bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermally Induced Oxygen Vacancies in BiOCl Nanosheets and Their Impact on Photoelectrochemical Performance**
Authors: Wu Xiaofeng , Oropeza Freddy E. , den Boer Daan , Kleinschmidt Peter , Hannappel Thomas , Hetterscheid Dennis G. H. , Hensen Emiel J. M. , Hofmann Jan P.
Published: October 2022

Oxygen vacancies (OVs) have been reported to significantly alter the photocatalytic properties of BiOCl nanosheets. However, their formation mechanism and their role in the enhancement of photoelectrochemical performance remain unclear. In this work, thermally induced oxygen vacancies are introduced in BiOCl nanosheets by annealing in He atmosphere at various temperatures and their formation mechanism is investigated by in‐situ diffuse reflectance infrared (DRIFTS) measurements. The influence of OVs on band offset, carrier concentrations and photoelectrochemical performance are systematically studied. The results show that (1) the surface of BiOCl nanosheets is extremely sensitive to temperature and defects are formed at temperatures as low as 200 °C in inert atmosphere. (2) The formation of surface and bulk OVs in BiOCl is identified by a combination of XPS, in‐situ DRIFTS, and EPR experiments. (3) The photocurrent of BiOCl is limited by the concentration of charge carriers and shallow defect states induced by bulk oxygen vacancies, while the modulation of these parameters can effectively increase light absorption and carrier concentration leading to an enhancement of photoelectrochemical performance of BiOCl.
Does consumer social responsibility augment corporate social responsibility: A reciprocal analysis of external stakeholder from stakeholder theory perspective
Authors: Tian Huawei
Published: October 2022

This study attempts to reveal the reciprocal analysis between the corporates and external stakeholders to substantiate the nexus how socially responsible practices amplify the repute of organizations. This study fulfills the literature gap by investigating the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and external stakeholders (consumers) by equipping consumer social responsibility (CnSR) as an intervening variable from the stance of stakeholder theory. The results by engaging SEM model demonstrated the positive connection of CSR on consumers in terms of two streams, that is, satisfaction toward CSR‐oriented firms and retention toward CSR‐oriented firms. The extended testing uncovered the positive moderating impact of CnSR and education on consumers' satisfaction and retention. These findings yield two‐way insights to augment green and environment‐friendly reciprocal connections in shaping a better community. In addition, how CnSR can bridge the gap is another interesting outcome of the study whereby experts may consider such a gauge for future work to report more exciting findings from assorted perspectives worldwide.
Thermal‐Stable Separators: Design Principles and Strategies Towards Safe Lithium‐Ion Battery Operations
Authors: Lin Wanxin , Wang Feng , Wang Huibo , Li Heng , Fan You , Chan Dan , Chen Shuwei , Tang Yuxin , Zhang Yanyan
Published: October 2022

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are momentous energy storage devices, which have been rapidly developed due to their high energy density, long lifetime, and low self‐discharge rate. However, the frequent occurrence of fire accidents in laptops, electric vehicles, and mobile phones caused by thermal runaway of the inside batteries constantly reminds us of the urgency in pursuing high‐safety LIBs with high performance. To this end, this Review surveyed the state‐of‐the‐art developments of high‐temperature‐resistant separators for highly safe LIBs with excellent electrochemical performance. Firstly, the basic properties of separators (e. g., thickness, porosity, pore size, wettability, mechanical strength, and thermal stability) in constructing commercialized LIBs were introduced. Secondly, the working mechanisms of advanced separators with different melting points acting in the thermal runaway stage were discussed in terms of improving battery safety. Thirdly, rational design strategies for constructing high‐temperature‐resistant separators for LIBs with high safety were summarized and discussed, including graft modification, blend modification, and multilayer composite modification strategies. Finally, the current obstacles and future research directions in the field of high‐temperature‐resistant separators were highlighted. These design ideas are expected to be applied to other types of high‐temperature‐resistant energy storage systems working under extreme conditions.
An efficient switched inductor–capacitor‐based novel non‐isolated high gain SEPIC for solar energy applications
Authors: Chandra Surabhi , Gaur Prerna
Published: October 2022

The solar photovoltaic (PV) sources have low voltage output and hence cannot be used directly in micro‐grid applications. Therefore, to boost the low voltage output, a novel high gain single‐ended primary inductor converter (SEPIC) is proposed in this manuscript. The proposed high gain SEPIC (HGS) has an advantage of obtaining high voltage gain at a low duty ratio and continuous input current, which makes it viable for PV applications. The proposed converter offers simple control, and the high gain is obtained without the use of any transformer or coupled inductor so the semiconductor switch will not experience a voltage overshoot during the turn‐off operation. Hence, the conduction losses of the converter switch are reduced, and the performance of the converter is enhanced. Additionally, this manuscript also investigates the effectiveness of the proposed HGS in integration with the PV array. An extensive performance evaluation of the proposed HGS is investigated and compared with different SEPIC topologies in irradiance change conditions. Experimental implementation of the proposed HGS confirms the theoretical analysis and verifies the performance. Also, the real time (RT) analysis of the proposed HGS with PV array is conducted to show the validation of high gain operation for the PV application.
Fire intensity and ecosystem oligotrophic status drive relative phosphorus release and retention in freshwater marshes
Authors: Nocentini Andrea , Kominoski John S. , O'Brien Joseph J. , Redwine Jed
Published: October 2022

