bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimized liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry protocol for enhanced detection of 45 pesticides in water and soil samples
Authors: Meng Lingchen , Yao Wenrui , Wen Ling , Fu Xiaoli , Qi Yulin , Volmer Dietrich A. 
Published: September 2024

RationaleThe development of analytical screening techniques for pesticides is crucial for preventing and mitigating environmental contamination. Mass spectrometry‐based screening methods differ based on the complexity of the sample matrix and the diversity of the target compounds. One of the major challenges is balancing cost reduction in the extraction process with the optimization of analytical results. This protocol introduces a universal and efficient scheme for the qualitative and quantitative schemes for 45 pesticides within a single analytical run.MethodsWater samples were extracted using an SPE column, with the pH adjusted to 7. Soil samples were processed using a modified QuEChERS method. The pretreatment for water samples emphasized selecting appropriate SPE columns and optimizing pH, while for soil samples, the focus was on choosing suitable extraction solvents and extraction salt packages. The enriched samples were then analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The method was evaluated for accuracy, precision, detection limits, and matrix effects.ResultsThe method enabled the simultaneous detection of 45 pesticides within a 15‐minute analysis period. SPE recoveries ranged from 56.1% to 118.8%. Instrumental detection limits varied between 0.02 and 1 pg, while method detection limits extended from 0.05 to 18.47 ng/l in soil and water matrices. The approach was successfully applied to water and soil samples, with the pesticide concentration ranging from 0.1 ng/L to 38 μg/L.ConclusionsThe protocol substantially enhances the characterization and quantification of 45 pesticides in environmental samples, achieving a remarkable reduction in detection limits by an order of magnitude compared to previous research. This method enables the simultaneous detection of pesticides in both water and soil matrices using a single system, addressing the challenges of using separate systems for different environmental media. Furthermore, this protocol provides a crucial theoretical foundation for managing and safeguarding against pesticide pollution.
Unveiling the Interplay Between Silicon and Graphite in Composite Anodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Sun Kai , Xiao Xu , Shang Wenxu , Fu Kang , Li Xueyan , Zhang Zhuojun , Gong Lili , Tan Peng 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSi provides an effective approach to achieving high‐energy batteries owing to its high energy density and abundance. However, the poor stability of Si requires buffering with graphite particles when used as anodes. Currently, commercial lithium‐ion batteries with Si/graphite composite anodes can provide a high energy density and are expected to replace traditional graphite‐based batteries. The different lithium storage properties of Si and graphite lead to different degrees of lithiation and chemical environments for this composite anode, which significantly affects the performance of batteries. Herein, the interplay between Si and graphite in mechanically mixed Si/graphite composite anodes is emphasized, which alters the lithiation sequence of the active materials and thus the cycling performance of the battery. Furthermore, performance optimization can be achieved by changing the intrinsic properties of the active materials and external operating conditions, which are summarized and explained in detail. The investigation of the interplay based on Si/graphite composite anodes lays the foundation for developing long‐life and high‐energy batteries. The abovementioned experimental methods provide logical guidance for future research on composite electrodes with multiple active materials.
2D Covalent Organic Framework Covalently Anchored with Carbon Nanotube as High‐Performance Cathodes for Lithium and Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Biswas Sandip , Pramanik Atin , Dey Anupam , Chattopadhyay Shreyasi , Pieshkov Tymofii S. , Bhattacharyya Sohini , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Maji Tapas Kumar 
Published: September 2024

