bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collaborative vendor managed inventory model by using multi agent system and continuous review (r, Q) replenishment policy
Authors: Daru Kusuma , Kallista Meta
Published: March 2022

In the vendor-managed inventory (VMI) system, the vendor takes over responsibility for managing customer inventory so that delivery is not based on the order but the customer's inventory condition. It makes the vendor becomes a dominant entity, and customers are supplied by its own vendor exclusively. That is why most studies in VMI implement a single-vendor-single-customer or single-vendor-multi-customer scenario. In certain conditions, this exclusiveness can increase lost sales. Besides, most of them implement a single product scenario. In this work, we develop VMI model for the multi-vendor-customer-product scenario. This model is developed based on the collaborative multi-agent system. The relationship between vendors and customers is many-to-many. This work aims to reduce lost sales and maintain efficiency in the inventory. The continuous review (r, Q) policy is used as the replenishment model. The simulation result shows that the collaborative model creates higher sales, lower lost sales, and competitive inventory than the non-collaborative one. The lost sales is 50 to 75 percent lower. The sales percentage is 17 to 27 percent higher. The total retailers' stock is 20 to 38 percent higher. The total vendors' stock is 11 to 30 percent lower. The total stock in the supply chain in the collaborative model is 2 to 16 percent higher. The number of retailers is directly proportional to the total vendor's stock and total supply chain stock gaps; inversely proportional to the lost sales gap; and not related to the sales percentage and total retailers' stock gaps.
Fixed-budget approximation of the inverse kernel matrix for identification of nonlinear dynamic processes
Authors: Antropov Nikita , Agafonov Evgeny , Tynchenko Vadim , Bukhtoyarov Vladimir , Kukartsev Vladislav
Published: March 2022

The paper considers the identification of nonlinear dynamic processes using kernel algorithms. Kernel algorithms rely on a nonlinear transformation of the input data points into a high-dimensional space that allows solving nonlinear problems through the construction of kernelized counterparts of linear methods by replacing the inner products with kernels. A key feature of the kernel algorithms is high complexity of the inverse kernel matrix calculation. Nowadays, there are two approaches to this problem. The first one is based on using a reduced training data sample instead of a full one. In case of kernel methods, this approach could cause model misspecification, since kernel methods are directly based on training data. The second one is based on the reduced-rank approximations of the kernel matrix. A major limitation of this approach is that the rank of the approximation is either unknown until approximation is done or it is predefined by the user, both of which are not efficient enough. In this paper, we propose a new regularized kernel least squares algorithm based on the fixed-budget approximation of the kernel matrix. The proposed algorithm allows regulating the computational burden of the identification algorithm and obtaining the least approximation error. We have shown some simulations results illustrating the efficiency of the proposed algorithm compared to other algorithms. The application of the proposed algorithm is considered on the identification problem of the input and output pressure of the pump station.
Flexural strength and ductility of ultra high-performance cement-based composites (UHP-CC)
Authors: Salim Danha , Mohammed Hamid , Abdulazeez Abdulridha , Asaad Abdul-Husain
Published: March 2022

It has been known that concrete is weak in tension, so it requires some additional materials to have ductile behavior and enhance its tensile response. Thus, steel fibers came into use due to their advantage in controlling cracks and enhance the tensile behavior of concrete. In this study, the behavior and improvement in flexural tensile strength and strain capacity of ultra-high-performance cement-based composites (UHP-CC) were investigated. Two main variables were examined, namely the content of silica fume and steel fibers with percentages of (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) and (0%, 1%, 2% and 3%) respectively. The experimental results show that, in the non-fibrous UHP-CC matrix, after the first crack initiation, the inclusion of steel fibers upgrades the behavior of the matrix from brittle to a plastic one and the specimen with a 1% steel fibers ratio failed immediately after crack initiation showing no possible occurrence of strain hardening or multiple cracking. In UHP-CC specimens with steel fibers of more than 1% the tensile failure was more ductile and accompanied by the development of the main crack and many multiple secondary cracks. it was found that the load increased even after the cracks initiation (strain hardening behavior) and thereafter showed gradual declination. It is revealed that after the peak point, one of the cracks widens and becomes critical, which defines the onset of crack localization showing no more development of cracks. Under increased deformation, the critical crack will open describing the stage of fibers pull-out. It was observed that the increase of the ratio of steel fibers in the range of (0% - 3%) caused a significant increase in flexural tensile strength by 244%, whereas the increase in compressive strength was only 12%.
Reshaping of premium segment in global automotive market
Authors: Marković Dušan , Madić Vladan
Published: March 2022

