bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding and predicting harmful algal blooms in a changing climate: A trait‐based framework
Authors: Litchman Elena 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe worldwide proliferation of harmful algal blooms (HABs) both in freshwater and marine ecosystems make understanding and predicting their occurrence urgent. Trait‐based approaches, where the focus is on functional traits, have been successful in explaining community structure and dynamics in diverse ecosystems but have not been applied extensively to HABs. The existing trait compilations suggest that HAB taxa differ from non HAB taxa in key traits that determine their responses to major environmental drivers. Multi‐trait comparisons between HAB‐forming and other phytoplankton taxa, as well as within the HAB groups to characterize interspecific and intraspecific differences will help better define ecological niches of different HAB taxa, develop trait‐based mechanistic models, and better identify environmental conditions that would likely lead to HABs. Building databases of HAB traits and using them in diverse statistical and mechanistic models will increase our ability to predict the HAB occurrence, composition, and severity under changing conditions, including the anthropogenic global change.
Carboxylic Groups via Postpolymerization Modification of Polythiophene and their Influence on the Performance of a Polymeric MALDI Matrix
Authors: Qiao Zhi , Horatz Kilian , Ho Po Yuen , Mitrofanov Andrei , Zhou Changjiang , Sun Ningwei , Lissel Franziska S.‐C. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractMatrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) requires a matrix, and traditionally small organic matrices (SOMs) carrying acidic or basic functional groups are used. However, the analyte ionization via secondary processes in the gas‐phase seems to be more important than primary processes. For conjugated polymeric matrices, an even more complicated picture emerges due to their apolar and aprotic nature, high molecular weight, and low tendency to desorb. Poly(3‐dodecylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl) (P3DDT), a good matrix for low‐molecular weight (LMW) analytes, does not give matrix‐related peaks in the LMW area. Here, carboxylic acid (COOH) side‐chains are introduced via postpolymerization modification. The polymers are characterized by NMR, FT‐IR, CV, MALDI MS, and, when possible, GPC. The electron withdrawing side‐chains serve three functions; i) raising the ionization potential (IP), ii) improving the absorption maximum, and iii) acting as a source of protons. When measuring basic amines, this results in the occurrence of additional [Analyte + H+]+ signals compared to polymers without acidic groups, where only radical cations [Analyte]+• are detected. Similarly, estradiol and testosterone, compounds with high IPs, are not detected by polythiophenes without acidic groups, while P3DDT‐COOH enables detection as protonated species.
Green technology licensing: Evaluating government subsidies based on different efficiency levels across competitors
Authors: Ma Jingpei , Sun Xuejun 
Published: December 2022

AbstractGreen technology development results in manufacturers in traditional industries reducing carbon emissions to alleviate pressure on the ecological environment. Some manufacturers efficiently adopt this green technology and some do not. An effective green technology licensing strategy can promote the diffusion of technology from highly efficient manufacturers to those who are less efficient. The government has implemented subsidies to promote green technology among manufacturers. Manufacturers with high levels of technology efficiency should obtain a high level of licensing income; however, it is unclear whether these licensing rewards are effective, especially in the face of fierce market competition. What is the government's optimal subsidy policy to address this problem? In this study, given a possible government subsidy, we develop a game theory model that includes Manufacturer H, with relatively high green technology investment efficiency, and Manufacturer L, with low levels of efficiency. The two manufacturers engage in a two‐dimensional competition in green technology investment and sales volume. We examine the manufacturers' profitability with and without green technology licensing, called Scenario Y and Scenario N, respectively. We identify “win–win” situations for the two competing manufacturers. Specifically, the government should increase the subsidy when the efficiency of industrial green investment is low, Manufacturer L has a clear disadvantage with respect to efficiency, and the competition is fierce.
