bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Citizens' attitudes towards climate mitigation policies: The role of occupational exposure in EU countries
Authors: De Sario Gabriella , Marin Giovanni , Sacchi Agnese
Published: January 2023

Climate protection is a global public good. The related mitigation policies implemented by a single country could have little effect on climate change issue such that there could be no net gains for society. However, those measures might create winners and losers among individuals. We investigate the citizens' support for different pro‐climate policies in EU countries, by considering the degree of heterogeneity in their attitudes towards climate issues using a cluster analysis. We also exploit the extent to which carbon intensity and green skills requirement of jobs contribute to supporting climate policies. Our results suggest that individuals' occupational exposure does matter: people in emission‐intensive activities tend to be against stringent climate measures, whereas people in jobs that require high levels of green skills are in favour of them.
Microalgae with immunomodulatory effects on fish
Authors: Bahi Abir , Ramos‐Vega Abel , Angulo Carlos , Monreal‐Escalante Elizabeth , Guardiola Francisco A.
Published: January 2023

In recent decades, microalgal biotechnology has become one of the most valuable sources of functional feed additives. Many microalgae, such as Chlorella sp., Tetraselmis sp., Navicula sp., Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Porphyridium cruentum, Nannochloropsis gaditana, Dunaliella salina, Lobosphaera sp. and Schizochytrium sp., have been considered valuable in fish species as they enhance immunostimulant abilities, resistance against infectious diseases and tolerance to environmental stress. For instance, immunological parameters (i.e., respiratory burst activity, phagocytic capacity and IgM production) and immune‐related gene expression (i.e., proinflammatory cytokines) in fish have been manly analysed, demonstrating modulation upon microalgal administration. Moreover, disease resistance to microbial pathogen challenges has also been evidenced in several studies. In this context, the present literature review aims to assemble and reveal published research about the immunostimulant properties of some microalgae and their compounds in the immune systems of farmed fish species, whether model or new, with a high potential for aquaculture. Overall, it remains unclear how microalgae or their bioactive compounds may induce or modulate signals in the immune systems of fish species; however, the inclusion of different microalgal species in fish feed has improved the immune response and increased survival to stress conditions and infectious challenges.
Role of reactive oxygen species in the modulation of auxin flux and root development in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Pasternak Taras , Palme Klaus , Pérez‐Pérez José Manuel
Published: January 2023

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a dual role in plant biology, acting as important signal transduction molecules and as toxic byproducts of aerobic metabolism that accumulate in cells upon exposure to different stressors and lead to cell death. In plants, root architecture is regulated by the distribution and intercellular flow of the phytohormone auxin. In this study, we identified ROS as an important modulator of auxin distribution and response in the root. ROS production is necessary for root growth, proper tissue patterning, cell growth, and lateral root (LR) induction. Alterations in ROS balance led to altered auxin distribution and response in SOD and RHD2 loss‐of‐function mutants. Treatment of Arabidopsis seedlings with additional sources of ROS (hydrogen peroxide) or an ROS production inhibitor (diphenylene iodonium) induced phenocopies of the mutants studied. Simultaneous application of auxin and ROS increased LR primordia induction, and PIN‐FORMED protein immunolocalization further demonstrated the existing link between auxin and ROS in orchestrating cell division and auxin flux during root development. In Arabidopsis roots, genetic alterations in ROS balance led to defective auxin distribution and growth‐related responses in roots. Exogenous hydrogen peroxide alters the establishment of the endogenous auxin gradient in the root meristem through regulation of PIN‐FORMED polarity, while the simultaneous application of hydrogen peroxide and auxin enhanced LR induction in a dose‐ and position‐dependent manner through activation of cell division.
Maintenance and dynamic reprogramming of chromatin organization during development
Authors: Simon Lauriane , Probst Aline V.
Published: January 2023

Controlled transcription of genes is critical for cell differentiation and development. Gene expression regulation therefore involves a multilayered control from nucleosome composition in histone variants and their post‐translational modifications to higher‐order folding of chromatin fibers and chromatin interactions in nuclear space. Recent technological advances have allowed gaining insight into these mechanisms, the interplay between local and higher‐order chromatin organization, and the dynamic changes that occur during stress response and developmental transitions. In this review, we will discuss chromatin organization from the nucleosome to its three‐dimensional structure in the nucleus, and consider how these different layers of organization are maintained during the cell cycle or rapidly reprogrammed during development.
Recent Numerical and Experimental Investigation on Flutter Stability of Large-Scale Wind Turbine Blades
Authors: Li Shaoning , Caracoglia Luca
Published: January 2023

Motivated by the problem of comprehensive stochastic analysis and quantitative risk evaluation associated with classical flutter of large-scale wind turbine blades, the authors proposed and developed an efficient analysis framework, comprising modeling, simulation, and experiments, to examine classical flutter of large-scale wind turbine blades, accounting for several uncertainty sources. Novel aerodynamic and probabilistic theories are employed. A benchmark blade model, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 5MW blade, is used for verification and as an application example of the proposed framework. Numerical and experimental results are presented and discussed to demonstrate the successful application of the proposed framework to evaluate wind turbine blade flutter.
Mooring Optimization Using ML Techniques
Authors: Trubat Pau , Herrera Adrián , Molins Climent
Published: January 2023

