bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant Growth and Yield Response to Salinity Stress of Rice Grown under the Application of Different Nitrogen Levels and Bacillus pumilus Strain TUAT-1
Authors: Win Khin Thuzar , Oo Aung Zaw , Yokoyama Tadashi
Published: November 2022

Rice is an important food crop, and its production is significantly affected by salt stress under the changing climate. Soil-inhabiting microbial inoculants as well as efficient nitrogen (N) nutrition may have ameliorative effects on rice growth and yield under salt stress. However, the effects of the interaction between N application and microbial inoculants on the growth and grain yield of rice under salt stress is not yet fully understood. This study aimed to clarify whether the use of the Bacillus pumilus strain TUAT-1 biofertilizer, along with the right amount of N fertilizer, would alleviate salt stress in lowland rice production. We applied the Bacillus pumilus strain TUAT-1 as a biofertilizer in combination with different rates of N fertilizer: control (0% N), 2.64 g (NH4)2SO4 per nursery tray (100% N: the farmer-recommended amount), and 3.96 g (NH4)2SO4 per nursery tray (150% N). Salinity (100 mM of NaCl) was applied at the heading stage of rice plants in pot culture in the greenhouse, and the growth and yield components were accessed at harvest. In the nursery phase, the application of the biofertilizer TUAT-1 significantly increased seedling vigor and the root development of 21-day-old seedlings. Salinity stress at the heading stage significantly reduced chlorophyll content, panicle number, straw biomass, and grain yield; however, either the application of N alone or in combination with TUAT-1 ameliorated the salinity-related reduction in grain yield and yield component parameters. Plants receiving a high amount of N fertilizer (150% N) showed similar straw biomass and grain yield with or without TUAT-1 inoculation, regardless of saline or non-saline conditions. In both saline and control conditions, straw biomass and grain yield were higher in the plants inoculated with TUAT-1 than in those without TUAT-1. Specifically, the combined application of TUAT-1 and the farmer-recommended N level (100% N) led to an increase of 8% in straw biomass and 15% in grain yield under saline stress when compared with their respective plants without TUAT-1. Straw biomass and grain yield were similar in the (un-inoculated) plants grown under normal conditions and TUAT-1 + 100% N under salinity treatments, because TUAT-1 enhanced root development, which may promote soil nutrient uptake. Our results indicated that combined nursery application of TUAT-1 biofertilizer and 100% N fertilizer rate has the potential to boost the capacity of this bacteria to increase seedling vigor, which subsequently ameliorated the salt-induced reduction in the grain and straw yield.
Process Authentication through Blockchain: Three Case Studies
Authors: Ciampi Mario , Romano Diego , Schmid Giovanni
Published: November 2022

In this work, we elaborate on the concept of process authenticity, which intuitively corresponds to the validity of all process steps and their proper binding. It represents the most exciting forefront of distributed ledger technology research concerning the primary challenge of reliably connecting distributed ledger networks to the physical context it must operate. More in detail, the paper describes a novel methodological approach to ensure the authenticity of business processes through blockchain and several security mechanisms applied to the digital twins of the actual processes. We illustrate difficulties and opportunities deriving from implementing process authenticity in concrete case studies in which we were involved as software designers belonging to three critical application domains: document dematerialization, e-voting, and healthcare.
Structural, Electrical and Optical Properties of TM (Mn and Cr) Doped BiFeO3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Taisan Nada , Kumar Shalendra , Alshoaibi Adil
Published: November 2022

In this paper, the sol-gel technique has been employed to prepare the pure and TM (Mn, Cr) doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and dielectric measurements. Crystal structural analysis infers that pure and TM-doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles displayed a rhombohedral distorted perovskite structure with R3c space group, along with a minor phase of Bi2Fe4O9. Lattice parameters have been found to decrease with TM doping. The particle size, measured with the help of the XRD spectra, was found to decrease from 54.4 nm to 38.7 nm with TM doping. The bandgap, determined using the UV-vis spectra, was observed to be 1.92, 1.66, and 1.54 eV for undoped, 5% Mn, and 5% Cr-doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles, respectively. The dielectric constant shows a normal dispersion behavior at room temperature and its value increases with TM doping. The ac conductivity also increases with TM doping in BiFeO3 nanoparticles.
Nanofiber Sr2Fe1.5Mo0.5O6-δ Electrodes Fabricated by the Electrospinning Method for Solid-Oxide Cells
Authors: Zhang Bo , Leng Zhizhong , Ling Yihan , Bai Hu , Li Sha , Zhou Juan , Wang Shaorong
Published: November 2022

