bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved performance of solar cells using chemically synthesized SnSe nanosheets as light absorption layers
Authors: Mukai Kohki , Wanibuchi Ryosuke , Nunomura Yuto 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWe report the method to fabricate SnSe nanosheet (NSs) coated solar cells with very high performance compared to similar solar cells previously reported using chemically synthesized SnSe nanocrystals. SnSe NSs do not contain toxic metals and are promising materials for the top layer of tandem solar cells. SnSe NSs synthesized using the hot injection method were not suitable for coating as a light absorption layer because of their nonuniform size and tendency to aggregate. The one-pot synthesis produced SnSe NSs with uniform size, making them suitable for fabricating flat and homogeneous films when mixed with conductive polymers. The photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.8% was achieved using films with a sheet coverage of 14.2% of SnSe NSs. The PCE value was nearly two orders of magnitude higher than that of previous similar SnSe-coated solar cells. SnSe NSs coated films, which can be easily produced unlike vapor phase methods, were shown to have the potential to make an important contribution to the field of photovoltaic power generation.
Influence of vanadium and dysprosium co-doping on phase stability, microstructure, and electrical properties of Bi2O3
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed H. , Abbas Yehia M. , Ali Marwa H. , Ayoub H. A. , Aldoori Mustafa 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHerein, we report the synthesis of Dy–V co-doped Bi2O3 ceramics using the solid–state processing technique under atmospheric conditions. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns demonstrate the stability of the cubic fluorite δ-Bi2O3 in the V-rich ceramics. However, in Dy-rich ceramics, a mixture of phases, including α and δ, gradually diminishes with increased mutual dopant concentrations, suggesting a transition to the single fcc δ-phase with Fm-3 m space group. According to the Rietveld analysis and electron density representation, it is evident that there are no impure peaks present in α-Bi2O3, which highlights the clear transition to the δ-phase polymorphs. The DTA curves for samples M4 and M7 display a distinct endothermic peak at temperatures around 724.5 and 744.5 °C, indicating a phase transition from the monoclinic α-phase to the cubic δ-phase. These peaks are also attributed to an order-disorder transition (ODT). The FESEM micrographs consistently revealed the existence of irregular and aggregated grains, with an average grain size ranging from 0.80 to 5.57 μm. The level of aggregation became more apparent with the escalation of Dy3+ doping, as opposed to the 5–20 wt% V loading. Moreover, the as-sintered pellets M2 demonstrated the absence of any pore formation compared to other samples, confirming a remarkably high degree of densification. As a result, the as-sintered pellets have a low level of void space, with an apparent porosity of no more than 2.5%. Based on the conductivity measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Bi0.85V0.10Dy0.05O1.5 exhibits the highest electrical conductivity of 0.965 (Ω cm)−1 and an optimal activation energy of 0.537 eV at 627 °C compared to other prepared compositions. This remarkable performance is attributed to the high polarizability and mixed valence cations, especially in V5+-rich ceramics, compared to the Dy3+-rich compositions with a reduced conductivity of 0.010 to 0.097 (Ω cm)−1. The Nyquist plots indicate that impedance decreases with vanadium doping increases until it reaches Bi0.85V0.10Dy0.05O1.5. Higher Dy3+ content increases impedance, leading to lower cell performance. The typical composition can be a solid electrolyte in SOFCs operating at moderate temperatures.
Development of flexible PVDF/ BaTiO3-MoS2 polymer nanocomposites for energy harvesting and gas sensing applications
Authors: Parangusan Hemalatha , Al-Sowaidi Dana , Elhadrami El-Hassan , Ponnamma Deepalekshmi , Bhadra Jolly 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe need for flexible and wearable devices is quite great in the modern era of advanced electronics and the Internet of Things (IoT). Here, we present a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/Barium Titanate–Molybdenum Disulfide (BaTiO3–MoS2) composite-based flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) with an improved electroactive phase. The electroactive, β-phase of the PVDF is shown to increase with the addition of BaTiO3–MoS2 fillers as a result of the filler’s good interfacial interaction with the polymer matrix. The improved electroactive phase in the PVDF matrix was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction method and FTIR analysis of the composite films. The uniform dispersion of filler particles in the polymer matrix was confirmed by a scanning electron microscopy analysis. The developed piezoelectric nanogenerator device generated peak-to-peak output voltage of 4.9 V with a high dielectric constant of 22 and a low dielectric loss of 4.7. The fabricated gas sensor can perform at room temperature and exhibits good gas sensing performance toward the NH3 gas. It was found that, compared to all other samples, the composite PVDF/BaTiO3–MoS2 films had a high level of sensitivity. Additionally, the composite films showed response and recovery times of 11 and 17 s. The composite based on PVDF/BaTiO3–MoS2 is a suitable material for NH3 sensor applications.
A Fast Monte Carlo Algorithm for Evaluating Matrix Functions with Application in Complex Networks
Authors: Guidotti Nicolas L. , Acebrón Juan A. , Monteiro José 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWe propose a novel stochastic algorithm that randomly samples entire rows and columns of the matrix as a way to approximate an arbitrary matrix function using the power series expansion. This contrasts with existing Monte Carlo methods, which only work with one entry at a time, resulting in a significantly better convergence rate than the original approach. To assess the applicability of our method, we compute the subgraph centrality and total communicability of several large networks. In all benchmarks analyzed so far, the performance of our method was significantly superior to the competition, being able to scale up to 64 CPU cores with remarkable efficiency.
The 2022–2023 seismic sequence onshore South Evia, central Greece: evidence for activation of a left-lateral strike-slip fault and regional triggering of seismicity
Authors: Serpetsidaki Anna , Ganas Athanassios 
Published: April 2024

