bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors associated with Stress-related Riding Behavior among Indonesian Motorcyclists
Authors: Anggraini Renni , Isya Muhammad , Fadhly Noer , Mutiawati Cut 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The risk of road accidents is influenced by various elements, particularly human factor. In Indonesia, motorcycles contribute significantly to accidents due to insufficient knowledge of traffic laws and a lack of awareness about safe riding practices. Stress-related riding behavior, which may lead to this incident, is closely linked to driving discipline. Therefore, this study aimed to examine stress-related behavior as the risk factor in road accidents among motorcyclists. To achieve this, a self-reported questionnaire was distributed to 300 motorcyclists in Banda Aceh City and surrounding areas in Aceh Province. Factor analysis was used to simplify the number of indicators included, after which they were prioritized in order of importance. The results showed the most influential indicators out of the 26 considered in this study. A total of 3 underlying factor were identified, comprising anxious riding, aggressive riding, and anger. By addressing the risk factor associated with stress-related riding behavior, road safety in Indonesia was enhanced.
Radiation shielding assessment for interventional radiology personnel: Geant4 dosimetry of lead-free compositions
Authors: Moradi F , Jalili M , Saraee Kh Rezaee Ebrahim , Abdi M R , Rashid H A Abdul 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The inherent biological hazards associated with ionizing radiation necessitate the implementation of effective shielding measures, particularly in medical applications. Interventional radiology, in particular, poses a unique challenge as it often exposes medical personnel to prolonged periods of high x-ray doses. Historically, lead and lead-based compounds have been the primary materials employed for shielding against photons. However, the drawbacks of lead, including its substantial weight causing personnel’s inflexibility and its toxicity, have raised concerns regarding its long-term impact on both human health and the environment. Barium tantalate has emerged as a promising alternative, due to its unique attenuation properties against low-energy x-rays, specifically targeting the weak absorption area of lead. In the present study, we employ the Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation tool to investigate various formulations of barium tantalate doped with rare earth elements. The aim is to identify the optimal composition for shielding x-rays in the context of interventional radiology. To achieve this, we employ a reference x-ray spectrum typical of interventional radiology procedures, with energies extending up to 90 keV, within a carefully designed simulation setup. Our primary performance indicator is the reduction in air kerma transmission. Furthermore, we assess the absorbed doses to critical organs at risk within a standard human body phantom protected by the shield. Our results demonstrate that specific concentrations of the examined rare earth impurities can enhance the shielding performance of barium tantalate. To mitigate x-ray exposure in interventional radiology, our analysis reveals that the most effective shielding performance is achieved when using barium tantalate compositions containing 15% Erbium or 10% Samarium by weight. These findings suggest the possibility of developing lead-free shielding solutions or apron for interventional radiology personnel, offering a remarkable reduction in weight (exceeding 30%) while maintaining shielding performance at levels comparable to traditional lead-based materials.
A thermodynamic approach to optimization in complex quantum systems
Authors: Imparato Alberto , Chancellor Nicholas , De Chiara Gabriele 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
We consider the problem of finding the energy minimum of a complex quantum Hamiltonian by employing a non-Markovian bath prepared in a low energy state. The energy minimization problem is thus turned into a thermodynamic cooling protocol in which we repeatedly put the system of interest in contact with a colder auxiliary system. By tuning the internal parameters of the bath, we show that the optimal cooling is obtained in a regime where the bath exhibits a quantum phase transition in the thermodynamic limit. This result highlights the importance of collective effects in thermodynamic devices. We furthermore introduce a two-step protocol that combines the interaction with the bath with a measure of its energy. While this protocol does not destroy coherence in the system of interest, we show that it can further enhance the cooling effect.
