bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Annual extent of prescribed burning on moorland in Great Britain and overlap with ecosystem services
Authors: Shewring Mike P. , Wilkinson Nicholas I. , Teuten Emma L. , Buchanan Graeme M. , Thompson Patrick , Douglas David J. T.
Published: April 2024

In the UK uplands, prescribed burning of unenclosed heath, grass and blanket bog (‘moorland’) is used to support game shooting and grazing. Burning on moorland is contentious due to its impact on peat soils, hydrology and habitat condition. There is little information on spatial and temporal patterns of burning, the overlap with soil carbon and sensitive habitats and, importantly, whether these patterns are changing. This information is required to assess the sustainability of burning and the effectiveness of new legislation. We developed a method for semi‐automated detection of burning using satellite imagery – our best performing model has a balanced accuracy of 84.9%. We identified annual burn areas in Great Britain in five burning seasons from 2017/18 to 2021/22 of 8333 to 20 974 ha (average 15 250 ha year−1). Annual extent in England in 2021/22 was 73% lower than the average of the four previous seasons. Burning was identified over carbon‐rich soils (mean 5150 ha or 34% by area of all burning annually) and on steep slopes – 915 ha across the five seasons (1.3%), contravening guidance. Burning (>1 ha) was recorded in 14% of UK protected areas (PAs) and, within these, the percentage area of moorland burned varied from 2 to 31%. In England in some years, the percentage area of moorland burned inside PAs was higher than outside, while this was not the case in Scotland. Burning in sensitive alpine habitats totalled 158 ha across the five seasons. The reduction in burned area in England in 2021/22 could relate to England‐specific legislation, introduced in May 2021, to prohibit burning on deep peat in PAs. This suggests that regulation can be effective. However, the continued overlap with sensitive features suggests that burning falls short of sustainable practices. Our method will enable repeatable re‐assessment of burning extents and overlap with ecosystem services.
Study of hydrothermal characteristics of large‐scale water conveyance trunk canals in seasonally frozen ground regions under the influence of different initial water contents
Authors: Wang Miao , Hai Mingwei , Su Anshuang , Xu Jinzhong , Guo Yanxiu , Yan Han
Published: April 2024

In seasonal frozen soil, freezing and thawing can change the physical and mechanical properties and affect slope stability. There are complex moisture conditions in the main water transfer canal. A study of the hydrothermal evolution of canals with different initial water contents under the action of freezing and thawing is of great importance for the prevention and control of canal slope slides. Hydrothermal coupling models are the key to revealing the canal's hydrothermal evolution. As some of the modeling parameters in the current hydrothermal coupling model are based on empirical values, particularly those in the van Genuchten equation, which are not necessarily related to soil properties, they are not suitable for analyzing the hydrothermal evolution of canals. This paper determines the soil‐water characteristic curve from the cumulative curve of particle gradation in the subsoil, and then determines the hydraulic parameters of the subsoil using the VG model, which then corrects the hydrothermal coupling model. The method of modifying the hydrothermal coupling model is original, which makes the model more realistically reflect drainage soil characteristics. During freezing and thawing of channel slopes with different initial water contents (21%, 25%, 29%, 33%, 37%, and 41%), temperature field, water field, and ice content distributions were investigated. Using the V‐G model, the optimal parameters for canal subsoil were a = 0.06, n = 1.2, and m = 0.17, and temperature distribution trends between canals with different water contents were basically similar. Water will accumulate at the bottom as the liquid water content increases at the canal boundary.
Diastereoselective Supramolecular Encapsulation and Chirality Transfer Between Cholesteryl Binaphthyl Conjugates and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon
Authors: Zhang Qi , Hao Aiyou , Xing Pengyao
Published: April 2024

Diastereoselective effect plays an important role in the synthesis of chiral complexes and macrocyclic compounds, while its function in selective coassembly and chirality transfer has yet to be unveiled. In this work, two pairs of diastereomers containing R/S‐ binaphthyl and homochiral cholesteryl domains are synthesized, which provide multiple sites to encapsulate polyaromatic hydrocarbon through π–π and CH–π interactions. X‐ray structures and computational studies suggest the binaphthol derivatives feature CH–π folding into butterfly‐like open geometry, while binaphthylenediamine derivatives adopt closed geometry supported by van der Waals between cholesteryl domains. Driven by solvophobic forces, the building units self‐assemble into vesicles and nanofibers in the aqueous and methanol phases, respectively. Binaphthol derivatives selectively encapsulate pyrene by naphthalene domains in the vesicle phase, while binaphthylenediamine derivatives encapsulate pyrene by cholesteryl domains in the nanofiber phase. Density functional theory‐based calculations and circular dichroism spectra evidence the closed geometry of binaphthylenediamine derivatives facilitates a clamp‐type host to increase the affinity toward pyrene in spite of the strong solvation competition. This work unveils the diastereoselectivity in the chiral coassembly, deepening the understanding of the precise synthesis of functional chiroptical complexes.
Shielding Mn3+ Disproportionation with Graphitic Carbon‐Interlayered Manganese Oxide Cathodes for Enhanced Aqueous Energy Storage System
Authors: Zhang Yue , Han Xu , Huang Zi‐Hang , Lei Lei , Duan Xiaoguang , Li Hui , Ma Tianyi
Published: April 2024

