bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wood consolidation through an epoxy‐acrylic gamma‐crosslinked three‐dimensional system
Authors: Vasilca Silvana , Virgolici Marian , Cutrubinis Mihalis , Moise Valentin , Mereuta Paul , Sirbu Robert , Medvedovici Andrei Valentin
Published: April 2024

Emerging technologies based on polymeric materials are progressively developed in order to preserve and consolidate cultural heritage artifacts. In this study, we aimed to obtain a hybrid polymer reliant on two types of thermosets that undergo irreversible crosslinking via ionizing radiation‐induced polymerization, the polymer's structure and characteristics being tailored using specific dose rates, doses, linear energy transfer and monomers ratio, in order to achieve the established performance requirements. Here, we demonstrate a covalently bonded 3D hybrid diepoxy‐triacrylic polymer that is chemically and dimensionally stable, intending to use it as a consolidant of highly degraded wooden artifacts in order to mitigate oxygen inhibition from radical chain reactions, to increase chemical and thermal stability, as well as to obtain a stiffer consolidated artifact, therefore more resistant to deformation. Various types of analytical techniques such as Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry or Thermal analysis were performed in order to support our strategy and predictions regarding the synergistic effect given by gamma irradiation‐driven crosslinking through simultaneous cationic and radical chain growth polymerization reaction mechanisms. We achieved a homogenous polymeric formulation and wood‐polymer composite materials with high modulus of elasticity, therefore providing up to a twofold increase in Young's modulus in the consolidated wood, a good chemical resistance to various solvents and outstanding thermal resistance up to 381°C. Consequently, the consolidation methodology, as well as mechanical testing, analytical and morphological characterization of the resulted composite will be discussed. Apart from consolidating cultural heritage wooden artifacts, this synthetic route and impregnation methodology provide opportunities for wood‐polymer composites in a wealth of applications as reinforced wood‐based materials.
Recent progress of cotton fabric based on bio‐inspired modification for oil/water separation
Authors: Meng Xu , Song Chengzhi , Dong Yanyan , Lis Arias Manuel José , Yan Junfeng , Liang Liping
Published: April 2024

With the continuous development of the industry, oil spill accidents occur frequently. Oil/water separation materials are considered to be a major choice for the treatment of oily wastewater due to their flexible operation and low cost. Cotton fabrics are low‐cost and environmentally friendly, which are used as substrates to prepare oil/water separation materials with quite competitive in the market. A large number of oil/water separation cotton fabrics with excellent properties have been frequently reported in recent decades. On the other hand, since the service life of these oil/water separation cotton fabrics is closely related to the thin layer covered on the surface, so in order to improve the practical applicability, substances such as dopamine and plant polyphenols that improve the adhesion of the thin layer to the surface of the material are introduced into the preparation process of these materials. On this basis, the research progress of super‐hydrophobic cotton fabrics, super‐hydrophilic/underwater super‐oleophobic cotton fabrics, super durable oil/water separation cotton fabrics and intelligent response to oil/water separation fabric in recent years are reviewed, as well as their applications in the field of oil/water separation.
Co‐targeting BET, CBP, and p300 inhibits neuroendocrine signalling in androgen receptor‐null prostate cancer
Authors: Choo Nicholas , Keerthikumar Shivakumar , Ramm Susanne , Ashikari Daisaku , Teng Linda , Niranjan Birunthi , Hedwards Shelley , Porter Laura H , Goode David L , Simpson Kaylene J , Taylor Renea A , Risbridger Gail P , Lawrence Mitchell G
Published: April 2024

There are diverse phenotypes of castration‐resistant prostate cancer, including neuroendocrine disease, that vary in their sensitivity to drug treatment. The efficacy of BET and CBP/p300 inhibitors in prostate cancer is attributed, at least in part, to their ability to decrease androgen receptor (AR) signalling. However, the activity of BET and CBP/p300 inhibitors in prostate cancers that lack the AR is unclear. In this study, we showed that BRD4, CBP, and p300 were co‐expressed in AR‐positive and AR‐null prostate cancer. A combined inhibitor of these three proteins, NEO2734, reduced the growth of both AR‐positive and AR‐null organoids, as measured by changes in viability, size, and composition. NEO2734 treatment caused consistent transcriptional downregulation of cell cycle pathways. In neuroendocrine models, NEO2734 treatment reduced ASCL1 levels and other neuroendocrine markers, and reduced tumour growth in vivo. Collectively, these results show that epigenome‐targeted inhibitors cause decreased growth and phenotype‐dependent disruption of lineage regulators in neuroendocrine prostate cancer, warranting further development of compounds with this activity in the clinic. © 2024 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Synthesis of a silicon‐containing cyclotriphosphazene derivative for flame‐retardant modification of epoxy resin
Authors: Xie Qiunan , Li Xiaohan , Lin Jieying , Zhu Feiyu , Liu Jingcheng , Li Xiaojie , Wei Wei
Published: April 2024

