bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combined orchiectomy and limb immobilization recapitulate early age‐related changes to skeletal muscle in mice
Authors: Debruin Danielle A. , Murphy Jasmaine , Campelj Dean G. , Bagaric Ryan , Timpani Cara A. , Goodman Craig A. , Hanson Erik D. , Rybalka Emma , Hayes Alan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundMuscle mass and function decline in middle age, ultimately resulting in sarcopenia in the elderly and poor health outcomes, reducing quality of life. There is a lack of cost‐ and time‐effective murine models that recapitulate the physiological changes associated with muscle mass decline to study possible interventions to delay sarcopenia. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combining orchiectomy (ORC) surgery to simulate age‐related androgen decline and hindlimb immobilization (IM) in inducing age‐related skeletal muscle changes.MethodsFour‐month‐old male C57BL/6J mice (n = 10) were subjected to ORC, followed by IM (right hindlimb casting) for 14 days. Upon completion of the casting period, ex vivo muscle contractile function, histology, and various mitochondrial markers were assessed, and results were compared with age‐matched controls (CON; n = 8) and middle‐aged (MA; 12 ± 1 months, n = 9) animals.ResultsIM combined with ORC induced a 30%–40% decrease in muscle mass across multiple hindlimb muscles (P < 0.0001), with the magnitude of muscle loss comparable with the MA group when corrected for body weight (P < 0.0001). In the IM limb of ORC mice, soleus muscle force significantly decreased when compared with the contralateral limb (P < 0.05) and aged‐matched CON group (P < 0.05). The decrements in muscle force and mass present in the IM limb of ORC mice were accompanied by a 70% reduction in the expression of the muscle structural protein dystrophin and various mitochondrial markers, including cytochrome C (−55%), peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma co‐activator 1‐beta (PGC1‐β) (−49%), and cytochrome oxidase IV (COX‐IV) (−73%) when compared with CON animals (P < 0.001). Lastly, our model also demonstrated specific fibre‐type shifts in fast‐ and slow‐twitch muscles, which mimicked changes in the MA group.ConclusionsApplying treatments during IM could target acute muscle atrophy in MA adults, while applying them following cast removal in a low‐testosterone environment could represent a window for rehabilitation therapeutics.
How does equity derivative market affect economic growth? Evidence from the Asia‐Pacific region
Authors: Samarakoon S. M. R. K. , Pradhan Rudra P. , Maradana Rana P. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis research scans the association between economic growth and derivatives markets in the Asia‐Pacific region between 2001 and 2022. Using the autoregressive distributed lag model, we reveal a bidirectional linkage between derivative markets and economic growth. We further demonstrate that both derivatives and stock markets have a strong positive association with economic growth, underscoring the significance of financial markets in driving economic advancement. We suggest policies prioritizing sustainable economic development and regulation of financial markets, particularly derivatives and stock markets, to increase market transparency, reduce information asymmetry, and foster economic growth.
Adaptive output consensus of heterogeneous nonlinear multi‐agent system under random link failures with partially unknown transition rates
Authors: Liu Yaning , Fan Huijin , Liu Lei , Wang Bo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractConsidering the complexity of communication environment in reality, this paper investigates the adaptive output consensus problem for heterogeneous nonlinear multi‐agent system (MAS) under random link failures, in which connection of each link may suffer from link failure. The major challenge lies in dealing with the coupling among different nonlinearities and integrator orders of heterogeneous agents while the distributed communication may fail randomly. Hence, a two‐level distributed adaptive control scheme based on the virtual model‐reference strategy will be presented. In the first level, virtual reference models are constructed to deal with the uncertainties caused by the random link failures, and a distributed consensus control strategy is designed based on the established communication observer of each agent. In the second level, an adaptive backstepping tracking controller drives each agent's output to follow its virtual reference model and compensate for the agent's uncertainties. The mean square stability of the controlled MAS has been rigorously proved. An illustrative example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the given control scheme.
