bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exponential mean‐square string stability of vehicular platoon with stochastic disturbance and time delay
Authors: Sui Hao , Zhang Jiye , Dai Xinliang
Published: March 2024

Platooning is an effective way to reduce air resistance and fuel consumption in vehicular transportation. However, stochastically generated disturbances can significantly impact the string stability of platoons. This article proposes a novel control law, based on sliding mode control and leader‐predecessor communications, designed to improve the exponential mean‐square string stability of platoons with Ito‐type stochastic disturbances that consider friction force. Specifically, our approach employs a third‐order nonlinear dynamic model to capture the relevant spatiotemporal correlations present in vehicle platoons. The proposed longitudinal control strategy effectively stabilizes the platoons with time delay and was verified through simulation experimentation. In this study, the stability of sliding mode motion is thoroughly investigated by means of sub‐reachable and practical stability analysis with sliding mode control. The findings of this study provide a theoretical foundation for further research on vehicle platoons with increasingly complicated interference and time delays. Overall, our results demonstrate that our approach can achieve significant improvements in both fuel economy and exhaust emissions while maintaining high levels of string stability, further contributing to the development of efficient and sustainable transportation systems.
Multifunctional Umbrella: In Situ Interface Film Forming on the High‐Voltage LiCoO2 Cathode by a Tiny Amount of Nanoporous Polymer Additives for High‐Energy‐Density Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Qi Ruoxuan , Yang Ming , Zheng Tianle , Liu Xingchen , Xia Yonggao , Cheng Ya‐Jun , Müller‐Buschbaum Peter
Published: March 2024

The LiCoO2 (LCO) cathode is foreseen for extensive commercial applications owing to its high specific capacity and stability. Therefore, there is considerable interest in further enhancing its specific capacity by increasing the charging voltage. However, single‐crystal LCO suffers from a significant capacity degradation when charged to 4.5 V due to the irreversible phase transition and unstable structure. Herein, an ultra‐small amount (0.5% wt. in the electrode) of multi‐functional PIM‐1 (a polymer with intrinsic microporosity) additive is utilized to prepare a kind of binder‐free electrode. PIM‐1 modulates the solvation structure of LiPF6 due to its unique structure, which helps to form a stable, robust, and inorganic‐rich cathod‐eelectrolyte interphase (CEI) film on the surface of LCO at a high voltage of 4.5 V. This reduces the irreversible phase transition of LCO, thereby enhancing the cyclic stability and improving the rate performance, providing new perspectives for the electrodes fabrication and improving LCO‐based high‐energy‐density cathodes.
Effect of Ni Sulfate Residue on Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) in Porous NiFe@NiFe Layered Double Hydroxide
Authors: Park Jong‐Hwan , Kwon Hyun Jun , Lee Da Young , Suh Su‐Jeong
Published: March 2024

The development of cost‐effective and high‐performance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts is a significant challenge. This study presents the synthesis of binder‐free NiFe@NiFe layered double hydroxide (NNF) via one‐pot electrodeposition on carbon paper and Ni foam at high current densities. The presence of Ni sulfate residues on the prepared NNF is also investigated. The findings indicate that Ni sulfate significantly improves OER performance and durability. The sulfate content can be controlled by varying the method and duration of washing. NNF prepared through dipping (NNF‐D) exhibits outstanding OER activity with a low overpotential of 241 mV, which is 25 mV lower than that of NNF washed for 60 s (NNF‐W‐60 s) at 10 mA cm−2 in 1 m KOH. Furthermore, density functional theory analyses indicate that the Ni sulfate residue helps modify the electronic structure, thereby optimizing the binding strength of *OOH. This synthetic strategy is expected to inspire the development of next‐generation catalysts utilizing various adsorbates.
Band Structure Tuning via Pt Single Atom Induced Rapid Hydroxyl Radical Generation toward Efficient Photocatalytic Reforming of Lignocellulose into H2
Authors: Li Xiaohui , Su Zhiqi , Jiang Huiqian , Liu Jiaqi , Zheng Lingxia , Zheng Huajun , Wu Shiting , Shi Xiaowei
Published: March 2024

Photocatalytic lignocellulose reforming for H2 production presents a compelling solution to solve environmental and energy issues. However, achieving scalable conversion under benign conditions faces consistent challenges including insufficient active sites for H2 evolution reaction (HER) and inefficient lignocellulose oxidation directly by photogenerated holes. Herein, it is found that Pt single atom‐loaded CdS nanosheet (PtSA‐CdS) would be an active photocatalyst for lignocellulose‐to‐H2 conversion. Theoretical and experimental analyses confirm that the valence band of CdS shifts downward after depositing isolated Pt atoms, and the slope of valence band potential on pH for PtSA‐CdS is more positive than Nernstian equation. These characteristics allow PtSA‐CdS to generate large amounts of •OH radicals even at pH 14, while the capacity is lacking with CdS alone. The employment of •OH/OH− redox shuttle succeeds in relaying photoexcited holes from the surface of photocatalyst, and the •OH radicals can diffuse away to decompose lignocellulose efficiently. Simultaneously, surface Pt atoms, featured with a thermoneutral , would collect electrons to expedite HER. Consequently, PtSA‐CdS performs a H2 evolution rate of 10.14 µmol h−1 in 1 m KOH aqueous solution, showcasing a remarkable 37.1‐fold enhancement compared to CdS. This work provides a feasible approach to transform waste biomass into valuable sources.
A Partial Metal Coordination Strategy toward High‐Performance and Cost‐Effective Electron Transporting Layer for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Yu Fengyi , Huang Peihao , Hu Dingqin , Tang Shengjie , Yang Ke , Yang Qianguang , Chen Yao , Xiao Zeyun
Published: March 2024

