bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New construction strategies of carbon‐based composites for flexible electromagnetic interference shielding films
Authors: Liu Shan , He Min , Zhang Daohai , Gao Chengtao , Liu Wei , Yang Le , Huang Fang , Qin Shuhao
Published: February 2024

Due to the quick growth of portable/wearable devices and electronics, the development of high efficiency flexible electromagnetic interference shielding films is a hot research topic. This work discusses the latest advances in flexible carbon‐based electromagnetic interference shielding films, such as constructing desirable structures, combining with magnetic constituents, and filling with polymer matrices. The new construction strategies, preparation methods, performances, and associated mechanisms are summarized. Moreover, the synergism, multifunctionality, and potential application of outstanding carbon‐based electromagnetic interference shielding films including graphene‐based, CNT‐based, and carbon fiber‐based films are analyzed in detail. Additionally, some significant issues and prospective views on carbon‐based composites as flexible electromagnetic interference shielding films are also presented.

Highlights

The latest progress of flexible carbon‐based EMI shielding films

Constructing desirable structure, synergizing with others, designing CPCs

The relationship between preparation, structure, property, and mechanisms

The synergism, multifunctionality, application of EMI shielding films

Key challenges and future perspectives of carbon‐based EMI shielding films
The static and dynamic mechanical properties analysis of ramie/carbon fiber‐reinforced composites
Authors: Liu Jiwei , Cai Ming , Guo Yaowei , Ma Qihua , Sun Baozhong
Published: February 2024

The aim is to investigate the advantages of blending affordable, lightweight, and biodegradable plant fibers with carbon fibers compared to single‐fiber composites. Adding ramie fiber to carbon fiber to produce carbon‐ramie fiber (CRFRP) and ramie–carbon fiber‐reinforced composites (RCFRP), and prepare pure carbon fiber and pure ramie fiber composites (carbon fiber‐reinforced composite [CFRP], RFRP) for comparison. Then, their static and dynamic mechanical properties (stretching, bending, low speed, and high‐speed impact) are illustrated. The results show that the CRFRP and RCFRP hybrid composites exhibit excellent properties, although slightly lower than the CFRP composites, but much higher than the RFRP, and the CRFRP composites show a slightly higher performance advantage over the RCFRP composites. Compared with CFRP composites, the tensile strength, flexural strength, and high‐speed impact peak load of CRFRP composites are reduced by 24.07%, 0.12%, and 5.44%, respectively, and the RCFRP composites are reduced by 32.11%, 45.82%, and 37% respectively. The results of the low‐speed impact test also show that the two mixed composites have good fracture elongation and stiffness. Therefore, the mechanical properties of CRFRP and RCFRP composites are comparable to those of CFRP composites, which not only reduces the material cost and reduce weight of the composite but also boosts the solution of the two‐carbon problem.

Highlights

Innovative combination with natural fibers and synthetic fibers to fabricate hybrid fiber‐reinforced composites.

The static (tensile and flexural) and dynamic (low‐speed and high‐speed impact) mechanical properties of CRFRP, RCFRP, CFRP, and RFRP composites are measured.

The mechanical properties of CRFRP and RCFRP composites are comparable to those of CFRP composites.
Elongational flow‐induced microstructure evolutions in polypropylene/layered double hydroxides nanocomposites
Authors: Gnoffo Chiara , Arrigo Rossella , Sisani Michele , Frache Alberto
Published: February 2024

In this work, the effect of the non‐isothermal elongational flow on the morphology and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)‐based nanocomposites containing Mg‐Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) modified with stearate or oleate functional groups has been investigated. In particular, nanocomposites containing 5 and 10 wt% of LDHs prepared through melt compounding were subjected to uniaxial elongational flow at the exit of the extruder, leading to the formation of fibers characterized by different draw ratios (DRs). The mechanical characterization of the fibers demonstrated a progressive enhancement of the tensile strength as a function of the DR with increasing the content of nanofillers. Notably, for the fibers stretched at a DR of 200 and containing 10 wt% of LDHs modified with oleate groups, the tensile strength increased fourfold as compared to that of the unfilled matrix. These results have been attributed to a progressive enhancement of the extent of the dispersions of the embedded LDHs induced by the application of the elongational flow, as also confirmed by morphological analyses. In all, the obtained results demonstrated the beneficial effect of the elongational flow in promoting the achievement of superior mechanical properties in LDHs‐containing nanocomposites, hence widening the application field of these nanostructured materials.

Highlights

PP/organomodified LDH nanocomposites were obtained through melt compounding.

Nonisothermal elongational flow was applied to the extrudates at the die exit.

Anisotropic fibers showed progressively enhanced tensile strength values.

Elongational flow promoted a gradual evolution of the material microstructure.