Ecosystems have been shaped by fire for millions of years. Many oligotrophic ecosystems rely on fire for biogeochemical cycling and maintenance of key processes. However, it is uncertain how fire intensity interacts with nutrient limitation to drive differential responses in postfire biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem recovery. In this study, we compare pre‐ and postfire carbon and nutrient pools in two adjacent wetlands characterized by either lower or higher phosphorus (P) inputs and thus different levels of P limitation. Carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and P pools and litter and root decomposition rates were measured starting 1 year prefire until 1 year postfire in lower‐P (LP) and higher‐P (HP) freshwater marshes of the Florida Everglades. Dominant vegetation biomass and vegetation composition were monitored as well. Fire energy release was measured to link the causal mechanism, heat transfer, to nutrient fluxes. We observed temporary increases in surface water, periphyton, and leaf tissue P concentrations in both wetland types following fire. Soil P increased and soil C:P and N:P ratios decreased postfire in the LP wetland but did not change in the HP wetland. Prefire soil P was greater in the HP than the LP wetland, but did not differ 1 month or 1 year postfire. Vegetation structure and composition were marginally affected by fire. Fire intensity was highly variable within both wetlands. Increasing fire intensity correlated with increasing accumulation of soil organic matter in the LP wetland, and with increases in decomposition rates in both wetland types, between pre‐ and postfire. Litter and root decomposition rapidly increased with increasing fire intensity, but seemed to stabilize after a certain fire intensity threshold was reached. Our results indicate that fire can temporarily ease P limitation in oligotrophic wetlands, by affecting soil nutrient stoichiometry and organic matter processing, while maintaining vegetation community composition. Further, we identified fire dosing, expressed as the fire radiative energy release, to be an effective control of postfire biogeochemical cycling. Hence, nutrient management should be incorporated into burn prioritization tools and, when applying prescribed fires, natural resource managers should also consider how fire attributes, such as fire intensity, impact nutrient cycling and other soil processes.
Probing charge carrier dynamics in metal halide perovskite solar cells
Authors: Qiu Cheng , Wagner Lukas , Liu Jiale , Zhang Wenhao , Du Jiankang , Wang Qifei , Hu Yue , Han Hongwei
Published: October 2022

With rocketing power conversion efficiency and continuously enhancing stability, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have shown extraordinary potential to become a key player in tomorrow's energy industry. An essential approach to improve the performance and quantify the loss mechanisms of PSCs is the analysis of charge carrier dynamics. Although the structure of PSCs is diverse, the characterization techniques for the dynamic measurement are similar. With the aim of providing researchers with the necessary knowledge to choose suitable measurement methods, this review represents a comprehensive overview of the techniques to assess the entire spectrum of carrier dynamic processes from femtoseconds to many seconds, including charge generation, relaxation, recombination, transport, extraction and collection.

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Stochastic ground motion models to NGA‐West2 and NGA‐Sub databases using Bayesian neural network
Authors: Sreenath Vemula , Raghukanth S. T. G.
Published: October 2022

Ground motion models (GMMs) are traditionally developed from a frequentist approach. The Bayesian framework has received recent attention in developing nonergodic models, measuring uncertainty, or updating the model with additional data. However, no neural networks are developed to date in this framework to predict ground motion parameters or spectra. Hence, the present work develops a probabilistic Bayesian neural network (PBNN) to next‐generation attenuation – West2 and Subduction databases using variational inference with mean‐field assumption. Network inputs are magnitude, rupture distance, hypocentral depth, shear wave velocity, style of faulting, and region flags; outputs are peak ground values and response spectra. Both models have two hidden layers with seven neurons in each hidden layer. The models are verified for potential overfit, and their performance is validated through the parametric study by varying inputs. The output of a deterministic model is a point estimate. Considering probabilistic layers in hidden and output layers enables the model to capture within‐model epistemic uncertainty and aleatory variability. Obtained aleatory standard deviations are consistent with other models. Mean epistemic uncertainty and aleatory variability are in the range 0.07–0.10 and 0.62–0.78 (ln units) for NGA‐West2 and 0.09–0.16 and 0.67–0.95 for NGA‐Sub models, respectively. The correlation coefficients between recorded and overall mean predictions ranged from 0.94 to 0.97 for NGA‐the West2 model and from 0.91 to 0.95 for the NGA‐Sub models. Network performance for out‐of‐training inputs showed increased epistemic deviations with no effect on aleatory deviations.
The increased inter‐brain neural synchronization in prefrontal cortex between simulated patient and acupuncturist during acupuncture stimulation: Evidence from functional near‐infrared spectroscopy hyperscanning
Authors: Chen Li , Qu Yuzhu , Cao Jingya , Liu Tianyu , Gong Yulai , Tian Zilei , Xiong Jing , Lin Zhenfang , Yang Xin , Yin Tao , Zeng Fang
Published: October 2022

