bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Very high‐energy electron dose calculation using the Fermi‐Eyges theory of multiple scattering and a simplified pencil beam model
Authors: Ronga Maria Grazia , Deut Umberto , Bonfrate Anthony , De Marzi Ludovic
Published: September 2023

Background

Very high‐energy electrons (VHEE) radiotherapy, in the energy range of 100–200 MeV is currently considered a promising technique for the future of radiation therapy and could benefit from the promises of ultra‐high dose rate FLASH therapy. However, to our knowledge, no analytical calculation models have been tested for this type of application and the approximations proposed for multiple scattering with electron beams have not been extensively evaluated at these high energies.

Purpose

In this work, we discuss the derivation of a simple and fast algorithm based on the Fermi‐Eyges theory of multiple Coulomb scattering for fast dose calculation for VHEE beams (up to 200 MeV). Similar to the Gaussian pencil beam models used for electron or proton beams, this pencil beam kernel is separated into a central and an off‐axis term. Monte Carlo simulations are performed to compare the analytical calculations with simulations and to determine the parametrizations used in the model at the highest electron energies.

Methods

The normalized electron planar fluence distribution is described in water according to the Fermi‐Eyges theory of multiple Coulomb scattering and a double Gaussian distribution model. The main quantities used in the model and their calculation (mass angular scattering power, mean energy, range straggling) are discussed and tested for electron energies up to 200 MeV. The TOPAS/Geant4 Monte Carlo (MC) toolkit is used to compare analytical calculations with MC simulations for a theoretical pencil beam irradiation and to find the best parameters describing the range straggling. The model is then tested on a realistic simulation of a pencil beam scanning beamline with treatment field dimensions up to 15 × 15 cm2 and for deep‐seated targets.

Results

Radial dose distributions of a pencil beam in water were calculated with the model and compared with the results of a complete Monte Carlo simulation. A good agreement (within 2%/2 mm gamma passing rate superior to 90%, and a mean deviation between calculated and simulated pencil beam radial spread smaller than 0.6 mm) was observed between analytical dose distributions and simulations for energies up to 200 MeV and field sizes up to 15 × 15 cm2.

Conclusions

A parameterization of an electron source and an analytical pencil beam model were proposed in this work, thereby allowing a suitable reproduction of the lateral fluence of a VHEE beam and good agreement between calculations and simulated data. Further improvement of the method would require the consideration of a model describing the large‐angle scattering of the electrons. The results of this work could support future research into VHEE radiotherapy and might be of interest for use together with VHEE broad beams produced by scanned narrow pencil beams.
Weight‐independent effects of Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass surgery on remission of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice
Authors: Axelrod Christopher L. , Langohr Ingeborg , Dantas Wagner S. , Heintz Elizabeth C. , Vandanmagsar Bolormaa , Yang Shengping , Zunica Elizabeth R. M. , Townsend R. Leigh , Albaugh Vance L. , Berthoud Hans‐Rudolf , Kirwan John P.
Published: September 2023

Objective

Obesity is a driver of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and interventions that decrease body weight, such as bariatric surgery and/or calorie restriction (CR), may serve as effective therapies. This study compared the effects of Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) and CR on hepatic function in mice with obesity and NAFLD.

Methods

C57BL/6J mice were fed a high‐fat diet to promote obesity. At 16 weeks of age, mice were randomized to sham surgery (sham), RYGB, or CR weight matched to RYGB (WM). Body weight/composition, food intake, and energy expenditure (EE) were measured throughout treatment. Liver histopathology was evaluated from H&E‐stained sections. Hepatic enzymes and glycogen content were determined by ELISA. Transcriptional signatures were revealed via RNA sequencing.

Results

RYGB reduced hepatic lipid content and adiposity while increasing EE and lean body mass relative to WM. Hepatic glycogen and bile acid content were increased after RYGB relative to sham and WM. RYGB activated enterohepatic signaling and genes regulating hepatic lipid homeostasis.

Conclusions

RYGB improved whole‐body composition and hepatic lipid homeostasis to a greater extent than CR in mice. RYGB was associated with discrete remodeling of the hepatic transcriptome, suggesting that surgery may be mechanistically additive to CR.
Real world evidence on the characteristics of regular and intermittent users of a very‐low calorie diet program and associations with measures of program success, health, and quality of life
Authors: Jones Patrice , Blumfield Michelle , Beckett Emma , Marshall Skye , Abbott Kylie , Duve Emily , Fayet‐Moore Flavia
Published: September 2023

Background

Very low‐calorie diet (VLCD) programs are readily available in Australia. However, there is a lack of real‐world evidence describing the characteristics related to positive outcomes.

Aims

To examine the demographic, eating, self‐efficacy and program engagement characteristics of VLCD users in Australia, and the associations between user characteristics and program success, weight loss, quality of life (QOL) and health.

