bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new approach for alkali incorporation in Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cells
Authors: Valdés M , Hernández A , Sánchez Y , Fonoll R , Placidi M , Izquierdo V , Cabas-Vidani A , Valentini M , Mittiga A , Pistor P , Malerba C , Saucedo E 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The addition of alkali elements has become mandatory for boosting solar cell performance in chalcogenide thin films based on kesterites (Cu2ZnSnS4, CZTS). A novel doping process is presented here, that consists in the incorporation of sodium or lithium during the deposition of the CdS buffer layer, followed by a post-deposition annealing (PDA). As the doping route leads to more efficient devices in comparison with the undoped reference sample, the influence of PDA temperature was also investigated. Compositional profiling techniques, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) and glow discharge optical mission spectroscopy (GDOES), revealed a dependence of the alkaline distribution in kesterites with the PDA temperature. Although the doping process is effective in that it increases the alkaline concentration compared to the undoped sample, the compositional profiles indicate that a significant proportion of Li and Na remains ‘trapped’ within the CdS layer. In the 200 °C–300 °C range the alkali profiles registered the higher concentration inside the kesterite. Despite this, an additional alkali accumulation close to the molybdenum/fluorine doped tin oxide substrate was found for all the samples, which is frequently related to alkali segregation at interfaces. The addition of both, lithium and sodium, improves the photovoltaic response compared to the undoped reference device. This is mainly explained by a substantial improvement in the open-circuit potential (V
oc) of the cells, with best devices achieving efficiencies of 4.5% and 3% for lithium and sodium, respectively. Scanning-electron microscopy images depicted a ‘bilayer structure’ with larger grains at the top and small grains at the bottom in all samples. Moreover, the calculated bandgap energies of the CZTS films account for changes in the crystallographic order-disorder of the kesterites, more related to the PDA treatment rather than alkali incorporation. Even if further optimization of the absorber synthesis and doping process will be required, this investigation allowed the evaluation of a novel strategy for alkali incorporation in kesterite based solar cells.
Climate fluctuation impacts in Astronium urundeuva (M. Allemão) Engl. silvicultural characters in the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Corrêa Aparecida Juliana Martins , Alves Patrícia Ferreira , Cambuim José , Moraes Mario Luiz Teixeira de , Freitas Miguel Luiz Menezes 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Currently, mankind is responsible for changing our planet’s conditions. These changes are usually catastrophic, and yet, mankind does not develop preventative strategies to reduce their impacts. However, a species present in the Brazilian Cerrado, Astronium urundeuva, can be very economically logged and has a known landscape distribution, but lacks information regarding the impacts of climate change on its silviculture. This research aimed to verify A. urundeuva’s silvicultural behavior under current environmental conditions. Progenies from three populations (Cerrado and Atlantic Forest/Cerrado transition) were measured for silvicultural characters: height (HT) and diameter at breast height (DBH), in 2019. Climatic data (temperature, precipitation, evapotranspiration and soil available water, averages and accumulated) were also measured between 1996 and 2018. Descriptive and sequential water balance analysis, descriptive statistics, collinearity tests and a multiple linear regression were performed. There was water deficit in all years (−12.7 mm) researched, which showed an irregular rainfall distribution in Selvíria-MS, concentrated mostly in summer. Average HT ranged from 8.02 m to 10.69 m, while average DBH ranged from 0.10 m to 0.12 m, with high variability (CVs between 21.99% and 34.77%). There was significant correlation between HT, DBH,

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has a direct and negative relationship with silvicultural characters, implying productivity losses while evapotranspiration increases. Even though it is not a typical Cerrado species, A. urundeuva may have adapted to phytogeographic domain conditions, with slow growth due to water deficit for its survival, considering that, in Brazil, climate change has resulted from annual variations.
Community Science Reveals High Diversity of Nectaring Plants Visited by Painted Lady Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in California Sage Scrub
Authors: Saldivar Jo’lene A , Romero Andrea N , Wilson Rankin Erin E 
Published: September 2022

