bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New estimates of greenhouse gas emissions from biomass burning and peat fires using MODIS Collection 6 burned areas
Authors: Prosperi Paolo , Bloise Mario , Tubiello Francesco N. , Conchedda Giulia , Rossi Simone , Boschetti Luigi , Salvatore Mirella , Bernoux Martial
Published: February 2020

The Paris Agreement calls on parties to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change by engaging in appropriate policies and measures as put forward through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), to strengthen transparency when reporting their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to increase their mitigation contributions to climate action from 2020. It also calls for regular and transparent monitoring and reporting of the GHG emissions and on the NDCs implementation efforts. Biomass fires significantly affect the GHG atmospheric balance, with fire emissions representing more than 5% of total emissions from agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU), according to recent estimates produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). We update previously published Tier 1 estimates of GHG emissions in FAOSTAT—which had been used in the IPCC AR5 analysis—by using new burned area activity data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) known as MCD64A1, Collection 6. The previous FAOSTAT estimates had used as input the Global Fire Emission Database v.4 (GFED4) burned area product, based on older MODIS Collection 5.1 burned area product. In line with differences between the input data used, the new FAOSTAT estimates indicate roughly 30% higher fire emissions globally than previously published. Our analysis also confirms that the FAOSTAT Tier 1 approach produces fire emissions estimates that are comparable to those computed at Tier 3 by GFED, and thus represent a useful complementary tool in support of country GHG reporting.
Between Spiritual Economy and Religious Commodification: Negotiating Temple Autonomy in Contemporary China
Authors: Chang Kuei-min
Published: February 2020

This research investigates the contentious use of temple assets amid widespread local state-led religious commodification in contemporary China. Based on a comparative analysis of 22 historic temples, this paper argues that given the choice, temple leaders strive for property-management autonomy, which they negotiate on two fronts. Externally, owing to the immobility of historic temple assets, temple leaders avoid antagonizing local state agents by demonstrating political conformity and the temple's economic contribution. Internally, they seek to build a donation-based merit economy to sustain the monastic institution. Since such autonomy must operate within the authoritarian state's regulatory framework, the restrained contestation of the religious leadership actually helps to strengthen state control over religion.
Temperature adaptation of yeast phospholipid molecular species at the acyl chain positional level
Authors: Kelso Celine , Maccarone Alan T. , de Kroon Anton I. P. M. , Mitchell Todd W. , Renne Mike F.
Published: December 2024

Yeast is a poikilothermic organism and adapts its lipid composition to the environmental temperature to maintain membrane physical properties. Studies addressing temperature‐dependent adaptation of the lipidome have described changes in the phospholipid composition at the level of sum composition (e.g. PC 32:1) and molecular composition (e.g. PC 16:0_16:1). However, there is little information at the level of positional isomers (e.g. PC 16:0/16:1 versus PC 16:1/16:0). Here, we used collision‐ and ozone‐induced dissociation (CID/OzID) mass spectrometry to investigate homeoviscous adaptation of PC, PE and PS to determine the phospholipid acyl chains at the sn‐1 and sn‐2 position. Our data establish the sn‐molecular species composition of PC, PE and PS in the lipidome of yeast cultured at different temperatures.
Routine machine quality assurance tests for a self‐shielded gyroscopic radiosurgery system
Authors: Lee Yongsook C. , Tolakanahalli Ranjini , Wieczorek D Jay , Mehta Minesh P. , McDermott Michael W. , Kotecha Rupesh , Gutierrez Alonso N.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This report describes routine machine quality assurance (QA) (daily, monthly, and annual QA) tests for the Zap‐X® Gyroscopic Radiosurgery® platform.

Methods

Following the recommendations of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group (AAPM TG)‐142 and Medical Physics Practice guideline (MPPG) 8.b, routine machine QA tests for the Zap‐X system were implemented. The implementation included (1) daily, monthly, and annual QA tests encompassing dosimetry, mechanical, safety and imaging tests, (2) QA methods of each test specific to the Zap‐X, (3) a tolerance value for each test, and (4) necessary QA equipment.

Results

Baseline values and key results of daily, monthly, and annual QA tests are presented in this report. This report also discusses QA tests not adopted from TG 142 or MPPG 8.b (e.g., distance indicator) due to unique features of the Zap‐X system as well as additional QA tests added from the vendor's recommendations (e.g., self‐check) and from TG‐135 recommendations (e.g., monthly end‐to‐end testing) because of similarities between Zap‐X and CyberKnife systems.

Conclusions

The comprehensive information on routine machine QA tests presented in this report will assist Zap‐X teams in other Neurosurgery centers or Radiation Oncology clinics in establishing and maintaining their QA programs until AAPM endorsed guidelines become available.
Radiomics based on dual‐layer spectral detector CT for predicting EGFR mutation status in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Jin Dan , Ni Xiaoqiong , Tan Yanhuan , Yin Hongkun , Fan Guohua
Published: December 2024

Objective

To explore the value of dual‐layer spectral computed tomography (DLCT)‐based radiomics for predicting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

DLCT images and clinical information from 115 patients with NSCLC were collected retrospectively and randomly assigned to a training group (n = 81) and a validation group (n = 34). A radiomics model was constructed based on the DLCT radiomic features by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) dimensionality reduction. A clinical model based on clinical and CT features was established. A nomogram was built combining the radiomic scores (Radscores) and clinical factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used for the efficacy and clinical value of the models assessment.

