ScholarSphere: IITJ Research Insights Hub

This study presents usage of polyvinylpyrrolidone, with a thin titanium oxide (TiOx) in bilayer combination primarily for demonstration of resistive switching. Fabricated flexible resistive random access memory (ReRAM) devices exhibit stable bipolar resistive switching behavior low SET/RESET voltages (∼ ±1 V), high data retention (>6000 s), low device-to-device variability, and reliable multiple cycle operation (>100 iterations) while maintaining decent on-off current ratio of ∼102. These devices demonstrate synaptic behavior with paired-pulse facilitation with relaxation time constants of ∼1.7 ms and ∼102 ms for fast and slow phase respectively. Moreover, potentiation and depression were observed up to 500 pulses, confirming reliable and reproducible synaptic behavior, indicating their capability to mimic biological synapses. The devices exhibit the dynamic transition between short-term and long-term plasticity, effectively mimicking critical neuronal processes. These findings underscore the potential of the bilayer configuration as switching layer in ReRAM devices for future non-volatile memory and neuromorphic computing applications. © 2025 IOP Publishing Ltd. All rights, including for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies, are reserved.

AI companion applications are transforming how people form and maintain relationships in the digital world, with millions of users now engaging in emotional and social interactions with AI agents. Understanding what drives user satisfaction becomes crucial as these applications become increasingly integrated into users' daily lives. Drawing on Orlikowski's practice lens theory and employing text mining and hierarchical clustering methodologies on user reviews enhanced with focus group discussions, this study identifies two key determinants of user satisfaction: Functional Capability Perception and Affective Social Attunement. The analysis of 156,637 user reviews and insights from diverse participants reveals that satisfaction emerges through users' simultaneous negotiation of technical proficiency and emotional boundaries in their AI interactions. Functional capabilities positively influence satisfaction, while deeper emotional engagement creates a paradoxical effect where users become more sensitive to AI limitations. The study demonstrates how societal conditions shape these dynamics, with evaluation criteria evolving from simple acceptance to deeper interpersonal connections, reflecting changing attitudes toward human-AI relationships. Our mixed methods approach uncovers the contextual factors and usage patterns that shape how users integrate these technologies into their daily routines and emotional ecosystems. These insights advance our understanding of human-AI relationships while providing practical guidance for developers on creating adaptive systems that respond to evolving user needs. By understanding these complex dynamics, stakeholders can develop AI companions that enhance human relationships rather than attempting to replace them. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) has been considered as a potential alternate fuel due to the absence of a C–C bond and the presence of high oxygen content. Experimental studies have shown that the dominant decomposition products of DMC are CO2 and dimethyl ether (DME), among others. DME also undergoes decomposition under similar conditions, and a clear experimental distinction of DMC and DME dissociation products is difficult. In the present work, unimolecular decomposition of DMC and DME was investigated under the same reaction conditions using electronic structure theory, Born–Oppenheimer direct dynamics simulations, and Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) theory rate constant calculations. The on-the-fly trajectory simulations were performed at the density functional B3LYP/cc-pVDZ level of electronic structure theory. DMC and DME were excited using the same average normal mode energies and subsequent atomic-level dissociation dynamics investigated. In agreement with previous studies, DME + CO2 formation was dominant for the DMC molecule. In addition, another major pathway resulting in :CH2 and carbonic acid monomethyl ester (CAME) was identified in the decomposition of DMC and this might be an important pathway at high temperatures. CAME underwent subsequent dissociation, resulting in other known products. For the DME decomposition, molecular H2 elimination along with various byproducts was found to be dominant. The dissociation products of DMC and DME were separately quantified, and atomic-level dissociation mechanisms were presented.

The centrosome-specific Polo-Like Kinase 4 (PLK4) is a unique serine/threonine kinase family member that homodimerizes using its cryptic polo-box (CPB) region. PLK4 homodimerization causes transphosphorylation, which activates its ubiquitin-mediated degradation. The same CPB interacts with upstream centrosome recruiters, CEP152 and CEP192 in human cells. However, the involvement of PLK4 homodimerization with the CEP192-CEP152 network remains unexplored. This work identified a cancerous PLK4 variant, which truncated the protein to disrupt the CPB at 774 residue. The truncated PLK4 is unable to homodimerize or interact with CEP152 or CEP192. During the S-phase, CEP152 recruits PLK4 to centrosomes, and the homodimerization of PLK4 is needed to maintain CEP152 at centrosomes. The reduction in levels of CEP152 on PLK4 homodimerization mutant expression correlates to pericentrin at S-phase centrosomes, which causes unfocussed spindles at the M-phase and reduces cell viability. The work shows a cross-dependency between CEP152 and PLK4 homodimerization for centrosome functioning, which is disrupted in cancer.

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's (PD) and Alzheimer's diseases (AD) are linked with the assembly and accumulation of proteins into structured scaffold called amyloids. These diseases pose significant challenges due to their complex and multifaceted nature. While the primary focus has been on endogenous amyloids, recent evidence suggests that bacterial amyloids may contribute to the development and exacerbation of such disorders. The gut-brain axis is emerging as a communication pathway between bacterial and human amyloids. This review delves into the novel role and potential mechanism of bacterial amyloids in modulating human amyloid formation and the progression of AD and PD.

In this study, we investigated the influence of cold rolling reduction on microstructural evolution and slip behavior in Ta-10W alloy fabricated by vacuum arc melting (VAM). As the reduction increased, both single and multiple slips were observed within some grain interiors. At reductions of 20% and 40%, deformation bands, primarily consisting of γ-fiber components, formed within the grain interiors. The fraction of deformation bands (DBs) increased with higher reduction. Conversely, at 60% reduction, in addition to DBs, experimentally observed shear bands (SBs) with a herringbone pattern were formed. Both DBs and SBs predominantly formed in regions of concentrated strain (areas with high kernel average misorientation (KAM) and geometrically necessary dislocations (GND)). As the reduction increased, the misorientation angle between the matrix and the DBs or SBs gradually increased, while the width of the DBs decreased. To investigate the violation of Schmid’s law in Ta-10W alloy, slip trace and resolved shear stress (RSS) analyses were performed on observed slip lines within deformed grains. Contrary to conventional slips, where slip typically occurs on the plane with the highest RSS, slips in the Ta-10W alloy were confirmed to occur even on planes with lower RSS in certain grains. Hence, this study provides experimental evidence of Schmid’s law violation in Ta-10W alloy. Copyright

In this chapter, the authors go into the complicated world of using computers to create the shape of aerogels. They focus on SiC porous media and talk about other types of aerogel structures as well. Using Monte Carlo simulations with MATLAB and FORTRAN90, the study carefully looks at factors like pore size, medium thickness, and porosity to model SiC aerogels' porous structure correctly. By comparing the model's results to extinction coefficient data from the books, we can see that there is a strong link between pore size, porosity, and the extinction coefficient. Along with SiC aerogels, this chapter looks at other important factors that affect the shape of aerogels, such as the qualities of the source material, the sol-gel processing conditions, the drying methods, and the effects of temperature and pressure. Trends for the future show progress in computer modeling, the use of machine learning, possible breakthroughs in optimizing aerogel shape, and solving ongoing problems. Further study could look into new starting materials, creative ways to dry things out, and working with people from different fields, with a focus on finding long-lasting and repeatable production methods that can be used in real life. This thorough study combines results from experiments with mathematical accuracy, paving the way for a more complete understanding of aerogels and their uses in many science and economic fields.