Breast Milk‐Derived Limosilactobacillus reuteri Prevents Atopic Dermatitis in Mice via Activating Retinol Absorption and Metabolism in Peyer's Patches
Authors: Qi Ce , Tu Huayu , Zhao Yuning , Zhou Jingbo , Chen Jie , Hu Haiting , Yu Renqiang , Sun Jin 
Published: December 2022

ScopeSupplementing Limosilactobacillus reuteri Fn041, a breast milk‐derived probiotic from agricultural and pastoral areas, to maternal mice during late pregnancy and lactation prevents atopic dermatitis (AD) in offspring. This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanism of Fn041‐mediated immune regulation.Methods and resultsFn041 is administered prenatal and postnatal to maternal mice, and to offspring after weaning. The ears are administered with calcipotriol to induce AD. Fn041 treatment significantly alleviates ear inflammation, and reduces mast cell infiltration. Fn041 treatment upregulates and downregulates intestinal ZO‐1 and Claudin‐2 mRNA expression, respectively. Transcriptome analysis of Peyer's patches reveals that pathways related to DNA damage repair are activated in AD mice, which is inhibited by Fn041 treatment. Fn041 activates pathways related to retinol absorption and metabolism. Untargeted metabolomic analysis reveals that Fn041 treatment increases plasma retinol and kynurenine. Fn041 treatment does not significantly alter the overall cecal microbiota profile, only increases the relative abundances of Ligilactobacillus apodemi, Ligilactobacillus murinus, Akkermansia muciniphila, and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron.ConclusionsFn041 induces anti‐AD immune responses directly by promoting the absorption and metabolism of retinol in Peyer's patches, and plays an indirect role by strengthening the mucosal barrier and increasing the abundance of specific anti‐AD bacteria in the cecum.
The landscape of TIGIT target and clinical application in diseases
Authors: Rui Shu , Kong Xiangyu , Liu Jiaye , Wang Liying , Wang Xiaofei , Zou Xiuhe , Zheng Xun , Ye Feng , Xu Heng , Li Zhihui , Luo Han 
Published: December 2022

AbstractImmune checkpoint blockade has dramatically altered the concept of cancer therapeutics over the past few years. Beyond the existing classical pathways, novel immune checkpoints, such as T‐cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based inhibitory motif (ITIM) structural domain (TIGIT), have also emerged in recent years and have promising therapeutic potential. Recent researches have provided ample evidence that TIGIT is extensively involved in various cancerous and noncancerous diseases such as chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, abnormal pregnancy status, and most recently coronavirus disease 2019. In contrast to the programmed cell death receptor 1 pathway which primarily affects T‐cell function, targeting TIGIT pathway regulates multiple types of immunocytes but has fewer immune‐related adverse events. Owing to its unique advantages and extensive involvement in diseases, extensive clinical trials blockade TIGIT or combine it with other targets are ongoing, and numerous phase II clinical trials have already seen promising results. In this review, we summarized the existing research on TIGIT in various diseases and discussed the perspective and challenges related to targeting this molecular for therapy, with an attempt to provide directions for subsequent studies.
An experimental framework for assessing the detective quantum efficiency of spectroscopic x‐ray detectors
Authors: Zarif Yussefian Nikta , Tanguay Jesse 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackgroundAssessing the performance of spectroscopic x‐ray detectors (SXDs) requires measurement of the frequency‐dependent detective quantum efficiency (DQE). Analytical expressions of the task‐based DQE and task‐independent DQE of SXDs have been presented in the literature, but standardizable experimental methods for measuring them have not. The task‐based DQE quantifies the efficiency with which an SXD uses the x‐ray quanta incident upon it to either quantify or detect a basis material (e.g., soft tissue or bone) of interest. The task‐independent DQE is akin to the conventional DQE in that it is independent of the basis material to be detected or quantified.PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an experimental framework to present a method for experimental analysis of the DQE of SXDs, including the task‐based DQE and task‐independent DQE.MethodsWe develop methods to measure the frequency‐dependent DQE for task of quantifying or detecting a perturbation in a known basis material. We also develop methods for measuring a task‐independent DQE. We show that the task‐based DQEs and the task‐independent DQE can be measured using a modest extension of the methods prescribed by International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Specifically, measuring the task‐independent DQE requires measuring the modulation transfer function (MTF) and noise power spectrum (NPS) of each energy‐bin image, in addition to the cross NPS between energy‐bin images. Measuring the task‐based DQEs requires an additional measurement of the transmission fraction through a thin basis‐material absorber. We implemented the developed methods using standardized IEC x‐ray spectra, aluminum (Al) and polymethyl methacrylyte (PMMA) basis materials, and a cadmium telluride (CdTe) SXD equipped with two energy bins and analog charge summing (ACS) for charge‐sharing suppression. We also performed a regression analysis to determine whether or not the task‐independent DQE is predictive of the task‐based DQEs.ResultsExperimental results of the task‐based DQEs were consistent with simulation results presented in the literature. In general, and as expected, ACS increased the task‐based DQEs and task‐independent DQE. This effect was most pronounced for quantification tasks, in some instances yielding a five‐fold increase in the DQE. For both spectra, with and without ACS for charge sharing correction, the task‐based DQEs were linearly related to the task‐independent DQE, as demonstrated by R2‐values ranging from 0.89 to 1.00.ConclusionsWe have extended experimental DQE analysis to SXDs that count photons in multiple energy bins in a single x‐ray exposure. The developed framework is an extension of existing IEC methods, and provides a standardized approach to assessing the performance of SXDs.