Ion correlations in quaternary ionic liquids electrolytes
Authors: Tong Jiahuan , Liang Xiaodong , von Solms Nicolas , Huo Feng , Zhuang Bilin 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Lithium-ion batteries are currently the most popular and widely used energy storage devices, almost omnipresent within modern society in portable devices, electrical vehicles, energy storage stations, and so on. The demand for more efficient, more durable, and more sustainable batteries is rapidly growing. The electrolyte is a key element to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. In this work, we focus on quaternary ionic liquid electrolyte (ILE), which uses a four-component ionic liquid as the solvent. Quaternary ILE has found wide applications in energy storage systems, but the ion transport in the electrolyte has not been fully characterized to provide the best strategy for performance optimisation. In this work, we systematically analyse the ion transport in the quaternary ILE and uncover how the correlations between various ions affect the conductivity of the electrolyte. We have found that lithium ions are transported in charge clusters, leading to a negative effective transference number of lithium ions. Furthermore, we identify the stable cluster conformations in ILE by cluster analysis and quantum chemical computing. This work highlights the necessity of considering ion correlations in multi-component electrolyte systems.
Miniaturized droplets flow reactor for one-step highly controlled synthesis of SnO2 quantum dots at room temperature
Authors: Katoch Vibhav , Shanmugam Naveen Kumar Arjunan , Rohal Alisha , Singh M Ramananda , Kaushal Manish , Prakash Bhanu 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In recent years, the conventional methods of synthesizing nanomaterials have been surpassed by the emergence of the microfluidics route, which has brought forth numerous advantages and transformed the domain of nanomaterial synthesis. However, the synthesis of semiconducting oxide nanomaterials, specifically Tin oxide (SnO2), remains a crucial area of research due to its remarkable advantages as a viable alternative to toxic and costly materials. Additionally, SnO2 quantum dots (QDs) exhibit immense potential across a diverse range of applications due to their exceptional optical and electrical properties. The existing synthesis methods for SnO2 QDs are either time-consuming or involve high-temperature conditions. To address these challenges, the droplet-based microfluidic technique has emerged as a promising approach for the controlled synthesis of various semiconducting nanomaterials. This article highlights the synthesis of SnO2 QDs with tunable size through the utilization of a droplet-based microfluidic technique, providing precise control over droplet volumes. X-ray diffraction analysis verified the presence of rutile-type tetragonal structure in SnO2 QDs. From the transmission electron microscopy analysis, the average particle size was calculated to be 1.90 nm, 2.09 nm and 2.63 nm for the volume of droplet corresponding to 33.25 μl, 27.84 μl and 18.25 μl respectively. Furthermore, with a decrease in particle size a tunabilty in optical bandgap, from 4.60 eV to 4.00 eV was observed. This work provides insights into the influence of droplet volume on the particle size which in turn affects the associated properties of SnO2 QDs in a droplet-based microfluidic synthesis system.
Frequency selective surface design with multifunction response for multibands
Authors: Shah Gulab , Cao Qunsheng 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The active frequency selective surface (AFSS), which can switch between five bands and has multifunctional response, is novel inclusion in the spatial filters domain. The proposed AFSS consists of double orthogonal metal layers disposed on two sides of a substrate. This active structure adopts a four-bit scheme with embedded parallel bias lines used to feed four PIN diodes. The nine independently controllable combinations procure nine different frequency responses. The operating nine combinations switch between five bands centered at frequencies of 1.54 GHz, 2.21 GHz, 2.94 GHz, 2.99 GHz and 3.2 GHz, which have corresponding fractional bandwidths of 18.3%, 26.6%, 12.1%, 8.4% and 1.3%, respectively. These frequencies cover the two, polarization and electromagnetic, switching functions. This multiband and multifunctional design also achieves reasonable angular stability without spurious resonances. Justification to how the proposed design works is provided through surface current distribution, electric field intensity and equivalent circuit model. The simulated multiband design is fabricated and proved its authenticity by the free space measurements scheme.
