bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On first integrals, conservation laws and reduction of classes of Emden and Liénard equations
Authors: Ahmed Mogahid M. A. , Alqurashi Bader , Kara A. H. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe present a general method to construct first integrals for some classes of the well known second-order ordinary differential equations, viz., the Emden and Liénard classes of equations. The approach does not require a knowledge of a Lagrangian but, rather, uses the ‘multiplier approach’ (Anco and Bluman in Eur J Appl Math 13:545–566, 2002; Eur J Appl Math 13:567–585, 2002). It is then shown how a study of the invariance properties and conservation laws are used to ‘twice’ reduce the equations to solutions. The equations admit five first integrals of which two are independent but the significance of the five are that they correspond to a five-dimensional algebra of Noether symmetries obtained without the need to construct a Lagrangian.
Utilizing the lignocellulosic fibers from Pineapple Crown Leaves extract for enhancing TiO2 interfacial bonding in dye-sensitized solar cell photoanodes
Authors: Premkumar N. , Madhavi M. Radha , Kitmo K. , Shanmugan S. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe crown leaves of pineapple possess a wealth of smooth and glossy silk medium-length fibers, primarily composed of cellulose and lignin, accompanied by constituents such as fats, waxes, pectin, uronic acid, anhydride, pentosan, color pigments, and inorganic substances. These fibers exhibit an anisotropic nature and are characterized by hydrogen bonding interactions, rendering them effective in conjunction with semiconductor oxide (TiO2) through their cellulosic fibrils. The dye extracted from Pineapple Crown Leaves (PCL) using ethanol was subjected to FTIR and UV–visible spectroscopy. The FTIR analysis revealed absorption peaks at 3268 cm−1 and 2922 cm−1, confirming the presence of –OH and –CH stretching attributed to the fibrils within the dye. UV–visible spectroscopy further demonstrated absorption within the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Additionally, a photoluminescence study of the dye showcased emission within the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Subsequently, a solar cell incorporating this dye underwent JV characterization, yielding an efficiency of 1.0034%, along with fill factor, open-circuit voltage, and short-circuit current density values of 0.40644, 0.7058 V, and 3.4906 mA/cm2, respectively. To gain deeper insights and facilitate optimization for large-scale installations, a simulation model utilizing PC1D was proposed to explore the influential parameters of the Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC).
Production and characterization of briquettes from sugarcane bagasse of Wonji Sugar Factory, Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Mekonen Asmelash Gebrekidan , Berhe Goitom Gebreyohannes , Desta Mulu Berhe , Belete Fentahun Abebaw , Gebremariam Amare Fisseha 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBriquetted biomass, like sugarcane bagasse, a by-product of sugar mills, is a renewable energy source. This study aimed at the production and characterization of bagasse briquettes. The production of briquettes was carried out with different blending ratios (5, 10, and 15%) and average particle sizes (0.75, 2.775, and 4.8 mm) with various binders of cow dung, waste paper, and admixture (molasses and wastepaper). The bagasse underwent drying, size reduction, sieving, binder addition, and densification using a manual press during the briquetting process. Characterization of the physical and combustion parameters of briquettes, such as density, shatter resistance, proximate, and calorific value, followed the American Society for Testing and Materials procedures. The result shows that the maximum density of briquettes was 0.804 g/cm3, while shatter resistance varied from 83.051 to 94.975% (4.8mm, 5% cow dung and 0.75mm, 5% admixture binders respectively). ANOVA analysis showed that the factors and their interactions had a significant influence (p value < 0.05) on the physical properties. The optimum parameters of briquettes achieved were 14.953% admixture binder, 0.776 mm particle size, 0.805 g/cm3 density, and 95.811% shatter resistance. Bagasse briquettes with a 5% cow dung binder achieved a high calorific value of 39927.05 kcal/kg. The ultimate analysis revealed a composition of 47.49% carbon (C), 5.133% hydrogen (H), 1.557% nitrogen (N), 0.374% sulfur (S), and 45.446% oxygen (O). Therefore, bagasse has a high calorific value and can be used for briquetting to replace fossil fuel and firewood in different applications. In addition, due to its availability, utilizing as fuel source has economic advantage.