The ReSWARM microgravity flight experiments: Planning, control, and model estimation for on‐orbit close proximity operations
Authors: Doerr Bryce , Albee Keenan , Ekal Monica , Ventura Rodrigo , Linares Richard 
Published: April 2024

AbstractOn‐orbit close proximity operations involve robotic spacecraft maneuvering and making decisions for a growing number of mission scenarios demanding autonomy, including on‐orbit assembly, repair, and astronaut assistance. Of these scenarios, on‐orbit assembly is an enabling technology that will allow large space structures to be built in situ, using smaller building block modules. However, like many of these scenarios, robotic on‐orbit assembly involves several technical hurdles, such as changing system models. For instance, grappled modules moved by a free‐flying “assembler” robot can cause significant changes in the combined system inertia, which have cascading impacts on motion planning and control portions of the autonomy stack. Further, on‐orbit assembly and other scenarios require collision‐avoiding motion planning, particularly when operating in a “construction site” scenario of multiple assembler robots and structures. Multiple key technologies that address these complicating factors for autonomous microgravity close proximity operations are detailed in this work, in particular: (1) application of global long‐horizon planning, accomplished using offline and online sampling‐based planner options that consider the system dynamics; (2) adaptation of the recently proposed RATTLE information‐aware planning framework for on‐orbit reconfiguration model learning; and (3) connection with robust control tools to provide low‐level control robustness using current system knowledge. These approaches were demonstrated for an autonomous on‐orbit assembly use case by the RElative Satellite sWarming and Robotic Maneuvering (ReSWARM) experiments using NASA's Astrobee robots on the International Space Station. Results of the ReSWARM experiments are provided along with significant operational and implementation detail discussing the practicalities of hardware implementation and unique aspects of working with the Astrobee free‐flyer robots in microgravity. ReSWARM provides a base set of planning and control tools for robotic close proximity operations, demonstrates them in microgravity, and outlines some of the important hardware aspects that future autonomous free‐flyers will need to consider.
Flood modeling in the Ba River basin using a coupled hydrodynamic model—MIKE FLOOD
Authors: Tuan Luc Anh , Van Can Thu , Binh Doan Van , Kantoush Sameh A. , Sumi Tetsuya , Quyen Le Van , Huong Ta Thi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe problem of flooding in Central Vietnam in general and the lower Ba River in particular is one of the natural disasters that frequently threatens people's lives and socioeconomic development in the region. Especially, climate change is becoming ever more prominent and hotter, making extreme natural disasters more unusual and unpredictable. In this research, MIKE‐FLOOD—a model that connects a 1‐dimensional (1‐D) MIKE 11 Hydrodynamics (HD) model with a 2‐dimensional (2‐D) MIKE 21 HD model—was used to set up. The model was calculated for three floods: (1) flood in October 1993, (2) flood in November 2003, and (3) flood in November 2007; these are floods with high frequency and relatively large magnitude. The results show that the 1993 flood rose and receded quickly. The flood peak inundated an area of 22,600 ha, accounting for 52% of the natural area. The flooded areas deeper than 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 m were 16500, 11,000, 7000, 4200, and 2200 ha, respectively. In the center of Tuy Hoa city, the flooded area at the time of maximum water level was almost 100%.
Promoting sustainable urban mobility via automated sidewalk defect detection
Authors: Yussif Abdul‐Mugis , Zayed Tarek , Taiwo Ridwan , Fares Ali 
Published: April 2024

AbstractEncouraging sustainable mobility through sidewalk condition improvement is a critical concern for urban transportation. Sidewalk condition affects pedestrian safety, satisfaction, and mobility inclusiveness. Early sidewalk defect detection and repair ensure transport justice by addressing pedestrian inequality caused by walkability issues. This study presents novel Sidewalk Defect Detection Models (SDDMs) using computer vision to identify and delineate sidewalk defect boundaries accurately. The SDDMs provide a cost‐effective and efficient sidewalk inspection method, achieving high accuracy in recognizing defects for concrete and brick materials (mIoU of 0.91 and mAP of 0.99 for concrete, mIoU of 0.90, and mAP of 0.97 for brick). Integrated with Google Street View for data acquisition, it offers a rapid solution for monitoring sidewalk conditions remotely, promoting sustainability through timely repairs. This research provides significant advancements in urban planning and transport research, ultimately improving pedestrian safety and satisfaction. Thus, it makes human settlements more inclusive, safe, and sustainable.