Results

A total of six radiomic features and two clinical features were screened for modeling. The AUCs of the radiomic model, clinical model, and nomogram were 0.909, 0.797, and 0.922, respectively, in the training group and 0.874, 0.691, and 0.881, respectively, in the validation group. The AUCs of the nomogram and the radiomics model were significantly higher than that of the clinical model, but no significant difference was found between them. DCA revealed that nomogram had the greatest clinical benefit at most threshold intervals.

Conclusion

Nomogram integrating clinical factors and pretreatment DLCT radiomic features can help evaluate the EGFR mutation status of patients with NSCLC in a noninvasive way.
In vivo evidence for cell body loss in cortical lesions in people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Krijnen Eva A. , Lee Hansol , Noteboom Samantha , Chiang Florence L. , Steenwijk Martijn D. , Schoonheim Menno M. , Klawiter Eric C. , Huang Susie Y.
Published: December 2024

Objective

To quantify alterations in soma and neurite density imaging measures within and surrounding cortical lesions in people with multiple sclerosis using in vivo high‐gradient diffusion MRI.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, 41 people with multiple sclerosis and 34 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls underwent 3 T high‐gradient diffusion MRI. Cortical lesions were segmented on artificial intelligence‐enabled double inversion recovery images. “Inner” and “outer” perilesional layers were segmented as two expanding shells of 2 mm surrounding a cortical lesion. Intracellular, intra‐neurite, and extracellular signal fractions and apparent soma radius were estimated in (peri)lesional and normal‐appearing cortex.

Results

Cortical lesions were present in all people with multiple sclerosis with a median count of 8 [IQR 5–18] and total volume of 0.16 [0.09–0.46 mL]. People with multiple sclerosis (mean 0.27 ± 0.03) showed lower normalized cortical volumes compared to healthy controls (0.30 ± 0.02). Compared to healthy controls (mean 0.58 ± 0.028), normal‐appearing cortex in multiple sclerosis (0.57 ± 0.034) showed lower intra‐cellular signal fraction. Cortical lesions (0.49 ± 0.089) exhibited lower intra‐cellular signal fractions compared to perilesional (“inner”: 0.55 ± 0.049, “outer”: 0.55 ± 0.039) and normal‐appearing cortex, demonstrating a gradation of change. The soma radius varied significantly across cortices, becoming smaller when moving outward from cortical lesions (cortical lesions: 10.38 ± 0.209 μm, “inner” layer: 10.19 ± 0.140 μm, “outer” layer: 10.07 ± 0.149 μm, normal‐appearing cortex: 9.99 ± 0.127 μm).

Interpretation

Cortical cell body loss in multiple sclerosis is most pronounced in cortical lesions and also present in normal‐appearing cortex. Gradients of diffusion microstructural alterations moving outward from cortical lesions toward normal‐appearing cortex highlight the potential of high‐gradient diffusion MRI to identify both focal and diffuse cortical pathology.
Prevention of Intrauterine Adhesion with Platelet‐Rich Plasma Double‐Network Hydrogel
Authors: Wang Zhuomin , Gu Ying , Qu Yiyuan , Huang Xujia , Sun Tao , Wu Wei , Hu Qianyu , Chen Xiao , Li Yu , Zhao Huafei , Hu Yingying , Wu Bingbing , Xu Jian
Published: December 2024

Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) can negatively impact on pregnancy outcomes, leading to reduced pregnancy rates, secondary infertility, and an increased risk of pregnancy complications. Studies have shown that the application of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) in IUA patients is effective. However, the clinical readhesive rate of IUA after treatment is still high, especially in severe cases. Platelet‐rich plasma double‐network hydrogel (DN gel) is an engineered PRP double network hydrogel, which is a sodium alginate (SA) based PRP hydrogel with egg carton ion cross‐linking and fibrin double network. The results of this study show that intrauterine injection of DN gel has a better effect on promoting endometrial regeneration and enhancing endometrial receptivity than PRP gel. The mechanism is analyzed through single‐cell sequencing, which may be achieved by increasing the expression of neutrophils (Neut), natural killer cells (NK), and type I classical dendritic cells (cDC1) in the endometrium and inhibiting the infiltration of M2 macrophages. Overall, based on the good healing efficiency and good biocompatibility of DN gel, it is expected to become a method of treating IUA with better efficacy and faster clinical translation.
Oxygen Vacancies Enhance SERS Performance of Tungsten‐Doped Vanadium Dioxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Liang Jiran , Zhang Lanxiang , Wang Shuai , Yu Yong , Lei Dangyuan
Published: December 2024

