bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ESR and optical investigation of tetragonal PbTiO3 nanoparticles embedded in lithium tetraborate glass matrix
Authors: Abdel-Khalek E. K. , Motawea M. A. , Elsharkawy M. A. , Elesh E.
Published: April 2024

Glass-nanocomposites (GNCs) samples of composition [(100−x) Li2B4O7–xPbTiO3] with x = 5, 10, 15 and 20 mol% were prepared by melt quenching method. The two phases of the GNCs samples, a glassy phase and PbTiO3 nanoparticles/clusters phase, can be seen in the energy dispersive X-ray spectra and scanning electron microscopic micrographs. Fourier transformation infrared spectra of the GNCs samples exhibited bands due to triangular with NBO’s and tetrahedral borate groups. Additionally, the Ti4+ ions exist in both TiO4 and TiO6 structural units while the Ti3+ ions exist in TiO6 structural units. The electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of the GNCs samples exhibit two ESR signals, broad and narrow, corresponding to the Ti3+ (3d1) ions in both tetragonal deformed octahedral and in the other structural configuration, respectively. The optical transmission spectra of the GNCs samples exhibited three transmission bands, 3Γ5 → 2Γ3, 2B2g → 2B1g and 2B2g → 2A1g transitions, in the visible region. The variation in optical band gap (Eopt) with increasing PbTiO3 content were due to the conversion between BO3 with NBOs and BO4 units as well as the reduction of Ti4+ to Ti3+ ions in the GNCs matrix. These results demonstrate that the present GNCs may be used for practical applications such as optical devices.
Synchronization of two indirectly coupled singly resonant optical parametric oscillators
Authors: Mahmoud M. S. , Medhat M. , El-Nashar Hassan F.
Published: April 2024

We analyse a system of a singly resonant optical parametric oscillator for a second order nonlinear material. First, we show that the dynamics of the resonating cavity signal mode can be expressed by a Stuart–Landau oscillator, for a certain pumping powers close to the threshold. Second, we couple two optical parametric oscillators indirectly via a cold resonator. When the condition of a weak coupling is satisfied, the limit-cycle of each oscillator is unaltered, and the system is described by a coupled phase oscillator model (Kuramoto model), where a frequency synchronization of the two oscillators occurs at a critical coupling constant.
Medicinal plants cultivated in Egypt with anticancer potential; a systematic review
Authors: Elshnoudy Iman Abdelhady , Elkhouly Abdallah M. , Masoud Mira , Rabea Hanin A. , Mansour Fotouh R.
Published: April 2024

The increase in cases of various cancers, the number of cancer patients, and the serious side effects of current chemical treatments have encouraged researchers to discover novel and more effective drugs from plant sources. In this review, PubMed and Scopus were searched for English-language peer-reviewed articles published since 1994, using the keywords: Medicinal plants, Egypt, and Cancer. The inclusion criteria for this systematic review were English peer-reviewed original research articles. A total of 286 studies were included. Studies have shown that the active compounds in certain plants can have anticancer activities by various mechanisms, such as cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, and antioxidant effects. Additionally, it is evident that medicinal plants can act as inhibitors of cancer cells. Plants can also act as immune checkpoint inhibitors, which inhibit proteins such as PD-L1 on tumor cells, PD-1 and CTLA-4 on T cells, and help to regulate immune responses. This review also discusses the efficacy of nanoparticles of these plants against cancer cells. The findings indicate the high potential of investigating the bioactive anticancer components of Egyptian medicinal plants for advancing novel treatments that are more effective in combating cancer. The extracts and active compounds of the medicinal plants detailed in this review could provide the foundation for further clinical trials to be conducted, to develop new anticancer drugs.
Understanding the influence of different proxy perspectives in explaining the difference between self-rated and proxy-rated quality of life in people living with dementia: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis
Authors: Engel Lidia , Sokolova Valeriia , Bogatyreva Ekaterina , Leuenberger Anna
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Proxy assessment can be elicited via the proxy-patient perspective (i.e., asking proxies to assess the patient’s quality of life (QoL) as they think the patient would respond) or proxy-proxy perspective (i.e., asking proxies to provide their own perspective on the patient’s QoL). This review aimed to identify the role of the proxy perspective in explaining the differences between self-rated and proxy-rated QoL in people living with dementia.

Methods

A systematic literate review was conducted by sourcing articles from a previously published review, supplemented by an update of the review in four bibliographic databases. Peer-reviewed studies that reported both self-reported and proxy-reported mean QoL estimates using the same standardized QoL instrument, published in English, and focused on the QoL of people with dementia were included. A meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize the mean differences between self- and proxy-report across different proxy perspectives.

Results

The review included 96 articles from which 635 observations were extracted. Most observations extracted used the proxy-proxy perspective (79%) compared with the proxy-patient perspective (10%); with 11% of the studies not stating the perspective. The QOL-AD was the most commonly used measure, followed by the EQ-5D and DEMQOL. The standardized mean difference (SMD) between the self- and proxy-report was lower for the proxy-patient perspective (SMD: 0.250; 95% CI 0.116; 0.384) compared to the proxy-proxy perspective (SMD: 0.532; 95% CI 0.456; 0.609).