Method

Cross‐sectional data from Australian adults: regular users (n = 189: VLCD user ≥4 days/week for >4 weeks) and intermittent users (n = 111, VLCD user <4 weeks and/or <4 days/week). Self‐reported data on demographics, VLCD program use, support, eating behavior, weight‐related QOL, mental health, physical health, self‐efficacy, and physical activity. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed in R.

Results

Compared to regular users, intermittent users reported lower percentage weight loss (15.1% ± SD 9.8 vs. 9.9% ± SD 6.8, relative to starting weight), fewer reported their VLCD program as very successful (44% vs. 35%), higher depressive symptom scores (8.7 ± SD 2.8 vs. 6.7 ± SD 5.1), and lower general self‐efficacy (23.9 ± SD 4.7 vs. 29.4 ± SD 5.7), nutrition self‐efficacy (11.9 ± SD 2.0 vs. 14.5 ± SD 3.1) and weight‐related QOL scores (60.9 ± SD 22.2 vs. 65.0 ± SD 11.8; p < 0.001 for all). In regular users, older age and longer program duration were associated with greater total weight loss, support, and program success (p < 0.001 for all). In intermittent users, program success was greater when dietitian support was used (odds ratio [OR] 6.50) and for those with higher BMIs (OR 1.08, p < 0.001 for all). In both groups, more frequent support was associated with better weight‐related QOL (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study provides real‐world evidence that regular VLCD users had greater success and weight loss than intermittent program users. These findings may be used to tailor and improve the delivery of VLCD programs in Australia and other countries with retail access to VLCDs.
Multi‐level Bézier extraction of truncated hierarchical B‐splines for isogeometric analysis
Authors: Grendas Andreas , Marussig Benjamin
Published: September 2023

Multivariate basis splines (B‐splines) and Non‐uniform rational B‐splines (NURBS) lack adaptivity due to their tensor product structure. Truncated hierarchical B‐splines (THB‐splines) provide a solution for this. THB‐splines organize the parameter space into a hierarchical structure, which enables efficient approximation and representation of functions with different levels of detail. The truncation mechanism ensures the partition of unity property of B‐splines and defines a more scattered set of basis functions without overlapping on the multi‐level spline space. Transferring these multi‐level splines into Bézier elements representation facilitates straightforward incorporation into existing finite element (FE) codes. By separating the multi‐level extraction of the THB‐splines from the standard Bézier extraction, a more general independent framework applicable to any sequence of nested spaces is created. The operators for the multi‐level structure of THB‐splines and the operators of Bézier extraction are constructed in a local approach. Adjusting the operators for the multi‐level structure from an element point of view and multiplying with the Bézier extraction operators of those elements, a direct map between Bézier elements and a hierarchical structure is obtained. The presented implementation involves the use of an open‐source Octave/MATLAB isogeometric analysis (IGA) code called GeoPDEs. A basic Poisson problem is presented to investigate the performance of multi‐level Bézier extraction compared to a standard THB‐spline approach.
Extended integral boundary layer method for reactive species mass transfer in rotating films
Authors: Kebinger Simon , Steiner Helfried , Brenn Günter
Published: September 2023

The present work extends the Integral Boundary Layer (IBL) Method to centrifugal force driven thin film flow with mass transfer. The proposed hybrid approach combines the IBL based solution of the flow field with a Finite Difference based solution of the mass transport equation, avoiding any concentration profile assumptions and restrictions on surface chemistry. In comparison against results from highly resolved Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, the proposed concept is proven as a computationally efficient and accurate method well applicable to infinitely fast surface reactions as well as finite rate kinetics.
Riverkin: Seizing the moment to remake vital relations in theUnited Kingdomand beyond
Authors: Cohen Joshua B. , Dannreuther Charles , Fraundorfer Markus , Mackie Colin , Martin‐Ortega Julia , Mdee Anna , Sutil Nicolas Salazar
Published: September 2023

We show how the dire state of the Earth's rivers entangles intimately with ‘thingifying’ processes at the heart of colonial modernity. Known in many precolonial and Indigenous contexts as person‐likekin, we describe how rivers the world over have been re‐done primarily asthing—amoral, controllable, a potential commodity like anything else.

We develop and work with a provisory concept of kin asthose constituents of environments that reciprocally nurture, and contribute to the substance of, one another's life and wellbeing.

We show how kinship with rivers figures centrally in primarily Indigenous‐led struggles in various regions of the globe for the recognition and enforcement of river personhood and rights. This is partly because people are motivated to fight passionately for their kin.

With some careful caveats, we argue that associating river kinship exclusively with Indigenous worlds undermines its potential for global impact. Thus, as an apposite case study, the latter part of the paper focuses on some of the social–ecological trends which we suggest are opening up the possibility for the re‐establishment of ‘riverkinship’ in the United Kingdom.

We reflect on the potential for riverkinship to help cultivate political constellations fitting to the challenges of the Anthropocene.

Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Unravelling how collaboration impacts success of invasive species management
Authors: Abeysinghe Nisansala , O'Bryan Christopher J. , Guerrero Angela M. , Rhodes Jonathan R. , McDonald‐Madden Eve
Published: September 2023

Invasive species cause severe threats to biodiversity and the economy, but often across multi‐actor landscapes. Therefore, collaboration among multiple actors across landscapes is often essential for managing invasive species. Deciding whether to collaborate depends on available resources and potential benefits. As such, it is vital to identify how different factors can influence the outcomes of collaborations.

We developed and tested a conceptual model that integrates potential process factors and performance measures for outcomes of collaborative invasive species management. We surveyed professionals engaged in invasive species management in Queensland, Australia. We first assessed their perception of the presence of process factors and perception of the performance measures of collaborative invasive species management projects using descriptive methods. Then we tested the associations between process factors and performance measures using structural equation modelling.

While confirming that a good collaboration of stakeholders (e.g. communication and trust) is essential to enhance performances, our results suggest that the way collaborative projects are structured (e.g. ability to participate in decision‐making, having shared goals) also significantly influences the performance of the projects, especially in achieving goals. Furthermore, results suggest that achieving long‐term collaborations and outcomes is directly influenced by the extent to which stakeholders support or oppose the collaboration. As such, our study contributes to a significant research gap by establishing a connection between the collaboration process and its outcomes.

We conclude that decision‐makers should give equal importance to both designing favourable collaborative project structures and fostering collaborations with stakeholders through different means to enhance the benefits of collaboration in invasive species management.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Characterization of emamectin benzoate resistance in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)
Authors: Oplopoiou Maria , Elias Jan , Slater Russell , Bass Chris , Zimmer Christoph T.
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

Plutella xylostella (L.) is a destructive pest of cruciferous crops worldwide that has evolved resistance to many insecticides. Here we examined the mode of inheritance, cross‐resistance profile, and potential mechanisms of emamectin benzoate resistance in a field‐derived strain of P. xylostella from Japan.

RESULTS

A field‐collected population of P. xylostella, was found to exhibit strong (> 150‐fold) resistance to emamectin benzoate in insecticide bioassays when compared with a laboratory susceptible strain. Genetic analysis showed that resistance is inherited as an autosomal, recessive trait, and is conferred by a single or a few closely linked loci. The emamectin benzoate resistant strain also exhibited resistance to abamectin, lepimectin, chlorantraniliprole, lufenuron, spinetoram, indoxacarb, fipronil, dieldrin, endosulfan and lambda‐cyhalothrin, demonstrating a remarkable multi‐resistance profile. Insecticide bioassays employing inhibitors of detoxification enzymes revealed that piperonyl butoxide (PBO) increased the toxicity of emamectin benzoate in the resistant strain by ten‐fold indicating the potential involvement of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in avermectin resistance. Furthermore, cloning and sequencing of the primary receptor of avermectins, the GluCl channel, revealed the absence of target‐site mutations in the resistant strain.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data on the mode of inheritance and mechanisms of resistance to emamectin benzoate in a P. xylostella strain from Japan provide a foundation for the development of regional resistance management strategies. However, the high levels of phenotypic resistance in this strain to a diverse range of other insecticide classes available for control illustrate the challenges associated with the sustainable control of this important pest. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Arthropod predator identity and evenness jointly shape the delivery of pest control services
Authors: Mei Zulin , Scheper Jeroen , Kleijn David
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

Maximizing the effectiveness of natural pest control requires a detailed understanding of how service delivery is affected by natural enemy community diversity and composition. Many studies have investigated the effects of natural enemy abundance and species richness on pest control. Studies examining the effects of evenness and species identity are fewer and have produced inconsistent results. Here we test the effects of arthropod predator community evenness and species identity on natural pest control by exposing aphid (Sitobion avenae) colonies in experimental cages to arthropod predator communities that had the same abundance and species richness but differed in evenness and dominant species.

RESULTS

We found that the identity of the most dominant species in the arthropod predator community predominantly drove the pest control efficiency. However, additional to the effects of species identity, we also found a causal positive relationship between the evenness of arthropod predator communities and the suppression of pest growth.

CONCLUSION

Our results provide support for the hypothesis that ecosystem service provision is generally a function of the abundance and efficiency of the most dominant species of the service‐providing groups. This could partly explain why management practices aiming at promoting abundance of natural enemies often have mixed effects on pest control. Our results also demonstrate that diversity components such as evenness have important additional effects. However, in real‐world ecosystems these effects may be obscured because evenness is generally confounded with abundance or species richness in natural enemy predator communities. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Upgrading of the general AMBER force field 2 for fluorinated alcohol biosolvents: A validation for water solutions and melittin solvation
Authors: Casoria Michele , Macchiagodena Marina , Rovero Paolo , Andreini Claudia , Papini Anna Maria , Cardini Gianni , Pagliai Marco
Published: September 2023

