bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vertical structural complexity of plant communities represents the combined effects of resource acquisition and environmental stress on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Cheng Changjin , Zhang Jiahui , Li Mingxu , Liu Congcong , Xu Li , He Nianpeng 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe vertical structural complexity (VSC) of plant communities reflects the occupancy of spatial niches and is closely related to resource utilization and environmental adaptation. However, understanding the large-scale spatial pattern of VSC and its underlying mechanisms remains limited. Here, we systematically investigate 2013 plant communities through grid sampling on the Tibetan Plateau. VSC is quantified as the maximum plant height within a plot (Height-max), coefficient of variation of plant height (Height-var), and Shannon evenness of plant height (Height-even). Precipitation dominates the spatial variation in VSC in forests and shrublands, supporting the classic physiological tolerance hypothesis. In contrast, for alpine meadows, steppes, and desert grasslands in extreme environments, non-resource limiting factors (e.g., wide diurnal temperature ranges and strong winds) dominate VSC variation. Generally, with the shifting of climate from favorable to extreme, the effect of resource availability gradually decreases, but the effect of non-resource limiting factors gradually increases, and that the physiological tolerance hypothesis only applicable in favorable conditions. With the help of machine learning models, maps of VSC at 1-km resolution are produced for the Tibetan Plateau. Our findings and maps of VSC provide insights into macroecological studies, especially for adaptation mechanisms and model optimization.
Theoretical framework for mixed-potential-driven catalysis
Authors: Yan Mo , Namari Nuning Anugrah Putri , Nakamura Junji , Takeyasu Kotaro 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMixed-potential-driven catalysis is expected to be a distinctive heterogeneous catalytic reaction that produces products different from those produced by thermal catalytic reactions without the application of external energy. Electrochemically, the mechanism is similar to that of corrosion. However, a theory that incorporates catalytic activity as a parameter has not been established. Herein, we report the theoretical framework of mixed-potential-driven catalysis, including exchange currents, as a parameter of catalytic activity. The mixed potential and partitioning of the overpotential were determined from the exchange current by applying the Butler–Volmer equation at a steady state far from equilibrium. Mixed-potential-driven catalysis is expected to open new areas not only in the concept of catalyst development but also in the field of energetics of biological enzymatic reactions.
Careful selection of forest types in afforestation can increase carbon sequestration by 25% without compromising sustainability
Authors: Hasegawa Tomoko , Fujimori Shinichiro , Ito Akihiko , Takahashi Kiyoshi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAfforestation is a major carbon dioxide removal technology but can negatively affect food and land systems. Here, we used an integrated assessment model to quantitatively demonstrate how the selection of forest type to use in afforestation could increase global carbon sequestration without compromising global food and land sustainability. Our findings indicate that if a carbon-intensive forest type is selected, afforestation would increase carbon sequestration by 25% compared to the level assuming the native forest type. At the same time, if implemented inappropriately at a large scale, afforestation would worsen the economy, food, and land systems due to decreased land efficiency in carbon removal compared to bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, leading to increased land expansion for carbon removal, higher food prices, and increased risk of hunger. These results suggest the need to implement carbon-intensive forest types with complementary measures to reduce the adverse impacts on food and land sustainability.
Field induced slow magnetic relaxation in a linear homotrinuclear manganese heterospin coordination compound with S = 7/2 ground state and intriguing spin density distribution
Authors: Shcherbakov Igor N. , Krotkii Ilya I. , Kazachkova Victoria I. , Lyubchenko Sergey N. , Efimov Nikolay N. , Tsaturyan Arshak A. , Lazarenko Vladimir A. 
Published: April 2024

First example of field-induced slow magnetization relaxation in the homotrinuclear linear heterospin manganese coordination compound with S = 7/2 ground state, based on the bidentate 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone-1-monooxime ligand is reported.
A self‐learning human‐machine cooperative control method based on driver intention recognition
Authors: Jiang Yan , Ding Yuyan , Zhang Xinglong , Xu Xin , Huang Junwen 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHuman‐machine cooperative control has become an important area of intelligent driving, where driver intention recognition and dynamic control authority allocation are key factors for improving the performance of cooperative decision‐making and control. In this paper, an online learning method is proposed for human‐machine cooperative control, which introduces a priority control parameter in the reward function to achieve optimal allocation of control authority under different driver intentions and driving safety conditions. Firstly, a two‐layer LSTM‐based sequence prediction algorithm is proposed to recognise the driver's lane change (LC) intention for human‐machine cooperative steering control. Secondly, an online reinforcement learning method is developed for optimising the steering authority to reduce driver workload and improve driving safety. The driver‐in‐the‐loop simulation results show that our method can accurately predict the driver's LC intention in cooperative driving and effectively compensate for the driver's non‐optimal driving actions. The experimental results on a real intelligent vehicle further demonstrate the online optimisation capability of the proposed RL‐based control authority allocation algorithm and its effectiveness in improving driving safety.
