bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Teaching, research, and third mission efficiency of universities: A data envelopment analysis and hybrid multi‐criteria decision‐making approach
Authors: Maral Muammer , Çetin Münevver 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPrevious studies on the efficiency of higher education institutions have generally approached the functions of higher education from a limited perspective, and the studies have followed traditional methods. The aim of this study is to determine the teaching, research, and third mission technical efficiency of universities, to rank efficient universities, to identify potential areas for improvement, and to examine the determinants of efficiency scores and the differences in scores in terms of various variables. In this study, the efficiency of 187 universities was measured by data envelopment analysis. Efficiency criteria were weighted by both objective and subjective multi‐criteria decision‐making (MCDM) methods and ranked by different MCDM methods. Beta and Linear regression were performed to determine the factors on efficiency scores. According to the results of the study, the most efficient universities are in the fields of research, teaching, and third mission, respectively. Budget criterion is the most important input criterion. Number of graduates, number of publications, and number of social responsibility projects are the most important output criteria. Having an older history positively predicts teaching and research efficiency. The size of universities and being located in developed regions negatively predict research and third mission efficiency. There is a positive relationship between rankings in teaching, research, and third mission. This research provides more comprehensive information to universities by considering teaching, research, and third mission efficiency separately. Second, this research proposes a new methodology for higher education efficiency measurement by integrating DEA and hybrid MCDM. Finally, this research provides new insights by analyzing factors related to teaching, research, and tertiary mission efficiency.
From Gut to Hormones: Unraveling the Role of Gut Microbiota in (Phyto)Estrogen Modulation in Health and Disease
Authors: Kumari Nikki , Kumari Rashmi , Dua Ankita , Singh Mona , Kumar Roushan , Singh Poonam , Duyar‐Ayerdi Susan , Pradeep Sunila , Ojesina Akinyemi I. , Kumar Roshan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe human gut microbiota regulates estrogen metabolism through the “estrobolome,” the collection of bacterial genes that encode enzymes like β‐glucuronidases and β‐glucosidases. These enzymes deconjugate and reactivate estrogen, influencing circulating levels. The estrobolome mediates the enterohepatic circulation and bioavailability of estrogen. Alterations in gut microbiota composition and estrobolome function have been associated with estrogen‐related diseases like breast cancer, enometrial cancer, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This is likely due to dysregulated estrogen signaling partly contributed by the microbial impacts on estrogen metabolism. Dietary phytoestrogens also undergo bacterial metabolism into active metabolites like equol, which binds estrogen receptors and exhibits higher estrogenic potency than its precursor daidzein. However, the ability to produce equol varies across populations, depending on the presence of specific gut microbes. Characterizing the estrobolome and equol‐producing genes across populations can provide microbiome‐based biomarkers. Further research is needed to investigate specific components of the estrobolome, phytoestrogen‐microbiota interactions, and mechanisms linking dysbiosis to estrogen‐related pathology. However, current evidence suggests that the gut microbiota is an integral regulator of estrogen status with clinical relevance to women's health and hormonal disorders.
Comprehensive 7 T CEST: A clinical MRI protocol covering multiple exchange rate regimes
Authors: Fabian Moritz Simon , Rajput Junaid Rasool , Schüre Jan‐Rüdiger , Weinmüller Simon , Mennecke Angelika , Möhle Tim Alexius , Rampp Stefan , Schmidt Manuel , Dörfler Arnd , Zaiss Moritz 
Published: February 2024

AbstractChemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) is a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging method providing molecular image contrasts based on indirect detection of low concentrated solutes. Previous CEST studies focused predominantly on the imaging of single CEST exchange regimes (e.g., slow, intermediate or fast exchanging groups). In this work, we aim to establish a so‐called comprehensive CEST protocol for 7 T, covering the different exchange regimes by three saturation B1 amplitude regimes: low, intermediate and high. We used the results of previous publications and our own simulations in pulseq‐CEST to produce a 7 T CEST protocol that has sensitivity to these three B1 regimes. With postprocessing optimization (simultaneous mapping of water shift and B1, B0‐fitting, multiple interleaved mode saturation B1 correction, neural network employment (deepCEST) and analytical input feature reduction), we are able to shorten our initially 40 min protocol to 15 min and generate six CEST contrast maps simultaneously. With this protocol, we measured four healthy subjects and one patient with a brain tumor. We established a comprehensive CEST protocol for clinical 7 T MRI, covering three different B1 amplitude regimes. We were able to reduce the acquisition time significantly by more than 50%, while still maintaining decent image quality and contrast in healthy subjects and one patient with a tumor. Our protocol paves the way to perform comprehensive CEST studies in clinical scan times for hypothesis generation regarding molecular properties of certain pathologies, for example, ischemic stroke or high‐grade brain tumours.
