bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Implementing and Lifting COVID-19 Lockdown on Study and Physical Activity Patterns Among Youths in China
Authors: Yang Shujuan , Yu Wanqi , Jia Peng
Published: January 2023

Objective:

The youths’ study and physical activity (PA) patterns may have been affected by lockdown measures due to COVID-19. This study aimed to reveal how youths’ study and PA patterns had changed after implementing and lifting COVID-19 lockdown in China.

Methods:

The COVID-19 Impact on Lifestyle Change Survey (COINLICS) was used, where 10082 youth participants voluntarily reported their study and PA patterns in the 3 periods before, during, and after COVID-19 lockdown. PA was measured as the weekly frequency of engaging in active transport for commuting/errands, leisure-time walking, leisure-time moderate-/vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), and moderate-/vigorous-intensity housework (MVH); study patterns were measured as the daily average study time and the major study modes. We assessed differences of these variables across educational levels, sex, and periods.

Results:

The significant decreases were generally observed during lockdown in the frequency of active transport for commuting/ errands (1.3 to 0.2 days/ week), leisure-time walking (1.0 to 0.2 days/ week), leisure-time MVPA (0.7 to 0.3 days/ week), and MVH (2.3 to 2.0 days/ week), with heterogeneities existing between sexes and across educational levels, except for the increase in MVH engagement among graduate students, especially female (1.5 to 2.4 days/ week). Rebounds were observed in the frequency of all activities except MVH after lifting lockdown (2.0 to 1.9 days/ week). The average study time generally increased during lockdown, with more youths studying for 1 - 4 hours/ day and less studying for < 1 hour/ day, and further increased after lockdown. A main shift of study modes has been from in-class to online study after implementing lockdown.

Conclusions:

The youths’ PA level have generally decreased, and study patterns significantly changed during and after lockdown in China. Our results would inform policymakers and educational administrators of the declined PA levels and changed study patterns among youths during COVID-19 lockdown for better policy making. In - class and/ or extracurricular PA programs could be designed to counteract those effects under cooperation of youths’ parents.
THE PSEUDOPOWER DICHOTOMY
Authors: EISWORTH TODD
Published: January 2023

We investigate pseudopowers of singular cardinals and deduce some consequences for covering numbers at singular cardinals of uncountable cofinality.
Cambios tecnológicos durante las primeras estrategias agropastoriles en Barrancas, provincia de Jujuy, Argentina
Authors: Hoguin Rodolphe
Published: January 2023

Este trabajo de tecnología lítica aborda los cambios acontecidos durante las ocupaciones de las últimas poblaciones cazadoras-recolectoras-domesticadoras, y de las sociedades agropastoriles tempranas en la Puna de Jujuy. En particular, tiene como objetivo reconstituir las cadenas operativas y los sistemas técnicos a partir de tres sitios de la cuenca de Barrancas entre aproximadamente 3750 y 1550 años cal aP. Los resultados comprenden varios análisis cuantitativos —incluyendo riqueza y diversidad— sobre las materias primas, los métodos de desbaste y defaçonnage, y las unidades tecno-funcionales prensiles (UTFp). Los resultados demuestran que, a pesar de observarse continuidades, los cambios tecnológicos son significativos e incluyen rupturas. En particular, las evidencias indican una reorganización de los sistemas técnicos y de la gestión de las materias primas. Uno de los aspectos destacables es que el enastilamiento de instrumentos fue más importante durante el Holoceno medio que en el Holoceno tardío. Estos cambios se interpretan en el marco de una reestructuración social, económica y ecológica.
Genetic heterogeneity in cardiovascular disease across ancestries: Insights for mechanisms and therapeutic intervention
Authors: Soremekun Opeyemi , Dib Marie-Joe , Rajasundaram Skanda , Fatumo Segun , Gill Dipender
Published: January 2023

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are complex in their aetiology, arising due to a combination of genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors. By nature of this complexity, different CVDs vary in their molecular mechanisms, clinical presentation and progression. Although extensive efforts are being made to develop novel therapeutics for CVDs, genetic heterogeneity is often overlooked in the development process. By considering molecular mechanisms at an individual and ancestral level, a richer understanding of the influence of environmental and lifestyle factors can be gained and more refined therapeutic interventions can be developed. It is therefore expedient to understand the molecular and clinical heterogeneity in CVDs that exists across different populations. In this review, we highlight how the mechanisms underlying CVDs vary across diverse population ancestry groups due to genetic heterogeneity. We then discuss how such genetic heterogeneity is being leveraged to inform therapeutic interventions and personalised medicine, highlighting examples across the CVD spectrum. Finally, we present an overview of how polygenic risk scores and Mendelian randomisation can foster more robust insight into disease mechanisms and therapeutic intervention in diverse populations. Fulfilment of the vision of precision medicine requires more exhaustive leveraging of the genetic variability across diverse ancestry populations to improve our understanding of disease onset, progression and response to therapeutic intervention.
Burden of Anaemia, Hypertension and Diabetes among pregnant women in India
Authors: Chauhan Bal Govind , Chokhandre Praveen K. , Kulaste Baldev Singh , Sivanandan Vini
Published: January 2023