AbstractCalifornia’s sage scrub habitats support a diversity of nectar and host plants for migrating and resident populations of painted lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui) throughout all seasons. North America experiences spring V. cardui migrations involving butterflies totaling in the millions in some years. These irruptive years are thought to be driven by winter weather patterns at breeding grounds near the US–Mexico border and due to their irregularity, it is difficult to study floral resource use along the migration route. Here we used the community science platform iNaturalist to quantify patterns in V. cardui nectar resource use in sage scrub over time and space during irruptive and nonirruptive years. We identified over 329 different nectaring plant species of varying functional types (72% native to California) visited by adult V. cardui, 195 of which had not been previously identified as known nectar plants for V. cardui. Vanessa cardui butterflies were observed in similar locations regardless of whether an irruptive migration occurred, indicating the presence of either sparse migrants or resident populations across California. Moreover, irruptive years were positively correlated with warmer and wetter local conditions at observation locations. Our results provide new insights into patterns of floral resource use by North American V. cardui by harnessing the power of community science data and while highlighting the factors associated with its North American migration.
Influence of Turfgrass Parameters on the Abundance of Arthropods in Sod Farms
Authors: Singh Gurjit , Joseph Shimat Villanassery 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Sod farms, where turfgrass is commercially produced, have a unique system, in which sod is harvested within 2 yr after planting. Understanding the turfgrass factors that influence the abundance of predators, herbivores, detritivores, and parasitoids that inhabit turfgrass paves the foundation for developing effective pest management programs. However, little is known about those factors in sod farms. The objective of the study was to determine the influence of turfgrass height, density, and thatch thickness on abundance of arthropod taxa in sod farms. The study was conducted at 18 and 10 sod field sites in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Four pitfall traps were deployed at each site. In 2019, each site was sampled in May, June, and July, whereas in 2020, each site was sampled in June and August. In 2019, the numbers of predatory heteropterans were two times greater in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) than in zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.). The numbers of predatory mirids, Spanogonicus albofasciatus (Reuter), and carabids significantly decreased with increases in turfgrass height. In 2020, the abundance of staphylinids increased as the thatch thickness increased. The abundance of Sphenophorus spp. adults were significantly greater in bermudagrass than in zoysiagrass in 2020 and were more abundant in the denser turfgrasses in both years. The predatory arthropods were positively correlated with increased densities of cicadellids, whereas predatory mirids were positively associated with cicadellids, delphacids, and chrysomelids. These results have implications on management of arthropod pests in sod farms as abundance of beneficial arthropods are influenced by turfgrass factors.
Beneficial and Pest Arthropod Responses to Tillage and Cover Crop Residues in Organic Cucurbits
Authors: Appenfeller Logan R , Brainard Daniel C , Hayden Zachary D , Szendrei Zsofia 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Reduced tillage methods such as strip tillage are often combined with cover crop mixtures to provide agronomic benefits which can support crop and soil health. However, reduced tillage and cover crop species/arrangements effects on arthropods is less understood and results of previous studies have varied. In this study, we examined how agriculturally relevant pest and beneficial arthropod species were impacted by tillage and cover crop methods in USDA-certified organic Cucurbita (L.) (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae). Aphididae were the most observed foliar pests and abundance was highest in full tillage treatment plots while foliar herbivores overall, excluding Aphididae, were more abundant in strip tillage treatment plots regardless of cover crop arrangement. Formicidae was also observed more on foliage, flowers, and in pitfall traps in full tillage, similarly to Aphididae. Parasitica were the most observed foliar natural enemies with increased abundance in strip tillage treatments. Activity densities of several epigeal natural enemies were also higher in strip tillage compared to full tillage. No significant effects of tillage and cover crop treatments were observed on flower visitation rates of Eucera pruinosa (Say) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), an important pollinator of Cucurbita, while the highest visitation rates of Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Bombus spp. (Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) were in strip tillage treatments. These results suggest that reduced tillage methods can support greater abundances of natural enemies and possibly pollinators. This may lead to enhanced biological control and pollination, but impacts may vary for different arthropod species and crops.
Coronary morphological features in women with non-ST-segment elevation MINOCA and MI-CAD as assessed by optical coherence tomography
Authors: Usui Eisuke , Matsumura Mitsuaki , Smilowitz Nathaniel R , Mintz Gary S , Saw Jacqueline , Kwong Raymond Y , Hada Masahiro , Mahmud Ehtisham , Giesler Caitlin , Shah Binita , Bangalore Sripal , Razzouk Louai , Hoshino Masahiro , Marzo Kevin , Ali Ziad A , Bairey Merz C Noel , Sugiyama Tomoyo , Har Bryan , Kakuta Tsunekazu , Hochman Judith S , Reynolds Harmony R , Maehara Akiko 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Aims
We aimed to use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to identify differences in atherosclerotic culprit lesion morphology in women with myocardial infarction (MI) with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) compared with MI with obstructive coronary artery disease (MI-CAD).

