bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between students’ ICT home use and their performance in environmental studies
Authors: Dimaranan Raymund
Published: March 2024

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an integral part of educational success of young people. Using PISA 2018 database, it was verified that ICT at home significantly influences students’ reading literacy to a certain extent. The regression coefficient for ICTHOME was a significant predictor of the odds of Read Level being less than or equal to category 1, as opposed to a higher category.INTICT positively associated to a corresponding increase in read score while ENTUSE, HOMESCH, and COMPICT were found to be not significant. On the other hand, SOIAICT and USESCH remained negatively associated with students’ reading proficiencysimilar to findings of the other researchers.
Design standards for environmentally friendly and energy-efficient buildings
Authors: Salman Malik Ghali
Published: March 2024

The relevance of the work. In modern society, the problem of reducing the consumption of primary energy is becoming more acute. Scientists around the world are solving problems related to global energy efficiency. At the same time, issues of environmental protection, reducing energy costs, ensuring energy security and many others are considered. Construction, as one of the largest energy consumers on the planet, cannot stay away from this problem. The search for energy-efficient solutions in construction has been going on for a long time. However, at the same time, the main attention is paid to the engineering equipment of construction objects and the creation of shells impermeable from a heat engineering point of view. In the context of the gradual exhaustion of opportunities for further improving energy efficiency in construction using traditional methods, this work aims to draw attention to the influence of the constructive solution of buildings on their energy consumption. It can be assumed that the optimization of the supporting structures of buildings will become a new driver for the development of the energy efficiency of buildings and structures.
Villes et campagnes à l’épreuve de la COVID-19 au Togo : entre surproduction des tomates dans les Savanes et pénurie à Lomé
Authors: Nabagou Moyéme , Kpotchou Koffi
Published: March 2024

Au Togo, la culture de la tomate est l’une des cultures prioritaires du Programme national d’investissement agricole, de sécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle (PNIASAN, 2017–2026). Avec une croissance annuelle moyenne de 15 %, cette production repose sur des milliers de ménages ruraux. 80 % de la tomate produite dans la Région des Savanes est exportée vers le Grand Lomé. Le confinement de cette région du fait de la COVID-19 a coïncidé avec la période de récolte massive de la tomate. Cette recherche vise à déterminer les effets des mesures de confinement sur cette filière. Des enquêtes ont été menées auprès de 152 acteurs choisis de façon volontaire dans la Région des Savanes et dans le Grand Lomé. L’article montre d’une part, que la COVID-19, par le biais de la limitation des déplacements, a sédentarisé une main-d’œuvre supplémentaire au profit de la production maraîchère, ce qui a entraîné une augmentation des surfaces en tomate et donc de la production. D’autre part, les difficultés des producteurs dues à la mévente de leur production de tomate et au pourrissement d’une partie de la récolte, ont entraîné une baisse notable du chiffre d’affaire des maraîchers. Mais ces difficultés, observées durant la crise sanitaire, ont des causes qui existaient antérieurement comme la faiblesse de l’organisation des producteurs et des maillons aval de la filière ainsi que la faible confiance entre ces différents acteurs. La pénurie de ce légume qui s’est installée dans le Grand Lomé a ainsi révélé l’existence des contraintes structurelles exacerbées par la crise de la COVID-19, mais qui lui préexistaient. L’émergence de nouvelles politiques publiques, plus inclusives et touchant tous les acteurs des filières, apparaît donc indispensable au bon fonctionnement des systèmes alimentaires au Togo.
Traumatismes de la carapace chez la tortue : présentation de la technique de cerclage en huit
Authors: Leclerc Marc
Published: March 2024

Les traumatismes de la carapace sont fréquemment rapportés chez tous les types de tortues. Sous les écailles se trouve un agencement de plaques osseuses qui protègent les organes de la cavité cœlomiques. Les poumons sont les organes les plus dorsaux, ils couvrent les autres viscères. Lors de traumatisme, il faut réaliser un bilan lésionnel complet, puis stabiliser cliniquement l’animal. Vient ensuite la bonne gestion des plaies, qui est un préambule essentiel à la stabilisation orthopédique. Les rinçages favorisent l’assainissement des plaies par détersion autolytique. Lors de perte de fragments, la reconstruction anatomique devient impossible, c’est alors la cicatrisation par seconde intention qui est favorisée jusqu’à l’obtention d’un tissu osseux. Une fois les plaies assainies, de nombreuses techniques de stabilisation ont été décrites (résines, colliers, plaques). Cependant une seule – le cerclage en huit avec effet de hauban – révèle sa supériorité en mêlant simplicité de la technique et limitation du traumatisme, le tout associé à une excellente stabilité liée à la mise en compression des abouts osseux. Après la réalisation d’un protocole anesthésique classique, cette technique est obtenue par la mise en place, perpendiculairement et à égale distance du trait de fracture, de 2 vis insérées avec des angles convergents. Ces vis sont reliées par un fil de cerclage en acier qui, lors du serrage, appliquera une force de compression par effet de hauban.
Research on the Theoretical Framework and Practical Countermeasures of Junior Middle School Mathematics Interdisciplinary Study based on STEM
Authors: Yang Wanwei , Chen Lijuan
Published: March 2024

