bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between continuous glucose monitoring-derived glycemic control indices and urinary biomarkers of diabetic kidney disease: Hyogo Diabetes Hypoglycemia Cognition Complications study
Authors: Takagi Ayako , Kusunoki Yoshiki , Ohigashi Mana , Osugi Keiko , Inoue Chikako , Inoue Maki , Tsunoda Taku , Kadoya Manabu , Konishi Kosuke , Katsuno Tomoyuki , Koyama Hidenori ,   Hyogo Diabetes Hypoglycemia Cognition Complications (HDHCC) study group
Published: November 2023

Aims

Glomerular damage and proximal tubular damage play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the urinary markers of proximal tubular injury, including urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein-to-creatinine ratio (uL-FABP/Cr) and urinary N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase-to-creatinine ratio (uNAG/Cr), and glycemic control status.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 245 and 39 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-T2DM (NDM), respectively. The participants of this study were fitted with retrospective CGM, and glycemic control indices, such as time in range (TIR) and glycemia risk index (GRI), were calculated.

Results

The results were presented as medians (interquartile ranges). The uL-FABP/Cr was significantly higher in the microalbuminuria than in the normo-albuminuria group [4.2 (2.7–7.1) and 2.2 (1.4–3.4) μg/gCr, respectively, P < 0.001], while the uNAG/Cr in the normo-albuminuria group [6.3 (4.5–10.1) U/gCr] was significantly higher than that in the NDM group [5.3 (3.8–6.3) U/gCr, P = 0.048] but significantly lower than that in the microalbuminuria group [9.2 (6.4–11.1) U/gCr, P = 0.004]. The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that CGM-derived TIR was significantly associated with the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio [uAlb/Cr, odds ratio (OR) 0.985, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.971–0.998, P = 0.029] and uNAG/Cr (OR 0.973, 95% CI 0.957–0.989, P = 0.001) independent of renal function. GRI was similarly associated with uAlb/Cr and uNAG/Cr.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicated that uNAG/Cr was elevated before albuminuria development and was associated with CGM-derived TIR and GRI.
Integrated statistical and graphical non-parametric trend analysis of annual and seasonal rainfall in the Shire River Basin, Malawi
Authors: Kavwenje Sheila , Zhao Lin , Chen Liang , Ngongondo Cosmo , Chaima Evance , Aborisade Moses Akintayo , Oba Belay Tafa , Kumambala Patsani
Published: November 2023

This study integrates purely statistical methods of Mann–Kendall (MK) and Spearman rho (SMR) with statistical-graphical methods of Onyutha trend (OT) test and innovative trend analysis (ITA) to examine annual and seasonal rainfall variations at 12 stations across the Shire River Basin (SRB) during 1976–2005. The results reveal a general decreasing trend for annual rainfall throughout the basin. At seasonal scale, the following trends were observed: an increase for the December-January–February (DJF) season, especially in the southern portion of the basin; a decrease for the March–April-May (MAM) and June-July–August (JJA) seasons; and inconclusive results for the September–October-November (SON) season. Despite nearly all time series indicating consistent trend direction as established by the four tests, the ITA identified the most significant rainfall patterns on both annual and seasonal basis. The performance abilities for the MK, SMR, and OT tests demonstrated the closest agreement at the verified significant level. In addition to the monotonic trend results obtained statistically, sub-trends are visually distinguished using the graphical features of the OT and ITA approaches. For the former, changes are seen as step jumps in the mean of the data, and for the latter, trends regarding high and low rainfall clusters are evaluated, hence offering more details regarding rainfall variability, such as the SRB’s sensitivity to both floods and droughts. Thus, the completely different aspects offered by the visually oriented methods complement the purely monotonic trend detection methods.
Challenging the universality of heatwave definitions: gridded temperature discrepancies across climate regions
Authors: Coughlan de Perez Erin , Arrighi Julie , Marunye Joalane
Published: November 2023

As global studies of climate change depict increasingly dire outcomes of extreme heat, there is an urgent need to understand the appropriateness of heatwave definitions and temperature datasets in different parts of the world. We carry out an intercomparison of the CHIRTS gridded station-satellite temperature dataset with three reanalysis products, ERA5, NCEP-DOE Reanalysis 2, and MERRA2, to assess biases in the absolute value of extreme heat events and the distribution of extreme events. We find close agreement between all four datasets in the magnitude and distribution of extreme temperatures, with a cold bias in the reanalyses over mountainous areas. However, there is little to no agreement between datasets on the timing of extreme heat events in the tropics, and the datasets do not even agree on which month is the hottest month climatologically in these regions. Second, we compare how the four datasets represent the frequency and timing of extreme heat events, using two different types of heatwave definitions: 5-day duration-based extremes and extreme temperature-humidity combinations (heat index). In the case of 5-day heatwaves, there are almost zero events recorded historically in tropical regions. In contrast, high absolute values of the heat index are most common in dry climates, likely due to the dominance of high temperature spikes in these regions, and high heat index events also occur in temperate and tropical regions. There is little agreement between datasets, however, on when these extreme heat index events have happened historically in the tropics. Given these results, we highlight the need for locally developed heatwave metrics for different parts of the world, and we urge against the use of a single heatwave definition in global studies. We also recommend that any studies assessing heat-health relationships in tropical regions beware of the lack of agreement between observational and reanalysis datasets and compare results from different gridded dataset products to estimate uncertainty in heat-health relationships.
Small cities: Regional motors or sponges? The case of Inland County, Norway
Authors: Hauge Atle , Calignano Giuseppe , Bern Aleksander , Lønningdal Karl Henrik
Published: November 2023

