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The IBEX-Hi Neutral Atom Imager of the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission is designed to measure energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) originating from the interaction region between the heliosphere and the local interstellar medium (LISM). These ENAs are plasma ions that have been heated in the interaction region and neutralized by charge exchange with the cold neutral atoms of the LISM that freely flow through the interaction region. IBEX-Hi is a single pixel ENA imager that covers the ENA spectral range from 0.38 to 6 keV and shares significant energy overlap and overall design philosophy with the IBEX-Lo sensor. Because of the anticipated low flux of these ENAs at 1 AU, the sensor has a large geometric factor and incorporates numerous techniques to minimize noise and backgrounds. The IBEX-Hi sensor has a field-of-view (FOV) of 6.5°×6.5° FWHM, and a 6.5°×360° swath of the sky is imaged over each spacecraft spin. IBEX-Hi utilizes an ultrathin carbon foil to ionize ENAs in order to measure their energy by subsequent electrostatic analysis. A multiple coincidence detection scheme using channel electron multiplier (CEM) detectors enables reliable detection of ENAs in the presence of substantial noise. During normal operation, the sensor steps through six energy steps every 12 spacecraft spins. Over a single IBEX orbit of about 8 days, a single 6.5°×360° swath of the sky is viewed, and re-pointing of the spin axis toward the Sun near perigee of each IBEX orbit moves the ecliptic longitude by about 8° every orbit such that a full sky map is acquired every six months. These global maps, covering the spectral range of IBEX-Hi and coupled to the IBEX-Lo maps at lower and overlapping energies, will answer fundamental questions about the structure and dynamics of the interaction region between the heliosphere and the LISM.

Implant-related infections demand advanced biomaterials capable of delivering localized, sustained antimicrobial activity while supporting tissue repair. Here, we present an engineered thermoresponsive hydrogel based on poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL), designed as a dual-function platform that enables temperature-triggered gelation, controlled tetracycline release, and osteogenic support. The PNVCL network was tailored to provide rapid sol–gel transition at physiological temperature, strong adhesion to moist surfaces, injectability into narrow implant geometries, high swelling capacity, slow degradation, and a stable drug-release profile—properties rarely combined within a single hydrogel system. To evaluate material performance, we employed a tiered biological framework comprising cytocompatibility assays, controlled physicochemical analyses, and antimicrobial testing against complex, polymicrobial biofilms, complemented by human in situ and in vivo multispecies infection models. The PNVCL–tetracycline hydrogel demonstrated potent antibacterial activity, preserved human gingival fibroblast viability, and sustained its structural integrity and release characteristics even under infection-associated inflammatory conditions. In vivo, the material simultaneously reduced bacterial burden, modulated pathogenic community structure, and promoted new bone formation with a higher degree of maturation, confirming its dual antimicrobial and osteogenic behavior. By integrating precisely engineered thermoresponsive behavior, controlled drug delivery, robust mechanical and interfacial properties, and validated biological functionality, this PNVCL–tetracycline hydrogel represents a material-driven, clinically relevant solution for treating implant-related infections. [Display omitted] •Implant infections are common conditions that can lead to treatment failure.•Biomedical engineering has focused on sustained drug-releasing strategies.•A tetracycline-loaded hydrogel was developed for peri-implant infection control.•The hydrogel showed controlled release, antimicrobial activity, and cytocompatibility.•It reduced polymicrobial biofilms, altered their composition, and improved bone repair.

Proposed is a reconfigurable planar antenna that can generate omnidirectional and directional radiation patterns. The design has been tuned to resonate at 3.8 GHz and covers a bandwidth of several hundred MHz. Using RF switches, the antenna can generate five different radiation patterns: a single omnidirectional mode and four directional modes. Simulations and measurements were carried out and are in good agreement. The compact planar design, large operating bandwidth, and ability to create both omnidirectional and directional radiation patterns make this antenna suitable for small form factor wireless devices in next generation cognitive networks.

Pb(Zr,Ti)O 3 ceramics with homogenous, anisotropic porosity were manufactured and the influence of the anisotropic porosity on the dielectric and piezoelectric properties was studied. Image analysis allowed the quantification of the preferential orientation and the calculation of the distribution of the aspect ratio of the pores. The different dependence of the permittivities and on the porosity content demonstrates that the population of pores is constituted of a high volume of pores with low aspect ratio and a low volume of pores with high aspect ratio. In view of the quantitative results obtained on the microstructure, an explanation of the frequency dependence of the dielectric and piezoelectric behaviour is suggested. Furthermore, the higher d 31 piezoelectric coefficient in the material with anisotropic pores than in material with isotropic pores is related to higher effective fields which are a consequence of the enhanced longitudinal mobility of the material under transverse stress.

A reconfigurable microstrip dipole antenna solution for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems making use of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is presented. When applied to closely spaced antenna arrays, this method can increase link capacity. The benefits of this novel antenna solution are demonstrated by channel capacity measurements taken in an indoor environment with a 2*2 MIMO system.