Reassessing the Utility of Surgical Intervention for Skull Base Osteomyelitis: A 16‐Year Experience
Authors: Go Beatrice C. , Wong Kevin , Eliades Steven J. , Brant Jason A. , Bigelow Douglas C. , Ruckenstein Michael J. , Hwa Tiffany P. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe role of surgery in lateral skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) is controversial. Surgical intervention is often requested by consulting services in the interest of additional culture data to inform medical management. However, whether surgery alters subsequent antibiotic treatment or modifies disease outcome remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of surgical intervention in the treatment of SBO by (1) comparing nonsurgical and surgical culture data and (2) assessing clinical outcomes and treatment course following surgical intervention.Study DesignRetrospective.SettingTertiary care center.MethodsThe electronic record was queried for all patients with SBO who presented to a single institution over a 16‐year period (2007‐2023). Information recorded included history and exam, bedside and intraoperative culture data, antibiotic course, and disease outcomes. Primary outcome measures included change in medical management based on intraoperative cultures, recurrence rates, and mortality rates.ResultsForty patients (41 ears, average age 73 ± 13 years) met inclusion criteria. Out of 13 (32%) patients who underwent surgical intervention, one intraoperative culture changed the antibiotic course due to identification of resistance to the original antibiotic used. Surgery did not demonstrate a benefit in overall mortality (23% vs 18%, P = 0.36) or facial nerve function (33% vs 50%, P = 0.56) compared to medical management, and was associated with increased recurrence rates (54% vs 11%, P = 0.05).ConclusionSurgical cultures rarely changed antibiotic selection. Surgical debridement in treatment‐refractory SBO was also not associated with improvement in recurrence or mortality rates, though this may reflect underlying differences in disease severity.
Dielectric properties of PANI‐PEG nanocomposites filled with silica media for antistatic applications
Authors: Ahmed Eman H. , Ayoub Magdy M. H. , Ward Azza A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe dielectric investigations of porous synthetic silica gel modified with polyaniline (PANI) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) polyblend at various concentrations are demonstrated in this paper. By using the chemical oxidative process to embed polyaniline (PANI) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) into a silica matrix, conducting gel nanocomposites were synthesized. For various dopant concentrations, the dielectric permittivity (ε′), D.C. conductivity (σdc), loss tangent (tanδ) and dielectric loss (ε″) were investigated. The samples were characterized using differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. Depending on the co‐blend content, PANI‐PEG modified silica structures produce nanoparticles ranging in size from 9.9 to 48.1 nm. The variation of DC conductivity (σdc) with PANI/PEG content shows Maxwell‐Wagner Sillars (MWS) effect confirming the role of the conjugation and the structural order.
Early prenatal diagnosis of causative homozygous variants in ASCC1 in a fetus with cystic hygroma and additional homozygous variants of unknown significance associated with a neurological phenotype not visible in early gestation: Dual diagnosis or not?