BTSC: Binary tree structure convolution layers for building interpretable decision‐making deep CNN
Authors: Wang Yuqi , Dai Dawei , Liu Da , Xia Shuyin , Wang Guoyin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAlthough deep convolution neural network (DCNN) has achieved great success in computer vision field, such models are considered to lack interpretability in decision‐making. One of fundamental issues is that its decision mechanism is considered to be a “black‐box” operation. The authors design the binary tree structure convolution (BTSC) module and control the activation level of particular neurons to build the interpretable DCNN model. First, the authors design a BTSC module, in which each parent node generates two independent child layers, and then integrate them into a normal DCNN model. The main advantages of the BTSC are as follows: 1) child nodes of the different parent nodes do not interfere with each other; 2) parent and child nodes can inherit knowledge. Second, considering the activation level of neurons, the authors design an information coding objective to guide neural nodes to learn the particular information coding that is expected. Through the experiments, the authors can verify that: 1) the decision‐making made by both the ResNet and DenseNet models can be explained well based on the "decision information flow path" (known as the decision‐path) formed in the BTSC module; 2) the decision‐path can reasonably interpret the decision reversal mechanism (Robustness mechanism) of the DCNN model; 3) the credibility of decision‐making can be measured by the matching degree between the actual and expected decision‐path.
Distributed field mapping for mobile sensor teams using a derivative‐free optimisation algorithm
Authors: Lin Tony X. , Guo Jia , Al‐Abri Said , Zhang Fumin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe authors propose a distributed field mapping algorithm that drives a team of robots to explore and learn an unknown scalar field using a Gaussian Process (GP). The authors’ strategy arises by balancing exploration objectives between areas of high error and high variance. As computing high error regions is impossible since the scalar field is unknown, a bio‐inspired approach known as Speeding‐Up and Slowing‐Down is leveraged to track the gradient of the GP error. This approach achieves global field‐learning convergence and is shown to be resistant to poor hyperparameter tuning of the GP. This approach is validated in simulations and experiments using 2D wheeled robots and 2D flying miniature autonomous blimps.
A simplified control parameter optimisation method of the hybrid modular multilevel converter in the medium‐voltage DC distribution network for improved stability under a weak AC system
Authors: Xu Jin , Xiao Qian , Jia Hongjie , Mu Yunfei , Jin Yu , Lu Wenbiao , Ma Shiqian 
Published: April 2024

AbstractTo improve the stability of the hybrid modular multilevel converter (MMC), a simplified dominant mode‐based control parameter optimisation method of the hybrid MMC system is proposed. Firstly, in the medium‐voltage DC distribution network, the small‐signal model of the hybrid MMC is established. Secondly, the influence of a weak AC system on stability is analysed through eigenvalue analysis. Finally, a simplified objective function is designed for eigenvalues of the dominant mode by considering only real parts, and improved small‐signal stability can be achieved by control parameters optimisation. The proposed method optimises all control parameters at the same time, which further reduces the number of algorithm iterations. Simulation results show that by the proposed control parameter optimisation method, the hybrid MMC has better transient performance and reduced disturbance under SCR variation, indicating a significantly improved system stability, and the dynamic response time can be reduced.
Enhancing tunnel stability in the Himalayas: Empirical design support through numerical modelling
Authors: Abbas Naeem , Li Kegang , Emad Muhammad Zaka , Fissha Yewuhalashet , Ali Mujahid , Ghribi Wade , Gamil Yaser , Ikeda Hajime 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis study focuses on assessing the effectiveness of an empirically recommended support design through numerical modelling. Numerical techniques are utilized to accurately evaluate tunnel stability under various geological conditions. Numerical analysis is conducted on two different rock types along the tunnel route, employing the recommended support design based on the existing rock mass rating (RMR) and Q‐system. Furthermore, support recommendations are made using the modified RMR and Q‐system, considering the impact of stress. The numerical analysis indicates that the support recommended by the existing RMR may not substantially impact the total displacement and vertical stresses around the tunnel crown in the “Fair” to “Poor” rock mass of the study area. However, extending the bolt length by modifying the RMR to incorporate stress effects results in a reduction of total displacement and vertical stresses, ultimately achieving a stable level. These results underline the importance of considering stress effects and utilizing modified support designs to enhance tunnel stability.
