bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrative Proteomic and Phosphoproteomic Profiling Reveals the Salt‐Responsive Mechanisms in Two Rice Varieties (Oryza Sativa subsp. Japonica and Indica)
Authors: Min Cheol Woo , Gupta Ravi , Lee Gi Hyun , Cho Jun‐Hyeon , Kim Yu‐Jin , Wang Yiming , Jung Ki‐Hong , Kim Sun Tae
Published: November 2024

Salinity stress induces ionic and osmotic imbalances in rice plants that in turn negatively affect the photosynthesis rate, resulting in growth retardation and yield penalty. Efforts have, therefore, been carried out to understand the mechanism of salt tolerance, however, the complexity of biological processes at proteome levels remains a major challenge. Here, we performed a comparative proteome and phosphoproteome profiling of microsome enriched fractions of salt‐tolerant (cv. IR73; indica) and salt‐susceptible (cv. Dongjin/DJ; japonica) rice varieties. This approach led to the identification of 5856 proteins, of which 473 and 484 proteins showed differential modulation between DJ and IR73 sample sets, respectively. The phosphoproteome analysis led to the identification of a total of 10,873 phosphopeptides of which 2929 and 3049 phosphopeptides showed significant differences in DJ and IR73 sample sets, respectively. The integration of proteome and phosphoproteome data showed activation of ABA and Ca2+ signaling components exclusively in the salt‐tolerant variety IR73 in response to salinity stress. Taken together, our results highlight the changes at proteome and phosphoproteome levels and provide a mechanistic understanding of salinity stress tolerance in rice.
Manifold and spatiotemporal learning on multispectral unoccupied aerial system imagery for phenotype prediction
Authors: Farag Fared , Huggins Trevis D. , Edwards Jeremy D. , McClung Anna M. , Hashem Ahmed A. , Causey Jason L. , Bellis Emily S.
Published: November 2024

Timeseries data captured by unoccupied aircraft systems (UASs) are increasingly used for agricultural applications requiring accurate prediction of plant phenotypes from remotely sensed imagery. However, prediction models often fail to generalize well from one year to the next or to new environments. Here, we investigate the ability of various machine learning (ML) approaches to improve yield prediction accuracy in new environments from multispectral timeseries imagery acquired on a set of rice (Oryza sativa L.) experiments with different management treatments and varieties. We also trained deep learning models that perform automated feature extraction and compared these against a suite of other approaches. We observed similar performance on a held‐out growing season for a spatiotemporal model (a three‐dimensional convolutional neural network) trained on raw images compared to simpler workflows using dimension reduction of manually extracted features from temporal imagery (i.e., vegetation indices and image texture properties). Manifold learning on raw imagery was better suited for the prediction of phenological traits due to the preservation of local structure in image embeddings at some time points. Together, these results highlight the competitiveness of classical ML approaches for UAS image analysis alongside computationally expensive deep learning models. Along with a new benchmark dataset for rice, our results help extend the toolkit for UAS image analysis, contributing to improved phenotype prediction in plant breeding and precision agriculture applications.
Investigation of NiAl Intermetallic Compound Formation in Layered Ni–Al‐Thin Film Systems by Grazing Incidence X‐Ray Absorption Spectroscopy
Authors: Voss Lukas , Braun Frederic , Maadour Khalid , Lützenkirchen‐Hecht Dirk
Published: November 2024

NiAl bi‐ and trilayers are prepared by alternating evaporation of aluminum and nickel on float glass substrates under high vacuum, with individual layer thicknesses between 20 and 100 nm. The samples are subjected to an annealing procedure to temperatures of up to 300 °C in vacuum, and the structural changes induced by the heat treatments are followed by in situ grazing incidence X‐ray absorption spectroscopy experiments at the Ni K‐edge. The results show that the elemental metallic deposits are stable up to 180 °C, while a slow formation of the intermetallic NiAl compound occurs at temperatures above 200 °C. No additional reaction intermediates are detected. Linear combination fits employing spectra of face‐centered metallic Ni and body‐centered NiAl as references allow to quantify the contributions of the respective phases as a function of the temperature and the depth in the multilayer. In general, an increase of the phase fraction of the intermetallic NiAl phase is detected. While the deposited elemental metals cannot completely be transformed into this intermetallic compound for the Al–Ni bilayer system even after prolonged annealing at 240 °C, the analysis of the spectra of the Al–Ni–Al trilayer suggests almost complete conversion to NiAl with body‐centered‐cubic structure.
Dihydro‐1H‐Pyrazoles as Donor Blocks in Donor–Acceptor Chromophores for Electro‐Optics: A DFT Study of Hyperpolaizability and Electronic Excitations
Authors: Ishchenko Roman , Shelkovnikov Vladimir
Published: November 2024