At present, the interdisciplinary learning ability and level of junior middle school have become an important symbol to measure the teaching level of junior middle school. As the basic theory and important tool of science learning, it is of great significance to vigorously promote the interdisciplinary learning of junior middle school mathematics with mathematics as the core subject. This paper first analyzes the research background and current situation of interdisciplinary learning of junior middle school Mathematics from the perspective of STEM (i.e. Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Then, the paper constructs the theoretical framework of junior middle school mathematics interdisciplinary learning based on the research of science subject, technology subject and engineering subject. Finally, from the three dimensions of experimental teaching, information technology and scientific spirit, this paper puts forward the practical strategy of junior middle school mathematics interdisciplinary learning.
Technology-supported High-order College English Teaching and 21st Century Skills
Authors: Li Menglu
Published: March 2024

As a compulsory course, College English should not only help students master professional knowledge, but also promote the development of their comprehensive qualities, cultivating high-quality and innovative talents who can meet the needs of times. 21st century is an era of digitization and globalization, which places high demands not only on students’ English language skills but also their non-cognitive skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity as well as their digital literacy. Based on knowledge and aiming at improving students thinking mode and abilities step by step, high-order teaching emphasizes the facilitation of students’ critical thinking and creativity through a combination of teachers’ higher-order teaching and the students’ deep learning through various teaching methods. This article aims to investigate whether technology-supported high-order College English teaching can foster students’ 21st century skills gradually in one class. A teaching practice was conducted for freshmen major in journalism and the results confirm the positive role of technology-supported high-order college teaching in fostering students’ 21st skills.
Application of ICP-MS in the Innovation and Practice of Instrument Analysis Course - Taking the Determination of Cesium in Soil as an Example
Authors: Li Daxue , Liu Guohong , Li Jian , Xiao Yanhua , Li Danping , Xu Yuru
Published: March 2024

Instrumental analysis is an important part of analytical chemistry, which plays a crucial role in cultivating the experimental operation ability of students in disciplines such as environment, geology, and medicine. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is currently an irreplaceable basic equipment in inorganic element analysis, and incorporating it into experimental teaching content is a requirement of the times. However, there is still a lack of application in this area. This article focuses on the graduate course “Modern Detection Technology”. The experimental course adopts a mixed teaching mode of pre class theoretical guidance and in class emphasis on practical operation. It combines theoretical and practical teaching organically, and takes the current hot topic of radioactive pollution as the problem orientation. The teaching mainly focuses on analyzing experimental design, instrument operation and use, sample measurement and result analysis, etc. The teaching mode and content of ICP-MS continuously explored to improve the quality of experimental teaching and enable students to comprehensively enhance their basic skill knowledge, scientific research literacy, and innovation awareness.
Research on OBE Based Effective Learning Mode in Sino foreign Cooperative Universities
Authors: Liu Chundi
Published: March 2024

Internationalization of education is an inevitable trend in the development of higher education. Against the backdrop of increasingly widespread international cooperation in higher education in China, as a window for China’s education to enter the world, Sino foreign cooperative universities are facing an important issue of how to carry out student-centered, output oriented, and continuous improvement oriented teaching reforms, and cultivate international talents with an international perspective. This article explores the necessity of applying the OBE based effective learning mode in teaching in Sino foreign cooperative universities, and conducts a specific analysis of the application and practice of the OBE based effective learning mode in teaching in Sino foreign cooperative universities, in order to provide theoretical support and practical experience for cultivating high-quality composite talents.
Research on the Reform of Algorithm and Programming Practice Course Based on Outcome-based Education
Authors: Li Yuhan , Kong Yibing , Zhang Xinyuan , Zhou Zhiguo
Published: March 2024

Aiming at the problems of insufficient innovativeness of basic practice courses, deviation of the content of comprehensive practice courses from the industry demand, and single means of practice teaching in computer majors of higher education institutions, we take the algorithm and programming practice course as an example and combine it with the requirements of the contemporary society for the graduates and the characteristics of the discipline, and carry out a reform of the practice course. To improve the innovativeness of practical courses in a student-centered manner, we propose a curriculum reform plan for Outcome-based education that incorporates school-enterprise cooperation and encourages students to participate in academic competitions. Through teaching practice, the proposal has proved to be effective in improving students’ practical and innovative abilities, while meeting the needs of enterprises and gaining social recognition.
A Study on the Formative Background and Influence of the Love Songs of Tsangyang Gyatso
Authors: Chen Honglin
Published: March 2024

