bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Program targets high schoolers in effort to grow mental health workforce
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: December 2023

Groups of teenagers in Worcester, Massachusetts, are being immersed in a program that exposes them to what a career in mental health practice would look like. Leaders of the initiative said that heightened awareness about mental illness will benefit participating youths even if they decide not to forge a career path in mental health services.
A digital male pelvis phantom series showing anatomical variations over the course of fractionated radiotherapy treatment
Authors: Faddegon Bruce , Descovich Martina , Chen Katherine , Ramos‐Méndez José , III Mack Roach , Wahl Niklas , Taylor Paige , Griffin Keith , Lee Choonsik
Published: December 2023

Background

Daily IGRT images show day‐to‐day anatomical variations in patients undergoing fractionated prostate radiotherapy. This is of particular importance in particle beam treatments.

Purpose

To develop a digital phantom series showing variation in pelvic anatomy for evaluating treatment planning and IGRT procedures in particle radiotherapy.

Methods

A pelvic phantom series was developed from the planning MRI and kVCT (planning CT) images along with six of the daily serial MVCT images taken of a single patient treated with a full bladder on a Tomotherapy unit. The selected patient had clearly visible yet unexceptional internal anatomy variation. Prostate, urethra, bladder, rectum, bowel, bowel gas, bone and soft tissue were contoured and a single Hounsfield Unit was assigned to each region. Treatment plans developed on the kVCT for photon, proton and carbon beams were recalculated on each phantom to demonstrate a clinical application of the series. Proton plans were developed with and without robust optimization.

Results

Limited to axial slices with prostate, the bladder volume varied from 6 to 46 cm3, the rectal volume (excluding gas) from 22 to 52 cm3, and rectal gas volume from zero to 18 cm3. The water equivalent path length to the prostate varied by up to 1.5 cm . The variations resulted in larger changes in the RBE‐weighted Dose Volume Histograms of the non‐robust proton plan and the carbon plan compared to the robust proton plan, the latter similar to the photon plan. The prostate coverage (V100%) decreased by an average of 18% in the carbon plan, 16% in the non‐robust proton plan, 1.8% in the robust proton plan, and 4.4% in the photon plan. The volume of rectum receiving 75% of the prescription dose (V75%) increased by an average of 3.7 cm3, 4.7 cm3, 1.9 cm3, and 0.6 cm3 in those four plans, respectively.

Conclusions

The digital pelvic phantom series provides for quantitative investigation of IGRT procedures and new methods for improving accuracy in particle therapy and may be used in cross‐institutional comparisons for clinical trial quality assurance.
Quasi‐hexagonal nanopatterned porous cobalt ferrite thin films prepared via block copolymer self‐assembly
Authors: Castro Alichandra , Ferreira Liliana P. , Godinho Margarida , Rodriguez Brian J. , Vilarinho Paula M. , Ferreira Paula
Published: December 2023

We present a novel method for fabricating dense and nanopatterned porous cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) thin films with a remarkable thickness of 65 nm, achieved through direct block copolymer self‐assembly. By decomposing the block copolymer and inducing crystallization of the spinel phase, we successfully produce films exhibiting quasi‐hexagonal arrays of pores with an average diameter ranging from 60 to 80 nm. The resulting nanopatterned porous thin films demonstrate exceptional orderliness, as the pores are intricately designed by the cobalt ferrite grains, and the platinum substrate offers complete accessibility in the pore area. Our findings reveal high magnetization values, comparable to those of bulk CoFe2O4, in the dense film. Additionally, in the case of the nanopatterned porous film, we observed a distinctive contribution of perpendicular magnetization. This innovative approach holds great promise for advanced magnetization and thin‐film engineering applications.
The clinical efficacy of Olibanum gum chewing in patients with Mild‐to‐Moderate Alzheimer disease: A randomized Parallel‐Design controlled trial
Authors: Ghorat Fereshteh , Sepidarkish Mahdi , Saadattalab Farzaneh , Rezghi Maedeh , Shahrestani Shamim , Gholamalizadeh Maryam , Doaei Saeid
Published: December 2023

Background

Alzheimer's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder in elderly with progressive decline in cognitive functions. This study aimed to investigate the possible memory‐improving effects of Olibanum on patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Research Design and Method

This double‐blind, randomized clinical trial was carried out on 72 participants aged 50–75 years. The intervention group (n = 36) received 1.6 g/day of olibanum chewing gum for 18 weeks. The placebo group (n = 36) received chewing gum without olibanum. Neuropsychological assessments were performed at baseline, every 4 weeks, and after 18 weeks of the intervention.

Results

There was no significant difference between (MD: 0.84, 95%CI: −1.10 to 2.78, p = 0.392) at baseline. Both groups had linear improvements over time. There was no significant difference between two groups regarding the improvements after the intervention (F = 0.157, p = 0.693). There were no significant differences between the groups for MMSE score (Mini‐Mental State Examination) after the intervention (F = 0.141, p = 0.708).