AbstractOn 29 November 2022, an earthquake of ML 5.0 (Mw 4.8) occurred onshore South Evia Island (central Greece) preceded by a ML 4.7 (Mw 4.6) event. The pattern of relocated aftershocks indicates the activation of a single, near-vertical fault segment, oriented NW-SE at shallow crustal depths (6–11 km). We suggest that both events ruptured a blind, left-lateral strike-slip fault, about 5 km southeast of village Almyropotamos. We observed that a clear foreshock activity (N=55 events) existed before the two moderate events. The impact of the static stress loading on neighboring fault planes diminishes after a distance of 7 km from the November 2022 epicenters, where the static stress falls below +0.1 bar. We further explore triggering relationships between the 29 November events and the late December 2022 moderate events (ML 4.9) that occurred about 60 km toward NW in the Psachna and Vlahia regions of central Evia. We present evidence of possible delayed dynamic triggering of the late December 2022 central Evia sequence, based on marked changes in seismicity rates and on measured peak ground velocities (PGVs) and peak dynamic strains, both exhibiting local maxima in their map distributions. The causes of the delayed triggering may be related to the well-known geothermal field in central/north Evia and the NW-SE strike of the seismic fault.
Multi-Model UNet: An Adversarial Defense Mechanism for Robust Visual Tracking
Authors: Suttapak Wattanapong , Zhang Jianfu , Zhao Haohuo , Zhang Liqing 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCurrently, state-of-the-art object-tracking algorithms are facing a severe threat from adversarial attacks, which can significantly undermine their performance. In this research, we introduce MUNet, a novel defensive model designed for visual tracking. This model is capable of generating defensive images that can effectively counter attacks while maintaining a low computational overhead. To achieve this, we experiment with various configurations of MUNet models, finding that even a minimal three-layer setup significantly improves tracking robustness when the target tracker is under attack. Each model undergoes end-to-end training on randomly paired images, which include both clean and adversarial noise images. This training separately utilizes pixel-wise denoiser and feature-wise defender. Our proposed models significantly enhance tracking performance even when the target tracker is attacked or the target frame is clean. Additionally, MUNet can simultaneously share its parameters on both template and search regions. In experimental results, the proposed models successfully defend against top attackers on six benchmark datasets, including OTB100, LaSOT, UAV123, VOT2018, VOT2019, and GOT-10k. Performance results on all datasets show a significant improvement over all attackers, with a decline of less than 4.6% for every benchmark metric compared to the original tracker. Notably, our model demonstrates the ability to enhance tracking robustness in other blackbox trackers.
The Scream: Lament as a Way to Hear Silence Into Speech
Authors: Cooke Amanda 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn this article, I discuss Edvard Munch’s iconic artwork, The Scream, as a contemplation on the voicelessness of intense suffering and the power of lament. I first recall a clinical case in the hospital setting where a patient was lamenting but lacked compassionate witnesses to understand her lament. I then discuss Munch’s iterative process for creating The Scream and explore questions that this masterpiece evokes. Painted in 1893, the work resonates with its viewers, powerfully representing human anguish, anxiety, and existential dread. I review Munch’s biography and upbringing, suggesting that Munch’s painting is his own attempt at having the viewer witness his own lament—a witness he did not have in his childhood. After reflecting on The Scream and Munch’s upbringing, I discuss theologian John Swinton’s work on lament. He asserts that lament is a faithful response to suffering and can restore the sufferer’s faith and relationship with God. I assert that a similar framework, such as asking patients to speak their own illness narrative, should be further explored as an important part of modern holistic medical care.
Site-scale soil conditions influencing the decline of Aleppo pine stands in Mediterranean Spanish woodland
Authors: Gómez-Sanz Valentín , Gastón Aitor , García-Viñas Juan Ignacio , Serrada-Hierro Rafael 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background and aims
Decline in tree species is a complex phenomenon involving multiple factors, among edaphic conditions are assumed to play an important role as factor of predisposition of forests to this process. In this regard, scarce information exists on the effects of the internal variability of the soil with depth on the predisposition to decline, an aspect that requires further evaluation.