Although epoxy resin (EP) has been widely used in many fields, it is still urgent to effectively improve its flame retardancy by halogen‐free strategies. Herein, a silicon‐containing cyclotriphosphazene derivative (HEP‐Si) was synthesized by nucleophilic substitution and silicon–hydrogen addition reaction using eugenol, hexachlorophosphazene and triethylsilane as raw materials. Then it served as a halogen‐free flame retardant for an EP/4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane system, and its performance was compared with that of commercial flame retardant hexaphenoxycyclotriphosphazene (HPP). The results showed that although the initial thermal decomposition temperature (T5%) of the cured products of EP/HEP‐Si was slightly lower than that of pure EP, T5% did not decrease further as the amount of HEP‐Si increased, indicating that good thermal stability was maintained. In addition, the char yield of the cured products of EP/HEP‐Si was significantly increased (more than 20 wt%) compared to that of pure EP. The cured EP with the addition of HPP and HEP‐Si both achieved a V‐0 rating in UL‐94 vertical burning test at 0.5 wt% phosphorus content, while the limiting oxygen index of the EP/HEP‐Si system was higher, reaching 33.2%. From cone calorimetric test results, the peak heat release rate, total heat release and total smoke production of the cured products of EP/HEP‐Si decreased by 61.5%, 37.1% and 26.2%, respectively, compared with that of pure EP. The cured EP/HEP‐Si materials also exhibited good thermomechanical and mechanical properties. Therefore, HEP‐Si is suggested to be a promising P/N/Si‐containing halogen‐free flame retardant for EP. © 2024 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has lower tolerance of moderate drought stress than its con‐specific wild relative, but the underlying traits remain elusive
Authors: Tran Vivian H. , Nolting Kristen M. , Donovan Lisa A. , Temme Andries A.
Published: April 2024

Cultivated crops are generally expected to have less abiotic stress tolerance than their wild relatives. However, this assumption is not well supported by empirical literature and may depend on the type of stress and how it is imposed, as well as the measure of tolerance being used. Here, we investigated whether wild and cultivated accessions of Helianthus annuus differed in stress tolerance assessed as proportional decline in biomass due to drought and whether wild and cultivated accessions differed in trait responses to drought and trait associations with tolerance. In a greenhouse study, H. annuus accessions in the two domestication classes (eight cultivated and eight wild accessions) received two treatments: a well‐watered control and a moderate drought implemented as a dry down followed by maintenance at a predetermined soil moisture level with automated irrigation. Treatments were imposed at the seedling stage, and plants were harvested after 2 weeks of treatment. The proportional biomass decline in response to drought was 24% for cultivated H. annuus accessions but was not significant for the wild accessions. Thus, using the metric of proportional biomass decline, the cultivated accessions had less drought tolerance. Among accessions, there was no tradeoff between drought tolerance and vigor assessed as biomass in the control treatment. In a multivariate analysis, wild and cultivated accessions did not differ from each other or in response to drought for a subset of morphological, physiological, and allocational traits. Analyzed individually, traits varied in response to drought in wild and/or cultivated accessions, including declines in specific leaf area, leaf theoretical maximum stomatal conductance (gsmax), and stomatal pore length, but there was no treatment response for stomatal density, succulence, or the ability to osmotically adjust. Focusing on traits associations with tolerance, plasticity in gsmax was the most interesting because its association with tolerance differed by domestication class (although the effects were relatively weak) and thus might contribute to lower tolerance of cultivated sunflower. Our H. annuus results support the expectation that stress tolerance is lower in crops than wild relatives under some conditions. However, determining the key traits that underpin differences in moderate drought tolerance between wild and cultivated H. annuus remains elusive.
Drone‐based imaging sensors, techniques, and applications in plant phenotyping for crop breeding: A comprehensive review
Authors: Gano Boubacar , Bhadra Sourav , Vilbig Justin M. , Ahmed Nurzaman , Sagan Vasit , Shakoor Nadia
Published: April 2024

Over the last decade, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for plant phenotyping and field crop monitoring has significantly evolved and expanded. These technologies have been particularly valuable for monitoring crop growth and health and for managing abiotic and biotic stresses such as drought, fertilization deficiencies, disease, and bioaggressors. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the progress in UAV‐based plant phenotyping, with a focus on the current use and application of drone technology to gain information on plant growth, development, adaptation, and yield. We reviewed over 200 research articles and discuss the best tools and methodologies for different research purposes, the challenges that need to be overcome, and the major research gaps that remain. First, the review offers a critical focus on elucidating the distinct characteristics of UAV platforms, highlighting the diverse sensor technologies employed and shedding light on the nuances of UAV data acquisition and processing methodologies. Second, it presents a comprehensive analysis of the multiple applications of UAVs in field phenotyping, underscoring the transformative potential of integrating machine learning techniques for plant analysis. Third, it delves into the realm of machine learning applications for plant phenotyping, emphasizing its role in enhancing data analysis and interpretation. Furthermore, the paper extensively examines the open issues and research challenges within the domain, addressing the complexities and limitations faced during data acquisition, processing, and interpretation. Finally, it outlines the future trends and emerging technologies in the field of UAV‐based plant phenotyping, paving the way for innovative advancements and methodologies.
Dynamical System Approach and Thermodynamical Perspective of Hořava‐Lifshitz Gravity
Authors: Samaddar Amit , Singh S. Surendra
Published: April 2024