Conclusion

Different proxy perspectives affect the ratings of QoL, whereby adopting a proxy-proxy QoL perspective has a higher inter-rater gap in comparison with the proxy-patient perspective.
Reflective equilibrium in practice and model selection: a methodological proposal from a survey experiment on the theories of distributive justice
Authors: Inoue Akira , Shimizu Kazumi , Udagawa Daisuke , Wakamatsu Yoshiki
Published: April 2024

In political philosophy, reflective equilibrium is a standard method used to systematically reconcile intuitive judgments with theoretical principles. In this paper, we propose that survey experiments and a model selection method—i.e., the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC)-based model selection method—can be viewed together as a methodological means of satisfying the epistemic desiderata implicit in reflective equilibrium. To show this, we conduct a survey experiment on two theories of distributive justice, prioritarianism and sufficientarianism. Our experimental test case and AIC-based model selection method demonstrate that the refined sufficientarian principle, a widely accepted principle of distributive justice, is no more plausible than the prioritarian principle. This tells us that some changes of certain intuitions revolving around sufficientarianism should be examined (separately) based on the findings of the survey experiment and AIC model selection. This shows the potential of our approach—both practically and methodologically—as a novel way of applying reflective equilibrium in political philosophy.
Single-Bubble Cavitation-Induced Pitting on Technical Alloys
Authors: Kühlmann Jonas , Kaiser Sebastian A.
Published: April 2024

Repeated single cavitation bubble experiments were performed primarily on 316L stainless steel, and some on nickel–aluminum–bronze (NAB) and pure aluminum. The bubble dynamics were recorded with two high-speed cameras and correlated with surface images, also acquired in situ. These experiments were performed for a range of stand-off distances γ (the ratio of the distance of the solid surface from the bubble to the bubble’s maximum radius) from 0.3 to 2.15. For all stand-off distances, single pits were the only surface change detected at the beginning of damage formation. Later phases of the collapse are not axisymmetric but show regions of “stronger” collapse, and the pits occur on the material underneath those regions. For γ < 0.4, the damage is attributed to the second collapse. For γ > 0.4, the first bubble collapse is most likely responsible for pitting. Shock-wave emission was detected from the collapse regions that were linked to the damage. On 316L, the pitting rate was found to be linearly dependent on the bubble radius, indicating a non-zero lower limit for the bubble radius below which pits do not occur. In terms of stand-off distance, the pitting rate (defined here as average pits per bubble) was non-monotonic, with maxima for bubbles initiated closest to the sample (γ = 0.3) and at γ = 1.4.
Genotyping of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) germplasm resources with SNP markers linked to agronomic traits reveals signs of selection
Authors: Nieves-Orduña Helmuth E. , Müller Markus , Krutovsky Konstantin V. , Gailing Oliver
Published: April 2024

The Amazonian cacao tree or the chocolate tree (Theobroma cacao L.) is cultivated to produce seeds, the valuable raw material for the chocolate industry. However, cacao yield is hampered by diseases and low productivity. Cacao single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with breeding and adaptive traits provide a genetic tool for improving selection and reducing breeding cycles. Here, we genotyped 40 published SNPs associated with disease resistance and 11 SNPs with yield traits in 346 accessions using the MassARRAY® system. These 51 SNPs were identified in different breeding experiments in Costa Rica, Brazil, and Trinidad and Tobago. Four genetic clusters were identified, and two of them were observed in high proportion in managed cacao, characterized by a high proportion of admixed individuals reflecting the man-made hybrids. One cluster overrepresented in managed cacao is associated with the preference to keep superior flavor in cultivated cacao from Criollo ancestry. Introgression of wild material collected in Peru associated with disease resistance to witches’ broom disease (WBD) was also observed. Underutilized genetic resources were observed in managed cacao such as the Guiana cacao, while previous agronomic evaluation has demonstrated its good yield potential. Yield and disease resistance traits (mainly resistance to WBD) show divergence between wild and managed cacao (FST > 0.05) probably reflecting selection during domestication, cultivation, and breeding efforts. Eleven SNPs showed a divergence between wild and managed cacao and can be used to build breeding populations. New collections of wild cacao followed by agronomic evaluations can broaden the genetic base of cultivated cacao, especially for such traits as disease resistance to frosty pod rot (FPR).
Rethinking cluster under coopetition strategy: an integrative literature review and research agenda
Authors: Chim-Miki Adriana Fumi , Fernandes Rosana L. Coelho , Monticelli Jefferson Marlon
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to integrate the dimensions and elements of intra-cluster coopetition, identify the emergence of a complementary theoretical perspective to cluster theory and create an integrative research agenda to support the rethinking cluster approach based on coopetition. It is an integrative Systematic Literature Review that generates insights to move the topic forward. Results showed coopetition as context, process, or outcome. The research focus was grouped into six dimensions of intra-cluster coopetition: Strategic Adjustment, Perceived Benefits, Mediated Coopetition, Social Interaction, Coopetitive Orientation, and Temporality of Coopetition. Four hundred eighty-six elements used by scholars created a second-order coding to represent the variables of coopetition in clusters. From the integrative literature overview, a theoretical framework emerges with four dimensions: Conditional factors, Policies, Market commonality, and Formal supporting structure. These dimensions act as drivers, markets, or intensifiers of the intra-cluster coopetition strategy. At the same time, the dimensions suffer the influence of external, internal, and ecosystem contexts. Our literature review builds theory to advance cluster coopetition research and complement the Porterian perspective. The framework suggests the main elements to manage clusters under the coopetition strategy. These findings rethink cluster theory and deliver the business co-evolution perspective, considering the cluster as a business ecosystem with an open system based on coopetition. Findings offer an inductive-deductive pattern system to further research that represents the evolutionary trend of the topic itself.
Efficient EndoNeRF reconstruction and its application for data-driven surgical simulation
Authors: Wang Yuehao , Gong Bingchen , Long Yonghao , Fan Siu Hin , Dou Qi
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The healthcare industry has a growing need for realistic modeling and efficient simulation of surgical scenes. With effective models of deformable surgical scenes, clinicians are able to conduct surgical planning and surgery training on scenarios close to real-world cases. However, a significant challenge in achieving such a goal is the scarcity of high-quality soft tissue models with accurate shapes and textures. To address this gap, we present a data-driven framework that leverages emerging neural radiance field technology to enable high-quality surgical reconstruction and explore its application for surgical simulations.

