bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antimalarial procurement in private-sector pharmaceutical outlets: decision-making complexities and implications for medicine quality in Tanzania
Authors: Mshana Gerry , Mayebe Tubeti , Balira Rebecca , Hamill Heather , Hampshire Kate
Published: September 2023

Poor-quality medicines are a major threat to healthcare provision in low-income countries. The problem exacerbates disease vulnerabilities of already disadvantaged populations including children, women, and the elderly. However, while the higher-level structural drivers of this problem are well established, little is known about decision-making lower down pharmaceutical supply chains, and whether this might produce vulnerabilities for medicine quality. We conducted a mixed-methods study to explore retailer–supplier interactions and decision-making dynamics for antimalarial medicines in three regions of Tanzania: Tabora, Dodoma and Mbeya. A survey questionnaire was administered to 118 small scale-and mid-range retailers in urban and rural districts of the regions. We then conducted 12 in-depth interviews with staff and owners of medicine outlets in 2 districts of Tabora region to explore further the decision-making dynamics. Results show that private-sector retailers are driven first and foremost by business and economic practicalities when choosing a medicine supplier, prioritising low purchase price, free delivery, and availability of credit. Many also rely on suppliers with whom they have personal connections, developed either within or outside the business context. Medicine quality comes far lower down the list of priorities. These findings are perhaps not surprising in a context where businesses serving low-income customers are operating on very small margins. However, when price and personal connection eclipse any other considerations, there is a risk that poor-quality medicines may find their way into supply chains, especially in countries where regulatory capacity is limited, and pharmaceutical supply chains are complex and opaque.
Comparing research and development, launch, and scale up timelines of 18 vaccines: lessons learnt from COVID-19 and implications for other infectious diseases
Authors: Mao Wenhui , Zimmerman Armand , Urli Hodges Elina , Ortiz Ernesto , Dods Galen , Taylor Andrea , Udayakumar Krishna
Published: September 2023

Over the next decade, millions of deaths could be prevented by increasing access to vaccines in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the research and development (R&D), launch and scale up timelines of vaccines can be drastically shortened. This study compares such timelines for eighteen vaccines and identifies lessons and implications for accelerating the R&D, launch and scale up process for other vaccine candidates. To replicate the rapid R&D process of the COVID-19 vaccines, future vaccine R&D should capitalise on public–private knowledge sharing partnerships to promote technology innovation, establish regional clinical trial centres and data sharing networks to optimise clinical trial efficiency, and create a funding mechanism to support research into novel vaccine platforms that may prove valuable to quickly developing vaccine candidates in future global health emergencies. To accelerate the launch timeline, future efforts to bring safe and efficacious vaccines to market should include LMICs in the decision-making processes of global procurement and delivery alliances to optimise launch in these countries, strengthen the WHO prequalification and Emergency Use Listing programs to ensure LMICs have a robust and transparent regulatory system to rely on, and invest in LMIC regulatory and manufacturing capacity to ensure these countries are vaccine self-sufficient. Lastly, efforts to accelerate scale up of vaccines should include the creation of regional pooled procurement mechanisms between LMICs to increase purchasing power among these countries and an open line of clear communication with the public regarding pertinent vaccine information to combat misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.
Women with limb loss: rationale, design and protocol for a national, exploratory needs assessment to evaluate the unique physical and psychosocial needs of women with limb loss
Authors: Disla Roxanne , Pruziner Alison L , Sidiropoulos Alexis N , Ellis Kathryn M , Bushnik Tamara , Hyre Michael J , Nelson Leif M , Klingbeil Heidi , Maikos Jason T
Published: September 2023

Introduction

There is a growing population of women with limb loss, yet limited research is available to provide evidentiary support for clinical decision-making in this demographic. As such, there is a critical gap in knowledge of evidence-based healthcare practices aimed to maximise the physical and psychosocial needs of women with limb loss. The objective of this study is to develop a comprehensive, survey-based needs assessment to determine the unique impact of limb loss on women, including physical and psychosocial needs.

Methods and analysis

A bank of existing limb loss-specific and non-limb loss-specific surveys were arranged around domains of general health, quality of life, prosthetic use and needs, psychosocial health and behaviours and body image. These surveys were supplemented with written items to ensure coverage of relevant domains. Written items were iteratively refined with a multidisciplinary expert panel. The interpretability of items and relevance to limb loss were then internally tested on a small group of rehabilitation, engineering and research professionals. A diverse sample of 12 individuals with various levels of limb loss piloted the instrument and participated in cognitive interviews. Items from existing surveys were evaluated for relevance and inclusion in the survey, but not solicited for content feedback. Pilot testing resulted in the removal of 13 items from an existing survey due to redundancy. Additionally, 13 written items were deleted, 42 written items were revised and 17 written items were added. The survey-based needs assessment has been crafted to comprehensively assess the wide spectrum of issues facing women with limb loss. The final version of the survey-based needs assessment included 15 subsections.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Veterans Affairs Central Institutional Review Board. The results will be disseminated through national and international conferences, as well as through manuscripts in leading peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

No healthcare intervention on human participants was conducted.
‘Health Connections’: study protocol for the development of a coproduced, community-based diet, physical activity, and healthy weight intervention for UK black and Asian adults
Authors: Maynard Maria J , Joshi Kshama , Ells Louisa J , Apekey Tanefa A
Published: September 2023

Introduction

A limited number of diet, physical activity and weight management programmes suitable for UK black and Asian populations have been evaluated. We aim to coproduce ‘Health Connections’—an ambitious new intervention to support dietary and physical activity choices, and maintaining a healthier weight, tailored to the needs of black Caribbean, black African and South Asian adults. Our existing research and public engagement work suggests that the intervention should be designed to be embedded in communities and delivered by peer educators supported by health professionals.