The authors have examined a Friedmann Robertson Walker cosmological model in Hořava‐Lifshitz gravity by using a dynamical system approach. A set of autonomous equations is derived and their solutions are calculated. The critical points from these equations and find the characteristics values with the analysis of the physical interpretation of the phase space for this system are assessed. Three stable critical points are found and the values of the physical parameters and the scale factor's expressions at each critical points are displayed in Tables 1, 2, and 3. A hybrid scale factor to develop the model, which results in a phase transition from deceleration to acceleration is used. The suitable values of the parameters are governed by applying the Monte Chain Monte Carlo method technique to the Hubble 46 and joint Hubble 46 and Baryon Acoustic Oscillations 15 datasets. In contrast to the negative behavior of pressure, the positive behavior of energy density and illustrate the Universe's acceleration epoch and the model is represented by the EoS parameter . The authors investigated that the energy conditions and their model violates the strong energy condition. Utilizing diagnostic test, it is found that the model represents phantom behavior. The thermodynamical perspective for the model is also examined. The model accurately explained the Universe's propagation history and fits well with contemporary cosmic data.
Bacillus‐derived consortium enhances Ginkgo biloba's health and resistance to Alternaria tenuissima
Authors: Ji Shida , Liu Bin , Han Jing , Kong Ning , Yang Yongfeng , Zhang Jianxia , Wang Yucheng , Liu Zhihua
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

Bacillus, as a plant–growth‐promoting rhizobacteria, can enhance the resistance of plants to phytopathogens. In our study, Bacillus strains showing excellent biocontrol were screened and used to control ginkgo leaf blight (Alternaria tenuissima).

RESULTS

Four biocontrol Bacillus strains—Bsa537, Bam337, Bso544, and Bsu503—were selected from 286 isolates based on their capacity to inhibit pathogens and promote plant growth. The four Bacillus strains significantly improved the resistance of ginkgo to leaf blight. This was especially the case when the four strains were used as a mixture, which contributed to a decrease in lesion area of >40%. Hence, a mixture of Bacillus strains was used to control ginkgo leaf blight in the field. Treatment efficiency varied from 30% to 100% (average 81.5%) and was higher than that of the control (−2% to −18%, average − 8.5%); the antioxidant capacity of the treated ginkgo was also stronger. In addition, ginkgo biomass increased as a result of treatment with the Bacillus mixture, including leaf weight, area, thickness, number of lateral roots and root weight. Furthermore, the Bacillus mixture improved the ginkgo rhizosphere soil by boosting the number of beneficial microorganisms, lowering the number of pathogens and hastening soil catabolism.

CONCLUSION

The Bacillus mixture improved the health status of ginkgo by protecting it from pathogen attack, promoting its growth and improving the microorganism community in the rhizosphere. This work closes a technological gap in the biological control of ginkgo leaf blight, investigates application methods for compound Bacillus biofertilizers and establishes a framework for the popularity and commercialization of these products. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Rhizospheric microbiota of suppressive soil protect plants against Fusarium solani infection
Authors: Li Baolong , Yang Ping , Feng Yali , Du Chenyang , Qi Gaofu , Zhao Xiuyun
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

Fusarium infection has caused huge economic losses in many crops. The study aimed to compare the microbial community of suppressive and conducive soils and relate to the reduction of Fusarium wilt.

RESULTS

High‐throughput sequencing and microbial network analysis were used to investigate the differences in the rhizosphere microbiota of the suppressive and conducive soils and to identify the beneficial keystone taxa. Plant pathogens were enriched in the conducive soil. Potential plant‐beneficial microorganisms and antagonistic microorganisms were enriched in the suppressive soil. More positive interactions and keystone taxa existed in the suppressive soil network. Thirty‐nine and 16 keystone taxa were identified in the suppressive and conducive soil networks, respectively. Sixteen fungal strains and 168 bacterial strains were isolated from suppressive soil, some of which exhibited plant growth‐promotion traits. Thirty‐nine bacterial strains and 10 fungal strains showed antagonistic activity against F. solani. Keystone taxa Bacillus and Trichoderma exhibited high antifungal activity. Lipopeptides produced by Bacillus sp. RB150 and chitinase from Trichoderma spp. inhibited the growth of F. solani. Microbial consortium I (Bacillus sp. RB150, Pseudomonas sp. RB70 and Trichoderma asperellum RF10) and II (Bacillus sp. RB196, Bacillus sp. RB150 and T. asperellum RF10) effectively controlled root rot disease, the spore number of F. solani was reduced by 94.2% and 83.3%.