A diverse set of promising donors for donor–acceptor chromophores based on dihydro‐1H‐pyrazole (pyrazoline) for use in electro‐optics was investigated using DFT at M06‐2X/aug‐cc‐pVDZ level of theory. These calculations showed that it is possible to achieve a molecular hyperpolarizability of up to 1700*10−30 esu (up to three times higher compared to conventional diethylaniline donors) for a simple tricyanofuran‐based acceptor by carefully tuning the donor structure. It was shown that the molecular hyperpolarizability is mainly affected by the substituents in the aryl rings in positions 3 and 1 of the pyrazoline cycle, while the substituents of the aryl ring in position 5 and the pyrazoline ring itself can be varied without significant effects on the hyperpolarizability. For one of the compounds, a detailed study of the lowest energy electronic excitation was performed using the TD‐DFT, confirming the role of the pyrazoline ring as a secondary donor.
Taking Application Rates With a Grain of Salt: Uncovering the Impact of Road De‐Icing Salt on Freshwaters of a Mountain Catchment in the Italian Alps
Authors: Scotti Alberto , Klotz Johannes , Marsoner Thomas
Published: November 2024

While application of salt for de‐icing purposes has been extensively studied in urban areas of North America, little attention has been paid to it in Europe, particularly in mountain areas. Here, after assessment of baseline salinity, and through applying different approaches (i.e., univariate statistical techniques, Multivariate Regression Trees, multivariate regressions), we investigated the potential changes in water chemistry and benthic macroinvertebrate community structure caused by the application of de‐icing salt over an entire winter season, in a mountain catchment located in the Italian Alps (N 46°, E 11°). Concurrently, we tested and compared the application of three different benthic macroinvertebrate indices used to assess salinisation impacts. Overall, we identified a constant level of baseline salinity across a 13‐year period, accompanied by a strong seasonality factor. Despite an application rate comparable to those of large North American cities, macroinvertebrate communities showed little evidence of change. However, chemical ions whose concentrations are known to be influenced by de‐icing salt (e.g., Na+, Cl−) were identified as the structuring drivers of the macroinvertebrate communities, thus suggesting that the studied riverine environment show a high potential for change in relation to salinity. In conclusion, we caution against the simple evaluation of application rates to assess the risk/level of salinisation within a catchment, and encourage further specific analysis and study of salinisation in mountain areas: they appear as sensitive habitats to potential variations in salinity, and stressors such as increased urbanisation and climate change will further exacerbate the risk of increasing salinisation in mountain freshwaters.
Long‐term application of mineral fertilizer weakens the stability of microbial N‐transforming functions via the decrease of soil microbial diversity
Authors: Zhang Zhou , Chen Ruirui , Blagodatskaya Evgenia , Blagodatsky Sergey , Liu Deyan , Yu Yongjie , Zhu Xiaolin , Feng Youzhi
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Ensuring functional stability is crucial for the sustainable development and soil health of agroecosystems amidst escalating climate changes. Although mineral fertilization is known to enhance the strength of soil N‐transforming functions, its effects on functional stability remain unclear.

Materials & Methods

This study evaluated three stability components (resistance, resilience, and recovery), along with the dimensionality of soil microbial N‐transforming functions during drought‐rewetting process. We investigated enzymatic activity and functional gene abundances after 10 years of fertilization under three strategies, mineral fertilization (NPK), mineral fertilization plus organic amendments (OMN), and no fertilization (CK).

Results

The resistance was 0.60, 0.66 and 0.56; the resilience was 0.46, 0.28 and 0.46; and the recovery was 0.83, 0.73 and 0.82, respectively in the CK, NPK and OMN treatments. Soils with long‐term mineral fertilization exhibited the highest resistance but the lowest resilience and recovery during drought‐rewetting. Furthermore, mineral fertilization demonstrated the lowest dimensionality of stability, with smallest ellipsoid volume and most negative correlations. Soil microbial alpha diversity was identified as a key predictor of functional stability, positively correlating with stability across fertilization strategies.

Conclusion

Mineral fertilization, which decreased alpha diversity, posed challenges for sustainable development of agroecosystems under drought conditions. Mineral fertilization plus organic amendments provided strong N‐transforming functions and moderate stability, making it as an optimal fertilization strategy. These results offer valuable insights for optimizing agroecosystem management and advancing soil sustainability.
Bi‐Functional Agarose‐Filled Porous Polysulfone Protective Layer for Dendrite‐Free Zn Anode
Authors: Zhang Xiaofeng , Huang Yingrui , Liu Zhiming , Yang Qi , Li Meilin , Jiang Yue , Wang Zihan , Chen Xi , Liu Zhenjie , Zhang Kai , Liu Zhuoxin , Yuan Rongfeng , Hu Zhe , Huang Yang
Published: November 2024