Graphical abstract
A permeability model for the fractal tree-like fracture network with self-affine surface roughness in shale gas reservoirs
Authors: Hu Bowen , Wang J. G. , Sun Rui , Zhao Zhiye 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe complex natural fracture network with self-affine rough surface and branching characteristics significantly impacts the gas transport in shale gas reservoirs. However, its effects on the permeability have not been studied so far. This study proposes an analytical permeability model for the fractal tree-like fracture network with self-affine surface roughness and branching characteristics. Firstly, the self-affine rough profiles of fracture surface are generated at different fractal dimensions by the Weierstrass–Mandelbrot function and a rough fractal tree-like fracture network is constructed with these surface profiles and branching characteristics. Then, an analytical permeability model is proposed to consider the effects of fracture surface roughness and tree-like branching characteristics on gas flow. This analytical model is verified by numerical simulations. Finally, the velocity distribution of the fracture network and the sensitivity of its structure parameters are analyzed. It is found that eddy flow is more easily formed on rougher fracture surfaces with larger fractal dimension when their fracture aperture is at millimeter scale. The eddy flow disappears when the fracture aperture is at micron scale. Bigger gas flow resistance and more energy loss are observed for smaller fracture aperture and rougher fracture surface. The gas velocity in rough fractures decreases by 60% at micron scale, but decreases by 50% at millimeter scale. Gas flow resistance also increases with the increase of branch angle, branch level and length ratio, but decreases with aperture ratio. As a result, permeability decreases with fractal dimension, branch angle, branch level and length ratio, but increases with aperture ratio.
Storying Research: Exploring the Benefits of
Participatory Narrative Inquiry as a Methodology for Wellbeing Research
Authors: Colla Rachel H. , Kurtz Cynthia F. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAs the field of positive psychology matures, many have called for an
expansion in epistemological and methodological approaches to enable a more complex
study of wellbeing. This article addresses this call by examining the benefits of
using storying methods in wellbeing research. We explore how this can address some
of the limitations in the extant psychological literature. Participatory Narrative
Inquiry (PNI) is introduced as an example of a storying methodology that can
facilitate a democratised approach to studying complex phenomena. We outline the
theoretical and meta-theoretical underpinnings of this approach and provide an
overview of the essential and supplementary methods used within each phase of the
methodology. The methodology is juxtaposed with other similar qualitative methods to
support researchers in discerning what type of inquiries PNI may be best suited to.
We argue that interdisciplinary methodologies such as PNI can support the
development and refinement of contextually relevant theories and practices needed to
progress the field of positive psychology as it enters its third wave of
development.
Vertrauen und Demokratie tief im Westen – politische Kultur im Ruhrgebiet
Authors: Küppers Anne , Decker Frank 
Published: January 2024

ZusammenfassungDas Ruhrgebiet stellt als urban verdichtete Wirtschaftsregion mit einer industriellen Vergangenheit und einem nur teilweise erfolgreichen Strukturwandel einen spannenden Untersuchungsfall für die politische Kulturforschung dar. Es besteht zudem eine soziale Kluft zwischen wohlhabenden Städten und Wohngegenden im Norden im Vergleich zu ärmeren Gegenden im Süden der Autobahn A40. Vor diesem Hintergrund untersucht dieser Beitrag das Ausmaß und die Erklärungsfaktoren für politisches Vertrauen und Demokratiezufriedenheit im Ruhrgebiet. Die Ergebnisse einer repräsentativen Untersuchung (N = 622) zeigen, dass das Niveau der Demokratiezufriedenheit und des politischen Vertrauens im Ruhrgebiet trotz der schwierigen wirtschaftlichen Lage vieler Ruhrgebietsbewohner überraschenderweise sogar über dem bundesweiten Durchschnitt liegt. Dennoch offenbaren die Zufriedenheitswerte – ähnlich wie im Rest Deutschlands – große Unterschiede zwischen sozialen Gruppen. Insbesondere zeigen weniger gebildete Schichten eine niedrigere Zufriedenheit und ein geringeres Vertrauen im Vergleich zu besser gebildeten Gruppen. Zusätzlich lässt sich ein starker Zusammenhang der Demokratiezufriedenheit mit der Aufgabenerfüllung in der Sozialpolitik feststellen; Ungleichheitswahrnehmungen hingegen sind nicht signifikant mit Demokratiezufriedenheit und Vertrauen verknüpft.