Manganese dioxide (MnO2) materials have recently garnered attention as prospective high‐capacity cathodes, owing to their theoretical two‐electron redox reaction in charge storage processes. However, their practical application in aqueous energy storage systems faces a formidable challenge: the disproportionation of Mn3+ ions, leading to a significant reduction in their capacity. To address this limitation, the study presents a novel graphitic carbon interlayer‐engineered manganese oxide (CI‐MnOx) characterized by an open structure and abundant defects. This innovative material serves several essential functions for efficient aqueous energy storage. First, a graphitic carbon layer coats the MnOx molecular interlayer, effectively inhibiting Mn3+ disproportionation and substantially enhancing electrode conductivity. Second, the phase variation within MnOx generates numerous crystal defects, vacancies, and active sites, optimizing electron‐transfer capability. Third, the flexible carbon layer acts as a buffer, mitigating the volume expansion of MnOx during extended cycling. The synergistic effects of these features result in the CI‐MnOx exhibiting an impressive high capacity of 272 mAh g−1 (1224 F g−1) at 0.25 A g−1. Notably, the CI‐MnOx demonstrates zero capacity loss after 90 000 cycles (≈3011 h), an uncommon longevity for manganese oxide materials. Spectral characterizations reveal reversible cation intercalation and conversion reactions with multielectron transfer in a LiCl electrolyte.
Thermally Evaporated Metal Halide Perovskites and Their Analogues: Film Fabrication, Applications and Beyond
Authors: Wang Zitong , Lyu Miaoqiang , Zhang Bo Wei , Xiao Mu , Zhang Chengxi , Han EQ , Wang Lianzhou
Published: April 2024

Metal halide perovskites emerge as promising semiconductors for optoelectronic devices due to ease of fabrication, attractive photophysical properties, their low cost, highly tunable material properties, and high performance. High‐quality thin films of metal halide perovskites are the basis of most of these applications including solar cells, light‐emitting diodes, photodetectors, and electronic memristors. A typical fabrication method for perovskite thin films is the solution method, which has several limitations in device reproducibility, adverse environmental impact, and utilization of raw materials. Thermal evaporation holds great promise in addressing these bottlenecks in fabricating high‐quality halide perovskite thin films. It also has high compatibility with mass‐production platforms that are well‐established in industries. This review first introduces the basics of the thermal evaporation method with a particular focus on the critical parameters influencing the thin film deposition. The research progress of the fabrication of metal halide perovskite thin films is further summarized by different thermal evaporation approaches and their applications in solar cells and other optoelectronic devices. Finally, research challenges and future opportunities for both fundamental research and commercialization are discussed.
A Versatile Strategy for the Controlled Synthesis of Atomically Precise Palladium Nanoclusters
Authors: Tang Xiongkai , Shen Hui , Huang Huayu , Li Lei , Luo Fan , Tian Guolong , Deng Hongwen , Teo Boon K. , Zheng Nanfeng
Published: April 2024

The study of the structures, applications, and structure‐property relationships of atomically precise metal nanoclusters relies heavily on their controlled synthesis. Although great progress has been made in the controlled synthesis of Group 11 (Cu, Ag, Au) metal nanoclusters, the preparation of Pd nanoclusters remains a grand challenge. Herein, a new, simple, and versatile synthetic strategy for the controlled synthesis of Pd nanoclusters is reported with tailorable structures and functions. The synthesis strategy involves the controllable transformations of Pd4(CO)4(CH3COO)4 in air, allowing the discovery of a family of Pd nanoclusters with well‐defined structure and high yield. For example, by treating the Pd4(CO)4(CH3COO)4 with 2,2‐dipyridine ligands, two clusters of Pd4 and Pd10 whose metal framework describes the growth of vertex‐sharing tetrahedra have been selectively isolated. Interestingly, chiral Pd4 nanoclusters can be gained by virtue of customized chiral pyridine‐imine ligands, thus representing a pioneering example to shed light on the hierarchical chiral nanostructures of Pd. This synthetic methodology also tolerates a wide variety of ligands and affords phosphine‐ligated Pd nanoclusters in a simple way. It is believed that the successful exploration of the synthetic strategy would simulate the research enthusiasm on both the synthesis and application of atomically precise Pd nanoclusters.
A Star‐Structured Polymer Electrolyte for Low‐Temperature Solid‐State Lithium Batteries
Authors: Zhang Xingzhao , Cui Ximing , Li Yuxuan , Yang Jing , Pan Qinmin
Published: April 2024