AbstractCovalent organic frameworks (COFs), featuring structural diversity, permanent porosity, and functional versatility, have emerged as promising electrode materials for rechargeable batteries. To date, amorphous polymer, COF, or their composites are mostly explored in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), while their research in other alkali metal ion batteries is still in infancy. This can be due to the challenges that arise from large volume changes, slow diffusion kinetics, and inefficient active site utilization by the large Na+ or K+ ion. Herein, microwave‐assisted imide‐based 2D COF, TAPB‐NDA covalently connected with amine‐functionalized carbon nanotubes (TAPB‐NDA@CNT) targeting the application in both Li‐/Na‐ion batteries, is synthesized. As‐synthesized, TAPB‐NDA@CNT50 displays the good performance as LIB cathode with a specific capacity of ≈138 mAh g−1 at 25 mA g−1, long cycling stability (81.2% retention after 2000 cycles at 300 mA g−1), with excellent reversible capacity retention of ≈79.6%. Similarly, TAPB‐NDA@CNT50, when employed in sodium‐ion battery (SIB), exhibited 136.7 mAh g−1 specific capacity at 25 mA g−1, retained ≈80% of the reversible capacity after 1000 cycles at 300 mA g−1 and showing excellent rate performance. The structural advantage of TAPB‐NDA@CNT will encourage researchers to design COF‐based cathodes for the alkali ion batteries.
Design Unsaturated Selenium Coordinated NbSe2‐x as Multifunctional Sulfur Electrocatalyst toward Fast and Durable Sulfur Reduction Reaction
Authors: Chen Jun , Chen Hedong , Luo Dan , Nie Yihang , Li Shibin , Zhang Xinyu , Ma Qianyi , Chen Lin , Wang Xin , Chen Zhongwei 
Published: September 2024

AbstractLithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) battery are considered as the next generation energy storage system owing to their ultra‐high theoretical specific capacity and energy density. However, the commercialization of Li‐S battery is still hindered by the intrinsically low conductivity of sulfur, sluggish catalytic conversion and notorious shuttle effect of polysulfides. The implantation of defects in sulfur electrocatalyst can effectively increase its conductivity and catalytic efficiency of lithium polysulfides, but the current mainstream defective materials are limited and lack of in‐depth research. Herein, a defective niobium selenide (NbSe2‐x) nanosheet sulfur electrocatalyst is constructed with enriched selenium defects, which demonstrates strong interaction with sulfur species, endowing NbSe2‐x with rapid and reliable sulfur reduction reaction. As a result, the Li‐S cell with NbSe2‐x exhibits excellent multiplicative performance in both coin cell and pouch cell, which maintains stable cycling for over 2000 cycles under 5 C, corresponding to a low‐capacity fading rate of 0.024% per cycle. Ah level pouch cell is also fabricated, showing a decent energy density of 378 Wh kg−1. This creative strategy not only emphasizes the importance of selenium defect engineering in Li‐S batterie toward practical application, but also enlightens the material engineering to realize superior performance in related energy storage and conversion area.
A model of knowledge chain integration for complex product R&D projects based on DSM and TCPN
Authors: Tian Shuo , Liu Yike , Chen Yong , Liu Jianhua , Su Huishuang , Ma Qiang 
Published: September 2024

AbstractComplex product research and development projects usually are large scale with high cost and complex technologies and with large number of group members involved. From the perspective of complex system management, this paper adopts design structure matrix and timing constraint Petri nets (TCPN) to analyse knowledge behaviour and time constraints of team members in complex product R&D projects. In specific, this paper first develops a knowledge‐activity design structure matrix and a time‐resource design structure matrix model. Then a TCPN model that integrates resource constraints in knowledge chains is proposed based on the dependence relationship of team members' knowledge activities. Schedulabilities of the model are calculated, analysed and corrected to integrate team members' knowledge. Finally, a case study is conducted to test the proposed model.
Generative AI detection in higher education assessments
Authors: Ardito Cesare Giulio 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis chapter presents a critical analysis of generative AI (GenAI) detection tools in higher education assessments. The rapid advancement and widespread adoption of GenAI, particularly in education, necessitates a reevaluation of traditional academic integrity mechanisms. I explore the effectiveness, vulnerabilities, and ethical implications of AI detection tools in the context of preserving academic integrity. My analysis synthesizes insights from various case studies, newspaper articles, and student testimonies to scrutinize the practical and philosophical challenges associated with AI detection. I argue that reliance on detection mechanisms is misaligned with the educational landscape, where AI plays an increasing role. I advocate for a strategic shift toward robust assessment methods and educational policies that embrace GenAI usage while ensuring academic integrity and authenticity in assessments.
An ethics module on academic integrity and generative AI
Authors: Hill Christopher , Hargis Jace 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis article explores the intersection between academic integrity and generative AI (GenAI). It presents a tested framework for a versatile 3‐h module applicable to various disciplines. Since ChatGPT's emergence, GenAI's impact on academic integrity has raised concerns, challenged established norms, and blurred lines of authorship. Engaging students in this topic encourages critical reflection and ethical use of these technologies. This approach draws on experiential learning and student–faculty partnership approaches to activities and assessments, providing students with a platform to not only navigate the responsible application of GenAI in assignments but also foster a dialogue between students and faculty on crafting effective policies for GenAI use.
Soil hydraulic property maps for the contiguous United States at 100‐m resolution and seven depths: Code design and preliminary results
Authors: Schaap Marcel G. , Zhang Yonggen , Rasmussen Craig 
Published: September 2024

