Search Results (176)

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a pivotal material in engineering and biomedical applications due to its exceptional mechanical strength, wear resistance, and impact performance. However, its extreme melt viscosity, caused by extensive chain entanglements, severely limits processability via conventional melt-processing techniques. Recent advances in catalytic synthesis have enabled the production of disentangled UHMWPE (dis-UHMWPE), which exhibits enhanced processability while retaining superior mechanical properties. Notably, heterogeneous catalytic systems, utilizing supported fluorinated bis (phenoxy-imine) titanium (FI) catalysts, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS)-modified Z-N catalysts, and other novel catalysts, have emerged as promising solutions, combining structural control with industrial feasibility. Moreover, optimizing polymerization conditions further enhances chain disentanglement while maintaining ultra-high molecular weights. These systems utilize nanoscale supports and ligand engineering to spatially isolate active sites, tailor the chain propagation/crystallization kinetics, and suppress interchain entanglement during polymerization. Furthermore, characterization techniques such as melt rheology and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) provide critical insights into chain entanglement, revealing distinct reorganization kinetics and bimodal melting behavior in dis-UHMWPE. This development of hybrid catalytic systems opens up new avenues for solid-state processing and industrial-scale production. This review highlights recent advances concerning interaction between catalyst design, polymerization control, and material performance, ultimately unlocking the full potential of UHMWPE for next-generation applications. Full article

The entanglement entropy of a random tensor network (RTN) is studied using tools from free probability theory. Random tensor networks are simple toy models that help in understanding the entanglement behavior of a boundary region in the anti-de Sitter/conformal field theory (AdS/CFT) context. These can be regarded as specific probabilistic models for tensors with particular geometry dictated by a graph (or network) structure. First, we introduce a model of RTN obtained by contracting maximally entangled states (corresponding to the edges of the graph) on the tensor product of Gaussian tensors (corresponding to the vertices of the graph). The entanglement spectrum of the resulting random state is analyzed along a given bipartition of the local Hilbert spaces. The limiting eigenvalue distribution of the reduced density operator of the RTN state is provided in the limit of large local dimension. This limiting value is described through a maximum flow optimization problem in a new graph corresponding to the geometry of the RTN and the given bipartition. In the case of series-parallel graphs, an explicit formula for the limiting eigenvalue distribution is provided using classical and free multiplicative convolutions. The physical implications of these results are discussed, allowing the analysis to move beyond the semiclassical regime without any cut assumption, specifically in terms of finite corrections to the average entanglement entropy of the RTN. Full article

We introduce a quantum integrated-information measure $\Phi$ for multipartite states within the Relational Quantum Dynamics (RQD) framework. $\Phi \left(\rho \right)$ is defined as the minimum quantum Jensen–Shannon distance between an n-partite density operator $\rho$ and any product state over a bipartition of its subsystems. We prove that its square root induces a genuine metric on state space and that $\Phi$ is monotonic under all completely positive trace-preserving maps. Restricting the search to bipartitions yields a unique optimal split and a unique closest product state. From this geometric picture, we derive a canonical entanglement witness directly tied to $\Phi$ and construct an integration dendrogram that reveals the full hierarchical correlation structure of $\rho$. We further show that there always exists an “optimal observer”—a channel or basis—that preserves $\Phi$ better than any alternative. Finally, we propose a quantum Markov blanket theorem: the boundary of the optimal bipartition isolates subsystems most effectively. Our framework unites categorical enrichment, convex-geometric methods, and operational tools, forging a concrete bridge between integrated information theory and quantum information science. Full article