Solid‐state polymer lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs) have attracted considerable attention because of their excellent safety and high energy density. However, the application of SSLMBs is significantly impeded by uneven Li deposition at the interface between solid‐state electrolytes and lithium metal anode, especially at a low temperature. Herein, this issue is addressed by designing an agarose‐based solid polymer electrolyte containing branched structure. The star‐structured polymer is synthesized by grafting poly (ethylene glycol) monomethyl‐ether methacrylate and lithium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate onto tannic acid. The star structure regulates Li‐ion flux in the bulk of the electrolyte and at the electrolyte/electrode interfaces. This unique omnidirectional Li‐ion transportation effectively improves ionic conductivity, facilitates a uniform Li‐ion flux, inhibits Li dendrite growth, and alleviates polarization. As a result, a solid‐state LiFePO4||Li battery with the electrolyte exhibits outstanding cyclability with a specific capacity of 134 mAh g−1 at 0.5C after 800 cycles. The battery shows a high discharge capacity of 145 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C after 200 cycles, even at 0 °C. The study offers a promising strategy to address the uneven Li deposition at the solid‐state electrolyte/electrode interface, which has potential applications in long‐life solid‐state lithium metal batteries at a low temperature.
Dual‐Doping Strategy of Metal Chlorides in Ambient Air with High Humidity for Achieving Highly Air‐Stable All‐Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Zifa , Wang Xiang , Yan Quanhe , Yuan Xiang , Lu Yingshen , Cao Haoyu , He Danmin , Jiang Zuimin , Xu Run , Chen Teng , Ma Zhongquan , Song Hongwei , Hong Feng , Xu Fei
Published: April 2024

It is fundamentally challenging to achieve stable and efficient all‐inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) in ambient air conditions for low‐cost commercial manufacturing, as the crystallinity, surface morphology, and optical activity of all‐inorganic perovskites exhibit high sensitivity to environmental factors such as moisture and illumination. Herein, a dual‐doping strategy is presented to prepare high‐quality dual‐doping CsPbI2Br films under ambient air with relative humidity of 70% (70% RH) by introducing CaCl2 and InCl3 additives into precursor solution. The results from the experiments and calculations reveal that the CaCl2 additive can isolate moisture by forming hydrates at the surface and grain boundary of perovskites. Meanwhile, the addition of InCl3 can significantly improve the optoelectronic properties via the heterovalent substitution of Pb2+ by a small amount of In3+. Moreover, the phase segregation can be significantly suppressed in the dual‐doping CsPbI2Br films owing to decreasing the electron–phonon coupling strength and increasing the activation energy of ion migration. The unencapsulated dual‐doping CsPbI2Br PSC with the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.51% (70% RH) demonstrates high humidity storage and long‐term optical stability, remaining 90% of the original PCE after aging 2400 h under ambient air (50% RH) and 1500 h under continuous illumination, respectively.
SoTL in the health professions: An international case study
Authors: Berisha Merita , Cruz Laura , Kaja Amina
Published: April 2024

This article presents a case study of the integration of the scholarship of teaching and learning at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Prishtina in Kosovo. We discuss the challenges and opportunities inherent in bringing together a specific cultural, economic, and political context with the beliefs and practices of SoTL in the health professions.
Beyond urban farm and community garden, a new typology of urban and peri‐urban agriculture in Europe
Authors: Jansma Jan Eelco , Veen Esther J. , Müller Daniela
Published: April 2024

Today, many cites in Europe have rediscovered urban and peri‐urban agriculture (UA) as a contributor to a more healthy and sustainable urban environment. However, UA has not yet unfolded its potential due to gaps in knowledge, expertise, and advocacy. A clear typology is instrumental in identifying, understanding, and acknowledging the potential of UA at different levels of policy making. Although a number of typologies are used in practice and in literature, an overarching typology that steps beyond the local and national perspective, and that includes promising innovations like vertical farming, is lacking. The aim of this paper is to offer such a typology of urban agriculture in Europe. Based on interviews with experts in the field representing 11 European countries (n = 16) and an online survey on characteristics and dimensions of UA initiatives (n = 112; representing 18 countries), our typology exists of six different UA types: (1) urban farm, (2) community park, (3) do‐it‐yourself garden/farm, (4) zero acreage farm, (5) social farm, and (6) community garden. Although this paper presents these types as distinctive entities, we stress that a typology is inevitably a simplification of reality, as in real‐life there is an overlap in the proposed types. Moreover, seeing that the field of modern UA is highly dynamic, the typology is only a snapshot of current‐day UA. That said, the suggested typology—along with the dimensions that characterize it—structures the apparent diversity of UA and is therefore instrumental as conversation starter of UA's potential in Europe.
On the accuracy of saturation estimation from electrical measurements of soils with high swelling clay content
Authors: Saneiyan Sina , Gimenez Daniel , Siegenthaler Ethan , Slater Lee
Published: April 2024