Solid oxide cells (SOCs) are attracting much more attention as promising energy conversion and storage devices. One of the challenges of optimizing of solid-oxide cells’ performance is that there are not enough triple-phase boundaries (TPB) in the electrode bulk. To enhance the reaction area for SOCs, Sr2Fe1.5Mo0.5O6-δ nanofibers are synthesized by electrospinning with metal nitrate precursors and used for SOC electrodes operated in both humidified air and a hydrogen atmosphere. SFMO nanofibers display a highly porous and crystallized perovskite structure and continuous pathways by XRD analysis and SEM observation. The average diameter of the SFMO nanofibers after sintering is about 100 nm. The La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-δ(LSGM) electrolyte-supported symmetrical cell with the SFMO nanofiber electrode exhibits enhanced electrochemical performance in humidified air and an H2 atmosphere. Moreover, a distribution of the relaxation time method is used to analyze the impedance spectra, and the polarization peaks observed are assigned to correspond different electrochemical processes. The results indicate that the SFMO nanofiber with an improved nanostructure can be the potential material for the SOC electrode.
Three-Component Covalent Organic Framework Nanosheets for the Detection of MicroRNAs
Authors: Xie Bin , Yan Yilun , Wu Jialin , Cai Xinting , Zheng Jiayue , Lan Yixin , Tang Xihao , Fan Jun , Zheng Shengrun , Cai Songliang
Published: November 2022

The development of new techniques for the detection of microRNAs (miRNAs) is highly desirable. Herein, a new crystalline three-component covalent organic framework (COF) termed EB-TAPB-TFP COF was synthesized under solvothermal conditions utilizing 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol, 1,3,5-tris(4-aminophenyl)benzene and ethidium bromide as monomers. Interestingly, EB-TAPB-TFP COF can be self-exfoliated into two-dimensional nanosheets (NSs) in an aqueous medium. The obtained EB-TAPB-TFP NSs exhibited a remarkable fluorescence intensity enhancement in the presence of a DNA-miRNA heteroduplex when compared to the presence of single-stranded DNA and other phosphate-based small molecules, making it promising in the detection of miRNA without tagging any fluorescent marker. Moreover, the EB-TAPB-TFP NSs can also be used as sensing material for the detection of a DNA-miRNA heteroduplex using the quartz crystal microbalance technique, which is in good agreement with the fluorescence sensing result. The exploration of COF-based sensors in this work demonstrates a new pathway for the selective detection of miRNAs.
Phase Composition and Mechanical Properties of Sm2O3 Partially Stabilized Zirconia Crystals
Authors: Borik Mikhail , Chislov Artem , Kulebyakin Alexej , Lomonova Elena , Milovich Filipp , Myzina Valentina , Ryabochkina Polina , Sidorova Nataliya , Tabachkova Nataliya
Published: November 2022

The mechanical properties, phase composition and luminescence of (ZrO2)1−x(Sm2O3)x (x = 0.02–0.06) crystals synthesized using directional melt crystallization were studied. The regularities of changes in the phase composition of the crystals depending on samaria concentration were analyzed. Optical spectroscopy showed that Sm ions were incorporated into the ZrO2 crystal lattice in the form of Sm3+. The microhardness of the crystals was shown to increase with Sm2O3 concentration and reached 12.45 GPa for (ZrO2)0.94(Sm2O3)0.06 crystals. The highest fracture toughness of 14.2 MPa∙m1/2 was observed for the crystals containing 3.7 mol.% Sm2O3. The experimental results were analyzed in order to understand the effect of phase composition on the mechanical properties of the crystals. The effect of ionic radii of stabilizing oxide cations (i.e., Y3+, Gd3+ and Sm3+) on the mechanical properties of the materials on the basis of partially stabilized zirconia was also discussed.
Mineralogical Crystallography Volume II
Authors: Gurzhiy Vladislav V.
Published: November 2022

The International Mineralogical Association and UNESCO celebrates 2022—the Year of Mineralogy [...]
Transient THz Emission and Effective Mass Determination in Highly Resistive GaAs Crystals Excited by Femtosecond Optical Pulses
Authors: Chen Genyu , Chakraborty Debamitra , Cheng Jing , Mikulics Martin , Komissarov Ivan , Adam Roman , Bürgler Daniel , Schneider Claus , Hardtdegen Hilde , Sobolewski Roman
Published: November 2022

We present comprehensive studies on the emission of broadband, free-space THz transients from several highly resistive GaAs samples excited by femtosecond optical pulses. Our test samples are characterized by different degrees of disorder, ranging from nitrogen-implanted to semi-insulating and annealed semi-insulating GaAs crystals. In our samples, we clearly observed transient THz emissions due to the optical rectification effect, as well as due to the presence of the surface depletion electrical field. Next, we arranged our experimental setup in such way that we could observe directly how the amplitude of surface-emitted THz optical pulses is affected by an applied, in-plane magnetic field. We ascribe this effect to the Lorentz force that additionally accelerates optically excited carriers. The magnetic-field factor η is a linear function of the applied magnetic field and is the largest for an annealed GaAs sample, while it is the lowest for an N-implanted GaAs annealed at the lowest (300 °C) temperature. The latter is directly related to the longest and shortest trapping times, respectively, measured using a femtosecond optical pump-probe spectroscopy technique. The linear dependence of the factor η on the trapping time enabled us to establish that, for all samples, regardless of their crystalline structure, the electron effective mass was equal to 0.059 of the electron mass m0, i.e., it was only about 6% smaller than the generally accepted 0.063m0 value for GaAs with a perfect crystalline structure.
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-2-Altered Urothelial Carcinoma: Clinical and Genomic Features
Authors: Vlachostergios Panagiotis , Tamposis Ioannis , Anagnostou Maria , Papathanassiou Maria , Mitrakas Lampros , Zachos Ioannis , Thodou Eleni , Samara Maria , Tzortzis Vassilios
Published: November 2022

