bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Novel Thermal Interface Material Composed of Vertically Aligned Boron Nitride and Graphite Films for Ultrahigh Through‐Plane Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Bashir Akbar , Niu Hongyu , Maqbool Muhammad , Usman Ali , Lv Ruicong , Ashraf Zubair , Cheng Ming , Bai Shulin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe relentless drive toward miniaturization in microelectronic devices has sparked an urgent need for materials that offer both high thermal conductivity (TC) and excellent electrical insulation. Thermal interface materials (TIMs) possessing these dual attributes are highly sought after for modern electronics, but achieving such a combination has proven to be a formidable challenge. In this study, a cutting‐edge solution is presented by developing boron nitride (BN) and graphite films layered silicone rubber composites with exceptional TC and electrical insulation properties. Through a carefully devised stacking‐cutting method, the high orientation degree of both BN and graphite films is successfully preserved, resulting in an unprecedented through‐plane TC of 23.7 Wm−1 K−1 and a remarkably low compressive modulus of 4.85 MPa. Furthermore, the exceptional properties of composites, including low thermal resistance and high resilience rate, make them a reliable and durable option for various applications. Practical tests demonstrate their outstanding heat dissipation performance, significantly reducing CPU temperatures in a computer cooling system. This research work unveils the possible upper limit of TC in BN‐based TIMs and paves the way for their large‐scale practical implementation, particularly in the thermal management of next‐generation electronic devices.
Continuous–discontinuous element method for simulating three‐dimensional reinforced concrete structures
Authors: Huang Junguang , Feng Chun , Wang Xueya , Zhang Yiming 
Published: March 2024

AbstractReinforced concrete structures experience crack propagation, bond‐slip, and accompanied stress redistributions when subjected to high loading levels, as a typical continuous–discontinuous process. This work proposes a numerical system composed of discrete blocks, springs, and one‐dimensional bolt elements within the continuous–discontinuous element method (CDEM) framework. This hybrid finite‐discrete element method is enhanced by explicit integration. By simulating the pull‐out tests, the mechanical interactions between bars and concrete are determined. Numerical studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in capturing the process of multiple crack propagation and bond‐slip in three‐dimensional reinforced concrete structures, such as columns and beams.
Experimental study of moment redistribution in continuous concrete beams prestressed with unbonded tendons
Authors: Nakari Tarja , Tulonen Joonas , Asp Olli , Kytölä Ulla , Laaksonen Anssi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe moment redistribution in a continuous prestressed concrete beam occurs as a result of a change in the rigidity of a beam and formation of plastic hinges when approaching the failure. Rotation capacity is required to allow for moment redistribution. Four continuous two‐span concrete beams prestressed with unbonded tendons were built and loaded up to failure at the laboratory of Civil Engineering in Tampere University. The test beams had different reinforcement ratios in the support area when the degree of prestressing and amount of tension reinforcement in the midspans were kept constant. All test beams were loaded by bending, but one test beam had torsion load in addition to bending. The degree of bending moment redistribution was defined by using nonlinear analysis and equations from the European standard and ACI318, as well as the test results. Moment redistribution clearly occurred on all test beams, and the beams had a high level of deformability.
Evaluation of drone surveys for ungulates in southwestern rangelands
Authors: Blum Jesse , Foley Aaron M. , DeYoung Randy W. , Hewitt David G. , Baumgardt Jeremy , Hellickson Mickey W. , Perotto‐Baldivieso Humberto L. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDrone platforms are increasingly used for aerial wildlife surveys, but the validity of population counts has not been fully evaluated in all environments. Aerial surveys generally undercount the true population size and one must estimate detection probability (p) to correct for missed individuals. Detection probability for visual observers is influenced by vegetation and terrain characteristics, but the use of thermal cameras as the observer may also introduce additional factors influencing detection probability. We conducted diurnal, thermal‐based drone surveys for ungulates during February–April 2020 in South Texas, USA, on sites with varying degrees of woody cover and terrain. We examined histograms of georeferenced perpendicular distances to determine the effect of habitat on detection probabilities. We also examined precision in population estimates and variation in repeated surveys. Finally, we compared drone population estimates to independent estimates derived from helicopter, spotlight, and trail‐camera surveys. Distributions of perpendicular distances from the transect were affected by habitat characteristics. A flat grassland site had relatively few detections near the transect because thermal (solar) reflectance in the center of the footage obscured detections. A hilly brushy site had a uniform p (1.00) but resulted in a severe undercount due to the inability of the drone to follow contours of hills. The flat brushy site had a lower p (0.63), indicating visibility bias. Two additional flat, brushy sites were surveyed repeatedly (n = 5 and 9 surveys, respectively). All combinations of up to 3 repeated surveys were pooled to meet the recommended minimum number of detections for distance sampling analyses (≥60 detections). Population estimates had acceptable precision (CV ≤ 20%) 80.7% of the time and variation among repeated surveys was acceptable (CV = 9% and 23%, respectively). Drone‐based population estimates were comparable with estimates generated from corrected helicopter, spotlight, and trail‐camera surveys. Overall, diurnal drone surveys can generate population estimates for large ungulates on southwestern rangelands after accounting for visibility bias, but may be limited by terrain and thermal conditions.