Conclusions

This study revealed that 18 weeks of gum chewing with Olibanum did not change the neuropsychological status. More clinical studies are needed to confirm these findings.
High hydroxyurea usage in sickle cell anemia regardless of patient demographics
Authors: Phan Vivian , Park Ju Ae , Dulman Robin , Lewis Angela , Briere Noravy , Notarangelo Bailey , Yang Elizabeth
Published: December 2023

Hydroxyurea is highly effective in sickle cell disease, but it is still underutilized. Reports of hydroxyurea utilization largely use Medicaid data, and socioeconomics is often cited as a barrier. To address whether patient demographics influenced the high hydroxyurea usage rate recently reported for the pediatric sickle cell program of Northern Virginia, analysis of data from 2011 to 2021 revealed no statistical difference in hydroxyurea usage rate between Medicaid and non‐Medicaid, African American and African, or age less than 13 and age greater than or equal to 13 years cohorts, demonstrating that hydroxyurea can be successfully implemented across demographic groups.
Performance of thermally conductive NR composites reinforced with stearic acid‐modified microcrystalline cellulose: A combined experimental and molecular dynamic simulation study
Authors: Wang Zhen , Li Zhenlu , Chen Dongming , Qin Zhengying , Wang Linquan , Zhang Xianhui , Li Ziwei , Lu Shaorong
Published: December 2023

With the increasing environmental requirements for improving products and materials using renewable and sustainable resources, cellulose has been seen as one of the most attractive and promising alternatives to traditional inorganic fillers. We developed a new modification method to improve the interface compatibility between natural rubber and sisal cellulose, to improve the mechanical and thermal conductivity properties of rubber composite. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was extracted from sisal cellulose and then the hydrophobic cellulose (SA‐MCC) was prepared by grafting stearic acid on the surface of MCC. MCC and SA‐MCC were added to the thermal conductivity composite material composed of natural rubber and boron nitride. The results showed that the thermal conductivity and tensile properties of the natural rubber composites increased by 17.3% and 20%, respectively, under the addition of 1.8 wt% SA‐MCC. Furthermore, the interfacial interaction between the components in the composite was studied by molecular dynamics simulation. The solubility parameters, free volume fraction, and molecular binding energy were calculated to verify the effectiveness of the modification. This work is expected to provide a theoretical basis for the design and preparation of high‐performance natural rubber composite materials.

Highlights

Cellulose microcrystals were successfully extracted from sisal fiber and modified.

Through the combination of boron nitride and the modified cellulose microcrystals, the thermal conductivity and tensile properties of thermal rubber were successfully improved synchronously.

A reasonable molecular simulation model was established to analysis the strengthening mechanism from the microscopic point of view.

The molecular simulation conclusions on interface enhancement are in good agreement with the experimental properties.
Influence of dammar gum application on the mechanical properties of pineapple leaf fiber reinforced tapioca biopolymer composites
Authors: Alias Luqman Hakim , Jaafar Jamiluddin , Siregar Januar Parlaungan , Cionita Tezara , Piah Mohd Bijarimi Mat , Irawan Agustinus Purna , Fitriyana Deni Fajar , Salleh Hamidon , Oumer Ahmed Nurye
Published: December 2023

The objective of this work is to investigate the influence of the utilization of dammar gum (DG), which is a biodegradable and renewable binder, on the mechanical properties of short pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) reinforced tapioca biopolymer (TBP). Samples with variable DG concentrations (10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% by weight) and a constant 30% PALF composition were created with varying TBP percentages using an internal mixing process and compression molding. The results showed that PALF‐TBP with 10% DG had the highest mechanical properties with tensile, flexural, and impact strength of 19.49 MPa, 18.53 MPa and 13.79 KJ/m2, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images prove the enhanced mechanical characteristics. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed that the DG improves the matrix and PALF interface. The results show that the utilization of DG significantly enhanced the mechanical characteristics of composites. In addition, it is anticipated that it will be able to create PALF‐TBP‐DG composites as a potential alternative for conventional polymers in various applications, especially in engineering applications such as automotive and packaging industries. Therefore, it is expected to be capable of contributing to sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Highlights

Recent studies show that damar gum (DG) has potential as a sustainable binder.

Optimal composition is a critical factor in bio‐composite manufacturing.

The mechanical properties improved the most when 10 wt% of DG was applied.

DG could serve as a viable substitute for petroleum‐derived coupling agents.

Bio‐composites may serve as alternative polymers for forthcoming applications.
3‐D woven rectangular hollow structure conformal bearing microstrip antenna with different heights: Design, preparation, performance, and simulation
Authors: Lyu Lihua , Wang Rongrui , Pang Xianke , Wen Fangfang , Zhou Xinghai , Gao Yuan , Qian Yongfang , Wang Ying
Published: December 2023

Traditional microstrip antennas have problems with heavy weight and poor gain. In order to reduce the weight of the antenna itself and improve its gain, the preforms of the 3‐D woven rectangular hollow structure conformal bearing microstrip antenna (3DWRHS‐CB‐MA)with different heights were woven from ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) filament yarns and copper wires on a common loom through reasonable design. The preform was used as the reinforcement and epoxy resin was used as the matrix, four different heights (2, 4, 6, and 8 mm) of 3DWRHS‐CB‐MA were prepared by vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. Finally, the electromagnetic performance was analyzed by high‐frequency structure simulator (HFSS) and experimental testing. The results showed that the frequency deviation of the 2 mm height microstrip antenna was minimal; while the 4 mm height microstrip antenna had better gain efficiency and directional diagram compared to others. The 4 mm height microstrip antenna has good radiation performance with a weight of only 35 g which shows that 3DWRHS‐CB‐MA are potential candidates for future intelligent textile materials and wireless communication fields.

