bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Current Scenario and Future Perspectives of Renewable and Sustainable Energy in India: Progress and its Challenges
Authors: A. S. Sikarwar  , N. A. Ansari  , P. Singh  
Published: March 2024

Energy is a key force behind both social and economic advancement. The scientific advancements in numerous industrial, governmental, and municipal activities have significantly increased the energy demand. The main reasons behind the efficient utilization of renewable energy sources (RESs) are the rapidly increasing rates of energy demand and fuel prices, as well as the requirement to control greenhouse gas emissions. In reality, meeting the world’s growing energy requirements and preventing climate change are now of greatest concern. This review paper provides a thorough overview of the creation and growth of renewable and sustainable energy sources, including information on their types, traits, benefits, and drawbacks. This review specifically discusses the situation and future potential of renewable and sustainable energy sources in India. The growth of RESs can have a substantial impact on the economic development of India, in addition to creating employment possibilities related to harnessing energy from RESs.
Evaluating Policy to Research Fellowship programmes
Authors: Buckley Nicola , Oliver Kathryn 
Published: March 2024

Background:
This paper provides insights into ‘Policy to Research’ (P2R) Fellowships and related programmes within the ‘relationship’ model of academic–policy engagement, which provide structured opportunities for policy officials to interact with academic researchers.

Aims and objectives:
Information is provided on P2R Fellowship and similar programmes in the UK, Europe and North America. The research questions concern the aims, features and intended outcomes of P2R Fellowship programmes; what can be learned from evaluations of these programmes; and whether value for money for these programmes can be deduced. The authors then aim to provide guidance for an evaluation framework.

Methods:
Programmes were identified through a subset of data gathered on research–policy engagement initiatives in a recent mapping exercise. This was supplemented via Google search. Published data on organisational websites is presented in a table, where data was checked by email with programme managers, who were also asked to provide additional evaluation documents.

Findings:
Twenty-four P2R Fellowship programmes were located. Eleven programme managers confirmed information provided in Table 1. Evaluation documents were provided for five programmes. An average cost of providing a P2R Fellowship was estimated at around £5,000 for each Fellow. Five common aims for P2R Fellowship programmes were identified.

Discussion and conclusion:
Quantitative and qualitative evaluations available from the 24 programmes are reviewed. The comparative lack of published evaluation data is discussed, and recommendations made for an evaluation framework for P2R Fellowships, to build understanding of how to intervene successfully to support a research-for-policy system which delivers for all.
Polymer-based three-waveguide polarization beam splitter with reduced crosstalk for optical circuitry
Authors: Alam Md Koushik , Afsary Noor , Nijhum Zarin Tasnim , Rasel Md Omar Faruk 
Published: March 2024

Polarization beam splitters are pivotal in manipulating polarized light within photonic
integrated circuits for various optical applications. This study
introduces a single-mode polarization beam splitter comprising three
waveguides realized with polymer materials. The device optimization
process employed the beam propagation method, explicitly using the
RSoft CAD BeamProp solver. Our proposed beam splitter performs
exceptionally well with 99% complete and null light transmission
efficiency. In particular, it demonstrates minimal insertion loss
(0.04 dB for complete transmission and 0.07 dB for null
transmission) and low coupling loss (0.03 dB and 0.04 dB
for complete transmission, 21.9 dB and 36.3 dB for null
transmission from input to bridge and bridge to output waveguides,
respectively). Additionally, the beam splitter showcases significantly
reduced crosstalk: −27dB and −26.98dB for TE modes during complete light
transfer, and −36.28dB and −33.61dB for TM modes during null light
transfer. These results underscore its potential for advancing
integrated optical systems.
Advancing large-scale thin-film PPLN nonlinear photonics with segmented tunable micro-heaters
Authors: Li Xiaoting , Li Haochuan , Wang Zhenzheng , Chen Zhaoxi , Ma Fei , Zhang Ke , Sun Wenzhao , Wang Cheng 
Published: March 2024

