bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution and ecology of shallow-water black corals across a depth gradient on Galápagos rocky reefs
Authors: Agarwal Marisa , Lamb Robert W. , Smith Franz , Witman Jon D. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAntipathes galapagensis is a prevalent habitat-forming black coral in subtidal ecosystems of the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR). Despite their ecological importance and status as a CITES-regulated order, little is known about their depth distribution, population structure and ecology in the GMR. Surveys were conducted in 2021 and 2022 at 9 sites in the central Galápagos Archipelago to investigate how black coral densities, occupancy, size, habitat utilization, and epizoan overgrowth varied between 2.0 and 20.0 m depth. The shallowest black corals occurred at 3.4 m depth, one of the shallowest occurrences of an Antipathes spp. in the world. Coral density increased with depth, with a maximum density of 5.2 colonies per m2 observed across the depth range surveyed. Occupancy modeling also yielded curves with increasing probabilities of black coral presence with depth at all sites. Colony height increased with depth at 8 out of 9 sites and was positively correlated with coral density at 6 of 9 sites. Overall, 47% of colonies surveyed occupied cryptic habitats and 53% were attached to exposed substrate, but black coral habitat usage patterns varied with depth at 5 of 9 sites. At these sites, colonies on shallower transects (5.0, 10.0 m depth) more frequently displayed cryptic habitat usage while colonies along the deeper transects (15.0, 20.0 m) were more often exposed. In general, coral density, probability of occupancy, height, and exposed habitat utilization increased with depth, while the average degree of overgrowth and number of epibiont taxa were unrelated to depth. Five hypotheses regarding factors potentially limiting the shallow (upper) depth distribution of A. galapagensis—ranging from negative impacts of the physical environment to high predation on exposed substrates—are presented for future testing. These results provide a comprehensive ecological characterization of Galápagos black coral populations that can be used to assess the impact of future environmental change and applied to management decisions for this key marine foundation species in the GMR.
Stapler versus conventional pharyngeal repair after total laryngectomy: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mandor Elsaeed Ahmed , Ebada Hisham Atef , El-Fattah Ahmed Musaad Abd , Kamal Elsharawy , Baz Hemmat , Tawfik Ali 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Objectives
The aim of the current study was to evaluate the functional outcomes of stapler pharyngeal closure after total laryngectomy by the incidence of PCT and assessment of swallowing after surgery. In addition, the study aimed to evaluate the oncological outcomes in terms of patients’ survival rates.

Methods
This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 58 patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma who underwent total laryngectomy. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups according to the method of pharyngeal repair after laryngectomy: manual closure group (n = 28), and stapler group (n = 30). Functional and oncological outcomes were assessed and compared.

Results
The incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula was significantly less in the stapler group. Additionally, operative time was significantly shorter and swallowing function was better in the stapler group compared to the manual group. There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding survival rates.

Conclusion
The stapler is a reliable method for pharyngeal closure after total laryngectomy if the limits of its indications regarding the primary tumor are considered. Stapler closure decreases the incidence of PCF and decreases the surgical time. Good swallowing outcomes are achieved without compromising the oncological outcomes.
Plateau’s problem via the Allen–Cahn functional
Authors: Guaraco Marco A. M. , Lynch Stephen 
Published: May 2024

AbstractLet $$\Gamma $$
Γ
be a compact codimension-two submanifold of $${\mathbb {R}}^n$$

R

n

, and let L be a nontrivial real line bundle over $$X = {\mathbb {R}}^n {\setminus } \Gamma $$

X
=

R

n

\
Γ

. We study the Allen–Cahn functional, $$\begin{aligned}E_\varepsilon (u) = \int _X \varepsilon \frac{|\nabla u|^2}{2} + \frac{(1-|u|^2)^2}{4\varepsilon }\,dx, \\\end{aligned}$$

E
ε

(
u
)

=

∫
X

ε

|
∇
u
|

2

2

+

(
1
-
|
u
|

2

)

2

4
ε

d
x
,

on the space of sections u of L. Specifically, we are interested in critical sections for this functional and their relation to minimal hypersurfaces with boundary equal to $$\Gamma $$
Γ
. We first show that, for a family of critical sections with uniformly bounded energy, in the limit as $$\varepsilon \rightarrow 0$$

