bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of Finite Inhomogeneous Particle Systems with Exclusion Interaction
Authors: Malyshev Vadim , Menshikov Mikhail , Popov Serguei , Wade Andrew
Published: November 2023

We study finite particle systems on the one-dimensional integer lattice, where each particle performs a continuous-time nearest-neighbour random walk, with jump rates intrinsic to each particle, subject to an exclusion interaction which suppresses jumps that would lead to more than one particle occupying any site. We show that the particle jump rates determine explicitly a unique partition of the system into maximal stable sub-systems, and that this partition can be obtained by a linear-time algorithm using only elementary arithmetic. The internal configuration of each stable sub-system possesses an explicit product-geometric limiting distribution, and the location of each stable sub-system obeys a strong law of large numbers with an explicit speed; the characteristic parameters of each stable sub-system are simple functions of the rate parameters for the corresponding particles. For the case where the entire system is stable, we provide a central limit theorem describing the fluctuations around the law of large numbers. Our approach draws on ramifications, in the exclusion context, of classical work of Goodman and Massey on partially-stable Jackson queueing networks.
Enhancing vibration damping properties of MABS/VDT blends using SEBS-g-MAH as a compatibilizer
Authors: Sujon Md Abu Shaid , Andriollo Tito , Islam Aminul
Published: November 2023

This investigation focuses on the enhancement of the damping properties of Methyl Methacrylate Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (MABS) through the formulation of a specific blend with a styrene-based elastomer referred to as VDT, and with the incorporation of Ethylene Butylene Styrene grafted Maleic Anhydride (SEBS-g-MAH) as a compatibilizer. In contrast to traditional investigations that primarily focus on the mechanical rigidity, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity of materials, this research explores the enhancement of damping properties via the process of melt compounding. Using a twin-screw extruder in a precise melt-mixing process, a multiphase polymer blend is generated by including three different weight ratios (10, 20, and 30 wt.%) of VDT. Furthermore, in order to enhance the compatibility between MABS and VDT, three different weight percentages of SEBS-g-MAH (2, 4, and 6 wt.%) have been used in the blend. Tensile testing, laser confocal microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), are used to thoroughly assess the compatibility and effectiveness of the blends. The results indicate that the damping performance of the blend increases in direct proportion to the amount of VDT. Conversely, the addition of SEBS-g-MAH has a non-monotonic effect: the inclusion of 4 wt.% SEBS-g-MAH leads to the most substantial improvements in both damping performance and tensile strength, exceeding the results obtained with 2 wt.% and 6 wt.% compatibilizer. The study highlights the need for carefully choosing the right wt.% of compatibilizers when aiming to formulate polymer blends with enhanced vibration dampening properties.
Influence of Ba concentration on Ra and 210Pb extraction from aqueous samples using EMPORE® radium RAD disks
Authors: Wallner Gabriele
Published: November 2023

The separation procedure for Ra isotopes and210Pb from water using the EMPORE™ radium RAD disks is very quick and convenient. However, higher levels of the chemically similar Ba in the water at least partly prohibit the uptake of Ra and210Pb, hampering the correct determination of these radionuclides. This investigation shows that the decrease of extraction yield in dependence of the Ba mass is much slower for Ra than for210Pb: With a Ba content ≤ 1 mg in the water sample,226Ra could be separated completely,210Pb, however, showed a decreasing recovery already at 0.1 mg Ba addition.
Soil depth gradients of organic carbon-13 – A review on drivers and processes
Authors: Krüger Namid , Finn Damien Robert , Don Axel
Published: November 2023

Background and aims

Soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics are vital in the context of climate change and sustainable soil management. The ẟ13C signatures of SOC are powerful indicators and tracers of C fluxes through soils and of transformation processes within soils. Depth gradients of ẟ13C can be considered as their archive. However, many different drivers and processes impact ẟ13C signatures of SOC simultaneously, thus hampering their interpretation.

Methods

Here we summarize the current knowledge about drivers, processes and C sources determining the δ13C signatures of organic matter along soil profiles.

Results

The largest ẟ13C gradients within soil profiles (> 10‰) have been observed at sites where vegetation has shifted between C3 and C4 plants, thus changing the isotopic signatures of C inputs. In soil profiles without such vegetation changes, the δ13C signatures typically increase by 1–3‰ from topsoil to subsoil. Three main reasons for this are (i) the decreasing ẟ13C of atmospheric CO2 (Suess effect) has led to a depletion in plant biomass by about 2.0‰ since 1850, (ii) increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations have also depleted plant biomass by about 1.8‰, and (iii) isotopic fractionation occurs during continuous microbial C recycling and necromass accumulation. Moreover, a greater mobility of 13C-enriched hydrophilic dissolved organic C and other C input sources may impact ẟ13C gradients in soils.