AbstractEstimates of the van Genuchten (1980, abbreviated as VG) parameters and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) were made for the contiguous United States at a resolution of 100 m and seven soil depths by combining the SoilGrids+ (SG+) soil property maps of Ramcharan et al. with the R3H3 member of the Rosetta3 hierarchical pedotransfer functions (PTFs) of Zhang et al. To this end, we developed multi‐threaded code that significantly speeds up computation (up to a factor 25) depending on the level of parallelism. We verified estimates first by calculating simple summary statistics of estimated basic properties of SG+ with actual measured soil properties for 14,113 pedons in the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) (2023) labsample database. Next, we computed summary statistics of PTF‐estimated moisture contents for NCSS and SG+ data. The results show estimation errors are dominated by intrinsic errors of the PTF, and that (potentially correctable) systematic errors are present in SG+ soil properties and PTF estimates. The resulting hydraulic property maps contain well over 750 million points for each of the seven layers and show considerable horizontal and depth variation for each VG parameter and Ks, except the VG “n” parameter, which is dominated by values between 1.25 and 1.6. The hydraulic property maps are 99.9% complete, and we demonstrate that plausible profiles and uncertainty information can be generated for virtually each point. The maps are available as two multi‐channel GeoTIFF maps per SG+ layer: one with the five hydraulic parameters and one with the corresponding covariances.
Long‐term performance and activity study of a two‐stage anaerobic EGSB reactors system treating complex and toxic industrial wastewater
Authors: Garcia‐Tirado Ruben , Fernandez‐Crespo Emma , Font Xavier , Vicent Teresa , Peralta Juan , Trifi Delia , Martinez‐Cuenca Raul , Chiva Sergio 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAnaerobic treatment of industrial wastewater using upflow anaerobic reactors is an extended trend due to its high efficiency and biogas production potential, but its implementation in some sectors is limited due to the complexity and toxicity of the wastewaters. In this study, a two‐stage expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactors system has been investigated at both bench and pilot scale for the treatment of complex and toxic real wastewater from a petrochemical industry. The effect of different operational parameters including organic loading rate (OLR), hydraulic retention time (HRT) and influent characteristics over COD removal and biogas production and composition have been studied. Additionally, biomass specific methanogenic activity (SMA) and wastewater toxicity have been evaluated after long‐term operation. Optimum total HRT of 24 h has been determined resulting in total COD and SO42− removal of 56.30 ± 5.25% and 31.68 ± 14.71%, respectively, at pilot scale, and average biogas production of 93.47 ± 34.92 NL/day with 67.01 ± 10.23 %CH4 content and 5210.11 ± 6802.27 ppmv of H2S. SMA and toxicity tests have confirmed inhibitory and toxic effects of wastewater over anaerobic biomass with average maximum inhibition of 65.34% in the unacclimated anaerobic inoculum while chronic toxicity produced a decrease of an order of magnitude in SMA after 600 days of operation. This study demonstrates the feasibility of applying an anaerobic treatment to this wastewater using EGSB reactors between a 0.97–1.74 gCOD/L/day OLR range. Nonetheless, periodic reinoculation would be necessary for long‐term operation due to chronic toxicity of the wastewater exerted on the anaerobic biomass.Practitioner points
A two‐stage EGSB reactors system has been operated at bench and pilot scale to treat complex and toxic petrochemical wastewater.
Optimal total HRT of 24 h resulted in average COD removal ranging from 40% to 60%.
SMA and toxicity tests have been performed to study long‐term acclimation, detecting an activity depletion of an order of magnitude.
Sequential electro‐coagulation and electro‐Fenton processes for the treatment of textile wastewater
Authors: Agarwal Palak , Sangal Vikas K. , Mathur Sanjay 
Published: September 2024