Automotive industry has faced frequent and radical changes of business environment during 21st century. Great recession, disruptive innovations, rise of emerging markets competitors, and Covid-19 pandemic have resulted in new customer preferences and constrains in managing supply chain. These factors significantly have affected business operations in automotive premium segment. Traditional competencies are not sufficient to gain and sustain competitive advantage in the market segment. The paper analyzes: trends in premium automotive segments and restructuring of business models, competitive and marketing strategies in the market segment. Technological innovations and digitalization have changed customer perception of premium vehicles. To sustain market position in unpredictable business environment and deal with these factors the competitors have to be agile and flexible. Automotive companies in premium segment have to deal with increasingly complex products, to achieve business efficiency. At the same time the companies have to differentiate their products in the new way, aiming to compete traditional competitors and new comers. To achieve these opposite goals, the companies develop new technological processes, which result in lower operating costs, and integrate hardware, software and service, to create the most valuable premium packet for customers in the segment.
The function of storytelling in the novel 'Ceremony' by Leslie Marmon Silko
Authors: Hadžija Sunaj , Kirvokapić-Knežević Marija
Published: March 2022

The paper examines the function of storytelling in the novel Ceremony. Leslie Marmon Silko includes traditional stories about the Laguna Pueblo, retelling stories, which have been passed down through the generations throughout oral traditions, stories that explore the nature of magic, that go into the origin of evil, and which can also show the way to redemption. Silko uses stories in the form of poems, oral narration, intertextuality, she even writes without chapters. She did not give chapters to her novel because she did not want to adapt to the standard format of the novel, she tries to avoid Anglo centric conventions. As many postmodern texts, the novel Ceremony can be seen as a response to the horrors of World War II. But unlike other literary works of postmodernism, Silko argues that we must present this tragedy throughout oral narration in order to heal ourselves.
ANALYSIS ON ANTI-OVERTURNING STABILITY OF A TRUCK CRANE BASED ON ZERO MOMENT POINT THEORY
Authors: Zhou Qinghui , Liu Yaofei , Xie Yidong , Zhang Xiwang
Published: March 2022

Truck crane stability has been a hot research issue. It is a conventional method used to calculate the moments equilibrium when analyzing stability. However, errors can occur because of the lack of dynamic simulation in conventional methods. Hence, to minimize errors, this study utilized the zero moment point (ZMP) theory to calculate the maximum lifting capacity of the truck crane considering the dynamic load, and proposed an anti-overturning detection method based on the theory. First, the model of the truck crane was established and the solution formula of ZMP was obtained. From the Lagrange equation, the dynamic model of payload oscillations was analyzed during crane operations. Second, the ZMP theory was used to analyze the stability of the truck crane and derive the maximum payload. Next, the experiment was conducted to measure the pressure of the four outriggers and their center of pressure (CoP) during hoisting, luffing, and slewing operations were calculated. Compared to stable movement, the CoP would vibrate irregularly, consequently reducing the lifting capacity of unstable motion. Finally, the anti-overturning detection method is proposed based on ZMP and CoP. Results demonstrate that the reduction of lifting capacity is caused by the dynamic load. The payload swing has a larger effect on the maximum lifting capacity than hoisting, luffing, and slewing motions. The maximum payload can decrease with the increase of the swing angle. The proposed method provides a correct judgment on the stability of the truck crane, which can accurately predict the overturning state of the crane and reduce the risk in the operation.

Keywords: truck crane, overturning, zero moment point, center of pressure, stability
Module evaluation for emergency remote teaching: An oral hygiene case study during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors:   Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa, Cupido M , Gordon N ,   Department of Oral Hygiene, Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa, Behardien N ,   Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
Published: March 2022

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in emergency remote teaching, with limited student contact time. For programmes with strong clinical and community-based requirements, such as the Bachelor of Oral Health, one had to be innovative to meet module outcomes. Objectives. To (i) evaluate the curriculum and pedagogy of two diverse modules in the second year; and (ii) explore contextual factors affecting teaching and learning. Methods. This evaluation study used a mixed-methods design. The sample comprised lecturers (n=3), clinical teachers (n=2), students (n=29) and documents for analysis. The modified concept-indicator method and the emergency remote teaching environment frameworks guided the data collection process. Tools included questionnaires, a focus group discussion and document analysis. Quantitative data were presented as frequencies and qualitative data were themed. Results. Student participation for the OHP213 module was 76% (n=19) and 68% for the LOS200 module (n=19). All the lecturers (n=3) participated. Overall, the content and teaching and learning specialists were satisfied with the modules, but made suggestions for improvement. Student experiences highlighted diversity in their learning styles and challenges, while lecturers articulated challenges and emphasised affordances during this period. Conclusions. The curricula were generally found to be aligned in terms of outcomes, content and assessment. Emergency remote teaching presented affordances from the perspective of students and lecturers, which could be explored further. If online teaching were to be a feature of university education, the affordances highlighted by students and staff may argue for a revised hybrid approach to delivering an oral health programme. However, such a system would require thorough research, with the necessary support built into the university as an ecosystem.
Riding the waves: Challenges to medical specialty training during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
Authors:   Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Prinshof Campus, University of Pretoria, South Africa, Bangalee A ,   and National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa, Bangalee V ,   Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Published: March 2022