Background: Hypoxia is recognized as a key feature of cancer growth and is involved in various cellular processes, including proliferation, angiogenesis, and immune surveillance. Besides hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), which is the main mediator of hypoxia effects and can also be activated under normoxic conditions, little is known about its counterpart, HIF-2. This study focused on investigating the clinical and molecular landscape of HIF-2-altered urothelial carcinoma (UC). Methods: Publicly available next-generation sequencing (NGS) data from muscle-invasive UC cell lines and patient tumor samples from the MSK/TCGA 2020 cohort (n = 476) were interrogated for the level of expression (mRNA, protein) and presence of mutations, copy number variations, structural variants in the EPAS1 gene encoding HIF-2, and findings among various clinical (stage, grade, progression-free and overall survival) and molecular (tumor mutational burden, enriched gene expression) parameters were compared between altered and unaltered tumors. Results: 19% (7/37) of UC cell lines and 7% (27/380) of patients with muscle-invasive UC display high EPAS1 mRNA and protein expression or/and EPAS1 alterations. EPAS1-altered tumors are associated with higher stage, grade, and lymph node metastasis as well as with shorter PFS (14 vs. 51 months, q = 0.01) and OS (15 vs. 55 months, q = 0.01). EPAS1 mRNA expression is directly correlated with that of its target-genes, including VEGF, FLT1, KDR, DLL4, CDH5, ANGPT1 (q < 0.001). While there is a slightly higher tumor mutational burden in EPAS1-altered tumors (9.9 vs. 4.9 mut/Mb), they are enriched in and associated with genes promoting immune evasion, including ARID5B, SPINT1, AAK1, CLIC3, SORT1, SASH1, and FGFR3, respectively (q < 0.001). Conclusions: HIF-2-altered UC has an aggressive clinical and a distinct genomic and immunogenomic profile enriched in angiogenesis- and immune evasion-promoting genes.
Stance Classification of Social Media Texts for Under-Resourced Scenarios in Social Sciences
Authors: Yantseva Victoria , Kucher Kostiantyn
Published: November 2022

In this work, we explore the performance of supervised stance classification methods for social media texts in under-resourced languages and using limited amounts of labeled data. In particular, we focus specifically on the possibilities and limitations of the application of classic machine learning versus deep learning in social sciences. To achieve this goal, we use a training dataset of 5.7K messages posted on Flashback Forum, a Swedish discussion platform, further supplemented with the previously published ABSAbank-Imm annotated dataset, and evaluate the performance of various model parameters and configurations to achieve the best training results given the character of the data. Our experiments indicate that classic machine learning models achieve results that are on par or even outperform those of neural networks and, thus, could be given priority when considering machine learning approaches for similar knowledge domains, tasks, and data. At the same time, the modern pre-trained language models provide useful and convenient pipelines for obtaining vectorized data representations that can be combined with classic machine learning algorithms. We discuss the implications of their use in such scenarios and outline the directions for further research.
Morphological Diversity of Permanent Maxillary Lateral Incisors and Their Impact on Aesthetics and Function in Orthodontically Treated Patients
Authors: Fekonja Anita
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of different crown shapes and associated dental anomalies of the permanent maxillary lateral incisor (PMLI) and their impact on aesthetics and occlusion (function) in orthodontically treated patients. Materials and Methods: The records of 372 subjects, which consisting of study casts, panoramic radiographs and anamnestic data, were investigated for crown shape and associated dental anomalies of PMLI and potential dental treatment to achieve satisfactory aesthetics and function. Descriptive statistics, including means, standard deviations and percentages for the observed variables, were calculated. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test. p-Values < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results: The results showed that the most common crown shapes of PMLI were trapezoidal-shaped (59.8%), followed by central incisor-shaped (26.7%), canine-shaped (11.2%) and peg-shaped (2.3%), without statistically significant difference between genders. Developmental anomalies were found in 86 (11.6%) PMLI. All subjects with developmental anomalies were included in orthodontic treatment, and 91.2% of them need interdisciplinary treatment to achieve satisfactory aesthetics and function. Conclusions: The morphological diversity and developmental anomalies of the PMLI may affect aesthetics and function and should be considered in treatment planning.
The Influence of Surgical Realignment Procedures on Dynamic Patellar Tracking: A Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Controlled Feasibility Study
Authors: Frings Jannik , Dust Tobias , Meyer Jennifer , Krause Matthias , Frosch Karl-Heinz , Adam Gerhard , Henes Frank Oliver , Spink Clemens , Maas Kai-Jonathan
Published: November 2022

