Can Supercooled Phase Transitions Explain the Gravitational Wave Background Observed by Pulsar Timing Arrays?

Several pulsar timing array collaborations recently reported evidence of a stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB) at nHz frequencies. While the SGWB could originate from the merger of supermassive black holes, it could be a signature of new physics near the 100 MeV scale. Supercooled first-order phase transitions (FOPTs) that end at the 100 MeV scale are intriguing explanations, because they could connect the nHz signal to new physics at the electroweak scale or beyond.

Improved 3D-2D Perovskite for Efficient Perovskite Photovoltaics with Low-Temperature Carbon Electrodes.

Surface passivation and interface modification are effective strategies to acquire outstanding performances for perovskite solar cells (PeSCs). To suppress charge recombination and enhance the stability of the perovskite device, a hydrophobic two-dimensional (2D) perovskite is presented to construct a 3D-2D composite perovskite, passivating the perovskite surface/interfacial imperfection. Herein, a 3D-2D heterojunction perovskite is in situ synthesized on a 3D surface to maximize the charge transport and environmental stability.

Controlled-Release Nitrogen Mixed with Common Nitrogen Fertilizer Can Maintain High Yield of Rapeseed and Improve Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency.

Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of different proportions of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer mixed with quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer on the yield and nitrogen utilization efficiency of direct-seeding rapeseed. Using a conventional nitrogen application rate of 180 kg ha as a control, a total of 5 types of available nitrogen fertilizers and different proportions of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers were mixed for fertilizer treatment. The proportion of available nitrogen fertilizer used was 135 kg ha, and the addition ratios of the five types of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers were 0%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%, respectively (i.

Frequency Domain Filtering Method for SSVEP-EEG Preprocessing.

Steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) signal collected from the scalp typically contains other types of electric signals, and it is important to remove these noise components from the actual signal by application of a pre-processing step for accurate analysis. High-pass or bandpass filtering of the SSVEP signal in the time domain is the most common pre-processing method. Because frequency is the most important feature information contained in the SSVEP signal, a technique for frequency-domain filtering of SSVEP was proposed here.

Hadronic uncertainties versus new physics for the W boson mass and Muon g - 2 anomalies.

There are now two single measurements of precision observables that have major anomalies in the Standard Model: the recent CDF measurement of the W mass shows a 7σ deviation and the Muon g - 2 experiment at FNAL confirmed a long-standing anomaly, implying a 4.2σ deviation. Doubts regarding new physics interpretations of these anomalies could stem from uncertainties in the common hadronic contributions.

A time-frequency denoising method for single-channel event-related EEG.

Introduction: Electroencephalogram (EEG) acquisition is easily affected by various noises, including those from electrocardiogram (ECG), electrooculogram (EOG), and electromyogram (EMG). Because noise interference can significantly limit the study and analysis of brain signals, there is a significant need for the development of improved methods to remove this interference for more accurate measurement of EEG signals.

Methods: Based on the non-linear and non-stationary characteristics of brain signals, a strategy was developed to denoise brain signals using a time-frequency denoising algorithm framework of short-time Fourier transform (STFT), bidimensional empirical mode decomposition (BEMD), and non-local means (NLM).

Effect of intermittent shade on nitrogen dynamics assessed by N trace isotopes, enzymatic activity and yield of L.

Modern era of agriculture is concerned with the environmental influence on crop growth and development. Shading is one of the crucial factors affecting crop growth considerably, which has been neglected over the years. Therefore, a two-year field experiment was aimed to investigate the effects of shading at flowering (S1) and pod development (S2) stages on nitrogen (N) dynamics, carbohydrates and yield of rapeseed.

Temporal complementarity between roots and mycorrhizal fungi drives wheat nitrogen use efficiency.

Improving nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) to reduce the application of N fertilisers in a way that benefits the environment and reduces farmers' costs is an ongoing objective for sustainable wheat production. However, whether and how arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) affect NUE in wheat is still not well explored. Three independent but complementary experiments were conducted to decipher the contribution of roots and AMF to the N uptake and utilisation efficiency in wheat.

An improved cross-subject spatial filter transfer method for SSVEP-based BCI.

Steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) training feature recognition algorithms utilize user training data to reduce the interference of spontaneous electroencephalogram activities on SSVEP response for improved recognition accuracy. The data collection process can be tedious, increasing the mental fatigue of users and also seriously affecting the practicality of SSVEP-based brain-computer interface (BCI) systems..

Cross-subject spatial filter transfer method for SSVEP-EEG feature recognition.

Steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) is an important control method of the brain-computer interface (BCI) system. The development of an efficient SSVEP feature decoding algorithm is the core issue in SSVEP-BCI. It has been proposed to use user training data to reduce the spontaneous electroencephalogram activity interference on SSVEP response, thereby improving the feature recognition accuracy of the SSVEP signal.

Enhancement of Lodging Resistance and Lignin Content by Application of Organic Carbon and Silicon Fertilization in L.

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of organic carbon and silicon fertilizers on the lodging resistance, yield, and economic performance of rapeseed. Two cultivars, namely Jayou (lodging-resistant) and Chuannongyou (lodging-susceptible), were selected to evaluate the effects of various fertilizer treatments on rapeseed culm morphology, lignin accumulation, and their relationships with their lodging resistance indices. The results showed that both organic carbon and silicon fertilizer applications increased the plant height, basal stem diameter, internode plumpness, and bending strength of rapeseed in both the studied years.

SSVEP-EEG Denoising via Image Filtering Methods.

Steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) is widely used in electroencephalogram (EEG) control, medical detection, cognitive neuroscience, and other fields. However, successful application requires improving the detection performance of SSVEP signal frequency characteristics. Most strategies to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of SSVEP utilize application of a spatial filter.

Enhancing detection of steady-state visual evoked potentials using channel ensemble method.

This study proposed and evaluated a channel ensemble approach to enhance detection of steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs).Collected multi-channel electroencephalogram signals were classified into multiple groups of new analysis signals based on correlation analysis, and each group of analysis signals contained signals from a different number of electrode channels. These groups of analysis signals were used as the input of a training-free feature extraction model, and the obtained feature coefficients were converted into feature probability values using thefunction.

Towards a fundamental safe theory of composite Higgs and dark matter.

We present a novel paradigm that allows to define a composite theory at the electroweak scale that is well defined all the way up to any energy by means of safety in the UV. The theory flows from a complete UV fixed point to an IR fixed point for the strong dynamics (which gives the desired walking) before generating a mass gap at the TeV scale. We discuss two models featuring a composite Higgs, Dark Matter and partial compositeness for all SM fermions.

Comparison of the performance of six stimulus paradigms in visual acuity assessment based on steady-state visual evoked potentials.

Purpose: There are several stimulus paradigms used in objective visual acuity assessment based on steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs). The aim of this study was to explore the difference and performance of common used six stimulus paradigms (reverse vertical sinusoidal gratings, reverse horizontal sinusoidal gratings, reverse vertical square-wave gratings, brief-onset vertical sinusoidal gratings, reversal checkerboards and oscillating expansion-contraction concentric-rings) of SSVEP acuity assessment.

Methods: We tested subjective visual acuity both by tumbling E and Freiburg Visual Acuity and Contrast Test (FrACT) in 11 subjects.

Pd catalyzed insertion of alkynes into cyclic diaryliodoniums: a direct access to multi-substituted phenanthrenes.

Cyclic diaryliodoniums remain unexplored compared to linear iodoniums. In our current work, internal alkynes were for the first time applied to react with cyclic iodoniums, catalyzed by Pd, resulting in a [4 + 2] benzannulation. Our work offers a new strategy to synthesize multi-substituted phenanthrene derivatives which are not easily accessed by conventional methods.

Palladium catalyzed dual C-H functionalization of indoles with cyclic diaryliodoniums, an approach to ring fused carbazole derivatives.

Palladium(II)-catalyzed dual C-H functionalization of indoles with cyclic diaryliodoniums was successfully achieved, providing a concise method to synthesize dibenzocarbazoles. In a single operation, two C-C bonds and one ring were formed. The reaction was ligand free and tolerated air and moisture conditions.

Three-component Pd/Cu-catalyzed cascade reactions of cyclic iodoniums, alkynes, and boronic acids: an approach to methylidenefluorenes.

Linear diaryliodonium salts are widely used as arylating reagents for C-C and C-X bond formation. Meanwhile, synthetic applications of cyclic iodoniums are relatively rare although they offer the opportunity to set up reaction cascades. We demonstrate an atom and step economical three-component reaction involving cyclic diphenyleneiodoniums, alkynes, and boronic acids, resulting in the construction of methylidenefluorenes in a single operation.

The nitrate leached below maize root zone is available for deep-rooted wheat in winter wheat-summer maize rotation in the North China Plain.

In winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-summer maize (Zea mays L.) rotation system in the North China Plain, maize roots do not extend beyond 1.