Electrical conductivity models have been widely used to estimate water content and petrophysical properties of soils in hydrogeophysical studies. However, these models are typically only valid for soils with non‐expandable matrices because they were originally developed for clean sandstone reservoir rocks. Soils containing swelling clays are characterized by matrices that expand/contract upon gaining/losing water. In this laboratory study, we demonstrate that soil matrix changes affect saturation estimation using Archie's laws. A sample of a soil containing a swelling clay was fully saturated with a potassium chloride solution, then left to dry evaporatively at room temperature for 8 days. The complex resistivity of the soil, along with its weight and volume shrinkage, were measured daily during the drying period, and the surface conductivity was calculated based on previous empirical findings. Over the course of the study, the simultaneous evaporation yielded a 33% decrease in volume and caused a nonlinear reduction in saturation with decreasing water content. Accounting for surface conductivity and correcting for saturation using the calculated volume reduction resulted in a power‐law relationship with high R2 values between resistivity and saturation along with reasonable saturation exponents. On the contrary, neglecting either surface conductivity or shrinkage caused similar underestimations of saturation exponents. These results indicate that the application of Archie's second law to soils with swelling clays leads to erroneous predictions of resistivity if saturation values are not corrected for changes in the volume of the soil and surface conductivity is neglected.
Re-ordering the EU and Europe: Old Boundaries and New Challenges
Authors: Smith Michael
Published: April 2024

This chapter interrogates the changing nature of European order, and the EU’s role within it. It begins by exploring the ideas put forward by EU policy-makers that the EU is a ‘garden’ of peace and order, and that the world outside is often a ‘jungle’ that needs to be subjected to the EU’s civilising influences. It goes on to assess a number of key junctures in the search for European order since the end of the Cold War, and the extent to which these have led to any form of new order and stability. It then argues that one of the EU’s key roles in the (re)ordering of Europe has been the construction and maintenance of boundaries—geopolitical, transactional, legal/institutional and cultural—drawing upon work by (Smith, Journal of Common Market Studies 34:5–28, 1996) and evaluates the extent to which those boundaries have either contributed to the ‘ordering’ of Europe in the recent periods of change, conflict and crisis or created new challenges for EU policy-making. Finally, it focuses on the current ‘omni-crisis’ in Europe and on the EU’s role(s) in it and assesses the extent to which concepts of boundaries assist the study of EU policy and its impact.
The War Against Ukraine, the Changing World Order and the Conflict Between Democracy and Autocracy
Authors: Wiesner Claudia
Published: April 2024

This chapter discusses the challenges that the war against Ukraine has brought for the EU, putting particular emphasis on the question as to what extent these are linked to a conflict between liberal democracy and autocracy. The EU and its Member States are having to reposition themselves in a changing world order that is no longer liberal, but at least multipolar. There are new political realities, not only in political and economic, but also in ideational terms. Adjusting to this new setting is difficult for manifold good reasons: China is trying to gain (geo)political and economic power and influence; several big states abstained from voting on condemnation of the Russian invasion in the UN General Assembly; and a presidential election is coming up in the USA in 2024. With regard to the EU itself, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova want to become EU members, while the EU already faces rule-of-law issues with Poland, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. In all this, the war is often discussed as a conflict between an autocratic regime on the one hand and the liberal democracies of Europe and the EU, to which Ukraine wants to belong, on the other. However, liberal democracy is also under threat in the EU itself and not only from outside the EU. Authoritarian tendencies and right-wing populist parties are on the rise in several EU states; there is visible democratic deconsolidation, i.e. citizens losing trust in representative democracy, and democratic backsliding. Consequently, for the EU to defend its values and liberal democracy is a challenge not only externally, but also internally. The war only amplifies these multiple tensions.
Relative poset polytopes and semitoric degenerations
Authors: Feigin Evgeny , Makhlin Igor
Published: April 2024

The two best studied toric degenerations of the flag variety are those given by the Gelfand–Tsetlin and FFLV polytopes. Each of them degenerates further into a particular monomial variety which raises the problem of describing the degenerations intermediate between the toric and the monomial ones. Using a theorem of Zhu one may show that every such degeneration is semitoric with irreducible components given by a regular subdivision of the corresponding polytope. This leads one to study the parts that appear in such subdivisions as well as the associated toric varieties. It turns out that these parts lie in a certain new family of poset polytopes which we termrelative poset polytopes: each is given by a poset and a weakening of its order relation. In this paper we give an in depth study of (both common and marked) relative poset polytopes and their toric varieties in the generality of an arbitrary poset. We then apply these results to degenerations of flag varieties. We also show that our family of polytopes generalizes the family studied in a series of papers by Fang, Fourier, Litza and Pegel while sharing their key combinatorial properties such as pairwise Ehrhart-equivalence and Minkowski-additivity.
Investigation of thermoforming processes of aerostructures: Simulation and microstructural analysis
Authors: Çobanoğlu Merve , Ece Remzi Ecmel , Ünlü Büşra , Öz Yahya , Toros Serkan , Öztürk Fahrettin
Published: April 2024

