bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigating the vaporization mechanism's effect on interfacial tension during gas injection into an oil reservoir
Authors: Mehrjoo Hossein , Safaei Ali , Kazemzadeh Yousef , Riazi Masoud , Hasan-zadeh Atefe 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn gas injection, which is one of the fascinating enhanced oil recovery techniques, the main mechanism involves decreasing interfacial tension (IFT). Although various mechanisms can affect the IFT of a system, in most experimental and numerical studies, condensation is considered the dominant mechanism among condensation-vaporization and vaporization. Investigating the impact of each mechanism is crucial as they can influence the IFT of the system and, consequently, the effectiveness of the gas injection method. This study introduces a novel model to assess the influence of different mechanisms on system IFT. The model defines system IFT, adjusts fluid relative permeability to represent miscible, immiscible, and near-miscible states, and utilizes the Buckley–Leverett method to analyze gas fractional flow and saturation profiles when injecting carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrogen (N2). Furthermore, the research explores the impact of injection pressure and IFT at minimum miscible pressure (IFT0) on gas injection efficiency. Based on our results, for both live and dead oil, the condensation mechanism reduces IFT and near-miscible pressure; switching to a condensing-vaporizing mechanism increases these parameters. This trend was consistent across all gases studied (N2, CO2, CH4), with a more significant effect observed on the CH4-live oil system compared to N2 and CO2. Controlling the condensing mechanism in IFT measurements enhances gas flow rate and relative permeability curve within the medium. Higher injection pressure in the condensing mechanism and IFT0 = 0.5 leads to faster fluid movement and improved relative permeability due to increased driving forces. Higher IFT0 accelerates the relative permeability of fluids and gas movement within the medium by promoting miscibility sooner. The impact of IFT0 was more pronounced on the dead oil–gas system compared to the live oil–gas system in this study.
The Use of Indigenous Knowledge Systems Practices to Enhance Food Security in Vhembe District, South Africa
Authors: Kom Zongho , Nicolau Melanie D. , Nenwiini Shandukani C. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis paper seeks to examine how subsistence farmers employ indigenous knowledge methods to enhance food security within rural communities in the Vhembe district. It analyses indigenous knowledge practices used in managing climate change impacts on crop production and determines indigenous knowledge processes used to preserve food to fill the gap during food shortages. The paper also considers the indigenous weather prediction approaches used in the area. A participatory rural appraisal is complemented by a qualitative and quantitative approach. This study used semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions for data collection. A survey of 200 randomly selected indigenous farmers was sampled. The finding revealed that local farmers depend on the use of indigenous knowledge practices to improve household food security. The majority of farmers apply manure in their farms using livestock dumps. Also, it shows that 87.8% of households used sun-drying processes for food preservation and used local mortars to pound and grind foodstuffs such as peanuts and maize. Practices such as crop rotations, mixed cropping and intercropping were employed to improve soil fertility and climate change and reduce insect pest outbursts on crops, hence, improving crop production. Indigenous knowledge of rainfall prediction is helpful in preparation for the planting season. The study recommended that agriculture policies must acknowledge indigenous knowledge practices in development programmes and specific policy interventions to promote the indigenous knowledge systems must focus on enhancing socio-economic factors assisting farmers in improving post-harvest storage facilities. The findings could facilitate interaction between indigenous knowledge stakeholders and the Limpopo provincial agriculture training institution. The fulfilment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 on zero hunger and food security could benefit from the indigenous knowledge systems.
On the sensitivity of DEM parameters on pile experiments
Authors: Jahn Momme , Meywerk Martin 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe discrete element method (DEM) is suitable to investigate problems where large deformations occur especially in granular material. The fitting of reliable DEM parameters is crucial and a challenge which is caused by the high number of DEM parameters and the computational effort. Despite its drawbacks, a trial and error approach is often used for the DEM parameter calibration. The knowledge of the DEM parameter influence on the model response is necessary to improve the calibration and to check whether the experiment is suitable to calibrate specific parameters or not. It is possible to reduce the dimensionality of the optimisation problem by omitting parameters whose influence on the model response is negligibly small. One approach is to perform a global sensitivity analysis based on Sobol’ indices. A frequently used calibration experiment in literature is the pile experiment. The deviation between the experiment and the simulation is evaluated with the angle of repose. In the present paper, an algorithm to determine the angle of repose considering the three-dimensional shape of the heap is discussed. The global sensitivity analysis is performed for two different experimental heap set-ups. To decrease the computational effort of the sensitivity analysis, the model response is approximated with metamodels whose predictability is evaluated using the root mean squared error (RMSE) based on a separate sampling point set.