The reincarnation system of living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism, as a special selection and succession mechanism based on the reincarnation theory in Buddhism, has gradually been accepted in the complex religious changes. However, in the early stage of the formation of the inheritance system, the process was not smooth due to the complicated situation. Over the centuries, there have been many victims of this system, and Tsangyang Gyatso, the sixth Dalai Lama, is one of them. Tsangyang Gyatso is known to us as a genius of writing. His poems are romantic, sincere, bold and realistic, and people often focus on the literary value of his poems. However, as Tsangyang Gyatso, whose main identity is the reincarnation of a living Buddha, his works reflect more of his perception of Buddha rather than his feelings. Most of the time, what we needs to understand is the truth in his poems rather than the depth of his love. Since the original text is in Tibetan and mixed with many Buddhist texts, many times people may like the Chinese translation of a certain text rather than the meaning of the original text. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze Tsangyang Gyatso’s historical status and the profound meaning of his writings from the perspectives of Buddhist historical background, social structure, religious belief and literary tradition.
Research on the Path of Information Literacy Competence Enhancement for College Students
Authors: Zhang Xiu
Published: March 2024

With the continuous development of information technology, the Internet has become an important way for college students to obtain information and make interpersonal communication, especially in today’s era of high human rights and comprehensive informatisation, what is the information literacy level of college students, and how to effectively improve the information literacy of college students is a problem that needs to be solved in the digital era of the present time. Of course, this also puts forward higher requirements for college students’ information literacy education, and also highlights the importance of information literacy. Based on the above background, this paper analyses the current evaluation index system related to information literacy through the literature research method, and designs and develops a suitable information literacy assessment system for college students based on the evaluation index system, so as to provide scientific and accurate assessment for college students’ information literacy ability, which is more conducive to the enhancement of college students’ information literacy ability.
Research on student records management system based on blockchain
Authors: Kong Lejia
Published: March 2024

Through the analysis of the current problems found in the management of student records, it is found that the feasibility and necessity of applying blockchain technology to student records. Starting from the needs of school record management, we build the overall framework of electronic school record file block chain system, and design the operation process of school record file block chain management system. In order to realize the integrity, confidentiality and support of confidential data sharing, the alliance chain is adopted to further realize the layered architecture of the block chain, and the architecture of the block chain system of the electronic school records is designed.
Construction and Practice of Collaborative Scientific Research and Education Platform for Light Industry Equipment Industry —— Taking the Advanced Manufacturing College of Shantou Polytechnic as an Example
Authors: Huang Xue-jia , Xie Zhi-gang , Chen Ming-zhong , Wei Xie-peng , Lu Xu-jin , Lin Hui-biao
Published: March 2024

Scientific research and education is an important part of the three-whole education system, and scientific and technological innovation is the core driving force of national development. Colleges and universities should grasp the scientific concept of scientific and technological innovation, and cultivate college students with innovation ability. Through the construction of “scientific research and education” platform and the close cooperation between enterprises and teachers and students of higher vocational colleges, it can not only improve students ‘cooperation ability, innovation ability and independent learning ability, but also bring theoretical and technical support to local enterprises, playing a positive role in promoting the formation of enterprises’ technological achievements.
An Initial Exploration of an Intercollegiate Collaborative Innovation Path for Aviation Equipment Primary Training Based on ANT
Authors: Ma Haiyang , Wang Liming , Ji And Yunfei , Li Junliang , Liu Yang , Wang Yong
Published: March 2024

Talent cultivation for primary training of aviation equipment majors has many modules, many categories, long class hours and cross-fields, and there are realistic difficulties in improving the teaching effect. After a number of training practices and explorations, it is found that collaborative training based on inter-college innovation has obvious advantages. In view of the real problems of aviation equipment professional primary training personnel training, based on the perspective of the advanced theory widely recognized in the education sector -actor network theory (ANT), we have explored the intercollegiate synergistic path with military colleges as the main body, which is of certain practical significance for further improving the comprehensive quality and efficiency of aviation security primary training personnel training.
Innovation research of Application interaction design based on regional characteristics
Authors: Zheng Tong , Feng Xinshuo
Published: March 2024

With the development of mobile Internet in China and the popularity of mobile phones and various mobile devices, the demand for APP interaction design is becoming more and more common. China’s APP interface design industry started late, and a large number of international and standardized design styles have occupied the APP application market. Chinese traditional culture is extensive and profound, with rich cultural connotation and historical deposits. How to apply traditional cultural elements to APP interactive interface design and how to display traditional culture through APP interaction are the topics we want to study. We should give traditional Chinese culture vitality in the new era, and integrate it into the interactive interface of modern apps, so that traditional Chinese culture can be more widely inherited and carried forward.
Research on the creation and application of realistic animation on Northeast rural theme
Authors: Liu Kun , Dong Shuang
Published: March 2024

With the continuous development of the needs of The Times, animation is no longer limited to entertainment art or specific audience groups, but should pay more attention to how to enrich its connotation. To popularize the development status of Northeast China’s rural areas and the living conditions of farmers through animation, and to popularize the development status of Northeast China’s rural areas and the living conditions of farmers through realistic animation will play its role in popular science. This practice also highlights the value and social responsibility of animation artists, and provides a broader space and innovation opportunities for the development of the animation field.
Identity, Political Culture, and Democracy Naivety in Indonesia
Authors: Ibrahim Ibrahim , Haryadi Dwi , Hidayat Novendra
Published: March 2024