Highlights

Weaving with UHMWPE filament yarns and copper wires on common looms.

The preform was used as the reinforcement, and epoxy resin was used as the matrix.

Simulation of electromagnetic characteristics of antennas using HFSS software.

Proving the effectiveness of the electromagnetic simulation model.

Revealing the electromagnetic radiation mechanisms.
Design of metal oxide nanoparticles‐embedded polymeric nanocomposites for hydrogen peroxide chronoamperometric sensor
Authors: Magar Hend S. , Hashem M. S. , Sobh Rokaya A.
Published: December 2023

Here, we synthesized nanocomposites of poly(methyl methacrylate/N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate/acrylic acid) [poly(MMA/DMAEMA/AA)] incorporated with cadmium oxide (CdO), copper oxide (CuO), manganese oxide (MnO2), and selenium oxide (SeO2) nanoparticles via microemulsion polymerization. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), x‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, transmission electron microscope (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) as well as electrochemical techniques like cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were utilized to determine and understand the physico‐chemical features of the polymers (MMA/DMAEMA/AA) and their embedded metal oxide (MO) nanoparticles. According to the TEM results, well‐defined nanospheres of the pure polymer and its composite were obtained in the range of 45–75 nm, respectively. The electrochemical characteristics of all CdO, CuO, MnO2, and SeO2‐based nanocomposites showed significant improvement, with capacitance values higher than those of the poly(MMA/DMAEMA/AA) nanosphere assemblies alone. Therefore, the nanocomposites were tested for direct hydrogen peroxide sensing along with direct transfer of electrons. The amperometry results showed a fast linear sensitivity in the range of 1–1000 μM with a lower detection limit of 0.03 μM. As a result, these materials could be recommended for battery storage and hydrogen peroxide sensing devices due to the significantly improved electrochemical properties offered by the synthesized nanocomposites.

Highlights

Microemulsion polymerization of nanocomposites incorporated with nanoparticles.

The nanoparticles improve the nanocomposites' electro capacitance values.

The developed nanocomposites exhibit supercapacitors and energy storage.

The novel nanocomposites enable direct and fast hydrogen peroxide sensing.
Influence of printing direction and filler orientation on the thermal conductivity of 3D printed heat sinks
Authors: Moser Nina , Strasser Christoph , Tanda Andreas , Archodoulaki Vasiliki‐Maria , Burgstaller Christoph
Published: December 2023

Prototype development nowadays can rarely be imagined without 3D printing. In the fast‐moving electronics industry, 3D printing is a good way to react quickly to changing developments, for example, when it comes to heat sinks made of thermally conductive material. 3D printing of thermally conducting plastics, which are also electrically insulating, is an ideal candidate for the rapid generation of heat sink. Nevertheless, 3D printing also shows some drawbacks in regard to properties of the printed parts, as porosities or layer adhesion, emerging from layer deposition in the process. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate the influence of the orientation of fillers on the thermal conductivity of filled polylactic acid (PLA). PLA was filled with amounts of 15–45 wt.% of boron nitride and aluminum granules and printed into heat sinks in two different orientations to investigate this influence on the thermal conductivity. The printed heat sinks were then placed on a heated aluminum block and the thermal transport was examined with an infrared camera. It could be shown that especially with platelet‐shaped fillers such as boron nitride, the orientation of these in the test specimen has a large influence on the thermal conductivity.

Highlights

3D printing of thermally conductive heat sinks

Thermal characterization of 3D printed heat sinks

Computer tomography scans of heat sinks to evaluate the porosity
Determining the Structural Properties and Vibrational Modes of Annealed Lead Composite Material Deposit
Authors: Ahia Chinedu Christian , Meyer Edson L. , Umeh Chibuike D.
Published: December 2023

Techniques for effectively harnessing lead (Pb) deposits for optimum utilization have attracted a lot of research interest. Results obtained from investigating the elemental composition, vibrational modes, and structural properties of a fired Pb composite deposit, which is purified using an electric kiln furnace and further annealed in palladium‐diffused hydrogen ambient, are reported in the present study. Both atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis on the deposit indicate that the Pb composite is composed of crystal‐like morphology. The vibrational modes obtained from the material are identical to the Raman spectrum reported for PbSO4. Also, data acquired from the energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis of the annealed Pb composite material confirm the presence of zinc, carbon, silicon, sulfur, and oxygen in the material. At the same time, Pb appears to be the primary constituent with reference to its weight percentage composition compared to other elements. The findings from the present study may be vital for providing an improved understanding of the electronic and structural properties of the annealed Pb composite deposit while promoting the development of a feasible approach for the recovery and recycling of Pb for future related applications.
Preirradiation Treatment Influence on the Radioluminescence of a Nitrogen‐Doped Optical Fiber Dosimeter
Authors: Fricano Fiammetta , Morana Adriana , Vidalot Jeoffray , Melin Gilles , Boukenter Aziz , Ouerdane Youcef , Marin Emmanuel , Robin Thierry , Girard Sylvain
Published: December 2023