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful spectroscopic identification technique for analyzing chemical and biological analytes. Semiconductors are important materials that can expand the scope of SERS applications. However, the low SERS enhancements limit the application of semiconductor substrates. In this work, a new defect engineering approach is used, i.e., combining two types of defects, to enhance SERS performance by preparing of oxygen‐vacancy‐tunable W‐doped VO2 substrate. In this design, two types of defects effect in synergy to improve the SERS performance of rhodamine 6G (R6G). The oxygen vacancy concentration in W‐doped VO2 is adjusted through thermal annealing. This substrate achieves a detection limit of 1 × 10−7 m for R6G and an enhancement factor (EF) of 1.39 × 106, comparable to noble metals. XPS and DFT analysis reveal that SERS enhancement can be attributed to the high density of electronic states associated with W‐doping and oxygen vacancies. Additionally, W‐doping increases the free electron concentration in the oxygen‐deficient W‐VO2, which enhances the charge transfer (CT) between the substrate and R6G, leading to significant amplification of Raman signal. This work provides a defect‐engineering approach based on the synergistic effect of oxygen vacancies and tungsten doping for enhancing the SERS performance of metal oxide semiconductor‐based substrates.
Flexible and Multifunctional Biomass‐Based Chlorella Hydrogels for High‐Performance Wearable Electronics
Authors: Zhang Yi , Xu Lihong , Qian Fujia , Yan Bingqiang , Lin Zhaoxing , Chen Tingjie , Peng Xiangfang
Published: December 2024

Biomass‐based hydrogels have emerged as promising soft sensing materials to prepare the flexible biomimetic electronic devices for human health monitoring, due to their good stretchability, interfacial adhesion, and biocompatibility. Here, a simple and effective freeze‐thaw method is proposed to prepare the flexible and ductile biomass‐based Chlorella hydrogels for wearable capacitive strain sensor devices. Ascribing to the formation of dynamic physical cross‐linking (hydrogen bonding) between Chlorella and polyvinyl alcohol networks, the obtained Chlorella hydrogels exhibit considerable conductivity and good stretchability (tensile strain > 450%). Moreover, this hydrogel can be used as sensing materials to fabricate the capacitive strain sensor with considerable sensitivity, remarkable mechanical durability, wide working range, and good sensing stability. Furthermore, the conductive hydrogel electrolyte is paired with activated carbon electrodes to build a sandwich‐style supercapacitor. The flexible all‐solid‐state supercapacitor exhibits excellent cycling performance and outstanding stability. Intriguingly, the Chlorella hydrogels also reveal excellent antibacterial performance (against E. coli and S. aureus) and good pH response. These functional features make the biomass‐based Chlorella hydrogels valuable for practical healthcare applications.
Novel Use of Laser Zone‐Drawing on Nanofibers Enables Ultra‐Fast Thermal Kinetics and Precise Diameter Control
Authors: Flamini Matthew D. , Keblawi Mohamad , Lima Thamires , Chimenti Robert V. , Alvarez Nicolas , Beachley Vince
Published: December 2024

Laser zone‐drawing is shown to significantly enhance control over nanofiber properties. This study investigates the dynamics of nanofiber laser zone‐drawing. It is hypothesized that the equilibrium between heating and cooling guides fiber temperature. The high heating rate of laser irradiation and the high convective cooling rate of nanofibers facilitate fast heating and cooling kinetics. Results showed fiber thinning in the presence of laser irradiation until reaching a steady‐state diameter. Final fiber diameter is correlated to laser power independent of initial fiber diameter. The relationship between final fiber diameter and laser power is used to estimate the heat transfer coefficient, which is used to create a computational model of the thermodynamic system. These simulations predict rapid heating and cooling up to 36 000 K min−1 for the lowest fiber diameters tested experimentally. While laser‐induced softening of polymer nanofibers is described in detail, the forces driving fiber drawing, particularly under different thermal kinetics, remain unexplored. This research showcases the capabilities of laser zone‐drawing in nanofiber manufacturing and facilitates future investigations aimed at enhancing fiber processing by producing highly aligned molecular structures via rapid cooling. This work signifies a pivotal methodological leap, promising transformative nanofiber materials useful across multiple industries including aerospace, electronics, and biomedicine.
A Soft‐Rigid Gripper for Safe Handling and Transportation
Authors: Troisi Danilo , Dragusanu Mihai , Pozzi Maria , Prattichizzo Domenico , Malvezzi Monica
Published: December 2024

The automatic handling of perishable items like food and agricultural products requires robotic grippers that not only can perform gentle grasps but can also transport grasped objects safely and reliably. This result can be obtained by assuring that the contact between the grasped object and the gripper is as extended as possible, to avoid stress concentration in small areas, that could lead to local damage. In this study, a soft‐rigid gripper is presented and designed to grasp and hold objects and to distribute the contact pressure over a large surface, limiting its maximum value and avoiding localized peaks. The gripper has four fingers and an extendable soft palm that wraps around the object, resembling a soft pocket. The palm is composed of two soft parts, whose geometrical characteristics have been evaluated using a shape optimization process and can be easily detached from the fingers to be changed or washed. The gripper is characterized with mechanical tests and evaluated in grasping and transporting tasks with real objects.
Molecular‐Templated ALD on Mixed SAM to Achieve Unimolecular Dispersion and In‐Process Fluorescent Monitoring of Template Molecules
Authors: Ono Takeshi , Hosomi Takuro , Saito Hikaru , Masai Hiroshi , Ikeuchi Midori , Liu Jiangyang , Tanaka Wataru , Takahashi Tsunaki , Kanai Masaki , Terao Jun , Yanagida Takeshi
Published: December 2024