A series of experimental and numerical studies were carried out on the mechanical and geometric performance of an aerostructural part produced by a material out-of-autoclave stamp forming process using unidirectional (UD) carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), which provides advantages like reshaping, recycling, welding, and low serial manufacturing costs. As a novelty, initial part geometry, different types of springs, and their attachment type were examined experimentally and compared with simulations. Compression tests were performed to determine mechanical strengths which reach levels up to 550 MPa. In addition, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were conducted to determine the crystallinity which occurs depending on the cooling regimes of the material. The crystallinity has been observed to vary regionally ranging from 16 to 21%. However, the crystallinity of the part towards the cold mold region decreased from 20 to 17%. In addition, simulations were performed to observe and control the occurrence of wrinkles and other defects.
Evaluating the precise grapevine water stress detection using unmanned aerial vehicles and evapotranspiration-based metrics
Authors: Burchard-Levine V. , Borra-Serrano I. , Peña J. M. , Kustas W. P. , Guerra J. G. , Dorado J. , Mesías-Ruiz G. , Herrezuelo M. , Mary B. , McKee L. M. , de Castro A. I. , Sanchez-Élez S. , Nieto H.
Published: April 2024

Precise irrigation management requires accurate knowledge of crop water demand to adequately optimize water use efficiency, especially relevant in arid and semi-arid regions. While unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAV) have shown great promise to improve the water management for crops such as vineyards, there still remains large uncertainties to accurately quantify vegetation water requirements, especially through physically-based methods. Notably, thermal remote sensing has been shown to be a promising tool to evaluate water stress at different scales, most commonly through the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI). This work aimed to evaluate the potential of a UAV payload to estimate evapotranspiration (ET) and alternative ET-based crop water stress indices to better monitor and detect irrigation requirements in vineyards. As a case study, three irrigation treatments within a vineyard were implemented to impose weekly crop coefficient (Kc) of 0.2 (extreme deficit irrigation), 0.4 (typical deficit irrigation) and 0.8 (over-irrigated) of reference ET. Both the original Priestley-Taylor initialized two-source energy balance model (TSEB-PT) and the dual temperature TSEB (TSEB-2T), which takes advantage of high-resolution imagery to discriminate canopy and soil temperatures, were implemented to estimate ET. In a first step, both ET models were evaluated at the footprint level using an eddy covariance (EC) tower, with modelled fluxes comparing well against the EC measurements. Secondly, in-situ physiological measurements at vine level, such as stomatal conductance (gst), leaf (Ψleaf) and stem (Ψstem) water potential, were collected simultaneously to UAV overpasses as plant proxies of water stress. Different variants of the CWSI and alternative metrics that take advantage of the partitioned ET from TSEB, such as Crop Transpiration Stress Index (CTSI) and the Crop Stomatal Stress Index (CSSI), were also evaluated to test their statistical relationship against these in-situ physiological indicators using the Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ). Both TSEB-PT and TSEB-2T CWSI related similarly to in-situ measurements (Ψleaf
: ρ ~ 0.4; Ψstem
: ρ ~ 0.55). On the other hand, stress indicators using canopy fluxes (i.e. CTSI and CSSI) were much more effective when using TSEB-2 T (Ψleaf
: ρ = 0.45; Ψstem
: ρ = 0.62) compared to TSEB-PT (Ψleaf
: ρ = 0.18; Ψstem
: ρ = 0.49), revealing important differences in the ET partitioning between model variants. These results demonstrate the utility of physically-based models to estimate ET and partitioned canopy fluxes, which can enhance the detection of vine water stress and quantitatively assess vine water demand to better manage irrigation practices.
Addressing transportation barriers in oncology: existing programs and new solutions
Authors: Pringle Sophia , Ko Emily M. , Doherty Meredith , Smith Anna Jo Bodurtha
Published: April 2024

Transportation is an underrecognized, but modifiable barrier to accessing cancer care, especially for clinical trials. Clinicians, insurers, and health systems can screen patients for transportation needs and link them to transportation. Direct transportation services (i.e., ride-sharing, insurance-provided transportation) have high rates of patient satisfaction and visit completion. Patient financial reimbursements provide necessary funds to counteract the effects of transportation barriers, which can lead to higher trial enrollment, especially for low socioeconomic status and racially and ethnically diverse patients. Expanding transportation interventions to more cancer patients, and addressing knowledge, service, and system gaps, can help more patients access needed cancer care.
Application of immersive virtual reality mirror therapy for upper limb rehabilitation after stroke: a scoping review
Authors: Gebreheat Gdiom , Antonopoulos Nick , Porter-Armstrong Alison
Published: April 2024

Mirror therapy is a commonly used rehabilitation intervention in post stroke upper limb rehabilitation. Despite many potential technological developments, mirror therapy is routinely delivered through the use of a static mirror or mirror box. This review aims to synthesise evidence on the application of immersive virtual reality mirror therapy (IVRMT) in poststroke upper limb rehabilitation. A scoping review was performed on relevant English studies published between 2013 to 2023. Literature search was undertaken on APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed and Web of Science between August 5 and 17, 2023. Additional studies were included from Google Scholar and reference lists of identified articles. A total of 224 records were identified, of which 8 full-text articles were selected for review. All included studies were published between 2019 and 2023, and from high- and upper-middle-income nations. All the studies were experimental (n = 8). The total sample size in the studies was 259, most of whom were stroke patients with upper limb weakness (n = 184). This review identified three major themes and two sub-themes based on the contents of the studies conducted on the application of IVRMT: IVRMT’s technical application, feasibility and impact on clinical outcomes (motor recovery and adverse events). IVRMT was concluded to be a safe and feasible approach to post-stroke upper limb rehabilitation, offering enhanced engagement and motor recovery. However, more methodologically robust studies should be conducted to advance this area of practice, and to include a uniform IVRMT intervention protocol, dose, and use of outcome measure.
Analyzing the effects of solar energy innovations, digitalization, and economic globalization on environmental quality in the United States
Authors: Adebayo Tomiwa Sunday , Meo Muhammad Saeed , Eweade Babatunde Sunday , Özkan Oktay
Published: April 2024

