Gender inequality and economic growth: evidence from industry-level data

This paper examines whether higher gender equality facilitates economic growth by enabling better utilization of female labor. By allocating female labor to its more productive use, we hypothesize that reducing gender inequality should disproportionately benefit industries with relatively higher female share in their employment. In a sample of manufacturing industries from 65 EMDEs over the period of 1990–2018, we find a positive growth differential of about 26 percentage points over a decade between industries with a high and low female share in employment when they are located in a low gender inequality country compared to a country with high gender inequality

A switched full duplex MIMO architecture with digital linear and nonlinear cancellation

Enabling full duplex (FD) in MIMO systems is challenging due to increased hardware complexity and increased training overhead required for canceling not only self-interference (SI) but also cross-link-interference (CLI) signals, considering both linear and nonlinear effects on each stream. In this paper, we propose switched FD MIMO (FD-SW-MIMO) architecture as a low-complexity, low-overhead solution, which enables stream-based nonlinear estimation to be performed independently from channel estimation, so that those nonlinear reference signals are fed to linear SI and CLI cancellation stages. For improved performance at high transmit power levels, the Random Fourier Features - Least Mean Squares (RFF-LMS) algorithm is employed on the residual SI and CLI signals per stream. Our experiments conducted on a software-defined radio based 2x2 FD MIMO test setup reveal that the proposed FD-SW-MIMO architecture can provide up to 12 dB enhancement over linear only digital cancellation. The proposed architecture requires only minor hardware modification(s), avoiding active analog cancellation circuitry and extra Tx/Rx chains. Requiring the same training overhead as linear only cancellation, FD-SW-MIMO architecture can quadruple the rate of HD SISO for low to moderate transmit power levels, and for high transmit power levels, the HD SISO rate is tripled due to slightly increased overhead

In-situ functionalization of cotton fabrics with polydopamine and silver nanoparticles for multifunctional applications

This study presents a sustainable approach to enhance cotton fabrics with multifunctional properties by in-situ functionalization using polydopamine (PDA) coating followed by the deposition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) through a self-reduction process. Polydopamine was chosen for its excellent adhesive and reductive properties, facilitating the uniform attachment of silver nanoparticles on the fabric surface. The functionalized fabrics were thoroughly characterized using FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, EDS, TGA, contact angle measurements, and XRD, confirming the successful integration of PDA and AgNPs. The modified cotton fabrics demonstrated 100% antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and achieved a water contact angle of approximately 131°, indicating enhanced hydrophobicity. Thermal stability was also improved, with a 15% increase in ash content at 600 °C. This dual-functional coating approach provides an effective means to develop antibacterial, water-resistant, and thermally more stable textile materials, offering potential applications in protective clothing, and other functional fabric domains

Enhanced crystallinity through melt annealing of thermoplastic polyurethanes

This study evaluated the influence of melt annealing on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) synthesized via reactive extrusion, aiming to enhance TPU melt crystallization behavior. The melt annealing process involved reprocessing the polymer in a twin-screw extruder, leveraging a novel approach to manipulating crystallization behavior by optimizing melt annealing conditions to activate microphase separation. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis indicated increased nucleation density and a shift in peak crystallization temperature to higher values during cooling. Phase morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy, while gel permeation chromatography was utilized to assess molecular weight changes. X-ray diffraction provided insights into TPU microstructural modifications, and mechanical properties were evaluated via tensile tests. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was employed to analyze annealing-induced changes in the hard segment structure and interpolymer bonding. The findings demonstrated that annealing enhances mechanical properties, promotes microphase separation, and increases the energy available for movement and realignment of hard segments, thereby improving TPU's thermal stability. Precise control of annealing temperature was critical to prevent adverse effects on polymer morphology or molecular weight reduction. Annealing at 210°C yielded the highest degree of crystallinity, optimizing mechanical properties and thermal stability

Nanobiosurfactants: molecules of the 21st century in pharmacy and cosmetics

Biosurfactants are a diverse group of molecules with unique surface-active properties that are synthesized by various microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and fungi. These molecules have gained a lot of attention due to their remarkable characteristics, such as low toxicity, high biodegradability, and excellent economic sustainability. In addition to their surface-active properties, biosurfactants have been found to exhibit antimicrobial, and antitumor activities. Nanobiosurfactants, the new microbes-derived compounds issued from nanobiotechnology and including a large variety of nanoparticles (NPs), are currently acknowledged as the molecules of the century. Nanobiosurfactants may refer to either microbes- or biosurfactant-mediated metal NPs as well as other organic and inorganic NPs such as microbial nano-emulsions and microbial extracellular vesicles. Based on the nature of their biosurfactants they can be classified according to their chemical composition, molecular weight, ionic charge and secretion type. Nanobiosurfactants are offering new perspectives of applications specifically in medical and cosmetic industries, considering their low toxicity, specific functionalization, and biocompatibility. They have shown promising results in targeted drug delivery, cancer therapy and health care products. Nevertheless, nanobiosurfactant industries are still showing some limits related mainly to low yields, difficulties in standardization, purification and characterization that put in question their economic efficiency and biological safety

Effects of climatic conditions and agronomic practices on health, tuber yield, and mineral composition of two contrasting potato varieties developed for high and low input production systems