The mooring optimization process for a FOWT is a complex study that involves a large number of simulations. All possible designs of the optimization process should be assessed and the operational and survival constrains verified for acceptance or disregard the solution. These constraints are mainly the design bases of the mooring lines, but also the FOWT operational and survival conditions, which are mooring system dependant as it is the governing component for surge, sway and yaw stiffness. Machine Learning (ML) algorithms are used to predict the simulations results by training the model from a set of defined simulations, allowing for a significant reduction of the computational cost of the large number of required simulations. The methodology’s main advantage is the high velocity once the model is trained. However, some uncertainties can arise from the exactness of the predicted values.

The aim of the paper is to design an optimized mooring system for the WindCrete platform for a Gran Canary Island with a 200 m sea depth for ULS. To overcome the difficulties of the optimization process two ML models are developed. The first one, the static ML model, is based on the static response of the mooring system that allows to reduce the solution space of the optimization problem. The second one, the dynamic ML model, is based on the dynamic response of the FOWT and allows to assess the constraints applied to the objective function as penalties. The objective function is defined as the total mass of the mooring system. The variables of the optimization problem are the main line and delta line lengths, the radius to anchor and the chain diameters.

The first ML model is set-up to predict the static mean line tension at rated wind speed, the vertical force on anchor at rated wind speed and the initial Yaw period of the FOWT. These parameters allow to discard a large number of possible solutions that do not fit with the following design bases: the maximum line tension and no vertical force on anchor. Moreover, a maximum yaw natural period threshold is set-up based on design experience. This is needed due to the lack of damping in yaw direction of Spar platforms. The static ML model is used to create an initial sample of feasible solutions to train the dynamic ML model. Also, during the optimization process is used as a classification model to exclude non-feasible solutions to ensure the performance of the second ML model.

The second ML model is based on the dynamic response of the WindCrete platform and the mooring system using OpenFast simulation tool. The model is set-up to predict the maximum line tension, vertical force on anchor, maximum surge position and maximum pitch which are used as constraints parameters to be applied at the optimization function as penalties.

The results show a good approximation of both ML models with a high potential to be applied in determining design load cases, including fatigue assessment in the optimization design process.
Finite Element Design Study of Dynamics in Submarine Power Cables for Offshore Renewable Wind Energy
Authors: Poon Chun Ting , Mullins Connor , Radziunas Lukas , O’Connell Enda , Connolly Aengus , Leen Sean
Published: January 2023

The future of energy in Ireland will include significant emphasis on offshore renewable energy due to the country’s excellent marine resources, with a potential 70 GW of ocean energy available within 100 km of the Irish coastline [1]. A key challenge to improving uptake of offshore wind energy is the reliability of power transmission via submarine power cables (SPCs). Dynamic cables associated with floating offshore wind turbines are critical infrastructure that consist of a complex arrangement of sub-components with different functions, including strength, insulation and corrosion resistance. Fretting, wear, and fatigue have been demonstrated as key contributing factors to damage and failure of cable conductors within laboratory testing of SPCs [2]. This paper presents a finite element design study for dynamic power cables based on a systematic model development relating an offshore submarine cable with a representative laboratory test arrangement. Initially a global finite element model is developed to replicate a floating wind turbine with attached dynamic cable via Flexcom [3] and OpenFAST [4] (without fretting fatigue damage) operating in an offshore marine environment. Simplified SPC and multi-strand wire models are developed using Abaqus [5] to understand the localised fretting conditions between individual wires. The results of these models are implemented into a localised and highly detailed frictional contact model, constructed to represent a crossed-cylinder laboratory fretting test arrangement, using results from the global assessment as boundary conditions. The localised finite element analysis (FEA) is used to predict potential fretting fatigue damage. This research aims to develop a systematic methodology for fretting fatigue in SPC copper conductors, helping to identify suitable design aspects (e.g., lay angle, lay direction, wire diameter, and number of layers) for reduction of fretting fatigue damage and extension of cable service life.
Recommendations for Surface Imperfection Surveys for Thin-Walled Metal Wind Turbine Support Towers
Authors: Kathirkamanathan Lijithan , Sadowski Adam , Seidel Marc , Schafer Benjamin
Published: January 2023

A novel international initiative is underway to establish a purely computational database of synthetic buckling resistances on the basis of which the safety margin of metal wind turbine support towers can be calibrated within the Eurocode framework. This initiative has recently demonstrated that existing databases of laboratory-scale destructive buckling tests of cylindrical shell specimens are not an appropriate basis upon which to calibrate safety margins of full-scale civil engineering shells, and asserts that such a database based on laboratory testing alone is realistically unlikely ever to come into existence. A bolder approach based on high-quality nonlinear finite element buckling calculations of models generated with genuinely realistic imperfections obtained from the optical scanning of actual constructed towers is thought to be the only feasible path forward.

