bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Omnidirectional Optical Engineering and Ternary Strategy for High‐Performance Indoor Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Zheng Kaiwen , Deng Baozhong , Lu Zhouyi , Yin Luqiao , Wang Shenghao , Dong Hongliang , Mbina Esther , N'konou Kekeli , Grandidier Bruno , Xu Tao
Published: August 2024

Indoor organic photovoltaics (IOPVs) with tunable absorption spectra and relatively high power conversion efficiency (PCE) have emerged as one of the most promising energy sources for Internet of Things devices, but enhancing the device performance under various directions of indoor illumination is challenging. Herein, it is proposed to combine omnidirectional optical engineering and ternary strategy for achieving high‐performance IOPVs. The advantage is taken of a ternary bulk heterojunction (BHJ) with a polymer donor having aligned absorption spectra with the light‐emitting diode (LED) spectrum and a guest component that not only blueshifts the near‐infrared absorption of the acceptor but also improves electrical and morphological properties of the BHJ. A 2D photonic‐structured antireflection coating is further developed to selectively improve the light absorption of IOPVs, leading to a PCE of 29.07% under 1000 lux LED illumination. More importantly, the antireflection coating maintains the initial PCE even when irradiated by light incident at large angles, demonstrating an omnidirectional effectiveness. This weaker angular dependency on light absorption provides practical prospects for future sustainable indoor photovoltaic systems.
Zirkulär und klimaeffektiv – das Studierendenhaus in Braunschweig
Authors: Oppe Matthias , Nowak Jana , Kummert Clea
Published: August 2024

Der Neubau des Studierendenhauses an der Technischen Universität Braunschweig ist ein multifunktionaler Raum, der auf über 1000 m2 Platz für 200 Arbeitsplätze bietet. Konsequent ohne massive Wände ausgebildet, erlaubt das zweigeschossige Gebäude eine flexible Nutzung. Das innovative Tragwerkskonzept zeichnet sich durch eine hohe Ressourcen‐ und Emissionseffizienz aus und ist durch die Reversibilität des Primärtragwerks kreislaufgerecht geplant. Alle Bauteile sind leicht entfügbar und können nach der Lebenszeit des Gebäudes in gleicher oder variierter Kombination wieder bzw. weitergenutzt werden. Auch kann das modular entwickelte Tragsystem leicht erweitert, reduziert oder ergänzt werden.
Electromagnetic interference shielding behavior of flexible PVA composite made using betel nut husk biocarbon and steel microwire in E, F, I, and J band spectrum
Authors: Somasundaram K. , Uthayakumar G. S. , Bapu B. R. Tapas , Ponnusamy Muruganantham
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding behavior of a flexible polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite fabricated using betel nut husk biocarbon and steel microwire in the E, F, I, and J band spectrum. The incorporation of steel microwire into the PVA based composite is novel approach since it provides flexibility along with good mechanical strength. The fabrication process involves the solution casting method, and the composite is characterized according to American society of testing and materials (ASTM) standards. The research focuses on analyzing dielectric behavior, EMI shielding effectiveness, and mechanical properties. Results indicates that, the composite with 5 vol.% of biocarbon and 5 vol.% of micro metal wire, exhibits exceptional relative permittivity of 7.6, 6.9, 6.3, and 1.5 for E, F, I, and J frequency bands and same composition delivers exceptional electromagnetic shielding with total shielding values of 17.7 dB, 25.5 dB, 31.7 dB, and 38.6 dB for E, F, I, and J frequency bands. In mechanical characteristics, composite with 5 vol.% of biocarbon and 5 vol.% of micro metal wire, exhibits high tensile strength of 73 MPa with lower elongation percentage of 109.2% and shore‐D hardness of 40, respectively. Thus, the inclusion of betel nut husk biocarbon and steel microwire into the PVA matrix enhanced the overall EMI shielding properties along with mechanical properties. These flexible EMI shielding composites could be used in applications such as defense, telecommunication, drones, and electronic gadget making segments.

Highlights

Flexible polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite is made with steel microwire and betel nut husk biocarbon.

Biocarbon is derived from betel nut husk for first time and used as EM wave absorber.

Composites were made via simple solution casting method for high flexibility index.

Composite contains 5 vol.% biocarbon and 5 vol.% micro metal wire, shows high relative permittivity 7.6 for E frequency bands.

The composites have high tensile strength of 73 MPa with a low elongation percentage of 109.2% and a shore‐D hardness of 40.
Mapping out a direction: India's G20 presidency propels global promotion of traditional medicine
Authors: Singh Preet Amol , Bajwa Neha , Hazra Subhajit , Chandan Arun
Published: August 2024