Pivot to Persevere: Temporary Pivots as a Response to Exogenous Shocks
Authors: Scheve Clara , Reihlen Markus , Gegenhuber Thomas 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDespite much progress in the research on pivots as a response to crisis, the nature of temporary pivots remains unclear. This article investigates how a venture responded to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by performing a temporary pivot. Drawing on an inductive, longitudinal case study of the fast-growing young venture “Gazelle,” we developed a process model of temporary pivots that encompasses three phases: what evokes a temporary pivot; how it is enacted; and what effects it has on the venture. Our findings suggest that temporary pivots require effectual decision-making and the reversibility of changes made. Our research contributes to the growing literature on pivoting by conceptualizing the temporary pivot as a short-term entrepreneurial response to exogenous shocks and part of a long-term strategy of perseverance.
Digitale formative Diagnoseverfahren in der Grundschule – Begründungen und Überblick über vorliegende Entwicklungen am Beispiel Deutsch
Authors: Junger Ralf , Liebers Katrin 
Published: January 2024

ZusammenfassungFür die Grundschule erscheinen zunehmend mehr digitale Diagnoseverfahren. Viele versprechen ein erhebliches Potenzial für einen adaptiven Unterricht, zugleich zeigt sich aber eine Vielzahl an diagnostischen Zielen und digitalen Umsetzungen. In der explorativen Studie werden Anforderungen an digitale formative Diagnoseverfahren multiperspektivisch und theoriegeleitet diskutiert. Auf der Basis der so gewonnenen Kriterien wird mit Hilfe einer Artefakteanalyse der Frage nachgegangen, inwieweit die vorliegenden Verfahren im Lernbereich Deutsch den Anforderungen an digitale formative Diagnoseverfahren genügen. Dies trifft bislang nur für einen kleinen Teil der Verfahren zu, zudem werden digitale Möglichkeiten adaptiver Verfahren bislang kaum erreicht. Weitere interdisziplinäre Entwicklungen und disziplinspezifische Klärungen stellen deshalb eine Zukunftsaufgabe dar.
Design of a Helicopter System Recovery for a Sounding Rocket
Authors: Marques João Pedro Caldeira de Sousa , de Souza Alain , Cunha Filipe Szolnoky 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn this article, the feasibility of spacecraft recovery using rotary wings is analysed. This technology possesses the ability to perform a safe and controlled landing, allowing the spacecraft to be reused and utilised in missions with different requirements. A computational model that simulates the descent of a sounding rocket was developed. It is based on rotor’s aerodynamic theories and kinematics and computes several rotor parameters that allow the analysis of the system’s performance. The model’s verification was successfully carried out by comparing its behaviour with literature data. To understand how each design parameter influences the system, a parametric study of the rotor design variables was held. It was concluded that the blade’s pitch angle is extremely important for the system’s performance and should be carefully selected, and that weight penalties resultant from excessive blade’s number or radius can be prejudicial. Furthermore, a design optimisation was conducted, aiming to minimise the rocket’s terminal velocity. Finally, a flare manoeuvre was disclosed to reduce the touchdown velocity. This recovery system is concluded to be highly promising, though requiring further work in several fields of study.