The patient–acupuncturist interaction was a critical influencing factor for acupuncture effects but its mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the inter‐brain mechanism of patient–acupuncturist dyad during acupuncture stimulation in a naturalistic clinical setting. Seventy healthy subjects (simulated “patients”) were randomly assigned to two groups and received verum acupuncture group or sham acupuncture by one acupuncturist. Functional near‐infrared spectroscopy hyperscanning was used to simultaneously record the neural responses of “patient”–acupuncturist dyad during acupuncture stimulation in each group. The results showed that inter‐brain neural synchronization (INS) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of “patient”–acupuncturist dyad was significantly increased during verum but not sham acupuncture stimuli, and positively correlated with the needling sensations of “patients.” Granger causality analysis demonstrated that there were no significant differences in INS direction between the “patient” and the acupuncturist. This study identified the increase of INS between “patient” and acupuncturist, and suggested that PFC was important to the interaction of “patient”–acupuncturist dyad.
Multimodal and Multiscale Characterization of the Bone‐Bacteria Interface in a Case of Medication‐Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
Authors: Micheletti Chiara , DiCecco Liza‐Anastasia , Larsson Wexell Cecilia , Binkley Dakota M. , Palmquist Anders , Grandfield Kathryn , Shah Furqan A.
Published: October 2022

Medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a known side effect of bisphosphonates (BPs). Although bacterial infection is usually present, the etiology of MRONJ remains unknown. Here we apply a multimodal and multiscale (micro‐to‐nano) characterization approach to investigate the interface between necrotic bone and bacteria in MRONJ. A non‐necrotic bone sample was used as control. Both necrotic and non‐necrotic bone samples were collected from the jaw of a female individual affected by MRONJ after using BPs for 23 years. For the first time, resin cast etching was used to expose bacteria at the necrotic site. The bone–bacteria interface was also resolved at the nanoscale by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Nanosized particulates, likely corresponding to degraded bone mineral, were often noted in close proximity to or enclosed by the bacteria. STEM also revealed that the bone–bacteria interface is composed of a hypermineralized front fading into a highly disordered region, with decreasing content of calcium and phosphorus, as assessed by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). This, combined with the variation in calcium, phosphorus, and carbon across the necrotic bone–bacteria interface evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)‐energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) and the lower mineral‐to‐matrix ratio measured by micro‐Raman spectroscopy in necrotic bone, indicates the absence of a mineralization front in MRONJ. It appears that the bone–bacteria interface originates not only from uncontrolled mineralization but also from the direct action of bacteria degrading the bone matrix. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Adolescence in lockdown: The protective role of mentalizing and epistemic trust
Authors: Locati Francesca , Milesi Alberto , Conte Federica , Campbell Chloe , Fonagy Peter , Ensink Karin , Parolin Laura
Published: October 2022

Objective

Mentalizing is the ability to interpret one's own and others' behavior as driven by intentional mental states. Epistemic trust (openness to interpersonally transmitted information) has been associated with mentalizing. Balanced mentalizing abilities allow people to cope with external and internal stressors. Studies show that social isolation imposed by the COVID‐19 pandemic was highly stressful for most people, especially for adolescents. Here we examine whether mentalizing and epistemic trust were protective factors in relation to emotional distress during the lockdown.

Method

A total of 131 nonclinical adolescents, aged between 12 and 18 years, were evaluated during the lockdown using the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire for Youth, Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, Perceived Stress Scale, and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale.

Results

Results from network analysis showed that epistemic trust and mentalizing were negatively associated with perceived stress and emotion dysregulation. Epistemic trust in fathers was associated with level of perceived stress, and epistemic trust in mothers with emotion dysregulation.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that epistemic trust and the capacity to mentalize were low in adolescents during lockdown, and this was associated with high levels of stress. However, robust levels of epistemic trust and mentalizing may have acted as protective factors that buffered individuals from the risk of emotional dysregulation during the lockdown.
The acceptance of SARS‐CoV‐2 rapid antigen self‐testing: A cross‐sectional study in China
Authors: Wu Fan , Yuan Yue , Li Yanjun , Yin Di , Lang Bing , Zhao Yangguo , Fan Xueying , Zou Huachun , Zhang Chunhuan , Zeng Xiangyue , Sun Caijun
Published: October 2022