Traditional and complementary medicine has always aided the global population in managing various ailments and its role has been acknowledged by World Health Organization. The G20 is the leading global platform for economic collaboration, influencing international policies across sectors such as agriculture, culture, the digital economy, education, employment, finance, and health to guide resilient global strategies. This study highlights conversations within the health working group of the Sherpa track, focusing in particular on traditional medicines and their diverse intersecting aspects. The information was collected from publications by G20 Indian presidency including G20 communications, think tanks (T20), press releases, speeches, and policy briefs. Throughout four health working group meetings, two side events organized by the Ministry of Ayush, and three joint health‐finance task force meetings, key topics discussed included digital health, Universal Health Coverage, Medical Value Travel through wellness tourism, a One‐Health approach, primary healthcare, Yoga, biodiversity, access and benefit sharing of natural resources, and scientific evidence—all of which were connected to traditional medicines. Unlike past G20 presidencies, the Indian G20 presidency recognize the importance of traditional medicines, marking renewed cooperation in this area. The “Gujrat Declaration 2023” must act as a guiding beacon for crafting robust policies concerning traditional medicines on a global scale. The Ministry of Ayush has excelled in advancing traditional medicine systems across all its sectors through well‐organized and intellectually enriching discussions. Upcoming G20 presidencies should build on the discussions about traditional medicine initiated by the Indian presidency and elevate them to new heights. Considering traditional medicine's unique logic, principals, validity, and largescale patient dependency, efforts should be made to form a dedicated sub‐working group within the health working group to delve deeper into the subject.
Risk factors for conversion to total hip arthroplasty after acetabular fractures
Authors: Christiaans Colin , Hoogmoet Sepp , Rijnen Wim , Stirler Vincent , Hermans Erik
Published: August 2024

Objectives

To identify acetabular fracture patterns classified according to Letournel that are at risk of conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting

A Level-I trauma center.

Patients/ Participants

Patients with an acetabular fracture, classified according to Letournel who were treated with ORIF (n = 280).

Interventions

Various surgical treatments for acetabular fractures.

Main outcome measure

The primary outcome was the rate of conversion to total hip arthroplasty.

Results

In this study, an overall conversion rate to THA of 13.9% within 2.2 years after initial surgery was found. Multivariate analysis revealed that several factors, namely, T-shaped fracture patterns (OR: 7.5, 95% CI 1.9–28.8, p = 0.003) and residual displacement (> 2 mm) (OR: 3.7, 95% CI 1.6–8.5, p = 0.002) are associated with an increased risk of conversion to THA. Furthermore, the risk of conversion to THA increases with 4.7% per gained year of age (OR: 1.047, 95% CI 1.0-1.1, p = 0,001). Other fracture patterns classified according to Letournel were not found to be independent risk factors.

Conclusion

The presence of T-shaped fracture patterns is found to be an independent risk factor for conversion to THA. Furthermore, age and degree of reduction are found to be independent risk factors, which is in line with existing literature. These finding should be taken into account when treating patients with T-shaped acetabular fractures.

Level of evidence

Prognostic study level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
The effect of prenatal exposure to Ramadan on human capital: evidence from Turkey
Authors: Aydilek Gokben , Karaoğlan Deniz
Published: August 2024

This study aims to analyze the effect of prenatal exposure to certain nutritional disruptions in utero on human capital formation. In order to resolve the endogeneity driven by maternal dietary deficiencies, we use the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, during which observers abstain from eating and drinking entirely from sunrise to sunset, as a natural experiment to assess the effects of fetal malnourishment on educational and labor market outcomes. We compare schooling and employment measures of individuals who are prenatally exposed to Ramadan with those who are not using the 2016 round of the Turkish Family Structure Survey dataset. Our results indicate that men who are exposed to Ramadan in utero in the first or third trimester complete 0.53 fewer years of schooling and are less likely to obtain middle school, high school, and college degrees. These effects are stronger when Ramadan coincides with summer.
Optimized methods for measuring competitive binding of chemical substances to thyroid hormone distributor proteins transthyretin and thyroxine binding globulin
Authors: Shen Yang , Bovee Toine F. H. , Molenaar Douwe , Weide Yoran , Nolles Antsje , Braucic Mitrovic Carmen , van Leeuwen Stefan P. J. , Louisse Jochem , Hamers Timo
Published: August 2024

Transthyretin (TTR) and thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) are two major thyroid hormone (TH) distributor proteins in human plasma, playing important roles in stabilizing the TH levels in plasma, delivery of TH to target tissues, and trans-barrier transport. Binding of xenobiotics to these distributor proteins can potentially affect all these three important roles of distributor proteins. Therefore, fast and cost-effective experimental methods are required for both TTR and TBG to screen both existing and new chemicals for their potential binding. In the present study, the TTR-binding assay was therefore simplified, optimized and pre-validated, while a new TBG-binding assay was developed based on fluorescence polarization as a readout. Seven model compounds (including positive and negative controls) were tested in the pre-validation study of the optimized TTR-binding assay and in the newly developed TBG-binding assay. The dissociation constants of the natural ligand (thyroxine, T4) and potential competitors were determined and compared between two distributor proteins, showing striking differences for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
Exploring pulmonary involvement in newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis: a single center study
Authors: Schäfer Valentin Sebastian , Winter Lone , Skowasch Dirk , Bauer Claus-Jürgen , Pizarro Carmen , Weber Marcel , Kütting Daniel , Behning Charlotte , Brossart Peter , Petzinna Simon Michael
Published: August 2024

Objectives

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence, manifestation, and risk factors of pulmonary involvement in newly diagnosed, untreated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, and to evaluate the efficacy of various diagnostic tools in screening for pulmonary involvement.