Entangled multiphoton is an ideal resource for quantum information technology. Here, narrow-bandwidth hyper-entangled quadphoton is theoretically demonstrated by quantizing degenerate Zeeman sub states through spontaneous eight-wave mixing (EWM) in a hot ⁸⁵Rb. Polarization-based energy-time entanglement (output) under multiple polarized dressings is presented in detail with uncorrelated photons and Raman scattering suppressed. High-dimensional entanglement is contrived by passive non-Hermitian characteristic, and EWM-based quadphoton is genuine quadphoton with quadripartite entanglement. High quadphoton production rate is achieved from co-action of four strong input fields, and electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) slow light effect. Atomic passive non-Hermitian characteristic provides the system with acute coherent tunability around exceptional points (EPs). The results unveil multiple coherent channels (~8) inducing oscillations with multiple periods (~19) in quantum correlations, and high-dimensional (~8) four-body entangled quantum network (capacity ~65536). Coexistent hyper and high-dimensional entanglements facilitate high quantum information capacity. The system can be converted among three working states under regulating passive non-Hermitian characteristic via triple polarized dressing. The research provides a promising approach for applying hyper-entangled multiphoton to tunable quantum networks with high information capacity, whose multi-partite entanglement and multiple-degree-of-freedom properties help optimize the accuracy of quantum sensors. Full article

If modern Western disciplinary structures, laid forth by Dilthey and others in the 19th century, have helped structure the world in ways that bring about climate change and gross economic inequities (along with many “good” things such as vaccines and some modern comforts), how might we re-structure our thinking and learning in ways that address these violent lacunae? What does it mean to educate in a truly globalized world that is facing climate change, extinction, and growing injustice? The answer to that surely cannot be “more of the same”. Following the work of critical theorists and the ideas of Paulo Freire and bell hooks, among others, this essay argues that education should be about imagining and working toward a more just and ecologically sound version of the planetary future in a way that is attentive to as much input as possible from multiple perspectives (human and non). The goals of such an education are connective, grounding, and encountering “others” rather than reductive, productive, and geared toward technology transfer. What would it mean to undiscipline or open our disciplinary categories in ways that reattune us to the changing, entangled planet of which we are a part? What will it take to develop planetary humanities and technologies? If humans are not exceptions to the rest of the natural world, and if the nonhuman world is not just dead matter to be used toward human ends, then how do we go about re-grounding our epistemologies within the planet, rather than continuously thinking “out of this world”? The first part of this essay offers a critique of the reductive and productive model that turns the world into a “standing reserve” for use by some humans. The second part of the essay outlines some principles for knowledge that are more connective, grounding and enable us to counter the multiple others within the planetary community. Such “planetary” knowledge reminds humans of the humus of our humanity, connects us to other life found through compassion (to suffer with), reminds us of the justice of good company (sharing of bread/resources), and focuses on the playfulness of public, political conversations (the ability to be converted to another’s point of view). In the third part, I suggest some grounded metaphors for planetary thinking: wild and slow thinking, elemental and grounded thinking, and creaturely and mycelium thinking. Full article

To address the technical challenge of high polymer gel viscosity reducers losing viscosity at elevated temperatures and difficulty in controlling fluid loss, a polymer-based nano calcium carbonate composite high-temperature tackifier named GW-VIS was prepared using acrylamide (AM), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP), and nano calcium carbonate as raw materials through water suspension polymerization. This polymer gel can absorb water well at room temperature and has a small solubility. After a long period of high-temperature treatment, most of it can dissolve in water, increasing the viscosity of the suspension. The structure of the samples was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy, and their performance was evaluated. Rheological tests indicated that the 0.5% water suspension had a consistency coefficient (k = 761) significantly higher than the requirement for clay-free drilling fluids (k > 200). In thermal resistance experiments, the material maintained stable viscosity at 180 °C (reduction rate of 0%), and only decreased by 14.8% at 200 °C. Salt tolerance tests found that the viscosity reduction after hot rolling at 200 °C was only 17.31% when the NaCl concentration reached saturation. Field trials in three wells in the Liaohe oilfield verified that the clay-free drilling fluid supported formation operations successfully. The study shows that the polymer gel has the potential to maintain rheological stability at high temperatures by forming a network structure through polymer chain adsorption and entanglement, with a maximum temperature resistance of up to 200 °C, providing an efficient drilling fluid for deep oil and gas well development. It is feasible to select nano calcium carbonate to participate in the research of high-temperature resistant polymer materials. Meanwhile, the combined effect of monomers with large steric hindrance and inorganic materials can enhance the product’s temperature resistance and resistance to NaCl pollution. Full article