In the innovation and regional development literature, regional areas that lie between prosperous core regions and struggling peripheral areas have been largely neglected, both theoretically and empirically, in recent innovation and regional research. In this paper, we analyse the role that small cities play as agents in regional development in their hinterland. Are they catalysts for growth, or do they drain the surrounding cities and villages? One concept or analytical tool that deals with this issue more explicitly is ‘sponge cities’, which refers to small and medium-sized cities that appear to ‘soak up’ talent and resources from the surrounding hinterland. By adopting and expanding this largely unexplored concept, we analyse the role of regional cities in the Norwegian context. Building on the original concept, we believe that adding commuting to migration patterns provides a more nuanced and precise assessment of whether small cities and regional centres are a blessing or a curse for their hinterlands. Using regional data, we classify cities as ‘motors’ (those that positively affect the hinterland thanks to well-balanced commuting and migration patterns at various spatial scales) or ‘sponges’ (those that soak up people from surrounding areas through migration). Further expanding our analysis, we label a third group of municipalities as ‘local mobilizers’, as they seem to have the potential to influence positively the growth of adjacent areas, and a fourth group as ‘moderate attractors’, which show moderately positive external commuting and migration flows.
Cloud material handling systems: a cyber-physical system to enable dynamic resource allocation and digital interoperability
Authors: Aron Cosmin , Sgarbossa Fabio , Ballot Eric , Ivanov Dmitry
Published: November 2023

The existing logistics practices frequently lack the ability to effectively handle disruptions. Recent research called for dynamic, digital-driven approaches that can help prioritise allocation of logistics resources to design more adaptive and sustainable logistics networks. The purpose of this study is to explore inter-dependencies between physical and digital assets to examine how cyber-physical systems could enable interoperability in logistics networks. The paper provides an overview of the existing literature on cyber-physical applications in logistics and proposes a conceptual model of a Cloud Material Handling System. The model allows leveraging the use of digital technologies to capture and process real-time information about a logistics network with the aim to dynamically allocate material handling resources and promote asset and infrastructure sharing. The model describes how cloud computing, machine learning and real-time information can be utilised to dynamically allocate material handling resources to product flows. The adoption of the proposed model can increase efficiency, resilience and sustainability of logistics practices. Finally, the paper offers several promising research avenues for extending this work.
Spatial Interpolation Using Machine Learning: From Patterns and Regularities to Block Models
Authors: Nwaila Glen T. , Zhang Steven E. , Bourdeau Julie E. , Frimmel Hartwig E. , Ghorbani Yousef
Published: November 2023

In geospatial data interpolation, as in mapping, mineral resource estimation, modeling and numerical modeling in geosciences, kriging has been a central technique since the advent of geostatistics. Here, we introduce a new method for spatial interpolation in 2D and 3D using a block discretization technique (i.e., microblocking) using purely machine-learning algorithms and workflow design. This paper addresses the challenges of modeling spatial patterns and regularities in nature, and how different approaches have been used to cope with these challenges. We specifically explore the advantages and drawbacks of kriging while highlighting the long and complex sequence of procedures associated with block kriging. We argue that machine-learning techniques offer opportunities to simplify and streamline the process of mapping and mineral resource estimation, especially in cases of strong spatial relationships between sample location and resource concentration. To test the new method, synthetic 2D and 3D data were used for both 2D block modeling and geometallurgical modeling of a synthetic porphyry Cu deposit. The synthetic porphyry Cu data were very useful in validating the performance of the proposed microblocking technique as we were able to reproduce known values at unsampled locations. Our proposed method delivers the benefits of a machine learning-based block modeling approach, which includes its simplicity (a minimum of 2 hyperparameters), speed and familiarity to data scientists. This enables data scientists working on spatial data to employ workflows familiar to their training, to tackle problems that were previously solely in the domain of geoscience. In exchange, we expect that our method will be a gateway to attract more data scientist to become geodata scientists, benefitting the modern data-driven mineral value chain.
Three sources of social indeterminacy
Authors: Brännmark Johan
Published: November 2023