Methods and analysis

The project is underpinned by a systems perspective that posits collective efficacy within communities, behaviour change theory and coproduction. Project activities will be conducted in three stages. Stage 1: semistructured interviews will be conducted with adults from diverse South Asian ethnic groups to understand their experiences, perspectives and intervention needs, adding to our existing data from black ethnic groups. We will synthesise the data, literature, available intervention resources and local practice, and develop the theoretical framework to codevelop intervention goals, programme theory and a draft logic model of change. Stage 2: a theorised list of potential intervention components, session content and mode/s of delivery will be explored in a modified Delphi exercise and workshop to achieve consensus on the intervention format. We will also develop prototype materials and a formal implementation plan. Stage 3: a description of the intervention will be documented.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has received ethical approval from the School of Health Research Ethics Committee, Leeds Beckett University. Information on the project aims and voluntary participation is provided in the study participation information sheet. Consent will be certified by the completion and signing of a consent form prior to data collection. Dissemination for a range of stakeholders and audiences will include publications, presentations, short films and an infographic.
Machine learning models for predicting pre-eclampsia: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Ranjbar Amene , Taeidi Elham , Mehrnoush Vahid , Roozbeh Nasibeh , Darsareh Fatemeh
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Pre-eclampsia is one of the most serious clinical problems of pregnancy that contribute significantly to maternal mortality worldwide. This systematic review aims to identify and summarise the predictive factors of pre-eclampsia using machine learning models and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of machine learning models in predicting pre-eclampsia.

Methods and analysis

This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. This search strategy includes the search for published studies from inception to January 2023. Databases include the Cochrane Central Register, PubMed, EMBASE, ProQuest, Scopus and Google Scholar. Search terms include ‘preeclampsia’ AND ‘artificial intelligence’ OR ‘machine learning’ OR ‘deep learning’. All studies that used machine learning-based analysis for predicting pre-eclampsia in pregnant women will be considered. Non-English articles and those that are unrelated to the topic will be excluded. PROBAST (Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool) will be used to assess the risk of bias and the applicability of each included study.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required, as our review will include published and publicly accessible data. Findings from this review will be disseminated via publication in a peer-review journal.

PROSPERO registration number

This review is registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023432415).
Followership in interprofessional healthcare teams: a state-of-the-art narrative review
Authors: Barry Erin S , Teunissen Pim , Varpio Lara
Published: September 2023

Objective

A state-of-the-art (SotA) literature review—a type of narrative review— was conducted to answer: What historical developments led to current conceptualisations of followership in interprofessional healthcare teams (IHTs)?

Design

Working from a constructivist orientation, SotA literature reviews generate a chronological overview of how knowledge evolved and presents this summary in three parts: (1) this is where we are now, (2) this is how we got here and (3) this is where we should go next. Using the SotA six-stage methodology, a total of 48 articles focused on followership in IHTs were used in this study.

Results

Articles about followership within IHTs first appeared in 1993. Until 2011, followership was framed as leader-centric; leaders used their position to influence followers to uphold their dictums. This perspective was challenged when scholars outside of healthcare emphasised the importance of team members for achieving goals, rejecting a myopic focus on physicians as leaders. Today, followership is an important focus of IHT research but two contradictory views are present: (1) followers are described as active team members in IHTs where shared leadership models prevail and (2) conceptually and practically, old ways of thinking about followership (ie, followers are passive team members) still occur. This incongruity has generated a variable set of qualities associated with good followership.

Conclusions

Leadership and followership are closely linked concepts. For leaders and followers in today’s IHTs to flourish, the focus must be on followers being active members of the team instead of passive members. Since theories are increasingly encouraging distributed leadership, shared leadership and/or situational leadership, then we must understand the followership work that all team members need to harness. We need to be cognizant of team dynamics that work within different contexts and use leadership and followership conceptualisations that are congruent with those contexts.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Risk Probability Index: ready for routine use? Results from a Chinese cohort
Authors: Zhang Lin , Lu Wentian , Yan Dong , Liu Zhichun , Xue Leixi
Published: September 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the performance of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Risk Probability Index (SLERPI) in patients with SLE using a Chinese cohort.

Methods

The Chinese cohort included 352 patients with and 385 without SLE (control group). The clinical data of patients, including demographic data, clinical findings and serological profiles, were collected. Patients with an SLERPI score >7 were classified as SLE. The performance of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)-1997, Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC)-2012 and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)/ACR-2019 criteria were used as references.