Unlike the hot-melting processing of thermoplastic plastics, the processing of starch-based material relies on the addition of solvents, resulting in their low productivity, hindering large-scale industrialized production. A strategy to realize the high production efficiency of starch-based material, an environmentally friendly modification process without waste liquid generation, was designed to prepare a hot-melting starch (HMS) that can be repeatedly hot melted. Ball milling, enzymatic digestion, and deep eutectic solvent (DES) plasticization modification were combined to prepare the HMS. Ball milling destroyed the starch’s particles and the crystallinity, exposing the hydroxyl group, which allowed amylase to achieve enzymatic hydrolysis more easily. After enzymatic hydrolysis, the molecular chains of modified starch were shortened and the entanglement of molecular chains was reduced, which promoted the slip of molecular chains. The plasticization of DES, which promoted by the broken starch particles and the destroyed crystal structure, formed stronger hydrogen bonds and facilitated hot melting. Furthermore, due to the excellent hot-melting properties, HMS can be combined with sisal fiber and polycaprolactone (PCL) under solvent-free conditions. The tensile strength of HMS/sisal fiber/PCL was increased by 109%; meanwhile, the water contact angle was stabilized at 104°, when the blending ratio of hot-melting starch was 67.5% compared with HMS. Full article

We study the dynamical evolution of two quantum clocks interacting with a relativistic gravitational potential. We find a time dilation effect for the clocks in agreement with the gravitational time dilation as obtained from the Schwarzschild solution in General Relativity. We perform our investigation via the Page and Wootters quantum-time formalism, exploring the dynamics of clocks assuming them in both a product state and a more general (entangled) state. The gravitational redshift, as emerging from our framework, is also proposed and discussed. Full article

Maintaining the consistency of linear density in ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber has been a critical challenge in the production of UHMWPE fibers. However, there has been limited research focusing on the impact of UHMWPE resin parameters on the consistency in fiber linear density. In this study, a series of UHMWPE fibers were produced through wet spinning using UHMWPE resins with varying parameters. The effects of molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, particle size, and particle size distribution of UHMWPE resins on the consistency of linear density and the mechanical properties of UHMWPE fibers were systematically investigated. The experimental findings revealed that narrowing the molecular weight distribution and particle size distribution of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) resin precursors significantly enhanced the consistency of resultant UHMWPE fibers, concurrently improving their tensile strength and elastic modulus. Notably, while the absolute molecular weight of the resin demonstrated no statistically significant correlation with fiber consistency, an optimal molecular weight range was identified to maximize the mechanical performance of UHMWPE fibers. Specifically, fibers synthesized from resin precursors within this molecular weight window exhibited peak values in both strength and modulus, suggesting a critical balance between molecular chain entanglement and processability. Full article

The resonant trident pair production process in the collision of ultrarelativistic electrons with a strong electromagnetic wave was theoretically studied. Under resonant conditions, the intermediate virtual gamma-quantum became real. As a result, the original resonant trident pair production process effectively split into two first-order processes by the fine structure constant: the electromagnetic field-stimulated Compton effect and the electromagnetic field-stimulated Breit–Wheeler process. The kinematics of the resonant trident pair production process were studied in detail. It was shown that there are two different cases for the energies and outgoing angles of the final particles (an electron and an electron–positron pair) in which their quantum entanglement is realized. In the first case, energies and outgoing angles of the final ultrarelativistic particles are uniquely determined by the parameters of the electromagnetic field-stimulated Compton effect (the outgoing angle of the final electron and the quantum parameter of the Compton effect). In the second case, energies and outgoing angles of the final particles are uniquely determined by the electromagnetic field-stimulated Breit–Wheeler process (the electron–positron pair outgoing angle and the Breit–Wheeler quantum parameter). It was shown that in a sufficiently wide range of frequencies and intensities of a strong electromagnetic wave, and in the case of ultrarelativistic initial electrons, the differential probability of the resonant trident pair production process with simultaneous registration of the outgoing angles of the final particles can significantly (by several orders of magnitude) exceed the total probability of the electromagnetic field-stimulated Compton effect. Full article