Post Newtonian emission of gravitational waves from binary systems: a gauge theory perspective
Authors: Fucito Francesco , Morales Jose Francisco 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Using the AGT correspondence and localization, we derive a combinatorial formula for the Post-Newtonian expansion of the wave form describing the gravitational emission from binary systems made of objects of extremely different masses. The results are written as a double instanton series describing the expansion of the gravitational wave at large distances and small velocities, and are tested against previous formulae in the literature for Schwarschild and Kerr black holes at the 5th and 3rd Post Newtonian order respectively beyond the quadrupole approximation. Tidal effects show up in the wave form at the 5th PN order, providing a quantitative measure of sizes and reflectivity properties of the gravity solution.
Spatial and Socioeconomic Inequalities in Cesarean Section Deliveries in Urban Settings in Dakar, Senegal
Authors: Sy Ibrahima , Sandie Arsène Brunelle , Sylla Elhadji Malick , Cissé Birane , Fall Ndèye Awa , Sow Mamadou Oumar , Silla Ndèye Bouri , Faye Cheikh Mbacké , Diène Aminata Niang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAs part of an initiative aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality, Senegal implemented a policy of free Cesarean section (C-section) since 2005. Despite the implementation, C-section rates have remained low and significant large disparities in access, particularly in major cities such as Dakar. This paper aims to assess C-section rates and examines socioeconomic inequalities in C-section use in the Dakar region between 2005 and 2019. This study incorporates data from various sources, including the health routine data within District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) platform, government statistics on slum areas, and data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). A geospatial analysis was conducted to identify locations of Comprehensive emergency obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) services using the Direction des Travaux Géographiques et Cartographiques (DTGC) databases and satellite imagery from the Google Earth platform. The analytical approach encompassed univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. The C-section rate fluctuated over the years, increasing from 11.1% in 2005 to 16.4% in 2011, declined to 9.8% in 2014, and then raised to 13.3% in 2019. The wealth tertile demonstrated a positive correlation with C-sections in urban areas of the Dakar region. Geospatial analyses revealed that women residing in slum areas were less likely to undergo C-section deliveries. These findings underscore the importance of public health policies extending beyond merely providing free C-section delivery services. Strategies that improve equitable access to C-section delivery services for women across all socioeconomic strata are needed, particularly targeting the poor women and those in urban slums.
Describing the digital competencies of mathematics teachers: theoretical and empirical considerations on the importance of experience and reflection
Authors: Dilling Frederik , Schneider Rebecca , Weigand Hans-Georg , Witzke Ingo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis article presents an extension of the well-known TPACK model to describe the professional digital competencies of mathematics teachers. The extension leads to what we want to call MPC-model (Media–Pedagogy–Content) in the following. It additionally includes (1) the consideration of competencies instead of knowledge for a holistic description, (2) the integration of professional digital competencies in a broader context of professional media competencies (including explicitly analog and digital teaching media), (3) the description of concrete individual experiences with digital technology in context-bound subjective domains of experience, and (4) the cross-linking of concrete individual experiences about (digital) technology in specific (subjective) domains of experience. In this article, we first present a motivating literature overview leading to the research question: How can the TPACK model be extended to enable a qualitative description of professional digital competencies of mathematics teachers against the background of situated experiences? This extended framework is developed and presented in a detailed theoretical background. In the empirical part of the article, an exemplary application of the MPC-model is carried out in an explicative case study dealing with the reflections of a mathematics teacher on a planned lesson using virtual reality technology in a guided interview. The qualitative data is interpreted according to the systematic-extensional analysis method. The case study illustrates the importance of taking into account concrete situated experiences opening up a new reflective level analyzing the development of professional mathematics-specific digital competencies.