Balancing stability and efficiency in team formation as a generalized roommate problem
Authors: Atef Yekta Hoda , Bergman David , Day Robert 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe assignment of personnel to teams is a fundamental managerial function typically involving several objectives and a variety of idiosyncratic practical constraints. Despite the prevalence of this task in practice, the process is seldom approached as an optimization problem over the reported preferences of all agents. This is due in part to the underlying computational complexity that occurs when intra‐team interpersonal interactions are taken into consideration, and also due to game‐theoretic considerations, when those taking part in the process are self‐interested agents. Variants of this fundamental decision problem arise in a number of settings, including, for example, human resources and project management, military platooning, ride sharing, data clustering, and in assigning students to group projects. In this article, we study an analytical approach to “team formation” focused on the interplay between two of the most common objectives considered in the related literature: economic efficiency (i.e., the maximization of social welfare) and game‐theoretic stability (e.g., finding a core solution when one exists). With a weighted objective across these two goals, the problem is modeled as a bi‐level binary optimization problem, and transformed into a single‐level, exponentially sized binary integer program. We then devise a branch‐cut‐and‐price algorithm and demonstrate its efficacy through an extensive set of simulations, with favorable comparisons to other algorithms from the literature.
A fast and accurate algorithm for solving linear systems associated with a class of negative matrix
Authors: Yang Zhao 
Published: December 2022

AbstractA class of negative matrices including Vandermonde‐like matrices tends to be extremely ill‐conditioned, and linear systems associated with this class of matrices appear in the polynomial interpolation problems. In this article, we present a fast and accurate algorithm with complexity to solve the linear systems whose coefficient matrices belong to the class of negative matrix. We show that the inverse of any such matrix is generated in a subtraction‐free manner. Consequently, the solutions of linear systems associated with the class of negative matrix are accurately determined by parameterization matrices of coefficient matrices, and a pleasantly componentwise forward error is provided to illustrate that each component of the solution is computed to high accuracy. Numerical experiments are performed to confirm the claimed high accuracy.
Investigation the effect of processing condition and dispersed phase content on rheology–morphology relationship in polypropylene/polyethylene terephthalate microfibrillar composite
Authors: Hejazi Elahe sadat , Masoomi Mahmood 
Published: December 2022

AbstractMorphological evolutions during the production of microfibrillar composites can be investigated by considering two main steps: (1) the melt blending in the extruder and (2) the drawing process. Deformation, coalescence and break‐up of dispersed phase droplets under shear and elongational flow fields applied in these two main steps lead to the formation of fibrillar morphology. Therefore, it can be stated that the fibrillar morphology is controlled by dispersed phase content, rheological and interfacial properties of the components as well as dispersed phase domains relaxation. In this study, the effect of dispersed phase content on the morphology of the polypropylene/polyethylene terephthalate microfibrillar composite was investigated. Also, three following processing parameters were considered to evaluate the kinetics of in‐situ formation of the microfibrils: Extruder die temperature, water bath temperature and the drawing path length. Linear and nonlinear rheological tests were used as an efficient tool to investigate the rheology–morphology relationship. Among the processing parameters studied, the drawing path length and die temperature had the most and least effect on microfibrillar morphology, respectively. By increasing the drawing path length from 20 to 30 cm, the break‐up of the fibrils and non‐uniformity in the cross section of the fibrils caused a weaker strain recovery after stress removal and also a rapid reduction of stress after cessation of steady shear flow field. Increasing the die temperature has a similar but weaker effect on the final morphology. The rheological results in the linear viscoelastic range all indicated the formation of a physical network of microfibrils within the matrix.