Additives are frequently employed in the active layer of organic solar cells (OSCs) to fine‐tune morphology and improve overall device performance. The use of additive in electron transporting layer (ETL) has garnered less attention. In this study, poly(2‐vinyl pyridine) (P2VP) based cost‐effective ETLs are developed for OSCs. Addition of CoCl2 to the P2VP affords ETLs with enhanced conductivity and optimized work function. OSCs employing this ETL demonstrate prolonged carrier lifetime, suppressed charge recombination, and achieve higher power conversion efficiencies (PCEc) than the commonly used ETLs such as PFNBr and Phen‐NaDPO. The cost of the P2VP‐Co is merely one‐twentieth of that associated with Phen‐NaDPO or PFNBr. Mechanism studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the partial metal salt coordination of P2VP leaves free pyridine rings for dipole interactions with the Ag electrode, and provides higher electrostatic potentials and larger dipole moments compared to the polymer alone, thereby increasing conductivity. The polymer and metal salt additive strategy demonstrates its effectiveness in boosting device performance, offering valuable possibility for designing novel electronic materials and expanding the applications of widely available polymers.
Separation and characterization of hydrolytic degradation product of deucravacitinib by validated high‐performance liquid chromatography method and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Golla Vijaya Madhyanapu , Khemchandani Rahul , Chaganti Sowmya , Samanthula Gananadhamu
Published: March 2024

Deucravacitinib, SOTYKTU was approved recently in the year 2022 to treat psoriasis. The present work attempts to identify and characterize degradation products formed when the drug is exposed to hydrolytic, oxidative, thermal, and photolytic stress conditions as well as to study the kinetics of the drug's degradation under various stress conditions. A high‐performance liquid chromatography method was developed for the separation of deucravacitinib and its degradation product comprising mobile phase of ammonium acetate (pH 4.75) buffer as solvent A and acetonitrile as solvent B and Phenomenex Gemini, C‐18 (250 × 4.6 mm, 5µ) column as stationary phase. Injection volume, flow rate, and detection wavelength for the method were optimized as 10 µL, 1.0 mL/min, and 254 nm, respectively. Accuracy, precision, linearity, robustness, and selectivity were found to be acceptable when validated in the concentration range between 5 and 150 µg/mL of deucravacitinib. The structure of the degradation product was characterized using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry which shows a protonated molecular ion peak at m/z 358.1805 in the electrospray ionization positive mode. In silico mutagenicity tests yielded positive results for deucravacitinib and its degradation product, triggering an alarm for mutagenicity for both structures, whereas in silico toxicity studies did not generate any structural alerts.
Review on Layered Manganese‐Based Metal Oxides Cathode Materials for Potassium‐Ion Batteries: From Preparation to Modification
Authors: Sun Kuo , Luo Shao‐Hua , Hao Guodong , Guo Song , Qian Lixiong , Yan Sheng‐xue , Wang Qing
Published: March 2024

Potassium‐ion battery is rich in resources and cheap in price, in the era of lithium‐ion battery commercialization, potassium‐ion battery is the most likely to replace it. Based on the classification and summary of electrode materials for potassium‐ion batteries, this paper focuses on the introduction of manganese‐based oxide KxMnO2. The layered KxMnO2 has a large layer spacing and can be embedded with large size potassium‐ions. This paper focuses on the preparation and doping of manganese‐based cathode materials for potassium‐ion batteries, summarizes the main challenges of KxMnO2‐based cathode materials in the current stage of research and further looks into its future development direction.
Coronary artery calcification detected by initial polytrauma CT in severely injured patients: retrospective single-center cohort study
Authors: Meyer Hans-Jonas , Dermendzhiev Tihomir , Hetz Michael , Osterhoff Georg , Kleber Christian , Denecke Timm , Henkelmann Jeanette , Metze Michael , Werdehausen Robert , Hempel Gunther , Struck Manuel F.
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Coronary artery calcifications detected by computed tomography (CT) provide prognostic relevance for vascular disorders and coronary heart disease, whereas their prognostic relevance in severely injured trauma patients remains unclear.

Material and Methods

All consecutive trauma patients requiring emergency tracheal intubation before initial CT at a level-1 trauma center and admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) over a 12-year period (2008–2019) were reanalyzed. The Weston score, a semiquantitative method to quantify coronary calcifications, was evaluated as a prognostic variable based upon whole-body trauma CT analysis.

