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Short pulse generation with a large tunable range from a very small quantum defect ytterbium-doped fiber (YDF) material is of much interest. A 3.06 µs and maximum repetition rate of 50.47 kHz Q-switched Yb doped fiber laser has been demonstrated by applying a passive technique based on a novel vanadium aluminum carbide (V2AlC) saturable absorber for the first time to the best of the authors' knowledge. The generated pulses showed high stability, with an obtained of 60 dB. The output of the laser can be tuned over a widely tunable range of wavelengths of about 17.3 nm from 1046.038 to 1063.39 nm. Q-switched YDF lasers would find use in many applications such as medicine, manufacturing, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The European Green Deal (EGD) has had a significant impact on EU member states. In this article, we examine the extent to which it can also have large consequences for non-members. Based on a qualitative approach comparing Norway and the UK, and drawing on a burgeoning literature on ‘turbulence’, we ask whether the EGD creates turbulence in non-member states, what the nature of this turbulence is, and whether the extent and nature of turbulence varies with how closely affiliated a non-member is with the EU. Despite the ambitious climate policies of both countries, we identify a significant amount of turbulence generated by the EGD. Interestingly, we also find that turbulence increases with a closer EU-affiliation. However, our analysis also reveals an impressive capacity in both countries to adapt to their turbulent conditions, and a surprising durability of climate and energy policy in the face of turbulence.

EUs grønne giv kan ha omfattende konsekvenser også for land som ikke er medlemmer, men som er tilknyttet EU. Mens Norge møter klimakrisen med å samarbeide tettere med EU, har Storbritannia trukket seg ut av viktige avtaler. Vi benytter kvalitativ metode for å undersøke hvordan relasjonene mellom EU og disse landene har påvirket landenes handlingsrom innenfor klima- og energipolitikk. Funnene våre gir kun delvis støtte til antakelsen om at jo mer omfattende og juridisk bindende en avtale mellom EU og et land er, jo mer mister dette landet autonomi eller aksepterer begrensninger. Det er mer komplekst enn som så, og det varierer for ulike kategorier av handlingsrom. Mens Storbritannia har økt mulighetene for å lage sine egne regelverk, er dette handlingsrommet langt mindre enn den britiske regjeringen ønsker å framstille det som, og ikke uten kostnader. Samtidig viser sammenligningen med Norge at det kan ligge mye autonomi i å binde seg til et overnasjonalt regelverk. Studien viser hvordan det kan være både utfordrende og givende for ikke-medlemmer å samarbeide med EU.

Although research has been limited to date, food insecurity in the United States has been shown to be more pervasive among the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, agender, asexual, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) commu­nity, affecting millions annually. College and uni­versity students also experience statistically signifi­cantly higher rates of food insecurity than nonstudents. This research examines food insecu­rity at the intersection of the LGBTQIA2S+ com­munity and the university and college student pop­ulation, as told by the community itself. A qualitative, participatory approach and methods of Photovoice and semi-structured interviews with eight self-identified LGBTQIA2S+ university stu­dents studying at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) were used to explore the factors influencing participants’ food access. Data were analyzed using thematic decomposition analy­sis guided by intersectionality and queer theories. LGBTQIA2S+ identities were found to signifi­cantly impact food access, which was further influ­enced by physical, socio-cultural, and political envi­ronments. Barriers to food access include experiences with discrimination on and off cam­pus, poor support systems, a lack of full-selection grocery stores on or near campus, religious influ­ences, the stigma associated with needing food assistance, mental and physical health conditions, financial constraints, time limitations, and lacking transportation options. Understanding the intersec­tionality of LGBTQIA2S+ students’ experiences and providing relevant and effective support is needed to improve equitable access to nutritious and affordable foods. The findings of this research provide novel insights into food insecurity, an issue that is increasingly influencing the health and well-being of LGBTQIA2S+ university students.

This article discusses the introduction of advanced maternal age based on mortality-specific severe morbidity. The study examines the association between maternal age at delivery and severe maternal morbidity and mortality. The results suggest that maternal age thresholds of 33 and 45 years may represent inflection points where an increased risk of severe maternal morbidity is present. The study provides valuable information for triaging and counseling pregnant individuals with potentially increased risks of serious complications at delivery. However, there are limitations to the study, such as the lack of information on cause of death and the reliance on administrative codes for measuring morbidity. [Extracted from the article]

Nano-pump is a breakthrough that allows a tiny pump to transfer mass inside the atomic channels. These nanostructures can be used in various applications, such as drug delivery systems in clinical cases. Carbon nanotube (CNT) performance as a nano-pump sample was introduced here. For this purpose, Molecular Dynamics (MD) approach, and external heat flux/electric field effect on nano-pump performance were reported. Hence, various physical parameters, such as nano-pumping time, potential/kinetic energy, stress and entropy were reported to describe the nano-pumping performance of CNT samples. Technically, nano-pumping performance was detected by fullerene (C20) molecule displacement inside the NT. The MD outputs indicated by the heat flux implemented inside CNT, nano-pumping process effectively occur. The results show that by increasing the heat flux amplitude ratio from 0.1 to 0.5 W/m2, the displacement time of C20 molecule decreased from 7.49 to 6.96 ps. By amplitude enlarging, the kinetic energy of defined sample converged to 5.70014 eV. This procedure caused more atomic collisions inside the NT, and the nano-pumping process occurred in a smaller time. Furthermore, the electric field caused the nano-pumping process to be delayed in modeled systems. Numerically, by increasing the electric field, the nano-pumping process occurred after 7.85 ps. Increasing the electric field decreased the mechanical wave produced via Cu tip oscillation. This evolution caused the atomic force, and stress on the target particle converged to a lesser value, and the lattice stress value of modeled sample reached 2.12662 × 106 bar.

Abstract Exposure to extreme temperatures can negatively affect animal reproduction, by disrupting the ability of individuals to produce any offspring (fertility), or the number of offspring produced by fertile individuals (fecundity). This has important ecological consequences, because reproduction is the ultimate measure of population fitness: a reduction in reproductive output lowers the population growth rate and increases the extinction risk. Despite this importance, there have been no large‐scale summaries of the evidence for effect of temperature on reproduction. We provide a systematic map of studies testing the relationship between temperature and animal reproduction. We systematically searched for published studies that statistically test for a direct link between temperature and animal reproduction, in terms of fertility, fecundity or indirect measures of reproductive potential (gamete and gonad traits). Overall, we collated a large and rich evidence base, with 1654 papers that met our inclusion criteria, encompassing 1191 species. The map revealed several important research gaps. Insects made up almost half of the dataset, but reptiles and amphibians were uncommon, as were non‐arthropod invertebrates. Fecundity was the most common reproductive trait examined, and relatively few studies measured fertility. It was uncommon for experimental studies to test exposure of different life stages, exposure to short‐term heat or cold shock, exposure to temperature fluctuations, or to independently assess male and female effects. Studies were most often published in journals focusing on entomology and pest control, ecology and evolution, aquaculture and fisheries science, and marine biology. Finally, while individuals were sampled from every continent, there was a strong sampling bias towards mid‐latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, such that the tropics and polar regions are less well sampled. This map reveals a rich literature of studies testing the relationship between temperature and animal reproduction, but also uncovers substantial missing treatment of taxa, traits, and thermal regimes. This database will provide a valuable resource for future quantitative meta‐analyses, and direct future studies aiming to fill identified gaps.

Describes the lack of substantial knowledge base about the nature of adult reading schemata and adult skill acquisition processes, posits reasons for the lack, and points out areas in adult reading that need to be addressed by researchers, such as materials, programs, and instructional methods. (SKC)