The uneven electric field and slow Zn2+ desolvation lead to rapid dendrite growth during Zn plating and stripping, which severely deteriorates the performance of Zn metal anodes (ZMAs) in Zn‐ion batteries (ZIBs). Although polymer‐based artificial protective (PBAP) layers are widely applied to homogenize the electric field of ZMAs, they often fail to promote the desolvation process that eventually induces Zn dendrite growth. Herein, a bi‐functional protective layer, comprising a finger‐like porous matrix of polysulfone (PSF) and a hydroxyl‐rich filler of agarose (AG), is constructed to suppress Zn dendrite growth. COMSOL simulation demonstrates the ZMAs with bi‐functional protective layers (Zn@PSF/AG) exhibit uniform electric field and Zn2+ distribution. Besides, the Zn@PSF/AG has both low desolvation energy and nucleation overpotential, effectively promoting the desolvation of Zn2+. Therefore, the Zn@PSF/AG symmetric cell exhibits excellent cycling performance, achieving 4200 h at 1 mA cm−2/1 mAh cm−2 and 1000 h at 5 mA cm−2/5 mAh cm−2. When coupling with ZnxV2O5 (ZnVO) cathode, the ZnVO‖Zn@PSF/AG full cell shows similarly high cycling stability, maintaining 72% of its capacity after 7000 cycles at 10 A g−1. This research highlights the positive roles of PBAP layer with multi‐functional matrix‐filler structure in developing long‐life ZIBs.
Self‐Aggregation Control of Porphyrin for Enhanced Selective Covalent Organic Network Membranes
Authors: Wang Zheng , Nakagawa Keizo , Guan Kecheng , Hu Mengyang , Mai Zhaohuan , Fu Wenming , Shen Qin , Okamoto Yasunao , Matsuoka Atsushi , Kamio Eiji , Yoshioka Tomohisa , Matsuyama Hideto
Published: November 2024

Covalent organic networks (CONs) are considered ideal for precise molecular separation compared with traditional polymer membranes because their pores have a sharp molecular weight cut‐off and a robust structure. However, challenges remain with regard to tuning pores as a prerequisite for facile membrane fabrication to a defect‐free layer. Herein, a highly conjugated amino‐porphyrin is used and exploited its tunable stacking behavior to fabricate porphyrin‐based polyamide CONs with ordered structures through interfacial polymerization with acyl chlorides. Controlling the self‐aggregation behavior of the porphyrin and the conformation of the acyl chlorides can create different covalent networks. Acid‐triggered porphyrin protonation offsets stacking to reduce the pore in the network from mesopore to micropore, enabling selective molecule transport. Furthermore, different acyl chloride ligands are used to control the interlayer bonding in CONs. Accordingly, the tailored pore diameters (0.48–0.78 nm) are confirmed by the molecule rejections with performance stability over 25 days of operation, as well as under various conditions. This study leverages porphyrin chemistry and interfacial polymerization to fabricate a defect‐free CON layer with a significantly lower molecular weight cut‐off (< 330 Da) than previously reported porphyrin‐based membranes (>800 Da). This will pave the way for the development of ideal topological membranes.
Modified Si Oxidation Behavior by Ultrathin Ni Catalyst Enabling Oxidant‐Less Metal‐Assisted Chemical Etching
Authors: Kim Kyunghwan , Choi Sunhae , Bong Haekyun , Oh Jungwoo
Published: November 2024

Metal‐assisted chemical etching (MACE), a wet‐based anisotropic etching process for semiconductors, has emerged as an alternative to plasma‐based etching. However, using noble metal catalysts in MACE limits the implementation of complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) processes. This study explores Si etching using an ultrathin Ni catalyst as a novel approach for MACE. The thickness of the Ni catalyst emerges as a critical parameter, with 1 nm of Ni proving to be the optimal thickness to achieve smooth and deep etching. Unlike conventional MACE methods, the ultrathin Ni catalyst enables Si etching without strong oxidants. Wafer‐scale Si etching demonstrates the versatility of the ultrathin Ni catalyst in producing various microstructures. It is found that the ultrathin Ni/Si interfacial state plays a crucial role in influencing the Si reactivity, lowering the barrier for Si oxidation. CMOS‐compatible and cost‐efficient ultrathin Ni makes MACE a promising alternative for semiconductor nanofabrication. This study pioneers MACE using an ultrathin non‐noble metal catalyst, offering valuable insights for researchers in this field.
Guanidinium‐Based Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Superior Mono‐ and Divalent Cations Separation
Authors: Liu Xin , Lin Weibin , Al Mohawes Khozama Bader , Khashab Niveen M.
Published: November 2024

Biological membranes exhibit extraordinary efficiency in processing ion permeability and selectivity. However, creating artificial membranes for an ideal ion separation is still challenging due to the subtle distinctions in valence and size among different ions. In the realm of biological recognition, the ultimate selectivity of ion channels is considered to stem from the specific binding interactions and appropriate charge density. Designing artificial membranes to achieve similar performance not only helps the understanding of complex ion transport in bioprocesses but also facilitates critical industrial separations. Inspiring by the remarkable performance in biological systems, a guanidinium‐based covalent organic framework membrane is designed, which exhibits an excellent capability to recognize mono‐/divalent cations, achieving K+/Mg2+ selectivity up to 202 in a mixed salt solution. Furthermore, the membrane displays rapid ion transport owing to the uniform sub‐2 nm channels. The experimental results and molecular dynamics simulations illustrate that the charge‐assisted hydrogen bonding sites and the Cl− counter ions within 1D channels play critical roles in cations sieving. Specifically, divalent ions passing through the positively charged channels need to overcome higher energy barriers than monovalent ions. These findings offer promising avenues for the development of advanced multifunctional membranes for efficient ion separation and sustainable water‐related separations.
High Stability and Reusability of Papain Immobilized on the Non‐Toxic Magnetic Dialdehyde Starch Nanoparticles
Authors: Zhan Luqi , Miao Jincheng , Ouyang Jinyu , Luo Qincong , Wang Xiaojuan
Published: November 2024