Results

Of these four classification criteria, SLERPI has the highest sensitivity (98.3% (95% CI 96.3% to 99.4%)), but lowest specificity (89.4% (95% CI 85.8% to 92.2%)). In the control group, patients eligible for the classification criteria for SLE were mainly those with primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS) and undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD), which adversely affected the specificity of the classification criteria. Moreover, significantly more patients with pSS and UCTD met SLERPI than those who met other classification criteria. After excluding patients with pSS and UCTD from the control group, the specificity and accuracy of SLERPI improved to 94.3% (95% CI 91.0% to 96.6%) and 96.5% (95% CI 95.0% to 97.9%), respectively, and both outperformed the EULAR/ACR-2019 criteria. The time to SLERPI classification was the same as their clinical time to diagnosis in 261 patients, earlier than the clinical diagnosis in 23 patients and later than the clinical diagnosis in 9 patients. A total of 280 patients had the same time to SLERPI classification as EULAR/ACR-2019, 8 patients had earlier than EULAR/ACR-2019 and 1 patient had later than EULAR/ACR-2019.

Conclusion

SLERPI performed well in patients with SLE, particularly for the earlier diagnosis of SLE.
Enhanced supportive care: prospective cohort study of oncology patients and caregivers
Authors: Taylor Sally , Vercell Amy , Sawyer Chelsea , Khatoon Binish , Coomber-Moore Jake , Yorke Janelle , Mula Carole , Berman Richard
Published: September 2023

Objectives

A prospective cohort study to evaluate clinical effectiveness of the enhanced supportive care (ESC) service at a comprehensive cancer centre and to explore the impact of the service on patient and caregiver outcomes and experience.

Methods

Patients who received care under the ESC service and their caregivers were eligible. Consented patients (n=184) and caregivers (n=67) completed questionnaires at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-ESC. Patient questionnaires assessed quality of life (QOL), symptoms, experience of ESC and health service use. Caregiver questionnaires included QOL and needs assessment. Selected patients (n=13) participated in qualitative interviews. Quantitative analysis explored differences in questionnaire responses over time (p<0.05). Qualitative data were analysed thematically.

Results

Patient quantitative data showed improvements in QOL (p=0.004 for European Quality of Life Questionnaire 5 dimensions (EQ5D) health index scores) and anxiety (p=0.006) at 4 weeks, reduction in some symptoms (pain p=0.02 at 4 weeks), improvement in self-efficacy, an increase in problems being addressed and a decrease in health service use (reduction in outpatient appointments). Qualitative findings suggested patients were generally satisfied with the ESC service but identified areas for improvement such as increased awareness of ESC and earlier referral. Fewer improvements were noted for caregivers; however, they did report a decrease in unmet needs.

Conclusion

The ESC service had a positive impact on various patient-reported and caregiver-reported outcomes. There were also positive impacts on health service use. Increasing awareness of ESC and engaging patients at an earlier stage in the disease trajectory may further improve patient satisfaction and outcomes.
Deep continuous sedation at the patient’s request until death in a palliative care unit: retrospective study
Authors: Prampart Simon , Huon Jean Francois , Colpaert Andre , Delavaud Clémence , Nizard Julien , Evin Adrien
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Limited descriptive data are available on continuous and deep sedation maintained until death (CDSUD) at the patient’s request in palliative care units. This study aimed to describe such practices in the context of refractory suffering or after a request to stop life-sustaining treatment, evaluating the duration and dosage of sedative treatments used.

Methods

This retrospective observational study included consecutively hospitalised patients in a palliative care unit from January 2020 to December 2021. Data on patient profiles, reasons for the sedation request, duration of sedation and doses of sedatives were collected.

Results

Among 42 patients who underwent CDSUD, 79% occurred due to refractory suffering. In cases of sedation following a request to stop life support, high-dose corticosteroid therapy was the most commonly involved life-sustaining treatment. Midazolam was always the first-line sedative treatment. Chlorpromazine was added in 79% of cases, and propofol in 40%, to achieve a deep level of sedation. The mean maximum doses of midazolam, chlorpromazine and propofol were 7.6 mg/hour (±1.9), 3.3 mg/hour (±0.9) and 1.7 mg/kg/hour, respectively. The average duration of sedation was 37 hours.

Conclusions

This study provides new descriptive elements on CDSUD. Notably, it highlights the use of second-line sedative molecules, such as propofol.
Geometric Poisson distribution of photons produced in the ultrarelativistic hadronic collisions
Authors: Nair Rahul R. , Wilk Grzegorz , Włodarczyk Zbigniew
Published: September 2023

We show that the multiplicity distribution of photons produced with enhanced void probability in inelastic proton-proton collisions at $$\sqrt{s} =$$

s

=

900 GeV, 2.76 TeV, and 7 TeV, measured at forward rapidities by the ALICE experiment at LHC, can be described by the geometric Poisson distribution. The traditionally used negative binomial distribution fails to reproduce the enhanced void probability and the shape of the modified combinants simultaneously. Our findings are relevant for the theoretical modeling of photon production processes in high-energy hadronic collisions.
Dynamical system analysis in teleparallel gravity with boundary term
Authors: Kadam S. A. , Thakkar Ninaad P. , Mishra B.
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we perform the dynamical system analysis of the cosmological models framed in the extended teleparallel gravity, the f(T, B) gravity. We use the mapping, $$f(T, B)\rightarrow -T+\tilde{f}(T, B)$$

f

(
T
,
B
)