Method

We first focus on developing a fast NeRF-based surgical scene 3D reconstruction approach that achieves state-of-the-art performance. This method can significantly outperform traditional 3D reconstruction methods, which have failed to capture large deformations and produce fine-grained shapes and textures. We then propose an automated creation pipeline of interactive surgical simulation environments through a closed mesh extraction algorithm.

Results

Our experiments have validated the superior performance and efficiency of our proposed approach in surgical scene 3D reconstruction. We further utilize our reconstructed soft tissues to conduct FEM and MPM simulations, showcasing the practical application of our method in data-driven surgical simulations.

Conclusion

We have proposed a novel NeRF-based reconstruction framework with an emphasis on simulation purposes. Our reconstruction framework facilitates the efficient creation of high-quality surgical soft tissue 3D models. With multiple soft tissue simulations demonstrated, we show that our work has the potential to benefit downstream clinical tasks, such as surgical education.
Institutionen und Parteipolitik machen den Unterschied: Kommunale Abfallvermeidungspolitik in kreisfreien Städten in Nordrhein-Westfalen im Vergleich
Authors: Weigel Alix , Kurrek Dennis , Töller Annette Elisabeth , Garske Benjamin , Senge Nicolas , Bungurovic Sabina , Götz Vanessa , Schrader Svenja Marie
Published: April 2024

Der Abbau, die Verarbeitung und die Nutzung knapper natürlicher Rohstoffe sind mit negativen Umwelteffekten verbunden. Diese zu reduzieren, erfordert eine konsequente Kreislaufwirtschaft sowie die Reduktion von Stoffströmen. Obwohl Abfallvermeidung rechtlich seit Langem oberste Priorität genießt, lag der Fokus in der Praxis lange Zeit auf der getrennten Sammlung und Verwertung. Für die konsequente Umsetzung von Abfallvermeidungspolitik sind die Kommunen relevant, die für die Entsorgung von Hausmüll verantwortlich sind und Spielraum im Hinblick auf die Abfallvermeidung besitzen. Die Abfallvermeidungspolitiken der Kommunen unterscheiden sich aber hinsichtlich ihres Ambitionsniveaus. Mithilfe einer fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) und unter Rückgriff auf die Theorien der vergleichenden Policyforschung untersuchen wir für 22 kreisfreie Städte in Nordrhein-Westfalen (NRW), wie diese Varianz zu erklären ist. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen, dass für eine nichtambitionierte Abfallvermeidungspolitik eine privatisierte Aufgabenwahrnehmung sowie eine Kombination aus einem niedrigen Sitzanteil der Grünen und hohen Kapazitäten in Müllverbrennungsanlagen (MVA) hinreichend sind. Der Anteil der Grünen im Rat sowie institutionelle Faktoren spielen aber auch in der Erklärung ambitionierter Abfallvermeidungspolitiken eine Rolle. Damit schließen wir an Diskussionen um die Bedeutung der Parteiendifferenz in der Umweltpolitik und auf der kommunalen Ebene sowie zu den Effekten von Privatisierung an. In Anbetracht großer Modernisierungsbedarfe bei MVA sind unsere Ergebnisse außerdem für die aktuelle kreislaufwirtschaftliche Debatte relevant.
Community-based sustainability initiatives: the quality of relationships matter?
Authors: Carmen E. , Fazey I. , Friend R. M.
Published: April 2024