Results

Four hundred fifty-eight patients (74.6% male) with a median age of 49 years, median injury severity score of 26 points, 24-h mortality rate of 7.6%, and 30-day mortality rate of 22.1% met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Coronary artery calcification was present in 214 patients (46.7%). After adjustment for confounding factors, the Weston score was an independent predictor for 24-h mortality (hazard ratio, HR 1.19, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.06–1.32, p = .002) and 30-day mortality (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01–1.17, p = .027). In a subanalysis of 357 survivors, the Weston score was significantly associated with ICU length of stay (LOS) (beta weight 0.89, 95% CI 0.3–1.47, p = .003) but not with mechanical ventilation duration (beta weight 0.05, 95% CI -0.2–0.63, p = .304).

Conclusion

CT-detected coronary calcification was a significant prognostic factor for 24-h- and 30-day-mortality in severely injured trauma patients requiring tracheal intubation, and influenced ICU LOS in survivors.
Maize green leaf area index dynamics: genetic basis of a new secondary trait for grain yield in optimal and drought conditions
Authors: Blancon Justin , Buet Clément , Dubreuil Pierre , Tixier Marie-Hélène , Baret Frédéric , Praud Sébastien
Published: March 2024

Key message

Green Leaf Area Index dynamics is a promising secondary trait for grain yield and drought tolerance. Multivariate GWAS is particularly well suited to identify the genetic determinants of the green leaf area index dynamics.

Improvement of maize grain yield is impeded by important genotype-environment interactions, especially under drought conditions. The use of secondary traits, that are correlated with yield, more heritable and less prone to genotype-environment interactions, can increase breeding efficiency. Here, we studied the genetic basis of a new secondary trait: the green leaf area index (GLAI) dynamics over the maize life cycle. For this, we used an unmanned aerial vehicle to characterize the GLAI dynamics of a diverse panel in well-watered and water-deficient trials in two years. From the dynamics, we derived 24 traits (slopes, durations, areas under the curve), and showed that six of them were heritable traits representative of the panel diversity. To identify the genetic determinants of GLAI, we compared two genome-wide association approaches: a univariate (single-trait) method and a multivariate (multi-trait) method combining GLAI traits, grain yield, and precocity. The explicit modeling of correlation structure between secondary traits and grain yield in the multivariate mixed model led to 2.5 times more associations detected. A total of 475 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were detected. The genetic architecture of GLAI traits appears less complex than that of yield with stronger-effect QTLs that are more stable between environments. We also showed that a subset of GLAI QTLs explains nearly one fifth of yield variability across a larger environmental network of 11 water-deficient trials. GLAI dynamics is a promising grain yield secondary trait in optimal and drought conditions, and the detected QTLs could help to increase breeding efficiency through a marker-assisted approach.
Textilien und nachhaltige Entwicklungsziele
Authors: Lederer J. , Bartl A.
Published: March 2024

Textilien sind nicht nur eines der ersten von Menschenhand hergestellten Produkte, sie waren über die Jahrhunderte auch wichtiges Handels- und Tauschobjekt, Motor der Industrialisierung und Sinnbild eines neuen Wirtschaftssystems. Heute werden Textilien oft als reines Konsumgut gesehen, dessen Bereitstellung für viele Gesellschaften dieser Erde eine Selbstverständlichkeit darstellt. Allein aus dieser Selbstverständlichkeit ergibt sich ein direkter Zusammenhang mit den nachhaltigen Entwicklungszielen der Vereinten Nationen, von Alpha bis Omega, also der Produktion der Rohstoffe bis hin zur Abfallwirtschaft. In diesem Beitrag soll dieser Zusammenhang, auch aus sozial- und wirtschaftsgeschichtlicher Perspektive, kurz dargestellt werden. Im Anschluss soll auch auf die Möglichkeiten der Kreislaufwirtschaft von Textilien zur Erreichung der nachhaltigen Entwicklungsziele eingegangen werden.
Real-time safe validation of autonomous landing in populated areas: from virtual environments to Robot-In-The-Loop
Authors: Tovanche-Picon Hector , González-Trejo Javier , Flores-Abad Ángel , García-Terán Miguel Ángel , Mercado-Ravell Diego
Published: March 2024

Safe autonomous landing for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in populated areas is a crucial aspect for successful integration of UAVs in populated environments. Nonetheless, validating autonomous landing in real scenarios is a challenging task with a high risk of injuring people. In this work, we propose a framework for safe real-time and thorough evaluation of vision-based autonomous landing in populated scenarios, using photo-realistic virtual environments and physics-based simulation. The proposed evaluation pipeline includes the use of Unreal graphics engine coupled with AirSim for realistic drone simulation to evaluate landing strategies. Then, Software-/Hardware-In-The-Loop can be used to test beforehand the performance of the algorithms. The final validation stage consists in a Robot-In-The-Loop evaluation strategy where a real drone must perform autonomous landing maneuvers in real-time, with an avatar drone in a virtual environment mimicking its behavior, while the detection algorithms run in the virtual environment (virtual reality to the robot). This method determines the safe landing areas based on computer vision and convolutional neural networks to avoid colliding with people in static and dynamic scenarios. To test the robustness of the algorithms in adversary conditions, different urban-like environments were implemented, including moving agents and different weather conditions. We also propose different metrics to quantify the performance of the landing strategies, establishing a baseline for comparison with future works on this challenging task, and analyze them through several randomized iterations. The proposed approach allowed us to safely validate the autonomous landing strategies, providing an evaluation pipeline, and a benchmark for comparison. An extensive evaluation showed a 99% success rate in static scenarios and 87% in dynamic cases, demonstrating that the use of autonomous landing algorithms considerably prevents accidents involving humans, facilitating the integration of drones in human-populated spaces, which may help to unleash the full potential of drones in urban environments. Besides, this type of development helps to increase the safety of drone operations, which would advance drone flight regulations and allow their use in closer proximity to humans.
Controlling the water: citizens’ place–related adaptation to landslides in mid-Norway
Authors: Heidenreich Sara , Næss Robert
Published: March 2024