Virtuelle Führung in Krisenzeiten
Authors: Efimov Ilona , Harth Volker , Mache Stefanie 
Published: June 2024

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund und Zielstellung
Die COVID-19-Pandemie führte zu erheblichen Veränderungen an Büroarbeitsplätzen. Bislang bestehen nur wenige Studien zu den Auswirkungen der pandemiebedingten Einführung von digitaler, remote Zusammenarbeit auf Führungskräfte. Das Ziel dieser Studie ist es, zu untersuchen, welche Veränderungen und welche Unterstützung Führungskräfte während der COVID-19-Pandemie erlebt haben.

Methoden
In dieser qualitativen Interviewstudie wurden 16 Führungskräfte mittels halbstrukturierter, leitfadengestützter Telefoninterviews von Mai bis Juli 2021 zu ihren Erfahrungen während der COVID-19-Pandemie befragt. Die erhobenen Daten wurden transkribiert, anonymisiert und induktiv anhand der Qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse nach Mayring ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse
Die Führungskräfte berichteten zum einen von arbeitsorganisatorischen Veränderungen ihrer individuellen Arbeitsbedingungen und erhöhten Führungsanforderungen. Zum anderen beschrieben sie sowohl negative als auch positive Veränderungen in der inhaltlichen Zusammenarbeit, wie z. B. Herausforderungen in der digitalen Kommunikation, der Einarbeitung neuer Teammitglieder, aber auch eine Verbesserung der sozialen Beziehungen im Team. Unterstützung erlebten die Führungskräfte durch z. B. flexible Arbeitsbedingungen, Bereitstellung struktureller Angebote, adäquate technische Ausstattung, Unterstützung durch die Unternehmensleitung oder Kolleg:innen.

Diskussion
In Anbetracht der Relevanz von Führungskräften in Transformationsprozessen und den an sie gestellten hohen Arbeits- und Führungsanforderungen ist die Sicherstellung bedarfsorientierter Unterstützung von Seiten der Organisation von besonderer Bedeutung. Um den Herausforderungen in Krisenzeiten wie der COVID-19-Pandemie begegnen zu können, sollten Organisationen ihren Führungskräften verhaltens- und verhältnispräventive Maßnahmen anbieten.
A GAN based PID controller for highly adaptive control of a pneumatic-artificial-muscle driven antagonistic joint
Authors: Zhou Zhongchao , Lu Yuxi , Kokubu Shota , Tortós Pablo Enrique , Yu Wenwei 
Published: June 2024

AbstractUpper limb prostheses are commonly propelled by pneumatic artificial muscles organized in an antagonistic arrangement. Nonetheless, the control of upper limb prostheses under changing/unknown situations is difficult and necessary for a variety of real-world applications. Adaptive control, learning-based control, and robust control have been studied to deal with such challenges. However, their adaptability is insufficient for prostheses used in daily life, which are exposed to variable task levels, user motor characteristics, and prosthetic features. This paper introduces a highly adaptive controller for the first time based on Generative Adversarial Nets and proportional–integral–derivative controller (G-PID controller). G-PID controller comprises a generator for generating compensation actions to enhance PID responsiveness when controlling the unknown/changing system. Moreover, it incorporates a discriminator that receives responses from both a user-preselected reference system and the compensated changing/unknown system, and simultaneously determines the source of these responses. Through continuous updates, the compensator modifies the response of unknown/changing system to align with the reference system, thereby facilitating adaptive control. The G-PID controller’s effectiveness is evaluated through 1-degree of freedom (DoF) joint and 2-DoF shoulder prostheses in simulation experiments, and further validated in prototype experiments focusing on online learning for unknown and time-varying payload. The results demonstrate its ability to deal with diverse types of unknowns/changes, marking a significant advancement towards incorporating prostheses seamlessly into daily life.
Geocells for Unpaved Roads: Analysis of Design Methods from the Literature
Authors: Martins Catarina , Macedo Joaquim , Pinho-Lopes Margarida 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMost forest roads are unpaved, connecting rural and forest areas and enabling access for firefighting and commercial purposes. Low traffic levels lead to reduced functional demands, while rapid development of deformations results in frequent maintenance. Using geocells as reinforcements reduces deformations, minimizing maintenance needs. Herein, geocell-reinforced soil design methods were collected and categorized based on their result: increase in confining pressure; bearing capacity; height of the base layer. The goal was to compare methods reported in the literature, from a user perspective and within each category, using a base scenario. The methods were analysed to better understand their differences and application conditions. Methods that estimate the increase in confining pressure refer to static or cyclic loading, leading to results that are not directly comparable; often, the reinforcement contribution is represented by an apparent cohesion, with no physical meaning and misleading. Methods that estimate the increase in bearing capacity due to geocell consider its contribution differently (lateral resistance, vertical stress dispersion, and membrane effects) and distinct combinations. For geocell reinforcement, the membrane effect can be neglected. Methods that estimate the height of the base layer can be used directly for an expedite design of unpaved roads. When geocell reinforcement is adopted, the minimum height of the base layer should coincide with that of the geocell. Thus, while current methods contribute and support the design of unpaved roads, further work is essential to develop methods that are of simple and of expedite application for forest engineers, adaptable to local conditions and requirements.