Authors: Favier Maud , Delanne Julian , Gorincour Guillaume , Faivre Laurence , Racine Caroline , Philippe Christophe , Duffourd Yannis , Vitobello Antonio , Rousseau Thierry , Martz Olivia , Tarris Georges , Oualiken Camélia , Thauvin‐Robinet Christel , Mau‐Them Frédéric Tran 
Published: February 2024

AbstractA consanguineous couple was referred at 10 weeks of gestation (WG) for prenatal genetic investigations due to isolated cystic hygroma. Prenatal trio exome sequencing identified causative homozygous truncating variants in ASCC1 previously implicated in spinal muscular atrophy with congenital bone fractures. Prenatal manifestations in ASCC1 can usually include hydramnios, fetal hypo‐/akinesia, arthrogryposis, contractures and limb deformities, hydrops fetalis and cystic hygroma. An additional truncating variant was identified in CSPP1 associated with Joubert syndrome. Presentations in CSPP1 include cerebellar and brainstem malformations with vermis hypoplasia and molar tooth sign, difficult to visualize in early gestation. A second pregnancy was marked by the recurrence of isolated increased nuchal translucency at 10 + 2 WG. Sanger prenatal diagnosis targeted on ASCC1 and CSPP1 variants showed the presence of the homozygous familial ASCC1 variant. In this case, prenatal exome sequencing analysis is subject to a partial ASCC1 phenotype and an undetectable CSPP1 phenotype at 10 weeks of gestation. As CSPP1 contribution is unclear or speculative to a potentially later in pregnancy or postnatal phenotype, it is mentioned as a variant of uncertain significance. The detection of pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants involved in severe disorders but without phenotype‐genotype correlation because the pregnancy is in the early stages or due to prenatally undetectable phenotypes, will encourage the clinical community to define future practices in molecular prenatal reporting.
Toward more reliable measurement procedures of perovskite‐silicon tandem solar cells: The role of transient device effects and measurement conditions
Authors: Messmer Christoph , Chojniak David , Bett Alexander J. , Reichmuth S. Kasimir , Hohl‐Ebinger Jochen , Bivour Martin , Hermle Martin , Schön Jonas , Schubert Martin C. , Glunz Stefan W. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPerovskite‐silicon (Pero‐Si) tandem solar cells have made remarkable progress in recent years, achieving certified cell efficiencies of up to 33.9%. However, accurately measuring the efficiency and current density‐voltage (JV) curves of these devices poses various challenges including the presence of mobile ions within the perovskite absorber that lead to short‐ and long‐term transient effects. Consequently, both the measurement setup and the preconditioning of the device significantly affect measurement results. This study focuses on enhancing the reliability and comparability of JV and other efficiency measurements for Pero‐Si tandem devices through a systematic analysis of the influence of mobile ions, preconditioning and measurement conditions. For the first time, a full opto‐electrical simulation model for Pero‐Si tandem devices is presented in Sentaurus TCAD, which includes the drift‐diffusion of anions and cations and is therefore able to describe short‐ and long‐term transient device effects in state‐of‐the‐art Pero‐Si tandem cells. Experimental validation and evidence are given by comparison to in‐house Pero‐Si tandem cells, as well as Pero‐Si mini modules from Oxford PV. We analyze by simulation and experiment how the cell preconditioning at different preconditioning voltages and times impacts the resulting measured tandem efficiency, as well as impact of JV scan times for the measured hysteresis in Pero‐Si tandem devices. Furthermore, we demonstrate the impact of current‐mismatching conditions on the measured hysteresis of the Pero‐Si tandem device and the need of correct spectral irradiance settings during measurements. We showcase that even a very slight variation in short‐circuit current density (jsc) around the current‐matching point leads to significantly different hysteresis behaviors. With aid of our simulation model, we could attribute this phenomenon to a reverse/forward biasing of the perovskite sub‐cell impacting the ion drift depending on the current‐limiting sub‐cell of the tandem device. Therefore, it is sensible to be aware of the current limiting sub‐cell for the comparison of the hysteresis susceptibility of different Pero‐Si tandem devices. This study strongly underscores the importance of including the preconditioning and measurement conditions when reporting Pero‐Si tandem efficiencies. The findings highlight the urgent need for standardization in the field.