A gradual improvement of the nanofiller dispersion was observed upon elongation.
Construction of alumina framework with a sponge template toward highly thermally conductive epoxy composites
Authors: Wu Xian , Liu Wei , Yang Le , Zhang Chun
Published: February 2024

Ceramic‐based polymer composites are commonly utilized as thermal management materials due to their high thermal conductivity and electrical insulation properties. One efficient method to enhance the thermal conductivity of these composites is by constructing a three‐dimensional thermal conductive network within the polymer matrix. In this study, alumina was coated onto the surface of polyurethane (PU) foam, followed by high‐temperature removal of the PU foam and sintering of the alumina sheets to obtain a continuous alumina framework. Epoxy resin was then infiltrated into this alumina framework to fabricate highly thermally conductive EP/f‐Al2O3 composites. The EP/f‐Al2O3 composite achieved a thermal conductivity of 2.44 W m−1 K−1 when the filler content of 26.8 vol%, representing a 400% improvement compared to EP/Al2O3 composite with randomly dispersed fillers, and a remarkable 1180% enhancement compared to epoxy resin. Infrared thermal imaging also confirmed the excellent heat dissipation capability of the EP/f‐Al2O3 composites. Overall, this research presents an effective method for producing highly thermally conductive and electrically insulating composites that can be used in electronic thermal management applications.

Highlights

Fabrication of porous Al2O3 frameworks/epoxy composites.

Porous Al2O3 frameworks were fabricated by polyurethane foam template.

The obtained EP/f‐Al2O3 composite exhibited excellent thermal conductivity.
Comparison of baiting strategies in common vole management
Authors: Jacoblinnert Kyra , Goedecker Caspar , Halle Stefan , Schenke Detlef , Imholt Christian , Jacob Jens
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, pest rodents can cause extensive damage to agriculture, forestry, food storage, and infrastructure and pose a risk to public health and livestock due to the spread of zoonotic pathogens. In Europe, the most common pest rodent species is the common vole (Microtus arvalis). Management during periodic outbreaks largely relies on rodenticidal bait with zinc phosphide. Efficient baiting with rodenticides or possibly anti‐fertility products in the future require baiting methods that allow a sufficient proportion of the population to consume an effective dose of bait. We used a bait with the quantitative marker ethyl‐iophenoxic acid (Et‐IPA) to evaluate baiting strategies in enclosure experiments. This wheat‐based bait with Et‐IPA was placed in bait boxes or directly into the tunnel system entrances in different seasons and common vole abundances. Voles were live‐trapped, individually marked and blood samples were collected to relate Et‐IPA blood residues to bait uptake.

RESULTS

The percentage of animals consuming bait was not heavily affected by the baiting strategy but voles had higher Et‐IPA blood residues if tunnel baiting was used in autumn and if bait boxes were used in winter. Non‐reproductive as well as lighter animals tended to have higher Et‐IPA blood residues than reproductive individuals, whereas sex had no effect. Population density had a negative effect on the probability of residues present as well as on Et‐IPA blood concentration.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study might help to improve baiting techniques to manage overabundant rodent pest species regardless of the compounds to be delivered. © 2024 Julius Kühn‐Institut. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Toward Energy‐Efficient Ferroelectric Field‐Effect Transistors and Ferroelectric Random Access Memories: Tailoring the Coercive Field of Ferroelectric HfO2 Films
Authors: Lehninger David , Sünbül Ayse , Seidel Konrad , Lederer Maximilian
Published: February 2024

Many modern applications require fast and reliable nonvolatile memory. Ferroelectric (FE) memories, such as FE field‐effect transistors and FE random access memories, show great promise in meeting these requirements. Another key factor is power efficiency. In the case of FE memories, the coercive field is a critical parameter for improving power consumption. This article introduces and reviews four promising methods to tailor the of FE films based on Zr‐doped : 1) composites with various Hf contents, 2) hybrid stacks consisting of antiferroelectric sublayers with excess Zr (x  0.5) and FE sublayers, 3) superlattice structures (also known as nanolaminates) consisting of and sublayers stacked on top of each other, and 4) films doped with an aluminum impurities. Electrical characterization of metal–FE–metal capacitor test structures confirms the suitability of all approaches. Analysis of the strengths and weaknesses is conducted, considering the tuning range, shape stability of the polarization versus electric field hysteresis loop, and the impact of these approaches on the remanent polarization .
Publishing an applied statistics paper: Guidance and advice from editors
Authors: Anderson‐Cook Christine M. , Lu Lu , Gramacy Robert B. , Jones‐Farmer L. Allison , Montgomery Douglas C. , Woodall William H.
Published: February 2024

One of the tasks required of most statistics researchers and academic faculty is to publish their innovative ideas in the peer‐reviewed literature. In this paper, we provide guidance about the different stages of the process as experienced authors and offer advice from those who hold the decision about the success or failure of these papers, namely the editors of applied statistics journals. The paper is organized into four sections focusing on the different stages of publishing: (1) Planning what to write about, where to submit and how to organize the paper; (2) The process of writing the paper; (3) Interpreting and responding to peer‐reviews from the journal editors and referees to prepare for resubmission; and (4) General comments about the publication process, including collaboration and mentoring. Each section starts with fundamentals provided by the moderators (C.A.C. and L.L.) on key aspects to consider on each topic and then is followed with discussion from some current and past editors of impactful journals in the field of applied statistics. Our hope is that this collection of insights may help accelerate learning about the process for young researchers and help all researchers to understand some of the important often‐unspoken aspects of the process.
Tunable third‐order NLO properties of acene derivatives with molecular structural modification
Authors: Wei Jia , Yang Junyi , Yang Linpo , Li Yuanzuo , Song Yinglin
Published: February 2024