In light of an increasing frequency of climate change–related hazards such as landslides, climate adaptation is increasingly on the agenda of Norwegian municipalities. Nevertheless, municipalities face constraints in addressing these challenges, with smaller, remote municipalities being particularly susceptible. They often cover expansive geographical areas with high landslide risk, yet have limited financial resources, expertise, and personnel for climate adaptation. Consequently, the active involvement of citizens in adaptation plays an important role in these remote places. This paper investigates how citizens of three small remote communities deal with landslides, emphasizing the role of people–place relations in shaping adaptive practices. Grounded in assemblage theory, our analysis reveals that most citizens maintained a pragmatic relation to landslides, while only a few expressed concern. Regardless of the degree of concern, all citizens constructed landslides as integral element within their socio-material place assemblages, as part of their lives in the respective places. Furthermore, citizens developed various adaptive practices, including nature observation, reporting to authorities, and implementing practical preventive measures to control water that could trigger landslides. These practices are manifestations of socio-material assemblages that have evolved through citizens’ relations to their specific places. Importantly, irrespective of the level of concern regarding landslides, these practices were carried out as part of everyday life. Through these practices, enabled by experience-based, embodied, and often tacit local knowledge, citizens acted as community guardians. Thus, comprehensive people–place relations emerge as a pivotal factor for a community’s adaptative capacity in the face of climate change-induced hazards.
Insights into fruit tree models relevant to simulate fruit tree-based agroforestry systems
Authors: Barbault N. , Dupraz C. , Lauri P. E. , Gosme M.
Published: March 2024

Agroforestry, the integration of trees, crops, and animals, is expected to increase environmental sustainability of fruit production compared to traditional orchards. Virtual experiments with models would allow the performance and sustainability of these systems to be evaluated in a range of pedoclimatic and management scenarios, taking into account the interactions of fruit trees with crops. The models should represent tree and crop growth in 3D, run simulations over the whole life cycle of the orchard, and account for management practices that influence tree-crop interactions. We reviewed existing fruit tree and agroforestry models and have proposed a decision tree to guide future modellers in choosing a model that meets their simulation objectives. None of the reviewed models met all requirements, but we identified improvements that could be made to two existing models to accurately simulate temperate fruit tree based agroforestry systems.
New entrant farming policy as predatory inclusion: (Re)production of the farm through generational renewal policy programs in Scotland
Authors: Calo Adam , Corbett Rosalind
Published: March 2024

New entrant policy, literature, and research offers an important angle for exploring where dominant agrarianism is reproduced and contested. As new entrants seek access to land, finance, and expertise, their credibility is filtered through a cultural and policy environment that favors some farming models over others. Thus, seemingly apolitical policy tools geared at getting new people into farming may carry implicit norms of who these individuals should be, how they should farm, and what their values should entail. A normative gaze of farming often masks the financial, cultural, labor relation, and land tenure dimensions that are the underlying drivers of agrarian change. This paper applies social reproduction theory to explore a diversity of social labor processes that new entrant farmers practice to arrive at the point of agricultural production. Interviews with new entrant and successor farmers in Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) are presented first, followed by an analysis of new entrant policy instruments over the last two decades in Scotland. We find that new entrant policy fails to engage with a crisis of social reproduction in the food system because of a commitment to agrarian ideals of the self-sufficient and entrepreneurial farmer. By inviting newcomers into a dynamic of increasing precarious and uncompensated labor, very often by way of family relations, new entrant policy may act as a form of “predatory inclusion.” We argue that to be successful in reproducing the agricultural sector, new entrant farmer policy must be first a policy at attending to relations in the social sphere. Recognizing and supporting the diversified strategies farmers take on to assemble land for production would not only drive more just policy, but set the conditions for a more adaptive food system.
The impact of the invasive alien plant Vernonanthura polyanthes on conservation and livelihoods in the Chimanimani uplands of Zimbabwe
Authors: Kachena Lameck , Shackleton Ross T.
Published: March 2024