CONCLUSION

Rhizospheric microbiota of suppressive soil protects plants against F. solani infection. Antagonistic microorganisms in suppressive soil inhibit pathogen growth and infection. Microbial consortia consisted of keystone taxa well control root rot disease. These findings help control Fusarium wilt. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Implementation of PID controller and enhanced red deer algorithm in optimal path planning of substation inspection robots
Authors: Tang Zhuozhen , Xue Bin , Ma Hongzhong , Rad Ahmad
Published: April 2024

In contemporary power transmission systems, substation monitoring stands as a vital but challenging task. While robotics offers promise in this regard, its potential is still nascent, struggling to replicate human intelligence. This article's core aim was to optimize robot path planning (RPP). Employing the enhanced red deer algorithm (ERDA), we sought to bolster RPP for more efficient substation inspections. The key methods used seem to be modeling, experimentation, comparative analysis, and some elements of data benchmarking to systematically evaluate and validate their proposed technique and models both in simulation and the real world. Research aims to enhance substation inspection effectiveness and bolster the safety of power usage in society. Proposed hybrid approach, combining proportional–integral–derivative (PID) with ERDA (PID–ERDA), underpins an Intelligent Intelligent RPP framework tailored to substation inspections. Examining the PID–ERDA model's performance, it significantly improved path length by 18%–29% and reduced response times by 14%–26% compared with PID or ERDA alone. PID–ERDA consistently achieved optimal solutions in 40–60 trials out of 85, while PID and ERDA managed 20–40 trials with inconsistent optimization. Additionally, it reduced average response times to 17–20 s from 21 to 27 s observed when using PID and ERDA separately. PID–ERDA also demonstrated superior path accuracy, surpassing methods like improved adaptive control algorithm‐feedforward neural network, enhanced unified algorithm‐susceptible‐infected‐removed, and bounded behavior‐particle swarm optimization by 7%–13%. The study affirms that the PID–ERDA model significantly enhances path planning for substation inspections, representing a milestone in RPP for power station inspections within modern power transmission systems. The primary contribution of this research is the significant improvement it brings to RPP for power station inspections, especially in substation monitoring within modern power transmission systems.
Plants and river morphodynamics: The emergence of fluvial biogeomorphology
Authors: Gurnell A. M. , Bertoldi W.
Published: April 2024

In this article, we track the evolution of fluvial biogeomorphology from the middle of the 20th century to the present. We consider the emergence of fluvial biogeomorphology as an interdisciplinary research area that integrates knowledge drawn primarily from fluvial geomorphology and plant ecology, but with inputs from hydrology and landscape ecology. We start by assembling evidence for the emergence of the field of fluvial biogeomorphology with a keyword search of the Web of Science and a detailed analysis of papers published in two scientific journals: a geomorphology journal—Earth Surface Processes and Landforms; a multidisciplinary river science journal—River Research and Applications. Based on this evidence, we identify three distinct time periods in the development of fluvial biogeomorphology: the ‘early years’ before 1990; the transitional decade of the 1990s; and the period of rapid expansion and diversification in themes, methods and investigation scales since 2000. Because the literature is vast, we can only summarize developments in each of these time periods, but we refer to recent in‐depth reviews and conceptual perspectives on relevant topics. Thus, rather than a full and deep review, we present an annotated bibliographic overview of the development of fluvial biogeomorphology, whereby the text describes broad trends but is supported by tables of citations that can deliver greater detail. We end with a brief consideration of likely future developments.
Speculative Capture: Literacy after Platformization
Authors: Nichols T. Philip , Thrall Alexandra , Quiros Julian , Dixon‐Román Ezekiel
Published: April 2024

This conceptual article examines the role of speculation in driving responses to generative AI platforms in literacy education and the implications for research, pedagogy, and practice. Our focus on “speculation” encompasses two meanings of the term – each of which has inspired lively lines of inquiry in literacy studies and transdisciplinary research on artificial intelligence, respectively. In the first sense, literacy scholars have recognized literacy education as a speculative project – one characterized by the cultivation of particular reading and writing practices in order to prefigure different imagined social futures. In the second sense, scholars of media and computational cultural studies have theorized a different kind of speculative logic that underwrites the design and functioning of AI platforms – one characterized by extrapolative prediction and algorithmic reasoning. Investigating the evolving relationship between these modes of speculation, we argue that the former has allowed literacy education to be uniquely susceptible to the influence of the latter; and likewise, that the latter exerts its influence in ways that remake the former in its image. We theorize this relation as a process of speculative capture, and we highlight its stakes for equitable literacy education. We then conclude by providing provocations for researchers and teachers that may be of use in preempting the collapse of these speculative formations into one another; and perhaps, in mobilizing a conception of the speculative that works productively toward alternative ethico‐political ends.
Influence of barrens restoration treatments on soil carbon, nitrogen, and mercury pools and emissions
Authors: Kolka R. K. , Quigley K. M. , Miesel J. R. , Dickinson M. B. , Sturtevant B. R. , Kern C. C.
Published: April 2024