Methods and results
Women with an OCT-determined atherosclerotic aetiology of non-ST segment elevation (NSTE)-MINOCA (angiographic diameter stenosis &lt;50%) who were enrolled in the multicentre Women’s Heart Attack Research Program (HARP) study were compared with a consecutive series of women with NSTE-MI-CAD who underwent OCT prior to coronary intervention at a single institution. Atherosclerotic pathologies identified by OCT included plaque rupture, plaque erosion, intraplaque haemorrhage (IPH, a region of low signal intensity with minimum attenuation adjacent to a lipidic plaque without fibrous cap disruption), layered plaque (superficial layer with clear demarcation from the underlying plaque indicating early thrombus healing), or eruptive calcified nodule.
We analysed 58 women with NSTE-MINOCA and 52 women with NSTE-MI-CAD. Optical coherence tomography features of underlying vulnerable plaque (thin-cap fibroatheroma) were less common in MINOCA (3 vs. 35%) than in MI-CAD. Intraplaque haemorrhage (47 vs. 2%) and layered plaque (31 vs. 12%) were more common in MINOCA than MI-CAD, whereas plaque rupture (14 vs. 67%), plaque erosion (8 vs. 14%), and calcified nodule (0 vs. 6%) were less common in MINOCA. The angle of ruptured cavity was smaller and thrombus burden was lower in MINOCA.

Conclusion
The prevalence of atherothrombotic culprit lesion subtype varied substantially between MINOCA and MI-CAD. A majority of culprit lesions in MINOCA had the appearance of IPH or layered plaque.

Clinical Trial Registration Information
Clinical Trial Name: Heart Attack Research Program- Imaging Study (HARP); ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: NCT02905357; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02905357
Ex post analysis of the crop diversification measure of CAP greening in France
Authors: Sauquet Alexandre 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIn this article, we quantify the impact of the crop diversification measure implemented in France as part of the 2013 common agricultural policy greening reform. We exploit a discontinuity in the constraints imposed on farms larger and smaller than 30 ha, respectively, and apply regression differences-in-differences with a regression discontinuity set-up on land use data collected from a representative sample of French farmers. We find that farms greater than 30 ha increased compliance with the measure and the number of crops grown on their lands and that farms larger and smaller than 30 ha responded differently to the reform.
Survey of Professionals of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA) towards Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing
Authors: Beccia Flavia , Hoxhaj Ilda , Sassano Michele , Stojanovic Jovana , Acampora Anna , Pastorino Roberta , Boccia Stefania 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Background
The increasing availability of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Tests (DTC-GTs) has great implications for public health (PH) and requires literate healthcare professionals to address the challenges they pose. We designed and conducted a survey to assess the state of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of PH professionals members of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA) towards DTC-GTs.

