bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dielectric thermally conductive boron nitride/silica@MWCNTs/polyvinylidene fluoride composites via a combined electrospinning and hot press method
Authors: Wu Zijian , Gao Shunying , Wang Xuefei , Ibrahim Mohamed M. , Mersal Gaber A. M. , Ren Juanna , El-Bahy Zeinhom M. , Guo Ning , Gao Junguo , Weng Ling , Guo Zhanhu 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWith the development of microelectronics towards integration, miniaturization and high power, the accumulation of heat in this small space has become a serious problem. Therefore, polymer matrix composites with high thermal conductivity and electrical insulation need to be developed urgently. Here, an ordered oriented boron nitride/silicon dioxide (silica) coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (BN/SiO2@MWCNTs) thermally conductive network was constructed in a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix by electrostatic spinning technique, and subsequently the PVDF composites were prepared by hot-pressing. The synergistic effect of two-dimensional BN and one-dimensional MWCNTs in PVDF was investigated. It was found that the out-of-plane thermal conductivity of BN30/SiO2@MWCNTs composites reached 0.4693 Wm−1 K−1, which was 209% higher than that of pure PVDF and 10% higher than that of BN/PVDF composites. The in-plane thermal conductivity of BN30/SiO2@MWCNts) composites reached 1.5642 Wm−1 K−1, which was 1055% higher than pure PVDF and 40% higher than BN/PVDF composites. This is attributed to the synergistic effect of BN on SiO2@MWCNTs. Meanwhile, the volume resistivity and breakdown strength of the BN/SiO2@MWCNTs/PVDF composites reached 3.6 × 1013 Ω m and 47.68 kV/mm, respectively. The results indicate that the BN30/SiO2@MWCNTs/PVDF composites have excellent thermal conductivity and electrical insulating properties, which are promising for microelectronics applications.
Deep learning the efficient frontier of convex vector optimization problems
Authors: Feinstein Zachary , Rudloff Birgit 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we design a neural network architecture to approximate the weakly efficient frontier of convex vector optimization problems (CVOP) satisfying Slater’s condition. The proposed machine learning methodology provides both an inner and outer approximation of the weakly efficient frontier, as well as an upper bound to the error at each approximated efficient point. In numerical case studies we demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is effectively able to approximate the true weakly efficient frontier of CVOPs. This remains true even for large problems (i.e., many objectives, variables, and constraints) and thus overcoming the curse of dimensionality.
Economic cost-benefit analysis of person-centred medicines reviews by general practice pharmacists
Authors: O’Mahony Cian , Dalton Kieran , O’Hagan Leon , Murphy Kevin D. , Kinahan Clare , Coyle Emma , Sahm Laura J. , Byrne Stephen , Kirke Ciara 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Medicines reviews by general practice pharmacists improve patient outcomes, but little is known about the associated economic outcomes, particularly in patients at higher risk of medicines-related harm.

Aim
To conduct an economic cost-benefit analysis of pharmacists providing person-centred medicines reviews to patients with hyperpolypharmacy (prescribed ≥ 10 regular medicines) and/or at high risk of medicines-related harm across multiple general practice settings.

Method
Service delivery costs were calculated based on the pharmacist’s salary, recorded timings, and a general practitioner fee. Direct cost savings were calculated from the cost change of patients’ medicines post review, projected over 1 year. Indirect savings were calculated using two models, a population-based model for avoidance of hospital admissions due to adverse drug reactions and an intervention-based model applying a probability of adverse drug reaction avoidance. Sensitivity analyses were performed using varying workday scenarios.

Results
Based on 1471 patients (88.4% with hyperpolypharmacy), the cost of service delivery was €153 per review. Using the population-based model, net cost savings ranging from €198 to €288 per patient review and from €73,317 to €177,696 per annum per pharmacist were calculated. Using the intervention-based model, net cost savings of €651–€741 per review, with corresponding annual savings of €240,870–€457,197 per annum per pharmacist, were calculated. Savings ratios ranged from 181 to 584% across all models and inputs.