Currently barrens communities only represent about 1% of their original area in the Great Lakes region. To maintain or restore barrens vegetation, prescribed fire is often applied to limit the regeneration of undesirable species and shrubs. Vegetation community response is a combination of direct fire effects on the vegetation vitality and the indirect effect of soil nitrogen (N) loss that favors nutrient‐poor adapted barren communities. In this study, we assessed forest floor and upper mineral soil (0–5 cm) pools of carbon (C), N, and mercury (Hg) before and after prescribed fire of the Moquah Barrens in northwest Wisconsin. Although we took measurements in four distinct cover types, we found no relationship between cover type and soil pools. Across all cover types, prescribed fire led to considerable emissions of C, N, and Hg in the forest floor but only Hg in the upper mineral soils (0–5 cm), presumably because maximum fire temperatures were met for Hg volatilization. We classified fire severity and soil surface temperatures at the quadrat scale, but no discernable relationships with emissions were observed. The lack of detectable relationships is likely the result of a mismatch between the scales of response variables and predictors. As a result, we calculated ecosystem‐scale fire emissions based on the total area burned because we could not discern other smaller scale predictors. Overall emissions from dormant, spring season prescribed fires at the Moquah Barrens were approximately 11,000 Mg (5.5 Mg ha−1) for C, 350 Mg for N (0.17 Mg ha−1), and 4,500 g for Hg (2.3 g ha−1).
Greening African economies: Investigating the role of financial development, green investments, and institutional quality
Authors: Antwi Frank , Kong Yusheng , Donkor Mary
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the impact of financial development (FD) and green investments (GIs) on environmental pollution in Eastern and Southern African countries from 1990 to 2020. The research not only investigates the direct impacts of FD and green finance on environmental pollution but also examines the moderating role of institutional quality (IQ) and possible nonlinear effects of FD and green finance. Our analysis from the Panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) long‐run PMG reveals a negative association between FD, green investment, and environmental pollution, indicating that a well‐developed financial sector supports sustainable initiatives, leading to improved environmental outcomes. IQ moderates this relationship, with strong governance enhancing the positive effects of FD and green finance on environmental preservation. Interestingly, the study identifies nonlinear impacts, suggesting that beyond a certain threshold, the contributions of FD and GIs to environmental preservation may diminish. Recognizing these nonlinearities and the role of IQ can inform more targeted policies for maximizing efforts toward environmental conservation in African economies.
Psychological approaches to sustainability: Implementing intervention model for sustainable development in physical education
Authors: Baena‐Morales Salvador , Vásquez‐Echeverría Alejandro , Gavilán‐Martín Diego , González‐Villora Sixto
Published: April 2024

One of the pending challenges facing Education for Sustainable Development is to change students' behavior in favor of sustainability so that these are lasting and even transferable to other people. This study analyzes how various psychological factors, including motivation, attitudes, beliefs and emotions, can be channeled to enhance social and ecological awareness through education. This paper presents an innovative approach to Sustainable Development (SD) in education, focusing on Physical Education. It highlights the intersection of Psychology, education and sustainability, showing how the first two can contribute significantly to lasting changes in students' behavior. Based on this, the Intervention Model for Sustainable Development in Physical Education (PESDIM), which combines psychological theories with specific educational strategies, is presented. In this model, which can be replicated in other educational disciplines, psychological theories are based on social interaction and norms, identity construction, motivation, beliefs and individual efficacy to improve awareness of sustainable development. The paper highlights the need for a holistic and practical approach to sustainability education in general and Physical Education in particular, stresses the importance of psychology and advocates for an educational transformation that holistically integrates sustainability into teaching methods and objectives.
Biosynthesized Metallic Nanoarchitecture for Photocatalytic Degradation of Emerging Organochlorine and Organophosphate Pollutants: A Review
Authors: Emmanuel Stephen Sunday , Idris Mustapha Omenesa , Olawoyin Christopher Olusola , Adesibikan Ademidun Adeola , Aliyu Abdulbasit A , Suleiman Abdulrahman Itopa
Published: April 2024

The use of efficacious and cost‐effective pesticides (OP and OC) has undoubtedly proven to be a blessing and a baron because these pesticides are safeguarding the world from food insecurity. Unfortunately, their presence in aquatic bodies brings about an upsurge in water pollution. Amazingly, the photocatalytic degradation approach utilizing biogenic nanoparticles (BNPs) is a trendy state‐of‐the‐art approach and has been established to be a sustainable methodology for the complete mineralization of contaminants into harmless molecules. Thus, this work holistically explores the use of BNPs for photocatalytic degradation of OP and OC. Based on the review, it was found that the least amount of time needed for degradation was less than 5 minutes, while the maximum degradation efficiency was >80 %. The dominant radicals participating in the degradation are ⋅OH and O2⋅ and this radical dominance was enhanced by the oxygenated functional groups present in the biogenic entities employed for the biosynthesis of BNPs. The photocatalytic degradation data fits the pseudo‐first‐order and Langmuir isotherm models (R2 > 0.9), which indicates that the main adsorption mechanisms involved during electron‐hole pair formation and photocatalytic degradation are physisorption and monolayer at the surface of the BNPs. BNPs can sustain a >80 % degradation efficiency for approximately 5 cycles and are reusable for up to 8 cycles. It was also revealed that plants constitute 80 % of the engaged biogenic entities for BNP synthesis. Ultimately, this work offers novel avenues and future research hotspots that might accelerate the use of BNPs for sustainable agricultural and wastewater management practices.
Green Preparation of Mn‐Doped ZnS Quantum Dots/Gelatin Composite Gel Beads and Their Applications in Detection
Authors: Chen Zongming , Zhang Haipeng , Xu Zequan , Tao Jiangtao , Luo Yuqing , Chen Yanjun , Wang Yifeng
Published: April 2024