The escalating apprehension regarding climate change mitigation has intensified the quest for energy alternatives that are low in carbon emissions, economically viable, and consistently available. Within this context, renewable energy sources emerge as fitting candidates, being recognized for their eco-friendliness and cleanliness. Nonetheless, despite the allure of transitioning towards cleaner energy, there exists a notable dearth of literature addressing the pivotal role of solar energy innovations and economic globalization in advancing the agenda of climate change mitigation (SDG-13), thus complicating the prediction of factors influencing ecological quality. Consequently, this study undertakes the inaugural investigation into the impact of solar energy innovation on ecological footprint, while also considering the influences of digitalization, economic globalization, renewable energy, and natural resources in the USA. To this end, Quantile-on-Quantile Kernel-Based Regularized Least Squares (QQKRLS) and wavelet quantile regressions (WQR) methodologies are employed, utilizing data spanning from 2000 to 2020. The analysis reveals that solar energy innovation, along with renewable energy, digitalization, and economic globalization, exerts a negative impact on ecological footprint, whereas natural resources exhibit a positive influence. Drawing from these insights, it becomes apparent that a concerted effort from stakeholders and policymakers is imperative in realizing the objectives of SDG-13 and SDG-7, necessitating a paradigm shifts in the USA’s energy portfolio away from fossil fuels towards renewables.

Graphical abstract
Therapeutic potential of third-generation chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting B cell maturation antigen for treating multiple myeloma
Authors: Rujirachaivej Punchita , Siriboonpiputtana Teerapong , Luangwattananun Piriya , Yuti Pornpimon , Wutti-in Yupanun , Choomee Kornkan , Sujjitjoon Jatuporn , Chareonsirisuthigul Takol , Rerkamnuaychoke Budsaba , Junking Mutita , Yenchitsomanus Pa-thai
Published: April 2024

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematologic malignancy characterized by the rapid proliferation of malignant plasma cells within the bone marrow. Standard therapies often fail due to patient resistance. The US FDA has approved second-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting B-cell maturation antigen (anti-BCMA-CAR2 T cells) for MM treatment. However, achieving enduring clinical responses remains a challenge in CAR T cell therapy. This study developed third-generation T cells with an anti-BCMA CAR (anti-BCMA-CAR3). The CAR incorporated a fully human scFv specific to BCMA, linked to the CD8 hinge region. The design included the CD28 transmembrane domain, two co-stimulatory domains (CD28 and 4-1BB), and the CD3ζ signaling domain (28BBζ). Lentiviral technology generated these modified T cells, which were compared against anti-BCMA-CAR2 T cells for efficacy against cancer. Anti-BCMA-CAR3 T cells exhibited significantly higher cytotoxic activity against BCMA-expressing cells (KMS-12-PE and NCI-H929) compared to anti-BCMA-CAR2 T cells. At an effector-to-target ratio of 10:1, anti-BCMA-CAR3 T cells induced lysis in 75.5 ± 3.8% of NCI-H929 cells, whereas anti-BCMA-CAR2 T cells achieved 56.7 ± 3.4% (p = 0.0023). Notably, after twelve days of cultivation, anti-BCMA-CAR3 T cells nearly eradicated BCMA-positive cells (4.1 ± 2.1%), while anti-BCMA-CAR2 T cells allowed 36.8 ± 20.1% to survive. This study highlights the superior efficacy of anti-BCMA-CAR3 T cells against both low and high BCMA-expressing MM cells, surpassing anti-BCMA-CAR2 T cells. These findings suggest potential for advancing anti-BCMA-CAR3 T cells in chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) therapy for relapsed/refractory MM.
Volcanic clouds detection applying machine learning techniques to GNSS radio occultations
Authors: Hammouti Mohammed , Gencarelli Christian Natale , Sterlacchini Simone , Biondi Riccardo
Published: April 2024

Volcanic clouds detection is a challenge especially when meteorological clouds are present in the same area. Several algorithms have been developed to detect and monitor volcanic clouds by using satellite instruments based on different remote sensing techniques. This work aims at classifying volcanic clouds based on atmospheric profiles retrieved by the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) radio occultation technique. We collocated the radio occultations with the volcanic cloud detection from AIRS (Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder) and IASI (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer) for 11 big eruptions happening in the period 2008–2015 resulting in about 15000 profiles. We created an archive with the collocations and a corresponding number of profiles in “non-volcanic” environment in the same area and on the same period of the year. A support vector machine algorithm was applied to the archive in order to classify the clouds and to distinguish the volcanic clouds from the other types. The model performances are promising: the GNSS radio occultations are able to distinguish the volcanic clouds with an accuracy higher than 80% when the eruption occurs at high latitudes. The performances of the model are affected by the number of collocations used for the training. Nowadays, the number of radio occultations is higher than in the period considered in this research, making this work a pioneering study for a future operational product.
Survey: federated learning data security and privacy-preserving in edge-Internet of Things
Authors: Li Haiao , Ge Lina , Tian Lei
Published: April 2024