Papain is widely used in food, drug, and bioactive peptide production and must be immobilized onto carriers with biocompatibility. Dialdehyde starch (DAS) can be a good biocompatible cross‐linker according to its active aldehyde groups. In the present study, the magnetic nanoparticles dialdehyde starch (MDASN), synthesized by DAS and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (Fe‐MNP), are successfully used to immobilize papain to improve the enzymic activity. The structure and morphology of DAS, MDASN, and immobilized papain onto magnetic dialdehyde starch nanoparticles (papain‐MDASN) are characterized detailly. The morphology of DAS is like a flat ball, and that of Fe‐MNP and papain‐MDASN are spherical and clumpy. The particle size of Fe‐MNP and papain‐MDASN are small, resulting in a large surface electrostatic effect and partial agglomeration. Enzymic activity studies of papain‐MDASN exhibit that the immobilized papain on MDASN represents better temperature resistance, alkaline resistance, thermal stability, and reusability, and its activity recovery is up to 68.21%. Papain onto magnetic dialdehyde starch nanoparticles (MDASN) may enhance its potential application in production processes.
Optimization of Extraction Process, Structure Characterization, and Immunomodulatory Activity of Polysaccharides from Black Garlic
Authors: Zhou Min , Han Qing , Li Caifeng
Published: November 2024

Ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) was used to extract polysaccharides from black garlic, and the extraction process for UAE of black garlic polysaccharides (BGPs) was optimized via RSM coupled with genetic algorithm. The optimal extraction process parameters were obtained as follows: extraction time of 30 min, liquid‐to‐solid ratio of 29 mL/g, extraction temperature of 51 ℃, and ultrasound power of 418 W, and the yield of BGPs was 10.17% ± 0.14%. Subsequently, the crude BGPs were further purified by DEAE‐52 cellulose and Sephadex G‐100 to obtain a homogeneous fraction (BGPs‐1‐SG with the molecular weight of 1.37 × 106 Da) that was comprised of mannose (Man), glucuronic acid (GlcA), rhamnose (Rha), glucose (Glc), and fucose (Fuc) with a molar ratio of 40.23:71.06:2.96:85.38:7.32. Congo red and circular dichroism spectroscopy indicate that BGPs‐1‐SG has a triple helix structure. Scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope demonstrate that BGPs‐1‐SG showed irregular structures including sheet‐like, rod‐shaped, irregular spherical structures, and aggregated in aqueous solutions. Moreover, BGPs‐1‐SG could increase viability, phagocytic rate, and NO content of RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, BGPs‐1‐SG could promote the secretion and mRNA expression levels of IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α. The findings can provide an important reference for the development of functional foods.
Modification of chain extension and crosslinking structures of recycled polyester textile for 3D printing filament
Authors: Hu Lingquan , Sun Jianzhong , Zhang Meng , Liu Jun , Jiang Shouxiang
Published: November 2024

The increase in amount of polyester textile waste is contributing to the severity of environmental pollution because polyester cannot be easily recycled. To reduce the limits of its recyclability, a value‐added recycling approach should be explored. This work introduces an approach for recycling polyester textiles into 3D printable filaments. To increase recyclability of polyester textiles, the polyester materials are modified by ADR4468 additive. After the polyester is 3D printed, the sample with 1.0 wt% of ADR4468 shows the highest tensile and compressive strength properties compared with 1.5 and 2.0 wt%, owing to its fewer voids between the printed lines, a fish scale‐like morphology that spreads out, and a higher degree of crystallization. Moreover, the mechanism of modification suggests that ADR4468 extends and crosslinks the polyester chains by ring‐opening reactions of epoxy groups of ADR4468 and forms sea‐island structures. The sea‐island structures of bonded polyester branched cores with tangled polyester shell interface areas and unbonded polyester chain areas performed suitable rheological behaviors to recycle polyester textiles for 3D printable filaments production. The filaments can be used to replace commercially available filaments, offer a sustainable option for consumers, and impact both the polyester textile‐related recycling and 3D printing industries.

Highlights

An approach is proposed to recycle polyester textiles for 3D printing filament

The approach uses a mechanical method to recycle polyester textiles

Recycled polyesters were modified by ADR4468 to form core‐shell structures

Core‐shell structures were separated by short polyesters(sea‐island structure)

The structures met rheological behaviors for 3D printing filament
Reduction in perforated appendicitis incidence between rural and urban populations after introducing social health insurance in Vietnam: A population‐based study
Authors: Nguyen Tran‐Nguyen , Chou Yiing‐Jenq , Huang Nicole
Published: November 2024

Background

Over the years, Vietnam has expanded its social health insurance (SHI) coverage to reduce health disparities. In this population‐based study, we examined the differences in incidences of perforated appendix between rural and urban populations in Vietnam since the expansion of SHI coverage in 2015. We also identified risk factors for perforated appendix in these populations.