Conclusions

External drivers, such as climatic and atmospheric changes, affect the ẟ13C signature of C inputs, and have stronger and increasing influence on ẟ13C gradients in soil profiles compared to soil internal processes.
From state of the practice to state of the art: improving equity analysis in regional transportation plans
Authors: Cabello Maxwell , Hyland Michael , Marantz Nicholas
Published: November 2023

Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in the United States develop long-range Regional transportation plans (RTPs), which are required in order for municipalities to receive federal funds for transportation projects. Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires MPOs to submit an equity analysis to demonstrate that their RTPs do not discriminate against protected groups. This paper (i) identifies and evaluates the current range of practices in transportation equity analysis in RTPs for the largest MPOs, and (ii) provides practical steps for MPOs to improve their equity analyses. To identify the range of practices, we assess how MPOs define equity goals, identify populations of concern, integrate their equity analysis into their RTP documents, use community input, and whether they meet or exceed legal standards. Additionally, we evaluate how MPOs use travel forecasting models in their equity analyses and the quality of their models; we also describe practical steps for MPOs to improve their equity analyses along this dimension. We find significant variability in how MPOs define fairness in their equity goals, define populations of concern, use community input, and use travel forecasting models in their equity analyses. For example, several MPOs conduct in-depth equity analyses using advanced travel forecasting models, synthetic populations of households, and various classifications of populations of concern. In contrast, other MPOs only display the locations of RTP projects on a map with geographies labeled as disadvantaged or non-disadvantaged. We also find that MPOs with more restrictive state requirements than federal guidelines produce higher quality equity analyses—an important finding considering the Biden Administration’s review of Executive Order 12898, a potential avenue to alter guidelines to improve MPO equity analyses.
Metaphysical Causal Pluralism: What Are New Mechanists Pluralistic About?
Authors: Oleksowicz Michał
Published: November 2023

Although the literature on the issue of pluralism within the philosophy of science is very extensive, this paper focuses on the metaphysical causal pluralism that emerges from the new mechanistic discussion on causality. The main aim is to situate the new mechanistic views on causation within the account of varieties of causal pluralism framed by Psillos (2009). Paying attention to his taxonomy of metaphysical views on causation (i.e., the straightjacket view, the functional view, the two-concept view, the agnostic view and the atheist view) will help clarify differences in opinion and, at the same time, make it possible to elucidate the main metaphysical theses present within the new mechanistic debate. Special attention is given to S. Glennan’s theory of causation, since it is unique in offering an overall metaphysical view of the issue. It is also argued that mechanists are not “atheists” on causation: while all of them are causal realists, most mechanists are “agnostic” on causation, with a few exceptions such as S. Glennan, P. Machamer and J. Bogen.
Greater perceived stress management skills and heightened brain metabolic activity in cortical and subcortical stress processing regions in metastatic breast cancer patients
Authors: Reis Joaquim C. , Travado Luzia , Heller Aaron S. , Oliveira Francisco P. M. , Almeida Silvia D. , Sousa Berta , Costa Durval C. , Antoni Michael H.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Emotional distress and adversity can contribute to negative health outcomes in women with breast cancer. Individual differences in perceived stress management skills such as cognitive reframing and relaxation for coping with adversity have been shown to predict less distress and better psychological and physiological adaptation. Prior work shows that more distressed breast cancer patients reveal less metabolic activity in brain regions such as the insula, thalamus, ventromedial and lateral prefrontal cortices. This led us to pose the hypothesis that breast cancer patients with greater stress management skills (e.g., ability to reframe stressors and use relaxation) may conversely show greater activation in these brain regions and thereby identify brain activity that may be modifiable through stress management interventions. The main objective of this study was to examine the association of perceived stress management skill efficacy with the metabolism of 9 key stress-implicated brain regions in women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

Methods

Sixty women (mean age 59.86 ± 10.04) with a diagnosis of mBC underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. Perceived stress management skill efficacy was assessed with the Measure of Current Status Scale.

Results

Greater perceived stress management skill efficacy related significantly to higher metabolic activity in the insula, thalamus, ventromedial and lateral prefrontal cortices, and basal ganglia; this network of regions overlaps with those previously shown to be under-activated with greater level of distress in this same sample of metastatic breast cancer patients.

Conclusion

This is the first study to demonstrate in metastatic cancer patients that greater perceptions of stress management skill efficacy are associated with metabolic activity in key brain regions and paves the way for future studies tracking neural mechanisms sensitive to change following stress management interventions for this population.
Accuracy of a sequential algorithm based on FIB-4 and ELF to identify high-risk advanced liver fibrosis at the primary care level
Authors: Gabriel-Medina Pablo , Ferrer-Costa Roser , Ciudin Andreea , Augustin Salvador , Rivera-Esteban Jesus , Pericàs J. M. , Selva D. M. , Rodriguez-Frias Francisco
Published: November 2023