The substitution of heteroatoms and the expansion of π‐conjugated units have significant effects on the photoelectric properties of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this study, based on the experimental molecule PBC, 10 acene derivatives containing the pyrrole group were designed by three strategies: (1) changing the connection position of the pyrrole group, (2) exchanging the position of the N atom, and (3) increasing the length of the π‐linker. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to optimize the molecular geometric structure. Time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) was used to calculate the relevant parameters of the excited states. The results show that both of the pyrrole group and the N atom in the para‐position, and the addition of the π‐linker can reduce the energy gap, cause redshift of the linear absorption peak, and increase the two photon absorption (TPA) cross‐section. The analyses of the charge density difference (CDD) and the charge‐transfer matrix (CTM) proved that the electron transfer is mainly concentrated in the π‐linker. Moreover, the participation of the multi‐ring skeleton on both sides decreases gradually with the increase of the length of the π‐linker. The length of the π‐linker changes the dominant transition channel and intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) characteristics of TPA, thus affecting the transition dipole moments and nonlinear absorption properties. The second hyperpolarizability of the designed molecule PBI5‐p5 is also significantly superior to that of similar materials reported. It is expected that the above molecular design strategies and comprehensive analysis of nonlinear optical (NLO) properties could provide theoretical support for the research on acene derivatives.
Tailoring Band Gaps in Thienyltriazine based Conjugated Porous Polymers through Comonomer Variation
Authors: Kumar Neha Rani , Agrawal Abhijeet R. , Karmakar Himadri Shekhar , Choudhury Aditya , Zade Sanjio S.
Published: February 2024

This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of a series of conjugated porous polymers (CPPs) based on a 2,4,6‐tris(5‐ethynylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐1,3,5‐triazine (TT) core moiety. TT was coupled with several conjugated building blocks as comonomers, including naphthodithiophene, benzodithiophene, bithiophene, tetraphenyl porphyrin, azulene, and perylene diimide, utilizing the Sonogashira‐coupling reaction to produce narrow band gap (1.73–2.19 eV) CPPs. The solid‐state UV‐visible spectra demonstrated broad absorption in 350 nm to 900 nm region, indicating extended π‐conjugation in the polymers. The photophysical properties of the polymers have been tuned by the judicious choice of comonomer. The obtained CPPs exhibit excellent thermal stability, reaching as high as 500 °C, and porosity insights reveal dominance of mesopores and macropores. Morphological studies reveal that 2‐ethylhexyl substituted perylene diimide hinder the stacking amongst the polymeric backbone, resulting in featureless aggregates, whereas the cyclohexyl group on perylene diimide results in well‐defined nanofibrous morphology. These narrow band‐gap CPPs hold promise for applications in energy storage, organic electronics, photocatalysis and sensing technologies.
Balanced knowledge distribution among software development teams—Observations from open‐ and closed‐source software development
Authors: Shafiq Saad , Mayr‐Dorn Christoph , Mashkoor Atif , Egyed Alexander
Published: February 2024

In software development, developer turnover is among the primary reasons for project failures, leading to a great void of knowledge and strain for newcomers. Unfortunately, no established methods exist to measure how the problem domain knowledge is distributed among developers. Awareness of how this knowledge evolves and is owned by key developers in a project helps stakeholders reduce risks caused by turnover. To this end, this paper introduces a novel, realistic representation of problem domain knowledge distribution: the ConceptRealm. To construct the ConceptRealm, we employ a latent Dirichlet allocation model to represent textual features obtained from 300 K issues and 1.3 M comments from 518 open‐source projects. We analyze whether the newly emerged issues and developers share similar concepts or how aligned the individual developers' concepts are with the team over time. We also investigate the impact of leaving developers on the frequency of concepts. Finally, we also evaluate the soundness of our approach on a closed‐source software project, thus allowing the validation of the results from a practical standpoint. We find out that the ConceptRealm can represent the problem domain knowledge within a project and can be utilized to predict the alignment of developers with issues. We also observe that projects exhibit many keepers independent of project maturity and that abruptly leaving keepers correlates with a decline of their core concepts as the remaining developers cannot quickly familiarize themselves with those concepts.
Broadband Sensitized Near‐Infrared Quantum Cutting Materials for Silicon Solar Cells: Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives
Authors: Song Guoxiang , Lou Chaogang , Diao Han , Zhu Ruiqi
Published: February 2024

