bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Super twisting controller using proportional integral‐based sliding surface for buck converter with disturbances
Authors: Bodur Ferhat , Kaplan Orhan 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis paper proposes a super‐twisting controller based on a PI‐based surface for a buck converter with matched disturbance. Standard sliding mode control (SMC) has some well‐known drawbacks: the chattering effect and parameter restriction, which determines how quickly the controller accesses the sliding surface and the steady‐state error. First, the super‐twisting algorithm is employed in the control rule of the proposed controller to suppress the chattering effect. Then, parameter limitation, another deficiency of the SMC, has been eliminated by employing a PI‐based surface. The PI‐based surface also improves the controller's adjustment parameters by developing adaptability in parameter choices. The buck converter's dynamic response is enhanced by the addition of a novel parameter to the sliding surface of the suggested controller. Furthermore, Lyapunov stability analysis is described in order to evaluate the theoretical stability of the proposed controller. The efficacy of the suggested controller has been demonstrated through an array of simulations and an experimental configuration across various evaluation conditions. The simulation and experimental results show that the reference‐tracking capability is effective in the presence of disturbances. Furthermore, the proposed switching rule effectively eliminates the chattering effect. The suggested controller outperforms existing techniques in terms of both dynamic performance and disturbance robustness.
Rational design of disulfide bonds to increase thermostability of Rhodococcus opacus catechol 1,2 dioxygenase
Authors: Lister Joshua G. R. , Loewen Matthew E. , Loewen Michele C. , St‐Jacques Antony D. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCatechol 1,2 dioxygenase is a versatile enzyme with several potential applications. However, due to its low thermostability, its industrial potential is not being met. In this study, the thermostability of a mesophilic catechol 1,2 dioxygenase from the species Rhodococcus opacus was enhanced via the introduction of disulphide bonds into its structure. Engineered designs (56) were obtained using computational prediction applications, with a set of hypothesized selection criteria narrowing the list to 9. Following recombinant production and purification, several of the designs demonstrated substantially improved protein thermostability. Notably, variant K96C‐D278C yielded improvements including a 4.6°C increase in T50, a 725% increase in half‐life, a 5.5°C increase in Tm, and a >10‐fold increase in total turnover number compared to wild type. Stacking of best designs was not productive. Overall, current state‐of‐the‐art prediction algorithms were effective for design of disulfide‐thermostabilized catechol 1,2 dioxygenase.
One‐dimensional nanomaterials for nerve tissue engineering to repair spinal cord injury
Authors: Shi Bingqi , Lu Shan , Yang Hongru , Mahmood Shahid , Sun Chunhui , Malek Nik Ahmad Nizam Nik , Kamaruddin Wan Hairul Anuar , Saidin Syafiqah , Zhang Congcong 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn recent years, tissue engineering has emerged as a cutting‐edge approach for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) owing to its remarkable capabilities. It can create living tissues with robust vitality, achieve maximal tissue repair with minimal cell usage, and facilitate seamless reconstruction with unmatched plasticity, all while addressing immune rejection issues. Among these advancements, one‐dimensional (1D) materials have garnered significant attention. Their morphology closely resembles the extracellular matrix environment, thereby fostering the elongation of dendrites and axons on neurons and greatly enhancing the prospects for SCI repair. With a keen focus on the latest advancements in the application of 1D nanomaterials in nerve tissue engineering for spinal nerve repair, this review delves into several key aspects. Firstly, it explores the “bottom‐up” approach to synthesizing 1D nanomaterials. Secondly, it examines the mechanisms by which these nanomaterials influence neural tissue engineering. Thirdly, it presents various cutting‐edge strategies aimed at optimizing the morphology and performance of 1D materials, thereby enhancing the efficiency of nerve tissue injury repair. Lastly, it discusses the current challenges and future prospects facing this fascinating field. We aspire that this comprehensive review will provide a profound understanding of the development of 1D materials in neural tissue engineering and inspire a wider audience with its potential.
Enhancing board of director decision‐making: The impact of government support on risk management and nonfinancial performance
Authors: Escandon‐Barbosa Diana , Salas‐Paramo Jairo 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe substantial influence of the board of directors on company performance is a key area of focus in global business management. This study examines the moderating effect of government support on the board of director's role in the relationship between perceived risks and the nonfinancial performance of firms. A survey was conducted among 480 Colombian exporting companies from August to December 2023 to achieve this aim. The data were analyzed using a structural equation model. One significant gap in the literature is the need to identify specific actions and behaviors of companies across various economic sectors, such as exporting Small and Medium Enterprises, to develop strategies for managing risks associated with nonfinancial performance. Additionally, examining the moderating role of government support in achieving business sustainability standards is critical. The findings reveal that human risk (psychological and social) does not significantly affect nonfinancial performance when government support directly influences board decision‐making. However, operational risk impacts nonfinancial performance when board directors possess extensive environmental information and leverage government support to implement necessary actions. This understanding enables firms to navigate their operational context more effectively and seize available opportunities.