The standard GAFF2 force field parameterization has been refined for the fluorinated alcohols 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol (TFE), 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐propanol (HFIP), and 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoropropan‐2‐one (HFA), which are commonly used to study proteins and peptides in biomimetic media. The structural and dynamic properties of both proteins and peptides are significantly influenced by the biomimetic environment created by the presence of these cosolvents in aqueous solutions. Quantum mechanical calculations on stable conformers were used to parameterize the atomic charges. Different systems, such as pure liquids, aqueous solutions, and systems formed by melittin protein and cosolvent/water solutions, have been used to validate the new models. The calculated macroscopic and structural properties are in agreement with experimental findings, supporting the validity of the newly proposed models.
Influence of plasticity and porewater salinity on shrinkage and water retention characteristics of biochar‐engineered clays
Authors: Cai Weiling , Bordoloi Sanandam , Zhu Cheng , Gupt Chandra Bhanu
Published: September 2023

Clay‐engineered barriers might be subjected to soil salinization issues under climate change. A recently emerged desalinization method is achieved by modifying clays using biochar. However, unsaturated soil responses of biochar‐engineered clays in saline environments under drought conditions remain unknown. This study aims to investigate soil shrinkage and water retention characteristics of biochar‐amended kaolin and bentonite under saline conditions. Soil shrinkage and water retention tests were conducted on clays (with and without biochar addition) with various porewater salinity (i.e., 0%–10%). Physiochemical properties (including zeta potential and porewater pH) were measured to interpret particle–fluid interactions. Shrinkage characteristics of kaolin and bentonite exhibited sensitivity and insensitivity to the porewater salinity, respectively. This phenomenon was explained by hydrogen‐sodium ion exchange and deprotonation phenomenon occurring on kaolin and bentonite, respectively. Biochar significantly alleviated the salinity‐induced shrinkage of clays by increasing the shrinkage limit of kaolin and bentonite by 6%–14% and 50%–107%, respectively (p < 0.05). This was attributed to the porous structure and hydrophilic functionality of biochar that immobilized sodium ions through ion exchange and protonation reactions. The air entry value of clays significantly increased with porewater salinity and biochar addition due to the reduction of void ratio and enhanced capillarity, respectively. An empirical equation was proposed to predict the shrinkage limit of clay in various saline conditions. It highlighted that the application of biochar‐engineered clays could contribute to the desalination and the improvement of resistance to shrinkage damage in hydro‐chemical barriers.
Multinational prediction of soil organic carbon and texture via proximal sensors
Authors: Mancini Marcelo , Andrade Renata , Silva Sérgio Henrique Godinho , Rafael Rogério Borguete Alves , Mukhopadhyay Swagata , Li Bin , Chakraborty Somsubhra , Guilherme Luiz Roberto Guimarães , Acree Autumn , Weindorf David C. , Curi Nilton
Published: September 2023

Novel technologies help to monitor the environmental impact of human activities, but tests involving datasets from several countries, encompassing a large variability of soil properties, are still scarce. This study utilized proximal sensors to predict soil organic carbon (OC) and soil texture of samples from Brazil, France, India, Mozambique, and United States. A total of 1749 samples were analyzed by portable X‐ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometry and visible near‐infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Sand (R2 = 0.89), silt (0.87), and clay (0.84) predictions were very accurate, despite contrasting climates, soil parent materials, and weathering degrees. Soil OC predictions were similarly successful (0.74) using samples from five countries. pXRF was the optimal sensor for soil texture predictions. The addition of international data may improve local models. Proximal soil sensing can be successfully used with a multinational soil database offering a clean, rapid, and accurate alternative to estimate soil texture and OC with international datasets.
Feedback dynamics of the low‐income rental housing market: exploring policy responses to COVID‐19
Authors: Marçal Katherine E. , Fowler Patrick J. , Hovmand Peter S.
Published: September 2023

The economic impact of COVID‐19 threatened mass housing insecurity undermining the health and financial recovery from the pandemic. Unprecedented federal policy responses halted court‐ordered evictions and injected billions of dollars in rental assistance, but questions remain whether housing interventions adequately accounted for dynamics that drive landlord‐tenant interactions, including accumulations of rental and mortgage arrears, rental unit availability, and low‐income housing options. A system dynamics model probes complex feedback dynamics driving tenant and landlord decision‐making in the low‐income rental housing market pre‐ and postpandemic protections. Feedback loops highlight trade‐offs considered by low‐income tenants and landlords in the context of scarcity and uncertainty. Simulations suggest the eviction moratorium and federal emergency rental assistance prevented a tidal wave of evictions, but rental arrears, overcrowding, and homelessness remain elevated. Failure to address underlying financial hardship and limited affordable housing undermines COVID recovery. © 2023 The Authors. System Dynamics Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of System Dynamics Society.
Hydrophobic Mn‐Doped Solid‐State Red‐Emitting Carbon Nanodots with AIE Effect and Their Hydrogel Composites for Color‐Changing Anticounterfeiting
Authors: Gong Xiao , Xu Qingqing , Li Jiurong , Ma Yan , Li Xiaoyan , Wu Wanze , Wang Hangxiang
Published: September 2023