The quality of relationships between different actors involved in community-based sustainability initiatives is central to their success. This study examines the role of the qualities of social relationships within 22 different community-based sustainability initiatives each framed round different types of sustainability challenges, from flooding and climate change to community development and youth engagement. Research involved 37 semi structured interviews, combined with visual techniques, to explore the qualities of different relationship from the perspective of actors actively engaged in developing and progressing initiatives with different communities across Scotland. A typology of relationship qualities (tense, pragmatic and supportive qualities) is presented and applied to examine the ways in which relationships shape the benefits that participants identify for these community-based initiatives. The findings show supportive relationship qualities, involving a sense of respect, integrity, honesty and opportunities to test out new ideas, are particularly important in sustainability initiatives, providing a diverse range of benefits. Relationship qualities can also shift over time, either relatively suddenly or incrementally. Some groups of initiative actors worked strategically with relationships, underpinning their relationship-based strategies with relationships with different actors dominated by supportive qualities to actively harness the benefits these types of relationships provide and strengthen the sense of community and shared interest surrounding initiatives. A focus on relationship qualities can therefore provide a more dynamic picture of how community-based initiatives unfold and adapt to increasingly complex challenges. Such an approach places human agency centre-stage, recognising the fundamental importance of shaping social relationships within community-based initiatives.
Urinary Silicon Excretion in Relation to Lactation and Bone Mineral Density — a Longitudinal Study Post-partum
Authors: Magnusson Catarina , Augustin Hanna , Jugdaohsingh Ravin , Powell Jonathan J. , Hulthén Lena , Ransjö Maria
Published: April 2024

Silicon (Si) may be a mineral beneficial for bone health. Pregnancy and lactation have major impacts on maternal bone metabolism as bone minerals, including calcium (Ca), are required for growth of the foetus and for milk production. Like urinary Ca excretion, Si excretion has been reported to be high in pregnant women, but there are no data post-partum and during lactation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the urinary excretion of Si (U-Si), from the third trimester of pregnancy until 18 months post-partum, and in relation to the length of lactation, to determine if changes in U-Si are associated with changes in areal bone mineral density (aBMD). This longitudinal study included 81 pregnant women, of whom 56 completed the study. Spot urine samples were collected at the third trimester and at 0.5, 4, 12, and 18 months post-partum and were analysed for Si and Ca by ICP-OES. The aBMD was measured post-partum at lumbar spine and femoral neck by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Women lactating for 4–8.9 and ≥ 9 months had significantly higher U-Si at 4 months post-partum, compared with the third trimester. No significant longitudinal differences in U-Si were found after correcting for creatinine. Changes in U-Si and in aBMD were not correlated, except at the lumbar spine from 0.5 to 12 months post-partum in the women lactating for 4–8.9 months. Taken together, our results suggest that there is a possibility that U-Si increases post-partum in women lactating for 4 months or longer, although it is not related to changes in aBMD.
Contextual Action Theory in Nursing Home Settings: A Conceptual Framework for Considering the Active Role of Residents
Authors: Jensen Charlotte , Chamberlain Stephanie , Marshall Sheila K. , Young Richard A , Hoben Matthias , Gruneir Andrea
Published: April 2024

Nursing home (NH) residents are often considered passive recipients of care with a limited role in shaping their experience. This perspective is often reproduced in NH research, which restricts resident participation, thereby upholding ageist views that cause discrimination of older adults living in NH settings. In this article, we propose using Contextual Action Theory (CAT) as a conceptual framework for exploring NH experiences in a way that incorporates the active role of residents. CAT supports the active role of NH residents by emphasizing the capabilities of human beings to form preferences and act on those preferences, without assumptions of rationality. The emphasis on human action allows researchers to consider NH experiences as co-constructed between residents, care providers, and family members, which means placing an emphasis on the actions and goals of NH residents, no matter their cognitive or physical impairments. CAT also supports personhood and social citizenship concerns in NH research, by acknowledging the differing preferences and thereby differing experiences of NH care by individual residents. We argue that CAT should be considered a useful framework for putting residents in the center of NH research.
Consciousness Ain’t All That
Authors: Levy Neil
Published: April 2024

Most philosophers think that phenomenal consciousness underlies, or at any rate makes a large contribution, to moral considerability. This paper argues that many such accounts invoke question-begging arguments. Moreover, they’re unable to explain apparent differences in moral status across and within different species. In the light of these problems, I argue that we ought to take very seriously a view according to which moral considerability is grounded in functional properties. Phenomenal consciousness may be sufficient for having a moral value, but it may not be necessary, and it may contribute relatively little to our overall considerability.
Semiocide as Negation: Review of Michael Marder’s Dump Philosophy
Authors: Hendlin Yogi Hale
Published: April 2024

This review admires Michael Marder’s inquiry as a parallel for which biosemiotics can find points of conceptual resonance, even as methodological differences remain. By looking at the dump of ungrounded semiosis – the semiotics of dislocating referents from objects, and its effects – we can better do the work of applying biosemiotics not just towards the wonders of living relations, but also to the manifold ways in which industrial civilization is haphazardly yet systematically destroying the possibility for spontaneous yet contextualized semiogenesis. Biosemiotics has much to gain by understanding the ways, gross and subtle, in which Anthropocenic hubris undercuts our own ability to make sense of the world, doubling down on overconfidence at the expense of meaning-making.
This is why we pay—Motivational factors for supporting subscription-based crowdfunding campaigns
Authors: Jöntgen Hendrik , Lingnau Nicholas Valentin , Hinz Oliver , Holten Roland
Published: April 2024