Social ontologists commonly think that our ideas about social entities, and about other people also inhabiting the social realm, play an important role in making those entities into what they are. At the same time, we know that our ideas are often indeterminate in character, which presumably would mean that this indeterminacy should carry over to the social realm. And yet social indeterminacy is a neglected topic in social ontology. It is argued that this neglect can be traced to how a particular approach that favors ahistorical reconstructions in making sense of social entities has come to dominate social ontology. If we think beyond the parameters set by this approach, however, we can see that recognizing indeterminacy as a pervasive phenomenon in the social realm might open up new interpretative possibilities in relation to different social categories. This argument is at least partly in line with recent calls for a move towards nonideal social ontology.
A mean field model for the development of renewable capacities
Authors: Alasseur Clémence , Basei Matteo , Bertucci Charles , Cecchin Alekos
Published: November 2023

We propose a model based on a large number of small competitive producers of renewable energies, to study the effect of subsidies on the aggregate level of capacity, taking into account a cannibalization effect. We first derive a model to explain how long-time equilibrium can be reached on the market of production of renewable electricity and compare this equilibrium to the case of monopoly. Then we consider the case in which other capacities of production adjust to the production of renewable energies. The analysis is based on a master equation and we get explicit formulae for the long-time equilibria. We also provide new numerical methods to simulate the master equation and the evolution of the capacities. Thus we find the optimal subsidies to be given by a central planner to the installation and the production in order to reach a desired equilibrium capacity.
Arterial spin labeling reveals disordered cerebral perfusion and cerebral blood flow-based functional connectivity in primary open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Wang Qian , Qu Xiaoxia , Wang Huaizhou , Chen Weiwei , Sun Yunxiao , Li Ting , Chen Jianhong , Wang Yang , Wang Ningli , Xian Junfang
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a widespread neurodegenerative condition affecting brain regions involved in visual processing, somatosensory processing, motor control, emotional regulation and cognitive functions. Cerebral hemodynamic dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of glaucomatous neurodegeneration. We aimed to investigate cerebral blood flow (CBF) redistributed patterns in visual and higher-order cognitive cortices and its relationship with clinical parameters in POAG, and we hypothesized that CBF changes together across regions within the same functional network.

Methods

Forty-five POAG patients and 23 normal controls underwent three-dimensional pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling MRI to measure the resting-state CBF. Group comparisons of CBF and correlations between CBF changes and ophthalmological and neuropsychological indices were assessed. We determined CBF-based functional connectivity (CBFC) by calculating the correlations between specific regions and all other brain voxels and compared CBFC differences between groups.

Results

The patients exhibited decreased CBF in visual cortices, postcentral gyrus, inferior parietal lobule and cerebellum and increased CBF in medial, middle, and superior frontal gyri, as well as the insula. The reduced CBF in the visual cortices positively correlated with visual field defect (r = 0.498, p = 0.001) in POAG patients, while the increased CBF in the right medial frontal gyrus was negatively associated with the visual field defect (r = −0.438, p = 0.004) and positively associated with the cup-to-disc ratio (r = 0.469, p = 0.002). POAG patients showed negative connections weakening or converting to mild positive connections, as well as positive connections converting to negative connections.

Conclusions

Regional and interregional CBF properties confirmed that the aberrant brain regions extend beyond the visual pathway, including the somatosensory, emotional and cognitive networks, which highlights the importance of cerebral hemodynamic dysfunction in the pathophysiology of spreading neurodegeneration in POAG.
Preparation and characterisation of hydrotalcites colloid dispersions suitable for deacidification of paper information carriers
Authors: Jurišová Jana , Danielik Vladimír , Malečková Soňa , Guzikiewiczová Eva , Králik Milan , Vizárová Katarína , Ambrová Marta , Fellner Pavel
Published: November 2023

Hydrotalcite samples were prepared in the form of powder and/or sol under different conditions and characterised by various techniques. A suitable system of liquid carriers consisting of perfluoroheptane, isopropanol, and water (PFH-IPA-H2O) was chosen to apply HTlcs as deacidifying agents on paper. The areas of miscibility and immiscibility in the PFH-IPA-H2O system were determined at a temperature of 25 °C. The properties of HTlcs dispersed in the prepared solvent were measured. The size of the particles was determined by optical microscopy with image analysis. The average particle size ranges from 1 µm to 2 µm. The settling speed of particles in the prepared colloidal systems was monitored using turbidimetry. Sols in the mixture of solvents had uniformly dispersed particles that settled slowly. The effect of the prepared colloidal HTlcs dispersions on the properties of the paper, specifically the pH of its surface, was also tested. Hydrotalcites in the form of a sol with a ratio of magnesium to aluminium of 5:1 were found to be promising candidates for deacidification. The use of surfactant additives in the preparation of HTlcs did not positively affect the properties of the paper.
Comprehensive multi-modality treatment of thoracic aorta pseudoaneurysms: a single-center experience
Authors: Recicarova Sandra , Jonak Michael , Netuka Ivan
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Thoracic aorta false aneurysms (TAFA) are unexplored complications after cardiac surgery associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the clinical profiles, surgical techniques, and operative outcomes, of patients treated for TAFA at a single institution.

Methods

From 1996 to 2022, 112 patients were treated for aortic pseudoaneurysm (mean age 55 ± 14 years, 78 patients were male). In the majority of the patients (90%) TAFA developed after previous cardiovascular surgery, the most common diagnosis and surgical procedure preceding the TAFA development was an aortic dissection (52%) and Bentall procedure (47%). In the rest of the cohort, the leading cause was trauma.