Persisting patellar maltracking following surgical realignment often remains unseen. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of realignment procedures on patellofemoral kinematics in patients with patellofemoral instability (PFI) and patellofemoral maltracking (PM) by using dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients planned for surgical patellar realignment due to PFI and a clinically and radiologically apparent PM between December 2019 and May 2022 were included. Patients without PM, limited range of motion, joint effusion, or concomitant injuries were excluded. Dynamic mediolateral translation (dMPT) and patella tilt (dPT) were measured preoperatively and three months postoperatively. In 24 patients (7 men, 17 women; mean age 23.0 years), 10 tibial tubercle transfers, 5 soft tissue patella tendon transfers, 6 trochleoplasties, 3 lateral lengthenings, 1 varizating distal femoral osteotomy (DFO), and 1 torsional DFO were performed. At final follow-up, dMPT (from 10.95 ± 5.93 mm to 4.89 ± 0.40 mm, p < 0.001) and dPT (from 14.50° ± 10.33° to 8.44° ± 7.46°, p = 0.026) were significantly improved. All static radiological parameters were corrected to physiological values. Surgical patellar realignment contributed to the significant improvement of patellofemoral kinematics, with an approximation to normal values. The postoperative application of dynamic MRI allowed for a quantification of the performed correction, allowing for a postoperative control of success.
Approach of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1) Syndrome–Related Skin Tumors
Authors: Băicoianu-Nițescu Livia-Cristiana , Gheorghe Ana-Maria , Carsote Mara , Dumitrascu Mihai Cristian , Sandru Florica
Published: November 2022

Non-endocrine findings in patients with MEN1 (multiple endocrine neoplasia) syndrome also include skin lesions, especially tumor-type lesions. This is a narrative review of the English-language medical literature including original studies concerning MEN1 and dermatological issues (apart from dermatologic features of each endocrine tumor/neuroendocrine neoplasia), identified through a PubMed-based search (based on clinical relevance, with no timeline restriction or concern regarding the level of statistical significance). We identified 27 original studies involving clinical presentation of patients with MEN1 and cutaneous tumors; eight other original studies that also included the genetic background; and four additional original studies were included. The largest cohorts were from studies in Italy (N = 145 individuals), Spain (N = 90), the United States (N = 48 and N = 32), and Japan (N = 28). The age of patients varied from 18 to 76 years, with the majority of individuals in their forties. The most common cutaneous tumors are angiofibromas (AF), collagenomas (CG), and lipomas (L). Other lesions are atypical nevi, basocellular carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, acrochordons, papillomatosis confluens et reticularis, gingival papules, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma of the eyelid. Non-tumor aspects are confetti-like hypopigmentation, café-au-lait macules, and gingival papules. MEN1 gene, respective menin involvement has also been found in melanomas, but the association with MEN1 remains debatable. Typically, cutaneous tumors (AF, CG, and L) are benign and are surgically treated only for cosmetic reasons. Some of them are reported as first presentation. Even though skin lesions are not pathognomonic, recognizing them plays an important role in early identification of MEN1 patients. Whether a subgroup of MEN1 subjects is prone to developing these types of cutaneous lesions and how they influence MEN1 evolution is still an open issue.
The Entity of Connshing Syndrome: Primary Aldosteronism with Autonomous Cortisol Secretion
Authors: Carsote Mara
Published: November 2022

Connshing syndrome (CoSh) (adrenal-related synchronous aldosterone (A) and cortisol (C) excess) represents a distinct entity among PA (primary hyperaldosteronisms) named by W. Arlt et al. in 2017, but the condition has been studied for more than 4 decades. Within the last few years, this is one of the most dynamic topics in hormonally active adrenal lesions due to massive advances in steroids metabolomics, molecular genetics from CYP11B1/B2 immunostaining to genes constellations, as well as newly designated pathological categories according to the 2022 WHO classification. In gross, PA causes 4–10% of all high blood pressure (HBP) cases, and 20% of resistant HBP; subclinical Cushing syndrome (SCS) is identified in one-third of adrenal incidentalomas (AI), while CoSh accounts for 20–30% to 77% of PA subjects, depending on the tests used to confirm autonomous C secretion (ACS). The clinical picture overlaps with PA, hypercortisolemia being mild. ACS is suspected in PA if a more severe glucose and cardiovascular profile is identified, or there are larger tumours, ACS being an independent factor risk for kidney damage, and probably also for depression/anxiety and osteoporotic fractures. It seems that one-third of the PA-ACS group harbours mutations of C-related lines like PRKACA and GNAS. A novel approach means we should perform CYP11B2/CYP11B1 immunostaining; sometimes negative aldosteronoma for CYP11B1 is surrounded by micronodules or cell clusters with positive CYP11B1 to sustain the C excess. Pitfalls of hormonal assessments in CoSh include the index of suspicion (check for ACS in PA patients) and the interpretation of A/C ratio during adrenal venous sample. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the treatment of choice. Post-operative clinical remission rate is lower in CoSh than PA. The risk of clinically manifested adrenal insufficiency is low, but a synthetic ACTH stimulating testing might help to avoid unnecessary exposure to glucocorticoids therapy. Finally, postponing the choice of surgery may impair the outcome, having noted that long-term therapy with mineralocorticoids receptors antagonists might not act against excessive amounts of C. Awareness of CoSh improves management and overall prognosis.
Incidental Vascular Findings in Computed Tomography Performed in the Qualification for the TAVI Procedure
Authors: Gać Paweł , Grochulska Aleksandra , Poręba Rafał
Published: November 2022