Biological invasions can have major social-ecological consequences for rural communities across the world. However, the dimensions (characteristics, infestation and socio-ecological impacts) of emerging invasive alien plants are often less known and urgent information is needed to guide policy and management. In light of this, this paper assesses the social-ecological impacts of Vernonanthura polyanthes, an emerging invasive alien plant found in a Zimbabwean upland landscape which supports conservation and livelihoods. The paper employs qualitative methods—community mapping, time series analysis, and key informant interviews—involving individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, to examine the socio-ecological and economic implications of V. polyanthes and its management in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe. We found that there are nuanced perspectives regarding this invasive alien plant among different socio-economic groups in the region who have different experiences of living with V. polyanthes. Some are embracing it for apiculture, firewood, and ethnomedicine while, on the other hand, some see the tree as negatively affecting key livelihoods (crop farming, pastoralism, and tourism) that are common in the region. Local people also identified that V. polyanthes is associated with ecological impacts that include loss of biodiversity, promoting pests, and negatively affecting watersheds and associated water sources. These mixed experiences concerning the plant are leading to different management practices, in turn inducing some conflicts among various actors. Based on our findings, we suggest more should be done to better manage this invasive alien plant in the region before negative impacts become too great, particularly in protected areas.
Alkali induced changes in spatial distribution of functional groups in carboxymethylated cellulose
Authors: Bogner Paul , Bechtold Thomas , Pham Tung , Manian Avinash P.
Published: March 2024

The aim of the work was to investigate treatment parameters that exert most influence on performance of cellulose fibers carboxymethylated from aqueous solutions. Viscose fibers were carboxymethylated in alkaline solutions of sodium monochloroacetate at two temperatures (30 °C, 50 °C) and with different levels of alkali (0.5 mol/L and 4 mol/L NaOH). The degree of carboxymethylation was assessed with both back titration and conductometric titration methods, and the performance of carboxymethylated fibers was assessed from their propensity for sorption of the cationic dye methylene blue, a putative wastewater contaminant. Higher degrees of carboxymethylation were generally observed for fibers carboxymethylated in 4 mol/L NaOH, but in dye sorption propensities, the fibers carboxymethylated in 0.5 mol/L NaOH performed better. A combination of observations from dye sorption, color measurement and conductometric titration suggested that dye permeation was greater through fibers carboxymethylated in 0.5 mol/L NaOH as compared to 4 mol/L NaOH. As permeability differences were evinced in cases also where the degrees of carboxymethylation were very similar, it appears that the reaction conditions (i.e., alkali content during carboxymethylation), in addition to degree of carboxymethylation, affected fiber performance. The effect of alkali may stem from their influence on the topographical distribution of the substituted carboxymethyl functional groups.
Tactics for Becoming Visible: South Asian Minorities in the Times of Communicative Capitalism
Authors: Schaflechner Jürgen , Kramer Max
Published: March 2024

We explore the tactics of becoming visible and their relationship to alleviating or exacerbating precarious forms of life for minorities in South Asia. These tactics emerge from and respond to three interdependent moments: The frames that define how minorities can become visible, the interplay between limits and thresholds of visibility, and how capture fragments articulations and makes them easy to appropriate.
Effect of Cu substitution on magnetic and photocatalytic properties of Mn–ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles
Authors: Abu-Elsaad N. I. , Nawara A. S.
Published: March 2024

The citrate approach was employed to successfully synthesize Mn0.4Zn0.6−xCuxFe2O4 (MZCF) with a nanostructured shape. A thorough examination was conducted on the microstructural, magnetic, and optical properties of the nanoparticles obtained. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed that all of the compositions exhibit a high degree of single-phase spinel formation. The experimental findings indicate that the introduction of copper ions leads to a reduction in both lattice constant and porosity, while concurrently resulting in an increase in the theoretical X-ray and bulk densities. The analysis of UV–Vis spectroscopy indicated that MZCF exhibited a direct band gap falling within the range of 1.61–1.78 eV. The magnetic characteristics were assessed through the analysis of hysteresis plots. The introduction of copper (Cu) content leads to notable improvements in the saturation (Ms) and remanent magnetization (Mr) values, which range from 40.21 to 58.78 and 4.46–10.54 emu/g, respectively. The assessment of the microwave frequency response has verified the appropriateness of MZCF nanoferrites for application within the frequency spectrum spanning from 8 to 13 gigahertz. The nanoparticles exhibit improved magnetic properties, suggesting their potential appropriateness for applications involving high-frequency microwave absorption and switching. Furthermore, the nanoparticles Mn0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4 and Mn0.4Zn0.2Cu0.4Fe2O4 were subjected to analysis utilizing a solar light simulator in order to induce degradation of MB dye.
Trichoplusia ni Transcriptomic Responses to the Phytosaponin Aglycone Hederagenin: Sex-Related Differences
Authors: Chen Yinting , Lafleur Christine , Smith Ryan J. , Kaur Diljot , Driscoll Brian T. , Bede Jacqueline C.
Published: March 2024