AbstractTextile wastewater, laden with persistent dyes and non‐biodegradable organics, poses a challenge for treatment in common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) using conventional methods. Pre‐treatment of textile effluents is essential to ensure compatibility with CETPs. The present study employed three‐dimensional (3D) aluminum and graphite electrodes for a sequential electro‐coagulation and electro‐Fenton (EC + EF) process. An experimental plan of 25 experiments was constructed using Taguchi method. The combination resulted in high removal efficiencies: 99.91% for color, 93.20% for chemical oxygen demand (COD), and 91.75% for total organic carbon (TOC) for the operating parameters; for EC, current density (J): 20 mA/cm2, time (t): 45 min, speed of rotation (N): 55 rpm; and for EF, current density (J): 25 mA/cm2, time (t): 50 min, iron concentration: 40 mg/L. Post‐treatment, the wastewater exhibited an enhanced biodegradability index of 0.875, rendering it suitable for CETPs. There was an increase of 11% in the total energy consumption when energy spent during rotation and aeration at the time of EC and EF, respectively, were considered. This energy increases the cost and is not accounted for, in previous research. The energy consumption in kWh per g of COD removed at optimum condition for the hybrid treatment was 0.0314, which is lower than the energy consumption by other electrochemical processes employing plate electrodes. This indicates that 3D electrodes are more energy efficient than plate electrodes.Practitioner Points
Hybrid electrochemical processes can be used as pre‐treatment method for textile effluents.
Three‐dimensional electrodes improve removal rates with lower energy consumption.
Significant color, COD, and TOC abatement were noted post‐hybrid treatment of textile wastewater.
Biodegradability of the textile effluent improves after the hybrid treatment.
Optical Wavefront Shaping in Biomedical Photoacoustics
Authors: Zhao Tianrui , Xia Wenfeng 
Published: September 2024

AbstractOptical wavefront shaping is an emerging technique that controls light transportation in disordered media. It has attracted significant interest in the photoacoustics community in recent years. On one hand, photoacoustic signals can provide feedback on local light intensity to guide optical wavefront shaping non-invasively for focusing light through optically diffusive media. On the other hand, the wavefront shaping technique can be used to focus light through multimode fibres to achieve ultrathin photoacoustic endomicroscopy probes. This chapter reviews the latest research that lies at the intersection of wavefront shaping and photoacoustics, encompassing photoacoustic-guided wavefront shaping and multimode fibre-based photoacoustic endomicroscopy techniques.
Andere Methoden der Basenbedarfsermittlung
Authors: Vogel Sebastian , Gebbers Robin 
Published: September 2024

ZusammenfassungDie Basenbedarfsermittlung für das Management der Bodenacidität soll zwei Zielen dienen:

