bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanical properties and corrosion behaviour of developed high nitrogen high manganese stainless steels
Authors: Saravanan P. , Govindaraj Y. , Khalkho B. , Srikanth S. , Kumar V. , Neelakantan L. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractInfluence of composition, specifically manganese and nitrogen content, on the microstructure associated corrosion resistance property of newly developed stainless steel has been studied. The developed steels have been characterised for their microstructure, mechanical and electrochemical properties. The results indicate that the addition of manganese and nitrogen as a substitute for nickel favours the austenite microstructure, higher yield strength (>350 MPa), tensile strength (>700 MPa), elongation and superior Charpy V‐notch impact toughness properties. The results obtained from electrochemical tests such as potentiodynamic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of manganese stainless steel show remarkable improvement (about 4 times) in corrosion resistance exhibiting passivity behaviour like that of commercial stainless steel (316L).
Performance optimization of polyetherimide‐zeolite 4A mixed matrix membranes for carbon dioxide/methane separation process using response surface methodology
Authors: Masor A. E. , Nasir R. , Mannan H. A. , Qadir D. , Sharif R. , Mohshim D. F. , Mukhtar H. , Muhammad A. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe performance optimization studies of zeolite 4A embedded polyetherimide mixed matrix membranes to separate carbon dioxide/methane by simultaneously considering the effect of process parameters on process responses were the focus of this study. Mixed matrix membranes were characterized and analyzed. The thermophysical characteristics of the synthesized membranes were assessed by different analytical equipment. The permeability of pure gases was determined at varying feed pressures (4 bar to 10 bar) to evaluate gas separation performance. Process optimization studies were accomplished by response surface methodology to find the relation of pressure and zeolite loading on carbon dioxide and methane permeability, and carbon dioxide/methane selectivity. The characterization results revealed that all membranes were dense in structure and has improved thermal stability. The spectrometry results confirmed the molecular interaction between polyetherimide and zeolite 4A filler. Gas permeability results showed a more than 90 % increase in carbon dioxide permeability compared to the nascent polyetherimide membrane. Similarly, selectivity of mixed matrix membranes was 45 % higher than polyetherimide membrane. The optimal operating conditions were found to be 20 wt. % zeolite loading and 6 bar pressure with overall desirability of 0.700. These membranes can find potential in various gas separation applications.
Super‐resolved q‐space learning of diffusion MRI
Authors: Chen Zan , Peng Chenxu , Li Yongqiang , Zeng Qingrun , Feng Yuanjing 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundDiffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) provides a powerful tool to non‐invasively investigate neural structures in the living human brain. Nevertheless, its reconstruction performance on neural structures relies on the number of diffusion gradients in the q‐space. High‐angular (HA) dMRI requires a long scan time, limiting its use in clinical practice, whereas directly reducing the number of diffusion gradients would lead to the underestimation of neural structures.PurposeWe propose a deep compressive sensing‐based q‐space learning (DCS‐qL) approach to estimate HA dMRI from low‐angular dMRI.MethodsIn DCS‐qL, we design the deep network architecture by unfolding the proximal gradient descent procedure that addresses the compressive sense problem. In addition, we exploit a lifting scheme to design a network structure with reversible transform properties. For implementation, we apply a self‐supervised regression to enhance the signal‐to‐noise ratio of diffusion data. Then, we utilize a semantic information‐guided patch‐based mapping strategy for feature extraction, which introduces multiple network branches to handle patches with different tissue labels.ResultsExperimental results show that the proposed approach can yield a promising performance on the tasks of reconstructed HA dMRI images, microstructural indices of neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging, fiber orientation distribution, and fiber bundle estimation.ConclusionsThe proposed method achieves more accurate neural structures than competing approaches.
Manipulating tunnelling gateways in condensed phase isomerization
Authors: Choudhury Arnab , Sinha Shreya , Harlander David , DeVine Jessalyn , Kandratsenka Alexander , Saalfrank Peter , Schwarzer Dirk , Wodtke Alec M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWhen a chemical reaction occurs via tunnelling, a simple mass‐dependence is expected, where substitution of atoms by heavier isotopes leads to a reduced reaction rate. However, as shown in a recent study of CO orientational isomerization at the NaCl(1 0 0) interface, the lightest isotopologues need not exhibit the fastest tunnelling; for the CO/NaCl system, the non‐monotonic mass‐dependence is understood through a new picture of condensed phase tunnelling where the overall rate is dominated by a few pairs of reactant/product states. These state‐pairs – termed quantum gateways – gain dynamical importance through accidentally enhanced tunnelling probabilities, facilitated by a confluence of the energetic landscape underlying the reaction as well as the phonon bath of the surrounding medium. Here, we explore gateway tunnelling through measurements of the kinetic isotope effect for CO isomerization in a monolayer buried by many layers of either CO or N2. With an N2 overlayer, tunnelling rates are accelerated for all four isotopologues (12C16O, 13C16O, 12C18O and 13C18O), but the degree of acceleration is isotopologue‐specific and non‐intuitively mass dependent. A one‐dimensional tunnelling model involving an Eckart barrier cannot capture this behaviour. This reflects how a modification of the potential energy surface moves states in and out of resonance, thereby changing which tunnelling gateways can be accessed in the isomerization reaction.Key points
The paper describes new systems that showcase resonance‐enhanced condensed phase tunnelling.
Condensed phase tunnelling as described in this work may have implications for astrochemistry.
A previously hypothesized mechanism is subjected to subsequent experimental scrutiny – the hypothesis stands the test.
Diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging of parotid glands in diabetes mellitus: A preliminary study
Authors: Muraoka Hirotaka , Kaneda Takashi , Kondo Takumi , Okada Shunya , Sawada Eri , Tokunaga Satoshi 
Published: May 2023