Subscription-based crowdfunding platforms emerged as novel digital platforms that offer creators the possibility of financial independence. They differ significantly from traditional time-limited crowdfunding approaches by utilizing recurring payments and enabling a creator-centric rather than campaign-centric funding approach. We built upon previous research on individuals’ motivation to support crowdfunding campaigns, and utilizing self-determination theory, our study explores which subscription-based crowdfunding campaign characteristics influence individuals’ motivation to support them. We use a two-method approach by analyzing individual pledge data from a subscription-based crowdfunding platform and conducting a discrete choice experiment. Our results show that having a high number of previous supporters increases potential supporters’ willingness to pay, while a campaign’s current recurring income and the hiding of this piece of information decrease it. We could also identify a u-shaped effect of campaigns’ goal proximity on willingness to pay. We discuss the theoretical and practical contributions of our research and provide an overview of potential future research directions.
Valorization of black carrot pomace and pea powder for co-production of polygalacturonase and pectin lyase
Authors: Esen Busra Nur , Uzuner Sibel , Sezgin Humeyra Taskent
Published: April 2024

Pectic enzyme groups, particularly polygalacturonase and pectin lyase, are vital components of a high-value microbial enzyme category widely employed in applications within the fruit juice and wine industries. The exploration of alternative carbon and nitrogen sources remains crucial for enhancing enzyme production while reducing costs. This study evaluates the impact of carbon (black carrot pomace) and nitrogen (pea protein) loading on fermentable sugar content, protein content, and enzyme activities during both batch and fed-batch cultivation. Additionally, three distinct valorization techniques—thermal (steam), thermochemical (steam assisted with dilute acid), and microwave-assisted with dilute acid pretreatments—were assessed for their effectiveness in hydrolyzing black carrot pomace as a carbon source. The findings indicate that microwave-assisted dilute acid, coupled with enzymatic saccharification, resulted in the highest fermentable sugar production (0.493 g/g), achieving an 87.3% conversion yield. Pea protein demonstrated more favorable outcomes with the highest polygalacturonase activity (20.50 ± 0.52 U/L) and pectin lyase activity (46.44 ± 3.45 U/L) compared to whey protein and yeast extract used as nitrogen sources. Meanwhile, the highest polygalacturonase and pectin lyase activity, along with the highest total protein content (52.25 ± 0.06 mg/L), was recorded under the same culture conditions, reaching 164.34 ± 2.26 and 188.22 ± 1.72 U/L, respectively, after 72 h, representing approximately 1.18- and 1.34-fold increases from the batch system. Consequently, these results prove that fed-batch cultivation, utilizing black carrot pomace hydrolyzate as a feeding substrate and pea protein as a nitrogen source, significantly increases polygalacturonase and pectin lyase activity compared to batch cultivation.
Bi-directional information guidance network for UAV vehicle detection
Authors: Yang Jianxiu , Xie Xuemei , Wang Zhenyuan , Zhang Peng , Zhong Wei
Published: April 2024

UAV vehicle detection based on convolutional neural network exits a key problem of information imbalance of different feature layers. Shallow features have spatial information that is beneficial to localization, but lack semantic information. On the contrary, deep features have semantic information that is beneficial to classification, but lack spatial information. However, accurate classification and localization for UAV vehicle detection require both shallow spatial information and high semantic information. In our work, a bi-directional information guidance network (BDIG-Net) for UAV vehicle detection is proposed, which can ensure that each feature prediction layer has abundant mid-/low-level spatial information and high-level semantic information. There are two main parts in the BDIG-Net: shallow-level spatial information guidance part and deep-level semantic information guidance part. In the shallow-level guidance part, we design a feature transform module (FTM) to supply the mid-/low-level feature information, which can guide the BDIG-Net to enhance detailed and spatial features for deep features. Furthermore, we adopt a light-weight attention module (LAM) to reduce unnecessary shallow background information, making the network more focused on small-sized vehicles. In the deep-level guidance part, we use classical feature pyramid network to supply high-level semantic information, which can guide the BDIG-Net to enhance contextual information for shallow features. Meanwhile, we design a feature enhancement module (FEM) to suppress redundant features and improve the discriminability of vehicles. The proposed BDIG-Net can reduce the information imbalance. The experimental results show that the BDIG-Net can achieve accurate classification and localization for UAV vehicles and realize the real-time application requirements.
Environmental Policies in a Polluting Duopoly: A Simple Comparison
Authors: Buccella Domenico , Fanti Luciano , Gori Luca
Published: April 2024