Non-communicable Diseases such as anaemia, hypertension and diabetes and their treatment may upsurge the risk of childbirth-related complications for both women and their babies. The present study is an attempt to assess the level and determinants of Anaemia, Hypertension and Diabetes among pregnant women using the fourth round of National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16) data. Bivariate and logistic regression techniques have been used for data analysis. Study findings suggest that the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women was found to be 25.9%, whereas the corresponding figure for hypertension and diabetes were 4.4% and 2.4%, respectively. Further, substantial socio-economic differentials have been observed in the prevalence of Anaemia, Hypertension and Diabetes among pregnant women. Results of regression analysis suggest that anaemia and hypertension were significantly higher among women in their third trimester [(OR = 2.10; p < 0.001) and (OR = 1.63; p < 0.001)], respectively, compared to women in the first trimester. Similarly, pregnant women in the age group 35-49 were at an elevated risk of hypertension (OR = 2.78; p < 0.001)) and diabetes (OR = 2.50; p < 0.001)) compared to women aged 15-24. Further, the risk of anaemia was found to be significantly lower among pregnant women from the richest quintile (OR = 0.71; p < 0.001) and women with higher educational level (OR = 0.72; p < 0.001) when compared to women from the poorest wealth quintile and women with no formal education respectively. Similarly, pregnant women from the richest quintile (OR = 1.68; p < 0.001) and women from other religion (OR = 1.75; p < 0.001) are significantly more likely to develop diabetes compared to women from the poorest quintile and women from the Hindu religion, respectively. In conclusion, early screening for predicting the risk of gestational anaemia, gestational diabetes, and gestational hypertension is critical in minimizing maternal and reproductive outcomes. The existing guidelines for Screening and Management of Gestational Diabetes, Gestational Hypertension need to be contextualized and modified according to a local need for effective treatment.
The Duty-of-Office Accountability and Democratic Power - Emanuela Ceva and Maria Paola Ferretti: Political Corruption: The Internal Enemy of Public Institutions. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021. Pp. 232.)
Authors: el-Wakil Alice
Published: January 2023

Ceva and Ferretti provide rich, comprehensive, and thought-provoking answers to the question of what political corruption—understood as corruption that occurs in public institutions—is and when and why it is morally wrong. One aspect that greatly contributes to the book's originality and political relevance is its commitment to a “continuist” conception of (public) institutions (14), according to which institutions are nothing but the interrelated actions of their members—the officeholders entrusted, by virtue of their institutional role, with specific powers that they should always be able to use with a certain level of discretion. This conceptual starting point makes this book a compelling reminder that, even if designing and reforming formal institutions can be done effectively to shape the powers and incentives of institutional actors, we cannot focus only on formal institutional and procedural design to have functioning institutions. As Ceva and Ferretti argue, “no institution can be designed in such a way that makes it immune from political corruption, which may always sneak in per the officeholders’ work” (61)—namely, whenever public officeholders use their entrusted powers in a manner that is incompatible with the terms of their power mandate.
Pauline Foster's essential bookshelf: Oral fluency in a second language
Authors: Foster Pauline
Published: January 2023

Pauline Fosterwas Professor of Applied Linguistics at St. Mary's University until her retirement in 2020, and is currently a Senior Research Associate at University College, London. Pauline has published her research widely, including papers on task-based language performance, classroom interaction, idiomaticity, and the development of instruments for oral language analysis. Pauline's i-10-index is 29, with more than 10,500 citations.
A comprehensive study of medically serious suicide attempts in France: incidence and associated factors
Authors: Corbé J. , Montout C. , Fares A. , Belhadj I. , Boudemaghe T. , Mura T. , Lopez-Castroman J.
Published: January 2023

Aims

People who make medically serious suicide attempts (MSSAs) share a number of features with those who die by suicide, and are at a high risk of suicide themselves. Studies to date have mostly focused on clinical samples of MSSAs. An epidemiological examination at a national level can help to identify risk profiles and pathways of care in this population.

Methods

We explored the French nationwide hospital discharge database (Programme de Médicalisation des Systèmes d'Information, PMSI) to identify any MSSA taking place between 2012 and 2019. Relevant demographic and medical information was collected about the first MSSA of each attempter. Data from 2010 and 2011 were used to verify the absence of prior attempts.

Results

First occurrences of MSSAs amounted to 81 959 cases over 8 years, with a mean age of 45.8 years, and 53.6% women. Incidence was higher in women (18.1 v. 17.3 per 1 00 000). The most common suicide method was deliberate self-poisoning (64.9% of cases). In comparison, violent methods associated higher mortality and comorbidity and were more frequent in men. The most common mental disorders were mood disorders (55.6%) and substance use disorders (46.2%). A minority of MSSA survivors were hospitalised in psychiatry (32.5%), mostly women.