Methods
Characterization of the internal variability of soil was carried out at 20 sites (10 with evidence of decline and 10 with no signs of decline) and the results analyzed to determine their role in modulating the effect of drought, which is the main cause of the observed decline in Aleppo pine stands in the Comunidad Valenciana (Spain).

Results
The soil properties found to be the most explanatory were those associated with soil quality in terms of available space for root exploration, which is vital for nutrition and, above all, water uptake. Episodes of decline are associated with stands where soils have a shallow effective depth due to a low degree of profile development or through marked textural anisotropy because of particularly clayey horizons that cause abrupt changes in permeability and aeration.

Conclusion
The internal variability of the soil, closely linked to the degree of pedogenetic development, is identified as a factor that plays an important role in predisposing the vegetation to the effects of drought.
Biochar application for enhancing water and nitrogen use efficiency of understory acacia species in a suburban native forest subjected to nitrogen deposition in Southeast Queensland
Authors: Sun Weiling , Li Yinan , Xu Zhihong , Bai Yifan , Bai Shahla Hosseini 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Purpose
The fuel reduction prescribed burning and biochar application can have significant impacts on water and nitrogen (N) use efficiency of understory acacia species as well as soil carbon (C) and N pools in a suburban native forest subject to N deposition in Southeast Queensland, Australia.

Methods
We evaluated the impact of biochar application rates (0, 5.0 and 10.0 t biochar per hectare) and prescribed burning on soil-plant interactions in carbon (C) and N cycling in a suburban native forest in the first two years of biochar application or three and half years of the recently prescribed burning.

Results
Anthropogenic N deposition not only enhanced N losses caused by N leaching and denitrification, but also inhibited biological N fixation (BNF) by increasing N availability in forest systems. The Acacia leiocalyx with higher water use efficiency was more inclined to utilize easily available N resources (from N deposition), compared with A. disparismma. In this study, biochar application could indeed reduce N loss in forest soil and improve soil fertility by improving plant water and N use efficiency. Meanwhile, soil moisture content affected by biochar application also influenced soil N transformations by affecting soil microbial activity.

