bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Laser irradiation of differently aged carbon nanoparticles: effect on optical properties
Authors: Migliorini F. , Belmuso S. , Ciniglia D. , Dondè R. , De Iuliis S. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe effect of laser irradiation on carbon nanoparticles of different maturity sampled from a premixed flame is investigated. To this purpose, extinction and laser-induced incandescence measurements are carried out on pristine and pre-irradiated nanoparticles. From extinction measurements, a spectral trend of the absorption coefficient of the particles is retrieved. Moreover, two-color laser-induced incandescence versus fluence is used to investigate the behavior of signal and temperature fluence curves in the different conditions under analysis. By coupling these results, interesting outcomes are obtained depending on the nature (nascent vs mature) of the particles. For nascent particles, a significant shift of the fluence curves is observed for the pre-irradiated particles, suggesting an increase in the absorption efficiency. However, no changes in the spectral trend of the absorption coefficient are observed from extinction measurements. On the contrary, for mature particles the absorption properties are strongly affected by irradiation resulting in an increase in the absorption efficiency in the spectral region below 600 nm. Moreover, a decrease of the temperature at the plateau regime for pre-irradiated mature particles towards the temperature value reached by nascent particles is observed. Two processes, namely fragmentation and sublimation followed by nucleation of new particles are suggested to occur under laser irradiation, especially for mature carbon nanoparticles.
Systematic review and network meta-analysis of robot-assisted gait training on lower limb function in patients with cerebral palsy
Authors: Wang Yueying , Zhang Peipei , Li Chao 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) in treating lower extremity function in patients with cerebral palsy (CP) and compare the efficacy differences between different robotic systems.

Methods
PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, VIP, CBM, and Wanfang databases were searched to collect randomized controlled trials of RAGT for lower extremity dysfunction in patients with CP from the time the databases were created until December 26, 2022. The D and E of Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) assessed lower limb motor function. Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to assess balance function. Walking endurance and speed were assessed using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and walking speed. The modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) was used to assess the degree of muscle spasticity in the lower extremities. The Cochrane Risk Assessment Scale and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale were used for qualitative assessment in the studies included. RevMan 5.4 was used for data merging and statistical analysis. R 4.2.0 and ADDIS 1.16.8 were used to map the network relationships and to perform the network meta-analysis.

Results
A total of 14 studies were included in the review. The meta-analysis showed that RAGT significantly improved GMFM-88 D and E, BBS, and 6MWT scores in CP patients compared with conventional rehabilitation. However, for walking speed and MAS, the intervention effect of RAGT was insignificant. The network meta-analysis showed that the best probability ranking for the effect of the 3 different robots on the GMFM-88 D score was LokoHelp (P = 0.66) > Lokomat (P = 0.28) > 3DCaLT (P = 0.06) and the best probability ranking for the GMFM-88 E score was LokoHelp (P = 0.63) > 3DCaLT (P = 0.21) > Lokomat (P = 0.16).

Conclusion
RAGT positively affects walking and balance function in patients with CP, while efficacy in improving gait speed and muscle spasticity is unknown. The best treatment among the different robots is LokoHelp. Future high-quality, long-term follow-up studies are needed to explore the clinical efficacy of RAGT in depth.
Are fungal epizootics a sign of successful biological control of cereal aphids?
Authors: Saussure Stéphanie , Hjelkrem Anne-Grete Roer , Klingen Ingeborg , Meadow Richard , Holst Niels 
Published: July 2023