Herniation of a gravid uterus through an incisional hernia of the anterior abdominal wall is a rare but serious condition due to the potentially severe maternal and foetal risks. Because of the rarity of the condition, no consensus exists regarding the optimal treatment. The component separation technique (CST) has proven to be effective for the treatment of those giant abdominal hernias in which prosthetic material utilisation is not indicated. We report the case of a woman who presented at 38 weeks of gestation with non-reducible herniation of the pregnant uterus through an anterior abdominal wall incisional hernia treated with CST immediately after caesarean section. Review of the existing literature is performed to further underline the efficacy of CST and the need for the practising surgeons to be familiar with this technique and the scenarios when it may become extremely valuable.

Fog formation over tropical forests remains poorly characterized, despite its potential role in bioaerosol dispersion and ecosystem processes. Here, we analyzed fog samples collected at the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory using flow cytometry and culture-based techniques to characterize viable microbial communities. Microbial cell concentrations varied over an order of magnitude across 13 fog events, reaching up to 8 × 10 4 cells per ml of fog water. Flow cytometry consistently detected metabolically active cells, while culturing and mass spectrometry-based identification yielded eight viable bacterial species and seven fungal taxa. The bacteria Serratia marcescens , Ralstonia pickettii and Sphingomonas paucimobilis exhibited seasonal variations in prevalence. The fungal species identified were primarily mesophilic saprophytes and endophytes, commonly associated with soil and plant surfaces. Our findings indicate that fog harbors viable microbes, including Serratia marcescens and Ralstonia pickettii , which may imply a relevance of fog for microbial dispersal, colonization and nutrient cycling in the Amazon rainforest. Amazonian fog samples contain viable microbes, suggesting fog plays a role microbial dispersal, colonization and nutrient cycling, according to analyses of fog samples from a tall tower observatory.

Species diversity can be lost through two different but potentially interacting extinction processes: demographic decline and speciation reversal through introgressive hybridization. To investigate the relative contribution of these processes, we analysed historical and contemporary data of replicate whitefish radiations from 17 pre-alpine European lakes and reconstructed changes in genetic species differentiation through time using historical samples. Here we provide evidence that species diversity evolved in response to ecological opportunity, and that eutrophication, by diminishing this opportunity, has driven extinctions through speciation reversal and demographic decline. Across the radiations, the magnitude of eutrophication explains the pattern of species loss and levels of genetic and functional distinctiveness among remaining species. We argue that extinction by speciation reversal may be more widespread than currently appreciated. Preventing such extinctions will require that conservation efforts not only target existing species but identify and protect the ecological and evolutionary processes that generate and maintain species. Historical and contemporary data of whitefish radiations from pre-alpine European lakes and reconstruction of changes in whitefish genetic species differentiation through time show that species diversity may have evolved in response to ecological opportunity, and that eutrophication, by diminishing this opportunity, has driven extinctions through speciation reversal and demographic decline. Extinction through reversed speciation Species extinctions happen in two very different ways. In the first, there can be a simple population decline. Less obvious is a second mechanism, in which previously distinct species merge through a reversal of the speciation process. This process reduces biodiversity, but not necessarily the total number of individual animals or plants present. An analysis of historical and contemporary data on endemic whitefish from 17 large European lakes that experienced major diversity loss demonstrates the second mechanism in action. There is strong evidence to suggest that eutrophication, the biological enrichment of a lake over time, has driven the extinction of many endemic species by reversing ecological speciation. Such extinctions can be prevented only if conservation efforts, in addition to preserving existing species, identify and protect the processes that generate species.

Issue Title: Special Issue on Piezoelectric for End Users II, Guest Editors: Robert Dorey and Sophie A. Rocks An iterative automatic method is used to calculate, from impedance measurements at resonance in three sample shapes and four modes of resonance, all the directly obtained coefficients that are needed to determine the ten elastic, dielectric and piezoelectric complex coefficients of the characteristic matrix of a 6 mm symmetry ferro-piezoelectric ceramic for a controlled porosity material. A soft PZT ceramic with a Morphotropic Phase Boundary (MPB) composition was studied. Samples with homogeneously distributed close porosity were prepared and tested. A fugitive phase was added to the perovskite type structure precursor powder to produce the porous materials and the samples were consolidated by die pressing. Shear coefficients are here obtained using an alternative geometry to the Standards shear sample, that was proved to be dynamically clamped at resonance. Comparison of these shear results and those obtained with the geometry of the Standards is here discussed and the advantages for the shear characterization of porous ceramics derived from the use of this new geometry are presented.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

The brazing of SiC fibre reinforced borosilicate glass matrix composites with Mo plates has been investigated. Molybdenum was chosen as the metallic partner under consideration of system requirements, e.g. thermomechanical stability at temperatures of interest (500–750∘C), and physical properties, e.g. coefficient of thermal expansion close to that of the glass matrix composite. Two brazing filler materials were investigated: a glass braze (Schott G018-174) and an active filler metal (Incusil ABA, brazing temperature = 740∘C). When using the glass braze the surface of the metal had to be roughened to ensure a bond of significant strength. Vacuum brazing with the active filler metal resulted in joints with high strength, which allows to fully utilise the mechanical competence of the glass matrix composite when the joint configuration is adapted to the relevant loading conditions. A novel design of a tool for hot glassware handling, made of glass matrix composite/Mo joints, is presented.