Conclusions

MSSAs are frequent and easy to identify. There is a need to reinforce the continuity of psychiatric care for this population given the high risk of subsequent suicide, and the low rates of psychiatric hospitalisation after an MSSA even if violent methods are used. Specific care targeting this population could reduce treatment gaps.
Sustainable weed management – What is it and how are we doing?
Authors: McCauley Cara , Legleiter Travis , Herman Rod , Rasoulpour Reza , Schroeder Jill , Pilcher Todd , Meinders Karen , Wright Terry
Published: January 2023

The topic of sustainability is popular in mainstream media and a common discussion theme, particularly for the agriculture discipline that serves the entire world. Individuals and corporations often have a desire to be sustainable in their practices, but the commentary on “being sustainable” can be confusing in terms of realistic practices. To define whether weed science is sustainable one must first identify the resource or object to be sustained. From a historical perspective, weed control in the United States over the past 40 yr has revolved around no-tillage row crop acres. The implementation of no-till or reduced till has undeniable benefits in sustaining natural resources, especially two of our most valuable resources: soil and water. While the overall trend toward chemical weed control has been shown to decrease agriculture’s impact on the environment, depending solely on herbicides is not sustainable long term with the rise in herbicide-resistant weed species. We also consider the benefits and challenges associated with agronomic trends within the context of sustainability and expand consideration to include emerging technology aligned to human health and environmental stewardship. The key to improving farming is producing more and safer food, feed, and fiber on less land while reducing adverse environmental effects, and this must be accomplished with the backdrop of human population growth and the desire for an improved standard of living globally. Emerging technologies provide new starting points for sustainable weed management solutions, and the weed science community can initiate the conversation on sustainable practices and share advancements with our colleagues and community members. In addition to broadening the sustainability concept, targeted and relevant communication tools will support the weed science community to have successful and impactful discussions.
Rollenverständnis von Pflegeexpert_innen in der Primär- und Akutversorgung in Deutschland
Authors: Seismann-Petersen Swantje , von der Lühe Verena , Inkrot Simone , Roos Marcelina , Dichter Martin N. , Köpke Sascha
Published: January 2023

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Die Zunahme komplexer Versorgungssituationen aufgrund einer steigenden Anzahl älterer Menschen mit chronischen Erkrankungen bei gleichzeitigem Mangel an pflegerischem und medizinischem Fachpersonal erfordert innovative Versorgungskonzepte. Im Rahmen der Implementierung und Entwicklung neuer, innovativer pflegerischer Rollen gilt ein unklares Rollenverständnis als Barriere. Fragestellung/Ziel: Beschreibung des Rollenverständnisses von Pflegeexpert_innen (PE) in der Primär- und Akutversorgung in Deutschland. Methode: Mittels Fragebögen werden PE zur Rollenklarheit, -kompetenz und -ausübung sowie zur wahrgenommenen Handlungsautonomie und interprofessionellen Zusammenarbeit im Querschnitt befragt. Die Auswertung erfolgt deskriptiv. Ergebnisse: Es haben acht bzw. 14 PE (Primär- bzw. Akutversorgung) an der Befragung teilgenommen. PE üben mehrheitlich oft/sehr oft sowohl die klinische Rolle (77,5% bzw. 85,7%) als auch die von Expert_innen (75% bzw. 78,6%) aus. Die Mehrheit gibt an, ihre Rolle gegenüber Patient_innen (75% bzw. 92,9%) und Ärzt_innen (87,5% bzw. 90,9%) erklären zu können. Ein hohes Maß an Handlungsautonomie wird eher von PE aus der Akutversorgung wahrgenommen. Schlussfolgerungen: Trotz Gemeinsamkeiten hinsichtlich des Rollenverständnisses können PE der Akutversorgung offenbar von bereits etablierten Strukturen profitieren, was sich u.a. in der wahrgenommenen Handlungsautonomie widerspiegelt.
Does Increasing Climate Model Horizontal Resolution Be Beneficial for the Mediterranean Region?: Multimodel Evaluation Framework for High‐Resolution Model Intercomparison Project
Authors: Mishra Alok Kumar , Jangir Babita , Strobach Ehud
Published: January 2023

The Mediterranean region (MR) is one of the climate change hot spots, posing serious threats to society. The insufficient resolution of the global climate models limits their capability to resolve the complex topography over MR, resulting in a large bias in climate variables. This study examines the performance of four Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase six models from the High‐Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP) in reproducing the Mediterranean climate. A special focus is put on the role of oceanic and atmospheric model horizontal resolution and spread among the models. Various aspects, relevant to air‐sea interactions and precipitation are examined, including the mean, extremes, and associated mechanisms. All HighResMIP models reasonably well capture the large‐scale oceanic and atmospheric characteristics, but there is a sizable model‐to‐model difference. The Hadley Centre Global Environment Model and European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts generally perform better than the other models at comparable atmospheric and oceanic horizontal resolutions. A finer oceanic resolution improves the representation not only of oceanic characteristics (i.e., sea surface temperature, SST) but also of the atmospheric processes (wind and precipitation). Likewise, increasing atmospheric model resolution benefits various atmospheric and ocean characteristics. Over some sub‐basins of the Mediterranean Sea, the intensification of surface wind speed results in the deepening of the ocean's mixed layer leading to cooling, indicating negative feedback in Wind‐SST. In contrast, in other regions, the warmer SST results in the intensification of wind (positive feedback in Wind‐SST).
Platinum nanosheets synthesized via topotactic reduction of single-layer platinum oxide nanosheets for electrocatalysis
Authors: Takimoto Daisuke , Toma Shino , Suda Yuya , Shirokura Tomoki , Tokura Yuki , Fukuda Katsutoshi , Matsumoto Masashi , Imai Hideto , Sugimoto Wataru
Published: January 2023