Registrar training has traditionally relied on achieving practical workplace-based competencies together with the theoretical knowledge necessary to obtain a specialist qualification. However, in the last year, the healthcare setting has been transformed into a landscape of overworked staff, increased patient care demands and strained resources. In the face of these challenges, the registrar training programme finds itself in peril. The present article focuses on the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education and training of registrars in South Africa.
DMPNet: densely connected multi-scale pyramid networks for crowd counting
Authors: Li Pengfei , Zhang Min , Wan Jian , Jiang Ming
Published: March 2022

Crowd counting has been widely studied by deep learning in recent years. However, due to scale variation caused by perspective distortion, crowd counting is still a challenging task. In this paper, we propose a Densely Connected Multi-scale Pyramid Network (DMPNet) for count estimation and the generation of high-quality density maps. The key component of our network is the Multi-scale Pyramid Network (MPN), which can extract multi-scale features of the crowd effectively while keeping the resolution of the input feature map and the number of channels unchanged. To increase the information transfer between the network layer, we used dense connections to connect multiple MPNs. In addition, we also designed a novel loss function, which can help our model achieve better convergence. To evaluate our method, we conducted extensive experiments on three challenging benchmark crowd counting datasets. Experimental results show that compared with the state-of-the-art algorithms, DMPNet performs well in both parameters and results. The code is available at: https://github.com/lpfworld/DMPNet.
excavation of Bronze Age roundhouses at Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire
Authors: White Ross , Richardson Phil , Ballin Torben Bjarke , Hastie Mhairi , Johnson Melanie , McLaren Dawn , Thoms Jennifer , Jackson Adam , Cressey Michael
Published: March 2022

Excavations in summer 2005 to the north of Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire (NGR: NJ 806 279), revealed the remains of at least three Bronze Age ring-ditch roundhouses and associated features, together apparently forming elements of an area of open settlement. The excavations were conducted in advance of the construction of a new bypass road around the north of Oldmeldrum, related to new housing development.
Excavations on the route of the Dalkeith Northern Bypass, 1994–95 and 2006
Authors: Cameron Kirsty , Cressey Michael , Dunwell Andrew , Mitchell Stuart , Rees Alastair , Strachan Richard , Suddaby Ian , Anderson Sue , Alexander Derek , Ballin Torben Bjarke , Caldwell David , Clarke Ciara , Finlayson Bill , Jackson Adam , Johnson Melanie , Hunter Fraser , McCulloch Robert , Oliver Fay , Pelling Ruth , Thoms Jennifer , Wild Felicity
Published: March 2022

An evaluation and subsequent targeted excavations were carried out along the route of the proposed A68 Dalkeith Northern Bypass by the Centre for Field Archaeology (CFA) between September 1994 and March 1995, with additional watching briefs taking place in 1997. The bypass was not constructed at the time, and further pre-construction mitigation work was recommended in 2005, with fieldwork being carried out in 2006–08. This report describes the results of the evaluations and each excavation individually. The route traverses a narrow strip of the Lothian plain which contained several prehistoric sites, including two ring-groove structures, a stone-paved area and two pit alignments, a Roman temporary camp, a post-medieval building, an 18th-century designed landscape, and two industrial sites (a brick and tile works and a coal pit engine house). Several sites also produced ephemeral remains of earlier or later date. Overall, the results indicated a settlement pattern and land use which concentrated on the sands and gravels of the river terraces, with far less settlement on the unforgiving compacted clays which otherwise characterise large parts of the road corridor.
Late Neolithic and Late Bronze Age lithic assemblages associated with a cairn and other prehistoric features at Stoneyhill Farm, Longhaven, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, 2002–03
Authors: Ballin Torben Bjarke , Suddaby Ian , Cressey Michael , Hastie Mhairi , Jackson Adam , Johnson Melanie , Hicks Kevin , Mudie George , Whitelaw Leeanne
Published: March 2022

Prehistoric remains were recorded by CFA Archaeology Ltd (CFA) in 2002–03 during a programme of fieldwork at the landfill site within the boundaries of Stoneyhill Farm, which lies 7km to the southwest of Peterhead in Aberdeenshire (NGR: NK 078 409). These included a clearance cairn with a Late Bronze Age lithic assemblage and a burial cairn, with Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age lithics and Beaker ceramics. Other lithic scatters of similar date had no certain associations, although pits containing near-contemporary Impressed Wares were nearby. Additional lithic assemblages included material dated to the Mesolithic and Early Neolithic. What may be proto-Unstan Wares in an isolated pit were associated with radiocarbon dates (barley) of the first half of the 4th millennium BC. These findings represent a substantial addition to the local area's archaeological record and form an important contribution to the understanding of lithic technology and ceramics in earlier prehistoric Scotland.