Continuing to Put People First: Embedding community investment in the sustainability standards of international financial institutions
Authors: Gulakov Ilya , Vanclay Frank 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWe discuss environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations in international development projects, especially those funded by the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC). Their social safeguard policies were adopted because of neglect of social impacts by projects. Although development assistance goals have shifted from economic growth towards poverty reduction and shared prosperity, mitigating adverse impacts of projects does not necessarily address the multiple dimensions of poverty or the Sustainable Development Goals. ‘Do no harm’ has limited ability to achieve social development objectives. Instead, a significant contribution to international development could come by embedding community investment in the environmental and social frameworks of international financial institutions, and social impact assessment and international development practise. This would ensure that projects contribute to improving the lives of project affected peoples. We propose changes to the IFC Performance Standards that could be implemented by other multilateral development banks and in the Equator Principles.
Sustainable performance measurement through digital transformation within the sustainable development framework: The mediating effect of supply chain concentration
Authors: Sun Le , Ong Tze San , Teh Boon Heng , Di Vaio Assunta 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis study establishes a conceptual framework, “digital transformation – supply chain concentration – sustainable performance”, to address the existing knowledge gap and elucidate the nuanced connections between digital transformation, supply chain concentration, and sustainable performance. Indeed, the existing body of literature does not offer detailed analyses of the pathways and effects concerning the interplay among the three dimensions within the sustainable development framework. The model's foundation is rooted in stakeholder theory. By examining a sample of 3947 listed Chinese firms, this study's results highlight a noteworthy link between digital transformation and enhanced sustainable performance, assessed through the triple bottom line framework, thus helping to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), such as the eighth and ninth SDGs. This improvement is attributed to reducing supply chain concentration and promoting a diversified supply chain configuration. Furthermore, the correlation between digital transformation and sustainable performance settings demonstrates significant heterogeneity. This study enhances stakeholder theory by demonstrating that digital transformation and supply chain concentration contribute to sustainable performance, supporting the eighth and ninth SDGs and offering managers a pathway for sustainable development. It also calls for policies that promote digital transformation and diversified supply chains to improve societal welfare and sustainability practices.
Is personal income associated with attitudes towards climate change risk? A moderated mediation analysis for the UK from 2009 to 2020
Authors: Liu Ting , Shryane Nick , Elliot Mark 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the effect of personal income on attitudes towards climate change risk, considering the mediator of responsibility attribution (RA) for climate change and the moderator of educational attainment. Using a latent growth curve model applied to data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study dataset from 2009 to 2020, this study indicated that personal income growth heightens the likelihood of expressing concern about climate change while reducing the propensity for holding sceptical or paradoxical attitudes over time. Attributing climate change to personal behaviour mediated the income‐attitude relationship. Significant differences in the mediation effect were observed between individuals who had received a university education and those who had not, even after controlling for covariates such as age, sex, political affiliation and employment status. These findings suggest that climate campaign emphasising RA can address attitude disparities across income and education strata, further promoting sustainable climate action and mitigation.