Effect of double-pass friction stir welding and base materials position on the microstructural and mechanical behaviors of the dissimilar aluminum welded joints of AA6061 and AA2017
Authors: Nukathoti Raja Sekhar , Vanthala Varaha Siva Prasad , Battina N Malleswararao , Chirala Hari Krishna 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Friction stir welding (FSW) is a method of joining solid materials, where the parent metal’s melting temperature is below the point of amalgamation. FSW is a successful method for combining various ferrous and non-ferrous matrix materials. Many researchers’ studies suggested that FSW is suitable for both soft and high melting-point materials by changing the conditional attributes. A defect-free dissimilar weld joint of the alloys AA2017 and AA6061 was fabricated for the current investigation, and the effect of multi-pass friction stir welding (MPFSW) on the development of mechanical and different microstructural behaviors has been investigated. Welding conditions were a constant 1600 rpm weld tool rotational speed, a transverse speed is 32 mm min−1, and a tilt angle of 0°. As a consequence of the pinning effect, the results showed that increasing the number of welding passes in FSW from single to double improved the particle dispersion, which in turn improved the tensile strength, and micro-hardness of the FSWed joint. The primary objectives of this study investigate the strength that was improved because of the rise in the number of passes as well as the effective bonding of the materials’ weld interface, which gives tailor-welded blanks (TWBs) a considerably stronger joint. The findings revealed that the TWB joints’ metallurgical and mechanical properties are extremely varied from single-pass to double-pass, and the position of the base materials can significantly affect the joint properties that are produced.
Local sign stability and its implications for spectra of sparse random graphs and stability of ecosystems
Authors: Valigi Pietro , Neri Izaak , Cammarota Chiara 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
We study the spectral properties of sparse random graphs with different topologies and type of interactions, and their implications on the stability of complex systems, with particular attention to ecosystems. Specifically, we focus on the behaviour of the leading eigenvalue in different type of random matrices (including interaction matrices and Jacobian-like matrices), relevant for the assessment of different types of dynamical stability. By comparing numerical results on Erdős–Rényi and Husimi graphs with sign-antisymmetric interactions or mixed sign patterns, we propose a sufficient criterion, called strong local sign stability, for stability not to be affected by system size, as traditionally implied by the complexity-stability trade-off in conventional models of random matrices. The criterion requires sign-antisymmetric or unidirectional interactions and a local structure of the graph such that the number of cycles of finite length do not increase with the system size. Note that the last requirement is stronger than the classical local tree-like condition, which we associate to the less stringent definition of local sign stability, also defined in the paper. In addition, for strong local sign stable graphs which show stability to linear perturbations irrespectively of system size, we observe that the leading eigenvalue can undergo a transition from being real to acquiring a nonnull imaginary part, which implies a dynamical transition from nonoscillatory to oscillatory linear response to perturbations. Lastly, we ascertain the discontinuous nature of this transition.
Pathways to discontinuous transitions in interacting contagion dynamics
Authors: Lamata-Otín Santiago , Gómez-Gardeñes Jesús , Soriano-Paños David 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Yet often neglected, dynamical interdependencies between concomitant contagion processes can alter their intrinsic equilibria and bifurcations. A particular case of interest for disease control is the emergence of discontinuous transitions in epidemic dynamics coming from their interactions with other simultaneous processes. To address this problem, here we propose a framework coupling a standard epidemic dynamics with another contagion process, presenting a tunable parameter shaping the nature of its transitions. Our model retrieves well-known results in the literature, such as the existence of first-order transitions arising from the mutual cooperation of epidemics or the onset of abrupt transitions when social contagions unidirectionally drive epidemics. We also reveal that negative feedback loops between simultaneous dynamical processes might suppress abrupt phenomena, thus increasing systems robustness against external perturbations. Our results render a general perspective toward finding different pathways to abrupt phenomena from the interaction of contagion processes.