ε
→
0

, the associated family of energy measures converges to an integer rectifiable $$(n-1)$$

(
n
-
1
)

-varifold V. Moreover, V is stationary with respect to any variation which leaves $$\Gamma $$
Γ
fixed. Away from $$\Gamma $$
Γ
, this follows from work of Hutchinson–Tonegawa; our result extends their interior theory up to the boundary $$\Gamma $$
Γ
. Under additional hypotheses, we can say more about V. When V arises as a limit of critical sections with uniformly bounded Morse index, $$\Sigma := {{\,\textrm{supp}\,}}\Vert V\Vert $$

Σ
:
=

supp

‖
V
‖

is a minimal hypersurface, smooth away from $$\Gamma $$
Γ
and a singular set of Hausdorff dimension at most $$n-8$$

n
-
8

. If the sections are globally energy minimizing and $$n = 3$$

n
=
3

, then $$\Sigma $$
Σ
is a smooth surface with boundary, $$\partial \Sigma = \Gamma $$

∂
Σ
=
Γ

(at least if L is chosen correctly), and $$\Sigma $$
Σ
has least area among all surfaces with these properties. We thus obtain a new proof (originally suggested in a paper of Fröhlich and Struwe) that the smooth version of Plateau’s problem admits a solution for every boundary curve in $${\mathbb {R}}^3$$

R

3

. This also works if $$4 \le n\le 7$$

4
≤
n
≤
7

and $$\Gamma $$
Γ
is assumed to lie in a strictly convex hypersurface.
Regularity of flat free boundaries for two-phase p(x)-Laplacian problems with right hand side
Authors: Ferrari Fausto , Lederman Claudia 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe consider viscosity solutions to two-phase free boundary problems for the p(x)-Laplacian with non-zero right hand side. We prove that flat free boundaries are $$C^{1,\gamma }$$

C

1
,
γ

. No assumption on the Lipschitz continuity of solutions is made. These regularity results are the first ones in literature for two-phase free boundary problems for the p(x)-Laplacian and also for two-phase problems for singular/degenerate operators with non-zero right hand side. They are new even when $$p(x)\equiv p$$

p
(
x
)
≡
p

, i.e., for the p-Laplacian. The fact that our results hold for merely viscosity solutions allows a wide applicability.
Structure and particle surface analysis of Li2S–P2S5–LiI-type solid electrolytes synthesized by liquid-phase shaking
Authors: Hikima Kazuhiro , Ogawa Kaito , Indrawan Radian Febi , Tsukasaki Hirofumi , Hiroi Satoshi , Ohara Koji , Ikeda Kazutaka , Watanabe Toshiki , Matsunaga Toshiyuki , Yamamoto Kentaro , Mori Shigeo , Uchimoto Yoshiharu , Matsuda Atsunori 
Published: May 2024