Methods

Untreated, newly diagnosed patients with RA and PsA underwent an extensive multimodal diagnostic approach including clinical and laboratory assessment, pulmonary function tests, and chest radiography.

Results

We recruited 50 arthritis patients (26 RA, 24 PsA) and 26 control subjects. Respiratory symptoms were found in 36.0 % of arthritis patients and 11.5 % of controls (p = 0.031). Pathologically reduced breathing width (< 3.0 cm) was significantly more common in arthritis patients (64.0 %) than in controls (23.1 %) (p < 0.001). Pulmonary function test results did not differ significantly between groups. Chest radiography revealed pulmonary involvement in 37.0 % of arthritis patients, higher in RA (50.0 %) than in PsA (22.7 %). Notably, only 35.3 % of arthritis patients with radiographic pulmonary involvement were symptomatic, with 64.7 % being asymptomatic. Radiographic pulmonary involvement was associated with advanced age (p = 0.002) and increased rheumatoid factor levels (p = 0.024).

Conclusion

Our research underscores the significant prevalence of largely asymptomatic pulmonary involvement in newly diagnosed RA and PsA patients. These findings highlight the importance of an early, multidisciplinary screening approach, particularly for high-risk individuals. Further large-scale studies are needed to develop comprehensive screening protocols to improve early detection and treatment of pulmonary involvement in arthritis.
Two-dye two-color laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy on droplets of green solvent water/ethanol mixtures for thermometry and mixture composition
Authors: Ulrich Hannah , Weiß Richard , Zigan Lars
Published: August 2024

This work shows new insights on the application of two-color laser-induced-fluorescence (2c-LIF) thermometry in a droplet chain. A two-dye mixture is used in ethanol, water and ethanol/water mixtures in order to reach a high-temperature sensitivity and avoid the detection of lasing effects in the droplets. Various droplet sizes are recorded in regard to the limitation of the detection system for very small micrometric droplets. The breakup of a droplet chain is measured to assess the spectral detection system in applications with liquid structures of different sizes. Additionally, a proposal to expand the 2c-LIF application for studying ethanol/water droplets regarding mixture composition with a third color channel is presented. Forming two intensity ratios, the spectra can be used to obtain information on the mixture composition of the solvent. Measurements in different ethanol/water mixtures containing 0–100 vol% water are evaluated to show this possibility.
Eicosapentaenoic acid administration ameliorates the progression of liver fibrosis after laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy
Authors: Sumida Wataru , Tainaka Takahisa , Shirota Chiyoe , Makita Satoshi , Amano Hizuru , Yasui Akihiro , Maeda Takuya , Kato Daiki , Goda Yosuke , Ishii Hiroki , Ota Kazuki , Yaohui Guo , Jiahui Liu , Hinoki Akinari , Uchida Hiroo
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Biliary atresia (BA) poses a persistent challenge characterized by ongoing liver inflammation and subsequent fibrosis even after the clearance of jaundice (COJ). This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in alleviating liver inflammation and limiting fibrosis during the post-COJ phase of BA.

Methods

Among the BA patients undergoing laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy (lapKP) between December 2016 and October 2021, EPA (20–40 mg/kg/day) was administered orally to those whose parents consented. The study included patients from January 2014 to October 2021, classifying them into two groups: EPA-treated (Group E) and untreated (Group N). Their liver fibrosis and clinical course at 1 and 2 years post-lapKP were compared.

Results

Group E consisted of 25 patients, while Group N comprised 32 patients. Twenty-one patients in Group E and 25 patients in Group N achieved COJ (p = 0.74). Among jaundice-free patients at 1 and 2 years post-lapKP, Group E exhibited significantly lower M2BPGi levels and platelet counts, and Group E showed a significant reduction in Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) at 2 years post-lapKP.

Conclusion

Although EPA administration did not improve COJ, it attenuated the progression of liver fibrosis during the 2 years following lapKP in jaundice-free patients.

(200/200Words).
Associations of maternal lifestyle factors with inadequate pregnancy weight gain: findings from the baseline data of the LIMIT prospective cohort study
Authors: El Masri Dana , Alemayohu Mulubirhan Assefa , Loperfido Federica , Bianco Irene , Ferrara Chiara , Cerbo Rosa Maria , Ghirardello Stefano , Monti Maria Cristina , Maccarini Beatrice , Sottotetti Francesca , Civardi Elisa , Garofoli Francesca , Angelini Micol , Cena Hellas , De Giuseppe Rachele
Published: August 2024

Background/objectives

Gestational Weight Gain (GWG) impacts maternal and fetal health; deviations from optimal ranges pose health risks. Maternal lifestyle before and during pregnancy strongly influences GWG. This study explores factors linked to inadequate GWG, focusing on Mediterranean Diet (MD) adherence and specific food consumption.

Subjects/methods

178 pregnant women were enrolled at Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo (Pavia) during pre-hospital care before birth meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria. Sociodemographic data, pre-pregnancy BMI, GWG, MD adherence, physical activity (PA) levels, and smoking habits were retrospectively collected. Validated questionnaires adapted for the target group, assessed MD adherence and PA level. Participants were classified into adequate (AGWG) and inadequate GWG groups following IOM guidelines.