Sperm quality analyzer: A portable LED array microscope with dark‐field imaging
Authors: Shao Meng , Li Changxu , Ma Xiaohao , Pan Haoyu , Ke Zeyu , Liu Rui , Zhang Zhiguo , Zhong Min‐Cheng , Wang Yi , Zhong Zhensheng , Lu Fengya , Wei Xunbin , Zhou Jinhua 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSperm quality analysis plays an important role in diagnosing infertility, which is widely implemented by computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA) of sperm‐swimming imaging from commercial phase‐contrast microscopy. A well‐equipped microscope comes with a high cost, increasing the burden of assessment, and it also occupies a large volume. For point‐of‐care testing (POCT) of sperm quality, these factors are confronted with the challenges of low‐cost and portable instruments. In this study, an encoded light‐emitting diode (LED) array illumination is employed to achieve a portable microscope with multicontrast imaging for sperm quality analysis. This microscopy has dimensions of 16.5 × 14.0 × 25.0 cm, and its dark‐field (DF) imaging provides high‐contrast sperm image data which is suitable for CASA. According to DF imaging, we developed a software of LabCASA, which can used to assess the motility characteristics of sperm. Compared with TrackMate, the difference in motility parameters from our software was less than 10% in the coefficient of variation (CV). The sperm motility parameters vary with the chamber temperature, which further confirms the reliability of our system with DF imaging. The DF imaging provides strong robustness for tracking sperm's motion under different microscopes. For assessment of the motility parameters, our system can work at a lower cost with a plastic structure. This system with DF imaging is suitable for portable POCT of sperm quality analysis, which is highly cost‐effective in resource‐constrained circumstances.
Ubiquitous processes strengthening neighbourhood communities: How neighbourhood‐related social media can foster the active involvement of citizens and build resilient communities
Authors: Gatti Flora , Procentese Fortuna 
Published: August 2024

AbstractModern local communities are undergoing deep changes due to modern social and cultural processes and to the widespread use of ubiquitous, neighbourhood‐related social media. Indeed, the latter shape citizens' experiences in terms of both local relationships and opportunities for shared aims and behaviours. Therefore, this study endeavours to unravel the impact of neighbourhood‐related social media on users' sense of community (SoC), sense of responsible togetherness (SoRT), and perceptions of community resilience via their potential in enhancing their informal neighbouring behaviours and civic engagement. Nine hundred and sixty‐five Italian citizens (30.1% males; Mage = 22.80; SDage = 4.88) answered an online questionnaire; Structural Equation Modelling was used to run a multiple sequential mediation model having community resilience as the final outcome. The results confirm the positive relationship of such social media with users' informal neighbouring behaviours and civic engagement but show that only civic engagement mediates its relationships with SoC, SoRT, and perceptions of community resilience. Altogether, this opens interesting venues for future developments in both research and intervention fields, with reference to (a) further unravelling the intertwinement between online and local social dynamics and environments, and (b) better understanding how such intertwinement and this kind of social media could represent tools for the promotion of community building processes and of local resilience in community interventions.
Modulation of Selectivity and Activity of Ni/TiO2 Catalysts by Metal Dispersion in Photothermal CO2 Hydrogenation
Authors: Alfonso‐González Elena , Iglesias‐Juez Ana , Fresno Fernando , Coronado Juan M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractNi/TiO2 catalysts are efficient and cost‐effective for photothermal CO2 hydrogenation. However, the achieved CO/CH4 ratio strongly depends on the specific characteristics of these catalysts. To further ascertain the role of metal dispersion and photoactivation on selectivity, in this work we investigate the impact of Ni loading over high surface area anatase on the photothermal performance. Catalysts with 3 and 10 wt. % of Ni prepared by incipient wetness impregnation show initial good dispersion of the metal, although after activation in H2 metallic Ni nanoparticles are observed for 10 %Ni/TiO2. This last catalyst demonstrates superior CO2 hydrogenation activity at high temperature, but below 200 °C it is overpassed by the catalyst with 3 wt % Ni/TiO2. The selectivity varies remarkably with Ni loadings. Thus, at 350 °C about 93 % of methane is obtained over 10 wt.% Ni/TiO2, while 3 %Ni/TiO2 yields about 97 % of CO. Low‐intensity UV irradiation enhances performance, particularly at temperatures below 200 °C, where an increment in the production of methane of up to 75 % is observed for 3 wt.% Ni/TiO2 at 200 °C. These results highlight the influence of metal dispersion, along with irradiation on modulating the selectivity of the photothermal CO2 hydrogenation.