Methods
EUPHA members were invited to participate and fill in the survey. We performed multivariable logistic regression to evaluate associations between selected covariates and knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of healthcare professionals towards DTC-GT.

Results
Three hundred and two professionals completed the survey, 66.9% of whom were not involved in genetics or genomics within their professional activities. Although 74.5% of respondents were aware that DTC-GTs could be purchased on the web, most of them reported a low level of awareness towards DTC-GTs applications and regulatory aspects. The majority did not approve the provision of DTC-GTs without consultation of a healthcare professional (91.4%), were doubtful about the test utility and validity (61%) and did not feel prepared to address citizens’ questions (65.6%). Predictors of knowledge on DTC-GT were the involvement in genetics/genomics and receiving training during the studies (P &lt; 0.0001 and P = 0.043). Predictors of attitudes were medical degree and knowledge about DTC-GTs (P = 0.006 and P = 0.027).

Conclusions
Our results revealed a high level of awareness of DTC-GT web purchasing and a moderate to low level of awareness towards their applications. Despite the overall positive attitudes, PH professionals reported a high need for strengthening regulatory aspects of DTC-GTs provision process.
Extracellular lactonase-mediated quorum quenching by a novelBacillus velezensis
Authors: Ayyappan Suryalekshmi Vijaya , Bhaskaran Krishnakumar 
Published: September 2022

AbstractMany Gram-negative bacteria coordinate their gene expression via quorum sensing (QS) mediated by small diffusible autoinducer molecules such as Acyl Homoserine Lactones (AHL). The degradation of AHLs or quorum quenching (QQ) imparts less selection pressure on the target organisms leading to a possible alternative to antimicrobial agents and traditional biofilm control methods. Here, a novel strain of Bacillus velezensis, strain PM7, exhibiting extracellular QQ activity against Gram-negative bacteria has been isolated. Analytical studies of the AHL degradation using LC-MS as well as bioreporters revealed the mechanism of QQ as homoserine lactone ring hydrolysis. Using molecular techniques, the presence of an aiiA homologues gene, specific for acyl homoserine lactonase enzyme, was confirmed in the bacterium. A biofilm inhibitory activity in the range of 36.9%–77.4% was achieved by the PM7 against three different Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, a significant reduction (P &lt; .05) in the QS-controlled traits such as violacein production in Chromobacterium violaceum (73%), swarming motility and prodigiosin production (67.2%) in Serratia marcescens, and exopolysaccharide production (97.9%) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was also observed. The extracellular and broad-spectrum lactonase of this novel strain can be beneficial for its use in QQ applications.
The Mediating Role of Biomarkers in the Association Between Subjective Aging and Episodic Memory
Authors: Stephan Yannick , Sutin Angelina R , Luchetti Martina , Aschwanden Damaris , Terracciano Antonio 
Published: September 2022

AbstractObjectivesSubjective aging, indexed by subjective age and self-perceptions of aging (SPA), is consistently related to cognition in adulthood. The present study examined whether blood biomarkers mediate the longitudinal associations between subjective aging indices and memory.MethodsData of 5,369 individuals aged 50–94 years (mean = 66.89 years, SD = 9.22; 60% women) were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Subjective age, SPA, and demographic factors were assessed in 2012/2014. Interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, albumin, cystatin C, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), fasting glucose, Vitamin D, hemoglobin, red cells distribution width, and epigenetic aging were assessed as part of the HRS Venuous Blood Study in 2016. Memory was measured in 2018. The mediators (except for epigenetic aging, which was assessed in a subsample) were tested simultaneously in models that accounted for demographic covariates.ResultsAn older subjective age was related to worse memory partially through higher fasting glucose, higher cystatin C, higher NT-proBNP, and accelerated epigenetic aging. Negative SPA was related to worse memory through lower Vitamin D3, higher fasting glucose, higher cystatin C, higher NT-proBNP, and accelerated epigenetic aging. The biomarkers explained between 2% and 10% of subjective age and between 1% and 8% of SPA associations with memory. Additional analysis revealed that biomarkers continued to be significant mediators when physical inactivity and depressive symptoms were included as additional mediators.ConclusionThe present study adds to existing research on the association between subjective aging and memory by providing new evidence on the biological mediators of this association.
How Justice Becomes Part of the Deal: Pre-Conditions for the Inclusion of Transitional Justice Provisions in Peace Agreements
Authors: Leib Julia 
Published: September 2022