→
-
T
+

f
~

(
T
,
B
)

, and define the dynamical variables to form the autonomous dynamical system. The critical points are obtained in two well-motivated forms of f(T, B), one that involves the logarithmic form of the boundary term B, and the other one is the non-linear form of the boundary term. The position of critical points is shown in the different evolutionary phases of the Universe such as radiation, matter, and de-Sitter phase. The stability condition of each of the critical points of both the models is derived and the behavior of each point has been obtained mathematically and through the phase portrait. The evolution of standard density parameters such as radiation ($$\Omega _{r}$$

Ω
r

), matter ($$\Omega _{m}$$

Ω
m

), and dark energy ($$\Omega _{DE}$$

Ω

DE

) are also analyzed. Further to connect with the present cosmological scenario, the behavior of deceleration and equation of state parameter both in the dark energy phase ($$\omega _{DE}$$

ω

DE

) and total ($$\omega _{tot}$$

ω

tot

) are shown from the initial condition of the dynamical variables. The accelerating behaviour has been obtained for both models.
On the renormalization of non-polynomial field theories
Authors: Santonocito Andrea , Zappalà Dario
Published: September 2023

A class of scalar models with non-polynomial interaction, which naturally admits an analytical resummation of the series of tadpole diagrams is studied in perturbation theory. In particular, we focus on a model containing only one renormalizable coupling that appear as a multiplicative coefficient of the squared field. A renormalization group analysis of the Green functions of the model shows that these are only approximated solutions of the flow equations, with errors proportional to powers of the coupling, therefore smaller in the region of weak coupling. The final output of the perturbative analysis is that the renormalized model is non-interacting with finite mass and vanishing vertices or, in an effective theory limited by an ultraviolet cut-off, the vertices are suppressed by powers of the inverse cut-off. The relation with some non-polynomial interactions derived long ago, as solutions of the linearized functional renormalization group flow equations, is also discussed.
Quantum corrected charged thin-shell wormholes surrounded by quintessence
Authors: Javed Faisal , Waseem Arfa , Almutairi Bander
Published: September 2023

In this manuscript, we inspect the stable geometry of thin-shell wormholes in the framework of static, spherically-symmetric quantum corrected charged black hole solution bounded by quintessence. In this regard, we develop thin-shell wormholes from two equivalent copies of black hole solutions through the cut and paste approach. Then, we employ the linearized radial perturbation to discuss the stability of the developed wormhole geometry by assuming variable equations of state. We obtain the maximum stable configuration for massive black holes for both barotropic and Chaplygin variables equations of state. It is found that the quantum correction affects the stability of thin-shell wormholes and the presence of charge over the geometry of black holes enhances the stable configuration of thin-shell wormholes.
Renormalized charge and dielectric effects in colloidal interactions: a numerical solution of the nonlinear Poisson–Boltzmann equation for unknown boundary conditions
Authors: Schlaich Alexander , Tyagi Sandeep , Kesselheim Stefan , Sega Marcello , Holm Christian
Published: September 2023

The Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory, introduced more than 70 years ago, is a hallmark of colloidal particle modeling. For highly charged particles in the dilute regime, it is often supplemented by Alexander’s prescription (Alexander et al. in J Chem Phys 80:5776, 1984) for using a renormalized charge. Here, we solve the problem of the interaction between two charged colloids at finite ionic strength, including dielectric mismatch effects, using an efficient numerical scheme to solve the nonlinear Poisson–Boltzmann (NPB) equation with unknown boundary conditions. Our results perfectly match the analytical predictions for the renormalized charge by Trizac and coworkers (Aubouy et al. in J Phys A 36:5835, 2003). Moreover, they allow us to reinterpret previous molecular dynamics (MD) simulation results by Kreer et al. (Phys Rev E 74:021401, 2006), rendering them now in agreement with the expected behavior. We furthermore find that the influence of polarization becomes important only when the Debye layers overlap significantly.

Graphical Abstract
Simultaneous cooling and synchronization of the mechanical and the radio-frequency resonators via voltage modulation
Authors: Wang Liang , Zhang Wei , Liu Shutian , Zhang Shou , Wang Hong-Fu
Published: September 2023

We explore the ground state cooling and quantum synchronization of the mechanical and low-frequency inductor-capacitor (LC) resonators in a hybrid three-mode optoelectromechanical system, in which the mechanical resonator is optically and capacitively coupled to the optical cavity and the LC circuit, respectively. We find that when the bias voltage modulation switch is incorporated into the direct current (DC) bias voltage, ground state cooling and quantum synchronization can be simultaneously achieved regardless of whether the mechanical resonator and the low-frequency LC resonator have the identical frequency. Furthermore, we elucidate the relationship between quantum synchronization and ground state cooling of the two resonators, that is, the simultaneous ground state cooling of the resonators must be accompanied by quantum synchronization. Our work may open up an alternative approach to the simultaneous ground state cooling and quantum synchronization of multiple resonators, which has fewer parametric limitations.
Vertex and Link Residual Closeness of Graphs of Given Fractional Matching Number
Authors: Dong Hui
Published: September 2023