The amount of data generated owing to the rapid development of the Smart Internet of Things is increasing exponentially. Traditional machine learning can no longer meet the requirements for training complex models with large amounts of data. Federated learning, as a new paradigm for training statistical models in distributed edge networks, alleviates integration and training problems in the context of massive and heterogeneous data and security protection for private data. Edge computing processes data at the edge layers of data sources to ensure low-data-delay processing; it provides high-bandwidth communication and a stable network environment, and relieves the pressure of processing massive data using a single node in the cloud center. A combination of edge computing and federated learning can further optimize computing, communication, and data security for the edge-Internet of Things. This review investigated the development status of federated learning and expounded on its basic principles. Then, in view of the security attacks and privacy leakage problems of federated learning in the edge Internet of things, relevant work was investigated from cryptographic technologies (such as secure multi-party computation, homomorphic encryption and secret sharing), perturbation schemes (such as differential privacy), adversarial training and other privacy security protection measures. Finally, challenges and future research directions for the integration of edge computing and federated learning are discussed.
ARTS and small-molecule ARTS mimetics upregulate p53 levels by promoting the degradation of XIAP
Authors: Abbas Ruqaia , Hartmann Oliver , Asiss Dorin Theodora , Abbas Rabab , Kagan Julia , Kim Hyoung-Tae , Oren Moshe , Diefenbacher Markus , Orian Amir , Larisch Sarit
Published: April 2024

Mutations resulting in decreased activity of p53 tumor suppressor protein promote tumorigenesis. P53 protein levels are tightly regulated through the Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS). Several E3 ligases were shown to regulate p53 stability, including MDM2. Here we report that the ubiquitin E3 ligase XIAP (X-linked Inhibitors of Apoptosis) is a direct ligase for p53 and describe a novel approach for modulating the levels of p53 by targeting the XIAP pathway. Using in vivo (live-cell) and in vitro (cell-free reconstituted system) ubiquitylation assays, we show that the XIAP-antagonist ARTS regulates the levels of p53 by promoting the degradation of XIAP. XIAP directly binds and ubiquitylates p53. In apoptotic cells, ARTS inhibits the ubiquitylation of p53 by antagonizing XIAP. XIAP knockout MEFs express higher p53 protein levels compared to wild-type MEFs. Computational screen for small molecules with high affinity to the ARTS-binding site within XIAP identified a small-molecule ARTS-mimetic, B3. This compound stimulates apoptosis in a wide range of cancer cells but not normal PBMC (Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells). Like ARTS, the B3 compound binds to XIAP and promotes its degradation via the UPS. B3 binding to XIAP stabilizes p53 by disrupting its interaction with XIAP. These results reveal a novel mechanism by which ARTS and p53 regulate each other through an amplification loop to promote apoptosis. Finally, these data suggest that targeting the ARTS binding pocket in XIAP can be used to increase p53 levels as a new strategy for developing anti-cancer therapeutics.
How Are You Feeling Today? Dynamic and Static Indices of Daily Affect Predict Psychological Adjustment One Year Later in a Multi-cohort, Longitudinal Investigation
Authors: Mitchell Benjamin J. , Baugher Brittany , Gawlik Emily , Richmond Julia , Sidney Pooja G. , Taber Jennifer M. , Thompson Clarissa A. , Coifman Karin G.
Published: April 2024

Background

Dominant psychotherapies target how individuals experience and understand their daily emotion. Therefore, research examining how daily emotions influence long-term mental health outcomes may help inform treatment development.

Methods

This investigation applied a multi-cohort (n = 378; n = 460), longitudinal design to test how reports of daily emotion predict psychological symptoms, loneliness, and wellbeing one-year later. Dynamic indices (polarity, inertia) reflecting “how” emotional experiences are conceptualized moment-to-moment and static indices (person-mean, standard deviation) of emotion were extracted from 10 daily reports. Each index was modelled individually, in concert with others, and in relation to a key dispositional factor in symptom development: trait anxiety.

Results

Dynamic indices predicted outcomes one-year later, but only the effect of positive emotional inertia remained significant after accounting for mean intensity of affect. Daily reports of emotion also predicted small but significant variance in outcomes beyond trait anxiety.