By way of preparation for this difficult task, this paper presents a critical appraisal of the extensive surface geometric imperfection surveys of lab-scale cylindrical metal shell specimens reported on by Arbocz and Abramovich, an important reference dataset for modern work of this nature, as well as the results of a series of nonlinear buckling calculations on finite element models constructed to include these imperfections. Differences between the finite element predictions and original test results are inevitably found and an explanation offered. The paper ends with a set of recommendations on the minimum scanning resolution for surface geometric imperfection surveys if they are to hope to yield sufficient information to create finite element models of realistically imperfect wind turbine support towers and other thin-walled metal shell structures.
Glauconite Sand Challenges for US Offshore Wind Development
Authors: Westgate Zack , McMullin Chris , DeGroot Don
Published: January 2023

Glauconite sand, otherwise known as ‘greensand’, is a challenging sediment type that can pose significant risks to foundation installation and performance. This is due to its tendency to transform from a stiff, high permeability coarse-grained material to a weak, low permeability fine-grained material due to particle crushing. Glauconite is an iron potassium mica, characteristically green and often found in peloidal form. It forms under reducing conditions within shallow marine depositional environments and has been found in coastal regions of the USA including locations along the Atlantic Continental Shelf associated with offshore wind farm developments. Due to its friable nature, glauconite affects the geotechnical properties of the sediments in which it forms. Geotechnical laboratory tests performed on glauconite sand samples reveal a wide range in particle size gradation and high specific gravity. Intact glauconite sand exhibits high strength, but under moderate disturbance it readily degrades into a clay-like material, increasing plasticity, reducing shear strength, and exhibiting strong thixotropic behavior. Given its tendency to crush, in situ testing with cone penetrometers produces high tip resistance and high sleeve friction, limiting the usefulness of standard soil classification charts. This paper presents an overview of the geological basis for glauconite sand formation, describes its depositional environment and maturation process, and presents results from recent tests performed on glauconite sands from the USA. Implications on pile installation and performance are discussed.
A Geotechnical Modelling Framework for the Tilting Analysis of Offshore Monopiles Under Environmental Cyclic Loading
Authors: Pisanò Federico , Liu Haoyuan , Kementzetzidis Evangelos
Published: January 2023

The development of offshore wind farms requires advanced knowledge and technology, particularly with regard to the design and installation of foundation systems. Offshore wind turbine foundations, such as monopiles, cannot be adequately designed without in-depth analysis of soil-foundation interaction under environmental cyclic loads, such as those induced by wind and marine waves. Serviceability criteria for offshore monopiles include the estimation of long-term, permanent tilt under long-lasting cycling. In the lack of well-established analysis methods, both experimental and computational studies have been carried out in the last decade to support the fundamental understanding of cyclic monopile–soil interaction mechanisms, and in turn the conception of engineering methods for monopile tilt predictions. With regard to the case of monopiles in sandy soil, this paper summarises recent work on the 3D finite element (FE) modelling of monopile tilt based on the SANISAND-MS model proposed by Liu et al. (2019) [1], which enables realistic simulation of cyclic sand ratcheting and densification around the pile. Overall, the presented numerical results confirm the suitability of the SANISAND-MS 3D FE framework as well as, however, its high computational costs. To foster more efficient application to geotechnical design, it is shown how the same theoretical framework on which the SANISAND-MS formulation is based, can be exploited to derive 1D pile-soil interaction models for the p-y-type analysis of cyclically loaded monopiles. In this respect, the importance of preliminary 3D FE modelling and linking to site investigation data (e.g., CPT profiles) is recognised as key to the practical calibration and use of cyclic p-y models.
Masked-assisted radial-segmented target pulsed-laser deposition: A novel method for area-selective deposition using pulsed-laser deposition
Authors: Thyen Laurenz , Splith Daniel , Kneiß Max , Grundmann Marius , von Wenckstern Holger
Published: January 2023

We introduce a novel technique, masked-assisted radial-segmented target pulsed-laser deposition (MARS-PLD) for unprecedented capabilities in area-selective physical vapor deposition. The MARS-PLD setup consists of a conventional PLD chamber with mechanical feedthrough for a laterally movable mask or mask set. By this means and, in principle, the arbitrary choice of a shadow mask layout, any desired area on a substrate can be masked in order to create multinary lateral and vertical material composition gradients using radially segmented targets already described in the literature [Kneiß et al., ACS Comb. Sci. 20, 643–652 (2018)]. To illustrate the capabilities of this method, we fabricated material gradients in (Mg,Zn)O thin films with a nearly linear spatial variation of the cation composition of 15at.%mm−1. Additionally, we fine-tuned our setup to fabricate a material gradient on a predefined two-dimensional lateral pattern to demonstrate the versatile capabilities of the MARS-PLD technique.
Fundamental frequency related parameters in Brazilians with COVID-19
Authors: Berti Larissa Cristina , Spazzapan Evelyn Alves , Queiroz Marcelo , Pereira Pedro Leyton , Fernandes-Svartman Flaviane Romani , Medeiros Beatriz Raposo de , Martins Marcus Vinícius Moreira , Ferreira Letícia Santiago , Silva Ingrid Gandolfi Gomes da , Sabino Ester Cerdeira , Levin Anna Sara , Finger Marcelo
Published: January 2023