Results

Among 200 pregnant women (aged 30–36), 37.1% experienced low GWG and 24.1% excessive GWG. Our study revealed a significant association between inadequate GWG and educational level (P = 0.011); pre-pregnancy BMI (P = 0.005); MD adherence (P = 0.008), and daily average consumption of vegetables (P < 0.001). Our results also showed that a lower risk of EGWG vs. AGWG was associated with daily average consumption of vegetables (RRR = 0.279, P = 0.004), while a higher risk of EGWG vs. AGWG was associated with high daily meat product consumption (> 1.5 portions/day) (RRR = 7.83, P = 0.03). Conclusion. These findings emphasize the importance of promoting lifestyle changes before and during pregnancy to tackle the increasing incidence of inadequate GWG and improve the health outcomes of both mother and child.
Identifying crystal nucleation mechanisms in a synthetic trachybasalt: a multimodal approach
Authors: Peres Stefano , Griffiths Thomas A. , Colle Fabio , Lelarge Stefano Iannini , Masotta Matteo , Pontesilli Alessio , Mancini Lucia , Abart Rainer
Published: August 2024

To develop new criteria to distinguish different crystal nucleation mechanisms in silicate melts, we performed crystallization experiments using a synthetic hydrous (2 wt% H2O) trachybasalt and combined three-dimensional information from synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography with two-dimensional mapping of crystallographic orientation relationships (CORs) using electron backscatter diffraction. Crystallization experiments were performed at 400 MPa by cooling the melt from 1300 °C to resting temperatures of 1150 and 1100 °C and maintaining isothermal conditions for 30 min and 8 h. Three distinct titanomagnetite (Tmt) populations formed: (1) skeletal crystals, isolated or partially embedded in clinopyroxene (Cpx); (2) anhedral crystals, always attached to Cpx; (3) flattened needle-shaped crystals, embedded in Cpx. These morphologically different Tmt populations formed in response to one cooling event, with varying nucleation mechanisms and at different undercooling conditions. The clustered three-dimensional distribution of population 2 and 3 Tmt grains and the high proportion of Tmt-Cpx interfaces sharing CORs indicate that these Tmt grains heterogeneously nucleated on Cpx. The near-random three-dimensional distribution of (often isolated) population 1 Tmt grains, together with the low proportion of Tmt-Cpx interfaces sharing CORs, imply their isolated, possibly homogeneous nucleation, potentially followed by heterogeneous nucleation of Cpx on population 1 Tmt. Heterogeneous nucleation in slightly to moderately undercooled magmas should affect the sequence of crystallization as well as morphology and clustering of crystals, which may actively contribute to the variation of rheological parameters like viscosity. Finally, observed intra- and inter-sample variations in Tmt-Cpx COR frequencies indicate the potential for this parameter to record further petrological information.
Peritoneal infection after colorectal cancer surgery induces substantial alterations in postoperative protein levels: an exploratory study
Authors: Grahn Oskar , Holmgren Klas , Jonsson Pär , Borgmästars Emmy , Lundin Christina , Sund Malin , Rutegård Martin
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Peritoneal infection, due to anastomotic leakage, after resection for colorectal cancer have been shown to associate with increased cancer recurrence and mortality, as well as cardiovascsular morbidity. Alterations in circulating protein levels could help shed light on the underlying mechanisms, prompting this exploratory study of 64 patients operated for colorectal cancer with anastomosis.

Methods

Thirty-two cases who suffered a postoperative peritoneal infection were matched with 32 controls who had a complication-free postoperative stay. Proteins in serum samples at their first postoperative visit and at one year after surgery were analysed using proximity extension assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Multivariate projection methods, adjusted for multiple testing, were used to compare levels between groups, and enrichment and network analyses were performed.

Results

Seventy-seven proteins, out of 270 tested, were differentially expressed at a median sampling time of 41 days postoperatively. These proteins were all normalised one year after surgery. Many of the differentially expressed top hub proteins have known involvement in cancer progression, survival, invasiveness and metastasis. Over-represented pathways were related to cardiomyopathy, cell-adhesion, extracellular matrix, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt (PI3K-Akt) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling.

Conclusion

These affected proteins and pathways could provide clues as to why patients with peritoneal infection might suffer increased cancer recurrence, mortality and cardiovascular morbidity.
Exploring the role of Life Essential 8 in patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Wang Xiaoying , Bai Yintao , Zou Xiaolan , He Xincheng , Xie Xiaoxiang , Ru Jinli
Published: August 2024

Objective

To investigate the distribution of the Life Essential 8 (LE8) score among adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and explore its association with disease activity.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted to select adult patients with SLE and RA who were treated in the general department of the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University between May 2022 and September 2023. Through questionnaires, patients’ diet, sleep, smoking habits, and daily exercise were evaluated. Additionally, blood glucose, blood lipids, inflammatory markers, and other relevant data were collected to assess the LE8 levels of the participants. The data was analyzed using SPSS 26.0. Both univariate and ordered multivariate logistic regression were employed to explore the distribution and influencing factors of the LE8 score among the patients.