Compared with the nucleic acid amplification test (NATT), the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) rapid antigen self‐testing (RAST) has advantages in speed and convenience. However, little is known about people's acceptance and influencing factors for SARS‐CoV‐2 RAST. A cross‐sectional study was conducted from April 21 to 30, 2022 in China. The χ2 test and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify the influencing factors. The structural equation model was used to test the extended protective motivation theory (PMT) model hypotheses. Among the total of 5107 participants, 62.5% were willing to accept the SARS‐CoV‐2 RAST. There were significant differences in acceptance among different residences (p < 0.001), educational level (p < 0.001), occupation (p < 0.001), monthly income (p < 0.001), travel frequency (p < 0.05), and feelings about NATT (p < 0.001). Response efficacy (β = 0.05; p = 0.025) and self‐efficacy (β = 0.84; p < 0.001) had a positive effect, while response cost showed a negative effect (β = −0.07; p < 0.001). The public's major concerns about SARS‐CoV‐2 RAST are its reliability, testing method, price, and authority. Overall, a moderate intention to use SARS‐CoV‐2 RAST was found among the Chinese population. The extended PMT can be used for the prediction of intention to accept the RAST. We need to take measures to increase people's acceptance of SARS‐CoV‐2 RAST.
Saline‐alkali land amendment and value development: Microalgal biofertilizer for efficient production of a halophytic crop ‐ Chenopodium quinoa
Authors: Ma Chen , Lei Chun‐Yan , Zhu Xiao‐Li , Ren Cheng‐Gang , Liu Ning , Liu Zheng‐Yi , Du Hong , Tang Tao , Li Run‐Zhi , Cui Hong‐Li
Published: October 2022

Saline‐alkali land amendment and value development should be conducted simultaneously, and microalgal biofertilizer may provide an efficient solution. Here, a saline‐alkali tolerant algae was selected and applied to saline‐alkali land to reveal its effects on land amendment and quinoa production. The results showed that Chlorella pyrenoidosa showed best growth and photosynthetic characteristics with increasing saline‐alkali stress. Whether planting quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Longli No. 1) or not, the application of C. pyrenoidosa supplied soil available nutrients, held water retention, and notably the organic matter of saline‐alkali land with quinoa cultivation after algal maximum dose (OD680 = 2.0) showed 64.7% more content than the control. Saline‐alkali land caused 23.7% yield loss of quinoa, which was attributed to organic lack (3.093 g kg−1) and saline‐alkali conditions (pH 9.49 and 119.3 mS m−1 electrical conductivity). Algal addition improved the chlorophyll synthesis and effective quantum yield of quinoa, enhanced more absorbed light energy to involve in photosynthesis rather than heat dissipation, and promoted the synthesis of osmotic regulatory substances (soluble sugar and protein) and antioxidant (anthocyanin) to alleviated osmotic and oxidative stresses. The growth improvement of quinoa confirmed the greater effect of stress alleviation than growth stimulation that reflected 41.7% and 28.6% yield increases in saline‐alkali and nonsaline‐alkali lands. Overall, saline‐alkali tolerant alga adjusted overground and underground parts, including amending soil properties as organic addition and nutrient supply, and strengthening the tolerance of quinoa to saline‐alkali environment. This assessment supports a sustainable practice of applying stress tolerant alga for land amendment and halophytic crop production to develop saline‐alkali land value.
Online retailers' price structure decisions in competitive markets: A structure–conduct–performance framework
Authors: Wang Hu , Li Di , Jiang Changbin
Published: October 2022

It is theoretical and managerial significant to explore the determinants of retailers' decisions between a combined price structure and a partitioned price structure and the effect of their decisions on a manufacturer's product sales in competitive markets. Based on the structure–conduct–performance framework, we reveal that market structure‐related characteristics, such as the number of retailers, the degree of retailer differentiation, whether a dominant retailer in the market, and the number of product substitutes, significantly affect retailers' price structure decisions. Furthermore, more retailers adopting a combined price structure decrease the product sales, although the size of retailers mitigates this effect.
Mapping the myelin bilayer with short‐T2 MRI: Methods validation and reference data for healthy human brain
Authors: Baadsvik Emily Louise , Weiger Markus , Froidevaux Romain , Faigle Wolfgang , Ineichen Benjamin Victor , Pruessmann Klaas Paul
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To explore the properties of short‐T2 signals in human brain, investigate the impact of various experimental procedures on these properties and evaluate the performance of three‐component analysis.

Methods

Eight samples of non‐pathological human brain tissue were subjected to different combinations of experimental procedures including D2O exchange and frozen storage. Short‐T2 imaging techniques were employed to acquire multi‐TE (33–2067 μs) data, to which a three‐component complex model was fitted in two steps to recover the properties of the underlying signal components and produce amplitude maps of each component. For validation of the component amplitude maps, the samples underwent immunohistochemical myelin staining.

Results

The signal component representing the myelin bilayer exhibited super‐exponential decay with T2,min of 5.48 μs and a chemical shift of 1.07 ppm, and its amplitude could be successfully mapped in both white and gray matter in all samples. These myelin maps corresponded well to myelin‐stained tissue sections. Gray matter signals exhibited somewhat different components than white matter signals, but both tissue types were well represented by the signal model. Frozen tissue storage did not alter the signal components but influenced component amplitudes. D2O exchange was necessary to characterize the non‐aqueous signal components, but component amplitude mapping could be reliably performed also in the presence of H2O signals.