Increasing the performance of Pt-based electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is essential for the widespread commercialization of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Here we show the synthesis of double-layer Pt nanosheets with a thickness of 0.5 nm via the topotactic reduction of 0.9 nm-thick single-layer PtOx nanosheets, which are exfoliated from a layered platinic acid (HyPtOx). The ORR activity of the Pt nanosheets is two times greater than that of conventionally used state-of-the-art 3 nm-sized Pt nanoparticles, which is attributed to their large electrochemically active surface area (124 m2 g−1). These Pt nanosheets show excellent potential in reducing the amount of Pt used by enhancing its ORR activity. Our results unveil strategies for designing advanced catalysts that are considerably superior to traditional nanoparticle systems, allowing Pt catalysts to operate at their full potential in areas such as fuel cells, rechargeable metal–air batteries, and fine chemical production.
Structure sensitivity in gas sorption and conversion on metal-organic frameworks
Authors: Delen Guusje , Monai Matteo , Stančiaková Katarina , Baumgartner Bettina , Meirer Florian , Weckhuysen Bert M.
Published: January 2023

Many catalytic processes depend on the sorption and conversion of gaseous molecules on the surface of (porous) functional materials. These events often preferentially occur on specific, undercoordinated, external surface sites. Here we show the combination of in situ Photo-induced Force Microscopy (PiFM) with Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to study the site-specific sorption and conversion of formaldehyde on the external surfaces of well-defined faceted ZIF-8 microcrystals with nanoscale resolution. We observed preferential adsorption of formaldehyde on high index planes. Moreover, in situ PiFM allowed us to visualize unsaturated nanodomains within extended external crystal planes, showing enhanced sorption behavior on the nanoscale. Additionally, on defective ZIF-8 crystals, structure sensitive conversion of formaldehyde through a methoxy- and a formate mechanism mediated by Lewis acidity was found. Strikingly, sorption and conversion were influenced more by the external surface termination than by the concentration of defects. DFT calculations showed that this is due to the presence of specific atomic arrangements on high-index crystal surfaces. With this research, we showcase the high potential of in situ PiFM for structure sensitivity studies on porous functional materials.
Site- and enantioselective cross-coupling of saturated N-heterocycles with carboxylic acids by cooperative Ni/photoredox catalysis
Authors: Shu Xiaomin , Zhong De , Huang Qian , Huan Leitao , Huo Haohua
Published: January 2023

Site- and enantioselective cross-coupling of saturated N-heterocycles and carboxylic acids—two of the most abundant and versatile functionalities—to form pharmaceutically relevant α-acylated amine derivatives remains a major challenge in organic synthesis. Here, we report a general strategy for the highly site- and enantioselective α-acylation of saturated N-heterocycles with in situ-activated carboxylic acids. This modular approach exploits the hydrogen-atom-transfer reactivity of photocatalytically generated chlorine radicals in combination with asymmetric nickel catalysis to selectively functionalize cyclic α-amino C−H bonds in the presence of benzylic, allylic, acyclic α-amino, and α-oxy methylene groups. The mild and scalable protocol requires no organometallic reagents, displays excellent chemo-, site- and enantioselectivity, and is amenable to late-stage diversification, including a modular synthesis of previously inaccessible Taxol derivatives. Mechanistic studies highlight the exceptional versatility of the chiral nickel catalyst in orchestrating (i) catalytic chlorine elimination, (ii) alkyl radical capture, (iii) cross-coupling, and (iv) asymmetric induction.
Gastric functional monitoring by gastric electrical impedance tomography (gEIT) suit with dual-step fuzzy clustering
Authors: Sakai K. , Darma P. N. , Sejati P. A. , Wicaksono R. , Hayashi H. , Takei M.
Published: January 2023

Gastric Function has been successfully estimated by gastric electrical impedance tomography (gEIT) Suit with dual-step fuzzy clustering. The gEIT Suit which are made of elastic cloth with dual-planar electrodes and compact data acquisition (DAQ) system measures gastric impedance Z to visualize the gastric conductivity distribution σ. The dual-step fuzzy clustering extracts the clustered gastric conductivity distribution kσ, which accurately estimates the gastric function. The gEIT Suit with dual-step fuzzy clustering are applied to eight healthy persons during liquid meal consumption to estimate the gastric function under gastric accommodation phase of 200, 400 and 600 mL based on the gastric emptying phase. As the results, the gEIT Suit successfully estimate the gastric function. By the measured impedance Z, the subjects have a mean temporal impedance $$\overline{\Delta \mathbf{Z} }$$

Δ
Z

¯

= − 9.27 [Ohm] and p-value of that $$\overline{\mathbf{Z} }$$

Z
¯

p(Z) = 0.0013[–]as the t-test result. In the case of gastric conductivity distribution σ, the subjects have a value of spatial mean conductivity distribution ⟨σ⟩ = 0.23[–] and p-value of that ⟨σ⟩ p(σ) = 0.0140[–]. Lastly, in the case gastric volume V, subjects have a gastric volume V = 12.44 [%] and p-value p(V) = 0.0664[–].
Rectal swabs as a viable alternative to faecal sampling for the analysis of gut microbiota functionality and composition
Authors: Radhakrishnan Shiva T. , Gallagher Kate I. , Mullish Benjamin H. , Serrano-Contreras Jose I. , Alexander James L. , Miguens Blanco Jesus , Danckert Nathan P. , Valdivia-Garcia Maria , Hopkins Billy J. , Ghai Anik , Ayub Azad , Li Jia V. , Marchesi Julian R. , Williams Horace R. T.
Published: January 2023