AbstractLi2S–P2S5–LiI-type solid electrolytes, such as Li4PS4I, Li7P2S8I, and Li10P3S12I, are promising candidates for anode layers in all-solid-state batteries because of their high ionic conductivity and stability toward Li anodes. However, few studies have been conducted on their detailed local structure and particle surface state. In this study, Li7P2S8I (Li2S: P2S5:LiI = 3:1:1) solid electrolytes as the chemical composition were synthesized by mechanical milling and liquid-phase shaking, and their local structures were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. The particle surface states were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high-energy X-ray scattering measurements, and neutron total scattering experiments. The results showed that Li7P2S8I solid electrolytes are composed of nanocrystals, such as Li4PS4I, LiI, Li10P3﻿S12I and an amorphous area as the main region, indicating that the crystalline components alone do not form ionic conductive pathways, with both the amorphous and crystalline regions contributing to the high ionic conductivity. Moreover, the ionic conductivity of the crystalline/amorphous interface of the glass-ceramic was higher than that of the Li2S–P2S5–LiI glass. Finally, an organic-solvent-derived stable surface layer, which was detected in the liquid-phase shaking sample, served as one of the factors that contributed to its high stability (which surpassed that of the mechanically milled sample) toward lithium anodes. We expect these findings to enable the effective harnessing of particle surface states to develop enhanced sulfide solid electrolytes.
Optimal solving of a binary knapsack problem on a D-Wave quantum machine and its implementation in production systems
Authors: Bożejko Wojciech , Burduk Anna , Pempera Jarosław , Uchroński Mariusz , Wodecki Mieczysław 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe efficient management of complex production systems is a challenge in today’s logistics. In the field of intelligent and sustainable logistics, the optimization of production batches, especially in the context of a rapidly changing product range, requires fast and precise computational solutions. This paper explores the potential of quantum computers for solving these problems. Traditional computational methods are often limited when it comes to optimizing complex logistics systems. In response to these challenges, the paper proposes the use of a hybrid algorithm that combines quantum technologies with classical computational methods. Such integration allows the computational power of both types of technologies to be harnessed, leading to faster and more efficient identification of optimal solutions. In this work, we consider the knapsack problem, a classic NP-hard optimization problem that is commonly used to verify the effectiveness of new algorithm construction methods. The algorithm presented is based on the Branch and Bound method and aims to ensure solution optimality in the context of the non-determinism of quantum computers. Within the algorithm, computations are performed alternately on a classical processor and a quantum processor. In addition, the lower and upper bounds of the objective function are computed in constant time using the D-Wave quantum machine.
Global practical stabilization of the double integrator system with an imperfect sensor and subject to a bounded disturbance
Authors: Zhu Zhiyuan , Li Yuanlong , Lin Zongli 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis paper is concerned with global practical stabilization of the double integrator system with an imperfect sensor and subject to an additive bounded output disturbance. The imperfect sensor nonlinearity possesses the nonlinear characteristics of saturation and dead zone. Because of the presence of output dead zone and the additive disturbance, the states cannot be expected to driven into an arbitrarily small neighborhood of the origin. To solve the global practical stabilization problem, we proposes a low gain-based linear dynamic output feedback law, under which the first state enters and remains in a bounded set whose size is depended on the bound of disturbance and the range of dead zone and the second state enters and remains in a pre-specified arbitrarily small set, both in finite time. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed control method.
Valorisation of Agricultural Residue Bio-Mass Date Palm Fibre in Dry-Blended Polycaprolactone (PCL) Bio-Composites for Sustainable Packaging Applications
Authors: Saifullah Abu , Chacko Nirmal George , Dhakal Hom Nath , Khan Sakib Hossain , Sarker Forkan , Zhang Zhongyi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose
This study experimentally developed and characterised dry-blended Polycaprolactone (PCL)/date palm fibre biodegradable composites for sustainable packaging applications. Date palm fibres are collected from date palm trees as by-products or waste materials. They will be valorised in bio-composite application to promote fibre-based sustainable packaging items over their non-biodegradable synthetic polymer based conventional packaging products. In the dry-blending process, fibre and polymer are mixed with a shear mixer, while, in a melt-blending process, an extruder is used to extrude fibre/polymer blends after applying heating and high shear pressure to melt and mix polymer with fibres. Dry-blending process offers many comparative advantages, such as less equipment, steps, cost, process degradation, energy consumption and hence, lower harmful environmental emissions; while, a proper fibre/polymer mixing is a challenge and it needs to be achieved properly in this process. Therefore, it is important to understand the effects of dry-blending process on manufacturing of PCL/date palm fibre bio-composites for packaging applications, before promoting the dry-blending as a suitable alternative to the melt-blending process.

Methods
Short chopped fibres were grinded as powders and dry-blended at a ratio of (0 − 10%) (w/w) with PCL polymer using hand and a shear mixer for 30 min, following a compression moulding process to produce bio-composite samples. Tensile, water contact angle, SEM, TGA, DSC and DMA tests and analysis were conducted. The dry-blended PCL/date palm fibre composites’ properties were compared with reported melt-blended samples’ results found in literature.

Results
Dry-blended samples showed an increase in tensile modulus values (up-to 20%) with fibre inclusion and these values were found close to the melt-blended samples in the literature. Tensile strength and strain values were reduced which could be related to the poor fibre/polymer interface. Fibre addition affected the thermal, thermo-mechanical and crystallisation processes in PCL polymer matrix.