Conclusions

The myelin mapping approach explored here produced reasonable and stable results for all samples. The extensive tissue and methodological investigations performed in this work form a basis for signal interpretation in future studies both ex vivo and in vivo.
Preparation and characterization of photo‐decomposable ester‐containing semi‐alicyclic polyimide alignment layers for potential applications in in‐plane switching thin‐film transistor liquid crystal display devices
Authors: Zhi Xin‐Xin , Wang Hua‐Sen , Jia Jie , Wang Xiao‐Lei , Gao Yan‐Shuang , Chen Shu‐Jing , Liu Jin‐Gang
Published: October 2022

Poly(amic acid)s (PAAs) alignment agents have been prepared from the alicyclic dianhydrides, including 1,2,3,4‐cyclobutanetetracarboxylic dianhydride (CBDA, I), 1,3‐dimethyl‐1,2,3,4‐cyclobutanetetracarboxylic dianhydride (DMCBDA, II), and ester‐linked aromatic diamines, including 4‐aminophenyl‐4′‐aminobenzoate (APAB, a) and bis(4‐aminophenyl)terephthalate (BPTP, b), respectively. The derived PAAs, including PAA‐Ia (CBDA‐APAB), PAA‐Ib (CBDA‐BPTP), and PAA‐IIa (DMCBDA‐APAB) exhibited the preferable molecular weights, while the PAA‐IIb (DMCBDA‐BPTP) showed the low one due to the low polymerization reactivity both for the DMCBDA dianhydride and the BPTP diamine. All the PAA solutions except PAA‐IIb were adopted as the alignment components to fabricate liquid crystal (LC) minicells with a mode of in‐plane switching (IPS). The polyimides (PI) alignment layers derived from the thermal dehydration reaction of the PAA precursors at 230°C for 30 min showed good alignments effects to the LC molecules, which exhibited the pretilt angles (θp) from 0.09 to 0.15° after being exposed by the linear polarized ultraviolet light sources with the wavelength of 254 nm. In addition, the PI alignment layers afforded good optoelectronic features to the minicells, including the voltage holding ratio values over 97% at room temperature, and the residual direct circuit voltages lower than 1.0 V. The anchoring energy results indicated that the PI‐IIa (DMCBDA‐APAB) alignment layer showed the highest interaction with the LC molecules, and thus exhibited the highest threshold voltage (Vth) in the voltage‐transmittance (V‐T) measurements for the minicells.
Proteomic and metabonomic analysis uncovering Enterovirus A71 reprogramming host cell metabolic pathway
Authors: Shi Huichun , Liu Siyuan , Tan Zhimi , Yin Lin , Zeng Liyan , Liu Tiefu , Zhang Shuye , Zhang Lijun
Published: October 2022

Enterovirus A71 (EV71) infection can cause hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and severe neurological complications in children. However, the biological processes regulated by EV71 remain poorly understood. Herein, proteomics and metabonomics studies were conducted to uncover the mechanism of EV71 infection in rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells and identify potential drug targets. Differential expressed proteins from enriched membrane were analyzed by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)‐based proteomics technology. Twenty‐six differential proteins with 1.5‐fold (p < 0.05) change were detected, including 14 upregulated proteins and 12 downregulated proteins. The upregulated proteins are mainly involved in metabolic process, especially in the glycolysis pathway. Alpha‐enolase (ENO1) protein was found to increase with temporal dependence following EV71 infection. The targeted metabolomics analysis revealed that glucose absorption and glycolysis metabolites were increased after EV71 infection. The glycolysis pathway was inhibited by knocking down ENO1 or the use of a glycolysis inhibitor (dichloroacetic acid [DCA]); and we found that EV71 infection was inhibited by depleting ENO1 or using DCA. Our study indicates that EV71 may reprogram glucose metabolism by activating glycolysis, and EV71 infection can be inhibited by interrupting the glycolysis pathway. ENO1 may be a potential target against EV71, and DCA could act as an inhibitor of EV71.
Nonlinear coupling tracking control for underactuated construction lifting robots with load hoisting/lowering under initial input saturations
Authors: Yao Fuxing , Zhang Tian , Yuan Zhe , Wang Yonghao , Chen Lu , Yang Honglei
Published: October 2022