Isoflavone Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents: Synthesis and Bioactivity Studies
Authors: Selepe Mamoalosi A. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIsoflavones are phenolic natural compounds with a C6C3C6 framework. They possess a plethora of biological activities that are associated with putative benefits to human health. In particular, the cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic potential of isoflavones has attracted the interest of researchers. Several isoflavone derivatives have been synthesised and probed for their anticancer activities. The isoflavone analogues are mainly synthesised by molecular hybridisation and other strategies that enable diversification through early or late‐stage functionalisation of A‐, B‐ and C‐rings of the isoflavones. This has resulted in the discovery of isoflavone analogues with improved antiproliferative activities against several cancer cells and different mechanisms of action. In this review, the synthesis of isoflavone derivatives and their anticancer activity studies are discussed.
Inotuzumab ozogamicin in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Development, current status, and future directions
Authors: Kantarjian Hagop M. , Boissel Nicolas , Papayannidis Cristina , Luskin Marlise R. , Stelljes Matthias , Advani Anjali S. , Jabbour Elias J. , Ribera Josep‐Maria , Marks David I. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractInotuzumab ozogamicin (InO) is an antibody‐drug conjugate approved for the treatment of relapsed/refractory B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Several clinical trials are investigating InO in combination with low‐intensity chemotherapy or other anti‐ALL–targeted therapies in the salvage and frontline settings, notably in older adults who often cannot tolerate intensive chemotherapy and tend to have higher‐risk disease. InO is also increasingly used to bridge patients to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), in sequence with chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell therapy, to eliminate measurable residual disease and to prevent post‐HSCT relapse. Veno‐occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome is a potential complication of InO treatment, particularly when followed by HSCT. Herein, the authors review the historical development and current status of InO, strategies for mitigating the risk of InO‐related veno‐occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, and future directions for InO research and clinical use.
Intrinsically Conductive and Cu‐Functionalized Polymer‐Composite Membranes as Gas Diffusion Electrodes for CO2 Electroreduction
Authors: Sanjuán Ignacio , Kumbhar Vaibhav , Prymak Oleg , Ulbricht Mathias , Andronescu Corina , Fischer Lukas 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWe introduced a new class of gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) with adjustable pore morphology. We fabricated intrinsically conductive polymer‐composite membranes containing carbon filler, enabling a pore structure variation through film casting cum phase separation protocols. We further selectively functionalized specific pore regions of the membranes with Cu by a NaBH4‐facilitated coating strategy. The as‐obtained GDEs can facilitate the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) at Cu active sites that are presented inside a defined and electrically conductive pore system. When employing them as free‐standing cathodes in a CO2 flow electrolyzer, we achieved >70 % Faradaic efficiencies for CO2RR products at up to 200 mA/cm2. We further demonstrated that deposition of a dense Cu layer on top of the membrane leads to obstruction of the underlying pore openings, inhibiting an excessive wetting of the pore pathways that transport gaseous CO2. However, the presentation of Cu inside the pore system of our novel membrane electrodes increased the C2H4/CO selectivity by a factor of up to 3 compared to Cu presented in the dense layer on top of the membrane. Additionally, we found that gaseous CO2 could still access Cu in macropores after wetting with electrolyte, while CO2RR was completely suppressed in wetted nm‐scale pores.