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease, and liver fibrosis is the strongest predictor of morbimortality. We aimed to assess the performance of a sequential algorithm encompassing the Fibrosis 4 (FIB-4) and Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) scores for identifying patients at risk of advanced fibrosis. This cross-sectional study included one hospital-based cohort with biopsy-proven NAFLD (n = 140) and two primary care cohorts from different clinical settings: Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) follow-up (n = 141) and chronic liver disease (CLD) initial study (n = 138). Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess liver fibrosis diagnosis models based on FIB-4 and ELF biomarkers. The sequential algorithm retrieved the following accuracy parameters in predicting stages F3–4 in the biopsy-confirmed cohort: sensitivity (85%), specificity (73%), negative predictive value (79%) and positive predictive value (81%). In both T2D and CLD cohorts, a total of 28% of patients were classified as stages F3–4. Furthermore, of all F3–4 classified patients in the T2D cohort, 80% had a diagnosis of liver disease and 44% were referred to secondary care. Likewise, of all F3–4 classified patients in the CLD cohort, 71% had a diagnosis of liver disease and 44% were referred to secondary care. These results suggest the potential utility of this algorithm as a liver fibrosis stratifying tool in primary care, where updating referral protocols to detect high-risk F3–4 is needed. FIB-4 and ELF sequential measurement is an efficient strategy to prioritize patients with high risk of F3–4 in populations with metabolic risk factors.
Deploying artificial intelligence in services to AID vulnerable consumers
Authors: Hermann Erik , Williams Gizem Yalcin , Puntoni Stefano
Published: November 2023

Despite offering substantial opportunities to tailor services to consumers’ wants and needs, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies often come with ethical and operational challenges. One salient instance of such challenges emerges when vulnerable consumers, consumers who temporarily or permanently lack resource access or control, are unknowingly discriminated against, or excluded from the marketplace. By integrating the literature on consumer vulnerability, AI for social good, and the calls for rethinking marketing for a better world, the current work builds a framework on how to leverage AI technologies to detect, better serve, and empower vulnerable consumers. Specifically, our AID framework advocates for designing AI technologies that make services more accessible, optimize customer experiences and journeys interactively, and to dynamically improve consumer decision-making. Adopting a multi-stakeholder perspective, we also discuss the respective implications for researchers, managers, consumers, and public policy makers.
Timber Production Opportunities from Private Native Forests in Southern Queensland
Authors: Francis Ben , Venn Tyron , Lewis Tom
Published: November 2023

Historically, Queensland’s private native forests have supplied between 40 and 70% of the hardwood resource to the state’s primary processors. Hardwood timber production from state-owned native forests and plantations in Queensland has decreased substantially in recent decades, increasing the hardwood timber industry’s reliance on private native forests. However, timber production opportunities from these forests are poorly understood. This study assessed the future wood supply capacity from private native forests in southern Queensland assuming alternative levels of landowner interest in management for timber production and willingness to invest in silvicultural treatment. Commercial and harvestable private native forests in southern Queensland were classified into six forest types and their spatial distributions were assessed. Potential growth rates for each forest type were estimated based on available literature and expert opinion, and their ability to supply logs to industry with and without silvicultural treatments was projected. Commercial and harvestable private native forests were found to cover an area of approximately 1.9 M ha in southern Queensland, of which spotted gum (693,000 ha) and ironbark (641,500 ha) forest types are most common. The private native forest estate is distributed over 17,665 landholdings (LotPlans), with 17% of these accounting for 66% of the commercial and harvestable resource. Most private native forests have not been actively managed for timber production and are in poor condition. Nevertheless, they presently have the potential to supply between about 150,000 and 250,000 m3of logs to industry per annum. Silvicultural treatments were found to have the potential to increase the mean annual increment of these forests by a factor of between two and four, indicating substantial opportunities to increase harvestable log volumes in the medium and long-term. Private native forests in southern Queensland could potentially more than compensate for the supply gap left by the declining area of state-owned native forests that are available for timber harvesting. Actual forest management performed and log volumes supplied to market will depend on the forest management decisions of thousands of individual landholders, which are influenced by their heterogeneous management objectives, the policy environment, perceptions of sovereign risk, timber markets and the long payback periods in forestry. An accommodating forest policy environment and landholder willingness to invest in forest management could maintain and potentially increase private hardwood log supply to industry, which would support farm income diversification and regional employment opportunities.
European governments’ electromobility plans: an assessment with a focus on infrastructure targets and vehicle estimates until 2030
Authors: Marotta Alessandro , Lodi Chiara , Julea Andreea , Gómez Vilchez Jonatan J.
Published: November 2023