Results

Sixty-one percent of patients were indicated for reintervention (surgical reoperation, endoluminal graft implantation, septal occluder implantation, coil embolization, or a combination of procedures). Overall, 52 patients had undergone cardiac reoperation. TAFA was resected and the aorta was repaired in 55% or replaced in 45%. Operative mortality was 5.7%. In postoperative follow-up, a hypoechogenic lesion encircling aortic prosthesis was present in 94%, therefore it was determined as a negative prognostic factor. The mean follow-up was 13.2 ± 19.4 years.

Conclusion

Although there is no specific approach how to prevent TAFA development, maintaining normal blood pressure and regular follow-up should be applied. More frequent follow-ups should be performed in patients with a hypoechogenic lesion encircling and aortic prosthesis. Early detection during long-term postoperative follow-up, an individually tailored approach of a multidisciplinary team is necessary for favorable treatment outcomes.
From molecular beam technologies to virtual experiments and communities
Authors: Laganà Antonio
Published: November 2023

In the last 50 years, the impressive results on chemical kinetics from crossed molecular beam experiments have been assisted by theoretical and particularly computational progress, among which are: (1) the design and implementation of the SIMBEX (SImulation of Molecular Beam EXperiments) procedure on parallel and distributed computers aimed at rationalizing the dynamical behavior of the investigated systems on the ab initio computed molecular interactions; (2) the establishing of theoretical and computational research and educational networks (like the Quantum Reactive Scattering and European Chemistry Thematic Network), the assembling of virtual research communities (like the meta- and the grid-chemistry ones within the Collaboration in Science and Technology (COST) initiatives to enhance synergic and cooperative work levering on highly productive platforms; (3) the participation in the management of both the Italian and the European grid infrastructures initiatives; (4) the development of molecular open science-enabled cloud services within the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). Levering on the mentioned collaborative efforts, important open science initiatives have been implemented. The present paper illustrates a prototype model apparatus for the production of methane out of CO2 using renewable energy sources and a prosumer (producer–consumer) model for delivering online chemistry competence tests. Finally, a suggestion is made to establish networked local services of the academy for high school education.
An algorithm to improve magnetic ranging accuracy for cluster horizontal wells with narrow spacings
Authors: Diao Binbin , Gao Deli , Zhang Sen , Liu Zhe
Published: November 2023

In order to realize the efficient development of unconventional oil and gas, the measurement accuracy of wellbore spacing in the drilling of parallel horizontal wells is more and more required. Although the Rotating Magnet Ranging System or Magnetic Guidance Tool is used to achieve a good ranging effect in the drilling of dual horizontal wells, the position measurement of the magnetic sub leads to a large ranging error. A new ranging algorithm for the Two Sensor Packages-Rotating Magnet Ranging System is presented in this paper. The algorithm takes the magnetic signal generated by the rotation of the magnetic sub at a fixed position, the tilt measurement data of the two wells, the length of the magnetic sub, and the distance between the two fluxgate sensors as input parameters to avoid measuring the position of the magnetic sub and to reduce the influence of the degree of non-parallelism and the length of the magnetic sub. The simulation and experiment demonstrate that the inclination and azimuth angles of the two wells have a significant impact on the magnetic ranging results when the ranging well sections are not parallel and that the distance between the bottom of the drill bit and the center of the magnetic sub cannot be ignored. Moreover, the accuracy of the relative distance calculated by this new algorithm can reach 97%, and the error of direction calculation is less than 3°. Applying this algorithm in the field can successfully aid in controlling the spacing of cluster horizontal wells more accurately.
Harnessing the potential of modified cellulosic pumpkin seed hulls as affordable biosorbents for cationic dye removal from aqueous solutions: adsorption kinetics and isotherm studies
Authors: Hady Ahmed K. , Owda Medhat E. , Abouzeid Ragab E. , Shehata Hassan A. , Elzaref Ahmed S. , Elfeky Ahmed S.
Published: November 2023

This investigation focuses on examining the adsorption behavior of crystal violet dye on cellulose (CS) and its modified forms, including cellulose loaded with nicotinic acid (CSN) and cellulose loaded with thiourea (CST). Batch experiments were performed to analyze the adsorption process, while various characterization techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), were utilized to assess the structural and morphological changes in the cellulose materials. The findings reveal that the adsorption process follows a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating a chemical adsorption mechanism. Additionally, the Langmuir isotherm model suggests monolayer adsorption on cellulose surfaces. Thermodynamic analysis demonstrates that the adsorption process is spontaneous and exothermic for CS and CSN, whereas it is endothermic for CST. The characterization techniques employed provide valuable insights into the structural modifications and porous properties of cellulose materials. Overall, this study underscores the potential of modified cellulose materials to effectively remove dyes in wastewater treatment applications. Notably, thiourea-loaded cellulose CST exhibits superior adsorption capacity with removal percentages of 78.2% compared to CS and CSN, whose removal percentages were 76.45% and 76.72%, respectively, suggesting the promising role of CST in dye removal. These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of crystal violet dye adsorption on cellulose and its modified forms, thereby paving the way for future research on the application of modified cellulose materials in wastewater treatment processes.
Sodalite zeolitic materials produced from coal fly ash for removal of congo red dye from aqueous solutions
Authors: Abas K. M. , Fathy N. A.
Published: November 2023