Faecal or biopsy samples are frequently used to analyse the gut microbiota, but issues remain with the provision and collection of such samples. Rectal swabs are widely-utilised in clinical practice and previous data demonstrate their potential role in microbiota analyses; however, studies to date have been heterogenous, and there are a particular lack of data concerning the utility of swabs for the analysis of the microbiota’s functionality and metabolome. We compared paired stool and rectal swab samples from healthy individuals to investigate whether rectal swabs are a reliable proxy for faecal sampling. There were no significant differences in key alpha and beta diversity measures between swab and faecal samples, and inter-subject variability was preserved. Additionally, no significant differences were demonstrated in abundance of major annotated phyla. Inferred gut functionality using Tax4Fun2 showed excellent correlation between the two sampling techniques (Pearson’s coefficient r = 0.9217, P < 0.0001). Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy enabled the detection of 20 metabolites, with overall excellent correlation identified between rectal swab and faecal samples for levels all metabolites collectively, although more variable degrees of association between swab and stool for levels of individual metabolites. These data support the utility of rectal swabs in both compositional and functional analyses of the gut microbiota.
A fully fiber-integrated ion trap for portable quantum technologies
Authors: Fernandez-Gonzalvo Xavier , Keller Matthias
Published: January 2023

Trapped ions are a promising platform for the deployment of quantum technologies. However, traditional ion trap experiments tend to be bulky and environment-sensitive due to the use of free-space optics. Here we present a single-ion trap with integrated optical fibers directly embedded within the trap structure, to deliver laser light as well as to collect the ion’s fluorescence. This eliminates the need for optical windows. We characterise the system’s performance and measure the ion’s fluorescence with signal-to-background ratios on the order of 50, which allows us to perform internal state readout measurements with a fidelity over 99% in 600 $$\upmu$$
μ
s. We test the system’s resilience to thermal variations in the range between 22 and 53 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

C, and the system’s vibration resilience at 34 Hz and 300 Hz and find no effect on its performance. The combination of compactness and robustness of our fiber-coupled trap makes it well suited for applications in, as well as outside, research laboratory environments, and in particular for highly compact portable quantum technologies, such as portable optical atomic clocks. While our system is designed for trapping 40Ca+ ions the fundamental design principles can be applied to other ion species.
A vision transformer architecture for the automated segmentation of retinal lesions in spectral domain optical coherence tomography images
Authors: Philippi Daniel , Rothaus Kai , Castelli Mauro
Published: January 2023

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is one of the major causes of irreversible blindness and is characterized by accumulations of different lesions inside the retina. AMD biomarkers enable experts to grade the AMD and could be used for therapy prognosis and individualized treatment decisions. In particular, intra-retinal fluid (IRF), sub-retinal fluid (SRF), and pigment epithelium detachment (PED) are prominent biomarkers for grading neovascular AMD. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) revolutionized nAMD early diagnosis by providing cross-sectional images of the retina. Automatic segmentation and quantification of IRF, SRF, and PED in SD-OCT images can be extremely useful for clinical decision-making. Despite the excellent performance of convolutional neural network (CNN)-based methods, the task still presents some challenges due to relevant variations in the location, size, shape, and texture of the lesions. This work adopts a transformer-based method to automatically segment retinal lesion from SD-OCT images and qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate its performance against CNN-based methods. The method combines the efficient long-range feature extraction and aggregation capabilities of Vision Transformers with data-efficient training of CNNs. The proposed method was tested on a private dataset containing 3842 2-dimensional SD-OCT retina images, manually labeled by experts of the Franziskus Eye-Center, Muenster. While one of the competitors presents a better performance in terms of Dice score, the proposed method is significantly less computationally expensive. Thus, future research will focus on the proposed network’s architecture to increase its segmentation performance while maintaining its computational efficiency.
Impact of the immobilized Bacillus cereus MG708176 on the characteristics of the bio-based self-healing concrete
Authors: Reyad Amany M. , Mokhtar Gehad
Published: January 2023

Novel carrier units were evaluated for their bio-healing benefits in our study to increase the efficacy of concrete healing. Bacillus cereus MG708176, an alkali-tolerant, calcite precipitating, endospore-forming strain was added as a bio-healing agent after its immobilization on wood ash units. A spore concentration of [1.3 × 107 spore/cm3] combined with 2.5% w/w urea was added to cement. Beams of 40 × 40 × 160 mm were used and tested for completely damaged mortar specimens after 7, 14, and 28 days of water treatment. Using wood ash bacterial mortars, totally destructed specimens were fully healed in all time intervals. Positive changes in concrete mechanical properties in bacterial wood ash treatment that were 24.7, 18.9, and 28.6% force for compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths more than control. The micro-images of the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed the dense concrete structure via calcite, Bacillafilla, and ettringite formation. Our results have shown improvements in the concrete healing efficiency and the mechanical concrete properties by filling the concrete cracks using a calcite-producing bacterium that is immobilized on wood ash units.
A sustainable and secure load management model for green cloud data centres
Authors: Saxena Deepika , Singh Ashutosh Kumar , Lee Chung-Nan , Buyya Rajkumar
Published: January 2023