Electromobility offers great potentials to the decarbonisation of the transport sector. The purpose of this study is to analyse the development of electromobility in the European Union (EU) and in the United Kingdom (UK) by 2030. The study is based on the objectives provided by the EU Member States and UK in their national implementation reports, as foreseen by the Directive 2014/94/EU on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure. As the initial data coverage was not full, in order to produce a complete data set on registered electric vehicles and public recharging points, we estimated missing values with different statistical techniques and critical analysis of the initial data. A set of proposed indicators, namely the share of electric vehicles, the density of publicly accessible recharging points, the electric vehicles and recharging points annual growth rates and the sufficiency index, were averaged at EU27+UK level to depict the envisaged evolution of electromobility in the present decade. The results show that the objectives of the countries’ governments are overall less ambitious than the goals defined in the EU Green Deal for 2025 and in the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy for 2030. Most of the indicators vary significantly in the 2016–2030 period, often revealing an increased divergence between the development of electric vehicles and public recharging points. Two policy implications are derived: (i) the use of a combined set of indicators to assess the governments’ electromobility plans could be pursued, while the ratio of ten electric vehicles per recharging point may no longer be a useful benchmark; and (ii) measures supporting the uptake of recharging infrastructure are still needed to mitigate the divergence with electric vehicles and to meet the ambitious objectives of the EU Green Deal and Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy.
Modelling the “transactive memory system” in multimodal multiparty interactions
Authors: Biancardi Beatrice , Mancini Maurizio , Ravenet Brian , Varni Giovanna
Published: November 2023

Transactive memory system (TMS) is a team emergent state representing the knowledge of each member about “who knows what” in a team performing a joint task. We present a study to show how the three TMS dimensions Credibility, Specialisation, Coordination, can be modelled as a linear combination of the nonverbal multimodal features displayed by the team performing the joint task. Results indicate that, to some extent, the three dimensions of TMS can be expressed as a linear combination of nonverbal multimodal features. Moreover, the higher the number of modalities (audio, movement, spatial), the better the modelling. Results could be used in future work to design human-centered computing applications able to automatically estimate TMS from teams’ behavioural patterns, to provide feedback and help teams’ interactions.
Personality-Based Adaptation of Robot Behaviour: Acceptability Results on Individuals with Cognitive Impairments
Authors: Rossi Silvia , Di Napoli Claudia , Garramone Federica , Salvatore Elena , Santangelo Gabriella
Published: November 2023

We performed a study to evaluate if the acceptance of a social humanoid robot used for monitoring the activities of elderly users with cognitive deficits increased after interacting with the robot. In addition, we evaluated if the robot’s acceptance is improved when the interaction with the robot occurred in different modalities modulated according to each user’s cognitive and personality profile. A group of 7 participants underwent assessment tools for cognitive and personality traits and for the level of acceptability of the robot. They interacted with the robot at their private home for a minimum of two weeks. The interaction with the robot occurred under two different modalities: standard modality where the robot performed tasks by approaching the subject at a fixed pre-defined frequency of interactions, and at fixed pre-defined times; modulated modality where the robot performed tasks by approaching the subject at different frequencies set according to some personality traits and cognitive profile of the user. The results showed no change in the acceptability level of the robot after direct interaction. Still, personality traits such as Neuroticism and Openness influenced the acceptability of the robot in the elderly only before an interaction. At the same time, these personality traits did not seem to influence the acceptability of the new technology after a direct interaction. Different is the case of cognitive profiles and demographic characteristics. Finally, the score on the pleasantness scale was higher when the interaction with the robot was set in modulated modality rather than standard modality. In conclusion, the identification of the personality traits and the cognitive status in the elderly with cognitive deficits seems to be useful to modulate the type and frequency of interaction of the robot with the user to increase the acceptability of the instrument and pleasures in every daily life.
Association between psychological need satisfaction and online self-regulated learning
Authors: Hidayatullah Achmad , Csíkos Csaba
Published: November 2023

The role that psychological need satisfaction and self-regulated learning play in academic online learning has been extensively researched. However, the impact of the three psychological needs, perceived autonomy, competence, and relatedness, on online self-regulated learning remains unclear. This investigated the association between the satisfaction of psychological needs and the six dimensions of online self-regulated learning. This cross-sectional study adopted a quantitative approach. In all, 315 students from four higher education institutions participated in the present study. Students were asked to complete the online questionnaire of psychological need satisfaction and an online self-regulated learning questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was performed to examine the structural relationships between the two. Our study showed that perceived autonomy predicted goal setting, environment structuring, time management, and self-evaluation but did not predict help-seeking and task strategies. Perceived competence did not predict environment structuring. Perceived relatedness predicted environment structuring, help-seeking, and self-evaluation. This study appears to be the first to examine the predictions of need satisfaction to increase students’ capability in regulating their learning.
Establishment and functional testing of a novel ex vivo extraskeletal osteosarcoma cell model (USZ20-ESOS1)
Authors: Harnisch Kim , Steiner Sabrina , Pliego-Mendieta Alicia , Chen Yanjiang , Planas-Paz Lara , Pauli Chantal
Published: November 2023