Understanding the well-being challenges confronting academic staff in South African universities: a narrative review
Authors: Dlamini Nkosinathi Goodman , Dlamini Nothando Delight 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAccording to research done in South Africa, there is an increasing worry about the wellness of academic staff members, with many of them reporting high levels of stress and burnout. Heavy workloads, a lack of resources, and an unsatisfactory work-life balance are just a few factors that studies have identified as leading to poor well-being. Low salaries, weak recognition, and insufficient support systems are further contributing causes. Academic staff members' personal and professional skills may be badly impacted by stress, which can reduce productivity. Burnout is frequently linked to painful emotional events, and it is particularly common among those working in human service industries. Emotional tiredness, depersonalization marked by a pessimistic and cynical attitude toward others, and dissatisfaction with professional achievements are common burnout reactions. Five databases, including Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Medline, and Google Scholar, were searched for the review using the keywords (academic staff challenges, academic staff burnout, and academic staff well-being). The search was restricted to peer-reviewed empirical studies that looked at academic staff well-being in full-time university academic staff and were written in English. Papers that did not discuss the well-being of academic staff were disqualified. A thorough data extraction technique was used to retrieve pertinent information from each study. Job security is the least stressful factor, while concerns about diminished research and publishing opportunities and workplace bullying are prevalent. Burnout levels vary across age groups, with academics aged 50 or older showing lower levels. High emotional intelligence in academic staff reduces susceptibility to work challenges. Institutions can implement conflict management strategies to enhance work-related well-being. The review's overall conclusion emphasizes the urgent need for action to address the growing issue of academic staff members' low welfare at South African universities. Failure to address this problem could have detrimental effects on both the standard of instruction given to pupils and the health and well-being of academic staff.
New material of Lophiparamys debequensis from the Willwood Formation (early Eocene) of Wyoming, including the first postcrania of the genus
Authors: Zack Shawn P. , Penkrot Tonya A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe report new material of the rare early Eocene rodent Lophiparamys debequensis Wood, 1962 from the Willwood Formation of the southern Bighorn Basin, north-central Wyoming. The new material constitutes the first record of L. debequensis from the Bighorn Basin and documents aspects of the anatomy of Lophiparamys that were previously unknown, including a portion of the maxilla and a portion of the tarsus. The maxillary fragment demonstrates that Lophiparamys has a small P3 and a relatively large infraorbital canal. The tarsus of Lophiparamys is similar to that of other early rodents but differs in a few features that suggest an arboreal locomotor repertoire, including an asymmetric astragalar trochlea, long astragalar neck, transverse astragalar sustentacular facet, short calcaneal tuber, elongate calcaneal ectal facet, and circular calcaneal cuboid facet. The presence of arboreally adapted features in the tarsus of Lophiparamys is consistent with a hypothesized relationship between small-bodied Eocene microparamyine rodents and extant Gliridae. Phylogenetic analysis fails to consistently support this relationship or monophyly of Microparamyinae, but both remain plausible. Comparison of L. debequensis with other species of the genus emphasizes the distinctiveness of L. debequensis and suggests the presence of multiple lineages of Lophiparamys.
Collection, Collation, and Comparison of 3D Coronal CME Reconstructions
Authors: Kay C. , Palmerio E. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPredicting the impacts of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) is a major focus of current space weather forecasting efforts. Typically, CME properties are reconstructed from stereoscopic coronal images and then used to forward model a CME's interplanetary evolution. Knowing the uncertainty in the coronal reconstructions is then a critical factor in determining the uncertainty of any predictions. A growing number of catalogs of coronal CME reconstructions exist, but no extensive comparison between these catalogs has yet been performed. Here we develop a Living List of Attributes Measured in Any Coronal Reconstruction (LLAMACoRe), an online collection of individual catalogs, which we intend to continually update. In this first version, we use results from 24 different catalogs with 3D reconstructions using Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory observations between 2007 and 2014. We have collated the individual catalogs, determining which reconstructions correspond to the same events. LLAMACoRe contains 2,954 reconstructions for 1,862 CMEs. Of these, 511 CMEs contain multiple reconstructions from different catalogs. Using the best‐constrained values for each CME, we find that the combined catalog reproduces the generally known solar cycle trends. We determine the typical difference we would expect between two independent reconstructions of the same event and find values of 4.0° in the latitude, 8.0° in the longitude, 24.0° in the tilt, 9.3° in the angular width, 0.1 in the shape parameter κ, 115 km/s in the velocity, and 2.5 × 1015 g in the mass. These remain the most probable values over the solar cycle, though we find more extreme outliers in the deviation toward solar maximum.