Coal fly ash (CFA) is an excellent source of silica–alumina precursor that can be used for the copious and continuous manufacturing of zeolitic materials. This study provides a novel strategy to prepare zeolitic sodalite from CFA as adsorbents for Congo red (CR) dye removal under variable conditions. Sodalite crystals (S) were prepared by a calcination of sodium–aluminum silicate derived from CFA in either absence or presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant (CTAB-S). SEM, XRD, FTIR, and N2 adsorption measurements were demonstrated. XRD results confirmed the presence of mullite and quartz as main components in CFA which converted to sodalite phases after calcination in existence of CTAB. SEM revealed that agglomerated larger particles were formed in S sample without adding CTAB, whereas smaller spherical particles aggregated together upon adding CTAB to form zeolitic structure (CTAB-S). FTIR showed the characteristic absorption bands of sodalite related to oxygen-containing Si and Al groups. Batch adsorption isotherm studies were conducted to evaluate the maximum adsorption capacities of S and CTAB-S, which were amounted to be 152.7 and 184.8 mg/g, respectively. Adsorption of CR dye was fitted with Freundlich isotherm. Kinetic results perfectly matched with pseudo-second-order model and intraparticle diffusion. Thermodynamic findings indicated that the adsorption of CR dye over both samples was endothermic and spontaneous in nature. CTAB-S sample showed the best reusable adsorbent, according to reuse experiments employing water as a desorbing agent. Overall, it can be concluded that CFA-derived sodalite can be used as an effective adsorbent for anionic dyes removal from wastewater.
Characterization of friction stir-based linear continuous joining of aluminium alloy to structural polymer
Authors: Khadka Prabilson , Varglund Sean , Akinwamide Samuel , Vilaça Pedro
Published: November 2023

Dissimilar continuous joining of lightweight metal alloys to structural polymer is a major manufacturing challenge, demanding feasible and reliable solutions. Through-slot extrusion joining (TSEJ) is a friction stir-based processing technique investigated in the manufacturing of continuous linear joints between aluminium alloy AA5754 overlapping structural polymer polyether ether ketone (PEEK). An intermediate rigid and thin titanium extrusion die protects the polymer locally from thermal degradation and promotes the formation of a continuous double hook-like feature of extruded aluminium into the polymer component along the joint path. The structure of the joint provides macro-mechanical interlocking between the joined components. A set of four tools, and other key process parameters, were investigated for process stability, tensile-shear strength, and microstructure. The best TSEJ condition is chosen for microstructural analysis via optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Three distinct failure modes were identified. The best condition provided an average tensile-shear load of 110 kN/m. The tool position with bias toward the flow side of the extrusion slot shows to improve the strength of joints. The microstructural analysis along the interface of AA5754 to PEEK exhibits micro-mechanical interlocking, intercalated layers of these materials and adhesion as joining mechanisms.
Variability of temperature on the electrical properties of heterostructured CIS/Cds through SCAPS simulation for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Faremi Abass Akande , Olubosede Olusayo , Salau Ayodeji Olalekan , Adigbo Samuel Olakunle , Olubambi Peter Apata , Lawan Ezekiel
Published: November 2023

Renewable energy research has received tremendous attention in recent years in a quest to circumvent the current global energy crisis. This study carefully selected and simulated the copper indium sulfur ternary compound semiconductor material with cadmium sulfide owing to their advantage in photovoltaic applications. Despite the potential of the materials in photovoltaic devices, the causes of degradation in the photovoltaic efficiency using such compound semiconductor materials have not really been investigated. However, electrical parameters of the materials such as open circuit voltage, short circuit current density, and fill factor have been extensively studied and reported as major causes of degradation in materials’ efficiency. Furthermore, identifying such electrical characteristics as a primary degradation mechanism in solar cells, this study work is an ardent effort that investigates the materials' electrical behavior as a cure to the degradation associated with compound semiconductor-based photovoltaic. In this study, we numerically characterized the electrical properties such as fill factor, open circuit voltage, short circuit current density, power conversion efficiency, net recombination rate, net generation rate, generation current density, recombination current density, hole current density, electrons current density, energy band diagram, capacitance–voltage, electric field strength of the heterostructured CIS/CdS compound semiconductor material using SCAP-1D. We also investigated the effect of temperature on the electrical properties of heterostructured materials. The obtained results reveal the uniformity of the total current density in the material despite the exponential decrease in the electron current density and the exponential increase in hole current density. The extracted solar cell parameters of the heterostructured CIS/CdS at 300 K are 18.6% for PCE, 64.8% for FF, 0.898 V for Voc, and 32 mA cm−2 for Jsc. After the investigation of the effect of temperature on the CIS/CdS compound semiconductor material, it was observed that the solar cell was most efficient at 300 K. The energy band gap of the CIS/CdS compound semiconductor material shrinks with an increase in temperature. The highest net recombination rate and recombination current is at 400 K, while the net generation rate and generation current density are independent of temperature. The study, on the other hand, gave insights into the potential degradation process, and utilizing the study’s findings could provide photovoltaic degradation remediation.
Correlating dry wear turning and pin-on-disc tests: a cost-effective approach to machinability evaluation for low carbon steel grades
Authors: Krahmer Daniel Martínez , Martynenko Vitaliy , Osenda Alberto Pereyra , J. Sánchez Egea Antonio
Published: November 2023