Conclusion
For urban forest soils, the high N availability caused by N deposition could inhibit the BNF in a suburban native forest ecosystem. The high-porosity physical structure of biochar applied increased the soil water content and soil N retention capacity.
Ethnic fertility and exposure to armed conflict: the case of Sri Lanka
Authors: Sharma Manasvi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis paper investigates the impact of exposure to armed conflict on fertility in Sri Lanka. Using a difference-in-difference methodology, I find that exposure to civil war led to a reduction in female fertility in Sri Lanka, with evidence of an increased female age at marriage in high-conflict districts as a mechanism. The paper further focuses on ethnic disparities in demographic adjustments triggered by exposure to conflict. It determines if conflict altered the fertility patterns of the Sinhalese majority and the Sri Lankan Tamil minority differently. Estimates suggest that there is a differential in fertility adjustments of the two ethnic groups in response to conflict: the reduction in crude birth rate was significantly smaller for the Sri Lankan Tamils compared to the Sinhalese across various model specifications. The presence of an ethnic group-level replacement effect led to a lesser reduction in fertility for Sri Lankan Tamils. These results contribute to the literature on the impact of armed conflict and underscore the importance of studying demographic adjustments by sub-groups, specifically ethnicity in this context, as the intensity of adjustment often varies with the socio-political vulnerability of the group. Understanding these disparities is crucial as a sustained demographic differential has the potential to impact the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka and may further crystallize the ethnic divide in an already volatile political setting.
Endocrine involvement in hepatic glycogen storage diseases: pathophysiology and implications for care
Authors: Rossi Alessandro , Simeoli Chiara , Pivonello Rosario , Salerno Mariacarolina , Rosano Carmen , Brunetti Barbara , Strisciuglio Pietro , Colao Annamaria , Parenti Giancarlo , Melis Daniela , Derks Terry G.J. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHepatic glycogen storage diseases constitute a group of disorders due to defects in the enzymes and transporters involved in glycogen breakdown and synthesis in the liver. Although hypoglycemia and hepatomegaly are the primary manifestations of (most of) hepatic GSDs, involvement of the endocrine system has been reported at multiple levels in individuals with hepatic GSDs. While some endocrine abnormalities (e.g., hypothalamic‑pituitary axis dysfunction in GSD I) can be direct consequence of the genetic defect itself, others (e.g., osteopenia in GSD Ib, insulin-resistance in GSD I and GSD III) may be triggered by the (dietary/medical) treatment. Being aware of the endocrine abnormalities occurring in hepatic GSDs is essential (1) to provide optimized medical care to this group of individuals and (2) to drive research aiming at understanding the disease pathophysiology. In this review, a thorough description of the endocrine manifestations in individuals with hepatic GSDs is presented, including pathophysiological and clinical implications.
Creative management: a framework for designing multifunctional play biotopes - lessons from a Scandinavian landscape laboratory
Authors: Wiström Björn , Mårtensson Fredrika , Ode Sang Åsa , Litsmark Anna , Hedblom Marcus 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMost children grow up in urbanised settings with a low possibility to experience biodiversity and nature. However, experiencing nature and other species increases children’s wellbeing, health, learning abilities and their understanding of nature values. Play biotopes is one solution for supporting a co-existence between children and different species in nature-based play settings. Play biotopes are based on ecological theories, where structures in the morphology of landscapes at different scales and the content of flora and fauna can support children’s interplay with a part of the landscape. However, traditional landscape management is not adapted to support the dynamic nature of play biotopes, especially when considering multiple scales. This makes it interesting to explore more dynamic management concepts arching over multiple scales. Accordingly, we here explore creative management as a scale-based framework for design by management to further develop the concept of play biotopes. Using examples from a landscape laboratory in southern Sweden, we propose that a creative management framework combining the scales of landscape, biotope, place, and object together with play connectivity can support the creation and management of multifunctional play biotopes.
Uncertain Benefits of Using Remotely Sensed Evapotranspiration for Streamflow Estimation—Insights From a Randomized, Large-Sample Experiment
Authors: Do Hong Xuan , Nguyen Hung T.T. , Tran Vinh Ngoc , Le Manh-Hung , Nguyen Binh Quang , Pham Hung T. , Le Tu Hoang , Van Binh Doan , Dang Thanh Duc , Tran Hoang , Nguyen Tam V. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractRemotely sensed evapotranspiration (ETRS) shows promise for enhancing hydrological models, especially in regions lacking in situ streamflow observations. However, model calibration studies showed conflicting results regarding the ability of ETRS products to improve streamflow simulation. Rather than relying on model calibration, here we produce the first randomized experiment that explores the full streamflow–ET skill distribution, and also the first probabilistic assessment of the value of different global ETRS products for streamflow simulation. Using 280,000 randomized SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model runs across seven catchments and four ETRS products, we show that the relationship between ET and streamflow skills is complex, and simultaneous improvement in both skills is only possible in a limited range. Parameter sensitivity analysis indicates that the most sensitive parameters can have opposite contributions to ET and streamflow skills, leading to skill trade-offs. Conditional probability assessment reveals that models with good ET skills are likely to produce good streamflow skills, but not vice versa. We suggest that randomized experiments such as ours should be performed before model calibration to determine whether using ETRS is worthwhile, and to help in interpreting the calibration results.
Genome-wide analysis of hepatic DNA methylation reveals impact of epigenetic aging on xenobiotic metabolism and transport genes in an aged mouse model
Authors: Abudahab Sara , Kronfol Mohamad M. , Dozmorov Mikhail G. , Campbell Thomas , Jahr Fay M. , Nguyen Jasmine , AlAzzeh Ola , Al Saeedy Dalia Y. , Victor Ashley , Lee Sera , Malay Shravani , Lapato Dana M. , Halquist Matthew S. , McRae MaryPeace , Deshpande Laxmikant S. , Slattum Patricia W. , Price Elvin T. , McClay Joseph L. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHepatic xenobiotic metabolism and transport decline with age, while intact xenobiotic metabolism is associated with longevity. However, few studies have examined the genome-wide impact of epigenetic aging on these processes. We used reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) to map DNA methylation changes in liver DNA from mice ages 4 and 24 months. We identified several thousand age-associated differentially methylated sites (a-DMS), many of which overlapped genes encoding Phase I and Phase II drug metabolizing enzymes, in addition to ABC and SLC classes of transporters. Notable genes harboring a-DMS were Cyp1a2, Cyp2d9, and Abcc2 that encode orthologs of the human drug metabolizing enzymes CYP1A2 and CYP2D6, and the multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) transporter. Cyp2d9 hypermethylation with age was significantly associated with reduced gene expression, while Abcc2 expression was unchanged with age. Cyp1a2 lost methylation with age while, counterintuitively, its expression also reduced with age. We hypothesized that age-related dysregulation of the hepatic transcriptional machinery caused down-regulation of genes despite age-related hypomethylation. Bioinformatic analysis of hypomethylated a-DMS in our sample found them to be highly enriched for hepatic nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) binding sites. HNF4α promotes Cyp1a2 expression and is downregulated with age, which could explain the reduction in Cyp1a2 expression. Overall, our study supports the broad impact of epigenetic aging on xenobiotic metabolism and transport. Future work should evaluate the interplay between hepatic nuclear receptor function and epigenetic aging. These results may have implications for studies of longevity and healthy aging.