Ethnic Minority Inclusion in Well-Being Research: Beyond Widening Participation
Authors: Esmene Shukru , Leyshon Michael , Leyshon Catherine 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis commentary paper welcomes calls for widening participation amongst ethnic minorities in research that aims to understand well-being. However, we demonstrate how a history of exclusion in the daily routines of communities render such calls limited in their ability to address inclusion fully. The absence of ethnic minorities from spaces and dialogues that define what constitutes good well-being is highlighted. We use life-courses that align with Western norms as an example to develop our arguments. Overall, exclusion is rooted in colonial histories and the discrimination experienced by ethnic minorities during day-to-day, routine living. Additionally, relational ontologies of well-being are overwhelmed by individualised constructs. We outline how the suppression of marginalised values in everyday spaces and activities has limited meaning-making in relation to well-being amongst ethnic minority individuals and groups. We characterise this marginalisation as an epistemic injustice in defining well-being. In our conclusions, we call for dialogues and developments in critical race theory (CRT) to be considered in research commissioning processes. Spaces and dialogues that are owned and shaped by ethnic minorities should be supported before we can widen participation in well-being research meaningfully. Values that are practised and developed in such spaces can then contribute to how communities define well-being and the appropriate ways in which it can be studied. It should be acknowledged that we use the term ethnic minority throughout this paper for brevity. The diverse experiences and perspectives that this term covers should be engaged with when considering the recommendations that we make.
Modeling MobilityCoins—Charges, Incentives and Multi-period Budgets in Multimodal Transportation Networks
Authors: Loder Allister , Bogenberger Klaus 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMobilityCoins are a tradable mobility credit (TMC) scheme variant. TMC schemes are a cap-and-trade scheme for managing mobility that are designed to limit negative externalities, e.g., congestion, of traffic. Next to having link-specific or origin–destination-specific charges for cars as in the common TMC scheme, the MobilityCoin scheme’s distinctive elements are accommodating link-specific and origin-and-destination-specific charges and incentives for all modes of transport as well as being considered a mobility currency that can be earned, saved, and spent in multiple time periods. These distinctive features of the MobilityCoin scheme does not alter the core behavioral mechanism of TMC schemes of increasing car travel costs, but these features interfere with the credit market in terms of market volume and market price that ultimately affects traffic outcomes, e.g., an uncontrolled market volume increase can lower the market price that in turns increases the attractiveness of using the car. In this paper, we develop a mathematical model of multimodal macroscopic network flows and a MobilityCoin market to investigate the impacts of charges, incentives, and multi-period budgets. The model is implemented as a single-day model with an integration of sensitivity for multi-period budgets to study how the outcomes in the transportation system change with charges, incentives, and multi-period budgets. Further, we discuss implications for the policy design of MobilityCoins schemes.
Professionals’ Fidelity-Adaptation Attitudes: Relation to Implementation Determinants and Work-Life Consequences – A Cluster Analysis
Authors: Zetterlund Johanna , Hasson Henna , Neher Margit , von Thiele Schwarz Ulrica 
Published: June 2024

AbstractEvidence-based interventions have the potential to improve health and well-being, but their effectiveness depends, among other things, on the challenging act of balancing between fidelity and adaptation, referred to as the fidelity-adaptation dilemma. After initial implementation, it is primarily professionals delivering evidence-based interventions to end users that face the dilemma, but research about how professionals relate to and perceive it is limited. This study aims to describe professionals’ attitudes towards the dilemma and investigate the associations between professional attitudes and individual and organisational implementation determinants, individual characteristics, and work-life consequences for the professionals. Using a cross-sectional design, 103 professionals working with an evidence-based parental support programme ABC (All Children in Focus) were surveyed on attitudes towards the fidelity-adaptation dilemma, implementation determinants, and work-life consequences. Data were analysed using two-step cluster analysis. Three profile groups summarize professionals’ attitudes: one preferring fidelity (the adherers, n = 31), one preferring adaptations (the adapters, n = 50), and one with a dual view on fidelity and adaptation (the double-minded, n = 18). The adherers, the ones preferring fidelity, reported higher levels of skills, knowledge, openness, work-related self-efficacy, meaning of work, and possibilities for development, and a lower level of role conflict and unreasonable tasks compared to the adapters. Professionals with a positive attitude towards fidelity reports experiencing more job resources and a lower level of job demands compared to professionals who are more positive towards adaptation. The study shows that the fidelity-adaptation dilemma is at play during the sustainment phase of implementation and suggest that it has consequences for professionals working life.