Conclusion
Dry-blending is capable of producing bio-composites with a very comparable properties to melt-blended counterparts, although a more details study is needed to conduct in future. The results of this study, could be used carefully to design dry-blended PCL/date palm fibre bio-composites for possible packaging applications. The irregular fibre distribution in dry-blended samples could be improved in different ways which should be investigated in future.

Graphical Abstract
Preparation and modification of PVDF membrane via VIPS method for membrane distillation
Authors: Li Zhen , Wang Jianbing , Liu Shuqin , Li Jingfeng 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMembrane distillation (MD) is a promising technology for treating high-salinity mine water. However, MD membranes are known to have low membrane flux and are prone to fouling. In this study, we used the cost-effective and controllable vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS) technology to prepare polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membranes, replacing the traditional immersion precipitation method and optimizing the membrane structure by including LiCl and acetone as porogen in the casting solution. The results showed that the membrane prepared using the VIPS method exhibited a highly open interconnected porous surface. Unlike traditional MD membranes with a dense epidermal layer and large finger-like pores, these optimized membranes had a symmetrical and uniform internal structure, leading to a high flux of 8.62 kg·(m2·h)−1 during direct contact membrane distillation testing. Different porogens produced varied results on the VIPS process and varying effects on membrane structure. The use of LiCl promoted the formation of PVDF β-phase, resulting in a decrease in the number of spherical nodules on the membrane surface, as well as improved density and smoothness. Consequently, this reduced fouling risk during membrane distillation while slightly decreasing membrane flux. On the other hand, acetone rapidly evaporated during the VIPS process, facilitating pre-gelatinization and α-phase formation of PVDF. This concurrent effect effectively restricted excessive nodule growth on the membrane surface, endowing the membrane with antifouling capabilities while preserving high flux.
Experimental investigation of temporal evaluations of scouring downstream of culvert
Authors: Jafari Soroush , Vaghefi Mohammad , Mahmoudi Amin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe investigation of bed topography downstream of culverts is very important. Since bed topography goes through extreme changes through time, this study investigated the temporal evaluations of bed topography. Also, the bed level downstream of culverts, as one of effective parameters in topography in different time spans, was investigated. One of the most important findings of the study is that with increasing the experiment time and approaching the equilibrium moment, the change percentage of the maximum scour depth decreased. Also with changes to and decrease in the bed level downstream of the culvert, the change percentage of the depth scour decreased. Another salient finding of this study was that the maximum scour over the beginning durations of the tests in case of equal downstream level and culvert bed level was approximately equal to the maximum scour in cases where the downstream bed level differed from the culvert bed level by 0.067 and 0.13 times the culvert mouth width.
Development and characterization of lipid nanocapsules loaded with iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic targeting to the blood–brain barrier
Authors: Aparicio-Blanco Juan , Pucci Carlotta , De Pasquale Daniele , Marino Attilio , Debellis Doriana , Ciofani Gianni 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBrain drug delivery is severely hindered by the presence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Its functionality relies on the interactions of the brain endothelial cells with additional cellular constituents, including pericytes, astrocytes, neurons, or microglia. To boost brain drug delivery, nanomedicines have been designed to exploit distinct delivery strategies, including magnetically driven nanocarriers as a form of external physical targeting to the BBB. Herein, a lipid-based magnetic nanocarrier prepared by a low-energy method is first described. Magnetic nanocapsules with a hydrodynamic diameter of 256.7 ± 8.5 nm (polydispersity index: 0.089 ± 0.034) and a ξ-potential of -30.4 ± 0.3 mV were obtained. Transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed efficient encapsulation of iron oxide nanoparticles within the oily core of the nanocapsules. Both thermogravimetric analysis and phenanthroline-based colorimetric assay showed that the iron oxide percentage in the final formulation was 12 wt.%, in agreement with vibrating sample magnetometry analysis, as the specific saturation magnetization of the magnetic nanocapsules was 12% that of the bare iron oxide nanoparticles. Magnetic nanocapsules were non-toxic in the range of 50–300 μg/mL over 72 h against both the human cerebral endothelial hCMEC/D3 and Human Brain Vascular Pericytes cell lines. Interestingly, higher uptake of magnetic nanocapsules in both cell types was evidenced in the presence of an external magnetic field than in the absence of it after 24 h. This increase in nanocapsules uptake was also evidenced in pericytes after only 3 h. Altogether, these results highlight the potential for magnetic targeting to the BBB of our formulation.
Graphical Abstract
On variable-order fractional linear viscoelasticity
Authors: Giusti Andrea , Colombaro Ivano , Garra Roberto , Garrappa Roberto , Mentrelli Andrea 
Published: May 2024