The implementation of quantum gates by means of microwave cryo-RFICs controlling qubits is a promising path toward scalable quantum processors. Quantum gate fidelity quantifies how well an actual quantum gate produces a quantum state close to the desired ideal one. Regrettably, the literature usually reports on quantum gate fidelity in a highly theoretical way, making it hard for RFIC designers to understand. This paper explains quantum gate fidelity by moving from Shannon’s concept of fidelity and proposing a detailed mathematical proof of a valuable integral formulation of quantum gate fidelity. Shannon’s information theory and the simple mathematics adopted for the proof are both expected to be in the background of electronics engineers. By using Shannon’s fidelity, this paper rationalizes the integral formulation of quantum gate fidelity. Because of the simple mathematics adopted, this paper also demystifies to electronics engineers how this integral formulation can be reduced to a more practical algebraic product matrix. This paper makes evident the practical utility of this matrix formulation by applying it to the specific examples of one- and two-qubit quantum gates. Moreover, this paper also compares mixed states, entanglement fidelity, and the error rate’s upper bound. Full article

Superabsorbent materials (SAMs), featuring a three-dimensional (3D) hydrophilic polymer network, can absorb and retain water up to thousands of times their own weight, even under pressure. This makes them indispensable in various fields, including hygiene products and agriculture. The water absorption capacity of SAMs is influenced by the presence of hydrophilic groups and a swellable network structure. To optimize performance, one must adjust the types and concentrations of functional groups. Additionally, changes in the density and regularity of the polymer network are necessary. Significant performance improvements are limited by inherent challenges in modifying polymer chains or networks. To enhance performance, researchers focus on manipulating the components and structure of the polymer network. Effective water retention requires the network to fully expand while maintaining its strength. Incorporating nanoparticles, especially one-dimensional (1D) nanoclays, minimizes chain entanglement and prevents network collapse during drying. This approach effectively addresses the above challenges. Upon swelling, these nanoparticles improve hydrogen bonding within the polymer network, significantly boosting the performance of SAMs. Nanoclays are abundant natural silicates found in various nanostructures like nanorods, nanofibers, and nanotubes. These nanoclays contain reactive silanol groups that form strong hydrogen bonds with polymer chains. This aids in network formation and reduces costs. Advances in synthesis and structural control have facilitated the development of versatile 1D nanoclay-based SAMs. This paper reviews the structure, characteristics, and applications of such materials and proposes future research directions aimed at developing higher-performance clay-based SAMs. Full article

This paper explores the intersection of race, religion, and colonial legacies through the lens of the Oruro Carnival, examining its role in shaping Bolivian identity. Critical religion scholars argue that the entanglement of race and religion is a product of Western modernity and colonialism, which has influenced both historical and contemporary power relations. This framework is applied to analyse the Carnival, where religious practices and festive performances intersect, reflecting colonial efforts at religious conversion and racial categorisation. By focusing on the ethnography of Oruro’s embodied festive practices, this study investigates how the Carnival contributes to the construction of difference amid Bolivia’s socio-political transformations. This paper also examines how, by the 20th century, colonial religious frameworks intertwined with secular racial categories, particularly through the rise of mestizaje as a nation-building discourse. A historical analysis of Carnival performances reveals how race, religion, and power have continually shaped the celebration, tracing its evolution from a segregated religious practice to a national spectacle, particularly after the 1952 revolution. The mutually configuring relationship between race and religion in Carnival highlights its role in both reinforcing and challenging dominant power structures. Full article