AbstractObjectiveThis retrospective study aimed to assess the parotid glands in diabetes mellitus (DM) using diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW‐MRI).MethodsWe investigated 54 patients aged between 38 and 83 years, with DM (DM group) and without DM (control group), who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the facility between November 2006 and January 2021. We calculated the median apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of the parotid glands in the control group and DM group. These groups were compared using the Mann–Whitney U tests. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the ability of the ADC to predict DM. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsThe median ADCs of parotid grands in the control group and DM group were 0.83 × 10−3 mm2/s and 0.74 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively (p < 0.01). ROC analysis revealed a cut‐off ADC value of 0.81 to distinguish between the control and DM group. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the ROC curve were 0.7, 0.67, 0.69, and 0.71, respectively.ConclusionThe ADC was significantly higher in DM groups than in the control group. This suggests that DW‐MRI may be able to quantitatively distinguish parotid glands between normal and DM patients.
An intervention to decrease sedentary behavior in older adults: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Abraham Nikita , Lyden Kate , Boucher Robert , Wei Guo , Gonce Victoria , Carle Judy , Fornadi Katalin , Supiano Mark A. , Christensen Jesse , Beddhu Srinivasan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundSedentary behaviors are associated with adverse health outcomes in older adults. The feasibility of behavioral interventions in this population is unclear.MethodsIn the Sit Less, Interact, Move More (SLIMM) trial of 106 participants who had obesity, those randomized to the SLIMM intervention (N = 54) were instructed to replace sedentary activities with stepping. An accelerometer was used to measure physical activity. In this secondary analysis, mixed effect models were used to examine the effects of the SLIMM intervention on sedentary and stepping durations and steps/day by age (<70 and ≥ 70 years).ResultsMean ages in the <70 years (N = 47) and ≥70 years (N = 59) groups were 58 ± 11 and 78 ± 5. In the older subgroup, compared to standard‐of‐care (N = 29), the SLIMM intervention (N = 30) significantly increased stepping duration (13, 95%CI 1–24 min/d, p = 0.038) and steps per day (1330, 95% CI 322–2338, p = 0.01) and non‐significantly decreased sedentary duration by (28,95% CI −61–5 min/d, p = 0.09). In the age <70 subgroup, there was no separation between the standard of care (N = 23) and SLIMM (N = 24) groups.DiscussionIn older adults who had obesity, SLIMM intervention significantly increased stepping duration and steps per day. Interventions targeting sedentary behaviors by promoting low intensity physical activity may be feasible in this population.
Can tax agents support tax compliance in low‐income countries? Evidence from Uganda
Authors: Occhiali Giovanni , Kalyango Fredrick 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTax agents' role in ensuring or deterring compliance with tax obligations has received relatively little attention in the literature. Some evidence has emerged indicating when agents improve (or decrease) compliance, and why taxpayers employ their services. However, most existing studies have focused on high‐ or upper‐middle‐income countries. As the tax systems of low‐income countries present a unique set of compliance issues, a closer look at the role that tax agents play in these contexts is warranted. In this paper, we present evidence from two surveys on their use in Uganda. Our results show that tax agents contribute to an increased quality of filed returns thereby leading to lower audit adjustments The type of services more frequently requested by taxpayers seem to match those in high‐income countries, as do their reasons for engaging tax agents in the first place.
Nature interactions and their associations with connection to nature and well‐being varies between different types of green spaces
Authors: Fleming Whitney , Shwartz Assaf 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Increasing urbanization leads to greater loss of interaction with nature over time in a process described as the extinction of experience. Urban green spaces are some of the most prominent sites where individuals can access and interact with nature in urban areas. There is currently a gap in research around how different types of urban green spaces influence nature interactions, their relationships with human well‐being, and what influences these relationships. Greater knowledge of these connections can aid in the design of green spaces that can increase human well‐being and mitigate the extinction of experience.