This paper is dedicated to the memory of Ian Shepherd, whose site visits enlightened this and other projects undertaken by Ian Suddaby.
Wet‐Adhesive Elastomer for Liquid Metal‐Based Conformal Epidermal Electronics
Authors: Cheng Jinhao , Shang Jin , Yang Shuaijian , Dou Jiabin , Shi Xinghua , Jiang Xingyu
Published: March 2022

Wearable electronics are increasingly used in health monitoring and treatment in different conditions. However, few devices can adhere conformally to the skin after sports and showers (sweating, deformation, friction). Here, a facile method is presented by providing a metal‐polymer conductor (MPC) made with polyethylene glycol (PEG) blended polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based adhesive (PPA) that encapsulates gallium‐based liquid metal alloy circuits as epidermal electronics. Adding PEG into PDMS prepolymer can result in a softer and wet‐adhesive elastomer that can bear larger deformation than PDMS itself. The soft and adhesive electronics can adhere to the skin conformally for more than 2 d. It has been demonstrated that these electronics can meet the needs of motion detection, electrophysiological signal detection and skin wound healing during a 48 h wearing with sports and shower. It is expected that the wet‐adhesive electronic with excellent biosafety can be widely used and solve existing problems in medical adhesives and human–machine interfaces.
Bicontinuous Soft Solids with a Gradient in Channel Size
Authors: French David J. , Schofield Andrew B. , Thijssen Job H. J.
Published: March 2022

This paper presents examples of bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels (“bijels”) with a designed gradient in the channel size along the sample. These samples are created by quenching binary fluids which have a gradient in particle concentration along the sample, since the channel size is determined by the local particle concentration. A gradient in local particle concentration is achieved using a two‐stage loading process, with different particle volume fractions in each stage. Confocal microscopy and image analysis are used to quantitatively measure the channel size of the bijels. Bijels with a gradient in channel size of up to 2.8% mm−1 have been created. Such tailored soft materials could act as templates for energy materials optimized for both high ionic transport rates (high power) and high interfacial area (high energy density), potentially making them useful in novel energy applications.
Spectroscopic Investigation of Bianthryl‐Based Metal–Organic Framework Thin Films and Their Photoinduced Topotactic Transformation
Authors: Hassan Zeinab Mohammed , Weidler Peter G. , Nefedov Alexei , Luo Yi , Heißler Stefan , Tsotsalas Manuel , Haldar Ritesh , Wöll Christof
Published: March 2022

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained a large amount of interest because of their periodic and modular structure. These features allow easy prediction of the physical and chemical properties of an organic chromophore, acting as a linker in the MOF. In the present work, a bianthryl (BA) chromophore, equipped with metal‐coordinating carboxylate groups, is studied to construct a photoluminescent Zn‐BA surface‐anchored MOF (SURMOF) thin film. The Zn‐BA SURMOF, in response to prolonged UV light irradiation under ambient conditions, exhibits prominent changes in the ground and excited state optical properties, without losing its crystalline structure. A detailed spectroscopic study using UV–vis, infra‐red, Raman, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) reveals that in the presence of O2 a photoinduced topotactic transformation is initiated by the formation of singlet oxygen, which then reacts with the BA linkers to form endoperoxide.
Biofunctionalization of Graphene‐Based FET Sensors through Heterobifunctional Nanoscaffolds: Technology Validation toward Rapid COVID‐19 Diagnostics and Monitoring
Authors: Piccinini Esteban , Fenoy Gonzalo E. , Cantillo Agustín L. , Allegretto Juan A. , Scotto Juliana , Piccinini José M. , Marmisollé Waldemar A. , Azzaroni Omar
Published: March 2022

The biofunctionalization of graphene field‐effect transistors (GFETs) through vinylsulfonated‐polyethyleneimine nanoscaffold is presented for enhanced biosensing of severe acute respiratory‐related coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) spike protein and human ferritin, two targets of great importance for the rapid diagnostic and monitoring of individuals with COVID‐19. The heterobifunctional nanoscaffold enables covalent immobilization of binding proteins and antifouling polymers while the whole architecture is attached to graphene by multivalent π–π interactions. First, to optimize the sensing platform, concanavalin A is employed for glycoprotein detection. Then, monoclonal antibodies specific against SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein and human ferritin are anchored, yielding biosensors with limit of detections of 0.74 and 0.23 nm, and apparent affinity constants () of 6.7 and 8.8 nm, respectively. Both biosensing platforms show good specificity, fast time response, and wide dynamic range (0.1–100 nm). Moreover, SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein is also detected in spiked nasopharyngeal swab samples. To rigorously validate this biosensing technology, the GFET response is matched with surface plasmon resonance measurements, exhibiting linear correlations (from 2 to 100 ng cm−2) and good agreement in terms of KD values. Finally, the performance of the biosensors fabricated through the nanoscaffold strategy is compared with those obtained through the widely employed monopyrene approach, showing enhanced sensitivity.
Molybdenum Disulfide/Double‐Wall Carbon Nanotube Mixed‐Dimensional Heterostructures
Authors: Bai Xueyin , Xu Zhenyu , Zhang Qiang , Li Shisheng , Dai Yunyun , Cui Xiaoqi , Yoon Hoon Hahn , Yao Lide , Jiang Hua , Du Mingde , Zhang Yi , Kauppinen Esko I. , Sun Zhipei
Published: March 2022