Method

The 2015–2019 SHI inpatient claims data from the Social Security Agency of Dong Thap Province were used to elaborate the final sample of 6863 patients aged 18 years or above who underwent an appendectomy. Multivariable probit and logistic regression model were employed to obtain adjusted estimates.

Results

An overall rate of 22.9% for perforated appendix among adults in Dong Thap was revealed. After the expansion of SHI, rural residents consistently had lower rates of perforated appendix than urban residents, but the differences between rural and urban residents were small and decreased over time, that is from 4.4% in 2015 to 3.4% in 2019. Older, male, and poor residents were at a higher risk of perforated appendix in both urban and rural areas. In rural areas, patients with comorbidities, patients who resided in remote communes bordering Cambodia, and patients who had district hospitals or commune facilities as their primary assigned providers were significantly more likely to develop perforated appendix.

Conclusion

Under the SHI in Vietnam, no significant difference was observed in perforated appendicitis incidence between urban and rural residents. Additional efforts are required to reduce poorer outcomes among other high‐risk residents.
SH‐waves in a complex fluid composite structure with spring membrane imperfect interfaces
Authors: Kundu Swarnava , Das Amrita , Mistri Kshitish Ch.
Published: November 2024

Complex fluids are of nobleness due to their unique mechanical responses to applied stress, which are different from simple fluids. Therefore, the current study encapsulated the behavior of SH‐wave in a complex fluid layer overlying a fiber‐reinforced half‐space with six different cases considered at the common interface. These cases involve various interface conditions, including perfect bonding, a spring layer, an infinitely thin membrane layer, loose bonding, a combined spring‐membrane layer, and a membrane layer with loose bonding. Precisely, the effect of loose bonding, membrane strength, and spring stiffness at the common interface on the propagation of SH (Shear Horizontal) wave is studied in detail. The problem is mathematically formulated for all the aforementioned six models followed by their solution with the aid of appropriate boundary conditions. Numerical computations are performed with a view to study the effect of stiffness of spring and membrane, as well as loose bonding at the common interface of the media. It is demonstrated that membrane strength impedes wave propagation, while increased spring stiffness supports it. Notably, the combined spring‐membrane interface has a more pronounced effect than a spring layer alone. The findings of this study may be utilized in the development of membrane technology, including the study of fluid membranes and it has significant importance in seismic engineering and vibration isolation systems.
Stable homology isomorphisms for the partition and Jones annular algebras
Authors: Boyde Guy
Published: November 2024

We show that the homology of the Jones annular algebras is isomorphic to that of the cyclic groups below a line of gradient $$\frac{1}{2}$$

1
2

. We also show that the homology of the partition algebras is isomorphic to that of the symmetric groups below a line of gradient 1, strengthening a result of Boyd–Hepworth–Patzt. Both isomorphisms hold in a range exceeding the stability range of the algebras in question. Along the way, we prove the usual odd-strand and invertible parameter results for the Jones annular algebras.
Long-Term Subjective Efficacy of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence with Tension-Free Vaginal Tape-Obturator Technique
Authors: Nian Songwen , Wang Xiaoqing , Lu Ye
Published: November 2024

Introduction and Hypothesis

The objective was to evaluate the long-term subjective efficacy of the tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (TVT-O) technique in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 84 patients who underwent TVT-O surgery for SUI in a tertiary center between January 2007 and December 2013. All patients filled in the Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire (I-QOL), the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF), and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire short form (PISQ-12). Subjective efficacy, including surgical efficacy, clinical severity of SUI, improvement in quality of life (QoL), and sexual activity with regard to TVT-O were compared before and after surgery (≥ 10 years).

Results

The average postoperative follow-up time was 12.6 ± 1.9 years, range, 10–16 years. The overall subjective effectiveness of the surgery was 94.0% (79 out of 84). The subjective clinical severity significantly improved more than 10 years after surgery compared with the preoperative value (p = 0.000). The median I-QOL score was 88.1 (84.1–92.0) preoperatively and 98.3 (94.3–99.7) postoperatively, and the long-term QoL of postoperative patients was significantly improved (p < 0.05). The median ICIQ-SF score was 10.5 (8–15) preoperatively, and 3 (0–5) postoperatively, and the ICIQ-SF score before and after surgery showed significant improvement in urinary incontinence symptoms (p < 0.05). No difference was observed in the PISQ-12 scores before and after surgery in the sexually active population.