The dosimetry performances of a nitrogen‐doped core (diameter of 8 μm) optical fiber, before and after 100 kV X‐Ray preirradiation treatments, up to cumulated dose of 1 MGy(SiO2), to highlight their effects on the radiation‐induced luminescence (RIL), are investigated. The RIL reproducibility versus dose rate calibration curves (in the 0.17–50 Gy s−1 range) are evaluated using four sets of ten different probes: three sets using preirradiated samples at 80 kGy, 280 kGy, 1 MGy, respectively, and one set with pristine samples. The RIL kinetics during ≈60 h long preirradiations at constant dose rate are also studied, showing a non‐negligible bright burn effect. The main outcome is that the preirradiation improves the fiber dosimetry properties since it: 1) enhances fiber radiation detection sensitivity, 2) improves the linearity of the RIL dose rate dependence, and 3) suppresses the observed afterglow postirradiation effect. However, after preirradiation, larger dispersion between the different probes is noted, from 4% (non‐irradiated samples) to 10% for the 1 MGy preirradiated samples. The possible physical explanations are discussed on the basis of the preirradiation filling deep traps that, competing with the RIL centers for the trapping of electrons released by ionization, influence the RIL efficiency.
Diurnal cycle of precipitation over the tropics and central United States: intercomparison of general circulation models
Authors: Tao Cheng , Xie Shaocheng , Ma Hsi‐Yen , Bechtold Peter , Cui Zeyu , Vaillancourt Paul A. , Van Weverberg Kwinten , Wang Yi‐Chi , Wong May , Yang Jing , Zhang Guang J. , Choi In‐Jin , Tang Shuaiqi , Wei Jiangfeng , Wu Wen‐Ying , Zhang Meng , Neelin J. David , Zeng Xubin
Published: December 2023

Diurnal precipitation is a fundamental mode of variability that climate models have difficulty in accurately simulating. Here the diurnal cycle of precipitation (DCP) in participating climate models from the Global Energy and Water Exchanges' DCP project is evaluated over the tropics and central United States. Common model biases such as excessive precipitation over the tropics, too frequent light‐to‐moderate rain, and the failure to capture propagating convection in the central United States still exist. Over the central United States, the issues of too weak rainfall intensity in climate runs is well improved in their hindcast runs with initial conditions from numerical weather prediction analyses. But the improvement is minimal over the central Amazon. Incorporating the role of the large‐scale environment in convective triggering processes helps resolve the phase‐locking issue in many models where precipitation often incorrectly peaks near noon due to maximum insolation over land. Allowing air parcels to be lifted above the boundary layer improves the simulation of nocturnal precipitation which is often associated with the propagation of mesoscale systems. Including convective memory in cumulus parameterizations acts to suppress light‐to‐moderate rain and promote intense rainfall; however, it also weakens the diurnal variability. Simply increasing model resolution (with cumulus parameterizations still used) cannot fully resolve the biases of low‐resolution climate models in DCP. The hierarchy modeling framework from this study is useful for identifying the missing physics in models and testing new development of model convective processes over different convective regimes.
The influence of resolved convective motions on scalar dispersion in hectometric‐scale numerical weather prediction models
Authors: Blunn Lewis P. , Plant Robert S. , Coceal Omduth , Bohnenstengel Sylvia I. , Lean Humphrey W. , Barlow Janet F.
Published: December 2023

The UK Met Office has a 300‐m grid length numerical weather prediction (NWP) model running routinely over London and, in research mode, city‐scale hectometric grid length NWP has become commonplace. It is important to understand how moving from kilometre‐ to hectometre‐scale grid length NWP influences boundary‐layer vertical mixing. For a clear‐sky convective boundary layer (CBL) case study, using 55‐ and 100‐m grid length NWP, we demonstrate that CBL vertical mixing of passive scalar is almost fully resolved. Passive scalar converges near the surface after emission from an idealised pollution ground source representing city‐scale emissions, and is transported in updrafts preferentially into the upper boundary layer. Approximately 8 km downstream of the source edge, this causes lower near‐surface concentrations compared with 1.5‐km grid length NWP, where vertical mixing is fully parameterised. This demonstrates that resolving ballistic‐type dispersion, which is not typically represented in NWP vertical mixing parameterisations, can have a leading‐order influence on city‐scale near‐surface pollution concentration. We present a simple analytical model that is able to capture diffusive and ballistic dispersion behaviour in terms of effective timescales. The timescale controlling how long it takes passive scalar to become well mixed in the CBL is times longer for 1.5‐km compared with 100‐ and 55‐m grid length NWP.
TRAM: A new non‐hydrostatic fully compressible numerical model suited for all kinds of regional atmospheric predictions
Authors: Romero R.
Published: December 2023