In a polluting Cournot duopoly with homogeneous goods, this work compares the environmental, public finance and welfare impacts of three policies: an emissions tax, an abatement subsidy, and a policy mix. A subsidy, alone or coupled with a tax, always increases abatement; however, taxation disincentivises production, leading to decreased environmental damage, which positively affects welfare. Except for a rather inefficient technology, the emissions tax produces the lowest environmental damage; this positive effect, jointly with the tax revenues the government collects, more than offsets the negative impact on profits and consumer surplus due to output contraction, leading to the highest welfare. Only when societal awareness is negligible and technology is inefficient does the government design a policy providing a subsidy.
Structurally Flexible 2D Spacer for Suppressing the Electron–Phonon Coupling Induced Non-Radiative Decay in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Cao Ruikun , Sun Kexuan , Liu Chang , Mao Yuhong , Guo Wei , Ouyang Ping , Meng Yuanyuan , Tian Ruijia , Xie Lisha , Lü Xujie , Ge Ziyi
Published: April 2024

This study presents experimental evidence of the dependence of non-radiative recombination processes on the electron–phonon coupling of perovskite in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Via A-site cation engineering, a weaker electron–phonon coupling in perovskite has been achieved by introducing the structurally soft cyclohexane methylamine (CMA+) cation, which could serve as a damper to alleviate the mechanical stress caused by lattice oscillations, compared to the rigid phenethyl methylamine (PEA+) analog. It demonstrates a significantly lower non-radiative recombination rate, even though the two types of bulky cations have similar chemical passivation effects on perovskite, which might be explained by the suppressed carrier capture process and improved lattice geometry relaxation. The resulting PSCs achieve an exceptional power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.5% with a record-high open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 1.20 V for narrow bandgap perovskite (FAPbI3). The established correlations between electron–phonon coupling and non-radiative decay provide design and screening criteria for more effective passivators for highly efficient PSCs approaching the Shockley–Queisser limit.
The Impacts of Multiple Tropical Cyclone Events and Associated Precipitation on Household Income and Expenditures
Authors: Schleypen Jessie Ruth , Plinke Charlotte , Geiger Tobias
Published: April 2024

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are one of the most destructive natural hazards. Damages arise from strong winds, compounded by associated flood-inducing hazards such as heavy rainfall and storm surge. Recent papers have shown that the modelled TC damage estimates fall short of the observed estimates due to the use of wind speed as a sole damage proxy. Damage estimates may be further confounded by inaccurate representations of vulnerability of people and economic sectors, for example, calling for adjusted damage thresholds in less developed regions. This paper evaluates the impacts of compounded TC hazards on household income and expenditure in the Philippines, with adjustments in vulnerability representation drawn from local information. Our results show that the omission of TC-associated precipitation leads to an underestimation of impacts, as well as the number of areas and economic sectors affected by TCs. We find that households cope through a reallocation of budgets and reliance on alternative income sources. Despite extensive public and private disaster risk reduction and management strategies, we still find significant losses in income and expenditures at any number of TC exposure.
Efficient solar-powered PEM electrolysis for sustainable hydrogen production: an integrated approach
Authors: Arunachalam Muthumeenal , Han Dong Suk
Published: April 2024

The coupling of photovoltaics (PVs) and PEM water electrolyzers (PEMWE) is a promising method for generating hydrogen from a renewable energy source. While direct coupling is feasible, the variability of solar radiation presents challenges in efficient sizing. This study proposes an innovative energy management strategy that ensures a stable hydrogen production rate, even with fluctuating solar irradiation. By integrating battery-assisted hydrogen production, this approach allows for decentralized, grid-independent renewable energy systems, mitigating instability from PV intermittency. The system utilizes electrochemical storage to absorb excess energy during periods of low or very high irradiation, which falls outside the electrolyzer’s optimal power input range. This stored energy then supports the PV system, ensuring the electrolyzer operates near its nominal capacity and optimizing its lifetime. The system achieves an efficiency of 7.78 to 8.81% at low current density region and 6.6% at high current density in converting solar energy into hydrogen.
Isolation enhancement of a two- orthogonal printed elliptical slot MIMO antenna array with EBG structure for millimeter wave 5G applications
Authors: Elabd Rania Hamdy , Megahed Amany A.
Published: April 2024