Conclusions

Results highlight the role of daily subjective experiences of emotion in long-term mental health outcomes and reinforce their importance as targets for treatment.
Disentangling determinants of nearshore fish and crayfish assemblages in a canyon-shaped Mediterranean reservoir
Authors: Petriki O. , Ntislidou C. , Petrocheilou D. , Michaelidis K. , Perivolioti T.M. , Kouletsos A. , Laggis A. , Bobori D. C.
Published: April 2024

The distinct origin and hydrological characteristics of reservoirs, shaped by fluctuating water levels and seasonal variations, play a crucial role in determining aquatic species assemblages across diverse limnological zones. This study aimed to analyze fish and crayfish assemblages in the nearshore area of a canyon-shaped Mediterranean reservoir, seeking to identify seasonal and spatial convergent patterns and infer the factors influencing them. Samplings were conducted at five stations along the longitudinal profile of the reservoir at depths around 7 m using gillnets and hoops nets. A seasonal pattern emerged regarding species abundance and biomass, with higher values recorded during the warmer period. Additionally, a spatial trend was observed, indicating higher species abundance in the middle part of the reservoir and lower abundance near the dam, particularly during the colder period. Water transparency, temperature, and the distance from the dam were identified as the most significant factors affecting species assemblages in terms of abundance and biomass. This research provides valuable insights into the intricate interplay between environmental factors, seasonal changes, and the assemblages of aquatic species in a Mediterranean reservoir, contributing to our understanding of its ecological dynamics.
Attack Detection and Security Control for UAVs Against Attacks on Desired Trajectory
Authors: Pan Kunpeng , Lyu Yang , Yang Feisheng , Tan Zheng , Pan Quan
Published: April 2024

The paper presents a security control scheme for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) against desired trajectory attacks. The key components of the proposed scheme are the attack detector, attack estimator, and integral sliding mode security controller (ISMSC). We focus on malicious tampering of the desired trajectory sent by the ground control station (GCS) to the UAV by attackers. Firstly, we model attacks by analyzing the characteristics of desired trajectory attacks. Secondly, an integrated attack detection scheme based on an unknown input observer (UIO) and an interval observer is presented. Subsequently, a robust adaptive observer (RAO) is employed to compensate for the impact of attacks on the control system. Thirdly, an ISMSC with an attack compensation mechanism is established. Finally, simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. The proposed detection scheme can not only detect desired trajectory attacks but also distinguish them from abrupt unknown disturbances (AUDs). By utilizing ISMSC method, UAVs under desired trajectory attacks can fly safely. The proposed comprehensive framework of detection, estimation and compensation provides a theoretical basis for ensuring cyber security in UAVs.
Tissue requirements for the application of aortic valve neocuspidization – appropriate pericardium properties and homogeneity?
Authors: Dittfeld Claudia , Bähring Sophia , Welzel Cindy , Jannasch Anett , Matschke Klaus , Tugtekin Sems-Malte , Alexiou Konstantin
Published: April 2024

Objective: Aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo) using autologous pericardium is a promising technique. Expected advantages are reduced immune response, appropriate biomechanics and lower treatment expenses. Nevertheless, autologous pericardium can be affected by patient’s age and comorbidities. Usually, glutaraldehyde (GA) - fixed bovine pericardium is the basic material for aortic valve prostheses, easy available and carefully pre-examined in a standardized fabrication process. Aim of the study is the verification of autologous pericardial tissue homogeneity by analysing tissue thickness, biomechanics and extracellular matrix (ECM) composition. Methods: Segments of human GA-fixed pericardium selected by the surgeon based on visual criteria for cusp pre-cut and remaining after surgical AV replacement were investigated in comparison to bovine standard tissue treated equivalently. Pericardium sampling was performed at up to three positions of each sutured cusp for histological or biomechanical analysis, according to tissue availability. Results and Conclusions: Human pericardia exhibited a higher heterogeneity in collagen content, density of vessel structures and elastic moduli. Thickness, vessel density and collagen and elastin content differed significantly between the species. In contrast, significant interindividual differences were detected in most properties investigated for human pericardial samples but only for tissue thickness in bovine tissues. Higher heterogeneity of human pericardium, differing vessel and collagen content compared to bovine state-of-the-art material might be detrimental for long term AV functionality or deterioration and have to be intensely investigated in patients follow up after autologous cusp replacement.

Graphical Abstract
Social equity in international environmental agreements
Authors: Donnini Chiara , Sacco Armando
Published: April 2024

The aim of this paper is to investigate the problem of designing and building International Environmental Agreements (IEAs) taking into account some normative properties. We consider n asymmetric countries of the world, each one generating a quantity of pollutant emissions from the production of goods and services. We assume that individual emissions yield private benefits and negative externalities affecting all countries. To determine its own level of pollution, each state conducts a cost-benefit analysis. The absence of a supranational entity imposing emissions reduction makes IEAs based on voluntary participation. Examining the standard static non-cooperative game-theoretical model of coalition formation, we discover that the resulting emissions allocations might not be equitable à la Foley. It means that there might exist at least one player preferring to implement some other agent’s strategic plan instead of to play her own strategy. With the goal of studying whether equity, at least among coalesced countries, may be a criterion leading to social improvement, we introduce a new optimization rule. We require that members of an environmental coalition have to solve the maximization problem subject to the constraint imposing that they do not envy each other. Analyzing the particular case of two-player games, we get that, when countries are, in a sense, not too different from each other, our new mechanism endogenously induces social equity. By imposing a suitable total emission cap, the same results extend to all those games where our and standard solutions coexist and are different.