bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal tracking performance of network time‐delay systems with multiple constraints
Authors: Du Yang , Yang Qingsheng , Zhan Xisheng , Wu Jie 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis paper investigates the optimal tracking performance based on the codec, colored noise, and bandwidth constraints in the network time‐delay systems. Choosing the optimal two‐degree‐of‐freedom compensator and the dominant expression of the system optimal tracking performance is obtained after Youla parameterization by using the coprime factorizations method and spectral decomposition technology. The result shows that the tracking performance of the system is determined by the nonminimum phase zero and unstable pole of the controlled plant. Moreover, codec, colored noise, and bandwidth constraints can also significantly impact the performance. Finally, two simulation examples prove the accuracy of the theory.
Optimal coordination in logistics warehousing with sensing and communication limits: A distributed differential game approach
Authors: Xue Wenyan , Zhan Siyuan , Chen Nan , Huang Jie 
Published: August 2023

AbstractOptimal coordination is essential for multi‐automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems, particularly in logistic transportation cases, where the system task completion time needs to be minimized, with the guarantee of safe operation. This is because an optimal coordination strategy (OCS), if achieved, can significantly improve the transportation system's efficiency. In this paper, to deal with the dynamic interaction process among AGVs, and sensing and communication range limits, we formulate the optimal coordination problem into a distributed differential game (DDG) framework, where individual AGVs only use information communicated from nearby AGVs to design their optimal operation trajectories. This helps to significantly reduce the computational and communication requirements for the multi‐AGV logistic transportation systems. Targeting operation safety and working efficiency requirements, we incorporate collision avoidance and trajectory optimization objectives into the proposed framework. It is shown that local OCS, obtained by solving the DDG problem for each AGV, will converge to the global Nash equilibrium, which represents the most efficient operating condition for the entire logistic transportation system. Finally, the efficacy of the proposed method is demonstrated, based on simulations and experiments, benchmarked with existing logistic warehousing planning and differential game methods. Compared with conventional methods, the proposed framework successfully helps reduce the task completion time by up to 16%.
Thermo‐economic assessment of a bench‐scale pyrolysis unit through a process simulator
Authors: Dhaundiyal Alok , Toth Laszlo 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis article focuses on the holistic appraisal of a pilot‐scale updraft reactor (E1) powered by the processed residue of forest waste (W1) and hog fuel (W2). The detailed analysis of the up‐draft unit includes the availability of energy, economic evaluation, and the determination of the lignocellulose content of the pine waste. The reformed structure of the pine pellet was used for gas, bio‐oil, and char generation. The Aspen HYSYS process simulator was used for simulation purposes and the results were validated with the solution obtained experimentally. For the measurement of the constituent contents of the pine needles, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) procedure was adopted. To investigate the similitude of the packed bed reactor, the Soave–Redlich–Kwong model was considered. For comparison of the given prototype, five different reactor types – conversion (R1), equilibrium (R2), Gibbs (R3), continuous stir tank (CST) (R4) and plug flow (R5) – were juxtaposed and their thermodynamic behavior was evaluated. From structural composition, it was noticed that the cellulose and hemicellulose(s) content dropped by 24.95% and 37.37%, respectively, whereas a rise of 23.33% was seen in the acid‐insoluble lignin (AIL) fraction of forest waste after the torrefaction process. Irrespective of the fuel type, the unconsumed fuel percentage was the same for both wood and processed residue pellets for R5. The relative percentage of methane increased by 1% for processed forest residue. The CO2 emission was estimated to be maximum for reactors R3 and R4. The O2 gain was absent in the R2 reactor. Concomitantly, it gained momentum in R1, R3, and R4. The simulated polytropic equations of state for W1 and W2 were PV1.083 = C and PV1.092 = C, respectively. The levelized cost of energy dropped by 12.50% while scaling up a pyrolysis unit.
Decision‐making styles and goal striving
Authors: Bavolar Jozef , Kacmar Pavol , Lovas Ladislav , Durbisova Simona 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWhile previous research has demonstrated the role of decision‐making styles in attaining various real‐life outcomes, it has neglected to explore the underlying goal‐related processes in terms of goal dimensions (ways in which people appraise their goals during goal striving). The present study examines whether the most studied decision‐making styles are related to self‐reported effort, goal progress, and action crisis as well as other goal dimensions. We conducted 14 studies (mutual conceptual replications) with Ntotal = 2574 (70% females) which included the General Decision‐Making Styles questionnaire and various goal‐related scales. The results from the mini meta‐analysis showed that the rational and intuitive styles were positively related to the goal dimensions associated with successful goal pursuit (e.g., goal commitment, goal attainability, positive emotions, and goal progress), while the avoidant style was mainly related to various difficulties associated with goal striving (e.g., controlled motivation, negative emotions, and action crisis). The dependent and especially spontaneous styles were found to be very weakly associated with the selected goal dimensions. When the separate studies were analyzed in the regression analyses and more process‐oriented goal dimensions were accounted for, decision‐making styles were only minor predictors of self‐reported effort expenditure, goal progress and action crisis. The study highlights the need and usefulness of a more nuanced processual approach in the research of individual decision‐making differences in goal‐directed behavior.