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) in the presence of organic template molecules on substrates (molecular‐templated ALD) is a promising technique for designing a molecular selectivity with thermal robustness onto the surfaces of metal oxides, which are required for heterogeneous catalysts and molecular sensing. However, self‐aggregations of template molecules significantly impair the selectivity of the resulting molecules, which is difficult to prevent or observe. Here, a rational method is presented for uni‐molecularly dispersing template molecules and revealing their state in the molecular‐templated ALD process. The environment‐sensitive fluorescence of pyrene is utilized as a probe to visualize the microenvironments around template molecules. The dispersion of pyrene moieties in OH‐terminated SAMs allowed the pyrene molecules to be 1) covalently immobilized, 2) isolated from other pyrene molecules, and 3) surrounded by OH groups that act as ALD initiation sites. Systematic spectroscopic measurements of pyrene probes revealed the successful ALD of metal oxides surrounding template molecules without their undesired aggregations. Furthermore, emission enhancements are observed when Al2O3 is used as the surrounding metal oxide. The amplification of pyrene fluorescence intensity, lifetime, and quantum yield is attributed to the suppression of non‐radiative decay, indicating that the Al2O3 layer has grown closely around a single organic molecule.
Development and Characterization of High‐Performance Conductive Coatings on Cotton Yarn for Advanced Machine‐Sewn Electronic Textiles
Authors: Fathme Alak Mir Md Kibria , Islam Md Mazharul , Liu Xiaoyuan , Liu Lifang
Published: December 2024

This study explores the development and characterization of conductive coatings applied to cotton yarns for machine‐sewn electronic textiles. namely 100% pure undyed, fully bleached, and half bleached, are dip‐coated with two solutions: the conductive carbon paste (CCP) solution and the PEDOT:PSS (5 wt.%)/CCP (55.8 wt.%) solution. Each yarn is coated and dried three times, followed by cross‐linking with a 2% CaCl2 solution. Extensive testing, including electrochemical, SEM, tensile, FTIR, XPS, TGA, DTG, linear density, machine sewing, and wash durability, is performed. The half‐bleached yarn coated with CCP exhibits the highest conductivity (19.46 ± 0.240 Scm⁻¹) and density (65.33 ± 1.1 Tex), and the pure undyed yarn coated with PEDOT:PSS/CCP at 1.913 ± 0.007 Scm−1. Both coatings demonstrated durability, retaining conductivity, and strength after multiple washing cycles, with values of 18.70 ± 0.32 and 1.90 ± 0.007 Scm⁻¹ post‐wash. Thermal analysis (TGA and DSC) indicates improved stability, with Tm values reaching 273.66 and 280.38 °C for CCP and PEDOT/CCP coatings, respectively. FTIR and XPS confirmed strong chemical bonding, ensuring robust adhesion. These results suggest the feasibility of cost‐effective, bio‐compatible, and durable conductive yarns for advanced electronic textile applications.
Development of an Optical Switching BIPA‐TC‐HOF Film‐Based Optical Waveguide and Evaluation of Its ON‐OFF Gas Sensing Characteristics
Authors: Nizamidin Patima , Li Yanmei , Du Xiangdi , Abulimiti Reziwanguli
Published: December 2024

Optical switching materials that respond to external stimuli including acidity/alkalinity, redox conditions, temperature, and guest molecules are extremely desirable. This paper reports hydrogen‐bonded organic framework (HOF) films with structure‐dependent optical switching properties in the presence of acidic/alkaline gases. A series of TPPS‐[(bdc)2‐(BIPA‐TC)]n‐HOF films, constructed from terephthalic acid, benzoimidephenanthroline tetracarboxylic acid, and phenylporphyrin sulfonate, were prepared on the surface of a LiNbO3 film composite optical waveguide (COWG) substrate using the solgel method. Upon increasing the drying temperature from 90 to 160 °C, the BIPA‐TC‐HOF‐x film structure evolved from flatter porous to a birds‐nest, and subsequently to a granular structure. The hostguest interactions between the BIPA‐TC‐HOF and the analyte gases induced different degrees of switching in terms of the refractive index. Gas sensing selectivity of the HOF‐x film COWG progressed from EDA sensing to EDA and H2S co‐sensing, and finally to H2S without any interference from the other acid/base gases. This phenomenon was attributed to the variations in the acidity/alkalinity of the BIPA‐TC‐HOF caused by structural changes during the drying process. The gas adsorption kinetics were found to be consistent with Pseudo‐Second‐Order kinetic model. This work provides a novel approach for the development of optic switching sensors.
Unraveling Temperature Distribution Within Crystalline Silicon PV Modules by Different Finite Element Method‐Based Thermal Modeling Approaches
Authors: Tomšič Špela , Lipovšek Benjamin , Bokalič Matevž , Topič Marko
Published: December 2024

In this work, the steady‐state spatial temperature distribution in commercial high‐efficiency crystalline silicon PV modules is studied using different FEM‐based thermal models that encompass conductive, convective, and radiative heat transfer mechanisms. The results show that the lateral temperature distribution within the PV module depends on the module inclination angle and may be highly inhomogeneous, with a temperature difference of ≈5 °C between its warmest and coolest solar cells. Furthermore, It is demonstrated that wind plays a crucial role in determining the operating temperature of PV devices. Specifically, it is shown that forced convection has an even more significant positive effect at higher wind speeds and larger PV module dimensions since the transformation of laminar to turbulent wind contributes to additional cooling. Finally, the power losses associated with the lateral temperature variations across the PV module are analyzed. The results show that the effect of temperature inhomogeneity plays a negligible role in the performance of standard single‐junction silicon PV modules due to a very small temperature coefficient of the solar cell short‐circuit current.
Growth Performance of Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer, Bloch) in Relation to Stocking Density: Initial Results From Seabass Culture in Open Sea Floating Net Cages in the Cox's Bazar Coast, Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh
Authors: Mostofa Md. Golam , Sonia Saima Sultana , Rahman Shafiqur , Paul Mritunjoy , Sobuj Mohammad Khairul Alam , Hasan Shanur Jahedul , Ali Md. Zulfikar , Bhadra Anuradha
Published: December 2024