Conclusions

The TVT-O technique still has good subjective efficacy in SUI more than 10 years after surgery and significantly improves the QoL of patients.
Toward robust decision-making under multiple evaluation scenarios with a novel fuzzy ranking approach: green supplier selection study case
Authors: Więckowski Jakub , Wątróbski Jarosław , Sałabun Wojciech
Published: November 2024

In the evolving field of decision-making, the continuous advancement of technologies and methodologies drives the pursuit of more reliable tools. Decision support systems (DSS) provide information to make informed choices and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods are an important component of defining decision models. Despite their usefulness, there are still challenges in making robust decisions in dynamic environments due to the varying performance of different MCDA methods. It creates space for the development of techniques to aggregate conflicting results. This paper introduces a fuzzy ranking approach for aggregating results from multi-criteria assessments, specifically addressing the limitations of current result aggregation techniques. Unlike conventional methods, the proposed approach represents rankings as fuzzy sets, providing detailed insights into the robustness of decision problems. The study uses green supplier selection as a case study, examining the performance of the introduced approach and the robustness of its recommendations within the sustainability field. This study offers a new methodology for aggregating results from multiple evaluation scenarios, thereby enhancing decision-maker awareness and robustness. Through comparative analysis with traditional compromise solution methods, this paper highlights the limitations of current approaches and indicates the advantages of adopting fuzzy ranking aggregation. This study significantly advances the field of decision-making by enhancing the understanding of the stability of decision outcomes.
Does Price Personalization Ethically Outperform Unitary Pricing? A Thought Experiment and a Simulation Study
Authors: Mazrekaj Deni , Verhagen Mark D. , Kumar Ajay , Muzio Daniel
Published: November 2024

Merchants often use personalized pricing: they charge different consumers different prices for the same product. We assess the ethicality of personalized pricing by generalizing and extending an earlier model by Coker and Izaret (Journal of Business Ethics 173:387–398, 2021) who found that price personalization ethically outperforms unitary pricing. Using a simulation analysis, we show that these results crucially depend on the choice of parameters and do not hold universally. We further incorporate additional sources of marginal cost into the utility function that will likely arise from personalized pricing. These include the expectation that personalized pricing is widely considered unfair by consumers who prefer that all consumers are charged the same price (unitary pricing), and that firms often approximate the consumers’ willingness-to-pay in ways that may raise negative sentiments among consumers who feel that their privacy is breached. By extending our model with disutility from unfairness perception and disutility from surveillance aversion, we demonstrate that personalized pricing is quickly outperformed by unitary pricing under social welfare functions that tend to prioritize total utility (utilitarianism and prioritarianism), whereas personalized pricing can ethically outperform unitary pricing under social welfare functions that tend to prioritize equality (egalitarianism and leximin). Our findings illustrate various intricacies and dynamics regarding the circumstances under which personalized pricing can be considered ethical.
Self-Interest over Ethics: Firm Withdrawal from Russia After the Ukraine Invasion
Authors: Patel Pankaj C. , Richter Jack I.
Published: November 2024

Drawing on contrasting theoretical perspectives of self-interest and utilitarian/ethical motivations, we examine the degree to which a company's pace of departure from Russia after the Ukraine invasion is driven by its exposure to the Russian market. Moreover, we investigate whether firm-level political and non-political risks influence the propensity to delay or expedite the exit/withdrawal process. Contrary to utilitarian expectations advocating for ethical exit decisions irrespective of exposure and risks, firms with higher Russian exposure were less likely to exit sooner, indicating a prioritization of business interests over ethical imperatives. This self-interest effect was further amplified by heightened political risks but attenuated by non-political risks. These findings remained consistent across various model specifications, with limited discernible variations based on firm characteristics such as ranking, COVID-19 exposure and risk, past idiosyncratic volatility, or family ownership and control. In addition, an examination of post-exit effects on profitability, risk, cost of capital, and liquidity revealed no statistically significant relationships. Our study highlights the prevalence of self-interest motivations over utilitarian principles, as firms with substantial Russian exposure prioritized safeguarding their business interests in the aftermath of the Ukraine invasion, even at the potential cost of ethical and social responsibility imperatives.
Monetary work-incentives within the Austrian tax and benefit system
Authors: Kucsera Dénes , Lorenz Hanno , Nagl Wolfgang
Published: November 2024

This paper analyses incentives to take up work or to increase working hours within the Austrian tax and benefit system. We analyze the monetary work incentives for a variety of family constellations (singles, single parents, families with children) with different incomes from dependent employment, when receiving unemployment benefits, and in the system of means-tested minimum income. Moreover, the effect of different earning ceilings (childcare and unemployment) and childcare costs is additionally investigated. Insufficient and, therefore, privately provided childcare is viewed as a missing component of the benefit system. The Austrian tax and benefit system is designed to be incentive-compatible for singles. Only marginal employment without deductions in the event of unemployment creates a negative incentive to expand employment beyond this extent. However, raising children creates negative monetary incentives. On the one hand, through the upper limits on additional earnings during times of childcare allowance, but especially when childcare costs arise.
CNNCat: categorizing high-energy photons in a Compton/Pair telescope with convolutional neural networks
Authors: Lommler Jan Peter , Gerd Oberlack Uwe
Published: November 2024