The aggregation‐caused quenching has always limited the high concentration and solid‐state applications of carbon nanodots. While the aggregation‐induced emission effect, dominated by intramolecular motion, may be an effective means to solve this problem. Here, hydrophobic solid‐state red‐light carbon nanodots (M‐CDs) with 95% yield are synthesized by a one‐step hydrothermal method using 2,2'‐dithiodibenzoic acid as the carbon source and manganese acetate as the dopant source. The disulfide bond of 2,2'‐dithiodibenzoic acid serves as the symmetry center of molecular rotation and Mn catalyzes the synthesis of M‐CDs, which promotes the formation of the central graphitic carbon structure. The M‐CDs/agar hydrogel composites can achieve fluorescence transition behavior because of the special fluorescence transition properties of M‐CDs. When this composite hydrogel is placed in water, water molecules contact with M‐CDs through the network structure of the hydrogels, making the aggregated hydrogels of M‐CDs fluorescence orange‐red under 365 nm excitation. While in dimethyl sulfoxide, water molecules in the hydrogels network are replaced and the M‐CDs fluoresce blue when dispersed, providing a potential application in information encryption. In addition, high‐performance monochromatic light‐emitting diode (LED) devices are prepared by compounding M‐CDs with epoxy resin and coating them on 365 nm LED chips.
Self‐healing and shape‐shifting polymers controlled by dynamic bonds
Authors: Zhou Shang‐Wu , Yu Chengyuan , Chen Meng , Shi Chen‐Yu , Gu Ruirui , Qu Da‐Hui
Published: September 2023

Dynamic chemistry refers to a type of fundamental science that involves precise construction or regulation of reactional, motional, or constitutional dynamics of chemical systems. Under the meticulous design of chemists, the nanoscopic dynamics, either molecular or supramolecular, are managed to scale up to macroscopic dynamic properties. For example, the stimuli‐induced conformational or configurational changes of polymer skeletons result in unexpected functions of polymers, such as self‐healing and shape‐shifting behaviors. This review focuses on how the microscopic dynamics of these molecular components initiate the reversible macroscopic deformation of the corresponding polymer materials upon external stimuli. The self‐healing and shape‐shifting materials are discussed in terms of the subtle molecular design, dynamic reversible mechanisms, and critical roles of the dynamic components in building these materials. Furthermore, this review puts forward the challenges and opportunities for the field of dynamic polymers in both aspects of fundamental chemistry and material fabrication. We hope this review can provide new inspiration for the development of this particular research field.
A procedure to detect general association based on concentration of ranks
Authors: Rudra Pratyaydipta , Zhou Yihui , Wright Fred A.
Published: September 2023

In modern high‐throughput applications, it is important to identify pairwise associations between variables and desirable to use methods that are powerful and sensitive to a variety of association relationships. We describe RankCover, a new non‐parametric association test of association between two variables that measures the concentration of paired ranked points. Here, “concentration” is quantified using a disk‐covering statistic similar to those employed in spatial data analysis. Considerations from the theory of Boolean coverage processes provide motivation, as well as anR2‐like quantity to summarize strength of association. Analysis of simulated and real datasets demonstrates that the method is robust and often powerful in comparison with competing general association tests. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3D‐printed concrete footbridges: An approach to assess the sustainability performance
Authors: Asensio Javier , Josa Irene , Monserrat Andrea , de la Fuente Albert
Published: September 2023

Digital fabrication with concrete (DFC) is fast becoming an attractive alternative for components (i.e., façades, urban furniture) and structural typologies (i.e., short‐span footbridges, columns, floor systems) for which complex geometries derived from particular aesthetical criteria and/or construction time constrictions are governing parameters. Additionally, some authors claim that this process allows improving the sustainability of structures, as less material is necessary compared to traditional concrete solutions, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions linked to material consumption. Nonetheless, the environmental implications of DFC are still under scrutiny and remain objectively unquantified. In this study, a sustainability assessment model to allow decision‐makers to evaluate and compare concrete footbridge alternatives—from the sustainability perspective—including those constructed by means of 3D printed concrete (3DPC) techniques, is presented. The proposed approach is based on the MIVES method. For this purpose, the most representative criteria and indicators of sustainability identified are measured and weighted‐aggregated in a decision‐making tree. The sustainability index (SI) of each alternative is the outcome derived from the application of the model, and the SI was used as reference for evaluating the alternatives. The sustainability of 3D‐printed footbridges is quantified and compared to other concrete‐based solutions: traditional reinforced cast‐in‐place and precast concrete, as traditional solutions, and ultra‐high performance precast concrete and textile‐reinforced concrete, as innovative alternatives. The results of the analysis lead to conclude that 3D‐printed footbridges have positive impacts on environmental and social indicators, but economic indicators still need to be improved to attain a competitive solution. The approach proposed herein to assess the sustainability of footbridges can be extended to other cases and stakeholders' preferences by adapting the components of the method to sensitivities and particular boundary conditions of other scenarios.
Automated analysis and design for recycled aggregate reinforced concrete beams
Authors: Saleh Eman , Murad Yasmin , Tarawneh Ahmad , Alghossoon Abdullah , Almasabha Ghassan
Published: September 2023