Conclusion
Person-centred medicines reviews by general practice pharmacists for patients at high risk of medicines-related harm result in substantial cost savings. Wider investment in general practice pharmacists will be beneficial to minimise both patient harm and healthcare system expenditure.
Patterns and correlates in the distribution, design and management of garden ponds along an urban–rural gradient
Authors: Hamer Andrew J. , Barta Barbara , Márton Zsuzsanna , Vad Csaba F. , Szabó Beáta , Tornero Irene , Horváth Zsófia 
Published: May 2024

AbstractUrbanisation results in the loss and alteration of natural wetlands and ponds. However, garden ponds in cities and towns can potentially act as rich reservoirs of aquatic biodiversity and stepping stones for dispersal. Homeowners with a range of different motivations, including biodiversity values, install garden ponds. Here, our main aim was to study whether the design and management choices of garden pond owners depended on the location of ponds (capital city vs. countryside), when ponds were installed (pond age), or whether fish were introduced. We surveyed 834 garden pond owners across Hungary using a citizen science questionnaire, asking questions on pond size, location, construction date and materials, vegetation structure, introduction of fish and management practices. From 753 validated responses, we found that the introduction of fish into ponds and high urbanisation were strongly associated with local features and management practices, especially large ponds with a water circulation feature, irrespective of pond age. A typical garden pond in Hungary is ~ 20 m2, < 10 years old, made of rubber lining, contains fish, aquatic vegetation and circulating water, and is actively managed. There was a spatial separation of ponds based on local features between ponds in the capital city (Budapest) and elsewhere. These findings suggest that garden pond owners in the city were more likely to make different choices in pond design and management compared to owners in regional areas. Our results also suggest that pond owners may primarily select management practices to improve habitat quality for ornamental fish. Our findings have important implications for maintaining aquatic biodiversity in urban areas, where garden ponds may be the only aquatic habitat available.
Fire resistance evaluation through synthetic fire tests and generative adversarial networks
Authors: Çiftçioğlu Aybike Özyüksel , Naser M. Z. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis paper introduces a machine learning approach to address the challenge of limited data resulting from costly and time-consuming fire experiments by enlarging small fire test data sets and predicting the fire resistance of reinforced concrete columns. Our approach begins by creating deep learning models, namely generative adversarial networks and variational autoencoders, to learn the spatial distribution of real fire tests. We then use these models to generate synthetic tabular samples that closely resemble realistic fire resistance values for reinforced concrete columns. The generated data are employed to train state-of-the-art machine learning techniques, including Extreme Gradient Boost, Light Gradient Boosting Machine, Categorical Boosting Algorithm, Support Vector Regression, Random Forest, Decision Tree, Multiple Linear Regression, Polynomial Regression, Support Vector Machine, Kernel Support Vector Machine, Naive Bayes, and K-Nearest Neighbors, which can predict the fire resistance of the columns through regression and classification. Machine learning analyses achieved highly accurate predictions of fire resistance values, outperforming traditional models that relied solely on limited experimental data. Our study highlights the potential for using machine learning and deep learning analyses to revolutionize the field of structural engineering by improving the accuracy and efficiency of fire resistance evaluations while reducing the reliance on costly and time-consuming experiments.
