potential parallels between our nations. Testing 2680 Hungarian and 1764 Croatian serum samples for anti-MMR IgG via ELISAs revealed anti-measles seropositivity ratios below expectations in Croatian cohorts aged ~20–30 (75.7%), ~30–40 (77.5%) and ~40–50 years (73.3%). Similarly, Hungarian samples also showed suboptimal seropositivity ratios in the ~30–40 (80.9%) and ~40–50 (87.3%) age groups. Considering mumps- and rubella-associated seropositivity trends, in both examined populations, individuals aged ~30–50 years exhibited the highest vulnerability. Additionally, we noted congruent seropositivity trends across both countries, despite distinct immunization and epidemiological contexts. Therefore, we propose expanding research to encompass the intricate dynamics of vaccination, including waning long-term immunity. This understanding could facilitate targeted interventions and bolster public awareness. Our findings underscore persistent challenges in attaining robust immunity against measles despite vaccination endeavors. Full article

The pneumatic centralized fertilizer discharge system is an important part of pneumatic fertilization machinery and mainly includes a fertilizer discharge device, an air–fertilizer mixing device and a pneumatic distribution device. In this paper, the mechanical structure, key parameters and research methods of pneumatic centralized discharge devices, air–fertilizer mixing devices and pneumatic distribution devices at home and abroad are briefly analyzed. The advantages and disadvantages of these existing devices are summarized, the existing problems are discussed and improvement methods are put forward. In this paper, the structural adaptability, uniformity and stability of the fertilizer discharge of different types of fertilizer discharge devices, such as external groove wheel types, spiral types and centrifugal types, are comprehensively analyzed. The working principle of air–fertilizer mixing devices using the Venturi effect to achieve the uniform mixing of fertilizer and airflow is expounded. The effects of air–fertilizer mixing devices with different structural forms and parameters on mixing performance and the motion characteristics of air–solid two-phase flows are analyzed. The influence of the internal structure, key parameters and distribution mode of pneumatic distribution devices on the uniformity and accuracy of fertilizer distribution are analyzed. This paper focuses on how to improve the uniformity, stability and consistency of discharge across rows provided by the pneumatic centralized fertilizer discharge system. The research status and progress made regarding the core components of the pneumatic centralized fertilizer discharge system at home and abroad are summarized. Based on different research results, the key factors and methods for improving the uniformity of fertilizer discharge are discussed. Full article

In industrial applications, local exhaust systems have been used extensively for capturing and confining contaminants at their source. The present study investigates the efficacy of these systems in mitigating the spread of exhaled pollutants by combining them with mixing and displacement ventilation. Experiments were conducted in a simulated meeting room with six closely situated workstations, featuring five exposed persons (simulated with heated dummies) and one infected person (simulated with a breathing manikin). Six overhead local exhaust units, merged with panels, corresponding to workstations, were installed using a lowered false ceiling. Additionally, a table plenum setting for air inlets was introduced to enhance displacement ventilation effectiveness along with local exhaust systems. Results from 16 experimental cases are presented, using the local air quality index and ventilation effectiveness in the breathing zone. The local exhaust system improved the local air quality at the measuring locations closest to the infector in almost all test scenarios. The improvement, particularly significant with displacement ventilation, marked a maximum 35% increase in the local air quality index adjacent to the infector and 25% in the entire breathing zone of the tested meeting room. Moreover, the table plenum settings, coupled with displacement ventilation, further enhanced conditions in the breathing zone. Under the specific conditions of this investigation, the number of operational local exhausts had a marginal impact on mixing ventilation but a significant one on displacement ventilation tests. The efficacy of local exhaust systems was also influenced by the levels of heat gains present in the room. Overall, the study aims to contribute to ongoing efforts to identify sustainable solutions to mitigate indoor airborne diseases with a combination of supply and local exhaust units. Full article

This paper describes the procedure for creating a electronic simulation model of a solenoid power electronic driver with a nonlinear inductive load. Furthermore, it discusses the electromagnetic interaction between the driver and the load example electromagnetic valve. The consideration of nonlinear effects in the power electronic components MOSFET and diode is particularly important to distinguish their effects from the nonlinear behaviour of the inductive load. Full article

Despite coordinated efforts at global level, through the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), poliomyelitis disease (Polio) is still a major public health issue. The wild poliovirus type-1 (WPV1) is still endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and new circulations of the WPV1 were confirmed in southeast Africa in 2021, in Malawi and Mozambique. The circulating vaccine derived polioviruses (cVDPV) are also causing outbreaks worldwide. The Task Force for Global Health (TFGH)’s Polio Surge Capacity Support Program, established in 2019, is an effort to reinforce the existing partnership with the GPEI to strengthen countries’ capacities for polio outbreak preparedness and response. In four years, its coordinated efforts with GPEI partners have resulted in a remarkable improvement in the early detection of poliovirus circulation and reducing the missed children gaps in many countries. However, these encouraging results cannot hide an increasingly complex programmatic environment with numerous funding and operational challenges. Full article

Motivated by the recent observation of Klein tunneling in 8-Pmmn borophene, we delve into the phenomenon in β₁₂ borophene by employing tight-binding approximation theory to establish a theoretical mode. The tight-binding model is a semi-empirical method for establishing the Hamiltonian based on atomic orbitals. A single cell of β₁₂ borophene contains five atoms and multiple central bonds, so it creates the complexity of the tight-binding model Hamiltonian of β₁₂ borophene. We investigate transmission across one potential barrier and two potential barriers by changing the width and height of barriers and the distance between two potential barriers. Regardless of the change in the barrier heights and widths, we find the interface to be perfectly transparent for normal incidence. For other angles of incidence, perfect transmission at certain angles can also be observed. Furthermore, perfect and all-angle transmission across a potential barrier takes place when the incident energy approaches the Dirac point. This is analogous to the “super”, all-angle transmission reported for the dice lattice for Klein tunneling across a potential barrier. These findings highlight the significance of our theoretical model in understanding the complex dynamics of Klein tunneling in borophene structures. Full article