Enhanced prediction of premonsoon thunderstorms over eastern India through assimilation of INSAT‐3D sounding data
Authors: Priya Kumari , Sasanka Talukdar , Osuri Krishna K. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe present study assesses the impact of Indian National Satellite 3D (INSAT‐3D)‐derived atmospheric (temperature and relative humidity) profiles on the simulation of severe thunderstorms over eastern India during the premonsoon season. Two sets of numerical experiments, without assimilation (CNTL) and with assimilation of INSAT‐3D profiles (INSAT) have been conducted using the three‐dimensional variational data assimilation system of the Weather Research and Forecasting model for 11 thunderstorm events. Analysis increments are positive with INSAT profile assimilation in the lower to middle atmosphere in the thunderstorm region. The errors in the initial fields have been reduced by approx. 50% after the assimilation. After assimilation, the predictions of the surface fields (2‐m temperature, 2‐m relative humidity, and 10‐m wind speed) have been improved at the mature stage (by 37%, 26%, and 15%) compared to the CNTL. Similar improvements are noticed in the vertical profiles of relative humidity and wind speed in the INSAT experiment. The time and magnitude of updrafts and downdrafts improved in INSAT. After assimilation, rainfall intensity improved in nine cases, and time improved in four cases out of 11. The Critical Success Index (False Alarm Rate) of the INSAT ranges from approx. 0.6–0.15 (∼0.37–0.48) for all thresholds, and are higher (lower) than the CNTL. The rainfall area is improved by 25% for light rainfall, 11% for moderate rainfall, and 2% for heavy rainfall in the INSAT over the CNTL experiment. Overall thunderstorm prediction has been improved with the assimilation of INSAT‐3D data. Thus, the study highlights the viability of INSAT‐3D profiles in improving thunderstorm predictions over eastern India.
Two‐Server Oblivious Transfer for Quantum Messages
Authors: Hayashi Masahito , Song Seunghoan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOblivious transfer is considered as a cryptographic primitive task for quantum information processing over a quantum network. It is an essential building block for secure multiparty computation. It is known that one‐server oblivious transfer is impossible. When the task is the transmission of classical messages, protocols for two‐server oblivious transfer exist, i.e., existing protocols work under the assumption that two servers do not communicate with each other. However, when the task is the transmission of a quantum state, no existing method works even under the above two‐server assumption. Two‐server oblivious transfer protocols for quantum messages are proposed for the first time.
Suppression of Quantum Sensor Noise using Kalman Filter for Improved Sensitivity of Single‐Beam Atomic Magnetometers
Authors: Lei Gaoyi , Yuan Ziqi , Yue Ziqian , Xu Supeng , Zhai Yueyang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSingle‐beam atomic magnetometers herald a new era of high‐precision magnetic field sensing, with applications spanning fundamental physics to biomagnetism. Nevertheless, their utility is often curtailed by quantum sensor noise, encompassing both technical and quantum‐mechanical noise. This research delves into the potential of the Kalman filter as a tool to subdue quantum sensor noise, thereby augmenting the sensitivity of single‐beam atomic magnetometers. Quantum‐mechanical noise is integrated into the system model as the process noise and measurement noise, and a discrete Kalman filter equipped with a time delay variable is employed. The findings reveal that the time delay variable significantly influences temporal signal tracing, while the discrete Kalman filter enhances sensitivity performance in frequency domain analysis, bypassing the typical sensitivity and time resolution trade‐off encountered in coherent sensing strategies. Partial‐knowledge signal scenarios are also taken into account, wherein a polynomial model is proposed to expansively render the discrete Kalman filter more relevant and adaptable to real‐world situations. Collectively, through experimentation involving sine‐like, non‐Gaussian, and medical magnetocardiography (MCG) signals, our results underscore the promising potential of the Kalman filter in enhancing the sensitivity of atomic magnetometers for practical sensing applications.
Dominant‐pole placement for predictor synthesis
Authors: Rojas‐Ricca Bryan , Castaños Fernando , Mondié Sabine 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis article analyzes the high‐gain prediction approach for nonlinear input‐delay systems. The problem is discussed in the light of weighted homogeneity and input‐to‐state stability. The canonical form for uniformly observable nonlinear systems allows tuning the linear‐part spectrum by multiplicity‐induced dominancy and ensuring closed‐loop system input‐to‐state stability using the descriptor method of the Lyapunov–Krasovskii approach. Due to the trade‐off between delay and gain margin, the limitation of high gain that results for time‐delay systems is overcome using a cascade of subpredictors. A comparative analysis shows that our proposal achieves a better trade‐off between delay and gain margin, resulting in a reduced number of subpredictors.