The goal of this study is to propose a robust method for the analysis and design of recycled aggregate reinforced concrete (RAC) beams. For this purpose, a machine‐learning framework, named, GA‐XGBoost was designed. A comprehensive dataset of 276 tests of RAC beams was compiled from available literature for training, validating, and testing the models. The results confirmed that the proposed models can offer a precise tool for failure mode classification and capacity prediction of RAC beams. For the design framework, a Generative Adversarial Network for tabular data was utilized to produce synthetic data. These synthetic data can provide options for the selection of design variables. In this framework, the design variables are selected by specifying the design constraints, the objective function to be optimized, and validating the capacity requirements using the developed GA‐XGBoost models. Lastly, a web application was developed to make the proposed GA‐XGBoost models appropriate for practical design.
Genetic population structure of introduced and native lineages of kokanee in a large impounded watershed
Authors: Breault Paige W. , Wetklo Mike , Langston Arne R. , Zemlak Randy J. , Withler Ruth E. , Shrimpton J. Mark
Published: September 2023

Objective

The kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka (nonanadromous life-history form of Sockeye Salmon) uses lacustrine habitat in watersheds draining into the north Pacific Ocean. Kokanee also have been widely introduced into reservoirs following impoundment of rivers consequent to the construction of hydroelectric dams. Genetically divergent subpopulations of kokanee should be identified and evaluated when implementing watershed-level fishery management strategies.

Methods

We analyzed the genetic population structure of kokanee in the Williston watershed, north-central British Columbia, where native populations were present in the reservoir and headwater lakes prior to stocking Columbia River-origin fish in the 1990s using microsatellite markers.

Result

We determined that native Williston Reservoir kokanee were divergent from only one of the headwater lake populations. Native populations in headwater lakes remain entirely separate from the reservoir populations, and there was no indication of past or current introgression with the introduced stock. We identified all fish collected from 2006 to 2019 as introduced Columbia River-origin genotypes, and there was no evidence of genetic divergence by spawning location.

Conclusion

As native Williston kokanee have not been sampled from the reservoir in survey efforts since 2000, it is likely that this population has been extirpated from the reservoir perhaps through competition with the introduced Columbia River-origin lineage.
Structural Optimization Design of Electromagnetic Repulsion Mechanism Based on BP Neural Network and NSGA‐II
Authors: Ding Can , Ding Yiling , Yuan Zhao , Li Jinqi
Published: September 2023

The long‐stroke electromagnetic repulsion mechanism is subjected to large stresses during the driving phase, and the repulsion disc is prone to fracture due to excessive vibration amplitude up and down. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the peak stress and vibration amplitude of the repulsion disc, improve the mechanical life, and improve the driving performance without decreasing the motion displacement, but it is not possible to do so at present. To address this problem, this paper takes the ‘coil‐repulsion disc type’ electromagnetic repulsion mechanism as the research object, and builds a simulation model of electromagnetic repulsion mechanism with structural strength and driving performance by using finite element simulation software, and analyzes the effects of four structural parameters, namely, the height of the repulsion disc, the inner diameter of the repulsion disc, the radius of the circular table and the radius of the chamfer, on the displacement and stress distribution of the model. After that, 39 sets of samples were output by BBD experimental design method, which were introduced into the BP neural network prediction model and combined with NSGA‐II algorithm to optimize the structure of the electromagnetic repulsion mechanism. The simulation results show that with the repulsion disc height of 14 mm, the repulsion disc inner diameter of 14 mm, the radius of the circular table is 29.78 mm and the chamfer radius of 7.06 mm, the peak stress of the repulsion disc of the electromagnetic repulsion mechanism is reduced by 57.83%, the amplitude of the repulsion disc is reduced by 3.24 mm, the peak electromagnetic repulsion force is increased by 7.52 kN and speed at the end of 3 ms increased by 9.8%. Under the condition of satisfying the constraints and increasing the overall displacement, the structural strength is increased and the driving performance of the mechanism is ensured to be improved, providing reasonable mechanism parameters for the opening and closing requirements of the fast mechanical switch. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Nuclear power and environmental injustice
Authors: Höffken Johanna , Ramana M. V.
Published: September 2023

Policy makers around the world have been advocating for an expansion of nuclear energy as a way to mitigate climate change, putting in place financial and political incentives for building new reactors and associated facilities. At the same time, policy makers have also been emphasizing the importance of incorporating justice considerations while decarbonizing. The two are not compatible because of the environmental injustices inflicted by the chain of processes required to generate electricity at nuclear power plants. These injustices are a result of the radioactive nature of the waste materials produced at each step of the nuclear fuel chain. Some of these materials remain hazardous for tens of thousands of years. In addition, nuclear facilities face the ever present risk of catastrophic accidents which can contaminate large tracts of land, rendering them uninhabitable for decades if not centuries. These consequences disproportionately fall on Indigenous Peoples and other disempowered communities, as well as non‐human entities. Such impacts are overlooked in our current socio‐political system committed to growth and a techno‐economic approach to dealing with any challenges to its continued existence.