Silicon solar cells are currently the most widely used type, accounting for more than 90% of the commercial market. However, the spectral mismatch between the solar spectrum and the absorption spectra of the cells is the main cause restricting their conversion efficiency, which cannot exceed the Shockley–Queisser limit. Quantum cutting can convert one high‐energy photon into two or more low‐energy photons and reduce the energy loss of the high‐energy photons, providing a way to improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of silicon solar cells. The unique electronic configuration of rare‐earth elements gives them excellent optical properties and makes them good candidates for the luminescent centers of quantum cutting materials. This article reviews their luminescence mechanism, energy transfer (ET) mechanism, and application in silicon solar cells and outlines the potential problems of broadband‐sensitized near‐infrared (NIR) quantum cutting materials. Some key issues and future directions are also discussed.
Separation and quantification of organic‐related impurities of anti‐histamine drug hydroxyzine in pharmaceutical dosage forms using stability‐indicating high‐performance liquid chromatography, liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry techniques
Authors: Boppy N. V. V. D. Praveen , Haridasyam Sharath Babu , Vadagam Niroja , Venkatanarayana Muvvala , Chinnakadoori Sanjeeva R. , Lakka Narasimha S.
Published: February 2024

A simple and robust high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for organic impurities of hydroxyzine hydrochloride in pharmaceuticals. The developed method was designed to estimate all organic impurities of hydroxyzine. The HPLC separation was achieved using C18 column (150 × 3.9 mm, 5 μm) along with a binary gradient consisting of mobile phases A (0.1%, trifluoroacetic acid in purified water) and B (0.05%, trifluoroacetic acid in acetonitrile), a flow rate of 0.7–mL/min, a column temperature of 30°C and a sample temperature of 25°C. The detection wavelength used was 230 nm for the estimation of impurity‐A, impurity‐B, and all unspecified impurities and degradation products, whereas impurity‐C was quantitated using 254 nm. The stability‐indicating property of the developed HPLC technique was assessed using stress testing conditions of hydrolysis, oxidation, thermal, photo‐light, and humidity. The validation study was performed for the limit of detection and limit of quantification, linearity, and recoveries were 0.03%, 0.05%, and 0.1132–2.9920 μg/mL (R2 > 0.999), and 84.09%–109.74%, respectively. The proposed method is highly suitable for the determination of assay, organic impurities, and degradation products of the hydroxyzine. The chemical structure of degradation product 1 (hydroxyzine N‐Oxide) and degradation product 2 (O‐Acetyl hydroxyzine) were identified with the supporting data of LC‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) and high‐resolution MS.
Design of Motion Attitude Measurement System and Correction Method in Semi‐Airborne Frequency Domain Electromagnetic Detection
Authors: Liu Changsheng , Su Yang , Zhang Chunfeng , Liu Shuxu
Published: February 2024

In the semi‐airborne frequency domain electromagnetic detection, strong noise will be generated due to the attitude change of the receiving coil sensor. However, the existing attitude measurement system cannot be directly used in the semi‐airborne frequency domain electromagnetic system because of the requirement on the volume and accuracy of the instrument. In order to reduce the effect of attitude noise, this paper analyzes the cause and influence of attitude noise in the semi‐airborne frequency domain electromagnetic system, and presents the attitude noise correction method based on coefficient rotation matrix and Kalman algorithm. A high‐performance attitude sensor based on (Micro‐Electro‐Mechanical System (MEMS) technology is used to design an attitude measurement system for the semi‐airborne frequency domain electromagnetic system. The calculated result shows that the required accuracy of the roll angle and pitch angle of the attitude measurement system is less than 0.1°, whereas the required accuracy of the yaw angle is lower. In the field application, the apparent resistivity results show that the imaging profile corrected by attitude error is more consistent with local geological data than that without correction. Consequently, the attitude measurement system and correction method proposed in this paper can improve the detection accuracy of the semi‐airborne frequency domain electromagnetic system significantly. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Finding constraints to foster creativity in language learning tasks: An autoethnographic approach
Authors: Tin Tan Bee
Published: February 2024

Teachers often repeat language learning tasks and materials with students year after year. Although some tasks do not render satisfactory outcomes, students' performances can serve as valuable historical autoethnographic data that teachers can reflect on to improve their teaching materials and language learning tasks. In this article, using autoethnography as a pedagogical tool, I share my thinking and experiences regarding one task type (the simile task), which I have used with students over the years to develop creative language use (language creativity). I reflect on various similes produced and attempt to discover how to redesign the somewhat imperfect task to optimize creative language use. In particular, I try to find new constraints that can be set up to funnel the creative behaviour of the teacher and students. Before promoting students' creativity, teachers must nurture their creativity under various self‐imposed constraints. Teachers' personal experience is a valuable source when implementing creative language teaching. This article shows two task constraints that can be set up to stimulate creativity in language learning tasks: exclusionary constraints (avoiding confirmation‐based salient patterns) and focusing constraints (requiring the use of violation‐based salient patterns). It also shows how we can identify micro‐constraints to be excluded or focused on.
History and Education of the Sacred: Black Girls and Curricular Violence in Literacy Learning
Authors: Brooks Jennifer N. , Muhammad Gholdy E.
Published: February 2024