Since the transition of Indonesia from the authoritarian New Order era to the more democratic Reformation Order in 1998, significant changes have occurred in leadership recruitment at the national and regional levels. There have also been substantial transition in the pattern of voter mobilization, specifically the increasing prevalence of identity politics. This study showed that each region had a different approach to incorporating identity in electoral politics. Even with the Indonesian multicultural nature and a diversity of identities, every region has unique political cultures, and acknowledges the significance of identity-related issues for achieving electoral success. Also, there was a tendency for inconsistent and double-standard positioning of identities, which biased the stance on identity and lacked neutrality. Moreover, Indonesian democracy was still perceived as naive, with identities remaining a primary electoral tool.
A Comparison of Foreign Policies between China and the U.S. Based on Political Culture Theories
Authors: Ye Rujing
Published: March 2024

Political culture is the psychological dimension of the political system and an important variable affecting a country’s foreign policy. The differences in political culture between China and the U.S. affect the two countries’ foreign policies and interactive relations. However, the contradictions in political culture will ultimately be subject to the practical interests of the two countries. Comparing the differences between the political cultures of the two countries and their influence on foreign policies is of particular value to understanding the bilateral relations between China and the U.S. and formulating comprehensive measures toward the United States.
Advancements in solar spectral irradiance measurements by the TSIS-1 spectral irradiance monitor and its role for long-term data continuity
Authors: Richard Erik , Coddington Odele , Harber Dave , Chambliss Michael , Penton Steven , Brooks Keira , Charbonneau Luke , Peck Courtney , Béland Stéphane , Pilewskie Peter , Woods Tom
Published: March 2024

The first implementation of NASA’s Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS-1) launched on December 15th, 2017, and was integrated into the International Space Station (ISS) to measure both the total solar irradiance (TSI) and the solar spectral irradiance (SSI). The direct measurement of the SSI is made by the LASP Spectral Irradiance Monitor (SIM) and provides data essential to interpreting how the Earth system responds to solar spectral variability. Extensive advances in TSIS-1 SIM instrument design and new SI-traceable spectral irradiance calibration techniques have resulted in improved absolute accuracy with uncertainties of less than 0.5% over the continuous 200–2400 nm spectral range. Furthermore, improvements in the long-term spectral stability corrections provide lower trend uncertainties in SSI variability measurements. Here we present the early results of the TSIS-1 SIM measurements covering the first 5 years of operations. This time period includes the descending phase of solar cycle 24, the last solar minimum, and the ascending phase of solar cycle 25. The TSIS-1 SIM SSI results are compared to previous measurements both in the absolute scale of the solar spectrum and the time dependence of the SSI variability. The TSIS-1 SIM SSI spectrum shows lower IR irradiance (up to 6% at 2400 nm) and small visible increases (~0.5%) from some previous reference solar spectra. Finally, initial comparisons are made to current NRLSSI2 and SATIRE-S SSI model results and offer opportunities to validate model details both for short-term (solar rotation) spectral variability and, for the first time, the longer-term (near half solar cycle) spectral variability across the solar spectrum from the UV to the IR.
Effective gate length determination of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs from direct measurements of thermal signatures
Authors: Sahu Arpit , Parvez Bazila , Patil Mahalaxmi , Basak Subhajit , Sahu Jyoti , Upadhyay Bhanu B. , Ganguly Swaroop , Saha Dipankar
Published: March 2024

Determining junction temperature and two-dimensional temperature profile is critical for high-power GaN-based high electron mobility transistors to optimize performance, improve device reliability, and better thermal management. Here, we have demonstrated that resistance temperature detectors of the same material as the gate contact delineated between gate-to-source and gate-to-drain regions can accurately profile the temperature along the channel. The temperature profile is asymmetric and skewed toward the drain side, and the degree of asymmetry is used to determine the effective gate length experimentally. A two-dimensional thermodynamic model along with drift-diffusion transport matches well with the experimental data, validating the temperature profile and effective channel length extraction under bias. The vertical depth profiling of the temperature is also determined by identifying the isothermal profile through the resistance temperature detectors. The isothermal lines are largely circular in the GaN region from isotropic two-dimensional heat diffusion, with the pinch-off region acting as a heating filament. The isothermal circular profile turns elliptical in the SiC substrate due to its higher thermal conductivity.
Fundamental limits of dynamic phase change materials
Authors: Garimella Vivek S. , Fu Wuchen , Stavins Robert A. , Kim Soonwook , Shockner Tomer , Koronio Elad , Ziskind Gennady , King William P. , Miljkovic Nenad
Published: March 2024