Spatio-temporal coupled mode theory for nonlocal metasurfaces
Authors: Overvig Adam , Mann Sander A. , Alù Andrea 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDiffractive nonlocal metasurfaces have recently opened a broad range of exciting developments in nanophotonics research and applications, leveraging spatially extended—yet locally patterned—resonant modes to control light with new degrees of freedom. While conventional grating responses are elegantly captured by temporal coupled mode theory, current approaches are not well equipped to capture the arbitrary spatial response observed in the nascent field of nonlocal metasurfaces. Here, we introduce spatio-temporal coupled mode theory (STCMT), capable of elegantly capturing the key features of the resonant response of wavefront-shaping nonlocal metasurfaces. This framework can quantitatively guide nonlocal metasurface design while maintaining compatibility with local metasurface frameworks, making it a powerful tool to rationally design and optimize a broad class of ultrathin optical components. We validate this STCMT framework against full-wave simulations of various nonlocal metasurfaces, demonstrating that this tool offers a powerful semi-analytical framework to understand and model the physics and functionality of these devices, without the need for computationally intense full-wave simulations. We also discuss how this model may shed physical insights into nonlocal phenomena in photonics and the functionality of the resulting devices. As a relevant example, we showcase STCMT’s flexibility by applying it to study and rapidly prototype nonlocal metasurfaces that spatially shape thermal emission.
Geometric phase-encoded stimuli-responsive cholesteric liquid crystals for visualizing real-time remote monitoring: humidity sensing as a proof of concept
Authors: Li Shi-Long , Chen Zhao-Yi , Chen Peng , Hu Wei , Huang Chaohong , Li Sen-Sen , Hu Xuejia , Lu Yan-Qing , Chen Lu-Jian 
Published: January 2024

AbstractLiquid crystals are a vital component of modern photonics, and recent studies have demonstrated the exceptional sensing properties of stimuli-responsive cholesteric liquid crystals. However, existing cholesteric liquid crystal-based sensors often rely on the naked eye perceptibility of structural color or the measurement of wavelength changes by spectrometric tools, which limits their practical applications. Therefore, developing a platform that produces recognizable sensing signals is critical. In this study, we present a visual sensing platform based on geometric phase encoding of stimuli-responsive cholesteric liquid crystal polymers that generates real-time visual patterns, rather than frequency changes. To demonstrate this platform’s effectiveness, we used a humidity-responsive cholesteric liquid crystal polymer film encoded with a q-plate pattern, which revealed that humidity causes a shape change in the vortex beam reflected from the encoded cholesteric liquid crystal polymers. Moreover, we developed a prototype platform towards remote humidity monitoring benefiting from the high directionality and long-range transmission properties of laser beams carrying orbital angular momentum. Our approach provides a novel sensing platform for cholesteric liquid crystals-based sensors that offers promising practical applications. The ability to generate recognizable sensing signals through visual patterns offers a new level of practicality in the sensing field with stimuli-responsive cholesteric liquid crystals. This platform might have significant implications for a broad readership and will be of interest to researchers working in the field of photonics and sensing technology.
Proteomic insights into mental health status: plasma markers in young adults
Authors: Afonin Alexey M. , Piironen Aino-Kaisa , de Sousa Maciel Izaque , Ivanova Mariia , Alatalo Arto , Whipp Alyce M. , Pulkkinen Lea , Rose Richard J. , van Kamp Irene , Kaprio Jaakko , Kanninen Katja M. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractGlobal emphasis on enhancing prevention and treatment strategies necessitates an increased understanding of the biological mechanisms of psychopathology. Plasma proteomics is a powerful tool that has been applied in the context of specific mental disorders for biomarker identification. The p-factor, also known as the “general psychopathology factor”, is a concept in psychopathology suggesting that there is a common underlying factor that contributes to the development of various forms of mental disorders. It has been proposed that the p-factor can be used to understand the overall mental health status of an individual. Here, we aimed to discover plasma proteins associated with the p-factor in 775 young adults in the FinnTwin12 cohort. Using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, 13 proteins with a significant connection with the p-factor were identified, 8 of which were linked to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. This exploratory study provides new insight into biological alterations associated with mental health status in young adults.