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is now a very widespread treatment method for symptomatic and severe aortic stenosis as an alternative for patients at intermediate or high risk of surgery or contraindications to surgery. The key role of imaging examinations before TAVI is to assess the morphology of the aortic valve, the routes of surgical access, and non-cardiac and extravascular structures. The objective of this article is to present and discuss the importance of selected accidental vascular findings in computed tomography examinations of the heart and large vessels performed in the TAVI qualification procedure: persistent left superior vena cava (SVC) with absent right SVC, right aortic arch, ectopic right coronary artery ostium, and left superior pulmonary vein draining into left brachiocephalic vein.
Validation of a Cytological Classification System for the Rapid On-Site Evaluation (Rose) of Pulmonary and Mediastinal Needle Aspirates
Authors: Zuccatosta Lina , Rossi Giulio , Gasparini Stefano , Ferretti Maurizio , Mei Federico , Sediari Michele , Barbisan Francesca , Goteri Gaia , Corbo Giuseppe Maria , Di Marco Berardino Alessandro
Published: November 2022

Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) is a procedure that allows immediate assessment of adequacy of cytological specimens obtained by fine needle aspiration (FNA). The application of ROSE diagnostic categories has been applied in various organs, but not in thoracic pathology. We aimed to retrospectively assess the concordance with the final diagnosis of a categorization from C1 (inadequate) to C5 (neoplastic) during ROSE performed with bronchoscopic or percutaneous sampling procedures of thoracic lesions in a large series of consecutive cases. This retrospective single-center study evaluated 2282 consecutive ROSEs performed on 1827 patients from January 2016 to December 2020 in 994 cases of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in peripheral pulmonary lesions, in 898 transthoracic FNAs, in 318 ultrasound-guided TBNAs, in 50 conventional TBNAs and in 22 endobronchial TBNAs. False positive and false negative cases of ROSE were 43 (1.88%) and 73 (3.2%), respectively, when compared with the definitive diagnosis. The sensitivity, specificity and the positive and negative prognostic values of ROSE were 94.84%, 95.05%, 96.89% and 91.87%, respectively. Overall concordance between ROSE and the final diagnosis was 0.8960 (Cohen’s kappa). No significant differences were observed in terms of sampling procedures and type and location of the lesions. A tiered classification scheme of ROSE from C1 to C5 during bronchoscopic and percutaneous sampling procedures is helpful in effectively guiding clinical management of patients with thoracic lesions.
High School Students’ Emergent Positions from Science Internships
Authors: Hsu Pei-Ling , Thomason Dina
Published: November 2022

Learning science in authentic settings, such as science internships in university laboratories, has been suggested as an effective way to enhance students’ scientific knowledge and skills, expand their views on the nature of science inquiry, and inspire them to pursue science careers. However, little research has been done to study how high school students position themselves in science internships while working at the elbows of scientists. According to positioning theory, how students view and position themselves may greatly shape how they participate in educational activities. Thus, the purpose of this ethnographic study was to investigate high school students’ emergent positions from their interactions with scientists in science internships. By analyzing students’ cogenerative dialogues about their internship experiences, we identified ten categories of high school students’ positions that emerged in science internships. Moreover, how each science laboratory team made unique contributions to high school students’ positionalities and how these students positioned themselves during follow-up interviews eight months after their internships were further discussed. Science educators may model classroom environments that can promote and support the positions identified in this study as students learn how to research and experiment to answer scientific questions in an authentic science learning environment.
Factors Influencing the Chance of Dropout or Being at Risk of Dropout in Higher Education
Authors: Pusztai Gabriella , Fényes Hajnalka , Kovács Klára
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this paper is to establish what sociodemographic and institutional factors cause students to drop out, become uncertain about their intentions to obtain a degree, or confidently advance towards the fulfilment of their ambitions. Our analysis is based on the combined databases of large-sample questionnaire surveys carried out among former students who dropped out from higher education institutions in an eastern region of Hungary as well as those carried out among current students. In addition to bivariate methods, we conduct multinomial logistic regression analysis to explore how students’ gender, social background, the funding of their training, willingness to do paid work alongside their studies, and relationships with academic staff and fellow students affect the chance of dropout, the risk of dropout, and persistence. In contrast to previous studies, which have mostly identified those at risk of dropping out of higher education and have primarily focused on the deficiencies of institutional integration, our novel results show that the actual dropout rate is at least as influenced by students’ unfavourable social background as it is by institutional factors.
High School Course-Completion Trajectories and College Pathways for All: A Transcript Analysis Study on Elective Computer Science Courses
Authors: Chan Hsun-Yu , Ma Ting-Lan , Saw Guan K. , Huang Yen-Ming
Published: November 2022