This study compares fundamental frequency (fo) and fundamental frequency standard deviation (foSD) of COVID-19 patients with the same parameters in the speech of subjects without COVID-19, and verifies whether there is an effect of age and sex in the patient group. Both groups, subjects with and without COVID-19, are formed by Brazilian Portuguese speakers. Speech samples were obtained from 100 patients with mild to severe symptoms of COVID-19, and 100 healthy subjects. A single 31-syllable Portuguese sentence was used as the elicitation material for all subjects. The recordings were divided into four age groups. The acoustic measures were semi-automatically extracted and analyzed by a series of analyses of variance. Patients with COVID-19 present vocal differences in fo-related parameters when compared to healthy subjects, that is, patient voices presented higher fo and foSD with respect to control voices. In addition, for patient voices, there was an age and sex effect on fo SD values. Vocal parameters of women and elderly subjects showed more marked differences in fo-related parameters, indicating that patient voices are higher-pitched and have a higher variation of fo SD. Consequently, fo-related parameters may be tested as vocal biomarkers in the screening of respiratory insufficiency by voice analysis, in patients with severe symptoms of COVID-19.
Introduction to the Special Issue on COVID-19
Authors: Lynch James F. , Church Charles C.
Published: January 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a global event affecting all aspects of human life and society, including acoustic aspects. In this Special Issue on COVID-19 and acoustics, we present 48 papers discussing the acoustical impacts of the pandemic and how we deal with it. The papers are divided into seven categories which include: physical masking and speech production, speech perception, noise, the underwater soundscape, the urban soundscape, pathogen transmissibility, and medical diagnosis.
Comment on “Interspecific competition limits bird species’ ranges in tropical mountains”
Authors: Xing Dingliang , Zhang Jian , He Fangliang
Published: January 2023

Freeman
et al
. (Reports, 22 July 2022, p. 416) argue that interspecific competition rather than climate is the leading driver of bird species’ elevational ranges. A reanalysis of their data shows no support for the competition hypothesis, but a strong effect of climate seasonality on species ranges. Their results are artifacts arising from a suboptimal model that misses important variables.
Earth’s persistent thermostat
Authors: Hilton Robert G.
Published: January 2023

The dependence of rock weathering on temperature helps to steer Earth’s climate
Science in the age of podcasts
Authors: Gomez-Marin Alex
Published: January 2023

A powerful 21st-century medium affords new opportunities for learning and creative thinking
Women at ocean science institute have half the lab space of men
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: January 2023

Disparities exposed by “stunning” report from Scripps Institution of Oceanography are unlikely to be unique
Meteorite results bode well for exo-Earths
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: January 2023

Water and light elements are likely available right where rocky planets take shape
Amycolatopsisfrom Desert Specialist Fungus-Growing Ants Suppresses Contaminant Fungi Using the Antibiotic ECO-0501
Authors: Kim Joyce H. , Scherer Georgia , Lumpkin Dellencia S. , Rao Krithika , Puentes Flores Carmen D. , Van Arnam Ethan B.
Published: January 2023

Animal hosts often benefit from chemical defenses provided by microbes. These molecular defenses are a potential source of novel antibiotics and offer opportunities for understanding how antibiotics are used in ecological contexts with defined interspecies interactions.
Gut Microbial Succession Patterns and Metabolic Profiling during Pregnancy and Lactation in a Goat Model
Authors: Zhang Ke , Liu Gongwei , Wu Yujiang , Zhang Ting , Guo Mengmeng , Lei Yu , Cao Xi , Suo Langda , Brugger Daniel , Wang Xiaolong , Yang Yuxin , Chen Yulin
Published: January 2023

Our findings revealed that the activity of
Family_XIII_AD3011_group
and
Corynebacterium
is strongly correlated with the beneficial regulation of physiological hormones and metabolic changes during pregnancy and lactation. These findings are key for guiding targeted microbial therapeutic approaches to modulate microbiomes in gestating and lactating mammals.
Emergence of Antifungal Resistant Subclades in the Global Predominant Phylogenetic Population of Candida albicans
Authors: Gong Jie , Chen Xin-Fei , Fan Xin , Xu Juan , Zhang Han , Li Ruo-Yu , Chen Sharon C-A , Kong Fanrong , Zhang Shu , Sun Zi-Yong , Kang Mei , Liao Kang , Guo Da-Wen , Wan Zhe , Hu Zhi-Dong , Chu Yun-Zhuo , Zhao Hong-Mei , Zou Gui-Ling , Shen Chong , Geng Yuan-Yuan , Wu Wei-Wei , Wang He , Zhao Fei , Lu Xin , He Li-Hua , Liu Gui-Ming , Xu Ying-Chun , Zhang Jian-Zhong , Xiao Meng
Published: January 2023