Many plant species, particularly legumes, protect themselves with saponins. Previously, a correlation was observed between levels of oleanolic acid-derived saponins, such as hederagenin-derived compounds, in the legume Medicago truncatula and caterpillar deterrence. Using concentrations that reflect the foliar levels of hederagenin-type saponins, the sapogenin hederagenin was not toxic to 4th instar caterpillars of the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni nor did it act as a feeding deterrent. Female caterpillars consumed more diet than males, presumably to obtain the additional nutrients required for oogenesis, and are, thus, exposed to higher hederagenin levels. When fed the hederagenin diet, male caterpillars expressed genes encoding trypsin-like proteins (LOC113500509, LOC113501951, LOC113501953, LOC113501966, LOC113501965, LOC113499659, LOC113501950, LOC113501948, LOC113501957, LOC113501962, LOC113497819, LOC113501946, LOC113503910) as well as stress-responsive (LOC113503484, LOC113505107) proteins and cytochrome P450 6B2-like (LOC113493761) at higher levels than females. In comparison, female caterpillars expressed higher levels of cytochrome P450 6B7-like (LOC113492289). Bioinformatic tools predict that cytochrome P450s could catalyze the oxygenation of hederagenin which would increase the hydrophilicity of the compound. Expression of a Major Facilitator Subfamily (MFS) transporter (LOC113492899) showed a hederagenin dose-dependent increase in gene expression suggesting that this transporter may be involved in sapogenin efflux. These sex-related differences in feeding and detoxification should be taken into consideration in insecticide evaluations to minimize pesticide resistance.
Religion and persecution
Authors: Khalil Umair , Panza Laura
Published: March 2024

This paper investigates the relationship between local religiosity and episodes of persecutions in Europe between 1100 and 1850. We introduce a novel proxy for measuring local religion: the cult of saints in early Western Christianity. Our findings show that cities with an established cult of a saint are 11% points more likely to engage in Jewish persecutions and witch trials. However, cities with more progressive gender norms, measured by the presence of a female saint cult, are less likely to persecute witches compared to male-only saint cities. Our baseline relationship persists after controlling for a range of city-level economic, geographic and institutional characteristics and after accounting for other major confounders. Suggestive evidence points towards two mechanisms behind the saints-persecution relationship: (i) changes in norms induced by longer exposure to Christianity; and (ii) proximity of religious groups due to congruence of religious festivities.
An industry perspective on current QSP trends in drug development
Authors: Cucurull-Sanchez Lourdes
Published: March 2024

2023 marks the 10th anniversary of Natpara’s submission to the US FDA, which led to the first recorded regulatory interaction where a decision was supported by Quantitative and Systems Pharmacology (QSP) simulations. It had taken about 5 years for the timid QSP discipline to emerge as an effective Model-Informed Drug Development (MIDD) tool with visible impact in the pharmaceutical industry. Since then, the presence of QSP in the regulatory environment has continued to increase, to the point that the Agency reported 60 QSP submissions in 2020 alone, representing ~ 4% of their annual IND submissions [1]. What sort of industry mindset has enabled QSP to reach this level of success? How does QSP fit within the MIDD paradigm? Does QSP mean the same to Discovery and to Clinical Development projects? How do ‘platforms’ compare to ‘fit-for-purpose’ QSP models in an industrial setting? Can QSP and empirical Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic (PKPD) modelling be complementary? What level of validation is required to inform drug development decisions? This article reflects on all these questions, in particular addressing those audiences with limited line-of-sight into the drug industry decision-making machinery.
Multicyclic Norias: A First-Transition Approach to Extreme Values of the Currents
Authors: Polettini Matteo , Neri Izaak
Published: March 2024

For continuous-time Markov chains we prove that, depending on the notion of effective affinity F, the probability of an edge current to ever become negative is either 1 if $$F< 0$$

F
<
0

else $$\sim \exp - F$$

∼
exp
-
F

. The result generalizes a “noria” formula to multicyclic networks. We give operational insights on the effective affinity and compare several estimators, arguing that stopping problems may be more accurate in assessing the nonequilibrium nature of a system according to a local observer. Finally we elaborate on the similarity with the Boltzmann formula. The results are based on a constructive first-transition approach.
Nonlinear dynamic analysis of opto-electro-thermo-elastic perovskite plates
Authors: Zhao Shaoyu , Wu Helong , Zhang Yingyan , Kitipornchai Sritawat , Yang Jie
Published: March 2024

Photostrictive materials have attracted tremendous interest as the new generation of smart materials that can achieve a direct conversion from optical energy to mechanical energy. Understanding their nonlinear mechanical properties under light illumination is of paramount significance for their realistic optomechanical applications. This article proposes a novel opto-electro-thermo-elastic constitutive model that can consider the effects of photostriction, photothermal temperature, and electrostriction for metal halide perovskite crystals and investigates the nonlinear static and dynamic responses of the perovskite plates. The nonlinear governing equations are established based on the first-order shear deformation theory and von Kármán nonlinearity and are numerically solved by the differential quadrature method. A detailed parametric investigation is performed to analyze the effects of light and electricity on the nonlinear mechanical behaviors of perovskite plates. It is concluded that light illumination leads to the presence of optical stress and thermal stress in the perovskite plates, giving rise to increased static and dynamic deformations and stresses, as well as reduced postbuckling and free vibration characteristics. The research findings pave the way for the optomechanical applications of perovskite-based smart materials and structures.
A transient in planta editing assay identifies specific binding of the splicing regulator PTB as a prerequisite for cassette exon inclusion
Authors: Loeser Jorinde , Bauer Julia , Janßen Kim , Rockenbach Kevin , Wachter Andreas
Published: March 2024