Mixed‐dimensional heterostructures which combine materials with different dimensions have emerged to expand the scope and functionality of van der Waals heterostructures. Here, a direct synthesis method of molybdenum disulfide/double‐wall carbon nanotube (MoS2/DWCNT) mixed‐dimensional heterostructures by sulfurating a molten salt, Na2MoO4, on a substrate covered with a DWCNT film is reported. The synthesized heterostructures are comprehensively characterized and their stacking order is confirmed to be MoS2 under the DWCNTs, although the DWCNT film is transferred on the substrate first. Moreover, field‐effect transistors based on the heterostructure are fabricated for photodetection, and an abnormal negative photoresponse is discovered due to the strong carrier transfer in the mixed‐dimensional heterostructures under light incidence. The MoS2/DWCNT heterostructure results provide a new approach for the synthesis and applications of mixed‐dimensional heterostructures.
Integrated Optoelectronic Devices Using Lab‐On‐Fiber Technology
Authors: Ricciardi Armando , Zimmer Michael , Witz Norbert , Micco Alberto , Piccirillo Federica , Giaquinto Martino , Kaschel Mathias , Burghartz Joachim , Jetter Michael , Michler Peter , Cusano Andrea , Portalupi Simone Luca
Published: March 2022

Silica fibers are nowadays cornerstones in several technological implementations from long‐distance communication, to sensing applications in many scenarios. To further enlarge the functionalities, the compactness, and the performances of fiber‐based devices, one needs to reliably integrate small‐footprint components such as sensors, light sources, and detectors onto single optical fiber substrates. Here, a novel proof of concept is presented to deterministically integrate optoelectronic chips onto the facet of an optical fiber, further implementing the electrical contacting between the chip and fiber itself. The CMOS‐compatible procedure is based on a suitable combination of metal deposition, laser machining, and micromanipulation, directly applied onto the fiber tip. The proposed method is validated by transferring, aligning, and bonding a quantum‐well based laser on the core of a multimode optical fiber. The successful monolithic device integration on fiber shows simultaneously electrical contacting between the laser and the ferrule, and 20% light in‐coupling in the fiber. These results pave new ways to develop the next generation of optoelectronic systems on fiber. The technological approach will set a new relevant milestone along the lab‐on‐fiber roadmap, opening new avenues for a novel class of integrated optoelectronic fiber platforms, featuring unrivaled miniaturization, compactness, and performances levels, designed for specific applications.
Photoluminescence Enhancement of NIR‐II Emissive Ag2S Quantum Dots via Chloride‐Mediated Growth and Passivation
Authors: Pan Liang‐Jun , Tu Jia‐Wei , Yang Ling‐Ling , Tian Zhi‐Quan , Zhang Zhi‐Ling
Published: March 2022

Ag2S quantum dots (QDs) with high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) in the second near‐infrared (NIR‐II, 1000–1700 nm) window are urgently pursued. Halide atoms (especially chloride) have been studied as inorganic capping ligands on improving the PLQY of Cd‐, Pb‐based chalcogenide QDs; however, it remains a challenge to well replace the organic ligand with chloride ligand from silver chalcogenide QDs. Herein, a novel strategy to prepare Ag2S QDs with significant photoluminescence (PL) enhancement via chloride‐mediated growth and passivation is demonstrated. The oleylamine and oleate ligands on the surface of silver‐rich Ag2S QDs are readily replaced by chloride ligands due to the smaller size and higher binding affinity with Ag+. Upon partial ligand exchange and chloride passivation, the surface trap states in Ag2S QDs are reduced through a decrease of unsaturated surface Ag atoms. Therefore, Ag2S QDs with approximately 300‐fold enhancement of PL intensity, and a PLQY of 47.6% at 1220 nm emission, and a lifetime of 256 ns are obtained because the nonradiative recombination is inhibited. This work reveals that the passivation of Ag2S QDs with chloride ligands is fully feasible, providing new insights into improving the PLQY of silver chalcogenide QDs.
Magnetic Interplay between π‐Electrons of Open‐Shell Porphyrins and d‐Electrons of Their Central Transition Metal Ions
Authors: Sun Qiang , Mateo Luis M. , Robles Roberto , Ruffieux Pascal , Bottari Giovanni , Torres Tomás , Fasel Roman , Lorente Nicolás
Published: March 2022

Magnetism is typically associated with d‐ or f‐block elements, but can also appear in organic molecules with unpaired π‐electrons. This has considerably boosted the interest in such organic materials with large potential for spintronics and quantum applications. While several materials showing either d/f or π‐electron magnetism have been synthesized, the combination of both features within the same structure has only scarcely been reported. Open‐shell porphyrins (Pors) incorporating d‐block transition metal ions represent an ideal platform for the realization of such architectures. Herein, the preparation of a series of open‐shell, π‐extended Pors that contain magnetically active metal ions (i.e., CuII, CoII, and FeII) through a combination of in‐solution and on‐surface synthesis is reported. A detailed study of the magnetic interplay between π‐ and d‐electrons in these metalloPors has been performed by scanning probe methods and density functional theory calculations. For the Cu and FePors, ferromagnetically coupled π‐electrons are determined to be delocalized over the Por edges. For the CoPor, the authors find a Kondo resonance resulting from the singly occupied CoII dz2 orbital to dominate the magnetic fingerprint. The Fe derivative exhibits the highest magnetization of 3.67 μB (S≈2) and an exchange coupling of 16 meV between the π‐electrons and the Fe d‐states.
In vitro embryo formation and plantlet regeneration from unpollinated ovaries of Lilium L
Authors: Zhai Zhengguang , Liu Chongxi , Huang Songqing , Xie Pengfei , Zhang Qingfu , Guo Song , Cai Hailin , Li Yufan , Jia Ruidong , Cai Yanfang , Chen Jiren , Zeng Wei‐ai
Published: March 2022