AbstractPandora neoaphidis is a common entomopathogenic fungus on Sitobion avenae, which is an important aphid pest on cereals in Europe. Pandora neoaphidis is known to cause epizootics (i.e. an unusually high prevalence of infected hosts) and the rapid collapse of aphid populations. We developed a weather-driven mechanistic model of the winter wheat-S. avenae-P. neoaphidis system to simulate the dynamics from spring to harvest. Aphid immigration was fixed at a rate that would lead to a pest outbreak, if not controlled by the fungus. We estimated the biocontrol efficacy by running pair-wise simulations, one with and one without the fungus. Uncertainty in model parameters and variation in weather was included, resulting in a range of simulation outcomes, and a global sensitivity analysis was performed. We identified two key understudied parameters that require more extensive experimental data collection to better assess the fungus biocontrol, namely the fungus transmission efficiency and the decay of cadaver, which defines the time window for possible disease transmission. The parameters with the largest influence on the improvement in yield were the weather, the lethal time of exposed aphids, the fungus transmission efficiency, and the humidity threshold for fungus development, while the fungus inoculum in the chosen range (between 10 and 70% of immigrant aphids carrying the fungus) was less influential. The model suggests that epizootics occurring early, around Zadoks growth stage (GS) 61, would lead to successful biocontrol, while later epizootics (GS 73) were a necessary but insufficient condition for success. These model predictions were based on the prevalence of cadavers only, not of exposed (i.e. infected but yet non-symptomatic) aphids, which in practice would be costly to monitor. The model suggests that practical Integrated Pest Management could thus benefit from including the cadavers prevalence in a monitoring program. We argue for further research to experimentally estimate these cadaver thresholds.
Effect of water on the dissolution of flax fiber bundles in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate
Authors: Albarakati Fatimah A. , Hine Peter J. , Ries Michael E. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis work investigated the dissolution rate of flax fibers in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate [C2mim] [OAc] with the addition of a cellulose anti-solvent, water. The dissolution process was studied as a function of time, temperature and water concentration. Optical microscopy is used to analyse the resultant partially dissolved fibers. Distilled water was added to the solvent bath at the concentrations of 1%, 2% and 4% by weight in order to understand its influence on the dissolution process. The effect of the addition of even small amounts of water was found to significantly decrease the speed of dissolution, decreasing exponentially as a function of water concentration. The resulting data of both pure (as received from the manufacturers) ionic liquid and ionic liquid/anti-solvent mixtures showed the growth of the coagulated fraction as a function of both dissolution time and temperature followed time temperature superposition. An Arrhenius behavior was found, enabling the measurement of the activation energy for the dissolution of flax fiber. The activation energy of the IL as received (0.2% water) was found to be 64 ± 5 kJ/mol. For 1%, 2% and 4% water systems, the activation energies were found to be 74 ± 7 kJ/mol, 97 ± 3 kJ/mol and 116 ± 0.6 kJ/mol respectively. Extrapolating these results to zero water concentration gave a value for the hypothetical dry IL (0% water) of 58 ± 4 kJ/mol. The hypothetical dry ionic liquid is predicted to dissolve cellulose 23% faster than the IL as received (0.2% water).
Teachers’ perceptions of less successfully organized professional development practices in mathematics: A study of nine secondary schools in Shanghai, China
Authors: Fan Lianghuo , Xie Sicheng , Luo Jietong , Li Lingzhu , Tang Jiali , Li Shuhui 
Published: July 2023

AbstractProfessional development (PD) for mathematics teachers in China, especially in Shanghai, has received growing international attention. However, most of available research concerning Chinese PD has focused on successful practices, and far too little attention has been paid to less successfully organized PD practices, particularly for mathematics teachers in Shanghai. This study aims to examine key aspects and underlying reasons for less successfully organized PD practices in Shanghai from teachers’ perspectives. The data were collected from 132 mathematics teachers in 9 randomly selected secondary schools in Shanghai through a questionnaire survey and follow-up interviews. The results show that Shanghai mathematics teachers perceived “time, duration and frequency”, “assessment and management” and “objective” as the three most unsatisfactory aspects in less successfully organized PD they attended, and they considered that organized PD practices were less successful mainly due to lack of assessment for the PD organizers and of necessary coordination between PD organizers at different levels. In addition, there were statistically significant differences in teachers’ perceptions of various specific problems in different aspects about less successfully organized PD between teachers with different demographic features, such as length of teaching experience and gender. Implications of the findings of the study to Chinese educational settings and beyond are discussed at the end of the paper.
Application of Elastic P-SV Reverse Time Migration to Synthetic Ultrasonic Echo Data from Concrete Members
Authors: Grohmann Maria , Niederleithinger Ernst , Buske Stefan , Büttner Christoph 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe ultrasonic echo technique is frequently used in non-destructive testing (NDT) of concrete structures for thickness measurements, geometry determinations as well as localization of built-in components. To improve ultrasonic imaging of complex structures in concrete, we transferred a geophysical imaging technique, the reverse time migration (RTM), to NDT in civil engineering. In contrast to the conventionally used synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT) algorithms, RTM is a wavefield continuation method in time and uses the full wave equation. Thus, RTM can handle complicated wave propagations in any direction without dip limitation. In this paper, we focused on the application and evaluation of a two-dimensional (2D) elastic RTM algorithm considering compressional waves, vertically polarized shear waves, and Rayleigh waves. We tested the elastic RTM routine on synthetic ultrasonic echo data generated with a 2D concrete model consisting of several steps and circular air inclusions. As these complex structures can often be found in real-world NDT use cases, their imaging is especially important. By using elastic RTM, we were able to clearly reproduce vertical reflectors and lower edges of circular air voids inside our numerical concrete model. Such structures cannot be imaged with conventional SAFT algorithms. Furthermore, the used elastic RTM approach also yielded a better reconstruction of a horizontal reflector and upper boundaries of circular air inclusions. Our encouraging results demonstrate that elastic RTM has the potential to significantly improve the imaging of complex concrete structures and, thus, is a step forward for detailed, high-quality ultrasonic NDT in civil engineering.
Data quality control tools used to monitor seismoacoustic research arrays in South Korea
Authors: Park Junghyun , Hayward Chris , Kim Byung-Il , Stump Brian , Che Il-Young , Arrowsmith Stephen , Kim Kwangsu 
Published: July 2023