Herein, Mn‐doped ZnS quantum dots/gelatin (QDs‐G) composite gel beads were directly prepared by a green and novel method. The method shows a range of benefits, such as the green and convenient process, mild conditions, and simple post‐processing. The resulting QDs‐G gel beads are transparent, homogeneous and stable. These gel beads exhibit clear orange‐red fluorescence under 302 nm UV light, which is associated with Mn‐doped ZnS QDs. Additionally, the QDs‐G gel beads possess a reversible thermo‐responsive sol‐gel transition property. TEM observation shows that there are QDs in the QDs‐G gel beads, and their average particle size is 4.0 nm. The QDs‐G gel beads can be innovatively used for both fluorescent detection and colorimetric detection, which show advantages such as simple operation, direct observation (no need for instruments), wide detection range, and good anti‐interference ability. Moreover, the more accurate fluorescence detection toward Cu2+ can be conducted through QDs/gelatin solution (the detection limit is 0.16 μM) based on the thermo‐responsive sol‐gel transition property of the gel beads. Therefore, the as‐fabricated QDs‐G gel bead is a promising candidate for application in the detection field.
Highly Selective Isomerization of Glucose to Fructose through a Biphasic and Recyclable Mimetic Enzyme Catalyst
Authors: Gan Zi‐Yu , Meng Xiang‐Guang , Zhang Yu‐Lian , Yu Wen‐Wang , Li Wen , Zhou Jie
Published: April 2024

Developing a biphasic catalyst is of great significance for improving reaction efficiency and its industrial application. Herein a novel biphasic catalyst containing three functional groups of chlorophenol, amino and carboxyl was synthesized and used as mimic glucose isomerase to catalyze the isomerization. The mimic enzyme exhibited excellent catalytic performance for isomerization of glucose to fructose under mild conditions. Temperature and pH of solution showed significant influence on the conversion of glucose and the selectivity of fructose. The yield and selectivity of fructose reached 32.4 % and 91.0 % after reacting 2 h, respectively, at pH 9.5 and 90 °C. The solubility of the catalyst exhibited dual sensitivity to both pH and temperature. The catalyst was in a soluble state during the reaction process and could be precipitated by reducing the pH and temperature of the reaction system. The catalyst could be reused and still maintained good catalytic activity after five consecutive cycles.
Searching long patterns with BNDM
Authors: Tarhio Jorma
Published: April 2024

We present new algorithms for exact string matching of long patterns. Our algorithms read ‐grams at constant distances and are variations of the simplified BNDM algorithm. We demonstrate the competitiveness of our solutions through practical experiments. Many of our algorithms were faster than previous methods for English and DNA patterns between 400 and 50,000 in length. Our algorithms were still better when the preprocessing time was taken into account or when the patterns were taken from a different text of the same type.
Network alternating direction method of multipliers for ultrahigh‐dimensional decentralised federated learning
Authors: Dong Wei , Feng Sanying
Published: April 2024

Ultrahigh‐dimensional data analysis has received great achievement in recent years. When the data are stored in multiple clients and the clients can be connected only with each other through a network structure, the implementation of ultrahigh‐dimensional analysis can be numerically challenging or even infeasible. In this work, we study decentralised federated learning for ultrahigh‐dimensional data analysis, where the parameters of interest are estimated via a large amount of devices without data sharing by a network structure. In the local machines, each parallel runs gradient ascent to obtain estimators via the sparsity‐restricted constrained methods. Also, we obtain a global model by aggregating each machine's information via an alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) using a concave pairwise fusion penalty between different machines through a network structure. The proposed method can mitigate privacy risks from traditional machine learning, recover the sparsity and provide estimates of all regression coefficients simultaneously. Under mild conditions, we show the convergence and estimation consistency of our method. The promising performance of the method is supported by both simulated and real data examples.
Formation of manufacturers' supply management capability: The knowledge‐based view
Authors: Li Xiaoyun , Li Suicheng , Wu Mengchao
Published: April 2024