The study aimed to assess the impact of stocking density on the growth performance, survival rate and production of seabass (Lates calcarifer) fingerlings in floating net cages conducted at the Maheshkhali Channel, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. A triplicate group of seabass, with an average initial weight of 86.82 ± 1.9 g, was randomly stocked in floating net cages at densities of 15, 12, 10 and 8 fish m−3, referred to as T15, T12, T10 and T8, respectively. The fish fingerlings were supplied with freshly chopped sardine (Sardinella fimbriata) at 10% of their body weight for 4 months and 5% for 2 months, administered twice daily. The water quality metrics were measured fortnightly. The initial and the final proximate composition of seabass was not significantly different (p > 0.05). Upon completion of the experiment on the 180th day, the growth performance and additional measures, including final body weight, weight gain (WG), percent weight gain (PWG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed efficiency ratio (FER), survival rate and total production, were assessed. Comparisons of growth and yield demonstrated that fish stocking density significantly (p < 0.05) influenced growth and productivity. Fish cultivated at maximum density (T15) exhibited lower mean weights than those raised at lower densities. This study demonstrated that T10 had better results for all growth and other metrics examined, indicating the appropriateness of this density. Therefore, it may be inferred that seabass exhibits optimal growth at a stocking density of 10 fish m−3 along the coast of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.
Understanding the yield impacts of alternative cover crop families and mixtures: Evidence from side‐by‐side plot‐level panel data
Authors: Won Sunjae , Rejesus Roderick M. , Poncet Aurelie M. , Aglasan Serkan , Thapa Resham , Tulley Katherine L. , Reberg‐Horton Chris , Cabrera Miguel L. , Davis Brian W. , Gaskin Julia , Hitchcock Richard , Schomberg Harry H. , Seehaver Sarah A. , Balkcom Kip , Reiter Mark , Miller Jarrod O. , Mirsky Steven B.
Published: December 2024

The short‐run effects of cover crop use on cash crop yields (e.g., corn [Zea mays L.] and soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]) have been a topic of debate given that evidence from previous literature has generally been mixed on this issue. Past studies suggest that the observed yield effect varies (i.e., negative, positive, or insignificant), often depending on the applied cover crop species used, weather conditions, and farm management practices implemented (among others). In this study, we examine the short‐run (i.e., 1 year) yield impact of four different cover crop families—grasses (Poaceae), broadleaves (Brassicaceae), legumes (Fabaceae), and others—both as single‐family groups and as mixtures. Data from side‐by‐side on‐farm experimental plots in six Eastern US states were collected from 2017 to 2019 in order to achieve the objective of the study. Statistical analysis of this multi‐year plot‐level data suggests that the majority of the cover crop families and mixtures investigated in this study do not have a statistically significant short‐run effect on subsequent corn yields. In some cases, cover crop treatment even resulted in short‐run yield losses (i.e., a yield penalty). These results imply that cash crop yield benefits from cover crop adoption are likely not going to be observed with just 1 year of use. This lack of immediate economic benefit may explain the relatively low cover crop adoption rate currently observed in the United States and the need for upfront cost‐share subsidy payments to encourage further uptake of this practice.
Carbon sequestration through sustainable land management practices in arid and semiarid regions: Insights from New Mexico
Authors: Ghimire Rajan , Aryal Deb Raj , Hanan Niall P. , Boufous Sawssan , Burney Owen , Idowu O. John , Geli Hatim M. E. , Hurd Brian , Prihodko Lara
Published: December 2024

Arid and semiarid regions cover more than one‐third of the land surface, where the interplay between water, land use, and management strongly influences carbon (C) sequestration. Yet, information on the C management practices and how local biophysical conditions affect the C sequestration potential is limited. We explored the opportunities, research gaps, and future directions of land C sequestration in arid and semiarid regions, using New Mexico as an example. We also identified the major land use types and their potential for C storage and sequestration. Our results showed that innovations in cropland and rangeland management, protection of existing forests, and restoration of degraded forest lands after drought and wildfire enhanced C sequestration in arid and semiarid lands. Landscape‐scale C balance studies with fine‐scale mapping, improving water and nutrient use efficiency, and policy incentives to support farms will unlock the full potential of C sequestration in croplands, rangelands, and forest lands. Future research should focus on the response of land management practices to climate anomalies and their potential to sequester C and offset greenhouse gas emissions as a natural climate solution in arid and semiarid regions.
Using electromagnetic induction to inform precision turfgrass management strategies in sand‐capped golf course fairways
Authors: Williams Dallas M. , Straw Chase M. , Smith A. Peyton , Watkins Kathryn L. , Hong Sarah G. , Floyd Weston F. , Wyatt Briana M.
Published: December 2024