How generous interface affect user experience and behavior: Evaluating the information display interface for museum cultural heritage
Authors: Li Qiang , Wang Peng , Liu Zexue , Wang Changsheng 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMuseum web interfaces continue to be important in how users search for information and navigate through digital cultural heritage resources. A generous interface was deemed appropriate for displaying large amounts of digital cultural heritage. However, more example verification is required in this field of study. This study compared the traditional interface and the generous interface of the Liaoning Provincial Museum to investigate the role of a generous interface for cultural heritage collections. Forty second‐year design graduate students were randomly assigned to one of two interface groups: traditional interface or generous interface. Four variables were measured to compare the differences between the two interfaces for the participants. In addition, two parameters, holding time and average retrieval time, are recorded and used to evaluate and compare the impact of the two interfaces on user behavior. The generous interface, according to the findings, is more effective than the traditional interface in increasing participants' engagement with cultural heritage and is perceived to be more aesthetically pleasing. In addition, the generous interface has been proven to be more suitable for casual leisure users to explore cultural heritage information. This research provides the basis and reference for developing the web interface of cultural heritage collections.
“Not me” consumer justifications for not reporting suspected price‐fixing activities: Neutralization techniques & counterstrategies
Authors: Wong Phoebe , Vanharanta Markus , Wan Calvin , Lo Man Fung 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPrice‐fixing, an anti‐competitive activity by firms, raises consumer prices, limits consumer choices, and violates the law. Drawing on the neutralization theory, this study aims to investigate consumer participation in anti‐price‐fixing efforts. This is important as the government's strategy of combating price‐fixing often relies on tip‐offs from the public. Accordingly, this study examines consumer willingness to come forward to file a complaint of suspected price‐fixing cases to authorities and the justifications provided by participants for their reluctance. Focus group interviews were conducted with twenty‐three participants. The findings revealed that although the participants agreed that price‐fixing is unethical and unjust, they were reluctant to file a complaint to report suspected price‐fixing activities to authorities. This study makes theoretical contributions to uncover five neutralization techniques used by the participants to reconcile their negative feelings. Three new counterstrategies have not been explored or discussed in previous studies. This contributes to a new line of inquiry about consumer responses to price‐fixing.
Anion‐Dependent Reactivity of Mono‐ and Dinuclear Boron Cations
Authors: Röther Alexander , Farmer James C. , Portwich Flavio L. , Görls Helmar , Kretschmer Robert 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe dinuclear bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) borane adduct 2 rapidly reacts with tritylium salts at room temperature but the outcome is strongly impacted by the respective counter‐ion. Using tritylium tetrakis(perfluoro‐tert‐butoxy)aluminate affords – depending on the solvent – either the bis(boronium) ion 4 or the hydride‐bridged dication 5. In case of tritylium hexafluorophosphate, however, H/F exchange occurs between boron and phosphorus yielding the dinuclear BF3 adduct 3 along with phosphorus dihydride trifluoride. H/F exchange also takes place when using the mononuclear N‐heterocyclic carbene BH3 adduct 6 and hence provides a facile route to PH2F3, which is usually synthesized in more complex reaction sequences regularly involving toxic hydrogen fluoride. DFT calculations shed light on the H/F exchange between the borenium ion and the [PF6]− counter‐ion and the computed mechanism features only small barriers in line with the experimental observations.
Role of EBUS‐TBNA/EUS‐FNA and mass spectrometry for diagnosis and typing of lymph node amyloidosis: 10‐year experience in two tertiary care academic centers
Authors: Naqvi Asghar , Bonert Michael , Finley Christian , Czarnecka‐Kujawa Katarzyna , Yasufuku Kazuhiro , Schwock Joerg , Kulasingam Vathany , John Rohan , Ko Hyang‐Mi 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe objectives of this study were to investigate the utility of endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA)/endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) for the diagnosis of amyloidosis coupled with the feasibility of mass spectrometry (MS) for amyloid subtyping.MethodsAll patients who had amyloid diagnosed by EBUS‐TBNA/EUS‐FNA at two tertiary care centers from 2011 to 2020 were retrieved along with the MS subtype, clinical findings, and outcomes.ResultsEight patients were included: seven underwent EBUS‐TBNA of mediastinal lymph nodes, and one underwent EUS‐FNA of a periportal lymph node. Ages ranged from 37 to 79 years (median, 69 years), with equal numbers of men and women. Presenting clinical history included one case each of follicular lymphoma, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, rheumatoid arthritis, possible sarcoid, cirrhosis, and chronic renal insufficiency, and one case each of suspected pulmonary and cardiac amyloidosis. All cases showed waxy, amorphous material on direct smears (n = 5) or ThinPrep slides (n = 3), which were confirmed as amyloid on Congo Red staining. Immunohistochemistry showed dominant lambda staining in two of three cases. MS was performed in all cases and identified five of the light‐chain (AL) type, one of the heavy‐chain/AL type, and two suggestive of AL amyloidosis. Bone marrow biopsy performed in seven patients demonstrated that three had monoclonal plasma cells and one had lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. Two of four patients with systemic amyloidosis received chemotherapy and remained alive, whereas three with localized disease remained stable under observation.ConclusionsEBUS‐TBNA/EUS‐FNA is effective for amyloidosis diagnosis and provides adequate material for ancillary tests, including MS, which can identify the precursor amyloidogenic protein, leading to appropriate patient management.