Whereas researchers regard high school math and science coursework as the best indicator of college readiness for students in the United States, computer science coursework and its relationship to college attendance, particularly for minoritized students, have not received due attention despite its root in the mathematical and scientific reasoning ability. We examined students’ high school course completion patterns across subjects and grade levels with a special focus on elective computer science courses and whether the coursework pattern transitions worked differently for minoritized students in Texas, USA. Latent profile analysis and latent transition analysis revealed multiple patterns of coursework, including Regular, Trailing, and Computer Science-Intensive. However, high school students seemed to attempt computer science courses with an experimental attitude. High school girls, low-income, and Latinx and African American students were less likely to complete computer science courses, despite demonstrating a similar coursework pattern in the previous year. Similarly, students with limited English proficiency, those eligible for free- or reduced-price lunch programs, and Native American students systematically have a lower chance to attend college, despite sufficient academic preparation in high school. Findings highlight the challenges minoritized students face and how students approach elective computer science courses in high school.
Interpretive Diversity Understanding, Parental Practices, and Contextual Factors Involved in Primary School-age Children’s Cheating and Lying Behavior
Authors: Prodan Narcisa , Moldovan Melania , Cacuci Simina Alexandra , Visu-Petra Laura
Published: November 2022

Dishonesty is an interpersonal process that relies on sophisticated socio-cognitive mechanisms embedded in a complex network of individual and contextual factors. The present study examined parental rearing practices, bilingualism, socioeconomic status, and children’s interpretive diversity understanding (i.e., the ability to understand the constructive nature of the human mind) in relation to their cheating and lie-telling behavior. 196 school-age children (9–11 years old) participated in a novel trivia game-like temptation resistance paradigm to elicit dishonesty and to verify their interpretive diversity understanding. Results revealed that children’s decision to cheat and lie was positively associated with their understanding of the constructive nature of the human mind and with parental rejection. Children with rejective parents were more likely to lie compared to their counterparts. This may suggest that understanding social interactions and the relationship with caregivers can impact children’s cheating behavior and the extent to which they are willing to deceive about it. Understanding the constructive nature of the mind was also a positive predictor of children’s ability to maintain their lies. Finally, being bilingual and having a higher socioeconomic status positively predicted children’s deception, these intriguing results warranting further research into the complex network of deception influences.
Holding on to Compliance While Adopting DevSecOps: An SLR
Authors: Ramaj Xhesika , Sánchez-Gordón Mary , Gkioulos Vasileios , Chockalingam Sabarathinam , Colomo-Palacios Ricardo
Published: November 2022

The software industry has witnessed a growing interest in DevSecOps due to the premises of integrating security in the software development lifecycle. However, security compliance cannot be disregarded, given the importance of adherence to regulations, laws, industry standards, and frameworks. This study aims to provide an overview of compliance aspects in the context of DevSecOps and explore how compliance is ensured. Furthermore, this study reveals the trends of compliance according to the extant literature and identifies potential directions for further research in this context. Therefore, we carried out a systematic literature review on the integration of compliance aspects in DevSecOps, which rigorously followed the guidelines proposed by Kitchenham and Charters. We found 934 articles related to the topic by searching five bibliographic databases (163) and Google Scholar (771). Through a rigorous selection process, we selected 15 papers as primary studies. Then, we identified the compliance aspects of DevSecOps and grouped them into three main categories: compliance initiation, compliance management, and compliance technicalities. We observed a low number of studies; therefore, we encourage further efforts into the exploration of compliance aspects, their automated integration, and the development of metrics to evaluate such a process in the context of DevSecOps.
Next-Generation Hybrid RF Front-End with MoS2-FET Supply Management Circuit, CNT-FET Amplifiers, and Graphene Thin-Film Antennas
Authors: Crippa Paolo , Biagetti Giorgio , Minelli Lorenzo , Turchetti Claudio , Aldrigo Martino , Dragoman Mircea , Mencarelli Davide , Pierantoni Luca
Published: November 2022

One-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) materials represent the emerging technologies for transistor electronics in view of their attractive electrical (high power gain, high cut-off frequency, low power dissipation) and mechanical properties. This work investigates the integration of carbon-nanotube-based field-effect transistors (CNT-FETs) and molybdenum disulphide (MoS2)-based FETs with standard CMOS technology for designing a simple analog system integrating a power switching circuit for the supply management of a 10 GHz transmitting/receiving (T/R) module that embeds a low-noise amplifier (LNA) and a high-power amplifier (HPA), both of which loaded by nanocrystalline graphene (NCG)-based patch antennas. Verilog-A models, tuned to the technology that will be used to manufacture the FETs, were implemented to perform electrical simulations of the MoS2 and CNT devices using a commercial integrated circuit software simulator. The obtained simulation results prove the potential of hybrid CNT-MoS2-FET circuits as building blocks for next-generation integrated circuits for radio frequency (RF) applications, such as radars or IoT systems.
A Scalable Montgomery Modular Multiplication Architecture with Low Area-Time Product Based on Redundant Binary Representation
Authors: Zhang Zhaoji , Zhang Peiyong
Published: November 2022