This work investigates a high-isolation Orthogonal Printed Elliptical Slot Antenna (OPESA) array with Multiple Inputs and Multiple Outputs (MIMO). A unique composite Electromagnetic Band-Gap (EBG) structure consisting of a vertical six rings positioned between single element antennas were devised and investigated with the aim of reducing mutual interaction between antenna components. A distinct feeble electric field that could successfully inhibit the Mutual Coupling (MC) among the antenna components is easily produced by the suggested composite EBG construction. One type of decoupling constructions throughout the antenna growth was carefully examined at together the theoretical and physical levels in order to offer a clear representation of the suggested antenna array’s design concept and decoupling technique. The antenna array design process was cleverly separated into three stages. In order to verify the suggested decoupling idea, the array Scheme was constructed, assessed, and measured. Studying the antenna gain, radiation pattern, and reflection coefficient, it was found that the simulated and measured findings were very consistent. According to the models, the array has an extreme radiation efficiency of about 91%, a minor value of Envelope Correlation Coefficient (ECC < 1.8 × 10−4), and a maximal gain of 11.5 dBi. The electrical size, highest isolating grade and the recommended MIMO antenna’s 90 dB isolating bandwidth (BW) were assessed. The planned antenna has several appealing features that set it apart from previous similar designs. These features include a low design complexity, a great Diversity Gain rate (DG > 9.99 dB), the BW of the proposed antenna extends from 25 GHz to more than 40 GHz, an enormously great isolation level (about 90 dB), and compressed dimensions (51 mm × 30 × 1.6 mm). For verifying the recommended antenna for MIMO. the suggested MIMO antenna design’s radiation efficiency, a thorough time-domain study is suggested.
A Review on the 3D Cartographic and Spatiotemporal GIS Models for Safety of Accidents in Deep Underground Coal Mines
Authors: Eksert Pinar , Akcin Hakan
Published: April 2024

The aim of this study was the safety risk assessment of accidents that occur because of production dynamics in deep coal mining, one of the highly dangerous business class, with spatiotemporal GIS. In this study, accidents that occur at certain times during production in underground mining workplaces are discussed based on evaluations of spatial and temporal dimensions. Accordingly, various analyses have been handled using criminology science tactics and strategies such as 80–20, kernel density, space–time cube, and hot spot, which have been adapted to GIS tools. Implementations have been realized on 3D underground cartographic models covering accident data from deep coal mine workplaces in the Zonguldak-Kozlu basin in Turkey between 2019 and 2021, at an average elevation of – 400 m. Space–time cube, kernel density, and time series analyses suggest that the Annual Bonus Incentives, which are repeated every year and given before the new year, increase the psychosocial risks for employees. It has been determined that this situation can lead to problems such as poor concentration among miners and loss of focus in some shifts. Additionally, significant relationships were found between the number of accidents and monthly production progress rates as a temporal parameter. The results demonstrate that applying a reactive approach with spatiotemporal GIS to accidents in deep coal mines is becoming increasingly important.
Tackling AI Hyping
Authors: Sloane Mona , Danks David , Moss Emanuel
Published: April 2024

The introduction of a new generation of AI systems has kicked off another wave of AI hype. Now that AI systems have added the ability to produce new content to their predictive capabilities, extreme excitement about their alleged capabilities and opportunities is matched only by long held fears about job loss and machine control.

We typically understand the dynamics of AI hype to be something that happens to us, but in this commentary, we propose to flip the script. We suggest that AI hype is not a social fact, but a widely shared practice. We outline some negative implications of this practice and suggest how these can be mitigated, especially with regards to shifting ways of knowing and learning about AI, in the classroom and beyond. Even though pedagogical efforts (broadly understood) have benefited from AI hyping (there is now more varied AI training than ever), such efforts can also help minimize the impacts of hyping on the public’s credulity toward extravagant claims made about AI’s potential benefits and dangers.

Below, we consider steps that can be taken to address this issue and illustrate pathways for more holistic AI educational approaches that participate to a lesser degree in the practice of AI hyping. We contend that designing better AI futures will require that AI hyping be blunted to enable grounded debates about the ways that AI systems impact people’s lives both now and in the near future.
La economía política de una expansión segmentada
Authors: Arza Camila , Castiglioni Rossana , Franzoni Juliana Martínez , Niedzwiecki Sara , Pribble Jennifer , Sánchez-Ancochea Diego
Published: April 2024

Los primeros años del siglo XXI fueron un período de expansión de la política social en América Latina. Se crearon nuevos programas en salud, jubilaciones y pensiones, y asistencia social, y se incorporaron grupos previamente excluidos de las políticas existentes. ¿Cuál fue el carácter de esta expansión de la política social? ¿Por qué experimentó la región esta transformación? A partir de una revisión de un amplio número de artículos y libros, mostramos que los avances de la política social en la primera década del siglo XXI se mantuvieron segmentados, con diferencias en los niveles de acceso y beneficio, brechas en la calidad de los servicios y disparidad entre los sectores de política. Argumentamos que esta “expansión segmentada” fue el resultado de una combinación de características de la democracia a corto y largo plazo, condiciones económicas favorables y legados de política. El análisis revela que quienes estudian la política social latinoamericana han generado nuevos conceptos e importantes teorías que propician nuestra comprensión de las constantes preguntas sobre el desarrollo y el cambio del estado de bienestar.
Developmental epigenomic effects of maternal financial problems
Authors: Holuka Cyrielle , Menta Giorgia , Caro Juan Carlos , Vögele Claus , D’Ambrosio Conchita , Turner Jonathan D.
Published: April 2024

Early-life adversity as neglect or low socioeconomic status is associated with negative physical/mental health outcomes and plays an important role in health trajectories through life. The early-life environment has been shown to be encoded as changes in epigenetic markers that are retained for many years.