Suppressing Deep‐Level Trap Toward Over 13% Efficient Solution‐Processed Kesterite Solar Cell
Authors: Li Yingfen , Jian Yue , Huang Fang , Zhou Nian , Chai Wanqiu , Hu Juguang , Zhao Jun , Su Zhenghua , Chen Shuo , Liang Guangxing 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCu2ZnSn (S,Se)4 (CZTSSe), a promising absorption material for thin‐film solar cells, still falls short of reaching the balance limit efficiency due to the presence of various defects and high defect concentration in the thin film. During the high‐temperature selenization process of CZTSSe, the diffusion of various elements and chemical reactions significantly influence defect formation. In this study, a NaOH‐Se intermediate layer introduced at the back interface can optimize Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS)precursor films and subsequently adjust the Se and alkali metal content to favor grain growth during selenization. Through this back interface engineering, issues such as non‐uniform grain arrangement on the surface, voids in bulk regions, and poor contact at the back interface of absorber layers are effectively addressed. This method not only optimizes morphology but also suppresses deep‐level defect formation, thereby promoting carrier transport at both interfaces and bulk regions of the absorber layer. Consequently, CZTSSe devices with a NaOH‐Se intermediate layer improved fill factor, open‐circuit voltage, and efficiency by 13.3%. This work initiates from precursor thin films via back interface engineering to fabricate high‐quality absorber layers while advancing the understanding regarding the role played by intermediate layers at the back interface of kesterite solar cells.
Efforts of implementing ultra‐flexible thin‐film encapsulation for optoelectronic devices based on atomic layer deposition technology
Authors: Wang Guanran , Duan Yu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractFlexible, wearable electronics are the future of electronics. Although organic photovoltaic devices have the advantages of high efficiency, low cost, and flexibility, they face the problem of failure due to the effects of water vapor in the environment. Therefore, the development of encapsulation films with outstanding mechanical and encapsulation properties is the key to realizing wearable devices. This review provides an overview of the development of thin‐film encapsulation (TFE), the application of TFE in the field of optoelectronics, recent advances in the field of flexible encapsulation with TFE using atomic layer deposition technology, and an outlook on future trends in the field of flexible encapsulation with TFE using atomic layer deposition technology.
Experimental and simulation study on seismic performance of steel‐PVA hybrid fiber cementitious composites‐encased CFST
Authors: Li Wei , Chen Feng , Cen Kaiwen , Wang Zhexiong , Li Linfeng , Sun Linzhu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSix hybrid steel and PVA fiber cementitious composite (S&PFCC)‐encased concrete‐filled steel tube (CFST) columns were designed and fabricated, and the effects of axial compression ratio, core concrete strength grade and steel tube thickness on the seismic performance of composite columns were studied. The test results show that the increase of core concrete strength can obviously improve the bearing capacity and energy dissipation capacity of composite column and can restrain the strain growth rate of steel tube after yielding. Low axial compression ratio and thicker steel tube thickness can improve the overall seismic performance of composite columns. Three calculation methods are modified, and the modified An method can predict the lateral bearing capacity of composite column well. Finally, based on the OpenSees finite element software, the seismic performance of the CFST column wrapped in S&PFCC is simulated to verify the test, and the numerical study shows that the seismic performance of the composite column can be optimized by increasing the steel fiber content, while PVA fiber has a weak effect in the elastic stage, and can effectively improve the ductility of the composite column in the plastic stage.
Long‐term outcomes of the Italian Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis control programme for dairy cattle
Authors: Musolino Noemi , Rampacci Elisa , Tolasi Cecilia , Beccati Francesca , Passamonti Fabrizio 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe considerable epidemiological and economic implications of paratuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), have placed importance on control efforts aimed at preventing MAP transmission. In this context, Italy issued national guidelines for the control and status certification of MAP in dairy cattle in 2013.MethodsWe assessed the long‐term outcomes of the Italian MAP control programme for 14 dairy farms located in northern Italy by retrospectively reviewing the results of yearly serological tests, presence of clinical cases, MAP faecal shedding in serologically positive animals, farm management and health ranking as indicators of herd health between 2014 and 2021.ResultsA significantly higher number of serologically positive animals were observed between 2014 and 2016 than between 2017 and 2021, as well as an improving trend in the paratuberculosis health ranking for nine of the 14 farms. No clinical cases were reported. MAP shedding was detected in 9.4% of serologically positive animals. Discarding colostrum and prioritised culling of seropositive animals assisted by adoption of standardised serological testing were presumed to have a key role in MAP control, despite the reluctance of some farmers to address hygienic issues and improve the separation of calves from adult animals.LimitationsThe small number of farms included in this study and the fact that these were not randomly selected may limit the generalisability of the findings.ConclusionsThe Italian paratuberculosis control plan has provided measures to limit the uncontrolled spread of MAP infection within and between herds by promoting animal trading between farms certified as negative or low risk.