Vertex and link residual closeness are two new measures of network vulnerability due to the failure of individual vertices and links, respectively. We identify those graphs with maximum vertex/link residual closeness over all [Formula: see text]-vertex connected graphs with fixed fractional matching number.
A non-singular early-time viscous cosmological model
Authors: Cruz Norman , González Esteban , Jovel Jose
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we study the thermodynamical and mathematical consistencies for a non-singular early-time viscous cosmological model known as soft-Big Bang, which was previously found in [N. Cruz, E. González and J. Jovel, Phys. Rev. D 105, 024047 (2022)]. This model represents a flat homogeneous and isotropic universe filled with a dissipative radiation fluid and a cosmological constant [Formula: see text], which is small but not negligible, in the framework of Eckart’s theory. In particular, we discuss the capability of the solution in the fulfillment of the three following conditions: (i) the near equilibrium condition, which is assumed in Eckart’s theory of non-perfect fluids, (ii) the mathematical stability of the solution under small perturbations, and (iii) the positiveness of the entropy production. We have found that this viscous model can describe the radiation domination era of the [Formula: see text]CDM model and, at the same time, fulfill the three conditions mentioned by the fulfillment of a single constraint on the bulk viscous coefficient [Formula: see text], finding also that this non-singular model has a positive energy density in the infinity past which is infinity hotter with a constant entropy.
A new approach to investigate the effect of burial depth and clay content on fault permeabilities applied at the Njord Field
Authors: Müller Philipp , Hermanrud Christian , Fossen Haakon
Published: September 2023

Fault permeability prediction typically relies on empirical relationships between permeability and clay content or burial depth. Calibration of such methods relies on either core data or subsurface observations of fluid pressure and hydrocarbon contact offsets across faults. Published core data suggest that no relationships exist between host rock clay content and fault permeability for phyllosilicate-framework fault rocks, whereas published subsurface calibration data suggest otherwise. We here present a new method for calibration of fault rock permeabilities to subsurface pressure data. This approach is an analogue from electrical engineering to compute fault permeabilities across all major faults in a study area and optimise depth and clay content dependence of fault permeabilities. We tested this method at the Jurassic section of the Norwegian Njord Field area, where faults span the depth range of 2.7- 4.5 km and the lowest clay content in individual faults varies between 8.9 to 25.7%. The flow-restricting faults at Njord are phyllosilicate-framework fault rocks. Our modelling shows that fault rock permeability decreases with burial depth, whereas the clay content has nearly no impact. Sensitivity analyses show that these results are robust. Therefore, SGR-based algorithms for fault seal prediction cannot be expected to give good fault permeability predictions for seismic-scale faults at Njord.

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Fault and top seals 2022 collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/fault-and-top-seals-2022

Supplementary material:
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6824325
Benchmarks for Automated Commonsense Reasoning: A Survey
Authors: Davis Ernest
Published: September 2023

More than one hundred benchmarks have been developed to test the commonsense knowledge and commonsense reasoning abilities of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. However, these benchmarks are often flawed, and many aspects of common sense remain untested. Consequently, there is currently no reliable way of measuring to what extent existing AI systems have achieved these abilities.

This article surveys the development and uses of AI commonsense benchmarks. It enumerates 139 commonsense benchmarks that have been developed: 102 text-based, 18 image-based, 12 video-based, and 7 based in simulated physical environments. It gives more detailed descriptions of twelve of these, three from each category. It surveys the various methods used to construct commonsense benchmarks. It discusses the nature of common sense, the role of common sense in AI, the goals served by constructing commonsense benchmarks, desirable features of commonsense benchmarks, and flaws and gap in existing benchmarks. It concludes with a number of recommendations for future development of commonsense AI benchmarks; most importantly, that the creators of benchmarks invest the work needed to ensure that benchmark examples are consistently high quality.
Understanding Rug Pulls: An In-depth Behavioral Analysis of Fraudulent NFT Creators
Authors: Sharma Trishie , Agarwal Rachit , Shukla Sandeep Kumar
Published: September 2023

The explosive growth of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on Web3 has created a new frontier for digital art and collectibles and an emerging space for fraudulent activities. This study provides an in-depth analysis of NFT rug pulls, the fraudulent schemes that steal investors’ funds. From a curated dataset of 760 rug pulls across 10 NFT marketplaces, we examine these schemes’ structural and behavioral properties, identify the characteristics and motivations of rug pullers, and classify NFT projects into 20 groups based on creators’ association with their accounts. Our findings reveal that repeated rug pulls account for a significant proportion of the rise in NFT-related cryptocurrency crimes, with one NFT creator attempting 37 rug pulls within 3 months. Additionally, we identify the largest group of creators influencing the majority of rug pulls and demonstrate the connection between rug pullers of different NFT projects using the same wallets to store and move money. Our study contributes to understanding NFT market risks and provides insights for designing preventative strategies to mitigate future losses.
OPERA: Harmonizing Task-Oriented Dialogs and Information Seeking Experience
Authors: Li Miaoran , Peng Baolin , Gao Jianfeng , Zhang Zhu
Published: September 2023