Erhaltung eines pH-Wertes gegenüber den Versauerungsprozessen

Erhöhung des pH-Wertes auf einen Zielwert
Kinetic modelling of UVC and UVC/H2O2 oxidation of an aqueous mixture of antibiotics in a completely mixed batch photoreactor
Authors: Beltrán Fernando J. , Chávez Ana M. , Jiménez-López Miguel A. , Álvarez Pedro M. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe removal kinetics of an aqueous mixture of thirteen antibiotics (i.e., ampicillin, cefuroxime, ciprofloxacin, flumequine, metronidazole, ofloxacin, oxytetracycline, sulfadimethoxine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethazine, tetracycline, trimethoprim and tylosin) by batch UVC and UVC/H2O2 processes has been modeled in this work. First, molar absorption coefficients (ε), direct quantum yields (Φ) and the rate constants of the reaction of antibiotics with hydroxyl radical (kHO•) (model inputs) were determined for each antibiotic and compared with literature data. The values of these parameters range from 0.3 to 21.8 mM−1 cm−1 for ε, < 0.01 to 67.8 mmol·E−1 for Φ and 3.8 × 109 to 1.7 × 1010 M−1 s−1 for kHO•. Second, a regression model was developed to compute the rate constants of the reactions of the antibiotics with singlet oxygen (k1O₂) from experimental data obtained in batch UVC experiments treating a mixture of the antibiotics. k1O₂ values in the 1–50 × 106 M−1 s−1 range were obtained for the antibiotics studied. Finally, a semi-empirical kinetic model comprising a set of ordinary differential equations was solved to simulate the evolution of the residual concentration of antibiotics and hydrogen peroxide (model outputs) in a completely mixed batch photoreactor. Model predictions were reasonably consistent with the experimental data. The kinetic model developed might be combined with computational fluid dynamics to predict process performance and energy consumption in UVC and UVC/H2O2 applications at full scale.
DUDA: a digital didactic learning unit based on educational escape rooms and multisensory learning activities for primary school children during COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Setti Walter , Tarello Rebecca , Volta Erica , Ferlino Lucia , Gori Monica , Volpe Gualtiero 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digitization, access to IT resources, and digital inclusion in the Italian school system. This paper presents D-UDA (i.e., “unità didattica di apprendimento digitale”, in Italian), a digital didactic unit for learning mathematics concepts. The presented approach combines teaching methodologies and game-based activities (e.g., the escape room) with a multisensory approach to designing and developing digital and multimodal technologies. D-UDA is divided into two parts: the first part consists of logic puzzles that adhere to the guidelines set by INVALSI (the Italian Istituto Nazionale per la Valutazione del Sistema educativo di Istruzione e di formazione) for mathematics learning, while the second part involves a series of multisensory games designed to promote the development of transversal competencies, such as cooperation and engagement. Moreover, D-UDA encourages children to create their own adventure using the same tools employed by the designers to develop the experience. The children who participated in testing D-UDA in June 2020 were asked to complete usability questionnaires after the experience. Preliminary results indicate the effectiveness of the educational intervention presented, which integrates recent pedagogical theories and teaching methodologies with a multisensory perspective and a technological design.
The Associations Between the Problematic Social Media and Smartphone Use, Social Phobia, and Self-Esteem: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis
Authors: Soraci Paolo , Pisanti Renato , Servidio Rocco , Holte Alex J. , Ferrari Ambra , Demetrovics Zsolt , Griffiths Mark D. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSocial phobia has often been associated with problematic social media use (PSMU) and problematic smartphone use (PSU). Studies have also shown an association between social phobia and self-esteem. However, no studies have analyzed the relationship between social phobia, self-esteem, PSMU, and PSU in an integrated model. The present study hypothesized that social phobia may influence PSMU and PSU through the role of self-esteem. A cross-sectional study comprising 400 Italians (74.75% female) with a mean age of 37.11 years (SD =  ± 10.83) participated in the study that included Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, Severity Measure for Social Phobia Disorder, and Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale. The results indicated direct positive associations between social phobia and both types of problematic technology use (PSMU and PSU). The results also indicated that self-esteem was a partial mediator in this complex relationship, suggesting that excessive technology use could be a way to compensate for low self-esteem among individuals with social phobia. The present study contributes to the understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying the relationship between social anxiety, self-esteem, and problematic technology use.
Underlying Polysubstance Classes and Associated Sociodemographic Characteristics and Health Histories among People who Died from Substance-Related Acute Toxicity in Canada: A Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Enns Aganeta , Abele Brandi , Bowes Matthew , Murray Regan , Rotondo Jenny , VanSteelandt Amanda 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine underlying patterns of substances detected among accidental acute toxicity deaths in Canada and their associations with sociodemographic characteristics, location, and substance use and health history. Data abstracted from coroner and medical examiner files for all accidental acute toxicity deaths across Canada (2016 to 2017) were analyzed. Six classes emerged from a latent class analysis conducted to characterize detected substance classes: (1) cocaine and alcohol, (2) benzodiazepines and other pharmaceutical substances, (3) pharmaceutical opioids, (4) multiple pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical substances, (5) methamphetamine and fentanyl or analogues, and (6) fentanyl or analogues. Differences were identified between latent classes by sex, age, marital status, location of death, place of residence, and substance use and health history. Patterns of detected substances among deaths characterized in this study emphasize the complex nature of substance-related acute toxicity deaths across Canada and can inform future research and public health action.