Screening and evaluation of antibacterial active strains of Actinomycetes isolated from Northern Indian soil for biofilm inhibition against selected ESKAPE pathogens
Authors: Dar Muzammil Sharief , Ahmad Iqbal 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) globally has warranted the search for new and alternate anti-infective strategies. This study aimed to isolate and screen soil Actinomycetes from three different locations in Northern India for their broad-spectrum antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against certain drug-resistant bacteria from ESKAPE group. A total of 110 isolates of Actinomycetes were screened for antibacterial activity using overlay and agar-well diffusion assay against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Ninety-five isolates showed antibacterial activity against one or more test bacteria. These isolates were tentatively identified as members of genus Streptomyces. Five isolates (IMA13, IMA25, IMA43, IMA46, and IMA47) demonstrated broad-spectrum activity against test pathogens and were subjected to production of secondary metabolites in liquid medium. Ethyl acetate fraction of culture filtrate showed MIC in the range of 64–512 µg/ml against test bacteria. The most active isolate, IMA-46, was identified by 16srRNA gene sequence analysis as Streptomyces rameus. Further, ethyl acetate fraction from S. rameus-IMA46 was used to inhibit biofilm formation at sub-MIC values. A significant level (50% to 92%) of biofilm inhibition was recorded against test pathogens. Light microscopy and SEM analysis revealed the biofilm structural changes, reduction in cell aggregation and EPS production. LC/MS analysis of the active extract of S. rameus IMA46 showed the presence of many biologically active compounds, including tetracycline and doxycycline. The present study highlights the potential of soil Actinomycetes in production of broad-spectrum anti-infective compounds in combating growing problem of AMR.
Spectrophotometric determination of cobalt ions in water using bimetallic chemosensor based on sulfa drug azo dye
Authors: Nassar Sulafa , Mohammed Gharam I. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractA spectrophotometric technique has been developed for detection of cobalt(II) ions in aqueous solution samples utilising a new chemosensor. This technique relies on the formation of a stable yellow-orange complex at pH = 13 using 4-(2-Hydroxy-naphthalen-1-ylazo)-N-thiazol-2-yl-benzenesulfonamide (H2L) as ligand through complexation with Co(II) ions. At λ = 390 nm, complex absorption was detected. A correlation coefficient of 0.9934 indicated linearity in the concentration range of (1.7–8.4 × 10–5 mol L−1). The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were assigned to be 0.147 µg ml−1 (2.5 µmol L−1) and 0.489 µg ml−1 (8.3 µmol L−1),respectively. The stoichiometric composition of the complex, which is 2:1 of M:L, was confirmed by the correlation between the continuous variation results and the molar-ratio methods proposed by Job. Additionally, the structure of the solid complex that is produced when H2L reacts with Co(NO3)2.6H2O has been determined by applying different spectroscopic and analytical techniques, confirming the formation of the complex in the same molar ratio as that determined by Job’s method. The geometrical structure of the complex was confirmed to be tetrahedral by a combination of magnetic moment results and UV-Vis spectra.
Advancing diagnostics and disease modeling: current concepts in biofabrication of soft microfluidic systems
Authors: Casanova César R. , Casanova Marta R. , Reis Rui L. , Oliveira Joaquim M. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractSoft microfluidic systems play a pivotal role in personalized medicine, particularly in in vitro diagnostics tools and disease modeling. These systems offer unprecedented precision and versatility, enabling the creation of intricate three-dimensional (3D) tissue models that can closely emulate both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. By leveraging innovative biomaterials and bioinks, soft microfluidic systems can circumvent the current limitations involving the use of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), thus facilitating the development of customizable systems capable of sustaining the functions of encapsulated cells and mimicking complex biological microenvironments. The integration of lab-on-a-chip technologies with soft nanodevices further enhances disease models, paving the way for tailored therapeutic strategies. The current research concepts underscore the transformative potential of soft microfluidic systems, exemplified by recent breakthroughs in soft lithography and 3D (bio)printing. Novel applications, such as multi-layered tissues-on-chips and skin-on-a-chip devices, demonstrate significant advancements in disease modeling and personalized medicine. However, further exploration is warranted to address challenges in replicating intricate tissue structures while ensuring scalability and reproducibility. This exploration promises to drive innovation in biomedical research and healthcare, thus offering new insights and solutions to complex medical challenges and unmet needs.