Underactuated construction lifting robots, which have been widely concerned by erudite researchers, always contain load hoisting/lowering motion. When the cable length is utilized as a variable, construction lifting robots produce violent load swing, which affects the construction safety undoubtedly and brings great challenges to the development of the controller. Moreover, most existing controllers may not take into account issues, such as initial input saturations and poor ability to suppress load swing, and they may utilize linearization or approximation. Inspired by these phenomena, a nonlinear coupling tracking controller for underactuated construction lifting robots with load hoisting/lowering under initial input saturations is proposed. With reference to expected trajectories to ensure the smooth operation of the construction lifting robot system, the initial input saturations are considered to make the trolley and cable start stably, respectively; a coupling signal, which contains actuated variables and underactuated variables, is constructed to improve the transient control performance of construction lifting robots. Combined with theoretical derivation, simulation, and experimental verification, the proposed controller achieves superior control performance, which ensures the accurate positionings of the system, and suppresses and eliminates the load swing effectively, so as to ensure the safe construction; the proposed controller admits outstanding robustness with respect to the changes of system parameters and the adverse effects of external disturbances. The proposed controller provides a novel antiswing strategy for construction lifting robots with load hoisting/lowering, which possesses excellent practical significance.
The role of emotion regulation in mental health during the COVID‐19 outbreak: A 10‐wave longitudinal study
Authors: Brenning Katrijn , Waterschoot Joachim , Dieleman Lisa , Morbée Sofie , Vermote Branko , Soenens Bart , Van der Kaap‐Deeder Jolene , van den Bogaard Daphne , Vansteenkiste Maarten
Published: October 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic elicited a lot of concerns among citizens, thereby potentially compromising their well‐being. This study sought to examine the role of individuals' emotion regulation styles (i.e., emotional dysregulation, emotional suppression, and emotional integration) in handling these concerns and their experiences of well‐being (i.e., satisfaction with life and sleep quality) and ill‐being (i.e., anxiety and depressive symptoms). The study had a unique 10‐wave longitudinal design (N = 986; Mage = 41.28; 76% female) and was conducted during the outbreak of the pandemic in March–May 2020. Multilevel analyses showed, first, that weekly variation in COVID‐19 related concerns related negatively to weekly variation in well‐being and positively to weekly variation in ill‐being. Second, at the between‐person level, emotional dysregulation and suppression related positively to between‐person vulnerability in ill‐being and lower well‐being (across all waves). Third, between‐person differences in emotional dysregulation amplified the strength of the within‐person association between concerns and depressive complaints and lowered life satisfaction. Unexpectedly, integrative emotion regulation amplified the strength of the within‐person association between concerns and anxiety. The discussion focuses on the critical role of emotion regulation in handling the uncertainty elicited by the pandemic and provides directions for further research.
Evaluation of in vitro antibacterial effect of essential oil and some herbal plant extract used against mastitis pathogens
Authors: Arbab Safia , Ullah Hanif , Bano Iqra , Li Ka , Ul Hassan Inam , Wang Weiwei , Qadeer Abdul , Zhang Jiyu
Published: October 2022

Background

Mastitis in dairy cattle is a highly prevalent infectious disease, caused by various pathogens, mainly Staphylococcu aureus and Escherichia Coli, considerable economic loss worldwide.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of Herbal plants used against S. aureus and E. coli bacteria which are the causative agents of mastitis.

Methods

Therefore, in this study we investigate the antimicrobial effect of plant to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of squaw mint (Mentha pulegium L., Lamiaceae family), catnip (Nepeta cataria L., Lamiaceae), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L., Lamiaceae), for mastitis treatment. Solutions prepared in fixed oils, against S. aureus and E. coli bacteria which are the main agents of mastitis. Isolation and antibiotic susceptibility analyses of milk samples taken from 100 subclinical mastitis dairy cows were performed. The antibacterial properties of the solutions were analysed by a disk diffusion method.

Results

In the bacterial isolation, S. aureus was determined 97.7% and E. coli 53.5% positive of cows with mastitis. Antibacterial susceptibility test of the Lemon balm extract and essential oil showed maximum zone of inhibition against S. aureus 30 µl (23 mm), followed by 20 µl (19 mm), E. coli (19 mm) and 10 µl (5–7 mm), of the same extract against the Gram‐positive bacteria. The ethanol extracts show the similar activity against the Gram‐negative bacteria at 30, 20, and 10 µl (18–20 mm). Followed by S. aureus, when the zone areas for the susceptible solutions (Lemon balm, and essential oil) and the control group were compared, determined that there was little difference between for S. aureus and E. coli.

Conclusions

This study hence indicated that in vitro cultured plantlets of lemon balm and peppermint oil can be used as the alternative method for production of mastitis and cheap source its precursor with antimicrobial activities.
Introduction: Research Capacity for Evidence-Informed Policy Making in Africa
Authors: Aiyede E. Remi , Muganda Beatrice
Published: October 2022

This chapter describes the context and justification for the book. It discusses the growing recognition and action in advancing evidence-informed public policy making. It introduces the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR) as a major intervention in this regard, discusses its intervention in higher education through the introduction of the Doctoral in Public Policy (DPP) programme and Master of Research and Public Policy programme (MRPP) and the need for a textbook that responds to the needs of the programme in 14 African universities. It then describes the content of the various chapters of the book and concludes with their relevance and uses.
From Research to Policy Action: Communicating Research for Public Policy Making
Authors: Aiyede E. Remi
Published: October 2022

This chapter underscores the importance of engaging policy makers and other stakeholders in the research process. Recognizing that there are two dimensions, the demand and supply sides to the use of evidence in policy making, it discusses the various instruments and platforms for communicating research to make it accessible to a variety of stakeholders.
Leadership, Governance and Public Policy in Africa
Authors: Alidu Seidu
Published: October 2022

One of the major challenges confronting public policy in Africa is how to overcome overt and subtle discrimination in the art of governance, economic and social development. The promotion of social diversity and the eradication of exploitation of one group by others remains a major focus. Understanding the political and civil rights of different social classes, as well as their economic, social and cultural rights, provides the basis for this chapter on social diversity, gender, equity and public policy. This chapter examines the discourse on social differences, and how state and society have responded over time to the growing demands for inclusive growth and social justice in development. It shows how evidence from reflective research is contributing to the unfolding paradigm shift towards embracing social diversity and equity with special reference to race, gender, ethnicity and disability, to name a few. This chapter highlights how policy instruments influence the process of income distribution across different social groups; how public policy can be used to advance people’s freedoms across different social groups.
Does the Reader Comprehend the Text Because the Reader Is Able or Because the Text Is Easy?
Authors: Stenner A. Jackson , Stone Mark H.
Published: October 2022