Existing studies in conversational AI mostly treat task-oriented dialog (TOD) and question answering (QA) as separate tasks. Towards the goal of constructing a conversational agent that can complete user tasks and support information seeking, it is important to develop a system that can handle both TOD and QA with access to various external knowledge sources. In this work, we propose a new task, Open-Book TOD (OB-TOD), which combines TOD with QA and expands the external knowledge sources to include both explicit sources (e.g., the web) and implicit sources (e.g., pre-trained language models). We create a new dataset OB-MultiWOZ, where we enrich TOD sessions with QA-like information-seeking experience grounded on external knowledge. We propose a unified model OPERA (
Op
en-book
E
nd-to-end Task-o
r
iented Di
a
log) which can appropriately access explicit and implicit external knowledge to tackle the OB-TOD task. Experimental results show that OPERA outperforms closed-book baselines, highlighting the value of both types of knowledge.

1
Aqueous Zinc Sulfate Flow Through a Copper Mesh Anode Improves Zinc Metal Electrodeposition Morphology and Impedance
Authors: Shan Shuhua , Parekh Mihir N. , Kou Rong , Wang Donghai , Rahn Christopher D.
Published: September 2023

The cycle life and power density of Zn metal batteries depend on the anode electrodeposition morphology, including the formation of metal dendrites, and impedance, respectively. This paper investigates the influence of aqueous ZnSO4 electrolyte convection through a copper mesh anode on Zn electrodeposition morphology and current densities. Electrochemical experiments in a specially designed flow-through cell with a Zn metal cathode reveal that the electrolyte flow from the cathode through the anode improves Zn deposition morphology and reduces impedance at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1 mol l−1. Small flow rates at millimeters per second double the current densities. The electrodeposition morphology and current density are positively impacted at Peclet number larger than 1. At these flow rates, the Zn plating is more smooth, compact, uniformly deposited around the wire, and dense than that in the stagnant electrolyte. Zn-Cu asymmetric cell cycling tests at 50 mA cm−2 show that flow-through electrolyte can significantly increase the cell lifespan from 18 cycles in static electrolyte to 1300 cycles at a flow rate of 0.5 mm s−1. Numerical analysis illustrates that the flow-through electrolyte replenishes consumed zinc ions at the electrode surface and suppresses dendrite growth by maintaining a uniform current density distribution.
Developing a New Flow Cell for Electrochemical Machining Anodic Dissolution Investigations by Simulation-Based Design and 3D Printing
Authors: Liu Weidong , Li Shun , Zhao Yonghua , Yue Xiaoming , Su Jingxin , Wang Zhiping
Published: September 2023

Electrochemical machining (ECM) is an essential non-traditional industrial shaping technology. An in-depth understanding of ECM anodic dissolution is fundamentally important for process parameter design and optimization. However, the existing electrochemical setups face challenges in achieving efficient analysis of these processes. In this work, a new flow cell has been developed via simulation-based design and 3D printing that demonstrates comprehensive advantages in terms of improved electric and flow conditions, measurement technique versatility, and production simplicity at low cost. Simulations are performed to reveal particular characteristics of the proposed cell in terms of physical distributions and to determine its key dimensions with high efficiency. The stereo lithography technique is used to realize the complex design and fabricate the proposed flow cell, thus ensuring ease of accessibility. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the developed cell is verified experimentally by examining the anodic behavior of typical metals in common ECM electrolytes, using Fe and SS304 stainless steel as examples. Test results show that information on the polarization behavior, current efficiency, anodic interface structure, and surface finish can be obtained conveniently and the results agree with previous findings, demonstrating the potential of the developed cell to perform high throughput tests to study ECM fundamentals.
Electrochemical Stability of Li5.4(PS4)(S0.4Cl1.0Br0.6) in an All-Solid-State Battery Comprising LiNbO3-Coated Li(Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1)O2 Cathode and Lithium Metal Anode
Authors: Masuda Naoya , Kobayashi Kiyoshi , Utsuno Futoshi , Kuwata Naoaki
Published: September 2023

All-solid-state lithium-ion batteries are a promising next-generation technology because they have higher energy densities than their liquid-electrolyte counterparts. Recently, halogen-rich argyrodite, specifically Li5.4(PS4)(S0.4Cl1.0Br0.6), has been reported to show higher ionic conductivities than other sulfides with argyrodite structures and electrochemical stability against lithium metal. However, the stability of Li5.4(PS4)(S0.4Cl1.0Br0.6) against cathode active materials in all-solid-state batteries has not yet been evaluated. Herein, we report the electrochemical stability of Li5.4(PS4)(S0.4Cl1.0Br0.6) as a solid electrolyte in an all-solid-state battery. Li(Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1)O2 and lithium metal were used as the cathode and anode, respectively, and an enhancement in the discharge capacity was expected. The impedance of the battery was almost independent of the frequency above 106 Hz for 50 charge/discharge cycles. These findings are a result of the constant lithium-ion resistance of Li5.4(PS4)(S0.4Cl1.0Br0.6). X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that no byproduct phase was formed in the cathode mixture over 50 cycles. These results demonstrate the high chemical stability of Li5.4(PS4)(S0.4Cl1.0Br0.6) against Li(Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1)O2, thereby broadening the design scope of electrolyte materials for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries with high performance and stability.
Transition from Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann to Arrhenius Ion-Conducting Behavior in Poly(Ethyl Acrylate)-Based Solid Polymer Electrolytes via Succinonitrile Plasticizer Addition
Authors: Wang Lei , He Yubin , Xin Huolin L.
Published: September 2023