Resilient and Sustainable AI. Positioning paper on the relation of AI, resilience and sustainability
Authors: Wehlmann Christian Zinke 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn the contemporary debate, surrounding the future of work and life, Artificial Intelligence (AI), resilience, and sustainability have emerged as pivotal concepts. Within the industrial realm, their collective convergence is driving unprecedented transformative shifts, challenging traditional paradigms. This positioning paper delves into the intricate interlinkages binding these three paradigms. Examples such as AI-driven automation, enhancing efficiency, and predictive maintenance, reducing machinery downtime, underscore the transformative role of AI in the industry. Meanwhile, an increasing emphasis on environmental responsibility highlights the growing importance of sustainability in the industrial sector. Resilience, embodied through the ability to withstand crises and maintain strong supply chains, is equally essential. The article also delves deep into the specific relations between AI, sustainability and resilience. By weaving these concepts together, the paper aims to provide a holistic perspective on the interconnectedness, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach in the modern industry to ensure not only technological advancement but also a resilient and sustainable future.
Investigation of Atmospheric Anomalies due to the Great Tohoku Earthquake Disturbance Using NRLMSISE-00 Atmospheric Model Measurement
Authors: Endeshaw Lake 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn this study, the atmospheric changes for the 9.0-magnitude Tohoku earthquake, which occurred on March 11, 2011, are analyzed. The March 11, 2011 earthquake was preceded by a large foreshock on March 09, 2011 with magnitude M 7.3 and depth 32 km at 02:45:20 UT near the east coast of Honshu, Japan. The earthquake doesn’t limit its effects on the Earth’s lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere; it also extends its effects to the atmosphere because of the gas emissions, which produce large-scale seismic waves from the ground and release gases into the atmosphere. In this study, the anomalies of the atmospheric parameters are studied by using one of the atmospheric models from the Naval Research Laboratory Mass Spectrometer Incoherent Scatter Extension 2000 (NRLMSISE-00) model data to analyze the atmospheric anomalies of the Tohoku Earthquake on March 11, 2011. The atmospheric parameters of atomic oxygen (O), hydrogen (H), atomic nitrogen (N), helium (He), argon (Ar), molecular oxygen (O2), molecular nitrogen (N2), total mass density (ρ), neutral temperature (Tn), exospheric temperature (Tex) and anomalous oxygen (AO) are used for analysis during the earthquake occurrence. The epicenter of the Tohoku earthquake, with a geographical location of latitude 38.30° N and longitude 142.37° E, is used for the NRLMSISE-00 model as input parameters to analyze the output of atmospheric parameters. To compare the atmospheric changes caused by the earthquake, 5 days before and after the earthquake are considered. To detect where the atmospheric parameters increased or decreased from the earthquake day, the percentage deviation of the NRLMSISE-00 model is applied. The results indicate that there were atmospheric parameter anomalies that occurred a few days before, following and during the earthquake on March 11, 2011. Except for hydrogen (H), all atmospheric parameters average daily percentage deviation values were positive during the 5 days before and after with respect to the main earthquake shock on March 11, 2011. The NRLMSISE-00 model can capture the atmospheric parameter anomalies of the Tohoku earthquake well.