A new limited‐area numerical model (TRAM, for Triangle‐based Regional Atmospheric Model) has been built using a non‐hydrostatic and fully compressible version of the Navier–Stokes equations. Advection terms are solved using a Reconstruct–Evolve–Average (REA) strategy over the computational cells. These cells consist of equilateral triangles in the horizontal. The classical z‐coordinate is used in the vertical, allowing arbitrary stretching (e.g., higher resolution in the Planetary Boundary Layer, PBL). Proper treatment of terrain slopes in the bottom boundary conditions allows for accurately representing the orographic forcing. To gain computational efficiency, time splitting is used to integrate fast and slow terms separately and acoustic modes in the vertical are solved implicitly. For real cases on the globe, the Lambert map projection is applied, and all Coriolis and curvature terms are retained. No explicit filters are needed. The first part of the manuscript describes the dynamical core of the model and provides its thorough validation using a variety of benchmark tests (mostly in two dimensions) in the context of a dry‐adiabatic atmosphere. In the second part, TRAM is reformulated for a moist atmosphere and is completed with a proper set of physical parametrizations of cloud microphysics, cumulus convection, short and long‐wave radiation, PBL processes and surface fluxes. Various examples of the great versatility offered by this full version will be presented, with special emphasis on Mediterranean case studies. In summary, TRAM performs as well as state‐of‐the‐art numerical models and is suitable for simulating circulations ranging from small‐scale thermal bubbles (≈100 m scale) to synoptic‐scale baroclinic cyclones (>1000 km size), including orographic circulations, thermally driven flows, squall lines, supercells, all kinds of precipitation systems and medicanes. Besides opening a myriad of academic and research applications, TRAM regional forecasts at different resolutions are being disseminated in the web (see
https://meteo.uib.es/tram).
Risk factors for empty follicle syndrome in assisted reproductive technology with gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist trigger
Authors: Inoue Daichi , Sakakibara Yoshihiko , Ishida Chiharu , Kondo Manami , Mizuno Rie , Saito Masaya , Shibuya Shinichi , Hashiba Yoshiki , Asada Yoshimasa
Published: December 2023

Purpose

To analyze whether response to the GnRH test is a predictor of empty follicle syndrome (EFS) and to analyze independent risk factors for EFS.

Methods

The GnRH test results of 3765 patients from 2016 to 2018 were used to define the reference range of the GnRH test. Risk factors for EFS were estimated by multivariate logistic analysis of 5282 cycles (5247 oocyte‐retrieved cycles with GnRH agonist trigger and 35 cycles of EFS) conducted from 2016 to 2019.

Results

GnRH testing showed basal hormone values as follows: median LH 5.2 (95 percentile; 1.3–12.6) mIU/mL, LH 30 min 22.0 (6.8–57.1), basal FSH 7.3 (3.0–20.5), FSH 30 min 11.5 (5.1–30.4) and FSH/LH ratio 1.5 (0.6–4.1). Independent risk factors for EFS were antral follicle count (adjusted odds ratio; 0.94, 95% CI; 0.89–0.99), basal LH (0.78, 0.66–0.90), and days duration of ovarian stimulation (1.41, 1.21–1. 60). The respective thresholds were 8 for AFC, 5.0 for basal LH, and 16 days for duration.

Conclusions

LH 30 min values of the GnRH test did not predict EFS. Independent risk factors for EFS were AFC, basal LH and days duration of ovarian stimulation.
Bipartite containment of heterogeneous multi‐agent systems under denial‐of‐service attacks: A historical information‐based control scheme
Authors: Yang Yize , Shi Peng , Wang Shuoyu , Chambers Jonathon
Published: December 2023

A distributed control scheme based on historical information is designed to solve the problem of stable control of multi‐agent systems under denial of service (DoS) attacks in this article. It achieves the control objective of bipartite output containment control, that is, the output states of the followers smoothly enter the target area. The control scheme updates the states of followers through historical information in the control protocol when agents are subjected to DoS attacks. A distributed state observer with a storage module is designed to efficiently estimate the state of followers and store the observed information as history information. The historical information of control protocol calls is not necessarily the real state information in the existence of DoS attacks. Consequently, a closed‐loop feedback state compensator is designed. Then, the state compensator is converted from the time domain to the frequency domain for stability analysis using the Nyquist criterion. It is obtained that an upper bound on the amount of historical information can achieve the bipartite output trajectories containment of the controlled system. The output trajectories of the followers converge into two dynamic convex hulls, one of which is surrounded by multiple leaders, and the other is a convex hull with opposite signs of the leaders. Finally, a numerical simulation is used to verify the proposed control scheme, and the operability of the scheme is further demonstrated in a physical experiment.
Event‐triggered control of Itô stochastic nonlinear delayed systems with state quantization
Authors: Sun Yuanyuan , Deng Feiqi , Yu Peilin
Published: December 2023

The problem of event‐triggered control (ETC) of stochastic nonlinear delayed systems with state quantization is investigated. In order to reduce the communication burden and computational cost, an ETC mechanism and state quantization are introduced in the control scheme. Two configurations are considered to investigate their interaction: quantization before event‐trigger (QE) and quantization after event‐trigger (EQ), respectively. Based on this, a static event‐triggered mechanism (ETM) is designed while avoiding the Zeno phenomenon. The system allows known input‐to‐state stability (ISS) control law, followed by utilizing the Halanay inequality to achieve stabilization. In both configurations, the stabilization of the closed‐loop system is guaranteed. We show that communication times can be reduced by adjusting parameters and selecting the suitable configuration. Moreover, to further enhance resource conservation, we illustrate the feasibility of dynamic ETMs in this framework. Numerical simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed ETC schemes.
Do command‐and‐control environmental regulations realize the win‐win of “pollution reduction” and “efficiency improvement” for enterprises? Evidence from China
Authors: Li Jianpei , Huang Jierui , Li Bowen
Published: December 2023