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) offer potential advantages over liquid electrolytes, including flexibility, safety, and processability. However, they suffer from low room-temperature ionic conductivity. Recently, it has been reported a poly(ethyl acrylate) based (polyEA) SPE, by incorporating 50 wt% of succinonitrile (SN) solid plasticizer, 30 wt% of lithium salt and 5 wt% of fluoroethylene carbonate additive, which achieves a high room-temperature ionic conductivity of 1.01 × 10−3 S cm−1 (Nat. Nanotechnol, 2022, 17, 768-776). This novel SPE exhibits stability against Li0 and anodic stability up to 4.9 V vs Li+/Li. However, the specific mechanism responsible for its high ionic conductivity remains elusive. In this work, by adjusting the weight ratio of SN in the SPE, a transition from Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann to Arrhenius ion-conducting behavior is observed. It is demonstrated that the addition of SN leads to the gradual decoupling of Li-ion from the polymer backbone and its coordination with SN, as revealed by 6Li solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. As a result, Li-ion migration primarily occurs through SN rather than the segmental motion of the polymer backbone. Performances of the SPE in Cu||Li, Li||Li and a LiFePO4||Li pouch cells are shown to demonstrate the commercial viability of this SPE in Li0-anode solid-state batteries.
Optimal Information Fusion-Based Strong Tracking Filter for State of Charge Estimation of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Yang Yu , Ding Jie , Shen Dezhi , Hao Tianyun
Published: September 2023

State of charge (SOC) plays a crucial role in battery management systems, which is of paramount importance in safety of lithium-ion batteries. However, incorrect charging/discharging, electromagnetic interference, electrochemical rebound characteristics of the battery, or battery faults can lead to sudden and unexpected variations in SOC, posing hazards on systems with lithium-ion batteries. To achieve rapid and accurate tracking of such variations, this paper proposes a robust strong tracking filter based on optimal information fusion, which can address the issue of estimation accuracy degradation caused by the over-adjustment of the fading factor in traditional strong tracking filters, while maintaining strong tracking capability for SOC variations. The effectiveness of the proposed method has been demonstrated by discharge experiments and dynamic stress testing.
Alkyl Dicarbonates, Common Electrolyte Degradation Products, Can Enable Long-Lived Li-Ion Cells at High Temperatures
Authors: Taskovic Tina , Adamson Anu , Clarke Alison , Alter Ethan D. , Eldesoky Ahmed , Gering Kevin L. , Tuul Kenneth , Dahn J. R.
Published: September 2023

A common degradation product dimethyl-2,5-dioxahexane carboxylate (DMOHC) produced in Li-ion cell electrolytes after ageing is used here as an electrolyte solvent, allowing Li-ion cells to operate at high temperatures (70 °C and 85 °C) with excellent capacity retention and low impedance growth. Viscosity and conductivity values are reported for various DMOHC and diethyl-2,5-dioxahexane carboxylate (DEOHC) blends with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and diethyl carbonate (DEC). Charge-discharge cycling data are reported for LiFePO4/graphite (LFP), Li[Ni0.5Mn0.3Co0.2]O2/graphite (NMC3.8 V, balanced for 3.8 V cut-off), Li[Ni0.6Mn0.4Co00]O2/graphite (NMC640, balanced for 4.1 V cut-off) and Li[Ni0.83Mn0.06Co0.11]O2/graphite (Ni83, balanced for 4.06 V cut-off) pouch cells at 70 °C and 85 °C. Pouch cells with DMOHC electrolyte have extraordinarily long lifetimes at 70 °C and 85 °C Pouch cells containing DMOHC-based electrolytes produce little to no gas compared to traditional ethylene carbonate (EC) based electrolytes. Cells taken apart after testing showed uniform negative electrode lithiation and no differences in the cell components were observed when using DMOHC electrolytes compared to EC. Lastly, micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy analysis was performed to probe the degree of transition metal deposition on negative electrodes of cycled cells. Very low levels of transition metals were found on the negative electrode even for cells tested at 85 °C. DMOHC is a co-solvent that can enable Li-ion batteries with exceptional high temperature lifetimes.
Inhibiting Metal Galvanic and Carbon Corrosion in Aluminum Alloy-Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite Joints by Spontaneous Deposition of Diazonium Adlayers on Exposed Carbon Fibers
Authors: Dammulla Isuri N. , Swain Greg M.
Published: September 2023