To accommodate societal electrification and decarbonization, renewable energy resources continue to expand their share of the global energy market. The intermittency of renewable energy technologies as well as the high power density of modern electrified platforms necessitates the need for both efficient thermal management and high-density thermal storage. Phase change materials are a promising passive thermal energy storage solution. However, difficulties with efficient system implementation stemming from the inherent melt pool formation hinder their potential. We develop an innovative strategy, termed dynamic phase change material “dynPCM,” to address this thermal transport issue by ensuring a constant, thin, melt layer. We analyze the fundamental limits of dynPCMs, characterize the peak achievable heat flux and energy/power densities, estimate the power consumption of dynPCM systems, and investigate the fundamental physics which govern dynPCM behavior. We show that dynPCM can eliminate the classical trade-off seen between energy density and power density and achieve ultrahigh heat fluxes, ∼105 W/cm2, with heat flux-to-required power ratios as high as ∼107. We also demonstrate achievable power densities as high as ∼100 W/cm3 at energy densities as high as ∼10 kJ/cm3. Throughout this work, we develop a methodology to evaluate the operating limits, enabling adaptation of the dynPCM system concept to a variety of applications and industries.
Insights into the transition of separation bubble over a rough surface at varying angles of attack
Authors: Singh Pradeep , Sarkar S. , Kumar Ravi , Katiyar S.
Published: March 2024

The evolution of a separated boundary layer on the rough surface in the vicinity of a leading edge of a model airfoil is documented at varying angles of attack. Particle image velocimetry and hotwire data are analyzed to elucidate the flow feature, depicting the manifestation of the shear layer, its rollup, growth of perturbations, spectral response, and intermittency. For a hydrodynamically smooth surface, a laminar separation bubble often appears near the leading edge, where the shear layer becomes inviscidly unstable. Wall roughness amplifies the near-wall perturbations, resulting in earlier transition and reattachment. This leads to a reduction in bubble length and laminar shear layer length compared to the smooth surface at the corresponding angle of attack. Notably, despite the amplification of selective frequency, the inviscid instability is bypassed on the rough surface for varying angles of attack. Moreover, the linear stability analysis proves inadequate in predicting the most amplified frequency and the growth of disturbances. Furthermore, the universal intermittency curve formulated for the bypass transition is valid for the separation-induced transition, illustrating the significance of viscous effect.
High carrier mobility in organic cations intercalated multilayer MoS2
Authors: Yu Lixuan , Mi Mengjuan , Wang Shilei , Fan Qingxin , Xiao Han , Zhang Yingxu , Lyu Bingbing , Liu Min , Wang Shanpeng , Wang Yilin
Published: March 2024

Two-dimensional semiconductors, such as MoS2, have demonstrated great potential applications in post-Moore electronic and optoelectronic devices, and organic cations intercalation has been widely utilized to modulate their physical properties. However, the correlation between the conductivity, carrier mobility, carrier density, and structure of organic cations intercalated MoS2 is still unclear. In this Letter, we systematically investigated the structural and electrical transport properties of pristine MoS2 and MoS2 intercalated with various organic cations such as tetradecyltrimethyl-ammonium, tetraheptyl-ammonium, and cetyltrimethyl-ammonium. Semimetal bismuth (Bi) was used as electrodes to make Ohmic contact with MoS2, and four-probe measurements were employed to obtain the intrinsic conductivity of MoS2. The intercalated organic cations greatly expand interlayer spacing and strongly dope MoS2 up to an electron concentration of 6.1 × 1013 cm−2 depending on the size and intercalation amount of organic cations. The severe electron doping constrains the out-of-plane A1g vibration mode and screens the Coulomb scattering, such that the intercalated MoS2 has enhanced Hall mobility of >50 cm2 V−1 s−1 at room temperature and even >1700 cm2 V−1 s−1 at 5 K. The intercalated MoS2 responds much faster than pristine MoS2 when functioning as a phototransistor. Our work provides insight for understanding the electrical transport properties of MoS2 and designing more efficient electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Non-zero crossing current–voltage characteristics of interface-type resistive switching devices
Authors: Yarragolla Sahitya , Hemke Torben , Trieschmann Jan , Mussenbrock Thomas
Published: March 2024

A number of memristive devices, mainly ReRAMs, have been reported to exhibit a unique non-zero crossing hysteresis attributed to the interplay of resistive and not yet fully understood “capacitive” and “inductive” effects. This work exploits a kinetic simulation model based on a stochastic cloud-in-a-cell method to capture these effects. The model, applied to Au/BiFeO3/Pt/Ti interface-type devices, incorporates vacancy transport and capacitive contributions. The resulting nonlinear response, characterized by hysteresis, is analyzed in detail, providing an in-depth physical understanding of the virtual effects. Capacitive effects are modeled across different layers, revealing their significant role in shaping the non-zero crossing hysteresis behavior. Results from kinetic simulations demonstrate the impact of frequency-dependent impedance on the non-zero crossing phenomenon. This model provides insight into the effects of various device material properties on the non-zero crossing point, such as Schottky barrier height, device area, and oxide layer.
Awn length variation in Australia’s most widespread grass, Themeda triandra, across its distribution
Authors: Cavanagh Annette M. , Godfree Robert C. , Morgan John W.
Published: March 2024

Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass) is the most widespread plant species in Australia. Using herbarium specimens, we quantified awn-length variation across its distribution in relation to climate. We found that awn lengths were shortest around the eastern and southern coast of Australia (with short awns also concentrated in the Pilbara), increasing in length progressively inland and towards the north. There was a significant positive relationship between awn length and mean annual temperature. Further research is needed to understand why awn lengths vary, and how awn-length variation affects seed and seedling fitness in natural habitats.
Metastable precipitation and ion–extractant transport in liquid–liquid separations of trivalent elements
Authors: Sun Pan , Lin Xiao-Min , Bera Mrinal K. , Lin Binhua , Ying Dongchen , Chang Tieyan , Bu Wei , Schlossman Mark L.
Published: March 2024

The extractant-assisted transport of metal ions from aqueous to organic environments by liquid–liquid extraction has been widely used to separate and recover critical elements on an industrial scale. While current efforts focus on designing better extractants and optimizing process conditions, the mechanism that underlies ionic transport remains poorly understood. Here, we report a nonequilibrium process in the bulk aqueous phase that influences interfacial ion transport: the formation of metastable ion–extractant precipitates away from the liquid–liquid interface, separated from it by a depletion region without precipitates. Although the precipitate is soluble in the organic phase, the depletion region separates the two and ions are sequestered in a long-lived metastable state. Since precipitation removes extractants from the aqueous phase, even extractants that are sparingly soluble in water will continue to be withdrawn from the organic phase to feed the aqueous precipitation process. Solute concentrations in both phases and the aqueous pH influence the temporal evolution of the process and ionic partitioning between the precipitate and organic phase. Aqueous ion–extractant precipitation during liquid–liquid extraction provides a reaction path that can influence the extraction kinetics, which plays an important role in designing advanced processes to separate rare earths and other minerals.
Lift-out cryo-FIBSEM and cryo-ET reveal the ultrastructural landscape of extracellular matrix
Authors: Zens Bettina , Fäßler Florian , Hansen Jesse M. , Hauschild Robert , Datler Julia , Hodirnau Victor-Valentin , Zheden Vanessa , Alanko Jonna , Sixt Michael , Schur Florian K.M.
Published: March 2024

The extracellular matrix (ECM) serves as a scaffold for cells and plays an essential role in regulating numerous cellular processes, including cell migration and proliferation. Due to limitations in specimen preparation for conventional room-temperature electron microscopy, we lack structural knowledge on how ECM components are secreted, remodeled, and interact with surrounding cells. We have developed a 3D-ECM platform compatible with sample thinning by cryo-focused ion beam milling, the lift-out extraction procedure, and cryo-electron tomography. Our workflow implements cell-derived matrices (CDMs) grown on EM grids, resulting in a versatile tool closely mimicking ECM environments. This allows us to visualize ECM for the first time in its hydrated, native context. Our data reveal an intricate network of extracellular fibers, their positioning relative to matrix-secreting cells, and previously unresolved structural entities. Our workflow and results add to the structural atlas of the ECM, providing novel insights into its secretion and assembly.
Dietary fiber is a critical determinant of pathologic ILC2 responses and intestinal inflammation
Authors: Arifuzzaman Mohammad , Won Tae Hyung , Yano Hiroshi , Uddin Jazib , Emanuel Elizabeth R. , Hu Elin , Zhang Wen , Li Ting-Ting , Jin Wen-Bing , Grier Alex , Kashyap Sanchita ,   JRI Live Cell Bank, Artis David , Longman Randy , Sonnenberg Gregory F. , Scherl Ellen , Sockolow Robbyn , Lukin Dana , Jacob Vinita , Sahyoun Laura , Mintz Michael , Gogokhia Lasha , Ciecierega Thomas , Solomon Aliza , Bergman Arielle , Chein Kimberley , Gordon Elliott , Ramos Michelle , Castro Ochoa Kenny Joselin , de Godoy Victoria Ribeiro , Brcic-Susak Adriana , Oguntunmibi Seun , Garone Dario , Mason Caitlin , Guo Chun-Jun , Schroeder Frank C. , Artis David
Published: March 2024