The Montgomery modular multiplication is an integral operation unit in the public key cryptographic algorithm system. Previous work achieved good performance at low input widths by combining Redundant Binary Representation (RBR) with Montgomery modular multiplication, but it is difficult to strike a good balance between area and time as input bit widths increase. To solve this problem, based on the redundant Montgomery modular multiplication, in this paper, we propose a flexible and pipeline hardware implementation of the Montgomery modular multiplication. Our proposed structure guarantees a single-cycle delay between two-stage pipeline units and reduces the length of the critical path by redistributing the data paths between the pipelines and preprocessing the input in the loop. By analyzing the structure and comparing the related work in this paper, our structure ensures a lower area-time product while achieving a controllable and small area consumption. The comprehensive results under different Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) processes demonstrate the advantages of our structure in terms of flexibility and area-time product.
Feature-Enhanced Document-Level Relation Extraction in Threat Intelligence with Knowledge Distillation
Authors: Li Yongfei , Guo Yuanbo , Fang Chen , Hu Yongjin , Liu Yingze , Chen Qingli
Published: November 2022

Relation extraction in the threat intelligence domain plays an important role in mining the internal association between crucial threat elements and constructing a knowledge graph (KG). This study designed a novel document-level relation extraction model, FEDRE-KD, integrating additional features to take full advantage of the information in documents. The study also introduced a teacher–student model, realizing knowledge distillation, to further improve performance. Additionally, a threat intelligence ontology was constructed to standardize the entities and their relationships. To solve the problem of lack of publicly available datasets for threat intelligence, manual annotation was carried out on the documents collected from social blogs, vendor bulletins, and hacking forums. After training the model, we constructed a threat intelligence knowledge graph in Neo4j. Experimental results indicate the effectiveness of additional features and knowledge distillation. Compared to mainstream models SSAN, GAIN, and ATLOP, FEDRE-KD improved the F1score by 22.07, 20.06, and 22.38, respectively.
Resolving the Unusual Gate Leakage Currents of Thin-Film Transistors with Single-Walled Carbon-Nanotube-Based Active Layers
Authors: Romanuik Sean F. , Rout Bishakh , Girard-Lauriault Pierre-Luc , Bhadra Sharmistha
Published: November 2022

Solution-processed single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) thin-film transistors (TFTs) in the research stage often have large active areas. This results in unusual gate leakage currents with high magnitudes that vary with applied voltages. In this paper, we report an improved structure for solution-processed SWCNT-based TFTs. The unusual gate leakage current in the improved structure is resolved by patterning the SWCNT active layer to confine it to the channel region. For comparative purposes, this improved structure is compared to a traditional structure whose unpatterned SWCNT active layer expands well beyond the channel region. As TFT performance also varies with oxide layer thickness, 90 nm and 300 nm thick oxides were considered. The improved TFTs have gate leakage currents far lower than the traditional TFT with the same dimensions (aside from the unpatterned active area). Moreover, the unusual variation in gate leakage current with applied voltages is resolved. Patterning the SWCNT layer, increasing the oxide thickness, and reducing the top electrode length all help prevent a rapid dielectric breakdown. To take advantage of solution-based fabrication processes, the active layer and electrodes of our TFTs were fabricated with solution-based depositions. The performance of the TFT can be further improved in the future by increasing SWCNT solution incubation time and reducing channel size.
Study on the Law and Mechanism of the Third-Order Intermodulation False Alarm Effect of the Stepped Frequency Ranging Radar
Authors: Du Xue , Wei Guanghui , Pan Xiaodong , Wan Haojiang , Zhao Hongze
Published: November 2022

In order to improve the radar’s electromagnetic protection ability, it is essential to master the law of the false alarm effect of the radar’s out-of-band third-order intermodulation electromagnetic radiation, starting from the circuit field-circuit coupling mechanism, and the mechanism of the third-order intermodulation false alarm effect is analyzed. Taking a stepped frequency ranging radar as the research object, the absolute level value of the false alarm signal is selected as the sensitive criterion of the false alarm effect. The dual-frequency electromagnetic false alarm interference effect is carried out by using the method of the differential mode injection equivalent substitution electromagnetic radiation. The results show that the dual-frequency electromagnetic interference will cause the radar to generate the third-order intermodulation false alarm signal with the random position and waveform spreading. Under a certain interference intensity, the level of the third-order intermodulation false alarm signal increases with the increase of the interference field strength. With the continuous increase of the interference field strength, the fifth-order intermodulation false alarm signal gradually appears. The imaging mechanism, the waveform characteristics, and the level change law of the fifth-order intermodulation false alarm target, are similar to the third-order intermodulation false alarm target, and its position is also random. The maximum third-order intermodulation false alarm signal can reach 18 dBmV, indicating that the radar is sensitive to the out-of-band intermodulation electromagnetic interference.
Boosting the Transesterification Reaction by Adding a Single Na Atom into g-C3N4 Catalyst for Biodiesel Production: A First-Principles Study
Authors: Kim Elim , Ayuk Ayuk Corlbert , Kim Deog-Keun , Kim Hak Joo , Ham Hyung Chul
Published: November 2022