Acknowledging the pivotal strategic importance of external suppliers in obtaining competitive advantages underscores the necessity for manufacturers to bolster their supply management capabilities. This involves meticulously structuring, developing, and efficiently managing the supply base to ensure alignment of suppliers with the manufacturing processes and business objectives, consequently generating value and enhancing market competitiveness. The processes of acquiring, assimilating, transforming, and exploiting pertinent supply chain knowledge are vital for continuously bridging the gap between the current knowledge and the complex requirements of supply management, consequently strengthening the purchasing department's supply management capabilities. Strategic purchasing orientation commits more strategic resources to the purchasing department, allowing manufacturers to access and assimilate a broader spectrum of knowledge within the supply network. Grounded in the knowledge‐based view, our research delves into the development process of supply management capabilities, examining the influence of strategic purchasing orientation and absorptive capacity. Through hierarchical regression analysis of data from 395 manufacturers, our findings reveal that a pronounced strategic purchasing orientation significantly enhances absorptive capacity, thereby facilitating the development of supply management capabilities. Additionally, our study identifies distinct mediating roles of potential and realized absorptive capacities in the relationship between strategic purchasing orientation and supply management capability. This research offers a novel perspective on the development of supply management capabilities, providing valuable insights for manufacturers to address the complexities of supply management by narrowing the knowledge gap. Key words: supply management capability; absorptive capacity; strategic purchasing orientation.
Ultrasound diagnosis and sialadenectomy confirming a mandibular salivary gland vegetative foreign body and chronic sialadenitis in a dog
Authors: Phillips Katherine , Guy Bethany , Prior Sebastian , Riggs Julia
Published: April 2024

A 2‐year‐old, female, neutered dog presented with a right‐sided, non‐painful, ventral neck mass approximately 2.5 cm in diameter. Although aspirates of the mass yielded a low volume of grossly purulent exudate, there was no response to antibiotic and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory medications. Cervical ultrasound examination revealed a straight hyperechoic structure with no associated distal acoustic shadowing in the right mandibular salivary gland, surrounded by a small volume of anechoic fluid, most consistent with migrating foreign material and focal sialadenitis. The surrounding subcutaneous tissues were hyperechoic with interspersed anechoic fluid material, consistent with cellulitis. Vegetative material was considered most likely due to the shape of the structure and absence of distal acoustic shadowing. Right mandibular and sublingual sialadenectomy was performed and vegetative material was retrieved from the mandibular salivary gland. Histopathology revealed chronic pyogranulomatous sialadenitis secondary to foreign body migration. Surgical excision achieved clinical resolution at 8 weeks follow‐up.
Minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy by junior surgeon: Initial experience of the next generation
Authors: Kim Sung Hyun , Hong Seung Soo , Kang Chang Moo
Published: April 2024

Background

Several guidelines exist for minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy (MIPD) regarding its prerequisites and learning curve. However, these guidelines are based on the experience of the pioneers of MIPD; minimal data exist on the experience of the next generation of surgeons. The aim of this study was to compare the two surgeon types (veteran and junior) for MIPD in terms of immediate postoperative outcomes.

Methods

The postoperative outcomes of 22 patients who underwent robot‐assisted pancreatoduodenectomy (RAPD) by a junior surgeon from July 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The outcomes were compared with the initial postoperative outcomes and the contemporary postoperative outcomes of RAPD by a veteran surgeon.

Results

In comparing the initial outcomes between the two surgeon types, the veteran surgeons showed a shorter operation time (junior surgeon vs. veteran surgeon: 606 ± 89 vs. 467 ± 77 min, p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in terms of postoperative outcomes, such as blood loss (300 [200–600] ml. vs. 200 [100–500] ml, p = 0.208), major complications (≥CDC IIIa: 4 (18.2%) vs. 4 (18.2%), p = 1.000), postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF; ≥ISGPF Grade B: 2 (9.1%) vs. 3 (13.6%), p > 0.999), and length of hospital stay (18.0 ± 8.9 days vs. 18.3 ± 7.9 days, p = 0.915), between the two surgeon types. In addition, in a comparison of the contemporary outcomes, there was no significant difference in terms of postoperative outcome (complications: 4 (18.2%) vs 11 (11.1%), p = 0.580; POPF: 2 (9.1%) vs. 3 (3.0%), p = 0.484; length of hospital stay: 18.0 ± 8.9 vs. 15.0 ± 6.5 days, p = 0.065).

Conclusion

The initial outcomes of MIPD by a well‐trained junior surgeon were found to be comparable to those of MIPD by a veteran surgeon.
‘Dead birds flying': can north American rehabilitated raptors released into the wild mitigate anthropogenic mortality?
Authors: Hagen Christian A. , Goodell John M. , Millsap Brian A. , Zimmerman Guthrie S.
Published: April 2024

