bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Surface Pretreatments on the Formation of Zr‐Based Conversion Layers on Zn–Al–Mg Alloy‐Coated Steel
Authors: Ponomareva Maria , Duchoslav Jiri , Stifter David , Kogler Matthias , Miano Daniela , Akbari Elahe , Bleij Arie , Luckeneder Gerald , Singewald Tanja , Valtiner Markus 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTZr‐based conversion coatings represent an environmentally conscious alternative to traditional phosphating and chromating in the automotive industry. In this study, we employ XPS and LEIS to investigate the formation of Zr‐conversion layers on Zn–Mg–Al alloy after alkaline and acidic model pretreatments. On alkaline pretreated surfaces, a Zr‐oxide/oxyfluoride layer and an underlying Mg–Al–fluoride layer are formed, whereas acidic pretreatment results in only an oxidic layer. The thickness of the Zr‐layer depends on pretreatment pH and immersion time. Acidic treatment achieves an approximately 23 nm‐thick Zr‐oxide/oxyfluoride layer after 1 min, while prolonged treatment increases the thickness of the oxidic layer for strong alkaline and acidic conditions. Mild alkaline pretreatments, however, do not benefit from extended immersion. F‐induced corrosion pits are observed after mild alkaline treatment. The strong alkaline pretreatment proved to be the most efficient in creating a double‐layered Zr‐conversion coating with increased oxidic layer thickness over time.
Random graph coloring and the instability
Authors: Tsuboi Akito 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThis paper explores the coloring problem, focusing on the existence of uniformly colored substructures. The study primarily examines random graphs with edge coloring and their generic substructures. The key finding is that the absence of a monochromatic generic substructure corresponds to increased instability, meaning that the colored random graph hereditarily possesses the strict order property.
Development of an Ionic Conductive Elastomer from the Photocopolymerization of a Ternary Polymerizable Deep Eutectic Solvent for Human Motions Sensing
Authors: Qian Zhengyang , Pan Chenlin , Chen Hao , Zhang Mingzu , He Jinlin , Ni Peihong 
Published: November 2024

AbstractPolymerizable deep eutectic solvents (PDES) represent a novel class of ionic liquids characterized by the presence of polymerizable groups in their hydrogen‐bond donor or acceptor components. Within the realm of flexible electronics, PDES is emerged as a promising material for the fabrication of sensors that exhibit both flexibility and stretchability. This research employs the UV‐initiated photocopolymerization of a ternary PDES composed of choline chloride (ChCl), 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), and itaconic acid (IA), to synthesize an ionic conductive elastomer (ICE) that boasts desirable comprehensive performances, which can be controlled by meticulously adjusting the ratios of these components. The fabrication process is streamlined and efficient, utilizing cost‐effective and eco‐friendly materials. This elastomer exhibits favorable ionic conductivity (1.70 × 10−2–5.45 × 10−2 S m−1), mechanical strength (0.48–1.21 MPa stress at break, 395–701% elongation at break), adhesion capacity (49–120 kPa adhesion strength), and sensing sensitivity toward human motions.
Structural modification of high carbon Co−Cr−Mo alloy via chemical etching to enhance hydroxyapatite coating performance
Authors: Hassan M. A. , Daud R. , Tomadi S. H. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractNumerous papers have been reported on surface treatment of metallic implant to facilitate positive interaction between the implant and hard tissue interface. In this paper, surface treatment such as chemical etching was done on the biomedical grade cobalt‐based alloy prior to hydroxyapatite coating deposition to enhance its biocompatibility. The objective is to investigate which temperature possesses the positive effect in adhesion strength of hydroxyapatite coating without detrimental the surface hardness. Observation showed that acid etched at the highest temperature (80 °C) has successfully roughen the substrate surface from 0.168 μm ±0.1 μm to 1.383 μm ±0.2 μm. Vickers hardness measurement on surface treated at 80 °C exhibit an increment of surface hardness which is about 39 % compared to surface treated at lower temperature. The highest thickness of hydroxyapatite coating layer (~57 μm) was evidently formed on the substrate etched at 80 °C with minimal cracks and no delamination. This phenomenon happened due to chemical reaction were rigorously attack on the substrate surface have provide more micro‐pits, pores and deeper craters that trap more efficiently of hydroxyapatite particles for thicker and dense coating formation. It is worth to note that too long acid soaking will also detrimental the material properties.