The spontaneous formation of a diazonium molecular adlayer on the exposed fibers of a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite was investigated as a surface treatment. The purpose of the surface treatment is to reduce the extent of galvanic corrosion on a trivalent chromium process (TCP) conversion-coated aluminum alloy when the two materials are mechanically joined as is common in aircraft structures. The adlayer functions to reduce the rate of dissolved oxygen reduction on the more noble carbon thereby reducing the rate of galvanic corrosion on the more active metal alloy. The formation of the adlayer (4-nitrophenyl (NP), 4-nitroazobenzene (NAB), or 2-fluorene diazonium tetrafluoroborate (FL)) was achieved by immersing the CFRP composite specimen in a solution of 5 mM diazonium salt dissolved in acetonitrile for a specified time (1–24 h) under open circuit conditions (so-called spontaneous deposition). Cyclic voltammetry (CFRP composite) and rotating disk voltammetry (glassy carbon) were used to investigate the oxygen reduction reaction kinetics in naturally aerated 0.5 M Na2SO4 (pH 5–6). The oxygen reduction reaction current was suppressed by greater than 90% by the NP and NAB adlayers and 80% by the FL adlayer. The surface treatment (24 h immersion) with NAB significantly reduced the galvanic corrosion damage on TCP conversion-coated aluminum alloy during a 14-day continuous neutral salt spray (NSS) exposure. The mass loss (mg/cm2) and corrosion intensity (g/m2y) were reduced by over 10×. The spontaneously formed NAB adlayers are stable during the salt-spray exposure and provide better inhibition of galvanic corrosion on the aluminum alloy and resistance to carbon corrosion than do NAB adlayers formed by an electrochemically assisted process reported on previously.
Fe-Doped NiMoO4 Nanoparticles as New Non-Enzymatic Catalyst in Glucose Sensing
Authors: Liao Xingxing , Mu Zhaode , He Panke , Yuan Yonghua , Zhou Jiaxu , Bai Lijuan
Published: September 2023

In this work, a new non-enzymatic sensor for the determination of glucose was constructed using Fe-doped NiMoO4 nanoparticles (NiFeMoO4). Hydrothermal and calcination techniques were successfully used to synthesis different proportion nanoparticles of Ni1−xFexMoO4 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05). A set of electrochemical measurements demonstrated that all of the Ni1−xFexMoO4 have electrocatalytic properties to glucose. Especially, Ni0.99Fe0.01MoO4 (x = 0.01) displayed the most excellent amperometric response to glucose in the range of 0.01∼13 mM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.29 μM (S/N = 3). This amperometric sensor also showed satisfactory anti-interference performance and stability. More significantly, the sensor’s applicability was tested using a glucose assay in actual serum samples with acceptable results.
Exploring the Storage Mechanism of Alkali Ions in Non-Graphitic Hard Carbon Anodes
Authors: Jang Haeseong , Hasa Ivana , Kim Hyunchul , Hwa Yoon , Byeon Young-Woon , Kostecki Robert , Kim Haegyeom
Published: September 2023

This study aims to develop high-capacity hard carbon anode materials for alkali-ion batteries by controlling the microstructures of non-graphitic hard carbon through an annealing protocol and investigating the effects on the alkali-ion storage mechanisms using physical, chemical, and electrochemical analytical techniques. The hard carbon materials were synthesized at temperatures ranging from 900 °C to 1600 °C. Those synthesized at 1100 °C with high surface area and abundant defects exhibited the highest reversible capacity in Li- and K-ion systems, with the storage dominated by surface-adsorption mechanisms. In contrast, the hard carbon compounds prepared at 1400 °C with numerous curve-featured pores delivered the highest reversible capacity in the Na-ion system, indicating that these pores are the preferred Na-ion storage sites, particularly in low-voltage plateau regions. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between microstructures and alkali-ion storage mechanisms in non-graphitic hard carbon and highlights the importance of tailoring the microstructures of hard carbon to achieve high specific capacity for the desired alkali-ion species.
Synthesis and Characterization of Calcium Copper Titanate (CaCu3Ti4O12) Powder as a Brown-Coloured Inorganic Pigment with High Infra-Red Reflectance
Authors: Rohilla Vishal , Kumar Mukesh , Panwar N. S. , Kumar Dinesh , Gupta Rahul
Published: September 2023

To mitigate the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect there is a stringent need to develop non-toxic and low cost Infra-red (IR) reflective pigments. Therefore, in present work the Calcium Copper Titanate (CaCu3Ti4O12) abbreviated as CCTO was prepared at different temperatures 800 °C, 850 °C, 875 °C, 900 °C, 925 °C, and 950 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance measurement in the Ultra Violet (UV), Visible (Vis) (295 nm to 700 nm), and Near Infra-Red (NIR) region (700 nm to 2500 nm), optical band gap and colour were measured to establish its use as IR reflective pigment. The chemical stability and cooling performance were also investigated. The XRD investigations showed the single-phase CCTO with cubic symmetry can be obtained by the calcination of reactants at an optimum temperature of 925 °C. The Diffuse reflectance data, within the heat-producing NIR band (700 nm to 1100 nm) varied from 46.23% to 53.34%. The optical band gap was observed to vary from 3.30 eV to 2.03 eV. No significant color degradation was observed upon treatment with 10% H2SO4 and 10% HNO3. Cooling performance assessment showed a significant difference of ∼5 °C between coated and uncoated red brick surfaces.