This article is categorized under:

Human and Social Dimensions > Energy and Climate Justice

Energy and Power Systems > Energy Infrastructure
BioPBS™ (Polybutylene Succinate)
Authors: Kato Satoshi , Ueda Tadashi , Aoshima Takayuki , Kosaka Naoyuki , Nitta Shigeki
Published: September 2023

PBS (polybutylene succinate) is a biodegradable polymer that is spontaneously degraded into water and carbon dioxide due to the power of microorganisms under soil in the natural world. PBS has high heat resistance and good mechanical properties among general biodegradable polymers, is moldable into the molded articles such as films, sheets, and fibers, and has a characteristic feature such that compatibility with other biodegradable polymers is high.

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) has successfully achieved commercialization of PBS without using a chain extender in a trademark name of “GS Pla™” and commenced the market development since 2003. “GS Pla™” is completely a biodegradable polymer made of fossil-based succinic acid and 1,4-butanediol as the main raw materials.

Since 2017, PTTMCC Biochem, a joint venture established by Mitsubishi Chemical and PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited in Thailand, has performed continuous commercial production of bio-based PBS (trademark: BioPBS™) made of bio-based succinic acid and fossil-based 1,4-butanediol.

Mitsubishi Chemical has also been developing, manufacturing, and selling FORZEAS™ that is a compounding material giving new functions to BioPBS™ utilizing the excellent compatibility with various biodegradable materials and biodegradability of BioPBS™. In this article, basic physical properties, biodegradability, moldability, certification acquisition, and characteristic features of BioPBS™ and FORZEAS™ were reviewed.
Development of the National Gravimetric Geoid Model for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Vergos Georgios S. , Grebenitcharsky Rossen S. , Al-Qahtani Abdullah , Al-Shahrani Sultan , Natsiopoulos Dimitrios A. , Al-Jubreen Suliman , Tziavos Ilias N. , Golubinka Juri
Published: September 2023

The development of a high-resolution and high accuracy geoid model is becoming nowadays a fundamental component of any modern geodetic infrastructure. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has devoted the last decade a significant number of resources and manpower to collect high-quality land and airborne gravity data as well as GNSS/Levelling observations to create a state-of-the-art geoid model as a fundamental part of the Saudi Arabia National Spatial Reference System (SANSRS). In that frame, this work focuses on the collected gravity, terrain, and GNSS/Levelling data for the area under study, and their pre-processing in terms of horizontal, vertical and gravity reference system homogenization, blunder detection and removal. Given the availability of these data the latest gravimetric geoid model for the KSA is developed.

The gravity data pre-processing relied on the available metadata to collect information about the horizontal, vertical and gravity reference system. Hence, all this information has been homogenized to KSA-GRF17, tied to ITRF2014 at epoch 2017.0, and KSA-VRF14 which is tied to the geopotential number above the MSL of the Jeddah TGBM-B. Given that several data holdings of land gravity where either in the form of Bouguer anomalies or referred to some unknown horizontal datum, several tests have been carried out to identify the proper choices. Then, a least-squares collocation-based blunder detection and removal procedure has been conducted to identify blunders in the land data and possible biases between the various campaigns and the high-quality airborne gravity observations. The geoid prediction was carried out by the well-known remove-compute-restore technique evaluating Stokes’ integral in the frequency domain via a 2D spherical Fast Fourier Transform and the Wang-Gore modification. After several tests with the latest GOCE/GRACE-based and combined Global Geopotential Models, XGM2019e has been used as a reference, while the residual terrain model correction was employed for the treatment of the topography. The validation of such a developed gravimetric geoid model has been performed for a set of ~4,500 GNSS/Leveling benchmarks reaching external absolute accuracies at the 10–11 cm level and relative accuracies at the 1–5 ppm over distances ranging from 10 to 2,000 km.
Investigating Transparency Dimensions for Internet Voting
Authors: Agbesi Samuel , Budurushi Jurlind , Dalela Asmita , Kulyk Oksana
Published: September 2023

While Internet voting is argued to have the potential to improve election processes, concerns about security risks remain one of its main adoption barriers. These concerns are furthermore aggravated by the lack oftransparencyof Internet voting systems that are often perceived as a “black box”. Moreover, there is a research gap in conceptualizing the idea of transparency and in studying voters’ attitudes towards transparency in Internet voting. In this work, we aim to address this gap by (1) Conducting a systematic literature review, from which we identified five dimensions of transparency; (2) Developing a questionnaire (Transparency Dimensions of Internet Voting, TDIV) to assess voters’ attitudes regarding the correlation of these dimensions with transparency; and (3) Conducting an online study (N = 500) to investigate voters’ attitudes towards transparency in Internet voting. We conclude that providing information about the security of the Internet voting system; testing it by independent experts for security vulnerabilities prior to the election; monitoring the election process and verifying its integrity; and providing a remedy for security breaches while holding the responsible parties accountable, are perceived by voters as important, and enhance transparency in Internet voting systems.
Verifiability Experiences in Ontario’s 2022 Online Elections
Authors: Goodman Nicole , Spycher-Krivonosova Iuliia , Essex Aleksander , Brunet James
Published: September 2023