Polysaccharides from Cordyceps cicadae Ameliorate Reproductive Impairments in Male Mouse through the Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Testicular Axis
Authors: Wu Fen , Wang Meilin , Chen Xiaoyue , Zhang Dongchen , Peng Wei , Hu Xinyi , Xu Haoran , Zhang WenNa , Yan Chao , Lu Yongming , Sun Min , Chen Yan , Chen Lei 
Published: November 2024

Scope
Cordyceps cicadae polysaccharides have received attention due to their potential in treating hyperglycemia and enhancing renal function. The beneficial effect of the purified C. cicadae polysaccharides fraction (CCP‐1) on the reproductive impairments and spermatogenesis dysfunction of immunocompromised mice is unavailable and is studied herein.Methods and resultsThe study establishes a GC‐1 spg cell apoptosis model induced by TNF‐α+SM‐164 (TS) and male mouse reproductive injury model induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX), and then intervened by CCP‐1. CCP‐1 improves the viability of GC‐1 spg cell and inhibits cells apoptosis induced by TS in vitro. CCP‐1 enhances sperm quality and spermatogenesis function, as well as ameliorating the histological lesions in the hypothalamus, testicular, and kidney. CCP‐1 elevates gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) level that secreted by the hypothalamus, and increases the levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteizing hormone (LH) in the anterior pituitary stimulated by GnRH, and promotes the secretion of testosterone (T) by testis. Moreover, CCP‐1 could protect the reproductive system by activating reproductive regulatory pathway such as SCF/C‐kit pathway and inhibiting apoptotic signaling pathway such as Bax/Caspase‐3 pathway.ConclusionThese results manifest that CCP‐1 could serve as a natural promising reproductive system protective supplement for ameliorating CTX biotoxicity.
Optimizing spot‐scanning proton arc therapy with a novel spot sparsity approach
Authors: Fan Qingkun , Zhao Lewei , Li Xiaoqiang , Qian Yujia , Dao Riao , Hu Jie , Zhang Sheng , Yang Kunyu , Lu Xiliang , Yang Zhijian , Ding Xuanfeng , Dai Shuyang , Liu Gang 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundOne of the main challenges of utilizing spot‐scanning proton arc therapy (SPArc) in routine clinics is treatment delivery efficiency. Spot reduction, which relies on spot sparsity optimization (SSO), is crucial for achieving high delivery efficiency in SPArc.PurposeThis study aims to develop a novel SSO approach based on the alternating directions method of multipliers (ADMM) for SPArc to achieve high treatment delivery efficiency and maintain optimal dosimetric plan quality.MethodsIn this study, SSO for SPArc is based on the least‐square dose fidelity term with L0‐norm regularization. The novel optimization approach is based on the ADMM framework, in which the minimum monitor unit constraint was considered to improve the plan quality. A state‐of‐the‐art SSO method, the primal‐dual active set with continuation (PDASC) algorithm published previously, was utilized as a benchmark. Two SPArc plan groups with the same beam assignment and clinical constraint were generated, in which the former group was SPArc plan with SSO utilizing ADMM, denoted as , and the later group was SPArc with SSO utilizing PDASC, denoted as . Nine clinical cases included five different cancer sites (brain, lung, liver, prostate, and head&neck cancer) were used. The SSO method's performance was evaluated in terms of spot sparsity level (the number of zero‐valued elements divided by the total number of elements), beam delivery time, dosimetric plan quality, and plan robustness.ResultsCompared to the plan, the plan exhibits superior sparsity and higher delivery efficiency while maintaining good plan quality.ConclusionsThis study introduces a novel spot sparsity optimization approach using the ADMM framework to improve the delivery efficiency of SPArc. Compared to the existing state‐of‐the‐art SSO method, such an approach could further enhance delivery efficiency while maintaining good plan quality, which could promote the implementation of SPArc in the clinic's.