AbstractData assessment tools designed to improve data quality and real-time delivery of seismic and infrasound data produced by six seismoacoustic research arrays in South Korea are documented and illustrated. Three distinct types of tools are used including the following: (1) data quality monitoring; (2) real-time station state of health (SOH) monitoring; and (3) data telemetry and archive monitoring. The data quality tools quantify data gaps, seismometer orientation, infrasound polarity, digitizer timing errors, absolute noise levels, and coherence between co-located sensors and instrument-generated signals. Some of the tools take advantage of co-located or closely spaced instruments in the arrays. Digitizer timing errors are identified by continuous estimates of the relative orientation of closely spaced horizontal seismic components based on the root-mean-square error between a reference seismometer and each seismometer in the array. Noise level estimates for seismic and infrasound data are used to assess local environmental effects, seasonal noise variations, and instrumentation changes for maintenance purposes. The SOH monitoring system includes the status of individual ancillary equipment (battery, solar power, or components associated with communication) and provides the operator the capability to compare the current status to the historical data and possibly make remote changes to the system. Finally, monitoring data telemetry and overall data archival provide an assessment of network performance. This collection of tools enables array operators to assess operational issues in near real-time associated with individual instruments or components of the system in order to improve data quality of each seismoacoustic array.
A Person-Centered Analysis of Adolescent Multicultural Socialization Niches and Academic Functioning
Authors: Hernández Maciel M. , Safa M. Dalal , Kornienko Olga , Rogers Adam A. , Ha Thao 
Published: July 2023

AbstractDespite the growing cultural diversity worldwide, there is scarce research on how socialization processes prepare youth to respond to increasing multicultural demands and the degree to which these socialization opportunities inform youth academic functioning. This study used a person-centered approach to identify profiles or niches based on the degree and consistency of multicultural socialization experiences across school, peer, and family settings and to examine the associations between identified niches and markers of academic functioning (i.e., emotional and behavioral academic engagement, academic aspirations and expectations) in a sample of adolescents (N = 717; Mage = 13.73 years). Participants (49.9% girls) were from the U.S. Southwest and represented multiple ethno-racial backgrounds (31.8% Hispanic/Latinx, 31.5% Multiethnic, 25.7% White, 7.3% Black or African American, 1.4% Asian American or Pacific Islander, 1.4% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 1% Arab, Middle Eastern, or North African). Six distinct multicultural socialization niches were identified. Three niches had similar patterns across school-peer-family but ranged in the degree of socialization. The cross-setting similar higher socialization niche (Niche 6) demonstrated greater socialization than the cross-setting similar moderate (Niche 5) and lower socialization (Niche 4) niches, which had moderate and lower socialization, respectively. Three niches demonstrated cross-setting dissimilarity which ranged in the type of cross-setting contrast and the degree of socialization. The cross-setting dissimilar school contrast socialization niche (Niche 3) had greater dissimilarities between socialization opportunities in the school setting compared to the peer and family settings and demonstrated the lowest levels of socialization of all niches. The other two niches, the cross-setting dissimilar peer contrast (Niche 1) and greater peer contrast socialization (Niche 2) niches had larger dissimilarities between socialization opportunities in the peer setting than the school and family settings. In the former, however, the contrast was lower, and socialization ranged between very low to low. In the latter, the contrast was higher and socialization ranged from very low to moderate. Most adolescents were in the cross-setting similar lower socialization niche or in the cross-setting dissimilar niches. Adolescents in the cross-setting similar higher multicultural socialization demonstrated greater emotional and behavioral academic engagement than adolescents in most of the other niches. Adolescents in the cross-setting dissimilar school contrast niches demonstrated lower emotional and behavioral academic engagement and lower academic expectations than adolescents in some of the other niches. The results emphasize the collective role of school, peer, and family multicultural socialization on emotional and behavioral academic engagement.
Climate impact and energy use of structural battery composites in electrical vehicles—a comparative prospective life cycle assessment
Authors: Hermansson Frida , Edgren Fredrik , Xu Johanna , Asp Leif E. , Janssen Matty , Svanström Magdalena 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Structural battery composites (SBCs) are multifunctional carbon fibre composites that can be used as structural elements in battery electric vehicles to store energy. By decreasing the weight of the vehicle, energy consumption in the use phase can be reduced, something that could be counteracted by the energy-intensive carbon fibre production. The purpose of this study is to shed light on such life-cycle considerations.