Increasing environmental problems and the energy crisis have led to interest in the development of alternative energy. One of the most promising sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel is biodiesel which is typically produced from the transesterification of refined vegetable oils using a homogeneous base catalyst. However, the current process limitations and steep production costs associated with the use of homogeneous catalysts have limited the global-wide acceptance of biodiesel. Heterogeneous catalysts have been considered suitable alternatives, but they still suffer from low catalytic activity. In this study, by using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we examined the electronic and catalytic activity of the single Na-doped graphitic carbon nitrides (indicated by Na-doped g-C3N4) toward the efficient biodiesel (acetic acid methyl ester) production via the transesterification of triglyceride (triacetin). Our DFT calculation on reaction energetics and barriers revealed the enhancement of biodiesel productivity in the Na-doped catalyst compared to the pristine g-C3N4 catalyst. This was related to the large reduction of the barrier in the rate-limiting step. In addition, we investigated the acidity/basicity and electron distribution and density of state for the Na-doped and pristine g-C3N4 catalysts to better understand the role of the Na atom in determining the transesterification reaction. This study highlights the importance of the dopant in a g-C3N4 catalyst in determining the transesterification reaction, which may open new routes to improve biodiesel production.
Integrated Reporting and Value Relevance in the Energy Sector: The Case of European Listed Firms
Authors: Delegkos Andreas Errikos , Skordoulis Michalis , Kalantonis Petros , Xanthopoulou Aggelia
Published: November 2022

Integrated reporting (IR) contains a lot of important information for firms, such as income, cash flows, risks, uncertainties, intellectual capital, social capital and environmental capital. Based on the relevant literature it is found that the adoption of integrated reporting affects the firms’ value in the short, medium and long term and, at the same time affects its environmental, social and governance performances. The aim of this paper is to analyze the impact of integrated reporting in European energy firms’ value relevance. To do so, the panel data concerning 38 European energy distribution listed firms are analyzed, using statistical and econometrical methods including OLS, WLS, fixed effects and random effects models. The paper’s main novelty is that it concerns a sector that plays a key role in the economic development of countries and, at the same time only a few studies are carried out concerning the examined subject in this sector. The research results have revealed that integrated reporting, book value and earnings per share have a statistically significantly effect on energy firms’ market value. Thus, it is proposed that energy firms adopt IR.
Preparation and Applications of Rare-Earth-Doped Ferroelectric Oxides
Authors: Bian Taiyu , Zhou Tianhong , Zhang Yang
Published: November 2022

Ferroelectric oxides possess abundant fascinating physical functionalities, such as electro-optic, acousto-optic, and nonlinear optical characteristics, etc. However, most pristine ferroelectric oxides exhibit no efficient luminescent properties due to the indirect and wide bandgap. Rare-earth-doped phosphors demonstrate advantages such as sharp emission bandwidths, large Stokes shift, high photonstability, and low toxicity. The combination of rare-earth ions and ferroelectric oxides has shown great potential in optical sensing, lighting, solar cells, and other applications. Rare-earth-doped ferroelectric oxides exhibit efficient upconversion or downconversion luminescence in the range of ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (NIR) regions. In this article, the preparation process of rare-earth-doped ferroelectric oxides and the preparation methods of thin films are introduced. Their recent applications in optical sensing, lighting, and solar cells are highlighted. The review concludes with a brief summary of all related branches and discusses the potential direction of this field.
Research on Performance Optimization of Gravity Heat Pipe for Mine Return Air
Authors: Zhai Yu , Zhao Xu , Dong Zhifeng
Published: November 2022

The mine return air flow has the characteristics of basically constant temperature and humidity all year round and is a high-quality waste heat resource. Its direct discharge not only wastes energy but also causes environment pollution. It has important economic value and application prospect to solve the problem of shaft antifreeze using new technology to recover the waste heat of mine return air. Gravity heat pipe is widely used in the heat recovery of mine return air. Its heat transfer process is a complex process with multiple parameters. The current research focuses on the influence of a single factor on heat transfer, which has many limitations. To analyze the effects of different parameters on the heat recovery effect of gravity heat pipe in mine return air and to optimize heat pipe heat exchanger parameters in the heat exchange system, mathematical models of gas–water countercurrent heat and mass transfer, entransy dissipation and exergy efficiency were established in this paper, based on the entransy dissipation theory. Under the condition of the given initial parameters, the effects of different parameters on the dimensionless factor, β, of heat transfer, total heat transfer, and entransy dissipation thermal resistance were analyzed. The experimental and calculation results show the entransy dissipation theory can be used to evaluate the heat transfer performance of the gravity heat pipe. When the entransy dissipation thermal resistance was minimum, the heat transfer performance was optimal. During the heat transfer process between the mine return air and the gravity heat pipe with high humidity under a given working condition, increasing the Reynolds number was beneficial to increase the heat transfer dimensionless factor, β.