ABSTRACT∞
In which negotiation contexts are transitional justice provisions included in peace agreements? Today, many peace agreements include transitional justice provisions, but their inclusion differs based on conflict and negotiation characteristics. While context thus seems to be relevant for the choice of transitional justice provisions agreed on by the warring parties, very little is known about the context clusters that enable transitional justice. Using data on 58 full peace agreements signed between 1989 and 2018, a crisp-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) investigates the combinations of conflict intensity, rebel group strength, type of conflict, third-party support and civil society participation that led to the inclusion of transitional justice provisions. The result of this exploratory study suggests four context settings that are identified as being empirically relevant for the inclusion of transitional justice provisions. Choices of justice are thus the result of an overall negotiation environment characterized by multiple interrelated context factors.
Approximations of the set of trajectories and integral funnel of the non-linear control systems with Lp norm constraints on the control functions
Authors: Huseyin Nesir , Huseyin Anar , Guseinov Khalik G 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
In this paper, approximations of the set of trajectories and integral funnel of the control system described by non-linear ordinary differential equation with integral constraint on the control functions are considered. The set of admissible control functions is replaced by a set, consisting of a finite number of piecewise-constant control functions. It is shown that the set of trajectories generated by a finite number of piecewise-constant control functions is an internal approximation of the set of trajectories. Further, each trajectory generated by a piecewise-constant control function is substituted by appropriate Euler’s broken line and it is proved that the set consisting of a finite number of Euler’s broken lines is an approximation of the set of trajectories of given control system. An approximation of the system’s integral funnel by a set consisting of a finite number of points is obtained.
Structural health monitoring of railway bridges using innovative sensing technologies and machine learning algorithms: a concise review
Authors: Wang You-Wu , Ni Yi-Qing , Wang Su-Mei 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Railway bridges are a vital element of railway infrastructures, and their safety can directly affect the regional economy and commuter transportation. However, railway bridges are often subjected to severe loading and working conditions, caused by rising traffic levels and heavier vehicles, and increases in train running speeds makes the bridges extremely susceptible to degradation and failure. One of the promising tools for evaluating the overall safety and reliability of railway bridges is the bridge structural health monitoring (SHM) system, which not only monitors the structural conditions of bridges and maintains the safety of train operations, but also helps to expand the lifespan of bridges by enhancing their durability and reliability. While a multitude of review papers on SHM and vibration-based structural damage detection methods have been published in the past two decades, there is a paucity of literature that provides a review or overview on the SHM of railway bridges. Some of the review papers have become obsolete and do not reflect the state-of-the-art research. Therefore, the main goal of this article is to summarize state-of-the-art SHM techniques and methods that have been widely used and popular in recent years. First, two state-of-the-art SHM sensing technologies (i.e. fiber optic sensing (FOS) technology and computer vision-based (CV) technology) are reviewed, including the working principles of various sensors and their practical applications for railway bridge monitoring. Second, two state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms (i.e. convolutional neural networks (CNN) and transfer learning (TL)) and their applications for railway bridge structural condition assessment are exemplified. Third, the principle of digital twin (DT) and its applications for railway bridge monitoring are presented. Finally, issues related to the future direction and challenges of the monitoring technologies and condition assessment methods of railway bridges are highlighted.