Airborne microplastic contamination across diverse university indoor environments: A comprehensive ambient analysis
Authors: Bhat Mansoor Ahmad 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMicroplastics (MPs) have become a growing concern in the context of environmental pollution, with an increasing focus on their presence in indoor environments, including university facilities. This study investigates the presence and characteristics of MPs in different university indoor environments. Initial examination of indoor ambient MPs involved physical characterization through optical microscopy, focusing on classifying MPs by shape and color. Various types of MPs, including fibers, fragments, pellets, foams, films, and lines, were identified, with the most common colors being black, red, blue, and brown. Fragments were the predominant type of MPs found, although accurately quantifying their numbers proved challenging due to the dense sample content. These MPs displayed rough and irregular margins suggestive of abrasion. Subsequent chemical and elemental characterization was conducted using micro-Raman and SEM-EDX, revealing the presence of 25 different types of MPs, including PA 66, PTFE, PP, HDPE, and PE. The study indicates that university inhabitants are exposed to airborne MPs (≥ 2.5–336.89 μm) at inhalation rates of 13.88–18.51 MPs/m3 and 180–240 MPs daily. These MPs exhibited significant variations in size, and their distribution varied among the different indoor environments studied. SEM-EDX analysis revealed common elements in the identified MPs, with C, O, F, Na, Cl, Al, Si, and others consistently detected. This research is the first to comprehensively analyze MPs in nine different indoor university environments using active sampling. Identifying and reducing MP contamination in these facilities might stimulate more awareness, promote extensive scientific investigation, and facilitate the development of informed policies.
Extraction of Sesquiterpene Lactones from Inula helenium Roots by High-Pressure Homogenization and Effects on Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Antiglycation Activities
Authors: Özcan Fahriye Şeyma , Özcan Nihat , Dikmen Meral Hilal , Çetin Özlem , Çelik Mustafa , Trendafilova Antoaneta 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe sesquiterpene lactones (SL) of Inula helenium (I. helenium) roots were extracted using high-pressure homogenization (HPH) and compared against those derived from maceration. The effect of process conditions on the extraction efficiency of bioactive compounds (alantolactone, isoalantolactone, total phenols, and flavonoids); the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging activity, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and antimicrobial activity of the extract; and the inhibition of advanced glycated end product (AGE) formation were assessed. The HPH of 90 MPa for 4 passes demonstrated the highest alantolactone (38.1 ± 0.7 mg/g) and isoalantolactone yields (34.4 ± 0.2 mg/g), respectively, which were significantly higher than the rates obtained using maceration (20.0 ± 0.2 mg/g and 18.9 ± 0.7 mg/g). Under optimal extraction conditions of 90 MPa for 4 passes, inhibition of AGE formation in the extract reached a rate of 97.16 ± 1.86%, with the highest DPPH and FRAP of 231.63 ± 2.96 µg/mL and 949.43 ± 1.86 µmol TE/100 mL, respectively. HPH exhibited lethal activity against all tested bacteria and fungi strains (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, and Penicillum expansum) at a concentration of 15 µL. SEM results proved that HPH severely damaged the cell structures of roots, increased solvent permeability, and improved the extraction rate of bioactive compounds. Additionally, this study also demonstrated that HPH yields high recovery with a specific energy consumption of 0.22 kWh/kg, which is close to the recommended minimum energy demand for an extraction procedure within industrial production processes. Therefore, these findings showed that HPH can be used as an efficient extraction technique for the production of SL in related industries.
The potential of decentral heat pumps as flexibility option for decarbonised energy systems
Authors: Schöniger Franziska , Mascherbauer Philipp , Resch Gustav , Kranzl Lukas , Haas Reinhard 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDecarbonising the energy system requires high shares of variable renewable generation and sector coupling like power to heat. In addition to heat supply, heat pumps can be used in future energy systems to provide flexibility to the electricity system by using the thermal storage potential of the building stock and buffer tanks to shift electricity demand to hours of high renewable electricity production. Bridging the gap between two methodological approaches, we coupled a detailed building technology operation model and the open-source energy system model Balmorel to evaluate the flexibility potential that decentral heat pumps can provide to the electricity system. Austria in the year 2030 serves as an example of a 100% renewable-based electricity system (at an annual national balance). Results show that system benefits from heat pump flexibility are relatively limited in extent and concentrated on short-term flexibility. Flexible heat pumps reduce system cost, CO2 emissions, and photovoltaics and wind curtailment in all scenarios. The amount of electricity shifted in the assessed standard flexibility scenario is 194 GWhel and accounts for about 20% of the available flexible heat pump electricity demand. A comparison of different modelling approaches and a deterministic sensitivity analysis of key input parameters complement the modelling. The most important input parameters impacting heat pump flexibility are the flexible capacity (determined by installed capacity and share of control), shifting time limitations, and cost assumptions for the flexibility provided. Heat pump flexibility contributes more to increasing low residual loads (up to 22% in the assessed scenarios) than decreasing residual load peaks. Wind power integration benefits more from heat pump flexibility than photovoltaics because of the temporal correlation between heat demand and wind generation.