Light‐Based Desalination of Water Using Polypyrrole‐Coated Fabrics
Authors: Sakabe Ryuga , Matsui Kanade , Funatsu Takahiro , Hirai Tomoyasu , Nakamura Yoshinobu , Fujii Syuji 
Published: November 2024

AbstractFabrics consisting of cotton‐core/polypyrrole (PPy)‐sheath fibers (cotton/PPy fabrics) are synthesized by aqueous chemical oxidative seeded polymerization of pyrrole and are utilized as a solar evaporation device. Scanning electron microscopy studies and elemental microanalyses reveal the thickness of the PPy sheath increases from a few tens nm to ≈200 nm with an increase of pyrrole monomer concentration in the polymerization system. The temperature of cotton/PPy fabrics increases upon irradiation with artificial sunlight to ≈33–45 °C in the dry state, due to light‐to‐heat photothermal conversion by the PPy component. Thanks to the photothermal property of the fabrics, water impregnated within the cotton/PPy fabrics can evaporate efficiently under the irradiation of artificial sunlight. Light‐induced water evaporation experiment using an artificial seawater confirms that ionic concentrations drastically decreases, indicating successful desalination.
The Enigma of the Motor Nerve Conduction Study
Authors: Nandedkar Sanjeev D. , Stålberg Erik V. , Barkhaus Paul E. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundIn motor nerve conduction studies (MNCS), proximal stimulation should give a longer duration and lower amplitude compound muscle action potential (CMAP) due to higher temporal dispersion. Yet the CMAP waveforms at the distal and proximal stimulation sites appear remarkably similar. The objective of this study was to confirm this anomaly and investigate its possible cause by studying the median and ulnar nerves.MethodsRecordings from 50 subjects with normal electrodiagnostic studies were reviewed. The conduction velocity (CV) was measured using different points on the negative phase of the CMAP including its peak and baseline crossing. Collision studies were performed in three healthy subjects to measure the dispersion when nerve action potentials (APs) propagated from elbow to wrist.ResultsCV was relatively unaffected by the measurement point on the CMAP. The CMAP duration with elbow stimulation increased minimally compared to wrist stimulation. This was inconsistent with the dispersion of the AP from wrist to elbow measured in collision studies.DiscussionThe insignificant change in the CMAP in spite of axon AP dispersion is an enigma. We hypothesize that the terminal conduction time (TCT) (i.e., conduction in terminal axon branches, neuromuscular transmission, etc.) is independent of axon CV, represents a significant portion of the latency, masks AP dispersion, and reduces CMAP dispersion. This yields similar CMAPs with distal and proximal stimulation. The onset latency at the distal stimulation site does not depend on CV. Thus, onset latency and CV may not reflect the conduction properties of the fastest conducting axons.
Stress Field and Crack Pattern Interpretation by Deep Learning in a 2D Solid
Authors: Chou Daniel , Arson Chloé 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTA nonlinear variational auto‐encoder (NLVAE) is developed to reconstruct the plane strain stress field in a solid with embedded cracks subjected to uniaxial tension, uniaxial compression, and shear loading paths. Latent features are sampled from a skew‐normal distribution, which allows encoding marked variations of the features of the stress field across the load steps. The NLVAE is trained and tested based upon stress maps generated with the finite element method (FEM) with cohesive zone elements (CZEs). The NLVAE successfully captures stress concentrations that develop across the loading steps as a result of crack propagation, especially when enhanced disentanglement is emphasized during training. Some latent variables consistently emerge as significant across various microstructure descriptors and loading paths. Correlations observed between the evolution of fabric descriptors and that of their significant stress latent features indicate that the NLVAE can capture important microstructure transitions during the loading process. Crack connectivity, crack eccentricity, and the distribution of zones of highly connected opened cracks versus zones with no cracks are the fabric descriptors that best explain the sequences of latent features that are the most important for the reconstruction of the stress field. Notably, the distributional shape, tail behavior, and symmetry of microstructure descriptor distributions have more influence on the stress field than basic measures of central tendency and spread.