Pre-adaptation of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) strains to very high gravity can improve fermentation parameters and reduce osmotic stress
Authors: Sica P. , Tonoli F. , Silverio M. S. , Douradinho R. , Mota L. A. , Prado L. , Leite G. M. G. L. , Carvalho R. S. , Pinto A. U. , Baptista A. S. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis study investigated improvements in sugarcane ethanol production by adapting yeast strains for very high gravity fermentation. Two yeast strains (C22 and Y904) were adapted in eight fermentation cycles with increasing initial sugar content from 56.2 to 296.1 g L−1(Experiment 1). After the last cycle, the “adapted” yeasts were recycled in a wort containing 296.1 g L−1initial sugar and compared with their respective strains that were not subjected to the adaptation process (Experiment 2). Fermentative parameters were analyzed and the osmotic stress on yeast cell morphology was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In Experiment 1, along the fermentation cycles, strain Y904 showed a decrease in cell viability after sugar concentration of 223 g L−1. SEM images showed that Y904 cells were wrinkled after this cycle. In the case of strain C22, no differences in cell viability were observed along the cycles. However, for both strains, the residual sugars were relatively high and the ethanol content was below the maximum potential. In Experiment 2, for strain Y904, no differences were observed between adapted and non-adapted yeasts in terms of ethanol content, cell viability, and morphology. In the case of strain C22, cell viability and final ethanol content were significantly higher in the adapted yeast, which had cells less damaged by the osmotic stress. In conclusion, the study supports the importance of yeast strain selection and adaptation for efficient VHG fermentation, by demonstrating the superior performance of yeast strain C22 in response to increasing initial sugar content.
Optimizing Measurement Potential in Mental Health Clinical Practice: The Canadian Personal Recovery Outcome Measure (C-PROM) study
Authors: Barbic Skye P. , Ow Nikki , Kidd Sean A. , Backman Catherine L. , Mathias Steve , Honer William G. , McKenzie Kwame 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThere is an increasing commitment to “Personal Recovery” as the desired outcome for mental health rehabilitation, yet there is little agreement about how to measure it. The purpose of this study was to develop a method of measuring recovery in community-dwelling people with mental health concerns. We describe a four-phase process, informed by guidelines for (patient-reported outcome measure) PROM development described by the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Medical Outcomes Trust, the Food and Drug Administration, and the International Society for Quality of Life Research, on how to quantify recovery in mental health care. The approach includes an iterative mixed methods process, guided by Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Rasch Measurement Theory (RMT), to develop the Canadian Personal Recovery Outcome Measure (C-PROM) for adults receiving mental health services. In Phases 1 and 2, 40 new items were generated by people with schizophrenia. In Phase 3, psychometric analysis and cognitive interviewing suggested that the item set be reduced to 30 items. Phase 4 (n = 575) showed good overall fit of the C-PROM items to the Rasch model (χ2 = 163, df = 130, p = .05), no item misfit, high reliability (rp = 0.92), an ordered response scale structure, high correlation between logit and scale scores (0.92) and no item bias for gender, age, or diagnosis. This study provided evidence for the C-PROM as a measure of personal recovery for people with mental health concerns. The measurement model underpinning this set of items has potential to support clinical relevance of scale scores, advancing an evidence-based approach to mental health rehabilitation practice and outcomes.
Needs Assessment of Health Promotion, Through Co-Production Approach, Among Mental Health Service Users
Authors: Tsoukas Konstantinos , Kolaitis Gerasimos , Lagiou Areti , Sakellari Evanthia 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPeople with severe mental disorders have impaired health, and low self-care skills, while presenting a higher risk of developing infections, other chronic diseases, and higher mortality compared to the general population. The majority of health promotion interventions targeting them are methodologically designed based on the subjective assessments of health professionals. This qualitative study aims to assess the health promotion needs among people with severe mental disorders, as well as to explore their perceptions regarding the concept of co-production. Two focus groups were conducted with 18 adults, diagnosed with severe mental disorders receiving services from community mental health settings in Attica, Greece. The data was analyzed using content analysis. Regarding health promotion needs, five themes emerged: psycho-education, rights, settings and services, community education, and physical health. Concerning the co-production concept, five themes emerged: equality, collaboration, inclusion, peer support, and feedback. The findings of this study could be used to design a health promotion program for people with severe mental disorders based on the principles of co-production.