Extraskeletal osteosarcoma (ESOS) is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor that originates in the soft tissue. ESOS accounts for less than 1% of all soft tissue sarcomas and exhibits an aggressive behavior with a high propensity for local recurrence and distant metastasis. Despite advances in treatment, the prognosis for ESOS remains poor, with a five-year survival rate of less than 50% and 27% for metastatic patients. Ex vivo models derived from patient samples are critical tools for studying rare diseases with poor prognoses, such as ESOS, and identifying potential new treatment strategies. In this work, we established a novel ESOS ex vivo sarco-sphere model from a metastatic lesion to the dermis for research and functional testing purposes. The ex vivo cell model accurately recapitulated the native tumor, as evidenced by histomorphology and molecular profiles. Through a functional screening approach, we were able to identify novel individual anti-cancer drug sensitivities for different drugs such as romidepsin, miverbresib and to multiple kinase inhibitors. Overall, our new ESOS ex vivo cell model represents a valuable tool for investigating disease mechanisms and answering basic and translational research questions.
Minimun overlap problem on finite groups
Authors: Martos Carlos A. , Huicochea Mario , Daza David F. , Trujillo Carlos A.
Published: November 2023

Let A, B be disjoint sets such that $$A\cup B= [1,2n]\subset {\mathbb {Z}}$$

A
∪
B
=
[
1
,
2
n
]
⊂
Z

and $$\vert A\vert = \vert B\vert = n$$

|
A
|
=
|
B
|
=
n

. Let us call $$m (A, B)=\max _{t \in {\mathbb {Z}}}\vert (t+B)\cap A \vert $$

m

(
A
,
B
)

=

max

t
∈
Z

|

(
t
+
B
)

∩
A
|

and consider $$M(n):=\min \limits _{(A,B)} m(A,B)$$

M

(
n
)

:
=

min

(
A
,
B
)

m

(
A
,
B
)

(over all partitions with $$A \cup B=\left[ 1,2n\right] $$

A
∪
B
=

1
,
2
n

). There are well-known upper and lower bounds of M(n). In this paper we studied a variation of this problem, i.e. we considered a finite abelian group G with $$\vert G \vert =k$$

|
G
|
=
k

, we define M(G) which is analogous to M(n) and we obtained upper and lower bounds for M(G).
Impact of uncertainty on inflation forecast errors in Central and Eastern European countries
Authors: Kliber Agata , Szyszko Magdalena , Próchniak Mariusz , Rutkowska Aleksandra
Published: November 2023

The question underlying the research problem addressed by this study concerns various factors, including uncertainty, that could affect forecast errors. Previous works, focusing mainly on world-leading economies, are inconclusive on how economic agents form inflation forecasts or why forecast errors occur. There is a gap in the empirical literature that needs to be filled. The analysis covers the 2016–2020 period and seven economies: Albania, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey. We verify whether forecast errors are driven by production, inflation, exchange rates, interest rates, oil prices, changes in the tone of the central bank’s releases and their uncertainty. We assess whether economic agents can process available information to present accurate inflation forecasts. The results suggest that neither consumers nor professionals do—they present inaccurate forecasts regularly. The results suggest that exchange rate volatility is the most important variable that positively affects forecast errors, followed by inflation and its volatility. This confirms (in most cases) a theoretical assumption that a stable environment is better for long-term development as lower inflation forecast errors allow for the optimization of economic decisions. The study implies that mechanisms supporting forecasting during turbulent times must be strengthened. It presents the set of variables that should be analyzed more carefully by consumers and professionals. In addition, central banks could provide more precise communication regarding the evolution of error drivers. Our results build on existing literature by explicitly linking macroeconomic uncertainty with forecast errors including for small open economies from Eurasia.
Approximation Properties of Extended Beta-Type Szász–Mirakjan Operators
Authors: Rao Nadeem , Raiz Mohd , Ayman-Mursaleen Mohammad , Mishra Vishnu Narayan
Published: November 2023

In this article, we introduce generalized beta extension of Sz$$\acute{a}$$a´sz-integral type operators and study their approximation properties. First, we calculate the some estimates for these operators. Further, we study the uniform convergence and order of approximation in terms of Korovkin-type theorem and modulus of continuity for the space of univariate continuous functions and bivariate continuous functions in their sections.. Moreover, numerical estimates and graphical representations for convergence of one- and two-dimensional sequences of operators are studied. In continuation, local and global approximation properties are studied in terms of the first- and second-order modulus of smoothness, Peetre’s K-functional and weight functions in various functional spaces.
Self-help: a Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Mental Health Apps for Low- and Middle-Income Communities
Authors: Gama B. , Laher S.
Published: November 2023

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are tasked with providing adequate and accessible mental health care. However, this has been a slow process due to the lack of resources. With the recent advances in technology, mental health apps offer the opportunity to provide mental health care that is accessible and affordable. This study explored the efficacy of mental health apps in LMICs using the AAAQ framework. A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines explored studies published from 2015 to 2021. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were analysed using content analysis and thematic synthesis. Themes centred around the availability of mental health care systems in LMICs, some of the barriers to accessing mental health care, the need for mental health apps to be congruent with the communities that they are used in and quality criteria for apps. The study offers valuable insight towards mediating some of the struggles faced in the implementation of appropriate mental health care in LMICs using mental health apps.
Soil improvement to enhance resistance parameters using bacterial precipitation and nanosilica
Authors: Sangdeh Moein Khoshdel , Negahdar Alireza , Tabandeh Fatemeh
Published: November 2023