The Agential View of Misfortune
Authors: Planer Ronald J. , Sterelny Kim 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn many traditional, small-scale societies, death and other misfortunes are commonly explained as a result of others’ malign occult agency. Here, we call this family of epistemic tendencies “the agential view of misfortune.” After reviewing several ethnographic case studies that illustrate this view, we argue that its origins and stability are puzzling from an evolutionary perspective. Not only is the agential view of misfortune false; it imposes costs on individuals and social groups that seem to far outweigh whatever benefits the view might provide. We thus doubt that the agential view of misfortune is explainable in terms of adaptive effects. However, neither does it seem readily explainable as a consequence of belief formation strategies that are on the whole adaptive (as is plausibly the case for certain other of our false beliefs, including some that are costly). Accordingly, we contend that the commonness of the agential view of misfortune demands a special evolutionary explanation of some kind. We provide a partial explanation of this phenomenon by highlighting the adaptive benefits that often flow to occult specialists in environments where the agential view of misfortune is entrenched. What this does not explain, however, is the general lack of resistance we observe in response to occultists’ exploitative behaviours over (cultural) evolutionary timescales. We conclude by canvassing a few possible explanations for this puzzling lack of resistance, and while we commit ourselves to none, we do find one option more promising than the others.
The mediating role of job burnout in the effect of conflict management on work stress in nurses
Authors: Kızılkaya Selman 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn the health sector, which is one of the sectors where human interaction is intense, nurses experience work stress for various reasons. Conflict management skills of nurses have an important role in overcoming the obstacles caused by work stress (such as job burnout). The effect of conflict management on work stress varies according to job burnout. The purpose of this study was to determine the mediating role of job burnout in the effect of conflict management on work stress in nurses. A total of 392 nurses working in Şanlıurfa province in Turkey participated in the study. The survey method was used for the study in which the participants were included between 24.04.2023 and 02.05.2023, both face-to-face and online. The questionnaire includes questions about the personal characteristics of nurses, as well as the General Work Stress Scale, Job Burnout Scale, and Conflict Management Scale as measurement tools. There is a negative and significant relationship between conflict management and work stress (r=) and job burnout. There is a positive and significant relationship between work stress (r=-.574, p < .01) and job burnout (r=-.573, p < .01). It has been determined that job burnout has a mediating role in the effect of conflict management on work stress. It is recommended to develop nurses’ conflict management skills.
Not Relational Enough? Towards an Eco-Relational Approach in Robot Ethics
Authors: Puzio Anna 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWith robots increasingly integrated into various areas of life, the question of relationships with them is gaining prominence. Are friendship and partnership with robots possible? While there is already extensive research on relationships with robots, this article critically examines whether the relationship with non-human entities is sufficiently explored on a deeper level, especially in terms of ethical concepts such as autonomy, agency, and responsibility. In robot ethics, ethical concepts and considerations often presuppose properties such as consciousness, sentience, and intelligence, which are exclusively aligned with humans. I will challenge the understanding of these properties by anchoring them in contexts, bodies, and actions. This approach allows to consider the specific ways of being of various human and non-human entities and to identify these properties in non-human entities as well. My “eco-relational” approach posits that it is crucial to consider the relationality with non-human entities such as animals and technology in central ethical concepts from the beginning. This approach reflects the “eco”, the entire house in which we live including animals and robots. To support this, I examine two dominant approaches in robot ethics within the contemporary Western tradition: the “properties approach” and modestly relational approaches. I will develop an eco-relational approach as an alternative. Employing a phenomenological method, I will demonstrate through various examples that our properties and actions are inherently connected with non-human entities. I will show that robots play a central role in our properties and actions, leading to concepts such as hybrid actions and non-human agency. It becomes clear that technology and our relationships with it disrupt traditional ethical concepts.