The in vitro culture of unpollinated ovaries is one of the techniques used to induce gynogenesis. To explore the mechanism of lily gynogenesis and obtain haploids to shorten the breeding cycle, the in vitro effects of flower bud sampling time, exogenous plant growth regulators (PGRs), and different concentrations of picloram on embryo formation in unpollinated ovaries of Lilium L. ‘Sorbonne’ (oriental hybrids) were studied. The results indicated that flower buds ≥8 cm in length were most suitable. The PGRs picloram and 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) with 6‐benzylaminopurine (6‐BA) or kinetin were useful in inducing ovule expansion in vitro. However, most ovules did not survive on the media containing 2,4‐D, whereas those grown on media containing picloram developed normally. In particular, a lower concentration of picloram (0.5 mg L−1) was found to be beneficial to the development of ovules into embryogenic shoots, whereas higher concentrations were more favorable to the development of shoots from the ovary wall. In total, 87 regenerated plants were obtained from unpollinated ovaries of Sorbonne. The chromosome ploidy of 20 of these was determined by counting root tip chromosomes, and eight of the regenerated plants were found to be haploids.
Early administration of COVID‐19 convalescent plasma with high titer antibody content by live viral neutralization assay is associated with modest clinical efficacy
Authors: Belov Artur , Huang Yin , Villa Carlos H. , Whitaker Barbee I. , Forshee Richard , Anderson Steven A. , Eder Anne , Verdun Nicole , Joyner Michael J. , Wright Scott R. , Carter Rickey E. , Hung Deborah T. ,   the Broad Institute COVID‐19 Antibody Team, Homer Mary , Hoffman Corey , Lauer Michael , Marks Peter
Published: March 2022

The efficacy of COVID‐19 convalescent plasma (CCP) as a treatment for hospitalized patients with COVID‐19 remains somewhat controversial; however, many studies have not evaluated CCP documented to have high neutralizing antibody titer by a highly accurate assay. To evaluate the correlation of the administration of CCP with titer determined by a live viral neutralization assay with 7‐ and 28‐day death rates during hospitalization, a total of 23 118 patients receiving a single unit of CCP were stratified into two groups: those receiving high titer CCP (>250 50% inhibitory dilution, ID50; n = 13 636) or low titer CCP (≤250 ID50; n = 9482). Multivariable Cox regression was performed to assess risk factors. Non‐intubated patients who were transfused with high titer CCP showed 1.1% and 1.7% absolute reductions in overall 7‐ and 28‐day death rates, respectively, compared to those non‐intubated patients receiving low titer CCP. No benefit of CCP was observed in intubated patients. The relative benefit of high titer CCP was confirmed in multivariable Cox regression. Administration of CCP with high titer antibody content determined by live viral neutralization assay to non‐intubated patients is associated with modest clinical efficacy. Although shown to be only of modest clinical benefit, CCP may play a role in the future should viral variants develop that are not neutralized by other available therapeutics.
Long live RAMSI? Peace‐building, anti‐corruption and political will in Solomon Islands
Authors: Walton Grant W. , Hushang Husnia
Published: March 2022

Donor‐led post‐conflict interventions often involve the transfer of anti‐corruption institutions and approaches. However, some question the sustainability of these efforts. This article examines the sustainability of anti‐corruption funding during and after the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) intervention (2003–2017), an international peace‐ and state‐building mission. It focuses on allocations for and spending on Solomon Islands anti‐corruption organisations during and after the RAMSI‐led intervention for the period 2010 to 2020. It shows that while political elites have occasionally resisted anti‐corruption reforms, post‐RAMSI governments have maintained levels of funding to key anti‐corruption agencies above that of its nearest neighbour, Papua New Guinea, while passing new anti‐corruption legislation. The article argues that while concerns about corruption remain, political elites have, initially at least, maintained their commitment to anti‐corruption policy transfer in the post‐RAMSI era. The findings have implications for evaluating donor‐led anti‐corruption efforts in Solomon Islands and other post‐conflict situations.
Constructing categories: Moving beyond protected classes in algorithmic fairness
Authors: Belitz Clara , Ocumpaugh Jaclyn , Ritter Steven , Baker Ryan S. , Fancsali Stephen E. , Bosch Nigel
Published: March 2022