Black girls and their literacies are genius. Yet, education, as we know it, does not consistently offer spaces for Black girls to be loved and honored. This form of neglect extends to literacy classrooms. As displayed in the news and research, Black girls experience abuse within the confines of educational walls. Educational violence against Black girls is a byproduct of dehumanization and devaluation, and it stems from history. The underlying stereotypical conditioning centered around the dehumanized, oversexualized, unladylike, Black girl may rationalize why educators overlook them when creating literacy curricula. When classroom teachers rely on these biases, the need for an intentional literacy curriculum to support and uplift the literacy development of Black girls may seem unimportant, which in turn leaves Black girls at an educational disadvantage. This paper will discuss social and educational historical factors that have problematized literacy education for Black girls. As a resolution, we unpack the Black Girls Literacy Framework to respond to educational and literacy inequities.
Embeddedness of min–max CMC hypersurfaces in manifolds with positive Ricci curvature
Authors: Bellettini Costante , Workman Myles
Published: February 2024

We prove that on a compact Riemannian manifold of dimension 3 or higher, with positive Ricci curvature, the Allen–Cahn min–max scheme in Bellettini and Wickramasekera (The Inhomogeneous Allen–Cahn Equation and the Existence of Prescribed-Mean-Curvature Hypersurfaces, 2020), with prescribing function taken to be a non-zero constant $$\lambda $$
λ
, produces an embedded hypersurface of constant mean curvature $$\lambda $$
λ
($$\lambda $$
λ
-CMC). More precisely, we prove that the interface arising from said min–max contains no even-multiplicity minimal hypersurface and no quasi-embedded points (both of these occurrences are in principle possible in the conclusions of Bellettini and Wickramasekera, 2020). The immediate geometric corollary is the existence (in ambient manifolds as above) of embedded, closed $$\lambda $$
λ
-CMC hypersurfaces (with Morse index 1) for any prescribed non-zero constant $$\lambda $$
λ
, with the expected singular set when the ambient dimension is 8 or higher.
The Photoprotective Behavior of a Motile Benthic Diatom as Elucidated from the Interplay Between Cell Motility and Physiological Responses to a Light Microgradient Using a Novel Experimental Setup
Authors: Morelle Jérôme , Bastos Alexandra , Frankenbach Silja , Frommlet Jörg C. , Campbell Douglas A. , Lavaud Johann , Serôdio João
Published: February 2024

It has long been hypothesized that benthic motile pennate diatoms use phototaxis to optimize photosynthesis and minimize photoinhibitory damage by adjusting their position within vertical light gradients in coastal benthic sediments. However, experimental evidence to test this hypothesis remains inconclusive, mainly due to methodological difficulties in studying cell behavior and photosynthesis over realistic spatial microscale gradients of irradiance and cell position. In this study, a novel experimental approach was developed and used to test the hypothesis of photosynthesis optimization through motility, based on the combination of single-cell in vivo chlorophyll fluorometry and microfluidic chips. The approach allows the concurrent study of behavior and photosynthetic activity of individual cells of the epipelic diatom species Craspedostauros britannicus exposed to a light microgradient of realistic dimensions, simulating the irradiance and distance scales of light microgradients in benthic sediments. Following exposure to light, (i) cells explored their light environment before initiating light-directed motility; (ii) cells used motility to lower their light dose, when exposed to the highest light intensities; and (iii) motility was combined with reversible non-photochemical quenching, to allow cells to avoid photoinhibition. The results of this proof-of-concept study not only strongly support the photoprotective nature of photobehavior in the studied species but also revealed considerable variability in how individual cells reacted to a light microgradient. The experimental setup can be readily applied to study motility and photosynthetic light responses of other diatom species or natural assemblages, as well as other photoautotrophic motile microorganisms, broadening the toolset for experimental microbial ecology research.
Ion-concentration gradients induced by synaptic input increase the voltage depolarization in dendritic spines
Authors: Eberhardt Florian
Published: February 2024

The vast majority of excitatory synaptic connections occur on dendritic spines. Due to their extremely small volume and spatial segregation from the dendrite, even moderate synaptic currents can significantly alter ionic concentrations. This results in chemical potential gradients between the dendrite and the spine head, leading to measurable electrical currents. In modeling electric signals in spines, different formalisms were previously used. While the cable equation is fundamental for understanding the electrical potential along dendrites, it only considers electrical currents as a result of gradients in electrical potential. The Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) equations offer a more accurate description for spines by incorporating both electrical and chemical potential. However, solving PNP equations is computationally complex. In this work, diffusion currents are incorporated into the cable equation, leveraging an analogy between chemical and electrical potential. For simulating electric signals based on this extension of the cable equation, a straightforward numerical solver is introduced. The study demonstrates that this set of equations can be accurately solved using an explicit finite difference scheme. Through numerical simulations, this study unveils a previously unrecognized mechanism involving diffusion currents that amplify electric signals in spines. This discovery holds crucial implications for both numerical simulations and experimental studies focused on spine neck resistance and calcium signaling in dendritic spines.
Experimental strategy for the preparation of adsorbent materials from torrefied palm kernel shell oriented to CO2 capture
Authors: Cordoba-Ramirez Marlon , Chejne Farid , Alean Jader , Gómez Carlos A. , Navarro-Gil África , Ábrego Javier , Gea Gloria
Published: February 2024