Machinability tests play a crucial role in the metalworking industry despite their inherent cost and time requirements. This study aims to introduce a novel approach by establishing a correlation between the dry wear turning and pin-on-disc tests, potentially enabling their interchangeability. The industry is particularly interested in this challenge due to the simplified implementation and reduced costs and time compared to the conventional turning test. The correlation between the dry wear turning and pin-on-disc tests was investigated using three low carbon steel grades (12L14, 1212, and 1018) and three medium cutting speeds (150, 180, and 240 m/min). Additionally, a comprehensive cost-energy comparison is conducted to underscore the significance of identifying a laboratory test equivalent to the traditional machinability test. The obtained results reveal a strong correlation between both wear tests. Furthermore, the relative cost analysis demonstrates that the pin-on-disc test costs only 14% of the long-duration turning test, emphasizing its cost-effectiveness.
Implementation of process optimization to maximize line productivity in pharmaceutical industries
Authors: Maaboud Mahmoud R. Abd El , Kassem Sally S. , Elatriby Sherif A. , Fahim Irene S.
Published: November 2023

Macro Group is the largest player in Egypt’s fast-growing cosmeceutical industry founded in 2002, and Macro has about 149 stock-keeping units (“SKUs”) with a 31.4% market share in 2022. The macro group has three-ampoule products for hair, namely, Atrakta, Verdex, and Solodex with an expected forecast of 134,655 FG in 2023 and it’s expected to reach 261,000 FG in 2027. 188 working days per year in 2023 are required to manufacture the forecasted units and 365 working days to manufacture 2027 forecasted units. Through observing the production line of Atrakta, it has been noticed that the production line could be enhanced to increase the production rate, and hence, meet market demands efficiently. Therefore, this paper aims to study and investigate the Atrakta hair ampoules production line to reach the optimum line productivity and to commit to market needs. Studying the Atrakta hair ampules production line is conducted through interviews, production line observation, data collection, and modeling and simulation of the production line. Two scenarios recommending improvements to the production lines are proposed and simulated. The two scenarios differ mainly in the probability distribution of probabilistic inputs. Simulating the system with the recommended improvements for the two scenarios shows similar results of increased productivity. Simulation results of improved systems show an increase of 300% in daily production from 720 FG per day to 2176 FG per day. According to Atrakta's results, the Macro group decided to implement the same recommended improvements on the similar process of Verdex and Solodex ampoules to reach 2176 FG. The required working days to reach forecasted units in 2023 decreased from 188 to 67 days and also decreased from 365 to 132 days in 2027.

ArticleHighlights

The primary pack items are decreased, and secondary pack of ampoules SKUs has been changed to avoid bottlenecks.

The change of primary and secondary pack plays a significant role in increasing the productivity 3 times for the non-sterile ampoules production unit.

The increasing of production capacity decreased the required working days in 2023 till 2027.
Spatiotemporal Variations of Intermediate‐Depth Earthquakes Before and After 2011 Tohoku Earthquake Revealed by a Template Matching Catalog
Authors: Zhai Qiushi , Peng Zhigang , Matsubara Makoto , Obara Kazushige , Wang Yanbin
Published: November 2023

We investigate spatiotemporal changes of intermediate‐depth earthquakes in the double seismic zone beneath Central and Northeastern Japan before and after the 2011 magnitude 9 Tohoku earthquake. We build a template‐matching catalog 1 year before and 1 year after the Tohoku earthquake using Hi‐net recordings. The new catalog has a six‐fold increase in earthquakes compared to the Japan Meteorological Agency catalog. Our results show no significant change in the intermediate‐depth earthquake rate prior to the Tohoku earthquake, but a clear increase in both planes following the Tohoku earthquake. The regions with increased intermediate‐depth earthquake activity and the post‐seismic slips following the Tohoku earthquake are spatially separate and complementary with each other. Aftershock productivity of intermediate‐depth earthquakes increased in both planes following the Tohoku earthquake. Overall, aftershock productivity of the upper plane is higher than the lower plane, likely indicating that stress environments and physical mechanisms of intermediate‐depth earthquakes in the two planes are distinct.
Disentangling the Sources of Uncertainties in the Projection of Flood Risk Across the Central United States (Iowa)
Authors: Michalek Alexander T. , Villarini Gabriele , Kim Taereem , Quintero Felipe , Krajewski Witold F.
Published: November 2023