Automated, data‐driven decision making is increasingly common in a variety of application domains. In educational software, for example, machine learning has been applied to tasks like selecting the next exercise for students to complete. Machine learning methods, however, are not always equally effective for all groups of students. Current approaches to designing fair algorithms tend to focus on statistical measures concerning a small subset of legally protected categories like race or gender. Focusing solely on legally protected categories, however, can limit our understanding of bias and unfairness by ignoring the complexities of identity. We propose an alternative approach to categorization, grounded in sociological techniques of measuring identity. By soliciting survey data and interviews from the population being studied, we can build context‐specific categories from the bottom up. The emergent categories can then be combined with extant algorithmic fairness strategies to discover which identity groups are not well‐served, and thus where algorithms should be improved or avoided altogether. We focus on educational applications but present arguments that this approach should be adopted more broadly for issues of algorithmic fairness across a variety of applications.
Detection of a new deleterious SGCE gene variant in Moroccan family with inherited myoclonus–dystonia
Authors: Chbel Faiza , Charroute Hicham , Boulouiz Redouane , Hamdaoui Hasna , Mossafa Houssein , Benrahma Houda , Ouldim Karim
Published: March 2022

Myoclonus–dystonia (M‐D) is a pleiotropic neuropsychiatric disorder with autosomal dominant mode of inheritance with variable severity and incomplete penetrance. Pathogenic variants in ξ‐sarcoglycan gene SGCE are the most frequently known genetic cause of M‐D with maternal imprinting, and in most cases, a symptomatic individual inherits the pathogenic variant from his or her father. This work reported a missense mutation c.662G> T inherited in the M‐D Moroccan family described for the first time, which is deleterious based on protein modeling analysis.
From Perylene Diimide Polymers to Fused‐Ring Electron Acceptors: A 15‐Year Exploration Journey of Nonfullerene Acceptors
Authors: Wang Jiayu , Zhan Xiaowei
Published: March 2022

Comprehensive Summary

Fullerene derivatives are classic electron acceptor materials for organic solar cells (OSCs) but possess some intrinsic drawbacks such as weak visible light absorption, limited optoelectronic property tunability, difficult purification and photochemical/morphological instability. Fullerene acceptors are a bottleneck restricting further development of this field. Our group pioneered the exploration of novel nonfullerene acceptors in China in 2006, and initiated the research of two representative acceptor systems, rylene diimide polymer and fused‐ring electron acceptor (FREA). FREA breaks the theoretical efficiency limit of fullerene‐based OSCs (~13%) and promotes the whole field to an unprecedented prosperity with efficiency of 20%, heralding a nonfullerene era for OSCs. In this review, we revisit 15‐year nonfullerene exploration journey, summarize the design principles, molecular engineering strategies, physical mechanisms and device applications of these two nonfullerene acceptor systems, and propose some possible research topics in the near future.

What is the most favorite and original chemistry developed in your research group?

Fused‐ring electron acceptor for photovoltaics.

How do you get into this specific field? Could you please share some experiences with our readers?

In 2006 when I came back to ICCAS from USA and started my independent academic career, I was interested in organic photovoltaics (OPV) which I had never touched before since I believed it is useful and should have a bright future. OPV converts renewable solar energy to clean electricity through photovoltaic effect. The active layer in OPV device consists of electron donor and electron acceptor. Although fullerenes were prevailing acceptor materials in OPV at that time, I doubted if this choice is correct considering their fatal flaws such as weak absorption. I was curious about why no research groups in China explored fullerene alternatives before 2006. In 2006 our group initiated the nonfullerene OPV

research of China. In 2015 we invented the milestone molecule ITIC and pioneered fused‐ring electron acceptor (FREA). Around 300 research groups in >20 countries have utilized the FREA to fabricate high‐efficiency OPV devices with champion efficiency of >20%. The FREA has subverted previously predominant fullerenes, and is inaugurating a new era of the OPV field.

How do you supervise your students?

I expect that my students should have some essential personalities such as curiosity, creativity, devotion, persistence and diligence. I encourage them to do original, unique and leading research. I endow them with cheerful academic atmosphere such as self‐motivation, open‐mindedness and cross‐cooperation. I would like to provide them with warm human solicitude when they need help or suffer from bitterness.

What is the most important personality for scientific research?

Curiosity; uniqueness; persistence.
Functional Disruption of Gli1‐DNA Recognition via a Cobalt(III) Complex
Authors: Brue Christopher R. , Dukes Meghan W. , Masotti Meghan , Holmgren Robert , Meade Thomas J.
Published: March 2022