Results

A total of 43 adult cases of SLE and 55 RA cases were studied, encompassing 11 males and 87 females with a mean age of 49.12 ± 15.86 years. The LE8 score averaged at 68.82 ± 12.29; specifically, the LE8 behavior score was 60.91 ± 17.78, and the LE8 factor score was 77.05 ± 14.30. The disease activity scores of both conditions showed a negative correlation with LE8. As DAS28 (r =  − 0.96, P < 0.05) and SLEDAI (r =  − 0.807, P < 0.05) scores increased, the LE8 score decreased. A low SLEDAI score serves as a protective factor for LE8 (OR (95% CI) = 0.07 (0.01, 0.37), P = 0.02). Furthermore, among patients with RA (OR (95% CI) = 0.03 (0.00, 0.22), P = 0.001) and SLE (OR (95% CI) = 0.06 (0.01, 0.35), P = 0.002), individuals boasting higher LE8 scores exhibit a reduced 10-year cardiovascular risk.

Conclusions

Patients suffering from RA and SLE often exhibit low LE8 scores, reflecting a concerning cardiovascular health status—particularly in cases of high disease activity. Hence, it is imperative to prioritize the cardiovascular well-being of rheumatic patients.

Key Points• Research has revealed that individuals suffering from RA and SLE exhibit lower LE8 scores, potentially attributed to alterations in disease activity• In this study, no statistically significant associations were discerned between inflammatory markers and LE8 scores among patients with RA and SLE. Nevertheless, among SLE patients specifically, a notable correlation was observed between ds-DNA levels and LE8 factor scores.• Enhancing the compliance rate for the LE8 target among patients with RA and SLE could potentially mitigate the cardiovascular risk associated with these conditions.
Acute impacts of invasive toads on the population demography of a native predator in tropical Australia
Authors: Ward-Fear G. , Brown G. P. , Shine R.
Published: August 2024

If an animal’s size, age and/or sex influence its vulnerability to an invasive species, the arrival of such an invader can cause rapid changes in the population demography of an affected species. We studied free-ranging varanid lizards (Yellow-spotted monitors, Varanus panoptes) at a site in tropical Australia during the influx of fatally toxic cane toads, Rhinella marina. Mortality was inferred from shifts in population structure, as well as the survival rates (time to death) of 107 radio-tracked lizards. Of 57 deaths whose cause was unambiguous, 32 were due to fatal poisoning by ingesting a cane toad; the other 25 lizards were consumed by pythons. Size and age structure shifted between years, such that the population post-invasion was dominated by smaller, younger lizards, and by females rather than males. Radiotelemetric monitoring confirmed that survival rates were reduced more in males than in females in the post-toad year, with males most at risk late in the dry-season, when food was scarce and females were nesting rather than foraging. Pythons disproportionately consumed larger female lizards during the nesting season. Toad-induced poisoning of adult male varanids (which are larger and bolder than females) likely produced a population that was more resilient to toad impact, but less easily surveyed by conventional techniques.
Psychological factors impacts on carsharing use
Authors: Abouelela Mohamed , Al Haddad Christelle , Antoniou Constantinos
Published: August 2024

Carsharing services have a significant potential for improving urban mobility by increasing the independence and freedom of travel and reducing traffic externalities. Although carsharing has been used for over a decade, several aspects need further investigation, such as the impact of user’s psychological factors on service use, as well as the factors impacting users’ choices between different carsharing operators, in particular their preferences for different payment schemes, and their perceptions of the operators’ application rating. Accordingly, four hybrid choice models (HCM) were estimated to investigate factors impacting (i) the knowledge about carsharing services, (ii) carsharing adoption, (iii) the shift from other modes to carsharing, (iv) the choice between carsharing operators with different payment schemes, using a large survey sample (N = 1044 responses 9469 SP observation) from Munich, Germany. The models showed the significance of sociodemographics, such as income level, education level, household size, employment status, ownership of a bike, access to a car, the availability of a driving license, and public transport subscription-based tickets on the carsharing use directly and indirectly, and four psychological factors encompassing different personality traits (i.e., adventurous), travel behavior, and attitudes were found to be significant in the various models; the latter covered service-related attitudes (perceived carsharing app importance) and travel behavior attitudes or profiles (frequent public transport user and frequent shared micromobility user). This research raises questions regarding the inequitable use of carsharing, the impacts of mobile applications on using the service, and the potential of integrating carsharing in mobility as a Service platforms to increase the potential for multimodality.
HybGrip: a synergistic hybrid gripper for enhanced robotic surgical instrument grasping
Authors: Badilla-Solórzano Jorge , Ihler Sontje , Seel Thomas
Published: August 2024

Purpose

A fundamental task of a robotic scrub nurse is handling surgical instruments. Thus, a gripper capable of consistently grasping a wide variety of tools is essential. We introduce a novel gripper that combines granular jamming and pinching technologies to achieve a synergistic improvement in surgical instrument grasping.