Does the reader comprehend the text because the reader is able or because the text is easy? Localizing the cause of comprehension in either the reader or the text is fraught with contradictions. A proposed solution uses a Rasch equation to models comprehension as the difference between a reader measure and text measure. Computing such a difference requires that reader and text are measured on a common scale. Thus, the puzzle is solved by positing a single continuum along which texts and readers can be conjointly ordered. A reader’s comprehension of a text is a function of the difference between reader ability and text readability. This solution forces recognition that generalizations about reader performance can be text independent (reader ability) or text dependent (comprehension). The article explores how reader ability and text readability can be measured on a single continuum, and the implications that this formulation holds for reading theory, the teaching of reading, and the testing of reading.
Individual-Centered Versus Group-Centered Measures
Authors: Stone Mark H. , Stenner A. Jackson
Published: October 2022

In an argument whereby, “… individual-centered statistical techniques require models in which each individual is characterized separately and from which, given adequate data, the individual parameters can be estimated”.
Measuring Reading Comprehension with the Lexile Framework
Authors: Stenner A. Jackson
Published: October 2022

Implicit in the idea of measurement is the concept of objectivity. When we measure the temperature using a thermometer, we assume that the measurement we obtain is not dependent on the conditions of measurement, such as which thermometer we use. Any functioning thermometer should give us the same reading of, for example, 75 °F. If one thermometer measured 40 °, another 250 and a third 150, then the lack of objectivity would invalidate the very idea of accurately measuring temperature.
Detecting new physics as novelty — Complementarity matters
Authors: Jiang Xu-Hui , Juste Aurelio , Li Ying-Ying , Liu Tao
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Novelty detection is a task of machine learning that aims at detecting novel events without a prior knowledge. In particular, its techniques can be applied to detect unexpected signals from new phenomena at colliders. In this paper, we develop an analysis scheme that exploits the complementarity, originally studied in ref. [1], between isolation-based and clustering-based novelty evaluators. This approach can significantly improve the performance and overall applicability of novelty detection at colliders, which we demonstrate using a variety of two dimensional Gaussian samples mimicking collider events. As a further proof of principle, we subsequently apply this scheme to the detection of two significantly different signals at the LHC featuring a $$ t\overline{t}\gamma \gamma $$
t

t
¯

γγ
final state: $$ t\overline{t}h $$
t

t
¯

h
, giving a narrow resonance in the diphoton mass spectrum, and gravity-mediated supersymmetry, resulting in broad distributions at high transverse momentum. Compared to existing dedicated searches at the LHC, the sensitivities for detecting both signals are found to be encouraging.
Torus conformal blocks and Casimir equations in the necklace channel
Authors: Alkalaev Konstantin , Mandrygin Semyon , Pavlov Mikhail
Published: October 2022

Abstract

We consider the conformal block decomposition in arbitrary exchange channels of a two-dimensional conformal field theory on a torus. The channels are described by diagrams built of a closed loop with external legs (a necklace sub-diagram) and trivalent vertices forming trivalent trees attached to the necklace. Then, the n-point torus conformal block in any channel can be obtained by acting with a number of OPE operators on the k-point torus block in the necklace channel at k = 1, …, n. Focusing on the necklace channel, we go to the large-c regime, where the Virasoro algebra truncates to the sl(2, ℝ) subalgebra, and obtain the system of the Casimir equations for the respective k-point global conformal block. In the plane limit, when the torus modular parameter q → 0, we explicitly find the Casimir equations on a plane which define the (k + 2)-point global conformal block in the comb channel. Finally, we formulate the general scheme to find Casimir equations for global torus blocks in arbitrary channels.
Feynman rules for scalar conformal blocks
Authors: Fortin Jean-François , Hoback Sarah , Ma Wen-Jie , Parikh Sarthak , Skiba Witold
Published: October 2022

Abstract

We complete the proof of “Feynman rules” for constructing M-point conformal blocks with external and internal scalars in any topology for arbitrary M in any spacetime dimension by combining the rules for the blocks (based on their Witten diagram interpretation) with the rules for the construction of conformal cross ratios (based on the OPE and “flow diagrams”). The full set of Feynman rules leads to blocks as power series of the hypergeometric type in the conformal cross ratios. We then provide a proof by recursion of the Feynman rules which relies heavily on the first Barnes lemma and the decomposition of the topology of interest in comb structures. Finally, we provide a nine-point example to illustrate the rules.
The Generalized Omega Function and Its Connection with Some Probability Distributions
Authors: Jónás Tamás , Bakouch Hassan S.
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we present a generator function-based mapping called the generalized omega function. We show that a particular class of exponential functions is the asymptotic generalized omega function class. Owing to this property of the new function, it can be utilized for constructing bounded alternatives to cumulative distribution functions and density functions of some well-known random variables, including the Weibull, exponential and standard normal.
Glyoxalase I activity affects Arabidopsis sensitivity to ammonium nutrition
Authors: Borysiuk Klaudia , Ostaszewska-Bugajska Monika , Kryzheuskaya Katsiaryna , Gardeström Per , Szal Bożena
Published: October 2022

Key message

Elevated methylglyoxal levels contribute to ammonium-induced growth disorders inArabidopsis thaliana. Methylglyoxal detoxification pathway limitation, mainly the glyoxalase I activity, leads to enhanced sensitivity of plants to ammonium nutrition.