The aberrant activation of the Gli family of zinc finger transcription factors (ZFTFs) is associated with several types of human cancer, including medulloblastoma and basal cell carcinoma. We have reported the use of cobalt(III) Schiff‐base complexes (Co(III)‐sb) as potent inhibitors of ZFTFs in vivo. These complexes inhibit transcription by displacing the zinc finger domain‘s structural Zn(II) ion, destabilizing the alpha helix necessary for DNA recognition. Here, we describe the use of Co(III)‐sb complexes for the selective inhibition of Gli1. Spectroscopic and computational studies of the Gli1 DNA binding domain found that Co(III)‐sb displaced Zn(II) through direct coordination with the His residues of the Cys2His2 Zn(II) binding site. As a result, there is a dose‐dependent degradation of the alpha‐helix content in the DNA binding domain of Gli1 and corresponding inhibition of consensus sequence recognition. We conclude that this strategy is well suited for the development of new and potent inhibitors of Gli1.
Visible Light‐Induced Hydrosilylation of Electron‐Deficient Alkenes by Iron Catalysis
Authors: Ding Ling , Niu Kaikai , Liu Yuxiu , Wang Qingmin
Published: March 2022

Herein, we reported a method for iron‐catalyzed, visible‐light‐induced hydrosilylation reactions of electron‐deficient alkenes to produce value‐added silicon compounds. Alkenes bearing functional groups with different steric properties were suitable substrates, as were derivatives of structurally complex natural products. Mechanistic studies showed that chlorine radicals generated by iron‐catalyzed ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer in the presence of lithium chloride promoted the formation of silyl radicals.
The effect of a general versus narrow undergraduate curriculum on graduate specialization: The case of a Dutch liberal arts college
Authors: Kovačević Milan
Published: March 2022

Whether a broad undergraduate curriculum prepares students well for academic and professional specialization is a much‐debated question. This discussion is particularly relevant in the context of European liberal arts bachelor's programmes, which recently re‐emerged as an exception to the continental norm of specialized undergraduate curricula. While liberal arts proponents contend that the broad foundation of knowledge and generic skills provided by this educational model facilitate specialization rather than hindering it, critics point to the relative lack of disciplinary depth. To investigate this problem, the paper looks at three specialized master's programmes at Maastricht University—in international business, psychology, and neuroscience. It compares the academic performance of two groups of students in these programmes: graduates from University College Maastricht, a liberal arts institution, and their peers with discipline‐focused bachelor's degrees in a matching field. Results from probit and OLS regression models show that there are no major differences between the two groups in terms of dropout rates, GPA, and master's thesis grades. Despite having less subject‐specific knowledge, university college graduates proved to be prepared equally well for specialized master's studies as their counterparts with a matching disciplinary background. These findings suggest that an undergraduate curriculum that offers more breadth and flexibility does not represent an obstacle to further specialization.
A novel approach for clustering and routing in WSN using genetic algorithm and equilibrium optimizer
Authors: Heidari Ehsan , Movaghar Ali , Motameni Homayun , Barzegar Behnam
Published: March 2022

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a new concept in the world of technology and information and has many applications in industry, communications, and various other fields. In the lowest layer of the IoT, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) play an important and pivotal role. WSN consists of a large number of sensors and is commonly used to monitor a target. It is important to reduce energy consumption in WSNs to extend network life, since it is usually impossible to replace sensor batteries. In this paper, a novel clustering and routing method is proposed. It is mainly based on genetic algorithms and equilibrium optimization. To improve scalability, the sensor nodes are clustered in the first phase using the genetic algorithm and then the best cluster heads are selected. It follows by the next step, where each node sends its collected data to the cluster head. The cluster heads first aggregate the received data and then use a multihop optimization routing algorithm by the new equilibrium optimization algorithm to send the data to the base station. Specifically, the main contribution of this work is to reduce energy consumption in WSN using a genetic algorithm for clustering and an equilibrium optimization algorithm for choosing the path between the cluster heads and the base station. The proposed method was simulated in MATLAB software, and it was compared with five other methods. It was observed that the proposed method outperforms other methods in terms of energy consumption, network lifespan, and the number of packages delivered.
Equine metabolism of the growth hormone secretagogue MK‐0677 in vitro and in urine and plasma following oral administration
Authors: Cutler Charlotte , Viljanto Marjaana , Taylor Polly , Habershon‐Butcher Jocelyn , Van Eenoo Peter
Published: March 2022

Ibutamoren mesylate, or MK‐0677, is an orally active, nonpeptide growth hormone secretagogue that has been developed to stimulate excretion of endogenous growth hormone. It has been evaluated for the treatment of a range of clinical conditions but is not available therapeutically. Nonetheless, MK‐0677 is widely available to purchase online, sold as ‘supplement’ products. The mode of action and relative ease of purchase make MK‐0677 a potential threat with regard to sports doping. The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolism of MK0677 in the horse following in vitro incubation and oral administration to two Thoroughbred racehorses, in order to identify the most appropriate analytical targets for doping control laboratories. Liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry was used for metabolite identification, and subsequently, liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was used to generate full metabolite profiles for post‐administration urine and plasma samples. Fourteen phase I metabolites were identified in vitro; 13 of these were subsequently detected in urine and nine in plasma collected post‐administration, alongside the parent compound in both matrices. In both urine and plasma, the longest duration of detection was observed for an O‐dealkylated metabolite of MK‐0677, and therefore, this would be the best target for the detection of MK‐0677 administration. MK‐0677 and the O‐dealkylated metabolite were found to be excreted largely unconjugated in urine and plasma.