A Compton/Pair telescope, designed to provide spectral resolved images of cosmic photons from sub-MeV to GeV energies, records a wealth of data in a combination of tracking detector and calorimeter. Onboard event classification can be required to decide on which data to down-link with priority, given limited data-transfer bandwidth. Event classification is also the first and one of the most crucial steps in reconstructing data. Its outcome determines the further handling of the event, i.e., the type of reconstruction (Compton, pair) or, possibly, the decision to discard it. Errors at this stage result in misreconstruction and loss of source information. We present a classification algorithm driven by a Convolutional Neural Network. It provides classification of the type of electromagnetic interaction, based solely on low-level detector data. We introduce the task, describe the architecture and the dataset used, and present the performance of this method in the context of the proposed (e-)ASTROGAM and similar telescopes.
News dissemination: a semantic approach to barrier classification
Authors: Sittar Abdul , Mladenić Dunja , Grobelnik Marko
Published: November 2024

The dissemination of information worldwide is significantly facilitated by the news media, with many events having global relevance across various regions. However, certain news events receive limited coverage restricted to specific geographic areas, due to the barriers that hinder the spread of information. These barriers can be attributed to political, geographical, economic, cultural, or linguistic factors. In this research, we propose an approach for classifying these barriers by extracting semantic information from news articles using Wikipedia-concepts. Our methodology involves the collection of news articles, each annotated to indicate the specific barrier types, leveraging metadata from news publishers. Subsequently, we employ Wikipedia-concepts, in conjunction with the content of the news articles, as features to determine the barriers to news dissemination. Our approach is then compared with traditional text classification techniques, deep learning methods, and transformer-based models. We have performed experiments on news articles from ten categories of topics including health, sports, business, etc. The findings indicate that 1) Utilizing semantic knowledge yields distinct concepts across the ten categories, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and speed of the classification model. 2) The proposed approach, incorporating Wikipedia-concepts-based semantic knowledge, leads to improved performance in barrier classification when compared to using solely the body text of news articles. Specifically, there is an increase in the average F1-scores for four out of five barriers, with the economic barrier rising from 0.65 to 0.68, the linguistic barrier from 0.71 to 0.72, the political barrier from 0.68 to 0.70, and the geographical barrier from 0.63 to 0.68.
Why summing up bibliometric indicators does not justify a composite indicator
Authors: Forthmann Boris , Doebler Philipp , Mutz Rüdiger
Published: November 2024

Various bibliometric indicators have been used to assess the researchers’ impact, but composites of such indicators, namely a metric that combines various individual indicators to describe a complex construct, have received a strong critique thus far. We employ concepts from psychometrics to revisit a composite proposed by Ioannidis et al. (2020) that aimed to represent researcher impact. Based on a selected sample of highly cited researchers, our proof-of-concept study presents a psychometrically principled composite formation. Specifically, by relying on the congeneric measurement model (and related models) rooted in classical test theory, we found that one of the proposed indicators clearly violated the congeneric model’s fundamental assumption of unidimensionality, and two other indicators were excluded for redundancy. The resulting composite based on only three bibliometric indicators was found to display excellent reliability. Importantly, the reliability approached that of the composite based on five indicators, and it was clearly better than the original six-indicator composite. Further, we found rather homogeneous effective weights (i.e., relative contributions of each indicator to composite variance) for simple sum scores, and these weights were close to those calculated using an algorithm for equally effective weights. While the congeneric measurement model also showed strong measurement invariance across sexes, this model’s loadings and intercepts were not measurement invariant across scientific fields and academic age groups. Notably, we found that various derived composites correlate positively with academic age, hinting at a lack of fairness of the composites.
Playing the Game Differently: How Women Leaders in Academia Are Challenging Neopatriarchy
Authors: Gilbert Emilee , O’Shea Michelle , Duffy Sarah , Taylor Chloe
Published: November 2024

Despite Australian and New Zealand Universities pledging to address gender inequities, the patriarchal history of universities continues to impact the careers of women in academia. Under-representation of women in senior leadership and a culture of masculinity can lead to a lack of resources for feminist leadership and a devaluing of women’s work. We investigate how women in academic leadership are playing the game differently, making strategic moves to navigate leadership in the neoliberal neopatriarchal academy. We explored the experiences of 22 women in academic leadership through online qualitative surveys and reflexive thematic analysis of the data, taking inspiration from Bourdieu’s work on habitus and doxa. Although women leaders were able to successfully make strategic moves to advance their careers, these were shaped by parenting status, race, culture, and age. The women’s leadership approaches were counter to the masculine doxa of the academic field, leading instead relationally. We do not suggest that there is a specific ‘female’ style of academic leadership, but that successful authentic leadership can be founded on a feminist ethics of care in contrast to neopatriarchy. Adoption of such approaches across the academy might unshackle academics across genders from their positioning in academic leadership hierarchies.
Existing Health Inequities in the Treatment of Advanced and Metastatic Cancers
Authors: Nair Navya , Schlumbrecht Matthew
Published: November 2024

Purpose of Review

This study aims to identify health inequities related to the medical treatment and supportive care of patients with advanced/metastatic cancer and recommend solutions to promote health equity.

Recent findings

Despite robust strides in the development of therapeutic strategies for advanced and metastatic cancer, significant disparities in treatment access and implementation exist. Race, socioeconomic status, gender, and geography represent just a few of the individual-level factors which contribute to challenges in treatment administration, thorough evaluation of germline genetics and tumor genomics, and quality palliative and end-of-life care.