Evaluation of low‐grade waste heat resources in coking and sintering processes of Chinese iron and steel enterprises
Authors: Kang Zhen , Su Fuyong , Ni Peiwei 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe amount of waste heat resources produced by iron and steel industry is huge and various. Due to the lack of consideration of the lowest discharge temperature of the low‐grade waste heat and the difficulty in recycling, the classification of these resources is still ambiguous, which makes the total amount of this kind of resource is huge, but few has been effectively recycled. The industry standard of China “Detection and evaluation method for low grade waste heat from the process of iron and steel enterprises” (YB/T 4786‐2019), classifies the low‐grade waste heat resources by energy level analysis. Based on the field investigation and on‐site tests of coking and sintering process in Baosteel, the low‐grade waste heat resources are analyzed and evaluated by employing this industry standard. The category distribution and total quality of low‐grade waste heat resources are obtained. It is proved that the standard is accurate for the classification of low‐grade waste heat resources and precise for the range division. The implementation of it is of practical significance to solve the problems such as the assessment of total waste heat etc.
Supraorbital Keyhole Approach: Opening of the Frontal Sinus and Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea
Authors: Mehrotra Anant , Das Kuntal Kanti , Rangari Kamlesh , Kanjilal Soumen , Tataskar Pooja , Verma Pawan Kumar , Bhaisora Kamlesh S. , Jaiswal Awadhesh , Kumar Raj 
Published: April 2024

Introduction: The supraorbital keyhole approach (SOKHA) has been a less invasive alternative for anterior and middle skull base lesions. We aimed to review our data and understand the advantages and limitations of the approach.
Methods: We analyzed our data and reviewed 89 consecutive cases who underwent the SOKHA. We included the clinico-radiological parameters, pathology, use of endoscope, complications, etc. for analysis.
Results: A total of 47 patients were of aneurysm with a total of 48 aneurysms (39 were ruptured and 9 were unruptured) and Acomm artery aneurysm was the most common site. Meningiomas were the second most common pathology encountered (n = 29). Tuberculum sella meningioma being the most common type of meningiomas operated through this approach. Gross total resection was done in all except two cases in which a small part of the tumor was left behind as the tumor was adhered to blood vessels. Among the remaining cases, craniopharyngiomas (n = 7), optic pathway gliomas (n = 2), hypothalamic hamartomas (n = 2), dermoid (n = 1), and arteriovenous malformation (n = 1) were the other pathologies operated upon. Eight patients had opening of the frontal sinus. Four patients had wound bulge and one patient had cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea. All these cases were managed conservatively.
Conclusion: SOKHA is an excellent approach for anterior cranial fossa lesions especially with properly chosen cases. Incidence of CSF leak in our study is 1.1% and majority can be managed by placement of lumbar drain. Intraoperative obliteration of the frontal sinus can reduce the risk of postoperative CSF leak. A large frontal sinus needs not be a contraindication for SOKHA.
Clinical Outcomes of Salvage Microsurgical Resection after Radiation Therapy for Sporadic Vestibular Schwannomas
Authors: Moshtaghi Omid , Barba Patrick , Dixon Peter , Ren Yin , Schwartz Marc , Friedman Rick 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes after salvage microsurgery for vestibular schwannoma (VS) treated initially with modern radiotherapy techniques as compared to those treated with primary microsurgical resection.
Methods Patients who underwent microsurgical resection of sporadic VS undergoing a translabyrinthine approach at a single academic skull base tertiary referral center were included. Baseline and postoperative dynamic gait index, functional gait assessment, House–Brackmann facial nerve grading, and completeness of resection were prospectively recorded.
Results Of the 265 patients reviewed, 21 (7.9%) patients underwent prior radiation. Median age of the cohort was 55 years (interquartile range: 51–63). The likelihood of achieving a gross total resection was significantly lower for radiated as compared to nonradiated patients (odds ratio: 0.18, 95% confidence interval: 0.05–0.53, p = 0.004) when controlling for tumor size. Radiated patients had better postoperative facial nerve function on the first postoperative day, but this difference was not significant at long-term follow-up. Radiated patients had lower preoperative postural stability scores than nonradiated patients on FGA (26 vs. 23, p = 0.035). Postoperatively, radiated patients had comparable outcomes compared to nonradiated patients when controlling for age and tumor size.
Conclusions Compared to patients with VS treated with surgery alone, previously radiated patients are less likely to achieve gross total resection in the salvage setting. Radiated patients scored better on facial nerve outcomes compared to nonradiated patients in the initial postoperative period but demonstrated similar long-term outcomes.