The massive upsurge in cloud resource demand and inefficient load management stave off the sustainability of Cloud Data Centres (CDCs) resulting in high energy consumption, resource contention, excessive carbon emission, and security threats. In this context, a novel Sustainable and Secure Load Management (SaS-LM) Model is proposed to enhance the security for users with sustainability for CDCs. The model estimates and reserves the required resources viz., compute, network, and storage and dynamically adjust the load subject to maximum security and sustainability. An evolutionary optimization algorithm named Dual-Phase Black Hole Optimization (DPBHO) is proposed for optimizing a multi-layered feed-forward neural network and allowing the model to estimate resource usage and detect probable congestion. Further, DPBHO is extended to a Multi-objective DPBHO algorithm for a secure and sustainable VM allocation and management to minimize the number of active server machines, carbon emission, and resource wastage for greener CDCs. SaS-LM is implemented and evaluated using benchmark real-world Google Cluster VM traces. The proposed model is compared with state-of-the-arts which reveals its efficacy in terms of reduced carbon emission and energy consumption up to 46.9% and 43.9%, respectively with improved resource utilization up to 16.5%.
Illustrating papyrus in Ancient Egypt
Authors: Autran Pierre-Olivier , Dejoie Catherine , Dugand Caroline , Gervason Maeva , Bordet Pierre , Hodeau Jean-Louis , Anne Michel , Martinetto Pauline
Published: January 2023

Illustrated papyruses from Ancient Egypt have survived across millennia, depicting with vivid colors numerous stories and practices from a distant past. We have investigated a series of illustrated papyruses from Champollion’s private collection showing scenes from the Book of the Dead, a document essential to prepare for the afterlife. The nature of the different pigments and their distribution are revealed by combining optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and fluorescence. The standardized three-step process from the New Kingdom period was used, comprising a preparatory drawing made of red hematite, a coloring step using pigments from the Egyptian palette, and a final black contour drawn with a carbon-based ink. Interestingly, specific pigment mixes were deliberately chosen to obtain different shades. In some parts, the final contour significantly differs from the preliminary drawing, revealing the artist’s creativity. These results enhance our knowledge of illustrative practices in Ancient Egypt.
High-temperature stabilized defect pyrochlore Bi2−xFexWO6 nanostructures and their effects on photocatalytic water remediation and photo-electrochemical oxygen evolution kinetics
Authors: K. Annamalai , R. Radha , S. Vijayakumari , S. Balakumar
Published: January 2023

Optimal Fe-substituted Bi2WO6 nanostructures, stabilized at higher temperatures, exhibited better band hybridization leading to improved photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performance.
Co and Ni single sites on the (111)n surface of γ-Al2O3 – a periodic boundary DFT study
Authors: Gu Jiande , Wang Jing , Leszczynski Jerzy
Published: January 2023

Coordination of Co and Ni single-atom on the most active tri-coordinated Al/Metal single-site (111)n surface of γ-Al2O3 leads to stable electron configuration of d7 for Co and d8 for Ni on the surface of γ-Al2O3.
Sulfurization engineering of single-zone CVD vertical and horizontal MoS2 on p-GaN heterostructures for self-powered UV photodetectors
Authors: Zulkifli Nur 'Adnin Akmar , Zahir Nor Hilmi , Abdullah Ripain Atiena Husna , Said Suhana Mohd , Zakaria Rozalina
Published: January 2023

Schematic diagram of the n-MoS2/p-GaN heterojunction photodetector fabricated and light intensity-dependent of responsivity and specific detectivity of the 30 minutes device.
Modified reaction kinetics in ester-based electrolyte to boost sodium storage performance: a case study of MoS2/Ti3C2Tx hybrid
Authors: Li Jiabao , Tang Shaocong , Li Ziqian , Hao Jingjing , Wang Tianyi , Pan Likun , Wang Chengyin
Published: January 2023

A MoS2/Ti3C2Tx hybrid with dual modification of the reaction kinetics and SEI layers in ether-based electrolyte exhibits excellent sodium storage performance.
Basics of the scanning electrochemical microscope and its application in the characterization of lithium-ion batteries: a brief review
Authors: He Rong , Zhou Larissa , Tenent Robert , Zhou Meng
Published: January 2023

SECM can characterize the interfacial properties and electrochemical activities of different materials for LIBs. This review focuses on the studies of electrode/electrolyte properties, battery degradation and kinetic parameters by SECM.
Electrochemical behaviour of cellulose/reduced graphene oxide/carbon fiber paper electrodes towards the highly sensitive detection of amitrole
Authors: Hu Hui , Wu Si , Wang Cheng , Wang Xiaohui , Shi Xiaowen
Published: January 2023

A cellulose/reduced graphene oxide/carbon fibers paper electrode exhibits high electrocatalytic performance for the oxidation of amitrole, showing high sensitivity, wide linear range and low detection limit.
Micro-total process system machine (μ-TPSM) for rapid synthesis of antiretroviral darunavir
Authors: Chauhan Ruchi , Rana Abhilash , Ghosh Subhash , Srihari P. , Singh Ajay K.
Published: January 2023

Herein, we have reported the μ-TPSM for the synthesis of Darunavir within 41 min of total residence time with a 71% isolated yield, and an output of 0.8 g h−1.
Understanding the role of ring strain in β-alkyl migration at Mg and Zn centres
Authors: Parr Joseph M. , Phanopoulos Andreas , Vickneswaran Aaranjah , Crimmin Mark R.
Published: January 2023