Modern potato varieties from high-input, conventional farming-focused breeding programs produce substantially (up to 45%) lower yields when grown in organic production systems, and this was shown to be primarily due to less efficient fertilization and late blight (Phytophthora infestans) control methods being used in organic farming. It has been hypothesized that the breeding of potato varieties suitable for the organic/low-input sector should (i) focus on increasing nutrient (especially N) use efficiency, (ii) introduce durable late blight resistance, and (iii) be based on selection under low-input conditions. To test this hypothesis, we used an existing long-term factorial field experiment (the NEFG trials) to assess the effect of crop management practices (rotation design, fertilization regime, and crop protection methods) used in conventional and organic farming systems on crop health, tuber yield, and mineral composition parameters in two potato varieties, Santé and Sarpo mira, that were developed in breeding programs for high and low-input farming systems, respectively. Results showed that, compared to Santé, the variety Sarpo mira was more resistant to foliar and tuber blight but more susceptible to potato scab (Streptomyces scabies) and produced higher yields and tubers with higher concentrations of nutritionally desirable mineral nutrients but lower concentrations of Cd. The study also found that, compared to the Cu-fungicides permitted for late blight control in organic production, application of synthetic chemical fungicides permitted and widely used in conventional production resulted in significantly lower late blight severity in Sante but not in Sarpo mira. Results from both ANOVA and redundancy analysis (RDA) indicate that the effects of climatic (precipitation, radiation, and temperature) and agronomic (fertilization and crop protection) explanatory variables on crop health and yield differed considerably between the two varieties. Specifically, the RDA identified crop protection as a significant driver for Santé but not Sarpo mira, while precipitation was the strongest driver for crop health and yield for Sarpo mira but not Santé. In contrast, the effect of climatic and agronomic drivers on tuber mineral and toxic metal concentrations in the two varieties was found to be similar. Our results support the hypothesis that selection of potato varieties under low agrochemical input conditions can deliver varieties that combine (i) late blight resistance/tolerance, (ii) nutrient use efficiency, and (iii) yield potential in organic farming systems

Potential of gallium oxide as a radiation hard technology

Gallium oxide (Ga2O3) is an emerging and promising candidate for high-power and radiation-rich environments, such as space, thanks to its ultra-wide bandgap (~ 4.9 eV) and high critical electrical field (~ 8 MV/cm). Radiation in space, such as protons, alpha particles and heavy ions, can cause serious damage to electronic devices and even lead to permanent damage. However, assessing these devices' reliability and radiation hardness in space-like environments is often expensive and complex. In the present work, we utilize a technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulation-based framework that uses the concept of non-ionizing energy loss (NIEL) to evaluate the displacement damage in electronic devices under particle irradiation. To assess the radiation tolerance of Ga2O3 diodes, first, a TCAD model for Ga2O3 Schottky barrier diodes (SBD) is developed and calibrated/benchmarked to an experimental device, followed by irradiation simulations. The results show that Ga2O3 SBD can withstand a 5 MeV proton fluence of ~ 1015 cm−2 with no change in the forward current voltage (IV) characteristics. This value is significantly higher than that of 4H-SiC (~5 × 1013 cm−2) and Si (~1 × 1012) SBDs with the same ideal breakdown voltage - VBR (1600 V), demonstrating the potential of Ga2O3 as a radiation-hard technology

Testing the distinction between sadism and psychopathy: a metanalysis

The relationships among the Dark Triad (DT) traits—Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy—are well-established in psychological literature. However, with the inclusion of everyday sadism in the proposed Dark Tetrad, it is important to determine whether sadism adds significant explanatory power beyond psychopathy, especially given its high correlation. In this study, we examined whether sadism contributed unique variance over psychopathy in studies where both traits were assessed. A review of PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect yielded 185 studies meeting our inclusion criteria, comprising 104,452 participants. We analyzed sample characteristics, including type, size, gender distribution, age, and key correlates such as narcissism, Machiavellianism, the Big Five, and Honesty-Humility. Our results indicate a substantial overlap between sadism and psychopathy, with both traits being strongly related to the other DT traits and showing no correlation with Openness. These findings highlight the need for future research to account for this overlap when interpreting the relationships between sadism, psychopathy, and related psychological constructs

Impact damage and low temperature effects on carbon fiber/epoxy joints: a comparative study of hybrid bolted/bonded and bolted configurations with cross-ply and angle-ply laminates

This study investigates the tensile and tensile after impact (TAI) performance of hybrid bolted/bonded (HBB) and only bolted (OB) carbon fiber/epoxy composite joints with cross-ply (CP) and angle-ply (AP) stacking sequences under low-temperature (LT) conditions. The focus is on the behavior of these joints under low temperatures with barely visible impact damage (BVID), relevant to aerospace and high-performance industries. In situ acoustic emission (AE) analysis and fractographic examinations synergistically evaluate the effects of LT (−55 °C) and BVID (10 J energy level) on these joints. Results indicate that HBB-CP intact joints exhibit higher load-bearing capacity at LT due to increased adhesive and matrix stiffness but demonstrate more brittle responses. The combined impact of low temperature and impact loading significantly affects impacted CP joints, leading to notable damage and reduced load-bearing capacity. Although HBB-CP joints are more susceptible to BVID than OB-CP joints, they still outperform overall. AE and fractographic analyses reveal fiber-related failures in CP laminates and matrix/interface failures in AP laminates, with increased matrix cracking at low temperatures. This research provides a comprehensive analysis of the interplay between impact dynamics, temperature variations, and stacking sequence configurations on hybrid and bolted composite joints