Thin-film periodically poled lithium niobate (TF-PPLN) devices have recently gained prominence for efficient wavelength conversion processes in both classical and quantum applications. However, the patterning and poling of TF-PPLN devices today are mostly performed at chip scales, presenting a significant bottleneck for future large-scale nonlinear photonic systems that require the integration of multiple nonlinear components with consistent performance and low cost. Here, we take a pivotal step towards this goal by developing a wafer-scale TF-PPLN nonlinear photonic platform, leveraging ultraviolet stepper lithography and an automated poling process. To address the inhomogeneous broadening of the quasi-phase matching (QPM) spectrum induced by film thickness variations across the wafer, we propose and demonstrate segmented thermal optic tuning modules that can precisely adjust and align the QPM peak wavelengths in each section. Using the segmented micro-heaters, we show the successful realignment of inhomogeneously broadened multi-peak QPM spectra with up to 57% enhancement of conversion efficiency. We achieve a high normalized conversion efficiency of 3802%  W−1  cm−2 in a 6 mm long PPLN waveguide, recovering 84% of the theoretically predicted efficiency in this device. The advanced fabrication techniques and segmented tuning architectures presented herein pave the way for wafer-scale integration of complex functional nonlinear photonic circuits with applications in quantum information processing, precision sensing and metrology, and low-noise-figure optical signal amplification.
Two-dimensional flow vector measurement based on all-fiber laser feedback frequency-shifted multiplexing technology
Authors: Zhang Lei , Lv Jialiang , Zhao Yunkun , Li Jie , Liu Keyan , Yu Qi , Li Hongtao , Yu Benli , Lu Liang 
Published: March 2024

The decomposition and identification of signals are crucial for flow vector acquisition in a multi-dimensional measurement. Here, we proposed a two-dimensional (2D) flow vector measurement system based on all-fiber laser feedback frequency-shifted multiplexing technology. The reliable performance of the system is characterized by experimental verification and numerical simulation. An orthogonal dual-beam structure is employed to eliminate the impact of an unknown incident angle in the practical application. Meanwhile, the vector velocity signals in 2D can be decomposed into one-dimensional (1D) scalar signals by adopting the frequency-shifted multiplexing, which makes it easy to obtain the vector information and velocity distribution of fluid motion through the self-mixing interference frequency spectrum. Moreover, the measured flow rates present a high linearity with syringe pump speeds ranging from 200 to 2000 μL/min, and the velocity information of the different incidence angles is easily obtained with high precision. This work may pave the way for the acquisition and processing of multi-dimensional flow vector signals, with potential applications in biomedical monitoring and microflow velocity sensing.
The impact of icodextrin on the outcomes of incident peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Wang I-Kuan , Chan Chan Ip , Lin Alfred Hsing-Fen , Yu Tung-Min , Yen Tzung-Hai , Lai Ping-Chin , Li Chi-Yuan , Sung Fung-Chang 
Published: March 2024

Objective
The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of icodextrin on the risks of death, technique failure and the first episode of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods
From medical records of a medical center in Taiwan, a total of 725 newly diagnosed end-stage kidney disease patients receiving PD for at least 90 days from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2018 were identified. These patients were grouped as 190 icodextrin users and 535 non-users. Users were defined as utilization of icodextrin for ≥ 50% of their PD duration. The use of icodextrin was considered a time-varying exposure in the Cox proportional hazard model. The risks of death, technique failure and the first episode of peritonitis were compared between two cohorts by the end of 2018.

Results
Compared to the non-users, the icodextrin users had significant lower risks of mortality (6.5 vs.7.2 per 100 person-years; adjusted HR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.42–0.91) and technique failure (12.7 vs. 15.2 per 100 person-years; adjusted HR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.47–0.81), and the first peritonitis episode (5.0 vs. 17.0 per 100 person-years; adjusted HR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.14–0.35). The risk of peritonitis reduced further in icodextrin users with diabetes and with cardiovascular disease.