Soil has an important role in the structure of every building. Although there are different methods available to improve the mechanical properties of soil (adhesion, friction, and rigidity), some, such as chemical methods, despite their limited advantages, will harm the environment. The present study examined the use of microbiologically induced calcite precipitation, which is good for the environment and is a stable improvement method. An experimental study was conducted to study the influence of different factors on the resistance parameters of improved sandy soil. These parameters were the concentration of reactive materials (0.25, 0.5, 0.75 M), curing time (3, 7, 14 days), and compatibility of the bacteria with the nanoparticle. The results showed that the shear strength parameters improved and the soil adhesion rate increased from 0.1 to 186. The soil friction angle reached 35.6°, indicating a 12% increase compared to that of unimproved sand.
Analysis of torque controlling strategies of interior permanent magnet synchronous machine in hybrid electric vehicle
Authors: Usha S. , Geetha P. , Palanisamy R. , Kitmo  , Jember Yosef Berhan
Published: November 2023

Significance of this research is based on torque controlling strategies in hybrid electric vehicle. The traction motor of a hybrid electric commercial vehicle must have a high power density-to-weight ratio and excellent torque at extremely low speeds. A proportional-integral controller estimates the high-resolution rotor position based on the difference between actual as well as reference output power. This technique can correct for hall position sensor installation error and also accurately estimate rotor position. In this study, a current proportional integral controller is also used to determine the permanent magnetic flux linkage. Experiments are used to test other key metrics such as d-axis and q-axis inductances, stator resistance, and energy loss. The measured parameters are kept in lookup tables that span the whole operating range at various current levels. A maximum torque per ampere control methodology, paired with the feed forward parameter iteration method, may be used to produce accurate and efficient torque control based on these precise parameters. The standard driving cycle performance requirements of the modelled Federal Test Procedure vehicle is analysed in the article for understanding the real model requirements of the vehicle. The efficacy of the proposed methodology using Matlab/Simulink environment is analysed. Both modelling and experimental findings validate the efficacy, torque ripple, stator and rotor flux, sensitivity of the vehicle parameter as well as the computational complexity of the proposed methodology.
Analysis of Collision Avoidance Manoeuvres Using Aerodynamic Drag for the Flying Laptop Satellite
Authors: Turco Fabrizio , Traub Constantin , Gaißer Steffen , Burgdorf Jonas , Klinkner Sabine , Fasoulas Stefanos
Published: November 2023

Collision avoidance is a topic of growing importance for any satellite orbiting Earth. Especially those satellites without thrusting capabilities face the problem of not being able to perform impulsive collision avoidance manoeuvres. For satellites in low Earth orbits, though, perturbing accelerations due to aerodynamic drag may be used to influence their trajectories, thus offering a possibility to avoid collisions without consuming propellant. Here, this manoeuvring option is investigated for the satellite Flying Laptop of the University of Stuttgart, which orbits the Earth at approximately $${600}\,{\textrm{km}}$$

600

km

. In a first step, the satellite is aerodynamically analysed making use of the tool ADBSat. By employing an analytic equation from the literature, in-track separation distances can then be derived following a variation of the ballistic coefficient through a change in attitude. A further examination of the achievable separation distances proves the feasibility of aerodynamic collision avoidance manoeuvres for the Flying Laptop for moderate and high solar and geomagnetic activity. The predicted separation distances are further compared to flight data, where the principle effect of the manoeuvre on the satellite trajectory becomes visible. The results suggest an applicability of collision avoidance manoeuvres for all satellites in comparable and especially in lower orbits than the Flying Laptop, which are able to vary their ballistic coefficient.
2D/2D composites based on graphitic carbon nitride and MXenes for photocatalytic reactions: a critical review
Authors: Praus Petr
Published: November 2023

The combination of the two-dimensional (2D) materials g-C3N4 and MXenes in photocatalysis offers several advantages. The g-C3N4 can serve as a visible light-absorbing material, while MXenes can enhance the charge separation and transfer processes leading to improved photocatalytic efficiency. A critical review of 77 already published articles in the field of photocatalytic reactions using g-C3N4 and MXenes, such as hydrogen evolution, the reduction of carbon dioxide, the degradation of organic compounds, the redox reactions of nitrogen, was conducted. For the purpose of greater objectivity, the published results were analysed by non-parametric Mann–Whitney, Kolmogorov–Smirnov, and Mood´s median tests and visualised by box and whisker plots. It was found that MXenes can significantly improve the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4. Adding other co-catalysts to the MXene/g-C3N4 composites does not bring a significant improvement in the photocatalytic performance. Promising results were obtained especially in the fields of hydrogen evolution and the reduction of carbon dioxide. Since the MXenes are relatively a new class of materials, there is still a big challenge for finding new photocatalytic applications and for the enhancement of existing photocatalytic systems based on g-C3N4, especially in terms of the MXenes and g-C3N4 surface and in the heterojunction engineering.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Determination of Power Transformer Fault’s Severity Based on Fuzzy Logic Model with GR, Level and DGA Interpretation
Authors: Gopakumar S. , Sree Renga Raja T.
Published: November 2023