Given the increasing complexity of cancer treatments and our enhanced understanding of tumor biology, efforts to uniformly provide equitable and high-level care to all patients are needed. In this review we will discuss factors that contribute to health inequities in patients with advanced and metastatic cancer diagnoses, highlighting opportunities for intervention, ongoing challenges in change implementation, and national and international society recommendations to eliminate disparities. Acknowledging existing inequities and engaging in multilevel discourse with key stakeholders is needed to optimize care practices to the benefit of all patients.
Quantum Artificial Intelligence: A Brief Survey
Authors: Klusch Matthias , Lässig Jörg , Müssig Daniel , Macaluso Antonio , Wilhelm Frank K.
Published: November 2024

Quantum Artificial Intelligence (QAI) is the intersection of quantum computing and AI, a technological synergy with expected significant benefits for both. In this paper, we provide a brief overview of what has been achieved in QAI so far and point to some open questions for future research. In particular, we summarize some major key findings on the feasability and the potential of using quantum computing for solving computationally hard problems in various subfields of AI, and vice versa, the leveraging of AI methods for building and operating quantum computing devices.
Smart Gas Sensors: Recent Developments and Future Prospective
Authors: Zong Boyang , Wu Shufang , Yang Yuehong , Li Qiuju , Tao Tian , Mao Shun
Published: November 2024

Gas sensor is an indispensable part of modern society with wide applications in environmental monitoring, healthcare, food industry, public safety, etc. With the development of sensor technology, wireless communication, smart monitoring terminal, cloud storage/computing technology, and artificial intelligence, smart gas sensors represent the future of gas sensing due to their merits of real-time multifunctional monitoring, early warning function, and intelligent and automated feature. Various electronic and optoelectronic gas sensors have been developed for high-performance smart gas analysis. With the development of smart terminals and the maturity of integrated technology, flexible and wearable gas sensors play an increasing role in gas analysis. This review highlights recent advances of smart gas sensors in diverse applications. The structural components and fundamental principles of electronic and optoelectronic gas sensors are described, and flexible and wearable gas sensor devices are highlighted. Moreover, sensor array with artificial intelligence algorithms and smart gas sensors in “Internet of Things” paradigm are introduced. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of smart gas sensors are discussed regarding the future need of gas sensors for smart city and healthy living.
Numerical modeling of the transfer length of 17.8 mm (0.7 in) diameter prestressing strands in pretensioned members
Authors: Alkurdi Zaher , Kovács Tamás
Published: November 2024

The bond between concrete and reinforcing steel bars in reinforced concrete structures is crucial. Prestressing strands with a diameter of 17.8 mm (0.7 in) transfer higher compression per unit area than smaller strands, improving moment capacity and shear strength and extending the girder span. However, limited research on the bond performance of these 17.8 mm diameter prestressing strands has restricted their widespread use despite their advantages. This study presents a methodology to determine the transfer length of pretensioned members numerically. The influence of pretension force and bond strength on a 17.8 mm diameter strand was assessed through the validation of a finite element model using experimental results from a standardized pretensioned pull-out test. Analytical calculations using different code formulas were also conducted, encompassing strands of varying diameters. Our finite element analysis suggests that a 50.8 mm spacing between adjacent 17.8 mm diameter strands is applicable, ensuring there is no stress overlap in the transfer zones, which can lead to concrete cracking and reduced structural integrity. Existing code formulas, such as ACI 318–19 and AASHTO LRFD 9th edition, require longer transfer lengths when compared with the numerical results. The fib MC 2010 and EC2 formulas offer closer results to numerical results of smaller diameter strands but underestimate the transfer length for the 17.8 mm diameter strand. Therefore, improvements to code formulations may be necessary for more accurate transfer length predictions for this specific strand size.
An overview: exploring the potential of fruit and vegetable waste and by-products in food biodegradable packaging
Authors: Ali Muhammad Qasim , Ahmad Noormazlinah , Azhar Mohd Akmal , Munaim Mimi Sakinah Abdul , Hussain Ashiq , Mahdi Amer Ali
Published: November 2024

Food waste and by-products negatively impact the environment, economy, and society. One solution to this issue is repurposing this waste by creating food packaging materials. Packaging is safe for food, but using non-biodegradable materials, including microplastics, has led to pollution. The food industry generates substantial amounts of waste that creates environmental concerns. Edible and functional food packaging, crafted from food waste and natural materials, presents a sustainable approach by reducing waste and plastic usage. These edible materials are consumed with food, reducing disposal and environmental impact. This manuscript explores the potential uses of biopolymers, packaging, and edible films and coatings As alternatives to traditional food packaging. By-products of fruits are valuable food waste, often discarded despite containing beneficial compounds like polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals. This review focuses on recent research using vegetable and fruit waste to improve packaging systems, antioxidant, physical, and mechanical properties, and antimicrobial features; advancements in synthetic and biobased films enhanced with by-product compounds; and their role in biodegradable food packaging.

Graphical Abstract