An agent-based evolutionary system model of the transformation from building material industry (BMI) to green intelligent BMI under supply chain management
Authors: Yin Shi , Zhao Yudan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe building materials industry ranks first in terms of carbon emissions and energy consumption within the industrial sector. To achieve the goal of reducing carbon emissions, the development of the green intelligent building materials (GIBMs) industry has become a strategic priority and major demand for the country. Government support plays a vital role in promoting the growth of the GIBMs industry. This paper utilizes evolutionary game theory and Matlab software to analyze the impact of government regulations on the development of the GIBMs industry. The research findings indicate the following. i) Appropriate government control over building materials enterprises is beneficial for the advancement of the GIBMs industry. A balance is necessary, as both excessive control and weak control hinder the industry’s development. ii) Increased financial assistance from the government to enterprises producing GIBMs has a positive influence. This support enables building materials enterprises to overcome technical barriers, drive technological innovation, and encourage construction developers to actively purchase these materials. iii) Stronger government punishment for pollutant emissions by building materials enterprises serves as a catalyst for the production of GIBMs. Stricter penalties motivate these enterprises to adopt more environmentally friendly practices. iv) Moderate to strong government investment in infrastructure has a significant impact. It prompts construction developers to actively choose and purchase GIBMs. In response to government regulations and market demand, building materials enterprises are inclined to produce these environmentally friendly materials. This study emphasizes the importance of government regulations and support in promoting the growth of the GIBMs industry. By implementing appropriate control measures, providing financial assistance, imposing punishments for pollution, and investing in infrastructure, the government can effectively encourage the development of the GIBMs industry. These measures contribute to achieving the double carbon goals and fostering a more sustainable built environment.
Challenges for density functional theory in simulating metal–metal singlet bonding: A case study of dimerized VO2
Authors: Zhang Yubo , Ke Da , Wu Junxiong , Zhang Chutong , Hou Lin , Lin Baichen , Chen Zuhuang , Perdew John P. , Sun Jianwei 
Published: April 2024

VO2 is renowned for its electric transition from an insulating monoclinic (M1) phase, characterized by V–V dimerized structures, to a metallic rutile (R) phase above 340 K. This transition is accompanied by a magnetic change: the M1 phase exhibits a non-magnetic spin-singlet state, while the R phase exhibits a state with local magnetic moments. Simultaneous simulation of the structural, electric, and magnetic properties of this compound is of fundamental importance, but the M1 phase alone has posed a significant challenge to the density functional theory (DFT). In this study, we show none of the commonly used DFT functionals, including those combined with on-site Hubbard U to treat 3d electrons better, can accurately predict the V–V dimer length. The spin-restricted method tends to overestimate the strength of the V–V bonds, resulting in a small V–V bond length. Conversely, the spin-symmetry-breaking method exhibits the opposite trends. Each of these two bond-calculation methods underscores one of the two contentious mechanisms, i.e., Peierls lattice distortion or Mott localization due to electron–electron repulsion, involved in the metal–insulator transition in VO2. To elucidate the challenges encountered in DFT, we also employ an effective Hamiltonian that integrates one-dimensional magnetic sites, thereby revealing the inherent difficulties linked with the DFT computations.
Effect of substrate mismatch, orientation, and flexibility on heterogeneous ice nucleation
Authors: Camarillo M. , Oller-Iscar J. , M. Conde M. , Ramírez J. , Sanz E. 
Published: April 2024

Heterogeneous nucleation is the main path to ice formation on Earth. The ice nucleating ability of a certain substrate is mainly determined by both molecular interactions and the structural mismatch between the ice and the substrate lattices. We focus on the latter factor using molecular simulations of the mW model. Quantifying the effect of structural mismatch alone is challenging due to its coupling with molecular interactions. To disentangle both the factors, we use a substrate composed of water molecules in such a way that any variation on the nucleation temperature can be exclusively ascribed to the structural mismatch. We find that a 1% increase in structural mismatch leads to a decrease of ∼4 K in the nucleation temperature. We also analyze the effect of orientation of the substrate with respect to the liquid. The three main ice orientations (basal, primary prism, and secondary prism) have a similar ice nucleating ability. We finally assess the effect of lattice flexibility by comparing substrates where molecules are immobile to others where a certain freedom to fluctuate around the lattice positions is allowed. Interestingly, we find that the latter type of substrate is more efficient in nucleating ice because it can adapt its structure to that of ice.
Thermally stable high carrier mobility nanocomposite infrared photodetector
Authors: Xue Xiaomeng , Lv Hongyu , Qiu Yanyan , Hao Qun , Chen Menglu 
Published: April 2024

Quantum dots (QDs) show excellent optical properties, such as a high extinction coefficient, tunable colors, and superior photostability. However, the transport properties of QDs, such as carrier mobility, are quite limited, which hinder optoelectronic applications. On the other hand, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) generally have high carrier mobility and thermal stability with a weak optical response. These features inspire us to couple QDs with CNTs to achieve improved optoelectronics. We take infrared HgTe QDs and multi-walled CNTs as examples. With appropriate coupling between QD and CNT matrices, carrier mobility could reach 34.6–54.1 cm2/Vs in the nanocomposite, a 1000-fold increase compared with the reference. The nanocomposite benefits external quantum efficiency up to 12 500% and detectivity 1012 Jones on the 2500 nm infrared photodetectors. The CNT matrix also helps relaxing thermally generated carriers, improving the photodetector thermal stability. We also demonstrate that the device maintains high detectivity at a high operating temperature.