Transformer defects are defined by their severity which is the intrinsic property of the transformer. Several approaches for identifying the severity of Power Transformer (PT) problems have previously been proposed; however, most published research does not incorporate Gas Level (GL), Gas Rate (GR), and DGA interpretation into a unified strategy. A novel technique in the form of fuzzy logic (FL) has been offered as a new way to assess faults’ severity by utilizing the combination of GL, GR, and DGA interpretation from the Duval Pentagon Method (DPM) to increase the reliability of the faults’ severity evaluation of PT. Based on the local population, a four-level typical concentration and rate were created. A Deep Learning (DL) oriented Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) based DPM and Harris Hawks Optimization (HHO) method with a high agreement to that same graphical DPM has also been devised to enable the evaluation of hundreds of PT information easy. The proposed method was applied to 448 PTs, and it was then used to assess the severity of problems in PTs using historical DGA data. Due to the integration of GL, GR, and DGA interpretation results in one technique, this novel strategy yields good agreement with earlier methods, but with better sensitivity.
Crisis management experience in Hungary
Authors: Gellen Marton
Published: November 2023

The experience of managing the COVID-19 and the migration crises in Hungary has been highly criticized in academic literature. The article delves deeper into the matter by scrutinizing the dual challenge of managing the given crises while facing disciplinary measures from the EU. The study uses the system approach to explain and predict the interactions between the affected nation states and the EU institutions in times of turbulent crises. The article’s affirmations are inspired by the system approach and are substantiated by comparative findings of empirical studies. The article finds that disciplinary interventions are likely to increase autopoietic tendencies in the targeted member states. Disciplinary measures apparently add to the member states’ challenges inevitably increasing self-reliance and autonomous decision-making.
Microphysics of Heavy Rain Associated With the Eyewall and Inner Rainbands of Typhoon Meranti (2016)
Authors: Wang Lan , Bao Xuwei , Hu Yajun , Zhang Shuai , Lin Wen , Zhuang Yao
Published: November 2023

Heavy rain in a tropical cyclone (TC) tends to occur in its eyewall and inner spiral rainbands. The distinct dynamical and thermodynamical structures between TC eyewall and inner rainbands were argued to be responsible for different rain microphysics by previous studies. Thus, this study investigated the microphysical characteristics of heavy rain (≥10 mm hr−1) associated with the eyewall and inner rainbands of Typhoon Meranti (2016), based on the joint observations of two disdrometers and a dual‐polarization radar (DPR) as well as automatic weather stations in Fujian province of China. The surface disdrometer observation showed that the eyewall rain has a larger mean raindrop diameter and a smaller mean concentration than the inner‐rainband rain. In general agreement with the disdrometer observation, the DPR observation confirmed larger sizes of raindrops near the ground in the eyewall. However, the vertical profiles of polarimetric variables showed larger values almost throughout the atmosphere in the eyewall, namely that more efficient ice‐ and warm‐cloud processes are evident for the production of ice and rain particles. This result looks contradictory to the lower concentration of the eyewall rain than the inner‐rainband rain as measured by surface disdrometers. This is because stronger updrafts observed in the eyewall not only facilitate the production and growth of hydrometeors, but also prevent small raindrops from falling to the ground. Consequently, the surface rain in the eyewall has larger raindrop diameter and lower concentration than that in the inner rainbands, despite a larger number of ice and rain particles in the atmosphere.
Comparison of Ionospheric Bite‐Outs Between Observations From Beidou GEO TEC and Ionosonde Over East Asia
Authors: Wang Yihan , Huang Fuqing , Lei Jiuhou , Luan Xiaoli , Li Guozhu , Li Na , Dou Xiankang
Published: November 2023