Harnessing causal forests for epidemiologic research: key considerations
Authors: Shiba Koichiro , Inoue Kosuke 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Assessing heterogeneous treatment effects (HTEs) is an essential task in epidemiology. The recent integration of machine learning into causal inference has provided a new, flexible tool for evaluating complex HTEs: causal forest. In a recent paper, Jawadekar et al (Am J Epidemiol. 2023;192(7):1155-1165) introduced this innovative approach and offered practical guidelines for applied users. Building on their work, this commentary provides additional insights and guidance to promote the understanding and application of causal forest in epidemiologic research. We start with conceptual clarifications, differentiating between honesty and cross-fitting, and exploring the interpretation of estimated conditional average treatment effects. We then delve into practical considerations not addressed by Jawadekar et al, including motivations for estimating HTEs, calibration approaches, and ways to leverage causal forest output with examples from simulated data. We conclude by outlining challenges to consider for future advancements and applications of causal forest in epidemiologic research.
Independence and impartiality: Australia’s arbitrator bias test
Authors: Garrett Emma 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This article examines Australia’s arbitrator bias test to reveal its underlying contradictions and ambiguity and suggests that the legislation is amended to remedy these flaws and ensure Australia stays in line with international best practice. In 2010, section 18A of the International Arbitration Act 1974 (Cth) introduced the arbitrator bias test into Australian statute. The provision failed to specify both limbs of the test and relied on Gough, an outdated English case. This produced two opposing decisions from Australia’s federal judiciary: Sino Dragon and Hui. The uncertainty of Australia’s arbitrator bias test strikes at the heart of the process as the independence and impartiality of arbitrators is a fundamental pillar of international commercial arbitration. After critically analysing the progression of England’s approach to the arbitrator bias test over the past century to date, I conclude that the inherent unclearness of Australia’s approach needs to be remedied by the real possibility test being codified in Australian statute. This test reflects the Australian federal judiciary’s most recent approach. My analysis also reveals it is the most appropriate test. By clarifying Australia’s arbitrator bias test those associating with Australia’s international commercial arbitration system have the requisite certainty and clarity to engage with ease.
Lower Gluteal Liposuction Combined With Upper Gluteal and Infragluteal Region Fat Grafting: A Novel Concept to Improve Gluteal Ptosis
Authors: Yang Mingzi , Li Jiyang , Dong Weiwei , Lv Qianwen , Qi Yue , Han Xuefeng , Qi Zuoliang , Ma Gui-e , Gu Yunpeng 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Gluteal ptosis results in a severe disturbance of gluteal aesthetics. Currently, satisfactory procedures for improving gluteal ptosis are lacking.

Objectives
To improve gluteal ptosis, the authors propose a novel concept of combined liposuction of the lower gluteal region and fat grafting to the upper gluteal and infragluteal regions, and verify its efficacy and safety.

Methods
Patients who underwent liposuction of the lower gluteal region combined with fat grafting to the upper gluteal and infragluteal regions between January 2020 and July 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative changes in the gluteal ptosis grade, complications, and patient satisfaction were evaluated.

Results
A total of 28 patients were enrolled in this study; 21 (75.0%) patients had gluteal ptosis grade 4 and 7 (25.0%) patients had gluteal ptosis grade 5. The median fat removal volume was 210 mL, and the median fat graft injected volume was 355 mL in the gluteal region and 180 mL in the infragluteal region. All patients showed improvement in gluteal ptosis; 16 (57.1%) patients improved by 1 grade and 12 (42.9%) patients showed a 2-grade improvement. All patients were satisfied with their posttreatment outcomes. Only 1 patient showed lateral translocation of the fat graft. No other complications were observed.

Conclusions
Liposuction of the lower gluteal region combined with fat grafting to the upper gluteal and infragluteal regions is effective in improving gluteal ptosis, with a low risk of complications and high patient satisfaction.