We use the DID method to estimate whether the binding pollution control policy can achieve both “pollution reduction” and “efficiency enhancement” for industrial enterprises after implementing this command‐and‐control environmental regulation of the eleventh Five‐Year Plan in China. We also analyze its influence mechanism in detail. It has been shown that (1) Constrained by binding pollution control policies, enterprises could reduce their pollutant emissions but simultaneously suppress their total factor productivity (TFP), which indicates that command‐and‐control environmental regulations do not achieve both “pollution reduction” and “efficiency gains” for firms. (2) The mechanism analysis shows that under the constraint of the binding pollution control policy, enterprises increase the pollution treatment at the front end of production, such as investment in environmental protection facilities, and adjust the production schedule, such as pollution treatment at the end of production. These pollution treatment measures reduce pollutant emissions while bringing “compliance costs” to enterprises. However, the “innovation compensation effect” fails to compensate for the “compliance cost” brought by pollution control. (3) Further study finds that the binding pollution control policy effectively reduces the pollutant emissions of enterprises with low financing constraints.
Entrepreneurial judgment governance adaptation for digital transformation in established firms
Authors: Gomes Leonardo Augusto de Vasconcelos , Flechas Alejandra , Facin Ana Lucia Figueiredo , Borini Felipe Mendes , Stefani Bruno , Leal Lorenna Fernandes
Published: December 2023

Research Summary

We contend that entrepreneurial judgment governance (EJG) is a profound yet poorly understood process in which firms sense, seize, and transform opportunities related to digital transformation. Grounded in a rich, multi‐case study of six large incumbent firms, we conceptualize and examine how firms change EJG through three phases: recognizing, distributing, and orchestrating. We find that EJG adaptation is at the heart of why some firms succeed in responding to the challenges associated with digital transformation while others fail. Implications and opportunities for future research are discussed.

Managerial Summary

Entrepreneurial judgment governance (EJG) is central to explaining why some firms succeed in digital transformation (DT) whereas others do not. EJG determines who has the right to exercise entrepreneurial judgment (EJ) about allocating and using resources to address new opportunities. As distinct types of uncertainties require distinct EJ features, established firms face the challenge of EJG adaptation to the unique DT uncertainties. Based on a multiple‐case study, we offer a three‐stage framework that facilitates and expedites EJG adaptation to DT. Furthermore, our study highlights that strategic leaders who fail to comprehend the need for changes in EJG, neglect to establish an EJG architecture aligned with DT goals or overlook implementing necessary adjustments internally and externally, may hinder positive DT outcomes.
Effect of substrate temperature and annealing on the growth of TiO2‐x thin films deposited by using DC‐magnetron sputtering technique
Authors: Jana Swapan , Debnath Anil Krishna , Putta Veerender , Bahadur Jitendra , Kishor Jugal , Chauhan Anil Kumar , Bhattacharya Debarati
Published: December 2023

In this study, the effect of annealing on the structural, surface morphology and chemical structure of titanium suboxide (TiO2‐x) thin films has been investigated. TiO2‐x films had been grown on Si substrates by DC‐magnetron sputtering with different sputter powers (75 and 100 W) at room temperature (RT) and 200°C substrate temperature (ST). The films were subsequently annealed for 1 h at 300, 400 and 500°C in vacuum. The impact of ST, post‐annealing and sputter power on crystallinity, surface morphology and chemical state of the films were studied. Grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction (GIXRD) data revealed that the films were amorphous or exhibited a very low crystalline structure while deposited at RT and even after annealing. Moreover, the films showed crystallinity while deposited at ST and exhibited an anatase‐rutile (A‐R) mix phase from anatase (A) annealed at 300°C (75 W at ST). X‐ray reflectivity (XRR) data showed that the mass density of the films increased with the annealing temperature. Images obtained using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed that post‐annealing increased the surface roughness of the films. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicated the films were sub stoichiometric. It was also indicated that Ti was in the form of Ti4+ and Ti3+ states in all films, and the proportion of Ti4+ slightly increased after post‐annealing at 500°C. The findings showed that post‐annealing, ST and sputtering power can all affect the growth of TiO2‐x films.
How does economic freedom influence public health? Evidence from U.S. cities
Authors: Callais Justin , Hyde Kelly , Murtazashvili Ilia , Zhou Yang
Published: December 2023

Although there is substantial agreement how microeconomic forces—income, risk aversion—shape public health outcomes, there is substantial disagreement about the relationship between macroeconomic forces—market liberalization and economic freedom—on public health. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between public health, economic freedom, and wealth using a large sample of metropolitan‐level data from the United States. We find that economic freedom does have a statistically significant and positive impact on general, physical, and mental health, but the overall results are small in magnitude. When we disaggregate the three areas of economic freedom, we find that areas with lower government spending and freer labor markets have the strongest positive effect on physical and mental health. However, our results are strongest for the richest group of respondents, suggesting that the economic freedom‐health relationship is perhaps indirect, and shown through income.
Complementary Absorption Pseudo‐Ternary Blend Containing a Y‐Series Block Copolymer Acceptor for Indoor and Outdoor All‐Polymer Photovoltaics
Authors: Chau Hong Diem , Park Su Hong , Park Jin Young , Kwak Haeun , Park Chae Yeong , Son Jae Hoon , Woo Han Young , Chae Weon‐Sik , Cho Min Ju , Choi Dong Hoon
Published: December 2023