Structural, thermal and dielectric properties of glycerolized hydrogen‐bonded polyvinyl alcohol films
Authors: Gassab Marwa , Brefuel Nicolas , Sylvestre Alain , Dridi Chérif , Basrour Skandar 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIn order to evaluate the influence of plasticizers on the behavior of the dielectric properties of polymers intended for the elaboration of flexible sensors, we have studied the influence of the addition of glycerol (10 wt%–40 wt%) in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Once processed, the PVA films were not subjected to any particular annealing and they were dried at room temperature for 24 h before being characterized. This choice allows both to take advantage of the presence of water in the bulk of the material, which will help to make the PVA more flexible (increase of plasticization effect produced by extra‐H‐bonding) and avoid a transient behavior of water absorption into the material, as we could verify. DSC and FTIR investigations confirm good intermolecular interaction between vinyl polymer chains, glycerol, and water molecules. Dielectric spectroscopy analysis, carried out in [25°C–110°C] temperature and [0.1 Hz–1 MHz] frequency ranges, reveals a significant increase in the dielectric constant when the glycerol content is higher (at 0.1 Hz: 322 for pure PVA, 1.3 × 106 with 40 wt% of glycerol). Polar hydrogen bonds introduced by the glycerol are the main reason for this increase. Ionic conductivity induced by these dipoles dominates the loss tangent response of the material. The activation energy obtained from the DC conductivity plateau obeys to a conventional Arrhenius law with a decreasing value at highest glycerol contents (1.35 eV for pure PVA against 0.46 eV with 40 wt% of glycerol).
Closed‐loop consensus control of partial difference multi‐agent systems via variable gain iterative learning strategy
Authors: Wang Cun , Zhou Zupeng , Liu Xufeng 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIn the research on consensus control of multi‐agent systems (MASs), it is the key to ensure that the state quantities (speed, displacement, etc.) of all agents tend to be consensus. Under this premise, how to accelerate the convergence rate of the consensus error is also an important issue. Aiming at the accelerated consensus problem of MASs composed of partial difference equations, based on the network topology and the output form of each follower, a distributed closed‐loop accelerated iterative learning control (ILC) protocol with variable gain was proposed, which was designed to improve the speed of consensus error. With the help of basic mathematical tools such as discrete Gronwall inequality and contraction mapping method, the sufficient conditions for the convergence of the consensus error are derived and analyzed. Finally, numerical simulations show that the proposed acceleration control protocol is more effective than the traditional open‐loop and closed‐loop ILC protocols.
Enhancing Sorghum bicolor (L.) grain yield with the use of field edge rainwater harvesting and NPK fertiliser in a dry region of Zimbabwe
Authors: Kugedera Andrew Tapiwa , Nyamadzawo George , Mandumbu Ronald , Kokerai Letticia Kudzai 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackgroundFarmers in marginalised areas across Africa are mainly resource poor and have limited capacity to procure enough inorganic fertilisers. This contributed immensely towards declining crop productivity causing food insecurity. Soil moisture stress is another key factor which has led to a decline in crop yields across semi‐arid areas. This experiment determines the effects of field edge rainwater harvesting and NPK fertiliser microdosing on sorghum grain yields and agronomic nutrient use efficiency of two sorghum varieties (Macia and SV1). Rainwater harvesting techniques was the main plot factor with three levels (tied contour, infiltration pits and standard contour), sorghum variety was used as subplot factor with two levels (Macia and SV1) and NPK fertiliser as sub‐sub plot factor with five levels (0, 25, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha−1) with all treatments replicated three times. A randomised complete block design arranged in split‐plot was used.ResultsPhosphorous was significantly increased from 3.32 to 3.52 mg kg−1 with no significant (p > 0.05) increase in total nitrogen and soil organic carbon. Sorghum grain yields were statistically (p < 0.05) influenced by main treatment factors. Tied contour had considerably higher grain yield (861 kg ha−1) than infiltration pits and standard contours. Highest grain yield of 909 kg ha−1 was observed from plots applied 150 kg ha−1 NPK fertiliser. Macia variety performed significantly (p < 0.05) higher than SV1. Grain yields show significant (p < 0.05) increase with increasing fertiliser levels. Interaction of tied contour + Macia+ 150 kg ha−1 NPK fertiliser had significant grain yields (1150 kg ha−1) compared to other treatments. Treatments applied NPK fertiliser show significant differences (p < 0.05) than unfertilised plots. Agronomic nutrient use efficiencies were significantly higher (p < 0.05) from all treatments applied 25 kg ha−1 NPK fertiliser. Sorghum variety Macia had better nutrient use efficiency than SV1 in 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons except during 2019/20 where results show insignificant differences.ConclusionIt can be concluded that farmers adopt the use of tied contour and Macia variety using 150 kg ha−1 to achieved higher yields. Combining rainwater harvesting method of tied contour and mineral fertiliser can increase sorghum grain yields in dry regions.