We investigated the effect of maternal major financial problems (MFP) and material deprivation (MD) on their children’s epigenome in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort. Epigenetic aging, measured with epigenetic clocks, was weakly accelerated with increased MFP. In subsequent EWAS, MFP, and MD showed strong, independent programing effects on children’s genomes. MFP in the period from birth to age seven was associated with genome-wide epigenetic modifications on children’s genome visible at age 7 and partially remaining at age 15.

These results support the hypothesis that physiological processes at least partially explain associations between early-life adversity and health problems later in life. Both maternal stressors (MFP/MD) had similar effects on biological pathways, providing preliminary evidence for the mechanisms underlying the effects of low socioeconomic status in early life and disease outcomes later in life. Understanding these associations is essential to explain disease susceptibility, overall life trajectories and the transition from health to disease.
Differences in germination traits of time-separated seed collections of dry forest species from Central Zambia and the potential role of climate
Authors: Chidumayo Emmanuel N.
Published: April 2024

Time-separated seed collections with a separation period of 12–18 years were used to study recent changes in germination traits and the role of climate factors in seven tropical dry forest (TDF) woody species in Zambia, southern Africa. In all the species, peak and final germination were lower in recent (2016–2021) seed collections than in historic (1998–2005) seed collections during the first germination season. However, in species with seed dormancy, both peak and final germination after one year burial were higher in recent seed collections than in historic seed collections. Three monthly climate factors had significant effects on final germination in the different species and the timing of most of these factors was during seed development and ripening that suggest that these factors operated through mother plants. In species with seed dormancy, post-first-year germination of buried seeds responded to climate factors in the regeneration niche. Climate factors that significantly affected germination included those that changed over the separation period between historic and recent seed collections. This indicates that short-time climatic changes may have the potential to impact germination in TDF woody species of southern Africa. The germination responses to climate factors were both positive and negative and it is not clear whether these are adaptations or not. Further research is required to assess the adaptive significance of these changes in germination traits in TDF species of southern Africa.
Prognosis and clinical management of asymptomatic family members with RYR2-mediated catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia: a review
Authors: Peltenburg Puck J. , Gibson Harry , Wilde Arthur A. M. , van der Werf Christian , Clur Sally-Ann B. , Blom Nico A.
Published: April 2024

Despite its low prevalence, the potential diagnosis of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) should be at the forefront of a paediatric cardiologists mind in children with syncope during exercise or emotions. Over the years, the number of children with a genetic diagnosis of CPVT due to a (likely) pathogenic RYR2 variant early in life and prior to the onset of symptoms has increased due to cascade screening programmes. Limited guidance for this group of patients is currently available. Therefore, we aimed to summarise currently available literature for asymptomatic patients with a (likely) pathogenic RYR2 variant, particularly the history of CPVT and its genetic architecture, the currently available diagnostic tests and their limitations, and the development of a CPVT phenotype – both electrocardiographically and symptomatic – of affected family members. Their risk of arrhythmic events is presumably low and a phenotype seems to develop in the first two decades of life. Future research should focus on this group in particular, to better understand the development of a phenotype over time, and therefore, to be able to better guide clinical management – including the frequency of diagnostic tests, the timing of the initiation of drug therapy, and lifestyle recommendations.
Racial, ethnic, and socio-economic disparities in neonatal ICU admissions among neonates born with cyanotic CHD in the United States, 2009–2018
Authors: Reddy Kriyana P. , Ludomirsky Avital B. , Jones Andrea L. , Shustak Rachel J. , Faerber Jennifer A. , Naim Maryam Y. , Lopez Keila N. , Mercer-Rosa Laura M.
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

Disparities in CHD outcomes exist across the lifespan. However, less is known about disparities for patients with CHD admitted to neonatal ICU. We sought to identify sociodemographic disparities in neonatal ICU admissions among neonates born with cyanotic CHD.

Materials & Methods:

Annual natality files from the US National Center for Health Statistics for years 2009–2018 were obtained. For each neonate, we identified sex, birthweight, pre-term birth, presence of cyanotic CHD, and neonatal ICU admission at time of birth, as well as maternal age, race, ethnicity, comorbidities/risk factors, trimester at start of prenatal care, educational attainment, and two measures of socio-economic status (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children [WIC] status and insurance type). Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to determine the association of maternal socio-economic status with neonatal ICU admission. A covariate for race/ethnicity was then added to each model to determine if race/ethnicity attenuate the relationship between socio-economic status and neonatal ICU admission.

Results:

Of 22,373 neonates born with cyanotic CHD, 77.2% had a neonatal ICU admission. Receipt of WIC benefits was associated with higher odds of neonatal ICU admission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.20, 95% CI 1.1–1.29, p < 0.01). Neonates born to non-Hispanic Black mothers had increased odds of neonatal ICU admission (aOR 1.20, 95% CI 1.07–1.35, p < 0.01), whereas neonates born to Hispanic mothers were at lower odds of neonatal ICU admission (aOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.76–0.93, p < 0.01).

Conclusion:

Maternal Black race and low socio-economic status are associated with increased risk of neonatal ICU admission for neonates born with cyanotic CHD. Further work is needed to identify the underlying causes of these disparities.