All‐polymer photovoltaics (all‐PPVs) that operate under both indoor and outdoor lighting conditions require active layers with appropriately adjusted optical‐absorption ranges. However, the optical absorption of a conventional donor–acceptor binary blend is restricted to the combined absorption bands of its components. Herein, a new conjugated block copolymer (CBC) acceptor, b‐PYT, is designed by integrating polymer acceptor blocks of wide and narrow bandgaps in a single structure. Such combination results in the wide absorption range (550–850 nm) of b‐PYT that matches the emission of both artificial and solar light. The b‐PYT CBC acceptor is more crystalline than the corresponding random terpolymer, r‐PYT, owing to improved interactions between its macromolecular acceptor units. Despite exhibiting slightly inferior outdoor performance compared to that of devices using the homopolymer BTTP‐T, the PM6:b‐PYT‐based devices deliver superior power conversion efficiency (PCE) under indoor light‐emitting diode (LED) light owing to better matched absorption and emission spectra of b‐PYT and a cold white LED, respectively. Additionally, it is worth highlighting that PM6:b‐PYT‐based all‐PPVs can maintain approximately 87% of the initial PCE even after 600 min of thermal aging at 150 °C, which demonstrates the superior thermal stability compared with those of all‐PPVs that use traditional binary active layers.
Phenyltrimethylammonium‐Alloying Strategy for Efficient and Durable Formamidinium‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Gil Bumjin , Kim Jinhyun , Park Byungwoo
Published: December 2023

As for the commonly used formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) perovskite, adding small amount of larger organic cations is a viable strategy to overcome its instability caused by formamidinium (FA) or iodide (I). Herein, FAPbI3 perovskite is modified by addition of quaternary cation phenyltrimethylammonium (PTMA), which forms 2D perovskite phase. With the presence of PTMA cations and small‐sized Br anions, the local strain of perovskite layer is mitigated. Also, X‐ray analyses reveal that PTMA cation directs FAPbI3 to have more vertically oriented structure, which aids the enhanced photocarrier generation and extraction. Defect analyses suggest that PTMA bromide alloying also greatly reduces the trap sites. Due to these combined effects, the PTMABr‐modified device results in the improved open‐circuit voltage plus stability under 60 °C or 1 sun illumination, maintaining 80% of its initial efficiency after 1800 and 1400 h, respectively.
Multiscale Simulations Facilitate the Design of High‐Performance Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Yu Gang , Wang Weijian , Attique Sanam , Yuan Shuai
Published: December 2023

Organic‐inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have swiftly emerged as a prominent contender in the photovoltaic industry, owing to their unparalleled optoelectronic capabilities. Nevertheless, the commercial viability of organic‐inorganic hybrid PSCs is significantly hindered by their limited hygrothermal stability. Therefore, based on multiscale simulation technology, we systematically investigated the microscopic properties of CsPbBrxI3−x (0 ≤ x ≤ 3) perovskite materials and the corresponding photovoltaic device performance. Multiscale simulation technology is numerical simulation method that combines the density functional theory (DFT) with finite element method (FEM). DFT is used first to study the energy band structure, density of states, and optoelectronic parameters of CsPbBrxI3−x (0 ≤ x ≤ 3). Then, FEM is used to study the optical properties of all‐inorganic PSCs based on the results of DFT simulation. Finally, the bulk defect concentration (Nt) of the perovskite material, and the defect concentration between the perovskite and the charge transport layer (CTL) on the photovoltaic performance of the device are calculated and analyzed using CsPbI3 PSCs as an example. We finally designed the CsPbI3 all‐inorganic PSCs with a theoretical efficiency of 22.65%. Our theoretical simulation methods and corresponding results present a groundbreaking approach to crafting highly efficient and exceptionally stable all‐inorganic PSCs.
PyScribe–Learning to describe python code
Authors: Guo Juncai , Liu Jin , Liu Xiao , Wan Yao , Zhao Yanjie , Li Li , Liu Kui , Klein Jacques , Bissyandé Tegawendé F.
Published: December 2023

Code comment generation, which attempts to summarize the functionality of source code in textual descriptions, plays an important role in automatic software development research. Currently, several structural neural networks have been exploited to preserve the syntax structure of source code based on abstract syntax trees (ASTs). However, they can not well capture both the long‐distance and local relations between nodes while retaining the overall structural information of AST. To mitigate this problem, we present a prototype tool titled PyScribe, which extends the Transformer model to a new encoder‐decoder‐based framework. Particularly, the triplet position is designed and integrated into the node‐level and edge‐level structural features of AST for producing Python code comments automatically. This paper, to the best of our knowledge, makes the first effort to model the edges of AST as an explicit component for improved code representation. By specifying triplet positions for each node and edge, the overall structural information can be well preserved in the learning process. Moreover, the captured node and edge features go through a two‐stage decoding process to yield higher qualified comments. To evaluate the effectiveness of PyScribe, we resort to a large dataset of code‐comment pairs by mining Jupyter Notebooks from GitHub, for which we have made it publicly available to support further studies. The experimental results reveal that PyScribe is indeed effective, outperforming the state‐ofthe‐art by achieving an average BLEU score (i.e., av‐BLEU) of 0.28.
Modulating CsPbl3 crystallization by using diammonium agent for efficient solar cells
Authors: Qiu Junming , Zhou Qisen , Yu Mei , Liu Jianhua , Zhuang Rongshan , Hua Yong , Ding Liming , Zhang Xiaoliang
Published: December 2023