Conclusion
Icodextrin was associated with lower risks of mortality, technique failure, and the first episode of peritonitis.
Retrospective analysis of percutaneous intervention of the renal artery in transplanted kidneys in children and adolescents at a tertiary public hospital
Authors: Faccinetto Ana Carolina Buso , Santos Gustavo Rocha Feitosa , Taguchi Juliana Cristina , Orellana Henry Campos , Galhardo Attílio , Kanhouche Gabriel , Barteczko Manoela Linhares Machado , Tedesco Júnior Hélio , Bravo-Valenzuela Nathalie Jeanne Magioli , Moises Valdir Ambrósio , Pestana José Osmar Medina , Silva Célia Maria Camelo , Barbosa Adriano Henrique Pereira 
Published: March 2024

Background
This study evaluated the long-term effects of percutaneous intervention in children and adolescents with transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS).

Methods
Twenty patients had significant stenosis (>50%) and underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA/stenting) (TRAS group-intervention); 14 TNS (non-significant group -control) patients did not have significant stenosis (≤50%) and were treated clinically. The combined primary endpoints were death from all causes and late graft failure. The secondary endpoints were serum creatinine (SCr), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP).

Results
No statistically significant difference was found between TRAS—Intervention(N = 20) and TNS groups—Control (N = 14) for these clinical parameters: deaths, 1 (5.0%) vs. 0 (0.0%) (p = 1.000) and graft loss, 4 (20.0%) vs. 2 (14.3%) (p = 1.000). For the secondary endpoints, after 1 month and 1 year the values of SCr, SBP, and DBP were similar between the two groups but not statistically significant.

Discussion
In the TRAS group (intervention), the stent implantation was beneficial for treating refractory hypertension and reducing blood pressure (BP) in children and adolescents. Despite the outcomes being similar in the two groups, it can be inferred that the patients in the TRAS group (intervention) would have had a worse outcome without the percutaneous intervention.

Conclusion
TRAS treatment with stenting can be considered for children and adolescents. Because the sample in the present study comprised of only a specific population, further studies are needed for generalization.

Trial registration
The trial was registered at clinictrials.gov with trial registration number NCT04225338.
Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial: Effect of an everyday cognition training program on cognitive function, emotional state, frailty and functioning in older adults without cognitive impairment
Authors: Sáez-Gutiérrez Susana , Fernández-Rodríguez Eduardo José , Sánchez-Gómez Celia , García-Martín Alberto , Barbero-Iglesias Fausto José , Sánchez Aguadero Natalia 
Published: March 2024

Background
Ageing entails changes in complex cognitive functions that lead to a decrease in autonomy and quality of life. Everyday cognition is the ability to solve cognitively complex problems in the everyday world, enabling instrumental activities of life. Benefits have been found in studies using everyday cognition-based assessment and intervention, as the results predict improvements in everyday performance, not just in specific cognitive functions. A study protocol is presented based on assessment and training in everyday cognition versus traditional cognitive stimulation for the improvement of functionality, emotional state, frailty and cognitive function.

Methods
A parallel randomised controlled clinical trial with two arms will be conducted. It will be carried out by the University of Salamanca (Spain) in eleven centres and associations for the elderly of the City Council of Salamanca. People aged 60 years or older without cognitive impairment will be recruited. Participants will be randomly distributed into two groups: the experimental group will undergo a training programme in everyday cognition and the control group a programme of traditional cognitive stimulation, completing 25 sessions over 7 months. All participants will be assessed at the beginning and at the end of the intervention, where socio-demographic data and the following scales will be collected: The Medical Outcomes Study (MOS), Questionnaire ARMS-e, Everyday Cognition Test (PECC), Scale Yesavage, Test Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), The Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Fragility Index and Lawton y Brody Scale.