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) can promote host defense, chronic inflammation, or tissue protection and are regulated by cytokines and neuropeptides. However, their regulation by diet and microbiota-derived signals remains unclear. We show that an inulin fiber diet promotes Tph1-expressing inflammatory ILC2s (ILC2INFLAM) in the colon, which produce IL-5 but not tissue-protective amphiregulin (AREG), resulting in the accumulation of eosinophils. This exacerbates inflammation in a murine model of intestinal damage and inflammation in an ILC2- and eosinophil-dependent manner. Mechanistically, the inulin fiber diet elevated microbiota-derived bile acids, including cholic acid (CA) that induced expression of ILC2-activating IL-33. In IBD patients, bile acids, their receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR), IL-33, and eosinophils were all upregulated compared with controls, implicating this diet–microbiota–ILC2 axis in human IBD pathogenesis. Together, these data reveal that dietary fiber–induced changes in microbial metabolites operate as a rheostat that governs protective versus pathologic ILC2 responses with relevance to precision nutrition for inflammatory diseases.
Fiber end integrated surface plasma lens for circular airy beam shaping
Authors: Xu Jiankang , Wang Jiejun , Yuan Libo , Guan Chunying , Liu Houquan
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a circular Airy beam generator based on a fiber end integrated surface plasma lens. The surface plasma lens consists of a nano-annular slot and an array of series concentric circular grooves etched on the gold film coated on the fiber end. When the fiber light field illuminates the nano-annular slot, surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) will be excited, then the SPPs propagates along the surface of the gold film, and will finally be decoupled into free space to generate circular Airy beam by the array of concentric circular grooves. The effect of the parameters of the plasma lens on the properties of the output circular Airy beam, such as self-focusing, focal spot size, is studied in detail via FDTD simulations. In addition, we found that the proposed plasma lens has a high tolerance to manufacturing errors. The case that instead of the nano-annular slit with a circular wheat-spike shaped structure is also investigated. In this case, due to the different photon spin response of the circular wheat-spike shaped structure, the device can generate circular Airy beam when the input fiber light field is right-handed circularly polarized (RHCP) light, and subwavelength Bessel-like nondiffracting beam when the input fiber light field is left-handed circularly polarized (LHCP) light. These results provide a highly integrated all-fiber circular Airy beam and subwavelength Bessel-like nondiffracting beam generation scheme, which may be useful in the areas of fiber end structured light beam shaping and fiber-integrated photonic devices.
Recycled dark matter
Authors: Gehrman Thomas C. , Haghi Barmak Shams Es , Sinha Kuver , Xu Tao
Published: March 2024

We outline a new production mechanism for dark matter that we dub “recycling”: dark sector particles are kinematically trapped in the false vacuum during a dark phase transition; the false pockets collapse into primordial black holes (PBHs), which ultimately evaporate before Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) to reproduce the dark sector particles. The requirement that all PBHs evaporate prior to BBN necessitates high scale phase transitions and hence high scale masses for the dark sector particles in the true vacuum. Our mechanism is therefore particularly suited for the production of ultra heavy dark matter (UHDM) with masses above ∼ 1012 GeV. The correct relic density of UHDM is obtained because of the exponential suppression of the false pocket number density. Recycled UHDM has several novel features: the dark sector today consists of multiple decoupled species that were once in thermal equilibrium and the PBH formation stage has extended mass functions whose shape can be controlled by IR operators coupling the dark and visible sectors.
S-shaped rolling gait designed using curve transformations of a snake robot for climbing on a bifurcated pipe
Authors: Lu Jingwen , Tang Chaoquan , Hu Eryi , Li Zhipeng
Published: March 2024

In this work, we focus on overcoming the challenge of a snake robot climbing on the outside of a bifurcated pipe. Inspired by the climbing postures of biological snakes, we propose an S-shaped rolling gait designed using curve transformations. For this gait, the snake robot’s body presenting an S-shaped curve is wrapped mainly around one side of the pipe, which leaves space for the fork of the pipe. To overcome the difficulty in constructing and clarifying the S-shaped curve, we present a method for establishing the transformation between a plane curve and a 3D curve on a cylindrical surface. Therefore, we can intuitively design the curve in 3D space, while analytically calculating the geometric properties of the curve in simple planar coordinate systems. The effectiveness of the proposed gait is verified by actual experiments. In successful configuration scenarios, the snake robot could stably climb on the pipe and efficiently cross or climb to the bifurcation while maintaining its target shape.
Application of additively manufactured bone scaffold: a systematic review
Authors: Shi Qianyu , Chen Jibing , Chen Junsheng , Liu Yanfeng , Wang Hongze
Published: March 2024

The application of additive manufacturing (AM) technology plays a significant role in various fields, incorporating a wide range of cutting-edge technologies such as aerospace, medical treatment, electronic information, and materials. It is currently widely adopted for medical services, national defense, and industrial manufacturing. In recent years, AM has also been extensively employed to produce bone scaffolds and implant materials. Through AM, products can be manufactured without being constrained by complex internal structures. AM is particularly advantageous in the production of macroscopically irregular and microscopically porous biomimetic bone scaffolds, with short production cycles required. In this paper, AM commonly used to produce bone scaffolds and orthopedic implants is overviewed to analyze the different materials and structures adopted for AM. The applications of antibacterial bone scaffolds and bone scaffolds in biologically relevant animal models are discussed. Also, the influence on the comprehensive performance of product mechanics, mass transfer, and biology is explored. By identifying the reasons for the limited application of existing AM in the biomedical field, the solutions are proposed. This study provides an important reference for the future development of AM in the field of orthopedic healthcare. In conclusion, various AM technologies, the requirements of bone scaffolds and the important role of AM in building bridges between biomaterials, additives, and bone tissue engineering scaffolds are described and highlighted. Nevertheless, more caution should be exercised when designing bone scaffolds and conducting in vivo trials, due to the lack of standardized processes, which prevents the accuracy of results and reduces the reliability of information.
Mating Systems
Authors: Teather Kevin
Published: March 2024