As the human footprint expands to meet societal energy needs, as do the impacts to wildlife. Raptors in particular are highly susceptible to anthropogenic caused mortality. Industry sectors are encouraged to offset these causes of mortality. Several options to mitigate these losses have been proposed, including raptor rehabilitation. However, its role as a conservation tool is untested. Currently no peer‐reviewed demographic analyses exist using post‐release data from rehabilitated raptors to evaluate its effectiveness at continental scales. Our objectives were to estimate annual survival of rehabilitated and wild raptors, and then use those estimates in demographic models to assess potential effects at individual and population levels. We hypothesized that rehabilitated raptors would survive similarly to their wild counterparts after an acclimation period, and that longer‐lived species (K‐selected) would benefit most from these releases. We used US Geological Survey Bird Banding Lab band‐recovery data (1974–2018) from 20 raptor species for modeling survival of rehabilitated individuals (n = 125 740) in comparison to wild birds (n = 1 913 352). Results from 17 species with adequate recovery data indicated that five species rehabilitated ≠ wild survival, two species had uncertain estimates, and 10 species rehabilitated ≈ wild survival by years two and three post‐release. We acquired admission (n = 69 707) and release (n = 25 740) data from 24 rehabilitation centers across the US (2012–2021). We integrated survival, fecundity and numbers of releases into demographic models. These models quantified the extent to which rehabilitated raptors may contribute to broader conservation efforts, especially in the context of individual take. All but two species, had measurable numbers of individuals added to the population regardless of the number of releases. The general pattern was for K‐selected species to yield larger benefits from rehabilitated supplementation to the population. These results provide evidence that rehabilitation may serve as mitigation tool to offset incidental take.
Institutional arrangements for improving water and sanitation services in the rural villages of India: a systems thinking approach
Authors: Kanyagui Martin Kofi , Rajendrakumar S , Viswanathan Pozhamkandath Karthiayani
Published: April 2024

This study examines the impact of institutional arrangements on water and sanitation (WATSAN) services in a village context in India. Data from households in Nagla Chandi village in Uttar Pradesh state were used to assess the situation. A systems thinking approach was employed to identify intervention points and improve access. The study identified under‐resourced local institutions, a lack of village‐level WATSAN rules and regulations, a lack of participation by both public institutions and communities, and trust issues as the critical barriers to accessing WATSAN services. It advocates for setting up a local WATSAN fund to ensure sustainable service delivery and a better understanding of the broader governance environment for sustainable WATSAN delivery in rural communities.
From Rewrite Rules to Axioms in the $$\lambda \varPi $$-Calculus Modulo Theory
Authors: Blot Valentin , Dowek Gilles , Traversié Thomas , Winterhalter Théo
Published: April 2024

The $$\lambda \varPi $$

λ
Π

-calculus modulo theory is an extension of simply typed $$\lambda $$
λ
-calculus with dependent types and user-defined rewrite rules. We show that it is possible to replace the rewrite rules of a theory of the $$\lambda \varPi $$

λ
Π

-calculus modulo theory by equational axioms, when this theory features the notions of proposition and proof, while maintaining the same expressiveness. To do so, we introduce in the target theory a heterogeneous equality, and we build a translation that replaces each use of the conversion rule by the insertion of a transport. At the end, the theory with rewrite rules is a conservative extension of the theory with axioms.
Dimension-Minimality and Primality of Counter Nets
Authors: Almagor Shaull , Avni Guy , Sinclair-Banks Henry , Yeshurun Asaf
Published: April 2024

A k-Counter Net (k-CN) is a finite-state automaton equipped with k integer counters that are not allowed to become negative, but do not have explicit zero tests. This language-recognition model can be thought of as labelled vector addition systems with states, some of which are accepting. Certain decision problems for k-CNs become easier, or indeed decidable, when the dimension k is small. Yet, little is known about the effect that the dimension k has on the class of languages recognised by k-CNs. Specifically, it would be useful if we could simplify algorithmic reasoning by reducing the dimension of a given CN.

To this end, we introduce the notion of dimension-primality for k-CN, whereby a k-CN is prime if it recognises a language that cannot be decomposed into a finite intersection of languages recognised by d-CNs, for some $$d<k$$

d
<
k

. We show that primality is undecidable. We also study two related notions: dimension-minimality (where we seek a single language-equivalent d-CN of lower dimension) and language regularity. Additionally, we explore the trade-offs in expressiveness between dimension and non-determinism for CN.
Parameterized Broadcast Networks with Registers: from NP to the Frontiers of Decidability
Authors: Guillou Lucie , Mascle Corto , Waldburger Nicolas
Published: April 2024

We consider the parameterized verification of networks of agents which communicate through unreliable broadcasts. In this model, agents have local registers whose values are unordered and initially distinct and may therefore be thought of as identifiers. When an agent broadcasts a message, it appends to the message the value stored in one of its registers. Upon reception, an agent can store the received value or test it for equality against one of its own registers. We consider the coverability problem, where one asks whether a given state of the system may be reached by at least one agent. We establish that this problem is decidable, although non-primitive recursive. We contrast this with the undecidability of the closely related target problem where all agents must synchronize on a given state. On the other hand, we show that the coverability problem is NP-complete when each agent only has one register.
Light Genericity
Authors: Accattoli Beniamino , Lancelot Adrienne
Published: April 2024

To better understand Barendregt’s genericity for the untyped call-by-value $$\lambda $$
λ
-calculus, we start by first revisiting it in call-by-name, adopting a lighter statement and establishing a connection with contextual equivalence. Then, we use it to give a new, lighter proof of maximality of head contextual equivalence, i.e. that $$\mathcal {H}^*$$

H

∗

is a maximal consistent equational theory. We move on to call-by-value, where we adapt these results and also introduce a new notion dual to light genericity, that we dub co-genericity. Lastly, we give alternative proofs of (co-)genericity based on applicative bisimilarity.