Method
Prospective life cycle assessment is used to compare the future cradle-to-grave climate impact and energy use of SBCs in battery electric vehicles to conventional metals and lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, the influences from different technology development routes, primarily related to the carbon fibre production, are assessed. The functional unit is the roof, hood, and doors of a battery electric vehicle with maintained flexural stiffness used for 200,000 km. To capture the multifunctionality of the material, the lithium-ion battery is also included in the functional unit.

Results and discussion
Results show that SBCs have a large potential to decrease the life cycle climate impact and energy use of battery electric vehicles, especially following routes focusing on decreasing the use of fossil resources, both for raw materials and as energy sources. The comparative assessment of multifunctional or recycled materials to conventional materials introduces several methodological challenges, such as defining the functional unit and choice of allocation approach for distributing burdens and benefits between life cycles in recycling. This study illustrates the importance of using both the cut-off and end-of-life recycling allocation approaches to capture extremes and to not provide biased results. This study also highlights the importance of considering the ease of repairability in comparative studies, as damages to car parts made from SBCs are likely more difficult to repair than those made from conventional materials.

Conclusions
SBCs have the potential to reduce the life cycle climate impact and energy use for most scenarios compared to conventional materials. Three main methodological challenges were found: the comparison to a material with a well-established recycling system throughout its life cycle, the need for expanding the system boundaries to include the lithium-ion battery, and the difference in repairability of SBCs compared to the conventional material.
Antitumor activity of 5-fluorouracil polymeric nanogel synthesized by gamma radiation on a rat model of colon carcinoma: a proposed mechanism
Authors: Abo-Zaid Omayma A. R. , Moawed Fatma S. M. , Barakat Wael E. M. , Ghobashy Mohamed Mohamady , Ahmed Esraa S. A. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe use of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is associated with multifaceted challenges and poor pharmacokinetics. Accordingly, our study was designed to prepare 5-FU nanogel as a new form of the colon cancer chemotherapeutic drug 5-FU using polyacrylic acid and gelatin hybrid nanogel as efficient drug carriers. Alongside the in vivo chemotherapeutic evaluation, the anti-proliferative and anti-apoptotic efficacy were carried out for 5-FU nanogel against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH, 20 mg/kg) and γ-radiation (4 Gy)-prompted colon dysplasia in rats compared to 5-FU. The morphology and size of 5-FU nanogel were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) in addition to cytotoxicity assay. The expression of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR); Toll-like receptor2 (TLR2)/nuclear factor kappa B), adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its downstream autophagy-related genes in addition to apoptotic markers were measured in colon tissues. Results: 5-FU nanogel reduced the levels of the TLR2/ NF-κβ as well as the expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR. Moreover, it promoted autophagy through the activation of the AMPK and its downstream targets which consequently augmented the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Conclusion: Collectively, these data might strengthen the therapeutic potential of 5-FU nanogel which can be used as an antitumor product for colon cancer.
Co-morbid Insomnia and Sleep Apnoea (COMISA): Latest Research from an Emerging Field
Authors: Sweetman Alexander 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose of Review
Insomnia and sleep apnoea are the two most prevalent sleep disorders and frequently co-exist. Co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnoea (COMISA) is increasingly recognised as a highly prevalent condition that is associated with worse sleep, daytime function, physical and mental health compared to either disorder alone. Compared to people with sleep apnoea alone, those with COMISA are less likely to accept and use positive airway pressure therapy, the most effective treatment for sleep apnoea. Given the high prevalence, morbidity and complexities in effectively managing COMISA, it is critical to develop a better understanding of the aetiology, consequences and effective treatments for this condition. This report aims to provide an overview of recent COMISA research.

Recent Findings
This report presents an overview of emerging areas of COMISA research over the past 5 years, including (1) mental and physical health associations of COMISA, (2) bi-directional relationships between insomnia and sleep apnoea, (3) positive airway pressure therapy for COMISA and (4) cognitive behavioural therapy for COMISA. Future research directions are discussed, including tailored treatment approaches and implementation programs to improve recognition and management of COMISA.

Summary
COMISA is a highly prevalent and debilitating condition in sleep clinic and population-based settings. Emerging research aims to develop and implement more effective and tailored treatment approaches for COMISA, to improve sleep, mental health, physical health and quality of life in people with COMISA.
Taylor’s power law and reduced-rank vector generalized linear models
Authors: Yee Thomas W. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractTaylor’s power law (TPL) from empirical ecological theory has had many explanations proposed for its widespread observation in data. We show that the class of reduced-rank vector generalized linear models (RR-VGLMs) for coupling two parameters from a statistical distribution linearly together creates hybrid models that satisfy TPL or very similar. These include the RR-negative binomial, RR-inverse Gaussian and RR-generalized Poisson distributions. Some advantages of RR-VGLMs include the handling of covariates and an implementation exists in the form of theVGAMpackage. The software is demonstrated to show how these models may be fitted conveniently.