Invasive candidiasis is the most common human fungal disease among hospitalized patients, and
Candida albicans
is the predominant pathogen. Considering the large number of infected cases and the limited alternative therapies, the azole-resistance of
C. albicans
brings a huge clinical threat.
Cost-effectiveness of rapid assessment of potential ischaemic heart disease with CT coronary angiography
Authors: Thokala Praveen , Goodacre Steve , Oatey Katherine , O'Brien Rachel , Newby David E , Gray Alasdair
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To estimate the cost-effectiveness of early CT coronary angiography (CTCA) for intermediate risk patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS), compared with standard care

Methods

We performed within-trial economic analysis using data from the RAPID-CTCA randomised trial, and long-term modelling of cost-effectiveness using secondary data sources to estimate the cost-effectiveness of early CTCA compared with standard care for patients with suspected ACS attending acute hospitals in the UK. Cost-effectiveness was estimated as the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained, and the probability of each strategy being cost-effective at varying willingness-to-pay per QALY gained.

Results

The within-trial analysis showed that there were no demonstrable differences in costs or QALYs between early CTCA and standard care, with point estimates suggesting higher costs (£7414 vs £6845: mean difference £569, 95% CI -£208 to £1335; p=0.1521) and lower QALYs (0.749 vs 0.758, mean difference −0.009, 95% CI −0.026 to 0.010; p=0.377) in the CTCA arm. The long-term economic analysis suggested that, on average, CTCA was slightly less effective than standard care alone with 0.025 quality-adjusted life years lost per patient treated and was more expensive with additional costs of £481 per patient treated. At a threshold of £20 000 per QALY, CTCA has 24% probability of being cost-effective.

Conclusions

There are no demonstrable differences in within-trial costs and QALYs, and long-term cost-effectiveness modelling suggested higher long-term costs with CTCA and uncertain effect on long-term QALYs, making routine use of CTCA for suspected ACS unlikely to be a cost-effective use of NHS resources.
Thermal processing induced changes on molecular structure spectral profile of carbohydrates and ruminal degradation and intestinal digestion characteristics of oat grains (Avena sativa) in dairy cows: comparison among dry heating vs. moisture heating vs. microwave irradiation
Authors: Prates Luciana L. , Nagy Carlene , Yu Peiqiang
Published: January 2023

In this study, the objectives were to ( i) identify the magnitude of differences between dry heating, moisture heating, microwave irradiation, and no-heated treatments on chemical profiles, energy values, the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System fractions, rumen degradation, and intestinal digestion of newly developed oat ( Avena sativa) varieties; ( ii) investigate heating induced changes in the molecular structure of the grains with the use of vibrational attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy; and ( iii) predict rumen degradability of the nutrients based on the molecular spectral profile obtained from ATR-FTIR. Duration and temperature for each processing treatment were established based on previous studies. Results showed that heat processing treatments altered CHO fractions with undegradable CHO fraction (CC) increased by moisture heating. The ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was successful in detecting the processing induced CHO molecular structure changes in oat grain. The CHO molecular profiles were correlated to chemical profile and in situ rumen degradation characteristics. Lastly, multiple regressions with best model variable selection for prediction of nutritional value were obtained. In conclusion, heat processing methods tended to affect both energy values and rumen degradation features. The CHO molecular structure spectral profiles could be used as potential predictors for heated oat grain degradation.
Correspondences between scalar field and fluid fluctuations in curved spacetime
Authors: Satin Seema
Published: January 2023

In this paper, a correspondence between scalar field fluctuations and generalized fluctuations in a hydrodynamic approximation of fields is obtained. The results presented here are of interest to field-fluid correspondences and form part of theoretical foundations in this area. The intention for such developments is to explore sub-hydro range mesoscopic physics for the relativistic fluids in curved spacetime. The fluid correspondences fall in the classical domain and can replace the quantum fields and fluctuations for scales around the hydrodynamic limits. This paper extends our earlier results with a more elaborate physical insight towards the quantum fluids and retention of partial quantum nature in a stochastic description in bulk of the fluids. This also accounts for nonthermal effects along with thermal and quantum fluctuations for the fields in the hydro limit. Hence, the expressions presented here are very general in nature for various applications. The further scope of research that such developments give is discussed in the concluding section.
Recurrence Interval Analysis of the US Bitcoin Market
Authors: Alvarez-Ramirez Jose
Published: January 2023