The activation of C–C σ-bonds within strained three- and four-membered hydrocarbons at electrophilic Mg and Zn centres is reported.
Transient self-assembly of metal–organic complexes
Authors: Ayme Jean-François , Bruchmann Bernd , Karmazin Lydia , Kyritsakas Nathalie
Published: January 2023

Trichloroacetic acid was used to temporarily rearrange networks of imine-based metal complexes, enabling the expression of complexes unfavourable in the initial state of the networks. Basic design principles were determined for these networks.
Unlimited recyclable wearable sensors based on a homogeneous ionic liquid and polyvinyl alcohol network
Authors: Huang Yuhao , Wang Yuqi , Guan Xinyi , Shi Bowen , Wang Xi , Chen Xiaogang , Fernando Anura , Liu Xuqing
Published: January 2023

Smart wearable electronics are now of great significance in the fields of biomedical applications and environmental sensors.
Modulating oxygen vacancy concentration on Bi4V2O11 nanorods for synergistic photo-driven plastic waste oxidation and CO2 reduction
Authors: Liu Mengping , Xia Yu , Zhao Wen , Jiang Ruiyi , Fu Xin , Zimmerle Brittney , Tian Lihong , Chen Xiaobo
Published: January 2023

Synergistic photo-driven plastic waste oxidation and CO2 reduction on Bi4V2O11 nanorods with abundant oxygen vacancies.
Stimuli-responsive plasmonic core–satellite hybrid nanostructures with tunable nanogaps
Authors: Hwang Eun Young , Lee Jae Hee , Kang Min Jeong , Lim Dong Woo
Published: January 2023

We demonstrate the preparation of stimuli-responsive plasmonic core–satellite hybrid nanostructures with tunable nanogaps showing high surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties in response to temperature changes for biosensing applications.
A framework and prototype system in support of workflow collaboration and knowledge mining for manufacturing value chains
Authors: Qin Bo , Peng Peng , Zhang Jian , Wang Hongwei , Ma Ke
Published: January 2023

In the field of industrial design and manufacture, computer‐supported collaborative work (CSCW) systems have been widely deployed for better teamwork. However, the traditional CSCW systems have a main drawback in effectively processing and utilising knowledge across different industrial workflows. To bridge this gap, we propose a framework for collaboration between members across the manufacturing value chains to increase efficiency and reduce duplication in team cooperation. The framework contains three parts, namely workflow, knowledge mining, and services. Specifically, the workflow part provides a collaborative environment for multiple users. The knowledge mining part, as the core of the framework, extracts in‐context knowledge from workflows. The part of services can interact with users with different users in each workflow, including information recommendation they need in the future or information retrieval they want to know from other workflows. Furthermore, we develop a prototype system for supporting multiple value chains collaboration to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the framework.
Asymmetric modulation of bridgeless single‐stage full‐bridge AC–DC converter for active power factor correction and zero voltage switching
Authors: Liu Junwei , Loo K. H. , Wang Guibin , Zhang Xian , Wu Ting
Published: January 2023

Singe‐phase single‐stage AC–DC converters exhibit the advantages of lower cost, higher efficiency, and lower power semiconductor device count compared with traditional two‐stage topologies. However, most existing single‐stage AC–DC topologies encounter some or all the following drawbacks: hard‐switching operation, bulky bus or output capacitor, uncontrolled bus voltage, not actively shaped input current, a large amount of power semiconductor devices, etc. The bridgeless single‐stage full‐bridge AC–DC converter can be considered a promising solution for high power capacity and efficiency. However, this topology still suffers from most of the drawbacks. In this paper, a new asymmetric modulation method of bridgeless single‐stage full‐bridge AC–DC converter is proposed to achieve active power factor (PF) correction and zero‐voltage switching. Topology description, the proposed modulation and control methods, theoretical analysis progress, and reference design procedure are presented in detail. Finally, a 2‐kW laboratory prototype is implemented with experimental results presented to validate the principle and design.
Unmanned ground vehicle‐unmanned aerial vehicle relative navigation robust adaptive localization algorithm
Authors: Dai Jun , Liu Songlin , Xiangyang Hao , Ren Zongbin , Yang Xiao , Lv Yunzhu
Published: January 2023

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and the unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) can complete complex tasks through information sharing and ensure the mission execution capability of multiple unmanned carrier platforms. At the same time, cooperative navigation can use the information interaction between multi‐platform sensors to improve the relative navigation and positioning accuracy of the entire system. Aiming at the problem of deviation of the system model due to gross errors in sensor measurement data or strong manoeuvrability in complex environments, a robust and adaptive UGV‐UAV relative navigation and positioning algorithm is proposed. In this paper, the relative navigation and positioning of UGV‐UAV is studied based on inertial measurement unit (IMU)/Vision. Based on analyzing the relative kinematics model and sensor measurement model, a leader (UGV)‐follow (UAV) relative navigation model is established. In the implementation of the relative navigation and positioning algorithm, the robust adaptive algorithm and the non‐linear Kalman filter (extended Kalman filter [EKF]) algorithm are combined to dynamically adjust the system state parameters. Finally, a mathematical simulation of the accompanying and landing process in the UGV‐UAV cooperative scene is carried out. The relative position, velocity and attitude errors calculated by EKF, Robust‐EKF and Robust‐Adaptive‐EKF algorithms are compared and analyzed by simulating two cases where the noise obeys the Gaussian distribution and the non‐Gaussian distribution. The results show that under the non‐Gaussian distribution conditions, the accuracy of the Robust‐Adaptive‐EKF algorithm is improved by about two to three times compared with the EKF and Robust‐EKF and can almost reach the relative navigation accuracy under the Gaussian distribution conditions. The robust self‐adaptive relative navigation and positioning algorithm proposed in this paper has strong adaptability to the uncertainty and deviation of system modelling in complex environments, with higher accuracy and stronger robustness.
On physics of a hypothetical core disruptive accident in Multipurpose hYbrid Research Reactor for High-tech Applications – MYRRHA
Authors: Petrović Đorđe , Zanetti Matteo , Scheveneels Guy , Rineiski Andrei , Chen Xue-Nong , D’Haeseleer William
Published: January 2023