Computational Study on Piperazine‐1,4‐Diium Acetate Using Dft Investigations: Structural Aspects, Topological and Nonlinear Optical Properties
Authors: Steffy Adlin D. , Dhas D. Arul , Joe I. Hubert , Balachandran S. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe work aims to investigate the nonlinear optical (NLO) activity of piperazine‐1,4‐diium acetate (PAA) molecule utilizing computational techniques. The computational calculations are performed using density functional theory (DFT) to explore the vibrational modes, electronic and NLO properties of PAA by comparing them with piperazine and acetic acid molecules. The natural bond orbital analysis is performed to identify hydrogen bonding and charge transfer interaction. A vibrational analysis is carried out and the assignment of fundamental modes is done using the vibrational energy distribution analysis (VEDA) program. Molecular electrostatic potential, frontier molecular orbital, electron localization function, localized orbital locator and Fukui analysis are carried out to identify chemical reactivity and charge transfer interaction. The UV–visible analysis is performed to obtain the electronic absorption spectrum. The hole–electron analysis is performed for the first five excitations to identify the type of excitation. The atoms in molecules, reduced density gradient and independent gradient model are performed to identify the hydrogen bonding, steric and van der Waals interactions. Hirshfeld analysis is performed to explore the intermolecular interactions within the PAA molecule. The NLO calculation is performed to evaluate the NLO parameters. The obtained results show that the PAA molecule is suitable for NLO applications.
Quality diets for better health: Integrated orange‐fleshed sweetpotato intervention improved dietary practice in southern Ethiopia
Authors: Brouwer Roland , Bocher Temesgen Fitamo , Low Jan W. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPoor diet quality for women and children under 2 years of age is the major public health problem in developing countries claiming lives of millions of children and mothers. Nutrition‐sensitive, climate smart orange‐fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] intervention has been proved to be an effective approach to ensure enhanced diet quality and reduce the health burden faced by women and children. The objective of this study is to contribute to evidence generation effort by assessing the effectiveness of the introduction of vitamin A‐rich, OFSP cultivars alongside social and behavior change communication strategy and agronomic practice in improving diet quality. Cluster‐randomized control trial design was implemented on cross‐sectional data collected from project beneficiary and control households in 2017 (n = 1451) and 2019 (n = 2065). Quasi‐experimental double difference analysis is used to measure the impact of the intervention on key nutrition outcome indicators. Nutrition‐sensitive climate smart agriculture focused on OFSP cultivars with integrated nutrition behavioral change social communication and agronomic training presented significant potential to improved food security, dietary diversity, and frequency of vitamin A food‐rich intake among the rural population of southern Ethiopia. Thus, it is concluded that enhanced investment in nutrition dense agricultural commodities such as orange fleshed‐sweetpotatoes with appropriate training on both nutrition and agronomic can be effective and cheaper means to address the diet quality problem.
Glucocorticoid regulation of the mTORC1 pathway modulates CD4+ T cell responses during infection
Authors: Chen Huihui , Liu Zhiwen , Zha Jie , Zeng Li , Tang Runyan , Tang Chengyuan , Cai Juan , Tan Chongqing , Liu Hong , Dong Zheng , Chen Guochun 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectivesConventional glucocorticoid (GC) treatment poses significant risks for opportunistic infections due to its suppressive impact on CD4+ T cells. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms by which GCs modulate the functionality of CD4+ T cells during infection.MethodsWe consistently measured FOXP3, inflammatory cytokines and phospho‐S6 ribosomal protein levels in CD4+ T cells from patients undergoing conventional GC treatment. Using Foxp3EGFP animals, we investigated the dynamic activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway and its correlation with the immunoregulatory function of CD4+ T cells under the influence of GCs.ResultsGCs dynamically altered the expression pattern of FOXP3 in CD4+ T cells, promoting their acquisition of an active T regulatory (Treg) cell phenotype upon stimulation. Mechanistically, GCs undermined the kinetics of the mTORC1 pathway, which was closely correlated with phenotype conversion and functional properties of CD4+ T cells. Dynamic activation of the mTORC1 signaling modified the GC‐dampened immunoregulatory capacity of CD4+ T cells by phenotypically and functionally bolstering the FOXP3+ Treg cells. Interventions targeting the mTORC1 pathway effectively modulated the GC‐dampened immunoregulatory capacity of CD4+ T cells.ConclusionThese findings highlight a novel mTORC1‐mediated mechanism underlying CD4+ T cell immunity in the context of conventional GC treatment.