In this study, an experimental strategy to obtain biochar and activated carbon from torrefied palm kernel shell as an efficient material for CO2 removal was evaluated. Biochar was obtained by slow pyrolysis of palm kernel shell at different temperatures (350 °C, 550 °C, and 700 °C) and previously torrefied palm kernel shell at different temperatures (220 °C, 250 °C, and 280 °C). Subsequently, activated carbons were prepared by physical activation with CO2 from previously obtained biochar samples. The CO2 adsorption capacity was measured using TGA. The experimental results showed that there is a correlation between the change in the O/C and H/C ratios and the functional groups –OH and C=O observed via FTIR in the obtained char, indicating that both dehydration and deoxygenation reactions occur during torrefaction; this favors the deoxygenation reactions and makes them faster through CO2 liberation during the pyrolysis process. The microporous surface area shows a significant increase with higher pyrolysis temperatures, as a product of the continuous carbonization reactions, allowing more active sites for CO2 removal. Pyrolysis temperature is a key factor in CO2 adsorption capacity, leading to a CO2 adsorption capacity of up to 75 mg/gCO2 for biochar obtained at 700 °C from non-torrefied palm kernel shell (Char700). Activated carbon obtained from torrefied palm kernel shell at 280 °C (T280-CHAR700-AC) exhibited the highest CO2 adsorption capacity (101.9 mg/gCO2). Oxygen-containing functional groups have a direct impact on CO2 adsorption performance due to electron interactions between CO2 and these functional groups. These findings could provide a new experimental approach for obtaining optimal adsorbent materials exclusively derived from thermochemical conversion processes.
The Law of Non-contradiction and Global Philosophy of Religion
Authors: Loke Andrew Ter Ern
Published: February 2024

This article focuses on the applications of philosophical logic in the discipline of philosophy of religion of both ‘Eastern’ and ‘Western’ traditions, in which the problem of apparent ontological contradictions can be found. A number of philosophers have proposed using the work of those non-classical logicians who countenance the violation of the law of non-contradiction (LNC) to address this problem. I discuss (1) whether classical or non-classical account of logic is universal in applying to all true theories, and (2) whether there might be extra-logical considerations which affect what is the correct account of logic for the doctrines in question. With regard to Jc Beall’s application of non-classical (FDE) logic to the doctrine of the Incarnation, I argue using the evidence from the writings of church fathers that the meaning of negation found in the core claims of the doctrine of the Incarnation should not be interpreted in accordance with Beall’s FDE account, and that this extra-logical consideration refutes Beall’s project. Moreover, the FDE’s acceptance of the possibility of statements that are both true and false is contrary to what is allowed by the definition of negation in classical logic; therefore (contrary to Beall), Beall is in fact using a different definition of negation compared with the definition used by the classical account. I develop this point in interaction with contemporary philosophy of religion literature and explain its implications and significance for this discipline.
Neuroprotective Effect of a Multistrain Probiotic Mixture in SOD1G93A Mice by Reducing SOD1 Aggregation and Targeting the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis
Authors: Xin Zikai , Xin Cheng , Huo Jia , Liu Qi , Dong Hui , Li Rui , Liu Yaling
Published: February 2024

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by the selective loss of motor neurons. A bidirectional communication system known as the “microbiota-gut-brain” axis has a regulatory function in neurodegenerative disorders. The impact of probiotics on ALS through the “microbiota-gut-brain” axis remains uncertain. A longitudinal investigation was conducted to examine the alterations in the structure of the ileum and colon in mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1G93A) transgenic mice models of ALS by using immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Subsequently, the mice were administered a multistrain probiotic mixture (LBE) or vehicle orally, starting from 60 days of age until the terminal stage of the disease. The effects of these agents on the behavior, gut microbiota, microbial metabolites, and pathological processes of the spinal and intestine of SOD1G93A mice were analyzed, with a focus on exploring potential protective mechanisms. SOD1G93A mice exhibit various structural abnormalities in the intestine. Oral administration of LBE improved the proinflammatory response, reduced aberrant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) aggregation, and protected neuronal cells in the intestine and spinal cord of SOD1G93A mice. Furthermore, LBE treatment resulted in a change in intestinal microbiota, an increase in short-chain fatty acid levels, and an enhancement in autophagy flux. SOD1G93A mice exhibited various structural abnormalities in the intestine. LBE can improve the proinflammatory response, reduce aberrant SOD1 aggregation, and protect neuronal cells in the spinal cord and intestine of SOD1G93A mice. The positive effect of LBE can be attributed to increased short-chain fatty acids and enhanced autophagy flux.
Bedingungslose Jugendhilfe, bedingungslose Solidarität
Authors: Schmitt Caroline , Thalheim Vinzenz
Published: February 2024