The dynamic interaction of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) with their target RNAs contributes to the diversity of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes that are involved in a myriad of biological processes. Identifying the RNP components at high resolution and defining their interactions are key to understanding their regulation and function. Expressing fusions between an RBP of interest and an RNA editing enzyme can result in nucleobase changes in target RNAs, representing a recent addition to experimental approaches for profiling RBP/RNA interactions. Here, we have used the MS2 protein/RNA interaction to test four RNA editing proteins for their suitability to detect target RNAs of RBPs in planta. We have established a transient test system for fast and simple quantification of editing events and identified the hyperactive version of the catalytic domain of an adenosine deaminase (hADARcd) as the most suitable editing enzyme. Examining fusions between homologs of polypyrimidine tract binding proteins (PTBs) from Arabidopsis thaliana and hADARcd allowed determining target RNAs with high sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, almost complete editing of a splicing intermediate provided insight into the order of splicing reactions and PTB dependency of this particular splicing event. Addition of sequences for nuclear localisation of the fusion protein increased the editing efficiency, highlighting this approach’s potential to identify RBP targets in a compartment-specific manner. Our studies have established the editing-based analysis of interactions between RBPs and their RNA targets in a fast and straightforward assay, offering a new system to study the intricate composition and functions of plant RNPs in vivo.
Fire effects on soil biota alter the strength and direction of plant-soil feedbacks between Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash and Rudbeckia hirta L
Authors: Hopkins Jacob R. , Bennet Alison E.
Published: March 2024

Background and aims

Plant soil feedbacks (PSF) are reciprocal mechanisms through which interactions between plants and soil biota and affect future plant growth. When scaled up to the community level, PSFs are important determinants of above- and belowground community dynamics that influence long-term successional trajectories. Despite over three decades of ecological PSF research, we have a poor understanding of how common environmental processes like fire influence the strength and direction of PSFs. The aim of this study was to evaluate fire effects on PSFs between two common grassland species: Schizachyrium scoparium and Rudbeckia hirta.

Methods

In this work we evaluated how fire effects on S. scoparium and R. hirta associated soil biota influenced feedbacks on plant growth using a two phase experiment. We tested this by first growing S. scoparium and R. hirta with the same soil inocula, and then simulating low intensity, grassland fires in a controlled greenhouse pot experiment (soil training). We then evaluated plant growth responses to burned and unburned inter- and intraspecific soil biota treatments (response phase).

Results

Fire effects on inocula neutralized negative feedbacks in S. scoparium, and caused negative feedbacks in R. hirta. This shows that environmental disturbance like fire can alter the strength and direction of PSFs in ways that modify plant growth and potentially influence plant fuel loads and community dynamics.

Conclusion

That fire can alter the strength and direction of PSFs on plant growth suggests that fire effects on soil related processes may influence plant community dynamics and fire-fuel dynamics in fire recurrent grassland ecosystems. Further, this study shows that fire effects on PSFs vary between plant species.
Understanding Canadian stakeholders’ views on measuring and valuing health for children and adolescents: a qualitative study
Authors: Xie Feng , Xie Shitong , Pullenayegum Eleanor , Ohinmaa Arto
Published: March 2024

Objective

Valuing child health is critical to assessing the value of healthcare interventions for children. However, there remain important methodological and normative issues. This qualitative study aimed to understand the views of Canadian stakeholders on these issues.

Methods

Stakeholders from health technology assessment (HTA) agencies, pharmaceutical industry representatives, healthcare providers, and academic researchers/scholars were invited to attend an online interview. Semi-structured interviews were designed to focus on: (1) comparing the 3-level and 5-level versions of the EQ-5D-Y; (2) source of preferences for valuation (adults vs. children); (3) perspective of valuation tasks; and (4) methods for valuation (discrete choice experiment [DCE] and its variants versus time trade-off [TTO]). Participants were probed to consider HTA guidelines, cognitive capacity, and potential ethical concerns. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Framework analysis with the incidence density method was used to analyze the data.

Results

Fifteen interviews were conducted between May and September 2022. 66.7% (N = 10) of participants had experience with economic evaluations, and 86.7% (N = 13) were parents. Eleven participants preferred the EQ-5D-Y-5L. 12 participants suggested that adolescents should be directly involved in child health valuation from their own perspective. The participants were split on the ethical concerns. Eight participants did not think that there was ethical concern. 11 participants preferred DCE to TTO. Among the DCE variants, 6 participants preferred the DCE with duration to the DCE with death.

Conclusions

Most Canadian stakeholders supported eliciting the preferences of adolescents directly from their own perspective for child health valuation. DCE was preferred if adolescents are directly involved.
Form and Substance in Comparative Law and Legal Interpretation
Authors: Monateri Pier Giuseppe
Published: March 2024