Level of Evidence: 3
From Tip of Brush to Tip of Knife: The Relationship Between Post-mastectomy Breast Reconstruction and the Classical Arts
Authors: Wood Matabele Kasey Leigh , Nkana Zeeda H , Seitz Allison J , Edalatpour Armin , Mahajan Ashish Y , Poore Samuel O 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Breast reconstruction is highly complex, requiring navigation of not only clinical and operative realities, but of patient expectations as well. The authors sought to identify historical art pieces that exhibit breast asymmetries and deformities for comparison with photographs of breast reconstruction patients seen at the clinic of the senior author (S.O.P.) to demonstrate that achievement of perfect breast cosmesis is challenging in both breast reconstruction and in the classical arts. Open access libraries and Creative Commons images were reviewed to identify appropriate works of art from various time periods and geographic locations. Following artwork selection, photographs of breast reconstruction patients were reviewed and paired with selected artworks exhibiting cosmetically similar breasts. A total of 8 pieces of selected historic art were found to have at least 1 matching patient photograph, with 9 correlative patient photographs ultimately chosen. Common breast asymmetries and deformities identified included ptosis, asymmetric chest wall placement, asymmetric nipple placement, and absence of the nipple. This review identified diverse artworks of varying styles spanning vast expanses of both geography and time that exhibited breast deformities and asymmetries commonly encountered in patients seeking revision of breast reconstruction. This underscores that creating the cosmetically ideal breast is difficult both in the operating room and the art studio. Importantly, the authors emphasized that the arts frequently celebrate that which is considered beautiful, although to the trained eye of a plastic surgeon that which is considered beautiful is often classified as dysmorphic or asymmetric.
ZygosityPredictor
Authors: Rheinnecker Marco , Fröhlich Martina , Rübsam Marc , Paramasivam Nagarajan , Heilig Christoph E , Fröhling Stefan , Schlenk Richard F , Hutter Barbara , Hübschmann Daniel 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Summary
ZygosityPredictor provides functionality to evaluate how many copies of a gene are affected by mutations in next generation sequencing data. In cancer samples, the tool processes both somatic and germline mutations. In particular, ZygosityPredictor computes the number of affected copies for single nucleotide variants and small insertions and deletions (Indels). In addition, the tool integrates information at gene level via phasing of several variants and subsequent logic to derive how strongly a gene is affected by mutations and provides a measure of confidence. This information is of particular interest in precision oncology, e.g. when assessing whether unmutated copies of tumor-suppressor genes remain.

Availability and implementation
ZygosityPredictor was implemented as an R-package and is available via Bioconductor at https://bioconductor.org/packages/ZygosityPredictor. Detailed documentation is provided in the vignette including application to an example genome.
AGImpute: imputation of scRNA-seq data based on a hybrid GAN with dropouts identification
Authors: Zhu Xiaoshu , Meng Shuang , Li Gaoshi , Wang Jianxin , Peng Xiaoqing 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Motivation
Dropout events bring challenges in analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing data as they introduce noise and distort the true distributions of gene expression profiles. Recent studies focus on estimating dropout probability and imputing dropout events by leveraging information from similar cells or genes. However, the number of dropout events differs in different cells, due to the complex factors, such as different sequencing protocols, cell types, and batch effects. The dropout event differences are not fully considered in assessing the similarities between cells and genes, which compromises the reliability of downstream analysis.

Results
This work proposes a hybrid Generative Adversarial Network with dropouts identification to impute single-cell RNA sequencing data, named AGImpute. First, the numbers of dropout events in different cells in scRNA-seq data are differentially estimated by using a dynamic threshold estimation strategy. Next, the identified dropout events are imputed by a hybrid deep learning model, combining Autoencoder with a Generative Adversarial Network. To validate the efficiency of the AGImpute, it is compared with seven state-of-the-art dropout imputation methods on two simulated datasets and seven real single-cell RNA sequencing datasets. The results show that AGImpute imputes the least number of dropout events than other methods. Moreover, AGImpute enhances the performance of downstream analysis, including clustering performance, identifying cell-specific marker genes, and inferring trajectory in the time-course dataset.

Availability and implementation
The source code can be obtained from https://github.com/xszhu-lab/AGImpute.