AbstractA generalization of fractional linear viscoelasticity based on Scarpi’s approach to variable-order fractional calculus is presented. After reviewing the general mathematical framework, a variable-order fractional Maxwell model is analysed as a prototypical example for the theory. Some physical considerations are then provided concerning the fractionalisation procedure and the choice of the transition functions. Lastly, the material functions for the considered model are derived and numerically evaluated for exponential-type and Mittag-Leffler-type order functions.
Environmental impacts of artificial turf: a scoping review
Authors: Bø S. M. , Bohne R. A. , Lohne J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractArtificial turfs represent a large environmental issue in terms of waste, microplastic pollution and leaching of chemicals. Artificial turfs are made of several components, the shock absorbing pad, backing, stabilizing infill, performance infill and artificial grass fibers. Common for these, except the stabilizing infill, is being made of plastic and chemicals being released to the environment. The purpose of this article is to investigate current research on the environmental impact of artificial turfs for football fields. This is done by presenting the state-of-the-art through a review of 40 articles and grey reports. Studies concerning the chemical content of rubber granules and microplastics lost to the environment represent most of the findings. The methods applied vary to a great extent, and more research is needed to further understand the environmental impact of artificial turfs. This study provides an overview of the previous work performed and highlights knowledge gaps and will be of help during further research on the environmental impacts of artificial turfs.
Disease prevalence, incidence, morphological and molecular characterisation of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae causing collar rot disease on peanut plants in Turkey
Authors: Özkaya Senem , Soylu Soner , Kara Merve , Gümüş Yusuf , Soylu Emine Mine , Teke İbrahim , Özcan Oktay Burak , Sevilmiş Deniz , Ölmez Yaşar Ahu , Bilaloğlu İsa , Lavkor Işılay 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPeanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) holds significant commercial and dietary importance as a major source of edible oil and protein in Turkey. Stem, collar or root rot, caused by several fungal disease agent, are serious soil-borne diseases of peanut. Accurate and precise identification of the disease agent provides fundamental and precise information for integrated plant management. During the period from June to September 2021, symptoms consistent with collar rot disease, including dark-brown stem rot, chlorotic leaves, wilting, and eventual whole plant death, were observed on peanut plants cultivated in the different districts of Osmaniye Province of Turkey. The disease incidence ranged from 8.0 to 45.0% in the inspected fields with an average of 3.4% overall. Twenty-four single-spore representative isolates were obtained from surface-disinfected symptomatic tissues. Morphological characteristics of fungal mycelium, conidial and pycnidial structures on potato sucrose agar (PSA) and water agar (WA) closely resembled those described for Lasiodiplodia spp. All isolates caused typical collar rot symptoms upon artificial inoculation of peanut seedlings. Morphological identification of Lasiodiplodia spp. isolates was corroborated by MALDI-TOF and molecular analyses utilizing sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), β-tubulin 2 (tub2) and translation elongation factor-1 alpha (TEF1-α) loci. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the representative fungal isolates (MKUBK-B1 and MKUBK-K22) belong to Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of L. pseudotheobromae infecting peanut plants in Turkey. This work is expected to contribute to previously limited knowledge regarding the host range, incidence and prevalence of L. pseudotheobromae as a soilborne pathogen of peanuts. Due to the potential destructiveness and broad host range of this pathogen, it is essential to develop new strategies to establish more reliable, environmentally sustainable, and cost-effective management approaches for this disease.