Can We Reliably Identify the CES Preference Parameter from Firm Revenue and Cost Data? Evidence from Monte Carlo Experiments
Authors: Sun Sizhong , Anwar Sajid 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn empirical studies involving the estimation of structural parameters, a commonly used strategy to identify the CES preference parameter is to assume that firms have a constant marginal cost (MC). This assumption allows one to utilize the link between the total variable cost and total revenue implied by profit maximization to recover the CES preference parameter. This paper explores the robustness of the constant MC assumption in Monte Carlo experiments, where the control group consists of simulated constant MC firms and the treatment group involves different degrees of violation of the assumption. The results of our experiments show that the constant MC assumption indeed has a high identification power. Nevertheless, researchers need to ensure that their samples contain a sufficient proportion of constant MC firms, which, in our experiments, must be around 20 percent. We also find that, irrespective of the actual proportion of constant MC firms in the sample, the constant MC assumption correctly identifies the CES preference parameter if the elasticity of substitution within the industry is 2.5 or lower.
Emergent Pragmatic Conventions in Spoken ELF Corpus Data: Micro-Diachronic Analysis of Inclusive vs. Exclusive Multilingual Practices
Authors: Pitzl-Hagin Marie-Luise 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis article examines multilingual practices as an example of emergent pragmatic conventions in three Transient International Groups (TIGs) using spoken English as a lingua franca (ELF) from the Vienna-Oxford International Corpus of English (VOICE). The analysis combines principles of corpus linguistics and conversation analysis by adopting a new approach for the micro-diachronic analysis of spoken interaction. Quantitative and qualitative evidence and micro-diachronic visualizations of VOICE transcripts show how the three groups examined interactively develop group-specific multilingual practices. The analysis reveals that the three groups have different preferences in this respect. While two groups develop inclusive multilingual practices in the course of their interaction, one group shows a tendency to use multilingual practices exclusively, primarily in side sequences. In addition to multilingual use, the presence or absence of metalinguistic discussions about language (and languages) plays a role for creation of shared transcultural territory and the formation of group identity. These processes are indicative of how unacquainted multilingual speakers negotiate and develop pragmatic conventions more generally.
Effect of time and voltage on the morphology of TiO2 films produced by anodization
Authors: Yılmaz Ozan , Ebeoglugil Faruk , Dikici Tuncay , Dalmis Ramazan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the influence of various anodic oxidation parameters on the photocatalytic activities of the nanostructured titanium dioxide (TiO2) films. TiO2 films were prepared by anodic oxidation of titanium substrate using 1 M Na2SO4 / 5 wt. % NH4F electrolyte, and then annealed at 500 °C. Anatase appears in all calcined samples. The anodic oxidation process was performed in two steps at different voltages (5–80 V) and times (15–480 min) to reveal the relationship between the surface morphologies, wettability and photocatalytic properties. The results showed that the voltage and anodization time can play important role in the surface morphology of nanostructured TiO2 films and thus in various properties. While 40 V showed the most efficient photocatalytic degradation among voltage values, 60 min was the most efficient time for photocatalytic degradation efficiency and lowest contact angle. In addition, a pore area fraction of 39.54%, equal diameter of 96.81 nm, and circularity of 66.7% were obtained from image analysis of the 60-min anodized sample. While increasing the voltage and time benefited up to a point in terms of photocatalytic efficiency, changes in morphology had a negative effect after a point. At low voltage and time values, small pore diameters result in low photocatalytic properties. This titania can be readily utilize to meet application expectations in areas such as gas sensors, photocatalysis and photovoltaic cells.
Optimization of mature coconut water with calamansi, stevia, and turmeric using mixture design
Authors: Aba Richard Paolo M. , Luna Myrna Benita Z. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn the Philippines, the Zero Food Waste Act of 2022 has been proposed with the aim of implementing a system that promotes food waste reduction through redistribution, recycling, and valorization. One of the wastes produced from the coconut industry is the mature coconut water, as the primary focus is on the production of copra, coconut oil, and coconut milk. Further, mature coconut water has poor sensory properties (color/turbidity, aroma, and taste), leading to approximately 2.4 billion liters being discarded annually. One of the proposed solutions is to utilize the D-optimal mixture design, which enables the generation of the best combination of mature coconut water (83.5–91.3 g/100 g), calamansi (8.00–15.00 g/100 g), stevia (0.50–1.50 g/100 g), and turmeric powder (0.20 g). The 'desirability' function was employed to achieve multiresponse optimization, considering parameters such as pH < 4.5; sweetness, sourness, and overall acceptability all equivalent to 6 (like slightly). Significant (p < 0.05) responses indicated that the influence of the raw materials varied, ranging from linear to cubic prediction models, with R2 values ranging from 70.19 to 98.30%. The optimization results revealed that the model successfully predicted the properties of the optimal formulation composed of 90.08 g/100 g mature coconut water, 8.83 g/100 g calamansi, 0.90 g/100 g stevia, and 0.20 g/100 g turmeric powder. The results of this research may help industries valorize mature coconut water instead of discarding it as waste. The developed beverage may be further improved to increase its acceptability and generalizability by increasing the range of the values used and verify results through pilot-scale production.