Cesium lead triiodide (CsPbI3) perovskite receives tremendous attention for photovoltaic applications, owing to its remarkable thermal stability and optoelectronic properties. However, realizing the CsPbI3 perovskite with high black‐phase stability and optoelectronic properties remains a significant challenge, which largely affects the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, aromatic ammonium agents are used to modulate the crystallization of the CsPbI3 perovskite to improve its black‐phase stability and optoelectronic properties for efficient PSCs. Systemically experimental studies and comprehensively theoretical calculations are performed, which reveal that histammonium dihydrochloride (HACl2) could strongly couple with the perovskite during its crystallization, leading to faster nucleation and slower perovskite growth, and thus modulating the crystallization dynamics of the perovskites. Moreover, the residual diammonium cations (HA2+) distributed at the grain boundaries and on the surface of the perovskites can effectively passivate defects through electrostatic interactions, substantially suppressing trap‐assisted nonradiative recombination, and prompting more matched perovskite surface energetics. Consequently, the photovoltaic performance of CsPbI3 PSCs is largely improved because of a combination of enhanced crystallinity and optoelectronic properties of the perovskites. This work offers a new avenue to prepare inorganic perovskites with high optoelectronic properties for photovoltaics.
Static behavior of ribbed folded plate roof under vertical uniform load—Experimental study and meshfree method analysis
Authors: Sun Renzhong , Ma Kejian , Zhang Huagang , Yu Fang , Fang Qiang
Published: December 2023

Folded plate roofs are widely used in building roofs due to their light weight and high stiffness. However, traditional folded plate roofs are often limited in application due to insufficient stiffness under the current trend of pursuing larger‐span roofs. Ribbed folded plate roofs can effectively solve this problem because ribs not only increase the stiffness of the roof and reduce stress concentration, but they are also easy to be formed into various shapes to meet different needs for buildings. Therefore, the detailed analysis was carried out on a reinforced concrete ribbed folded plate roof (RCRFR) under the vertical uniform load to investigate its static behavior. The bearing capacity, failure mode, load–displacement relationship, and strain variation were obtained through the test. Additionally, based on the finite element (FE) method, not only a comparison was conducted between RCRFR and reinforced concrete ribless folded plate roof (RCLFR), but the influence of material nonlinearity and geometric nonlinearity on the structure was also investigated. Moreover, the bending characteristics of RCRFR under design load were analyzed based on the reproducing kernel particle method. The experimental results showed that this structure had good mechanical properties within the design load. In the overload stage, the concrete on the underside of the structure was severely damaged. Furthermore, the yielding of the ribbed plate's reinforcing bars caused the increased vertical deformation difference between the ribbed plate and the top chord, and the ribbed plate and the central ridge beam. Eventually, the failure of the anchorage of the ribbed plate's reinforcing bars anchored in the central ridge beam and the top chord led to the loss of structural load‐bearing capacity. The FE analysis results demonstrated that ribs enhance the stiffness of the structure, with material nonlinearity having the primary impact and geometric nonlinearity exerting a secondary effect. The meshfree method analysis was in concordance with the experimental results as well as those of the FE analysis.
Multi‐indicator evaluation method of important members of truss string structures
Authors: Liu Wenhao , Zeng Bin , Zhou Zhen , Zheng Yifan
Published: December 2023

During the past decade, the progressive collapse of structures has received growing attention, and the study of member importance is a key step for investigating the progressive collapse resistance. However, traditional methods for evaluating the member importance usually employ a single indicator, and when multiple indicators are involved, different indicators may generate different member rankings. Moreover, the truss string structure is a multiple super‐stationary structure with many members, and the current studies mainly focus on cable failure, which does not mean that other members are not important. In this study, the initial selection of important members is first performed based on concept evaluation, and then, the alternate path method is used to analyze the progressive collapse resistance of truss string structures; the slope degradation coefficient γ of incremental dynamic analysis curve, load capacity degradation coefficient β, and nested load capacity degradation coefficient β′ are introduced; and the sensitivity coefficient SIj and fragility coefficient VIi are defined with axial force as the structural response. Based on the above five indicators, two cases are conducted to evaluate the member importance. The analysis results show that the cable and the bottom chord member at the support are evaluated as the first‐level important members. Through the analysis of different indicators, it is found that the regularity of the coefficient of each member is inconsistent for different indicators. The results could be one‐sided if the important members were evaluated by a single indicator only. In addition, the second‐level important members of truss string structures are evaluated by multi‐indicator analysis. Finally, the nominal progressive collapse resistance of truss string structures is given based on the importance coefficient of the first‐ and second‐level important members.