Methods

A reliable hybrid gripper is constructed by integrating a pinching mechanism and a standard granular jamming gripper, achieving enhanced granular interlocking. For our experiments, our prototype is affixed to the end-effector of a collaborative robot. A novel grasping strategy is proposed and utilized to evaluate the robustness and performance of our prototype on 18 different surgical tools with diverse geometries.

Results

It is demonstrated that the integration of the pinching mechanism significantly enhances grasping performance compared with standard granular jamming grippers, with a success rate above 98%. It is shown that with the combined use of our gripper with an underlying grid, i.e., a complementary device placed beneath the instruments, robustness and performance are further enhanced.

Conclusion

Our prototype’s performance in surgical instrument grasping stands on par with, if not surpasses, that of comparable contemporary studies, ensuring its competitiveness. Our gripper proves to be robust, cost-effective, and simple, requiring no instrument-specific grasping strategies. Future research will focus on addressing the sterilizability of our prototype and assessing the viability of the introduced grid for intra-operative use.
Metaheuristics for Solving Global and Engineering Optimization Problems: Review, Applications, Open Issues and Challenges
Authors: Houssein Essam H. , Saeed Mahmoud Khalaf , Hu Gang , Al-Sayed Mustafa M.
Published: August 2024

The greatest and fastest advances in the computing world today require researchers to develop new problem-solving techniques capable of providing an optimal global solution considering a set of aspects and restrictions. Due to the superiority of the metaheuristic Algorithms (MAs) in solving different classes of problems and providing promising results, MAs need to be studied. Numerous studies of MAs algorithms in different fields exist, but in this study, a comprehensive review of MAs, its nature, types, applications, and open issues are introduced in detail. Specifically, we introduce the metaheuristics' advantages over other techniques. To obtain an entire view about MAs, different classifications based on different aspects (i.e., inspiration source, number of search agents, the updating mechanisms followed by search agents in updating their positions, and the number of primary parameters of the algorithms) are presented in detail, along with the optimization problems including both structure and different types. The application area occupies a lot of research, so in this study, the most widely used applications of MAs are presented. Finally, a great effort of this research is directed to discuss the different open issues and challenges of MAs, which help upcoming researchers to know the future directions of this active field. Overall, this study helps existing researchers understand the basic information of the metaheuristic field in addition to directing newcomers to the active areas and problems that need to be addressed in the future.
Lacticaseibacillus casei as Anti-blowing Agents: Impact on the Evolution of Ripening and Sensory Profile of Montasio Cheese
Authors: Trevisiol Francesca , Renoldi Niccolò , Rossi Anna , Di Filippo Giulia , Marino Marilena , Innocente Nadia
Published: August 2024

Recently, the Lacticaseibacillus casei group strains have been gaining growing interest due to their potential to be used as secondary adjunct cultures in cheese. This work aimed to test autochthonous Lb. casei strains as anti-blowing agents and to evaluate their impact on the evolution of the ripening and the sensory profile of Montasio cheese. The cheesemaking trial included a control production without lysozyme (C1), a control with lysozyme (C2), and four experimental productions, each containing a different pool of autochthonous Lb. casei strains (EX1-4). Samples were taken during ripening, and physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory analyses were carried out. Lb. casei counts indicate that the selected strains survived the cheesemaking and maintained their viability of about 9 log cfu g−1 at the end of the ripening. Only EX3 showed a significant slowdown of the proteolytic index compared to controls over time. Furthermore, from the principal component analysis, it emerged that at the end of the 120-day-long ripening, C2 and the experimental samples were characterized by similar profiles of volatile compounds. The late-blowing defect (LBD) was observed exclusively in C1, whereas it was not detected in the control sample with lysozyme or in any experimental samples. These findings not only confirmed the efficacy of lysozyme in preventing LBD but also supported the effectiveness of the selected Lb. casei strains as anti-blowing agents with the ability to contribute to the final volatile profile without compromising the typicality of the product.
Self-Monitoring of Weight as a Weight Loss Strategy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hallock Rajiev , Ufholz Kelsey , Patel Niki
Published: August 2024

Purpose of Review

Gauge the effectiveness of self-monitoring of weight for weight loss.

Recent Findings

Daily self-monitoring of weight results in increased weight loss, or improved weight maintenance as compared to infrequent or no self-monitoring of weight. Self-weighing is most effective when tied with other behavioral interventions including tracking caloric intake and physical activity tracking.

Self-monitoring of weight is an effective behavioral weight loss intervention which allows patients to track their progress, but also allows them to connect daily life activities with their weight, fostering real-time feedback that allows them to make more informed and personalized decisions related to dietary choices, physical activity, and lifestyle medicine.
Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Rubus Idaeus Bioresidues: A Full Screening on Phenolic Composition and Bioactive Potential
Authors: Plasencia Paula , Finimundy Tiane C. , Carocho Márcio , Calhelha Ricardo C. , Añibarro-Ortega Mikel , Pires Tânia C.S.P. , Barreiro Filomena , Garcia Pablo A. , Barros Lillian , Heleno Sandrina A.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Rubus idaeus cultivation has boosted productivity due to its high nutritional value. In consequence, waste production increased. The discarded biomass, including leaves and aerial components, can be transformed into valuable functional ingredients for industrial applications, such as cosmetics. Studying their bioactivity potential is highly relevant.