Ammonium applied to plants as the exclusive source of nitrogen often triggers multiple phenotypic effects, with severe growth inhibition being the most prominent symptom. Glycolytic flux increase, leading to overproduction of its toxic by-product methylglyoxal (MG), is one of the major metabolic consequences of long-term ammonium nutrition. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of MG metabolism on ammonium-dependent growth restriction inArabidopsis thalianaplants. As the level of MG in plant cells is maintained by the glyoxalase (GLX) system, we analyzed MG-related metabolism in plants with a dysfunctional glyoxalase pathway. We report that MG detoxification, based on glutathione-dependent glyoxalases, is crucial for plants exposed to ammonium nutrition, and its essential role in ammonium sensitivity relays on glyoxalase I (GLXI) activity. Our results indicated that the accumulation of MG-derived advanced glycation end products significantly contributes to the incidence of ammonium toxicity symptoms. UsingA. thaliana frostbite1as a model plant that overcomes growth repression on ammonium, we have shown that its resistance to enhanced MG levels is based on increased GLXI activity and tolerance to elevated MG-derived advanced glycation end-product (MAGE) levels. Furthermore, our results show that glyoxalase pathway activity strongly affects cellular antioxidative systems. Under stress conditions, the disruption of the MG detoxification pathway limits the functioning of antioxidant defense. However, under optimal growth conditions, a defect in the MG detoxification route results in the activation of antioxidative systems.
Assessment of spine length in scoliosis patients using EOS imaging: a validity and reliability study
Authors: Peeters C. M. M. , Bos G. J. F. J. , Kempen D. H. R. , Jutte P. C. , Faber C. , Wapstra F. H.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Knowledge about spinal length and subsequently growth of each individual patient with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) helps with accurate timing of both conservative and surgical treatment. Radiographs taken by a biplanar low-dose X-ray device (EOS) have no divergence in the vertical plane and can provide three-dimensional (3D) measurements. Therefore, this study investigated the criterion validity and reliability of EOS spinal length measurements in AIS patients.

Methods

Prior to routine EOS radiograph, a radiographic calibrated metal beads chain (MBC) was attached on the back of 120 patients with AIS to calibrate the images. Spinal lengths were measured from vertebra to vertebra on EOS anteroposterior (AP), lateral view and on the combined 3D EOS view (EOS 3D). These measurements were compared with MBC length measurements. Secondly, intra- and interobserver reliability of length measurements on EOS-images were determined.

Results

50 patients with accurately positioned MBC were included for analysis. The correlations between EOS and MBC were highest for the 3D length measurements. Compared to EOS 3D measurements, the total spinal length was systematically measured 4.3% (mean difference = 1.97 ± 1.12 cm) and 1.9% (mean difference = 0.86 ± 0.63 cm) smaller on individual EOS two-dimensional (2D) AP and lateral view images, respectively. Both intra- and interobserver reliability were excellent for all length measurements on EOS-images.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate a good validity and reliability for spinal length measurements on EOS radiographs in AIS patients. EOS 3D length measure method is preferred above spinal length measurements on individual EOS AP or lateral view images.
Clinical outcomes of ankle fractures in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review
Authors: Davies Peter Samuel Edward , Pennington Rachel , Dhadwal Anil Singh , Chokotho Linda , Nyamulani Nohakhelha , Mpanga Chiku , Graham Simon Matthew
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Ankle fractures may cause disability and socioeconomic challenges, even when managed in a high-resource setting. The outcomes of ankle fractures in sub-Saharan Africa are not widely reported. We present a systematic review of the patient-reported outcomes and complications of patients treated for ankle fractures in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

Medline, Embase, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched, utilising MeSH headings and Boolean search strategies. Ten papers were included. Data included patient demographics, surgical and non-surgical management, patient-reported outcome measures and evidence of complications.

Results

A total of 555 patients with ankle fractures were included, 471 of whom were followed up (range 6 weeks–73 months). A heterogenous mix of low-quality observational studies and two methodologically poor-quality randomised trials demonstrated mixed outcomes. A preference for surgical management was found within the published studies with 87% of closed fractures being treated operatively. A total of five different outcome scoring systems were used. Most studies included in this review were published by well-resourced organisations and as such are not representative of the actual clinical practice taking place.

Conclusion

The literature surrounding the clinical outcomes of ankle fractures in sub-Saharan Africa is sparse. There appears to be a preference for surgical fixation in the published literature and considering the limitations in surgical resources across sub-Saharan Africa this may not be representative of real-life care in the region.