Defining a population mating strategy has inherent problems. All individuals are of different quality and face unique conditions during reproduction. Thus, the costs and benefits for specific individuals must be considered when examining their mating arrangement. However, general environmental conditions may still favour the development of particular mating patterns. True genetic monogamy is probably rare but can be promoted by certain conditions such as a low probability of finding a mate, mate guarding by either sex, or the necessity of parental care by both the male and the female. The clumping of defendable resources needed by females, or by females themselves, makes it more likely that a few males will mate polygynously, or with several females. In many of these cases, however, it is unclear whether females mate with more than one male. In some cases, females are polyandrous and mate with more than one male. Some of the reasons for females copulating with different partners are discussed in the previous chapter. It is becoming increasingly evident that both males and females may employ many reproductive tactics depending on their age, general anatomy, and immediate environment.
Introduction
Authors: Hazlett Allan
Published: March 2024

This chapter introduces the problem of nihilism, which arises because nihilism about value seems to mandate total indifference, and Anscombe’s idea that the conceptual connection between desire and goodness is the same as the conceptual connection between belief and truth, which is here understood as the claim that goodness is the accuracy condition for desire, in the same sense that truth is the accuracy condition for belief. This contradicts a presupposition of the Humean theory of practical rationality. The view of desire defended here is compared and contrasted with existing accounts of desire, including the view that desires are practical dispositions, the view that desires are evaluative beliefs, and the view that desires are evaluative perceptions. The relationship between desire and emotion is discussed and the epistemology of desire introduced.
Desiring the Neutral
Authors: Hazlett Allan
Published: March 2024

The problem of nihilism arises because it seems irrational for someone who believes that nothing is good or bad—a “nihilist about value”—to desire anything. In this chapter, it is argued that it is not irrational to desire something you believe is not good. This is a familiar implication of the Humean view that desire does not admit of irrationality, but it is here defended in a way that is consistent with the anti-Humean view that desire is a species of evaluation that admits of irrationality. The argument appeals to an insight from Brentano: a desire for something that is neither good nor bad is not incorrect, but is rather neither correct nor incorrect.
Previous Conceptions of Theatre
Authors: Bennett Michael Y
Published: March 2024

Starting first with a working definition of theatre, this chapters discusses the nature of theatre and how previous scholars, thinkers, theatre critics, and philosophers have categorized and understood this art form. It traces the history of definitions (and categorizations) from Plato and Aristotle to the present day. It examines debates in ontology, epistemology, and aesthetics in the theatre, as well as looks at different models of theatre, such as mimesis, scores and blueprints, types and tokens, and the possible worlds thesis. The chapter also goes through the current debates surrounding mimesis and acting, such as What is theatre? and What is acting?
Frailty on the island of Ireland: evidence from the NICOLA and TILDA studies
Authors: McKelvie Mische-Jasmine , Cruise Sharon , Ward Mark , Romero-Ortuno Roman , Kee Frank , Kenny Rose Anne , O’Reilly Dermot , O’Halloran Aisling M
Published: March 2024

Background

Aimed to compare the prevalence, characteristics, and associated mortality risk of frailty in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI).

Methods

Secondary analysis of the first wave of two nationally representative cohorts, the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing or NICOLA study (N = 8504) and the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing or TILDA study (N = 8504). Frailty was assessed using a harmonized accumulation deficits frailty index (FI) containing 30 items. FI scores classified individuals as non-frail (<0.10), pre-frail (0.10–0.24) and frail (≥0.25). Linkage to respective administrative data sources provided mortality information with a follow-up time of 8 years.

Results

The prevalence of frailty was considerably higher in NI compared with the ROI (29.0% compared with 15.0%), though pre-frailty was slightly lower (35.8% and 37.3%, respectively). Age, female sex, and lower socio-economic status were consistently associated with a higher likelihood of both pre-frailty and frailty. In the pooled analysis, both frailty and pre-frailty were higher in NI (RR = 2.68, 95% CIs 2.45, 2.94 and RR = 1.30, 95% CIs 1.21, 1.40, respectively). Frailty was associated with an increased mortality risk in both cohorts, even after full adjustment for all other characteristics, being marginally higher in TILDA than in NICOLA (HR = 2.43, 95% CIs 2.03, 2.91 vs. HR = 2.31, 95% CIs 1.90, 2.79).

Conclusions

Frailty is a major public health concern for both jurisdictions. Further research and monitoring are required to elucidate why there is a higher prevalence in NI and to identify factors in early life that may be driving these differences.