Methods

According to the present idea, the research involved producing extracts from raspberry plant branches and leaves by employing four different techniques: aqueous decoction, aqueous infusion, hydroethanolic maceration, and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Subsequently, these compounds were screened for their bioactive potential, including antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic properties.

Results

The ultrasound-assisted extraction produced extracts rich in phenolic compounds, whereas the infusion and maceration methods resulted in higher flavonol contents. Among the identified phenolic compounds, hydrolyzable tannins, particularly galloyl-bis-HHDP-glucose, were the most dominant ones. Regarding antioxidant potential, the decoction extract was the strongest, while the infusion showed the greatest potential for inhibiting lipid peroxidation. The UAE extract was found to be highly effective as an antibacterial agent. Both infusion and UAE extracts demonstrated the highest anti-inflammatory potential.

Conclusion

The combination of these results highlights the sample’s bioactive potential and the importance of exploiting bioresidues as unique, sustainable candidates for industrial applications.
Thermal vortex ring: vortex-dynamics analysis of a high-resolution simulation
Authors: Yano Jun-Ichi , Morrison Hugh
Published: August 2024

A high-resolution simulation of a thermal vortex ring is analysed from the point of view of the vortex dynamics. A power-spectrum analysis of vortex-ring sections suggests that the simulated flows are overall ‘two dimensional’ in the large-scale limit, being dominated by axisymmetric components, but with a substantial contribution from the non-axisymmetric component at small scales. Contribution of the non-axisymmetric components is negligible in budgets of volume integrals of the vorticity and potential vorticity as well as the impulse (moments of the vorticity weighted by

$s^n$

with

$n=-1$

, 0, 1, where

$s$

is the distance from the vertical axis of the vortex ring). A concise description of the dynamics is obtained as a function of geometrical factors together with these three integral variables. Analysis shows that the geometrical factors are fairly close to constant with time, and thus, a redundant closed description of the system is obtained in the similarity regime after spin up of the vortex ring. This redundancy leads to a constraint on the geometrical factors, which is reasonably satisfied by the simulation. A closed description is also obtained over the initial spin-up period of the vortex ring by adding a phenomenologically derived prognostic equation for the source for the volume integral of the potential vorticity (with

$n=-1$

). Analysis of the budget supports this description.
For Your Eyes Only?
Authors: Jansen Martin-Pieter , van Ooijen Iris
Published: August 2024

Abstract: By means of their personal data, users on social media platforms get targeted to be persuaded by political advertisers with messages that are specifically tailored to them: political microtargeting. A substantial problem with political microtargeting is that receivers of targeted advertisements are often unaware that they are being targeted. Increasing transparency to improve awareness potentially leads to a more critical way of processing the information in an advertisement. Moreover, the use of these measures could lead to differences in users’ attention to the advertisement. Therefore, this study investigates whether a disclosure that informs users about targeting practices occurring on Instagram relates to more visual attention to the disclosure, whether this relates to more critical processing of the advertisement, and whether this relationship is mediated by users’ visual attention to the advertisement. In a preregistered one-factorial between-subjects laboratory eye-tracking experiment ( N = 134), we exposed participants to an Instagram timeline containing either a sponsorship disclosure (control condition) or a more informative targeting disclosure (experimental condition). Results show that the targeting disclosure did not relate to higher levels of visual attention to the disclosure, but that attention to the disclosure was positively related to more critical processing as well as participants’ visual attention to the ad. Nevertheless, the relation between attention to the disclosure and critical processing was not mediated by attention to the advertisement. Finally, we believe that these disclosures represent a step forward in improving transparency and shielding users.
Mood Enhancement, Self-Transcendence, and Prosociality
Authors: Zhao Danyang , Raney Arthur A.
Published: August 2024

Abstract: Based on mood management, hedonic contingency hypothesis, and selective exposure theories, this two-part study examined self-transcendent and hedonic entertainment selection after elevation or nontranscendent positive affect was induced (Part 1). Guided by the broaden-and-built theory of positive emotions, it also examined how positive emotions experienced after consuming selected media content motivated a helping behavior (Part 2). Approximately 1 week after an online pretest, 268 undergraduate students completed the randomized, between-subject laboratory experiment. Participants in the elevation-induction group chose to view more self-transcendent media than those in the nontranscendent but positive affect-induction condition. Additionally, more self-transcendent video exposure led to higher levels of elevation, which in turn led to a greater likelihood of help. Overall, elevation had a stronger and more stable relationship with helping than did (nontranscendent) positive affect alone. The role of media exposure types, entertainment preferences, and individual differences in the selective exposure process and helping behaviors are discussed in light of the findings.
Improved Atmosphere‐Ocean Coupled Simulation by Parameterizing Sub‐Diurnal Scale Air‐Sea Interactions
Authors: Wang K. , Zhang S. , Jin Y. , Zhu C. , Song Z. , Gao Y. , Yang G.
Published: August 2024