Qualitative Behavioural Assessment of bonobo emotional expressivity across observer groups and zoo housing environments
Authors: Laméris Daan W , Salas Marina , Eens Marcel , Gillespie Lisa , Staes Nicky , Torfs Jonas RR , Verspeek Jonas , Vervaecke Hilde , Ward Samantha J , Stevens Jeroen MG 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Human evaluation of animal emotional expressivity can inform animal welfare. Qualitative Behavioural Assessment (QBA) has been applied to domesticated and some non-domesticated animals, but its use in primates is limited despite their emotional expressivity. We aimed to develop and apply a QBA for bonobos (Pan paniscus) through two consecutive studies. We applied Free Choice Profiling (FCP) and the Fixed List methodology, respectively, in Study 1 and 2, and invited students and bonobo experts to rate video clips of zoo-living bonobos of different sexes and age classes, and before and after moving to a new enclosure. In Study 1, students described dimension 1 as ranging from ‘quiet/calm’ to ‘angry/active’ and dimension 2 from ‘sad/anxious’ to ‘happy/loving’. Experts described dimension 1 ranging from ‘quiet/relaxed’ to ‘nervous/alert’ and dimension 2 from ‘nervous/bored’ to ‘playful/happy’. Using a fixed list of descriptors, informed by findings from Study 1, students in Study 2 described dimension 1 as ranging from ‘quiet/calm’ to ‘agitated/frustrated’, and dimension 2 from ‘sad/stressed’ to ‘happy/positively engaged’. Experts described dimension 1 as ranging from ‘quiet/calm’ to ‘active/excited’, and dimension 2 from ‘sad/bored’ to ‘happy/positively engaged’. Students scored adults as more ‘calm/quiet’ and experts scored subadults as more ‘happy/positively engaged’. Additionally, experts in Study 2 rated bonobos as more ‘active/excited’ in their new enclosure. Reliability was moderate to good for the dimensions. Additionally, animal-directed empathy of observers influenced QBA scores. This is the first time, FCP has been successfully used as a method to study primate emotional expressivity. Our findings show the promise of employing QBA in primate studies and in industry, with validation of additional metrics to enable its use for welfare-monitoring purposes.
Democracy and the Notwithstanding Clause
Authors: Pal Michael 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis article focuses on the relationship between democracy and the notwithstanding clause in s.33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A number of scholars argue that s.33 is inherently ‘democratic’, as it is an assertion of legislative supremacy. The most influential such theory is Jeremy Waldron’s. This article offers a democracy-based critique of Waldron’s democracy-based account of the notwithstanding clause. The argument that the notwithstanding clause is necessarily ‘democratic’ ignores the constitution of the legislature through elections and the risk of self-dealing by the legislative branch, adopts an idealistic view of legislatures at odds with the reality of executive dominance and party discipline, and over-relies on the assumption that the electorate will ensure retrospective accountability for misuse of s.33. Contrary to Waldron and those who have adopted his arguments in Canada in the context of the Charter, the article argues we can be democrats and have faith in the capacities of legislators and voters while still maintaining skepticism about the uses to which the notwithstanding clause may be put. In short, s.33 is not inherently democratic. The political morality of each use of the notwithstanding clause—including whether it helps or harms democracy—must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.