In this study, the daytime bite‐outs were systematically compared between the total electron content (TEC) and peak electron density of F2 layer (NmF2) data using observations from Beidou GEO receivers and ionosondes over East Asia. Moreover, the Thermosphere‐Ionosphere Electrodynamics Global Circulation Model simulations were also employed to analyze the underlying physical mechanisms. There was an obvious difference in the occurrence rate of bite‐outs between TEC and NmF2, although bite‐outs from both data sets showed similar seasonal and latitudinal dependences. Interestingly, the differences in the bite‐out occurrence rates also varied with season and latitude. Their difference, which showed the opposite trend to the occurrence rates themselves, became prominent in equinoxes and less evident in June solstice, peaking at the equatorial ionization anomaly crest. In addition, the occurrence times of bite‐outs were different as observed in TEC and NmF2 sometimes. Bite‐out in TEC tended to start earlier than that in NmF2 at middle latitudes, whereas an opposite pattern was seen at low latitudes. On the contrary, TEC bite‐out often died away earlier than NmF2 bite‐out regardless of the latitudes. The simulations suggested that the vertical E × B drifts associated with zonal equatorial electric fields and the meridional neutral winds could play crucial roles in the characteristics of both bite‐outs.
Variation of Ionospheric Shortwave Absorption of the Extraordinary Wave
Authors: Jiang Xiaoli , Li Huimin , Guo Lixin , Ye Dalin
Published: November 2023

In this study, associating with the A‐H formulation, we have developed a comprehensive ionospheric absorption model by incorporating the latest version of geomagnetic model, the atmospheric and ionospheric model as the background. Based on the absorption model, the ionospheric stratification theory is utilized to explore the trend of the total absorption for extraordinary (X) wave with frequency and elevation angle. We found that the factor of local time has a greater impact on the trend of total absorption variation than other factors—solar activity, season, and latitude, attributing to the variation of electron collision frequency. During the two different local times (daytime and night), the trends of the total absorption have distinct differences. In the daytime, it is worth noting that the reflection heights and the peaks of the absorption coefficient both mainly occur in Layers D and E. Therefore, the non‐deviative absorption dominates the variation of the total absorption. On the other hand, the occurrence of Pedersen ray results in inflexion points arising in the curves of absorption versus frequency or elevation angle. Another interesting phenomenon is the dominant role of deviative absorption at night. At night, the reflection heights mainly occur in Layer F, and the absorption coefficient of Layer F begins to exceed the peak levels of Layers D and E when the frequency or elevation angle is larger than certain values. Hence, the total absorption will grow as a result of the increase in deviative absorption with the increase in reflection height and absorption coefficient.
The Response of Electron Pitch Angle Distributions to the Upper Limit on Stably Trapped Particles
Authors: Walton S. D. , Mann I. R. , Olifer L. , Ozeke L. G. , Forsyth C. , Rae I. J. , Walach M.‐T. , Murphy K. R. , Claudepierre S. G. , Spence H. E. , Baker D. N.
Published: November 2023

We use Van Allen Probes electron data during 70 geomagnetic storms to examine the response of equatorial pitch angle distributions (PADs) at L* = 4.0–4.5 to a theoretical upper limit on stably trapped particle fluxes. Of the energies examined, 54 and 108 keV electron PADs isotropize to a previously assumed level within 6 hr of reaching the limit, near‐identically across all 70 storms, consistent with rapid pitch angle scattering due to chorus wave interactions. In around 30% of events, 54 keV electrons completely exceed the KP limit, before being quickly subdued. 470 and 749 keV PADs show clear indications of an upper limit, though less aligned with the calculated limit used here. The consistency of an absolute upper limit shown across all events demonstrates the importance of this phenomena in both the limiting effect on electron flux and consistently influencing electron PAD evolution during geomagnetic storms. These results also highlight the need for further investigation, particularly related to the limiting of higher energy electrons.
An Assessment of Southern Hemisphere Extratropical Cyclones in ERA5 Using WindSat
Authors: McErlich Cameron , McDonald Adrian , Renwick James , Schuddeboom Alex
Published: November 2023

ERA5 reanalysis output is compared to WindSat polarimetric microwave radiometer measurements for Southern Hemisphere midlatitude to high‐latitude cyclones between 2003 and 2019. WindSat provides independent measures of low‐level wind speed, total column water vapor (TCWV), cloud liquid water (CLW), and precipitation, which are not assimilated into ERA5. We implement a tracking scheme to identify cyclone centers, before using cyclone composites to match concurrent data in ERA5 and WindSat. We find ERA5 and WindSat show comparable spatial structures for all variables, although their distributions show poorer agreement for CLW and precipitation. Compared to WindSat, ERA5 underestimates TCWV by up to 5% and CLW by up to 40%. ERA5 underestimates precipitation in the warm sector by up to 15%, but overestimates in the cold sector by up to 60%. Similar biases in ERA5 are seen compared to Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for EOS (AMSR‐E) data, even though AMSR‐E radiances are assimilated into ERA5. Comparing ERA5 and WindSat across the cyclone lifecycle, strong spatial correlation is seen as the cyclone deepens and reaches peak intensity, before slightly declining as the cyclone decays. In the cold sector ERA5 shows an underestimation of CLW, yet overestimates precipitation at all lifecycle stages. However, in the warm sector precipitation is underestimated. This potentially suggests biases within the ERA5 parameterizations of cloud and precipitation causing a disconnect between the two. Despite this, ERA5 shows strong correlation with WindSat and determines cyclone structure well across the cyclone lifecycle, showing its value for use in cyclone compositing analysis.