The sensitivity of the reactivity of a fast reactor core to changes in its geometry and/or fuel relocation calls for particular attention with regard to criticality events. A category of these events, the so-called Core Disruptive Accidents (CDAs), are intensively studied in the safety assessment of Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors (SFRs), and more recently also in the case of other systems. Differences between SFRs and Heavy Liquid Metal Fast Reactors (HLMFRs) are significant and therefore warrant an understanding of phenomena and the development of models specific to HLMFRs. This paper provides a qualitative overview of the physics relevant to the investigation of a CDA in HLMFR, with a particular application to the Multipurpose hYbrid Research Reactor for High-tech Applications – MYRRHA. At first, a core compaction mechanism viable for an HLMFR has been postulated. In what follows, simulation by an already existing severe accidents code, as well as modelling based on fundamental physics and engineering, have been performed. It is demonstrated that, for a linear insertion of reactivity due to hypothetical core compaction, the reversal of reactivity evolution happens due to the Doppler effect and the thermal expansion of core materials. Subsequent expansion by fuel melting terminates the prompt-critical event and makes the system delayed-supercritical. Successive fuel and/or coolant boiling is responsible for the hydrodynamic disassembly of the core and it therefore effectively terminates the transient.
Epitaxy and characterization of InP/InGaAs tandem solar cells grown by MOVPE on InP and Si substrates
Authors: Soresi Stefano , da Lisca Mattia , Besancon Claire , Vaissiere Nicolas , Larrue Alexandre , Calo Cosimo , Alvarez José , Longeaud Christophe , Largeau Ludovic , Garcia Linares Pablo , Tournié Eric , Kleider Jean-Paul , Decobert Jean
Published: January 2023

The integration of III-V multi-junction solar cells on Si substrates is currently one of the most promising possibilities to combine high photovoltaic performance with a reduction of the manufacturing costs. In this work, we propose a prospective study for the realization of an InP/InGaAs tandem solar cell lattice-matched to InP on a commercially available Si template by direct MOVPE growth. The InP top cell and the InGaAs bottom cell were firstly separately grown and optimized using InP substrates, which exhibited conversion efficiencies of 13.5% and 11.4%, respectively. The two devices were then combined in a tandem device by introducing an intermediate InP/AlInAs lattice-matched tunnel junction, showing an efficiency of 18.4%. As an intermediate step towards the realization of the tandem device on Si, the InP and InGaAs single junction solar cells were grown on top of a commercial InP/GaP/Si template. This transitional stage enabled to isolate and evaluate the effects of the growth of III-V on Si on the photovoltaic performance through the comparison with the aforementioned devices on InP. Each cell was electrically characterized by external quantum efficiency and dark and illuminated current-voltage under solar simulator. The material quality was also analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction, Atomic-Force Microscopy, Transmission Electron and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The III-V on Si devices showed efficiencies of 3.6% and 2.0% for the InP and InGaAs solar cells, respectively.
Reflection on contemporary bilingual education in Chinese higher education with historical perspective
Authors: Han Song , Huang Wei
Published: January 2023

This paper reflects on the contemporary bilingual education in Chinese higher education, referring to the innovative bilingual teaching practices starting from the late Qing Dynasty. With the purposes of voicing for China and learning western sciences, bilingual programs were adopted in the first few original higher education institutes. These experiences leave us deliberation and speculation on the recurrent imbalance of native and foreign languages and cultures, and on future direction to research into bilingual education in universities to enhance the cultivation of internationalized talents and the internationalization of the country.
Articles on depression in American medical websites: an analysis based on appraisal theory
Authors: Liu Leyi
Published: January 2023

The perfection of medical information system, the expertise and credibility of its contents are of great importance since an increasing number of people rely on online medical information. Based on Appraisal Theory, this paper selected 14 online medical articles on depression (abbreviated as OMDD) from four American medical websites (APS, Mayo Clinic, WebMD, and Everyday Health), describing the distribution of the Appraisal resources and analysing the interaction between article writers and its putative readers. The paper finds that WebMD uses many Concur resources and rhetorical questions to predict the putative readers’ “hkemindedness” with the writers. Mayo Clinic’s introduction to depression includes a lot of Dialogistic Expansive resources, suggesting that readers are “persuadable”. Everyday Health persuades readers to accept certain treatment though describing the writers’ own feelings and introducing the voice of doctors. APS employs Attributive resources to provide readers with the latest research achievements so as to encourage them to conduct further research. The articles of the four websites adopt different Appraisal strategies to realize their interpersonal meanings, which provides reference for other health communication platforms.