Despite being one of the biggest international users of online voting with two decades of use, Canada has tended to use non-verifiable online voting systems. This has prompted concern about the verification of election results and potential impacts on public and administrator confidence in elections and democracy. In the 2022 Ontario municipal elections, however, about 9% of municipalities offered the option of individual verifiability to online voters. This article draws upon the experiences of two local governments of different sizes, resources, capacity, and online voting histories - Ignace and Markham - and their vendors to understand the considerations and challenges that come with the introduction of verifiability mechanisms in local elections. We identify deterrents to implementation and possible solutions to see an increase in uptake and improve the integrity of local elections.
Estimating Carbon Footprint of Paper and Internet Voting
Authors: Willemson Jan , Krips Kristjan
Published: September 2023

This paper compares the carbon footprint of paper voting in polling stations with the emissions of remote vote casting via the Internet. We identify the process steps with the most significant emissions in terms of $$\textrm{CO}_2$$

CO
2

equivalent, design a methodology to quantify these emissions and give a comparative analysis based on the example of the Estonian parliamentary elections of 2023. Our results show that paper voting has about 180 times higher carbon footprint, owing largely to the need to transport the voters to the polling stations and back.
A Graph Neural Network Approach for Evaluating Correctness of Groups of Duplicates
Authors: De Bonis Michele , Minutella Filippo , Falchi Fabrizio , Manghi Paolo
Published: September 2023

Unlabeled entity deduplication is a relevant task already studied in the recent literature. Most methods can be traced back to the following workflow: entity blocking phase, in-block pairwise comparisons between entities to draw similarity relations, closure of the resulting meshes to create groups of duplicate entities, and merging group entities to remove disambiguation. Such methods are effective but still not good enough whenever a very low false positive rate is required. In this paper, we present an approach for evaluating the correctness of “groups of duplicates”, which can be used to measure the group’s accuracy hence its likelihood of false-positiveness. Our novel approach is based on a Graph Neural Network that exploits and combines the concept of Graph Attention and Long Short Term Memory (LSTM). The accuracy of the proposed approach is verified in the context of Author Name Disambiguation applied to a curated dataset obtained as a subset of the OpenAIRE Graph that includes PubMed publications with at least one ORCID identifier.
Detecting the Pre-impact of Falls in the Elderly, Along with the Use of an Airbag Belt for Protection Against Femoral Neck Fractures
Authors: Seddar Mohand O. , Rao Guillaume , Fleury Anthony , Kahn Maurice
Published: September 2023

Falls are a significant health risk for older adults, and fall-related injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. Elderlies are particularly vulnerable to falls due to age-related declines in mobility, balance, and muscle strength, as well as chronic medical conditions with use of certain medications. These injuries can range from minor bruises and scrapes to more severe like fractures, head trauma, or internal bleeding. To prevent falls in older adults, some solutions propose to ensure a safe living environment, others to maintain physical activity, and others to manage chronic medical conditions. This article presents the implementation and test of a system preventing hip fractures resulting from falls using a fall detection and prediction system designed to protect and alert individuals during falls.
Towards a Medical Waste Classification System Based on Blockchain, Smart Contracts, and NFT Technologies
Authors: Nguyen Hien Q. , Trong Nguyen D. P. , Huong Luong H. , Dang Khoa T. , Gia Khiem H. , Trong Phuc N. , Van Hieu L. , Phu Loc V. C. , Quoc Duy N. T. , Tran Nguyen H. , The Anh N. , Nghia Huynh T. , Khanh Bang L. , Tuan Kiet L. , Kim Ngan N. T. , Tran Bao Q. , Doan Hieu M. , Vo Hong K.
Published: September 2023

The end of the covid-19 epidemic has revealed many weaknesses in the health system and the medical waste treatment process. In particular, the ineffective treatment of medical waste has also contributed to the explosion in the number of infections in some countries (i.e., India, Brazil, and Vietnam). Several studies have found that even developed countries (i.e., with better infrastructure and health services than the world average) have to face emergencies during this time. epidemic. Therefore, the amount of medical waste dumped into the environment is extremely terrible. The waste generated suddenly during this period includes protective gear, masks, and vaccines that burden the waste treatment process. There are several approaches to exploiting Blockchain technologies to solve the problem of direct contact between the stages: medical staff - transportation staff - waste disposal staff to minimize unintended spread. However, to thoroughly solve the current waste classification and treatment processes, a more reward/punishment solution is needed. Specifically, we propose a model to assess the compliance/violation level of waste sorting and treatment in medical centers and isolation areas based on current popular technologies: blockchain, smart contracts, and NFTs.