A first look into moss living tardigrades in boreal peatlands
Authors: Mäenpää Hennariikka , Elo Merja , Calhim Sara 
Published: August 2024

AbstractTardigrades (Tardigrada) are a phylum of micrometazoans found in all biomes on Earth, but their ecology and habitat preferences remain vastly understudied. Boreal peatlands include a diversity of habitat types and high structural heterogeneity that represents an interesting system to study some of the poorly known habitat preferences of tardigrades. Here, we investigate for the first time tardigrade communities in peatland mosses and the latter's potential associations with key environmental variables. We collected 116 moss samples from 13 sites representing different peatland types and management histories. We found that tardigrades are common and diverse in boreal peatlands, as tardigrades were present in 72% of the collected samples and we identified 14 tardigrade genera. Tardigrade abundance seemed to increase alongside the increasing tree basal area and the density was higher in the microtopographic level further from the water table level, that is, hummocks (mean 117/moss gram) than in lawns/hollows (mean 84/moss gram). Furthermore, the highest tardigrade density was found in the moss taxa that are associated with forested peatland types (i.e., feather mosses) (321 mean/moss gram). Finally, we found interesting patterns regarding tardigrade functional diversity, as carnivorous tardigrades were found only in peatlands with tree basal area > 20 m2 and mostly in hummocks. Our study demonstrates that the habitat heterogeneity of peatlands (e.g., variation in moisture and vegetation cover) represents an interesting system to study tardigrade ecology and habitat preferences. However, since we found variation in tardigrade abundance and communities across peatland types and microhabitats within peatlands, our results highlight that such studies should be conducted with numerous replicate samples and a systematic study design that properly addresses the habitat heterogeneity between and within different peatland types.
Impacts of management practices on habitat selection during juvenile mountain lion dispersal
Authors: Randolph John F. , Young Julie K. , Stoner David C. , Garcelon David K. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDispersal is a complex series of movements before an individual establishes a home range. Animals must travel and forage in unfamiliar landscapes that include anthropogenic risks such as road crossings, harvest, and urban landscapes. We compare dispersal behavior of juvenile mountain lions (Puma concolor) from two geographically distinct populations in California and Nevada, USA. These two sites are ecologically similar but have different management practices; hunting is permitted in Nevada, whereas mountain lions are protected in California. We used GPS‐collar data and net‐squared displacement analysis to identify three dispersal states: exploratory, departure, and transient home range. We then compared each dispersal state of the two mountain lion populations using an integrated step selection analysis (iSSA). The model included explanatory variables hypothesized to influence one or more dispersal states, including distance to forest, shrub, water, hay and crop, developed lands, and four‐wheel drive roads, as well as elevation and terrain ruggedness. Results revealed consistent habitat selection between sites across most landscape variables, with one notable exception: anthropogenic covariates, including distance to developed land, distance to hay and crop, and distance to four‐wheeled drive roads, were only statistically significant on modeled habitat selection during dispersal in the population subject to hunting (i.e., Nevada). Results suggest that hunting (pursuit with hounds resulting in harvest) and non‐lethal pursuit (pursuit with hounds but no harvest allowed) increase avoidance of anthropogenic landscapes during dispersal for juvenile mountain lions. By comparing populations, we provided valuable insights into the role of management in shaping dispersal behavior.
Phylogenetic climatic niche evolution and diversification of the Neurergus species (Salamandridae) in the Irano‐Anatolian biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Khoshnamvand Hadi , Vaissi Somaye , Azimi Maryam , Ahmadzadeh Faraham 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis study explores how climate variables influenced the evolution and diversification of Neurergus newts within the Irano‐Anatolian biodiversity hotspot. We use a dated phylogenetic tree and climatic niche models to analyze their evolutionary history and ecological preferences. Using genetic data from nuclear (KIAA) and mitochondrial (16s and 12s) genes, we estimate divergence times and identify four major Neurergus clades. The initial speciation event occurred approximately 11.3 million years ago, coinciding with the uplift of the Zagros and Anatolian mountains. This geological transformation isolated newt populations, likely triggering the first speciation event. By integrating potential geographic distribution with climate variables, we reconstruct ancestral niche occupancy profiles. This highlights the critical roles of temperature and precipitation in shaping Neurergus habitat preferences and distribution. We observe both phylogenetic niche conservatism and divergence, with niche divergence playing a dominant role in diversification. This research emphasizes the complex interplay of geography, climate, and ecology in speciation and the vulnerability of isolated mountain newt populations to environmental changes.
First record of a mixed species association between Hatinh langur (Trachypithecus hatinhensis) and red‐shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus)
Authors: Nguyen Anh Tuan , Le Minh , Tilker Andrew 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn primates, mixed species associations are not common occurrences, and have been linked to both ecological and anthropogenic factors. We present camera‐trapping records of a mixed association between two primates, the Hatinh langur (Trachypithecus hatinhensis) and red‐shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus) and discuss possible hypotheses for this occurrence. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of such an association in the wild of these two threatened primates, and thus contributes to our limited ecological knowledge of the species.