This article examines various models of legal interpretation and their implications for comparative law, drawing inspiration from Rodolfo Sacco’s early career theories. It contrasts the Tarskian Correspondence Model, which seeks objective reality in legal texts, with the Symphonic Model, which interprets legal language as a harmonious interplay of elements. The Tarskian model reflects classical legal thought’s search for fixed meanings, while the Symphonic model aligns with contemporary legal practice’s nuanced understanding. Further, the article explores Heraclitean Realism, acknowledging the fluidity of language and meaning, and the Provocative Tapestry Model, which introduces paradox and tension in legal interpretation. These models are likened to narrative genres, offering varied approaches to understanding legal discourse: the Tarskian model as a detective novel, the Symphonic model as a comedy, the Living Tapestry model as a melodrama, and the Provocative Tapestry model as a tragedy. The article argues that these models of legal interpretation do not inherently carry a political essence; the political stance emerges from the choices of interpreters. It emphasizes the need for human agency in the application of legal norms and the responsibility of legal professionals to actively engage in the interpretation process. Comparative law is discussed as a discipline that benefits from understanding these diverse interpretative models, as it seeks to analyze legal systems across jurisdictions. The article concludes that while narrative styles in legal interpretation have political histories, they are not bound to specific ideologies, highlighting the versatility and subjectivity in the field of legal interpretation.
Total effects with constrained features
Authors: Borgonovo Emanuele , Plischke Elmar , Prieur Clémentine
Published: March 2024

Recent studies have emphasized the connection between machine learning feature importance measures and total order sensitivity indices (total effects, henceforth). Feature correlations and the need to avoid unrestricted permutations make the estimation of these indices challenging. Additionally, there is no established theory or approach for non-Cartesian domains. We propose four alternative strategies for computing total effects that account for both dependent and constrained features. Our first approach involves a generalized winding stairs design combined with the Knothe-Rosenblatt transformation. This approach, while applicable to a wide family of input dependencies, becomes impractical when inputs are physically constrained. Our second approach is a U-statistic that combines the Jansen estimator with a weighting factor. The U-statistic framework allows the derivation of a central limit theorem for this estimator. However, this design is computationally intensive. Then, our third approach uses derangements to significantly reduce computational burden. We prove consistency and central limit theorems for these estimators as well. Our fourth approach is based on a nearest-neighbour intuition and it further reduces computational burden. We test these estimators through a series of increasingly complex computational experiments with features constrained on compact and connected domains (circle, simplex), non-compact and non-connected domains (Sierpinski gaskets), we provide comparisons with machine learning approaches and conclude with an application to a realistic simulator.
No Point of View Except Ours?
Authors: Elson Luke
Published: March 2024

I argue that it’s quite comprehensible to get upset about metaethical nihilism, to indulge what I call nihilistic despair. When we lose the objective moral or normative point of view, we lose the promise of luck-immune guidance and categorical importance, things many of us hope for. This is all quite Williams-friendly, but I reject his puzzling but suggestive remarks that nihilistic despair must be a self-pitying muddle. Finally, I argue that internalism about reasons is even more depressing than outright nihilism, in one way at least.
Automated Detection of Cat Facial Landmarks
Authors: Martvel George , Shimshoni Ilan , Zamansky Anna
Published: March 2024

The field of animal affective computing is rapidly emerging, and analysis of facial expressions is a crucial aspect. One of the most significant challenges that researchers in the field currently face is the scarcity of high-quality, comprehensive datasets that allow the development of models for facial expressions analysis. One of the possible approaches is the utilisation of facial landmarks, which has been shown for humans and animals. In this paper we present a novel dataset of cat facial images annotated with bounding boxes and 48 facial landmarks grounded in cat facial anatomy. We also introduce a landmark detection convolution neural network-based model which uses a magnifying ensemble method. Our model shows excellent performance on cat faces and is generalizable to human and other animals facial landmark detection.
Future prediction of biogas potential and CH4 emission with boosting algorithms: the case of cattle, small ruminant, and poultry manure from Turkey
Authors: Pence Ihsan , Kumaş Kazım , Cesmeli Melike Siseci , Akyüz Ali
Published: March 2024

Animal waste can be converted into a renewable energy source using biogas technology. This process has an impact on greenhouse gas emissions and is a sustainable source of energy for countries. It can reduce the effects of climate change and protect the planet for future generations. Tier1 and tier2 approaches are commonly used in the literature to calculate emissions factors. With boosting algorithms, this study estimated each animal category’s biogas potential and CH4 emissions (tier1 and tier2 approach) for 2004–2021 in all of Turkey’s provinces. Two different scenarios were created in the study. For scenario-1, the years 2020–2021 were predicted using data from 2004 to 2019, while for scenario-2, the years 2022–2024 were predicted using data from 2004 to 2021. According to the scenario-1 analysis, the eXtreme Gradient Boosting Regressor (XGBR) algorithm was the most successful algorithm with an R2 of 0.9883 for animal-based biogas prediction and 0.9835 and 0.9773 for animal-based CH4 emission predictions (tier1 and tier2 approaches) for the years 2020–2021. When the mean absolute percentage error was evaluated, it was found to be relatively low at 0.46%, 1.07%, and 2.78%, respectively. According to the scenario-2 analysis, the XGBR algorithm predicted the log10 values of the animal-based biogas potential of five major cities in Turkey for the year 2024, with 11.279 for Istanbul, 12.055 for Ankara, 12.309 for Izmir, 11.869 for Bursa, and 12.866 for Antalya. In the estimation of log10 values of CH4 emission, the tier1 approach yielded estimates of 3.080, 3.652, 3.929, 3.411, and 3.321, respectively, while the tier2 approach yielded estimates of 1.810, 2.806, 2.757, 2.552 and 2.122, respectively.

Graphical Abstract