We conducted a visitor survey in an urban nature site in Israel, which consists of both a garden and protected nature area dominated by natural Mediterranean vegetation. We aimed to understand how visitors interacted with nature at the site and how the interactions differed between the protected nature area and the garden. Both frequency of interactions and number of total interactions were measured. We also investigated the extent to which these interactions associated with nature relatedness (using the NRS scale), well‐being (using overall happiness and psychological well‐being) and the variables that influence nature interactions and well‐being outcomes.

Visitors who visited the protected nature area were more likely to interact with nature than those who only visited the garden. Nature interactions were significantly associated with an individual's nature relatedness and their perception of whether the site functioned more similarly to an urban park or a protected nature area. Living nearby was associated with greater attachment to and identity with the site, but also lower frequency of nature interactions. Nature interactions were associated with measures of well‐being, including overall happiness, attachment, identity and reflection, but varied depending on well‐being measures.

Interactions with nature, and their benefits, are not equal based on both actual opportunity for interaction and perceptions of green spaces. Incorporating user preferences of urban green spaces for more wild nature that individuals also perceive as wilder may allow for greater interaction. Developing urban nature sites that allow for greater interaction can promote human well‐being associated with interactions and combat extinction of experience.

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Wear properties of natural fiber based composites – A brief review
Authors: Alagumalai Vasudevan , Babu Karthik , M Thiyagu , Aseer Ronald , Shanmugam Vigneshwaran 
Published: May 2023

AbstractNatural fiber composites' appealing properties have enabled their use in a wide range of engineering applications, including automotive and structural applications. Wear is a common issue in automotive and structural applications, increasing the likelihood of material failure. As a result, composites with increased wear resistance are required. Natural fiber composites have completely different wear properties than metals. Understanding the wear mechanism of natural fiber composites is critical for their potential use in a variety of applications. Wear is of different types, each with its own mechanism of material loss. Wear is determined by material properties, such as matrix and reinforcement properties. The critical factors influencing the wear performance of natural fiber composites are fiber loading, fiber orientation, fiber length, and fiber interface. This review attempted to investigate the different types of wear in fiber composites and their impact on natural fiber composites. This article could serve as a one‐stop shop for learning about the wear characteristics of natural fiber composites.
Tolerability of ifosfamide‐containing regimen in patients with high‐risk renal and INI‐1‐deficient tumors
Authors: Wong Chris I. , Benedetti Daniel J. , Kao Pei‐Chi , Ma Clement , Marcus Karen J. , Mullen Elizabeth A. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundOutcomes for children with high‐risk renal (HRR) and INI‐1‐deficient (INI−) tumors are unacceptably poor. Concerns about excessive toxicity—as many are infants and/or undergo nephrectomy—have resulted in decreased chemotherapy dosing and omission of the nephrotoxic drug ifosfamide in collaborative group studies. As cause of death for children with these cancers remains overwhelmingly more from progressive disease rather than treatment toxicity, we examined the tolerability of an intensive ifosfamide‐containing regimen.ProcedureRetrospective review of children with HRR/INI− tumors treated at a single institution with vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide alternating with ifosfamide, carboplatin, etoposide (VDC‐ICE) from 2006–2016. The primary outcome was regimen tolerability, including kidney injury and grade 3–5 nonhematologic toxicities.ResultsFourteen patients with a median age of 1.7 years (range: 0.1–10.5) treated with VDC‐ICE were identified. Diagnosis included malignant rhabdoid tumor (n = 9) (primary renal [n = 2]); diffuse anaplastic Wilms tumor (n = 3); clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (n = 1); and anaplastic chordoma (n = 1). All children with primary renal tumors (43%) underwent complete (n = 5) or partial nephrectomy (n = 1) before chemotherapy. Nine (64%) completed all intended cycles of chemotherapy; n = 5 (36%) did not due to disease progression. Unplanned hospitalizations occurred in 13 (93%) patients, most commonly for febrile neutropenia. No patient experienced severe organ toxicity, diminished renal function, treatment discontinuation due to toxicities, or treatment‐related death.ConclusionsIn children with HRR/INI− tumors, VDC‐ICE chemotherapy was well‐tolerated without excessive toxicities, even amongst young patients with solitary kidneys. Concerns about toxicity should not preclude an intensive ifosfamide‐containing regimen from use in future trials in this population.
A review of solid lubrication based on polyurethane composites
Authors: Wang Shan , Han Xuhui , Jiang Shuai , Huang Yufei , Yin Xuan , Chai Chunpeng 
Published: May 2023