In diesem Beitrag wird die gegenwärtige Kinder- und Jugendhilfe in Deutschland aus einer solidaritätsinspirierten Perspektive gelesen. Leitende Fragen sind, wer in der Kinder- und Jugendhilfe als Empfänger_in von Hilfe gedacht und adressiert wird, wer unter welchen Bedingungen Leistungen beanspruchen kann, wer hiervon ausgeschlossen ist, und wie ein bedingungsloses Verständnis von Solidarität die bisherigen Debatten erweitern kann. Ausgehend von theoretischen Überlegungen und empirischen Bezugnahmen wird im Folgenden eine transtopische Idee für eine bedingungslos solidarische Kinder- und Jugendhilfe – als Anstoß für eine Debatte auch in weiteren Arenen des Sozialen – entfaltet.
Role of Blood Cell Indexes in Progresses to ESRD
Authors: Lan Duong Thi Ngoc , Coradduzza Donatella , Van An Le , Paliogiannis Panagiotis , Chessa Carla , Zinellu Angelo , Mangoni Arduino A. , Carru Ciriaco
Published: February 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex health condition characterized by the gradual loss of renal function, often leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It results from a combination of medical, environmental, and genetic factors. Predicting the rate of renal function decline and effectively managing the progression to ESRD is challenging in clinical practice. CKD assessment involves various indicators, including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria levels, serum creatinine, and others. This study aimed to explore the predictive potential of specific blood cell indexes in forecasting further renal function decline and the transition from CKD stage 3–4 to ESRD. We assessed the following blood cell indexes in 377 CKD stage 3–4 patients: absolute neutrophil count (ANC), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), derived NLR (dNLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI), and systemic inflammation index (SII). ANC, MPV, NLR, PLR, dNLR, and SII were found to independently predict a rapid decline in eGFR. Notably, NLR and dNLR demonstrated the highest sensitivity and specificity with cut-off values of 3.36 and 2.45, respectively (NLR: 88.6 and 81.7%; dNLR: 85.2 and 75.8%). The corresponding area under the ROC curve values were 0.877 (95% CI 0.837–0.918, p < 0.001) for NLR and 0.849 (95% CI 0.805–0.892, p < 0.001) for dNLR. However, none of the blood cell indexes independently predicted the transition to ESRD. The NLR and the dNLR exhibited the highest predictive capacity towards a rapid decline in renal function in CKD. No blood cell index, however, independently predicted the transition into ERSD.
Understanding the Subsurface Microstructure and Thermal Behavior of Model Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Alloys Through FIB_SEM and TEM
Authors: Raghavendra K. G. , Sivakumar M. , Parida Pradyumna Kumar , Dasgupta Arup
Published: February 2024

A potential but an underexplored application of FIB_SEM is its ability to image the subsurface microstructure and capability for an associated chemical analysis. In this article, agglomerated microstructures of two model oxide dispersion strengthened alloy systems, consisting of ZrO2 and Y2O3 dispersions, are evaluated to understand its elevated temperature behaviors. The systems under evaluation are relevant as candidate nuclear structural materials for next-generation fast breeder reactors, and FIB_SEM technique is effectively used along with TEM and EDS for a comprehensive understanding of the material microstructure, and the results are discussed. Distinct microstructures are observed for the two systems with a difference in crystallite size distribution and presence of micron-sized dispersoids in Y2O3. The varied behavior of dispersoids is discussed in terms of its pre-annealing microstructures, and the superiority of ZrO2 over Y2O3 as a dispersoid for ODS alloys is emphasized.
Christian-Muslim Relations during the Crusades
Authors: Mallett Alex
Published: February 2024

The popular view of the Crusades is that of two zealous armies ranged against each other in a state of practically permanent warfare, lacking mutual respect, understanding, or co-operation. Scholars long ago replaced such ideas with a much more nuanced understanding, in which rulers from both sides could work together for mutual benefit, even while pretending to ascribe to the principles of crusade and jihad. This perspective, however, focused almost exclusively on the actions of the elites; the attitudes of those who made up the vast majority of the society in the Levant have been all but ignored.