Liquid encapsulation in a freezing sessile drop
Authors: Lyu Sijia , Zhu Xun , Legendre Dominique , Sun Chao 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDuring the solidification of a sessile drop, the effect of heat exchange from the gaseous environmental medium is generally ignored. However, by combining experimental observations, direct numerical simulations, and a theoretical model, we have demonstrated that the environmental medium, particularly one with high thermal conductivity such as a liquid, has nonnegligible heat exchange with both the drop and the substrate, leading to accelerated cooling of the outer surface of the sessile drop. Consequently, it causes alterations in the geometry of the freezing front and ultimately results in the formation of a solidified shell that encloses the drop. Furthermore, the encapsulated liquid continues to solidify, which induces volume change and consequently changes the final outcome of the freezing process. This study highlights the importance of considering the properties of the environmental medium and provides novel strategies to manipulate the freezing rate and reshape the morphology of the solidified drop.
Coordination chemistry applied to anti‐doping analysis: Cobalt quantification as its diethyldithiocarbamate complex by liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: dos Santos Vanessa Farelo , Carneiro Gabriel Reis Alves , Braz Bernardo Ferreira , Santelli Ricardo Erthal , de Paula Machado Sérgio , Gualberto Pereira Henrique Marcelo 
Published: August 2023

AbstractCobalt was included on the World Anti‐Doping Agency Prohibited List in 2015 due to its effect on stimulus of erythropoiesis via stabilization of hypoxia‐inducible factor. Although it has proven benefits for performance enhancement, the unavailability of inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry on routine of the accredited laboratories is a factor that reduces its applicability in anti‐doping analysis. Therefore, an analytical method for quantification of urinary cobalt as its diethyldithiocarbamate complex by liquid chromatography coupled with high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated. Palladium was proposed as internal standard and rhodium as a complexation control. A microwave‐assisted acid digestion of the urine samples was essential, not only to eliminate the matrix effect but mainly to avoid the non‐specific bond of cobalt to endogenous molecules. A linear method was obtained over the studied range from a negative urine control to a spiked concentration of 25 ng/mL, with an estimated limit of quantification of 2.5 ng/mL, and an adequate combined standard uncertainty of 11.4%. Considering that all reagents are commercially available, the proposed strategy is feasible to be included on routine sample preparation. Monitoring urinary cobalt concentrations globally opens the perspective to support the anti‐doping system to define a suitable threshold value and to understand its potential misuse by athletes seeking for performance improvement.
Patterns in antipredator armature reduction and maintenance in isolated spring populations of an amphipod crustacean
Authors: Loehr John , Sundell Janne , Immonen Mikko , Väinölä Risto 
Published: August 2023

AbstractOrganisms colonizing new habitats can undergo adaptive change due to novel selective landscapes encountered in the new environment. Examples in nature where the development of the same traits has repeatedly occurred on multiple independent occasions upon colonizing a novel habitat represent instances of parallel evolution. Here we test whether the colonization of spring habitat by the principally lacustrine amphipod crustacean Pallaseopsis quadrispinosa has resulted in parallel evolution in armature traits using empirical data on morphology and mitochondrial DNA and through a breeding experiment. Analysis of mtDNA CO1 sequences shows that the spring populations share no common history and have evolved in isolation from each other and from their neighbouring lake populations since deglaciation approximately 12,000 years ago and are now fixed for different haplogroups. Dorsal spines and lateral projections were absent or less developed in all spring populations than in lake populations. Variation in armature development also could be explained by predator presence as populations with fish predators exhibited more developed spines than those without fish. In a laboratory breeding experiment, hybrid Spring × Lake F1 offspring had intermediate development of armature compared to offspring of Lake × Lake and Spring × Spring matings. The results support the hypothesis that armature reduction has independently evolved on multiple occasions in P. quadrispinosa. Recent research has questioned the degree to which parallel evolution actually explains variance in traits. Taking into account the predation regime, sexual dimorphism and mineral composition of the trait, a more precise understanding of the factors influencing parallel evolution emerges.