Two‐ and Three‐Phase Self‐assembly of Molecular Capsules
Authors: Shivanyuk Alexander , Lagerna Oleksandra , Dolgonos Grygoriy A. , Rozhkov Vladimir , Shishkina Svetlana , Lukin Oleg , Poyarkov Alexey , Fetyukhin Volodymyr 
Published: December 2022

AbstractTwo‐ and three‐phase molecular encapsulations of Me4N+ or C7H7+ in the hydrogen‐bonded dimers of resorcin[4]arene tetraphosphates enable ion pair separations, dissolution of solid capsule components, and stabilization of capsule‐separated ion pairs in solution. Self‐assembly of the capsular ion pairs, the exchange of the encapsulated cations and external anions as well as the formation of heterodimeric capsular complexes are slow on hours time scale in heterogeneous systems and instantaneous in solutions. Spectroscopic studies and molecular modeling related the properties of the capsule‐separated ion pairs to the energies of induced conformational changes, hydrogen bonding, host‐guest interactions, ion pair separation, and the relative polarity of the solvent.
Preparation of H1.6Mn1.6O4/Chitosan Composite Microsphere and Its Adsorption Properties of Lithium
Authors: Wang Hua , Chen Guangzhou , Mo Lijie , Wu Guoqiang , Deng Xinyue 
Published: December 2022

AbstractLi1.6Mn1.6O4 was synthesized by soft chemical synthesis and solid‐phase calcination. Then it was compounded with chitosan (CTS) to form composite microsphere by Epichlorohydrin used as a cross‐linking agent. Subsequently, 0.5 mol ⋅ L−1 sodium persulfate was used as an eluent, and the lithium ion sieve adsorbent (H1.6Mn1.6O4) was prepared. The influencing factors of the preparation conditions for the lithium ion sieve precursor were investigated, and the results showed that when the mixed salt solution was 100 mL (molar ratio of lithium manganese for 4 : 1), added 5 mL H2O2 and calcined at 400 °C for 5 hours, the relatively pure Li1.6Mn1.6O4 could be obtained. Aimed at the composite microsphere, the influencing factors of its preparation conditions was investigated. The results showed that the ratio of CTS to lithium ion sieve powder was 1 : 2, the amount of cross‐linking agent was 2 mL and the time were 30 min was the best condition. The adsorption effect was tested by eluting Li1.6Mn1.6O4 and composite microsphere with a variety of eluents. The results showed that the adsorption effect of Li1.6Mn1.6O4 was best when 0.5 mol ⋅ L−1 hydrochloric acid was used as the eluent, and its adsorption capacity was 32.34 mg ⋅ g−1, the dissolution loss rate of Mn is 1.61 %; the composite microsphere had the best effect when 0.5 mol ⋅ L−1 sodium persulfate was used as the eluent, its adsorption capacity was 13.29 mg ⋅ g−1, the dissolution loss rate of Mn was only 0.91 %, moreover it had better repeatability, with only a 20.83 % drop in performance after the tenth runs. Ion selectivity experiments showed that the adsorption selection was in the order of Li+≫K+>Mg2+>Ca+>Na+, and the composite adsorbent was highly selective for Li+.