To meet the turfgrass standards that players expect, golf course superintendents rely on intense irrigation, fertilization, and cultivation programs. However, the overapplication of irrigation water and fertilizer has been shown to have negative effects on water quality. Precision turfgrass management (PTM) is an emerging area of interest as more golf course superintendents are looking to increase input efficiency while simultaneously reducing water and fertilizer input costs, as well as environmental impacts. Our objectives were to (1) use electromagnetic induction (EMI) to determine the spatial variability of apparent electrical conductivity (EC) in sand‐capped fairways and (2) correlate EC to measured soil and turfgrass characteristics to determine the applicability of mapping EC for PTM. Soil samples and EC data were collected in spring 2021 on four sand‐capped fairways from two golf courses (one hybrid bermudagrass and one zoysiagrass) belonging to the same facility in southeast Texas. Apparent EC was found to be positively and significantly correlated with soil volumetric water content (VWC, 0.40 < r > 0.62) and turfgrass normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI; 0.21 < r > 0.46) in three of four fairways, while EC was negatively and significantly correlated with penetration resistance (PR, −0.29 < r > −0.48) in two of four fairways studied. The strengths of these relationships were corroborated by strong visual similarities when comparing spatial maps of EC with those of VWC, NDVI, and PR, indicating that EMI‐based EC data have potential for use in delineating site‐specific management zones for water and fertilizer applications, as well as targeted aeration.
Salinity management with subsurface drainage over 9 years in a soybean–wheat–corn rotation
Authors: Derby Nathan E. , Wick Abbey F. , DeSutter Thomas M. , Daigh Aaron Lee M.
Published: December 2024

Soil salinity is a global issue that impacts crop production and requires management to contain and ameliorate. Although field‐scale assessments are limited, a recent strategy used to manage salinity in the Northern Great Plains is the wide‐spread adoption of subsurface drainage. Therefore, a study was conducted between 2013 and 2021 on a 57‐ha field in southeastern North Dakota where changes in soil salinity, groundwater quality, and grain yields (soybean [Glycine max], wheat [Triticum aestivum], and corn [Zea mays L]) were compared between subsurface tile drained (TD) and undrained (UD) areas at the field scale. Topsoil (0–15 cm) electrical conductivity of saturated paste extract (ECe) decreased at a rate of 0.15 dS m−1 year−1 for TD but increased 0.03 dS m−1 year−1 for UD. The groundwater electrical conductivity of water (ECw) decreased 0.5 and 0.3 dS m−1 year−1 for TD and UD, respectively. Soil ECe, chloride (Cl−), sulfate‐sulfur (SO42−‐S), calcium (Ca2+), sodium (Na+), and magnesium (Mg2+) concentrations increased with soil depth for TD and UD. However, these ion concentrations decreased with time for TD and stayed relatively unchanged or increased for UD. Groundwater ECw and ion concentrations decreased over time for TD and to a lesser extent for UD. Groundwater levels increased slightly for TD but increased more for UD, where high water tables caused wet soil conditions resulting in yield reduction in several years. Soybean yields increase by 0.18 and 0.06 Mg ha−1 year−1 for TD and UD, respectively. Wheat grain yield increased over time for TD and UD at similar rates (0.17 and 0.18 Mg ha−1 year−1, respectively). Corn grain yield increased slightly from 2016 to 2019 for TD, but decreased by 6.2 Mg ha−1 from 2016 to 2019 for UD due to wet soil conditions. Overall, the outcomes of this field‐scale study provide validation of similar outcomes reported in small‐scale studies for subsurface drainage as a management tool for soil salinity in the Northern Great Plains.
Can biostimulants and tillage rotations improve dryland crop productivity and soil microbes?
Authors: Tshuma Flackson , Bennett James , Swanepoel Pieter Andreas , Labuschagne Johan , van der Westhuizen Stephan , Rayns Francis
Published: December 2024

Soil microbes are essential for soil nutrient cycling. However, frequent tillage and the use of synthetic agrochemicals can reduce soil microbial diversity and enzyme activity. In this study, the effects of four tillage treatments (mouldboard plough, shallow tine‐tillage, no‐tillage, and tillage rotation) and two rates of synthetic agrochemicals (standard and reduced, with biostimulants) on soil microbial diversity and enzyme activity were investigated between 2018 and 2020 in a Mediterranean climate zone in South Africa. It was hypothesized that a reduction in tillage frequency and quantity of synthetic agrochemical application would lead to greater microbial diversity and enzyme activity. Soil samples were collected from the 0‐ to 150‐mm layer of a field trial under a dryland crop rotation system. Soil microbial species richness and abundance were assessed using the Shannon–Wiener diversity and evenness indices. The activities of four microbial enzymes—β‐glucosidase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and urease—were used to evaluate ecosystem functioning. The combined effects of tillage rotation with a shallow tine implement and the application of biostimulants failed to significantly improve soil microbial diversity, enzyme activity, and crop productivity relative to other treatments. However, the combination did not reduce the wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain yield and quality, and soil biological parameters. Furthermore, the less intensive tillage treatments, ST, NT, and ST‐NT‐NT‐NT, resulted in higher enzyme activity than the mouldboard treatment. Therefore, we suggest that combining non‐intensive tillage with reduced synthetic agrochemical use can be a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative to intensive tillage and high agrochemical application in dryland cropping systems.
Synergistic photocatalytic synthesis of H2O2: Mechanistic insights and sustainable applications
Authors: Xu Zaixiang , Fang Wenjuan , Zhou Fengcang , Jiang Chenghang , Zheng Jingnan , Li Yanfeng , Zhang Shijie , Bao Zhikang , Cao Qun , Wang Jianguo
Published: December 2024

The synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) via photocatalysis represents a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach with significant potential for diverse applications. This study reveals the involvement of a novel triple interplay catalytic cycle in the photocatalytic production of H₂O₂, providing crucial insights into the underlying reaction mechanisms. Utilizing modified carbon nitride (m‐CN) as the catalyst, we achieved H₂O₂ concentrations of 3368 mmol L−1 (11.5 wt.%) and a production rate of 4900 mM g cat−1 h−1, demonstrating significant improvements over existing methods. Stability tests and spectroscopic analyses confirmed the robustness of the system over 100 h. Mechanistic studies, including EPR spectroscopy and kinetic analysis, further elucidated the reaction pathways, enhancing our understanding of H₂O₂ synthesis. This research offers a foundation for designing next‐generation photocatalytic systems with improved efficiency and selectivity, contributing to the advancement of sustainable H₂O₂ production for cooperative organic synthesis.
Modulating the Coverage of Adsorbed Hydrogen via Hydrogen Spillover Enables Selective Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation of Phenol to Cyclohexanone
Authors: Liu Yuanbo , Ji Kaiyue , Wang Xi , Shi Qiujin , Li An‐Zhen , Yin Zhuoqun , Zhu Yu‐Quan , Duan Haohong
Published: December 2024

Selective electrocatalytic hydrogenation (ECH) of phenol is a sustainable route to produce cyclohexanone, an industrially important feedstock for polymer synthesis. However, attaining high selectivity and faradaic efficiency (FE) for cyclohexanone remain challenging, owning to over‐hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanol and competition of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, by employing hydrogen spillover effect, we modulate adsorbed hydrogen species (Hads) coverage on Pt surface via migration to TiO2 in an anatase TiO2‐supported Pt catalyst. In ECH of phenol, a high selectivity (94 %) and good FE (63 %) for cyclohexanone are obtained, showing more advantageous performance compared with previous reports. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests and electrochemical Raman spectroscopy reveal that Hads migrated from Pt to TiO2. We propose that TiO2‐induced hydrogen spillover contributes to low Hads coverage over Pt, which effectively hinders over‐hydrogenation of cyclohexanone and HER. We establish a scaling relationship between the intensity of hydrogen spillover and cyclohexanone selectivity by varying the types of anatase TiO2, and show the universality of the strategy over other reducible metal oxides as the support (rutile TiO2, CeO2 and WO3). This work showcases an effective strategy for tuning hydrogenation selectivity in electro‐catalysis, by taking advantage of thermo‐catalytically well‐documented hydrogen spillover effect.
Study on the Desorption Mechanism of Sulfur Dioxide–Modified Activated Carbon Based on Density Functional Theory
Authors: Chen Cong , Wang Rui , Liu Xiaoshuo , Duan Yufeng , Shi Weidong , Cai Huatong , Fang Guofeng , Yan Linpeng , Wang Zhenxiong
Published: December 2024

Activated carbon injection technology is the primary method used to control the mercury emissions from coal‐fired power plants. The preparation of sulfur‐loaded carbon‐based adsorbents through SO2 modification of the surface of activated carbon (the primary component) provides an effective solution to enhancing the mercury removal performance of adsorbents. However, there remains a lack of clarity on the adsorption performance and mechanism of mercury on the newly formed active sites of the carbon surface after SO2 sulfur loading modification. In this study, four potential structures of SO2 loaded onto the surface of activated carbon were constructed. Quantum chemical calculation methods were applied to calculate the adsorption process of Hg in these four models, with those important characteristics identified such as bonding properties, adsorption energy, electrostatic potential, and molecular orbitals. As indicated by those results, the adsorption bonds of the SO2‐modified activated carbon were mainly C‐O‐S and C‐S‐C. After the carbon cluster model adsorbed SO2 molecules, the sulfur in SO2 exhibited a strong positive potential that facilitated the loss of electrons from Hg due to the potential difference. Consequently, HgO was firmly adsorbed onto the surface of the carbon cluster. As revealed by the molecular orbital calculations performed after Hg adsorption on the two carbon cluster models, SO2‐modified and elemental sulfur‐modified activated carbons, in the SOAC‐Arm‐1 configuration, there was a clear exchange orbital around the adsorbed Hg atom in the LUMO, with a small HOMO–LUMO energy gap of only 0.01713 eV. At this point, the free electrons on the molecule were prone to orbital transitions, promoting the occurrence of adsorption reactions. The SOAC‐Arm‐3 conformation exhibited the shortest C‐Hg bond length and had an adsorption energy of up to −70.42 kJ/mol, indicating a stronger chemical bonding ability and a higher likelihood of adsorption reactions. These results demonstrate the feasibility of sulfur‐loaded modified activated carbon to mitigate Hg pollution through SO2.
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Benzoxazine Copolymers for Anti‐Corrosion Coating Applications Based on Improved High Crosslinking Density and Hydrophobicity
Authors: Zhang Ai Ping , Zhao Wei , Li Xin Kang , Bian Jun , Ni Ke Yang , Yang Ke Cheng , Lin Hai Lan , Chen Dai Qiang
Published: December 2024