We considered the daily price dynamics of the US Bitcoin market in the period from 2015 to 2022. In the first step, we used a singular value decomposition (SVD) entropy method for assessing time-varying informational efficiency over different time scales, from weeks to quarters. It was shown that the US Bitcoin market has been informationally efficient most of the time, except for some isolated periods where the returns exhibited deviations from the random behavior. The COVID-19 pandemic has not impacted the informational efficiency. This suggests that the Bitcoin market is unpredictable, and no reliable predictions can be obtained. A further analysis was carried out by considering the recurrence intervals for different positive and negative returns. We found that the distribution of recurrence intervals for positive and negative returns is asymmetric, with mean values higher for negative returns. We found that the distribution of recurrence intervals can be described by a stretching exponential distribution, such that the empirical and analytical hazard probabilities as functions of the elapsed time show good agreement.
Characterizing Nonlinear Time Series via Sliding-Window Amplitude-Based Dispersion Entropy
Authors: Li Sange , Shang Pengjian
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we propose a hybrid method called sliding-window amplitude-based dispersion entropy, which combines dispersion entropy with sliding-window amplitude, to characterize nonlinear time series. This hybrid method not only inherits the fast calculation speed and the ability to characterize nonlinear time series of dispersion entropy, but also has higher noise resistance than dispersion entropy. We firstly utilize three artificial data (logistic map, Hénon map, ARFIMA model) to qualify the effectiveness of the proposed method, results show that our method can correctly characterize the nonlinear time series, and has stronger robustness to noise. Next, the method is applied to analyze stock market system, the data of stock market are composed of six main indices from different countries, the result shows that the proposed method can easily distinguish the emerging markets and developed markets, and can reveal some features under the financial time series.
ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA: A BOON TO INCOME EQUALITY
Authors: AJIDE FOLORUNSHO M.
Published: January 2023

The interconnection between income inequality and entrepreneurship in African economies is examined. The study provides answers to two critical questions: (1) Does income inequality affect entrepreneurship? and (2) What is the implication of entrepreneurship for income disparity in Africa? With the Gini coefficient used as a proxy for income inequality, data from 23 selected African countries over the period 2006-2018 are analyzed. The analysis is based on panel data econometrics, and reveals that income inequality increases entrepreneurship in Africa. It is also discovered that entrepreneurship reduces income inequality. These findings persist after utilizing the Palma ratio as an alternative proxy for income disparity in African economies. In terms of policy implications, the study shows that income disparities serve as a push factor toward entrepreneurial activities. Entrepreneurship may serve as a veritable tool for policies aiming at reducing income inequality in Africa.
Influence of toxic substances on dynamical behavior of a delayed diffusive predator–prey model
Authors: Zhu Honglan , Zhang Xuebing , Zhang Hao
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we propose and investigate a delayed diffusive predator–prey model affected by toxic substances. We first study the boundedness and persistence property of the model. By analyzing the associated characteristic equation, we obtain the conditions for the existence of steady state bifurcation, Hopf bifurcation and Turing bifurcation. Furthermore, we also study the Hopf bifurcation induced by the delay. Finally, our theoretical results are verified by numerical simulation. The numerical observation results are in good agreement with the theoretically predicted results. Theoretical and numerical simulations indicate that toxic substances have a great impact on the dynamics of the system.
One-Step Non-Reactive Spray Drying Approach to Produce Silicon/Carbon Composite-Based Hierarchically Structured Supraparticles for Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes
Authors: Amin Adil , Loewenich Moritz , Kilian Stefan O. , Wassmer Theresa , Bade Stefan , Lyubina Julia , Wiggers Hartmut , Özcan Fatih , Segets Doris
Published: January 2023

A one-step non-reactive spray drying approach has been successfully demonstrated to produce hierarchically structured supraparticles of silicon/carbon composite nanoparticles synthesized in the gas-phase for Lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes. The produced supraparticles combine the advantages of both nanoparticles and micrometer-sized particles: they inherit nanoparticle-like mechanical stability to resist pulverization but have a reduced surface area and therefore electrolyte contact area. The supraparticles showed very good redispersion stability when processed into electrodes and showed an improved density of the coated layer (increase by 19%) as compared to silicon/carbon composite nanoparticles. Furthermore, supraparticles exhibited a good first cycle Coulombic efficiency around 86% and a good cycling stability, i.e. 80% of the 3rd cycle capacity was retained after 126 cycles vs only 65.2% after the same number of cycles for the best coating from silicon/carbon composite nanoparticles. We consider this investigation as key finding for the scalable manufacturing of low-cost and dense Si-based anode materials for LIBs and at the same time as an example of how hierarchical electrode structures can make significant impact in electrochemistry.
Stable Zn-Ion Hybrid Supercapacitor Zinc Anode Achieved by Artificial Protective Layer of Nitrogen-Sulfur Co-Doping Activated Carbon
Authors: Yu Juan , Jia Xuefeng , Peng Jiaxin , Wang Tian , Feng Hangshuo , Meng Bicheng , Zhao JunKai , Yang Naixing
Published: January 2023