Discussion
The present study aims to improve conventional clinical practice on cognitive function training by proposing a specific assessment and intervention of everyday cognition based on the importance of actual cognitive functioning during the resolution of complex tasks of daily life, giving priority to the improvement of autonomy.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov; ID: NCT05688163. Registered on: January 18, 2023.
Budget Deficit, Debt, and Inflation in Ghana (1960-2022): The Fiscal Theory of Inflation Case?
Authors: SEIDU Abdul Majeed , VASILEV Aleksandar 
Published: March 2024

This study follows the approach in Kehoe and Nicolini (2021) in order to analyse and interpret the historical performance of Ghana’s economy over the period 1960-2022 in terms of deficits, public debt accumulation, monetary policies and their relationships to inflation, exchange rate etc. The paper explores the link and similarities between Ghana’s economic cycle from pre- and post-military rule. In both cases, excessive borrowing, leading to a large accumulation of public debt, and accompanied with burdensome debt interest payments, has been one of the major challenges that the country must wean itself from.
The study also documents that the underlying reason for the deficits is the low domestic revenue mobilisation, i.e the fiscal capacity of Ghana is lower compared to the one of developed countries. Finally, the positive interaction between money supply and inflation has also been established in this study. However, the increase in money supply (and thus inflation) is a result of fiscal imbalances: by printing money, the Central Bank of Ghana is effectively using inflation as a tax and trying to generate a seigniorage revenue to “cover” at least part of the budget deficit.
Interactions between aphids and aphidophages in citrus orchards in the Chlef region (North West of Algeria)
Authors: AMOKRANE Dalila , MOHAMMEDI AHMED , Mahmoudi Abdelhaq , ABABOU ADDA 
Published: March 2024

Ziel dieser Studie ist es, die verschiedenen Blattlausarten und ihre assoziierten Aphidiphagen in Zitrusplantagen in der Region Chlef (Algerien) zu erfassen und zu identifizieren, um die Interaktionen zwischen Prädation und Parasitismus im Hinblick auf die biologische Bekämpfung dieser furchterregenden Schädlinge zu verbessern. Für die Probenahme wurden gelbe Klebefallen, gelbe Becken und visuelle Bestimmung verwendet. Mit dieser Studie konnten wir sieben Blattlausarten und 34 Blattlausarten identifizieren. Die häufigsten Blattläuse waren A. spiraecola und A. gossypii, während die häufigsten Aphidiphagen Episyrphus balteatus, Chrysoperla carnea, Coccinella septempunctata, Aphidoletes aphidimyza und Lysiphlebus fabarum waren. In Bezug auf die Häufigkeit werden Aphidiphagen von Marienkäfern dominiert, gefolgt von Florfliegen, Schwebfliegen, Wanzen und Mücken an letzter Stelle. Die Vielfalt der aphidiphagen Fauna ist nicht sehr hoch, aber die höchsten Werte werden gegen Ende April festgestellt. Die Prädationsaktivität im Untersuchungsgebiet erstreckt sich von Ende März bis November. Aphidiphagen zeigen Präferenzen für bestimmte Beutetiere und nicht für andere, im Falle der Blattlausdiversität, sowohl nach intrinsischen als auch nach extrinsischen Faktoren.
Schlüsselwörter: Blattläuse, Aphidiphagen, Zitrusfrüchte, natürliche Feinde, chlef.
An isotope dilution-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC-MS/MS)-based candidate reference measurement procedure (RMP) for the quantification of primidone in human serum and plasma
Authors: Schierscher Tobias , Salzmann Linda , Singh Neeraj , Fischer Vanessa , Kobel Anja , Bauland Friederike , Geistanger Andrea , Risch Lorenz , Geletneky Christian , Seger Christoph , Taibon Judith 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Primidone is an anticonvulsive drug used in the treatment of epilepsy and essential tremor. It offers beneficial effects in controlling seizures, but its usage is also associated with possible side effects. To ensure optimal therapy, it is crucial to measure its concentration through accurate quantification methods. Therefore, our main goal was to develop and validate a new reference measurement procedure (RMP) for accurately measuring primidone levels in human serum and plasma.

Methods
In our study, we focused on the separation of primidone from both known and unknown interferences using a C18 column. To achieve accurate sample preparation, we developed a protocol involving protein precipitation followed by a high dilution step. The validation of the assay and determination of measurement uncertainty were carried out following guidelines from organizations such as the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, the International Conference on Harmonization, and the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement. These rigorous validation processes ensure the reliability and accuracy of our method for quantifying primidone levels in human serum and plasma samples.