Hawthorn (Cratageus monogyna Jacq.), one of the important wild fruit species in Turkey, is an important fruit species in many countries due to its use in traditional medicine, landscaping studies, and the food and beverage industry. In this study, morphological characterization revealed significant variation among genotypes, with fruit weight ranging from 0.55 g to 2.87 g, fruit width from 9.74 mm to 18.39 mm, and leaf width from 19.53 mm to 41.19 mm. Genotype-dependent variations were observed in the total phenolic content (151.34 mg–491.88 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹ flesh), the total flavonoid content (16.74–48.13 mg CAE 100 g⁻¹ flesh), the total anthocyanin content (26.34–79.79 mg cyn-3 gluc 100 g⁻¹ flesh), and the antioxidant activity (29.20% to 56.70%). HPLC-based phenolic profiling identified substantial variations in key bioactive compounds, with the highest levels of chlorogenic acid (16.16 mg 100 g⁻¹ fw), caffeic acid (10.21 mg 100 g⁻¹ fw), epicatechin (13.83 mg 100 g⁻¹ fw), rutin (74.05 mg 100 g⁻¹ fw), and protocatechuic acid (2.00 mg 100 g⁻¹ fw). ISSR marker-based molecular analysis revealed a high degree of genetic polymorphism (89.12%), with 55 out of 62 bands classified as polymorphic. The polymorphic information content values ranged from 0.34 to 0.44. The Jaccard similarity coefficient ranged from 0.04 (M9 and M16) to 0.63 (M17 and M3), indicating substantial genetic variability. The tanglegram analysis comparing genetic and morphological–biochemical dendrograms yielded an entanglement score of 0.714, indicating an alignment between molecular and phenotypic data. These findings show that hawthorn genotypes from the Kelkit Valley exhibit extensive genetic and biochemical diversity, which is critical for conservation efforts, breeding programs, and the development of high-value medicinal and functional food products. Full article

Organic pollutants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exhibit persistence, bioaccumulation, resistance to degradation, and high toxicity, garnering significant attention from scholars worldwide. To better address and mitigate the environmental risks posed by PFASs, this paper employs bibliometric analysis to examine the literature on PFASs’ concentrations collected in the Web of Science (WoS) database between 2019 and 2024. The results show that the overall trend of PFASs’ pollution research is relatively stable and increasing. In addition, this study also summarizes the pollution status of traditional PFASs across different environmental media in typical freshwater basins. It analyzes PFASs’ concentrations in surface water, sediment, and aquatic organisms, elucidating their distribution characteristics and potential sources. While perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) levels in water environments are declining annually, short-chain PFASs and their substitutes are emerging as primary pollutants. Short-chain PFASs are frequently detected in surface water, whereas long-chain PFASs tend to accumulate in sediments. In aquatic organisms, PFASs are more likely to concentrate in protein-rich organs and tissues. The environmental presence of PFASs is largely influenced by human activities, such as metal plating, fluoride industry development, and industrial wastewater discharge. Currently, the development of PFASs in China faces a complex dilemma, entangled by policy and legal constraints, industrial production demands, the production and use of new alternatives, and their regulation and restriction, creating a vicious cycle. Breaking this deadlock necessitates continuous and active scientific research on PFASs, particularly PFOS, with an emphasis on detailed investigations of environmental sources and sinks. Furthermore, ecological and health risk assessments were conducted using Risk Quotient (RQ) and Hazard Quotient (HQ) methods. Comprehensive comparison indicates that PFASs (such as PFOA) in the majority of freshwater basins are at a low-risk level (RQ < 0.1 or HQ < 0.2), PFOS in some freshwater basins is at a medium-risk level (0.1 < RQ < 1), and no freshwater basin is at a high-risk level. The adsorption and removal approaches of PFASs were also analyzed, revealing that the combination of multiple treatment technologies as a novel integrated treatment technology holds excellent prospects for the removal of PFASs. Full article