What Determines Public Funding for Elementary Education in India? Evidence From Before and After a Policy Change
Authors: Hoque Nurzamal , Mahanta Ratul 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTKeeping to the increased emphasis on better educational quality across India as a tool of nation‐ building strategy, this study attempts to integrate demand components in analyzing the determinants of public spending for elementary education across states in India from 2005 to 2016. The study finds that the income (per capita) elasticity of per student government expenditure is higher in post‐reform period. The state government's share of income devoted to elementary education remains roughly constant. Applying a correlated random effect approach to linear balanced panel data, this paper concludes that over time, a major determinant of growth of per student government expenditure is the growth of income per capita. Household demand for education, which is positively correlated with states' levels of development, influences public funding for education across states. The results will be important for analyzing general equilibrium models where the government aims to fulfill household demand.
Investigation on the Low‐Frequency Acoustic Performance of Polymer Matrix Composite With Metallic Hollow Spheres Under Different Acoustic Stack Structures
Authors: Guo Chunhuan , Sun Peng , Shao Shuaiqi , Yu Tianmiao , Jiang Fengchun , Li Yanchun , Cui Xianghong , Li Junqing 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTIn this study, various polymer matrix composites (melamine and flexible polyurethane) combined with 316 L stainless steel hollow spheres were prepared using the casting method. The acoustic properties of the fabricated materials were evaluated under low‐frequency conditions (100–1700 Hz) using an impedance tube. The results indicate that sound absorption and insulation performance are significantly influenced by the incident surface material within this frequency range. Notably, sound waves entering through the polyurethane stainless steel hollow sphere surface yield optimal absorption performance, achieving a maximum sound absorption coefficient of 0.74 at 400 Hz. Conversely, the melamine foam surface provides the best sound absorption at higher frequencies within this range, reaching a coefficient of 0.43 at 1700 Hz. The findings highlight the effective sound absorption and insulation capabilities of the composite materials.
The Ecosystem of Middle School Math Achievement: Intersections of Student Demographic, Parent, and School Factors
Authors: Hall Garret J. , Low Sabina , Smolkowski Keith , Garbacz Andy 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTEcological factors, such as family involvement and school context, are important to consider in understanding middle schoolers’ math development. In this study, we examined the relations of middle school student‐reported parental monitoring and school climate as well as school‐averaged teacher reports of school organizational health (OH) to students’ math growth from grades 6–8. We also examined whether student‐reported race and ethnicity and perceived financial security moderated the relations of climate, monitoring, and OH to math growth and achievement. Participants were 12,821 middle school students and their teachers in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Our findings indicate that students who reported more parental monitoring in Grade 6 had detectably higher math scores in Grade 8, but monitoring did not relate to math growth, nor did student‐reported perceptions of school climate in Grade 6. We observed that OH in earlier middle school predicted math growth through Grade 8. We did not find evidence of differential relations of these variables to math achievement level or growth across students’ self‐reported race and ethnicity and perceived financial security. We discuss contributions of these findings to research and practice as well as limitations and future directions.