The atmosphere‐ocean is a highly coupled system with significant diurnal and hourly variations. However, current coupled models usually lack sub‐diurnal scale processes at the air‐sea interface due to the finite vertical resolution for ocean discretization. Previous modeling studies showed that sub‐diurnal scale air‐sea interaction processes are important for ocean mixing. Here, by designing an integrated sub‐diurnal parameterization (ISDP) scheme which combines different temperature profiling functions, we stress sub‐diurnal air‐sea interactions to better represent the local ocean mixing. This scheme has been implemented into two coupled models which contributed to the Climate Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP), referenced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change—Community Earth System Model and Coupled Model version 2. The results show that the ISDP scheme improves model simulations with better climatology and more realistic spectra, especially in the tropics and North Pacific Ocean. With the scheme, the tropical cold tongue bias is significantly relaxed by reducing the overestimation of ocean upper mixing, and the cold bias of North Pacific Ocean is reduced due to the improvement on currents and net heat fluxes. Our scheme may help better the simulation and prediction skills of coupled models when their horizontal resolution becomes fine but vertical resolution remains relatively coarse as it describes high‐frequency air‐sea interactions more realistically.
Advancing Parsimonious Deep Learning Weather Prediction Using the HEALPix Mesh
Authors: Karlbauer Matthias , Cresswell‐Clay Nathaniel , Durran Dale R. , Moreno Raul A. , Kurth Thorsten , Bonev Boris , Brenowitz Noah , Butz Martin V.
Published: August 2024

We present a parsimonious deep learning weather prediction model to forecast seven atmospheric variables with 3‐hr time resolution for up to 1‐year lead times on a 110‐km global mesh using the Hierarchical Equal Area isoLatitude Pixelization (HEALPix). In comparison to state‐of‐the‐art (SOTA) machine learning (ML) weather forecast models, such as Pangu‐Weather and GraphCast, our DLWP‐HPX model uses coarser resolution and far fewer prognostic variables. Yet, at 1‐week lead times, its skill is only about 1 day behind both SOTA ML forecast models and the SOTA numerical weather prediction model from the European Center for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts. We report several improvements in model design, including switching from the cubed sphere to the HEALPix mesh, inverting the channel depth of the U‐Net, and introducing gated recurrent units (GRU) on each level of the U‐Net hierarchy. The consistent east‐west orientation of all cells on the HEALPix mesh facilitates the development of location‐invariant convolution kernels that successfully propagate weather patterns across the globe without requiring separate kernels for the polar and equatorial faces of the cube sphere. Without any loss of spectral power after the first 2 days, the model can be unrolled autoregressively for hundreds of steps into the future to generate realistic states of the atmosphere that respect seasonal trends, as showcased in 1‐year simulations.
Robust Stackelberg Equilibrium Water Allocation Patterns in Shallow Groundwater Areas
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxing , Castelletti Andrea , Wang Xuechao , Guo Ping
Published: August 2024

It is challenging for decision‐makers (DMs) to deal with uncertainties in multi‐level agricultural water resource systems, where DMs independently make decisions but have different levels of power. In this paper, we model the multi‐level agricultural water resources system under deep uncertainties as a Stackelberg game, use multi‐level programming to solve equilibrium water allocation problems, and introduce robustness metrics into multi‐level programming to balance solution feasibility and model optimality within uncertain environments. The approach is applied to a shallow groundwater area with three decision levels, pursuing, from the top level to the bottom one, high food production, fair water allocation, and increased economic benefit. The model generated a series of optimal equilibrium solutions with different robustness degrees. DMs can choose “rational” solutions according to their acceptable costs, oriented robustness degree, expected objective values, and advance risk assessment of uncertainties. Among these solutions, we capture a critical point with high objective values and strong robustness, where DMs can accomplish both objective optimality and solution robustness with a low cost. The proposed approach in this study provides a posterior decision support to consider solution robustness while designing policies in multi‐level agricultural water resource systems under deep uncertainties.
Surface Time Series Response and Deformation Cause Analysis in 2021 Zhengzhou Extreme Weather, China
Authors: Li Jiahao , Jin Guowang , Xiong Xin , Zhou Lv , Ye Hao , Shi Quanjie , Yang He
Published: August 2024

The abnormal deformation of urban surfaces threatens the human living environment, and extreme regional weather can affect the response law of surface deformation. To explore the changes in surface time series response after extreme weather and the causes of deformation in Zhengzhou, the MTInSAR was used to obtain the surface deformation from 2020 to 2022, and the time series changes of groundwater equivalent water height were retrieved by GRACE. The results show that: (a) There are three large subsidence bowls in Zhengzhou, and the maximum subsidence rate is −40.2 mm/yr. (b) The extreme rainstorm in Zhengzhou alleviated the surface deformation quickly, lasting approximately 6 months. However, surface subsidence still occurred after the extreme rainstorm. The water storage coefficient of the elastic skeleton in the Zhengzhou area showed an increasing trend. (c) Precipitation can lead to surface uplift by influencing the change of groundwater level. There is a delay time of 0.75–1 month between groundwater level change and surface uplift response in the characteristic region. These results provide scientific data support and causal analysis for disaster prevention and reduction of abnormal deformation in Zhengzhou.