The main‐chain benzoxazine (BA‐ddm) and diamine‐type benzoxazine (Ph‐hda) were prepared by solution method, and a series of copolymers were prepared by mixing them at various mass ratios. Second, copolymer coatings (P(PB)) were prepared on the surface of the tinplate by dip coating and heat curing. The results of FTIR and 1HNMR showed that the benzoxazine copolymer coating was successfully prepared. DSC test results showed that the copolymerization of two benzoxazine oligomers was promoted by the introduction of BA‐ddm containing phenolic hydroxyl groups. The introduction of Ph‐hda containing a long aliphatic chain provided the copolymer coatings with good hydrophobicity, as verified by the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity tests. When the mass ratio of BA‐ddm to Ph‐hda was 1:19, the water contact angle and water absorption of P(PB5) were 100.10% and 0.56%, respectively. The results of dynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicated that different copolymer coatings had good corrosion resistance. Among them, the P(PB5) coating exhibited the best anti‐corrosion performance, with a corrosion current of 5.15 × 10−8 A cm−2, a protection efficiency of 99.23%, and an impedance modulus of 1.78 × 107 Ω cm2 at 0.01 Hz, which was nearly 5 orders of magnitude higher than the impedance modulus of the blank tinplate.
Domain Switching Dynamics in Relaxor PNN–PZT Ceramics With Nano‐Domain Morphology
Authors: Qi Xudong , Bian Lang , Huo Da , Li Kai , Zheng Huashan , Ma Jinpeng , Zheng Limei
Published: December 2024

The dynamic behavior of domain switching and hysteresis characteristics remain critical considerations for ferroelectric materials. Investigations in this area are of substantial importance for the physical understanding and emerging applications of ferroelectrics. This study investigates the domain switching dynamics in Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbZrO3–PbTiO3 (PNN–PZT) ceramics by comparing domain switching hysteresis behavior of the non‐textured samples to the textured ones. The scaling relations of hysteresis area  with respective to electric field E0 and frequency f can be expressed as ∝fαE0β. The results indicate that the introduction of templates suppresses domain switching under low electric field and high‐frequency conditions owing to the clamping effect induced by interfacial stresses between templates and the matrix. Furthermore, a relaxation model for polarization reversal and domain switching is employed to clarify the physical mechanism of ‐f dependence by considering the domain morphology of the ceramics. The findings suggest that the dispersed nano‐domain morphology within PNN–PZT ceramics results in a flatter relaxation function distribution, thereby enhancing domain switching response concerning f. This study not only provides a deep understanding of domain switching dynamics in ferroelectric materials but also gives important inspiration for the design of ferroelectric ceramics with high performance.
Detecting Archaeological Phenomena Using Deep Learning in the Study of the Old Aerial Images of Historical City of Zuzan
Authors: Azarkhordad Fereshte , Zarajabad Hasan Hashemi , Taghavi Abed , Kherad Mahdi
Published: December 2024

Due to saving time and manpower, automatic and semi‐automatic methods can be used to identify and analyse ancient artefacts. Such methods are usually among the studies of neural networks and machine learning systems, which are carried out using remote sensing data and are completely based on spatial information. In the present research, the aim is to detect archaeological phenomena in the landscape of the historical city of Zuzan using convolutional neural network and object detection using the YOLO v8 algorithm, which uses aerial images from the 1960s and 1990s as input data. The most important steps of this method are: training and learning model, image pre‐processing, feature extraction and feature labelling are implemented to provide an automatic pattern recognition system for recognizing archaeological phenomena in an urban landscape. The training data set consists of old aerial images in which features such as the city wall (fence), Citadel and Aqueduct (Qanat) are labelled. The results of CNN training with aerial images of the 60s and 90s and Yolo modelling show the detection of feature such as the aqueduct with 69% accuracy, the city wall with 91% accuracy and the citadel with 100% accuracy.
Variables Influencing Physical Activity for Children With Developmental Disabilities Who Exhibit Problem Behavior
Authors: Livingston Cynthia P. , Schneider Delaney E. , Melanson Isaac J. , Martinez Sarah E. , Anderson Heather , Bryan Samantha J.
Published: December 2024

Physical activity is associated with several health and non‐health‐related benefits for children with and without disabilities. Most children do not meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation of at least 60 min of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity daily. Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are even less likely to meet these standards than their neurotypical peers. Thus, there is a need to identify ways to combat physical inactivity by identifying variables influencing physical activity in this population. The present study assessed the effects of activity contexts (Experiment 1) and social and nonsocial consequences (Experiment 2) on physical activity and problem behavior for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who exhibited problem behavior. In both experiments, we identified one or more conditions that effectively increased physical activity relative to a control. Additionally, little to no problem behavior was observed.
Teaching Reciprocal Tacting to Children With Autism
Authors: Koldas Meral , Connolly Sarah , de Oliveira Juliana Sequeira Cesar , Trapp Whitney , Shillingsburg M. Alice
Published: December 2024

Expanding tact repertoires in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often emphasized in early intensive behavioral intervention. While there are empirically validated teaching strategies for increasing tact repertoires in learners with ASD, strategies to support the use of acquired tacts within a shared social experience is an area that is less established. The current study employed a multiple probe design across participants to teach three children with ASD to identify and reciprocally label items as a response to tacts emitted by a social partner (i.e., reciprocal tacting) using discrete trial teaching. Reciprocal tacting with a social partner was observed across participants as a result of the teaching procedure. After training, all participants generalized the skill of tacting in a novel and naturalistic social experience.