Onset of climate‐change impact on the renowned Oncorhynchus metapopulation of Yellowstone Lake revealed by Leslie modeling of annual gill‐net catches
Authors: Kaeding Lynn R. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe native Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri; YCT) of Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA, comprise a metapopulation that inhabits an ecologically simple and uniquely pristine environment. A recent study Bayesian fit an age‐structured Leslie model that had a local climate index (total annual mean‐daily air temperatures >0°C at the lake's north shore) as its only driver (regulating age‐0 YCT survival) to data for a key YCT spawning stock (median fish age, 5 years) from 1977 to 1992, before predation from an illegally introduced and growing lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) population (1994 discovery) measurably affected YCT population dynamics. Results showed the new climate regime that began in the late 1970s had an overarching effect and largely explained declining spawning runs, although a growing predation effect became evident near lake trout discovery and quickly became the major YCT population driver. In the present study, that model was likewise fitted to estimated abundances of age‐5 YCT (~75% mature) that had been annually (also 1977–1992) gill‐netted from Yellowstone Lake and thus characterized the metapopulation. Results showed age‐0 YCT survival declined when a climate index of 1440 was reached and exceeded. Metapopulation recovery to historically high levels requires that the climate index decline to and remain near or below 1440 and—as shown by another recent study—that the lake trout population be reduced to its mid‐1990s levels. The most recent time of evident YCT metapopulation persistence at historically high levels and broadest spatial extent occurred under those simultaneous conditions.
Ionic Bonding Without Directionality Facilitates Efficient Interfacial Bridging for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Chen Lulan , Chen Letian , Chen Zijing , Wu Jianqiang , Lou Tiantian , Li Yiming , Zhou Zhen , Li Hongshi , Li Guoran , Meng Qingbo 
Published: February 2024

AbstractInterface passivation through Lewis acid–base coordinate chemistry in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is a universal strategy to reduce interface defects and hinder ion migration. However, the formation of coordinate covalent bonding demands strict directional alignment of coordinating atoms. Undoubtedly, this limits the selected range of the interface passivation molecules, because a successful molecular bridge between charge transport layer and perovskite bottom interface needs a well‐placed molecular orientation. In this study, it is discovered that potassium ions can migrate to the hollow sites of multiple iodine ions from perovskite to form K‐Ix ionic bonding, and the ionic bonds without directionality can support molecular backbone rotation to facilitate polar sites (carboxyl groups) chelating Pb at the bottom perovskite interface, finally forming a closed‐loop bonding structure. The synergy of coordinate and ionic bonding significantly reduces interface defects, changes electric field distribution, and immobilizes iodine at the perovskite bottom interface, resulting in eliminating the hysteresis effect and enhancing the performance of PSCs. As a result, the corresponding devices achieve a high efficiency exceeding 24.5% (0.09 cm2), and a mini‐module with 21% efficiency (12.4 cm2). These findings provide guidelines for designing molecular bridging strategies at the buried interface of PSCs.
20 µm Micro‐LEDs Mass Transfer via Laser‐Induced In Situ Nanoparticles Resonance Enhancement
Authors: Sun Weigao , Ji Lingfei , Lin Zhenyuan , Zhang Litian , Wang Zhiyong , Qin Wenbin , Yan Tianyang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractUltrafast laser is expected as a promising strategy for micro‐LEDs (µ‐LEDs) transfer due to its inherent property of suppressing thermal effects. However, its ultrahigh peak power and the unclear transfer mechanism make its transfer quality and efficiency unsatisfactory. Here, the study reports the high‐precision mass transfer of 20 µm fine‐pitch µ‐LEDs via in situ nanoparticles (NPs) resonance enhancement in burst mode ultraviolet picosecond laser irradiation. This technique suppresses the thermal melting effect and rapid cooling behavior of plasma by temporal modulation of the burst mode, generating NPs‐induced resonance enhancement that accurately and controllable drives a single unit up to tens of thousands of µ‐LEDs. The transfer of large µ‐LED arrays with more than 180 000 chips is also demonstrated, showing a transfer yield close to 99.9%, a transfer speed of 700 pcs s−1, and a transfer error of <±1.2 µm. The transferred µ‐LEDs perform excellent optoelectronic properties and enable reliable device operation regardless of complex strain environments, providing a reliable strategy for preparing broader classes of 3D integrated photonics devices.