Results
The RMP was shown to be highly selective and specific, with no evidence of matrix interference. It can be used to quantify primidone in the range of 0.150–30.0 μg/mL. Intermediate precision was less than 4.0 %, and repeatability CV ranged from 1.0 to 3.3 % across all concentration levels. The relative mean bias ranged from 0.1 to 3.9 % for native serum levels, and from −2.6 to 2.8 % for lithium-heparin plasma levels. The measurement uncertainties for single measurements and target value assignment were 1.5–4.1 % and 0.9–1.0 %, respectively.

Conclusions
In this study, we introduce an innovative LC-MS/MS-based candidate RMP specifically designed for primidone in human serum and plasma. Our RMP offers a traceable platform, facilitating the standardization of routine assays and enabling the evaluation of clinically relevant samples. With this novel approach, we aim to enhance the accuracy and reliability of primidone measurements, ultimately benefiting the field of clinical research and patient care.
Ant community composition in a citrus grove reveals eastern expansion in Florida of the South American big-headed ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Ascunce Marina S. , Carroll Katherine Casey , Aufmuth Joe , Justice Lauren , Perez Patricia , Nisip Andrew , Gavilanez-Slone Jenny M. , Qureshi Jawwad A. , Porter Sanford , Lucky Andrea 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Florida has become a worldwide hotspot for introduced and invasive ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Furthermore, studies have shown that non-native ants support other invasive insects in Florida, such as the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), which is the vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the causal pathogen of citrus greening, the worst citrus disease in the world. The Asian citrus psyllid establishes beneficial interactions with invasive, introduced, and native ants. In this study, we described the ant diversity in a citrus grove in south Florida as a first step to assess ant-Asian citrus psyllid interactions for future studies. During the summer of 2018, 25 pitfall traps were set in a citrus grove. The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Buren), was present in all the traps (100 %), and 19 traps (76 %) had Dorymyrmex bureni (Trager), the pyramid ant, which is native to the southeast United States. Two introduced ants, Cardiocondyla emeryi (Forel) and Brachymyrmex obscurior (Forel), were found in 15 (60 %) and 11 (44 %) traps, respectively. The South American big-headed ant, Pheidole obscurithorax (Naves), was found in 14 traps (56 %). This introduced ant has been found to co-exist with S. invicta, and to our knowledge, this is the first report of the species in this eastern part of peninsular Florida. Finally, Cardiocondyla venustula (Wheeler), an introduced ant from Africa, was found in one of the traps. Although, this ant is found in south Florida, it seems uncommon, and this is its first report in this county. Our study highlights the continued spread of introduced and invasive ants in Florida.
Impoliteness in polylogal intercultural communication among Asian EFL learners
Authors: Pan Zhaoyi 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
By regarding impoliteness as a dynamic process, this research examined impoliteness in the polylogal intercultural communication among Asian learners of English as a foreign language (EFL), including the impoliteness acts by the face-threat initiators, and the responses to the impoliteness acts by both the face-threat recipients and the face-threat witnesses. Moreover, it attempted to identify the factors that caused impoliteness in intercultural communication. Eighty-four Asian EFL learners from five Asian countries were engaged in this research. This research used group discussions to collect the nearly naturally occurring communication. The result illustrated that Asian EFL learners used the criticize/dispraise the hearer impoliteness strategy most frequently. Two new impoliteness strategies were identified, namely the use of the face-threat initiator’s first language (L1), and the use of inappropriate English expressions. In addition, a new reaction was used by both the face-threat recipients and the face-threat witnesses, namely the confirmation of impoliteness. A dynamic model of impoliteness based on the results of this research was proposed. Furthermore, six factors that caused impoliteness were discussed, including different individual cultural variations, accommodation to the intercultural communication, the degree of mindfulness, the individual prior experience of knowledge about the English language, the English proficiency levels of the EFL learners, and differences in individual salience that resulted in the failure of cooperative intention by the interactants in the intercultural communication. This research attempts to fill the lacuna in impoliteness studies in the fields of intercultural communication and intercultural pragmatics.