Zinc metal anodes are one of the promising aqueous anodes due to their low redox potential and high capacity. However, the growth of dendrites severely destabilizes the electrode/electrolyte interface and accelerates the generation of side reactions that ultimately degrade the electrochemical performance. Here, we used a simple and effective interface engineering strategy to construct nitrogen and sulfur double-doped orange peel-based biomass activated carbon (NS-OPC) artificial protective layer on zinc foil. Among them, nitrogen-containing functional groups and S heteroatoms can regulate the transport and deposition of Zn2+, and the hierarchical porous structure of activated carbon not only provides a large number of active sites for Zn2+, but also provides enough space for the growth of Zn2+ dendrites. The symmetric cell with NS-OPC artificial protective layer showed excellent cycle stability (1200 h) at the current density of 1 mA cm−2. Finally, the YP50||NS-OPC/Zn full cell was constructed to validate the performance of the NS-OPC/Zn. The capacity retention rate was 92.6％ after 3000 cycles at 10 A g−1.This work provides a feasible strategy for accelerating the industrial application of aqueous zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors.
Using Test Question Templates to teach physiology core concepts
Authors: Crowther Gregory J. , Knight Thomas A.
Published: January 2023

Our students often focus on the grades they need to advance through academic programs. How can instructors harness this understandable interest in grades to help students gain a true understanding of core concepts? The new framework of Test Question Templates (TQTs) shows promise in linking student priorities like test scores to instructor priorities like core concepts.
Predicting fatal heat and humidity using the heat index model
Authors: Lu Yi-Chuan , Romps David M.
Published: January 2023

Recent experiments have identified the critical combinations of heat and humidity, in an indoor setting, above which an individual is unable to maintain a standard core temperature, indicating severe heat stress. It is shown here why this state of severe heat stress cannot be predicted using the wet-bulb temperature. Instead, it is shown that the recently extended heat index model can explain nearly all of the variance in the observed critical combinations of temperature and humidity, and can be used to calculate fatal combinations.
Regulation of the endocannabinoid system by endurance and resistance exercise in hypoxia in human skeletal muscle
Authors: van Doorslaer de ten Ryen Sophie , Dalle Sebastiaan , Terrasi Romano , Koppo Katrien , Muccioli Giulio G. , Deldicque Louise
Published: January 2023

We are the first to analyze both endocannabinoids ligands and receptors in response to endurance and resistance exercise. In addition, no study before has compared both exercise paradigms regarding endocannabinoid tone, which is of interest as endocannabinoids regulate energy metabolism, and these are different between endurance and resistance exercise. Furthermore, we investigated whether the endocannabinoid tone was differently regulated in response to acute endurance exercise in prediabetic people. Linking exercise, endocannabinoids and (pre)diabetic people has never been done before.
Sexually dimorphic hepatic mitochondrial adaptations to exercise: a mini-review
Authors: Kugler Benjamin A. , Thyfault John P. , McCoin Colin S.
Published: January 2023

Exercise is a physiological stress that disrupts tissue and cellular homeostasis while enhancing systemic metabolic energy demand mainly through the increased workload of skeletal muscle. Although the extensive focus has been on skeletal muscle adaptations to exercise, the liver senses these disruptions in metabolic energy homeostasis and responds to provide the required substrates to sustain increased demand. Hepatic metabolic flexibility is an energetically costly process that requires continuous mitochondrial production of the cellular currency ATP. To do so, the liver must maintain a healthy functioning mitochondrial pool, attained through well-regulated and dynamic processes. Intriguingly, some of these responses are sex-dependent. This mini-review examines the hepatic mitochondrial adaptations to exercise with a focus on sexual dimorphism.
Joint representations of color and form in mouse visual cortex described by random pooling from rods and cones
Authors: Rhim Issac , Nauhaus Ian
Published: January 2023

This study is the first to show that mouse V1 is highly sensitive to UV-green color contrast. Furthermore, it provides a detailed characterization of “color opponency,” which is the putative neural basis for color perception. Finally, using an extremely simple yet novel random wiring model, we account for our observations.
Phytochemical Analysis, Antifungal, and Antioxidant Properties of Two Herbs (Tristemma mauritianum and Crassocephalum bougheyanum) and One Tree (Lavigeria macrocarpa) Species
Authors: Kengne Irene Chinda , Fankam Aimé Gabriel , Yamako Elodie Konack , Tamokou Jean-De-Dieu
Published: January 2023

Phytochemicals present in medicinal plants (herbs, shrubs, and trees) are endowed with high antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The aim of this work was to study the chemical composition, antioxidant, and antifungal activities of Tristemma mauritianum, Crassocephalum bougheyanum, and Lavigeria macrocarpa. Chemical composition of the plant extracts was determined using standard methods. The antioxidant activities were performed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), nitric oxide (NO), and hydroxyl (OH) scavenging assays. The antifungal activity of plant extracts and their combinations with antifungals was evaluated against eleven Candida spp. using the broth microdilution method by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). The quantitative chemical analysis of the extracts of T. mauritianum, L. macrocarpa, and C. bougheyanum showed that they contain phenols, tannins, and flavonoids that vary according to the plant species and extracts. All the plant extracts presented promising antifungal (MIC = 64–2048 µg/mL) and antioxidant activities. The extract of T. mauritianum displayed the highest antifungal (MIC = 64–256 µg/mL) and antioxidant (IC50 = 19.052 ± 1.11 μg/mL) activities which can be explained by its high phenolic content. Interestingly, extracts of T. mauritianum, L. macrocarpa, and C. bougheyanum displayed synergistic effects (fractional inhibitory concentration index, FICI ≤ 0.5) with ketoconazole against clinical resistant isolates. The results of the present study demonstrate promising antifungal and antioxidant activities of the tested plants that are associated to their phenol, tannin, and flavonoid contents. Hence, extracts of T. mauritianum and L. macrocarpa could be deeply investigated as antifungal alone and in combination with conventional antifungal drugs to treat infections caused by Candida spp.
Comprehensive Review on Synthesis, Applications, and Challenges of Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs)
Authors: Kadyan Pooja , Malik Rohit , Bhatia Saurabh , Al Harrasi Ahmed , Mohan Syam , Yadav Mansi , Dalal Sunita , Ramniwas Seema , Kumar Kataria Sudhir , Arasu Thillai
Published: January 2023