We explore the projected changes in flood impacts across Iowa (central United States) and the associated uncertainties by forcing a hydrologic model with downscaled global climate model outputs and four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways. Our results point to projected increasing magnitude and variability in flooding across the state, especially for high‐emission scenarios. Next, we partition the flood impacts' projections into: (a) the response of the global climate models to anthropogenic forcing, (b) scenario uncertainty due to emissions, and (c) internal climate variability. We find scenario uncertainty plays a small role, while climate model uncertainty and internal climate variability dominate the flood impacts' projections, with the contribution of model uncertainty increasing toward the end of this century. Insights from our work can be utilized by stakeholders to understand the current limitations of flood impact projections and provide suggestions about where modelers should focus efforts to reduce uncertainty.
A Climatology of Summer‐Time Arctic Cyclones Using a Modified Phase Space
Authors: Croad Hannah L. , Methven John , Harvey Ben , Keeley Sarah P. E. , Volonté Ambrogio , Hodges Kevin I.
Published: November 2023

We perform a climatological analysis of summer‐time Arctic cyclone structure in reanalysis data using a phase space approach. A classification scheme for Arctic cyclones is proposed, dependent on whether vorticity structure during development is low‐level‐dominant (LLD) or upper‐level‐dominant (ULD). During growth, LLD cyclones (65.5%) exhibit warm‐core asymmetric structures, whereas ULD cyclones (34.5%) have cold‐core asymmetric structures. LLD cyclones typically have greater thermal asymmetry during growth. However, a transition to a persistent cold‐core axisymmetric structure after maturity is characteristic of summer‐time Arctic cyclones, regardless of structure during growth. LLD cyclones are typically stronger and preferentially track on the Russian coastline where there is high baroclinicity, whereas ULD cyclones tend to be longer‐lived and preferentially track in the Pacific sector, where they can interact with tropopause polar vortices. This study provides a platform for further research into different classes of Arctic cyclones and associated hazardous weather, and ultimately for developing conceptual models.
Mantle Oxidation Induced by Recycled Carbonate: Insights From Mg‐Zn‐Fe‐Cu Isotopic Systematics of Intraplate Basalts
Authors: Wu Tian‐Hao , Liu Sheng‐Ao
Published: November 2023

Mantle oxidation plays an essential role in volatile cycling between Earth’s interior and exterior. However, the conceivable oxidizer remains enigmatic and needs to be explored by geochemical tools. Here, we examine the potential of recycled carbonates in inducing redox changes of the deep mantle through combined isotopic studies of Mg (δ26Mg), Zn (δ66Zn), Fe (δ56Fe), and Cu (δ65Cu) on a suite of intraplate alkaline basalts proposed to have originated from the mantle transition zone (∼440–660 km). Compared with mid‐ocean ridge basalts (MORB), these basalts have variably lower δ26Mg and higher δ66Zn, the typical features of marine carbonates, indicating the presence of various amounts of deeply recycled carbonates in their sources. As the estimated amounts of recycled carbonates in sources increase (i.e., lower δ26Mg and higher δ66Zn), the basalts have higher δ56Fe and lower δ65Cu compared with MORB. These correlations cannot be explained alone by binary mixing between recycled carbonates and the pristine mantle because of the much lower Fe and Cu contents of marine carbonates than those of the mantle and instead require redox‐driven isotope fractionation induced by mantle carbonate metasomatism. During partial melting of an oxidized mantle source, isotopically heavy ferric iron and isotopically light sulfide were preferentially incorporated/dissolved into the melts that are enriched in heavy Fe and light Cu isotopes. These observations highlight that recycled carbonates serve as an important oxidizer for the deep mantle and facilitate the extraction of mantle sulfides, which can be effectively tracked by Fe and Cu isotopic systematics of intraplate basalts.
The Anisotropic Behavior of a Clay Shale: Strength, Hydro‐Mechanical Couplings and Failure Processes
Authors: Winhausen L. , Khaledi K. , Jalali M. , Bretthauer M. , Amann F.
Published: November 2023

Many rocks exhibit a structural composition, which leads to an anisotropic behavior of different properties. A proper understanding of the directional dependency of these properties is required to analyze and predict the failure behavior of the rock mass upon stress changes during many geo‐engineering applications. This study investigates the selected host rock for nuclear waste disposal in Switzerland, Opalinus Clay, for its anisotropic unconfined compressive and tensile strength, poromechanical response, and effective shear strength in an extensive laboratory testing campaign. The results show the lowest unconfined compressive strength at angles of 30°–45° between the bedding plane and the compressive load direction, whereby the lowest tensile strength is found to be normal to the bedding orientation. Triaxial consolidated‐undrained compression tests reveal an anisotropic poromechanical behavior as well as peak and residual effective strength values, which are largely controlled by the orientation of the bedding plane with respect to the maximum principal stress. The magnitude of excess pore water pressures and dilation are both functions of loading configuration. The comparison of peak strength values for different loading angles indicates that the lowest effective shear strength can be expected at a loading configuration of approximately 45° between bedding orientation and the loading axis. The variation in the hydro‐mechanical response is associated with the microstructure controlling the poroelasticity and the failure processes. The results provide a deeper understanding of failure in anisotropic rocks contributing to the development of constitutive models for predicting the rock mass response.
Winter Subtropical Highs, the Hadley Circulation and Baroclinic Instability
Authors: Qiu Weiteng , Collins Matthew , Scaife Adam A.
Published: November 2023