AbstractSolid lubricant materials could be used in various extreme conditions owing to the excellent anti‐friction and ‐wear with the low friction coefficient and wear rate. Polyurethane (PU)‐based solid lubricants as one of the widely utilized composite materials had been well‐known by researchers all over the world. PU‐based composite lubricants were commonly segmented into single‐phase lubricants and multi‐phase lubricants via inorganic or organic lubricant additives. What is more, the modified PU by solid lubricants would endow higher tribological performances than that of single‐phase PU‐based lubricants. Based on the multi‐component synergy, the multi‐phase lubricants could significantly improve the PU matrix's lubrication and wear resistance and enhance the comprehensive performance such as corrosion resistance. This paper mainly discussed and summarized the recent development in tribological performances of PU‐based composite lubricants, and explored their prospective research directions.
Factors that predict adolescents' engagement with STEM in and out of school
Authors: Mulvey Kelly Lynn , Cerda‐Smith Jacqueline , Joy Angelina , Mathews Channing , Ozturk Emine 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMaintaining adolescents' engagement with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) in and out of school may help ensure that adolescents are prepared to enter the STEM workforce. This study aims to extend prior work by documenting internal and external factors that matter for both STEM class engagement as well as engagement with STEM outside of school through STEM activism. Participants included ninth and tenth grade students (N = 852) from ethnically diverse public schools in the Southeastern United States, approximately evenly divided by gender. Findings from regression analyses revealed that girls and participants who perceive educational barriers to STEM were less engaged in STEM classes, whereas those who reported learning about more male scientists in class, and those who reported higher levels of belonging, STEM growth mindset, and STEM motivation were more engaged in STEM classes. Those who reported higher critical motivation, critical action, belonging, and STEM motivation were more engaged in STEM activism outside of school. Findings suggest that STEM teachers and out‐of‐school program developers may learn new ways to engage students from each other. Further, findings highlight some factors that may promote engagement in STEM both in and out of schools such as belonging and STEM motivation.
Dissecting the relative contribution of ECA3 and group 8/9 cation diffusion facilitators to manganese homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Farthing Emily C. , Henbest Kate C. , Garcia‐Becerra Tania , Peaston Kerry A. , Williams Lorraine E. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractManganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient for plant growth but becomes toxic when present in excess. A number of Arabidopsis proteins are involved in Mn transport including ECA3, MTPs, and NRAMPs; however, their relative contributions to Mn homeostasis remain to be demonstrated. A major focus here was to clarify the importance of ECA3 in responding to Mn deficiency and toxicity using a range of mutants. We show that ECA3 localizes to the trans‐Golgi and plays a major role in response to Mn deficiency with severe effects seen in eca3 nramp1 nramp2 under low Mn supply. ECA3 plays a minor role in Mn‐toxicity tolerance, but only when the cis‐Golgi‐localized MTP11 is non‐functional. We also use mutants and overexpressors to determine the relative contributions of MTP members to Mn homeostasis. The trans‐Golgi‐localized MTP10 plays a role in Mn‐toxicity tolerance, but this is only revealed in mutants when MTP8 and MTP11 are non‐functional and when overexpressed in mtp11 mutants. MTP8 and MTP10 confer greater Mn‐toxicity resistance to the pmr1 yeast mutant than MTP11, and an important role for the first aspartate in the fifth transmembrane domain DxxxD motif is demonstrated. Overall, new insight into the relative influence of key transporters in Mn homeostasis is provided.
Analyzing the effectiveness of the Gurney method for small scale fragmentation propulsion using Exploding Bridgewire detonators
Authors: Johnson Emily M. , Bauer Rachel L. , Johnson Catherine E. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractExplosives are common in military, mining, and construction applications where the explosive properties are understood, but mechanics of how the explosive's energy fragments and throws materials are less known. Considering the type of confining material around an explosive, creates variability in fragmentation behavior due to the individual material characteristics. The most common method for assessing fragmentation behavior is the Gurney method, which eliminates any consideration of fragmenting material properties. The Gurney method assumes that, on a large scale, the inconsistencies in material are irrelevant and only the mass of the confiner need be considered. However, it is known in many fields that energy is consumed in the breaking of a material. In this paper, the detonation and resultant fragmentation propulsion of Exploding Bridgewire (EBW) detonators with the same explosive material, but different casing characteristics, is observed. The Gurney method was used to predict fragmentation velocities of the casing following detonation, which were compared to the behavior observed through high‐speed video of the actual event. The EBWs were selected to provide variability in casing material, casing thickness, charge length, and charge diameter. It was found that when the amount of explosive is small, the material properties of the casing play a significant role, with 70 % of the total explosive mass lost in fragmenting PMMA EBWs and 30±3 % lost in Aluminum EBWs. There is significant energy loss to breaking the casing material that cannot be ignored on the small scale and could impact large explosives with high casing to explosive ratios.