In a clear and accessible form, this book explores everyday relations and interactions between Christians and Muslims in the Levant during the Crusades, demonstrating that it was usually practicality rather than religious scruples that dictated their responses to the religious other.
Bernardino Poccetti and the Art of Religious Painting at the End of the Florentine Renaissance
Authors: Dow Douglas N.
Published: February 2024

By almost any measure Bernardino Barbatelli, called Poccetti, was a successful and sought after painter in late sixteenth-century Florence, but his works have remained largely overlooked. This study situates representative examples of his religious painting within their respective contexts to demonstrate how Poccetti and his patrons negotiated the increasingly fraught terrain of sacred painting in the period of religious reform. These case studies demonstrate how patrons ranging from the Dominicans to the Carthusians to prominent Florentine patricians relied on Poccetti's skill in creating compelling narratives that reflected current concerns within the Catholic world. In the process, Poccetti invoked an august Florentine tradition of fresco painting, shaping it to better address the demands placed on religious imagery at the end of the Renaissance.
Counter-Hispanization in the Colonial Philippines
Authors: Blanco John D.
Published: February 2024

In Counter-Hispanization in the Colonial Philippines, the author analyzes the literature and politics of 'spiritual conquest' in order to demonstrate how it reflected the contribution of religious ministers to a protracted period of social anomie throughout the mission provinces between the sixteenth-eighteenth centuries. By tracking the prose of spiritual conquest with the history of the mission in official documents, religious correspondence, and public controversies, the author shows how, contrary to the general consensus in Philippine historiography, the literature and pastoral politics of spiritual conquest reinforced the frontier character of the religious provinces outside Manila in the Americas as well as the Philippines, by supplanting the (absence of) law in the name of supplementing or completing it. This frontier character accounts for the modern reinvention of native custom as well as the birth of literature and theater in the Tagalog vernacular.
Swine industry perspectives on the future of pig farming
Authors: von Keyserlingk Marina AG , Hendricks Jillian , Ventura Beth , Weary Daniel M
Published: February 2024

Understanding the views of those working along the value chain reliant on livestock is an important step in supporting the transition towards more sustainable farming systems. We recruited 31 delegates attending the Pig Welfare Symposium held in the United States to participate in one of six focus group discussions on the future of pig farming. Each of these six group discussions was subjected to a thematic analysis that identified four themes: (1) technical changes on the farm; (2) farm and industry culture; (3) the farm-public interface; and (4) sustainability. The results of this study illustrate the complexity and diversity of views of those working along the associated value chain within the swine industry. Participants spent the majority of their time discussing current challenges, including technical challenges on the farm and public perception of pig farms. Participants were more hesitant to discuss future issues, but did engage on the broader issue of sustainability, focusing upon economic and environmental aspects.
Vorticity dynamics at partial-slip boundaries
Authors: Terrington S.J. , Thompson M.C. , Hourigan K.
Published: February 2024

In this paper we discuss the dynamics of vorticity at partial-slip boundaries. We consider the total vector circulation, which includes both the total vorticity of the fluid and the slip velocity at the boundary (the interface vortex sheet). The generation of vector circulation is an inviscid process, which does not depend on either viscosity or the slip length at the boundary. Vector circulation is generated by the inviscid relative acceleration between the fluid and the solid, due to either tangential pressure gradients or tangential acceleration of the partial-slip wall. While the slip length does not affect the creation of vector circulation, it governs how vector circulation is distributed between the total vorticity of the fluid and the interface vortex sheet. Specifically, the partial-slip boundary condition prescribes the ratio between boundary vorticity and the strength of the interface vortex sheet, and the viscous boundary flux transfers vector circulation between the interface vortex sheet and the fluid interior to maintain this condition. The interaction between a vortex ring and a partial-slip wall is examined to highlight various aspects of this formulation. For the head-on collision, the quantity of vector circulation diffused into the fluid as secondary vorticity increases as the slip length is decreased, resulting in a stronger secondary vortex and increased rebound of the vortex ring. For the oblique interaction, the extent to which the vortex ring connects to the boundary increases as the slip length is increased.
Scaling limit of the local time of random walks conditioned to stay positive
Authors: Hong Wenming , Sun Mingyang
Published: February 2024

We prove that the local time of random walks conditioned to stay positive converges to the corresponding local time of three-dimensional Bessel processes by proper scaling. Our proof is based on Tanaka’s pathwise construction for conditioned random walks and the derivation of asymptotics for mixed moments of the local time.
GEOCHRONOLOGY OF PHREATOPHYTIC MOUNDS ON THE ATMUR EL KIBIESH, EGYPT: WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF PLANTS COLLECTED DURING THE EXPEDITION TO THE EASTERN SAHARA, EGYPT, AND SUDAN (APPENDIX I)
Authors: Haynes C Vance , Boulos Loutfy , Muller Anthony B
Published: February 2024

In the hyperarid eastern Sahara, west of the Nile River in Egypt, areas with vegetated eolian mounds have attracted people and animals because of shallow groundwater that at times of high water tables may be reached by hand digging shallow wells. An eolian phreatophytic mound with a living arak bush (Silvadora persica L.) on top, one of three known from this region of SW Egypt, provided a stratigraphic record of its growth. The geochronology of the mounds aggradation and that of a nearby tarfa mound (Tamarix nilatica Bunge) was determined by radiocarbon dating plant macrofossils within the stratigraphic succession. Eolian aggradation of the mound postdates deflation that eroded playa sediments of the Neolithic pluvial that ended ca. 5000 BP and appears to be due to a resurgence of the shallow aquifer. Subsequent deflation of the mounds is apparently due to post-1500 BP aridity. Regional vegetation is described in the Appendix I.