Exploring Risk Factors Associated With Intensive Care Unit Admission in a Retrospective Cohort of 631 Children With Bronchiolitis
Authors: Guarnieri Valentina , Palmas Giordano , Trapani Sandra , Mollo Antonella , Macucci Chiara , Gambini Irene , Mottola Valentina , Rubino Chiara , Moriondo Maria , Nieddu Francesco , Ricci Silvia , Azzari Chiara , Indolfi Giuseppe 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTAimExamine the trends and epidemiological features of acute hospitalized bronchiolitis cases among children aged 28 days to 2 years, both before and after the COVID‐19 pandemic. Furthermore, evaluate their need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and identify primary risk factors associated with severe bronchiolitis.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of paediatric patients admitted to Meyer Children's Hospital in Florence (Italy) from September 2019 to March 2023, with the diagnosis of bronchiolitis.ResultsBetween 2019 and 2023, bronchiolitis hospitalizations grew by 76%, going from 131 to 230 cases, after the historical minimum of 14 cases in the 2020–2021 season. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection emerged as the predominant etiological agent, contributing to 76% of hospitalizations in both 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 seasons. Coinfection cases increased fivefold from 2019 to 2023, accounting for 23% of hospitalizations in 2022–2023. In addition, the ICU admission rate increased from 13% in 2019–2020 to 31% of bronchiolitis hospitalizations in 2022–2023. Univariate and multivariate analysis data show that infants below 2 months of age, preterm births, comorbidities and RSV infections were correlated with a higher risk for ICU admission.ConclusionThe growing trend in ICU admissions for acute bronchiolitis in hospitalized children represents a substantial health challenge. Addressing the bronchiolitis epidemic necessitates a strategic focus on RSV prevention through interventions such as vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. Urgent implementation of preventive initiatives, together with continuous surveillance and the establishment of national databases, is imperative and cannot be further deferred.
Process safety in bioenergy with carbon capture and storage systems (BECCS)
Authors: Ogle Russell A. , Dee Sean J. , Mastalski Isaac 
Published: November 2024

AbstractIn response to the climate crisis, the United States has embarked on an ambitious program to achieve 100% carbon‐free electricity generation by 2035 and net‐zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The implementation of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) systems is an essential component of that strategy. BECCS is broadly defined as the utilization of biomass energy (from the processing of solids, liquids, or vapors) with the capture of carbon dioxide and subsequent permanent storage in a deep geological formation. There are numerous potential technologies and flowsheets for implementing BECCS, and the supply chains rely upon support from the agricultural, forestry, and solid waste industries. Inherent in BECCS systems are the hazards associated with combustible dusts, spontaneous ignition and smoldering of combustible solids, flammable liquids, flammable vapors and gases, toxic gases, and more. For BECCS to be deployed commercially across the United States, it is imperative that process safety risks are controlled. A risk‐based process safety (RBPS) program can help manage the risks of a BECCS facility and minimize process safety incidents. In this paper, we present two representative bioenergy technologies as mini‐case studies to illustrate the range of process hazards encountered. Process safety strategies required by regulation are briefly reviewed and potential gaps are identified. We then demonstrate how RBPS can be implemented in a practical and effective manner to fill the gaps.
Cry1 resistance in a CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated HaCad1 gene knockout strain of the Australian cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera conferta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Fang Cao (Grace) , James Bill , Williams Michelle , Bachler Andy , Tay Wee Tek , Walsh Tom , Frese Michael 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDHelicoverpa armigera is a highly polyphagous species that causes huge losses to agricultural and horticultural crops worldwide. In the cotton industry, H. armigera, including the Australian subspecies Helicoverpa armigera conferta, is largely managed using genetically modified crops that express insecticidal toxins, such as Cry1Ac. Resistance to Cry1 proteins occurs and, in some cases, is mediated by changes to HaCad1, a gene that encodes the midgut protein cadherin. Around the world, numerous resistance‐associated polymorphisms have been identified in the HaCad1 gene of H. armigera, but Cry1Ac resistance is rare in the Australian subspecies. We used CRISPR/Cas9 to disrupt the cadherin gene in H. armigera conferta and characterised the resulting phenotype with bioassays and transcriptomics.RESULTSCompared to the parental strain, the newly generated HaCad1 knockout strain is 44‐fold and 16‐fold more resistant to Cry1Ac and Cry1A.105, respectively, while wild‐type and knockout insects were equally insensitive to Cry1F.CONCLUSIONThe disruption of the HaCad1 gene causes Cry1Ac resistance in Australian H. armigera conferta. However, Cry1Ac resistance remains rare in Australian field populations suggesting that Australia's approach to pest management in cotton has prevented widespread Cry1Ac resistance. © 2024 CSIRO. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.