Carbon-based nanomaterials are contemporary and are outpacing the technology platform. Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) had a significant impact on the subject of bioengineering, pharmaceuticals, biomedicine, biosensors, fuel, energy, etc. Depending on how quickly this field is developing, it is important to recognize the new difficulties that GQDs have to overcome. This is incredibly significant because many novel applications and innovations that have made GQD synthesis easier recently have not been systematically evaluated in prior studies. Their ability to combine the benefits of quantum dots, sp2 carbon materials (large specific surface area), and have rich functional groups at the edge makes them special. The naturally occurring inert carbon helps to stabilize chemical and physical characteristics and makes significant advancements in the creation of benchmark photocatalysts. Moreover, current challenges and potential of these rapidly developing GQDs are emphasized. The future of GQD research is limitless, according to the assessment in this review, notably if future research focuses on simplicity of purification and ecofriendly synthesis. This feature article offers a realistic summary on recent developments in the synthesis, characteristics, and uses of GQDs. Frequent review articles focusing on the progress of GQDs for specific applications are published but a thorough review article on GQDs for their numerous uses has not yet been published. The recent trends of scientific research based on new optical biosensing applications, including the comprehensive applications of different zero-dimensional nanomaterials, specially GQDs are discussed in this study.
Analysis of Shear Stagger Deformation of Existing Shield Tunnel below Induced by Quasirectangular Shield Tunneling
Authors: Zhang Kun , Chen Xi , Yin Wei , Hu Kun , Zhu ShengXue
Published: January 2023

To use urban underground space more efficiently is a research hotspot of urban underground development. Compared with conventional circular tunnels, quasirectangular tunnels have the characteristics of larger space utilization and higher economic benefits, gradually used in urban rail engineering in recent years. But the ground disturbance induced by the quasirectangular tunneling needs further researches. This paper derives the calculation formula of the additional stress of existing shield tunnel below caused by the quasirectangular shield tunneling by mirror image method and Mindlin solution. The existing shield tunnel is simplified as an elastic foundation short beam connected by tensile springs and shear springs. This paper establishes the energy-deformation coupling equation by principle of minimum potential energy so that the disturbance induced by quasirectangular tunneling to the existing shield tunnel below can be analyzed. The FEM is established with the actual engineering as the background. It is by comparing the numerical simulation results and field monitoring data that the theoretical prediction formula is verified. The research results show that the theoretical calculation results consist highly with numerical simulation results and field monitoring data, verifying practicality of formulas in this paper. Calculation results of shear stagger model are more accurate, which can be also used to analyze the staggered and splayed amount between segments. As the tunnel construction proceeds, uplift deformation, segment stagger, shear force, and segment splay of existing shield tunnel gradually increase, which are symmetrical about the central axis of new tunnel. After the shield machine passes through the central axis of the existing shield tunnel for 20 meters, stable disturbance to the existing shield tunnel occurs. Stagger amount and shear force between segments reach the minimum at the position with maximum uplift deformation of existing shield tunnel and reach the maximum at inflection point of the uplift deformation curve.
MoWS2 Nanosheet Composite with MXene as Lithium-Sulfur Battery Cathode Material
Authors: Feng Wangjun , Zhao Zhiqiang , Lei Ziru , Zhang Li
Published: January 2023

Due to their superior theoretical specific capacity and energy density, lithium-sulfur (L‒S) batteries are gaining popularity in order to achieve the growing terms for more power generation. However, drawbacks such as low electrical conductivity of the active ingredient sulfur, severe volume expansion and shuttle effect of polysulfides, rapidly decaying battery capacity, and short battery life have hampered their development. A MoWS2@MXene@CNT composite material is used as the main cathode material for L-S batteries in this study. MoWS2 can improve the electrochemical reaction rate by accelerating polysulfide conversion, whereas MXene can suppress electrode volume expansion. Furthermore, the addition of carbon nanotubes (CNT) with high electrical conductivity improves the rate of the electrochemical reaction. Therefore, the MoWS2@MXene@CNT composites have good capacity and versatility as cathode materials and enhance the behavior of L-S batteries.