Subtropical highs have a profound influence on the weather and climate of adjacent continents. In this study, we use reanalysis data to investigate the interannual variability and trends in winter subtropical highs from 1979 to 2021. We find dynamical relationships between subtropical high intensity, the Hadley and Ferrel Circulation intensity, and the Eady Growth Rate (EGR). A poleward shift of the maximum in EGR is associated with a strengthening of the descending branches of the Ferrel and Hadley Cells, with subtropical troposphere adiabatic warming and an increased intensity and poleward movement of the subtropical highs. Shifts in the poleward EGR are dominated by changes in vertical wind shear which, in turn, are in thermal wind balance with variations and trends in temperature. The mechanism for the intensification of the subtropical highs involves feedbacks from high‐frequency transient eddies. Strong North Pacific and South Pacific Subtropical highs are associated with La‐Niña conditions. We also show that the mechanisms for interannual variations are similar to those for trends in the highs.
Exploring Deposition Observations of Oxidized Sulfur and Nitrogen as a Constraint on Emissions in the United States
Authors: Dutta Ishir , Heald Colette L.
Published: November 2023

Emissions of anthropogenic sulfur and nitrogen oxides form secondary pollutants that impact human health, ecosystems, and climate. Accurate estimates of emissions trends are needed to verify the effectiveness of the regulation of these species. We explore the utility of deposition measurements of SOx (=SO2 + SO42−) and TNO3 (=HNO3 + NO3−) as constraints on emissions trends of SOx and NOx in the conterminous United States (CONUS) from 1990 to 2021. The GEOS‐Chem model captures observed annual SOx and TNO3 wet deposition at NADP‐NTN sites in 2011 with a −15% and +15% normalized mean bias (NMB), respectively. The model overestimates the dry deposition of SOx and TNO3 estimated at CASTNET sites in 2011 (NMB >100%), however, this bias is substantially reduced when using an alternate derived dry deposition data set at the same sites, highlighting the uncertainty in dry deposition velocities. Despite this, we find that the model (driven by scaled NEI emissions) captures the relative trend in dry deposition of SOx (−93% observed and −94% simulated) and TNO3 (−66% observed and −68% simulated) from 1990 to 2021 and that these decreases closely reflect the trends in anthropogenic SO2 emissions (−93%) and anthropogenic NOx emissions (−71%), respectively. SOx and TNO3 wet deposition observations are dominated by soluble secondary products and are more influenced by natural and transboundary sources, and therefore have decreased more modestly over the same period (−78% and −52%). Natural sources of NOx are relatively constant during this time and therefore moderate the reduction in total NOx emissions (−55%).
Impact of age and comorbidities on the efficacy and tolerability of bosutinib in previously treated patients with chronic myeloid leukemia: results from the phase 4 BYOND study
Authors: Rosti Gianantonio , Brümmendorf Tim H. , Gjertsen Björn T. , Giraldo-Castellano Pilar , Castagnetti Fausto , Gambacorti-Passerini Carlo , Ernst Thomas , Zhao Huadong , Kuttschreuter Luke , Purcell Simon , Giles Francis J. , Hochhaus Andreas
Published: November 2023

In the phase 4 BYOND trial, patients with pretreated chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) received bosutinib (starting dose: 500 mg/day). Efficacy and safety after ≥3 years of follow-up in 156 patients with Philadelphia chromosome–positive chronic phase CML by age and Charlson Comorbidity Index scores (without the age component; mCCI) is reported. Cumulative major molecular response rates at any time on treatment were 73.6%, 64.5%, and 74.1% in patients <65, 65–74, and ≥75 years of age, and 77.9%, 63.0%, and 59.3% in patients with mCCI scores 2, 3, and ≥4, respectively. Patients <65, 65–74, and ≥75 years of age experienced grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) at rates of 74.7%, 78.8%, and 96.4% and permanent discontinuations due to AEs at rates of 22.1%, 39.4%, and 46.4%, respectively. In patients with mCCI 2, 3, and ≥4, respective rates of grade 3/4 TEAEs were 77.8%, 77.8%, and 86.7%, and permanent discontinuations due to AEs were 25.3%, 33.3%, and 43.3%. In conclusion, a substantial proportion of patients maintained/achieved cytogenetic and molecular responses across age groups and mCCI scores. Older patients (≥75 years) and those with high comorbidity burden (mCCI ≥4) may require more careful monitoring due to the increased risk of TEAEs. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02228382.